Order of the Secret Monitor has a Busy Time

It has been a busy time for the Order of the Secret Monitor in the Province of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, with the dedication of three conclave banners within a few months of each other. Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler Alan Brunning and his team had their first dedication for Enigma Conclave No. 472.
     The second dedication involved Wychwood Conclave No. 198, in which Berni Wegerhoff was installed as Supreme Ruler, then Oxford Conclave No. 31 had a long meeting at Oxford, where five Brothers were inducted into the Order.
     In addition, Brian Howlett was installed as Supreme Ruler and the Oxford banner was dedicated. The banner represents the important relationship between the county and the university within the Order.

Hertfordshire KT Consecrate New Preceptory

The new Guildford Masonic Centre was the venue for a special meeting attended by around 100 members of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Surrey, hosted by Hiram Lodge of Mark Master Masons No. 13.
     The event was to mark the 150th anniversary of the Province, founded in December 1857 and Hiram Lodge, consecrated in September the same year, with a Warrant of Confirmation issued 17 February 1875.
     However, the Lodge cannot prove by means of Warrant, minutes or returns some of its early working, and possibly ceased working for a period in its early history.
     A paper about the early days of the Province, written specially for the meeting by Neville Barker Cryer, Past Provincial Grand Master, was delivered, explaining the relevant dates and what transpired all those years ago.
     Provincial Grand Master Ray Hussey presented the Lodge with a fine set of inscribed hand-made solid oak gavels in a matching oak box.

Washington Signing by Knights Templar Priests

The signing of a new Binding Agreement between The Grand College of The Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, York, England, and the Grand College of America took place in Washington DC on 8 February. It brings to an end nearly a decade of discord between the two sovereign bodies.
     Grand High Priest Peter Donnison and Grand Recorder Ian Fithian-Franks travelled as guests of the Grand College of America to their Annual Ingathering in Washington to sign the document on behalf of Grand College and William Koon II, Grand Preceptor, and Lawrence Tucker, Grand Registrar, for the Grand College of America.
     Following the revocation on 28 January 2008 of the 1998 Patent granted by the Grand College of America to the ‘Grand College of France’, a new Patent was issued by both Grand Colleges. It was presented to Patrick Jean Jaillet for the formation of an independent and sovereign Grand Collége de France des Chevaliers du Temple Prêtres de la Sainte Arche Royale Ordo Sacerdotalis Templi.
     Following the granting of the Joint Patent, Patrick Jean Jaillet was Obligated as Grand High Priest of the new Grand Collége, which is now the only constitutional body operating the Knight Templar Priest Degrees in France which is recognised by the other two Grand Colleges.
     Peter Donnison, referring to the bond created in 1935 with the granting by Grand College of the Grand College of America Patent and continued until 1998, confirmed that the only two Grand Colleges in the world prior to 8 February 2008 were now fully in accord.
     Peter Donnison said that all Members of the Order should do their utmost to support and promote Craft and Chapter membership. Grand College currently has 46 Districts operating in 17 countries, the last one being Togo, but to be joined in September by Bolivia.
     Go to www.Knight-Templar-Priests.org for further information.