£1,000 backing for youngsters

11:28am Friday 21st March 2008

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THE freemasons of Chaddesley Corbett Masonic Lodge have dug deep into their pockets to donate a magnificent £1,000 towards the Back on Track appeal.

Money was raised from a ladies' luncheon and several other charity events organised by the order.

Jack Carolan, worshipful master, said: "It used to be a myth that freemasons only look after themselves. In my term of office we have donated between £3,000 to £4,000 to various charities and at every lodge meeting there is always a collection."

Mr Carolan, a garage proprietor, of Stourport, added: "I like everything that goes into freemasonry - the individual regalia, the history, the mystery and the ceremonies. The ceremonies are the best bit and require a lot of learning."

The roots of freemasonry reputedly stretch back to the biblical time of Solomon's temple and famous members have included Mozart, former Prime Minster Winston Churchill and architect Christopher Wren.

It takes between six and 10 years to reach the position of worshipful master and involves progressing through a series of ranks, according to Mr Carolan.

He added: "A lot of people say masonic orders are secret societies but actually they are societies of secrets."

He said the core requirement was a belief in a "supreme being" while candidates also had to be over 21 and proposed and seconded by members.

He added: "Freemasonry is open to all walks of life, not just the chosen few. People can swear to their belief on a Bible , a Koran or any other holy book while members are from all backgrounds."

Mr Carolan said there were no middlemen in freemasonry and no administration costs so all money raised went directly to causes such as the Back on Track appeal.

He said: "Sport is very important. Kids today need something to get them going in life and Stourport Hockey Club and Kidderminster and Stourport Athletic Club help springboard them into success."

He added: "There are a lot of good kids out there. Sport can help keep them on the straight and narrow and enable them to achieve great things."