This week, R.W. Bro. Shaun Parsons-Herrera, the Deputy Grandmaster of Spain, wrote an excellent editorial in El Oriente about the increase in Masonic membership in Spain. The article is reproduced below.

I would also like to take this opportunity to commend the dedicated efforts of the Brethren of the Province of Valencia, whose significant contributions have resulted in a notable increase in our membership. The Provincial Membership Committee has diligently implemented various strategies to attract new members, a crucial objective.

We have streamlined inquiry processes by directing them directly to lodges on a case-by-case basis. Furthermore, we maintain active and engaging social media platforms, ensuring timely responses to all messages. We’ve also included contact information in all press releases to enhance accessibility.

These initiatives have yielded positive results, with a 9% membership increase this year alone. This success is largely due to everyone’s commitment to promoting our esteemed fraternity, a commendable effort we hope will continue.

Fraternally

W. Bro. Matthew James GADC, ProvGSec – Provincial Grand Secretary

Article which appeared in El Oriente – the magazine of the GLE in May 2025

Growth in Spanish Masonry

The Grand Lodge of Spain is growing, and we are all witnessing it. Our email inboxes are being filled with decrees for the reactivation of lodges, the raising of columns, and the creation of triangles—a formation that has become possible once again after the constitutional reform—in a steady, continuous stream.

In my case, as I travel throughout Spain to participate in or direct ceremonies in my capacity as Deputy Grand Master, I have firsthand evidence of this phenomenon. I am delighted to see the enthusiasm among our brethren as they begin their work under newly issued or reinstated charters.

I requested the exact figures from the Grand Secretariat to confirm this impression, and here they are: since April 2022, 15 Respectable Symbolic Lodges have been reactivated or consecrated throughout Spain. That is to say, 8% of the lodges currently active in the Grand Lodge of Spain have initiated or resumed operations over the past three years. It is particularly interesting to note an explosion of rites that had previously been less established but are now growing, some with remarkable vigour: five of these lodges are working in the Modern French Rite, one in the Rectified Scottish Rite, one in the German Rite, and one in the York Rite. There is also one new lodge operating under Emulation, while the remaining six function under the most widely established rite in Spain, the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. Furthermore, 13 of these lodges operate in Spanish, one in Catalan, and one in German.

In respect of triangles, it is not possible to calculate percentages since this option was only resumed in 2024. In less than 18 months, no fewer than eight new triangles have been established across six Masonic Provinces in our Obedience, reflecting a genuine passion for regular masonry in towns and locales that previously did not have a lodge and now have the opportunity to create one. In this case, six of the triangles work under the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and two under the York Rite, all operating in Spanish. Every time I see these figures, I remember—and honour — our Respectable Brother Andoni Fuentes de Cia, who has managed this task with an admirable spirit of service and, without a doubt, tremendous efficiency.

Does this translate into new membership in the Grand Lodge of Spain? The truth is that it does. From April 2022 until the writing of this editorial, the total number of registered members in the Grand Lodge of Spain—including those uninitiated who “see the light,” as well as the “planchas de quite” (a distinguished membership category), alongside new affiliations, regularisations, and brethren who have passed to the Eternal Orient—has increased by 11.6%.

It is, of course, legitimate to ask what the reasons for this growth are. There must undoubtedly be both internal and external factors. I would like to briefly analyze the internal ones, as they depend on us and likely reflect a strength and interest that is now being projected outward. The constitutional reform approved at the Grand Assembly in Fuengirola in January 2024 is, of course, fundamental for the triangles.

The attention given to media outlets that have approached the Grand Lodge of Spain—with whom we have always been willing to engage, provided that the approach is respectful—has been extensive, reflecting the new forms of communication. This includes interviews in newspapers and on radio, as well as in podcasts and on YouTube channels, both national and international. The increased availability of direct information from the official channels and networks of the Grand Lodge of Spain across a multitude of platforms helps create a solid and proactive image of the institution and its values.

I must also underscore the Grand Master’s commitment to linking his work with the recovery of the Memory of those masons (and families of masons) persecuted during the Franco regime—a discourse to which public opinion has proven very receptive once the details are fully known and prejudices are set aside. Parallel cultural and research initiatives, such as the comic “El Águila y el compás” (crafted by Worshipful Brother Juan Cantero of the Provincial Grand Lodge of the Balearic Islands) or the scholarly study of documents housed in what was formerly known as the Archive of Salamanca, have contributed significantly to the persistent, albeit challenging, task of restoring the name and honour of the Order in our country.

You can see that all this work does not go unnoticed: it represents an investment that, in the medium term, will help us grow, strengthen our columns, and enable us to look forward to a more secure future.

R.W. Bro. Shaun Parsons-Herrera – Deputy Grandmaster of Spain

The original article in Spanish can be accessed HERE

The 2024 Provincial Golf Tournament took place last June at the picturesque Bonalba Golf Club in Mutxamel, near Alicante. This prestigious event saw the overall victory of a two-man team—Alex Henderson of Oliva La Safor Lodge No. 112 and Nigel Parker of Jávea Lodge No. 40.

During the Jávea 40 Regular Meeting held last night at the Costa Nova Masonic Centre in Jávea, W. Bro. Terry Whitehead, Assistant Provincial Grand Master, proudly presented Alex and Nigel with the John William Harvey Masonic Memorial Trophy.

Their exceptional achievement was warmly celebrated on the evening, with W. Bro. Alex Wilkins, Worshipful Master of Jávea Lodge No. 40, and W. Bro. David Clarke, Worshipful Master of Oliva La Safor Lodge No. 112 among the first to offer heartfelt congratulations.

The trophy itself carries profound significance. It honors the late W. Bro. John Harvey, a dedicated member of Old Tower Lodge No. 49 and one of the founders of the Provincial Charity Golf Tournament. His legacy lives on through this annual event, with the trophy kindly donated by his widow following his untimely passing from cancer.

Alex and Nigel now look ahead to defending their title at this year’s Provincial Golf Tournament, set for the 29th of May at the Bonalba Golf Club. The event stands as a cornerstone of our charity fundraising efforts, aiming to surpass the impressive €10,000 raised in 2024.

Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or simply a supporter of a great cause, we warmly invite you to join us for this exciting day. For more details, please reach out to Richard Davis at Richard.davis@bonalbagolf.com or Peter Johnson, the Provincial Grand Charity Steward, at pgcs@glpvalencia.com.

Let’s make this year’s tournament another resounding success!

Do you have a news story to post on the Provincial website?

We’re always happy to publish your news on the website. Please send details to Bro. Steve Young on calendar@glpvalencia.com or prensa@glpvalencia.com.

Last night at the Costa Nova Masonic Centre, Jávea Lodge No 40 welcomed a new Initiate, Bro. Valentin Mudava.

Assistant Provincial Grandmaster W. Bro. Terry Whitehead and over 30 Brethren were present to see the Jávea 40 Worshipful Master, W. Bro. Alex Wilkins conduct a most enjoyable ceremony of Initiation.

For Bro. Mudava, the ceremony was made very personal and even more special by being conducted around the Temple by his friend and proposer, Jávea 40’s Junior Deacon, Bro. Max Heinrich.

Afterwards, brethren from Jávea 40, Puerto de Xàbia 58, Oliva La Safor 112, Armonia de Ifach 46, Euromason 55 and the Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge 154 all celebrated at a most convivial Festive Board.

Over recent times, Jávea 40 has organised a raffle at their Festive Board where the prize is a Unit in the Asociacion Unidad Fraternal. Perhaps quite appropriately, our newly made Brother also became our newest Unit holder in Unidad Fraternal when he drew his own winning ticket from the hat!

Well done and welcome Bro. Valentin!

Do you have a news story to post on the Provincial website?

We’re always happy to publish your news on the website. Please send details to Bro. Steve Young on calendar@glpvalencia.com or prensa@glpvalencia.com.

The Santa Faz Lodge held their annual Beach Walk and BBQ on Saturday 15th March with over 80 Lodge members and guests in attendance. The fantastic sum of 2380 Euros was raised for the Lodge’s annual charities. The Worshipful Master Greg Hustler thanked all those who participated with special thanks to our Chefs Nick Carter, Brian Green , Bob Alchin, and Nick Liddicoat and also to the day’s organiser Barry Hovell and Helen Lovell who produced some fantastic cakes.. Not only did the Lodge raise a fantastic sum, but the weather took pity on us so that everyone had an enjoyable day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Chefs at work!                                                        Some of the participants before the Beach Walk.

On 25th February 2000, a group of ten Masons established a new Lodge in the LaSafor Comarca of Valencia Province, which includes the town of Oliva.

Among the Provincial Officers pictured above is one of the original Consecrating Officers from that inaugural day. Can you guess who? (Answer below)

The first Worshipful Master, installed 25 years ago, was W. Bro. James Newsham. Since then, the Lodge has had 22 other Worshipful Masters. On Tuesday, February 25th, Bro. David Clarke was installed as the 23rd Worshipful Master of Oliva La Safor Lodge No. 112, in a ceremony attended by over 50 brethren at the Costa Nova Masonic Centre in Jávea.

After a splendid Installation ceremony, ably conducted by outgoing Worshipful Master W. Bro. Edward Childs, the brethren repaired to the El Campo Restaurant in Jávea for a sumptuous and thoroughly enjoyable Festive Board. The Provincial Grandmaster, R.W. Bro. Rodney Bignell congratulated David on his Installation and the whole of Oliva La Safor Lodge No 112 on their 25 years of service to Masonry in Valencia.

And last but not least, the Consecrating Officer 25 years ago was none other than our Deputy Provincial Grandmaster, R.W. Bro. Rodney Hales!

On Wednesday 26th February, Worshipful Brother Alex Wilkins was duly installed as Worshipful Master of Jávea Lodge No 40. Not only was the Ceremony attended by the Provincial Grandmaster, R.W. Bro. Rod Bignell and the Deputy Provincial Grandmaster R.W. Bro. Rod Hales, Alex was also delighted to welcome two special guests from England.

The Pro Provincial Grandmaster of Middlesex, R.W. Bro. David Allan and the Past Assistant Provincial Grandmaster of Middlesex, W. Bro. Dave Wareham are Alex’s best friends from his days at school and college in England.

Alex has known both of these worthy Brothers as friends and fellow Masons for many years (more than he cares to remember!) and he was honoured that they had insisted upon travelling from England to support him at his Installation.

And, to complete the glittering array of distinguished guests, Past Provincial Grandmaster R.W. Bro. Michael Shilan was also present to support Alex on his big day.