Frequently asked questions...

As a Lodge, we look for people who are good fun, who match our ethos, and who we think will get stuck in. ​ Membership is open to any man over the age of 18, irrespective of race or religion. ​ Women are invited to join one of two female-only Grand Lodges: The Order of Women Freemasons, and The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons.

No.

Joining a Lodge is a bit like joining any other type of club; you get out what you put in. ​ The minimum time commitment annually is 4 Saturdays per year, for our 4 formal 'Regular Meetings' - these dates should be written in your diary in big letters and in ink. Partners often join us once the Masonic part of the day is over. Our Regular Meetings are held on the second Saturdays in March, May, October and December. These are the days when we all come together as a Lodge, primarily to enjoy each other's company but also to conduct ceremonies for our new members. As such, we invest a lot of time into making them as great as they can be; some Lodge officers (those taking part in the ceremonies) will have spent considerable time on preparing for their parts, dining will have been arranged, guests will have been invited. These occasions are times when we would expect every member to make every effort to attend. ​ When you are ready, the Worshipful Master may ask whether you might like to start taking a role in the ceremonies themselves. This comes with an additional time commitment, as we meet to rehearse our ceremonies a couple of times on the run-up to each meeting. Rehearsals are a really great way to embed yourself in the life of the Lodge, and are always followed by some sort of social event - they are far from a chore!

We have a young membership, and so we do what we can to keep costs as low as possible without compromising on the experience we provide for our members. We also make every effort to avoid hidden costs. ​ All fees are paid monthly by standing order, such that members are never asked for a big sum upfront. The exception to this is for those new to Freemasonry, for whom there is a one-off joining fee that the Lodge is required to pay to the broader institution to cover their joining process. The joining fee currently stands at circa £90. ​ Our members fall into two categories, and dining costs account for the difference in fee: ​ Full Members - £425 p.a. (£35.42 per month) This category includes the majority of our members, and is for all those actively involved in the Lodge. All dining (and wine) is included for each of our 4 Festive Boards, the meals which follow each Regular Meeting. ​ Country Members - £165 p.a. (£13.76 per month) When members are unable regularly to attend, because they have moved away or have other personal circumstances that preclude regular attendance, they are able to go on the Country List (our Treasurer is now New York based, and is therefore very understanding!). ​ Some members choose to contribute an additional £5 per month to the Almoner's Chest. This is in place of alms collections or any other fundraising activities, such as those which other Lodges tend to run at Festive Boards, and that can be something of a hidden cost. The Almoner's Chest is there to support members and their families who fall on hard times, and if unused it is donated annually to charity. Members who opt-in to this scheme receive a set of Lodge cufflinks, to recognise their contribution. You will also need to purchase your own regalia, when you reach the rank of Master Mason. This will cost anything from £40 to £70, depending on supplier and quality. The Lodge provides everything up to this point.