When you hear the word Freemasons on TV or read about Masons on Social Media or in some Red Top newspaper, you’re led to believe that Freemasonry is a Secret Society dating back hundreds of years. Your subconscious may conjure up images of men (and women) with Rolled Up Trousers, Funny Handshakes, performing secret ancient Ceremonies or Rituals.
Well, the members of Moorland Lodge in Baildon are keen to share our secrets with whoever wants to learn more about what being a Freemason in today’s modern society is like.
Established back in 1948, based in rooms in the Baildon Picture House, it soon became evident that, due to the popularity of Freemasonry around the Baildon, Shipley and Guiseley areas, that the members of the various Baildon Lodges would need to find a bigger venue.
In 1953 they all agreed to buy Hoyle Court, a large Gentleman’s Residence, originally built in 1912 by Sam Ambler, a descendant of Jeremiah Ambler, a well-known local businessman & philanthropist.
In 2023, Moorland Lodge celebrated its 75th anniversary and is now the biggest Lodge in the Bradford area. Most of our members are local, mainly from Leeds and Bradford, but several travel from as far as Harrogate to the North, Selby to the East, Barnsley to the South & Skipton to the West.
There is a myth that Freemasonry is a Secret organisation, but how can this be when we have hundreds of Freemasons from all over West Yorkshire, all smartly dressed, descending on Hoyle Court each week to attend their various Lodge meetings.
Hoyle Court is also a very popular Wedding Venue as it offers superb gardens, wonderful food and a great atmosphere for up to 120 guests to celebrate that Special day.
Hoyle Court also is a popular local venue for Business Meetings, Training Courses, Conferences and even Funeral Receptions.
So, these days, Freemasonry in Bradford is not really a secret, as each year, many people visit Hoyle Court and are impressed by its history, its facilities, its beautiful rooms and the warmth of its friendly staff.
But what exactly is Freemasonry and what do we actually do?
A Masonic Lodge (like Moorland Lodge) is a private members club for men who wish to meet their mates each week, improve themselves, have a lot of fun and banter, enjoy a meal and raise money for charity.
(There are also many Masonic Lodges for Ladies as well. These are based in Masonic Halls in Batley, Bingley and Otley to name just a few.) For more information, please visit: https://www.owf.org.uk/
Freemasonry is an All-Inclusive organisation. It has NO Political Affiliations. We are encouraged NOT to discuss Politics when visiting any Masonic Lodge rooms. Masons are from all walks of life, all backgrounds, all professions, (from Plumbers to Painters, from Accountants to Actors, from Electricians to Engineers, from Marketing Gurus to Military Professionals)
Freemasonry is NOT a Religion, although a belief in “A Supreme Being” is Essential: be it God, Jehovah, Allah, Brahman or any of the many other names used.
Freemasonry is based on some allegorical stories from the Old Testament, which is probably where the confusion and myths about being a religion arises.
Our main core values of Freemasonry are Integrity, Friendship, Respect and Charity.
By joining Moorland Lodge and becoming a Freemason, you will make lots of new friends, many will become friends for life. We all do our utmost to support each other, through Good Times or bad.
Our aim is to make Good Men, like YOU, Better by empowering our members to be the very best characters they can be.
A wise person once said: “The People we surround ourselves with will either Raise or Lower our standards.
We ALL need people in our lives who will raise our standards, remind us of our essential purpose in life and challenge us to become the Very Best Version of Ourselves.”
Charity is always an important part of Freemasonry.
Second only to the National Lottery, Freemasons across Bradford, West Yorkshire and the whole of the UK donate much needed funds for those less fortunate, we also give our time and expertise freely to help support those in need.
Each year, Freemasons donate around a £1,000,000 a week to worthy causes.

In 2023, Masons from West Yorkshire paid for a new Special Sensory Room at
the Bradford Royal Infirmary to help and support from people with Dementia.
Support is also given to many other Charitable organisations and Community Groups, including: a £15,000 donation to The Hawksworth Older Peoples Support Charity; a £15,000 grant to the Leeds Learning Partnerships Charity; a £47,000 grant to Chapter One and a £54,000 donation to the Whirlow Hall Farm Trust

Moorland Lodge meets at Hoyle Court most Wednesday evenings from 7.30pm onwards.

To learn more about Freemasonry in general or Moorland Lodge in particular, then email welcome@moorlandlodge.co.uk or visit their website: www.moorlandlodge.co.uk