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Blackpool Group of Lodges

Blackpool welcomes Open Day visitors

Heritage Open Days, which have now become a regular annual national event, allows certain buildings not generally on the tourist trail in Blackpool to throw open their doors allowing normally hidden treasures to be shown off to the general public.

Playing a proud part in Heritage Open Days is Blackpool Masonic Hall which is situated in Adelaide Street directly behind the resort’s famous Winter Gardens. During the event well over a hundred visitors passed through its doors to take in guided tours of the hall. As the weather outside was not as kind as it might have been visitors were treated to a welcome cuppa by hall stewards Peter Lewis and Pauline who were on hand to ensure everyone was catered for.  Blackpool Group Chairman Ian Robertson was also on hand as one of the tour guides and he took great delight in showing people the exterior of the building and one of its interesting features situated under the building - a World War Two air raid shelter.  Many volunteers were available to show the visitors around the building and help dispel many of the myths which have built up over the years about Freemasonry.

 Group Chairman Ian Robertson shows visitors round Adelaide Street.

As well as Ian, in attendance to show the visitors the beautiful ‘Top’ Lodge and the Chapter Room were Assistant Provincial Grand Masters Terry Hudson and Leon Tax, Vice Chair Peter Bentham, Group Secretary John Turpin and many other willing volunteers.   Bernard Fusco, who attended every opening throughout this special weekend, was there to meet and greet every visitor and make sure that they all received a truly warm Masonic welcome.  Bernard summed up the proceedings saying, “It was a busy weekend, although we were affected slightly by the bad weather. We were delighted that amongst our many visitors we received visits from members of Blackpool Council and the Civic Trust.

Some lady visitors enjoying a seat in the Chapter Room.

 Many comments were received on how beautiful the interior of the building was and how the explanation of many of the Masonic symbols was found to be fascinating.  We also had enquires regarding membership into Freemasonry which we are following up, so overall it was a busy and fruitful weekend”.