STOURBRIDGE Freemasons aim to dispel a few myths about the thought-to-be secret society by throwing open the doors to their lodge for the first time in recent history.

Freemasonry, one of the world’s oldest fraternal organisations, has long been considered a secretive organisation for the rich and powerful but according to Alan Payne, chairman of the Stourbridge Masonic Management Co, “in reality it is almost exactly the opposite”.

He said: “Although Freemasonry went through a period of being rather inward looking it is now very open - to the extent that Masonic Authorities even have official websites and individual members are perfectly at liberty, indeed encouraged, to let their membership be known; the only very strict rule being that they should never do so for improper reasons, such as trying to take advantage of it.”

In a bid to dispel the traditional view of Freemasonry and to seek out potential new members – the Freemasons are opening up their Stourbridge Lodge room at The Talbot Hotel between 10am and 5pm on Saturday September 13 as part of English Heritage week.

Lodge members will be on hand to talk to curious members of the public about Freemasonry and the charitable work of the society which is open to all men over 21 “of good report which means they must have no criminal record or otherwise be of dubious character”.

Mr Payne continued: “You certainly do not need to be rich and powerful.

“Typically a Lodge will have a wide range of members including factory-workers, shopkeepers, office-workers, the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker, but not too many millionaires.

“For those who may think Freemasonry, being men only, is sexist, it should quickly be pointed out that there is also a thriving Lady Masons organisation.

“Another myth to explode is that Freemasonry is a religion, or favours a particular religion. The only strict rule is that a Freemason must profess a belief in a Supreme Being, but who that Supreme Being might be is up to the individual. Freemasonry is neither for or against any religion.

“Likewise, a Freemason’s political affiliations are purely his business, and Freemasonry itself is strictly apolitical. Freemasons are forbidden to discuss religion or politics so members of all creeds and opinions can join together as friends.”

He said Freemasonry, which became organised in 1717 but dates back long before, exists to “promote good moral behaviour not only towards fellow members but towards the world in general” and “is thought to be the second highest donor to charity in the UK after the National Lottery”.

The Stourbridge Lodge, which opened in 1733, is believed to be one of the oldest in the country.

Mr Payne added: “Today, the best part of 300 years later, Freemasons still meet at the Talbot, but have long since been supplemented by Lodges at Halesowen, Dudley, Kidderminster, and many more.”

For more information about Freemasonry visit website http://www.ugle.org.uk/