SUMMER NEWS4U

U3A VALL DEL POP

No. 106 2020

Dear Members, Well, it feels somewhat different to finally come to the end of the lockdown period. I know that a number of you are still very anxious and rightfully so, so please do not take any chances. Now that we can meet our friends for coffee, we were able to hold our first committee meeting. Many things were discussed and especially preparation for the September General Assembly. I am sure that you may have read that public buildings are not opening for the foreseeable future, so our preparations might be in vain, but be assured that we will take all precautions to safe guard your safety, if we are allowed to go ahead. Arrangements have been made for those members who missed the renewal window, so make sure that you read through the newsletter for more details. {page 3} During this period we have had our ups and downs, but I think we must say a big thank you to Lorraine for producing very entertaining and informative newsletters. I certainly looked forward to see what comments, stories and jokes had been sent to her for publication…. some of you are very naughty, but it made us all smile. Now we are into the summer break, let us hope that things start to get back to normal and we can feel safe again in our valley. Have a great summer break and hope to see you in September.

Best wishes, Bob.

Sandra and I practice hand washing together… oooh how clean are we.

U3A Annual (Virtual) President’s Meeting.

Bob was unavailable on this date, so have a guess who was invited to take part? Firstly, this was my first Zoom Multi session, which did not go quite to plan. Everyone logged-on on time and it was nice to see other President’s and mem-bers who I haven’t had contact with over the last few months. When I say ‘nice to see’ my camera wouldn’t work. Not good but we all managed. Most presidents were sitting in their lounge but Denia’s President thought that sitting on the Marina would be a better location. How nice was that! We did have the opportunity to discuss some important points that we are all quite concerned about, one being that we might not be able to maintain our membership due to the virus, Brexit and the 90-day rule and members just been anxious about meeting in large groups. We mentioned about associations updating their constitution…I sat there feeling rather smug in that we possibly won’t want to touch ours for another 10 years. It was good to have the opportunity to share ideas and ways in which we work, and I thought it was certainly a worthwhile exercise.

Sandra Welham

A very happy Golden Wedding Anniversary to Lynn and Tony Bishop at the El Nou Portet on 20th June.

“Before I tell my wife something important, I take both her hands in mine.

That way she can't hit me with them”.

A good wife always forgives her husband when she's wrong.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS INFORMATION At the Committee Meeting today, it was confirmed that if we are allowed to go ahead with the September General Assembly, then we will be accepting renewals at that Assembly. Members must adhere to distancing requirements, and whilst dealing with the Renewals Team, it will be mandatory to wear a mask. Any new members are asked to download Membership Forms from the website and complete them before coming to the venue. Also, it was agreed that as we were unable to run the March Satellite Renewals, we will run this also in September at a date and venue to be advised. As an alternative for those members who do not feel able to socialise at the moment, membership can also be renewed by bank transfer. Details of our bank account can be found on the website.

Please remember to put your name in the reference section so we can identify you.

We hope this will go some way to help members. Many thanks and regards

Barbara Bentley

Secretary’s report from the CM

We had a very positive meeting yesterday with the new committee. New members included Mary

Bacon, Assistant Treasurer, Sally Ellis ,Assistant Secretary and Sonia Higginson ,TCET.

Some of the points that were raised being a list of recommendations for General Assemblies.

Hopefully these will give members confidence to attend the meeting. If of course this all depends

on whether public buildings are allowed to open, in our case the Polivalent. We had hoped to hold

a celebration meeting, but it was felt that maybe it should be more low key.

Barbara , Membership is making arrangements for the payment of membership fees.

Hopefully a satellite meeting will be held in September. During this time TCET has had to cope with

events being cancelled and we cannot thank enough Salvador Banuls of MCO, a local travel agent

who has gone the extra miles to help members especially those who booked the trip to Cordoba.

The Goodwill team held a meeting to see if they can organise fundraising events such as a

Treasure Hunt, Sponsored Walk, Plant & Card Sale and of course a Christmas Raffle.

The Sharing &Caring have been working throughout lockdown by providing help and support.

They will continue during the summer break.

Further details follow in the newsletter under the relevant categories.

Sandra

TCET NEWS AND UPDATES

From Sonia and Sandra

Following our Committee meeting at Animo and my short report re - what’s

been happening with TCET I was asked to write re Salvador’s help and

co-operation, he owns and runs the MCO Viajes business in Pego with his

wife, so here goes!

Over the past year both Sandra and I have been very impressed with

MCO Viajes (travel agent) in Pego. Salvador Baňuls Sendra runs the business

with his wife, and has done so for over 20 years, and seems to go that extra

mile when required. He tried every which way possible to help out with

Sandra’s Venice trip after the agent she had booked it with went bankrupt

and he has been so helpful following the cancellation of the Cordoba/Sevilla

trip.

Together we worked out the highest possible refund for everyone re cash,

cheque or bank transfer from the funds that we were still holding between us

and he has set up a voucher scheme for the rest of the monies owed, backed

personally from his own business, which is quite a risk from his point of view.

This has meant that we are not at the mercy of the hotels, the members that

receive a voucher can use them for either a hotel booking, a flight, a cruise or

any other holiday/transport which Salvador’s agency can supply. If by the 31st

May 2021 the voucher has not been used, he will then refund them either in

full or the difference if the voucher has been partially used.

We have been very impressed and grateful for his handling of the whole

situation in this very bizarre time, especially the negotiations with the

hotels etc. and look forward to dealing with him in the future.

When I explained to the Committee meeting today the way the refund had

been agreed they were very complimentary and pleasantly surprised that in

the end a complete refund would be forthcoming, albeit having to wait until

next year.

Once again many thanks Salvador, from a grateful TCET group.

Sonia Higginson and Sandra Welham

Bob has already bought

his full PPE suit for the

Autumn TCET trips!

With the end of lock-down starting on 11th May, Jo & Pete Cleary brought their

innings, of 57 different costumes and different songs, to an end on 10th with a final performance as ‘themselves’.

Every day since 15th March, Jo & Pete have put on their make-up and costume

and given us a different song to keep their friends and acquaintances

entertained – we have come to look forward to their lunchtime presentations,

whatever are we going to do from now on?

This is an incredible achievement which has involved them in lots of planning each day. Firstly - what new costume can they come up with, from whatever party props they have at home, or a scissors/needle/cotton can make up, cardboard cut-out noses, floor mops becoming hair

– their imagination was incredible. Then the song to accompany the costume – must be practiced as each day they were word/tune/note perfect. Finally set up the cameras to ensure every move can be transmitted to their Facebook and You Tube audiences. Never a day missed, a truly wonderful achievement – and so much pleasure given to so many by two incredibly generous souls giving of their time and their imagination. I doubt there is a Guinness Book of Records for continuous home-based costumed performances whilst in lockdown, but Jo & Pete have certainly got the Vall de Pop ‘Record of Achievement’ for 2020. For those of you who have missed their performances you can see them all on their Facebook at ‘Clearys en Espana’ or on You Tube at ‘Crazy Clearys’. Thank you both, from the bottom of our hearts, for what you have achieved by your unselfish efforts to raise the spirits/smiles of those in lock-down. Pete & Jo are relatively new [18 months] in Vall del Pop but are already active members of Jalon Valley Help and the Vall del Pop U3A, so when you see them out and about give them a wave and a loud ‘thank you’. Peter Sockett

General group information sent to the local papers by Peter Sockett recently: -

Canasta – possible restart after end of June.

Word Addicts – continuing online. Sugar-craft – continuing to meet, as permitted by the rules. Dining Experience - hoping to organise a meal for August, subject to restaurant availability. Entertainers - hoping to start live events in August subject to venue being available.

Yarn and Thread - will resume on 14th September at Cappuccino Orba. Thursday Walking Group - consider ing offer ing some summer walks in September. Monday group will be suspended for a while. Wednesday Walkers – hoping to restart in September/October. Mixed Media and Art - hoping to restart in September.

Spanish Conversation - weekly WhatsApp contact, possibly restart in September. Digital Photography – no meetings until September although individual photos being shared on their Facebook page. Silverliners – will restart in September, venue to be advised.

Astronomy - can restart any time but opportunities for observing limited until darker evenings , September likely. Creative Writing – operating on E-mail. Bridge, Card Making, Flower Arranging, Tai Chi

Awaiting re-opening of Xalo Pensionistas Vall del Pop Singers, Mosaic 2. Awaiting re-opening of Animo Keep Fit, Egyptology, Line Dancing. Awaiting re-opening of other municipal halls. Spanish at Claudia’s with Pauline McGough — re-start in September

Not planning on restarting at present – Mosaic 1.

(Most groups stop each summer and re-start in the Autumn).

More detailed information follows

from individual groups or group leaders who sent in their updates

to Lorraine for this newsletter.

Group Leaders will be in touch with their members

later in the summer, but please do contact them if you have any queries, and/or check the website for further information.

Group News

DINING EXPERIENCE MEAL

With social activities slowly getting a little easier, because I had to cancel the

last two Dining Experience meals for March and April, our members were

approached to find out if a meal during July would be welcomed.

I need not have worried, response was immediate and positive and the group

will be going to Casa Lili in Moraira on Saturday the 18th July (the following

Saturday, 25th, was already in many people’s diary for the Jalon Valley Help

music event in Alcalali and no one wants to miss that).

Casa Lili has a very efficient system in place for social distancing, plenty of

hand sanitisers, separate tables and their menu details are given on a tablet.

I will let you have a report of the meal and hopefully some photos in the

September newsletter.

Enjoy your summer.

Marie Fitzgerald.

GENERAL GROUPS UPDATES

Ignoring everything that has disrupted life for the first part of 2020, in “normal years” July

and August are months when Groups take a rest (and with temperatures in the 30’s and

40’s who can blame them) the swimming pool offers a very tempting alternative.

However, as restrictions ease, many Groups are already considering how to resume

activities and what needs to be done in order to start up again from September onwards.

Unfortunately, the lack of access to public buildings is making resumption difficult for some

Groups, but our intrepid Group Leaders are doing their best to find alternative venues.

Any information that we have will be put onto the U3A Website but things are changing

so quickly that you are advised to check with individual Group Leaders to see the latest

position (use the email link on the relevant Group website)

As activities do restart, requirements for social distancing, sanitiser/masks/gloves will be

taken into account and we would like to reassure you that each Group Leader will have

given much thought as to what is the best practice for their members.

Legal requirements plus common sense have a key role to play.

Enjoy the summer, and you will be welcome to join, or simply be welcomed back into the

Groups as soon as possible.

Marie Fitzgerald, Teresa Tillbrook

Groups Co-Ordinators.

Duncan Thompson writes that the Ballroom Dancing Group

re-started this month

They have new premises in Beniarbeig above the library

and next to the Town Hall.

Dancing starts at 10.00 am until 12 noon, every Tuesday.

Also the Padel Group has re-started on Monday afternoons

at the indoor Padel Centre Ondara from 2.30 pm until 4.00 pm.

New members are very welcome

Please get in touch

through the website links.

Monday and Thursday WALKING GROUPS PAUL LENISTON

Weather and coronavirus permitting we hope to be able to start

group walking again in September. It is only a wish at present. It may be too hot.

The dreaded “second wave” of the virus may have arrived. People may just not be ready to meet up in groups again.

But the ambition will carry us through the long, hot summer weeks. Hopefully in about nine weeks we will be able to meet up

with much missed walking friends again.

Monday and Thursday Walking groups On Thursday 12th March fifteen of us met at Castell de Castells

for a five hour circular walk to the Arch. It was a warm and sunny day, and we were all looking forward to what is normally

the best walking time of the year. We can usually expect bright sunny weather until the summer heat brings it all to an end in

June. We had enjoyed a drier than usual winter and had enjoyed many excellent walks already.

Little did we know what was about to hit us! Two days later lockdown was declared, and In Spain that really meant “lockdown”. We cancelled both of our weekly walks the following day. We then settled down to four weeks of house arrest. We could not leave the house except for essential shopping, and then only one of us. We do not have a dog, so we could not even use that for an excuse. For 53 days our only exercise would be speed walking around our swimming pool area. 30 circuits followed by five times up and down the outside steps, three times a day. That would be our exercise programme for almost seven weeks.

Saturday 2nd May was a red letter day. Lockdown was relaxed,

we could now leave the house together for a walk, it was restricted to one hour and though we did have to remain within

1 km of the house. It was a great experience to be able to leave the house together, and we are fortunate that we have a circular walk from our house in Parcent, which usually takes

about 45 minutes, and is all more or less within Tte 1 km of the house.

I was even more pleased when the town hall confirmed that hill walking counts as sport, rather than exercise, so we could take as long as we wanted and could walk as far as we liked. But we would have to start from the house and could not drive to the start of the walk. We decided to make the best of this opportunity to recce some new walks. But we kept a copy of the town hall email on our mobile phone, just in case we were stopped by the Guardia Civil. Like most local walking groups we have always taken a summer break from June to October. But last year we introduced summer walks in June and September. These were low level three hour walks from 09.00 to 12.00 and ended with a drink in a local bar. They were very popular and we decided we would try to do them again this September.

13 May 2020

Throughout May and June we have explored the Jalon Valley looking for new routes and extensions

to old favourites. Having not walked at all for so long it was great fun

to rediscover this lovely area, which we are so fortunate to live in.

After weeks of almost endless grey skies, rain and cold the weather suddenly returned to the normal

bright, dry and sunny weather we are more used to in Spring.

Being able to ramble and explore at will reminded us just how much we had missed it.

Cinema group We have a list of films that we would have shown between March and now

but no clear idea of what will be shown in September and later. I am having a meeting with the Parcent Ayuntamiento in July to discuss dates

for the autumn/ winter and how they will operate in the "New Normal" with respect to 75% capacity, pre-assigned seats, requirement for masks,

use of toilets, cleaning of facilities (including chairs, projector, sound mixer systems, plug switches and fuses) etc.

After this, the cinema group will have to work out how we can inspect

membership cards and collect the entrance fees whilst meeting "social distancing", although we may get some advice from the U3A Committee on this as it will be a similar problem for other groups.

Richard Welburn

GOODWILL TEAM UPDATE At a recent meeting of the Goodwill Team, discussions took place in order to work out how to continue fund raising and how to inform U3A members, especially those new to the area, of the work undertaken by different charities. Whilst remaining optimistic that we will be able to have General Assembly meetings later in the year, it is not going to be possible for information/awareness talks to be given by representatives of Charities. Nevertheless, details of the work of the Charities will be published on the Website and in the newsletters and if we are able, we will display literature at any further monthly General Assemblies in Murla. Voting for the charities will be organised later in the year with distribution of funds in December. At the present time these are the events planned for the remainder of the year. Full details, with dates, cost and booking arrangements will be sent out over the next couple of months. Do come along and support us, and enjoy yourselves at the same time

Car Treasure Hunt in September A Sponsored Walk in October

If General Assemblies can take place, during the last 3 months of the year we hope to organise:

Plant Exchange/ Card Sale Raffle of Flower Displays

Christmas Raffle The Simply Come Dancing event and the Beetle Drive

will hopefully be rescheduled for 2021.

Marie and the Team

BARGAINS TO BE

HAD HERE…

2006 Nissan Xtrail Columbia 4x2. info entertainment system. Sat Nav etc; rear sensors.

Cruise control. Yellow emissions certificate tow bar not used. Only 155.000 kms

absolute gift at € 3500. Eric Carney tel 627 211 699 Calpe

Motor engine driven ROTAVATOR in excellent condition (2016).

Brand "GreenCut", 208 cc, 7 CV and 70 cms width and 35 cms depth.

Price: €275.

PLUS

New spare tyre type "Home Komband".

Price : €25

For further information please call Robert Van de Loo in Parcent.

Mobile phone: 681 672 044

ELECTRIC BIKE by LIFE CYCLE

Foldable, Finished in polished Aluminium, Good working order, Shopper style,

Useful front basket, Rear luggage carrier. Purchased at Electric Bike World in Southampton

about 6 years ago BUT hardly used so in good condition.

€120 John Larkin

645 324 450 jflarkins@gmail.com

3 seater sofa .

Chunky corduroy material with suede

feature on front and back. €200

Large armchair to match

the sofa. €100 Both in very good condition.

Will sell separately but discount given

if buying both.

Contact Ray Tudor on 676 295 742 or e-mail

raytudor53@gmail.com

FOR SALE – ORBA AREA

CHILD’S CAR SEAT

GROUP 1-2-3 SUITABLE FROM 9 MONTHS TO 12 YEARS

NEW - USED FOR TWO WEEKS ONLY €25 O.N.0

CHILD’S CAR BOOSTER SEAT

SUITABLE FOR CHILD 7 YEARS +

NEW - USED FOR TWO WEEKS ONLY €10 O.N.O

TELEPHONE MARIE

965 587 475 or 602 214 794

I came home yesterday with 2 armchairs and a sofa

that a kind man gave me in the park.

My dad got angry at me for

taking suites from strangers!

FREE to anyone who would find it useful, used Open University course material for:

1) Arts (a second-level course)

2) From Enlightenment to Romanticism 3) Nineteenth-Century Novels

4) Twentieth-Century Literature

If interested, please contact Rosalind Miranda on navigatrixie@yahoo.co.uk.

If anyone fell out with

their partner in a

big way during

lockdown….

we could try a

SALE

OR RETURN???

Decorative pedestal glass-top side table

DIMENSION OF THE GLASS: 100 x 41 cms

HEIGHT: 74 cm

(We can deliver it to you in Denia, Pedreguer or Javea)

PHONE : 656 439 222 Dieter or Cordula

€ 250.00

Postponed from June — ARC are delighted to announce a new date: -

As the ARC shop has had to close, we hope you will support this event.

Thank you

It’s “Summer Show” time again for Jávea Players.

From 27 July-1 August, we will host our annual

dinner theatre tradition: A delicious alfresco tapas meal followed by our performance,

“Master of the Musical" A musical celebration of Andrew Lloyd Webber”

devised and directed by Roger Brown.

Your health and safety is our priority, so we will only use 50% capacity at Bar Imperial

and in the Casa de Cultura theatre. We will not increase number of seats

even if the rules allow.

Programmes will only be available online and at no charge.

When: Performance nights from 27 July - 1 August, 2020; dinner starts at 7:00 PM and the performance begins at 9:00 PM.

Where: Casa de Cultura in Jávea’s Old Town,

dinner will be alfresco in the Placa Baix square out front of the theatre space.

Menu: Provided by Bar Imperial includes mixed salad, a selection of tapas with vegetarian option, pan y aioli, ½ bottle of decent wine (Tinto de Rioja or Blanco de Rueda or Rosado de Navarra)

or beer or soft drink, and dessert. Tables seat a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 20.

Price: 19.50 euros per person. Booking Information: We accept online reservations only.

Our finances are taking a big hit this year, and this show is an attempt to recover part of that

shortfall, so we do hope you and your friends will support us.

We look forward to welcoming you to our fabulous Summer Show season!

The Summer Show Team

Doctors were asked if we should reopen the country. Here's what the experts said:

Allergists were in favour of scratching it, but Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves.

Gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it, but Neurologists thought the Administration had a lot of nerve.

Obstetricians felt certain everyone was labouring under a misconception, while Ophthalmologists considered the idea short-sighted.

Many Pathologists yelled, "Over my dead body!" while Paediatricians said, "Oh, grow up!”

Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, while Radiologists could see right through it.

Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing and Internists claimed it would indeed be a bitter pill to swallow.

Plastic Surgeons opined that this proposal would "put a whole new face on the matter.”

Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but Urologists were pissed off at the whole idea.

Anaesthesiologists thought the whole idea was a gas, and those lofty Cardiologists didn’t have the heart to say no.

In the end, the Proctologists won out, leaving the entire decision up to the a**holes in Westminster.

I have really enjoyed putting the last three (most unusual) Newsletters together, and although some bits may not have been quite ‘pc’… they have provided most of our members with a good laugh in dire times. (apologies to those who “were not amused”). I have made some ‘self-distancing’ flags to stick in the sand this summer... So woe betide any family that dumps their stuff and noisy children anywhere near me!

Have a safe summer everyone.

See you in September Lorraine

No, it isn’t me!