Costa Blanca Leader Edition 759

No 759

Monday 1st - Sunday 7th April, 2019

Tel: 637 227 385

Serving the community, in print and online, for over 15 years - The Costa Blanca’s oldest ‘FREE’ English language newspaper

Álvarez threatens withdrawal from PP electoral list “The struggle for power, between Bascuñana and Aparicio, who are putting their own egos before the interests of the people, is hurting our party .”

Orihuela’s councillor of Tourism and International Residents, Sofía Álvarez, has announced that she no longer wishes to be included on the Partido Popular electoral list for the upcoming municipal elections if Emilio Bascuñana and Damaso

Aparicio continue to head the list.

Alvarez, who is also part of the electoral committee at the local and provincial level, has surprised everyone with her decision, which was made public before it was communicated to her colleagues.

The councillor said that she no

longer wishes to be part of the current situation that is so badly damaging the PP, with an electoral list that puts at numbers one and two individuals who are politically opposed, current Mayor Emilio Bascuñana and the General Secretary of the Partido Popular, Dámaso

Aparicio, men who have regularly shown that they cannot possibly work together and who have been exchanging blows with each other, very much to the detriment of the local Party, for much of the current legislative term.

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Álvarez criticises Orihuela PP leadership

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"The struggle for power, of two people who are putting their own egos before the interests of the people, is hurting our party and the municipality of Orihuela, and I feel shame for the conflict within the Oriolan Partido Popular. I do not understand how they can be more concerned about their own self-esteem than the welfare of the people they are supposed to serve.”

The councillor said that the situation within the party has often prevented her from carrying out her work and she does not want to be part of the same situation for another four years during which time the warring twosome could trigger irreparable damage to the party.

"I have never before had to fight with the people with whom I work. I try to be positive and to do the job to the best of my ability but I am always looking over my shoulder, "she added. Álvarez has also ruled out the possibility that she will move to another party and has made it clear that she will continue as a member of the

Another week, Another rescue!

PP "and I will work for the party and for the people of the municipality in which I live.”

Although the positioning of the pair at the head of the list was recently confirmed by Teodoro Garcia Egea, number two of the national PP, the matter is still causing problems in the local party. We now have a very real possibility that the National Executive in Madrid could become involved in the case.

In carrying out her role over the last 4 years, as councillor for tourism, Álvarez has made a number of friends who are extremely influential in the Partido Popular,including Provincial President José Císcar and the President of the Diputación, César Sánchez, friends who are now taking an increasing interest in the disarray and the in-fighting that seems to be an all too regular occurrence in the Orihuela organisation.

With Bascuñana still the subject of a fraud investigation by the Ministry of Health and with less than 2 months to the municipal elections it is thought that there could still be some way to go before this situation is finally played out.

Megan and Fudge

Who just leaves their horse tied up to a palm tree on the side of the road? We’ll never know because this latest rescue has no microchip or any other forms of identification. The Policia Local in Albatera got in contact with Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre (EHCRC) on the advice of Seprona from a neighbouring town.

This is so reassuring as there is a growing interest amongst the authorities regarding animal welfare and the Rescue Centre is seeing more and more cases of Law Inforcement being willing to act to save an animal knowing there is somewhere safe for them to be.

Two young Police Officers met Rod Weeding, Co-Founder, at the Albatera police station to complete the necessary paperwork for her to be transported legally to the safety of the Rescue Centre. Then they took him to the location and with their assistance and that of several other helpful bystanders they eventually loaded her into the horse box.

Rod said : ‘It was quite a struggle trying to coax and encourage her with bits of grass and treats to get into the trailer. There were 2 elderly guys and 2 young girls who helped and there were several others bystanders who were interested in what was happening. But it still took over an hour to finally get her into the trailer.’

The Police were fantastic.

This stunning mare now called Megan is about 3 years old. She has been seen by the vet Dorothea and at least she is not in foal as that was a preoccupation. Foals are seriously cute but with nearly 120 horses, ponies and donkeys already at EHCRC they really didn’t need any more!

Megan is settling into her new surroundings but it is becoming increasingly clear that she has suffered some traumatic experience or most likely been locked away as she appears to be ‘agorophobic’. Megan seems quite settled and at home in her stable, with her little neighbours, the recently rescued pony mum and baby mule but as soon as she gets out into the open she

just appears to totally panic. She is generally terrified of the horses but seems to cope better with the donkeys and miniatures. She just cannot cope with being let off to run free.

On her first day out she just bolted and galloped blindly around the fields sending fences flying everywhere.

On the next couple of outings it became clear that she did not know how to behave when in the open air. So with regular short walks throughout the day out into the fields, building her confidence with time and patience, is the best way forward.

This is not a problem for the Centre as CoFounder Sue Weeding said : ’Time is not an issue, whatever Megan needs Megan will get.

Right now we are most concerned with her psychological wellbeing and helping her adapt to a new confident way of living, slowly and patiently is our goal’ EHCRC are Megan’s custodians now and they will do whatever it takes to build this beautiful girls confidence and help her to have a happy healthy life.

EHCRC are a non-profit organization with no governmental funding. It’s thanks to Sue and Rod Weeding and the generosity of all the donators and volunteers that this invaluable service continues. If you would like to become a supporter then check out the website www.easyhorsecare.net for all information about donating financially or donating articles such as good quality furniture for the Charity Shops and you’ll find information too on their Open Days on the first Sunday of the month and much much more.

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Orihuela Costa Sports Centre closed by Management Company The company (UTE) that manages the Orihuela Costa Municipal Sports Centre (CDM) has closed the facility with effect from Monday, April 1. They say that they will only open the centre for three hours a day, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, for the children's football and skating schools, which have paid a registration fee to the end of the season.

Other services such as the indoor swimming pool, the paddle tennis courts, the football pitch, basketball, gymnastics and tennis courts, which are used every day by hundreds of people, will be closed.

Members and users were only advised of the closure in a letter which was emailed to them by the Management Company on Thursday.

Orihuela council says that the company has failed to comply with the contractual specifications so, since August 2018, they have not paid any invoices, which amount to approximately 200,000 euros per year. The consequence is that the 22 workers have not been paid, in some cases since last December.

The government accuses UTE of not having expanded the facilities as agreed. It is understood that the contract required the company to build a sports hall, including fitness and cardio-fitness room, gymnasium, access control, storage room and changing rooms by the end of 2014.

However, sources close to UTE said they presented the project to Dámaso Aparicio, the sports councillor at the time, at the beginning of this mandate, but the City Council never gave its approval, and they now accuse Mayor Bascuñana and Sports Councillor Victor Valverde of not responding to their written appeals to resolve the problem of non-payment.

Cllr Valverde added that, in addition to the contractual breach, there is an imbalance in the bills involving centre maintenance so he opened a file in order to terminate the management contract with UTE last May.

Staff members told me that they were completely in the dark and that there has been no communication with the company or the council, other than a letter from UTE advising them that the centre was to close.

So once again, regardless of who is to blame, and as the wrangling goes on, it’s the people of the Orihuela Costa who are being penalised with the loss of this extremely important facility, and with each of the parties responsible blaming each other it is anyone’s guess as to if, and indeed when, the centre will reopen.

Meanwhile CLARO are calling the public, together with all centre members and users, to join them at 10am on Monday morning at a protest rally outside the Playa Flamenca Town Hall.

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2nd earthquake hits torrevieja Torrevieja experiences its 2nd earthquake in 4 days While many people were still talking about last Sunday’s earthquake just off the coast of Torrevieja yet another quake hit the area on Thursday evening and although of a slightly less magnitude it was still felt in numerous homes across the region.

According to data from the Seismological Institute Thursdays tremor had a magnitude of 3.1 striking the coastline of the Vega Baja at 20.36 hours. The epicenter was located very close to that recorded last Sunday, in the sea, off the coast of Torrevieja, at a depth of 4 kilometers with the trembling lasting for just a few seconds.

The province of Alicante records an earthquake every four days, it is the area of ??the Iberian Peninsula that has the highest hazard index in terms of seismic risk next to that of Granada. There are approximately a hundred earthquakes every year, fortunately without material damage or, in recent years, any cost to lives.

Last Sunday’s tremor was more intense. Just off the coast of Torrevieja, ten kilometres deep, and with an intensity of 4 degrees on the Richter scale, and was felt in the municipalities of Alicante, Elche, Santa Pola, Almoradí, Torrevieja, Crevillent, El Campello, Guardamar del Segura, Mutxamel, Elda , Novelda, Petrer, San Miguel, San Vicente del Raspeig, Alcoy, Aspe, Benejúzar, Benidorm, Dénia and also in Cartagena and Murcia.

It generated a great deal of concern and uncertainty and is just one more reason why we should work toward improving our awareness, in the sense that we are in a critical area and we must be aware of what to expect without being alarmed Also last week it was announced that one of the offshoots of the

seismic activity in the region is confirmation that Alicante and Elche will be the first cities in the Valencian Community to have an emergency response system for earthquakes.

According to experts, this figure of an earthquake every three or four days is fairly constant, although it is impossible to know when an earthquake will occur and, of what intensity.

Indeed just last week the Second International Seminar on Sensitization of Seismic Risk in the province of Alicante was held at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Alicante (MACA), organized by the Seismic Risk and Engineering Group of the University of Alicante. The objective was to raise awareness and disseminate information in order to increase the resilience of Alicante's society in the face of major catastrophes and, specifically, against those of seismic origin.

The province of Alicante has a seismic risk factor that makes it essential to ensure that the entire emergency and response system is properly prepared to deal with such a situation, whatever the intensity, according to local expert Sergio Molina. The seismologist says that we are simply experiencing the dynamics of the area, "the most common of which are the earthquakes of a magnitude between two and three and a half. We have numerous failures and it is simply the normal dynamics, "says the researcher.

The fault that released energy last Sunday was that of Bajo Segura, while the one that generated the earthquake of August 13, 2018, with an intensity of 4.2, was attributed to the Crevillent fault. The faults of San Miguel de Salinas and the one in Torrevieja are others that also recur from time to time.

"For me the most important thing is awareness. We are in an area of seismic risk but there are few people who aware of what we have to do, "says geologist and paleontologist Ainara Aberasturi, who insists that we must learn to cope with these situations.

In this sense he says that more simulations are needed in the cities so that we know how to respond. "It is not comparable, but in the earthquake of Lorca people

died because they left home and the rubble fell on top," says the director of the Paleontological Museum of Elche, who believes that people are still afraid to speak of earthquakes. At the same time, he demands that the regulations on earthquake-resistant constructions be strictly complied with, as he believes are now being done.

ESTIMATE OF THE AVERAGE OCCURRENCE OF EARTHQUAKES IN THE IBERIAN PENINSULA MAGNITUDE More than 7

1 every 150-175 years

6.1-7.0

1 every 25-30 years

5.1-6.0 *

1 every 10 months (* From 1985)

4.1-5.0 *

1 every 22 days

3.1-4.0 *

1 every 40 hours

2.1-3.0 *

1 every 15 hours

To some extent the experts say that seismic movements such as those that occurred last Sunday are positive, since they are "small earthquakes because only a little energy is released, which is far better than when a lot of energy is released suddenly".

For Sergio Molina, being ready is absolutely mandatory. "We cannot avoid them, but we can be prepared," says the researcher from the UA, who is part of the team of scientists that will ensure the cities of Alicante and Elche become pioneers throughout the Valencian Community with Municipal Plans against Seismic Risk.

He says that both plans, definitive protocols on how to coordinate and face an earthquake, will be ready by the end of this year.

The Torrevieja plan meanwhile, according to the Alicante campus, has not yet been approved by the Valencian Security Agency but matters are in hand to speed up the procedure following the recent quake.

It was in 1829 that the greatest earthquake recorded in that area during the modern era took place. Of a magnitude between 6.3 and 6.6 and with epicenter in Torrevieja, the earth roared, costing the lives of 386 people. 47 churches and four bridges were destroyed along with over 5000 private properties.

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San Fulgencio Councillor holds down 11 council positions and a family business

Joel Noche with Isabel Bonig, leader of the Valencian Partido Popular, and National Leader Pablo Casado.

Owners of coastal properties must pay for works to avoid landslides The City of Orihuela has once again said that the owners of houses built on overhangs and cliffs directly above the Orihuela Costa coastal path will have to pay for the work necessary to prevent landslides onto the promenade that runs from Punta Prima to Mil Palmeras.

The news follows further rock falls that have occurred in recent weeks after which municipal officials have once again met with the Provincial Directorate of Coasts to request advice on how they can prevent the continuing fall of rocks and stones that pose a danger to the general public.

Surveyors have once again been forced to close stretches of the walkway between Cabo Roig and Cala Bosque, La Zenia.

Originally they were marked only with warning signs but in recent days some of the sections have been shut off with metal barriers, warning of the dangers.

The City Council has now said that it will require the owners of some coastal properties to pay for a project that avoids further landslides and possibly reroutes some of the pathway. A spokesman said that staff are currently preparing letters that will be sent to the affected owners.

Following the landslides that have been happening for many years there are currently dozens of single-family houses where part of the garden area is, literally, up in the air. The

land on these slopes is unstable and there is a serious danger that many of the constructions could collapse.

In a recent meeting held by the councillor of Beaches, Luisa Boné (Cs), and of Urban Planning, Rafael Almagro (PP), with the Provincial Coastal Service, the agency made it clear that it would not authorise repairs to the overhanging land with landfills or pillars. However, this is what the City Council is now going to force the owners to do.

They will be required to pay for a project that will need, first, to be approved by the Costas. Once they have the approval they will then be required to obtain the corresponding work permits from the Town Planning Department. If the work is not carried out within a reasonable period of time, which has yet to be specified, the City Council will undertake the work itself, the costs of which will be passed on to the owners of the houses.

Many of these houses were built years ago when urban planning was non-existent with the owners now saying that they are very concerned about the possibility of new landslides, since parts of their land have been eroded and previous landslips have caused the walls and fences on their land to break or fall over.

The councillor for the coast, Luisa Boné, says that the City Council has already under-

taken works including a stone breakwater in Agua Marina and reinforcement work on the cliffs at Cabo Roig in May 2017. The latter consisted of fastening mesh to the cliffs to avoid uncontrolled landslides due to erosion of the rock. But the mesh simply does not work because of the speed at which, in some places, the erosion is now taking place.

The Neighbourhood Association FAOC, meanwhile, is cautious of the council’s intentions with spokesman Tomás Moreno saying that it looks to be nothing more than a smoke screen.

Moreno points says that "the only solution is to eliminate the overhangs by completely filling them with rock which is packed and then properly fastened, but this will not be authorised by Costas". He also doubts that the owners will agree to pay for the work and emphasises that before any decisions are taken the problem of any new landslides should be properly assessed, with new reports. He said that “In December, we requested in writing that the government should commission a complete geotechnical and geomorphological study to evaluate the existing risk and to offer suggestions as to how the problem can be resolved in order to preserve this right of way, but as is usually the case with this council they are still to respond to our request.”

At just 27 years of age, Youth, Education, Environment, Animals, New Technologies, Markets, Tourism, Commerce, Protocol, Press and Communication, Employment and Training, are the positions that Joel Noche Lopes holds in the San Fulgencio City Council, which the Independent Party for Nationalities (PIPN) warns are far too many for one man.

PIPN Party spokesperson, Councillor Charo Mejías, says that Noche cannot possibly fully discharge his duties in each of the position he holds because it is not humanly possible for one person to spread his efforts satisfactorily across so many and such a diverse range of functions. As such she says that many areas for which he is responsible are not being properly managed.

As expected, however, Councillor Noche holds quite the opposite view. He says that he is completely dedicated to his roles in the council working morning, noon and night, if required, to ensure that they are properly administered, "with a lot of work and with the support of the staff that work in each department."

The PIPN is particularly critical of one gratuitous function that cost "nearly 11 thousand Euros for a single night", in reference to "Al Son de la Salsa", a salsa dance event that he organised last August.

“It was awarded in May 2018 to a company that is now bankrupt, that no longer exists, and the payment, amounting to 9,010 euros plus 378 euros IVA, was made to an individual and not to the company”. This payment has since been denounced by the PIPN. The PIPN is also critical of the Councillor’s family business which is going to open on the urbanisation in April, and which is destined to supply cannabis. "This is a further folly of this government team and even more mismanagement by Joel Noche."

They say that the store "will enhance the drug problem already existing in the urbanization, thus exacerbating a situation that is already a problem in the area.

Under refurbishment However Noches has denied that he is involved and claims that it is his father who is linked to the cannabis club.

The cannabis association will open in April, and permits are already being processed. The company says that it will provide a therapeutic service to the population, as many people in the urbanisation, residents from other countries, need to take this substance by prescription to ease their aches and pains. He explains that it will not be the first non-profit entity that exists in the region, since there are already outlets in Almoradí and Torrevieja."

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In front of 50 or so local residents Officer Muiño said that simply being aware of ones surroundings can reduce or eliminate the potential of becoming a victim of a crime. He said that for the most part local crime tends to be aimed at foreigners as they are often not aware of the system and they are usually more attractive targets financially.

He emphasised, however, that there was no specific threat at this time and the talks were given purely in order to raise awareness amongst the public.

Torrevieja hospital software bound for Saudi Arabia

Covering such areas as talking to strangers who might stop you in the street, hugging, awareness at cash machines, travel and internet crimes, the officer said that people should always be on their guard and, if possible, generally try to be accompanied by a friend.

He added that the very best defence against crime is common sense and awareness, however in the case of ever needing assistance from the Guardia Civil the emergency number to call is 112. Further help is available from the Guardia Civil Office in the Town Hall which is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 2pm.

A similar talk was held earlier in the week in El Centro de Ocio para Mayores in Pilar de la Horadada. now up to a surveyor to establish the affected plot which the City Council will no longer be able to use.

TICH Consulting, a technology and health company, has won the tender carried out by the Saudi company Hosna Medical Care Company and the Belgian consultant Aralis , to instal its clinical health management program, Green Cube, into two hospitals in the city of Riyadh, the provincial capital and Saudi Arabia.

According to a spokesman "this new installation from the Torrevieja based company adds to its client portfolio the management of 300 beds and 250 user licenses, to be mainly used by nursing professionals.

The clinical history has been developed entirely by TICH Consulting, which took more than 70,000 hours of programming by a multidisciplinary team composed of developers, managers, doctors, nurses and administrative staff, all with extensive experience in the health field.

The software created in 2011 is already being used by 120 healthcare companies in 10 countries

Bigastro to return 1,785 m2 of the sports centre to its owners Bigastro council will have to return 1,785 square meters of the municipal sports centre to its owners after a ruling of the Provincial Court. There is no right of appeal. The ruling states that in 1983 the land was sold to the council by a third party who was not a family member and who was not authorised to carry out the transaction.

The Castaño family, who claim to own the land, has finally achieved this judicial resolution after 12 years of litigation. It is

CINEMA PILAR English Language Cinema in Pilar de la Horadada - Calle Canalejas 4 Thursday 4th APRIL at 7pm and Saturday, 7th of APRIL at 5pm

FANTASTIC BEASTS The crimes of Grindelwald In an effort to thwart Grindelwald's plans of raising pure-blood wizards to rule over all nonmagical beings, Albus Dumbledore enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead.

Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law, Katherine Waterston, Johnny Depp, Dur: 2hr 14min Genre: Fantasy. Adventure | Magic. Sequel

Torrevieja protects over 100 unique trees

The ruling will also allow the family to recover other plots of land that were sold in the same transaction in Huerta de Bigastro.

"It's a very bizarre affair, said the current mayor, Teresa Belmonte, who was not involved in the initial transaction. “ Over 25 years ago someone has sold a plot of land to the city that was not theirs to sell,” she said, stating that the affected area corresponds to one of the football training grounds.

Be aware of surroundings in order to prevent crime Two policemen from the Guardia Civil in Torre de la Horadada, Sgt Nino Moreno and Officer Manuel Muiño, were at Playa Flamenca Town Hall on Wednesday where they presented a 45 minute lecture on Crime Prevention.

Torrevieja council commissioned a team of experts, led by a doctor of biology and manager of the Latizal Company, Felix Carrillo, who has now announced the results of his work to catalogue trees and groves of significant interest in the urban area.

In the publication you will be able to find the most relevant specimens in the city including date palms which are more than a century old and 12 meters high. Some of them are located in palmeral de Ferrís and la avenida de Los Marineros de la playa del Cura. They will now be protected by Valencian law and include olive trees with a trunk diameter of over three meters, araucarias, garroferos and rare eucalyptus trees One of them is the highest tree in Torrevieja, 28 meters high, in the park at Doña Sinforosa.

Cllr Fanny Serrano who was also at the press conference said that the town council has also published an album of stickers featuring the most striking examples that will be distributed in the primary education centres in the town.

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STRICTLY XFACTOR

In Pilar de la Horadada the new Partido Popular candidate for mayor is local businessman José María Pérez Sánchez

If you enjoyed Robin Hood and Babes in the Wood in December, don’t miss the Stagestruck summer show Strictly X Factor!

The village hall is falling down and the “Save the Hall’ Committee decide to hold a talent competition, to save it. But nothing is straightforward – and when an inebriated TV Celeb turns up as a judge, dirty secrets start to emerge.

Add a belly dancing Vicar’s wife, a ventriloquist with a stutter and The Tenor Ladies (don’t ask!) as well as songs including Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat, Hot Stuff and dancers from Footworks – you can be promised a very entertaining evening.

Performances are from 16th-18th May at Teatro Cardenal Belluga in San Fulgencio. Curtain up at 7.30 pm.

Tickets are 10 euros, available from Cards and More, La Marina, The Card Shop in Benimar, and The Post Box, Dona Pepa, Quesada. Or reserve on line at stagestruck.show@gmail.com. You can also call 625 883 387

TREASURE ISLAND THE MUSICAL

PP takes to the hustings in Pilar de la Horadada The upcoming municipal elections that will be held across Spain on 26 May (26M) will be an exciting time for anyone interested or involved in local politics as candidates jostle for position on electoral lists and Political parties get their campaigns underway.

In Pilar de la Horadada the new Partido Popular candidate for mayor is local businessman José María Pérez Sánchez, who many already know through his local links not least of which is as President and main benefactor of UD Horadada football club.

In an exclusive interview with the Leader Newspaper José María told us about his political ambitions.

Why do you want to be mayor?

It´s theatre time once again at Networks Theatre! Networks Theatre is sailing the seven seas on a voyage we will never forget. The classic tale of swash-buckling adventure, with Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver in search of Treasure Island now includes, in Nick Moore’s musical comedy, glorious songs from The Beatles and an amazing array of jokes for our teenage actors. Who could ask for more? Packed with brilliant songs and choreography and side-splitting comedy Treasure Island is superb musical comedy! Are you going to miss it?

Treasure Island is being presented in April: Thursday 11th at 8.15pm; Friday 12th at 9pm and Saturday 13th at 7pm at Networks Theatre in C/San Agustín 25, Orihuela.

Tickets cost 8€ for adults and 4€ for children. To reserve tickets, go on our website www.networkstheatre.com.

You can also contact us for more info on info@networkstheatre.com or call 966740251. Please pay for the tickets when you arrive, doors open 15 minutes before the show starts.

For many years I have been working for many different associations, such as Horadada Football Club, and the association of the Virgen del Pilar. I think now is the time to take a step forward, and work for the town of Pilar de la Horadada and for its residents, but from within the City Council.

But you are not a politician. You have no experience in politics, how are you going to lead a city council?

I believe that managing the City Council is a team effort, not the responsibility of just one individual and I have the best team of people who will help me with that task. In addition, I know that there are many great staff in the town hall, who know their jobs very well.

Do you already know who will form the electoral list?

I have the support of all my colleagues. In addition, in recent months the Unión Pilareña team has come together and will pursue its election to the municipal government as one.

I am surrounded by some very good people.

What plans do you have for Pilar de la Horadada?

We will carry out the tasks that our residents need, both in Pinar de Campoverde, in Mil Palmeras, Torre de la Horadada, El Mojón and across the rest of urban centres. Our people do not need massive projects, everyo-

ne tells us the same thing.

But what is your electoral program?

We will start with the most urgent services that are missing in the town. I really want to do things, to improve the lives of all the residents of El Pilar. My purpose is to listen to everyone, no matter what their colour or their race. We will govern for the people and on behalf of the people.

And what will you do with abandoned cultural centre.

I will listen to the people and find out want the majority wants to do with this building. I need to know the opinions of everyone, before I take any action.

What are your priorities should you be elected.

First we have to form the municipal government and then find out what state the finances are in, if we have been left with money, if we can lower taxes, and what we can do with the resources that we have.

But even if we can’t do everything I am confident that we will work extremely hard to achieve what we can. I don’t have a magic wand, but I will explain exactly what can and what can’t be done, and why. The money is not only mine, it belongs to all residents, and everyone has the right to know what is being done with their money. It is my intention in the coming days to publish the thoughts that will help to guide the aspirations that we have for Pilar de la Horadada.

Do you intend to make a career in politics Not at all. I am a farmer, I have a family flower company that has been operating for many years, and I plan to return.

Why should the people trust you and the Partido Popular Because we have a revitalized party, united, eager to work with and for the people.

Because I can say now that the trust placed in me and in my team is a guarantee of stability, of the future and of improvements for Pilar de la Horadada.

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LEADER

LEADER

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11

14

Monday 1st - Sunday 7th April, 2019

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LEADER

QUICKIE CROSSWORD

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ANSWERS QUICK ACROSS: 1 Malediction; 9 Lee; 10 Dismantle; 11 Paper; 13 Dossier; 14 Oboist; 16 Stitch; 18 Air-base; 19 Siren; 20 Immediate; 21 All; 22 Recriminate.

DOWN: 2 Awe; 3 Elder; 4 Inside; 5 Transit; 6 Outfitter; 7 Kleptomania; 8 Searchingly; 12 Programme; 15 Slander; 17 Becalm; 19 Stern; 21 Act. CRYPTIC CRYPTIC

ACROSS 4.

Bulky (7) 8.

Yearly (6) 9.

Courteous (7) 10. Grumble (6) 11. False (6) 12. Steadfast (8) 18. Recover (8) 20. Zodiac sign (6) 21. Hydrophobia (6) 22. Forbear (7) 23. Vex (6) 24. Communication (7)

ACROSS: 1 Grave-digger; 9 Ten; 10 Love match; 11 Endue; 13 Coroner; 14 Tussle; 16 Relish; 18 Atheist; 19 Panel; 20 Performer; 21 Hue; 22 Settlements.

DOWN: 2 Run; 3 Valve; 4 Device; 5 Gum-tree; 6 Extension; 7 Street lamps;

8

Shareholder;

12

Discharge; 15 Laid out; 17 Stymie; 19 Purse; 21 Hut. DOWN 1. Refuse to go down? (7) 2. Its days are numbered (7) 3. The respect in which going up meets the point (6) 5. It’s criminal to take a couple of fools in (8) 6. A trail that winds, there may be a catch in it (6) 7. First form (6) 13. Sacked, no doubt! (2,3,3) 14. Put off by act that included a song (7) 15. No unwritten law (7) 16. A poem’s positive points (6) 17. Office desk? (6) 19. I hesitate to claim such valuable fur (6)

SUDOKU CHALLENGE

Gaunt (7) Approve (7) Scamp (6) Well-off (8) Sailors’ song (6) Bravery (6) Rebellion (8) Give joy (7) Pudding (7) Ebb (6) High cloud (6) Motive (6)

L EA D E R T R I V I A Q U I Z 1. A Barista traditionally makes what

14. In the song Walzing Matilda, what is a jum-

2. Zablaglione is a dessert from which country

buck

3. Hydroponics is the science of growing plants

15. Stanley Burrell became famous as who

in what

16. The Dinar not the currency of which country,

4. As an aid to his gambling, John Montague

Lybia, Serbia, Iran, Algeria

invented what

17. If You had Distrix what would you have

5. HP as in the sauce stands for Houses of

18. King Zog ruled which country

Parliament true or false

19. Which country leads the world in Pork

6. What is the name of the pan in which you make paella 7. The name of which Italian cheese means recooked 8. Which building has its address as 1600

Pruduction. China, USA, Germany, Brazil 20. On January 21st, 1976, what left London for Bahrain, and Paris for Rio? 21. On what road did Nellie the Elephant meet the Head of the Herd?

Solution on Page 23

Pennsylvania Avenue?

10. Flemish Bond and English bond are meth-

23. What is the name of the husked coarse oat-

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.

ods of doing what?

meal that, when boiled, is served with breakfast

11. In which food would you find Ronnie Barker

in some regions of the USA?

12. Cointreau or Triple sec is added to which

24. In fairy tales, what was the name of the lit-

spirit to make a sidecar

tle man who could spin straw into gold?

13. What spirit is mixed with Ginger beer to

25. Who was the last British Governor of Hong

make Moscow Mule

Kong?

22. Where was England’s wartime Code Breaking Service situated?

Drive Little Whinging?

Patten Rumpelstiltskin,

Brandy, 13. Vodka, 14. Sheep, Bricks,

11.

Porridge,

12.

9. Harry Potter, 10. Laying 7. Ricotta, 8. The White House,

25.

Chris

Bletchley Court, 23. Grits, 24.

Road

to

Mandalay,

22.

China, 20. Concorde, 21. The

Sandwich, 5. TRUE, 6. Paella,

Split Ends, 18. Albania, 19.

1. Coffee, 2. Italy, 3. Water, 4.

QUIZ ANSWERS

9. Which fictional character lives at 4 Privet

15. MC HAMMER, 16. Iran, 17.

ACROSS 4. Wizard security device for a national emergency, perhaps (7) 8. Listen out and follow the recruiting officer’s plea (6) 9. Made a pretence a reality? (7) 10. Editorial chief (6) 11. Worker is shy about a humble dwelling (6) 12. Almost a hit with the girl next door (4,4) 18. Dwelling for the people, in principle (8) 20. If one returns a casual hug that will do (6) 21. I’m given a role to communicate (6) 22. They tell how to write endless bad verse, perhaps (7) 23. Take in fun, we hear (6) 24. Still a variety of sausage (7)

DOWN 1.

2.

3.

5.

6.

7.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

19.

LEADER

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‘Letters from the Canary Islands’ 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.

HAVE YOU CHECKED YOUR DNA? Have any readers purchased one of those DNA test kits that have become so popular recently? Several stories in the tabloids tell of clients who have been “shocked” at discovering that their parents were not who they thought they were. I guess if you open yourself up to this kind of intimate investigation, one just has to accept the risks and take whatever is discovered.

I bought a DNA test kit shortly after the results of the 2016 EU referendum, as I was anxious to confirm my Irish heritage with a view to claiming my right to an Irish passport. All it took was a sample of saliva and a lengthy wait.

The results were fascinating, and it led to discovering cousins and other relatives that I didn’t know existed. I have since met several previously unknown relatives and, for me, it was money very well spent. It has also inspired me with an ongoing interest in my own ancestry, which I heartily recommend to others.

This new DNA technology has enabled anthropologists to further investigate the origins of the original inhabitants of the Canary Islands. This archipelago, which is made up of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Graciosa, is located off the north western coast of Africa, midway between Morocco and Western Sahara.

The study of its early indigenous people has always been subject to guesswork and argument, with little real evidence to back up various

conclusions; that is until DNA testing arrived.

Early studies of the indigenous people of these islands have been made difficult because of the cruel colonisation of the islands during the Spanish conquest of the 15th Century. Over the years, there has been a healthy debate as to whether the first people to settle in the Canary Islands were Mediterranean sailors or travellers from afar. These studies have suggested that the indigenous people of the Canary Islands were a mixture of Mediterranean and African people, but there is little reliable information about how these people actually arrived on the islands.

15

b y Bar rie Mahoney

On the seafront of La Candelaria in Santa Cruz we find these statues representing the ancient Guanches, Kings of the Canary Island of Tenerife

Recent DNA research by experts at Stanford University and the University of La Laguna in Tenerife suggest that the first people to settle on these islands were the Berbers from North Africa who arrived in the First Century. There are indications that other lineages from Central North Africa also settled on these islands.

This research suggests that DNA from 50 remains across 25 sites, between 150 AD and 1400 AD, can be traced from the Middle East to Africa, which indicates that the Berbers had already mixed with Mediterranean people before they colonised the islands. They had settled on all eight islands by 1000 AD. The overall conclusion is that the Berbers sailed to the Canary Islands as explorers, ready to settle and colonise these islands. Migration to these islands was significant, since these people already had the resources to survive long

before the slave trade and the development of sugar plantations.

Purchasing a DNA kit can lead to fascinating and sometimes unwelcome discoveries, but one that can lead to a fascinating journey into the past. Just one word of warning; do be prepared for a few surprises.

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

16

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Monday 1st - Sunday 7th April, 2019

Social and Clubs

Car and Vehicle Sales The Car of the Month at Automoviles Crespo is a 2018 Ford KA Petrol which is on Special Offer priced at just

10,500 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.

The next monthly meeting of the Orihuela Costa Branch of the Royal British Legion will be on TUESDAY 16 APRIL at the Olympia Restaurant in Mil Palmeras starting at 7.30pm. All are welcome.

The Torrevieja Branch of the Royal British Legion meets on the second Friday of the month at the bowls club in San Luis, Casa Ventura, meetings start at 7 pm RNA - The Royal Naval Assn meet at Restaurant Danmark, Plaza los Alcones 27, in Torrevieja at 7pm on the 1st Weds of the month. Call Margaret Forshaw, on 966 92 1996 Age Concern Costa Blanca Sur is here to help you with problem solving and well being for the over 50’s. We need volunteer

Drivers and people to join our Residential Home Visiting Team. to visit people in a Residential Home, and take them out for a coffee. If you think you can help call into our centre at C/Paganini s/n, Urb. La Siesta 03184 Torrevieja or ring 966 786 887.

Or you can email: costablanca@ageconcern.org.es Almoradi Meal Club. If do you fancy a meal out and meeting new friends, come and join our English speaking club. We have twice monthly meals at various restaurants in and around Almoradi. For info go to FaceBook or contact me at davedanie@gmail.com.

Badminton in Pilar de la Horadada.

Mon, Tues, Wed and Thurs.

10-12.30 pm. Call John on 634 658 506 Torrevieja Retired Activities Club meet on the third Wednesday in the month from 11-1pm at Marina Club Cafeteria, International Marina, Torrevieja.

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

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those in need in their own homes, short or long term medical conditions of all ages and nationalities.

Contact our head office on 965 328 794 or email: charitycentre helpathomecb@gmail.com.

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

Volunteers are unpaid but expenses are met. Email: spainsamsrecruits@outlook.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. Info available at: oc.communitycare@gmail.com

Churches and Services La Siesta Evangelical Church hold services each Sunday.

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

LEADER

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. Sunday service 11a.m.; Sunday school; Prayer meetings; craft and computer clubs. Ladies Bible Study: Thursday 11a.m. Church Bible Study: Thursday 1.30p.m. House groups in Torrevieja, La Siesta – Contact: 966 752 543 / 617 215 463. Phone: 966 799 273 / 966 752 543 / 617 215 463. www.icatorrevieja.org

Personal Transvestite Diana, blonde, new to Torrevieja. Great figure big breasts. Active and passive.well endowed. By appointment.

Playa los locos. 651 363 396 Sexy, elegant Spanish lady. Playa Flamenca. Punta Prima. Private house. Erotic massage. All services. From €40. Call Ana on 657 603 495. Speaks English.

PROPERTY FOR SALE The following is a small selection of the properties available with Spanish Riviera Homes. For additional info on any of them call +34 617 537 866 or Email: property@spanishrivierahomes.com or see main ad in centre pages.

Three bedroom, two bathroom mid-terrace townhouse for sale in San Miguel de Salinas. Ref: 000071 Price: € 94950 +34 617 537 866

3 bed quad house in sought after Pinada golf, close to Villamartin Plaza and Golf Course. Ref: 000996 Price: € 119950. Call +34 617 537 866

5 bed, 2 bath recently renovated semi detached duplex for sale in Los Altos. Ref: 001002 Price: € 179500. +34 617 537 866

2 bed 2 bath Newly Built Ground Floor Apartment, in the luxurious Oasis Urbanisation in La Florida, Orihuela Costa.

Ref: 000995 €140,000

LEADER

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SAMARITANS IN SPAIN WE HAVE VACANCIES ACROSS THE COSTA BLANCA AND COSTA CALIDA

Monday 1st - Sunday 7th April, 2019

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17

“YOU HAVE MADE ME FEEL SO MUCH BETTER” There is nothing as rewarding as those words heard by a Samaritans Listener at the end of a call.

Our confidential and non-judgmental emotional support service is not just for those who may be feeling suicidal. Be it addictions, bereavement, bullying, loneliness & isolation, relationship issues etc – our trained volunteers are there to listen and help them through.

Any English speaker of any age and nationality can make use of the service which started in Spain in 2005.

It is anticipated that in 2019 alone, up to 3000 contacts will be made to Samaritans in Spain. We offer a variety of ways in which people can get in touch; FREEPHONE 900 525 100, email: pat@samaritansinspain.com, via WhatsApp or face to face at a Drop-In Centre.

Would you like to become a volunteer?

If you consider yourself to be empathetic and are keen to make a positive and often dramatic difference to the lives of others, then we would love to hear from you.

is usually 1 x 4 hour shift each week.

To apply, please contact the HQ Centre Managers on 966 79 82 30.

They are available from 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday.

Alternatively you can email dropin.spainsams@gmail.com Your support and generosity can really help us to make a difference

We currently have vacancies at the following locations:

As a registered charity, we rely on donations from the public and local businesses.

Samaritans in Spain Headquarters - Torrevieja Branch, Punta Marina Mall, Orihuela Costa Samaritans in Spain Unit – Formentera del Segura

These can be in the form of cash donations from independent events including our own regular local Fayres or via PayPal (www.samaritansinspain.com) or our new Teaming page (www.teaming.net/samaritansinspain) where you can sign up to donate just €1 per month.

New recruits are also needed to join other Satellite Listener Teams on Costa Blanca in Urb La Marina, Ciudad Quesada, El Campello/ Benidorm, and Calpe, plus the Costa Del Sol team in Sotogrande, Costa Cálida team in Mazarrón, and in the capital Madrid.

No experience is necessary as full training and mentoring will be provided. We offer the service 365 days a year and the minimum commitment

We are also extremely grateful for items donated to our Charity Shop at Punta Marina Mall (Punta Prima, south of Torrevieja on the N332) and the Charity Unit at Formentera del Segura (within Lumsden’s Auction House and Indoor Market).

Samaritans is a fully registered charity in Spain ( www.samaritansinspain.com) operating under license from Samaritans UK ( www.samaritans.org) and works closely with the global umbrella organisation Befrienders Worldwide ( www.befrienders.org).

18

Monday 1st - Sunday 7th April, 2019

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Emerald Isle BC

Greenlands Bowls Club

with Elwyn Morris

Sunday brought our Irish friends from The Gate / Crumlin to the Isle and the game was played in a fantastic spirit and this year the Isle came out winners 5-1, so they take the Trophy.

Titans played at home against San Miguel Beagles and they had a good 8-4 win, aggregate 93-83, Winners were S Johnson K Jolliffe D Gerrard 27-14,,D Jones D Leeming M Odell 24-13, S Kavanagh G Shoots B Kavanagh 18-11 Neptunes were at home against San Miguel Dalmations in second place battle and the Isle came out on top 8-4 aggregate 99-89, winners E Morris C Parsons A Malcolm,,26-14,,B Doran C Thomas J Westall 28-11, C Ayling C Warner P Heaney 20-17 Moonrakers played Horadada and slipped to a 4-8 aggregate 66-83, winners D Close T Harris G Ponsford 18-15, I Hughes M Breen P Dix 17-15

The Maples played their final match at Monte Mar Bowls club, the sun shone which just enhanced the lovely setting and made the match a pleasure to play for everyone.

The final result showed why the Maples topped their division this season. Shots 98 - 64. Pts 10 - 2.

Best winning rink goes to, D Toozer, J Obrien, skip D Sale. 23 - 7.

The Sycamores meanwhile were away to La Marina Pathfinders. Final score, shots 96 - 84. Points, 6 - 6. Best winning rink was P Lockley, M Lockley, skip M Brown. 31 - 9.

In the Winter League, we were at home to Emerald Isle. Final score was, shots - 73 - 90. Points 5 - 7. Best win-

with Dave Webb

ning rink was J Webb, D Watt, G Watt, skip D Webb. 23 - 14.

Just two more games left in the Winter league to round off a very good season for us. Congratulations go to The Maples, winners of Discovery Division. The Cedars, winners of Southern League C Division and the Beeches winners of Fed 4s C Division South.

All our club competitions have finished and we look forward to our Presentation Evening at El Prada on Friday evening where we will be entertained by the fabulous Woody.

For all inquiries please contact Chris Dewar on 698 418 987 or visit our website www.greenlands-bowls. wixsite.com/greenlandsbowlsclub

Saturns travelled to San Luis Vulcans and they were beaten 4-8, aggregate 92-96, winners were E Brookes J Gregory J Mulloy 24-11, ,M Brookes A Gower J Horne 21-15 Tuesday saw return of Gosforth Empire for their annual visit. In a good game the result was a 2-2 draw on rinks Emerald Isle played at Greenlands in the Winter league and had a great win 7-5, aggregate 90-73 win, winners were R Clive J Mulloy M Breen D Gerrard 33-9, S Kavanagh T Dix P Dix B, Kavanagh 20-13, M Riley D Close M Odell C Lindgren drew 11-11

La Marina Bowls

by Chris Bould Only three matches to report this week.

Monday 25-03-19 The Explorers we’re at home to San Luis Trekkers. The points were shared 6 each. The shots were 76 for and 84 against. They finished 7th in the Enterprise division.

The Pathfinders were away to Greenlands

Sycamores. Again the points were shared, 6 each. The shots were 84 - 96 against. Best winning rink was Reg Jackson, Dave McGaw and John Rae, 21-12. They finished 5th in the Discovery division.

Wednesday 27 - 03 - 19. The Winter league entertained Monte Mar. Points were 1 for and 11 against. Shots were 77 for and 92 against. The five loosing rinks were close but La Marina didn’t quite make it. The one point was won by Mo Taylor, Mike Smith,

The very last of the SAL Winter leagues and we had two games played..both in the ENTERPRISE league and both at home. The Albatrosses were against the Quesada Pearls where they had two wins from the teams of Geraldine Fisher, StJohn Broadhurst & Gordon Fisher 20-13. Olwyn Ratcliffe, Stuart Allman & Brian Dunn 15-12. Shots VB 68(4) - 75(8) Q. The Drivers had a great result playing the Quesada Diamonds to finish on a high. Four wins from the teams of Frank Barclay, Andy Leggatt & Pat Rafferty 20-10. Sue Jenkins, Jeff Neve & Dave Jenkins 24-15. Gedd Lees, Brian Pointon & Carol Thorpe 23-21.

Sharron Kirk, Dane Howard & David Steadman 14-11. Shots VB 100(10) - 77(2) Q. Both the Eagles and the Buggies matches against El Rancho were

San Miguel Pointers were home to La Siesta Sputniks winning 10 - 2 (98 shots to 56), the best winning triple were James cutting, Brian Allan and Stuart Hemmings 32 - 2.

San Miguel Alsatians were home to La Siesta Apollos winning 9 - 3 (89 shots to 77), the best winning triple were Marilyn Shatwell, Gerard Shatwell and Eddie Cowan 20 - 7.

SOUTH ALICANTE WINTER TRIPLES Final League Tables Week 22 - 25th March ENTERPRISE DIVISION Vistabella Albatrosses 68 (4) Vistabella Drivers 100 (10) San Luis Klingons 87 (7) La Marina Explorers 76 (6) Emerald Isle Titans 93 (8) San Miguel Alsations 89 (9)

Quesada Pearls 75 (8) Quesada Diamonds 77 (2) Monte Mar Matadors 66 (5) San Luis Trekkers 84 (6) San Miguel Beagles 83 (4) La Siesta Apollos 77 (3)

P W D L O/W San Luis Klingons 22 73 3 34 19 Emerald Isle Titans 22 67 2 41 16 Quesada Pearls * 22 63 5 42 17 San Miguel Beagles * 22 63 5 42 14 Vistabella Albatrosses * 22 57 4 49 11.5 San Luis Trekkers 22 50 4 56 11 La Marina Explorers 22 50 4 56 10 La Siesta Apollos 22 49 4 57 10.5 San Miguel Alsations * 22 48 4 58 10 Quesada Diamonds 22 41 6 63 5 Vistabella Drivers ** 22 40 4 66 8 Monte Mar Matadors 22 34 5 71 0 * 2 Points deducted for failing to field a full side ** 5 Points deducted for failing to field a full side

Diff 569 284 353 244 13 -88 -17 -72 -78 -322 -256 -630

Pts 187 168 163 157 139 126 124 123 118 98 95 73

Vistabella Eagles 0 (6) Mazarron Mariners 85 (6) Greenlands Maples 98 (10) La Marina Pathfinders 84 (6) Emerald Isle Moonrakers 66 (4) San Miguel Dalmations 89 (4)

Greenland’s Maples, winners of the Discovery Division by 21 pts

Vistabella Bowls Club

by Barry Jones

LEADER

DISCOVERY DIVISION

Sponsored by TV Choice, Venture Fleet & Beniconnect.

San Miguel Bowls

637 227 385

El Rancho Pintos 0 (6) Quesada Rubies 100 (6) Monte Mar Torreadors 64 (2) Greenlands Sycamores 96 (6) Horadada Falcons 83 (8) Emerald Isle Neptunes 99 (8)

No Berleen Game SAPS continues throughout the summer, great value at 5 Euros 2 hours bowling, Shoes and Bowls supplied and coaching for novices.

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Phil Pape and Shirley Hadaway, gaining a draw of 17-17. They have two more games left to play. Good luck.

The Ospreys finished 5th in Southern league division A. The Merlin’s finished 3rd in Southern league division C. Advance notice.

On Sunday May 19th, La Marina are holding a Table Top Sale at the Club. If you have any suitable items please contact Lorita Rae on jvmrae@talktalk.net or phone 966 79 7257.

by Lynne Bishop

cancelled due to a bereavement and funeral of one of their members.

We send our condolences to the family of Graham Day and all at El Rancho.

WINTER League...the Penultimate challenge, a top of the league battle against Javea Green to gain as many points as possible to strengthen our chances of winning the league. It was a very closely fought game that could have swung either way but I’m pleased to say we did it with three wins plus the shots. Winning rinks were Sue Kemp, Bert Ewart, Mike Regan & Brian Zelin 24-18. Lynne Bishop, Mo Foulcer, Charlie Watkins & Martin Foulcer 17-11. Del Gunning, Geraldine Fisher, Arthur Brown & Gordon Fisher 18-16...great last shot again...Gordon!Shots, VB 86(8) - 80(4) JG. The Berleen team..what can one say? Well done for being the Campeones of the Berleen league. Congratulations Brenda & Peter Rees and Susan & David Jenkins, we are so proud of you!

San Miguel Dalmatians were away to Emerald Isle Newptunes losing 4 - 8 (89 shots for 99 against), the best winning triple were Meg Brownlee, Bill Moseley and Mike Bayfield 23 - 11.

San Miguel Beagles were away to Emerald Isle Titans losing 4 - 8 (83 shots against 93 for), the bet winning triple were Brian Miller, Val Collier and Lin Miller 25 - 12.

In the Winter League San Miguel were home to Benitachell where they had a great win taking all 12 points (118 shots to 56), on the best winning rink were Jan Allen,

Bob Graham, Cyril Medley and Lin Miller 28 - 12.

A reminder that the Wasps sessions take place Wednesdays 1:30 for 2:00 - €5 for an afternoon’s bowling with shoes and woods available to borrow. Due to the popularity of the Wasps, first time bowlers are asked to attend an initial coaching session on Tuesday afternoons, starting at 1:45.

For further information on San Miguel Bowls Club please contact the President Stuart Hemmings on 965 72 0461, or the Secretary Gail Willshire on 965 02 0492.

P W D L O/W Greenlands Maples 22 76 0 34 15 Emerald Isle Neptunes 22 63 3 44 16 San Miguel Dalmations ** 22 65 2 43 14 Greenlands Sycamores * 22 60 4 46 15.5 La Marina Pathfinders 22 59 5 46 14 El Rancho Pintos 22 59 6 45 12.5 Emerald Isle Moonrakers # 22 53 5 52 10.5 Mazarron Mariners 22 49 3 58 11 Monte Mar Torreadors 22 45 6 59 8 Horadada Falcons ** 22 39 5 66 7 Quesada Rubies * 22 40 6 64 4 Vistabella Eagles * 22 28 3 79 4.5 * 2 Points deducted for failing to field a full side ** 5 Points deducted for failing to field a full side # 1 Point deducted for reporting infringement

Diff 468 227 272 180 92 284 -20 -77 -153 -263 -396 -614

Pts 182 161 155 153 151 149 131 123 112 92 92 66

VOYAGER DIVISION Greenlands Chestnuts 0 (6) El Rancho Palaminos 0 (6) San Luis Vulcans 96 (8) Country Bowls Flamingos 114 (8) San Miguel Pointers 98 (10) La Siesta Pioneers Bye

El Rancho Raiders 0 (6) Vistabella Buggies 0 (6) Emerald Isle Saturns 92 (4) San Luis Romulans 74 (4) La Siesta Sputniks 56 (2)

P W D L O/W Vistabella Buggies 20 74 4 22 18.5 San Miguel Pointers 20 72 2 26 17 Country Bowls Flamingos 20 59 2 39 15 La Siesta Pioneers * 20 49 2 49 10 El Rancho Raiders*** 20 50 4 46 9.5 San Luis Vulcans 20 46 2 52 9 Emerald Isle Saturns * 20 43 5 52 7 La Siesta Sputniks * 20 42 4 54 8 Greenlands Chestnuts # 20 39 7 54 5.5 El Rancho Palaminos ** 20 30 4 66 6.5 San Luis Romulans ** 20 26 4 70 4 * 2 Points deducted for failing to field a full side ** 5 Points deducted for failing to field a full side *** 9 Points deducted for failing to field a full side # 1 Point deducted for reporting infringement

Diff 924 582 464 66 22 -75 -187 -276 -238 -588 -694

Pts 189 180 150 118 114 112 103 102 95 72 59

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Monday 1st - Sunday 7th April, 2019

LINEA DIRECTA SPANISH NATIONALS This years Spanish Nationals format has been changed. with all the disciplines now being played on a Round Robin basis.

The winners from each group going into either the quarter finals or the semi finals depending on numbers. This will also mean that every person or team will get at least 2 games for the entry fee and for some disciplines 4 matches.

The venues being used this year are Greenlands and Emerald Isle.

The opening ceremony will take place on the

SA League, Enterprise Division Monday 25th Klingons home v MM Matadors, 7pts-5, 87shots66. Winners: Colin Jackson, June & Keith Jones 14-14, William Holtham, Sabrina & Russell Marks 34-8, Bob White, Peter McEneany, Ian Kenyon 19-11. SL KLINGONS are A Division WINNERS. Trekkers, away v LM Explorers, shots 84-76, 6pts6. Winners: Kevin McKenna, Mags Haines, Peter Fuller 22-10, Judy Carroll, Jo & Jules Pering 1812. Vulcans home v EI Saturns, 8-4, shots 96-92.

Winners: Pat Tilley, Chris Jackson, Bob Bromley 22-19, Derek Barker Steve Rossiter, Sue Ross 2220, Dennis Jackson, Cas Blay, Phil Hasler 26-8.

Romulans away v CB Flamingoes, 4 points-8, 74shots-114. Winners: Chris Phillips, Allan Lever, Ralph Jones 22-19, Chris Lythe, Pat Barnes, Tom Fromson 21-13.

Horadada Bowls Club

by Irene Graham

by SHEILA CAMMACK

Only one match to report on this week as we are now at the end of the winter season. Win or lose the weather has been really kind to the Bowlers this winter with very few bad days. The Falcons were at home to Emerald Isle Moonrakers and we were all very well aware that we had to produce the goods. All but one of the rinks had really close results with the lead going back and forth a few times. An exciting morning with the Falcons coming out on top. We won on 3 rinks lost on 2 and it’s thanks to one of our rinks that secured us the overall shots. Our winning rinks were:

31-4. Two matches to go with points to play for.

Irene Graham, Janet Jukes and Barry Evans 13 – 9

On Tuesday 26th we held our end of season dinner at Casa Ventura. We enjoyed good food, good company and entertainment and said goodbye to some of our members returning to UK for the summer.

Wayne Jackson, Les Davies and Mick Kirby 23 – 8

evening of 10th May at Emerald Isle BC. All finals will take place at Greenlands followed by the presentations and closing ceremony.

SAN LUIS BOWLS CLUB The winter season is almost finished but no time to relax as next week sees the start of the summer leagues!

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We also celebrated the achievements of our club champions & finalists who were presented with their trophies.

Club Champions: Men’s Singles: Colin Jackson, Ladies Singles: Irene Everett.

Men’s Pairs: Robert Hicks & Lyndon Johnson.

Ladies Pairs: Kath Reid & Ann Holland.

Mixed Pairs: Helen Hammond & Scott Malden.

Mixed Triples: Alan Bowen, Suzi Cooper & Scott Malden.

Mixed Rinks: Pat Bird, Chris Phillips, Graham Bird, & Keith Phillips.

Drawn 2 wood Pairs: Robert Hicks & Neil Morrison.

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The final score being 83 shot for to 66 against giving us 8 points to 4 against.

Very well played to all of our team, we each played our part in helping the Falcons to move up a place to remain in division ‘B’. We are equal in points to Quesada Rubies, but we just managed to pip them at the post on shots.

The Royals with their last match result also moved 2 places up the table to finish in 7th place, only 1 point behind 6th. We are a small membership club and to remain in the ‘B’ division for both the leagues is an excellent result for us.

Again very well played to everyone who has played throughout the winter season and a special thanks goes to our Team Captain Peter Davis and Vice Captain Ron Odell for their efforts in putting a team together. We know it is not an easy task.

Tracey Paffett, Ken Barber and Roy Thomson 17 – 14

Have a restful 2 weeks break Team Horadada and we will start all over again for the summer leagues. Keep em’ bowls a rollin’.

QUESADA BOWLS

great win against Bonalba 9-3 points and 92-71 shots, maintaining their 4th place in the league.

By Dee Stephenson This week the winter season drew to a close for the Southern Alicante Winter League. All three squads fought hard to consolidate their positions.

In the Enterprise Division, Pearls finished with a flourish, winning their away match against Vistabella Albatrosses 8-4 points and 75-68 shots.

This means they’ve ended the season in 3rd place in the league - well done Pearls!!

Meantime, the Diamonds were fighting hard to avoid relegation from the Enterprise Division and in their away match against Vistabella Drivers secured the 2 points needed to finish the season

While we’re talking winners, congratulations to Quesadas Terry Morgan and colleagues in the Spanish National Squad, who won both the mens section and the overall Team medals in the 5 nations competition in Cyprus. Fantastic result congratulations to the whole team.

Finally, there was a friendly match this week between Quesada and The British Legion bowlers.

The match was at San Luis on a beautiful sunny spring afternoon. Played in a competitive but happy and fun atmosphere, Quesada were the victors 10-2 points and the shots were 92-68.

P20 winners - Home Wednesday 27th Winter League: home v El Cid, an excellent result after some incredible “houdini” finishes 11-1, 108shots-70. Winners: Pam Lockett, June Jones, Peter McEneany, Keith Jones 26-12, Kath Reid, Giuseppe Galelli, Neil Morrison, Ian Kenyon 20-14, Jan Pocock, Bill Webb, Sabrina & Russell Marks 14-13, Ros Holmes, Ray Pollock, Jo & Jules Pering 18-18, Ann Holland, Keith Phillips, Ray Clarke, Scott Malden 30-13. Another great result for our Berleen team: Shirley Verity, Margaret Morrison, Barry Edwards, Dave Blackie

P20 winners - Away We are a competitive but friendly club; you're welcome to join in "Vic's hamper" on Saturday & some Tuesday mornings.

For more information & calendar, check SLBC website at: www.sanluisbowls.byethost7.com We welcome new & experienced bowlers, come along & see us, or for more help contact June Jones, Club Captain: 691 903 773.

Members of the SAN LUIS "OSPREYS" team: WINNERS of FED 4's Div A (South). They will play off against Javea Green winners of the North Fed 4's league.

Congratulations to Quesada’s Terry Morgan and colleagues in the Spanish National Squad for their performance in Cyprus with a 3 point lead against them in the league. A win for Vistabella Drivers 10-2 points and 100-77 shots, gave QBC Diamonds the result they needed to secure their place in the Enterprise Division next year. Job done Diamonds - well done!

The newly promoted Rubies have had a very tough season and despite a very valiant 6-6 draw against Mazarron Miners, they finished in the bottom 2 of the Discovery Division, so are at risk of relegation.

But all credit and thanks to the Rubies for their hard work and dedication throughout the season.

Quesada’s Winter league squad pulled off another

Afterwards all of the players enjoyed a lovely 3 course meal together at Carmens in La Siesta.

At Quesada Bowls Club we welcome both new and experienced bowlers. We’re a friendly club with a mixture of competition, league and casual players.

In addition to league matches and Club competitions we have our popular Saturday morning chicken drive which is open to visitors and we have free coaching for new members. So come along and see what we have to offer! Contact our membership secretary Angie Goddard

There was also a friendly match this week between Quesada and The Royal British Legion bowlers.

20

Monday 1st - Sunday 7th April, 2019

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Mar abu Golf Society In association with Costa Blanca Green Fee Svcs at Vistabella For this month’s meeting a group of 28 players visited the established course at Vistabella taking advantage of the excellent society deal obtained from Costa Blanca Green Fee Services.

The weather was beautiful but a heavy afternoon wind made scoring difficult at times.

The winning scores on the day were as follows: Gold Division 1st – Mike Probert – 33 points 2nd – Mick Hildebrand – 33 points Silver Division 1st – Colin MacDonald - 36 points 2nd – Brian Elkington - 31 points Bronze Division 1st – Jim Speakman - 30 points 2nd – Terry Moseley – 29 points Nearest the Pins – Probert,Hildebrand (2) and Martin Dog of a Day – Jack Fanning Football Card – Ted Keeble After the game we returned to Broadway Uptown Quesada, which is located at Pueblo Brava, Quesada for a welcome meal prepared by the bar and the prize presentation and we give our thanks for their continued support.

Our next interim fixture is at Vistabella on 11th April 2019 followed by the society day at Altorreal on 25th April 2019.

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

Monte Mar Bowls Club Sponsored by The Pub, Bowling Abroad, Avalon, Lounge D, Rogers, La Piazza and The Belfry.

Monte Mar Toreadors v San Luis Leopards Away at San Luis for the last Friday Southern League the Toreadors won on two rinks. Well done to Julia and Ian Hamilton skip Graham Smyth, Sheila Roberts, Sue Bounds skip Phil Goble.

Shots Toreadors 81 – 102 Leopards. Points 4 – 8.

Monte Mar Matadors v San Miguel Boxers Away at San Miguel the Matadors won on three rinks and lost by one shot on one rink. Well done to Pauline Merry, Don Cleeter skip Margaret Finlayson 16 – 10, Paula Cleeter, Pauline Woodfine skip Barrie Woodfine 15-14, Tanya Oliver, Danny King skip Jack Burrell. Shots Matadors 67 – 72 Boxers. Points 6 – 6.

WINTER LEAGUE Saturday 23rd March Monte Mar v Benitachell This was a rearranged fixture brought forward from 10th April and Monte Mar visited Benitachell. It was a enjoyable match with both teams winning two and drawing one. Well done to the winning teams Lynne Armitage, Mike farrelly, Jack Burrell skip Dave Melville, Tanya Oliver, Howie Williams, John Hunt skip Phil Goble and the drawing team Sheila Roberts, June Young, Pauline Woodfine skip Barrie Woodfine, well done Monte Mar. Shots Monte Mar 80 – 80 Benitachell. Points Monte Mar 6 – 6 Benitachell.

Monte Mar Toreadors v Greenlands Maples At home to Greenlands Maples for the last match of the season we won on one rink. Well done to Sheila Roberts, Diane Horsington skip Jan Gatward. Well done to Greenlands Maples winners of the league. Shots Toreadors 64 – 98 Maples. Pts 2 –10.

Monte Mar Matadors v San Luis Klingtons Away at San Luis for the last match of the season the Matadors won on two rinks and drew on one rink. Well done to the winning teams Keith Simpson, Pauline Merry skip Chris Merry, Paula Cleeter, Don Cleeter skip Margaret Finlayson and the drawing team of Tanya Oliver, Mike Farrelly skip Jack Burrell.

WINTER LEAGUE Wednesday 27th March Monte Mar v La Marina Away at La Marina we had a very good result winning on four rinks and drawing on one rink, well done everyone!!!! After the match we all enjoyed a meal and a few drinks.

Shots Monte Mar 92 – 77 La Marina. Points 11-1.

For further information go to www.montemarbowls.com or email info@montemarbowls.com. We are also on Facebook

Mike ProBert talks golf Golf is one of the biggest leisure time activities for both tourists and resident alike on the Costa Blanca 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 discounted golf prices to all of our readers.

What Golf Ball Best Suits my game?

There are now a huge selections of golf balls available on the market so how do you choose one that suits your game? Below is a 5 step guide that may just help you: Step 1 – You get what you pay for!

For fear of losing too many golf balls the higher handicap golfer tends to go for the low prices golf balls with a solid centre and surlyn cover which feel hard but are in fact harder to control than a better quality (tour model) that has a urethane cover.

Step 2 – Don't fix what isn't broken!

I find it amusing to see 28 handicap golfers playing with a Titleist pro V1 ball that they found yesterday just because it is what all the top professionals play with BUT which is totally unsutable to their game simply because they can't generate the club head speed (110mph or faster) so while it is fun to try new balls and technology if you have found a golf balls that works for all parts of your game and your financial budget then stick with it.

Step 3 – Don't select a golf based solely on distance!

Most higher handicap players will choose a golf ball based on budget or how far it goes but you should all remember that how a ball reacts with short irons,wedges and even the putter is equally as important and once you have selected a ball to suit the short game you can adjust the longer irons and driver accordingly.

Step 4 – It's all about the feel!

Low amatuer and professional golfers will find distance and contol benefits in using a higher compression ball technology because they swing faster (110mph or faster) and hence can compress the ball better than higher handicap golfers but the biggest change in recent technology has been for golf ball manufacturers to make a soft low compression core that are just as fast as firmer ones so for the majority of players you will hit the ball the same distance with any model of golf ball hence the reason to select a ball that suits you better around the

El Plantio2 Golf Society

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(in assN with Costa Blanca Green Fee s vcs) greens than based on distance.

Step 5 – Don't overplay a golf ball!

Due to the fact that golf balls cost so much money and due to the fear of losing golf balls,higher handicap golfers try and extract as many rounds as possible from the ball despite being off colour and scratched or scuffed.You should be aware that by playing too long with the same golf ball can affect distance by as much as 5 yards and accuracy with wedges so as soon is if feels rough or the writing is smudged then it is time to change the golf ball.

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 until 31 May. 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 €146 €154 €120 €130 €114 €112 €134 €176 €47 €52 €99 €124 €168 €82 €150 €142 €66 €122

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 from12pm.

Two Players and Buggy Two Players and Buggy Sgle Green Fee from 2pm Single Green Fee Single Green Fee Two Players and Buggy Two and Buggy (B4 10 or after 12) Two Green Fees and Buggy Two Players and Buggy 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 Despite a warm atmosphere and clear skies, a strong blustery wind made life difficult for the eight competitors in El Plantio 2's end of month medal competition. Overcoming the conditions was the least experienced member of the society, Maggie Edwards. Indeed the Edwards family nearly had a clean sweep with husband Brian claiming both nearest the pin prizes.

Nearest the pins: Hole 4 and Hole 6, Brian Edwards.

Second place – Handicap 7.2, Alistair Douglas – 58.8 shots.

First place – Handicap 19.6 – Maggie Edwards – 57.4 shots.

If anyone would like to join our Society, we play at El Plantio Golf Club every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. We use both courses - the Par 3 nine hole course and the main 18 hole course, so we cater for all abilities.

Brian Edwards, Maggie Edwards, Alistair Douglas.

Anyone who wishes to play in the Society as a guest or join as a new member, contact David Swann on 865 779 983 or 648 476 752.

By David Swann

Las Ramblas GS Ably assisted by the fictional Albert our winners of Monday’s dreaded ‘yellow peril’ were Benedicte Kruse, Nora Betts and (surprise, surprise) myself. With a fine effort and a total of 154 points, we saw off the runners up by a margin of 16 points!

Wednesday’s Stableford was round three (of six) for The Club Championship. At this point I’m contemplating renaming this report ‘The Nora Betts Golf Society’ as she kept up her winning ways again and took 1st place (on countback from Joyce McClusky) with 38 points. Our president, Dave Pulling, came in third with a very credible 37. There were four 2’s today, Bryan Neal, Terry Cullen, Benedicte Kruse and (yes, you’ve guessed it) Nora Betts.

I alluded recently to the fact that my wife (Jenny) was drawing a picture of Seve and Jose Maria Olazabal. So, rather than including Nora’s ‘photo again this week, I’ve added a snap of me presenting the drawing to Emilio Naverrete (the general manager of Las Ramblas GC). It now takes pride of place behind the bar in the clubhouse.

Finally to Friday which saw us play a ‘Bowmaker’ (that is the best 3 scores from 4 to count). Surprisingly, Nora was not in the winning team today! First place, with 112 points, were John Shervell, his

guest David Levy, Paul Brown and that little rascal, Albert.

Por ultimo, in the words of a certain Henry Beard, ‘When your shot has to carry over a water hazard, you can hit one more club or two more balls’.

Visit our new website at lasramblasgolfsociety.com if you wish to join a friendly society or simply want to learn a bit more about us.

Pues, hasta la semana que viene. By Peter Reffell

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Tiger set to roar in Aintree Grand National The 2019 Randox Health Grand National three day meeting gets underway on Thursday April 4 - with Tiger Roll aiming to repeat last year's success in the showcase Grand National on Saturday.

The Gordon Elliott trained Tiger Roll has been heavily backed leading up to the National, underlined with an emphatic win at the 2019

ALFIE’S GOLF SOCIETY Alhama Signature -Thursday 28th March 2019 28 members from Alfie’s GS travelled by coach to Alhama Signature Golf Course to play for the prestigious Terry Owen Memorial Trophy.

This was the furthest we as a society have travelled for one of our meetings, and we were not disappointed.

Arriving stress free with plenty of time to soak up the scenery and use the fantastic practice facilities, this may be the way forward for future events.

The course was in excellent condition with deep bunkers, long par 3s, lakes to navigate around and fast undulating greens. This was a very enjoyable and great test of golf to be had by all, so thank you to the committee and especially Ian Ingledew for organising this day.

Our winner of the day in the gold division was Nick Lee with a great score of 37 stableford points Second place went to Stevie Bicks with a score of 36 points.

The Winner of the silver division was Rachel Lee with a score of 37 stableford points.

Second place went to OVERALL WINNER – NICK LEE Amrit Dawidow with 33 points.

Nearest the pin on the 7th– Sponsored by ‘The Street Restaurant’ went to Tony Hall Nearest the pin on the 11th– sponsored by ‘The Celtic Drop‘ went to Nick Lee Nearest the pin in 2 shots on the 15th - sponsored by ’Alfies Bar’ went to Ian Ingledew The Blind pairs were won by Magnus Fridgeirson and Ole Westerback.

A prize donated by Gary Armstrong for the longest walk went to Ken McWilliams.

Many thanks to our sponsors, Mike Probert (Costa Blanca Green Fee), also a big thank you to Cat and Liz at Alfies Bar for their continued support throughout the year and post-match food. And finally thanks to all the members and guests for supporting Alfies Golf Society. Our next outing is Hacienda Riquelme on the 25th April 2019 so get your names down early.

Wayne Stevenson, Captain

Monday 1st - Sunday 7th April, 2019

Cheltenham Festival, with best odds of 4-1 on offer.

Anibale Fly (10-1) who ran fourth last year, will be out to thwart Tiger Roll retaining the crown, having run well in the Gold Cup. Rathvinden (12-1) trained by Willie Mullins is a noted leading contender.

Phil Kirby trained duo Lady Buttons and Top Ville Ben are heading for the Aintree meeting although recent purchase Blacklion, formerly trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, is set to miss the race due to sustaining an injury: "It’s with a heavy heart that Blaklion will not be running in the Grand National," said trainer Phil Kirby.

"Blaklion will miss the race, due to a setback with a hind leg," said Kirby.

"It's incredibly sad for his owners and everyone here at Green Oaks Stables - but he is comfortable," said Kirby. "Let’s hope this time next year we can have another crack at it," added Kirby.

Lady Buttons, winner of four from five races this season, including a Listed mares' chase at Doncaster in December and a Grade Two mares' hurdle at the same track in January, finished fourth in the Grade One OLBG Mares' Hurdle at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival.

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21

"Lady Buttons is set to run in the Red Rum Chase on Thursday," said Kirby.

"It didn't work out at Cheltenham, but Lady Buttons ran a creditable race, and we have been happy with her since," said Kirby.

Top Ville Ben, a winner a Wetherby in late March, after falling at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival, runs in the Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree.

"Top Ville Ben is very talented and I thought he had a real each-way chance at Cheltenham - when falling - he was just too brave at his fences," rued Kirby.

"Top Ville Ben would need the ground to be at least good to soft to run at Aintree. He has a high knee action - and hits the ground hard," added Kirby.

Bristol de Mai, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, has withdrawn from the National and runs on Thursday in the Betway Bowl.

The withdrawal of Bristol de Mai sees Tiger Roll's weight climb to 11st 5lb. "Bristol de Mai is fine and we've decided to run in the Bowl - it's possibly the easier option," said Twiston-Davies. *The Leader racing correspondent Andrew Atkinson will report on all the latest news and daily tips during the three day meeting leading up to and including the 2019 Aintree Grand National on April 6.

San Miguel Golf Society at Vistabella A shotgun start at 9 a.m. (do we love them or hate them?) saw 38 members and 4 guests, as well as 12 Eurogolf team members, arrive at a course that has become a permanent SMGS monthly fixture.

Bathed in sunshine and with still conditions, it was hoped that all would be done and dusted by the time the expected 35Km winds turned up some time around early afternoon. Witness statements conveyed what that level of wind could do as it had blown the day before in the Torrevieja/Punta Prima area, sending various objects skitting around urbanizations.

We didn’t quite make it.

Eurogolf members were present to take on a San Miguel team in a fixture that has been held annually in recent years between the two societies and which, until now, had been played at La Marquesa, standing at one win each. Today San Miguel dominated in a matchplay pairs competition 5-1, so going one up in the ongoing series. The next challenge is eagerly awaited.

In the SMGS members’ competition, in which all SMGS members participated even if playing in the match against Eurogolf, scoring was pretty even across the board for all categories. Keith Wickham in Bronze recorded the day’s best return with 35 points. David Bishop and Bjorn Pettersson won the Silver and Gold categories respectively, both recording 34 points and beating their nearest adversaries on countback. A Scottish run of taking the Abacus is evolving. Last week Alan MacDonald’s great friend Scotty Phillips took the prize. In his absence this week Alan thought he had better win it, and so did.

A final word on the course. Whilst the opening of the 7 new holes has been welcomed by many, and the experience improved recently by allowing buggies on to those holes’ fairways if they enter at

Gold Category winners: Phil, Colin, Mike & Bjorn. right angles, the scalping of those same fairways by mowers set at minimum height appears difficult to explain. Wood users coped, but trying to get an iron under the ball verged on the impossible.

Having seen the pros playing short irons and taking enormous divots at the recent Players and Valspar tournaments in the US of A, it made one wonder how they would cope on solid dry clay surfaces with no grass.

Perhaps course professional Adrian Rudge, one of SMGS’s sponsors, could explain to society members unable to find the answer how it is done. It seems we need a workshop!!

SMGS winning results, by category and in reverse order, were the following: Bronze Category: 4th Brian Butler (31), 3rd Mike Inns (32), 2nd Haydn Williams (33) and 1st, with the day’s best score, Keith Wickham with 35 points Silver Category: 4th Steve Hart (30), 3rd Johan Lager (31), 2nd Kyrre Skarsmoen (34 on CB) and 1st David Bishop (34 on CB)

Gold Category: 4th Mike Greatorex (33 on CB), 3rd Phil de Lacy (33 on CB), 2nd Colin Rust (34 on CB) and 1st Bjorn Pettersson, also with 34 points Nearest the pins on par 3’s (Sponsored by Property Shop): Hole 2 Robin Eastman, Hole 7 Roger Carter, Hole 11 Johan Lager, Hole 15 Matt Newman Nearest the pin in 2 on hole 17: Paddy Diskin Longest Drive on hole 12: Mike Greatorex Abacus (Sponsored by Mike IPTV Kaylor): Alan MacDonald Best Guests: Ray Waite (32) beat Bertil Lingren (28) in to second place Our thanks go to all Vistabella staff for their contribution to an enjoyable day.

Next week we will be at Hacienda de Riquelme, the following week at La Serena.

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

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Monday 1st - Sunday 7th April, 2019

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EURONICS THURSDAY DART LEAGUE

LEADER

By Tracey Betteridge

“THE ELECTRICAL SHOP” - BLUE LAGOON Division 1 The Jaguars 1-11 Las Roasa Bullies 5-7 Trinity Rioja Pirates 2-10 The Ale House 4-8

The Jackals Hub Hyenas El Capitan Fire Station BW

Division 2 Chemies Loungers Hub Hellraisers Peta’s Bar Pint Depot Queens

Trinity Rioja Panthers Chemies Chicks Angels Arrows Pint Depot Jesters

THURSDAY 28TH MARCH - 2ND HALF RESULTS - WEEK 4 Trinity Rioja Pirates v El Capitan The game was dominated from the start by a very good El Capitan side, although Pirates took most games to a double, El Capitan out scored and finished far better.

8-4 4-8 3-9 4-8

Division 1 Hub Hyenas El Capitan The Jackals The Ale House Las Rosas Bullies Fire Station BW Trinity Rioja Pirates The Jaguars

P 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 4

W 4 3 3 2 1 1 1 0

D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

L 0 1 1 2 3 2 2 4

F 34 36 27 24 21 15 14 9

A 14 12 21 24 27 21 22 39

+/- Pts 20 8 24 6 6 6 0 4 -6 2 -6 2 -8 2 -30 0

Division 2 Chemies Loungers Angels Arrows Pint Depot Jesters Chemies Chicks Peta’s Bar Trinity Rioja Panthers Pint Depot Queens Hub Hellraisers

P 4 3 4 3 4 4 4 4

W 4 3 3 2 2 1 0 0

D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

L 0 0 1 1 2 3 4 4

F 38 28 31 19 24 21 11 8

A 10 8 17 17 24 27 37 40

+/- Pts 28 8 20 6 14 6 2 4 0 4 -6 2 -26 0 -32 0

All the trebles and doubles were convincingly won by the visitors.

In the trebles Edmundas Klimonis finished with D16, followed by Nigel Justice D8 helped by Eric Manders hitting 180 and 110.

The final leg completed by Nigel with 2x140 and D5. The doubles with Jim Storey D15, Nigel 100, D10 and Edmundas D11 giving the visitors a 6 - 0 lead.

Finally! Pirates scored their first win of the evening with a best of three between Brian Nash 3X100, 2x121 and 140 D6 and D18 against Aroldas Klimonis’s D7. Then the visitors took the next three games. Jim Storey D9 D5 against Graham Todd. Nigel 2x100 and a second 180 of the evening D6, D2 against Yvonne Rouffignac 121. Eric Manders then D4 and D18 beat Ray Sanderson before Jeff Ward scored Pirates second win of the evening 100, D4 and D2. Edmundas finished the final game best of three D16, D10 against Paul Chick D18.

Eric Manders 180, Nigel Justice 180 MOTM: Jeff Ward (Pirates), Nigel Justice (El Capitan)

Torrevieja Ladies Darts Org Tuesday/Martes 26/03/2019. Week / Semana 11 Macklins Dolly Mixtures El Balcon Chicas Primadonnas Friendly's Temps

4-5 8-1 4-5 6-3

Friendly's Chicas Wildcats at Macklins Black Dog Ladies Gap Ladies

League Table Gap Ladies El Balcon Chicas Macklins Dolly Mixtures Black Dog Ladies Friendly Chicas Friendly's Temps Primadonnas Wildcats at Macklins

P 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11

W 9 8 6 6 5 4 4 2

L 2 3 5 5 6 7 7 9

Pts. 29 27 23 23 21 19 19 15

Proud Preston: Scott's shock win

Underdog boxer Scott Fitzgerald caused a major upset on Saturday when defeating 1-8 odds on favourite Anthony Fowler on a split decision to win the super welterweight belt at the Liverpool Arena.

"I was 100% confident I'd win," said Preston born star Fitzgerald, Hot Darts: Elaine Willis 162, Sue Casey 2 x 133, Noreen Dobbs 132, who is following in the footsteps of fellow Prestonian and ex-world Jane Barnes 127, Elaine Willis 125, Anita Morfee 121, Pamela Taylor champion Johnny Sullivan.

120, Beaty Powell 119 & 114, Sharon Frain 114, Sue Wade 110, Gail Rank 5-1 outsider Fitzgerald, 27, brought up in my home city Preston, said: "It was tough and winning this fight will kick me on."

Murray, Ellie Attwood 108, Ann Bartlett 106, Angie Jeffrey 103, Sandra Crabbe, Patricia Schofield, Bliss Wright 2 x 100, Jane Barnes, Fitzgerald, who confessed to taking cocaine, but is now clean, said: "I've changed my ways. I will build from this to get the best out of Ellie Attwood, Simone de Lacy, Cynthia Jevons, Gail Murray, Pat me."

Wood 100 Fitzgerald, who had a spot of pre-fight training in Marbella, the 2014 180’s and 171’s: Pamela Taylor, Bliss Wright 180, Simone de Lacy, Commonwealth Games welterweight champion, is undefeated in 12 Shirley Stephenson, Sue Casey 171 pro fights.

Least Darts: Sue Casey 21, Cynthia Jevons, Pamela Taylor, Bliss Fitzgerald, who turned pro in 2016, follows in the footsteps of Wright 22 Sullivan, middle/lightheavyweight, who had 97 fights during the Highest Checkouts : Kim Fickling 107, Anita Morfee 105, Lin 1940s-60s, winning 68 bouts, of which 36 were knockouts.

Cousins 104, Beaty Powell 95 (26/3), Shirley Stephenson 78 (26/3) Bull Finish: Kim Fickling, Beaty Powell, Cynthia Jevons, Pat Woods, "I'm going to take a break and maybe get a rematching. There was bad blood between us - I knew how tough Fowler is," said Annette Dobson, Mitch Halliday

Peta’s Bar v Angels Arrows The night got off to a great start with lots of laughter and banter before the match even started.

Unfortunately for Peta’s Bar the first two trebles went to Angels Arrows, Paul (Pablo) Locks’ 76, 94 was no match for Phil’s 84, 87, Paul’s 85 and Ron’s D14 in the first game.

The second double also went to the visitors with Angels Martin 95 and Dave’s 76, 121, 76, D8, despite Peta’s Kieran scoring 70.

Peta’s pulled back with the last treble with Charles scoring 121, 71 and Michael’s 76, 86, D3, Angel Ron threw a nice 100.

Unfortunately all three doubles went to Angels Arrows, they showed no mercy despite Peta’s Viv 75, 85, Kieran 106 and Paul (Pablo) 85, Angels Paul 100, Phil 70, D10, Dave 80, 85, D1, Kain 81, Pocket Rocket Ron 99, 100, D2, Martin 79.

After a short food break Peta’s were determined to break the curse of the singles…..but it wasn’t to be! Paul (Pablo) was up first 76 against Phil 80, D1.

Peta’s Charles gave the team o bit of hope with his 140,100, D18 against Martin 102. Sonya next with 130, 85, 95, it was a close game but Dave 98, D16 pipped her to the post after applying the ‘D1 Rule’! Peta’s Viv 77 against Paul D8 next.

Jane pulled the next (and final one) out of the bag for Peta’s 80, 79, D4 against Kain 79. Leaving our No1 Chalker Jim 98, 15, 81 against Pocket Rocket Ron 100, D7.

There were a lot of close games, a lo of fun and laughter and overall a very enjoyable evening!!

Fitzgerald.

Sullivan went to America in 1952, aged 19, to further his boxing education and was based in New York.

Sullivan returned to New Jersey, America in 1956 and fought Rocky Castellani, a fight that was top of the bill at Madison Square Gardens, New York - the first time a British born fighter had topped the bill. Sullivan died in 2003 after suffering a stroke, aged 70.

Defeated Fowler, knocked down in round 10, rued: "I switched off and he caught me. Fair do to him. Fair play to Scott."

Proud Preston boxer, champ Fitzgerald, said: "I could hit Fowler with a bat - and he'd still keep going! But I proved I can take a good shot."

Proud Preston: Champ Scott Fitzgerald.

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LaMangaTorre CC 48 run win against Glasgow

By Andrew Atkinson Leader Exclusive report LaMangaTorre CC defeated a touring side from Glasgow Academy by 48 runs in a 20 overs friendly match at La Manga Resort on Saturday.

"With most of the team getting their first crack on a grass wicket a lot of learning was being taken into account, with batting conditions in our favour," LaMangaTorre CC captain Kieran Wood told me.

LaMangaTorre CC openers T.Knowles and J.Kinsella took the attack to the bowlers with a few swings and misses - but the runs began to flow as boundaries came regulary - leading to an opening partnership of 47, before Kinsella was caught for 24.

Wood, in at No. 3 was looking to find some form and helped tick the score over with Knowles.

The new partnership lasted 4 overs for 28 runs before Knowles was seen outside his crease, with the Glasgow wicketkeeper taking the bails off, before he could get his bat back down.

At 74-2 in the 11th over Wood and P. Harvey, in the second half of the innings, needed to dig in and push the runs. In the 14th over Wood fell for 15, hitting the ball into the wind to fall to mid-off.

With five overs remaining - a score of 99 on the board - P. Harvey and No.5 Parwitter Singh gave chase and had a go at the ball, with nice shots, that lead to the score escalating quickly to 126 in the 18th over.

The pressure of 3 dot balls in a row saw a cut shot called for a run, which lead to a run out for the offstrike batsman, and Harvey leaving the field after a nicely earned 20.

Two balls into the last over saw Singh hit the ball cleanly to mid-wicket, with No.6 batsman C.Rumi

running half way down the wicket, to find Singh with some great balls bowled - each bowler claimstanding still. Rumi jogged back to the crease ing a wicket. only to find the bails taken off.

P. Fletcher got his wicket through D. Scott taking The final three balls saw LaMangaTorre CC chalk the catch over his head, and P.Singh got his wicket up four runs to take their final score to 134-5 from through 12th man H. James. the allotted 20 overs: "It was a nice performance The final few overs, bowled by H. James and J. with the bat from the boys," captain Kieran Wood Kinsella, saw the 20th over completed and told The Leader.

Glasgow ending their innings on 86-4.

LaMangaTorre CC opened their bowling with the "It was a comfortable win by 48 runs at the end of youngsters of the team with the attack lead by the 20 overs. A confidence booster for the team C.Rumi from the first over, followed by Connor before the T20 tournament getting underway in Wood at the second over.

April," said LaMangaTorre CC captain Wood.

After an expensive first over going for 8 *The Leader sports reporter Andrew Atkinson LaMangaTorre CC quickly recovered, when Wood spoke to the Glasgow Academy touring camp at took a wicket maiden, and a nice catch from P. Singh.

La Manga Resort and will bring an Exclusive Pressure was applied by LaMangaTorre CC and interview and photos to the wicket next week. runs dried up from Glasgow, prior to good shots ONLY IN THE LEADER. leading to a boundary LaMangaTorre CC defeated every other over from Glasgow Academy by 48 runs the visiting side. A bowling change saw S.Khan turn his arm over with D. Scott attacking from the other end.

S. Khan kept the runs to a minimum, bowling three overs for 9 runs, whilst D. Scott claimed a wicket with a fine catch by P. Fletcher, at square leg.

Scott bowled a few loose deliveries, and the next bowling change of P. Fletcher and P. Singh saw some loose deliveries - aided

23

CDMurada edge toward title

BY ANDREW ATKINSON

Having played one game more, CD Murada

CD nudgetheir towards title rivals, by 7 pts leadMurada Torrelano, closest CD MURADA gained an important 1-0 victory against Bahia Santa Pola to lead at the top of the Valencia 1st Regional Group 8 by seven points.

CD Murada have chalked up 60 points from 26 fixtures after Saturday's win - seven points above second placed AC Torrellano, who meet CF Rafal on Sunday, and third placed Racing San Miguel, who drew 1-1 against Sporting San Fulgencio.

CD Altet gained an emphatic win - bagging nine goals - in a 9-4 thirteen goals' encounter against bottom club Monforte CF. Altet's win saw them leapfrog ahead of CD Montesinos into eleventh place on 28 points from 26 games, a point above Montesinos who play Santa Pola CF on Sunday.

Atletico Catral gained a 2-1 away win at AD Betis Florida, and Callosa Deportivo B defeated Monovar CD 2-0. Fourth placed Hondon Nieves travel to CD Dolores on Sunday.

Nine man Torry running out of time Wilting in the heat!

Gran Alacant 2 Rojales 2

This latest setback for the Salinas men, has left them firmly rooted in the relegation zone. A defeat is bad enough, but to lose another 2 key players for the next match is a double whammy they really cannot afford.

Elda Industrial .....................3

Time and time again they are being punished for lack of discipline, at a vital period when cool heads are needed if relegation from the preferente division is to be avoided.

CD Torrevieja .......................2

With only 6 games remaining (4 home, 2 away), a minimum of 6 points are required if

any chance of leaving the relegation zone is to become a reality.

Elda´s opening goal didn´t arrive until the 33rd min, a deflection off Pucha from Adrian´s shot, but less than a minute later, their lead had been doubled.

Ruiz received a pass from Rafa, and from just inside the penalty area, he unleashed a fierce drive which eased inside the bar into the net.

On 39 mins, Thales pulled a goal back for Torry.

The Brazilian´s initial shot was saved by keeper Gabi, but he made no mistake from the rebound.

Just before half time, Matias picked up a 2nd yellow card, leaving the visitors to make the half time exit a player short.

Down to 10 men, Torry fought back well, earning a deserved equalizer on the hour mark. Xavi received a pass from Thales inside the box, before executing a delightful piledriver which left Gabi flapping at fresh air. When Elda´s Dani was sent off on 70 mins, Torry must have fancied their chances to snatch a winner, but alas the reverse was about to happen.

With only 10 minutes remaining, a Pablo cross from the right found Rafa lurking at the far post, who comfortably poked the ball home from close range. More heartbreak was to befall on Torry on 4 minutes later, in the form of a straight red card for keeper Cristo.

Photo_Joaquín Carrión

Next weekend, Torry are at home to mid table Callosa. This match is shown on the club website as to be played on Sun 7 Apr at Nelson Mandela Stadium, but this could change, so fans are strongly advised to check CD Torrevieja website for confirmation.

Much better performance than the last time we played Rojales (lost 8-3). 2-0 up going into the last quarter, with both goals scored by Dave before half time, should have been enough, but we wilted and succumbed to an unstoppable strike and a penalty after Johan performed a goal line block.

Ideally we should have sown the game up in the third quarter when we had them under a lot of pressure but just could not find the net. In effect their goalkeeper was the man of the match as he put in a sterling performance including saving an early penalty after a goal line hand ball, for which the player was ‘sinbinned’ Finally a word about a very good referee who hails from Alicante and we shall be using in future.

SUDUKO SOLUTION Nobody got away with any contact and he was very quick to blow up for running.

Only problem he was going with English rules and we prefer Scottish rules!

Next match at Home Pereira is SAN Fulgencio on the 16th April.

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