As has now become a custom, 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. Knight Michael Banbury, Past Provincial Prior of Surrey.
A regular visitor to their Christmas meeting is RE.Kt. Stewart Middleton, Provincial Prior of East Anglia, accompanied by his Provincial Marshal, E.Kt. Richard Hawes, who once again kindly acted as Provincial Deputy Marshal. Also present was VE.Kt. Chris Cradock, Provincial Sub Prior, and RE.Kt. Bryan Page, KCT, Past Provincial Prior of Surrey. There were also a good 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, Em.Kt. Jim Cranefield that the RE.Kt. Patrick Crossan, 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 and was greeted by the Eminent Preceptor and offered the baton. The Provincial Prior was then saluted with 7 after which he greeted everyone.
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Kt. Brian Luck was then installed as Eminent Preceptor by E.Kt. Jim Cranefield. The Preceptory was closed and a Priory of Knights of Malta was opened and Kt. Brian Luck was installed as Eminent Prior.
The Knights then closed the Priory in peace and harmony and dined together in fraternal union, singing carols accompanied by E.Kt. Glyn Harvey on the organ. E.Kt. Glyn also entertained us with some amusing alternative carols.
Article and photographs by Chris Eley
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