Rare BBC masonic planning committee corruption flim (2000)
Here’s an extremely rare 30 minute BBC regional documentary programme about
masonic corruption from 2000.
Programme Narrative Summary
Do we need a register of freemasons or are freemasons being unfairly singled
out?
Secret Society with secret ceremonies, protect and promote fellow members.
Guilds disappeared but the secret symbols remained.
Quarrying areas are densely masonic. On Portland there are 6 masonic lodges and
500 members. Nationally about 1 in 70 men are freemasons, in Portland it’s 1 in
8.
From Working Men’s to Gentlemens’ clubs. All male tradition.
Commander Michael Higham, Grand Secretary, United Grand Lodge 1980-1998.
Dorset Freemasons Frank Pratt (former Chief Superintendent Dorset Police) &
Gordon Reynolds.
Cllr John Antell, West Dorset District Council. Cllr Jim Hardman, planning
committees and freemasons.
West Midlands serious crime squad. Robin Corbett MP, Chris Mullin MP, Home
Affairs Secect Committee investigation.
Provincial Grand Master, Dorset Province of Freemasonry, Harry Barnes.
Includes reconstruction of masonic initiation and vows: “My hand, given to a
master mason shall be a sure pledge of brotherhood. My feet shall travel shall
travel through dangers and difficulties, to unite with his, informing a column
of mutual defence and support”.
“Worshipful Master an alarm! Whom have you there? Mr John Smith, a poor
candidate in a state of darkness, who has been well and worthily reccommended,
regularly proposed and approved in open lodge, and who now comes of his own free
will and accord, properly prepared, humbly soliciting to be admitted into the
mysteries and privileges of freemasonry.”
Are you therefore prepared to take a solemn oath founded on the principles I
have stated. To keep inviolate the secrets and mysteries of the order?”
“I am, I am.”
“Then you will kneel on your left knee.”
“Give me your right hand.”
Peter Marks, curator of Dorset District Provincial Museum.
Harry Palmer – freemason. Housing Develpoer. Cllr Derek B. F. Burt – freemason
Bryan Rowe & Eddie Fry (C.G. Fry and Son Ltd.) – Bridport lodge freemasons
Sylvia Wilkes – local resident.
Protect and promote – declaration of interests.
Jerry White, local government ombudsman.
In Dorset Southern Eye identified 16 freemason councillors and 13 of them are
involved in the planning committee.
Cllr. Terry Farmer, Owen Curtis both from Sherbourne Lodge and West Dorset
District Council. “All the lodge members do not go to the lodge.”
I visited the Dorset Masonry Facebook page in which they state that ‘#Freemasonry is for all age groups, old and young, all backgrounds, all professions. We are proud of being part of this wonderful organisation and are delighted to share this splendid video from the United Grand Lodge of England.’
Here, younger Freemasons talk about their experiences and share their thoughts about their #Masonic membership.’
Forgive my cynicism but when trying to persuade the world that they are egalitarian and open to all is this really the best they can do?
Personally I consider that for some the freemasons are a front to further corrupt a system that is supposedly meant to represent everyone. Favours and processes seek to benefit only some whilst they hide behind the veneer of a moral code which includes raising money for the vulnerable and being seen to hand over cheques to good causes.
I may be wrong but for some of these Freemasonry lodge members I very much doubt their supposed sincerity.
Douglas James
