Grand Prior Simon McIlwaine and Deputy Grand Prior Mark Haley were privileged to attend the inaugural dinner of the Duchy of Lancaster Commandery at Werneth Cricket Club, Oldham, Lancashire, on Friday 17th September 2010.

 

An excellent 3 course dinner had been arranged by the Commander, Dame Muriel Taylor GCStG, and the guests of honour were Alison Hill, Manager of Fairbridge, North Manchester, and Toby Price, one of the young people who have benefited from their work.

 

Dame Muriel Taylor GCStG (left), Grand Prior H.E. Simon McIlwaine GCStG, Toby Price and Alison Hill (Fairbridge) 

 

 

 

Toby spoke eloquently about the encouragement that he had received from Fairbridge and how much he had enjoyed their courses. He found that these had been great confidence builders and that the challenges had stimulated him to focus on his College work and qualifications. He would be forever mindful of the life skills that he had acquired through Fairbridge and paid tribute to the caring, supportive ethos of his instructors, whom he would recommend without hesitation to other young people.

 

The Grand Prior presented Alison Hill with a cheque for £1500, all of which had been raised through the hard work of the Commandery, bringing the total raised by the Order to date to £2000. Alison thanked the Order for all its support and hoped that we would continue to be partners for the future.

 

Alison Hill from Fairbridge 

 

 

 

The evening was doubly special, for the Grand Prior had the pleasant task of appointing Companion Ruth Beattie CStG as the first Companion of the Order to be appointed outside Rochester Cathedral. Welcoming Companion Ruth, a teacher, the Grand Prior said that the work of her and the Commandery was an inspiration to us all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special thanks are due to Dame Muriel Taylor, Companion Ruth Beattie, and to the hardworking team -  Beryl Robinson, Carol Maguire, Lesley Tyre, Steph Gill and Dawn Grant.  

 

POSTSCRIPT

 

The UK Grand Priory is delighted to announce that we will continue to support Fairbridge and that our Commandery of the Duchy of Lancaster will be in strategic partnership with their Regional offices in the Greater Manchester/Lancashire area.