1907 was remarkable as the year when Baden Powell founded the Boy Scout movement and Rudyard Kipling was awarded the Noble Prize for Literature. It was also the year when, on May 28th, at the request of a small number of residents from the newly created Cleveleys Park Estate, that a meeting took place to consider forming a club for the purpose of making a bowling green and tennis courts on the vacant plot of land between West Drive and Whiteside Way.
On May 31st of that year, 14 residents met, along with a Mr. G. G. Shepherd of Fleetwood Estates the developers of the land, together with the Estates Surveyor, at the Tea House, West Drive. This was a small wooden building opposite the Park Club and on the site of what has now become the West Drive Methodist Church. A small working party consisting of 5 locals had on June 1st 1907 the very first meeting of the Committee and it was resolved; estimates were to be obtained for fencing and layout of grounds and that a draft lease for the ground be requested from Fleetwood Estates.
They moved quickly and on 8 June for perusal with the club to then be known as Cleveleys Park Bowling and Tennis Club. At a subsequent meeting Estate Company had agreed a lease on the ground for ten years at £5 per annum, with option to renew. The Club was also given a further option of purchase during the first 10 years for the; sum of £600. As there was every prospect of the Club being a success financially and it was, therefore, decided to form a limited company to be known as Cleveleys Park Bowling and Tennis Club Co. Ltd. with a share capital of £500.
It was now time to consider the building of the pavilion Tenders for the first portion of the pavilion were received and considered on 24th August 1907. The share capital of the Company to be increased to £1000 to be issued as and when required. On 7th September, the contractors were given instruction to proceed. 1908. The construction must have been almost completed by that time, for during 1908, a billiard table fund had been established. E. J. Riley being paid £51 17s-6d for a table and a marking clock! It, therefore, seems certain that the Club was up and running by the time Bleriot flew across the English Channel!
Masonic Hall
1918 The Great War ended, the RAF was formed and the Penny Post was abolished. Closer to home and relevant to this story was the Consecration of Thornton and Cleveleys Lodge, originally meeting at the Gardeners Arms, Thornton, and later the North Euston Hotel, Fleetwood. Amongst the Founders and early initiates were number of members who were either directors or shareholders of Cleveleys Park Bowling and Tennis Club Co. Ltd. Add F. S. Clarkson, secretary of Fleetwood Estates Ltd. (owners of the land) and it is fair to assume that these brethren played a major role in the decision to build a Masonic Hall extension to the pavilion. The ground floor was to provide a Dining Room/Concert Hall with a small stage set in the SE corner. The main entrance hall, stairs to upper floor and kitchen were at the west of the building. Above were, the Masonic Temple, Tylers Room (half the size of the present one) committee rooms and toilet.
Plans having been approved, the contract was awarded to R. Leach and Co. A first instalment of £1000 was paid when building commenced in 1924, followed by further amounts at intervals up to September 1925, making a ground total of £5575. Finances had to have been seriously stretched because in March 1931 a private mortgage of £5,000 was arranged. The Inaugural Meeting of Thornton and Cleveleys Lodge took place on 4th September 1925, when a number of Commemorative Tablets were presented and displayed. Copies can be seen on the West Wall of the Masonic temple; the originals having been lost quite a few years ago.
