The Welcome Group was started up in November 2003 mainly to provide a social scene, where people could meet and make new friends. The idea wasn't to raise lots of money but to keep the events low cost with any money being raised to be given away each year to the various good causes and charities suggested by people who attend the events. Welcome has grown from strength to strength and from the tremendous feedback received many people are coming along to the monthly dances and attending the various events whilst making new friends along the way.

The money that has been raised has been donated to various charities and good causes including MABS (Cancer Support Group), Contra Cancer in Murcia, ASPADEM (School for Children/Young Adults with Disabilities in Mazarron), Louise Willgrass Tsunami Fund, Children in Need, Equipment for local playgroups, British Carnival Group, books and sports equipment for local schools, providing air conditioning for new community hall at local village, trophy for Mazarron Football team, providing equipment for Brownies/Guides Group and more. Our accounts are on display at every meeting for everyone to view also to ask any questions and are audited on a yearly basis.

A meeting is held once a month and usually lasts for about an hour with 180 plus in attendance. At the end of the meetings the tickets go on sale for the following months event i.e. dance or trip. If there are tickets left they then go on general sale and people can contact the Welcome telephone nos. of 620 105 179 or 618 254 143 between the hours of 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Mon-Sat).

The Welcome Group has started up a Book/Jigsaw Swap which takes place on alternate Tuesdays and gives people the chance to choose from a various selection of books without having to pay. There is also a Petanca Club and Line Dancing on two nights a week. Since starting up Welcome various other groups have started up like the bridge group, walking group and green bowls all providing a great choice of things to do.

We hold our monthly dances at the Spanish Restaurante Mariano, which is situated on the urbanisation of Camposol. Most of our dances are priced at 10 euros which includes two live professional entertainers, resident disco and a light supper. We hold a raffle where we spend 200 euros on raffle prizes, which are made up into goodie hampers and tickets are sold at 1 euro for a coloured strip. Our singers come down from Benidorm, Torrevieja and even flying over from the U.K. We do go around during the year to see new acts but also have favourites back at least once a year. During the summer months the dances are held outside around the pool area. When the dances are inside they are held in a non-smoking environment, smoking only being permitted in the bar area. Tables can also be reserved for parties of 4 or more. If you are coming along to the dance on your own, no need to worry as we try to put the smaller groups on round tables giving everyone a chance to mix and make new friends.

There is no membership fee for Welcome as this gives a fair chance for people to come along whenever they wish. People attend the functions not only from Camposol but from the surrounding areas.

Maureen and Rosemary along with their respective partners run the Welcome Group so there is no Committee but plenty of very helpful volunteers. We are known for being a very friendly crowd, so do come along and join in - you won't be disappointed.