by Mark Andrews, Shropshire Star, September 22, 2022
One of Shropshire’s oldest lodges opens its doors to the public this month. The Salopian Lodge of Charity will be opening the doors of the Freemasons’ Hall in Crewe Street, Shrewsbury, on Sunday. Communications officer Stephen Rogers reckons that there are about 1,200 masons in the county. That means roughly one in every 400 people is a Freemason. The Salopian Lodge of Charity in Shrewsbury is holding an open day to celebrate the 150th anniversary of its founding father, James Mansfield.
The lodge was formed in 1810 as a travelling lodge in the Shropshire Militia during the Napoleonic Wars. An open day will include a guided tour of the lodge and an explanation of the origins of freemasonry. Representatives from some of the charities which have received masonic support will also be on show.