What is Freemasonry?

Freemasonry is a three hundred year old social network with a serious purpose. It is a highly convivial organisation concerned with the social, intellectual and moral development of its members and the wellbeing of communities in which they live and work.  It promotes friendship - most Masons are very sociable individuals - and responsible citizenship. It instils in its members a moral and ethical approach to life. It 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 encourages and facilitates consideration for others, care for the less fortunate and help for those in need. Lodge meetings are both enjoyable and rewarding and many life-long friendships are made and sustained between men brought together by Freemasonry.

We believe in friendship as a force for good in society; in tolerance and equality; in helping those less fortunate than ourselves; and in the importance of integrity in all of our dealings with others.  Masons are encouraged to speak openly about Freemasonry as long as they are not trying to use their membership to create an advantage for themselves.

Membership is open to all men of good public record, strict morals and integrity, who believe in God. There are no other requirements, and members come from all walks of life and all types of ethnic, social, economic and educational backgrounds, occupations and religions.

Freemasonry sets its members very high standards of behaviour and masons are forbidden to use their membership to gain any form of material benefit or advantage for themselves.  Membership offers no monetary advantages or preferment.  To emphasise our beliefs and values every new Freemason follows the same path through a short series of ceremonies that use traditional stonemasons' work and tools to illustrate moral lessons and ethical behaviour.

Under the United Grand Lodge of England, Lodges are organised into 47 county areas. In Berkshire there are 93 Lodges with an average of 36 members each. Every Lodge has its own schedule of meetings at which the members and their guests advance their knowledge of Freemasonry and enjoy each other's company by sharing a meal together.

The Grand Lodge  publishes its rules and lists of lodges and their meeting places and lists of senior members in its Year Book.  These publications are all in the public domain. The rule book can be downloaded and or purchased from the Grand Lodge in London.

There are more than a quarter of a million Freemasons in England and Wales meeting in nearly 8,000 Lodges under the authority of the United Grand Lodge of England. Worldwide, there are nearly 6 million Freemasons.

Many more matters are dealt with on our frequently asked questions page.