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Welcome Group April 2007 |
Once again our March Meeting was full to capacity and we were delighted to welcome along Biggy Marshall who gave a general talk on medical cover in Spain. Biggy explained about the differences between the private and national health system and stressed how important it was to be covered for your health once residing in Spain. She pointed out that the old E111 has now be taken over by the new European health card, which is for emergency cover only. We are always hearing stories about people who are under retirement age and are not eligible for the National Health Service but do not take out any private cover. Some people do think that it isn’t going to happen to them, but if it does, they will just get a flight back to the u.k.; sadly, not if you have had a stroke or heart attack. We have heard recently of situations with people being in hospital and obviously finding it very stressful with the language problem. When under such stress, trying to understand what is going on is going to be very difficult no matter how good we all think our bit of Spanish is. As we have said before, it is so important to make sure you have private or National Health cover and to have a translator’s number on your mobile phone. We would like to thank Biggy for coming along to the meeting and clarifying some of the myths to do with health cover.
Ann and Roy who run the very popular line dancing classes announced at the meeting that the line dancers would like to donate 500 euros to MABS (Cancer Support Group). Lyn, on behalf of MABS accepted this very kind gesture and explained how the MABS Group were now fund-raising to purchase a vehicle designated for their group and being used to take cancer sufferers and their carers for hospital appointments etc. Well done again to Ann, Roy and the line dancers. Line Dancing held in Kennelly’s, Sector B Commercials on Monday & Thursday evenings. For information, please contact Ann 679 820 138.
Our events programme through to December is now available either by contacting us or from Dragontours Office on Sector A, Camposol Commercials. The April Dance and Treasure Hunt sold out very quickly and tickets for the May Dance will go on sale from Saturday 7 April at a cost of 12€. We will be seeing the return of the very popular B J Stevens who is one of the best Elvis impersonators around, also covering sounds from Neil Diamond, Billy Fury, Gene Pitney and much more. We will also be introducing to the Welcome Group, a lovely girl called Nikki Miller from Benidorm, who covers sounds from all the popular singers, along with Champagne Sounds Disco and a light supper. Tickets will also go on sale from this meeting for the very popular Ladies Day (11€) which will be held on Wednesday 6 June on Camposol. The ticket price will include cold buffet, drinks, fashion show, bingo, raffle and entertainment, so great value for a fun afternoon out. We will also be giving information and taking names for the Mini Hollywood day trip which is taking place on 2 July.
A vote was taken at the March Meeting concerning the Summer Dance which we first thought of holding at the Monasterio De Santa Eulalia where we held it 3 years ago. It is such a beautiful setting there but the price of the buffet meal plus coaches etc. was going to work out at 48€ per person which we felt was far too much for such an event and the majority of people at the meeting felt so as well. It was suggested and voted for holding it at Mariano’s Restaurant, therefore saving on coach prices, plus having Mariano’s superb Hot/Cold Buffet. The event will be called Posh Togs and will be held on Saturday 23 June with first class entertainment being provided by Flamenco dancers from the very professional Raquel Pena School, seeing the return of the very popular Jane Woodward and Champagne Sounds. The price of the tickets will be 24€ and will go on sale from 5 May Meeting.
The very popular Book/Jigsaw Swap dates for this month are April 3 from 2 to 4 p.m. and then from 17 April the summer time of 10 a.m. to 12 noon. For information please contact Jo on 630 351 509 or the Welcome tel. no’s.
The monthly Fun Petanca takes place at Mariano’s on 25 April at 1 p.m. Even if you haven’t played before it is just a fun afternoon out. To play it is 1€ for members and 3€ for non-members with all money being collected paid out in winnings on the day. The Annual Petanca Competition will be held this year on Sunday 17 June and tickets for this will go on sale from 5 May Meeting. Information on membership etc. can be obtained by contacting Colin on 968 199 001 or the Welcome tel. no’s.
As our two March events, Dance and Treasure Hunt are taking place after the deadline for this publication they will be covered in the May edition of this magazine.
We would like to extend our heartfelt sympathy to Jean & family following the sudden death of Jim Lawley. Jim was a great Welcome supporter and a true character. Jim & Jean’s photo appeared in the March issue of this publication after being one of the longest married couples at our Valentines Night Dance.
For ticket sales/information on Welcome, please contact 620 105 179/618 254 143 Mon-Sats between the hours of 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Information and photos from our events are also available to view on our web site Welcome Group