When the lodge rooms of the North Fylde Group fall quiet for the summer recess, the spirit of Freemasonry doesn’t pause; it simply moves outdoors. The summer break has become one of the most enjoyable parts of a Freemason’s year, a time when brethren, families and friends gather for relaxed fellowship in the sunshine and to give their time generously at community events around the Fylde Coast.
Across the group, lodges host BBQs, garden parties, informal socials and charity afternoons that remind us what truly binds the Craft together: friendship, laughter and the pleasure of good company. These gatherings have no formalities and no pressure, just the easy camaraderie of brethren enjoying time together.
A lodge BBQ is often the centrepiece as volunteer chefs take command of the grill, producing everything from perfectly cooked burgers to the occasional experimental sausage that becomes the talking point of the afternoon. Children run about, partners catch up, and the brethren unwind in a way that only happens when the weather is warm and the diary is clear.
This summer, that spirit was on full display. Brethren of Wyre Lodge No 7704 delivered one of the standout moments of the season, raising an exceptional £4,600 at their BBQ. The day was made even more memorable when one delighted couple walked away with a prize of a one-week holiday in Tenerife courtesy of the raffle draw. North Fylde Group Vice Chairman John Topping was pleased to be asked to draw the winning ticket. John also thanked and praised the Park Suite venue volunteers, led by Dex Wilde, who undertook two full days of gardening to prepare the ground for the event.
Royal Oak Lodge No 5919, the brethren of this lodge added their own flavour to the season with their annual BBQ and an impressive Italian themed evening, raising several £100s and proving once again that charity and good humour make a perfect pairing.
Brethren of New Sanctuary Lodge No 6604 held a Sunday lunch at Singleton Lodge Country House Hotel, welcoming the group chairman Eddie Wilkinson and vice chairman John Topping, accompanied by their wives Jeanette and Gina. A few weeks later the lodge followed this with their annual BBQ, with both events together raising over £1,500 for good causes.
The Fylde Light Blues Club continued their programme of social and learning events throughout the summer recess, with the highlight being the afternoon tea at The Palace in St Annes. Once again, the group chairman and vice chairman were in attendance. This event is well worth booking in early for, as places are taken almost as soon as the date is announced.
But the summer recess is not only about lodge socials, it is also a time when Freemasons step forward to support the wider community. The Blackpool Colour Run in aid of Trinity Hospice saw Freemasons not only running the course but volunteering as marshals, helping to ensure the event runs smoothly for 1,000s of participants. Across the Fylde Coast, brethren give countless hours of volunteering: at Preesall Gala Day, Poulton Gala Day, Thornton Gala Day, Fleetwood Carnival and Fleetwood Transport Day, where their presence as marshals and volunteers is warmly welcomed and deeply appreciated by organisers and residents alike.
Special mention must also go to Gavin Egan and his team of membership officer volunteers, who staff the North Fylde Group’s advertising stand at each gala day. It is a long day for them and the stand often provides the first point of contact for prospective Freemasons. Gavin’s motto: “To be seen is to be heard,” captures the importance of visibility and engagement within the community.
Yet beneath all this informality lies something more meaningful as these gatherings strengthen the bonds that carry lodges throughout the busy months ahead. Newer brethren get to know the experienced hands. Prospective candidates can meet the lodge members in a friendly and open setting. Charity continues quietly through raffles and collections and the principle of brotherly love, the foundation of all we do, is lived rather than spoken.
