News

The Provincial Priory of Durham social evening

Durham Social Evening

The Provincial Priory of Durham social evening for 2024 was held on 27 January, where members, their partners, families and guests gathered in the bar area of Darlington Masonic Hall. The Provincial Marshal E.Kt. Andrew Peter Fall Foster invited everyone to take their seats in the dining hall. After grace, given in Latin, with an English translation, by the Provincial Chancellor E.Kt. Peter A Smith, those present enjoyed Spiced Butternut soup, Braised beef with Bourguinon Sauce and Seasonal Vegetables, Lemon Posset, Cheese and Biscuits and Tea or Coffee.
After dining, the Provincial Prior Rt.E.Kt. Richard Scott welcomed those present to the Knight Templar social evening for 2024. He gave a special welcome to the Provincial Grand Master of the Craft John Thompson and his wife Andrea.
The Provincial Prior then told his guests about his recent trip to the eye hospital in Jerusalem, where he had witnessed the amazing advancements in eye surgery, being able to watch the unobtrusive removal of a cataract by a Phaco Emulsification machine, in little over three minutes.
The Provincial Prior then went on to inform those present that July of 2025 sees the fifty year anniversary of the Priory of Durham in its own right.
To celebrate there will be a service held in Durham Cathedral, with dining and entertainment held afterwards at Ramside Hall, where it is hoped that the total given to the Eye Hospital in Jerusalem by the province will be £100,000. The Grand Master. M.E. & S.Kt. Paul R. Clement, G.C.T and his team will be in attendance, along with the heads of St John Ambulance service, the CEO of the eye hospital in Jerusalem and other local dignitaries. Details of this event will be released after the AGM in April but early booking is recommended to those wishing to attend.
To conclude his address, the Provincial Prior drew the lucky winning ticket belonging to E.Kt. Ken Short for the Knight Templar chess set which was the idea of E.Kt. Stewart Bell, and had raised the magnificent sum of £1025.

Entertainment followed by Colin Lynch, a Neil Diamond tribute act which soon had those present singing and dancing along. The raffle was then drawn at the end of the night, which thanks to the generosity of those present raised £975.

Rulers

M.E. & S.Kt. Paul R. Clement, G.C.T.
Grand Master

V.H. & R.E.Kt. Andrew C. Rainbow, G.C.T.
Great Seneschal

CONTACT