This newsletter was emailed to all our members on 1st July.
Firstly a big thanks from myself and your u3a Oliva Committee for the support and attendance at the AGM. We had enough members to commence the meeting on time and we managed to get through without any hitches. Talking of members, at the AGM (see report below) I mentioned we had 595 members. We have now jumped to 609. That is fantastic news, thank you all. I think that must be a record in all our 18 years of being. Please do keep recommending us to your friends and neighbours.
Your new committee for 2025/26 are now busy working on your behalf. To find out who is who, please see your new committee here. Unfortunately Mary Daly, has now had to step down as Travel Coordinator due to personal reasons and we all wish her well in the future. She had bought lots of ideas and experience to our team in the short time she was with us, and the travel and events team were raring to go. While we regroup we do have some excellent news.
Most of you will be are aware of the Gandia and Oliva Social Club (Previously GASC Gandia Area Social Club), and could well be a member. They very generously invite our members to join them in their social events and recently a trip. The two committees have agreed that it makes sense to share all trips in the future and events (where space allows) to make sure we both get full buses and higher attendance at events. There will of course still be the separate quizzes, bingo and coffee mornings.
I am looking forward to the 2025/26 year as president of a thriving u3a.
Angela Town, President
Hello All,
It has been a busy time for secretarial duties with completing the necessary online paperwork for the Ayuntamiento and Generalitat following the AGM. It is all submitted now, including the changes to our constitution! I would like to thank member Jill Buckenham for translating the Constitution into Spanish and also, Graham Martin our current treasurer, for his help in translating the AGM minutes.
You can find the draft AGM minutes online along with minutes from the last committee meetings. We will be holding our last committee meeting of this u3a year on 21st July.
If you have any questions or queries, or you need any other information please contact me at secretary@u3aoliva.org
I hope you all have a great summer!
Take Care, Belinda
- Monday 14th July u3a Oliva Quiz at El Pelut: Booking required
- Thursday 31st July - next u3a subsidised event - meal & entertainment - more info soon, please look out for the email
- Thursday 11th September 10.30: coffee morning at Tasca Olivense
To keep informed and up to date with what's going on in your U3A
- Please keep checking our website for instant updates, news and information.
- Consider joining our Facebook group; here you can find information, discussions and support.
- Read all the newsletter, I know it can sometimes be long, but it's all relevant and helpful.
- Also, remember it's worth checking your junk folders once in a while to see if Google or Microsoft etc. have deemed any emails from our committee members as spam.
Coffee morning with Proteccio Civil Oliva
Over 30 members attended the coffee morning in May 2025 were we welcomed Axel from Proteccio Civil Oliva. Many of you may have followed Axel´s updates as he worked on the recovery process after the DANA which occurred on 30th October 2024 in Valencia. All members felt this was a very informative, and sometime emotional, talk.
Axel firstly explained how the Proteccio Civil Oliva (PCO) operates and that this is a 100% volunteer role. The PCO is provided with a small amount of funds from the Oliva Ayuntamient at the start of each financial year, however this needs to fund absolutely every thing they need i.e. vehicle fuel, uniform, personal protective equipment and all necessary machinery for recovery and rescues.
The PCO were one of the first agencies on site in the affected areas of the horrendous DANA in October and one thing that definitely came out this awful event was his advice for us as individuals to be personally prepared, i.e. to have a “go bag” which includes passports, legal paper, medication & a pet carrier ready for those of us with beloved furry family. To also make sure you have an accessible working torch and candles.
Their attendance at the site of the DANA in Valencia highlighted the lack of basic equipment essential for their own personal safety and wellbeing through to generators to enable them to pump water, hence the reason for the fundraising appeal at the time for a water pump. Raising funds for future needs is always an on going issue.
Axel explained that the outcome of the events in November have led to our local Proteccio Civil to re-think about emergency planning and preparation for the population of Oliva. Obviously hoping we will never need it, but just as Axel said, better prepared than not!! In November 1987 did see the costal towns of Gandia and Oliva have a rain fall of 817 litres per square meter in 24 hours, significantly more than what the DANA dropped in October in Valencia.
To assist in the preparation Axel and the PCO team are fundraising to boost the equipment they have available to them, along with a dedicated ambulance. Our u3a President was thrilled to be able to present Alex with a €500 donation from our members to help his appeal. Their aim at the moment is to raise €10,000 for their own ambulance. Alex was incredibly grateful for the donation and looks forward to collaborating more with u3a Oliva.
SPOTLIGHT ON: u3a AGM 2025
The 2025 AGM was held at Tasca Olivense on 21st May, with a turnout of over 50 members. It was a relaxed meeting over coffee with an opportunity to meet up with other members. You can read the minutes online now.
The AGM is your opportunity to hear from the Committee about how the organisation is being run, what happens to your membership money, future plans and is the perfect opportunity to ask questions and make suggestions about what you would like to be available to members in the coming year.
Your u3a Committee has recently expanded and we now have a new Travel Co-ordinator, Mary Daly (unfortunately has now had to rescind her offer) and myself, your new Media/Publicity Officer.. In addition, as Graham Martin steps down in August we will welcome Diana Jameson to the team as Treasurer going forward.
Our current President, Angela Town is entering into her 3rd and final year in this role. Angela has worked hard to raise our membership numbers and has enthusiastically contributed to elevate our u3a Oliva to its current position. We are now looking for our next President. If this is something you would be interested in undertaking (and you would have lots of support!), please make contact with one of our Committee members.
Best regards
Wendy Hall, u3a Media
Hello All
As the days heat up, some of our groups wind down. There are a few still going through the summer, but these tend to be the gentle type. Please check the website and request information from the group leader if you wish to attend.
- Body & Mind continues through July.
- Drama, Canasta, Bridge, Pétanque, Thursday Lunch club, Bowls and Golf are running as normal.
All our other groups should restart in the autumn; The groups that use the Pensionista building usually start late September/early October as we need to wait for the room booking confirmation from the Ajuntament.
Please do contact the group leader if you wish to join a group and have your membership number ready, and check our groups page to find out more information about any of our groups.
Although nothing is confirmed as yet, we are looking at the possibility of Zumba and Pilates for the new u3a year. We are keeping our fingers crossed that the Pensionista building will have the cafe/bar area up and running by then. It is such a shame we cannot socialise easily after our group sessions end.
Don't forget our Facebook group and our website carry group updates to look out for. Also if you can teach a new subject or wish to set up a new group, please let me know.
Wishing you a great summer
Carol-Ann, Group Coordinator
Our next member event - Meal & Entertainment
After a superb sell out Hog Roast at La Bresca, and a lovely trip to Guadalest and the Chocolate Factory: we can now announce our 2nd subsidised event of the year. This will take place at Brisas del Mar in Piles on Thursday July 31st, we will enjoy a 3 course meal with entertainment by the irrepressible James Hurst, who some of you may remember from last year. As usual there will be a coach to and from Oliva.
Booking forms will be out shortly. Please keep checking your emails for news
I am here to help members if you have any health issues or need support from a member for shopping or transport. please do get in touch.
I now have a good sized list of volunteers to help members with transport, translating, dog walking, pet feeding, lifts to appointments etc.. Please contact me if you have an emergency or need help.
Please Whatsapp me on 672510915 or email support@u3aoliva.org if you can offer up your time for dog walking, shopping, social visits, lifts to the medical centre etc.
I'm also continuing to help our members find a good tradesperson when the need arises. If you can recommend anyone, especially if they speak English, please do contact me. See the current list of contacts.
Please don't forget, this is your u3a, if you have any suggestions, ideas or if you are not happy about something, please let us know. Our aim is to make your u3a Oliva experience a happy one.
u3a Oliva is only possible because of the support of the Ajuntament D'Oliva.