Gran Alacant Advertiser December 2022

If you have any QUESTIONS or PROBLEMS you would like us to discuss, please email on info@granalacantadvertiser.com

Q: Speeding on Calle Belgica

Good morning Lou and Ged, can you please put this story in the December Advertiser (if possible). It’s a pity that I have to write this again, but I keep doing it till the Ayuntamiento take the right steps!

No solution and no answer on my story in the August Advertiser about the crazy drivers, speeding in the second part of the Calle Belgica. I am asking for years for speeding bumps in this part of the street, just after the park, because when these racers reach the park they hit the gas to the max: it is dangerous!

These Formula 1 drivers already killed 3 cats (and did not even stop!) Obviously nobody cares: what when it happens to a child? Do we really have to wait for that? It is too sad for words.

Thank very much Lou and Ged for printing this. Best regards, Ria

Q: Mobile Antenna

I want to know when the new mobile antenna will start working. It was built in end of March and talking to the workers 31 of June the work will be ready i 2 months and then it shall be up an running. What I heard, it is still not in operation. Alot of us living in upper GA have very bad cover of mobile phone and really need this. Please try to found out what is going on and why it not is working yet!

Best Regards Tomas - Sweden

Answer: Please read more about this in councillor’s section of news.

Q: Weeds on Avda. Carabassi

Dear Lou & Ged, Please find photo showing over grown weeds and bushes near Med 3 on Avenida Carabassi.

Could you pass on to appropriate person for action please.

With Kind Regards, Mrs Lea

Q: Avda Carabassi

Hola Lou & Ged, I have been back in England since the last email and nothing seems to have happened in reference to the bin. Here are some pictures to show the problems we face and for Oscar to see, as I pointed out after rain flooding around bins and on to the roundabout. The picture which is the longest away shows the distance from the bin and roundabout

to the nearest drain so consequently the rain water does not drain away, you can also see the weeds overgrown on the roads.

The bin now has graffiti on it as well as still only being able to open by hand.

I would appreciate if you could forward this email to Oscar in it’s entirety and he can contact me on email if he wishes.

As I have said before when this area is flooded it is an accident waiting to happen and if one does maybe something will be done. Thanks, Patrick

GA Advertiser Answer:

Dear Patrick & Lea, we have forwarded your photos to Oscar and hopefully an appropriate action will be take soon.

Gran Alacant Advertiser continues to bring you all the local NEWS including information from the local Town Hall representative. Working for the local community since May 2005.

LATEST NEWS FROM THE GA COUNCILLOR OSCAR VALENZUELA

POST OFFICE

Santa Pola City Council has requested that Postal Service Correos fulfill the promise made in April to extend opening hours and improve customer service conditions at the Gran Alacant office.

expansion of routes and an introduction of new bus stops.

Councillor Ana Blasco announced that the measures that will start in November.

NETWORK COVERAGE

Santa Pola Council has demanded that Telefonica completes the work to provide network coverage for Gran Alacant.

Oscar Pedro Valenzuela, Councillor for Gran Alacant said, “Telefonica must now respond to the needs of the 8,000 people living in the area. The work of the Town Hall has been completed for 5 months, and now it is up to the company to finish the last part after the installation of the antenna”.

PET MESS

It is the opinion of the City Council that Gran Alacant receives the worst service delivery by Correos.

Oscar Valenzuela, Councillor of Gran Alacant, reported that improvements have been made to the Post Office building accessibility, with renovated bathrooms, waiting rooms, shaded outside areas etc. Oscar Valenzuela said, “We are waiting for the Post Office to fulfill its part of the commitment and with our request, and that of the neighbors, that they open at least an hour and a half in the afternoon, three times a week. Both interior and exterior work has been completed since the end of July”.

IMPROVED BUS SERVICE

There will be improvements made to the Santa Pola to Gran Alacant bus service. The service will be more frequent with an

Councillor Oscar Valenzuela attended an ASPETGA volunteer day intended to raise awareness about the collection and cleaning of our pets’ deposits on public roads. Despite the recent introduction of fines, this is still a big problem in Gran Alacant.

NEW WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE

Santa Pola tenders the garbage contract for 56.1 million over ten years.

The extraordinary plenary session of the City Council of Santa Pola has approved the file and the documentation related to the tender of the urban solid waste collection service, street cleaning, beach cleaning and complementary services. In the coming days it will be published in the State Contracts Platform for tender. Interested companies will have 35 days to submit their tenders.

Cleaning

The new cleaning specifications have numerous improvements with respect to the current one and is updated to the present needs of the municipality, highlighting that the machinery will be renewed and modernized.

The new service includes more personnel assigned to Gran Alacant and the rest of the municipality, increased frequency of collection and improved cleaning, sweeping and washing. New containers will be available and organic waste will be collected. Another of the improved aspects will also be the collection of belongings.

Pick-up and Sweeping Councillor, Loreto Serrano explained that, “we hope to award this contract as soon as possible for Santa Pola. With the new contractor, we will improve collection and

sweeping, with more workers in all areas of Santa Pola.

We will have new, quieter and more efficient machinery, more containers and improved collection of goods. Our goal is a better, cleaner and greener city, with greater recycling and awareness. Santa Pola is going to make a qualitative and environmental leap with the new cleaning contract.”

Urbaser

The service has been in the hands of the company Urbaser for years. Criticism had intensified in the quality of the service provided and the material available, something common when concessions run out.The main problem of the service in Santa Pola resides in Gran Alacant because it has grown exponentially without there ever being a collection forecast according to the needs. Now the City Council hopes to solve this situation definitively, one of the most criticized by the neighbours.

POLICÍA LOCAL DE SANTA POLA POLICE NEWS

PET OWNERS

Police are receiving numerous complaints from residents about pet owners who do not respect the coexistence rules.

Please be reminded of the following. Santa Pola Civil Coexistence Ordinance SECTION I. ANIMALS IN PUBLIC SPACES. Article 89. Obligation

All animals, when passing through public spaces should be properly controlled by a leash or the most appropriate method for each species.

No leash is required at Dog Parks as long as you respect the rules. People caught not observing the rules will be reported to the Competent Authority and fines will be issued.

Remember that the Ordinance of Coexistence applies to the entire municipal term of Santa Pola. Particularly, the Ordinance is applicable in all public spaces of the municipality, such as streets, sidewalks, squares, avenues, walkways, boulevards, parks, gardens and other spaces or green or forest areas, bridges, tunnels and underground steps, parking lots, fountains and ponds, buildings public and other spaces intended for the use or public service of municipal ownership, as well as to constructions, facilities, urban furniture and other properties and elements of municipal public domain located in those.

CYCLISTS

The maximum alcohol level for drivers in general (0.5 g/l blood alcohol or air alcohol over 0.25 milligrams per litre) this also affects cyclists.

They are equally required, like other drivers, to undergo an alcohol test if required by an officer.

A positive alcohol breath test will result in a fine of €500–1,000 (depending on rate and recurrence). Please drive safely.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY SERVICE IN MASA SQUARE

The Gran Alacant and La Marina Royal British legion celebrated Remembrance Sunday in Masa Square Hosted by Karen and Steve from the Pub for the third year.

We were honoured with the presence of Mayor of Santa Pola Loreto Serrano who gave a speech thanking the legion for work it does for Veterans here in Spain and our local councillor Oscar Valenzuela.

Wreaths were laid by the Mayor, Spain District North Chairman Mr Jack Kemp, The Sikh Community, a Ukrainian family, the Chair of Torrevieja RBL Pamela Wilding and Paul Kane chairman of Gran Alacant and La Marina RBL.

If you would like to supply news or info for our next edition, or have a question for Gran Alacant Councillor Oscar Pedro Valenzuela, please email: info@granalacantadvertiser.com

Book of the month by Beth

are here I am sure you will have time to enjoythis psychological thriller!

Beth worked as a Qualified Librarian in Aberdeen for 20 years. She loves reading and delights in finding exciting new authors as well as reverting back to favourite writers of all genres. Beth has lived in Gran Alacant for the last 15 years.

Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling young writer on the brink of financial ruin. Help comes when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish.

Lowen arrives at the Crawford house, ready to sort through Verity’s notes, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen discovers however is an unfinished autobiography that Verity never intended for anyone to read - page after page of bone-chilling admissions.

Now the dark nights PLAZA MAYOR CWW Electrical Services Qualified electrician All electrical work undertaken Tel: 617 872 405 *** Contact Clive or Wendy

MONTEMAR BOWLS & SOCIAL CLUB

Sponsored by The Pub, Gran Alacant Insurances, Dialprix, The Belfry, Sunrise Builders,The Chippy and Dunbars.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ALL THE MEMBERS AT MONTE MAR BOWLS CLUB

VISITING TEAM

On Saturday 15th October we welcomed a touring team from Weston Super Mare. We played six rinks of rinks everyone thoroughly enjoyed the bowling in lovely Spanish sunshine. After the game we enjoyed snacks and drinks in the Tavern. The captain of the visiting team presented Cindy with a Plaque of their club Victoria Bowling Club.

CHICKEN RUN

The monthly chicken run was well supported and everyone had an enjoyable mornings bowling. The chickens were won by Pam with twenty one shots and Neil with twenty five shots. Thank you to Jim

HARRY DOBSON HANGING UP HIS BOWLS

Harry originally bowled at La Marina and when Monte Mar opened he was one of the first to join. Over the years he was Captain/Vice Captain of several teams.

Shearing who donated the chickens. The eggs were won by Lynne and Terry thank you to Julia and Ian Hamilton who donated the eggs, and of course don’t forget the chickens. The football card was won by John Hunt with QPR.

He trained and advised new and existing bowlers and was definitely an asset to the club. Harry was well known on the bowling

circuit especially by the ladies!! Harry will be greatly missed at Monte Mar and always will be welcome at the club. Chris the club chairman presented Harry with gifts for him and Rowena and wished them a long and enjoyable retirement.

FRIENDSHIP CUP

On Thursday 3rd November we welcomed members from Calpe bowling club. We played four rinks of trips the mornings bowling was thoroughly enjoyed by all who took part. As it was the Friendship Cup competition we will have a return match in March 2023 at Calpe, the winners of the cup will be decided then. After the match we enjoyed lunch at the Belfry which as

usual was delicious. Thank you Cindy for organising another successful competition.

FUN COMPETITION

On Saturday 28th January 2023 we are holding a fun day at 10.00 for 10.30 please check the notice board for further details.

For further information about Monte Mar Bowls and Social Club check out our website www.montemarbowls.com or email us at info@montemarbowls.com

We are also on Facebook

Halloween in Gran Alacant ...

We take many photos “Out & About” in Gran Alacant but can only include a selection

Halloween in Gran Alacant ...

The Lowedown with Lynne

INTERVIEW

with Kathleen Hudson

Hi, my name is Lynne and I have been lucky to call Gran Alacant home for the last 6 years. People fascinate me and I love to hear about their adventures and life stories. Over the next few months, I will be sharing some interviews with GA’s very own Superstars!

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR JOB SELLING THE DREAM

“We were North of England Area Consultants for Euroland Properties, a company based in Santa Pola who sold off plan properties for various builders. Our jobs involved holding exhibitions in hotels and organising inspection trips for those interested in buying a home on the Costa Blanca.”

DID YOU EVER GET PEOPLE JUST WANTING A CHEAP HOLIDAY?

“Yes but we quickly learned how to recognise genuine buyers by the interest they showed in what we said and the questions they asked. We worked on a commission only basis, if one of our clients bought a house on an inspection trip Euroland Properties earned commission from the builder and we received a percentage of the commission. The best thing about the job was meeting people and helping them find their new property, a few came back to buy a second property through us and we made many new friends who we still see both on the Costa Blanca and in Newcastle. We had been visiting Gran Alacant through Euroland Properties since early 2001 and knew it was right for us and we completed on our new build holiday home in June 2005.”

TELL ME MORE ABOUT YOUR FAMILY

“We have three children, Michael, Andrew and Heather. Andrew (Andy) lives here in GA, he recently bought a beautiful home with his partner and daughter. Michael lives with his wife Yuliana and 2 year old son Daniel in San Sebastián de La Gomera in the Canary Islands, Yuliana is Ukrainian and they met while Michael was an Academic Consultant and teacher of English as a foreign language in Kiev. Yuliana’s mother

and grandmother live in Kiev and her father and his parents live in Odessa so it’s a very worrying time for the family. Heather lives near us in Newcastle with her partner David and our grandchildren Isabella 6 and Freddie 9. We are a very close family.”

WHY ARE YOU CALLED THE PEBBLE LADY? “It was my birthday during the first lockdown and I was shielding because of my health, I was told not to go beyond my garden wall for 4 months. A friend brought me a bag of pebbles she had collected and her own paint pens and left them on the wall for me. She was apologetic that her birthday gift was not new but I thought it was a very kind gesture. She also gave me one of her painted pebbles, she’d painted a daisy and ‘You Rock’ to inspire me to create something similar. I quickly became hooked and painted pebbles most of the summer, I had so many I did not know what to do with them.

When socially distanced walks were permitted the safest place for me was a local park and the cemetery, I started hiding pebbles in plain sight to hopefully be found, the pebbles were simple designs of bees, flowers, hearts, rainbows, with words like be happy, stay safe, be true to yourself, be someone’s sunshine on them and I also left appropriate pebbles like Angels with peace on beside graves. After a few months and during a walk in the cemetery a lady shouted after me ”are you the pebble lady” she thanked me for putting a butterfly

pebble with ‘find your wings and fly’ on her daughters grave, she said her daughter had suffered from ‘butterfly disease’ I had never heard of it but it’s a genetic disease. Well the name spread after that”.

After a while of leaving pebbles photos started to appear on local Facebook pages. Some people would report they had kept the pebble and others would say they had hidden them again for others to find. Kathleen later learned that a local woman, Lillian in her 80s, had been searching for an Angel pebble for nearly 2 years without success. Lillian lived in sheltered accommodation so a pebble could not be left on her doorstep but two months ago Kathleen was told she would be in a local tea room so went allow and presented her with her very own pocket Angel worry stone.

JUST SOME OF KATHLEEN’S PEBBLE PROJECTS

Commonwealth War Graves: In 2020 Kathleen painted over 140 poppy pebbles, one for each war grave in the cemetery, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of her grandfather’s death. Her grandfather fought with the Highland Light Infantry in the 1890s during the Boar War and was atthe Relief of Mafeking, he re-enlisted with the Tyneside Scottish at the outbreak of WW1, was at the Battle of Passchendaele and taught unarmed combat skills to recruits. Also 60 poppy pebbles in 2021 and 60 in 2022 for the RBL to sell during the Poppy Appeal.

charitable organisation that supports those in need and for a local youth organisations that supplies breakfasts for struggling families.

Cemetery Pebbles: Kathleen paints robins, feathers, Angels, butterflies and forget-menot flowers for graves and leaves a few each visit.

Emoji Pebbles: Kathleen painted bags of emoji pebbles to help children in her grandchildren’s primary school to express their feelings during Covid.

Tick-Tac-Toe Sets with handmade bags: To sell to raise money for the local food bank, a

HOW DID YOU MEET THE FRIEND WHO GIFTED YOU THE PEBBLES?

“I was a Youth and Community worker for many years, I enjoyed working with youngsters and being involved in outreach programmes to try and encourage teenagers in to Youth Clubs and off the Streets. Lisa became a regular at one of the Youth Clubs I worked at, she lost her father to cancer when she was a teenager, the youth club gave her respite from what was going on at home, she said I helped her through that very difficult time in her life. We never lost contact and now over 30 years later we still see each other a couple of times a year.”

This touches me to the point I am in tears. The thought that Kathleen’s kindness to this young girl so many years ago made such an impact on her life that her gift of pebbles to Kathleen would in turn touch the lives of so many with the inspirational messages, it truly was a gift that keeps on giving. It is such a beautiful heartwarming story.

Thank you for your time and for sharing your story with us.

Pocket Angel Worry Stones: For the local maternity ward midwives and staff, Angel of the North pebbles were painted for the male nurses.

Home Turf

Follow us on Instagram: juanruano.oficial & archiemaddan

Global challenge. Local action?

As we write this article the world’s leaders are meeting in Egypt at the COP 27 summit conference to discuss measures to address the challenge of global climate change. Climate change is one of several interrelated issues threatening the natural world and human civilisation: Species extinction, desertification, degradation of soil and the acidification and pollution of water are also pressing problems. Speeches by politicians, scientists and assorted celebrities usually seem distant from our everyday communities. However, the impact of environmental problems is growing closer and more discernible every day and soon we may all have to play a part in putting right the damage that modern human civilization has caused to the planet.

The development of Spain’s coastline over 70 years has created enormous wealth but has also damaged a beautiful part of the Mediterranean shoreline. The slopes and cliffs upon which Gran Alacant sits were untouched until the early 1980s. From the middle of that decade there began to rise an entirely new community that 40 years later is our home. Documents from that period show the original vision for Gran Alacant. The publicity describes Gran Alacant’s location as “A privileged place, one of the few still remaining privileged places by the Mediterranean”... “Gran Alacant is a real privilege. There are a lot of reasons its location, its climate, its surroundings, its beaches, its sea. Come to live with us!” 40 years later one has to agree with those words, Gran Alacant is blessed with great natural gifts. Those precious gifts have

however often been exploited rather than properly cherished and protected.

Gran Alacant falls under the administration of Santa Pola town council who recently have shown an interest in building an environmental profile. The council has begun to participate in European initiatives for environmental regeneration. The council has obtained 2.44 million euros to invest in “Plan de Sostenibilidad 2022” funding from the European Commission under the Next Gen funds scheme. This funding is to be used amongst other things for ‘ecological transition’ and rewilding.

Of equal interest is Santa Pola’s involvement in the UrbanGreenUp initiative. This Europe wide project aims to develop and implement “greening” projects in urban areas. Santa Pola is not yet one of the pilot cities however it is one of around 50 towns and cities in the Urban greening network (https://www.urbangreenup.eu).

If Santa Pola council is seriously committed to making Santa Pola and Gran Alacant into more sustainable and resilient communities then we should expect to see changes in our streets in Gran Alacant.

All towns and cities carry the imprint of their histories, in street plans, buildings and transport networks we can see the priorities, desires and philosophies of

existing developments. The basics of good contemporary urban planning seem to have bypassed Santa Pola Council where Gran Alacant is concerned. For a council supposedly committed to sustainable development (and in receipt of EU funding) our council seems addicted to “pile it high” developments strung out along thin ribbons of roads - definitely not European “best practice”! As a starting point it seems to us that the council urgently needs to rethink its approach to planning in Gran Alacant.

different generations that have lived in places and shaped them. Gran Alacant was conceived in the brash boom years of the 1980s and 1990s to take advantage of its seaside location and climate. The development is typical of that period with little thought given to public spaces and an expectation that cars would dominate.

A new town would certainly not be designed like Gran Alacant today! It is disheartening to see that the new developments currently being built and planned in Gran Alacant are no different, indeed even denser, than the

There is an opportunity to transform our community from one dominated by tarmac into something a lot more interesting and abundant. It is this prize that our local council claims to have set its sights on, however so far it seems to be business as usual as far as development and town planning in Gran Alacant are concerned with determined plans to continue building on remaining green fields and little sign of any “urban greening” projects. We will be examining these issues in coming months and hope that the council welcomes the attention.

We also want to start a wider discussion and debate about these topics, please do write to us with your comments and thoughts about the development and greening of Gran Alacant.

(juan.francesruano@gmail.com)

TOMMY’S raised 1500€ for Paul Eady

Steve, Sue and Tommy would like to say a great BIG thank you to EVERYONE involved in our charity fundraising night for Paul Eady.

From local restaurants and businesses and customers who donated.

BIG THANK YOU TO: Quicksave, La Palleta, Dick Turpins, Zest, Jolly’s, Euronics, Hatsikidee, Cielo Largo, Belfry, Ohana’s, Atipico, Salvador, Sole Luna, La Piedra for helping it to be a success!

Andy who gave his time for his great tribute and to our wonderful customers who splashed the cash last night raising 1,500 euros for the cancer treatment of Paul Eady.

Thank you so much everyone

Have you rescued a pet within the last 6 months ?

We at the Pet Hotel want to show our appreciation to all the wonderful people that have rescued a pet within the last 6 months with a €50 GIFT VOUCHER.

This voucher can be used for boarding, day care services or a wellness bath at our premises.

We know that all rescued animals deserve to have the best and want to help all the new owners that have opened their arms and hearts and welcomed a new pet into

their families. What better way to show them they are loved than with a refreshing bath and a relaxing pamper session.

Please contact us to receive your voucher and discuss how you want to use it.

We warmly welcome as well Dogs and Cats with Handicap and pets they need a special care.

Caniresort Domino Costa Blanca offers a full 24 hours service for you pet and a very professional team.

CLINICA VETERINARIA

GRAN ALACANT EXOTICS

Calle Holanda 9, MASA Square I T: 966 698 569

Monday - Friday 10:00 -13:00 & 17:00 - 20:00 Saturday 10:00 -13:00

GUINEA PIGS, LIES AND ALT-RIGHT

The year is ending, and it can be easily summarized like this: it has been the year of the fake news. Here, in Spain, about Ley de Bienestar Animal (Animal Welfare Act), which is NOT EVEN completely developed at this moment, we have heard lots of silly things and nonsense.

We’ve already written about this law (still not approved at this moment, we must insist), in other articles. What anyone can check is some bills, but, please, always at official Government websites, not at tabloids or social networks. And we can guarantee there is no mention about forbidding hamsters, Guinea pigs, budgies or lovebirds as companion pets, nor mandatory “animal DNI”, nor a 24-7 official Vet in “surveillance tasks” in every village despite there is not even a Chemistry or other essential services. All these FALSE things are just a product from some people’s imagination, or, much more commonly, fake news created by some people and some lobbies with one clear purpose: conditioning people for the elections that will be in Spain next year. Yes, fake news for interfering elections is not only a matter of Trump or Bolsonaro. We have the same problem in Spain: there is a bunch of people who, if necessary, will say the world is flat or donkeys fly just for discrediting the Government. But everyone can realize, after thinking about

Liliana Aldeguer Cerdán 793 English translation by Sergio Reina Esteban col 747

it, that all these silly things are just coarse manipulations.

• Dogs and cats don’t need a DNI. Their DNI is the microchip plus the passport.

• Hamsters, Guinea pigs, budgies, etc, are not and will not be forbidden. The Minister said some weeks ago: “traditional small pets are not going to be forbidden in any way”. But it’s true that some animals such as racoons or Vietnamese pigs, which are very harmful for the ecosystem when released, are going to be forbidden, but, seriously, does anybody think racoons and Vietnamese pigs are “traditional pets”??

So, if you want REAL, fake news-free info about these matters, just ask your Vet. Our Official Colleges, which are, as their name itself say, OFFICIAL, update all the new regulations directly from the Government, not from Twitter, Tik-Tok or alt-right tabloids.

Unfortunately, one of the most typical things of the times we are living is fake news, which are created in most cases for denying evidences for example, climate change), or about ridiculous matters (“we all are going to be chipped when inoculated against NCoV”).

Many things we receive from social networks are jokes, or simply lies. We thing we should leave all those “false” social networks behind and concentrate in true social networks: the ones which put real people together in order to help and care each other. We can see it day after day at the practice: real social networks which appear spontaneously for taking care of pets, for example when somebody looks after a neighbour’s dog if it has to go to the hospital or go back to its country for a while, etc.

Teddy is around 2 years old and looking for a forever home. He was rescued as a kitten with a severe ear infection which has left him deaf but other than that is in excellent health.

Galahad is a 7 year old Galgo, he is neutered, chipped and vaccinated. Galahad is good with other dogs and has been in a home with cats too. He loves everyone he meets, is house trained and good on a lead.

Pumpkin is around 11 weeks old. He is such a happy, strong little boy and everyone who meets him falls for his charms and beautiful piercing eyes. Pumpkin is vaccinated and is in a foster home with dogs.

GRAN ALACANT WALKING FOOTBALL

Members participating in either of the Santa Pola Walking Football or the Gran Alacant Elche CF Peńa World Cup Sweepstakes can see the draws in The Jolly Roger.

Numbers are constantly good at our weekly 11am Wednesday sessions at the Indoor Centre on Av. D’Escandinavia,78 - and we continue to welcome new members of all nationalities.

Some of our members are going to enjoy watching World Cup matches at Bernar’s Place adjacent to the bowling green.

After listening to comments from members at our Annual AGM, we will be having monthly lunchtime get-togethers on the first Tuesday of each month. We will be having lunch and/or drinks at The Skipper Bar in Masa Square from 1pm onwards on Tuesday 6th December. All members and partners welcome.

Club T-shirts are still available for the bargain price of 5€

John Fraser, Administrator WhatsApp +34 630 582322

GRAN ALACANT GOLF SOCIETY

GAGS are now back to playing twice a week, Tuesday and Friday at 8am. We are looking forward to meeting up with our regular players and welcoming new members whether they be residents or visitors.

SOCIETY DETAILS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Where: El Plantio Golf Resort. The official address is A-79, Km3, 03114, Alicante.

When: the formal Society Day is Tuesdays weekly when all golfers are most welcome. In addition we have an informal get together every Friday which has always been a Gentleman’s Day.

Time: on both days normally 8am so please be there by 7.40am. Occasionally the Starter may request we change the time so unless you are a regular golfer it would be best to check with us beforehand.

Cost: usually €50 per round at peak times to include a buggy plus €1.50 mandatory insurance charge. It can sometimes be cheaper during less busy, off peak seasons. In addition the Society requires €5 sweep money which is all paid out at the end of the round.

We look forward to seeing you. For more information please contact: Michael (966 698 925) Tony (966 183 004)

BICI GRAN ALACANT

We are a small group who spend most of the time here in Gran Alacant. If you are interested in joining one of our rides look us up on Facebook Gran Alacant Road Cyclist (Bici Gran Alacant) where ride details are posted.

TENNIS CLUB - EURO TENIS

For players of all standards near Gran Alacant, Santa Pola, La Marina & Elche Playing Tuesday and Friday mornings, 10.00 - 12.00 at Club de tenis Elche

For more details email: eurotenis2@gmail.com

1850 runners turned out on Sunday 13 November to run 21km in the IV Gran Carrera del Mediterraneo which started in Alicante before passing through Urbanova and Arenales, continuing along the coast to La Cadena before finishing at Varadero in Santa Pola.

The daughter (Lykke Trusbak) of my Danish friends in GA flew out on Saturday with some friends (Uffe Nielsen and Lone Malling) to run the race before heading back to Copenhagen on Monday.

1hr, 05 mins, 45 sec who won by 1 min 19 sec.

All three enjoyed the experience and are now making plans to visit again in January to take part in the Santa Pola 21km, where I have promised to run with them. The training has started!!!

John is touring New Zealand and ran a 5km race in Wellington, meanwhile Claudia and Brigitte travelled back to Germany to run a 10km race in Monschau, in the middle mountains and in late October they were in Valencia

We managed to see them at the start of the race, then headed to Arenales to see them turn on to the beach road, then we drove to Santa Pola to see the finish. Sunday was quite warm and made the running conditions more difficult but they all finished in respectable times. Lone finished 1071st in a time of 1hr, 56 mins, 30 sec. She was 17th in her age category. Lykke finished 1319th in 2hrs, 02mins, 20 sec. She was 36th in her category. Uffe finished 1541st in a time of 2hrs, 10 min, 44 sec and was 253 in his category. The overall race winner was Langat Kipkirui in a time of

for the fabulous annual running event of 21k and 42k. Both competed in 21k with Claudia breaking 1hr 50min. Well done all!

An update on Staffan’s runstreak. At the time of writing he has completed 258 consecutive days of Running. Well done Staffan!!!

If you see us join us for a run or say hello. No matter your ability, If you are visiting the area and want to run with someone, please get in touch on