On Friday the 21st October 2016 at the the Bisley Masonic Hall the Provincial Prior of Surrey, and the Past Provincial Prior of Surrey dedicated the St. Michael at Bisley Preceptory Bible and Banner.
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At 2 pm the Dedicating Team arrived to rehearse the two ceremonies assisted by members of the Preceptory and members of the Provincial Prior’s Bodyguard. We then retired to the Club House for tea and sandwiches ready for the start of the meeting at 4 pm.
After the Preceptory was opened, the Provincial Marshal, E.Kt. Chris Eley, entered and advised the Eminent Preceptor, E.Kt. Nigel Harding, that RE.Kt. Patrick Crossan, Provincial Prior of Surrey, VE.Kt. Chris Cradock, and RE.Kt. Michael Banbury, Past Provincial Prior of Surrey, along with a number of Provincial Officers of the year, was in the ante-room and demanded admission to the Preceptory. The Provincial Prior of Surrey entered and was greeted by the Eminent Preceptor. The Provincial Prior was then saluted with 7 after which the Eminent Preceptor took the muster roll and the minutes.
E.Kt. Nigel Harding then installed E.Kt. Eddie Stokes as Eminent Preceptor in a very sincere manner. E.Kt. Eddie Stokes appointed and invested his officers following which he invited the Past Provincial Prior, to dedicate the Preceptory Bible. The Dedicating Officer, RE.Kt. Michael Banbury, spoke briefly on the purpose of the occasion and the history of the Bible before inviting E.Kt. Len Moreton to act as Provincial Prelate and E.Kt. Chris Eley to assist as Provincial Marshal.
The Provincial Marshal formed an Escort to conduct the Bible into the Preceptory and the Dedicating Officer called upon the Chaplain for prayer. An excellent Oration was given by the Chaplain (click here to read the Oration), following which the Bible was paraded around the Preceptory. The Bible was advanced and the Dedicating Officer called on the Chaplain to deliver the Prayer of Dedication. The Dedicating Officer then invited the Eminent Preceptor to receive the Bible on behalf of the Preceptory.
The Knights of St Michael at Bisley Preceptory formed up in the north and proceeded round the Preceptory saluting the Bible with their lips, following which the Bible was saluted with three under the direction of the Provincial Marshal. The Brother Knights of the Escort and the Cushion Bearer resumed their places and the Dedicating Officer invited the RE Provincial Prior to dedicate the Preceptory Banner.
The Provincial Marshal formed an Escort to conduct the Banner into the Preceptory. The Dedicating Officer called upon the Chaplain for prayer and then gave a most interesting talk on the history of Banners with particular reference to Saint Michael and the Banner of St. Michael at Bisley. The Dedicating Officer requested that the Banner be unveiled, and paraded round the Preceptory. The Banner was advanced and the Chaplain delivered the Prayer of Dedication. The Dedicating Officer invited the Eminent Preceptor to receive the Banner of the Preceptory and called upon the Chaplain for the Patriarchal Benediction.
The Provincial Marshal instructed the Banner Bearer to position the Preceptory Banner in the designated place. and the Banner was saluted with three under the direction of the Provincial Marshal. The Knights of the Escort and the Banner Bearer resumed their places and the Dedicating Officer requested the Eminent Preceptor to resume the Chair of the Preceptory. The Eminent Preceptor thanked the Dedicating Officers and their team for such memorable ceremonies.
E.Kt. Nigel Harding then opened a Priory of Knights of Malta and E.Kt. Eddie Stokes was invested as the Prior of St. Michael at Bisley Preceptory. After investing his Officers the Eminent Prior invited the Provincial Prior to present Great Priory Certificates to Knights Frank Carlin, John Bibby and Gener Gines, which was done in his very special way. The Priory was then closed and we all retired for a well earned drink in the Club House bar.
The Knights of St Michael at Bisley Preceptory and their guests afterwards dined together in fraternal union.
Article and photos by Chris Eley
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