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Issues joining Welsh lodge

PostPosted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 12:15 am
by GM93
Hi all. My name is Gary and I'm a 19 year old British Soldier serving in Wales. I'm due to be there for 4 years so I thought it was time I looked into joining the Masons as several members of my family are/have been Masons. I looked up the local province and have sent 3 emails to the Provincial Secretary and after recieving no reply I took it upon myself to email the Lodge Secretary of the lodge I want to join - still no reply. I'm at a bit of a loss here, shy of just turning up at the lodge or asking one of my family members to help me out I'm a bit stumped. Any ideas?

Re: Issues joining Welsh lodge

PostPosted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:44 am
by admin
Welcome to the froum.

This is a job for our Wayne.

Grand Lodges are often slow to react, they think everyone still goes along at 2 MPH.

I am sure it will be sorted out.

Re: Issues joining Welsh lodge

PostPosted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 6:09 am
by jshandalla
GM93 wrote:asking one of my family members to help me out

That is exactly the route you should be taking.

Re: Issues joining Welsh lodge

PostPosted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 6:27 am
by wayne cowley
Welcome to LRUK Gary

Where in Wales are you based?

One possible issue is your age, it is usual for candidates to be at least 21 - though exceptions can be made and dispensations obtained

Wayne

Re: Issues joining Welsh lodge

PostPosted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 11:00 am
by McClef
Hi Gary,

You mentioned Mason relatives, is your father one by any chance?

Re: Issues joining Welsh lodge

PostPosted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 11:42 am
by Peter Taylor
I would talk to members of your family. If they are active members they should be able to help.

Re: Issues joining Welsh lodge

PostPosted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 12:10 pm
by MrBenn
Hi Gary - going via a family member would be the best option - as mentioned 21 is the usual minimum joining age - although there can be exceptions, one of which would be if your father is a freemason

Re: Issues joining Welsh lodge

PostPosted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 9:44 pm
by GM93
Going via family members seems to be rather hard considering they're in lodges based some 400 miles away as I'm Scottish, but I'll have a chat. My father is not a Freemason, my Grandfather is lapsed and my uncle is a Mason right now. Also I have a few of his friends that would be willing to sponsor me but if it's the age that's the issue then I suppose that's neither here nor there.

Forgot to add - I'm in Pembrokeshire.

Re: Issues joining Welsh lodge

PostPosted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 10:19 pm
by McClef
That is a different Province to either myself or Wayne.

I am sorry that you have not had a response to your queries. That is not something that should happen.

Re: Issues joining Welsh lodge

PostPosted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 10:21 pm
by GM93
They have recently updated their website so I'll take another crack at emailing them. If I don't hear anything back I'll get in contact with my Uncle.

Re: Issues joining Welsh lodge

PostPosted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 1:13 pm
by Griff
Hi , if you send me a PM I will try and direct you in the right direction. I live near Miilford Haven so should be able to help.

Re: Issues joining Welsh lodge

PostPosted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 3:52 pm
by allan0406
Do not get discouraged....keep on at them, you will get good advice on here and eventually you will be pointed in the right direction....Good Luck

Issues joining Welsh lodge

PostPosted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 7:39 pm
by Ian B
When I decided to I wanted to join my Dad wrote to his provincial secretary, who got in touch with the province I was then living in and someone turned up on my doorstep to speak to me about joining. It all happened relatively quickly, by relatively I mean I was expecting it to take up to a year and I was proposed as an initiate within 6months, but the introduction by a member who knows you and can vouch for you does make the process easier.

Re: Issues joining Welsh lodge

PostPosted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 7:47 am
by Richard George
MrBenn wrote:Hi Gary - going via a family member would be the best option - as mentioned 21 is the usual minimum joining age - although there can be exceptions, one of which would be if your father is a freemason


That's not actually true - at least not under the English Constitution. Under the EC, the only privilege is that he is the senior of 2 candidates. You would be correct if you were talking about the Scottish Constitution.

Re: Issues joining Welsh lodge

PostPosted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 6:52 pm
by MrBenn
(41)

Oops, thanks Richard - apologies for the confusing mistake!

Re: Issues joining Welsh lodge

PostPosted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 9:48 pm
by Sebastian
I doi hope you contimue to look. I am in the army. One of our PTIs is a Mason. Many Scottish soldiers are in I think.

Re: Issues joining Welsh lodge

PostPosted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 10:28 pm
by jcrick
Did you get this resolved Gary?

Re: Issues joining Welsh lodge

PostPosted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 11:33 pm
by Nik ODwyer
I would be interested in how this progresses Gary, please keep us updated - Welcome to the Forum also.