Honours of Three for District 43 – 7th June 2025
(Left to right) The District 43 contingent for 2025, Kt P Mark Stanley, R.Em G. Sup Shiny McKinnon, Kt P. Ian Harper, V.Ill PG VIII P Roddy MacKenzie, Kt.P Norbert Schön and Kt. Mick McCarthy.
Hinkley, near Leicester once again played host to this year Grand College assembly of Knights Templar Priests. The international delegations came from as far as Peru and America and more close to home from France, as well as representing all sovereign Constitutions. During the afternoon, our Grand District Superintendent, Shiny, attended the usual heads of District’s meeting followed shorty afterwards by a special meeting to invest two new District Superintendents.
Kt Ps Mark and Stanley and Mick McCarthy deep in conversation before the Assembly.
Assembling on Friday, the German contingent met early evening in a local restaurant to share a great pub meal, several cold beers and each other’s excellent company. With conversation lively and humour sharp, the hours slipped away quickly. Following early starts and long journeys for all, beds were calling to recharge tired batteries.
The Grand College shop in full flow.
With very full and colourful Temple and the customary and elaborate style, the meeting was opened with elegant processing punctuating the flow of an ancient ceremony. This year District 43 had by far the largest overseas continent being represented by Shiny MacKinnon, Roddy MacKenzie, Ian Harper, Norbert Schön, Mick MaCarthy and Mark Stanley. Sadly, Ton Meuwisswen who had planned to attend had to send apologies due a very late overseas business commitment. However, this year we are pleased to note Ton, Sam Bashir and Andreas Reihl all received Grand rank honours for the significant contribution they have made to the District.
(Left to right) Kt Ps Norbert Schön, Mark Stanley, Mick McCarthey and Ian Harper.
Of note however, was the pride which our Grand District Superintendant felt when all his members stood up when we were announced. His delight was further accentuated with Vill PGVII P Roddy was invited to sit in East as a VIP and head of Orde for KT in Germany. It is believed this was first and reflection of the high regard the two Orders are now held in.
Following a sumptuous lunch of roast beef and good company, the time return home arrived with all going their different ways. To reiterate the finals words in the dinning, “to our next merry meeting”.
