A very special event took place bringing the Knights Templar and Mark Masons together in the same meeting.
Being the 5th Thursday in the month saw Durham Preceptory of Installed Preceptors meet in the Durham Masonic Hall Old Elvet. The preceptory, has grown over recent years and their meetings are now seen as an evening hosting high quality lecturers who are leading lights in masonry, to those in positions of influence and governing authority.
Thursday the 5th was again a new step, as the Durham Preceptory of Installed Preceptors welcomed Rt.WBro David Nigel Hanson, The Provincial Grand Master of Mark Master Masons in Durham. He was supported by a delegation of Grand and Provincial Officers entering the Preceptory in full Mark regalia.
Several of those in the mark contingent were of course well known to the Knights present, one being the Durham Mark Festival Director John Watts who of course is the Immediate Past Sub Prior of Durham. Another is Rt.WBro Frank Rankin, Past Grand Junior Warden and a Past Deputy of the Mark Degree in Durham and also well-known across our Province as a highly supportive and leading Eminent Knight (E.Kt.) of the Knights Templar.
With the Knights Templar Provincial Prior who entered the Preceptory under an “Arch of Steel” having overseen the delegation enter, Richard Scott returned the baton to Eminent Knight David Colin Williamson the Eminent Preceptor. This afforded the Lecture Master E.Kt Richard H Tucker MBE and Past Sub Prior to introduce the lecturer for the evening – Kt Darren Coleman-Head the Charities Manager at Mark Masons’ Hall.
For many in the room, his talk and enlightenment on the subject of benevolent funds manged by Mark Masons Hall through Darren and his team, proved to be most interesting and very informative. This included the KT’s own charitable cause, the Eye Hospital in Jerusalem for which the Provincial prior Richard Scott will visit shortly.
Mentioning the forthcoming launch of the Grand Master’s Keystone fund enabled Darren to show the Knights present the jewel which can be worn by knights of the Order.
However, for one member the evening had a special significance, as Kt Darren Coleman-Head requested Rt.WBro Frank Rankin be presented to him. This was done so that Darren could present on behalf of the Grand Master HRH Prince Michael of Kent, his Grand Patron Gold Jewel.
The evening concluded with an excellent 4 course meal in the panelled dining room of Old Elvet.
For more information on the Knights Templar visit their website HERE
For more information on the Mark Masons’ Hall charities visit their web page HERE
If you are interested in joining the Mark visit the page on this site HERE