THE LIBRARY could not function without the dedicated team of volunteers who help to keep it running.

They give freely of their time and work tirelessly behind the scenes on tasks ranging from recording the ins and outs of books and DVDs, data entry for our books and DVDs databases and maintaining our beautiful gardens and looking after the fabric of the building.

Once a year we like to say a big thank you to our team of men and women through the annual Library Volunteers Lunch, which this year will be held at the Hotel Masaru, La Paz, on Thursday, March 7.

To that end, a raffle is running in reception to help meet the cost of this once-a-year event. So please be generous when buying tickets to help us make it a successful occasion.

---

HOT ON THE HEELS of the Volunteers Lunch comes one of our most popular social events of the year, the Annual Pig Roast, on Saturday, March 16, starting at 2pm.

It’s an event few of our members want to miss, so please book early at the Treasurer’s Desk to avoid disappointment. Tickets are €17 per head.

This year, in addition to the usual delicious roast pork, Canarian potatoes, various salads, there will be entertainment and you will be very welcome to join in the singing.

Naturally, there will be plenty of liquid refreshment to keep the vocal chords well lubricated.

Past-President Brian Arnold gave the opening address at the 119th annual general meeting of the English Library, held on Thursday, January 31.

He welcomed over 50 members to the meeting, which went on to unanimously vote in Ken Fisher as the new president. Ken is no stranger to the job, having previously served as president from 2010 to 2012.

The meeting was followed by a superb buffet provided by Maureen Palmer and her team of helpers.

THE LIBRARY”S Annual General Meeting is open to all members and this year it takes place on Thursday, January 31, with a 4pm for 4.30 start.

Once the business has been enacted, a buffet and refreshments will follow..

This year we will be welcoming back past president Ken Fisher as our new President. This will need to be ratified at the AGM.

We look forward to your attendance and your support.

FOR OUR NEXT Library talk, we are happy to be welcoming back Ramon Michan, whose fascinating talk on tourism in Puerto de la Cruz in the 1960s was so well received.

This time round his topic will be Tenerife, a Paradise for Walkers; you can be assured of a most interesting afternoon and, as ever, his talk will be followed by a buffet and refreshments. Admission is €8 and you can book a place at the Treasurer’s desk.

The English Library has been granted the prestigious Paco Afonso Award for Multicultural Visibility. The award is one of five presented annually by the Spanish Socialist party, the PSOE (Partido Socialista Obrero Español), in memory of the much-loved Francisco Javier Afonso Carrillo, mayor of Puerto de la Cruz from 1979 until his untimely death in 1984.

Members of the Library committee are pictured above receiving the award from the PSOE representatives (centre).

Paco Afonso, as he was better known locally, tragically lost his life on September 11th, 1984, when he, as civil governor of the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, together with his driver and local volunteer firefighters, became caught up in a fire storm in La Gomera while fighting forest fires ravaging the island.

In all, 20 people died in the tragedy, one of the worst fire-related disasters in Spanish history. The victims became trapped on an exposed ridge near Roque Agando, the landmark rock formation in La Gomera’s mountains above the village of La Laja, when the wind suddenly changed direction and they were surrounded by intense heat and flames.

He became mayor of Puerto at the age of 31 in the first democratic municipal elections in Spain following the death of General Franco, commanding 62 per cent of the votes cast. It was the beginning of a political career that promised so much until it was cut short five years later.

In addition to being mayor of his home town, he served as president of the Commonwealth of the Valley of La Orotava, and was a member of the Provisional Canary Islands Parliament. In July 1983 he was appointed civil governor the province of Tenerife.

He is remembered as a young politician who was honest, hardworking and with a deep respect for and love of the people he represented.

An old school friend who had grown up with Paco told a local newspaper how on the day of the 1981 Spanish coup d’etat attempt he and Paco were having lunch together when his driver came up and said: “Don Francisco, the civil guards have entered the Congress.”

The friend told Paco that if he wanted to, he could take refuge in his parents house, just in case. But Paco politely refused the offer, saying he wanted to be with his people in Puerto.

He added: “Paco had something special in dealing with others. He was affable, intelligent, quick. His socialism was not of this world. He was tolerant, understanding and friendly.”

Two representatives of the POSE, Domingo Perera and Marco Antonio Gonzalez, formally presented the award at a gathering at the LIbrary on November 23rd.

The Muticultural Visibility award is aimed at rewarding those who work for the integration of other cultures, invigorating the social, plural and diverse fabric of the municipality.

Other awards are made by the PSOE in the fields of Equality, Culture. Social Work, and the Promotion of Puerto.