St.Stephen on- the- Cliffs. Blackpool. Fire Disaster.

A fast response by the Freemasons.

The first thing that greets the visitor when they enter the Church Hall is the noisy laughter of happy children in play, but this hides a sinister problem that awaits the visitor when they enter the main hall.  The main hall was the scene of the fire, and on entering the strong acrid smell of smoke leaves a foul taste in the mouth.

St. Stephen on-the-Cliffs provide pre-play group facilities for up to 25 children with ages ranging from 2 to 5 years.

 On a fateful day in April of this year all the play equipment was carefully put away in the main hall store rooms.  Who could have predicted that every item would be lost to fire?  When the fire took hold it devastated the whole end of the main hall, not only the children’s play things but the walls, ceiling and the beautiful wooden parquet flooring, which was only three years old.  This loss was not only down to the flames but a lot of water damage had been left by the Fire Brigade.  The fire assessors had linked the damage to a cordless phone, which, when left unattended had caught fire.  The loss amounted to, children’s toys, educational books and learning equipment, paints and drawing materials, tables, chairs even the play group computer was lost.

 The church of St Stephen on-the- Cliffs is attended by some well known Blackpool Freemasons and a call was made to the West Lanc’s Freemasons Charity Fund. They responded immediately and a cheque for over £1200-00p was produced to help cover the loss. On Tuesday, 25^th, May. 2010. W.Bro. Terry Hudson. Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master, attended a meeting with the Canon Andrew Sage, the children’s supervisor Vicki Horn, the rest of the helpers and children to present this cheque.

Canon Sage, Terry Hudson, Vicki Horn, helpers and children receiving a new piece of equipment.

Terry was taken aback when he witnessed for himself how this small but vital community service had survived.  Vicki Horn assured Terry that although everyone was very upset, they had kept running.  Even that morning some new pieces of play equipment had just arrived.

 The Canon Sage thanked Terry and the Freemasons for all their help and also responding so quickly to the problem.  The money would be put to great use.  He also pointed out that as it is always the way with the insurance companies, nothing had yet had been settled, so the main hall would be left unserviceable for some time into the future.

 Terry left the building to the sound of the children thanking him and the Freemasons of West Lancs. with three cheers.