Blackpool Masonic Hall
Centenary Commemorative Cover
Details
of the Offer
Date
of issue: 12
October 1999
Description:
The cover commemorates 100 years of Masonic meetings at the Masonic Hall in
Blackpool. A fuller explanation is provided by a card insert - the text of which
is shown later. The picture is a recent photograph of the front of the Hall.
Beneath on the left is a colour version of the centre of the postmark and on the
right is shown the official crest of the Province of West Lancashire.
Postmark:
A special postmark was designed, merging the Masonic symbols of a square and
compasses with the famous landmark of Blackpool Tower.
Stamp:
The 26p value from the Millennium “Workers’ Tale” issue of 4 May 1999,
depicting a detail from David Hockney’s “Salts Mill, Saltaire, Yorks 1997”
Numbers:
There is a limited edition of just 1000 covers and each cover bears its unique
number on the flap.
Countersignatures:
Covers are available (“standard”) or with the added signatures
(“prestige”) of both the Provincial Grand Master of the Province of West
Lancashire, Right Worshipful Brother Colin Penty Wright, and the Mayor of
Blackpool, Worshipful Brother Bill Burgess.
Prices:
“standard” - £3 per cover plus 30p p&p for up to 4 covers. For 5
or more covers -
post
free within UK. Other countries at cost.
“prestige” - £4 per cover plus 30p p&p for up to 4 covers. For 5
or more covers -
post
free within UK. Other countries at cost.
Cash/cheque
with order please.
Cheques in favour of “South Blackpool Group”
Specific
numbers: If
available covers with specific numbers will be provided on request at no extra
charge
Orders/enquiries: I (Ian) J Robertson, Secretary,
Blackpool Masonic Hall Ltd
5
Bowes Lyon Place, Lytham St Annes, Lancs, FY8 3UE England
Tel:
01253 711279
or e-mail ian@robertson49.fsnet.co.uk
or
W (Bill) T Eardley, Chairman, Blackpool Masonic Hall Centenary
Committee
6
Sherwood Road, Lytham St Annes, Lancs, FY8 4BL, England
Tel:
01253 737816
Details
of insert
The
Centenary of The Masonic Hall, Blackpool: 12 October 1999
The
first meeting of Freemasons in Blackpool took place on 4 October 1847 when the
Lodge of Economy No. 584 met at the Beach House Hotel (the site of the present
Tower buildings). Unfortunately that Lodge did not survive much longer although
two new Lodges were formed later - Clifton Lodge No. 703 in 1857 and Blackpool
Lodge No. 1476 in 1874 - both of whom met at various hostelries in the town. In
addition Clifton Royal Arch Chapter No. 703 was consecrated in 1872 and
Blackpool Chapter Rose Croix No.136 in 1896. These Lodges and Chapters became
the backbone of Freemasonry in Blackpool and were the first tenants of the new
Masonic Hall. Indeed Blackpool Chapter Rose Croix has the distinction of holding
the first Masonic meeting at the Hall. The Hall now boasts 15 Craft Lodges, 5
Royal Arch Chapters, 2 Mark Lodges, 1 Royal Ark Mariners Lodge and 1 Chapter
Rose Croix.
It
was in 1891 that first mention was made of building our own Masonic home in
Blackpool. In 1897 a new company, “The Blackpool Masonic Hall Limited” was
formed and shares issued. On 23 September 1899, with great ceremony, the Earl of
Lathom officially opened the Hall.
On
12 October 1999 the first 100 years of Blackpool Masonic Hall was formally
celebrated. It represented the culmination of a number of events held over the
previous 12 months whereby funds were raised for the support of the building
itself. The meeting was hosted by Blackpool Lodge No. 1476, whose 125th
anniversary coincided with the Centenary. The Provincial Grand Master of the
Province of West Lancashire, Right Worshipful Brother Colin Penty Wright was the
guest of honour.