The Leader Newspaper Edition 818

D O YOU WANT TO S E LL YOU R P R OP E RTY? NO SALE - NO FE E Tel: +3 4 617 537 8 6 6 No 818

Monday 8th - Sunday 14th June, 2020

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AG UAMAR I N A M IC R O -R E S E RVE R EOP E N E D

he formal re-inauguration of the Flora Micro-reserve located below the Aguamarina promenade took place on Friday morning.

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Accompanying the mayor, Emilio Bascuñana, were the councillors for the Environment, Dámaso Aparicio, Beaches, Ramón López Cabrera, and Health,

José Galiano.

The mayor said how delighted he was to be able to demonstrate Orihuela’s commitment to the sustainability of the

environment and to preserving the region’s biodiversity with the renewal of this important micro-reserve.

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He explained how, in recent weeks, the Department of the Environment has carried a project reconditioning the pedestrian path in the reserve at a cost of 32,733euro.

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But the money has also allowed the publication of a new field guide on the flora of Cala de la Glea

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This informative guide, published to celebrate World Environment Day, includes photos and information about the 56 representative species found along the route of the cove, either side of the pedestrian path.

637 227 385 E-mail office@theleader.info Website www.theleader.info Journalists 600 228 616 office@theleader.info The Costa Blanca and Costa Calida Leader, its publishers, members of staff and its agents do not accept responsibility for claims by advertisers nor can it be held responsible for any errors in advertisements which are reproduced from poor artwork, low quality electronic data or inadequate instructions for text or other layout features. Further no responsibility is accepted for any loss or damage caused by an error, inaccuracy or non-appearance of any advertisement, although all advertisements produced are checked prior to insertion. We regret that we cannot accept responsibility for more than ONE incorrect insertion and that no re-publication will be granted in the case of typographical or minor changes which do not affect the value of the advertisement. E&OE. NO PART OF THIS NEWSPAPER MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE PUBLISHERS.

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Below- Cllr for the Environment, Dámaso Aparicio.

Front page, the mayor, Emilio Bascuñana, flanked by cllrs Ramón López Cabrera, Dámaso Aparicio and José Galiano.

Aguamarina Micro Reserve

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The guide illustrates the plant richness of this natural itinerary, focusing on the Flora Micro-reserve, which is home to a significant population of a protected species, declared as vulnerable, such as the jara cabeza de gato, "Helianthemum Caput-felis". "It is a small woody bush up to 30 cm high with a bloom that is reminiscent of a cat's head," said Councillor Dámaso Aparicio.

Aparicio also explained that from the point of view of the protected habitats "it is a very diverse reserve since we find many different plants at different stages, and being on the sea front, on a stretch of rocky coast, plant formations associated with marine draughts can establish themselves, which increases the diversity and richness of the area.

In the undergrowth, in addition to the cat's head, de jara de cabeza de gato, we can find many other species among which we can highlight la albaida, la esparraguera, el tuero, la viborera, las jaras tomillo, la corona de fraile, different species of jarillas, the immortal rosemary, cattail, el poleo macho and even thyme. Many of these are aromatic and are used in traditional medicine or simply as a digestive potion.

In many other areas, where the sand disintegrates from the rocks, many other protected species can be

found, such as the milkweed, along with la rubia espigada marina, and in more rocky areas, the violet is incorporated into the thickets.

The councillor said that all of the information contained in the field guide can be found on the council website where you can download the publication that provides a multitude of information on the different species of flora that make up this natural area characteristic of the Oriolan coast, however, at the time of writing, although I picked up a copy of this very useful booklet at the inauguration, I am unable to find the website link.

This project to repair the public footpath has consist-

ed of replacing the steps that have become detached from the path, replacement of the wooden posts detached from the fence, total replacement of the existing nylon rope in the fence, removal and cutting of branches that invade and hinder those walking along the path and the elimination of wasps. There are also a number of new information signs with the inclusion of a QR code to download the Field Guide.

Aparicio said that it was important to repair this pedestrian path, after the serious damage suffered by DANA last September, so that now our residents, tourists and visitors can enjoy this natural environment all year round."

Torrevieja re opens parks and gardens The Torrevieja City Council reopened all of its parks and gardens on Friday, after being closed to the public since the beginning of the state of alarm.

Carmen Gómez Candel has said that the disinfection works in all of the children's parks, gardens and green areas of Torrevieja will be finished, so that on Friday they would be opened with total hygienic security for their use and enjoyment.

The Councillor for Parks and Gardens said that last Friday an emergency contract was approved for their deep disinfection for a total amount of 42,349'84

euros, which includes cleaning with disinfectant, bactericide, fungicide and viricide, to be carried out in alternate days (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday), on the different existing children’s playground equipment: 135 spring rockers, 38 slides, 18 seesaws, 49 swings and 40 multi-games.

THE OASIS BAR & RESTAURANT. PHASE 2.

We are now welcoming customers to dine inside the bar, along with outside dining.

Food order collections taken. Opening hours: 10am to close. Food available, from Breakfast 10am, through until 1pm. Afternoon Snacks available.

Evening Menu from 6pm. Pre-order. To order please WhatsApp 645 409 436 or Tel +44 77138 5537.

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Study shows that 5.2% of Spaniards have coronavirus antibodies 5.2% of the population has been infected with coronavirus, according to data from the second Seroprevalence study published on Thursday by the Carlos III Health Institute.

This is a minimal increase from the initial figures, which were published on May 13. With sample taken of almost 70,000 participants across the country, the results show a higher participation rate than in the first study, with the estimated prevalence of antibodies increasing from 5% to 5.2%.

The second round of the study was carried out between May 18 and June 1. According to Marina Pollán, director of the National Centre for Epidemiology, experts have observed that "the prevalence is lower in children and young adults." As for people over 70 years of age, 6.7% of the older population has been infected with the virus.

As in the first wave, the data has also reconfirmed that a third of people with Covid-19 have no symptoms. "They would not visit their medical centre’s to be diagnosed," said Pollán. But they are people who have a significant impact on transmission. "We must continue to maintain hygiene measures by regularly washing our hands, distance

and masks," said the doctor, “as many of us could be asymptomatic, and with no knowledge of our symptoms.”

The new data also shows that the number of people who showed symptoms similar to the coronavirus have decreased in round 2. "In round 1 we had percentages of people with symptoms compatible with Covid-19 of around 5%, at this time the rate has been reduced, in most of the communities it is less than 1% ".

The Community of Madrid and the nearby provinces are those with the highest percentages. Soria, with 14.7% of the affected population, and Cuenca, with 14.2%, are the two provinces with the highest prevalence of the coronavirus, which was also the case with the data from the first wave. They are followed by Segovia (12.8%), Albacete (11.6%) and Madrid (11.4%).

Immunity in the province of Alicante is at higher levels than that registered in the province of Valencia, which is 2.1%. In the whole of the Valencian Community, immunity has increased from 2.4% to 2.7% in this second phase of the study.

The president of the Spanish Society of Preventive Medicine, Rafael Ortí, believes that part of the explanation for the increase in the immunity in the province of Alicante is due to the fact that cases secondary to the outbreak in the Marina Baixa region are now emerging. He blames the increase in coronavirus immunity figures on the arrival of visitors to the province during the Easter holiday period.

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World Civil Aviation Organisation publishes its new guidelines for aircraft

Hand Luggage to be banned on aircraft

Passengers will no longer be able to put hand luggage in the above seat compartment

The International Civil Aviation Organisation has published its guidelines for airlines across the world.

One of the measures that will particularly change the way we travel will be the elimination of hand luggage in the above seat compartment.

The objective is that passengers do not have the opportunity to make physical contact, so, when implemented, you will only be able to travel with a backpack or bag that fits under the front seat.

According to ICAO, the reason for this measure is that, when getting on and off the plane, the placement and removal of carry-on bags causes countless opportunities for contact between passengers.

The decision will have a significant economic effect on the low-cost companies, although the measure could also lead to more passengers choosing to pay to place their suitcases in the hold.

Other ICAO instructions have been anticipated for some time: the need to wear masks on all flights, at all airports, on all aircraft; Checking in for your flight online - a common thing today on most short and medium-haul flights, but not so much on long-haul flights. This will eliminate or greatly reduce the need for contact with travel documents between staff and passengers,� the protocol said - and working contactless in duty-free shops.

Aboard planes, passengers will be told to move around as little as

possible within the cabin, and not to line up outside toilets to lessen the risk of infecting other passengers. People will also be assigned a specific toilet cubicle on the plane in relation to where they are seated.

Instructions are also issued for the use of the toilets on board, with one reserved exclusively for the aircraft crew, who are those who are most at risk.

The international ICAO instructions have still to be to be converted by member countries into specific rules and legal requirement for their airlines.

Spanish Porn star Nacho Vidal arrested for murder after toad-venom ritual local press.

The photographer used a pipe to inhale the substance, which is secreted from the glands of the bufo alvarius, an endangered North American toad, said to be a habitual remedy for therapeutic or medicinal purposes, but one that in itself posed a serious risk to public health, but that it was masked by what seemed to be an apparently harmless ancestral ritual, using alternative methods of treatment.

The (deadly) rite of Nacho Vidal: 600 euros per session in the Valencian 'Playboy mansion' Porn star Nacho Vidal arrested for murder in a toad-venom ritual in which toad poison was inhaled Three people, including a porn star, have been arrested for reckless manslaughter during a toad-venom ritual in which toad venom was inhaled.

The porn actor Nacho Vidal, who has featured in hundreds of pornographic movies, was arrested along with two others, a relative and an employee of his company. All have been accused of homicide during the

celebration of a mystical ritual based on the inhalation of poison toad fumes that occurred in July 2019, in the Valencian town of Enguera, just north of Ontinyent.

The XĂ tiva Judicial Police Team opened their investigation after the death the fashion photographer JosĂŠ Luis Abad, during the celebration of a mystical ritual based on the inhalation of the fumes of the poison toad bufo alvarius, which is called the 'molecule de Dios', in the country house that the actor owns in Enguera, according to the

The toad secretes a toxin that induces hallucinations and euphoria if inhaled by humans. The toad, also known as the Colorado River toad, uses the powerful toxin to defend itself against predators in Mexico and south-western US states, where it is found in the Sonoran Desert.

The investigation was carried out over 11 months, following which three people, two men and a woman aged between 37 and 50 and of Spanish nationality have been arrested. The proceedings have been made available to the Court of Instruction No. 2 of Xativa.

A lawyer for Mr Vidal said his client "considers himself to be innocent", describing the death as an unfortunate accident.

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Car collides with tanker truck on AP7 close to Pilar orthbound traffic tailed back for about a kilometre on Wednesday afternoon on the AP7 motorway close to the underpass at Pilar de la Horadada.

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One witness to the accident told the Leader that, as a result of the force of the impact, she thought the car driver was extremely lucky to have survived the crash.

The accident occurred at about 3.30pm when a car ploughed into the back of a stationary tanker truck carrying olive oil, that had broken down on the hard shoulder.

However, once released from the wreckage and treated at the scene by paramedics his injuries were said to be not life threatening.

The driver of the car had to be released from the wreckage by firefighters from the Torrevieja park.

He was subsequently taken to Torrevieja University Hospital where he remains, currently being treated for broken bones and hip injuries.

Guardia seize 257 kgs of drugs hidden inside animal stomachs

Civil Guard detains gang after string of golf course robberies T

he Benidorm Civil Guard has arrested two men for breaking into and stealing from vehicles, parked on golf courses in the southern Costa Blanca, close to the AP7 motorway. So far, they have been charged with 9 crimes of theft, 1 of robbery, 1 internet scam and 1 crime of belonging to a criminal group, although investigators say that the number of charges may rise further as they are still looking into at least 40 other similar crimes.

On May 23, a man reported to the San Juan de Alicante Civil Guard, that his vehicle had been robbed while he was playing golf in Denia.

Fortunately the crime was recorded on security cameras which showed that the men were able to unlock the central cocking of the vehicle using a frequency inhibitor. Once inside the vehicle it was a simple case of removing the valuables.

The police investigation found that similar robberies had taken place at golf courses in the area on at least 40 other occasions. The most surprising aspect was that they had all been carried out within the space of a week, from May 19 to 26.

They had also occurred in the provinces of Malaga, AlmerĂ­a, Murcia, Alicante, Valencia, CastellĂłn, Tarragona and Barcelona.

A roaming force of investigators was determined to find them before they left the province, as any delay would make an arrest much more difficult.

Their enquiries paid off and after spending four days at a course in Benidorm, one of them was arrested inside a sports store and the other as he was about to flee in a rental vehicle in which they travelled.

In the car the police found 554 euros in cash, 7 items of branded clothing and a watch valued at 500 euros.

The two men, 30 and 32 years old, were arrested and charged with 12 different crimes.

Both have multiple records for illegal acts committed with the same modus operandi.

So far, it has been possible confirm that the crimes occurred in Pilar de la Horadada (6), Orihuela (1), JĂĄvea (1), Alicante (1) and Malaga (1), all against expat victims.

As the investigations progress it is thought that many more crimes will eventually come to light.

he Civil Guard has located a shipment of more than 257 kilos of marijuana hidden under the entrails of animals, the largest amount of drugs seized in one haul in the province this year. The vehicle was stopped at a roadside check in Diezma (Granada) and the driver, a Polish National, was placed under arrest.

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a van traveling towards Puerto Lumbreras, loaded with drums full of salted animal intestines.

According to the Guardia Civil, this stop and search is part of the Telos plan, which takes place in the Campo de Gibraltar and surrounds to combat drug trafficking from North Africa.

The seizure has become the most important that the Civil Guard has made this year in the province of Granada, well above the one carried out on April 30, also in the Guadix region, where the agents stopped a truck with 100 kilos of marijuana.

The discovery took place last week on the A92, at kilometer 278, in the municipality of Diezma.

The agents were carrying out a preventive controls of drug trafficking as they intercepted

The fact that the drugs were packed in intestines did not prevent the agents from locating 227 bags with approximately 1.13 kilos of marijuana vacuum packed in each.

In just one month, the Civil Guard has seized almost 449 kilos of marijuana on the A-92 between the towns of Diezma and Guadix.

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Puig rules out move to phase 3 this week The President of the Generalitat will delay his request to the Ministry of Health for the Community to move into phase 3 of the deescalation process until 15 June at the earliest He said that he wants to strengthen the health framework before rather more before making a final decision. "We are going to remain in a state of prudence," he said when asked about this matter during a public event in Valencia on Wednesday morning.

The autonomous administration will have control of its own de-escalation process once the State ends the single command, but it wants to continue in talks with the Ministry of Health and analyse the evolution for the remainder of this week, the first in phase 2, before making a final resolution.

Monday 8th, therefore, would

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Monday 8th - Sunday 14th June, 2020 current containment as well.

The consellera for health agreed as she stressed the importance of respecting social distances "so as not to have an upturn".

President of the Valencian Community, Ximo Puig

be too soon with Puig saying that the request would be for Monday, June 15, always for the whole of the autonomous territory without any division between provinces. "We want a safe Mediterranean so that we can offer the greatest possible security," said the head of the Consell, who insisted on reinforcing health measures to "move forward firmly but without accelerating more than is necessary."

He said, however, that, measures are still being evaluated to enable movement throughout the territory without the provincial restraint, to facilitate travel to second residences, as specified by the Minister of Health, Ana Barceló.

Experts in epidemiology and infectious diseases at the Sant

Also the rate of transmission of infections by each infected person has been decreasing to the current 0.75, for which Barceló attributes the “joint responsibility of all”.

Joan Hospital in Alicante spoke on Tuesday about the importance of controlling possible infections at the moment to avoid a second wave of coronavirus.

At the first face-to-face minicongress held after the confinement of the pandemic, with the about 40 people in attendance, a third of the capacity of the hospital assembly hall, the heads of epidemiology, María Teresa Gea and Dr. Francisco Jover spoke of adopting measures to avoid epidemiological transmission.

They believe that the current Public Health measures are adequate but they warn that the virus depends on our behaviour, so a second wave cannot be ruled out, regardless of the fact that current high temperatures may favour

However the adjoining Region of Murcia will move to phase 3 on Monday 8 June, also taking with it Totana, which has only been in phase 2 for a week. This was decided on Friday by the Ministry of Health after evaluating the requests that have carried out the majority of the autonomous communities and their epidemiological data. There will be some additional restrictions limiting the number of people attending gaherings.

On this occasion, Health authorised the phase advance of all the autonomies that had requested it, a total of ten communities and the city of Melilla.

Travel is still not permitted between the Valencian and Murcian Communities.

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G o ve r n m e n t sets fines of 1 0 0 euros for not wearing a facemask Subject to it being agreed in Congress on Tuesday details facemasks will continue to be mandatory beyond the end of state of alarm, where social distancing is not guaranteed The bill will include sanctions of up to one hundred euros for those who do not comply with this obligation to wear a mask in enclosed spaces.

The text of the draft regulates the obligation of the use of masks for people who are 6 years of age and above "on public roads, in outdoor spaces and in any enclosed space for public use or that is open to the public, provided that it is not possible to guarantee a physical safety

distance of between one and a half to two metres.

They will also be compulsory when travelling by air, sea, bus, or rail transport, as well as in public and private transport, by passengers in vehicles of up to nine seats, including the driver, if the occupants do not they live at the same address.

However, in the case of passengers on ships and boats, the use of masks will not be necessary when they are inside their cabin.

Neither will the use of a masks be required for people with a respiratory illness or difficulty that is aggravated by their use, nor for those who are disabled where their use is unfeasible.

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Ramblings of a Recycled Recluse.......

Man has to be the most adaptable animal on the planet. Take this humble locked-down scribe for example: I have extracted turf from the bowels of an Irish bog and nickel, copper and gold from 4,000 feet under the frozen snow of northern Canada. I drove buses in Birkenhead and covered the Beijing Olympics for a newspaper. I have been a postmaster in Ireland and a publican in Spain. I have known poverty in one life and utmost affluence in another. I would have prided myself on achieving some success in life through being a ‘people person’, but right now I am embracing the life of a recluse.

I am just your ordinary man in the street – or at least I was until they told me I couldn’t go back out on the street before Mrs Covid passes by. Now I’m living a new life once more – the life of a recluse!

When I was a young ‘whelp’, we boyos used try and propagate the advice that if something or other was inevitable, the best course of action was to lie back and enjoy it. I have adapted this mantra to my present reclusive state. I am ‘lying back and enjoying it!’

Monday 8th - Sunday 14th June, 2020

‘quality time to myself’ one day? Well now I have it … I lie here being serenaded by the birds in glorious sunshine. I heard more of the Cuckoo this year that I did for a decade previously. I chat my Dexter cows and calves down the field – because that is what recluses do. ‘Della the Dexter’ understands me and I know by how she looks at me that she considers me the most handsome, intelligent and amazing human she has ever laid eyes on.

Some might say I am going a little bit ‘odd’ but you see, when you get the name of being a recluse you are not amenable to anyone – and you can do anything you like.

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Now I’m living a new life once more – the life of a recluse!

My reclusive life is even better because I have another recluse living with me … if that’s not a contradiction? Mrs Youcantbeserious shares this isolation with me and it is working really well. We are compatible marooners: She is a fantastic cook and I am a spectacular eater. My fellow reclusee has done more work with shrubs, trees and flowers than if I had hired a small digger, bulldozer and hedge-trimmer from Tool-hire over the past two months. I mow the grass for her: I have a ride-on mower …

The road gate is closed all the time. I only ventured out walking on the road after the government said that old recluses like me could travel 5km for exercise since 5th May. We have suspended car insurance for the past few months.

There are huge advantages in being a recluse. I am in control of myself (that sounds dodgy – but we’ll run with it) and there are no people here to stress me out. I have gotten so used to this that I love going to bed at night, knowing that when I wake up in the morning, I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to do, or talk to anyone I don’t want to speak to. I meet my grandchildren on ‘Zoom’ and ‘Skype’ every day; and when they are gone, everything belonging to me is right there in its own place - where it should be.

With no people around, the weather hot, and the gate closed, I have been known to go around the yard in my underpants – or head for the sauna with even less on. I won’t speak for my cell-mate on this occasion - but Lads, I don’t want to see a queue outside our gate in the morning. Remember ‘social distancing’!

Wasn’t I always talking and planning to have

Another thing … I never had the courage to grow

Echinacea will bring a range of glorious colours this summer

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I watch old hurling and football matches on TV. The beauty of being a recluse of a certain age is that I cannot remember who won – so who needs live sport?

a beard. Sixty years of shaving without ever letting the third day pass, has come to an end, thanks to Mrs Covid. Some say that any man who grows a beard has something to hide? I don’t know – but Easter week I stopped shaving or cutting my hair.

The beard I feared is now reared!

Don’t Forget

So, could anything be better than a reclusive existence? You can see how happy and content I am with my lot?

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

BUT …. I miss my children visiting. I miss my grandchildren running around the place and turning everything into an adventure. AND I MISS PEOPLE!!

The sooner this bloody reclusive reign recedes – the better …!!

Echinacea, commonly known as coneflowers, will bring a range of glorious colours in the summer, with flowers or florets ranging from dark burgundy, black, white, yellow, peach, salmon-reddish orange, and the traditional pinkish-purple.

- and drought - and are not overly fussy on soil type, or whether positioned in full or partial sun.

A hardy perennial, Echinacea will tolerate heat

A bonus is they are one of the best flowers for attracting bees and butterflies into your garden.

Bringing a lovely bright colour and height to your border, growing up to 3-4 feet, with flowers from July through until September.

Echinacea is easy to grow, from nursey stock or seed. Regularly pinch-off dead flowers, to prolong their flowering period.

The dead flower heads can be used in flower arrangements, or collect the seeds for next year, but you'll have to be quick - before the birds get to them!

Echinacea has been used as a healing herb for many centuries, including treatment of the common cold, coughs, bronchitis, upper respiratory infections, and some inflammatory conditions.

GARDEN FELIX Los Montesinos. NOW OPEN. We look forward to seeing all our loyal customers again. Keep safe. Felix, Garden Felix.

The man who is going nowhere can be sure of reaching his destination.

Bernie.comaskey@gmail.com

Bernie has published four books; ‘If Ever a Man Suffered’, ‘The Best of Bernie’, ‘The Team’, and ‘Just Between Ourselves’. Bernie’s books are available at half price, on sale from ‘The Leader.’ Call 637 227 385 for info.

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Lifeguard service resumes on Orihuela Costa Beaches

The lifeguard and first-aid service got underway for the summer season at the weekend and will be resumed continuously from next Friday, 13 June, through to mid-September.

The contract has once again been awarded to AmbumarSYA, who will provide its service on the 11 Oriolan beaches with lifeguards, emergency health staff, a Jet Ski and rescue boat skipper and a coordinator.

There will be 42 lifeguards employed to cover the service together with a rapid intervention vehicle (VIR), a motorcycle, three boats, an SVB ambulance and an SVA ambulance, which will attend to any incident that occurs. The team will also be responsible for informing and advising the public in the face of possible bathing risks, and this year, in the context caused by COVID19, they will also contribute to the safety and proper functioning of the Oriolan beaches.

Councillor for beaches, Ramón López, has said that "the service will operate from 10am until 8pm as he appealed to beach users they they take care

to comply with the new rules and the correct behaviour in following basic guidelines such as social distance and respect for capacity.

Also from June 15 to September 15, the adapted bathing service will be provided at four beaches: Cala Capitán, Cala Bosque, La Glea and Barranco Rubio. "This service will provide access walkways to the wider shading and bathing areas, amphibious chairs and qualified personnel so that the disabled and functionally diverse can also enjoy the beaches.

Torrevieja mayor cancels use of two beaches by dogs The mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolón, has decided to remove, by decree, the two dog beaches authorised by the previous government of the Torrevieja City Council and limit the permission for pet bathing to Cala del Rocío, a small stretch of rocky coastline located between Cala Ferrís and Rocío del Mar.

With this decision the City Council has caved in to the pressure of the residents of the two areas. The signs with the warnings about the use of the beaches disappeared within a few days of the decision being reversed.

‘Reach Out’ charity at breaking point The current crisis has greatly damaged the unique facility that Reach Out offers to the Homeless and needy families in Torrevieja.

The Hacienda has unfortunately seized any debts due to them, rather than defer the payments, as recommended by the Government, they have decided to strike at the jugular and take lump sums from the charity’s ever depleting bank account.

NO INCOME for three months means Reach Out is near to bankruptcy.

They currently have stocks of food provided by generous donors, some funds and the EU Foodbank, and estimate there is enough stock to provide for their 45 families regular until late September.

What they now need is hard CASH. Monetary donations to help pay Social Workers wages, Insurances, Rent, Electricity, security and water bills.

Shop 2 has not been re-opened due to Volunteer fears, they are all of a vulnerable group and have very real concerns.

Shop 1 has re-opened, but due to restrictions the income is still not what it was prior to Lockdown, and will take some time to emerge from the crisis.

The furniture department has not been able to

The reserves provide a third of the province's water supply.

The supply was boosted by storm Gloria and rains in spring The reserves of the Segura Basin are close to 50% of their total capacity and currently holding 15% more water than in the same week in 2019: 542 hm3 compared to 368 hm3 the previous year. A difference of 174 hectometres.

In an unusual trend, during the last week of May and the first week of June, the supply has

The new law has been published in the Official Gazette of the Province, signed by the general director of Urban Planning, Víctor Costa Mazón.

14,000 signatures demanded the creation of beaches for dogs, which were authorised in 2018 after three years of debate during the previous mandate.

At no stage has Eduardo Dolón publicly mentioned the possibility of withdrawing this bylaw.

Segura reservoirs reach 50% of their capacity for the first time in five years

thrive due to lack of drivers, again Volunteers in a vulnerable group.

The charity would appreciate funding from Business’s who would be willing to offer an Annual Tax Deductible bursary, or a monthly sum which again can be tax deductible. Every little helps!!

Volunteers are always required and appreciated, Shop 2 needs Volunteers.

This appeal is a last resort to try to ensure Reach Out continues to meet its mission statement in the future, as we hopefully come to the end of the crisis, and as their services remain of the highest standard.

Bank account details are shown on our website, DONATIONS CAN BE MADE TO OUR SANTANDER BANK ACCOUNT : Account Name: Extiende La Mano IBAN : ES21 0049 3613 91 2314017223 PLEASE LEAVE YOUR NAME AS A REFERENCE. THANK YOU. Tax Certificates can be issued if requested, we will contact you for more information.

The charity also has a Go Fund Me account.

Reach Out Go Fund Me Recovery Fund

received 7 additional hectometres, reaching a level of storage that has not been seen since mid-2015.

During the first week of September 2019 there were barely 240 hectometres (19%) left in the swamps of the Segura.

Recovery began timidly with DANA, with the heaviest rainfall focused on coastal areas, but it really took off with the storm Gloria in January and has since consolidated with the arrival of Atlantic fronts still laden with rain during the storms that

arrived from the east in early spring.

The El Cenajo reservoir, northwest of Murcia, is the most important in the Segura Basin system. It has almost 40% of the total reserve capacity of the system: 437 hectometres of the 1,140 total. It now stores 265 (60%). The second largest reservoir is La Pedrera, in Orihuela.

It does not receive natural contributions but is regulated by the Tagus and the Torrevieja desalination plant. It is at 40% with 102 hectometres.

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QUICKIE CROSSWORD

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ANSWERS Week 788 QUICK ACROSS: 6 Gradual; 7 Adore; 9 And; 10 Character; 12 Institution; 15 Brotherhood; 17 Coagulate; 19 Let; 21 Petty; 22 Courage.

DOWN: 1 Wrong; 2 Add; 3 Rash; 4 Education; 5 Freedom; 8 Wretch; 11 Instigate; 13 Treble; 14 Crooked; 16 Verge; 18 Tool; 20 Try. CRYPTIC CRYPTIC ACROSS: 6 Spender; 7 Ought; 9 Meg; 10 Quarterly; 12 Disappeared; 15 Pros and cons; 17 Translate; 19 The; 21 Dozen; 22 Salient.

DOWN: 1 Opted; 2 Ink; 3 Menu; 4 Queen Anne; 5 Chelsea; 8 Tropic; 11 Dissenter; 13 Arnold; 14 Brer Fox; 16 China; 18 Teak; 20 Tip.

To gain rule overturn the law (10) Right to leave Mrs Gandhi in her country (5) United Nations normal procedure is strange (7) Poorly Grace gets fresh air in the vehicle (8) Cheeky, i.e. a bit impertinent (4) Listen again; there's no noise (6) A superior gambler (6) A short distance from Winchester (4) Busy insect, too, right about vegetable (8) Not one is found struggling in there (7) "Get the drinks in!" (5) All great compositions can be seen at the railway exhibition centre (3,7)

DOWN 1. Jockey on contract (5) 2. Inclination for treading wildly ... (8) 3. ... on glue spilt in the living room (6) 4. Trip to a hill, say (4) 5. Leon put out by revealing he's wealthy (7) 6. Debate when the throwing event is back on (10) 9. Illuminated the time of true revolutionary writing (10) 12. Spanned the greatest street, we hear (8) 14. More fortunate like R.U.C. characters (7) 16. Liquid toper consumed before lunch began (6) 19. Strangely, older democracies don't like young leaders (5) 20. Engine's sound some find much uglier (4)

SUDOKU CHALLENGE

Solution on Page 23 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.

QUIZ ANSWERS

DOWN 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

9.

12.

14.

16.

19.

20.

Old-fashioned (5) Calm (8) Sheen (6) Diplomacy (4) Function (7) White (10) Colony (10) Legible (8) Errand (7) Condition (6) Lamp (5) Church recess (4)

L EA D E R T R I V I A Q U I Z 1. Which famous stadium is named after a World War I flying ace and the first man to fly non-stop across the Mediterranean Sea? 2. At which battle was a horse named Comanche the only survivor on the losing side?

3. Kudryavka or 'little curly' made headlines around the world for a few days in November 1957 under another name. What was it?

4. Given the battle and the army, name the leader for the following: a. Commander of the English army defeated in the US War of Independence. b. General famously killed defending Khartoum against the Mahdi in 1885. c. Leader of the British troops at the Siege of Mafeking in the Second Boer War in 1899. d. Naval commander who defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588. E. Leader of the English troops at Waterloo. f. British forces in the Falklands War, 1982.

5. Tim Curry, of Rocky Horror Picture Show fame, plays a ship's doctor in which Hollywood box office hit?

6. Which (clue: Australian) driver won the F1 World Championship in 1959, 1960 and 1966?

7. What is the very well known old English word for 'spider'?

8. Who was the celebrated Elizabethan playwright killed in a tavern brawl?

9. Why is a manhole cover round? (two reasons) 10. What do Carly Simon's 'You're so Vain' and Peter Tosh's 'Don't look back' both have in

easily moved by rolling, simple. 10.

Mick Jagger sings in both songs.

11. The Lion In Winter. 12. 1980. 13.

Bristol. 14. Lisbon. 15. Lech Walesa. 16. Turtles, Terrapins and Tortoises. 17. Maureen O'Sullivan.

18. Three answers. a. Steve Miller Band. b. OMD. c. Eric Burdon and the Animals. 19. A cross between a zebra and a donkey. 20. Pandora

1.

7.

8.

10.

11.

13.

15.

17.

18.

21.

22.

23.

1. Roland Garros, 2. The battle of Little Big Horn (1876). 3. Laika. 4. a.

Cornwallis, b. Gordon, c. Colonel Baden-Powell, d. Lord Howard of Effingham, e. Wellington, f. Sandy Woodward 5. The Hunt For Red October. 6. Jack Brabham. 7.

Coppe or Cob. (Cobweb). 8.

Christoper (Kit) Marlowe. 9. It cannot fall though the hole like a square one could and it can be

ACROSS

ACROSS 1.

Waste (10) 7.

External (5) 8.

Hit (7) 10. Normal (8) 11. Stop (4) 13. Far off (6) 15. Happened (6) 17. Otherwise (4) 18. Bob (8) 21. Scrap (7) 22. Start (5) 23. Previous (10)

common?

11. Anthony Hopkins' first role in a feature film won three Academy Awards in 1968. What was the name of film?

12. "Call Me" by Blondie and "Geno" by Dexys Midnight Runners were both number one hits in the UK in the same year. Which year?

13. Which port city was the second most populated city in England in 1776?

14. In the film Casablanca, Ilsa and Victor Laszlo want to escape Casablanca and flee to which city?

15. Which Nobel Peace Prize winner from 1983 could not personally accept the prize because of fears he would not have been allowed to return to his native country?

16. Name the three members of the Testudine family that begin with the letter 'T'.

17. Who was the most frequent Jane to Johnny Weismuller's Tarzan?

18. Who sang the following airplane songs? a. Jet Airliner, b. Enola Gay, c. Sky Pilot 19. What is a zeedonk?

20. According to Greek mythology, who was the world's first woman? (Clue: She opened her box and let out the world's evils)

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Torrevieja Council finally, goes digital Torrevieja was one of the few large municipalities in the country that did not have electronic administration but following the launch of the new system by the town hall on Monday there will now no longer be the need to travel into the town and join those large queues to carry out a multitude of procedures, indeed 180 in all.

The city has finally entered the 21st century.

Access to the new system is via the municipal website, www.torrevieja.es on which, prior to use, there are a number of tutorials explain how registration and subsequent procedures are to be followed.

Residents can carry out any procedure from the electronic office, which can be accessed through a digital certificate, the KEY certificate, DNI (with the ISESP number), NIE (with the IXESP number) or the Registration Certificate of European Citizenship, combining the NIE number preceded by the letter C. The mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolรณn , said that "in this excep-

Monday 8th - Sunday 14th June, 2020 tional situation, one of the priority objectives of his mandate has been achieved in record time, thanks to the great work carried out by the Department of Innovation and Modernisation led by Ricardo Recuero."

Dolรณn has recommended that members of the public, companies, associations, and other groups now start to use the electronic office to speed up and streamline any procedure they need from the Torrevieja City Council.

The long-awaited arrival of the system represents a qualitative leap in service to the public and in the internal management of the Torrevieja council, since it will present and enormous shift in the way of working and managing all the bureaucratic and administrative processes of the City Council.

Through the electronic office, more than 180 procedures may now be carried out with the Council.

Officials and council staff have been training for about a month to learn the new processes and procedures to be carried out with the new system as the implementation takes place progressively in all the departments and areas of the consistory.

The City Council has provided tutorial videos on how to carry out any procedure through the electronic office, which can be viewed at

A L I CA N T E A I R P O RT TESTS NEW MEASURES AG A I N S T C O RO NAV I RU S

There are now guides on the ground to keep distances, as passengers wear face masks and check in luggage behind protective screens.

An Alicante-Barcelona domestic flight operated by Vueling late Monday afternoon became the first flight to comply with the new measures taken by Aena at the provincial airport to guarantee the safety of the operation and reduce the risk against covid-19.

now be adopted with connections this week to Norway, Sweden, Ukraine and Bulgaria.

On entering passengers will have to go through the required quarantine measures linked to the state of alarm, and exit passengers must comply with the measures that are already in force, including the use of masks at all times.

Passengers had to move around the terminal with masks, keep the security distances which were painted on the ground, and check in their bags at a counter protected by the screens that are currently being placed at the more than 80 flight check ins.

The provincial airport management has distributed hydrogels throughout the terminal so that passengers can regularly wash their hands, one of the main security measures. Inside the aircraft they are also required to fly with whilst wearing a mask and, until July 1, the aircraft cannot take passengers to their capacity.

At the moment, the activity in the terminal is still minimal since the state of alarm seriously limits travel, but Aena and the airlines have already started to test the new security protocols which need to be ready for 1 July, when many Airlines are expected to start their own de-escalation and the airport will return to normal.

Masks, ground signs to direct passengers, public address messages informing people about the rules as they move around the terminal, hydrogels, distances and everything necessary to comply with the new measures. This is the "new normal" for passengers moving through the Alicante-Elche airport.

This year, however, the traffic figures at the terminal will fall to the level of ten years ago, due to the lack of activity between March and June and the uncertainty that continues to determine how foreign tourism will respond in the second half of the year.

Aena has already completed the renovation and expansion of the toilets that serve the boarding area. Their intention is to have the terminal 100% ready by July 1, when airlines are scheduled to resume their operations. Aena believes that the increase in online procedures will prevent queues but it will also depend on the companies themselves and the organisation of their flights.

Monday's flight between Alicante and Barcelona was the first to use the new measures which will

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this link: https://youtu.be/lc5JzKaicAI

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Car Sales The Car of the Month at Automoviles Crespo is a 2016 Ford Kuga petrol which is on Special Offer priced at just 16,900 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.

Social and Clubs Royal British Legion Orihuela Costa and District Branch meet on the third Tuesday of each month at the Olympia Pool Bar and Restaurant in Mil Palmeras.

Everyone is welcome. Call Jean for info on: 630 28 08 99.

Meetings are currently postponed during the current crisis.

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

New members are always welcome. You do not have to be exservices. For more information contact:- gill.burden20@gmail.com Age Concern Costa Blanca Sur is here to help you with problem solving and well being for the over 50’s. We need volunteer Drivers and people to join our Residential Home Visiting Team. to visit people in a Residential Home, and take them out for a coffee. If you think you can help call into our centre at C/Paganini

s/n, Urb. La Siesta 03184 Torrevieja or ring 966 786 887.

Or 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 ...currently postponed Royal Naval Association, Torrevieja Branch now meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 1700 (5pm) at CHE LOCO bar/restaurant, El Chaparral urbanisation, Torrevieja. For more information please contact Chairman Tony Jenkins on 693 866 709, Vice Chairman Danny Kay on 966716274 or Secretary Margaret Forshaw on 966 92 1966. ...currently postponed Royal Air Force Association Costa

Blanca Branch. The branch meets at Restaurant El Nacional, Punta Prima, on N332, on the third Tuesday of the month at 2.30 pm. You do not have to be an ex-member of the RAF to join this friendly Association. For further info please contact the Chairman on 634 368 833 or the welfare officer on 615 048 892. www.rafa.org.uk/costa-blanca HAH CB need you to help us help those in need in their own homes, short or long term medical conditions of all ages and nationalities.

Contact our head office on 965 328 794 or email: 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

SEASIDE SHUFFLE as La Zenia 82nd Birthday Party put on hold

By Andrew Atkinson Octogenarian David Pritty celebrated his 82nd birthday on May 24 in the UK, amid the coronavirus lockdown, that thwarted flights to Spain.

David and his wife Doris, from Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, who have a property in La Zenia, had to cancel a birthday celebration in Spain following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Doris presented avid Blackpool supporter David with a special birthday celebration card, donned The Seasiders.

Doris told The Leader: "Happy lockdown birthday to my fantastic husband - 'Dave the Rave!' ".

Granddaughter Lauren West sent a message from London, saying: "Happy Birthday granddad. Hope you have a great day - lots of love the West's".

Orihuela based friends Wendy Ranson and husband Terry also sent birthday wishes, via The Leader, saying: "Happy Birthday David, have a fantastic day - missing you and take care, love Wendy and Terry".

Roy Johnston, from San Pedro Walking Football, said: "Happy birthday Dave. Missing our football chats - have a nice day. Stay safe and keep smiling."

David and Doris are hoping to return to Spain, following the COVID19, 0-4 phases of easing restrictions, with flights scheduled to recommence during the summer.

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am Services and there is also a Sunday School, Stepping Stones, on these Sundays. For info see www.lasiestaevangelicalchurch.org 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.

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rights beyond the end of 2020.

The key message remains to register as a resident as soon as you are able.

Many of have contacted the Embassy to ask when residency appointments will be available again, given the recent coronavirus lockdown. It is understood that in those provinces that have now moved into phase 2 or 3 of the Spanish Government’s de-escalation plan, some offices are opening a limited number of appointments.

You should keep checking the Spanish Public Administration portal to see if appointments are available in your area. You may need to be patient as provinces are lifting restrictions at different rates.

Round Four as UK and EU get back into their BREXIT corners It looks very much as though Boris Johnson is pushing along with his Brexit plans and is not expecting to ask for any extension beyond the end of the year. As such the United Kingdom will most certainly leave the single market and EU customs union on December 31 As the trade negotiators from Britain and the EU embark on their fourth round of negotiations politicians from neither London nor Brussels expect to see a breakthrough anytime soon.

Meetings are currently continuing by video link but once the latest crossChannel video conferences are over,

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the new EU chief Ursula von der Leyen will meet to decide how to proceed further.

Unfortunately key disagreements still remain to any trade deal with the UK wanting a simple trade deal that is tariff free. The EU, however, want an allencompassing agreement which they say will establish a level playing field.

This would give British firms access to most -- but not all -- of the benefits of the single market, without exposing their European rivals to attempts to undercut standards.

Chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier says failing to reach agreement will

HMA Hugh Elliott said: “I know that because of the suspension of residency appointments during the state of emergency, many UK nationals are concerned about their ability to obtain the correct documentation before 31 December. I want to reassure people on two points. If you already have the

P

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green residency certificate, your core rights are protected and it remains a valid document, even after the end of the transition period.

If you don’t yet have your green residency certificate there is, likewise, no need for alarm. We continue to advise people to get an appointment as soon as you can. However, as long as you are living in Spain and can prove that you satisfy the legal conditions of residence (ie. sufficient income and access to healthcare) by 31 December 2020, your rights are assured even if you are not able to get the physical document before the end of the year.”

Another of our key messages continues to be to exchange your UK driving licence for a Spanish one. For those who are yet to do so further information is available on the DGT site.

Remember, you will be able to exchange your driving licence until the end of 2020 without taking a test, so please do make an appointment as soon as you are able to.”

have consequences -- which "will be added to the already very serious consequences of the coronavirus crisis" He told The Sunday Times that the two sides have a "joint responsibility" to head off any potential disaster.

A British spokesman said, "We expect the round to be constructive and to keep the process on track ahead of the high-level meeting later this month."

Reminder from British Ambassador As the talks kicked off once again the British Ambassador to Madrid issued a press release reminding British citizens who are living in Spain of what they need to do in order to guarantee their

Ambassador Hugh Elliot

Sánchez refuses to cut salaries of government high earners rime Minister Pedro Sanchez has refused to cut salaries of senior government officials in solidarity with the people of a country that is facing the worst economic crisis since the Civil War. His refusal was conveyed to Congress through a written parliamentary response to a question raised

by Vox deputy Francisco José Contreras. A professor of Philosophy of Law at the University of Seville and deputy for this constituency, Contreras asked Pedro Sánchez about his "provisions to cut the salaries of the highest-paid senior officials as a gesture of austerity and solidarity with the Spanish public because of the crisis generated by Covid-19.

The question submitted by Contreras was, "At a time when, due to the economic crisis generated by the Covid-19 pandemic and the measures of confinement, millions of Spaniards have fallen into unemployment and the public purse is going to incur an appalling deficit, have you foreseen the Government cutting the salaries of its highest-paid senior officials, as a gesture of austerity and solidarity with the people hit by the catastrophe?"

The Vox spokesman in the Constitutional Commission said that this is the most expensive government in the history of the Spanish nation

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and, according to the Government’s Transparency Portal, the salaries of many senior officials far exceed 100,000 euros.

Iván Redondo, Chief of Staff and Miguel Ángel Oliver, Secretary of State for Communication, both earn 126,124 euros. José Manuel Albares , former Secretary General for International Affairs, EU, G20 and Global Security in the Presidential Cabinet and now ambassador to France, received 120.86 euros last year, while Andrea Gavela, former deputy director of the Presidential Cabinet and today undersecretary of state for culture and sport, received 118,854 euros.

The Prime Minister dismissed the appeal saying that "now more than ever, it is important that we have a robust public sector with all public employees dedicating all their time and effort to managing the effects of this crisis, in the same way that the Government of Spain is doing."

Santiago Abascal also proposed in Congress a cut in the size of the coalition government to abolish three vice presidencies and 10 ministries, which would save costs and dedicate more resources to the economic recovery in the face of the crisis.

He said that it should set a legal maximum of two

Vice Presidencies and 12 ministerial departments, so that the Council of Ministers is made up of a maximum of 13 people, including the president, compared to the current 23 of the Executive of

Abascal also proposes the abolition of three vice presidencies and 10 ministries

PSOE and Podemos.

According to Vox, those ministries that do not carry out essential tasks would be abolished or downgraded, as would the salaries of their incumbents.

Abascal said that the Government currently has an annual cost of 15.84 million euros in salaries for senior officials, so "the ethical and moral obligation at this time of crisis" must be "to promote policies that decrease the burden that citizens have on the existence of surplus government structures.”

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Orihuela council to open all Municipal pools except on the Coast

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School admission website launched The new website, www.torreviejaeducacion.es, will provide support for those using the Admission process for the 2020-2021 academic year The Councillor for Education, Ricardo Recuero, has announced the launch of the new municipal website for EDUCATION for the School Admission process, which will begin next Monday, June 8.

The Councillor for Sports, Víctor Bernabéu, said on Tuesday that in recent weeks the Council has been "carrying out important maintenance tasks in municipal sports facilities."

Specifically, the facilities of the Palacio del Agua are undergoing improvement and maintenance, in addition to their preparation for the safe reopening of the sports centre.

One of the most relevant procedures that will be carried out in the coming weeks will be “the repair and restoration work on the beams and trusses of the structure of the heated swimming pool cover, which has been subjected to intense use since its opening,” said Bernabéu.

Work has also been carried out in municipal

Free flights for Medical Staff

sports areas at La Matanza, La Murada, Barrio San Pedro, El Palmeral Sports Centre and Orihuela Costa although the councillor didn’t provide any details.

He did say, however that 5 recreational pools in the municipality, Palacio del Agua in Orihuela, San Bartolomé, La Murada, La Aparecida and Torremendo will all be opened by 27 June.

Residents of the Orihuela Costa will note that the one facility missing from the list is the pool at Playa Flamenca which, having been closed for over a year because of management problems, is unlikely to open anytime soon The tickets will be given away so that the winners can visit their relatives, enjoy a welldeserved rest and regain strength during the summer.

The companies will contact the winners from 15 June after checking the data

The Iberia and Vueling websites were registering peaks of 350 applications per second and more than 150,000 users simultaneously. Both companies apologised, because the large influx caused some occasional problems with the websites.

The joint promotion of the Iberia Group, Vueling and Aena, to give away airline tickets to healthcare personnel who have worked in hospitals during the Coronavirus crisis, has exhausted its stock of 100,000 tickets (50,000 pairs), in less than three hours on Monday afternoon.

Once the checks have been made, on June 15 Iberia and Vueling will contact the people who were selected from the applicants to provide them with a voucher that will cover the total cost of the two tickets they want to book, with all airport taxes covered by Aena.

Aena, Iberia and Vueling give away 100,000 free airline tickets for medical staff in three hours

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However, for those families that don’t have telematics facilities they may still get help in the completion of the administrative process from the Department of Education, by prior appointment.

Recuero said that the admission process for Early Childhood and Primary Education will be from June 8 to 16 and that of Secondary Education, Bachelor, Professional Training and Medium Level Training Cycles, from 17-25 June The Department of Education will provide whatever support is necessary to families and schools in this important process of the school year.

The Councillor for Education, Ricardo Recuero

The new website, www.torreviejaeducacion.es, aims to support those families interested in participating in the Admission process for the 20202021 academic year. In addition to information and access to the online application process, the website offers information on the different educational centres of the town.

AACC office reopens in Flamenca Beach CC The AACC office at Flamenca Beach Commercial centre will re-open on Monday 8th June 2020, with the same opening hours as before, Monday to Friday from 10am till 1pm You can also call the office on 965 329 841 during these times alternatively email us on info@pinkladies.es The charity will be following ALL government guide lines during this period, masks will be worn by volunteers and must also be worn by anyone that visits the premises. There is a hand sanitizer at the entrance to the office where people should wait to be invited into the office, as a maximum of two plus volunteers is all that will be allowed in the office at the same time.

Members of the public are invit-

ed to the office to discuss and book an early cancer screening test, make a donation or to just have a chat about anything related to cancer.

Unfortunately volunteers are not allowed to have a presence at the Zenia Boulevard as they normally do on a Monday, this will remain the case until at least phase 3.

People can also book a screening test by visiting the web site at www.pinkladies.es and clicking on the “screening” tab.

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Monday 8th - Sunday 14th June, 2020

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tobacco companies, last played in the televised stage of the World championship at The Crucible in 1994 - and was involved in an argument with referee, John Williams, about where he was standing.

llan Baker manager at Preston Guild Hall speaks to Andrew Atkinson, for the first time in 34 years, about Alex Higgins headbutting incident with tournament director Paul Hatherall in 1986, during the Coral UK Championship, that led to his ban from the WPBSA.

A

His last match on the pro snooker circuit came in 1997, playing in the qualifying rounds in Plymouth. He was escorted from the venue - for being abusive - and was found lying on the ground in the early hours of the following morning, after being hit with an iron bar.

"Whenever Alex was playing snooker at the Guild Hall we were always guaranteed a sell out crowd," said Baker, looking back on Higgins career, that included a 16-15 win in the final of the UK championship against Steve Davis in 1983.

"He loved playing in Preston and always got a tremendous reception.

"Myself and other members of staff always got on very well with Alex over the years - until the incident with Paul Hatherall the tournament director," said Baker.

Higgins' headbutting incident followed a request for a blood test, that became world headlines news, leading to his suspension from five tournaments.

"We had to eject Alex from the building that night - as he wouldn't leave when asked to do so.

"Our relationship was never the same after the 1986 incident.

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Appearances followed in exhibitions - and Legends events, where frail Higgins' shadow of his former self left Canadian Cliff Thorburn in tears.

Commemorating Ten years since his death “The Alex Higgins story” "We always found the two sides to Alex - the sober Alex - and the alcohol-fuelled Alex," said Baker.

Following the Guild Hall incident; Higgins was banned in 1990 for the season for litany offences, including the threat to have Dennis Taylor shot - and punching a tournament press officer.

Wayward Belfast born Higgins' lifestyle continued, having won the Irish Masters, limping around the snooker table, after falling 25 feet from a window amid a row with his girlfriend.

Higgins, who survived throat cancer in 1998, returning to smoking cigarettes, despite an attempt to sue

World champion in 1972 and 1982 Higgins died on July 24, 2010, aged 61.

Despite Higgins shenanigans, Baker said: "The one thing I always admired about Alex, was the time he had to sign autographs and spend with disabled and wheelchair patrons - he was always very generous with his time for that". *If I knew you were comin' I'd 'av baked a Cake - The Alex Higgins story, published by Andrew Atkinson in July, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of his death.

To order a copy £12, email: lancashiremedia@gmail.com

‘Legend’ December Second fatal accident at Newcastle Quote: 'December Second was one of Phil’s favourite horses, riding him out himself. He will remain a legend in our eyes'.

Philip Kirby trained December Second suffered a fatal injury in the Betway Handicap Class 3 over 1 mile 4 furlongs at Newcastle's all weather track at Gosforth Park last week Following the tragedy there has been a plethora of messages of sympathy sent to Philip Kirby racing stables, based at Green Oaks in Richmond, North Yorkshire.

Philip's wife, Pippa said: "Thank you all so much for your very kind words and messages following such an upsetting day at Newcastle, which was handled so well by their excellent vets on course.

"December was a much loved horse by his owner David Platt, our team and ourselves - he will never be forgotten."

December Second, ridden by P. J. McDonald took a fall in running, and screens were placed on the scene thereafter.

McDonald and fellow jockey Jim Crowley, were both attended to by medics after the incident, with Crowley saying he was 'shaken, but feels fine.'

Six year old December Second won at Haydock Park, Huntingdon and Ayr in 2019, finishing second at Hamilton Park, Doncaster and Goodwood.

Pippa added: "He had such talent and a love of racing. Who can forget those effortless bumper wins, or that stunning Flat win at Haydock Park?

"He was one of Phil’s favourite horses, riding him out himself, and he’ll remain a legend in our eyes."

A spokesperson for the British Horseracing Authority said following the incident: "We are all deeply saddened about the loss of December Second this afternoon.

“No one will be more affected by this than the trainer Phil Kirby, the owners and the stable staff who provided the horse with first-class care throughout his life.

“Equine welfare has been an important consideration in our planning to return, for example there have been limits placed on field sizes as part of the sport’s resumption of racing strategy, but it is impossible to remove risk altogether.

"On average a horse falls once in every 1,000 runners in Flat races. Statistics shows that horses are more likely to suffer injury at home in a field than on a Flat racecourse, and at the racecourse our horses have access to the best possible care. December Second was treated by vets, within seconds of his fall.”

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Benitachell ‘Ground Zero’ of the new tennis

I

t’s not only the Mediterranean waves that are crashing onto the beaches of Benitachell this weekend as the first action-packed tennis tournament in Spain is breaking into the scenic beach town at the Cumbres del Sol Sports Club.

The world of tennis and professional sports set their eyes on Friday on the clay court of Cumbre del Sol, in the town of Benitatchell, in the first post- coronavirus exhibition event to be held in Spain.

The event featured four elite tennis players who all live in the Community: the Spanish-Australian from Alicante, Alex de Miñaur, ranked 26th on the ATP tour, the Castellón, Roberto Bautista, 12th and number two in Spain after Rafa Nadal, Pablo Carreño, 25th and a member of the Equelite Academy of Villena run by Juan Carlos Ferrero, and Pablo Andújar, who is currently ranked 53rd in the world.

Each tennis player serves with his own set of balls, social distancing is maintained, the players arrive on court wearing masks and their temperatures are taken.

Similar to other exhibition events, such as the UTR Pro Match Series in Florida, the ‘round robin’ tournament has no live spectators and is following strict social distancing guidelines.

On what should have been championship weekend at Roland Garros, the top names traded forehand and backhands in an unfamiliar setting.

Although playing under unusual restrictions, the four players showed the world where tennis may be headed for the remainder of the season.

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GOLF COURSES AND COVID - 19 Here on the Costa’s golf is one of the biggest leisure time activities for both tourists and resident alike and with this in mind we have secured the services of Mike Probert of Costa Blanca Green Fee Services to provide a weekly round up of local golfing events and topics and in conjunction with us at THE LEADER will provide discounted golf prices to all of our readers and run our golf competitions.

Latest Post Covid-19 Golf News Golf Thefts across the Costa Blanca Region We had received reports from local golfers of thefts from parked buggies on the course at both Lo Romero and Villamartin and on each occasion the motus operandi was the same to isolate buggies hidden from view by trees, hide in the said trees and then steal wallets, watches, phones, keys, etc before returning to hiding and the thefts are not discovered until hours later when the thieves are long gone. (Full report on page 8) I can now report that the thieves have now been caught in Alicante

and I looks like it was a major crime over 40 golf courses and many thousands of euro’s so golfers are now safe but must still remain vigilant.

Golf Courses available to play The following local courses are available but remember that you can only travel and play courses in your province: Alicante Province Alenda, Bonalba, Campoamor, Don Cayo, El Plantio, Font del Llop, La Galiana, La Marquesa, Lo Romero, Puig Campana, Vistabella,Villaitana Levante and Villamartin are open.

(Alicante, La Finca, Las Ramblas and Villaitana Poniente remain closed).

Murcia Province Altorreal, El Valle, Hacienda Del Alamo,Hacienda Riquelme, La Serena, La Manga North,La Torre, Lorca, Mar Menor, New Sierra Golf,Roda and Saurines are open.

(Alhama and La Manga South & West remain closed).

We at THE LEADER are committed to providing to our golfing readers affordable golf without the need to join a club or apply for a card but simply contact the number below to have instant access to discounted golf prices, many of which are exclusive to us: The deals shown in the table are some of the best POST COVID19 PRICES currently available to you:

El Plantio El Valle Font Del Llop Hacienda Del Alamo Hacienda Riquelme La Galiana

€80 €152 €94 €35 €118 €100

Course Alenda Altorreal Bonalba Campoamor Don Cayo (Altea)

La Manga North La Marquesa La Sella La Serena La Torre Las Colinas

€75 €41 €40 €40 €118 €47

Price €52 €55 €40 €49 €46

Comments Green Fee (single buggy €30) Green Fee (single buggy €25) Green Fee (single buggy €28) Green Fee (single buggy €29) Green Fee + sgl buggy/elec trolley

W

ell here we are on the last take and we will start with “touchers”. A toucher is a bowl that makes contact with the jack whether on delivery or by displacement due to another bowl making contact and moving it onto the jack.

Rule 14.1: A bowl in its original course which touches the jack, even though it comes to rest in the ditch within the boundaries of the rink of play, is a live bowl and is called a toucher.

If a bowl in its original course does not touch the jack it is called a non-toucher.

Rule 14.2 A bowl is also a toucher if after coming to rest: 14.2.If it falls and comes to rest in the ditch before the next bowl is delivered or 14.2.2 in the case of the last bowl of an end, it falls and touches the jack within the period of 30 seconds that applies under rule 23.1.

Rule 14.3 no bowl will become a toucher if it plays onto, or comes into contact with, the jack when the jack is in the ditch.

The rules carry on in detail but basically it means if the jack is moved into the ditch within the bounds of the rink it is still live and any toucher landing up in the ditch is also in play.

The toucher is marked with a chalk or spray by a member of the team that delivered the bowl as soon as it comes to rest.

In the case of the jack or toucher that goes into the ditch these are marked in line usually with a brightly coloured indicator, usually discs, on the lip on

the end edge facing into the rink so they can be sighted clearly.

If the bowl is not marked within 30 seconds after it comes to rest then it is declared a non-toucher. So guys don’t forget to mark the bowl !

Two Green Fees and buggy Two Green Fees and buggy Two Green Fees and buggy Green Fee (single buggy €15) Two Green Fees and buggy Golf, Buggy, 3 Golf Balls, 20 tees, water & practise balls Green Fee (single buggy €27) Green Fee (single buggy €15) Green Fee (single buggy €35) Green Fee (single buggy €16) Two Green Fees and buggy GrFee (12.40-2pm sgle buggy €25)

21

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

The use of shared buggies.

The covid-19 safety protocol advise included limiting the use of shared buggies to co-habiting family members only and hence an increased use of single occupancy buggies which have increased the cost of golf accordingly for local golfers.

Clearly with the absence of tourist golfers while there are still cross border travel restrictions between countries the target audience for local courses is small and made smaller by the limitations of single occupancy buggies.

I can now confirm that since the move to phase 2 of the lockdown de-escalation plan many courses now allow the sharing of buggies by none co-habiting family members provided that there is no switching of drivers and both parties wear masks while in the buggy.

The courses now allowing shared buggies include El Valle, El Plantio, Font del Llop, Hacienda Riquelme, La Torre, Lo Romero and Vistabella and I am sure that the other course will change shortly so watch this space.

Las Pinaillas €40 Green Fee (incl single buggy) Lorca €78 Two Green Fees and buggy Lo Romero €136 Two Green Fees and buggy Mar Menor €35 Green Fee (single buggy €15) New Sierra Golf €36 Green Fee (single buggy €20) Puig Campana €49 Green Fee (single buggy €26) Roda €45 Green Fee (single buggy €20) Saurines €35 Green Fee (single buggy €15) Villaitana Levante €80 Green Fee (single buggy €39) Villamartin €55 Green Fee (single buggy €30) Vistabella €98 Two Green Fees and buggy For Bookings and info Mike at info@costa-blanca-greenfees.com quoting reference LEADER or on 966 704 752 or 661 345 931

RFEF rejects Murcia venues to host the play-off of 2ªB for economic reasons

There is even a gadget for lifting the bowl, a “lifter”, so you don’t have to bend down

There are many more rules 60 pages of them! And it’s a good idea to get hold of a rule book, they are only about 3 euros and can be easily obtained by your club secretary from the federation.

The Spanish Football Federation seem to be no further forward in deciding the venue for the playoffs from Segunda B into Segunda A, LaLiga SmartBank, the second tier of national football.

As you progress it is always an advantage to be aware of the basic ones, which I hope, I have covered and have the book in your bag for quick reference.

Developments last week saw them dismiss a number of different stadiums in the area, Cartagonova, Artés Carrasco, Enrique Roca and the Pinatar Arena.

For those people who have read my takes and are thinking of getting into this wonderful sport and are dithering because. 1. They think they are too old. 2. Not fit enough.

3. Have a stiff back or the odd joint.........

They say that they do not want to pay for the maintenance of the pitches or the stay of the clubs in local hotels, so with time running out it seems that it could now be simply a case of economic costs, rather than the virus, that are going to conclude leagues in the second and third tiers of football here in Spain.

MONTESTAN’S take on Bowls 1. I am 83 and still going strong. 2. A few exercises and mild stretches is all that is needed.

and my best wishes to new hopefuls.

Enjoy the lovely game!

3. There is a gadget for lifting the bowl a “lifter” so you do not have to bend down and your stance can be adjusted to help you deliver the bowl, so come on and have a go, you will not regret it.

Vistabella Bowls Club is sponsored by: Venture Fleet Services, TV Choice, Oneway Services, Serenity Insurance, Carpet Heaven. The Winter league is sponsored by Laguna Tavern Entre Naranjos

Well there you are I hope my takes have been of interest. I wish all bowlers well

How about coming and have a go at bowling we would be pleased to see

you.

We can arrange a free session and lesson . You could get hooked it’s a fabulous game and a very sociable one you’ll meet lots of new friends.

Also bowlers are most welcome, we have a brand new green and are looking for new members. Please contact Club Captain - David Jenkins pacadasu@yahoo.com or Charlie Watkins charlieatpathways@yahoo.co.uk.

The key to breaking the negotiation is based on the RFEF's intention to carry out the ‘express promotion tournament’ with as few economic costs for the national association as possible, therefore, everything is still up in the air for the 16 teams involved, scheduled to take place from July 18 to 26 .

The Ciudad del Fútbol de Las Rozas, the official training centre of the Spanish football team northwest of Madrid, could now become a serious candidate to host this final phase.

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COVID-19 leads to 2020 Torrevieja Summer Pool lge postponement

BY ANDREW ATKINSON

Torrevieja pool Chairman Alan Boswell

By Andrew Atkinson EXCLUSIVE The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the 2020 Torrevieja summer pool league being postponed, following the coronavirus outbreak.

"There won't be a summer league, due to the coronavirus situation," Torrevieja pool chairman Alan Boswell told The Leader.

"Most of the players here are at an age where they are concerned," said Alan.

Torrevieja pool, who stage winter and summer leagues, deemed it unfeasible to stage this year's summer league, prior to the easing of restrictions under the Spain government easing of phase 0-4., with phase 2 coming into play on June 1.

Fixtures came to a halt in mid?March, as the government placed lockdown measures - with teams having just one game to play to complete the Torrevieja winter pool league.

"One remaining fixture from each division was left to play from the winter league.

"Iglesias B and Terreza, were both in a position to win division 2. Second place in division 1 and 3 were unconfirmed, along with both Cup matches outstanding," added Alan.

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Higgins described Ganley as ‘the no nonsense referee.’

Andrew Atkinson looks back on snooker referee Len Ganley MBE, amid the return to the green baize, after easing of COVID19 restrictions within sport.

LEN Ganley knew the game as a player, having made century breaks himself. When he was in charge of your match it was nice to know how well he understood the game, words of former world champion Steve Davis.

Lurgan, Northern Ireland born Len, father of six, whose son Michael is World Snooker tournament director, played snooker in his homeland and won titles in Britain and Ireland. His highest break was 136.

Former chimney sweep Len, one of 11 children, who grew up in Lurgan, County Armagh, moved to Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, where he was employed as a milkman and bus driver.

It was in 1976, Len refereed at a Ray Reardon exhibition, where former world champion Reardon advised him to take it up as his job.

"I always stand by my decisions," Len, referee in the 1983 Coral UK Championship final at Preston Guild Hall, for the Alex Higgins-Steve Davis 16-15 thriller, told me.

I befriended Len during the Coral UK snooker championships in Preston in the eighties and he invited me into his dressing room at the Guild Hall venue.

Higgins in his heyday with Len Ganley

Len became famous following a Carling Black Label advertisement on National TV in 1984 crushing a snooker ball - after John Spencer, playing Terry Griffiths, knocked a ball off the table, hitting Len in the groin.

"A condom filled with sand was used to make the trick look real," Len revealed.

Other fame was Band, Half Man Half Biscuit releasing the song “The Len Ganley Stance”.

Len who retired in 1999, turning to coaching, suffered a heart attack in 2002.

No-nonsense Len wasn't afraid to be strict with the crowd, and often told off spectators - opening bags of crisps, toffee wrappers, talking, and not turning mobiles off.

As a diabetic, he raised funds for charities, including Muscular Dystrophy and Spina Bifida.

Awarded an MBE in 2000, he died on August 28 in 2011, aged 68. His funeral took place on August 31 at St Paul’s Chapel in Lurgan.

"Len did a very good job of being a referee and had a personality at the same time. A referee is supposed to be unseen - he liked the limelight but did the job properly," said Davis.

"He was a great character off the table - in the arena he was an excellent referee," he added.

Snooker's Championship League has returned to the fold, with players being routinely tested for coronavirus - along with mandatory masks to be worn - and social distancing.

43 day sprint for Serie A as teams face two games a week

By Andrew Atkinson Exclusive San Javier born womens football star, Spain international Marta Penalver, remains in Italy amid the coronavirus lockdown that halted football.

After it was announced that the womens La Liga 2019-20 season will not resume, football in Serie A is set to return next week.

"Our season has finished - it will not resume," FF Cagliari star Marta told me.

Following Italian sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora, the Lega Serie A and Italian Football Federation presidents, along with representatives from the Players Association and the Association of Italian Sports Medics having a meeting, a decision to resume the top-flight in Italy was confirmed.

THE COURTYARD LOS MONTESINOS REOPENED JUNE 1. San Lucas 6 (just off the Square) Telephone: +44 7595 763461. Sam and staff look forward to seeing their loyal and new customers.

Serie A was the first of Europe's major leagues to be affected by the coronavirus pandemic, with games postponed and played behind closed doors, prior to the league being postponed.

The Italian government's technical/scientific committee approved a revised medical protocol

San Javier’s Spain international Marta Penalver, remains in Italy to stage Serie A games, giving the go ahead for the league to recommence.

"It was a very useful meeting and, as we had said from the start, football was always going to resume when we had the conditions to ensure safety - and the committee gave the go-ahead to the protocol," said sports minister Spadafora.

"Italy is getting back on track and it is only fair that football should too.

The committee agreed with the protocol, but confirmed the absolute necessity for a quarantine period, if

a player tests positive.

"We also received guarantees the process of player testing will not affect or detract from the general population's access to testing in any way."

Protocol includes a rule, with Serie A clubs placing their whole team and staff on a two weeks quarantine period, if anyone from the group tests positive for coronavirus.

Players in the Premier League and Championship have tested positive for COVID-19, with protocol eight

days' isolation. Premier League football is scheduled to return on June 17.

It has also been decided that the two Coppa Italia semi-finals, Juventus v AC Milan and Napoli v Inter Milan, will be played on June 13, with the final taking place on June 17.

For Coppa Italia games to take place on that date, Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte needs to sign a special decree, giving an exception to the previous decree, which banned professional sporting events until June 14.

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TRIPPIER KEEN TO GET GOING AGAIN Trippier: It was difficult during lockdown, but you always find a way to train Atletico Madrid Keen to get going again Kieran Trippier has hit out at former club Tottenham, saying they forced him to delay a needed groin surgery last season.

The right-back had a groin operation this winter, but said the procedure should have been taken care of last season.

However the defender has spoken of his delight to be back in training after lockdown. The Atletico Madrid defender underwent an operation earlier in the year and admits it was a tough period but he is happy to be with his teammates again.

"It was difficult [in lockdown], but you always find a way to train and keep fit," he told the club's

website. "I feel very good to back. It was very difficult not seeing the teammates and the coaching staff, and training every single day. "But everyone understands the circumstances so we do as best we can.

Trippier has formed a good relationship with the club and the manager Diego Simeone

"Trippier says that he is now fully focused on the rest of the season and he wants to help Atletico earn a Champions League spot. "It's very good to be back with my teammates training and [we're] just looking forward to the league starting again and finishing the season well.

"It's important that we start the season off again strongly and try to win as many games as possible."

The England international joined Atletico Madrid last summer in a £20 million ($25m) deal and has made 26 appearances for the La Liga outfit this season.

Championship set LaLiga will be back on Thursday for June 20 return

By Andrew Atkinson The English Football League is set to resume on June 20 following a meeting that agreed to a provisional restart date after football's COVID-19 lockdown in March.

Tyler Roberts of Leeds Utd says it’s great to be back in training and restoring some sort of normality Barcelona will get their bid to defend the Spanish title underway on Saturday 13 June away to Real Mallorca following their three-month pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while Real Madrid will host Eibar on 14 June, La Liga’s Javier Tebas announced earlier this week.

The Sky Bet 2019-20 Championship return is subject to health and safety guidelines and under Government guidance, along with clearance from the relevant clubs' local authorities to stage matches at their home grounds.

Championship clubs returned to training on May 25, with a number of players in isolation after testing positive for coronavirus after undergoing mandatory tests.

The Championship return follows the Premier League return, in a bid to complete fixtures to avoid any potential issues with promoted and relegated clubs.

The season is set to conclude, with the Championship Play-Off Final on or around July 30. Final details are still to be confirmed following further discussions with the League’s Broadcast partner, Sky Sports.

The EFL discussions included an agreement to consider changing regulations, to permit the use of five substitutes in the remaining fixtures and, also increasing the matchday squad, from 18 to 20 players. Discussions will continue with Championship Clubs on this front.

EFL Chair Rick Parry said: “With Sky Bet Championship Clubs set to return to full contact training and following the Government announcement, we are edging closer towards resuming the 2019/20 EFL season.

"We have therefore consulted with the Board’s Championship Directors and agreed to fixtures restarting behind closed doors on June 20.

“Whilst matches will unfortunately have to take

place without supporters, we are working with our broadcast partners, EFL Championship Clubs and all relevant stakeholders to broadcast the remaining 108 games plus Sky Bet Championship PlayOffs either live on Sky Sports, iFollow or a Club’s equivalent streaming service.

“We must stress that at this stage the date is only provisional and will only be confirmed, once we have met all the requirements, as the health, safety and well-being of all participants, staff and supporters remains our top priority.

“Clearly completing the season in a safe manner is going to require a significant effort by all concerned and, whilst not unprecedented, it will need clubs to play a significant number of matches over a relatively short period of time.”

English Football League (EFL) clubs say that they will vote on proposals to end the season on June 9, after latest discussions left the situation unresolved.

Clubs are awaiting the decisive outcome from the vote, with the EFL reportedly favouring the traditional format of promotion, relegation and a fourteam play-offs, with the final standings decided by a points-per-game metric.

Some clubs have objected to the motion. League 2 clubs have already voted to end the 2019-20 season.

However the season reopens two days earlier with a local derby between Sevilla and Real Betis on 11 June after which there will be fixtures for the following seven days, with Barca hosting Leganes on 16 June and Real playing at home to Valencia on 18 June.

As in the Bundesliga, which became the first major European league to start up again in May after being disrupted by the pandemic, all La Liga matches will take place without spectators.

Real Madrid will play their remaining six home games at their training ground, the 6,000capacity Estadio Alfredo di Stefano, a league source confirmed, as they are currently renovating their Santiago Bernabeu home.

Levante will also be refurbishing their Ciutat de Valencia stadium when the season starts up again and confirmed last week they will play their final home games in La Nucia, more than 150 kilometres away from their usual ground.

Barcelona were ahead of Real by two points when the campaign was postponed back in March due to the novel coronavirus outbreak with 27 matches

complete of the 38 match season.

The league has only released scheduling details for the first two rounds of fixtures although La Liga chief Javier Tebas confirmed that there will be matches every day of the week until the season is completed on 19 July.

The Spanish top-flight is poised to be the second of Europe’s top five leagues to resume after the Bundesliga, with England’s Premier League restarting on 17 June and Italy’s Serie A kicking off again on 20 June.

SUDUKO SOLUTION Fr om page 14

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