Despite the national train strike members from all over United Kingdom attended and some flew in from South Africa. The weekend, as always, was a happy occasion where members met up with old friends and made new ones. 

 

The Order of Women Freemasons is the oldest and largest Masonic organisation for women in the country with over 300 Lodges and works on the lines of regular male Freemasonry. It was born as the Honourable Order of Antient Masonry in 1908 and on 5th June at a meeting in Notting Hill Gate eleven men and women constituted themselves into a Grand Lodge with Dr Reverend Cobb as the first Grand Master.  

 

The Order’s first Grand Master, William Cobb, was the Rector of St Ethelburga-the-Virgin within Bishopsgate for over 40 years. He was an Anglo-Catholic and had a deep interest in the principles of natural law and equality. A controversial figure, he held services based on the revised 1928 prayer book and conducted marriages which omitted the words ‘obey’ and ‘serve’ and was willing to marry divorced people provided they were the innocent party. He worked on behalf of the women’s sufferage movement and in the field of marriage and divorce law reform. He became a co-mason in 1905 and was also a member of United Grand Lodge of England. 

 

William Cobb served as Grand master for four years and was succeeded by Marion Halsey since which time all of our Grand Masters have been women.  

 

Now in her 12th year as Grand Master, Most Worshipful Bro Penn continues to successfully guide the Order through the challenges of the 21st century. 

During Queen Elizabeth's 75th Platinum Jubilee Year members of the Order of Women Freemasons voted to support the Stroke Association of which The Queen was Patron. Lodges throughout the United Kingdom and Spain held fundraising events which included skydiving, cycling challenges, afternoon tea parties, raffles and dinner dances. 

 

During a period of five months Lodges raised over £16,500 and together with funds from the Order's Grand Charitable Trust the total sum sent to the Stroke Association was an amazing £25,000. 

 

The Stroke Association supports people to rebuild their lives after a stroke providing specialist support, fund critical research and campaign to make sure they receive the very best care and support to rebuild their lives. Many members of the Order of Women Freemasons or members of their family and friends are grateful for the support they have received when needed. 

 

 

 

This is a perfect opportunity to see inside Freemasons Hall, United Grand Lodge of England's beautiful and magnificent art-deco building on Great Queen Street - the superb mosaics in the Grand Lodge Temple are not to be missed! 

 

During your visit come and say hello to our members who are there informing the general public about women's freemasonry. 

 

Click here for information on the London Open House event at United Grand Lodge of England. 

 

Members of The Order of Women Freemasons' Spanish Lodge recently held a fabulous Special Agent James Bond Murder Mystery night to raise money for The Stroke Association - the Order's chosen charity for the Platinum Jubilee Year. 

 

With Support from members of The Salon Varietes Theatre, Fuengirola, who brilliantly acted as 'characters in the frame', and the involvement and generosity of all who attended, a fabulous and successful evening was enjoyed by all and the murderer uncovered!