Provincial Grand Lodge of Valencia

On Sunday, 29th October, Freemasons of Arenal Deportiva Lodge held a late summer barbecue for members and guests of the Lodge to raise much needed funds for charity. The original date was set for a couple of weeks ago but, as is often the case with barbecues, rain stopped play. The date chosen had one of the heaviest downpours in recent history making the prospect of eating outside totally impossible.

The barbecue had to be cancelled at the last minute and postponed until a day with, hopefully, better weather.
Yesterday however, the fates were kinder and the barbecue went ahead in glorious sunshine. Almost forty Masons, their wives and friends turned up for what was to be a glorious afternoon of good food, good wine and good friends.
This event was held in the garden of the Worshipful Master of the Lodge WBro Ian Brown and his lovely wife Eileen who spared no effort to make the afternoon a great success.
Music was supplied by popular local entertainer Ian Henry, who played and sang for the entire afternoon and into the early evening.
A wonderful choice of meats were grilled on the barbecue by Ian and his volunteer helpers including steak, chicken, burgers and sausages along with a variety of salads. To finish fresh fruit and several very good cakes were offered and it looked as though everyone enjoyed their meal and, in most cases, second helpings (and even third in a couple of cases)

Several methods of raising money for charity by charity steward WBro Ray Guise-Smith, were mercilessly employed including a raffle and the proceeds from these totalled a magnificent four hundred and fifty-two euros which will be added to other amounts raised at other events and donated to El Preventorio children’s home in Gandia at a later date. A great round of thanks must be offered to Ian and Eileen for sharing their home, the willing volunteers who made great efforts to keep everyone happy and to all the generous Masons and their guests who raised so much for a very worthwhile charity.

Several members of the Board of the Masonic Homes of Valencia were recently invited to the Autumn Fiesta of the ISVH Bomberos Voluntarios de Balcon Al Mar in Javea, The Volunteer Fire Service is based at Balcon al Mar, and the Board members visited to view the new items purchased from the donations made to the fire fighters, by the Masonic Homes of Valencia, following the terrible fires last year. A lot of  their, very expensive, equipment was lost, or badly damaged, in those fires which needed replacing and the Masonic Homes stepped in to help out as much as possible.  They were shown around the premises of the Fire Station and given explanations of the many different types of new equipment, including the fire protected clothing, boots, helmets and the essential breathing equipment.  Outside, on the forecourt, they were also shown the new fire engine, and the very varied assortment of equipment carried.

These fire fighters, every one a volunteer, do a fantastic job to protect and save all of us. Remember, when we are all running away from fires, these brave people are running into them. We would be lost without them and the thanks of all of us must be given humbly and gratefully to each and every one.

The photos  show the President Jenny Hart listening to the Station Commander explaining the new type of Helmet, together with the new managers of the Moraira Charity Shop, there is also a group photo of some of the members of the Board who visited, and a photo of the new, fully equipped, fire engine.

On Wednesday, 18th October, WBro Keith Alcock, the Provincial Charity Steward of Valencia visited El Preventorio children’s home in Gandia to deliver several sacksful of clothes and shoes to the children of the home. Relying almost entirely on volunteers and charity for almost everything they need, the home is always very grateful for donations of this sort.
Caring for over fifty children ranging in age from three to fourteen, is no easy matter, particularly as they receive no official help. The children wear out, and grow out of, clothes and shoes at an alarming rate. It is a never ending battle to keep them well clothed and shod.

El Preventorio has been supported by various local Lodges over the past few years and now, the Provincial Grand Lodge has also stepped in to help out as much as possible. Earlier in the year they sponsored a large group of children to visit the Masonic summer school in Guadalest. The children who attended had a magical time being both entertained and educated at the same time.
They have now designated El Preventorio one of their chosen charity’s for this year. At the recent Provincial Ladies Night, over one thousand six hundred euros were raised which will also go to the home. On a local level the home has been supported by, amongst others, White River Lodge, Arenal Deportiva Lodge and Oliva La Safor Lodge. This donation was made by White River Lodge and also John Harvey in Quesada. So this donation was made by Masons from the extreme north of the Province right down to the south.

The picture shows, WBro Keith Alcock with Ms Silvia Barnish who acts as our liaison with the home as well as acting as a translator for those of us whose Spanish is a little wanting. Many thanks to Silvia.

On Saturday, 21^st October, more than two hundred Freemasons from all over the Province assembled in Benidorm for their annual Provincial Ladies Night. Masons from the north of Castellon to the south of Alicante turned out for a grand celebratory dinner, with friends which included live entertainment and a grand charity raffle. Each Lodge throughout the region (and there are now twenty-eight in all) usually holds a Ladies Night once a year, primarily to thank their wives and partners for their support throughout the year. Masonic wives sometimes have to put up with a lot! Many Masons attend meetings two or three times a week, sometimes even more. Their duties often require them to spend a lot of time away from home and most admit they could not do it without the support so freely given by their loved ones.

Also, once a year, there is a Provincial Ladies Night which is also to thank our wives but this one is on a rather grander scale. It is organised on behalf of the Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Michael Shilan who acts as President of the event, and his lovely Lady Muriel who is always on hand to help and support Michael and Freemasonry in general whenever possible. They were aided by the valued assistance of the Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge who acted as escorts and guides throughout the evening. The meeting was held at the Benidorm Grand Bali hotel which is almost midway between the north and south of the Province and began with a cava and canapé reception which was followed by a four course dinner.

The Ladies toast was given in an exemplary manner by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, WBro Rodney Bignell. The President’s wife, Muriel, was then serenaded by popular singer VWBro Jeff Hyde who sang The Ladies Song extremely well and received a well-deserved round of applause. Muriel then responded to the toast and thanked all the people who had helped in organising the event and especially all of the people who had come along to enjoy the evening. She said that there was an enormous amount of work needed to organise such an event and most people didn’t realise how many people were involved and how long it took. Without the free and voluntary assistance of so many people the event would be impossible.

Later there was yet more music supplied by local group ‘Black Glitter’ who played and sang songs from the sixties to the eighties. There was also a grand charity raffle offering a selection of valuable prizes and which was held in support of El Preventorio children’s home in Gandia. This raised the incredible amount of just over one thousand six hundred euros which will be used to purchase something much needed by the home. The evening ended at one in the morning by which time everyone was fed, watered and danced out. A great evening enjoyed by everyone!

Here is a link to more photos of the occasion.

http://wapwebdesign.com/wordpress/prov_2017/
Password: Benidorm2017

Bro Malcolm March, current Charity Steward of Javea Lodge, visited the village school in Benigembla on Wednesday 18th Oct, to view the newly purchased and recently installed “Library Corner”. The furniture, books and games for the Library Corner had been purchased with a donation of four hundred and thirty euros, made to the school by Freemasons of Javea Lodge earlier this year following fund raising in memory of recently deceased WBro Keith Hart. Keith was a Benigembla resident and staunch friend and fund raiser for the school over many years. Bro Malcolm March was accompanied by Keith’s widow, Mrs Jenny Hart.

Benigembla pre-school and primary school has only ten children up to the age of eleven years old and, in common with small schools in many Spanish villages, suffers from a severe lack of funds. The Headmistress thanked all the Javea Lodge Freemasons for the several donations they have made in recent years, including one of over one thousand euros made during Keith’s year as Worshipful Master. This had permitted the purchase of sports equipment and a large storage shed, in addition to the recent Library Corner.

Jenny Hart said that Keith would have been so pleased to see what the donations had achieved and also added “we always loved it here in the village. Keith was very happy here and loved the village and the school“.