On Tuesday, October 26, Xàbia-based Women In Business Club organised a night of natural health in the casa de cultura, where a number of guest speakers gave seminars on different areas of holistic healthcare. Tricia Essery gave a talk on reflexology, including a demonstration, hypnotherapist Jacqueline Ann Blakeway showed us the power of ‘trance’ to overcome phobias using a member of the audience; whilst Anji Bramley discussed the benefits of empowerment for life and Dr Janet Brownrigg introduced us to acupuncture. Delicious cakes and pastries were on sale, as were raffle tickets with fantastic prizes such as a meal at the Marriott Hotel and a treatment in its Alanya Spa, a session on Victoria’ s toning tables and a meal cooked in your own home by cordon bleu chef Jenny Flew. At the end of the night, 791 euros were raised for Xàbia Women’s Shelter, which carries out valuable work to protect women suffering from domestic violence and their children, involving pro-active work by police, social services and lawyers as well as offering counselling to the victims.

The brainchild of Karla Darocas and her friend Sue, the Women In Business Club is a non-profit-making organisation for all females who wish to network and promote their products or services. However, you do not need to be in business to join - help with fundraising activities is always valuable. On       March 8 every year, the club celebrates International Women’s Day where it organises displays of visual arts, crafts, music and dance, for which preparation begins after Christmas, and the next event on the club’s calendar is the Christmas concert and toy drive on Tuesday, November 30 in Xàbia’s Casa de Cultura, with classical Spanish guitar music and dance performed by John and Suzanna Anthony. A 10-euro donation is requested. For more information telephone 966 480 248. All proceeds from both these events go to Xàbia Women’s Shelter.