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Torrevieja and local areas Tuesday, October 6th 2015 - Edition 567
Tel: 673 196 455
Andy Ormiston presents his Solidarity Calendar 2016
DOZENS OF local charities and NGOs are going to be benefitting from the efforts of local writer and historian Andy Ormiston. On Thursday, at the superb offices of Aroca Sequier Lawyers in Rocajuna, Andy Ormiston presented his Solidarity Calendar 2016 with the overall theme of "Passion for Torrevieja". The 2016 calendar this year follows the same format as in recent years. A 16-page bound A-3 size, full coloured, with over 70 photos and the theme is “Passion for Torrevieja”. Several photographers have kindly donated their photos for this calendar enriching the whole project. This is the 10th calendar produced by Andy Ormiston, although the 11th year as one year the Calendar was available online only. This year's edition has a print run of 2,000 calendars that are distributed among several NGO’s and associations. Again it is free to solidarity organizations that then sell it for their own funds, so there’s no middlemen involved with a price of five Euros. Andy said: “Once again the printing and design has been paid for by generous local businesses - Aroca Sequier Abogados, Alamo Costa Blanca Real Estate, Brithol MAPFRE Seguros, Currency Direct, and Atlas Insurance Brokers. 2016 is a Leap Year so there are 366 days in 2016 with an early Easter at the end of March, which coincides with the changing of the spring clocks. As always there is a box of information in the area at the bottom of the page, but many main fiestas, bank holidays of Spain and in UK/Ireland or interesting dates are included in the boxes. Again some astronomy information has been included, such as full moon or meteors such as the annual “Tears of San Lorenzo” in August as they are known here, or Perseides meteors to everyone else.”
The joy of living in Spain is that, partly because of the weather, there is so much to do. The calendar in each month is dedicated to a Passion, tradition, culture or sports, or outdoor life etc. Andy continued: “One of the most popular celebrations that attract thousands of people are those of Semana Santa, or Holy Week. Thanks to Javier Torregrosa for his photos of the costumes that distinguishes each of the fourteen cofradias and each is illustrated by their names and hopefully this information will enable visitors to enjoy the processions better. The La Mata parkland is an important element of Torrevieja, La Mata, Guardamar and Rojales, so Terry Roebuck has supplied some photos of a few of the birds that inhabit this area. Some people call the Costa Blanca a concrete jungle, but that is an exaggeration, as there are many places for outdoor activities either on the land or at sea. The cover by Nicolas Garcia demonstrates this in picture as we have the Hombre del Mar on the promenade and its extension along the harbour wall, with a lovely sunset and a bit of wildlife - as you see the cat stalking the pigeon. Keith Nicol has generously supplied both the January and December photos that are related to Christmas and a New Year. Thanks to Fernando Guardiola and Objectivo Torrevieja for their photos used in the calendar, and to Carlos Garcia for all the hours spent in laying-out and designing the calendar.” Andy Ormiston is responsible for the text and is the inspiration behind the project. Distribution of the calendar is through many local NGOs whose volunteers do such wonderful work. Representatives of various groups were present at the press presentation and they underline the vast assortment of voluntary assistance in the Vega Baja that covers the poor and homeless, the sick in and out of hospital, those with deadly illnesses, the old and young, orphans, people in distress, broken families, ex-servicemen, animals and our environment; then we have our entertainers who bring a smile as their performances raise money for so many charities. Andy continued: “And once again a huge thank you to our sponsors who have supported the calendar for a long time now.” During the presentation, Andy on behalf of the monthly Internet magazine “Torrevieja Outlook”, presented an award to Ars Creatio for their work over the past year producing an immense amount of cultural
events for Torrevieja. Asociación Cultural “Ars Creatio”, President Manuel Tévar was on hand to accept the award and he in turn thanked Andy for all the hard work he has done over the years in organising many cultural events, including Burns Night, which Andy personally organised for many years. The event took place in the lovely grounds of the offices of Aroca Sequier Abogados in Rocajuna who also laid on a tapas and refreshments for all the guests after the presentation. Miguel Angel Aroca also made a presentation of a cheque to Reach Out, Torrevieja's Homeless Charity in appreciation for the work done throughout the year. The Director of Aroca Sequier Abogados presented Reach Out with a check for the amount of 4842.26€ to their representative Dolores Fernandez. This donation is the result of collaboration between the law firm and Currency Direct, comes from monetary transactions by British citizens. Commissions generated through this collaboration were accumulated during the year with a different NGO benefiting each year. Those wishing to purchase a Calendar can do so from: Reunite, AEEC, Red Cross, Ruta de Sal, Rascals, Reach Out, Coastrider, AECC Pink Ladies, Regalos de Amor, Los Costaleros, The Royal British Legion Orihuela Costa Branch, Help for Heroes, Samaratins, Kanine, Age Concern, Help, The Royal British Legion Torrevieja, AFA Torrevieja and Artists for Refugees, among others. Andy's tireless efforts in bringing together the various sponsors who have covered the costs of the printing of the Calendar, make the total possible funding that can be raised from sales of the Calendar 10,000€ from the 2,000 editions produced.