Officers of the Commandery for Wales

For further information write to:

The Commandery for Wales
PO Box 42
Cowbridge, South Glamorganshire
Wales, United Kingdom
CF71 7WE
or
Email Saint Lazarus in Wales

The Banner of the Wales Commandery

As a result of the growing interest in the Order shown by people living in Wales, the Bailiff and the Marshal of the Grand Priory approached Major Huw Bartle-Jones TD with the idea of founding a Commandery in Wales. Major Huw Bartle-Jones, who is a native of South Wales, gladly adopted the suggestion, and immediately set about putting the idea into practice. As a result, the first Welsh Commandery, was formed in South Glamorgan in April 1995, with Major Bartle-Jones as its first Commander. The other founder members were Colonel G. Derek Stafford TD DL and Captain John Downing DL, both Deputy Lieutenants of Glamorganshire, and Major Dan Clayton-Jones TD, the High Sheriff of Mid Glamorganshire. Membership of the Commandery has since continued to grow steadily, now having well over 30 full, and 14 honorary members. Honorary members actually belong to other Commanderies, but for a variety of reasons wish to be associated with the Commandery for Wales.

Under the leadership of Huw, the Commandery has converted the ground floor tower room of the 12th Century Church of Saint Donat, into a chapel dedicated to the Order of Saint Lazarus*.  The Parish Church is situated in the little village of Welsh Saint Donat's, not far from the ancient town of Cowbridge, in  the picturesque Vale of Glamorgan. The church was known to be in existence in 1180, shortly after the foundation of our Order in Jerusalem, so it seems a very appropriate place to have a chapel. Our new chapel was dedicated, in July 2001, by his Grace the Archbishop of Wales & Bishop of Monmouth, the Right Reverend Dr. Rowan Williams, who is now the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Welsh Saint Donat's Church, which contains the Chapel of the Wales Commandery

* It is a sad and fitting postscript that Huw now lies peacefully at rest near to the the tower door which opens into the chapel of our Order.

While  supporting all of the Grand Priory's established charities, the Welsh Commandery also seeks to raise funds for hospitaller charities specific to the Principality of Wales. 

The Wales Commandery is always keen to foster good relations with other Christian orders of chivalry, and has always been delighted to welcome guests from other Christian orders to its services.