Squarely Speaking is the podcast of Freemasonry in Northumberland.

It brings together conversations with Brethren, guests and people connected with Freemasonry, exploring leadership, community, personal development and the role Freemasonry plays in modern life.

Each episode aims to go beyond the Lodge room, offering thoughtful and open discussions about the people, ideas, values and experiences that shape Freemasonry across Northumberland and beyond.

The podcast is intended for members, families, friends and anyone interested in learning more about Freemasonry, its relevance today, and the positive impact it can have on individuals and communities.

Episodes of Squarely Speaking can be viewed below. You can also subscribe to our YouTube, Spotify or Apple Podcast Chanel.

How do you keep going when a 400-mile challenge stops being the challenge you planned?

In Episode 5 of Squarely Speaking, Guy Smith tells the full story of the Temple Run: the ten-day journey from Lansdowne Terrace in Gosforth to Freemasons’ Hall in London in support of the Northumberland 2031 Festival.

Guy set out intending to cover the route on foot. Around halfway through, after battling difficult weather and mounting injuries, he describes suffering a stress fracture in his left shin as well as broken toes. A hospital nurse told him he had to stop. Guy had other ideas.

What followed became a different kind of endurance challenge. Freemasons in Lincolnshire helped source a bicycle and the equipment he needed to continue, despite Guy not having ridden a bike for around twenty years. Along the route, members from Province after Province turned up to guide him, meet him, help with equipment and keep him moving. NE Display in North Shields also stepped in at short notice to produce the decals for the support vehicle.

The journey ended at Freemasons’ Hall, where Guy was welcomed by Brethren from across the country and recognised inside Grand Lodge. One of the most personal moments came with his father beside him – approaching his 90th birthday and recently presented with a 50-year certificate in Freemasonry.

The September issue of Second Rising records the Temple Run’s final fundraising total as £34,467.50, including Gift Aid.

This is the Temple Run in Guy’s own words: the injuries, the borrowed bike, the people who appeared when things went wrong, the humour that kept him moving and the Masonic support that followed him all the way to London.

Watch the episode on YouTube or listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

What attracts someone to Freemasonry – and what keeps them involved for a lifetime?

In Episode 4 of Squarely Speaking, John Bruce, Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Northumberland, joins Graeme Butterfield and Carl Birkenshaw for a wide-ranging conversation about family, charity, service and what Freemasonry means to him.

John traces his own Masonic story back to childhood memories of watching his father prepare for Lodge meetings and a family connection with Freemasonry stretching across several generations and continents.

The conversation explores the charitable work taking place throughout Northumberland, from Teddies for Loving Care and support for young people to larger community projects. John also reflects on a lesson that changed the way he thought about charity: rather than simply giving what we do not miss, there can be real meaning in occasionally giving enough that we have to sacrifice something ourselves.

John discusses Festival 2031 and the extraordinary individual efforts already bringing Freemasons together around a common cause, as well as the challenge of communicating what Freemasonry does to members and the wider public.

He also looks ahead to the next phase of his role as Deputy Provincial Grand Master and considers the deeper purpose behind Freemasonry: helping individuals to improve themselves and, through them, making a positive difference to the world around us.

Watch the episode on YouTube or listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts using the links below.

Freemasonry cannot rely on being quietly present. It has to be understood, useful and capable of welcoming and supporting the next generation.

In Episode 3 of Squarely Speaking, Kevin Stannard, Provincial Grand Master of Northumberland, joins Graeme Butterfield and Carl Birkenshaw for a wide-ranging conversation about his own Masonic journey and the future of Freemasonry across the Province.

Kevin addresses the misconception that Masonic charity exists mainly to support Freemasons, explaining the scale and breadth of support given to non-Masonic causes. He also considers how Masonic Halls can move away from being anonymous buildings and become visible, welcoming and useful parts of their local communities.

The conversation turns to membership growth and the responsibility that follows it: new members must not simply be initiated and left to find their own way. Proper mentoring, guidance and involvement are essential if they are to understand the Lodge, feel that they belong and remain engaged.

The episode also explores how Freemasonry has changed during Kevin’s lifetime, the launch of Festival 2031, greater openness between men’s and women’s Freemasonry, and the legacy he hopes to leave as Provincial Grand Master.

Watch the episode on YouTube by clicking on the graphic below or listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

£2.5 million over five years. That is what the Province has set itself for Festival 2031, and this special edition of Squarely Speaking is where the work behind that number starts to come into focus.

Paul Winship, Provincial Grand Charity Steward, joins us to set out what Festival 2031 actually is, what it asks of every Lodge and Chapter, and why regular giving, done early and done together, makes the difference between a target and a result.

The conversation also covers some of the activities already in motion: Guy’s Temple Run, Terry’s Roman Wall Walk, the Dragon Boat Race, and the Travelling Gavel and Travelling Sceptre.

For members across Northumberland, this is the clearest picture yet of where Festival 2031 is going and how to be part of it.
Squarely Speaking is the official podcast of the Province of Northumberland, exploring Freemasonry, leadership, community and personal development. This Festival 2031 Special Edition is the first in a series of episodes we’ll be releasing in support of the campaign as it builds towards 2031.

Hosted by Graeme Butterfield and Carl Birkenshaw. Produced by Stephen Frost.

Click the image below to watch on YouTube, or listen on Spotify/ Apple.

Welcome to the very first episode of Squarely Speaking.

In this episode, we’re joined by Tony Harvey for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of Freemasonry, why some Lodges thrive while others struggle, and what meaningful member engagement really looks like in the modern world.

Topics include:

• Retention and attraction
• The “leaky bucket” challenge facing Lodges
• Light Blues and peer-to-peer support
• Tradition, adaptability and Lodge culture
• Community engagement and public perception
• Leadership, mentoring and member experience
• Scouting, wellbeing and personal development

Tony also reflects on his work developing the Members’ Pathway, which is now part of Building Together, and shares practical insights for Lodges looking to remain relevant, welcoming and sustainable for future generations.

Whether you’re a Freemason, interested in leadership and community organisations, or simply curious about the values and challenges facing modern Freemasonry, this episode offers a thoughtful and honest discussion.

Squarely Speaking is the official podcast of the Province of Northumberland, exploring Freemasonry, leadership, community and personal development through open conversations with people making a difference.

Click the image below to watch the episode on our YouTube Channel, or listen on Spotify or Apple.

If you know someone with an interesting story, a Lodge doing something different, or a topic that would make a good future conversation, please contact Stephen Frost at stephen.frost@pgln.org.uk

You may also enjoy Second Rising, the Province of Northumberland’s regular digital newsletter, featuring updates, events, member stories and news from across the Province.