COMMEMORATIVE ORDER OF ST. THOMAS OF ACON YEAR BOOK 2017 Page 1 of 144 YEAR BOOK 2017 All information contained in this Year Book has been extracted from the Database of the Order; any inaccuracies should be communicated to the Grand Secretary as soon as possible to allow him to update the records of the Order. Information contained in the database includes members’ names, addresses, telephone numbers, and dates of birth. The database is accessed solely by the Administration Team in connection with business of the Order. Should any member object to these details being held on the database, he should contact the Grand Secretary. A printout of all information stored in the database on an individual member will be made available to that member on reciept of a written request by the Grand Secretary. Note on Ranks: In this year book where a knight holds Provincial Rank in more than one Province his highest rank is shown and he is marked with an * and his other ranks are shown as a footnote. Website of the Order is http://www.thomas-of-acon.org/ 1. MEMBERSHIP OF THE ORDER .................................................................................................................................................... 1 2. GRAND MASTER’S ADDRESS ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 3. REGALIA ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 2 4. GRAND SECRETARY’S REPORT ................................................................................................................................................. 2 5. GRAND TREASURER’S REPORT ................................................................................................................................................. 3 6. GRAND MASTER'S COUNCIL ....................................................................................................................................................... 3 7. MINUTES OF G.M.C. 29TH DECEMBER 2016 .............................................................................................................................. 4 8. GRAND OFFICERS ........................................................................................................................................................................... 7 9. SUCCESSION OF GRAND MASTERS ........................................................................................................................................... 7 10. SUCCESSION OF GRAND PRIORS ............................................................................................................................................. 7 11. KNIGHTS HUMILITAS .................................................................................................................................................................. 7 12. KNIGHTS CARITAS ....................................................................................................................................................................... 7 13. RECIPIENTS OF THE GRAND MASTER'S AWARD ............................................................................................................... 8 14. SUCCESSION OF GRAND PRECEPTORS ................................................................................................................................. 8 15. SUCCESSION OF GRAND SECRETARIES ................................................................................................................................ 8 16. LIST OF SUBSCRIBING GRAND OFFICERS ............................................................................................................................ 9 17. ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE - 2017 ................................................................................................................................................... 16 18. RITUALS AND CONSTITUTIONS ............................................................................................................................................. 16 19. CONTACT DETAILS .................................................................................................................................................................... 17 20. KNIGHTS CALLED TO HIGHER SERVICE ............................................................................................................................ 19 21. CONCORDAT WITH THE USA .................................................................................................................................................. 20 22. CONTACT DETAILS FOR ST THOMAS OFACON USA ....................................................................................................... 21 23. PROVINCES ................................................................................................................................................................................... 22 24. NUMERICAL LIST OF CHAPELS ............................................................................................................................................. 39 01. MEMBERSHIP OF THE ORDER Admission as a Knight of the Order is by invitation. A candidate for admission must be a subscribing Master Mason in a Craft Lodge in amenity with the United Grand Lodge of England, a subscribing Royal Arch Mason in a Royal Arch Chapter, or its equivalent in other countries, in amenity with Supreme Grand Chapter of England and a subscribing Knight Templar, or its equivalent in other countries, in amenity with the United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple and of St. John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta. 02. GRAND MASTER’S ADDRESS Sir Knights, it gives me great pride and pleasure to address you for the Final time as Grand Master. The Order itself has come a long way since my involvement first as Grand Secretary then as Most Worthy Grand Master. Seeing our numbers rise, then fall when America was annexed and made a sovereign body on its own right. Sir Knights, I was very upset with this outcome and was asked many times by our American brethren why they were not wanted whist I was over there. The answer, I knew, but was not able to give them. Back here in Europe we have seen the rise of Chapels in France culminating in a Province of France being formed. In the UK, we have increased considerably and still have over one Hundred Chapels under our jurisdiction. I understand that there are three or four other Chapels which could have been Consecrated but have been held back for what reason, I do not know. In October, this Year we saw the culmination of our four-year Festival for Canterbury Cathedral, when I presented them with a Cheque for Thirty- Five Thousand Pounds. What an achievement that is from an Order the size of ours. My special thanks go to the Chairman, Sir Anthony of Horseford, Tony, I’m so proud of your efforts and my thanks go to you Sir Knights for your support. It has been an eventful four years and four months. The last eight months has been a web of deceitfulness and untruths, culminating with my retirement tour being rudely interrupted by the then Grand Prior, who after much acrimony, resigned his office. Today sees the beginning of a new era, however before it begins a fresh look must be given to our Constitutions, as there are many irregularities in Procedure and I Suspect that possibly none of the Amendments since 2009 have been approved by Grand Masters Council. In Revision 6, dated 30th April 2016, vast changes were proposed, not approved by me, the executive committee or the Board of General Purposes, even though they were signed by the then Grand Secretary, purported on my behalf. Page 2 of 144 I will not be proceeding with the next item due to the irregularities in the constitution and the failure of the Board of General Purposes to specifically to nominate Sir Brian of Alrewas. I sincerely apologise to Sir Brian of Alrewas, and I feel for the good of the Order that I must perfect the Constitutions and ensure that he is properly nominated and Installed at the next Grand Masters Council in 2017. I intend to immediately form an executive committee for the sole purpose for amending the Rules and Constitutions and submitting them to this Council at a special meeting or at the Grand Masters Council on December 29th 2017, and to ensure that all members of the Council are circulated with a copy of the proposed amendments to the Constitution, Rules and Regulations for consideration. Also, that notice of motion is given that the rules and regulations will be submitted for the approval and ratification at the next Grand Masters Council either before or on December 29th 2017. Thank you for your patience in listening to my address. God Bless you all. 03. REGALIA The Regalia of the Order comprises: - a mantle and tunic; - a scallop shell badge worn on the tunic; - a scallop shell badge worn on the mantle; - a scallop shell badge worn on the hat. The scallop shell badges a Coquille being: - gold for Grand Officers; - silver for Provincial Grand Officers; - bronze for other Members. The Grand Master carries a gold baton. Provincial Grand Preceptors carry a silver baton. Masters of private Chapels may carry a bronze baton. Optionally Ordained Clergymen may carry a Bible rather than a Sword regardless of Rank or Office. Grand Officers wear a silver Canterbury Pilgrim's