The Open Door by: Ann Pilcher-Dayton The sub-title to this book is The History of the Order of Women Freemasons 1908 – 2008 and it’s been published to coincide with the Centenary of the Order. In fact, more than five thousand members and guests, gathered for a special, celebratory meeting at London’s Royal Albert Hall, in June. The author, is the Order’s Grand Registrar and Librarian and she states in her Preface: “This book is not intended to be a critical history of the Order of Women Freemasons but it is hoped that it is as objective as possible. The Open Door was written for members of the Order and interested outsiders. It therefore assumes some ...

A Crown of Thorns I have just returned from a holiday in Paris where my wife and I headed out for a week to offer our support to our friend Ileen Maisel during the filming of her new movie ‘Paris Connections’ , a film adaption of a Jackie Collins novel starring Nicole Steinwedell. During the day we would be on set; in the evening we would go to all the normal tourist haunts like the Eiffel tower, the Arc de Triomphe or Notre Dame Cathedral.  Our visit to Notre Dame was a moving one. I have visited many sacred spaces but nowhere has carvings like Notre Dame. The whole place is filled with mysterious and iconic figures in such detail that ...

What is Freemasonry? Freemasonry teaches moral lessons and self-knowledge through participation in a progression of alleg orical two-part plays, which are learnt by heart and performed within each lodge. Freemasonry offers its members an approach to life which seeks to reinforce thoughtfulness for others, kindness in the community, honesty in business, courtesy in society and fairness in all things. Members are urged to regard the interests of the family as paramount but imp ortantly Freemasonry also teaches and practices concern for people, care for the less fortunate and help for those in need. Why do people join and remain members? People become Freemasons for a variety of reasons, some as the result of family tradition, others upon the introduction of a friend or ...