Workington Masonic Hall Takes a Gamble
What began as a passing thought from Norman Eve turned into a winning hand for Workington Masonic Hall, as the Management Committee decided to “take a gamble” and host a Casino Night at Gordon Street. As it turned out, they needn’t have worried — it proved to be a very safe bet indeed, thanks in no small part to Trevor Bromley, who rallied the brethren and ensured an excellent response.
With united support from all Lodges, the event was extremely well attended by brethren, families, and friends. Many commented on how refreshing it was to see the room so full for a social occasion, creating a lively atmosphere from the outset.
A huge vote of thanks must go to Ian Pattinson. Not only did he provide all the gaming tables and chips, but he also took on the unenviable task of training the brethren in the finer points of running each game. Watching his dexterity with a deck of cards — and his encyclopaedic gaming knowledge — was worth the admission price alone.
His efforts clearly paid off. The newly trained brethren, resplendent in bow ties, handled their roles with confidence and good humour. Against all the odds, John Cooke, Spencer Doran, Mark Ritchie, Stephen Earle, and Elliot Earle deserve great credit for managing a very busy evening when the “chips were down”.
The night had already begun on a high note with the ever‑popular “Chorley Raffle”, conducted by David Bowden, raising an impressive £358.
The overall winner — the player who amassed the most chips — was Gary Whetton. But the real winner of the night was the Masonic Hall Management Team, who raised a superb £1,509 to support the building
