We have members from all walks of life and have a very relaxed and welcoming ethos. Meeting details:
The Lodge meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month from September through to April at 6.30pm in Chorley Masonic Hall. Cunliffe Hall
Cunliffe Street
Chorley
Lancashire
PR7 2BE
The lodge is extremely friendly and openly welcomes the attendance of members from different lodges. The lodge endeavours to practice as frequently as possible with the aim of delivering the finest ritual possible. Dining:
The lodge holds a meal (festive board) after each meeting which is normally made up of two/three courses. (Starter, main, sweet / cheese and biscuits.) The meal is selected by the Worshipful Master (the leader of the Lodge), but alternatives and dietary needs are catered for. Usual cost of the meal is between £18 - £25 per meeting. Membership profile:
The lodge currently has 18 members from all walks of life, possessing a broad range of life and work experience. The membership ranges from 84 – 24 with an average age of 59 years. Subscriptions:
We pay annual Subscriptions as follows: -
United Grand Lodge Fees - £
Provincial Grand Lodge Fees - £
Fees to Chorley Masonic Hall (Rent) - £
Secretarial and other expenses - £ = £ per year
Social Events:
The lodge only found a new, permanent home in Chorley just before being forced into Covid-19 lockdown which has had an impact on our ability to hold social events in person. However, we have held online meetings inviting all members and potential candidates to maintain an ongoing connection. The lodge has always tried to meet socially after practice and in the close season to share a drink and chat. Charitable Donations:
One of the aims of a Freemason is to hope to become a better person whilst helping others along the way. Eccleston Lodges Charity has supported many local and Masonic charities. Over the last two Masonic seasons we have given £5,860 to the following charities and worthwhile causes; Leyland Food Bank, Chorley Food Bank, Foxton Centre, Preston Big Sleep out, St. Catherines Hospices, Derian House, Chorley and Leyland Clay Pigeon Shooting, Chorley Masonic Hall Roof Fund, Leyland Cricket Club under 13’s wicket covers and West Lancashire Freemasons Charity. We have also assisted members of the Lodge when they have needed urgent medical equipment. Masonic Charity is not only about giving money – many members have assisted with the Rosemere “Walk in the Dark” and St. Catherines “moonlight and Memories Walk” by volunteering their time and stewarding the events. This saves both Charities approx. £3000.00 instead of paying private security firms to do this. Lodge History:
Eccleston Lodge was formed out of Hesketh Lodge No. 986, now known as Leyland Hesketh Lodge No. 986. That Lodge had become very busy with people waiting to join a considerable amount of time to get initiated, so Eccleston Lodge was founded and those waiting were initiated much quicker. Some of the members of Eccleston Lodge wanted a Lodge that met in Chorley, so the Lodge sponsored a new Lodge that was to meet at Chorley called Blainscough Lodge No 8532. This Lodge too still meets to this day. The first meeting of the founders of Eccleston Lodge which we have any indication is the 11th August 1960 at the De Trafford Arms, Croston. The first minutes we have recorded are for the 2nd November 1960 when the founding brethren present signed the official forms from Provincial Grand Lodge, for the founding of a new lodge - so they could obtain dates of raising and clearance certificates from mother lodges and to forward these to the acting secretary, W.Bro W Rasburn. As this same meeting the officers for the new lodge were decided, with W.Bro F Clitheroe PPRGD as Worshipful Master Designate, W.Bro A S Rutter as Senior Warden, W.Bro I G Parker as Junior Warden, W.Bro O Hart as Chaplain, W.Bro E Knowles as Treasurer, W.Bro W Rasburn as Secretary, W.Bro J T Cank PPGD the Director of Ceremonies, Bro W Bamford as Senior Deacon, Bro JT Holden as Junior Deacon, W.Bro H Bleakley as Assistant Director of Ceremonies, Bro R Hart the Almoner, Bro W Blamire the Asst Secretary, Bro F Blackledge as Inner Guard, Bro's S Banks, M C Thompson, H Bradburn, F Robinson, W Farrington, J Blackstone as Stewards and Bro C C Smith PPrGPurs as Tyler. The lodge continued to grow and prosper and celebrated its silver jubilee in 1986. On Thursday the 20th November 1997, after many discussions with Grand and Provincial Grand Office, several communications with the College of Heralds and untold hours of dedicated design and needlework by Mrs Jean Oxley, with assistance from W.Bro K Oxley, the lodge dedicated its banner. At that time, four of the lodge founders, W.Bro's I G Parker, R Hart, A E Marsden and J Blackstone were still with us. The lodge has moved on over the last 50 years and today it is a vibrant lodge with a good blend of youth and experience. A more detailed history can be obtained by contacting us....
