Annual service of celebration - King Offa Commandery

King Offa Commandery’s Annual Service of Celebration & Renewal of Knightly Vows was held at the Parish Church of St Mary Magdalene, Newark-on-Trent on Saturday 6th July 2024. The Bailiff of the Grand Priory of England and Wales, Chevalier Dr David A Woolf KCLJ, OMLJ was in attendance and presented awards in the Companionate of Merit.

The Commandery was honoured to welcome Mr Liell Francklin DL, Deputy Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, along with several civic leaders and distinguished guests. Members of the Order were present from other Commanderies in England and Wales as well as the Grand Bailiwick of Scotland.

The Preacher was the Revd Justin Trevelyan Parker ChLJ LLB, Rector of Bromfield, Chaplain to the Commandery of the Marches who gave a thought inspiring sermon. The Revd Susan Caddy AChLJ and The Reverend Colin McAulay SChLJ helped lead the service.

Mrs Henrietta Jocelyn Chubb, formerly High Sheriff of Leicestershire and a Justice of the King’s Peace was admitted to the Companionate of Merit in the rank of Commander. Miss Rebecca Jane Temple OMLJ MA DipABRSM received a well deserved promotion to the rank of Officer in the Companionate of Merit. Commandery Officers were appointed for 2024/2025.

The Organist was Elizabeth Harwood BA Hons ARCT FRCCO and the Soprano Soloist was Rebecca Temple OMLJ.

The service was held by permission of the Rector and Churchwardens.

A celebratory banquet was held afterwards at the Saracens Head Hotel, Southwell where a significant cheque was presented to Mr Guy Willcock of the Leprosy Mission.