THE COSTA BLANCA LEADER NEWSPAPER 12 JUNE 23, EDITION 975

Neil Davies is a regular at the Tipsy Toad family pub in El Galan. He is also a very talented artist, one that is very confident of his own artistic ability, and although favouring watercolours, he particularly likes to experiment, be it with mediums, with textures and with art forms, where the outcome, he says, is knowledge, and where failure is just as valuable as success.

His ambition was always to be an artist but with a successful career in construction, leaving secure employment was always going to be a concern, however, on reaching his 45th birthday in 1993 the leap of faith was finally made and, together with his wife Sue, the pair left their comfortable lifestyle in Morecambe and headed for the small fishing and holiday village of Burgau on the Algarve, where he then spent month after month building up his portfolio, prior to opening a studio in the town centre.

Fast forward to the present and almost 30 years later, after dozens of prestigious commissions across the world, the couple settled in El Galan and, almost immediately their relationship with their local pub began.

“I soon became a regular at the Tipsy Toad where I got to know the proprietors Andy and Lisa, and after one particular discussion during the early winter of 2021 we were throwing ideas around as to how we could cover a blank wall in the bar. The seed for the Sporting Mural was sewn,” Neil said, “a feature of sporting crests and badges in the form of a large mural.”

Of course, Neil was to be the artist. He would create the mural while the local clientele and holidaymakers would be encouraged to sponsor their favourite sports club crest.

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NEIL ’S THE NAME - CHARITY’S THE GAME ’S THE NAME - CHARITY’S THE GAME

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“We suggested a minimum contribution and the requests and donations flooded in. Most of the crests were of football clubs but there were also rugby and cricket crests, and at least one Gaelic Football badge.”

Neil continued, “The aim was to raise much needed funds to help the local children’s home in Orihuela to purchase essential clothing for their children. Some locals sponsored more than one club, one client even sponsored three club crests and although the minimum amount for each badge was twenty euros some gave considerably more.

In no time at all we had raised in excess of £1,500 for the children which was all passed on to the orphanage.”

Eventually, of course, Neil and The Tipsy Toad ran out of wall space, so they had to start saying no to further potential sponsors, “which was unfortunate, but inevitable,” he said.

Neil personally sponsored two club badges the first

of which was for his local football club back in the UK, Morecambe FC, where he was born and brought up.

The second was for a dear friend who used to play as a semi-professional footballer for a club that no longer plays under the same name. It was called Netherfield and it now plays under the name of Kendal Town.

Neil added that, “Finding out what the old Netherfield badge looked like took some digging around. It would appear that K Shoes started the club at the end of the First World War and because the K Shoe company had their factory in Kendal, Cumbria, their stylised letter K featured in the centre of the club badge. As it transpired, way down the line, Netherfield was the first football club to inadvertently feature a sponsor’s logo on its football kit. The thin end of the wedge so to speak.”

The first club crest to be painted onto the wall was Arsenal’s, it looked very lonely at the time but not for very long. Tongue in cheek, Neil said that the

PILAR CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH

Last week I had the privilege of conducting a funeral service for an elderly lady. The lady was not from Pilar or its municipality. Why am I telling you this? Because no-one, not a single person turned up to mourn this lady, to pay their respects, to say a final goodbye. Nobody.

The lady was beautiful in repose, she looked so very serene. This lady, I will not name her; lived, loved and was loved in return by many people throughout her long life. This dear soul ended her days in an Old People¥s home, again not in the Pilar area. Did nobody visit her there? I do not know. There was not even a representative from the Home present. Her family were present on Zoom, almost 2,000 miles away, the service was live streamed.

I cannot even begin to explain how much my heart ached over this. My family are not here in Spain but I know that whilst I may die alone, I will certainly not be left to die alone ñ big difference! I know that family and friends will come to my funeral when I pass. So, only one bible verse do I give you today; asking that we love each other, ìlove your neighbour as yourself.î Matt 22:39. Also to be found in Leviticus 19:18.

It must be stated too, that there will clearly be other factors surrounding this sad story - as seldom is anything as it seems.

This is not the first time I¥ve heard of this happening but it is the first time it has come so personally close to me. Several of my friends said if they had known they would have attended ñ how kind! Sadly, by the point of start-

most difficult crest to paint was the Yorkshire Cricket Club crest. That might, of course, have something to do with the fact that he is a Lancashire lad!

In total the whole wall of murals took Neil in excess of one hundred and fifty working hours but every hour spent, he said, was well worth it. Some of the crests were quite straight forward and some stretched him somewhat. On average each one took between three and four working hours. And as for his other commissions, perhaps not quite as prestigious as the Tipsy Toad mural; the Millennium Dome, the Dubai Metro and the Vasco de Gama Bridge might whet your appetite, and we will no doubt come back to them all in a future article, but the one commission that really did give him a great amount of pleasure was his appointment as the official FA Artist in 2000, to cover the very last FA Cup Final at the ‘old’ Wembley stadium. And if you can’t remember the outcome, (Villa fans might want to stop reading at this point), Chelsea beat Aston Villa by 1-0 with a goal scored by Roberto Di Matteo.

ing a service it¥s too late to gather a crowd.

And that brings another observation. At funerals, it is not uncommon for people to arrive at the last minute ñ sadly because they generally want to avoid some others ñ especially when there is tension in family or friendship groups ñ for a myriad of reasons. This happens. It is part of life. We don¥t all get on. I¥m also aware that this article may jingle on some people¥s nerves. I¥m sorry. It is close to the bone. But shouldn¥t it be said? Shouldnít we be aware?

I ask you: Is it not best to go and pay your respects and just avoid those you don¥t wish to converse with ñ be the grown up, the mature one - rather than leave a friend, a loved one in a chapel, in a coffin, alone?

If there is someone, a friend, neighbour, old neighbour you¥ve been meaning to visit? Go do it. Do it this week, do it regularly. Let them know someone cares. Don¥t let anyone we know pass alone if we can help it.

P O E T R Y C O R N E R

“A Flicker Of a Flame”

By David Whitney, Torrevieja, c2023

We are but here a short time

Just a flicker of a flame

So we ought to make the best of it

Through the sunshine and the rain

We ought to help each other

Not be jealous or be cruel

Forgiving and forgetting

But not be anybody's fool

Each day a different challenge

As we take life's winding path

Sometimes the need to sit and weep

Sometimes the need to laugh

The ups and downs of every life

No matter rich or poor

Living with a passion

Realising what life's for

For in the end we disappear

The flame no longer glows

You go somewhere , some place, some realm

That no one really knows

A life well lived with gratitude With kindness and with care

The swirling smoke of candle light

The proof that we were there.

To see your poem published send to: office@theleader.info

And if there is someone at a funeral whom you do not like or don¥t agree with their views ñ leave all that be ñ and respect the fact that they have shown up because they loved at some pointÖ. and have not stayed away. Let me finish with a poem you may have learned or read a long time ago:

God’s Minute

An Anonymous Poem I have only just a minute, Only sixty seconds in it. Forced upon me, canít refuse it. Didnít seek it, didnít choose it. But itís up to me to use it. I must suffer if I lose it. Give account if I abuse it. Just a tiny little minute, but eternity is in it.

Pilar Christian Community Church. C/Canalejas 3, Pilar de la Horadada English Service at 11am every Sunday. Info at:pilarchurch.com

phil.molloypccc@gmail.com

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

" Where every person matters butGodmatters most!

SCOOTERS CAUSE INCREASE IN SERIOUS INJURIES

Emergency doctors are warning of the increase in serious injuries due to the use of scooters. Their use in towns and cities has experienced a boom in recent years, as they have become one of the most popular personal mobility vehicles (VMP) on the streets. However, this carries risks that most users are not aware of, making scooter accidents increasingly common, accidents that in some cases can have serious or even fatal consequences.

The Directors of the Emergency services of the Region of Murcia are now warning of the increase in serious accidents involving scooters, causing their riders to end up in the hospital with serious trauma that often leads to surgery.

One of those directly involved is Dr. Pascual Piñera, head of the Emergency Department at the Reina Sofía Hospital in Murcia, who acknowledges that there has been an increase in injuries caused by the use of scooters, to the point that "we are now treating more serious head injuries from the use of scooters than from any other vehicle," he says.

As for the patients arriving at the hospital Accident and Emergency Department, for this reason, Dr. Piñera says that "they are users of all ages" and although it is true that many are young people, he acknowledges that many are also over 50 years of age.

Due to collisions of scooters with bikes and cars, activity has increased in the Emergency Department, and also in the traumatology, neurosurgery, maxillofacial and ENT specialties, explains Dr. Diego Teruel, head of the Emergency Department at the Virgen de la Arrixaca Hospital.

"There are also many serious head injuries that require the patient to undergo neurosurgery, as well as broken jaws and noses due to blows to the face," says Dr. Teruel.

He said that the Arrixaca Emergency medical staff have seen a 40% increase in this type of case due to pathologies that, until now, hardly existed.

"In the case of scooters, we must realise that the chassis is the drivers' own body and the blow is taken by them," he added. It would seem that everyone is in agreement, the use of scooters requires stricter legislation. Currently the use of a helmet is not mandatory, it is only recommended in those places that lack a specific ordinance, as is the case of the municipality of Murcia, which has not yet drafted any legislation on the matter. For this reason, the A&E specialists agree that one of the solutions involves establishing the mandatory use of a helmet when using such mobility vehicles, which would at least reduce the severity of the injuries, as is the case with injuries incurred by riders of motorcycles and bicycles.

The latest study published by the Mapfre Foundation and the Mapfre Centre for Experimentation and Road Safety (Cesvimap), in 2021, 13 people lost their lives in Spain due to accidents with electric scooters , a number that is increasing, as a year earlier, in 2020, 6 deaths were recorded, and five deaths in 2019.

ORIHUELA COSTA POTHOLE CRISIS TO WORSEN

Despite a multitude of promises to fix the Orihuela Costa potholes by all parties in the run up to the Municipal Elections,we are unlikely to see progress anytime soon.

This is because there have been absolutely no bidders from amongst local companies wishing to deliver the contract to supply the necessary materials,bitumen or other construction supplies,so far from being filled,even though this too is only a temporary measure,the problems experienced by drivers on the Orihuela coast will undoubtedly continue to grow.

The most recent tender has borne no fruit whatsoever as Orihuela contracting officers confirmed that,upon opening tender applications for various council works on the due date,17 May,there were no companies willing to supply the City Council with the necessary materials so they have now declared Lots 1 and 2,those corresponding to bituminous mixtures and construction materials,of the

The new council will be under pressure to act quickly

contest,void.

Within Lot 1 there are up to four types of compounds that serve to bind the layers of bitumen while in Lot 2,you can find everything from sand,gravel and cement to curbs,tiles and prefabricated manholes.Both of the lots were valued at euro 36,036.

The technical specifications sheet states that "the calculation of the budget for the contract has been carried out taking into account the materials used in previous years.”However,it is clear that with the increase in the prices of materials during the last 12 months or so,

these funds are not enough.

What has neither helped is the knowledge that the company currently providing the road maintenance service, Zaplana Caselles,is currently in litigation with the City Council on account of an alleged crime of prevarication that they have accused the dismissed Councillor for Infrastructures,Ángel Noguera of.

So,without a change to the funding structure and the amount allocated, when the new PP government takes office this week,Orihuela Costa road conditions can’t – and won’t – improve.

Guardamar stabbing victim out of danger as partner jailed

The attack happened on Tuesday in broad daylight as the 42-year-old man, of Columbian nationality, stabbed his partner five times in the middle of the street.

The victim, 32 years old and also of Colombian origin, is now out of danger, although she remains in Torrevieja hospital where she continues to receive treatment for a pierced lung and a number of other minor injuries.

The 42-year-old alleged perpetrator of the assault was arrested shortly after the stabbing. He had suffered a number of injuries after being hit by a taxi at a roundabout on the Santa Ana industrial estate, in Guardamar, as he fled on foot, before he was subsequently caught and arrested by officers from the Guardia Civil.

Following treatment, also in Torrevieja hospital, the man appeared before the Court of Instruction Number 1 and Violence against Women, where he was ordered to be detained by the presiding judge.

The attack took place in the street, at the entrance to the

house where the woman lived. It happened last Tuesday at around six o'clock in the evening at the confluence of Jorge Juan avenue and Cervantes in an area close to the beach in the Guardamar town centre. It was on the same street where the woman received initial care from the staff of a nearby pharmacy and from a neighbouring nurse.

The attack was so brutal that it left a pool of blood on the road and splashes on the window of an adjacent commercial premises.

The man had travelled to Guardamar from Elche with the intention of talking about the breakup with his former partner. He met her at her doorway from where he carried out the assault in which he used extreme violence.

He only stopped attacking the victim when he broke the knife he was using, a bladed weapon with a 16-centimeter blade.

The victim had moved to Guardamar to work for an elderly person as a carer just a week ago from Elche, where they both lived.

LAMATAWALKWAY PROJECT COMPLAINT

Having hastily announced a number of long-awaited projects in Torrevieja during the last leg of the election campaign, it has been revealed this week that one of them, the work to renew the pedestrian pathways at La Mata, is facing controversy, following a complaint from a rejected company.

The company, Grupo BertolÌn, whose offer to tender for the work was not evaluated, has expressed in a letter its desire to annul the decision of the Contracting Committee held on 18 May, which awarded the work to the Orthem-Abala joint venture, for 3.9 million euro.

This week, the Council opened part of the contracting file for the La Mata promenade to public access and, as can be seen in the State Contracting Platform, at least one company has already complained against the award. If the complaint is upheld, the bidding process will have to start again, adding more delay to the much needed renovation work.

A Torrevieja judge has imprisoned a man who stabbed his partner five times in Guardamar, and who, on

fleeing the scene, was hit by a taxi, as he attempted to evade arrest by the Guardia Civil.

Attack of the Mosquitoes!

Torrevieja Council has launched a campaign to prevent the spread of the tiger mosquito with a series of tips on how to combat the problem, including info from the Ministry of Health, with the slogan 'To the tiger mosquito, no water'. The aim of the game is to prevent the accumulation of water and, therefore, the generation of the tiger mosquito, such as keeping pools clean throughout the year or eliminating objects that can accumulate water, in addition to emptying things like vases, ashtrays, drinking fountains or potted tubs. They have also asked that we clean the leaves from the gutters on roofs and terraces annually; avoid holes and depressions in the ground where water can accumulate, and to plug holes in tree trunks by filling them with sand. They haven´t explained what to do with the leaves since they removed all of the garden waste skips.

Torrevieja demands help to limit the activity of it’s ‘looky looky’ men

The same picture is repeated up and down the coastline, in Santa Pola, Guardamar and especially Orihuela Costa, but it would now appear that the Torrevieja Council has had enough.

This week they have asked the National Police to become involved, using their immigration powers on those illicit traders, mainly of Senegalese nationality, who are in the country illegally.

Every year their presence is repeated on the Torrevieja promenade along the seafront promenades, a long line of street vendors without a license to trade, manteros, who during the months of July and August take over the area from the beginning of the promenade in Hombre del Mar to the end of the Avenida de los Marineros on La Playa del Cura.

On the other side of the walkway, the occupation with tables and chairs of the hospitality industry that, in many cases, takes advantage of the lack of municipal

TORREVIEJA DRUG

control to occupy much more of an area than that to which they are entitled.

Between both activities, a central corridor with a thread of passers-by trying to move along between those who stop to buy counterfeit products and those who consume their food and drink whilst sitting on the terraces, a narrow corridor that in some sections of the promenade is only a metre or two wide.

The promenade is an area of transit under the responsibility of the Generalitat and the General Directorate of Coasts, which has been looking the other way for many years.

Federico Alarcón, Torrevieja Councillor for Security, explained that to deal with this situation, that occurs daily, and which intensifies in the high season, the municipality will now undertake specific action.

Initially he will issue the sub-delegate of the Government in Alicante, Araceli Poblador, with an extensive photo-

TRAFFICKERS HIGHLIGHTED IN SWEDISH DIPLOMATIC VISIT

Spainís Secretary of State for Security, Rafael PÈrez, met this week with the Prime Minister of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson, to whom he explained the police coordination mechanisms in Spain and the work carried out by the Intelligence Centre against Terrorism and Organised Crime (CITCO), highlighting a case that saw drug traffickers with links to Torrevieja arrested.

Among examples of successfully completed operations, he spoke of the case of Furniture-Candinavia, an action carried out in 2021 by a Joint Investigation Team between Spain and Sweden where the police intervention saw the arrest in Spain and Sweden of 71 people who were part of a network of drug traffickers.

ASwedish removal company, with offices in Torrevieja and San Pedro de Alc·ntara, transported the drug from Spain, hiding it in legal consignments.

The investigation also made it possible to dismantle the network that introduced the substances from Morocco, as

graphic report carried out by the City Council on the situation. This will be done at the local security meeting scheduled for this week, which the subdelegation is expected to attend, along with commanders of the Local Police, the Civil Guard, National Police, and Autonomous Police, which usually intensifies its presence during the summer.

In addition, Alarcón has requested the express collaboration of the National Police to intensify the immigration controls on those street vendors that trade without a license, for the most part of Senegalese origin.

Another of the measures being considered is the display of billboards warning of the penalties to anyone who buys such counterfeit products. At the moment any surveillance is limited to the periods when the Local Police and Civil Guard patrols are free of other services and can patrol on foot along the promenade.

They do not recommend putting fish or other predators in garden fountains or ornamental ponds, but they do advise hermetically covering the water tanks.

They have also called for removal of old tyres and putting boats, wheelbarrows or trailers under cover, or turning them upside down and covering them with tarpaulins, as well as emptying sewers and drains.

The Council has also confirmed that the municipal pest team continues with the fumigation against the tiger mosquito in the urban area of Torrevieja, especially in areas such as parks, sports and school centres, and the forgotten land of the urbanisations which surround the biggest masses of still water in the area, the salt lakes.

well as the procedure for channelling illicit funds through luxury real estate investments.

During the meeting, PÈrez and Kristersson promised to continue strengthening police cooperation between the two countries in the fight against organised crime, an effort that has made it possible to reduce the presence of Swedish citizens in criminal organisations that operate in Spain by two points in the last four years.

Meanwhile, if you get nipped by a mozzie, there´s an app for that! Not to ease the pain or discomfort, but through citizen science, you can notify the authorities of your bite, especially if you spot any large swarms hanging around.

It is the Spanish national Government who are promoting the initiative, in collaboration with the Centre for the Coordination of Alerts and Sanitary Emergencies of the Ministry of Health, Mosquito Alert has planned a communicative and informative action to promote citizen participation with the slogan 'If it bites you, notify!'. The objective is to study the expansion of the tiger mosquito beyond its known limit of distribution in Spain; generate the first map of bites in Spain to identify where and when there is a greater interaction between humans and mosquitoes; expand knowledge about the distribution of the Japanese mosquito in the Cantabrian coast; and detect the possible arrival of the yellow fever mosquito.

All the information provided by the public contributes to the scientific study and management of invasive mosquitoes. The data can be consulted and downloaded on the Mosquito Alert map once it has been validated and classified by the experts of the National Digital Entomology Network.

The app is called MOSQUITO ALERT and the website is www.mosquitoalert.com/, both of which are available in English.

The council now wants the National Police to check on the Immigration status of the traders

A pest control specialist en-route between tasks

TORREVIEJA HOSPITAL WILL BE READY FOR THE SUMMER

Following criticism that the Torrevieja health department lacks a summer plan, to deal with the increase in patients, the hospital has now presented its care coverage strategy.

The management confirmed that it will reinforce its staff to guarantee 100% care coverage in key services such as emergencies, primary care and hospitalisation, even reaching 60% coverage in External Consultations.

The hospital floors, they say, will remain open at full capacity. In addition, key nonassistance support services will also be maintained.

To make it possible, the Ministry of Health has allocated a budget for the 2023 Vacation Plan of e2,847,532. The department has the authorisation to cover the vacancies from June 1, so the replacement of staff has already begun.

The numbers will also increase in Primary Care. The care strategy for this summer is focused on promoting urgent care throughout the health authority with the 24-hour opening of the Continuous Care Points (PAC) in the coastal area. It should be noted that last year, to ease the pressure on the hospital, patients with non-life-threatening injuries were encouraged to go to a PAC in the first instance.

The emergencies at coastal health centres are

reinforced with a doctor in the morning and another in the afternoon, in addition to having planned holiday coverage for medical personnel, as outlined in the vacation plan presented and approved by the Ministry. In addition, on weekends all PACs will be reinforced with an additional doctor with 12hour coverage and all health centres will remain open during regular hours. There will also be one more nurse in Guardamar del Segura and Pilar de la Horadada and 2 in La Loma, Torrevieja.

With regard to emergencies, the Ministry says that the necessary coverage of the service resources will be ensured to guarantee correct assistance. In the Emergency Service of the Torrevieja Hospital, in accordance with historical knowledge, it will be reinforced as necessary.

Former Torrevieja Councillor Disqualified

The Alicante Provincial Court has sentenced Torrevieja's former councillor for fiestas to three and a half years of disqualification from employment in a public office, for a crime of prevarication.

The sentence, handed down, was based on the agreement reached by the prosecutor and the defendant's defence, and has now been declared final by the Court, after the parties confirmed their decision not to appeal. The case dates back to August 13, 2015, when the then councillor for festivities, África Celdrán, at the time a member of PSOE, signed, "lacking the powers to do so", a contract for publishing the programs of the Fiestas de la Purísima and for the May Fair.

The Ministry of Health has allocated a budget for the 2023 Vacation Plan of e2,847,532.

Words All in a Jumble

Some of us can develop vaccines, others can unscramble anagrams. I can't develop vaccines.

When my beloved schoolteacher Mrs McInnes explained that an anagram was formed by jumbling up the letters of another word, I was off and running, frankly. My mind was a permanent jumble in those days.

"Like 'schoolmaster' and 'the classroom'?" I asked. Mrs M. picked up her chalk -yes, it was that long ago -- and regarded me in shock and disbelief (a look I've grown accustomed to over the years) before verifying my claim on the blackboard: you can ask your grandad what that was.

In the strange realm of anagrams, mathematics is rearranged: eleven plus two = twelve plus one. Science is explained: an astronomer is a moon starer, although many of them have probably gone a bit further than that by now, even if another anagram of astronomer is 'no more stars.' But not even lunatics stare at the moon in this day and age, do they? That would be just silly, so I'm going to stop doing it.

Anagrams have an honourable history. They can be traced back to ancient Greek and biblical times. Plato used them, Galileo coded his findings in them until he was ready to reveal his discoveries. (Much good that did him.)

Dan Brown had fun with them in The Da Vinci Code and I have fun with them in crosswords. You can confuse a granma with an anagram.

The best examples of them can often reflect or comment on their subject in some way, or even be a parody or satire.

(New York Times = Monkeys write.) It has even been claimed they are an early

Baltic Parsley attracts butterflies and bees!

BALTIC Parsley is a deciduous hardy perennial, with dark green triangular and fern like leaves. With creamy white flower heads in summer, flat with numerous umbels, reaching 10-12cm across, great for dried flower arrangements.

Avery easy low maintenance plant to grow, largely due to its vigour, with a long-lasting bloom time, from summer to the middle of autumn. It ranges in height, from 75-120 cm, and has a spread of around 75cm, taking around two years for the plants to attain full height.

They can grow in most light, from full sunlight, right through to shade, in conditions of even clay and heavy soils.

They will perform best when planted in full sun, or part shade, where the soil is moist with good drainage.

version of The Morse code, although with an anagram like 'here come dots', one wonders what happened to the dashes. It is slightly uncanny that the detectives detect thieves, the ears are a hear set, and the eyes? -- they see.

Anagrams have always come naturally to me, or can that be described as natural?

Listening to a conversation, I think of its anagram = voices rant on.

We all know people like that.

Not all anagrams are good, of course ("Bad anagram!") and no one would ever

claim a funeral was "real fun", nor would I describe my usual vacation time with the words "I am not active." Or say my late father-in-law was a 'near halfwit'. Or tell my sister that the anagram of 'forty-five' is 'over fifty.'

What of modern anagrams, I hear you ask. Well, there's Debit Card = Bad credit, television programming permeating living rooms, garbage man as bag manager, and even Desperation -- a rope ends it. Ouch! And you're going to ask me if I have a personal favourite. So I leave you with the good news: Elvis -- Lives!

Dead-head the flower umbels, before they set seed to prevent spreading, which will also promote further blooms and provide mulch in the autumn. It's a good plant to grow, if you want to attract insects to your garden, especially butterflies and bees. EMAIL:info@satanimalrescue.com

Duggan is a lively, small 4 month old. Fully vaccinated, mircohipped and passport.

Pretzel, Peanut, Popcorn and Pickle are in need of new homes, they were born on the 16th April and there are 2 boys and 2 girls.

BUILDING BUSINESS IN TORREVIEJA

new computers, websites, ecommerce, etc.

The day “Europe Opportunity. Financing for companies and the self-employed" involved technical staff from the Generalitat Valenciana to inform about the open subsidies and those planned in the coming months, and from the Alicante Chamber of Commerce, who spoke about Kit Digital, which deals specifically with these technology grants.

Thomsen confirmed that this event is the first of a series that aims to show the opportunities that Europe presents for companies and citizens. “We wanted to start by presenting to the business fabric the work we are doing to bring them closer to the information so that they can benefit from the Next Generation funds.

Torrevieja’s Councillor for International Residents, Gitte Lund Thomsen, who also holds the competencies within the town hall for EU Relations, held the first of what her department hopes will be the first of many conferences to help boost business in the town.

Last Wednesday, accompanied by the president of the Association of Small and Medium-sized Merchants (APYMECO), Jorge Almarcha, the first conference, held at the Real Club Náutico de Torrevieja (RCNT), focused on EU grants that small businesses and the self-employed can obtain to improve their digital presence, in which you can receive thousands towards

Torrevieja companies can count on economic means to improve their competitiveness by making them more technological and sustainable”, said the councillor, who explained that “after the pandemic, Next Generation funds are an opportunity for European countries. With this economic support, the European Union also intends to change the productive model of our countries, betting on clean energy and digitisation”.

To this end, "Torrevieja City Council has two people who offer specialised advice to companies and freelancers seeking financing from Next Generation funds, which will also support citizens and non-profit entities with any European aid and programme", she said, whilst referring to the difficulty that companies are having when applying for European aid because new concepts have been introduced and they ask for a lot of documentation. "Hence, it has been decided to open this new service to inform and advise any interested person, company or entity", she explained.

These two people are located, one in the Local Development Agency (ADL) and the other in the La Mata Town Hall, and provide telephone, face-to-face and online service by appointment at gvanext.torrevieja@torrevieja.eu and by telephone 607 822 878.

It is also planned to launch a newsletter to which any company, person or entity that is interested can subscribe. Likewise, the website also provides a link to the gvanext.com tool where you can search for aid financed with Next Generation funds.

Ilike to catch the early morning news headlines on RTE radio. There is seldom any good news on these bulletins, so I brace myself as the short blast of intro music tenses me up for how the news of today is going to affect me. Thatís the holy all of it, dear readers, I selfishly ask myself, what this has got to do with me.

There was a big one this morning ñ announced with the gravity of tone you might expect if Putinís army was crossing the Channel in our direction, or a new killer virus had escaped from the lab at a girlís convent school.

Every week it seems as if there is another impending danger for us unfortunate poor scruts and this was yet another big one. The fact is that the current most deadly threat to the future of mankind is the first day of the week, namely Mondays! Yes, friends; all the time when we were distracted through keeping an eye on Friday 13th, it is every Monday which poses the real threat. Monday is a killer Ö

Research at the Belfast Health and Care Trust and the Royal College of Surgeons have found that you have

around a 20 per cent greater risk of a serious heart attack on Monday than any other day of the week.

Cardiologist Dr Jack Laffan, who led the research said; ëWe found a strong statistical correlation between the start of the working week and the incidence of STEMI.í(Aheart attack where the coronary artery becomes completely blocked) Maybe all those builders and painters who used to spend Mondays in the pub knew what they were doing after all?

Scientists are unable to fully explain the reasons for the ëBlue Mondayí phenomenon, but it is thought that the added stress of starting a new working week after two days of enjoyment buggers up the circadian rhythm. Workers make more mistakes and take longer to do tasks on a Monday.

Coming back to the selfish me, I donít fear that the minacious Monday will get me, because I do little enough any day and I donít suffer from Monday Blues ñ except after a Westmeath match.

In fact, in another life I had no reason to dread Mondays either. I told you this previously - but anything that might make me look smarter

NATIONAL NEWS IN BRIEF

Spanish Govt promotes Mosquito Alert system

The Ministry of Health is promoting the Mosquito Alert project as a tool to improve the control and surveillance of mosquitoes that can transmit diseases.

The app allows anyone to provide information on the presence and activity of mosquitoes. Citizen science is included for the first time as a surveillance tool in the new National Plan for Prevention, Surveillance and Control of vector-borne diseases. The app is called MOSQUITO ALERT and is at http://www.mosquitoalert.com/, both of which are available in English.

than I am, you will hear it more than once!

I was doing a course and one of the themes was exactly what we are talking about here: the Monday morning syndrome, with its low productivity, rifts among staff and costly errors. When it came to my turn to contribute, I suggested that if they all worked a seven day week, like me, there was never a Monday morning feeling!

But ëleavin all jokin asideíñ to quote the Lads; there is something in this Monday thing that needs to be taken seriously. We will come up with a solution if you can stick this out to the end.

Brenda Spencer, a sixteen year old American student shot dead a number of people at Cleveland Elementary School, San Diego in 1979, citing the reason as ëI donít like Mondays.íIn typical American craziness, the rifle she used had been given to her by her doting daddy for her 16th birthday.

There are a lot of Mondays that presumably Spencer doesnít like since that infamous day, because she has spent all of them in prison to this day. Bob Geldof made a hit record

Doubled air support for European forest fire fight

The European Commission has announced that in view of how this year's forest fire season is progressing, it has been decided to double the aerial firefighting fleet, within the framework of the European system of rescEU resources.

It will be made up of 24 planes and 4 helicopters from 10 Member States. Spain will provide two medium scooping airplanes. The reinforcement of firefighting capabilities will be complemented by the provision of some 450 fire fighters from various countries, positioned in France, Greece and Portugal.

based on that terrible Monday massacre.

So, can anything be done about this mental Monday mystification? As ever, this column is to the forefront in coming up with an answer. It has been found that the productivity of workers is at its all-time low on Mondays.

With people being up to 30 per cent less productive and often only managing to work for 3.5 hours throughout the day. One solution would be to halve the working day on Monday. An even better idea might be to have a bank holiday Monday every week Ö but why not go the whole hog while weíre at it and get rid of Mondays altogether, if it is doing nothing but harm?

MAJOR NUCLEAR INCIDENT IN MADRID (BUT DON’T PANIC, IT’S JUST A DRILL)

On Thursday, there will be a major nuclear incident in Madrid, requiring the evacuation of the city, however, the scenario is just a drill, preparing the emergency workers in the event of such an occurrence.

There will be 274 participants from local, regional and national organisations such as the National Police, the Guardia Civil, the Spanish Cruz Roja, SESCAM, the National Security Council, the Military Emergency Unit (UME) and the Junta de Castilla y León. Firefighters from the City Council will also participate.

The working week could start on Tuesday ñ a day that gives no bother to anybody. Granted, this makes the week a bit awkward if we are to retain seven days.

Having exercised a bit of brainstorming with the Lads, we see the answer in slotting in a nice new easy day between Friday and Saturday. This would be a ëwinding down dayí before the weekend to be called ëL· Easca.í

DON’T FORGET

There are too many people in too many cars in too much of a hurry going too many directions to get nowhere for nothing.

UN OPENS COUNTER-TERRORISM OFFICE IN MADRID

The Fight against Terrorism of the United Nations has opened an office in Madrid. The Minister of Foreign Affairs said that it "represented an important milestone after several years of close work with the United Nations to strengthen the fight against terrorism".

The new office focuses on providing technical assistance as well as the protection of vulnerable targets, including critical infrastructures and public places, the prevention of violent extremism, the promotion and protection of human rights and support for victims of terrorism.

M o n d a y ’ s c a n s e r i o u s l y d a m a g e y o u r h e a l t h

Potatoes get a bad rap, but they're gluten free.

BAD FOODS THAT ARE GOOD FOR WEIGHT LOSS

POTATOES

Potatoes score right at the top on the Satiety Index, a scale for measuring how filling foods are. But how you cook them matters: Boiled will keep you feeling fuller longer.

But baked, with a healthy topping like sautÈed broccoli, is another tasty option. Potatoes get a bad rap, but they're gluten free, they offer more potassium than a banana, and they're good sources of vitamin B6 and vitamin C.

PASTA

Studies in people eating low-glycemic diets (foods that take longer to raise your blood sugar) show that a moderate amount of pasta isn't harmful.

In fact, participants were still able to lose weight while eating pasta.

Bottom line: Aim for whole-wheat pasta --the more al dente the less it raises your blood sugar.

NUTS

They may be high in fat and calories, but you don't have to skip them in order to shed pounds. In fact,

studies say women who eat one serving of nuts two or more times a week are almost 25% less likely to be obese and gain fewer pounds than those who avoid nuts.

CHEESE

If you're counting calories, don't count out cheese just yet. One study suggests including calciumrich low-fat dairy in your low-cal meals may actually help you lose a little weight while also protecting bone health.

COFFEE

Adaily cup of Joe alone won't hinder your weight loss efforts. In fact, researchers think the caffeine in coffee may actually make you feel less hungry and burn more calories.

But adding sugar and cream can make it less healthy. It may even boost the number on your scale over time.

RICE

Adiet that includes whole grains, like those in brown rice, can actually help you keep a healthier body weight.

In addition to fiber that keeps you feeling full, you'll also get vitamins B1 and B6, magnesium, selenium, phosphorous, and manganese.

And while white rice doesn't have these benefits, with limited, sensible portions, you can still enjoy it without worrying about weight gain.

CHOCOLATE

The key to chocolate noshing is to go dark and keep portions small.

Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants, and studies report it helps insulin work better in your body, while controlling feelings of hunger.

That makes it an ideal sweet treat to cap off a healthy meal.

POPCORN

Go ahead and say yes to popcorn -- but hold the salt and butter. Air-popped popcorn is a great source of fibre and is a nutritious whole grain. It satisfies your hunger quickly so youíre less likely to overeat.

WHOLE MILK

Studies show a glass of whole milk every so often doesn't increase weight gain and may even help you lose.

Drink full fat milk to slim down? Seems strange, but experts think that may be the case. Studies show a glass of whole milk every so often doesn't increase weight gain and may even help you lose. Though they aren't yet sure how it works, it could be because the high milk content fills you up quickly and keeps you from overdoing it elsewhere.

QUICKIE CROSSWORD

ANSWERS

Week 974

QUICK QUICK

ACROSS: ACROSS: 3 Cheerless; 8 Even; 9 Composite; 10 Result; 11 Plied; 14 Split; 15 Near; 16 Harsh; 18 Mass; 20 Aloud; 21 Stray; 24 Detail; 25 Desertion; 26 Beat; 27 Frustrate.

DOWN: DOWN: 1 Wearisome; 2 Ceaseless; 4 Hoot; 5 Expel; 6 Lessen; 7 Site; 9 Cloth; 11 Party; 12 Desolated; 13 Credulity; 17 Haven; 19 Stress; 22 Alter; 23 Dear; 24 Dolt.

CRYPTIC YPTIC

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS ACROSS

1.Creek (5)

4.Momentum (7)

8.Winding (7)

9.About (5)

10.Lose colour (4)

11.Deep (8)

13.Scoff (4)

14.Island (4)

16.Kind (8)

17.Cute (4)

20.Make (5)

21.Scaffold (7)

22.Chose (7)

23.Inexperienced (5)

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 23

DOWN DOWN

1.Tireless (13)

2.Irate (5)

3.Jog (4)

4.Put in (6)

5.Peace-lover (8)

6.Agony (7)

7.Be obvious (5,2,6)

12.Assign (8)

13.Worldly (7)

15.Bombastic (6)

18.Complete (5)

19.Whip (4)

ACROSS: ACROSS: 3 Prescribe; 8 Rare; 9 Assailant; 10 Single; 11 Sever; 14 Waive; 15 Rent; 16 Norma; 18 Road; 20 Clear; 21 Least; 24 Stalin; 25 Denigrate; 26 Lots; 27 Unceasing.

DOWN: DOWN: 1 Crossword; 2 Principal; 4 Rose; 5 State; 6 Roller; 7 Bunk; 9 Alien; 11 Sprat; 12 Rebellion; 13 Sternness; 17 Acute; 19 Defile; 22 Sorts; 23 Lean; 24 Stun.

ACROSS ACROSS

1.Supports the defenders (5)

4.Perceive that Cinders is going out (7)

8.Possibly reddens the china (7)

9.Reg carries six back for the donor (5)

10.Press club (4)

11.They're used by those that dry up - there's a lot in train (8)

13.Got back small clothes (4)

14.Aman from a hot island (4)

16.Not sure about coatings (8)

17.Sage going out for a long time (4)

20.Courage never changes (5)

21.Scene of gold being put on the furniture item (7)

22.Walker who isn't a good story-teller (7)

23.Anumber going to church for fish (5)

DOWN DOWN

1.Special skill Reds in BMAneed, perhaps (7,6)

2.Prayer of communist in the company (5)

3.Ateam dies out (4)

4.Peril in digging up the garden (6)

5.Story London, for example, has written with wisdom (8)

6.Jealous of endless souvenir exchange (7)

7.Points to the Cockney's mouth (5,3,5)

12.Paint where the bird came from (8)

13.Turn Tam out in a fit of rage (7)

15.Somehow merits a title (6)

18.Gather there's a different angle (5)

19.Encourage in crime for a wager (4)

LEADER TRIVIA QUIZ (Answers on page 23)

1. A hip swinging inspiration for the young Elvis, which naive man from Greenbow Alabama is found on Forbes list of the 15 richest fictional characters?

2. Atome was the original name for which popular suit?

3. Borg is the most common surname in which E.U. country?

4. No Security, Licks and No Filter are all examples of what?

5. Which national football (soccer) team is sometimes nicknamed "Pentacampeoes"?

6. Which famous landmark looks somewhat forlorn in Lake Havasa City?

7. The movie poster tag line to which Oliver Stone film was "The story that won't go away"?

8. Which oriental stew reached number one in the US music charts (number 10 in the UK charts) in 1963?

9. The name of which dip translated means "chickpeas"?

10. The following lyrics are all from songs with the word "Game" or "Games" somewhere in the song title. Can you

name the song? a. Sometimes I wish I could turn back time, impossible as it may seem. b. But I can see in your face there's a lot you can teach me so I wanna know. c. Suki plays with Leo, Sacha plays with Brit, Adolf builds a bonfire. d. And the seasons they go round and round and the painted ponies go up and down

11. Name the 5 African countries that end with the letter "i"?

12. What is a 'Hairy Saki'? a. port wine cocktail b. snowboard trick c. South American monkey

13. Name the films in which Charles Bronson played the following roles. a. Wladislaw, b. 'Harmonica', c. Flt. Lieutenant Danny Willinski, d. Bernardo O'Reilly, e. Paul Kersey

14. The name for which of the following winds is the Arabic word for "50"? a. Bora, b. Sirocco, c. Mistral, d. Khamsin

15. Which five time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter was the first non-British act signed by Apple Records in 1968?

16. In a major hit song from 1969, where would you find the "hungry little boy with the runny nose"?

17. With circa 7,000 inhabitants, what is the least populated capital city in the E.U.?

18. A mystic word, a type of engraved stone, a Santana studio album, and the grandfather of Draco Malfoy. One word.

19. The giant Kauri tree is native to which country?

20. According to the UN, which two European countries have the most indiscriminately buried landmines per square km?

Enquiry into legality of charging for hand luggage on aircraft.

El Ministerio de Consumo is investigating seven airlines for their policy with cabin luggage and seat allocation

If found guilty they could each receive a fine of up to 100,000 euros, as the investigation by the El Ministerio de Consumo gathers pace.

The Ministry is investigating a total of seven low-cost airlines that operate in Spain for "supposed irregularities " with regard to the carrying by passengers of cabin luggage and the allocation of seats among passengers.

Specifically, the practices being investigated by the team, headed by Alberto Garzón, are related to charging as "extras" for those services that are generally "necessary and essential" for consumers when traveling.

For this reason, the Ministry (under the protection of its new

Sunday Shopping is back

If youíre one of those people who canít fit all of your shopping into the current six-day schedule, we have great news for you, because the shops are about to open once again on Sundays. From Sunday 18 June 2023, shops and stores across the Valencia region will be open for Sunday business. Across the border in Murcia, however, they maintain Sunday shopping throughout the year.

Sunday shopping will now be the norm for the rest of the year. In fact, with only the odd exception, notably the 9 October and 25 December in Valencia, shops will be able to

sanctioning powers against fraud) is studying whether this type of habitual practice carried out by low-cost companies could be considered abusive or unfair, as well as being a contravention of consumer regulations.

The department is also investigating whether other policies, such as price segmentation, could be generating privileged positions for companies in search engines such as Google and online comparison sites, by offering prices that are much lower than what the consumer ends up paying.

The airlines that are now under the magnifying glass represent a market share of over 30%, both inside and outside Europe, so their policies affect, according to the ministry, many millions of passengers.

These issues that are being investigated could involve serious infringements, which would see penalties of between e10,000 and e100,000 for the operators, an amount that could increase to between four and six times the profit they would have obtained illegally, or even up to 4%. of the total billing. It would seem that if the irregularity of these practices is confirmed, the days of charges for travelling with hand luggage, or for choosing a seat next to our companion, could become a thing of the past.

have a continual schedule until the New Year. Of course, local holidays might mean there are some closures other than those mentioned, with shops not obliged to open, so you should check where you live for details. Other than that, you can shop until you drop every single day of the week, but perhaps spare a thought for the workers who will be tending to your every need whilst you do so.

The Church of JESUS

CHRISTof 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

Join us at the SALTCHURCH

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, PolÌgono Ind. Levante 11, 03187 Los Montesinos. We look forward to meeting you. www.Saltchurchspain.

Facebook SaltChurchSpain

International Christian Assembly, Calle Urbano Arregui, 23, TorreviejaEvangelical 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 ñ Contact: 966 752 543 / 617 215 463. www.icatorrevieja.org

The Car of the Month at AUTOMOVILES CRESPO

is a 2021 Ford Focus ST-Line

X Petrol Automatic which is priced at just 25,500 euro. Come along to our large showroom in Elche and see our vast range of new and used cars or call 96 666 22 60 for all our latest offers. See page7. We can assure you of the biggest and best in the area for price, choice and quality.

ENGLISH SPOKEN

Los Alc·zares Digital Camera Club. Interested in photography? We invite you to come and join us at our twice monthly meetings. Please contact coordinatorladcc@ gmail.com or see http://www.los-alcazarescamera.club/ for details.

COMMUNITYCARE ASSOCIATION (CCA) is an Association that caters for residents of Orihuela Costa over 60 years of age. It facilitates the provision of fair and adequate social facilities for everyone. It is located at the Centro Civico Alameda del Mar. Open 3 times a week for a programme of English speaking activities, support, information and advice with the support of Orihuela Council. Anyone wanting to join CCAsocial activities, learn Spanish, to paint, watercolours or acrylics can pop along where you will be welcomed by volunteers. We are open between 2pm -6pm Mondays and Thursdays, Wednesday 2pm - 5pm. You can register between 1pm & 2pm on those days, in the Cafe area where you will find Eva or Norah. email: communitycare@gmail.com

Age Concern Costa Blanca Sur is here to help you with problem solving and well being for the over 50ís. We need volunteer Drivers and people to join our Home Visiting Team to visit a Residential Home, and take them out for a coffee. 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 5pm at the Lakeview bar/restaurant, Quesada. For more info contact Chairman Tony Jenkins on +44 7576 117 222, Secretary Steve Hemingfield 0n Mob/Whats 711 011 373 The RAFACosta Blanca RMG is a social group of caring people and remains affiliated to the parent Association. Contact with the RAFAand the RMG is via the RAFA website rafa.org.uk. FREE CLASSIFIED ADS

If you have items that are WANTED or FOR SALE, ANNOUNCEMENTS, NOTICES and suchlike, advertise them, to a maximum of 35 words, FREE OF CHARGE, on this page. SEND BY EMAIL TO: office@theleader.info Call - 637 227 385

School Environmental fight picked up by students

Environmental sustainability has gone from being a subject taught in the classroom to an integral priority for many schools.

Faced with the urgency of the climate crisis and the inspiration of their own students, determined to take care of the planet, many educational centres have taken direct action. This is the case of El Limonar International School, Villamartin which, together with El Limonar de Murcia, works under a protocol of responsible measures from the environmental point of view, with solar energy.

With the installation last year of 330 solar panels on the roofs of its facilities in San Miguel de Salinas and its Buenavista and Montevida (Murcia) campuses, they generate 150,000 kWh per year with pollution savings equivalent to planting nearly 2,000 trees.

No less than 37 tons of annual CO2 emissions have been avoided from the skies of the province with their transition to this clean energy, in a measure that has also allowed a significant reduction in their electricity bill and the energy self-sufficiency during many times of the day.

After a detailed study carried out internally among the entire school community by a specialised environmental consultancy, the words 'worried', 'sad', 'scared' and 'disappointed' were among those that most defined the state of mind of students, families and workers regarding climate change. This served as a starting point to establish an ambitious action plan, through the creation of an Ecological Leadership Team that includes the directors of Infant, Primary, Secondary and Baccalaureate, as well as six staff members, all of who have made a commitment to help students so that their contribution in this regard is positive.

World Environment Day volunteers collect plastics in Torrevieja bay

By Andrew Atkinson

Torrevieja played a part in World Environment Day - June 5 - with a group of volunteers collecting plastics in the Torrevieja bay, commemorating the date and raising awareness about the problem of plastics in seas, rivers and oceans.

The students have reviewed the current waste situation and have made recommendations on how to reduce waste and improve recycling.

For example, the students of the Infant and Primary Eco Team have proposed a ban on the use of glitter throughout the school, using paper on both sides and reducing the amount of plastic wrap, in addition to other measures such as using only reusable bottles, carrying lunches in lunch boxes or bags instead of wrappers, or placing a multitude of recycling containers in strategic places.

By mid-June, schools will have halved the total amount of waste.

Pedro Rodríguez, a coordinator at ELIS Murcia aid that “Each quarter 300 kilos of plastic caps are collected, which are donated to SEUR's "Caps for a new life" foundation so that they can be turned into money for research into childhood diseases”.

In addition, throughout the academic year the schools carry out visits to natural areas such as forests or surrounding beaches with the aim of collecting as much waste as possible, often collaborating with local charities.

Annually over 400 million tons of plastic are produced worldwide - with half designed for a single use. Less than 10% is recycled and it is estimated that approximately 20 million tons of plastic waste ends up every year in lakes, rivers and seas.

Photo: World Environment Day volunteers, Torrevieja bay. Courtesy: Joaquín Carrión.

“The words 'worried', 'sad', 'scared' and 'disappointed' were among those that most defined the state of mind of students”.

Iwonder how many people remember the time when the BBC was responsible, well as reliable as any rolling news channel can be.

In the eighties and nineties ‘Crimewatch’ was produced by the broadcasting service for half an hour, once a week, re-enacting violent crimes and offering clues to help in identifying the villains.

If they were to revive the programme for current events, they would need a lot longer than half an hour.

Nick Ross was the original lead, describing events in the images, the ‘news real shots’ or the acted scenes of vicious crime. The programme would finish with Ross saying. “Don’t have nightmares, violent crime and murder are very rare. Good night.”

How life has, and is continuing to change especially in the UK, daily events covered by the news now reveal how groups of youths are hell bent on ignoring civil values and have their own belief in the way they act out their lives, which in a civilised society should not be, and is not acceptable, demonstrating a lack of control or discipline in their upbringing.

The figures for knife crime are terrifying, The reports of arrests for last year are nearly three thousand children, many as young as ten who have been taken into custody for carrying knife blades, which range from swords to kitchen knives, with a resulting death toll of over three stabbings a day

There are 99 postcodes in the United Kingdom. One of them is the East London town of Romford, which, in my mind, is still in Essex. The town is rife for anti-social behaviour (ASB) with 9600 incidents recorded in 2022.

The town's answer in controlling these numbers announced in April this year was the Council in conjunction with the police banning hoodies and any form of face covering in the town centre.

The new rules are controversial, there has not been enough time to see if they work in reducing the crime level. The debate amongst the people argue that it would have been

CRIMEWATCH: THREE STABBINGS A DAY

easier and more effective to have more police patrolling the streets.

Six months before these new rules in Romford, in the north-west of the country, the seaside town Maryport in Cumbria has seen ASB reduced by forty nine percent by the introduction of just one Community Beat Officer, who patrols the streets of this delightful town

ASB crimes vary, mainly those of causing fear or intimidation to residents by vandalism, harassment and trespass. Following their success in reducing this type of misbehaviour the Cumbria police see it as the way forward encouraging Police forces across the UK to take note of the result.

LACK OF SMALL CHANGE:

I am sure most readers will notice small everyday things changing, it could be the way the internet works or perhaps variations to the service on your phone, small, sometimes annoying things which one shrugs off.

It was in 1925 that Hitler wrote ‘Mein Kampf’ which means ‘My Struggle’, in it he wrote about his future plans for Germany. One of the passages in the book, and I quote from it.

‘The best way to take control over people and control them utterly is to take a little of their freedom at a time, to erode rights by a thousand tiny and imperceptible reductions’. Sounds familiar, to what is taking place today. For example, there is concern amongst the elderly and I guess by people who do not want to be dragged into this modern world, where the mobile phone is ‘king’. Enfield in North London is the latest of a string of councils to remove the option of paying for parking meters by cash.

Gone are the old machines and along with them the lovely people with yellow braid around their caps who march up and down ensuring compliance with complicated parking laws.

Instead, there are new ugly machines standing to attention at the side of the road. If you are not computer literate then they are foreigners with a language you will not understand, as

ENTRENARANJOS CIVIC CENTRE TO REOPEN AFTER FIVE YEARS

The Department of Citizen Participation has put out to tender the lease of two premises in the Entrenaranjos urbanisation that will be used to serve it’s Community of residents as a Civic Centre. Councillor Ángel Grau,said that “this is the first step

they demand you to put something called an App on your mobile phone so you can pay the parking fee.

Tough! If you haven’t got a phone or one that is capable of downloading this magic group of letters or you do not understand the instructions, then be a good fellow.

If you cannot comprehend then either go elsewhere or pay the penalty for parking in the zone covered by the stationary robot. That is another small step toward a cashless society.

MOBILE METAL CONTAINERS:

It was Henry Ford who said when buying one of his similar looking cars ‘you can have any colour providing it is black’, very little has changed, cars still look similar but now you can have any colour you wish.

Now once you have settled on the colour you can drive away one of these wonderful toys, but I do not expect Henry Ford or oth-

for the residents of this urbanisation to once again have a facility that they should never have lost five years ago.

A loss that,due to the negligence of the government at that time, meant that associations and residents no longer had a meeting place where they could hold courses such as Spanish for foreigners.

ers in the developing motor industry appreciated what they were flooding onto the world. For a very long-time towns and cities have tried to control the growing number of vehicles invading their streets, until it was recently decided that people should be cycling to work, this decision has triggered the narrowing of thoroughfares to lay cycle lanes to restrict traffic.

Quite frankly I think it is a senseless idea to try and convince people in a chilly and often wet country to arrive at work cold, damp and miserable. I don’t think so. No, the cycle will stay in the shed, and most will continue using their cars, no matter how difficult the traffic.

A realistic answer to the traffic problem is comfortable, fast, frequent and low-cost public transport at a price that compares very favourably to the cost to using your own vehicle. Take care.

www.facebook.com/percy chattey

It is expected that the use of one of the properties will be used as a medical office "steps that we have already been dealing with alongside the Department of Health in order to authorise a satellite office service",said Luis Quesada, Councillor for Health.

The lease for the two premises of 85 square meters each,has a basic bidding budget for the two-year duration of the contract of 58,080 euros.

SUMMER DRIVING - DO’S AND DON´TS

stupid, which you will understand when you see the results of an impact injury caused by the inflation of an airbag, which can happen at a relatively slow speed. It is illegal, because it is so dangerous. In the event of a crash, if a passenger is travelling with their feet up on the dashboard, the injuries that may occur will be very serious, partly as the deployment of the airbag can cause more serious injuries than it prevents in this situation, and, irrespective of an airbag being present, the glass from the windscreen can cause serious injury, not to mention the effects of a passenger being crushed by the impact between the dashboard and the seat.

rences of this sort of behaviour, there is also an increase in the number of fines issues as the traffic police. Incidentally, in the event of a passenger putting their feet on the dashboard, it is the driver who is ultimately responsible for the safety of the vehicle and, as such, it is the driver who will be fined.

We have had a bit of rain recently, but we are also now seeing temperatures start to warm up, and with that comes a wave of typical behaviours

we see on the roads, many of which can cause us problems, and can lead to a fine, or worse, so it´s time to look at dome of the dos and don´ts of summer driving.

Firstly, and this is for passengers (hopefully), please do not put your feet up on the dashboard! We have already seen this happening this year. It is dangerous, and it is utterly

The image accompanying this article is an actual x-ray of such an injury caused by an airbag deploying in a crash whilst the passenger had their feet on the dashboard. Police in Wales released the image of the Xray to show what they called the woman's "life changing" injuries.

In addition to the increase in occur-

Article 18, Section 1 of Royal Decree 1428/2003 of 21 November, approving the Rules of the road, states that “The driver of a vehicle must maintain their own freedom of movement, the required field of vision and permanent attention to driving, to ensure their own safety, that of other vehicle occupants and other road users. To achieve this, you must take special care to maintain the proper position and that of the passengers, and the proper placement of objects or animals transported so that there can be no interference between the driver and any of them“.

Maintaining a proper position in the vehicle is not only important for our comfort, but also crucial for our safety.

SAN LUIS BOWLS CLUB

BYSHEILACAMMACK

As we get towards the end of the summer leagues, the pressure increases for good results to maintain or improve league positions, This week our teams had some great results and gained some useful points. South Alicante summer league

Monday 5th SPITFIRE Div. SLWellingtons had an excellent result away v Quesada Lancasters, winning 9 pointsñ3, 96 shotsñ 66. Well done to: Kath Reid, June & Keith Jones 2013, Neil & Sandra Burrows, Scott Malden 15-15, Giuseppe Galelli, Vic Mahomet, Dave Webb 26-14, Dee Hoey, Caroline & John Smyth 24-11.

HARRIER Div. SLHercules: BYE

Valencian Championship League Wednesday 7th. In spite of the rain, the matches were able to go ahead. DIVA. Falcons had a great result away v Greenlands Giants 12 points-0, 103 shotsñ80. Ladies singles: 21-18, Menís singles: 21-20, Pairs: 20-14, Triples: 23-16, Rinks: 18-12.

VCL. DIVB. Hawks were home to the Quesada Tigers. It was a very close fought match, with Hawks taking some useful points; 6-6, 83 shots -81. Winners: Menís singles Ian Kenyon: 21-13, Phil Lockley & Jane Hamill 19-13.

We are a friendly club with competitive and hard-working members, we welcome new and experienced members to expand our teams. Come and meet us, or better still, come and join us!

GREENLANDS RESULTS

Greenlands Warriors had a poor Monday against La Siesta who were really on form and came away with a 9 to 3 win shots of 80 to 61 .

Greenlands Gladiators kept the flag flying with a win of 7 to 5 against San Miquel with shots of 93 to 85 against strong opponents this week but managed to gain victory.Well done

Not much to tell about the TITANS as the game was not played due to unforeseen rain.

Greenlands GIANTS were really up against it this Wednesday playing San Luis and unfortunately could not gain the victory having lost 12 to 0 shots for San Luis 103 80 for the GIANTS

Still all to play for so dig in deep.

Monte Mar Toros v Emerald Isle Victors

At home to the Victors we won on three rinks but unfortunately lost by three on shots.Well done to the winning rinks: Lynn Armitage,Rod Chamberlain skip Phil Goble,Jean Chamberlain,Barry Watson skip Graham Smythe,Sheila Roberts,Diane Horsington skip Neil Crawford.

Shots Toros 84 - 87 Victors,Points Toros 6 - 6 Victors

SAN MIGUEL BOWLS

WE 9th June 2023 - Barry Jones

It was a poor week for San Miguel as far as results went.

On Monday San Miguel Christians were hosts to Greenlands Gladiators, losing 5 - 7, 85 shots to 93. The best winning triples were Ian Hope, Stand North and Bob Donnelly 21 - 14, and Jack Jackson, Linda Douglas and Dave Champion 18 - 11.

Our other Monday Team San Miguel Moors were away to Emerald Isle Vulcans where they lost 4 - 8, 74 shots to 93. The best winning triple were Dave Homer, Gail Willshire and Fred Willshire 16 shots to 13.

On Wednesday both teams were in action in the VCL League, San Miguel Deputies were home to La Marina, where they lost 4 - 8. 71 shots to 92.

In the Ladies Singles Jan Farmer won 21 - 15, In the Gents Singles Dave Champion lost 13 - 21. In the pairs

Jack Jackson and Frank Scotthern won 15 - 11. In the Triples Bob Hanton, Ken Guiney and Bob Donnelly lost 10 - 31. In the Rinks

Tom Dalgleish, Sharon Louise, Derek Farmer and Eddie Cowan lost 12 - 14.

San Miguel Sheriffs were away to Emerald Isle Dukes, losing 2 - 10, The two points were picked up by Dave Homer in the Gent’s singles where he won 21 - 18..

A reminder that the Wasps sessions

Vistabella Bowls Club

South Alicante summer league

Vistabella Fairways v Quesada Blenheims

Always a tough game against these guys. With Brian Gilham, Mo. Foulcer & Martin Foulcer winning 19-14, Avril Kendall, Richard Willey & Carol Thorpe also close with a win 19-12 and Denise Howell, Eric Bishop & Maggie Furness finishing off well with a good result 16 - 11. Scores at the end were Vistabella 81 and Blenheims 87. Points shared 6pts each, well done teams.

VCL summer league - Wednesday June 7th

Quesada Lions v Vistabella Saxons

LA SIESTA BOWLS

(MEMBERS RUN CLUB) BY ALAN CARR

Hurricane Division Ahome game on 29th May for the Wasps which was Montemar Torros which resulted with wins on four rinks to win 10-2 (Shots 108-86). The winning rinks were; Joy & Brian Gardiner with Jean Cooper (23-10). Kathleen & Noel Morrisroe with Derek Biggs (24-17). Ann & Jim Taylor with Jim Gracie (22-17). Les Bedford, Stan Dibble & Martin Harley (2420).

On 5th June the Wasps home game were Country Bowls Kites ending with another result of 10-2 (Shots 106-76). Rinks won by; Anthony Pridmore, Martin Harley & Karen Kirk (27-13). Joy & Brian Gardiner with Jean Cooper (23-14). Kathleen & Noel Morrisroe with Derek Biggs (25-16). Ramsay Sinclair, Jim Taylor & Jim Gracie (15-13).

Harrier Division La Siesta Hornets were welcomed by Greenlandís Warriors for their game, the game finished with wins on three rinks a draw on another by Skip David Whitworths team, unfortunately we were unable to supply a team for the remaining rink so the result ended 9-3 (Shots 80-61). Rink winners were; Mags Haines, Irene Laverick & Mike Inns (26-4). Ken Stringfellow, Pat Moore & Ken Barber (22-17). Jim Gwynn, Derek Barker & John Skipper (15-13).

VCLLeague The Parakeets welcomed Country Bowls Meerkats to La Siesta, which resulted with wins on three rinks by, Singles:

take place Wednesdays 1.30pm for 2.00pm - 5 for an afternoon’s bowling with shoes and bowls available to borrow. Due to the popularity of the Wasps, first time bowlers are asked to attend an initial coaching session on Tuesday afternoons, starting at 1.45pm, by appointment ONLY. To book, please call Dave or Lynn Greenland on +34 667 207 508. We welcome all bowlers who would like to join San Miguel B.C. as we are a unique clubwe only pay owner fees and a club fee and NO LEAGUE RINK FEES.

For further info on San Miguel B.C please contact club secretary Barry Jones on 602 504 905 or club president Alan Campbell on 606 676 118

A very murky morning with rain threatening. Green was slightly damp which made it difficult for all to read the pace of your bowls.

Good wins for Sue Wilson ladies singles 2113 (well done Sue), Our fours team excellent win for Alan Bannister, Keith Black, Paul Durham & Eric Bishop 15-12 and a must win for triples to get overall points, well done to Denise Howell, Lynne Bishop & Carol Thorpe 24 - 16.

Overall scores Quesada lions 84 Vistabella Saxons 92. Points going Vistabella's way with a 8pts - 4pts win. Well done Vistabella. Vistabella bowls contact: tel:698 925 932 or richardwilley321@gmail.com,

Karen kirk (21-4). Trips: Jim Taylor, Lyndon Johnson & Martin Harley (28-13). Rinks: Pauline Johnson, Stan Dibble, Derek Biggs & David Blackie (18-15). We also collected an additional 2 points for the overall (Shots 87-67) for a result of 8-4. El Rancho was the venue for the Hoopoes game, the only winning discipline coming from; Trips: Mags Haines, Jim Jarvie & Mike Inns (29-13). The game finished 2-10 (Shots 79-83). All postponed matches will be published once played.

EMERALD ISLE BOWLS CLUB

We are very pleased and proud to welcome as sponsors to the club both ROSAS MH and SUN LAWYERS, hopefully for a long and fruitful partnership. Thank you both

Vulcans started the week at home against San Miguel Moors and in a tight game, with home advantage, the ISLE won 84 with an aggregate of 93-74

N Davis M Dyer C Lindgren 25-8, C Udell S Marks R Marks 15-9, M Oakley N Prior S Elvin 20-19

Victors travelled to Monte Mar Toreadors, never an easy place to go, and they came home with a fine draw 6-6, aggregate of 87-84. M Raine D Clark J McGregor 25-14, J Holmyard G Digby B Carter 34-14

Wednesday brought San Miguel Sheriffs to the Isle against the Dukes and the home team had an excellent win by 10-2, aggregate 106-57. M Dyer 21-8, N Davis C Lindgren 23-12, N Prior M Ellis B Kavanagh 24-6, M Oakley S Elvin S Marks R Marks 20-10

Earls were at Country Bowls Foxes and they lost 2-10, Aggregate 62-118. M Riley M Raine C Wilson M Odell 1413

SAPS is on at 9-15 on Saturday mornings, great fun where you can learn to bowl or play for 2 hours and where shoes and bowls are supplied if needed. Bar open All for 5 Euros Elwyn Morris

THURSDAY NIGHT DARTS LEAGUE

Cup results - Venue, Tipsy Toad, El Galan.

K.O. CUP FINAL

C.K.1 Lads 2-7 Mind the Gap

AUXILIARY CUP FINAL

Tipsy Toad Toppers 7-5 Leeson St. Trotters

K.O.Cup Final - C.K.1 Lads v Mind the Gap

Despite a shaky start, Gap completed the league and Cup "double", for the 2nd time. Lads outscored the Gap in the Tons department but didn't convert their scores into point winning doubles.

The champions reputation often helping out at crucial times, but take nothing away from them they are deservedly "double winners".

Gap took an early lead through Sam Salt on D4, plus 89,123, ably assisted by a Che Liam 100, Lads, Steve Dalton, Darren Hurcombe and Bill Leaves 127, shy of nailing the outer circle. A better 2nd triple performance followed, Paul Green, Les Adams 121,100 and stalwart Kevin Wood, 100, D2 squaring the tie. A Salt 100 was converted by a Gordon Cowan D10, for 1-2, Lads managing just a lone 83 from Dalton.

Hurcombe 100,87 and a Dalton ton proved insufficient as Cowan wacked in a 135, partner Paul Moody nailing D2 after a tasty 180. Wood 85,100 and Adams 95, put up a good show in the 2nd pairs but were outgunned by Darren Sanderson's 2x100 and Salt's 83,and 48 out.

Liam and Carlos Escansiano 98, D8 concluded the pairs, Gap 1-5 ahead. Prior to the singles a superb selection of half time "Fayre" was provided by Toad's Andy and Lisa.

Adams 100,100,85,100,64 out, reduced Gap's lead, Esco the recipient, the score now 2-5. Sanderson 97,95,D16 increased his teams advantage against Hurcombe 100, leaving Dalton to face Salt. lt was to prove the final leg, Salt's 81,81,140, just too much for the Lad, Salt closing out 56 for the match. The remaining legs were played out, Liam, Moody, Cowan, all victorious.

POTM - Adams - Salt.

Auxiliary Cup Final

Tipsy Toad Toppers v Leeson St. Trotters

All 12 legs were necessary to determine where the spoils were going in this one. And what a match. Andy Rutter opened for Toppers with a nicely placed D20 and looked likely to go further ahead after 2 tons from John Rodford in the 2nd triple. Not so as Steve Tilley banged in a 180 and D20, for 1-1.

Rodford added a 140 in the 3rd, Tilley replying with a ton, Mark Farmer a 140, only for Lee Maiden to close the leg on 76.

Phil de Lacy 85,100 and Hugh Galloway 81, were out gunned in the 1st pairs by Ken Skinner 95 and Farmer 100,140,D18, for 2-2, the remaining 2 pairs going Toppers way.

Maiden 85,140 and Rutter 140 and a 96 out, disposing of Barry Shingler and Yvonne Rouffignac 95,85, Rodford 100,

and Graham Solomans 100,D7 giving Toppers a half time advantage with victory over Kain Hickman and Tilley 2x100. Rutter faced Farmer in the 1st singles, the Topper not quite finding his usual form hitting 100,100,80,the lethal Farmer responding with 100,100,100,D18 for 4-3.

Solomans 81,95,121 did enough to win the next, but found the required double elusive, his opposition, Rouffignac took full advantage with a 13, Bull out, the score now 4-4. Tilley's 140,100,100, would see off most opponents, but not Maiden who somehow ignored the barrage to plant his arrow in D10 for 5-4.

De Lacy 93, D16 made it 6-4 for Toppers only for Shingler to overcome Toppers trump card, Rodford on D1, leaving a last leg "shoot out" between Galloway and Shingler for the Cup. lt proved a "nail biter" for all concerned, Galloway finding D4 and the trophy for Toppers.

POTM - Rodford - Rouffignac.

KOCup Winners - Mind The Gap

Aux Cup Winners - Tipsy Toad Toppers

KOCup RU - CK1 Lads Aux Cup RU - Leeson St

180 man Steve Little and Large Skippers

POTMSam and Les POTMJohn and Yvonne

SPAIN RIDER TRAGICALLY DIES COMPETING IN ISLE OF MAN TT

By Andrew Atkinson

Spaniard Raul Torras Martinez, 46,has sadly died in the 2023 Isle of Man TT races.

A statement said: "It is with great sadness that the Isle of Man TT Races can confirm the loss of Raul Torras Martinez following an incident on the final of lap of the first Supertwin Race of the 2023 Isle of Man TT Races.

"Our heartfelt condolences go to Raul’s family,loved ones,and friends.

"An incredibly popular member of the paddock family,Raul’s smile was infectious and his love for the TT and the sport of road racing was apparent to anyone who was fortunate enough to meet him.

"Raul was competing in his fifth TT and had posted his fastest ever lap of the Mountain

Course,passing a racing landmark by lapping at an average speed of over 125mph and securing a 20th-place finish in the Superstock Race.

"When asked what his ambitions in road racing were,he has said: “To have fun with the bike,and to be able to fight for a top-20 finish at the TT in a 1000cc class”.

On his journey to reaching and achieving his racing ambition, he became the fastest Spaniard ever to have raced around the TT Mountain Course.

Away from the TT,Raul was regular competitor at the UK North West 200 and had also competed at the Ulster Grand Prix and the Macau Grand Prix.

Racing was Raul’s life and the loss of such a passionate and spirited gentleman will be felt deeply by the entire TT commu-

Gold medal-winning performances from kickboxers

Four members of Quesada Fitness Gym junior kickboxers won gold at the Castellon Provincial Cup.

Trainer Santiago Lopez, Head Coach at Quesada Fitness Gym, told The Leader: "All the competitors put in an enormous effort to achieve their Gold medals.

"Emilio Jesus Garcia, won gold in the under 52kgs lightweight kickboxing; Zita Leeman won gold in the under 60 kgs lightweight kickboxing.

"Mohammed Salhi, won gold in the under 74kgs lightweight kickboxing, and

nity.

Raúl,from Sant Hilari Sacalm was an experienced TT competitor,having made his debut in 2017.

Charo at Roland Garos

Raul was the fastest Spaniard ever to have raced around the Isle of Man TT Mountain Course

Carp-R-Us Angling

Carp-R-Us took a week off from their Spring Series to fish their Pairs Cup at El Bosquet.

On this occasion they were also accompanied by Beth and Aiden from the TVprogramme Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun who shadowed club president Roy Dainty during the match as well as filming the pre-match rituals and joining members at CafÈ Uno in Catral after the match for a drink and some sparkling wit and repartee.

He died in a accident during the first Supertwin race of the 2023 Isle of Man TT.The accident occurred in the area of Alpine Cottage,between miles 16 and 17.

Half of those fishing were on beg 1a7 and the rest on 26-40 and sadly the latter stretch fished very poorly with and number of low weights and one blank net.

The overall match was won by Dave Hutchison on peg 1 who caught 16.32kg on pole and pellet. Second was birthday boy Steve Higgins (he claims he is 72 but no one believes him) with 13.72kg from peg 4 using pole and maggots.

He narrowly beat Nick Bastock on peg 3 who had 13.38kg and fourth was Paul Burton on peg 7 with 11.32kg.

Yassin

won gold in the under 69 kgs light contact."

UP THE WHITES - AS NORTH END RETURN TO CAMPOAMOR!

By Andrew Atkinson

When Championship club Preston North End return to Campoamor in the summer, lifetime Lilywhites fan Harry Billington will be amongst hundreds of supporters heading for Spain.

"I've not missed a PNE game, home or away in 40 years," Harry, 88, told me. Harry, who worked at BAe in Preston, Lancashire, has fond memories of late North End legend, Sir Tom Finney.

"I started watching PNE the first season after World War 2," said Harry.

"I saw the great Sir Tom Finney in his firstand last - game for Preston," he said.

Finney, who played during 1946-60, died in 2014, aged 91, having been capped by England 76 times, scoring 30 goals.

Preston's first team squad will once again be spending a week in Spain in July as part of their pre-season preparations, under gaffer Ryan Lowe.

North End will be returning to last seasonís

What a terrific performance by Torreviejaís 14 year old Charo in reaching the last 16 in the Junior Womenís Singles in Paris. Although she went out after 3 sets on a tie break she only lost to 17 year old Dane Rebecca Munk Mortenson who competes on the WTA International

tennis tour. As a result of her fine performance Charo is now ranked No 24 junior in the world.

Aged 20, Finney was called up in April 1942 and assigned as a trooper to the Royal Armoured Corps.

He was sent to Egypt and served with Montgomery's Eighth Army. When on leave in North Africa, he was able to play for army football teams against local opposition.

Many years later, he met the Egyptian film actor Omar Sharif, who told him that as a teenager he had been a substitute for one of the teams Finney played against, but he did not take part in the match.

In April 1945, Finney took part in the final offensive at the Battle of the Argenta Gap as a Stuart tank driver with the 9th Lancers. Finney retired in 1960 following a game against Luton Town. He had played his entire career for his local club, making 433 League appearances and scoring 187 goals.

The pairs was won by Nick Bastock and TVlegend, Roy Dainty with Dave Hutchinson and Ken Wilcock. Further information about the club can be found on its website www.carp-r-us.weebly.com or on the Facebook page Carp-R-Us Fishing Costa Blanca

base at Campoamor for a six-day training camp in the Alicante province.

Preston will be based at Campoamor during July 2-8: "The club are looking to arrange a friendly fixture, to be played at a local stadium, to make up part of the camp and this will be communicated if a match can be confirmed," said statement on the club's website.

Tom Finney with the RAC in Egypt

Finney continued playing football after he left Preston, appearing in charity and benefit matches. In 1962, he played in the Eastern Canada Professional Soccer League with Toronto City, appearing in one match.

In 1963, he played for Northern Irish club Distillery against Benfica in the European Cup. Finney was highly regarded by former Preston teammate and Liverpool legend Bill Shankly, who described him as 'the greatest player I ever saw, bar none'.

Shankly also said Finney was 'a ghost of a player but very strong. He could have played all day in his overcoat'.

Late, England and Blackpool star Stanley Matthews once ranked him alongside PelÈ, Diego Maradona, George Best and Alfredo Di StÈfano as one of the few players who could 'dictate the pace and course of a game on a regular basis'.

Harry added: "Sir Tom was the greatest player I've ever seen. When he got the ball, the crowd went quiet. Wondering what he was going to do."

Lilywhites fan Harry Billington

Reporter Andrew Atkinson with Ryan Lowe at Campoamor.

Salhi Hsain

CLAPHAM ROVERS FC

Clapham Rovers FC (FACup Winners of 1880; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clapham_Rovers_F.C.) are an adult amateur football team from London coming to Benidorm between Friday 7th July and Sunday 9th July 2023. This will be their 10th annual European Tour and they are looking to play a local 11 a side football team on either Friday 7 or Saturday 8 July. Standard of football is Sunday League Premier Division.

Anybody who can help with an opponent should email the Chairman, Chris Kew at: claphamrovers1880@hotmail.com

Marta in rehab after knee op

By Andrew Atkinson

San Javier football star

Marta Peñalver is recovering following a knee operation in Murcia.

THADER HOPEFUL OF PROMOTION TO NEWLY FORMED LIGA COMUNIDAD

By Steve Hibberd

Although they finished the worst 9th place team in all Valencia Provinces based Preferente divisions, it looks almost certain that CD Thader will next season be included in a new division entitled 'Liga Comunidad'.

This extra place has arisen because, not only have the FFCV increased the number of clubs in 3 RFEF from 16 to 18, but also, Torrent achieved promotion via the play offs. So, for next season, in addition to La Liga & Segunda division, there will be 1, 2 & 3 RFEF, then the newly formed Liga Comunidad.

Below them in the pyramid system will be 1 FFCV (Preferente), followed by 2 & 3 FFCV (Regional).

This is great news for the club, who have been sweating on the outcome ever since beating Villena on the last day of the season, to make sure of 9th place in the Preferente division.

PRESENTATION DINNER

The end of season presentation dinner will be held at Casa Antonio on the evening of Friday 14 July. Amongst the awards will be Lloyd, who finished top goal scorer on 11 goals, followed by Pedro Juan on 10, then Rosquin on 7. Rosquin led the way on number of minutes played with 2814, followed by Lloyd on 2528, then Pedro Juan on 2327.

GAME OF LEGENDS

A decent sized crowd watched the centenary 'Game of

Legends' match last weekend. Involving present and past (one being a sprightly 75-year-old) Thader players, there was plenty of action for the fans to enjoy.

Both the blues and whites wore shirts with '100 anos de historia' on the back. There was no honorary draw in this match, in which the blues came away worthy 6-3 winners.

Marta, who sustained her injury earlier this year, underwent the opeationafter sustaining an anterior cruciate tear.

"I am doing okay and looking forward to returning to playing football with Poio Pescamar FS," next season said Marta.

Torry duo Cristina and Lukitas named Players Of The Year

CRISTINA and Lukitas have been named as the club Player’s Of The Year by SC Torrevieja CF following the club's success in the 2022-23 season.

Lukitas played a part in SC Torrevieja CF finishing as champions of the Valencia 1st Regional G8,with Cristina starring in the Femenino campaign.

"Their consistency has led them to being named the MVP’s of the year.They have won the awards,because they have excelled week after week and because they have had the fans support.Both are also homegrown players," said a spokesperson from the club.

SUDUK SUDUK O SOLUTION O SOLUTION

QUIZ FROM PAGE 14: 1.Forrest Gump, 2.Bikini, 3.Malta, 4. Rolling Stones concert tours, 5.Brazil (5 time champions), 6.London Bridge, 7. JFK, 8.Sukiyaki, 9.Hummus, 10.a.Quit Playing Games (With My Heart) (Backstreet Boys), b.The Name Of The Game (ABBA), c.Games Without Frontiers (Peter Gabriel), d.Circle Game (Joni Mitchell), 11.Mali.Malawi, Burundi,

Djibouti and Eswatini.12.Answer c. South American monkey, 13.a.The Dirty Dozen, b.Once Upon A Time In The West, c.The Great Escape, d.The Magnificent Seven, e.Death Wish.14. Answer d.Khamsin.15.James Taylor.16. In The Ghetto (Elvis).17.Valletta, Malta. 18.Abraxas.19.New Zealand.20.Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia

Some of the veterans had clearly retained their skills

The Blue and White squads, before the celebratory game.

Photo: Poio Pescamar FS.