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April 2014 NEWSLETTER
How beautiful April is here. When I lived in the UK, I used to so enjoy seeing the daffodils and crocuses come into bloom and welcomed the Spring feeling. Here in Spain, there is currently an abundance of poppies everywhere which I love as it’s my favourite flower. There is so much in nature to appreciate. When I am out and about meeting single parents and helpers, we often sit near the sea having a coffee and I can fully understand why single parents do not want to leave this lovely location, despite their challenges.... they know a pollution-free, outdoor life is better for their children’s health, amongst many other advantages.
Our committee has been working hard organising events for the coming months so please share the information with others so we get a good turnout and more funds for the charity.
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right." Henry Ford
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Positive Mental Attitude Workshops
We have just finished the 3rd course of workshops and the feedback has been very good. Attendees were seeing positive changes within a few weeks. The aim of the workshops is to help others open their minds to new ideas and techniques which will enhance and improve their lives and those of their children. I am open to doing these workshops in the Calpe/Altea areas so if anyone would like to attend please get in touch. Due to demand I shall be doing a follow-up workshop in Javea in May to embed everything learned so far.
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Members' Good News
I am a single parent twice over with two daughters - one of 19 the other 12. Both experiences have been difficult in some capacity, whether it be through acrimony or lack of maintenance or indifference - just the usual stories really!
I first heard about Guardian Angels through my mother but felt it was not necessary (me being stubborn!), given I at least had family here and spoke the language etc etc…well I later thought better of it when a fellow member and friend told me some very positive stories about her experience with the group. So I let down my barriers and met up with Tricia around autumn of last year. I liked her straight away and realised, despite having family it’s important to have other people who understand your situation through personal experience and who can be perhaps more objective not having the emotional attachment.
I was in the process of finally having my novel published (a long story - long emotional process!) and was also in the process of going through yet another break up and Tricia mentioned the positive thinking workshops. Now I do have some background in these things over the years but again, like anything, the knowledge may be there but putting it into practise is something very different!
Well, I knew it was the time for urgent action to help change my mind-set and with an innate tendency towards bouts of negativity and depression - I really wanted to embrace this wholeheartedly and see real change. That is KEY - you HAVE to really want the change and I did.
From the first session, things made immediate sense to me and I began to implement the ideas on a daily basis from the affirmations to the vision board and many others. It helped massively with my break up and how I dealt with it and especially helped me really believe in myself and my ability as a writer. This is not an instant fix - this is a change of attitude for life and it’s not always easy but when I find myself slipping up (on a mental level), I’m aware and do my best to get back on track. Put simply, it’s like rewiring my brain and I’m sure I’m not the only one in need of a rewire! Give it a go - be patient and see the results for yourselves.
Zoe Braganza Jones
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A Thousand Miles From Nowhere
is fundamentally an alternative love story by Zoe Braganza Jones AKA Saffron Mello Castro.
A journey of experimentation and sexual awakening set in Spain in the late eighties/early nineties at a time when the whole 'New Age travellers' scene was well and truly alive. Told in the first person, an account of the protagonist's feelings, experiences and adventures as she leaves the UK on a journey of self-discovery. In an attempt to blot out all memories of the person who had such a profound and at times, damaging effect on her life, she finds herself drawn to other men to numb the pain. She embarks on a series of affairs and relationships, some of which invariably end in tears and others that potentially place her life in danger. Despite her intentions to 'find herself' and some direction in life, she's drawn to some less salubrious characters, as well as certain mind altering substances that do little to clarify her thought patterns, adding more confusion to an already confused mind.
The story veers from light-hearted, amusing reading to moments of deeper introspection, darkness and intense hedonism.
The novel is available for sale online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iTunes and others in both e-book form and paperback. It is also available at the bookshop ‘Públics’ in Dénia and in the foreign language section in the library, ‘Baix la mar’ Dénia.
http://www.antpress.org/a-thousand-miles-from-nowhere/ http://1000milesfromnowhere.blogspot.com.es/
Congratulations to Zoe on her achievement. I really enjoyed her “colourful”, well-written book which took me a trip back in time to my “flower power” days! We wish her every success with its publication. Tricia |
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Members' events
June – coach trip to the Bioparc, Valencia
Date to be confirmed. |
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Guardian Angels supports lone parents with children living with them. Unfortunately if a single parent marries or has a live in partner they are no longer eligible to be members so should inform us of their change in circumstances.
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KEEP IN TOUCH
If you have a computer or access to the internet, you can keep in touch with what is happening in Guardian Angels on a day-to-day basis via our website which contains lots of useful information and details of our supporters and service providers. It also has a regularly updated Events section with a Calendar showing our forthcoming events and a Photo Gallery of past events. If you would like copies of any of the photos shown, please email vernon@guardian-angels.es
If you are a member and use Facebook, you can join our special Facebook group. This is a 'closed' group, for members only, so-called because you can post and comment with confidence, knowing that only those Facebook users approved by Tricia or Vernon can see this page. You can ask to join by selecting the 'join group' option on the page shown in the link above or ask to be added by a 'friend' who is already a group member.
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Very Successful Spring Fair
The Spring Fair held recently at the Inn on the Green raised a brilliant €800. The fair is an annual event organised jointly by Inn on the Green and High Street Heaven and with all stall space sold out several weeks in advance, it was destined to be a success. All available space both inside and outside was busy with stalls selling everything from handbags to jewellery and cakes to swimwear, as well as Angel readings and reiki. The bar did steady business providing refreshments and the crowds were entertained by recently-launched community radio station Total FM.
We also raised funds with a raffle and an auction and organising Angel, Gill Somers said, " We were extremely pleased to be nominated as the charity to benefit from this year's Spring Fair and are very grateful to Inn on the Green and High Street Heaven for organising the day. The weather was fine and encouraged people to turn out in force to support us. The money raised will help us to continue our work supporting single parents and their families."
Photo shows Guardian Angels founder and president, Tricia Barr, with the group's organiser Gill Somers, manning their stall.
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Charity Awards Gala Ball
at Denia Marriott Hotel
Yes it was a great night! The atmosphere was fizzing with all the amazing guests from the charities, with videos showing all the work they do here. It was wonderful to see Guardian Angels' success being recognised alongside charities such as Cruz Roca, MABS, Samaritans, EMAUS and others.
The meal was delicious and there was great entertainment from the Blues Brothers, Robbie Williams tribute and the magician James Brown. The beautiful young dancing girls did a moving sequence. BBC TV's Mark Stacey raised thousands for charity with the auction. The lovely organisers, Sue Nutbrown and Silvia Barnish and all the other helpers, did a sterling job making the evening so successful.
It was a truly memorable night for Guardian Angels. I felt especially honoured to be nominated by my helpers to receive the certificate “for going the extra mile”. I am very proud to be surrounded by such a dedicated team of very special people. My personal thanks to Tamsin (who has helped me from day one), Steve, Vernon, Celia, Leigh, Carole, Ian, Gill, Ann, Nettie, Linda and Tracey – I couldn’t do it without you.
Click here to see more photos of the ball.
Tricia Barr, President |
FUNDRAISING EVENTS
Pick a Date in the Calendar
3 PRIZES to be won – 150€, 100€ and 50€. You select a date in the calendar for only 5€. The calendar will be available at our events.
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Curry Night at Ca Pep, Orba
on Wednesday 23 April.
What better way to celebrate St George's Day on April 23rd but with a Curry Evening and Disco at the Ca Pep bar in the centre of Orba. The owners of the bar, single parent Romanian Mikaela and her Spanish partner Jose have offered GA use of the bar for the evening. There will also be music and a raffle. All tickets for this event have now been sold.
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Macho Men event, Digby’s Bar, Javea, Sunday 27 April at 1pm
Don’t miss this event - it will be hilarious! Based on the “selfie” idea on Facebook, where women took off their make-up, Tamsin decided to would be fun to see men having make-up put on. We need brave/mad male volunteers to come along and have their face made-up. You can sponsor the guys for just 2€ or for 4€ you can apply various make-up.
Two charities benefit from this as 30% of funds raised will be donated to another local charity, Cancer Care.
Sponsor forms available at Digby’s or from tamsin@guardian-angels.es
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Golf Day, Ifach Golf Club, Wednesday 2 July
If you enjoy a round of golf, this is the event for you. Situated in Moraira and forming part of a country estate, this golf course has spectacular views of the Rock of Ifach itself. Entry is only 5€ for up to 40 entrants. Awards and food afterwards (more details to follow.)
To book your place contact Carole 609 085 609 or Gill 655 415 003
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Guardian Angels Ball, The Republic, Denia Marina on 20 September at 7.30pm
This will be GA’s inaugural ball so we are very excited about it. The Republic is renowned for its fantastic food with loads of five star reviews. The location is perfect, facing the beautiful yachts in the marina and across to Denia. We are very fortunate to have both Rob Sweeney and Strikland for the entertainment and there will be some excellent raffle prizes. The tickets are great value for money at 35€ per person
To reserve your tickets contact ann@guardian-angels.es or call 647 844 260 |
Coach Trip to La Zenia, 24 May
Fancy a day out and a change of scenery? The Zenia Boulevard Shopping Centre is located in the Orihuela Costas and has over 150 shops and restaurants. These include top brands such as the popular Primark and beautiful Laura Ashley stores, Guess, Nichi Seijo, Zara, Mango, Decathlon and many more. There is a large selection of places to have a full lunch or snack when you take a break from the shopping.
Denia, Javea and Benidorm pickups, departing Denia at 8.30am. Purchase your tickets at 17€ per person by 12th May. Contact tricia@guardian-angels.es 622 795 542 or tamsin@guardian-angels.es |
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