Minutes of General Meeting 3rd Oct 2016

University of the Third Age Moraira-Teulada
Minutes of the Monthly Meeting held on 3rd October 2016
At the Salon G.L., Teulada at 10.30

It is confirmed that the Vice President attended this General Meeting as voted in at the AGM on 7th March 2016. Neither the Secretary nor the Deputy Secretary could attend.

David Haxon welcomed everybody to the Meeting and asked them to switch off their mobile phones and welcomed 24 new members, which meant that we had had 436 new members this year.

David read out the President’s address from John Hopwood, who apologised for being unable to attend. John thanked everyone who had made the effort to attend the meeting. John had said that in an organisation such as ours with so many members it was always a little disappointing that there were so many who rarely bothered to attend, and so it was always a pleasure to say “Good Morning” and “Thank You” to those who do come along and support the committee and fellow members. John continued that it is a shame that we often see the same faces at every meeting but it is always a great pleasure to see those people.

Those members who attended the Font Santa Picnic would want to thank the organising committee ably led by Steve Higham, who has wonderful support from all the members of his team.

Finally there was a reminder to book tickets for the Dinner/Dance on Friday 9th December. This is being organised by the same Social team and John was sure it will be a most enjoyable evening for all those who will be there.

Eileen Haxon read out the synopsis of the Minutes of the 5th September Meeting. The full Minutes had been posted on the Website and were proposed by John Snell and seconded by Meri Snell. The minutes were approved by the members with a show of hands.

REPORTS
Treasurer – Carin Derksen read her report and it is attached to the end of the Minutes.

Group Coordinator – Prue gave the following information about Groups:
Noelene Cummins has started a Genealogy Group, the first meeting will be on 7th October.
Some members have requested a Padel Tennis Group, Richard Ayre has volunteered to start up the Group. New members are welcome, but would need to have played tennis or squash.
The new Support Group will start up in November and this will be coordinated by Rona Hurst.
The Classical Music Group has a new Group Leader who is Geoffrey Shean.
The Drama Group has requested new members to join their very enjoyable group.
The Gardening Group has announced a talk by Dick Hanscombe taking place at La Senieta on 18th October, any U3A member can attend, not just Gardening Group members.
Tim Sadler has volunteered to set up a new group about Asian Food and more information will follow.

Travel Group – Carol Mantle welcomed all to the meeting, especially the new members. There are places left on the day Trip to Valencia on 16th November with two buses for this trip, and there is a trip to Ikea in Murcia on 11th January 2017.
There is a Trip to Cartegena at Easter taking place from 11th – 13th April to see the parades. The cost will be €130 and €20 single supplement. The Travel Group has made this trip several times and it always proves very popular.
The Jerez Trip taking place on 13th – 18th May will include, Horse show, Cadiz, Rhonda, Seville and Granada. The last night there is a Gala Dinner in the Hotel at Granada. The cost of the Trip per person is €595, with a single supplement of €150. Included in the cost is the entrance to the Equestrian School for the horse show. An optional extra is the visit to a Bodega and Horse and Carriage ride back to the Fair Ground €16.
Planning for the trip to Paris in June 2018 is nearing completion, and it is hoped that details will be advertised next month.
All details of all trips can be found on the Website and at the travel desk at the monthly meetings.

Cultural Arts Events –Eileen Hodson read the report on behalf of Beverly and Hugh Stewart who were away
Costa Blanca Blues launch their new “Intimate Friday late Afternoon Concert Series” called “Back to the Bone” on 7th October in the back room of Bar Med. Several different invited guest performers will entertain. Doors open at 17.30 for a 18.00 start.
La Boheme is on at the Auditori in Teulada on 14th October at 8pm.
Also on 14th October is “Jazz at the Parador” in Javea with the Dixie Project.
On 15th October at the Fishermans Church in Javea, Cantores Sanctus Diebus will give a concert. On 16th October they will sing at the Eucharist in the Ermita on the Jesus Pobre road, and they will also be performing at the Fontilles Sanatorium.
Benitachell Bowls Club is holding its Autumn Fair on 16th October at 12.30. All are welcome.
The English Choir are performing at the Ermita San Josep in La Fustera on 21st October. Tickets cost €12 which includes “tapas” during the interval. The concert is in aid of the Costa Blanca Chaplaincy and the charities they support.
Concerts Costa Blanca present El Gato Montes (The Wild Cat) at the Opera House in Valencia on 5th November.
The Javea Players are presenting “Our Man In Havana” in Gata on 8th November until 12th November.
Also, as last year, the Royal Opera House is broadcasting live to various cinemas in the area, including Alfaz del Pi, Javea and Calpe. The next performance is Mozart’s Cosi van Tutte on 17th October.

As always full details and information can be found on the Website under Cultural Arts.

Members/Committee Liaison – Prue Jackson had nothing to report.

Any Other Business. None.

As there was no other business, David introduced the guest speaker Stephen Carden, who works at the Gandia Hospice for homeless men.

Although originally a religious order run by Franciscan Monks, Stephen explained that anyone who is poor and/or needy would be helped. He explained the setup; the hospice which is not the same as those in the UK, as not all the men are terminally ill. Mainly it is a nursing home and sanctuary for men who have no means at all.
They also cater for day visitors, those who simply need a change of clothes, a meal but are not looking for a permanent stay.
Outside visitors are always welcome at any time, although after 11am is appreciated. Eileen Haxon has directions for anyone interested in visiting.
The home is run entirely by donations and clothing and non perishable food, as well as medications are always needed. Any contributions can be made via Eileen Haxon, who will make sure that these reach the Home.

Several members asked questions and Stephen was given a round of applause.

The raffle was drawn and was won by Norman Peterken from the Travel team.

The Meeting closed at 11.20

Proposed as a true and accurate record of the minutes from the meeting held on 3rd October 2016

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

Secretary of the Meeting……….Linda West.