12/06/2026
The Annual Provincial Priory of Essex Knights Templar meeting was held at Saxon Hall, Southend on 14 May. Nearly 200 Knights attended the meeting with guests joining the Knights of Essex from far and wide, including the Provinces of East Anglia, Yorkshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Middlesex, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Hampshire, Northamptonshire, Dorset, Nottinghamshire, Monmouth & South Wales, Somerset and London. All helping to make the meeting such a great success.
The Provincial Prior R.E.Kt. Roger Smith carried out the ceremony for the investiture of the new Provincial Sub-Prior E.Kt. Graham Elvidge PG Herald. The Provincial Prior warmly thanked the outgoing Sub-Prior E.Kt. Mark Harrison for his service over the last three years.
The Active officers for the year were appointed and invested by the Provincial Prior along with those Knights receiving their first honours and promotions. The Provincial Bodyguard entertained the gathering with an excellent rendition and display of the ‘Silent Drill’ under the guidance of the Bodyguard Commander E.Kt. Peter Dawson which was warmly received by all those attending.
The Provincial Prior reported that the new Provincial ‘Centenary Fund’ was coming along extremely well and had now reached the excellent sum of £27000. The Prior took the opportunity of presenting ‘Patron Certificates’ to those Preceptories that had achieved Patron status. The new Individual Patron scheme was progressing well with 100 Knights having taken the opportunity to join the scheme and wear the ‘Patrons Collaret’ with pride.
Following the success of the limited edition cufflinks, it was announced that the latest Commemorative item, the ‘Firing Sword Holder’ was about to be launched and nearly 100 had been forward ordered.
The Prior thanked Kt. David Ford of Maplested Preceptory who has designed and made the items, for his generosity in bearing the cost of both materials and labour to enable the Fund to retain fully the £5000 profit it will produce on the sales. During the Provincial Priors address he informed the Knights of the great success the Province has had over the last year and of the enthusiasm shown by the Knights when attending Preceptory visits, visits to other Provinces and the attendance at the Provincial Preceptory of Improvement which is the envy of many other Provinces.
He told the Knights that they should be proud of the enthusiasm, drive, passion and dedication that they show to the order in Essex, as he indeed is proud of them. He announced that the Province would be making a further donation of £3000 to the St. John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital.
Following the recession from the meeting, the Knights of the Province along with the guests enjoyed drinks followed by a very enjoyable Luncheon. The day had lived up to the Provincial Priors watch words of the Order in Essex. Friendship, Fellowship and fun.
Content credits: Chris M Smith
