The origins of the Allied Orders, now administered by Mark Masons’ Hall trace their heritage back to Royal Kent, a Preceptory and Tabernacle founded in Newcastle which played host to this year’s Northumberland ‘s Provincial meeting of the Knights of Malta. Royal Kent, for many years, in times past, being the sole issuing authority for all Allied degrees in England and Wales. History therefore oozed from the walls making the meeting feel that more special.
With the usual hustle and bustle and pre meeting rehearsals, all was set to welcome R.E.Kt. Kevin Stannard, the Provincial Prior of Northumberland along with the immediate Past Provincial Prior, R.E.Kt. Alun Hune K.C.T., supported by senior Provincial Officers under a perfectly drilled Arch of Steel.
With permission granted, the Provincial Priory of Malta was eloquently opened by R.E.Kt. Alan Hune K.C.T. and his attending Officers. Following an enquiring knock, the candidate
(Kt. Terry MacNamara) was announced and unanimously voted to be accepted a member of the Order. Following a small re-shuffle of Knights, a discreet ceremony to prepare the Knight for the honour of being made a Knight of Malta was then conducted.
During this short preparatory intermission, R.E.Kt. Kevin Stannard had much pleasure in appointing his new team for the ensuring year. This also included announcing and congratulating the four senior Knights who had received Grand Priory Honours, of whom E.Kt. Steve Ransom was the most notable being honoured with the appointment of active Grand Master’s Banner Bearer and E.Kt. Geof Morrison as an active Aide-de-Corps, he, standing down after a 7 year tour of great distinction serving on the Grand Master’s Body Guard. In addition, E.Kt. Eddy Anderson and Mike Gilbert were conferred honours of Past Grand Aide-de-Corps.
Northumberland has not had two Knights serving as active Grand Priory Officers in living memory, nor having four Knights honoured in any one year, so this made the honours and the day’s ceremony that more special.
With the usual knock on the door, Kt. Terry MacNamara was announced and was admitted in due form to be explained the banners associated with where the Knights of old were based. Following a short obligation, the Knight was then conferred the accolade of being made a Knight along with being given the secrets of the Order by R.E.Kt. Alan Hune K.C.T. This was then followed by a short verbal history of the origins and struggles of the Knights by the Provincial Prior. With all complete, the Knight was courteously shown to his seat by the new Grand Master’s Banner Bearer designate and Provincial Marshal, E.Kt. Steve Ranson.
Following the Alms collection, accompanied by the Knights of Malta Hymn, the ceremony to close the meeting was elegantly conducted with all being reminded of our Christian faith and there being much to learn from Christ’s time amongst our forebears.