With a rich pedigree dating back 210 year to 1812, and an average waiting time of eighteen years prior to a member being Installed in the Chair as Eminent Preceptor, members of Royal Kent Preceptory No.20, which meets at Fern Avenue Masonic Building, are more than used to waiting long periods of time.
Unfortunately this time round the Eminent Preceptor Elect had a little longer to wait than usual. Having meant to have been Elected in March 2020, and then subsequently Installed in April of the same year, Sir Knight Alasdair Watson’s time in the chair was delayed due to the Covid pandemic, in the form of the pandemic itself but also his time suffering with the effects of the virus whilst in intensive care.
Happily Alasdair was now fit enough to take the Chair and the side effects of Covid certainly haven’t hindered him in his other important office as one of the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters in the Craft Province of Northumberland.
Alasdair was initiated into Craft masonry in September 1978 and installed into Royal Kent Preceptory in September 2004, having occupied every office on his way to the Chair of Eminent Preceptor.
The Past Provincial Prior of Northumberland, R.Em.Kgt Aaln Hume was in attendance, as Royal Kent Preceptory is his mother preceptory, along with Em.Kgt Gordon Craigs, also a senior member of the Executive in the Craft Province of Northumberland and the Past Provincial Grand Master in the Mark Province of Northumberland, along with a full Provincial deputation, supported by the Provincial Priors Bodyguard looking resplendent, armed with their new swords presented to them at the recent Provincial Priory of Malta meeting.
The origins of Royal Kent Preceptory can be traced back to the latter part of the 18th Century, such is the history of this prestigious preceptor.
Everyone at Northumberland Freemasons wishes Alasdair a very enjoyable and productive delayed year in office.
Are you a member of the Craft and the Holy Royal Arch Chapter and considering your next step in Freemasonry? Why not contact a member of the Provincial Priory Executive to discuss this Order further and your individual requirements.
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