Talk of the North > Previous Issues > Issue 9

Concerts for Christmas
Calendars for 2006
Knit-Ivity Scenes
Nomads Play to Packed House
Local Footballers in Balearic Trials
Lose Pounds, Gain Cash

Recipe - Xmas Leftovers

top

Nothing gives quite that special Christmas atmosphere than the sound of a choir singing Christmas carols, and to get everyone in the mood for the coming festive season there are a feast of carol concerts on the agenda here in the north of Mallorca.
The Music Makers, a group of people who just love to sing and get together regularly to do just that, are giving their carol concerts this year in the Club Nautico in Puerto Pollensa on Monday December 12th and Wednesday December 14th, with performances beginning at 8.30pm. With their usual mixture of traditional carols and light Christmas songs, the Music Makers always provide an enjoyable evening of entertainment.

The Anglican Congregation of St Andrew’s is holding its carol service in the church in Puerto Pollensa’s main square on Thursday December 15th at 6pm. The choir there are certain to be lifting their voices to the rafters in a true traditional Christmas carol service, and don’t forget their delightful Christingle service of lights especially for families (but all welcome, of course) which takes place at the church on Sunday December 11th at 5pm.


top

The Anglican Congregation of St Andrew's in Puerto Pollensa has produced special 2006 calendars. The single page calendars cost 4€ each and there are four different photographs (taken by parishioner Neil Clews who also put together the calendars while Reverend Michael Redfearn wrote the captions) to choose from; the church (see below), a beach scene, a view of Pollensa bay and a group of church members.

Ideal as souvenirs or gifts, the calendars are available from Reverend Redfearn at the church services on Sundays (9am-10am) or call him on 971 866 689.

top

A model of the Nativity Scene is the centrepiece of many families’ Christmas decorations, and they come in all shapes and sizes in wood or plastic. But not many people will have the complete scenario made out of wool, knitted to create all the characters to perfection.
Ann Kraske of Puerto Pollensa has always enjoyed knitting as a hobby, and some years ago, following a pattern, started knitting the figures and animals to make up a Nativity scene. Last year when she heard about the competition Pollensa council runs for “Belens”, she took up her knitting needles once again and finished the piece (see picture below).

“There were all sorts of “Belens” entered,” she said. “From a huge mechanical one on two levels to little ones made out of plasticine by children.” The competition last year also included a Nativity scene made out of musical instruments, and another constructed from CDs. A great variety indeed.

The double-level mechanical arrangement won the competition, but Ann received a certificate of merit for originality and was inspired to keep those knitting needles clicking, so that this year she will enter the competition again with a Nativity scene four times bigger than her first one and including more figures.

“The original pattern did not have instructions for an ass or an ox,” she explained. “I've since found a pattern for the ass, but have had to make up one for the ox.” Ann has been knitting away on this year’s entry since February during any spare moment she could find when not working at Ferdi’s dress shop in the port or helping out at Josefina’s Animal Refuge in Pollensa. And in fact she has inspired members of her family to do the same.

“My sister Margaret has knitted nine Nativity scenes as gifts,” she says. “Plus she has made a replica of my original “Belen” which we are going to use as a raffle prize at Josefina’s Christmas Bazaar.”

So if you want the chance to own a Nativity scene that is completely original, you need to go along to Josefina’s Bazaar on Sunday December 18th in the Cloisters, Pollensa and buy yourselves a raffle ticket (or 10!). Tickets are available before the day at Electrica Cuadrado electrical shop in Pollensa or you can phone Sue Ryan on 971 865 129 or Talk of the North on 971 864 163. There are lots of other good prizes to be won, too, including a television set and oil paintings.

Entries to Pollensa’s Nativity Scene competition this year can be viewed in the convent church next to the Cloisters in Pollensa from about the week before Christmas until January 6th 2006.

top

The two-act comedy performed by the NOMADS amateur dramatic group played to packed houses on both nights of the production last month in Club Pollença, Pollensa town. The play, “Food for Thought” by Robert Wise, was for a cast of six actors, but involved a whole lot more people behind the scenes, and all did their jobs superbly.

North Mallorca residents Anne Gray, Linda Feldman, Nickie Baylis, Avril Riley, Beryl Dales and Pat Scofield had the audience laughing with their portrayals of women flatmates out to teach male chauvinists a lesson or two. Polished performances all and a credit to director Howard Mullen.

Jazz keyboard player Derek Williams entertained play-goers in the bar of the Club during the interval on the first evening, but those who went on the last night missed out on this attraction due to a (badly timed) Barcelona v Real Madrid football match.

Well done to everyone involved in the production. A first-class evening’s entertainment and money raised for charity, too.


top

Puerto Pollensa Football Club is feeling very proud of its players, since many of them have been selected for trials for the Balearic football teams. Three weeks ago the Alevin squad (10-11 year olds) had four players selected by the talent spotters; Zach, Agustin, Alfonso and Dani, and Agustin was then chosen to play in competitions against other Spanish provinces. The women's teams have attracted even more attention with 10 players from the under-25 and under-18 squads selected for first round trials. For the older girls these are Toñi, Lupe, Susi, Piedi, Xesca and Yoli, and in the younger group, Celis, Bianca, Sara and Christina. The girls joined with members of the Balearic provincial team (some of whom play for Spain nationally) last week in a match to show off their talents. The under-18s won 5-4, but all the players are now waiting to hear who the coaches have selected for further trials and possible future fame.


top

Technically, since we are in Spain, that should be kilos in the headline not pounds, but then we would have lost the pun! And just to clear everything up at the outset, the cash you gain is not for yourself, but for charity. How to do it? Read on.

Simon Tebbutt, (pictured right) who came with his family to live in the Pollensa area just over a year ago, runs a nutritional company that specialises in helping people reach the weight and shape they want to be. He has pledged that for everyone who signs up for one of his nutritional programmes, he will donate a sum to charity.

For example, if someone joins the standard weight loss programme, he will donate 30€ (or ₤20) to the charity of that person’s choice (local, national or international), and for each month a client remains on the programme he will donate the same again, so the more you lose the more he will give.

Simon is a fully qualified “wellness” coach, so he knows his stuff, and the programmes he runs don’t just involve him handing you a box of meal replacement sachets and letting you get on with it. Each of his clients has an initial consultation to determine their exact needs, and throughout the course (which can last a month or as long as necessary) Simon keeps up the contact to check on progress and offer advice and encouragement.

“I sometimes feel more like a therapist than a nutritionist,” he says. “But I am a good listener, and if I can help someone feel better about their bodies and themselves, then I’m happy, too.”

The programme isn’t just for people who want to lose weight, however, Simon stresses the main aim is to achieve a healthy body, so the courses can be adapted for those who want to gain weight or simply tone up their whole system. And Simon speaks from personal experience, both he and wife Chris have felt the benefits of improved nutrition.
“When I first started the program,” says Simon. “ I was 14st 1lbs and had a waist size of 39inches and my daughter called me a Telly Tubbie! After only three months into the program my weight reduced to 12st 3lbs and my waist a trim 32inches. I also had a history of high cholesterol which peaked at 8.19 but a recent test showed a reduction to 6.36.

"A healthy lifespan isn't just a matter of luck - it's a matter of advanced nutrition"

So, (with New Year's Resolutions on the horizon!) if you have always promised yourself that you would lose weight, get fit, or generally just look after yourself better, get in touch with Simon. He can help. And you will be helping your favourite charity, too.

To contact Simon, who also acts as an independent distributor for Herbalife, call mobile 627 192 024, (from the UK there is a cheap rate number, phone 0121 288 3468), or take a look at his web site www.asyoungasufeel.com for more information and you can also complete an online health questionnaire free of charge.
top

Here are two simple and different ideas for using up Christmas leftovers. Both serve 4 people.

Roast Turkey Caesar Salad

Sliced turkey strips
6 Baby Gems - or 1 large Iceberg lettuce
4 rashers of bacon - crispy fried then chopped
Caesar Dressing and croutons

Croutons:
Drizzle 75g cubed bread with a little olive oil and place in a hot oven (or under hot grill) until pieces go brown. Leave to cool.

Caesar Dressing:
1 small clove of garlic (crushed)
1 teaspoon English mustard
Parmesan cheese grated
3 tablespoons Worcester Sauce
50g tin of anchovies
250ml mayonnaise
Purée the anchovies and mix with the mayonnaise. Add crushed garlic, Worcester sauce, mustard and about 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese - and mix well.

On the Day:
Roughly chop the lettuce into large bite size pieces. Add the bacon and croutons and enough of the dressing to thoroughly coat the leaves. Arrange lettuce in a mound on each plate then top with the turkey strips (hot or cold). Finally, sprinkle with grated parmesan and serve.

Tips:
Dressing does not have an overpowering taste of anchovies - but use less (or omit) to taste.

Mincemeat Ice Cream

250g Mincemeat
425ml Vanilla Ice Cream
1 tablespoon rum

Leave ice cream out of freezer for about 20 minutes so it is soft but not defrosted. Place ice cream in a bowl and mix well with the mincemeat and rum. Spoon into 4 individual bowls and put back into freezer until needed.


top

Contact
Ann MacDonald, C/Llevant 46, 2d, 07470 Puerto Pollensa.
Fax 971 864 163
E-mail: carduusann@yahoo.co.uk

Advertising & Editorial Office:
C/Llebeig s/n, bajos (near the square) Puerto Pollensa
Tel: 971 864 703
Mobile: 618 163 478
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am-1.30pm