And now for something completely different with a familiar ending
2024-06-19 08:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Madrid)
The coach will leave Moraira at 8.15

We will visit the Klein Schreuder Sculpture Garden near Benidorm.

This private foundation opened its doors to the public in 2004. Johannes Klein and Johanna Schreuder designed a beautiful garden shared by palm trees, rose bushes and cypress trees with an interesting sculpture collection. In 1996, the couple bought a 20.000 square metre abandoned orange tree plantation and built a house. Johannes designed a garden and Johanna chose the plants, trees and bushes that define this place. They planted 400 rose bushes, 100 palm trees, 60 rubber trees, 400 cypress trees and 100 privet bushes among many other plants.

In 2002, they installed their first sculpture in a fresh and beautiful garden. In 2003, they created the non profit “Klein-Schreuder Foundation in the Valencian Community” through which they offer artists the possibility of doing exhibitions, open air music concerts or ballets. At the garden you can also find sculptures by Johanna Klein-Schreuder in a permanent exhibition with 38 bronze and iron sculptures made by various artists. The artwork selection criteria is that art doesn´t need any explanation: the figure of people and animals talk for themselves.

As the weather is likely to be warm please bring a hat and some water. Johanna will provide chairs for us and as they don’t provide any type of refeshments she is happy if people bring along a mid-morning snack and coffee/tea if they wish.

The gardens are typical of this area and have changes in height so please wear suitable footware.

We will leave the gardens at about 11.00 am to travel to the Doll Museum in Onil.

Onil in Alicante has been the centre of the doll-making industry in Spain since the late nineteenth century. It still has many traditional manufacturers and produces goods for the Playmobil brand. The museum is in one of the fine houses of Onil. It displays the history of doll manufacturing around the world as well as in the region. Visitors see first how early dolls were made with papier-mâché and then watch modern presses for moulding plastic and machines for stitching nylon hair. They can follow the transformation from a first drawing to a final doll. Upstairs is a large collection of dolls and Playmobil figures. An exhibition presents the products of all the companies now active in the town, including Antonio Juan, Mariquita Pérez, Así, Berjuan, Famosa, Falca, Rauber and Nines d’Onil.

After our visit to the museum we will travel to the familiar grounds of El Campello with the fabulous La Cova restaurant, in which you can feast your eyes, not only on the delicious food but also the views of the marina.

I anticipate arriving back in Moraira at about 5.15.

As coaches are difficult to hire at this time of the year I can only have a 26 seater which means our costs for a day trip are a little higher than usual, at 50 euros per person.

Trip leaders Eileen and Ian Brown

To reserve your place or request further information contact:-

eileen.brown@u3amoraira-teulada.org

Cancelled - The History of the Automobile
2024-06-24 10:30 - 11:30 | Salón de Actos, Espai La Senieta, Ctra. Moraira a Calpe, 8, Moraira, Alicante, 03724, Spain
La Marquise 1884. The oldest car in the world which is still running.

Most historians agree that Nicholas-Joseph Cugnot of France was the constructor of the first true automobile. Cugnot’s vehicle was a huge, heavy, steam-powered tricycle, and his model of 1769 was said to have run for 20 minutes at 2.25 miles (3.6 km) per hour while carrying four people. He could have had little idea how the Automobile was to develop and advance in following years.

This talk details how the automobile advanced from a simple idea to the developments in the 1920’s to today’s sophisticated vehicles.

It is an entirely non-technical talk and should be of considerable interest to the ladies in our group as well as their, perhaps, their more enthusiastic husbands!

The Latest Rolls Royce Phantom

Mercedes Concept Car

Wine Group visit to Bodegas Bleda
2024-06-26 08:15 - 19:15
For our final event before the summer break, we have arranged a day trip to this spectacular winery. The day will include return coach travel from Moraira, a guided tour of the vineyards and winery, lunch with a selection of Bleda’s wines and an opportunity to visit the bodega’s shop.

We have just one place available, so please contact us by email if you would like to join us. You can also ask to go on our reserve list. wine.tasting@u3amoraira-teulada.org

Joy Adamson (1910-1980): naturalist, artist and author.
2024-09-09 10:30 - 11:30 | Salón de Actos, Espai La Senieta, Ctra. Moraira a Calpe, 8, Moraira, Alicante, 03724, Spain
Friederike Victoria “Joy” Adamson was a passionate, temperamental and controversial woman. Although she married three times and was an infamous seducer, she never experienced happiness with any of her husbands or lovers. She won international renown with her African wildlife books, especially the trilogy describing how, together with her last husband, George Adamson, she raised a lion cub, Elsa, and returned it to its natural habitat. All three were best sellers that were later developed into films and condensed into one volume as The Story of Elsa (1966).

During her lifetime, she created more than 500 paintings and line drawings. Her work included portraits of the indigenous populations commissioned by the government of Kenya, as well as botanical illustrations for at least seven books on East African flora. She also produced animal paintings, among them studies of Elsa and Pippa.

Joy Adamson pioneered the movement to preserve African wildlife but was murdered by a disgruntled employee in 1980. Her husband, George Adamson was killed by animal poachers in 1989. In 2004, however, in an extraordinary prison cell interview, his first since he was jailed for Adamson’s killing, Paul Nakware Ekai claimed that Joy Adamson was a ‘very hot-tempered’ boss, and that he killed her after she shot him for complaining about not being paid. An article in The Guardian, February 2004, raised the question: Was Joy Adamson an angel of mercy… or a tyrant?

Wine Tasting Visit to Bodegas Faelo in Elche
2024-09-12 08:15 - 16:30
This winery has been recommended by one of our group members. Bodegas Faelo is located in a typical house in Campo de Elche, with more than 100 years of history. The visit includes a guided tour of the winery and you will also be able to see a demonstration of ‘treading of the grapes’. After the tour you will be able to taste 5 wines and enjoy a selection of local gastronomic products.

Gastronomic Bocairent.
2024-09-19 08:00 - 18:00 | Bocairent, Bocairent, Bocairent, Valencia, Spain
Embark on a captivating journey with us on Thursday September 19thYour trip includes:

Transportation via comfortable bus for all itinerary visits.

A knowledgeable guide accompanying you throughout, ensuring seamless coordination and translation.

Local guides for immersive experiences in Bocairent.

Indulge in a tasting at Mercacentro Gourmet, sampling typical local products.

Enjoy a delectable lunch at El Cancell Restaurant or similar, featuring two starters, a main course, dessert, coffee, and a beverage of your choice.

After lunch a leisurely visit to Fontanars del Alforins (the Valencian Tuscany)

Basic travel insurance for peace of mind.

In the morning we shall embark on an unforgettable journey departing from La Senieta in Moraira, as we set off by coach to discover the hidden gems of Bocairent. With a seasoned local guide by your side, prepare to be enchanted by the labyrinthine streets and captivating charm of the historic Muslim quarter.

Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Bocairent’s medieval neighbourhood, where every cobblestoned alleyway reveals a story waiting to be told. Adorned with vibrant flowers and bubbling fountains, each corner offers a picturesque vista of the majestic Sierra Mariola Natural Park.

This cultural escapade is meticulously crafted to ensure your comfort and ease as you traverse the town’s highlights. From the panoramic view overlooking the Covetes del Moros (subject to availability and numbers) to the historic bullring and the world-renowned religious masterpiece by Joaquín Sorolla, every moment promises discovery and wonder.

After this visit we can finish with a taster in the Mercacentro Gourmet area where Javi will be happy to assist us. We will be able to taste typical products such as pericana, herbero, cheeses and wines. At lunch time, we will go to the Restaurant El Cancell or similar where we will continue tasting the typical dishes of the area. Enjoy a delectable lunch, featuring two starters, a main course, dessert, coffee, and a beverage of your choice.

As the afternoon unfolds, we will venture to Fontanars dels Aforins, affectionately known as the Valencian Tuscany, where rolling vineyards paint a picturesque panorama. Take leisurely strolls amidst the verdant landscapes, allowing yourself to reconnect with nature or engage in heartfelt conversations over a steaming cup of coffee.

Immerse yourself in the serene ambiance, soaking in the tranquillity that surrounds you. Whether you choose to wander through the vineyards, savour the scenic views, or simply unwind amidst the lush greenery, the choice is yours.

As the day draws to a close, we bid farewell to this idyllic retreat and journey back to Moraira, where memories of today’s adventure will linger as cherished souvenirs of a journey well-spent.

Conclude our enriching excursion by reuniting with our coach for the return journey to Moraira. This unforgettable day of exploration, gastronomy, and natural beauty comes at a cost of 90 euros per person. Please note that a minimum of 40 participants is required to ensure this remarkable experience comes to fruition.

We invite you to seize the opportunity to join us on this extraordinary adventure. Don’t miss out on the chance to create lasting memories and immerse yourself in the magic of Bocairent, Fontanars dels Aforins, and beyond. Reserve your spot today and embark on a journey of discovery and delight!To reserve your place on this trip or request further information contact Carole

carole.clark@u3amoraira-teulada.org

Travel Group Moraira U3A

Genealogy group starts up again
2024-09-27 14:00 - 16:00
The Genealogy Group will begin again on Friday 27th September at 2pm. If you are interested in joining the group please contact the Group Leader through the website BEFORE 11am on that Friday.

contact Noelene Cummins: genealogy@u3amoraira-teulada.org

Wine Tasting
2024-10-10 17:00 - 19:00 | Hill Top Bar & Grill, Calle Móstoles, Moraira., Hill Top Carrer Móstoles, 33, 03724 Teulada, Alicante, Teulada, alicante, 03724, Spain
The wines will be presented by the lovely Marta from Bodegas Bleda. The invitation was sent out to all our wine group members on Sunday, 22nd September.

Meeting cancelled. In memorium - Peter Holley
2024-10-14 10:30 - 11:30
It is with great sadness that I have to inform members that Peter Holley, who was due to give his very first talk to our Art & History Group on the 14th October, sadly, and very unexpectedly, passed away on the 19th September.

As a mark of respect to the memory of a well-loved member of our Group there will not be a meeting on the 14th October.

John Hopwood (Group Leader)

Anatomy of a Fall
2024-10-21 18:00 - 20:30 | Salón de Actos, Espai La Senieta, Ctra. Moraira a Calpe, 8, Moraira, Alicante, 03724, Spain
5:30pm doors open, for 6:00pm start (ends 8:30pm)

U3A Membership Card for entrance (free) – NO booking required

The story begins when Samuel is found dead in the snow outside the isolated chalet where he lived with his wife Sandra, a German writer, and their partially-sighted 11-year-old son Daniel. An investigation leads to a conclusion of “suspicious death”: it’s impossible to know for sure whether hetook his own life or was killed. Sandra is indicted, and we follow her trial which pulls the couple’s relationship apart. Daniel is caught in the middle: between the trial and their home life, doubts take their toll on the mother-son relationship.

Valencia day trip
2024-10-23 08:00 - 17:00
Valencia is a great city to visit whether it be for shopping, sightseeing or for cultural activities.On this day trip you will have the opportunity to choose what you would like to do for the day.

SCIENCE AND ART MUSEUM — The complex is made up of the Hemisferico, which is in the form of a human eye with a planetarium featuring the latest technical advances. The science museum includes a huge reproduction of a D.N.A chain. The museum houses a large public walkway and gardens built in white concrete.MARQUES DE DOS AQUAS — This monument features 2 figures having pitches at their feet from which water is poured out. This is a symbol of the 2 rivers of Valencia.

CATHEDRAL —- This beautiful Cathedral is situated in the main square in the centre of the city. It is built on the site of a mosque.

THE LONJA AND THE MARKET — The Lonja is a World Heritage site built originally for commercial purposes. It is surrounded by the central market considered the most beautiful in Europe. It displays and sells the produce from Valencia`s orchards and horticultural areas.

N.B. Reservations for this trip will not be taken until theJuly U3A general meeting.

Sister Queens
2024-10-28 10:30 - 11:30 | Salón de Actos, Espai La Senieta, Ctra. Moraira a Calpe, 8, Moraira, Alicante, 03724, Spain
Speaker: Keith Smith

In the late 15 th Century, the Spanish Catholic Monarchs, Isabel and Ferdinand, used their children to create a complex web of alliances mainly to curtail the power of France.Two of their daughters, Catalina and Juana, became Queens, but neither got to rule for long as they were deceived by the powerful male members of their families.This presentation outlines their lives and attempts to answer controversial questions that are still asked of them.

Juana with her dead husband´s coffin

Working Girl
2024-10-28 18:00 - 19:50 | Salón de Actos, Espai La Senieta, Ctra. Moraira a Calpe, 8, Moraira, Alicante, 03724, Spain
5:30pm doors open, for 6:00pm start (ends 7:50pm)

U3A Membership Card for entrance (free) – NO booking required

Tess McGill is a frustrated secretary, struggling to forge ahead in the world of big business in New York. She gets her chance when her boss breaks her leg on a skiing holiday. McGill takes advantage of her absence to push ahead with her career. She teams up with investment broker Jack Trainer to work on a big deal, but the situation gets complicated after the return of her boss.

Wine Tasting
2024-11-07 18:00 - 20:00 | Hill Top Bar & Grill, Calle Móstoles, Moraira., Hill Top Carrer Móstoles, 33, 03724 Teulada, Alicante, Teulada, alicante, 03724, Spain
The wines will be presented by ‘the dynamic duo’, Domingo and Franco, from the Corcovo bodega in Valdepeñas. This will be the last tasting before Christmas. The invitation was sent out to all wine group members on 22nd October.

How I Won the War for Britain
2024-11-11 10:30 - 11:30 | Salón de Actos, Espai La Senieta, Ctra. Moraira a Calpe, 8, Moraira, Alicante, 03724, Spain
Speaker: Gary Johnson

Learn how Juan Garcia a chicken farmer from Barcelona:

Created a way of influencing Nazi strategy at the highest level

Won the trust of Churchill and Hitler

Saved thousands of Allied lives on D Day

Made enough money to fund the entire British Secret Service

A fascinating true story not to be missed!

Wicked Little Letters
2024-11-11 18:00 - 19:40 | Salón de Actos, Espai La Senieta, Ctra. Moraira a Calpe, 8, Moraira, Alicante, 03724, Spain
5:30pm doors open, for 6:00pm start (ends 7:40pm)

U3A Membership Card for entrance (free) – NO booking required

A 1920s English seaside town bears witness to a dark, absurd scandal in this riotous mystery comedy. Based on a stranger-than-fiction true story, “Wicked Little Letters” follows two neighbours: deeply religious local Edith Swan (Olivia Colman) and rowdy Irish migrant Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley).When Edith and fellow residents start to receive wicked letters full of unintentionally hilarious profanities, foul-mouthed Rose is charged with the crime. The anonymous letters prompt a national uproar, and a trial ensues. However, as the town’s women, led by Police Officer Gladys Moss (AnjanaVasan), begin to investigate the crime themselves, they suspect that something is amiss and Rose might not be the culprit after all.

Benidorm Palace - Aire
2024-11-14 19:00 - 23:55
Moraira U3A invite you to come with us for dinner and see the new spectacular at the Benidorm Palace on Thursday 14th November 2024.

The trip will begin at la Senieta, next to the big car park in Moraira, where your coach will be waiting at 7.15 to take you to the Benidorm Palace.

Upon arrival at the Palace we will be escorted to our tables where orders for drinks will be taken which you will pay for as ordered and then we shall be served our meal during which time there will be live music playing. After our dinner which will include a seasonal special salad, Mediterranean cream soup, Pork steak with mushroom sauce and garnish and afterwards the Chef’s special dessert, we will be entranced and transported into the magic of the new Air show a mixture of dancing, singing and incredible acrobatics on a theme of Air.

The cost of this adventure will be 72 euros which includes the coach, Entrance to the show and dinner. Afterwards we will be transported back to La Senieta.

Please reserve your seats as quickly as possible as this will sell out fast. Contact Carole Clark on

carole.clark@u3amoraira-teulada.org

Madrid and Toledo at Christmas time
2024-11-22 08:00 - 2024-11-27 17:00
Toledo 2 nights. Madrid 3 nights

Friday 22nd November 2024 – Wednesday 27th November

What better way to see the sites and museums of Madrid and Toledo with a little shopping as well than a 5 night trip to visit both cities.We will travel to Toledo for 2 nights to see this lovely historical city. Then we will continue to Madrid for some Christmas shopping and the turning on of the 2024 Christmas lights on the 25th November.

Toledo

View of the building with lights|©Bernard Blanc

Toledo is an ancient city set on a hill above the plains of Castilla-La Mancha in central Spain. The capital of the region, it’s known for the medieval Arab, Jewish and Christian monuments in its walled old city. It was also the former home of Mannerist painter El Greco. The Moorish Bisagra Gate and the Sol Gate, in Mudéjar style, open into the old quarter, where the Plaza de Zocodover is a lively meeting place. We are hoping the Christmas lights will also be on here but that is yet to be confirmed.

Our hotel will be Carlos V Hotel which is a 3 star.

Madrid

The visit to Madrid has been timed to coincide with the turning on of the Christmas lights and afterwards all things Christmas themed especially the markets. Madrid is the capital of Spain and is home to the Spanish Royal family as well as the Spanish Government. It is a modern metropolitan city and an economical and industrial centre of Spain and with its population of nearly 3.5 million people, is also the biggest city in Spain. Walking around Madrid means coming across iconic spots such as the stunning Royal Palace, the Plaza Mayor with 400 years of history, the buzzing Puerta del Sol, the famous Gran Via and all the wonderful Art Galleries and Museums.

We will be staying at the Novotel Madrid Center 4* I Madrid.

Toledo and Madrid trip prices per person including coach trips and hotels on and B and B basis in euros

No of People2530354045Single1240.001195.001160.001135.001115.00Double820.00780.00740.00715.00695.00

If you would like to join the trip please first confirm your interest via email to:- coral.guise-smith@u3amoraira-teulada.org

On confirmation of available space pay the €80 deposit by BACS to the U3A bank account. U3A Moraira La Caixa Bank Moraira [REDACTED] BIC if necessary: CAIXESBBXXX.

Reference is your surnames, membership number and Madrid. Please make sure you enter these details so they can be checked by the travel treasurer Eileen Brown.

If you intend to pay in Sterling, please contact me before doing so as there is an extra charge levied by the Spanish bank.

Monies paid for trips are Non-refundable unless we can resell the cancelled places or the travel group cancels the trip when all monies will be refunded. However, any monies that have been paid to a third party e.g. Agent, Hotel, Travel Operator’s, etc. cannot be refunded unless and until the Travel group receives the money from them.

Sometimes changes will have to be made to schedules, this will only happen when outside of our control, and we will notify you of these changes. When booking trips, it will be understood that you will accept any necessary changes.For full T&C’s please see the U3A Moraira–Teulada travel webpage.You are receiving this Travel Newsletter because you are a fully paid-up member of our U3A and have provided us with your email address. If you know someone who is a member but does not have a computer, please pass the information to them.

Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun (1755-1842), the foremost woman artist of her age
2024-11-25 10:30 - 11:30 | Salón de Actos, Espai La Senieta, Ctra. Moraira a Calpe, 8, Moraira, Alicante, 03724, Spain
Speaker: Angela Chantry

Marie-Antoinette-and-her-children

Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun exerted her considerable charm to become the friend, and then official portraitist, of Marie Antoinette. Though profitable, this role made her a public and controversial figure, and in 1789 it precipitated her exile. In a Europe torn by strife and revolution, she nevertheless managed to thrive as an independent, self-supporting artist, doggedly setting up studios in Rome, Naples, Venice, Milan, Vienna, St. Petersburg, and London.

Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun was a singularly gifted and high-spirited woman during the revolutionary era, connected with such personalities of her age as Catherine the Great, Napoleon, and Benjamin Franklin. Long overlooked, Vigée Le Brun’s portraits now hang in the Louvre, as well as in all leading art museums of the world.

Gone with the wind
2024-11-25 16:30 - 21:45 | Salón de Actos, Espai La Senieta, Ctra. Moraira a Calpe, 8, Moraira, Alicante, 03724, Spain
4:00pm doors open, for 4:30pm start (ends 8:45pm)

U3A Membership Card for entrance (free) – NO booking required

Scarlett is a woman who can deal with a nation at war, Atlanta burning, the Union Army carrying off everything from her beloved Tara, the carpetbaggers who arrive after the war. Scarlett is beautiful and has vitality. But Ashley, the man she has wanted for so long, is going to marry his placid cousin, Melanie. Mammy warns Scarlett to behave herself at the party at Twelve Oaks. There is a new man there that day, the day the Civil War begins – Rhett Butler. Scarlett does not know he is in the room when she pleads with Ashley to choose her instead of Melanie.

Please note the early start. The film runs for 3 hours 45 minutes, butthere will be an intermission approximately halfway through withrefreshments on sale in the foyer. All profits will be donated to Make ASmile.

La Zenia Boulevard - Christmas shopping trip
2024-12-03 08:00 - 17:00
This is an Open Air Shopping Centre with more than 150 shops and a wide range of leisure and catering services. The shops include C&A, PRIMEMARK, DEICHMANN, ALCAMPO, DECATHLON, LEROY MERLIN and many more.The centre has a wide range of restaurants to suit all tastes. There is a stage in the centre of the mall which frequently shows local performing acts.The mall has the atmosphere of a Spanish village and is frequently promoted on Channel 4`s Place in the Sun.Come along and join us for a pre Christmas Shopping Day with your friends.N.B. Reservations for this trip will not be taken until theSeptember U3A general meeting.

Wine Tasting Group Christmas Meal
2024-12-05 13:00 - 17:00 | Hill Top Bar & Grill, Calle Móstoles, Moraira., Hill Top Carrer Móstoles, 33, 03724 Teulada, Alicante, Teulada, alicante, 03724, Spain
The Wine Group Xmas meal will be held at the Hill Top Bar & Grill on Thursday, 5th December. Full details, including the menu, were sent to all group members on 8th September. We are not taking any further bookings as all details have now been finalised. wine.tasting@u3amoraira-teulada.org

The life and works of David Hockney
2024-12-09 10:30 - 11:30 | Salón de Actos, Espai La Senieta, Ctra. Moraira a Calpe, 8, Moraira, Alicante, 03724, Spain
Due to a cancellation, I have decided to repeat this talk, which I previously gave approximately six years ago, about my favourite artist, the lad from Bradford, David Hockney.

It is a remarkable story concerning a man from a very normal background who progresses through life to become one of the best-known artists in the world, is voted as the most influential British artist of all time by 1,000 of his fellow artists and who’s art sells for hundreds of millions of pounds.

Initially his art appears to be quite simple but it is soon seen to be full of detail and each work tells a story.

David is also famous for designing wonderful sets and scenery for major operas around the world.

He has recently moved to live in Normandy, France and his art work there featuring much of the countryside near his home is a delight.

The Holdovers
2024-12-09 18:00 - 20:15 | Salón de Actos, Espai La Senieta, Ctra. Moraira a Calpe, 8, Moraira, Alicante, 03724, Spain
5:30pm doors open, for 6:00pm start (ends 8:15pm)

U3A Membership Card for entrance (free) – NO booking required

Nobody likes teacher Paul Hunham (Giamatti) — not his students, not his fellow faculty, not the headmaster, who all find his pomposity and rigidity exasperating. With no family and nowhere to go over Christmas holiday in 1970, Paul remains at school to supervise students unable to journey home.After a few days, only one student holdover remains — a trouble-making 15-year-old named Angus, a good student whose bad behaviour always threatens to get him expelled. Joining Paul and Angus is head cook Mary (Randolph)- who caters to sons of privilege and whose own son was recently lost in Vietnam. These three very different shipwrecked people form an unlikely Christmas family sharing comic misadventures during two very snowy weeks in New England. The real journey is how they help one another understand that they are not beholden to their past-they can choose their own futures.

The History of Natural and Man - Made Glass
2025-01-13 10:30 - 11:30 | Salón de Actos, Espai La Senieta, Ctra. Moraira a Calpe, 8, Moraira, Alicante, 03724, Spain
Due to some problems with the A & H group loud speaker I have had to delay the scheduled talk on the History of the Automobile and replace it with The History of Natural and Man -Made Glass

I first gave this talk eight years ago so, hopefully, new members will not have heard it and older members may have forgotten!!

It is very interesting and includes some surprises.

John Hopwood

The Old Oak
2025-01-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Salón de Actos, Espai La Senieta, Ctra. Moraira a Calpe, 8, Moraira, Alicante, 03724, Spain
5:30pm doors open, for 6:00pm start (ends 7:55pm)

U3A Membership Card for entrance (free) – NO booking required

The Old Oak is a special place. Not only is it the last pub standing, but it’s also the only remaining public space where people can meet in a once thriving mining community that has now fallen on hard times after 30 years of decline. TJ Ballantyne, the landlord, hangs on to The Old Oak by his fingertips, and his predicament is endangered even more when the pub becomes contested territory after the arrival of Syrian refugees who are placed in the village without any notice. In an unlikely friendship TJ meets a curious young Syrian woman named Yara, who is always carrying a camera. Can they find a way for the two communities to understand each other? So unfolds a deeply moving drama about their fragilities and hopes.

Alicante
2025-01-22 08:00 - 18:00
A day trip to Alicante

Alicante is a vibrant port city about an hour and a half from Moraira by coach. We will be dropped near the elevator which goes up to the Castle of Santa Barbara. The castle opens at 10.00 am, entrance is free and the easiest access is via the elevator (free of charge for pensioners and those over 65). Guide books recommend about two hours for a visit.

If you don’t want to visit the castle the Old Town is not too far away. There is a large Indoor Central Market in a beautiful Art Nouveau building with colourful tiles and stained glass windows. Its a great place for a coffee and a snack and is open from 7.00am until 14.30.

Alicante is a wonderful place to explore on foot. The Old Town is a maze of narrow streets. The Cathedral of Sant Nicolau de Bari de Alacant (open 8.30 to 13.00) and the Basilica de Santa Maria d’Alacant (open 10.00 to 13.00) are in this area together with many interesting shops and restaurants and bars.

After exploring the old town and having lunch you might find time to take a walk along the beautiful promenade before our coach picks us up once again at about 16.30

EDWARD HOPPER and HIS MUSE: alienation and subjugation
2025-01-27 10:30 - 11:30
Speaker: Rosalind Miranda

Edward Hopper, the best-known American realist of the inter-war period, painted the world as an alienating, often vacuous place, with everyone in his works appearing terribly alone. Many of his paintings are instantly recognisable.What is less known is that his wife of 43 years, Josephine Nivison Hopper, was famous as an artist before he was, having her paintings exhibited alongside those of Modigliani, Picasso, and Man Ray, and that it was she who started getting him exhibited.So, are two artists who marry going to enjoy and build on each other’s successes? Come along and find out.

Slumdog Millionaire
2025-01-27 18:00 - 20:00 | Salón de Actos, Espai La Senieta, Ctra. Moraira a Calpe, 8, Moraira, Alicante, 03724, Spain
5:30pm doors open, for 6:00pm start (ends 7:55pm)

U3A Membership Card for entrance (free) – NO booking required

The story of Jamal Malik, an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, who is about to experience the biggest day of his life. With the whole nation watching, he is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India’s Kaun Banega Crorepati? (2000) (Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?) But when the show breaks for the night, police arrest him on suspicion of cheating; how could a street kid know so much? Desperate to prove his innocence, Jamal tells the story of his life in the slum where he and his brother grew up, of their adventures together on the road, of vicious encounters with local gangs, and of Latika, the girl he loved and lost. Each chapter of his story reveals the key to the answer to one of the game show’s questions. Each chapter of Jamal’s increasingly layered story reveals where he learned the answers to the show’s seemingly impossible quizzes. But one question remains a mystery: what is this young man with no apparentdesire for riches really doing on the game show? When the new day dawns and Jamal returns to answer the final question, the Inspector and sixty million viewers are about to find out. At the heart of its storytelling lies the question of how anyone comes to know the things they know about life and love.

Serendipity
2025-02-10 10:30 - 11:30 | Salón de Actos, Espai La Senieta, Ctra. Moraira a Calpe, 8, Moraira, Alicante, 03724, Spain
Speaker: Alan Hunton

Serendipity is a remarkable phenomenon which describes a most beneficial outcome achieved purely by chance. We will see that a significant number of scientific discoveries throughout history have been made by mistake; such that the intended result failed but the unintended consequence was so dramatic and useful to society that the researcher was then awarded a Nobel prize.

A well-known example is that of the work of Alexander Fleming who had the foresight to realise that the mouldy formation that appeared in a petri dish that he had forgotten to clean could be useful. At the time he was not studying antibiotics but he understood there was potential and penicillin has since saved millions of lives.

In this talk we will look at ten different Eureka moments in history and we can ask the question, do the people who made such discoveries deserve the recognition and reward given that they stumbled upon the outcomes?
