King Aethelwulf Conclave No. 437

The R.Ill. Intendant-General, R.Ill.Kt. Gerald Southwell had conceived the idea of establishing a new Conclave in Winchester, the county town of Hampshire and the ancient Capital of the Kingdom of Wessex, during the summer of 1994 when enjoying an alfresco party in the garden of Kt. Derek Bryan at Liphook. Present on that occasion were: Kts. Frank Conroy, Ray Yeowell, Roy Rowe, Frank Evans and Alan Hamilton.

As a result, a petition was drawn up and a name chosen which would represent the establishment of the new Conclave in the Ancient City. Thus, King Aethelwulf the Father of King Alfred was chosen.

The Conclave would meet in Winchester on the 5th Thursday in November, February, May (KHS) and October (Installation) thus avoiding any clash with other Masonic Orders which may be meeting in the Province.

It was also established that each member of the Conclave would wear the King Aethelwulf Ring, this being a device presented to all senior Acolytes of The King. The design of the ring (the original having been found in a field in Dorset and was now on exhibition in The British Museum) was drawn up by Roy Rowe in such a manner as to conform to the laws of Copyright and Ray Yeowell induced a Jeweller in Farnborough to produce a number of silver rings and one gold ring, which the Most Puissant Sovereign would wear during his period in the Chair. The rings, therefore, remaining Conclave property but leased to W.Kts. for  30.00 during their membership.

The resulting Petition was approved and the Consecration Meeting organised by the Founding Recorder, Ill.Kt. Frank Evans. However, it was first necessary to arrange the procurement of all the accoutrements of the Conclave. R.Ill. and Em.Kt. Cdr. Ronald Champion R.N. presented the candlesticks, P.Kt. Robert Freemantle presented the Pedestal Bible and reproduced the Transparency which was then produced under the sponsorship of W.Kt. Alan Hamilton. The Pedestals and labels were made by various W.Kts. and the Presentation Cushions, Scrolls and other adornments were made and presented by P.Kt. Bernard Miles.

The Consecrating Sovereign, R.Ill.Kt. Lt. Col. Gerald Southwell, Intendant-General of the Division of Hampshire & Isle of Wight was assisted by The Consecrating Eusebius, Ill.Kt. O.W. Williams P.G.Orator, the Consecrating High Prelate V.Ill.Kt. the Rev.Leslie Brant P.G.H.Prelate, the Consecrating Marshal, V.Ill.Kt. D.F.C. Jones P.G.H.Alm and the Enthroning Officer V.Ill.Kt. George Nichols P.G.H.Chan. (in the absence of Ill.Kt. Robert Pinn who was in Hospital). Thus proceeded the Consecration, dedication and Constitution of the new Conclave with suitable orations followed by the appointment and installation of the Conclave Officers as follows:

At the first regular meeting of the Conclave, V.Ill.Kt. George Nichols, Dep. Intendant-General remained as Sovereign in the absence of Ill.Kt. Robert Pinn due to illness.

The Annual Subscription was fixed at £38.00; the Installation fee for a Knight was set at £25.00 and a joining/rejoining fee was set at £25.00.

The next meeting was held on 30th November 1995 when Ill.Kt. Robert Pinn P.G.Her. was installed as M.P.S. He then conducted the ceremony to Install as Knights of The Order, Companions: Roger Charles Bricknell, Steven Groeger and Ian Joseph McKiver. It was thus at this meeting that began the journey of the New Conclave at Winchester. Subsequently, due to administrative situations, the meetings were reduced to 3 per year and rescheduled for the 4th Thursday in March, June and November.

During the tenure of the Conclave, many Masonic Worthies are or have been members, namely: Alan Hamilton PAPGM, Les Hipwell PAPGM, Roger Bricknell PAPGM, Nigel Buckingham PProvGSec, Terry Bruty P Inspector Gen. 33  Royal and Ancient Rite, etc. and so the list continues as does the Conclave which is well established in the Hampshire Division.

The Founders of the Conclave: