News

Following a late cancellation, 2 places are now available on the tour. If you would like to join us all, please send an email asap to Angela Chantry: spanish.culture.cuisine@gmail.com Saturday 22nd August – Tuesday 1st September 2026 – 10 nights Enjoy the magic of landscapes ranging from tall peaks, glittering waterfalls and valleys dotted with beautiful mountain villages. With typical Pyrenean architecture, and a medieval past, Huesca is a province full of nature, magic, and contrasts. Day 1 Saturday 22nd…

We left Javea on a lovely sunny morning, and made our way to the Huerto del Cura, a private, historic garden, declared a National Artistic Garden in 1943 as part of the Elche Palm Grove. It is known as the Priest’s Garden, getting its name from Chaplain José Castaño Sánchez who owned and lovingly cared for the land until 1918.  Locally in Elche, the word huerto refers to a plot of palm trees, and it is a tradition to name…

Summer Party

Saturday 5th September 2026 The next Dine & Dance evening will take place on the terrace at the Restaurante Club de Tenis Jávea, so come and enjoy a night out chatting with friends and dancing under the stars, with music played by our favourite DJ, James Hurst! Programme 18.45 hrs: Arrival – drinks may be purchased from the bar. 19.30 hrs: Dinner (drinks included during the meal – see menu below), with background music by James Hurst, followed by music…

Due to holidays at the Javea Centre Social, we will have our last group meeting before summer break, not as usual on the last Friday of the month, but on 3rd July. The subject should intrigue us, because reality is rarely what it seems in the media headlines. Join our upcoming discussion group meeting as we strip away the noise and dissect how narratives are constructed, how public opinion is manipulated, and where legal proof ends and political theatre begins.…

Our last Travellers Tales presentation before the summer break was given by Hugh Epsom, who described a wonderful trip that he and Gillian had enjoyed in September 2024 to Zanzibar.  We discovered what a beautiful and interesting island it is, as Hugh took us on a journey through its history, the slave trade, spices, cuisine and culinary delights, the towns and buildings, beaches, and much more, not forgetting that Stone Town was where Freddie Mercury was born! Members gave Hugh…

Rock, Rioja & Roger: A Musical Tour Through Spain

Saturday 15th August The Porrat de Polop is a typical Valencian village fair and the origins of these festivities date back more than 200 years, when a market or “porrat” was held around the San Roque hermitage, where residents bought supplies for their gardens and homes. Over the years, the market evolved into what are now the celebrations in honour of the town’s patron saint, Sant Roc.  The festival programme has not been published yet but normally on Saturday morning…

12th – 20th April 2027 (8 nights, dates to be confirmed). A new Spanish Culture & Cuisine trip is being planned to Extremadura, a western Spanish region bordering Portugal. If you have not been to this area before, make a note of the proposed date in your diary! Extremadura is an area of mountains, forests, lakes and reserves, notably Monfragüe National Park and Cornalvo Natural Park, both sheltering diverse birdlife. As well as seeing the fauna and flora of the…

Energy is no longer just a utility—it is politics, security, and everyday life. At a recent discussion, very few participants had solar panels, and none had battery storage, highlighting continued dependence on central power grids. Spain’s energy mix is broadly balanced between renewables, gas, nuclear, and hydro, but concerns remain about grid stability. The 2025 Iberian blackout was seen as a warning that renewables require strong infrastructure and balancing systems, which need big investments. Across Europe, energy security is increasingly…

Continues Through Early Summer

6-week Weight Loss Support Programme

Granadella Woods

Our final History Group meeting of the season featured regular June speaker David Ebsworth, who gave a fascinating talk, Elihu Yale and His Wicked Wife. Most people associate the Yale name with the famous university, but David revealed the far darker story behind the man. Born in Boston in 1649, Elihu Yale rose through the East India Company to become Governor of Madras, building a huge fortune through controversial trading practices, corruption, and involvement in the slave trade. David explored…

News about a potential new group

Postponed until September 2026

Bodega Castaño day trip

Here are a list of dates you might like to make a note of for U3A ‘all members’ regular meetings and social events. All meetings and events with be published in an email prior to the event with full details of times etc. Wednesday 24 June – Coffee Morning cancelled due to Fiesta Parades and fireworks! Wednesday 16 September – Late Summer Party at Javea Golf Club 6pm to 9pm. A welcome back and catch up after the summer break…