The third Annual and first full years report we have to date

The Bodyguard continues to go from strength to strength remaining a tight knit and dedicated band. “Mess Nights” continue to be well supported by the Bodyguard members as well as the Provincial Prior, Sub Prior and Vice Chancellor, each taking a very keen interest in all that we do. We have also benefitted on occasions from the presence of the Provincial Marshal, most apparent than at the Provincial Malta meeting at Wroxham when the “carousel” of appointees was entrusted to us!! Four Mess Nights are planned to be held at Diss Masonic Centre this year.

Numbers have varied significantly throughout the year, as members have gained the Chair of their Preceptory, the cut off point for membership of the Bodyguard. We congratulate them and welcome the seven replacements appointed as “probationers by the Provincial Prior during the year, hoping that from today they will be welcomed as full members of the bodyguard.

Standards and morale remain at a very high level, long lasting friendships developing between all members, joking and leg pulling may be the order of the day when off duty, but discipline within Preceptories and Priories is taken very seriously. The Provincial Prior stresses that Knight Templar membership “is to be enjoyed, the key is to attend and make new friends”, nowhere is this truer than in the Bodyguard where the “esprit-de-corps” has to be experienced to be believed.

Now for the numbers - 14 Bodyguards attended the Malta meeting, 12 the Templar meeting and 10 the Church Service, an average of 11 attended each of the Mess meeting, only four meetings around the Province were not attended by members, due to either change of date of meeting or non-attendance of Provincial Prior or Sub Prior, of the 29 meetings attended (Preceptory, Priory or Mess) an average of 6.10 members attended, notable appearances being one at 23, one at 20, 2 at 16 and two at 14 a truly marvellous effort all round, reflecting members dedication to each other, the Prior and Sub-Prior and Province. Attendance today should demonstrate our continued commitment.

Cuff-links and lapel Badges are available to all Bodyguard members, present and past, at a cost of £10 per set - available from me, and there is another development in the pipeline - wait and see!!

On behalf of all members, our thanks to every member of every Preceptory in the Province for their encouragement, support and friendship throughout the year, looking forward to the next year. My personal thanks to all the Bodyguard for friendship, response to e-mails and, of course, all the “short” jokes.

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