News and Events from Around the Province.
14th July 2025 – Trafalgar & St Laurence
Monday night saw a very rare occurrence, (although the second occasion this Templar year) to see two Preceptories meeting on the same evening…in the same temple.
On this occasion it was Trafalgar Preceptory No. 259 and St. Laurence Preceptory No. 298.
The former opened and held a business only meeting and the latter having a special “extra” meeting, to Install Bro. Knight Jonathan Ausobsky into our wonderful Order. It was a wonderful meeting with Bro. Knights taking part from both Preceptories and an equally wonderful festive board, attended by well over 50 Brother Knights.
Shown left is the candidate, flanked by our Prior and Sub-Prior and the Eminent Preceptor of St. Laurence, E.Kt. Stephen Schofield P.Gt.St.B (B.).
Below and ensemble of Bro. Knights in attendance that eveing.
24th June 2025 – Plains of Rama
We were honoured to install and welcome Kt. Robert Moran. Our newest Knight to our Preceptory since 2012. A super meeting and great ceremony, kindly supported by our visiting Brother Knights who stepped in to several offices. All in all a great meeting and one for Rama’s history books.
23rd July – Emmaus Society Dinner
Emmaus Society 2025.
37 Knights attended the Emmaus Society meeting at Pudsey on Monday 23rd June.
They heard a wonderful talk on Knight Templars and the Railways from W. Bro John Huxley from Three Graces, Haworth.
A railway enthusiast who started out collecting train numbers to working as a guard on North Wales preserved railways and finally the Keighley Worth Valley railway.
He briefly touched on the many railway stations in the UK named after or near Knight Templar
Preceptory’s or encampments…such as Bristol Temple Meads.
Before talking about a series of Steam engines from the 1920s named as The Knight Templar and Knight of St John and so on, plying the Great Western Railway routes.
Before telling us of a Railway accident in the USA which in 1923 killed 5 Knight Templars and injured over 30 others after a special train carrying Knight Templars to a meeting was derailed.
The festive board was as usual excellent, and a raffle raised £180 for the St John Eye Hospital
An all round superb evening!
(Images courtesy of Chris Binns)
11th June 2025 – De Ros Preceptory
You will have to go a long way to find a finer installation of a Bro. Knight than what was witnessed last night in Harrogate. Kt. Ronny Jurgen Horst Krippner was installed into the De Ros Preceptory in fine fashion. It was a truly wonderful ceremony, with the majority of the work (outside the EP’s mandatory parts) by Bor. Knights under the Chair.
We also saw a presentation of a Great Priory Certificate by the Provincial Priors Representative, E. Kt. Alec Gilston, delivered with his usual cheerful charm.
The evening was topped off by a fantastic festive board speeches – in particular the candidate of the evenings response where he described his route into Freemasonry.
An evening to remember!
Below from left to right:
The Right Eminent Provincial Prior with the Candidate;
The Candidate with the Provincial Priors Representative, EP and his proposer;
Kt. Clinton Howard being presented with his Great Priory Certificate.
26th May 2026 – Prince Edward Preceptory
Prince Edward Preceptory, No.18 held an extra meeting on the 26th May(Bank Holiday Monday) to Install Companion Kim Ho as a Knight of the Order. Knight Martyn William Standage, who was Installed in the Preceptory on the 28th April, was delighted to be able to witness another excellent Ceremony so soon after his own Installation.
Pictured are E.Kt. Alec Gilston, Representing the R.E. Provincial Prior, E.Kt. Barry Howorth, E.P., Kts. Kim Ho, Martyn William Standage and Registrar V.E.Kt. Peter A. Riley.
21st May 2025 – Great Priory Meeting – Great Queens Street London
May 21st saw the annual investiture at Great Priory Order of the Temple held at Great Queen Street in London.
This year saw the following recipients from our Province:
Promoted to P.Gt.Reg. – E.Kt. Peter A. Riley (Now Very Eminent Knight)
Promoted to P.Gt.Alm. – E.Kt. Paul A. Christodoulou
Promoted to P.Gt.Her. – E.Kt. Gary W. Clark
Appointed to P.Gt.A.-de-C. – E.Kt. Simon G. Darbyshire
Appointed to P.Gt.A.-de-C. – E.Kt. John C. Harrison
To the left a fine body of men from the Province!
20th May 2025 – The Grand Masters Bodyguard Preceptory – Mark Masons Hall London
A fabulous Preceptory meeting was held at Mark Mason’s Hall today – The Grand Master’s Bodyguard Preceptory.
The Most Excellent & Supreme Grand Master & Great Marshall were present.
The icing on the cake was our own E.Kt. Paul Eustace, P.Gt.Sw.B and his friend E Kt Norman Playford P.Gt.B.B. being asked to act as Great Sword Bearer and Great Banner Bearer respectively – the two roles that they held together just 3 years ago.
Paul stated “It was great to be working as a team again!”
19th May 2025 – Cohors Pretoria Preceptory Installation – Halifax
Cohors Praetoria held their Installation meeting at Southwood, Halifax tonight. The photograph below show all those who attended and then image to the left shows the Provincial Prior with his Sub Prior and Kt. Adam Rhodes and his “little” brother Em. KT. Daniel Rhodes, the newly installed Preceptor.
14th May 2025 – Craven Preceptory Installation of EP and Bro. Knight.
A very pleasant night at Craven Preceptory. The first photo shows our newest Knight Norman Egan flanked by the Marshal, V. Em. Kt. David Mills and newly reinstalled Eminent Preceptor, Em. Kt. Phil Smith. The second photo shows those who chose to stay behind rather than dash down to the bar.
12th May 2025 – Integrity Preceptory Dedication of Banner and 40 Year Certificate Presentation.
On Monday May 12th the Provincial Prior and Acting Officers visited Integrity for a double celebration. The Provincial Prior dedicated Integrity’s new Banner and presented V.Em.Kt. Brian Hartley with a certificate marking his 40 years in Knights Templar.
10th May 2025 – Lancashire Provincial Meeting.
The Provincial Prior, Sub Prior and Vice-Chancellor, accompanied by V.E.Kt. Roger Skinner, E.Kt.Ian Davies and a number of Knights from Prince Edward No. 18 took the epic and arduous journey t’ t’other side of the hill and were Distinguished Guests at the Lancashire Provincial Meeting on the 10th May.
Whilst initially R.E.Kt. David H. Gallear, K.C.T., the Provincial Prior of Lancashire expressed his fear of a takeover bid, he was reassured by The Very High and Right Eminent Great Seneschal, Andrew Christopher Rainbow, G.C.T., and our Provincial Prior that our intentions were honourable.
We were all pleased to support E.Kt. Chris Hajikakou, P.P.B.B., the Provincial Guard, who was Appointed as Provincial Sword Bearer for the Province of Lancashire.
5th May 2025 – Nottinghamshire Bodyguard Preceptory Consecration.
The Provincial Prior and Sub-Prior attended along with V. Em. Kt. Roger Skinner and Em. Kt. Alec Gilston, the consecration of the new Bodyguard Preceptory in Nottinghamshire (a mere 31 years after the founding of Cohors Praetoria) called, The 13th Earl of Lincoln who was their first Provincial Prior.
30th April 2025 – Gilbert de Lacy Meeting.
The newest Bro. Knight in the Province was installed in Pontefract at the Gilbert de Lacy Preceptory. Kt. Adam Von Emloh was installed by EP, E.Kt. Alec Gilston Provincial Vice Chancellor in front of 24 Bro. Knights. This was followed by a hearty festive board.
29th April 2025 – Temple Preceptory Centenary Meeting.
Tuesday evening saw a number of Knights Templar take a trip out to Barnsley to celebrate the Centenary Meeting of the Temple Preceptory No. 235. We were treated to history of the Preceptory by V.E.Kt. Frank Johnston P.Gt.Reg. The roots of the Preceptory were formed in Halifax where they remained until the Mid eighties when the Preceptory moved to Barnsley. The Provincial Prelate added to this during his Oration.
The picture to the left shows the Provincial Prior presenting the Centenary Warrant to E.Kt. Ian Royles the Eminent Preceptor of Temple Preceptory.
This was followed by a wonderful festive board and speeches.
28th April 2025 – St Laurence Preceptory Installation.
Great night at St Laurence Preceptory for the installation of the Provincial Marshal, Et. Kt. Stephen Schofield Gt. St. B. (B.) and new the newest Knight in the Province, Kt Chris Owen. It was great to see so many Kt’s visiting and also a fantastic turn out from the body guard.
27th April 2025 – Annual Church Service of Thanksgiving.
Provincial Family Church Service 2025
A beautiful sunny afternoon at St. Thomas’ in Batley, and the church was filled with lots of Knights from our Province along with their family and friends. A super afternoon. Thanks to everyone who took part.
A fine group of men!
7th April 2025 – Three Graces Craft Lodge Visit – Howarth
An interesting historical event took place at the Lodge of the Three Graces in Haworth on Monday evening. A Knight Templar Warrant that has been missing for over 200 years was presented to the Lodge to be on permanent display in the Lodge rooms. The Warrant had been discovered amongst some items that were to be discarded having been found in the cellars at Tapton Hall, Sheffield. The relevance of the Warrant to the formation of the Lodge in Haworth in1806 was explained by VW Bro. John Rushworth who pointed out that the emergence of the Warrant helped clarify a number of hypotheses that had prevailed for many years. The Provincial Prior of West Yorkshire, (W. Bro.) Hearl Lenton then presented the Warrant to the Worshipful Master for safe keeping.
Fen 2025 – Gilbert de Lacy Preceptory Fraternal Visit to Pelham Preceptory Notts.
When Gilbert de Lacy Preceptory was consecrated, they formed a friendship with Pelham Preceptory in Nottingham. Since then there has been a Fraternal visit between the two Preceptories each year – one in Nottingham and once in Pontefract.
These are photos from the last meeting in Nottingham in Feb 2025
You may recognise a few knights including our Provincial Prior and Sub Prior as well as R.E.Kt. Jim Crossley (Second left in both photos) the Provincial Prior of Nottinghamshire together with others.
Image Credit: Paul Hancock via our Provincial Prior
7th March 2025 – Provincial Meeting of the Priory of Malta.
A wonderful meeting was enjoyed by over 60 Knights of Malta at Castle Grove in Leeds on Friday – where there were the appointments made of this this years Malta team as well as a number of promotions…yours truly receiving one!
We were then treated to a fantastic installation of our newest Knight of Malta (for the time being) Kt. William Hartley of the Fearnely Preceptory. He was installed as well as any Knight could have been with word perfect ritual.
This was followed by a wonderful festive board.
Above – The Provincial Priors Bodyguard – at labour and then refreshment.
Below – Group shot of the Provincial Team and the Candide about to receive his obligation.
Below – The Festive Board and our Provincial Prior with his Sub Prior (and a Swift!)
11th February 2025 – King George V Preceptory No. 199 – Provincial Visit.
Tuesday 11th February saw the Provincial Team visit Wetherby Masonic Hall where the King George Preceptory No.199 met. And what a meeting it was.
Kt. Christopher Eyre was installed as a Bro. Knight in a most dignified and professional manner. It was a wonderful ceremony witnessed by 45 Knights and was followed by an excellent Festive Board.
Above showing all attending Knights at King George V Preceptory and left – L to R Em. Kt. Simon Gray, Provincial Sword Bearer, Em.Kt. Keith Howland, Preceptory Marshal, Rt, Em. Kt. Hearl R.Lenton, Provincial Prior, Em.Kt. Richard Brown, Eminent Preceptor, Kt. Christopher J. Eyre, Em. Kt. Richard J.W.Binks, Provincial Sub-Prior, Em. Kt. John Spilsbury, Provincial Banner Bearer.
Photo credit Em Kt Anthony Learoyd.
10th February 2025 – Integrity Preceptory No.205.
Welcome to the newest Knight in the Province and in Integrity Preceptory Kt. Tony Addinall flanked by the Provincial Sub – Prior, Provincial Second Constable T. Malcolm Brodie and Eminent Preceptor E. Kt. Daniel Rhodes, Deputy Commander of the Provincial Priors Bodyguard.
10th February 2025 – Somewhere in Leicestershire!
Photo of Provincial Prior flying the West Yorkshire flag at Leicestershire & Rutland today before returning to God Own Country straight to Trafalgar Priory where he presented a Great Priory Certificate to Kt. Brian Sutcliffe.
30th November – Airedale Preceptory No. 230 – Centenary Meeting.
Saturday 30th November saw the Centenary meeting of the Airedale Preceptory, which took place at Hoyle Court Baildon.
The meeting was attended by the Provincial Prior and was a full team event. The meeting was also attended by The Very High and Right Eminent Great Seneschal, Andrew Christopher Rainbow, who presided over the centenary items of business in the Preceptory – where he was also made an Honorary Member prior to entering the Preceptory.
Headlines of the meeting were the original warrant of the Preceptory dated 25th July 1024 being read out by the Provincial Vice-Chancellor, E. Kt. Alec Gilston, P.Gt. Her.. This was followed by a brief history of the Preceptory, presented by the Provincial Chancellor, V. E. Kt. John Rushworth, P.Gt.Reg. The Provincial Prelate then gave a short Oration which was followed by a prayer. After the Centenary Warrant was read out by the Provincial Vice-Chancellor, the The Very High and Right Eminent Seneschal presented the members of Airedale Preceptory with their Centenary Jewels.
The meeting was followed by wonderful festive board and speeches.
25th November – Prince Edward No. 18 – Installation of Eminent Preceptor.
Monday 25th November saw the Installation of Preceptor Elect, Kt. Barry Howorth as Eminent Preceptor of Prince Edward No. 18. The Ceremony was expertly conducted by E.Kt. Lorne Bunn who, having now vacated the Chair of Prince Edward, can concentrate on his Installation as Worshipful Master of Benevolence Lodge 226 at Rochdale this evening after 28 years membership of the Lodge!
The Preceptory were pleased to welcome V.E.Kt. Tony Wilkinson, P.Gt.Reg., Past Provincial Sub Prior as the Provincial Prior’s Representative and E.Kt. Roy Emmerson, P.Gt.A.-de-C. An excellent Ceremony followed by the usual happy Festive Board. Visitor numbers were less than usual as many of our regular visitors are crossing the Pennines today for the Ceremony at Benevolence Lodge and Border Control would not permit crossings on two consecutive days!
11th November – 40th Anniversary Certificate – E.Kt. Barry Hartley P.Gt.Her.
The Provincial Prior invited E.Kt. Barry to the floor of the preceptory where they discussed Barry’s Knights Templar career as well has his illustrious career in the Craft. They both spoke warmly about the last 40y ears and many tales were told of the great work Barry has done both for the Province and for the Preceptories he has been members of, namely Trafalgar, Cohors Praetoria and Gilbert de Lacy.
Below are the highlights of Barry’s 40 year KT career:
E.Kt. Barry Laurence Hartley was Installed as a Knight Templar into Trafalgar Preceptory, No.259, on 12th November 1984 and progressed ‘up the ladder’ and in 1990 became the E.P.
Barry was a member of the Prior’s Bodyguard and in 1994, he became a Founder Member of Cohors Praetoria Preceptory, No.587.
In that same year Barry was appointed as Provincial Deputy Marshal, a role he performed for at least two years, being promoted to P.P.Reg. in
1996.
In 1999 Barry was appointed as the acting Provincial First Constable. In recognition of his services to the Province, in 2001 he was appointed to Great Priory rank as P.Gt.A.-de-C.
During this period Barry was progressing through the ranks in Cohors Praetoria and became its Preceptor in 2005.
2015 saw Barry promoted to Provincial Prelate, an Office he filled for four years.
Barry was promoted to P.Gt.Herald in 2016.
In 2018, Barry became a Founder Member of Gilbert de Lacy Preceptory, No.710, at Pontefract, and his experience, wise-counsel and support were much appreciated by all, especially by the Organising Registrar!
Barry has been the Chaplain here in Trafalgar Preceptory for the last 5 years.
Below on left is Barry with the Provincial Prior and Sub Prior with E.Kt. Lee Dolman the Acting Eminent Preceptor of the evening. the image on the right is Barry with various members of the Trafalgar Preceptory No. 259.
5th November – Visit to Loyal Volunteer Preceptory No. 7.
November 5th and fireworks outside but a very convivial evening at Ashton Masonic Hall at Loyal Volunteer No.7 Preceptory and Priory in the Province of Lancashire.
They are small in number and asked Prince Edward No. 18 for assistance with their Malta Ceremony.
The call was answered by 13 Knights from West Yorkshire, including the Provincial Prior (an Honorary Member of Prince Edward No.18) and our Sub Prior and resulted in the Provincial Prior of Lancashire (also an Honorary Member of Prince Edward No. 18) turning out with his Sub Prior and Provincial team!
A great night was had by all.
28th October – Prince Edward No. 18 – Installation of a Brother Knight.
Another superb night at Prince Edward on the 28th October for the Installation of Companion Martin Francis Holland as a Knight of the Order.
We were honoured by the presence of the Provincial Prior, Past Sub Prior, V.E.Kt. Sykes and E.Kt. Heys.
7th October – Integrity Preceptory No. 205 – Installation of a Brother Knight.
Knight Mark Barron was installed as a Knight at Integrity Preceptory. Here is Kt Barron flanked by the Preceptory’s Eminent Preceptor, E.Kt. Carl Heath and the Provincial Chancellor, V.E.Kt. John Rushworth P.Gt.Reg.
5th October – Plains of Mamre No. 89 – Presentation of 40 Year Centenary Certificate to E.Kt. Tom Ward
A special event at The Plains of Mamre No. 89.
E. Kt. Tom Ward receiving his 40 years certificate from The Provincial Prior. Many congratulations!
27th September – Airedale Preceptory – Presentation of 40 Year Centenary Certificate to the Provincial Sub Prior – V.E.Kt. Tony Wilkinson.
The meeting at Airedale Preceptory last Friday marked two significant events firstly the Provincial Prior presented V.E.Kt. Tony Wilkinson, the Provincial Sub-Prior with a certificate to mark his 40 years as a member of the Order having been admitted a member of the Preceptory in May 1984. In making the presentation he referred to the significant contribution he had made to the Preceptory, the Province and the Order in general in those 40 years. V.E.Kt. Wilkinson was then Installed as E. Preceptor in a very dignified manner by V.E.Kt. Roger Skinner, some 36 years after first occupying the Chair. In installing him he said it was very appropriate and fitting that Tony, as the senior member of the Preceptory should be occupying the Chair as the Preceptory celebrated its Centenary.
23rd September – Prince Edward Preceptory No. 18
A superb evening on the 23rd September at Prince Edward 18 at Todmorden for the Installation of new Knight Ian Leslie Card and joining member Paul Christodoulou, P.Dep.Gt.Alm., Provincial Prelate.
The meeting was attended by the Provincial Prior and the Acting Officers of the year. This was the last Official Visit for the current Provincial Officers and on this occasion they were joined by R.E.Kt. David H. Gallear, K.C.T. Provincial Prior of Lancashire!
September 16th – Trafalgar Preceptory No. 259
E. Kt. Phillipp Pursey looking extremely pleased with himself at his installation as Eminent Preceptor at the Trafalgar Preceptory.
A family affair!
E. Kt. Phillipp Pursey with his brothers, E. Kt. Robert Pursey and Kt. Christopher Pursey – both officers in the Trafalgar Preceptory.
The Provincial Prior along with the Provincial Representative for the evening E. Kt. Stephen Isaacs – Provincial 2nd Constable along with the new Eminent Preceptor and other members of the Preceptory.
September 12th – Salamanca Preceptory No. 21.
The penultimate Provincial Team meeting of the year to attend the installation of a new Bro. Knight in Halifax.
The Provincial Prior and the Eminent Preceptor of the Salamanca Preceptory, E. Kt. Robert Whitlow with the newest Bro. Knight in the Province (as of that evening) Kt. Mark Jennings. An unforgettable evening was has by all!
July 15th – St Laurence Preceptory No.298.
A great evening at the St Laurence Preceptory No.298. Where Kt. Paul Lawrence was installed as a Brother Knight in front of 48 Knights from the Provinces of West Yorkshire and Lancashire – a true Roses event!
24th June – The Emmaus Society Annual Dinner
June 24th saw the annual Emmaus Society Annual Dinner held at the Masonic Hall in Pudsey.
E.Kt. Chris Binns – one of the Conveners of the Society was given a Field Promotion by the Provincial Prior to Past Provincial First Constable!
Congratulations Chris and well deserved!
Those who attended the meeting, including Bro Knights for the first time, were entertained and informed by Em. Kt. Brian Price’s talk entitled “What the Crusaders Did For Us” followed by the usual convivial supper.
29th May – VIP visitor to Gilbert de Lacy Preceptory!
Gilbert de Lacy – the newest Preceptory in the Province, were humbled to receive not only the Provincial Prior – Right Eminent Knight Hearl R. Lenton MBE, and the Provincial Prior of Nottinghamshire, but honoured to receive the Most High and Right Eminent the Great Seneschal Andrew Christopher Rainbow (unofficially). It was a wonderful evening seeing the installation of a new Bro. Knight.
The ceremony was followed by an excellent festive board and a very rare occasion when not only was toast number 3 was given informally…but was responded to.
If the evening couldn’t get any more special…at the end of the Festive Board the Provincial Prior of the Province of Nottinghamshire, presented our Provincial Prior a long and very much lost Warrant to a Preceptory now gone. Full story to appear shortly…but picture below of the framed Warrant being presented.
3rd May 2024 – Beyond the Craft
Earlier this month an evening at the Lodge of Connaught and Truth in Huddersfield was held looking specifically at “Beyond the Craft”.
The Order of the Temple and The Order of Malta were represented by E.Kt. Stephen Schofield and E.Kt. Richard Binks respectively amongst other Masons from the Province representing other Orders.