IT’S a sad indictment of these depressing times but nonetheless time to get used to the fact that Britain is rapidly changing. Un controlled immigration.

Incompetent politicians (some of whom lie ­ yes, you, Boris). Incompetent police officers. The BBC run by obscenely­overpaid supremos. A health service on life support despite huge increases in ‘managers’ who couldn’t run a village fête, let alone vital NHS Trusts.

Medical staff on strike who prioritise their needs over those they’re supposed to care for such as the gravely ill resulting from lack of treatment during the pandemic. Overpaid, over­pensioned public­sector bosses who couldn’t organise a you­know­what. Where’s it all go­

And isn’t this year’s Chelsea Flower Show but a reflection of the current UK? An analogy. Wild, overgrown, out of control, choked with weed, a shadow of its former self. Weedkiller, anyone? A general election perhaps?

And a final word on the UK honours system. Tainted by unfairness, cronyism and corruption, it must be made fit for those truly deserving of national recognition. Honours are for courage, selflessness and going above and beyond. Not for backscratching, time­serving and bungs.

So, why is Great Britain no longer great? Answers on a postcard please.

Nora Johnson’s 12 critically acclaimed psychological suspense crime thrillers (www.nora­john son.net) all available online including eBooks (€0.99; £0.99), Apple Books, audiobooks, paperbacks at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.

Nora Johnson’s opinions are her own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.

THE British Benevolent Fund was founded over a century ago to help those Britons in Spain in extreme financial distress. Many times, this distress is exasperated or caused by illness ­ mental or physical impairing an individual’s ability to earn an income.

We are presently struggling with a case of Susan, a young mother of two children who came to Spain with her husband. They both worked remotely for UK companies, but were resident in Spain and eligible for health support.

They had been here for a relatively short time when shortly before Christmas the husband took ill and was rushed to hospital where they diagnosed multiple organ failure which included the liver.

He was taken to an emergency ward where he still is receiving 24­hour care and awaiting a liver transplant. He remains in a critical condition.

Neither he nor his wife had any insurance for any such eventuality and with the loss of income it meant she has had to cut back to the basics for the children. Their respective families have chipped in small amounts, but nobody is able to fund their situation for any length of time.

The doctors have given him a slim chance ­ but a fighting one.

A suitable donor is being awaited and they calculate around two to three months.

In the meantime, bills need to be paid ­ even with her reduced income ends don’t meet. Rent, food, utility, travel to and from the hospital and two children to take care of.

Much depends on the outcome of the operation ­ but in the shorter term we are trying to help Susan get through what must be an unbearable situation to face every day.

Olaf Clayton of BBF.

State support is not available to them as they have only been in Spain for a short time and not made the necessary contributions.

We have agreed an amount to cover her immediate needs ­ to make up the shortfall from what she is able to earn and make a contribution to some of the accrued expenses for the children.

And we wait for a better outcome.

We can only help people like Susan with your support, if you would like to make a donation to help her and many others who face the worst that life can throw please visit www.british benevolentfund.org.

Thank you, Olaf Clayton, Chair, BBF

Many of our readers have commented on the fact they are missing the Grumpy Old Man articles that were part of EWN for so many years. Unfortunately, Mike Senker hasn’t been very well of late and therefore had to stop writing for a while although he has promised he is still quite grumpy and will submit new articles as and when he can. In the meantime, we have dusted off some of his always amusing observations from past issues for your entertainment.

Views

WHY is everything so expensive these days? I saw a book recently called ‘How to find happiness without money'’ - it cost €20! I have grey hair and was advised to use a special shampoo. I looked it up online and it was £30 a bottle. Are they mad?

My first mortgage was less than that a month and I struggled to pay that! Of course you don’t have to pay that much. You can go to the supermarket and get a bottle for a couple of euros but I think there is just a big keg somewhere and they use the same stuff for shampoo, body wash, dishwashing, carpet cleaning, car wash and flea shampoo for dogs!

I was in the airport the other day and had a cheese and tomato baguette which is just a poncey name for a big roll. It was £6.50! I’ve seen more cheese on a mouse trap and the slice of tomato looked like it had been shaved off and was cleverly hanging out the side to make it look full. £3 for a bottle of water! It’s just a liberty. But it’s a

Mike’s captive audience so we pay it. I remember years ago I was in Dallas and wanted to go out for a steak so I asked the concierge where a good place to go was. “Do you want a $50 steak or a $100 steak?” he asked. “What’s the difference?” I enquired. “$50”, he said, “the steak’s the same but one place has carpet on the floor the other sawdust.” We went with the sawdust! Get my point?

It’s the same here in Spain. I went to a restaurant with some mates and was told it was nouveau cuisine. Not having a clue what that meant at the time, as this was a few years ago, I ordered something with prawns as a starter and up came a lettuce leaf with a prawn on it. I sort of treated it a bit like testing the wine. By the time the waiter had served the other three people I looked up and said, “Very nice, I’ll have a whole portion please.”

Good work LETTERS

Dear Leapy

I would just like to thank you for your column. What you write in the Euro Weekly, it’s a shame our country has gone to the dogs. I spend most of my time in Spain now and I just hate going back. Anyway all the best mate, keep up the good work.

Alex

Religious minority

Thank you Chris King for your article highlighting the plight of these families and persecuted members of our faith. Every voice that stands against oppression and raises awareness is a valued voice that calls for humanity.

Michelle

No understanding

I can’t understand how we love in a world where when you ask for help, as your life and your family are at risk, you get beaten and incarcerated. I really thank this article and I pray everyone in this world has the freedom to live their faith in peace.

Veronica

Spot on

Just wanted to say that this week’s report is spot on again. Hope you can post this on more social media sites where the young may stand a chance of seeing it. (not that they will change in any way !!)

Thanks and keep up the good work.

Best wishes,

Young generation

Tony Wiggins

Mother here of two Gen Z kids ­ the age group Leapy refers to. He is so out of touch. My kids 18 and 22 are anti­designer. They walked to school and looked after themselves after school whilst I worked. They are anti­fast food, can both cook healthy food ­ far better than previous generations.

They are frugal and prefer second­hand clothes which is now the fashion. They change their phones when they break. One of them is a teacher who gets in to work at 7am and is there till 5, going home to do marking. But will still give his seat on a bus to somebody more in need.

What they are is very open to different cultures and different sexual persuasions. Not a bad thing in my book. Incidentally they also read real books and write them. They open the door to people both in real life and metaphorically.

When are older people going to stop demonising this generation that are probably the kindest, most respectful people alive today . Believe me they could learn a lot.

Fiona

Your job

Come on Leapy I know you have said before you are not interested in standing for Parliament, but let’s face it you are the man for the job.

With you as the new Prime Minister we might just stand a chance of putting the GREAT back in BRITAIN.

Anyway keep up the good work of spreading common sense.

Regards,

It’s obvious

Tony

Re letter from DMP edition June 1, ‘Electric scooters being misused and asking Leapy to write about it’.

Sorry to point out the obvious but the police probably do not read EWN. If people want to bring the misuse to the attention of the police and other authorities, may I suggest they speak directly to them? That way they will know of the problem and can choose whether it’s worth tackling it.

John Carrington

No chance

Hola, thinking how Mental Health is brought up so often now, do you remember a 1966 recording ‘They’re coming to take me away haha’ by Napoleon XIV?

Don’t think he would have got it released in today’s society

Raymond Wilby

The truth

Dear Leapy,

In response to your column in EWN this week, I would say that never were truer words written! While reading it, two descriptive words came to me immediately, ignorance and hypocrisy! As for respect, they wouldn't know how to spell it!

Ken, San Fulgencio

Tourists beware

My understanding is that it is not possible for Spanish police to issue penalty points to drivers driving under a British (or Irish) driving licence. Apart from all else, the British issue penalty points, whereas, the Spanish system awards every driver with 12 points, then takes them away as punishment for driving related offences. It would be sweet, however, if you already had nine British penalty points, and Spanish Plod came along and took the ning points off you, lol.

Allan Grieve