Issue No.

2 Spring 2012

Grand Lodge of Spain Tel: 0034 93 302 59 91 Email: gsecretaria@gle.org www.gle2.org/

Printed copies of the magazine are available on request at a cost of 6.50 per copy. Please contact your provincial representative to order.

Grand Lodge Liaison & Editor

Layout & Design Editor

Mike Levy

Darrell Clayton

Provincial Representatives
Andaluca Balearic Islands Canary Islands Murcia Valencia

Stuart R Walters Steve Baggaley Roger Fisher John Mony Peter Kent Brethren All, Welcome to this our second issue, firstly I would like to thank you our readers for the positive response we have received. As I explained in our pilot issue It is with your help and support, that will define the progression and development of the magazine. With this in mind we are pleased announce a new section Famous Masons This new section, highlights famous masons throughout history and up to the present day. The team and I are looking forward to receiving your articles for the next issue. Your comments constructive or otherwise will be welcomed, you can contact us at spanishmason@hotmail.com or through your provincial representative. We look forward to your participation and strive to achieve an interesting and productive magazine/online publication that you as a member of the Grand Lodge of Spain can be proud of. Sincerely and Fraternally Mike Levy Freemasonry teaches moral lessons and self-knowledge through participation in a progression of allegorical two-part plays, which are learnt by heart and performed within each lodge. Freemasonry offers its members an approach to life, which seeks to reinforce thoughtfulness for others, kindness in the community, honesty in business, courtesy in society and fairness in all things. Members are urged to regard the interests of the family as paramount but importantly Freemasonry also teaches and practises concern for people, care for the less fortunate and help for those in need. People became Freemasons for a variety of reasons, some as the result of family tradition, others upon the introduction of a friend or out of a curiosity to know what it is all about. Those who become active members and who grow in Freemasonry do so principally because they enjoy it. They enjoy the challenges and fellowship that Freemasonry offers. There is more to it, however, than just enjoyment. Participation in the dramatic presentation of moral lessons and in the working of a lodge provides a member with a unique opportunity to learn more about himself and encourages him to live in such a way that he will always be in search of becoming a better man, not better than someone else but better than he himself would otherwise be and therefore an exemplary member of society. Each Freemason is required to learn and show humility through initiation. Then, by progression through a series of degrees he gains insight into increasingly complex moral and philosophical concepts, and accepts a variety of challenges and responsibilities, which are both stimulating and rewarding. The structure and working of the lodge and the sequence of ceremonial events, which are usually followed by social gatherings, offer members a framework for companionship, teamwork, character development and enjoyment of shared experiences.

The Grand Master has been negotiating with the Spanish Government to retrieve the records of those Freemasons lost during the Civil War and currently held in Salamanca.

The M.W. Bro. Oscar de Alfonso Ortega

As reported in the last issue of the Magazine, The Grand Master M.W.Bro. Oscar de Alfonso Ortega was at that time attempting to obtain the records of Freemasonry in Spain, prior to the demise of the brotherhood in the period of General Francos Government. We are pleased to advise that negotiations are now reaching a conclusion and the result of these are listed below in the form of a communication from Grand Lodge.

Part 1 of 3 (In the beginning) Freemasonry in Spain today cannot be fully understood without some knowledge of Spanish history. Spain is a country of mixed races. The first known inhabitants were the Basques followed by various eastern Mediterranean peoples such as Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Greeks. The next major migration into Spain were the Celts in the 9th and 7th centuries BC. The Romans in the 2nd. Century BC invaded and brought Spain under their control until the breakdown of the Roman empire in the 5th. century AD when the Visigoths invaded and in their turn controlled Spain until the invasion of the Moors in 711AD. The Moors ruled most of Spain until the beginning of the Reconquista or re-conquest in 1085 when more and more territory was recovered from the Moors and various small Christian kingdoms were created. These eventually coalesced under Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile leading to the eventual expulsion of the Moors in 1492. The result of the reconquista and the Christianisation of Spain was the forming of very close bonds between the Church, landowners and Monarchy. Rural Spain was totally feudalistic but much less so in the towns where the population consisted largely of merchants, tradesmen and their employees. They also contained a sizeable population of Jews and others who had a tendency to have contacts outside Spain in Europe and North Africa. The middle class in the towns were part of a social group interested in the advance of science and culture arising from the Renaissance and it is in the liberalism of this middle class that Spanish masonry emerged . On 15th. February 1728, a Lodge named The Lodge of Lilies was formed in the apartments of the Duke of Wharton in the French Hotel on Via San Bernardo in Madrid with Charles de Labelye as Master. The Grand Lodge of England was petitioned for a Warrant on 17th April 1728 and this was granted on 29th March 1729. Philip, Duke of Wharton, is one whom Freemasonry looks back to with some embarrassment his personality being some what less that Masonically ideal. Wild, tactless, extravagant and a habitual attention seeker, Wharton was nevertheless a powerful orator and a formidable opponent of the government of Horace Walpole. In a highly irregular meeting in 1722, he manipulated several London masons into declaring him Grand Master. Thanks to the kindness of the then regular Grand Master, the Duke of Montague, his election was made official and he held office until 1723. Soon after becoming bankrupt and to escape an indictment for treason Wharton escaped to the Continent and was appointed Jacobite ambassador to Austria by the Old Pretender. Having incurred the hostility and dislike of the Austrians, Wharton arrived in Spain in 1727 and in 1728 became a Catholic. He died penniless in 1731 at the age of only 33. In the same year, 1728, the Lodge of St. John of Jerusalem was constituted in Gibraltar and placed on the Register of the Grand Lodge of England as No.51 and in 1731, Capt. James Cummerford then serving with the British Army was appointed Provincial Grand Master for Andalusia, by which was meant Gibraltar and adjacent places having been since 1713 under British control and although this provincial Grand Lodge went on to recruit members in Southern Spain it is not strictly part of Spanish masonry. Freemasonry in Spain first attracted ex-patriots from Britain and France but Spaniards soon joined. Like elsewhere in Europe the formation of Lodges began to incur the suspicion and hostility of the secular authorities especially, but not exclusively, in the Catholic countries. The first to prohibit freemasonry was the Grand Duke Gian Gaston of Tuscany just before his sudden death in 1737. An Inquisitor sent by Pope Clement made several arrests but they were set at liberty by the new grand Duke, Francis of Lorraine who declared his support for the Order. On 28 th April 1738, Pope Clement issued his Bull In Eminenti condemning Freemasonry and forbidding Catholics to join under threat of excommunication. This was followed by an edict of the death penalty. In Spain denunciations were called for within 6 days with a penalty of excommunication and a fine of 200 ducats. The edict was read in churches and fixed to their doors. Under an edict of Philip V several Masons were sentenced to banishment and deportation.

In 1751 Pope Benedict XIV published the Bull entitled Providas which sparked a new round of persecutions and this period is famous for the actions of Father Torrubia who using spies drew up a list of 97 lodges. He then obtained a dispensation from his Grand Penitentiary, joined the Order under a false name, broke his Masonic oath and handed over a list to the Inquisition in Spain leading to the arrest of thousands of Freemasons. Ferdinand VI decreed the prohibition of Freemasonry and Cardinal Vicente the death penalty for all masons. In spite of virtually continuous persecution, masonry in Spain survived. In 1767The Grand Lodge of Spain was formed and Spanish masonry declared itself independent from England. The first Grand Master was Count DAranda, Prime Minister of Charles III. In 1780 the name of this body was changed to the Grande Oriente and adopted the French system. It is known that many of the ministers of Charles III were masons and also an impressive list of prominent Spanish nobles and high officials. That Spanish Masonry was able to survive such a period of persecution is testimony not only to the courage and determination of the brethren but also that, fight how they might, the Spanish church and civil authorities could not isolate from the growing momentum of the Enlightenment of which Freemasonry was a part. In Britain of course Freemasonry was an autonomous, self-regulated society which neither sought or obtained permission for its existence from either prince or priest, without fear of persecution. The year 1808 was a pivotal one for Spanish masonry, starting with the Mutiny of Aranjuez, the capture of the unpopular Prime Minister, Manuel de Godoy and following his dismissal the abdication of the King. This extraordinary court mutiny was organized by no less than the Grand Master of the French Grand Orient, the Duke of Montijo and resulted in the accession of Ferdinand VII but after little more than a month in power he was forced to abdicate in favour of Napoleon Bonaparte who in turn appointed his brother Joseph as King. Joseph was an avid Freemason having been Grand Master of the Grand Orient and Napoleon himself had been made a mason in the Army Philadelphe Lodge in 1795. Joseph repealed all the laws against masonry and under his auspices the Grand Orient in Spain was set up as subordinate to the Grand Orient of France in the very building once occupied by the Inquisition. New Lodges were chartered throughout Spain with 7 in Madrid alone. This was followed by a Supreme Council for the Scottish Rite and later a Supreme Council of the33rd. which then constituted a Grand Orient of Spain and the Indies, consisting of the Respectable Lodge of the Star and the Lodge of Charity and Santa Julia. Several masons held important posts in Josephs government and masons were known as afrancesados favouring the restructuring of Spain on the liberal French model. Some Spaniards however regarded them as traitors and collaborators and anti-Spanish and controlled by foreigners. This became one of Francos favourite accusations against masonry. The over throw of French dominion in 1813 saw the restoration of Fernando VII to the throne and the persecution of freemasons began again. Amongst those arrested and tortured and imprisoned were General Alava, Aide-de-Camp to the Duke of Wellington, Dr. Luque the Kings doctor and the prominent scholar Mariana. The purge however was not very strongly pursued though the Grand Master the Count of Montijo was held in the secret prison of the Inquisition. In 1818 Col. Rafael de Riego led a popular uprising and Fernando was forced to abolish the Inquisition, expel all Jesuits and release all Freemasons including the Grand Master the Count of Montijo. The Count of la Bisbal who was sent to crush the uprising was himself a mason and declared for the Constitution and ordered the release of all masons. The short-lived freedom of the Spanish Freemasons came to an end in1823 when Fernando used French help to overthrow the liberal government and restore his absolute powers. Riego was shot and freemasons who failed to renounce within 30 days were to be shot within 24hrs without trial. In 1833 with the death of Fernando there followed a complicated series of Regencies and though the laws against masonry remained, the Craft went from strength to strength, though forced to work in strict secrecy. Only people personally known to the Grand Master were admitted and no lodge was permitted to keep written documents and new passwords were issued to each lodge every month. In 1848 fresh persecutions broke out under the administration of Marshall Narvaez but all those arrested were subsequently pardoned by Queen Isabella. Queen Isabella herself turned a blind eye to freemasonry for her consort, Don Francisco d-Assissi, was allegedly the Master of a Lodge within the palace itself.

During this reign the Lodge of Philanthropy No.1024 was formed in Cadiz under the UGLE, and there were also English speaking masons in Madrid. The reign of Queen Isabella came to an end with the Revolution of 1868 the prelude to which was an uprising in Cadiz carried out by Generals Pierrad, Moriones and Contreras and supported by the politicians Malcado, Dulce, Prim, Ruiz Zorilla and Mendez Nunez-- all prominent Freemasons. Isabella was replaced by Amadeus of Savoy, himself a mason but he abdicated after only 3 years and a Republic was declared. An immediate result of these political developments was the removal of laws and restrictions to Freemasons but this led to even more confusions in Spanish Masonic jurisdictions. In 1888 the Spanish Masonic jurisdictions were the following............ Grand National Orient of Spain....... GM Jose Maria Pantoja Spanish Grand Orient.........GM Pio Vinader Spanish Regular Grand Orient.......GM Juan Aranda Symbolic Grand Lodge of Spain.....GM Jose Lopez Padilla Masonic Iberian-American Confederation........GM Jaime Marti Sovereign Grand Council of the Rite of Memphis & Misraim....GM Ricardo Lopez Salaverry In 1902 the Spanish Grand Orient created a federal structure with a number of Grand Lodges similar to the Provinces of the present day ......

Central Spain based in Madrid, North west based in Gijon, North East Barcelona, East or Levante in Alicante, South in Sevilla, Southeast in Cartagena and Overseas in Tangier. In the same year Miguel Primo de Rivera seized power in a military coup and the persecution of freemasons began again. Spanish masonry suffered because it became clear to de Rivera that the Craft in Spain was politicised and was opposed to his dictatorship. Consequently, Masonic meetings were repeatedly banned and some 200 masons were arrested for plotting against the state, including the GM Demofilo de Buen Lozano. In 1927 de Rivera spoke of Communists, Freemasons and politicians who are capable of wavering in their love of Spain. Freemasonry continued to grow with the Grand Orient showing 85 lodges up to105 and a membership of 5000 for 1931 and the Spanish Grand Lodge up from 10 in 1922 to 52 in 1931. Part 2 in the next issue of the magazine Starting with the the fall of the dictatorship was followed by the declaration of the second republic and the election of a government led by Azana Diaz.

Provincial Representative

We are all gathered here today to celebrate a most auspicious occasion in the history of this Lodge and its Brethren - the dedication of the beautiful new banner that is now presented to us all here on the floor of Stuart R Walters the Lodge. Banners came into Freemasonry from ecclesiastical and civic custom. Great significance attends their display in the chapels of certain Orders of Knighthood - the Knights of the Garter in St. Georges Chapel in Windsor, and the Knights of Bath in Henry 7th's Chapel in Westminster being good examples. Banners are mentioned in the Holy Bible under which the various 12 Tribes of Israel designated themselves. Indeed, the origin of a symbol of immense importance in the Temple may be found in the history of the Israelites. For, having been in the wilderness for 40 years, they were given a sign of God's presence in the form of the Ark. It was a sign that went before them over the River Jordan, carried on the shoulders of the Priests to the Promised Land. That Ark became to the Israelites the Sign and Symbol of their Nationhood. The Ark eventually found its place in King Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem and became a symbol of the presence of God. It is for these reasons that we can find explanation for the hanging of banners in our churches and cathedrals. Banners have been in use in Freemasonry since 1776 and were considered (as they always have been in antiquity) to be emblems of Loyalty, Fidelity and Unity. To us, the banner should remind us of our duty and fidelity to God, and of the 3 Grand Principles of Freemasonry - Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. And so our banner is here now, sitting in a 'form of the Temple of King Solomon', a symbol of the Lodge, an expression of its traditions and ethos, a reminder to us and the profane world that Freemasonry has subsisted from time immemorial and that this Lodge forms part of that great heritage. A U.G.L.E. pamphlet once had stated in it: "Freemasonry offers to its members an approach to life which seeks to re-enforce thoughtfulness, honesty in Society and fairness in all things. In a world torn by political and religious strife - perhaps we have taken worldwide 'Brotherly Love' further than any other group in Society" And so Fuengirola Lodge is a bit like that dot in the centre of a circle. The circle represents Freemasonry universal and eternal, and the 'dot' on this occasion is the birth and life of this Lodge in particular. The Lodge was born on the 23rd of January 1997 here at what was then the Danish Masonic Temple. R.W. Bro. Ernesto Guillem was the presiding Provincial Grand Master of Andaluca for this consecration and W. Bro. Ron Greedy was the consecrating Worshipful Master. On the first Regular Meeting W. Bro. Bryan Collier was then Installed as the first Worshipful Master of the Lodge.The first WM of the Lodge to be Installed as such, having been initiated into Freemasonry within the Fuengirola Lodge, was W. Bro. David Long in 2008 - and indeed, the current WM is also an Initiate of the Lodge. In the summer of 2000, Fuengirola Lodge joined with the Danish Lodge 'Sydkorset' and 'Polaris' (the Norwegian Lodge) in forming an association that improved the Temple here and provides a dining area and bar - which 9 Masonic groups now enjoy and utilise - and has become a true focal point of Masonic activity in the Province. And the Lodge has produced many distinguished Masons within our Craft and other Orders. Many of your founders remain 'household names' within our Provincial life - such names as Bryan Collier, Esteban Molina Hernandez, Sid Wyatt, John Mence, Brian Lilleywhite, William Norton and Anthony Barrett. So this Lodge, the Fuengirola Lodge N96, which forms a vital part of the 'Fabric of Freemasonry', has done its job well. It makes Freemasons, it spreads the 'Masonic Light', it brings Fraternal Brotherhood to its members and their families, it helps to serve humanity and it quietly celebrates the Glory of God. She lives and breathes the 'Life of Freemasonry'. And so we honour this Lodge, placing a symbol in her heart, that manifests her Masonic Life as lived through her members. That reminds us of her traditions and of her ethos - a symbol of the very presence of the life and joy of this Lodge - proudly on display for all to see... and to know and understand that in this Banner we reach out to the very heart of ourselves - of yourselves - as Brethren of Fuengirola Lodge N96. I so dedicate this Banner to the Lodge. "May it ever remind us of our Unity - one with the other

Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Distinguished Brethren, Brethren all - it is with the greatest of pleasure I have the opportunity on this 15th Anniversary of the Lodge to present a brief explanation of the design of our new Lodge Banner. I designed the banner some years ago when my understanding of Masonic symbolism was still somewhat limited; my focus at the time was therefore quite simply to ensure that the design was modest, whilst beautiful. However, now, as I look at the banner with fresh and slightly more experienced eyes, I am reminded at how amazing symbolism really is in and of itself. It truly allows us to see a deeper meaning in almost anything as long as we care to take the time. What meaning symbols hold to an individual depends a lot on the individual himself; so, in that sense, I shall describe what they mean to me and the story I hope they will convey to you.

Friday 30th March 2012 Lodge meeting Friday 27th April 2012 Lodge meeting Friday 26th October 2012 Meeting to Install new WM

Provincial Representative

Steve Baggaley The 9th Annual Charity Golf Competition was held at Son Parc Golf Menorca on Saturday 24th September. The event was a joint one between Lodge of Menorca 60 and Logia Sol de Llevant 161. It attracted some 60 players and was held in good weather. The major sponsors of the event were once again, Honda Motors who locally are represented by Autos Gregal of Mahon,and the Son Parc Golf Course. The Charity who received 1200 from the competition and the raflle that followed was AECC of Mahon,a cancer day hospice style organisation. After a very jolly tapas period, a cheque was presented to QH Pedro Orfila who is President of AECC Mahon by VH Pascual Lazara ,of Lodge 161. Prizes were presented by WB Colin Corke of Lodge 60 and the raffle prizes were drawn and handed out by WB Colin Corke and WB Richard Martin. The whole event is held in an atmosphere of very cheerful and friendly rivalry between the players and their guests, making it most enjoyable, which is most satisfying as some 90% of those present were not Masons.

Dear Brethren, Ibiza Lodge 44 would be honoured if you could attend a very special Lodge meeting we have planned for Friday 20th April 2012. At the meeting W.Bro. Ian Robertson, who is a visiting mason from Scotland & co-author of the book "Roslyn Chapel - the truth behind the Da Vinci code, will give an illustrated Masonic lecture on Roslyn to the Brethren at the lodge meeting on the 20th April. The lecture will take place in the Lodge room located at the Fishermans Restaurant, Calle Madrid Avenida de Isidoro Macabich, San Antonio & will be followed by a Festive Board in the same location. On the Saturday 21st April we are holding our annual St Georges Day Dinner Dance for all Masons, their families & friends at which W.Bro. Ian Robertson will present his latest book on Roslyn as well as give a presentation about the Chapel more suitable for the general public. Ibiza Lodge 44 will be pleased to help with arranging accommodation in the Hostal Marino (http://www.montanamarino.es) at a competitive rate for all Brethren who visit our Lodge on the 20th April & or the St Georges Day Dinner Dance on the 21st April . Please confirm with Lodge secretary, Chris Langley Kirke by email if you are able to attend & if you need accommodation, what type (single (19), double (15) with continental breakfast) & for how many days. Article submitted by Chris Langley Kirke.

Feb (date to be confirmed) a rock and roll night Saturday 17th March a St Patricks night meal Saturday 28th April the Ladies night. All the events are taking place as joint events with Sol de Levante 161 lodge (Menorca's Spanish speaking lodge). Further information will be coming out soon, or contact W. Bro Jeremy McHale with any questions.

Provincial Representative

I was delighted to be asked to write the forward for the new website which will feature Masonic Lodges in Tenerife. I am sure it will be a great asset to Masons here on the island and to all those Masons Roger Fisher who come to Tenerife on their holidays. The idea behind the website is to highlight information that will make it easy for any Mason to visit any Lodges on the island, as well as to attend the side degrees if they are members. It will also make it easier to obtain information about social events well in advance, so that we can all enjoy being in the company of not only our Brothers, but their wives and partners as well. Those Lodges that already have their own web sites will be welcome to provide a link to this and other web sites in the Canary Islands. In this way the information that we have to share will be much easier to access. The Provincial Grand Lodge of the Canary Islands will also post information about when they are holding meetings and the social events that they have planned for the future. I have been very encouraged by the wonderful harmony that now exists in the Lodges, those Masons that I have spoken to when I have visited the Lodges have expressed how much they are enjoying their Masonry and how they look forward to visiting other Lodges in the Province. In conclusion I would like to thank all the Brethren for their wonderful support and hope that all the Lodges in Tenerife will support this site and assist in its growth.

GERALD RUBEN PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER OF THE CANARY ISLANDS After the Christmas Festivities and celebrations in 2011 we start to prepare ourselves and look forward to the forthcoming Masonic year, however it is always nice to take a few moments to reflect on the events that have taken place in the Province, and to thank all the Brethren for their hard work and dedication in their respective Lodges , and for the many fund raising projects that have taken place for those in need. On behalf of the Province we would like to thank the Grand Master of Spain M.W. Bro Oscar de Alfonso Ortega for visiting the Canary Islands and for consecrating three new Lodges in a most excellent and sincere manner. Metis Lodge in Fuerteventura Ancient & Scottish Rites Athena Lodge No 172 in Tenerife Ancient & Scottish Rites Nivaria Lodge No 174 in Tenerife Emulation , Spanish Language The Provincial Grand Master RW Bro Gerald Ruben held three Provincial Meetings, two in Tenerife and one in Gran Canaria, and a number of executive and committee meetings on the different islands. Thank you to all the Brethren that attended these meetings and for your valued contributions. One of the most successful social events of the year was the Provincial Summer Solstice Dinner & Dance which was held on the 25th June 2011 at the Isla Bonita Hotel Fanabe Tenerife. The next event was the Provincial Christmas Party held at the Elba Vecindario Hotel in Gran Canaria, On behalf of the Provincial Team we would like to thank all the Brethren and their wives for supporting these events. Thanks to the generosity of the Brethren the raffles and sales of the new Provincial ties have raised over 2,000 euro for the Provincial Grand Charity Fund. It is almost impossible to include in one page all the good work carried out in the Masonic Lodges , however we do hope in the future editions to feature interesting information on the Lodges and side degrees . At the present time in the Canary Islands we have apart from the many Spanish & English speaking Craft Lodges , 5 Chapters, 2 Mark, 2 Ram, 2 Osm, 2 Knights Templer and 1 Allied all worthy of a mention. The year 2011 will be remembered as a progressive , successful and enjoyable year for all. As we are now into the start of 2012 we have lots of new initiatives and fund raising events in the pipeline , Golf Days and the Summer Solstice Dinner & Dance to look forward to, details and dates to be confirmed. Finally last but not least we would like to congratulate Michael Levy Grand Inspector and his team at the Grand Lodge of Spain for producing the Square & Compass Magazine ,we have received lots of positive feed back from the Brethren in the Canary Islands.

On Saturday the 22nd October 2011 , The Grand Master Oscar De Ofonso Ortega performed the Consecration of the New Lodge Nivaria at the El Tope Hotel in Tenerife.

photographs taken at the Summer Soltice Dinner & Dance held at the Isla Bonita Hotel Fanabe Tenerife on the 25th June 2011.

New WM Castro Hernandez Marcello Raul Athena Lodge Tenerife

Always maintain a cheerful disposition and greet every Brother with a smile

Provincial Representative

Peter Kent Have you any family ? Yes! My wife Ann, Two Sons (54 &50) and Two Daughters (52 &48) Nine Grandchildren and Ten great Grandchildren Have you any Hobbies? My wife would say masonry was my hobby. She is probably right but in the past I have had many. I was an athlete (field events) I also was a swimmer, canoeist, climber and took part in martial arts. They were my main interests. But I also dabbled in other things (all physical) but did not take them seriously What was your introduction into Masonry ? It probably started when I was a member of the Scout Association. Yes I started as a Wolf Cub and ended up as a Venture Scout Leader and Commissioner. During this time I got to know a number of Leaders who were Masons and started to think it cannot be bad as these were all good guys. Then I got to thinking, as I knew them so well in scouting, why had they not asked me to join? Were they dodgy as my Father (a real east ender) had always said (he did change his mind a number of years later). Anyway I just resigned my self that I would probably never be asked to join. One day in 1975. I received a phone call from a friend of mine who said and I quote Hey Tel. you often said you fancied being a mason my reply obviously was YES he then went on to say I have just found out that you have to ask them if you can join they dont ask you.(it has all changed a bit now). After I had finished talking to him I then phoned one of the leaders, who I knew was a mason. I put the question to him. He replied, it is about time, what took you so long? He then proposed me and another scouting friend seconded me. One of the saddest moments of my Masonic career was the fact that my proposer died about six weeks before I became PGM of Murcia. I was initiated into Aylesbury Lodge 4534 in April 1978, passed February 1980 and raised February 1981 and was installed October 1990 and in 1995 and was charity steward for five years receiving Provincial rank of PAGDC. I was exalted into Aylesbury RA Chapter 1982. What other degrees do you belong to? Knights Templar, Knights of Malta, Mark and Ram.

What are your aims or ambitions in Masonry? When I first started in freemasonry my only aim was to become Master of my Mother Lodge. Then a few years later it was to join Royal Arch and KT. When I first moved to Ibiza in 1997 I intended to be a Knife and Fork mason. (I was a founder of two Craft Lodges in Ibiza and had joined R.A.,before moving to the Island) but it was not to be. Within two weeks I was DC of my mother Lodge in Spain Concord 66. so I was hooked again. I then realised we needed more choice on the Island so I decided to start a Mark Lodge. This I did with the help of two other MMM. With the result Evissa Lodge 1807 was formed. I then moved to main land Spain in 2002, hoping once again to become a K & F mason. But it did not work out like that. I joined Luz de Murcia 91 and become a kind of 1 st reserve for everything from candidate to SW. At that time masonry did not exist in the Mazarrn area so it then became my ambition to see that altered. With the help of like minded Brethren this is now a Done deal with a Craft Lodge, Mark, Ram and Royal Arch Chapter. So you see I never had fixed aims or ambition, events just evolved.

Continued on next page...........

Where is your mother Lodge? Aylesbury lodge 4534, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire UK Of which I am still a member. What is your most Memorable Masonic Moment? I have had many. The things that are memorable to me are the things that I did not expect, my first Grand Rank, being installed as PGM (Murcia) and also 2nd Provincial Grand Principle.(Valencia). But one of the things I think will remain in my memory. Is when I received an e-mail from the Scribe E of Ses Pitituis R.A. Chapter No5 in Ibiza, offering me honorary r membership of the Chapter which had recently been reformed. (I was Z. in 2000). It was a trip down memory lane as looking at the names of the Officers these were the companions I knew when they first started out in craft masonry. To get recognition after all these years for work I had done in the past must rate as a great memorable moment. What is your most memorable moment outside masonry? Is there a life outside masonry? Yes of course there is. Apart from getting married in 1955 and having my four children I really got thinking. It has to be approx 64 years ago I was in a very spectacular pageant called The Boy Scout by Ralph Reader. It was during the dress rehearsal and you have to imagine the middle of the Albert Hall packed out with young cubs and scouts. Ralph Reader was walking around amongst them just chatting and putting everyone at ease, when a young cub standing close to me said to Ralph, please sir what coloured socks should I wear?, with that Ralph put both hands on the lads shoulder, looked straight at him and said Son it does not matter what colour socks you wear the only person who will see them is your mum What person or persons would you most like to meet present or past? Professor Morihei Ueshiba1883-1969 the founder of Aikido (a martial art) and Lord Robert Baden Powell of Gilwell 1857-1941 Founder of the Boy Scouts (Now the Scout Association). Which Lodges do you belong to in Spain? Sierra Espuna.136 Luz de Murcia 91 and an Honorary member of Concord Lodge 66 (in Ibiza) What is your favourite office in Masonry? Senior Deacon. What do you think you personally bring to the role of PGM? I would like to say the wisdom of King Solomon but I can`t. I can only say I hope I have given everybody respect and an enthusiasm for the true meaning of Freemasonry. What advice would you give to freemasons? Be yourself and enjoy. Do not take on any more than you are able. Remember nobody has a right to rank. You all have the only rank that matters - A Freemason. Be proud to hold your head up high and say - I am a Freemason.

What changes to freemasonry ( in Spain) would you like to see? I think basically I would endorse what the Grand Master said in the first issue. I will simplify it come out of the dark ages. There is nothing wrong with freemasonry. It is the interpretation. There is nothing mysterious about it. There is no hidden meaning in ancient symbols (they are only emblematic) or phrases. I know that in Spain in the past it was secretive due to the fear of being persecuted. But that is not the case today (maybe it is with some employers and religions, which is the same in the UK) so be open and proud with what you are and what you do. If you insist in being paranoid about secrecy people will think you have something to hide. Remember the only things that are secret are our signs of recognition. Masonry is a way of life which if interpreted right will give you a lot of pleasure.

BOOKINGS/INFO CONTACT Roger Wilkins 628 055 973

bubble.home1@gmail.com

HOTEL COSTA, MAZARRON., FRIDAY 20TH APRIL 2012 (6.30pm for 7pm) Cost 35 per person Full Payment by no later than April 2nd 2012 (lodge night) Rooms available, contact Hotel direct. Tel. 968 590 450 Early booking advisable. Hotel rooms double 35.& single 25 per night Coach available from Camposol 6 per person ( see separate booking form )

or Dickie Davies 968 199 967,

madgedickinspain@yahoo.co.uk.

Provincial Representative

John Mony V.W.Bro. Graham Davies is the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Valencia and a member of Las Salinas Lodge No. 79 and being single is free to indulge himself heavily in his chosen pursuit of Masonry. Graham was born in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, in Bream Village and enjoyed the local diversities of Cricket, Rugby, the local Brass Band and the Choir. Graham has spent most of his working life in sales and marketing, working for Bulmers Cider for some 15 years both in Wales and the USA. Graham now lives in Santa Pola, in the South of the Province. Interview When did you join Masonry?..... I joined masonry through Vassar Smith Lodge No.2994 in Lydney, Gloucestershire. It was the Christmas meeting of 1984 and there were some 120 Brethren in attendance and I found some old friends there that I had not expected to find. I made many friends and shared some happy times there. What do you do with your leisure time?.... In my spare time I enjoy most sports and of course riding my motorcycle. This is my toy and we have had our ups and downs, a couple of the downs have been very painful and I have been accused of having accidents just to get out of doing ceremonies! C'est Moi? ??? I played rugby back in the UK and I also played for Elche when I moved here 16 years ago but the legs will no longer do what the heart wants me to. What have you been doing for a living over the last 16 years?.... Elche being one of the main centres for the shoe industry, I spent over 10 years working in the business, mainly in the United States, opening up markets, setting up logistics, recruiting staff and marketing the brand throughout the States. How did you get into Masonry over here?..... Within a week of moving to Spain I had made contact with Provincial office, and was told there were a number of Lodges close to Santa Pola, and was invited to attend a meeting in Elche with Ken Pearce, Clive Keylock and Lon Whitehead, I should have known better! Which Lodge did you choose eventually? I decided to join Las Salinas Lodge, Salinas were trying to bring the Spanish into Masonry and as I spoke a little Spanish, it made sense that any help I could give should be directed to that Lodge. Have you joined any other Lodges since that time?.... I was happy to be involved in the forming of The Dama de Elche Lodge, this came as an off the record chat with our Grand Master Oscar de Alfonso Ortega, when I commented that I thought there was a Masonic gap in the Province around the Elche area. I agree he said, start looking for a venue and founders, Im sure it will be up and running within a year! Ouch! Are you involved with any other orders?.......... I try to support to the other orders that Im involved in, Royal Arch Chapter, Mark Masons, Royal Ark Mariners, and The Allied Masonic degrees, but this can be difficult with the amount of activity that is happening in the craft at the present time. What would you like to achieve in Freemasonry?......... Personally I feel that I have achieved more than I ever dreamed of, but I would like to be able to say and feel that I have been a part of the growth of the strongest, most successful and respected Masonic Province in Spain. What are your most memorable moments in Freemasonry?... The most memorable has to be my initiation, for me that was very special. Being appointed The Deputy Provincial Grand Master, as I said earlier is something that is normally out of reach. At an early meeting here in Spain, bumping into a Brother while robing at a meeting in Ibi, only to find out that when we were in the temple we had to salute him with 11 was a big surprise! My first meeting with a Grand Master. Of course I have had lots of very enjoyable moments that can only be gained by being a member of this fraternity. What would you like to be remembered for?... One thing I would like to be able to do, that I feel sure would improve Spanish Freemasonry, is to remove from the memory of all Masons the phrase, ah yes, well we did like this in my English Lodge What advice would you give to aspiring masons?.....My advice to young Masons in Spain would be what has been said over and over again, you will only get out of it, what you put into it, try it and see! Interviewed by Keith Moseley (for the Mason Magazine)

Provincial Grand Lodge Appointments

Our congratulations go to the following Brethren who were honoured by Appointment or Promotion, to the below Provincial Grand Ranks by R.W.Bro. Barrie Roy Mansell on the occasion of the Provincial Grand Lodge Meeting held at the Bali Hotel Benidorm on 25.2.2012.
Provincial Deputy Grand Master Provincial Assistant Grand Master Provincial Senior Grand Warden Provincial Junior Grand Warden Provincial Grand Registrar Provincial Grand Orador (Elected) Provincial Grand Chaplain Provincial Grand Treasurer (Elected) Provincial Grand Secretary Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Provincial Grand Archivist Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works Provincial Grand Sword Bearer Provincial Grand Charity Steward Provincial Grand Almoner Provincial Deputy Grand Chaplain Provincial Deputy Grand Treasurer Provincial Deputy Grand Secretary Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Provincial Deputy Grand Superintendent of Works Provincial Deputy Grand Sword Bearer Provincial Deputy Grand Almoner Provincial Senior Grand Deacon Provincial Senior Grand Deacon Provincial Junior Grand Deacon Provincial Junior Grand Deacon Provincial Assistant Grand Chaplain Provincial Assistant Grand Secretary Provincial Assistant Grand Secretary Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Provincial Grand Organist Provincial Assistant Grand Charity Steward Provincial Grand Standard Bearer Provincial Deputy Grand Standard Bearer Provincial Assistant Standard Bearer Provincial Grand Inner Guard Provincial Grand Tyler (Elected) Provincial Grand Steward Provincial Grand Steward Provincial Grand Steward Provincial Grand Steward Provincial Grand Steward Provincial Grand Steward Provincial Grand Steward Provincial Grand Steward Provincial Grand Steward Provincial Grand Steward Provincial Grand Steward Provincial Grand Steward Provincial Grand Steward V .W. Bro. G.L.Davies V. W. Bro. S.J.MacDonald W. Bro.W. Russell W. Bro. N Wheatley W. Bro. L.Organ W. Bro. V. H. Gil R.W. Bro. N.G. Jarrett W. Bro. M. Shilan W. Bro. R. Bignell W. Bro. J.S. Hyde W. Bro. B. Wilson W. Bro. R. F. Jones W. Bro. R. Knight W. Bro. S. Gammer W. Bro. R. Heath W. Bro. H. Palmer W. Bro. F. Miller W. Bro. P.B. Dawe W. Bro. S.Crawford W. Bro. J. Morel W. Bro. T Rolfe W. Bro. P. Ayres W. Bro. A Windsor W. Bro. G Simons W. Bro. F Hammond W. Bro. E.Ward W. Bro. T.N.Jackson Bro. A. M. Moreno Bro. R. Mitchell W. Bro. P.Burleston W. Bro. A Waller W. Bro. J. Newland W. Bro D Greatrex W. Bro. G Hurst W. Bro. E. G. Jover W.Bro.G.B.Gil W. Bro. I. Henry W. Bro. K. Alcock W. Bro. U. Fischetti W.Bro. K.Rennard W. Bro. S.Cardwell W. Bro. G. Wheatley W. Bro. D. Watts W. Bro. T. Porter W. Bro. M.A. Carter W. Bro. M.Winder Bro. T. Wye Bro.P. Kockoth W Bro D.A.Niven W. Bro R. Hernler W. Bro.P. Nichols Bro.R. Davis W. Bro. J. Gerl Bro.N.Wainwright Bro.I.Holness Bro J.C.Gomez Bermudez

Provincial Grand Lodge Past Ranks

Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer Past Provincial Deputy Grand Sword Bearer Past Provincial Deputy Grand Sword Bearer Past Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Past Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Past Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Past Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies Past Provincial Grand Organist Past Provincial Grand Standard Bearer Past Provincial Grand Standard Bearer Past Provincial Assistant Grand Standard Bearer Past Provincial Assistant Grand Standard Bearer Past Provincial Assistant Grand Standard Bearer Past Provincial Assistant Grand Standard Bearer Past Provincial Assistant Grand Standard Bearer Past Provincial Assistant Grand Standard Bearer R.W.Bro M.Levy W.Bro.D Staples W.Bro.W. Taylor W.Bro.N.Broberg W.Bro.G.Merrick W.Bro.R.Collins W.Bro.Z.Goskel W.Bro.G.B.Gil W.Bro.G.W.Hales W.Bro. L George W.Bro. J Dwyer W.Bro.R.Beken W.Bro.M. Botten Bro.D. Clayton W.Bro.J. Davy W.Bro.A.Bailey Bro.M. Cunningham

The Province and the various Lodges are all raising money for the Festival 2014 project. Any money collected can be paid over to the Provincial Treasurer by bank transfer to the Provincial Charity Account which is at the CAM bank in Jvea: Account name - Gran Logia De Espaa: Account number - 2090-0260-32-0200093410. Alternatively a cheque payable to the Gran Logia de Espaa can be sent to the Provincial Treasurer, Centro Comercial La Nao 1, Avenida del Pla 135, Jvea, 03730, Alicante. Any bank transfers or cheques should be accompanied with sufficient information to enable the sums to be allocated correctly to the Lodges and Brethren. The Provincial Treasurer should be contacted if there is cash to be handed over. Ideally an email should be sent to the Provincial Treasurer notifying him of the sums paid into the bank account. The Provincial Treasurers email address is tesorero@glpvalencia.com To assist the Province the Red Cross (Alicante) has opened an account at the Iber-Caja bank which will be exclusively available to the Festival 2014. All money received in the account will be notified to the Provincial Treasurer and money will not be withdrawn from the account without the approval of the Festival 2014 Committee. The account details are as follows: BANK IBER-CAJA; ACCOUNT NAME - CRUZ ROJA ESPAOL; ACCOUNT NUMBER - 2085-9915-01-0330221577 The bank account will be used to accumulate all monies donated by the Province and to receive money from any individual who chooses to send money directly to the Red Cross. The Red Cross will provide the Province with as much information as they can about who has donated money directly but this relies upon the person donating identifying himself. The Province will credit the Lodges with any contributions that are paid directly to the Red Cross provided a name and matriculation number is provided by the person making the donation. Donations to the Red Cross are eligible for a 25% tax rebate. Should a Brother be liable to pay income tax in Spain he can deduct from his Spanish tax bill 25% of his annual donation to the Festival 2014 project. When the Province pays money over to the Red Cross information will be provided by the Provincial Treasurer to enable the Red Cross to notify the Hacienda of the names of individuals who wish to claim tax rebates. Lodges will have to provide the Provincial Treasurer with the names, addresses and Spanish tax identity numbers of anyone wishing to claim such tax relief. The Red Cross bank account will operate from now until 31st August 2014 after which time any money in the account will belong to the Red Cross for them to use to purchase any equipment they wish without any further approvals from the Province. In other words the 31st August 2014 will see the end of our financial involvement with the Red Cross on this Festival 2014 project. The Red Cross is to provide the Province with a list of items that are in their Equipment Investment programme along with estimated costs and a priority listing to assist the Festival 2014 Committee in determining how the Festival 2014 Fund should be spent. Michael Shilan Provincial Treasurer

The Festival 2014 Committee have launched a 100 club in order to enhance the result of the Red Cross Ambulance Appeal and this is your opportunity to enter on the ground floor so to speak. Each member will have one chance per ticket number held, in each of the eight draws made in each of the years of the appeal. Twenty four chances to win between 10 and 30 euros per ticket

How does it work?

Only tickets sold will be put into each draw, which will be drawn by the P.G.M. at Provincial meetings and at various Lodges around the Province. 40% of the first 100 tickets will be given in prizes. Should we sell more than the 100 tickets then Bonus prizes will be given throughout the period. All winners will be notified immediately after the draw, and cheques for the prizes will follow in the post. All tickets MUST ONLY be sold to Lodge members of Lodges in the Province of Valencia. There will be 3 prizes in each draw as follows: This ticket entitles you to entry into 8 draws to be held on the following Dates; Draw Month Prize (Total) 1 February 60 1stPrize 30 2 March 60 2ndPrize20 3 April 60 3rdPrize10 4 May 60 5 June 60 6 October 60 7 November 60 This means Brethren that with 8 draws and 8 December 60 and 3 prizes per draw then you will have 24 chances of winning 10 or more.

Cost: 12 per ticket

I suspect that not many Brethren of the Province of Valencia will be aware that there is a small Garden of Remembrance at the rear of the Sociedad Comps Masonic Hall in Ciudad Quesada, Rojales. This Garden of Remembrance was designed in 2005 specifically for the placement of the cremated remains of Freemasons should they or their families so desire it. The garden is situated in a peaceful setting away from the entrances and out of view of the public. This garden is a memorial to all who have had their ashes scattered there and loved ones are welcome to visit the garden for peaceful reflection. There are two options for the placement of ashes, it can be arranged for the ashes to be placed with a minimum of ceremony either by the family or a representative or arrangements can be made for a small service carried out by Brethren from a local Lodge. The placement of the ashes is recorded by a simple plaque mounted on the wall behind the garden just giving the name and dates of the Brother whose ashes have been placed in the Garden thereby giving the family an opportunity to commemorate the life of a loved one. During the summer recess this year it is planned that the garden will be enlarged, updated and a bench will be installed so that family and friends may spend quiet time there if they wish. If any Brother would like his ashes to be placed in the Garden of Remembrance they should talk to their family and advise them of their wishes and maybe leave instructions with their will. The ashes of family members may also be scattered on the Garden and although there will be no plaque, their names will be entered into the Book of Remembrance.

(Recognised within the Grand Lodge of Spain)

When first looked at through the eyes of a new or inexperienced mason the office of Almoner appears to be an office that requires little or no effort and even less responsibility. During the Installation ceremony a Past Master is conducted to the East and invested with a collar which he has generally worn for many years. After a few muttered words of thanks for his past services by the new Master he returns to his seat. For the rest of the year he carries out his duties of caring for the membership and their dependants. No matter what situation he encounters throughout the coming year, out of sight of the members of the Lodge for the most part he is expected to cope with every eventuality which comes his way and very frequently he does so without recognition or acknowledgement of the work he performs. Frequently the Brother so appointed to this role brings with him years of knowledge and first-hand experience. The role of Almoner has in recent times been recognised and acknowledged by Grand Lodge to have a greater degree of importance than perhaps had previously been the case. Taken with the greater longevity of the population as a whole together with the obvious effects this has upon, not only the membership of the Lodge itself but also the dependents of those same members, the work of the Almoner in the future is going to grow and of that he may be certain. In his traditional role the Lodge Almoner has a duty to advise, assist and where necessary seek out help and assistance of the various masonic and outside bodies for possible financial help, funeral arrangements, housebound assistance and sometimes permanent residential care. The actual role of the Lodge Almoner is, therefore, somewhat different from that first perceived by a newly made Brother of what the office encompasses, simply because the greater part of the work undertaken by the Almoner takes place out of sight of the members and much of it is very often not even known or reported to the Lodge itself. Almoners tend by their very nature to be less demonstrative of their efforts on behalf of the Lodge and its members and as a result their role can be minimised in the eyes of the membership. The range of knowledge and caring situations into which the new Almoner can find himself plunged quite suddenly are many and varied. It will be a very experienced Almoner indeed who can, without reference, handle every situation with precisely the single or varied form of approach that the vagaries of the role present to him. Unlike any other office in the Lodge, with perhaps the exception of the Secretary, the office of Almoner can be held by a Brother for many years without presenting any particular difficulty and quite suddenly a situation arises with which the Almoner is either totally unfamiliar or with which he is completely unprepared to deal. That is when the Almoner truly proves his worth.

The Almoners helping hand

Excellences, Distinguished Companions, Companions All, It is my honour and privilege to present to you the new Provincial Banner of Andaluca Royal Arch Masons. The first thing to ask is, "What is a banner, and what were their purpose?" Banners were, in ancient times huge, and could take ten or more men to carry them, unlike most banners today, such as this one, which are scaled down to make them manageable by one person for use indoors or for more decorative purposes. They were the ancient 'early warning systems' being carried in front of kings, armies, large columns of men or nobles to announce their coming and probably their intention. I want you to imagine we are in an ancient fortification and over the brow of a distant hill you see a large column of men approaching. Now suppose we know that we are in danger of being attacked by an army of hostiles but are also waiting for a friendly army of reinforcements to arrive. Is this body of men we see friend or foe? Do you prepare to welcome them or bombard them? Getting it wrong could be a costly mistake as on the one hand you may fail to prepare for an attack, and on the other, bombard your friends turning them into aggressors too. So what do you do?... You wait, until you can see their banners. Having spotted their banner we first notice it is red with gold glinting in the sun. Red is the colour of fire, and fire in ancient mythology and history is the symbol of regeneration, purification of souls and rebuilding. Thus red is the colour assigned to the Royal Arch since that degree teaches the regeneration of life, purification and the rebuilding of the Temple. Gold was considered by the ancients to represent the divine and indestructible. Our initial idea is that these are our friends from the Royal Arch and as they get closer we see some green and white with the red and gold. So our conclusion is that these men are Royal Arch Masons from Andaluca. Breath a sigh of relief, stand down and get out the welcome wagon! Once the column is almost to our gates we can finally read the writing on the banner and we find that the words corroborate the colours by telling us what we had deduced earlier by colour alone. At the top is, "Supremo Gran Capitulo de Espaa de los Masones del Arco Real de Jerusaln" denoting under whose auspices we operate and the bottom, boldly displayed, "Gran Capitulo Provincial de Andaluca" denoting our provincial allegiance. In the centre of the banner is the green and white logo of the Junta de Andaluca - Hercules wearing the skin of the Nemean Lion accompanied by two other lions standing between the Pillars of Hercules. This is flanked by two flags. On the right is the flag of Spain and on the left the flag of Andaluca depicting our connection to the State and to the Country. Surmounting this at the top of the banner is a simple device of a few lines in a circle. We commonly refer to this as the Triple Tau, but in effect only the most central shape is the Triple Tau, the other lines having other and further meaning. 'Triple' leads us to believe that there must be three Taus, so what is a Tau? A Tau is the 19th letter of the Greek alphabet and not the letter 'T'. In ancient times it was regarded as the symbol of life. A warrior returning honourably and unharmed from battle was marked on the forehead with a Tau as a sign that they were in perfect life. In the ancient past when a man was acquitted of a serious crime the judge could order that he be able to append a Tau to his name as a sign of his innocence. The Royal Arch Mystical lecture points to a passage in the Bible - Ezekiel Chapter 9: to the man clothed with linen, which had the writers inkhorn by his side. The Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a Tau upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.. so that they may be saved from God's impending wrath. Later versions of the Bible however, just refer to a 'mark' not a Tau. The union of the three Taus (The Triple Tau) alludes to God and in later Christian times to God's three constituent parts, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Cont..........

The Tripple Tau and its surrounding Triangle and then encompassed by a ring or circle. The Circle is an emblem of eternity and immortality having neither beginning nor end, and reminds us of God, who is, always has been and always will be, without beginning or end. On the reverse of the Banner is a small dedication plaque to the late E.Comp. Paul Prew-Smith who was a founder and first MEZ of Gemini Chapter 18. To those who know Paul little more need be said but for those who don't he was Gemini Chapter's DC, a man of immense knowledge of the Chapter Ritual, a live wire full of vigour who had behind him a long and distinguished Masonic career. I can best sum him up as simply, 'Mr. Gemini Chapter'. When I was asked to design this banner Gemini Chapter asked if they may underwrite the cost and dedicate it to Paul, which was readily agreed. However through kind donations from other Chapters in the Province the cost has been relative small to Gemini for which they offer their sincere thanks to their provincial companions. So Grand Superintendent of Andaluca, Excellencies, Provincial Officers and Companions of the Province I give you YOUR banner. Comp. Mike Brown G.P.Std.B. Scribe Ezra Gemini Chapter 18

was installed as Z in the Tajinaste Chapter No 10 Tenerife in November 2010 The photograph of the Principles Gerry Ruben Z Ronald Page H Roger Fisher J Gerry Ruben installed Ron Page to Z in November 2011

Saturday 5th May

Supreme Grand Chapter of Spain Annual Convocation City of Valencia Details to follow

Celebrating 21 years in Spain, was held at Grand Bali Hotel, Benidorm on Saturday 14th January 2012.
There were 190 delegates from Lodges throughout Spain and a large number of guests from England, Wales and Scotland, including from The Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales, the Deputy Grand Master, the Grand Secretary and the President of the General Board. Also present were Provincial Grand Masters from fourteen Provinces in England and Wales, representatives from London, Grand Master of the Spanish Craft, Most Worshipful Oscar de Alfonso Ortega and District Grand Masters of other degrees in Spain. The District Grand Master R.W.Bro Robert L Munday in his address reminded Brethren that this year we celebrate 21 years of Mark Masonry in Spain. He said looking back as one of the first Founders, he remembered vividly the first four Consecration ceremonies which were held in the City of Barcelona on the 15th and 16th of November 1991. Javea Lodge 1688, and Barcino Lodge 1683 were both consecrated on the 15th November followed by Arquimedes Lodge 1684 and Hesperides Lodge 1689 on the 16th November. Many revered brethren from both Mark Grand Lodge and Spanish Grand Craft participated, The late, MW Pro GM The Right Honourable Lord Swansea then officiated as Consecrating officer. The late, MW Grand Master, Luis Salat Gusils our Father of the reconstituted Craft in Spain, was among the original founders of Arquimedes Mark Lodge He went on to say that from the founding of those first four lodges in Spain, we realise today, just how much our order has expanded, in terms of active membership, geographical location and number of lodges established during those 21 years. Spain now boasts 22 Mark and 13 RAM lodges, with applications for further lodges currently in planning, the future looks bright. He said that he would like to think that the next 21 years progress will be just as rewarding. He added that the measure of our Marks success is not based purely on numbers, it is perhaps more about the proliferation of the Spirit of Mark Friendship and those fundamental attributes and cardinal virtues of Freemasonry which we are regularly and freely reminded of, during our Lodge Ceremonies. It is that spirit which binds us brethren; it is that bond which makes us 21 years strong, fully united and committed to our Districts future. He said the future, will soon be in the hands of our young and progressive members, so it is well to remember, that the example we set them today, along side the encouragement we give them whilst in office, will certainly influence, and hopefully, help plot, a true and promising path to our next celebration. He concluded in confirming that it is not his intention to hold on to this office for many more years, and believes, that will be, in the best interest of our District going forward. Sometime during 2013, he hopes to step down and relinquish the role to another, who will be chosen and appointed by the MW Grand Master nearer the time. During the last 21 years, we have collectively formed a fiscally strong, happy and progressive base for the Mark and Ram degrees in Spain, one which we are proud to be a part of, and one, which has a tremendous future, assuring Brethren, that he remains committed to its continued success.

District Officers 2012 2013

Dist. G. Senior Warden Dist. G. Junior Warden Dist. G. Master Overseer Dist. G. Senior Overseer Dist. G. Junior Overseer Dist. G. Chaplain Dist. G. Treasurer Dist. G. Registrar Dist. G. Secretary Dist. G. Director of Ceremonies Dist. G. Almoner Dist. G. Charity Steward Dist. G. Inspector of Works Dist. G. Sword Bearer Dist. G. Deputy Chaplain Dist. G. Deputy Secretary Dist. G. Deputy Director of Ceremonies Dist. G. Senior Deacon Dist. G. Senior Deacon Dist. G. Junior Deacon Dist. G. Junior Deacon Dist. G. A.D.C. Dist. G. A.D.C. Dist. G. A.D.C. Dist. G. A.D.C. Dist.G. Organist Dist. G. Standard Bearer Dist. G. Inner Guard Dist.G. Steward Dist.G. Steward Dist.G. Steward Dist.G. Steward Dist. G. Tyler P.Dist.GJW. P.Dist.GJW. P.Dist.GJW. P.Dist.GJW P.Dist.GJW P.Dist.GJO. P.Dist.GSD. P.Dist.GJD. P Dist GADC. P.Dist.GADC. P.Dist.GADC. W. Bro. Sabino Pereda W. Bro. Paul Shingler W. Bro. David Wightman W. Bro. Jeffrey Ashton W. Bro. Peter Kent W. Bro. Neville G. Jarrett, PGStd.B. W. Bro. Eddy Bamford W. Bro. Colin Hesketh PGStd.B W .Bro. Barrie J. Howard. PAGDC . W. Bro. Michael Baker, GStwd. W. Bro. Raymond Heath. PGSwdB. W. Bro. Wyndham Neish W. Bro. Nick Van Loan W. Bro. David Greatrex W. Bro. Philip Dawe W. Bro. Stuart R. Walters W. Bro. David Poxon W. Bro. Roy Mitchell W. Bro. Sam Robinson W. Bro. David Hammond Bro. Peter Ayres W. Bro. Terry Porter W.Bro. David Oliver W.Bro. Manuel Salinas W.Bro. Ian Gibson Bro. Gerald Hales Bro. Steve Cardwell Bro. Mike Banks Bro. Graham Beech Bro. K. Tanner Bro. Ian Crawford Bro. Jeffrey Hyde Bro. Rick Jones W.Bro. Neil Rodgers W.Bro. Leslie Nobes W.Bro.Ray Collins W.Bro. David Rees Davies W.Bro. Steve Preston W.Bro. Douglas Frankland W.Bro. David Jarvie W.Bro. Reginald Botevyle-Carter W Bro. David Williams W.Bro. Norman Hay W.Bro. Roderick McKinnon-Coombe

Past District Ranks

RAM District Grand Rank

W Bro. Ron Bishop W.Bro. Ray Collins W.Bro. W. Strudwick W.Bro. Sabino Pereda W.Bro. Paul Shingler W.Bro. Stuart Walters

Michael Herbert, Asst Grand Master John Brackley, Grand Sec. Peter Rollin, President of the General Board.

Knights Templar Priests

Submitted by Keith Moseley
The Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests or the Order of the Holy Wisdom, to give them their correct title, is a Christian Order and has its origins in Ireland (1755), Scotland (1800) and officially England (1812). There is evidence of the rite being worked in the late 1700s and early 1800s in all of those countries, together with the USA, Canada, France and even Corfu. Now it has finally reached our beloved Spain. The reason for its inclusion in the magazine is that the first Tabernacle of Knights Templar Priests is about to be Consecrated, probably in March 2012 and qualifying Masons are being invited to become Founders, Initiates or Joining Members. A group of both Spanish and British Valencian Brethren are to visit the UK in February in order to be initiated into the Order there. They can then become founders themselves when the Tabernacle is opened; anyone interested is welcome to join them. The qualifications for membership are as follows:- You must be a subscribing member of 1) A Craft Lodge (any jurisdiction), 2) Royal Arch Chapter, 3) A Knights Templar Preceptory. You must also be a Past Master of a Craft Lodge and profess the Christian Faith. For those lacking in some of the qualifications memberships of these orders are available now at discount prices. One of the many aspects of this Order that appeal to already overworked Masons is that most of the work in the Tabernacle is recited from the Texts, provided at each of the seven stations, only needing some little more effort once one has been anointed as a High Priest of the Order. In addition existing K.T. robes are interchangeable with K.T.P., only requiring an alternative in headwear. The Order is governed by the Grand College of England and so one can be a member of the qualifying orders in either country. The Order, in its modern form, does not set out to be deliberately exclusive but it does require that a Mason needs to be of a certain standing and qualification within Freemasonry itself, in order to comprehend and appreciate this especial degree. If you are interested or need further information, please contact the Valencian Provincial Grand Master on barrie.mansell@gmail.com

The Knights Beneficent of the Holy City, more commonly referred to as Chevaliers Bienfaisant de la Cit Sainte (CBCS), took its rise following a Convention held at Wilhelmsbad in 1782 and is the oldest order connected with freemasonry which has had a continuous existence. It is derived from the Rite of Strict Observance erected in 1754, the foundation of which was attributed to Baron von Hund; it propounded a theory that freemasonry was developed directly from the Crusading Templars, embodying a belief that the Order was ruled by unknown superiors. At one time it had many Provinces scattered throughout Europe, but slowly over some 28 years the influence of the Strict Observance waned and it was finally reconstructed to become the Scottish Rectified Rite (CBCS). The degrees of the Order (not fully worked by all Priories) are those practised in the Lodge of St Andrew and The Order of the Interior, operating under the Great Priory of Helvetia. The grades of the Rite are structured as under: Conferred in a Symbolic Lodge: 1. Entered Apprentice 2. Fellowcraft 3. Master Mason Conferred in a Great Priory 4a. Scottish Master of St Andrew: This grade makes reference to the divine tradition of the Temple of Solomon and the abiding presence of the Holy Shekinah. It also infers that while the first Temple was laid to ruins there still remained within the sacred knowledge of the God of Israel. 4b. Perfect Master of St Andrew: Here the legend of the second Temple is developed, exhorting the true seeker to penetrate the tomb of Hiram in search of the lost word. His labours are rewarded by the allegorical personality of the Master Builder being raised like a veil to reveal the risen Christ and thereby unfolds a Christian interpretation of the letters forming the name of our GM; it also hints at the coming of the New Jerusalem, the mystic Zion. 5. Squire Novice: This grade, like that of a Knight, is conferred in a Commandery and recounts a legend that at the dawn of the Christian era, wise and illuminated sages dwelling within the Holy City were converted to Christianity by St Mark. The secret work of initiation required that their doctrine be transmitted by secret oral tradition, which was done and culminated in the Knights Templar who were reputed to be the latter custodians of this divine knowledge. 6. Knight Beneficent of the Holy City: In the final grade it is revealed to the Novice that at the zenith of ancient Egyptian civilisation and even with Orpheus, Pythagoras and Pluto a religious dogma existed, which was identical with that of Christianity. It is further explained that the Chivalry of the Holy City was manifested in good works being the perfect path to God and by the diffusion of such works ensuring the greatest good to the human family and the final attainment of the true enlightenment. In addition to Switzerland (to which Spain is affiliated) there are today five other Great Priories in the world, situated in the following countries USA (erected 1934), France (1935), England (1937), Germany (1959) and Belgium (1986). In England the CBCS is controlled by the Grand Priory of the KTs, but little is known of its membership as meetings are very infrequent and normally only held when a new member is received..

We meet in the Grand lodge in Barcelona. Ole Thorson, who is a member of GLE, can give you further details.

Part 1 of 3 (discovering the Secrets)

That the Stonemasons of the Middle Ages had in their possession certain very important secrets, which they religiously abstained from, communicating to any other Masons who were not of the fraternity, is a fact of which there cannot be a doubt. But to discover what these secrets were is a task that has puzzled the brains of more than one investigator. We have seen that there were passwords, signs, and other methods of recognition which were established to enable the members of the Craft to make themselves known in strange places and to strange brethren, and which were simply matters of convenience forming the part of a system not peculiar to the Masons, but which has, in all ages, been practiced by every association of men who desired to preserve an exclusive organization. But these modes of recognition did not constitute the secrets of the Freemasons, which bound them together as a united sodality having in every country the same aims and objects. Such secrets were of far more value and importance than any arbitrary code of signals adopted as a means of communication and mutual recognition. The evidence is very patent, in all the old Constitutions and Regulations that the Freemasons were in possession of secrets which the members of the fraternity were strictly forbidden to communicate to outsiders. Thus the Strasburg Constitution forbids any Master or Fellow Craft to instruct anyone who is not of the Craft in any part belonging to Masonry. There was in the lodge a certain book which was kept by the Master under an oath that he would permit no part of it to be copied. It is evident that this book must have contained something besides the Statutes, because a book of mere regulations would hardly have been invested with such a character of sanctity. But the earliest of the English Constitutions, that known as the Halliwell MS., is still more explicit on this subject. The third point - tercius peonctus - is an admonition to Apprentices to keep the secrets of the Craft which have been entrusted to them. He was to keep close the counsel of his Master and his Fellows; he was to reveal to no man matters which had been privately discussed (the prevystye of the chamber), nor what had been done in the lodge. "The thrydde poynt most be severele, With the prerites knowe hyt wele. Hys Mayster cownsel he kepe and close And bys felows by hys goode purpose; The prevystye of the chamber tell he no man, Ny yn the logge whatsever they done; Whatsever thou heryst or syste hem do, Telle hyt no mon, whersever thou go; The cownsel of halle and yeke of boure, Kepe hyt wel to gret honoure Lest hyt wolde torne thyself to blame, And brynge the craft unto gret shame." * (* Halliwell MS.," t. 275-286.) It seems scarcely capable of a doubt that these secrets were of an architectural nature. The architects and builders who invented the Gothic style of architecture, and built all the religious edifices of the Middle Ages, and who, as Mr. Hope says, whatever might be the locality in which they were placed, either north, south, east, or west, derived their science from a central school, must have been in possession of certain principles of their art, which they kept exclusively to themselves. From the most distant points whither these "Traveling Freemasons" might have wandered, they maintained, with their brethren of the Craft, a constant correspondence, and communicated to each other the minutest improvement in their art. * (* Hope, "Historical Essay on Architecture," P. 238. ) The whole object of this part of Mr. Hope's work is to show that the Masons who issued from Lombardy and spread over Europe after the 10th century were in possession of rules of construction which constituted the secrets of the great Fraternity which they formed.) It was in the 10th century that the science of geometry is supposed to have first given its aid to architecture by the learned Gerbert, who from the archbishopric of Ravenna had been advanced, in the year 999, to the papacy, under the name of Sylvester H. Mosheim says of him that his genius was extensive and sublime, embracing all the branches of literature, but more particularly mathematics. His studies in geometry were so far beyond the attainments of the age in which he lived that his geometrical figures were regarded by the monks as magical operations, and he himself considered as a magician and a disciple of Satan. To him Europe is said to have been indebted for the introduction of the Arabic numerals, which he brought from Cordova, in Spain, where he spent several years in acquiring the language and the learning of the Arabians.

I am not ready to subscribe to the opinion of some writers who suppose that the builders of the 10th century were placed in possession of the method of applying geometric science to the secrets of architecture. But I think it highly probable that by his learning as a mathematician he gave the first impetus to the study of geometry by the monkish and the lay architects of his times. This led to the application of the principles of that science at a little later period to the art of building, so as to develop into the system of geometrical secrets, which distinguished the builders of the Gothic style, or the Freemasons of the Middle Ages. Lord Lindsay, in his Sketches of the History of Christian Art, significantly alludes to this possession of architectural secrets as an important element in the strength of these medieval Masons. His language is well worth quotation. Speaking of the symbolic style of architecture - an architecture in which everything was made subservient to the expression of religious ideas by means of symbolism, which, beginning in Lombardy, had been diffused over all Europe, both north and south of the Alps - Lord Lindsay assigns the following as the cause of that diffusion: "What chiefly contributed to its diffusion over Europe, was the exclusive monopoly in Christian architecture, conceded by the Popes toward the close of the 8th century, to the Masons of Como, then, and for ages afterward, when the title of Magistri Comacini had long been absorbed in that of 'Free and Accepted Masons,' associated as a craft or brotherhood in art and friendship. A distinct and powerful body, composed eventually of all nations, concentrating the talent of each successive generation, with all the advantages of accumulated experience and constant mutual communication - imbued, moreover, in that age of faith, with the deepest Christian reverence, and retaining their advantages unchallenged till their proscription in the 15th and 16th centuries - we cannot wonder that the Freemasons should have carried their art to a pitch, which now that their secrets are lost, it may be considered hopeless to attempt to rival." * (* "Sketches of the History of Christian Art," ii., p. 14.) Mr. Paley, in his Manual of Gothic Architecture, touches rather tenderly on this subject, for he thinks that little or nothing has ever transpired of the secret system which the Freemasons adopted in building, nor of the organization of their body, except that it was ecclesiastical and under the jurisdiction and benediction of the Pope. He supposes, however, that there was some central school whence emanated all the rules which were developed in a positive identity of architectural details in the minutest points; or if there were no such school that the Master Masons went about like missionaries teaching these principles. (* "Manual of Gothic Architecture," chap. vi., p. 210.) Elsewhere, in the same work, he becomes more explicit in respect to these secrets, and thinks that they consisted in an application of the principles of geometry to architecture. It is, he says, certain that geometry lent its aid in the planning and designing of buildings, and the methods of application were, he thinks, evidently "profound secrets in the keeping of the Freemasons." *(* Ibid., chap. iii., p. 78.) He expatiates on this theory and supposes that the equilateral triangle was probably the basis of most formations, as it is exhibited in a majority of pointed arches as well as in the vesica piscis, a prominent mystic symbol of the medieval Masons. And this theory is greatly strengthened by the fact - which was probably not known to Mr. Paley, or at least he does not refer to it - that the equilateral triangle is one of the most important and significant of the symbols of the Speculative Masons, who indeed have founded most of their symbolism on geometrical principles borrowed from or suggested by the practices of the medieval Operative Masons, who were their predecessors. Michelet, in his History of France, * has some very profound remarks Bruxelles, 1840. (* "Histoire de France," par M. Michelet.) The same views had been previously announced by Boisseree in his description of the Cathedral of Cologne, and Michelet acknowledges his indebtedness to that writer. marks on this subject of the secret of the medieval Masons. He shows that it was geometrical and consisted in an application of the science of numbers, used in a mystical sense to the art of building according to the principles of Gothic architecture, which was the peculiar style of the Freemasons. He illustrates this view from examples furnished by cathedrals built by the fraternity from the 11th century onward. His views are worth consideration.

He says that this geometry of beauty, as he calls it, is conspicuous in the type of Gothic architecture as exhibited in the Cathedral of Cologne. This is a regular body which has grown in its appropriate proportions with a regularity equal to that of the formation of crystals. The cross of this church is strictly deduced from the figure by which Euclid constructs the equilateral triangle. The numbers 10 and 12, with their divisors and their multiples, were the numbers which guided and controlled all the measures of the edifice. Of these, 10 was the human number, because it was that of the fingers; 12 was the divine number, being astronomical in its relations. To these 7 were added as the number of the planets. The inferior parts of the building are modled on the square, and subdivided into the octagon; the superior are modeled on the triangle and are developed in the hexagon and the lodecagon. The arcade, thrown from one pillar to another, is fifty feet wide, and this number is repeated throughout the building in some of its multiples. Thus the side-aisles are 25 feet, or one-half the width of the arcade; the facade is thrice its width, or 150 feet.
The entire length of the church is three times its entire breadth, or nine times the width of the arcade. The breadth of the whole church is equal to the length of the choir, of the nave, and to the height of the middle of the roof. The proportion of the length to the height is as 2 is to 5. Finally, the numbers of the arcade and the side-aisles are repeated externally in the counterfoils and buttresses. There are seven chapels of the choir, which is the number of the gifts of the Holy Ghost and of the Sacraments, according to the Catholic Church, and the choir is supported by twice seven columns. This predilection for mystical numbers occurs in all the churches of the medieval period. Thus the Cathedral of Rheims has 7 entrances, and both it and the Cathedral of Chartres have 7 chapels around the choir. The choir of Notre Dame, at Paris, has 7 arcades. The cross-aisle is 144 feet long, which is 16 times 9, and 42 feet wide, which is 6 times 7. The towers of Notre Dame are 204 feet high, which, is 17 times 12, the astronomical number. The length of the church of Notre Dame at Rheims is 408 feet, or 34 times 12. The Cathedral of Notre Dame has 297 columns; but 297 divided by 3 gives 99, and this divided by 3 again produces 33. The naves of St. Ouen at Rouen, and of the Cathedrals of Strasburg and Chartres, are of the same length, or 244 feet. The Saint Chapelle, at Paris, is 110 feet long and 27 feet wide, but 110 is 10 times 11, and 27 is 3 times 9. In these few examples we have developed the numbers 3, 7, 9, 10, 11, and 12, all of which have been retained in the mystical system of the Speculative Freemasons, and their appearance among the medieval Masons could have been neither by an accident nor a coincidence but must have arisen from a predetermined selection. "To whom, then," says Michelet, "belonged this science of numbers, this divine mathematics? To no mortal man, but to the Church of God." Under the shadow of the Church, in chapters and in monasteries, the secret was transmitted together with instruction in the mysteries of Christianity. The Church alone could accomplish these miracles of architecture. She would often summon a whole people to complete a monument. A hundred thousand men labored at once on that of Strasburg, and such was their zeal that they did not suffer night to interrupt their labors, but continued them by the light of torches. The Church would often expend centuries an the slow accomplishment of a perfect work. Renaud de Montauban, for instance, bore stones for the building of the Cathedral of Cologne, and to this day it is still in process of erection. * (* "Histoire de France," liv. iv., chap. ii., p. 369. (The Cathedral of Cologne has since been completed.) Part 2 in the next issue of the magazine Starting with Michelet has found, in the geometrical proportions observed in the construction of religious edifices, a conformity to the principles of art laid down by Vitruvius and by Pliny, and thus in the Gothic style of architecture the Freemasons have preserved the traditions of antiquity.

An Order of David and Jonathan existed in Holland in the 18th Century but our present Order was brought from America by Dr. I. Zacharie about 1875. Originally the Order, as worked in America, consisted of a single degree, which could be conferred on any worthy Master Mason by another brother who had received it himself. Under Zacharie, a Grand Council was formed in 1887 and the ritual was extended to the present system of three degrees. Later there followed a problematic period when the Grand Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees was empowered to confer the American version of the Degree.

The conflict between the two bodies was mainly resolved in 1931, when all rights were transferred to the Grand Council (later Grand Conclave) of the Order of the Secret Monitor. However, the question of recognition remained outstanding until 13th November, 2008, when in an impressive ceremony in Birmingham, representatives from The Grand Conclave (UK) and The Allied Masonic Degrees (USA) signed Articles of Agreement as follows:
"By the Articles of agreement between... The Grand Conclave of the Order of the Secret Monitor or Brotherhood of David and Jonathan in the British Isles and its Districts and Conclaves Overseas and The Grand Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees of the United States of America ARTICLE 2 The Grand Conclave of the Order of the Secret Monitor or Brotherhood of David and Jonathan in the British Isles and its Districts and Conclaves Overseas and The Grand Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees of the United States of America mutually recognize each other, and their respective Officers as the proper authorities to control and superintend the Order of the Secret Monitor in their respective jurisdictions and will afford full Masonic courtesy to the rank, title and privilege of their respective Officers Grand and subordinate. This effectively means that each Sovereign body will recognise as Secret Monitors all Brethren who hold the certificates of the three Degrees issued by the other Sovereign Jurisdiction.

D.G.S.R. Barry Ashcroft G.S.R. Michael Guest D.D.G.S.R. Jose Luis Menayo-Garcia

This Order is administered from Mark Masons' Hall, 86 St. James's Street, London SW1A 1PL and is completely separate from all other Orders in Freemasonry - although at one time the Ceremonies were part of the Allied Masonic Degrees - originating from the United States of America. It is known as the "Friendly Degree" and this arises from the caring manner in which every Brother in the Conclave (Lodge) is allocated to a Visiting Deacon with four in each Conclave, numbered one to four. Each member of the Conclave is allocated one of these numbers against his name in the Conclave Summons. The Visiting Deacon is responsible for contacting each of his charges between the meetings to ascertain as to his well-being and that of his family and great store is placed on the friendship which arises between each Visiting Deacon and his charges. The Visiting Deacons themselves are under the supervision of the Conclave Scroll Bearer who calls the Muster Roll at each meeting when the Supreme Ruler (Master) of the Conclave receives reports of his Visiting Deacons.

Jvea Conclave No. 378 Costa Nova Masonic Centre, Cta. La Guardia 146, Costa Nova, 03730 Javea, Alicante email: barfran2000@gmail.com Catalonia Conclave No. 382 Gran Logia de Espaa, Gran Via de les Cort Catalanes, 617 bajo, 08007, Barcelona email: jcebmar@yahoo.es Seferad Conclave No 388 Hotel Playamaro, Maro, Nerja, Andalucia Email: mick@ya.com Caledonia Conclave No. 411 Sociedad Comps, Calle Toledo 14, Ciudad Quesada, Rojales, Alicante email: tvosm411@live.co.uk Perpetua Fraternidad Conclave No. 488 Gran Logia de Espaa, Calle Juan Ramn Jimnez, 6 Madrid Email: jlmenoyo@gmail.com Tenerife Conclave No. 498 Guaracarumbo Restaurant, Guaza, Arona, Tenerife email: jeffandpamashton@yahoo.co.uk Lanzarote Conclave No. 515 The Hotel Lancelot, Avda. Mancomunidad 9, Arrecife, Lanzarote Email: south.porch.lodge@telefonica.net Ger Anat Conclave No. 567 Calle Sor Irene, Maracena, Granada Email: mwhitenegro@gmail.com

Upon being Inducted into the First Degree of the Order a Brother wears a Breast Jewel that is supplied by the Conclave. When he has taken his Second or Princes Degree he wears a similar Breast Jewel that is suspended from a ribbon of a different colour. In both degrees Conclave Officers wear a crimson sash. The Supreme Ruler of a Conclave wears a jewel of the Order suspended from a collaret and a distinctive sash with the letters SR upon it. In addition he wears a violet robe with yellow edging. A Provincial/District Grand Officer wears a blue sash, edged with gold. The sash has his rank embroidered upon it together with the name of his Province/District. A Grand Officer wears a crimson sash with his rank embroidered in gold. Grand Officers and Provincial/District Officers also wear a collaret and jewel.

Ancient and Masonic Order Of the Scarlet Cord In the British Isles and its Districts And Consistories Overseas.
This new Order was inaugurated on 21st July, 2010 at Freemason's Hall, Great Queen Street, London. There are 3 Consistories located in Spain.
Qualifications for Membership Master Mason and Subscribing Prince of the Order of the Secret Monitor

Address to the Supreme Rulers Conclave No.123 at Mark Masons Hall on Friday, 8th June, 2001

Royal Order of Masonic Knights of the Scarlet Cord

In response to the interest shown by Brethren, in their questions when visiting Conclaves in the Provinces, I am going to talk to you about an Order developed in the British Isles in 1889 which was founded upon ancient 18th Century documents from the Amsterdam Masonic archives. The rituals and ceremonies were rewritten and enriched by one of the authors of the three rituals currently used in our Secret Monitor ceremonies. I refer, of course, to His Honour Judge Frederick Adolphus Philbrick, K.C., and the Royal Order of Knights of the Scarlet Cord. Actively involved with Philbrick in the embryo stages of this appendant rite were several other founders of our Grand Conclave, Dr Issachar Zacharie Colonel Shadwell Clerke, Grand Secretary of the Craft, General Charles Randolph, PGW, Colonel Sir Francis Burdett, Charles Fitzgerald Matier, Grand Secretary of the Mark, Richard Ede, W G Lemon, James Lewis Thomas and William Joseph Spratling; also Japheth Tickle, the D.R. of the Order, the Earl of Warwick, the Earl of Londesborough, the Earl of Halsbury, Lord Methuen, Charles Edward Keyser, The Maharajah of Cooch Behar, H H Nawab Waheed-ud-deen Khan Bahadur, H H Nawab Najib-uddeen, J Waldie Pearson, Chancellor of the Diocese of Pretoria; C J Higgs, Madras; Frank Chatterton, Kerala; and many other distinguished Secret Monitors from Bangalore, Calcutta, Hyderabad, Natal, Transvaal, Burma, and the British Isles Candidates for membership of The Royal Order of Knights of the Scarlet Cord were required to be Princes of the Order, and holders of a special Badge showing membership of the Fund of Benevolence of the Order of the Secret Monitor, a requirement I shall enlarge upon in due course. Further than this there was no bar to admission, except the usual ballot. Members were of six classes or Grades. (1) The Elected (Companions) called Ostiarii, or Doorkeepers C.S.C. (2) The Chosen (Readers) called Lectores or Readers R.S.C. (3) The Promoted (Fellows) called Exorcists or Healers F.S.C. (4) The Preferred (Court of Assistants) called Courtly Companion C.C.S.C. (5) The Dedicated (Revered Companions) called High Priests H.P.S.C. (6) The Installed (Knightly Companions) called Knights K.C.S.C. The Knights of the Royal Order, the High Priests, and the Court of Assistants together formed the Court of the Confedarati, and when attended by the officers appointed, the assembly was denominated the Senatus. Presiding over all these Grades was the Summus in his office of Chief of the Senatus in the Court of the Confedarati. It was to this body that all regulations were submitted, (when approved by the Court of Assistants), and if there sanctioned, the Ordinances of the Court of the Confedarati became Statutes of the Order, and, thus, binding upon the whole body of Prince Masons. Each Prince Mason was styled a Companion, but he may become entitled to the appellation Courtly. Revered or Knightly according to his Office or seniority. Members of the Court of Assistants were either Acolytes of High Priests, or Aides de Camp of Knights, and if the latter, they were appointed to a command, when qualified, and then wore the red epaulettes. (Show them.) Should they attain to the Presidency of the Court of Assistants they were entitled to wear Golden Epaulettes. (Show them.) All Members of the Court of Assistants wore a Garter of nobility and a handsome Jewel, with a collarette of ribbon varying with their rank

The first three Grades of the Order met in a Consistory and such a Consistory was warranted for any Province or District of the Order of the Secret Monitor. A Sub-Consistory was an offshoot from a full Consistory, and in a large geographical area would usually be set up in a neighbourhood distant from the main big city location for the convenience of its members, but could work only in Grades (1) and (2), and was subject to all the rules and regulations prescribed by the Consistory of which it formed a part. Consistories and Sub-Consistories were severely restricted in the number of subscribing members, which could not, in any event, exceed Fifteen for Grade (1)-Eleven for Grade (2)-and Nine for Grade (3); but there were certain arrangements for supernumerary and Honorary members subject to the assent of the Court of Assistants of the Order, in every case. Members of a higher Grade were not precluded from taking part in the ceremonies of Grades below their own Grade. Grades higher than the third were not worked out of London, unless by command of the Summus it was desired to institute a moveable Court of Assistants for any special purpose. The Senatus met annually on the day before the meeting of the Grand Conclave of the Order, and at that convocation new Knights were invested and installed. The Court of Assistants met twice a year on the day afore-mentioned, and upon a day in November whose date varied with the Benevolent Fund Festival of the Order of the Secret Monitor. At either of those meetings proposals for preferment were received and dealt with. A Sanhedrim for dedicating a High Priest was called when desired under the authority of the Court. All applications for the Higher Grades had to be made through the Registrar of the Court of the Senatus. All members of the Court or Senatus had to appear in Court dress or in the uniform of a commissioned officer of His Majestys Forces. A Companion holding office as Lord Lieutenant, or Deputy Lieutenant, could appear in the uniform belonging thereto, and permission was usually granted to members who desired to wear other official uniform. Ordinary evening dress, however, was not sufficient for members of either Court but it was de rigeur for Junior Officers. Companions from India were invited to appear in the costume which they would wear at a function in the presence of Royalty in their own native State. Diplomatic uniforms were also permissible. All members of the Royal Order of the Scarlet Cord were admitted to the Senatus, but they had to be in Court, or evening dress at least. At the Convocation of the Senatus, not only were Knights invested and installed, but it was the pleasure of the Summus annually to anoint some Companion who had attained to that rank, and it was from those so anointed that any vacancy in the office of Episcopus or Diaconus was filled.

All the other Officers were selected from the Court of Assistants but there were Junior Officers who were generally chosen from the Consistories. The High Officers all had to be within easy access of London, and it was the same with the other working Officers, but it was the custom to appoint as Deputy Officers five Companions who were domiciled overseas. All offices were yearly appointments, and for so long as it pleased the Summus to re-appoint the same Companion. It was clearly understood, however, that any Officer who was absent from two consecutive meetings, and had not attended the annual assembly for rehearsal, would not be reappointed without the special recommendation of the Court of Assistants. Which was very rarely exercised.
Philbrick and a group of enthusiasts, first worked the first meeting of the Royal Order of the Scarlet Cord with its spectacular ceremonial, exotic regalia and dress requirements, in 1889, with all the panache and pomp of an Indian Durbar or State occasion. It was a full dress assembly of the whole Senatus and Confedarati, and as a foretaste of what was to follow it certainly whet the appetites of the Grand Originals who were present. The working of the various Grades with its intricate structure, however, had to take place in Consistories and their development in the British Isles and in Territories Overseas took some time to come to fruition. Part 2. (in the next issue) Returning to the fund badge requirement.......... Article submitted by Barry Ashcrofy

The Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon is an independent British masonic organisation. Membership is restricted to those who are subscribing members of a Preceptory in amity with the Great Priory of the United Religious, Military and Masonic Order of the Temple of England and Wales and Provinces Overseas (commonly referred to as the Knights Templar). The basic organisation of the Order is a Chapel The Order of St. Thomas of Acon was established in 1974 as a result of twenty years' research in the Guildhall Library in London by John E. N. Walker, who for many years was the Secretary General of the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia. The ancient records of the Order, written in medieval French and Latin, had been deposited in the Guildhall Library and escaped the Great Fire of 1666. The Order now operates under the official title of The Commemorative Order of St Thomas of Acon. As of July 2007 there were eighty Chapels of the Order in England, Wales, Spain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States of America. The regalia of the Order is similar to that of a Knight Templar, that is, a stone white tunic, on the front of which is a Latin Cross, Medici Crimson, four inches wide, the full length of the tunic, on which is superimposed a white Latin Cross one-third the width. The intersection of the Cross is charged with a Bronze Escallope Shell, four inches diameter. Over the tunic is worn a stone white mantle with hood; on the left breast, a Greek Cross of ten inches length, upon which is a smaller white cross, the intersection of which is charged with a Bronze Escallope Shell. Knights also wear a crimson velvet cap, the front of which is charged with a Bronze Escallope Shell. Knights, with the exception of the Prior and Almoner, wear a sword belt and sword with scabbard. The banner of the Order depicts the Arms of the Order and comprises: Argent, a Cross Rouge extending to the edge of the Banner, upon which is superimposed a smaller Cross Argent. In the first quarter of the Banner is an Escallope Shell. In Spain there is only one Chapel, Humanitas Chapel N 34 which meets in Sociedad Comps, Rojales it was consecrated in 2004 and is a very successful and vibrant Chapel. Humanitas Chapel No. 34 Sociedad Comps, C/. Toledo 14, Ciudad Quesada, 03170, Rojales (Alicante) 4th Wednesday Feb (Installation), Apr and 1st Friday of Dec. Secretary: Kt. P. Ayers email: pete.ayres1@gmail.com

There are five Degrees that are worked in the Order of the Allied Masoniic Degrees which is open to Brethren who are Mark and Royal Arch Masons and of any faith. The Degree of St Lawrence the Martyr must be taken first as this is the entry degree and is a requisite for participating in Council meetings. It explains how Lawrence gave his life rather than betray his principles, responsibilities, integrity and fortitude are the lessons to be learned here. Jewel Gridiron in silver suspended from an orange ribbon with royal blue edging The other four degrees, which can be taken in any order and in any Council, are Knight of Constantinople, Grand Tiler of Solomon, Grand High Priest, and Red Cross of Babylon.

Saint Lawrence was one of seven deacons who were in charge of giving help to the poor and the needy. When a persecution broke out, Pope St. Sixtus was condemned to death. As he was led to execution, Lawrence followed him weeping, "Father, where are you going without your deacon?" he said. "I am not leaving you, my son," answered the Pope. "in three days you will follow me." Full of joy, Lawrence gave to the poor the rest of the money he had on hand and even sold expensive vessels to have more to give away. The Prefect of Rome, a greedy pagan, thought the Church had a great fortune hidden away. So he ordered Lawrence to bring the Church's treasure to him. The Saint said he would, in three days. Then he went through the city and gathered together all the poor and sick people supported by the Church. When he showed them to the Prefect, he said: "This is the Church's treasure!" In great anger, the Prefect condemned Lawrence to a slow, cruel death. The Saint was tied on top of an iron grill over a slow fire that roasted his flesh little by little, but Lawrence was burning with so much love of God that he almost did not feel the flames. In fact, God gave him so much strength and joy that he even joked. "Turn me over," he said to the judge. "I'm done on this side!" And just before he died, he said, "It's cooked enough now." Then he prayed that the city of Rome might be converted to Jesus and that the Catholic Faith might spread all over the world. After that, he went to receive the martyr's reward. Saint Lawrence's feast day is August 10th.

RW Bro. Alan J. Baverstock is pleased to announce that the first Court in Spain will be consecrated in Gran Canaria (Canary Islands) on Saturday 14th April 2012. The Court of St Andrew No. 83 is to be the first of a number of Courts that will eventually form the basis for a new overseas Province. The MW Grand Master is delighted at this expansion of the Order into Europe and the Court will fall under the administration of Grand Court at first. The Court will meet on the second Saturdays in April, August and December at Centro Masoneria, Casa Verde, Carretera a la Atalaya 3, 35300 Santa Brigida, Gran Canaria. Islas Canarias. Spain.

The MW Grand Master will be travelling to Gran Canaria to consecrate The Court of St Andrew No. 83 on Saturday 14th April 2012 and he wishes to extend an invitation to any brother who may be interested in assisting as part of the Consecration team or who merely wishes to attend this historic occasion. All travel within our Order is voluntary and self funded and in the past many brethren have enjoyed the adventure that such overseas trips bring. Any brother who is interested in serving on the Grand Court team please contact the Grand Secretary by Monday 6th February 2012 and full details of the event will be forwarded . The MW Grand Master would like to stress that any Court Master Mason may assist regardless of your rank within the Order.

The MW Grand Master is delighted to announce the appointment of W Bro. Madhavan Chellappa as Provincial Grand Master-designate for the Province of Southern India as of 1st February 2012. W Bro. Chellappa was the primus Provincial Grand Treasurer for the former Province of Madras and is a very experienced mason holding high rank in many masonic Orders, most notably he is the Assistant Grand Supreme Ruler of the Order of the Secret Monitor. RW Bro. Dr. Ghanshyam M. Patel the Assistant Grand Master in charge of India will formally Invest W Bro. Chellappa at a special meeting of The Millennium Court No. 47 to be held in Chennai on Friday 2nd March 2012.

The MW Grand Master with the assistance of the Provincial Grand Master for Wessex, RW Bro. Malcolm Burns, carried out the dedication of the Provincial Banner at the meeting of Malmesbury Court No. 100 in Malmesbury on Tuesday 10th January 2012. More photographs of this historic event are available in the Members Section of the website. The Grand Registrar is delighted to announce that the 2012 Year Book is now available for download from the Members Section of the website. A limited number of hard copies are available for sale at 2.00 each and obtainable through the Deputy Grand Secretary.

HONOR VIRTUTIS PRAEMIUM

This new section, highlights famous masons throughout history and up to the present day.

Each issue we will focus on famous masons in more detail, taking a journey through their masonic and public lives. The idea and concept for this section was due to an article sent in to us by: Rodney Bignell
(Provincial Grand Secretary, Prov. Valencia)

We Hope you enjoy this article as much as we did.

During the ceremony of your initiation you stated that you were prompted to solicit our privileges by a favourable opinion, preconceived, of the Institution, a general desire for knowledge and a sincere wish to render yourself more extensively serviceable to your fellow creatures. In order in some small measure to gratify your desire for knowledge, I shall proceed to put you in possession of certain facts, which, had you known them earlier, might well have added to your preconceived favourable opinion. You will not have realised it but Freemasons have had an influence on your life thus far to an extent that you have never dreamed of. I will not mystify you further but will proceed to explain how this is so. Soon after you were born, I expect that you were vaccinated against Smallpox. The discovery of this method of combating this dreadful disease was the work of W. Bro. Edward Jenner. You may have had a serious accident or illness requiring surgery and needed an anaesthetic, for which you can thank Bro. Dr. Crawford Long who first used Ether for this purpose. You are probably one of the millions who have good cause to bless W. Bro. Sir Alexander Fleming, a Grand Officer in the English Constitution and of course the discoverer of Penicillin. He was appointed Grand Senior Warden in 1946. Joseph Lister Lodge No. 8032, which is the Lodge of University College Hospital is named after Bro. Joseph Lister, the discoverer of antiseptics. On going to school you prepare to be educated. Freemasonry at school you may well ask? The answer is an emphatic Yes. Let us commence with Geography, where you learn about countries such as Bolivia and the former Rhodesia, named after Bros. Simon Bolivar and Cecil Rhodes. In fact there are hundreds if not thousands of cities, towns, rivers and mountains etc. named after prominent Freemasons and we think immediately of Dallas, Houston, Washington, Mount McKinley, Durban, Lafayette and countless others. Turning to Chemistry, you are taught to use symbols for the various elements. This was the work of Bro. Baron Berzelius, who also first discovered and isolated several of those elements as did Bro. Jose Bonifacio, the famous Brazilian statesman and scientist. Another brilliant chemist and minerologist was W. Bro James Smithson, a London Freemason, better remembered for his legacy which led to the foundation of the world famous Smithsonian Institute, a seat of learning unique in the world. Botany introduces us to the Burbank Plum and the Shasta Daisy, both of which were developed by Bro. Luther Burbank. In warmer climates the very beautiful flaming Poinsetta is well known. It is named after Joel R. Poinsett, an American diplomat, amateur horticulturist and keen Freemason. It is very likely that many of you will have visited Kew Gardens , founded by Sir Joseph Banks, a member of the Somerset House Lodge. Likewise, the London Zoo, started by Sir Stamford Raffles , an initiate of a Lodge in the Dutch East Indies. Back in the classroom, do you remember an experiment with iron filings and a magnet? This introduced to you the study of electro-magnetism and the important work of Bro. Hans Christian Oersted. With history it is virtually impossible to find a page in the last two hundred years without encountering Freemasons. Indeed, amongst them are some black sheep whom we might feel reason to reprehend, albeit with mercy but by far the greater number were worthy men. Coming to mind are The Duke of Wellington, the French revolutionaries Talleyrand and Jean Paul Marat, John Wilkes, Edmund Burke, Marshall Bernadotte, Barons Scharnhorst and Gneisnau who gave their names to the two famous battleships of the second world war, Daniel OConnell, Louis Kossuth, George Washington, the first of many Presidents of the United States to be involved with the Craft, Field Marshal Lord Roberts, Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, Field Marshall Earl Haigh, Admiral Jellicoe, Admiral Beresford, General Pershing down through to Winston Churchill whose grandfather had been a Grand Senior Warden , Generals George Marshall, Douglas Macarthur, Omar Bradley and Mark Clark. Col. Jimmy Doolittle and at least two modern day English Grand Officers, Marshall of the Royal Air Force Lord Newall and Field Marshall Lord Alexander of Tunis.

Among the many Presidents of the United States who were Freemasons after Washington we find James Munroe, James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, Theodore Roosevelt, William Taft, Warren Harding, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Lyndon Johnson and Gerald Ford. Harry Truman was actually the Grand Master of Freemasons of the State of Missouri before becoming President of the U.S. All these men had a commitment to public service above and beyond the norm. It is now the usual procedure at the inauguration of a U.S. President for him to take the Oath of Office on Washingtons Masonic Bible. Still, all work and no play will not do. What did you play at? Did you ever pretend to be Davy Crocket or Buffalo Bill? Oh yes, Senator Davy Crocket and William Cody were real people and members of our order as was General Tom Thumb, the diminutive dwarf. What of the entertainment industry? For many years the chief film censor was Bro. Will Hays and among the famous Masonic personalities in the film industry were David W. Griffiths, Cecil B. DeMille and Louis B. Mayer as well as such well known stars as Bud Abbott, Gene Autry, Joe E. Brown, Oliver Hardy, Clark Gable, John Wayne, Douglas Fairbanks, Peter Sellars and hundreds of others. When leaving a building used for public entertainment did you ever imagine that lightning conductors were invented by a Freemason. They were and the Brother in question was the immortal Benjamin Franklin who also invented bi-focal glasses and later became postmaster general of the United States. Still, not all time out of school was your own. Occasionally, I imagine that you were dragged off to visit a favourite relative scrubbed clean, no doubt, with a product of Bro. Lord Leverhulme, the soap and deturgent tycoon. During the visit you may perhaps have had a biscuit and a cup of tea. Did you take one of those large biscuits full of currants? Ah yes, a Garibaldi, so named after the great Italian patriot and Grand Master. What about the tea? Could it have been Liptons where once more we meet a Freemason in the person of Bro. Sir Thomas Lipton, the ocean yachtsman and tea magnate. Much tea was sold by W. Bro. Jack Cohen, the founder of Tesco and much was drank in the famous holiday camps of W. Bro. Billy Butlin. Then again doubtless in those tender years you were thrilled by tales of high adventure and on looking back, is it not true that truth is stranger than fiction. Many of the true stories tell of bravery, heroism, fighting against all odds and of brotherly love. Such stories as that of Bro. Charles Lindbergh, flying out alone, putting his trust in the Almighty on that first wild, impossible crossing of the Atlantic in a small single engine aeroplane, and of Bro. Capt Robert Falcon Scott, struggling to the South Pole and back to his tragic though heroic death. From his diary it is known that his thoughts were always of others. Scott was initiated into the Drury Lane Lodge in London. There is the happier story of Bro. Sir Ernest Shackleton, of Peary and the North Pole, of Byrd flying over both Poles, not without thrills on each occasion. We remember the founding of the City State of Singapore by Bro. Sir Stamford Raffles, of the intrepid adventures of James Brooke, the White Rajah of Sarawak or the exploits of the American G men directed by Bro. J. Edgar Hoover, the immortal defence of Corregidor by Bro. Matthew Wainwright, the almost unbelievable escapes of that master entertainer Harry Houdini, the strange fascinating story of Bro. Anton Mesmer who was denounced as a charlatan in his day but is now generally accepted as the founder of the science of animal magnetism commonly known as Mesmerism. What of the turbulent career of the boxer Bro. Jack Dempseyone could continue for ever. As you grew to manhood I am sure that the cultural side of your life was not neglected. What did you read? Would it be Sherlock Holmes, Ivanhoe, Tom Sawyer, Three Men in a Boat, King Solomons Mines etc. Remember that Conan Doyle, Sir Walter Scott, Mark Twain, Jerome K. Jerome and Rudyard Kipling were all Freemasons. Regarding the latter, much of Freemasonry was made in his book The Man who would be King. It might well be that you were very keen on literature, in which case you have met works by Bros. Goethe, Alexander Pope, Goldsmith, Voltaire, Montesquieu, Pushkin, Schiller, Edward Gibbon (remember the decline and fall of the Roman Empire) James Boswell (the biographer of Dr. Johnson) who was the deputy Grand Master mason of Scotland.

Amazing eh! We must not forget the Rubayat of Omar Khayam or the Tales of the Arabian Nights both translated by Masons, the former by Edward Fitzgerald and the latter by Sir Richard Burton. Perhaps you enjoy good music and among our more famous musical brethren we find Joseph Haydn, Franz Liszt, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, whose opera The Magic Flute had a Masonic background, Thomas Arne, the composer of Rule Brittania, Johann Christian Bach , son of the great Johann Sebastian but a great musician in his own right , Samuel Wesley, a nephew of John Wesley the founder of Methodism who actually was the organist at the grand ceremony to celebrate the union of the two Grand Lodges in London in 1817. Martial music is represented in our hall of fame by John Philip Sousa but let us not forget something less classical in the form of Alexanders Ragtime Band by Bro. Irving Berlin and the enormous talent of Bro. Louis Armstrong. Let us turn for a brief moment to the stage where again there is a wealth of talent from brethren Sir Henry Irving, Edmund Kean, David Garrick and hosts of others including the late lamented Bro. Peter Sellars, a member of Chelsea Lodge in London. Apart from Chelsea Lodge there are of course a number of others in England founded by well known members of the showbiz profession including Alhambra Lodge and Vaudeville Lodge. In the world of Art we find Hogarth, Alexander Nasmyth, Jean Anton Houdon etc. You write many letters and many no doubt are sent overseas yet until Bro. Heinrich von Stephan formed the Universal Postal Union about one hundred and fifty years ago , this was both costly and risky. Some time or other you start to shave that stubble on your face and at this time probably Bro. King Gillette enters your life. You get on in the world and buy a car but not necessarily one made by Bro. Henry Ford. You drive on a metalled road and once again it is a Freemason , John Loudon Macadam who is the father of modern road building. Then the fair sex crosses your path and much advice is to be found in the songs and works of Bros. Gilbert and Sullivan. Bro William Gilbert was a Scottish Mason and W. Bro Sir Arthur Sullivan known also for The Lost Chord and Onward Christian Soldiers as well as for the Savoy Operas was the Grand Organist of the United Grand Lodge of England. You go to a party and dance the Paul Jones named after the famous American and Freemason and when the party is over you sing Auld Lang Syne the words by the immortal Bro. Robbie Burns. Our own Royal Family has been prominent in ruling the Craft for over 200 years and most of our male Sovereigns have been Grand Masters in and of the Order. Of course, our present Grand Master is the Duke of Kent, first cousin of HM the Queen. At the Coronation of the Queen both the Archbishops of Canterbury and of York were Grand Chaplains. Somewhere in the world at this moment the Red Cross Organisation is doing its humane work and once again it is a Freemason, Bro Henri Dunant who founded this great organisation after the bloody battle of Solferino. The Statue of Liberty in New York harbour was the work of Bro Frederick Bartholdi and the city of Paris is dominated by Bro. Gustave Eiffels masterpiece. In fact with practically everything that you do and wherever you go you will discover your Brother Freemasons extending the hand of friendship to welcome you. You all of course have an equal part to play in all this ; Do justice, love mercy, practice charity and endeavour to live in brotherly love with all mankind , so that you yourselves will be able to contribute something sincere, however small to the glorious heritage which is ours.

The Initiate Franciscan Monks Francos Decree Tracing Board Library Donation Hospital Donation Donation to the Refuge

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Dear Square and Compass. I have read your pilot issue with great interest. Noting that The Grand Master, The Most Worshipful Bro. Oscar de Alfonso Ortega, said "My most memerable moment in Masonry was My Initiation". This is of course most Masons great moment so I thought this Poem would bring those memories back. W.Bro. Ron Bishop, reigning Master (second time) Lodge of Friendship No.37 Grand Lodge of Spain

THE INITIATE A friend whispered to me, he was standing on my right, Relax and enjoy it, this is your special night. He then took me by the arm and led me all the way, He taught me how to walk and told me what to say. Then, when the talking was over and I had seen the light, My friend was there with me, still standing on my right. That night, that special night was not like any other, Because on that night, that special night, My friend became my Brother By W.Bro Ron Bishop LODGE OF FRIENDSHIP No.37 GRAND LODGE OF SPAIN

Freemasons from various Lodges in the Masonic Province of Valencia, visited the Franciscan Monks Refuge for destitute men in Gandia on Friday the 7th October. The visit was organised in order to present the Refuge with a cheque for 1,000 euros on behalf of the Province. In addition a number of worshippers at La Ermita Church in Javea had collected money for the Refuge, this enabled the purchase of chickens, rabbits & cleaning materials for the Home to use in the best interests of the men. These worshippers were represented by Ellen Anstey who has campaigned for the Refuge for many years and is a passionate, fervent supporter of the work of the two dedicated Monks. The picture shows the Freemasons & their wives in the brand new kitchen of the "hospital" wing of the Refuge - a kitchen which the Monks & their helpers cannot use because they cannot afford to connect the building to the National Electricity Grid. It seems that Iberdrola (the present electricity supplier), is demanding 100,000 euros to install a Transformer, before they will supply electricity to the new extension of the Refuge. Compassion would be a wonderful thing, if ever it reaches corporate consciences! Brother Guillermo (seen here in his habit), is being presented with the cheque by Keith Moseley, Editor of The Mason Magazine, on behalf of the Province. Further information on Freemasonry in the Province or The Refuge in Gandia may be obtained from themasonmag@gmail.com . Submitted by Lesley Clark

Note: In 1940, General Franco, the Spanish dictator issued a decree banning Freemasonry I Communism and other secret societies on the grounds that Freemasonry was the cause of the fall of the Spanish Empire in the 19th century, and in modern times, the cause of the Spanish Civil War in conjunction with the communists. There were several articles In this decree. Article No 1: Constitutes a felony to be a communist, or to belong to a masonic lodge or any other secret society. Article No 2: As these organizations are now banned by the effects of this decree, all monies and properties are to be confiscated immediately. Article No 3: Any advertisement to exhort the principles or pretended benefits of masonry or communism, or anything against the Religion or the Motherland, will be penalised according to this law. Article No 4: To be considered a mason, will be those who had been initiated into masonry and had not been expelled from the Order, or not broken altogether their relationship with the organisation. It would also be considered a mason thoseexpelled from the Order with the apparent reason to protect the member from the objects of this law. Article No 5: From the date of this publication, masons and communists, as defined in article No 4 above, will be liable to be imprisoned with a "minor jail offense", a minimum of 12 years and one day, but this situation could be aggravated by the "Aggravated Circumstances" as explained in Article No 6. Article No 6: "Aggravated Circumstances" is to have obtained any of the Degrees from the 18th to the 33rd inclusive, having taken part in any Annual Communications or being part of any Committee or Board of the Grand Orient of Spain,which would indicate the great confidence of the Order entrusted upon the member. Article No 7: Any mason or communist, who belongs to either organisation, must notify the Government of his affiliation within two months of the date of this law. Article No 8: Without prejudice to other penalties as per article No 5, and those who have not a reasonable excuse to be absolved, will be separated immediately and indefinitely from Government jobs, Public or Official Corporations, managerial and advisory positions in private enterprise companies, as well as any other job in which any kind of confidence is entrusted upon them. This law will cover this employment situation in perpetuity. It will be considered a attenuating circumstances providing information to the authorities about the persons who had performed the initiation into masonry, their superiors, or any other person involved in masonry or any other item of information that will be of benefit in the carrying of this law. Signed General Francisco Franco March, 1940.

The work above is a modern representation of the second degree tracing boards of old. It is filled with metaphor and symbolism, fluent to all Fellowcraft Masons. A sub title for the piece is: evolution of man is the alchemy of the spirit.evolution of man is the alchemy of the spirit. The First Tracing boards were created as visual aids used to illustrate the meanings and principals of Freemasonry as taught within the degrees. Much of the symbolism is from the Western tradition, and has been adapted here for the modern mason. In the image there are many symbolic and esoteric interpretations. With adapting this work, the most significant change is the positional change of the viewer, moving from an external passive position looking in upon a pastoral scene to a participatory one with the viewer actively engaged in the activ-ity. This changing position positions the initiated as if within mirror from the reflector to the reflection. This movement inward becomes the focus of the degree, passive to active moving the self towards the divine

The Masonic Lodge Teide 34, based in Puerto de la Cruz, raises monies for distribution to local charities. These monies come from a variety of sources, i.e. fund raising, raffles and donations. As a result the Lodge is able to make donations during the year. The English Library in Parque Taoro has started a fund to help pay for the treatment of the woodworm infestation in the Library and Lodge Teide is pleased to be able to make a contribution of 1,000 towards this fund. The photograph shows the cheque being presented to the President of the Library, Ken Fisher, by the Master of Lodge Teide 34, John Hughes.

Lodge Teide No. 34, based in Puerto de la Cruz, was pleased to be able to present a cheque for 1,000 to the Hospital Inmaculada in Puerto de la Cruz. The photograph shows the Master of the Lodge, John Hughes, presenting the cheque to Mother SuperiorAngeles, accompanied by Jim Brown and Gerd Rohlfs, both Members of the Lodge. The donation will go towards providing additional equipment for the Hospital particularly beds and special mattresses. The Lodge continues to raise funds for charity and later in the month, it is hoped to donate funds to Probosco and Apanate Norte, both based in La Orotavo, and caring for children and adults with special needs. Further fund raising events will be held over the next few months, If you wish to support these activities, please contact John Hughes on 922 382229.

THE GRAND Lodge of Spain, under the Grand Master Oscar de Alfonso Ortega, recently allocated 3,000 to the Mens Refuge in Gandia, run by Franciscan monks. New hospital wings have been built over the last 12 years on the site of old farm buildings, by local businesses at virtually no cost to the Refuge. These new wings meet new Care Standards with wide doors and corridors, en suite facilities and each double room has a balcony. However the electrical supply needed updating with 3 Phase electricity and a Transformer Fund was launched to help raise the 90,000 required for the work.

"Your letters may be published but can remain anonymous if you wish, providing that your name and Lodge number is supplied with the input". Email: spanishmason@hotmail.com

Good morning Mike, Just a few words of congratulations to you and your team for the production and publication of the pilot issue of "The Square & Compass". You have put a lot of work, effort and "passion" into the first issue and you are all to be complemented. I'm sure that you personally must be pleased with the magazine that has been produced for the Brethren within the Grand Lodge of Spain. Please do not hesitate to contact me should I be of any help to you in the future - it'll be a pleasure ! Best regards. Dear Square and Compass Team, I would like to thank you for producing this excellent pilot issue of the Square and Compass. I consider myself fortunate in recently joining Spanish Masonry and as such found this issue of particular use and of great interest. I very much appreciated the introduction to the Spanish Provinces and the different side degrees and orders. I believe that all new (and potential) joining members should be provided with this pilot issue as I have seen nothing better by way of introduction to Spanish Masonry. S&F.................Ian Scambler, Grand Chancellor

Good Morning W.Bro Michael Levy.

May i say well done and congratulations to you and your team. I feel this is not just a magazine but an encyclopedia of Masonic information. I think for 6.50 euros Every Entered Apprentice and Fellow craft and Master Mason should buy a copy and keep it by him. This copy of Square and Compasses points them to the degrees that become open to them as they journey along the Masonic pathway of life Again Well done and Congratulations to you and your team From W.Bro Reginald C Botevyle-Carter

Please keep up the excellent work and I look forward to reading your next issue.
Bro David Wynn San Juan de Espaa N 28

I have just received the First Edition (Issue One - Autumn 2011) of this wonderful Magazine, The Square and Compass.

Further to our chat today below is the Text received from a member of my Mother Lodge in England Received your magazine, many thanks Thought it was very well put together and enjoyed reading it found it very informative Can see that a lot of time and effort went into producing it so well done to all those involved W. Bro. Barry Griffith, LGR Tower Lodge No 5159 (UGLE)

I think that this is a great piece of work, by all involved, who should feel extremely proud of what has been achieved, especially the quality and content.
Well done mate, sincere congratulations ! Yours Nick. Van Loan

Issue No.2 Spring 2012

Grand Lodge of Spain Tel: 0034 93 302 59 91 Email: gsecretaria@gle.org www.gle2.org/

Printed copies of the magazine are available on request at a cost of 6.50 per copy. Please contact your provincial representative to order.