MEMBERS of the Knights Templar and Court Leet will be meeting and greeting newcomers to Altrincham as they gather to watch the Manchester marathon on Sunday, 19 April.
Since the town is officially the half-way point, Knights Templar member Gareth Bentham who owns the Old Roebuck Pub jointly with business partner Iain Hockey will welcome tired runners for a rest and a drink.
Denise Laver, provost of Altrincham, will also be there.
The back room of the pub will be converted into a Knights Templar tent.
Gareth, 36, was recently installed as a Knights Chevalier along with fellow Altrincham resident, retired limb maker, Peter Barlow, 70 at a service at Altrincham Unitarian Chapel. They were presented with a white mantel, gloves, a cross and spurs.
A fanfare by the Greater Manchester Trumpeters greeted Chevalier James Mangan, Grand Magistral Conseiller who is the highest ranking officer in the English Speaking World, Dame Linda Kowalski, Grand Prior General of England and Wales, and His Eminence, Mark Rae, Preceptor.
Gareth has run in the last two marathons but says “this year, opening the pub for runners will be my way of helping.
“I believe strongly in the charitable aspects of the Knights Templar,” he said.
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