Todays Intercultural Seniors Day

Just a few photograph from todays excellent event.

My thanks to the amazing amount of fantastic dishes, both savoury and sweet, that all the people from both communities brought. Some of the best of both English and Spanish cuisine.

The presentation from Isabela of the history of Zurgena had some fascinating facts I was unaware of. The following 3 from english speakers covered Scotland, Cornwall (Beryl Booth) and Devon (Mike Yendell). We had our own Pearly King and Queen Jon and Josette Arrowsmith) Then we had presentations from a Spanish gentleman, Jose Anthonio, who was from Bilbao and showed off his local game of throwing coins into a frogs mouth (which I could not do!). This was followed by a personal history story of the family who had strong Argentinian and Spanish connections and she relayed her personal story of her families movements between the two countries. Which explained for me anyway the connections between Spain and Argentina.  This presentation was followed by a surprise magic act by the husband of the lady presenting. He was excellent as well.

Then the 70+ people who were there (and it was quite an even split in numbers maybe just slightly more Spanish) sat down to enjoyed each others´ countries traditional dishes. I could not count them there were so many. There was just about every dish you can imagine and I can say I did not need an evening meal.

My thanks to everyone who attended and especially those who presented and all those in the Town Hall who worked on it.

I personally think these events are very very important in helping our communities integrate and I believe those who were there today experienced that and agreed that it was an event we should try and repeat.

Friday Morning Seniors Day

I suddenly feel inadequate (no need to agree!) but discussing the food that will be available at the Seniors ´Know your Village´ meeting on Friday at 10.0am I have discovered that the local Spanish people are preparing quite a number of local dishes for us to taste. Whereas on our part we have only got Cornish Pasties, Haggis  and Scones!

If any of you wish to come along and enjoy the morning please try and bring a taste of something from your home area for the people to try. No need to bring lots.

If you intend doing so please let me know as we are trying to cater for the numbers accurately. Lola is organising drinks such as tea and coffee. 

Spanish Officers Homestay

A friend of mine (Andrew Mortimer) runs a Language School for Spanish Army officers learning English and part of their courses include a weekend stay with an english speaking family in order that the students may more intensely learn the english language.

Andy has 18 students which he is seeking homestay hosts for for the period Friday 4th November until the afternoon of Sunday 6th November. The students will be in class from 0900 until 1330 each day but will stay with the most family the rest of the time. He is considering basing some of these students in Zurgena and is looking for families willing to provide a room and home for these students. Expenses are available.

I am just posting this to see if there are sufficient volunteer hosts to accommodate them in Zurgena. If you require further details just let me know. If interested please email or ring.

Almeria Umbrella

I have fed back to all involved your thanks and appreciation regarding the trip to Almeria yesterday. Glad you all enjoyed it, although for some the walking was quite tough.

Found on the bus after the trip was an black umbrella. If you have lost one please get in touch I have it in my office drawer.

For your information Piki Autobuses (who we use for all our trips) have an interesting coach trip to Portugal leaving on the 4th December . The trip is for 6 days with 5 nights  accommodation in a 4 star hotel with full board, accompanying bilingual guide. The tour visits Batalha, Alcobaca, Leiria, Lisbon, Sintra, Nazare, Tomar, Coimbra and Fatima. With a number of attractions included. Fuller details on a poster in the Town Hall total cost per person is €289. For reservations call Anthonio (who was the driver yesterday) on 671077000. 

Display of Flood Photos & Calle Francia & School

There will be a display of photographs from the 1997 flood in the Pleno room of the Town Hall tomorrow and those going on the trip to Almeria will be stopping off shortly for a view of these and a minutes silence. The photos will be viewable during the rest of the day.

Regarding the overgrown bushes on Calle Francia, the occupant is currently in hospital. He has been told to get them cut and he has agreed to do so as soon as he is out and recovered. We will keep on his case until he does it.

Yesterday we had a visit from 2 Andalucian Parliamentarians, the Director of Education for Almeria and Delegates from the Junta to our school in Zurgena. They have a agreed a €300,000 improvement scheme for the school which will greatly improve the facilities.

Almeria Bus Times

Just to confirm that the bus pick up times for the trip to Almeria this Thursday are 0815 at the Petrol Station in La Alfoquia and 0820 at the Pharmacy in Zurgena. The bus will stop for breakfast nearer in Almeria but you will 

A reminder of the Intercultural Day to be held in the Renfe building 10.0am Friday 28th October. The programme is as follows, 1000 welcome. 1100 Coffee. 11.30 Talk by the participants about their culture and history. 1400 Aperitives y Dishes typical of the participants. It looks like we will have 3 expats presenting short presentations on their cultural/culinary roots. 
As this presentation is to be to the Spanish and the English speaking residents it will be presented bilingually but I see it as a great opportunity to share with our Spanish neighbours something of our backgrounds.

As we are providing some food I need to know the numbers of people who are going to attend. So if you fancy coming along please let me know in advance so we can cater. 

Seniors International Festival Almeria Province and Walks

Throughout the month of October the Seniors International Festival is being held in various locations across the province.

The activities being promoted are as follows, Chess, Athletics, Dance, Darts, Dominoes, Oenology (the study of wine) Esperanto, Photography Gastronomy, Golf, Petanque, Walking, Tennis, Archery and Yoga. The locations for these activities are various and the prices (although many are free) range from €10 for the darts through to €370 for the wine study course.  There are a number of other events in Almeria city.

If anyone is interested in attending any of these activities please contact me for me for more full details. These are also available on the website www.seniorsfestival.org

As many of you know the Diputacion organise walks throughout the year and the full programme of them is available at http://rutasysenderosdealmeria.es  The next one in our area is on 6th November at Sufli just up the valley from us. For this event they have arranged tapas, migas, copas and dance. To take part visit the above website and register. Any problems give me a call.

Meeting in Vera and Proposed Intercultural day 28th October

This evening I attended a meeting to discuss the possibility of bringing all Spanish national documentation processes from Almeria up to Vera. The Mayors of a number of other local towns attended and all agreed it was a good idea. So we will all be starting the ball rolling to hopefully by next year have a local facility to handle all national documentation in Vera.

The second benefit from the meeting was in making contact with more politicians who are interested in helping with our concerns re Brexit. I have planned some follow up meetings with some of these politicians, in particular the Mayor of Huercal Overa who is the current President of the Mancomunidad for that area of Almeria.

A reminder of the Intercultural Day to be held in the Renfe building 10.0am Friday 28th October. The programme is as follows, 1000 welcome. 1100 Coffee. 11.30 Talk by the participants about their culture and history. 1400 Aperitives y Dishes typical of the participants. We are still seeking  bit of clarity but at this moment a few of you have volunteered to do something from their areas in the UK which will be good. If I am allowed I will do a little bit on Scotland (with a typical dish from there!)

As this presentation is to be to the Spanish and the English speaking residents it will be presented bilingually but I see it as a great opportunity to share with our Spanish neighbours something of our backgrounds.

As we are providing some food I need to know the numbers of people who are going to attend. So if you fancy coming along please let me know in advance so we can cater. 

Dance of Life

Another Activity to enhance your quality of life is the Dance of Life. See poster below.
If interested please register in the Town Hall or give me a call.

Missing David Oldman

You may recall the British gentlemen who went missing in June on a walk from Huercal Overa to Albox. David Oldman 66 years.

His decomposed body was found near La Concepcion this morning by some hunters in a very out of the way spot. The Guardia Civil have opened an investigation but I understand that at this moment it is being treated as an unexplained death.

Charitable Theatre Group, Comedy play & Food Donations & Xmas Trip (not TH)

A new comedy play ´Kindly Keep it Covered´ set in the ´Well Fit Health Spa´ is being presented by the Charitable Theatre Group in Zurgena Theatre on the weekend of Friday 14th and Saturday 15th October. The play is in two acts and entrance is €6 with an interval bar and raffle with all proceeds going to a local charity. Performances are at 7.30pm. Tickets available from the usual outlets including CATS Services in La Alfoquia. From my experience this groups plays are very enjoyable.

We have cancelled the Country Fun day due to lack of interest.

Once again we have to thank the Church members from Los Llanos for a further 16 bags full of food for the poor and needy in our villages. These will be distributed over the next few days.

I have been approached by a commercial company who organise trips and they have asked me to advertise their Xmas trip on here. The trip is from 23rd to 27th December with pick up from Zurgena. Stay at the 4* Marina Hotel in Benidorm full board and including Special Gala, Lunch Xmas day.

The total cost is €279. For further details call 950627019 or email rosie@viajescemo.com