Privacy Policy

1. Who We Are (The Data Controller)

St Matthew of Wyke Lodge No. 8563 is a regular Masonic lodge warranted under the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) and operating within the Provincial Grand Lodge of Hampshire and Isle of Wight.

For the purposes of applicable data protection legislation, St Matthew of Wyke Lodge No. 8563 is the Data Controller of the personal data collected through this website.

Lodge Address:
Chilcombe Down House, Chilcombe Lane, Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 1HA.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect and process personal data when you interact with us or express an interest in Freemasonry:

• Contact & Inquiry Details: If you reach out to us via email or our contact channels, we collect details such as your name, email address, telephone number, location, and the contents of your message.
• Membership Inquiry Data: If you inquire about joining St Matthew of Wyke Lodge, we may collect basic background information relevant to membership eligibility under the Constitutions of the United Grand Lodge of England.
• Technical & Log Data: Like most websites, our web server automatically records basic technical information (e.g., your IP address, browser type, operating system, pages viewed, date and time of visit) strictly for server security, diagnostic, and performance purposes.

3. Lawful Basis for Processing

Under Article 6 of the UK GDPR, we rely on the following lawful bases to process personal data:

• Legitimate Interests: To correspond with you, answer your inquiries regarding the Lodge, provide guidance on Freemasonry, and manage incoming membership interest in an orderly, respectful manner.
• Consent: Where you provide specific personal details voluntarily when requesting further information or updates. You can withdraw your consent at any time.
• Legal Obligation: Where processing is required to comply with statutory accounting, reporting, or legal obligations.

4. How We Use Your Information

Your personal data is used solely for genuine Lodge and Masonic administrative purposes:

• To reply to your questions and provide information about St Matthew of Wyke Lodge and Freemasonry in Winchester.
• To arrange informal introductions or meetings if you are interested in joining.
• To maintain internal lodge administration and archival records where appropriate.

We never sell, rent, or trade your personal data with third parties for commercial or marketing purposes.

5. Data Sharing & Third Parties

We only share personal information in limited, necessary circumstances:

• Lodge Officers: Relevant Lodge committee members (such as the Secretary, Membership Officer, or Worshipful Master) who need the information to address your inquiry.
• UGLE and Provincial Grand Lodge: If your inquiry progresses towards an application for membership, your information may be processed in conjunction with the Provincial Grand Lodge of Hampshire & Isle of Wight and the United Grand Lodge of England in accordance with Masonic governance.
• Technical Service Providers: Trusted web hosting providers who host our website and email infrastructure under secure confidentiality agreements.

6. Data Storage, Security & Retention

We take appropriate administrative and technical measures to protect your personal data from loss, unauthorized access, misuse, or alteration.

Retention Periods:

• General inquiries that do not result in a membership application are typically retained for up to 12 months, after which they are securely deleted.
• If you become a candidate or member of the Lodge, your records are retained in line with Masonic administrative, historical, and archival standards.

7. Your Rights Under UK GDPR

Under the UK Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Right of Access: You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you (a Subject Access Request).
• Right to Rectification: You have the right to have inaccurate or incomplete personal information corrected.
• Right to Erasure: You can request that we delete your personal data where there is no compelling reason for its continued processing.
• Right to Restriction: You can ask us to suspend the processing of your personal data under certain conditions.
• Right to Object: You can object to the processing of your data based on legitimate interests.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw it at any time by contacting us.

8. Cookies & Tracking

This website is designed to be lightweight and respectful of your privacy:

• We do not use third-party advertising cookies or behavioral tracking pixels.
• We only use strictly necessary technical cookies or standard server session identifiers required for the website to function properly.
• You can adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies or alert you when cookies are being sent.

9. How to Contact Us & Lodge a Complaint

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise any of your data rights, or have concerns about how your data is handled, please contact the Lodge Secretary:

If you are not satisfied with our response or believe our processing does not comply with UK data protection law, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK supervisory authority:

Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
Helpline: 0303 123 1113 • Website: ico.org.uk