Where?
We always meet at the Wallingford Masonic Centre in Goldsmith's Lane, Wallingford.
When?
Our regular Lodge meetings are always on the second Tuesday in the months below, commencing with the installation of the new Master in September, followed by regular meetings in November, December, January, February, March and April. Our meetings start at 18:15 except in September and December when we begin at 18:00. Our Class of Instruction, at which we help each other learn more about masonry, meets on the first Tuesday of every month from September to May inclusive and on the second Tuesday of October and runs from 19:30 to about 21:00. Check out our programme of meetings.
Who can attend?
In common with all masonic lodges, we are a private organisation and admit only our members and their masonic guests to our meetings. Visiting masons, in good standing and recognised by the United Grand Lodge of England are always welcome.
Why join?
If you are a sociable individual who wants to improve civil society, to make yourself a better member of that society, to learn more about yourself and to help others, then you will enjoy Freemasonry.
The benefits of masonry are complex and are different for each mason. At one end of the scale there are those members who are looking for companionship alone and Freemasonry provides them with a friendly and trusting environment; then there are those who value the contribution masonry makes to charity, and are motivated by a desire to help those less fortunate than themselves, both masons and non-masons alike; some like the chance to perform the rituals and work hard to ensure high standards are maintained in our ceremonies; others make a study of Freemasonry from an historical or social perspective; then there are those who choose to explore the inner and more esoteric aspects of the ritual in order to discover more about Freemasonry and themselves. There is a sense of satisfaction from being part of an organisation with a
long and honourable history for helping people in the town, in the country, and around the world. All masons, however, find rewards in the friendship
and warmth of our meetings and events, be they formal or informal. Freemasons are forbidden from using their membership to gain financial advantage or any other form of preferment over non-members. If you are thinking of joining us to make a financial or material gain please do not bother, you will not be welcome in our lodge.
Could You Become a Freemason?
Qualifications for membership are straightforward and those shown
below refer to membership of Lodges under the United Grand Lodge of
England. To be admitted a member of such a Lodge a candidate for
membership must:
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be male (there are other masonic organisations for women)
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be 21 or over (with certain exceptions applying to 18 - 20 year olds and those studying at a University)
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believe in a Supreme Being
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apply for membership voluntarily, not under any duress
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neither expect, anticipate nor seek any preferment or financial benefit as a consequence of membership
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never have been convicted by a court of any offence
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never have been the subject of a finding of dishonest or disgraceful conduct
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never have been disciplined by any professional, trade or other tribunal
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not be awaiting the outcome of proceedings before a criminal, professional, trade or other investigation
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never have been connected in any way with any organisation which is quasi-Masonic, imitative of Masonry, or regarded by the Grand Lodge as irregular or incompatible with membership
Because of the commitments of time and of the costs of membership it is also essential that you should have the full support of any close family or dependants before you join. Masonry gives priority to the indivdual's duties and responsibilities towards his family, however that family may be constituted. Most Lodges will require evidence of family support and will not admit a new member without it.
High standards are expected of members and those transgressing them may make themselves liable to masonic sanctions or expulsion from the organisation.
How to find out more
If you know a member already and you would like to know more, please just ask him. He will be pleased to explain about Freemasonry in general and about Portcullis Lodge in particular. He is encouraged to be open about his membership and why he enjoys it. There are a few symbolic elements of our ceremonies that he will not tell you about because he has promised, as a test of his integrity, not to do so. These elements have no intrinsic value outside our ceremonies.
For more information you may like to download Grand Lodge's booklet on Freemasonry.
If you do not already know a member, please contact our secretary who will be pleased to answer your questions.