BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs

Subject: BS: Masonic Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: GUEST,G-String
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 11:40 AM

There is apparently an underground movement from within the Masons that is gradually infiltrating Folk Clubs. This has been developing for quite some time. The aim is to recruit more members into the Masons. Folk Clubs, they believe, has the new breed of clientele they would wish for in their movement. It appears they are striving to diversify within there ranks and move to a more open culture. Have you any evidence of this in your area ? Have you been approached ? What are your views ?

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: GUEST,Nigel Parsons
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 12:41 PM

Theme tune "Masons Apron" ?

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: GUEST,Auldtimer
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 01:00 PM

The Leveler's version or the one by the High Level Ranters?

G-string may be on to something though, I've always wondered about that EFDS symbol and the popularity of sword and scraper teams at festivals and it might explain the aversion folk clubs have to publicity and advertising. The organisers are keeping it a secret
cheers

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: fat B****rd
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 01:02 PM

Bared breasts ?......trousers rolled up ?

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 01:14 PM

There has to be something in all this, the similarities between the two are amazing, the Masons have certainly done there homework.

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 01:22 PM

where homework?

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: Peace
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 02:07 PM

I have a friend who is a mason. I'll ask him. Can't imagine why. He works with stone. Maybe they want the stone the clubs are made from. We'll see.

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 04:18 PM

My Father was a Freemason, I'm not, and never will be!
I trust that explains my feelings on the matter.
John

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 04:59 PM

Care to elaborate, John?

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: lady penelope
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 05:34 PM

The Masons or rather Freemasons, have always been about one thing above all else........Elitism. That they can say "You are not of we and therefore......"

The folk movement has been the antithesis of this. And in my view, too bloody right.


This may help explain John's view, I could be wrong though.

TTFN Lady P.

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 08:35 PM

However - the world's best accoustic bog session happened in the Masonic Hall in Wareham, Dorset, about 20 years ago. They have huge changing rooms with the accoustics of bathrooms, room for everyone and a wonderful sound to boot!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 08:46 PM

... bog session?

The mind boggles....

Robin

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: lady penelope
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 09:47 PM

Unexpected accoustics.........one of the joys of life.........

TTFN Lady P.

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 11:16 PM

This adds to the reputation of the Rolling Stones ...lol But I suppose the weekly meetings behind curtains, the hushed atmosphere, the secrecy among the initiated, the half pint mugs; - note UK only since in the USA the same sort of thing happens at BG festivals complete with pointy hats! ...not that it ever bothered me but still - ; yup that has to be it.

Then the obsession of some folkies with symbols and the key of G! What about the guitars Gibson and Gallagher? maybe owing one is a sign of secret yearnings for brotherhood?

Then folk clubs are famous for singing members doing part harmonies along with the G eee uest.. Yup I agree there is something odd about it all.

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 01:19 AM

I had a beloved uncle and other older relatives who were Freemasons. Because of their affiliation, my sisters and I were able to be in a young woman's org. called Job's Daughters. I consider that experience to have been invaluable in teaching me lessons in perseverance, patience, humanity, and belief; as well as poise, public speaking and how to be of service to others. I will always be grateful for my time as a "Jobie" and grateful to my uncle for sponsoring me.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: mouldy
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 03:02 AM

I don't pretend to know what goes on, or afterwards, but when my brother-in-law came back from lodge meetings in Stockport (Brewer's lodge!) he was often ratarsed, according to his wife.

Years ago he became Worshipful Master, as his turn came, and we went to the celebratory dinner. A lot of toasts were drunk during the soup course, and it put me in mind of a certain Michael Bentine sketch...

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 04:09 AM

Love that sketch!

Robin

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 04:40 AM

We are so poor round here we cant afford freemasons we have freebrickies.
eric

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 05:46 AM

Robin [Foolstroupe] for bog read dunny, it may make more sense in Oz. As for being a 'Jobie', well I'm sorry but that made me laugh out loud, as a 'jobbie' or 'keich' has a very different meaning to me as a Glaswegian. Strangely enough it ties in with the 'bog' or 'dunny'. Sort of rounds that one off nicely!
No offence Kat....John

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: Jeanie
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 05:58 AM

I used to see the masons trotting along to their meetings at the Connaught Rooms when I was working in London. This has set me wondering what instruments were lurking in those uniform black briefcases, along with the aprons and trowels. Too small to hold a bodhran (which would, of course, have explained the need for secrecy and anonymity)....kazoos, perhaps ? Anyone have any idea ?

- jeanie

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: Billy Weeks
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 06:04 AM

Freemason's have (had?) a great song tradition as evidenced in many nineteenth century songsters. The 3-volume 'Universal Songster' of 1825, for example, contains around 80 songs described as 'masonic', alongside many hundreds described as 'comic', bacchanalian', 'jews', 'Dibdin's', 'amatory' and so on.. But what fantasy is this G-string? Freemasons recruiting in folk clubs? I know the poor deluded masons are on the way down, but not that far down!

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: freda underhill
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 06:29 AM

.. Strangely enough, I was speaking to a friend last week who is a folkie who performed at a masonic Club in Sydney. He is a pagan, left wing, and totally in the folk tradition.

When he & his friends finished performing, one of them took him aside and invited him to join...

(I have sent him a copy of the post!)

freda

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: Dani
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 07:33 AM

Over here (southern US) I've noticed a similar, if very local trend. My daughter (a Unitarian) was invited to be a Rainbow Girl, which I imagine is the equivalent of Job's Daughters. It ended badly, but that's another story. Or maybe it's not! And the lodge here has definitely become more open, offering to host community events and seeking a more public image.

Dani

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 09:58 AM

Bog is common aussie slang...

There has been some fuss in the past few years about them wanting to be more open and get more members - branches everywhere are closing for lack of members. Even articles on ABC TV - one about investmentof Australian Grand Pooh-Bar. They must be running out of Public Servants and Police Officers - two areas from the past - the first of which has definitley been reducd in size due to privatisation...

Robin

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 10:06 AM

No offence taken, John, but it is pronounced Joe-bee, as in the daughter of Job of the Bible.:-) It never was an in-your-face Christian thing, though, IMO, even if it did teach us about Job's plight, the emphasis was always on having faith and perseverance.

Yes, Rainbow Girls is a similar org., Dani. I am sorry it ended badly.

DeMolay is a similar org. though for young men.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: Les from Hull
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 01:13 PM

There's a lodge on my street (Dagger Lane, Hull). Maybe I'll trip up one of those case-carriers and see if a miniature hammer dulcimer pops out. I don't think so somehow.

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: GUEST,catter
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 03:20 PM

As a regular contributer here I have noticed a bias against Freemasonry on the few occassions the subject has arisen and for that reason I prefer to remain anonymous on this matter.
I can say that my experience of the organisation (in the UK) has been a very positive one, decent people with good values, no political or religous boundaries and no class division. I came to Freemasonry with a fair amount of scepticism and didn't expect to stay long, but I was very interested in the history and tradition of what is a very ancient organisation.
Music and singing play a large part of every meeting but I am completely unaware of any strategy (in the UK) to target the folk community or any other section of society.
Freemasonry, like many other bodies, is certainly in decline and I feel that there are some wonderful traditions that are worth maintaining, something I think many of those interested in folk music can identify with, but because part of the tradition of Freemasonry is to maintain a level of privacy, there is a certain amount of nonsense generated by those who have no first hand experience.
I expect that there will an outpouring of nonsense directly following this post and I'm not interested in getting into an argument with those who have already decided that there must be something sinister going on at these lodges. If you were to meet the other guys at my lodge you would know how funny that idea is.

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 04:50 PM

Well said, anon. catter. Thank you. The same could be said of the Rosicrucian Order AMORC, of which I am a member and which has had some close ties with Freemasonry. BTW, my grandmother was also in the Eastern Star.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: Peace
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 05:50 PM

Ya like people or ya don't.

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 06:39 PM

I take it Guest Catter that you have had dealings with English Lodges? It's just that in Scotland there is, as with so many things a religious element to Freemasonry. As I said my Father, a policeman, was a member, however I subscribe to the Groucho Marx view of joining clubs.
There is no doubt that there is prejudice and ignorance regarding the movement, and I think it has been its own worst enemy in that respect, with all the secret rituals etc. I however do not criticise things I don't know enough about, and I agree with you that they do good work in their local communities.
John

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 08:26 PM

Hmm I think the offended guest is overdoing it. I don't think that this site is or was ever an 'anti' Mason or anyother. In fact I can't help but notice how the regulars work to accomodate extreme views.

I do think the red faced villian is often hiding something but exactly what one never can tell; still, I am wondering what kind of thing would make a normal person react in that way?

What are these chaps up to... hmmmmmm

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 09:51 PM

eric the red

perhaps you may have like to have added

"methinks the lady doth protest too much"

Othello - W Shakespeare.

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 01:33 AM

A certain Robert Burns' mother lodge was in Tarbolton, Ayrshire--

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: Phot
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 03:06 AM

Well I'll come out now and say that I am a Freemason, and a Folkie, and I throughly enjoy both, I don't consider myself elitist, just ask those who know me and they'll probably say I'm just a fat p*sshead who likes trains and Landrovers!
The religon thing does come into it, as one of the requirements of being a mason is the belief in a supreme being, but that may be God, Bhudda, Allah, Krishna, or any other deity. we are not a secret society but a world wide brotherhood, that has a few secrets, but then who doesn't?
As for the infiltrating of folk clubs, I haven't a clue! But in the province of Somerset, we have a musicians lodge, I'm don't know how many are folkies, but why not see if we could start a folk lodge?

Wassail! Chris

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 03:56 AM

Well Chris, I hold none of that against you; EXCEPT liking Landrovers.
John.......Toyota Hilux Surf

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: Daithi
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 04:51 AM

Intteresting postings - and glad to see a more balanced view coming through. I attend a regular folk session and know for a fact that there is at least one Freemason there, so its obviously not THAT elitist!

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: Bobjack
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 05:13 AM

Masons are not elitist, they are just careful.

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: Sttaw Legend
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 05:18 AM

Masons are planning to open a cafe in Beverley, same concept as the one on Princes Quay in Hull.

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 05:21 AM

IT'S STILL A SECRET SOCIETY.
eric

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: Bobjack
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 06:12 AM

In Beverley?? You didn't mention this at friday's lodge meeting Dave. Are you involved in setting it up?

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: Sttaw Legend
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 06:32 AM

Emma Rugg is the person you need to ask she's played in the establishment on many Wednesday evenings.

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: Cllr
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 06:38 AM

Its not a secret society it is a society WITH secrets, there is a difference, yours fraternally Cllr

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: GUEST,pooh bar
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 06:45 AM

Greetings brother cllr.These plebians are simply jealous because they are not of sufficient social stature to have been invited to join us.

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 07:05 AM

LaFayette signed the charter of the Lodge in Northampton, MA.

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: Cllr
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 07:18 AM

Yeah Yeah yuk it up guestpb. Cllr

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: freda underhill
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 07:25 AM

when people start things secretly, sometimes its not out of elitism but can be self protection.

religious wars, witch burnings, who can criticise someone for choosing secrecy?

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: GUEST,Bells & Braces
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 07:25 AM

Links seem to go back even further than first anticipated. When discussing the Morris and Masons fraternity within our folk world it is interesting to note that in 1583 Captain Haies of the Golden Hinde wrote upon sailing from Plymouth: "We were in number in all about 260 men; among whom we had every faculty good choice, as Shipwrights, Masons, Carpenters, Smiths and suchlike. Besides for solace of our people and allurment of savages we were provided of Musike in good variety; not omitting the least toys as Morris dances Hobby horses and Maylike concerts to delight the savage people"

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 07:43 AM

Hey Cllr, are you the one that used to be Tory Cllr ?
eric

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: Bobjack
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 07:57 AM

I'd join, but I don't think they would have me. Are the Masonic Lodges male only? Please tell me they are.

Subject: RE: BS: Masons Lodges and Folk Clubs
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 08:08 AM

Masons don't 'recruit'. If you want to become a Mason, you have to approach someone that you know is a Mason. At least that's what I was told when I became one 24 years ago. mmmmm mmmmmm Ouch who stole my tongue!!! Pass me my wellies and spade someone.

Sal