The Royds Lodge No. 1204

Antient Free and Accepted Masons

Famous Masons

Dr. T. J. Barnardo (1845-1905). Philanthropist, and founder and director of homes for destitute children. His work is continued today by the charity Barnardo's.

Burns, Robert (1759-1796). Scottish poet and lyricist. He was regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement and after his death became an important source of inspiration to the founders of liberalism and socialism.

Churchill, Sir Winston L. S. (1874-1965). British politician known chiefly for his leadership during World War II. He served as Prime Minister from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955.

Doyle, Sir Arthur Conan (1859-1930). Author noted for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes, which are generally regarded as a major innovation in the field of crime fiction.

Kipling, J. Rudyard (1865-1936). English author and poet, best known for his works The Jungle Book, Just So Stories and Kim. He was the first author writing in the English language to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature and remains its youngest ever recipient.

Sir Leonard Hutton (1916-1990). English cricketer who dominated the national and international cricket scene for the decade following the Second World War. He was honoured with the England team captaincy, breaking an age-old tradition that the position could be held only by an amateur.

Capt. Robert Falcon Scott, RN (1868 - 1912). British Royal Naval officer and explorer who led two expeditions to the Antarctic regions, reaching the South Pole on the 18th January 1912.

Latest News

July 8th: Appeal 2011, held in support of the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys, has so far raised the magnificent sum of £440,611. More...

June 25th: An architectural photographer tries to unravel the semiotics of a Victorian church on the brink of closure... More...

May 26th: W. Bro. Bill Kirk celebrates 50 years in Freemasonry! More...

May 26th:The Freemasons' Grand Charity has approved a grant to support relief efforts following the recent earthquake in south-western China. More...

May 13th:The Freemasons' Grand Charity provides an initial grant of £20,000 to help the victims of the Burma cyclone. More...

April 10th A collection of images taken by Mr Andy Marshall, an architectural photographer who recently recorded the interior of St Edmund's Church, are now available. More...

March 15th Freemasons approve £1.5 million for non-Masonic charities. More...

March 15th Appointments and promotions to Grand Rank, congratulations W. Bro. Roger! More...

Feb 6th: The Freemasons' Grand Charity has approved a grant of £10,000 to the District Grand Lodge of East Africa's Grand Charity, complementing local relief efforts. More...

Jan 21st: Trace the history of your Lodge using The Library and Museum of Freemasonry's Lodge Family Tree Charts. More...

Nov 23rd: The Freemasons' Grand Charity is supporting the relief work of the Red Cross with an emergency grant of £20,000. More...

Sept 24th: The Worshipful Master and three Past Masters of The Royds Lodge No. 1204 visited The Royds Lodge No. 816 on Thursday 13th September 2007. More...

July 1st: W. Bro. the Rev. J. C. Guise, a member of The Royds Lodge and Provincial Grand Chaplain of Worcestershire, conducted the re-dedication of a Worcestershire Victoria Cross holder's grave at St Mary's Parish Church, Kempsey. More...

[News Archive]

Freemasonry and Society

Introduction

This text is intended to expand a topic mentioned in the leaflet 'What is Freemasonry'. It explains the United Grand Lodge of England's view on Freemasonry and Society.

Grand Lodge's Policy

It must be clearly understood by every member of the Craft that his membership does not in any way exempt him from his duty to meet his responsibilities to the society in which he lives. The Charge to the new Initiate call on him to be exemplary in the discharge of his civil duties; this duty extends throughout his private, public, business or professional life.

Respect for the Law

Freemasonry demands from its members a respect for the law of any country in which a man may work and live.

Principles

The principles of Freemasonry do not in any way conflict with its members' duties as citizens, whether at work or at home or in public life, but on the contrary should strengthen them in fulfilling their public and private responsibilities. Thus there is no conflict of interest between a Freemason's obligation and his public duty.

If an actual or potential conflict of duties or interests is known to exist or is foreseen, a declaration to that effect should be made.

It may on occasions be prudent to disclose membership to avoid what others mistakenly imagine to be a potential conflict or bias, but this must be a matter for individual judgement.

Use of Membership

A Freemason must not use his membership to promote his own or anyone else's business, professional or personal interests. This is made clear directly or by inference several times during a Freemason's early career so that no Freemason can pretend to be ignorant of it. A Freemason who transgresses this rule may be suspended from Masonic activities or even expelled.

Family

Freemasonry should not be allowed to harm a man's family or other connections by taking too much of his time or his money, or causing him to act in any way against their interests.

Duty as a Citizen

A Freemason's duty as a citizen must always prevail over any obligation to other Freemasons, and any attempt to shield a Freemason who as acted dishonourably or unlawfully, or to confer an unfair advantage on another Freemason is contrary to this prime duty.

Personal or Business Difficulties

If it could be proved by evidence that any personal failure or business difficulty was attributable to 'Masonic influence', Masonic authority would take a serious view of the fact, as this would be contrary to the principles of Freemasonry.

Secrecy

Freemasonry is not a secret society.

Like many other societies, it regards some of its internal affairs as private matters for its members.

There is no secret about its aims and principles. Copies of the constitutions and rules can be obtained from Freemasons' Hall by interested members of the public.

The 'secrets' of Freemasonry are concerned with its traditional modes of recognition. Its ceremonies are private.

In ordinary conversation there is very little about Freemasonry that may not be discussed.

On enquiry for acceptable reasons, Freemasons are free and will be proud to acknowledge their own membership.