MIL PALMERAS MEMORIAL GARDEN RESTORED FOLLOWING VANDALISM

In late March the memorial garden, that had been established at the Capilla de las Mil Palmeras by the Orihuela and Costa and District Branch of the RBL over ten years ago, and used as a place of comfort and in countless ceremonies during the intervening years, was vandalised for the second time by mindless idiots. On this occasion the plant pots were smashed, flowers stolen and the cross of Jesus Christ was also removed from the memorial stone.

Although the local police were informed in Pilar de la Horadada, they were unable to find the culprits.

Despite the fact that the branch committee of the RBL was removed by the District Committee some months earlier, and a number of members suspended from the RBL, for their criticism of

District, the branch effectively sidelined and unable to meet or carry out any fundraising activities, the former ceremonial member, Eddie Coleman, was so disgusted at the condition of the garden that he set about restoring it to it’s former glory.

Francesca Samper of Pompas Funebres donated a new statue of Jesus, Lords Wood Houses manufactured and donated a new cross and Eddie Coleman spent many hours cleaning up the area, refurbishing and repairing the headstone and reaffixing the cross. Now, the garden and it’s trappings are a truly fitting memorial that can be used once again to honour those who have passed.

Unfortunately, however, the local RBL branch continues to be in a state of limbo, with it’s former officers resolute

LOS DOLSES - ORIHUELA COSTA

Ref: 001562 e425,000 in their view that the District Committee have acted illegally in removing them from office, and more than six months after submitting their appeal, accompanied by independent statements alleging bullying by the District Chairman, Jack Kemp, both the Membership Council, and the RBL Complaints Committee appear to be sitting on the fence, unable or unwilling to make a decision.

Meanwhile, despite paying an annual fee, almost 140 members of the RBL in Spain are still unable to meet as they continue to be without a branch, and more importantly, having raised almost half a million euro in recent years, 30% of all RBL Poppy Appeal income in Spain District North, they are unable to carry out any fundraising activities. It would appear that ‘SERVICE NOT SELF’ is hardly the motto being applied by the charity in this part of Spain.

Detached Villa With Private Pool

Totally refurbished 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, villa with large southfacing terrace.

Airconditioning and heating, all new windows, completely insulated. Underbuild with 2 additional rooms. Garage and access to seperate garden area, part of which is used for bed and breakfast.

OVER THE MOON’S AS PATRICE CELEBRATES 90 NOT OUT

Last Friday Patrice Satur was able to celebrate his 90th birthday at a special party, held in his honour, in Moon’s Bar, Torre de la Horadada, where family and friends toasted the milestone along with the Torre de la Horadada resident. Patrice was born in Burma in 1933, where he lived with his family until 1942, but when the country was invaded by Japan they had little option other than to flee.

After flying to India, Patrice settled in Mussoorie, a hill station in the Himalayas, where he went to boarding school until 1950. In the meantime, his father was killed in an accident in 1944, and his mother remarried in 1950.

In 1951 he moved to the UK where he begin an apprenticeship, specialising in toolmaking. After working as a toolmaker for 10 years, he moved across to quality control on gas and oil pipelines. In 1970 this provided him with the opportunity to travel to Iran where he worked on the fabrication and installation of oil/gas platforms in the Persian Gulf.

Married in 1971 and now with two sons, he travelled back to UK to take up employment with a number of companies on North Sea platforms.

Unfortunately, his wife died in 1978, however Patrice then remarried in 1982.

When his second wife became very ill, he was forced to retire and following her death in 2004 he was able to fulfil his long-term ambition of moving to Spain, which he did in 2005 buying a property in Torre de la Horadada.

It was there that he met his current partner, Diana, in 2006. They have lived together since 2009 and in the intervening years they have spent their time together travelling much of the world. The image above shows Patrice with Diana.

The Exercise finished on Friday when a final briefing was held in Alicante