H. E. Chev Gerry Maidens
GCLJ KCLJ KMLJ
Jurisdiction Commander – 2011 - 2015
Chev Gerry Maidens enjoyed a long career with Scottish and Newcastle Breweries. He became Sales Director of the South of England responsible for sales in the Free Trade area of the Licensing Trade.Two years prior to retiring he was asked to take over fifty of the Company’s Public Houses and Restaurants in the City and West End of London to reverse a declining sales trend and to return the Estate back into profitability.
When H.E. Gerry Maidens became Commander in 2011, he launched a drive to attract younger members so that the future of the Grand Commandery could be secured and simultaneously achieve a greater critical mass to raise funds for charity.A serious attempt was made to make the Grand Commandery more attractive to Maltese citizens, a move which has greatly benefited the mix of cultures in the membership. The Grand Commandery was conceived as being Christian-ecumenical and international.
By 2015 the membership had risen to over 90.
A Heritage Committee was formed with Chev Carmel Bonello as Chairman to provide entry into the Grand Commandery for younger persons (full membership of the Order is not available to those under the age of 30). Events and activities were organised as part of what proved to be a valuable initiative in that several new Members were recruited. A website was created with Chev Lawrence Porter as webmaster. A monthly ‘Draw Club’ with prizes was introduced to raise additional funds. It remains as popular today. In this period, the Grand Commandery not only continued to assist Women In Need (W.I.N.) in India, but further assisted lepers in Kagando, Uganda, following the advice and plea for help from consulting nurse, Mrs Rita Miller.
In 2013, the 40th anniversary of the Castello becoming a part of the Order, the Grand Master H.E. Don Carlos Gereda de Borbon, Marquis of Almazan, officiated at a magnificent Investiture Ceremony held at St Paul’s Anglican Pro-Cathedral, Valletta.
During his tenure, Chev Gerry Maidens created many new fund raising activities for Members and guests in the Castello.
In 2015, the position of Commander moved to Chev Carmel Bonello. H.E.Chev Gerry Maidens became Commander Emeritus and Keeper of the Castello, and as such he has an official seat on the Grand Magisterial Council of the Order.
In 2018, for his services to the Order, Chev Gerry Maidens was presented with the Knight Grand Cross by the 50th and current Grand Master, H.E Don Francisco de Borbon von Hardenberg during his visit to Malta.