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Body Guard
Members of the Provincial Prior's Body Guard are chosen on merit by the Provincial Prior as a yearly appointment. The purpose of the Body Guard is to accompany the senior Provincial Officers on their formal visits, to perform duties during these visits (arch of steel and, possibly, junior offices) and to participate at Provincial meetings and our biennial Church Service. It is the equivalent, in other Masonic degrees, of a Provincial Steward but perhaps even more rewarding.
Notable members
From a book of certificates issued to members of the Body Guard, the first was issued on 24/9/59 to Kt W O Rydings of Ascalon Preceptory, when Warwickshire made up the Province. Geoffrey C Haynes of Wulfruna Preceptory was appointed in 1964, and F J Skidmore (again from Wulfruna Preceptory) in March 1966 alongside a Past Provincial Prior, Walter R Dean of Sir John Kent. From Godefroi de Bouillon Preceptory, Gordon Hewitt was appointed in April 1966 and Kevin Chawner in April 1977. From Roger de Clinton Preceptory, John Robbins was appointed in May 1973 and Stanley C Loweth in June 1979.
| Bodyguard | ||||
| Commander | THOMAS | Nicholas Mark | 530 | William-de-Ferrars |
| Dep. Commander | JONES | Steven Roy | 530 | William-de-Ferrars |
| Bodyguard Registrar | SPENCER-GRAY | Philip Matthew | 457 | Sir Robert Mavesyn |
| Bro. Knight | THOMAS | David John | 530 | William-de-Ferrars |
| Bro. Knight | SHENTON | Andrew William | 530 | William-de-Ferrars |
| Bro. Knight | SCRIVEN | Adrian Richard | 369 | Sir John Kent |
| Bro. Knight | TRIGG | Matt William | 546 | John O'Gaunt |
| Bro. Knight | JONES | Rupert Laurence Hunter | 42 | Godefroi de Bouillon |
| Bro. Knight | GRIFFIN | Matthew David | 407 | Roger-de-Clinton |
| Bro. Knight | SNAPE | Mark Andrew | 42 | Godefroi de Bouillon |
| Bro. Knight | SEALEY | Jonathan Paul | 530 | William-de-Ferrars |
| Bro. Knight | SIME | Kevin Dennis John | 457 | Sir Robert Mavesyn |
| Bro. Knight | WATTS | Stephen William | 170 | Bernard de Tremelay |
| Bro. Knight | BOOTH | Thomas | 398 | St Clement |
| Bro. Knight | PERKS | Darren Lee | 193 | St Chad |
Fund Raising
The Body Guard not only provide a guard of honour in musters around the Province, but they also raise funds for various causes including the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital, Local Charities, St John Ambulance, and play a major role in the Provincial Prior's challenges.Past challenges have included a Coast-2-Coast cycle ride; a 100-mile trek in 48 hours across the Province and canoeing the 5 Counties Canal Ring – 105 miles in two days. New Challenges are taken up and announced by each seasons Body Guard.
Sword Drill
The Body Guard are held in high esteem for their sword drill. None more so when the team performed the silent drill routine across the Province and in our neighbouring Provinces. Every aspect of the expected sword drill is performed after only one command "Bro Knights, To – Order" From there the Body Guard delivered a 12-minute non-stop sequence of sword drill and synchronised marching which covers every aspect of drill required of a Knight.The Body Guard have their own swords by way of recognition within the Province giving the Arch of Steel an extra boost of shining armour!
Socially
Members of the Body Guard are a sociable bunch and can be seen supporting the Province and individual Preceptories. The Body Guard lunch is held periodically with wives, partners, and guests. Annual dining takes place with the Préceptorie Saint- Front le Vaillant N°15 from France, a gastronomic delight and great company.Visiting other Body Guard Preceptories in England and Wales can form part of the social calendar. Offering the opportunity to meet up and exchange ideas with like-minded Knights.
More particularly, the Body Guard members have formed their own Preceptory which was consecrated in 2011 and is called The Mercian Praetorian Preceptory No 682 and meets on 4th Tuesday in March and 1st Monday in December. The Preceptory promotes best practice offering newer members the opportunity to see sword drill being practised and for Preceptory Marshals to gain an appreciation of the standards being promoted and expected by the Provincial Prior.
Notable Members
The first certificates issued to members of the Body Guard, was to Knight WO Rydings of Ascalon Preceptory on the 24/09/59. (This was when Warwickshire was a part of the Province).As with any group of positively minded individuals many Knights from the Body Guard have gone on to achieve high rank in other orders as follows.
Knights Templar Province of Staffordshire & Shropshire.
R.E.Kt Walter R Dean. Provincial Prior.R.E.Kt David Philips. Provincial Prior.
V.E.Kt Richard D Glover. Prov Sub Prior. P.Gt.Her.
E.Kt. Ralph G Ritchey. Prov Sub Prior. P.Gt.A-de-C.
E.Kt. John F Francis. Prov Vice Chancellor. P.Gt.Her.
Craft Province of Staffordshire.
R.W.Bro Kevin Chawner. P.G.M.V.W.Bro David Thomas. D.P.G.M., P.G.Swd.B.
W.Bro David Philips. A.P.G.M., P.S.G.D.
W.Bro John Derry. A.P.G.M., P.S.G.D.
W.Bro Michele Santopietro. A.P.G.M., P.S.G.D.
W.Bro Frederick Skidmore. P.A.G.D.C., P.J.G.D.
W.Bro Stanley C Loweth. Prov.G.Sec., P.J.G.D.
W.Bro Gordon Hewitt. Prov.J.G.W., P.J.G.D.
W.Bro Ralph Ritchey. Prov.S.G.W., P.A.G.D.C.
W.Bro Paul Molley. Prov.G.SuptofWks., P.A.G.D.C.
W.Bro Nicholas Thomas. Prov.S.G.W.
Royal Arch Province of Staffordshire.
E.Comp John Robbins. M.E.G.S.E.Comp Robin Stubbs. M.E.G.S.
E.Comp Michele Santopietro. M.E.G.S.
E.Comp Ralph Howarth. D.G.S., P.Gt.Swd.B.
E.Comp Paul Lockley. Prov2ndGP., P.Gt.St.B.
E.Comp David Philips. Prov3rdGP., P.Gt.St.B.
E.Comp Richard Parrott. Prov3rdGP., P.Gt.St.B.
E.Comp. Stanley C Loweth. Prov.G.Sc.E., P.Gt.St.B.
E.Comp. Kevin Chawner. Prov.G.Sc.N., G.Sc.N.
E.Comp. Frederick Skidmore. P.A.G.Soj.
E.Comp. Gordon Hewitt. Prov.G.Sc.N., P.G.St.B.
E.Comp. Ralph Ritchey. Prov.G.Sc.N.
Rose Croix.
Inspector General for Staffordshire and Shropshire V.Ill.Bro David Philips 33rd DegreeInspector General for Staffordshire and Shropshire V.Ill.Bro Ralph Howarth 33rd Degree.
Mark Master Masons.
R.W.Bro Kevin Spencer P.G.M.| Privacy & Disclaimer | The Provincial Priory of Staffordshire & Shropshire 3 York Avenue, Fulford, Stoke-on-Trent, ST11 9SB vicechancellor@sskt.org.uk |