PRESIDENT’S CHAT
Just when you think you have experienced everything in life, along comes a surprise! My very good friend Carmen Alesanco and her daughter, Shayla, invited me to a CONCERT! I have been to a Prom Concert at the Albert Hall but didn’t feel that that counted as I left at half time and was seated so high up I had a nose bleed.
So, off we went to Barcelona for the weekend and saw Andre Rieu in the Palau San Jordi. What an experience, we laughed, we danced, we sang. The costumes are beautiful, the music is great and the show is fabulous.
The previous week I went with my son and his family to Benidorm Palace and saw the new Aqua Show. That too is fantastic and you have the chance to experience it on the 12th March thanks to David Butt and the travel team (always assuming he has a travel team by then).
I know I keep hammering on about getting more volunteers onto the travel team but he can only run one coach if there is no-one to help him. I was asked, at the last General Meeting, why there was only one coach running to Valencia (or Alicante) when so many people want to go. The reason is that there has to be someone on each coach to count the passengers and communicate with the driver.
The U3A Jávea also needs volunteers for other ‘jobs’ from raffle ticket sellers to the President. We are all volunteers and we need more of you to come forward to help. I joined the U3A in 2007 and have been on the committee in one form or another for most of that time. I have also ‘voluntarily’ helped the various Events Organisers and run a group. It makes me feel needed!!
I am giving up the Presidency in March, two years is enough, before allowing someone else to inject new thoughts and ideas into the mix. The nominations for the Committee are now open and the nomination form should be available on the website.
Soon we break for Christmas, with the many and varied Christmas lunches, dinners and dances. If you are going to the ‘official’ U3A Christmas Lunch run by Mike Frost at La Masena don’t forget to bring your ‘pennies’ for the orphanage. I expect there will be a lot of demands on you purse strings at the other functions also. But, hey, that’s what it’s all about….CHARITY.
And, don’t forget, this year’s nominated charity is the one that helps YOU most, Help of the Alta Marina. These are the people you turn to when you need help at the hospital or help in your home. They have an extensive range of free to borrow disability aids and will also send someone round to help you get your shopping etc.
At the Committee meeting this month our Treasurer, Michael Cox, advised that we are in a strong enough financial position to lower the membership fees for the next financial year to 5€. We all voted in favour!!
Please remember your renewal membership fees are payable in January. If you delay you will be liable to pay a rejoining fee of 10€ plus the membership fee.
Now I have to go shopping for Sherry and Mince Pies for the Extravaganza on the 27th. That, too, looks good with a choir, a panto and some variety acts. I hope to see you there.
Val xx
AKA Valerie Dromgoole, President U3A Jávea.
