District Grand Master's Address January 2012
Address to the Brethren 2012.
Brethren, thank you for attending in such large numbers, thus
ensuring that our January meeting signals the start of another
successful and celebratory year, for our District Mark Order in
Spain.
What better way to start a celebration, than to reward and
applaud those worthy Mark Masons who have received District
honours and promotions today. My sincere congratulation extend
once again, to those I have invested.
I take this opportunity to remind them that their preferment
today, comes, not only as a reward for past service, but should
be regarded as an encouragement for a continuation loyal service
to our District and the Order in general.
My sincere appreciation must also be given to my retiring
officers for their hard work and dedication throughout their
term in office.
In particular I mention, VW
Brother Brian Stapley, for his impeccable fiscal role as
District Treasurer over the last two years. He steps down for
personal reasons brethren, and we wish him well, both in health
and in his relaxation and retirement from District office.
W Bro Stuart Macdonald who has given many years of active
service to our order and in particular as DGDC during the last
three years.
My Past District Grand Wardens, W Bro Eddie Bamford and Ashwin
Sumaria who have represented the District of Spain and
accompanied me on so many official functions and visits to other
Districts and Provinces during the last year.
W Bro Steve Preston our retiring Charity Steward for his
contribution and fund raising over the last two years.
There are many other brethren who although not in active office,
continue to promote and assist the Mark District at every
opportunity whether in Spain or abroad. I equally appreciate and
value their tremendous support and friendship.+++++You know who
you are!
Last but not least a “Very Special Thank You” to all our VIP
Sponsoring Lodges.
Reflections
Looking back over the last twelve months we have enjoyed a
productive year.
Our membership numbers have risen slightly, which is quite
remarkable in the face of the increased Grand lodge fees and the
continuing Global economic recession.
Five of our Mark members, received Grand Lodge Honours at the
investiture meeting in London at Freemasons Hall on the 7th
of June 2011.
Our ADGM Rafael Rodriguez Porrua received PGJD
Our Past DGJW Ashwin Sumaria
Our Past District Treasurer Brian Stapley received PGJO,
and
Our now past DGDC Stuart Macdonald received PAGDC
At the RAM Investiture meeting on December 13th 2011.
Jos
Brethren I am sure you will join me in congratulating those
worthy masons on their preferment. *******
On the 26th May 2011 we consecrated a New Royal Ark
Mariner lodge, namely the Cantero RAM No 1837 to the District of
Spain. Many of the founders are here today.
On the 28th November 2011 we reinstated the Temple
Builders Mark lodge 1869 as an Installed Mark Master lodge. We
welcome the new Worshipful Master of that lodge, W bro David
Rees-Davies and many of the new officers and joining members
here today.
Any Current Master or Past Mark Masters who might be interested
to join this Lodge, should contact our District Grand Registrar
W Bro Colin Hesketh, who is the new lodge Secretary or
alternatively our District Secretary
will be pleased to
furnish enquirers with joining forms or further information.
Last year brethren I called upon our District Lodges and
membership to raise their contribution to our Mark Benevolent
fund and other worthy Charity causes. Well you certainly rallied
to that appeal and due to the generous donations from several
lodges and individuals, our District has have been able to
increase its donation to the Mark Benevolent Fund Festival this
year as well as a contribution to the Crafts Province of
Valencia’s 2014 festival and the Crafts Province of Mercia
appeal for the Lorca earthquake fund.
I would like to call on you to continue that spirit of
Charitable giving for our Special Celebration year of 2012.
Celebrating 21 years!
Well I think that most of you have realised by now, that this
year we celebrate 21 years of Mark Masonry in Spain.
Looking back as one of the first Founders, I remember 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 Right
Honourable Lord Swansea then officiated as Consecration 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.
Some long way down a list of respected leading lights, the
humble names of your current DGM and Past DDGM, Damian Delaney
were among those first Lodge founders.
I believe Damian and I, are two of maybe just three, remaining
and subscribing members from those first four lodges, whether
that is by pure luck or sheer stamina you can decide
brethren????? but we would both like to celebrate 50 years of
the Mark Order in Spain, so please take great care of us from
this day hence forth
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. I would like to think that the next 21 years progress
will be just as rewarding.
However,
the measure of our Marks Success is not based purely on numbers,
its 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.
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.
I confirm that it is not my intention to Hold on to this office
for many more years, I don’t believe brethren, that will be, in
the best interest of our District going forward.
Sometime during 2013, I
hope to step down and relinquish the role to another, who will be
chosen and appointed by 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.
I can assure you Brethren, I remain committed to its continued
success.
God bless you all brethren and Mark Well.
District Grand Master of Spain