Minutes of General Meeting 4th May 2015

University of the Third Age Moraira-Teulada
Minutes of the Meeting held on 4th May 2015
At Salon de Banquettes, Teulada

It is confirmed that the President and the Deputy Secretary attended this Monthly Meeting as voted in at the AGM on 1st December 2014.
Jill Cole welcomed all the members to the May Meeting and especially the 36 new members. Jill explained the emergency procedures and said that the lift should not be used at such times. It was requested that mobile phones were either turned off or put on silent.
David Haxon read out the Synopsis of the Minutes from the Extraordinary Meeting held on 6th April 2015. The full minutes had been posted on the Website and they were proposed by Margaret Harvey and seconded by Frank Lee. The minutes were approved by the members with a show of hands.
There were no Matters Arising from the Minutes.
President’s Address Jill told the members that the Classical Music Appreciation Group had been very ably run by Geoffrey Shean for a number of years, but that he had now handed over the post to John Sheppard. Geoffrey was given a voucher of appreciation for his work.
Jill said that the U3A extends condolences to members Carole Bourne and Jean Jackson, whose mothers had recently passed away. Our thoughts are with them both. Jill continued that any member who has knowledge of this kind, can contact Rona Hurst, who is the Care Coordinator and who will pass the information on to the committee.
May is a busy month locally with fiestas for Labour Day, Mothers Day and a Food Fair in Moraira, also our U3A has several trips planned and our Spanish Themed Party at Font Santa on 19th May.
Jill said that she had joined the trip to the Bioparc in Valencia and that it was a wonderful setting so close to a city centre. The guides were excellent with great passion and knowledge for their parc. Jill thanked Pamela Powell for organising the day.
Jill wished former President, Ann Colclough a happy birthday and the members gave Ann a round of applause. Jill said it made a nice change to hear some good news about the arrival of the new Royal baby. Also Jill gave a reminder about the First Aid Course on 13th May being held at Sol Park restaurant; there are a few spaces left. This had been requested by members and Jill wanted to make sure full support was given to the company as special rates had been negotiated.
REPORTS

Treasurer
Carin Derksen gave the following report that since the Monthly Meeting on 6th April, income was €1927.64, made up from 41 Renewals, 46 new members, bank credit interest 0.14, and Ticket Sales for Font Santa 1057.50.
Expenses for April were €741.23 made up as follows:
April 1 Bank Account Charges 15.06
April 6 Speakers gift & raffle 75.00
Canasta group 79.87
Creative Writing Group 68.74
Walking Football 43.00
Newsletter printing 28.00
Membership sec 125.36
Press Liaison 36.00
Salon Rent & Coffees 146.00
April 28 Font Santa Exps 97.20
Art/History Group 27.00
Total 741.23

Therefore as at 4th May 2015 the following amounts were held
Contingency Fund 4000.00
Current Account 17732.13
Cash in Hand 2117.90
Total €23850.03

There were no questions regarding the Treasurers Report.

Group Coordinator
Shirley Baehr was pleased to report that the U3A Facebook Closed Group now has 130 members. Shirley told the members how to join this and said they would receive all the new postings that go on the website. It is also the place to post items for sale, information about groups and events and ask questions. Feedback would be appreciated from the members.
Peter Romain has said that his group is on hold for a month till June 9th, although the group members can still contact him if they have a problem. Peter is also running a workshop for people who may be afraid or unsure of Facebook. The sessions will be on 12th, 19th, and 26th June from 10 a.m to 12.30. Anyone interested should contact Peter on promain99@gmail.com
Shirley hopes that the members continue to enjoy and have fun with all their group activities and is happy to discuss any ideas for new groups.
Travel
Carol Mantle reported that there are two new day trips on offer.
23rd September Turron and Valor Chocolate Factories. There will be a stop in Campello for lunch and the trip costs €10 p.p. This trip is full but names are being taken for the reserve list.
30th September Ducal Palace in Gandia, lunch in Viva España, then on to Xátiva. The cost of this is €40 to include all entrances, lunch and the tourist train in Xátiva. This trip is nearly full.
14th to 18th September Peñiscola. 5 days 4 nights at a cost of €320. There are still about 30 places left on this trip, which may have to be cancelled if these spaces are not filled.
30th November to 3rd December Christmas shopping trip to Barcelona. 4 days 3 nights, there are just a few places left.
STOP PRESS: Two places have become available on the Prague trip due to cancellations.
Full details of all the trips are available from the Travel Group and can be found on the Travel webpage, or from the Travel Desk.
Cultural Arts
Beverley Stewart read the cultural news.
Saturday 9th May. Four choirs will be appearing at the Auditori in Teulada at 7pm. Admission FREE.
Thursday 14th May. Nabucco is being performed at Les Artes Reina Sofía in Valencia. Tickets are €82 which includes the coach.
Friday 15th May. Jazz at the Parador with Enrico Piedro Quartet at 8.30, tickets are €15.
Friday 22nd May. Concerts Costa Blanca present Orquesta de Valencia, but may have to cancel this event if the remaining seats are unsold. The cost is €35 including the coach.
Saturday 23rd May. Costa Blanca Male Voice Choir at the Salon de Actos in Teulada. Tickets cost €10
Sunday 24th May. Montgó Chorale will be at the Iglesia de la Santa Cruz in Pedreguer performing their Spring Concert at 7.30pm. Tickets are €12.
Thursday 28th May. At the Auditori in Teulada, the Festival Ballet Academy of Mari Paz at 8pm, back by popular demand.
Thursday 28th May. At the Palau de les Artes Reina Sofía, NARCISO is being presented. Tickets are €45 to include the coach.
Sunday 31st May. The Teulada Moraira Lions Club are presenting another night with Il Divo tribute band at La Senieta at 7.30. Special guests will be Duo Intermezzo. Tickets are €15.
Saturday 20th June. The Teulada Moraira Lions present U3A band (formerly the Golden Oldies) at the castle in Moraira as the first of the free summer concerts.
Member/Committee Liaison
There was no report from Brian Nicholls as no members had asked any questions.
Ceda Panajotovic told the members about a coach trip that the Art & History Lecture Group is running to Alicante to visit the exhibition of the Spanish ship Mercedes that was sunk in 1804 with lots of treasure on board. This will run on 3rd June and will cost €15 p.p. and will include a trip to Alicante Castle.
There were no matters arising from the reports.
Any Other Business
Ann Colclough wanted to thank the Patchwork Group who had donated a quilt that they had made to the Lions. Ann said it had been raffled and the Lions had raised over €700. The members gave a round of applause.
David Haxon said that the membership had asked the committee to stage more social events, and that after forming a sub-committee a Dinner/Dance at El Canor had been organised for September. On 19th May there is to be a Spanish Themed Party at Font Santa which is a very nice venue for open air events. There were still a few tickets available.
Leo Cookson reminded everyone to vote in the local elections on 24th May.
Jill introduced the Speaker, Jeremy Kenton, an osteopath who entertained the members explaining that our spines hadn’t evolved so that we could be on two legs comfortably. He had several members parading on the table tops and poor Dave Peachey was stripped to his underwear so that Jeremy could make his points. It was a very interesting talk and he made the members laugh a lot. Jill thanked Jeremy and the “volunteers” and presented him with a thank you gift.
Jeremy drew the winning raffle ticket which was a voucher for the shop Summer House in Moraira. The winner was Joan Luxon.
There was no further business and the Meeting closed at 11.35

The next monthly meeting will be on 1st June 2015.

Proposed as a true and accurate record of the Meeting held on 4th May 2015.

Proposed by……………………………………….Seconded by…………………………………..…..Date…………….

Secretary of the meeting …………………………………………………….