JamesWhitehead
Piffle Prospector
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2001
- Messages
- 14,442
Today's Manchester Evening News contains a large piece with photo
to publicise the peace crusade of the Knights Templar!
According to the piece, there are more than a dozen members of the
Commandery of Cheshire, and "about seventy" members in the UK.
The story with photo and link to a background article are at the
following URL:
http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/news/content.cfm?story=178983
There is even a phone number to call if you are interested in joining!
Ancient order on march again Email this to a Friend HISTORY IN MAKING: Ken Lancaster, Doris and David Lunt and Linda Blease
THE banner of the Knights Templar fluttered over the burning plains of the Holy Land 800 years ago as Crusaders clashed with the Saracens.
Now the emblem of the Knights is to fly above Altrincham...the first time it has been on public display in England since the middle of the 14th Century.
With a fanfare of trumpets from men of the Prince of Wales Clive Division - latter-day Knights of the Commandery of Cheshire, of the Supreme Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem - will parade in St George's Parish Church, Altrincham, on March 16.
History will be made that weekend when the standard of the order will be raised in the town by the local Knights, who wear a surplice with the cross emblem.
There are now more than a dozen members who form the Commandery of Cheshire, as part of the Grand Priory of England and Wales. They come from all walks of life and are mainly in the Altrincham area.
Building bridges
The military cause of the Templars is forgotten these days and the order is more concerned with building bridges linking all members of the community and other religions.
''Although the Templars is a Christian-based organisation, there is nothing to stop Jewish or Muslim people joining,'' said David Lunt who, like the other Knights, has the title of Chevalier.
The actual form of religion is not so important. The only requirement for any member is that he or she believes in God and is prepared to swear to that.
''Women, too, may join and they take the title of Dame within the order. We meet to raise money for charity and to maintain the great honourable traditions of the Templars.''
David, of Stamford Avenue, Altrincham, who is the Cheshire commandery's chancellor, added: ''Our group has been going for about five years and is growing all the time. Nationally, there are about 70 members, but there are many other groups of Knights operating around the world.
''They travel abroad, where possible, to maintain the international bond and discuss our work.''
Charity work
The Knights' most important charity is the Rainbow Trust, which supports the Francis House children's hospice at Didsbury and in the last two years they have sent donations of more than £1,000.
Their March ceremony will be a service of dedication and remembrance conducted by the Vicar of Altrincham, Canon Fr Brian McConnell, who is chaplain general of the order; the Rev Tony Ashdown; and the Cheshire commandery's new chaplain, the Rev Burgess Michael Hepworth.
Three new Knights will be installed and several new members, or ''postulants'', will be received, including a number from England and Wales and two from Sweden.
Among officials present will be Greater Manchester High Sheriff Lady Joyce Montgomery and her husband, ex-MP Sir Fergus Montgomery; Altrincham and Sale West MP Graham Brady; and national representatives of the Templars plus the order's Grand Prior of Belgium; and the Mayor and Mayoress of Trafford, Coun and Mrs Harry Faulkner.
to publicise the peace crusade of the Knights Templar!
According to the piece, there are more than a dozen members of the
Commandery of Cheshire, and "about seventy" members in the UK.
The story with photo and link to a background article are at the
following URL:
http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/news/content.cfm?story=178983
There is even a phone number to call if you are interested in joining!
Ancient order on march again Email this to a Friend HISTORY IN MAKING: Ken Lancaster, Doris and David Lunt and Linda Blease
THE banner of the Knights Templar fluttered over the burning plains of the Holy Land 800 years ago as Crusaders clashed with the Saracens.
Now the emblem of the Knights is to fly above Altrincham...the first time it has been on public display in England since the middle of the 14th Century.
With a fanfare of trumpets from men of the Prince of Wales Clive Division - latter-day Knights of the Commandery of Cheshire, of the Supreme Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem - will parade in St George's Parish Church, Altrincham, on March 16.
History will be made that weekend when the standard of the order will be raised in the town by the local Knights, who wear a surplice with the cross emblem.
There are now more than a dozen members who form the Commandery of Cheshire, as part of the Grand Priory of England and Wales. They come from all walks of life and are mainly in the Altrincham area.
Building bridges
The military cause of the Templars is forgotten these days and the order is more concerned with building bridges linking all members of the community and other religions.
''Although the Templars is a Christian-based organisation, there is nothing to stop Jewish or Muslim people joining,'' said David Lunt who, like the other Knights, has the title of Chevalier.
The actual form of religion is not so important. The only requirement for any member is that he or she believes in God and is prepared to swear to that.
''Women, too, may join and they take the title of Dame within the order. We meet to raise money for charity and to maintain the great honourable traditions of the Templars.''
David, of Stamford Avenue, Altrincham, who is the Cheshire commandery's chancellor, added: ''Our group has been going for about five years and is growing all the time. Nationally, there are about 70 members, but there are many other groups of Knights operating around the world.
''They travel abroad, where possible, to maintain the international bond and discuss our work.''
Charity work
The Knights' most important charity is the Rainbow Trust, which supports the Francis House children's hospice at Didsbury and in the last two years they have sent donations of more than £1,000.
Their March ceremony will be a service of dedication and remembrance conducted by the Vicar of Altrincham, Canon Fr Brian McConnell, who is chaplain general of the order; the Rev Tony Ashdown; and the Cheshire commandery's new chaplain, the Rev Burgess Michael Hepworth.
Three new Knights will be installed and several new members, or ''postulants'', will be received, including a number from England and Wales and two from Sweden.
Among officials present will be Greater Manchester High Sheriff Lady Joyce Montgomery and her husband, ex-MP Sir Fergus Montgomery; Altrincham and Sale West MP Graham Brady; and national representatives of the Templars plus the order's Grand Prior of Belgium; and the Mayor and Mayoress of Trafford, Coun and Mrs Harry Faulkner.
