On Thursday 7th September the Jalon Valley Help members and volunteers arrived at the Los Arcos gardens to enjoy a BYO picnic evening, which had been arranged as thanks for all their efforts and achievements on behalf of the charity. The entertainment was to be provided by The Entertainers and there was a buzz in the air as everyone arrived, meet friends, found their tables and ordered their first drinks, from the Los Arcos team as the sun started to set on what promised to be a super evening.

Whilst we had all taken shelter from the heat of the summer The Entertainers had been arranging new backing tracks and practicing, again and again, to ensure that their performance was ready for this evening. From the moment they opened with their spectacular arrangement from ‘The Greatest Show’ many of us recognised we were in for a very special evening.

As those of you who have seen The Entertainers previously will know, they are unique amongst the groups in the Marina Alta in that they give each member of the group opportunities to perform at each show, as well as providing a visual experience, to match their sound and arrangements, from The Dollies, Dolly & Gee, who perform different dances to each of the songs throughout the show. Having charged my glass I settled down to enjoy the spectacle.

The new songs complimented their new upbeat Spring programme, and soon we were enthralled new songs by Linda’s of ‘Annie’s Song’ and ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ from Bob with a repeat performance of the ever-popular ‘Sway’ from The Dollies. Bob also gave us ‘Wherever You Will Go’ and Jerry rounded off the first set with ‘Sweet Caroline’.

The second set had several numbers to get us up dancing, special mention here must be ‘The Last Thing On My Mind’ from The Dollies, song & dance, and wonderful renditions of new songs, ‘Wonderful World’ by Linda and ‘Candle In The Wind’ from Jerry. However, the highlight of the second set was Jo & Marc’s version of ‘Shallow’ with solo guitar accompaniment from Bob. A Beatles’ medley rounded off this wonderful evening of music and entertainment.

Richard Green, the President of JVH, thanked all the members and volunteers for their great efforts last year and highlighted some of the new plans for the future, such as the medical equipment display centre which has just opened in Jalon. He also complimented The Entertainers for their incredible show and new songs, and thanked Paqui and the Los Arcos team for allowing them the use of the gardens and for the wonderful service throughout.

If you missed The Entertainers last week they will be back for JVH at Los Arcos on 26th October, when they are promising many more show stoppers. Contact JVH through This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for tickets to this BYO picnic.

We look forward to seeing you there and by attending you will be helping JVH support even more people who are in need in our community, which for JVH spreads well beyond the valleys of Jalon and Orba.

Article by Peter Sockett
Photos by The Entertainers