ONE of my favourite episodes of TV show The Simpsons is the one where Homer Simpson joins an exclusive club called 'The Stonecutters'.

The Stonecutters are a fictional ancient society of gentlemen who meet in a secret underground cave, employ strict rules of membership and consist of a hierarchy of members who use fancy titles, dress up in ornate costumes and enjoy a number of cushy privileges while enduring punishments if they dare to break the club's list of rules.

Programme-makers have since admitted The Stonecutters were intended to be a parody of the Freemasons.

But while The Simpsons exaggerated their 'secret society' just for laughs, their portrayal of the Freemasons was typical of the popular misconceptions that surround this most mysterious of organisations.

For example, the Masons is not exclusively for men, women can join too. In fact, there is an organisation for Lady Freemasons based right here in Morecambe.

And on Saturday, April 12, the Morecambe and Heysham branch of the Lady Masons intend to dispel some of those misconceptions by holding an Open Day.

An Open Day? That's pretty contrary to what Freemasonry is all about, isn't it?

Not at all, say the members – most of whom are known as 'Brothers' – of the Morecambe and Heysham 'Lodge'.

I was invited into their meeting place (or Temple) in a former church on the corner of West End Road and Balmoral Road, and was welcomed by the ladies with open arms.

Far from guarded and secretive, they were happy for me to see where they hold their regular ceremonial meetings. And what a stunningly-decorated place it is too.

A magnificent black and white checked carpet dominates the room. I am informed that black and white denotes good and evil, because Freemasonry is all about embracing the good and not straying to the bad.

Beautiful parchments, decorative symbols, and paintings of past Lodge members adorn the walls.

Candles are lit, which shimmer brightly on rows of ornate wooden
chairs, including one bigger than the others.

This is known as 'The Chair', where the Worshipful Master (the leader of the Lodge) will sit during ceremonies.

The place is awfully reminiscent of a royal court – almost overpowering, such is its splendour.

Behind a blue curtain at the back of the Temple hides a second spacious room, only this one is much more informal.

There is a kitchen, and tables and chairs where the Lady Masons sit down, chat, and enjoy tea and biscuits.

Although they may indeed use fancy titles like Provincial Grand Inspector General and the Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden, and like to dress up in elaborate ceremonial costumes, the Lady Masons are really just ordinary folk. A group of like-minded women who meet every week, who just happen to have a strict – but extremely laudable – set of values.

So what exactly does a Freemason believe in? A row of notices on the wall of the back room outline the Objectives of Freemasonry, some of which are as follows:

* Freemasons try to behave to the highest moral standards. They define their moral standards as obeying the laws of the land, working hard, living peaceably and creditably, and acting honourably with understanding and charity to all.

* Freemasonry is not a religion and there is no Masonic God. However all Freemasons must declare a belief in a Supreme Being and therefore have members of many different faiths.

Atheists and agnostics are not admitted into Freemasonry.

n They are encouraged to serve their own community, support their families in all they do, look after their health and do nothing to excess, try to avoid private disputes and quarrels, help anyone in need, do unto others as they would have them do unto them, and serve their Masonic Lodge by attending meetings regularly and by participating in the Masonic ceremonies where their high moral standards are enforced.

n As a society of upright individuals, they offer membership to women of good character, aged at least 21, and exclude anyone who fails to uphold the rules of Freemasonry.

n Their ceremonies contain dramatic presentations of moral lessons and include traditional passwords and signs of recognition, solemn promises which are no different to those which are taken elsewhere and traditional penalties which are symbolic and not literal – which allude to the pain any honest person should feel at violating their word.

n Freemasons enjoy each other's company and members are ordinary, fun-loving individuals who seek a good balance in life.

n They aim to develop team spirit and friendship through their activities, with their overall aim being the pursuit of happiness.

The list of objectives ends by saying that 'happiness' is sometimes described as the only true mystery of Freemasonry.

This pursuit of spiritual well-being, both in themselves and in their actions towards others, is something the ladies hold very dear.

"We try to do our best, the Lodge is friendly and something we can all depend on," said Jean Hodgson, a member since 1974, and whose aunt Florence Wadeson and her aunt's mother Louise Wadeson were also in the Lodge before her.

"If any of our Brothers are in trouble or suffer a bereavement, we will all support them.

"Nobody is ever on their own."

She says the Lodge also works hard for worthy causes. This year their charity of choice is the Mercy Ships international Christian charity, who use hospital ships to deliver specialised health and community care to poor people all over the world.

In the past the Morecambe and Heysham members have also raised money for Guide Dogs for the Blind and other charities.

So the Freemasons present themselves as an organisation devoted to upholding human decency, helping those less fortunate than themselves and doing good works.

Yet there are still some who feel threatened by Freemasonry and see it as something rather 'cliquey' and sinister.

"People have so many misconceptions – some even think we are devil-worshippers," admitted Jean.

"But we are not a secret society, we are a society with secrets.

"Our Lodge doesn't use a secret handshake, but I am not saying they don't exist in the Freemasons.

"But there's nothing secret about any of it really. You can go on the Internet these days and find out all about our rituals."

Then when I asked what specifically happens during their meetings and ceremonies, she said: "I don't want to give too much away.

"We like our ceremonies to be a surprise for new members, so I don't want them to know too much about it."

Joan Wharmby has been a member for 47 years, and both her daughter and grand-daughter are in the Lodge too. But she has seen membership decline over the years, hence the reason for the Open Day.

"When I joined we used to have 90-100 members. Now we have about 40-50," said Joan.

"It's something you either love or you don't."

Joan explained there is a hierarchy within the Lady Masons, and there are many different 'degrees' one must take in order to move up the ranks and eventually earn the status of Worshipful Master, or an even higher position.

"There's quite a lot of learning involved and some people don't want to learn. But if you want to progress, you've got to work at it."

Joan is one of the longest-serving members, although not the eldest.

That honour belongs to Nellie Moore, 95, who was Worshipful Master in 1967/8, has been a member for 54 years and still attends meetings.
So how do the Lady Masons get on with their male counterparts, who meet at their own Lodge on Derby Street in Morecambe?

"When I first joined, women in Freemasonry was still taboo," said Joan.

"These days it's not so bad."

Women have actually been involved in Freemasonry since the 18th Century. It was recorded that the first Lady Freemason was a Miss Elizabeth St Leger, who had to be initiated into the Craft in Ireland in 1735 after hiding herself to watch a ceremony being performed.

In 1889 a body known as International Mixed Masonry was formed and its first Lodge in England was formed in 1902.

Even so, there remained some men who believed women should not be allowed into the Freemasons.

As for our town's group of Lady Masons – known as the Morecambe and Heysham Lodge No.15 – it dates back to the 1930s.

In February 1938 the Very Worshipful Brother Elsie Anderson, then Grand Registrar, asked Brother Mrs M Herd if she could assist in forming a lady Freemasons' Lodge in Morecambe.

Brother Herd, who owned a gown shop on Euston Road, gathered together a number of ladies who were interested and V. Wor. Bro. Anderson then
visited Morecambe to explain the aims of Freemasonry to them.

After these 22 'brethren' were initiated later that year, the Morecambe and Heysham Lodge No. 15 was officially consecrated into the Freemasons in June 1939 at a special meeting in the Temple, London.

The first Master (leader) of the Morecambe and Heysham Lodge was Mrs Jean Platten, who also sat on Morecambe Council.

Initially the Lodge was based in Alexandra Road at a rented premises, and some meetings were held at the Temple of Light on West End Road.
During the Second World War the Lodge was commandeered for use as a hospital for wounded soldiers, forcing the Brothers to find temporary premises.

When the War ended, this made the Morecambe brethren all the more determined to buy a Temple of their own.

When the former Christian Science Church on the corner of West End Road and Balmoral Road became available, the Lodge bought it. Named 'The Unity Temple', the building was officially dedicated to the purposes of Freemasonry in a ceremony on April 26, 1955.

Evelyn Battersby of Battersby Coaches was also a member of the Lodge and Master in 1944/5. After she died, the Temple was re-named the Evelyn Battersby Temple, a name still used today. A portrait of her still hangs in the Temple.

Today the Morecambe and Heysham Lodge is also the headquarters for Lady Freemasonry in the North of England, one of eight Lodges in the North.
The current Worshipful Master of Morecambe and Heysham Lodge is Avryl Davies, while Heather Hitchen is Provincial Grand Master – or head of all the Lodges in the region. There is also a Grand Master of all 24 Lodges in the country, who is based in London.

Heather has performed her role for five years, and can continue until she chooses to retire – not that she intends to, because she says she enjoys it so much.

As indeed do the members of the Morecambe and Heysham Lodge. I enjoyed the company of this friendly group who act with dignity and seem extremely happy with being part of their "society with secrets".

Although their various rules and quirks may appear a little unconventional to outsiders, there is no doubting the sincerity behind their core values.

And in these days where society is rife with abuse, anti-social behaviour and a general lack of respect for other people, there is something rather noble about the way these Lady Masons choose to live their lives.

* THE Morecambe and Heysham Lady Masons will hold their Open Day on Saturday, April 12 from 10.30am to 4pm and yes, everybody is welcome.

For more details please call Jean on 01524 414159.