Freemasonry is one of the oldest social and charitable organisation in the world.
Our roots lie in the traditions of the medieval stonemasons who built
our cathedrals and castles.
The Universities’ Scheme was established in 2005 for undergraduates from 18 upwards (and other university members) to enjoy Freemasonry. It came at a time that Freemasonry required members to be 21 and over with special permission needing to be given in order to join at a younger age.
Being designed for university students, the Universities’ Scheme ensures that all Masons under 25 benefit from a decision to halve their dues, in order to make Freemasonry more accessible.
There are currently three Universities’ Scheme lodges within the Province of West Lancashire; Preston Guild Lodge No 4408, University Lodge of Liverpool No 4274 and City of Lancaster Lodge No 281.
University Lodge of Liverpool is over 100 years old and one of its members, with strong support from the lodge, set up a charity Casus Pax which has taken over £30,000 of supplies to the Ukraine. Meeting at the Athenaeum Club in Liverpool they were extremely active during the first lockdown with them undertaking over 250 individual acts of charity in that year alone. During the second lockdown the members spent every weekend for nearly 12 months, especially in the wintertime, with a hand cart around the City Centre distributing hot food, hot drinks and friendship to the homeless community.
University Lodge of Liverpool can be contacted at universitylodgeliverpool4274@gmail.com
City of Lancaster Lodge was made of an amalgamation of two other lodges and dates its history back to 1789. Meeting at Rowley Court in Lancaster, the members and the lodge itself have a great relationship with Lancaster University and every year attend the Freshers Fair where they discuss Freemasonry and talk to students that later become members. As a lodge they raise money through social events such as Sunday Lunches and Ladies to Dine events with the proceeds being donated to a variety of charitable causes such as the local foodbank. They meet 6 times a year, so that students do not miss events within the lodge due to exams and the summer break. The lodge have also been winners of the DKW Cup. The DKW Cup was presented to the scheme by David Kenneth Williamson PAGM, Founder President of the Universities Scheme, on his retirement as President. The aim of the DKW Cup is to encourage inter-visiting between Universities Scheme Lodges and further the goals of fraternity and togetherness.
City of Lancaster Lodge can be contacted on secretary@cityoflancasterlodge.org.uk
Preston Guild Lodge was founded in 1922 and named to honour the City’s most historic festival, The Guild Merchant, held every 20 years. It is well placed to serve students and staff from the University of Central Lancashire, however it is by no means limited and it is open to anyone interested in the local area. Their membership has a very wide range of backgrounds and ages and the lodge is an integral part of the local community and takes pride in their support of local charities. The image on this page depicts members of Preston Guild Lodge with the Mayor, they were invited to have tea in the parlour.
Preston Guild Lodge can be contacted on PGL4408@hotmail.co.uk
