Freemasons lift veil on secrecy at Milnthorpe open day (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Freemasons lift veil on secrecy at Milnthorpe open day

2:41pm Wednesday 12th September 2012 in News

FREEMASONRY is renowned for secrecy - but on Saturday the Cumberland and Westmorland Province of Freemasons will hold an open day to explain their wider community credentials.

Organisers of the event - at Milnthorpe Masonic Hall - say they want the public to know how extensive the organisation’s charitable activities are. Last year, the Cumbria membership donated more than £100,000 to good causes.

Nationally, the Freemasons provide the second largest donations to charity in the UK after the National Lottery.

The organisation said it had organised the open day to ‘shed the myth of secrecy’ that developed during the aftermath of the First World War when Adolph Hitler persecuted the organisation in the belief it colluded with Jews against Germany.

A spokesman said: “Being a non-secular male group, we want to invite inquisition and explain the charitable and fellowship basis of Freemasonry.

“With over 3,500 members in the county, Freemasonry still proves to be one of the best-supported and popular pastimes. Anyone Interested in finding out more are welcome to join us for coffee between 10am and 2pm on Saturday.”

Freemason facts:

Cumberland and Westmorland Freemasons have 83 Lodges and 3,500 registered masons.

Freemasonry came to Cumberland in 1740, becoming firstly in Whitehaven before becoming established in Kendal in Westmorland in 1764.