Current News
We have great pleasure in knowing that two of our committee are currently masters of their repective lodges in our province...
W.Bro Neil Salter - Caedmon Lodge No:6965
W.Bro Alex McCallum - Old Hymerian Lodge No:6885
Thinking of Joining?
Whether your interest is the history of Freemasonry, the charitable aspect or social events. Freemasonry really does have something to offer to men from all walks of life.

Charity and Community Freemasons have a long
established relationship with both Masonic and non Masonic
organizations.

History and Tradition Explore the history of
how and where it started and the traditions that are still practiced
today.

Events and Social Activities Clay shooting, golf,
fishing, and many other sporting activities. Ladies functions, tours and
much more!
Goodies
Downloads you may find useful or interesting
Downloadable POIs file for your TomTom
More Coming Soon...
Masonic Facts and Quotes
Dr Barnardo is synonomous with helping destitute children. The name still strong to this day. Dr Barnardo was initiated into Shadwell Clerke Lodge No. 1910 in Novemeber 1889
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"TIf you want to know where the future of Freemasonry will grow and prosper it's simple - in the heart, in your heart, in my heart, and in the hearts of those who follow us".
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is voluntary and is composed of men of good character and mature age (over 21) and who have a belief in a supreme being. In addition Freemasons posess qualities of honest and integrity. Below are some common questions that are often asked.
Your questions answered
What is Freemasonry?
Freemasonry teaches moral lessons and self-knowledge through
participation in a progression of allegorical two-part plays,
which are learnt by heart and performed within each Lodge.
Freemasonry offers its members an approach to life which seeks
to reinforce thoughtfulness for others, kindness in the
community, honesty in business, courtesy in society and fairness
in all things. Members are urged to regard the interests of the
family as paramount but importantly Freemasonry also teaches and
practices concern for people, care for the less fortunate and
help for those in need.
Why do people join and remain members?
People become Freemasons for a variety of reasons, some as the
result of family tradition, others upon the introduction of a
friend or out of a curiosity to know what it is all about.
Those who become active members and who grow in Freemasonry do
so principally because they enjoy it. They enjoy the challenges
and fellowship that Freemasonry offers. There is more to it,
however, than just enjoyment.
Participation in the dramatic presentation of moral lessons and
in the working of a Lodge provides a member with a unique
opportunity to learn more about himself and encourages him to
live in such a way that he will always be in search of becoming
a better man, not better than someone else but better than he
himself would otherwise be and therefore an exemplary member of
society.
Each Freemason is required to learn and show humility through
initiation. Then, by progression through a series of degrees he
gains insight into increasingly complex moral and philosophical
concepts, and accepts a variety of challenges and
responsibilities which are both stimulating and rewarding. The
structure and working of the lodge and the sequence of
ceremonial events, which are usually followed by social
gatherings, offer members a framework for companionship,
teamwork, character development and enjoyment of shared
experiences.
What promises do Freemasons take?
New members make solemn promises concerning their conduct in the
Lodge and society. These promises are similar to those taken in
court or upon entering the Armed Services or many other
organizations. Each member also promises to keep confidential
the traditional methods of proving he is a Freemason which he
would use when visiting a Lodge where he is not known.
The much publicised 'traditional penalties' for failure to
observe these undertakings were removed from the promises in
1986. They were always symbolic, not literal, and refer only to
the pain any decent man should feel at the thought of violating
his word.
Members also undertake to not make use of their membership for
personal gain or advancement; failure to observe this principle
or to otherwise fall below the standards expected of a Freemason
can lead to expulsion.
Who can join?
Membership is open to men of all faiths who are law-abiding, of
good character and who acknowledge a belief in God. Freemasonry
is a multi-racial and multi-cultural organisation. It has
attracted men of goodwill from all sectors of the community into
membership. There are similar Masonic organisations for women.
Is Freemasonry a religion?
Freemasonry is not a religion. It has no theology and does not
teach any route to salvation. A belief in God, however, is an
essential requirement for membership and Freemasonry encourages
its members to be active in their own religions as well as in
society at large.
Although every Lodge meeting is opened and closed with a prayer
and its ceremonies reflect the essential truths and moral
teachings common to many of the world's great religions, no
discussion of religion is permitted in lodge meetings.
Is Freemasonry an open society?
Lodge meetings, like
meetings of many other societies and professional associations, are
private occasions open only to members.
Freemasons are encouraged to speak openly about their
membership, while remembering that they undertake not to use it
for their own or anyone else's advancement. As members are
sometimes the subject of discrimination which may adversely
affect their employment or other aspects of their lives, some
Freemasons are understandably reticent about discussing their
membership. In common with many other national organisations,
Grand Lodge neither maintains nor publishes a list of members
and will not disclose names or member's details without their
permission.
In circumstances where a conflict of interest might arise or be
perceived to exist or when Freemasonry becomes an issue, a
Freemason must declare an interest.
The rules and aims of Freemasonry are available to the public.
The Masonic Year Book, also available to the public, contains
the names of all national office-holders and lists of all lodges
with details of their meeting dates and places.
The meeting places and halls used by Freemasons are readily
identifiable, are listed in telephone directories and in many
areas are used by the local community for activities other than
Freemasonry. Freemason's Hall in London is open to the public
and 'open days' are held in many provincial centres.
The rituals and ceremonies used by Freemasons to pass on the
principles of Freemasonry to new members were first revealed
publicly in 1723. They include the traditional forms of
recognition used by Freemasons essentially to prove their
identity and qualifications when entering a Masonic meeting.
These include handshakes which have been much written about and
can scarcely be regarded as truly secret today; for medieval
Freemasons, they were the equivalent of a 'pin number'
restricting access only to qualified members.
Many thousands of books have been written on the subject of
Freemasonry and are readily available to the general public.
Freemasonry offers spokesmen and briefings for the media and
provides talks to interested groups on request. Freemasons are
proud of their heritage and happy to share it.
Is Freemasonry involved in politics?
Freemasonry is definitely not a political organisation, it has
no political agenda, and discussion of politics is not permitted
at Lodge meetings.
Freemasonry naturally tends to attract those with a concern for
people and a sense of social responsibility and purpose. There
are members, therefore, who are involved in politics at local,
national and international level. Equally there are members who
take an active interest in non-Masonic charitable organisations
and other community groups.
Is Freemasonry involved in the community?
From its earliest days, Freemasonry has been involved in
charitable activities, and since its inception it has provided
support for many widows and orphans of Freemasons as well as for
others within the community.
All monies raised for charity are drawn from amongst Freemasons,
their families and friends, while grants and donations are made
to Masonic and non-Masonic charities alike.
Over the past five years alone Freemasonry has raised more than
£75m for a wide range of charitable purposes including those
involved in medical research, community care, education and work
with young people.
Freemasonry has an enviable record for providing regular and
consistent financial support to individual charities over long
periods while at the same time making thousands of grants to
local charities, appeals and projects throughout England and
Wales each year. For the future, opportunities to obtain or
provide matched funding are periodically examined with a view to
enhancing the impact of the support Freemasonry can give to
specific projects. The personal generosity of Freemasons and the
collective fundraising efforts of almost 8,000 lodges, however,
will continue to determine the contribution Freemasonry makes
within the community.