No 625
Monday 4th July - Sunday 10th July, 2016
A report from the Agency for Safety and Emergency Response (La Agencia de Seguridad y Respuesta de las Emergencias) has said that the Vega Baja is the region most at risk in the Valencian Community of suffering a major earthquake.
The findings were made public on the occasion of an agreement signed between Agency and the Valencian Insitute of Architects. It grades the risk of a major earthquake at 10, with 12 being total destruction. The agreement will now see
the two organisations working together in order to create an inspection guide for the damage assessment of buildings and the threat of seismic risk. It will also see the establishment of pool of technical experts who will be used as authorities in the structural assessment of buildings that are thought to be affected by an earthquake The guide will also make public the vulnerability of buildings and future constructions in Valencia should they they suffered an earthquake; it will assess the likely damage to the buildings and the actions and recommendations that will need to be put in place during and after any emergency. Continued on Page 2
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VE GA B A JA AT RISK OF MA JOR E AR THQU AKE
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From Page One
exceed 4 on the Richter scale. "
It will also provide an assessment of the economic impact of any potential damage and the needs and possible distribution of aid to members of the population that are most likely to be affected.
The southern Iberian Peninsula is an area between the Eurasian Plate and the African plate, the plate being in the middle of the Alborán Sea, concentrating the highest rate of earthquakes. In addition, particularly high-risk areas are the provinces of Málaga, Almería, Granada and Murcia but also in the Pyrenees, between Navarra and Huesca.
Manuel Regueiro, the new president of the Colegio Oficial de Geólogos (ICOG), , has warned that Spain may be due a major earthquake soon, if statistics of history and monitoring are anything to go by. Statistically, Spain has suffered a major, destructive earthquake every 70 years, but as the last one was in 1884, the risk of reoccurrence may be increasing with every day that passes. There has been an increase in minor earthquakes in high risk areas of Spain over recent years, and studies suggest that this may be a warning of impending disaster, potentially affecting the already recognised high risk areas of Andalusia and Murcia. Geologists have pointed out that the tectonic plates that are located under the earth are constantly moving and colliding, creating faults, which release large amounts of energy, producing an earthquake. They say that we still do not have the tools to know exactly when an earthquake will happen, which is why we can only resort to historical statistics. The last major earthquake occurred on December 25, 1884 at Arenas del Rey (Granada), with a magnitude of between 6.5 and 6.7 degrees on the Richter scale. At that time 900 people were killed, 2,000 injured and the quake destroyed more than a thousand houses. Since then, according to Suárez “almost every day there are micro-earthquakes in southern Spain but none relevant, as they rarely
Of the twelve major earthquakes that have occurred in Spain in the last 600 years, the worst recorded quake took place in 1829 in Torrevieja (Alicante), resulting in most of the area being destroyed and leaving 400 people dead. That earthquake displayed a magnitude of 6.9 at its highest, although there were also aftershocks with some considerable time difference apart. Concern over earthquakes is growing globally, with the most destructive events occurring in the Mediterranean countries, particularly Greece, Italy and Turkey, which are in the collision zone between the Eurasian and African crustal plates. RECENT EARTHQUAKES IN THE REGION 12 Jan 2015: Los Montesinos, 3.3 magnitude 27 February 2016: Santa Pola 2.7 magnitude 21 March: Crevillente 1.9 magnitude 17 April: El Campello 1.9 magnitude 17 April: San Miguel 1.6 magnitude 20 April: Santa Pola 2.2 magnitude 22 April: Totana, Murcia 2.2 magnitude 26 April: Torrevieja 1.6 magnitude 8 June: Alhama Murcia 2.5 magnitude
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Summer Sales Now Underway
F
riday saw the start of one of the most popular periods in Spain, the start of the summer retail sales.
Retailers traditionally look forward to the season in order to clear their shelves of excess and outdated stock, preparing to take on their next warehouse loads for the autumn and winter months. As the country is also gripped with a rise on tourism, this year the retail sector is hoping for a bumper response. Ordinarily, the summer sales are known to account for around 25% of the annual income for retailers and with an average spend expected to be higher than the usual 50 euro per person, the opportunity for a
quick boost to cash flow is great. The only potential downside this year is that the liberalisation of what is traditionally known as “sales” has meant that some discounts can be offered around the year and thus potentially diluting the impact of the summer season. Relaxation of Sunday opening hours had also spread the average spend in the sector although some municipalities changed their own acceptance of this following the elections in December. Alicante for example saw what few shops which were allowed to open on Sunday having to close their doors, with the likes of El Corte Inglés suffering huge losses as a result. It has only been in recent weeks that the town hall has reversed this decision allowing some shops to open once again.
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MUDIC Museum staff uncertain of future
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taff at MUDIC, the Didactic and Interactive Science Museum of Vega Baja del Segura, which is located in the city of Orihuela, are about to go on holiday uncertain as to whether they will still have a job on their return in September. PSOE councillor Carmen Gutierrez warns that the museum, which caters mainly for the region’s schoolchildren, could be doomed to closure unless it receives a subsidy of 50,000 euros owed to it by the City Council and promised by Orihuela mayor Emilio Bascuñana As schools break up for the summer holidays, so to do the staff at MUDIC. But this time the mood is very different, as they depart with the uncertainty of whether they will be able to reopen their doors in September, with the beginning of a new school year. The councillor says that many of the staff are owed up to 3 months salary, despite requests to the council last April by the board of trustees, for the council to provide the funding necessary for staff wages. She said that if there is no change in the situation by the beginning of September the MUDIC will not open its doors and the mayor Bascuñana will be remembered as being the indi-
vidual for the closure of a venture that this year taught science to about 10,000 students. MUDIC is an Interactive Science Museum, a permanent structure of science belonging to the municipality of Orihuela. It is located in the Higher Polytechnic School of Orihuela (Desamparados Campus of the Miguel Hernández University (UMH)) and is managed by the MUDIC-VBS-CV Foundation. The foundation is composed of the Miguel Hernández University, the Town Hall of Orihuela and the Science Teachers Association ‘Hypatia de Alejandria’. It covers instruction in six subjects, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology and Technology with a coordinator in charge of each area. The socialist councillor has asked the mayor to be "honest" with the staff at the museum saying that if he is not interested in science and the future education of the region’s children he should say so. She said that in April the mayor stated the problem was "a minor administrative procedure" but more than two and a half months after his announcement the lack of any payment still remains.
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JUDGE JAILS ALICANTE BEACH THIEVES
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judge in Alicante remanded an 18 year old man in custody last week, accused of targeting local beaches specifically intent on stealing small items from bathers such as mobile phones. This is the second arrest and detention for such crimes in the last two weeks. Although there is an increase in police patrols over the summer months, resulting in these successful arrests, there are a few tips which we can all adopt to try to reduce this sort of crime, as these criminals are often opportunistic and thrive of the vulnerable and innocent.
and hide them under the sand. Beware of this option though, not only is there a risk you might forget, many thieves are already aware of this practice and carry sticks and shovels with them in order to test the land.
There are also purpose built secure bags that have poles which you place deep Be alert and observant under the sand. Although securiat all times ty is improved, you do have to carry these with you. Overall, if you don´t have to take your valuables with you to the beach, don´t. It is actually possible to survive without your mobile phone. If you do take them, remember to be discreet and keep them out of sight, try not to make it obvious when using your mobile phone for example. Vigilance is always key in preventing opportunistic crimes. Don´t worry or panic, but be alert and observant at all times. It is easy to become complacent on holiday and do insecure things we would never dream of doing at home, but criminals operate anywhere and paradise does not make you immune.
There are various camouflage options and storage devices on the market today, but with very little effort, you can create your own means of disguising your valuables from potential thieves.
You could place your items in a waterproof bag or container, such as a Tupperware box,
Waterproof swim belts and bags can be kept with you at all times, even when you go in the sea, you ought to check that they are waterproof first though.
Some beaches are equipped with secure
The advice is always the same, keep valuables locked away in a safe place but if you must take them with you, keep them out of sight.
Sun cream bottles which are empty can be cleaned out (and dried) and adapted to hide valuables. Simply cut a hole or flap in either the top or the back and store your items inside. To nearby observers, your items will look innocent.
body who might be watching you.
lockers. These are usually of high quality and have extensive security measures built in, although be conscious of your surroundings when using them and look out for any-
If you do see anything suspicious then report it immediately. Remember, next time it could be your valuables being eyed up and we are sure that you would hope somebody would report it if anybody were acting suspiciously near you.
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RBL SAYS FAREWELL TO JIM
On Thursday 22 June the Orihuela Costa Branch of the Royal British Legion met for their monthly lunch at the restaurant Meson El Prado in San Miguel to say farewell to Jim and Sandra Watt. Jim has been a long standing officer of the Branch as head of Welfare locally and a District coordinator. He has also been one of the Branch Standard Bearers and has written a very good history of our Branch which can be seen on the web site. Jim and his wife Sandra are moving to Portugal to be nearer their family after Jim suffering a serious illness. The Branch would like to wish them best wishes and health for their new life. Please visit the Branch web site. www.branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/orihuelacosta
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Immerse yourself in Orihuela’s History and Colour In just two weeks time the historic town of Orihuela comes alive with the yearly Moors and Christians celebrations with yet more colourful parades through the streets as thousands of people from far and wide converge on the city to celebrate this most important fiesta. Orihuela is the perfect setting for this traditional Spanish Fiesta as the streets of the historic quarter are saturated in colour and noise as the parades and events take place. After the official presentation you'll see the size and splendour of the various processions climaxing in the Grand Parade of the Moors and then the Christians. The first celebration took place in 1974 and over the intervening years the ceremonies and the acts have become more elaborate and far more audacious. The Fiesta de la Reconquista commemorates the battles for control of the land between the Moors
and Christians as solemn parades, a number of mock battles featuring a great deal of noise and explosions and many other events take place in the city streets. The symbol of Orihuela, the black eagle like bird, known as the 'La Gloriosa Ensena del Oriol' features highly in the programme, and even has its own parade! Everything gets underway on Saturday 16th July at 19:30 with the Parade of the Abanderadas & Flower Offering in honour of the patron saints (Justa and Rufina) starting at la Glorieta Gabriel Miró and finishing at the Cathedral before moving to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento where the dignitaries will be presented on the town hall balcony. You will be able to see a full programme of all the parades and details for transport to the city from the Orihuela Costa in next week’s Leader Newspaper.
A century of Popular Songs here was an excitement in the concert hall at the Orihuela Costa Resort on Saturday as the anticipation of the packed audiences reached fever pitch before the first notes were sung. When they were, Melody Makers International, under their experienced guide and conductor, Nigel Hopkins, started off the show with a medley of well-loved songs from the Black & White Minstrels repertoire of 1920s songs.
T
Holt, newly back from singing in the UK, sang Barbra Streisand's 'A Woman In Love' which cemented her place as one of the leading performers on the professional circuit on the Costa. She was joined by another 18 year old, Elise MacGregor, who after singing the title song to Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast' to a great ovation, sang the wonderful duet from Celine Dion and Barbra Streisand, 'Tell Him' which drew a well-deserved standing ovation from the audience.
These were greeted with an enthusiasm which was to last throughout
The performance ended with 'Tell Me It's Not True' from Blood
Brothers to the usual full standing ovation which Melody Makers' concerts produce. The two shows on the day were in support of the children's charity Debra - The Butterfly Children. The day raised €1909 which means that the support from Nigel Hopkins' concerts this year so far has raised just under €5,000 for this very worthwhile charity. Yet another superb show from Nigel Hopkins and his Melody Makers International. By Christopher Eggerton
the whole evening, as songs from every decade of last century entertained the ever appreciative audience. The first soloist was the 18 year old prodigy, Verity Hall, who sang 'Over The Rainbow' to huge applause. For the 1940s contribution we heard a medley of wartime songs which a goodly amount of the audience joined in. Within this selection we were treated to the comedy duet of Jane Atkinson & Eric Berg who sang a spoof on 'Keep The Home Fires Burning' dressed in wartime garb and impersonating members of the Home Guard. As we moved through the decades we were treated to the music of the Everley Brothers, Beach Boys and Neil Diamond. Notable soloists in the first half were Graham Cooke with two Jim Reeves songs and Mary Beer, who performed delightfully from the musical 'Kismet'. The second half started with an Abba medley from 'Mamma Mia!', and continued with a tribute to David Bowie (Life On Mars), Imagine, From A Distance, and Lloyd Webber's 'Love Changes Everything' as a 'taster' for Melody Makers' next major concert in January - An Evening with Andrew Lloyd Webber. We also heard the MMI Close Harmony group singing arrangements of five Beatles songs, specially written by conductor Nigel Hopkins. These were sung totally unaccompanied ... and performed by just 16 singers to great effect. One of the enduring memories of the whole concert was the performances of three young performers - all pupils of singing teacher Nigel Hopkins - who entranced the audience with their performances. Verity Hall, who sang so beautifully in the first half, added many feathers to her cap with a superb performance of 'Time To Say Goodbye', with a phenomenal long, high note at the end. Rebecca
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As summer takes hold, so does the start of the traditional Spanish fiesta scene, with two of the most popular events set to take place within weeks of each other. Wednesday sees the start of the now infamous San Fermín event, known mostly for the “running of the bulls”, when countless people take to the streets to try to outrun a bull, often in fear of their lives, and sometimes with fatal consequences.
The Tomatina fiesta in late August will be enjoyed by 40,000 revellers who will throw over 125 tons of tomatoes at each other.
Pamplona’s festival of San Fermín, “The Running of the Bulls” gets underway on Wednesday with the opening party and fireworks fiesta. The festival of San Fermín takes place in the city of Pamplona, located in Navarre and commences on July 6th at 12:00 noon with the opening party and fireworks fiesta. The event then runs through until July 14th, with the official anthem “Pobre de Mi” rounding off the celebration. In between, they have the most famous part of the event, the “encierro”, or the running of the bulls, which takes place 08:00 every morning from July 8th, based on a local and traditional method of moving bulls through the streets, it is now re-enacted by the revellers simply trying and hoping to survive. It might seem a little odd for those who don´t understand why putting your life at risk should be seen as entertainment, but over a million people attend each year making it the most internationally renowned fiesta in Spain. If you would rather preserve your own life and still run through the streets honouring a traditional
Spanish fiesta, maybe a trip to Buñol is more your scene. Taking place on the last Wednesday in August, there we have the Tomatina fiesta. Revellers once again take to the streets, which often also flow with the colour red, but this time it is not the blood of the partygoers that splashes from the ground, but the juice of millions of tomatoes as the Tomatina is the biggest tomato fight in the entire world. This event has been taking place since the mid 1940´s and has grown to monstrous proportions. Because of the success, it was only in recent years that the event became ticket only, so as to try to control the number of people attending. Other than the fact that the idea of throwing tomatoes at each other does seem a little strange, there is actually no documented proof, and nobody can say for sure, exactly how the fiesta started. One of the most common hypothesis is that the disgruntled population of the town rioted and attacked local councillors with tomatoes during a town celebration. Whatever the reason behind the event, some 40,000 people still take to the streets and fight each year and share 125 tons of tomatoes with each other. You can get a combined travel and entry ticket from Torrevieja these days, which also offers paella and sangria as part of the officially licenced deal, although this will set you back 90 euro for the privilege. Alternatively, you could just buy your own bag of tomatoes and recreate the event in your own street, although throwing tomatoes at councillors is probably frowned upon, many cities around the world have started to recreate the event themselves, including as far away as China, so why not get on board and join in the fun at home, just remember that somebody needs to clean up.
If you are currently selling advertising space to clients who are looking to put their product or service before UK expats, you may like to have, on offer, additional space in a top-quality, independent sports magazine as well.
Good rates of commission
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Murcia Motorway is Deadliest in the Region
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nalysis has revealed that the A7 motorway in Murcia is the deadliest stretch of road in the entire region, after the most recent fatal crash brought the death toll to twenty victims in sixteen incidents over the past six years. The data was collated following the deaths of two truck drivers and two golfers when their vehicles collided in June, one of the trucks bursting into flames. In 2011 there were three fatal crashes in which three people lost their lives, in 2013 four people were killed in four fatal incidents. In 2014 there were five deaths in five incidents. In 2015 there were four incidents in which three lives were lost and so far in 2016 four people have been killed in a single deadly incident. The RM-714 which also runs through the region is also top of the deadliest roads list after twenty four people lost their lives in six incidents on the Jumilla
to Venta del Olivo y Calasparra road. The largest death toll in a single incident was when a bus crashed in Cieza in November of last year resulting in fourteen people being killed. However, despite these statistics, the Director General of Traffic does not recognise the areas as being “black spots”. In fact, the only location in Murcia considered as such is the RM D14 at Águilas, at kilometre marker post 2.4. This zone is classed as dangerous as it has been the location of three injury incidents in 2015. It is quite possible that the DGT revisit the location following these most recent deadly incidents, but as much of the motorway in the area is set for an overhaul and widening scheme in the next few years, it may well be that more modern road features can play a bigger part in reducing incidents, so long as drivers themselves also do their bit to keep the roads safe.
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COMMUNITY BUILDINGS INSURANCE Are you fully covered? If your home or property in Spain forms part of a block of houses, apartments or condominiums, it usually includes community buildings insurance. You automatically pay this each month along with other community fees. Generally this cover is limited to keep premiums to a minimum. Cover includes communal elements such as the buildings, the grounds, lifts, pipes, walkways, padel tennis courts, etc. Unlike insurance policies in the UK, community buildings insurance does not cover fixtures and fittings such as your kitchen or bathroom.
TAKE OUT YOUR OWN SEPARATE COVER If an upstairs neighbour goes on holiday and leaves the tap on, resulting in a flood in your home below, the community buildings insurance will not cover the damage. Línea Directa recommends that you take out separate cover for your home. This should protect all the contents of your home, its fixtures and fittings and anything else not covered by the community insurance.
YOUR HOME IS AN ASSET Remember, your home is an asset. It represents a life long investment and its imperative that you get the right insurance from the beginning. Whether it’s your own residence, you rent it out or if you’re planning to sell it, your home may be at risk if it is not fully covered. Damage occurring from flood, fires or break-ins can be expensive to repair and or replace. Paying a small premium now will protect your investment for the future.
FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT YOUR COMMUNITY IS COVERED FOR Most community covers are very basic, so while you are shopping around for the best comprehensive home insurance, you will need gap or first loss cover to ensure you are protected in the meantime. Prior to contracting a new policy, find out exactly what is covered by your community policy. Many people in Spain who live in an apartment discover too late that they are not adequately covered by their urbanisation’s community insurance.
We hope the information provided in this article is of interest. If you would like to contact Línea Directa please call
902 123 139
More information on Línea Directa online at www.lineadirecta.com
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QUICKIE CROSSWORD
CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS QUICK ACROSS: 1 Wasp; 8 Altruistic; 9 Platform; 10 Also; 12 Cancel; 14 Resume; 15 Casual; 17 Sandal; 18 Lewd; 19 Stealthy; 21 Memorandum; 22 Beer. DOWN: 2 Amalgamate; 3 Pact; 4 Stroll; 5 Summer; 6 Assassin; 7 Echo; 11 Sympathise; 13 Cauldron; 16 Lascar; 17 Steady; 18 Lime; 20 Limb. CRYPTIC ACROSS: 1 Abel; 8 On the level; 9 Pastiche; 10 Dose; 12 Abacus; 14 Raided; 15 Banner; 17 Pedals; 18 Isle; 19 Director; 21 Conductors; 22 Hide. DOWN: 2 Broad beans; 3 Loft; 4 Stocks; 5 Meteor; 6 Head wind; 7 Flee; 11 Spellbound; 13 Contends; 16 Reduce; 17 Pardon; 18 Inch; 20 Cash.
ACROSS 7.
Enraged (5)
8.
Wise (7)
9.
Voter (7)
10.
Enchant (5)
12.
Plebiscite (10)
15.
All-powerful (10)
18.
Killed (5)
19.
Chorus (7)
21.
Pretended (7)
22.
Goodbye (5)
DOWN 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 11. 13. 14. 16. 17. 20.
Lewd (10) Keen (5) Thrash (4) Scant (6) Meal (8) Porch (7) Note (10) Advocate (8) Dwell (7) Harangue (6) Cogent (5) Spume (4)
L EA D E R T R I V I A Q U I Z DOWN 1. One who builds the vessel properly, we hear (10) 2. Stay to give a description of the pitch (5) 3. The verge of irritability (4) 4. Deep singer and French horn required (6) 5. Court writ issued when the bean soup is off ... (8) 6. ... no court will be misled by what goes in it! (7) 11. Gas-holder (6,4) 13. Where tea is stored in crates, maybe (8) 14. What one receives after working for a boarding-house (7) 16. In complex case, copper is to make a charge (6) 17. Those who write for kicks! (5) 20. A companion for tea (4)
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
guerre" (It is magnificent, but it isn't war)? d: Which king modestly asserted "L'etat, c'est moi"? e: Who supposed that "Golf is a good walk spoiled"? 6. In Brazil, what is Pelada? 7. What is Jabulani, first introduced on the 5th of December 2009? 8. What do the film characters Vince Vega (Pulp Fiction) and Donald Genero (Jurassic Park) have in common? 9. Which old fashioned weapon is found on the flag of the Barbados? 10. Ceylon, now known as Sri Lanka, was at one time a colony of which three European countries? 11. With the aid of the following lyrics, name the girl in each song. a. Who's trippin down the streets of the city smilin at everbody she sees. b. That gypsy with the gold capped tooth. c. She was a red hot hoochie coocher.
12. Who painted the actual work of art entitled 'The Great Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed in the Sun' found in the film Red Dragon? 13. The U2 song 'Angel of Harlem' is a tribute to which woman? 14. The British Queen, Queen Elizabeth II has met eleven of the last twelve US Presidents during their term in office. Which of the last twelve did she not meet? 15. The following words are from which Christmas songs? a. Star with royal beauty bright. b. Follow me in merry measure. c. I don't care about presents underneath the Christmas tree. d. Please have snow and mistletoe, and presents on the tree. e. The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing.
QUIZ ANSWERS 1. Natalie Wood, 2. Mint, 3. The Blue Fairy, 4. Mayonnaise, 5. a: Oscar Wilde, b: Albert Einstein, c: The Charge of The Light Brigade, d: Louis XIV, e: Mark Twain. 6 Street or beach football. 7. The Adidas official 2010 World Cup Match Ball (meaning 'to celebrate' in Zulu). 8. Both die while in the toilet. 9. A Trident. 10. Portugal, Holland and GB. 11. a. Windy. (Windy, The Association). b. Madame Rouge. (Love Potion No 9, Various). c. Minnie. (Minnie the Moocher, Blues Brothers). 12. William Blake. 13. Billie Holliday. 14. Lyndon B. Johnson. She would have met LBJ if she had attended JFK's funeral, but she was pregnant at the time. 15.a. We Three Kings of Orient are. b. Deck the halls. c. All I want for Christmas is you. d. I'll be home for Christmas. e. It came upon a midnight clear.
ACROSS 7. Hidden treasure for the multitude, we hear (5) 8. Places where those in the swim are exposed to public gaze (7) 9. Real spy negotiates crookedly (7) 10. Stone-fruit, soft and well-rounded (5) 12. Perform capriciously (3,3,4) 15. Vegetable dish obtained from garden sale (5,5) 18. Enquire in back-street for assignments (5) 19. Tightly pressed for an agreement (7) 21. They display sprinklers (7) 22. It's a sign X gets around all right (5)
1. Which Hollywood child star played the little girl in the 1947 Christmas film Miracle on 34th Street? 2. Mitchum and Pepper are both examples of what? 3. The fairy with turquoise hair appears in Carlo Collodi's book, The Adventures of Pinocchio. What is she called in the Disney film? 4. Which edible product was first created to celebrate a French victory over the English at Port Mahon? 5. Who said it? a: "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." Whose take on life? b: Who explained his theories thus: "When a man sits with a pretty girl for a minute it seems like an hour. But let him sit on a hot stove for a minute - and it's longer than any hour." c: Of what was General Bousquet speaking when he observed, "C'est magnifique, mais ce n'est pas la
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‘Twitters from the Atlantic’ Barrie Mahoney was a head teacher and school inspector in the UK, as well as a reporter in Spain, before moving to the Canary Islands to launch and edit a new English language newspaper. He enjoys life in the sun as a columnist and author, and continues to write a series of popular novels, books for expats, as well as designing mobile apps and websites to promote the Canary Islands.
The Feel Good Factor According to recent research, the feel good factor is a rare phenomenon in the UK nowadays. However, the good news is that this research has concluded that the feel good factor is currently the highest that it has been for about three years in the UK. Maybe it is due to Andy Murray winning Wimbledon, the naughty Muslim cleric, Abu Qatada, being deported to Jordan, the Royal baby, or maybe the economy improving a little. Whatever it is, I do wish that the UK could have much more of it, because it is always so much nicer to chat to people in the UK who do not sound as if they are about to jump off a very high building. Of course, we all know the real reason for the current high spirits in the UK; it is the weather, of course. After a depressingly long, wet and cold winter, and a terrible spring, most people are desperate to see the sun once again and to bask in something akin to warm rays. Switching off the central heating, if fortunate enough to have it, using the barbecue purchased a few years ago and only used a couple of times, buying a summer dress or a pair of shorts all add to that feeling of well being. Summer picnics with the kids on the beach or just walking in the forest – was that all just a dream, or did it really happen when we were children, I wonder? Like so many over a certain age, we do begin to wonder if our memories are playing tricks on us, and that our brains simply cut out those endless days of rain that we experienced during the school summer holidays. It didn't rain at all then, did it? I seemed to spend endless days playing outside, going on cycle rides, picnics and playing with
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By Bar rie Mahoney
friends. I also remember seeing numerous butterflies of many different colourful species, such as red admirals, tortoiseshells and peacocks. I really don't remember any rain at all during those endlessly long summer holidays. During the last few years of living in the UK, I became aware of more people suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is basically a winter depression affecting otherwise healthy person during the rest of the year. The condition is usually triggered by a lack of sunlight and is treated by light therapy and in some cases by anti depressants. However, in some cases the condition can be serious and have tragic consequences. Since moving to Spain and the Canary Islands, I quickly dropped my usual habit of checking the weather each morning, as it was no longer necessary. In the Canary Islands, for instance, it is mostly warm throughout the year. We may get some cloud from time to time, which normally clears by mid morning, or a calima that boosts the heat rapidly for a few days, but generally, we can have a barbecue when we would like one, we don't need rain coats and central heating issues are usually addressed by the lighting of one or two or candles during a winter’s evening if we feel a little chilly. However, should the heat become a little excessive, which it may do in August, then air conditioning is a necessity. This desperate need for the ‘feel good factor’ is one of the many driving forces that persuade many would-be expats to finally accept that they may be in the wrong country for their health and general well
being. They gradually realise that they need to make the most of the time that they have. Usually, this means escaping from the cold and wet weather and heading for a life in the sun. For some, this may not be possible, and with the global recession, opportunities to move to another country now seem much more problematic, with even European countries being less welcoming than they were to expats a few years ago. However, there are still many opportunities for those who have the determination and foresight, and like a challenge, to succeed. Our fingers are crossed for our friends and relatives that the true summer weather that is currently being enjoyed in the UK and mainland Europe continues for a long time to come, but then again there is always the issue of drought rearing its ugly head to spoil things if it lasts for too long. Meanwhile, enjoy summer barbecues, tea on the patio, Wimbledon and strawberries and fresh cream. If you enjoyed this article, take a look at Barrie’s websites: www.barriemahoney.com and www.thecanaryislander.com or read his book, ‘Island in the Sun’ (ISBN: 9780992767181). Available in paperback, as well as Kindle. © Barrie Mahoney
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Monday 4th July - Sunday 10th July, 2016
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Boats and Nautical
euro. Come along to our showroom in Elche or call 96 666 22 60 for all our latest offers. The biggest and best for price, choice and quality. (69148)
Item For Sale Mobility Scooter. Only 2 years old, 4 wheels with new batteries. Rarely used. Sold as seen at 600 euro. Call 651 726 733 or 665 300 502.
Social and Clubs
Boat servicing, engine oil/ filter change. General maintenance, fault finding, anti fouling, hull cleaning, accessory installation. Torrevieja to Mazarron. Licensed and registered in Spain, 20 years experience. All makes of outboard engines catered for. Competitive prices, all work guaranteed English/Spanish speaking. Call Tony on 628 166 738 (65470) FOR RENT - up to 10 metre berth - Marina Salinas - CALL 648 627 272 (69101)
Car and Vehicle Sales The Car of the Month at Automoviles Crespo is a 2012 Ford Kuga priced at just 22,700
Painting Lessons. Join us every month at Artes Cova Gallery and Studio, Orihuela Costa or Torrevieja, for Art lessons, Call 966 760 142 or 665 417 355 for information Volunteers are urgently needed in all areas by the Age Concern LIFELINE Team visiting people in their own homes to assess their needs, reporting back to the Lifeline Team Leader. There are many people who live alone, are lonely and need some form of social contact. Please call Age Concern on 96 678 6887. (69185) HAH CB need you to help us help those in need in their own homes in areas surrounding Quesada, San Luis, La Siesta Torrevieja, La Mata, Orihuela Costa, Villamartin to Campoverde, short or long term medical conditions of all ages and nationalities. Contact our head office on 965 328 794 or email charitycentre. helpathomecb@gmail.com.
Pets Delmonte Catotel Cartagena. The
cattery that cares! Tel 968 168 711 or 616 276 379 (69083)
Situations Vacant If you are currently selling advertising space to clients who are wishing to put their product or service before UK expats, you may like to have, on offer, space in a top-quality, independent magazine as well. Good rates of commission. Call 600 228 616 for information. Hair Stylist Required. Qualified hairstylist required at the Beauty Palace in La Zenia. Call 966 760 133 or 688 388 272 for information.
The Leader Newspaper is recruiting Sales Staff in La Marina, Quesada and on the Orihuela Costa. If you are able to spare a few hours a week and would like to earn extra cash call us now on 640 534 964 for an informal chat. We will even treat you to a coffee.
We want to Buy Aid2Mobility. We can sell your second hand equipment...call in and see us in our new premises at the Discount Depot, C/Los Arcos No 9, Ciudad Quesada. Opening: Weekdays 10.30am – 4pm, Saturday 10am – 2pm. Call 965 073 199
Property for Rent URGENT! - Properties required for waiting clients. We are receiving requests for La Zenia,
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Playa Flamenca, San Miguel schools catchment area, 2 or 3 bed houses, and detached villas. Let your property earn you money - CALL NOW on 966 772 553 JACARILLA Within walking distance of all amenities, including bars, the village pool and small weekly market. This ground floor apartment is just a short drive from many larger towns, including the historic city of Orihuela, and up to 25 minute drive from the beaches of Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa and Guardamar del Segura. 425 pcm including an allowance for bills. Call us on 966 772 553 FORMENTERA DEL SEGURA Good sized 2 bed 1 bath apartment ideal for long term living. Door to hallway has 2nd bedroom leading off. Good sized separate kitchen which is fully equipped and has galleria leading off. Lounge diner has patio doors with a good sized balcony. Archway from lounge leads to full bathroom with external window and spacious master bedroom with large window providing plenty of natural light. English TV, communal pool. 375 euros per calendar month includ-
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ing an allowance for bills. Contracts provided 966 772 553 JACARILLA. 3 Bed, 2 bath apartment. Good sized separate kitchen with external patio off, balcony with lovely views over orange groves. UK TV, air-con, communal pool 400 euros per calendar month, including allowance for bills. Long term contracts provided 966 772 553 WANTED URGENTLY We are receiving requests for La Zenia, Playa Flamenca, San Miguel schools catchment area, detached houses. If you think your property may be suitable please CALL NOW on 966 772 553
Property for Sale For Sale Town House In SAX/Alicante. 4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, with separate granny flat. Single Garage space & 50 metre Patio. Quiet area with no community fees. Close to all local amenities. 160,000€ O.N.O. Call: 868 08 34 55 Or email: anna-gargan@hotmail.com LA MANGA - Immaculate 2 bed, 2 bath apartment. Fully-furnished. Close to beaches and Veneziola Golf. 2nd floor. Reduced for quick sale. 125.500 Euro. Tel 626 253 569. (90187)
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Monday 4th July - Sunday 10th July, 2016 Dolores. Large Finca in plot of 10,000 m2. All services connected. Build Size 215m2. Must be viewed. 195,000 euros. Tel 649 189 930 (65297) Beautifully presented 2 bed ground floor bungalow. Property consists of Lounge/Diner, good sized kitchen with storage area, Master bedroom with fitted wardrobes, twin bedroom with fitted wardrobes and family bathroom. Good sized garden and communal pool. This property is located
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just a short stroll to Villamartin and is ideal for full time living and holidays 80,000 euros Tel 966 772 553 (92320) A stunning quad villa in playa golf property with 2 bedrooms 1.5 bathroom and large garden just a short walk from bars and the bus and only a 5 mins drive to the beach 115,000 euros contact Ian on 644 115 988 (96290) 2 Bedroom quad villa in Lomas de Cabo Roig just 5 mins walk to the shop and about 5 mins drive
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to the beach this has been a lovely home but need to sell now it only 89,999 euros call Carl on 672 875 251 (96292) Ground floor bungalow over looking community garden and just a short walk from the supermarket carrefour in Torrevieja this is a lovely property with a nice size garden Ideal for you if you are looking to be close to all amenties was 99,000 euros now 75,000 euros call me James on 644 138 502 (96293)
Summer Fayre in Calp Old Town Y
ou know about Calp*? You might know the Peñón de Ifach and the lonja, the place in the port where they sell fish. The salt lake with flamingos, the long sea promenades and all those modern flats with full view of the sea. But do you know the old town centre at the top of the hill? Narrow little houses on each side of painted stairs decorated with plants in large pots, people still sitting outside talking over the day with their neighbours. Part of the medieval city walls, and several blind walls painted with fake windows and balconies. Snug little bars and restaurants, where you can sit outside and enjoy your meal or drink in a nostalgic, quiet atmosphere. In addition to all this, there is one of the Amata craft fairs with stalls selling craft work made by the people at the stall. Every evening at 7, from 11 July till 11 September, the Calle Libertat* is closed to traffic and some ten or fifteen artesans open their stalls. Stalls with wooden toys, leather goods, macramé, ceramics, painted roof tiles and all sorts of other interesting and unique pieces. Some of the people will be at work, and every evening, at 8 o'clock, one of them will run a workshop where children of all ages (come on, Grandma!) can have a go at making something with their own hands. Some of the people on the stalls are pretty good jugglers or play music - and these have decided to amuse the motley crowd that passes in exchange for the odd coin in the proverbial hat. There are also three pleasant eateries in the street itself, with half a dozen more within 100 yards. All in all, a pretty good place to go when you've been watching the waves lap the beach all day. To get there, walk up the Gabriel Miró (the main shopping street in Calp), keep going and after another 100
yards you pass the Town Hall with the flags outside. Just a little further the road splits, and you take a left-ish turn. Another 50 yards, and you turn left into the Calle de la Justicia*. Trundle along, and you pass the Plaza de España, which has a genuine fountain (not a very big one) in the middle - and there you are. Or you can take a ride in the little tourist train that runs all the way from the La Fossa beach up till the top of the old town (and back!), stopping at 100 yards from the fair. For more information, ring Elvira on 639 979 678 (she speaks English) or have a look on www.amata.es (in Spanish and English), which gives some idea of what Amata does, and shows pretty photographs. * Some time ago the official name was changed from Calpe to Calp. At the same time several streets got renamed as well, so you might remember the Calle Libertat as the Calle San Antonio and the Calle de la Justicia as the Calle Paternina.
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Movies Made In Spain L
ondon-born Valencia resident since 1981, Bob Yareham, has published a book about all the English language films made in Spain since the 1920s. There are over 700 of them and Bob has compiled a list of 20 questions, a kind of teaser for The Leader readers, in the hope that they will fork out 15€ and buy his book, where they can find the answers. 1Where did Steven Spielberg build a World War II prisoner of war camp? 2 In which film with Lauren Bacall does the province of Granada represent India? 3 In which Yul Brynner film does Zaragoza represent Egypt? 4 In which town does Cary Grant find the Spanish guerrilla headquarters in Pride and Passion? 5 In which Spanish cathedral were there two coronations in a Ridley Scott film? 6 In which town did Errol Flynn get married in King’s Rhapsody? 7 Which Spanish city was Berlin in The Battle of Britain? 8 Where was Richard Harris’s Camelot?
9 Which Spanish royal palace appears in both Patton and The Battle of the Bulge? 10 Which Spanish castle appears in the cartoon version of Lord of the Rings? 11 Which town, destroyed in the Spanish Civil War, was used in a Terry Gilliam film? 12 In which castle did Al Pacino invite Adam Sandler to supper? 13 In which Spanish city does Johnny Depp meet twin bookshop owners in a film? 14 Which Spanish town was Nottingham in the film Robin and Marian with Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn? 15 Which leisure park appears at the beginning of The Hitch-hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy? 16 Which Spanish castle can be seen behind Orlando Bloom’s French home in a film about the Crusades? 17 Which Spanish monument appears in a Star Wars film? 18 Which dam appears at the beginning and end of Doctor Zhivago? 19 In Which Spanish province does Nicole Kidman meet The Others? 20 Which Spanish museum appears in a James Bond film? The book has been published by the Valencian publisher Obrapropia www.obrapropia.com and can be bought online as a paperback at 15€ or as an e-book at 10€. The e-book version contains 50 original photos. http://www.obrapropia.com/Obras/1664/MOVIES-MADE-INSPAIN
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Stepping out at Cabo Roig’s Queen Vic
W
hat started out as a gentle conversation between Sue & Karl Court, the hosts of The Queen Victoria Bar in Cabo Roig, soon gathered momentum when they mentioned to a few of the customers what they were intending to do. Cancer related charities are something that are close to Sue and Karl's hearts having lost family members, friends and customers to the horrible disease over the last few years and when they mentioned it to customers, before they knew it, there were 10 wanting to take part, particularly as in the build up to the walk, a much loved customer and friend Colin Bowden had also succumbed to the dreaded disease. The girls and guys all enjoyed the walk immensely (some more than others, stopping at every bar en route) but most importantly they raised a fantastic total of €1300 for Maria and The Pink Ladies. They are already planning for next years walk and are looking to make it bigger and better by getting lots more people involved and breaking their magnificent total raised.
OVER 40,000 POLICE TO IMPLEMENT SAFE TOURISM PLAN
A
lmost 43,000 Spanish National Police and Guardia Civil officers are to guarantee security in tourist destinations this summer The State Secretariat of Security of the Ministry of Home Affairs has activated its Safe Tourism Plan for those planning to stay and travel in Spain. The operational implementation of this plan is embodied in Operation Summer 2016, which the Ministry of Home Affairs will launch on 1 July. ?This year, the Ministry of Home Affairs has increased the number of officers assigned to this operation by 1,227 - up 14.35% on 2015 - to a total of 42,607 Spanish National Police and Guardia Civil officers, who will be responsible for ensuring the safety of overseas tourists visiting Spain as well as Spaniards and other Residents enjoying their summer holidays. In addition to the police presence, the Safe Tourism Plan 2016 strengthens the services offered to inbound tourists via the extensive network of Foreign Tourist Assistance Service offices. These 24 offices provide services at all major tourist destinations in Spain and last year helped a total of 33,649 people. These offices help tourists who become the victim of crime in their own language, help them file an official crime report, provide assistance for the cancellation of credit cards and, if necessary, put them in touch with their con-
sular authorities or with their families. This service is already available in many cities including Alicante andValencia. As part of the commitment to new technologies, the Safe Tourism Plan also offers Alertcops - a free mobile app, available in Spanish and English that allows a geo-located alert to be sent to the national security forces, thus enabling citizens to more easily report a crime or dangerous situation of which they become a victim or are witness to. Thanks to Alertcops, which has been downloaded almost 262,000 times, the Spanish National Police Force and Guardia Civil have processed approximately 50,000 alerts, of which over 6,400 correspond to potentially dangerous situations. The operational implementation of the Safe Tourism Plan centres around Operation Summer 2016, which will enable surveillance to be increased on roads and at stations, sea ports, airports, hotels, camp sites and beaches, and for security measures to be stepped up at shows and events involving large gatherings, as well as procedures and paperwork when reporting a crime to the police to be expedited and simplified. Furthermore, increased efforts will be made to obtain information to prevent terrorist activity and support the investigations carried
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Money back A seaside resort in Italy is offering sun worshippers a refund if rain ruins their day at the beach. The tourist board in Jesolo, near Venice, says it'll reimburse the cost of renting a lounger and sun umbrella at both of its beaches under a new scheme dubbed "tan or your money back". It's part of a range of measures that the tourist board has introduced in the hope of attrackting more visitors.
Madrid's prostitutes offered study grants Madrid City Council is offering 31 scholarships worth €76,500 to prostitutes who want to leave the streets and get an education. The measure was approved by the council's Department of Equality, Social Rights and Employment and will help cover the income the women will lose from leaving prostitution to start educational courses in September. The women will undertake work experiences in various businesses. Last year, another 31 women successfully completed the course and found jobs as chambermaids, kitchen assistants and cleaners.
Windows 10 Microsoft has agreed to pay a Californian woman $10,000 after an automatic Windows 10 update left her computer unusable. Teri Goldstein said her Windows 7 computer had automatically tried to update itself to Windows 10 without her permission. She said the update had made her machine unstable, leaving her unable to use it to run her business. Microsoft said it had dropped its appeal to save on legal costs.
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Alicante City - A real taste of the Mediterranean Bohemian, friendly, historical and modern
O
ver 3 million visitors hit Alicante’s beaches, shopping streets and historical old quarter every year and it wasn’t any different three thousand years ago with Greeks, Phoenicians, Iberians and Romans all having a go at the place. Located on the coast of south east Spain, Lucentum, Alacant, Alicante…call it what you will but from those humble beginnings Alicante has risen to become the capital of the Province of the same name and nowadays invites the visitor to ‘come and get it’ with a fun and adventurous way of going about things and with a castle, street life and old quarter all brimming with attitude. Home to the Volvo ocean race the impressive port is what first brought trade to the city and still does with over seventy cruise ships calling in, bringing with them over 110,000 people to sample the typical friendly Mediterranean culture that this fabulous place offers. Strolling around and one is in amongst pavement artists and the ‘hippy huts’ all sell their wares on the beautiful esplanade which was built using the ruins of the old city walls and boasts over 6.6 million tiles in the mosaic that runs along the seafront and ‘La Rambla’ is a must for anyone looking for some nightlife. Don’t forget the local urban legends too of the beautiful Carbonell House on the seafront or the Moor’s face said to be carved into the rock by a mourning ruler centuries before. Come meal times and you are spoilt rotten for choice in Alicante with its outstanding reputation for great food typified in its speciality of local rice dishes although its range of international cuisine will have your taste buds bouncing up and down too! And with a year round climate that was declared the healthiest place to live in Europe (WHO 2006) visitors can enjoy this lively, modern but historical city at any time of the year. The Romans, as ever, where the first to really put
Alicante on the map and so they should they had seven hundred years to do it in but it was in the eighth century that the Moors arrived and civilised the place somewhat, bringing irrigation, medicines and books amongst other things. Over the next four or five hundred years the city was under the rule of various leaders until the thirteenth century when it was claimed by the Catalan King Alfonso and later James II of Aragon under whom it became a Royal Town and had its first representatives in the Valencian parliament. Two hundred years later the city was booming mainly because of the growing demand for Alicante as a trading port and its exports of rice, oranges and wine to name just a few but, as ever in this City’s past, it didn’t stay quiet on the fighting enemies front for long and for the next three hundred years or so they fought a number of battles and were bombarded by the French and the British at different times over the period until along came Word War I which brought opportunities for a neutral Spain with the country benefitting from the increase in trade from fruit and food to military uniforms, all were readily supplied to the world at war. A few more skirmishes in North Morocco (Rif) followed the war as did the abdication of King Alfonso XIII and the declaration of the second Spanish Republic in 1931. The civil war came in 1936 pitting families and friends against each other and ending with Spain having a new leader, General Franco who was to stay in power and oppress many in Spain for the next thirty nine years. However, towards the end of his life Franco did take some credit for the start of tourism to Spain which saw over one million passengers arriving in Alicante at the new El Altet airport by 1970 and with the popularity of the region for its beaches and good all year climate that figure had doubled to two million by 1978 and by 1996 over nine million visitors were heading to Spain through
Alicante airport. The new airport, finished in 2011, has a capacity for 20 million passengers per year. Historical and cultural Alicante may well be but it certainly hasn’t dwelt on the past and along the city’s streets you’ll find the latest stores blending nicely with the traditional shops as you head down into the old quarter. Here you can soak up real Mediterranean life amongst locals going about their daily business as you head up to the sixteenth century Hermitage at Santa Cruz and then carry on climbing to the eleventh century Santa Barbara Castle itself that impresses every visitor to the town form below looking up to those who venture inside the castle’s formidable walls. Bohemian this city certainly is, whether its the narrow streets and the chic and trendy cafes in the old quarter or its museums and art galleries. Stylish, historical, modern – many words can be used to describe this now peaceful seaside city that just oozes with tradition, history and culture. And with some of the best fiestas to be found in Spain, the city is alive with something going on somewhere at all times of the year. Alicante IS the Mediterranean and just a short walk at lunchtime along the narrow streets of the old quarter and you will soon savour the scent of saffron drifting out of restaurant kitchen windows as the day’s paella is prepared by the truck full! But in Alicante it’s not just the food that invades your senses but the culture itself. Whether that means sitting at a street café and dining on typical Mediterranean fare and perhaps listening to the Spanish guitar being played nearby, or on the port or shopping in Maisonnave (Alicante’s best shopping street). It is all here. Over 10 kilometres of some of the best beaches in Spain, a major airport, huge film studios and centre to the European copyright office means that this city is a cosmopolitan blend of all that is good in Europe and beyond.
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‘MIKE PROBERT TALKS GOLF
(Sponsored by Costa Blanca Green Fee Services). Here 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 competitions. NEW COURSE STRATEGY There are important reasons why some golfers play their home course better than they play other courses. The information you need to play courses with which you are not so familiar, need to be decided upon before you can attempt to play the course seriously and with good planning you can play a course with confidence and without the fear and apprehension of the unknown, which as we all know, so often leads to poor scoring. When playing a new course you may find difficulty in selecting the correct club or feeling the pace of the greens, but this missing information you can find if you set about to ’read’ the course because there is an ideal route around all courses and you have to decide upon the chess type moves required in order to play with the calm confidence required for satisfactory achievement. You may feel at first that a suitable yardage gadget will remove most of the doubt and uncertainty and to a certain extent it will BUT what these gadgets don't offer are the positions of the ‘fairway greens’ which you may like to call your landing areas. As I have advised you before, it is not positive golf to stand on the tee, hit the ball into space and expect it to arrive in a suitable place from where to play the next shot. You must know exactly where you want the ball to finish, because only then can you have faith in your club selection and be able to line up correctly to a predetermined target because at all times you must be confident of your intended shot. Finding these landing areas is one reason for a practise round, take plenty of time and get it right because it may not be in the same place for all of you as your natural (automatic) game may shape the flight of the ball in different ways. Another reason is to find the layout of each green; you need to know if the greens are level, if they are more than one tier, and their dimensions. If there is a slope you need to know which way it slopes because for example if a particular green slopes from front to back you may have to pitch onto the front of the green to avoid going over the back if the greens are hard and if there is a slope from back to front then you can be more bold with your club selection. Setting out course strategy is an exercise in common sense and you must understand the best way to solve the problems placed before us by golf course architects then you can set about beating the course, which should ensure that you beat the opposition. 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 currently available to you: Golf Course Alenda Alicante Altorreal Bonalba Don Cayo (Altea) Font Del Llop La Finca La Peraleja La Marquesa La Serena Las Colinas Las Ramblas Lo Romero Roda Villamartin Villaitana Poniente Vistabella
Price €100 €82 €80 €80 €60 €39 €110 €120 €37 €80 €126 €90 €176 €92 €102 €55 €62
Comments Two Players and Buggy Two Players and Buggy (after 12pm) Two Players and Buggy Two Players and Buggy Two Players and Buggy Single Green Fee and Buggy Two Green Fees and Buggy Four Players and Two Buggies Single Green Fee Two Players and Buggy Two Green Fees and Buggy Two Players and Buggy Four Players and Two Buggies Two Players and Buggy Two Players and Buggy Single Green Fee and Buggy Two Players and Buggy (weekends)
Deal of the Week: Las Pinaillas (Albacete) €85 each for 2 rounds with buggies and B&B accommodation on shared room basis in the 3* Castilla hotel. Last minute offers from all Nike courses from €60 for 2 players walking. For Bookings and more information contact Mike direct on 966 704 752 or 661 345 931 or at info@costa-blanca-greenfees.com quoting reference LEADER. Quotation of the Week “If you can't hit a driver - DON'T” - Greg Norman
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Ten trophies for Torrevieja Swimmers Last Sunday Torrevieja hosted the “VX City of Torrevieja Traversia” where 160 swimmers of all ages came together to compete in a 2,250m sea swim. After the brilliant sunshine of the previous weeks the competitors arrived at Playa de Los Locas, Torrevieja, on a dull and windy Sunday morning. The sea looked less than inviting over the grey skies and the water felt cold. However all competitors went off at a fine speed and struggling with waves that hid the marker buoys all swimmers finished their race at Playa del Cura, Paseo Juan Aparicio, about 35 minutes later. Club Natacion Torrevieja had six swimmers entered into the competition and all 6 made their club proud. First to finish for the team was Zoe Connolly, the first female of the competition to finish and the 4th swimmer to finish overall with a time of 33:27. This placed her 1st in category Junior Female and 1st in the female local swimmers competition. Followed directly after her, being placed 6th overall, was co-team mate and friend Piroska Rideg, coming second in the Junior Female category and 2nd in the local female competition. Piroska’s time 34:05. To finish an outstand set of results Skye Burns fellow team mate and best friend came in 3rd in the Female Junior category and 3rd in the local females category, Skye's time 35:55. Skye finished as the 18th fastest swimmer in the competition. What makes this such an impressive win is three best friend, in the top three positions, swimming in an age category far older than their ages. Nobody could have guessed these three friend could achieve so much together. Well done girls! And not to be “out swam” the only male member of Club Natacion Torrevieja team, Yuriy Lymar, matched the girls results finishing first in the Male Senior category and 1st in the local male category, with a time just behind Piroska of 34:09, placing him 6th of the 160 swimmers.
Then the two older swimmers of the club kept up the winning streak with Vicki Connolly, being the oldest of her category, placed 2nd in the Female Masters B group with a time of 37:10 and finishing 25th of the 160 swimmers. Fellow team mate and friend, Beth Altabas, then followed placed 1st in the Female Masters D category with a time of 42:52 and 60th of the 160 swimmers. So a total of 10 trophies for Torrevieja 6 swimmers. Congratulations to all.
COSTA COBRAS RFC CONGRATULATE SPAIN 7’S SQUAD After a busy week of rugby and many firsts happening, firstly congratulations must go to the Spanish 7’s team qualifying for the Olympics Games next year. Also the England U20’s winning the Rugby World Cup, and last but not least England winning again in Australia making it a clean sweep and a whitewash. Now with all of this let’s develop the sport over here with many new teams and established ones in different areas here. Costa Cobras RFC are the newest kids on the block and have many things in the pipeline with teams coming over to tour, and thanks to an owner of a popular local paper it looks like we will have a ladies team coming over in May next year. So will be looking for teams to play in a tournament against them, Also been informed that other people looking at bringing teams over to the Guardamar area of Spain, this can only be good for rugby in the area as a whole.
So let’s all work together to build a strong team and help to develop other teams in the area and make rugby a strong sport here. So come on down and join in the fun on the beach. Costa Cobras RFC training is on Monday and Wednesday from 18.30-20.00 on Guardamar beach in front of the restaurants and then in July and August from 20.00-21.00. Looking to recruit more players through training on the beach to get a team together ready for the beach tournaments and then into the Valencian league. So come a long and join the rugby revolution with this new rugby club from the start and be part of something new in the area. All ages, gender and nationalities are welcome, from beginners to experienced players, the more the merrier, as we are based on the true traditional ethics of the sport. So come along and join the newest rugby club on the Costa Blanca. Also team bonding after training in the nearest bar for a drink and chat, just how rugby should be. For more information about the club contact myself, Dutch, on 692 767 242. Also I am down at Zoco market on Sunday from 09.0013.30, so come on down and find more out about the club and rugby in the area. Also for all of your rugby branded clothing and gear including Canterbury casuals, Cotton Traders, club and international shirts.
The International Golf League 2106 - Round Two Round two of the league took place last Saturday morning at Alicante Golf. With 112 players participating in the two divisions we had a shot gun start at 9.30. Overall comments were positive regarding the shot gun start as we got to meet more of the players in the two leagues. We will be using this method where ever possible. The Levante division is taking on a familiar look with The Tigers the early pace setters followed closely by the Falcons one point behind. There are four teams on two points San Miguel Golf Society, Javea Singles, Javea Parejas and Bonalba European team. The Nomads have a point and then the Ba Bas. In the 2nd division, Poniente there are two early contenders for the title play-off in Las Colinas, with Sportsman Golf Society and El Vallle Golf Society both winning their first two outings on four points. They are closely followed by the Novices and Cream of the Celts on two points. With Magnificent 7 and the Motley Crew both waiting to record their first points. The next round of games will be at Alenda Golf with a 9.30 shot gun start. If players need buggies can they please book at the club. We have a knock out tournament starting on the 9th of July and currently have 14 teams, we have space for two more teams and if you are interested contact johnobrienalicantemail.com or 615 466 398 or call the Federation in Valencia. All these games cost 25 euro walking.
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EL RASO GOLF SOCIETY – CAPTAIN’S DAY This year’s Captain’s Day, Individual Stableford was held on Friday 24 June at our home course La Marquesa Golf Club. A good turnout of 28 players enjoyed excellent playing conditions, both with regard to the weather and the superb condition of the course. Captain, Bev Fairhurst set the competition off on the first hole with nearest the Captain’s drive. With many very generous sponsors, prizes were assured on every hole. Many thanks go to Mick the Grip, Manolo Restaurant, Vivyan Hair Salon, Quesada Country Club, The Clubhouse, Studio 1 Hair and Beauty and the Olde 9th for their support. Following the game players were invited back to the Olde 9th for a buffet and refreshments, where presentations took place. The Captain thanked everyone for their support and very much hoped that they had enjoyed participating in the day. Prize winners were congratulated and the following players are those who won our usually report-
ed prizes: NTP’s: hole 5 Denise Jenkins hole 11 Marilyn Eckersall hole 15 Bryan Fenwick hole 17 Phyllis Venables. Best front nine with 23 pts Bev Fairhurst and best back nine Ken Brett 20 pts. In third place, Malcolm Foskett 39 pts second Jim Weston 39 pts and winner of the day Joe Ogden with 40 pts. Other prize winners were: Nearest Captain’s drive Bob Shorley, Hole 2 NTP from sand Stan Low, Hole 6 Ladies longest drive Marilyn Eckersall, Hole 7 Ladies NTP in 3 Marilyn Eckersall, Hole 8 Men’s NTP in 2 Malcolm Foskett, Hole 9 Men’s longest drive Malcolm Foskett Hole 10 NTP in 4 Malcolm Foskett Hole 12 NTP in 2 Stan Low Hole 13 First person to get a birdie Alan Venables Hole 14 NTP in 3 men Ken Brett Hole 16 Nearest to flag by fairway trees in 2 Denise Jenkins Our next game is scheduled for Friday 29 July at Lo Romero.
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The Plaza Golf Society at Lo Romero Our 4th event took us to the fantastic course of Lo Romero, on such a lovely day. 19 players enjoyed the sun and golf. Some great shots and 2 players even got a 2, both sharing 18€, well done Ken McAlpine and Bob Kemp. Adrian bull came in with a fantastic score of 39, with a handicap of 20, Kev Rose with his handicap of 15 also scored 39 and came second on count-back, our lowest handicapped player Kev Harmason playing off 1, scored a brilliant 36. Jason Both won the guest prize, well done and see you soon. Our nearest the pin winner was sponsored by Mosquito blinds ‘r’ us for all your blind needs,699 248 489, winning a 15€ bar tab at The Alehouse, Steve Higgins with his new golf buggy board won Hole 5 and hole 15, drinks on you Steve!! Cheers. Well done for Greame who couldn't believe he won hole 12, 15€ to you too. John Eyre was in the bushes, not too sure why??!! But he was, and when he emerged he got hit with a golf ball, being so tall I'm surprised they didn't see him, with an injury to the arm he carried on his game, however did manage to pick up a limp at the same time. Hope you feel better soon. Our special offer this game saw a blind draw for all the non winners with John Griffiths winning a bottle of Vodka. Next game Vistabella, Sunday 3rd July 9:36, pop down to The Alehouse, Villamartin Plaza to put your name down or visit the Facebook page, The Plaza Golf Society, or email theplazagolfsociety@gmail.com.
Start of Campoamor Summer Tennis Tourny Campoamor golf club hosted its first tennis tournament of the summer, last weekend. This tournament was for the better players on the Costa Blanca and consisted of 12 men and 4 women representing a mixture of regular and visiting players. Matches were a mixture of mens, ladies and mixed doubles and all the players competed in 5 matches of 8 games. After 3.5 hours of play high scorers were: MEN 1st Robin Poyser 30 pts 2nd Matt Lilburne 27 pts 3rd Hanjo Moser 26 pts WOMEN 1st Pam Uden 26 pts 2nd Sharron Ward 24 pts Congratulations to Pam and Robin [who beat his daughter’s boyfriend into second place]. If you are interested in learning tennis, playing organised social tennis, joining existing adult group coaching sessions or competing in regularly organised tournaments, you can contact LTA 'pro' qualified coach, Steve Durie, tel 635061439, e-mail sdurie@hotmail.co.uk. or see www.tennisandpadel.com. The picture shows Matt Lilburne, Robin Poyser, Steve Durie, Pam Uden and Sharron Ward.
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