THE myths and mysteries surrounding the Freemasons were blown away as members gave the public a rare insight into their world.

Worcestershire Freemasons opened Worcester Masonic Hall for an open day on Saturday as members lifted the veil of secrecy many link to the organisation.

Hundreds showed their curiosity when they passed through the doors of the hall on the corner of Rainbow Hill and Lansdowne Road in Worcester, entering a world rarely seen by the public.

Worshipful brother Graeme Collins, of Page Lodge, the first media and public relations officer for the organisation in Worcestershire’s history, said: “Traditionally we’re viewed as a secret society by the public. But provincial grand master Richard Goddard is determined to explode the myth that we are a secret society and to be more accessible to the public so they can see what we really are and what we really do.”

Mr Collins said the aims of the Freemasons was to foster values like honesty and honourable behaviour and to place the needs of society above those of the individual.

Mr Collins also said the Freemasons were great supporters of various charities and good causes.

Worcestershire Freemasons alone gave a donation of £2.3 million to various charities in 2000.

The Worcestershire Freemasons have about 3,400 members in Worcestershire, ranging from men on average salaries to multi-millionaires.

Mr Collins said the past secrecy of the masons grew out of “force of habit” following Hitler’s persecution of members in other countries and the Channel Islands during the Second World War.

Worcester Masonic Hall also contains the second largest collection of masonic objects outside the Grand Lodge in London, including embroidery, cut glass, books, clothes, jewels and Worcester porcelain.

Mr Collins said the symbolism of the Freemasons was misunderstood – the skull and cross bones is often thought to indicate that the masons were pirates – really it was to remind members of their own mortality so they would work hard to achieve as much as they could in this life.

The museum is open between 10am until noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays only.

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire dates from 1847 and covers the area of the old county of Worcestershire, from Dudley in the north to Evesham in the south and as far west as Tenbury Wells and Malvern.

The province consists of 126 lodges and 50 chapters, meeting in 14 different halls.

Page Lodge celebrates it centenary next September.