A GROUP of freemasons from Workington have travelled to Sweden to on what has been an experience 'they will never forget'.

It all started when one of the St Johns, Workington lodge members met Christer Gronavell on the harbour at Harrington and got talking about their dog.

After a while the pair started talking about the Freemason community in Workington and Christer asked if he could look at visiting the Gordon Street Masonic Room, as he had been a member of the St Jacob's lodge in Sweden.

Christer met a number of masons at Gordon Street and asked if he could become a member - as he often travels between Sweden and Harrington.

The invitation for a visit to the lodge in Sweden was then offered to a number of members at the St John's Workington lodge a number of months ago.

Last Wednesday, September 25, six members of the St John's Lodge (8660), Workington took the trip to St Jacobs lodge, Linkoping to see how their ceremonies were performed.

The group also visited the local Saab aerospace museum , as well as a tour of the area and a number of celebrations.

Peter Gaston, director of ceremonies at the St John's Lodge, Workington said: "It was a fantastic gesture to be invited over there and the hospitality we experienced from start to finish was outstanding, we look forward to a return visit from member of St Jacob's Lodge, Sweden.

"It's an experience non of us will forget."