Message from the Group President – Feb 2021

2020 was a vile year and we are glad to see the end of it. We are all hoping that 2021 will see a happy conclusion.

As the Covid restrictions do not allow us to physically meet for an AGM I have produced a précis of our activities over the year.

1. Minutes of last year’s meeting
The minutes of last year’s AGM have been in the Centre since the meeting – for your perusal – and were sent out to all attendees after the meeting. If there are any comments or questions resulting from this report we will respond and minute.

2. President’s Report
We have worked hard trying to keep the centre open in spite of the pandemic and appreciate your understanding of our efforts.
Francine has worked with Caritas in providing food and toys for those families suffering most from the pandemic. Many thanks to those of you who contributed. It was much appreciated by Caritas and the struggling families.
Unfortunately for us several of our committee members relocated to UK or resigned for personal reasons. Our Statutes allow us to have 12 members on the committee. We now only have 6. We have 3 nominees whose appointments we ask you to ratify later. If anyone else would like to join us we would be delighted. We can co-opt you until the next AGM. Please pop into the Centre or phone/email us for information on what is involved.

Thanks from me to the committee members who have supported me during the year and – of course – thanks to all those who work in the Centre. Without them we could not open.

3. Treasurer’s report
We thank Dave Ridyard for his excellent work in auditing the accounts a copy of which is attached.

4. Membership report
Sadly several of our cherished members died over the last year but we have welcomed some new members. At the end of the year our membership totalled 203.

5. Librarian’s report
Due to your generous cash donations we were able to spend €272 on new books over the year and we received many good quality donations. Thanks to all who contributed to keeping our library afloat.

6. Publicity report
We had some new publicity brochures printed this year and had them inserted in the Walk for Life calendar. Our plan was to distribute them to Estate Agents to give to their new clients. However, this has had to be put on hold until the pandemic allows.

7. Travel report
This year has been unlike any other year most of us can remember with the Covid Virus ruling our lives still to date.

We had some excellent trips planned for the year but only managed to complete two day trips, one in January and one in February. Unfortunately, our trips to Andorra and Ronda had to be cancelled during the year. However, we have rearranged the Andorra holiday for May 2021 and hopefully we will be able to partake in that break.
In January, 32 travellers visited the Bodega Munananear, Guadix. We were given a guided tour of the winery and sampled the product. We had a genuinely nice lunch in the Bodegas cave dining room and some more of the company’s product was sampled. Many travellers also took the opportunity to take some of the Bodegas wine home with them.
In February, 34 members were fortunate enough to visit the military home of “La Legion” at Viator where we were treated to an excellent tour of the establishment by Andrew Mortimer our contact with the base. Andrew along with military personnel treated us to a wonderful day out and something different to our normal day trips. Unfortunately, a second trip to the base had to be called off due to the pandemic.
For the coming year, we have Andorra penciled in for May and we will be exploring other day trips and mini holidays for 2021/22, Covid and lockdowns permitting.

8. Schools reading report
This had to be put on hold when the schools were closed down. Hopefully it will be resurrected this year.

9. Re-election and Nominations
Committee members need to be re-elected every two years. Lynne and Francine need your vote to continue.
We now have 3 new nominees to the committee
In this month’s magazine is a brief background to Ian Hurley, Sasha Mullings and Sheila Dye.
Ian was proposed by Shelagh Murdoch Copeland and seconded by Sarah Makin
Sasha Mullings was proposed by Kathy Moorhouse and seconded by Lynne Bowes
Sheila Dye was proposed by Shelagh Murdoch Copeland and seconded by Beryl Booth
If we receive no messages to the contrary, we will assume that these five appointments meet with your approval.
If anyone else would like to join us please contact us in order to be co-opted for the next year.

10. Any questions or suggestions for future services you would like us to offer

Please contact us with any ideas or comments.