Triennial Conference - 2009

Dear Brother Knight

At our Provincial Priory Meeting last year I spoke of the Triennial Conference of Great Priories being held in Winchester on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of September this year.

As the title infers, it is a conference which is hosted every three years by one of the Great Priories and gives the heads of our Order the chance to share ideas on the future direction of the Order.

The formal conference is very short; taking up less than half a day. The remainder of the three days are given over to special events arranged by the host Priory to entertain all who attend.

Now that our overseas brethren have been catered for we are able to open up the event to the knights of the Province on a first come first served basis.

The programme is as follows:-

On the morning of Thursday 3rd September after our Grand Master has formally welcomed all the delegates, The Sub-Prior for Northampton Huntingdon & Bedford, V.E.Kt. Dr. Vivian Thomas is going to give an illustrated talk on the origins of our Masonic Knights Templar in England and Wales.

In the afternoon there is to be a demonstration in costume of an 1825 K.T. Ceremony given by some 24 knights; two from each of our Preceptories and although you will recognise a few of the words used, most of it is completely different to the ceremony we now enjoy. Indeed it is more akin to the Baldwin Rite K.T. Ceremony used in Bristol to this day. In the evening there is a champagne reception, dinner and cabaret which you and your lady are invited to attend.

On the Friday afternoon our Grand Master is to consecrate “The Grand Masters Preceptory No.678”. In the evening you and your lady have the opportunity to join the Consecration and Celebratory Dinner and cabaret which is preceded by another champagne reception. This is a black tie event.

The three days are rounded off with a Service in Winchester Cathedral where the knights from across the world will be dressed in their distinctive regalias. After the service. English tea will be served in a marquee in the Cathedral Close. All those attending the service will be presented with a very practical memento of the event.

During the times we are indulging in our Templar hobby your ladies will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of excursions, the details of which are available from our Provincial registrar, E.Kt. David Coombes; His details are at the top of this letter.

Those who have already registered to attend some of the events may also register for the talk on the morning of the 3rd.

Brother Knights, these three days will be unique as the last time this conference was held in England was 1991. There are 10 Great Priories, one of which will host the event every three years, so the chances of many of us seeing it held in England again is pretty remote - therefore I would urge you to grasp the opportunity of joining us in Winchester in September.

Yours in the Bonds of the Order

R.E.Kt. Trevor Gulliver

Provincial Prior