Submitted by Val Hiscock on
The sun shone brightly as members of the Order of St Lazarus from the four corners of England and Wales gathered in Cardiff for their autumn Investiture weekend.
An afternoon of business meetings ended with the annual Chapter-General meeting, held at the Cardiff and County Club. The meeting opened with a minute’s silence in memory of our much-loved Grand Prior, Michael, Lord Lothian, who died suddenly just a few days before the meeting. Lord Lothian had served as Grand Prior of the jurisdiction for 11 years, and the Bailiff, Dr. David Woolf KCLJ, spoke of our gratitude for these years of devoted service.
After the meeting, members were delighted to meet up with old friends and new over drinks and canapes, before retiring to prepare for the next day’s events.
The Investiture ceremony took place at the Cardiff Oratory Church of St Alban-on-the-Moors, where the Chaplain-General, Rev. Canon Brendan Clover SChLJ, officiated, while the Bailiff took the role of Investing Officer. The preacher was The Most Rev'd Mark O'Toole GCMLJ, Archbishop of Cardiff-Menevia.
In addition to the usual admission of postulants, and a number of promotions and awards, several special awards were made. HE the Chevalier Charles Holloway GCLJ was created Bailiff Emeritus of England & Wales, while the retiring Chancellor of the jurisdiction, Chevalier Norman Hunter Rose KCLJ, was presented with the high award of the Grand Cross of Merit (GCMLJ).
Our Secretary-General, HE the Chevalier Gareth Vaughan GCLJ, received the Meritorious Service Decoration, in recognition of 20 years’ service to the Order, and two senior clergy also received significant awards: our preacher, The Archbishop of Cardiff-Menevia, was awarded the Grand Cross of Merit (GCMLJ) and The Rt. Rev. and Rt. Hon. Lord Williams of Oystermouth received his insignia in the rank of Ecclesiastical Grand Chaplain (GCLJ).
Once the service was over, and photographs duly taken, we all returned to the Cardiff and County Club for a splendid celebration lunch - a fitting end to a memorable weekend in the Principality.
Click here to view a photo album of the weekend’s events.