Learn about the funny handshake
Have you ever wanted to know more about the mysterious world of the Freemasons and find out why they have a funny handshake, wear aprons or roll up their trouser legs?
Well, if that’s your cup of tea, take a break in the Northeast and visit the Beamish Open Air Museum in County Durham. The visitor attraction is opening a Masonic Hall within its grounds from April 8.
Apparently, the museum’s administrators, a committee of city, county and district councils, arranged for the frontage of a real Masonic Hall in Sunderland, which once housed 17 lodges, to be taken down and rebuilt. The interior has been copied from an original hall.
In addition to finding out the customs of the Masons, visitors will be told about how they lived in the 1800s, 1900s and today, and shown pictures and artefacts from different eras.
Freemasonry is one of the UK’s largest charitable organisations, with over 300,000 members working in more than 8,000 lodges throughout England and Wales.
Do you know anyone in the Masons or have any information that could throw light on this interesting group of people?
Guest Article by Jeremy Skidmore
Friday, March 31st, 2006
My name is Alan Potts and I'm the Editor of the UK Ferry Tickets web site and Managing Director of BUYability Limited. You can connect with me or keep up to date with new posts on this blog via the following social media sites: 
