KENT WATCH - Freemasons as reported by BBC radio Kent

From Grand Lodge website

It seems Freemasons are on a recruitment drive, in the media, believe it if you will, freemasons are coming out of the closet, as it were, suggesting not for the first time that all those dark views, of sinister goings on and funny handshakes are, well a myth.

BBC Radio Kent was more than happy to give a fairly or perhaps more accurately easy ride to Nigel Brown the Grand Secretary to the Freemason, I was not surprised at how the presenter Clare Mcdonnell referred to  "a new report published this morning" without giving much, if any background to it's authority. Having delved a bit you can read it here for yourself, anyhow this independent report was commissioned by freemasons, not quite the same, as say a government, judicial report and a quick glance suggest it draws on many academic works (see extensive bibliography at back of report), however none of those books that I've read full of bent coppers, politicians and dodgy dealings appeared to be source material.

"Not a secret society" says Nigel, Clare asks "Why do people think that of you, do you think?" Nigel "a combination of reasons, we have been very open for a long time.... during periods of intolerance we've had to adopt a defensive position" Nigel then citing Nazi persecution, had I been Clare I'd have interjected and pointed out (I'm drawing on my own experience aged 55⅓), that the WW2 ended 66 years ago and that this is the first time in my life, I've ever heard, the rather (to me) preposterous notion that Freemasons are "open".

Now I've no doubt that most members of freemasonry are honourable, honest, decent people including Nigel Brown, still here's a couple of things that contradict and perhaps reinforce a contrary view, first  two acquittances applied to join, both joked their motive was personal advancement, later one told me that it did help considerably, secondly after posting the view here on Bignews, that Kent County Council had promoted freemasonry, I was surprised that shortly after a council contractor, hinted at legal action, should I express my views again. As a result I had to take the extraordinary action of asking Kent Council, if they acknowledged my right to freedom of expression since the company threatening legal action, were running a Kent council project and in my view by implication were representing the local authority.

I was interviewed by the BBC about the threat I'd received, for some reason, they decided not to transmit the interview, apart from a bland remark about KCC not wasting taxpayer money on media projects (£2 million roughly), fortunately print media such as Private Eye were a little more open. I understood later from someone who might know, that it would not have been of public interest.

Coming back to last Fridays "phone in" programme after interviewing a mason from West Kent, Clare Mcdonnell reassured us with this ".....they are not a secret society, ...... I still don't quite know what they are .....but they are not corrupt..." and I'm content with that as I'm sure you are.

I'm sure that at some time soon, the BBC will be reporting on real news, like Kent councillors having to repay expenses, the use of official cars for private business, wishing to charge for freedom of information requests, and perhaps most disturbing matter of grieving relatives, unable to arrange the timely and dignified funerals ought to be given a bit more air time.

The masons will always be contentious, given the personal oaths to fellow members, however yes most are decent people, not on the make and at the end of the day, we have to take individuals on face value unless we know otherwise but then we shouldn't accept that group whose loyalties are to one another above all else are entirely benign.

To hear the programme again click here you have until Thursday night, listen from about 1hour 8 mins in.

More info from United Grand Lodge England Click Here