The Grand United Order
of the Knights
of the Golden Horn

The KGH
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The GUOKGH - "Pro Rege, Lege et Grege"

The Grand United Order of the Knights of the Golden Horn (GUOKGH), known as the Knights of the Golden Horn, or KGH, is an independent and sovereign fraternal and philanthropic order. 

The KGH was founded in 1872 as a higher order within the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB) before breaking away in 1926 since which time you no longer have to be a member of the RAOB to join us. We are proud of our history and we welcome those who share our values as a fraternal order., subject to being loyal to the crown and constitution, and a promise of obedience to our Rules.

To read more about our origins and history see our  Information & History page.


Information about joining the GUOKGH and downloadable forms can be found on the Downloads Page.

The Order is under the governance of the Grand Encampment of England which is headed by the Grand Knight Commander (GKC).  For 2023-24 our Most Worthy GKC is SKC Neville Dart whose "mother encampment" is No 24 Whitworth Encampment, Spennymoor. ( Pictured )  The GKC is assisted by 15 elected officers who are listed on our "Grand Camp Officers" page.  

The Grand Executive is made up of ten of the 15 Grand Camp Officers and meets once a month to provide day-to-day oversight and management of the Order. District Camps are made up of delegates from their local camps and they meet monthly to address local matters and recommend actions to be taken by the Grand Executive or by Grand Camp.

Previously the KGH was comprised of up to 88 locally based encampments, today there are eleven "Camps", located throughout England. To find our locations see:Where To Find Us Page.

Members of the Order, called comrades, meet at their "mother encampments" which today are grouped into four districts: Mid Durham, Teesside, Wearside and Wessex. The 11 minor camps are located from Sunderland to Sutton and from Chippenham and to Sheerness. We hope to open new encampments this year!

Comrades move through six stages, or degrees of membership with progression based on time served and work done within the Order. Each stage is marked by the award of a jewel or collarette. More information is available at our page Degrees, Jewels and Collarettes.

Comrades undertake to support the King and constitution and to offer charitable assistance where needed.  Our motto is Pro Rege, Lege et Grege which translates as "For The King, The Law and The People". 

Benevolence and Fraternity

The GUOKGH is a "closed" order which is to say that it's business and ritual is not disclosed to anyone outside of its ranks.  

Aware of the changing demands of modern life and depending upon local circumstances, our "Camps" meet weekly, monthly or quarterly to provide a forum for discussion and fraternal support and "harmony". Each camp has its own flavour, based around a standard framework, and this is what makes the KGH unique within other fraternal Orders.

It is harmony that makes the KGH special, and which attracts comrades from all walks of life to join our ranks. We enjoy ceremonial rituals though we are perhaps less formal than some of our brother orders. Some camps still enjoy the harmony of an organist although this skill is becoming less common. Vocal harmony, monologues, lectures, quizzes, and even karaoke are all enjoyed as forms of harmony these days. Others may choose a different style for their encampment meetings.

Camps meet at a range of venues. Our Headquarters is located at the KGH Club in Spennymoor, Co. Durham. Pubs, social clubs and masonic halls also host our camp meetings. Traditionally, camps meet on an evening once a week however in response to the demands of modern life some meet less frequently. Luncheons and other social gatherings are also ways for camps to enjoy their own style of KGH.

Charity and benevolence are fundamental to the ethos of the KGH. Camps sponsor local and national charitable causes as well as granting aid to those in need.

Camps publish an annual calendar of events and ceremonials to which Grand Camp Officers and comrades from the other camps are invited to attend.  Visiting other camps has been a long held and continuing tradition of the KGH.
What We Do image

5 Colonel Cameron

Hartlepool

Meetings TBN, For information, please message admin@thekgh.org

24 Whitworth

Spennymoor

Meets Thursdays 7.30 to 9.30 pm: KGH Club, 5-6 Whitworth Terrace Spennymoor. Scribe: Contact admin@thekgh.org

65 SJ Slade

Spennymoor

From 26 June 23 every alternate Monday 7.30 to 9.30 pm: KGH Club, 5-6 Whitworth Terrace, Spennymoor. July 10 and 24, Aug 7 and 21, Sep 4 and 18, Oct 2, 16 and 30, Nov 13 and 27, Dec 11. Scribe: AKC Chris Lewarne. Please contact via admin@thekgh.org

139 William Tindale

Easington

Meets Tuesdays, 7.30 to 9.30 pm, Easington Social Welfare Centre, Seaside Lane, Easington Scribe: AKC M Welsh OM PGKC Contact admin@thekgh.org

144 Grenville

Milton Keynes

Meets: 3rd Wednesday, 7.45pm, Stantonburry Social WMC, Milton Keynes. Please contact the scribe prior to visiting. Scribe: SSKC T Henshaw, email: admin@thekgh.org

145 Moonraker

Chippenham

Meets 2nd Wednesday, 7.30 - 9.30pm, Loyalty Social Club, Chippenham. Scribe: KOS Craig Atkinson. Contact admin@thekgh.org

147 Erimus

Middlesbrough

Meets: 4th Wednesday, 7.30 to 9.30 pm, The Coronation Inn, Acklam, Middlesbrough, TS5 8AY. Scribe: AKC C Warham OM GS Contact admin@thekgh.org

148 Wildfire

Sheerness

Meetings 2023: 22 March, 26 April, 28 June, 26 July, 23 August, 25 October, 22 November (Christmas Meeting) 1pm preceded by a light lunch. Masonic Hall, St George's Ave, Sheerness. Scribe: SKC L G Feist Contact admin@thekgh.org

149 Phoenix

Sunderland

Meets: Saturdays at The Gunners Club, Mary Street, Sunderland, SR1 3NH from 1230 to 1430: 2023: Aug 26, Sep 9 and 30, Oct 14 and 21, Nov 4 and 25, Dec 2 and 16 then TBA. Scribe: SKC G G Matthew OM Contact admin@thekgh.org

150 Worlebury

Lacock, Chippenham

Meets: The George Inn, 7 West St. Lacock, Chippenham SN15 2LU, 3rd Tuesday in February, May, August & November. Opens 6.30pm Closes 8pm, followed by Dinner. Scribe: SSKC Mick Hurst, Contact via admin@thekgh.org

151 Sutton

Sutton, Surrey

Monthly from 4.30 to 6.30pm( TBN): 2023: 23 Jan, 17 Feb 11am (Inst), 9 Mar, 3 Apr, 23 May, 5 Jun, 3 Jul, 7 Aug, 14 Sep, 13 Oct (Inst), 1 Nov, 15 Dec. Masonic Hall, 9 Grove Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 1BB. Scribe: Kt Graham Hancock. Contact: admin@thekgh.org

April 2023 to April 2024 (* Member of the Grand Executive) Dates in parentheses show when post holder was the Grand Knight Commander (GKC).

Grand Knight Commander *

SKC Neville Dart

(2023-24) 24 Whitworth Encampment

Deputy Grand Knight Commander *

AKC Ian Glasper OM

24 Whitworth Encampment

Immediate Past Grand Knight Commander *

KOS Stephen Preston

(2022-23) 147 Erimus Encampment

Grand Director of Ceremonies *

SSKC John Warham

147 Erimus Encampment

Grand Scribe *

AKC Clive Warham OM

147 Erimus Encampment

Deputy Grand Scribe *

AKC David Mattimoe OM PGKC

(2007-08) 139 Wm Tindale Encampment

Grand Warden of Treasury

KOS R Stevenson

147 Erimus Encampment

Grand Warden of Registry

KOS K Simpson

147 Erimus Encampment

Grand Sentinel

KOS David Connor

149 Phoenix Encampment

Grand Guard

SKC Simon Polkinghorne

151 Sutton Encampment

Grand Usher

KOS David Scoon

149 Phoenix Encampment

Grand Steward

KOS Chris Turner

139 Wm Tindale Encampment

Grand Auditor *

KOS Gary Taylor

147 Erimus Encampment

Grand Trustee *

AKC J Daley OM PGKC

(2015-16) 24 Whitworth Encampment

Grand Trustee *

SSKC Keith Foreman OM

147 Erimus Encampment

Grand Trustee *

AKC R Trow OM PGKC

(2013-14) 24 Whitworth Encampment

Double Honours for 144 Encampment
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Double Honours for 144 Encampment

Members of 144 Enc. L/R SKC Matthew Constable, SSKC Bill Garner, SSKC Brian Morrish, AKC Adrian Todd, Kt Paul Green, AKC Robin Todd OM, SSKC Peter Clarke.

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GKCs "Last Night" at 147 Erimus Enc.
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GKCs "Last Night" at 147 Erimus Enc.

L-R SSKC Clive Warham OM Grand Scribe, KoS Stephen Preston GKC, SSKC George Bramhald OM PGKC officiated at the ceremony.

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151 Sutton Encampment Opens
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151 Sutton Encampment Opens

Founder members of 151 Sutton Encampment. L-R Kt Len Hayward, Kt Hugh Everitt - SKC Simon Polkinghorne, Kt Derek Williamson (9 Sep 22)

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High Honour for Barrie
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High Honour for Barrie

L-R: SSKC Clive Warham Grand Scribe presenting AKC Barrie Cooper with the OM certificate witnessed by The Grand Knight Commander KOS Stephen Preston.

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New Grand Camp Officers Elected
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New Grand Camp Officers Elected

L-R: KOS Neville Dart DGKC, KOS Stephen Preston GKC, AKC Chris Lewarne GDC

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Father's and Grandfather's Jewels
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KGH Jewel Found in Texas USA
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KGH Jewel Found in Texas USA

A KGH jewel which was awarded to one of our Past Grand Knight Commanders has been found in Texas USA.

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ForumForum
Welcome to our new forum.
Here you can find a great community for sharing new ideas and talking about day to day life.
 

Upcoming Events

TitleDateLocation
24 Encampment Ceremonial and Presentation Evening12 Oct 2023The KGH Club, 5-6 Whitworth Terrace, Spennymoor, DL16 7LD
149 Enc. Ceremonial Event04 Nov 2023The Gunners Club, Mary Street, Sunderland, SR1 3NH
139 Enc. Presentation Evening14 Nov 2023Easington, Peterlee, UK

Past Events

TitleDateLocation
147 Encampment Presentation Evening23 Aug 2023The Coronation, Acklam Road, Middlesbrough TS5 8AY, UK
149 Enc. Presentation Event12 Aug 2023The Gunners Club, Mary Street, Sunderland SR1 3NH, UK
139 Enc. Ceremonial Evening11 Jul 2023Easington Welfare Social Centre, SR8 3PL
65 Enc. Presentation Evening06 Jul 2023The KGH Club, Spennymoor, DL16 7LD
147 Enc. Ceremonial Evening28 Jun 2023The Coronation Inn, Acklam, TS5 8AY
144 Enc. Ceremonial Evening21 Jun 2023Stantonbury Social Club, Milton Keynes, MK13 0BJ
24 Enc. Ceremonial Evening15 Jun 2023The KGH Club DL16 7LD
Origins of the GUOKGH

Origins of the GUOKGH

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The early days of the GUOKGH - how it all started.

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History of the GUOKGH

History of the GUOKGH

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A history of the GUOKGH.

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Encampments Past and Present

Encampments Past and Present

7 min read
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Details of the locations of encampments, past and present.

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Grand Knight Commanders

Grand Knight Commanders

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Names, encampments and dates of the past Grand Knight Commanders of the GUOKGH.

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KGH Information Leaflet

About the KGH - Join Us.

24 Whitworth Encampment

About us, who we are, our ethos and our encampment.

Join Us - Enquiry Form

Information and Enquiry Form. About our existing encampments, basic rules for joining our Order and a short enquiry form. NOTE: All information is processed in accordance with the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act (2018).

Who can join the KGH?

The Order is open to all men over age 18, who are of good character, and who are free from criminal convictions.   There is no upper age limit to join however initiates aged over 65 years old will not be entitled to some membership benefits.  Applications are welcomed from those who wish to promote the general aims of the Order
• To support their “mother” encampment in its charitable and social work.
• To support the King, the constitution and rule of law.
• To be an active member of the encampment and take part in its meetings, ceremonials and social events.
• To contribute to the financial upkeep of the Order and encampment by paying registration dues, currently £1 per week.

Admission to membership starts by being proposed and seconded by two existing members of the encampment. They will need to learn about you, if not already known, so that they may give an account of your suitability to join the Order and your chosen encampment. The members of the encampment will be balloted and if they accept your nomination, you will be invited for initiation. .

How do I join the KGH?

We welcome new members to our Order and joining is a relatively simple matter.  It requires the nominee to be proposed and seconded by two existing members.  Your application will be considered by the encampment and if successful you will be prepared for initiation into the GUOKGH.  

If you know which is your local encampment then it may be appropriate to talk to the scribe to discuss the process and any local requirements.

Alternatively, please leave us a message ​(Contact Us)​​​ and we will pass your details on to your nearest camp.  

Can I join more than one Camp?

You can be a member of one camp - this is called your "Mother Encampment" but you are welcome to attend others as a visitor at any time.  It is usual to contact the scribe before the visit, as a courtesy.   Regular visitors may be offered honoroury membership of the other camp.

There isn't a Camp nearby. Can I start one up?

Of course we welcome new camps joining our Order, subject to their being viable.  The first thing to do is talk to the Grand Scribe or seek advice from one of the nearest encampments to you.  

New encampments must be "sponsored" by two existing members of the Order and need at least six gentlemen who are interested in becoming members.

See our downloads page for a useful enquiry form.

How much does membership cost?

There is no joining fee.  Membership is paid by registration of attendance.  The current fee is £1 per week and can be paid weekly, monthly, quarterly, 6 monthly or annually.  So, the cost per year is £52 which can be paid in advance if preferred.   Special rates may apply for the unwaged.   Ask your local encampment for details.

Can you provide past membership information?

Generally, individual membership records are not available especially records from encampments that have closed.   We can pass on enquiries to the scribes of currently active encampments, if appropriate.
  • c/o The KGH Club, 5-6 Whitworth Terrace, Spennymoor, DL16 7LD, UK
  • Headquarters: The KGH Club

Data Protection and Privacy Statement (Website Version)

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 give you the right to be informed about how we process your personal information. The information below supports this right.

Introduction
The Grand United Order of the Knights of the Golden Horn (GUOKGH) is the data controller for purposes of data protection. We are committed to protecting the personal information of all our members, visitors, and partners. The GUOKGH recognises its obligations to keep personal information secure and believes it is important for you to know how we treat personal information.

We are happy to receive feedback to make this statement more user-friendly.

Who We Are
The GUOKGH is a fraternal and philanthropic charitable order under the governance of the Grand Encampment of England and The Grand Executive which provides day-to-day oversight and management.

Data Protection Officer
The Order appoints a Data Protection Officer to oversee application of the Data Protection legislation and act as a point of contact for all related matters and with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO).

Lawful Basis
The GUOKGH processes personal information about its members, visitors and wider community under any lawful basis, as defined in the UK Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR.

Legitimate Interest
In all our operations as a charitable and fraternal order, we use the ‘legitimate interest’ lawful basis for processing in relation to delivering our services and meeting the high expectations of our members, visitors and the general public.

Consent
Sometimes, there will be situations where a member or visitor may wish to engage with additional services or opportunities. For processing personal information in this way, we seek direct consent.
We will always use ‘opted in’ Consent if we send you targeted marketing information. We will ensure that our marketing practices comply with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulation (PECR).

Vital Interests
We may be relied upon to provide personal information to the Emergency Services or other agencies in order for them to save a life or where an imminent or potential threat to life exists. We will disclose information to these agencies under these circumstances.

Public Task
On occasion, we will be required to disclose personal information to the police for the purpose of the prevention or detection of a crime. As this purpose would be to protect the general public, we will share such information under the legal basis of a Public Task. Where special category personal data is involved and we decide to disclose information, we will also rely on the Condition of a ‘substantial public interest’ (in the prevention or detection of an unlawful act). We will not always be able to let data subjects know that we have disclosed their personal information to the police, but we will keep a record of all such disclosures.

Collection
The GUOKGH may collect your personal information for the legitimate purpose of administering membership of the Order and providing goods and services requested.

The methods we use (electronic form, application form, etc) will inform users at the point of data collection that they are submitting personal information to the GUOKGH. When personal information is collected (in Enquiry Forms or Application Forms, etc), the GUOKGH will provide the reason for collecting the information and how the information will be used.

Where all such data collection takes place online, a secure, encrypted connection is presented to users to protect the data they are submitting. Furthermore, once that data has been safely collected by the system, only authorised personnel will have access to that data, offering additional security.

We may also collect personal information, submitted voluntarily, about users from their use of our website or social media pages. Users should note that information submitted to social media pages is not, in the first instance, collected by us, or held on our servers, but by the third party service provider such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. However, once we have collected such personal information from the external service provider, only appropriately authorised personnel will have access to this information.

We may share personal information with third party organisations (data processors) that we have engaged to provide services to us, or with whom we have a legal duty to share information, such as local authorities, etc. Such organisations are bound by the same regulations as us to use personal information only for the performance of a legal or authorised purpose.

We do not process personal data for purposes or under any bases not listed here. If we wish to use your personal data for new purposes, we will ask for your permission directly first.
We may be required to share personal information before, during or after your relationship with us is established (member, visitor, etc).

Security of Collected Information
We maintain strict physical, electronic and administrative safeguards to protect users’ personal information from unauthorised or inappropriate access.

Your Rights and Legal Support (www.gov.uk)​​​


Data Protection and Privacy Statement image