Kathie and I returned from our extended holiday in the UK to find that we had both been invited to join the Committee of Torrevieja U3A.
In some ways we felt honoured as we had been members only for a year and in another way I was wondering how much involvement and time we would have to donate. The Chairman spoke to us both and I felt reassured when he said that full membership would not take place until the AGM in January 2012 so that gave us time to decide if it really was for us.
We therefore attended our first meeting in early October and were immediately welcomed into the group. It was an important time to join as preparations were being finalised for the 5th Anniversary Gala Evening towards the end of the month.
Things were a little hectic but we set-to and printed 250 Presentation Programmes for the big night. The dress code for the evening was "smart" but as none of my suits or jackets would currently fit me due to too much of the good life I was panicking a bit until a friend offered me a light coloured jacket which fit perfectly and was just right for the occasion.
Finally the evening arrived and togged out in our finest we travelled to the Palacio del Musica in the centre of Torrevieja where, as Committee Members, we were to help with the preparations, man the doors etc. before we could take our places in the auditorium.
Our Gala Guests included Lloyd Milen, the British Vice Consul in Alicante, Rosario Martínez Chazarra - Councillor for Foreigners, Inmaculada Montesinos Pérez - Councillor for the Third Age, and Graham Knight - Director of the Foreign Residents Office. Unfortunately the British Consul could not attend as his wife had unexpectedly been admitted to hospital in anticipation of an imminent birth.
The evening began with the promised Cava and Cake reception followed by a toast given by Lloyd wishing the U3A success and congratulating us on our fifth anniversary. Shortly after that we adjourned to the Theatre where our Chairman Bob Hill gave a speech of welcome to everybody before introducing Lloyd Milen, who gave an interesting and amusing address touching on what the Consular presence in Spain can do for us.
Rosario and Inmaculada then spoke for a short time about how Torrevieja welcomes all the different nationalities who have chosen to make their homes in this part of Spain.
After a short refreshment interval La Orquesta de Aspirantes (the young people of the Symphony Orchestra, still learning their craft) took to the stage and entertained us royally with a selection of popular classic numbers ranging from “The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba” to “Pirates of the Caribbean”.
Two of our committee members then gave a vote of thanks to the Vice Consul Lloyd Milen, the U3A Members for their continued support, our Chairman Bob Hill, the Ayuntamiento and Graham Knight, and the Conductor and Members of the Orchestra, before we had two rousing choruses of “Land of Hope and Glory” for which the Orchestra received a long standing-ovation. We were finally treated to an encore of “Pirates” and I think audience and orchestra were very happy with both performance and reception.
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