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I have always been intrigued by the Freemaons. The secret handshakes, the secret words, and secret rituals.

My knowledge of the organisation was limited, and mainly came from things I had read on the internet. Which can be exaggerated and unreliable.

So when I got the chance to go and visit a Freemason lodge I was excited, but slightly nervous.

I was not really sure what they do. But I knew wanted to find out. I was even ready and prepared to put a blindfold on.

Here's what happened...

Watch a video from our day at the Freemasons here

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As I arrived at the Freemasons lodge in Clifton, the place was busy. It was an open day, part of the new open and accessible Masons. Hmm, a marketing strategy I thought.

The Freemasons there were all men. All smartly dressed in suits, and most looked quite serious. I was unshaven in a hooded top and jeans. Maybe I should have come more smartly dressed...

There was quite a cross section of people who had popped in, which surprised me. Some looked like ambitious new recruits, others drawn in by curiosity, and clearly some just wandered in to get out of the rain.

Although its a big building you wouldn't really know it's there, or what went on if you walked by. It is mysterious. In an age of neon signs and advertising, the Masons don't go in for that, it's under-the-radar (although there was a banner up promoting the open day outside).

'I was expecting some Gandalf-like figure'

(Image: Bristol Post)

No-one spoke to me, but I didn't mind, I was here to see the head honcho. I was bypassing the underlying Masons to talk to the main man - The Provincial Grand Master.

I was expecting to meet some Gandalf-like figure in a long grey beard and a staff. Or maybe a sinister wizard type like the bad one in Lord of the Rings.

I was greeted by Jonathan Davis. But he was neither. He looked normal, and friendly.

I have a confession to make. He was once married to my mum’s sister many years ago. I didn't even know he was a Mason, let alone the Provincial Grand Master. We have seen each other a couple of times in 20 odd years. Honestly. This isn’t a stitch up job.

Anyway he got in touch and invited me down - maybe he wanted me to join, I thought.

We sat down and had a chat at the bar. I had a Guinness, he had a coffee. I fired a number of questions at him about the myths, of which he was very open, refreshingly so.

We then went up to the Temple. I wasn’t sure what to expect. We walked around as he explained about the Great architect in the sky, the compass and square, and the stones which sat on the altar.

(Image: Bristol Post)

It was very interesting, but a little weird. I could tell as Jonathan explained part of him was thinking I know it sounds a bit absurd. He kept saying it was symbolic and a ritual, as if to take the sting out of some of the oddity.

'To be a Mason you have to believe in a divine ‘supreme being’'

It is eccentric no doubt. One of the most interesting things for me to find out was that if Richard Dawkins walked in, he couldn't join - no atheists allowed. To be a Mason you have to believe in a divine ‘supreme being’ i.e. a God.

It was explained to me this is just a concept, that the Masons are inclusive and all religions are allowed – any religious book can be brought in. I couldn’t help feeling sorry for atheists, though.

We went to the chair of the the main Mason would sit, a level which takes seven years to get to. I have to admit, it felt good to sit in that chair. I maybe wouldn’t mind joining if I could skip on to this bit.

We went upstairs to another part. Essentially a VIP area for 'super Masons'. After you complete 'the three degrees of Masonry', which takes about a year, you can go into this other room. It's all red.

There were loads of flags with animals on them. A stag, a wolf, a lion, and what looked like an otter.

Jonathon, sorry I should really say the Provincial Grand Master, explained what goes on in this room.

I was struggling to understand at this point, and to be honest my attention span was wavering. If I'm honest, my eyes were more drawn to the another throne at the end of the room.... There were three, and the one in the middle had a large crown next to it. As he spoke, I kept thinking 'I want to sit in that chair'.

(Image: Bristol Live)

When Jonathan went to talk to some other guests out of the room, I sat on it and put the crown on. I'm not sure if I was allowed to or not, but couldn't resist.

I liked it. It felt comfortable. I have always wondered if I had any royal blood. I wondered if you could be fast-tracked through the Masons? Miss out all the other bits and go straight to this.

We then spoke about all the charity work the Masons do, which is extensive.

You had to be of good conduct and selfless to become a Freemason, which was me all over. By now I had been there a few hours, so I was beginning to be a bit annoyed that had still not been asked.

I was wondering what I had to do. I hinted, coughed, tried to assimilate conversations about membership. But alas, it never came.

(Image: Bristol Post)

At the end, I was left with a greater understanding of what the Masons are, but I still had questions. Questions which could only be answered if I was a Mason. It seems it's like revealed truth, you only get the secrets the further you go in.

At the end Jonathan told me you can actually apply via the website. Not so much as a glimpse of a blindfold. So much for Masonic nepotism.