This notice explains what personal information the Provincial Priory of Lancashire Knights Templar collects through this website, why we collect it, who we share it with, and the rights you have over it. We are committed to handling your information lawfully, fairly and transparently.
Who we are
The data controller for this website is the Provincial Priory of Lancashire Knights Templar (“we”, “us”, “the Province”).
- Postal address: {{ POSTAL ADDRESS }}
- Email for data protection enquiries: Please use the website contact form.
If you have any questions about this notice or about how we use your information, please contact us using the details above.
The information we collect, and why
Membership accounts and signing in
If you hold an account on this site we store your name, email address, your access level (for example member or officer), and a securely hashed version of your password. We use this to administer membership, to let you sign in, and to control access to members’ areas of the site. Our lawful basis is our legitimate interest in administering the Province and its membership.
Enquiries about joining
When you complete one of our joining or enquiry forms we collect the contact details you provide and the information you give us about your Freemasonry, your Royal Arch membership where relevant, and your interest in joining or re-joining. We use this solely to respond to your enquiry and to discuss membership with you. Our lawful basis is your consent, given when you submit the form.
Messages you send us
When you use the contact form we collect your name, email address and the content of your message so that we can reply. Our lawful basis is our legitimate interest in responding to people who contact us.
Content you submit for publication
If you submit an article, photographs or attachments for possible publication on the site, we store what you send together with a record of who submitted it. We use this to review and, where appropriate, publish the content. Our lawful basis is our legitimate interest in producing content about the life of the Province.
Photographs
We may publish photographs of events that include identifiable people. When images are uploaded to this site, location and other metadata embedded in the file (such as GPS coordinates) are automatically removed during processing. If you appear in a photograph and would like it removed, please contact us.
Website security and prevention of abuse
To keep the site secure and to prevent spam and automated abuse, our server records technical information such as your IP address, and our forms use anti-spam measures. Our lawful basis is our legitimate interest in protecting the site and the people who use it.
Cookies
This site uses a single strictly necessary cookie to keep you signed in during your visit and to keep the site secure. Because it is essential to providing the service, it does not require your consent, but we tell you about it here for transparency. We do not use analytics or third-party tracking cookies.
Who we share your information with
We do not sell your personal information, and we do not share it for marketing. We share it only with the service providers who help us run the site, and only as far as they need it to provide their service:
- Our email provider, which delivers notifications and replies on our behalf.
- Our hosting provider, on whose servers the site and its data are stored.
We may also disclose information where we are required to do so by law.
Sending information outside the UK
Some of our service providers process data outside the United Kingdom, including in the United States. Where that happens, we take steps to ensure your information is protected by appropriate safeguards recognised under UK data protection law.
How long we keep your information
We keep personal information only for as long as we need it for the purposes set out above:
- Membership accounts: for as long as you are a member.
- Joining enquiries: for 3 months after your enquiry, unless you go on to join.
- Contact messages: for 3 months after we have dealt with them.
- Published content: for as long as it remains relevant to the Province.
- Security logs: for an indefinite period.
When we no longer need information, we delete it or anonymise it.
Your rights
Under UK data protection law you have the right to:
- ask for a copy of the personal information we hold about you;
- ask us to correct information that is inaccurate or incomplete;
- ask us to delete your information in certain circumstances;
- ask us to restrict or to object to how we use your information;
- ask us to transfer certain information to you or another provider; and
- withdraw your consent at any time, where we rely on consent.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the details at the top of this notice. We will respond within one month.
How we protect your information
We protect your information using measures appropriate to its sensitivity. Passwords are stored only in hashed form, the site is served over an encrypted connection, uploaded files are processed and checked before they are stored, and access to members’ areas and to administrative functions is restricted by role.
Children
This website is intended for adults and is not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
Changes to this notice
We may update this notice from time to time. Any changes will be published on this page. This notice was last updated on 4 June 2026.
How to complain
If you have a concern about how we handle your personal information, please contact us first so we can try to put it right. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):
- Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
- Helpline: 0303 123 1113
- Website: ico.org.uk