My email jiminysimpson@gmail.com

My email jiminysimpson@gmail.com

Monday, February 27, 2017

Next 3 Cultural Days

The next 3 cultural days will be on the following dates and locations,

1. Trip to Lubrin 19th March (times and prices yet to be confirmed)

2. Trip to Gorafe 23rd April (times and prices yet to be confirmed)

3. Cultural Day Renfe Saturday 20th or Sunday 21st May . We will arrange for this to be similar to the one we held last year with individuals doing short presentations on their local dish or dishes and then afterwards have a lunch of those dishes. If you wish to take part and have a dish local to your place of origin then please let me know and we can manage the day better. We may have some other countries represented (Holland, Belgium!!)


Andalucia Day

Tomorrow is Andalucia day and is therefore a Bank Holiday.

The day will be marked with a few events at the Renfe building in La Alfoquia starting at 10.0am.

There will be free Churros and Chocolate in front of the Renfe, Infaltables for the kids, exhibition of Fitflamc (a combination of fitness and flamenco) or learn how to drum in a flamenco style (free lesson). There will also be exhibition of works about Andalucia Day.


Sunday, February 26, 2017

Enjoyable Tour of the Alpujarras

The Town Hall trip to the Alpujarras was enjoyed by over 70 residents. The weather was perfect and the bilingual guide (Frederika) really opened our eyes to the history of this lovely area.

I have posted a few of the many photographs people took of the day. I know one of my friends will be saddened by the last photograph!








Thursday, February 23, 2017

Time Trials

Over the weekend of the 4th and 5th March a short motor time trial will be held in the village.

This will affect the road between the Pharmacy in Zurgena and the cemetery on the road towards Lubrin being closed from 0800 until about midday on the Sunday.

For those interested in motor sport, the cars will be on display in the Plaza Olmo on Saturday 4th March at 5.0pm until 7.0pm when the competitors will be registering for the competition. Then on Sunday from about 10.0am they will be doing timed runs from the Pharmacy to the cemetery.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Leos Day of Golf and Event at La Vida


As many of you no doubt are aware there is a campaign to raise funds for a little British boy. Details as below. There is a special day arranged at Desert Springs and I have been asked to publish details on here. So there are below.

There is also an event in aid of this charity to be held in La Vida on Tuesday 28th February starting at 2.0pm with BBQ and entertainment.

A very special little 4 year old, Leo Bermejo, whose mum Karen and dad Jorge live in Palomares, has suffered five brain tumours over the last 17 months, undergoing four operations to remove them, the latest of which was at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool a week ago.  The best chance of curing this once and for all is for him to have proton beam therapy treatment, followed by intensive physiotherapy and speech therapy.  He and his mum have flown today to Oklahoma for the proton beam therapy in a clinic which has successfully treated other children suffering from this same, very rare, type of brain tumour.  Fund raising has now paid for this initial treatment in the USA.  However, more funds are needed to cover the costs of the physiotherapy and speech therapy plus specialist equipment Leo will need when he returns to Spain at the end of the treatment.
John has arranged for Desert Springs Golf Resort to host a day Golfing for Leo on Monday 27th February.  The competition is a Texas Scramble, for teams of four players, with a shotgun start at 9.00 a.m.  There will also be a raffle on the day to add to the funds.  If anyone would like more details or to enter a team please call John on 617 770 309.




Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Some Remedial Works

The Councillor for Public Works has informed me that the following small remedial road surface works should be undertaken in the next week.

1. The track to Calle Ulla.

2. The turnaround by the rambla opposite New Horizons.

3. Road to Almajalejo.

On the list of persons who need to confirm they should still be on the padron this month are a few we have been unable to contact.

Philip John WALSH
David Gary CARTER
Diane Mary RICHARDSON.

If you know of any of these individuals please ask them o pop into the Town Hall to confirm their status on the Padron

Monday, February 20, 2017

Cable Theft

Today the Town Hall electrician went to repair the street lights in Calle Malta, Cuesta de los Pinos and discovered that thieves had stolen a whole length of electric cable and that was why the lights were out.

It is my experience that such thefts do not occur in isolation and I fully expect there to be other incidents. Please keep your eyes open for any suspicious activity that may be thieves staling cable.

The cable will be replaced tomorrow.

Gymnasium

We have a problem with the Gymnasium in that the person who was contracted to run it has decided to cease this activity with the consequent result being that the gym is now closed.

This seems to me to be a waste of a resource and I do know a number of you enjoyed having this facility open and usable.

I have had a discussion with the secretary who informs me that in order for the facility to be used all we need is someone who could be responsible for opening managing and insuring the premises. All of which can be done on a very simple basis.

We are open to any suggestions. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions please let me know and we can try and find a way forward rather than have this excellent facility just standing empty and idle.

Saturday, February 18, 2017

Zurgena Carnival 2017

Just a few photos of the carnival this evening in Zurgena. The participants gathered in the Plaza del Olmo then processed around the village returning to a marquee in the square where the judging took place. Each group performing a song and dance type routine.

A very happy and family orientated event which the children in particular thoroughly enjoyed.







Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Another Food Donation

Thanks again to th congregation of the church at Los Llanos del Peral (who celebrated two years of using our village church for their services recently) for the latest donation of food for the less well off in our community.

The 20 bags will be distributed over the next few days. I had the pleasure of delivering some prior to Christmas and saw the pleasure it brought to some of the recipients. Thanks again on their behalf.


Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Zurgena Carnival (Update) & Parque Gines Parra

This Saturday there will be a small local carnival.

This will involve local residents and children dressing up in costumes and processing from La Alfoquia to Zurgena where prizes will be awarded to the best outfits.

The procession leaves the square in Zurgena at 5.0pm and processes around the village.

The remedial and improvement work to Parque Gines Parra has been completed this week and I am sure you will agree it is now a much better place to visit and take the kids.





Tuesday, February 7, 2017

First Town Hall Trip 2017

We intend having a number of Spanish cultural based trips throughout this year and the first of these is to be held on Saturday 25th February. The seating is to be split 50/50 between the local population and the extranjeros. In each case we will be using a large coach therefore there will 26 seats for each community available on each trip.

The itinerary is shown on the poster below and all that is required if you wish to go on the trip is your details and prepayment of the cost, in this case €15 (which I think you will agree is excellent value for what it includes!).


Thursday, February 2, 2017

Insurance

Today following a meeting I had with some insurance professionals I obtained details of their companies personal insurances for cars and homes.

Their companies´ offer is very good as it provides excellent cover at rates some 25% to 50% less than comparable companies. All policies and contacts are in English with english help support.

I do not personally endorse, on this blog, any company names but felt that this companies offer was so good for expats I would put anyone interested in contact with them.

So, when your house or car insurance is due, drop me an email or message and I will put you in touch with the appropriate person and you can see how much you may be able to save.

Dates for 1st 6 Months 2017 for your Diary.

As I previously mentioned we are trying to establish a plan of trips and cultural events for this year well in advance.

In order that you have plenty of notice we are looking at the following dates;

18th February Carnival Zurgena
19th February Laujar in the Alpujarras
28th February Andalcia Day
19th March Lubrin
23rd April Gorafe
21st May Culture (not yet decided)
10th June Lunar Walk.
25th June Seron and the Mines

and pencilled in for the latter half of the year 24th September Moratalla, 22nd October Vera/Mojacar or Cuevas/Garrucha 19th November Alhama de Murcia.

These trips once confirmed will usually be one full day with the cost of the transport covered by the Town Hall. They will normally include an english speaking guide and visit points of traditional, architectural or historical interest. Where meals are included individuals will pay for those and the cost of any guides will also be born by the participants.

(Please note these are not yet confirmed dates when they are we will publish through all the usual channels and notice boards)