St Annes Palace was in high spirits, bustling with an interesting mix of ladies and gents, Masons and non-Masons as it played host to one of the most important events in the calendar of 2026. The year of the bi-centenary. The year that celebrates 200 years of Freemasonry in West Lancashire. This was, indeed, a night to remember as everyone looking remarkable, dressed in dinner suits and ballgowns.
However, some had gone the extra mile and dressed in Regency-style attire, rolling back the years and providing a glimpse into what our ancestors may have worn in years gone by. John Nichols and his wife Pam were amongst these, looking resplendent in their Regency-style attire as they paraded behind the bar, ensuring that all-comers were served in their usual jovial, personable and friendly manner. It was evident from the off that this was going to be a night for the memory books.
The conversation flowed and it was heart-warming to see smiles on faces and hear laughter in the air, as friends talked and joked and some could be heard reminiscing about how things had changed since they began their own journeys in Freemasonry. One thing was certain: the people in the room knew that they could count on each other in times of need and the friendships had been built on layers of meetings and get-togethers like the one that was about to unfold.
It wasn’t long before South Fylde Group Chairman Ben Gorry asked everyone to make their way into the large hall and prepare for the sumptuous feast that lay ahead. Upon entering the hall, it became immediately apparent that St Anne’s Palace Manager John Nichols and his wife Pam had certainly gone to great lengths to create a setting that made you feel as though you were stepping back in time. The candlelit hall was decorated divinely, with chairs enveloped in black, festooned with pretty red bows and this theme thoughtfully ran throughout, with the tables even having small bouquets of red roses, which perfectly matched the cutlery holders and serviettes. It was clear that every small detail had been considered to give all guests the best experience possible.
Ben Gorry opened the proceedings with a heartfelt welcome to all that had made the effort to attend. He thanked the group officers, all visitors, John and Pam for their exceptional hosting, which received a hearty ‘Here, here’ and finally Lee Munro and the Masonic Event Catering team for the menu they had created specifically for the evening – which was received with rapturous applause. Ben then went on to say that 200 years of anything in any capacity is remarkable and he was especially proud to be the custodian of the role of group chairman on this most momentous of occasions.
Whilst Ben was speaking, the aroma of freshly cooked fayre filled the hall and following Rev Canon Godfrey Hirst giving thanks, it wasn’t long before this turned to the food being served, tantalising the guests’ tastebuds. It is often commented on that the food being prepared and served by Lee Munro and his team at the Palace is second-to-none. The gastro delights on display on this evening only served to reaffirm this, with starters consisting of: homemade pea and ham hock soup, chicken liver pate or poached pear with blacksticks blue cheese; main course included: whole roasted poussin, venison with red wine and chocolate sauce, salmon wellington or beetroot wellington and desserts such as: homemade apple pie and custard, trio or miniature English puddings to satisfy those with even the sweetest of tooths and for those who prefer a savoury; a selection of West Lancashire cheeses and accompaniments.
With the guests looking replete, group charity steward David Jenkinson, seized the opportunity to explain the raffle system that he had devised and added that all money raised would proudly be donated to various national and local charities. The guests eagerly selected their numbered tickets, with each hoping to have chosen a winner. Once donations were collected, David began building excitement as there were no fewer than 20 prizes to be won. As the ticket drum was spun, David asked Mark Matthews to select the first ticket. Whilst this was underway, David’s humorous sidekick for the evening, lodge charity steward Peter Grihault, held up the prizes and entertained the guests with his well-timed one-liners and usual comedic style. It wasn’t long before the prizes were selected and collected, with one particular guest, Melvyn Gray, scooping no fewer than four of the prizes available to cries of “it’s a fix”.
Following the raffle, it was great to see the atmosphere shift, from sit-down meal, to disco at the Palace, as the guest DJ turned up the volume and the dance floor began to fill. From quicksteps and soft-shoe gentle sways to shuffles and twists and everything in-between, the party was in full-swing. Eventually, there was a small interlude, as David Jenkinson once again became the centre of attention. David works extremely hard as group charity steward and he was clearly bursting with pride as he asked everyone to tap their tables in drum-roll fashion before announcing, with a huge smile on his face and a tear in his eye, that the charity giving on the evening had raised a phenomenal £1000. He really was visibly aghast and overwhelmed by the generosity of those in the room. This announcement was swiftly followed by David and Ben Gorry presenting Mark Mathews with a cheque for £2000, which was a result of the hard work of David and his team and the philanthropic nature of those who are always quick to think of others who are in less fortunate positions than themselves.
This was the opportune moment for Mark Matthews to address the guests, he began by reiterating Ben Gorry’s thanks and added that he was particularly impressed to see so many people having gone the extra mile in attending in period-style attire. “This is what Freemasonry is all about”, he said with a smile on his face “watching the room thoroughly enjoy themselves”. He continued, offering his sincere thanks to all of those who work tirelessly in the background, often unseen, who are the people who really facilitate evenings like these so that guests can have a wonderful and faultless experience. Lastly, Mark promoted the 200th Provincial Grand Lodge meeting on 27 November 2026 which will be “like nothing you’ve seen before” and concluded with a reminder that the most important thing is for people to “keep enjoying their Masonry’ and with that, everyone in unison began their hearty applause.
The music once again increased in volume and each and every guest was enthralled in the fun of the evening, with some laughing at their seats whilst others began to dance the night away on the dance floor. Whilst watching this unfold, one thing became clear. Freemasonry is more than monthly meetings, tradition and ritual. It is friendships, it is camaraderie, it is knowing that your presence in the room and within the organisation has a knock-on effect to others that you may never know about. It is living as the best version of yourself and as long as Freemasonry continues to exist on the Fylde Coast, the people of the surrounding areas will be helped and supported by worthy and wonderful people. Here’s to the next 200 years.
