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CHI KUNG
Chi Kung helps to strengthen the health of the individual and thus preventing many diseases and illnesses.
Chi Kung has been practised for more than 3000 years.
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Good News!
New Venue ..... Bolero, Fossa Beach Calpe
Our use of the Bolero is on the understanding that we all buy drinks/coffee from the bar. Arrive by 10.30am for coffee before a 10.45am start.
We meet 10 times a year, normally on the 4th Monday of each month. We do not meet in July and August.
The object of the group is to enjoy a couple of hours of appreciation of Classical Music.
It does not matter whether your know nothing about Classical Music or if at the other end of the scale you have a degree in Musicology. All U3A members are most welcome.
You will hear music from the early renaissance period right through to present day composers. Sessions will take one of three different formats.
1.Concert Style- Overture, Concerto, Symphony.
2.Music of individual countries
3.Sessions dedicated to one composer
The group leader will add background information about the composers and the music being played.
The sessions finish at around 12.45pm
A 10€ per head menu is available for those wishing to have lunch.
Total session length 2hrs.
Meeting dates for 2010
March 18th
April 15th
May 20th
June 17th
Sept 16th
Oct 21st
Nov 18th
Dec 16th
Contact your Group Leader - Nick Green on 96 649 8619
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Sundays 2pm - Winter times
On Sunday afternoons, approaching the far end of the Paseo Maritimo past the Esmeralda Hotel, in the shade of eucalyptus trees, you might hear voices using strange expressions.
“Are we the ice cream or the water melon?” “Granada needs one to win.”
“Two for the black and white cow.” “We’re holding, but only just.”
“That one’s dead.” “Go left! Left! LEFT!” “Oh no! Thanks for nothing!”
“I can’t see the jack.” “The magnetic end towards the WOOD, silly!”
“You’ve just thrown my ball!” “I don’t believe it!”
“Straight through the middle if you can. Oh, bad luck!”
It’s just the U3A Petanca group in action on the public pitches. They turn up, from 4 to 24 people at a time (there is no set group) Taking a playing card, the aces, twos, threes, etc. form teams. Everyone brings their set of metal balls (on sale everywhere) previously endeavouring to mark their own with nail varnish, paint or bits of sticky paper as the sets all look alike. The coloured plastic sand filled beach sets are acceptable if team mates agree. Competition players have to use a specified size and weight, but U3A’s not in that league.
Two games are usually played, the first of each team to reach 15 points wins. The scores are kept on metal boards on which fridge magnets stick, hence the strange expressions on the top of the earlier list.
It’s a great spectator sport, as many people out for a Sunday stroll stop to watch. Some are known to the players, who go over to the fence for a quick chat until……. “It’s your turn……..are you playing or what?”….. gets them back to the game. This group is not for the easily offended, insults often fly. It’s all good fun, however.
Sometimes the pitches are shared with other nationalities, as they are not pre booked. The French are fairly quiet. It’s a serious game, Boules, as anyone who has witnessed a game in a French village will know. The Spanish are their usual ebullient selves, joyfully bickering over the position of the balls. The Germans
characteristically arrive with clip boards, pre-arranged teams and do a lot of serious measuring with callipers. The Belgians practice a particular violent throw which sends balls off the pitch like missiles. The Dutch just get on methodically and politely.
Eventually, the teams stroll to a local bar, chosen for the variety of their (free) tapas, quality of beer or size of wine glasses, and sometimes whether in the sun or the shade. There is no analysis of the games (as in golf, football or bowls) A great element of luck as well as skill is involved in Petanca. Like British Rail once claimed, there are often leaves on the line.
The object of the game is to throw metal balls (usually underarm with hand on top to generate a back spin if necessary) as close as possible to a smaller wooden ball (jack or cochonnet) The playing surface can be hard earth, gravel, even grass, but not loose sand (only for fun beach games as the balls will not roll) Greeks in 6 BC used stones, coins, stone balls. Roman soldiers brought the game to Provence, using wooden balls with nails in for extra weight. In the Middle Ages, it became known as boules or balls and was played throughout Europe. Henry the 3rd of England banned his archers from playing, the French Kings, Charles the 4th and 5th banned commoners from playing, so glad we didn’t live then.
Originally the pitch was twice as long as the modern one, and players took three steps before throwing, but in 1907 the smaller pitch was introduced with a standing delivery. Apparently a Monsieur Jules Lenoir, a top class player, suffered from rheumatism and couldn’t run! The game in it’s present form originated in Provence, Southern France, the name Petanque from the local dialect “les pied tanco” (feet together) It is played casually by 17 million French, mostly during their summer holidays (somebody obviously counted them and the best of luck) There is a Federacion Francaise de Petanque et Jeu Provencal with 375,000 licensed players, 3,000 of them in England. (Statistics again, sorry.)
A note to end on. If in a French singles game, a player scored 0 points, this was called a Fanny. His penalty was to kiss a buxom French mademoiselle’s bottom. As there aren’t many willing to submit to this, a token “Fanny” was provided by the pitch, made of pottery, metal or wood, which received the loser’s kiss. He then had to buy his winning opponent a drink. You couldn’t make it up!
So come along and join the u3a on a Sunday afternoon and have some fun!!
by Joan Dadd
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The classes will be held at Suzannes apartment,New Venue, please call for directions.
I am writing to introduce myself as the new Art Class Leader.
Sandy said that there was a need for a retired teacher volunteer to take an overview – so here I am!!
After many holidays at our apartment in Calpe, we are now out here permanently except for Christmas, July and August.
I was a general Art teacher (teaching textiles as well as Art) in an 11-16 secondary school, so my own level of skill and expertise is appropriate to that, although I taught quite gifted children as well as those with modest ability. With that background, I hope I can contribute to your thriving group.
I look forward to meeting you in the near future, hoptefully at the next U3A meeting.
Group Leader, Suzanne Bowles, Tel 665 490 649.
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Monday Morning Beginners Group
Monday Afternoon Group
Wednesday Morning Group
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If interested please contact me, Keith Cherry, 96 583 7286, Mobile 637 010 617
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DATE |
LEADER |
PHONE NO. |
CLASSIFICATION |
DESCRIPTION AND OTHER INFO |
| MARCH | ||||
| 10th | Brian Johnson | 96 583 8892 | Long | Gata Circuit |
| 17th | Alan Vaughan | 96 597 2262 | Long | Parcent (Carrascal) |
| 24th | Jack Sugden | 96 649 9112 | Long | Cocoll |
| 24th | Carol Ritchie | 96 583 3102 | Strollie | Cumbre del sol. Mirador |
| 31st | Neil Simmers | 96 583 8282 | Long | Font Moli, Aitana ridge, Partagas circuit |
DATE |
LEADER |
PHONE NO. |
CLASSIFICATION |
DESCRIPTION AND OTHER INFO |
| APRIL | ||||
| 7th | Neil Simmers | 96 583 8282 | Long | Circular walk from Tarbena |
| 14th | Alan Vaughan | 96 597 2262 | Medium | Dos Ermitas. (Lleus to Pinos) |
| 21st | Neil Simmers | 96 583 8282 | Medium | Llosa de Comacho, starts with an ascent. |
| 28th | to be advised | - | Medium | End of season walk |
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Group meets, Fridays 2 - 4 pm, Group Leader, Gillian Kennard, 96 583 8698
Let’s have a peal!
When Gillian Kennard came to live in Calpe with her husband Peter, two years ago, she brought a set of handbells. Winning a competition, she used the prize money to buy them. In her native Buckinghamshire, she’d belonged to a handbell ringing team, and joining the Anglican Chaplaincy at La Merced Church, started up a small team there. Beginners (they all were) have one or two bells and play easy pieces until they gain confidence. They learn how to hold the bells, wearing white cotton gloves to protect them, how to read the music (which consists of numbers) how to keep in time, put the music stands up and down, find their place when they miss a note and not drop the music folders! No musical knowledge is required. As one lady said “I can’t sing or play an instrument but with the bells I can make music!” In a uniform of white tops, black trousers and a blue scarf bearing the badge of the Handbell Ringers of Great Britain, their first public appearance was at Songs of Praise in the Church, which included visiting choirs. The congregation obviously enjoyed this new group, in fact broke into humming when “Men of Harlech” was played. A Welsh battle song is not really in the category of songs of praise, but the group’s repertoire at this early stage was rather limited.
Having practised more tunes and carols, they were asked to appear at a concert in aid of Emaus, Carol Concerts in the Perlamar building and in the Calpe Christian Fellowship, the Salon Blau and the 600seat theatre in the Casa de Cultura. One member said “I only joined to learn something new and enjoy myself, I didn’t know we were going to do all these gigs!” Stage fright disappeared when footlights thankfully prevented the ringers from seeing the audience (who will insist in joining in the familiar tunes!) At the “Mini Glyndebourne” at La Fustera Church the stage was smaller but the audience as appreciative, and the picnic was enjoyed too.
It was agreed that outdoor performances were not a good idea when a gust of wind nearly took several sheets of music into the swimming pool when the group played at a fund raising garden party. No-one dropped their bells, and recovering their wits, continued playing. A couple of guests, obviously old Boy Scouts, were heard to sing quietly the words of the alternative camp fire song to the tune of Men of Harlech, something about “Tramp up Snowdon with your woad on, never mind if you get rained or snowed on……..go it, Ancient Brits!”
Bells in various forms have been used for centuries for marking solemn occasions, celebrating, mourning, signalling, warning, giving information and music. At weddings, funerals, baptisms and Mass in churches and cathedrals. In Celtic rites, Buddhist temples and monasteries. Public clocks and bells in schools and factories marked the time before wristwatches, some bells increased in speed until time for work, and then stopped. They were used during exorcism, proclaimed executions, called out for the plague victims and warned of the threat of invasion. Bells heralded in New Year, Spring, Winter and Summer solstice, Christmas. Town Criers used a bell to bring news to the local people, ships’ bells rang to mark the watches (1 to 8) Bell buoys warned ships of danger and in Lloyds of London the Lutine bell was rung when an insured ship sank. In Bingley, the church bell rang at 11am on Shrove Tuesday to tell housewives to start making the pancake batter! Alarm clocks, burglar alarms and doorbells are still used but the bells of fire engines, police cars and ambulances have changed to sirens, unfortunately. Even Morris dancers, budgies, cats and Santa’s reindeer have bells. The modern telephones beep, but we still say “I’ll ring you” or “give me a bell”
Hand bells were once used to accompany string and wind instruments in church. With the development of the “King of Instruments” the massive organ, they fell out of use except to practice indoors the big bell changes (instead of in the draughty church towers!) Now they and chime bars have become the fastest growing medium for music education in schools. In 1967 the Handbell Ringers of Great Britain Society was formed. Highly skilled ringers can play two in each hand, or have bells laid out on a table to pick up in rapid sequence. La Merced Handbell Ringers haven’t reached that stage yet! Usually ringers work as one body, all reading from the same score, instilling teamwork and a spirit of fellowship. They do have that!
Gillian has offered to run a handbell ringing group for U3A on Friday afternoons. There must be at least six people, for there are twelve bells, so if you’re interested in making music this way (it’s easier than those piano scales you may have tried to learn (and failed) as a 9 year old) give her a ring (see?) on 96 583 86 98.
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For any further information contact Ian Coleman on 96 583 4388
This group is held on the 1st Thursday of the month at 12 noon at Manola's Bar
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IMPORTANT NOTICE The new Group Leaders are Ernie Ritchie, 96 583 3066 and Alan Steed, 96 583 2153. All enquiries for this group and new members, should now be directed at Ernie and Alan above.
New times of the Bowls will be from 2 - 4 pm starting from Autumn 2009. Please arrive 15 mins before start of play
The U3A green Bowls group has been in operation for 4 years.
Most members who had not played before have become accomplished bowlers and are good enough to join any Bowls club. One such member is June Merrett who after only a few months joined a local club.
The U3A group is very friendly, it is held at the Paraiso Mar Bowls Green (which is a public green) on the Levante Beach.
The sessions are on Monday and Thursday afternoons. Cost is €5.00 per session. Coaching will be given to beginners if required. This gives members the opportunity to try Bowls without any obligation.
Members of the U3A are most welcome, so come along and join the fun.
Flat soled shoes are essential; dress is casual and comfortable – not necessarily white, although the experienced players seem to choose to wear white.
Bowls are supplied. Unfortunately there is now a shortage of small size bowls which makes it rather difficult for people with small hands, especially the lady members.
If any members hear of any Bowls that are no longer in use, please contact Ernie Ritchie, 96 583 3066 or Alan Steed 96 583 2153.
During the hot summer there were evening sessions played under floodlight, which was rather fun.
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I started the first At Home Dining Group for U3A in November 2004. I wanted to carry on a tradition we had in England where a dozen or so of us would get together for a meal where we each brought a food and drink contribution, and we all then enjoyed a wonderful three course meal. As we were friends of long standing there was much laughter, conversation and ´putting the world to rights´.
Sandy helped me out by putting one of her ´sign-up´ sheets out at a General meeting, and it was with a bit of trepidation that I took the sheet home with a list of names, all people I did not know. (We had only joined u3A two months before). I thought we would start off with an easy meal, Italian, and phoned the people on the list to agree a date and time for this meal. This duly done, then there was another round of phone calls to ascertain what each couple would bring.
For the first meeting I made some name labels for us all to wear, and set the table for twelve. Everyone prepared their dish at home and brought the finished products to our house. The food looked and smelt delightful, and I had printed off the evening’s menu so that we could pace ourselves for what was ahead.
We changed places after each course, so that by the end of the evening we had all had a chance to chat to each other.
Before we parted we planned the next At Home dinner, and since then have had several, taking it in turns to be host. Our last meal was a Paella Pool Party, and our next meal has a Greek theme.
A second At Home Dining group started a month or so ago, and these people have already planned their next three dinners!
I keep a record of the meals we have had, and refer to it when looking for inspiration. It is not a competition or Cordon Bleu. We do not exchange recipes. We HAVE made some really good friends along the way, and most of all we laugh and have fun. Perhaps the lovely Spanish wine has something to do with it.
For more information, please contact the Group Leader, Diane Putnam, Tel: 96 583 7286
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Go to: Top of Page| Ref. | ||
| 4 | The Spanish Ulcer | David Gates |
| 6 | Rough Guide - History of Spain | - |
| 8 | Concise History of Spanish Civil War - OUT | Paul Preston |
| 10 | Moorish Spain | Richard Fletcher |
| 14 | Spain - A History | Raymond Carr |
| 16 | Inquisition | Ed Burman |
| 18 | Spain in the Reigns of Isabella & Ferdinand | Geoff Woodward |
| 20 | Segóbriga | - |
| 22 | The Life & Times of Manual Cervantes "No Ordinary Man" |
Donald McCrory |
| 24 | Sixteenth Century Europe | Richard MacKenney |
| 26 | Spain - Myths and Legends - OUT | Lewis Spence |
| 28 | Death's Other Kingdom | Gamel Woolsey |
| 30 | Costa Blanca Trips - OUT | D. Workman |
| 34 | Doves of War - OUT 17/1 PB | Paul Preston |
| 38 | Moorish Spain | Richard Fletcher |
| 40 | Off the Beaten Track | - |
| 42 | Farewell to Spain | Kate O'Brien |
| 44 | A Travellers History of Spain | Juan Lalaguna |
| 48 | The Spanish Temper | V S Pritchett |
| 54 | The Story of Spain | Mark William |
| 56 | Sevilla (Cordoba and Granada) | Eliz. Nash |
| 58 | The Basque History of the World | Mark Kurlansky |
| 60 | Walking Through Spain | Robin Neillands |
| 62 | Hannibal | TAPE |
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