Provincial Priory of Surrey

The United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple and of St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta in England and Wales and Provinces Overseas
buffer Provincial news
V
Whyte Stone Preceptory – a newly Installed Knight’s visit
I attended my third KT meeting on Tuesday 24th May 2022. My first was me being installed into the Order and my second was being installed as a Knight of Malta. A little anxious, I entered the Masonic Temple at Farnham and was immediately put at ease when I met some of the members. I knew them from another degree, Mark my words!

Whyte Stone Preceptory – a newly Installed Knight’s visit

Whyte Stone Preceptory – a newly Installed Knight’s visit

A couple I had not met before soon put me at my ease and then the Eminent Preceptor walked in, all the way from the New Forest and I recognised him too. I was beginning to relax mainly because I had other things on my mind. I was about to present a PowerPoint presentation to a dozen or so guys, several of whom I did not know. I am still learning titles too.

Whyte Stone Preceptory – a newly Installed Knight’s visit

Whyte Stone Preceptory – a newly Installed Knight’s visit

We put on our appropriate garbs and got down to the meeting in hand. Yes, I just about remembered the salute with my sword and this time managed to return it to its scabbard with little or no fuss.

Whyte Stone Preceptory – a newly Installed Knight’s visit

The meeting was opened by our very capable Eminent Knight, Kevin Hutchins, and our agenda was appropriately dealt with…

Whyte Stone Preceptory – a newly Installed Knight’s visit

…and then it was me. Not the presentation, that was to follow. I received my Malta Certificate explained to me by E.Kt. John French.

Whyte Stone Preceptory – a newly Installed Knight’s visit

Then I did my presentation. I had the option of reading from my script but felt that George Raymond Portal, Founder of the Mark Benevolent Fund, was better spoken about using the knowledge that I had gained researching his family tree and life story. He was some man!

Whyte Stone Preceptory – a newly Installed Knight’s visit

The knights received my twenty-five-minute presentation enthusiastically and I was asked quite a few questions on George Portal. Phew! That was that. I have another project in mind concerning a man from Suffolk who settled in Malta but that is another story and still on the drawing board in my head.

Whyte Stone Preceptory – a newly Installed Knight’s visit

I had such a great evening enhanced not only by the members of this welcoming preceptory but also by the impressive dealings in the meeting in a setting reminiscent of days gone by.

My only regret was that I now have to wait until much later in the year to attend my next Whyte Stone Preceptory meeting.

Article and photos by Michael Fenech

buffer