The Essex K.T. Family Church Service 2026

On a very bright Sunday afternoon, the Knights of the Province of Essex, together with their Provincial Prior – R.E. Kt Roger Landon Smith – met for their Annual KT Family Church Service at St Peter’s Church in Bocking, Braintree.

With the assistance of the Provincial Prelate – V.E. Kt Les Retford, the Service was led for the first time by the Very Reverend Canon Rod Reid, Dean of Bocking.

In the usual very enjoyable and very well attended Service, the Knights joined with the Congregation to fill the Church for another memorable event.

The Service included a number of very moving anthems sung by the Church Choir following which the Knights recommitted themselves to their Service and the Order.

Following the dedication of the Banners, the Knights, led by the Provincial Prior together with members of the Church including the Dean of Bocking, retired to Howard Hall for Afternoon Tea.

This part of the day is a chance for everyone to enjoy tea and refreshments with wives, partners and friends.

A packed hall saw the Provincial Prior present the Dean of Bocking with a cheque for £500 towards the Church and another £100 for the Choir.

The Annual KT Family Church Service and Afternoon Tea is an event which is enjoyed across the Province and St Peters Church at Bocking, Braintree continues to be the spiritual home for Knights Templar in Essex

A fantastic evening at the De Umfraville meeting

A fantastic evening at the De Umfraville meeting on Tuesday 22nd September.

The Preceptory was pleased to welcome our Provincial Prior, REmKt Richard Scott KCT, accompanied by the Provincial Marshal, Provincial Vice-Chancellor and Provincial Warden of Regalia.

A particularly special part of the evening was seeing Richard present a 40-year certificate to E Kt Malcolm Ross P.G.W. of

R., recognising 40 years of faithful membership and contribution to the Order.

This was the second 40-year certificate presented in the Province this year, following EKt David Railson P.G.Her., who received his certificate on 26th May.

A wonderful achievement for both Knights and a fitting recognition of their many years of service and commitment to the Order.

A Double Celebration of 50 Years’ Service in Worcestershire

A remarkable pair of anniversaries were celebrated in Worcestershire recently. Very Eminent Knight Michael Simpson and Eminent Knight Vivian Fogarty both celebrated 50 years of service to the Order with their anniversaries occurring within a matter of days of each other.

VEKt Simpson joined members of his mother Preceptory, Richard de Vernon KT-052 meeting at Stourbridge where a humorous and sincere tribute was given by the Provincial Prior, REKt Michael Hadden.

The following day, EKt Fogarty was similarly recognised at Kidderminster and a meeting of the Preceptory of St Mary & All Saints KT-367.

The masonic history was given informally by question and answer between EKt Fogarty and the Past Provincial Prior, REKt Stephen Wyer KCT.

At both meetings there was plenty of work carried out,  including two candidates and one Installation of a new Preceptor.

50 year certificates from Mark Masons’ Hall were presented to each Brother Knight, as were letters of congratulation from the Deputy Great Vice Chancellor.

The anniversaries were met with great acclaim by all the Brother Knights present.

These were the 2nd and 3rd 50 year certificates presented in the province this masonic year, having previously recognised EKt Maurice Hume of Simon de Montfort Preceptory KT-414 in November last year.