Keynsham Preceptory of St Kenya No. 455
Meetings
Installation Meeting
First Tuesday in March
Regular Meetings
Third Monday in January (Malta)
First Tuesday in June
Fourth Wednesday in October
All Meetings start at 6.30 p.m
On Monday 15th January 2023, 57 Knights including the Provincial Prior and Provincial Sub-Prior attended the Keynsham Masonic Hall, when three Knights (two from King Arthur of Avalon Preceptory and one from Worlebury Preceptory) were installed as Knights of Malta.
The meeting was superbly conducted by the Eminent Prior, E.Kt. Garry Mackenzie, supported by the officers of the Keynsham Priory. It was splendid to see the majority of the Knights wearing their Malta Regalia, which also added to the atmosphere of the occasion.
On completion of the Ceremony the Knights attended a wonderful After Meeting. This being the month of celebrating Robert Burns, the first course was Haggis accompanied by Neeps and Tatties and a wee dram, and the main course was the famous, Keynsham Hot Buffet! which everyone thoroughly enjoyed.
Officers Appointed 2024
Eminent Preceptor
E. Kt. D. J. Smith - Installed March 2024
Principal Contacts
- Registrar: E.Kt. Alan McMurray
- Almoner: E.Kt. Ian Walker
Officers
- First Constable Kt. Richard Gover
- Second Constable Kt. Robert Edwards
- Chaplain E.Kt. John Creech
- Treasurer E.Kt. Mike Gill
- Registrar E.Kt. Malcolm Behling
- Marshal E.Kt. Graham Jeffery
- Deputy Marshal E.Kt. Mark Saunders
- Almoner E.Kt. Derrick Griffin
- First Herald Kt. Paul Drake
- Second Herald Kt. Lee Preece
- Standard Bearer (B) Kt. David Newland
- Standard Bearer (VB) Kt. Sean Biggins
- Captain of Guards Kt. Michael Short
- Organist Kt. Adrian Moore
- Guard E.Kt. Marcus Crew
History - 1975 to ....
The Preceptory was consecrated at Keynsham on the 3rd June 1975. The ceremony was conducted by the Provincial Prior, V.E.Kt.W.B.Clatworthy K.C.T., assisted by officers of Great Priory and of Provincial Priory.
There were 19 founders present and, following the consecration, the Provincial Sub-Prior, Very Eminent Knight Dr.G.W.R.Bishop installed the first Eminent Preceptor, E.Kt.G.T.Garlick.
The Preceptory is named after St. Keyna, a British Saint who lived in the 6th century A.D. the daughter of a Welsh Prince, we are told that she left home seeking peace and contentment, and eventually settled at the spot now known as Keynsham. Legend informs us that she found the people there troubled greatly by poisonous serpents and, grasping one of these firmly in both hands, she beseeched the Lord to rid the surrounding countryside of this menace. In answer to her plea the serpents were turned into stones, and this is said to account for the many ammonites to be found in the lias rocks even to this day.
The Preceptory banner was dedicated by the Very Eminent Provincial Prior on the 3rd June 1980. The banner depicts St. Keyna clasping a serpent, and the origin of its design is to be found in a small piece of material, about 1.5 inches square, which was discovered in a room at the Keynsham Masonic Hall.