'Freemasons are open, not secretive'

An ex-police officer and former mayor has spoken proudly of being a Freemason, describing them as good people committed to raising money and helping others.

Andy Barratt recently shaved his hair, beard and brows at his Masonic Lodge in Congleton and invited the community in for support.

He dismissed the negative perception of the organisation as being secretive and exclusive, citing that people could apply to join online.

"It is becoming more open," he said. "If you want to know more about Freemasonry, just get in touch with me.

"I will give you a guided tour of our hall, we will show your our temple upstairs, we'll show your our museum and will explain to you what Freemasonry is all about."

Daughter Jenna said it was "amazing" her dad was doing his bit for charity

Mr Barratt joined the Cheshire Freemasons to find comradeship after a serious heart condition prevented him playing rugby and serving in the police.

"I was looking for something new, something to give my life a purpose and something I could do well," he remembered.

He said the Freemasons were one of the UK's biggest charitable donors.

"Talking and raising money for charity is always something I've been good at."

He remembered being led into the lodge blindfolded at his initiation, and felt reassured he knew most of the members once it had been lifted.

Congleton is a lunar lodge, which means members meet nine times a year on the Wednesday closest to the full moon.

The tradition dates back 300 years to when original members would ride by horseback to meetings and the light of the moon helped guide their journey.

"As Freemasons we like to help all charities," Mr Barratt said whilst braving the shave for charity

As a former police officer, Mr Barratt refuted that officers gave special dispensation to fellow Freemasons.

He said the recent push for Met police officers to declare if they were a Freemason was "vindictive" and the officers were being "picked upon."

"What business is it of theirs if you're a mason? You didn't have to declare if you were a football or rugby club member."

Although the Freemasons require members to have a religion, he said: "We don't talk about religion and we don't talk about politics."

"I've met thousands and thousands of Freemasons up and down the country and they're all good people."