We are sure you have been delighted to have see the Jubilee celebrations to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II that were beamed around the world.

Who else would have been better to accompany Her Majesty on her first appearance during the Jubilee celebration weekend as the longest serving British monarch, than the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Kent, who was elected more than 50 years ago and is UGLE’s longest-serving Grand Master.

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Valencia joins all Freemasonry in a jubilant celebration to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen who has become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee after 70 years of outstanding service.

Since her coronation on the 2nd of June 1953 Her Majesty has been a rock of strength and fortitude for the British people and for many around the world.

Her Majesty the Queen has always protected Freemasonry and the rights of Freemasons to celebrate our Rituals and practice our Fraternity and Charitable Causes in total freedom and harmony.

The Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Rodney Charles Bignell calls on all Freemasons to raise a glass over the coming days and join him in toasting the health of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

“The Queen”

Recently, the Provincial Grand Lodge of Valencia held the second Provincial Garden party, which I am sure will now become an annual event. Last year was a little difficult as we were still suffering the lockdown events of Covid but we still managed to tempt over fifty Freemasons and their guests to come along to what was a very special event. This year there were no such restrictions, other than those of common sense, and we met with over one hundred local Freemasons and their guests.

The idea of the garden party is that all bring their own food and share, usually with their friends, on the same table. Drinks are bought from the hosts, Los Arcos restaurant in Pedreguer. These are provided at very reasonable rates. This seems to work well. Entertainment is provided, this year by local group ‘Match,’ who gave a very spirited tribute to ABBA and were very well received.

A grand charity raffle was also held with no fewer than thirteen different prizes which raised over five hundred and thirty euros. This year the money will be donated to the four local children’s charities chosen by our new Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Rodney Bignall. These charities are: the Elche Children’s Care Home, El Preventorio children’s home in Gandia, Raquel Paya special needs school in Denia and Colegio Nazaret, Alicante.

Prizes were also given to the best dressed ABBA costume and the best dressed table. These were won by WBro Dennis Squirrel and the San Juan Lodge table respectively. The numerous pictures that follow show the party and the raffle winners.

Recently, Freemasons of local Lodge, San Juan de Espana Number 28, held a lawn green bowling championship, to raise money for charity. This was organised by the Worshipful Master, W Bro Makin at which seventeen Freemasons and several invited guests and non-players took part.

Between them the Masons managed to raise was just over three hundred euros, this will be added to a further one hundred and seventy euros raised by a golf competition, also organised by WBro Makin.

The winning team nominated the “Doggie Angels” a non profit making organisation to receive the collected money which will be donated at a later date. Miss Jenny Leach was awarded a trophy as the best player of the day.

Recently, on Friday 20th May, local Freemason’s Lodge, Javea 40, held its “Fun Charity Evening” styled on the famous Ascot race at the Costa Nova Masonic Centre at Casa de la Pizza in Javea.

More than sixty racegoers, from the Lodge and invited guests, many of them complete novices, had sponsored races, horses, and even pigs, in what was a really enjoyable evening. This gathering also had the more serious purpose of raising much needed funds on behalf of local charity Todos Juntos Javea, for a young Ukrainian refugee at a Javea school who requires urgent funds to assess his level of autism.

There were prizes for the best Ladies Hat and Gentleman’s “Leary Shirt” as well as the auctioning of terrific gifts donated from very generous local businesses.

Nine hundred and eighty-seven euros was raised during the evening,which was quickly topped up to an even one thousand euros. This was sufficient to fund the autism assessment in full, with a little money remaining to go to other local good causes. An excellent evening’s work by all concerned. Well done and a huge thank you to all those who gave of their valuable time and money.

On Sunday, May 8^th, Freemasons of local Lodge, San Juan de Espana, held a charity golf match to raise money for local charities. In beautiful weather the Masons enjoyed a very pleasant day of golf and succeeded in raising over one hundred euros which will be donated to a local charity in the near future. Several competitions were held as can be seen in the following photographs.

The first photo shows the overall winning team. The second shows the winner of the under eighteens competition. The third shows the Worshipful Master and his wife presenting the prize to the overall winner, Jason Fowler, the fourth, Jason Fowler and the fifth, all players dining together after the conclusion of the match. A great afternoon, enjoyed by all, with the added bonus of making a donation to charity.

Local Freemason’s Lodges, Old Tower Number 49 and Caledonia Number 68 recently held  a tea party event in Villa Martin to raise funds for DEBRA, Piel de Mariposa, the butterfly children’s charity.

Great fun was had by more than sixty brethren and their invited guests while helping a very worthy cause. Over nine hundred euros were raised which will be used to purchase a computer and camera so the nurses can photograph the wounds of the children, to better allow them to make more accurate diagnoses in order to offer an even greater standard of care.

The charity provides care for children with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) who suffer excruciatingly painful skin blisters which typically affect both hands and feet.

On Saturday, 12th March, Santa Faz Lodge No 48, once again held their annual Sponsored Beach Walk and Barbecue. As is the tradition it is always a bright and sunny day for this event and over forty members and guests ably lead by The International Club (TIC) Committee Member Brian Wakely  set off for a 5 kilometre circular walk starting from TIC to and along San Juan Playa and return. The Team of ‘Michelin Star’ Masonic Chefs then prepared and presented an excellent and varied barbecue enjoyed by over 80 guests. Splendid Salads and Desserts were prepared by the Ladies of the Lodge and TIC.

Entertainer Stevie Spit (I kid you not) provided fantastic and varied musical entertainment and the whole event was a tremendous success culminating in funds raised for the Elche Children´s Home of one thousand, five hundred and forty-eight euros. A great effort!

The Worshipful Master of Santa Faz Lodge, Barry Hovell and his wife Gill, thanked everyone for their support, in particular The President of TIC Kim Baker and her team for hosting the event and especially all those who sponsored the walkers. A special mention to Brian Wakely, Jean Green and Mary Millard who each raised over one hundred euros of Sponsorship.

Watch this space for further fundraising events hosted by Santa Faz Lodge No 48 and The International Club (TIC) El Campello.

In the Benidorm – Altea – Calpe – Moraira region, a group of volunteers are distributing hot meals to numerous homeless people, some of whom who are living under bridges or in empty houses. The initiative came from two homeless people who managed to change their lives for the better and who now want to contribute something back to society. As, from their own experience, they know where to find these homeless people, they are asking volunteers to cook for anywhere from sixty to eighty needy people at a time.

Recently, food has been cooked by our Freemason friends from the Dutch/Belgian Lodge of Leukopolis, who made sausage and mash with vegetables and gravy!  A whopping eighty-three meals were made by the Masons, and all with a cake and a drink of course.

The lovely Tanya, Natasha and Jon Smith took care of the Calpe – Benidorm route, handing out  the much needed meals and other necessary items.

Local Brethren of Leukopolis Lodge No 85  have already volunteered to cook twice for these people. It brings the Brethren of the Lodge together in providing a much needed service and to support a worthy charity, so please keep supporting us , by liking and sharing our Facebook pages, by becoming a member of our growing community or even better, become a much needed volunteer!! The charity organisation can be contacted through their facebook page, project4all.  Alternatively, email sec@glpvalencia.com