The Costa Blanca Leader Newspaper

No 728

Monday 20th - Sunday 26th August, 2018

Tel: 637 227 385

Neighbourhood Association reject San Miguel Waste Plant

he installation of a waste treatment plant 2.5 kilometres from San Miguel de Salinas would cause damage to the environment and discomfort to local

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residents, due to an increase in noise and activity levels as a result of the regular passage of refuse trucks, the putrid smells that would affect the population, and emissions that would damage the local air quality.

These are the preliminary conclusions of a technical study commissioned by the Town’s

Department of the Environment and Chaired by the President of the San Miguel de Salinas Neighborhood Association, Cllr María José Costa, who says she is is completely against the project. She says that she will continue to present arguments to the Consorcio Vega Baja Sostenible in order that the proposal, presented by the company OHL, be rejected.

The plant, which it is still hoped to locate close to San Miguel de Salinas, will treat 120,000 tons of waste products per year and, according to Costa, would be located only 2.5 kilometres from the urban area, in rustic land around Villa Antonia and over an area of more than 29,000 square metres.

Continued on Page 2

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Continued From Page One San Miguel Waste Treatment Plant In her opinion it is almost certain that the residents will suffer negative consequences while the environment of the Lagunas de La Mata and Torrevieja Natural Park, which the plant will border, could also be affected.

The study, commissioned by the environmental Consultancy Medi XXI, is in still to be finalised but the advance findings, published last week as a draft, indicate that the plant activity would have an adverse and detrimental impact on air quality.

The report states that “During the operating phase of the plant, emissions to the atmosphere will be produced by gas combustion emanating from the vehicles that use the facilities. The plant will also emit pollutants into the atmosphere related to the composting of organic matter, mainly volatile organic compounds and ammonia, due to leaks and to the performance of the biofilter”.

Costa also points out that in the case of a shortage, or the absence of, oxygen during the fermentation of any organic matter, "anaerobic fermentation can occur, with the consequent emission of methane and other gases".

It is also believed that during the operating phase of the waste plant "the noise impact will be significant due to the activity of the machinery, the engines, and the vehicles associated with it", which would see the constant arrival and departure of refuse

vehicles from and back to 11 different municipalities.

Another consideration that must be taken into account, according to Costa, is the smell, since "foul odours will be produced due to the gases produced in the decomposition process. In the event that anaerobic fermentation occurs during the composting process, the odours will be increased due to the presence of hydrogen sulphide".

There would also be a major impact on the landscape in what is essentially a greenbelt area, as the site would go from agricultural land to industrial, with the resultant construction of plant offices, storage areas and other structures and of course the waste treatment building itself.

Of the possible impacts on hydrology, the movement, distribution, and quality of water, the experts consider that during the operation phase of the plant, both surface and underground water will be affected. The preliminary report also indicates that "negative impacts on vegetation would be caused by the inevitable contamination of soil, air or water".

The report also points out the possible impact on the local fauna, which "may be affected by the operation of the facilities due to noise, vehicle traffic, air pollution, ingestion of particles of harmful materials, directly or by bioaccumulation, with the consequent problems, also, for local agriculture”.

More than 1,650 drivers are fined for speeding in a week

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ore than 1,650 drivers were fined last week in the Murcia Region, during the traffic control campaign put into place by the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) with an emphasis placed on speed.

According to the data provided by the Provincial Headquarters, the Civil Guard Traffic officers monitored 17,280 motorists during the seven days, of which 1,655 were driving in excess of the limit The percentage, of 9.57%, is the second highest in the seven campaigns that have been run in the Region since the spring of 2015.

The operation was also joined by the local police from Murcia, Cartagena, La Union, Pliego and San Pedro del Pinatar, but the Provincial Headquarters is still awaiting their data so it is certain that the

final number of sanctions will be considerably higher.

The offence is currently punishable by fines ranging between 100 and 600 euros and the loss of up to six points on your driving license however the law considers it a crime for a driver to exceed the speed by more than 60 kilometres per hour on urban roads and more than 80 kilometres per hour on interurban roads. In those cases, the punishment can be up to six months in prison, heavy fines or community service plus a ban of up to four years.

So far this year nine truck and bus drivers have also been arrested for driving whilst under the influence of alcohol the most recent of which was last Sunday on the A-7 motorway when a heavy goods vehicle driver was found to be seven times over the Breathalyser limit.

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Carolina Gracia announcing the motion of censure

Pilar mayor warns local Muslims not to sacrifice lambs at home

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he mayor of Pilar de la Horadada, Ignacio Ramos, has warned Muslims in the town that they are not allowed to kill animals in their private homes, buildings or any public places.

He has said that he wants to prevent such activities from being carried out during the 4 day Islamic holiday of "Eid al-Adha," which begins on Tuesday. Currently in the town there are about 2,500 residents who follow Islam.

The mayor said that the only building authorised to carry out this activity in the town’s slaughterhouse, the practice being prohibited by legislation elsewhere. The Animal Protection Ordinance of the municipality considers that this type of offences are very serious and carry fines ranging from 600 to 6,000 euros.

Pilar de la Horadada has an important community of Muslim residents, around 2,500 of the total of 25,000 inhabitants. All of them will celebrate the holiday which starts on

Tuesday the 21st of August. The mayor said he wants the residents to be absolutely clear about the regulations so that the holiday can take place "without any risks to public health, inconvenience to other residents and to avoid and animal suffering."

He said that the sacrifice of animals must be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Royal Decree 37/2014, which regulates the aspects related to the protection of animals at the time of slaughter.

He emphasized that the celebration of such religious traditions "must be carried out based on strict compliance with the animal health and welfare standards that currently apply". That is why "the sacrifice of lamb in private homes or in common areas or other public places is prohibited.”

According to the Councilor for Animal Protection, José Francisco Albaladejo, there have been no major problems in respect of this tradition, only "one complaint that ended up on file because of a lack of evidence."

In fact, according to the president of the Islamic Association Bilal Beno Rabah Pilar de la Horadada, Jamal Loudy, only a few Muslims who celebrate the "Feast of the Lamb" will stay in Pilar de la Horadada, with many of them returning to their countries of origin to celebrate the festivity with their families.

Loudy said that if there was a problem in the past it was only because the families were unaware of the regulation and they now accept that all the sacrifices must made in authorised slaughterhouses and following the "halal rite", as tradition requires.

The slaughterhouse in Orihuela is one of the most popular in of the province in making this type of sacrifice with hundreds of families in the the Vega Baja procuring the meat of the animals that are sacrificed.

Andante International Classical Choir, 2018 After our successful concerts in April, we shall start rehearsals for the Christmas concerts in October. The concerts are to be held on Saturday, 1st December at Los Montesinos Church and Sunday, 9th December at Benijofar Church. We have a feast of classical choral music to learn, enjoy and present to our audiences, including Vivaldi's Gloria amongst other works.

Anyone who enjoys this kind of music is very welcome to join us at our weekly rehearsals in Benijofar Church on Thursdays, 7 - 9 p.m. under the direction of our talented and experienced professionals, Karen Blagbrough, our musical director, and Nataliya Komyak, our accompanist. Our first rehearsal is Thursday, 4th October.

Previous choir singing or an ability to read music is not essential but obviously helpful. We look forward to recruiting some new members so come and try us in our endeavour to bring quality performance of great choral music to Costa Blanca South. For more information contact elcvdvecht@gmail.com or tel 625 707 294.

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Torrevieja salt production to reach 600,000 tons H eavy machinery is once again rolling across the salt flats in the Torrevieja lagoon as the contractor, Grupo Salins España, has started the extraction work, which the Engineering Director, Joseph Pérez, expects to extract about 600,000 tons of salt by 30th June next year.

“The bed has accumulated a layer of salt of something more than twelve centimetres, a depth not seen during the last two years, following the flooding of the industrial facilities at the end of 2016. The weather conditions have been much more suitable for the production of salt this year,” he said, “while two years ago the storms allowed us to "harvest" only 250,000 tons while last year we were able to reach 450,000 tons”.

During that period the company, a Spanish subsidiary of a French multinational group, had to resort to importing salt from some of its salt production plants in the north and west of Africa to ensure that it was able to meet its customer’s requirements.

uses.

The production exercises and turnover volume are quantified in the salt industry from August to June of the following year. The extraction process only stops during the month of July, allowing staff a month which is dedicated exclusively to the maintenance of the facilities.

The water surface of the lagoon, which rarely exceeds one and a half metres in depth, occupies 1,400 hectares but during the 11 months of extraction only about half of the area is used.

Torrevieja is the largest producer of sea salt in Europe because it can be extracted almost all year round thanks to technology that allows the production without drying the lagoon, as otherwise happens in conventional saltpans.

Of the 600,000 tons that the company is expecting to harvest this year, 450,000 are destined for export by sea from the Torrevieja port. Most of the salt from Torrevieja, around 65% of the total, ends up being used in Northern and Western Europe to thaw roads.

The company has around a hundred clients, some of which take as much as 30,000 tons, which they store in bulk at European ports for further distribution. Another 200,000 tons has a food use, not just table salt but also for salting and for animal feed.

Torrevieja salt is also used in the leather tanning process or for the chemical industry - it is a product for which there are over 14,000

In promoting the industry outside the Tourist office last year the Councillor for Tourism and the Environment, Fanny Serrano, said that salt works and crafts form part of the heritage of Torrevieja

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Navy Vet banned from boarding easyJet flight in Murcia

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avy veteran Robert Thomas, 23, is being forced to fork out £300 to get a new passport and re-book his flight after being refused check in at Murcia airport on Friday when staff noticed a slightly damaged passport.

Robert was barred from flying to Gatwick because the check in desk duty supervisor, José, thought his passport had been torn to hide travel to "suspicious" countries. He said that he wasn't allowing him to travel as he may be an illegal immigrant and easyJet would be fined 3,000€ Robert explained that he had only recently left the Royal Navy, having served his country, during which time his passport was used as ID. As such, it was always on him and in constant use. He explained to José, that he had travelled into Spain on the same passport only two weeks earlier, when Spanish immigration had no problem allowing him into the country.

Even the Airport police were confused at the EasyJet employee’s attitude, and on seeing the passport themselves his colleagues were absolutely mortified. All they could do was roll their eyes in astonishment.

Having only recently left the Royal Navy Robert was travelling back to the UK for an induction course with a new employer, a job that he might now lose because of easyJet’s inflexible attitude. He was also about to move into a new home in Maidstone, Kent, but that will also have to be put on hold.

Robert’s father contacted easyJet customer services who asked to speak to José whilst the saga was being played out. Initially he refused to talk to them, but even when he finally did so he still refused to change his decision.

The easyJet duty manager said that he wasn't allowing Robert to travel as he may be an illegal immigrant

He said “Suggesting that my son was an illegal immigrant was totally out of order. He was embarrassed at the man’s implication. We all felt like criminals as. It couldn't have been more obvious that he wasn't an illegal immigrant. I even showed them my passport, proving that I'm his father”.

He added that he will certainly be taking the matter further as Robert was absolutely mortified. “José was just another example of ‘a job-

sworth’ and he shouldn’t be allowed to treat law abiding passengers in the way that he did my son. I read every day in the newspapers about thousands of illegal immigrants coming into and going out of Spain. It seems that you can travel anywhere in Europe without a passport unless you are European”.

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Residents criticise state of La Zenia Boulevard surrounds

The accumulation of rubbish and dirt in many areas of the Orihuela Costa is not something new.

surrounds are public areas the responsibility for their cleanliness is the Orihuela Department of Street Cleaning.

The residents have been denouncing the deficiencies in street cleaning for a long time, culminating with a street protest and demonstration just a few days ago.

An FAOC spokesman said “I spoke with Road Cleaning asking for a solution to the problem and they told me that it was not their responsibility. The area would have to be cleaned up by agricultural workers who were controlled by the Department of Infrastructures. I next attempted to make contact with that department but I got no response.”

However, far from the situation improving, it seems to be getting worse.

Most recently the Residents Associations have focussed their attention on the area encircling La Zenia Boulevard which is, without a doubt, the most visited area of the Orihuela Costa, the site of the largest shopping centre in the province. However its surrounding grounds have become a rubbish tip for the deposit of all kinds of litter and plastic, that simply remain on the ground for weeks and weeks without any attempt to clean them up.

Only recently a party of volunteers from CLARO, the coastal political party, including the Party leader, spent half a day picking up litter from the area but despite their efforts the situation seems to be getting worse. I wonder when the last time was that you got your hands dirty Mr Bascuñana.

Residents of La Zenia say that they are absolutely outraged that the Orihuela Council is ignoring the problem, despite the centre being the jewel in the municipality’s crown.

The Federation of Associations of Orihuela Costa (FAOC) has already been in contact with the management of the shopping mall, hoping to find a solution, although as the

“The residents say that they are tired of the Orihuela Town Hall passing the ball and constantly failing to solve the serious problems regarding the lack of maintenance "that is producing a bad image of Orihuela Costa to tourists," he warns.

The areas most affected by the accumulation of rubbish, plastic and bottles, are those that adjoin the road to Villamartin, just in front of the shopping centre, the municipal plot used as parking customers of the shopping space and the playground.

La Zenia is not the only urbanization that complains about the lack of cleanliness, a problem that increases in summer when the population multiplies four or five fold. Cabo Roig and Play Flamenca are in a similar situation with dirty streets and overflowing dustbins.

The residents are calling on the City Council to set in motion a plan to clean up the dirt and the refuse that can be found in many areas and that contrasts with the wellmaintained beaches where the municipality stands out.

National award for Torrevieja Hospital Cardiology Department The University Hospital of Torrevieja has received the SEC-Excellent Seal in Cardiac Insufficiency that evaluates, through an audit process, the "efficient use" of available resources, confirming "the excellence of care" in this ailment that affects 2.7% of the Spanish population over 45 years of age.

Head of the Cardiology service, Dr. Carlos de Diego

The hospital thus becomes one of the 38 centres in Spain that have received this prestigious accreditation, which is a recognition of the work of the cardiology department in reducing mortality and increasing the quality of life of patients suffering from this heart disease.

The accreditation project consists of three phases: the review of the documentation presented by the unit, an audit that includes a visit to the facilities and interviews with the members of the unit and, finally, the issuance of a final report that recognises the unit compliance with established standards.

Head of the Cardiology service, Dr. Carlos de Diego, said that he is delighted with this recognition explaining that "it is the result of the daily work of his Cardiology Specialists and the specialised nursing team that we are constantly seeking to offer the best quality of care in this area.

The SEC is a non-profit scientific and professional organization dedicated to "increasing the state of knowledge" about the heart and the circulatory system, to "advance" in the prevention and treatment of associated diseases and to "improve" the survival and quality of life of those cardiac patients.

Five year old girl seriously injured during Elche Nit de l ' A l b à

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he Elche City Council said that the only serious injury incurred during Wednesday’s annual fireworks display, the Nit de l'Albà, is a five-year-old girl who suffered head injuries following the collapse of a gantry, requiring her to be transferred to the Hospital de Alicante .

In total, 38 people were treated for injuries or burns. Of these, 25 were men and 13 women, the oldest of which is 70 years old.

The mayor, Carlos Gonzalez, and the Councillor of Fiestas, Pepe Perez, both

said that they were relatively pleased with the outcome which saw 5 fewer injuries than last year.

The Nit de l'Albà had additional security support composed of policemen, firemen, members of civil protection and the ambulance services to ensure that the most spectacular night of the ilicitanas fiesta was enjoyed with the least possible number of incidents.

In addition to the security support the General University Hospital of Elche and Vinalopó supplemented their staff to provide additional assistance if required.

The breakdown of the total number of injured due to accidents related to the use of fireworks of which 4 were treated at the General Hospital of Elche, 1 at the Vinalopó Hospital , 4 at the Health Care Point (PAS) of Toscar , 5 in the new PAS of Altabix and 24 by the ambulance service. This year the El Altet Continuous Care Point (PAC) said that it had no patients whatsoever.

During the night, more than 2,000 kilos of gunpowder was used by the organisers, Ferrández fireworks.

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British woman’s holiday ‘ruined’ in Benidorm because of too many Spaniards!

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he story that appeared in several British and Spanish newspapers last week about the English woman who complained about there being too many Spaniards enjoying themselves in her Benidorm hotel really does beggar belief.

I had to read it twice before I actually believed that it was a genuine story, and to cap it all the lady in question, Freda Jackson, received almost £600 in compensation from tour operator Thomas Cook.

Needless to say the story attracted a great deal of attention on social media with many Spaniards venting their anger at the 81 year old.

Even the Orihuela Councillor for Tourism, Sofia Alvarez, expressed her disgust at the story, writing “From my position as Councillor of tourism and international residents of Orihuela I am in complete disbelief. I respect the elderly greatly but is this the Tourism we want for our Country, Spain”?

Personally I thought that her remarks were quite restrained. I have no doubt that if a foreign resident made the same sort of statement about Britons using London hotels the expletives would not be too far away.

There were one or two who went over the top in their comments of course, but that is only to be expected. Juan Martinez Redondo wrote “Lady, stay in your own country. The English are the most drunk in Europe, the biggest crooks, the most open with sex, and the most foolish but when coming to Spain to have surgery they are the smartest, because here they are operated for free while in England they are charged.”

Well you got most of it right Juan but you might want to do a little more research with the medical thing!

Of course there is always rather more to the story and we must remember that the newspapers are far more interested in sensational-

ising a story than actually telling the truth.

Mrs Jackson had booked a stay with a friend at Poseidón Playa, located on the outskirts of Benidorm. She says that the agency Thomas Cook recommended the hotel and assured her that as someone with mobility problems she would not have to worry about access.

On arrival the pair were given a room on the 14th floor. They explained that they both suffered from mobility problems so the pair were quickly moved to the 2nd floor “But we still had to traverse 42 steps down to the hotel pool” she said, “so swimming or relaxing by the side of the pool was a daily chore.”

And her complaints didn’t end there. She was unhappy about the number of Spaniards in the hotel. She even complained that the entertainment was geared toward them. “It was one disaster after another,” she added.

When I made contact with the tour operator they sent me the same statement that they had made to every other journalist that had asked for a quote.

A Thomas Cook spokesperson said: “Due to a system error Ms Jackson was not informed of a change to her flights until six days before departure. We are very sorry for the inconvenience this caused and are investigating to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

We have offered Ms Jackson and her travel companion a gesture of goodwill to try and put things right which we hope she will accept.”

One social media post by Nestor said “This lady will be one of the very few who had a bad time in Spain! The English come to have fun! I think that this lady doesn’t live happily even in England!”

Nestor I think you are probably absolutely right.

The Poseidón Playa Hotel in Benidorm

Community Support Volunteers needed for the Royal British Legion D o you have a spare half hour to talk to someone who is lonely and lives on their own, do you enjoy chatting with new

people?

All you need is a phone and a cup of tea.

Telephone Buddies are just one of the roles that Community Support Volunteers offer to our beneficiaries.

Many people live in very rural areas and once they are on their own they quickly become lonely and isolated, they often have no one to talk to, but people can also be very lonely in a busy town when their life partner has gone and everything has changed.

A phone call can make all the difference.

Hospital / housebound visiting is another way we can show support, a friendly visit to someone who would otherwise not get a visitor is another way to ensure people are never left feeling lonely or isolated.

There is no need for formal training but there will always be support and guidance available.

There are many ways we support those who have served, are serving ,and their families and you could help us to do this.

If you think you can give us a few hours to help then please contact Community Support on 676 451 780 or spainnorth.communitysupport@rbl.community

The Royal British Legion provides lifelong support to the Armed forces Community, serving men, women, veterans and their families.

If you need help or support, or just someone to talk to, we are here.

Contact the Community Support Coordinator on 676 451 780 Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm spainnorth.communitysupport@rblcommunity NON WELFARE GENERAL ENQUIRIES 634 363 288 MON TO FRI 9am to 6pm, SAT 9am to 2pm www.britishlegion.org.uk/counties/spainnorth The Royal British Legion - Spain District North

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Fake “Deaf Mute” Petition Scam in Orihuela Costa A

number of tourists were caught out in Cabo Roig last week by three scammers purporting to be “deaf mutes” and who claimed to be collecting on behalf of Handicap International.

Approached by one of the three individuals, unsuspecting tourists were presented with a petition form declaring support for the construction of a National Children’s Centre. Sadly the three men were neither deaf nor dumb nor does the organisation, the charity or the project, even exist.

Fortunately, local resident Carl Court, proprietor of the Queen Vic pub, was on hand to ‘wise up’ the unsuspecting tourists and to chase the scammers away who, realising that their source of easy money had just dried up, launched a tirade of oaths and threats at Carl, despite being deaf and dumb.

“Minimum 20 Euros.”

The scammer will use a paper with different rates depending on how much money they think they can scam you out of. If you refuse or challenge them on the amount, depending on the scammer and how well they think they can pressure you into giving more, some will become extremely belligerent, as was the case toward Mr Court.

The three men were undoubtedly all scammers who were exploiting the sympathetic feelings of visitors, so do be on your guard.

Although this particular episode occurred in Cabo Roig they will undoubtedly be moving around the area, perhaps operating in a different location every evening. And thay are likely to be around for a little while longer, indeed just as long as there are tourists to be conned.

Mr Court was able to snatch the petiction from the scammer

So be on your guard. Don’t enter into conversaThe petition that was shown to the tourists by the tion with them. Simply walk away and keep your scammer is not official. It is not even a petition. money in your pocket.

Although it is an official looking paper that is asking for a donation to the building project. It Spain's royal family rocked by another scandal does not matter what is printed on the form, the money goes straight into the scammers pockets. The former Spanish King has been accused of money laundering by his ex-mistress. Juan Carlos, who abdicated in 2014, has been accused of using the name of his former lover, The petition is in English – which should German Aristocrat Sayn-Wittgenstein, 53, to buy property in Morocco. immediately raise your suspicion. It is only a She has also claimed that the former king put several Swiss bank accounts under the ruse to swindle you out of your money, in this name of a cousin, Alvaro d'Orleans Bourbon, in Switzerland as well as pocketing over case the sum being asked for was 20€ per per€80 million from a contract with Saudi Arabia for a high speed train running between son. If you offer a lesser amount they will point to the part of the form that states Riyadh and Medina.

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Torrevieja mayor urges Costas to fix La Mata walkway

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ollowing a series of recent protests, all regarding the management of Mayor José Manuel Dolón by residents of La Mata, the two parties met on Wednesday afternoon with the mayor determined to broker a deal.

One of the complaints centred around the state of disrepair of el paseo de La Mata which local people are saying is dangerous, with sections unusable because of broken and damaged boards.

The mayor said that he was very sympathetic to their complaints but restated that repairs to the promenade are the responsibility of the General Directorate of Coasts. He said that if the Director does not undertake the construction of a new promenade, some parts of which are in a dangerous condition, "we would ask for the dismantling of the facility to prevent further injury to pedestrians.”

Dolón made the statements during the meeting where he tried to pacify the residents of La Mata, who have been holding protests to

demand more investment in the area. The meeting was also attended by the board of directors of the Independent Platform Matera (PIM).

In a statement, Dolón said that the residents raised many different issues related to practically all municipal services and infrastructure in the municipality, including tarmacking of the roads and the maintenance of green areas, in addition to cleaning, transport and lighting.

The mayor assured the participants that "he expects the services to improve and, in many cases be resolved, with the introduction of the new municipal budget and the implementation of a number of new contracts by the City Council", particularly in respect of the collection of waste, transport and the maintenance of public lighting.

He also assured the meeting that action will be taken that will make other improvements to La Mata, "for which municipal resources will be mobilised, trying to provide solutions to many of the complaints raised by the residents," the mayor added.

Free Sports Camp in Torrevieja Aimed at children between the ages of 4 and 15 years, and to be held in the Sports Palace, Torrevieja Department of Sports is offering a free Sports Campus to be held from 27 August to 7 September.

instructors in a number of different sports, so there will be a wide variety of activities such as basketball, volleyball, wrestling, physical expression, alternative games, Olympics and each day will conclude with a swim in the recreational pool, "he added.

The campus will operate every morning, from 9 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with the Councillor for Sport, Victor Ferrández stressing that it is "completely free because it will be carried out with council resources, both material, facilities and personnel, so there will be no additional expense for the Council other than the organisation and operation, which means a maximisation of the means, so it can be offered for free ".

Ferrández said that he is delighted that the council is able to organise this campus that will help to reconcile work and family life in these last weeks of the school summer holidays. Children will be given the opportunity to access and enjoy a healthy leisure activity, to get to make new friends, to promote friendship and have a good time."

The councillor explained that the campus will have specialised

A hundred places are available at the camp which will be allocated on a first come, first served basis by the Palacio de los Deportes.

Reach for the Stars

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he Vega Baja Astronomy group are hosting a free event on the 20th of September.. Visitors will be able to see the mountains and craters on the moon, the rings of Saturn and Mars Weather permiting, we will be setting up some telescopes on the seafront at Punta Prima, about 200 metres south of the Nautilus bar, from 9.00 pm until about 10.15 pm.

Councillor for Sport, Victor Ferrández said that the camp is completely free

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Top 10 driving tips for handling stress

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tress affects us all at one time or another – whether it’s down to work, home life or a tough situation you’re facing. Stress can affect how we feel physically and emotionally as well as impair our judgement and our reactions, which isn’t good news when we need to concentrate on something significant, like driving.

It’s important to recognise how you feel and try to relax before getting in the car. So to help you stay calm behind the wheel, Ben, an independent charity which provides support for life to the people of the automotive industry, provided us with some tips to share with you on what to do if you feel stressed before driving.

Warning signs of stress First of all, we need to recognise the warning signs of stress. You might feel some or all of these: Becoming easily irritated with colleagues, friends or family Feeling distracted, forgetful or moody Having racing thoughts Not being able to ‘switch off’ Becoming quiet and withdrawn Under or overeating Smoking more, drinking more alcohol or taking drugs Tense muscles Headaches Feeling sick Not sleeping well / insomnia Getting ill more often Here are a few tips to do before you get in the car stressed: Go for a short walk around the block to get some fresh air and unwind from the stresses of the day Wait until you feel calm, collected and well enough to head out on your journey. Driving itself can be stressful, especially in rush hour, so if you are already stressed this is likely to make matters worse Try mindfulness and deep breathing before getting behind the wheel.

You don’t have to be spiritual to benefit from mindfulness and meditation – anyone can meditate and it has been shown to reduce stress

and anxiety. If you’re new to meditation, try the Headspace app free trial or a lesson from the Free Mindfulness Project If you’re feeling ill from stress with headaches or sickness, make sure you feel well enough before you drive. Drink plenty of water and get some fresh air Write down a list of the things that are stressing you out and set yourself some time to tackle them later on – sometimes writing your worries down and making time to sort them out helps clear your mind Is stress causing you to struggle with addiction to alcohol, drugs or nicotine?

Be aware that these could still be in your system before driving. If you’re struggling with addiction or substance misuse, then it’s important to seek help If you’re having trouble sleeping due to stress then make sure you aren’t too tired to drive. IAM RoadSmart advises if you feel sleepy whilst behind the wheel, find a safe place to pull over and stop – not on the hard shoulder of a motorway.

Research suggests that almost 20% of accidents on major roads are sleep-related so don’t drive if you feel sleepy (ref: http://think.direct.gov.uk/fatigue.html).

You can check your mood with the anxiety / stress checker tool on Ben’s website to see how you’re feeling and if you need some extra support Tell someone you trust how you feel. Sometimes opening up about our problems to loved ones can make all the difference and they can even help you find solutions. As they say, a problem shared is a problem halved If you need more advice about how to handle stress, read Ben’s top tips on managing stress.

If you feel you can’t cope, call Ben’s free and confidential support line on 08081 311 333 or use its webchat by visiting www.ben.org.uk.

Leading lawyer calls for cyclists to face punishment A senior British lawyer has called for the government to introduce the same punishment as motorists for cyclists who break traffic laws.

Nick Freeman says that cyclists who ride through red lights, fail to stop at junctions and weave in and out of the traffic, should, like motorists, be subject to a point system and pay fines or more where appropriate.

He says that to introduce this cyclists must be identifiable and as such he is asking either that bikes are issued with registration plates or all cyclists are issued with numbered tabards which are registered to them individually (and not the bike).

“At the moment the cyclist can commit road traffic offences with impunity. And since bikers should wear helmets, they are difficult to identify and can weave quickly through traffic. So how are they supposed to be apprehended?”

He has also slammed the Government for playing lip service to road safety with proposals to introduce new legislation to deal with cyclists who kill pedestrians.

His demand coincides with the start of a 12 week consultation which is looking at the introduction of new cycling offences, death by dangerous or careless cycling.

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L

ocated in the Sierra de Aitana some 25km inland from the Costa Blanca resorts of Benidorm and Altea, although the road, winding up into the mountains, makes it seem far longer. Once upon a time, the place was only accessible on donkeys´ backs.

Guadalest is an attractive village with a historic castle (Castell) which dates from the Moorish occupation of Spain (8th to 13th centuries). It has recently been confirmed to be the most visited village in the whole of Spain.

The municipality enjoys a Mediterranean-type climate, but differs somewhat from the coast, with cooler winters and milder and more pleasant summers. Due to its rugged relief, pine and low mountainous areas extend into the highlands, while citrus, olive, carob and almond trees are cultivated on the sloping terraces and in the valley all adding to an extremely picturesque landscape.

One of the most popular tourist attractions to be found on the Costa Blanca, Guadalest welcomes coaches full of visitors every day throughout the year, coming from all parts of the Alicante region and beyond.

Accessed now, as it was when it was built, by way of a fifteen metre long tunnel, called the “Portal de San Jose”, the upper village and castle would have been easy to defend, as this is the only access point, with steep cliffs all around, and house perched precariously on the edges of the mountainside.

Due to its well protected position, the Moors held out in Guadalest, long after the rest of the region had fell to the Christian reconquest, and it was not until 1609, that they well finally driven out from this place.

The Castell was finally abandoned to the elements, after a huge explosion in 1848, though there are still significant sections remaining, which you can visit, and get an amazing view of the area, and even see the coast in the distance.

The winding lanes which you must take to reach the top of Guadalest, are lined with charming little shops, full of local crafts, produce and gift items. There is something for just about everyone.

Shops, cafes, views, walking, and lots of little quirky museums, such as the salt and pepper pot museum, there is one which features cribs, dolls houses and antique toys as well as the museum of cats with

hundreds of pottery and porcelain figures for visitors to admire.

You enter the upper areas (as the Moors did 1,300 years ago) through the “Portal de San Jose”.

To visit the Castell you must enter the restored house of the Orduña family (now an interesting museum), otherwise, you can carry on to the village square at the top, where you will get spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and also look down to the turquoise coloured Embalse de Guadalest – stunning.

Back in the village itself Guadalest offers many small shops which sell artefacts and decorative items as well as handmade clothing. There is also a good selection of cafes and bars.

Nearby villages include Benifato, Abdet, Chines Confrides and Benimantell and for classic car and bike enthusiasts there is also a vehicle museum on the CV755 just 7km below Guadalest which is well worth calling into. The collection consists of about 140 motorcycles and several microcars, all in perfect condition and totally original, from the 20s to the 70s. A very pleasant café and bar is situated close by.

Looking down to the turquoise coloured Embalse de Guadalest

If you wish to visit the village from the Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa areas there are regular coach trips arranged by many of the local tour operators costing about 15-20 euros a head. Alternatively, travelling by car the journey will take you about an hour and a half although the driver will miss much of the beauty as the road winds up into the mountains.

The vehicle museum houses over 150 bikes and cars

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QUICKIE CROSSWORD

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ANSWERS QUICK ACROSS: 3 Frustrate; 8 Noon; 9 Advantage; 10 Engage; 11 Spoon; 14 Lithe; 15 Nail; 16 Epoch; 18 Daub; 20 Owing; 21 Lapse; 24 Becalm; 25 Unnatural; 26 Gown; 27 Steadfast.

DOWN: 1 Interlude; 2 Forgetful; 4 Rude; 5 Scamp; 6 Ration; 7 Toga; 9 Agree; 11 Shore; 12 Navigator; 13 Alignment; 17 Hovel; 19 Banana; 22 Scuff; 23 Unit; 24 Bass.

ACROSS

CRYPTIC CRYPTIC ACROSS: 3 Press home; 8 Tear; 9 All at once; 10 Incite; 11 Fleet; 14

Sulphuric acid (7)

10.

Mourning song (5)

20 Abeam; 21 Tight; 24 Renown; 25

12.

Fickle (10)

Sensation; 26 Left; 27 Appealing.

15.

Annoy (10)

DOWN: 1 At liberty; 2 March past;

18.

Jewelled headdress

4 Rule; 5 Small; 6 Hoover; 7 Mica;

(5)

9 Atoll; 11 Front; 12 Take cover; 13

19.

Courageous (7)

In a minute; 17 Eaten; 19 Tissue; 22

21.

Sport (7)

Hotel; 23 Help; 24 Roan.

22.

Waterway (5)

16. Joseph Hayden, 17. Mars and

The Pickwick Papers, 5. Flushing

Cannibalism, 15. Skeleton Island,

1. Wrath, 2. Malaysia, 3. Danny's, 4.

QUIZ ANSWERS

(Greece on) Earth, 18. Chris Evert

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.

lavatory, 6. The French Horn, 7.

Solution on Page 23

Lloyd, 19. Badger, 20. None - not

SUDOKU CHALLENGE

Finland, 8. Parachute Jump, 9.

22. Material for which South African money is needed (5)

Louis

21. Cheer up the Cabinet (7)

Robert

19. In the main, they direct the ploughmen (7)

21.

18 & 2Dn. At the present time he’s a popular figure (5,5)

allowed,

15. How the patient will provide entry to all, maybe (10)

Oboe, 10. Rome, 11. Violet, 12.

12. So set man on as a builder (10)

17. In the solar system there are two Mount Olympus's, where are they?

18. Who was the first woman to win 4 consecutive US tennis open?

19. What is Britain's largest carnivorous animal?

20. How many women know the formula of Coca Cola?

21. Who wrote Travels with a Donkey on his honeymoon?

22. The araucaria has what more common name?

23. Who was Douglas Elton Ullman better known as?

24. In what does a steganographer write messages?

25. Charles Duff wrote the macabre Handbook of what?

26. In The Dukes of Hazard who was the sheriff?

27. What would you do with a hecklephone?

28. In the famous song my true love sent me nine what?

29. What is or was a Portuguese moidore?

30. Yorick in Shakespeare's Hamlet had what job (when alive)?

Stevenson, 22. The Monkey Puzzle

Trusts a reformed dynasty (7)

10. After work, nervous twitch of the eye (5)

1. Pride, Avarice, Envy, Gluttony, Sloth, Lust what's missing?

2. What country used the ringgit as currency?

3. What's the name of the Bar Restaurant in the TV show Quincy?

4. In what Dickens novel does Alfred Jingle appear?

5. Ajax was the trade mark of the worlds first what?

6. Which brass instrument is thought to be the most difficult to play?

7. SF is the international car registration letters for which country?

8. Jacques Garnerin made the first what in 1797?

9. The orchestra usually tunes up to what instrument?

10. In which European city is the Arch of Titus?

11. On a standard rainbow what colour is on the inside of the curve?

12. What musical term means playing with each note detached?

13. In what country did the word plonk meaning wine originate?

14. Alfred Packer in the USA was convicted of what strange crime?

15. Captain Flint buried his treasure where (Ben Gunn dug it up)?

16. Who composed a symphony nicknamed The Hen?

14.

9.

L EA D E R T R I V I A Q U I Z

Australia,

Bet I’d be affected by current recession (7)

Needing water (7)

Familiar with (10) Qualifying races (5) Type of house (4) Purloined (6) Benevolence (8) Attribute (7) Simple (10) New Year’s Eve (8) Narrow channels (7) Irritate (6) Relinquish (5) Peer (4)

13.

Keeps turning over lists of names (5)

8.

DOWN 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

11.

13.

14.

16.

17.

20.

Staccato,

7.

8.

DOWN 1. Academic programme gives a sign of hope to us (10) 2. See 18 Ac. 3. Personage who sat uneasily before the start of the Revolution (4) 4. Diminish the importance of an academic spell, we hear (6) 5. Ordinary seaman first becomes unbalanced (8) 6. Suitable trial for the most athletic (7) 11. Being acquainted, talk shortly with a social worker (10) 13. Spanish wine without a herbal flavouring (8) 14. Doing evening work in woodcraft (7) 16. How the fishermen made a profit? (6) 17. Slowly advanced to the ring (5) 20. The ultimate appliance for the shoemaker (4)

Extremely fat (5)

9.

Expel; 15 Rain; 16 Loose; 18 Test;

ACROSS

7.

ming, 29. A Gold Coin, 30. Jester of woodwind, 28. Drummers drumRoscoe P Coltrane, 27. Play it - type 24. Invisible ink, 25. Hanging, 26. tree, 23. Douglas Fairbanks Senior,

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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.

August and (temporarily) does away with the need to employ additional staff. Mind you, the system falls to pieces a few weeks later, but I guess the hope is that patients will either have died, recovered or left the country, so I guess there is a form of logic in operation, which brings me nicely to the case of the woman with a leg attached to a broom handle.

really don’t like August! It is not the excessive heat and accompanying high electricity bills for air conditioning that upset me, but the fact that nearly everyone seems to be on holiday. No, I do not begrudge hard working Spanish and Canarians some precious time off with their families, but the concept of holiday cover has never been invented in Spain.

Post is rarely delivered during August, since our postman is climbing a mountain somewhere; we have learned never to order anything that needs delivering in August. Similarly, we try to avoid anything involving the bank, social security office, Town Hall or health centre that requires anything needing filling in, bonking with a rubber stamp or using the computer.

Since the wait for a real, plastic health card could well exceed the lifetime of many patients, the health centre has come up with a jolly good wheeze, which is to issue a temporary one on a sheet of paper; that is if both the computer and printer are working. In my case, both were having an August holiday and I was asked to return another day. Oh well, it is no more than I would expect.

Over the years, we have learned the hard way, but sometimes things just crop up and have to be dealt with. The lack of holiday cover means that if someone is away at the bank or Town Hall, then that is just tough luck; you will have to wait until they return in September.

Even the computers are on holiday in August and refuse to work until the temperature cools down …

Over the years as an expat living in Spain, I have got used to what I see as the quirkiness and sheer inefficiencies of many of the bureaucratic processes that this country copes with. If something isn’t working, the response is usually to invent something that will make it even worse and to employ more civil servants in the process. I have learned, as have many expats, to balance these minor irritations with the joys and advantages of other aspects of my life in Spain, so I usually grit my teeth and try to avoid thinking too much like a Brit.

I

It all came to a head this morning when I tried to replace a health card with one of the newly issued ones, for reasons that seem neither logical or sensible. I don’t usually fret too much about such changes, since when there is a change of government, health and other cards are often suddenly cancelled without due notice, but with Brexit approaching, one has to be prepared. I came across a newly invented phenomenon this week, which is the necessity to make an appointment in order to get an appointment at the health centre. This is the latest ploy to put off actually seeing anyone in

15

b y Bar rie Mahoney

Did you know that computers also suffer from the August holiday syndrome, and try to take some time off? I overheard a woman being told that she would have to return later in the week because the computers had slowed down due to the excessive heat in the office. Now this was no ordinary case, since the poor soul had one leg strapped to what looked like a broom handle; clearly, she was in some discomfort. The woman took it all in good part, nodded, and limped away. She had made the effort get to the health centre to make an appointment in order to get an appointment to book an appointment with a specialist… Now back to my replacement health card.

An Appointment for an Appointment

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I often try to explain and defend Spanish systems and lengthy bureaucratic processes to other expats on the basis that maybe they didn’t fully understand the language during their latest bureaucratic encounters, or maybe it is down to cultural differences and misunderstandings about the way that things are done. I am sure that if you ask a German or Polish expat trying to navigate the paperwork processes in the UK they would tell of similar experiences.

Did I get my new temporary health card? Well, yes and no. During a return visit to the health centre, by means of an appointment to get an appointment, I finally arrived once again to face the offending computer and printer. This time, both were having a good day and eventually spewed out the required document. The lady at the desk was also looking less flustered than when she had dealt with the leg woman, and kindly suggested that it would be a good idea to have the document laminated, since it may be many years before my real card arrived in the post. I took her advice, thanked her and headed to my local print shop.

At the print shop, the laminating machine was also having an August day. It greedily gobbled up my card, but refused to release it from the other end of the machine. There was a smell of burning and flames appeared from the centre of the laminating machine. After the fire was put out, the now worried looking operator got a screwdriver and gingerly opened the blackened machine. Inside were the charred remains of my new temporary health card. Ah well, such is life in August; I will return to the office to make an appointment for an appointment tomorrow and then we will start the game all over again.

In the end, I did manage to collect my new, shiny health card from a very helpful lady operating from a small, airless room marked ‘Resuscitation’. I now know why!

If you enjoyed this article, take a look at my websites: http://barriemahoney.com and http://thecanaryislander.com or read my latest book, ‘Living in Spain and the Canary Islands’ (ISBN: 9780995602724). Available in paperback, as well as Kindle editions. Join me on Facebook: @barrie.mahoney

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Would you want to cope with organising a funeral in Spain W

hen a close friend or a family member dies, the last thing you need is the worry of complex regulations and the red-tape of a Spanish funeral. At such a difficult time could you or your family cope with organising a funeral in Spain?

If not you need look no further than PF Samper, a third generation independent family funeral director, based in Pilar de la Horadada.

We know that the death of a loved one is a difficult experience, one that all of us are likely to experience during our lifetime, and when mourning the loss of a friend or a family member, the very last thing you want to think about is the planning of a funeral, a fact that is considerately recognised by Francisca, a long time supporter of The Royal British Legion, who has been helping the expat community from her family run business in Pilar for over 20 years.

“At PF Samper”, she says, “we aim to provide only the highest level of personal attention as we ease this process for you and your family. We will take expert care and provide due consideration to ensure that your loved one gets an appropriate and caring farewell, whilst making the funeral planning process is as painless as possible”.

“We will arrange a dedicated funeral service that will provide you and your family with full value, without compromise, a service that is designed to show respect, whilst still maintaining the dignity,

the values and traditions so cherished by those who we serve”.

Francisca has been supporting the expat population for many years

“We will also ensure that every life tribute is distinctive, personal and affordable, in honouring to the full a life that has been lived”.

In providing a 24 hour service, throughout the entire province of Alicante and North Western Murcia, PF Samper can be providing you with that care and support within an extremely short space of time. Francisca will immediately respond to your call and while you are able to grieve with dignity she will quickly take charge of all the initial arrangements.

“If you have a previously organised funeral plan we will closely liaise with your provider but if you are without such an agreement we will make all the initial arrangements for you, and unlike many similar companies here in Spain we will not demand any payment in advance”.

The deceased will be prepared to lie in repose in our own private chapel, as detailed arrangements, with either you or your family, can then be left to a more appropriate time.

One aspect that Francisca does warn of are the varying conditions applied by different funeral directors and Tanatorias. “Whichever company you use you must always make sure that you are completely satisfied with the costs and the arrangements, and if in any doubt do not sign any papers”.

“T

his is particularly important” she says “when the deceased has passed away in hospital, many of which have their own preferred agents.”

Ultimately, of course, it’s all about trust and peace of mind, something of which you can be assured when dealing with Francisca or her assistant Eric Nicholls.

The company has its own private chapel of rest, mortuary and crematorium in Pilar de la Horadada although the service can be organised by PF Samper at any church that the family wishes across the entire province of Alicante and North Western Murcia.

Ministers, flowers and transport can also be organised by PF Samper who will also take care of all necessary documentation and certificates.

Likewise the arrangements can be made regardless

of faith and they can also be made to suit the time frame of the family concerned, allowing mourners to fly in from abroad if that is what is required.

Whether the service takes place the following day or a week later, unlike many other funeral directors, there is no extra charge.

Following cremation the urn will be delivered when required, and in the proper traditions of a genuinely family run business, details regarding payment can be made at a later date.

Francisca says, “Our job consists of making sure that the families remember the day of the funeral as a very special occasion and that the loved one who has passed away is provided with the esteem and the respect that every person deserves.

Though the life is ended we want to make sure that the memory lingers on”.

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Saturday Open Day at Finca Villamartin Animal Sanctuary O n the last Saturday of the month there is an Open Day at Finca Villamartin, supported by Happy Animales of Orihuela.

The next one will be this coming week on 25 August from 17.00-20.00.

Please come along and help them to raise money for food, hay, water, vet bills, blacksmith, repairs, rent for sanctuary. There will be food, drinks, cakes and tombola.

They had a great charity morning at Morgan’s Bar last month but the Finca car for transporting our small animals, food and materials failed the ITV, the total costs for repairs was 800 euro.

Food sponsors, long term sponsors, cake makers, volunteers are very welcome, or of you would like to organise an event of your own, please do.

There will be also a Fashion show, new and nearly new clothes, and tombola, organised at Cheers bar restaurant in Eagles Nest on 6 September from 11.30, with cream tea for 7.00 euro's. A donation of 2 euros will go to the animals, please make a reservation to avoid disappointment.

charity, founder is Mona Nowak, who sup-

Happy Animales Orihuela is a non-profit

Villamartin to San Miguel.

ports in the region of 60 animals at FINCA VILLAMARTIN, on the canal road from

For more information you can become a member of their Facebook page Finca Villamartin-Happy Animales Spanien of call/Whatsapp Mona 616 792 355 or Sol 678 224 728.

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For information see our website www.lasiestaevangelicalchurch.org or phone Pastor Keith on 666 180 108 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. You can phone or whatsapp the missionaries on 667 533 597..

International Christian Assembly, Calle Urbano Arregui, 23, Torrevieja - Evangelical nondenominational church. All nationalities welcome. Sunday service 11.0 a.m.; Sunday school; Prayer meetings; craft and computer clubs. Ladies Bible Study: Thursday 11.0 a.m.

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

Car and Vehicle Sales The Car of the Month at Automoviles Crespo is a 2015 Ford CMax Diesel which is on Special Offer priced at just 15,499 euro. Come along to our showroom in Elche and see our vast range of used cars or call 96 666 22 60 for all our latest offers.

The biggest and best for price, choice and quality.

Clasicos Legendarios have the following used vehicles for sale: Jaguar XKR 2007. 115.000KM. LHD. Convertible.

Black/ Magnolia leather. Extras including polybushes, milltek brakes and modified exhaust €27.500 Jaguar XFR. 29.000KM. LHD. White/Black leather. Very desirable car. Like brand new. €37.000 Jaguar XKR 2001. 27.000KM. LHD. British racing green/magnolia leather. Like brand new. €22.950 Jaguar XJS 4.0L 1995. Low KM. LHD. Convertible. €23.995 Jaguar XJS V12 5.3L. 1988.

159.000KM. RHD. Black/Grey leather. Rare collectable car. €17.995 Jaguar S-Type 2.5L V6 230.000KM. RHD. Anthracite (blue-grey). Impeccable condition. €3.000 Triumph TR4. Sold as is. For complete restoration. €7.000Visit our showroom in Redovan on Poligono San Carlos or call 965 030 924

Social and Clubs The next monthly meeting of the Orihuela Costa Branch of the Royal British Legion will be on 20th September at the Olympia Restaurant in Mil Palmeras start-

ing at 7.30pm. All are welcome to join us for an evening of camaraderie and good company.

Age Concern Costa Blanca Sur is here to help you. Our aim is to assist with problem solving for the over 50’s and promote their well-being. We need volunteer Drivers and people to join our Residential Home Visiting Team.

You will visit people who live in a Residential Home, and take them out for a coffee either in a wheelchair or walking. If you think you can help Age Concern in this respect call into our centre at C/Paganini s/n, Urb. La Siesta 03184 Torrevieja or ring 966 786 887.

Or you can email: costablanca@ageconcern.org.es Torrevieja Retired Activities Club meet on the third Wednesday in the month from 11-1pm at Marina Club Cafeteria, International Marina, Torrevieja.

We have a speaker at our monthly meetings, or quiz, etc. Enjoy an activity once a month such as petanca, mini golf, 10 pin bowling, and on the first Sunday of the month we organise a restaurant lunch. The joining fee is 10euros but you can attend one meeting or lunch before you join.

For info phone Sandy Hollywood, President 698 266 696 or Jill Hayes, membership Secretary 672 983 019.

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.

Curious about the work of Samaritans in Spain? Interested in becoming a listener? Have a few hours a week to help with the charity shop, fundraising or admin? To find out more, come and join us for refreshments and a chat at our Centre in the Punta Marina Shopping Centre, by the Punta Prima roundabout, on the N332. (Volunteer positions are unpaid but expenses can be claimed).Email: spainsamsrecruits@outlook.com www.samaritansinspain.com The Orihuela Costa Drop In Centre is in C/Cipres, Lomas de Cabo Roig, where we can offer you a full range of activities Monday, Wednesday and Thursday including music, language classes, drawing and painting, sewing, general information, bereavement advice and much more.

Further info available at: oc.communitycare@gmail.com QUESADA LADIES CLUB The Annual General Meeting of the Quesada Ladies Club will be held at the Cooper’s Arms, Dona Pepa, Quesada, on Tuesday 11th September 2018. This is for members only, and they will be admitted at the usual time of 2.30pm.

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my sexy lingerie. By appointment please.655 677 738 Sexy, elegant Spanish lady. Playa Flamenca. Punta Prima. Private house. Erotic massage. All services. From €40. Call Ana on 657 603 495. Speak English.

Male and female Viagra, Cialis, Cialis Kamagra jellies mail order cash on delivery call 604 385 476 viagra4you19@gmail.com

Property for Sale A selection of just some of the properties currently available with Spanish Riviera Homes. If you would like additional info on any of our properties Email: property@spanishrivierahomes.com or call: +34 617 537 866 Torrevieja First floor apartment, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 300m from the sea, terrace with open view, 50m2 living area. 94.000 euro. Reference: 000828.

Situations Vacant Direct Sales Person - We are looking for an experienced direct sales person for a construction company. Must have own car, be computer literate, have a good knowledge of the Costa Blanca area and be used to dealing with clients in their homes. Good long term prospects for the right applicant. In the first instance, please forward your CV to: offer1096@jobsearchspain.com Electro Mechanic in Redovan. We are looking for a professional electro mechanic with experience of high brand vehicles to join our team. We are a Jaguar, Land Rover, and classic car specialist. We also work with other brands such as Rolls Royce, Bentley, and Aston Martin. The candidate must be comfortable working with such brands. Age is not important. Please send your CV or a cover email to: ffer1095@jobsearchspain.com

Consultants Wanted For our expanding dating agency, we are looking for reliable consultants. Have a look at www.transit50plus.com and if you interested and would like more information about working for us please phone 676 312 080 or 646 538 079

Churches and Services

Personal

La Siesta Evangelical Church hold services each Sunday and everyone is welcome. 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. We welcome residents, visitors and children.

Torrevieja Brazilian mature lady.

The best massage, relax, tantra, anti-stress. I also do body and intimate waxing, manicures, pedicures, and facial cleansing and rejuvenation. Me and my silky hands are the perfect combination. Call Victoria on 687 131 005.

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Ref: 000828 Torrevieja, Fifth floor apartment, 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 70m2 living area with 40m2 terrace, communal swimming pool, communal solarium, lift. 109.950 euro.

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Reference: 000879 Ref: 000879

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Reference: 000877 Torrevieja, Ground floor apartment, 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom, close to beach, shops, bars, restaurants, bus station. 64.950 euro. Reference: 000876 Torrevieja, Ground floor bungalow, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, dining room, American kitchen, conservatory, fully furnished with air-conditioning, off-road parking, communal swimming pool. € 94.950. Reference: 000912 Orihuela-Costa Ground floor bungalow, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, South-facing, large living room with chimney, American kitchen, furnished, communal swimming pool € 144.950. Reference: 000916 Orihuela-Costa, Ground floor bungalow, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, large corner garden, spacious living area, American kitchen, furnished, communal swimming pool. € 134.950. Reference: 000814 Top-floor bungalow, San Pedro del Pinatar. 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, independent kitchen, terrace and solarium with stunning views, South-facing, furnished, communal swimming pool, communal parking. € 84.950. Reference: 000878 Orihuela-Costa, Quad, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, private garden / offroad parking, spacious living / dining area, American kitchen, balconies and solarium, communal swimming pool, communal gardens, close to beaches, shops, and restaurants. € 124.950.

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Reference: 000898.

If you would like additional info on any of our properties Email: property@spanishrivierahomes.com or call: +34 617 537 866

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Vincent Real Estate step up to the Palette The Annual Art Competition will be at La Herradura Restaurant in Los Montesinos on Wednesday the 24th of October and Vincent Real Estate our main sponsor will be on hand to help out with The People's Choice.

Mark Vincent director said "We are delighted to be able to help with this annual event which raises funds for The Elche Children's Care Home and although Christmas seems far into the future, now seems a good time to tell you that we will also be a point of sale for the very special ECCH Charity

Educational talks are being held in all of the summer schools in the municipality

Christmas Cards designed by the young people themselves these cards will be available in our office in Benijofar from late September."

This is the 10th Art Competition and Exhibition and it is now the second year it has been held it in memory of the lovely artist Ray Scott. Nadine Scott is pictured with Jordan Vincent and her grandson Robert receiving a "surprise prize" from Vincent Real Estate from the recent Summer Ball and you will also see one of Ray's paintings referred to as "SPLAT" for want of better title!

Nadine Scott will be supporting this event at La Herradura and she will be there on the day to give out winning certificates and prizes and so far we have Quesada Gym and a few other stalwarts who are all sponsoring one or more sections of the art competition. For further details and an entry form for the competition or exhibition please contact Jackie Nevin on jackienevin10@gmail.com Artists of any level or medium can enter and they can also exhibit their paintings even if they do not want to take part in the competition - all paintings can be priced for sale and there is no commission charge.

Jordan Vincent with Nadine's Grandson Robert and Nadine Scott

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It is €7 to enter one painting and just €15 if you would like to enter 3 paintings - please contact Jackie Nevin on jackienevin10@gmail.com for details - alternative email sueinthesun@hotmail.co.uk

Pet Adoption taught at Summer schools Torrevieja’s Department of Animal Protection has launched a summer campaign to raise awareness among children of the importance of the adoption and sterilization of domestic animals The Councillor of Animal Protection, Carmen Morate, accompanied by Patricia Tarín Carrasco, a volunteer at the Municipal Animale Shelter, have organised educational talks in all of the summer schools that are currently being held in the region.

During her last visit, the councillor explained to the students of the Salvador Ruso Public School how they should act should they adopt a cat or a dog. Morate said that the adoption of the animals was far preferable to going out and buying one.

"It is important to give a 2nd chance to those that have been abandoned," she explained, telling the children that the abandonment of animals is a crime.

The councillor also spoke to the children about

Red Cross Headquarters invite Provincial Grand Lodge to Alicante Presentation

S

enior Freemasons of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Valencia were recently invited to the Red Cross Headquarters in Alicante to attend a presentation, both to thank them for their donation of an invaluable support vehicle and also to demonstrate what had been done with the support vehicle which had been presented to them almost three years ago.

The meeting was arranged by Snr Pedro Dominguez Crego, and the Red Cross team, who is responsible for alliances and European residents and also for International cooperation. The senior Masons in attendance were RWBro Michael Shilan, the Provincial Grand Master, WBro David Watts, the Provincial Grand Secretary and WBro Trevor Bagnall the Provincial Grand Charity Steward.

The presentation came about because, over a three-year period, the Province of Valencia held a Province wide festival to raise money for the Red Cross and eventually donated a fully fitted ambulance and two fully fitted support vehicles. One of these support vehicles was donated to the Red cross in Alicante and Snr Dominguez and the team felt they would like to thank the Masons for their generosity in providing it and to show what had been achieved by their team since it was presented.

The result was an extremely well-presented meeting at their headquarters in Alicante. Snr Dominguez and his team started by explaining the wide areas in which they were trying to help the less fortunate people of the Vega Baja and other areas. of which, sadly, there are many. They try to help a wide variety of people including the homeless, immigrants, those facing natural disasters such as fires, very relevant when at present there are so many of these, and virtually every other misfortune you could think of.

Until this vehicle was presented most of the help offered had to be given at the headquarters. They had often wished they could afford to obtain some form of vehicle but simply did not have the money.

They were extremely proud to be the chosen recipients of the support vehicle which has changed their lives, and many others, for the better.

They have since been able to provide help to hundreds of people and are now able to travel to them to offer help. The specially fitted out vehicle is fitted with hot water tanks and showers to allow people to have a shower when needed which before the donation was almost impossible. The vehicle is also able to provide a place where some-

times desperate people are able to meet and be helped.

This help takes a large number of forms. It can be help with obtaining food and medical help, obtaining paperwork such as ID cards, help with personal hygiene, even such mundane things as chiropody.

It allows them to be proactive rather than reactive. In some cases, it helps just to have someone to talk to and to be offered hope. In some cases, they speak to foreign consulates to help the people return to their home country.

Originally the vehicle was used in 2015 to help people in the Guardamar, Seguro and Orihuela areas. However, by 2017 this area was extended to include Rojales, Santa Pola and Fulgencia. From thirty interventions in 2015 the numbers helped by 2017 had risen to over three thousand! They are hoping to increase these numbers even more in the future.

how they should take care of their pets, explaining the advantages of sterilisation. According to Morate, owners who do not sterilise their pets run great risks, since the animal’s behaviour will become more aggressive. Moreover, many animals are more likely to develop cancer or psychological pregnancy and, in the worst cases, to run away from their owners' home.

In addition, the councillor told children with pets that they should vaccinate their dogs for rabies and ensure that they are also microchipped. This small device, the size of a grain of rice, contains important data including the owner's name, address and mobile phone, essential to locate them in case the animal is lost.

Finally, Morate has explained to the children the procedure they should follow if they were interested in adopting an animal from the shelter.

the scope and breadth of the help offered and were extremely pleased to be invited by the team to be shown just what can be done with a little help and lots of determination. Our thanks must go to Snr Dominguez and the team for their hospitality and and also to the hundreds of Masons around the Province of Valencia who made all this possible.

If you would like to make a donation to the Red Cross they would be extremely grateful and you can be assured that your money will be well spent.

If you would like more information about the work of the Freemasons, or perhaps you might have an interest in joining us, please contact me at: prensa@glpvalencia.com WBro William G Turney

The team are able to converse in several languages which helps many homeless people by no means all of which are Spanish. Some are very reclusive having lived on the streets, in some cases for many years, and would probably not have approached the Red Cross directly. Now however, the Red Cross are able to approach them which has enabled much more help to be given than previously.

The team now follow set but different routes every day each week so the people needing help know where to find them. When the people get to know and trust the team real help can be given.

Almost all of this work, is done by volunteers and much is paid for by donations from various sources including the Freemasons.

We were extremely impressed by

Snr Dominguez and the team felt they would like to thank the Masons for their generosity

20

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Monday 20th - Sunday 26th August, 2018

History of the Mediterranean Golf Tournament, Vistabella

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The Celts Club de Golf

We celebrated our August Open Day at La Serena last Sunday morning with a 9am shot-gun start. It is becoming routine now to congratulate the head green keeper Wayne and his team on the fine condition of the course.

The II Orihuela, History of the Mediterranean, Golf Tournament will take place on Saturday 22nd September at Vistabella Golf Course.

Boulevard, Inés Canales, and the Golf Course manager, Joaquín Rocamora.

The event was unveiled at the course on Friday by the Councillor for Tourism, Sofía Álvarez, who said

The maximum number of entries will be 120 players, in three different categories, 2 for men and one for women. Prizes will be awarded to first and second in each category.

"After the success of the first edition, this year we have decided to hold the event once again. As the sport is becoming increasingly popular with tourists, visitors and of course local residents, it will once again provide a major boost to municipality”. Álvarez was accompanied by a representative of La Zenia

There will also be a trophy for the best Scratch score as well as special prizes for nearest the hole and the longest Drive.

Registration for the tournament is now open, either in the clubhouse or via the website www.vistabellagolf.com

Monte Mar Bowls and Social Club

Well done and keep up the great work. To John and Jean in the proshop for organising the cards and producing our results so quickly and efficiently, thank you.

Gloria and the team in the kitchen who look after our every needs and they help create a very sociable environment on our major golf competition days, thank you.

Camillus is away in Dublin, something about child minding and the Sam Maguire, he left us in the very capable hands of second in command Philip Mountford who was ably assisted by Terry Fitzgerald our captain, thank you lads and well done on a great job on the day.

As I said Terry is back from his bionic replacement and presented the prizes as follows; Crystal 1st Philip Mountford 42. 2nd David Sommerville 41. 3rd Robert Smith 38. Crystal 2, 1st Yvette McGeehan 41. 2nd Steven Hopkins 41. 3rd Richard Heaton 40.

Week 2. Open Day results. NTP’s Alan Woods, Karl DiMascio, Dave Cosson, Jane Wills and Len Smith. Our visitors’ prize went to Paul Crump. Cat III. 1st Kevin McBride 39, 2nd Julian Lopez 39.

3rd Janet Bryan 36 . Cat II. 1st Len Smith 40, 2nd Dave Cosson 37, 3rd Tony Edwards 37. Cat I. Colin Soones 36. 2nd Kenneth McGeehan 36. 3rd Grant Meekins 34. Best gross went Pauvla Serakova 29. 2nd overall Karl DiMascio 40.

The overall winner with 41 points was Ian Howie. The next round of The International League is scheduled for September the 1st in Alicante Golf, can team captains please register their team as soon as possible?

We have a waiting list in operation at the moment for membership at La Serena, however membership of The Celts is always available.

If you would like information on joining our club or entering a team in any of the federation events why not send an e-mail to johnobrienalicante@gmail.com or call 615 466 398

Quesada Bowls Club

by Dee Stephenson

TORROS SUCCESS - A happy Torros squad after been presented with the trophy for winning the South Alicante Harrier League. A big thank you to the successful selection team of Diane Ridley Selector, John Hunt Vice Captain and Chris Harding Captain.

MONTHLY CHICKEN RUN - The July chicken run on a hot Sunday morning, was very well supported by members. The chickens this month were dodated by Carole and Roger Packer, so a big thank you to you both. Sadly they will be returning to the UK at the end of the summer, they go with our best wishes for the future. We will see them at the club time to time in the future.

The special eggs donated by Ian and Julia Hamilton were won by by Jan Soars and Derek Darby, with Pauline Merry and Chris Harding winning the other eggs. The winners of the chickens were Julia Hamilton and Lucky Jack Burrell. Well done to all winners and thank you to everyone who participated.

JILL ALBUTT - Club members were sadden to learn that former member Jill passed away during the evening of 8th August, finally

losing her fight against cancer. Jill and husband John had returned to the UK because of Jill's illness more than two years ago. Until they returned to the UK Jill and John had been well known bowlers on the Costa Blanca bowling circuit. Our thoughts and best wishes are with John and his family at this difficult time.

GRAN ALACANT MIXED RINKS - Between 15th and 17th September the Monte Mar Bowls Club are hosting their annual Gran Alacant Mixed Rink competition. Everyone is welcome to come along to watch players from all over the Costa Blanca complete for the trophy. Play will be on each day from about 10am until 4pm. On the first day September 15th there will be a cake stall which has been very popular in the past, be there early to avoid disappointment. Other social events will be staged so look out for information.

For further information about Monte Mar Bowls and Social Club check out our website www.montemarbowls.com or email us at info@montemarbowls.com. We are also on Facebook

Members have been busy this week getting their names down to play in the Valencians in September. This year sees an increase in Quesada players planning to take part. The Club will be represented in all of the disciplines so we’re looking forward to a great competition.

During the rest of the summer break, Quesada members will be involved in some friendly matches - on 19th August against Royal British Legion and then a series of matches against El Rancho in September.

Just a reminder that, open to visitors, our popular Saturday morning Chicken Drive is continuing during the summer months. Anyone interested in taking part, please report to The Club, Quesada at 9.45am for a 10am start. Bowls and shoes are available free of charge if required.

Meantime, for more information about our club, please contact our club secretary Deidre Leeming at Deidre.leeming@gmail.com or 966 719 439 New bowlers are welcome and introductory coaching is available.

This week, Quesada Bowls Club would like to thank another of our sponsors, Davids Coaches https://www.coachtripsonline.com

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Las Ramblas Golf Society Results for w/c 13.8.18 - By Peter Reffell Our first team game of the week resulted in a very close finish at the top. Playing the two best scores out of four but with all to count on the par 3’s, the winning team, with 96 points, were Pete Dunn, Rod Doel, John Shervell and yours truly. The runners up scored 95 points and third place carded 94!

Dave Pulling took this week’s honours with 38 pts

Monday 20th - Sunday 26th August, 2018

Mike ProBert talks golf Here on the Costa’s golf is one of the biggest leisure time activities for both tourists and residentS 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.

The J.Arthur Rank, the Lucy Locket, the socket or the shank.

Why is this?

Well the answer is simple not only does the shot ruin any chance that you have of having a good golf score on the day but it immediately impacts on your confidence.

Everyone that has had a shank will know the feelings that you have as a golfer when you try and play the next shot with an iron club.

This affliction is not limited to the amateur because you may recall that at a recent British Open Championship at Troon Darren Clarke hit a shank with a 2- iron on the second hole which ended up on the beach and he was leading the tournament at the time.

Wednesday’s stableford competition saw its fair share of controversy.

Bryan Neal came in first (yet again!) with 42 points, but unfortunately for him, John (Archimedes I’m not) Collins marked his card incorrectly and he was disqualified! This is a hard school!

Three players, Tom Hardie, Lindsay Forbes and Geoff Biggerstaff shared the top of the leader board with 37 points, but our President, Dave Pulling, took this week’s honours with 38.

Just two 2’s this week both of which aptly went to Bryan Neal.

Onto Friday and we played a ‘Bowmaker’, which simply means taking the best three scores out of four on each hole. Our winning team (despite not filling in their card correctly!) were Ken and Liz Robertson, John Shervell and the calmest man on the course, Andy McDonald, with a team score of 113 points.

Pues, hasta la semana que viene,

Spanglish Golf Society at Lo Romero on 15th August 2018.

In association with Sapphire Properties and Costa Blanca Green Fee Services For this months meeting the Spanglish Golf Society and a group of 20 players visited the established course at Lo Romero taking advantage of the excellent society deal obtained from Costa Blanca Green Fee Services.

The course was generally in good condition with greens just a little slower than normal.

Today was our annual Captain versus Vice-Captain challenge with the latter coming out victorious by 10 point to 4 points with the losing Captain (John Clark) donating €50 to charity.

The nearest pins were won by Ron Bardini,Graham Hall and Tony Wonfor.

The player with the most individual hole wins was Mally Wright.

The footbal card winner was Graham Hall.

After the game we returned to the Spanglish bar, which is located at Dona Pepa, Quesada for a welcome snack prepared by the bar and the prize presentation and we give our thanks for their support and that of our sponsor Sapphire Properties.

Our next fixture is at La Serena on 5th September 2018 followed by a game on our home course of Vistabella on 19th September 2018.

If you are interested in joining the society call Paul Cawte on 966 73 1223 or Graham Hall on 664 692 638 or better still pop into the bar.

Report by Mike Probert of Costa Blanca Green Fee Services on 966 704 752 or 661 345 931 or see www.costa-blanca-greenfees.com.

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(in assN with Costa Blanca Green Fee s vcs) by having trust in the technique to overcome the shot and play with a positive intent and commit to all iron shots.

It is vital that you start to visualise shots flying onto the green and landing softly.

You must stay in the present and forget the bad shots that have happened and you will find that this bad shot disappears as quickly as it arrived.

UNMENTIONABLES So what do you call them?

Whatever it is, forget the top, the hook, the slice or the total miss because the shank is the most destructive shot in the golfers armoury.

Andy McDonald was reported to have said ‘this ball retriever is not long enough to get my putter out of the tree’! Still you’re not alone Andy as it’s reported that, on average, six clubs are broken or thrown into bushes or water hazards every day of a seniors competition.

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Similarly in the Volvo Masters at Valderrama in 1987 Sandy Lyle shanked his 3rd shot to the notorious 17th hole while also leading the event.

He did however go on to win the event after a play-off with Colin Montgomerie.

So what causes a shank?

Let us remove one misconception before we start.

It is stated that a shank is almost a perfect golf shot.

What a load of rubbish, there are technical reasons within your swing that causes you to shank the ball.

Let me get the technical bit out of the way first.

A shank is usually caused because the golfer is standing too far away from the ball and this has the impact of throwing you forward on to your toes during your downswing, especially if you are also throwing your shoulders at the ball and coming over the top.

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 from 1 June.

Golf Course Alenda Alicante Altorreal Bonalba Don Cayo (Altea) El Plantio Font Del Llop La Finca La Marquesa La Serena Las Colinas Las Ramblas Lo Romero New Sierra Golf Roda Villamartin Villaitana Poniente Vistabella

Price €114 €102 €90 €88 €88 €86 €88 €128 €28 €36 €144 €104 €96 €80 €86 €110 €47 €86

Comments Two Players and Buggy Two Players and Buggy Two Players and Buggy Two Players and Buggy Two Players and Buggy Two Players and Buggy Two Players and Buggy Two Players and Buggy Single Green Fee Single Green Fee (after 2pm) Two Green Fees and Buggy Two Players and Buggy Two Players and Buggy Two Green Fees and Buggy Two Players and Buggy (from 1pm) Two Players and Buggy Single Green Fee and Buggy Two Players and Buggy

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

The first thing to do is to stand a little closer to the ball and a simple method is to ensure that your shoulders are over your knees, which in turn are over your shoe laces.

Vistabella – 20/08/18

Additionally there is a simple practise method, which involves playing a few shots with something under your left toe, a ball or a club shaft will do.

Lo Romero and Saurines – 22/08/18

This will help you to turn through on your left heel because you can’t fall forward if you put your weight into your heel.

To overcome the mental problems cause by the shank you should start

HOLLOW TINING WATCH La Finca – 21/08/18

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK “Every golf course has 400 amateur green keepers” - Ray Probert (My dad)

22

Monday 20th - Sunday 26th August, 2018

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results this week, pipping John Osborne to the top spot in Gold with 38 points. Darren Hancock was a mere point behind in third.

Best score of the day was posted by Ken Flaherty with an excellent 42 points. Hugh Reilly (38 points) and Kevin Albright (36 points) completed the Silver podium alongside Ken. The knife fighting bandits in Bronze continue to carve each other up a treat with Norman McBride ultimately employing age and cunning to overcome the youth and enthusiasm of Kyrre Skarsmoen on countback.

Their 39 point scores were sufficient to relegate Norman Padmore to third by one shot. Bronze is clearly no place for those short on balls or shots. Or pacemaker batteries.

Eva Pettersson, Bob McKeegan and Joost Boelhouwer were the nearest the pin sharpshooters, with Noel Stewart and Rod Wilcox taking first and second place guest honours. All receiving a sleeve of balls, sponsored by Moneycorp. Well played everyone. Ralph Tilbrook was the recipient of the Abacus prize this week, a lesson perhaps the first of many - with Vistabella pro, Adrian Rudge, kindly donated by Adrian himself.

John pipped Robin and Darren in the Gold category

San Miguel Golf Society at Vistabella Half past August at Vistabella and forty one players showed up for another round of the Eclectic competition. That was almost double the number from last week at Roda which suggests the summer exiles are starting to trickle back, along with a handful of overseas members taking annual holidays. Either way, a big enough field to merit 3 divisions once more. As Hugh ‘Mr Catchphrase’ Reilly

would say, “Nice to see you, to see you, nice!”.

Our thanks to the Staff at Vistabella for a very enjoyable day.

Vistabella is now well established as one of the best tracks in the area, the new holes have bedded in well and added positively to the original character and challenge of the course. It was in very good condition and much enjoyed by all on the day but particularly by the winners. Robin Eastman came out the right side of the countback

Keep up to date with all SMGS matters by logging on to our website www.smgs.org or simply give Tony Smale a call on 628 227 687.

The next three games will be at Lo Romero, Hacienda Riquelme and La Finca. There are tee times available for each event but please sign up soon to be sure of getting a slot.

Rockets Golf Society on Tuesday 14th August Short drive up to Vistabella for our August home game with a low turnout. I am afraid we have some members who had their name down to play and just did not bother to turn up and without any notification.

After a lot of shuffling around having to inform our hosts of numbers to eat etcetera, we got off on time. Of the few who did turn up they all had good games on a well manicured course, as the scoring will prove Ron Swift led the way with a cracking 38 points and of course a referral to Rodney who is sharpening his knife, closely followed by Wilson Hogg one of our newer members, with 34 points.in Second

Finally, a stewards’ enquiry has been ordered to investigate the result of the football draw prize this week. The football draw will be suspended until the outcome is announced. In its place a competition is being run to come up with a new nickname for Ken Flaherty. The competition will be free to enter and will not be run by Ken. Submit your entries to Tony on the back of a 5 euro note (non refundable).

place Then came Arthur Williams with 32 points. Geoff Wild with 34 points took first in the Silver Category Harry McKinnon had 29 points with Ken Hopkins taking 3rd place with 27 points Nearest Pins Hole 2 W Hogg Hole 8 D Bowers Hole 11 & 15 C Richie. Longest Drive K Hopkins, Best Guest C Richie Next game has been brought forward to the 21st August first tee time 10.00 am. Be there for 09.15am. this is at Roda.

Back to our base The St James’s Gate pub in Torreta 11 for a lovely meal supplied by Hughie and Lorna which our members thank them for.

The Med Bar Golf Society, El Raso La finca 14/8/18 One of our local and best course`s on a lovely but clammy day, we set of in hope of winning the sue martin memorial trophy. The trophy was donated to the society from bill martin to be played annually in fond memory of his late wife sue, who`s birthday it would have been on the day of the outing.

Bill also laid on a lovely buffet for all players and partners. Along with the trophy, Bill also had special prizes for the competition.

Many thanks to Bill from the attending society players and partners Results for the day Gold division & overall winner: Ray Muttock 38 points, Gold division runner up: Eric Owens 37 points

TMGS @ Villamartin 15th August Just 30 members and guests were present to take part in our weekly Stableford competition. Rain and storms were on the forecast and at one point we did feel a spot of rain but that’s all it was, a spot!!

However storm clouds were building which resulted in a strength sapping humidity.

This did not however hinder some players from returning good scores or maybe it enhanced the chances of Kenny “Isaac” Hunter from “almost” making an eagle on the 18th, the emphasis being “almost” no doubt he will be telling this story for a few weeks to come. Kenny did have a good day though; taking away 2 very nice bottles of rioja for his N.T.P.’s on holes 6 & 17 and just missing out

Photo; Silver category winners.

on the top podium place on handicap.

The other 2 N.T.P.’s went to the Captain (John Eyre) and to Les Wilton who only renewed his membership before play. Our Society is renowned for being friendly so could members who have finished their game please leave the 18th green before marking and signing cards, remember to be courteous to the players behind.

Our 2’s pot was rolled over from last week and now contained €64 and the only 2 this week was made by Captain, John Eyre. It must be noted that his tee shot on the 10th did not pass the ladies tee (and that’s being generous) normally that would cost him a round of drinks but after winning the 2’s pot he suggested that we go to dinner at the local fish and chip shop unfortunately after the presentation he was nowhere to be found, don’t worry John we won’t forget!

Other results were; best guest R. Bond 36 points. Silver category; 3rd 80 + years old R. Rea 36, 2nd G. Sorby 37, 1st the best round of my life, A. Skinner 37 on L/H.Gold category; 3rd B. McMenamin 33 on L/H, 2nd K. Hunter 34, 1st Captain John Eyre 34 on L/H. All at T.M.G.S. would like to wish our 76 years old Swedish bandit, Lennart Holmberg a very happy birthday.

Check out our away day trip to Albacete in September at www.tmgs.org or www.facebook.com/tmgsgolf

Silver division winner: Martin Morgan 31 points on countback, Silver division runner up: tony Alex Bolton Nearest the pins: Ray Muttock X 2, Steve Vaughan & Martin Morgan, Nearest the pin in 2 on par 4: Tom Gonella, Nearest pin in 3 on par 5: Alex Bolton Best front 9: Alex Bolton on countback, Best back 9: Peter List 2`s club : Bob Mc Dermont & Ray Muttock, Football card winners: buck taylor, jonty Thanks to Steve and his staff at the Med Bar and Bistro, our next outing is at Altorreal on 28/8/18 Anyone wishing to join our society is welcome and we can either be contacted by e-mail at: medbargolf2016@gmail.com or pop into the bar where all details can be left and we will get in touch with you.

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Three class acts boost Torry ranks

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Spain U17 and Russia U18 will face each other on Tuesday evening after which Scotland will take on the Russia U17’s.

Hector joins the club from Benidorm

National U17 squads gather at Pinatar Arena Pinatar Arena continues to increase the number of football teams using its superb training facilities in a historic summer, where it has now exceeded twenty teams. rave reviews.

Goal keeper Juanpe is one hell of a capture. He has previously played his football in Murcia, most recently at Santomera and Plus Ultra. His performances for Torry so far look very competent, and hopefully he can stay injury free all season (unless a decent under study can be signed).

T

hose who have witnessed Torry´s recent friendly performances, must have been impressed by their 3 most recent signings. All 3 have tasted experience at division 3 level, whilst excelling in their respective departments.

Akapo hails from Elche. The 21 year old central defender last played for Ilicitana, where he received

Finally, right sided midfielder Hector has joined from Benidorm. Hector previously spent 3 seasons at Crevillente, where he was part of a successful promotion winning side.

With the start of the new season less than 2 weeks away, Torry now have only 1 more scheduled friendly remaining (an away trip to Petrelense).

40th Anniversary celebrations for Torrevieja Tennis Club Over 250 players took part in last week’s tournament to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Torrevieja Tennis Club where the players were competing for prizes of € 3,600 in cash for the senior categories and € 2,000 in sports goods for the juniors.

The competition was divided into 18 different categories culminating in some great finals last Sunday evening with the players spurred on some very by big crowds.

At the presentation ceremony Club Vice President and Tournament Director,Humberto Zuleta, who served as Master of Ceremonies gave a brief history of the club and the foundation of the tournament that was being played for the 40th year.

The ceremony was also attended by the local journalist Mr. Francisco Reyes Prieto, Mr. José Manuel Dolón (Mayor), Victor Ferrandez (Councilor for Sports), Domingo Pérez, Alejandro Blanco, Javier Manzanares and Luis Mª Pizana representative of the Provincial Council of Alicante and also councillor of the Consistory.

The Valencian Tennis Federation included its president, Mr. Antonio

Martínez Cascales, and D. Eduardo Ferrero, the father of former World No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero.

The winners in the open category were Zakhar Trapeznikov (male) and Jimar Gerald (female) who each received a traditional Barco de Sal (Salt boat) as champions. Beaten finalists were Felipe Stepanov and Lara Panfilova.

With many clubs now back playing in their country’s senior leagues, this week it is the turn of the men's national teams in the Under 17 and Under 18 categories.

Spain, Russia and Scotland are all now at training at Pinatar Arena where each will play friendly matches against each other.

The Russian team was the first to arrive last Wednesday bringing both their Under 17 and

Under 18 squads. The Scotland Under 17 team arrived a day later while Spain Under 17 led by David Gordo gathered together at San Pedro del Pinatar on Friday. Santi Denia formerly of Atlético de Madrid and Julen Guerrero, a player with Athletic Bilbao, will also be the coaching staff of the U17 national squad.

Each team will play the others in friendly matches. Spain Sub17 will face Russia Sub18 on Tuesday 21st at 19.00 while Scotland Sub17 will face Russia Sub17 the same night at 21.00. There will be free admission for both matches.

La Finca Golf Society 18 August Mondays roll up, a 3 man team stableford of the yellow blocks was won by Derek Braid and the Danish brothers Ole & Bent Dibbern with a total of 103 points. Nearest the pins were Eric Owens (3) and Brian Bevan (13).

On Wednesday the Medal competition showed results as follows; 4th, Barry Roehrig (73), 3rd, Stuart Tosh (71), 2nd, Ole Dibbern (70) and 1st, Brian Bevan (67).

NTP’s Barry Roehrig (3), Alex Duchart (6), Will Hammond (13) & Steve Higgins (16).

Saturday was a Stableford competition off the Yellow Plates. 4th Stuart Tosh (33) 3rd, Derek Braid (34), 2nd, Shaun Locke (34) and 1st, Steve Higgins with 37 points.

Only 2 twos Eric Owens on hole 16 and Shaun Locke on13, hole 16 was drawn out

by one of our guests Ian Grant who had 2 twos himself so Eric wins the pot.

We had 3 guests today with Ian Grant winning with a very credible 34 points of 7 handicap. Best dressed golfer was the Welsh Wizard from El Raso Mr Brian Bevan.

Back to The Corner Flag Bar afterwards for food/presentation thanks to Steve and staff.

La Finca Golf Society meets every Monday, Wednesday and Saturdays at La Finca with first tee time around 09-00 am. Saturday is main competition day with various competitions which are Spanish Federated, to be eligible to play you need a handicap of 16 or less.

If you are interested or require more information give Barry a ring on 666 694 467 or 966 73 1033.

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