
Interview with David Staples on BBC News
- April 10, 2021
- Press
David Staples gave an interview to BBC News regarding the passing of Prince Philip.

The Freemasons have paid tribute to Prince Philip
- April 10, 2021
- Press
The Freemasons have paid tribute to Prince Philip, saying their members were “deeply saddened” by his death, writes Patrick Sawer. The Duke of Edinburgh had a llife-ong association with the Freemasons, first joining them in 1952, at the age of 31, when he was initiated into Navy Lodge, No 2612.

His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh started his life in Freemasonry in 1952
- April 10, 2021
- Press
In a statement the group said: “The Freemasons are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Prince Philip this morning and we extend our sincere condolences to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family.

The best things to do in Covent Garden
- January 09, 2021
- Press
Freemasons' Hall is featured in Condé Nast Traveller – highlighted as one of the best things to do in Covent Garden.

Homeless to receive more than £850k from Freemasons to help protect them this winter
- December 18, 2020
- Press
The funds raised will help provide safe living conditions, healthcare, meals, and employment opportunities for the homeless; as well as helping protect them from the winter weather, which kills hundreds of homeless people every year. In addition, Freemasons will be volunteering their time at 26 homeless support organisations.

Homeless to receive more than £850,000 in donations from Freemasons to help protect them this winter
- December 14, 2020
- Press
Having donated £1m between April and July to help those impacted by the Covid-19 crisis, Freemasons are now focusing on protecting the homeless, with a new series of donations across England and Wales.

Forget Fortnum’s . . . buy from the Freemasons, at Covent Garden gift shop
- December 02, 2020
- Press
The spacious new shop in what used to be the drawing room at Freemasons’ Hall on Great Queen Street has been created by Lumsden, who also designed the shops at the British Museum, Tate Modern and National Theatre.

The Freemasons open a gift shop
- December 02, 2020
- Press
If you want white gloves, a gavel, or a teddy bear in a masonic apron – or just fancy a glimpse inside the society’s London HQ – this could be the place to shop.

Building on tradition – The Freemasons
- December 02, 2020
- Press
New Business sits down with the CEO of the Freemasons Dr David Staples and head of the United Grand Lodge of England.

House proud: The UK’s most weird and wonderful buildings
- September 19, 2020
- Press
Freemasons’ Hall, London: This monumental art deco building near Covent Garden still serves as the English headquarters of the Freemasons nearly a century after it was completed.

Open House London 2020 is Coming… Are You Ready?
- September 19, 2020
- Press
It’s hard to miss the striking Art Deco exterior of Freemasons’ Hall. Inside is even more opulent – as you’ll have a chance to see during Open House Weekend.

One of the finest Art Deco buildings in London, Freemasons' Hall will open its doors again exclusively for Open House weekend
- September 19, 2020
- Press
Don’t miss the dazzling Grand Temple, which boasts a night-sky inspired ceiling surrounded by brightly coloured mosaics.

Freemasons’ Hall open its doors to Open House London with brand new attractions for visitors this weekend
- September 17, 2020
- Press
Freemasons are throwing open the doors of their famous headquarters in London’s Covent Garden this Saturday as part of Open House London.

Freemasons provide 120,000 people with 300,000 meals and 38 tonnes of food
- June 08, 2020
- Press
With many families struggling to put food on the table Freemasons across England and Wales are currently working on hundreds of initiatives to help minimise the daily pressure on households across the UK.

Freemasons provide 120,000 people with donations of 300,000 meals and 38 tonnes of food during the Covid-19 pandemic
- June 05, 2020
- Press
Freemasons provide 120,000 people with donations of 300,000 meals and 38 tonnes of food during the Covid-19 pandemic.

David Staples on the Chopper’s Politics podcast
- June 04, 2020
- Press
CEO and Grand Secretary David Staples is interviewed by Christopher Hope for Chopper's Politics Podcast where he spoke about the work being undertaken by Freemasons during the Covid-19 pandemic – listen from 36 minutes.

Thousands of tablet computers are being donated by Freemasons across England and Wales to help families stay in touch with their loved ones during the coronavirus crisis
- May 09, 2020
- Press
Freemasons have provided the tablets to more than 50 hospitals, care homes and hospices across their regions at the start of a new nation-wide initiative. Dr David Staples, CEO of the United Grand Lodge of England, said: “At this time of national crisis we will work together – within our local communities – to provide charity and support to those in need, as we have done for the last 300 years."

Out of the shadows Freemasons
- April 25, 2020
- Press
The freemasons, a centuries-old network of fraternal lodges, have long provided fodder for thriller writers and folk with overactive imaginations. "There is 'The Da Vinci Code' and the keyboard warriors going crazy," sighs Matt Felgate, a freemason from Lincolnshire's Provincial Grand Lodge. "But much to my disappointment, it’s mainly about making yourself a better person."

Freemasons’ chief executive David Staples chips away at centuries of tradition
- April 17, 2020
- Press
As grand secretary and chief executive, Dr Staples is in charge of the day-to-day running of the UGLE, which includes nearly 7,000 regional lodges around the country and 200,000 members.

Freemasons toast ‘absent friends, and those working on the frontline in the NHS’
- March 27, 2020
- Press
At 8pm last night, a fretful nation paused for applause to show its gratitude to those fighting in the front line against the invisible enemy. The United Grand Lodge of England had asked its 200,000 members to raise a glass on Monday and toast “those working on the frontline in the NHS”.

Freemasons are inviting the whole country to toast ‘absent friends, and those working on the frontline in the NHS'' at 9pm tonight
- March 23, 2020
- Press
Freemasons are calling for the whole community to ensure no one feels alone, even if they are physically self-isolating, to be remembered in a toast at 9pm tonight. Dr David Staples, Chief Executive of the United Grand Lodge of England, has called for the Freemasons' regular toast to be a ‘virtual' toast using #TimetoToast online and extended to all those we cannot meet with, yet remain close in our thoughts.

Freemasons are inviting the whole country to toast ‘absent friends, and those working on the frontline in the NHS'' at 9pm tonight
- March 23, 2020
- Press
Freemasons are calling for the whole community to ensure no one feels alone, even if they are physically self-isolating, to be remembered in a toast at 9pm tonight. Dr David Staples, Chief Executive of the United Grand Lodge of England, has called for the Freemasons' regular toast to be a ‘virtual' toast using #TimetoToast online and extended to all those we cannot meet with, yet remain close in our thoughts.

Freemasons Call on Public to Join Centuries-Old Tradition to Remind Them They Are ''Not Alone'' Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
- March 23, 2020
- Press
The "Nine O'Clock Toast" is "a tradition within Freemasonry that has been observed for many hundreds of years," Dr. David Staples, the CEO and Grand Secretary of the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) told Newsweek on Monday.

In the UK, thousands of Freemasons have been told to avoid handshakes
- March 06, 2020
- Press
Thousands of Freemason members have been told to avoid special handshakes. The United Grand Lodge of England has written to thousands of members to advise them against physical contact.

Cut out ceremonial handshakes to fight coronavirus, freemasons told
- March 05, 2020
- Press
The United Grand Lodge of England has written to thousands of members to advise them against physical contact during secret initiation ceremonies. Dr David Staples, the Grand Secretary of the United Grand Lodge of England, said the handshake ban was necessary because many freemasons were in their seventies and eighties and therefore at greater risk.