Cumba Preceptory No. 476
Meetings
Installation Meeting
First Friday in March
Regular Meetings
First Friday in May
First Friday in September
First Friday in December (Malta)
All Meetings start at 6.30 p.m
Officers Appointed 2024
Eminent Preceptor
E. Kt. S. Beach - Installed March2024
Principal Contacts
- Registrar: E.Kt. Alan McMurray
- Almoner: E.Kt. Ian Walker
Officers
- Chaplain E.Kt. Chris Jeffery
- 1st Constable E.Kt. Jim McNally
- 2nd Constable Kt. Chris Kelly
- Treasurer E.Kt. John Bateman
- Registrar E.Kt. Alan McMurray
- Marshall E.Kt. Clive Sanders
- Deputy Marshal E.Kt. Joseph Furneaux-Gotch
- Almoner E.Kt. Ian Walker
- 1st Herald Kt. Steve Warwick
- 2nd Herald Kt. Robert Thomas
- Standard Bearer (B) Kt. Nathan Power
- Standard Bearer (VB) Kt. Neil Braginton
- Captain of the Guards Kt. Jamie Jones
- Guard E.Kt. Richard Warry
A NEW TRADITION
The late E.KT. David Platten’s Knights Templar Jewels being
presented to current Preceptory Marshal E.Kt. Clive Sanders by the Eminent Preceptor Steve Beach
David Platten’s Knights Templar Jewels
E.Kt. David Platten was a member of the Cumba Preceptory for 23 years until his death in 2020. He was a respected Knight who was well known across the Province and further afield for his adept Marshalling skills. He served as Provincial Marshal with distinction for 6 years between 2014 and 2020.
In a recent committee meeting, it was agreed that the late E.Kt David Platten Jewels should be passed down from Marshal to Marshal to inspire them to perform to the best of his abilities during their time in Office.
In our May meeting The Eminent Preceptor E.Kt. Steve Beach presented the jewels to our current Preceptory Marshal E.Kt. Clive Sanders.
Installation Friday 1st March 2024
E.Kt. Stephen Beach Installed as Eminent Preceptor of Cumba Preceptory No.476 in the presence of the Provincial Prior for Somerset, R.E.Kt. Paul Davis and 35 other Knights of the Temple.
Open Evening Friday 1st September 2023
Cumba Knights Templar Preceptory No. 476 meeting in Crewkerne Somerset, decided to hold an Open Evening following its regular meeting on Friday 1st September, when only administrative agenda was planned.
The aim of the Open Evening was that all in attendance would gain an Advancement in Masonic knowledge, specifically regarding our Medieval Predecessors and its links to Masonic Knights Templars.
Following dialogue between the Provincial Prior and the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent for Somerset, it was agreed that Companions of the Holy Royal Arch could be in attendance. Invitations were sent to local Chapters and eight Companions duly booked to attend.
The Preceptory was opened at 6.30pm and closed at 7.15pm with 34 Knights in attendance. The eight Companions in the meantime were entertained by two Knights in the Bar.
Once the Preceptory was closed, the Companions were invited into the Preceptory where they Knights remained in full regalia. They were welcomed by the Eminent Preceptor Andrew Mackay and the R.E. Provincial Prior for Somerset Paul Davis.
The first item on the agenda was a viewing of a very professional 25-minute video which was originally received from the Province of Oxford, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, but fine-tuned by E.Kt. Graham Snell (a member of O.B.B) to give references to the Province of Somerset. Our grateful thanks are sent to the Provincial Prior of O.B.B, R.E.Kt. Graham McGowen-Smith who originated the video.
The R.E. Provincial Prior of Somerset then gave a very interesting talk about modern Masonic Knights Templar. This was followed by a talk from the Sub-Prior E.Kt. Ray Sheppard in his Malta Regalia.
Our new Somerset Membership Officer E.Kt. Ray Beckingham, a Knight for many years, then spoke about ‘what Knights Templar Masonry meant to him’.
This was followed by one of our new Knights, Kt. Neil Braginton who spoke about the same subject.
The Provincial Priors Bodyguard under the direction of the Body Guard Commander E.Kt. Darrell Hinder on his last outing before being invested as Provincial 2nd Constable, then gave a short demonstration of Sword Drill followed by and Arch of Steel when the Provincial Prior and Sub-Prior retired.
All then proceeded to the dining room where a splendid three course meal was served. The sweet was accompanied by ‘Commanderia St John Dessert Wine’ and an explanation of its significance was given by E.Kt. Clive Sanders.
The Preceptory tradition of taking Port after the sweet was observed and then the snuff box was circulated.
Kt. Steve Beach than gave a short explanation of the snuff box which is engraved with the name Sir Lional Brett the Primus Eminent Preceptor in the year 1976. Sir Lionel was subsequently appointed 2nd Great Constable and from 1984 until his death in 1990 he held the office of Great Chancellor. In 1985 he became only the second member of the Province of Somerset to be appointed ‘Knight Grand Cross of the United Orders’.
As Companions were present the normal Toasts were taken but with ‘no fire’. The Provincial Prior E.Kt. Paul Davis thanked all the Knights that were involved with planning the meeting and said he hoped all enjoyed the evening, particularly the Companions present. He also spoke to the ‘Swift’ which was on display that was presented to Somerset, as a consequence of its Charity contributions in its 175th Anniversary year.
Companion Mike Norton the Chairman of the (light blue) Adair Club ably responded on behalf of the visitors to the Visitor Toast.
In keeping with the Preceptories traditions, the last toast taken was to the memory of Serlo Fitz Odo who in 1185 founded the first Preceptory in Somerset at Templecombe.
History - 1977 to ....
The Preceptory takes its name from Cumba or Combe (now Templecombe) the site of the old Preceptory or Commandery in Somerset of the Knights Templar (1185-1313) and later the Knights Hospitaller (1313-1540).
The Preceptory was consecrated at Yeovil on the 7th January 1977, the ceremony being performed by the Provincial Prior, Very Eminent Kt. W.B.Clatworthy, assisted by officers of Great Priory and of Provincial Priory. There were a total of 24 founder members, and the first Eminent Preceptor, Eminent Knight Sir Lionel Brett was installed by the Provincial Sub-Prior, E.Kt.K.C.Kinnersley.
(It may be added that Sir Lionel was subsequently appointed 2nd Great Constable and that from 1984 until his death in 1990, he held the office Great Chancellor. In 1985 he became only the second member of the Province to be appointed Knight Grand Cross of the United Orders. His sword may be seen on the Honours Board of the Preceptory with the inscription “The sword of R.E.Kt. Sir Lionel Brett, G.C.T., Great Chancellor and First Preceptor. Never drawn without cause. Never sheathed without honour”).
Meetings were held, initially, in the Masonic Hall at Yeovil, but in September 1988, the venue was changed and the Preceptory now meets in Crewkerne.
The Preceptory banner, bearing the device of the Christus, was presented through the generosity of the first Eminent Preceptor and was dedicated at the meeting of the Preceptory held on the 5th September 1980.
It is of interest to note that the original Cumba Preceptory at Templecombe was founded in 1185 by Serlo Fitz Odo, and that the final toast given at the festive board of the present Cumba Preceptory is “To the Pious memory of Serlo Fitz Odo”. The toast is taken seated.