The Annual Meeting of Great Priory

Wednesday 17th May 2017

Freemason's Hall, London

On Wednesday 17th May, Knights Templar from around the world assembled at Freemasons Hall in London to attend the Annual Meeting of Great Priory, at which the new ME & Supreme Grand Master was to be installed.

Knights from Northumberland travelled in large number to attend the meeting, which was timed to start a little earlier than normal, to reflect the work that had to be done.

We were honoured by the presence of a large number of Grand Masters and their Great Officers from our sister Great Priories around the world, which added to the colour and splendour of the event.

 

After opening the Great Priory, the Grand Master nominate was elected unanimously and with great acclaim by the assembled Knights, after which he was introduced into the Priory and took his solemn Obligation as Grand Master before being installed by the Installing Officer, ME Kt Timothy Lewis, GCT.

Our own RE Provincial Prior, Alan Hume, had the honour of being one of the cushion bearers whereby the new Grand Master was invested with the robes and emblems of his office before being Installed in the Grand Master's Chair. After the Knights gave rousing salutations to their new Grand Master, ME Kt Lewis retired to the applause of all assembled.

The Grand Master then proceeded to promote and appoint his new Great Officers, and the Knights of Northumberland were delighted to witness four of their own

Brethren honoured - E Kt Bill Bewick, our Vice Chancellor, was promoted to Past Great Herald; E Kt Peter Weightman, our Provincial Treasurer, was appointed to Past Great Warden of Regalia; E Kt Trevor Narey appointed to Past Great Aide-de-Campe; and E Kt Roy Vaughan appointed to Past Great Chamberlain. (Having a surname who's initial is towards the end of the alphabet paid dividends - Roy was the last of the Great Officers to be invested and, as is customary, received the loudest applause!)

All their friends and Brethren in the Provincial Priory of Northumberland congratulate them on their preferment and wish them well, with many happy years in which to enjoy their new rank.

We were also delighted to see E Kt David Melvin who, last year, having been promoted to Acting rank, played an integral part in the ceremony as Great Standard Bearer (Beauceant) and we are sure he will treasure the happy memories of his involvement in such a landmark occasion for our Order.

After a long, but happy, meeting the Knights retired to enjoy a sumptuous Banquet in the Connaught Rooms before finally making their way to the King's Cross for their travel back home.