FAQ

That is a question to which there are many answers.  Freemasonry means different things to each of those who join. For some, it’s about making new friends and acquaintances. For others it’s about being able to help deserving causes – making a contribution to society, while having fun; but for all it is a means to improve oneself, intellectually, morally,  spiritually and socially.
Freemasonry is the world’s oldest and largest non-religious, non-political, fraternal and charitable organisation. It teaches self-knowledge through participation in a progression of ceremonies, and all members are encouraged to speak openly about Freemasonry.

The first step in becoming a Freemason within Bedfordshire is to contact the Secretary of the Lodge that interests you. If you live in and around Ampthill and Flitwick areas, then it is likely that your nearest masonic centre is the Ampthill Masonic Centre, in Ampthill itself. If it is, then please contact our Secretary who will follow up your enquiry by arranging to meet with you. Like most organisations the application process includes completion of forms and meetings to get to know you and to provide the information you may need to confirm your application.

To join Lovells Bury masonic lodge, you normally have to be 21 years of age. There is no age limit on membership and as an organisation enables men of all ages, whether you are just turned 21 or have passed your retirement and are looking for a new challenge, to both contribute to and gain from the organisation. There truly is something for everyone of every age group.

Lovells Bury No 4018 masonic lodge meets at the Ampthill Masonic Centre, Ampthill Bedfordshire.

On the 4th Monday of September, October, November, February, March and April with meetings taking place in the evening.

Membership of Lovells Bury No 4018 masonic lodge does require a single one-off joining fee and an annual subscription. These dues can be paid in monthly instalments once you have joined and full details will be sent to you via an information sheet prior to your joining. In addition you have the option to attend the festive board the cost of which can vary and will be shown on the Lodge Summons which gives the dates and times as well as an Agenda for each Lodge Meeting. There are also charitable donations but these are voluntary and private. You will also need to purchase some masonic regalia.

A lodge meeting, like those of other groups and organisations, is normally in two parts and is only open to members.
First, there are the normal administrative procedures of any organisation such as:
– Minutes of the previous meeting.
– Proposing and balloting for new members.
– Discussing and voting on the annual accounts.
– Masonic news and correspondence.
– News about charitable work.
and secondly, we have the ceremonies for:
– Admitting new members.
– Progressing members within the organisation.
– The annual installation of the Master of the Lodge and his officers.
After the lodge meeting we have the festive board, which is an evening meal, where our members and any visiting members share wine and good conversation over a meal.

Lovells Bury No 4018 is a Craft Lodge. Craft Freemasonry consists of three degrees:
1. Entered Apprentice
2. Fellow Craft
3. Master Mason
There are several other masonic orders which you can join after you have become a full member of the craft. These include the Royal Arch and the Mark. Membership of other Freemasonry orders is entirely optional and for the individual member to consider.

As a Freemason you will have many opportunities for raising funds for charitable causes, both local in Bedfordshire, Nationally throughout the UK and throughout the world. There are many ways you can help as a member including helping to organise events, giving of your time to do an event as well as making voluntary donations. You will also have the opportunity to help others in need and again not just through raising of funds or giving of donations but practical and physical assistance to those in need.

No. Freemasonry does not seek to replace any member’s personal and individual religious beliefs or their membership of any particular religious organisation.
However, if you want to become a Freemason and join us you must have a belief in a “Supreme Being”. This belief, although necessary to membership, is entirely the affair of each individual.

New members make solemn promises concerning their behaviour, both specifically in our Lodge and in society in general. Members also promise to keep confidential the way they recognise each other when visiting another lodge as well as to support others in time of need but only so far as that support does not conflict with their own family and public obligations.

Like most organisations there are specific items which are required, for example golf shoes for golfing, track suit for jogging, wet suit for diving. Within Freemasonry the wearing of ‘regalia’ is historic and symbolic and, like a uniform, indicates the rank of the wearer in the organisation.

Freemasonry, as a body, will never express a view on politics or state policy. The discussion of politics, as with religion, has always been prohibited at Masonic meetings. Your religious beliefs and political opinions are your own affair, providing such are not contrary to the law, and are not for discussion with other members during a meeting.

Certainly not; this would be unacceptable and may lead to action being taken against those involved. On joining, each new member states that he expects no material gain from membership.

Freemasonry exists throughout the world. However, each Grand Lodge is sovereign and independent. There is no international governing body for Freemasonry. The United Grand Lodge of England currently has over 250,000 members meeting in over 8,000 Lodges in many different countries and the other home Grand Lodges, in Ireland, which covers both Northern Ireland and Eire, and Scotland have a combined total of approximately 150,000 members. Worldwide, there are approximately six million Freemasons.