On Saturday the 23rd of February the Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Michael Anthony Shilan welcomed some 200 Masonic Brethren to the 2019 Provincial Grand Lodge of Valencia Assembly 2019 held at the hotel Gran Bali, Benidorm, Spain Hotel_Website.
The minutes of this year’s Assembly can be found here in English (aqui) and here (aqui) in Spanish
The Provincial Grand Master warmly welcomed representatives from the Grand Lodge of Spain as well as dignitaries from other Masonic Provinces, distinguished Brethren and all Lodges of the Province were in attendance.
The representatives of the Grand Lodge of Spain was were led by none other than the Grand Master of Spain, M.W.Bro. Óscar de Alfonso Ortega and the Assistant Grand Master of Spain, R.W.Bro. Barrie Roy Mansell, both of who are Past Provincial Grand Master of this Province.
The Provincial Grand Master was delighted to note that when the roll of Lodges was called all Lodges rose in turn to announce their presence and the Banners of each Lodge were paraded into the Assembly.
In addition all Active Provincial Officers were present with the exception of only 7 who all presented their formal apologies and salutations to the Provincial Grand Master.
A solemn remembrance was held for those Brethren that have passed to the Grand Lodge above since the last Assembly and are remembered in the Lodge of Sorrow within this website.
The Provincial Grand Secretary, W.Bro. David Watts and the Provincial Treasurer, W.Bro. Fred Miller both presented their reports which are available for you to read here….
2018_Annual_Report_of_Provincial_Secretary_EN
2018_Annual_Report_of_the_Provincial_Treasurer
In addition the Provincial Grand Treasurer presented the statement of accounts for the preceding year and the budget for the coming year which are available for your review here….
2018_Financial_Balance_Sheet_Booklet
2018_Income_and_Expenditure_Booklet
2019_Budget_Booklet_EN
The Auditors both rose to confirm that the accounts had been thoroughly audited and were found to be in excellent order and the Brethren assembled voted unanimously to accept both the accounts and the budget.
There were many highlights but one notable one was the Appointment, Obligation and Investiture of the new Deputy Provincial Grand Master, W.Bro. Terrence Porter who was paraded before the assembled Brethren and Invested by the Provincial Grand Master.
The Provincial Grand Master then gave his sincere thanks to the retiring Deputy Provincial Grand Master, V.W.Bro. Rodney C. Bignell and presented him with a Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master`s Collette and Jewel making particular note of the dedicated hard work that V.W.Bro. Bignell has given to him personally and to the Province.
The Assistant Provincial Grand Master`s were then reappointed, W.Bro. Roy A. Mitchell and W.Bro. Eladio Gonzalez Jover.
The Provincial Grand Tyler was Proposed and Elected, W.Bro. John. McGuire, along with the two account Auditors followed by the Appointment, Obligation and Investiture of the two new Provincial Grand Warden`s, Provincial Senior Grand Warden, W.Bro. Graham Simons and Provincial Junior Grand Warden, W.Bro. Keith Alcock.
The Provincial Grand Officers both Active and Past were appointed and a full list is available in this website and can be seen by clicking (here/aqui).
The Provincial Grand Master was then presented with all of the current serving Masters of his Lodges and each was welcomed individually as well as all Initiates who had joined the Craft since the last Assembly.
The Working Committees were confirmed and a full list is available here/aqui
Certificates for Distinguished Service to Masonry were presented to the following Brethren….
| W.Bro. Derek Moseley | Oliva La Safor Lodge No 112 | 55 years |
| RW.Bro. Neville Jarrett | San Juan de Espana Lodge No 28 | 50 years |
| RW.Bro. Ray Horn | Puerto de Xabia Lodge No 58 | 50 years |
| W.Bro. Graham Scutt | Oliva La Safor No 112 | 45 years |
| W.Bro. Les Beech | San Jorge Lodge No 165 | 45 years |
| W.Bro. Clifford Gingell | Las Salinas Lodge No 79 | 40 years |
The Provincial Grand Master addressed the Assembly and his address is available for your review (Address_EN) (Discurso_ES). A further highlight was the announcement of the Mason of the Year which this year was presented to W.Bro. Fred Miller to the delight of all present.
Alms we
re collected and the M.W.Grand Master of Spain and his Assistant retired from the Assembly which was then closed in solemn form and all Brethren retired to enjoy a Festive Board with speeches and toasts.
In summary the 2019 Provincial Assembly carried on the proud tradition of this Province and of Spanish Masonry, it combined formal ceremonial aspects along with necessary business and accountability and all supported by the fraternal good spirit annoyed by Freemasons worldwide.
The photographs from the event are below this article, should any Brother require a full (higher definition) copy of any picture please email to itsupport@glpvalencia.com quoting the reference number of the required picture(s).
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