Freemasons’ legacy opens doors for North East students at Durham University

Professor Clive Roberts, Executive Dean of our Faculty of Science met recently with Alex King, Phil Twizell and Clinton Leeks OBE, Deputy Grand Superintendent of Durham Freemasons, and Duncan Maw, Deputy Chair of Durham Freemasons Charity, to discuss the scholarship and the difference it will make. 

The Norman Jackson Scholarship

The scholarship will provide students with £5,000 per year for four years, offering support worth up to £20,000 during their studies. It is aimed at students from low-income and low-participation backgrounds studying STEM subjects, with preference given to applicants from the North East to study within Durham University’s Faculty of Science. 

The fund will be established as an endowment, allowing a new scholar to be supported every four years. The first Norman Jackson Scholar is expected to begin studies in autumn 2027. 

The initiative was led by Alex King of Universities Lodge, who said the scholarship was a fitting tribute as 2027 would have marked Norman’s 100th birthday. 

“We wanted to create something permanent that would help talented young people who might otherwise find financial barriers difficult to overcome,” said Alex. “By creating an endowment, Norman’s generosity can continue changing lives for generations.” 

A lifelong Freemason

Born in Sunderland in 1927, Norman Jackson studied metallurgy at Durham University and joined Universities Lodge in 1953. After graduating, he pursued an international career in mining and engineering, working in Zambia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Despite living overseas, he remained closely connected to Universities Lodge and retained his membership for 65 years. 

Following his death in Zimbabwe in 2018, the Lodge learned that Norman had left half of his Spennymoor Trust Fund to be distributed to Masonic charities. Part of that legacy will now be used to create the scholarship, transforming his gift into a lasting investment in education. 

A lasting legacy

Professor Clive Roberts, Executive Dean of Durham University’s Faculty of Science, said: “We work hard to encourage talented students from our region to see Durham as a place where they can fulfil their potential. The Norman Jackson Scholarship will help students make the most of the opportunities available across our science disciplines.” 

Clinton Leeks OBE, Deputy Grand Superintendent of Durham Freemasons, added: “One man’s generosity is being turned into opportunities for young people he could never have known, but whose lives could be changed because of what he left behind.” 

More than 70 years after arriving at Durham to study metallurgy, Norman Jackson’s generosity is coming home. Through Universities Lodge and Durham Freemasons Charity, his legacy will create opportunities for generations of North East students to fulfil their potential. 

Read more: 

• About leaving a gift in your will
• About our Faculty of Science
• About Universities' Lodge, Durham 

Pictured in header (left to right) Duncan Maw, Philip Twizell, Clive Roberts, Alex King, Clinton Leeks

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