Knightly News

The amended date for this meeting did not prevent a great turn out from the Preceptory Knights and the invited Great Priory and Provincial Priory Officers. The Knights were treated to a lovely talk given by the Eminent Preceptor EKt John Walters. The Festive Board to follow was an excellent part of the evenings entertainment with Great, Provincial and Preceptory Knights all sitting together around various round tables. The hum of talking was a true testament to how much everyone enjoyed the evening and particular the festive board.

The Knights of Sir John Kent Preceptory met for their Malta night where 6 Knights were installed into the order of Knights of Malta.

An excellent evening with a lovely ceremony and festive board!

The members of the Preceptory congratulated EKt Rob Walker on finally becoming the Eminenet Preceptor of KT 524 at Leek, a year after he suffered a heart attack which prevented him from doing so in 2023.

The installing EP Dave Blakeman with the new EP EKt Rob Walker the Preceptory 1st and 2nd Constables and the Sub Prior trying to look pretty.

Over 30 Knights attended the Installation of EKt John Derry in to the chair of Mercia Praetorian Preceptory. The Body Guard were out in force and the camaraderie was evident throughout the meeting and the festive board that followed.

EKt Derry delivered a paper relating to the history of the Knights Tempar and their banking procedures which held the rapt attention of the attendees.

The members and visitors of Wulfruna Preceptory met for their Saturday morning meeting which was very well attended. The festive board afterwards was a joyous event with an excellent meal amid the many conversations that were being had between courses. Congratulations to EKt Jofn Hilton for staying in the chair and the manner in which he invested his officers.

The Knights of the Province decsended en masse to the Great Priory Meeting in London with 21 Knights enjoying the spectacle of seeing our Great Sub Prior VEKt Alan Howls being active on the floor, ably supported by the Prov Marechal EKt Garry Breakwell who had been asked to assist the Great Marechal's team as well as EKt Mario Rizardi playing the huge organ with gusto. Congratulations to those Knights who were appointed and promoted. A truly excellent day with our Province having the largest contingent present!
The Prov Prior RE Kt David Philips was very impressed by the commitment of those attending, despite the cold weather.

Our Provincial 1st Constable EKt Kieron Marsh ably assisted by EKt Peter Short and other members of Sir Robert Mavesyn Preceptory No 457 allowed all of the attendees to splice the mainbrace and shiver me timbers. The menu was excellent, with Melon Cannon Balls, Salmon with Capers, individual Beef Wellington with vegetables followed by a fruity dessert, coffee and chocolates! After the dinner Tamworth Masonic rooms could be seen to be vibrating as everyone sang a number of Sea Shanty's accompanied in style by the resident pianist Kt Dudley Ray.

Afterwards Kt Richard Stimpson regaled us all with stories of how the Royal Navy achieved such success in times gone past and the arduous conditions that the crew worked under! Not to be outdone we were all pit under the cosh as we tried to outdo each other in the quiz that followed. An excellent night was had by all and as we departed for the journey home everyone was in fine spirits after a throuighly enjoyable Trafalgar Night!

No less than 10 Great Priory Officers accompanied by 11 Active Provincial Officers accompanied by numerous guests and the members of the Preceptory were priveleged to participate in an excellent installation ceremony at Shelton on Tuesday evening. Congratulations to E.Kt Dave Hoole as the new E.P., and thanks to E.Kt Eddy Haycock for leading the Preceptory so well during his tenure as E.P. and well done to E.Kt Tony Askey who should be congratulated on the standard of his ceremony as should E.Kt Paul Molley the Marshal for diligently ensuring that we did what was required!!

The festive board was a gastronomic delight with 5 courses, wine and port with pre dinner drinks included in the price. Not surprisingly everyone was in good cheer and thoroughly enjoyed the evening.

The first meeting of the season at Ranulph de Blundeville Preceptory in Leek started in a very positive manner. One re-joiner and a new Knight became members of this illustrious Preceptory. An excellent evening with a fine festive board where all the Knights in attendance had a very enjoyable evening.

The newly updated Provincial tie is available to purchase at a cost of 15.00. There is also a matching pocket square available costing 5.00. The tie now incorporates the Provincial Coat of Arms and it is hoped that it will remain 'in service' for many years to come.
There will be ample opportunity to purchase the tie when senior members of the executive visit your Preceptory.

The annual Provincial BBQ was yet again a great success with Knights from all over Staffordshire and Shropshire as well as invited guests from other Provinces descending on to Fulford Village Hall. There were too many raffle prizes to count and the 3 raffles raised 1210 pounds which when added to the income from the bar, the treasure hunt and the very many donations from those who couldnt attend a magnificent sum of 3156.55 pounds was raised which will be used by the Provincial Prior to support initiatives and Charities that are most in need of our support

At the end of the event the Provincial Prior thanked the organisers for a job well done, he included the wives who had assisted us so well and congratulated each and every attendee for taking the time out of their busy schedules to make the BBQ such a success.

Having returned home after a very successful Provincial Priory I would like to say a sincere thank you to all of the 'movers and shifters' who make our annual meeting so enjoyable for everyone that attends. To have a total of 148 Knights and our many guests is an accolade of how well the Province is thought of by our peers in other Provinces and the sight of so may Knights enjoying the Festive Board afterwards was one that I will remember for some time to come. The day was a great success and I congratulate those Knights who have been appointed to an active Provincial rank, as well as our Knights who have received recognition with an appointment or promotion. They are all richly deserved.

During the meeting of Provincial Priory at the County Showground on the 10th June 2024 the Provincial Priors Body Guard looked resplendent in their full Knights Templar regalia which was further enhanced by each member carrying his new sword. Funding for the new swords has been supported by the monies raised at the annual BBQ and the Provincial Prior is extremely happy with such a positive and colourful addition to the Provinces regalia.

The new Body Guard 'to order' brandishing their new swords.

St Alkmund are working tirelessly to increase their numbers. After their last meeting where they Initiated two new Knights, they added another to their number yesterday evening and one more to come at their next meeting. Fantastic news for such a happy Preceptory.

As is now the 'new' norm Wulfruna Preceptory met for breakfast at 0930 at the Chase Gold Club. After a hearty and filling meal we all descended to the temple for todays meeting. A lovely ceremony was conducted and each and every one of the participating officers should be congratulated on a job well done. With three new joining members and an initiation completed today the Preceptory is going from strenght to strength. In the photograph the newly installed Kt Andy Durham can be seen posing with the EP, The Prov Sub Prior, the Past Prov Sub Prior and Officers of Great Priory who participated in the ceremony.

Last night marked a significant moment for the members of the Provincial Priory's Bodyguard as they gathered to witness the installation of one of their esteemed members. Eminent Knight Steve Jones was ceremoniously installed as the Eminent Preceptor and Eminent Prior in an evening brimming with tradition and camaraderie.
The event was a testament to the rich heritage and values upheld by the preceptory, as well as the commitment of its members to the principles of chivalry and service. Thirteen past, present, and future members of the Bodyguard, Including the Provincial Sub Prior and Provincial Deputy Marshall, came together to show their support, underscoring the strong bond that unites them.
As Eminent Knight Steve Jones assumed his new roles, he not only embraced the responsibilities entrusted to him but also symbolised the continuity of a legacy that stretches back almost 50 years. His installation exemplified the dedication of individuals who strive to uphold the ideals of honour, integrity, and fellowship within the order.
In an era marked by rapid change, events like these serve as reminders of the enduring importance of tradition and community. Through their unwavering commitment to their principles, the members of the Preceptory continue to inspire and uplift each other, ensuring that the legacy of chivalry remains vibrant and relevant in the modern world.

On Wednesday the 15th May 2024 19 Knights of the Province travelled to Great Queen Street in London for the annual meeting of the Knights Templar where Knights are appointed and promoted within Great Priory. The ceremony was extremely well organised and everyone had a very enjoyable meeting. If any Knight has the opportunity of attending the meeting, please do so it is a spectacular event with Knights from across the world attending!

Those Knights who had made the journey to be appointed and promoted were all suitably impressed and could be seen floating on air with silly smiles for the rest of the evening! The festive board was aloud with the hum of chatter and congratulations throughout the dining room!

On a very warm and sticky evening it was heartening to see the Preceptory so full of Knights awaiting the installation of EComp Richard Johnson. The ceremony was delivered in a fine style with EKt Tony Askey and EKt Phil Grindley ensuring that the standards expected were maintained. Afterwards the festive board was a 'buzz' of conversation and having completed our usual toasts and had our fill the Knights departed in the vain hope that they could cool down!

An excellent evening was had by all.

A very affable and full meeting welcomed a new Knight being initiated into this fine Preceptory this evening. The Provincial Prior and Sub Prior were both in attendance where everyone enjoyed each others company. The festive board was humming with chit chat and we all enjoyed a hearty meal before departing home.

Mercia Praetorian met at the Chase Gold Club where the assembled Knights were treated to an excellent demonstration of Personal Drill by the Prov Marshal and Prov Deputy Marshal. Its true to say that we all think we know the ritual but there were a number of questions asked by the Knights which were answered in such a way that we all took home a daily advancement in Masonic Knowledge.

Following the meeting the Knights retired for the Festive Board which was a very happy event which everyone enjoyed.

The Preceptory was slightly depleted due to other Craft and KT meetings being held on the same evening. However that didnt detract from the standard of the ceremony and the Eminent Preceptor should be congratulated on the manner in which he installed his successor. The new EP installed his officers to great effect and the whole evening was a happy event.

The Festive Board was highlighted by the three massive sausages provided for each diner. Tact and diplomacy bans me from saying who I gave my third sausage too!!

A delegation of Staffordshire and Shropshire Knights made the journey to Leicester to join in the Installation meeting of this French Preceptory. They come to the UK annually and are hosted by a different Province each year. The ceremony is done in English and French, but the French sounds so much nicer! The dinner which followed was an eight course feast that delighted the tastebuds and included Sole Veronique, Fillet of Beef, a selection of French and English cheeses, and a cold sweet. Each course was accompanied by its own wine and it has to be said, dont go if you intend to drive home that night!!! An excellent evening was had by all who made the effort to attend.

A great time was had by everyone at the meeting of Robert de Stafford. A KT and a Malta ceremony were completed and the new candidate Paul Harvey was welcomed into the Preceptory by everyone present. Dave Truman presented certificates in fine form with Mark Roberts delivering an excellent History. Mark Snape stepped up to the plate and controlled the Banner Bearers in good style. The Festive Board was a lively element of the evening with good banter being heard around the table. An excellent night.

Ranulph de Blundeville had an excellent night in Leek. They welcomed Comp Vic Evans in to the Preceptory. The ceremony was delivered in excellent fashion by the officers present and the icing on the cake (literally) was that EKt Brian Cockersole celebrated his 80th birthday and all of the assembled Knights tucked in to his cake with relish!!

Members of KT 42 had a spectatacular full Malta ceremony with Knights from all over the Province descending onto Shelton Masonic Hall. Every Kniight was in full Malta regalia with the exception of the two joining Knights who were resplendent in their Knights Templar garb. The ceremony was delivered to the highest possible standards and the Knights who took on this challenge should be congratulated for a job well done. After the ceremony the Knights were treated to a sumptuos meal with beef carved at the table. A thoroughly enjoyable evening was had by all.

Wulfruna Preceptory had their first meeting at the 'Chase" on a cold and chilly Saturday morning. This was a new and innovative approach for the Preceptory which was promoted by the Prov Prior. After a number of years of declining membership and the closure of Wolverhampton Masonic centre it was felt that a new approach should be tried. Following a hearty breakfast the meeting opened and there were 4 joining members who joined today and another three joining members coming in at the next meeting as well as a Candidate. The future certainly looks rosy and the Precptory have the full backing of the Province.

The air was heavy with expectation on a chilly Thursday in Kidsgrove as the members of John O'Gaunt preceptory respendent in their Knights of Malta regalia prepared for the installation of a new Knight. The candidate was nervous, but determined to do his best and he rose to the occasion in fine form. The picture shows the Provincial Sub Prior and the Great Sub Prior flanking him after his ceremony with smiles all around for a job well done.

A date for your diaries Brother Knights, following the excellent success of this years Provincial Priory we have booked the Staffordshire Showground for next years Provincial Priory meeting. The date is Monday the 10th of June 2024. More details will be available when they have been confirmed.

A splendid turnout at the Installation of the new Eminent Preceptor, E. Knight Keith Davies, a good time was had by all present and the Preceptory are looking forward to a busy year