Freesiagroup

5th February 2010

At one of the Perelló group’s meetings we discussed the possibility of producing a news letter periodically.  Hopefully of interest to all of you, but especially for those members who do not have access to the internet.  Although we try to contact everyone by phone if possible, some slip through the net.

In September 2009 the AGM for el Perelló was held.  At that time a new committee was elected by you, the members.

From the first we were on the run as the Christmas Fair had already been booked for November.  After less than two months the Fair was held.  It was a great success and well received by the village.  Nobody realised that we had put it all together on a wing and a prayer, with a lot of sleepless nights and hard work.  It looks like becoming an annual event. At least we will have  more than two months to organise the next one.  We had a lot of help from members to set up the event.

We held our Christmas Lunch at Casals Restaurant in December which turned into a lovely afternoon.  The best outcome was that we gained a lot of new members.

Two weeks later we held our annual carol service in the local church, always a popular event.  As usual the church was filled.  Afterwards we held a disco/buffet in the Music School Auditorium. However, this was not strictly a Freesia event, but the proceeds of 75€ went to Freesia to be directed to AFANOC (childrens cancer charity in Tarragona).

Unfortunately, that week we learned sadly of the sudden death of one of our members,  Morrell Brown, who left behind his widow Norma.  His funeral was held at the crematorium in Amposta and was very well attended, which must have been a great comfort for Norma.  Since then many of our members and Norma’s neighbours have supported her with some of the men doing odd jobs.  This could be something we could expand on when friends and neighbours are bereaved or dealing with sickness.

Speaking of sickness, one of our members has successfully completed radiotherapy for cancer and we wish him all the best.  At the present time we have two other members (that we know of) receiving treatment for this same disease and another member waiting for an operation.  I haven’t named them so as not to infringe on their privacy, but I am sure you will join me in wishing them all the best.  Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Christmas came around very quickly and we were all glad of a well earned break after our hard work last year.

Some of our members braved the miserable weather and joined us in the Sant Antoni parade in January.  We  joined some of the other associations in the walk to the church.  The ladies wore Freesia sashes.  The event was televised and we were told that the sashes looked very effective on TV, which was very nice.  I wonder how many others will do something similar next year!!

Our book stall continues to be a success with lots of ex pats taking advantage of the exchange system.   Sr. Ferrán at the Homogenik bar has always been supported the Freesia group and kindly lets us use his outside space for the book stall. However, if the weather is bad he lets us set up the stall at the back  of the bar.

We plan to start a DVD lending service on the book stall from 6th March.  Around 50 DVDs have been donated (not pirate ones) and they will be on loan for a small cost.  A small deposit will be required and you can return them at the next book stall.  If you have any unwanted DVDs pehaps you would like to donate them to us.

Luna has been looking at the possibility of starting the car boot fairs again in the spring.  He has contacted the Mossas d’Esquadra who will advise exactly what we are allowed to sell and how we can protect ourselves from selling stolen goods.  The  car boot sales were very popular with the Catalans as well as the Brits.

At the time of writing we have just heard of the sad death of one of our members.   Marilyn Boyland’s husband Rod passed away this week and we all send her our condolences.

This seems to be a long letter but it covers the period from September.  I plan to produce one every two months so if there is anything you would like to include please get in touch.

To finish on a personal note,  due to health reasons, Luna and I have decided to step down from the committee.  Now don’t get excited because you can’t get rid of us so easily!  We will still continue to organise the lunches and Luna will continue to liase with the Town Hall on behalf of Freesia.  We will also help in whatever way we are able, but just won’t be involved in organising events.

At present the committee are planning the Honey Fair, which is a big event for the village.  It will be held the weekend of 17th and 18th April.  Margaret will send you a separate email telling you about the plans.

I hope I haven’t bored you too much with my first attempt at a news letter.  I look forward to seeing you all at the next lunch on 25th February.  Please contact me if you wish to book a place.

All the best.

Pam de Luna.