Hola a todas! Hello to you all!
I would like to suggest that you get yourself comfortable. I am a Learner with a lot to say.
Your committee is now gearing up for the next few months with what we hope will be a mixture of activities and events, so please get your diary and pencil ready.
Latest from u3a
We are all so lucky to have had such wonderful weather, not too hot and certainly not cold, which allows us to extend our activities and social life. The cultural activities in this fantastic small working town never cease to amaze me. I just can't keep up with it all.
With that in mind, if anyone would like to volunteer to keep me and the rest of the members up to date with what is happening (preferably before it happens), than please get in touch. The Turismo Office for Oliva do a lovely monthly leaflet but this does not always include the small local events, which bring a richness to the local neighbourhoods. Maybe it is just me, but I always seem to find out about them too late.
If you know something that's happening locally, why not post it in our Facebook group.
What's coming up
We'll still be holding fortnightly coffee mornings. But we plan to mix it up a little, by organising a special speaker or entertainment for one of the sessions later one. If you have a topic, hobby or interest that you'd like to share, why not put yourself forward? It's not a formal gathering, just a meeting of friends. The standard coffee mornings will remain on the second Thursday of each month at the Pensionistas. The extra special ones will be the fourth Thursday of each month, at Tasca Olivense.
Over the next few months these special meet-ups will include - music from the guitar group and even a guide to Spanish electrics! You can always check the timings and locations on the coffee mornings page.
Time to renew
Polite reminder: If you haven't already done so, please do not forget to renew your membership. You must be a member to join our groups, go on our trips or access our discounts.
It's still just 10€ a year to be a member of u3a Oliva. You can pay that online, via your bank account, or in cash at our coffee mornings.
New website
I hope you're finding the new website easy to use - it seems to be a hit with members! It's easy to navigate, clean and crisp to look at and very fresh looking. Please do take the opportunity to have a look around, and see the whole range of what's on offer from u3a Oliva.
What it doesn't have is a lot of storage allowance. Whilst we try and find alternatives, you can get a copy of minutes from the last meeting (11/9) or the September accounts, by emailing Belinda at secretary@U3aoliva.org
Shoe Boxes
U3A Oliva is always proud of the member generosity, when it comes to supporting local charities. Every year we never fail to be able to give a Christmas Shoe Box Gift to all the children at El Bastidor school. So here is the rallying call once again. If you could please offer to spend 15 euros to fill a shoebox with a small gift/s then please contact Stephen (vice-president@U3Aoliva.org) who will give you all the details about child age/gender and the collection points.
Carols & feedback
I am looking for a few volunteers to join together to sing carols (I assure you that nobody would like to listen to me sing solo) and also hoping a member might offer to strum a guitar or play an instrument to accompany us. Please email me if you're interested - and you never know, it might be the beginning of a sing for fun group!
Update on our groups
Hi to all from me, Julie Hayward. I will firstly take a moment to introduce myself as the new Group Coordinator for Oliva U3a; some of you may already know me through the work I do with the Gandia Area Social Club (GASC) and the Ladies of Spain (LOS) and I aim to bring as much drive, support and enthusiasm into this role as is humanly possible.
At the moment I am learning the ropes and aim to meet as many of you as possible over the coming months, looking to see what you want, where you feel we can improve and do what I can to enable that to happen, so please do contact me with any questions if I haven’t got around to meeting up with you yet.
We currently have 23 Active Groups covering many activities, including Health & Wellbeing, Active Minds, Meeting People, Learning/practicing Spanish, playing music and playing cards and other games, so please do take a look at the groups information on our website, which is very easy to navigate and gives contact details of all group leaders, when and where groups are held etc.
Advanced Spanish
The Advanced (not very!) Spanish Group is looking for some more members to join them. Lessons are conducted in Spanish by Carla who is great fun, and makes lessons a pleasure. The lessons are mainly conversation based, with a bit of grammar thrown in.
The first lesson is free, so why not come along on Monday 6th November at 11.00 and see what you think. Visit the group webpage for more information.
New groups
Our new Belly Dancing Group starts October 24th, 11 to 12 at the Pensionistas. Find out more and sign up on the group webpage.
Proposed group: Stand up Paddleboarding (SUP)
Paddle Boarding is a great way to get out and enjoy the water, it’s a great way to get exercise and have a lot of fun. Because it's relatively easy to learn it is a great option for people of all ages and experience levels and can give a great work out and/or meditation, yoga options.
Your group leader is Barry Purvis. If you're interested then please express your interest now. We'll only be able to introduce this group if we know enough people are interested.
The group webpage also includes information about how to get started, and the right gear.
Proposed group: Padel
Padel – Group Leader - Graham Martin - Padel is said to be the fastest growing sport in Europe and is one of the most popular sports in Spain and is predominantly a doubles game. It is:
- Easy to learn
- Has simple and straightforward rules
- Keeps you fit and is good exercise
- Builds mental strength
- Is socially engaging
Your group leader is Graham Martin. If you're interested then please express your interest now. We'll only be able to introduce this group if we know enough people are interested.
The group webpage also includes information about the game and how it is played.
Proposed group: Sea swimming
Group leader Sue Arnott regularly swims in the open waters of the beautiful Mediterranean that we are so lucky to have on our doorstep and has agreed to welcome members to join her.
There are many health benefits to sea swimming, along with the obvious social experience.
Help & Support group
The new Help & Support group aims to bring members together, to offer advice, provide information and share resources. The group will meet regularly, with time to network and chat.
We'll also hold learning workshops, to cover a variety of useful topics. We're kicking off the first session on Monday 23rd with some IT advice:
- Webmaster Kelvin is offering help and support about phones, WhatsApp, Facebook and iPads (and lots more)
- Bob Smith will explain the wonders of a digital certificate, and how to get one.
The workshops are open to all, but it would be great to get an idea of numbers, so please let us know.
Travel, trips and events
Fire extravaganza trip
Ready for some Fire? Then join us on our outing to the Benidorm Palace to see their latest show. The trip on November 28th includes coach transport, tickets for the show, and a great 3 course dinner menu. It'll be a wonderful night out.
We can make some savings on the bus travel for larger groups. So, the normal price is €80, but we can reduce that down to €72 if we get more than 30 sign ups.
Christmas Party
On Thursday 14th December, Gandia Area Social Club has opened up their party night to u3a members.
I can guarantee great music, fantastic food/menu choices and service and lots of fun and dancing. There will also be a U3A Member raffle. Personally, I can't wait. It's been a long time since I put on my dancing shoes and party frock. As it's not that far from Oliva we could organise car/taxi share if needed.
Tickets cost 30€ for members, and 35€ for guests. Booking isn't open yet, so watch this space and polish up those shoes!
Please keep yourself safe and I look forward to meeting you soon.
Best regards
Angela