Durham lodges

Following the reference to Durham University in the context of freemasons (Letters, THES, July 2), could I make a couple of points? Two masonic lodges with "Durham University" in their titles were founded nearly 100 years ago (in Durham and London) by and for staff and graduates of the university. Although they kept their names, both dropped the Durham qualification decades ago and neither has any affinity with the university today.

Keith Seacroft, Head of public relations, Durham University