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 January 2005.
If you have any QUESTIONS or PROBLEMS you would like to ask our councillors, please email on info@granalacantadvertiser.com
ASK OUR GA COUNCILLORS
Q: Recycling
Hi again Lou,
Oscar Valenzuela Councillor of Gran Alacant & Education
The new bins, where they have arrived in GA, look very good - still a shame they aren’t labelled more clearly e.g. envasos on the yellow bins probably doesn’t tell the average holiday maker that they can put tetrapaks, plastic bottles, cans and tin foil in them, but it’s a step in the right direction, and you are helpfully explaining that in the GA Advertiser, thank you.
I have yet to see a food bin, but am looking forward to their appearance - if food waste was a country it would be the third largest in the world! Do they collect all food waste or just raw food like peelings? And do you know how are they prevented from attracting vermin?
And my perennial question... please can you ask the councillor where any rubbish goes that cannot be recycled? Someone must know where the lorries take the rubbish from the grey bins. Last year you passed on to me from Oscar that it was separated and recycled, but how can that be? Not everything is recyclable, and I suspect the content of our grey bins is taken to either a landfill dump or an incinerator somewhere.
Thanks again for your hard work to keep us all up to date with what is happening here in Gran Alacant.
Nicky
A: GA Advertiser
Dear Nicky, it was lovely to meet you at the last GA Cleanup Event. Your support
Borja Merino Councillor of Gran Alacant Tourism, Health & Animal Welfare
in helping keep GA clean is greatly appreciated. We've passed your question along to the councillors and are currently waiting for their response. As soon as we receive the information, we'll make sure to share it with you.
Q: Bins on Calle Canarias
Hi Lou, please can you ask Oscar or Borja about our plight a out the bins opposite my neighbour and my house.
Reading the July magazine some people like Henry had success but yet we have not. The noise and smell coming from the bins is becoming unbearable. Prime example are cars pulling up between 2 and 4am in the morning to use the bottle bank which
is incredibly noisy between doors banging and radio blaring.
I suggested to put the bins approx 80 metres down the road at the junction hence there they are not visible from front doors and it’s the wider part of the street - more room for the bus to pass.
Regards, Christopher
A: Borja Merino
We have asked the councillor for cleaning to examine the location.
Q: Rubbish on Calle Monte
More of the same I’m afraid. These are the bins in the car park beside the temporary school in Calle Monte de Santa pola today!!!
Jim & Kath
A: Susanna
The secretary at the town hall informed us that at the start of the summer, Urbaser began distributing the new bins based on where they thought they were needed. However, they have received numerous complaints, and now a technician is assessing the situation in Gran Alacant. This process will take some time.
Q: Translator at Medical Centre
Dear Lou,
I know we live in Spain and a lot of people like myself are learning to speak Spanish. Until we can speak it well enough, we have to take a translator with us when we go to the health centre, which can be quite costly if you have several appointments.
Because of the multi-lingual community we live in, it would be much easier if the health centre had a translator available say on certain mornings or afternoons. Obviously, people would be willing to pay something for the translator but it would work out much cheaper and easier. If they needed a translator they could book an appointment with the translator too.
I feel especially sorry for the older people who live here, who retired here and find it difficult to learn another language at their time of life.
Thank you
A: GA Advertiser
We have forwarded your request to the councillors however in the meantime, should you need an assistance with medical translations, please contact Susanna (info below) and she will be happy to acompany you.
Do you need help with Spanish translations around Gran Alacant & Santa Pola?
• Hospital visits & doctors appointments
SPECIAL OFFER - 10€ only for Gran Alacant Health Centre visits (between 10am & 1.30pm)
• Emergencies
• Help shopping
• Notary visits & power of attorneys
• House hunting
• Visits to ITV (MOT), DGT, police, townhall etc.
• One to one spanish lessons
• Day trips to local areas
Lilian
Gran Alacant News
UPDATE ON SCHOOL PROJECTS IN GRAN ALACANT
In a recent interview with Aquí Media, Óscar Valenzuela, Councillor of Gran Alacant & Education, discussed the progress of new schools in Gran Alacant.
Plans for the new Hispanidad school faced a setback when 13 interested companies submitted no bids due to low budget concerns. Market fluctuations led to a reassessment and an 18-20% budget increase. Local authorities are now collaborating with the Association of Families of Students (AFA) and educational officials to quickly re-tender the project.
In addition, Valenzuela noted that the construction of the second school is progressing well, with 75% of the work already completed. It is on track to open next year. The City Council will also start work on surrounding roads once a retaining wall, requested by the construction company, is built to separate the school from nearby houses.
The school year has kicked off with a notable rise in enrollment, particularly in Gran Alacant, driven by an influx of foreign families, especially from Ukraine and Poland. The new school and the rapidly growing modular high school, which has nearly doubled its student body from 200 to almost 400, are set to accommodate this growth.
GRAN ALACANT BECOMES THE EPICENTER OF NORDIC WALKING IN SPAIN
Around 200 athletes competed on Saturday, October 19th, in the fourth race of the Valencian Federation’s Nordic Walking Cup, which counted towards the national ranking. Organized by the Sacavera Nordic Trail Club, the event took place in the Sierra de Santa Pola, with the start and finish at the Gran Alacant sports centre.
Participants from regions like Galicia, the Canary Islands, and Madrid took part. The main race covered 3km, with four laps for adults and shorter distances for other categories. A special category encouraged newcomers, and the event featured entertainment by the Inmaculada Jaén dance school.
Óscar Valenzuela, Councilor of Gran Alacant, emphasized that “once again, we have a great sporting event in Santa Pola, this time with Sacavera at the helm. We are thrilled and it’s an honor for the City Council to collaborate with them in organising this national-level event.”
If you would like to supply news or info for our next edition, or have a question for our Gran Alacant Councillors, please email: info@granalacantadvertiser.com
HELPING PEOPLE DISCOVER AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE
Steve and Ann Laidlow are the leaders of Acorn International Ministries, a Christianbased UK headquartered organisation focused on offering practical support and spiritual guidance to local communities, across the globe, with a mission of fostering faith, hope, and healing for all.
In 2021 Steve and Ann founded The Dream Centre in Hondon de los Frailes, Alicante, Spain, a community centre with space for community events as well as a charity shop and food bank to meet local needs in a practical way. The Dream Centre also provides space for an Englishspeaking church, providing a welcoming environment for worship, prayer, and spiritual growth. Acorn International Ministries, holds church services in English for the benefit of all nationalities, helping them to connect to a faith community and deepen their spiritual journey. Currently reaching residents, holiday home owners and holiday makers in the Hondon Valley.
The vision now is to expand the work of Acorn International Ministries to Gran Alacant by exploring the opportunity to develop a community centre focused on meeting the needs of the local community, in Gran Alacant, while providing a home for the English speaking, Christian community.
At the helm of this outreach are Steve and Ann, who provide leadership and support to Gran Alacant residents who are already looking to develop the community in Gran Alacant but have yet to establish a centre for that activity here.
Steve says ‘We have been very inspired by the enthusiasm of people in Gran Alacant to create a community space which can support the needs of the local community and a home for Christian charity, outreach and fellowship for the English speaking residents and non-residents there’. ‘We need to start somewhere and we’re grateful to the GA Advertiser for giving us the opportunity to say to residents and non-residents alike, we would love to hear your views, so please get in touch to find out more’.
More details of the work of Acorn International Ministries here in Gran Alacant will be in December’s edition of the GA Advertiser.
If you would like to find out more contact Steve on:
MONTEMAR BOWLS & SOCIAL CLUB
Sponsored by The Pub, Gran Alacant Insurances, Dialprix, The Belfry, La Piedra, Skippers, Santara Resort, The Reiki Room
VISITING TEAM
Monday 23rd September
Sally and Steve Webb visited Monte Mar Bowls Club with their friends from their bowls club in England. We played two games. On the Monday we drew and on the Friday we lost, but it’s not the winning or losing that matters it’s the taking part. After the games we enjoyed lunch at Gran Mundo on the Monday and The Belfry on the Friday.
CHICKEN RUN
Sunday 29th September
As some of the visiting team played in the monthly chicken run it was a great turn out. The chickens were won by Diane Horsington with eighteen shots and Steve Hindle with twenty one shots. The eggs were won by Julie McPherson and Jim Shearing. Thank you to Cindy and Colin Bedford who donated the chickens and as Ian and Julia’s chickens aren’t laying Joan and Chris Harding donated the eggs. Steve Hindle won the football card with Leeds. Thank you to all who made it a great club day and Joan, Sue, Howie for organising the competition.
CRAZY GOLF
Wednesday 2nd October
We all enjoyed a morning at Greenlands playing crazy golf. After the golf and a very nice lunch, Julia announced the winners Steve Hindle 1st , David March 2nd, John Ryley 3rd . Thanks to Julia for organising a great day out.
TOURING TEAM
On Saturday 5th October we welcomed our first touring team from Plymouth. We played three rinks of rinks everyone enjoyed the bowling in lovely Spanish sunshine. After the game we enjoyed sandwiches and drinks at Skippers. The captain of the visiting team presented Steve with a flag of their bowling club.
RACE AFTERNOON
On Tuesday 8th October we had a lovely afternoon horse racing at Alonai restaurant on the life resort. After lunch the fun started as the racing began, win or lose everyone had a enjoyable time. Thanks to Kevin and Anthony for running the racing and Joan and Sue for organising the afternoon.
TOURING TEAM
Saturday 12th October we welcomed the second touring team, this time from Grovelands Bowling Club, North London. We played five rinks of rinks it was another enjoyable mornings bowling. After the bowling we again enjoyed drinks and sandwiches at Skippers.
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
What’s On? In & Around Gran Alacant This Month
We had a terrific turn-out of volunteers for last month´s litter collection at the church, on Avenida Noruega, many thanks to all of you who came. You can see from the picture the colossal amount of rubbish we collected in just one hour.
Join us this month on:
Thursday 14th November at 10am Meeting by the Correos on Avda. Escandinavia
Hopefully more people will join us and we can make a big difference to make Gran Alacant less of an eyesore and hopefully encourage others to be more mindful of how they dispose their rubbish.
All are welcome to come along and get involved and remember gloves, bags and litter-pickers (courtesy of the GA-Homefinders team) are provided.
NEW in Gran Alacant!
LA HAWAII TIKI BAR
Enjoy the tropical vibes at La Hawaii Tiki Bar (Carabassi Centre). Serving signature cocktails, fine wine and international beers. See FB: La Hawaii for upcoming events.
Regular Weekly Events
EVERY MONDAY
SANTA POLA MERCADILLO
General market. 9:00 to 14:00. Ctra. Elche, Santa Pola in front of the bus station.
EVERY TUESDAY
GRAN ALACANT GOLF SOCIETY - meet at El Plantio Golf Resort at 7:40am. All golfers welcome. Contact Michael (966 698 925) or Tony (966 183 004)
SKIPPER QUIZ at Skipper Bar in MASA Square. Starts at 17:00. Booking essential. FB: Skipper Bar. Tel: 711 04 24 34.
EYES DOWN at Tommy's Bar (Avda. Escandinavia). Starts 20:00. Booking recommended. FB: Tommy's.
EVERY WEDNESDAY
GA SWEDISH CLUB in Skipper Bar Masa Square at 11:00. Open to Swedishspeakers. FB: Svenskar på Gran Alacant.
GA MEN'S WALKING FOOTBALL starts 11:00am on the Astroturf pitch at Gran Alacant Sports Centre (1€). FB: Gran Alacant's Walking Football Community. For more details contact Steve on 642 01 05 15.
EVERY THURSDAY
GRAN ALACANT MERCADILLO
General market. 9:00 to 14:00. Calle Antoñita Sanchís Buades (next to Aldi/ Gabe Market).
Would you like to advertise your event? Please email info@granalacantadvertiser.com
Bringing you the best events going on in and around Gran Alacant. Whether you are looking to make new friends or try something new, there is something for everyone!
GA WOMEN'S WALKING FOOTBALL starts 10:30am on the Astroturf pitch at Gran Alacant Sports Centre. FB: Gran Alacant's Walking Football Community. Contact Julie +44 792 618 7469.
WINE LOTTERY at the Norwegian Club (Urb. Sierra Mar). From 11:00-14:00. FB: DenNorskeKlubbenAlacant.
HOUSE OF MALU FASHION POP-UP at Dick Turpin Bar (Sierra Mar square). Shop contemporary women's fashion at great prices. From 11:00-17:00. Contact Sabine on 722 26 06 78.
QUIZ NIGHT WITH JEANIE from 19:0021:00 at Alonai restaurant (Santara resort), Gran Alacant.
JAM NIGHT at Miley O’Rourke’s Irish Pub. Starts at 21:00. FB: Miley O'Rourke's Irish Pub Carabassi Centre Gran Alacant. Tel: (+353) 86 409 3286.
JOLLY ROGER QUIZ NIGHT at Jolly Roger Sports Bar (Carabassi Centre). Starts at 20:00. FB: Jolly Roger Gran Alacant. Tel: 621 18 74 14.
EVERY FRIDAY
FRIDAY ACTIVITIES at the Norwegian Club (Urb. Sierra Mar). Open from 12:00-14:00 for coffee and then again from 20:00-23:00 for social gatherings. FB: DenNorskeKlubbenAlacant.
EVERY SATURDAY
QUIZ & PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT at Dick Turpin Bar (Sierra Mar square). Starts 20:00. FB: Dick Turpin Tel: 966 69 96 56.
LIVE MUSIC at Brisa del Mar restaurant in MASA square. Starts from 20:00. FB: Restaurante Brisa del Mar. Tel: 611 369 454.
ROCKIN ROOSTERS LIVE MUSIC at Miley O’Rourke’s Irish Pub. Starts at 21:00. FB: Miley O'Rourke's Irish Pub Carabassi Centre Gran Alacant. Tel: (+353) 86 409 3286.
ANDY'S KAROKE at Tommy's Bar (Avda. Escandinavia). Starts from 21:00. Booking recommended. FB: Tommy's.
KARAOKE WITH KEVIN at The Jolly Roger Sports Bar (Carabassi Centre). Starts from 21:00. FB: Jolly Roger Gran Alacant Tel: 621 18 74 14
EVERY SUNDAY
GRAN ALACANT RASTRO MARKET
Second-hand market. 9:00 to 14:00. Avda. Escandinavia Marketplace, Gran Alacant.
RUNNING CARDS GAME at Dick Turpin Bar (Sierra Mar square). Starts 16:00. FB: Dick Turpin Tel: 966 69 96 56.
Throughout the Month
THURSDAY 7TH NOVEMBER
CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAYRE in association with ASPETGA at Dick Turpin Bar (Sierra Mar square) from 11:00 to 15:00. Stalls offering cards, jewellery, handmade arts & crafts, tombola and more. FB: Dick Turpin Tel: 966 69 96 56.
SUNDAY 10TH NOVEMBER
REMEMBERANCE SUNDAY WITH THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION in MASA Square. Starting at 12:00 (to be seated by 11:45). See next page for more info.
WEDNESDAY 13TH NOVEMBER
MR BOJANGLES LIVE MUSIC at Tommy's Bar (Avda. Escandinavia). Starts from 21:00. Booking recommended. FB: Tommy's.
THURSDAY 14TH NOVEMBER
GRAN ALACANT CLEAN-UP once a month a group of volunteers meet to collect litter around Gran Alacant. Meet at 10am by the Correos on Avenida Escandinavia.
FRIDAY 22ND NOVEMBER
LIVE MUSIC JAIME NORAMBUENA & VERA CALA at Get Fresh International Restaurant. Starts at 20:00. Booking recommended. FB: Get Fresh Tel: 635 744 257.
To avoid disappointment, get in touch with the organisers to make your booking!
Rememberance Sunday
Sunday November 10th at 12pm in Masa Square
The Gran Alacant & La Marina Royal British Legion invite you to join us for a very special event on the occasion of Remembrance Sunday. On Remembrance Day, we come together to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice by laying their lives in two world wars and recent conflicts.
WEDNESDAY 27TH NOVEMBER
BOOK CLUB GRAN ALACANT at Skipper Bar in MASA Square. Meeting at 2pm. For more info contact Beth (+44) 7853 363060.
PHIL COLLINS TRIBUTE at Tommy's Bar (Avda. Escandinavia). Starts from 21:00. Admission 5€. Booking recommended. FB: Tommy's.
THURSDAY 28TH NOVEMBER
BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH & LIVE MUSIC
WITH KIM PETERS at The London Tavern (Centro Comercial GA). Brunch starts from 15:30, music starts from 16:30. Booking essential. FB: The London Tavern, Gran Alacant Tel: 681 62 32 85.
SATURDAY 30TH NOVEMBER
CHRISTMAS FAIR IN AID OF ASPETGA in MASA Square - with entertainment and lots of stalls including cakes, crafts, gifts and more. Starts 12:00.
Coming Up
TUESDAY 3RD DECEMBER
DONAL'S BIRTHDAY PARTY with live music from Paula Molina at Jolly Roger Sports Bar (Carabassi Centre). Starts from 20:00. FB: Jolly Roger Gran Alacant. Tel: 621 18 74 14.
SUNDAY 8TH DECEMBER
ROYAL BRITISH LEGION CHRISTMAS MARKET in Masa Square from 13:0016:00. Featuring over 20 artisan craft stores selling quality goods at reasonable prices.
SATURDAY 14TH DECEMBER
MR BOJANGLES LIVE MUSIC with special Christmas set menu (19,95€). Dinner from 19:00, music from 21:00. Booking recommended. FB: La Piedra Bar & Grill. Tel: 865 66 97 99.
SATURDAY 21ST DECEMBER
JAIME NORAMBUENA LIVE MUSIC with special Christmas set menu (19,95€). Dinner from 19:00, music from 21:00. Booking recommended. FB: La Piedra Bar & Grill. Tel: 865 66 97 99.
WEDNESDAY 25TH DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS DAY LIVE MUSIC JAIME NORAMBUENA & VERA CALA at Get Fresh International Restaurant from 14:00 - 16:00. 40€ per person. Booking essential. FB: Get Fresh Tel: 635 744 257.
TUESDAY 31ST DECEMBER
NEW YEAR´S EVE PARTY BAND - Still Kickin with Jay. Tickets 10€. FB: Miley O'Rourke's Irish Pub Carabassi Centre Gran Alacant. Tel: (+353) 86 409 3286.
Live music ALL MONTH at The London Tavern (see advert in Commercial Centre)
Book of the month by Beth
A tale of bravery, sacrifice and survival
My Recommended Book of the Month
The Nightingale by
Kirstin Hannah
This story is about what it was like to be a woman during World War II when women’s stories were all too often forgotten or overlooked. Valerie and Isabelle Mauriac are two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals and passion and circumstances..
Younger, bolder Isabelle lives in Paris while Vianna is content with life in the French countryside with her husband Antoine and their child. But when war breaks out and Antoine is conscripted to fight, Isabelle is sent to the country by her father to help Vianne.
As war develops, the strength of the sisters’ relationship is put to the test. Vianne saves the life of her best friend’s son by claiming he is part of her family. And eventually she is able to save other jewish children.
Isabelle however is more daring and becomes involved in helping evolve and run an escape route for the many airmen and escaped prisoners of the nazi invaders.
This is a very moving and compelling novel… it has great characters, great plots, great emotions. I can highly recommend this novel.
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.
JOIN OUR CLUB
Next Book Club Meeting is Wednesday 27th November at 2pm in Skipper Bar, MASA Square
We meet up once a month, discuss the books we are reading now and suggest new ones.
Anyone interested in joining us or looking for more information please contact Beth on Whatsapp +44 7853 363060
CARABASSI CENTRE
CARABASSI CENTRE
CARABASSI CENTRE
W e c a n h e l p y o u w i t h a n y
p l u m b i n g i s s u e o r m a i n t e n a n c e
W e h a v e o v e r 2 5 y e a r s
e x p e r i e n c e g i v i n g u s
a l a r g e p l u m b i n g
k n o w l e d g e
Gran Alacant - Arenales del Sol - La Marina - Santa Pola
TLF: 966 731 211
DAILY 10AM - LATE
DAILY 10AM - LATE
R E A K F A S T & L U N C H D R I N K S U N T I L L A T E L I V E E n t e r t a i n m e n t T V S P O R T S
THU 28th AFTERNOON TEA 3:30pm KIM PETERS 4:30pm SAT 30th Roberto Knight 8pm
AFTERNOON TEA- BOOKING ESSENTIAL
www.londontavern.es www.londontavern.es COCKTAIL OF THE WEEK ONLY €5 CHANGED WEEKLY
Triple Birthday Party at Jolly Roger Sports Bar
Birthday Party at Can Mimosa Restaurant
THE SECRETS OF A HAPPY MARRIAGE
AN INTERVEW WITH PAUL & SHEILA
This month, we spoke with Paul and Sheila Dodd, who have been married for 41 years. Paul, a former carpenter from West London, and Sheila, who grew up in various places due to her father’s RAF career, share their favourite memories and thoughts on their secrets of a happy marriage.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN GA?
Sheila: We moved to Spain in 2016. That same year we found out Paul had bladder cancer. Thankfully, the horrible treatment he had was successful. We did not know what the future would hold so we decided to move to Spain to have an adventure.
TELL ME WHAT YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT EACH OTHER
Sheila: Paul is a kind and caring person who will go out his way to help anybody. Paul: Sheila is a very kind and beautiful lady and lets me play bowls as many times as I want.
HAVE YOU HAD ANY TOUGH TIMES AND IF SO HOW DID YOU GET THROUGH THEM?
Sheila: In addition to the cancer scare, Paul had a nasty accident while working and badly injured his left hand. He was unable to work for a year. Luckily, I had a great boss at the time who let me work weekends. I was working at Glenair making parts for airplanes at the time. We struggled through but kept smiling.
WHERE DID YOU FIRST MEET?
Sheila: In a working man’s club in Swindon. I was working there part time in the evening.
WHAT WERE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF EACH OTHER?
Paul: Sheila was working behind a bar and had a very short skirt on. My first impression of her was PHWOAR!
Sheila: I thought Paul was very pleasant.
DESCRIBE YOUR FIRST DATE
Sheila: We went to the Brunel Rooms in Swindon. (The legendary Brunel Rooms opened in March 1973 with a capacity of 1,800 and was a major part of the music and dance culture in Swindon for over 3 decades). Paul tried to get me drunk on
Black Russians but it didn’t work because at that time I could handle my drink!
BEST GIFT YOU RECEIVED FROM EACH OTHER AND WHY?
Sheila: I bought Paul tickets to go and see his brother in Canada. Paul used to work away during the week so I got myself a part time job working in the evening, in addition to my full time job during the day, to save the money for the tickets. It was a complete surprise for him.
Paul: Sheila always wanted to go to Alcatraz in San Francisco so we did that.
Sheila: I walked on the beach were Clint Eastwood walked in the film Escape from Alcatraz.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR WEDDING DAY
Sheila: It was a quiet registry office wedding, a buffet back at the house and a night in a posh hotel. Paul bought me a bunch of roses and a bottle of champagne. I’m not a fan of champagne so he had to go and buy a bottle of lemonade to go with it. It was the thought that counts!
TOP TIPS FOR A HAPPY MARRIAGE
1. Man cave for the husband
2. Wife in charge of the TV remote
3. Laugh a lot
4. Enjoy each other’s company
5. Have separate interests
6. Have fun!
THE NORWEGIAN CLUB - GRAN ALACANT
Christmas Fundraising for Children in Need
Following on from our succesful fundraiser last year, we are delighted to announce that we will once again be running our Christmas fundraiser in November to support underprivileged families and children in Santa Pola.
In addition, the club will be donating 500€ towards school supplies for children in need. So far, we’ve donated nearly 3,000€ to support poor families and children in Santa Pola! Along with financial aid, we also provide essential items such as food, furniture, and other necessities for children.
If you are interested in making a donation, find out more below!
TRIP TO ALTEA - 25TH SEP 53 club members enjoyed a sunny day trip to Altea, stopping at the Norwegian club Costa Blanca in Alfaz where we received a warm welcome with waffles and a tour. Åge Folkestad was our exuberant guide. and we had a wonderful lunch at his well-known restaurant, Casa Vital. Photos by Gunnar Solheimsnes.
TRIP TO TABARCA - 9TH OCT
A fantastic trip to Tabarca guided by Gunnar and Frank with 31 Norwegians. Perfect weather, great atmosphere, and lunch at Restaurant Anita. Photos by Magne Kirkeeide and Gunnar Solheimsnes.
BACKGROUND
The Norwegian Club is located in the Sierra Mar Urbanisation of Gran Alacant and operates from September through to May. The club was established in 1999. We (our members) bought the property in Sierra Mar in 2001. We are a voluntary organisation with no employees.
TODAY
Today we have around 500 members. Most of our members are Norwegians with a few Swedish members. Here you can meet old friends and make new ones.
ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
The club runs many social activities.
Spanish Classes
Spanish classes started in September and runs 4 times a week on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 - 11.45am.
Wine Lottery
Every Thursday from 11am - 2pm, we organise an extremely popular wine lottery. We recently had a record number of 165 members to turn up for this event.
Funds raised from the wine lottery goes towards building maintenance and other charitable activities.
Friday Activities
We are open on Friday from 12-2pm for coffee and then again from 8-11pm for social gatherings.
Other activities include; bridge club, painting club, day coach trips, walking tours and evening parties.
HELPING OUR MEMBERS
We aim to help our members as much as we can. If anyone gets sick or needs help translating in Spanish, we are there for them. We also hire out children’s equipment over the summer months for our members.
For more information, please check out our website and Facebook page. DenNorskeKlubbenAlacant
On Friday 27th September Zest hosted their annual Macmillan Coffee Morning in Sierra Mar to raise funds for this well deserving cancer support charity.
The event was well supported by new and loyal customers who came and enjoyed a delicious range of cakes and sweet treats! Thanks to the generosity of everyone 200€ was raised for the Macmillan charity.
Thank you to everyone who came and supported this event!
Home Turf
Follow us on Instagram: juanruano.oficial & archiemaddan
HISTORY BENEATH THE STREETS
Under the streets of Alicante city are reminders of one of the city’s most tragic periods and harbingers of a modern terror that continues even as you read this article. A network of air raid shelters that was built during the Spanish civil war still exists throughout most of the centre of the city and some of them are open to visitors. We joined a guided tour to visit two of the shelters and learn about how the citizens of Alicante survived the first mass bombing of cities.
The Spanish civil war was not the first time that explosives had been dropped on cities from aircraft, London had been attacked by Zeppelins during the First World War and the British had themselves controversially used aircraft in military operations in the Middle East in the 1920s.
claiming that the city was a valid military target as a rail and communications hub, whilst others take the view that bombing a city on market day was a deliberate attack on civilians and a war crime. The Guernica bombing inspired the famous painting by Pablo Picasso that vividly depicts the horror of industrial war inflicted on noncombatants especially women and children.
What occurred in Spain during its civil war was however different in scale and intention. The army coup led by Franco deliberately used terror to intimidate its opponents and suppress the Republic’s morale and will to fight. As part of this policy Franco used air raids, often by his fascist allies Italy and Germany, upon civilian targets such as cities and large towns. The most famous of these air attacks is the near destruction of the city of Guernica by German aircraft in April 1937.
Opinion is divided about the exact motive for the bombing with some historians
Despite the international criticism that the Guernica bombing caused, Franco continued to bomb cities held by the Republican government. Alicante was one of the last cities to stay in Republican hands until the very end of the civil war and as such suffered consistent bombing from 1936 to 1939, often by Italian aircraft based on the Balearic islands. The building of air raid shelters was therefore a necessity for the people living in the city. A mixture of public and private shelters was constructed and our tour visited one of each.
The tours are organised by the excellent museum situated at Carrer Portugal; Centro de Interpretación sobre los Refugios Antiaéreos. The tour takes about an hour and is available in Spanish and English. The first part of the tour is in the form of a permanent museum exhibition to explain the background to the civil war and the situation of Alicante during and after the war. There is also a detailed explanation of the aerial attacks on the city and in particular the horrific daytime bombing of
the central market that took place on 25th May 1938 and resulted in numerous dead and injured; the similarity with the bombing of Guernica on market day is obvious.
After visiting the museum exhibits the tour goes outside into the city and visits two quite different surviving underground bomb shelters. The first of these is close to the museum and is a large public shelter built in what is now Plaza Séneca. The tour guide unlocks the heavy doors and leads the tour party down a set of steps into a large underground chamber with rough partition walls creating open alcoves for families to shelter in. As part of the tour there is a recreation of a bombing raid with the lights turned off and loud sound effects replicating the noise of attacking aircraft flying low overhead and the sound of the exploding bombs in the streets above; the effect is shocking.
The second shelter we visited was quite different. Located in Plaza Doctor Balmis, this small shelter was built by the residents of the apartment buildings surrounding the pretty little square. Instead of the large functional space of the public shelter this set of underground rooms is intimate and in places beautifully crafted. The obvious care with which the plaster had been finished was a final remnant of a more gracious peaceful age leaving its mark in a structure intended for a more barbarous time. One wondered however how safe the occupants would have been under a direct hit.
As bombs now fall on the cities of Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar, Gaza, Israel and Lebanon a visit to the air raid shelters of Alicante seems as regrettably relevant today as it was in the 1930s. We still live in an age of war.
LA MARINA
SOCIAL GROUP FOR SWEDISH SPEAKERS IN GA!
Ann-Christin Sterner, originally from Gothenburg, founded a Swedish social group in Gran Alacant a year ago with her former husband. Created for social opportunities, the group aims to connect Swedish-speaking individuals, offering a space to share experiences and help each other. Over the past year, it has successfully built a supportive community where many new friendships have been formed.
The group meets every Wednesday at 11:00am at Skipper Bar in Masa Square, with 20 to 40 participants attending regularly. Sterner hopes to expand the group's activities in the future, adding various events based on members' interests. While the club is still new, the growing interest suggests it has great potential to develop further.
As the meetings are held entirely in Swedish, they are open to Swedishspeaking participants. In addition to the inperson meetups, the group also posts on their Facebook group "Svenskar på Gran Alacant" (Swedish People in Gran Alacant), which shares information about the group and other topics relevant to the Swedishspeaking community.
With its strong start, Sterner hopes that the group will continue to grow and evolve, providing even more opportunities for members to connect and engage. Find us on Facebook: Svenskar på Gran Alacant
Commercial advertising involving animals is regulated by Ley de Bienestar Animal (Animal Welfare Act) since last year. This law establishes some minimum room, temperature and time (the maximum amount of time an animal can work per day) requirements, and in most cases a Vet who supervises everything is ok during the filming is mandatory too.
Everyone who owns dogs or cats know very well how difficult it may be to obtain a good picture or footage from them, since it may take ages to make them stay quiet or look at the camera, so a work session with one of these animal actors may be very long. For this reason, regulation is necessary.
As a matter of fact, using animals as advertising claims is forbidden. This implies a vast majority of commercials involving pets will be about pets related goods: animal diets, animal health, accessories for pets, etc.
Advertising agents know there is a very important connection between human beings and their domestic animals. Let’s think about Youtube funny cats videos. They are extremely popular. In these last years we have even the case of “influencer” pets, with their own Instagram profiles, which are also very popular.
For all these reasons, regulation for “commercials with animals” must be very strict. There has been an important
Liliana Aldeguer Cerdán 793
English translation by Sergio Reina Esteban col 747
campaign in Portugal named “animals are not clowns”, in which we can see some animals wearing clown make-ups (added to the pictures via AI, of course), in order to direct people’s attention to animal abusing and mistreating in shows and commercials.
In Spain, circuses using animals are becoming more and more uncommon, but unfortunately our national shame called bullfighting, and aquariums shows which exploit dolphins and seals for entertaining people are still legal. Do you think we are exaggerating? There are hundreds of videos on the internet about this but it’s not necessary to watch them. Thinking that we are talking about animals which travel thousands of miles through the oceans and have an extremely rich social life and are obliged to stay in small swimming pools for life would be enough. Imprisoned (with forced labour) without having committed any crime.
We truly think human beings have managed to improve by living together with pets, basically (but not only) with dogs and cats. We provide them (and they provide us) support, confidence, happiness… But there are animals which are not domestic pets, such as dolphins, apes, kangaroos, and shouldn’t be locked and exhibited just for fun, as it happened long time ago with people with peculiarities exhibited in freak shows.
A dog, a cat, a guinea pig may be your best friends, or your children’s best friends, but let’s leave non-domestic animals alone, and let’s not exploit “our friends”.
Gran Alacant’s ELCHE CF SUPPORTERS GROUP
A group of football fans in Gran Alacant have their own Elche CF supporters club to attend home games at the stadium and watch away games in local bars.
Home games see the group move around different bars in GA, with the usual bars used being Happy’s at the GA Centre while Tommy’s is the regular spot up the hill. The group, primarily made up of 19 season ticket holders who sit together, arranges carsharing to get to the ground in time for some pre-match beers and food before returning to GA afterwards.
to not be announced until 2 to 5 weeks beforehand.
Tickets can be purchased via the club website at www.elchecf.es and there is also the occasional spare ticket available through the group as well.
Jornadas in Spain have games all spread out with each match being televised. It is normal for the date and time of matches
A poor start to the season means Elche need to pick up form to escape Segunda - the second division of Spanish football. Hopes are high for another promotion push to get back up to La Liga. Home games in October are against Deportivo La Coruña on 13 Oct at 21:00, Sporting de Gijón on 20 Oct at 18:30, and Burgos at the end of the month.
Find the group on Facebook at ‘Peña Elche CF de Gran Alacant’ ¡Mucho Elche!
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)
GA SOCIAL CYCLISTS
There is a vibrant group of social cyclists in Gran Alacant who meet up outside of Molly Malones most days of the week at around 10:00am.
We ride hybrid and off road bikes, are of varying ages, fitness levels and both sexes and usually cycle the rural roads and paths around Gran Alacant, Santa Pola and Elche which means 12 – 25 miles per ride.
Fitter, stronger cyclists can opt to take different routes but, we always meet up at a designated stop for a coffee, and importantly, a natter. Sometimes the group is just two cyclists, whilst other times it can be as many as 10-12 and as a testament to the group, in the years we have been meeting, many strong friendships have been formed.
As we don’t all live in Gran Alacant we communicate via a Whatsapp Group so it is best to check on the Whatsapp group who is around and who is going out on any particular day.
If you want to join us please contact us on Whatsapp: 00353 / 87 991 6020
GA MENS WALKING FOOTBALL
With new members joining and lots of ‘veteran’ members returning after the summer break, numbers have been healthy and we look forward to this continuing.
For all who want to play, Gran Alacant Walking Football club meets each Wednesday at 11am on the outdoor astroturf pitch at the GA Sports Centre. The cost is only 1 euro per session. Please arrive around 10.50am to allow for teams to be arranged.
Please note that the GAWF AGM will be held at Happy Pizzeria in the GA Commercial Centre on Tuesday 5th November at 1pm. All players and partners are welcome to attend.
Walking football is an excellent way to keep fit and meet new people. Designed for the more mature gent (over 50) it is played at a more leisurely pace but still has a competitive edge! We play each Wednesday on the astroturf at the Polideportivo (Sports Centre) in Gran Alacant. Everyone is welcome regardless of ability or experience. We have members from several countries with players’ ages ranging from early fifties to over 70. In addition, there are regular social meets (combined with the women’s group) on the first Tuesday of each month with partners welcome too. So if you would like to join us at GAWF, or want to know a bit more, please get in touch (contact details below).
Walking football is well-established in the area. As well as our Wednesday group (GAWF) and the women’s group, there is the opportunity to play most weekdays between Gran Alacant and Santa Pola.
For members, please keep an eye on the Whatsapp group or the Facebook page for information regarding upcoming social events.
For more info please visit our Facebook page Gran Alacant’s Walking Football Community or contact Steve on +34 642 01 05 15
A battle against the odds makes it even!
The 26th of September saw our muchanticipated fundraising match against the Gran Alacant Men’s Walking Football side.
The Women’s squad with a combined age of 922 and an average age of 65.8 lined up against a Men’s bunch with a combined age of 563 (there were more of us than them) and an average age of 62.5 years. An unforeseen injection of youth appeared in the Men’s group (a ringer) in the form of 18-year-old James who allegedly was “visiting his Grandad” but coincidentally was available to play!
Prior to the start of the match, my attempts to bribe the referee (my husband) were frustratingly ignored and it became apparent that we would actually have to play to win.
Several spectators arrived to witness this historical event and to our great surprise appeared to be supporting us as the underdogs (apparent from the booing whenever the guys had possession of the ball). The 2 male (permitted) players on our side Jim F (coach) and Jim C entered into the spirit of the occasion by donning Tu-tu’s and our Goalie Leo donned a pair of goal keeping gloves which we were hoping had magical superglue properties.
Our sponsor Philippe (GA-Homefinders) was awarded the honour of kicking off the match and playing for 5 minutes. However, once on the pitch it proved impossible to get him off, so he remained for the duration of the game. This meant that we had one extra player, but as the ref didn’t notice, we weren’t going to say anything!
The game itself was played in great spirit with 2 goals for the men scored by Dave L. We fought back with a great goal from
Lesley D and a last minute (dubious) penalty from myself. The yellow card was produced only once by the referee who managed the game well. (We thought so anyway)!
The final score was a very respectable 2-2, quite an achievement for us who were expecting it to be at least 10 - 0 for the men!
The most important result however was that donations, raffle contributions (from players, supporters, GA Advertiser, GA Homefinders and Alacant Key) produced a grand total of 412 Euros for the Paul Cunningham Nurses Charity based in La Marina (covering Gran Alacant). This was gratefully received by Val Cheng Co-ordinator on Friday 4th October.
Many thanks to the Men’s team for their participation and sportsmanship.
The final words of appreciation, however, must go to the women who, despite their diffidence about their ability, played their hearts out to produce an entertaining game which benefitted a very worthwhile charity.
See you all next year! Join us for a fun workout!
WOMEN'S SESSION EVERY THURSDAY 10:30AM
MEN'S SESSION EVERY WEDNESDAY 11:00AM
(From September until end of June)
Where to meet ON THE ASTROTURF PITCH, GA
SPORTS CENTRE
Polideportivo Gran Alacant, Avenida D'Escandinàvia, 78, Gran Alacant, 03130
Follow us on Facebook GRAN ALACANT'S WALKING FOOTBALL COMMUNITY
For further information get in touch on Whatsapp
Women's group - contact Julie: +44 792 618 7469
Men's group - contact Steve: +34 642 01 05 15
League Table Season 2024 / 2025
League Table Season 2024 / 2025
Results up to and Including 21st October 2024
Highest Checkout
Gran Alacant Darts League V2
Gran Alacant Darts League V2
• None Reported
Fixtures List 2024 /2025
Fixtures List 2024 /2025
Quickest Check-Out
La Piedra B Redz
• Pete & Rob (The Pub) 18 Darts
Results up to and Including 21st October 2024
Highest Checkout
Highest Checkout
• None Reported
None Reported
Quickest Check-Out
Quickest Check-Out
• Pete & Rob (The Pub) 18 Darts
• Pete & Rob (The Pub) 18 Darts
Most 180’s
La Piedra B
Redz 2
Redz
Redz 2 The Pub
The Pub
Mileys v La Taberna A
La Taberna B Dick Turpins
Mileys v La Taberna A
La Taberna B
Most 180’s
Jollys La Piedra A
Jollys
Aaron (Jollys) x 1
Redz
Dick Turpins
La Piedra A
La Taberna A
La Taberna B Redz 2
Redz La Taberna A
La Taberna B
Redz 2
La Piedra B La Piedra A
La Piedra B La Piedra A
The Pub Jollys
Dick Turpins Mileys
The Pub Jollys
Dick Turpins Mileys
Redz La Taberna B
Redz La Taberna B
La Taberna A La Piedra A
La Taberna A La Piedra A Jollys Redz 2
La Piedra B Dick Turpins
Jollys Redz 2
The Pub Mileys
La Piedra B Dick Turpins
The Pub Mileys
Mileys Jollys
La Piedra A The Pub
Mileys Jollys
La Taberna B La Piedra B
La Piedra A The Pub
Redz 2 La Taberna A
La Taberna B La Piedra B
Redz 2 La Taberna A
Dick Turpins Redz
Dick Turpins Redz
La Piedra A Redz
La Piedra A Redz
Jollys La Taberna B
Jollys La Taberna B
La Taberna A Dick Turpins
La Taberna A Dick Turpins Redz 2 Mileys
The Pub La Piedra B
Redz 2 Mileys
The Pub La Piedra B
The Pub Dick Turpins Jollys
Most 180’s
La Piedra B
The Pub Dick Turpins
Jollys
La Piedra B
La Piedra A Redz 2
Aaron (Jollys) x 1
La Piedra A Redz 2
La Taberna A
La Taberna B Redz Mileys
Aaron (Jollys) x 1
La Taberna A La Taberna B Redz Mileys
Redz 2 Redz
Redz 2 Redz
La Piedra B La Taberna A
La Piedra B La Taberna A
La Taberna B
The Pub
Mileys La Piedra A
La Taberna B The Pub
Mileys La Piedra A
Dick Turpins Jollys
Dick Turpins Jollys
La Piedra B v Mileys
La Piedra B v Mileys
Dick Turpins v Redz 2
The Pub v Redz
Dick Turpins v Redz 2 The Pub v Redz Jollys v La Taberna A
La Taberna B v La Piedra A
Jollys v La Taberna A
La Taberna B v La Piedra A
La Piedra A v Dick Turpins
Mileys v La Taberna B
La Piedra A v Dick Turpins
Mileys v La Taberna B
La Taberna A v The Pub Redz 2 v La Piedra B
La Taberna A v The Pub Redz 2 v La Piedra B Jollys v Redz
Jollys v Redz
Dec 16th 23rd 30th & Jan 06th - No Darts
Dec 16th 23rd 30th & Jan 06th - No Darts
Oct 28th Jan 27th
Oct 28th Jan 27th Feb 24th & Mar 24th Richard Keeler / Malcolm Charlton Cups
Gran Alacant Ladies GALs
Our September lunch was held at Skipper Bar where Simone and the team made us so welcome and donated a free lunch, which was won by Angela Brookes, plus a breakfast for 2 which was won by Kim Watts. All proceeds of our raffles go to Elche Childrens Care Home. We raised well over €140for our chosen charity. Thank you to Skipper Bar and our generous ladies.
Our next lunch will be on Friday 25th October at Texicana International Restaurant, on the 21st November we are at La Piedra and our Christmas lunch will be on 13th December at James Bar & Grill. Check our EVENTS tab on the Gals (Gran Alacant Ladies) facebook site for more details of all our future events.
Dont forget, our monthly Coffee/Breakfast informal get together at Alonai, Santana Resort. Please see our EVENTS tab again on the facebook page for details.
There are also regular beach meet ups and the walking group are back walking now the weather has cooler slightly.
Any ladies with a connection to Gran Alacant are very welcome to join our Facebook site "Gals (Gran Alacant Ladies) and we look forward to welcoming you. Just answer the two simple joining questions.
If any local businesses would like to donate a prize to help us raise money for Elche Children's Care Home please get in touch.
AVISO AL PÚBLICO (19/24)
SANTA POLA - ALICANTE - SANTA POLA BUS
Se informa a los Sres. Usuarios de la línea Santa Pola<->Alicante de los horarios establecidos a partir del día 2 de septiembre del 2024. SANTA POLA-ALICANTE (LINEA 1 y 3)
SÁBADOS
The Gran Alacant and La Marina Royal British Legion will be holding its annual Christmas Fair in Masa Square on Sunday 8th December from 1.00pm till 4.00pm with over 20 artisan craft stalls selling quality goods at reasonable prices From 1pm - 4pm
Quiz Quiz
Hi, my name is Geoff and I have been asked by Lou to challenge you every month with a few teasers. I hope you enjoy them.
I first came to GA in 2001 and bought my house in 2002 where I have been a regular visitor ever since. You will see me at the quizzes, or out and about, running or cycling. If you see me come and say hi, or, just give me a cheery hello. I am also a big lover of live music and try to see as many live acts as I can.
1. Approximately how fast does the Earth revolve around the Sun?
2. In which body of water would you find the Alboran Sea?
3. By which more common name was William Brooke Joyce known in the 1930’s and 1940’s
4. What is the hardest natural substance on Earth?
5. Who was the first actor to play Dumbledore in the Harry Potter movies?
6. What number is normally referenced on Heinz products?
7. Who plays comedy actor Alan Partridge?
8. What part of the human body serves the purpose of maintaining Balance?
9. What, or where, is the largest desert on Earth?
10. Does sound travel faster in the air or water?
To solve the puzzle each 3 x 3 box, each row and each column must contain all the numbers 1 to 9. For hints and information visit
