On a warm, sunny evening, brethren from across the Fylde coast arrived at the Masonic Hall at the Park Suite in Cleveleys for a very special evening of historical Masonry. This was the second of a planned series of four presentations designed to enlighten and educate the Fylde light blues members, as well as the more experienced brethren in attendance.
The visiting speaker was local Freemason Mike Thistlethwaite, a former director of ceremonies of Wayfarers Lodge No 7544 that meets at the Masonic Hall. Chairman of the Fylde light blues, Ian Fell, warmly welcomed Mike to the meeting.
In the lodge room, Mike placed three junior brethren, Leon Teale, John Irwin and Peter Ivory, in the three chairs of worshipful master, senior warden and junior warden respectively, in order for them to appreciate what it feels like to occupy such important offices.
Mike distributed three Grand Lodge certificates that belonged to his grandfather, father and himself. They looked basically the same but with some quite different features, from the coat of arms of different Grand Masters to some of the text being in Latin on the older versions, rather than the more recent certificates featuring texts predominantly in English.
Mike very cleverly used Masonic tools and ornaments to build on the chequered pavement carpet of the lodge room, a model of the images portrayed on the Grand Lodge certificate. Brethren were fascinated to learn what the immovable jewels consisted of, as well as the significance of the rough and perfect ashlars.
Following his lecture, Mike responded with great knowledge and insight to a series of questions from the floor that definitely tested his historical knowledge of key Masonic dates and timelines. The brethren gave Mike a much-deserved round of applause following a vote of thanks from Ian Fell.
The brethren then moved into the bar area for some well-earned drinks prior to a sumptuous hot-pot, garnished with red cabbage and pickled beetroot, served by Yes Chef Event Catering in the recently refurbished social room.
With two more lecture presentations to be delivered in the coming weeks, more information regarding dates and how to book in for them can be obtained from the Facebook pages of Fylde Freemasons or Ian Fell at ian.westlancs58@hotmail.com
