On Sunday 14th July, Freemasons from all over Valencia topped up their tans and braved the water to raise money for Masonic Charities.

The event was organised by Mike Tullett, Charity Steward at the Jávea 40 Lodge, and occurred at Playa de les Marines in Denia. Commenting, Mike said, “When we saw the idea of organising a Sponsored Swim, we knew that we had to take advantage of the fantastic beaches around this area.”

Mike continued, “We knew that our colleagues in Jávea 40 would support the event, but we have been overwhelmed by the attendance today and the huge sum of money pledged by Freemasons all over Valencia”.

Jávea 40 Worshipful Master Robin Tilbrook thanked all of the Lodges for their support, “We are genuinely grateful for all of the support we have had. Puerto de Xàbia 58, Arenal Deportiva 65, Oliva La Safor 112 and many others have all dug deep to make this event a great success. I thank everyone who has sponsored one of our swimmers”.

The Provincial Grandmaster of Valencia, Rodney Bignell and his lovely wife Jeanette,  and members of his Executive team also attended the event. Rodney and David Wynn showed off their sartorial elegance in very fetching vintage bathing suits and gamely joined all of our swimmers. The PGM paid tribute to the Jávea 40 effort, “I understand that, once all of the pledges have been collected, we will have raised around €2,000 for the 2026 Festival. Robin, Mike and the other members of Jávea 40 Lodge have excelled themselves today.”

You can view all the photos (courtesy of Bro. Steve Young) HERE

The Provincial Grand Master with some of his Stewards and partners at Lake Como.

Leukopolis No. 85 June 2024

Leukopolis Lodge N.85 celebrated its final of the season, commemorating the feast of St. John, patron saint of Freemasons, and installing the new Worshipful Master and his Officers. The picture captures the lodge’s brethren, provincial officers, and visitors. The ceremony was splendid, featuring music, the reading of poems, and an emotional Festive Board.

La R.L.S. Leukopolis N.85 celebró la última tenida de la temporada conmemorando la fiesta de San Juan, patrón de los masones y también la instalación del nuevo Venerable y sus Oficiales. En la imagen Hermanos de la logia, oficiales provinciales y visitantes. Una ceremonia expléndida donde la música sirvió de acompañamiento a la lectura de poemas y un emotivo ágafe fraternal.

Oliva La Safor ladies donated 130€ to The Raquel Payà special education The Ladies meet for meals together, and collect for a charity purse while their men attend their Lodge meetings. They decided to support the school which provides training in life skills and education for students up to age 24.

Pictured are the school director,  Miquel Ivars, and some of the La Safor Ladies, who enjoyed a fascinating tour of the school and facilities.

On Thursday 20th June, over 90 golfers gathered at the Bonalba Golf Resort in Mutxamel to participate in the Annual Masonic Provincial Charity Golf Tournament.

The weather was hot and clear and the competition fierce as the players sought to challenge themselves against the beautiful Bonalba course.

The winners were:
• Masonic Cup Winners – Nigel Parker and Alex Watson
• Scratch Winners – Richard Finch and Alex Cowens
• Handicap Winners – Joris Kraak and Marinus van Kessel
• Handicap Runners Up – Paul Burletson and Nick Monks
• Handicap Third Place – Nick and Mel Kelly

The Grand Master of the Province of Valencia was delighted with the results of the day. Commenting, he said “I would like to thank everyone involved in organising such a successful event. Without the support of our Lodges, local business sponsors, and the great number of non-masonic players who supported this occasion an event of this magnitude would not be possible.”

The following businesses sponsored the event:
• Jean Paul and Pascale Le Roux, owners of Bonalba Hotel and Golf Resort who generously donated prizes for the winners and raffle prizes as well as the use of the Golf Course and provided staff to help out.
• Sofia Sanchez Watson of Watsons Real Estate, La Marina who kindly sponsored the Prize Ceremony and the after-golf refreshments.
• Haakon Ellingsen of Green Parrot Tourism provided an €800 Travel Voucher which was raffled raising a total of €1,000 in cash.
• Manuela Urselmann of ExPat Insurance Partners donated cash and sponsored the Ladies’ Longest Drive prize.
• Golden Leaves Funeral Plans and Legal and Tax in Spain sponsored the Nearest the Pin Competition prizes.
• C&M Plumbing sponsored the Men’s Longest Drive Competition.
• Edi Rent a Car and Campbell Lamont Golf donated vouchers for the raffle
• Several Masonic Lodges sponsored different holes on the Course.

As a mark of thanks for the last 5 years in which Bonalba Golf has supported the Masonic Golf Tournament, the Valencian Freemasons commissioned an oil painting of Seve Ballesteros from a local artist, Mike Jenkins of EmJay Art. This was presented to Pascale Le Roux and Juan Albert, the Competitions Director of Bonalba Golf.

Concluding, the PGM said, “We’ve all enjoyed a fantastic day of golf and I want to congratulate all of today’s winners. Helping those less fortunate than ourselves lies at the heart of Freemasonry. Therefore, I am really happy to announce that our efforts today have raised over €10,000 in cash and pledges of support for Masonic charities and good causes. Along with my Charity team, I look forward to being able to make a big difference to those in Society who need our support.”

Prize presentation

Chris Ward presenting the painting to Bonalba Golf

Winners Nigel Parker and Alex Henderson

Just a few of the photos (courtesy of Jorge Prieto). They can all be viewed HERE.

Raquel Paya School in Denia teaches students with special educational needs and Javea 40 recently presented Miquel Ivars, the headmaster, with a cheque for 350€. This will assist the school to purchase a ‘big basket’ swing. This money was raised by Javea 40 at their Charity Race Night.
Miquel Ivars gave WM Robin Tillbrook, Barry Rowe (Treasurer), and Mike Tullett (Charity Steward), a tour of the school, visiting classrooms, the sensory room, and the warm water pool.
Students planning to take jobs in restaurants and hotels demonstrated their skills by preparing and serving coffee and snacks to everyone, including visiting teachers from nearby mainstream schools.
Robin, Barry, and Mike found the visit fascinating, humbling, and uplifting because the work that Raquel Paya school does is inspirational.
If any other lodges would like to support Raquel Paya, contact details of the school’s secretary can be obtained from Mike Tullett, the Charity Steward, via the Javea 40 Secretary, Malcolm March, sec40@glpvalencia.com

The wives and partners of the members of Javea 40 organise regular social and fundraising events and call themselves the ‘Dinner Ladies’. Last week they visited the Asociacion Autismo Javea and presented the Director, Rubén, with a cheque for €250 raised at one of their recent dinners.

Javea 40 and the Dinner Ladies have had a long association with the Asociacion Autismo. The WM of Javea 40 has made it his preferred charity and the Lodge and Dinner Ladies will continue with their support over the coming year.

Pictured, left to right, are Dinner Ladies Margaret March and Teresa Tillbrook, together with Rubén from the Asociacion Autismo.

On Sunday, June 9th, Puerto de Xàbia Lodge No 58 hosted a Summer Party at the home of the Worshipful Master, John Young.

Over 40 guests were treated to a cava reception and a sumptuous feast prepared by the Puerto de Xàbia team led by Jenny Young and assisted by chefs Peter de Graaf, Phil Gibson-Daw, and Dave Brettle.

With the sun shining and the mercury touching 30c, everyone enjoyed the warm weather, the good company, and a cold drink or two!

But the main objective of the day was to raise money for local charities. In total, from the ticket sales and a fantastic raffle for prizes donated by the members of the Lodge, a total of €1,090 was raised. As brethren in the Lodge kindly donated all the food, all the funds raised will be put towards charitable causes.

John Young, Worshipful Master of Puerto de Xàbia Lodge No 58, said “It has been a genuine pleasure for Jenny and myself to have hosted so many friends and Brethren at our home today. As well as enjoying good food and great company, I am proud that we have raised €1,090 for local Charities. Along with all of the Brethren in our Lodge, we will now decide how to distribute this money and I look forward to presenting cheques to those charities very soon. I am delighted today’s event will help less fortunate children and families in the Jávea area.”

On Tuesday 5th June 2024 San Juan de España Lodge No.28 presented €1000 worth of food and other essentials to the Ajuntament de Callosa d’en Sarrià for distribution to the disadvantaged in the community.
  This was made possible by various fundraising events within the Lodge.

Pictured are Worshipful Brother Anthony Hesketh-Field, Worshipful Master and Worshipful Brother Jerry Roberts, Immediate Past Master with Andrés Molina Ferrándiz, Mayor of Callosa d’en Sarrià and members of the City Council staff.