Arenal Deportiva Lodge Celebrate

Chinese New Year 2025

(The year of the Snake)

On Saturday the 20^th January, 65 Brethren, Partners and friends of Arenal Deportiva lodge No 65 met at Sabores II restaurant in Moriara to celebrate (an early) Chinese New Year 2025.  It was a cold wintry evening outside, but inside the restaurant, a warm convivial atmosphere ensured that the party got into full swing. The menu had been specially selected by Florence (Li Fung Ha) Johnson to suit all tastes and requirements, and with a fabulous raffle draw and the auction of a hand made Dragon (soft toy) over €800 was raised for lodge and charity funds. Each guest received a ¨Lai See¨ packet containing a lucky coin – albeit of the consumable variety, it truly was a case of ¨Kung Hai Fat Choi¨ – A Happy New Year for everyone.

Masons from the Provincial DANA Relief Committee were thrilled to visit the 3 families we are helping and deliver toys and gifts ahead of the 3 Kings celebrations.

We presented gifts and toys to the seven children from the three families in advance of the Three Kings’ Day celebration. These gifts were generously donated by friends and families of Old Tower Lodge No. 49. The children, aged two to seventeen, reacted with genuine delight with tears of joy at their unexpected presents, a heartwarming experience for all present.

Santa´s Little Helpers!

The members of the Provincial DANA Flood Relief Committee were delighted to attend the last day of term at the CEIP El Rajolar primary school in Aldaia, the town in the flood disaster area where we have been concentrating our relief efforts.  5 Brethren, RW Bro Rodney Bignell PGM, and W. Bro´s, Matthew James, Peter Johnson, Sergio Pereira and Chris Ward, all suitably attired, were welcomed by the Principle and teachers. Toys and sweets have been donated to the relief fund by Lodges, individual Brethren, the Costa Blanca Golf Society and most importantly, Provincial Royal Arch Chapter who donated the majority of the toys. The children range from 2 years to 11 years and each child will receive a lovely gift from the Masons of Valencia at the 3 Kings celebration.  The brethren were also able to visit each classroom, and hand out small toys to the exuberant delight of the assembled children, and the ¨masonic elves¨ were working flat out to keep up with demand.  It was a wonderful joyous occasion, and once again the delight on not only the faces of the children but the teachers, staff and the indeed the masons themselves was incredible and made a very special day to end the school year, in an area where so much tragedy has occurred.

Ps. We all decided it was best to give out the sweets at going home time (didn’t want a sugar rush as well)

All images reproduced with permission.

On Tuesday the 10th of December, Brethren, partners, family and friends of Arenal Deportiva Lodge No 65 enjoyed a lovely evening of Christmas carols at their annual “Carols by Candlelight” event, held at Maxims restaurant, Moraira.  This is a firm favourite in the Lodge calendar and is always well supported with over 80 attendees enjoying a fabulous traditional festive meal in a great atmosphere, interspersed with all the Christmas Carols that we enjoy so much.  The event and a super prize draw raised well over €800.

The Brethren, partners and friends of Armonia de Ifach Lodge No 46 started the Christmas celebrations early on Monday the 2nd December with a very festive party which followed their regular lodge meeting at the Tennis Club, Calpe.  Over 40 attended where the atmosphere was delightful, the food and drinks excellent, and the entertainment fabulous!  and to put the icing on the (Christmas) cake, the raffle raised €270 for the DANA flood relief appeal.

Las Salinas No 79 Donates 850€ Worth of Food and Essentials to Reachout Torrevieja.

Las Salinas Lodge No 79  Worshipful Master, Norman Barrall, and wife Carole have been on a 850€ shopping trip and returned to Reachout’s premises in Torrevieja with a boot-full of foodstuffs and other essentials for distribution to the needful in our area. The money was raised at the highly successful Las Salinas Ladies night in May last year. Norman and Carole were greeted by the Reachout President, Alexander, and Secretary Maria, who expressed their thanks and presented a Certificate of Appreciation.

Pictures are from the Reachout premises in Torrevieja.

Santa Faz Lodge No 48 enjoyed a lovely day, in gorgeous weather for their annual Beach Walk and BBQ which was held at the International Club in El Campello. There were 77 attendees which included Brethren and their partners and guests  The total amount raised was a very impressive 2078€ for the Lodge Charities.  An unusual and lucrative ¨Sponsored Shave¨ (see the before and after pictures) was undertaken by Bro. Steve Fynn which added to the fun aspect –  and the bottom line.

The BBQ Chefs pictured above ensured everyone had a great meal and a ¨grand day¨ and the Brethren are looking forward to hosting this and more events in the future.