As September was going to be a very busy month for me I was looking forward to a ‘day off’ on Tuesday the 9th as I had nothing in my diary. However I attended a full team visit to the Pride of Surrey RAM and Mark Lodges on the 8th, at the Sutton Masonic Hall, and one of the Provincial Officers accompanying the RW Provincial Grand Master was W.Bro. Mark Donovan, ProvGStwd. In the bar he mentioned that he was due to be Installed as a Knight of Malta at the meeting of Pride of Surrey Preceptory No 591 the following day along with Knight Christopher Brown. I thought it would be nice to go along to see Knights Mark and Chris being Installed so I said I would go along.
The Preceptory was first opened in due form with the Eminent Preceptor and the Provincial Sub Prior greeted with loud acclaim and the usual business of the Preceptory was despatched with haste as the Knights eagerly awaited the Malta Ceremony which was to follow.
A Priory of Knights of Malta was then opened and a vote was taken which proved favourable to both candidates. The Eminent Prior, E.Kt. Derek Sims then made Knights Christopher Brown and Mark Donovan Knights of the Ancient and Masonic Order of St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta and entrusted them Grand Word and Sign of the Order.
The Knights then closed the Priory in peace and harmony and dined together in fraternal union, toasting the health and happiness of their two newly installed Knights of Malta.
Article and photographs by Chris Eley
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