THE FREEMASONS have followed in the footsteps of the Labour Party and decided not to hold their annual meeting in Blackpool this year.

Andrew Sykes, chairman of the communications committee of the Freemasons, explained the reason behind the decision to move the meeting to Blackburn.

He said: "It is a simple case of Blackburn being nearer to most of the members.

"Many people expressed concern at having to travel so far to Blackpool, so we are meeting elsewhere this November as a trial."

The group splits Lancashire up into two provinces, east and west, with Blackpool belonging to the western province. The eastern province usually hold their annual conference at the Wintergardens, attracting around 1,700 members. "This is in no way a reflection on Blackpool," added Mr Sykes. "We've been meeting there for 18 years and have been perfectly happy to do so. It's just that Blackburn is much more central to the eastern province and many people feel the east is where we should meet."

Although this is the official explanation, one source told The Citizen that many members had the feeling that standards at the Wintergardens had declined.

The spokesman for the Wintergardens was unavailable for comment yesterday.

Meanwhile Josie Hammond, company secretary for the Hotel and Guests Association, said: "It is disappointing that this has happened and is just one of the problems we don't need.

"We want to see more people coming into the resort not turning away."

The half-yearly meeting for the Freemasons west province will continue to be held in Blackpool.

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