Friday 19 February 2016

Burns Night Supper

Three fine Chevalier dressed for the evening 
- though we are not quite certain as to how one rides a horse in a kilt!


Members and friends of the Grand Priory of Great Britain gathered in Lancashire recently for what has become our annual Burns' Night Supper. We raised a splendid £767 for our the work of the Order - this year including Cardinal Ranjith's leprosy charity SUROL and the Armed Forces Charity BLESMA


Chancellor Fr Mark Lawler gave the "Address to the Haggis"

The fine dining was prepared by members Margaret and Daniel Lawler with costs of the food and wine also covered by donations from members Elizabeth and William Douglas and Damien and Trish McGrath. 

Of course, no Burns' Night is complete without a piper and we are fortunate to number one amongst our most colourful members, our Hospitaller Chev. William Hackett KLJ MMLJ, sporting the his very own Hacket hunting tartan.

Conf. Damien McGrath looking slightly pensive as he prepares to give the "Address to the Lassies".
He needn't have worried. He and his good lady Cons. Trish McGrath composed the "Address" and the "Lassies Reply" with a much appreciated conceit on Eve being created first and only allowing Adam to think he came first to assuage what even the Lord apparently accepts as the male's  proud and boastful nature!



Mrs Rita Addison and Barrister Mr Neil Addison, 
who earlier in the evening had accepted a cheque on behalf of the Thomas More Legal Centre, 
of which he is the National Director.

Amongst the entertainments, 
were songs rendered in fine voice by Chev. Anthony Dickinson KLJ.


Wednesday 17 February 2016

St Thomas More Legal Centre


A cheque is presented by Chaplin General, Fr Simon Henry, ECLJ GOMLJ.
Along with Chancellor, Fr. Mark Lawler SChLJ MMLJ,
Marshal H.E. Chev. Matthew Jackson KLJ,
and Secretary Chev. Anthony Dickinson KLJ.

At an Order function recently - our annual Burns' Night celebration - the Grand Priory of Great Britain was pleased to be able to support the St Thomas More Legal Centre with a cheque for £500, which was presented to its National Director, Barrister Mr Neil Addison. (He is the author of the Guide to Religious Freedom and the Law and Religious Discrimination and Hatred Law.)

The Grand Priory felt that the Centre's defence of Christians in modern society echoed the defence of Christians in the Holy Land that is the foundation and tradition of the chivalric Orders in their original purpose.

Sunday 14 February 2016

Walk for Sri Lanka


On World Leprosy Day this year we held a sponsored walk through Cuerdan Valley Country Park here in Lancashire to raise funds for SUROL - the leprosy Charity in Sri Lanka under the patronage of Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith. There are no photos of the event, as it was pouring with rain, so we didn't linger anywhere for such niceties - hence the picture of my walking boots and hat. The hot home-made soup was much appreciated on our return!

The good news is that we have raised the sum of £250 for our good cause. Thank you to those who walked and to those who sponsored us. Members are still welcome to add to that amount if you forgot to sponsor us on the day!