Provincial Grand Lodge of Valencia

Local Freemasons from Puerto de Xabia Lodge recently held their annual summer party to raise funds for the local charity Denia children’s home. It was held at popular local restaurant, Casa De La Pizza in Costa Nova, Javea who provided a fantastic barbeque for almost fifty Masons, wives and their invited guests. The party started off at two o’clock and the restaurant was almost full from the start. A wide selection of barbequed meats and vegetables were on offer along with several types of salad. This was followed by a selection of desserts which were clearly enjoyed by everyone.

During, and after, lunch the Masons were royally entertained by the music and singing of popular local entertainer Ian Henry who played non stop for almost three hours to the great enjoyment of all the guests. A charity raffle was held in which all the prizes were donated by Masons and their wives.

A beautiful pendant necklace was kindly donated by the owner of ASR jewelry Mrs Alessandra Ragusa, wife of Bro Alvaro Ochoa, one of our Spanish Masons. A beautiful bouquet of flowers was donated by Mrs Fiona Deppe owner of Fiona’s Flowerpower, wife of Bro Peter de Graaf one of our Dutch Masons and many other gifts including, more flowers, wine chocolates and glasses. The raffle raised two hundred and forty-five euros which will be donated to the Master’s charity.

This year Worshipful Master Jim  Campbell, one of our Scottish Masons has decided to support the children’s home in Denia during his year in office. This was a great afternoon which was enjoyed by all the guests and also raised a tidy sum of money for a local Spanish charity.

On 15th May, Worshipful Master, Eric Raddings, accompanied by his lovely wife Linda, hosted a luncheon at the popular Stan and Ollie’s Restaurant in El Raso, Cuidad Quesada. An excellent meal was enjoyed by seventy-six Masons and their guests who were also entertained at their respective tables by master magician Graeme Mykal.

All the guests expressed their appreciation of a first class event and a grand total of four hundred and fifty euros was raised for the Master’s two charities, Asociacion Espanola Contra el Cancer (AECC) and San Obrera’s Orphanage in Orihuela.

On Tuesday 11 June the Las Salinas Lodge No. 79, with the monthly luncheon club, The Saltpot, held a Mini Golf competition at Lomosca Playa Flamenca. 41 members and friends attended and raised two hundred and eighty euros towards this year’s Master of the Lodge W. Bro Eric Radding’s charities AECC and Elche Children’s Home.
The winner of the ladies trophy was Pauline Hutchinson, the men’s trophy was W. Bro Keith Hutchinson and wooden spoon went to Christine Sayce.

After the golf everyone then went to Rocky’s Arena Restaurant and attended a buffet lunch as well as a well-deserved drink followed by a raffle.

Thanks go to W.Bro Keith Carter and Mrs Joan Waddington for organising a very enjoyable day.

On Saturday 8th June, the Javea 40 Freemasons Lodge held its Tex-Max summer party at the Inn on the Green in Javea.  Following their dinner of nachos, chilli and fajitas, members of the Lodge and their guests danced to the music of Ian Henry.  Many of those attending entered into the spirit of the evening by dressing for the occasion, be it cowboy or Mexican peasant.

The prize for the best dressed person was awarded by Javea 40’s Worshipful Master, Nigel Parker, to Right Worshipful Brother, Michael Shilan.
A total of € 610was raised during the evening for local charity Todos Juntos Javea, This charity provides help to parents and children in Javea who are in need because their circumstances have changed.

Tom Stevenson, representing Todos Juntos Javea, thanked the organisers and everyone present for raising the profile of the charity and for the money they donated.”

Recently a very unusual thing happened at local Freemason’s Lodge Arenal Deportiva.  A new Master was Installed.  This happens in every Lodge once a year so nothing unusual about that you may think but, in this case, the new Master, R.W. Bro Dennis Coburn, is ninety-three years old.  This will make him almost certainly the oldest ‘new’ Master in Spain and quite possibly in the world.  Bro Dennis has been a very distinguished Mason for almost fifty years both originally in the United Kingdom and for the last twenty or so years here in Spain.  He has achieved a great deal and has been honoured with very senior rank in both countries.  He has also written and presented many interesting and educational lectures for the more junior Masons, which are widely looked forward to and enjoyed.  He has now donated all of those lectures to the newly formed Masonic library in the Costa Nova Masonic centre.

However, even Dennis himself was a little surprised by being elected Master for what is now the fourth time.  Usually each Lodge elects its own Master for one year, (occasionally for two); Dennis’s name was put forward, he was formally proposed and seconded and, after what proved to be a unanimous ballot, he was elected as Worshipful Master for Arenal Deportiva for the upcoming year.  There was also a very interesting twist to the Installation, as the meeting was honoured by a visit from the Provincial Grand Master of Valencia, R.W. Bro Michael Anthony Shilan. The twist being that Bro Dennis took part in the Initiation of Bro Shilan into Masonry some twenty years ago. It was a very emotional moment for both as the former ’pupil’ attended the Installation of his former ‘teacher’. Dennis acquitted himself incredibly well during the ceremony and afterwards stated that he was extremely honoured, though a little surprised, to be entering the Masters chair at this point in his Masonic career. After the meeting at the formal dinner Dennis made a very interesting speech, thanking his Lodge Officers for their hard work during the ceremony and also for their trust and confidence in having elected him.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]At the recent Saltpot Luncheon, of local Lodge Las Salinas No.79 based in Ciudad Quesada, Worshipful Master Norman Barrall and wife Carol presented the Director of DEBRA with a cheque for two thousand euros, which enabled the charity to buy two, much needed, computers.
The Director of DEBRA, Sra. Evanina Makow, expressed her deep gratitude for the award explaining how the computers would facilitate their activities considerably.

DEBRA is an organisation devoted to providing support for families with children suffering from a rare and complex skin disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa, they are often called butterfly children because of the delicacy with which they must be cared for. They have a team consisting of a psychologist, four specialist nurses, and three social workers who travel, when needed, to anywhere in Spain to provide support and training to the family and hospital staff.

If you would like to help the charity they would be very grateful for any donation you might care to give, and this would help them to continue their excellent work.

If you would like to attend one of the regular Salt Pot luncheons which are open to non-Masons and their friends and family than contact the Secretary of the Lodge at sec79@glpvalencia.com and you will be made most welcome and make many new friends in a warm and informal setting.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Recently a summer Garden Party was organised by the Worshipful Master of the Santa Faz Lodge, W Bro Bryan Green and his wife Jean, in aid of the Nazaret Orphanage in Alicante, which provides education and training for poor and underprivileged children. The party was supported by almost 50 people who enjoyed a convivial afternoon in the sunshine.

A splendid and varied buffet was provided by the Masons and their wives. During the course of the afternoon there was also a grand charity raffle followed by a very popular petanque competition. The party atmosphere was supplemented by music and dancing. The event raised three hundred and eighty euros for the Master’s charity which will be donated later in the year.