A village-based Freemasons lodge promoting friendship, community involvement and charity whilst maintaining our ancient traditions.
Based in the historic village of Great Ayton, on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors membership is drawn from the village and surrounding areas.
Ayton Lodge was founded in 1996 and initially met in the Afton Hall in Ayton School.
Its aims and objectives were to establish a Masonic presence in Great Ayton, to promote friendship between members and their families and to encourage an involvement in the community of Great Ayton and surrounding areas.
In addition to our "Festive Board" dinners, that follow each meeting, last year's social events include a quiz night, a summer barbecue, an autumn "Too early for Beaujolais nouveau" evening, a Christmas White Table dinner and our "Ladies Night" dinner and dance.
We are active in the community and have provided assistance and funding for Great Ayton based causes including Marwood C of E School, Roseberry Academy PTA, Ayton Guides and Scouts, Christ Church, and the W I Hall, along with support for organisations in the wider area such as Herriot Hospice Homecare, The Samaritans, Zoe’s Place and, Cleveland Mountain Rescue.
During the early phase of the Corona Virus pandemic Ayton Lodge provided PPE materials for James Cook University Hospital.
Ayton Lodge is a very friendly and welcoming group of men, with 30+ members, ranging in age from their thirties to their eighties.
We meet regularly to socialise and practice masonic traditions, in the heart of the community at the Women’s Institute Hall on Newton Road, Great Ayton.
We believe that our newer members represent the future of Freemasonry.
Membership of our Lodge is open to people from all religions and political persuasions without regards to occupation, social status, ethnicity or sexual orientation.
If you are interested in finding out more, please get in touch and meet up with us socially!
Join us in, having fun, promoting friendship and community involvement in Great Ayton and the surrounding areas.
Freemasonry is a unique members’ organisation that has thrived for over 300 years. Having no political or religious affiliations, we comprise members of all ages, races, religions, cultures and backgrounds. We meet in our individual Lodges throughout the country where we have ceremonial traditions which encourage us both to be more tolerant and respectful and actively to fulfil our civic and charitable responsibilities; we also make time to eat, drink and meet together, and form lifelong friendships.
For wider information, take a look at the websites for the United Grand Lodge of England or the Provincial Grand Lodge of Yorkshire North and East Riding of which Ayton Lodge is part.
Although Ayton Lodge is a men's lodge, women Freemasons have been meeting across the country for more than 100 years.
There are two female-only Grand Lodges: The Order of Women Freemasons and the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons (Freemasonry for Women). They both follow exactly the same ceremonies and wear the same regalia as male Freemasons, and they often work closely with community and charity projects.
For more information, please visit The Order of Women Freemasons website and the the Freemasonry for Women (HFAF) website.
