With the attendance of the Assistant Grand Master of Spain, R.W. Bro. Barrie Roy Mansell and the Provincial Grand Master of Valencia, R.W. Bro. Michael Anthony Shilan, and a number of senior Brethren, the Provincial Lodge of Instruction 2019, hosted by Santa Faz Lodge No.48 continued the proud history of this annual event by delivering a most excellent ceremony followed by a first class festive board.

Provincial LOI Demonstration Team

Around 140 Brethren packed into the Hotel Port Alicante in San Juan de Alicant to enjoy a ceremony delivered in a mixture of English and Spanish by Brethren representing Lodges from across the Province.

The hosting Lodge this year was Santa Faz Lodge No.48 and the Brethren delivering the ceremony were….

Brethren from the Manor of Bexley No.5977 and their hosts

The Worshipful Master for the day, Brother Greg Hustler and his team (details of which are listed in the Summons here in English and Castellano) drew praise from the Brethren and all delivered a fine demonstration with particular praise being reserved for Brother Stuart Powell for delivering the Charge to the Initiate in Spanish.

Also in attendance were 11 Brethren from the Manor of Bexley No.5977 from the United Grand Lodge of England who were guests of V.W.Bro. Fred Miller and R.W.Bro. Norman L. Wheatley.

At the Festive Board the Brethren from the Manor of Bexley Lodge No.5977 presented a cheque to the Provincial Grand Master towards the charitable efforts of the Province and in support of the campaign to detect and counter Prostate Cancer among our Brethren and provided details on the activities taken within their home Province to counter Prostate Cancer. All Brethren are encouranged to speak about this detectable and treatable cancer and to use the help and support available in our Province and detailed in this website here.  They also presented a plaque to the Provincial Grand Master in recognition of the 75th anniversary of the the Manor of Bexley Lodge.

White River Installation 13 November 2019 (Official Visit)

Thirty-three members and visitors attended the twelfth Installation  Meeting of White River Lodge 153 to install W Bro Richard Millo as its Worshipful Master. One very important attendee was RW Bro Michael Shilan, who as well as being the Provincial Grand Master of Valencia, is also a founder member of the Lodge.

In what is now becoming a regular annual visit from members of Lodge Grange 1073 of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, PM Bro Jim Kier and Bro Graham Webster were warmly received and assisted in the ceremony.

The future appears positive for White River Lodge with the members now seeing just reward for their hard work, three initiates and three joining members have been added to the nominal roll in the past year. An extra meeting has been added to this years’ calendar so, on 4th Dec the lodge will have four initiates, followed by one more in January, together with two more joining members.

The nationalities of these joining members and the initiates, are Spanish, Argentinian and Cuban, they join a membership already consisting of Brothers from those countries, plus Saudi Arabia, Scotland France, the USA and England.

Please contact the secretary ( here ) if you wish to visit the Lodge.

Officers of the Lodge:

On Tuesday 5th April 1994, seven master Masons gathered at the Nautilus restaurant, Rocio del Mar, to discuss plans for a new Spanish-speaking Lodge, to be called Logia de Las Salinas. Within 6 months these plans had come to fruition. Byelaws were formulated and the Lodge was consecrated on Saturday 22nd October 1994. The name of the lodge derives from the local salt lake industry, which has flourished in Torrevieja since Roman times and was suggested by Worshipful Brother Graham Knight who was the founding Senior Warden.

With a donation of 50,000 pesetas from founding Master, Worshipful Brother Peter Corrigan, and a founder’s fee of 7000 pesetas per head, the Lodge was able to design and purchase its own unique ceremonial banner that graces regular meetings to this day. Gradually other items of ceremonial regalia were added to the inventory, including a fine bible and candelabra.

The founding Brothers had set themselves a very high goal – to revive the historic movement of Spanish speaking Freemasonry in this area, a movement that had been suppressed during 35 years of Nationalist government. Their efforts met with some success but the high cost of membership proved a deterrent to recruitment so it was decided to form a luncheon club to help impecunious brethren with their fees. This became the El Salero Luncheon Club which thrives to this day.

These days, the aim of the luncheon club has moved on from personal assistance to raising money for selected charitable organisations with a local connection. Over the years, Las Salinas Lodge has received several awards for its charitable work, and money raised from El Salero and other fund raising activities has enabled the Lodge to assist in a variety of causes such as help for the homeless, children in need, and the provision of medical equipment and food banks.

With diminishing numbers of Spanish members it was eventually decided to return to the English form of Valencian Emulation, though the Lodge still opens and closes it’s regular meetings in Spanish; in respectful deference to the founders’ intentions.

Much has changed in a quarter of a century and yet Las Salinas Lodge may fairly claim to have remained true to its origins. Brotherly love remains at the heart of its beliefs, resulting in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, enthusiasm in its performance of ritual and effectiveness in the support of charitable endeavours. The stewardship of these principles passes this day into the capable hands of a new Worshipful Master, Worshipful Brother Keith Carter.

Brothers In Harmony – Frères en harmonie – Hermanos en armonía

On the 5th of July 2019 the Worshipful Master and Brethren of Regeneración Lodge No.132 hosted a very special visit from the Assistant Grand Master of France T.R.F. Jacques Cambon, the Grand Master of the Province of Occitanie, T.R.F. Pierre Hournarette, his Deputy PGM and Assistant PGM and a number of French Brethren.  To mark this auspicious occasion, the Provincial Grand Master of Valencia, R.W.Bro. Michael A. Shilan was present with his Official Escort to warmly welcome them.

The Worshipful Master of Regeneración Lodge No.132, V.H. Andres Rascal, his Officers and Brethren were also honored to welcome the Worshipful Masters of two French Lodges who were also in attendance.

It was described by those present as a very emotional evening wich further enforced and celebrated the fraternal ties between Regeneración Lodge No.132 and Saint Jean de Tiberiade Lodge No.1631. The Worshipful Masters of both Lodges expressed their strong desire to continue working on a twinning project. All of this was further enforced by a strong delegation of the Grand Lodge of France and the Province of Occitanie as well as our own Provincial Grand Master and many Brethren of GLPV.  It also further enforced the strong and historic relationship that has long esisted between our two great Grand Lodges.

Due to the large number of attendees the Lodge had to change location for this special meeting and used the hotel SH Valencia Palace, the same location that was used for the last Grand Lodge Assembly.

The full list of the Senior French Dignitaries is:
T.R.F. Jacques CAMBON
Assistant Grand Maître et membre du Conseil des Sages
T.R.F. Pierre HOURNARETTE
Grand Maître Provincial de la Province Occitanie
R.F. Claude FABRE, Député Grand Maître Provincial
R.F. Jacques SEGUELA, Assistant Grand Maître Provincial
T.V.F. Raymond LABRY, Grand Orateur Provincial
The remaining French visitors were headed by;
V.F. Patrick SALINAS
VM (WM) of the RF Saint-Jean de Tibériade 1631 à l’Orient de Saint Lys
V.F. Paul DE FLOTTE, Ex-Maître (IPM)
V.F. Alain COMBACAU, éléémosynaire
Morgann VIAUD, Second Surveillant
Louis FERNANDEZ, Trésorier
R.F. Christian PINARD
T.V.F. Frédéric PINSON
V.F. Bruno COUTURE
VM (WM) of the Respectable Loge des Sept Troubadours à l’Orient de Toulouse

In total 24 Brethren from France, 19 Brethren and 5 Active Grand Lodge and Provincial Officers were in attendance.

12 of the French Brethren were accompanied by their partners who joined the Brethren and partners from Regeneracion at the Festive Board which was held at the Cafeteria Museo Bellas Artes, Valencia.

Any Brother wishing to visit Regeneración Lodge are welcome to contact the Brother Secretary, their details as well a location map are located within their page of this website.

A number of our Brethren in this Province are members of and enjoy working the Mark Degree and have senior positions within the District of Spain.  On Monday the 17th of June in the Temple at Ciudad Quesada, Bro. Rob Crawford, son of W.Bro. Ian Crawford was Installed as the Master of Quesada Summer Mark Lodge No.1867. After being Installed as the Master, W.Bro. Rob Crawford then appointed his father as Secretary of the Lodge.

The District Grand Master was present to congratulate both father and son on a special occasion

In attendance and on an Official Visit to the Lodge (a Lodge that he was the Founding Master of by the way), was the District Grand Master of the District of Spain, R.W.Bro. Barrie Roy Mansell and a number of Grand Officers, District Grand Officers and Brethren.

If you are interested in learning more about this fascinating and very enjoyable Order then please contact the District of Spain, District Grand Secretary at secretary@districtmarkspain.com or check in your Craft Lodge, you may be surprised about just how many of your Brothers are already members and would be delighted to assist you in learning more.

The newly Installed Master proudly displays the Warrant of his Lodge will all Brethren that were present for the ceremony

El viernes 17 de mayo el Gran Maestro Provincial, R.H. Michael A. Shilan se unió a muchos Hermanos distinguidos para celebrar el 25 aniversario de la consagración de la Logia Hiram Abif Nro 80.

Para poder dar cabida a esta reunión especial, el lugar de la tenida se mudó al Hotel Leuka en Alicante.

La velada fue un gran éxito con la visita de Hermanos de todas partes, incluso de lugares tan lejanos como Australia.

El Gran Maestro Provincial con su Escolta.

El Gran Maestro Provincial se levantó para felicitar al Maestro, Vigilantes y Hermanos de la Logia por alcanzar este hito importante en su historia. Destacó la importancia de esta Logia, no solo en esta Provincia, sino también en la masonería española en general.

Al final de la ceremonia, el Venerable Maestro leyó una lista de los anteriores Venerables Maestros de la logia. Uno de ellos, el segundo, estaba presente en la audiencia.

Si desea visitar esta hermosa Logia que funciona con el Rito Escocés en idioma español, comuníquese con el Hermano Secretario de logia en: sec80@glpvalencia.com

The Provincial Grand Master with the current Master and Past Masters

On Friday the 17th of May the Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Michael A. Shilan joined many distinguished Brethren to celebrate the 25th year of consecration of Hiram Abif Lodge No.80.

To accommodate this special meeting the venue was changed to the Hotel Leuka in Alicante

The evening was a great success with Brethren visiting from far and wide, even from as far afield as Australia.

The Provincial Grand Master rose to congratulate the Master, Wardens and Brethren of the Lodge on reaching this important milestone in their history.  He stressed the importance of this Lodge, not only in this Province, but also to Spanish Freemasonry in general.

At the end of the ceremony, the Worshipful Master read out a list of the previous Worshipful Masters of the Lodge.  One of whom, the second, was present in the audience.

Should you wish to visit this fine Lodge working Scottish Rite in the Spanish language please contact the Brother Secretary at: sec80@glpvalencia.com

The Provincial Grand Master with the current Master and Past Masters

R.W. Grand Master and R.W. Provincial Grand Master

Over 50 Brethren gather in the Masonic Temple at Ciudad Quesada on Thursday the 11th of April to welcome the Grand Master of the Order of Athelstan, R.W.Bro. Paul W. Johnston, PGHCh, GCSM and his accompanying delegation. The R.W. Grand Master was in the Province of Spain to consecrate two new Courts, La Corte del Glorioso No.135 and Corte De Alfonso “El Sabio” No.136.  Both Courts will meet at Hotel Venta el Campo, Fuente Alamo in the Craft Province of Murcia.

This was the first return to the Province of Spain for the Grand Master of the Order since he last consecrated a Court in this same Temple on the 4^th of April 2016. The Grand Master was warmly welcomed to Spain by the Grand Master of Spain and the Provincial Grand Master for the Masonic Order of Athelstan Province of Spain, R.W.Bro. Óscar de Alfonso Ortega as well as the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, V.W.Bro. Barrie Roy Mansell.

W.Bro. Frank Wallace is congratulated on his Special Advancement by the Prov. Grand Marshal, W.Bro. Rodney Bignell

The long day began at 9:30am when a number of Brethren were ‘Instructed’ into the Order by the R.W. Grand Master in order that they could become Founders of the new Courts.  Then selected Brethren were further given Special Progression by R.W. Grand Master so that they may be founding Officers of the new Courts and the attending Brethren were delighted to hear the Grand Master of the Order regaling them with his fine command of the Spanish language..  The R.W. Grand Master was also delighted to add W.Bro. Frank Wallace to this Special Instruction for his support to the proceedings of the day and assistance in establishing the Order in the Province of Spain.

The Masonic Order of Athelstan in England, Wales and its Provinces Overseas is one of the fastest growing Masonic Orders and the establishment of these two new Courts now sees four Courts within our Province and also sees us being able to offer ceremonies in both English and Spanish. The website of the Order is available here/aqui and the details of the Courts within the Province of Spain are available here/aqui.

Following the Solemn ceremonies which ended around 4pm, the Brethren enjoyed a fine Festive Board rounding off a long but highly enjoyable day..

El pasado Jueves nuestra Logia celebró su habitual Tenida mensual en su nuevo Templo, y que mejor inaguración que la visita del Gran Maestro Provincial de Valencia, Michael Shilan. Fueron unos trabajos excelentes, con una buena compañia. Puede que nuestra humilde Logia no sea una de las más numerosas, pero no por ello los trabajos tienen menos calidad, mas bien al contrario, pues a la profundidad de estos hay que añadir el ambiente cordial y familiar que se respira en la Logia. Una gran velada. Gracias a todos los visitantes por asistir.

On the 14th of March Genesis No.61 held its usual monthly meeting in its new Temple location.  The Lodge were delighted to have this occasion marked by an official visit by the Provincial Grand Master of Valencia, R.W.Bro. Michael Shilan. The Escort for the Provicial Grand Master was under the direction of the Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, W.Bro. Bob Watkins. The work conducted was excellent, with a good company enjoyed by all.

Whilst the Lodge may not be one of the most numerous, that is no reason for the workings to have less quality and all Brethren worked well and as we saw in the 2017 Provincial LOI, their work is excellent.  The Provincial Grand Master sincerely thanked the Worshipful Master and Brethren for a most enjoyable evening and the Lodge gave their sincere thanks to the Provincial Grand Master, his Escort and all the visitors for attending.

If you wish to visit the Lodge and see Emulation ritual being worked in the Spanish language then please contact the Lodge Secretary here/aqui and you will be warmly welcomed.

Dear Brethren all,
The 2019 Summer LOI will re-commence on Saturday 1st June and meet weekly on Saturdays at 2:30pm at the Costa Nova Masonic Centre through the summer. Its purpose is to provide, in a user friendly atmosphere, Masonic instruction and education to all Brethren. The last meeting will be on Saturday 17th August 2019 which will feature a Lodge of Instruction Festive Board Luncheon.
The Summer LOI provides a platform for those brethren who are in office, or about to fill a new office and wish to rehearse. Those brethren who simply wish to “sit in” and not take an active part are also very welcome. The SLOI will observe strict conformity with the Valencian Ritual, and Preceptors of other lodges will be most welcome to attend. There will also be opportunities on given dates for those brethren about to be Passed or Raised to rehearse their answers to the questions leading to the degree they seek to be admitted. Throughout the Summer Season there will be distinguished invited visitors who will deliver talks on interesting and topical subjects and at which brethren will have the opportunity to put questions.
On certain advertised dates there will be in depth discussions on each of the three degrees, and you will have the opportunity to put questions to a panel of experienced Past Masters.
There will also be guidance on the Festive Board, and on appropriate behaviour. How to propose a toast and how to respond. Guidance on the correct form of response to the Visitors Toast. Summer LOI will provide opportunities for you to practice speaking at meetings, and after the very successful concluding meeting of 2018 with a “Festive Board Luncheon” it is planned to include that once again in the 2019 programme, and at which you will be able to practice and receive advice on your oratory skills.
Your lodge secretary will be receiving regular up-dates of the Summer LOI programme.
Visiting brethren from other Constitutions who are considering membership of a Spanish Lodge will always be welcome to attend subject to satisfying certain criteria.
If there is sufficient interest there will be a “Master Class” for those brethren about to be installed as Masters of their lodge or Ruling Masters who have recently been installed. This will deal with the duties and responsibilities of being the Master of the Lodge, and include the preparing of agendas, chairing GPC meetings, PM meetings, and Regular Meetings, and presiding over the Festive Board.
What should you do now? You are being asked to help in the planning of the 2019 Summer LOI by contacting the Summer LOI secretary, W Bro. Matthew James, ProvAGSwdB at: (summerloi@glpvalencia.com) to register your interest, and if you wish, indicate any particular activity of special interest you may have. This will greatly assist us in the planning of the programme for the season, and ensure you are kept informed.
Fraternal Greetings,
Summer Lodge of Instruction.