The United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple and of St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta in England and Wales and Provinces Overseas

Province of Kent
Robbie Burns’s Birthday

On Robbie Burns’s birthday on the 25th of January 2026 the Provincial Priory of Kent and Boxley Abbey Preceptory held a Burn’s Sunday Carvery at Tovil Masonic Hall, Maidstone.

There were 137 Knights, Ladies and Gentleman sitting down to a splendid Haggis starter and a delicious three meat Carvery all served up by the excellent staff at Thyme 2 Dine. The event was commenced by the Provincial Prior R.E.Kt. David Jordan welcoming everyone to this special celebrations of Robbie Burns’s Birthday.

The Haggis was beautifully piped in by Kyle West accompanied by E.Kt. Ed Lines and the cooks carrying in the haggis and the whiskey. E.Kt. Ed Lines gave an impressive address to the Haggis and fatally stabbed the beast in the heart to start the festivities. The Selkirk Grace was given by E.Kt. Brett Portman and the haggis were served to Scottish flag waving diners. During the interval E.Kt. Les Fraser delivered the Robbie Burns’s Willy Prayer in full Highland Dress.

Each Table was called up for the three meat Carvery with all the trimings after the dinner James and Daniel read perfectly some Robbie Burns poetry. The Scottish sweet Cranacan was served and the after dinner Grace was delivered by E.Kt. Brett Portman. E.Kt. Maurice Stanford and Kt. Geoff Dixon sold the raffle tickets and assisted E.Kt. Mark Woolcott picking the prize winners and raised a fantastic £1300 for the Ellenor Hospice and the Hospice in the Weald.

Later the piper lead in a special raffle prize of a massive Dundee fruit cake made by Pam Jordan and was presented by the Provincial Prior to the lucky winner. After this a Best dressed Tartan competition was judged by Gillian Swinge, the winner was E.Kt. Ed Lines.

To finish the Grand celebrations R.E.Kt. David Jordan thanked everyone for coming and closed by singing Auid Lang Syne.

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