Discover history and mystery in the local area at a Heritage Open DayCall for councillors in North Yorkshire to declare if they’re a Freemason

Anyone elected onto North Yorkshire Council should declare if they are a member of secretive Freemason organisations, a councillor has claimed.

Masonic lodges have operated for centuries and give millions to charity every year. However, they have long faced accusations of nepotism in fields such as business and the law.

All councillors must declare, in a register of interests, if they are part of organisations such as political parties or charities.

But according to the council’s code of conduct, councillors only have to declare themselves a Freemason if they are part of a lodge’s charitable arm.

Monika Slater, Liberal Democrat councillor for Bilton Grange & New Park, said the code of conduct was “wrong” because she believes that Freemasons pledge an allegiance to the organisation they’re in “above all else”.

She added that members of staff working for the council must declare all memberships related to Freemasons, unlike councillors.

Cllr Slater said:

“Surely that’s of interest to residents if they are a member of a lodge. If officers need to declare it why don’t members as well? It doesn’t feel right.”

North Yorkshire Council’s assistant chief executive Barry Khan addressed Cllr Slater’s request at a meeting in Northallerton last week.

He promised officers will produce a report that looks into whether councillors should declare if they are a Freemason.

Mr Khan said:

“The position under the previous code in regards to masonic lodges was if a member was involved with the charitable arm then they were a member of a charity and that would be registered. If it wasn’t a charitable arm, then the advice was that that it didn’t need to be registered.

“That’s been the position that has carried on [into the new council].

“However, I think there’s been some concern from members that this process should be open and transparent and all memberships should be declared. We’ll bring a report that discusses these issues and a further recommendation will go to full council.”

Freemason grants totalling £94,000 given to district charitable organisations

Eight organisations in the Harrogate district have benefitted from a share of £94,000 worth of grants provided by the Freemasons.

Freemasonry is a male only, fraternal organisation that traces its origins back to the local guilds of stonemasons.

A total of 40 grants have been distributed to organisations across Yorkshire, with many charitable organisations, including youth clubs, food banks, community groups and schools.

Those Harrogate District organisations benefiting from the latest round of grant giving were:

James H Newman, OBE, The Provincial Grand Master of The Province of Yorkshire West Riding, said:

“With these grants we are able to financially support 40 organisations, which are each integral to the local area in their own way, is something I am very proud of.

“Each year, we donate some £200,000 from this specific fund to good causes around the Province, with the money coming directly from our members, keen to help support the community they live and work in.

“These grants were a superb way to end 2022, and the money each of these 40 recipients is receiving will help them continue the work they do in their own individual communities.”

Based on the old West Riding, the Province has around 5,000 members and reaches from Sheffield in the South to Ripon in the North, Goole in the East to Bentham in the West.

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Harrogate lodges lead bid to make Freemasons TikTok famous

It is an ancient organisation shrouded in mystery, which conjures up images of aprons, arcane symbols and secret handshakes.

However, in an effort to bring the fraternity into the modern era and attract younger members, Freemasons in Yorkshire are attempting to become TikTok famous.

The Province of Yorkshire West Riding has posted two videos on its new account – @wrfreemasons – including a take on the staircase scene from Titanic, set to Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On.

@wrfreemasons

If you would like to know more about Freemasonry in Yorkshire, West Riding, visit http://wrprovince.org.uk #freemasons #brotherhood #fraternity

♬ My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme from “Titanic”) – Céline Dion

The second is a TikTok of the famous Masonic aprons, described as “a badge of honour” being packed into a suitcase, with the caption ‘Freemasons wear aprons’. This is set to the track Run, by Becky Hill and Galantis.

@wrfreemasons

Freemasons wear aprons. #freemasons #fraternity #brotherhood #community #clothing #Yorkshire

♬ Run – Becky Hill & Galantis

Both have been filmed by member of Harrogate’s Harlow Lodge David Simister.

He said:

“Obviously we are a secret society, but we are hoping to open it up to a new, younger audience on TikTok.”

Harrogate’s Royal Hall to feature in next video

A third TikTok video which will be a take on the Kingsman movies – complete with bowler hats – is set to be filmed outside Harrogate’s Royal Hall on Saturday.

It follows the launch of a video on the The Province of Yorkshire West Riding’s website last month, which throws light on what Freemasonry is all about.

The film features a number of Freemasons, including a university undergraduate, retired firefighter, former soldier and a financial consultant, explaining what enticed them to join.

It also shows the splendour of a Masonic ceremony, the charitable side of the organisation and, more importantly, the diversity of its members from so many different walks of life and social backgrounds.

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Based on the old West Riding of Yorkshire, the Province has more than 5,000 members and over 180 individual Lodges, and covers an area from Sheffield in the south, to Ripon in the north, Goole in the east and across to High Bentham in the west.

Five lodges in Harrogate

There are five individual lodges in Harrogate, with around 400 members who meet at the Masonic Hall on Station Avenue.

James Newman, who will become the Province’s most senior member at a ceremony held in Harrogate next month, said:

“Freemasonry in Yorkshire dates back well over 200 hundred years and, in a nutshell, it is about making good men better.

“Our members range in age from those in their late teens and early twenties to those who are in their nineties and older and they hail from many different professions, ethnic backgrounds and religions.’’

Mr Newman said charity was at the heart of Freemasonry, with the Province of Yorkshire giving more than £200,000 to a variety of local causes each year, including schools, hospices, youth organisations and community groups.