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The new Provincial Prior with the Grand Master (Expanded view) | |
With the retirement of R.E.Kt. Anthony John Helliar KCT, after 10 years of loyal and unstinting service as the Provincial Prior of Essex at the Provincial Priory meeting on 11th May at Saxon Hall Southend the Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master Paul Raymond Clement KCT with the officers of Great Priory were in attendance to Install the new Provincial Prior, R.E.Kt. Roger Langdon Smith.
Over 200 Knights attend the ceremony from both the Province of Essex and from other Provinces around the country. Those who attended witnessed an excellent ceremony performed by the Grand Master and his Great Priory team after which 180 sat down to luncheon where a cheque was presented to the Most Eminent and Supreme Grand master for £2,500 to be donated to the Jerusalem Eye Hospital which is the principle charity of the Knights Templar Order.
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EP, Sub-Prior, P.Prior and D.Gt.Vice-Chan (Expanded view) | The P.Prior, P.sub-Prior and Installation Team (Expanded view) | The P.Prior and Sub-Prior (Expanded view) |
Following the Provincial K.T. Installation meeting at Saxon Hall, the newly installed Provincial Prior, R.E. Kt Roger Langdon Smith, attended the Essex Bodyguard Preceptory No. 562 at Howard Hall Braintree on 16th May, where he took the Chair to install the new Sub Prior, E Kt Mark Oliver Harrison.
As a unique occasion in the history of the Province, the meeting was opened up to guests, who together with the members present, showed their wholehearted support and thoroughly enjoyed the ceremony of installation as well as an excellent demonstration of Silent Drill by members of the Provincial Priors Bodyguard.
In the company of the Deputy Great Vice Chancellor, E. Kt Daniel Heath who read the Patent and the Proclamation, it was a truly memorable event. In addition to this most important installation, the Eminent Preceptor, E. Kt Graham Elvidge welcomed 11 members of the Provincial Priors Bodyguard as joining members to the Preceptory.
It was a very happy and successful evening in the history of the Province of Essex.
St Osyth Installation
On Saturday the 15th of April 2023 a KT installation ceremony took place at the Colvin Memorial Temple, Clacton during which Knight Tony Piercy was installed as Eminent Preceptor of St Osyth Preceptory No 496 by Eminent Knight Tony Cartwright.The Preceptory was honoured by the presence of the Provincial Sub Prior, Eminent Knight Roger Langdon Smith, the Provincial Deputy Marshal, Eminent Knight Mark Oliver Harrison and a number of the provincial bodyguard and other Provincial Officers.
Shown in the accompanying photograph are the representatives of the Knight Templar Province of Essex who were in attendance.
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The Sub Prior and other members of the KT Province of Essex in attendance together with E.Preceptor and other members of St Osyth Preceptory. (Expanded view) | |
A Special Burns Night for W. Bro Peter Bidmead
Against the backdrop of the Burns Night meeting of Blackwater Lodge No. 1977, W. Bro Peter Bidmead celebrated the amazing achievement of reaching 70 years in Craft Masonry. This special occasion was marked by a joint meeting of Blackwater Lodge and Pyfleet Lodge No. 8913, of which W.Bro. Peter was a founding member.In the presence of the Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Paul William Tarrant, a 70-year certificate was presented by W.Bro. Rob Eels. Together, the 2 lodges presented W.Bro. Peter with an antique glass, while W.Bro. Anthony John Helliar ‑ the Provincial Prior of Essex ‑ gifted him a bottle of his favourite tipple to put in it.
A true gentleman, W.Bro. Peter also celebrates his 100th birthday in January and continues to be active as a dedicated and much-admired Freemason in Essex. He has also recently been congratulated and received a presentation certificate for his 62 years' service and membership of Knights Templar in Essex.
Shown in the accompanying photograph are the representatives of the Knight Templar Province of Essex who were in attendance.
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Members of the KT Province of Essex in attendance (left to right); W.Bro.'s Chris M Smith, Chris Partner, Paul Humphreys, Anthony John Helliar, Peter Bidmead, R.W.Bro Paul William Tarrant, W.Bro.'s Rob Eels & Brian Wright. (Expanded view) | |