A recent visit by members of the Arenal Deportiva Masonic Lodge No. 65 to the Alzheimer鈥檚 Centre in Teulada has reinforced the Lodge鈥檚 ongoing dedication to supporting health and wellbeing initiatives in the Marina Alta.
The visit took place on Tuesday, 24 June, following a warm invitation from Sylvia Tatnell MBE, president of the Alzheimer鈥檚 Family Association (AFA) in Teulada. During the visit, the Freemasons officially presented a much-needed orthopaedic chair鈥攁n essential piece of equipment now being used daily to improve the comfort and care of individuals living with dementia at the centre.
The donation was made possible thanks to the fundraising efforts of Lodge members, spearheaded by W. Bro Graham Simons, who had previously identified the urgent need for the specialised chair. The initiative reflects the Lodge鈥檚 hands-on approach to community support, particularly in the field of elderly care.
Speaking during the handover, Ricardo Estornell, Worshipful Master of Arenal Deportiva Lodge No. 65, underlined the importance of the gesture. 鈥淚 am immensely proud that our Lodge can offer tangible support to the Alzheimer鈥檚 Centre,鈥 he said. 鈥淭his donation is not merely about providing equipment鈥攊t is about reaffirming our commitment, as Freemasons, to improving local healthcare and easing the challenges that families and carers face every day.鈥
A dedicated team
The centre, run by a dedicated team of staff and nurses, plays a vital role in providing compassionate, professional care to people living with dementia in the region. Their work helps to ease the burden on relatives and carers, many of whom rely on the centre鈥檚 support to navigate the demands of looking after a loved one with the condition.
A photograph taken at the event shows Sylvia Tatnell MBE standing alongside Worshipful Brothers Ian Brown, Philip Bowick, Graham Simons, Peter Johnson, and Ricardo Estornell. The group is pictured next to the newly donated orthopaedic chair.
The Arenal Deportiva Lodge鈥檚 gesture is just the latest example of Freemasonry鈥檚 broader commitment to charitable activity across the province. The Provincial Grand Lodge of Valencia, which oversees 24 Lodges across the region, is part of the Grand Lodge of Spain and forms part of the world鈥檚 largest non-religious fraternal organisation. Through their work, Freemasons aim to foster fellowship among members while supporting local causes through active service and regular fundraising.
To learn more
Anyone interested in learning more about Freemasonry in the Valencian Community or exploring how to become a member can visit www.glpvalencia.com or contact Matthew James by email at sec@glpvalencia.com.
On Tuesday, 17 June, Arenal Deportiva Lodge No. 65 marked a historic moment by installing its first native Spanish-speaking brother, Ricardo Estornell Canet, as Worshipful Master. A long-standing member of the lodge, Estornell鈥檚 appointment not only signals a change in leadership but also reflects a broader step towards linguistic and cultural inclusivity within Freemasonry in the Valencian Community.
The installation ceremony, conducted entirely in Spanish, was led by outgoing Master Philip Bowick, with the support of Lodge Secretary Ian Brown and other officers. The ceremony stood out not only for its solemnity and adherence to ritual but also for being conducted in a second language鈥攕omething rarely seen in a lodge traditionally centred around English-speaking brethren.
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