FREEMASONS in Filey are desperate to dispel some of the myths surrounding the ancient brotherhood. But an introduction to the various office-holders of the Portus Felix Lodge seemed to reveal little more than a host of arcane titles and esoteric symbols (or "diamonds") with names like "the square of the 47th proposition of Euclid" and "two swords in a saltire".

In fact two lodges share the same premises in Rutland Street, as well as a women's chapter, who hold their own meetings separate from the men.

After drinks in a cosy lounge downstairs – like any private drinking club – guests were invited upstairs for a presentation by the members, who we were told had concluded their "business" for the evening. An elderly gentleman, like Black Rod in Parliament, banged a staff on the floor and invited us to proceed upstairs "in single file" to the inner sanctum of the Lodge itself.

After a rap on the door with a knocker shaped like a set square, we were ushered into seats on either side of a grand woodenfloored hall with a large checkered carpet. Hanging from the ceiling was a nest of lights with the letter "G" suspended on chains – symbolising "Geometry", rather than "God".

The Freemasons, for their part, were standing in their appointed positions, dressed in dinner suits with white gloves and their respective collars, aprons and symbols. From Worshipful Master Robert Hartley to the stewards, treasurer, tyler and almoner, each man formally introduced himself with a description of his duties.

"I am the Senior Warden and my station is in the west. I assist the master in the governing of the lodge and to close the lodge," said Nigel Wales, who is also First Principle of the Royal Chapter and a leading member of Filey Rotary Club.

And with that, we were ushered back down to enjoy a three-course meal of melon, roast beef (a vegetarian dish for me) and bread-andbutter pudding with custard. Grace was said, with thanks given to the "Great Architect of the Universe", and we were invited to sing the first verse of the National Anthem. From time to time, Director of Ceremonies John Shearer gave a sharp rap of his gavel to usher in announcements by the Worshipful Master.

Among the members were some of the great and good of Filey and Hunmanby – including former mayor David Hudghton, chairman of Filey Tourism Association John Colling and owner of the Hylands Tony Rhoden. The lodge's newest member Garry Newett said he had no idea some of his friends and contacts were freemasons until he attended his first meeting.

David Chambers, who is Scarborough Council's portfolio holder for finance, legal services and ICT, has been a freemason since 1978.

He said: "There's an idea that freemasons go out and seek those they wish to join. But one thing we never do is invite someone to join.

"What we believe is if we live our lives in an appropriate way and set a good example, someone might say 'why do you do that?' And we would say 'that's what freemasons do'. If someone wanted to come to a meeting and find out more, they'd have to ask. We're not a secret society."

Worshipful Brother Phillip Harrison said: "I just love it because of the fellowship and the friendship that goes with it. I'm also very happy with the way we're supporting our own people and outside organisations."

Mr Harrison said the freemasons were known in the UK as the second biggest cash giver of charitable donations outside the National Lottery. Major beneficiaries include the Royal College of Surgeons and the hospice movement, while local lodges recently presented more than £100,000 to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Individual masons contribute according to their means, he said, and were not obliged to give a fixed proportion of their income. Moreover, all money raised from the public went to non-Masonic charities only, while any donations given to members or their families in need came from the masons themselves.

Mr Harrison said it was "frowned upon" within the craft to communicate signals in a professional context as members should feel under no obligation to their fellow brethren.

Mr Chambers, whose background is in the law, said: "I can't say it's never happened during my time at work, but I've never reciprocated. "We don't clone ourselves, we're not interested in one's religion, politics, jobs or income, and membership is not kept at a certain level," he added.

Mr Harrison said: "Like almost all other organisations, our membership is dropping, but we still have about 300,000 members in England, and there are many more in Scotland, Ireland and across the world."

Referring to the the rituals which are kept a secret even from new members until they attain a certain level (or "degree"), Worshipful Master Mr Hartley said they symbolised what they did outside the Lodge.

He added: "It isn't the people who are venerated, but their roles. There's no hierarchy and everyone has the chance of becoming a Worshipful Master. We have people from all walks of life, from the professions to blue-collar workers."

Mr Newett, who used to work for the AA, said he had never done public speaking until he joined the Masons, but was now more confident in his job giving presentations to mechanics and the motor trade. After Wednesday night it is likely the lodge will be hoping for some new recruits to come forward. Just don't wait for anyone to ask you...

FACTFILE

• Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century


• It now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around 5 million, all sharing moral and metaphysical ideals, which include, in most cases, a constitutional declaration of belief in a Supreme Being.


• The private aspects of modern Freemasonry are the modes of recognition amongst members and particular elements within the ritual. Its central preoccupations remain charitable work, moral uprightness and the development and maintenance of fraternal friendship.


• Most Lodges consist of Freemasons living or working in the same town or neighbourhood, but others are composed of Masons with a particular shared interest, profession or background.