News Roundup – Masonic Order of Athelstan

Ceremony of the Ancient Charges 2025

admin — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000

The annual Ceremony of the Ancient Charges was held at Castlegate Masonic Hall, York on Friday 20 June 2025 during the York 1100 events.

The ceremony was attended by the Most Worshipful Grand Master and members of the Order from across the UK in the largest gathering to date, with MW Bro John Prizeman, Pro GM of the Mark Degree, as Guest of Honour.

A highly successful evening was rounded off with an excellent festive board at which MW Bro Prizeman expressed his great delight at the evnts of the weekend.

Grand Conservator of Charges RWBro Dr Chris Ansell PAGM said “The Ancient Charges ceremony celebrates and commemorates the legendary assembly of masons at York in 926, which is a core element of the ethos of the Masonic Order of Athelstan and a part of “masonic folklore”. It is hugely gratifying to see so many Athelstan brethren make the journey to York to support this unique occasion.”

The ceremonial occurs only at York and on the third Friday in June each year, and makes use of masonic working tools which were expertly hand made for the ceremonial by Bro David Kirwan.

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York 1100 – June 20-21 2025

admin — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 09:00:55 +0000

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ESPECIAL ASSEMBLY OF GRAND COURT

admin — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Held on Saturday, 6th July 2024 at Mark Masons’ Hall, London.

The members of the Order gathered in force at the prestigious Mark Masons’ Hall in London to celebrate a momentous occasion in our Order’s history.

The Most Worshipful Grand Master, MW Bro. Paul W. Johnston, GCAG, presided over the inspiring ceremonials, where he was delighted to Invest and Install the following distinguished Brethren into their new roles:

RW Bro. Charles J. Aspinell, GCAG as Deputy Grand Master
RW Bro. Lionel B. Mee, GCAG as Assistant Grand Master
RW Bro. Mark P. Donovan, KCAG as Provincial Grand Master for Sussex

The enthusiasm and pride radiating from the packed Grand Temple bore testament to the high esteem in which these exemplary Brethren are held. Their dedicated service and unwavering commitment to our noble Order are truly deserving of our heartfelt congratulations.

This ceremony marks a significant milestone, ushering in a new era of leadership that will undoubtedly propel our Order to even greater heights. We extend our warmest wishes to the newly Invested and Installed Brethren, and we look forward to witnessing the positive impact they will undoubtedly have on the future of our revered institution.

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Athelstan 1100

admin — Fri, 03 May 2024 09:00:50 +0000

The Athelstan 1100 project commemorates and celebrates the 1100th anniversary of Athelstan becoming king and his very special relationship with Malmesbury. The ‘Athelstan 1100’ website contains some very interesting information and details of the events planned.

The Order, through the King Athelstan Memorial Foundation (KAMF) is supporting two permanent projects as part of the celebrations:

Athelstan Museum: A permanent tablet-based screen in the main museum area to allow them to show high quality images of original Athelstan documents being supplied by Cambridge University. The facility will remain on permanent display after the celebrations
Malmesbury Town Team: The addition of an ‘Athelstan and Malmesbury Trail’ to Explore Malmesbury (www.exploremalmesbury.com). This will work as a permanent free visitor attraction and promotion resource for Malmesbury – the trail can be accessed 24/7 in Malmesbury and worldwide – and deliver a sustainable record of Athelstan 1100 and Athelstan’s relationship with Malmesbury.

Both projects will record the support received from the KAMF and the Masonic Order of Athelstan, and along with the replica Athelstan Sword already in the museum create a long-lasting legacy.

A diary of planned events taking place as part of the Athelstan 1100 celebrations can be found here.

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High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire

admin — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 09:00:19 +0000

Grand High Almoner of the Order Dr Bharat Khetani has received the singular honour of appointment as High Sherriff of Cambridgeshire.

The Office of High Sheriff is an independent non-political Royal appointment for a single year. The origins of the Office date back to Saxon times, when the ‘Shire Reeve’ was responsible to the king for the maintenance of law and order within the shire, or county, and for the collection and return of taxes due to the Crown.

Today, there are 55 High Sheriffs serving the counties of England and Wales each year. Whilst the duties of the role have evolved over time, supporting the Crown and the judiciary remain central elements of the role today. In addition, High Sheriffs actively lend support and encouragement to crime prevention agencies, the emergency services and to the voluntary sector. In recent years High Sheriffs in many parts of England and Wales have been particularly active in encouraging crime reduction initiatives, especially amongst young people.

Many High Sheriffs also assist Community Foundations and local charities working with vulnerable and other people both in endorsing and helping to raise the profile of their valuable work. The High Sheriffs ́ Association adopted National Crimebeat in recent years in response to specific areas of need.

High Sheriffs receive no remuneration and no part of the expense of a High Sheriff’s year falls on the public purse.

Bharatkumar N Khetani was born in Kenya to parents of Indian origin from the State of Gujarat. He is married to Pritty, a radiographer and pharmacy dispenser, now retired. Bharat has one elder brother, an accountant, who is also now retired.

Primary & secondary schooling was in Nakuru a small town Kenya, a world renowned town, considered an Ornithologist paradise because of the flamingos and other birds that inhabit the lake at the southern end of the town.

Higher education was in the UK, in Leeds, followed by studies at St Mary’s Medical School in London, a facility made famous by Sir Alexander Fleming and the discovery of Penicillin.

Bharat qualified in 1979 with a pre-registration year spent in Peterborough followed by 3 years training for General Practice within the Peterborough Vocational Training Scheme. A partnership opportunity in General Practice at Parson Drove, a small village some 5 miles north west of Wisbech, followed which is where Bharat continued to practice until his retirement.

Alongside General Practice Bharat initiated one of the first Diabetic Retinal Screening Clinics in the country at, what was, the Peterborough District Hospital. Bharat also held out-patient clinics in Rheumatology, studied & practiced in Acupuncture, Hypnosis, Homeopathy and Spinal manipulation with much benefit for his patients.

After retiring from General Practice Bharat was elected Chairman of the Holbeach Hospital Nursing Home, a non profit Community run facility where his medical background proved beneficial for both resident’s care and finances.

Bharat is a member of the Wisbech Inter Faith Group where he currently holds office as treasurer. Both he and Pritty have volunteered with the local Food Bank, Octavia Hill Birthplace and St Peters Church in Wisbech.

Both enjoy travelling the world, exploring and learning about various cultures and traditions while studying the local flora and fauna. Previously leisure activities have included playing squash and, more recently, lawn bowling.

During his year as High Sheriff, Bharat is keen to encourage the various Charities in Cambridgeshire, especially those in the North, to make use of him and the Office of High Sheriff to raise awareness of their work and hopefully assist in raising the much-needed funds such groups require to continue their work.

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Athelstan Sword Presentation – 11th June 2022

admin — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 09:00:13 +0000

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A sword fit for King Athelstan

admin — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 11:55:51 +0000

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The Sword – Hidden Meanings & Symbolism

admin — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 09:00:29 +0000

MW Bro. Paul W. Johnston presents his personal insights into the symbolism and history of the sword.

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