Bro Garry Sunley recounted George Fox’s struggle in the 1850’s to open a Freemason’s lodge in Bridlington.  George was a member of a lodge in Filey and had to travel to Filey from Bridlington by pony and trap.

With the support of Lord Londesborough, the Londesborough Lodge was formed and consecrated. They met at the Victoria Rooms near the harbour. Their own dedicated lodge was built in 1875 on St John’s Avenue and extended in 1925 to how you see it today.

In 1898 when the Bridlington Grammar School was opened all the key positions in local government and the local charities which helped fund the school were held by people who were also Freemasons. Approval was given to lay the foundation stone with full Masonic ceremonial. Bro Garry described this event.

After WW1, Bridlington organised an historical Peace Pageant.  Many of the organisers were freemasons. Five of them were so taken with Bridlington’s history that they founded the Bridlington Augustinian Society. Bro Garry showed how the society’s rules mimic Masonic rules.

Bro Garry said that today the Bridlington building is now the home of six craft lodges and a number of offshoots. They include a lodge for women freemasons.

Throughout the talk Bro Garry was able to give examples of how local Freemasonry lives up to its principles of being a fraternal organisation for brotherly love, relief and truth, including their support for local charitable causes.

The Vote of Thanks was given by Bro Frederick Stephens.