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Masons in the NewsFinal Edition September 2008 Vol. XXXg{x jÉÜ~|Çz gÉÉÄá axãáMore than just a funny handshakeIt’s often portrayed as a secret club with funny handshakesclosed off to anyone who is not ‘one of us’. But the freemasonsis a gathering of men far from the mystical rumours andbeliefs that have shrouded the group for centuries.“WE ARE not a secret society, we are a society that has secrets,”said Colin Hayes, assistant provincial grand master.On Saturday, the Freemasons of Berkshire opened the doorsto the Wokingham Masonic Centre and Temple in ReadingRoad, Wokingham, for all to see.In a bid to show the people of Berkshire what goes on behindthe doors, members of the various lodges (branches) based atthe lodge in Wokingham were on hand to tell all about whatthey do.“It has always been noted that we look after ourselves, but infact what we do is raise a lot of money for charities,” MrHayes added.There are 3,200 freemasons in the province of Berkshire,which still follows the old county boundaries before it wasdivided up.Among the members every year, thousands of pounds areraised and donated to charities including hospices.Mike Male, provincial publicity and information officer, said:“Charity work is the basis of our organisation. We run thePantomime Project where we take 1,000 kids to the HexagonTheatre in Reading. These are children who are in respite careand may not normally get the opportunity to go.”Around £100,000 is given away each year to local charities andas well as the financial support, members offer their time asvolunteers. Freemasons had a big impact on the Reading HalfMarathon earlier this year when 75 members put themselvesforward to act as stewards.Dating back to the 16th century, freemasonry exists all overthe world and is organised into grand lodges, with jurisdictionwhich consists of other lodges. There is a provincial grandmaster who has two assistants.Mr Hayes, who is one of the assistants, added: “One of my jobsis to chair the open day committee. At Wokingham MasonicCentre we have a number of lodges that meet here.”Signs that freemasons use to show they are part of the societydo exist, but started out because when it was set up, not manypeople could read or write and this was a simple way of displayingmembership.Anyone can be a freemason – through family introduction orword of mouth from a friend – and all go through applicationsand interviews before being invited to join.Mr Hayes added: “We are ordinary people who enjoy eachother’s company.”Once a member there are various ranks with a place set aside inthe temple, and every year people change position and responsibility.Mr Male added: “You don’t have to be a craftsman. We havetaxi drivers, electricians. Anyone can be a freemason – if youhave the time to give up.”And it is not completely cut off from women, as many peopleexpect. There is a women’s lodge, and wives and partners areinvited to certain dinners.During the formal meetings in the temple, members wear theirceremonial aprons which show rank and position. These are alsoworn when taking part in civic parades.Mr Hayes, who joined in 1970 through his father who was also afreemason, said: “We are volunteers and we are all about raisingmoney. If we were to tell everybody about it all of the time thenthere would be no fun for us.”By Rebecca JohnsonBracknell News10 ON THE WEB AT WWW.TWTMAG.COM 10
Masons in the News“Major boost to cinema fundraising as Freemasons donate large sum to helpstart refurbishment work”A £20,000 donation has been welcomed by the Knaresborough Players, who own and run the Frazer Theatre inKnareborough.Members of the Knaresborough Priory Lodge of Freemasons were able to give a major boost to the fundraisingefforts of the supporters of the Frazer Theatre, after appying to the Provincial Grand Master’s Fund for a grant.At a meeting earlier this month, Peter Bedford, on behalf of the Lodge, was able to present a cheque for£20,000 to Shirley Holden, Chairman of the Knaresborough Players.“We are extremely grateful for the very generous donation,” said Shirley, speaking to the Knaresborough Postthis week.“This will enable the commencement of the much needed upgrade and refurbishment of the theatre.”From left are David Crosthwaite, Peter Bedford, CounPam Godsell, Mayor of Knaresborough, Shirley Holden,Chair of Knaresborough Players and Meg McMinn. (s)A Forum For Regular Freemasonshttp://www.thesanctumsanctorum.com/board/11 ON THE WEB AT WWW.TWTMAG.COM 11
Page 1 and 2: September 2008 Issue #32Lodge Leade
Page 4 and 5: Letter From Welcome the EditorHello
Page 6 and 7: Contents• Masons in the News - Pg
Page 8 and 9: Letter’s From The ReadersBro. Cor
Page 12 and 13: Masons in the News“Masonic Temple
Page 14 and 15: Masons in the News“Doors open to
Page 16 and 17: Masons in the News"Illustrated Maso
Page 18 and 19: Masons in the News(Continued from p
Page 20 and 21: “The History Of Prince Hall Shrin
Page 22 and 23: Come join us at the new TWT Magazin
Page 24 and 25: Events of Interest(Continued from p
Page 26 and 27: Masonic “Scribbins”(Continued f
Page 28 and 29: Carl H. Claudy- “Old Tyler Talks
Page 30 and 31: Your Calling: A Matter of Perspecti
Page 32 and 33: Lodge Leadership(Continued from pag
Page 40 and 41: Short Talk Bulletin(Continued from
Page 42 and 43: Short Talk Bulletin(Continued from
Page 44 and 45: What Comes To Mind w/ Lansing V. Te
Page 46 and 47: The York Rite Of Freemasonry w/ Wil
Page 48 and 49: (Continued from page 47)these vesse
Page 50 and 51: New Masonic PublicationFreemason Pr
Page 52 and 53: Book Review By Bro. Frank Bell(Cont
Page 54 and 55: File under- “You just can’t mak
Page 56 and 57: And Finally…..56 ON THE WEB AT WW

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