Keystone Preceptory

(With acknowledgement to ‡ MMH website: Keystone Fund)

The original Keystone Fund was established on the 3rd June 1930, it was on the basis that it would only apply to the Mark degree. Such was the enthusiasm of other Orders being administered by Mark Masons’ Hall that in 1933 it was extended initially to the Knights Templar and it was agreed that a special ribbon could be worn by “Keystone Preceptories”. Eventually this arrangement was extended to all the other Orders. The primary purpose of the Fund was to help finance major capital projects to improve the fabric, facilities and quality of Mark Masons’ Hall. ‡

Certain Provinces and Preceptories qualified to become either Keystone Provinces or Keystone Preceptories. The Preceptory of Saint Alban 266, is a Keystone Preceptory. Members may wear a small breast jewel suspended from a ribbon. Lodges, Provinces, Districts and Inspectorates have a larger jewel suspended from a collarette which is worn by the Master during his year of office. ‡

The levels of contributions and the Jewels are the same for all Orders, the only difference being the colour of the ribbon/collarette from which the Jewel is suspended:

Stuart Preceptory No.28

Watford Encampment, or Stuart Preceptory as it was later re-named, was consecrated at Freemasons Hall, Watford by (Sir) J.C. Burckhardt, Grand Sub-Prior on 24th July 1840. (Sir) William Stuart was Installed as the first Eminent Commander and proceeded to Install Companions Henry Stuart and Thomas Rogers, (both Royal Arch Companions of Watford Chapter) as Knights Templar.

According to the Attendance Register the Founders were:

William Stuart, Benjamin Bond Cabbell, M.P., Thomas Field Savary, John Christian Burckhardt, all of the Observance of 7 Degrees Encampment, Thomas Abel Ward of the Norwich Encampment, George Francis of the Mount Carmel Encampment, George Beattie, Lawrence Thompson, John Aldjo and J.G. Elster.

At the end of the meeting the Encampment was closed until the Friday nearest the full moon in November next .

In the Preceptory records on 10th July 1854 (Sir) William Stuart is first mentioned as being the Deputy Grand Master of England.

On 9th July 1860 a resolution unanimously agreed to change the Encampment s name from Watford to Stuart and on 28th January 1861 this resolution was confirmed. On the same day reference was made that, in the next May, (Sir) William Stuart was to be installed as Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master. The last recorded attendance of (Sir) William Stuart was on 17th January 1870, almost thirty years after the Consecration.

The first confirmed record of a Priory of the Order of Malta being held was on 17th November 1884 at which six Knights were Installed.

On 18th January 1897, following a recommendation from the Permanent Committee, the name of the Encampment was changed to Preceptory and the minutes of the meeting, for the first time, refer to the Eminent Commander (E.Kt. Dr. Henry Wilson Iles) as being the Eminent Preceptor. In 1901 the Preceptory was given the number 28 .

It was not until 23rd May 1930 that another Preceptory was Consecrated in Hertfordshire, that being The Preceptory of Saint. Alban No.266.

On 24th July 1940, during the war  the Centenary Meeting was held and the Centenary Warrant was handed, by V.E.Kt. G.E. Bridge, on behalf of the Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master, The Rt.Hon. Henry George Charles Lescelles, 6th Earl of Harewood, via the Provincial Prior, V.E.Kt. J.F. Cleeves, to the Eminent Preceptor, V.E.Kt. Canon Frederick Halsey, The Treasure, E.Kt. A.G. Baker, read a short account of the history of the Preceptory which had been compiled by the Registrar who was unavoidably absent. Unfortunately, no record of the account has been found.

The 150th Anniversary was celebrated on 9th April 1990 with the Provincial Prior, R.E.Kt. Dr. Alan Owen being present, together with his Escort and Bodyguard and a large number of members and guests. This was a working meeting with Companion Dick  Machin being Installed as a Knight of the Order by the Eminent Preceptor, E.Kt. P. Mitchell. On the stage at the Halsey Masonic Hall, Watford, at the Festive Board, was a large oil painting of the Installation of (Sir) William Stuart at the Consecration. This painting is now hung on the wall on the back stairs at the hall. As this commemorates the founding of Knights Templar in Hertfordshire, it is hoped, in the not too distant future, to have it restored and hung in a position where all Knights Templar can see it. The present condition can be judged from this picture

Many eminent and well known members of the Province of Hertfordshire have been Installed in the Stuart Preceptory including the Rev. Dr. Oliver Cockrem, Rev. Joseph Moffett, Rev. (later Canon) Frederick Halsey, Dr.Henry Wilson Iles, Companions James Parsons, James Terry, Dennis Henry Herbert, M.P., later to become the First Lord Hemingford, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons and Thomas Abel Ward, Deputy Grand Master of the Craft in 1854.

Stuart Preceptory, under its various names, met firstly at The Freemasons' Hall, Watford; in 1916 moved to Buck s Hall, Watford and in 1927 to its present home at Halsey Masonic Hall, Watford.

You will see at the top of this page, two banners. That on the left is the Watford Encampment banner and that on the right the Stuart Preceptory banner. The Watford Encampment banner was found in the basement of Halsey Hall, Watford in the mid 1990's and was meticulously restored by Iwla, the wife of E.Kt. Dennis Thomas, the Eminent Preceptor in 1985 and at that time the Chaplain. As well, he was an Assistant Provincial Grand Master for Hertfordshire for the Craft and Provincial Grand Master for Hertfordshire for the Mark. In 2008 the silk on the banner starting crumbling alarmingly and the banner was completely restored by the Embroidery Department at UGLE. No record has ever been found of the banner being dedicated so the Provincial Prior thought it fitting that this would be done on 8th November 2008, the 75th Anniversary of the Re-Constitution of the Province.

One item which will always be seen at the Stuart Festive Board is a Scotch Mull. This belonged at one time to Kt. Francis King, who was Installed as a Knight of the Order at the first regular meeting, held on 6th November 1840. He was E.Commander Elect in 1858, but was unable to attend his Installation and died shortly afterwards. The Mull was purchased in conjunction with the R.A. Chapter of Watford in 1859, each contributing one and a half guineas. The Scotch Mull is a ram s horn with a silver container with a hinged lid at the end, in which snuff is kept. To it are attached the various implements used for the taking of snuff which is still enjoyed at the Stuart Festive Board today. The Mull dates from 1807 and the lid is inscribed:

Memoriam of Francis King
E.C. of Watford Encampment
P.Z. & Scribe E. of Watford Chapter No. 580
P.M. of Watford Lodge No. 580
Ob t 13th August 1858 

The Mull was restored to its present glory under the supervision of E.Kt. John Roberts. Below are pictures of the Mull and John and the snuff being offered to E.Kt. Gavin O'Sullivan. With the banning of smoking in the dining room at Halsey Hall, Watford, snuff taking may again become popular!

Also at the Festive Board you will see the Guard distributing (and then hopefully retrieving) a set of silver Firing Swords including one marked for the Eminent Preceptor with a Patriarchal Cross.

The Preceptory, being the first and some would say the father  of the Province is not only full of history, but has been instrumental, through its members, in building the Province to the size it is today. The members are justly proud of their heritage and the warm and friendly welcome they give to all who visit

Melita Preceptory No.37

Waller Rodwell Wright, who had been the Grand Master of the Order until 1812, formed the Preceptory between 1815 and 1818. In 1812 he had Installed the Duke of Sussex as his successor on departing to take up the Senior Legal Office in Malta. On his arrival, he was asked by the Masonic brethren resident in the island to reconstitute the Lodge of St John & St Paul, which he did, and it was from among the members of this lodge that the Melita Encampment was born. The first certificates were issued under the name of Waller Rodwell Wright, Great Prior, until his death in 1826. The Roman Catholic religion held tremendous sway at this time, and Masonry was closed for some months in the early part of the next decade. Melita Encampment, however, survived, and in 1848 we find a certain Peter Hepburn in the Eminent Commander s Chair, working the Royal Naval Ritual. Hepburn had been installed as a Knight in Portsea Lodge in 1809 and confirmed in Royal Naval Encampment in 1811.

The Certificates issued at this time described the unit as Melita Grand Encampment of Knights Templar and Knights of St John, Valetta, Malta , and they continued to issue certificates under their own Seal until 1874.

It was at this time that a resurgence to become Knights Templar took place, and this was greatly aided by Mcleod Moore and Goodenough, both of whom served for two years as Eminent Commander until 1852. During this period a new warrant was issued on the 10th May 1850. At this time there were forty members drawn from England, Ireland, Scotland, USA, and Bermuda as well as many servicemen. From this time, until the Preceptory transferred to England, there was always to be a floating membership.

Many Knights were installed from 1849, when the first known Declaration Book was used. In the period up to 1875, 250 Knights were installed and amongst these was the Earl of Caernarvon, whose Certificate has recently been found following research into his Masonic life.

In 1869, a 2nd Lieutenant of the 24th Regiment of Foot was installed, one Teignmouth Melville. In 1879, at the Battle of Isandlwana, when it was clear the field was lost, Melville was ordered to save the colours . He and a fellow officer tried most gallantly, but were overtaken by Zulus and killed, the colours falling into the Buffalo River from which they were recovered some days later. Queen Victoria, on hearing of his gallantry, said that had he survived he would certainly have been awarded the Victoria Cross. In those days there was no provision for posthumous awards of the VC, but 28 years later, in the reign of King Edward VII, posthumous awards were approved and Lt. Teignmouth Melville, of Melita Encampment, became the first posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross.

In 1872, following a request from the Grand Conclave and Priory of England and Wales for the Melita Priory to comply with its Statutes and Ordinances, the Priory replied that it would do so on condition that the Priory be recognised as the Premier Priory, and take precedence before all other Priories. After much heated correspondence with the Grand Council, the matter was resolved in 1874 with the constitution of a Provincial Priory to be known as the Mediterranean. This Priory consisted of the two Preceptories, namely Calpe and Melita, and had a chequered history, sometimes not meeting for several years, until eventually in 1924, there having been no Provincial Prior appointed for some time, the two Preceptories were transferred to the Unattached List.

During the Second World War, in the period from 1940 to 1942, the island was attacked many times, and during the siege, Great Priory agreed that no meeting of the Preceptory should take place. At this time there were only seven members present, and they were all Past Preceptors. At the end of the battle, Great Priory agreed to the Preceptory meeting as and when convenient, with due regard to the interests of the Order.

The Grand Master in Council was pleased to grant a Centenary Patent dating back to 1815, and this was presented at an informal gathering at the Union Club in 1950 by the Great Vice Chancellor V E Kt Major Sir Thomas Lumley Smith, DSO, GCT.

During the late 1970s government regulations slowly inhibited the growth of Freemasonry and Knight Templary on the Island, and during a visit made by E Kt George Duke to the Preceptory it was apparent to him that Melita, which had been renamed Mediterranean  due to political expediency, would not exist for much longer. On his return, George met with Knights Terry Bates and John Slater, who decided to put plans into operation to bring the Preceptory to England. This necessitated many letters passing to and fro, culminating in a visit to Malta by John and Terry in October 1981. They attended a meeting on the first Friday of that month and became Joining Members. At the same meeting, fourteen other Knights from Hertfordshire were proposed for membership. The proposal to transfer to England was put to a subsequent meeting and passed. E Kt Terry Bates was elected to be the next Eminent Preceptor, and the Preceptory was transferred into the Province of Hertfordshire on the 1st January 1982. The Province at that time was led by E.Kt. Dr Alan Owen, the Provincial Sub-Prior-in-Charge. Tremendous help came from Knight John Bollard, the Preceptory Secretary, and from E Kt Frank Blackman, the Provincial Vice Chancellor of Hertfordshire. An important first task was to obtain permission to revert to the original name of MELITA. Great Priory granted this immediately.

E. Kt. Bruce Betteridge Installed Terry Bates into the Chair on the 9th of January 1982. Blizzards swept the country this day, and the attendance was only a quarter of those who booked in. There were sixteen experienced Knights appointed Officers on that day, - John Slater, Alan Ritchie, George Duke, Peter Stopher, Len Laming, Reg Luckman, Geoff Edwards, John Hay (later to become Provincial Prior), Joe Hunt, Peter Brill, Les Butler, David Wright, Stan Norton, Trevor Kendall, Ken Bruce and John Paternoster - a powerful team.

During the first year in Hertfordshire seven Knights were installed.

Alan Ritchie was installed as Preceptor on 23rd April 1983. During his year he constructed all the equipment for the Malta ceremony and presented it to the Preceptory.

The Preceptory met originally at Halsey Hall, Cheshunt. In 1986 the meeting place changed to St Johns Parish Hall, Hertford, dining at the Salisbury Hotel. Following difficult times at the Parish Hall, the Preceptory transferred to restaurant premises in Cheshunt before settling in its present home, back at Halsey Hall.

Since transferring to England, Melita Preceptory has Installed 68 Knights and received 26 Joining Knights.

Members of Melita Preceptory have been instrumental in recent years in returning Knight Templary and Red Cross of Constantine to the Island of Malta. Thus the circle is completed!

Unfortunately many of the original records of the Preceptory are lost. The Preceptory still has some of the earlier Declaration Books, and these tell a story of the admittance to the degree of Army and Naval Officers, Politicians and Civil Servants. During the Battles in Asia Minor, Malta was a staging post and during this time, on one occasion, seventeen Knights were installed in one day.

Quite recently I have had the privilege of meeting V.E.Kt. Frank Jefferies, who was installed as a Knight in Malta some 40 years ago. He is now a KCT of the Great Priory of NSW, Australia, where he currently resides.

I should like to pay thanks to Em. Kt. John Slater, for providing some of the history, to the late George Duke for the idea of rescuing the MELITA Preceptory, to RE Kt Dr. Alan Owen, GCT, for his inspiration, and to RE Kt Brian Blanchard for his encouragement and counsel.

E Kt Terry Bates P.Gt.Herald.18.6.2007

The Preceptory of Saint Alban No.266

The Preceptory of aint Alban was consecrated on 23rd May 1930 at Mark Masons' Hall by M.E. & Supreme Pro Grand Master, Major General T.C.P. Calley. The first Preceptor being VE Kt Dr Charles Perram.

Special Dispensation was granted during the 2nd World War to hold meetings at various venues in London until 1946 when the Preceptory returned to St Albans, meeting at Ashwell House where they have met ever since.

One of the few, if not the only Preceptory where the word Preceptory comes before the name in the title, i.e. The Preceptory of Saint Alban (not Saint Alban Preceptory).

The Preceptory's 75th Anniversary in May 2005 was celebrated by nearly 50 Knights.

Temple Chelsin Preceptory No.269

Temple Chelsin is one of Hertfordshire 's two historic Preceptories as it takes its name from an original Knights Templar Preceptory that stood near the village of Tonwell, Ware. Originally a manor held by Geoffrey de Bech, Temple Chelsin was first leased in around 1253 from the de Tanys family, who succeeded de Bech s family and by 1269 the rent was released to Imbert de Peraud, Master of the Knights Templar.

No buildings stand on the site of Temple Chelsin today but the track leading to it is still called Temple Lane and aerial views on Google Earth show evidence of past buildings in the fields. Some schools of thought link this Preceptory to the tunnels existing beneath Hertford believed to have been cut by the Templars.

Our contemporary Temple Chelsin Preceptory was consecrated at Mark Mason’s Hall, London, in 1931 by the Most Eminent and Supreme Pro Grand Master, Major General TCP Calley CB CBE MVO GCT. Our first Eminent Preceptor was E.Kt George Pollard. At the Preceptory’s first meeting on 18th March 1832 it was decided that the Preceptory was in favour of petitioning the then Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master, if supported by the then two other Preceptories in the Province, for the revival of the Provincial Priory of Hertfordshire.

We are a proud and hospitable Preceptory. Our charter has been upheld, pure and unsullied, by an unbroken chain of Eminent Preceptors since 1931. Many well-known masons have been installed as Knights and Eminent Preceptors and we continue to conduct a high standard of work in the Temple, and a diet-challenging festive board.

St John the Evangelist Preceptory No.281

Coming Soon!

Temple Dinsley Preceptory No.283

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John F Cleeves Preceptory No.315

The Province of Hertfordshire was originally started by the Founder Knights of Templary in Hertfordshire, William Stuart Snr., in the year 1847. The Province faded out of existence about 1880. The Stuart Preceptory struggled on but no new Provincial Prior was ever mentioned thereafter. Complying with new rules in the 19th century, The Preceptory of Sain. Alban No 266 and Temple Chelsin Preceptory No 269 were consecrated to form the three Preceptories needed for the formation of a new Provincial Priory of Hertfordshire.

And so it came to pass that on the 8th November 1933 at an especial meeting  called by Great Priory, the Very Eminent Knight John Frederick Cleeves KCT, was installed as Provincial Prior of Hertfordshire.

The John F Cleeves Preceptory, No 315 was consecrated on 31st January 1948 at The Café Royal. London, W1. The Provincial Prior, who was just retiring, having held his position for 15 years, carried out the ceremony and only at that point realized our Preceptory was to be named after him in his honour. This was the V. E. Kt. John F Cleeves CGT.

It is a matter of great pride to our Preceptory that three of our Founder Members became Provincial Sub-Priors; a further Founder became Provincial Prior. During the years to date, a further three members became Provincial Sub-Priors and eventually Provincial Priors, and a fourth Member also became a Provincial Prior which meant that, by our 50th Anniversary, we had served the Province in those Offices some 40 years and 36 years respectively. A service that we are very proud of here at The John F Cleeves Preceptory, and that also reflects our very high standards both in members and ritual.

Our Consecrating Officer presented to us, during the ceremony, his own personal Sword and our Banner  both items are still in existence and regularly used at all of our Meetings.

Dave Sharman
Registrar

Joseph Moffett Preceptory

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Charles Herbert Perram Preceptory No.409

The Charles Herbert Perram Preceptory was Consecrated on 13th February 1968 at the Masonic Centre, Waller Street, Luton, Beds. The Preceptory was named after a past Grand Prior. The meeting was attended by the Provincial Prior of Hertfordshire, the Very Eminent Knight T.W. Norman, the Provincial Prior of Northants, Hunts. and Beds., the Very Eminent Knight C.F. Seddon, the Provincial Prior of Essex, the Very Eminent Knight Murphy and the Provincial Prior of Oxon., Berks. and Bucks. the Very Eminent Knight Cheney. The Supreme Grand Prior at the time was the Right Eminent Knight Lord Harris.

At the Consecration there were 15 Founders and 22 visitors and they dined together at the Alban Nave Centre for the Deaf at Old Bedford Road, Luton. The Founding Officers were

Eminent Preceptor E.Kt. L.J.R. Greener
1st Constable E.Kt. W.J. Butler
2nd Constable Kt. W.C. Rudd
Chaplain E.Kt. E.E. Knight
Treasurer E.Kt. A.S.K. Coleman
Registrar Kt. A.J. Sharp
Marshal E.Kt. P.R. Hornby
Deputy Marshal Kt. J.K. Walker
Almoner E.Kt. G.G. Swan
1st Herald Kt. T.R. Keane
2nd Herald Kt. H.A. Weir
Standard Bearer (B) Kt. K.F. Sewell
Standard Bearer (VB) Kt. S.T. Ryan
Captain of Guards Kt. J.W. Langley
Guard E.Kt. R.E. Paice

On 11th February 1975, during the year that E.Kt. William P. Wood was Eminent Preceptor, the meeting place was changed to the Masonic Hall, Radlett where the Preceptory still meets today.

Royston Preceptory No.416

An almost unique event took place at the Installation Meeting held on Thursday 18th May 2006 when son (Kt. Michael Juniper) was Installed by his father (V.E.Kt. Brian Juniper PGReg). Having Installed Michael as a Knight on his entry into Knights Templar Brian, as outgoing Preceptor, had the pleasure of Installing him as his successor.

This was a very special week for V.E.Kt. Brian, as the day before he had received his promotion in Great Priory to Past Grand Registrar, thus becoming a Very Eminent Knight.

An attendance of nearly fifty Knights, including the Provincial Prior and his escort, together with many of Michael's friends on the Right Eminent Provincial Prior's Body Guard, saw a splendidly performed and emotional ceremony followed afterwards by a very tasteful and friendly Festive Board. I am sure all of those who were there will remember the occasion for many years to come.

Hatfield Preceptory No.424

PRECIS OF HATFIELD PRECEPTORY
THE FIRST TWENTY FIVE YEARS
BY E.KT DAVID J LOGAN PProvStdB(V.B.)
COMPILED BY KT. G.R. COXWELL.

In 1969 E Kt William B.Thompson suggested that he should form a Preceptory where no Preceptories existed.

It was unanimously agreed to name the new Preceptory Hatfield Preceptory and that the venue for the meetings would be at the Cranbourne Rooms, Hatfield. I should mention here that the Provincial. Prior wanted the name of Macleod Preceptory, because of the Scottish connection. Also at the same time a Preceptory made up of Welsh Knights was trying to be formed, but it failed to get off the ground. As a result three of these Welsh Knights became Founders of this Preceptory, and it was therefore felt impractical to use the Macleod name. It was decided to have the Consecration Ceremony at the Cloisters Masonic Centre, Barrrington Road, Letchworth, Herts.

Hatfield Preceptory No.424 was Consecrated on 24th June, 1970 by the Provincial Prior, V.E. Kt T.W. Norman K.C.T. There were 14 Founders. Nationality wise this was made up of 5 Scotsmen, 5 English, 3 Welsh and 1 German, hence the Preceptory Banner was designed by E. Kt W.B. Thompson with the emblems of three of the Countries, Thistle of Scotland, Rose of England, Daffodil of Wales and the Forget-me-knot (as this was the emblem used when Hitler outlawed Freemasonary in Germany to identify Masons to one another). The first Officers of the Preceptory were as follows:-

E Preceptor E. Kt J.H. Gordon
1st Constable Kt R. Waldsax
2nd Constable Kt G. Mulling
Chaplain E Kt W.V. Alcock
Treasurer Kt C. J. Saunders
Registrar Kt W.B. Thompson
Marshal E Kt J.S. Ferguson
Dep.Marshall E Kt W.P. Lawson
Almoner E Kt T.S. Borland
1st Herald Kt J. Masterson
2nd Herald Kt G.W Scott
1st Std.B (B) Kt B.G. Juniper
2nd Std.B (VB) Kt S.C. Clift
Capt of Guards E Kt J.K. Walker
Guard Frater E.E. Futter

From the attendance Register it would appear that there was an attendance of 54 Knights, being 14 Founders, 18 Consecrating Officers, 1 Frater and 21 Guests.

The wine for the meal was provided by Kt R Waldsax, who continued this practice during the time the Preceptory met at Hatfield, a total of nearly eight years, this was a truly magnificent gesture.

The Founders all helped to provide the furniture and the following items of interest were donated prior to or immediately after the Consecration.

A picture of H.M. Queen which hangs in the dining room at Radlett. A Cross made in John Browns Shipyard, Clydebank. The Preceptors Baton came from a Perceptory in India that had disbanded and its furnishings returned to England for disposal.

At the meeting of 20th July, 1971, it was announced that the proposed design of the Preceptory Banner had been approved by Great Priory. This banner was then made by the sister-in-law of one of the Founders, Kt G.W. Scott and this banner was then Consecrated at the Provincial Priory Meeting on 28th June, 1972, appropriately held at the Cranbourne Rooms, Hatfield and made its first appearance on 18th July, 1972.

In July 1977, the Management of the Cranbourne Rooms, Hatfield, gave notice to all Masonic Bodies to quit the premises. The Provincial Prior at that time, V.E. Kt S. Perry asked that the Preceptory move to Radlett as there was no Preceptory at that Centre. This move was made under duress as it was outside the original catchment area, and was reluctantly agreed to, only for the Provincial Prior, a few weeks later, to allow a Preceptory to move to Radlett from Luton.

Later that same week, on the 26th July to be exact, E Kt R. Waldsax received from the German President the highest civilian decoration of the Federal German Republic namely, "The Cross of Honour, first class of the Order of Merit" for outstanding work in the field of Dental Medicine. The same year he was also invested as Provincial 1st Herald.

Macleod Preceptory No.463

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The Harold Devereux Stills Preceptory No.543

This Preceptory was consecrated on Saturday the 4th July 1987 at the Cloisters Letchworth by The Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master Harold Devereux Still supported by Great Officers.

Dr A J Owen Provincial Prior acted as 1st Great Constable, The second Constable was the Provincial Prior for East Anglia R.E.Kt P.W.Racey. V.E.Kt L.F. Blackman P.Gt Reg. Provincial Sub-Prior Installed the Preceptor nominate.

The Preceptory was Consecrated in Due form.

The Great Marshal enquired of the Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master if it was his wish to retire at this point The M.E.& S.G.M declined stating he had a pleasant duty to perform and addressed the assembly:-

"Eminent Preceptor and Bro. Knights I would wish you to know how Proud and Honoured I am that you elected to name this Preceptory after myself. Whilst I acknowledge this with some shyness and embarrassment it is nice to Know that one's name will continue in Perpetuity or as long as this Preceptory continues to survive. As a gesture of my gratification I have arranged a surprise Presentation to you and I know leave this in the hands of The Great Marshall".

A procession was formed. On re-entry The Acting Great Standard Bearer bearing a covered Banner. A banner Dedication Ceremony was then conducted by the M.E.& S.G.M culminating with unveiling and blessing of ; The Harold Devereux Still Preceptory Banner bearing the arms of the M.E.& S.G.Master.

This was greeted with great acclaim. The Eminent Preceptor expressed the heartfelt gratitude of the members for this wonderful gift.

The Great Officers then retired for the Preceptory.

Over the ensuing years the number of knights has fluctuated the present number is 26 with three candidates this year. over the last two years we have replaced and renewed our Preceptory equipment which gives any candidate a good first impression.

At festive the last toast is always given to the memory of Harold Devereux Still, seated with left hand.

Standon Priory Preceptory No.581

Standon Priory Preceptory was consecrated by the then Provincial Prior of Hertfordshire, Right Eminent John S. Hay on the 15th. May 1993 at Halsey Hall, Cheshunt at 11.30am.

The desire for a Preceptory to be established in the East of the County had been a Provincial desire for some years, but the first real signs of the will to carry it through came from a group of Knights belonging to Royston Preceptory No.416 who lived in Sawbridgeworth or close by. It was named Standon Priory Preceptory rather than Sawbridgeworth because it was thought that a Friary or Encampment was established at the village of Standon a few miles further north. However, in the booklet setting out the history of Great Church St. Mary  in Sawbridgeworth just a few yards from the Masonic Hall, shows that William the Conqueror gave the Manor to Geoffrey de Mandeville who founded a Priory there in the 13th Century so there are good reasons for settling on both the name and the place for the Preceptory.

Although only a very young Preceptory, Standon Priory has a good strong membership of 35 at present and is looking forward to a long and vibrant history.

Crossed Swords Preceptory No.618

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The Preceptory of Jacques de Molay No.670

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