Bawtry Freemasons Lodge No. 5174

Bawtry Lodge 5174

About us

Bawtry Lodge falls under the day-to-day control of its duly elected Worshipful Master, installed annually, and forms part of the wider family of English Freemasonry.

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 are 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 the UGLE introductory leaflet.

Masonic symbols representing the three degrees

The three degrees

There are primarily three degrees in Freemasonry:

  1. Entered Apprentice (1st Degree)
  2. Fellowcraft (2nd Degree)
  3. Master Mason (3rd Degree)

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:

A small pile of pound coins

How much does it cost?

Bawtry Lodge has a modest annual subscription, set each year to cover the lodge's running costs. In addition, after each lodge meeting we socialise over a meal (known as the Festive Board) provided by the Crown Hotel.

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 and the purchase of the Book of Constitutions.

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, and new aprons vary in cost depending on the material used.

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.

The secretary will gladly share current figures on request.

A set of Masonic working tools

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