John Smith, Orphelia Smith and Carol Woolnoth. Credit: EWN
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.
Marenostrum Fuengirola is taking live music to a new level this season with the incredible introduction of haptic t-shirts that allow concertgoers to physically feel the music through vibrations and sensory feedback. Developed by local Rhytmo, the innovation is designed to make live performances more accessible and immersive for people with hearing difficulties, meaning they can experience rhythm, bass, and musical intensity in a new and inclusive way.
How the haptic T-shirts work
Rhytmo’s garments are fitted with sensors and electrostimulators that convert sound into vibrations felt directly through the skin. Rather than simply listening, wearers experience rhythm, bass, and melody as physical pulses creating what the company describes as a fully immersive alternative sensory experience. Each garment costs around €300 to produce.
Rhytmo transforms music into physical sensations via electrostimulation, creating a new experience that engages other senses,” said Josema Ezquerra, Chief Executive of Rhytmo.
How can I get one this summer at Marenostrum Fuengirola
This first phase will have approximately 20 t-shirts made available at concerts on the main Unicaja stage, with priority given to those with hearing or visual disabilities. Anyone wishing to use one must contact the venue at least 24 hours before the event by emailing accesibilidad@marenostrumfuengirola.es, where staff will confirm availability and protocol.
A summer lineup worth feeling
This year’s line up is equally as impressive as the last. The iconic Sting performs on July 13, with Gipsy Kings following on August 9. Latin superstars Romeo Santos and Prince Royce are also due to perform and many, many others.
The long-term accessibility commitment
Marenostrum Fuengirola has operated an accessibility Plan since 2019, partnering with Fundacion Music For All since 2023. Further measures this season include vibrating backpacks, magnetic hearing loops, subtitles, and sign language interpreters.
Rodrigo Rodríguez, Fuengirola’s Councillor for Culture, confirmed the goal is for every fan to enjoy live music on equal terms, regardless of physical ability.
For more information on the t-shirts and their other sensory equipment visit the Rhytmo website and for the festival visit the Marenostrum pages directly.
Mazarron hosts free youth theatre festival showcasing local talent. Photo Credit: Region of Murcia
The Costa Calida town of Mazarron is once again preparing to celebrate its young local talent and creativity within the fine arts, with the return of its popular “A Escena” theatre programme. This is a popular cultural initiative that places young performers in the spotlight, and with a varied programme of works, the event is expected to be a major draw for locals and visitors alike this spring.
A springtime event to inspire theatregoers in Mazarron
Running from May 19 to June 3, the event will take place at the town’s Cultural Centre auditorium, where audiences can enjoy the programme free of charge. The initiative, organised by the Universidad Popular de Mazarron, unites schools, theatre groups and educational institutions in a celebration of drama, aimed primarily at children and young people in the municipality.
A programme, putting Mazarron’s young talents in the spotlight
Forming a major part of “A Escena” are the XXIX Theatre Days for Children and the XXIV Theatre Days for Youth, two events that highlight the importance of the performing arts in education. Morning performances are dedicated to younger audiences, with primary school students presenting imaginative and complex theatre productions. These shows not only entertain, but also encourage values including creativity, teamwork and confidence among the little ones of the municipality.
The programme continues with musical storytelling and original plays from secondary school students and other groups, which explore themes like unity, camaraderie and mental and emotional wellbeing. The programme’s evening performances will shift the focus to youth theatre, featuring more complex works staged by student companies. Titles including Todo por el petróleo (“Everything for Oil”) and Arbitrium demonstrate the range and ambition of Mazarron’s emerging young talents.
Commitment to community theatre and fostering young actors and producers
“A Escena” also reflects Mazarron’s wider commitment to culture and community participation. By offering free access to theatre and showcasing local talent, the event reinforces the role of the arts as a vital part of civic life.
As the curtain rises once again on the young talents of the Costa Calida, the “A Escena” programme promises to bring together both performers and audiences in a shared celebration of storytelling, ensuring that theatre continues to thrive in this vibrant Murcia cultural and theatrical hotspot.
Users were divided over whether the customers’ actions could be understood or whether leaving without paying was unjustified. Photo credit: Jazmine Thomas/shutterstock
A group of customers in Spain has drawn attention online after leaving a restaurant without paying their bill and reportedly leaving a handwritten explanation on the receipt. The incident was shared on social media before being picked up by Spanish media outlets. The case was first circulated through a post from the hospitality-focused account on X, “Soy Camarero”, which regularly shares incidents involving customer behaviour in the restaurant sector.
According to the information reported, the group left without settling their account, an act commonly referred to in Spain as a “simpa” (sin pagar or “without paying”). What made the situation notable was that the customers allegedly left a written note on the bill saying, “we are leaving without paying, we asked for the bill several times….” explaining that they felt they were not attended to before leaving the premises.
Social Media Reaction and Divided Opinions
The handwritten message, as reproduced in media reports, claimed the customers had asked for the bill multiple times and did not receive timely attention from staff. They therefore decided it justified to leave without paying, leaving the explanation behind at the table. Once the story circulated online, it generated widespread discussion on social media platforms in Spain.
Users were divided over whether the customers’ actions could be understood or whether leaving without paying was unjustified regardless of circumstances. Some users suggested that delays in service can happen during busy periods in restaurants, particularly when staff are under pressure. Others argued that even if service is slow, customers should not leave without resolving the issue directly with staff or management.
The note was left at the table after the waiter didn’t not come to collect the bill. Photo credit: SoyCamarero on X
Hospitality Sector Views on Service Pressure
Hospitality workers also joined the discussion, with some noting that restaurants can experience high demand at certain times, which may lead to delays in attending to requests such as bringing the bill. They emphasised that communication between staff and customers is usually expected in such situations.
Other workers pointed out that customers who feel overlooked normally have alternative options, such as approaching staff directly or waiting longer. The incident was viewed by some professionals as reflecting occasional friction between service expectations and operational pressure.
The case has been broadly discussed in relation to how poor customer behaviour is increasingly visible on social media, where individual incidents can quickly gain wider attention.
Aftermath and Ongoing Discussion
No confirmed details have been made public regarding the identity of the individuals involved or the specific venue where the incident took place. The written explanation left by the customers has contributed to continued debate online, with reactions ranging from criticism to partial understanding depending on how the situation is interpreted.
There has been no indication of police involvement or formal legal action related to the incident, and no public statement from the restaurant involved has been reported. Similar cases have occasionally circulated online through hospitality-focused accounts, often prompting discussion about service expectations and customer conduct in restaurants.
For now, the incident remains based on social media reporting, with attention focused on the note left behind and the differing interpretations of what occurred.