Chris Hare, Junior Deacon and Communications Officer for London Haven Lodge, No.7300, represented Dorset Freemasonry at the Bournemouth University Fresher's Fair. A joint display was shared between Dorset Freemasons and Freemasonry for Women, represented by Helen McHugh whose husband Mike is a Past Master of Amphibious Lodge No. 9050.
Chris Hare, who graduated from the Arts University Bournemouth and the first student to join Dorset Freemasonry through the scheme, said:
'I enjoyed the opportunity to promote awareness of Freemasonry. For Freemasons, there are four important values that help define their path through life: Integrity, Friendship, Respect and Charity'.
A lady from the Buddhist display told Chris that her ancestor was Elizabeth Aldworth, the first recorded woman to be initiated into Regular Freemasonry and one of the gentlemen from the body piercing display came over and recognised his colleague on the display, much to his amusement!
Tradition and continuity are just two of the values that characterise the relationship between Freemasonry and universities. It was more than 200 years ago that the first university Lodge – Apollo University Lodge – was founded at Oxford in 1818.
Isaac Newton University Lodge followed at Cambridge in 1861 and since then many thousands of young men have been introduced to Freemasonry through these two Lodges.
It was these very foundations that led to the United Grand Lodge of England establishing the Universities Scheme in 2005 and introducing Freemasonry’s important values to a new generation.
There are now 87 Lodges and seven Chapters pursuing a similar yet distinct course across England and Wales. Dorset Freemasonry’s London Haven Lodge, No.7300, became a Universities Scheme Lodge in 2016 and welcomes present and past members of the Bournemouth University and the Arts University Bournemouth from age 18 years and upwards. All under-25s benefit from half fees in order to make Freemasonry accessible to as wide an audience as possible. London Haven Lodge includes students, graduates, teaching and support staff among its members.
The scheme also has its own committee, which is presided over by the President Sir David Wootton, UGLE’s Deputy Grand Master, and Chairman James Hilditch. They meet regularly to ensure the scheme continues to have a critical role in enhancing the opportunities for students and others connected with universities to join and enjoy Freemasonry.
Sir David Wootton, Deputy Grand Master and President of the Universities Scheme said:
'We know from these long-established University Lodges that students – whether undergraduates or postgraduates – enjoy Freemasonry to the full. Through the Universities Scheme, we hope that university members from all over the country will be able to gain the same inspiration, fulfilment and enjoyment.'
London Haven Lodge meets on the third Saturday of the month at Kinson Freemasons Hall, just a couple of miles from Bournemouth University - further details from [email protected]
The students in the photo with the bear costume studied with Basil, a Universities Scheme Initiate who has since graduated and returned to Scotland.
Courtesy of Chris Hare and Clive W Deakin.
