NO SECRETS HERE AT FREEMASONS’ PARADE
FREEMASONS paraded through the streets of Cardiff in full regalia yesterday to celebrate 300 years of brotherhood. The procession, by members of the South Wales Freemasons, was led by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of South Wales, Gareth Jones OBE.
He was accompanied by representative of lodges throughout South Wales, who paraded through Llandaff, from the Cathedral School to Llandaff Cathedral, where they observed a thanksgiving service.
The object of the parade was to celebrate the tercentenary of the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), which was formed in 1717, and became the governing body of Freemasonry in England, Wales, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands as well as some districts overseas.
Mr Jones said: “We’re celebrating 300 years, this is the first time in living memory we have processed in full regalia in public.”
There are more than 5,000 Freemasons in South Wales, covering 23 masonic centres, incorporating the historic counties of Glamorganshire, Breconshire and Radnorshire.
And yet little is still really understood about their beliefs or purpose.
Historically Freemasons have tended to be a secretive organisation. But according to Gareth Jones, the recent broadcast of a five-part documentary on Sky called Inside The Freemasons has had a positive affect on recruitment.
He added: “Ever since the broadcast of the TV show Inside the Freemasons we have had over 60 applications to join.
“We are delighted with the response we have had and the way people seem to have enjoyed the programme.
“We are really aiming to attract young men to our organisation because the future of masonry lies in the hands of our being able to get them to join us.
“It’s a relevant organisation these days because it is one that is founded on sound principals, good values of kindness and integrity, honesty and being prepared to look after those less fortunate people.”
To become a member a man has to apply to join a lodge and convince the members he is of “good repute”.
Prospective members also have to prove they are “a believer in the God of his religion” and “prepared to be generous in charitable giving”.
According to the Provincial Grand Lodge of South Wales, Freemasonry instils in its members a “moral and ethical” approach to life, and its values are based on “integrity, kindness, honesty and fairness”.
It says members are encouraged to regard the interests of the family as paramount and teaches concern for people, to care for the less fortunate and to help those in need.
It is also claimed that Freemasonry is one of the largest charitable donor groups in the UK, having donated in excess of £100m over the past 10 years to non-masonic charities.
Mr Jones’ brother Peter recently found stardom on Sky’s Inside the Freemasons.
He said: “I became a Freemason because I knew a lot of people who were masons and they all got a lot out of it.
“People say we raise money to look after ourselves but we give millions to charity. It’s become a big part of my life because of that.”
Provincial Grand Steward Robert Payne was also on yesterday’s march. He said: “We have an annual church service in Cardiff for the province. My wife and children cannot be here today because my son has a rugby trial.”
Afterwards the masons met for “tea and cakes and sandwiches”.
“I’m really new, I joined in 2006,” Mr Payne said. “I have progressed through the various offices and last June I was given a provincial rank.”
This year he’s due to be promoted to past provincial grand mentor. “That will mean I will be working with the new brethren,” he added.