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The 50th Anniversary meeting of the Provincial Priory of Middlesex
In July, the Provincial Priory of Middlesex celebrated its 50-year anniversary at Mark Masons’ Hall. In fact, it was 52 years as, due to Covid-19, the anniversary meeting could not be held in 2020.
Present at the meeting was the Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master, Paul Raymond Clement, G.C.T., with a team of Great Officers.
The Provincial Prior of Middlesex, R.E.Kt. John Roberts, entered in procession accompanied by his Provincial Officers and opened Provincial Priory. He was saluted with seven under the direction of the Provincial Marshal, E.Kt. Tom D’Souza, Dep.Gt.Mar.
The Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master, Paul Raymond Clement, G.C.T., entered in procession and was warmly welcomed by the Provincial Prior of Middlesex to this special meeting. The Grand Master said how glad he was to be able to join the Knights of Middlesex and celebrate with them their 50th anniversary. He was saluted with eleven under the direction of the Great Marshal, R.E.Kt. Tim Wheeler, K.C.T.
The Provincial Prior welcomed all the honoured guests and visitors and, after the regular business of Provincial Priory had been concluded, the Preceptory Banners were paraded into Provincial Priory by the Preceptory Banner Bearers attended by the Eminent Preceptors. The Provincial Sub-Prior, V.E.Kt. Silverio Ostrowski, then gave a very interesting talk on the history of each Preceptory, and the history of the Province.
The Provincial Prior had much pleasure in re-appointing V.E.Kt. Silverio Ostrowski as Provincial Sub-Prior, and the Provincial Officers for 2022-23 were then appointed and invested.
In his Address the Provincial Prior thanked everyone for attending and looked back at what life was like in 1970 when the Provincial Priory of Middlesex was created. Since then, there have been six Provincial Priors, including himself, and he has had the privilege of serving under four of them. He was so pleased that one of them, R.E.Kt. William John Redpath, was able to attend that day to join in the celebrations. John was Provincial Prior from 1993 to 2003.
He encouraged everyone to look to the future and wished whoever is sitting in his chair in 50 years time good luck and God speed, and hoped that his term of office will be as enjoyable as his is.
After the collection of Alms the Grand Master retired from Provincial Priory.
Provincial Priory was closed in due form and the Provincial Prior, the Provincial Officers of the year, and honoured guest retired in procession.
Under an Arch of Steel.
At the meeting as part of the Malta Delegation was V.E.Kt. David Pryor, who has been a member of the Province since it was constituted 52 years ago.
There were many R.E. and V.E. Knights present, along with the Provincial Executive from the other Orders in Middlesex. Here are some of the Right Eminent Knights from other Provinces.
After some refreshments in the bar we retired to the dining room where were treated to a splendid lunch at Mark Masons’ Hall with Knights of the Provincial Priory of Middlesex and their guests from other Provinces.
Article and photographs by V.E.Kt. Chris Eley, P.Gt.Reg. Originally from an article for Freemasonry@86 News - 8 July 2022.
