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.

La Respetable L.S. Hiram Abif nº 80, adscrita a la G.L.E. y G.L.P. de Valencia, celebra este año 2019 el XXV Aniversario de su Consagración. Con tal motivo han sido programados una serie de actos no solo para festejar su aniversario, sino también con el objetivo de profundizar en la divulgación y conocimiento de la Masonería y al mismo tiempo hacer visible a la sociedad en general los valores que se propugnan desde la Masonería.

El Gran Maestre Provincial, R.H.  Michael Anthony Shilan, realizará una visita oficial a Hiram Abif No 80 con motivo de su 25º aniversario el 17 de mayo de 2019

Los detalles completos se pueden encontrar (aqui) y todas las consultas deben enviarse al Secretario de la Logia (aqui)

The Provincial Grand Master, R.W. Bro Michael Anthony Shilan, will be paying an Official Visit to Hiram Abif No 80 on the occasion of their 25^th   Anniversary, on the 17^th  May 2019.

To commemorate this important Anniversary, the Lodge will also be holding a series of events including a “Short Story literary Contest”, a “Painting Contest” and culminating in a “Mozart and Freemasonry” conference on the  16^th  May 2019.

Full details can be found (here) and all enquiries should be sent to the Lodge Secretary (here)

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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….

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 were 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).

End

On Wednesday the 30th of January the Brethren of Javea Lodge No.40 were honored to receive a visit from the Grand Master of Spain, MWBro. Óscar de Alfonso Ortega as well as the Assistant Grand Master of Spain, R.W.Bro. Barrie Roy Mansell and the Provincial Grand Master of Valencia RWBro Michael Anthony Shilan who was accompanied by his senior team, all were there to join the Lodge in marking the 30th anniversary of the Lodge.

Consecrated on Friday the 27th of January 1989 at the Hostal Portichol, Cabo la Nao, 6km, Javea the Lodge has gone from strength to strength and although he was only able to arrive back into Spain earlier that morning the Grand Master spoke of his affection for the Lodge and that nothing would have prevented him from being present to give his personal appreciation to the Lodge.

The ceremony of the evening was the Installation of the new Worshipful Master, W.Bro. Nigel Parker who was Installed in a most excellent way by the Installing Master, W.Bro. Jens Gerl.

Presentation of the Consecration Summons

During the course of the evening one of the Founders of the Lodge, W.Bro. Hugh Parker presented a copy of the very first Summons signed by all that were present on that day in 1989 to be preserved with the Lodge records.

A history of the Lodge was presented by W.Bro. Derek Wait and is included within the commemorative Summons which is available to be viewed here.

In giving his congratulations to the Lodge the Provincial Grand Master also made mention of the excellent work the Lodge had done in organising the 2018 Provincial Lodge of Instruction.

All Brethren of the Province are encouraged to visit Javea Lodge No.40 during their 30th year to offer their congratulations in person and the Lodge Secretary, W.Bro. Matthew James can be contacted here sec40@glpvalencia.com

Grand Lodge of Spain comes to Manchester’s Caledonian Lodge No 204
by Gerry Russell

Caledonian Lodge No 204 hosted a very special Spanish themed event on Wednesday 14 November 2018, at Manchester Masonic Hall.
One might have been mistaken for thinking that the distinguished guests from the Grand Lodge of Spain were there in some official capacity, but no, they had all travelled to Manchester to witness the initiation into Freemasonry of Paul Mansell, son of RWBro Barrie R Mansell, Assistant Grand Master for the Grand Lodge of Spain.

Once the lodge had been opened, WBro Jonathon Basger, Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, entered the lodge and announced that WBro Christopher Welton, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, was outside the lodge, accompanied by a delegation from the City Sykes and City Derby Districts, and that he demanded admission.
The Assistant Provincial Grand Master and his delegation entered the lodge and once seated, the Worshipful Master offered him the gavel. On this occasion, he chose to decline his kind offer but continued to introduce his delegation which included: WBro Chris Prax, City Sykes District Chairman; WBro Chris Wildman, City Sykes Deputy District Chairman; WBro Paul O’Carroll, City Derby Deputy District Chairman; WBro Mel Rosenthal, City Derby District Secretary; WBro Elliott Moss, Manchester Districts Almoner; WBro Roy Chairman, City Sykes District Mentor; WBro Andrew Greenhalgh, Royal Arch District Officer; WBro Russell Conn, Royal Arch District Officer; WBro Chris Armstrong and WBro Craig Wood, both Provincial Grand Stewards.

At this point in the ceremony, RWBro Barrie Mansell brought greetings from the Grand Lodge of Spain and introduced his most distinguished delegation, which included: RWBro Michael A Shilan, Provincial Grand Master for the Province of Valencia; VWBro Rodney C Bignall, Deputy Provincial Grand Master for the Province of Valencia; WBro Terrence Porter, Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies and WBro Gordon Ramshead, Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies for the Province of Valencia.

The ceremony of initiation was then performed perfectly by the Acting Worshipful Master, WBro Graham Alexander and the Officers of the Caledonian Lodge.

It is a tradition within Caledonian Lodge that, at the meeting held closest to Remembrance Day, a Brother read the names of all those members of Caledonian Lodge that have risen to the Grand Lodge above, whilst in the service of their country. On this occasion, Bro Boyce-Thomson performed this duty and the brethren assembled observed a minute of silent reflection. Once the lodge had been closed, Bro Bryce-Thomson led the Brethren in a procession to the Memorial Stone Plaque outside the Lodge Room and placed a commemorative wreath upon it. Caledonian Lodge had enlisted the assistance of a bugler and, before the Brethren retired for dinner, he played ‘The Last Post’.

The Social Board was both fun and enjoyable. The Toast to the Candidate was given by his father, RWBro Barrie Mansell, during which he expressed the joy he felt at witnessing his son, now Bro Paul Mansell, being initiated into Freemasonry.

Brethren,

The latest issue (number 7) of the Square and Compass magazine is now available for viewing and download.

Not only is the magazine produced and edited by our Past Provincial Grand Master and the Grand Inspector of Publications, R.W.Brother Norman Wheatley, it also contains many interesting articles concerning our Province and Spanish Freemasonry in general.

Should you have any articles that you would like to suggest for the next edition please email R.W.Bro. Norman Wheatley directly click here.

To open the magazine select the cover picture below……

Provincial Grand Lodge of Valencia
Annual Draw results

1st No.223 – €500   -Armonia de Ifach Lodge
2nd No.456-€250 – Ralf Lumley
3rd No.902 – €100 – Las Salinas Lodge
4th No.713 – €50    – Gerry Wren

Brethren, as of yesterday, the new Twitter account of the Grand Lodge of Spain, in English, has gone live. You are now able to keep up with all the latest news from Grand Lodge. Please feel free to make use of it.

It can be reached on https://twitter.com/grandlodgespain