Priory Lodge, No. 5204

"Just, Upright, and Free Men, of Mature Age, Sound Judgement, and Strict Morals"

It is a great honour for a Lodge to welcome new members so first you are advised to visit the Grand Lodge Site (United Grand Lodge of England or 'UGLE' for short) website before proceeding. 

UGLE set out clearly what is required of men wishing to join Freemasonry.  You can of course find out about it from many sites on the web, as with books from public libraries, but Grand Lodge offers not only the formal guidance but also the most accurate.  See also the website for the Masonic Province of Hampshire & Isle of Wight.

Second, Freemasonry - as recognised by Priory and other 'proper' lodges recognised by UGLE - is only for men of 21 years or more.  However in certain circumstances we can get a dispensation for younger men but, unlike a University Lodge, would have to give strong reasons why we are asking for it.

Other Research?  Yes, as we have already stated this is available and from which you may learn both about the Craft and its history.  We are of course a charity and a very big one too giving money to all concerns both Masonic and non-Masonic.  But this is not our sole objective.  Rather Freemasonry allows you to take a step back from (perhaps) an everyday and busy lifestyle to consider yourself as 'a citizen of the World'. Masonry is not a secret society offering special favours to its members.  It is not a religion nor a substitute for one but requires in each member a belief in a 'Supreme Being'.  There are members of all the major faiths in the Craft as there are of all occupations and from all backgrounds.  As Rudyard Kipling (himself a Mason) so accurately wrote in his famous poem The Mother Lodge:

Outside— Sergeant! Sir, Salute! Salaam

Inside — Brother and it don’t do no ‘arm.

We met upon the Level, and we parted on the Square,

An’ I was Junior Deacon in my Mother-Lodge out there.

Still wish to join?  Then send in a reply from the 'Contact Us' part of this site and we can arrange for an informal chat.  If you have relatives or friends who are Masons then talk to them too.  But above all please remember that we are called 'free'masons because your wish to join and all else that may follow is of your own free will.

Will my application to join be automatic?  No!  We must verify that you are a good person who will worthily uphold the traditions of Freemasonry.  So you will have both the chat with two to three members and then a slightly more formal interview with members of the Lodge Committee.  Your application (if the first stages are passed) will be put to the whole Lodge at one meeting and then be balloted for the next.  We are not in the 'number's game' albeit there are less Masons now then ten years ago.  Also that some Lodges have had to be closed for lack of adequate members.  This is not clearly laid out to deter prospective new Masons but to show both you and your family and friends that you are joining a worthy organisation which, inspite of attacks on it from many sectors, aspires to the highest levels of morality and decency.

We look forward to meeting you!

P.A.W. Greenland, BA (Hons), MA, PM - Lodge Secretary