Friends old and new gathered at the Royal Guadalmina Golf Club on Saturday, May 2, for a night defined by elegance and heartfelt fundraising. The annual charity gala brought the community together to support the essential work of Age Concern Marbella-San Pedro.

Laughter filled the room as attendees celebrated the lasting bonds that make life on the Costa del Sol so special.

President Carol Woolnoth spoke passionately about how the organisation supports local residents. She explained that English-speaking inhabitants of Marbella and San Pedro de Alcantara receive help with social and physical needs, plus indispensable guidance on Spanish life and dreaded paperwork. Carol particularly delighted the crowd by mentioning their informal Spanish classes, which focus on conversation rather than grammar rules, much to the visible relief of the audience.

Guests enjoyed a delicious meal and flowing wine within the refined atmosphere of the golf club, accompanied by the angelic voice and soulful sounds of Helena Paul. Generous bids flew across the room during the auction featuring beautiful paintings and a luxury Louis Vuitton garment case, followed by a raffle that saw many lucky winners take home premium hampers and spirits.

A legacy of teamwork

Carol Woolnoth chose this special moment to announce her retirement as president after six successful years at the helm. While she shared her desire to spend more quality time with her husband, she was quick to deflect the spotlight, emphasising that her success was only made possible by the tireless army of volunteers working with Age Concern.

Though Carol has been the dedicated public face of the charity, Age Concern is famously far from a one-person show. Her legacy is defined not just by her leadership but by the dedicated, collaborative team of volunteers she helped keep together, a group of individuals who shun the limelight but whose collective dedication remains the heartbeat of the organisation.

Welcoming a new era for expat support

Ophelia Smith stepped forward to accept the presidency, bringing a lifetime of teaching experience and deep knowledge of Spanish life to the role. Her husband, John Smith, the well-known former voice of the Euro Weekly News Costa del Sol, stood proudly by her side as she prepared to lead the organisation forward.

Ophelia inherits a seasoned and expert team. In her opening remarks, she signalled her commitment to maintaining the spirit of cooperation that defines the charity. With her expertise and the continued support of the existing volunteer network, expats can rest assured they will continue to receive the best possible assistance while navigating life in southern Spain.

Age Concern Marbella – San Pedro proved once again that togetherness is the heart of this community. Whether it is the president or the volunteers answering the phones, entertaining the residents of CK La Quinta, or organising the coffee mornings, no resident should ever feel alone in Spain when such a dedicated group of friends is ready to help.

Peoples favourite park and sports complex Paco Cantos is receiving a new transformation, The town hall plans to carry out a massive 21 separate improvement works across the facility to modernise the sports area. 

What can you expect from the new and improved Paco Cantos

Mayor Angeles Munoz recently visited the site together with Sports Councillor Lisandro Vieytes to inspect progress on the works. The upgrades are part of the Plan for the Improvement, Updating and Modernisation of Municipal Sports Facilities in Marbella. Improving three tennis courts, padel courts and several multi-use areas, the designs are bringing the complex up to modern standards to be able to continue as a location for casual sports and recreational areas and to be able to hold professional sporting events efficiently at the same time. 

Workers have installed new goalposts, fitted enclosures to prevent balls from leaving the courts, and applied sport-specific paint across different areas according to each game’s rules. Bleachers in the frontenis zone, a traditional Spanish sport similar to squash, have also been improved, making the facility more comfortable and welcoming for spectators.

Futsal Pitch, cafeteria and climbing wall transformations

The courts aren’t the only area receiving the renovation tweaks. The futsal pitch has been fully rehabilitated, with cracks repaired and surfaces thoroughly cleaned and restored. Work has also been carried out on the cafeteria and the climbing wall including other spectator areas throughout the complex receiving aesthetic improvements also. 

Importantly for a sports venue in the Costa Del Sol, new shaded areas have been created across the site, a practical and much welcome addition for a venue used year-round in Andalusia’s warm climate.

A new gym could also be on the way

Looking ahead, Mayor Munoz announced that unused spaces within the complex are under review for potential new purposes, with a municipal gym among the possibilities being seriously considered.

“Our goal is for residents and sports clubs to have the best possible facilities,” said Munoz, who added that close collaboration with local sporting bodies had helped identify the key priorities.

All 21 improvement actions are now either complete or well underway for people to enjoy, get fit and socialise in an upgraded, modern and fit for purpose complex.