Are you thinking about discovering Freemasonry.

To join a worldwide fraternity of like-minded people with a common goal of improving yourself, friendship and helping others.

Then you have found the start of a fantastic journey, filled withmany things, about yourself,you never knew existed.

Welcome to our Lodge

A very warm welcome from our Worshipful Master

You have now taken the first step to enquire about what maybe a life long journey into the largest worldwide fraternal society of men and I would like to welcome you to

Francis of Lorraine Lodge No.6906 web page.I hope, here, we will be able to briefly inform you about our Lodge and give you the

opportunity to make further enquires to join our friendly and social Lodge.

WHERE DO WE MEET

THE FINECITY OF NORWICH

THE MASONIC HALL47 ST. GILES STREETNORWICHNR2 2JR

2 MINUTES FROM NORWICH CITY HALLAND MARKET PLACE

WE HOLD OUR MEETING IN THE BISHOP BOWERS TEMPLE

HOW TO FIND US

Who do I contact first about Joining ?2015 - 2016All general enquiries should at first be directed to The Lodge Secretary:

The Lodge Secretary:Peter Leggett, 187 Wroxham Road, Sprowston, Norwich. NR7 8AG.

📱 Telephone : 07831 514283

or email to:plleggett@googlemail.com

The Worshipful Master:Stephen Clabburn.

💻 email cugsi@care4free.net

The Lodge Almoner:Derek Howell,21 Sidell Close,Cringleford,Norwich.NR4 6XP.

📱Telephone : 01603 451753

What does it mean to be a Freemason. Freemasonry is a wonderful caring society of men which has been going for over 300 years. A Freemason is taught to be thoughtful to others, honest in business, courteous in society and fair in all things. All members are urged to put the interests of their family first, but are also taught to care for the less fortunate and help those in need. A typical meeting is split into two parts, the lodge minutes etc and ceremony, followed by the meal or festive board. The ceremonies are a carryover from the ancient mystery plays from when people could not read and there was no printing. These plays are learnt by heart and performed within each lodge. Freemasonry “Makes Good Men Better.”

Why do people join ?People become Freemasons for a variety of reasons, some as the result of family tradition, others upon the introduction of a friend or out of a curiosity to know what it is all about.Those who become active members and who grow in Freemasonry do so principally because they enjoy it.They enjoy the challenges and fellowship that Freemasonry offers. There is more to it, however, than just enjoyment.Participation in the dramatic presentation of moral lessons and in the working of a lodge provides a member with a unique opportunity to learn more about himself and encourages him to live in such a way that he will always be in search of becoming a better man, not better than someone else, but better than he himself would otherwise be and therefore an exemplary member of society.Each Freemason is required to learn and show humility through initiation. Then, by progression through a series of degrees he gains insight into increasingly complex moral and philosophical concepts, and accepts a variety of challenges and responsibilities which are both stimulating and rewarding. The structure and working of the lodge and the sequence of ceremonial events, are usually followed by a festive board or social gatherings, offer members a framework for companionship, teamwork, character development and enjoyment of shared experiences.Freemasonry is similar to life itself, in that in most cases you receive back in proportion to what you put in.

Francis of Lorraine Lodge No.6906Our Lodge, was consecrated in October 1949 and in 2014 we celebrated the 65th Anniversary.This Lodge has taken immense pride in working the Stability Ritual, practiced by only 17 lodges under the control of United Grand Lodge of England, with 3 of these Stability Lodges based here in Norfolk.

Lodge meetings.The Lodge meets on the third Thursday of each month from October through to April inclusive. (7 meetings).The meetings usually starts at 6:00pm until 8:00pm A festive board (3 course sit down meal) follows the meeting, finishing at approximately 10.00pm

Dress code.A dark suit or Morning Dress, white shirt, and black shoes and socks. Also a plain black tie or Craft tie.

A brief history of Francis of Lorraine Lodge No.6906The consecration of the Lodge took place on the 6th October 1949,in the Bishop Bowers Temple at the Masonic Hall, Norwich.By the R.W. Provincial Grand Master, the Rt. Revd. The Lord Bishop Of Norwich.

Francis Stephen, Duke of Lorraine, was born on 8th December 1708, and was the eldest surviving son of Leopold Joseph, Duke of Lorraine and grandson of Charles of Lorraine, famous for his victory over the Turks.In 1736 he married Maria Theresa, daughter of the Emperor Charles VI. On the death of his father-in-law in 1740 he was made co-Regent of Austria with Maria Theresa and in 1745 he was elected Holy Roman Emperor as Francis I. He died in 1765.His Masonic career began in 1731 when he undertook a journey to England. At the Hague he became friendly

with the English Ambassador, the famous Earl of Chesterfield, who incidentally is stated on the authority of Dermott to have been an Ancient Freemason. Whether Chesterfield was in any way responsible or not, at the beginning of June 1731, Francis was received into the Order at the Hague by Dr

Desaguliers, whom the Grand Lodge of England sent from London for that purpose, with a special deputation of Brethren who, assisted by the Earl of Chesterfield and others, formed a Lodge for the Initiation. According to Anderson’s account given in 1738, Francis received both the degrees of Entered Apprentice and of Fellow Craft on this occasion.His particular connection with Norfolk Freemasonry was formed during his stay in England later in 1731. In November of that year, accompanied by the Grand Master, Lord Lovel, he visited Houghton Hall, the seat of the famous Sir Robert Walpole, and there at an occasional Lodge was raised to the degree of Master Mason. This fact became well known all over Europe and for long enough it was the custom of many Lodges to drink the health of ‘Our Brother of Lorraine’.In the era of Grand Lodges he was the first of all our royal Brethren to lay aside the sceptre for the trowel and join in our mysteries and, even if the circumstances of his high place prevented him from patronizing our mysteries to the full, we can with justice claim that he conferred upon the Freemasonry of England in general and of Norfolk in particular, a memorial ‘more lasting than brass’.

The Lodge Jewel:It is all of gold pierced. It is dominated by the Cross of Lorraine on each side of which there is an upright sceptre, recalling that Francis of Lorraine occupied two thrones, for by his marriage to Maria Theresa he became co-Emperor of Austria, and later was elected Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.Superimposed across the lower half of the Cross is a trowel to commemorate that he was the first English Freemason to lay down the sceptre for the trowel (when he was initiated he was Duke of Lorraine and as such a sovereign prince). The presence of these two sceptres in the Jewel will always remind us how Francis honoured English Freemasonry in general and our own Lodge in particular.

Lodge social:We also, like other lodges organise regular social activities for members, their families and friends and if a small sum of money can be raised from our fun and enjoyment for local charities then that is a bonus.For example, a few past events have included:Ladies Night.Ten pin bowling.Valentines Dinner.Summer Lawn Bowls and Cream Tea.Burns Night.Cheese and Wine tasting.Past Masters and Officers Night.Quiz and Chips Night.

Charity.Local Charities our Lodge has supported in the last few years.

CHATTERBOX (Talking newspaper).

NELSONS JOURNEY.

QUIDENHAM HOSPICE

MIND MENTAL HEALTH CHARITY.

LEUKEMIA TRUST

EAST ANGLIA AIR AMBULANCE.

NORWICH CATHEDRAL HOSTRY APPEAL.

BRITISH DIABETIC ASSOCIATION.

NORWICH SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE BLIND.

STUART COURT MEMORIAL CHARITY.

THE BENJAMIN FOUNDATION.

CROSSROADS CARE (Norwich and East Norfolk).

MARIE CURIE CANCER CARE (Norfolk).

THE THERAPY CENTRE,MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY, NORWICH.

NORFOLK HEART TRUST. NORWICH.

Provincial Festivals. Every year Festivals are held throughout the country to raise money for the Grand Charity, with selected counties taking part.

The Norfolk Provincial Festival 2016 started in 2011 and has run for 5 years. Our Lodge has been successful in raising a sum of money towards the overall total which has gained us a Platinum Waymark award, for which the Brethren of the Lodge are to be congratulated for their efforts.

If you would like to become a Freemason !

WE have the TOOLS to show you HOW

APPLICATION FORM TO JOIN:

FRANCIS OF LORRAINE LODGE No. 6906in the Province of Norfolk.

a) Full Name..

b) Age..

c) Address..

d) Profession or occupation ..

e) Telephone number..

f) Email address..

g) Why do you wish to become a Freemason..

PLEASE REPLY TO:Peter Leggett, 187 Wroxham Road, Sprowston, Norwich. NR7 8AG.

� or email to plleggett@googlemail.com

Further information can be obtained from theUNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND

www.ugle.org.uk