Northumberland Knights Muster in Style and Show Their Colours
by Nic Deacon
Provincial Prior’s Body Guard on Parade with the Body Guard’s Commander conducting his checks, looked on by the Body Guard’s registrar and Deputy Commander
Northumberland’s Provincial Priory of Malta Annual Meeting held at Corbridge road Masonic hall on 12th March was a busy affair, not only with a candidate for the Degree of Knight of St Paul, a very generous and remarkable charitable presentation of £10,300 to Blesma, the Military Charity for Limbless Veterans, but also the presentation of new swords to the Provincial Prior’s Bodyguard.
The Provincial Body Guard fully mustered and ready to step off
The candidate for the Degree of Knight of St Paul, Craig Rodger Lilley of Chibburn Preceptory No. 232 which meets at Whitley Bay Masonic Hall, could not have failed to be impressed by the well drilled Provincial Prior’s Bodyguard who were described by E Kt Lt.Col (Retd) Ian Harper as “Their performance and elegance would even impress the Household Cavalry State Trumpeters”.
Provincial Prior RE Kt Kevin Stannard, Kt Craig Lilley and E Kt William Bewick, Provincial Prior of Malta
After such an impressive display, the Provincial Prior’s Bodyguard had more than earned their new armaments. The Province had recently invested in twenty new special Bodyguard swords and frogs, which following a short inspiring and uplifting blessing by Northumberland’s new Prelate, were presented to the two Provincial Deputy Marshalls, the Deputy Commander and Registrar of the Bodyguard and then each member of the bodyguard. The Provincial Marshal and Commander of the Bodyguard hadn’t been forgotten as they were already in possession of special Provincial swords.
Provincial Body Guard’s swords waiting to be presented by the Provincial Prior
An incredible £10,300 being presented by the Provincial Prior assisted by his Provincial Team to Lt Col (Retd) Ian Harper, Blesma’s Director of Independence and Wellbeing.
The weekend was made more special with the Provincial Priory of Northumberland being honoured and congratulating E Kt David Armstrong on being appointed to Past Deputy Great Sword Bearer, E Kt Selby Snaith on being appointed to Past Great Aide-de-Camp, E Kt John Liddle on being appointed to Past Great Warden of Regalia and to E Kt Robert Warren on his promotion to Past Great Herald, in Great Priory.
The £10,000 charitable donation to Blesma took place, was previously reported but not formally recorded, so in good form and style, the meeting was hijacked by the Provincial “dark blue” team, also members of the Order who are incidentally Trustees of the Richard Henry Holmes Masonic Benevolent Fund.
The check was and photo opportunity was made to E Kt Lt.Col Ian Harper , the Director of Independence and Wellbeing at Blesma, on one of his now rare trips to the northern most Province. It was deeply saddening that the cheque could not have been presented by Iain Graigs, the Provincial Grandmaster of the Craft in Northumberland, who the same morning, was admitted to hospital for emergency treatment.
RE Kt Kevin Stannard, E Kt David Armstrong, E Kt Selby Snaith and E Kt Bill Bewick, all delighted at the appointment to Great Priory
Following the ceremony, the Brother Knights adjourned to the dinning room where their generosity was once again in the fore with many without reservation, contributing to the fund to support the St John’s eye Hospital in Jerusalem. Following good food and great company the time came to depart, all in great spirts, in anticipation of our next merry meeting.