Northumberland Celebrates Annual Malta Muster in Birthplace of the Order’s Origins in the Province

Consecrated in May 1812, Royal Kent’s (No.20) Temple hosted this year’s Annual Provincial Priory of Malta meeting in magnificent splendour.
Rehearsals by the Body Guard
RE Kt Alan Hume KCT, processes and honoured under an Arch of Steel.
RE Kt Kevin Stannard, the Provincial Prior with his full escort is welcomed.

A full turn out of the Provincial Prior’s Body Guard two hours before the meeting created anticipation of all the hall marks for what would be a great meeting. Final rehearsals complete, all was set to start at 11:00 am sharp.

The Temple soon began to fill with expectant Knights from across all 16 Preceptories of Northumberland, some coming from as far north as Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Following a very eloquent procession under a fully manned honour guard of an Arch of Steel, senior Knights of the Province took their stations, to be followed by RE Kt Kevin Stannard, the head of all Knights in Northumberland.

Having flown in from the Far East, less than 6 hours previous, RE Kt Kevin was absolutely on point throughout, even though sitting square on the drag curve of jet lag.

Most unusually, and to everyone’s delight, RE Kt Alan Hume KCT, volunteered to sit in for the Provincial Sub Prior of Malta and conduct the full ceremony for initiating one designated and highly privileged Knight into the Order.

Annual Malta Muster full gallery

With the initial formalities of approving the minutes from the previous Provincial meeting, permission was granted for the ceremony conferring the degree of Malta on the candidate to begin. RE Kt Alan in polished manner, eloquently proceeded to lead the ceremony taking point where 
Sir Kt Andrew Smith, a member of Royal Kent Priory No.20, was conferred as passing degree.

Provincial Prior explaining the distinguished history of the longest surviving chivalric from the early Crusades to Kt Andrew Smith.

He then entered the Temple to make a symbolic journey from the Holy land to the Island of Malta covering over 200 years emblematical of its struggle to remain a sovereign Order. At this point, the climax of the ceremony was reached, Sir Kt Andrew being conferred the degree of a Knight of Malta at the hand of the most senior and distinguished Knight in the Province, RE Kt Alan Hume KCT.

Newly appointed Knight of the Order, Sir Kt Andrew Smith.

This was a unique and very happy moment in the history of Northumberland. The ceremony was made even more special and memorable with the Provincial Prior personally and with great style, timing and eloquence, reciting by rote, the full history of the Knights of Malta to the point where they took up station in their final resting place on the Mediterranean Island in 1591.

One of many distinguished Knights of Malta being presented to the Provincial Prior to receive the honour of promotion for their selfless, tireless and discreet work in supporting the Order in Northumberland.
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Under an Arch of Steel, Provincial Pror, RE Kt Kevin Stannard retires accompanied by the Immediate Past Provincial Prior, RE Kt Alan Hume KCT, and Provincial officers.
It was of note, this year the tone of the meeting was light, with much laughter, the Knights enjoying the fellowship and humour characteristic of the North East. With the Prior, quipping, “Having just got back from the Far East and jet lagged, I have made no notes, so my address will be unusually short”. He went on to deliver an inspiring and uplifting address.
Following hot on the ceremony, the Provincial Prior announced to the joy of all attending Knights, Grand Priory honours to be conferred on E Kt Norman Wicks as Great Warden Of Regalia, E Kt Robert Waddell Past Great Chamberlain, E Kt Greg Smith as Past Aide de Camps, all of whom will receive their promotions to Grand Rank at the hand of the Grand Master in May 2024 at Great Queen’s Street. Provincial officers were subsequently appointed, many receiving their first promotions making for an even more enjoyable morning.
With all business in the Priory complete, the ceremony was closed in the traditions of the Order and the Knights took their places for a sumptuous three course lunch of beef in Stilton sauce followed by trifle.
However, not forgetting one of the central values of the Order, it was a delight that RE Kt Alan Hume KCT proposed all the money collected should be sent to the St John’s eye hospital based in Jerusalem, treating all in need irrespective of race or creed.
E Kt Greg Smith, seen hear in his role as Registrar of Brinkburn Preceptory No.284, recipient of Grand Past Aide de Camp (ADC).