Prince of Peace Preceptory No 97

There was some trepidation about a visit on Friday the 13th. but totally unfounded as it turned out to be an excellent meting.

The summons was one of the busiest in modern experience.

BUSINESS

1. To Open the Preceptory.
2. To call the Muster Roll.
3. To read the Minutes of the previous meeting.
4. To Appoint and Invest Officers not present at the Installation.
5. To Install into our Illustrious Order, E.Comp. Gordon Stuart (~ Pilkington And Comp. Haldane James Gerard Hamer, bothelected by ballot on 14th October 2011.
6. To dedicate the Priory Banner by the Provincial Prior, R.E.Kt. David Harry Gallear and the Provincial Team.
7. To Elect by ballot the Eminent Preceptor for the ensuing year.
8. To Elect by ballot the Treasurer for the ensuing year.
9. To Elect two Auditors.
10. To Elect a Guard
11. To Read Communications.
12. To Receive Notices of Motion and Propositions.
13. To Collect Alms (during which the Templar Hymn will be sung)
14. To Transact any other business.
15. To Close the Preceptory.

You will note that as well as receiving the Provincial Prior, R. E. Kt. David Harry Gallear  and his team, No. 97 were installing two knights; doing a banner dedication; electing an Eminent Preceptor for the ensuing year; electing a treasurer; electing two Auditors; and electing a guard;

After opening the Eminent Preceptor, E. Kt. J. M. Whiteside, asked E. Kt. Bob Cadman, P. Prov. A de C. to conduct the 1st half of the installation ceremony which was done excellently and the second half was done in an exemplary manner by E. Kt. K. Brierly, P. Prov. 2nd Herald.  The R. E. Provincial Prior bestowed on the candidates the Knight Honours.

The Provincial Prior then took the chair for the Banner Dedication and explained the historical importance of the Banner in warfare – as an identification of regiments and also as a rallying point, etc. Since he had introduced the Parading of the Banners at the Provincial Priory Meeting on the second Saturday in May the Banners had been paraded at the opening. Prince of Peace was one of the very few Preceptories that did not have a banner. Two of the Preceptory’s senior Knights, V. E. Kt. Bill Seddon and E. Kt. Ian Greenwood decided to remedy the situation. Discussions took place within the Preceptory and Brother Knight Paul Renton produced a design which, with minor modifications, was accepted. The Provincial Marshal, E. Kt. Keith Kemp, formed the deputation so that the Banner could be introduced into the Preceptory in due form. The Banner was then dedicated and passed into the hands of the Eminent Preceptor.

Our own Provincial Prelate E. Kt. William Hall then gave a superb oration covering all the history and its relation to elements within the Holy Gospels

The meeting closed at around 10-30 and the Provincial Team went their different ways ranging from St. Helens in the South to Barrow in Furness in the North.

The pictures below show the banner and the Knights involved in the introduction, design and the Dedication Ceremony.

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