A Not-So-Secret Society

There are some 5,500 freemasons across 138 lodges in devon. But how much do we know about them? As freemasonry celebrates its 300th anniversary, chrissy harris went to meet some members of this fascinating organisation.

- Chrissy Harris

THE FIRST THING I did before entering Paignton Masonic Hall was to roll down my ankle-level trouser legs.

I’d hitched them up slightly because it was warm and that’s the fashion these days, so I’m told.

Then it hit me: these guys will think I’m having a laugh.

Because, like many people, I didn’t know a lot about Freemasonry but I did know that they do something with their trouser legs.

“Yes, the trouser leg forms part of the ceremonies,” says Ian Kingsbury, Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Devonshire Freemasons.

“But it’s telling a story. You roll both up to show that you’re not a slave, you’ve got no chains and open your shirt to show that you’re a man. Those are the basic reasons.”

Ah. And the secret handshake?

“There is a symbolic handshake between masons so they can recognise another mason,” says Ian. “But it’s in lodge and only in lodge. Not outside. That’s drummed home to people. The reason goes back centuries and it means that we can recognise each other by night and day.” With those burning questions answered, the Devon Life photographer arrives and does a rather elaborate knock on the Hall door.

“I see he’s mastered the secret door knock,” says Ian to his fellow Freemasons, before they all fall about laughing.