The United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple and of St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta in England and Wales and Provinces OverseasProvince of Kent
The Provincial Prior’s address to Province, 1st July 2023Brother Knights it is now my privilege to address you. I am pleased that so many of you have attended today in support of our Province.
To our distinguished guests, many of whom have travelled long distances to be with us today. Thank you for being with us and for enhancing our proceedings. You are most welcome.
Brother Knights since our last meeting we have experienced sadness as well as joy. The nation sadly saw the passing our Queen Elizabeth and she has been succeeded by King Charles and long may he reign, Despite the uncertain political, economic and social normalities that prevail we in Masonry and in particular in this wonderful Order of Knight Templar continue to overcome such adversity through friendship and brotherly love practised in our daily Masonic lives and long may it continue.
During the year some of us have lost loved ones, others have suffered and are suffering illness, our prayers and thoughts are with them and you all.
Today we have acknowledged the passing of brother Knights who have answered the call of The Great Captain of our Salvation we will remember them in our hearts for their friendship and good company. Please continue to support those who are currently suffering illness and hope for their speedy recovery and a safe return amongst us.
Many of you here today will have attended the Great Priory Temple meeting in May. Presided over by the Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master, Paul Raymond Clement. A well orchestrated and colourful event as always, I am pleased to report that the attendance was much improved. At the meeting Knights of Kent were honoured with Great Rank as well as promotions to higher rank, which was well deserved. Knights in receipt of honours were well supported by many members of our Province and I thank them for their attendance.
On behalf of all us present today I congratulate them including Knights here today from other Provinces.I include The Great Marshal Tim Wheeler, Knight Grand Cross. Stephen Warwick 1st.Grt. Constable and Scott Moncriefe 2nd Grt. Constable who are here with us today, thank you for joining our proceedings. Well done all. I am certain your continued hard work and support will be appreciated.
Together with members of the Provincial Team and other Knights of the Province, we have had the pleasure of visiting almost all other Provinces as well as our own Preceptories. On 24th September last year Myself together with other Knights of this Province attended The Great Priory Family Church Service held at Wells Cathedral which was a fantastic day for all. This event was followed on 3rd of November by the Centenary celebration held by our own Roffas Camp Preceptory at Rochester Cathedral an equally enjoyable occasion. May I thank all of the Provinces and our own Preceptories for the warm welcome and hospitality that I and the Provincial team received on our visits.
During the year we have welcomed many New Knights into Kent Priory, yet through natural wastage our membership continues to tread water, however, we have 23 candidates awaiting installation and others awaiting their applications to be processed. These additions will slightly increase our numbers. Brother Knights I thank you for your continued efforts to recruit new members, particularly as there is a general downward trend in Craft and Chapters.
As stated by the Grand Master in his address we also have a responsibility to recruit new members to our Craft and Chapters without which our KT pool of new members will diminish. I urge you to encourage existing Chapter members to join our wonderful Order. The Provincial Team are more than willing to attend Chapter Meetings, when invited, to give a talk and answer questions about our Order.
Brother Knights the Province continues to make good progress. During the year we have implemented the administrative recommendations and changes promulgated by Great Priory and we intend to hold a seminar later in the year to consolidate those changes. I thank you for your input .your responses have been most welcome. Attendance will be for all interested knights. Participation in communication is essential to good governance and I hope many of your questions will be answered.
Brother Knights I am pleased to report that the joint Provincial Malta meetings have continued to be very successful and well attended. The enthusiasm displayed by all participating Preceptories has been exceptional. I will therefore continue with the three meetings a year which allows the knights receiving their Provincial Malta promotion to attend either Preceptory. The dates and venue will be shown on the Kent website.
Brother knights this is a great opportunity for Preceptories to practice the Malta degree in anticipation of being called upon and they should never be short of work throughout the year.
The Kent Preceptory of Improvement team has offered to assist with best practice and will attend when requested as well as members of my Bodyguard. I also recommend that you make full use of our three training centres as well as the support of the Bodyguard. Contact details are all on the KT Website.
I remind you of the Great Priory of Malta meeting, to be held on 21st November at Great Queen Street. Knights of this Province will be receiving their honours at this wonderful meeting. Please give them your full support and encouragement. Details will be circulated.
Our Church Service was held in December, at St.James the Great church, East Malling, Kent. Thanks to the effort and arrangements made by our Sub Prior Pieter Swinge. It was a Pleasant and happy occasion, very colourful and well attended. My thanks to those of you who attended, especially to Noel Grout who stepped in to assist on the day. Also to Howard Pashley our Prelate, Les Fraser, Almoner, Vice Chancellor, Dennis Dean, our Marshal and my Bodyguard. The Church Service will continue be held in December at St James. East Malling, the details will be circulated and included on our Webb Site. Your support will always be much appreciated.
Brother Knights I draw your attention to a forthcoming event to be held in March of next year. A Banner Dedication at Lullingstone Preceptory to be held at Duke Street, London. A full team of Active Officers and Bodyguard will be in attendance. It is hoped that as many of you as possible will support the occasion. Date and times will be circulated.
Also I can inform you that a small committee of Knights are in the process of arranging a Provincial Social evening, details of which will be circulated to you all.
I thank you for your continued support of the Eye Hospital. The amount of money raised this year is amazing especially in these difficult times. Preceptories and Knights themselves have kindly donated. E.Kt Angus Rhodes and E.Kt Murdo-Smith continue to raise charities for this worthy cause. My thanks to all of you. May I remind you that E.Kt Les Fraser still holds his Sunday Compline Session on a fortnightly basis in which Knights from abroad participate and E.Kt John Oakshott continues to update Facebook with KT History items. Both are worth a look.
My congratulations to the Provincial Knights whom I have appointed, promoted and invested today. Please enjoy your term of office. I look forward to working with you and for your support during the ensuing year.
To the Active officers of last year. Thank you for your very welcome support on every occasion.
To the Banner Preceptory, St.Vincents Preceptory number 333, thank you for supporting us today.
I thank the Provincial Secretariat, Vice Chancellor, Treasurer, Registrar, E/Knights, Tony Maslin, Graham Mitchell, and all those who assisted in making this meeting a success. Thanks from all of us.
My Provincial Marshal Kelvin Gane and his team have again successfully guided us through todays Ceremonials. Well done and thank you for your continued support throughout the Province during the year. Congratulations on your deserved re appointment to Dep,Grt.Marshal, Kelvin.
To E.Kt. Steve Hyland and my Bodyguard, your attendance and support on all occasions has once again proved to be exemplary. As demonstrated today.
Thank you to Very Em.Knight Noel Grout and his Malta Delegation for supporting us today.
I take this opportunity to thank all of you for the letters, cards and emails wishing me well following my illness last December. I am grateful to be here in your company. Brother Knights. It is gratifying to know that I have had your continued support throughout the year. I am confident that by working together we will be successful and have a bright future in the Province of Kent. I look forward to visiting and working with you during the ensuing year.
Once more I am grateful for your forbearance. I wish you and your families continued good health and happiness.
Thank you all and May Your God Be with you
R.E.Kt. David Jordan
Provincial Prior
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