In July, VE.Kt. Patrick Peter Crossan was installed as the Provincial Prior for the Province of Surrey. The installation ceremony was conducted by The Very High and Right Eminent Great Seneschal, Malcolm Ernest Slater, G.C.T. He was most ably assisted by his team of Great Officers, including the Great Marshal, Paul Clement.
The Great Seneschal entered in procession with the Installing Team and opened a Chapter of Provincial Priory. After the Great Seneschal was saluted under the direction of the Great Marshal the banners of the Preceptories were paraded and the Roll of Preceptories was called.
The Installing Officer addressed the Knights on the purpose of the Meeting. The Great Marshal then informed the Installing Officer that the Provincial Prior Nominate, V.E.Kt. Patrick Peter Crossan, P.Gt.Reg., was in attendance and requested to be Installed.
The Installing Officer directed that the Provincial Prior nominate be introduced in due form. The Great Marshal formed an escort and the Provincial Prior entered the Chapter Room under an Arch of Steel, preceded by the Escort bearing the Regalia on cushions.
The Installing Officer demanded to see the Patent of Appointment and directed that it be read. The Installing Officer addressed the Provincial Prior nominate and enquired if he was ready and willing to undertake the duties of the Office. The Great Prelate offered a prayer and the Provincial Prior nominate kneeled and recited his Obligation.
The Great Prelate raised the Provincial Prior nominate and conducted him to the East where he knelt and paid homage to the V.H and R.E. Great Seneschal following which he was Invested and Installed.
The Great Prelate pronounced the Benediction, the Banner of the Province was placed in the East and the Right Eminent Provincial Prior was proclaimed from the West by the Great Herald and was saluted under the direction of the Great Marshal.
The Deputy Great Marshal then informed the Right Eminent Provincial Prior that the Provincial Sub Prior nominate, V.E.Kt Christopher Douglas Cradock, PGtReg., was in attendance and requested to be Installed. The Right Eminent Provincial Prior directed that the Provincial Sub-Prior nominate be introduced in due form. The Deputy Great Marshal formed an Escort and the Provincial Sub-Prior nominate was introduced into the Chapter Room under an Arch of Steel, preceded by the Escort bearing the Regalia on cushions.
The Provincial Prior demanded to see the Patent of Appointment and directed that it be read. The Right Eminent Provincial Prior addressed the Provincial Sub-Prior nominate and enquired if he was ready and willing to undertake the duties of his office.
The Great Prelate offered a prayer and the Provincial Sub-Prior nominate knelt and recited his Obligation. The Great Prelate then raised the Provincial Sub-Prior nominate and conducted him to the East. The Provincial Sub-Prior nominate knelt and paid homage to the Right Eminent Provincial Prior following which he was invested and conducted to his seat.
The Great Prelate pronounced the Benediction and the Provincial Sub-Prior was proclaimed by the Great Herald and saluted by the Knights of the Province under the direction of the Deputy Great Marshal.
The Great Marshal requested the Right Eminent Provincial Prior to confirm the appointment of certain Provincial Officers and replaced the Officers of the Installing Team by Provincial Officers. The Right Eminent Provincial Prior then appointed and invested the remaining Provincial Officers and Body Guard for the ensuing year.
The Great Marshal presented the by-laws of the Province to the Right Eminent Provincial Prior for his approval and confirmation and the Right Eminent Provincial Prior addressed the Installing Officer.
The Templar’s Hymn was sung during which alms was collected in aid of the St. John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital. The Installing Officer then retired under an Arch of Steel accompanied by the Great Officers of the Installing Team.
A brief meeting of Provincial Priory followed where the Provincial Prior addressed the Guests of the Province of Surrey and the Provincial Marshal called all Knights below the rank of Right Eminent Knight to Order and saluted RE Kt Trevor Gulliver, Knight Commander of the Temple, together with the other Right Eminent Knights with 7. The Provincial Prelate then conducted a Requiem in memory of the two Brother Knights of the Province of Surrey who passed to the Holy City during the past twelve months.
After the regular business of the Priory had been completed the Right Eminent Provincial Prior closed the Chapter of Provincial Priory and two verses of the National Anthem were sung.
The Right Eminent Provincial Prior, accompanied by the Very Eminent Provincial Sub-Prior, the Right Eminent Past Provincial Prior, Right Eminent Knights, Very Eminent Knights and other Distinguished Guests of the Province retired in procession under the direction of the Provincial Marshal.
After the meeting the Knights of the Province of Surrey and their guests sat down to a splendid luncheon in the Croydon Masonic Hall.
Article and photographs by Bob Tuthill and Chris Eley
< Back to News Index