Keynsham Preceptory of St Kenya No. 455

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.

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

On Tuesday 5th March 2024, the Provincial Prior and the Provincial Sub-Prior, attended the Installation of E. Kt. David Smith as Eminent Preceptor for the ensuing year of the Keynsham Preceptory of St Keyna No. 455. Thirty-Nine (39) knights in total attended the meeting including 3 knights from the Province of Devonshire and Cornwall. After an excellent ceremony performed by E.Kt Garry Mackenzie, the nights retired to an excellent Festive Board.

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.