Brother Knights
I welcome the delegation of Knights Templar here this evening. We are the United Orders and your presence here tonight confirms and cements that bond.
I now welcome those Knights of the Province holding senior rank in other Orders…
|
Craft |
|
|
E.Kt. Peter John Butler, Provincial Assistant PGM – North Wales |
|
|
E.Kt. Simon Richardson, Past Assistant PGM – Cheshire |
|
|
E.Kt. Paul Massie, Past Assistant PGM |
|
|
E.Kt. Jeffrey Cunnigham, Past Assistant PGM E. Kt. Ronald Adrian Davies, Past Assistant PGM |
|
|
E.Kt. Michael Steggles, Provincial Director of Ceremonies |
|
|
E.Kt. Rev’d Chris Jones, APGM designate |
|
|
ROYAL ARCH |
|
|
E.Kt. Roger Quayle, Past Deputy Grand Superintendent- Cheshire |
|
|
E.Kt. Rob Bramley, Past Deputy Grand Superintendent |
|
|
E.Kt. Peter Butler, Past 2nd Provincial Grand Principal – North Wales |
|
|
E.Kt. Rev’d Chris Jones, 3rd Provincial Grand Principal – Cheshire |
|
|
E.Kt. Michael Steggles, Provincial Director of Ceremonies |
|
|
MARK & ROYAL ARK MARINER |
|
|
E.Kt. Glyn Hewitt, Past Assistant PGM – Cheshire |
|
|
ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RIGHT |
|
|
E.Kt. John Robert Bramley, Inspector General for East Cheshire |
|
|
The Commemorative Order of St Thomas of Acon |
|
|
E.Kt. Nick Wild, Provincial Prior for Cheshire and North Wales |
|
And
- Em. Kt Fraser Fowlie, Gt. 2nd Lieutenant and E. Kt. Paul Crudge, Gt. Conservator
All busy people, Brother Knights, let us welcome them with applause…
On 10 November a number of Cheshire and North Wales Knights will receive their Malta ranks in Great Priory and I congratulate them all. You will now be able to wear your Great Priory of Malta jewel with pride!
Tonight, we assemble to reward Knights with Provincial Office in the Order of Malta – and also to welcome our newest Knight of the Order of Malta – Knight Tom Maddox, of the De L’Isle Adam Preceptory, who has been Installed into this Order in a most exemplary and enjoyable manner.
Talking of this Order, Brother Knight – BOGOF!
We joke about the free bit of Freemasonry not being very visible – well, the Order of Malta is in effect free … apart from the need to wear a Malta jewel, there are no other calls on your pocket. We have a number of Knights of the Temple who are not yet Knights of Malta, and I would call on those Preceptories who are still to hold a Malta meeting to bring forward their plans to Install those Knights into this excellent Order.
If there are problems regarding holding such a meeting, let us know, and we’ll see what can be done to help.
I congratulate and thank all who have taken part in tonight’s proceedings. I particularly want to thank E. Kt. Anthony Lloyd for all the work he does for us in arranging meetings such as these and for all the other duties that he undertakes.
I have spoken in the past about our candidates being the most important people in a ceremony, and I will do so again tonight.
Once again I have observed candidates being Installed not by the Eminent Preceptor, but by the ritual book that is never looked up from – never looking at the candidate. Brother Knights, please think how the candidate must feel if the Eminent Preceptor never looks at him.
I appreciate that in the absence of learning the ritual and reciting it from memory, it is better that the ceremony is read – at least in parts – without the pain of repeated prompts making it seem that the ceremony is in stereo. Learn the parts when the ceremony is worked from the floor, and practice those parts better read before the night. And look at the candidate!
As I have said repeatedly, hopefully all will enjoy our meetings and Knights will tell others.
Next year’s Provincial appointments will look to recognize Knights who, for one reason or another, didn’t Install their successor in the chair. That is why we are not calling for names to be submitted for 2026 appointments.
The Annual Church Service of the Province was held on Saturday 20 September, in not so kind weather. I am grateful for the support and companionship of those Knights and family members who could attend but would welcome Knights to join with us in this Service of Christian celebration. There’s more room at the Inn, Brother Knights.
Christmas jumpers, yet again. Send a photo of yourself wearing a suitable Festive top to the webmaster, and hopefully, they will appear on the website at Christmas time. It’s just a bit of fun – and photographic scenes of the Provine would also be welcome. If you’re out and about – take a photo of the beauty of Cheshire and North Wales, and share it with us. Not family photos, please…
Brother Knights, I hope you have enjoyed the evening thus far, and will enjoy the Festive Board in a little while. May God be with you always. Thank you.