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On Saturday 30^th, January, 2010, the Masonic Hall in Blackpool opened its doors to another very successful evening of entertainment. Over 80 guests attended a night of celebration to honour the memory and the anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns.

For the third year running, W.Bro. Ian Jackson of Tranquillity Lodge NO. 6544. has organised a celebratory Burns Night at the Masonic Hall, Adelaide Street, Blackpool.

After receiving a complimentary glass of whisky the guests were escorted into the dinning room.

When everyone was seated the haggis was piped in, carried out in grand style befitting the occasion.

Barry then gave an excellent rendition of the address to the haggis, and returning at the end of the meal give the guests a potted history of the Scottish bard and then went on to recite some of his famous poems.

Bro. McQueen is a very busy Blackpool Mason being the Official Blackpool Town Crier and also the official guide to the famous Blackpool Tower.

Robert Burns the famous Scottish poet was born in the year 1759, on January the 25 at Alloway on the River Doon,

Born into a family of farmers he was the eldest of 7 children and sadly died in 1796 at an early age of 37 years.

In Freemasonry Robert Burns found a freedom from political and religious restraints that had frustrated his father. For Burns Freemasonry was one of the cures for his society’s numerous ills.

While Freemasonry at this time tended to be part of the status quo of the landed gentry, it still tolerated different religious beliefs, even when the government and the state did not. Jews, Roman Catholics and dissenter Protestants were all members of the Freemasons. Members of the religious groups could not hold any political office due to the TEST ACT; this act required all office holders to be members of the Anglican Church.

In 1729, The United Grand Lodge of England elected the Duke of Norfolk, (a Roman Catholic), as its Grand Master. A clear example of Freemasonry’s unity in an age of religious intolerance and bigotry.

Robert Burns was initiated as an Entered Apprentice in Lodge St David, Tarbolton, on 4^th, July, 1781, at an age of 23. He was passed to the degree of Fellowcraft, and raised to the degree of Master Mason on 1^ST, October, 1781. Burns also joined Lodge St James and on 27^th, July, 1784 he was elected “Depute Master”, he was at the time only 25 years of age.

His first edition of poems was published by a fellow Freemason and 350 masons including members of his own Lodge subscribed to a copy.

Freemasonry provided Burns with a patronage free from aristocratic influence and restrictions, imposed on the artist by the patron.

Lodge Kilmarnock, Kilwinning, St John, made him an honorary member, and in recognition he wrote, “MASONS SONG” as an honour to the Lodge.

Robert Burns was also exalted into the Holy Royal Arch in May, 1787, at St Ebbes Lodge, Eyemouth. The Companions agreed to admit him without paying the necessary fees, as they were greatly honoured to have such a distinguished poet as a member of their Chapter.

In 1788, he joined Lodge St Andrew, and in 1792 he was elected Senior Warden of the Lodge, sadly, this was his last Masonic Office before his death.

Freemasonry can be recognised for generating a feeling of national identity by supporting artists and scholars. Burns is a typical example where the Freemasons in Scotland encouraged him to write poetry, especially in the Scottish vernacular. The Freemasons also kept him in constant contact with his cultural roots. This can be seen in his Masonic poems, which show a great love for the Craft and its ideals.