In the Masonic province of East Lancashire
In the Masonic province of East
Lancashire
Ribblesdale Lodge No. 3393 is based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The name of the town derives from the stream known as "Blakewater". The first entry in the Domesday book of 1086 for Blackburn Hundred was St. Mary's Parish Church which is believed to have stood on or near the site since 596. The present church was consecrated in 1826 and in 1926 became Blackburn Cathederal when the Diocese of Blackburn was created. The Original Grammar School, now Queen Elizabeths Grammar School was founded in 1509 and the classes used to be held in the old church. It moved to its current premises in 1886. In 1750 Blackburn was little more than a village but by 1850 it had become a town with the Industrial Revolution and the growth of the Textile Industry. Blackburn became the cotton weaving capital of the world. Cotton Town tells the story of the rapid social and economic changes that occurred as Blackburn and Darwen began to expand in line with the United Kingdom textile industry. The 20th Century brought many changes to the town and although the textile industry has declined other industries such as engineering and electronics have grown.
Freemasonry in Blackburn can be traced back to 1815 and today in the Blackburn District which covers Blackburn and Darwen there are 24 Freemasons Lodges which are in the Province of East Lancashire. Freemasonry under the Grand Lodge of England is the largest, secular fraternal and charitable organisation. It has over 300,000 members working in nearly 8,000 lodges throughout England and Wales and over 30,000 more members overseas. People often ask why is Freemasonry a secret society. The answer is that we are not, but lodge meetings, like those of many other groups, are open only to members.
Ribblesdale Lodge No. 3393 was consecrated in the Exchange Assembly Rooms (opposite the old Town Hall) on Wednesday the 20th of October 1909. Today Ribblesdale Lodge No. 3393 meet at the Masonic Hall on Richmond Terrace on the 1st Friday of every month with the exceptions of the months of June, July and August. Ribblesdale Lodge No. 3393 are not only a lodge which is very involved in its Masonic duties but they also have an active social calendar to which family and friends are invited. The wives of the Ribblesdale Lodge No. 3393 masons also have their own social meetings and also organise some of the social events.
Ribblesdale Lodge also have close contacts with other Masonic Lodges Conway Lodge based in Birkenhead, Ribblesdale Lodge based in Nottingham and Wyre Lodge based in Fleetwood. Wyre Lodge have also developed their own WEB site www.jleadbetter.clara.co.uk.
Click here if you are interested in finding out more about Ribblesdale Lodge No 3393.
For further information on Freemasonry and the local area click on the following links:
Freemasonry - Your Questions Answered
Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire
Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School
This site has been approved by the United Grand Lodge of England
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