U3A Vall Del Pop

Cake sale at GA on February 6

The February General Assembly got off to a very very good start with the opening of the cake sale, with a wide variety of cakes made by the members – there was millionaire’s shortcake, scones, muffins, lemon drizzle cake, carrot cake, chocolate fudge cake and coconut nut macaroons – yummy scrummy! You could buy them individually, or in twos if you could not decide, to go with your coffee or to take home, or buy the whole cake to enjoy at your leisure.

I am not sure whether this was the only reason, or the interesting talk which was to follow the GA, but by doors-open, at 10am, there were already many members in Murla ready for cake and coffee. By the start of the GA we had a virtually full house well content and ready for the meeting and talk. After the talk the few remaining cakes were auctioned and the fine sum of euro 266 was raised for the Goodwill Team’s collection for local charities.

Thank you to the ladies who made the cakes and to our three fine sales ladies – a good job and very tasty start.

Podiatry& Orthopaedic Shoe Making

After the U3A General Assembly, Peter Niessink, a qualified Dutch Podiatrist and Physiotherapist and orthopaedic shoe technician, gave a talk to a full house of members on his working life experiences, focusing on the work he undertakes from his mobile workshop for orthopaedic shoes in Jalon.

Peter has a BSc in Physiotherapy, BSc in Podiatry and diplomas in orthopaedic shoemaking. He started work as a Physiotherapist in Nigeria for the treatment of leprosy and polio patients, progressing into the orthopaedic shoe technology in the Netherlands and then for 17 years in his private practice whilst teaching podiatry at the Saxion University for 7 years. After working in the USA and on volunteer work in Israel he and his wife moved to Spain in June 2017, and finally settled in Jalón parking up their camper for the last time.

With his studies in podiatry and orthopaedic shoe making he addresses all types of foot problems at his Jalón base, starting with a full examination and investigation into the history of the complaint before tackling problems such as poor circulation, lack of sensation, nerve entrapment, diabetic foot problems, hollow and flat feet, callouses and rheumatoid arthritis etc. He showed some disturbing photos of foot problems and walking difficulties which can be helped with his treatment and/or with special shoes. Shoe inlays or special shoes can correct foot and knee positions and with correct fitting can remove the cause of corns and callouses.

He concluded by saying there are more accidents at home by falling than traffic accidents, many of which are caused by poor support in shoes or the wrong shaped shoe.

A fascinating talk on issues that affect many of us as we get older, and it is useful to know that specialist leg and foot care is available in Jalón.

The U3A is all about enjoyment and learning, and this is particularly evident in the U3A Vall del Pop, whose members hold their General Assembly generally, fiestas and holidays permitting, on the first Thursday of each month at the Centre Polivalent in Murla, and have a diverse range of more than thirty groups for the interest of the members.

So why not give it a try you will meet new people and can learn new skills, or just enjoy the trips.

For further information on check our website:

www.u3avalldelpop.com.