Las Salinas Lodge No 79

Annual Summer Evening 2023 

On a beautiful, but very hot summer’s evening, Saturday 24^th June, with the sun still radiating enough heat to make even the most hardened sun worshiper seek the shade and  a cool breeze with a Gin and tonic,  members of  Las Salinas lodge  No 79 and guests gathered at the restaurant  ‘La Cosecha’ in Benijofar  for their ‘Annual Summer Evening’, which was organised by Brother Malcolm and Mrs Ann Mander-James supported by their daughter Nina. This was the second of what has become the  lodge’s semi formal annual summer gathering.

Fifty-two  guests enjoyed pre – dinner drinks on the small patio, surrounded by strutting Peacocks and rare breed chickens. The guests were called to dinner by Master of Ceremonies Worshipful Brother John Edwards,  and Worshipful Brother John Chandler offered grace.

The guests were presented with a  dining feast fit for a King, the diners being  serenaded for the second year by the fabulous Vocalist “Woody”  with a medley of songs across the years, which suited all ages.

It was a social evening without formalities, the dancing continued throughout the evening, and closed with the traditional raffle. A thoroughly enjoyable event which raised 549€.

Our thanks go to Malcolm and Ann Mander – James supported by  Nina for all their efforts in organising a wonderful evening,  They  look forward to seeing you all again at our annual Christmas Social on Saturday 16^th December.

Arenal Deportiva Lodge No 65 Help Autistic Needs Children´s Summer School in Javea

On Friday the 7^th July, Freemasons of Arenal Deportiva Lodge No 65 were delighted to help with the funding of the annual summer school for Autistic needs children from the local area.

Worshipful Brother Peter Johnson, who is the current Master of the lodge, with lodge members and their partners, along with representatives from Todos Juntos Javea, Jean Halse and Marion Kenworthy, were delighted to meet Ruben, the Director of Asociación Autismo of Javea, to present a cheque for €1000 which will help fund the summer school this year.

Ruben was delighted to receive the donation and explained that the summer school could now afford another teacher, who is very much needed, as the summer school accommodates over 40 children on a daily basis from many different nationalities over the summer months.

These children, who are from the Javea area and are aged between 3 to 18 years, benefit from one on one and group therapy at the school, as well as having lots of fun and playtime, splashing around in the temporary pools and playing on the garden swings and equipment in the summer sunshine.

The funds were raised by Arenal Deportiva lodge on an initiative from our ladies who suggested we hold a 1920´s themed dinner dance to support this very worthy cause.

Caledonia Lodge No 68 Thistle Club Brighten the Lives of Orphans in Orihuela

W. Brothers Melvyn Young and David James along with their wives Jo Young

and Janet Johnson-James presented the Director of the San Jose Obrero

Orphanage in Orihuela a 65 inch Smart TV for the children. The

monies to purchase it were raised through The Caledonia Lodge 68 Thistle

Luncheon Club that is held monthly at Stan and Ollies Restaurant in El

Raso. The luncheon club is open to all to attend where you will be made most welcome.

The Provincial Garden Party held at Los Arcos restaurant in Pedreguer on Thursday the 8th June was once again a great success with almost 100 attending.  The format was the same as in previous years with the guests bringing picnics to share and enjoying the entertainment in the lovely setting of the restaurant garden.  We were indeed entertained, by Ben Alexander as Neil Diamond, Sean Mac as Billy Joel, and the ever popular band RIO, with their usual mix of up tempo songs.

Prizes for best dressed table and ¨worst¨shirt (see featured image) were presented and a magnificent raffle was very successful.

The weather held for the whole evening until just after the finale with fireworks, and then the heavens opened! Luckily, most guests had left or taken shelter by this time.  It was a lovely evening which raised almost €1000 for Provincial charities and is now a firm fixture on the calendar.

The members of San Juan de España Lodge No 28 recently made a generous donation of foodstuffs to the value of €2000 to the Ayuntamiento of Callosa in order to help the people in need of this much appreciated support in the local area.

Pictured are the W. Master, W. Bro Jerry Roberts, and S.W. W. Bro Anthony Hesketh – Field, of San Juan de España Lodge with the Mayor and staff members from the Ayuntamiento.

Old Tower Lodge No 49 Celebrate their Ladies

The Brethren of Old Tower Lodge No 49 with their ladies and guests recently enjoyed a wonderful evening at the Lodge´s annual celebration of the ladies in the form of a black-tie dinner dance.  The event was held at the picturesque La Laguna hotel, Quesada, with the Worshipful President, Terry Sharley and his partner Jean, welcoming nearly 90 members, partners and guests.  Entertainment was provided by ¨It takes 2¨ (Paul and Linda Randall) who did a magnificent job. A superb raffle meant the evening raised in excess of €1050 for charity.

Dama de Elche Lodge Presented with Certificate of Appreciation

The members of Dama de Elche Lodge No 163 were delighted to receive a Certificate of Appreciation from the staff of the Elche Children’s Home.

Lodge members W. Bro’s Mike Wyatt and John Lonsdale were recently presented with a framed certificate of appreciation by Michelle and Jennifer from ASSOC. ELCHE CHILDREN’S CARE HOME in recognition of the Lodge’s generous donation of 1000 liters of oil for the home’s winter fuel supply.  This donation to the home was very well received and much appreciated and supports the initiative of caring for the needy in our communities.

“A Ladies Night to Remember”

Arenal Deportiva Lodge No 65 hosted a fabulous Ladies Night on Sunday the 19^th March at Salones Carrasco in Javea where 78 guests attended.  A superb evening ensued with excellent food and drink and first class entertainment provided by the girls from ABBA Gold, and Gary “Woody” Woodward, who had the dance floor packed from the first bar to the last chord.  The evening was supported by many of the lodges in the Province with some members and their partners travelling from Torrevieja in the south and Valencia in the North.   V. W. Brother Bill Russell gave a very eloquent toast to the Ladies and W. Bro Ken Cornforth gave a fine rendition of the Ladies song, whilst W. Bro Philip Bowick made a lovely job of presenting a bouquet of flowers to Florence, the Masters wife, whose response to the Ladies toast was witty, entertaining and heartfelt.

A super prize draw made 720€ profit which will be donated to the Lodge charities.

Please see below a weblink and password to access pictures of the evening

Weblink:  https://www.paulhewartphotography.com/ladiesevening/

Password:  LADIESnight

Leukopolis Lodge No 85 Donate to Charity

Following the Provincial Grand Master’s initiative to feed the homeless and the hungry, Leukopolis Lodge No 85 were very pleased to donate 300€ worth of foodstuffs to a local charity, Project4all.

Project4all has been inexistence for more than 2 years and relies solely on volunteers and donations. Currently they are supporting around 100 people in need.  They also have a recuperation house where 4 men are provided with shelter and a women’s refuge house which currently houses 3 women. The recuperation house serves as a stepping-stone to start a normal life again.  With these donations, the volunteers from Project4all are able to prepare, cook and distribute these supplies to those most in need.