The Freemasons stand at the 2010 show was another success thanks to the efforts of the FITC committee.
Attendance was up and there seemed to be a good deal of interest in our newest member...
Donated by the TLC this cool teddy was raffled free of charge to the public and with over 150 tickets given out
it was a great idea to attract people to the stand.
The weather was again kind to us as we arrived at the masonic Hall at 7am to
collect the displays and equipment for the show.
The displays were quickly erected at the showground and goodie bags filled by
9am as we waited for the gates to open.
After a slow start we did indeed have a good few visitors to the stand with mostly
good comments coming our way.
We received many congratulations for the amount the Middlesbrough Freemasons
donated to local charities this year, a staggering £26,908 and people were
interested to find out who we donated the money to.
The day dawned to clear blue skies and despite our early morning start (6.45) we set
off from Roman Road to set up our stall at the show full of enthusiasm.
Perhaps its practice but whatever the reason we were set up by 8.30 and were eagerly
awaiting the official opening at 9.00.
From a slow trickle we were soon experiencing more and more customers.
My Uncle, my Dad, My brother was/is a Freemason do you know him?
Was the usual opening of many of our visitors the majority of them Ladies.
Sometimes just a cursory passing interest, but certainly more than a few wanting
to know just what we were about.
The utter surprise when we explain to them that, no we are not a secret society
and that on the contrary, we don’t just look after ourselves but help others in
their time of need was evident on their faces.
Amongst our display items this year were two cheques for the Yorkshire and
North East Air Ambulance Services. A great many people commented on the fact that it
was a great cause and congratulated us on a great effort. It would seem that it is a very
popular charity close to the hearts of many people.
We also had a Cleveland Search and Rescue Team and their Land Rover with us as our guests.
They had received a donation for £5000 from Anchor Lodge No 1870 and Provincial Grand Lodge
so they wanted to show themselves off to the public to great effect.Our day ended as it
had begun back at the Masonic Hall in Roman Road some twelve hours later.
Was it worth the effort?
Would we do it again? Ask that question in a few months time when we have forgotten the
long hours and I’m sure you will get a positive “YES” for an answer.
On a very hot and humid day members of the Freemasonry in the Community Committee
for the Middlesbrough Lodges spent Saturday 22nd July 2006 at the Cleveland Show,
Stewart Park, Middlesbrough promoting Freemasonry.
Members of the public at the Show, of which there were an estimated 8,000 were
able to study Photographs, read Display Boards, collect Information Packs and talk
to members of the Middlesbrough Lodges as they passed the Stand. Anyone with a
greater interest entered the Marquee to view the Display Boards inside. Interest
exceeded the expectation of the organisers and some members of the public
requested further information. Committee members will pursue their requests.
In addition to the Display Boards about Freemasonry in Middlesbrough there were
Display Boards about Freemasonry on a Provincial, National and International perspective.
In addition to Middlesbrough residents there were visitors from other parts of the
United Kingdom, South Africa and Australia. Numerous visitors said how impressed
they had been with the display and what a great idea it was.
The unanimous view of all the Brethren who had worked on the initiative, and been
present on the stand, was that it had been a very successful day and one worthy
of being repeated, which hopefully it will be.
