Whalley Arches Lodge 7489 – our Daytime Craft Lodge

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  • Area APGM, Peter Hollins, the WM and his Proposer into Whalley Arches Lodge

    Peter Hollins 50 years a Freemason with the APGM, WM, and Proposer

  • Peter Hollins receiving his Illuminated Scroll from the APGM

    Peter Hollins 50 years a Freemason receiving an illuminated scroll from the APGM, David McGurty

  • All Attendees @ the 50th

    Peter Hollins 50 years a Freemason with Lodge Members and visitors.
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Whalley Arches Lodge

Our Daytime Lodge

Members of Whalley Arches Lodge
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halley Arches Lodge takes its name from the famous railway structure that passes over the Calder Valley close by the Abbey. It is a daytime lodge meeting at 10.30 am on the second Monday of September, November, March and June. The Installation takes place at the September meeting.

Being a daytime lodge Whalley Arches attracts those Freemasons who find evening meetings difficult to attend.

What’s in a Number ?

Whalley Arches Lodge takes its number from a lodge that first met in Blackburn moving to Darwen in 1986. That lodge was Blackburn Lodge of Temperance, Number 7489.

Minutes of Lodge Meetings held in late 1995 suggest Blackburn Lodge of Temperance, 7489 was struggling to attract new members. One of the reasons given was due to the insistence on enforcing that bye-law which is referred to in the name of of the Lodge, “Temperance“.

There was an emergency meeting held in November, 1995 attended by the District Chairman and his Deputy (both as observers) where the situation was discussed. The main item on the agenda was the future of the Lodge. At this meeting it was pointed out that the then Assistant Provincial Grand Master (APGM) Dr. Ramsden, was unwilling to accept the surrender of a warrant and would do his best to help the Lodge. Several members had stated their intentions to resign at the end of the year, but a “team” of members agreed to take office for the ensuing year but it was clear that at the next regular meeting of the Lodge this was not going to happen.

New Beginnings

The meeting in January, 1996 was attended by only 6 members of the Lodge, but it was at this meeting that several Joining Members were admitted. The were to become the backbone of the “new” Lodge.

The main reason, therefore, for the demise of the Blackburn Lodge of Temperance was lack of numbers and the unlikely prospect of improving those numbers by either initiates or joining members.

The idea for a day-time lodge meeting at Whalley had been submitted and it is understood that the APGMs of the day decided that the best solution would be for the Founder members of the new lodge (Whalley Arches) to join the Blackburn Lodge of Temperance. The new lodge was re-dedicated with the old Warrant and number being passed to the new lodge.

Blackburn Lodge of Temperance, 7489
Masonic Hall, Richmond Terrace, Blackburn, Lancashire – 1956
Masonic Hall Club, Hawkshaw Avenue, Darwen, Lancashire – 1970
Darwen Masonic Hall, Hawkshaw Avenue, Darwen, Lancashire – 1986

Whalley Arches Lodge, 7489
Whalley Masonic Hall, Union Club, 12 Accrington Road, Whalley, Lancashire – 1996 to present day

Peter Hollins 50 years a Freemason with Lodge WM and APGM.

50 Years a Mason and Counting

Worshipful Brother K. Peter Hollins celebrated 50 years in Freemasonry at Whalley Arches Lodge on Monday, 10 March 2025.

The Northern Area Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Worshipful Brother Dave McGurty, Past Senior Grand Deacon, was present along with several Area Officers. Brother McGurty was offered the Gavel by the Worshipful Master and took the Master’s Chair.

Worshipful Brother James Sutcliffe gave an outline of Peter’s professional and masonic career whilst Worshipful Brother McGurty  presented a framed poster of events from 1975. A 50 years lapel pin badge was presented by Worshipful Brother Ray Evans, Deputy Area Chairman. 35 Brethren witnessed the occasion and afterward sat down to a hearty festive board.

Whalley Arches is a daytime Lodge attracting Brethren who find traveling at night difficult.

Peter Hollins 50 years a Freemason with his proposer into Whalley Arches Lodge

Worshipful Brother James Sutcliffe, PSGD, PAPGM (right) with Worshipful Brother K. Peter Hollins on the occasion of Peter’s 50th anniversary in Freemasonry, Monday 10th March 2025.

Peter Hollins 50 years a Freemason with the APGM David McGurty

Worshipful Brother Dave McGurty, PSGD, APGM, (left) with Worshipful Brother K. Peter Hollins on the occasion of Peter’s 50th anniversary in Freemasonry, Monday 10th March 2025.

Peter Hollins 50 years a Freemason with WM of Whalley Arches Lodge

Worshipful Brother K. Peter Hollins (left) and the Worshipful Master, Stephen Ryder, PProvAGDC on the occasion of Peter’s 50th anniversary in Freemasonry, Monday 10th March 2025.

Future Lodge Meetings

Our next Lodge meetings are shown here. They usually start at 10:30 am prompt followed by a Festive Board held at the Hall.

Should you wish to visit us please let our Secretary know well in advance so that he can ensure you are catered for. For your convenience we have provided a simple form below for this purpose which will go directly to the Lodge Secretary.

Our Next Meetings

Contact Whalley Arches Lodge 7489

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