Blandford’s Lodge of Honour and Friendship recently donated £500 to the Blandford Fashion Museum, to help with the restoration and preservation of their exhibits. The members of the Lodge and their partners were given a fascinating talk by two members of the team from the fashion museum. This led to the lodge loaning items from their collection of Masonic regalia and memorabilia to the museum.

The fashion museum has created a display recording the history of Freemasonry in the town of Blandford. The display will be shown at the museum, at Lime Tree House, The Plocks, for two years from February 2018. The exhibition includes Masonic aprons, regalia, jewels and photographs that give a fascinating insight into the history of Freemasonry in Blandford.

Jean Longley, of the Fashion Museum said, “This donation will help so much, preserving our collection can be very expensive, with a storage box for one dress costing up to £25.”

The museum receives no external support funding and raises everything needed through donations and admissions.

The Blandford Fashion Museum is open Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm. It features 10 rooms of fashion history from 1740 to 1970; and they also have a tea room where you can enjoy a hot drink and cake.

The Lodge of Honour and Friendship has an open day on May Bank holiday, Monday 28 May, when Blandford Masonic Hall will be open to the public. The Open day will give visitors a chance to look around the hall and ask questions of the Lodge members.