Cambridgeshire Freemasons' have been working hard engaging with the local student population at Cambridge University.
Representatives of several University of Cambridge college lodges, along with the Oxford & Cambridge University Lodge (O&C), Isaac Newton University Lodge (INUL) & Granta Lodge (Order of Women Freemasons) met at Bateman Street, Cambridge to discuss improving ties between University and College lodges, ways to support University of Cambridge students interested in Freemasonry and in helping the OWF in establishing a Womens' Lodge for students at Cambridge. They also discussed the establishment of a Cambridge University society dedicated to Freemasonry.
The meeting followed a highly successful Freshers' Fair in October where representatives from both United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE)and the Order of Women Freemasons, coordinated by Omaid Hiwaizi (O&C University Lodge) chatted to newly arrived students. Around 40 students signed up for more information, including14 for Order of Women Freemasons.
Richard Field (Caius Lodge) observed,
'from our perspective, this was an excellent initiative, while not something we've done before it was great to improve the visibility of Freemasonry. It was fantastic to see so much genuine interest and engagement'
Many of those that had expressed an interest subsequently attended a walk out to Grantchester with several INUL brethren followed by a pub lunch later that week.
'We really wanted to maintain the engagement and give people the opportunity to meet and to find out more from other students, or recent graduates, who are lodge members. Several of those who attended the social have been among the most recent candidates for our lodge'
reported Simon Cooper (INUL).
By establishing closer ties with the other college lodges and the Province of Cambridgeshire, brethren will be able to easily find a masonic home in Cambridge or London after their graduation, in line with the aims of the United Grand Lodge of England Universities Scheme. To this end members of the group - Omaid Hiwaizi (O&C University Lodge), Simon Cooper (INUL), Peter Featherman (Lodge of Trinity) and Karen Ottewell (Granta) - met at Cambridge Masonic Hall. The UGLE members afterwards attended an INUL meeting, dining at Queens' College along with Jonathan Price (Caius Lodge) and the Provincial Grand Membership Officer, Ed Williams.
Williams added that;
'Promoting closer ties between all of our Lodges in the Province of Cambridgeshire is of vital importance to both attract new members and to look after our existing ones. To extend our ties further to the wider College Lodges will see the Province of Cambridgeshire continue to thrive. We look forward to cementing these bonds and developing meaningful relationships moving forward.'
