SOUTH PORCH LODGE

No: 59

Consecrated 4th April 1992.

 

 

South Porch Lodge News

Reported by W/Bro. Peter Slade

 

Left Click on any of the Photos below to see an enlarged version

 

 

 

My Story of the forming of South Lodge No.59, Lanzarote, Islas Canarias

By W.Bro Peter Slade P.Prov.G.O,P.G.D.D.C

It was some time in the year 1983 when my Mother Lodge in the UK gave me permission to make enquires to The Grand Lodge of England requesting to know if there was any Masonic activity in Lanzarote because we had decided to make more use of the Bungalow that we had bought here.

 

The answer I got was from a retired English Major, whose name escapes me at the moment, who was the current Grand Secretary of Spain. There was only one Lodge in the Canary Islands and that was Tiede Lodge No.34 which is situated in the North of Tenerife. At that point I had forgotten all about my Masonry career.
 
The Birth of a Lodge on Lanzarote, at this point unknown by me, was already on the way.

 

Some time later on June 19th 1990, on the Quay at  Arrecife Harbour, I was queuing for the ferry to Cadiz when suddenly I heard a voice behind me saying "Ha! English! now I will have some one to talk to on the voyage". It was a Brother but at that point I wasn't aware of this. We talked on the ferry on a few occasions and he came across to me as a very interesting chap.

 

As we were waiting for the ramp to lower at Cadiz Harbour, to enable us to

dis-embark, my new acquaintance came up to me to say farewell. He asked if I would be interested in forming a Lodge on Lanzarote.

 

I was Speechless. How did he know I was a Mason? It was a subject we hadn't talked about on the journey. Perhaps he will let me know one day, I thought at the time, but since this was written he's passed to the Great Architect above.

 

Some weeks later, when I returned to my home in Lanzarote, our paths crossed again and I learnt that my new friend was a P.A.G Registrar. He enquired at that point if I was still interested in forming a Lodge. I would like to know more was my reply.
 
Later he introduced me to another Mason who was retired from England and also P.Prov.A.D.C (West Lancs) as well as being a W/Bro. from Atlantic Phoenix Lodge in Bermuda. There's universal for you !

 

Later four others joined us and slowly things started to fall into place. W.Bro.Maybury invited me to his home where he was already making the furniture for the Lodge. It was, and still is, beautiful and all hand made. It must have taken months. His retirement from Spanish Masonry after vacating the Chair was a sad loss.

 

However, books and regalia were brought out from England and a Petition was duly signed. We were summoned to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, for the Consecration on the 4th April 1992. All seven founder Members were present, one had to withdraw due to personal reasons,  some of us hardly knew each other!

 

The Provincial Grand Temple was then situated on the fourth floor, in a little back street of Las Palmas town, but the Ceremony was most impressive, with the M.W.Grand Master M.R.H.Luis Salat Gusils, himself seated next to the Provincial Grand Master R.H W/Bro. Fernando Robania, who was the Consecrating Officer.
 
The original four of us became the first Master, Wardens and Senior Deacon and all passed through the Chair in that order. Each in turn became a Provincial officer, one acting Provincial Grand Sword Bearer and the others a pass rank.

 

Since then South Porch Lodge has gone from strength to strength, with many Provincial promotions.

 

When this story was written we had twenty three Members. However, at today's date we have thirty one, with four Honorary Members, and Candidates for Initiation as well as new joining Members in prospect.

 

At this time the Chaplain, Treasurer, Secretary and Director of Ceremonies were all past Masters of the Lodge with the Wardens both Initiates of the Lodge. At the time of print  one is going around again.

 

Of course,  we have had our ups and downs like any other group of men from different walks of life.

You need to find your way and the more experienced Masons explain that its common with the forming of a new Lodge. Having said that South Porch Lodge is firmly on its way up due to the team work of the members as a whole. We must not forget Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth play a big part in Masonry and that is the base on which to build our future.

 

We are very fortunate to be blessed with a very good attendance of visitors, some offering sound guidance. We cannot remember a Lodge meeting without two or three visitors, in fact, in the early days they out numbered us. Subsequently they were given acting jobs.
 
What of the future? Our main objective was to form a Royal Arch Chapter and this has now been achieved with the help of  both the English and Spanish Lodges to swell the numbers. We are now enjoying a queue for new Exaltes and Joining Members. Who knows, maybe some other side degrees.
 
Finally I would like to thank the Provincial Grand Lodge of the Canary Islands from whom we have received so much support and encouragement over the past momentous years. My thanks also go to two Members of South Porch Lodge for giving me the assistance I needed to compile this article.
 
The Photo's below show our Founder Members in Full Dress and with Visitors.

 

(Left click on any Photo to see an enlarged version)

This Story was written many years ago and will soon be updated because there are many things, which were unknown to the writer at the time, that have since come to light.

Yours Sincerely and Fraternally,

 

W/Bro.Peter A.Slade. P.M of South Porch Lodge No.59

The Province of the Canarias. The Grand Lodge of Spain.