History, values, and what actually happens, from a lodge that has been practising it since 1976.
Freemasonry is one of the world's oldest and largest fraternal organisations. There are around six million Freemasons worldwide, and over 200,000 in England and Wales alone.
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation. Its members are of many faiths and none. It has no involvement in politics. Its traditions are private, not its existence: men meeting in friendship, following a shared moral code, and giving back to their communities.
An introduction from the United Grand Lodge of England
Core principles
Freemasons regard all people with tolerance, respect, and kindness. The lodge is a place where that practice begins: men of different backgrounds, beliefs, and professions meeting as equals.
A commitment to charitable giving and to helping those in need. Freemasons in England and Wales give over £50 million to charitable causes every year, supporting hospitals, hospices, education, and community projects across the country.
A high standard of moral behaviour, in the lodge and outside it. Freemasons are expected to be honest in their dealings, reliable in their commitments, and accountable for their actions.
These three principles are not aspirations. They are expectations. Every Freemason takes an obligation to uphold them when he joins.
Craft Masonry
Every Freemason passes through three degrees. Each is conferred by ceremony: a combination of ritual, symbol, and obligation that has remained largely unchanged for centuries.
The first degree. A new member is initiated into the lodge and introduced to the principles of Freemasonry through ceremony, symbol, and obligation. The degree teaches humility: the candidate is entering something larger than himself and is asked to listen before he speaks.
The second degree advances the member further, with an emphasis on learning and the application of knowledge. The Fellow Craft is encouraged to study, to improve his mind and contribute more fully to the world around him.
The third and highest degree of Craft Masonry. The ceremony is dramatic and moving, and is considered the centrepiece of the Masonic experience. A Master Mason has full standing in the lodge and is encouraged to put into practice everything he has learned.
The governing body
Founded in 1717, the United Grand Lodge of England is the oldest and largest Grand Lodge in the world. It regulates Freemasonry in England and Wales, sets standards for ritual and conduct, and represents English Freemasonry internationally.
Breckland Lodge is constituted under the UGLE and is also part of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Norfolk, which looks after the lodges across Norfolk.
About Freemasonry
The UGLE's own introduction: history, principles, common questions.
ugle.org.uk →
The Freemasons' Charity
Where much of the charitable giving goes. Grants, care homes, education.
freemasonscharity.org.uk →
Provincial Grand Lodge of Norfolk
Breckland Lodge is one of many lodges under the Province.
norfoldfreemasons.org.uk →
Women and Freemasonry
Breckland Lodge is constituted under the United Grand Lodge of England, which governs male-only Craft lodges in England and Wales.
Women who are interested in Freemasonry are served by two fully established Grand Lodges that work the same traditional Craft ritual and uphold the same principles of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth:
Order of Women Freemasons
Lodges across England and Wales.
owf.org.uk →
Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons
An independent Grand Lodge with lodges nationwide.
hfaf.org →
Both are long-established, independent, and thriving organisations. If you are a woman interested in Freemasonry, we would encourage you to explore both directly.
Charitable giving
Charitable giving is built into Freemasonry, not as an afterthought but as a core obligation. The principle of Relief means Freemasons are expected to support those in need, both within the brotherhood and in the wider community.
In England and Wales, Freemasons give over £50 million to charity every year. Much of this flows through The Freemasons' Charity, supporting hospitals, hospices, education, and thousands of community causes.
See what Breckland Lodge gives locally →Breckland Lodge, season 2026-27
Silver Threads
£250Norfolk Bloodbikes
£1,000Methwold Scout Group
£150Thetford Open Gardens
£100The raffle at every dinner goes to the Lodge Almoner for member welfare.
Our lodge
Breckland Lodge meets at Thetford masonic hall, Thetford and has been doing so since 1976.
We work Emulation, one of the most widely practised workings in English Craft Masonry: all three degrees conducted in full and performed from memory.
1976
Consecrated
8707
Lodge number
8
Meetings a year
Emulation
Ritual
Emulation
Breckland Lodge works Emulation, performed from memory without prompting. Members who take ritual roles rehearse regularly at the Lodge of Instruction to maintain the standard.
For visitors and new members, there is nothing to know or do. The ceremonies are witnessed, not tested. What strikes most people afterwards is how the formality created space for something genuine.
Get in touch and one of our members will be glad to talk it through with you.
