01/03/2018
A special message to all members of St John Cymru – Wales from the Prior for Wales
As Prior for Wales I wish to send to all members of the Priory my warmest good wishes as we celebrate St. David’s Day and the formation of our Priory a hundred years ago.
The Order of St. John was founded, over a thousand years ago, on the principle that its members should treat every person, of any faith or no faith, be they rich or poor, young or old, male or female, No – one, in any kind of need, is rejected.
It was in recognition of the dedicated work of the Divisions in Wales, particularly in the populous mining areas and the distinguished service of 130th St. John Field Ambulance in the First World War – the only field Ambulance to be prefixed St. John, that a petition seeking the establishment of a Priory in Wales was signed by members of the Order in Wales. On St. David’s Day 1918, the Priory for Wales was established.
On this St. David’s Day, we proudly celebrate the first one hundred years of the Priory for Wales, an independent Welsh Charity. The Priory has served our nation with that same dedication and distinction based on the founding principles of the Order. St. John Cymru Wales has seen many changes over the last 100 years as it has evolved to meet the the changing needs of the people of Wales. We are as relevant today as we were when established.
I am most fortunate to be Prior for Wales in our most Venerable Order at this significant time in our history.
I thank you all for your commitment and dedicated service for the Priory for Wales.
Sir Paul Williams OBE, KStJ, DL St. David’s Day, 2018
Prior for Wales