Inaugural Visit To Germany
Northumberland’s Provincial Prior’s Body Guard
Pilgrims Preceptory No5 played host to seven of one the best Provincial Prior’s Body Guards under the English Constitution on Saturday 8t July in Herford commanded by Brother Knight Scotty Hunter. In addition, the Provincial Marshal and Deputy Marshal formed part of the visiting English delegation that helped create a sense of energy, style and elegance on the day.
Meeting at 10:30 am, the Knightly delegation waited for the right moment to be formally announced and processed in to the Temple to be greeted by Very Eminent Knight Paul Donnelly, something that has never been seen in Pilgrims No5.
Shortly after, the Provincial Body Guard demonstrated its excellent foot and sword drill by forming an honour guard and arch of steel to receive the Most Eminent Grand Master Roddy McKenzie GCT led in by two of his senior Knights, Right Eminent Knights Joseph Maison GCT and Shiny McKinnon GCT.
During the ceremony, several of the Provincial Body Guard helped by being active contributors during the ceremony of installing two new Knights into the Order (Knights Larry Painter and Craig Timms). Following a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable ceremony, the Grand Master was presented a labelled bottle of Provincial Body Guard Port to mark the occasion from Knight Scotty Hunter, the Commander.
Shortly after, the Grand Master departed at an appropriate moment, again with the full honours and distinction under an Arch of Steel provided superbly by our new friends from Northumberland.
The day paid witness to several firsts, the first time Pilgrims No 5 have had a visiting delegation from England, the first time the Preceptory has welcomed the Grand Master under a full arch of steel and the fist time the Preceptory has hosted a contingent from an English Provincial Prior’s Body Guard.
The meeting over, the home team paid host with an impromptu BBQ held in Vlotho by kind invitation of Loni, RE Kt Shiny’s beloved partner, after which, all re-mustered in Herford’s Stadt to soak up the ambience and sip cool beers under the parasols with temperatures reaching 35oC.
The visit was deemed to have been such a huge success, plans are already being hatched to do similar next year and for members of Pilgrims No5 to pay a visit to Northumberland in May 2024.
