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The Masonic and Military Order of the Red Cross of Constantine
andThe Orders of the Holy Sepulchre
and of St John the Evangelist
Thames Division!!
Handbook!2014 - 2015 Edition
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Contents !Message from the Intendant-General page 3 .........................................................The Divisional Executive page 4 .............................................................................Divisional Executive Contact Details page 5 ...........................................................List of Grand Officers page 6 ..................................................................................List of Divisional Officers page 7 .............................................................................Responsibilities of Divisional Officers page 8 .........................................................The Divisional Sepulchre Guard page 9 .................................................................List of forward dates page 10 ..................................................................................St Frideswide Conclave No 339 page 12 ................................................................St Paul’s Conclave No 372 page 13 .......................................................................Queen Mary Conclave No 444 page 14 ..................................................................University Conclave No 468 page 15 ......................................................................Buckinghamshire Conclave No 469 page 16 ..........................................................St Helena Conclave No 518 page 17 ......................................................................Proposed Conclave of Princes-Mason page 18 ......................................................Thames Conclave of Improvement page 19 ...........................................................Visiting page 20 ......................................................................................................Postcodes for satellite navigation page 21 .............................................................Forthcoming Important Events page 21 ..................................................................Joint Divisional Church Service page 22 ................................................................The Red Cross Apron page 22 ...............................................................................New Conclaves page 23 .........................................................................................Obituary: Peter Dawson page 24 ............................................................................The Degrees of our Orders page 25 .......................................................................Conduct of Meetings page 26 .................................................................................Divisional By-Laws page 27 ....................................................................................Toast Lists page 29 .................................................................................................The Precepts of our Order page 31 ........................................................................The Twelve Grand Points of our Order page 32 .....................................................The Festivals of our Order page 33 ........................................................................Daily Commemorations and Prayers page 34 ........................................................History of the Thames Division page 37 .................................................................Succession Lists of Divisional Rulers page 42 .......................................................The Intendant-General’s travels page 43 ................................................................Website and Notices page 44 .................................................................................Grace, Commemoration, & Fire page 45 ................................................................Baton drill for Sovereigns (& others bearing batons) page 45 ................................Titles and Suffix Marks page 46..............................................................................
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Message from the Intendant-General!
!Right Illustrious Knight the Reverend
Timothy John Nicholas L’Estrange, MA
Very Dear Brother Knights,!!Welcome to this second edition of our Divisional Handbook, updated with current contact details and data, and furnished with new articles of news and interest. Your Executive is grateful for suggestions received to improve this resource, such as the excellent suggestion that postcodes be included for those using satellite navigation to get to meetings (you’ll find them on page 21 below).!!As before, we do not intend circulating printed copies of this Handbook - instead we suggest that members store it on their computer’s desktop, so that it is easily accessible whenever information is required. Keep it easily to hand.!!Members of the Division have been working hard for their Conclaves and for the Division this year, and we have seen much growth, including the exciting launch of both a regular Conclave (in Marlow) and a Conclave of Improvement; but there is much more still to come. Please continue to volunteer your ideas and your services, as we seek to advance this wonderful Order together.!!Please do remember that our Divisional website is also a source of useful information and downloadable resources - do visit it regularly. Finally, do please keep up the work of recruitment - we need more good quality, committed, fun, Christian Royal Arch Freemasons to join our Order and share in its undoubted fellowship and marvellous ceremonies.
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The Divisional Executive
Timothy L’Estrange
Ron Bridger
Peter Gilkes
Mike Caseman-Jones!Divisional Recorder!!
Administration
Alan Baverstock!Divisional Marshal!!
Ceremonial
John Edwards!Divisional Registrar!!
Strategy
John Redpath!Divisional Treasurer!!
Finance
Intendant-General!!The I-G is appointed by the
Grand Sovereign of the Order to guide & direct the Division during the Grand Sovereign’s
pleasure.
Deputy Intendant-General!!The Deputy I-G is appointed by
the Intendant-General to assist in the ruling of the Division. He also
assists in representing us at other divisions’ annual meetings.
Divisional Eusebius!!The ‘number three’ in the
Division serves for two years, and plays a key role in
Divisional meetings and ceremonial.
The above together form the Divisional Executive. When meeting together with the Sovereign of each Conclave, they form the Standing Committee of Divisional Conclave.
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Contact Details!Members of the Divisional Executive
Intendant-General!R.Ill.Kt. the Rev’d Timothy L’Estrange
St Gabriel’s Vicarage!15 Balfour Road!North Acton, London W3 [email protected]!020 8259 2138
Deputy Intendant-General!Ill.Kt. Ron Bridger
The Coach House!St Teresa’s Drive, Chippenham!Wiltshire SN15 [email protected]!07423 054420
Divisional Eusebius!Ill.Kt. Peter Gilkes
61 Horton View!Banbury!Oxfordshire OX16 [email protected]!01295 269897
Divisional Registrar!W.Kt. John Edwards
Baker’s Piece!Church Path!Lane End, Buckinghamshire HP14 [email protected]!01494 881382
Divisional Treasurer!Ill.Kt. William John Redpath
7 Chinnock Close!Fleet!Hampshire GU52 [email protected]!01252 653634
Divisional Recorder!P.Kt. Michael Caseman-Jones!(Ill.Kt. from 1 July 2014)
21 Coultard Close!Towcester!Northamptonshire NN12 [email protected]!01327 350492
Divisional Marshal!P.Kt. Alan Baverstock
20 Church Lane!Chinnor!Oxfordshire OX39 [email protected]!01844 351386
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List of Grand Officers!who are subscribing members of the Thames Division
Name Current Grand Rank 1st Grand Rank
Right Illustrious Knights
Rodney Staines Knight Commander of Constantine (2006) 1997
Timothy L’Estrange Intendant-General (2011) 2008
Very Illustrious Knights
David Aspinwall Past Grand High Chancellor (2014) 1994
Charles Woodward Past Grand High Almoner (2008) 1992
James Hilditch Past Grand High Almoner (2011) 2006
Illustrious Knights
Ronald Bridger Past Grand Chamberlain (2009) 2001
Derek Blumsom Past Grand Chamberlain (2010) 2003
Kenneth Hookes Past Grand Chamberlain (2012) 2007
John Morris Past Grand Chamberlain (2013) 2005
Paul Engeham Past Grand Chamberlain (2013) 2008
Kenneth Harvey Past Grand Orator (2014) 2008
John Redpath Past Grand Standard Bearer (C) (2011) 2000
Michael Caseman-Jones Grand Standard Bearer (L) (2014) 2014
Andrew Mitchell-Fyffe (Past) Grand Standard Bearer (L) (2001) 2001
Geoffrey Finney Past Grand Standard Bearer (L) (2010) 1999
Peter Lloyd Past Grand Prefect (2007) 2007
Peter Erlen Past Grand Prefect (2009) 2009
Roger Taylor Past Grand Prefect (2009) 2009
Peter Gilkes Past Grand Prefect (2010) 2010
Don Perkins Past Grand Prefect (2011) 2011
Duncan McQueen Past Grand Prefect (2012) 2012
Richard Slade Past Grand Prefect (2013) 2013
David Jesson Past Grand Prefect (2014) 2014
Brian Miles Past Grand Warden of Regalia (2009) 2009
Michael Davis Past Grand Warden of Regalia (2013) 2013
Paul Deakin Past Grand Warden of Regalia (2014) 2014
Leslie Harborne (Past) Grand Vice-Chamberlain (1995) 1995
Nigel Willows Past Grand Vice-Chamberlain (1999) 1999
Charles Lepper Past Grand Herald (2010) 2010
James Sanders (Past) Grand Herald (2011) 2011
John Jarvis Past Grand Herald (2012) 2012
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List of Divisional Officers!as appointed on 7 June 2014
Intendant-General R.Ill.Kt. the Rev’d Timothy John Nicholas L’Estrange
Deputy Intendant-General Ill.Kt. Ron Bridger, PGChamb
Divisional Eusebius Ill.Kt. Peter Gilkes, PGPref
Divisional Senior General P.Kt. Paul Deakin *
Divisional Junior General Ill.Kt. Richard Slade, PGPref
Divisional High Prelate Ill.Kt. John Jarvis, PGHer
Divisional Registrar E.Kt. John Edwards
Divisional Treasurer Ill.Kt. John Redpath, PGStdB (C)
Divisional Recorder P.Kt. Lt.Col. Michael Caseman-Jones *
Divisional Almoner Ill.Kt. Duncan McQueen, PGPref
Divisional Marshal P.Kt. Alan Baverstock
Divisional Sword Bearer P.Kt. Anthony Perkins
Divisional Deputy Marshal P.Kt. Richard Gardiner
Divisional Chamberlain P.Kt. Brian Hilton
Divisional Sub-Prelate W.Kt. the Rev’d Salvador Lloret-Fariña
Divisional Standard Bearer (C) P.Kt. David Jesson *
Divisional Standard Bearer (L) P.Kt. Keith Horne
Divisional Prefect P.Kt. Jeffery Green
Divisional Warden of Regalia W.Kt. David Hill
Divisional Asst. Recorder W.Kt. Richard Skym
Divisional Organist V.Ill.Kt. Charles Woodward, PGHAlm
Divisional Herald P.Kt. Paul Le Druillenec
Divisional Steward P.Kt. Stephen Shuttleworth
Divisional Steward P.Kt. Michael Camidge
Divisional Sentinel Ill.Kt. Brian Miles, PGWoR
* These officers will become Illustrious Knights on 1 July 2014.
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Responsibilities of Divisional Officers
Intendant-General Head of Division. Official visiting within Division. Representing Thames at other Divisions and at Grand Imperial Conclave.
Deputy Intendant-General Official visiting within Division. Representing Thames at other Divisions. Organisation of Appendant Orders meetings.
Divisional Eusebius Assisting I-G and Dep I-G. Official visiting within Division.
Divisional Senior General Duties are largely ceremonial at Divisional meetings.
Divisional Junior General Duties are largely ceremonial at Divisional meetings.
Divisional High Prelate Spiritualities and leading of prayers, requiems, and services.
Divisional Registrar Strategy, Conclave registration, expansion, and recruitment.
Divisional Treasurer Financial transactions and preparation of accounts.
Divisional Recorder Administration of Division. Liaison with Conclave Recorders. Liaison with other Divisions. Rep Thames at other Divisions.
Divisional Almoner Pastoral care. Collection of alms at Divisional meetings.
Divisional Marshal Ceremonial of Divisional Conclave, and of official visits by the I-G, and of official Divisional meetings, and of the CoI.
Divisional Sword Bearer Duties are largely ceremonial at Divisional meetings.
Divisional Deputy Marshal Deputy to Divisional Marshal.
Divisional Chamberlain ADC to Intendant-General during Divisional meetings/visits.
Divisional Sub-Prelate Deputy to Divisional High Prelate.
Divisional Standard Bearer (C) Duties are largely ceremonial at Divisional meetings.
Divisional Standard Bearer (L) Duties are largely ceremonial at Divisional meetings.
Divisional Prefect Duties are largely ceremonial at Divisional meetings.
Divisional Warden of Regalia Care & inventory of Divisional regalia items.
Divisional Organist Provision of music at Divisional meetings.
Divisional Herald Duties are largely ceremonial at Divisional meetings.
Divisional Stewards Hospitality to guests at Divisional Grand Conclave.
Divisional Sentinel Preparation of premises and equipment for Divisional meetings, and security of Divisional meetings.
Those shaded form the Divisional Executive.
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The Divisional Sepulchre Guard!as appointed on 7 June 2014
The Divisional Sepulchre Guard of the Thames Division
Appointments to the Sepulchre Guard are made by the Intendant-General
Captain of the Guard W.Kt. Robert Chevin! ! 518
Deputy Captain of the Guard P.Kt. Lt. Gabriel Wright, RN! 468
Members of the Guard W.Kt. Roger Tyerman! ! 469
W.Kt. Trevor Ford! ! ! 339
W.Kt. Ron Williams!! ! 469
W.Kt. Ray Harrison!! ! 339
W.Kt. Paul Rush! ! ! 339
W.Kt. Pádraig Belton! ! 468
W.Kt. Robert Bromley! ! 518
The Divisional Sepulchre Guard is appointed personally by the Rt.Ill. Intendant-General and serves the following functions:!!• Personal bodyguard to the Right Illustrious
Intendant-General of the Division;!• Guard of Honour at annual Divisional Grand
Conclave, and other meetings;!• Sepulchre Guard during official Divisional
conferment of the Appendant Orders;!• Escorting Guard at Consecrations and other grand
ceremonials of the Division.!!Members of the Guard wear the special jewel (pictured left) on a purple collarette. Applications from knights wishing to join the Divisional Sepulchre Guard should be made to the Captain, or by completing the application form (available on the Divisional website) and forwarding it to the Divisional Recorder.
Captain of the Guard:!Bob Chevin 01296 613835 [email protected]
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Calendar of Meetings!from the 2014 Divisional Conclave onwards
Thames Division - Dates Summer 2014 to Summer 2015
Date Event
Sat 7 June 2014 Divisional Grand Conclave, Beaconsfield
Sat 28 June 2014 St Frideswide Conclave 339
Tue 1 July 2014 Grand Imperial Conclave, Great Queen Street, London
Sat 5 July 2014 St Helena Conclave 518
Fri 11 July 2014 Queen Mary Conclave 444
Sat 26 July 2014 St Paul’s Conclave 372
Sat 6 September 2014 St Frideswide Conclave 339
Sun 14 September 2014
Commemoration of the Exaltation of the Cross!(Holy Cross Day)
Sun 14 September 2014
HOLY CROSS DAY:!Divisional Church Service, North Acton
Sat 4 October 2014 St Paul’s Conclave 372
Wed 8 October 2014 Conference of Intendants-General, London
Sat 8 November 2014 Buckinghamshire Conclave 469
Fri 14 November 2014 Queen Mary Conclave 444 (Enthronement)
Sat 15 November 2014 University Conclave 468
Sat 29 November 2014 Provisionally reserved for consecration of Sovereigns’ Conclave
Sat 6 December 2014 St Helena Conclave 518 (Enthronement)
Fri 13 February 2015 Queen Mary Conclave 444
Sat 21 February 2015 University Conclave 468 (Enthronement)
Fri 27 February 2015 Commemoration of the Birth of Constantine
Sat 14 March 2015 Buckinghamshire Conclave 469
Sat 25 April 2015 St Frideswide Conclave 339 (Enthronement)
Sat 25 April 2015 St Paul’s Conclave 372 (Enthronement)
Sun 3 May 2015 Commemoration of the Discovery of the Cross
Sat 16 May 2015 Buckinghamshire Conclave 469 (Enthronement)
Sat 6 June 2015 Divisional Conclave meeting & 30th anniversary of Division
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Holy Cross Day also called the Festival of the Exaltation of the Cross !
Sunday 14 September 2014
A special CHURCH SERVICE will be held at 3.30pm
at St Gabriel’s Church, North Acton, London W3
St Gabriel’s Church!Noel Road!North Acton!
London W3 0JD!!Central Line “North Acton”
The Masonic & Military Order of the!
Red Cross of Constantine!!Thames Division!
Metropolitan Division
Members of the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine
are particularly invited to be present to celebrate the great Festival of the Exaltation of
the Cross, which forms one of the “Twelve Points”
of their Order. !
www.saintgabrielacton.org
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St Frideswide Conclave No 339
Meeting Place Woodstock Masonic Hall, Oxfordshire
Consecration Year 1980 (chartered in 1979)
Meeting Days 4th Saturday in April (Enthronement)!4th Saturday in June!1st Saturday in September
Recorder Richard Skym!• [email protected]!• 01296 651337!• 37 Frederick Street, Waddesdon,
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0LU
About the Conclave:!!St Frideswide Conclave is the oldest in the Division, and was consecrated in 1980 (though Chartered in 1979) at Oxford, where it met regularly for over thirty years. In 2012 the Conclave relocated to Woodstock, a few miles north of the City of Oxford, where it has established a new home. (See Divisional History for more).!!St Frideswide (650 - 727) was an English princess of the Kingdom of Mercia, who took vows as an Augustinian nun, and became Abbess of her community. She is credited with establishing Christ Church, Oxford, which grew out of her Priory after the Reformation. Her Feast Day is 19 October.!!In art she is depicted crowned as a princess, holding a crozier as a prioress, with a springing well (representing her holy well at Binsey, Oxford) near her feet. These symbols all appear in the badge of the Conclave.
More information may be found in the Divisional History
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St Paul’s Conclave No 372
Meeting Place Wokingham Masonic Hall, Berkshire
Consecration Year 1983
Meeting Days 4th Saturday in April (Enthronement)!4th Saturday in July!1st Saturday in October
Recorder John Redpath!• [email protected]!• 01252 653634!• 7 Chinnock Close, Fleet,
Hampshire, GU52 7SN
About the Conclave:!!Founded in 1983, St Paul’s Conclave is currently the only Red Cross Conclave in the county of Berkshire. !!Named for St Paul the Apostle, the badge shows crossed swords (the instrument of St Paul’s martyrdom) superimposed upon the cross of the Order. Sentenced to death for his Christian faith, Paul had the ‘privilege’ of execution by beheading (far less unpleasant than other methods of execution) because he was a Roman citizen. There is therefore a double symbolism in the cross, as the sign in which Paul put his faith, and as the sign of Constantine, whose legalisation of Christianity brought an end to such religious executions. The Christian Feast Day of St Paul’s Conversion is 25 January.!!Basil Burwood-Taylor, later the Deputy Intendant-General, was the first Sovereign of the Conclave in 1983.
More information may be found in the Divisional History
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Queen Mary Conclave No 444
Meeting Place Banbury Masonic Hall, Oxfordshire
Consecration Year 1996
Meeting Days 2nd Friday in February!2nd Friday in July!2nd Friday in November (Enthronement)
Recorder David Jesson!• [email protected]!• 01295 814922!• Wychwood, 10a Astrop Road, Kings
Sutton, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX17 3PG
About the Conclave:!!Following the re-constitution of our Division (which had originally included Surrey) in 1990, there was a need for expansion. Queen Mary Conclave opened at Banbury in 1996, adopting the crown of Queen Mary as its badge.!!Following the death of King Edward VI there was a battle for the succession, during which Lady Jane Grey reigned for nine days as Queen. The citizens of Banbury bravely opposed the succession Act and supported the former King’s half sister Mary, who was to become Queen Mary I, and colloquially ‘bloody Mary’. In 1554, one year into her reign, Queen Mary granted Banbury a Royal Charter, giving it independence in local government, and the right to appoint its own governing Town Council. Her memory is perpetuated in the name of Banbury’s Conclave.!!Queen Mary has long prided itself in high standards of ritual and procedure, as well as the warm fellowship of its membership.
More information may be found in the Divisional History
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University Conclave No 468
Meeting Place Oxford (temporarily meeting at Woodstock)
Consecration Year 2000
Meeting Days 5th Saturday in University Michaelmas term!5th Saturday in University Hilary term!! ! ! ! ! ! (Enthronement)
Recorder Padraig Belton!• [email protected]!• 07812 559090!• Flat 4, 21-23 Anerley Park, London
SE20 8NF
About the Conclave:!!Members of Oxford University have long had an association with this Christian Order, traditionally being Installed in Plantagenet Conclave in London (then numbered ‘2’, but now listed as ‘Time Immemorial’ on the role of Conclaves).!!In 1999 Ill.Kt. Bob Good determined to establish a Conclave in Oxford for the association of members of the University within the Order, and University Conclave was consecrated in 2000.!!It maintains a close connection with Plantagenet Conclave, and also with the Corpus Christi Conclave No 388 in Cambridge, for members of the other University.!!Unusually, members of this Conclave still wear the Order’s traditional purple apron; this is thought to be the only Conclave where the apron continues in use, although in Dorset the apron continues to be worn by Conclave Sentinels.
More information may be found in the Divisional History
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Buckinghamshire Conclave No 469
Meeting Place Aylesbury Masonic Centre, Buckinghamshire
Consecration Year 2001
Meeting Days 2nd Saturday in March!3rd Saturday in May (Enthronement)!2nd Saturday in November
Recorder Paul Deakin!• [email protected]!• 01905 640358!• 10 Crown Meadow, Lower Broadheath,
Worcestershire, WR2 6QJ
About the Conclave:!!Originally meeting in Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, the Conclave relocated to Wolverton in 2011, and is moving again, to Aylesbury, in 2014.!!Its badge shows the Buckingham swan, with a short chain connected to a crown collar. This traditional Buckinghamshire symbol refers to the ancient practice of breeding swans for the King in Buckinghamshire. It is surmounted by a crown device which again refers to the royal connection, but is also the imperial crown associated with the Order.!
More information may be found in the Divisional History
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St Helena Conclave No 518
Meeting Place Marlow Masonic Hall, Buckinghamshire
Consecration Year 2013
Meeting Days 1st Saturday in July!1st Saturday in December (Enthronement)!
Recorder Richard Skym!• [email protected]!• 01296 651337!• 37 Frederick Street, Waddesdon,
Aylesbury, Bucks, HP18 0LU
About the Conclave:!!Buckinghamshire was one of the last English counties to acquire a Conclave of the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine, and that one Conclave is located in the far north of the county. For many years there has been a desire to open a Conclave in the southern part of Buckinghamshire.!!Those plans have now come to fruition, and on 7 December 2013 the new Conclave was consecrated at Marlow, taking the name “St Helena Conclave”.!!The badge of the Conclave is the Cross of the Order surmounted by the heraldic emblem of St Helena, showing her crown, and the true cross. The Feast Day of St Helena is 21 May.!
More information may be found in the Divisional History
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Proposed Conclave of Princes-Mason
Meeting Place Under formation
Consecration Year Under formation
Meeting Days(proposed)
5th Saturday closest to St Edburg’s Day! (August excluded) (with white table)!First occuring 5th Saturday after the!! ! ! Autumn Equinox (Enthronement)
Founding Recorder Michael Caseman-Jones!• [email protected]!• 01327 350492!• 21 Coultard Close, Towcester,
Northamptonshire, NN12 7BA
About the Conclave:!!Shortly to be consecrated, this new Conclave of Princes-Mason will be a forum for all present and past Sovereigns (all who have been admitted to the degree of Prince-Mason) within the Division.!!It is further intended that this Conclave should be a means of developing the social life of the Division, and involving friends and family members of Puissant Knights. There will be an annual summer meeting followed by an open luncheon with friends, family, and other guests welcome. There will also be an annual Enthronement meeting in the Autumn which will provide a forum for discussion of Red Cross issues, as well as the enthronement ceremonies, and a formal Red Cross dinner.!!St Edburg is the patron saint of Bicester, where the Conclave will be based. She was a princess and a nun. Her badge is a generic representation of the monastery she built at Aylesbury. This appears as the proposed Conclave’s badge, superimposed upon the cross of the Order. Her Feast Day is 18 July.
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The Thames Conclave of Improvement
Meeting Place As directed by the Preceptor
Year Established 2014
Meeting Days As directed by the Preceptor!
Preceptors Alan Baverstock, Richard Gardiner
Asst. Recorder Timothy L’Estrange, Intendant-General!• [email protected]!• 020 8259 2138!• St Gabriel’s Vicarage, 15 Balfour Road,
North Acton, London W3 0DG
About the Conclave:!!The Thames Conclave of Improvement exists to help improve standards of ritual across the Division. All members are invited to attend meetings, and there is no subscription charge. A nominal charge of £1 is made per meeting attended, to help offset the cost of temple hire.!!The Divisional Marshal and his Deputy are the Preceptors, the Divisional Recorder and Treasurer hold the corresponding roles in the CoI, and the Intendant-General is the Assistant Recorder.!!Being authorised by the Divisional Conclave, the Conclave of Improvement takes the name ‘Thames’. It’s badge is the cross of the order surmounted with a shield bearing the face of Old Father Thames.
More information may be found in the Divisional History
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Visiting Other Conclaves
Divisional Conclave and Grand Conclave
Visiting other Conclaves is a good way of spreading fellowship within the Division, and also an advantageous method of learning the ritual, and increasing familiarity with the practices of this Order. Members are strongly encouraged to visit each other’s Conclaves. Details of meeting dates and contacts may be found in this handbook. It is a tradition of this Division that members of any Conclave may make direct approach to any other Conclave if they wish to visit - there is no need to wait for an invitation.
Divisional Conclave!Our Divisional Conclave is now held on the first Saturday in June. The previous date (in use until, and including, 2013) formed a frequent clash with Holy Saturday, and the meeting then had to be moved. This last happened in 2012, and would have happened again in 2015. This is why the date of the meeting has been changed, to avoid this clash. All members of the Division are encouraged to attend Divisional Conclave, and represent their Conclaves. The venue is currently Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire.!!
It is important that all Conclaves are represented at Divisional Conclave, and to that end, the Divisional Registrar calls the roll of Conclaves towards the start of the meeting, and members are asked to stand, to show the representation of their Conclave. The banners of all the conclaves are paraded at Divisional Conclave. It is a day of spectacle, with processions, visiting dignitaries, and the Sepulchre Guard forming an Arch of Steel. It is also a time of fellowship and good food. Those who have not previously attended are encouraged to come along.!!Divisional Conclave 2015 will be held at the Beaconsfield Masonic Centre on Saturday 6 June, and will be the 30th anniversary of our Division.!!
Grand Conclave!Grand Conclave meets on the first Tuesday of July in London. The Intendant-General represents the Division, but all Grand Officers are invited to attend. Several hundred Knights dine together afterwards. Until 2013 the venue was the Clarendon Suites at Edgbaston, but from 2014 onwards Grand Imperial Conclave meets at Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street, London.
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Forthcoming Important EventsIt is fully appreciated that these lines will quickly become dated. Nonetheless, at the time of issuing this Handbook, the following dates are commended to the diaries of all members.!!!!
Saturday 7 June 2014 - Annual Divisional Grand Conclave!!This year Divisional Conclave meets at Beaconsfield Masonic Centre. Please be seated by 10.45am. Highlights of the meeting will include:!
• presentation of a charity cheque from the Division;!• appointment and investiture of Divisional officers;!• a short service of Requiem for our recently departed Brother Knights;!• delicious luncheon (please book through the Divisional Recorder).!!!
Saturday 6 September 2014 - Appendant Orders Ceremony!!Our annual Divisional conferral of the Appendant Orders will take place in Woodstock (Oxon) under the banner of St Frideswide Conclave No 339. Candidates should be registered directly through the Recorder of St Frideswide Conclave.!!!Sunday 14 September 2014 - Joint Divisional Church Service!!To mark the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross (Holy Cross Day) we will hold a joint Divisional Church Service (with Metropolitan Division) at St Gabriel’s Church, North Acton. The church is located at Gypsy Corner on the A40, and is easily accessible from across the Thames Valley. Coming from central London, use the Central Line (alight at North Acton station) or London buses 266 (Noel Road stop) or 440 (St Gabriel’s Church stop).!!!Saturday 6 June 2015 - Annual Divisional Grand Conclave!!This year Divisional Conclave will have the additional celebration of 30 years since the foundation of the Thames Division.
Conclave 339 Woodstock MC OX20 1PD
Conclave 372 Wokingham MC RG41 1EG
Conclave 444 Banbury MC OX16 8DB
Conclave 468 Woodstock MC OX20 1PD
Conclave 469 Aylesbury MC HP20 2JP
Conclave 518 Marlow MC SL7 1NQ
Divisional Grand Conclave Beaconsfield MC HP9 2JW
Divisional Church Service St Gabriel’s Church W3 0JD
Postcodes for Satellite Navigation
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Joint Divisional Church Service!!On Holy Cross Day, Sunday 14 September, our joint Divisional church service will be held, with Metropolitan Division (London and Middlesex) at St Gabriel’s Church, North Acton, London W3 0JD. The service is open to everyone, so please come, and bring family and friends.!!A form can be downloaded from the Divisional website for the booking of afternoon tea after the service. Tea is by ticket only, so the form must be completed and posted to St Gabriel’s Church.!!The photograph shows our last joint service at St Gabriel’s in 2012, when we celebrated the 1,700th anniversary of the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. St Gabriel’s is easily accessed by road (A40 at Gypsy Corner) or public transport (Central Line tube).!!!
RCC Aprons!!Most Masonic museums display at least one example of the old Red Cross of Constantine apron, but here in Thames Division the apron can still be seen in use. University Conclave was the last Conclave still using the apron when it was removed from the Statutes of the Order, but as an established tradition, the Conclave’s members continue to wear the attractive regalia.!!Pictured is the member’s apron. The versions worn by Viceroy and Sovereign are adorned with the chi-rho symbol, the letters alpha and omega, and (on the apron flap) a highly decorated mitre (for the Viceroy) or crown (for the Sovereign). In the Division of Dorset & Wiltshire the apron is still worn by the Sentinel, but only in University Conclave are these aprons still universally worn.
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Consecration of St Helena Conclave!!On Saturday 7 December 2013 the Intendant-General, assisted by a retinue of Divisional officers, opened a Conclave at Marlow Masonic Centre, and proceeded to consecrate the St Helena Conclave No 518.!!Although the Divisional team carried
out the ceremony, we were delighted to welcome the Grand Sovereign, the Grand Eusebius, and the Grand Marshal to witness this latest chapter in our Division’s history.!!The stirling efforts of founder Recorder Richard Skym, and the other founders, have given this new Conclave a firm start in life. The Conclave will meet twice a year (July and December) with the option of calling a third (emergency) meeting when necessary. The members will be delighted to welcome visitors from other Conclaves. Pictured is the Founders’ Jewel worn by all the founder members. The Conclave badge is the cross of the Order upon which is superimposed the badge of St Helena, showing her imperial crown, and also the “vera crux”, or true cross of Christ, which she discovered in Jerusalem.!!!
Constitution of Thames Conclave!!In a short, and rarely witnessed, ceremony, the Thames Conclave of Improvement was constituted at Marlow Masonic Centre, by the Intendant-General, on Saturday 29 March 2014. A total of 20 knights registered as Founders, including both the Intendant-General and Deputy Intendant-General of both Thames Division, and our neighbouring East Midlands Division.!!
Having constituted the Conclave of Improvement, the members present went on to rehearse the ceremony of installation of a Knight-Companion, before closing the Conclave again. A travelling altar has been acquired, consisting of a purple altar frontal (which may be put over any convenient table) and a miniature red-and-white RCC altar superstructure and cross, so that the Conclave of Improvement may move around the different centres with ease. All Knights are welcome to attend meetings, and indeed, encouraged to do so.
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On the Feast of the Assumption, Thursday 15 August 2013, a great many members of Thames Division, along with many other people representing a wealth of organisations, gathered at Amersham Crematorium for the funeral of the late Ill.Kt. Peter Howard Dawson, our Deputy Intendant-General.!!Peter’s forebears went to India as missionaries in 1812, and when Peter was born in Calcutta on 15 August 1946, he was the sixth generation to enter the world in the sub-continent.!!Sent back to England for his education at Tylney Hall School near Basingstoke, Peter missed the end of Empire in India, but he himself settled in this country, and after school joined the police in Banbury. In 1968 he was the very last Constable to join Oxfordshire County Constabulary; twenty-three days later it was combined with the neighbouring county constabularies of Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, and with the Oxford City Police, and the Reading Borough Police, to form the Thames Valley Police, from which Peter was to retire in 1995 after distinguished service, in which he served at Banbury, Witney, Burford, Oxford, Sulhamstead, Maidenhead, and Marlow. Having become a police dog handler, he was promoted to Sergeant, and headed the Thames Valley police dog section. He was also involved with the provision of security at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country home.!!Peter’s long involvement with Freemasonry continued after his heart problems forced him into early retirement from the police. He served as Provincial Grand Secretary for Buckinghamshire Craft Freemasonry, and held the equivalent position in our Order, as Divisional Recorder. In 2008 he was appointed Deputy Intendant-General, and despite giving up all other active offices, he remained in post as Deputy I-G until his death on 2 August 2013. He was a member of Queen Mary Conclave No 444 (from 2001), Buckinghamshire Conclave No 469 (Founder in 2003), and Saint Frideswide Conclave No 339 (from 2003); he was looking forward to becoming a Founder of our proposed new Conclave for Sovereigns. Peter is survived by his wife Ann, and their children Andrew and Sharon, to whom the whole of Thames Division extend deepest sympathy.
Peter Howard Dawson!1946 - 2013
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The Degrees of our Orders
First degree (conferred in a Conclave)!Knight of the Red Cross of Constantine
Masonic & Military Order of!the Red Cross of Constantine
Appendant Orders of the Holy Sepulchre and of St John the Evangelist
First AO (conferred in a Sanctuary)!Knight of the Holy Sepulchre
Second AO (conferred in a Commandery)!Knight of St John the Evangelist
Second degree (conferred in a College)!Priest-Mason (or Eusebius)
Third degree (conferred in a Senate)!Prince-Mason
The Red Cross of Constantine consists of three degrees: Knight-Mason, Priest-Mason, and Prince-Mason.!!After the first degree, the Worthy Knight is required to take the two Appendant Orders (Holy Sepulchre and St John the Evangelist) before he may proceed to the following Red Cross degrees.!!The Priest-Mason degree is also known as Eusebius. This should NOT be confused with the rank of ‘Viceroy’, which is an office which may be held by those who have been admitted to the Eusebius (Priest-Mason) degree. Some members (our Intendant-General is an example) have been admitted (by dispensation) to the Degree of Eusebius without ever serving as a Viceroy. The title of a member of the Priest-Mason degree (a Eusebius) is “Venerable Knight”. Only whilst he holds office as Viceroy does his title change to “Eminent Knight”.!!The Prince-Mason degree completes the series, and is required in order to be enthroned as Sovereign of a Conclave. It forms the pinnacle and climax of the series of Craft, Royal Arch, and Red Cross degrees.
L-R: The breast jewels of the three Red Cross degrees, and the combined breast jewel of the Appendant Orders. The jewel 2nd from left may be worn by all Priests-Mason (and on a collarette by reigning Viceroys). The jewel 3rd from left may be worn by all Princes-Mason (and on a collarette by reigning Sovereigns). This jewel should NOT be called a ‘Past Sovereign jewel’ - it is also for current Sovereigns, as it is the badge of the Prince-Mason degree.
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Conduct of MeetingsRegular Meetings of Conclaves!!Regular meetings should be held at the place, and on the date, named in the by-laws of the Conclave. A summons should be sent to every member, and also to the Intendant-General, the Deputy Intendant-General, the Divisional Eusebius, and the Divisional Recorder.!!The Intendant-General, conscious of the cost to both the Conclave and the environment, of distributing printed papers through the post, is very much in favour of the electronic communication of summonses using the widely available technologies of email, dropbox, and social media.!!If a Conclave wishes to meet at a different location, or on a different date, from that named in its by-laws, a dispensation is required (statute J11). The Conclave Recorder should submit a request for dispensation to the Divisional Recorder. Dispensation is issued by the Intendant-General, or in his absence, by the Deputy Intendant-General.!!Emergency Meetings of Conclaves!!Any Conclave may hold an emergency meeting. This may be a useful way of clearing a waiting list of candidates, as the installation of a new knight may be the business for such emergency meeting. An emergency meeting may also be held in connection with some special celebration or occasion. No dispensation is required for an emergency meeting held at the usual place of meeting, but the summons must (as usual) be circulated in advance to all members and to the Divisional officers named above (statute J12). Recorders are reminded that no business may be conducted at an emergency meeting other than the matter specified on the summons. If an emergency meeting is to be held at a location other than the normal Conclave meeting place, then a dispensation must be obtained from the Intendant-General.!!Regular Meetings of Sanctuaries!!Every Conclave has a Sanctuary of the Holy Sepulchre attached to it, and may open that Sanctuary on any regular meeting date. It is appropriate to do so, in order to allow the Sovereign of the Conclave to have the experience of presiding as Prelate of the Sanctuary, even if the Appendant Orders are not to be worked. If a Sanctuary is to be routinely opened, then it is the appropriate occasion for presenting Appendant Orders Certificates. Attention is drawn to the section of the Number Two ritual book which gives instructions on closing a Sanctuary when the Appendant Orders have not been performed. This is somewhat different from the manner of closing the Sanctuary immediately before opening a Commandery of the Order of St John the Evangelist. Whilst a Sanctuary may be opened at any meeting, a Commandery is only opened when the Appendant Orders are actually being conferred.!!Other Points of Procedure!!Recorders are reminded that a reigning Sovereign may not be enthroned as Sovereign of a second Conclave without dispensation (statute J7). Also, no person may serve as Sovereign of a Conclave for more than two years consecutively without dispensation (statute J6). These two dispensations are not available from the Intendant-General, and application for them must be made to the Grand Sovereign, through the Divisional Recorder.!!Regalia at the Festive Board!!Where it is in accordance with local custom, the Intendant-General is very content to accept the practice of the Sovereign and Viceroy wearing their respective collarettes of office at luncheon or dinner following a Conclave meeting. He considers it a right of members of his Divisional Sepulchre Guard to wear their collarettes at all festive boards within the Division.
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Thames Division !Revised and approved at Divisional Conclave on 6 April 2013. !!
1. The Annual Meeting of Divisional Conclave shall be held on such a date, and at such a time and place, as the Intendant-General shall direct. At this meeting the election of the Divisional Treasurer and the appointment of Divisional Officers and Examiners shall take place, and other necessary business shall be transacted. !
2. Emergency Meetings of Divisional Conclave may be called by the Intendant-General, or in his absence by the Deputy Intendant-General, at such place and time as either shall direct. !
3. Copies of the notice convening each meeting of Divisional Conclave shall be sent to the Recorder of each Conclave within the Division for distribution, to be received by every member of each Conclave not less than fourteen days before the day appointed for the meeting. Except by leave of the Intendant-General or his Deputy, no motion or other matter shall be considered at a meeting of Divisional Conclave unless written notice shall have been received by the Divisional Recorder not less than four weeks prior to the day appointed for the meeting. !
4. The Members of Divisional Conclave shall be such of the following who are subscribing members of a Conclave within the Division:- Present and Past Grand Officers; Present and Past Divisional Officers; Present and Past Sovereigns; Viceroys, Generals and High Prelates for the time being. !
5. Every Knight (with the exception of the Sentinel) shall, on his appointment to Divisional Office or to Past Rank in the Division, pay a Fee of Honour of not more than 40% of the Fee of Honour for a similar appointment in Grand Imperial Conclave. On promotion to a Higher Office or Higher Past Rank a Fee of Honour is payable, being the difference between that payable for the former Office or Rank and that due for the Higher. !
6. Each Conclave in the Division shall pay to the General Fund of the Division annual dues, for each member, for any period during the year covered by the relevant Annual Return. The amount of such dues, which shall not exceed 40% of the rate of annual dues payable to Grand Imperial Conclave, shall be authorised from time to time by Divisional Conclave and shall be sent to the Divisional Recorder with a copy of the Annual Return. !
7. All monies belonging to the Division shall be deposited in a bank account in the name of Thames Division RCC. Cheques drawn on the account shall be signed by the Treasurer or the Intendant-General. The Accounts of the Division shall be made up to the last day of August in each year. They shall be audited and presented to the meeting of Divisional Conclave next following. !
8. The following shall form the Divisional Executive:- The Intendant-General, the Deputy Intendant-General, the Divisional Eusebius, the Divisional Registrar, the Divisional Treasurer, the Divisional Recorder and the Divisional Marshal. !
9. The Standing Committee of Divisional Conclave shall consist of all members of the Divisional Executive and all current Sovereigns of Conclaves within the Division. !
Divisional By-Laws
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10. When sending the Enthronement and Installation Return to the Grand Recorder, the Recorder of each Conclave in the Division shall at the same time forward a copy to the Divisional Recorder. When sending to the Grand Recorder the Return relating to the Installation of new Knights and to Joining Members, the Recorder of each Conclave shall send a copy of the Return to the Divisional Recorder together with the fees payable to Divisional Conclave as authorised in the Statutes. !
11. Notification of the decease of Grand Officers shall be sent direct to the Grand Recorder and a copy sent to the Divisional Recorder. !
12. The Recorder of each Conclave in the Division shall, not less than seven days before any meeting of his Conclave, send a copy of the summons for such meeting to the Intendant-General, the Deputy Intendant-General, the Divisional Eusebius and the Divisional Recorder. !
13. No alteration or addition to any of these By-Laws shall be considered carried unless affirmed by a majority of those present and entitled to vote at a meeting of Divisional Conclave, and shall not be effective until approved by the Intendant-General and the Most Illustrious Grand Sovereign. ! !
Approved by the Right Illustrious Intendant-General, Thames Division. !The Rev’d T. J. N. L’Estrange, Intendant-General. 6th April 2013.
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Toast List!Red Cross of Constantine
Grace!!--------------------!!
The Commemoration!!--------------------!!The Queen!!--------------------!!
The Most Illustrious Grand Sovereign!Graham Leslie Flight, GCC (from 1 July 2014)!!
--------------------!!The Right Illustrious & Eminent Deputy Grand Sovereign!
Peter Hawken, MBE, KCC!!The Right Illustrious & Venerable Grand Eusebius!
The Revd Dr Charles Peter Bernard Blackwell-Smyth, GCC!!and the rest of the Grand Officers, present and past!!
--------------------!!The Right Illustrious Intendant-General!
The Revd Timothy John Nicholas L’Estrange!!--------------------!!
The Deputy Intendant-General!Ronald James Bridger, PGChamb!!
and the rest of the Divisional Officers, present and past!!--------------------!!
The Most Puissant Sovereign!!--------------------!!
The newly installed Knight(s) of the Red Cross of Constantine!!--------------------!!The Visitors
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Toast List!Appendant Orders
!!Grace!!
--------------------!!The Queen!!--------------------!!
The Most Illustrious Patriarch & Grand Commander!Graham Leslie Flight!!
--------------------!!The Right Illustrious & Venerable Sub-Patriarch & Deputy Grand Commander!
Peter Hawken!!and the rest of the Patriarchal Councillors, present and past!!
--------------------!!The Right Illustrious Divisional Prelate & Divisional Grand Commander!
The Revd Timothy John Nicholas L’Estrange!!--------------------!!
The Deputy Divisional Prelate & Deputy Divisional Grand Commander!Ronald James Bridger!!
and the rest of the Divisional Officers, present and past!!--------------------!!
The Right Reverend Prelate & Most Enlightened Commander!!--------------------!!
The newly installed Knight(s) of the Holy Sepulchre!& of St John the Evangelist!!
--------------------!!The Visitors
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The Precepts of our Order
Beloved Brethren: let us love one another; let us bear with one another; let us speak no evil of one another; let us always do good to one another; let us pray with and for one another; let us unite as children of one parent, brethren of one tie; and, in the name of God, let brotherly love prevail. !!!
These precepts are to be recited by the High Prelate during the closing of all assemblies of the first (Conclave) and second (College) degrees of the Order.
They are also to be practised by the Worthy Knights at all times.
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The Twelve Grand Points of our Order
1st ✙ The Humility of Christ upon the Cross.!2nd ✙ The journey of St Helena from Rome to !
Jerusalem.!3rd ✙ Her pious and diligent enquiry concerning the !
sacred spot Golgotha.!4th ✙ Her discovery of the Three Crosses, and her !
perplexity to know which was that of the Christ.!5th ✙ The direction of Macarius, Patriarch of !
Jerusalem, which enabled her to distinguish the !true Cross from those of the two thieves.!
6th ✙ The building of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre ! by Constantine after the finding of the Cross.!
7th ✙ The two festivals of the Christian Church:- that !of the discovery of the true Cross, and that of the !exaltation of the Cross.!
8th ✙ The seizure of the Cross by one of the heathen ! monarchs.!
9th ✙ The restoration of the Cross.!10th ✙ The carrying of the Cross of Christ after its !
recovery, by the Emperor Heraclius in his !imperial robes and pomp.!
11th ✙ The humble garb assumed by Heraclius, in !place of his robes of royalty, when he carried the !Cross into the Church on Mount Calvary.!
12th ✙ The reign of the Son of God in the Day of !Judgment.
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The Festivals of our Order
Listed annually in the agenda paper for our Divisional Conclave,!the three festivals are:!
27 February - the birth of Constantine the Great!3 May - the Discovery of the Cross by St Helena!
14 September - the Restoration of the Cross by Constantine!!The first is the birthday of our Royal Founder.!The other two are specifically named in the!
Twelve Grand Points of the Order (see previous page),!as recited at every Enthronement meeting.!!!
27 February!The date of Constantine’s birth in the year 272.!
It is our practice to commemorate Constantine on his birthday annually.!!!3 May!
This date has variously been known in the Church as “The Invention of the Cross”, or “The Finding of the Cross”, or “The Discovery of the Cross”, all these
titles having the same meaning (invention being from the Latin verb “to find”). The Book of Common Prayer included this festival in its calendar. It is no longer
celebrated in any of the mainstream churches, having been suppressed in 1960 by Pope John XXIII, but we continue to keep the feast within our Order.!!!
14 September!This date has variously been known in the Church as “The Restoration of the
Cross”, or “The Exaltation of the Cross”, or “The Triumph of the Cross”, and is a celebration of the consecration of the Church of the Holy Sepluchre, and the veneration of the True Cross there after its recovery from the heathen. In the
Anglican and Lutheran churches it is simply known as “Holy Cross Day”. In the Church of England, and in most Anglican churches, it ranks as a Principal
Festival of the Church.!!!Members of Thames Division are asked to be assiduous in obeying the
instructions of our Order that these days be marked and commemorated.!Either or both of the forms of prayer on the next two pages may be used.!
The first is for morning use; the second is for evening use.
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The Festivals of our Order:!
A Morning CommemorationOn 27 February, or 3 May, or 14 September, Worthy Knights may offer these prayers,!
either alone, or together.!!!!Introduction!
O Lord open our lips;!and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.!!Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto;!sicut erat in principio, est nunc, et semper, in saecula saeculorum.!Amen.!!
(Pause and offer prayer for!your Brother Knights of the Order.)!!
Morning Prayer!Almighty and everlasting God,!we thank you that you have brought us!safely to the beginning of this day.!Keep us from falling into sin or running into danger,!order us in all our doings!and guide us to do always what is righteous in your sight;!through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.!!
Holy Cross Prayer!Almighty God,!who in the passion of your blessed Son!made an instrument of painful death!to be for us the means of life and peace:!grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ!that we may gladly suffer for his sake;!who is alive and reigns with you,!in the unity of the Holy Spirit,!one God, now and for ever. Amen.!!
The Grace!The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ!and the love of God!and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit!be with us all, evermore. Amen.
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The Festivals of our Order:!
An Evening CommemorationOn 27 February, or 3 May, or 14 September, Worthy Knights may offer these prayers,!
either alone, or together.!!!!Introduction!
O God make speed to save us;!O Lord make haste to help us.!!Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto;!sicut erat in principio, est nunc, et semper, in saecula saeculorum.!Amen.!!
(Pause and offer prayer for!your Brother Knights of the Order.)!!
Evening Prayer!Visit, we beseech you O Lord, this place,!and drive far from it all the snares of the enemy;!let your holy angels dwell herein to preserve us in peace,!and may your blessing be upon us evermore;!through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.!!
Holy Cross Prayer!Almighty God,!who in the passion of your blessed Son!made an instrument of painful death!to be for us the means of life and peace:!grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ!that we may gladly suffer for his sake;!who is alive and reigns with you,!in the unity of the Holy Spirit,!one God, now and for ever. Amen.!!
Conclusion!In peace we will lie down and take our rest;!for you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.!!The almighty and merciful God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,!bless and preserve us. Amen.
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Other Prayers
A prayer which may be offered in Conclaves at the collection of alms, or privately for the masonic charities,
or upon learning of a Brother Knight in distressed circumstances. !Grant, O merciful Lord, that we your faithful servants may always be more willing to serve than anxious to be served; receive our alms and our supplications; grant relief to our poor and distressed brother knights; strengthen the work of our charitable institutions; and hasten the day when all your children may know the comfort and peace of that true happiness, which ever prevails in your kingdom. Amen. !!!
A prayer which may be used in Conclaves, or privately at home,
upon learning of the death of a Brother Knight. !Holy and Eternal Lord God, who in your mercy promised eternal rest to all the faithful; grant that our departed brother knight may enter freely through the gates of paradise, and find his rest in the land of the living; and as we remember thankfully his labours as our companion here on earth, we pray that his portion may be in the heavenly brotherhood of Constantine, Eusebius, and all who have put their trust in you, through Jesus Christ our Great Sovereign and Redeemer. Amen.
Constantine and Helena.
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History of the Thames DivisionThe Red Cross of Constantine is an ancient Masonic Order, probably in England by 1780, but there is no record of its ceremonies being worked in the Counties of Oxfordshire, Berkshire, or Buckinghamshire, before 1980. Many other Divisions, even ones with recent dates of origin, can point to old Conclaves, either active or extinct, which once operated within their territories - but we cannot.!!In 1979 a group of nineteen members of the Order signed a petition to introduce the Red Cross of Constantine to Oxfordshire. A Charter was issued that year, and the Conclave was consecrated on 3 February 1980, under the denomination of St Frideswide Conclave No 339, at the Masonic Centre (pictured) in Oxford. The Consecrating Officer was the Most Illustrious Grand Sovereign, M.Ill.Kt the Rev’d Canon Richard Tydeman MA, GCC, and he was assisted by the Grand Viceroy, Rt.Ill. & Em.Kt Dr G.L.C. Colenso-Jones GCC. The founding Sovereign was H Wimburn S Horlock (of St Andrew’s Conclave No 15), the founding Viceroy Basil H Burwood-Taylor (of Plantagenet Conclave No 2), and the founding Recorder W R Box (of William de Irwin Conclave No 162). At the first working meeting on the 29th March 1980 there were eight candidates; these included Lord Rathcreedan, the Craft Provincial Grand Master for Oxfordshire, and also Charles Woodward, later to become Deputy Intendant-General.!!In 1983 members of St Frideswide assisted, with others, in introducing the Order into Berkshire, with St Paul’s Conclave No 372 consecrated at Wokingham. The Consecrating Officer was the Most Illustrious Grand Sovereign, M.Ill.Kt the Rev’d Canon Richard Tydeman MA, GCC, and he was assisted by the Grand Viceroy, Rt.Ill. & Em.Kt Dr G.L.C. Colenso-Jones GCC. The founding Sovereign was Basil H Burwood-Taylor, and the Viceroy was William Box. There were twenty founders, with Cyril Jones as Founding Recorder.!!In 1985 the Thames Division was formally constituted, and Wimburn Horlock became the first Intendant-General. The Division included Surrey, and had three Conclaves: St Frideswide No 339 in Oxfordshire, The Surrey No 348 in Surrey, and St Paul’s No 372 in Berkshire.
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In 1990, when the Intendant-General retired, the Division was split in two. Surrey went alone under Intendant-General Edward Smith, with a second Conclave consecrated that same year. It has continued to grow, and today numbers fifteen Conclaves across the county.!!
Thames Division continued, now with just the three counties that still form the Division today. Oxfordshire and Berkshire had a Conclave each, with none in Buckinghamshire, when the new Intendant-General, Douglas Adkins, took over. However, the two Conclaves were strong. St Frideswide Conclave had grown rapidly. It was now ten years old, and although only twelve of the founders remained, its total membership was forty-five. St Paul’s Conclave was just seven years old, but already had a membership of thirty-two knights. St Frideswide Conclave had also established connections with the community of University Freemasonry in
Oxford. For many years, members of Oxford University had associated themselves with Plantagenet Conclave No 2, in London, but many returned to Oxford to take their Appendant Orders, where these two beautiful ceremonies were worked annually by the members of St Frideswide.!!Douglas Adkins’ five-year Patent of appointment was extended, and he served a total of seven years. Growth was very much slower than in Surrey, but towards the end of his tenure he asked a group of Worthy Knights to petition for a second Oxfordshire Conclave, in the north of the county.!!The Queen Mary Conclave No 444 was consecrated on 8 November 1996 - the third Conclave in the re-constituted Division. The Founding Recorder was David Jesson. The seventeen Founders included many very senior members of the Division and of the Order, amongst them Charles Woodward, Rodney Staines, Ron Bridger, Andrew Mitchell-Fyffe, and John Mandleberg. Queen Mary (“Bloody Mary”) granted Banbury its Charter as a town, this being a reward for the loyalty of its citizens during her battle for supremacy, and for the Crown. Her crown is therefore a fitting symbol for the Conclave, and also evocative of the Imperial Crown of Constantine, and of the Kingly Crown of Christ the Saviour King. The Founders set a consecration date of February 1997, but the Intendant-General, Douglas Adkins, who was ill, and increasingly aware of his frailty, insisted that the consecration date be brought forward to November 1996,
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and despite the rush, this was achieved. The Intendant-General consecrated the Conclave himself, assisted by the Divisional Officers. George Owen, as consecrating High Prelate, delivered the oration. This turned out to be the Intendant-General’s final masonic duty, and his final masonic meeting. He died a week later, the only Intendant-General of this Division to have died in office, and the Division observed a period of official mourning.!!In 1997 the new Intendant-General was appointed. Rodney Staines (pictured) was to serve for fourteen years in that office, and during his leadership two further Conclaves were consecrated.!!A group of Oxford University masons, most of whom were members of Plantagenet Conclave in London, but also building on the connection with St Frideswide Conclave, began working towards opening an Oxford Conclave for university members. They were led by Bob Good, who became their founding Recorder. Also involved as a founder was Timothy L’Estrange, later to become our Intendant-General, who noted that Plantagenet was distinguished by being the only English Conclave still to wear officers’ collars (once worn in all Conclaves, these had died out elsewhere). He noted that the Red Cross apron had also died out, but was still officially listed as an “optional item” of regalia in the Statutes of the Order, and it was agreed that the new conclave would adopt the apron for all members. Jim Daniel (then Grand Secretary of the United Grand Lodge of England) donated the very first apron.!University Conclave No 468 was consecrated in 2000, and with membership limited to members of Oxford University, remains the only Conclave in the Division with ‘closed membership’. (The full history of University Conclave was published in 2010, and is available in booklet form from the Conclave.) The founding Sovereign was Basil Burwood-Taylor, whilst former Intendant-General Wimburn Horlock became the founding IPS. The eighteen founders consisted of three clergymen, two schoolmasters, a civil servant, an academic, a serving naval officer, and two full-time masonic administrators, together with assorted accountants, bankers, and company directors.!!Meanwhile, another group of members of the Division was working on a solution to the complete lack of Red Cross activity in Buckinghamshire. Consequently, less than a year later (in 2001) the Buckinghamshire Conclave No 469 was consecrated, to meet at Bletchley, in the north of the county. The Division settled down to a regular pattern, with its five Conclaves meeting regularly, and an annual Divisional meeting.!!In 2005, to prove its coming-of-age, St Paul’s Conclave worked the Appendant Orders (with assistance from across the Division). The event was a great
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celebration, and was attended by M.Ill.Kt Ronald A. Champion, the Grand Sovereign, escorted by the Grand Marshal (Neil Matthews), and a retinue from Grand Imperial Conclave; it was also attended by the Intendant-General and his Deputy, with a party of Divisional Officers.!!In 2008 the Appendant Orders were worked for the first time by University Conclave, using a team of entirely their own members, assisted by the Divisional Sepulchre Guard. This was also the year in which Deputy Intendant-General Charles Woodward stood down from that office, accepting instead the roll of Divisional Organist, in which capacity he has graced our Divisional meetings with his music to the present day. The Divisional Recorder, Peter Dawson, was named as the new Deputy Intendant-General.!!
In 2011 Rodney Staines stood down as Intendant-General. His replacement was named as Timothy L’Estrange (pictured), and he was Enthroned at a special assembly of the Divisional Grand Conclave in Oxford on Monday 17 October 2011. The ceremony was performed by the Grand Sovereign, M.Ill.Kt. Richard Wallis, GCC. The Grand Sovereign pointed out that whilst the Division had grown consistently, it had done so at a much slower rate than other parts of the country. The Division was geographically as large as any in the country, but in terms of membership, and number of Conclaves, was the joint-smallest. He hoped for further growth in the future.!!
In 2011 Buckinghamshire Conclave moved from Bletchley to Wolverton.!!In 2012 St Frideswide Conclave moved from Oxford to Woodstock, in the face of serious and growing problems at the Oxford Masonic Centre.!!The sudden closure of the Oxfordshire Masonic Centre, which had collapsed under massive financial debts, led to the University Conclave being left homeless (at the time of writing it meets by dispensation at a temporary location), and also to the loss of the usual meeting place of Divisional Conclave. The Division always seeks opportunity out of adversity, and has established a new home (from 2013 onwards) for Divisional Grand Conclave at Beaconsfield, where we are using our meetings as a further opportunity to spread the news of this wonderful Christian Order.!
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!Reserve the date now!!!
Saturday 6 June 2015!!30th anniversary celebrations!
of the formation of Thames Division
Also in 2012, the Intendant-General announced plans to revive earlier proposals for new Conclaves in both central and southern Buckinghamshire. Plans for the southern Conclave advanced rapidly under the direction of founder Recorder Richard Skym, and the close of 2013 was marked by the joyful events of 7 December that year, when the Intendant-General, assisted by the Divisional officers, consecrated a new Conclave in the presence of the Grand Sovereign, the Grand Eusebius, and the Grand Marshal. The new Conclave, named St Helena Conclave No 518, meets at Marlow in Buckinghamshire.!!Sadly, Buckinghamshire Conclave No 469 suffered severe losses of membership following its move to Wolverton in 2011, and by 2013 had insufficient members to continue operating. A decision was made to relocate the Conclave to Aylesbury, thus satisfying the demand for a central Buckinghamshire Conclave. The move will be made during 2014, and is already proving popular, with candidates for both joining and installation emerging.!!2014 also saw the constitution of the Thames Conclave of Improvement at Marlow Masonic Centre on Saturday 29 March. The CoI was constituted, the first degree ceremony was rehearsed, and then a beer and sandwich luncheon was enjoyed together by the Founder members.!!Already some members are looking at the options for trying again with a north Bucks Conclave at a more suitable location than Wolverton; other members are actively looking at plans to expand the Order within Berkshire; and plans continue for the formation of a Sovereigns’ Conclave within the Division.!!The Division of Thames looks forward to 2015, when it will celebrate 30 years since its constitution, and it has high hopes for its future life and fellowship.!
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Deputy Intendants-General!of the Thames Division:!!
1985 - 1997! :! V.Ill.Kt. Basil H. Burwood-Taylor, OBE, MA!1997 - 2008! :! V.Ill.Kt. Charles E. Woodward!2008 - 2013! :! Ill.Kt. Peter H. Dawson!2013 - 2014! :! V.Ill.Kt. Charles E. Woodward (acting)!2014 -! ! :! Ill.Kt. Ronald J. Bridger
Intendants-General!of the Thames Division:!!
1985 - 1990! :! R.Ill.Kt. H. Wimburn S. Horlock, MA!1990 - 1996! :! R.Ill.Kt. Douglas K. Adkins!1997 - 2011! :! R.Ill.Kt. Rodney Staines!2011 -! ! :! R.Ill.Kt. the Rev’d Timothy J. N. L’Estrange, MA
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Left: The Intendants-General of Thames and Benelux meet on the field of battle at Waterloo in May 2014. The Intendant-General of Benelux is an acknowledged expert on the Battle of Waterloo.
Right: Our Intendant-General represented us at Salisbury for the
ceremony (in the Guildhall) to detach Wiltshire from Hampshire,
and attach it instead to Dorset.
Left: In Sofia, Bulgaria, our I-G is pictured with the Grand Sovereign, the Grand Eusebius, and the Grand Sovereign designate during the ceremony marking the introduction of our Order into Bulgaria.
The Intendant-General’s TravelsPart of the role of the Intendant-General is to represent Thames Division nationally and globally. Over the past 18 months the Intendant-General has travelled to both the Netherlands and Bulgaria to assist Grand Imperial Conclave, carrying the name of Thames Division with him. He has also paid an informal visit to Belgium, to the Intendant-General of Benelux Division. At home, he has attended meetings of the Order in Somerset, Leicestershire, Hampshire, Cambridgeshire, Kent, Dorset, London, Wiltshire, and Northamptonshire, as well as Grand Imperial Conclave in Birmingham, Grand Sovereign’s Conclave, and the Intendant-Generals’ Conference.
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Website and NoticesThe Divisional website is provided as a resource for the Division. It contains information and news, and is also a useful tool for recruitment. Candidates
potentially interested in joining our Order can be directed to the website to learn more. All members are encouraged to use this resource.
http://thamesdivision.weebly.comUsing the Divisional website is easy. However, if you are challenged at any stage for a
password, you should enter the three watchwords of our Order, as a single continuous phrase, entirely in lower case characters.
The website includes a “News” section with latest information.!It also has a “Resources” section where many useful forms and documents may be
downloaded, including the membership application form, the Divisional Requiem, the By-Laws of the Division, and an application form for joining the Divisional Sepulchre Guard.
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Grace before Luncheon or Dinner!!Benedictus benedicat, per Jesum Christum dominum nostrum. Amen.!!!
Grace after Luncheon or Dinner!!Benedicto benedicatur, per Jesum Christum dominum nostrum. Amen.!!!
The Commemoration!!To the pious memory of our illustrious founders, Constantine and Eusebius.!
(This is taken seated, with the glass in the left hand, and without fire.)!!!The Baton!!
Sovereigns of Conclaves (along with other Knights personally entitled to bear a baton) are reminded that the baton should never be used to give knocks - a gavel should be provided for that purpose. Sovereigns (and others bearing batons) are further reminded that when held, the baton should always be in one of the following four positions.!!Default: The baton is held at the ‘carry’, in the right hand, with the hand central on the shaft, and the foot of the baton resting on the right hip-bone, with its head a little higher than its foot.!!Prayers: The baton is held exactly as above, but in the left hand, and on the left hip-bone, allowing the right hand to assume the sign of reverence.!!Obligation: During obligations the baton is held in the centre of the chest, with its foot a couple of inches above the navel, and its head at chest level.!!Salutes: At all times when a knight might otherwise salute with the Sign of Darkness, a baton-bearing knight salutes by raising the baton, still in the right hand, to the ‘recover’ - that is, with the shaft vertical, the hand in the middle of the shaft, and the symbol on the head of the baton level with the eyes and about three inches in front of them. It is held here, then returned to the ‘carry’.!!!
Fire!!Fire in this Order is given thus - U ■ D ■ L ■ R ■ Pt
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Suffix Mark Rank Title Prefix
!! 1° Knight-Mason!(Knight Companion) Worthy Knight W.Kt.
!! 2° Priest-Mason!(Installed Eusebius) Venerable Knight V.Kt.
!! Viceroy of Conclave Eminent Knight E.Kt.
!! 3° Prince-Mason!(Installed Sovereign) Puissant Knight P.Kt.
!! Sovereign of Conclave Most Puissant Knight M.P.Kt.
!! Grand Officer Illustrious Knight Ill.Kt.
!! Senior Grand Officer Very Illustrious Knight V.Ill.Kt.
!! Intendant-General Right Illustrious Knight R.Ill.Kt.
!! Knight Commander!of Constantine Right Illustrious Knight R.Ill.Kt.
!! Knight Grand Cross!of Constantine Right Illustrious Knight R.Ill.Kt.
!! Deputy Grand Sovereign Right Illustrious and Eminent Knight R.Ill.&E.Kt.
!! Grand Sovereign Most Illustrious Knight M.Ill.Kt.
Titles and Suffix Marks
Suffix Marks should be added after a Brother Knight’s name when he signs any attendance register or minute book, and when in correspondence with another Brother Knight.
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�48Published by Thames Division, 2014
