A Masonic Festival of Flowers; what would that be; where would it be held ? These were just a few of the questions raised when I ‘threw a pebble in a pond’ at a meeting with ladies, at the Rochdale Masonic Buildings, when representatives from the Province of East Lancashire area informed us about the fund-raising efforts for the ‘Grand Charity Festival 2004’. I was careful to point out that a flower festival within a masonic building had not, as far as I was aware, taken place before; therefore we would be the first, and this suggestion would require a great deal of thought by the Freemasons in this Province. Some short discussion then followed after which I was asked to produce a business plan which could be put before the 2004 Committee.

For the uninitiated, a Flower Festival is not just about a bunch of flowers in a vase. The flowers are arranged as an interpretation of a theme or title which the flower arranger will have researched. Flower Festivals vary from simple floral displays in country churches, to the resplendent spectacles seen in Westminster Abbey, Chester Cathedral and National Trust properties, spectacles in which hundreds of flower arrangers are involved. Indeed, by opening these festivals to an admiring public many thousands of pounds have been raised. So the idea of a flower festival within a masonic building (and hopefully being able to put floral displays in the lodges) would not only attract those interested in flower arranging but also anyone who was curious as to what they might find inside! This could be another means of informing the public about Freemasonry; another path to the ‘openness’ that all Freemasons are keen to establish with the general public.
    Money is raised at a Flower Festival in various ways: by sponsorship where a particular arrangement is sponsored by an individual or group; by admission fees and by catering. Sponsorship is further raised through the promotion of advertising space in the festival programme.
    A Business Plan was produced within a couple of weeks, but it took many months of discussion before approval was given. I was giving up on the idea; Flower Festivals attract more ladies than men although there are many superb male flower arrangers around but the committees consisted of gentlemen who had probably never heard of a Flower Festival, never mind visited one. However, permission was finally given - the event could take place in June 2003, the year my husband Eric would be Master of Charity Lodge, No. 3342 – it was going to be a very busy year.
    A meeting was arranged for 28 January 2002 when interested Brethren and their ladies were invited to attend. We also had a few non-Masons who were keen flower arrangers involved. There was great interest, since this was a different idea of raising funds; a means by which all the lodges within the building could work together as a community. By contributing, via sponsorship, to the Flower Festival they would be pooling money to generate much more money for ‘2004’. We would also draw the attention of the general public, who would want to come and view the inside of this building, which has one of the finest lodge rooms in the area.
    A committee was formed from ladies, masons and non-masons. We initially set about the planning of the logo, and it was left to the flower arrangers on the committee to draw up a plan regarding where floral arrangements were to be placed. Ketty Day, a local artist and flower arranger who had volunteered her services, took the simple design of the square and compass and set about designing our logo. Within days it was done - the square and compass entwined with the masonic flower - the Forget-menot. We were all delighted with the result and put this under copyright.
    It took many months in the early stages, to get our ideas together because the masonic building at Richard Street, Rochdale, is a very busy ‘working’ building. Not only do sixteen lodges, eight chapters and various associated degrees meet there; including Rose Croix, Knights Templar, Royal Ark Mariners, Mark Masons and the Allied Masonic Degrees. It is also home to a Rotary Club and other organisations use its facilities, as the building and catering make it a popular venue for weddings and other important occasions.
    The fact that we could use masonic regalia and tools was an exciting feature, and we went about our plans using such titles as ‘Welcome Visitors All,’ ‘The Festive Board’ and ‘The Twelve Tribes of Israel’. We also incorporated the titles given to officers of the lodge, i.e., Worshipful Master, Charity Steward, Senior Deacon and others. The Royal Arch and other associated degrees were also to be depicted. It was certainly going to be different to any flower festival we had been involved with before.
    The committee continued working away on the points raised in the business plan. There was the publicity of the event; the security of the building to be considered; sponsorship to be obtained; catering to be arranged. A Treasurer and Secretary were appointed. Planning and design of the programme to be sold on the door was begun. Musicians and singers were booked to provide both a background of organ music as well as specific musical features. Flower arrangers who had been invited to visit the building were excited about becoming involved in this unique event. All in all, it was a very busy time for everyone.
    Eventually we were organised; the committee were absolutely brilliant, and they had done everything possible in the way of organisation. A group of strangers, ladies, masons and nonmasons, working together with one theme in mind – to raise money for charity. We have had a lot of fun and many friendships were formed along the way.
    Each lodge within the masonic Province of East Lancashire was sent information about the Festival and neighbouring Provinces were also notified; flower clubs affiliated to National Association of Flower Arrangers’ Societies were also informed, as were Tourist Information Centres, various ladies’ clubs, local authorities and the Press.
    On 20 June the doors opened, and Carole Walthall, wife of the Provincial Grand Master, declared the event open. The months of planning paid off; people were amazed by the transformation of the building. The flower arrangers had produced an exciting interpretation of our plans; they did us proud. The comments in our Visitors Book describes the scene as stunning, marvellous, beautiful, wow! Visitors were amazed at the scale and splendour of what they saw and many men commented on how drab the rooms will look when next they attend their lodge meeting. As well as the Mayor, Councillor Sultan Ali and the Member of Parliament, Lorna Fitzsimmons, our visitors included many senior Freemasons from the various degrees represented and not just from our own Province. It was also quite apparent that, for some ladies, the Flower Festival in this setting had brought back many memories of happy times gone by.
    We had visitors from far and wide to admire this unique event and enquiries were made as to how this idea could be reproduced elsewhere, which in itself is a great compliment to the teamwork and organisation which has enabled this event to be staged.
    Our logo, for which we obtained copyright, was so much admired prior to the event that we decided to make packs of notelets and pens to sell as mementoes of this unique occasion. But most of all we had memories of a superb weekend in which many old friendships were renewed and new friendships formed. All sixteen of the lodges in Rochdale worked together as a community and we hope to continue over the years with other events.
    The event proved to be a tremendous success, not only in making the public aware of what Freemasonry is about but at the same time raising a sum in excess of £8,000 for the Grand Charity. Rochdale masons are very proud of this double-sided achievement.

    Pamela Crabtree is the wife of Eric Crabtree, current Master of Charity Lodge, No. 3342. She is a keen flower arranger and member of the Middleton Floral Art club.