The Leader Edition 854 - February 15

No 854 Monday 15th - Sunday 21st February 2021

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Keeping people safe and informed for over 17 years - The Costa Blanca’s oldest ‘FREE’ English language newspaper

BREAKING POINT Medical staff disgusted at lack of uptake by Health in retired personnel Of the 68 volunteer doctors in the Community only 9 were taken on

mpty surgeries and a lack of trained staff in hospitals and health centres, especially nurses and doctors, to care for coronavirus patients.

E

This is the situation that is being experi-

enced in health centres across the province since the coronavirus pandemic broke out. However, despite this lack of staff, The Ministry of Health has hardly taken on any retired doctors and nurses to support the exhausted staff who are working in our local hospitals and health centres.

And that is not because of a lack of volunteers! In both the first and third waves of the pandemic, two recruiting drives were introduced for retired medical professionals who wanted to help voluntarily.

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The Ministry of Health itself said that 160 people signed up to the first campaign, all nurses and doctors in the Valencian Community. Of that number there were at least 68 doctors from the Alicante province. However, only nine doctors were called across all three provinces.

The department of health justified this low number, by saying that they only mobilised "retirees who demonstrated experience and knowledge in the areas of Epidemiology".

As such they chose not to engage qualified and trained staff from the areas of general medicine, many of whom would have been able to take on a multitude of other medical tasks, thereby freeing up those health personnel already in the system, who were better qualified to work elsewhere.

Neither were any of the volunteers engaged to help during the third wave, despite the situation being much more serious.

At the end of January, when the third

Monday 15th - Sunday 21st February, 2021 wave of the pandemic was out of control, hospitals were on the verge of collapse and many health centres were completely overwhelmed, so another recruiting drive was activated, this time asking only for help with vaccination tasks. A further 227 retired medical staff, including doctors and nurses, offered their services.

At the moment not one individual has been called, although the vaccination campaign began at the end of December, and despite the lack of doctors and nurses, staff are being moved from the front line of the fight against the virus to carry out these vaccination tasks.

Both the College of Physicians and the College of Nursing say that they cannot understand why a greater number of retired medical volunteers, all of who were willing to go back to work to ease the pressure on their colleagues, have not been engaged.

"From the beginning we have offered the Ministry of Health all possible help, both with the use of our facilities and the offer of voluntary retired staff", explained German Schwarz, vice president of the Alicante College of

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tracking or telephone follow-up of patients with covid at home, in order to free up professionals who are doing these tasks in health centres, and who could then be used to reinforce other services.”

Schwarz believes that Health could have got a lot out of retired professionals without having to use them on the front line of the pandemic. "For example, to do a contact tracing it is not necessary for them to be present in a hospital or a health centre. All they need is a telephone and authorisation to access patient data, something that would have been quite simple to achieve."

The lack of personnel is a long-standing problem in Alicante's healthcare system. Nationally the Spanish average is 3.2 doctors per thousand inhabitants. Just to match that ratio, about 400 more doctors would be needed in our hospitals and health centres.

Similarly, the president of the Alicante College of Nursing, Montse Angulo, said that she does not understand why none of the nurses, who offered their services in March, were taken on, taking into account that nurses are in such short supply, and that the hiring of final-year students by Health did not alleviate the lack of staff.

Neither, in the case of the nurses, does Angulo believe that it was necessary to put them on the front line to treat covid patients. “They too could be used for

The situation in the case of Nursing staff is much worse, where more than a thousand professionals are needed if we want to reach the national average.

But despite the shortages in Spain, we are still well ahead of other European countries in the ratio of medical staff to the numbers of population. The big problem, however, is that, although they are sought, there are no doctors or nurses to enter the health system at anything more than a trickle, as many of them choose to move abroad in search of better working conditions.

There are 6,000 nurses from Spain working in the UK NHS alone.

the wall."

She was referring to the rear of the cemetery, an entrance with difficult access, and the wall that surrounded the Catholic cemetery. This is where the first excavations were carried out. However, in that first dig, at a depth of 40 centimetres, the archaeologists came across a bed of rock, which ruled out any likelihood of the graves being at that site.

The work in the Orihuela cemetery, to locate the remains of the 17 people shot dead by Francoists a few months after the close of the Spanish Civil War, has ended without success.

Even though all the testimonies and explorations pointed to the same location, nothing has been found.

There were two futher digs in which they did find the existence of a hollow which they suspect may have been used at that time, but they found no evidence of any bodies.

Investigators are now to decide whether to call in more sophisticated equipment or to extend the search beyond the present site.

However, the monies are still understood to be available as the company carrying out the investiga-

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Physicians. In the first wave of the pandemic, the institution developed its own pool of volunteers, for which 68 people signed up "but that we did not use, because the Ministry told us that they were forming their own list".

No success in search for Orihuela’s Franco graves

In mid-November 2020, the works began. A week later, the Regional Minister for Participation, Transparency, Cooperation and Democratic Quality, Rosa Pérez Garijo, visited the Orihuela cemetery. As a result of her visit the Ministry allocated a budget of 23,776 euros.

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tion, Drakkar Consultora, agreed that it would charge based on exhumed bodies.

Descendants of those who were executed were also present during that visit. Mari Carmen remembered her mother's words in her description of the location of the grave. "To the left of the entrance, in front of

"The options would seem to be that they removed the bodies, or when they built the water tank they destroyed the grave."

The difficulty now of locating the graves and finding the bodies is that everything points to the remains being located under another row of graves.

This makes it difficult to determine the exact location of the burial site and the bodies without disturbing those lying above.

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POOR CONNECTIONS TO T H E C O A S T H I N D E R AV E TOURISM

Journey Times: Madrid to Elche Elche to Torrevieja Madrid to Orihuela Orihuela to Torrevieja -

2 hrs 08 min 3 hrs 45 min 2hrs 22 min 2 hrs 15 min

T

wo new AVE, high speed rail, connections with Madrid have been receiving a great deal of hype in recent days, after the Prime Minister and the Community President arrived in Orihuela on the first train to connect the city with the Spanish capital.

The connection is being hailed as a major boost for tourism in the area with the Orihuela mayor, Emilio Bascuñana, saying that it “will mean a better service to people across the entire region and of course it will also bring thousands of additional visitors into the area, promoting tourism at the regional level ”.

Of course that might be the case for Orihuela City with its churches, palaces and museums, but for anyone hoping to play golf or spend a few says relaxing on a beach, they may find that it will take the same amount of time to get from the station to their destination as it did to the province from Madrid.

Unfortunately, until the road and the transport infrastructure are both greatly improved, despite the claims of the politicians, the poor connection of the two new AVE stations with the coast will continue to hinder the arrival of tourists.

Both stations, Miguel Hernández in Orihuela and Elche AV (High Speed) in Matola, are almost 40 kilometres from the closest stretch of the Mediterranean sea, and with neither town being able to offer anything like a half decent bus service, visitors might find they are obliged to meet the additional expense of taking a taxi.

Both Orihuela and Elche will end up competing to be the most attractive drop off point for those who wish to travel to the coast, hoping to attract passengers who, until now, were getting off in Alicante.

Using Torrevieja as the proposed final destination, Elche station starts with an advantage in terms of its connectivity by road, but fails in communication by public transport, a journey that Orihuela wins.

The traveller arriving from Madrid and bound for Torrevieja who stops at the Elche high speed station must take the bus (1.35 euros) into the city centre, a journey of about half an hour.

Once there, you must then take a second bus from the bus station that will takes you to Torrevieja, however, if you arrive on the AVE at 9.16 you will have to wait until 11.30 and the journey will take you a further hour and a half.

In total, it will take you 3 hours and 45 minutes to go from Matola to Torrevieja , almost

double the time that it took to get from Madrid to Elche. If you arrive on the AVE that arrives at 22.04, there is no public transport to Torrevieja at that time.

If the traveller decides to arrive in Orihuela-Miguel Hernández, can catch the bus to Torrevieja at the station, which will save them precious time. So, if you take the AVE in the morning you will arrive in Orihuela at 9.30 am.

You will have to wait until 10.45 for the bus to Torrevieja (€ 2.65), which will arrive at its destination one hour later, a total of 2 hours and 15 minutes from the time you got off the train. Similar to Elche, there is no connection by public transport if you arrive in Orihuela on the AVE at 22.18.

So, while the connection by coach to the coast is better from Orihuela, it still takes at least the same amount of time to travel the 35 kilometres that separate Orihuela from Torrevieja as the initial 450 kms from Madrid by high speed train.

With a spend exceeding 40 billion euros for the rail link, you might be excused for expecting that our highly paid political decision makers would also factor into the development costs the connection from Elche and Orihuela to the coast. Now that really would provide the tourist bonanza that they claim.

But, of course, the one major issue common to all democratic variants, is that elected officials have strong incentives to be shortsighted in their proposals and actions — to maximise perceived short-term gains at the expense of long-term progress. That is because they focus on re-election and the popularity of their parties and allies in the near future, instead of the common good in the long run.

Perhaps its just as well that their salaries aren’t proportional to their “performance” while in office.

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952 NEW HOMES PLANNED FOR THE ORIHUELA COSTA

Orihuela Council is planning to build a further 952 homes in Campoamor

Orihuela plans a further 952 homes on the Costa

The company that operates the cruise terminal in the Port of Alicante, Costablanca Portuaria SL, has declared itself bankrupt due to a lack of income as a result of the zero tourist activity in the cruise port over the last year.

The company has an asset of close to one million euros in the form of tangible fixed assets and financial invest-

maximum of 2,887 inhabitants is calculated, with a permanent occupation of 20% and a seasonal one of 80%. Thus, the cost of services and annual maintenance for the urbanization would be 218,333 euros (street cleaning, waste collection and maintenance of green areas), while the annual income to be collected by the council would amount 1,736,157 euros.

The firm is owned by two Canarian shareholders and the Alicante-based Inversiones Portuarias Alicántara.

Costa Blanca Portuaria obtained the concession of the cruise terminal in 2014 for a period of 20 years, with the possibility of an extension for another 4.

The terminal is currently closed, despite the fact that the company has confidence that cruise traffic can be restored before the end of the first half of this year, depending on the evolution of the health crisis and the progress made by the vaccination process across the European Union.

The municipal authorities are presently unable to look after the needs of it’s current population. How I wonder will it cope with 3,000 more?

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ments, but the negative results of previous years have stressed its balance sheet even before the pandemic reduced the number of stopovers in Alicante to zero.

Once again it seems as though the coast is for sale at any price, and without any thought for the people who are already resident in the area, having to put up with it’s inferior infrastructure and lack of basic amenities.

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Management of Alicante cruise terminal bankrupt

The firm itself has declared voluntary bankruptcy last Wednesday. The judge confirmed the bankruptcy naming the main creditor as the Port Authority.

The plot is located between the Campoamor residential area, which is to the north, and the municipal border with Mil Palmeras, to the south. The inland perimeter is the N-332 highway.

The report details the annual cost of local administration to maintain a medium-sized urbanisation such as the one proposed, which would accommodate a

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The firm, which continues to pay port fees at a 40% discount, that was negotiated due to the pandemic, has not seen any cruise liners since the single stopover that arrived just before the lockdown as a result of which all its staff are on ERTE.

Orihuela’s Urban Planning Department has put on public display the partial plan of Sector B-1a "Mil Palmeras", which will allow the urbanisation of 159,000 square metres of land with the capacity to build a further 952 homes on one of the few undeveloped areas of the Oriolano coast.

The urban planning lawyer who signed the sustainability report, Juan Enrique Serrano, says that the plan "is totally and completely sustainable and economically viable", both for the company that will build the properties, and for the Orihuela City Council, the municipality in which it is located.

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Vacancies at Correos Up to 128,021 operational positions are being advertised across Spain, of which 2,530 available in the Region of Murcia, sources from the state company reported last week.

However potential applicants must waste no time as, in the first three days, 119,934 people have already registered at the state level.

The deadline for online applications closes on 17 February.

Train with the Orihuela Chamber During the next semester, training courses will be run by Orihuela Chamber of Commerce in areas such as administration and management, commerce and marketing, digital skills, languages and health.

“Is planned to carry out up to seven face-to-face courses on a wide variety of making it easier for our young people to access the labour market," a spokesman said.

New bike and pedestrian lane will improve safety in San Fulgencio A new bike lane is being constructed that will allow residents of San Fulgencio to move more easily across the municipality.

The route, which will also include an area adapted for pedestrians, will run parallel to the CV-860 road, for approximately 3 kilometres in both directions.

The works will last approximately two months, but when complete it will improve mobility and unity among its residents, while promoting healthy living and a commitment to the protection of the environment."

New Commandant for Guardia

The mayor welcomed the new Commander of the Civil Guard in Torrevieja last week, Santos Buendía García, who arrives in the city following a tour of duty as commander of the Valencia Civil Guard and head of Information and Investigation.

Buendía fills the vacancy left by Antonio J. Leal, last September who, following completion of a

General Staff Course, moved to a new assignment in Madrid.

The mayor spoke of the excellent relationship between the City Council and the Torrevieja Civil Guard, and their ongoing collaboration in regards to public security, this partnership being even closer since the state of alarm began last March.

Monday 15th - Sunday 21st February, 2021

The Department of the Environment has said that it is planting fruit trees within the BIC del Palmeral.

This action complements the recent cultivation of the six orchards that were established a few months ago, with herbaceous plants such as wheat and barley, as well as two other orchards, located in the north of the Palmeral, where 110 olive trees were planted.

The new plantation consists of 43 trees (20 pomegranates and 23 fig trees of two different varieties) They were to be carried out by schoolchildren to celebrate International Tree Day, which has been impossible due to the limitations of activities allowed by Covid-19.

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BRITISH SHOPPERS FEEL BREXIT EFFECT Although the British Government reached a Brexit agreement with the EU just prior to the end of the year, the politicians responsible would now seem to have washed their hands of many of the problems that the agreement has introduced.

Increased paperwork and trade delays are causing problems for retailers that stock European products as well as producers that export their goods overseas, with the red tape damaging for both importers and exporters, even putting some business at risk.

The government has set up a new dedicated team to work with the food industry on how to streamline the movement of goods, but to date it would appear to have yielded few results.

Of course it is not only the import of goods to supermarkets in the UK that are suffering from the fallout of the Brexit deal but many Supermarkets and Independent businesses here in Spain have also been faced with supply problems, because of post-Brexit rules on exports into the EU. Fresh produce at 20 Marks and Spencer stores in France, Morrison's in Gibraltar, and a chain of UK supermarkets in Belgium is reportedly on the verge of closure - with no deliveries since December. Indeed one Marks & Spencer store in Paris has now shut its doors after experiencing weeks of food shortages and delays of fresh food imports from the UK.

That is still very much the case, with no immediate forecast of things getting back to normal any time soon, although the company has recently turned to Irish supermarket chain SuperValu to help fill the growing number of gaps on their shelves and in their deep freeze cabinets.

Deeside based Iceland MD Richard Walker said, pre-Brexit, he was not concerned about food shortages on shelves after January 1 - whether or not a Brexit 'deal' was secured.

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Scavenging for the weekly shop Quote: “Dozens of people are seeking food at Teulada markets. There are more and more of us and it's increasingly difficult to find food. If no more people come, I think it is for fear of catching coronavirus” woman with 8 children

Are we seeing the end of custard creams?

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Overseas Supermarkets in the area have also had issues, with deliveries caught up by the new EU regulations, with one employee saying they had 'no idea where their delivery was' after vegetables were delayed in January.

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After Ministers had warned supermarkets not to stockpile, Mr Walker wrote on Twitter: "How would we stockpile fresh food – or even frozen, given that depots are 100% full with Christmas stock? Deal or no deal, I am not concerned about shelf shortages."

Comments from Mr Walker, who reportedly voted to leave the European Union, came as the BRC also sought to reassure shoppers there was no need to panic buy - in the event of 'nodeal' as negotiations between the UK and the EU continued, preBrexit.

BRC CEO Helen Dickinson had said retailers were preparing for all outcomes and stockpiling extra products, including toilet rolls, tinned foods and other longer life items, to ensure continued supply of essentials.

Some businesses in Spain were also caught up in the new customs and VAT process since leaving the EU, with The Little Painter in Los Montesinos alarmed at the additional VAT (IVA) costs incurred, in importing stock to Spain, as previously reported by The Leader.

"Retailers have also been building new customs and VAT processes, working with suppliers to ease logistics, and more," said BRC CEO Helen Dickinson, ahead of the preBrexit 'deal'.

Aldi in Quesada had their shelves full, with no issues during a visit by The Leader on February 9.

Another store that anticipated the problem was the International supermarket in La Marina which stocked its shelves and its warehouse prior to Christmas, however that too now has one eye on its suppliers, none of whom have had any deliveries this year, with some

beginning to run out of many popular items.

Exporters are being overwhelmed by the amount of paperwork needed to bring products through customs in France.

They say it is taking UK suppliers 3 weeks to prepare the paperwork for shipment alone, and that a separate form has to be completed for each individual item. With some consignments moving hundreds of items at a time in a single lorry, this is a long, drawn out and expensive process.

If just one form is completed incorrectly this will then delay the whole shipment, which attracts additional costs in manpower and transport, as a result of which supermarkets do not know the cost of their produce until it arrives at the door.

With UK exporters now facing significant additional costs and paperwork, many are rethinking their post-Brexit strategy and analysing whether it is viable to supply European markets. Some have already decided to stop exporting to Europe which will mean that our favourite British foodstuffs may be even harder to source.

Those that do carry on are unlikely to absorb extra costs which inevitably means price rises for the consumer.

Post Brexit bureaucracy mean that many stores and supermarkets supplying British foodstuffs find that their supplies are in a pretty sorry state, without a single delivery of food from the UK in almost 6 weeks, so if your taste for UK products includes custard creams, shortbread, pilgrims cheese, corned beef, proper bacon or British bangers, those days could soon be over, if not you can be absolutely sure that they will certainly come at a premium.

Desperate hungry people have taken to flocking to collect waste food - from the floor - in the Alicante province of Teulada at the closure of twice weekly markets, on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Scenes, amid the worsening coronavirus situation at present, have shocked many with hungry people rummaging for food, some using shopping trolleys.

"I have come to accompany my husband. There are three of us at home - only my son works, who barely earns 800 euros.

"I would like to work. In my country of Venezuela I worked in houses, cleaning and taking care of children," said Rita X, who managed to find bananas.

Ecuadorian Latina X, who was searching for food with her husband, said: "You end up meeting the same people every week."

Dozens of people are seeking food at the Teulada markets and one woman - who has eight children - said: “There are more and more of us here it is increasingly difficult to find food in good condition.

"If no more people come, I think it is for fear of catching coronavirus.

"Some of my children work, but I have a small pension and sometimes I have to help them - it doesn't provide for everything."

Along with pensioners, middle-aged and young people are present, searching for food, including Spanish, Cuban, Eastern Europeans, Russians and Arab origin.

“I was taking care of the elderly, but I can't find anything anymore," said the Cuban.

"I don't want to steal. I have a great need, because I am unemployed, and my son is hooked on drugs. I'm desperate," he said, shedding tears.

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Orihuela’s taste of the Orient

Monday 15th - Sunday 21st February, 2021

By Andrew Atkinson Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary said people are desperate to return to the beaches of Spain - which he believes could be in the summer.

O'Leary said that vaccines are giving hope, after a woeful aviation year in 2020 and to date in 2021.

Mayor, Emilio Bascuñana, highlighted the importance of “having a pavilion at this fair, being able to talk about Orihuela agriculture, its agri-food sector the opportunity to open markets in the area.

Orihuela is the only Spanish city that will be at the event, considered in China to be the Olympiad of the sector. In addition to many Chinese cities, Orihuela will share the venue with Jeju (Korea), Auckland (New Zealand), Zuid Holand (Netherlands), Vanuatu (Fiji), Quebec (Canada), Or Tambo (South Africa), Richmond and Liverpool (UK), Genoa and San Remo (Italy) and Petah Tikva (Israel).

The China Flower EXPO is the largest and most relevant national flower event in China with an area of 10 square km. Orihuela will sit on a 500 square metre open-air garden-pavilion in the Shanghai International City Park. The organisation expects to receive three million visitors during the two week Expo.

The Orihuela stand is being built at no cost to the city council as the construction of the pavilion is carried out by the organisation alongside the designers, who are all professionals from Orihuela.

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DESPERATE FOR SUN AND BEACHES

"People are desperate to get back to the beaches of Spain. By June, July and August families will hopefully return to the beaches," said O'Leary.

Orihuela will attend the 10th China International Flower Expo, manning a display stand that is entitled "Blossoming Chinese dream". The Expo will be held on the island of Chongming, Shanghai, from May 21 to July 2, 2021.

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"You can take comfort from the number of UK vaccinations - and I think Europe is catching up," said O'Leary.

Spain had an 80 per cent decrease in visitors in 2020, and airlines have few flight's operating at present.

"The UK has delivered the most successful vaccine programme and I think bookings will come back, even stronger," said O'Leary.

"Families will return to fly to Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece, we'll see that this summer," said O'Leary.

"Easter is a write-off. With summer period bookings superior. When we return fares will be even lower," said O'Leary.

"People will surge in their millions to go on holiday," added O'Leary.

O'Leary believes travel restrictions will be dropped, once high risk groups were inoculated. The UK is expected to vaccinate everyone over 50 by the end of March.

"We think once all those high risk groups, the elderly, the NHS, and nursing homes have been vaccinated, then travel restrictions should be removed, particularly on short haul intra European travel," said O'Leary.

"We expect to see a very strong return of British families travelling to the beaches of Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece in relative safety this summer," he said.

EasyJet reported summer bookings rising by 250%, despite the cost of pre-departure coronavirus tests costing up to £150.

ber of passengers it carried fell to 8.1 million, from 35.9 million a year earlier.

The loss for the quarter contrasts with an €88m profit after tax in the same period a year before.

Amid lockdowns and restrictions across the EU and UK continuing to stifle demand, O'Leary said: "As we look beyond the crisis, and vaccinations roll out, the Ryanair Group expects to have a much lower cost base and a strong balance sheet.

However the Covid pandemic has caused the closure of some EU airlines, including Flybe, Germanwings and Level.

"That will enable it to fund lower fares and add lower-cost aircraft to capitalise on the many growth opportunities that will be available in all markets across Europe."

Ryanair announced losses of €307m for the three months to December 31, as the num-

Ryanair expects annual losses of up to €1bn (£870m) for the year to March 2021.

People just want to feel the sun on their backs once again

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Valencian courts to hear appeal against closure of hospitality

The fourth section of the Administrative Litigation Chamber of the Superior Court of Justice of the Valencian Community (TSJCV) has accepted the appeal presented by the SOS Hostelería association against the resolution of January 19 of the Ministry of Health that introduced the total closure of the sector "as a consequence of the worsening of the health crisis situation caused by covid-19" The president of SOS Hostelería, Fidel Molina, has said that he is with the decision of the TSJCV and has denounced the Generalitat's resolution saying that it is "against the law" and "seriously damaging to the interests of the sector."

Molina said that the fact that the appeal has been admitted "gives

He said that all public centres will be made

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some hope to the hoteliers" since, in his opinion, "there is a good chance that the TSJCV will end up allowing the sector to reopen, as has happened in the Basque Country ".

He added that the Minister of Health, Ana Barceló, "has still not explained the reasons that lead her to close certain types of establishments and to suspend certain activities and not others, nor why the worsening of the pandemic justifies the closure of establishments and the suspension of certain activities while keeping other non-essential activities open ".

Meanwhile Spanish newspaper Las Provincias is reporting that the hospitality sector has run out of patience and after four weeks of forced closure the Business Coordinator of Leisure and

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Hospitality and the Confederation of Tourism Entrepreneurs of the Community have said that almost 2,000 of their businesses have stated that they will open their doors on Tuesday 16 February despite the continued closure.

The political website elconfidencialdigital.com has gone a stage further, announcing at the weekend that the hotel industry will reopen throughout Spain next week. It states that the Government and the autonomies assume that, following the pronouncement of the Basque Justice system in favour of the reopening of bars and restaurants, because it cannot be proven that they are a focus for the virus, they will lose any subsequent appeals made in other communities, and as such they have taken the decision to concede.

Bishop, sister and brother in Law all accused of jumping the vaccine queue

Dolón offers mass vaccination sites in Torrevieja The mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolón, has sent a letter to the president of the Generalitat, Ximo Puig, offering his full cooperation with the planned mass vaccination campaign, which he hopes is carried out as soon as possible.

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available to the Generalitat, as well as municipal material and human resources that may be required to carry out mass vaccination in the hope of of vaccinating 70% of Torrevieja before next summer.

The mayor suggested where he thought the best facilities for mass vaccinations were, including the open-air Fairground located on Avenida Delfina Viudes, with an area of almost 100,000 square metres, as well as the Municipal Leisure Center (CMO), where serological tests were carried out on the more than 1,000 teachers last year.

Other possible locations include the Palacio de los Deportes or the Cecilio Gallego Pavilion, both of which are equipped with various entrances and numerous multipurpose rooms.

Generalitat and hoteliers agree to negotiate reopening The Generalitat and the hoteliers have agreed to negotiate the way in which they will begin to reopen their establishments once the current restrictions are lifted. The Department of Health has reported the creation of a working party to discuss proposals prior to their introduction during the next de-escalation plan.

The first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 16 at 4.30 p.m., and will be attended by the Minister of Health, Ana Barceló, and the regional secretary for Tourism, Francesc Colomer, along with representatives of the sectors involved.

The hospitality industry in the entire Valencian Community has been closed since 21 January, except for take away meals, or in the service areas of the communication routes.

The bishop of the Diocese of Orihuela-Alicante, Jesús Murgui, together with his sister and her husband, as well as the Vicar General of the Bishopric of Orihuela-Alicante, Vicente Martínez, all received the first dose of the vaccine against covid-19 last month at the Casa Sacerdotal.

The information was provided in a statement issued by the Vicar General, in which he said that, since September 2012, the bishop's sister and her husband have been living with the bishop. "For this reason, from a health point of view they are all linked", says the press release.

The Diocese goes on to justify their vaccination due to the "health connection" they maintain with him. It says that, since September 2012, both the sister and brother-in-law of the bishop have been caring for him and living with him in the Bishops Palace. "

This applies to common cotton masks that were being sold as hygiene masks.

The Vicar General, Vicente Martínez Martínez, has also received the vaccine. Between November 2019 and September 2020 he has been residing in the Bishop’s palace due to a serious spinal aplasia that has required the permanent assistance of Alicante Hospital and the nurses of the Priestly House itself. "That is why on January 8, due to my health connection with the Bishop’s Palace and being a person at risk, I was summoned to receive the first dose of the vaccine," said the vicar general.

Now, they can't be sold unless they meet certain filtration standards.

Health has said that they will not investigate the matter if no one complains.

Spain prohibits sale of cotton masks Spain's has tightened the regulations around the sale of hygiene masks for Covid-19 protection

Spain passes 3million cases.

On 9 Feb, Spain's coronavirus toll crossed 3mn cases after it reported 16,402 new infections. Spain also reported 766 deaths due to the Covid-19, taking its total death toll to 63,06.

Spain's third wave of the pandemic seems to be ebbing with the cumulative coronavirus incidence currently standing at 630 per 100,000 inhabitants in the last 14 days

IDT Biologika to manufacture AstraZeneca vaccines Oxford and AstraZeneca are set to enlist Germany's IDT Biologika as a contract manufacturer of their Covid-19 vaccine in Q2 2021. The move comes as Germany and the European Union seek to give a boost to the delayed inoculation process across Europe

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SAT Animal Rescue

Monday 15th - Sunday 21st February, 2021

By Andrew Atkinson Los Montesinos have plans to mirror Vega Baja neighbour town Rojales 'El Recorral' after visiting the nature reserve this month.

Pubs faced some of the toughest restrictions during the pandemic.

"We have unique initiatives, in municipalities close to our town Los Montesinos, as in the case of Rojales of great environmental and social value, such as their urban gardens and the recreational area "El Recorral", said Los Montesinos Mayor Jose Butron.

The evidence of a collapse in spending comes as the Chancellor faces mounting pressure to take action to prevent a wave of business failures in the hospitality sector.

Moises is a young, happy energetic 1 year old. Loves to play and get cuddles. Fully vaccinated with passport, microchipped, bloodtested and castrated.

For more info 966 71 0047 (leave a message) or Email: info@satanimalrescue.com

Mayor Butron and deputy mayor Ana

Orihuela Local Police detained a man of Spanish nationality on Saturday evening for gender violence in Raiguero de Orihuela.

A window and the gate had been

On 10 Feb, a group of researchers said they observed water vapour escaping high up in the thin atmosphere of Mars. They detected vapour by analysing light passing through the Martian atmosphere using an instrument called the Nadir and Occultation for Mars Discovery. The new discovery will provide clues as to whether the Red Planet could have hosted life.

Belèn visited El Recorral at the invitation of Inma Chazarra and Jesus Martínez, who explained their implementation and management first-hand.

"It was a pleasure to share with Los Montesinos our projects and our enthusiasm for conserving and improving natural spaces, the environment and the lives of citizens," said Inma Chazarra.

Jesus Martínez, said: "It was a pleasure to receive Los Montesinos Mayor and deputy Mayor, to share our projects and initiatives in Rojales with them."

Busy weekend for Orihuela Local Police

They attended a house where they found a man who had been heard threatening his partner.

Water vapour observed on Mars

PAGE 9

Los Montesinos vision to mirror Rojales 'El Recorral'

Amid the pandemic, beer sales in British pubs halved last year to the lowest since the 1920s.

Overall beer sales in pubs were down 56% in 2020 to about E6.1bn.

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broken and there was serious damage to the main door.

The woman was able to lock herself and her child in a bedroom, and he left.

After questioning the man he was arrested and taken to the National Police station in Orihuela.

Also on Saturday evening the Police arrested 3 individuals of Algerian nationality for attempting to break into a home in El Escorratel de Orihuela.They were notified that the three had entered a house by a neighbour, jumping two fences and breaking the window.

They were subsequently found close to the property where they surrendered to the police

Water, Water everywhere The Entrepeñas and Buendía reservoirs in the Tagus Basin that supply water to Murcia and Alicante currently hold a total 723 hectometres this week. The reservoirs received 25 more hectometres of rainwater and meltwater in the last week. The Entrepeñas reservoir has 360 hectometres - it has received 12 in the last seven days - and Buendía has 363 with another 13 hectometres in the last week.

The two reservoirs and the entire Tagus basin have been receiving a constant supply of water since the storm Filomena left a blanket of snow over most of the watershed of the Tagus reservoirs.

The Tajo reservoirs are at 58.8% of their total capacity, 4% more than the average of the last ten years.

PAGE 10

Monday 15th - Sunday 21st February, 2021

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Get set for ‘The Roaring twenties’ (take 2)

I

am a creature of habit. One of those habits is that I read a few pages of a book before I go to sleep. Last night was no exception. I was near the end of the chapter when Mrs Youcantbeserious, pulling the blanket up as far as her ear, voiced her customary last few words of the night: ‘Will you soon be turning off that light …?’

With that, I sat bolt upright in the bed. ‘What’s wrong?’ asked my soulmate, with more than a hint of worry in her voice. ‘NOTHING’, I replied … ‘but you had better get ready to party!’ In fairness to her, she now placed the palm of her dainty little home-manicured hand on my forehead.

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Personal savings are at record highs. People have more money lying around that they don’t know what to do with.

We couldn’t spend it during the soul-destroying lockdown of the past year. You want to know (you probably know already) where this money is destined for when the country opens up this summer? We are all going to party!!

History does repeat itself – as this column warned you before the Celtic Tiger crashed in 2007.

At the start of the 1920’s, the population was trying to forget the horrors of what they had lived through during WW1. Like now, the people (most of them) had more disposable income than ever before. A great sense of devil-may-care enveloped young and old.

It is not in our nature to take a step back from a friend. Worst feeling of all is where a friend has lost a loved one and you can’t give them a hug. Oh yes, dear reader, when this awful ‘war’ is over, we must give ourselves the pass to party as never before!

The ladies became rather daring and …. Well, the chapies were always daring. Skimpy dresses, gloves, a headband (feather optional), cigarette in a long holder and they all went wild. Whiskeyswilling men in black, dyed-sleek-backed hair, waistcoats and a petulance for ‘dares’ roamed the jazz-clubs.

And to those selfish individuals who believed that the restrictions of the past year were for other people; well, I hope you feel the same uneasiness as did the draft-dodgers after the other war.

But it wasn’t just these chaps, or the ‘dangerously thin’ dames of the day who let it all hang out. Oh no, when the ‘bit of brass’ struck up for the Charleston, it was open season for all sorts of shapes and sizes on the dance floor.

The people had had enough of being miserable – and now; just as birds got the irrepressible calling to migrate; the people, who had suffered enough … answered the call to party!

Have you felt any similarities yet? Again, remember the thing about

A long time ago, I was on a Brian Treacy Management course; run superbly by Athlone’s Kevin Fahy. One day the theme was how to deal with ‘The Monday Morning Feeling’ and avoid the proven lack of productivity associated with Mondays.

IF

With large globes of flowers that cover the shrub, flowering from spring, sum-

Start practicing your moves now for this glorious rerun of ‘The Roaring Twenties!’ are near an end. Hope is in the air now. Help is on the way – and you can start practicing your moves for this glorious rerun of ‘The Roaring Twenties!’

The vaccine roll-out is going to be much better and faster than current projections. By mid-summer we can all expect to be ‘roaring!’

Any of you know where a guy can get Charleston lessons?

Don’t Forget We learn some things from prosperity – but we learn many more from adversity.

Bernie.comaskey@gmail.com

When it came to my turn to speak, I said: ‘The best thing about working seven days is that you have no Monday morning feeling!’

*Author, entrepreneur and newspaper columnist, Bernie Comaskey, now spends most of his time on a farm in Ireland; but he retains his strong links with the Costa Blanca.

Depressingly, during this awful pandemic, we have had a Monday morning feeling every day. Every day is the same and there is no beginning or end to the week. But all bad things must come to an end - same as the good times. These 7-Day Monday morning blues

Bernie has published four books; ‘If Ever a Man Suffered’, ‘The Best of Bernie’, ‘The Team’, and ‘Just Between Ourselves’.

Bernie’s books are available at half price, on sale from either Spanish Solutions or ‘The Leader.’ Call 637 227 385 for info.

Hydrangea, flowering from spring, summer, into early autumn you’re looking for a garden flower - with elegant show appeal - Hydrangea flowers are truly stunning, which can reach 15ft high and fill a space in one summer.

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history repeating itself?

It has been tough: Not being able to visit family, meet friends, attend concerts, go to the pub, meet someone for lunch, attend a match … all the things we took for granted were taken away. If you are like me, you wonder now, why you didn’t do more visits and meet more friends, when we could. . Then, when we did meet someone we knew on the street, we took a step back instead of forward.

I had come across a line referring to the ‘Roaring Twenties’ of a hundred years ago – and it hit me like the shock of an electric fence. History will repeat itself: We are set for the mother of all parties! Before this year is out we shall all be turned into carefree ‘flappers!’

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mer and into early autumn, that make excellent cut-flowers.

healthy root system, prior starting to bloom.

With the right conditions and care, hydrangeas are easy to grow, with Autumn the best season to plant, followed by early spring, which gives the shrub plenty of time to establish a

Plant hydrangeas in a sheltered location, with sunny mornings and shady afternoons. They will not bloom in heavy shade.

Hydrangeas grow well in soil, containing an abundance of organic material.

Good drainage is vital.

change the colour of the blooms, from clear blue, vibrant pink, frosty white, lavender, and rose.

Whilst they like moist soil, they cannot tolerate being waterlogged, as soggy, poor draining soil can cause root-rot.

A weekly fertiliser, before blooming season, will ensure that you get a long blooming season. Deadhead to keep it blooming into early autumn and simply remove any dead wood.

Controlling the soil pH conditions will

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DANCING IN THE STREET!

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PAGE 11

Katie Street with Russian dancer Alex Vayner.

INTERNATIONAL dance star, Tbilisi, Georgia born Katie Street, who lives in Torrevieja, talks to Andrew Atkinson in Part 1 a Leader Exclusive interview.

Having danced in hometown Georgia, Katie has showcased in the UK, UAE, Spain, France, Australia, Sweden, Italy, Greece, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Bulgaria.

Dance star Katie Street arrived at Spain's capital Madrid almost five years ago, moving to Torrevieja in 2019.

"After splitting with my dance partner in the UK I started to look for alternative International dance partners and found a dance partner in Madrid, in 2017.

"I moved to Torrevieja in 2019 and started dance performances and competitions with Russian dancer Alex Vayner," said Katie, Georgia Champion in Professional Latin.

"We competed in Italy, professional Latin and professional Latin Show dance and gained first place in both categories," said Graduate Katie.

"I graduated from Art and Theatre University with a Degree in dance and song and after passing the exams (WDC Georgia), I was awarded the fellow category, Latin and Ballroom," said Katie.

"I opened the Pro Dancers and Dance Teachers at British Dance Council in 2010, the organisation being a partnership between Britain and Georgia, where dancers living in Georgia are given the opportunity to get more development in the field of dance," said Katie.

Katie's impressive CV includes

Princess Eleanor to attend Sixth Form College in Wales The King has announced that his daughter, the Princess of Asturias, will carry out her Sixth Form studies, the International Baccalaureate program of the United World Colleges (UWC), at the Atlantic College in Wales.

The cost, understood to be 77,000 euros, will be met entirely by the Royal Family.

In order to gain entry to the Atlantic College, Princess Leonor was required to undergo a selection process, as required by the Fundación Comité Español de los Colegios del Mundo Unido (UWC Spain), which consists of an initial pre-selection phase, developed anonymously by each candidate, and a phase final, carried out electronically with a number of different tests.

International competition: Georgia: Champion in Professional Latin; France professional Semi final Latin; Armenia Professional First place; Italy professional show Latin and Latin, both categories first place; World dance festival salsa, first place. UK Closed Competition, third place in 2007, with Stephen Thomas. *Part 2 of the Exclusive interview with Katie Street, the dance star talks about her opportunity alongside Vincent Simone in Spain, appearing at The Ritz and at The Emirates Palace; her hobbies, favourite food and who she would like to meet.

that involves service to the community, working with children with intellectual disabilities and the elderly. She will also be taught first aid, conservation of nearby coasts and forests, control of environmental pollution, care and recovery of animals and maritime rescue.

She will join her new classmates in the boarding school at the beginning of September.

United World Colleges (UWC) is a global educational movement that makes education a force to unite people, nations and cultures, for peace and a sustainable future. It is characterised by its open and critical spirit. It does not have any religious, political or any other persuasion.

The academic program will last for two years (2021-2022 and 2022-2023) and includes both science and literature subjects, as well as a special program on creativity (theatre, music, art, etc.), action (sports) and an additional activity

LOGGERHEAD TURTLE RESCUED IN HORADADA

By Andrew Atkinson The Maritime Alicante Civil Guard Service rescued a protected Loggerhead Turtle in Pilar de la Horadada while patrolling aboard the Río Oja. The sea turtle of the Boba species - Caretta caretta - that faces extinction was sighted by the crew 30 nautical miles off the coast of Pilar de la Horadada.

The turtle was swimming with difficulty and appeared not to be diving normally and was rescued and transferred to the Santa Faz Species Recovery Centre.

Veterinarians have assessed the turtle and deem the possibility of an eye disease, caused by parasites.

The Loggerhead turtle is protected and in danger of extinction according to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Deemed a possible case of

extinction by ingestion/plastic, fishing; including longlines, ghost nets, and pollution.

In 2020, the Seprona de Alicante rescued a Loggerhead that sustained injuries, due to a digested fishing hook.

The turtle was transferred to the Oceanographic of Valencia, a specialized centre in the conservation of marine species, for treatment.

Schooldays and childhood memories Los Montesinos

By Andrew Atkinson Los Montesinos resident Concha Ortega Chacon looked back on her schooldays in the Vega Baja town with memories of her childhood and some lifelong friends.

"I was very little - seven or eight years old when they closed the Escuela de la Finca Las Moreras (school of the farm)," Concha told The Leader.

"Hopefully some of the elders will remember something from their schooldays, and they can recall what they remember," said Concha. *If you have memories of the Escuela de la Finca Las Moreras contact The Leader at: office@theleader.info

Main image: Schooldays at Escuela de la Finca Las Moreras.

Right: Concha Ortega Chacon and Juana Andreu.

You can find our full menu online at www.spudmurphysflamencabeach.com on our Facebook page or at our App

OPENING HOURS Tue - Thur 2pm to 7pm Fri & Sat 1pm to 7pm

Tel: 965 325 334 WhatsApp: 630 986 357

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Julie’s Music Memories

by Julie McCracken 1964 - A British company shipped half a ton of Beatle wigs to the US. An American reporter later asked John Lennon, "How do you feel about teenagers imitating you with Beatle wigs?" John replied "They're not imitating us because we don't wear Beatle wigs."

1967 - Petula Clark was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with the Charlie Chaplin penned 'This Is My Song', the singers second and last UK No.1.

Lulu and Maurice Gibb

1969 - 3,000 uninvited guests showed up to see Lulu and The Bee’s Gee’s Maurice Gibb get married at St. James' Church, Gerrard's Cross, England. Brother Barry was the best man.

1971 - James Taylor made his TV debut on ‘The Johnny Cash Show’.

1990 - Freddie Mercury made his final public appearance on stage when he joined the rest of Queen to collect the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, held at the Dominion Theatre, London, England.

Freddie Mercury’s final appearance

1996 - A Platinum American Express card once belonging to Bruce Springsteen was sold for $4,500 (£2,650) at a New York memorabilia sale. The singer had given the expired card to a waiter in a LA restaurant by mistake and let them keep it as a souvenir.

1998 - Celine Dion went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'My Heart Will Go On'. The song was the theme from the movie Titanic. The world's best selling single of 1998.

2007 - The US hair salon where pop star Britney Spears shaved her head set up a website to auction her hair for more than $1m (£512,500).

2008 - A 1976 Rolling Stone’s album bought for £2 at a car boot sale sold for £4,000 at an auction. The 'Black and Blue' LP was signed by John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Paul and Linda McCartney and George Harrison as well as members of The Rolling Stones. The seller obtained the album after haggling the cost down from £3.

2012 - Whitney Houston had an invitationonly memorial at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey. Among

Last week I had a mad notion to offer up my services to The Leader in the hopes that they would be keen to have me back on board.

11 years later, I find myself living back home in Ireland with 3 kids running around the place.

It’s a massive change from my usual daytime routine of sunning myself on the top terrace, O.K Magazine in one hand and a glass of Sangria in the other. I call it Karma!

Of course I wouldn’t change it for the world but I thought that you might like a little new and improved ‘Julie’s Blog’ to read.

Gone are the days of gallivanting around the Costa Blanca. I’m currently working from home here in Co Wexford whilst attempting to balance school Zoom classes and homeschooling as they are currently closed here, never mind throwing a troublesome 2 year old into the equation for a perfect balance.

I would be lying if I didn’t say that it

Britney shaved her hair for a charity auction those who performed at the funeral were Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys and R. Kelly. Kevin Costner read a moving and personal Eulogy.

Don’t forget to join me Monday to Friday for my ‘Bit In The Middle’ on Fresh Radio Spain.

is tough going mentally so I’m hoping that you’ll accept my writing in a form of my saving grace.

Times are hard no matter what part of the world you’re in so I thought that I might try and cheer you up and relive my blog days as best as I can.

This week is more of an introduction just to remind you that I’m still

working in media and you can find me Monday to Friday presenting my ‘Bit In The Middle’ show on Fresh Radio Spain.

I also perform live gigs on both Thursday and Saturday nights on the Live Lounge Costa Blanca FB page.

So I may be far away in person but I am very much still here in my heart

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S

D L O

PAGE 13

PAGE 14

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CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

QUICKIE CROSSWORD

ANSWERS Week 853

ACROSS 1.

Rodents (4) 3.

Alienate (8) 8.

Not any (4) 9.

Theatrical (8) 11. Laudable (12) 13. Sheen (6) 14. Cosset (6) 17. Especially (12) 20. Enigmatical (8) 21. Cab (4) 22. Proffered (8) 23. Network (4) CAN YOU MASTER THE SUDOKU CHALLENGE? Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.

Solution on Page 23

DOWN 1.

2.

4.

5.

6.

7.

10.

12.

15.

16.

18.

19.

Sole control (8) Solicit (7) Astute (6) Notable (10) Nick (5) Every (4) Desk (10) Crustacean (8) Share in (7) Graze (6) Fire-raising (5) Issue (4)

QUICK ACROSS: 1 Controversy; 9 Idiotic; 10 Relax; 11 Canon; 12 Partial; 13 Remiss; 15 Archer; 18 Indulge; 20 Front; 22 Lucid; 23 Snigger; 24 Impersonate.

DOWN: 2 Orion; 3 Tetanus; 4 Occupy; 5 Error; 6 Selfish; 7 Discernible; 8 Exploratory; 14 Modicum; 16 Ruffian; 17 Census; 19 Ladle; 21 Ought.

CRYPTIC CRYPTIC ACROSS: 1 Aristocracy; 9 Olympic; 10 Binge; 11 Annie; 12 Rancour; 13 Osprey; 15 Pistol; 18 Alabama; 20 Thing; 22 Alibi; 23 Parties; 24 Penultimate.

DOWN: 2 Rayon; 3 Supreme; 4 Oscars; 5 Robin; 6 Consort; 7 Potato salad; 8 Neurologist; 14 Praline; 16 Interim; 17 Carpet; 19 Adieu; 21 Idiot.

ACROSS 1 Put the deck together ready for leaving? (4) 3. Inauspicious wrongdoing tires out (8) 8. Put down help needed by learner (4) 9. Huge dart upsets offspring (8) 11. Get one's view across to add to one's score? (4,3,5) 13. A relatively showy display of pussy willow? (6) 14. Cuts back on company making fine plaster (6) 17. Don't shirk making a stand as a conductor? (4,3,5) 20. Meals supplied to sailors on the coast? (8) 21. Think deeply of the goddess (4) 22. Give out writing instruments in side production (8) 23. Venerable historian finds egghead somewhere to sleep (4)

L EA D E R T R I V I A Q U I Z 1. What is the common name for Japanese horseradish?

2. What is a 'kylie' in Australia? a. A boomerang that won't come back b. A female crocodile c. A hen night d. A surf board 3. The Daiquiri cocktail was named after a village on which island country?

4. Only one man has won more PGA titles than Tiger Woods. Who? 5. The name of which American rock band was also the term used by Allied pilots in WW II to describe UFO's?

6. In film, who has played characters named John Smith, Aldo Raine, Tyler Durden and Rusty Ryan?

7. In which hit song would you find the despicable 'Gatlin boys'?

8. What is the sum of Charles, Williams and Henrys that have been King of England?

9.Which colour blue has been named after a surfers mecca in Australia?

10. The following are the last words to number one UK hit songs from the year 1980. Name the song? a. I'm gonna be your number 1. b. Let's take a chance and fly away somewhere, c. I gotta have some of your attention give it to me. d. Cause somewhere in the crowd there's you 11. What is the name of the popular North African condiment or hot

DOWN 1. From lips come arts of disputation (8) 2. Game insect (7) 4. It takes me a long time to produce idols (6) 5. Enjoying oneself before things actually start? (2,4,4) 6. Not one famous painter is a superhuman person (5) 7. In winter a really warm spell is unusual (4) 10. Be on target and hit residence (6,4) 12. Building material produced by first company on island (8) 15. Cut some material to make a two-piece (7) 16. What some drinkers can wear? (6) 18. Collect a donkey in the morning (5) 19. Employed editor from America (4)

( A n s we r s o n p a g e 2 3 ) sauce consisting of piri piri chilis, garlic, olive oil and various spices?

12. What nickname did the press give to each of the following 'Public Enemies'? a. Kate Barker. b. George Kelly. c. Charles Arthur Floyd. d.

George Nelson 13. In Greek Mythology, after being spurned by Narcissus, which heartbroken nymph pined away until only her voice remained?

14. According to the World Meteorological Organisation the hottest capital city in the world (average yearly temperature) is known in the native language as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon. We know it better as what?

15. Which word (or warning) meaning 'unstable' stems from the Latin for "to fly"?

16. Which country's capital city is an anagram of its seventh largest city (also its former capital city)?

17. Which city has sporting teams: the Lions, Tigers and Red Wings?

18. "J'veux ton amour, Et je veux ton revenge, J'veux ton amour, I don't wanna be friends". Name the song.

19. Which hero's arch enemy is Dr. Robotnik?

20. Which film had the following taglines: "Five good reasons to stay single." and "He's quite engaging. She's otherwise engaged."?

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PAGE 15

Over-dilated blood vessels can produce that horrid throbbing pain too, usually around the temples and forehead.

liquid and drink half; use the rest for your compress.

Internally, rosemary helps dilate constricted blood vessels, and it's a great general pick-me-up.

Over-dilated blood vessels can produce that horrid throbbing pain too, usually around the temples and forehead. Try cooling either chamomile or limeflower tea (use a tea bag) right down until it's ice cold. Then use it on a compress to calm down those blood vessels.

An unhappy gut often brings on that throbbing head!

An unhappy gut often brings on that throbbing head. If this is your problem, herbalist David Hoffmann suggests a trio of helpful herbs.

Make a tea with equal parts of meadowsweet - the plant from which aspirin was originally derived - and calming lemon balm and lavender. Or a nice cup of refreshing peppermint tea might just do the trick, especially if you have the tea bags at hand.

There's nothing new about migraine, so it's not surprising that the two most popular herbal remedies for it have been used in folk medicine for centuries.

One is feverfew: an eighteenth-century English doctor wrote of one lady he knew 'that having in the younger part of her life a very terrible and almost constant Headache, fixed in one small spot, and raging at all times almost to distraction, she was at length cured by a maidservant with this herb'.

take it regularly as a preventive, and pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid it.

The other great - and recently rediscovered -migraine herb is the root of butterbur (Petasites hybridus), an attractive wild flower with dense cones of pink and white flowers. There has only been limited testing of this plant for safety and efficacy.

However, in a recent clinical trial carried out in the US, and published in the journal Neurology, 68% of patients taking two 75mg tablets daily of a proprietary preparation experienced a drop of at least 50% in the frequency and severity of their migraines.

Butterbur contains some dodgy chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids, now linked with damage to the liver.

Look for brands from which these 'PA's have been removed.

And - as with all medicines - don't take them if you are pregnant.

Herbalists use valerian as a general calmer and muscle-relaxant, useful for anxiety or sleeplessness, as well as for the terrible tensed muscles of chronic stress. But unlike conventional tranquillisers, it will help you relax both physically and mentally without blurring your 'edge' or making you feel drowsy.

To enhance its effect, it's sometimes combined with lemon balm, a wonderful herb for calming frazzled nerves and untying tension knots.

If valerian doesn't work for you - and if you're suffering from depression, don't even try it - another great muscle-relaxant is skullcap, which works particularly well with feverfew.

Next Week - Losing the plot?

THE ACHING BROW Everybody has experienced a headache at one time or another in their lives.

Indigestion, eyestrain, tiredness, stress, liver upsets, menstrual problems, high blood pressure can all bring on that horrid, throbbing pain.

Feverfew is a perennial plant belonging to the daisy family which grows in much of Europe.

It has been used in herbal remedies for centuries

If you only get a headache now and then, you'll probably swallow a painkiller and be done with it. But if you're a regular victim or a migraine sufferer, herbal medicine has a lot to offer.

Like many brilliant herbal remedies, feverfew was forgotten - until trials at the London Migraine Clinic in the 1980’s gave impressive results, and other research carried out since has confirmed their findings.

Tension headaches are the commonest kind. They're caused by tightened muscles in the neck and shoulders - just where most people store their stress - or in the scalp. It’s easy to work out if your headache is this kind: just soak a cloth in scalding hot water and apply it to the aching area.

Feverfew seems to work for about two in three sufferers and it works best when it's taken fresh - a lot of its fans simply grow this attractive plant and eat a few (one to four) of the fresh leaves a day in a sandwich.

If this feels comforting, try soaking the cloth in a hot tea made by steeping 5-6 sprigs of fresh rosemary in a big mug of boiling water, covered, for ten minutes. Then strain the

However, they taste off-puttingly bitter and they can give you nasty little mouth ulcers and a sore tongue, so you might prefer the tablet or tincture form of the freeze-dried fresh leaves, taken first thing in the morning. You need to

PAGE 16

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Monday 15th - Sunday 21st February, 2021

International Christian Assembly, Calle Urbano Arregui, 23, Torrevieja Evangelical non-denominational church. Sunday service 11a.m.; Sunday school; Prayer meetings; craft and computer clubs. Ladies Bible Study: Thursday 11a.m.

Church Bible Study: Thursday 1.30p.m. House groups in Torrevieja, La Siesta – Contact: 966 752 543 / 617 215 463. Phone: 966 799 273 / 966 752 543 / 617 215 463. www.icatorrevieja.org

CAR SALES

CHURCHES AND SERVICES La Siesta Evangelical Church hold services each Sunday.

Our 11.15am Services are held every 2nd and 4th Sunday in the month (and on the 5th Sunday, if this applies.) On the 1st and 3rd Sunday’s our Services are at 9.30 am. Our choir sings at our 11.15 am Services and there is also a Sunday School, Stepping Stones, on these Sundays. For info see www.lasiestaevangelicalchurch.org SALT CHURCH (formally

Torrevieja Christian Fellowship) Meets at Calle Daya Nueva 12, Polígono Ind. Levante 11, 03187 Los Montesinos. Sunday Service 10.30 am. Wednesday Bible study 6.00 pm. We are a lively, friendly church and look forward to meeting you.

(Covid-19 aware) The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) in Torrevieja meet at 10.00 each Sunday in their chapel at Rambla Juan Mateo Garcia, 104. All Welcome.

Phone or whatsapp the missionaries on 648 914 347

The Car of the Month at Automoviles Crespo is a 2017 Ford Ecosport petrol which is on Special Offer priced at just 15,500 euro. Come along to our showroom in Elche and see our vast range of new and used cars or call 96 666 22 60 for all our latest offers. The biggest and best for price, choice and quality. ENGLISH SPOKEN

SOCIAL AND CLUBS The Royal British Legion Orihuela Costa and District Branch has put future meetings on hold because of the current Covid situation in accordance with advice receiived from the Generalitat.

There are no further meetings planned at this time. Call Jean for info on: 630 28 08 99.

The Royal British Legion, Torrevieja Branch - Meet the second Friday of the month at Casa Ventura, San Luis starting at 7.00 p.m. New members

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are always welcome. You do not have to be ex-services. For more infor please contact:gill.burden20@gmail.com Age Concern Costa Blanca Sur is here to help you with problem solving and well being for the over 50’s. We need volunteer Drivers and people to join our Residential Home Visiting Team. to visit people in a Residential Home, and take them out for a coffee. If you think you can help call into our centre at C/Paganini s/n, Urb. La Siesta 03184 Torrevieja or ring 966 786 887. Or email: costablanca@ageconcern.org.es Almoradi Meal Club. If do you fancy a meal out and meeting new friends, come and join our English speaking club. We have twice monthly meals at various restaurants in and around Almoradi. For info go to FaceBook or email: davedanie@gmail.com.

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and Thurs. 10-12.30 pm.

Call John on 634 658 506 ...currently postponed Royal Naval Association, Torrevieja Branch now meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 1700 (5pm) at CHE LOCO bar/restaurant, El Chaparral urbanisation, Torrevieja. For more information please contact Chairman Tony Jenkins on 693 866 709, Vice Chairman Danny Kay on 966 71 6274 or Secretary Margaret Forshaw on 966 92 1966.

Royal Air Force Association Costa Blanca Branch.The association supports the welfare needs of ex-members of the RAF and their dependents.

Due to covid-19 restrictions we cannot hold General Meetings at the moment however, we were able to comply with regulations and hold a Battle of Britain Service and a Dinner Dance (without dancing)! We also provide a social hub for members and hold lunches every month. To fund Welfare we raise money through the Wings Appeal. To find out more contact Chairman Tony at tony.elaine.cuenta@gmail.com For Welfare contact David on 615 048 892. For general information on RAFA visit www.rafa.org.uk.

HAH CB need you to help us help those in need in their own homes, short or long term medical conditions of all ages and nationalities. Contact our head office on 965 328 794 or email: charitycentrehelpathomecb @gmail.com.

Curious about the work of Samaritans in Spain? Have a few hours a week to help with the charity shop, fundraising or admin? Come and join us for a chat at our Centre in the Punta Marina Shopping

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Centre. Volunteers are unpaid but expenses are met. Email: spainsamsrecruits @outlook.com The Orihuela Costa Drop In Centre in C/Cipres, Lomas de Cabo Roig, is currently closed.

We will reopen as soon as we are able when we can offer you a full range of activities Info at: oc.communitycare @gmail.com

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ALDI OPENS IN SAN FULGENCIO Alicante is one of the strategic areas for the company, now with 34 stores in the province, only behind Madrid and Barcelona.

Last Saturday, ALDI opened its first supermarket in the municipality of San Fulgencio, on Calle Mar Tirreno, 3, adjacent to the N332. The new establishment has a 1,250m2 of commercial area and employs a staff of 14.

This new site brings its presence in the province of Alicante to 34 establishments, maintaining its position as the third Spanish province with the most ALDI supermarkets, only behind Madrid and Barcelona.

In the whole of the Valencian Community, the company now has a total of 58 establishments.

“We are proud to open this new supermarket in San Fulgencio, as it is the first in the municipality and allows us to expand our presence on the Costa Blanca. Our goal is to be closer to our customers and we trust that with this new establishment we will be able to offer Sanfulgentinos a new conven-

Renfe to promote Orihuela in it’s trains

ient, simple and economical purchase option. " Vicent Claramunt, ALDI's head of expansion, explained.

Alicante Province can now boast 34 ALDI stores

With business hours, Monday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., customers will be able to find about 2,000 products in the store, 86% of them own brand, with everything they need and always with a strong commitment to quality.

The supermarket chain has also highlighted that it trusts Valencian suppliers and, as of today, about 10% of ALDI providers in Spain are from the Valencian Community, predominantly fruit and vegetables.

During the current health alert, ALDI has increased safety and hygiene measures in all its establishments in order to guarantee the health of customers and employees, following all the indications and protocols defined by the health authorities.

The company recommends its customers maintain the recommended safety distance of one and a half metres and prioritise payment by card or mobile device.

The mayor at Orihuela Station to welcome the Prime Minister

Worten closing all its Valencian stores

The Councillor for Tourism, Mariola Rocamora, has announced a free collaboration agreement with Renfe Viajeros that aims to jointly promote Renfe Viajeros' rail transport services and the city of Orihuela as tourist and business destination.

This campaign, which has been put together by the Department of Tourism, will feature on AVE and Long Distance trains.

"Our municipality has a lot to offer and we now have a new way to promote it, something fundamental, especially now that the AVE has arrived in Orihuela", said Rocamora.

Renfe will publicise Orihuela with different products on its trains, such as themed headrests and promotional videos of the city, as well as holiday packages that include the

that it will keep in the Canary Islands .

The agreement with the unions is almost complete apart from specifying some aspects of compensation. Last month it made official the transfer of part of part of the 'continental' business to Mediamarkt.

The firm specialising in the sales of household appliances is closing all of its physical stores on the mainland.

The seven stores that Worten owned in Catalonia will not be affected by the closure process, as they will be transferred to Mediamarkt.

Of the 31 other stores affected by the operation, 14 will be closed in the coming weeks and the other 17 will also be transferred to Mediamarkt.

train, accommodation, leisure and culture services.

In exchange, the Orihuela Council will publicise Renfe's services as a means of transport for the promotion of tourism or business in the city of Orihuela. In addition, it will distribute Renfe publications, brochures and any other published advertising medium in the Tourist Information Offices.

THE RISK OF MISSING ROUTINE EYE EXAMINATIONS

In the Valencian Community, the company is closing of all its stores and has everything on sale.

The multinational Worten has announced that it is dismissing 222 of its 552 workers and will cease all of its operations in continental Spain.

The only establishment to remain open will be its logistics centre in Madrid, for online sales and the 15 stores

The closures will take place in the towns of Jerez, Játiva, Valencia, San Javier, Torrelavega, Ávila, Lepe, Alcorcón, Almería, Palencia, Málaga and Barcelona.

Worten is part of the Sonae group, which concentrates a large part of its business in Portugal. In 2019, according to Sonae's annual report, Worten achieved a global turnover of 1,088 million euros. However, the accounts of the multinational in Spain have been very weak and the firm closed 11 stores in Spanish territory in 2019.

pecsavers Ópticas is urging people to make their eye health a top priority amid growing concern that symptom-free conditions are going undetected during the pandemic.

S

This recent referral is an excellent example of the importance of eye tests. Millions of people around the world are living with eye conditions that increase their risk of sight-loss such as agerelated macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

Mike Stone, a store director at the Specsavers Ópticas Javea and Calpe stores, says: ‘There is a genuine concern that some people may have a symptom-free condition that has gone undetected because they failed to attend a pre-booked sight test. We estimate that approximately 7,500 Specsavers Ópticas customers forwent their sight test last year due to lockdown restrictions.

Many of these conditions do not have symptoms in the early stages and so patients are not aware of the problem until irreversible damage has been done. However, the good news is that fifty percent of sight loss is avoidable with early detection, which is why Specsavers Ópticas urging customers to continue to attend their scheduled appointment and make sure that they visit the optician for an eye test every two years.

Our stores remain open for appointments, with a series of hygiene and personal protection measures in place to ensure a safe and reassuring experience. We would urge those who have not seen an optician in more than two years to book an appointment as a matter of urgency.’

‘As an essential service, opticians are not affected by travel restrictions and we are open to provide the full breadth of optical services to customers. We are absolutely committed to making sure that everyone is taken care of in the best possible way, both in the test rooms and in the rest of the store. That’s why there are restrictions on the number of customers in the store at any one time, and we’ve introduced the highest hygiene and personal protection measures. Our number one priority is the safety and wellbeing of all our customers and colleagues, so every measure that we have taken is designed to put safety first.

Please request an appointment in advance to help with social distancing.’

‘We recently detected a case of glaucoma in a customer who was experiencing no symptoms, but was at risk of irreversible blindness if the glaucoma progressed. He was very surprised that there was an issue, as he hadn’t noticed a change in his vision, which is very common.

Using a combination of tests, we were able to identify possible glaucoma at its very early stages and refer the customer to a specialist who could prescribe drops to reduce the pressure and stop any damage being done to his eye.

To request an appointment and find your nearest store log on to specsavers.es/stores. For more information, including the new protection measures, please visit specsavers.es

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POETS CORNER

To go Electric

AVERSE TO COVID

T

he growth of the people in the world is still expanding, the need for continued development is a must, otherwise the way we live would depreciate and living standards would decline.

Since March 2020 we’ve had troubles a-plenty With the spread of this horrible virus.

With travel restriction to curb the affliction There’s not been a lot to inspire us.

However, growth in itself brings its own problem. It is the soap bubble syndrome; as the growth gets larger, so the walls become thinner and eventually burst.

The motorcar industry, over the last hundred and more years, through the development of the product, has made the car a requirement in most families.

Originally one vehicle per household, and then it was two, and as the younger members became of an age for a driving license, they also want one and why not?

The costs of running an electric car are extremely favourable

The joy of their own means of personal transport, travelling ‘to and fro’ in their own private space.

Governments continually try to control the congested movement and emissions of these chariots roaming the street - new one-way systems, wider roads and speed limits and sometimes attempts to discourage by the development of cycle lanes .

And still the obstruction of the roadways continues and although travelling time gets less, the use of the private transport does not end.

Some form of control over the development itself is also important if only for safety reasons and to try and limit the exhaust fumes from the various small and large vehicles clogging the thoroughfares.

The workings of the diesel engine have advanced over the period from the smoking monster, spewing the poison from buses and large lorries, to later versions with cleaner exhaust.

This change from the blue smoking, noisy, rumbling machine, became so advanced that governments recommended the sale of new cars, the sweet running diesel version over the petrol variety.

A decade or so later that decision is now seen as wrong, partly because some manufacturers cheat about how clean the exhaust from their engines is, with the discovery they were not as clean as first thought, affecting the people who rushed out to buy the recommended vehicles, who are now holding a car with less value than they thought.

and thirty.

Once the pandemic is over it is doubtful if this will make a difference to the congested roads or the use of the private motor car.

But this new thought will bring many changes. One wonders if the powers that be, are not making a similar mistake to the recommendation of the diesel engine cars.

The sale of motor fuel creates vast amounts of money for the government, not only is there petroleum tax on the fuel, when sold it is taxed again with VAT. Also, there is revenue from the spin offs in oils and other necessities.

Another change, having recently been almost run over by a very quiet electric car in a car park as I did not hear it coming up behind me, this makes me wonder about the aspects of road safety, when all vehicles quietly travel the highways and the byways, creeping up on the pedestrian.

Perhaps my thoughts are deep and without foundation, but electric cars are very quiet and very quick.

Most of all, how are governments going to replace the income from the sale of petroleum fuel? Taxes on what else I wonder?

Currently the figures look good for owning an electric car, as running cost compared with a diesel or petrol driven cars are miniscule – surely that will change.

Suddenly, and very suddenly, the problem of the congested streets was solved in a way no government could have visualised. The pandemic and the lockdown leaving large numbers of personal carriages with nowhere to go.

If a person wants to have the privilege of travelling around in his own private space then there must be an outlay for the privilege – two reasons, space itself is at a premium and the country will need funds to be viable.

New thinking, and the determination to bring down carbon emissions brings about a change of thought - no more sales of new vehicles fitted with the internal combustion engine after the year two thousand

‘Percy’s Ramblings’ are available in book form from Amazon & Kindle - www.percychatteybooks.com

So let’s hope the injection will soon give protection To everyone, both young and old.

And then we’ll be back to the life we now lack, In the meantime let’s do what we’re told.

Mike Shail - January 2021 If you would like to see your poem featured in this column send to: office@theleader.info

BITES She tested positive on 16 Jan but didn't develop any symptoms.

She was isolated in her retirement home in Toulon, southern France, but is now considered fully recovered.

The Alicante Civil Guard have been active in checking ITV (MOT) documentation on car windscreens - in a bid to crackdown on fraud.

Spain's Central Bank warns against investing in bitcoin

"Cars in Pedreguer and Dénia had false documentation on windows, with expiry dates expired, with one 18 months out of date," said a motorist patrol spokesperson from Benidorm Traffic Detachment.

A judgment of the Second Chamber of the Supreme Court, of June

The bars are all closed and this has exposed An increase in drinking at home, But takeaway stuff provides just enough Variation of diet for some.

A French nun named Lucile Randon, who is Europe's oldest person, has miraculously survived Covid-19 just days before her 117th birthday.

By Andrew Atkinson

Following further observation it was found two faked ITVs, corresponding inspections of September 2019 and August 2020.

All our books we have read so therefore instead We watch hours of daytime TV With repeats of repeats – what wonderful treats They are, to relieve the ennui.

117-year-old nun is Europe's oldest person to survive Covid-19

GUARDIA CIVIL Clampdown on Fake ITV stickers

Officers stopped a vehicle between Pedreguer and Dénia, while carrying out vehicle identification and having provided the vehicle's documentation it was verified, through the General Directorate of Traffic database, it had expired on September 19, 2019.

We wear masks on our faces to go to such places As shops and the banks for our money.

But damned condensation invokes irritation, ‘Cos mist on your glasses ain’t funny.

Spain's Central Bank and National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) has warned investors about the risks involved in investing in cryptocurrency.

25, 2020, established placing ITV stickers on the windscreen of a vehicle, that has not passed the technical inspection, is a case of criminal conduct, classified in the Penal Code with fines to be imposed.

This comes after Elon Musk's Tesla announced it had invested $1.5bn in bitcoin following which its value attained a record high.

However, the joint statement warned investors that investing in bitcoin is “highly speculative” and could lead to the “total loss of investment.”

PAGE 20

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COVID CRISIS - AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST Sport England grant aids bowling club during coronavirus lockdown

The demolished stand to the side of Green 1 which is being repaired with the help of a £5,460 grant from Sport England.

Quote: 'Crown green bowls - despite of its image - is a unique sport that caters all ages. Our youngest bowler is nine, and have active bowling members in their 70s and 80s'

By Andrew Atkinson County bowls Castle Sports and Social Club in Northwich are currently undertaking a new overhaul at the venue amid the coronavirus lockdown with the help of a £5,460 grant from Sport England.

"Club secretary Alan Baskerville applied for a grant from Sport England in December and we have been successful with this application," said David O'Brien, bowls secretary.

The inauguration to upgrade and extend the facilities were discussed at the bowls annual meeting in January, 2020.

In March 2020 the first COVID-19 pandemic hit.

SPAIN NATIONAL LAWN BOWLS CHAMPIONSHIPS CANCELLED

"We needed to start raising our own funds - we couldn't keep relying on the main club to make this investment," said O'Brien.

bowling, we started a bowls development fund," he said.

"It was agreed to increase our match subscriptions by 50p per game. We have 14 active teams and this would have raised in the region of £1,500 per season.

O'Brien, also successful in applying for a £400 grant from his employers Heineken, said: "The Bowls Fund was launched in March last year and raised over £3,300.

"The pandemic affected crown green bowls - like all other sports - and in 2020 there was no local league bowling," said O'Brien.

"The Covid-19 crisis has affected all walks of life, but also given us an opportunity to invest in our facilities.

"During the first lockdown a group of members started to undertake small improvements. With no funds from member subscriptions, due to being no league

Cheltenham Festival with no regulations for the next few years Those days are gone!

Quote: 'Cheltenham Festival and Liverpool's Champions League match v Atletico Madrid contributed to the increase in coronavirus deaths in UK'

By Andrew Atkinson Cheltenham Festival's behind closed doors meeting is set to be in place for another few years, according to Covid-19 expert Professor Tim Spector.

The 2021 Cheltenham Festival in March will not see a recurrence of 250,000 spectators attending the four day meeting in 2020, due to the coronavirus lockdown.

The four-day 2020 Cheltenham Festival went ahead - a week before the UK went into lockdown - despite calls for it to be postponed.

Claims the mass gathering most likely helped accelerate the spread of Covid-19, along with other sporting events, including Premier League and Champions League fixtures.

Spector, Professor of genetic epidemiology at King's College London, said some

"It will give our members a nicer environment and hopefully a bright future, when the world returns to some kind of normality.

"We have demolished the stand to the

side of Green 1 and looking to develop an outside drinking area for members which will also serve as a viewing area for bowls.

"The Bowls Fund has allowed us to place an order for a new bowls hut, which will be a major upgrade," said O'Brien.

The National Lawn Bowls Committee have considered this year's National Championships, scheduled to be played in May, but in view of the high number of Covid cases at the moment they have reluctantly decided to cancel the event Hopefully the number of infections will continue to fall, but by the time they have dropped to an acceptable level it would unfortunately not leave enough time to organise the event.

"With the grants and members' efforts we have passed the £9k mark for fundraising," said O'Brien.

"Crown green bowls - despite of its image - is a unique sport that caters all ages. Our youngest bowler is nine, and have active bowling members in their 70s and 80s,"

The 2020 Festival was criticised for contibuting toward the initial spread of coronavirus in England

changes to large gatherings are likely to be in place - for 'the foreseeable future'.

"I can't see us suddenly having another Cheltenham Festival, with no regulations again. I think for the next few years those days are gone," he said.

"I think we should still continue to do the easy things, keeping our distance from each other in public, masks, handwashing etc, these things don't cost really anything to do.

"We need to get used to that, and that will allow us to do the things we really want to do more easily and more readily," he said.

Addressing infection rates as seen in his

Zoe Covid Symptom Study UK Infection Survey, he said: "We're moving towards where rates are generally much lower everywhere, we're seeing about one in 170 people on average affected.

"I think around one in 250 would be where I start to become more comfortable, but it also depends on the context at the time and things, like hospitals and death rates as well.

"I don't think we should be fixated on any one particular parameter - we've got to look at the overall picture."

As the UK emerged from the peak of the pandemic's first wave in April 2020, Sir

David King, the Government's chief scientific adviser from 2000 to 2007, said the Cheltenham Festival could have helped to accelerate the spread of coronavirus.

In May last year, Professor Spector said Cheltenham Festival and Liverpool's Champions League match against Atletico Madrid, attended by about 52,000 people at Anfield, contributed to an increase in coronavirus deaths in the UK. He said the events had caused increased suffering and death, that wouldn't otherwise have occurred.

The UK Government and the racing industry said they followed the advice available at the time. Cheltenham said it was not possible to know how, or where people had contracted the virus.

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CD THADER ROJALES ROUND UP

BY STEVE HIBBERD Even though it was way back on 19 December 20 when Thader Rojales last played a league match (a superb victory at high flying Murada), they certainly haven't rested on their laurels.

Fans will be delighted at the news of 2 impressive recruitments, both of which are full backs. Javier Ferrandez spent a number of seasons at Thader, before departing to close rivals Redovan.

He will therefore be warmly received on his return, to a club that many feel is his spiritual home. Alberto Sagarzazu played a major part in helping Santa Pola

achieve promotion from regional football last season.

Versatile Alberto is comfortable playing on both sides of the pitch, and will be a valuable addition to the defence department.

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GUARDIOLA TEASES FLICK IN SEVENTH TITLE 'BATTLE OF SEXTUPLES'

The team have been training twice a week via zoom, as well as running on a regular basis, in preparation for when the Preferente league season resumes.

A brand new impressive electronic scoreboard has been installed behind the far end of Moi Gomez stadium.

Club president Lloyd Dummett has announced a new sponsorship deal with physiotherapy and podiatry company GoClinic, who will offer season ticket holders exciting discounts.

By Andrew Atkinson Pep Guardiola has challenged Hansi Flick and Bayern Munich to a ‘battle of the sextuples’ after the Bundesliga giants matched his former club Barcelona team’s achievement with a sixth straight trophy.

CD Murada in the driving seat

By Andrew Atkinson CD Murada are in the driving seat with the Valencia FFCV club in conjunction with Automocion J.Ruiz raffling a Sorteamos este Renault Scenic 1.9 DCI. The winning ticket will be the one that is the last three figures, matching the last three figures for the National Loteria draw on May 15, 2021. Tickets cost 5 euro.

Bayern beat Tigres to win the Club World Cup on February 11, adding to their Bundesliga, Champions League, DFB-Pokal, UEFA Super Cup and DFLSupercup titles over the last year, being only the second side ever to win the sextuple, matching Guardiola’s legendary 2009 Barcelona team.

Following the postponement of fixtures, due to the coronavirus lockdown at present, a club spokesperson said: "After all that we are going through, we thank Automocion J.Ruiz who allows us to celebrate this raffle and give us joy."

“Big congratulations to all the Bayern family for this incredible success, to be the Club World Cup champions and

GOLF COURSES AND COVID - 19

H

ere on the Costa’s golf is one of the biggest leisure time activities for both tourists and resident alike and with this in mind we have secured the services of Mike Probert of Costa Blanca Green Fee Services to provide a weekly round up of local golfing events and topics and in conjunction with us at THE LEADER will provide discounted golf prices to all of our readers and run our golf comps.

Covid-19 Golfing Further update In the last few weeks our articles have concentrated on the impact of the increasing levels of corona virus infections locally and the impact on the golf industry here in Spain.

Now this is just a small piece of a very serious situation that impacts of the health and financial well-being of people across Spain and the whole world.

The Valencian Government have now issued rules closing bars, We at THE LEADER are committed to providing to our golfing readers affordable golf without the need to join a club or apply for a card but simply contact the number below to have instant access to discounted golf prices, many of which are exclusive to us: The deals shown in the table are some of the best POST COVID19 PRICES currently available to you: Course Alenda Alicante Altorreal Bonalba Campoamor Don Cayo (Altea)

Price €98 €100 €120 €100 €138 €90

PAGE 21

Comments Two Green Fees & buggy Two Green Fees & buggy 1pm Two Green Fees & buggy Two Green Fees & buggy Two Green Fees & buggy Two Green Fees & buggy

restaurants and sports facilities until 01/03/21 and all of us living under some form of restrictions, curfew or perimeter travel restrictions.

Last week I had a conversation with the Chairman of the Costa Blanca Golf Association who has been making TV and Radio interviews plus raising a petition for golf courses to open as an exception because it is played in the open air, played in no more than groups of 4 persons who have to socially distance to avoid being hit by a golf ball and in this sport was the first to self-manage the pandemic with their own Covid-19 safety protocol.

However in his own words “We are making lots of noise BUT noone is listening”.

The frustration is that in the Murcian Community they have had more severe restrictions with 29 municipality perimeter closures for nearly 2 month’s yet the golf courses have remained open although golfers from the Valencian Community are not allowed to cross the El Plantio El Valle Font Del Llop Hacienda Del Alamo La Finca La Galiana La Marquesa La Sella La Serena La Torre Las Colinas Las Ramblas Lorca Lo Romero

€100 €60 €123 €60 €160 €41 €60 €50 €114 €60 €115 €128 €78 €69

2 Green Fees and buggy from 1pm Sgl Green Fee Two Green Fees and buggy Single Green Fee 2 Green Fees & buggy (From 2.30pm) Sgl Green Fee Sgl Green Fee Sgl Green Fee Two Green Fees & buggy Sgl Green Fee 2 Green Fees & buggy (From 1pm) 2 Green Fees & buggy (From 2.30pm) Two Green Fees and buggy Sgl Green Fee

especially to win six titles," said Guardiola.

"We are so proud, I am so proud, a big congratulations for everyone, especially Hansi Flick, the players and the backroom staff for this amazing thing," said Manchester City boss Guardiola.

Guardiola, in charge at Bayern during 2013-16, said: "I would like to say to Hansi that you are the second team to win the six titles in a row!"

Guardiola quipped: “Before you, there was another team - Barcelona - so maybe I can call Messi and company and we can play for the seventh title?

Tell me when and where and we will be there!”.

Mike Probert talks Golf In assn with Costa Blanca Green Fee Svcs

border.

Infection rates in Murcia are now dropping and the courses are still open so golf is not a source of infection.

Just a thought that thousands of golfers in the Valencian community are having to occupy their time in other ways while the courses are closed and this invariably involves visiting large commercial shopping centres attended many other people and which do you think is the more dangerous place to be to catch an infection?

Please also remember that a golf course is not like a shop where you turn off the lights and lock the door because courses still need to be maintained and watered with the costs of that still being absorbed but with no income.

None of this makes sense but there is nothing we can do except hope that the 2nd of March 2021 is when we will see the golf courses re-open.

Mar Menor €60 Single Green Fee New Sierra Golf €82 Two Green Fees & buggy Puig Campana €98 Two Green Fees & buggy Roda €130 Two Green Fees & buggy (after 2.pm) Saurines €60 Single Green Fee (temp closed) Villamartin €180 2 Green Fees & buggy Vistabella €123 Two Green Fees and buggy (2.30pm) *Deals of the week: Villaitana with two green fees and buggy on the Levante course for only €70 and €50 on the Poniente course.

La Manga North and South with two green fees, buggy and lunch for only €150.

For Bookings and info Mike at info@costa-blanca-greenfees.com quoting reference LEADER or on 966 704 752 or 661 345 931

PAGE 22

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THE MACKAYS Winnie and James

The committee recently messaged all team captains advising the cessation of the 2020 / 21 season. ln the circumstances we all face, it was deemed appropriate and wise to keep everyone safe in assisting the authorities to reduce the spread of infection. Looking forward and assuming we are rid / vaccinated of Covid 19, plans are underway for season 2021 / 22.

On a lighter note and for a change as it is Valentines Time, our romantic league secretary, Simone de Lacy, suggested we highlight several darting couples who feature within the O.W.S. Thursday darts, sadly, space dictates not all can be included. lt hasn't gone unnoticed however, none play for the same team, so much for married bliss.

For the next couple of weeks, we will run a competition, prizes courtesy of Matt Smith ( O.W.S. ) Question at foot of page.

THE TAYLORS Ann and Bob Originally from Huddersfield, the amiable duo spend their Winter months in Spain, the remaining six months back in the UK enjoying the virtues of Crown Green bowling, a sport in which they both excel.

They met at an old fashioned house party, some 49 years ago, when both sixteen, Bob enticing his future wife with an abundance of " Tizer ". They were engaged at 18 after Bob had asked her father for his daughters hand in marriage, ( do they still do that? ). Three years later they were wed.

Celebrating 45 years of marriage this April, l asked the happy couple to name each others best asset. Bob's immediate response " Ann's very thoughtful and caring ", his wife's reply took too long, so we moved on. " Do you ever argue " was the next question, unsurprisingly the answer was " Yes, and over the most daftest of things ". Blimey an honest reply, lt's hard to believe the ones who never have in 35 years.

Questionably, Bob claims to be the better darter, as Ann rolls her eyes once more, but admits to being an absolute fidget when her spouse is watching his beloved footy. Bob turns out for the Hyenas, whilst Ann is a Hellraiser.

THE COWANS Elizabeth and Gordon Dubliners, actually Drimnagh, the two met in a Dublin nightclub, The Embankment, dating for some time before Elizabeth (or Babe, as Gordon likes to call her) took the opportunity of using a " Leap Year " to propose some 29 years ago. How could the answer be anything other than a " Yes ". ln the event of an emergency, Elizabeth would ensure the safety of Cole, whilst Gordon would be instructed to retrieve his wifes jewelry. " Princess " to her Tipsy Toad team mates, is well known for her love of sleep and the acquisition of the double duvet, Gordon none the wiser, snoring to his hearts content, wondering where the chilblains came from.

Known to be a little picky where food's concerned, she would plump for steak and chips, the other half preferring a chicken curry.

Gordon is happily irritated by her habit of answering every quiz show question, with every conceivable answer, then claiming she is never wrong.

Given the choice of who would play Gordon in a movie, it has to be Dwayne " The Rock " Johnson, his " twin " born on the same day and year.

THE CHICKS Angela and Paul The Bristolian Chicks are our longest married couple, meeting on a disco boat, clocking up 45 years since sweeping her off her feet with the immortal lines " l suppose we should get married ", what a romantic.

They both consider him to be the better darter of the two, he of the Boris Bears she skipper of the Bobcats. They agree the most likely subject to argue would be about their kids, 3 children, 12 grandchildren and even 2 great grandchildren. Don't look old enough!

Well Winnie might be a foot or two shorter than Jimmy, but it's the wee Scot who rules the bedroom, claiming the duvet at every opportunity. ( seems to be normal practise ). More info was offered but declined. The two have been together for the past 12 years, meeting at work, Jimmy was Winns boss. Bet that didn't last long.

Jimmy readily agrees with Win he doesn't argue and when told, disposes of any creepy crawly when required. Both turn out for Chemies, he for the Loungers, she for the Chicks, Jimmy whispering he thinks he's the better player.

Partners apart, Winnies prized possessions are her family photos, whilst Jimmy spends ages admiring his collection of watches, which is probably why he never has time to wash the dishes, much to the annoyance of the wee one. lnverness local James, thinks Tom Cruise would be most likely to represent the real Jimmy in a film of the two, whilst Edinburgh lass Winnie opts for Bette Midler. Would be a blockbuster. Their wedding song " Lets stay together " by Al Green, says it all.

THE CUMMINS Marie and Matt Dublin girl Marie met her Burnley beau Matt at none other than the Pint Depot, she throwing for the Queens, he for the Jesters. Married for 10 years, he proposed to her, on one knee, in a swanky Dublin restaurant (after approval from her father and daughter) her immediate response " What the feck are you doing ". Her mothers later reaction " Nice lad, but what's wrong with marrying an lrishman. Fortunately Matt weathered the storm.

They both love Sunday lunch, he reluctantly acknowledging she is the superior cook, but redresses the scales by claiming she watches absolute rubbish television. He however adores her crazy personality, reciprocated by her as he makes her happy and laugh every single day.

By way of a reward, Marie would serenade Matt with her version of Patricia the Stripper, the only song she knows every word to, he would reply with an Elvis number " lf l can dream ". Faced with a house evacuation Matt would ensure he had his phone, Marie, the multiple boxes required for her shoe collection. ln a biographical movie, Marie would opt for Julia Roberts to play her ( as in Pretty Woman ) and Matt to be portrayed by Sean Connery. Hoping the former James Bond traits would rub off on her own Mr Bond.

Although finding her impatience a niggle, he melts when affectionately looking into her " cow eyes ", she wishing her interfering beloved would avoid the kitchen when preparing a meal. However ,he loves the results, citing her Lasagne as a fave she a Sunday roast. Angela is a Harry Potter fan, whilst Paul's choice would be Bad Santa.

COMPETITION.

Proving this couple are as normal as the rest of us, asked to name each others favourite song, both replied " You to me are everything ", but asked for their own, both said they didn't have one.

Who was the player reported to have hit 3 Bulls Eyes through the hole in a polo mint. Answer to simonedelacy@hotmail.co.uk by 19th February.

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Lords to La Manga Challenge Cricket.

La Manga Torre Cricket Club (LMTCC) will be attempting to cover the distance from their home ground, based in La Manga Club, Murcia, to the home of cricket Lords Cricket Ground, covering 2,123km.

The funds raised by the challenge will go towards the preperation for these huge cricketing events.

Money raised will benefit the following charities: 1. Reach OUT Torrevieja - Helping the homeless and needy in the Torrevieja area.

"It has been an amazing start with contributions from 16 different members, from ages 17-60, all putting in some distance," Kieran Wood from LMTCC told The Leader.

2. Cutaneous Lymphoma foundation – providing support for those diagnosed with the disease.

All club members will either be running, walking or cycling, in order to try and reach their goal.

3. Los Infiernos Perrera - helping and rehoming animals in the Murcia region.

All donations received will be split 50/50, with half of the donations going to various charities selected to raise money for, the other 50% will be going to towards the payment of pitch hire, practice facility hire, travel costs, etc.

"It has given us all something to work hard for and get fit for the season ahead, at the same time," said Kieran.

After a succcesful season in 2020, admist the trouble of the COVID-19 pandemic, LMTCC were crowned champions of the ECCL T20 League and advanced to the National finals.

"Every kilometre is getting closer to Lords. It's a massive target, but for a massive cause. Amid the dark times we have been in this past year, we wanted to brighten some spirits and raise help for those in need," said Kieran.

The National finals have not taken place, due to travel restrictions within Spain.

"Please help us raise money for these charities.

Donations will be highly appreciated," said Kieran.

The winners of this final will go on to represent Spain in the 2nd edition of the European Cricket League - The Champions League of European

After a 137.77km ride, involving Paul Harvey and Jack Perman amongst others, LMTCC's Australian player Stuart Simkins covered another 50km,

LMTCC Aussie players Stuart Simkins, Paul Hennessy and vice-chairman Paul Harvey. adding a donation to the challenge.

"I'm trying to do the kilometres, trying to knock 'em off. People ask 'how do I keep so fit?'.

"It's down to a special blend of herbs and spices.

The secret? I can't tell you - I don't know it!," quipped Stuart.

LMTCC vice-chairman Paul Harvey said: "Please donate, whether it's €100 or €1 to raise as much money as possible. Click on the GoFundMe page."

LMTCC's Paul Hennessy said: "It's all for a good

Donations: https://gofund.me/10d17491

Almirón resigns as coach of Elche J

orge Almirón has resigned as the coach of Elche. The Argentine coach announced his decision at the following Friday evening’s 3-1 defeat against Celta Vigo

after the club was promoted following last season’s playoffs. He replaced Pacheta, who was sacked to bring in a more experienced coach, after guiding the team to promotion.

"I have made the decision not to continue. I wish the best to my players and all the people I know. They gave me everything, but unfortunately things did not work out for us," he said without answering questions.

Despite forming the squad with the lowest budget in LaLiga, Elche did get off to a good start under Almirón.

Almirón leaves the Elche team one place off the bottom following a streak of 16 straight games without a victory. It equals the second worst run in the club's history.

They currently occupy the penultimate position with 18 points from their 21 games from which they have achieved just

Almirón’s resignation comes just a week before the visit of Eibar in a real ‘six pointer’ that could go a long way to decding Elche’s fate.

STOP PRESS:

The Buenos Aires coach took over at Elche

SUDUKO SOLUTION From From page 14

TRIVEA QUIZ ANSWERS FROM PAGE 14: 1. Wasabi, 2. a. A boomerang that won't come back, 3. Cuba, 4. Sam Snead (82), 5.

Foo Fighters, 6. Brad Pitt (John Smith [Mr. & Mrs. Smith], Aldo Raine [Inglourious Basterds], Tyler Durden [Fight Club] and Rusty Ryan [Oceans 11, 12, 13]). 7.

Coward Of The County (Kenny Rogers). 8.

Gazza on right track as he quits Social Media

By Andrew Atkinson

He recorded three wins, a draw and a loss in his first five games. However, after beating Valencia (2-1) on October 23, they have now gained just eight draws and eight defeats in their last 16 fixtures.

The gunsmiths will visit the Martínez Valero next Saturday for an afternoon fixture.

three wins, nine draws and nine defeats.

However the club does have two games in hand, against Barcelona and Sevilla at home.

cause, donate as much as you can, or as little as possible. Please get behind us."

On Sunday morning it was announced that former manager Fran Escriba, the architect of the club’s promotion to La Liga, has been reappointed for the rest of the current season.

2 + 4 + 8 = 14. 9. Bondi blue. 10. Four answers. a. The Tide Is High (Blondie). b.

(Just Like) Starting Over (John Lennon). c. Brass In Pocket (Pretenders). d. Super Trouper (ABBA). 11. Harissa. 12. Four answers. a. 'Ma' Barker. b. 'Machine gun' Kelly. c. 'Pretty boy' Floyd. d. 'Baby face' Nelson. 13. Echo. 14. Bangkok. 15. Volatile (volatilis). 16. Japan (Tokyo // Kyoto). 17.

Detroit. 18. Bad Romance (Lady Gaga).

19. Sonic the Hedgehog. 20. Four weddings and a funeral.

Gascoigne with Los Montesinos based Russell Moore in Quesada.

Paul Gascoigne has quit social media outlets Twitter, Instagram and Facebook - after getting addicted to it.

“I got addicted and kept on looking at it. I’m just trying to enjoy life as much as possible and make the most of what I’ve got," said Gascoigne, who took to media outlets during his time in Spain in 2019.

Former England star Gazza, 53, was on the Costa Blanca in Orihuela and promoted his 'Evening with Paul Gascoigne shows' in Quesada, when appearing on BigFM Radio.

Gazza, who has battled with alcoholism and stayed tea-total while in Spain, said: “I know I’m happier when I’m not drinking - I can sometimes be a sad drunk."

Speaking on the ongoing coronavirus lockdown situation, Gazza, who played at Spurs, Newcastle, Rangers and Lazio, said: "Last year, not just me but the whole country was struggling with regards to work, but I’ve got work coming back."

Gazza, who appeared at Benidorm’s 4* Marina Hotel and at Orihuela La Zenia Costa Resort, and spent time jet-skiing in the Mediterranean sea at Cabo Roig, said: “I’m just staying on the right track.”

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