In early 2022, some members of The West Lancashire Masonic Clay Pigeon Shooting Society (WLMCPSS) were competing in a friendly but competitive shoot in Selkirk against The Grand Lodge of Scotland Shooting Society.
As they were staying in the same hotel, an idea was launched to form a new Country Pursuits Lodge back home in West Lancashire. Some of the team were already members of the Lodge of Country Pursuits No.9898 in the Province of Cumberland and Westmorland. Mike Casey, Secretary of the WLMCPSS was asked to find out how a new lodge was formed.
On return from Scotland, Mike, together with Ian Heyes met with the Provincial Grand Secretary, Peter Taylor who told them that rather than form a new lodge a better idea would be to take over an existing lodge that was struggling. Coincidentally, Mike was a member of Kirkham Lodge No.6615, in The South Fylde Group that had recently made a decision to hand in its warrant at the November 2022 meeting. It was agreed to ask the members of Kirkham Lodge if they were willing to continue as a specialist country pursuits lodge.
A further meeting was held with the Provincial Grand Secretary along with four members of Kirkham Lodge to find out the procedure for converting Kirkham Lodge no.6615 into the specialist Country Pursuits Lodge of West Lancashire No.6615. This was raised at the February 2022 meeting when the proposition to close the lodge was withdrawn.
Mike Casey chaired a meeting at the end of March 2022 for interested brethren, keen to assist in the formation of this new peripatetic lodge (travelling lodge), at The Longlands Hotel, Carnforth. Twenty brethren attended this meeting which led to an Extraordinary General Meeting at Kirkham Lodge where information was relayed to lodge members by Mike Casey. It was apparent that if a new lodge was formed under the same number rather than surrendering it’s warrant then the history of Kirkham Lodge would be preserved. Alongside celebrating 75 years in 2023, the new lodge would still come under the group structure of The South Fylde Group, a simplified lodge treasurer and charity accounts process could be adopted, Kirkham Lodge members would become Honorary Members of the new lodge and the responsibility for the support of Kirkham Lodge widows would be carried over into the new lodge.
Members of Kirkham Lodge unanimously voted to accept a new lodge under the same Kirkham Lodge number.
As well as revising the bye-laws, a new and contemporary themed logo was created by John Topping that maintains elements of the former Kirkham Lodge and is a fresh vision for the future of the Country Pursuits Lodge of West Lancashire No.6615.
A set of beautiful Antler Headed Wands and Antler Gavels have been skilfully designed and made by member Bob Reeves who officially presented them to the lodge at its first regular meeting at Silverdale Masonic Hall. Ian Heyes, Senior Warden said,
‘They certainly create a very special Country Pursuits feel to lodge business and ceremony; during which this first regular meeting saw 58 members and visitors experience an excellent ceremony of Initiation’.
The once failing lodge now has a vision for the future focusing on participation and involvement. Mike Casey said,
‘Country Pursuits is a wide-ranging theme that has something to offer for everyone interested in nature, the countryside and conservation. We intend to schedule and deliver fascinating topics of discussion at our three regular lodge meetings that will be different, educational and enlightening; that engages with a conservation-minded community. We will examine and better understand the laws around activities such as hunting, shooting, fishing, rambling, walking and climbing. For example, exploring which seasons when you cannot hunt particular animals or catch certain breeds of fish; or listening to experts from the National Trust or BASC (British Association for Shooting and Conservation) giving information on access to open country, public rights of way or areas of outstanding natural beauty. We will involve our own members in sharing their own specialist interests and experiences, for example how the Dad’s and Lads Fishing Club was set up and how it can be further developed. Some members have experience in keeping ferrets and falcons … there will be opportunities for all members to share their hobbies and make presentations at our meetings’.
Mike continued,
‘We have a growing number of members who work in schools and this link with young people will ensure that we can focus, throughout the year, on Conservation in its widest sense, developing small scale projects such as Bird and Bat Box making and tree planting; that will enable Freemasonry and the local community to come together in partnership. Wherever we can we will celebrate and promote the work of the Country Pursuits lodge within local media and through social media platforms’.
The social and charitable side of the lodge will further the existing strong links with Clay Pigeon Shooting and look to develop and nurture Fly Fishing, Falconry Days, Archery Taster Days, 4x4 Off road driving, which will hopefully encourage participation and engagement from family members and friends.
