THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
OF ENGLAND & WALES
WELCOME
Welcome to the Grand Priory of England & Wales Website.
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The present Grand Priory was formed by request, under the auspices of Sir John Long KT in 1960. Unfortunately, Sir John died within that year and a new Grand Prior was elected and installed by the name of Sir William Waller.
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Later in this succession came Professor Vincent Powell Smith, succeeded by Major C.C. (Bill) Chidgey and then by Group Captain Trevor Alexander Lawson, RAF.
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In 1996, after an election, Leslie James Payne KGCT was installed as Grand Prior on the 22nd June at Tewkesbury Abbey by permission of the Priest-in-charge Fr. Michael Taverner. The ceremony was performed by the retiring Grand Prior Trevor Lawson KGCT assisted by the then Grand Prior of the Spanish Grand Priory, Professor Don Fernando de Toro Garland KGCT, the Baron de Gar.
After 25-years of faithful service Fra. Leslie J Payne KGCT. GMG. decided to retire from the post of Grand Prior. Our new Grand Prior, Chev. John F. Bird KGCT, was officially invested on the 16th October 2021 at Derby Cathedral. As is tradition the retiring Grand Prior performed the installation ceremony. Also in attendance was The Very Reverend Dr Peter Robinson, the Dean of Derby Cathedral.
