Menorca Britannia.
SPRING NEWS LEITER The winter season ended on a high note last Saturday with our traditional Island Tour by auto bus. A slightly longer day than in previous years as we finished the excursion visiting Son Martorellet for their spectacular new show for 2012. Starting later than in the past and lasting a full 2 hours the show included new acts and ideas together with the best loved of past years. The coordination between the singer and horses was especially thrilling. All those attending had a wonderful day and the weather could not have been better. Your committee have arranged a number of visits for the near future and are working very hard on the organisation of two very special events at the beginning of June. Perhaps our most ambitious yet, some details of these events feature prominently in the following paragraphs. Please remember that the Asociación Menorca Britannia is an organisation requiring member’s involvement as well as just attending visits and events. Any ideas and comments will always be gratefully received as will any offers of logistical support. 1. Visit to Mahón Town Hall and the Church of Santa Maria onTuesday 3rd April. This will be followed by a guided tour of the adjacent Parish Church of Santa Maria and a close inspection of the ground floor. We will also see the gallery and the organ loft together with the organs’ workings. Our member Dr.Alberto Gil (expert on the bells of Europe) is hoping to obtain a day off work from the hospital Mateu Orfila and escort us to the top of the bell tower to describe the work being done for the brand new bell. The views from here over the whole of the city are fantastic. This is a unique opportunity, and especially for all of our photographic enthusiasts. The visit is free and should you not yet have booked, Sheila looks forward to your telephone call. 2. On Wednesday April 11th we are visiting the Parque Natural S’Albufera d’Es Grau and by an agreement with the Regional Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment of the Govern Baleares. This visit has been arranged a little later in the year than originally planned at the behest of the wardens as they believe that early April is the best time to see the flurry of activity of the breeding birds and the abundant flora. We will be met at the centres offices and information building where we will be given a full briefing by the experts before the conducted tour. Again this must be a not to be missed visit for all nature lovers and photographers. A notice will be sent in the next few days giving full details of another free morning. Please do not reserve a place until you receive the notice. 3. The Language Exchange with our group of English language adult student friends from Dos Hermanos, Sevilla. 4. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee Commemoration. Much was covered during the first meeting of this working committee last Monday but we all went away with much to organise individually. The Plaza Esplanada will be at our disposal and the large marquee from Sant Lluis will be erected together with the stage. An external stage will also be available together with covered “chiringuitos” for each of the participating associations. Tables and up to 1000 chairs will be available. It is expected that an arena will be sanded for the horses and stands erected for spectators. The whole day is to be themed 1950’s and it is hoped that everyone will enter into the spirit. Although the full programme has yet to be finally agreed and timed it is expected that the day will start at 11.00am with a cavalcade of veteran cars, motor cycles, bicycles horse drawn carriages etc. which will parade around the square having set off from Sant Felipe heading along Kanes Road to Mercadal. This is being arranged by the Amics del Isla Del Rey and not only celebrates the Queens Jubilee but also the 300th Anniversary of Richard Kane becoming Governor of Menorca. The day continues with continuous live music from various groups with music from the 50’s and 60’s. And there will be one or two surprises. A typical British community “Street Party” is being organised with professional catering when everyone will be able sit and eat together. Throughout the day there will be a beer and refreshment stall and the associations stalls will include Rotary Club—Tombola, Red Cross—Crafts, Men’s Probus—Pimms Bar, The Charity Players will be putting on a suitable performance and there will be a choir recital. It is hoped to have an early evening performance by a group of Menorquin horses, and several notable solo singers are being approached to put on a concert. Antonio Ruiz has offered the free transport of the sand required for the arena and the Asociacion Rociero de Menorca of which he is President is hoping to have a typical Andaluz Gypsy Carriage supplying Jamon Serano and other products. It is expected that Hort Sant Patrici and Gin Xoriguer will be producing specially labelled commemorative bottles of wine and gin throughout this summer for sale to the British holiday makers and these will also be available on a stall at this event. The evening will finish with a popular dance for the whole community with music by a live group. With little or no money available the whole is being organised with the goodwill of volunteers. Can you help? We obviously need bunting and themed paper cups and plates which are readily available by mail order on the internet. Can you offer help during the build up, distribute the posters and leaflets, actually help serve food on the day? Will you make an effort to dig out those old clothes in the wardrobe and give them a 50’s makeover? Can you help by sponsoring a part of the event? We certainly need all the support you can give to make this the momentous day we want to achieve. 5. We are organising “British Menorca” the following day Sunday June 3rd. As last year the event will be themed 18/19 century with as many participants a possible in costume of that era. A detailed programme is still to be completed but we do already know that most of the associations of the previous days will be taking part with, in addition most of the Menorquin artisans demonstrating their manufacturing techniques of the past. Two folk groups have agreed to take part, Grup Folkloric Castell de St. Felipe with their traditional Scottish dance and others, plus the folk group Es Rebost who will also parade their beautiful and authentic costumes as well as providing an hour of music and dance. We are hoping to employ some children’s entertainers once more to give the local youngsters an enjoyable experience and work is underway to persuade the ponies to be in attendance again. With various enquiries underway with various musical groups, bands and singers as well as an agreement being hoped for from Son Martorellet for another fabulous display of Menorquin horses during the early evening this will be a very full and colourful day. It is expected to end with another popular dance for everyone during the evening. Again any offers of sponsorship and/or logistical help will be gratefully received. There will be some substantial costs involved but with some small amounts from the authorities, (hopefully) and the financial support of some local businesses (hopefully) we as a non profit making organisation will make a resounding success of the day. Please let us know by e-mail to our address at the head of this news letter if you are able to offer such financial support however small. Your organisations name will be prominent on all publicity. The next meeting of the organising committee is on the 16th April following which more and fuller details will be available. 6. Guided visits to San Antonio, Golden Farm We are pleased to announce that, following discussions with Camila Delas Vigo and Iñigo Orbaneja, the owners of the estate, we are again able to offer guided visits throughout the Summer.It is now officially recognised by the authorities that Menorca Britannia should be allowed to arrange these and therefore we are able to promote with more publicity than the trial run of last year. Visits will be on virtually every Monday and Friday evening starting on Friday 4th. May. And we have already taken some advance bookings. We are arranging A4 size posters printed in both English and Castellan which will be ideal for putting in Shops, Banks, Restaurants, Bars and Tourist Information Offices. We are also printing a large number of ¼ page size leaflets (printed both sides in the two languages) which will be ideal as handouts, putting in all hire cars, villa & apartment welcome information folders etc. etc. A copy of each of the posters will be sent to each member by e-mail and we would be obliged if you could help with the distribution within your own area or business. Please let us know how many copies of each size you require and we will arrange to deliver these to you. 7 Other matters of Interest Remember that all reservations should only be made by telephone (after 7.00pm) to Sheila on 971366206 and if you encounter the answer phone please leave a message together with your Membership and phone numbers to enable her to telephone back as soon as available. All other offers of help, sponsorship any ideas you may have and comments should be made by e-mail to menorcabritannia@msn.com or by using the comment form on our website www.menorcabritannia.orgBryce Lyons Lo sentimos no tenemos la traducción todavía
|
|||