Freemasons Golf Summer market

THE summer edition of the Mercat del Convent farming and handcrafts market in Altea was a resounding success last week and has become a major event on the local culture diary.

The number of stands selling local produce increased to 15 this time round, and as well as the market a number of cultural and fun activities took place including a children’s theatre, a mushroom­growing workshop and a concert by Duo Bach at the church.

Organisers highlighted the large number of people who visited the Plaça del Convent during the whole day the market was open and announced that they are already preparing the autumn edition.

“Our goal is for local farmers and producers to display their products on a nonworkday to reach more people and for them to be able to make a living from the land in tourist towns such as ours,” declared acting Agriculture and Culture councillor Jose Orozco.

“I encourage all residents and visitors to visit future editions of the market.”

THE Provincial Charity Golf Tournament, held on Thursday June 15, was once again a great success.

The event, held at Bonalba Golf resort, attracted 80 golfers from across the province comprising 50 visitors - a record for this eventand 18 masons who represented seven Lodges.

Those Lodges that weren’t fielding a team helped with the sponsorship of the event, ensuring that all 18 holes were sponsored plus three Longest drives and four Nearest the Pins.

This was the fourth time that the event has been held and the third consecutive time at Bonalba Golf Resort, and it gets better every year!

The course was presented in good condition, the weather was perfect for golf and this showed in the results. The format was, as always, Texas Scramble Pairs and the great conditions resulted in 26 of the 40 pairs scoring under par and only three shots separating the top 10.

The first and second pairings had a magnificent score of eight under par, with Helmut Treiber and Robert Heyens winning on lowest handicap from Derek and Karen Cruickshank. Both pairs play at Bonalba with the Costa Blanca Golf Society, no doubt helped by their local knowledge of the tricky greens.

The prize presentation took place on the terrace overlooking the golf course with the Presentation Committee comprising of Juan Alberto Albert, Bonalba Competitions Director, Sra Pascale Le Roux, Director Bonalba Golf Resort, R W Brother Rodney Bignell, Provincial Grand Master, and W Brother Michael Wyatt, one of the event organisers, presenting prizes to the winners.

The event was summarised in the final speech by the Provincial Grand Master, thanking the organisers, players and sponsors for helping us raise €7,420 for provincial charities including the hungry and homeless in our province, who are supported through food banks and charitable organisations.