President's Letter 23 Birding in Andalucia

President’s Letter

Unfortunately we have had to say our last farewell to David Minkin and Ann Atkinson since our last magazine, our thoughts are with their family and friends.

Well it's been 6 months since my last letter and what strange times they've been too. We are now in the new normal and I can't wait for normal to return. I expect like a lot of you I can't wait to see family and friends that are not in Spain.

I hope that you will all help to keep the new regulations that we have had to put into place to keep everybody as safe as possible.

Because of lack of staff we have had to postpone the Welcome Back meal, we hope to hold it in October but please keep an eye on the website and FB forupdates.

As you will see, this magazine is for September & October, so please check with activity leaders or organisers that dates or times haven't changed.

Please be vigilant as there have been a spate of break ins, scams and purses being snatched. Also the gas men are about as well, Repsol always ring with an appointment, so if somebody just turns up at the door to check your gas hoses, send them away or you will be charged exorbitant prices.

Keep well, keep safe,

Sue Potter, President

Anglican Church of Costa del Sol West SAN PEDRO at 10-00am

Every Sunday we hold an Anglican Service of Holy Communion in the Hall adjoining the Parroquia Virgen del Rocio (near McDonalds). SOTOGRANDE at 12-00pm

Every 2nd and 4th Sunday we hold an Anglican Service of Holy Communion in La Iglesia Sra.de la Merced, the ‘Big Church’. 1st and 3rd Sundays are Methodist Worship services. You will receive a very warm welcome at our Churches, and children are particularly encouraged to join in the Sunday school fun activities. We hold a Messy Church at Marlow’s Fish and Chip restaurant at the Eroski roundabout in Duquesa on the first Saturday of each month, between 11-00am and 1-00pm. This is well attended by children, who enjoy the various activities, and also parents and adults who come along to give their support.

We conduct Wedding Blessings, Baptisms, Funeral services, and undertake pastoral care visits to the sick or needy. Coffee Morning each Tuesday in Sabinillas from 11-00am, at the Café American Bistro at the eastern end of the Paseo near the children’s play area. Our Chaplain is Adrian Low, so do come and meet him together with his wife Joanna at any of these events. For further details about us, please contact Adrian on 952 808 605 or, Church Wardens: San Pedro Church - Patricia Gommersall (an ICE Member) 620 149 215 patricia.g2515@hotmail.co.uk Sotogrande Church - Debbie Geater 637 986 516 debbiegeater@gmail.com Visit our website for even more information: - www.costachurch.com 6

These are the new rules that the Committee have put into place to keep you all safe, it is everybody's responsibility to adhere to them, anybody refusing to keep to the rules will unfortunately be asked to leave:

Capacity allowed is 75% using 25% of the tables indoors, 100% in toldos area but a distance of 1.5 metres to be kept between tables

Anti bacterial gel to be used when you enter the Club which is provided at every entrance

People must wear masks at all times apart from when sitting at a table

Tables and chairs to be cleaned after every occupancy by the people vacating chair or table, cleaning materials provided at cleaning stations

Only 1 person at a time in all of the toilets, locks have been fitted on the outer doors

Toilets, door handles and light switches to be cleaned by anyone using the toilets, cleaning materials provided or if you feel safer clean them before use as well.

No cushions to be used and when required, single use tablecloths only

Lunches will now be served at your table

Bar to be used for ordering of drinks only, no standing or sitting at the bar.

If you use the Computer, wipe everything down with wipes provided

Books & puzzles may be taken but on return or touched must be put into the box provided to quarantine for 14 days

Lift to be used by 1 person at a time unless of the same household

I cannot emphasise enough the importance of keeping to the rules for all our safety. Sue Potter, President