Issues joining Welsh lodge

[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?

[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.

[jshandalla]

asking one of my family members to help me out

That is exactly the route you should be taking.

[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

[McClef]

Hi Gary,

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

[Peter Taylor]

I would talk to members of your family. If they are active members they should be able to help.

[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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[Richard George]

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.

[MrBenn]

Oops, thanks Richard - apologies for the confusing mistake!

[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.

[jcrick]

Did you get this resolved Gary?

[Nik ODwyer]

I would be interested in how this progresses Gary, please keep us updated - Welcome to the Forum also.