Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Look Backward Look Forward

I thought just saying Merry Christmas as a heading was a bit old hat so out has come my old school motto! Needless to say though all the members of the FOTA committee wished all our members - and even those reading this who aren't - a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

The end of the calendar year is a good time to look back and see what FOTA has done for the theatre and perhaps hope that new members may be encouraged to join. It is much taken for granted on the theatre terrace and in the dressing rooms that the theatre is a permanent and financially sound part of our ex-pat life here but the truth is very different as events this year have shown.

So let's start with what FOTA has done for the theatre's finances. We were told in the Autumn that the combined effect of the cost of the works that have needed to be done to the building had brought the theatre to the edge of closing and its future after Christmas was not assured. FOTA immediately gave 15000 euros from our accumulated funds. Since then we have handed over another 2000 euros from our fundraising activities and budget to make that another 1500 at least by the end of the pantomime season. This money can only come from you, the members, and others who have supported our activities.

This Autumn we have had trips to Jaen and to Rute which were well enough attended to make a slight profit. We have kept the prices for our trips deliberately low since we are a social as well as a fundraising group but as with the lunches they barely cover their costs and it is the raffles which raise funds. We have also held our usual booksale and Christmas Bazaar but here's the rub. Some members of the FOTA Committee have been there since the beginning over 20 years ago and even most of us newcomers (seven years in my case) have backs that aren't so keen on the lugging of trestles and tables and goodies. With the loss of storage at the garages of Gina we also faced a big problem. It seems that for the moment at least the events we have held on the terrace of the theatre whether book sales or bazaars will be no more. They have been an important part of our fundraising over the years with each one contributing from a hundred to several hundreds of euros and we urgently needed to find another way and when one door closes another opens.

Thanks in no small way to Norma's ladies who welcome us to the theatre we had a very successful raffle during the Christmas show. The prize was an excellent one and altogether raised about 700 euros. Really the ticket sellers deserve a big round of applause. We have bought a splendid hamper from El Corte Ingles and will be selling tickets during the pantomime
for a second Christmas raffle.

Of course our programme of trips and lunches will continue. On February 19th we are going to Estepa (really, this time) to visit an asparagus farm and a chocolate factory. I keep trying to think of a suitable recipe but haven't come up with anything so far. Perhaps if they made champagne in Estepa as well? There will be one more trip before Easter.

Christmas lunch was attended by 60 people, so a great way to end the year's lunch programme. I was away but I am told that the food and the company were excellent and not too many misbehaved with the carol singing! For the coming year lunches have been booked at Antonio Videra on January 15th . We have used this before and it has always proved
popular. Then two new venues for us. A little further out of town to the El Coto restaurant, a favourite with one of our committee who vouches for its quality and finally something really different. The vegetarian restaurant in Los Boliches - Vegetalia. We have been lucky to have them take us because they are usually very full at lunch time when they do an interesting vegetarian buffet. This time I can vouch for the food and I think it will go well whatever your normal tastes.

Many wisely resist the temptation to sit on committees and one of the things that can make almost any pair of eyes glaze over is discussion of constitutional arrangements and procedure. Sometimes someone gets lumbered because changes are forced upon us. This year we have started to examine the legal situation of the Group hopefully by the time of the AGM we will be able to report to members how we have improved the way our group integrates into the management structure of the theatre.

Well have a good time in the next few weeks. Don't forget the panto, bring your inner child. Our Gina makes a wonderful villain. If you aren't here on the Costa we wish you a white Christmas (in the north) or a beach barbeque if you have gone South. Wherever you are we will look forward to seeing you on the terrace in the New Year.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Activities until Christmas

Let's start with next Thursday when we have our trip to Rute. This is on the borders of Málaga and Jaen provinces so a good scenic ride to get there. Naturally we will stop for coffee and tostado but the serious business starts when we get there. The area is famed for a number of things - olive production, furniture but our target is chocolate and that special drink for Christmas. We shall be visiting an anis museum and distillery. If that wasn't enough last time we visited there was a charming Belen. It can be difficult finding a present for friends or relatives who have everything or can buy it quickly if they want it but I have found that an Andalucian product , be it olive oil, chocolate, Malaga wine or anis is welcomed with delight and often showed off when other, more expensive items languish in a corner. So a lovely triop and some Christmas present dilemmas solved. What could be better.


The main square in Rute












LUNCHES

We have had a few already this year. Whether it is because Jackie is a wizard at finding nice places to eat or because it is a pleasant social occasion during the day and therefore no 'getting home' problems, they have been remakably successful. The year always culminates with the Christmas lunch and this year it will be at EL BRUJO which is in El Coto. Don't let that put you off, if you haven't got transport ask at the desk when you book about how to get there. Last year we packed the place out so someone found it easily enough! There will be a cabaret and carols and turkey and mince pie. Who could ask for anything more. The cost is 20 euros and the date December 11th.

DECEMBER 6th is the last date I will ask you to put in your diary. We shall be having a Christmas Bazaar on the forecourt of the theatre. The usual stalls of White Elephant, Tombola, Cakes, Cards, a Good Book Stall and a raffle. There are usually so many helpers anyone is good for a chat and a gossip so come along.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Bit of a Gap but Important news for Members

For those of you who don't know (shame on you) I've been acting in Absurd Person Singular at the theatre and that's my excuse for not putting anything here for a while. It was great fun to do - even the nervous breakdowns! and we made a handsome profit for the theatre. So I hope that those of you who did come to see it enjoyed it. The audience reaction each night and the comments since suggest a good time was had by all.

I enjoyed 'Thoroughly Modern Millie' earlier in the season so things seemed to have got off to a good start but unfortunately technical problems have meant that the next play has been postponed. Still we've got the Christmas Show to look forward to and then the panto.

FOTA had a book sale on Saturday and raised 125.50 euros for the theatre's funds. We now have a different relationship with the theatre and SALVA. We were having problems with the constitution of FOTA and the requirements of the Spanish authorities if we were to be an independent body. We looked at the cost of staying independent but it seemed foolish to spend money on lawyers when the theatre needed every penny we could raise.

We have now agreed that we will be a fundraising arm only and hand over our surplus beyond a working capital requirement directly to SALVA for them to spend as they think fit. We have already given our reserve of 15000 euros and one further payment of 500 euros from our recent activities. The 'wishlist' which SALVA gave to us to determine what was bought is no more but we will be kept fully informed how our money is spent and I'll pass this on.

We are really pleased with the way that the season has started for us. The trip to Jaen turned out to be very popular and we had nearly a coach full. We keep the price as low as we can so even though there a lot of people on the coach the profit is modest. But it's better than a loss and we hope that members and non members alike can get to know each other. Similarly with the lunches where we add nothing to the charge the restaurant makes and hope that the raffle can add a little. We are always interested to know of a restaiurant we haven't tried so if you have a favourite let us know. We aim for a price of around 10 euros.

We tried something a little new in October with 'Petticoat Lane' where we had some quality clothes for sale. It went pretty well but not quite as well as we had hoped. Whilst I was sunning myself in the Canaries, Fuengirola was getting next summer's water ration and that meant that they had to operate in the Chekov Room. However it did go well enough to ensure that we will try again.

I'll blog our future activities a little later but I have been asked to bring to everyone's attention the fact that FOTA has a library of theatre books which includes some valuable and unusual items. At the moment they are stuck away because nobody borrows anything. Probably because you don't know about them. They are looked after by David Radford and he's at the theatre most days, so if you want to browse then have a word with him.

Saturday, October 04, 2008

New Season


It's October already and some things have happened and some are on their way.
The theatre has had a show and a film premiere. The film starred our vice president Lynn Halliday and has attracted the attention of both the BBC with a Look North film crew down to interview her (transmission probably Monday or Tuesday of this coming week) and a slot at the Marbella Film Festival. I understand the posh frock shops of Fuengirola have had to order urgent supplies.
Coming up at the theatre is 'Thoroughly Modern Millie' opening next Friday, October 10th and rehearsals are well under way for 'Absurd Person Singular' in early November. The Burnt Ash Players are visiting again between these events. Their previous productions have been of a very high standard so there is plenty to look forward to.
For FOTA, we had a successful lunch to kick start our season and now are looking forward to our first trip. This time to Jaen. This Andalucian provincial capital oozes history. Some ancient, after all Rome depended on it for olive oil as much of the world still does, some medieval with Moorish monuments including a castle turned into a Parador and some modern when man's inhumanity to man was particularly strong in the Civil War.
One of the great treasures is the napkin with which St Veronica wiped the brow of Christ on the way to the cross. This is still venerated every week in its glass case. But it is a bustling modern town too and the drive through the countryside to get there will start by being powerful through the mountains and then awesome as an unbelieveably endless vista of olive trees is broken up by small towns once on the front line of the war between the Moors of Granada and the kings of Aragon and Castille so safely perched on hill tops with their castle then trickling down the hills when security arrived with the reconquest.


The Parador high above the city. Don't worry, you don't have to walk







Date: Thursday October 23rd

Cost 32 euros














Friday, July 18, 2008

Painting the Chekov



The colour scheme of the Chekov Room wasn't popular. In fact it was hated by many and a decision was taken that a repaint was needed. Of course the theatre doesn't have the money for anything as frivolous as employing a painter to come in and do it so the Committee of FOTA volunteered (or worse) and these are some pictures of the event. It is only fair to say that most of the work was done by John Pyne but I hope you'll agree that now we can score ten for artistic merit (especially the bit over the door into the balcony)









Planning the work
So the green and the orange had to go

















We've gone for plum on the bottom



John and Helen are putting white on the top of the wall























once Helen got started the wall didn't stand a chance

Come and see it soon



Planning for the Autumn

It's a bit early but thoughts of cooler days ahead are welcome at the moment. If you have left the coast to enjoy life in UK or other parts of the world it is unrelntingly hot here so what better time to get out our diaries and plan for the Autumn.
The last committee meeting decided :

Lunches: October 6th - Casa Dori
November 6th - Peppers at Dona Sofia
December 11th - Christmas lunch at El Brujo

Trips: October 23rd - Jaen and an Anise plant
November 27th - Rute or Estepa to visit a chocolate factory

Events: October 11th - Fashion Show (awaiting confirmation)
November 16th - Book Sale
December 6th - Christmas Bazaar

Of course everything is subject to change (when isn't it?) so the most important date is the first one you can make to come and say hello at the desk. We'll be there in September.

draft Minutes of the AGM

FOTA Friends of the Theatre Association

Minutes of the AGM held May 14th 2008.

The meeting was called to order on the second call at 7.30 p.m. The President thanked the 20 members for attending.

Board Members present: President David Radford, Treasurer Arthur Hill, Secretary Graham Cherry, Jaquie Brierley, Gina Foster, Lynn Halliday, Pauline Naylor, Pat Suart, Norma Wilson and Helen Young.

Apologies were received from Y.Peake, Mr and Mrs Pollard, Ted Schepers.

Minutes of the AGM held May 22nd 2007 were taken as read and there were no matters arising.

Presidents Report was read by David Radford. Copies were available for members present. He concluded by highlighting the observation that whilst the trips and the lunches had shown profits for the Association’s funds the ageing of the membership had resulted in two normally profitable events being cancelled because of the physical demands.
Acceptance of the report was proposed by Mr Harding and seconded by Mr Suart.


Treasurers Report

Copies of the report were given to members. The Treasurer made the following observations:
Income from raffles had doubled
The evening dinner had been a great success and he hoped for more
There had been the same number of trips as last year but profit had doubled.
This year there had been four events whereas the previous year there had been seven so income from events was down.
Revenue from the cards had increased by one third.
The major expenditure item had been the hard wired system at 3,748.90 euros but overall expenditure had gone down.
Current Assets totaled 17,352.60 euros
The working profit for this year was 8,616.23 euros and this compared with 5995.445 euros for last year.
The acceptance of the report was proposed by Mrs Harding and seconded by Mrs Akers.

The President commented that the figures for the coming year for profits from recycled cards would be down because stocks of blanks were low.
It was hoped to expand sales of books on the desk, an experiment currently showing success.

Election of Officers:

The post of President was vacant.
The sole nomination was David Radford. He was proposed by Mrs Harding and seconded by Mr Chalkley. He was elected unanimously for a two year term.

The retiring members of the Committee were AH. GF. JB. PN.
They were re elected unopposed and unanimously.

The President informed the meeting that Helen Tomlinson was prepared to join the committee. She was proposed by Doreen Slater and seconded by Ana Atteck.

Any Other Business:

Ana Atteck asked how funds were transferred to SALVA. It was explained that SALVA request items and then the FOTA Committee will approve the expenditure or not. Indeed last year it was decided not to fund some items on SALVA’s wishlist.
This produced a number of comments:
Gina Foster, as President of SALVA, said that bringing the building up to standards had been very expensive. At one point the authorities had closed the building for Fire Precaution work to take place and shows had been cancelled. The electrical surge had cost 100,000 euros to put right. Although audiences and cast see a ‘profitable’ show, costs had rocketed and were now running at 200,000 euros a year. Income was on target to meet this but a stringent watch had to be kept on the finances. Currently SALVA have 30,000 euros in reserve and the summer to see through.
The wishlist from SALVA this year would include items not normally within FOTA’s remit. Among them are:
Smoke Hazer
Replacing the floor at the front of the stage
4 monitor speakers
lantern replacements
new tools for the resident stage manager
recovering legs and flats
motor for the motorised lights
painting the Chekhov Room

D Slater thought the lighting in the Chekhov should be improved.
The opinion was expressed by a number of those present that the Sound Headsets paid for by FOTA were not fit for purpose. There were real problems with the lack of flexibility and trailing wires when working backstage on big musicals. Gina Foster (for SALVA) said they would be modified with longer leads this summer and Eddie Barnett (SALVA) confirmed this and said that the alternative of leadless headsets would have cost 25,000 euros. Concerns about backstage safety of cast and crew continued to be expressed.

Lynn Barnett, as a representative of SALVA, thanked FOTA for agreeing to the wishlist. She amplified the information concerning expenditure on the theatre by adding that the whole of the electrical work cost 220,000 euros. With the theatre subject to instant inspection there was no option but to keep things up to date. She confirmed that the theatre was re building its reserves.

Peter Owen asked whether air conditioning was planned. It was explained that noise, electrical interference to the sound system and the structure of the building all make anything other than the present arrangement impossible. A recent estimate, which failed to meet some of these problems, was for 42,000 euros. Even if the technical problems were overcome the cost would be prohibitive.

B Suart put on record his appreciation of the work done and funds raised by FOTA

The business meeting concluded with a presentation to Gina Foster to mark her period as President of FOTA.

The business meeting was followed by a demonstration of the potential of the sound system which was greatly appreciated.

Thursday, May 08, 2008

This week's committee meeting

Let's start with the bad news. Pressure of work has meant that Sian can't run the Fashion Show for us. She has been really busy these past few weeks getting the costumes together first for the musical evening and then for the Railway Children. Anna has set this in 1940ish so there has been a great deal to do adapting and making costumes for the period and she is working hard against the deadline of tonight's final dress rehearsal. Then she has been cast in a leading part in 'Nunsense' with lots of rehearsal requirements so something had to go and, not surprisingly, it was the Fashion Show. The committee didn't express even a hint of criticism for the decision so we hope you will be just as understanding. That doesn't mean we have given up on the idea and we hope that we will be able to do something in October. If you were planning to inspect your wardrobe or thinking of helping out then go right ahead!

While we are on the subject of the Railway Children (well sort of) don't forget it opens tomorrow night for a three night run. It's a lovely show and while you will laugh during it, I am pretty sure you will come out with a cheery grin at the end. I admit to being just a bit prejudiced!

Hot Springs. The last blog covered this trip and there are still places on the coach.

Our AGM

Next Wednesday May 14th is the AGM. Not normally something members get too excited about but there a couple of reasons to come. First we are going to have a demonstration (about 20 minutes) of the sound capabilities of the systems FOTA have raised funds for. If you ever wanted to be in an airport when a helicopter landed on your head........

Then we have, hopefully, someone from SALVA coming to tell us about the theatre's current position. We have had a request for a cash grant from our funds. Our policy has always been to consider requests and buy items which enhance theatre going pleasures and not simply be a 'hand over cash' organisation. We must consider whether this should change.

Another decision we need to take is to elect a President. Leadership is an important matter and for many years it has been in Gina's capable hands. With her move to President of SALVA David Radford took over as President. He will be standing now for the next two years. At the moment he is unopposed but nominations have not closed.

Finally we have to consider next season - not necessarily at the AGM though that would be a good place to do so - and any ideas are welcome. We had an interesting one recently when the Art exhibition at Gaucin - modelled on the very successful idea of the Brighton Festival of opening artists' homes as exhibition spaces - was drawn to our attention. Too late for this year but could be an excellent idea for next. It all came as a surprise to the committee and we wonder whether there more good ideas out there that you assume we know about.

The next report will be after the AGM so if I don't see you at 'The Railway Children' I shall hope to see you there.

Sunday, May 04, 2008

The Hot Springs.

Our last trip of this season is set for Thursday May 22nd when we set off for the Hot Springs and the beautiful town of Alhama de Granada.
Here water rich in sulphates and magnesium has bubbled out of the ground to the delight of mankind since pre historic times at a rate of 80 litres a second and a temperature of 47C. The Romans loved the place but the glory days were from the 12th century when the Moors built their baths - still there - and the town became the favourite of the rulers of Granada. Today the baths are still a relaxing and popular way to relieve stress and aches and pains.
The stimulating effect of the waters by the river bank has convinced the locals that swimming in the river, where it has cut a gorge and the hot water from the spring joins the cooler waters from the mountains, is a local remedy especially good for the less pleasant after effects of spending too much time in the nightclubs of the city.

But it isn't just the baths to see. One recent comment on a tavel site said of Alhama:
A magnificent Gorge that, in my opinion, rivals Ronda but without the tourists.


As usual our trip includes a break for breakfast and a lunch.

Book at the FOTA desk at the theatre Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Fashion Show Saturday May 17th sees our fashion show on the theatre forecourt. We have been given donations already but would be delighted with more. It is being organised for us by Sian Hopkins and Liz Pollard so will be really worth going to.

Finally don't forget our AGM which is on Wednesday May 14th at 7.00.


Thursday, April 10, 2008

Notice of AGM

FOTA

AGM

The Annual General Meeting of FOTA for this year will be held in the theatre on

Wednesday May 14th

First Call 7.00

Agenda:

1. Attendance and Apologies

2. Minutes of the 2007 AGM

3. Matters Arising

4. Presidents Report

5. Treasurers Report

6. Election of Officers

7. Any Other Business

Due to the resignation of the last elected President the meeting will need to elect a President. The Treasurer is also due to retire and seconded nominations for election can be left at the FOTA desk. Seconded nominations may also be made from the floor of the meeting.

Membership nominations were due on January 1st. Outstanding subscriptions may be made on the evening of the AGM. Only paid up members can attend the meeting or submit nominations.

Friday, March 14, 2008

Genal Valley amongst other things.


The Genal Valley is our substitute for the cancelled trip to Ubeda. The area from around Ronda back towards the coast has long been famous as the 'White Villages' of Andalucia. Whatever the origen of the 'whiteness' it is now a source of fierce pride to have the village looking immaculate. Woe betide the housewife who doesn't make sure the walls are sparkling in the Andalucian sun. The villages climb up, often very steep, hills and mountains and usually possess at least a fort from Arab times. Sometimes even a picturesque castle knocked about a bit by Ferdinand and Isabella and Father Time. Some pictures to whet your appetite:


Above is Olvera. The Church and the castle dominate the town and both are worth exploring.
To the right is Algar.










This is Grazalema which has the distinction of being the wettest place in Spain. We will keep our fingers crossed no umbrellas are needed.

At the top is a picture of Sentenil de la Bodega. On our last trip to the white villages Juan, who is our usual driver, had the most incredible driving problem here. The street was very narrow and someone had parked inconsiderately (I know it is hard to believe that such things can happen in Spain) He got through with literally a centimetre to spare on either side of his coach but halfway through the manoevre most of us thought he would get stuck with us inside the coach and not enough room for even the skinniest of us to get out. I don't know who felt they deserved a drink the most when we got down the bottom. The bars here are made out of caves and so unusual we just had to go in. So, too, are many of the houses. A fascinating and very pretty town.








There may even be a Roman ruin for you to see.


As usual Gina will be stopping for a breakfast break of tostado and coffee and lunch is included. The trip is a very modest 25 euros.



Other news and plans

We have had some really successful lunches recently both in terms of the numbers of members attending and the general quality of the meal. It was especially nice that a new (to us) restaurant in the middle of Fuengirola proved to be a hit. Take a bow 'Casa Dori' and if you feel like checking them out they are just by the entrance to the underground car park opposite the Tourist Office.
Our next lunch is at the Primavera on April 3rd. Over 40 members gathered too for a great evening out at the Kon Tiki in Los Boliches. . There was general agreement that this should not be the only time we went for an evening 'do' and at the last Committee meeting we decided to investigate a beach side restaurant for early June. I have a feeling that even with so many members heading back to the rain and cold(!) we'll have a good crowd.

The trip for April
will be to the Lobo (Wolf) Park. The park is just outside Antequera and we will spend some time there in this ancient and important town. Date is April 17th.




We had a FOTA trip to see the Wolves at night and hear them howling.
Absolutely fascinating.









I've told you about the Fashion Show before and now the date is definitely fixed for May 17th.
A note for your diary.

As the point of FOTA is to keep the theatre going here are some dates for you to set aside:


28th March to April 1st - An Inspector Calls

11th April to 15th April - Uncle Vanya

25th - 29th April - a Lizz Freeman Musical Revue

9th - 11th May - one for the younger members of the family - The Railway Children and note two important things here. The show finishes on Sunday so no performances on Monday or Tuesday and I'm in it.

23rd - 28th May - the final show of the year is Nunsense.

Everyone on the Committee looks forward to seeing members on the theatre terrace and we hope that will include you soon.







Saturday, March 01, 2008

Saturday March 1st

The trip to Jaen has had to be cancelled. Quite simply we couldn't get the numbers needed to make it viable. To those who booked we can only say sorry. But we have fixed up a day trip to the Genal Valley and the White Villages, particularly Gaucin and Manilva for March 27th. Full details at the desk.

Thanks to those who came and bought at the booksale. It went well but we have plenty of books left for the next one!

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Our trip to Jaen,Ubeda and Baeza

Let me start by saying how pleased we were with the response to the trip to Priego de Cordoba. A full coach, no less, and good weather in a bad week. Feedback so far has been good although a little disappointment was expressed by some who thought they would see glories as great as are on offer at Ubeda and Baeza. Next just a little reminder that next Tuesday February 28th we have an evening social dinner at the Kon Tiki restaurant in Los Boliches.

If you have been dithering( and don't we all) about our trip to Jaen to take in Ubeda please make your mind up soon. We are fast approaching a deadsline for confirming the trip and need to be pretty sure of the numbers. As a help here is a Youtube video of Ubeda. It's in Spanish and it's only part one but part two and other videos are on Youtube and you can get a good idea of the attractions of the town.
We will have an English speaking guide throughout the trip which will be invaluable in understanding how such beautiful towns came to exist on the edge of Andalucia.


We shall be staying in
JAEN Capital of the province of that name at the Hotel Torres 1
Villanueva del Arzobispo

Cost: 230 euros
to include coffee on the way, all meals and final lunch

Finally, our hardworking Treasurer, Arthur, had an accident last weekend and broke a bone in his foot. If you haven't seen him perform at the theatre - he was the General in 'And Then There Was None' and had only just opened as Lane in 'The Importance of Being Earnest'- then you must have met him on a Wednesday morning manning the FOTA desk at the theatre. I am sure you will join me in wishing him a speedy recovery.

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Spring Programme

A busy committee meeting this week has put together some plans which move the emphasis of FOTA a little more to the social side. We hope that you will enjoy some - or all - of these events. I'll put a little more detail about them as they come up. Meanwhile if you want to come on the trip to Priego de Cordoba (see the last post) you will have to get a move on. We already have 50 booked so only a few seats left. It's great to see that FOTA members are so keen to experience the beauty of Andalucia.

Starting with our popular lunch programme. We are off to El Cisne in Fish Alley tomorrow and again we have a nice sized group of friends going. Then on March 6th we try a new venue. Members who are resident in the Pueblo Lucia area have been telling us how good a local Spanish restaurant is. Casa Dori is just off Jesus Santos Rein about halfway between the market and the horses head roundabout. After that it is back to old favourites of Primavera, Europa (now remodelled) and Antonio Videra, more later on these.

Our March trip is longer than usual. Three days two nights to Jaen,Ubeda and Baeza. I shall post this separately but for now the reason for the trip is that these towns are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built largely by a 16th century dynasty who ruled Spain in the absence of Charles V at a time when gold was flowing in from America they are regarded as jewels of the Renaissance. Dates are March 25th - 27th and the cost 230 euros.
On April 17th we are going to Antequera and then Lobo Park during daylight (we had a fantastic night time visit there a couple of years ago). I never knew that Wolves could be so interesting and so different from the stories of legend

We are trying out something new on February 26th. Large lunches are not to everyone's taste so we thought an evening social dinner might be a good idea. After every show there is a dinner for the cast and everyone who has worked on it as well as their friends. We have been told how good the Kon Tiki in Los Boliches has been so we have booked to go there.

March 1st sees the forecourt of the theatre transformed into a bookshop for our booksale. Although Gina's garage is stuffed full of books we appreciate very much anyone who makes it a bring and buy. With the exquisite taste of our members(!!!) we can ensure that it is a morning for bibliophiles.

May 3rd sees the return of the fashion show. This time in the very capable hands of Sian and Liz from the theatre's wardrobe department as Maggie is off on holiday. Some donations have been made already and I am told there is some very good stuff there.

As these events come up I'll post more details, hopefully with some pictures to break things up a bit. For now I know that the whole committee joins me in saying that we hope you will like this programme and we will look forward to seeing as many of you as can make it as often as you can make it.

Saturday, January 05, 2008

Priego de Cordoba


Day Trip February 21st


Priego de Cordoba
, described in one guide as 'an unmissable stop on the Caliphate Route' lies at the foot of La Tinosa, Cordoba's highest mountain.





At the centre of the town is the Ayuntamiento and everything is an easy walk from here







Priego came to prominence under the Moors who ruled from the invasion to 1225 and then from 1327 to 1340 when it became a Christian town permanently. From these times comes the splendid Moorish castle.




The layout of the town with its narrow winding streets is a reminder of these times.








The conquest did the town no favours and it became a quiet backwater until the Dukes of Medinaceli arrived in 1711. Prosperity followed based on the silk industry. The great wealth generated was spent on creating buildings in the Baroque style. Today the textile industry is no more but the Palaces and Churches remain.









This is just one interior. The guide books have a list of a dozen or so to feast the eyes. I suspect a couple will be enough!







So come with us through the Andalucian countryside to the town of Priego de Cordoba.
The trip includes lunch and a coffee break and costs 30 euros.
Book on Monday, Wednesday or Friday mornings between 11.30 and 1.15.