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 The Provincial Meeting, 6th July 2024Brother Knights it is now my privilege to address you. It is very encouraging to see so many of you in attendance today especially when other meetings are taking place within the Province. May i thank our distinguished guests for their continued support, I am aware that many of you have travelled long distances to be with us today. You are all very welcome.
Brother Knights what a difference a year has made. At this meeting last year I expressed the view that because of the political changes in this country and the rest of the world that we were likely to experience the effect of new social and economic pressures. this has certainly turned out to be a reality and the world is now a far less safe place. So I reiterate that we are freemasons and in particular knight templar, we have a duty to support our families and each other especially during the uncertain times ahead. as such we must be confident, persevere, be successful and endure. Never become complacent.
Today we remembered in our prayers those Knights who have answered the call of The Great Captain of our Salvation. We have this year lost Ten Knights to higher service. All dedicated Knights who contributed to their Preceptories and the Order. They will be sadly missed by us all. Notwithstanding their passing we still have many Knights who are suffering illness as well as some members of their families. I ask that you make every effort to support them and pray for their speedy recovery and a safe return to their daily lives. I urge all Preceptory Almoners to assist where possible.
In May this year we had the pleasure of attending the Great Priory Temple meeting. Presided over by our Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master. The meeting was very well attended by all. At that meeting Knights of Kent were honoured with Great Ranks as well as promotion to higher great ranks which they well deserved. I thank all the Knights of Kent who attended the meeting and supported their brother Knights. I congratulate the recipients including Knights attending here today from other Provinces Your dedication and future endeavours to the Order will be much appreciated.
Brother knights i have always held the view that it is essential to visit other provincial priories and lend support on occasions such as this. It enables us to network and share good practice, I can say that the Provincial Executive and I have been able to attend most Provincial Priory meetings in addition to our own Preceptories in the Province of Kent. I am also pleased to report that we visited Jersey and attended a Craft and a Templar meeting where we had an exceptional time and i thank them for the hospitality bestowed upon us. Our team has always received a warm welcome on every occasion.
Other notable events during the year include our Church service held in December at St. James The Great Church, East Malling, it was a wonderful success, almost 150 knights and their families attended the Carol Service, led by our Prelate E.Kt. Les Fraser. The Church Service has been booked for the 7th December this year. Please note your diaries. Further details will be made available.
Boxley Abbey Preceptory No 402 hosted the Provincial Priory of Kent Sunday Burns lunch for Knights and their families. Almost a hundred and fifty people attended and £1500 was raised for charity.
During the year we held a seminar at Dartford Centre. It was attended by almost 50 Knights who participated in the discussions and exchanged some positive ideas. Brother knights seminars are a good forum to express views and keep up to date with changes and to air concerns. I intend to arrange a seminar for August.
I am pleased to report that the Constables Mess took place, arranged by our 1st Constable Mark Wright. It was held at the Honourable Artillery Company. in the City of London which consisted of a tour and an excellent meal. In fact it was so successful that Kent Bodyguard also arranged for a visit.
Our Preceptory of Improvement festival took place in April. The Provincial Marshal Kelvin Gane, represented the Province where he witnessed the demonstration of a very successful installation of a new Knight. It was another well attended event.
Brother Knights I am deeply concerned about recruitment and more especially retention of knights. You are all aware that it is our duty to support the Craft and Chapter from whom we recruit new members. We are holding our own with recruitment and I thank Robyn Murdo-Smith as well as those proactive knights for their continued effort with recruitment. However retention of Knights is a problem and is on the increase. There are many reasons for this, some of which are unavoidable but it has come to my attention that we are not as efficient as we think we are when it comes to communicating with our brother knights. I have noted that members are falling by the way side and are failing to attend their Peceptory meetings. Brother knights you are all Almoners.
People need People, a phone call, a conversation, a lift to the meeting. Registrars to keep track of the number of members in their Preceptories , Treasurers to follow up on non payments of dues by knights and keeping the Almoner informed. Advising the Provincial Almoner if needed to seek further action. Brother Knights communication is essential to obtaining valuable information which may assist our Almoners. Failing to keep in touch with our members is not an option. Remember a full and regular attendance will always benefit our ceremonies.
The three Provincial Malta Meetings will be continued as they have proved to be very successful. The Kent Preceptory of Improvement led by E.Kt Ed. Lines, will be pleased to assist with his trainers and best practice. Brother Knights please make full use of our Training Centres. The dates and venues of the Malta meetings will be circulated by the Provincial Vice Chancellor.
I take this opportunity to mention the Great Priory of Malta Meeting to be held on the 10th November at Great Queen Street. Knights of Kent will be receiving their honours at this wonderful meeting. Please give them your support.
Brother Knights I congratulate all of our Preceptories for their continued efforts to raise money for Charities. Also to those who have raised monies for local initiatives as well as personal donations. My thanks to all knights for their generosity.
Brother Knights I draw your attention to the Kent Website. I urge you to make use of it. Also to our Prelate, Les Fraser For his continued Compline Prayer Sessions on Zoom which is received by Knights, worldwide.
EKt. John Oakshott has continued to maintain the Kent Facebook site on which he includes Templar History information, it is well worth a read.
Brother Knights we are intending to arrange other Social events during the year. Details will follow, and will be Included on the Kent KT Website.
I now take this opportunity to congratulate the Provincial Knights whom I have appointed, promoted and invested today. I look forward to joining you at our meetings.
Thank you to my Active officers of the year for their very welcome and continued support.
My thanks to the Banner Preceptory, Axtane Preceptory No. 373 for supporting us today.
I thank my Sub. Prior Pieter Swinge, Chancellor John McCully the Provincial Secretariat V.E.Kt.Dennis Dean my Vice Chancellor, Treasurer, Graham Higgs, Registrar Colin Smith, Em.Knights Tony Maslin, Stuart Gray, Doug Hughes. Danny Firth and all knights who assisted in making this meeting a successful event today.
I thank our Provincial Prelate E.Kt Les Fraser for his Pastoral care as well as E.Kt Brett Portman Provincial Almoner who has a very demanding role.
Congratulations to my Provincial Marshal Kelvin Gane and his team who have not only supported me throughout the year but have successfully led us through the ceremonials today. Also Kelvin from all of us we wish you every success for Monday when you will be hospitalised for a knee operation. Good luck.
E.Kt. Steve Littler and my Bodyguard your attendance and support on every occasion has been exemplary thank you.
My thanks to V.E.Kt.Knight Noel Grout and the Malta Delegation for attending and supporting us today. Brother knights Young Mr Grout who will be 98 in August of this year. Is not only a personal friend but a great supporter of this Order and has never failed to attend and support us in Kent. Thank you from all of us Sir.
Brother Knights my stewardship of the Province has been a fantastic enjoyable experience. Your continued support of me and this wonderful Order has been exceptional. Brother Knights the future for the Order of Knight Templar in Kent is bright, working together we can make it better. I look forward to joining you during the ensuing year. I wish you and your families continued good health and happiness. Thank you all and may your God always be with you.
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