Once again the Provincial Officers and Bodyguard were invited to share the Christmas meeting of the Stephen Langton Preceptory No. 478 by one of its members, RE.Kt. Michael J Banbury, Past Provincial Prior of Surrey, the Eminent Preceptor of the Preceptory.
Present were RE.Kt. Patrick P Crossan, the Provincial Prior of Surrey; VE.Kt. Chris Cradock, Provincial Sub Prior; RE.Kt. Bryan F Page, KCT, Past Provincial Prior of Surrey; and a number of Provincial Officers of the year, and members of the Provincial Prior’s Bodyguard.
After the Preceptory was opened the Provincial Marshal, E.Kt. Chris Eley, entered and advised the Eminent Preceptor, that RE.Kt. Patrick P Crossan, the Provincial Prior of Surrey was in the ante-room and demanded admission to the Preceptory. The Provincial Prior of Surrey entered through an Arch of Steel, was greeted by the Eminent Preceptor and offered the baton. The Provincial Prior was then saluted with 7 after which he greeted everyone. Knight Paul Mead was then installed as Eminent Preceptor, by Dispensation, by RE.Kt. Knight Michael Banbury in a splendid manner. The Preceptory was closed and a Priory of Knights of Malta was opened. Knight Paul Mead was installed as Eminent Prior.
The Knights then closed the Priory in peace and harmony and afterwards dined together in fraternal union singing some well known carols accompanied by E.Kt. Glyn Harvey on the organ. At the festive board our Provincial Prior gave a very interesting talk on what Christmas means to us as Knights Templar and how we should try and lead our lives as members of the Order.
Article and photographs by Chris Eley
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