Blackpool Masons Push the Boat Out.

A group of 40 plus Blackpool Freemasons with wives and partners met at the Masonic Hall, Adelaide Street, Blackpool. To receive a short explanation on the workings of the Blackpool Lifeboat Station by Helmsman-David Warburton.

David explained that there had been a lifeboat station in Blackpool since 1864. The new station which is situated on the central promenade has been their new home for the last 12 years, and contains 3 lifeboats. 2 class D inshore type and 1 B class lifeboat.

Each boat carries a crew of 3  and can reach speeds of up to 22knots.The equipment on board consists of, Sat Nav, Radar, Towing facility, First aid and each had the facility, should the occasion  occur, to right itself if turned over.

The crews are made up of a cross section of the community, and are drawn from all walks of life. The Blackpool lifeboat station consists of 19 crew plus 6 shore members.

David held his audience spellbound when he said that, from call out to hitting the water only took a total of 5 minutes. Nationally there were 400 female lifeboat crew, and again on a national level the R.N.L.I. could be called out 21 times in one day. They received £120 Million pounds from public donations and this is needed to keep all the lifeboats afloat.

On conclusion, the Chairman of the Blackpool Group of Lodges, Ian J.Robertson, thanked David on his presentation  and handed him a cheque for the sum of £3460-00p

This fantastic amount of money had been raised by a sponsored walk along the Fylde coast. To add to this fantastic sum, Ashlar Lodge No. 5154, presented a cheque for £500-00p, and Symphony Lodge No 4924 presented £300-00p.

Ian then introduced Chris Veevers, a Paramedic from the North West Ambulance Service who presented to all those brethren that had successfully completed the Basic Life Support and Automated Defibrillation Course.

The organiser of the evening, Steve Smith of Symphony Lodge gave a special thanks to Tommy Lee of Tranquillity Lodge 6544 who had the onerous job of collecting the money from the walkers. (A job well done)

The evening ended happily with a warming hot pot supper.