Provincial Prior's Retirement Dinner

The Elizabethan Suite at Glenmore House was a fitting venue for a dinner to mark the retirement of our Provincial Prior, RE Kt Michael J Banbury.


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The guests from other Provinces and the Bro Knights of the Province started arriving from 6 pm. Members of the Provincial Prior’s Bodyguard directed the guests and Bro Knights to the bar area where they were served with welcome drinks by Knight Keith Waller and Knight Miguel Godfrey.

At 7 pm Michael and his wife, Frances, arrived in a black cab driven by Kt. Graham McGlashen and were escorted into the bar by the Provincial Sub Prior, VE Kt Pat Crossan to be greeted by everyone present. At 7.30 pm Michael and Francis entered the dining room escorted by members of the bodyguard to receive a very warm welcome from the 130 Knights of the Province and guests.

After a splendid meal, and following the Loyal Toast, the Provincial Sub Prior proposed the toast to the Provincial Prior. During his speech he invited Frances to join him to receive a lovely bouquet of flowers and a necklace, a gift from all the Knights of the Province. Pat, Peter Brown, Hugh Saville and John Laws then entertained us with a special rendition of the Ying Tong Song, written by Spike Milligan and performed by The Goons, one of Michael’s favourite songs.

He then invited the Provincial Prior to join him to receive a number of presentations from the members of the Bodyguard. E.Kt. Chris Eley then presented Michael with a Photo Book containing photos of all the Annual Meetings, Full Team Visits, 150th Anniversary Celebrations at Charterhouse, Garden Parties, Hog Roasts and many more wonderful events from Michael’s time as our Provincial Prior.

The Provincial Sub Prior finally presented Michael with a gift from all the Knights of the Province with our affection and thanks for all that he has done for us during his time as Provincial Prior.

Michael in his reply thanked everyone for their support over the years and especially for turning up in such numbers for his retirement dinner.

Article Chris Eley, photos by Chris Eley and Peter Brown



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