University Lodges Scheme Update

The Assistant Grand Master, David Williamson, has started a Universities Scheme, and a number of lodges have already agreed to participate. The aim is to open up wider opportunities for undergraduates and other university members to enjoy Freemasonry.

The Assistant Grand Master hopes that the success of Apollo University Lodge at Oxford and Isaac Newton University Lodge at Cambridge will be replicated across the country. He said 'This is a challenge for the lodges that have chosen to participate. Young masons under 25 make up only about a quarter of one percent of the membership of the Craft in this country, so we want to make the Craft more accessible to young men. The recent approval by Grand Lodge to reduce fees for under 25s by half will act as an encouragement.'

Oliver Lodge, chairman of the Group, said 'Oxford and Cambridge have proved just how popular Freemasonry can be at universities. I hope we can help to make those same wonderful experiences available to more prospective masons.'

There are currently participating lodges in ten university cities, for whom the Group is providing encouragement and guidance. The participating lodges so far are:

• St Alphege Lodge No. 4095 (Bath);
• University of Birmingham Lodge No. 5628;
• Saint Vincent Lodge No. 1404 (Bristol);
• Isaac Newton University Lodge No. 859 (Cambridge);
• St Augustine Lodge No. 972 (Canterbury);
• Universities Lodge No. 2352 (Durham);
• Lodge of St Peter in Exeter No. 5806 (Exeter);
• Hull Old Grammarians' Lodge No. 5129 (Hull);
• Old Mancunians' Lodge No. 3140 (Manchester);
• Daybrook Lodge No. 5522 (Nottingham);
• Apollo University Lodge No. 357 (Oxford);
• University Lodge Sheffield No. 3911 (Sheffield);
• Lodge of Fraternity No. 1418 (Durham University-Stockton campus);
• Mowbray Lodge 5373 (Sunderland).

For further information click here - University Freemasonry