Germany’s Grand Master Attends Installation of Chibburn’s New Eminent Preceptor – An Evening of Firsts
Internationally famed for its fish and chips and the inspiration to Dires Strait’s song, “Tunnel of Love”, Whitley Bay, the home of Chibburn Preceptory No.232, was the host to a very well attended meeting to celebrate the installation of E. Kt Scotty Hunter as its new Preceptor.
Taking over the Chair in this, it’s centenary year the new Eminent Preceptor has much to celebrate. However, the meeting was made even more special by the attendance of a full Provincial team led by its Provincial Prior, RE Kt Kevin Stannard (this month promoted to Provincial Grand Master of the Craft), supported by his Sub Prior, VE Kt Bill Bewick and Vice Chancellor, David Armstrong and accompanying Provincial Officers.
In addition, and following formal approval from Great Priory, a small senior delegation from the Great Priory of Germany led by its Grand Master, Most Eminent Knight Roddy MacKenzie GCT, supported by his Grand Constable, RE Kt John (Shiny) MacKinnon GCT GMA
and Grand Chancellor and RE Kt Lt Col (Retd) Ian Harper KCT GMA attended the meeting to support and acclaim E Kt Scotty. Of note, E Kt Scotty holds two notable appointments, Commander of the Provincial Prior’s Bodyguard in Northumberland, and by kind agreement, Commander of the Grand Master’s Bodyguard for the Grand Priory of Germany.
Following a flawless and elegant opening, the delegations then processed in under a highly professional and well drilled Arch of Steel. With offers to assume the chair kindly “batted off”, the main business of the evening ensued with E Kt Scotty being formally presented as the new Preceptor. Following a series of questions ensuring commitment to the office of Preceptor he took his solemn obligation to do his duty to the very best of his ability. This was quickly followed by a further set piece of ceremony where he invested with the secrets of a ruling Preceptor and presented with his collar and Baton of office.
It was at this stage he was fully acclaimed and congratulated as the “new boy in town”, with the Provincial Prior and Grand Master of Germany one of the first to shake his hand. Once settled, the new Preceptor then appointed his officers for the year, which unusually, everyone was in attendance, which was a delight to see.
Following the formal part of the meeting, the Grand Master of Germany was invited to present a set of beads adorned with a crucifix, the mark of a ruling Eminent Preceptor to E Kt Scotty, a first for Germany, who have never presented these beads outside the boundaries of the Teutonic country. With ceremony over and alms collected, all senior officers retired under an Arch of Steel.
It was a delight to hear the Grand Constable of Germany, RE Kt Shiny commenting,
“The ceremony has been really beautifully and expertly delivered, I am also deeply touched to have been welcomed so warmly into Chibburn and wonderfully surprised and humbled to have received the honours at the start of the meeting, I really did not expect that.”
Shortly after, all assembled with drinks in hand to clap the Eminent Preceptor I to take his central place at the festive board. It was of note the tables adorned with white clothes were further embellished with Templar embossed crosses, a first for Chibburn. Following a sumptuous meal and respectfully delivered toasts, kind words of encouragement were proffered to E Kt Scotty by the Provincial Prior.
This was quickly followed by a small yet unique presentation of a Templar etched tumbler on a wood polished base from the Grand Master of Germany. Unique, as this was the first time ME Kt Roddy had presented such a personal gift … to anyone. In commenting, E Kt Scotty said, “This has been an absolutely incredible and memorable evening and I am overwhelmed to have some many friends who have shown such great generosity this evening in supporting me”.
In a quite reflective moment following the ceremony, the Grand Master of the Grand Priory of Germany comments, “This has been a wonderful few days and I am pleased to continue building the very warm relations we have in place between Northumberland and brother Knights of Germany.
I am so pleased to be here to support E Kt Scotty as he takes over the Preceptorship of Chibburn, especially in the year it celebrates 100 years of continuous service to the Great Priory of England and 50 years to Northumberland. For me this has also been a meeting I will remember for many years to come which has been punctuated with several personal firsts for me”.
