News

22nd February 2022 - Sir William St Clair Preceptory - No. 0641

At the recent meeting of Sir William St. Clair Preceptory No. 641 held at the Howard Hall Braintree V.E.Kt. John Simons relinquished the Eminent Preceptors chair to R.E.Kt. John Helliar the Provincial Prior of the Province of Essex.

The ceremony of Installation was carried out by his Provincial Sub Prior E.Kt. Roger Smith. All 3 are seen here with many recognizable faces from the Province of Essex along with several visitors.

V.E.Kt. John Simons, R.E.Kt. John Helliar and E.Kt. Roger Smith (centre left to right). (Expanded view)

4th February 2022 - Ambresbury Preceptory No. 583

At the recent Ambresbury Preceptory meeting held at the Cross Keys Masonic Centre the Eminent Preceptor E. Kt. Robert Young had the pleasure of Installing Comp. Mark Humberstone as a Knight of the order.

The Provincial Sub Prior E. Kt. Roger Smith was in attendance with members of the Provincial Priors Bodyguard and other Provincial Officers.

Newly installed knight Mark Humberstone (centre) with Provincial and Preceptory Officers. (Expanded view)

3rd November 2021 - Waltham Holy Cross Preceptory No. 507

At the recent Waltham Holy Cross Preceptory meeting at Witham Masonic Hall, after 32 years Kt. Roy Nunn finally, at the age of 85, became Eminent Kt. Roy Nunn when he was Installed into the chair by E.Kt. Phil Poston.

Roy originally joined Knights Templar in March 1989 and was a member at Chelmersforde Preceptory No.274.

He was a member of the Provincial Bodyguard from 1994 until 2004 and is also a member of Maplestead Preceptory No.256.

E.Kt.Roy Nunn (centre) with E.Kt. Phil Poston (right) and the Prov.Sub Prior Roger Smith (left), who is also a member of the Waltham Holy Cross Preceptory (Expanded view)

12th October 2021 - St Thomas a Becket Preceptory No. 453

St Thomas a Becket Preceptory look forward to a trio of installations as they welcomed the second of 3 candidates, Kt Glen Pearson, into the Order.

having installed a Knight at their last meeting and with a Knight to install at their next, they are certainly being kept busy.

In the presence of the Provincial Prior, who presented a certificate to Kt Michael Wright and the Accolade to Kt Glen, it was a very enjoyable and successful meeting.

In addition, in only his first full meeting since joining the Order, Knight Michael Wright presented an explanation of the Symbols in an excellent manner.

With the 3rd of 3 new candidates joining in February, its definitely an exciting period for this hard- working Preceptory.

Its worthy of note that St Thomas a Becket Preceptory also had the pleasure of installing as Knights of the Order, Right Eminent Knight, Timothy John Lewis G.C.T. the Past Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master as well as R.E. Kt. John Brackley, G.C.T. Past Great Vice Chancellor.

Indeed, the new Knights of the Order certainly have some illustrious footsteps in which to follow.

St Thomas a Becket Preceptory (Expanded view)

29th September 2021 - Medieval celebrations mark the Provinces' 90th Anniversary

The long awaited Medieval Banquet to mark the 90th Anniversary of the foundation of the Province of Essex took place at the end of September at the Square in Upminster.

The event was attended by over 50 Knights of the Province to mark this special occasion. Not to be outdone by the Evenings Entertainer, Mathew, better known as the ” Fool Monty ” our Court Jester, many of the Knights took the trouble to dress in costumes of the Medieval period, which included over a dozen Monks, an Executioner and various noblemen as well as our own Provincial Court Jester Phil Poston in suitable ”polyester” attire.

The evening included a medieval meal with period music and entertainment. Mementos of the evening were presented to the Knights in the form of a commemorative engraved tumbler and a distinctive glass coaster which featured the Provincial coat of arms surrounded by suitable wording to commemorate the Anniversary, which was a personal gift from the Provincial Prior.

The evening proved to be an enjoyable and successful event for all those in attendance and not only helped to celebrate a landmark in the history of the Province but also represented another major step forward in endeavouring to recover from the effects of the recent pandemic.

Provincial Prior addresses the Banquet (Expanded view)		The Fool Monty (Expand)		Polyester Jester (Expand)		Executioner and Nobleman (Expand)

Knights at the feast (Expanded view)		Religious Artifacts (Expanded view)		Commemorative Glass (Expanded view)

19th September 2021 - Essex KT Church Service - "A Joyful Return"

After a break of 2 years due to the pandemic, the Annual Essex Knight Templar Family Church Service resumed on Sunday 19th September 2021 at St Peter's in the Fields Parish Church, Bocking at Braintree.

The Service was enjoyed by over 130 people with a colourful backdrop made up by Preceptory banners, which were blessed as part of the Service.

The Reverend Tim Barnes presided over the proceedings in the Church, which included an interesting and thought provoking sermon by him, on what will likely be the last time he will officiate on such an occasion, following his announcement to retire in 2022. Two Lessons were read by the Provincial Sub-Prior and Prior whilst the Provincial Prelate recited "The Precepts of The Order" and led the "Recommitment to Knightly Service" which the Knights present replied to with vigour.

The Service was followed by Afternoon Tea at Howard Hall, the nearby Masonic Centre situated in Braintree, where 95 were booked to sit down together for an enjoyable afternoon which included an excellent finger buffet of sandwiches, sausage rolls, scones with cream and jam fillings, cakes, as well as tea and coffee.

Cheques were presented to Father Tim for the Church, as well as to the Church Choir (who had once again played an integral part and enhanced the service in the Church with their singing of a selection of hymns). A further donation was also made to The Howard Hall Masonic Club, who during the suspension of Masonic activities due to the Covid-19 Pandemic had undertaken a refurbishment of many of the facilities at the building. With the resumption of the church service and afternoon tea it is hoped that this will provide the impetus and a major step forward to normality in the Province and a return to our regular open pattern of meetings and events to the full enjoyment of the Knights of the Province.

Members and Guests of the Province (Expanded view)		Afternoon Tea (Expanded view)	R.E.Provincial Prior with Father Tim Barnes (Expanded view)

1st September 2021 - Maplstead Preceptory - V.E.Kt. Peter Bidmead P.Gt.2nd Constable

On Wednesday 1st September 2021 the Provincial Prior R.E.Kt. John Helliar along with the Provincial Sub Prior and a delegation of Provincial Officers made an official visit to Maplestead Preceptory No.256 for what was a unique occasion in the Province of Essex and possibly throughout the World.

V.E.Kt. Peter Bidmead P.Gt.2nd Con. was celebrating 63 years as a Knight Templar Mason.

The Provincial Prior had been requested to attend the meeting on behalf of the Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master to present V.E.Kt. Peter with his Great Priory 60 year certificate.

Following an excellent meeting and ceremony for a new candidate at Maplestead the Provincial Prior presented V.E.Kt. Peter with his Great Priory award along with a Provincial Priors Award of Merit certificate for his long, distinguished and industrious service to Knights Templar in general and the Province of Essex in particular. In addition the Provincial Prior presented V.E.Kt. Peter with a personal gift.

V.E.Kt. Peter who will be 99 in January of next year was delighted and happy that his very special occasion had been remembered and that he had been honoured by both Great Priory and the Province of Essex.

Also shown in the group photo (below), 2nd from the right is V.E.Kt. Peter Swannell, Past Great 2nd Constable, Past Prov.Sub-Prior of Essex who is an honorary member of Maplestead Preceptory No. 256.

V.E.Kt. Peter Bidmead and the R.E.Provincial Prior (Expanded view)		V.E.Kt. Peter Bidmead with the R.E.Provincial Prior and members of Maplstead Preceptory (Expanded view)