L to R:- Sub-Prior, Terry Warrington, Provincial Prior, Provincial 2nd. Constable Ian Clark, V E Kt Michael Cox, Provincial 1st Constable Keith Young, De Lacy's Eminent Preceptor and R E Kt Malcolm Moreland, KCT, Past Prior

Yesterday saw the celebration of Very Eminent Knight Michael William Cox’s 50 years as a member of Knights Templar

A member of De Lacy Preceptory no. 95, it was held at Southport Masonic Hall and, to honour him a team visit has been arranged

Once the Preceptory had been opened the Bodyguard were admitted, followed by the Provincial Prior and his team of Officers. The Provincial Prior took the chair and proceeded to ‘paint a picture’ of Michael Cox, as a man and as a Mason and he was then presented with a certificate to mark his achievement

The Eminent Precptor, Eminent Knight Thomas Holt presented, on behalf De Lacy Precptory, a cheque for £500.00 for the Eye Hospital at Jerusalem

Following the meeting the assembled throng retired for pre-dinner drinks. The festive board was an excellent affair, attended by some 70 knights and a number of non-KT visitors

Michael cut his cake to a melodic rendition of ‘Happy Birthday to You’ – but not the Latin version as promised by the Sub-Prior!

Eminent Knight Sidney Hale, a member of No. 95, proposed the health of the celebrant, who suitably responded

The afternoon/evening was rounded off by a splendid raffle after which we departed to our own homes and firesides happy, well fed and having w=enjoyed a most convivial day

A copy of the Provincial Prior’s address is available to read by ckicking on the link below

WMC_web_pdf

L to R:- E Kt Martin Stott and E Kt Michael Brotherton

Last night saw the Installation of the new Preceptor of the St Michael Preceptory, No.12, stationed at Rawtenstall

Knight Michael Joseph Brotherton was installed by E Kt Martin Stott (the Deputy Marshal) in an excellent and time honoured manner, both as Preceptor and Prior

Their Preceptor, E Kt Terrence Brown, was unable to be present as he was visiting his son, and future daughter-in-law, in Australia.

The proceedings were conducted under the watchful eye of E Kt Eric Davidson the Marshal, who was later presented with an engraved Great Priory jewel,  a token of their  esteem for him, from all the members of the Preceptory. The presentation was performed by the Right Eminent Provincial Prior who was in attendance. It was noted by the members that it was the first time in a long association that they had known Eric to be lost for words!

Thirty eight knights partook of a convivial social board to round off a first class Inauguration meeting, During his response the Provincial Prior congratulated E Kt Martin Stott on his forthcoming appointment to Provincial acting rank (Standard Bearer (VB)) and also E Kt Arthur Terrell, St Michael’s Treasurer, who will be promoted to Past Provincial 2^nd. Constable

L to R:- E Kt Eric Davidson and R E Kt David Gallear

L to R:- E Kt John Sarti, the newly installed Preceptor E Kt Helmut Broughton and E Kt Robert Norris

Last night saw the Installation of the new Preceptor of the Plains of Mamre Preceptory, No. 8,  stationed at Burnley

Knight Hans Helmut Broughton was installed by E Kt John Sarti in an excellent and time honoured manner, both as Preceptor and Prior, the Malta degree being performed in the shortened form. The proceedings were conducted under the watchful eye of E Kt Frank Cook, the Marshal

Helmut is a past member of the Provincial Prior’s Bodyguard, as was Jon Sarti. Interestingly John’s predecessor was also a past member of the Bodyguard, Is this a unique event in the Province’s history?

Nineteen knights partook of a convivial social board

L to R:- Eminent Knight Stephen Jansen and newly installed knight Kevin Pickering

On Wednesday evening Plains of Tabor Preceptory, No. 11, stationed at Colne saw the installation of Kevin Pickering (a member of Pendle Lodge No. 4703 and a Companion of Nelson Chapter No. 2193) as a new knight of the Order.

The ceremony was split very successfully between the Eminent Preceptor and seven other members, each performing their part in an excellent manner

The accolade and Grand sign, grip and word were given by the Right Eminent Provincial Prior who commented the he would like to see more Preceptories sharing the work as it takes pressure off the Eminent Preceptor and encourages junior members of the Preceptory to participate

The festive board was attended by 29 knights and consisted of soup and sandwiches (thanks to the good efforts of the Registrar V E Kt Stuart Jackson) because the kitchen of the masonic hall had been flooded by a burst pipe on the previous evening

We are sure that it would not have perturbed knights of old, and it did not unduly worry those assembled

L to R:- E Kt Stephen Gilliver, Kt Ian Simpson, R E Kt David Gallear, E Kt David Swindlehurst

Saturday 10^th December 2012 saw a red letter day in the development of French Knights Templar with not one, but two, new Preceptories being consecrated at a magnificent chateau near Bordeaux

Five members of Lancashire were in attendance namely the Right Eminent Provincial Prior, the Chancellor, the Bodyguard Commander, E Kt Stephen Gilliver, a past member of the Bodyguard (and member of the Grand Master’s Bodyguard) and Ian Simpson,  a current member of the Provincial Prior’s Bodyguard

The first Preceptory to be consecrated was No, 57, the Geoffroy da GonnevillePreceptory and the ceremony was performed by Most Eminent & Supreme Knight Andre Bassou, the Grand Master of France.

Luncheon followed after which the Bertrand de Blanquefort Preceptory, No. 56 was consecrated, this time by the Seneschal

R E Kt David Gallear and V E Kt Mike Southworth acted as consecrating First and Second Constables during the morning and as the Grand Master’s Banner Bearer and Standard Bearer during the afternoon. The other knights from Lancashire formed part of the Bodyguard for both ceremonies

At the ‘white table’ banquet which followed our Provincial Prior proposed the toast to the newly consecrated Preceptories

The two new Preceptories give the region sufficient numbers to warrant the formation of a new Province, to be included in the agenda at the meeting of the Great Priory of France on April 21^st, 2012. A contingent from this Province plans to be present

The first Provincial Prior of the Guyenne Province, Bordeaux, will be Adrian Leopard who happens to be a member of one of Lancashire’s Preceptories, Plains of Tabor, No. 11

We all wish him, and his Province, the very best

The Very High and Right Eminent Great Seneschal, the Great Marshal and the Assistant Great Vice-Chancellor, together with many other distinguished Knights from several other Provinces, will be in attendance

When you pass through the door of the Masonic Hall in Southport, pause, look above and there is a Leaded Light Window dedicated to Knights Templar. Best viewed as early as possible as it looks its best with the morning sunlight behind.