Selwood Preceptory of St. John No. 244

Installation Meeting

 First Monday in October

Regular Meetings 

First Monday in June

First Monday in October

All Meetings start at 6.30 p.m

Eminent Preceptor

E. Kt. D.P.S. Hobbs P.Gt. Her. - Installed February 2024

Principal Contacts

• Registrar: Kt. David Dixon
• Almoner: E.Kt. Martyn Russell

Officers Appointed 2024

• Chaplain: E.Kt.C.J.Robbins 
• 1st Constable: Kt.C.A.F.Lambert
• 2nd Constable: E.Kt.A.J.Carter
• Treasurer: E.Kt.D.M.Hann 
• Registrar: Kt.D.J.Dixon
• Marshall: E.Kt.A.T.Jones
• Deputy Marshall: E.Kt.R.J.F.Conneely
• Almoner: E.Kt.M.I.Russell
• 1st Herald: E.Kt.A.R.Guthrie
• 2nd Herald: E.Kt.C.W.Ayton
• Standard Bearer (B): Kt.S.A.Barker
• Standard Bearer (VB): Kt.C.S.P.Harding 
• Captain of Guards: Kt.A.S.Griffiths
• Guard: E.Kt.D.J.Tadman

This is another example of a combination of saint and place name. St. John the Baptist is the Dedication Saint of Frome Parish Church which may well account for the use of this name by the Preceptory. The present church built in stages between 1150 and 1450 and elaborately restored in Victorian times, stands on the site of a church established by St. Aldhelm, then Abbot of Malmesbury, in about 685. The inclusion of the name Selwood perpetuates the ancient and vast Forest of Selwood which formally extended from Frome southwards. 

The Preceptory was consecrated at Frome on the 24th May 1927, the ceremony being performed by the Most Eminent and Supreme Pro Grand Master, Major General T.C.P. Calley, assisted by officers of Great Priory and of Provincial Priory. There were 12 founder members, and the first Eminent Preceptor was Eminent Knight T.H.Langford-Sainsbury; and this, at the time when the R.E.Kt.Col.Alfred Thrale Perkins was the Provincial Prior of Somerset, Monmouth and South Wales.

It may be noted that Knights from Bath held meetings in Frome whilst their own Temple was being repaired following war damage.

The Preceptory Banner was dedicated on the 17th May 1996 by the Provincial Sub-Prior E.Kt.J.R.Pearson. The Provincial Prelate designate gave an Address on the significance of the Banner, and then offered up the dedicatory Prayer.