AN Altrincham man who leads Cheshire’s band of 5,000 Freemasons is lifting the veil of mystery over a society of men which has been kept largely hidden since the Second World War.

In a bid to re-launch the image of Freemasonry, veteran accountant Stephen Blank is adopting a mode of openness and transparency to enable the organisation to survive in modern times.

Stephen is striving to show how the masons are still relevant as Britain’s most altruistic club, donating over £100 million to charity and community projects across England and Wales, making them one of the biggest charity donors in Britain.

“We can no longer carry on in the fashion common after the last world war when Freemasons kept their membership to themselves, and where they never spoke publicly about their activities or their giving to charity,” said Stephen, who holds the title of Provincial Grand Master of Cheshire Freemasonry.

And Stephen wanted to dispel the myth that masonry is just for retired, elderly men.

“Freemasonry offers younger men a way to meet people from all backgrounds, races and religions in a friendly social situation, and where discussion of politics and religion is forbidden,” he said.

“Its successful appeal to younger men is illustrated in more recent times with the launch of the Universities Scheme Lodge in Cheshire, which has proved itself especially attractive to students at the University of Chester, who are now joining Freemasonry in large numbers each year.”

Stephen’s challenge now is to revive Freemasonry and he is leading a concerted drive to raise greater awareness of how Freemasons support the community through a myriad of personal and charitable initiatives.

This includes donating more than £500,000 to community groups, deserving causes and charities across Altrincham, Sale and Cheshire to celebrate their 300th anniversary this coming year.

Donations range from giving thousands cuddly Teddy bears to comfort children in the accident and emergency unit at Wythenshawe and other hospitals, £500 towards the David Lewis epilepsy centre in Wilmslow, and £1,100 to Stockdales in Sale.

Freemason Michael O’Brien, a sales rep and member of De Sala masons lodge in Sale, told how becoming a mason had made a difference to his life.

“Since joining Freemasonry two years ago, I have enjoyed meeting lots of new friends of various ages and walks of life," said Michael.

"The feeling that I can be a part of something that can make a difference is quite amazing. Just on our doorstep we have helped children’s homes, cancer care and local widows to name just a few.

“I believe that Freemasonry has helped shape me as a person and given me a better outlook on life.”

Phil Marshall, from Brooklands and head of a major bakery, is a member of Stamford masonic lodge.

“The attraction of masonry for me was the opportunity to meet like-minded people and develop my social network in the area in which I live,” he said.

“I found my local Lodge on the internet and they had a website which was easy to follow and led me through the joining process.

“Masonry has introduced a very different experience to my normal daily life, and offers the opportunity to give something back through supporting various charities. It offers opportunity to engage in social activities while exposing people to something completely different and new.”

For more information, visit cheshiremasons.co.uk.