A day full of symbolism and enjoyment

A day full of symbolism and enjoyment

In a day full of symbolism and enjoyment, a large party of Malta Knights from Monmouth and South Wales travelled to Somerset on Thursday 25th June to present “The Travelling Spur”.

The concept of the travelling spur was conceived in the Knight Templar Province of Worcestershire and, last year, this spur was formally presented by their Provincial Prior, R E Kt Michael Hadden, to the Provincial Prior of Gloucester and Hereford, R E Kt Peter Burrows.

Subsequently it came to Monmouth and South Wales, whose Provincial Prior, R E Kt Dr Paul Calderwood, took great pleasure in handing the travelling spur to R E Kt Paul Davis - for him to transmit in due course to another province.

The accompanying certificate declares, “it is undertaken in a spirit of friendship, fraternal duty and chivalric honour” and with kindest good wishes.

As R E Kt Paul Davis observed at last week’s presentation: “It is good to welcome our Templar relatives from Monmouth and South Wales here in Somerset today and to see the friendship of the two provinces symbolised by the Travelling Spur. It calls to mind the days when our two provinces were one - and reminds us of the strong friendship which exists today and that was sown in those distant days.

“In those days, brother Knights would travel from Haverfordwest and other parts of West Wales to attend meetings in Taunton on a regular basis and Brother Knights from Somerset would journey up to meetings in Wales just as enthusiastically – even during wartime conditions.”

R E Kt Dr Paul Calderwood said “Now, almost 75 years later, those links have not been weakened and we both share a strong sense of belonging. One of the best examples of this is the way in which the bodyguard preceptories of Somerset and of Monmouth and South Wales have established a wonderful tradition a inter visiting and so Our Lady of Walsingham Preceptory is the perfect setting for today's presentation.

“Today it's my great pleasure to present the Province of Somerset with a tangible expression of that family feeling which I have already described - but one which has even wider connotations.

“This travelling spur - as the accompanying certificate testifies - is recognition of today's visit by a large number a bodyguard knights from Monmouth and South Wales (and I thank those who have travelled here from Wales for this meeting most heartily for doing this).”

The Knights of Somerset treated royally all those who travelled to visit the Bodyguard Preceptory of Our Lady of Walsingham Preceptory in Yatton – especially those from Temple Slebech Preceptory of Provincial Bodyguards - and all had a tremendously enjoyable day.

It was an especially memorable day which saw three new Knights admitted to the Order in an outstanding manner. They were Kevin Hannam, Alan Woodbridge and Steve Reece.

The Annual Meeting of Northampton, Huntingdon and Bedford

Saturday, 10th October 2026, saw the annual meeting of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta, held at the Masonic Hall of the Province of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire, The Griggs Centre, Sheaf Close, Northampton. The meeting welcomed a new intake of candidates seeking installation into the Order. They were Knights Neil Wilson, David Linger, Nick Blount, Andy Mackie, Paul Langwith and Guy Gifford-Tiney

The hall was filled with Knights of Malta, assembled in readiness for the ceremony. The proceedings commenced with the Mareschal, E.Kt. Vince Tindale, calling the Knights to order. Three processions then entered the hall in due and proper form, with the final procession bringing the Provincial Prior into the room in pride of place.

The Eminent Prior for the ceremony, E.Kt. Tony Larkin, opened the Priory in due and ancient form before requesting the Knights of St Paul to retire and prepare the candidates. The candidates were duly inducted into the Degree of the Knights of St Paul and received the Mediterranean Pass, preparing them for their admission into the Order of the Knights of Malta.

During this time, the Provincial Prior invested his Malta Officers for the ensuing year. This part of the proceedings was conducted with great efficiency by the Mareschal and his Deputy. Following the investitures, a knock at the door announced the arrival of the candidates, who entered the hall and took their places. Knight Neil Wilson acted as the representative candidate for the ceremony and was ceremonially escorted through the Banners before being presented to the Eminent Prior.

The Installation ceremony then proceeded, with the candidates receiving their obligations, signs and words as appropriate. They were subsequently conducted to the centre of the Council Chamber, where the address was delivered admirably by E.Kt. Rob Taylor.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Mareschal organised the recession, after which photographs were taken to commemorate the occasion and welcome the new Knights of Malta.

The day concluded with a highly enjoyable Festive Board, where the company celebrated the successful meeting with the customary toasts and wine, recognising the officers and those who had contributed to the ceremony.

It was another memorable and thoroughly enjoyable occasion for all the Knights in attendance, marking a further milestone in the life of the Province.

Annual Provincial Malta of Priory of Lancashire

Annual Provincial Malta of Priory of Lancashire

September 2026 saw the Priory of Lancashire hold its annual Provincial Malta meeting at Westhoughton Masonic Hall, near to Bolton, which is located more or less at the centre of the Province. 

The meeting was preceded by a short temple meeting of Maples Preceptory No. 428 who were hosting the Provincial Team, Maples being a Preceptory of Great Officers. 

Once the business of that initial meeting had been completed the main focus of the evening began with Right Eminent Knight David Harry Gallear KCM Provincial Prior entering the Priory accompanied by the outgoing acting officers of the year under an arch of Steel formed by the Prior’s Bodyguard, and under the direction of E. Kt Gordon McConnell, Bodyguard Commander. 

The Right Eminent Provincial Prior welcomed all those in attendance and then instructed E. Kt Christopher Sage P.Gt.Aide-de-Camp, Provincial Sub-Prior, to open a Provincial Priory of Malta.  Once this was done and the usual committee business had been completed the Sub-Prior retired, accompanied by E.Kt. Shane Huddart, Provincial Deputy Marshal and E. Kt Barry Tomlinson, Provincial Prelate in order to confer the Order of St. Paul to the nominated candidate for the evening, Kt David Barrett, a member of Hugh de Payens Preceptory No. 56. 

Once they were outside the Right Eminent Provincial Prior proceeded to appoint and invest his officers of the year headed by E.Kt Mark Barlow appointed as Provincial Captain General and E.Kt Michael Stubbs as Provincial Lieutenant General. Once the acting officers had been installed the promotions and past ranks were also invested with their respective ranks. 

Following a report on the door the Sub-Prior and Chaplain were then readmitted and shortly afterwards the Marshal re-entered alongside the candidate for the Malta degree. 

The Provincial Prior’s Bodyguard acted as the Banner Guard and Kt. David Barrett was admitted into the degree of Knight of Malta. Having been made a Knight of Malta the history was delivered in an excellent manner by E.Kt. Joe Galvin P.Pr.Conservator. 

The Provincial Prior then addressed the Knights present before calling again on the Sub-Prior to close the Provincial Priory of Malta. This having been done the Prior retired, again under an arch of steel, and this time accompanied by the newly appointed team. 

The knights present then retired to the dining room where an excellent three course banquet was enjoyed by the more than 100 knights present before the night’s proceedings were brought to a close and those present went on their ways home, heading towards all four corners of the Province, having enjoyed an excellent evening of Malta ritual and fine company.