No 927 Monday 11th - Sunday 17th July 2022
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Keeping people safe and informed for over 18 years - The Costa Blanca’s oldest ‘FREE’ English language newspaper
R YA N A I R A N D E A S Y J E T S T R I K E A C T I O N S C O N T I N U E I N S PA I N
The USO and SICTPLA unions have called for 12 new strikes for Ryanair cabin crew members this month, all 24-hour stoppages that will start on Tuesday 12 July and continue on 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27 and 28 July, at their ten Spanish airports. The unions and crew are demanding a change of attitude from the airline, as well as asking that they resume the negotiation of an agreement that includes decent working conditions and compliance with Spanish law for all staff. In addition, USO and SITCPLA are demanding that the Government, specifically the Minister of Labour and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz, stops Ryanair from violating labour legislation and constitutional rights, including the right to strike. They are asking Díaz to act against the company which they say does not abide by court rulings, does not comply with the law and uses fear, coercion and threats against its employees. Already 6 days of strike by Ryanair cabin crew, called by the two unions, have resulted in 215 cancelled flights to or from Spain, and more than 1,255 delays. The unions say that the airline has committed all kinds of illegalities during the strike including, threats, coercion and even international blackjacking, bringing in Portuguese, Italian and also non-EU crew members, from Morocco and the United Kingdom. Ryanair crew members are very clear that they will continue to fight for their rights and for Spanish legislation to be complied with. So far more than 50 workers have been summoned by Ryanair to attend disciplinary hearings, accused of not fulfilling minimum services. easyJet strikes in Spain are also expected to continue as the airline refuses to negotiate with unions planning a further 6 strike days in Spain, on July 15, 16, 17, 29, 30 and 31. The strikes are announced at a time when many thousands of British holidaymakers’ plan to fly to Spain at the start of the UK school holidays. Cabin crew based in Barcelona, Malaga and Palma de Mallorca already walked out from July 1 to July 3, as they demand a 40% increase in their basic salary.
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Ryanair ans easyJet strikes ADVERTISING SALES
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Cabin crew based in Spain currently get a basic salary of e950 per month, according to the union, which is 850 euros less than their colleagues in France and Germany. To make matters worse, staff at several European bases have last week signed new and improved salary and working conditions agreements with the airline.
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Navarro said that, “the increase in overweight and obesity at an early age means that diseases more typical of adults are regularly being detected in children, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cholesterol and fatty liver.”
However, Spain’s general secretary of the USO, Miguel Galán, has said there is now one final opportunity to avoid the strikes with a meeting that has been scheduled for Wednesday 13 July when the unions will present a fresh list of demands which include a base salary increase in line with the CPI, supplementary pay for seniority, remuneration for training hours and additional pay for refresher courses outside Spain. Galán has warned that if they leave Wednesday’s talks empty-handed, the strikes will go ahead. Staff also want the airline to implement flight limitation measures, as has been done in other European countries, as well as the annual replacement of new uniforms and footwear. Meanwhile in the UK, British Airways has reached an agreement with its check-in and ground staff narrowly avoiding industrial action at Heathrow.
HEALTH WILL REGULATE SCHOOL MENUS TO TACKLE CHILD OBESITY rather more silent pandemic than we have recently experienced but, nonetheless, as important because it meanders along largely unnoticed until it begins to show it’s results some years later.
A
We refer to obesity, and the problems of being overweight, particularly among those who are just starting out on their lives; the sale of unhealthy products in schools, hospitals and universities, as a third of all those between 2 and 17 years of age in the Community now have problems with their weight. The struggles that many children have with obesity and overweight continues to increase without any signs of slowing down in the Valencian Community. Half of adults already have problems with extra kilos and children do not escape this similar trend either. A third of Valencian children and youths between the ages of 2 and 17 are already overweight or obese. Diabetes, hypertension, heart problems…. The effects derived from this epidemic increase with age and many young people, who are already beginning to suffer, will pull them along into their adulthood.
Community, schools, universities, hospitals and, all public catering establishments will be obliged to provide healthy food. "What used to be recommendations will become mandatory in all types of centres, and with a system of penalties in case of non-compliance," said Isaura Navarro, regional secretary of Public Health at the Valencian Department of Health. The new standard will regulate how menus should be prepared in different areas. In the case of schools, they must adhere to the Mediterranean diet. They will have to include a salad every day and five or more servings per week of vegetables. Fresh fruit will have to be available four or more times a week and schools will have to offer three different varieties a week, not simply an apple or a pear every day. Legumes, beans, peas or lentils, will have to be on school menus at least twice a week. Eggs and fish should be offered once or twice a week. In the case of fish, at least one of the servings per week will be oily fish, although swordfish, bluefin tuna, shark or pike will not be allowed due to their high mercury content.
Hence, the Generalitat Valenciana now wants to put an end to the situation by guaranteeing that healthy menus are served in schools, through legislation that is currently being drafted and that will be introduced in the coming months.
Meat will have to be offered twice a week and should preferably be white. Pasta must be served once a week and fried and precooked foods such as croquettes or pizzas will only be allowed on children's trays, at most, three times a month, the same frequency as pre-made sauces.
When it comes into force for the first time in the Valencian
Cooking is to be carried out with extra virgin or virgin olive oil
and water may only be supplied from the public network. Mineral water bottles are reserved for exceptional cases, such as excursions outside the centre. Bread should also be offered daily as a side dish. The rule will apply to both public and private centres, as well as for those private enterprises and institutions supported with public funds. In addition, with the introduction of the new legislation, the sale of products such as sweets, pastries that are rich in carbohydrates and fat, snack products, drinks that contain added sugars, except horchata, or too much caffeine. will be prohibited for sale in schools, universities or hospitals. In university or hospital cafeterias, the option of ordering half menus or half portions will be offered, and tap water will always be available free of charge. Despite the fact that the Valencian Community is the cradle of the Mediterranean diet, it is one of the regions with the highest rates of overweight and obesity in all of Spain. Isaura Navarro says that, “the increase in overweight and obesity at an early age means that diseases more typical of adults are regularly being detected in children, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cholesterol and fatty liver.” "Adherence to the Mediterranean diet by people at high risk of cardiovascular disease will prevent about 30% of myocardial infarctions, strokes and deaths from heart disease," she added.
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LOS MONTESINOS CELEBRA TES IT’S 32 YEARS OF SEGREGATION
From July 27 to 31, Los Montesinos has scheduled a series of events to celebrate the anniversary achieved on July 30, 1990, of it’s municipal segregation from Almoradí. At that time, the Valencian Council, by means of a decree, declared Los Montesinos as an independent municipality and it’s journey as an autonomous town began, after many embattled years. Since that important day, every July 30th the municipality commemorates the anniversary of municipal segregation with a program of recreational, cultural and institutional events, which remind the residents of the ‘before and after’ of its municipal history. This year, the Montesinero consistory will be organising a great artisan market that will be located in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento and Avenida de La Marquesa, and which will be themed as a marine environment. From Friday 29 July to Sunday 31 you can enjoy different handicrafts and food products, as well as children's activities and animated parades. During the afternoon of July 29 in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, visitors will be able to sample typical products from local bakeries, after which the party will move to the Plaza Sagrado Corazón to enjoy a performance by the musical group 'Iguana Show'. During the evening of July 30, the traditional appointment of queens and ladies will take place for the Patron Saint Festivities, which the municipality celebrates every October. The event, which will be held on the stage located in the Plaza Sagrado Corazón, will also see a performance by the pop-rock group 'Conecta2'. During this year, the council has carried out a digitisation process of the entire segregation newspaper library, which can be visited from July 29 on the municipal website: losmontesinos.es This is where you will be able to find all the press clippings, details of events and other documentation generated between 1983 and 1991 related to the Los Montesinos independence process, and that will show the history of the segregation process, with a simple click, to anyone, especially the
new generations and those recent arrivals in the town. In addition, on July 30, all the digitised work of the Official Chronicler of the municipality, Remedios Muñoz Hernández, will be presented in the town's auditorium, an act that has been made possible thanks to the support of the Archbishop Loazes, Chair of the University of Alicante. The Councillor of Festivities, Alejandro Espí, has said that 'after two such difficult years, the events and festivities that are so important for the town have been recovered', while confirming that the preparations for the patron saint festivities in October, in honour of the Virgen del Pilar, "are also well in hand." “We know the desire that the residents have to meet again in our streets, full of life and fun. Let there be no doubt that we will do everything possible to make it possible." The Mayor, José Manuel Butrón, highlighted the importance of the segregation process for the town and "the journey that we have been able to complete in these 32 years". He added that "we wait with open arms to welcome everyone who will visit us during these dates, so that they can enjoy with us the events and the festive atmosphere provided by our shops and restaurants, which offers a very varied cuisine. Happy Segregation Holidays!”
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BITES Anti-Covid pill available in five Spanish regions The anti-Covid pill, Paxlovid, is currently available in five Communities to fight Covid-19. It is in use in Andalusia, Aragon, Cantabria and Catalonia. The drug contains antiretroviral ritonavir and nirmatrelvir, which is an inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2. The drug works by preventing the replication of the virus in the body. The drug is manufactured by Pfizer.
Environmental pollutants found in breast milk by Spanish researchers A study by Spanish researchers has found that environmental pollutants can often be found in breast milk. Some of these pollutants can hamper hormonal balance, brain development, and establishment of the gut microbiome in babies according to a study of breast milk samples collected from a group of Spanish women. Women being exposed to pollution results in pollutants contaminating the breast milk.
Spain police stop attempt to disrupt bull festival The National Police intercepted and stopped two people who had arrived in Pamplona with the intention of disrupting the festivities associated with the San Fermin bull festival. The festival kicked off on 7 Jul after a hiatus caused by the pandemic. The two belonged to northern European countries and were from an anti-bullfighting group.
Thousands get automatic sick leave with Covid-19 symptoms in Catalonia Thousands of people have already availed the automatic leave system in Catalonia which allows Catalans to apply for a five-day sick leave if they have symptoms of Covid-19. They will not need to see a doctor to get the leave approved. Around 2260 people have taken advantage of the system so far. This comes amid a rise in Covid-19 infections in Catalonia and across the rest of Spain.
CO2 emissions rose by 5% in 2021 CO2 emissions in Spain rose by 5.1% in 2021 as compared to 2020, but they are still less than pre-pandemic levels. The emissions fell by 8% compared to 2019, according to data published by the govt.
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CHINA COULD CLAIM THE MOON NASA warns that China could be about to "seize" the Moon The director of the US space agency, NASA , Bill Nelson, has warned in an interview with the German tabloid newspaper 'Bild' that China intends to build a lunar base on the moon, in collaboration with Russia, in what would be a first step to it "staking a claim" on the planet. "We are currently very worried that China is going to land on the moon, and when it gets there it will say: now it's ours, so you stay out," Nelson said in the interview, published on Saturday. In fact, Nelson believes that there is a new space race to reach the Moon, "this time involving China." The United States plans a trip to the Moon by 2025 involving, for the first time, a woman crew member. Beijing is going much further and all indications are that it hopes to have an operational lunar base by 2035.
“We are currently very worried that China is going to land on the moon, and when it gets there it will say: now it's ours.” BILL NELSON
When questioned about the purpose of China's presence in space, Elson responded irritably: "Well, what do you think is happening in the Chinese space station? It is where they learn to destroy other satellites." He said that China has been researching such technology for years, in order to "catch" satellites with robotic arms or networks causing them to crash, supposedly
to clean up its own space debris, but it could also be used to attack other countries.
PE TS IN SPAIN
The head of NASA has stressed that "China's space program is a military space program" and has once again denounced the theft of technology that has driven its nuclear program. "China is good, but China is also getting better because it steals ideas and technology from other countries," he said.
PILAR DRIVER SIX TIMES OVER LIMIT A driver wo was six times over the limit ran into a group of three women, on Thursday in Pilar de la Horadada. The accident, which occurred during the early evening, saw all three of the injured transferred to Torrevieja hospital in a state of shock, where they were treated for cuts and bruises.
Cosmo is around 9 weeks old and is 1 of 5 beautiful black kittens in need of new homes after they were abandoned. They are used to being handled and in good health. Call: 645469253. www.petsinspain.com info@petsinspain.com
Traffic along Calle Mayor, the town’s main thoroughfare, was brought to a standstill for over an hour while the accident was being dealt with by the local police and members of the provincial Fire Brigade consortium.
limit. He was arrested but later released after being charged.
When the driver, a 28 year old male, was breathalysed at the scene he was found to be six times over the legal
The three victims, two of them sisters, and all in their late 40’s, were all discharged from Torrevieja Hospital following treatment.
SAT ANIMAL RESCUE
288.6 million tons of CO2 emissions were recorded in 2021. The increase can mostly be attributed to the transport sector, electricity generation and resumption of mobility and economic activity after Covid-19 curbs were lifted.
Demand for Covid-19 antigen test kits shoot up by 120% in first few days of July The demand for Rapid Antigen Tests, or self-testing kits for Covid-19, have shot up by 120% in the first days of July. This is due to a massive surge in Covid-19 cases in Spain. The demand for these tests had increased by over 20% in April this year. The tests are now sold at pharmacies and people can use these to test themselves for Covid19 at home.
Scott is a fun, 3 month old, who is just waiting for his forever family. Is it you? For more info 966 710 047 (leave a message) / info@satanimalrescue.com or WhatsApp 688792515
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YOU CAN LEARN A LOT FROM BOOKS e all need expert help at times. My favourite instruction manual has got to be "How to Attach a Space Shuttle to a 747 Aircraft." It's right up there with "If you cannot read English, do not use this product." Which is useful advice before attempting a Space Shuttle assembly.
W
Constantly reading the Highway Code won't teach you how to drive a car, of course, even some driving instructors can't manage that, any more than cookery books will turn you into a Michelin Starred Chef, although the judges were rendered almost speechless by my Marmite Halloumi. "Incroyable!" was the word I think I heard as they left, with a sound like the clattering of escaping feet in The Goon Show. In a world of ever-increasing complexity, books which guide and explain have never been more popular, or indeed more all-embracing in their subject matter. You might, at a pinch, want to start with "The A to Z of Breathing" -- I always thought it
was restricted to In and Out -- before advancing to The Official Life Instruction Manual -- is there now such a thing as unofficial life, and does it attract a lower level of taxation? I must investigate that.
account." And can the author of "How to Avoid Huge Ships" really be called Captain John W. Trimmer, forever trimming the sails of his yacht? Yes, he can, and is.
If you are into self-analysis, or any sort of analysis, you may want to purchase "The Emotion Thesaurus: From Anger to Zen." You see what they've done there? Place it on a shelf beside "The Negative Trait Compendium", that might help with your outbursts of anger. (At the price, perhaps.)
The Honda Motorcycle Instruction Book is full of valuable safety hints, such as "Go soothingly on the grease mud, as there lurks the skid demon." Probably useful in winter when the slippery slope ice demon is lurking as well.
Some purchases come with practical or even lifestyle advice. There is a leaflet for an Ikea product that advises you to throw away one of the parts -- a rare example of instant planned obsolescence -- plus I have read chopstick instructions that simply said "Good Luck!" And received junk mail that warned me not to wear white socks with black shoes. As if I would. Some sarcastic sewing machinist in a clothing factory once added her own advice to the label of a black hoodie: "Lawyer up and delete your Facebook
How can a seeker after comprehensive knowledge possibly resist purchasing a book called simply -- but intriguingly -"Instructions"? We are told it may save us from being eaten by wolves (buy a house further from the forest?) and also how to "Remember your name." Reading that, I suspected it might be for old people, but saw the reading age was 2-6 years. Anyway, what could such a book possibly teach a man who knows how to fix a Space Shuttle to the side of an aircraft? (It's "Black Side Down," by the way.) Next stop, Mars. If I can find a book to tell me how to get there.
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Waiting Times reduced in Torrevieja A&E The Valencian Ministry of Health is praising the value of the “shock plan” introduced to handle problems at Torrevieja Hospital, in particular the reduction of waiting times in the A&E Department after criticism from patients, unions and workers. After the Minister's visit a few days ago to announce the positive results that have result-
ed in a reduction in waiting times, the authorities say that the system of rapid consultation that has been introduced has reduced waiting times for non-serious patients by more than two hours in the last two weeks, avoiding unnecessary waiting and guaranteeing the highest quality of care for those with less serious pathologies.
Authorities say that waiting times have been reduced by 2 hours in A&E
The ailments that are treated in this rapid consultation process are, among many others, minor injuries, sprains, simple cures, febrile processes in children that do not require an analysis, simple eye problems and severe headaches.
well as for many others who come to the Emergency Service with more serious injuries", explains Alex S. Sosa, Head of the Emergency Service of the University Hospital of Torrevieja.
“Many of the patients we serve in the rapid consultation could be treated at the Department's Continuous Care Points, the health centres, which have procedures capable of meeting the demand for total care, being highly beneficial for these patients as
The Service currently has a plan to meet a staff of 25 doctors although this is a figure that the Company Committee has already stated is insufficient, especially considering the current holiday period where there are no doctors to cover those on leave.
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Adults should be aiming for between 6-8 glasses of water per day
Water Bottled and tap water are equally valuable as a fluid source.
Tea and coffee Both tea and coffee count towards your daily intake, however, be aware of the caffeine content. especially if you are pregnant.
energy drinks
Drinking enough water is vital for your body. You physically cannot survive without it. Nearly 2/3rd of your body is made up of water and its essential for you to be able to function properly.
How much should we be drinking? The exact amount of fluid each individual needs to drink is dependent on a large number of factors. for example:
High in sugars and other stimulants and are not good choices for those under 18 years of age.
How old you are - your age affects how well your body is able to balance both water and salts. The younger you are the more water you are able to store.
fizzy drinks Although fizzy drinks do count towards your fluid intake, you should opt for sugar free options and drink these only in moderation.
juice Fruit juices do count towards your fluid intake and 150ml counts towards one of your 5 a day, however, they are high in sugar so you should limit to one per day.
alcohol Does not count towards your daily intake and can also dehydrate you.
milk Milk is a great source of calcium, iodine, protein and B vitamins, but you should try to choose lower fat varieties.
Do Smoothies Count? Smoothies do count towards your fluid intake, however you need to be conscious of both calorie content and sugar content. When making a smoothie here are some top tips to consider:
How active you are - if you exercise more you will lose more water due to perspiration and will need to consume more water. How warm your environment is - when we are warmer we tend to sweat more and need to drink more water. The food that you eat — depending on your diet you may need to drink more/less - for example if your diet was high in salt and alcohol then your body would require more water than if you ate a lot of fruits and vegetables. (Quick fact! — cucumber and lettuce have the highest water content of any food at about 98% water. Tomatoes are also a good choice, being about 94% water. They make a great addition to a salad or sandwich). As a general rule of thumb. you should be aiming to drink about 6-8 glasses (250m1) of fluids per day. Keeping hydrated helps your body to: • Transport nutrients around the body
Try:
When you are only drinking your smoothie to get fluids:
Using crushed ice to thicken your smoothie
Avoid using yoghurt, milk or ice cream to thicken your smoothie as this will add extra fat and calories to your drink
Try adding different types of fruits that are higher in fluids to your smoothie such as oranges, grapes, grapefruit and melons. Try adding some water rich vegetables to avoid unnecessary sugar, such as cucumber, celery or tomatoes.
Avoid using fruits high in calories and carbohydrates such as mangoes and bananas
• Transport compounds in the blood • Remove waste products • Protect your joints acting as a shock absorber • Regulate your temperature through the process of sweating • Keep your digestive system working properly
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What Counts as Fluid Towards My Daily Intake? Water is the most obvious choice when it comes to fluid intake. It's inexpensive, it doesn't have any calories and meets your body's need for fluids. If you find that drinking water is difficult or just don't like the taste then there are plenty of other options such as squash, milk, tea and fruit tea. You should be aware though that these other options often have sugar, calories and sometimes chemicals in them, which mean that they're not always a great substitute to have all of the time. A more natural way to make water more exciting is to keep your water in the fridge and to add flavour by slicing some lemon, lime, orange, cucumber or even crushing up some berries into the water.
Can I drink too much water? It is certainly possible to drink too much water; however most people will feel that their stomach is full and will stop before they do so. The reason that drinking too much water isn't good for you is because it can cause the levels of salt in your blood to drop low, causing a condition called hyponatraemia. A good way to gauge if you are drinking enough is to keep a close eye on the colour of your urine using a colour chart and to aim for 6-8 glasses (250ml) per day.
Five Top Tips: 1. Fill up on water — water has zero calories and zero sugar and is one of the healthiest ways to hydrate. 2. Include foods in your diet that can help to hydrate you such as soups, stews, fruit and vegetables. 3. Remember to drink regularly throughout the day to keep your body hydrated. 4. Make sure that you carry water with you or always have access to water, especially if you are spending time outdoors during the summer sun. 5. Bottled water, spring water and mineral water all count equally towards your fluid intake.
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ORIHUELA MOORS & CHRISTIANS CELEBRATIONS: JULY 10-17 Not to be missed, this historic celebration, with a full program of events is taking place for the first time since in two years. Here are the main activities that will be held this week:
TUESDAY JULY 12 8.30pm: Moorish and Christian Gunpowder festival from Paseo Calvo Sotelo Unique Guerrilla. 10pm: Taking of the castle by the Moors with the representation of the Pact of Teodomiro followed by the taking of the castle by the Christians at the Glorieta Gabriel Miro
WEDNESDAY JULY 13 8.45pm: Grand Childrens Parade setting off from Calle Aragon - Ocarasa
THURSDAY JULY 14 9.30pm: Gran Retreta Festera in Calle Aragon.
FRIDAY JULY 15 9.30pm: Solemn Christian Entrance Parade in Calle Aragon
SATURDAY JULY 16 8.15pm: Solemn Moorish Entrance Parade setting off from Calle Aragon 11.45pm: Gathering for the Public Exhibition of the Glorious Oriol Flag on the main balcony of the Town Hall in Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
SUNDAY JULY 17 Dia del Pajaro (Day of the Bird) 9.30am: Carrying of the Glorious Oriol 10am: Procession of Saints Justa and Rufina and the Oriol. 10.30am: Mass of the Reconquest. 11.30am: Parade of the Glorious Flag of the Oriol. 11.30pm: Retreat of the Glorious Flag of the Oriol.
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Orihuela Tourist Routes Capital of the Vega Baja, and with it’s abundance of monuments, churches, palaces, convents, museums and other historical sites, Orihuela is one of the most important Tourist locations in the whole of Spain. Every corner of it’s more than 384 km2 contains shades of tradition and modernity, show it as a prosperous place with a monumental artistic heritage. During the month of July, organised tours of the city take place twice every week, details of which are shown below.
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Is Ireland being strangled by Rules and Regulations?
Monday 11th - Sunday 17th July 2022
I
Rules are meant to be in place for the common good. I suppose we are all in agreement with the need for rules, but human nature being what it is, very often each one of us feels we should be an exception to the rule we don’t like!
‘EU Rules’, is another chestnut regularly wheeled out to restrict common sense in this country. Not so, when I compare my experience of doing business in another EU country. In most other countries fair play, compromise and ‘plan B’, will be allowed into the equation.
There are so many new rules coming at us all the time that it is difficult to keep abreast of the torrent. Whether it be in farming, the hospitality industry, entertainment venues, education, or even the home – it is hard to keep up. And of course ignorance of the rules is never an acceptable excuse. ‘Health & Safety’ sounds like the most comforting two words in the English language, but for anyone trying to either bake or build, they have come to signify terror and despair. ‘Health and Safety’ can stop you from doing just about anything positive in business or recreation these days. Yes, yes, of course we need set standards in the interests of ‘the common good’ and nobody would condone builders, music promoters, or property owners playing loose with anybody’s safety or welfare.. But what about individual rights and individual responsibilities? If two or more adults can agree on an accommodation that suits both parties, should they not be entitled to the freedom to exercise such agreement? And if there is some slight risk involved, should not mature individuals have the right to weigh up that small risk against the massive benefits? There is a housing crisis whilst thousands of unoccupied potential living apartments lie idle because they don’t ‘comply’. We are not talking about ‘Fire-Traps’, but accommodation Bernie.comaskey@gmail.com *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.
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where somebody previously lived. Should not the person who would be better off sleeping there have the final say? Would not Ukrainian refugees settle into living accommodation over a pub in preference to living in a bunker with Russian missiles raining down on top of them and no food?
t has been said about us Irish … in fact, we say it about ourselves; that we are not good at obeying rules. This is yet another one where we could blame the British; having being under her rules for 800 years. Either way, the citizenry of this country are currently being weighed down by an everincreasing load ‘of do’s and don’ts’
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Adequate exits and fire escapes, smoke alarms and fire-extinguishers are standard requirements in all public buildings or where paid accommodation is provided - and then that is the end of it! Spaniards are not burning to death in their beds – nor is there any word of mass food-poisoning due to less over-zealous food inspectors calling on restaurants and cafes. Irish HSE food inspectors have done a really good job over the years in raising the standards in our hospitality industry. They implement the rules as laid down – as is their role: But does it make sense to the common man, that a shop cannot sell a whipped ice-cream cone before putting in a second wash-hand basin and providing a separate staff toilet? You see, in Ireland, an ice-cream cone is food! Communities are blocked from holding a dance in the hall where they danced for generations because the building doesn’t comply with a litany of the latest fire regulations. Insurance costs, driven by the ‘compo culture’ have so curtailed outdoor sporting activities for both adults and children.
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 either Spanish Solutions or ‘The Leader.’ Call 637 227 385 for info.
GARDEN FELIX - Mesembs - living stones! Mesembs are succulent plants in the family Aizoaceae, a very large plant family that contains 1,900 species. Also known as Living Stones - as they look just like pebbles! - with their unusual patterns, textures, and leaf forms helping them camouflage among rocks. Masters of recycling, these plants use water from their old leaves to inflate their new leaves, helping them survive drought conditions that would kill many other plants. The variation in climates in
The legal profession and the insurance companies like it this way: They make a lot of money out of it, whilst the ordinary man in the street pays for it all. It’s all a bit like the hangman putting the rope
which they will grow is quite dramatic, with some preferring beaches, others high mountains and others deserts. The only common trait their habitats share is that they have seasonal rainfall, even if the total amount of rainfall is small. Amongst the easiest plants to grow, as in general, they require very little water, lots of sunshine and a gritty soil that dries quickly. Many mesembs go dormant during the dry season, in order to conserve water. A dormant mesemb should not be watered at all.
around the condemned man’s neck, whist consoling him with, ‘it’s for your own good! ‘Health and Safety’ you would imagine to be something which will turn us into a super- healthy generation of people down the road. No so, my friends. Figures, according to the WHO, show that Ireland is set to become the most overweight population by 2030. Our children are not getting enough exercise. Prohibitions on outdoor sports areas, children’s sports days regulated out of existence, teachers afraid to allow children have hurleys in the playground and overall ‘mollycoddling’, are all compounding the problem of obesity. Children’s natural instinct is to run, climb, wrestle on the ground and generally adopt a spirit of competition with each other. Yes, there will be scratches and cuts, skinned knees and maybe even a broken arm sometime – but the next generation will be healthier for it. Only for our GAA, rugby, soccer, and athletic clubs, the problem would be much worse. DON’T FORGET Nothing intoxicates some people like a sip of authority.
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Eighteen Vega municipalities accumulate debts of €54.8 million
Of the 27 municipalities that make up the Vega Baja, 18 have accumulated a debt of 54.8 million euros, according to data published by the Ministry of Finance for the year 2021. Eleven of them are owe more than one million with Bigastro topping the list owing 15.6 million. Next comes Orihuela (7.4), Pilar de la Horadada (6), Callosa de Segura (5.8), Torrevieja (5), Daya Vieja (2.7), Dolores and Guardamar del Segura (2.4), Cox (1.6) and Redován and Benijófar (1.3). Catral and Daya Nueva are close to one million euros while further down the table are Almoradí (764,619 euros), Granja de Rocamora (373,953), Benferri (152,219), Rojales (50,000) and Rafal (47,000). Nine municipalities closed the year without debt, despite the additional strains put on their budgets by the pandemic: Algorfa, Albatera, San Miguel de Salinas, Formentera del Segura, San Isidro, Jacarilla, San Fulgencio, Benejúzar and Los Montesinos. In terms of indebted municipalities by their population, Daya Vieja heads the ranking with each of its 707 residents, at the end of 2021, owing 3,827 euros. In second place is Bigastro, with 2,230 euros of debt for each of its 6,994 inhabitants, followed by Daya Nueva (521), Benijófar (390), Dolores (313), Callosa (300), Pilar de la Horadada (266), Cox (213), Redován (164), Guardamar (151), Granja de Rocamora (143), Catral (108), Orihuela (94), Benferri (78), Torrevieja (60), Almoradí (36), Rafal ( 10) and Rojales (3).
Since it was declared bankrupt in 2008, Bigastro continues as one of the most indebted towns in Spain in proportion to its population. In 2011 the City Council was almost taken over by the Valencian Community in the face of a debt of more than 31 million euros (5,000 euros per person), which was revealed following the replacement of the PSOE council by the PP in coalition with the Popular Liberal and Centrist Union, which had to make immediate cuts, including the Christmas lights that year, due to the difficult financial situation. All in all, however, the general trend is downward, following the introduction of the Budgetary and Financial Stability Law after the financial crisis of 2012. However, the arrival of the pandemic made the spending ceiling set a little more flexible.
Torrevieja has reduced its debt by 5 million euros
Only six localities have increased their debt compared to 2020. Granja de Rocamora has an increase of 282,870 euros, which translates into 108 euros more debt per person. Then comes Redován, with 151,218 (16 euros more per inhabitant); Rojales, 43,166 (3); Daya Nueva, 21,137 (5); Bigastro, 19,434 (reduced its debt by 25 euros per capita), and Daya Vieja is 9,465 lower, but 139 euros more per resident, the highest increase of all.
Pilar de la Horadada is the one that has managed to reduce its debt per inhabitant the most compared to 2020, now it owes 141 euros less per inhabitant. The total debt of the 8,131 municipalities in Spain is shown as 17,324 million euros. The province of Alicante has a total debt of 217 million euros while within the Valencian Community as a whole it is 1,218 million, listed in third position behind Madrid and Catalonia.
Banks continue to close their ATMs The ATM cash machine network is Spain has suffered a 7.5% cut since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, with the disappearance of 3,777 terminals in two years, according to data from the Bank of Spain. In March 2020, there were a total of
In contrast, those that have reduced by the most are Torrevieja (5 million euros less than the previous year), Orihuela (3.4 million), Pilar de la Horadada (3 million), Guardamar (674,656 euros), Albatera (474,006), Dolores (348,202), San Fulgencio (345,461), Callosa (310,551), Benijófar (284,155), Almoradí (276,312), Cox (226,020) and Benferri (101,479), while in the remaining nine municipalities the reduction is less significant.
50,251 ATMs in Spain, of which 1,485 (2.96% of the total) disappeared in the following twelve months, coinciding with the push that the pandemic gave to the use of online banking channels and the beginning of job adjustment processes and offices of various finan-
cial groups. The data reveal that this reduction in the ATM network was further reduced in the following year, to its smallest size since 2000, thus, at the end of the first quarter of 2022 there were 46,473 ATMs in Spain, 2,293 less than a year earlier (-4.7%) and 3,777 less than at the start of the pandemic (-7.5%).
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1946 - Petula Clark made her UK television debut at the age of 13 appearing on the variety programme series ‘Cabaret’, broadcast by BBC TV. 1962 - The Beatles played their first ever gig in Wales when they appeared at The Regent Dansette in Rhyl. Tickets cost five shillings. 1964 - The Animals went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'The House Of The Rising Sun.' Recorded in one take, this was the first UK No.1 to have a playing time of more than four minutes. 1965 –Paul McCartney was presented with five Ivor Novello Awards at a lunch party at The Savoy, London. John Lennon refused to attend. 1980 - Olivia Newton-John and the Electric Light Orchestra had the UK No.1 single with 'Xanadu', taken from the film of the same name. It gave Olivia Newton-John her third UK No.1 single. 1981 - The Specials had their second and final UK No.1 single with 'Ghost Town'. Despite being a song about Coventry, the band chose to film the video of themselves driving a Vauxhall Cresta around some empty London streets. 1985 - At 12.01 Status Quo started the Live Aid extravaganza, held between Wembley Stadium, London and The JFK Stadium, Philadelphia. The cream of the world's biggest rock stars took part in the worldwide event, raising over £40million. TV pictures beamed to over 1.5bn people in 160 countries made it the biggest live broadcast ever known.
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1988 - Michael Jackson arrived in the UK for his first ever-solo appearances. He performed a total of eight nights to 794,000 people. 1989 - Tom Jones lost a paternity suit and was ordered to pay $200 a week in child support to 27 year old Katherine Berkery of New York. The judge in the case was Judge Judy Sheindlin, who was still serving in her 15 year tenure as a New York Family Court judge before appearing in her court TV show, Judge Judy. 1991 –Bryan Adams went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Everything I Do I Do It For You' which featured on the soundtrack for the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. It stayed at No.1 for a record-breaking 16 weeks and won a Grammy Award for Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture in 1992.
1997 - Walkers Spice Girl’s crisps went on sale in the UK, over 16 million bags were sold by the end of the year. 2000 - A statue erected in the memory of John Lennon was unveiled in London's Trafalgar Square. The sculpture featured a revolver with a knotted barrel created by Swedish artist Carl Fredrik Reutersward. 2002 - Fatboy Slim brought the Brighton area to a standstill when he threw a free beach party. Organizers had expected 60,000 fans to attend but over 250,000 turned up causing chaos on the roads with traffic jams over ten miles long. 2007 - Rod Stewart collected his CBE from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace. The singer who was honoured for his services to music wore a skull and crossbones tie, white trousers and a stripy shirt instead of the conventional morning suit. 2018 - 'November Rain' by Guns N’ Roses became the first '90s video to pass a billion views on YouTube. The next closest '90s video was ‘Zombie’ by The Cranberries, at 739 million.
A New Community Hub for Hondon de los Frailes “THE DREAM CENTRE” Right in the village centre of Hondon de los Frailes, the eagerly anticipated GRAND OPENING of a unique, and brand new custom built COMMUNITY CENTRE opens its doors to the public on 17th July. 1.30. This is a Community Centre like no other here in Spain, reaching out to the general public from all walks of life whether young or not so young! A multipurpose, international hub that offers something for everyone. Film and social nights, a library, youth and children’s events, “Connections Café”, a Food Bank and weekly Church meetings. From the first ‘breaking of the ground’ just four months ago, the DISASTER RELIEF FUND has provided financial aid, in addition to sending 26 cubic metres of physical aid to Ukraine direct from Hondon. Even
whilst building work was in process, “THE DREAM CENTRE “ has provided 120 free meals to local residents! THE DREAM CENTRE is owned by Acorn International Ministries - a non-profit Christian organisation with headquarters in the UK and Indonesia. Steve and Ann Laidlow are the founders and directors, who, between them, have over 50 years of national and international ministry experience. They have travelled extensively around the world and been involved with humanitarian and disaster relief projects. Now, together with a lively and welcoming team, they look forward to involving everyone in their dream of “HELPING PEOPLE TO DISCOVER AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE “ For more information visit Website: www.thedreamcentre.es Facebook: www.facebook.com/DreamCentreHondon
Steve and Ann Laidlow
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CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
QUICKIE CROSSWORD
ANSWERS Week 926
ACROSS 1. Vegetable (9) 8. --- de Janeiro (3) 9. Disastrous (11) 11. Go before (7) 12. Scottish landowner (5) 13. Churchman (6) 15. Light wind (6) 17. Speak slowly (5) 18. Get rid of (7) 20. Incompatible (11) 22. Fuss (3) 23. Proof (9) 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.
Solution on Page 21
DOWN 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 10. 11. 14. 16. 19. 21.
Expanse of water (3) Frilled lace (5) Hot spring (6) Alike (7) Group of islands (11) Supporter of Cromwell (9) Fear (11) Fanciful plan (4,5) Canvass (7) Handsome man (6) Middle-Eastern country (5) Vase (3)
QUICK ACROSS: 1 Mice; 3 Estrange; 8 None; 9 Dramatic; 11 Praiseworthy; 13 Lustre; 14 Pamper; 17 Particularly; 20 Despised; 21 Fuji; 22 Tendered; 23 Mesh. DOWN: 1 Monopoly; 2 Canvass; 4 Shrewd; 5 Remarkable; 6 Notch; 7 Etch; 10 Escritoire; 12 Crayfish; 15 Perfume; 16 Scheme; 18 Arson; 19 Edit. CRYPTIC CRYPTIC ACROSS: 1 Cant; 3 Spoonful; 8 Diva; 9 Barnacle; 11 Victoria plum; 13 Reside; 14 Staple; 17 Simultaneous; 20 Redskins; 21 Beer; 22 Leap year; 23 Used. DOWN: 1 Cadavers; 2 Novices; 4 Placid; 5 Omnipotent; 6 Fichu; 7 Lied; 10 Cold turkey; 12 Censured; 15 Prowess; 16 Stanza; 18 India; 19 Oral.
ACROSS 1. Somehow proves at the finish it's blue! (9) 8. I will shortly be unwell (3) 9. Perhaps I find it's one of many in a dictionary? (11) 11. Study diplomacy with an acquaintance (7) 12. Mature commercial shown last month (5) 13. Give formal consent if a try works out (6) 15. Wet two enclosures (6) 17. The French journalists in Yorkshire? (5) 18. Mollusc out to do cop (7) 20. Are cheats of use in getting a good card (3,2,6) 22. The man returns to show assent (3) 23. He can see new aspect to the rocky hill (9)
L EA D E R T R I V I A Q U I Z 1. The following are all examples of what: The Dogs, Flag, Control, Smersh, Zep, Gag and The Owsla 2. From 1982-1996, who was the only woman tennis player to win Wimbledon other than Martina Navratilova and Steffi Graf? 3. Which illustrious ship, named after a Roman province, held the Blue Riband from 1907 till 1929? 4. Put the following wars or conflicts in order of estimated casualties, starting with the highest number: a: Vietnam War (1959 - 1975), b: Qing dynasty conquest of the Ming Dynasty (1616 - 1662), c: Russian Civil War (1917 - 1921), d: World War I (1914 - 1918) 5. According to BBC Radio 2, which pallid hit single from the year 1967 has been the most played song in public places in the last 75 years? 6. NATO gave the ultra modern Russian MiG-29 which pivotal codename? 7. Gary Oldman plays the following unsavoury characters in which films? a. Ivan Korshunov, b. Lee Harvey Oswald, c. DEA officer Norman Stansfield, d. Mason Verger, e. Jean Baptiste Emmanuel Zorg, f. Sid Vicious 8. Ilyena Vasilevna Mironov is better known as?
DOWN 2. I've gone out to compete (3) 3. Thus Ian upset a girl (5) 4. Car for a certain area of buildings (6) 5. Three-dimensional scene showing ten in the play (7) 6. It is a girl to decorate with delicate stuff (6,5) 7. After midnight heard it shone (9) 10. A trick in Who's Who, perhaps (4,3,4) 11. Singing girl accompanying Heather (9) 14. Ties with loud assent, anyhow (7) 16. Sweet way to tee off? (6) 19. The measure of crime (5) 21. A couple of Clint Eastwood films? (3)
( A n s we r s o n p a g e 2 1 ) 9. An appropriately named stern sail on the rear of an 18th century square rigged ship. 7 letters 10. The following are the national anthems of which countries: a: In Plenty and In Time of Need, b: Mawtini (since 2004), c: La Marcha Real, d: Kimi ga Yo, e: Schweizerpsalm 11. Plus or minus 20 years, when were the first time zones introduced? 12. How many countries border Switzerland? 13. The ramparts that surround which city are the only intact fortified city walls on the North American continent? 14. Who came back from a ban to score a memorable hat-trick as Italy beat Brazil on the way to winning the 1982 World Cup? 15. Which rust free automobiles were built in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland in the late 1970s? 16. In tennis, which six men have reached the finals of a Grand Slam singles tournament 16 or more times in the Open era? (since 1969) 17. What name did Hitler wish to give his proposed new World Capital? 18. A capital city and a kind of steel. 8 letters 19. Which astro-physicist's belt surrounds the Earth? 20. What is Britain's oldest colony?
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43% of Spaniards change holidays due to rising prices The unstoppable rise in prices that affects all goods and services, and which is now measured in two-digit percentages, imposes rigor on the lives of many Spaniards. There are few people whose standard of living is not noticeably affected by increased inflation. The so-called tax on the poor is breaking social borders to the point that this summer, the first to be caressed normally after the pandemic, practically half of the population have been forced to change their holiday plans. The inflationary virus snakes and contaminates all sectors. From fuel to food through accommodation, services, transport and leisure, the consumer price index, already above 10%, triggers the savings reserved for the summer period and is forcing people to
review accounts and rethink activities. 42.6% of Spaniards admit to having already changed their summer plans in view of the rise in prices. Some 7.6% have changed the planned destination for a more affordable one or have reduced the number of days (18.8%) that they planned to enjoy so as to lower the cost, and there are even those who have opted (16.2%) to cancel all together. Barely one in five say their plans remain intact and practically one in three explained that they have not made any changes because they had not planned any holidays. Holidays thus become a first gauge of the disquiet that has settled in the Spanish. 66% now believe that the country's economic situation is bad or very bad, and this includes
The Government warns of a difficult autumn and winter
46% of Socialist voters and 48% of UP voters. Far more negative are the voters of PP, Vox and Ciudadanos; here the negative assessment of Spain 's economic health exceeds 80% with
30 ARTISTS COMPETE FOR CASH PRIZES IN PILAR
Introduction of Government subsidy saw Petrol stations raise their prices by up to 3.5 cents
Around thirty participants from the Valencian Community, Region of Murcia, Andalusia, and Castellon took part in the 11th edition of the Outdoor Painting Contest in Pilar de la Horadada.
According to a study released by Esade last week, petrol stations responded to the 20 cents per liter fuel bonus approved by the Government on 1st April with an average price increase of between 0.7 cents per liter in the case of petrol and 3.52 cents for diesel.
Organised by the town’s Department of Culture the contest was run in collaboration with the Caja Rural Central.
“With both products, it was the petrol stations with lower prices that have reacted much more strongly to the subsidy with larger increases in their prices.
Once the jury had judged the paintings the following prizes were awarded: First prize: Abraham Pinto Mendoza with e2,000. Second Prize: Aída Mauri Crusat with e1,200. Third Prize: Blai Tomás Ibáñez with e800. First runner-up prize: Juan Antonio Jiménez Vicente with e400 and second runner-up prize: Guillermo Ferri Soler with e300.
the prospects that the situation will change in the coming months are not very encouraging, the government warning of a difficult autumn and winter, especially if the war in Ukraine continues.
The five prizes were handed over by José María Pérez, Mayor of Pilar de la Horadada, Darío Quesada, delegate of Culture, and the remaining of the members of the judging panel. During the month of August the works be exhibited in the Casa de Cultura.
Independent petrol stations, those without an exclusive supply contract with a wholesale oil product operator, are said to have have captured most of the bonus, while retail distributors (part of the network of large companies) have done so to a lesser extent.
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Arregui, 23, Torrevieja Evangelical non-denominational church. Sunday service 11a.m.; Sunday school; Prayer meetings; craft and computer clubs. Ladies Bible Study: Thursday 11a.m. Church Bible Study: Thursday 1.30p.m. House groups in Torrevieja, La Siesta – Contact: 966 752 543 / 617 215 463. Phone: 966 799 273 / 966 752 543 / 617 215 463. www.icatorrevieja.org
CAR SALES
CHURCHES AND SERVICES The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints in Torrevieja meet at 10.00 each Sunday in their chapel at Rambla Juan Mateo Garcia, 104. All Welcome. Phone or whatsapp the missionaries on 659 016 733 La Siesta Evangelical Church, Torrevieja, a friendly, Englishspeaking church. We hold services at 11.15am on the 2nd and 4th Sundays each month (and the 5th when there is
one). For more info see our website at: www.lasiestaevangelicalchurch.org Join us at the SALT CHURCH Sundays at 10.30 am. We are a friendly church, bible centred in our teaching and informal in our worship. Meets at Calle Daya Nueva 12, Polígono Ind. Levante 11, 03187 Los Montesinos. We look forward to meeting you. www.Saltchurchspain. Facebook SaltChurchSpain International Christian Assembly, Calle Urbano
The Car of the Month at Automoviles Crespo is a 2020 Ford Focus ST3 petrol which is on Special Offer priced at just 37,900 euro. Come along to our showroom in Elche and see our vast range of new and used cars or call 96 666 22 60 for all our latest offers. The biggest and best for price, choice and quality. ENGLISH SPOKEN
GENERAL Builder, remodelling,kitchens, extensions, we beat most quotes. Call Andy 697 834 934.
MUSICIANS WANTED Come Join The Band' The Royal British Legion Concert
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Band Spain is looking for a second violin player of any nationality to join our growing group of musicians. Please contact Graham Robinson at email by phone on 658 663 846 or by email at: robinsongraham256@ googlemail.com
SOCIAL AND CLUBS The JuneMeeting of the Royal British Legion Orihuela Costa and District Branch will be held at 7 for 7.30 pm on Thursday 21 July at the Olympia Pool Bar in Mil Palmeras. SILENT AUCTION. Bring something along. Everyone is welcome incl non members. Call Jean on: 630 28 08 99. The RBL Torrevieja Branch Meets at the Oasis, formerly the Casa Ventura, San Luis on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6.30 pm for 7pm start. New members are always welcome. You do not have to be ex-services. For info please contact:Torrevieja.secretary@rbl. community 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
SHARE THE COST OF BUYING AN APARTMENT I am looking for someone to share the cost of buying a 2 bed apartment in Los Alcazares. Total cost is 100k so 50k each.
Please contact Fintan on +353 86 878 1317
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our 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 email: costablanca@ageconcern.org.es 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 966 71 6274 or Margaret Forshaw on 966 92 1966.
Royal Air Force Association Costa Blanca: The RAFA Costa Blanca RMG replaces the RAFA Costa Blanca Branch 1359 which is now closed. The RMG is a social group of caring people and remains affiliated to the parent Association. Contact with the RAFA and the RMG is via the RAFA website rafa.org.uk. Tel:0044 800 018 2361. Over 50 - On your own in the Torrevieja area. Check out Phoenix Solos who meet every Monday morning from 11am to 1pm at Reflections Bar/Restaurant, C/Aviles, San Luis Lakeside. Call Lynette on 643 098 173 or see website at; phoenixsolos.wix.com
PERSONAL Diana from Greece. 47 year old lady. Blonde hair, blue eyes. Beautiful, sweet, natural body. Private apartment. Calle Gil Vallejo 5, Torrevieja. Call 663 817 943 Rocio, 40, Argentinian, sweet, qualified massausse. Big, natural breasts. House 75. La Zenia. 672 872 050. Mery... 35 sweet Polish girl. Beautiful body. Complete attention. Maximum privacy
in Campoamor. Fantasies. Tel. 672 539 332 TORREVIEJA MIRIAM Brazilian lady blond 59 year. Do massage erotic with happy end. Speak good english. Call 604 382 799 Torrevieja, Valentini, Brazilian lady, 35. Erotic massage with complete satisfaction. Good time guaranteed. 688 340 708 Norma... Russian lady, mature, big breasts. Torrevieja. Tel. 665 056 834
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TORREVIEJA MAN ARRESTED FOR GROWING ‘MAGIC MUSHROOMS’
Monday 11th - Sunday 17th July 2022 During the search the agents found a homemade greenhouse growing ‘magic mushrooms’.
Following a family conflict, the Guardia Civil has dismantled a hallucinogenic mushroom farm and drug sales point in Torrevieja making one arrest.
During the house search the Guardia agents also found a mini homemade greenhouse that was being used for the illicit cultivation of hallucinogenic mushrooms. On confirming the discoveries, the agents proceeded to arrest the man for an alleged crime against public health for drug trafficking. The detainee, who has a police record for similar activities, has been placed at the disposal of the Court of Instruction of Torrevieja, who has ordered his release on bail.
PAGE 17
Spanish air traffic controllers give notice of strike action Spanish air traffic controllers have given Enaire a month to find a solution to the problems which include a lack of staff and a new financial agreement that they have denounced in recent months, saying that if the public company that manages air navigation does not identify measures in these four weeks, "a strike will be called in all probability," according to the main controllers' union, Usca.
Officers received a notice of an alleged family conflict in a house in Torrevieja. A patrol from the Guardia Civil of Torrevieja attended the location, and on identifying the occupants, a couple, man and a woman, both of Spanish nationality, the agents concluded that the identified man was selling drugs and that he hid various narcotic substances inside the house. Once the facts were established, the agents carried out a search of the home, seizing inside: 12 grams of marijuana, 35 grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms, 400 grams of hashish, 18 grams of methamphetamine, 128 grams of a "cut" substance used to adulterate the drug, more than 800 pharmaceutical opiate pills of different brands without carrying the corresponding necessary medical prescription, a marijuana plant that was being prepared for drying, tools for weighing and cutting the substance, 500 euro divided into various banknotes and a compressed air revolver type weapon.
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Guardia Civil campaign encouraging women to join The Guardia Civil has launched a campaign featuring several videos on its social networks, in which female officers appear so as to help motivate women to join the corps. There are currently a total of 6,665 female civil guards, 8.57% of the workforce. The Guardia Civil launched the #EligeGuardiaCivil campaign to encourage the entry of women into the institution. It is a series of videos that will be published on the body's social networks, especially on Instagram and Tiktok, where the younger audience is concentrated. Women civil guards appear in them encouraging future companions to get one of the 1,671 places that have been offered this year.
The registration period for the new call for access is now open and ends on July 19. Applicants who wish to join the Guardia Civil must be between 18 and 40 years old, have Spanish nationality, have a driver's licence, be over 1.55m tall and have no criminal record, among other requirements.
PAGE 18
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AGATHA CRUSTY IN THE HONDON VALLEY music festivals, with its many stages and a varied list of numerous performers, was watched just recently by more than two hundred and thirty thousand people over a long weekend. This year it was graced by the presence of an eighty-year-old Paul McCartney. Also on stage was Diana Ross, who is seventy eight, both singing old favourites from their earlier careers. The crowd went wild imitating and following the famous words of the songs, which, it seems will live forever. Greta Thunberg, that famous teenager, who is now nineteen, wound up the event by producing one of her speeches of doom and disaster, and despite her words about global warming and waste, which was followed by clapping and cheers of agreement, very few of the words made the point on the audience. The period devolved and the site became the largest untidy, disorderly, trash and garbage scene. The scattered litter is predominantly the ‘no’ ‘no’ of plastic, leaving a sour note and destroying in part the very reason of Glastonbury’s existence.
PC Lockett, Agatha and DI Twigg
IN THE VILLAGE HALL OF CHORTLEBY, murderous events were happening on Friday and Saturday evening, a body was found face down in a water butt and with a scare a body falls out of a cupboard. The wrong doings were resolved and congratulations to the DIVA’s team for unravelling the situation and bringing the villain to justice. It was a play by Derek Webb called ‘Agatha Crusty’ and the ‘Village Hall Murders’ held in the Hondon de los Frailes, Theatre, events close to Midsomer Murders but not quite. An excellent evening’s entertainment by DIVA (Drama in the Valley Association) group who all played brilliantly, a very well done and entertaining evening enjoyed by everyone. Just recently it was fun time, as we spent a few days in Benidorm to catch up with the great grandchildren who, with sparkling eyes and a quick mind, charmed us. We had to laugh when their Nan pointed to a plane flying overhead saying, ‘look at that aeroplane’ and the sevenyear-old granddaughter stopped what she was
doing and looking very serious said ‘Nan…that is not an aeroplane that is a private jet.’ I guess she knows where she is going in life. The difference between the Spanish Health care and that of the U.K. was demonstrated while we were there. In Spain we have excellent care and also prompt appointments. A lady in the hotel, who was badly crippled in a wheelchair and in need of constant attention, back home in Southern England she cannot get an appointment to see a specialist until May 2023. It seems to me no matter how much money is thrown at the NHS there is very little improvement. Although there is some good news in that the British Government is taking steps to stop ‘woke type words’ like ‘birthing person’ instead of ‘mother’ being used, also to put to an end the amalgamation of toilets, so once more there will be separate ‘male’ and ‘female’ facilities. Glastonbury: Situated in the wonderful green Somerset countryside near to Pilton, this ‘holy grail’ amongst
The clean-up in 2019, the last time the event happened, we are told took six weeks to clear the rubbish all of which was created by the true lovers of music … but not of their environment. It is difficult to imagine 1.4 square miles of litter and waste, for that is the area covered by the celebrations, where the total two hundred thousand plus tickets were sold out to enthusiastic festival goers in very quick time, who were keen on attending this unique event and willing to part with hundreds of pounds of their money, but paying little attention to the ecosystem they were to be involved in. The organisers at this year’s festival went out of their way to encourage festival visitors to act responsibly in the disposal of their waste. However, the visitors were deaf to this request but not to the music or other happenings. So, there we have it, these young people who are the future of Britain, can recognise a singer or musician at a hundred paces but not a rubbish bin at two.
Growing Weeds: It is a sad true story of this week, and once more the inability of the ‘Easy’ airline to meet the terms of a booking, making an excuse there was no pilot available for the journey with the result a family stuck in Luton and unable to fly to a much-loved mother’s funeral in Alicante, Spain. A statement by one of the members ‘why do they overbook take your money and leave you stranded?’ We had a similar occurrence, although not so devastating, when we arranged to meet the family in Benidorm, on this occasion the airline of the same ‘stress-free’ name flying out of Bristol, was late in departing and used the excuse that the baggage handlers would not work loading the aircraft unless they were paid forty (£40) pounds per hour to do so. We do not know how the impasse was resolved. So, it seems by the daily news, more and more employed people are downing tools demanding extra-ordinary sums of money to continue their way of working, driving up prices and causing inflation to roll up into a continuous higher cycle. The blame for this state of affairs lies firmly at the door of the greed emanating from those who control the pricing of basic needs and those demanding excessive pay rises. Pensioners on fixed incomes are incapable of doing anything other than tightening of belts and worrying about the next spike in inflation. They simply have to cope as striking is out of the question. That would mean the gardening does not get done and the weeds would continue to grow, and the dishes would pile up in the sink. Take care. www.facebook.com/percy chattey
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THE NULLARBOR LINKS: The world's longest golf course. 18-holes and par 72, it spans 848 miles from the former gold mining town of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia to the fishing port of Ceduna in South Australia across the mighty Nullarbor Plain. It can take 5 days to play, in either direction. The idea is that after playing one hole, you drive to the next, but the next can be 100km further down the road. The idea was conceived by roadhouse owners along the A1 Eyre Highway, trying to encourage drivers to break their journey and spend money.
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try.” No's 4 and 5 at the Norseman Club, site of a worked-out gold mine, then 106km further on at the Fraser Range sheep station you play the par 3 6th. After hole 7 you camp overnight. There are funnel web spiders and snake warnings (3 deadly varieties. ) On day 3 you drive 446 km playing holes 8,9,10 & 11. You spot the odd camper van or HarleyDavidson with clubs strapped on the back. The Cocklebiddy Roadhouse has a population of 8. This is the Outback. If the flying doctor is needed, the roadhouses have airstrips. Try not to fall ill.
Each participating town or roadhouse offers a green, a tee and a fairway of sorts, with clubs available for hire, together with a free map. Current High and Low scores for the course: High – 479, Low – 70. Dust, dingos and 48 degree heat, or biting 60mph winds from the South Pole, and astroturf greens. St. Andrews it isn't.
Day 4, 207 kms playing holes 12 13 and 14. Marked by a giant statue of a kangaroo holding a jar of Vegemite, Border Village Roadhouse (hole 13) marks the border between W. Australia and S. Australia. At the Nullarbor Roadhouse (Humpalicious camel milk coffee) the highway hugs the cliffs overlooking the Great Australian Bight and the weather can be cold and wet.
If you start from Kalgoorlie holes 1 and 2 have fairways and decent greens. You stay overnight, then drive 440km, playing the next 5 holes. No. 3 is at dusty Kambalda Golf Club. “Don't go left mate,” they warn you, “That's death adder coun-
Day 5, 274km, holes 15,16,17 and 18. The last two at the Ceduna Golf Club, where your score card is stamped and you collect the certificate of completion of Nullarbor Links. I don't know about a certificate, I think you'd need to be certified.
The Border Village Roadhouse SEBASTIAN SODERBERG was in the Belfry clubhouse on the final day of the Betfred British Masters waiting to hear whether he would be in the playoff against Thorbjorn Oleson. After Olesen holed a 28-foot eagle at the 17th and sank a 35-footer at the last to salvage a one-over 73 it would not be surprising if poor old Soderstream stayed in the clubhouse and got paralytic. The same could be said for Chile's Mito Pereira who needed a par to win the PGA Championship and drove into the water for a double bogey. Life is hard. THE VOLVO CAR Scandinavian Mixed tournament from June 9-12th at Halmstat G.C. features a field of 78 men and 78 women playing for one
prize fund, and is jointly hosted by Annika Sorenstam and Henrik Stenson, Defending Champion will be Jonathan Caldwell from N. Ireland. Home favourite is Alex Noren, a 10-time DP World Tour winner. The Volvo aims to be fully carbon neutral, with electric bikes and shuttle services for fans, and for every ticket sold one tree will be planted in Sweden. That should please Greta, if anything could. THE IRISH OPEN kicks off on June 30th at Mount Juliet. The welcome leaflet says that ”There is a short walk of about 300m to the hospitality tent, if you find walking difficult and are in need of assistance let us know.” The spectators
SMILING JACK’S GOLF SOCIETY Well what a wonderful day on a fantastic golf course in immaculate condition with beautiful views. The great VISTA Bella! We had bit of heat today and a few burnt bodies but we also had some good scores and I must say great company Now the results: Nearest the pin hole 2
El Presidente Nearest the pin hole 11 Nobody Nearest the pin hole 4 Ex champ Thomas Burke In second place with a fantastic 33 points was Mandy, well done. This golf days winner was ‘Tiny’ Isaacs with an outstanding 36 points off 16. He received the tro-
Mike Probert talks Golf ere 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.
H
phy, bottle and a new handicap of 14. The winner of our famous Blue Johnny was Albert. Stay tuned to Smiling Jack's FB page for our next outing. A big shout out to Ger for the prizes and for Julie's hard work on her day off to get our food ready Thank you all. El Presidente
Around and About the Courses - Lorca Located near the historic town and castle at Lorca with stunning views of the Sierra de Almenara Mountains and yet just a few minutes drive away from the Costa Calida coast and beaches of Aguilas is the Lorca Golf Course. This challenging 18 hole par 71 course with undulating greens and strategically placed bunkers was designed by Dave Thomas and Jorge Solar and blends well with the natural
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 prices currently available to you: Course Price Comments Alenda €134 Two Green Fees & Buggy Alicante €82 Two Green Fees & Buggy Altaoana Village €95 Two Green Fees & Buggy Altorreal €80 Two Green Fees & Buggy (holes 10 to 18 played twice) Bonalba €90 Two Green Fees & Buggy Campoamor €136 Two Green Fees & Buggy
Don Cayo (Altea) El Plantio El Valle Font Del Llop Hacienda D Alamo La Finca La Marquesa La Serena La Torre Las Colinas Las Ramblas Lorca Lo Romero Mar Menor New Sierra Golf
€90 €82 €45 €110 €47 €65 €52 €90 €45 €60 €97 €70 €50 €50 €68
orography of the terrain in which the course is located and golfers can relax away from the stress of life and enjoy the surroundings and their favourite sport.
We can now announce a special summer deal at Lorca for the months of July and August under a FREE buggy deal and the prices are as follows:
As you would expect the resort has excellent club house, pro-shop and restaurant facilities and a practice academy with a driving range and chipping and putting facilities.
1 x Green Fee with buggy = €35
For those wishing to stay in the area, stay and play packages are available in collaboration with the superb 4* Parador de Lorca Hotel.
Why not take advantage of these excellent deals, drop the family off at the Castle or on the beach and enjoy this unspoilt golf course.
Two Green Fees & Buggy Two Green Fees & Buggy Single Green Fee Two Green Fees & Buggy Single Green Fee Single Green Fee Single Green Fee 2 Green Fees & Buggy (from 1.08pm) Single Green Fee Single Green Fee (from 4.30pm) 2 Green Fees & Buggy (from 2.00pm) Two Green Fees & Buggy Single Green Fee (from 1.00pm) Single Green Fee Two Green Fees & Buggy
2 x Green Fees with shared buggy = €70 4 x Green Fees with 2 x shared buggies = €140
Puig Campana
€98
Two Green Fees & Buggy
Roda
€115
2 Green Fees & Buggy (after 1.06pm)
Saurines
€47
Single Green Fee
Villaitana Levante €80
Single Green Fee
Villaitana Poniente €58
Single Green Fee & Buggy
Villamartin
€115
2 Green Fees & Buggy (after 2.00pm)
Vistabella
€112
2 Green Fees & Buggy (after 1.00pm)
DEAL OF THE WEEK: UGolf Courses (Hacienda del Alamo, Mar Menor and Saurines) ONE player in every 8 FREE. For Bookings/info Mike at info@costa-blanca-greenfees.com quoting reference LEADER or tel on 966 704 752 or 661 345 931
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ALFIES GOLF SOCIETY Eclectic Cup Round 1 @ LO ROMERO – Thursday 30th June 2022 28 players took to the course for Alfie's Golf Society's first round of the Eclectic Cup at Lo Romero. It was a warm, calm morning and a breeze did appear later to keep the temperature down to a comfortable level. Lo Romero was as usual in immaculate condition and was enjoyed by the players, some more than others. After the President's V Captain's match on Sunday the 10th July, the second round of the Eclectic Cup will be played on Thursday, 28th July so there is an opportunity to improve your score in this competition. The Blind Pairs was won by Joe Murphy and Ian Harkness, both returning their 5 cash prize to the charity fund, so thank you both for that. Thanks also to Richard Watson, who won 20 on the football card and donated to the charity fund. The Captain’s chosen charity is Help at Home, and the fund currently stands at 903.95.
MATCH RESULTS N P Hole 5 went to Chris Udell N P in 2 Hole 9 went to Kevin McBride N P Hole 12 went to Gary Armstrong N P in 3 Hole 17 went to Gudlauger Kristjansson N P in 3 Hole 18 went to Geoff Sinclair All the above won a 10 Voucher from The Cherry Tree The Longest Drive Hole 16 was won by Geoff Sinclair – bottle Brandy The Best Net score Hole 10 was won Geoff Sinclair – bottle Brandy The Silver Division runner up was Wayne Stevenson with 33 points – Bottle of Wine
The Gold Division runner up was Kevin McBride with 36 points – Bottle of Wine
Gary Armstrong with 41 points – Cherry Tree Voucher. Many thanks to The Keg’n’Kitchen for their continued sponsorship support and after-match meal and refreshments.
the second round of the Eclectic Cup at Lo Romero. Please contact our Secretary, Sandie Hall at alfiesgolfsociety@gmail.com to add your name to the list.
The Gold Division, and Overall winner, was
Our next match on Thursday, 28th July will be
Derek Fleet, Captain
The Silver Division winner was Rita Potters with 35 points – Cherry Tree Voucher
Busters Golf Society Presidents Day by Barry Grinsell For a small society, there was a very good turnout of twenty-four players for our President’s day. Our popular President Barrie Hopkinson had made sure our buggies were well watered and also provided a variety of many prizes. I have to say that La Marquesa golf club, our venue for the day was in excellent condition. Barrie chose the first hole for the longest drive, he teed off first and hit a screamer down the middle which was unbeaten. We returned to our sponsor bar Little Leias by Consum in Quesada for our prize-giving when Ian, Lisa, and the staff prepared a mixture of sandwiches for us, followed by a few liquid refreshments was more than welcome on this hot and sunny day, if you haven’t been to Little Leias bar your really missing out as the food there is delicious. Onto our prize-giving our NTPs who each
SUDUKO SOLUTION
received a bottle of wine provided by Little Leias were Allan Collis on the sixth, Pete List on the eighth, Nick Monks took the sixteenth with Terry Sharley our Vice Captain winning the seventeenth, Barrie Hopkinson won the longest drive and also took the NTP in two on the fifteenth hole, best front nine winner with nineteen points was Rob Sherrat winning a bottle of wine that had been provided by Little Leias. The best back nine winner with eighteen points was Pete List In third place with thirty-three points, winning again on count back from John Rush, was our Vice President Ian Allison. Our second-place winner was Nick Monks with thirty-five points, but our overall winner on the day with thirtynine points (and a cut in handicap) was Steve Taggart.
McCaffertys Golf Society @ Roda Tue 5th July.
Only 2 NTP's were claimed and they went to Janet Davies and that man Dan Courtney again.
Another lovely outing to the great Roda course and the weather was a little kind to us as it was hazy rather than very sunny, which came as a great relief to many. Dan Courtney is starting to make a habit of winning recently and his good form continued again as he scooped first place, pipping another veteran Bob Kemp into the runners up slot. But Bob is never far away, and is due a big win shortly, maybe even Tue ! Scoring was modest enough on the day and the other winners were... 1st. Dan courtney 34pts (25). Gold Div. 1st. Bob Kemp.32 (20). Silver Div. 1st John Saunders 27pts (19).
Tyrone Corsini made a welcome return to our society aftr a wee break and duly picked up our happy golfer prize of the finest plonk available to man. Next week we are off to Vistabella and this outing is eagerly anticipated. Vistabella is a course renowned for returning good scores and Bob Kemp is the early doors favourite to lead the field home...no pressure Bob.. A change of venue for our presentation while McCaffertys Bar undergoes a few minor running repairs, and our thanks go to Johnny Kovi Leon and Alisha from Coocoos Cocktail Bar for their lovely hospitality and to Deirdre Kiely for her apres golf refreshments.
Only 2 NTP's were claimed one of which went to Janet Davies
We had one winner for our twos pot who was Phil Harris, our soccer cards were won by Nick Monks and Rita Ball. Finally I would like to thank first Barrie Hopkinson for making his day one to remember and also our Sponsors Little Leias for looking after us on our return to their bar.
QUIZ FROM PAGE 14: 1. All fictional secret police organisations (Dogs from Animal farm; FLAG from, Knight Rider; CONTROL from Get Smart; SMERSH from James Bond; ZEP from Tin Tin; GAG from Star Wars and The Owsla from Watership Down). 2. Conchita Martinez (in 1994). 3. Mauretania. 4. Correct order: BDCA: b: Qing dynasty conquest of the Ming Dynasty - (at least
25,000,000), d: World War I - (between 15,000,000 and 20,000,000), c: Russian Civil War - (between 6,000,000 and 9,000,000), a: Vietnam War - (between 3,000,000 and 5,000,000). 5. Procol Harum's "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" 6. Fulcrum. 7. a. Air Force One, b. JFK, c. Leon (or The Professional), d. Hannibal, e. The Fifth Element, f. Sid and Nancy. 8. Helen Mirren. 9. Spanker. 10. a: Barbados, b: Iraq (My
Homeland), c: Spain (The Royal March), d: Japan ("May Your Reign Last Forever"), e: Switzerland (Swiss Psalm). 11. 1883. By US and Canadian railways. 12. Five: France, Germany, Austria, Italy and Liechtenstein. 13. Quebec City. 14. Paolo Rossi. 15. De Lorean's. 16. Roger Federer (31), Novak Djokovic )31), Rafa Nadal (29), Ivan Lendl (19), Pete Sampras (18), Bjorn Borg (16). 17. Germania. 18. Damascus. 19. Van Allen. 20. Bermuda
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Marta celebrates the goal that wins the Serie A Championship.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTA
BY ANDREW ATKINSON EXCLUSIVE SAN JAVIER football star Marta Peñalver is back home in Murcia to celebrate her birthday on July 12 after winning the 'triple crown' of the Super Cup, Cup Italy and Shield with Italian futsal club Citta di Falconara. "It was a fantastic season in winning the Super Cup, Cup Italy and Shield," Marta on a summer vacation told The Leader.
"Last year I said we could afford to be everything, since we continued to believe that we would," said Marta. Spain International cap, Marta, said:
"What fate, that no almanac will ever bring back, last year it denied us.
"Now I am now celebrating winning the competitions, knowing that everything was possible. "It was achieved alongside my teammates and the technical staff, the society and communication group I am part of all wonderful heroines." Marta, who scored a wonder goal for Citta di Falconara in a 2-0 win to lift the Serie A Championship in front of 2,000 jubilant spectators, said: "All the hard work that everyone has put in that ends
with the city of Falconara celebrations.
"Championi Dell'Italiia Siamo Noi! It is a privilege to be part of it all." A former pupil at I.E.S. Ruiz de Alda, Marta, who also studied at Ciencia de la Actividad Fisica y el Deporte University, said: "I send a kiss to everyone who played a part. I love football - because it showed me that it will always give me everything." Marta added: "I was in Murcia until June 25, prior to going back to Italy to do a Campus - then I return to Spain to celebrate my birthday on July 12!".
CARP-R-US REPORT After having a break from match fishing for a week, Carp-RUs resumed their Summer/Autumn Series on the Canel del Progrés (Mercadona Stretch), Guardamar.
LaManga Torrevieja CC's McCulloch appointed Bulgaria Men's National team coach ahead of World qualifiers England, Ireland and LaManga Torrevieja CC cricket coach Hondon Valley based Andrew McCulloch has been appointed Coach of the Bulgaria Men's National team for the World qualification matches in Finland, during July 20-August 1. "Taking the coaching role of the Bulgaria National Cricket team ahead of the World qualification matches is my biggest task to date," said Andrew, aka 'Macca'.
Bulgaria Men's National team coach Andrew McCulloch.
"You could class going into a completely new environment and having one warm up tournament, prior to Finland, as a big task!," quipped Macca. "However, once I met the group and we discussed how we wanted to move our cricket forward, by playing with intent, freedom and no fear, things started to develop very quickly," said Macca. "Obviously it helped beating Serbia in 4 x T20I, as everything we had talked about and planned suddenly became real," he said. Rochdale born Macca, who started playing cricket as a youngster at Castleton Moor in the old Central Lancashire
League, said: "I joined the Royal Air Force at 17 and played all over the UK and overseas, including Belgium and Germany. "I arrived in Northern Ireland in 2003 and whilst playing for Muckamore Cricket Club in the Northern Cricket Union I started my coaching journey. "I passed my ECB Level 1 in 2007 and
started coaching with the Overseas Professional in schools and at the club. "In 2011, I completed my ECB Level 2 and accepted the offer to become Cricket Development Officer at Muckamore CC. "This involved all aspects of club coaching, from U9 to 1st XI, working in local schools with Cricket Ireland to create pathways from schools to clubs. "In 2013 I was approached by Cliftonville CC to become their Cricket Development Manager, at a time they were just embarking on a new relationship with the University of Ulster, in conjunction with Cricket Ireland, to develop the facilities at their Jordanstown Campus. "This was a great opportunity to expand my coaching CV, not only at club and regional age group level, but the opportunity to coach the University team." *Part 2 of The Leader Exclusive with Andrew McCulloch Bulgaria Men's National team coach continues next week.
This stretch has changed a lot in recent years. It used to contain many fish-holding features which were home to some difficult to catch, large carp. Then it was cleared and dredged, returning it to the concrete channel it was originally. Now, the far bank vegetation is returning and the water itself has large beds of streamer weed, ideal for the fish, a challenge for the angler. Although there were plenty of fish to be seen, they were largely elusive. The match was won by Terry Screen who turned up with his beloved centre-pin reel determined to trot maggots whatever the peg. Undeterred by the large beds of weeds, Terry did just that to weigh in 3.42kg. Second was Steve Fell who took a few mullet on pole and bread but mainly caught on a maggot feeder for 1.70kg. Third was Jeremy Fardoe with 1.08kg and fourth Tony Flett. Further information about the club can be found on its website http://www.carp-r-us.weebly.com or on the Facebook page Carp-R-Us Fishing Costa Blanca.
Costa Blanca Independent Pool League Results Happy Days Excellence defeated La Hacienda A 7-2 in the summer Costa Blanca Independent Pool League to top the division one table. Bar Principals A sit in second spot after returning a close 5-4 win against Pines B, with The Dogs gaining a 5-4 away win at Pines A. Happy Days Nearly defeated Flagger's away 5-0.
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FIESTY ENCOUNTER SEES POMPEY WIN AGAINST QATAR FC AT PINATAR ARENA
W
atched by a few hundred vociferous Pompey fans, Danny Cowley's men coped well with both the intense heat and a very Pompey 2 Qatar FC 0 physical opposition. Now before we go any further, I must admit that I am a little (lot) bit biased, for I've been a fanatical Pompey nutter ever since my dad took me to Fratton Park as a nipper, way back in 1963. It's now quite some time since we lifted the FA cup in 2008, then losing finalists in 2010, for consecutive relegations contributed to us earning the unwanted tag of fallen giant. But, having been taken over by an American Disney billionaire mogul, things are looking up. Both Watford and Shrewsbury Town succumbed to fan power, refusing to play Qatar Sporting Club due to human rights issues, but Pompey decided to go ahead with their 3rd pre-season match of the season. Luckily the press area, which I shared with members of Qatar management team, was one of the few shaded areas inside this very impressive set up. I was able to glean that Qatar SC was formed in 1959, have won the Qatar league 1st division on 6 occasions (most recently in 2003), and reside in a 20,000 capacity stadium in the capital Dohar. Their season starts on 2 August, then runs until end of October, when it will break for the world cup. During the world cup, there will be 8 stadiums used, all of which will be equipped with air conditioning. Qatar SC stadium will be used as a training ground for match officials, as it has 4 pitches available. Last season they ended up 9th out of 12, but are hopeful of a much better finish this time around. They proudly informed me that the Alrihla match ball, would be the same which will be used throughout the forthcoming world cup. A very sensible 3 periods of 30 mins, including short water breaks, was employed for this match. The opening session was littered with hefty fouls, culminating in heated verbal exchanges between Danny Cowley and Qatar SC coach Youssef Safri. Jacobs was bundled over in the box for a clear penalty, but referee Roca Robles decided differently. A strong starting 11 for Pompey totally controlled early exchanges, so much so that keeper Bass hardly touched the ball. Midway through the 2nd period, the man in black decided enough was enough, as he issued the first of 5 cautions to an over zealous Qatar team. New signing Marlon Pack (a Pompey boy signed from Cardiff FC) had to be restrained from seeking revenge on an opponent, following an x rated lunge. A second penalty appeal occurred when Liam Vincent was hacked down, but once again it fell on deaf ears.
Ronan Curtis in action against Qatar SC Image courtesy: Portsmouth FC
PAGE 23
BIANCONE NETS FIRST GOAL BUT FOREST GO DOWN TO COVENTRY Nottingham Forest took on Midlands rivals Coventry City at Pinatar Arema on Friday as they kicked off preparations ahead of their return to the Premier League Although recent signing Giulian Biancone scored his first goal for Forest their pre-season schedule began with a 3-1 defeat. The Reds took the lead as Biancone bent the ball into the far bottom corner but the Sky Blues responded before the interval when Matt Godden supplied a clinical finish to beat Henderson, after he latched on to a through-ball. A youthful Forest side took to the pitch for the second half as Cooper rung the changes. The Sky Blues worked a couple of openings early on, then took the lead through former Red Tyler Walker. A few minutes later, City went down the other end and increased their lead. Walker was on target again, drilling the ball past ex-teammate Jordan Smith.
For the 3rd session, only captain Clark Robertson and Bass remained from the starting line-up, as a combination of youth team players and a trialist took their place. And it was this unlikely blend that broke the deadlock. On 69 mins, Jay Mingi (who earlier in the week had to be rescued whilst on a surf board in strong currents) fed the trialist (later announced as Afolabi) with a delightful assist. Afolabi made light work as he gave the boys in blue a deserved lead, signalling wild celebrations from a by now slightly inebriated set of Pompey fans (must have been the heat!!). A superb 20-yard strike by local lad Alfie Bridgman, secured the victory, but unsavoury scenes greeted a straight red card to a Qatar SC sub for a nasty over the top challenge on another youth player, Jewitt-White. So, all in all, it was a pleasing result for Pompey, especially considering that Qatar included Javi Martinez, and Qatar internationals, within their ranks. Martinez was part of the Spanish squad that won the 2010 world cup, and Euros championships 2 years later. I was particularly impressed with Arsenal loanee full back Zac Swanson,. Now all we need is a prolific goal scorer (no problem!). Next up at Pinatar Arena is FC Cartagena v Southampton 'B', on Weds 13 Jul, ko 7pm (dare I wear my Pompey shirt I ask myself?).
PINATAR ARENA SUMMER FRIENDLIES Pinatar Arena has announced the schedule of friendly matches that will be played at the San Pedro del Pinatar complex up to July 24. Twelve matches have already been confirmed including Nottingham Forest from the Premier League, Elche and Getafe from LaLiga Santander, Real Sporting, FC Cartagena, Levante, Leganés, Ibiza and Andorra from LaLiga Smartbank and the English U23 teams from Southampton and Forest. Real Murcia, another Pinatar regular, will play their first friendly on July 22. Once again fans will be able to enjoy the friendlies with tickets available through the Compralaentrada.com portal. They will be priced at 10 Euros with free access for children under 3. There is also the alternative of a ‘season ticket’
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which will inlude entry to all matches played at Pinatar Arena through to the end of August at a cost of just 50 euros. These tickets will be available until July 21 but their number is limited. Tickets and subscriptions for all matches are available at: pinatararena.compralaentrada.com More than 80 teams of different nationalities have already passed through Pinatar Arena so far this year and with more than 30 preseason training camps and 60 matches already confirmed for the summer months, Pinatar Arena continues to consolidate itself as a reference centre in world football. In the next few days, a further list of friendly matches will be announced, in addition to those already published during the coming weeks.
PAGE 24
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