In July, Mount Lebanon Preceptory No 573 crossed over the border from Middlesex to Surrey to hold their Preceptory meeting at the Masonic Hall Surbiton. There to make them feel very welcome was R.E. Knight Patrick Crossan, Provincial Prior of Surrey; R.E. Knight Bryan Page, KCT, Past Provincial Prior of Surrey; and a good number of Surrey Knights, including members of the Provincial Prior’s Bodyguard.
After the Preceptory was opened the Provincial Marshal of Middlesex, E.Kt. Tom D’Sousa, entered and advised the Eminent Preceptor, E.Kt. Jeremy Jones, that the Provincial Prior of Middlesex, R.E. Knight John Roberts, was in the ante-room and demanded admission to the Preceptory. The Provincial Prior of Middlesex entered and was greeted by the Eminent Preceptor. The Provincial Prior was then saluted with 7 after which he greeted everyone and thanked the Provincial Prior of Surrey for permitting the Preceptory to meet in Surrey as their usual meeting place, Cole Court, was unavailable due to a clash of dates with another Provincial meeting.
A ballot was held for Companion Paul Robert Belcher a member of Lucullus Lodge No 5258 and Mount Lebanon Chapter No 73. This proved in his favour and Comp. Paul was installed as a Knight Templar in an exemplary manner by the Eminent Preceptor, E.Kt. Jeremy Jones, ably assisted by the Acting Preceptory Marshal, E.Kt. Tom D’Souza; and E.Kt. Angus Rhodes who explained the Symbols of the Order in a most interesting and informative way. After the Preceptory was closed the Knights of Mount Lebanon Preceptory and their many guests dined together in fraternal union at the Surbiton Masonic Hall.
The Preceptory Registrar, E.Kt. Robbie Dobbie, in his toast to the newly installed Knight mentioned that with 50 Knights in the Temple this was the largest attended meeting of the Preceptory since its Consecration 25 years ago.
Article and photographs by Chris Eley
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