Who Are We?

Christmas 2025 Meeting

We are normal(ish) men from all walks of life. Like minded individuals that get together at Park Street Lodge.

This picture was taken at out December 2025 meeting and shows most of our current members.

The meeting was followed up with a white table dinner with partners and friends invited to join us. The meeting was finished with our usual raffle which raised a substantial sum for Charity. We won't mention the carol singing....

Our Core Principles and Purpose

Freemasonry is founded on principles of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. Its primary goal is to promote personal development and self-improvement through a system of moral and philosophical teachings. Masons are expected to strive for excellence in their personal lives and contribute to their communities through charitable works and service.

Key aspects include:

Moral and Ethical Conduct Members are encouraged to live by a strong moral compass, guided by virtues such as integrity, honesty, and fairness. The "Golden Rule" is a central tenet of the fraternity.
Brotherhood and Fellowship Freemasonry aims to create a strong bond of brotherhood among members, fostering mutual respect, understanding, and kindness regardless of their diverse backgrounds.
Charity and Service Philanthropy and helping those in need ("relief") are integral parts of Freemasonry's mission. Well-known examples of its charitable endeavors include the Shriners children's hospitals.
Pursuit of Knowledge The organization values the pursuit of knowledge, wisdom, and truth, encouraging lifelong learning and self-reflection through its rituals and teachings.

Structure and Practices

Origins Freemasonry evolved from the medieval stonemasons' guilds in Europe. The first Grand Lodge was founded in London in 1717.
Lodges and Degrees Masons meet in local groups called "lodges" and progress through a series of "degrees" (e.g., Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, Master Mason), which involve dramatic and symbolic ceremonies designed to impart moral lessons.
Rituals and Symbols The inner workings, rituals, and symbols are known only to its members, which has led to a perception of secrecy and related misconceptions. Symbols like the square and compass are used to illustrate moral lessons.
Membership To join a regular lodge, an applicant must be an adult male of good character and affirm a belief in a supreme being. While many lodges are for men only, there are separate lodges for women in some jurisdictions.

In essence, Freemasonry provides a structured and supportive community for men seeking personal and spiritual growth, camaraderie, and a means to make a positive impact on the world.

We have specialist lodges for members with special interests, such as Shooting lodges, Golf Lodges, football lodges, Classic Car lodges, Motorbike lodge (The Widows Sons), again the list is endless.

We welcome members from every faith except one... If you worship the devil then this is not not the right place for you.

What do we do at Meetings?

Our meetings are both colourful and historic in nature, we encourage all members to take an active role. There are three ‘Degree Ceremonies’ one of which is usually performed during a masonic meeting. They are historic in nature, and are essentially lessons that represent a different stage in life.

What do we do after our Meetings?

After the meeting in the Lodge Temple we usually retire to the bar for a drink before our Festive Board (Dinner). The meal at Park Street is usually 4 course with wine. There is a formal part of the dinner where toasts are made. At the end of the meal the Raffle occurs where if you are really lucky you will go home with th e bottle of wine you donated at the previous meeting ;-)

At the end of the meal we either drift off home, or retire to the bar for one last drink.

Entered Apprentice

As an ‘initiate’ or Entered Apprentice, Freemasons are taught we are all born equal, we learn that in life some do better than others and it is up to those that do well to look after the less fortunate. From this stems our belief in the importance of Service.

Fellow Craft

The next stage is to become a ‘Fellow Craft’ where Freemasons are taught the importance of improving yourself as a person.

Master Mason

And finally as a ‘Master Mason’, where we learn that we have but one life, and the importance of using it wisely.

The details of the ceremonies can easily be accessed online but nothing beats experiencing it for yourself.

After the meetings members dine together in order to enjoy good food, good wine, and good company. And most importantly, to have fun together, while raising money for good causes where ever possible.

Why Join?

Great question, With many answers..

Curiosity, Family history, Wanting to be part of something bigger, Charity, Friendships.

There is no one answer, but when you do join you will become part of a network of people that will enhance your life, welcome you into the group straight away and work hard to make and keep you involved.

Why did I join?

Curiosity to start with, a friend explained he was a mason and told me his story, how he met all these people that were friendly, welcoming and good fun to be around. If I'm honest, the ceremony part of things put me off a bit, not really what I do was my thought, but he assured me that I could take part or not, it was my choice.

Then he told me of the money raised for good causes.. WOW how much? And its all raised while having a good time?

I went for an interview which I found amusing as I was interviewing them in my mind, not them interviewing me. They got the job :-)

While having a beer at the interview it became obvious that these were good people, not the image I had in my head from the media reports I had read in the past or seen on TV.

What no Goat worship, and dodgy deals to make each other rich.... No that's media rubbish.

And you mean Freemasons don't actually rule the world... They might make a better job of it, but no we don't.

Decent men (or women in Women's lodges) enjoying an evening or two out together, good company, nice food and raising some money for Charity...

What's not to like, and to be honest it's even better than I had hoped it would be.

Terry - Park Street Lodge 8556

Myth's And Truths

Are We a secret Society?

No we are very open, The secrecy was because of the last war when Nazi Germany persecuted Freemasons and they went underground, and never really came fully back into the light.

Freemasons help each other out in business

No, this is a common misconception, there is no material gain in Freemasonry, if that is why you are thinking of joining you are barking up the wrong tree.

Freemasons Worship the Devil.

Every Faith is welcome in Freemasonry except those who worship the devil.

Do you have a special handshake?

No, we have several handshakes.

They go back to the early days when we were all stonemasons, the handshake was to prove what level of Mason you were. Today its ceremonial.

Are we secretly running the World?

No - we're not secretly running things. Though with the way the world is, maybe we should give it a go!!! Perhaps not one of my best ideas;-)

Women are Banned.

We have had women's lodges for over 100 years.

We have a goat in the ceremony

No goats allowed, they would poo on the carpet..

Freemasonry is a Cult/Religion

No not true, all we ask is that you believe in a higher being.

Lodge Officers

Like all organisations there are lots of jobs to be done, we all have a role to play and have different duties.

Worshipful Master – The leader of the Lodge elected by the brethren, in many respects the MD or CEO of a business is probably a good description.

Senior Warden – Assists the Master in keeping order in the Lodge, and to close the Lodge.

Junior Warden – Assists the Master in keeping order in the Lodge, and is responsible for the admission of visitors.

Senior Deacon – The special messenger of the Worshipful Master.

Junior Deacon – The special messenger of the Senior Warden.

Inner Guard – To work in conjunction with the Tyler, to ensure that the Lodge is properly secured against intruders.

Tyler – To ensure all necessary precautions have been taken to prevent the approach and entrance of unauthorised persons.

Steward – To assist the other officers in performing their duties and to ensure the best is provided for the comfort of the brethren.

Chaplain – To give the appropriate prayers when required, and generally to remind the brethren of their obligation to the three grand principles on which the order is founded. Brotherly Love, Relief and Charity.

Treasurer – The Financial Officer, or banker of the Lodge.

Secretary – In many ways very similar to a secretary of a small business. A hinge pin to ensure the smooth running of the lodge affairs both in and out of the Lodge Temple.

Director of Ceremonies – To regulate the ceremonies and keep an eye on the working of the ritual.

Almoner – To distribute alms where necessary and generally attend to the welfare of those in sickness or distress.

Charity Steward – To promote and cement the support of the Brethren of the Lodge for our Charities.

Lodge Mentor – To provide help and support to all the brethren of the Lodge, but especially the new brethren so they are not left alone during meetings.

Membership Officer - To manage recruitment and encourage and support new members

Asst. Director of Ceremonies – To assist the Director of Ceremonies in the discharge of his duties.

Asst. Secretary – To assist the Secretary in the discharge of his duties.

Immediate Past Master – The previous Master, and is considered the guide, philosopher, and friend of his successor to the Chair of the Lodge.