Almanzora 139 Freemasons Lodge

27/09/2026

🔨 A New Masonic Year at Almanzora 139

What a great evening at the Lodge of Almanzora No. 139 on Thursday 24th September, as we installed W.Bro. John Orr as our Worshipful Master for the year ahead.

The Installation was conducted in fine form, with a Lodge room full of friendship, good humour and that special Almanzora atmosphere.

It was also a particularly important evening for the Lodge as we were delighted to welcome five joining members into Almanzora 139. A fantastic boost to the Lodge and a very positive way to begin John’s year in the Chair.

After the meeting, everyone enjoyed an excellent Festive Board — plenty of laughter, good company and Masonic friendship around the tables.

Our thanks to all the brethren who travelled to Albox to support John and the Lodge, and to everyone who helped make the evening such a success.

Congratulations, John. We wish you a very happy and enjoyable year as Worshipful Master.

A great night for Almanzora 139 — and a great start to the year ahead. 🔨

26/09/2026

02/09/2026

🇪🇸 📜 EFEMÉRIDE MASÓNICA — GRAN LOGIA PROVINCIAL DE ANDALUCÍA

1 de septiembre de 1769 — La primera constancia clara del Grado de Marca en la Masonería especulativa inglesa

Comenzamos septiembre con una curiosidad histórica especialmente interesante para quienes disfrutan rastreando los orígenes de nuestros grados y ceremonias.

El 1 de septiembre de 1769, se reunió en la George Tavern de Portsmouth el Chapter of Friendship, entonces un Capítulo del Arco Real. Sus actas conservan lo que los historiadores consideran la primera constancia clara de la práctica de un Grado de Marca dentro de un cuerpo masónico especulativo en Inglaterra.

Aquel día, el conocido masón Thomas Dunckerley comunicó que había recibido recientemente la “Marca” y procedió a hacer a varios Hermanos “Mark Masons” y “Mark Masters”.

Y ocurrió algo que conecta directamente aquella reunión de hace más de dos siglos y medio con una antiquísima costumbre de los constructores.

Cada Hermano eligió su propia marca.

💎 ¿Sabías que…?

Las marcas no fueron inventadas por la Masonería especulativa.

Los canteros operativos utilizaban signos personales para identificar las piedras que habían trabajado. Algunas marcas servían para indicar la posición de una piedra dentro del edificio; otras permitían identificar al artesano responsable de haberla preparado.

Hay referencias masónicas relacionadas con marcas anteriores a 1769 —incluso una mención de un Hermano hecho Mark Mason en Newcastle en 1756— pero no permiten establecer con la misma claridad que se estuviera practicando una ceremonia formal. Por eso el acta de Portsmouth del 1 de septiembre de 1769 resulta tan importante.

Hoy, 257 años después, una sencilla anotación en un viejo libro de actas nos permite observar cómo una tradición nacida entre canteros pasó a formar parte del lenguaje simbólico de la Masonería.

El artesano dejaba su marca sobre la piedra.

Quizá la pregunta para nosotros sea igualmente sencilla:

¿qué marca dejamos nosotros mediante nuestro trabajo?

Gran Logia Provincial de Andalucía

⸻

🇬🇧 📜 MASONIC ANNIVERSARY — PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF ANDALUCÍA

1 September 1769 — The Earliest Clear Record of the Mark Degree in English Speculative Freemasonry

We begin September with a particularly interesting piece of Masonic history for those who enjoy tracing the origins of our degrees and ceremonies.

On 1 September 1769, the Chapter of Friendship met at the George Tavern in Portsmouth. Its surviving minutes contain what Masonic historians regard as the earliest clear record of a speculative Mark Degree being worked in England.

On that day, the well-known Freemason Thomas Dunckerley reported that he had recently received the “Mark” and proceeded to make several Brethren “Mark Masons” and “Mark Masters.”

And something happened which directly connects that meeting more than two and a half centuries ago with the ancient practices of working stonemasons.

Each Brother chose his own mark.

💎 Did You Know?

Masons’ marks were not invented by speculative Freemasonry.

Operative stonemasons used individual signs to identify stones upon which they had worked. Some marks indicated the position of a stone within a building; others identified the craftsman responsible for preparing it.

There are Masonic references to marks before 1769 — including a record of a Brother being made a Mark Mason at Newcastle in 1756 — but they do not establish as clearly that a formal degree ceremony was being worked. That is why the Portsmouth minute of 1 September 1769 is so significant.

Today, 257 years later, a simple entry in an old minute book allows us to see how a tradition born among working stonemasons became part of the symbolic language of Freemasonry.

The craftsman left his mark upon the stone.

Perhaps the question for us is equally simple:

what mark do we leave through our own work?

Provincial Grand Lodge of Andalucía

History of the Mark Degree — earliest Portsmouth record⁠

20/08/2026

🇪🇸 📜 EFEMÉRIDE MASÓNICA — GRAN LOGIA PROVINCIAL DE ANDALUCÍA

20 de agosto — Día del Masón en Brasil

Hoy cruzamos el Atlántico para recordar una fecha especialmente significativa para nuestros Hermanos brasileños.

Cada 20 de agosto, la Masonería de Brasil celebra el Día del Masón, una conmemoración tradicionalmente vinculada a los acontecimientos que precedieron a la Independencia del país en 1822.

Según la tradición masónica brasileña, una histórica reunión del Grande Oriente Brazílico debatió la necesidad de proclamar cuanto antes la independencia de Portugal. Entre sus protagonistas se encontraba el periodista y masón Joaquim Gonçalves Ledo, una de las voces más activas del movimiento independentista.

💎 ¿Sabías que…?

Aquí encontramos una magnífica curiosidad para quienes disfrutamos investigando la historia masónica.

El acta original no empleaba nuestro calendario habitual, sino que fechaba aquella sesión como el “día 20 del sexto mes” del año masónico 5822. La posterior conversión de esa fecha al calendario gregoriano ha provocado un debate entre historiadores: la tradición brasileña la identificó con el 20 de agosto, mientras otros cálculos sitúan la sesión en septiembre.

Lo que sí está fuera de duda es que el 20 de agosto quedó establecido y continúa siendo celebrado como el Día del Masón Brasileño, recordando tanto a aquellos Hermanos como la larga relación histórica entre la Masonería y la construcción de la nación brasileña.

La Independencia de Brasil sería proclamada públicamente por Pedro I el 7 de septiembre de 1822, apenas unas semanas después de aquellos intensos debates políticos y masónicos.

Hoy enviamos desde Andalucía un fraternal saludo a nuestros Hermanos de Brasil.

Distintos países, distintas historias y distintas lenguas, pero una misma aspiración: trabajar por la libertad de conciencia, la fraternidad y el perfeccionamiento del ser humano.

Gran Logia Provincial de Andalucía

⸻

🇬🇧 📜 MASONIC ANNIVERSARY — PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF ANDALUCÍA

20 August — Freemasons’ Day in Brazil

Today we cross the Atlantic to remember a date of particular significance to our Brazilian Brethren.

Every 20 August, Brazilian Freemasonry celebrates Freemasons’ Day, a commemoration traditionally associated with events preceding the country’s independence in 1822.

According to Brazilian Masonic tradition, an historic meeting of the Grande Oriente Brazílico debated the need for independence from Portugal to be proclaimed without delay. Among the leading figures was journalist and Freemason Joaquim Gonçalves Ledo, one of the most active voices within the independence movement.

💎 Did You Know?

Here we find a wonderful curiosity for anyone who enjoys investigating Masonic history.

The original record did not use our familiar calendar, but dated the meeting as the “20th day of the sixth month” of the Masonic year 5822. The subsequent conversion of that date into the Gregorian calendar has produced historical debate: Brazilian Masonic tradition identified it as 20 August, while other calculations place the meeting in September.

What is beyond doubt is that 20 August became established and continues to be celebrated as Brazilian Freemasons’ Day, remembering those Brethren and the long historical relationship between Freemasonry and the development of the Brazilian nation.

Brazilian independence would be publicly proclaimed by Pedro I on 7 September 1822, only a few weeks after those intense political and Masonic debates.

Today, from Andalucía, we send our warmest fraternal greetings to our Brethren throughout Brazil.

Different countries, different histories and different languages, but a shared aspiration: to work for freedom of conscience, fraternity and the improvement of mankind.

Provincial Grand Lodge of Andalucía

06/08/2026

Friday 18th September is our annual LADIES NIGHT. 💃 🕺

Plenty of great food, great venue and great entertainment will make a GREAT night for all, especially the ladies, to whom we all owe our thanks and appreciation for the support they give us all on a daily basis. Where would we be without them? 🙏

This event is open to all, whether a member of this lodge of not. If you are interested in coming along to a fantastic night, then please send us message ASAP 📱

31/07/2026

🇪🇸 Lodge of Almanzora No. 139 Proudly Represented in Romania

The Brethren of the Lodge of Almanzora No. 139 are delighted that our own Brother David Tillyer will be representing both our Lodge and Widows Sons España at the Romanian WS Gathering 2026, taking place in Bucharest and Transylvania from 30 July to 2 August.

This international gathering will bring together Brothers from across the world in the true spirit of Brotherhood, Honour and Tradition, strengthening old friendships, forging new ones and celebrating the values that unite us all.

David will be joined by his fellow Widows Sons España representatives, Jacob Magnussen (Coby), Alejandro Ravaioli (Audiman), Eduardo Saez (Gato) and Jamie Gonzalez (McFly), proudly flying the flag for Spain throughout the event.

The Brethren of Lodge of Almanzora No. 139 wish David and the entire Widows Sons España delegation a safe journey, an enjoyable gathering and every success as they represent our Lodge, our Province and Spain with pride.

Travel safely, enjoy every moment, and we look forward to hearing all about your Romanian adventure on your return. 🇪🇸🤝🇷🇴

25/07/2026

Compassion in Action – One Step at a Time

When the terrible fires hit our part of Andalucía, everyone wanted to help.

Working together with the Provincial Grand Lodge of Andalucía, the Brethren of the Lodge of Almanzora No. 139, the Lodge of Unity No. 98 and the Lodge of Almeria No. 74 have been doing what Freemasons do best – quietly lending a hand where it’s needed most.

Now the emergency has passed, the focus has changed. Rather than simply providing immediate relief, we’re helping people take those first few steps towards getting their lives back on track.

Thanks to the kindness and generosity of our Brethren, families, friends and supporters, we’ve been able to help in a number of ways.

Over the last few weeks we’ve:

• Helped an elderly widow with food and essential household supplies, as well as funding repairs to the solar power system that keeps the lights on in her home.

• Bought a new fridge for a family who lost theirs in the fire, helping bring a bit of normality back into everyday life.

• Supplied essential testing equipment to Rubén, a local electrician who lost his home and all of his tools. Instead of just replacing possessions, we’ve helped him get back to work, earn a living again and start rebuilding for himself.

We’ll keep in touch with these families and continue to help where we can, while also working alongside local volunteers and other organisations so that support reaches as many people as possible.

None of this would have happened without the generosity of so many people. Whether you donated money, gave your time, or supported John Orr’s charity motorcycle ride around Ireland, you’ve played a part in helping someone get back on their feet.

The photographs tell the story better than we ever could. Burnt homes. Lives turned upside down. But also kindness, friendship and hope.

That’s what Freemasonry is really about.

No fuss. No fanfare.

Just good people helping other people when they need it most.

21/07/2026

19/07/2026

💙 A Legacy of Love and Compassion

Earlier this week, members of Lodge of Almanzora No. 139 were honoured to present Cáritas with a donation of brand-new children’s clothing for babies, children and teenagers up to 16 years of age.

The clothing was purchased using the generous donations made in memory of our much-loved Brother, W.Bro Cosmo Charles, following his funeral earlier this year.

It was especially poignant that Cosmo’s widow, Tina, was able to present the clothing herself. Her presence made the occasion all the more meaningful, serving as a reminder that even in loss, kindness can continue to touch the lives of others.

Cosmo was a Brother whose warmth, generosity and caring nature left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. We believe he would have been immensely proud to know that, through the generosity of his family, friends and Brethren, his memory is helping children and families in our local community.

Our sincere thanks go to everyone who contributed. Together, you have transformed remembrance into hope, ensuring that the legacy of a much-missed Brother continues through practical acts of charity and compassion.

Freemasonry is not only about the principles we cherish, but the difference we make in the lives of others.

Thank you Joanna (Purchasing) and Darren (Logistics) for taking the time and effort to purchase the children’s clothes.

💙 Un legado de amor y compasión

A principios de esta semana, los miembros de la Logia Almanzora n.º 139 tuvieron el honor de entregar a Cáritas una donación de ropa infantil a estrenar para bebés, niños y adolescentes de hasta 16 años.

La ropa se adquirió gracias a las generosas donaciones realizadas en memoria de nuestro querido Hermano, el Venerable Hermano Cosmo Charles, tras su funeral a principios de este año.

Resultó especialmente conmovedor que la viuda de Cosmo, Tina, pudiera entregar la ropa en persona. Su presencia hizo que el acto fuera aún más significativo, recordándonos que, incluso ante la pérdida, la bondad puede seguir tocando las vidas de los demás.

Cosmo fue un Hermano cuya calidez, generosidad y naturaleza bondadosa dejaron una huella imborrable en todos los que lo conocieron. Creemos que se habría sentido inmensamente orgulloso de saber que, gracias a la generosidad de su familia, amigos y Hermanos, su recuerdo está ayudando a los niños y a las familias de nuestra comunidad local.

Nuestro más sincero agradecimiento a todos los que han contribuido. Juntos, habéis transformado el recuerdo en esperanza, garantizando que el legado de un Hermano al que echamos mucho de menos continúe a través de actos concretos de caridad y compasión.

La masonería no se reduce únicamente a los principios que atesoramos, sino también a la diferencia que marcamos en la vida de los demás.