Wendlynburgh No.236 Centenary
On Saturday 9th August 2025, the Wendlynburgh Preceptory No 236, in the Province of Northampton, Huntingdon and Bedford, very proudly held its Centenary celebration (its 295th meeting) at Freemasons’ Hall, Sheaf Close, Northampton, a Dispensation having been granted by the Provincial Prior for this special meeting to be held there: a total of 49 Brother Knights were in attendance.
The Preceptory had been Consecrated on 9th June 1925 at Freemasons’ Hall, Princes Street, Northampton, by a team of 10 Consecrating Officers led by the then Pro Grand Master, Major-General T.C.P. Calley, C.B., C.B.E., M.V.O., G.C.T.
Its first Eminent Preceptor was V Em Kt Thomas Phipps Dorman, a very distinguished and well-known Northampton Freemason and businessman of the day.
The Preceptory was duly opened by the Eminent Preceptor, Em. Kt. Ron Feeley, at 11:05am after which the Dispensation was read by the Acting Registrar, Kt. Albin Wallace.
The Centenary meeting was honoured by the attendance of the newly-appointed Provincial Prior, Rt. Em. Kt. Stephen John Churchill, accompanied by the Past Provincial Prior, Rt. Em. Kt. Roger Charles Wortley together with a number of Provincial Officers of the year and members of the Provincial Prior’s Bodyguard.
A splendid address of welcome and congratulation, on the occasion of the Preceptory’s Centenary celebration, was then delivered by the Rt Em Provincial Prior after which the Centenary Warrant was read by the Provincial Vice-Chancellor, Em Kt Stephen Wood, before he presented it to the Provincial Prior. The Centenary Warrant was then delivered to the keeping of the Eminent Preceptor by the Provincial Prior: the Eminent Preceptor displayed the Centenary Warrant for the benefit of the assembled Brother Knights.
A brief history of the first 100 years of the Preceptory’s life was delivered, in his usual inimitable style, by Em Kt Barrie Hall and was warmly received by all present. (NB: A printed booklet of this history had been prepared by Em Kt Jeff Chambers (Registrar) and printed copies were subsequently provided to the Brother Knights at the Festive Board.)
At the command of the Provincial Prior, the Preceptory Banner was borne into the Preceptory by the Banner Escort after which, V. Em. Kt. Tony Avery, P. G. Prelate, delivered a splendid oration on the subject of banners. The Preceptory Banner was paraded and presented to the Rt. Em. Provincial Prior and V. Em. Kt. Tony Averydelivered the Patriarchal Benediction.
The Provincial Prior, assisted by the Past Provincial Prior, then presented Centenary Jewels to Wendlynburgh members.
Upon completion of the relevant final business, the Provincial Prior and the Past Provincial Prior retired, accompanied by Provincial Officers of the year and the Provincial Prior’s Bodyguard. The Preceptory was then formally closed by the Eminent Preceptor at 12:30 pm.
The Brother Knights subsequently enjoyed a splendid cold collation with suitable refreshments on a very hot August afternoon, having enjoyed a splendid and highly enjoyable celebration of the first 100 years of the life and work of the Wendlynburgh Preceptory No 236.
The Preceptory will now strive to build on the wonderful achievements of its first 100 years so that its next Centenary meeting may prove an equally memorable tribute to the outstanding work of its Brother Knight members, past and present – both to the honour of our Order and our Province.