AN organisation traditionally painted as sinister and secretive raised nearly £700,000 for charity in Essex last year.
Freemasons from the Hutton lodge this week came out of the shadows to talk to the Gazette about their organisation and the influence they have on the world.
In 2012, freemasons in Essex donated money to 370 charities, including those involved with medical research, children and hospitals, not to mention schools and regimental organisations.
Essex's assistant provincial grandmaster, Cliff Thoms, said: "This sensationalist stuff – that we have all these mysterious secrets that enable us to be superior – have been exploited.
"They paint us as a sinister organisation simply because people who have made those charges are now aware of the reality.
"We have been as guilty as others as we haven't defended ourselves."
Mr Thoms, 67, of Hutton Mount, said masons do have some secret practices, but that these are not for menacing purposes.
They are, he says, simply ancient rituals which each group, or lodge as they are known by masons, have.
He added that the customs are historical and reflect the ways one mason would identify another in days gone by.
"A lot of symbolism is about what went on in the olden days," he said.
"For instance we have wooden guards for knocking and people that carry wands – a bit like church wardens."
The freemasons have been criticised in the past for appearing to be an exclusive society which only those with money or social standing can join.
However, Mr Thoms said that this couldn't be further from the truth, explaining that men from all walks of life join the masons regardless of their profession, social standing, race or religion.
He said: "The only exclusivity is the quality of the member – road sweeper or lord, we don't distinguish between the two as long as they are a quality, moral member."
The Masonic Hall in Mount Avenue, Shenfield, was built in 1925 and 15 different lodges hold their meetings there.
The large number of lodges congregating in this Masonic temple is down to two factors – the significant number of masons in the area and the fact that many choose to meet at this centre over others.
Mr Thoms said that, in an area like Brentwood, there will be more than 750 Freemasons.
The temple where many of these masons meet is laid out with a large black and white rug in the centre, called the Square Pavement, with the black squares representing the lows in life and the white the highs.
The master's chair stands as the focus of the room with candle holders either side.
Mr Thoms said there are a number of women's Masonic groups like The Order of Women Freemasons, The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons and also the co-free Masons, which both men and women can join.
As for the Hutton lodge, he said: "Having just men is the way it's always been in our lodge – the women don't want to be with the men and the men don't want to be with the women."
However, he went on to explain that during the interview process one of the questions they always ask prospective members is how their wife or partner feels about them joining as they do not want to disrupt family life.
Mr Thoms added: "We do have numerous social events that include partners and family."
Those who are interested in learning more about the Freemasons or would like to become a member should visit www.ugle.org.uk
