l Priory of cia Lo in n v d o o r Knightly opics n P T Issue 15 Spring 2008 Inside this issue The Provincial Prior’s Address Prov Prior’s Address 1 & 2 After welcoming the Knights assembled the Provincial Prior continued: Prov Regalia Shop 2 verall we have shown a net and regularity of the other Orders and numerical decrease this in particular their sovereignty and in- Prov Carol Service 3 Oyear of 12 Knights and that dependence. Knights Templar was A Prile of Priors 3 is a disappointing trend. The main one of the Orders he specifically men- reasons are from deaths and resigna- tioned. Templar Legends 4,5,6 tions, the latter being mainly due to Brother Knights, my Sub Prior and I, Bro Knights moving away from the and in certain cases, my Chancellor Escutcheon of Pretence 6 London area and health and domestic and Constables have visited the great Galilee Preceptory 7 difficulties. On a positive note 37 majority of the London Preceptories Knights have been Installed and 20 during the past year and I have been Triennial Conference 7 have joined Preceptories and that is encouraged by the great enthusiasm very encouraging shown and by the Gt Priory Service 8 when compared warmth of our with last years fig- welcome. There Coromandel Prec 8 ures of 25 and 11 are some Precep- Diary Dates & Contacts 8 respectively. Sad- tories which we do ly a number of our not visit officially, Brother Knights such as Londin- Please send me news have departed to ium, the Installed from your Preceptory and other features to include the Holy City and Preceptors Pre- in our future issues. we have remembered them in our Req- ceptory, and the London Bodyguard I am happy to receive uiem this afternoon. Preceptory because the Sub-Prior and your contribution by disk, This loss should remind us of the need or I are members or honorary mem- typed or by email. to identify high quality candidates for bers and it does not seem necessary. George Hodge our Order and to encourage them to However, if those Preceptories feel Ithaca, Warren Lane join us. At the same time we must also deprived, than we can arrange for an Finchampstead, look for good quality candidates to official visit to them, but they proba- Wokingham, introduce into the Craft and Royal bly see enough, or some might say too Berkshire, RG40 4HS Arch for they are our future. It was much, of me anyway. Tel: 0118 973 0966 encouraging to hear the Grand Master It has been a great pleasure for me New email address below of the UGLE at the Annual Investiture today to invest and promote a number [email protected] formally acknowledge the existence of our Brother Knights and I offer 1 them my sincere congratulations. They do not need me to has carried out some useful work in the background to assist tell them that these honours are given as a reward of merit Preceptory Treasurers, particularly those who are not quali- but also anticipate continued strong support for their Precep- fied accountants, the results of that work will be seen quite tories, this Province and for the United Orders. The same soon. I should also like to thank our Provincial Organist, applies to those Brother Knights who were honoured with Richard Lambert, who adds so much to our ceremonies with Great Rank this year. his music. (A list of those honoured with Great Rank can be found in Now Brother Knights, I am probably about to earn myself a the Autumn issue of Knightly Topics - Editor) severe reprimand. Not the first in my life I must admit, I congratulate them all and urge them to attend the Malta though it last occurred during my National Service! Last Investiture meeting in November. year, when Alf Day retired, as his Sub-Prior I was ordered I should like to take this opportunity to thank publicly all my not to arrange any form of collection to mark his years of officers who have supported this Provincial Priory so well service and regrettable departure. Having taken an oath of during this year and to hope that they have enjoyed the allegiance to him I obeyed my orders. However I have had experience. In particular my thanks are due to Mike Fox for a long and detailed discussion with the new Provincial Prior his strong support as my new Sub-Prior and to Clive Thomp- and he has decreed that such a collection should be made. In son for his hard work as Vice-Chancellor in his first year, a marking his great contribution to this Province we are also steep learning curve as both Mike and I know from our own mindful of the great support which Shirley, his wife, has experience. Phillip Brown, our Provincial Marshal and his given to him over the years. We have therefore purchased a team of Deputy Provincial Marshal, Dave Ashbolt and the Waterford crystal fruit bowl which they can both enjoy – two Past Deputy Provincial Marshals, Richard Roberts and and he should be eating plenty of fruit anyway! That will Keith Bates and the Commander of my Bodyguard, Dick prove a lasting memento but, knowing that Alf and Shirley Fogwill and his Deputy, David Phythian, together with the enjoy coach trips for long weekends and holidays I also members of the Bodyguard have ensured that our standard present to him a voucher to use for such an event. Alf, thank of ceremonial has remained at a high level. A great deal falls you once again for all you have done for us and we all hope upon these Brother Knights particularly at the time of prep- that you will enjoy your well earned rest. aration for these Provincial meetings and they rise to the Brother Knights, it has been a great pleasure for me to see so challenge with great enthusiasm and efficiency. I am sorry many London Knights here today and to see so many old that Phillip’s health has precluded him from attending today friends here as guests of the Province. I do hope that you and I am sure that we all wish him a complete recovery. My have all enjoyed our Annual Chapter of Provincial Priory thanks are also due to our Provincial Treasurer, Peter meeting and I wish you all a safe journey home. God bless Brassett who has ensured that we are financially secure and you all New Mantle Badges For Great and Provincial Officers of Malta Great Priory have approved the wearing of mantle badges on Malta regalia, details can be found in an amendment to the Statutes. Great Officers therefore should wear them and Provincial Officers are permitted to wear them at the discretion of their Provincial Prior. In London our Provincial Prior has said that for his Officers it is a personal choice. Mantle badges may be obtained from the Provincial Regalia Shop - see below. Provincial Regalia Shop The shop can supply you with the new Malta mantle badges, Provincial ties, new and used regalia for Great and Provincial ranks, a mantle badge swap & alteration service and a used regalia information service. Your Regalia Officer is E Kt Stephen Neville. He can be contacted at: 77 Harrow Drive, Hornchurch, Essex, RM11 1NT Telephone: 01708 446 618. email: [email protected] 2 The Provincial Priory Family Carol Service The Rev Colin Calcott-James and the Choir The Congregation hat better way to begin the Christmas festivi- service followed the traditional order, the lessons being read ties than to experience a joyous Service of by active Provincial officers and the singing of the carols led WNine Lessons and Carols in beautiful sur- by a choir of professional singers. The combined voices roundings. Such was the annual event held in The Priory were uplifting and enriched by the solo performances. Church of St John on Monday 17th December. The church After the service an excellent buffet of food and wine was is in St John’s Square, Clerkenwell and I have always found provided at the London Masonic Centre and before long the it difficult to find, tucked away as it is alongside the Clerk- buzz of conversation indicated the pleasure found in others’ enwell Road, but after a number of years I’ve cracked it. company. The social atmosphere was enhanced by the Leave the London Masonic Centre behind you and pass the presence of the ladies and other family members and on Crown pub. Continue in the same direction until you find an leaving one felt that Christmas had truly begun. alley on your right. You will know this is the correct alley So Brother Knights, when the invitation to attend drops into because there is a Belgian Beer and Food Café in it and I can your letter box next year, and if you are not a regular at this recommend the many Belgian beers sold there. On emerg- event, please make a special effort to attend – you won’t ing into St John’s Square the church is on the left and you regret it! will see that it is not a traditional church building. George Hodge There are many colourful banners adorning the walls but the Pictures kindly supplied by E Kt Trevor Dutt Church was also beautifully decorated for Christmas. The A Prile of Priors n unusual occasion was captured on film at the meeting of Londinium Preceptory Aon the 19th December 2007 when the three Priors of London were all present.