About Us
Like all other masonic lodges, Bawtry Lodge falls under the day-to-day control of its duly elected Worshipful Master who is installed annually.
Freemasonry, in general, is regulated by the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) whose warrant was issued to the Freemasons of Bawtry in 1930.
The United Grand Lodge of England currently has over two hundred thousand members meeting in 6,800 Lodges, which are grouped as follows:
Lodges meeting within a 10-mile radius of Freemasons’ Hall is administered by the Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London, which is headed by the Metropolitan Grand Master.
Lodges meeting outside London, and within England, Wales, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands are grouped into 47 Provinces, whose boundaries often correspond to those of the old Counties, with each headed by a Provincial Grand Master.
Bawtry Lodge sits within the Province of Yorkshire, West Riding
For a brief overview feel free to download a booklet that has been produced by UGLE in order to provide a simplistic overview of freemasonry by Click Here
The Three Degrees
There are primarily three degrees in freemasonry:
1st Degree - Entered Apprentice
2nd Degree - Fellowcraft
3rd Degree - Master Mason
There is no set timeframe during which you will receive your third
degree, although typically this is seldom longer than around twelve
months.
You will be supported throughout your masonic journey by the Lodge
Mentor, your proposer, seconder and indeed any of the established
brethren who will be only too happy to pass on the wealth of knowledge
they have attained throughout the years.
Freemasonry is a deeply rewarding experience, once you attain the
degree of Master Mason a number of additional routes can be explored
including, but not limited to:
Royal Arch
Mark
Rose Croix
Knights Templar
Emulation Lodge of Improvement
How much does it cost?
The annual contributions at Bawtry Lodge are currently set at £140. In
addition, after each lodge meeting, we socialise over a meal (known as
the Festive Board) provided by the
Crown Hotel
which currently costs £17.50 for two courses.
Whilst the Festive Board is by no means mandatory, it's an excellent
opportunity to meet like-minded individuals outside of the lodge room.
On initiation, there are some one-off fees which include Grand and
Provincial registration fees, purchasing the book of constitutions etc
which usually total approximately £100.
Whilst regalia for the Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft degrees can
be loaned from the lodge. You will be expected to purchase your own
regalia once you attain the sublime degree of Master Mason, these can
often be purchased inexpensively second hand. New aprons vary in cost
depending on the material used but are typically around £50.
Although members do typically donate to charity, this can be as little
or as much as you wish. Your charitable inclination is a matter for
you and is not scrutinised, monitored or enforced by the lodge.
Useful Links
United Grand Lodge of England
Masonic Province of Yorkshire West riding
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution (RMBI)
The Freemasons Grand Charity
Masonic Charitable Foundation