Provincial Meeting of the Knights of Malta
The Province of Northampton, Huntingdon and Bedford gathered in the historic surroundings of Northampton Chapter House on Saturday, 11th October 2025, for the annual meeting of the Knights of Malta. The occasion marked both a celebration of the Order’s enduring traditions and the Installation of twenty-two new Knights into the Degree of Knights of Malta — one of the largest Installations in recent memory.
The Marechal, Eminent Knight Nigel Dickens, and the Deputy Marechal, Eminent Knight Vince Tindale, formed the officers and prepared for the formal processions into the Chapter House. Once the processions were concluded, the Priory was opened in due form, and the Officers of the Knight of St Paul retired to prepare the candidates.
During this interlude, the minutes of the previous meeting were presented, and the Provincial Prior, R.E.Knight Stephen John Churchill, took the opportunity to invest those Officers who had been unavoidably absent from the earlier Installation meeting.
The ceremony then proceeded with the Installation of the twenty-two candidates into the Malta Degree. The selected candidate, Knight Carl Myers, was Admitted, Challenged, Obligated, and duly Knighted in the traditional manner of the Order — a moment of solemnity and inspiration for all present. All candidates were then Installed as Knights of Malta.
Following the ceremony, the Sub-Prior, E.Knight Russel Laxton, presented the new Knights with their jewels, after which the Provincial Prior and Sub-Prior formally entrusted them all.
A highlight of the afternoon was the Address to the Knights, delivered by Eminent Knight Rob Taylor in a first-class manner to an attentive assembly — the atmosphere so focused that, as one observer remarked, “you could have heard a pin drop.”
With the formalities concluded, the Priory was closed in due form, and the Brother Knights retired to the Festive Board. There, a most enjoyable meal and afternoon of fellowship were shared, rounding off a memorable and successful Provincial meeting.
Sincere thanks are extended to all who contributed to the success of the day — particularly the Officers of the Priory, the Provincial team, and the Chapter House staff — for ensuring the meeting ran smoothly and with the dignity befitting the Order.
Special appreciation is also given to Eminent Knights Nigel Dickens and Vince Tindale for their precise direction throughout the ceremony, and to Eminent Knight Rob Taylor for his exceptional Address to the newly Installed Knights.