A LA GLORIA DEL GRAN ARQUITECTO DEL UNIVERSO
Masonic Treasure Hunt
Local Masons hold Grand Treasure Hunt for charity.
On the 10th of September, local Freemason’s Lodge, Puerto de Xabia 58, held a Treasure hunt in the Javea area. It was attended by more than thirty Masons, wives and friends. An excellent lunch was taken at the restaurant Casa Pepe in Valcon al Mar. After lunch, which was enjoyed by all, we were entertained by the group ‘Hangover Tuesday’, who played many memorable rock tunes from the seventies. These were enjoyed by everyone including other patrons attending the restaurant who were also having lunch.
During the break a charity raffle was held to raise money for the Master’s chosen charity of the year. A cheque for two hundred and fifty euros was then presented to the Charity Steward, WBro Chris Stoneley, by Lawrence from the group on behalf of Mr & Mrs Sandford who, on returning to the UK, had left items with Lawrence to sell for charity. A further twenty euros was donated by Dirk of the Lounge bar in Javea and twenty euros more from a member of the public who was simply enjoying the music. Many thanks to all.
With the proceeds from the raffle the Lodge was able to raise the grand sum of five hundred and seventeen euros. This money will be donated to the childrens residential care home ‘Les Rotes’ in Denia. WM Nick Coates thanked everyone for attending and giving so generously and offered especial thanks to the group for giving up their free time and entertaining us all so well and at no cost. Well done to all! A great day was had by everyone.
Masons raise money while watching firework display.
Freemasons attend huge Javea fireworks display.
On Friday, 8th September, more than fifty Masons and invited guests met for an extremely good dinner in the popular Attico restaurant in Javea. This was to celebrate the start of a new Masonic year, to raise some money for charity and, above all, to enjoy ourselves.
The evening was a great success. The meal was superb as was the company. Staff and service was great and everyone enjoyed themselves very much. This event was organised by our Charity Steward, WBro Ray Guise-Smith and his wife Coral, who put in a lot of effort to ensure everything ran smoothly.
The evening began at the unusually late time of 9pm, due to the fireworks display not starting until 1am (!) It was therefore a long and relaxed evening. When the fireworks finally started everyone was enthralled. This was undoubtedly one of the best displays I have ever seen – certainly live. Some displays, such as those of Australia celebrating New Year, may be better but very, very few local ones could live up to this. Well done Javea!
Starting promptly at 1pm the incredible display lasted for twenty-five minutes and ignited over four hundred and fifty kilos of spectacular fireworks. These brought several rounds of appreciative applause from the Masons and guests as well as the crowds outside as well. The Attico restaurant was exceptionally well placed to see the exhibition. Being several stories high and showing the whole of Javea Bay it is hard to think there was anywhere better to view from.
A charity raffle was also held raising two hundred and sixty five euros to be donated to the charity chosen by this year’s Worshipful Master, WBro Ian Brown. This money, along with other funds raised, will be donated later in the year to El Preventorio, the children’s home in Gandia, which, among others, we have been pleased to support for several years. 
If you should be interested in the work of the Freemasons, or you would like information on joining, please contact me at the following email address.
prensa@glpvalencia.com
WBro William Turney Press Officer
Provincial Grand Lodge of Valencia
New Managers For Charity Shop
The Masonic Homes of Valencia were pleased to welcome the new Managers to the Moraira Charity Shop on 31st August. Kath and Chris Taylor had managed the shop very successfully for the past 7 years, and now wished to retire. The presentation took place in the shop, when several gifts were presented from the Board of Management and also from the shop volunteers who turned out in their numbers. After which the party continued over the road in the local Cafe. The new Managers are Marian and Rudd Lakerveld. The photo shows Kath Taylor left, Jenny Hart President of the Association on right with Marian and Rudd Lakerveld in the Centre. The shop is always pleased to receive donated items to sell in the shop.
Michael Kacperski
July 6th 1952 – August 3rd 2017
Mick was born in the Nottingham area to an English mother and Polish father, he had three siblings, two brothers and a sister but lost one brother at an early age. Mick went through a normal childhood and when he left school he eventually became employed in the oil business on rigs and in the Middle East.
Unfortunately, at the age of 40 he had a heart problem and ended up needing a valve fitted. As a result of this he was not allowed to work in the industry and had to leave. Mick met his wife Tracey 11 years ago and they were married 7 years ago. He had 1 son who runs a restaurant in Benijofar. He was a very keen golfer with a single figure handicap and he also played guitar in local bands at jam sessions in the local area. As far as the golf goes he was always willing to help higher handicap players to improve their game. He also did a lot of work around the area like gardening, painting, building etc. He joined Masonry in UK (not sure of his Mother Lodge name) and joined Old Tower Lodge in (again not sure). He was always very keen to progress in his Masonic career and became a member of Chapter, Mark and Ram. For the past few years he had been the dining secretary for the Old Tower Festive boards and did a good job of organising them.
He will be sadly missed.
Norman Scales
Born 1937 in Bradford West Yorkshire. Norman’s father worked for the railway and was killed at work when Norman was still a teenager. He was brought up in very poor circumstances by his mother until he was called up for National Service.
He studied hard while in the army and when he was demobilised he carried on with his studies and finally became an Area Manager for a sand and gravel company. His professional qualifications were in concrete tensile strength and building materials, he later developed a second career as a Financial Adviser.
Being married twice, Norman had two children (a boy and a girl) with his first wife, and we knew him when he came to Spain with his second wife, Suki.
Norman joined Freemasonry with Atherstone Lodge under UGLE in the late 1980’s and although electing not to pass through the Chair, Norman was promoted to Past Prov. Pursuivant for the service and work he gave to the Lodge. He also joined Royal Arch no 432 and became Treasurer until he resigned and moved to Spain with Suki. Once settled in Spain Norman joined Las Salinas No.79 and very much enjoyed being an active member doing everything asked of him to the best of his ability and serving as Assistant Treasurer.
For the past 18 months Norman has battled with Leukaemia, he never complained although some days he could hardly walk. He returned to the UK for treatment where he sadly succumbed to the illness on the 29th of June. He was a true gentleman and Brother in every way, was well thought of and respected by Brethren and his friends alike and will be sadly missed.
Provincial Grand Stewards – Lake Como 2017
The Worshipful Master of the Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge No.154 and Deputy Provincial Grand Master, W.Bro. Rodney Bignell once again organised and hosted the annual Provincial Grand Stewards visit to Lake Como, which this year took place between the 29th of June and 4th of July.
A total of 43 attendees were once again delighted to sample the finest scenery and hospitality at the beautiful lakeside hotel, Hotel Britannia Excelsior and the chef and his team delivered the finest food and wines of the Region.
The hotel is owned by W.Bro. Ross Weildon who is a member of W.Bro. Rodney’s English Lodge, together with his wife Doriana and this annual event not only enables members of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Valencia to enjoy a fine break in Italy, it also furthers Masonic bonds of friendship.
During the day the participants were free to explore the beaut
iful and historic Region using the frequent water taxi’s that stopped frequently and very close to the hotel.
W.Bro. Rodney and his lady Jean also arranged a private boat for lake tour on one of the days.
After a day exploring and working up an appetite the evenings were taken 
up in sampling the local fayre (often caught just a short time before the meal) and complemented by the finest of Italian wines.
During the event a Gala Dinner was arranged with live music provided by local group and a raffle held during the evening raised €480 which will be donated to charitable causes.
With the Provincial Grand Stewards always ready to step-in and help there was even an opportunity to help in the preparation of that day’s menu.
One thing that all participants agreed was that they are keen to repeat the event again next year.
Local Masons donate 500 euros to Alzheimers Association
On Tuesday, 18th July, Worshipful Brother Graham Simons, visited the Alzheimer Familiares Teulada-Moraira Association to deliver a much needed cheque for five hundred euros. Graham, the Immediate Past Master of the Oliva La Safor Lodge, had made the Association one of his selected charities for his year as Master and during that period the donation was raised by members of the Lodge during various money raising events.
The Association is partly funded by the local council who provide the necessary professional staff which are necessary to obtain the correct operating licences but relies very heavily on charity donations and volunteers. Like many charities there is always a need for goods, services and, above all, money. This donation will be used to service the Association minibus and buy four new tyres for it. This vehicle being essential as they cover such a large area taking in Javea, Denia, Benitachell, Teulada and Moraira. This puts enormous strain on all the facilities but especially this vehicle which covers so many kilometres collecting and delivering patients.
We were met by Carmen Mudaira, the psychologist who is a director of the Association and Sylvia Tatnell the President of the Association and who is also the former deputy Mayor of Teulada. We were given a very interesting insight into their work and a short tour showing us some of the facilities available. There is also a nurse and a social worker to look after the wellbeing of all the patients.
While there Graham was greatly impressed by the love and care with which the patients are treated. Much emphasis is placed on keeping the patients as active as they can be and many methods are used to keep them as mentally active as possible. Unlike some other centres the patients are not simply given a TV to watch but are given as many different stimuli as possible. There is a TV but this is used mainly for games and puzzles which help to stave off some of the worst effects of this terrible disease for as long as possible. The centre is open from 8am until 8pm and food is provided for all. It is open to all nationalities and currently has a mix of English, Spanish and Dutch people.
Michael Lawrence Darsley
Mike came to Old Tower Lodge No.49 on 21st January 2008 as a joining member. He was originally initiated into Brooklands Lodge No. 3671, Altringham, U.G.L.E in November 1981, was Passed and Raised in that lodge in 1982 and subsequently installed into the Chair of King Solomon in 1992. He was promoted to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 2001. He became a member of Brooklands Lodge No. 2231, South Manchester in February 1983. He was also a member of a French Lodge. Because of his long experience in Masonry he was an excellent ritualist and could always be relied on to take an office for Installation Ceremonies and for Old Tower’s Past Masters’ Degree Demonstration which traditionally takes place at our April meeting each year. He was a member of Rose-Croix in England. He was on a visit to London, on 25th April 2017, to receive his 33rd Degree in The Scottish Rite and as he left this meeting he collapsed with a suspected heart attack, was rushed to St Thomas’s Hospital in London, where he died early the following morning.
Walter James Strudwick
Walter was Initiated, Passed and Raised in the NYASA lodge number 956 in Malawi in 1964, when he was working in East Africa.
He then joined the lodge of Concord number 1135 on the 13th April 1966, were he continued his membership until September 1966, when presumably he moved to Spain.
He became a Royal Arch Mason on the 6th December 1967 in the Davie Chapter Number 1135, in Ilfracombe.
To continue with his masonic travels he became a Mark Master Mason on the 24th April 1974, when he joined the North Devon Lodge number 540, Ilfracombe, Devonshire.
The last lodge he joined was the lodge of St. Nicholas number 540 when he was regularly admitted to the degree of Royal Ark Mariner.
When he arrived in Spain he carried on with his masonry becoming a member of Old Tower lodge number 49 and then Las Salinas lodge number 79.
Then to keep up with his Mark masonry he became a member of the Torrevieja Mark lodge number 1745, and then the Orb and Sceptre lodge of Royal Arc mariner number 1745.
Jim was something of an enigma, in that he became a member of the above lodges to my knowledge did not take office in any. However, he was always there when a meeting was on and always enjoyed himself. As he got older he found it more difficult as his hearing deteriorated and he did not get the same enjoyment, also he had some very serious illnesses.
He will be missed because of his ever present smile and good humour.
Armonia de Ifach Lodge hold summer Barbecue
On Monday, 10th July, twenty-six Masons and their guests attended a well organised BBQ evening at the Ifach Golf Club, the new home of Armonia de Ifach Lodge No 46. The sun was out, the drinks flowing freely and a really good time was had by all.
Included in the BBQ were huge pieces of chicken, Spanish sausages, of many types, salad, burgers, cheese, potato salad and of course some succulent barbecued spare ribs with a delicious sauce. All were cooked to perfection by the restaurant’s head chef. This feast was followed by a delicious dessert of strawberries and fresh cream topped with vanilla ice cream. If this great food was anything to go by, we are in for some really fine meals at our future Festive Boards.
A charity raffle raised one hundred and eighteen euros towards the Master’s chosen charity, thanks to our resident gnome, Dennis and his partner.
Thanks must go to W.Bro Stewart Gammer and his wife Brenda for all their hard work in organising this event and thanks also to W.Bro Neville Shelley, our current Worshipful Master, for all his input to make it such a successful evening.
