In 1924 a Masonic Hall extension was built onto the original Park Club pavilion, and a recently discovered foundation stone adjacent near the cellar at the rear of the building confirms this important event. The prime motivators for this project which has ensured almost a century of our Masonic Home in Cleveleys were the members of Thornton and Cleveleys Lodge No 3854 who were founded in 1918, and who had hitherto held their meetings in The Gardner’s Arms public house and The North Euston Hotel.
Their foresight has given many Craft Lodges, Royal Arch Chapters and several "side degrees" a place of excellence in which to carry out their ceremonies. The dining room to accommodate up to 100 was specifically built to provide a convivial atmosphere for the rituals enjoyed at Festive Boards. Lodge Room No 1 can hold up to 120 attendees for ceremonies, with Lodge Room No 2 being used for practice and committee meetings. Disabled access facilities have been installed with a lift and two rear emergency exits.
Originally the bar facilities of the Park Club were deemed sufficient for the serving of alcohol, but the increase in numbers in the 1970s the problems with the single bar service became a major problem. Each Lodge contributed the sum of £2,500 for fund raising to build a separate exclusive masonic bar, thus removing the problem of overcrowding at the Social Bar. However, due to the recent dramatic decline in numbers attending masonic meetings, this has now proved to be uneconomic and there has been a return to the use of the Park Club bar for regular gatherings.
The relationship between the Masonic Hall, the owners of the property and the surrounding land, and the Social Club has often been a difficult one. In the 1960s the Park Club continued to trade separately under the conditions of a lease from MHC Ltd. After several shifts in changes to its governance, in 2020 and after the granting of its Public Licence, the Club was registered as The Park Club Cleveleys Ltd, with ownership being retained by MHC Ltd.
During the course of the 9 month masonic season the Lodge Rooms and dining room are occupied on approximately 500 occasions. The premier event for each organisation during its year is the Installation, and it has often been the case that the Provincial Grand Master and the Provincial Team make a visit to Cleveleys at least once each year. The dining room is also made available at no hire charge to any masonic organisation who may wish to hold a special social function, usually for charitable fund raising purposes. This facility is supported by the excellent service provided by our franchised Caterer who provides meals at a most competitive price.
West Drive continues to provide a masonic home in which some 340 Freemasons in 12 Lodges, 5 Chapters and a few side degrees can meet in convivial surroundings to continue to carry out their charitable practices.
