The History of Fuengirola 96
Our Vision
Fuengirola 96 is a Masonic Lodge based in Los Boliches, Fuengirola. The meetings are conducted in English and ritual used is Emulation with the traditional penalties included in line with the decree from the Grand Lodge of Spain to which this lodge owes its allegiance. For Installation ceremonies the procedure is known as the ‘Queen of Sheba’ workings so is of great interest to visiting brethren who have not witnessed it before.
The idea of forming a lodge was conceived by Bryan Collier and was first discussed in a car on the way to Nerja on a masonic visit in November 1995. In the car was Ron Greedy and Tom Willet who together with Bryan Collier were all members of Friendship 37 which met in Benalmadena at the Maite complex. Fuengirola was chosen as the location because there was no other English speaking lodge in the area. Bryan Collier had first thought about the formation of a new lodge because he had wanted to move Friendship 37 to a new meeting location but was refused permission by Province owing to a conflict of interest with the then Provincial Grand Master. Meetings with the new Provincial Grand Master of Andalucia the Right Worshipful Brother Ernesto Guillemem and the Provincial Secretary Worshipful Brother Eric Reynolds were held and the date for the consecration took place. Meetings of brethren interested in becoming founder members took place at the Shakespeare Restaurant. The Shakespeare restaurant which was owned by Bryan Collier this is now the Rancho and is located at Calle Juan Sebastián Elcano, 3, 29640 Fuengirola, Málaga.
Fuengirola 96 was consecrated at Edifico Bougainvillaea in January 1997. The lodge was consecrated with Ron Greedy as Master by the PGM. At the next meeting in February 1997 Bryan Collier was installed as Master of the lodge.
Edifico Bougainvillaea was an existing facility which was used by the Danish Lodge, Sydkorset. At that time only the basement was used and the festive boards took place in the same location. A table was set with beers and whilst the brethren drunk the beer the Danish caterers laid the tables in preparation for the Festive Board. Later the ground floor of the building was acquired. The ground floor was owned by a private owner who had converted it to flats without permission. Brian Lilleywhite and Bryan Collier were co-opted onto the board together with Eric Munche who was the Master of the Danish Lodge. Once a figure was agreed for the purchase money was raised (including a large loan by Bob Pinson) and the floor was purchased.
The Masonic meetings continued in the basement and the ground floor was converted into a bar and restaurant by the members of Sydkorset and Fuengirola Lodges. John Mence knocked through the wall with a jackhammer to make a doorway between the bar and restaurant. Bryan Collier together with Brian Lilleywhite built the bar which is still as it was originally. As members were getting older a lift was installed paid for by donations.
ADAM was formed to administrate this now large facility which consisted of 50% Scandinavians and 50% English which controlled the financing with Brian Lilleywhite as the first president.
The above was related by W.Bro Bryan Collier and W.Bro John Mence, both founding members.