Freemasonry is one of the world`s largest and oldest non-religious, non-political, fraternal and charitable organisations. As such, it seeks to reinforce values and promote friendship charity, integrity and a concern for the common good in all its members.
Freemasonry teaches moral lessons and self-knowledge through participation in a progression of two-part plays, which are learnt by heart and performed within each Lodge. Freemasonry offers its members an approach to life which seeks to reinforce thoughtfulness for others, kindness in the community, honesty in business, courtesy in society and fairness in all things.
Members are urged to regard the interests of the family and their business as paramount but importantly Freemasonry also teaches and practices concern for people, care for the less fortunate and help for those in need.
Different people get different enjoyment from their membership; most would point to friendship, fellowship and mutual support. Some enjoy the theatrical aspects and the satisfaction of ritual well performed. It’s a place where everyone can be themselves and contribute in a way that suits their own personality and comfort level.
Some are attracted by the valuable work that the movement performs in raising money for charity. Where the greatest part goes to non-Masonic charities – local, national and international. They also assist the community such as carrying out voluntary work.
It`s all about a great deal of laughter, a few drinks, and a good meal plus something that lifts us onto a higher level, with a good sense of wellbeing.
Many members visit other Masonic Lodges throughout the country – or indeed, the world – and you are greeted as an old friend. Freemasonry is the ultimate leveller, a community where friendship and goodwill are paramount.
There are approximately 3,400 Freemasons within the Province of Middlesex.
Membership is open to men of all faiths who are law-abiding, decent, trustworthy men, over the age of twenty-one years, of good character and who acknowledge a belief in a ‘Supreme Being’. Freemasonry is a multi-racial and multi-cultural organisation, so creed, colour, race, or religion is also of absolutely no importance. Men over the age of eighteen years may be considered under certain circumstances.
One’s individual position or standing in life are of no importance to freemasons or freemasonry.
There is an initial one-off registration fee of £140.00 and our dues are currently £275 a year which includes four three-course meals complete with wine (the annual fees may be less, depending on when in the financial year you join). You may also give to charity but the exact amount is entirely up to you and is a private matter. You may spend a bit on regalia but the first year is normally free, and after that, we can if you so wish, probably find you a used set.
This really depends on you. We currently have four meetings a year, which is the more formal part of the proceedings (the ceremonies) and they mostly start at 5.00 pm followed by a meeting in the dining rooms for a three-course meal and wine. These meetings are held on the third Wednesday in October and January and the fourth Wednesday in March and May. These dates remain the same every year.
As the saying goes, the more you put in the more you get out, so we have, from September to June, approximately every 1st, 2nd 4th and 6th Monday before our main meetings, workshop or instruction meetings. These are in a relaxed atmosphere where members learn more about Freemasonry and to master the ritual performed in the ceremonies. These are not essential, but they do enable you to learn and practice in a friendly environment while getting to know your fellow freemasons and then a pint or two after.
On some of the other Mondays, we get together and just attend a social event, such as a meal and a pint at one of the local pubs in Twickenham. We also have a local social summer barbeque and a Ladies Weekend, normally by the coast, every November, which are non-masonic where we invite our friends, partners and family to join us.
You can if you so wish, get a lot of pleasure by visiting other lodges, whilst making new friends and seeing different traditions followed. We would be only happy to help you with this.
So in summary, you join for your own enjoyment, the four formal meetings a year and from there it really does depend on you.
Yes you can. Hopefully you will find information here which will help you to start to make an informed decision. If you have decided Freemasonry maybe for you we are here for you to get in touch and we will gladly answer any questions.
In the interests of domestic harmony, people interested in becoming Freemasons are strongly recommended to bring their wife / partner into the picture at the earliest possible stage. The Twickenham Masonic Centre will be happy to give guided tours to the general public. Visitors can see inside the Masonic temples where the ceremonies take place and ask any questions they may have.
We also have social “Ladies Weekends” as a way of saying thank you to our wives and partners for their support. We also have other social events such as barbeques. These are an opportunity to have both quality time with your partner and also to meet other members and couples within the Lodge.
There is also the wider events we will be able to return to once Covid has settled, such as the Middlesex annual amateur boxing dinner and the Grand Family Fetes for all to enjoy held in July and November. A recent summer fete before Covid had a show of Classic Cars and Motor Bikes with a variety of things to watch or participate in, such as Tug-of-War, Ferret Racing, Dog Agility and Lindy hop dancing, not to mention the burgers, hot-dogs, curries and kebabs, and tea, coffee or beer to wash them down.
There are of course similar Masonic organisations for women.
Freemasonry is not a religion; it has no theology and does not teach any route to salvation. However, a belief in a ‘Supreme Being’ is an essential requirement for membership and Freemasonry. This belief, whatever his religion, although necessary to become a Freemason, is entirely the affair of each individual and is not our business.
No discussion of religion is permitted in lodge meetings.
Freemasonry is definitely not a political organisation, it has no political agenda, and discussion of politics is not permitted at Lodge meetings. Freemasonry naturally tends to attract those with a concern for people and a sense of social responsibility and purpose. There are members, therefore, who are involved in politics at local, national and international level. Equally there are members who take an active interest in non-Masonic charitable organisations and other community groups.
No discussion of politics is permitted in lodge meetings
People become Freemasons for a variety of reasons, some as the result of family tradition, others upon the introduction by a friend or simply out of a curiosity to know what it is all about. Those who become active members and who grow in Freemasonry do so principally because they enjoy it. They enjoy the challenges and fellowship that Freemasonry offers. There is more to it.
Participation in the dramatic presentation of moral lessons and in the working of a Lodge provides a member with a unique opportunity to learn more about himself and encourages him to live in such a way that he will be in search of becoming a better man. Then, by progression through a series of degrees he gains insight into increasingly complex moral and philosophical concepts, and accepts a variety of challenges and responsibilities which are both stimulating and rewarding.
Once you have contacted us we will then arrange a convenient time for you to come along to Twickenham where we can meet on an informal basis and you will be able to ask any questions.
After the meeting and once you feel that all the questions have been answered then normally an application form is completed. If by mutual agreement it is then decided that your application should proceed, we will then need to include the names of two lodge members who have met you. Once completed, we would then ask that you meet with the Lodge Committee, again to get to know you more, and of course you to get to know us. This meeting will still be friendly, but a more formal occasion.
On the basis that you and the members are content, your application will be formally read out aloud at one of the four main meetings. If approved, then after this meeting a date will then be set for your admission and to join Ariel lodge to become a freemason.
So, if you do feel you would like to become a Freemason in Middlesex and join us and have any questions or want further information, please see the “Contact us” page.
The Lodge supports many charities every year, all of which are voted and spoken of in our regular meetings. its members give as freely as they can to charity, the amount depends on his circumstance in life and is a private matter. We arrange charity and fund-raising events, collecting and donating for local charities including Crest Cancer, Princess Alice Hospice, Dementia, Little Princess Trust and Shooting Star Hospice.
How often have we told ourselves that we really should send money to help with some famine or other disaster we have seen on TV, only to forget all about it in the rush of everyday life? Freemasonry provides a structured channel for fundraising from its members and reacts quickly when help is needed urgently, as we are doing in the case of the Ukraine Appeal which at the last count was over £870,000.
The Lodge has also recently donated monies for a special project to help bring a smile and some happiness to poor children who are near the end of their lives at the Shooting Star Children’s Hospice. These are Virtual Reality headsets to escape the confines of their conditions. They are cordless and can be worn by children even if they are in a wheelchair with head and neck supports to escape the confines of their conditions. This gives the children a chance to experience walking along a virtual beach, swimming with turtles and many other experiences that are unreachable in the real world.
This, gives freedom that many never thought possible and brings happy experiences into their often-short lives.
We adapted and developed our range of support to help the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in society which was £20.5M of charitable support – funded entirely through the donations Freemasons, their families and friends – was awarded by the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF, the Freemasons’ charity) through 6,571 grants, of these grants, 23 per cent totalling £4.7M, focused on supporting people across society through COVID-19. Including in our work, last year Freemasonry contributed alone they donated over £55 million to charitable causes.
For further information Please feel free to look at https://mcf.org.uk
New members make solemn promises concerning their conduct in the Lodge and society. These promises are similar to those taken in court or upon entering the Armed Services or many other organisations. Each member also promises to keep confidential the traditional methods of proving he is a Freemason which he would use when visiting a Lodge where he is not known.
Members also undertake not to make use of their membership for personal gain or advancement; failure to observe this principle or to otherwise fall below the standards expected of a Freemason can lead to expulsion.