The information below is supplied by the United Grand Lodge of England:

Freemasonry is a society of people concerned with moral and spiritual values. Its members are taught its precepts by a series of ritual dramas, which follow ancient forms, and use stonemasons’ customs and tools as allegorical guides. The structure and working of the lodge and the sequence of ceremonial events are usually followed by social gatherings, and these meetings offer members a framework for companionship, teamwork, character development and enjoyment of shared experiences.

There are two women’s Freemasonry Grand Lodges that the United Grand Lodge of England consider to be “regular” in their practice of Freemasonry.

They are:

The above organisations practise “regular” Freemasonry. There are some Grand Lodges and other apparently Masonic bodies that do not meet these standards, e.g. that do not require a belief in a Supreme Being, or that allow or encourage their members as such to participate in political matters, and these Grand Lodges and bodies are not recognised by the United Grand Lodge of England as being Masonically regular.

Both these women’s organisations and the male equivalent, The United Grand Lodge of England, prefer to practice their Freemasonry in a single sex environment – rather like say, hockey or football; men and ladies “play the same game”, but not on the same pitch at the same time.

For Ladies interested in Freemasonry in Berkshire, the Berkshire Downs Lodge (under the auspices of the Order of Women Freemasons) meets in the Newbury Masonic Centre.

For more information please fill out this form and we will pass your enquiry to their secretary.