WHAT'S ON 🍂🎉
It seems like forever since our last What’s On in May! Although the Club has had a summer break, things certainly haven’t been quiet behind the scenes. We’ve been busy planning an exciting Autumn programme — and we’re ready to get started!
Our Tuesday coffee mornings at Godoy’s have continued throughout the summer, along with a Cena del Mes at Beach Boys and a couple of lunches. Great food, great company and plenty of catching up!
And now for something special happening on our very first day back — Tuesday 15th September!
🎄🎟️ THE BIG CHRISTMAS RAFFLE IS BACK! 🎟️🎄
And this year, we’re going BIG!
Last year, your generosity helped us raise €2,700 for the Foodbank. This year, we're aiming for an incredible €5,000!
The 2026 Big Christmas Raffle launches at our first Club meeting, with tickets going on sale — and we are expecting a very special guest joining us!
The response so far has been fantastic. We already have 25+ Community Partners and 25+ prizes pledged, with a target of 50+ prizes by the grand finale.
Meet our Community Partners, see the prizes and follow the campaign at:
And we’d love you to get involved! Whether you can sell tickets to friends, family or colleagues, or know a business that might donate a prize, every bit of help brings us closer to €5,000.
So, with summer behind us and an exciting Autumn ahead...
LET’S GET STARTED! 🍂🎉
WHAT’S ON 🍂🎉
September
📅 Tuesday 15th September – Companions Meetings Return!
We’re back at Rober Palas from 10:45am, followed by lunch at Namaste at 1:30pm.
Friday 18th September - 🎉 THE BIG CHRISTMAS RAFFLE – OFFICIAL LAUNCH PARTY! 🎄
It’s time to get the BIG Christmas Raffle started! 🎟️
Join us at Champions Pub Albir on Friday 18th September from 4pm for late afternoon party of great food, cold drinks, music with DJ Martin King and fantastic company.
Come along, bring your friends and help us get the BIG Christmas Raffle off to a flying start!
You can get your tickets in advance from Wendy, from Champions Pub or if you can't get there, you can buy them online from our BIG Christmas Raffle website.
🚌 Sunday 20th September – Valencia Coach Trip & World Paella Day
Join us for a fantastic day out in Valencia!
We have a few places available, so sign up and pay at the meeting and join us for a great day out. Or contact Wendy.
Experience the excitement of World Paella Day, where better than the home of Paella. Here, chefs from around the globe compete for the title of Best Paella in the World. Spectator entry is free. We’ll give you time to soak up the atmosphere before enjoying free time in Valencia city. And Wendy will be doing an optional 2km walking tour around Valencia which will be at a slow pace if you want to join in.
Schedule:
📍 Melia Hotel, Benidorm – 9:30am
📍 Albir Playa Roundabout (it's market day) – 9:45am
Enjoy approximately:
🥘 1½ hours at World Paella Day
🌇 2½ hours exploring Valencia city
Getting home to Albir/Benidorm approximately 6:00pm
Cost: 20€ per person
We still have a few seats available on the coach.
Tuesday 29th September – Lunch at Posada - see the notice board.
Tuesday 13th October – Lunch at Everest - details in next What's On.
Sunday 25th October – International Day in Alfaz del Pi
We will again be taking part in International Day this year and will be selling tickets for the BIG Christmas Raffle. We are looking for volunteers to help man our stand with us. If you can spare a couple of hours during the day to help, please let Wendy know. And if you can't help out, come along, say hello and enjoy all the colourful costumes and displays from all the nationalities.
🚌 Monday 26th – Thursday 29th October
Mini Break to Los Alcázares
This trip has proved hugely popular and is now fully booked, with places available on the reserve list only — so add your name now if you're interested.
We’ll be returning to the beautiful resort of Los Alcázares, staying at the ever-popular Costa Narejos Hotel (4⭐).
This fantastic break includes opportunities to visit places we don’t usually reach, with planned visits to Lorca and Cartagena, plus a stop in Murcia on the journey home. And for those who like a bit of retail therapy we will be stopping at La Zenia for your shopping fix on the way there. Don't worry if you're not into shopping, it will be around lunchtime so you can enjoy lunch in one of the many cafes and bars at the Boulevard.
Included:
- ✨ Half-board accommodation
- 🚌 Return transport from Albir
- 🚍 Stop at La Zenia on the outward journey
- 🚌Day trip to Cartegena by coach
- 🚌Day trip to Lorca by coach
- 🚌Free time for sightseeing in Murcia on the journey home.
200€ per person (single supplement extra). This is a members only trip however new members are welcome.
Exceptional value and always a wonderful few days away together.
Tuesday 27th October – No organised lunch today as many will be away in Los Alcazares.
🤝 Saturday 31st October – Halloween Fancy Dress Party
Hosted by Benidorm International Friendship Club at Villasol Camping. 20€ for non BIF Club members, including food and live entertainment from James. Please contact BIF Club directly to get your tickets.
✨ Friday 13th November – Benidorm Palace Group Booking
Join us for the spectacular new show TRIVIUM at Benidorm Palace.
We have only 18 seats available and we’ve reserved early to secure the best tables for the package.
Dinner & Show Package:
70€ – Gran Palace Plus Menu. Bookings open now. See Ros/Elaine
Tuesday 15th December – Turkey and Tinsel Lunch at the Live Lounge - save the date.
Celebrate Christmas with us at the Live Lounge. Numbers are limited so don't miss out. This will be a lunchtime Christmas meal with live entertainment from Andy Benn.
🎄 Friday 18th December – Companions Christmas Ball
We regret to say that, for many reasons, we have decided not to go ahead with the Ball this Christmas. It is not a decision that we have taken lightly. We have replaced it with a Turkey and Tinsel lunch at the Live Lounge on Tuesday 15th.
And even further ahead.........
We have a wonderful trip planned to Cordoba and Granada for May 2027. So special that it has its own page. As we go to press, only 5 places are left on this cultural trip.
Click below for more information.
🌟 WHAT'S GONE... A LOOK BACK AT A BRILLIANT MAY
Now you've seen what's on offer for the Autumn, let's rewind to May — a month packed with laughter, friendship, unforgettable adventures and a few moments that will be talked about for years!
If you missed it... here's what you missed.
🚌 6th–9th May — Companions Mini Break to Cuenca & Teruel
Wow... what a trip!
More than 30 Companions escaped for four wonderful days exploring the historic cities of Cuenca and Teruel, sharing great food, great company and plenty of laughs along the way.
But the real showstopper for many was The Enchanted City (Ciudad Encantada). Forget fairy tales — this is nature's masterpiece. Millions of years ago it was the floor of an ancient sea, lifted high into the mountains by tectonic forces and sculpted into extraordinary rock formations that seem almost impossible to believe.
It was one of those places that leaves everyone saying, "I'm so glad I came."
Many thanks to Ros for organising this fantastic trip, I know how much work she puts into finding us interesting places to go.
And, of course, no Companions trip is complete without the obligatory group photo — proof that over 30 smiling faces made memories we'll treasure for a long time. Here's to the next adventure!
🥘☀️ Sunday 10th May — World Paella Day
Without doubt, one of the funniest days of the year!
Our Town Hall once again hosted the international World Paella Competition, with 11 nations challenged to create a paella inspired by their own country.
Most teams played it fairly safely...
We didn't.
Our British entry was none other than an English Breakfast Paella! 🍳🥓
Yes — beans, bacon, sausage, egg... in a paella.
The traditionalists were horrified, the spectators couldn't stop laughing, and Councillor Patrick de Meirsman declared it brilliant - but then he's not Spanish. We certainly didn't win many culinary points, but we were proudly awarded 10/10 for originality.
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| Patrick enjoying his English Breakfast |
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| The Mayor inspecting the work in progress |
Needless to say... we'll be back next year!
🎉 14th May — Charity Afternoon Tea & Fashion Show
What do you get when you combine elegant afternoon tea, Pimms, fabulous fashion and the Food Bank?
A wonderful afternoon of friendship and fundraising.
The room was filled with smiles as beautiful evening gowns found new homes, and many of our lucky ladies left clutching a bargain designer dress. Now all we need is another glamorous party to give everyone the perfect excuse to wear them!
🎶 Friday 29th May — Companions Summer Party
May finished in style with our annual Summer Party, and what a night it was!
Around 60 Companions gathered on The Comm's terrace to enjoy a glass of cava as Nico provided the perfect soundtrack to a warm Mediterranean evening. After a delicious four-course dinner, James had everyone on the dance floor proving that Companions certainly knows how to burn off dessert!
It's becoming one of our favourite traditions... although watch this space, because we're already thinking of giving it a fresh twist for next year.
If May taught us anything, it's that the best memories are made when we get together.
Now let's see what Autumn has in store... 🍂
All this plus our regular events......
🏐 Mondays - Petanca - 2pm at Eucalyptus Park
🙋♂️ Tuesdays - Companions Meetings - 10:45am at Rober Palas in the downstairs restaurant.
🏓 Wednesdays - Table Tennis - 4pm at the Apostolic Church
👣 Fridays - Walking Group - 9:30am, meet at the Municipal Car Park
There’s always a warm welcome at Companions, wonderful people to meet and plenty more memories waiting to be made.
If you would rather have a printed version, please don't send this to your printer, it will be pages and pages long. Click the link below to get a 2 page printable version as a .pdf.
Click HERE for a .pdf PRINTABLE VERSION.
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