A clear and fine autumnal evening at Scott’s Bistro, Kirkham, was the perfect setting for the Lodge of Triumph No 1061 to hold the latest of its social events. Lodge of Triumph is the oldest lodge in the South Fylde Group and has celebrated 160 years since its consecration in 1865.
Only six weeks earlier, the lodge had held a very successful steak night at Scott’s Bistro, and the members thought that a different theme of cuisine would be perfect. 20 diners were placed around one long table and following an introductory welcome by the event organiser Ted Rhodes and the WM Mike Boxall, the guests tucked into a leisurely starter of warm Mediterranean bread, olives, balsamic vinegar or olive oil and a side salad.
The tapas main course comprised five individual ceramic dishes of selected items that had been pre-ordered in advance from a menu of 14 Spanish favourites. These included ham and cheese croquettes, garlic mushrooms, ratatouille, prawns pil-pil, patatas bravas, beef albondigas, chorizo in red wine, Spanish omelette, sherry-braised pork belly, goat’s cheese and red pepper tart, hummus, baked chicken and chorizo rice, lamb kofta with tzatziki and cod in black olives and tomatoes. For many in attendance, tapas was a fairly new experience, but everyone commented on how delightful the dishes were presented and how the variety of tastes and flavours complemented each other.
Just before the dessert course of three choices was served, Ted Rhodes announced that raffle tickets were about to be sold by lodge members Jordan Brown and Jack Todd. Ted thanked those who had kindly brought a raffle prize. The prizes were collected by each lucky winner.
Immediately following the raffle, Ted Rhodes gave details of the lodge’s monthly lottery draw and announced that since it began in October 2024, the profit from the lottery has generated £1,740. He went on to make the September draw, which resulted in David Eastwood and Noel Dentith picking up first and second prizes.
Ted announced that the Lodge of Triumph had raised £100 from the raffle, which made a total of £205 from both events at Scott’s Bistro. Ted Rhodes and Mike Boxall spoke about the Sunday Lunch which will be held on 23 November at the Bedford Hotel, St. Annes-on-Sea and publicised the Lodge of Triumph’s Christmas meeting which will be a ladies and gentlemen to dine event, featuring the Chorley Silver Band.
Mike Boxall concluded the evening by thanking Ted Rhodes for organising the event and everyone for attending and helping to raise charitable funds for those in our communities who require support. He presented the two waitresses with a collection for their hard work in waiting on everyone at the table and serving drinks at the bar.
Report and pictures by John Topping.