This article has been edited to clarify specific elements and include a comment from a spokesman for the Committee of the Apollo Lodge.
Freemasons are alleged to have ‘crashed’ a collaborative social between the Oxford Union and Oxford’s 93% Club, a society which aims to provide a welcoming space for state-school educated students.
The event was hosted between the Goodman Library and the bar at the Union on Saturday 22nd October, promising a ‘great way to socialise and feel safe with those to [sic] a similar background to you’. However, a group of men believed to be Freemasons were found to have entered the premises in white-tie during the event. A source has confirmed that they were not seen to be interacting with any of the students or the event itself, but were present in the room, and that the society had not been notified of their attendance beforehand—nor had the Freemasons been notified that the event would be taking place. Whilst, according to a member of committee, it was not discussed at the time, students soon took to social media to question the presence of the Freemasons at the event.
This is not the first incident of this nature; in Hilary Term 2022, a group of Freemasons dressed in white-tie were seen at the Oxford Union on the night of a collaborative social with the 93% Club. During that particular incident, Freemasons did interact with students who were present in the bar and foyer, with some masons seen to be helping themselves to snacks provided by the access-based society. Likewise, the 93% Club had not been forewarned of their attendance on this occasion. One of the students in attendance at the social in Hilary told The Oxford Blue ‘It felt like a slap in the face—the point of us being there was to show that the Union is a welcoming space for us, but we were easily outnumbered and felt very awkward, leaving soon after’.
When contacted for comment, The 93% Club stated that they ‘are disappointed in the Union for not doing due diligence in organising the collaborative access social. This clash previously created an unwelcoming environment for our 93% club members; it’s a shame that this has happened for the second time in the past year.’ It is understood that there has been some resistance to collaborating with the Union previously.
Some have also questioned the relations between the Masonic Lodge and the Oxford Union (and the University) itself. In a statement in 2007, the Grand Director of Ceremonies, Oliver Lodge, 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’. Members of the Apollo Lodge are students/alumni of the University, and those who attend the Union are members of the society, meaning that they are entitled to be on the premises as regular members are.
The Blue has also received information evidencing one member of the Union committee joking about crashing the event in white tie, pretending to be a Freemason. Another member of Union committee told The Blue that ‘regardless of the number of Freemasons present, it is
inappropriate that this has been allowed to happen for a second time. The issue should be taken more seriously in future.’ The matter was discussed in a Standing Committee meeting on Monday afternoon, where it was agreed that the Union would issue a formal statement on the incident and endeavour to prevent these clashes happening in future.
When contacted for comment, a spokesman for the Committee of Apollo University Lodge said:
‘The Committee of Apollo University Lodge deeply regrets the assertion that the presence of Freemasons might be considered at odds with an inclusive and welcoming environment, and we welcome the opportunity to discuss Freemasonry in detail with anyone who is unsure why we exist or what we stand for. Freemasonry is a unique members’ organisation which has thrived for over 300 years. Its roots lie in the traditions of the medieval stonemasons who built our cathedrals and castles. We have no political or religious affiliations, and our membership comprises members of all ages, races, religions, cultures, and backgrounds.’
The spokesman also referred to Grand Lodges for Women specifically, who have close ties to the male Freemasons, despite practicing Freemasonry ‘in single-sex environments’. The spokesman also points to charitable causes supported by the Freemasons, including donating over £1 million to Covid-19 related causes. He added that ‘closer to home, Apollo University Lodge supports seven annual bursaries for students who are already in receipt of the Oxford Bursary or a Crankstart Scholarship.’