26 March - 1 April 2024

Benidorm biggest development ever: £491m plan for 20 huge hotels

million, this development marks the resort’s most extensive urban project to date.

Expected to cover a sprawling 600,000 square meters, the project represents a signi cant expansion of the city’s urban footprint. The focal point of this development is the introduction of towering structures, with a minimum height requirement of 20 oors for residential buildings.

Mayor Toni Perez hailed the initiative, stating, “It is the most important urban sector in the municipality, aligning with the vision outlined in the 1990 General Plan.”

A central feature of the plan is the creation of a vast central park spanning over 60,000 square meters, complemented by extensive gardens and pedestrian zones totalling nearly 13,000 and over 23,000 square meters, respectively. Architects have emphasised their commitment to transforming Benidorm into a liveable, sustainable city.

Notably, the project emphasises a balance between urbanisation and green space. Approximately 65 percent of the land will be allocated for public amenities and green areas, with the remaining 35 percent earmarked for residential, tourist residences, and hotel developments.

Investments

This announcement follows a series of signi cant investments in Benidorm’s hotel sector, including projects such as the Magic Pirates Island resort and the Gran Del n hotel-residential complex. As one of the premier tourist destinations on the Costa Blanca, Benidorm attracts nearly three million visitors annually.

Despite its reputation for vibrant nightlife and golden beaches, Benidorm has experienced a resurgence in popularity among tourists, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. Last year saw a 3.8 percent increase in tourist arrivals compared to 2019, signalling the city’s enduring appeal.

In an e ort to attract a more decerning tourist and improve the image of the town, authorities have issued a stern warning to British tourists regarding beach conduct, announcing nes of up to £2,500 for disruptive behaviour on the city’s renowned sands.

Teenager dies whilst swimming in Almoradi

The community of Almoradi is still in shock and mourning for a 15-year-old boy who drowned last week whilst out swimming with friends.

Fire ghters located his lifeless body in the Segura River, Almoradí after an extensive search e ort lasting more than three hours. Emergency services recovered the young man’s body at 2:46pm last Tuesday (19th March).

The teenager had vanished while swimming in the river with six other boys after encountering di culties in the water. He undressed intending to enter the water but soon found himself struggling and calling for assistance as he couldn’t swim. Despite e orts from two friends and an adult nearby, the boy disappeared. The Segura river’s main channel spans four meters and reaches depths of up to two meters in certain areas. However, the riverbed and banks are prone to accumulating thick mud and reeds, making it extremely challenging to get out at certain places.

The alarm was raised as soon as the boy failed to resurface, prompting a frantic search operation. Multiple vans and helicopters were dispatched

from the Alicante Fire ghters Consortium (CPB) to aid in the search, which intensi ed as the hours passed.

According to reports from the Consortium, the incident occurred at 11:34am near the monument of the heroes of the ood in Almoradí. Despite the swift response from emergency services, the outcome was tragic as the young man’s body was discovered in the same area where he was last seen.

Emergency services deployed various units, including a command headquarters unit, a heavy rural bomb, personal transport vans, a drone unit, and the Apha 01 rescue helicopter with a specialised team. Their e orts focused on scanning the riverbed from Almoradí to Guardamar in hopes of locating the missing teenager.

Additionally, re ghters from the Almoradí and Orihuela stations, including a sergeant, two corporals, and four re ghters, joined the search

operation. However, as the search progressed, the helicopter was recalled, and a rescue van with divers was mobilised to scour the river for any sign of the young man.

Despite their e orts, the outcome was tragic as the divers only succeeded in recovering the lifeless body of the 15-year-old. The community is left mourning the loss of a young life, and authorities are conducting investigations to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Pink Ladies office to close at Playa Flamenca

Unfortunately, the Pink Ladies o ce at Flamenca Beach Commercial Centre is to close due to severe ooding. For the past few months the o ce has been ooded on a daily basis as one of the units above have a severe leak.

Maria Wilson, charity founder, said: “Around 50 litres a day is having to be bailed out, the cupboards have all fallen o the walls, half the ceiling has collapsed, the electricity keeps tripping

and so we have taken the decision to close at it is neither safe nor healthy for us to continue to work from there.”

The charity will continue to book screening appointments for members of the public, so anyone needing to book an appointment can do so by any of the following means:

By calling: 633 487 595, email: info@ pink-ladies.org or through the web site www.pink-ladies.org On Mondays

we are at Zenia Boulevard between 12noon and 2pm.

Maria continued: “We are also looking for a new o ce to work from, so if anyone has a cheap unit we can rent please call me on the above number.

We have been very fortunate that PSI Consultants who own our current o ce have let us use it rent free for the last 10 years, so we are very grateful for their kindness.”

Daily charge for tourists heading to parts of Spain

Spain is taking a bold step by introducing a new daily surcharge for tourists in certain regions, a move that has sparked concerns within the tourism industry about its potential impact on visitor numbers.

Holidaymakers planning a trip to Spain are now facing an additional charge of £3 per day in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands. The proceeds from this surcharge will be allocated towards sustainability projects aimed at improving environmental conservation e orts.

This new levy could potentially expand to other destinations across Spain, with several regions reportedly considering similar measures ahead of the upcoming spring and summer tourism season.

Mayor Francisco de la Torre

of Malaga voiced his support for the surcharge, emphasizing that tourists, despite indirectly contributing to city expenses through taxes and spending, bene t from local facilities funded by residents.

In Catalonia, the tourist tax varies based on accommodation type and season. For instance, guests staying at a 5-star hotel during the high season are charged 3.50 euros per night, while tourist ats incur a nightly fee of 2.25 euros year-round.

Similarly, the Balearic Islands introduced their tourist tax with the aim of generating funds for sustainable tourism initiatives, aimed at preserving the islands’ natural beauty. Despite facing criticism from various quarters, including the travel association ABTA, Vice President Biel Barcelo of the Balearics coalition

government defended the tax as essential for environmental conservation e orts.

Mayor Jose Maria Bellido of Cordoba highlighted the signi cant in ux of tourists to the city’s historic sites, stressing the need for a tourist tax to address the mounting costs associated with providing public services such as cleaning, transportation, security, and maintenance.

As Spain grapples with economic challenges and seeks to balance the demands of tourism with environmental sustainability, the introduction of these surcharges re ects a broader conversation about the future of tourism and its impact on local communities and ecosystems. However, as the cost-of-living crisis continues will the charge see tourists seek alternative holiday destinations.

Easter exodus

As Easter approaches, Spain braces itself for a surge in road trips, with more than 16.5 million journeys expected during the holiday week. This projection marks an increase of 1.5 million trips compared to 2019 and a 1 percent rise from the previous year.

The Spanish tra c authority, Dirección General de Trá co (DGT), launched its Special Easter Tra c Operation on Friday (22nd March) which will continue until midnight on Monday, 1st April. The primary objective of this operation is to ensure the smooth ow of tra c while prioritising safety on the roads.

Last year, during Holy Week, the country witnessed 29 fatal incidents resulting in the tragic loss of 35 lives. To prevent such tragedies from occurring again, the DGT has deployed an array of tools and techniques. These include xed radars,

mobile speed control units, helicopters, drones, as well as surveillance cameras and camou aged vans strategically positioned along highways and roadways. Key concerns addressed by this operation include enforcing seat belt usage, curbing mobile phone usage while driving, controlling speeding, and preventing driving under the in uence of alcohol or drugs.

To bolster their e orts, the DGT has increased manpower, with the Tra c Group of the Guardia Civil, Tra c Management Centre sta , helicopter patrols, and road equipment maintenance and installation workers all working collaboratively.

E ective tra c planning and regulation measures are pivotal in ensuring smooth tra c ow.

Strategies such as implementing reversible lanes in and out of urban centres and restricting heavy goods vehicles on certain routes at speci c times are being employed to manage the anticipated tra c surge.

As millions of Spaniards embark on Easter road trips to celebrate with loved ones or enjoy a holiday getaway, the DGT remains committed to safeguarding lives and promoting responsible driving behaviour on the nation’s roads.

underscoring it as a top priority for the community.

Following the drafting of the repair project, the councillor emphasised plans to promptly initiate the bidding process for the construction works. She emphasized the signi cance of reopening the Civic Centre,

doors, vertical and horizontal cracks in pillars, as well as other damage such as fallen cladding on the side and rear facades.

With the project’s drafting underway, stakeholders are hopeful that the much-needed repairs will soon be underway, paving the way for the restoration of the Ramón de Campoamor civic centre to its former function as a vital community hub.

Puigdemont to run for presidency

Former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont has declared his intention to run for leadership once again in Catalonia’s upcoming elections, marking a signi cant move in the political landscape of the region. Puigdemont, who has been in self-imposed exile since 2017, announced his bid during a gathering at the Elna town hall in southern France on Thursday, alongside leaders of his party, Junts Per Catalonia.

The decision comes seven years after Puigdemont left Spain following the unilateral declaration of Catalonia’s independence in 2017, amidst political turmoil. His departure came in the wake of the suspension of Catalonia’s autonomy and the dismissal of its government by the conservative administration led by Mariano Rajoy, who invoked article 155 of the Spanish Constitution. Since then, Puigdemont has been residing in Belgium, evading an arrest warrant issued against him for his role in the push for independence.

This isn’t the rst time Puigdemont has sought election in Catalonia while in exile. He previously led his party’s list in both the 2017 and 2021 elections, despite not physically being present in Spain for the campaigns or to claim his regional deputy certi cate, which required his presence.

However, there’s a notable di erence this time around. Puigdemont’s lawyer, Gonzalo Boyé, has indicated that the

former president plans to return to Spain for the upcoming elections, even if it means risking arrest. Puigdemont’s supporters are optimistic, believing that any potential arrest could be shortlived, as they anticipate an impending amnesty that could see him released swiftly, enabling his participation in the swearing-in ceremony without facing charges.

Puigdemont’s decision to reenter the political arena in Catalonia adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing political dynamics in the region, where the question of independence continues to shape the discourse and in uence electoral outcomes.

First unanimous EU call for Gaza ceasefire

EU leaders have unanimously called for “an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable cease re” in Gaza, after Hungary subscribed to the statement for the rst time since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.

The breakthrough comes after ve months of divisions between the 27 leaders, whose failure to coalesce around a call for a cease re has put EU unity under stress. Member states such as Belgium, Ireland, and Spain have called for a cease re as far back as late October, the Czech Republic and Hungary had previously blocked such a call for fear it would undermine the bloc’s support for Israeli’s right to self-defence.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “I think it was very strongly felt, the unity of the message tonight,” following the summit. The acknowledgment that Israel has the right to do everything possible that the 7th of October will never happen again… but it also has the duty to do everything possible to protect civilian life.”

Von der Leyen pleaded with Israel to allow for a surge in humanitarian aid, saying that the minimum threshold of 500 daily trucks was not currently being allowed to enter the Gaza strip.

The EU statement agreed by all 27 leaders said they deplore the “catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and its disproportionate e ect on civilians” as well the “famine caused by the insu cient entry of aid into Gaza.”

European Council President Charles Michel, responsible for brokering the compromise between leaders, commended the “strong and uni ed statement.”

The EU is in tune with its transAtlantic ally. Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, announced recently that he would push for “an immediate cease re tied to the release of hostages” in a resolution to be tabled at the UN Security Council.

It is seen as a stark warning to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a considerable shift in the position of the US, which has voted down UN resolutions on a cease re three times.

They also demand that Israel abide by the International Court of Justice’s landmark order in January, which obliges Netanyahu’s government to take measures to prevent genocide in Gaza. The EU’s conclusions also rea rm

the need to release the remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza, and for the rst time take note of the UN’s reports of sexual violence committed by Hamas militants during the October 7th attacks, which leaders say they are “appalled” by.

Sanctions

The Leaders called on the Council to “accelerate” work on the adoption of further sanctions against Hamas. Both Michel and von der Leyen again reiterated the bloc’s support for a peaceful resolution to the con ict, in which Palestinian statehood is guaranteed.

For this to happen, the Palestinian Authority - which governs in the occupied West Bank under the leadership of President Mahmoud Abbas - needs to be supported to make sure “it is in position to take on more responsibility in the future.”

Investing isn’t only for the rich and is not too complicated

Why invest? This is the deceptively simple question that it’s di cult to start any guide to investing without asking.

But why should anyone bother investing in the rst place?

The question is di cult because people invest for many di erent reasons.

They may have a goal they are aiming for, a retirement pot to build, or are simply driven by the desire to grow their wealth.

But when all the reasons are weighed up, there is something that unites them, and it is to give themselves a better future.

In life, we invest time and e ort in our family, our home, and our work, but the nancial world of investing o ers an extra element.

It provides ordinary people with a simple way of putting their money to work. It allows people to build up their wealth over time, bene ting from the pro ts and dividends of good companies, and the magic of compounding that magni es those gains over time.

Yet despite the potential for better long-term returns, many people who have plenty of rainyday savings stashed away in cash are still reluctant to invest any extra money they save.

The main reasons they give are often that they aren’t rich enough yet to invest, they do not want

to risk losing money, or it is too complicated.

These are valid reasons, but they are not enough to dismiss investing altogether.

It’s true, your investments can fall below the price you paid; but this risk is greatly reduced by long-term investing – and is one you must take to get a better potential return than on cash.

Finally, it’s true that investing does require a little work, but it is surprisingly easy to get started.

To nd out how to make your savings work harder, call us on 965 704 338 or email: Contact@ SeagateWealth.es

The Civil Guard arrests three people for a fight with a tactical knife in Torrevieja

The Civil Guard has arrested three people, two men and a woman, for a ght in Torrevieja in which a tactical knife was used. The two men had recent wounds consistent with the use of a sharp object. The detainees have been placed at the disposal of the Investigative Court No. 3 of Torrevieja, which has ordered the release of all of them.

Last Wednesday, around 9:15 a.m., the Civil Guard received several notices from citizens warning of a brawl with the use of knives in the urban center of Torrevieja.

Immediately, patrols from the Citizen Security Unit (USECIC) and the Torrevieja Main Post went to the scene. Near the indicated area, the agents located a van that matched

the description provided by a witness, observing that the rear windows were fractured.

In addition, they noticed that the only occupant had a deep wound in the calf of his left leg, presumably caused by a sharp object. The agents provided basic rst aid assistance until the arrival of medical services, which transferred him to the Torrevieja University Hospital.

GBP

The Bank of England made its second rate decision of the year at midday yesterday, deciding to keep rates steady for the fth time. Markets had predicted a less than 1% chance of a rate cut.

The most notable outcome of the meeting was the Monetary Policy Committee’s two most hawkish members changing their votes from a hike to a pause, leaving the vote 8-1 in favour of holding rates, with one member voting for a cut. Afterwards, at the press conference, Andrew Bailey commented that rate cuts are “in play” for the upcoming meetings in May and June.

This came after UK in ation came in below expectation earlier in the week. Markets anticipated in ation to fall to 3.5% from last month’s reading of 4.0% but decelerated faster than expected to 3.4%. BoE and OBR have forecasted in ation could brie y drop to 2% in the spring before moving back up.

The more dovish split saw the pound fall against the dollar, with GBP/USD moving below 1.2750 in the immediate aftermath of the meeting.

Other key data out this week were the UK’s Manufacturing and Services PMIs and the latest Retail Sales. The PMI data was released on Thursday, with Services coming in below expectation at 53.4, from 53.8 last month. Manufacturing was forecast to rise marginally from last month’s reading of 47.5 to 47.9 but came in above expectation at 49.9. The UK’s Retail Sales came in above expectation at 0.0%. Markets had anticipated a signi cant drop in February’s data from 3.6% in January to -0.4%

EUR

The latest CPI In ation gures from the European Union came in as expected earlier this week, with Final CPI at 2.6% and Final Core CPI at 3.1%. These gures also marked no change from last month’s reading.

President Lagarde spoke on Wednesday following commentary from two other European Central Bank members indicating that a June cut could be likely. Lagarde stated that the ECB would be unable to commit to a particular path of interest rate cuts once it starts to ease monetary policy.

French, German and Eurozone Manufacturing and Services PMIs also came out Thursday morning. Markets expect rising gures across the board, with French Manufacturing and Services readings coming in below expectation, falling from 47.1 to 45.8 and 48.4 to 47.8, respectively. German Manufacturing also came in below expectation, dropping from 43.1 to 41.6, and Services came in ahead of forecasts, increasing from 48.3 to 49.8. These readings contribute to the overall Eurozone data. The Manufacturing PMI came in below expectation, falling from 46.5 to 45.7 and Services was ahead of expectation, increasing from 50.2 to 51.1.

The Euro Summit is also taking place in Brussels at the end of this week, which sees heads of state or governments of the euro area countries, the Euro Summit President and the President of the European Commission meet to give guidance on the region’s economic policy.

Disclaimer: This commentary does not constitute nancial advice.

Government presents Orihuela’s first budget infiveyears

The PP and VOX government team in the Orihuela City Council has presented the Municipal Budget project for the year 2024, which amounts to 140.5 million euros, a document that was approved this morning at an extraordinary local government meeting and that It puts an end to the di culties and problems that the local administration has endured for ve years, having been operating with a budget extended since 2018.

“Since 2018 we have encountered services without a contract, delays in payments, absence of investments and insu cient internal structure,” explained the mayor of Orihuela, Pepe Vegara, who has shown his satisfaction with this “clearly social” Budget and which serves to “relaunch Orihuela” with large investments and improvements in services, so “today is an important day for Orihuela ,” he said.

The budget of the Orihuela City Council for the nancial year 2024 amounts to a global amount of 140,534,089.19 euros, both in income and expenses, compared to the 80,384,314.99 euros of income and expenses of the budget approved in 2018. This It represents an increase in both income and expenses, amounting to 60,149,774.20 euros and a percentage increase of 74.83%. Compared to the average of the last 3 years (2020-2022), it represents an increase of 49,636,156.85 euros and 54.61%. The amount with the greatest weight in this variation has its origin in the amount of the Actual Investments budgeted for this scal year 2024, for a total

amount of 40,933,211.67 euros.

Thus begins a calendar to raise the Budget to the Extraordinary Plenary Session, scheduled for next April 15, for approval, and after that, a large machinery of real and preferred investments will be launched to execute. Among the urgent actions that will begin to be undertaken from the rst minute the budgets come into e ect, the Oriol Occupational Center and CRIS stand out. “This is our number 1 action. The sensitivity of this Government Team has been demonstrated with this particular issue with facts and actions, which culminate in allocating 1,983,974 euros for this preferred action,” Vegara explained. He has also highlighted as priorities the Footbridge over the AP-7 in Lomas de Cabo Roig with 1,370,000 euros or the drinking water tank on the Orihuela coast with 2,800,000 euros.

In general lines of investment in various areas, it has detailed budget items for areas such as citizen security, urban cleaning, health, education, rural development or employment, in order to improve the quality of services and infrastructure throughout the municipality.

A signi cant amount is also allocated for investments in infrastructure, development throughout the municipality, heritage conservation and large projects. To nance these necessary investments, it is planned to resort to external nancing, mainly through bank loans, always within the limits established by law. Regarding current spending and

transfers, the rst mayor explained that despite the limitations on income growth, special attention has been paid to updating and addressing pending obligations, as well as renewing essential service contracts. Priority is given to guaranteeing the provision of basic services and support for economic and social activity.

Regarding attention to social needs, the commitment to support the most vulnerable sectors and promote decent employment as a path to economic and social recovery is maintained. It re ects a focus on improving the quality of life for all citizens. In this sense, it is a clearly social budget since compared to 2018 the increase in social spending is 71%.

The mayor has also spoken of an organizational restructuring. The budgets recognize the need for internal restructuring to improve the e ciency and responsiveness of the City Council. This will involve a joint e ort by politicians and o cials to optimize resources and improve administrative functioning while improving their conditions within what is permitted by law.

The mayor has stated that these are budgets that will change the functioning of the city council and improve the life of Orihuela . He has also pointed out that the preparation of these municipal budgets has been an arduous process that has required a signi cant e ort and he hopes that the rest of the political groups that make up the corporation will support the document and it will be approved unanimously in plenary.

Guardamar residents lose free transport service to TorreviejaHospital

Guardamar del Segura will be left without the free municipal transport service to the Torrevieja Hospital as of April 1.

The service had been su ering reports of repairs since the intervention, according to the mayor of Guardamar, José Luis Sáez; Therefore, the City Council has tried to regularize it through a bidding procedure.

For this, a favorable report is necessary from the General Directorate of Transport of the Generalitat Valenciana, which has not arrived.

Earthquake in Los Montesinos of low magnitude

“Contractual alternatives are being sought that will allow the recovery of the service as soon as possible, despite the fact that the General Directorate of Administration of the Generalitat has reported that this transport responsibility corresponds to the autonomous administration and that the city council

The rst mayor has reported that the service “has to be suspended because we have received the unfavorable report due to duplicity”, since the Guardamar del Segura City Council does not have the powers to manage this service and, therefore, they cannot start the bidding procedure. from service.

cannot assume it,” explains the mayor. who has assured that “we are in contact with the Consell delegate in the province of Alicante, Agustina Esteve, to look for formulas and approaches that will allow the service to be reactivated as soon as possible.”In addition, Sáez has also conveyed to Esteve the need for “bus line concessions that are so necessary for the region, including six regular trips from Monday to Sunday from Guardamar to the Torrevieja Hospital that would also alleviate in a certain way the user needs.

In the early hours of Palm Sunday, Vega Baja recorded a magnitude 1.8 earthquake at a depth of 3 kilometers with an epicenter south of Los Montesinos, speci cally in the westernmost part of the Laguna Salada de Torrevieja.

The seismic movement occurred at 03:08 hours as reported by MeteOrihuela, so at that time, few people were able to perceive it.

Both Proyecto Mastral and

MeteOrihuela remember that we are in an area of high seismic activity and this type of movements are totally normal. In fact, it is the second so far this year and both in Los Montesinos.

Two thieves caught redhanded in Catral

The Local Police of Catral have arrested two men caught redhanded stealing from a home in the urban area.

The owner of the home was the one who raised the alarm to the Local Police, warning that two men had broken into the fence of his plot and were stealing his air conditioning machine.

The agents quickly moved to the scene and managed to intercept the two men who had already hidden the loot. The Local Police found out the hiding place and returned the air machine to its owner.

5 million euros allocated for the renovation of the Marqués de Rafal palace in Orihuela

The president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, has announced that the Consell is going to allocate 5 million euros to begin the necessary reforms for the rehabilitation of the Marqués de Rafal palace in Orihuela.

As the head of the Consell already announced last December, the Marqués de Rafal palace, once its rehabilitation is completed, will become

part of the Water House of the Valencian Community and the Limón House, in addition to being enabled for other uses. This is what Mazón remembered this Thursday during his visit to Orihuela to attend the opening of the exhibition “Legados. The collection of the historic-artistic board of the city of Orihuela” in the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art.

Let us remember that the Marqués de Rafal de Orihuela palace was acquired in June 2022 for 2.3 million euros by the previous Consell de la Generalitat led by the socialist Ximo Puig. The headquarters of the Presidency and the o ces of the Vega Renhace Plan were established in this building, created as a result of the DANA of September 2019.

Ice cream made with the leaves of the Miguel Hernández fig tree

An ice cream made with the leaves of the Miguel Hernández g tree exists and has been tasted in the Lent gastronomic days that last week in Orihuela.

It is the creation of Fernando Sáenz , known as “the cold chef.” A native of Logroño, this Rioja chef heard on the radio that the Miguel Hernández University, through its Botany degree, had managed to rescue some cuttings from Miguel Hernández’s century-old g tree that we can nd in his birthplace.

The university detected that the g tree was completing its life cycle and had only a few years left to live, so they wanted to rescue it through some cuttings, reviving its memory and leaving them in signi cant places such as the Madrid Botanical Garden or the Alicante-Elche Airport.

Miguel Hernandez. «When I heard this story I contacted the university because we have been making ice cream with g leaves for 20 years, which we gave the poetic name ‘ g shade’ and we call it that because that ice cream tastes like how g trees smell. In summer, we manage to transmit that fragrance and almost sweet smell through our ice creams,” explains Sáenz.

This is how this link was born between the Higher Polytechnic School of Orihuela (EPSO) and

this chef from Rioja who says that “I explained to them the work we had been doing, they liked it a lot and they made us participate in the project by sending me cuttings from Miguel Hernández’s g tree that they keep in the EPSO greenhouse and that has meant that today we are here in Orihuela, giving this ice cream a taste. The “ g shadow” ice cream, but made from the leaves of the famous Miguel Hernández g tree, has starred in the dessert of the last menu of the Gastronomic Days of Lent in Orihuela.

To get here, the process has been laborious to experiment with what was the best way and the best state to be able to give life to this poetic ice cream: “What we did was replicate what nature does, play with the same temperatures, with water and play with the moment of the g tree in which the leaves are buds, have not developed and are not so woody. From there we tested how long we could keep it in the water and at what temperature, whether by making infusions, which is when we apply heat, or by making macerations, which is when the water is at a stable temperature, in this case at a cold temperature of 2º, here “We saw that this was the way in which he

best respected the g leaf.”

So every year, Sáezn repeats the same process: «We capture those tender shoots of the g tree during the season, we macerate them in cold water at 2º degrees between two weeks and 20 days and we integrate that water that has captured the aroma. in the formulation of ice cream. So we mix the ingredients, we pasturize them, we let them brew and that’s how we get this very emotional ice cream because we play with memories. When everyone tries ice cream, they are transported to the moment they were in the g tree, perhaps in their childhood, with their grandparents, in the town, in the summer.

Fernando Sáenz will teach next Monday, March 25, a Masterclass at EPSO for students of the Degree in Food Science and Technology where “we will explain how we approach ice cream, how it can be a tool that transmits, in addition to that happiness when consuming it, those values and also how we can approach it from a nutritional point of view,” says Sáenz.

Subsequently, the mayor of Orihuela, Pepe Vegara, and the director of EPSO, Juan Martínez, will present him with a cutting from Miguel Hernández’s g tree.

ELIS Villamartin International School celebrates Disability Awareness

ELIS Villamartin International School celebrates Disability Awareness Day with inclusive practices and a donation of computer equipment to the AIDEMAR association.

To invite and accompany people of all ages to play, re ect and act in favour of recognition and respect for diversity of any kind, to identify that integration is a value that must be applied at all times. This is the fundamental objective

of the inclusive games and workshops organised jointly by ELIS Villamartin and AIDEMAR, an association for the integration of the disabled, on the occasion of their Disability Awareness Day.

“Inclusion means accepting that in a given context people with di erent abilities, rhythms, interests... can coincide. Inclusion must guarantee the same rights and opportunities for all and

eliminate the barriers that any person or group encounters in order to achieve this equality”, AIDEMAR points out. And in this context, the pupils of the international school located in San Miguel de Salinas participated in di erent activities in which, by playing, they were able to put themselves in the role of other children with di erent abilities.

A day with an extensive programme that was completed with a reading

animation workshop and which culminated with the donation of ten complete computers to the AIDEMAR association, which took place in a ceremony attended by students, representatives of the school community and members of the association.

For ELIS Villamartin educating in awareness and respect for the di erences that exist in society is fundamental. Our curriculum not only

seeks academic excellence, but also to educate respectful, empathetic and involved people. We are convinced that this is the only way to make this planet a fairer world, and for this it is essential that the leaders and professionals of tomorrow know how to act in solidarity and in accordance with practices that integrate all components of society”, explains Jon Wayth, director of ELIS Villamartín.

Visit the Natural Park in Callosa del Segura

At the top of the mountain in a town called Callosa del Segura you’ll nd this enchanting hidden treasure with spectacular views. A natural protected park area surrounded by pine trees, walkways, secret caves, picnic areas and a viewpoint. It is located within a unique environment composed of a large pine forest, surrounded by steep and high limestone peaks that make up an impressive landscape.

Among the many environmental values like the rock formations, cli s, walls and peaks, the uniqueness of its plant and fauna species also stand out, including some birds of prey varieties which have a high degree of

protection.

Getting to the park has easy access by car, by entering the location: Paraje Natural La Pilarica, Calle Ntra. Sra. del Pilar, 134, 03360 Callosa de Segura, Alicante. After quite a steep drive to the top you’ll come to a parking lot with picnic benches, an ideal spot to enjoy a packed lunch in front of a magni cent view! Dogs are allowed on a lead, though as the area is quite hilly, it is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

Discover more fascinating places to visit on the Costa Blanca, from the website www.costablancascene. com

The Pajama Game comes to the Costa Blanca

The talented musical theatre group Studio 32 are presenting the musical comedy The Pajama Game at the Cardenal Beluga Theatre, San Fulgencio from Thursday 2nd to Saturday 4th of May inclusive - roughly a month earlier than planned due to the theatre having been commandeered by the powers that be.

Based in a pajama factory in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, it follows

the story of the workers who, led by their union rep Prez, are seeking a seven and a half cent pay rise from their miserly boss, Mr Hasler. Featuring memorable songs such as “Hernando’s Hideaway” and “I’m not at all in love”, it also captures the blossoming romance of grievance committee chairman Babe Williams and the new factory superintendent Sid Sorokin (played by Doris Day

and John Raitt repectively in the 1950’s lm version)

Tickets (only 12 euros each) are available onine from studiothirtytwo.org or from the following outlets :-

The Post Box, Dona Pepa Cards and More, La Marina

Con Amor (with love), Quesada

Elipacrafts, Quesada

The Post Room, Benijofar Bob’s Bar, La Marina

In mid-1920s New York, Newt Scamander, a British young activist wizard, arrives in the city, holding a mysterious leather suitcase sheltering diverse and magical creatures. Then, in the face of a fragile equilibrium of secrecy and the increasing disasters ascribed to the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald, Newt’s precious suitcase suddenly goes missing. And before long, this unforeseen complication catches Senior Auror Percival Graves’ attention. Now, Newt is his target as an invisible, devastating, and unpredictable menace still wreaks havoc on 5th Avenue. In the end, is there a hidden agenda behind Graves’ intentions? What will happen to the remaining fantastic beasts still on the loose?

Danny Ocean wants to score the biggest heist in history. He combines an eleven member team, including Frank Catton, Rusty Ryan and Linus Caldwell. Their target? The Bellagio, the Mirage and the MGM Grand. All casinos owned by Terry Benedict. It’s not going to be easy, as they plan to get in secretly and out with $150 million.

Tuesday 26th March

March

New Scrabble Club to start at ‘El Bar S C’ San Cayetano

As well as the successful weekly quizzes at ‘El Bar S C’ in San Cayetano, the owners, Sally and Caroline, are now planning another event to tax the brains of their customers! Mike Shail, who already runs a successful weekly Scrabble Club in Campoverde on Friday mornings, has volunteered to host a monthly Scrabble session at ‘El Bar S C’ in San Cayetano. The rst meeting of ‘Mike’s Scrabble Club’ will be on Thursday 04 April 2024 from 3 – 5pm and, if successful, will continue on the rst Thursday of every month. Mike says

‘If you enjoy playing word games such as crosswords, Wordsearch or Wordle or like watching ‘Lingo’ or ‘Countdown’ on TV, Scrabble could be for you. There is no competition, play is just for fun, and no experience is necessary. ‘Scrabble’ boards and tuition will be provided, although you can bring your own board if you wish.’ To nd out more contact Mike Shail by e-mail at mikeshail45@ googlemail.com or telephone 722 445 006. To book a table at ‘El Bar S C’ ring 711 030 590 or e-mail elbarsc4@gmail. com

Panto auditions for 2024 are done and dusted!

The Rojales Pantomime Group recently held auditions in preparation for their 2024 pantomime, Dick Whittington. A number of enthusiastic auditionees gave their all to secure the role they wanted and as a result, an entertaining time was had by all those involved. Competition was sti and the panel faced a very di cult decision.

After much deliberation - the wealth of talent in the group was certainly outstanding - the panel agreed on the cast list and all the auditionees were noti ed. As this pantomime draws on a large cast, everyone who applied was given a role or in some cases, multiple roles.

Soon after the auditions, the group also enjoyed a well organised

social event in the form of 10 pin bowling followed by lunch. Of course, the panto and upcoming read through dominated a very cheerful and excitable afternoon.

Pantomime is a very traditional, British form of theatre and this classic story of Dick Whittington contains no end of humorous lines, slapstick comedy, singing and dancing and a Cat with lots of Cattitude! We are always looking for new members to join our happy crew and the planning is now being put in place for extra hands to help with building and painting of scenery, making props, helping backstage, etc. Should you wish to join the group, please email rojalespanto@yahoo. com. You will receive a warm welcome!

Friday 29th March

Saturday 30th March

00:45

02:45

05:00

05:50

Kitchen

07:00 James Martin’s Great

British Adventure

07:30 James Martin’s Spanish

Adventure

08:30 James Martin’s

Saturday Morning

10:25 ITV News

10:30 Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh

12:40 Love Your Garden

13:10 ITV Lunchtime News

13:25 Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

15:30 Live: Premiership

Rugby

18:30 The 1% Club

19:30 ITV Evening News

19:45 ITV News London

20:00 Tipping Point: Lucky Stars

21:00 Paul O’Grady’s Great

Elephant Adventure

22:00 Passenger

23:00 ITV News

23:15 The Life and Death of Lily Savage

02:45 Ad Astra

04:45 Jamie’s One-Pan

Wonders

04:55 Hollyoaks Omnibus

07:00 The King of Queens

07:25 The King of Queens

07:50 The King of Queens

08:15 Everybody Loves

Raymond

08:40 Everybody Loves

Raymond

09:05 The Simpsons

09:30 The Simpsons

10:00 The Simpsons

10:30 Sunday Brunch

13:30 The Simpsons

14:00 The Simpsons

14:30 The Simpsons

15:00 The Simpsons

15:30 The Simpsons

16:00 Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

18:20

19:15

19:45

Christie’s Poirot

14:25 Agatha Christie’s Poirot

16:40 Goodnight Mister Tom

18:50 Agatha Christie’s Poirot

20:00 Midsomer Murders

22:00 The Savoy

23:00 Foyle’s War

If you have a question or problem with any household technology needing my help or want to join the Technology Help Group please email Brian at cbtechnology.help@gmail.com.

As a group member, you would have access to the group website which contains previous session notes, handouts and access to previous Costa Blanca People published articles.

Scan the QR for a reminder of what the Costa Blanca Technology Help Group o ers.

Meetings at Dilly’s Bar, Av. Castuera, 3, 03184 El Chaparral, Alicante. Group meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 10:00 to 12:00. The Next meeting is on Wednesday 10th April 2024. You are welcome to attend.

“Is IPTV legal?”

IPTV, or Internet Protocol Television, is a catch-all term that refers to services providing access to TV content via an Internet connection. It’s a convenient way to watch your

Your tech questions answered by Brian Hoile of the Costa Blanca Technology Help Group, helping over 320 members with their PCs , smartphones and more. Group members can attend meetings in person or online using Zoom or Teams.

favourite shows and movies on demand. However, the legality of IPTV can be complex. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Legal IPTV Services: Legitimate IPTV services like Net ix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime adhere to copyright laws. They obtain licenses for the content they provide. These services often require a subscription fee.

2. Illegal IPTV Services: Some IPTV services operate without proper licenses. If a service doesn’t have the correct rights to distribute content, it’s considered illegal. These unauthorized services may o er free access to copyrighted material.

In summary, while IPTV itself is legal, it’s essential to choose services that comply with copyright laws. Be cautious when using free or unauthorized IPTV services, as they may expose you to legal risks and safety issues.

“What is RAM?”

RAM stands for random access memory, and it’s one of the most fundamental elements of computing. RAM is a temporary memory bank where your computer or mobile device stores the data it needs to retrieve.

RAM is volatile memory, which means that the information temporarily stored in the module is erased when you restart or shut down your computer or mobile device.

RAM keeps data easily accessible so your processor can quickly nd it without having to go into long-term storage to complete immediate processing tasks.

Every computing device has RAM, whether it’s a desktop computer (running Windows or MacOS), or a tablet or smartphone (running Android or iOS).

The amount of RAM you need largely depends on your computing needs and budget. For basic web browsing and document creation, 4GB or 8GB is usually su cient. For tasks such as photo editing and streaming media, however, 16GB of RAM may be necessary. For gaming or video editing applications, even higher amounts of RAM (e.g., 32GB) may be needed to ensure optimal performance. Ultimately, it is important to consider your individual usage needs and budget constraints when deciding the amount of RAM to install for your devices.

Brian Hoile Technology Help Group

Join the Group by searching Facebook for “Costa Blanca Technology Help Group”

Send your questions to cbtechnology.help@gmail.com

Go Satellite

Tel: 965725670

Info@freetvspain.com

www.freetvspain.com

Avenida De Las Naciones 36-2, Ciudad Quesada Rojales Air

Summer Breeze Air Conditioning

Tel: 696 248 422

Email: paulf3000@gmail.com

Avenida Maria Del Mar Rodriquez 23 Algorfa

House plus Homes

Tel: 966 719 849

admin@houseplushomes.com www.houseplushomes.com

Calle Los Arcos

Local 4 Plata Baja, Ciudad Quesada, 03170 Rojales

M.A.V Transport & Removals 663595225 / (0044) 7786 737230

Email: infomavspain@gmail.com www.mavspain.co.uk

Facebook M.M.V.Transport&Removals

Solar Panels

Medsun Solar

Tel: 604 193 857

Email: info@medsunsolar.com

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Swimming Pools

Leak Tech

Tel: 966 194 179 / 627 752 965

Info@leak-tech.net

www.leak-tech.net

Protea Wellness Audiology

Tel: 698 418 642

Contact: @proteawellnessaudiology.es

www.proteawellnessaudiology.es

Calle Los Arcos 17 Ciudad Quesada Hearing

Please donate any items for families in need

Opening Hours

Tuesday & Friday 10am - 1pm

Thank you for your support

Helping over 200 families far and wide Find us on Facebook

We Need Your Help

Always help someone. You might be the only one that does.

Seagate are pleased to support the amazing charity A Helping Hand - a food and clothes bank charity.

They support hundreds of families that are in poverty and in crisis and they urgently need food and clothes donations from you. There is a constant need for help with simply the basic staples such as tuna, toilet paper, milk, tinned food, pasta, rice, soup mix, baked beans, olive oil. They also need hygiene

items such as washing detergent, shower gel, shampoo as well as baby items needed are nappies, hero baby milk 1 and 2 and baby wipes.

As we begin 2024, they are hoping to be able to provide for families throughout the next few months when times are hardest. January, February, and March are the toughest times for this charity, so please spare a thought and give what you can. You can drop o

your donation to their base in San Luis on Tuesday or Friday morning from 10am until 1pm or at over 20 drop o places around the area –check their Facebook page for locations. There are many bars and restaurants that also support the charity, as does BIG FM who are also a drop o point.

As the message on their Facebook page says, “Always Help Someone –You Might Be The Only One That Does”.

Spectacular earthquake drill in Torrevieja

More than 14,000 students from all schools in Torrevieja have lived a special day last week by participating simultaneously in a seismic emergency drill, which has been carried out on the occasion of the 195th anniversary of the earthquake that occurred in the Vega Baja in 1829 and has been organized by the City of Torrevieja in collaboration with the Security Forces and Emergency Services (Local Police, Civil Guard, Fire Department, SAMU, Red Cross and Civil Protection). In total, more than 100 personnel took part today in this earthquake drill, which was witnessed with great expectation by many people, especially in the area around the Plaza de la Constitución, where several tents and a eld hospital were set up by the health services to attend to the numerous injured caused by the earthquake in the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

An advanced command post was set up in Paseo Vista Alegre for this drill, from where everything that happened was coordinated and recorded.

In two educational centres, CEIP Nuestra Señora del Rosario and IES Mediterráneo, an operational control has been installed, with the rescues

that would be carried out in the event of a catastrophe of this type. In addition, a fall in communications has been simulated, with the necessary re ghting resources that would be found in a situation of similar characteristics.

THREE RESCUES OF INJURED PEOPLE AT IES MEDITERRÁNEO

In the IES Mediterráneo the operational sector has carried out three rescues of injured people: a seriously injured rescue with a hinge manoeuvre and transfer to a medical resource, a seriously injured rescue with the Alpha 1 helicopter and transfer to the park for transfer and a seriously injured rescue with the Aurelio manoeuvre (Civil Protection).

RESCUE OF A SERIOUSLY INJURED PERSON IN THE SCHOOL NUESTRA SEÑORA

DEL ROSARIO

At the Nuestra Señora del Rosario school, a seriously injured person buried under rubble was located and rescued with a rescue dog, the injured person was immobilised on a stretcher and extracted and transferred to medical services.

2 DEAD, 4 SERIOUSLY INJURED AND 10 SLIGHTLY INJURED IN THE IMMACULADA CHURCH AND SURROUNDING AREA

Likewise, in the Church of the Immaculate Conception and the surrounding area, two deaths, 4 serious injuries and 10 minor injuries were rescued and attended to in this seismic emergency drill. Speci cally, one seriously injured person was rescued from a bell tower using a zip line, one seriously injured person was rescued from the surrounding area using a board, one seriously injured person was rescued from under a concrete slab in front of the church (lifting technique using pneumatic cushions) and one seriously injured person was rescued from inside the church (rescued using a board). Lastly, a spectacular set-up was organised in the Plaza de la Constitución with a eld hospital and several tents to attend to all those injured in this earthquake drill.

Despite the government’s plans, tolls should stay, sayexperts

The latest recovery plan by the Spanish government has eliminated motorway tolls, a move contested by experts who argue it’s misguided.

According to Fedea (Foundation of Applied Economic Studies), Spain should adopt a pay-as-you-go system based on the “polluter pays” principle. Ángel de la Fuente, the executive director of the think tank, emphasized the need to shift more of the transport system’s costs onto its users to address issues like road congestion and align private costs with social costs.

Debate around reintroducing tolls was ignited by the construction employers’

association (Seopan) last week, citing substantial public spending on motorway maintenance that could be diverted to other investments. Seopan’s president, Julian Núñez, acknowledged the initial investment required by the state for a pay-as-you-go model, estimated at around one billion euros, but highlighted potential annual returns of three to ve billion euros through reduced costs and increased revenue.

Fedea’s analysis suggested that the additional revenue could be reinvested in subsidies for urban public transport. These recommendations ought to be integrated into the sustainable mobility law project currently under parliamentary review.

However, Fedea criticized the legislation for its lack of direction, particularly its failure to evaluate proposed measures. Experts described the law as an impressive but empty gesture, lacking the necessary technical expertise to be e ective.

Fedea further criticized Spain’s transport policies, accusing them of being driven by politics rather than rational decisionmaking. While acknowledging the bene ts of Spain’s high-speed rail network, Fedea highlighted the impracticality of covering its high infrastructure costs with the country’s passenger volume. They also criticized the centralization of the system in Madrid as a political rather than a rational choice.

Redovan starts construction of new medicalcentre

Redován Town Council is nalising the procedures to make the land available to the Regional Ministry of Health for the construction of the new medical centre in the municipality. This was stated by the councillor for the Presidency, José Nájar, who described the work that has been carried out and which he hopes will culminate in the coming months with the approval, by the Plenary, of the transfer of the land “as the Department of Health has 100,000 euros in this year’s budget earmarked for the drafting of the project and the contracting of the project management,” said the councillor.

The plot in question is located

on the Avenida de la Diputación Provincial de Alicante and next to the Plaza Comunidad Valenciana, a good location in the expansion area of Redován, very close to the centre and with good communications. It has a surface area of 1,872.61 square metres, “which will allow us to build much larger premises than the current ones and, therefore, extend the services provided in the current clinic,” said the councillor.

Last February, the Redován Town Hall sent the last documentation requested, a total of 111 documents, including reports, plans, studies, certi cates, diligences, etc. This has resulted in a favourable

report from the Conselleria de Sanidad and now it is up to the Heritage services to accept the land. The Consistory is already working on the modi cation of the inventory of municipal assets to incorporate this land, and as soon as this is done, in approximately two months, the transfer of the plot of land can be presented to the Plenary.

“This will be the beginning of the construction of the medical centre, but also the end of a long and cumbersome process that nally ends and allows us to begin the process so that Redován can have, as soon as possible, the health facilities that our town deserves,” concluded Nájar.

A couple of weeks ago we spoke about besties in skincare products this week let’s look at frenemies let’s lay out a couple of scenarios: One, you walk into a Sephora or Ulta and buy a new product, excited to add it to your routine based on the promises on the bottle. Two, you see someone on Instagram talking about how a certain product totally changed their skin, and you order it. These products may be good on their own, but do they t into the routine you have now? Or could they work against you?

“Some ingredients don’t play nice with each other”

So before you turn your bathroom into a laboratory, here are the need to know ingredients that don’t play well together…

CAN I USE VITAMIN C WITH AHAS/ BHAS?

Vitamin C is e ectively an acid (it’s sometimes known as ascorbic acid), so layering it with AHAs and BHAs like glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids is a big no-no. It’s also really unstable, so any acids you layer it with will destabilise the pH balance and render it completely useless before it even has chance to work its magic.

CAN I USE RETINOL WITH AHAS/ BHAS?

Retinol doesn’t exfoliate like AHAs and BHAs do, but it is a peeling agent, so it does stimulate cell turnover to get rid of old and damaged skin cells. Mixing it with acids can cause dryness and irritation and damage the skin’s moisture barrier, and together they’ll also increase skin’s sensitivity to the sun, meaning you’re at a much higher risk of burning and UV damage. Use these ingredients on alternate days or weeks if you’re after the bene ts of both

Health & Beauty

CAN I USE RETINOL WITH VITAMIN C?

Using retinol and Vitamin C together is yet another recipe for irritation, peeling, and redness since these are two very active ingredients. Best practice is to use retinol at night and Vitamin C by day.

CAN I USE OIL-BASED PRODUCTS WITH WATER-BASED PRODUCTS?

It’s basic high school-level science: oil and water don’t mix. In fact, oil actually repels water, so when it comes to your skincare, using an oil-based product will leave a lm on your skin which prevents waterbased formulas from absorbing. If you want to use both formulas in the same routine, apply your water-based products rst, and oil-based products on top.

CAN I USE GLYCOLIC ACID WITH SALICYLIC ACID?

Both ingredients work by removing dead skin cells from the upper layers of your skin, but more is not always better! Glycolic acid and salicylic acid are great ingredients used separately (or in preformulated blends) but mixing the two yourself could cause a major reaction and compromise your skin barrier. One word: ouch.

CAN I USE NIACINAMIDE WITH VITAMIN C?

Used separately, both ingredients are great for treating blemishprone and scarred skin, and you’ll nd they’re used together in some multi-ingredient serums. However, combining them DIY-style is potentially a recipe for disaster. Niacinamide can cancel out the good properties of vitamin C and turn it into

a substance that causes redness and can trigger acne breakouts.

CAN I USE NIACINAMIDE WITH AHAS/BHAS?

Both niacinamide and AHAs/BHAs (like glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids) can help to improve skin texture, pigmentation, acne, and signs of aging, but mixing or layering these ingredients won’t necessarily have any bene ts. Acids have a low pH of 3-4, whereas niacinamide has a higher pH at around 5-7. If combined, the niacinamide will raise the pH of the acid meaning that it’s less e ective and won’t absorb as well. This combo may also cause redness and ushing.

Message or call Indiana’s Hair & Lash Boutique to book in for your skin consultation and get the correct skincare routine for you.

Health & Beauty

I am a divorced, single man of 50. I have been looking for a partner for 4 years, without any luck. Dating sites are a nightmare; I could easily have been conned out of my life-savings if I hadn’t been more switched on... even so, I got sucked in a few times to the degree that I was quite enamoured with the lady; only to find once again, I’d been lead on; once she thought I was hooked, I was given a sob story and asked for money. Alarm bells rang fortunately, and I blocked them. It’s quite a blow to one’s self esteem when things like this happen. I know someone who was conned this way and lost a lot of money. I despair that there aren’t any genuine people out there. I am ok, but I am lonely and miss companionship. My marriage broke up because my wife cheated on me, and emptied our bank account, so it’s hard for me to trust anyone. I admit I neglected her, and was focussing on work; so, I know I could have treated her better, but I was working hard to provide for us and our child. I’d like to meet someone, but it almost never happens. Surely there must be someone out there like me? I’m not bad looking and scrub up ok.

can be platform for confidence scammers. However, it seems the young in particular have embraced this way of meeting people; us older folk remember the traditional ways of meeting one’s potential partner. It will mean getting out more, and joining social groups. When I have recommended such groups, I sometimes get the response, ‘it’s all couples’, or for ‘people who are already hooked up’; possibly...however, widening your circle of friends can sometimes lead to meeting ‘friends of friends’... Also volunteering for charities is a great way to meet people. Just concentrate on meeting friends first, and see where it leads.

I’ve said it many times; beware of dating sites; they WRITE TO SARA IN CONFIDENCE. A PSEUDONYM WILL BE USED IF YOU WISH. SARA READS ALL LETTERS AND CAN GIVE A PERSONAL REPLY. EMAIL YOUR QUESTION TO SARA@ COSTABLANCAPEOPLE.COM OR SARA IS AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE CONSULTATIONS, TELEPHONE 650 054 467.

Torrevieja Hospital incorporates 3D technology in oesophageal surgery

A team of surgeons from the University Hospital of Torrevieja has successfully and pioneeringly performed a laparoscopic oesophageal resection by tumour, with the support of three-dimensional (3D) technology.

The incorporation of 3D technology in a personalised way increases the success rate in complex surgeries. In fact, the surgical team led by Dr Andrés Tomás, and other members such as Dr Yannko González, have successfully performed this operation on an elderly adult patient with an oesophageal tumour.

The patient came to the centre with di culty in swallowing, after several months of evolution and a weight loss of 10%. The personalised 3D anatomical model facilitated decisionmaking and the performance of this surgery. Speci cally, it has helped the surgical team to locate the tumour more precisely and signi cantly improve the oncological resection of the tumour.

“3D technology has been of great help in countless surgical interventions, although to date, its systematic application in the eld of oesophageal and gastric surgery has yet to be discovered,” explained Dr. González. “It motivates us to become one of the leading hospitals in the

application of this technology in such an exciting and complex pathology as oesophago-gastric cancer”, added the surgeon.

More than 400 scienti c publications support the clinical use of 3D modelling technology in personalised cancer surgery planning. These studies highlight the use of anatomical models speci c to individual patients to help reduce intraoperative complications in cancer surgery and contribute to increased surgical success.

The development of 3D models involves multidisciplinary teams including engineers, mathematicians, physicists, as well as medical imaging

technicians and radiologists. The work process begins when these professionals anonymously receive medical images and radiology reports via an online platform. Using arti cial intelligence and advanced computational techniques, they proceed to examine and determine the relevant anatomical structures.

The nal 3D model is provided through a specialised platform that facilitates the planning of surgical interventions. In addition, there is the possibility for surgeons to request a physical replica of the model, which is produced using 3D printing techniques.

Torrevieja to curb the use of electric scooters

Since January, new scooters are required to be certi ed, empowering the Local Police to conduct targeted checks and impose penalties. The city already logs a hundred accidents annually involving these personal mobility vehicles.

Announced by Councilor for Security Federico Alarcón and Local Police Mayor Óscar Cartón, nes of up to one thousand euros will be enforced to address road safety issues stemming from electric scooter users. Startling statistics reveal that at least a hundred of the 1,300 urban area accidents in 2023 involved these vehicles.

Scooters have become a xture in Torrevieja’s urban landscape, albeit problematic when they encroach upon sidewalks, travel against tra c, exceed speed limits, carry multiple passengers, or are operated by minors under 16 years old - a popular mode of transportation for many teenagers despite its prohibition.

The City Council, in response to pedestrian complaints and school campaigns, has long contemplated action against these issues. However, it was the enforcement of new certi cation requirements since January 22 that prompted the initiation of this campaign and provided legal backing to target scooters exclusively.

To foster awareness, educational sessions are conducted in secondary schools, supplemented by informative brochures detailing punishable o enses and tra c regulations. Notably, the manual mandates against distractions such as phone usage, prohibits sidewalk and park usage, recommends helmets and insurance, and prohibits

reckless behavior, substance in uence, and negligent driving.

Mayor Cartón emphasized that initial tra c controls aim to educate users about regulations, with subsequent penalties for persistent violations. Personal mobility vehicles are subject to the same tra c laws as motor vehicles or bicycles, with nes ranging from €80 to €1,000 for various infractions.

While helmet use remains highly recommended but not mandatory due to regulatory ambiguities, the city awaits forthcoming VMP regulations to enforce stricter measures. Regarding rental companies, police intervention is limited to public domain occupation, as many operate without local licenses.

In Torrevieja, alongside user noncompliance, inadequate infrastructure exacerbates scooter-related accidents. Despite their popularity among youth and workers, the city lacks proper accommodations for these vehicles within its transportation network.

The sanctions that may be applied are:

• Circulating through pedestrian zone: €80

• Driving without any lighting at night or in conditions of low or reduced visibility: €200

Driving with more than one occupant: €90

Driving towed by another vehicle: €90

Circulate if you are under 16 years old: €80

Driving with drugs in the body: €1,000

• Driving with an alcohol level higher

than the regulation: €500

• Refusing to take breathalyzer tests: €1,000

• Refusing drug tests: €1,000

• Failure to respect pedestrian priority: €200

Failure to respect the priority of another vehicle: €90

Parking on sidewalks, walks and pedestrian or cyclist crossing areas: €80

Failure to obey mandatory signs (STOP, Yield, etc.): €80

• Failure to obey prohibition signs (direction prohibited, parking prohibited, etc.): €80

• Failure to respect the agents’ signals: €200

• Failure to respect the red light of a tra c light: €200

TRAFFIC RULES: Drive on the shoulder. If there is not, the closest to the right side and according to the direction of travel. Bike lanes can be used as long as the VMP does not exceed 20 km/h

• You should not drive in the opposite direction, you must respect the STOP signs, give way, prohibited direction and pedestrian crossings.

• Speed rules, priority of passage and other tra c regulations must be respected.

• Drive with the necessary diligence and caution to avoid risks and damage to yourself or others, avoiding endangering other users. In no case will it be possible to circulate on interurban roads

POOL MAINTENANCE

CHURCH AND CHARITIES

International Christian Assembly Evangelical Church. We welcome you to Sunday Service at 11am (English) Calle Beniajan 14, Torrevieja, 03185 www.icatorrevieja.org Phone; 966799273 or 660127276 (SH) Join us at Salt Church. Sundays at 10.30am. We are a friendly Church, Bible centred in our teaching and informal in our worship.Calle Daya Nueva 12, Poligino Industrial Levante II, 03187 Los Montsinos. www.saltchurch.es Facebook:

SaltChurchSpain

The Alfaz Spiritual Friends Centre o er a warm welcome at ‘The Comm’ (Ex The Forum/ Mare Nostrum) Camino Del Pincho 2, L’Alfaz Del Pi, 03580, Alicante. Visiting Medium every week - Service starts 6.30PM every Thursday. Contact Dot 634 320 013 Email: dorothydorothy608@gmail.com

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First Solidarity route against childhood cancer launched

The Granja Cox Hiking Club has accumulated kilometers of routes and more than a year of walking since its founding. It is in the institution’s DNA that solidarity accompanies them in some of their events and in 2024 they will help Childhood Cancer patients.

On Sunday, April 7, they will visit emblematic places in the life of Miguel Hernández in a total route of 14 kilometers. The minimum contribution to the cause will be €5, registration is now available and the departure will be at 8:30 a.m. from the Plaza de la Santísima Cruz.

PP and Vox of Orhiulea present a budget with 2.5 million for sports

PP and VOX at the Orihuela City Council have presented last week the Municipal Budget project for the 2024 nancial year, which amounts to 140.5 million euros , a document that was approved this morning at an extraordinary local government meeting and that would put an end to

the di culties and problems that the local administration has endured for ve years.

A calendar thus begins to submit the Budget to the Plenary Session for approval, after which a large machinery of real and preferred investments will be launched to

execute. Some of them that directly touch the Sports area.

A total of €2,588,450.77, of which the city’s mayor Pepe Vegara has pointed out: “It is an investment that is mainly aimed at repairing and rehabilitating sports areas in districts, Orihuela Costa and in the town.”

Orihuela promotes the first stage of the Lignum Crucis way

The Oriola councilors of Sports, Rural Development, Environment and Tourism, led by councilors Victor Sigüenza, Víctor Valverde, Noelia Grao and Gonzalo Montoya, respectively, have joined together to promote and publicize the Camino del Lignum Crucis.

“On the occasion of World Physical Activity Day we want to highlight the rst stage of this path (19.5km) that runs from Granja de Rocamora to Mahoya, passing through Orihuela, speci cally through La Murada and the Virgen del Camino,” Víctor Sigüenza explained.The Trails and Mountain technician of the Sports Department, Sergio Conejero, has explained that it is an approved route made up of

6 stages, which starts in Granja de Rocamora and ends in Caravaca de la Cruz, a total of 130km , “so “We recommend that all participants wear comfortable shoes, technical clothing appropriate for the climate, a cell phone with battery, backpack, food and drink.”

Likewise, next Saturday, April 6, a hiking day will take place, leaving by bus from the Los Huertos fairgrounds at 7:30 a.m., starting from Granja de Rocamora and arriving at around 9:30 a.m. in the Oriolana district of La Murada. to nish the stage in Mahoya.

For his part, Víctor Valverde has highlighted that we are “in front of an activity promoted by Sports but that is transversal with other areas and from

Rural Development we are delighted because almost half of the route runs through scattered districts and neighborhoods of our municipality, so it is a great opportunity to visit areas that many participants have never visited.”

From the Environment area, councilor Noelia Grao has insisted on the importance of “enjoying nature and conserving the environment together to be able to value it with initiatives like this, but we cannot forget that the waste generated in this hiking day are deposited correctly.”

Finally, the Councilor for Tourism, Gonzalo Montoya, has announced that “people interested in participating can register through the website

www.orihuelaturística.es, while they can also obtain more information by calling 965304645 and by WhatsApp at 673836385.” . In this way, he has stated that they support “the comprehensive tourism of our municipality with actions like this.”

6 stages

The Lignum Crucis Way is made up of 6 stages. The rst is Granja de Rocamora-Mahoya (passing through Orihuela), the second is Mahoya-El Fenazar, the third is El Fenazar-Ulea, the fourth is Ulea-Puebla de Mula, the fth stage is Puebla de Mula-Bullas, and the last is Bullas-Caravaca de la Cruz, which this year celebrates its Jubilee Year.

Abbey Anglers

On Tuesday the 19th of March we shed the third round of the Abbey Spring cup at the El Bosquet complex. This was a national holiday in Valencia and we saw the highest ever attendance for a club match as 31 anglers attended. This meant that with one pleasure angler already shing and one waiting to see what peg was left the venue was completely full to capacity.

The match was broken up as per usual into sections with one section of 4 anglers, four sections of 5 and a large section of 7 on pegs 8 to 16.The weather was set fair and the match was mainly

shed in calm sunny conditions.

Winner on the day with a great weight of 23.78kg from peg 10 was Tony Felstead, he shed the pole long with maggots to take some quality carp.

In second place from the adjacent peg, 11 was Alan Priest.

Alan shed the method feeder with maggot and weighed 18.42kg

Alan was closely followed from the next peg 12 by our very own Victor Meldrew, Richard Wood. Richard used the same tactics as Alan and shed a very uneventful match to catch mullet and carp fpr 17.08kg.

The other sections were won by Russell Davidson on peg A1

with 9.62kg. Lenny Bolton on peg 4 with 15.48kg.Barry Homer on peg 26 with 8.89kg. Alan Hill with a magni cent 15.80kg from peg 31 and nally Willy moons with 6.70kg from peg 40.

Considering the large number of anglers shing, the venue shed really well with a total weight of over 244kg thats 539lb in old money and an average weight of 7.89kg or again just over 17lb per man.

I am sorry I was unable to attend the match on Wednesday but I believe it was won by Neil McBirnie with 33kgs.

Ian Brown

www.abbeyangling.es

SOLUTIONS ON PAGE 37

Mercedes GLC 350D COUPE 4MATIC 2017, Automatic, Diesel, 136,728 kms, 4x4,3.0L, ABS, PAS, Radio, AUX/USB, Cruise control, Climate control, Multifunctional steering wheel, Bluetooth, Navigation. 38,995€

LandRover Range Rover Sport 2014, Automatic, Diesel, 149,043 kms, 4X4, 3.0L. ABS, PAS, Parking sensors, Radio, USB, Climate control, Bluetooth, Multifunctional steering wheel, Navigation. 29,995€

Nissan Note 2014, Manual, Petrol, 108,512 kms, Hatchback/Saloon, 1.2L, ABS, PAS, Central locking, A/C, Radio/CD, AUX, Bluetooth, Multifunctional steering wheel, Navigation. 8,995€

Kia XCEED 2022, Manual, Petrol, 11,087 kms, Hatchback/Saloon, 1.0L. ABS, PAS,Central locking, Climate control, A/C, Radio, USB, Bluetooth, Navigation, Multifunctional steering wheel. 19,995€

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Dodge Journey 2009, Manual, Diesel, 139,833 kms, 4x2, 2.0L. 7,995€

Mercedes GLA 250 4MATIC 2017, Automatic, Petrol, 129,268 kms, 4x2, 2.0L. ABS, PAS, Climate control, Radio, USB, Cruise control, Bluetooth, Navigation, Multifunctional steering wheel, Reverse camera. 24,995€

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Mercedes B180 2013, Diesel, Manual, 161,191 kms, Hatchback/Saloon,1.8L. ABS, PAS, USB/AUX, Parking sensors, Central locking, Multifunctional steering wheel, Bluetooth. 13,995€

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