About Us
The beginning of Freemasonry in Blyth
The first record of Freemasonry in Blyth was in 1856 when Blagdon Lodge was formed so it has been around in Blyth for a long time. The Lodge met at the Ridley Arms, which then stood at the town end of Ridley Avenue. From 1884, meetings took place in the Mechanics’ Institute, now the Public Library until the present building in Beaconsfield Street opened in August 1898. The current number of Lodges that meet in the Building is now 7.
What is Freemasonry?
We are a unique members’ organisation which has thrived for over 300 years. Having no political or religious affiliations, we comprise members of all ages, races, religions, cultures and backgrounds.
We meet in our individual Lodges throughout the country where we have ceremonial traditions which encourage us both to be more tolerant and respectful and actively to fulfil our civic and charitable responsibilities; we also make time to eat, drink and meet together, and form lifelong friendships. We aim to attract those from all backgrounds and walks of life, enabling them to develop into more thoughtful and confident people.
To inspire and challenge them to practise the core values we celebrate – Integrity, Friendship, Respect, Charity – in their private and public lives. To cement our reputation as a force for good in our communities and society at large and as a thriving organisation that people aspire to join.
Freemasonry offers a simple philosophical message to its members. —to act with integrity, to show respect to our members, to be charitable, kind and tolerant and have a huge amount of enjoyment along the way. The purpose is not only to promote virtue, but also to promote a thoughtful approach to being virtuous. It is centred around an analogy of creating and thus by chipping away our rough edges and our inadequacies, we reveal the better people we can be; more fit to serve those less fortunate than ourselves, those who have fared less well than ourselves and those communities in need.
Charity
Charity is one of the main principles of Freemasonry. Today, the Freemasons are one of the UK’s top charities raising over £33 million a year from individual donations from Freemasons and their fundraising efforts. Blyth Masonic Buildings regularly donates to local charities, care homes, deserved local organisations and via the Masonic Charitable Foundation to national charities, disaster relief and other worthy causes.
At our last charity festival in 2020 the Province Of Northumberland raised £3,248,927 which was donated to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution which provides support to 17 residential care homes across England and Wales. This amount was achieved by direct donations from Freemasons in Northumberland and from events run by Lodges throughout the county. Freemasons also make positive contributions to communities and worthwhile causes through fundraising events or volunteer work.