Essex Mark Masons Visit Spain (Again!)
Saturday, 1st of February, saw thirty Essex Mark Men, led from the front by our Provincial Grand Master,
R.W. Bro. Terence D. Sheern, fly to Benidorm from the windswept Southend Airport to attend the District of Spain, Annual General Meeting, (one of those "Districts and Lodges Overseas" in the full GLMMM title). This was at least the fourth time Essex have attended but this was our largest group to date and the largest single contingent from the United Kingdom.
The day started early at Southend Airport with Clive Mansfield tucking into a good hearty
breakfast, whilst several others preferred some lighter refreshment before boarding the flight
and leaving a wet and dreary England behind for the warmer climate of Benidorm.
Once the Brethren had checked into the magnificent Hotel Gran Bali, the venue for the
meeting, the first port of call was the pool bar for further refreshments, to enjoy the
balmy temperature of 20 degrees and to gently acclimatise for the meeting on Saturday.
The meeting is held in a mix of English and Spanish, and this years' meeting was enhanced
by the presence of the Assistant Grand Master, R.W. Bro. Steve Davison, who also presented
MBF collars to Lodges and individuals who had qualified for them.
Thereafter, the Brethren sat down to a fine menu of Tapas, breads with Tomato and Aioli, Iberia Ham and Manchego Cheese and Chicken Skewers. This was followed by Sole filled with baby prawns; a sorbet was then served which the Essex Mark Men fortified with some vodka (a bit of an Orsett tradition!).
The main course was a Fillet of Beef with Mushrooms and all was finished off with a dessert of Fresh Fruit and Ice Cream, all washed down with copious amounts of red and white wine and champagne!
The Chaplin prefaced his Prayer with " As we sit to dine as aliens in a foreign land", possibly the first time a Chaplin has seen so much approval for a Prayer.
A fine time was had by all, thank you to Spain for your hospitality.
breakfast, whilst several others preferred some lighter refreshment before boarding the flight
and leaving a wet and dreary England behind for the warmer climate of Benidorm.
Once the Brethren had checked into the magnificent Hotel Gran Bali, the venue for the
meeting, the first port of call was the pool bar for further refreshments, to enjoy the
balmy temperature of 20 degrees and to gently acclimatise for the meeting on Saturday.
The meeting is held in a mix of English and Spanish, and this years' meeting was enhanced
by the presence of the Assistant Grand Master, R.W. Bro. Steve Davison, who also presented
MBF collars to Lodges and individuals who had qualified for them.
Thereafter, the Brethren sat down to a fine menu of Tapas, breads with Tomato and Aioli, Iberia Ham and Manchego Cheese and Chicken Skewers. This was followed by Sole filled with baby prawns; a sorbet was then served which the Essex Mark Men fortified with some vodka (a bit of an Orsett tradition!).
The main course was a Fillet of Beef with Mushrooms and all was finished off with a dessert of Fresh Fruit and Ice Cream, all washed down with copious amounts of red and white wine and champagne!
The Chaplin prefaced his Prayer with " As we sit to dine as aliens in a foreign land", possibly the first time a Chaplin has seen so much approval for a Prayer.
A fine time was had by all, thank you to Spain for your hospitality.
