For the second year running the Provincial Prior threw caution to the wind and opened his home to the Knights of the Provincial Priory of Surrey.

If music really is, as Shakespeare claims, the food of love, then a cornucopia of music, food, drink and sunshine appearing before a gathering of the Knights of the Provincial Priory of Surrey – at the home of the Prior and his wife — should, in theory, be able to solve global warming, poverty, hunger and sort out the ophthalmic issues Middle East in one go. For the second year running around a hundred Brother Knights and their wives/partners descended on the home of R E Kt Michael J Banbury, Provincial Prior for Surrey and his wife in the sleepy village of Outwood, on a scorching Sunday 18th July 2010.

The logistical nightmare of parking an additional thirty, or so, cars in the ‘one horse town’ that is Outwood was admirably handled by the Prior’s Bodyguard. Once again Centres had been raided for gazebos, tables and chairs which were now esthetically arranged, like a Monet like scene, about the Prior’s spacious garden providing freedom to allow some to mingle and soak up the sun while affording others some welcome shade.

The popular drink of choice was ‘Pimms cup’ while those less adventurous went for more conventional choices like white or rose wine, lager and beer. Food for first part of the afternoon was in the capable of hands of E Kt Jim Smith and his daughter Leanne who skillfully barbecued a local master butcher’s lamb chops, beef burgers and sausages which they served with the usual accoutrements. Later ‘afternoon tea’, or coffee was served, with scones, preserves and clotted cream.

The animated debate that ensured ever did get to the bottom of who was right when some referred to the cake thingies as lovely “scones (as in stone)” or “scone (as in gone)”.

Thanks to the generosity of both those attending, kind donations from Brother Knight unable to attend, and those bringing prizes for the raffle: £1,180 was raised for the Grand Master’s appeal for the Anabta clinic of the Jerusalem Eye Hospital.

The Prior closed the event offering thanks to: E Kt Garry Lewis and his wife Carol who organised the event providing many of the items needed and the background music; to E Kt Jim Smith and Leanne for preparing the food; and to members of the Bodyguard who helped setting up and dismantling the equipment and overseeing the car parking.

Finally, he thanked for their willingness to lend a hand making the day so special.