ABOUT US
Our History
Tateshall lodge was founded/consecrated on the 2nd October 1959. At the time there were two different lodges based in the Pontefract Masonic Hall. The waiting list for new members was several years and so Tateshall Lodge 7645 was formed and became the third masonic lodge based in the building. Since this time, the lodge has thrived and continued to grow. There are 42 members in our lodge and we come from all walks of life.
Four different craft lodges and six Masonic side orders meet in the Pontefract Masonic Hall building. Tateshall Lodge is a member of the Province of Yorkshire West Riding which consists of over 200 craft lodges and 80 Royal Arch Chapters and totals over 7000 brethren.
There are approximately 200,00 Freemasons in the UK, and around 6 million worldwide. Tateshall lodge meets at 7pm for the Friday main meeting and 7.30pm for the practise meetings
Freemasons are second only to the National Lottery in terms of private charitable donations, and giving to charities is a key part of being a Freemason. Masonic meeting are run with a formal agenda with all meeting being recorded in the lodge minutes
After ‘masonic business’ has been concluded, Tateshall members meet for a meal (the ‘Festive Board’) prepared in house by our in house lodge stewards. This is a great time for members to socialise and maybe enjoy a glass of wine or two. Tateshall Lodge have several social events every year to which partners, family and friends are all invited. The highlight being the black tie social known as ‘Ladies Night’. Always a great night.
How to become a mason
To become a mason, you must be:
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A man of at least 21 years old
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Have a belief in a Supreme Being
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Want to become a mason of "your own free will and accord"
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Be loyal to your country
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Be dedicated to providing for your family
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Have a sincere desire to conduct yourself in a manner that will earn the respect and trust of others
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Possess a desire to help others through community service and universal benevolence
Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth
Brotherly Love - consideration and concern for the welfare of like minded people and those for whom they hold responsibilities. Partners and families are the obvious ones but this can spread out into the community and places where people live and work.
Relief - awareness that your fellow man is not always successful in his endeavours, be it caused by a disaster as devastating as the Tsunami, which affects many, or as small as some misfortune which prevents an individual continuing to support himself and his family, whether temporarily or permanently. Whilst the method of handling such diverse instances may be different, it is the commitment of every Freemason that, as part of his life and membership of the Craft, he will continue to give whatever support he is able in the form of charitable giving. However, not all relief is about money. Freemasons also give of their time and effort in serving their community in a voluntary capacity, be it on hospital advisory boards, as school governors, helping youth groups etc., It is this spirit, this willingness to help another, which is central to the importance of a Freemasons membership.
Truth - It goes without saying that the basis of a stable society is one which is based on truth and respect for another’s point of view. This does not mean we cannot disagree, but rather than be confrontational about conflicting opinions, we seek to work together to gain better understanding of each other. The one truth we all share, irrespective of our personal religion or cultural background is the belief in a Supreme Being.
Our Ceremonies
The ceremonies Freemasons practice in their lodges are referred to as rituals. Rituals are not peculiar to Freemasonry - they occur all around us in everyday life. Everything from handshakes to applause, from University graduation ceremonies to singing the national anthem at a football match can be considered rituals.
Rituals reinforce spiritual or social bonds through repetition and widespread use. Rituals transmit common experiences across time and connect modern society with the past. They often tell a story, give a message or simply re enforce the bonds between people.
Churches, Courtrooms, Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, Weddings, Funerals, The Armed Forces Parades like Trooping the colour, Even Singing Happy Birthday, all use rituals that have been developed over the years. Freemasonry is no different.
Rituals like Baptism, Weddings or Funerals have an especially powerful effect on people. They imply the beginning or end of a physical or spiritual journey.
The Rituals in Freemasonry connect Freemasons down through the centuries, and knowing you’re going through the same experience that millions of other men around the world have gone through for hundreds of years is really quite mind blowing.