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
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The 2019 Annual Meeting of the Provincial Priory of Surrey
In July the Provincial Priory of Surrey Annual Meeting was held under the Banner of the Agincourt Preceptory No 517.

The 2019 Annual Meeting of the Provincial Priory of Surrey

A team of volunteers gathered at Oakfield Road early that morning to man the desks and finalise the preparations for the Annual Meeting. Kt. Garry Raggett, who had only recently been installed into the Order, had been allocated car park duties.

The 2019 Annual Meeting of the Provincial Priory of Surrey

As the Knights of the Province and guests were arriving and checking-in coffee and bacon butties were available in the bar.

The 2019 Annual Meeting of the Provincial Priory of Surrey

In the meantime the Provincial Marshal and his team were busy rehearsing the Installation of the Sub Prior, the Provincial Processions and the Banner Bearer Procession.

The 2019 Annual Meeting of the Provincial Priory of Surrey

Just after 11.40 am the Knights were called to order to receive the Provincial Prelate accompanied by the Processional Cross and the Provincial Almoner, a deputation from the Order of the Knights of Malta, and distinguished guests from other Provinces.

The 2019 Annual Meeting of the Provincial Priory of Surrey

Finally, the meeting was called to order by E.Kt. Chris Eley, the Provincial Marshal, to receive the Provincial Officers of the year accompanying the Provincial Prior, RE.Kt. Patrick Crossan, and the Provincial Sub Prior, VE.Kt. Christopher Cradock, led by the Provincial Sword Bearer and followed by the Provincial Banner Bearer.

The 2019 Annual Meeting of the Provincial Priory of Surrey

After a brief welcome to all those present, the banners of the Preceptories were paraded into the Temple.

The 2019 Annual Meeting of the Provincial Priory of Surrey

The Provincial Prior opened a Chapter of the Provincial Priory of Surrey at 11.00am. He was then proclaimed by the Provincial 1st Herald, E.Kt. Chris Reid and saluted by all those present.

A requiem led by the Provincial Prelate, E.Kt. Rev. Leonard Moreton, was conducted in memory of the Brother Knights from the Province of Surrey who have passed to the Holy City during the past 12 months.

The Provincial Prior warmly welcomed the Past Priors of the Province of Surrey, RE.Kt Bryan Page, KCT, and RE.Kt. Michael Banbury. He then welcomed many distinguished guests from other Provinces, together with representatives of many of the other Masonic Orders in Surrey.

The Roll of Officers of Provincial Priory was called by the Provincial Registrar. The Provincial Vice-Chancellor presented the Minutes of last year’s annual meeting and also his report of the Province during the preceding year. Both were accepted and approved and E.Kt. Peter was thanked for all his efforts during the year. The accounts for the year to 31st August 2018 were presented and approved. Elections then took place for Knights David Skillerter and Colin Bryson to serve on the Provincial Committee, and E.Kts. Peter Vosser and Andrew Lunn to be account auditors.

The Provincial Vice-Chancellor proposed donations to charity including £1,500 to the Eye Hospital in Jerusalem, and £500 to the Mark 2022 Festival in support of the Mark Benevolent Fund. E.Kt. John French, Assistant Provincial Grand Master of the Mark Province of Surrey, was presented with a cheque by the Provincial Prior. He thanked the Knights of the Provincial Priory of Surrey for their kind donation.

After thanking VE.Kt. Christopher Cradock for his support for the Provincial Priory of Surrey over many years in a numbers of offices he informed everyone that he would be appointing VE.Kt. Chris to the office of Chancellor, where he will continue to serve the Province well.

The Provincial Prior announced that he was pleased to appoint E.Kt. Peter Brown as the Provincial Sub Prior. The Provincial Marshal, E.Kt. Chris Eley, formed a procession to escort the Provincial Sub Prior Designate into Provincial Priory.

The 2019 Annual Meeting of the Provincial Priory of Surrey

E.Kt. Peter Brown was presented, obligated and invested as the Provincial Sub Prior and took his place in Provincial Priory. The Provincial Marshal called the Knights of the Provincial Priory of Surrey to Order and E.Kt. Peter Brown was proclaimed by the Provincial 2nd Herald, E.Kt. Stephen Surridge, and saluted by the Knights of the Province. The Provincial Vice-Chancellor then called out the names of those Knights who the Provincial Prior had appointed to hold Provincial Office in the coming year. Each Knight was conducted to the Provincial Prior who invested him with the authority of that Office. A full list of those appointed and promoted can been seen elsewhere on this web site under the heading of ‘Provincial Officers of the Year’.

The Provincial Prior re-appointed E.Kt. Peter Vosser as Commander and E.Kt. Peter Chidzey as Deputy Commander of the Bodyguard. Under the direction of the Deputy Commander, the Bodyguard formed up for inspection by the Provincial Prior who thanked all members for their unstinting service during the past year.

The Provincial Prior then addressed Provincial Priory. This was followed by thanks to the Knights of Agincourt Preceptory for all their hard work as Banner Preceptory for this year’s meeting and the Provincial Prior gladly accepted the offer of St George at Stoneleigh Preceptory to perform the same task next year. After the regular business of the Priory had been completed the Right Eminent Provincial Prior closed the Chapter of Provincial Priory and the National Anthem was sung.

The 2019 Annual Meeting of the Provincial Priory of Surrey

The Right Eminent Provincial Prior, accompanied by the Provincial Sub-Prior, the Right Eminent Past Provincial Priors, Right Eminent Knights, Very Eminent Knights and other Distinguished Guests of the Province retired in procession under the direction of the Provincial Marshal.

After the meeting the Provincial Prior received his guests in the Temple adjacent to the dining room.

The 2019 Annual Meeting of the Provincial Priory of Surrey

The Knights of the Province of Surrey and their guests then sat down to a most convivial luncheon in the Croydon Masonic Hall. During the meal our Provincial Prior went round every table to talk to the Knights of Surrey and our honoured guests. We were pleased to welcome at lunch the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Craft Province of Surrey W.Bro. Richard Wileman. Richard is also the Inspector General of the District of Surrey in the Ancient and Accepted Rite.

The 2019 Annual Meeting of the Provincial Priory of Surrey

During his Address the Provincial Prior was pleased to present Sesquicentennial lapel pins to two newly installed knights on the occasion of their first Provincial Priory meeting.

The 2019 Annual Meeting of the Provincial Priory of Surrey

To view all the photos of the day – click here

Article by Chris Eley and photographs by Bob Tuthill and Chris Eley
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