A Full Team Visit to Chersey Preceptory

Another very special (K)Night at the Preceptory of Croydon No 196

In April, Chersey Preceptory No 304 were pleased to receive the Provincial Prior of Surrey, Rt.E. Knight Michael Banbury, along with Provincial Sub Prior of Surrey, V.Em. Knight Patrick Crossan and a good number of Provincial Officers of the year.

After the Preceptory was opened the Provincial Marshal, E.Kt. Chris Eley, entered and advised the Eminent Preceptor, Em.Kt. David Medley that the Rt.Em.Kt. Michael J Banbury, Provincial Prior of Surrey, along with a number of Provincial Officers of the year, was in the ante-room and demanded admission to the Preceptory. The Provincial Prior of Surrey entered and was greeted by the Eminent Preceptor. The Provincial Prior was then saluted with 7 after which he greeted everyone and then took the Muster Roll and the minutes.

After the election of the Eminent Preceptor and Treasurer for the ensuing year the Preceptory was closed and a Priory of Knights of Malta was opened.
A Ballot was taken for Knights David Watts-Jones of Chersey Preceptory and Graham Banks of Whyte Stone Preceptory which proved in their favour.
The Degree of Knight of St. Paul was confirmed on the two candidates by the Eminent Prior assisted by the Preceptory Chaplain and the Preceptory Mareschal.

Knights David Watts-Jones and Graham Banks were admitted into the Chapter House, passed the Banners and obligated. The Eminent Prior, E.Kt. David Medley then made Knights David Watts-Jones and Graham Banks Knights of the Ancient and Masonic Order of St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta and entrusted them with the Grand Word and Sign of the Order.

The address was given to both Knights by E.Kt. Leslie Grout in a excellent manner.

The Knights then closed the Priory in peace and harmony and dined together in fraternal union, toasting the health and happiness of their two newly installed Knights of Malta.

Article and photographs by Chris Eley, Provincial Marshal


< Back to News Index