Friday 28 June 2019

Charity Dinner and Investiture 2019


Preparations are well in hand for our annual Investiture of new members.
This year events are as follows:

Vigil Service 

at the 
Church of St John the Evangelist 
in Burscough, near Ormskirk in Lancashire on 
Friday 12th July at 7pm.

This will be followed by a 
 Charity Dinner 
at 
Briars Hall Country House Hotel 
in Burscough 
with our guests of honour, 
Deputy Lord Lieutenant Charles Hadcock and his wife Camilla.


These events are open to all.
If you would like to come along to any part,
please contact a member of the Order
or Fr Simon Henry.
Places for the Charity Dinner are almost fully booked,
so do contact us soon if you might like to come along.

The Charity Dinner is in support of our nominated charities:

SUROL - for those affected by leprosy in Sri Lanka
The Army Benevolent Fund - through the Centurions of Merseyside
St Joseph's Hospice - Nearby in the Archdiocese of Liverpool, founded by Fr Joseph O'Leary




Briars Hall has a rich history. The present hall was constructed in 1745 and was first occupied by the Ashton family, other members of which lived at Burscough Hall until 1890, which is associated with St John's Church. The Briar name enters in the 16th century. It is said the name Briars comes from the Breres family who resided on the land in from that time. During the civil war, Alexander Breres initally supported Lord Derby and was garrisoned at Lathom House. However, part way through the first siege of Lathom House in March 1644, he switched sides and became part of the Cromwellian army. His name appeared on the Recusant Roll for West Derby Hundred in 1641.



Mass and Investiture 
of new members 
at the historic church of 
St John the Evangelist 
in Burscough, near Ormskirk, 
on
Saturday 13th July 
followed by a Reception on the lawns of Burscough Hall. 

The Mass is obviously open to all. 
There will be some splendid music,
so come along and stay for a drink afterwards.

 

St John's Church was built in 1793 and partly disguised with false windows making it look like a grand Manor House. Hence the presbytery’s designation as “Burscough Hall”. This was to keep a low profile at a time when Catholicism was still censured by law. It was extended with a bell tower and porch in the early twentieth century. Much of the land as you drive up the private Road of Chapel Lane once belonged to the church, which still includes a school, cemetery and fields stretching down to Abbey Brook.

The present Parish Priest is Fr Leo Daley, a long time friend of the Order, known to many of our members. We offer him our thanks for his hospitality.


Tuesday 25 June 2019

Esquires on the Camino de Santiago

 Congratulations to two of our Esquires from the Grand Priory of Great Britain, who have been on Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella this week. Here they are above, setting off on their journey. They walked over 200 kilometers from Porto in Portugal to the ancient shrine, carrying our prayers and intentions with them.


Seems some impromptu rest was taken along the way!




Arrival at the Basilica.


We look forward to seeing Jaan and Dominik and our other Esquires at our Investiture next month on Friday 12th July 
for the Vigil Service 
and a Charity Dinner at Briars Hall Country House Hotel in Burscough 
with our guests of honour, 
Deputy Lord Lieutenant Charles Hadcock and his wife Camilla
and on 
Saturday 13th July 
for Mass and Investiture of new members 
at the historic church of St John the Evangelist in Burscough, near Ormskirk, 
followed by a Reception on the lawns of Burscough Hall. 

The events are open to all, 
please contact Fr Simon Henry for further information 
if you would like to attend.

The Church of St John the Evangelist built in 1793.


Monday 17 June 2019

Army Benevolent Fund

Members of the Grand Priory of Great Britain attended a dinner at Altcar Training Camp this week, commemorating the Battle of Waterloo (Beef Wellington served, of course!) Hosted by the Commandant of the Camp, Lt Col Gordon Black (seated far right in the picture below), the dinner is an annual event staged by the Centurions of Merseyside, a charity run by Maj Roy Bevan, (Rtd) MBE, which raises funds for the Army Benevolent Fund.

Our Grand Prior, Chev Anthony Dickinson, presented a cheque to the charity for £1,000 to the guest of honour for the evening, Dame Lorna Muirhead, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside.

A very enjoyable evening and a great cause for us to support.