25 April - 1 May 2023

Three arrested at Guardamar drug house

trafficking and belonging to a criminal group.

drug

the investigation, code named operation pinguis, began in september 2022, when police received an anonymous tip-off from a local resident about a property being used as a ‘drughouse’ just a few meters from a public children’s play park in the town.

as a result of the operation and intelligence gathered, it was found that several of the ‘customers’, in addition to acquiring drugs at the premises, were also staying and takingdrugs inside the house.

the on-going surveillance allowed officers to intercept different types of narcotic substances which were seized from the people that had bought

them.as the investigations progressed, all the members of the criminal group were identified – a man and a woman who were a couple and a third person, a man - all of them spaniards between the ages of 35 and 48 years old. two of those identified had a police record for similar crimes. the operation came to ahead 30th March when the property was raided and searched. the three suspects were arrested inside the home and 8 grams of cocaine prepared in doses for sale and consumption, 62 grams of MdMa, 26 grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms, a small amount of cash were seized. officers also found several non-prescription pills containing benzodiazepines, as well as equipment

for weighing, processing, distributing and cutting of the drugs.

the Guardamar del segura seprona patrol, responsible for animal welfare, was called to the premises when a Moorish tortoise, a species protected by the Convention on international trade in endangered species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites), was discovered.

Guardia Civil officers have arrested three people for selling and facilitating the consumption of drugs from a

house in Guardamar del segura. the detainees have been charged with crimes against public health for

Spain’s tourism soars

spain’s official tourism website, turespaña, has reported that more than 6.5 million international air passengers arrived in the country in March 2023, marking a significant increase of 30 percent compared to the same month last year. this makes March the second month with the highest number of international passengers since 2000, indicating a promising start to the year for spanish tourism as it aims to rebound from the impacts of the CoVid-19 pandemic.

in terms of passenger numbers by country of origin, the european Union accounted for 55.6 percent of all passengers in March, experiencing a growth of 25.8 percent. the rest of the world contributed to the remaining 44.4 percent, with a notable increase of 35.7 percent. among the countries with the highest growth in passenger numbers to spain, portugal took the lead with a remarkable 63.2 percent

increase, followed by the United states and ireland with 42.9 percent and 38.9 percent respectively.

United Kingdom passengers remained tops in March, with 1,426,007 arrivals and a significant annual growth of 33.3 percent. the UK represented 21.9 percent of the total share of arrivals, and the Canary islands received the highest number of British visitors, accounting for 35.7 percent of its passengers.

Germany remained the second top country of origin for international passengers, with 873,738 arrivals in March, representing 13.4 percent of the total share and experiencing an increase of 19 percent, primarily benefiting the Canary islands. italy followed as the third issuing country, with 592,207 passengers arriving in March, accounting for 9.1 percent of the total flow and showing a substantial interannual growth of 31.4 percent,

particularly benefiting Catalonia and Madrid. among the communities in spain, Madrid recorded the highest number of arrivals in March, followed by Catalonia and the Canary islands. low-cost airlines were the popular choice for passengers arriving in spain by air in March, with 58.1 percent choosing low-cost companies, marking an increase of 31.0 percent. traditional airlines accounted for the remaining 41.9 percent and increased by 28.6 percent. although international air passengers also include residents of spain returning from international airports, the majority of the numbers correspond to tourists visiting the country. the positive trend in international air passenger arrivals in March 2023 indicates a promising outlook for spanish tourism in the coming months as it strives to recover from the challenges posed by the pandemic.

Police crackdown on illegal UK cars

local police in spain have increased their efforts to enforce stricter controls on unlicensed and uninsured British cars, following an agreement made between the spanish authorities and the British embassy. this comes after the recent UK-spain driving licence deal granted spanish authorities greater access to the dVla database in the UK for improved monitoring of vehicle registrations and insurance status. the agreement, which was ratified into law on 16thMarch, 2023, allows Brits

residing in spain to continue driving using their UK licences and exchange them for spanish ones. however, in return, the spanish negotiators sought increased access to the dVla database to crack down on illegal vehicle activity.

as a result, spanish police have been actively monitoring UK vehicles in spain to ensure compliance with local laws, such as registering with spanish number plates and obtaining a valid itV (the spanish equivalent of an Mot), within the legally allowed time frame.

according to spanish law, UK and foreign registered vehicles must switch to a new spanish number plate after six months if they belong to a non-resident, and after 30 days if they belong to a legal resident.

police now have enhanced tools to impound vehicles that violate these rules, as seen in recent cases where vehicles with expired Mots have been towed away. it is a legal requirement for all vehicles that are not merely passing through spain on holiday to

be registered with spanish number plates, have a valid itV, and be fully insured.

the increased enforcement measures by spanish police are aimed at ensuring compliance with local driving laws and promoting road safety. Brits residing in spain are urged to familiarize themselves with the local regulations and ensure their vehicles are properly registered and insured to avoid penalties and vehicle impoundment.

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Exiled Juan Carlos makes unwanted visit home

spain’s ageing king-inexile, Juan Carlos, made a controversial visit to london this week, where he dined with friends at an exclusive private club and watched real Madrid beat Chelsea 2-0. despite rumours of a possible meeting with his distant cousin, prince Charles, during his visit, no such meeting took place. this comes as tensions continue to rise between Juan Carlos and his family, King Felipe and Queen letizia, who have made it clear that they are not pleased with his actions.

Juan Carlos, who abdicated the throne in 2014 after nearly 40 years of reign, has faced numerous scandals in recent years, including allegations of corruption, extramarital affairs, and a messy legal breakup with a mistress. his reputation has been severely tarnished, and his popularity among the spanish public has plummeted to just 30 percent, according to a survey by spain’s Centro de i nvestigaciones s ociológicas, while his son Felipe enjoys a higher approval rating of 70 percent. the latest visit to spain, only his second since going into selfimposed exile in the Middle east in august 2020, has caused further controversy as Juan Carlos returned without the consent of the royal Family and

despite the resentment of the spanish socialist government. While some in spanish society remain divided in their sentiments toward the former king, institutions including the royal Family, are distancing themselves from him to protect their image and reputation.

Juan Carlos claimed that his visit to spain was to participate in a sailing championship in Galicia, where his boat ‘Bribón’ would be competing. however, his activities and behaviour continue to draw criticism, with many questioning whether the spanish monarchy can sustain itself amid the scandals surrounding Juan Carlos.

experts have emphasized that

Pedro Sanchez to visit White House

the White house announce that United states president Joe Biden will be hosting spanish prime Minister pedro sánchez on Friday, 12thMay. the visit is expected to deepen the historic ties between the two countries.

King Felipe’s behavior must be beyond reproach to restore public trust in the monarchy.

Juan Carlos’ conduct during his reign, which was once seen as a symbol of harmony in spain after the end of Francisco Franco’s dictatorship, has now sown discord, and his actions are being closely scrutinized. despite his son’s efforts to limit media coverage of Juan Carlos’ activities, tensions between the former king and his family persist, with no meeting scheduled between Juan Carlos and King Felipe during his visit to spain. the future of the spanish monarchy remains uncertain as Juan Carlos continues to face controversy and public scrutiny.

White house press secretary Karine Jean-pierre stated that during their meeting, the two leaders will review efforts as nato allies and close partners to strengthen their bilateral defence relationship, transatlantic security, and economic prosperity. highlighting their unwavering support for the Ukraine will be

a key topic of discussion. this will be the second meeting between sánchez and Biden, with the last one taking place during the nato summit in Madrid in June last year. sánchez has also been actively engaging in international diplomacy, recently meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping in Beijing on another state visit, showcasing spain’s intention to increase its international influence.

the upcoming visit comes as spain is preparing to take over the european Union’s rotating presidency in July, which will further project the

country on the world stage. spain has also been actively supporting the Ukraine in its conflict with russia, as part of a european coalition that is providing heavy weapons and training to Ukrainian tank crews ahead of an expected counter-offensive against the russian invasion.

the meeting between Biden and sánchez is expected to further strengthen the relationship between the United states and spain and reaffirm their commitment to mutual interests, including defence, security, and global cooperation.

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Health Minister Refuses to discuss local ambulance delay death

the local community is still reeling after a man died in la Marina due to a delay in the arrival of an ambulance. a loss made even more shocking after the Minister of health of the Valencian Community, Miguel Mínguez, has refused to provide any explanations in the regional parliament about the incident.

the ‘no comment’ decision has been criticised by opposition party members, with Fernando llopis, spokesperson for health in Ciudadanos, accusing him of hiding to avoid addressing the coordination disaster caused by the centralisation of the emergency services Call Centre in Valencia. llopis further claimed that “the Valencian socialists would never have allowed their emergency services to be managed from alicante” and that the centralisation of the emergency service without proper planning was a mistake made by the socialist candidate for Mayor of alicante, ana Barceló.

the incident happened afteran ambulance was sent from elche, around 35 kilometres away, despite there beingone available much closer in rojales, just 7 kilometres away. this emergency was managed from

the new CiCU emergency call centre in Valencia, which was centralised in January despite protests from workers, medics, and unions, after the closure of centres in alicante and Castellón.

José Juan Zaplana, the opposition spokesman for health, also condemned the situation, stating that the regional government led by the psoe has left the health system in the province of alicante in an unfortunate state, with wait times for surgical operations of up to three years. Zaplana, who made these statements in alicante alongside the president of the pp in the province of alicante, toni pérez, criticised the lack

Easter emergency services calls

the 112-emergency telephone number across the Valencia region has been inundated with calls over the easter period. Between 6thand 18thapril, a total of 125,790 calls were received and out of these, 28,450 incidents were attended by the emergency services. health-related issues accounted for 59 percent (16,791) of the incidents, followed by safety-related issues at 17 percent (4,830).

Coordination Centre had issued a pre-emergency level 3 warning due to high fire risk coinciding with high temperatures and strong winds from the west.

of a health reinforcement plan during the easter holiday, which resulted in appointments in health centres being scheduled a month in advance.

he also claimed that the average wait time for an operation has doubled under the puig government, from 40 days to 80 days, and that the situation is a clear disregard for patients and healthcare professionals alike. the lack of accountability and transparency from the Minister of health has sparked outrage among the public and opposition parties, as the Valencian Community grapples with the consequences of the centralisation of emergency services.

Valencia province experienced the highest number of incidents with 13,984 calls, followed by alicante with 10,798 and Castellón with 3,292. the emergency Coordination Centre of the Generalitat reported that up to 50 fires were extinguished during this period, with 21 of them occurring in forest land. the Villanueva de Viver fire was the most severe, lasting the longest and requiring the most resources for containment. the remaining 29 fires were vegetation fires that did not affect forest land. Most of them occurred on Wednesday, 12thapril, when the emergency

since 18th april, the Generalitat Firefighters and Forest Firefighters have responded to nearly 800 services, including 50 preventive services and 9 rescue actions such as mountain rescues, assisting injured individuals, and removing fallen trees. the number of interventions during this period has doubled compared to the first semester of 2022.

the emergency Centre also coordinated a total of 18 rescues and searches for hikers during the holy Week and easter holidays, with 5 rescues occurring on sunday, 9th april. the Generalitat’s medical helicopter was frequently involved in providing healthcare to individuals who got lost or injured while hiking or engaging in outdoor sports. lack of proper equipment or unfamiliarity with the terrain were cited as the reasons for these incidents.

Regional Ministry of Education cuts class sizes

the Ministry of education, Culture, and sport in Valencia has issued a ruling published in the official Gazette of the Generalitat Valenciana, announcing a reduction in the maximum class numbers for 3-year-old infant stage in 65 municipalities, due to low birth rates, for the upcoming academic year 2023-2024. this is 10 more municipalities than the current academic year 20222023.

the 3-year-old infant stage is the starting point for students in publicly funded schools. in the next academic year, children born in 2020 will be enrolled in 3-year-old infant classes. the birth rate in Valencia reached its lowest level in 46 years in 2020, with only 7.5 births per 1,000 inhabitants. this year, the number of new-borns in the

Valencian territory dropped to the lowest figure in the last 25 years, with 35,761 boys and girls born. Coupled with the decrease in new populations arriving, the school-age population has significantly reduced, especially in certain towns across the region.

a total of 19 municipalities in the province of alicante will see reduced ratios in the 3-yearold infant stage. in 14 of these municipalities, the maximum ratio will be 20 students per class, including alcoy, l’alfàs del pi, Banyeres de Mariola, Catral, elda, Guardamar del segura, Monóvar, Muro de alcoy, novelda, petrer, pinoso, sax, Villena, and Jijona. in the remaining five municipalities, the maximum ratio will be 23 students per class, including Cocentaina, ibi, pego, san

Aguamarina promenade to be re-opened

Vicente del raspeig, and Jávea. in addition to the reduction in number for 3-year-old infants in municipalities with low birth rates, the Ministry of education is also offering 123 new 2-yearold infant classrooms in public schools for the next academic year, providing approximately 2,200 additional places to facilitate early enrolment into the educational system. these classes will have a low ratio of 18 students per class. the admission process for infant and primary schools for the academic year 2023-2024 will be open from 20th april to 28th april on the web portal telematricula.es. Children born in 2020 will be eligible for admission to 3-year-old infant classes this year, while the 2-year-old infant classes will be for children born in 2021.

orihuela Council has received authorisation from the provincial Coastal service to reopen the passage that connects the aguamarina pedestrian footpath with la Caleta in Cabo roig. the walkway was closed by the Council in december 2021 due to a court ruling, which forced pedestrians to take a detour of two kilometers to reach the beach or to continue along the coastal walkway. this resulted in numerous and ongoing complaints from residents and holidaymakers.

the authorisation comes after former councillor Ángel noguera, who was recently dismissed by Mayor Carolina Gracia, submitted a request to reopen the promenade in January after expropriating the land from its owners.the Ministry granted authorization for the connection to be reestablished a few days later. the conditions sate that the action be carried out in accordance with the documentation presented in January and completed within a maximum period of one year from March. however, the construction project must first go through the plenary session and an expropriation agreement must be reached with the community of owners.

it is believed that the Council has offered a fair price of 66,000 euros, while the owners have requested 2 million euros, along with an additional million for the developer of a plot on the other side of the promenade towards la Caleta. if an agreement is not reached, the price will have to be decided by a court of arbitration, which will only add further delays.

the walkway was approved before the law of Coasts and the pGoU in 1990, which provided that the first line was of public property. however, the Council at that time did not expropriate the section that gave continuity to the promenade along the entire coastline. in 2013, residents of Bellavista built a wall to close the

path along the seafront, which was subsequently ordered to be demolished by the former town planning Councillor in 2015. however, the courts later declared the demolition illegal, and the wall was restored to its original state in december 2021, closing the walkway once again. the Council then announced that based on the general interest it had applied for expropriation and stated that the matter would be resolved with the passage reopened before the summer of 2022.

Councillor José aix stated that the expropriation “should have been resolved a long time ago.” it is hoped that the steps being taken are done so speedily, so that the walkway can be reopened before the summer.

Patients’ Committee promotes participation in regional health system

to mark the european day of patients’ rights (on 18th april), the Valencian Community has created a Consultative patients’ Committee to facilitate citizen engagement in the Valencian health system. the Committee, as published in the official Gazette, consists of a secretariat and 24 members, with the presidency and Vice-presidency elected from among them. half of the members represent patients. through a telematic voting process outlined in the regulations, 12 members of the Committee are representatives from various patient federations and associations. these include the alzheimer’s Federation of the Valencian Community, the spanish Federation of rare diseases, the diabetes Federation of the Valencian Community, spina Bifida Foundation for the Valencian Community, regional Foundation of Mental health, the association Myasthenia spain and the hiV association of alicante. other associations represented in the Committee include the Celiac association of the Valencian Community, the Valencian association of people affected

by Fibromyalgia, the Valencian association of anticoagulated patients, the Cystic Fibrosis association of the Valencian Community, and the Mothers Fathers Children Cancer association of the Valencian Community.

the selection process for these committees involved evaluating the merits of candidate associations or federations based on their degree of representativeness and the group of pathologies they represent, among other criteria. the Ministry of Universal health and public health conducted the

evaluation, while the telematic voting was carried out by the entities themselves.

the members of the Committee will serve a fouryear mandate and their primary function is to contribute their health perspective and collaborate in the improvement of the Valencian health system. the establishment of this Consultative patients’ Committee aims to promote citizen participation and ensure that the voice of patients and their families is heard in the decision-making processes related to healthcare in the Valencian Community.

Prime Minister apologises for Sexual Violence Law loophole

spain’s prime Minister, pedro sanchez, has issued an apology to the victims of sexual violence for a loophole in a landmark law. the law, aimed at fighting sexual violence, has in reality, allowed some convicted offenders to reduce their sentences. the law, known as “only yes means yes”, came into effect in october, reforming the criminal code in an effort to define all nonconsensual sex as rape. however, since the law’s implementation, at least 104 offenders have been released and another 978 have seen their sentences reduced, according to the latest government figures. in an interview with spanishpress, prime Minister sanchez expressed remorse, saying, “i ask victims for forgiveness for these undesired effects.”

he also criticised those who voted against the “only yes means yes” law, stating, “i don’t think any deputy, including those parliamentary groups who voted against the ‘only yes means yes’ law, is okay to lower sentences of sexual aggressors. that’s why i am asking for forgiveness.”

the law abolished the lesser charge of sexual abuse and grouped all violations as sexual assault, which carries

stiffer penalties. however, it also simultaneously reduced the minimum and maximum punishment for certain types of sexual crimes, leading hundreds of offenders to apply for sentence revisions. in spain, sentences can be retroactively modified if a change in the penal code benefits the convicted. as a result, many offenders have seen their sentences reduced, sparking outrage in the country. the left-wing government has introduced

modifications to close the loophole, which is currently being examined by parliament. “We will put a solution on the table to resolve these problems,” said prime Minister sanchez. spain is set to hold municipal and regional elections at the end of May and legislative polls at the end of the year. the issue of the sexual violence law and its impact on sentences is expected to be a significant topic of discussion during the upcoming elections.

Englishman arrested over death at Elliott Wright’s Mijas restaurant

an englishman has been arrested in relation to a fight that occurred at olivia’s, a restaurant owned by reality t V star elliott Wright, in Mijas, spain. doorman Jose pisani died during the altercation.

Fifty-five-year-old pisani, a well-known bodybuilder and father of two, was attempting to break up the fight when he was punched and fell, hitting his head on the corner of a table. he was rushed to Malaga’s regional hospital, where he was admitted to intensive care with

serious head trauma, but he could not be saved and passed away.

a statement on social media from the restaurant expressed grief over the loss of pisani, who was described as a “much loved and valued member of our team.” the restaurant closed out of respect following the incident and offered support the staff and the family while awaiting further investigations.

an autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.

Following the incident, olivia’s restaurant was vandalised with graffiti, though it is unclear who was responsible. the graffiti, written in spanish, included words such as “asesino” (killer) and “mafia irlandes” (irish mafia). olivia’s owner elliott Wright, a former star of the reality t V show the only Way is essex ( toWie), is well known in orihuela Costa where he lived with his family for many years before finding fame. the family has owned eduardo’s at Villamartin plaza for more than 20 years.

Anti-flood plan presented for Torrevieja

torrevieja is lucky enough to enjoy good weather and sun most of the year, but when it rains it usually does so in torrential amounts, causing flooding in some parts of the city, such as las torretas, doña inés, playa de los locos, san roque, delfina Viudes and avenidaValenciana.

these facts were used by pablo samper, candidate for

Mayor forsueña torrevieja

when he outlined his anti-flood plan for the city.this involves the construction of five storm tanks in these areas, where this type of flooding regularly. these wouldbe located in roundabouts or municipal lots, creating new green areas on the surface, and they would be able to absorb a lot of rain.

“there is already a project

that has been carried out in our city, such as the torreta Florida, but the current government team of the pp has not done enough, rather we must act comprehensively and not just put a plaster on,” samper said. “there are many years dragging out this type of problems due to the poor planning of the city that has been going on for more than 30 years,” he concluded.

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Torrevieja issues contract for repair of sports courts

the courts are located in plaza de europa, la siesta, los altos, torreblanca (next to the Ciudad del Mar public school) and two in la torreta iii the councillor delegate of the local Government Board of the City Council of torrevieja, Federico alarcón, reports that it has been approved the contracting of the works of comprehensive repair of the six blue sports courts (r & d), based

Pepe Vegara denies being involved in legal proceedings

on the Framework agreement for the procurement of building and urbanization works.

alarcón has indicated that the base budget for the contract is 845,223.86 euros (Vat included), with a completion period of 3 months, which means that the works can begin in May.

six blue courts to be repaired are located in plaza de europa, la siesta urbanisation, los altos urbanisation, torreblanca (next

to the Ciudad del Mar public school) and two in la torreta iii the repair work on these outdoor sports courts includes the renovation of the walls and perimeter fencing, the repair and repainting of the floors, the replacement of all the sports equipment (basketball goals, goals and nets) and the replacement of all the lighting with led lights to achieve significant energy savings.

King Felipe VI receives the European Chambers of Commerce in Spain

his Majesty the King received in audience the presidents and directors of the european Chambers of Commerce in spain at the Zarzuela palace on Friday 21st april. the objective of the reception was to strengthen the ties between spain and the european Chambers of Commerce in spain, as well as to promote economic and business development in our country. the association that integrates the european Chambers of Commerce in spain brings together nineteen Chambers representing some 7,000 companies and aims to promote bilateral business relations between the countries represented, as well as economic growth. the european Chambers of Commerce in spain play a

fundamental role in promoting business growth and the expansion of trade relations in the european market.

Currently, the presidency of the european Chambers of Commerce in spain is held by the spanish-norwegian Chamber of Commerce, whose president is Carmen sanz and its general secretary, María García diez. the audience with h.M. the King was an opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences on the role of the european Chambers of Commerce in the spanish, european and world economy, as well as the contribution that these Chambers can make at an institutional level, given their experience in the international commercial field. during the reception, the representative of the Chambers,

the company where the pp’s candidate for Mayor of orihuela works was denounced in 2011 for two offences against the inland revenue. however, pepe Vegara has denied reports by the media that he is in a judicial process for the two offences against the treasury for his management of the it V service of the Vega Baja. according to media reports, “the public prosecutor’s office has already sent an indictment for the crimes and has requested the opening of a trial against Vegara and several other people”. Vegara has acknowledged that this case was opened in 2011 but, according to him, “it was shelved in 2015”. desite his denial. elplural.

com insists that the case is still open and that the public prosecutor’s office is requesting four years in prison, with a fine of more 4,500,000 euros, for the crime against the treasury for corporate tax fraud and three years in prison, with a fine of over 600,000 euros, for Vat fraud.

speaking to the media, Vegara clarified that he is not aware of “any opening of a trial, so i don’t know if it has been opened again, it is true that in 2011 we received a complaint but in 2015 it was filed. also, in 2011 i had heart surgery and i didn’t go to the company for the whole year”. on whether he will make any decision in the event that the opening of the oral trial is carried out, he said that “we

are not going to put plasters one before we have a cut”.

Carlos Mazón, pp party president defended his candidate for orihuela. he said:

“i think these explanations are adequate: i am waiting for explanations from is Ximo puig, about the Mayor of Benferri, the Mayor of Benejúzar and the Mayor of los Montesinos. two prosecuted and one convicted, all three being Mayors and working in public administration and all three are running again in the elections”. he stressed that “this is different from corruption... it is an administrative offence outside of politics and that it happened more than 12 years ago”.

Torrevieja tops list in care dependency

among the municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants in the Valencian Community, the towns of torrevieja and orihuela with more than 94% top the list in dependency care services.

Carmen sanz, stressed the importance of collaboration between different countries to promote economic and business development and highlighted how, in times of complex circumstances such as the current ones, collaboration between spanish and european companies is particularly relevant and that is precisely what the european Chambers favor.

according to Carmen sanz, the audience with his Majesty the King has highlighted the relevance of the spanish Crown in promoting cooperation and dialogue between european countries.

For more information on the european Chambers of Commerce in spain: http://www. camaraseuropeas.com/es/

the councillor for social Welfare, inmaculada Montesinos, reports that the dependency Care service of the City Council of torrevieja is currently in the best positions in the ranking of municipalities in the Valencian Community, to be close to the rating of ‘excellence’ in the care of dependency.

this ranking, prepared by the department of equality and inclusive policies, is carried out taking into account the following parameters: that the municipal services register and record the applications in the corresponding application in the same month that they have been submitted; that the social reports and assessments are prepared within six months of the submission of the application, as required by the regulations, and that they have an execution rate of more than 95 %.

among the municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants in our Community,

the leading municipalities in terms of execution are torrevieja and orihuela in alicante, and Castellón de la plana, all of them with more than 94% of execution.

inmaculada Montesinos assures that currently the applications to this service of attention to the dependency are being resolved within the established legal term. the councillor points out that one aspect to consider in the improvement of this municipal service was the transfer of the service to the peripheral town hall of la Mata, a decision taken

by the previous councillor responsible for social Welfare, tomás Ballester.

this move has led to greater visibility and accessibility, closer and more direct contact with users, enabling them to identify the professionals of reference, applications, documentation, technical guidance on resources more quickly; in short, a greater streamlining of procedures.

as a result of these efforts, torrevieja City Council is currently at the top of the list of municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants.

GBP

the latest eCB accounts, which were released yesterday (thursday), confirmed that the ‘large majority’ of the governing council agreed with Chief economist philip lane’s proposal to raise rates by 50bps, during their most recent meeting. there had been some tension amongst certain members, given the ongoing banking wobbles at the time, with several suggesting that it might be more appropriate to wait for the banking tensions to subside – which they have thankfully done now. the accounts also confirmed that ‘monetary policy still had some way to go to bring inflation down.’

Markets currently therefore expect the eCB to follow on with at least two more 25bps hikes over the coming months, with recent hawkish rhetoric seemingly supporting the move. eCB governing member Klaas Knot suggested in a recent interview that it was ‘too early to talk about a pause in interest rate rises.’ the latest regional inflation data, also released this week, has shown some moderation, easing to 6.9% in March from 8.5% during February. however, much of the decline can be attributed to a rapid fall in energy prices, with core inflation still frustratingly high. Much the same as in the UK, persistently higher inflation feeds through to heightened marketimplied expectations for future rate hikes, which will then further support ongoing rallies in the currency. on that note, eUr/Usd is now edging back towards the recent high around 1.1000.

GBP / EUR UPDATE

EURO

the latest eCB accounts, which were released yesterday (thursday), confirmed that the ‘large majority’ of the governing council agreed with Chief economist philip lane’s proposal to raise rates by 50bps, during their most recent meeting. there had been some tension amongst certain members, given the ongoing banking wobbles at the time, with several suggesting that it might be more appropriate to wait for the banking tensions to subside – which they have thankfully done now. the accounts also confirmed that ‘monetary policy still had some way to go to bring inflation down.’

Markets currently therefore expect the eCB to follow on with at least two more 25bps hikes over the coming months, with recent hawkish rhetoric seemingly supporting the move. eCB governing member Klaas Knot suggested in a recent interview that it was ‘too early to talk about a pause in interest rate rises.’ the latest regional inflation data, also released this week, has shown some moderation, easing to 6.9% in March from 8.5% during February. however, much of the decline can be attributed to a rapid fall in energy prices, with core inflation still frustratingly high.

Much the same as in the UK, persistently higher inflation feeds through to heightened marketimplied expectations for future rate hikes, which will then further support ongoing rallies in the currency. on that note, eUr/Usd is now edging back towards the recent high around 1.1000.

ТЕЛЕКАНАЛИ

Ísland, norge, sverige, suomi, eesti, latvija, lietuva, Россия, polska, deutschland, danmark, nederland, Belgique-België, luxembourg-luxemburg, France, españa, portugal, italia, suisse-schweiz-svizzera, Österreich, Česko, slovensko, Magyarország, Україна, България, shqipëria, românia, Ελλάδα, Georgia, Κύπρος-Kıbrıs, türkiye, Bosna i hercegovina, Србија, slovenija, Северна Македонија, hrvatska, Montenegro, Malta, plUs Most of africa, asia and south america

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Torrevieja will celebrate International Day of Dance with a full programme of events

the Councillor for Culture of the City of torrevieja, antonio Quesada, reports that on april 30, the Municipal institute of Culture “Joaquin Chapaprieta” joins all the celebrations on the occasion of international dance day, are scheduled worldwide, and does so by organizing a full day of activities to be held at the Centro Cultural Virgen del Carmen and the natural pools of the paseo Marítimo de Juan aparicio, with the following program:

VIRGEN DEL CARMEN CULTURAL CENTRE:

FlaMenCo Master Class given by lucía Campillo.

-10:00 h. Basic level (for students with basic knowledge, from 10 to 12 years old. Maximum 15 places.

-11:00 h. intermediate level (for students of this level from 13 years old).

Maximum 20 places.

-12:30 - open lindY hop class given by the nest swing dance studio.

registration: administracion. cultura@torrevieja.eu

NATURAL POOLS OF PASEO JUAN APARICIO. 17:30. DANCE MARATHON

Urban dance

Brodas Bross (sliders): a dance and hip hop company founded in Barcelona in 2006. their shows have filled national theatres and have been seen by more than 200,000 spectators to date. they are an outpouring of energy, technique,

humour and imagination that has made them a real hit with audiences of all ages.

they have worked with tricicle, le Cirque du soleil, Vodafone, tVe, Chevrolet and rafa nadal among others.

6 dancers on wheels take us to a world of dance, movement, displacements and spectacular acrobatics. in this case, going deeper into displacements, “sliders” are displacements danced on wheels inspired by birds and their spectacular formations, or schools of fish that never collide and generate hypnotic movements.

dancers who seek to flow to the maximum on the scooters with the new range of possibilities that this offers us.

HE NEST SWING DANCE STUDIO:

LINDY HOP dance school in alicante specialising in styles related to swing music. lindy hop is the most famous style of partner dancing in swing music. it was born in new York in the 1920s and was popularised by africanamerican dancers from the harlem neighbourhood in the 1930s and 1940s. as a result of the socio-cultural and musical changes after World War ii, it fell into decline, only to become popular again in the 1980s.

-performances by local dance

academies

MUNICIPAL ORIENTAL DANCE SCHOOL

MerY danCe aCadeMY danCe sChool

QK danCe aCadeMY

MUniCipal danCe sChool paYa’s danCe sChool arantXa BlanCo danCe and BodY teChniQUes Centre danCe sChool-holistiC spaCe

“raÍCes” danCe sChool danCe and MUsiCal theatre sChool soUl danCe staGe danCe Centre (GUardaMar) aleJandra torres aniMation

Fire extinguished at an abandoned site in Albatera

last thursday, members of the alicante provincial Fire Brigade and forestry firefighters put out a fire that started on an abandoned site on the Violantas road, in the municipality of albatera.

the fire started shortly before 15.00 hours, at 17.46 hours it was considered to be under control and was finally extinguished at 19.21 hours. specifically, it

broke out on an abandoned site on a watercourse parallel to the san Cayetano watercourse and affected reeds and pine trees in a wooded area.

air and land resources were mobilised to the site and, after several discharges, were withdrawn by the advanced Command post (pMa) at 16:17 hours.

in total, two command and headquarters units, two heavy rural pumps, one heavy pump, a non-commissioned officer, a sergeant, two corporals, eight firefighters from the Crevillent and almoradí fire stations, two forest fire units and two aerial resources (a-55 aircraft and alpha 02 helicopter) were mobilised.

it is not all it should be. In many ways my father is no different now, occasionally displaying the same type of behaviour and getting in the odd put-down swipe. I am amazed he still feels the way he used to towards me; he is elderly now and you’d think he’d have better things to focus on.

This all comes from low selfesteem. Parents should be proud of

their children and their achievements, but bad parents can deflect their attentions to another son or daughter, often an under-achiever or badly behaved child, in order to punish the successful child; whom they are in no doubt envious of. This can continue throughout adulthood. You have not let this behaviour bother you, and have done the right thing in distancing yourself, as most times, these situations cannot be rectifie.

Lately, a lot of my experiences with my father have surfaced after I had long dismissed them. As a small child, my father would hit me; sometimes for no reason at all. I was an intelligent, quiet, and undemonstrative child who had to grow up fast. My parents were not happy - my father was not bothered about hiding his cheating. Many times, he would laugh at my mother when she confronted him about being unfaithful; often these altercations were in front of my siblings and I. He picked on me. Nothing I ever did was good enough - I would receive constant put-downs; however my siblings never got into hot water for their under achievement and later, petty theft and drug and alcohol addiction. I remember my father would snatch away my school books and rip them up in front of me. One time he wrecked my bedroom furniture in front of me and stormed out. Once he hit me so hard, my knees buckled; I was six years old. I still have a relationship with my parents for my mother’s sake, although Write to Sara in confidence. a p S eudonym W ill be u S ed if you WiS h. Sara read S all letter S and can give a per S onal reply. e mail your que S tion to S ara@ co S tablancapeople.com or Sara i S available for private con S ultation S, telephone 650 054 467.

Terra Natura Benidorm adds a pair of butterfly vipers for antivenom research

the terra natura Benidorm nature and animal park has added a new pair of butterfly vipers (Bitis nasicornis), from a zoological centre in holland, into its venomous animal exhibition. the arrival of these new snakes is part of the conservation, research and dissemination project initiated by the park’s herpetologists in 2007. this project, as well as promoting the conservation of this snake, aims to facilitate the collection of information on this type of haemotoxic venom, the bite of which can be fatal. terra natura Benidorm is one of the few spanish centres with a polyvalent antivenom bank, which covers the bite of venomous snakes of practically all african, asian and american species.

the pair of butterfly vipers can now be observed in their terrarium, which is located inside the volcano in the pangea area of the park. Both specimens are currently about 30 centimetres long and weigh around 250 grams. When they reach maturity they may grow to more than 1.40 metres and weigh up to four kilos.

they are known as butterfly vipers because of the butterflyshaped spots on their skin or the patterns that resemble butterflies perched on their

bodies. the venom of this species is very potent and without treatment can be fatal, even to humans. after the bite, if the prey is large, the viper releases it and follows its trail by smell while the inoculated venom takes effect and then locates and engulfs it. if the prey is small, it swallows it on the spot. the colours of its skin are usually varied and eyecatching. this species is native to the jungles of western and central africa. its characteristic triangular head is clearly distinguishable from the body, which is short and robust, while its tail is relatively short. the herpetologist and head of the herpetology department of terra natura Benidorm, david

Martí, has over the years carried out several venom extractions from another pair of butterfly vipers in the park to deliver it to the structural proteinomics and Venomics department of the CsiC in Valencia, headed by the scientist Juanjo Calvete, in order to analyse the neutrality and effectiveness of the existing antiophidic sera of this species.

this snake is also known as the rhinoceros viper because of the elongated scales that grow from its snout, or as the river Jack viper, because most sightings in its habitat occur along riverbanks. african villagers popularly refer to it as ‘death in festive dress’ in reference to its brightly coloured skin.

The Partido Popular proposes tax deductions for sportsmen and women in Almoradí

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, and handouts and access to previous Costa Blanca people published articles. scan the Qr for a reminder of what the Costa Blanca technology help Group offers.

the popular party candidate for Mayor of almoradí, María Gómez, together with the pp regional deputy, Fernando pastor, have visited the sports City where they have presented the new proposal of the popular party of the Valencian Community (ppCV) to carry out a tax reduction of 30% on sports expenses for people registered in gyms, sports clubs or federations.

the proposal, as pastor explained, includes a deduction of up to 300 euros of 30% of sports expenses per family unit

in the irpF. the percentage will be increased to 50% for people over 65 years of age and with a disability equal to or greater than 33%, and to 100% for people over 75 years of age and with a disability equal to or greater than 66%. the measure designed by the pp aims to promote healthy lifestyles and encourage the practice of sport, especially among families with an annual income of less than 40,000 euros.

Gómez has stated that in almoradí many people will be able to benefit from

this pioneering measure in the Valencian Community, indicating that more than one million people in the Valencian Community would benefit from this proposal, highlighting that the town already offers aid in this sense to the neediest families, the elderly and people with disabilities, “but if we get the majority in the government of the Generalitat we can offer these tax breaks to all people who practice sport or to alleviate the expense of families in this regard”.

“What screen lock options are available for my Android Smartphone?“

You can set up a screen lock to help secure your android phone or tablet. each time you turn on your device or wake up the screen, you’ll be asked to unlock your device, usually with a pin, pattern, or password. on some devices, you can unlock it with your fingerprint. important:

• Some of these steps work only on android 10 and up.

• Some of these steps require you to tap the screen.

• Call captioning only works on pixel phones. set or change a screen lock

important: to ensure your automatic and manual backups are encrypted with your screen lock, use a pin, pattern, or password.

1. open your phone’s settings app.

2. tap security.

• If you don’t find “Security,” go to your phone manufacturer’s support site for help.

3. to pick a kind of screen lock, tap screen lock..

• If you’ve already set a lock, you’ll need to enter your pin, pattern, or password before you can pick a different lock.

4. tap the screen lock option you’d like to use. Follow the on-screen instructions. screen lock options these settings might be different on your phone. no lock

• None: Your phone stays unlocked. this gives no protection, but you can get to your home screen quickly.

• Swipe: Swipe your finger across your screen. this gives no protection, but you can get

to your home screen quickly. standard locks

• Pattern: Draw a simple pattern with your finger.

• PIN: Enter 4 or more numbers. longer pins tend to be more secure.

• Password: Enter 4 or more letters or numbers. a strong password is the most secure screen lock option.

“I need Word on my computer. Is there a way I can get this free?”

Yes, there is. Microsoft office online can serve as a free Ms office alternative, as it lets you edit and share files created in a word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation program, as well as access outlook and onenote. everything done through the online version of Ms office is performed through a web browser and saved online, so you can access the files from anywhere. advantages

• No software download.

• Opens every file type that MS office desktop apps support.

• Share and collaborate.

• Free templates.

• Saves your work automatically.

• Familiar interface similar to desktop versions.

Brian Hoile Technology Help Group

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. Join

Children from Almoradi schools get to know Los Mazones tree

New Nordic-inspired range of partially recycled glasses

around 300 children visited the Ficus de los Mazones last week, after the easter holidays, to learn about its history and its environmental importance for almoradí.

organised by the almoradí rotary Club and the education department of the almoradí town hall, the visits were guided by a monitor and the students received a booklet prepared by alberto and Maite prego which explains in a very didactic way the origin of the Ficus and some interesting curiosities.

the visit was part of the project “amar almoradí” of the department of education which, in the words of Councillor susana Miralles, “aims to introduce almoradí schoolchildren to its heritage, its history, its environment, its most emblematic buildings and its main services so that they take the first step to appreciate the city and value it, to love it, to take care of it and feel part of it, thus promoting the rooting to improve it.

in addition, all the primary school teachers from the five

schools in almoradí are being trained in an inter-Centre training project in which, with the help of renowned speakers, they are stressing the importance of loving almoradí from the new curriculum proposed by the loMloe, which gives great importance to Competence learning, project Based learning and knowledge of the environment. an ambitious initiative that is being developed in the municipality throughout the year with the idea of continuity in the following years.

inspired by nordic street style; with a minimalist approach indesign and a focus on individual expression, the new lUXe range from specsavers Ópticas is applying both nordic thinking and nordic styling to their range. now available in spain, the range is classic, minimalist and partially made from bio-based acetate and recycled materials. the beautifully crafted frames blend minimalistic design and classic chic styling. they feature soft textures, rich earthy tones, natural crystal shades and modern silhouettes, providing a clean and timeless look. even the tiniest details have been considered, from the herringbone textured corewires to the two-tone laminated acetate temple tips. every aspect of each frame adds to their overall refined aesthetic.

sustainability was identified as one of the key drivers in buying decisions in a recent report from specsavers Ópticas, making this range’s eco-credentials even more important. these frames are handcrafted from 52% bio-based acetate, made with materials like tree pulp, andthe metal frames are made from 54% recycled metals. lisa James from specsavers

Ópticas Guardamarcommented, “it’s a pleasure to introduce this nordic-inspired range to our stores. over 5 million scandinavians holiday in spain ever year and there are around 20,000 permanent residents from scandinavia living in the Malaga province alone.

a recent sifo survey showed that 28% of swedes have at some point considered buying a home abroad and 22% of those would like to buy a home in spain . and it’s not just the swedes who love spain, Fuengirola on the Costa del sol has the second largest number of Finns outside Finland!

scandinavians have a love affair with spain and so it only seems right to introduce a range inspired by their style to the Costa del sol, Costa Blanca and Mallorca, which many of them call home.

You can expect minimalist design with a focus on individual expression, a refined aesthetic and jewellery inspired details. rich earthy tones and natural crystal shades offer a timeless, stylish look.

and when you take an even closer look at the lUXe range, you’ll find that our new nordic street-style range of glasses don’t just look good, they’re made of good stuff too. so, you’re not just looking at nordic style, but nordic thinking too.” there are nine specsavers Ópticas stores in spain. You can find them in Marbella and Fuengirola on the Costa del sol, Javea, Calpe, Benidorm, torrevieja, Guardamar and la Zenia on the Costa Blanca and santa ponça in Mallorca. Visit www.specsavers.es to find your nearest store.

First electoral contract for the municipal and regional elections

the popular party candidate for Mayor of torrevieja, eduardo dolon, met last week with representatives of the houses of the third age of the city, as well as with the heads of associations of retirees and pensioners and dance groups. the reason for this meeting was to sign the first electoral contract for the upcoming municipal and regional elections on 28 May.

eduardo dolon has highlighted the high degree of compliance that has had in these four years the electoral commitment signed with this important sector of society torrevejense in 2019, and has announced important developments in the face of the contract that today have signed all of them. among them, it is worth highlighting an initiative to combat the digital divide suffered by many older people, so it has pledged to open a permanent classroom of new technologies dedicated exclusively to the elderly to advance in learning about the operation of computers, mobile phones, carry out procedures in the electronic headquarters of the City Council and other public administrations, as well as obtaining and using the electronic signature and the management of online banking.

in addition, the candidate for Mayor of torrevieja for the partido popular has

pledged to maintain and strengthen the support and care for the elderly of torrevieja and la Mata, opening a specific office for personal assistance and consultation of important issues for them.

they also include, among others, the comprehensive reform of the centres and homes for the elderly, as well as reinforcing their maintenance; consolidating all the aid that has been recovered during the current term of office, such as the “paguicas”, and the different aids from the town Council such as the water bill and other social aids; promoting the self-esteem and self-confidence of our elderly through new workshops on laughter therapy and memory, volunteering and accompaniment, as well as helping them in the organisation and promotion of trips for them, both locally and nationally.

the electoral contract is expressed in these 9 points:

1. to maintain and reinforce the support and attention to our elderly people in torrevieja and la Mata, opening a specific office for personal assistance and consultation on important issues for them. through this service it will be possible to request formalities

such as trips to the Comunidad Valenciana or the iMserso, the bono social, appointments at the town hall and other queries.

2. open a permanent classroom of new technologies dedicated to the elderly to advance and deepen in learning about the operation of computers, the different uses of mobile phones, how to carry out procedures in the electronic office of the City Council of torrevieja and other public administrations, obtaining and using the electronic signature and the use of online banking.

3. Continue to develop activities and workshops such as those recovered by the department for the elderly over the last four years, such as the ceramics workshop, yoga, zumba and ballroom dancing as well as promoting workshops taught by volunteers such as the english workshop, line dancing, motherof-pearl, painting or sevillanas in order to further progress in active ageing in the city of torrevieja.

4. to promote self-esteem and selfconfidence of our elders through new workshops on laughter therapy and memory, volunteering and accompaniment.

5. Consolidate the aids to the elderly that have been recovered during the current mandate, such as the “paguicas”, and the different aids of the town hall such as the water aid and other social aids.

6. to help the different associations of the third age, houses of the third age, dance groups or choirs in their different cultural activities and activities of tourist interest.

7. to promote and energize the celebrations of the day of the elderly, the fair of the third age

and the week of the elderly, as well as the championships of board games, competitions and the different activities directed to put in value the talent of our elders and the importance of their figure within the social fabric of torrevieja.

8. to repair our centres and homes for the elderly, as well as to reinforce their maintenance.

9. to help in the organisation and promotion of trips for them, both locally and nationally.

This Week´s Movie Picks

Marmaduke

Saturday 29th

April – Channel 4, 1.55pm

Marmaduke, the world’s most lovable Great dane, leaps from comic strip fame (appearing in six hundred newspapers in over twenty countries) to big screen stardom in this family comedy event. a suburban family moves to a new neighborhood in orange County, California with their large, yet lovable Great dane, who has a tendency to wreak havoc in his own oblivious way. But it’s not all living large for the duke, who finds that fitting in with his new four-legged friends, and a potential romantic interest, isn’t always easy for a supersized teenage dog. owen Wilson gives the beloved Great dane his voice in the film, which also features the voices of Fergie, George lopez, emma stone, and Kiefer sutherland.

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift

Sunday 30th April – ITV2, 7.55pm

an american teenager named sean Boswell is a loner in school, however he challenges his rival for an illegal street racing, and he totals his car in the end of the race. to avoid time in prison he is sent to tokyo to live with his father who is in the military. as soon as he arrives he discovers a new, fun but dangerous way of street racing in the underworld of the streets of tokyo, Japan.

P

Eazy

Email: info@eazylawns.es www.eazylawns.es

Teddy Bear Builders Tel: 680 851 376 616 214 713

PHB Supplies Tel: 865757135

Email: phbsupplies@gmail.com www.phbsupplies.com

Physio Fisio Clinic Salinas

Tel: 966 720 138 639 377 982

Email: info@fisioclinicsalinas.com www.fisioclinicsalinas.com

Home Improvements

Euroguard Tel: 965 999 396 www.euroguard-spain.com

Printing Indy´s Design and Print Tel: 647 472 825

Email: Indysdp@gmail.com Indy’s Design & Print Indys_designprint

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Irwin International Removals Services SL 609 903 529

Email: info@irwinremovals.es www.irwinremovals.es

La Romana Self Storage 633 125 889 or 965 075 122 colin@laromanaselfstorage.com www.laromanaselfstorage.com

Move it – Vantastic Tel: 693 251 562

Email: davendonc@aol.com

All UK TV Tel: 652 247 489

Email: alluktvinspain@gmail.com

Go Satellite Tel: 965725670

Email: info@freetvspain.com www.freetvspain.com

Car Registrations

Carers RegisterYourCar.com Tel: 966 75 20 52 Email: RegYourCar@email.com www.register-your-car.com

The Gate & Garage Door Company Tel: 608 208 170

Email: info@auto-m8.es www.auto-m8.es

Transcone Removals & Shipping 0044 7742 798568 0034 603135480 transconeshipping@hotmail.com www.transconeshipping.com

Swift Removals & Storage 0034 603336463 or 0034 602468949 0044 7465 623697

Email: info@swift-removals.net www.swift-removals.net

Worldwide Horizons Travel Tel: 966 761 492 689 140 360

Email: travel@whtravel.es www.whtravel.es

Carredent British Dental Practice (Dr. Ian F. Smith) Tel: 965 711 797 Mob: 638 608 532 Email: jardindelmar21@icoud.com

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Casas Connect Real Estate Tel: + 34 722419266

Email: sales@casas-connect.es www.casas-connect.es

My New Home in Spain Tel: 711 007 147 hello@mynewhomeinspain.com www.mynewhomeinspain.com

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Health & Beauty

Concept Nail Spa Tel: 965072570 678210063

Indiana´s Hair & Lash Boutique Tel: 681 250 190

Indiana’s hair & lash boutique

Indianashairandlashboutique

Sunbay Insurance Tel: 965063483 693719221

Kitchen Fitters Kitchen Plus Tel: 965712754 677230071

The Kitchen Shop Tel: 965077555 661861416

Email: thekitchenshopspain@gmail.com www.thekitchenshop.es

Email: kplus3180@gmail.com ww.kitchensplus.eu

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Motors Venture Fleet SL Tel: 965077330 671549920

Mobile Mechanic Tel: 665329974

Email: kevinshuter74@gmail.com

Email: info@venturefleet.com www.venturefleet.com

Tuesday 25th April

Wednesday 26th April

Bishop comes to Campoverde and brings greetings to all

On Sunday April 16, Campoverde Church in the Community was greatly honoured when the Bishop of the Episcopal Church of Spain, Bishop Carlos Lopez Lozano visited us to thank us for our work in spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ in our church and in our community.

The Episcopal Church of Spain is part of the Anglican Communion; Campoverde Church in the Community joined in 2020 as we felt it was more appropriate for us to be part of the Church of Spain, whilst remaining within the Anglican Communion.

Bishop Carlos led the service which included the participation of members of our congregation. We were joined by representatives of a number of other churches, including two local Evangelical Churches and our sister churches in la Manga and San Fulgencio. It was a truly joyful and ecumenical service.

A highlight was the awarding of Assistant Lay Reader Licences to our four regular worship leaders, Peter Barlow, Pip

Shail, James McAllister and Maggie Dew, shown

in the photograph below.Thanks be to God.

BBC one BBC two ITV Channel 4Channel 5ITV2 ITV3

Thursday 27th April

Friday 28th April

Saturday 29th April

BBC one BBC two ITV Channel 4Channel 5ITV2 ITV3

Sunday 30th April

1st May

Crescendo International Choir gave three free concerts in April

Crescendo International Choir performed three successful concerts in April, providing free musical entertainment for people in the Costa Blanca area and raising money for various causes. Most recently, Crescendo International Choir performed at La Siesta Evangelical Church in La Siesta Urb., Torrevieja,on Monday, April 17. Aretiring collection at this concert raised 376 euros for the church’s charity work.

On Saturday, April 15, at Santiago Apostol Church in Benijofar, Crescendo Choir gave a free concert in the evening, after the regular mass. More than 250 euros was raised to help the town hall’s social services department buy food for people in need in the Benijofar area.

At the start of April, Crescendo Choir gave a Saturday evening concert at Salt Church in Los Montesinos. At this event, 420 Euros were raised through the red bucket collection after the event. Half of this money went to Salt Church for its own use and half went to Crescendo Choir to help it continue giving free concerts as the music director and the pianist are paid professionals. Member dues also help cover this expense.

Some of the many songs performedwereMake You Feel My Love, made famous by Adele, I Say a Little Prayer for You, made popular by Dione Warwick, The Rose, sung by

Sunflower Challenge to support Campoverde church and children’s club

If you have ever grown Sunflowers, then you will know how easy it can be and the fun they provide in seeing who can grow the tallest. Well now is your chance to grow the tallest Sunflower in Campoverde in the Church Sunflower Challenge.

For just 5€ we will provide you with two Sunflower seeds

with instructions when to plant them, how to take care of them and the date when you need to measure them for the Sunflower Challenge. There is no prize, apart from the immense satisfaction from knowing that your participation will help young people in Campoverdeand you may grow the tallest

Sunflower in Campoverde. In addition to bragging rights, you and your Sunflower will feature in the local press and social media.

If you would like to take part, and why not it will be fun, then please contact James McAllister to enter: jamessamuelmcallister@ hotmail.co.uk or Tel:623016229.

Bette Midler andHallelujah by Leon Cohen. The choral group also sang City of Stars, from the popular filmLA LA Land, winner of six Academy Awards in 2017.For its grand finale, the choir sang a medley of songs from the highly popular musical Les Misérables.

For more details about the choir or upcoming events, please see crescendochoir.com. You canalso follow the group on Facebook at CrescendoTorrevieja.

Or if you have questions, email info@ crescendo-choir.com.

The choir would be delighted to have more singers, especially basses. This international group sings a variety of songs ranging from musicals to spirituals, from pop to classical, mostly in Englishor Spanish. Rehearsals take place at Rincon de Miguelin Los Montesinos onMondays between 17:45 to 20:00. All singers are welcome!

La Siesta Concert April 2023

Crescendo Choir President Robin Myers singing a solo at Benijofar church

Hello Dolly

If you are looking for a great night of musical theatre, look no further than Studio32’s forthcoming production of ‘Hello Dolly’, coming to the Cardenal Beluga Theatre, San Fulgencio from Wednesday 31st of May until Saturday 3rd of June, doors open at 7:00pm curtain up 7:30pm. This show is guaranteed to make you laugh and put a spring in your step with a very funny story line, great musical numbers and energetic dance routines. Pictured are some of the Principal cast members who are looking forward to making this a performance to remember. To book tickets online for our show please visit our website www.studiothirtytwo.org , email tickets@studiothirtytwo.org or call Linda on 679 062 272 For those of you unsure of how to use our system you can call into The Post Box in Dona Pepa, or Quesada Tech where someone will be on hand to assist you with booking tickets. You could also come along to one of our rehearsals at Casa Contenta, Rojales,Tuesdays and Thursdays between 7:30pm and 9:30pm where someone will be available to assist you. If you have experience in Musical Theatre in the areas of singing, acting and dancing we would like to hear from you. Also anyone

who is interested in taking part in the show ensemble, working backstage or have experience working with the production of stage props, lighting and

sound. If you require any further information, contact Linda on 679 062 272 or visit our facebook page at Studio32 Musical Theatre Company.

‘Ready when you are!’: Carol Vorderman, 62, left SPEECHLESS after TOWIE’s Pete Wicks, 35, asks to become one of her ‘special friends’

She’s known for her unique love life and speaks openly about her five ‘special friends’.

Yet Carol Vorderman was left speechless when she discovered TOWIE’s Pete Wicks was hoping to become her latest squeeze.

Taking to her Instagram Stories on Friday the former Countdown star, 62, appeared to be open to the idea in a hysertical video.

Speaking with presenter Holly Jay-Smith following her appearance on This Morning Carol was told: ‘So basically, [Pete has] gone on a podcast and he said he wants to be one of your men,’

The math’s whizz gasped and giggled before asking to take a look at a photo of the 35-yearold tattooed reality star.

Meghan Markle wrote to Charles AFTER her Oprah interview naming royal who made ‘skin colour’ comment about Archie and accusing monarchy of ‘unconscious bias’ - and isn’t attending the Coronation because she was unhappy with the response, sources say Meghan Markle wrote to King Charles about unconscious bias in the Royal family after her bombshell Oprah interview, it was claimed last night.

The Duchess of Sussex’s letter reportedly named the individual accused of speculating about her unborn son Archie’s skin colour - but went on to claim the person wasn’t racist.

‘I think it’s a one-way trip now’: Linda Nolan, 64, makes heartbreaking decision to choose her own coffin and music for her funeral after cancerous tumours were found on her brain

Linda Nolan has made the heartbreaking choice to pick out her own coffin and one of the songs to be sung at her funeral after cancerous tumours were found on her brain.

The singer, 64, was told by doctors six weeks ago she had two sizeable masses surrounded by smaller ones on her MRI image, nearly 20 years after she was first diagnosed with cancer.

Legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne looks in high spirits as he flashes peace sign while using cane during LA outing amid Parkinson’s battle… after hinting he may tour again

Ozzy was seen in Los Angeles on Friday with a cane and assistants

The Black Sabbath frontman flashed a peace sign before heading into a building

Ozzy, 74, is battling Parkinson’s disease, which he was diagnosed with back in 2003.

He didn’t publicly reveal his diagnosis until January 2020

It is understood that it was sent in reply to one from the King - only senior member of the family to make contact with the Duchess after Meghan and Harry were interviewed by Oprah Winfrey in March 2021.

Linda underwent a mastectomy and 18 rounds of chemotherapy after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and lost her husband Brian in 2007 and younger sister Bernie 2013 to cancer, while her eldest daughter Anne overcame the illness.

Ladies Night held for the Charity AAN

The Freemasons Caledonia Lodge No 68 held a Ladies Night which raised 1500 euros for the charity AAN, Asociacion de Ayuda al Necesitado de San Fulgencio. The Association

helps the most needy families of San Fulgencio and La Marina Urbanisation by providing food which is distributed through Social Services of San Fulgencio Town Hall from the office for the

Urbanisation on Calle Madrid.

Receiving the money from Linda and Rae Daniel on behalf of AAN is Samantha Hull Gallon, Brenda Bentley and Lesley Snell .

Panto crew wanted for Christmas

The Rojales Pantomime Group will be performing a cracker of a pantomime in December called Snow White and The Seven Christmas Elves. Auditions have been held and the majority of the parts have been cast, however, there are still a few vacancies that need to be filled.

Backstage Crew to help ensure that all the props are in the right place on stage for the correct scenes and to assist the cast throughout the performance.

Cast vacancies there are still just a couple of small parts still to be cast.

If you would like to be part of a fun group of amateur thespians and think you could help our Group please email us at rojalespanto@yahoo.com so we can invite you to join us at our first rehearsal in Quesada on the 3rd May and meet the rest of our cast and crew.

Pantomime is great fun so come along and enjoy yourself, plus you will be helping to raise money for some needy local charities.

Mercadona slashes prices on more than 500 staple food items until end Of year

Spain’s leading supermarket chain, Mercadona, has announced that it will lower the prices of at least 500 basic food products starting this month until the end of the year, in a move aimed at easing the cost-of-living crisis currently being experienced by many households in the country.

The decision comes after the Spanish government sought concessions from retailers, following a steep rise in food prices that have hit consumers hard.

Mercadona’s President and majority owner, Juan Roig, had recently admitted that his company had been forced to raise prices “by a huge amount” to maintain margins through the food production chain. However, after seeing that input costs were slowly easing, the company decided to make price cuts that it expects will save customers an average of 150 euros this year. The initiative is estimated to cost Mercadona around €200 million.

The cheaper products include a wide range of items such as fresh fish, some cheeses and yoghurts, dried fruit, oil and household cleaning products, among others. In addition, Mercadona plans to take advantage of market

opportunities to lower the price of fresh produce. The company says that the price drop will be carried out “without affecting the quality of the products and guaranteeing the sustainability of the entire food chain (suppliers, production sector, company and workers)”.

Many of the products that will be cheaper will have a yellow identifying label that specifies the price drop. The company is also keen to stress that the discounts are not a temporary measure, nor are they a “shopping basket” of products with fixed prices like those of French supermarkets, but are permanent reductions.

The move by Mercadona follows similar initiatives by other retailers in Spain, including Basque Countrybased cooperative Eroski, which

lowered the prices of basic food products in March, and French supermarket chain Carrefour, which launched a campaign in September offering consumers a basket of 30 basic goods for 30 euros. However, Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz’s proposal to seek agreements with supermarkets to help impoverished families continue to eat healthily was met with scepticism from business groups and opposition politicians who viewed it as an attempt to regulate prices.

Food prices have been climbing sharply throughout the European Union, with Spain registering a 16.6% year-on-year increase in February. Experts believe that food inflation has yet to peak, and so Mercadona’s move will likely be welcomed by many households struggling with the rising cost of living.

Slim4Life Slimmer of Autumn/Winter 2023

Slim4Life Weight Loss Studio in Torrevieja hosted an Awards Presentation for all their Slim4Life clients on the 19th April 2023. Our very worthy winner was Donna Gay who lost 5 stone and has restored her health and now has a new lease on life. Among our other weight loss winners were all our maintenance clients, who have completed the unique programme and have kept their weight off. Slim4Life are now running a new Makeover Challenge for April/May. To win both the Makeover with, amongst other prizes, are a hair cut and finish by Indiana’s Hair Studio and a massage by Tifanie Wentzell at Mind, Body and Soul Holistic Therapy.

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Simplify Your Life Step by Step: A Comprehensive Guide

We all want to live simpler lives, but where do we begin? It can be overwhelming to think about all the changes we need to make to achieve this goal. But the truth is, simplifying your life doesn’t have to be difficult. With a few small steps, you can start simplifying your life today. In this guide, we’ll show you how to simplify your life step by step.

Step 1: Declutter Your Home

The first step to simplifying your life is to declutter your home. A cluttered home can lead to a cluttered mind, making it difficult to focus and be productive. Start by going through each room in your home and getting rid of anything you don’t need or use. This includes clothes, kitchen gadgets, and old papers. Donate or sell items that are in good condition, and throw away anything that is damaged or no longer useful.

Step 2: Create a Simple Daily Routine

Creating a simple daily routine can help you feel more organised and in control of your day. Start by identifying the most important tasks you need to accomplish each day, such as work, exercise, and spending time with loved ones. Then, create a schedule that allows you to accomplish these tasks without feeling overwhelmed. Don’t forget to include time for relaxation and self-care, such as reading a book or taking a bath.

Step 3: Reduce Your Screen Time

Simplify Your Life.

In today’s digital age, it’s easy to get caught up in the endless scrolling and notifications of our devices. But too

much screen time can lead to stress, anxiety, and decreased productivity. Try reducing your screen time by setting limits on how much time you spend on your phone or computer each day. Instead, use that time to do something productive or relaxing, such as going for a walk or reading a book.

Step 4: Simplify Your Finances

Money can be a major source of stress in our lives, but simplifying your finances can help alleviate that stress. Start by creating a budget that outlines your monthly expenses and income. Then, look for ways to cut back on unnecessary expenses, such as eating out or buying expensive clothes. Consider consolidating your debt or automating your bill payments to make managing your finances easier.

Step 5: Practice Gratitude

Practicing gratitude can help shift your mindset from focusing on what you don’t have to appreciating what you do have. Take time each day to reflect on the things you’re grateful for, such as your health, your family, or your job. This can help reduce stress and increase overall happiness and well-being.

Step 6: Simplify Your Relationships

Our relationships can also add complexity and stress to our lives.

Simplify your relationships by focusing on the people who bring positivity and joy to your life. Let go of toxic relationships or those that no longer serve you. Spend time with loved ones who support and encourage you.

Step 7: Practice Mindfulness

Practicing mindfulness is a great way

to simplify your life by helping you stay present in the moment and reducing stress and anxiety. Start by taking a few minutes each day to focus on your breath and be present in the moment. You can also try mindfulness meditation or yoga to help you stay centered and calm.

Step 8: Simplify Your Diet

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is important for overall health and well-being, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Simplify your diet by focusing on whole, unprocessed foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive alcohol consumption.

Step 9: Set Boundaries

Setting boundaries is an important part of simplifying your life. This means learning to say “no” to things that don’t align with your values or priorities, and creating space for the things that do. Set boundaries with work, friends, and family to make sure you’re not spreading yourself too thin.

Step 10: Embrace Minimalism

Minimalism is all about living with less, and it can be a powerful tool for simplifying your life. Embrace minimalism by decluttering your home and getting rid of things you don’t need or use. You can also try a capsule wardrobe or a minimalist lifestyle to help you focus on the things that really matter.

By following these ten steps, you can simplify your life and create a more fulfilling, meaningful existence. Remember, simplifying your life is a journey, not a destination, so be patient and kind to yourself as you navigate this process. With time and dedication, you can achieve the simple, peaceful life you’ve always wanted. Simplifying your life can lead to increased happiness, productivity, and overall well-being. By following these six steps, you can start simplifying your life today. Remember, it’s not about making drastic changes all at once, but about taking small steps in the right direction. By simplifying your life step by step, you can achieve a simpler, more fulfilling life.

Trailer gets stuck in Catral - again

Two hurt in Formentera de Segura accident

A five-year-old girl and a woman were hit by a car in Formentera del Segura. Both were taken to hospital for polytraumatisms.

A five year old girl and a 67 year old woman were run over last week

in the Avenida de la Constitución in the municipality of Formentera del Segura. A car ran over them, causing polytraumatic injuries.

The girl was initially taken to the municipality’s health centre, but finally the SAMU ambulance services

took charge of the situation and treated her, after which she was taken to Alicante’s General University Hospital. The woman was also treated and, after being stabilised, was evacuated to Torrevieja Hospital by advanced life support ambulance.

It’s not the first time it happens: a trailer gets stuck in a street in Catral

In Santa Águeda street at the height of the road to El Rollo bridge.

Last week a trailer got stuck in Catral, in Santa Águeda street at the height of the Puente El Rollo road. As Catral Actual reports on its Facebook profile, it seems that a bad GPS indication could have led this lorry along this route, which is not suitable for heavy vehicles.

According to Catral Actual, “this is not the first time this has happened”, as neighbours point out. In addition, the lorry has taken several cables from the facades of the houses. They also point out that the Catral Local Police have been on the scene to resolve the situation.

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A Day of Failures

First equipment failures on four of the five boats that registered for the SAMM Racing on April 16th and the 15 knot ENE wind failed to drop off to 10 knots as forecast but fluctuated between 9 and 15 knots all day which was challenging. Luckily, at Los Narejos, it was coming partly from across the land so at least the 0.7 meter high waves did not materialise.

At the start of the first race, two of the boats competing did not hear the start signals because they had sailed too far from the line. Vision had an engine bolt, main halyard and another problem so did not start.

Ginetta crossed after 5 minutes, closely followed by Uno, Cuatro and Sirocco. These four had a close battle, especially Uno and Ginetta, until Uno’s jib tore and Cuatro’s jib halyard snapped so she had to continue on reefed main alone. On the 3rd lap Sirocco’s upper rudder pintle screws sheared so she had to retire.

So only three boats completed the race, all managing five laps in the hour.

During the interval Ginetta, who’s crew confessed to narrowly avoiding T-boning the moored ferry before the start, changed helm, only for Julian to hit the jetty. Luckily it was a glancing blow so no major damage, except to Julian’s reputation.

This left three boats to start the second race. Ginetta across first closely followed by Cuatro. Uno had gone ashore to fix the sail and shake

out the reef in the mainsail started 10 minutes late. Her crew sailed well and she completed 6 laps to finish only 3 minutes behind Ginetta. The crew on Cuatro mistook the “about to finish” signal for their finish horn so did not complete the race.

So a disappointing finish to a problem filled day.

Results, as average time per lap.

First race. 1st Ginetta 386 secs, 2nd Uno 426 secs, 3rd Cuatro 453 secs

Second race, Ginetta 352 secs, 2nd Uno 433 secs

If you are interested in sailing join SAMM. Go to sailingmarmenor.com for details.

La Unica Golf Society

On Monday 17th April, 24 players from the newly formed La Unica golf society played their inaugural game at Altorreal golf course. It was a beautiful day for golf and although most of us found it challenging we all enjoyed it.

The results were NTPs hole 5 Russ Todd, hole 8 Albert Cook, hole 10 Stephen Gilbert and hole 17 Debbie Weedon.

In 1st place with 37 points was Allan Collis and the runner up with 33 points was Stephen Gilbert.

Pictured are the winners.

SOLUTIONS ON PAGE 37