Annual Investiture Service Held at Rochester Cathedral

Dated: 23rd May 2010

The annual Service of Investiture of the International Knightly Order Valiant of St. George was held on Saturday May 22nd at Rochester Cathedral in Kent.

We were blessed once again this year with incredibly clement spring weather. It was a great pleasure to welcome the Officers and Honour Guard of our affiliated regiment, 3 Batt. The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment.

Soldiers from 3PWRR providing an Honour Guard at Rochester Cathedral

Knights and Dames processed into the cathedral led by a piper and representatives from 3PWRR.

During the service, lessons were read by H.E. Dame Muriel Taylor GCStG (Psalm 100), and by H.E. Col Dame Iris J Karaszy-Kulin MKN GCStG DCLJ CMLJ (Philippians Chapter One, Verses 2-7 and 9-11).

The choir sang a beautiful rendition of "God So Loved The World" by John Stainer, then giving the first public performance of a new hymn written by our Grand Director of Music Dr. Keith Salmon KCStG.

The Order was very pleased to welcome H.E. Paul Grant, Grand Master of the Military Order of the Sword of England to the service.

H.E. Paul Grant, Grand Master of the Military Order of the Sword of England pictured (below right) outside Rochester Cathedral

The sermon was delivered by Rev. Br. Michael Powell CJ KStG and eruditely reflected on modern values and the need for chivalric conduct in today's society. It explored 'gender stereotypes', the shallowness of 'fame seeking' and posed thought provoking questions on related subjects.

Rev. Br. Michael Powell CJ KStG being congratulated by the Grand Prior

Promotions within the Order were made, particular congratulations are extended to H.E. The Chevalier Simon McIlwaine MKN GCStG KL CLJ MMLJ MA FRSA FRSM ACIArb, H.E The Chevalier Mark Haley MKN GCStG CLJ MMLJ, BSc. and H.E. Dame Muriel Taylor GCStG, all having attained Knight Grand Cross.

H.E The Chevalier Mark Haley MKN GCStG CLJ MMLJ receives congratulations from H.E. Col Dame Iris J Karaszy-Kulin MKN GCStG DCLJ CMLJ

Grand Priory Officers were also formally appointed. The Order is particularly pleased to welcome H.E.The Chevalier Howard Doe MKN GCStG as Deputy Grand Prior.

H.E. Dame Muriel Taylor GCStG was also appointed as Commander of The Commandery of the Duchy Of Lancaster (our first regional Commandery in the United Kingdom). Dame Muriel was also appointed Director of Charitable Affairs and is pictured below being congratulated by Dame Iris.

We welcomed four new Knights and one Companion into the Order during the Investiture.

Postulants awaiting Investiture

We welcome our new Chevaliers most heartily and wish them a very long and successful association with our Order.

We also welcomed our first Companion of the Order (Ian Smart), who takes an historical 'pride of place'.

Chevalier Ronald Hughes KCSTG MMLJ OLJ (pictured below) was appointed Chaplain General of the Grand Priory of the United Kingdom and also promoted to Knight Commander. His son Rhys was instrumental in arranging the choir.

Dame Angela King GCStG CMLJ is pictured below being congratulated by the Grand Prior on her appointment as Deputy Grand Secretary of the Grand Priory of the United Kingdom

Chevalier Eur Ing Steve Nimmons KCStG OLJ FBCS CITP CEng FRSA FIMIS FIAP FLS FSA Scot BSc. DIS. was reaffirmed as Grand Herald of the United Kingdom Grand Priory.

The ceremony was a success in no small part due to our Marshals. Chevaliers Roger Joseph Earnest O’Brien KCStG and Chev I W Tough KCStG KLJ MMLJ JP are profoundly thanked for their exemplary work.

Chevalier Paul. A. Phillips KStG, who is doing splendid work and arranging our forthcoming trip to the Historic Portsmouth Dockyard was appointed Grand Banner Bearer of the Grand Priory of the United Kingdom.

The Service of Investiture concluded, we retired for luncheon. At the luncheon Chevalier Steve Nimmons proposed the toast to the Grand Prior, and in so doing presented the Grand Priory with a Humanitarian Silver Medal on behalf of the Red Cross Society of Mongolia. He went on to present an "Honorary Tar Heel" ("Honorary Citizen" of North Carolina) award to the Grand Prior on behalf of the Governor's Office in North Carolina. The Grand Prior proposed the toast to Grand Patron Dame Iris J Karaszy-Kulin MKN GCStG DCLJ CMLJ who replied with personal thanks to all who attended the Service and worked to make the Order such a success. H.E The Chevalier Mark Haley MKN GCStG CLJ MMLJ proposed the toast to the guests, and we were honoured to have H.E. Paul Grant, Grand Master of the Military Order of the Sword of England respond on behalf of the guests.  H.E.The Chevalier Howard Doe MKN GCStG, Deputy Grand Prior proposed the toast to the new members. He explained the historical context of the Order and its centrality in defending freedom. 

Appointment of the United Kingdom Grand Priory Officers

Dated: 23rd May 2010

The Grand Priory announces the following appointment of Officers at the Service of Investiture at Rochester Cathedral on May 22nd 2010.

Grand Prior of the United Kingdom

H.E. the Chevalier Simon McIlwaine MKN GCStG KL CLJ MMLJ MA FRSA FRSM ACIArb 

Deputy Grand Prior and Grand Chancellor of the Grand Priory of the United Kingdom

H.E. The Chevalier Mark D. Haley MKN GCStG CLJ MMLJ. BSc.

Deputy Grand Prior of the Grand Priory of the United Kingdom

H.E.The Chevalier Howard Doe MKN GCStG The Baron Raphael.

Director of Charitable Affairs of the Grand Priory of the United Kingdom

H.E. Dame Muriel Taylor GCStG

Chaplain General of the Grand Priory of the United Kingdom

The Chevalier Ronald Hughes KCSTG MMLJ OLJ

Commander of The Commandery of the Duchy Of Lancaster
H.E. Dame Muriel Taylor GCStG

Deputy Chaplain General of Grand Priory of the United Kingdom
Rev Br. M Powell CJ KStG

Grand Marshals of the Grand Priory of the United Kingdom
H.E. The Chevalier Wesley Hollands GCStG
The Chevalier Peter John McIntyre KCStG

Grand Director of Music of the Grand Priory of the United Kingdom
The Chevalier Dr. Keith Salmon KCStG

Deputy Grand Secretary of the Grand Priory of the United Kingdom
Dame A King GCStG CMLJ

Grand Hospitaller of the Grand Priory of the United Kingdom
Col. Dame Iris J Karászy-Kulin MKN GCStG GCLJ CMLJ.

Grand Herald of the Grand Priory of the United Kingdom
The Chevalier Eur Ing Steve Nimmons KCStG OLJ FBCS CITP CEng FRSA FIMIS FIAP FLS FSA Scot BSc. DIS.

Deputy Marshal of the Grand Priory of the United Kingdom
The Chevalier Roger Joseph Earnest O’Brien KCStG
The Chevalier Chev I W Tough KCStG KLJ MMLJ JP

Grand Sword Bearer of the Grand Priory of the United Kingdom
The Chevalier W. F. KStG.

Grand Banner Bearer of the Grand Priory of the United Kingdom
The Chevalier Simon Evans KStG.
The Chevalier Paul. A. Phillips KStG.

Promotions within the Order Announced

Dated: 23rd May 2010  

The following promotions within the Order were announced at the Service of Investiture at Rochester Cathedral on May 22nd 2010.

The Grand Priory formally congratulates all recipients of promotions and extends profound thanks for all of their wonderful work in support of the Order.

It has pleased the Grand Patron and Grand Magistry to promote the following Knights and Dames for their services to the Order:

Promotion to Knight Grand Cross of the Order (GCStG)

H.E. The Chevalier Simon McIlwaine MKN GCStG KL CLJ MMLJ MA FRSA FRSM ACIArb

H.E The Chevalier Mark Haley MKN GCStG CLJ MMLJ, BSc.

H.E. Dame Muriel Taylor GCStG

Promotion to Knight Commander of the Order (KCStG)

The Chevalier Ronald Hughes KCStG OLJ

The Chevalier Keith Salmon KCStG

Below: Dame Muriel Taylor GCStG receiving thanks from Grand Patron Dame Iris Karaszy-Kulin MKN GCStG GCLJ CMLJ

Grand Prior Becomes Honorary Citizen of North Carolina

Dated: 23rd May 2010 

Congratulations are extended to Grand Prior Simon McIlwaine who was appointed an "Honorary Tar Heel" ("honorary citizen" of North Carolina) yesterday. Chev. Steve Nimmons made the presentation on behalf of the Governor's Office in North Carolina. Chev Steve Nimmons also presented the Grand Priory with a Humanitarian Silver Medal on behalf of the Mongolian Red Cross Society, and extended formal congratulations to the Grand Prior on his becoming a Kentucky Colonel.

H.E. Chevalier Simon McIlwaine GCStG (below left) pictured with H.E. Paul Grant, Grand Master of the Military Order of the Sword of England.

Grand Priory Extends Thanks to Investiture Choir 

Dated: 23rd May 2010 

The Grand Priory extends sincere gratitude to the choir who performed at our Investiture Service on May 22nd 2010 at Rochester Cathedral.

The quality of music and singing was exceptional, and really set a beautiful mood for the service.

The choir consisted of:

• Sophie Pentecost BA mus, MA Performance
• Laura Moretto BA mus
• Laura Maggs BA mus, MA Choral Studies
• Jessica Brake BA mus
• Jamie Gater BA mus, PGCE
• Richard Payne, BA English & Creative Writing, MA Creative Writing
• Rhys Hughes BA mus, MA Choral Studies
• Peter Noble BA mus

The choir was very ably conducted by Jonathan Cook (BA mus), and the organist was the very accomplished Julian M. Sampson MSc FRICS FAAV.

We were treated to the first public performance of a new hymn "Praise Ye The Lord", written by Grand Director of Music H.E. Dr. Keith Salmon KCStG.

The Grand Priory extends particular thanks to Rhys Hughes BA mus, MA Choral Studies who played a central role in putting this together. Rhys is the son of Chaplain General Chev. Ronald Hughes KCSTG MMLJ OLJ.

Investiture Pictures May 2010 

Dated: 22nd May 2010 

For press or media enquiries, please contact our Director of Media Information, Chev. Lt. Col. Mark Haley. 

Anne Frank Exhibition in Northern Ireland an Outstanding Success 

Dated: 20th May 2010 

The Grand Priory of the United Kingdom congratulates Chev. Steve Nimmons, who played a pivotal role in taking the "Anne Frank + You" Exhibition to Northern Ireland for the first time. The exhibition was opened on May 10th, and in just over one week has attracted 4,000 visitors.

Further information about the project follows: 

Project Special Advisor, Steve Nimmons (below, left) with Northern Ireland Finance Minister Sammy Wilson at the launch 

The Anne Frank Trust UK opened a stunning month long exhibition “Anne Frank + You” at the Alley Theatre in Strabane on Monday May 10th. In just over one week, the exhibition has attracted over 4,000 visitors.

Mrs Inge Radford, one of Ireland’s last Jewish Holocaust survivors assisted in the opening of the exhibition. Mrs Radford lost her widowed mother and 5 brothers to the Nazi concentration camps in 1942.

Launched in 2005 to give Anne Frank’s story and message a contemporary profile for today, this major display includes a near life size replica of Anne’s bedroom in hiding. It has a strong focus on the issues of identity and moral choice we face in 21st century society. The opening in Strabane is particularly significant as it is the first time the “Anne Frank + You” exhibition has visited Northern Ireland. Starting from Anne Frank’s writings and experiences, the exhibition is a journey of self exploration for the visitor. Themes that Anne wrote about in her diary, such as racial hatred, war and conflict and the value of democracy and freedom, are presented in an up to date and contemporary fashion, along with filmed interviews with teenagers discussing their own views, concerns and hopes for the future. Anne Frank exhibitions have been visited by over 3 million people from across Britain. They continue to provide a unique experience for visitors to learn more about the story of Anne and the history of the Holocaust.

Steve Nimmons (inter faith advocate and special advisor to the project) said “The Anne Frank exhibition provides an exceptional opportunity for young people to discuss and truly understand the value of tolerance and its importance in our society. The beauty of Anne’s writing, the tragedy of her short life, and yet the ultimate truth that hope and understanding triumph over repression and hatred is exceptional, powerful and ultimately life changing."

Strabane District Council and the Community Relations Council are funding this project in association with the Cultural, Heritage and Identity programme, which is supported by the Peace III programme and managed for the Special EU programmes Body by the North West Peace III Cluster.

The significance of the opening is further amplified, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam.

The exhibition will be in Strabane until May 29th, from where it will move to the Spectrum Centre on Belfast's Shankill Road (launch event planned for the evening of June 3rd).

Further coverage:

Ireland examines Anne Frank's Life

Coverage on BBC Newsline 

Award from North Carolina 

UK Grand Priory Awarded Red Cross Medal