TBL Staff

LEWES Freemasons are breaking with hundreds of years of tradition by allowing women to meet in their temple in the High Street.
In March last year the Sussex Lodge of women's freemasonry disbanded after rent increases forced them out of their former home in Hove Town Hall.

But following a chance conversation over breakfast in Lewes, the Freemasons have agreed to hire out their 18th century hall to the women's group.

However, the women will not be allowed to mix with the men and only be able to hire the building when the man are not using it.

Christine Chapman, preceptor of the newly reformed women's lodge, said: 'It all came about because one of our members went out for a bacon butty and bumped into someone she knew from the Lewes Freemason's lodge.

'He asked her how it was going and she said not particularly well don't suppose there's any chance of using your building is there?

'They put it to the members and management committee, and they invited us to give a talk about what we do and to our surprise told us we could use the hall.

'We're absolutely delighted and can't wait to start a new chapter in the lodge's history.'

The Freemasons hall in Lewes was originally built in 1747 and constructed against the walls of historic Lewes castle and historically has been an all-male preserve.

The ladies, who belong to Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons (HFAF) an all-wom
en's Masonic fraternity founded in 1913, will be able to use the building when the men are not using the premises and will meet for the first time on February 13.

Robert Lewis, provincial grand secretary for Sussex, said: 'The rule is if the ladies meet the men don't.

'There is no objections to the ladies using the facilities and we have given our approval.

'The women's group is going from strength-to-strength which is why this has happened and I say good for them.'

Christine Chapman said there were many misconceptions about the Freemasons attitude to the women's groups but also sounded a note of defiance.

She said: 'It's wrong to say the Freemasons don't get on with women or recognise the groups.

'There is an awful lot of acceptance of what we do and we have been around for nearly a 100 years.

'We take it every bit as seriously as the men and we are not going away!'