| Torrevieja |
Chairman's Report
This is our second newsletter, produced after completing our first six months of operation, produced not only in hard copy
form for those who do not have access to a computer but also for those who wish to view it on the website.
form for those who do not have access to a computer but also for those who wish to view it on the website.
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Our membership has grown from 46 in October 2006 to 86 to date. We can now say Torrevieja U3A is well and truly part
of the social calender of Torrevieja and the Orihuela Costa area. We now have seventeen activity groups, 15 operational
and two in the pipeline.
of the social calender of Torrevieja and the Orihuela Costa area. We now have seventeen activity groups, 15 operational
and two in the pipeline.
The group timetable in this newsletter gives full details of Venue/Leader and Frequency of these activities and how to
contact our group Co-ordinator Laurie Winstanley. A reminder - if you are a regular member of an activity group, it is
courteous to inform the Leader if you do not plan to attend a particular meeting. Arrangements are often made within a
group, to invite an expert to contribute to the subject of interest; it is disappointing and embarrasing when only two or three
members arrive for that occasion!
contact our group Co-ordinator Laurie Winstanley. A reminder - if you are a regular member of an activity group, it is
courteous to inform the Leader if you do not plan to attend a particular meeting. Arrangements are often made within a
group, to invite an expert to contribute to the subject of interest; it is disappointing and embarrasing when only two or three
members arrive for that occasion!
Because of the nature of most members residency in Spain, trips back to the UK and entertaining family/visitors etc. are
factors that have to be accommodated when participating in social activities. This does not need to be a problem, just
remember to let your group know about your plans.
factors that have to be accommodated when participating in social activities. This does not need to be a problem, just
remember to let your group know about your plans.
The Committee feel that we are now ready to take the necessary steps to officially register our U3A with the Spanish
Authorities and we hope to have all the formalities completed by June.
Authorities and we hope to have all the formalities completed by June.
It was agreed that the subscription of €12 (euros) would be valid from September 2006 until December 2007. Thereafter, it
will be a €10 (euros) subscription for the 10 months which make up our U3A Season (September - June).
will be a €10 (euros) subscription for the 10 months which make up our U3A Season (September - June).
A date will be fixed for our first Annnual General Meeting and nominations for officers will be sought and an election held.
We have had a busy first 6 months with several changes of venue for our monthly meeting. We hope our move to the
Asturias Restaurant will be successful and after the June monthly meeting we may celebrate the end of our First Season
with a Barbecue.
Asturias Restaurant will be successful and after the June monthly meeting we may celebrate the end of our First Season
with a Barbecue.
The most exciting report for this newsletter is the construction of our website. Our Web-Master, Andy Voaden has done a
brilliant job for us - we will be pleased to receive your comments and input. He has suggested we have a "Blog" page where
members can interact with ideas and suggestions - Watch this Space!
brilliant job for us - we will be pleased to receive your comments and input. He has suggested we have a "Blog" page where
members can interact with ideas and suggestions - Watch this Space!
Creative Writing - Leader: Celia Bently
This is a small group at present with varied writing skills and interests, meeting once a month - Leader, Celia Bently.
A basic principle is that one piece of work is produced every month. Members suggest titles and work so far has included:-
A short story in no more than 50 words, a piece centred around a character called Annabel Lee and at present efforts are
concentrated on producing short stories for the Torrevieja Short Story competition.
A short story in no more than 50 words, a piece centred around a character called Annabel Lee and at present efforts are
concentrated on producing short stories for the Torrevieja Short Story competition.
Joy Lennick, one of our members, was the winner of the First Torrevieja Short Story Competition in 2005. Joy has had two
factual books published - "Running your own small hotel" and "Jobs in Bakery and Confectionery" she has also written a
collection of poems including "Celtic Cameos" At the moment Joy is attempting her first novel. View Joy's Profile
factual books published - "Running your own small hotel" and "Jobs in Bakery and Confectionery" she has also written a
collection of poems including "Celtic Cameos" At the moment Joy is attempting her first novel. View Joy's Profile
The group is also working on developing characters, building a profile of them and their lives.
A "Characterization" Piece - The heroine is describing her father to a friend:-
"Let's see.... Well, he has a humorous look about him, as if he is silently appreciating a joke - you know the sort of face:
upturned lips corners and deeply indented crows feet at each brown eye corner. He is quite tall - has to watch his waistline.
Catherine's not a bad cook .... Oh, and he gets many envious glances because of his pure silver thatch. But my favourite
feature is his nose. It's what I think of as "Common Dickensian"
upturned lips corners and deeply indented crows feet at each brown eye corner. He is quite tall - has to watch his waistline.
Catherine's not a bad cook .... Oh, and he gets many envious glances because of his pure silver thatch. But my favourite
feature is his nose. It's what I think of as "Common Dickensian"
"What" ?... Myra looked bemused.
You really have to see it. It's rather large and looks as if it was stuck on as an after thought - you know: "Whoops.. nearly
forgot the centre-piece!"
forgot the centre-piece!"
Like a bulbous exclamation mark, if you can imagine such a thing.... I can picture him dressed as a gardener in a Dicken's
drama. His mother, Gran Mason, used to say with a shake of her head: "Wherever did he get such a proboscis? Your
grandad had a Roman nose and mine is retrousse". Quite young at the time, I did not realise that there were different
names for noses. A nose, surely was either small or large, fat or thin!
drama. His mother, Gran Mason, used to say with a shake of her head: "Wherever did he get such a proboscis? Your
grandad had a Roman nose and mine is retrousse". Quite young at the time, I did not realise that there were different
names for noses. A nose, surely was either small or large, fat or thin!
On the 21st of February a publisher was engaged to speak to the Torrevieja Writers Circle and they kindly invited the U3A
Creative Writing Group to this meeting and to join them for lunch at the Lo Monte Hotel, Torre de la Horadada.
Creative Writing Group to this meeting and to join them for lunch at the Lo Monte Hotel, Torre de la Horadada.
Painting - Tutor: Maria Moreschi A.B.A.F., F.P.S.
A very exciting new activity group. We are very fortunate to have as our tutor Maria Moreschi. Maria has retired to Spain
having taught art in England for 35 years. To View Maria's Profile: Click Here
having taught art in England for 35 years. To View Maria's Profile: Click Here
She was born and educated in Florence, where she attended the Florence Academy of Fine Arts, studying under both
Annigoni and Nardini.
Annigoni and Nardini.
Exhibitions of her works have been held at regular intervals in England, Europe and the United States. A number of her
paintings and studies are held in public and private collections throughtout the world.
paintings and studies are held in public and private collections throughtout the world.
with room for our easels but are looking forward to setting up in the countryside for some outside projects.
Needlecraft - Tutor: Peta Neale
One of our current activities is a group of six ladies that have been working on a patchwork project - A quilt incorporating
within the design, the "Breast Cancer Ribbon" motif. It is hoped to complete the quilt by the end of this month so that it is
within the design, the "Breast Cancer Ribbon" motif. It is hoped to complete the quilt by the end of this month so that it is
ready to enter our raffle in order to
raise funds for the AECC.
raise funds for the AECC.
Raffle Tickets will be on sale at the
April U3A meeting.
April U3A meeting.
On the 20th February a trip was made
by train to Alicante to purchase
materials for future projects.
by train to Alicante to purchase
materials for future projects.
New members are always welcome
and any needlecraft skill/s can be
shared/learned within the group.
and any needlecraft skill/s can be
shared/learned within the group.
| Click on the Photo to Enlarge |
| Click on the Photo to Enlarge |
Music & Theatre - Leader: David Evans
Murcia
Friday 23rd March, Concert being presented by the Extremadura Orchestra, conducted by Jesus Amigo.
Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D, soloist Alexander da Costa, Performance starts at 8:30 pm.
Ticket Prices are: €14 euros, €10 euros or €7 euros.
Lunch Group
In January, 12 members enjoyed pre-prandial drinks in the sunshine by the pool and then lunch at the Olympia Restaurant,
Mil Palmeras - organised by Rita Broadhead.
Mil Palmeras - organised by Rita Broadhead.
The February lunch on wednesday the 14th was less well supported, only six ladies lunched together but low numbers was
probably because it was Valentines Day (perhaps people were being wined and dined in the evening!) and it also followed
our coach outing to Lorca on the Tuesday. Maggie Oldfield organised this lunch and we will be needing recommendations
for restaurants to patronize in future months and volunteers to make the necessary arrangements.
probably because it was Valentines Day (perhaps people were being wined and dined in the evening!) and it also followed
our coach outing to Lorca on the Tuesday. Maggie Oldfield organised this lunch and we will be needing recommendations
for restaurants to patronize in future months and volunteers to make the necessary arrangements.
http://www.u3atorrevieja.com/newsletter.html
Trip to Lorca 13th Feb 2007
A bright sunny morning greeted us as the coached arrived at the
visitors centre on time at 11:00 am.
visitors centre on time at 11:00 am.
Most of us were to visit the Embroidery Museum, so Rita went into
the centre to buy the tickets for us. There she was told that for
some reason the Castle was Closed and that the Tourist Train
which goes round town was only taking groups of 20 Plus.! What
a shame.
the centre to buy the tickets for us. There she was told that for
some reason the Castle was Closed and that the Tourist Train
which goes round town was only taking groups of 20 Plus.! What
a shame.
We, who were not for the museum had to just stroll around town in
the beautiful sunshine, admire the superb old buildings with their
wonderful architecture, have a coffee, have a chat and generally
chill out till lunch-time, when we were re-united with the rest of the
party.
the beautiful sunshine, admire the superb old buildings with their
wonderful architecture, have a coffee, have a chat and generally
chill out till lunch-time, when we were re-united with the rest of the
party.
The Museum visit had been a great success, with lovely examples
of different designs and works on display.
of different designs and works on display.
Whilst there, several ladies were at work on items for the Easter Week Parades. Time for Lunch.! ...Some 16 or so of us
found ourselves in The Plaza De San Vicente where we had a very nice Tapas. Lunch outside the Restaurante Hornero.
We had to ask for the Sun Shades to be wound out to give us shade.! ....Surely, this wasn't February.? View Photos
found ourselves in The Plaza De San Vicente where we had a very nice Tapas. Lunch outside the Restaurante Hornero.
We had to ask for the Sun Shades to be wound out to give us shade.! ....Surely, this wasn't February.? View Photos
| Lunch in the Plaza De Vincente - Click on Photo to Enlarge |
Monthly Meetings
Another stroll... A last look at the architecture and back to the coach for our return journey home. "A Grand Day Out"..!
From March 2007 onwards, the monthly meetings will be held at The Asturias Restaurante on the N332 at Playa Flamenca
(adjacent to the new Carrefour).
(adjacent to the new Carrefour).
Meetings will be on the 1st Monday of the month at 10:30 am, except in July & August, when there are no meetings.
There will be a Guest Speaker at each meeting and general info on Group Activities etc. Attendance fee for Members and
Non-Members is €1 euro and everyone is welcome.
Non-Members is €1 euro and everyone is welcome.
Those wishing to join the U3A can pick-up an application form at the meetings or download one from our new website.
Dates & Speakers for the following Monthly Meetings
April 2nd: "Dave" from S.A.T. Animal Rescue/Protection
May 7th: "Arthur Longdon" - Subject:- "Spain before Roundabouts"
June 4th: An English Partner in a Spanish Law Firm - Subject:- - Money, Matrimony & Mortality