June – July 2026 – Essex Knights go on Campaign across 5 Provinces
During a busy three week campaign, the Provincial Prior, Sub Prior and the Knights of Essex have been out on tour representing the Province of Essex in Hertfordshire, Derbyshire, Kent, Middlesex and Surrey at their annual Provincial meetings.
Hertfordshire
The start of this busy period saw 10 Essex Knights visit Hertfordshire on Thursday 25th June on a very hot and sunny day. They were warmly welcomed by R.E.Kt. Alistair White the Provincial Prior and the Knights of the Province of Hertfordshire. The meeting gave them the opportunity to witness the installation of the new Provincial Sub Prior E.Kt. Steffan Rhys Madoc.
The first picture shows a relaxed contingent before the meeting, enjoying a bacon roll and a glass of something cold. In the photo are E.Kt. Chris M Smith, the Provincial Prior R.E.Kt. Roger Langdon Smith, E.Kt. David Chapman, E.Kt. David Fish, Kt. Stephen Hutton, the Sub Prior E.Kt. Graham Elvidge, V.E.Kt. Clive Purdy and E.Kt. Mark Harrison. Also present but not in time for the photo were E.Kt. Carl George and Kt. Rauf Kaytaz.
After the meeting, the Provincial Prior and Sub Prior for Hertfordshire took time to pose for a photo and the Provincial Prior also took refreshment with all the visiting Knights from Essex. Not in the group photo was Kt. Stephen Hutton who at the time, was visiting the bar!
Derbyshire
There followed 5 days later a journey to Derby by 6 Essex Knights to see the Right Eminent and Supreme Grand Master install R.E.Kt. Adam Lancashire into the chair as the new Provincial Prior of Derbyshire. The Prior then installed his new Sub Prior E.Kt. Anthony Lymer.
Both can be seen in the first picture together with the Great Seneschal on the left and the Most Eminent & Supreme Grand Master second left, next to the newly installed Provincial Prior of Derbyshire along with the new Provincial Sub Prior.
The second photo shows the visiting Knights from Essex. They are (l–r) the Sub Prior E.Kt. Graham Elvidge, E.Kt. John Brindley, the Provincial Prior R.E.Kt. Roger Langdon Smith, E.Kt. Chris M Smith, E.Kt. Ken Bessent & E.Kt. Carl George.
Kent
Just 4 days later, on the following Saturday, there followed what for some of the Knights of Essex is a regular and popular trip across the river to our friends in Kent. Here there is always a very warm welcome from the Provincial Prior R.E.Kt. David Jordon K.C.T. and his band of Knights, all regular visitors to Essex. This was, for the Provincial Prior R.E.Kt. Roger Smith, his 20th visit to a Provincial meeting of Kent.
Accompanying him as seen in the photo are (l–r) E.Kt. David Chapman, E.Kt. Andrew Hurrell, V.E.Kt. Peter Swannell, V.E.Kt. Clive Purdy, R.E.Kt. Roger Langdon Smith and E.Kt. Chris M Smith.
The second picture shows V.E.Kt. Clive Purdy, E.Kt. Chris M Smith and our Provincial Prior R.E.Kt. Roger Langdon Smith in a familiar pose, relaxing before dinner. The next picture shows our Provincial Prior with a number of the distinguished guests.
Middlesex
Two days later, it was another chance to see our Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master carry out another excellent ceremony when he installed R.E.Kt. Terry O'Neil into the chair of the Province of Middlesex. The new Provincial Prior then installed the new Sub Prior E.Kt. Kenneth D'Souza.
Due to restricted numbers on this occasion only the Provincial Prior and Sub Prior were able to attend, but of course they were joined in his official capacity as Great Vice Chancellor by Essex Knight R.E.Kt. Dan Heath K.C.T., a member of Arthur Dentith Preceptory, and the Great Guard E.Kt. Michael West, a member of Frederick C Hughes.
The first two pictures show the Prior and Sub Prior on their visit with R.E.Kt. Terry O'Neill, newly installed Provincial Prior of Middlesex, and with R.E.Kt. Daniel Heath K.C.T. The other pictures show the Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master, the new Prior and Sub Prior of Middlesex, and the Provincial Prior with other guests from Surrey and Kent.
Surrey
To round off a very hot and busy couple of weeks, our band of travelling Knights attended the Provincial meeting of Surrey in Croydon. A chance to catch up and enjoy the infectious humour and enthusiasm of their Provincial Prior R.E.Kt. Patrick Crossan, another regular visitor to Essex, and all the Knights of Surrey.
The first photograph shows the Provincial Prior with R.E.Kt. Trevor Gulliver K.C.T., a very distinguished Knight from Hampshire and a good friend of Essex, who helped out by playing the organ at the Surrey meeting. The next photo shows a view of the meeting before its start.
The photo of visiting Essex Knights shows (l–r) E.Kt. Andrew Hurrell, E.Kt. Chris M Smith, the Provincial Prior R.E.Kt. Roger Langdon Smith, the Sub Prior E.Kt. Graham Elvidge and E.Kt. David Chapman. Attending but missing from the group photo was V.E.Kt. Peter Swannell, pictured alongside.
The Provincial Prior R.E.Kt. Roger Smith and Sub Prior E.Kt. Graham Elvidge, along with the 12 other Knights of Essex, would like to thank all of the Knights of the Provinces they visited for their wonderful hospitality and, more importantly, for the Fellowship, Friendship and Fun.
Brother Knights of Essex, if you would like to take the opportunity of expanding your enjoyment of your Knights Templar masonry by joining the happy band of travellers, contact the Vice Chancellor E.Kt. Chris Smith. Dates for visits to other Provinces can also be found on the calendar.
