In a first for Freemasonry in Lincolnshire members of the men’s and women’s orders have united for an event to show a shared pride in our organisations, which is expected to be the first step on a journey to greater co-operation.
After a meeting of the Lincolnshire Bicentenary Lodge of Installed Masters, members and visitors were joined in our Louth centre by members of several Order of Women Freemasons Lodges in Lincolnshire. Also present were John Thompson, United Grand Lodge of England’s newest Assistant Grand Master, Lincolnshire’s Provincial Grand Master Dave Wheeler and Gina Lapworth, Grand Inspector of the Order of Women Freemason's Area of Lincolnshire & South Yorkshire.
Gina said the ladies had been given a very warm welcome, adding: “Our newly-installed Grand Master would be encouraged by the collaboration between ourselves. We look forward to working together in the future.”
John Thompson, keen to forge links between the Provinces and London, added: “I am sure the Pro Grand Master and Grand Master would be keen on what we are doing tonight. Freemasonry is a strong organisation we should be proud of.”
During an evening in which everyone in the room learned something new about Freemasonry, Jill Boyington, who looks after the OWF’s web site, marketing and publicity, explained the history of Women’s Freemasonry.
She said women's freemasonry had come to UK from France in 1902 in the form of mixed Lodges, but in 1908 some Co-Masons, objecting to control from France and to some of the ritual and influences found in Co-Masonry, broke away to start a new Order. They wanted to practise Freemasonry on the same lines as the United Grand Lodge of England. Its Lodge meetings continued to be mixed, but since 1912 all the Grand Masters had been women, and meetings became exclusively for women in 1935.
Just as in men’s Freemasonry, membership of the 200 OWF Lodges is open to people from all backgrounds. The organisation’s aim is to empower members to be the best they can be – building character, supporting members as individuals, and helping them make a positive contribution to society. Women of any race or faith can join the Order and must be 21 years or older, be of good character and believe in a Supreme Being.
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