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As Provincial Grand Master for Wiltshire I welcome you to the Wiltshire web site and hope you have an informative and enjoyable visit.
Contrary to, sometimes wilful, misrepresentation we are not and never have been a secret society. Nearly all the information contained in these pages has been in the public domain for many years.
We do, however, share with others the right to a proper privacy and will respond firmly to any slanderous claims which falsely describe our activities and purpose.
In principle, a man of any religion, which accepts the existence of God, can become a Freemason if he is believed to be honest, trustworthy and law
abiding
Ladies also can become Freemasons but they have independent organisations and we do not hold mixed meetings. Information regarding the two organisations can be obtained by telephoning 020 7723 9526 and/or 020 7229 2368.
Our ceremonies date back over several centuries and may seem strange but they are designed to promote and encourage the qualities we have always sought to cultivate in our members: care and concern for others, whether Freemasons or not, lawful actions, trustworthiness and good citizenship.
Our so-called 'secret signs' and means of recognition are appropriate in the context of those ceremonies but are not intended (or for that matter practical) as a means of secret identification in public. On the contrary, we are encouraged to publicise and be proud of our membership.
I have enjoyed the pleasure and good fellowship of Freemasonry for some fifty years and I would recommend it to all men of good faith.
Francis Wakem
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