I was a Freemason at a Central London lodge until about 15 years ago. A bit of a secret boy's club I suppose, with men from all walks of life involved. Many police officers of all ranks in our lodge. Great social side with Ladies Weekend probably the highlight of the year. Many are suspicious of the secrecy - a bit like the CL clique or our mysterious owners - but there is not a lot to concern outsiders nowadays in my opinion. I left because I preferred the social benefits of a golf club where my wife could be involved more than at the men-only Freemasons.
I was a Freemason at a Central London lodge until about 15 years ago. A bit of a secret boy's club I suppose, with men from all walks of life involved. Many police officers of all ranks in our lodge. Great social side with Ladies Weekend probably the highlight of the year. Many are suspicious of the secrecy - a bit like the CL clique or our mysterious owners - but there is not a lot to concern outsiders nowadays in my opinion. I left because I preferred the social benefits of a golf club where my wife could be involved more than at the men-only Freemasons.
Del, I thought you were a roofer but now you say you used to be a mason. I'm confused. You'll be saying you worked in retail next. : - )
It's a bit like the CL clique, you don't join until you are asked.
My grandfather was a mason all his life and apparently was London's third most senior FM once, I've never had the slightest interest in joining. As with Groucho Marx I don't want to belong to any club that would accept me as a member.
Damn. Nobody who has met me ever asks me to join their club.
Strikes me as all a bit odd. The cynic in me makes me believe that not many people in life put in all that effort without at least hoping to get something out of it and by that I don't mean a warm glow inside because they bought a couple of strips of raffle tickets for the local hospice at the last ladies night. Far too many old bill, politicians and big knobs involved for the Freemasons to be just a lads night out. At least at the top end. Got no time for it and it's funny ways and secrecy.
You don't have to believe in God. I'm an atheist. The wording is "supreme being". When I joined it was Derek Hales..... I'm deadly serious. Politics is a taboo and not to be discussed.
You have to be asked o join and sponsored. Most people know someone who is. Membership is struggling and lodges are looking for members. Phone Grand Lodge in Great Queen St for info.
I can honestly say that I get many more business opportunities through my golf club than I ever did through Freemasonry.
Henry: Thanks for the cup of tea and for letting me in on the secrets of the CL clique this morning.
What is involved in the joining ceremony ? I have asked this simple question many times and nobody connected to the Freemasons ever answers it. What would happen to them if they did? Odd bunch
I was asked to join, once in my 30's and again in my 40's....I didnt because I convinced myself that it would be a major constraint on my time.....I now wish I had joined as I know an awful lot more about it now and the many good things that Masonry brings (secretly!!!)
I can honestly say that I get many more business opportunities through my golf club than I ever did through Freemasonry.
Henry: Thanks for the cup of tea and for letting me in on the secrets of the CL clique this morning.
What is involved in the joining ceremony ? I have asked this simple question many times and nobody connected to the Freemasons ever answers it. What would happen to them if they did? Odd bunch
Although Freemasonry isn't a secret society, it is a society with secrets.
Those secrets are nothing that's very earth shattering, but among them is what happens during a Lodge meeting, including the initiation ceremony (referred to as the "First Degree").
If you knew what would happen, it would actually spoil the experience.
Strikes me as all a bit odd. The cynic in me makes me believe that not many people in life put in all that effort without at least hoping to get something out of it and by that I don't mean a warm glow inside because they bought a couple of strips of raffle tickets for the local hospice at the last ladies night. Far too many old bill, politicians and big knobs involved for the Freemasons to be just a lads night out. At least at the top end. Got no time for it and it's funny ways and secrecy.
I don't know that this is actually a bad thing. A lot of money gets raised by gourps such as this and one of the motivators is that they get something back from it.
Be honest how many people raise money for charity without get some personal benefit from it. I pay to charities directly through my bank and I see this as the only thing that doesn;t have some self-gratification, if they wanted to give me a big award for my loyalty I would turn it down though (and I wouldn't sell in years to come if it became worth something).
People who run the marathon for charity, want to run a marathon, people who trak Thailand want to trek, they wouldn't do either if they made them deeply unhappy. So whats the harm in freemason raising money for chairty and getting business contacts out of it?
I have been a Freemason for 22 years and have met all sorts during that time, people I liked and some I didnt particularly warm to. Many of my friends joined and some of them liked it & stayed, others decided they would resign. But generally speaking, we are a normal bunch of blokes from many different parts of the community. Take the piss all you like, but I am happy and proud to be a part of it. On CL we have something in common that we all support CAFC but we are all from different walks of life. Freemasonry is not so very different.
My grandfather was a mason, but never spoke of it. When he died i found an old photo of him and his brother all dressed up in the regalia with a sporan type thing. i've only ever spoken to one mason and he told me that he was a member of three/four lodges and held differing levels of rank in each. he spoke highly of it and when i asked about power and influence he brushed that off really. i queried about the myths of people going to court and being let off and he said that this goes against the code of being a mason, as they 'should' conduct themselves in a proper manner and be good members of society.
My grandfather was a mason, but never spoke of it. When he died i found an old photo of him and his brother all dressed up in the regalia with a sporan type thing. i've only ever spoken to one mason and he told me that he was a member of three/four lodges and held differing levels of rank in each. he spoke highly of it and when i asked about power and influence he brushed that off really. i queried about the myths of people going to court and being let off and he said that this goes against the code of being a mason, as they 'should' conduct themselves in a proper manner and be good members of society.
Well I can 'categoricly' state that a pal of mine (who shall remain nameless) was in the chair of a lodge in Surrey and was facing some pretty serious charges re drunk driving, they were 'mysteriously dropped'.....this was about 20 years ago. All his pals knew why of course. Say na more..... nudge nudge...say na more!!
I've heard similar tales in the past of suggested Police corruption and undue influence from Masonry. But all I can say is that in over 20 years I have never had first hand experience of any wrongdoings like this. Freemasonry has only ever cost me money it has never been a source of wealth or improper advantage to me. There will be bad eggs in every walk of life but generally speaking we are bloody nice blokes who meet up and do some silly bits and pieces in regalia, have a beer or two eat some dinner, raise a lot of money for good causes (£20k for Hospices in East Kent this month alone) and go home happy
I've heard similar tales in the past of suggested Police corruption and undue influence from Masonry. But all I can say is that in over 20 years I have never had first hand experience of any wrongdoings like this. Freemasonry has only ever cost me money it has never been a source of wealth or improper advantage to me. There will be bad eggs in every walk of life but generally speaking we are bloody nice blokes who meet up and do some silly bits and pieces in regalia, have a beer or two eat some dinner, raise a lot of money for good causes (£20k for Hospices in East Kent this month alone) and go home happy
Comments
I left because I preferred the social benefits of a golf club where my wife could be involved more than at the men-only Freemasons.
PS good to see you this morning
Don't tell Fanny or Curb_it.
Not again.
I can honestly say that I get many more business opportunities through my golf club than I ever did through Freemasonry.
Henry: Thanks for the cup of tea and for letting me in on the secrets of the CL clique this morning.
Those secrets are nothing that's very earth shattering, but among them is what happens during a Lodge meeting, including the initiation ceremony (referred to as the "First Degree").
If you knew what would happen, it would actually spoil the experience.
Be honest how many people raise money for charity without get some personal benefit from it. I pay to charities directly through my bank and I see this as the only thing that doesn;t have some self-gratification, if they wanted to give me a big award for my loyalty I would turn it down though (and I wouldn't sell in years to come if it became worth something).
People who run the marathon for charity, want to run a marathon, people who trak Thailand want to trek, they wouldn't do either if they made them deeply unhappy. So whats the harm in freemason raising money for chairty and getting business contacts out of it?
But generally speaking, we are a normal bunch of blokes from many different parts of the community.
Take the piss all you like, but I am happy and proud to be a part of it.
On CL we have something in common that we all support CAFC but we are all from different walks of life.
Freemasonry is not so very different.
All his pals knew why of course.
Say na more..... nudge nudge...say na more!!
Freemasonry has only ever cost me money it has never been a source of wealth or improper advantage to me.
There will be bad eggs in every walk of life but generally speaking we are bloody nice blokes who meet up and do some silly bits and pieces in regalia, have a beer or two eat some dinner, raise a lot of money for good causes (£20k for Hospices in East Kent this month alone) and go home happy