Len’s golden milestone

One of the men who helped make Blackpool the UK’s entertainment capital has celebrated his golden jubilee in Freemasonry.

Len Whiteside was honoured by Symphony Lodge No 4924 and hailed by WBro Terry Hudson PSGD, APrGM as ‘a man of consummate integrity and commitment’ during a special ceremony.

Leading role

Len played a leading role in the work of the lodge – which encouraged visits by some of Britain’s top showbiz stars of the post war years. Arthur Askey, David Nixon, Nat Jackley, Webster Booth and Jess Conrad were just some of the leading entertainers who arrived on a regular basis. More recently they were followed by TV regulars Jim Davidson and Freddie Davis.

Steeped in the town’s entertainment culture, Len went into business with mother Florence and brother Alfred at the age of 14 after leaving school. By this time Florence was already running ten stalls at the town’s Olympia.

Len took over some of those stalls and by 1968, along with wife Joan, he was operating three arcades and a bingo concession at the world-famous Pleasure Beach.

from left W.Bro. Terry Hudson APGM,, Bro.Brian Jackson W.M., W.Bro Ian Robertson Group Chairman

and W.Bro. Len Whiteside

Damaged

He decided to retire in 1993 after the Funhouse fire the previous year – which badly damaged his neighbouring bingo concession.

Joan sadly passed away in 2003, but Len’s family connections with the town’s entertainment industry continued through son Tony - who took over the arcades.

In 1959 Symphony Lodge was the place to be. There was a long waiting list and there were never less than ten stewards overseeing meetings that could only be described as ‘wonderfully vibrant’.

Junior warden

Len progressed through the various offices of the lodge, eventually becoming junior warden before having to stand down due to business pressures and ill-health.

During Len’s presentation, Terry  said it was ‘ a privilege and a pleasure’ to be part of the event – and congratulated Len warmly on achieving the milestone.

Group Chairman WBro Ian Robertson PAGDC also presented Len with the scroll from RWPrGM Bro Peter Hosker.