The Leader in Spain (25 July 22) Edition 929

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No 929 Monday 25th - Sunday 31st July 2022

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Keeping people safe and informed for over 18 years - The Costa Blanca’s oldest ‘FREE’ English language newspaper

THE MISSING CHAPTER

By John McGregor ohn ‘Curtis’ Collins is a typical genial Geordie, always ready with a big smile and a laugh or joke never far away. Today John is 76 and lives in La Marina, Spain with his lovely wife Elaine. He has two children, a daughter Maxine in Australia, a son Paul living in Sweden and four grandchildren.

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For most of his life John had always felt that his life story had a missing chapter involving secrets that his mother Sylvia was unable to share with him. John was born in 1945 and was brought up by Sylvia and his step-father with a step-sister and step-brother.

Behind this seemingly innocent post-war story of growing up in Garesfield, Newcastle, John’s missing chapter lay hidden and would only come to light many years later - thanks to some diligent research by Elaine and Maxine, both with a desire to provide John with the answers he always wanted to know.

Brought up in a tough mining community pre-war Sylvia was forced to look after her bullying father from an early age after her mother had walked out, taking their younger daughter with her.

As the Second World War raged on the unhappy Sylvia somehow managed to get her drunken father’s signature on a document, enabling her to escape the drudgery of her existence and she began to enjoy life, successfully joining the Womens Royal Air Force in war-torn Britain.

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John and Elaine with Photographs

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Monday 25th - Sunday 31st July 2022 www.theleader.info CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 John and

The Missing Chapter ADVERTISING SALES

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Meanwhile on the other side of the world a twenty-year old young man of good stock was preparing to leave his Australian home - like a good ANZAC he joined up in 1942 to serve his country in the war.

Although engaged from a young age Curtis Warren Wheelock wanted to travel and see the world before settling down. So much against his childhood sweetheart’s wishes the young man joined the Royal Australian Air Force as a Wireless/Gunner and from his native Melbourne was sent to Canada to carry out his basic training in Edmonton, Calgary and Winnipeg.

At a time when the world was being turned on its head by the war everyone’s immediate future in life was in great doubt: people lived for the day, not knowing what would befall themselves, their families and friends.

In Winnipeg Curtis met a divorced mother with a nine-year old daughter. Although older than himself she made him feel special and he soon found himself falling in love. Soon he married the lady and adopted her daughter.

Although very happy the young Australian did the right thing by writing home and calling off his engagement to his broken-hearted fiancée back in Melbourne.

But in those war-torn turbulent times both service life – and true life - did not stand still: life was about living for the moment.

After eighteen months in Canada the Aussie airman was again posted overseas, this time to join an operational Squadron number 279, based at RAF stations in Northern England and Scotland.

During this period Flight Lieutenant Curtis Wheelock was flying as crew in a twin-engined Warwick aircraft, a Coastal Command plane helping with reconnaissance and air-sea rescue searching for personnel in trouble in the cruel North Atlantic seas.

In yet another hugely emotional twist of life, thrown together to help defend the Allied Forces Sylvia and Curtis met and fell in love. At nights outside she would sit and listen for his aircraft returning home, knowing which engine noise belonged to which aircraft and to fervently pray for her man’s safe return.

But one night on 16th May 1945 fate and the war dealt both their lives a tragic blow. On returning from a training exercise Curtis’s aircraft suffered engine trouble and the stricken plane couldn’t get back to its home base.

A headstone for John’s father in Fraserburgh

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Heather, the daughter of an Australian friend of Curtis

Attempting an emergency landing at a Scottish airfield the pilot couldn’t keep the Warwick on the shorter runway, overshot it and tragically hit a passing goods train.

A young railway porter quickly arrived on the scene and managed to pull four of the injured sixman crew clear, but was unable to save the pilot and Curtis.

A truly terrible accidental death of a twenty-three year-old man – a man with dependants and responsibilities – and all the world to live for.

Sylvia was now five months pregnant with Curtis’s child. After his death she stayed on until forced to leave the services and afterwards had to return to Newcastle and her disapproving parents. Sylvia married a man, a widower fourteen years older with two children of his own.

Some would say a marriage of convenience, but the circumstances dictated her subsequent life in slowly-recovering post-war Britain.

John Curtis Collins (Sylvia’s maiden name was Collins) was born in 1945, ironically just as the Second World War was finishing. John grew up knowing the man he knew as Dad was not his real father and developed a certain rebellious attitude emerging on occasions - but the truth of his parentage was never available to him.

It was only when her husband died Sylvia began to open up to John and the real story began to come out – although much more research was needed for the whole truth to finally emerge. Certainly the Canada side of the story was not known at this stage, but Curtis’s war record – and his four unclaimed Service medals - steadily came to light via Australia including his early life at home and

school.

Two childhood mates, brothers he went to school with and their families were contacted, providing many more colourful details of John’s father’s early life and were added to complete the picture of a popular young man who had died such a tragic early death.

Back in peacetime Scotland today there is much activity remembering historical places, things – and people.

Elaine and John’s daughter Maxine kept looking and researching, and last month an incredible scenario took place. Loving surprises Elaine took John back to Scotland (John thought he was visiting his native Newcastle). But in an incredible reception at Fraserburgh, near Aberdeen John soon found himself the centre of attention.

An unveiling ceremony of a headstone for his father took place, together with John’s own name with a large crowd there to appreciate the occasion and enjoy the full presentation. John’s own, real-life father had finally been recognised and honoured by everyone involved in his own life, a life tragically cut short by the savage times and events of a cruel World War. Sadly John’s mother Sylvia died in 2006. But the real truth finally come out, giving her son John the full answers that he had always sought about his real identity: i.e who his father was and that man’s background and history.

He was a man whose big, generous, loving heart answered the call when his country needed him.

Today his son John Curtis Collins is a happy man and knows who he is, where he comes from - and his family history is complete.

John McGregor writes:

and sister who joined him there.

Strangely enough my own father came from New Zealand to the UK as a young single man in 1942 similarly to fight in the war like Curtis. Kiwi Dad joined the Royal Navy as a Fleet Air Arm pilot, and by 1944 he had met and married my English mother.

Question: would Curtis have done the same, i.e. returned to his native Australia as part of the post-war reparations to be with his family?

Or back to Canada to be re-united with his wife and step-daughter? Or would he have stayed on in England with Sylvia and her baby son?

They had my elder sister and he was immediately posted to West Africa where he saw out the war.

As soon as it finished Dad was shipped back to New Zealand where he sent for my Mum

Obviously we will never know the answers following the tragedy that befell Curtis - but we do now know the full truth of John’s father, and we can now at last fill in the amazing missing chapter.

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COUNCIL DECISION CONTRIBUTES TO CABO ROIG P ARKING NIGHTMARE The Leader has asked the councillor responsible for Urbanismo, José Aix, to explain his decision in siting a fairground adjacent to the Centro Salud

hose of you who know Cabo Roig and, perhaps, use it’s medical centre, will be aware of just how difficult it is to park a vehicle within easy walking distance.

Spaces in the surrounding streets are at an absolute premium, particularly during the summer months with the influx of thousands of additional holidaymakers.

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adjacent plot by residents in granting permission for the siting of a fairground on the land. How absolutely ridiculous. The area, particularly on Thursday’s market day, is an accident just waiting to happen. And all the while the sick and infirm face increasing difficulties meeting their appointments as they are required to just struggle on.

The spare plot adjacent to the centre is usually overflowing, despite the difficult access which, until recently, saw many vehicles scraping their sump on the uneven concrete entranceway, but with the arrival of a hundred market traders and their white vans every Thursday even those few spaces disappeared.

The issues are so bad that residents have been forced to park on street corners, pedestrian crossings in the bus stop bay, all largely ignored by the police, meaning vulnerable people need to walk in the middle of an often-chaotic road to get past.

In general, those who need to use the Medical centre tend to be suffering from an illness or an infirmity so their very condition requires that they park as close as they possibly can to the centre, certainly not an easy proposition. You only have to stand outside the facility to see the difficulties that many of the patients are in.

Of course the medical centre staff have their own dedicated parking area, a locked compound directly behind the building, and rightly so, but despite assurances from successive council’s, since the medical centre was first built over 15 years ago the problems remain exactly the same for the users.

“Yet another case of the Orihuela Ayuntamiento paying little thought to the consequences of their actions.”

This newspaper has been personally assured by at least 3 councillors and council assessors in recent years that the adjacent spare plot would be allocated for the specific use of medical centre patients, as well as being upgraded with a suitable base, but as a resident of Orihuela Costa we have all learned over the years that there are few council officials who can ever keep a promise, particularly when it comes to a commitment on the coast.

And now one ‘bright’ Orihuela Councillor has made the situation even worse. He has taken away the use of the spare

Once again, a case of the Orihuela Ayuntamiento paying little thought to the consequences of their actions with absolutely no regard for the people of Orihuela Costa.

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AGREEMENT TO IMPROVE HEALTHCARE IN PILAR he Department of Health in Torrevieja has agreed with the Mayor of Pilar de la Horadada to improve health services in his municipality.

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At all times, the Management has explained to the council officials that the main problem they face is the lack of doctors and the impossibility of filling the vacancies, because they say they cannot find doctors who want to come

BITES Considered a minor revolution for those suffering pain, the Spanish Medicines Agency has just authorised a new pain killer which can be purchased over the counter, combining a mixture of paracetamol and ibuprofen, two of the most consumed medicines in Spain.

The new medicine will be sold without a prescription, in tablet form for oral intake.

However, despite the approval of the drug, we will have to wait a while longer before it appears in chemist shops, as the exact date of availability has not yet been released.

In addition they will move the emergency door to the old building to decongest the centre.

The Management team from Torrevieja Health Authority met the local Councillor for Health, Nieves Moreno, and the Mayor of Pilar de la Horadada, José María Pérez Sánchez, to listen to the complaints that the residents have been making regarding the quality of care in the municipality, as well as studying the proposals that have been formulated by the Council, despite not having powers in health matters.

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New over the counter pain killer authorised in Spain

As a result of the agreement, the health department will install a new X-ray machine, the dermatology, traumatology and ENT specialists will return to Pilar de la Horadada for consultations, and the authorities will study the possibilities of expansion using the basement of the new Health Centre building, which is currently empty.

In addition, the agendas have been opened and the quotas of doctors who have recently retired have been assigned.

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to this area.

these specialties will be resumed shortly.

The mayor also spoke of the lack of communication from the Health Authority to the Council, a multitude of emails that have not been answered. The Torrevieja health department will put in place measures to prevent this problem from happening again.

Moreno also asked for the replacement of the current X-ray equipment that is 30 years old, athe replacement of which will be included in the 2023 budgets.

They have also reported that the patients who were without a doctor in Pilar, because theirs had retired, have already been reassigned with two new doctors who have joined the permanent staff at Pilar de the Horadada.

The Councillor for Health aso raised the urgent need for the specialties of dermatology, traumatology and otolaryngology, that were lost due to the pandemic, to return to Pilar de la Horadada. Management has confirmed that

The Management will also attend to the request of the Mayor of Pilar de la Horadada to use the basement of the new medical centre building that could house a rehabilitation gym, consultations, or any other sanitary use since it is currently used for storage. The Council has now made the design and study of these projects available to the management.

Lastly, the Hospital Management has committed to reorganising the centre to ensure that outpatient consultations are not made to congregate at the door.

1,000 archaeological pieces found in a Valencian home during drugs raid.

The Guardia Civil has found more than 1,000 archaeological pieces in a private home in Guadassuar (Valencia) during a search for drugs.

They include the remains of ceramics - such as tiles, pots and bowls - dating between the 12th and 18th centuries. Some of the pieces were arranged on worktables for classification and restoration, while others were already restored and displayed in different areas of the home.

Experts confirm that this could be one of the most important findings in the Valencian Community, with many unique pieces of incalculable value.

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Belarus Ladies sweep the board at Habaneras de Torrevieja he 'Raniza' female choir from Minsk (Belarus) has won the main prizes in the 68th international Habaneras and Polyphony contest held last week in Torrevieja a competition involving more than 600 choristers representing choirs from across Spain, Europe, America and Asia.

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The Belarusian choir was victorious in three categories winning first prize for “Ricardo Lafuente” habaneras, first also for polyphony “Juan Aparicio” as well as the e10,000 prize awarded by the Diputación de Alicante, all of which added up to winnings of 32,000 euros.

In addition to this the "José Hódar Talavera" trophy for best director went to it’s conductor Víctor Maslennikov, who was given the honour of directing the joint performance by around 300 choristers of "Canta Mar", the obligatory habanera composed by the president of the jury , Josep Robert Sellés i Camps.

The main prizes were awarded as follows: HABANERAS • First Prize “Ricardo Lafuente”, e12,000 Raniza Female Choir, Minsk (Belarus) • Second Prize “Francisco Vallejos”, e5,000 Balta Women's Choir, Riga (Latvia) • Third Prize “Francisco Grau”, e2,500 Gaos Choir, A Coruña - Galicia

POLYPHONY

The Raniza Female Choir, Minsk (Belarus)

• First Prize “Juan Aparicio”, e10,000 Raniza Female Choir, Minsk (Belarus) • Second Prize “César Cánovas” e4,000 Gaos Choir, A Coruña - Galicia • Third Prize, e2,000 Balta Women's Choir, Riga (Latvia) During the closing speeches the Torrevieja mayor, Eduardo Dolón, said that the return of the contest following the coronavirus pandemic had been complicated by the fact that the usual venue of Las Eras de la Sal, which is being refurbished, was not available, but, despite this it still proved to be a great success.

He said that he felt "very satisfied" with the musical quality of the participants, "a language that connects us with the whole world", while the Provincial Deputy for Culture, Julia Parra, spoke of the importance of this musical event in the Community and what it means in promoting "the traditions of our land" With an eye on the 2023 contest, which will be held once again at the Municipal Theatre, the vice president of the organizing board, José Antonio Quesada, promised that the next edition will be bigger and better with even more choirs represented.

Gaos Choir, A Coruña - Galicia

LA MANGA CARAVANS APPEALS THE CLOSURE OF IT’S CAMPSITE

Camping Villas Caravanning in La Manga was forced to close on 18 May, when the Cartagena City Council suspended its activity license after the site failed to present the security and emergency plans requested by the Administration, a decision that has been recently ratified.

Camping Villas Caravanning has appealed the decision of the Cartagena City Council to reject the request made to reopen the premises after seeing its license suspended.

However, since then, the company and the residents of Villas Caravanning have demonstrated their willingness to present a proposal to remedy all of the deficiencies found.

The company argues that the actions it has since carried out, added to those it plans to carry out in the future, will enable it "to show a major an improvement to the complex, which ensures compliance with the health, safety and fire regulations required by this type of establishment.

The company maintains its willingness to negotiate and has reached out to the City Council to agree on the necessary measures to guarantee the safety of the people who reside at the campsite.

It has asked the municipal Administration for an urgent meeting with the intention of agreeing "definitive solutions" that will provide legal certainty to the company in the face of its willingness to invest whatever is necessary to rectify this situation.

The council has said that there are still many shortcomings that need to be rectified, including security deficiencies that, according to technical reports, suppose a significant risk in terms of fire protection and for the safety of users and residents of the campsite and the private pitches.

In October 2021 a caravan fire forced the evacuation of the campsite resulting in the death of one person with 19 plots burned in total.

BITES Spain hints at timeline for fourth booster dose against Covid-19 Health Minister Carolina Darias has said that the fourth jab against Covid-19 will be administered in the second half of September".

Vaccination will begin with those over 80 years of age and people who are in residences, and then followed by those over 60 years of age.

Drinking Alcohol on the Street Prohibited in Guardamar Although the parties are in full swing as Guardamar celebrates the summer season, the Local Police have said that drinking alcohol on public roads is prohibited.

They say that the message on their social media is aimed mostly at younger people in the town, trying to encourage them not to hold the infamous “botellón” gatherings, the financial penalty for which is 200 euro.

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Lo Crispin Summer Festival gets underway this week Lo Crispin will stage their inaugural three day Summer Festival during July 29-31 - with firecrackers on the opening night - and a fireworks Grand Finale closing festivities.

The Festival has been arranged by Algorfa Town Hall in conjunction with the Lo Crispin Tavern and Lo Crispin Residents Cultural Association.

On July 29 Algorfa Mayor Ros Rodes and

President of the LCRCA Yvette Cooper will officially open of the Festival.

Keith Oakes, representing the Lo Crispin Cultural Association, told The Leader: "The 1st Lo Crispin Festival has now been approved. The Ayuntamiento will supply a giant Paella, with a foam party on Sunday.

"All the events will be held in the street. On Friday there’s a childrens disco at 6.45pm.

Algorfa Mayor Ros Rodes

as well as the very popular De Polis, followed by The Michael Bublé Tribute Act, with a 2 course meal.

"An Animacion Fantasia is booked for the children on Saturday, from 4pm, after which there wil be a Live Spanish Show Arte PaYa (9-10.30pm) and the incredible Jersey Boys.

"On Sunday, from 8pm, the Lo Crispin Parade starts at the park by the Commercial centre, up to the Lo Crispin Tavern. Advance meal bookings to be made at The Tavern telephone David 646 777 658 (including WhatsApp). Details at Algorfa Ayuntamiento Facebook page.

OCTOGENARIAN KNOCKED DOWN BY ELECTRIC SCOOTER An 80-year-old woman has been knocked over by an electric scooter, according to the Murcia emergency coordination centre.

The incident occurred on Wednesday evening in front of the Los Delfines hotel in La Manga.

The 112 emergency centre received several calls at 8:44 p.m., reporting that the woman had been knocked down on the Gran Vía de la Manga del Mar Menor.

The Local Police and a Mobile Emergency

Unit (UME) of the Management of Emergencies and Health Emergencies 061 immediately attended the scene, where medics treated the woman, who was then transferred to the Santa Lucía hospital with several bruises.

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La Marina Arts & Crafts fair with jazz and swing Over the weekend of 5, 6 and 7 August the craft association Amata is organising an original 1920s-style craft fair.

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BITES Alicante woman chokes on cupcake wrapper

For three afternoons they will create a nostalgic atmosphere in the La Marina Urbanisation in San Fulgencio, with live jazz and lots of swing, and all the participants dress in Roaring 20s fashion.

A 50 year old female patient at the Santa Faz Centre for the Care of People with Mental Disabilities died after choking on a cupcake wrapper.

San Fulgencio has a population of more than eight thousand people and the majority live in the La Marina Urbanisation, which has all the shops, bars and restaurants expected in a town with so many inhabitants.

According to doctors, during breakfast the woman hid the cake with the wrapper inside her clothes. After breakfast she went to the bathroom, and there she secretly ate the cupcake with the wrapper, which caused her to suffocate.

The fair will be held in the Parque de Puentes in the Calle Francisco de Quevedo and is aimed at a family audience, with many activities for children, workshops and craft demonstrations.

There will be lots of choice: ceramics, carved wood, sculptures made from scrap metal, lamps made from pumpkins, traditional board games, fairies and elves, hand woven items and design jewelry in materials as diverse as glass, macramé, leather, clay and pottery. And since they're all true craftsmen, they'll bring their tools and can take on special orders if you can't find what you're looking for.

Although staff tried to revive her with resuscitation manoeuvres and with a defibrillator, nothing could be done to save her life.

Several artisans demonstrate their skills at the stall and even invite you to participate, for example by making a clay bowl on the potter's wheel. You can see how murano glass is turned into small animals or colorful jewels and the spinner will explain the whole process of the wool, from the sheep to the woven garment.

Three people, including a French tourist, died after being gored by bulls in parts of Spain. Two of them died in the suburbs of the city of Valencia after being violently hit by bulls.

Three die after being gored in bull running festivals

Another French tourist died ten days after he was gored near a village in Alicante. Traditionally, bull runs are held in numerous parts of Spain this time of the year.

And all this in a lively atmosphere, with jazz music from the Enrique Simón Trío, demonstrations and swing classes from The Nest Swing Dance Studio, and for the children craft and juggling workshops, storytelling, board games, mask painting and a old fashiones merry-go-round. If you like crafts, jazz and/or swing, you can't miss this event!

The fair is set up in the Calle Francisco de Quevedo and opens on Friday the 5th, Saturday the 6th and Sunday the 7th of August in the afternoon, from 6 a.m. to midnight. Parking will not be a problem in the wide streets around the fair.

At https://www.puebloartesano.es/sanfulgencio.html you can find the complete programme and the exact location of the fair.

Spain PM says more than 500 people died in latest heatwave Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez that "more than 500 people" died during the latest heatwave in Spain. The heatwave, one of the most intense ones in history, lasted for 10 days and started on 10 Jul.

The Fair will be held in La Marina Urb on 5, 6 & 7 August

Fun for Apanee and Alpe at Aquópolis Torrevieja

By Andrew Atkinson Apanee and Alpe had summer fun at Aquópolis Torrevieja, accompanied by Cocemfe Alicante and the physiotherapeutic rehabilitation area of Torrevieja Hospital.

"A large number of volunteers, including teachers and monitors from the Ceip Habaneras educational centre and staff from Apanee, made it all possible.

"They wanted to share with these chil-

dren and young people a day of leisure and family respite in the pools and slides of the water park.

"A great day of coexistence that has brought together 475 people from the entire province of Alicante.

"From Apanee and Alpe they thank the Management, lifeguards, staff of Aquopolis Torrevieja and all the participants for once again offering this group an unforgettable summer day for all families," said a spokesperson from Apanee.

He cited data released by the Carlos III Health Institute.

The report estimates heat-related deaths based on the number of excess deaths when compared to the average in previous years.

Madrid begins vaccination against monkeypox as cases rise As the number of monkeypox cases increase in Madrid, the Community has begun the vaccination process. At present, Madrid authorities have two vaccines against smallpox "that can prevent monkeypox disease."

While Spain has over 3,000 cases of monkeypox across the country, around half of them are concentrated in the capital city.

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Orihuela Tourist Routes An excellent opportunity for non-Spanish speakers next Friday, 29 July, for those wishing to visit Orihuela city and learn about it’s abundance of monuments, churches, palaces, convents, museums and other historical sites, as the Tourist Route will be conducted in English.

Orihuela, the capital of the Vega Baja, 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.

Friday’s route will include five national monuments. the cathedral, Santa Justa and Rufina, Santiago, Santo Domingo and the Episcopal Palace, all assets of great cutural interest.

There will also be an opportunity to sample products that have been produced in the Vega Baja as well as a Flamenco Show given by local dancers.

Valencian President Ximo Puig strolling through Torrevieja with Cllr Maria Garcia, the mayor, Carolina Gracia, and Cllr Jose Aix

ORIHUELA HOSPITAL TO GET 70 MILLION EURO REVAMP The president of the Valencian regional government, Ximo Puig, has announced that the Consell will put out to tender next week the expansion and reform works of the Vega Baja hospital worth 70 million euro.

This was stated during his visit to the Palace of the Marquis of Rafal in Orihuela, which was also attended by the Minister of Finance and the Economic Model, Arcadi España, and

the director of the Vega Renhace Plan Office, Antonio Alonso. Previously, the president had also visited the María Moliner Municipal Library, where he held a meeting with the Mayor of Orihuela, Carolina Gracia, and the municipal corporation, and has signed the Orihuela honour book.

During his visit, the president explained that the expansion works of the hospital located in Orihuela are expected to begin before the end of the year and

will have an execution period of 30 months. This action will consist of the construction of two new buildings that will increase the area by 40%, that is, 16,700 square metres more.

Likewise, it should be noted that the work will be the largest in execution in the province of Alicante, ahead of the expansion and reform of the Marina Baixa hospital, whose investment amounts to 60 million euro and which has recently begun.

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RAY AND LUKE have soared above the heights of Sport.

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Ray and Luke have soared above the heights of Sport

Every Westmeath hurler and footballer who ever donned the maroon jersey has always been my hero. They represent me because of being a better man than I ever was.

Let us repeat: Help is available – and it does work! Today there are 2 Million AA members contentedly sober in 180 countries worldwide.

Last week Luke Loughlin spoke honestly and courageously about his battle with drug and alcohol addiction. (Of course alcohol too is a drug) Luke said that through speaking out he hopes to help other similarly afflicted young people.

We Irish have a name for indulging in copious alcohol consumption. It may surprise you therefore to learn that a recent study put us at only 7th in the world - with for example, Germany at number 6. I think it is down to how we drink it: Or as I often say about myself, ‘I drank it all together!’

I think it is about a year ago that Ray Connellan appeared on the Late Late Show and revealed how he suffered from depression and experienced suicidal urges. Here again, the honesty and humility of a wonderful sportsman we only knew as that majestic mid-field Nordic style warrior, made for compelling viewing.

*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.

Alcoholism is the third highest killer disease in the world. The hardest part of combatting it is that we are always worse than we think we are!

You aren’t bad or weak; you just have a disease – and luckily, one that you yourself can do so much to put right. (But not on your own) A lady doctor friend of mine took a slight offence when we were out in a group one night a couple of years back. I said that there is no other disease where the sufferer can do so much for his or her self, and the medical profession can do so little. I was right …

My two Westmeath special award All-Stars will have to be Ray Connellan and Luke Loughlin. The entire team has given us pleasure way beyond ‘it’s only a game’, but Ray and Luke may well have saved lives. Is there any greater calling than that?

Bernie.comaskey@gmail.com

work, have a home and a family, and appear to live normal lives.

The first step is to realise, and then admit, that you have a problem; ‘that your life has become unmanageable’. From this stage the payback starts with an overwhelming surge of relief.

When any one of those players speak, the people will listen; and it’s what two of those players have spoken about that occupies our thoughts today.

One of the main reasons that I wrote, ‘If Ever a man Suffered’ in 2005 was the hope that somebody reading it would identify with my battle with alcoholism and seek help.

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Reading this will make some people feel uneasy … or as I would have done, move on quickly to the next page!

Our Tailteann Cup football winners are a case in point.

Blessed with an abundance of natural ability, coupled with a tremendous determination to succeed, each and every member of that squad has done their county proud. What perfect role models they are for the youth of our county.

He emphasised that help is available - always someone there to talk to, and I have no doubt but that his story has helped a lot of people. The country embraced Ray Connellan for his contribution.

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I also wrote in a piece I was asked to do for a Westmeath Senior Hurling Final programme some years ago that one of the few regrets I have is that ‘I took a career break from my hurling to concentrate on my drinking career!’

The feed-back I received in that area showed that, thank God, that part of the book worked.

One out of every 12 drinkers is an alcoholic. It is a progressive illness, which can manifest itself from the very first drink, like me, or then again, the progression can take most of a lifetime before the problem becomes critical. One certainty is that the condition always gets worse – never better.

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 - Gaura - the whirling butterfly GAURA, also known as whirling butterfly, bee blossom and wanderflower, is a low-maintenance perennial.

Gaura foliage is lance-shaped and often tinged with pink, cream, or gold, depending on variety.

Wiry flower stems bear many flowers, each made of four petals. The flowers are white or pink, or a combination of the two.

Ranging from 15in to 4 ft tall they get their nickname of 'whirling butterflies' as they

Most people think of the alcoholic as the guy sleeping in a doorway with a bottle of cheap wine tightly grasped in his hand. But this guy only makes up 2 per cent of alcoholics. The remainder go to

dance in the breeze.

One of the best features of gaura plants is the long bloom time, which is much longer than most perennials.

The heaviest blooming occurs early summer, but you can expect flushes of flowers to recur throughout the summer and into autumn.

Best planted in spring or autumn, Gaura tolerates extremes in heat and humidity, as well as the cold.

They grow best in poor, well draining soil, positioned in full sun tolerating afternoon shade, particularly in hot climates such as the Vega Baja.

I played hurling along with Luke Loughlin’s grandfather and how marvellous it is to see Luke back playing and hopefully gracing the fields with his silken skills for many years to come.

I hope that Ray Connellan and Luke Loughlin fully appreciate the difference that their brave decisions will continue to make for sufferers and their families. Very often the message doesn’t hit home right away; but a line, or something Ray or Luke said, pastes itself to the inner conscious and will come back out on the day it is needed most!

DON’T FORGET A fault which humbles a man is of more use to him than a good action which puffs him up.

Water infrequently, but deeply, to help the plants establish their deep roots.

Cut back stems after the first main bloom, to encourage a tidy plant and spur repeat blooming. Easy to propagate from seed or cuttings.

Many gaura varieties are hybrids, propagating from seeds collected yourself, or any seedlings emerging from self seeding, will not produce the same results as the mother plant. Gaura are vulnerable to are aphids in early summer.

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BEACH PATROLS SHARE DETAILS OF ACTIVITIES The Local Police in Santa Pola have been keen to point out the effectiveness of their summer beach patrols this week.

In addition to participating in services in assistance to beach users, the Special Police Service deals with an average of more than 50 daily reports

Ensuring the safety of Santa Pola Beaches

related to good coexistence and harmony in the 11 kilometres of beaches the municipality.

To give an example of their interactions with the public, they provided details of the sort of offences dealt with on a single day this week, namely Tuesday.

On that single day, the officers dealt with 2 vehicles driving without mandatory insurance on roads close to the beaches, there were 7 vehicles parked in prohibited places in beach areas, 1 vehicle without an ITV, and 39 complaints related to the Traffic Ordinance, on roads near the beaches.

In addition, they dealt with 3 reports of illegal camping in prohibited areas, 1 person reported for practicing fish-

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PAGE 11

ing less than 100 metres away from of swimmers, 2 reports of people who deposited glass on beaches, 1 report for having a potentially dangerous animal loose and without a muzzle in the beach area.

There was also 1 report for unauthorised advertising distribution in the beach area, 1 report for sailing a jet ski in an aera reserved for swimmers, 1 report for unlicensed fishing, and, finally, 1 report for possible breach of beach concession conditions.

The reason for detailing their actions is that the police hope fewer offences will now be committed, as people know that their actions may well be sanctionable.

After all, according to the police, if we follow the rules, our beaches are a place which everyone can enjoy peacefully and in safety.

PAGE 12

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Will UK’s ‘Summer Horribilis’ end with election of Truss?

BY TONY MAYES or the past fortnight we’ve been watching the news in horror as the worst extreme temperatures in Europe set off huge and devastating wild fires in country after country in Europe, and then spread to the UK to bring the highest recorded temperatures in history.

F

In the UK an entire village east of London was left in ruins as a fire, which reportedly started in dry grass in an open compost heap, spread from house to house, and 41 were lost.

Over the country, houses, shops and at least one factory was fire damaged and fire services were stretched to breaking point.

And the extreme heat, 40.2C, it is believed, tipped many elderly and frail people to die prematurely. And the same is reported all over Europe, where deaths are in their thousands.

There’s nothing trivial or pleasant about temperatures in the upper 30s and 40s. In Spain we’re more used to it with homes shuttered against the heat and many with air conditioning. And when you venture outside you are hit by a wall of heat.

People in Britain are not so lucky, with homes built to cope with cold rather than heat, and air con has not been on many people’s needed list.

The Met Office forecast the extreme temperatures more than a week before it happened. They predicted, totally accurately, how hot it would be and when it would happen.

quences.

People who stand up to these ill-informed characters are often ridiculed and abused.

Like that little cracker of a girl Greta Thunberg who has been warning for years of the dangers of global warming.

Remember how Trump reacted against Greta when she took the stage?

Weather forecasting has come a long, long way from the time when most people, told it would be a sunny day, took their umbrellas and raincoats because they didn’t believe the forecast would be right.

It was exactly the same nonsense with Trump and his ridiculous advice as to how to combat Covid – advice which could have killed. His idea of running the country was to throw all existing norms up in the air and start again.

Along with the forecast came serious warnings from the UK health agencies over the risks to elderly people and the very young, and gave a list of advice of how to cope – such as wearing light cotton clothes, not exerting themselves, not going out in the sun, working from home etc etc.

Hang on, isn’t that the message from right winger Liz Truss in the Tory leadership campaign? Don’t listen to the financial advice of the past do something new. That was the message over Brexit – and look what a mess that has brought to Britain.

I was foolish enough to switch onto one of the new UK TV stations where the most stupid of people appear to be invited to give their views on current topics. A panel of the deranged were banging on about why the public have to be treated like children and be given advice. “It’s a summer day, go out and enjoy it”, a whole department is employed to hand out advice we don’t need” The country is becoming more of a nanny state every day” were just a few of the stupid comments.

Well, I hope the deranged so-called panellists have eaten their words. The problem is such comments, on TV and in the press, mostly from the right wing in politics, are listened to and acted upon by the more gullible, and when it comes to such illinformed comments there are dire conse-

Can you believe that Truss while at Oxford University was president of Oxford University's Liberal Democrat society. Later she switched to the Tories. She voted Remain, but now is a Leaver.

Now I know that is a woman’s prerogative to change her mind – but to make such important U turns is excessive. How many U turns would there be if she was PM? On that tack I predict Truss getting the top job – the Tory membership will back her because she will put mega bucks into the pockets of the rich in tax cuts, which the country cannot afford. With her the UK will go through two years of financial hell, because un-funded tax cuts will drive the pound down, raise interest rates and make the poor poorer. Not keen on Sunak either, but he is talking some sense.

And as I finish writing I have just heard that the UK's Brexit divorce bill from leaving the EU could rise to £42.5bn, potentially adding billions to payments, the government says.

Treasury minister Simon Clarke said inflation meant the bill could be up to £7.5bn higher than initially estimated.

inflicted on Britain – disaster at the ports when we want to go on holiday, disaster to trade with Europe, the UK’s biggest customer and over driving licences for British ex-pats. And all for what – Sovereignty – which actually means the UK government being able to do what it wants without someone else telling them no!

What a disaster Boris and Farage have

What a con perpetrated on the UK public.

Scorpions discovered in La Mata

BY ANDREW ATKINSON National Park Scorpions have been found in the Lagunas de La Mata National Park this summer,mating or fighting?

"The image shows two scorpions, or scorpions in which one specimen, probably male, holds the claws of another, probably female, in what could be a nuptial dance," said a spokesperson from Crònicas de Naturales Torrevieja.

"The courtship and copulation of our scorpions is complex, with both able to walk for some time in this way, ending, until the female is dragged on the spermatophore of the male, previously installed on the ground.

"It could also just be two males - fighting - but there's something about the photo that makes me think of courtship," added the Crònicas de Naturales Torrevieja spokesperson.

The Lagunas de la Mata and Torrevieja Natural Park is located in the Vega Baja del Segura region and together with El Hondo lagoon and Santa Pola salt flats, form a triangle of wetlands with international importance to birdlife.

The two lagoons are artificially connected to the sea by a channel known as the Acequión, built for the exploitation of the Torrevieja salt flats.

Scorpions can be found throughout Spain with the

Scorpions La Mata: Mating or fighting Img Julio Jesús Añel

two venomous species Yellow Scorpion Mediterranean scorpion - and the European yellowtailed scorpion, due to being black with a yellow tail.

A sting can lead to headache, vomiting, fever, fainting and difficulty in breathing.

The Spanish yellow scorpion has eight legs and two pincers, with the tail segmented, ending in a pale brown spur, active during the summer.

The yellow scorpion sting is painful but with mild toxic effects, though it can be dangerous to small animals, children, the elderly and people with allergies to animal stings.

If you are stung visit a doctor as soon as possible, who can apply a serum, and take anti-histamines.

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CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

QUICKIE CROSSWORD

ANSWERS Week 928

ACROSS 1.

Bring upon oneself (5) 4.

Evolve (7) 8.

Desolate (7) 9.

Ship (5) 10. Long river (4) 11. Define (8) 13. Upper rim (4) 14. Male deer (4) 16. Authorise (8) 17. Pudding ingredient (4) 20. Large juicy fruit (5) 21. Pasta dish (7) 22. Diminishes (7) 23. Figure (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 21

DOWN 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

12.

13.

15.

18.

19.

Immeasurably small (13) Christmas song (5) Public disorder (4) Repudiated (6) Speed (8) Yearning (7) He strives for the best (13) Miserly sum (8) Claspless bracelets (7) Woos (6) For the length of (5) Greedy (4)

QUICK ACROSS: 3 Lucrative; 8 Bait; 9 Diligence; 10 Rocket; 11 Media; 14 Spent; 15 Spin; 16 Heath; 18 Vend; 20 Untie; 21 Tempt; 24 Duress; 25 Judicious; 26 Tiff; 27 Fertility.

DOWN: 1 Obtrusive; 2 Miscreant; 4 Unit; 5 Raise; 6 Thesis; 7 Vice; 9 Death; 11 Meant; 12 Apathetic; 13 Intensify; 17 Humus; 19 Depict; 22 Phial; 23 Huge; 24 Dust.

CRYPTIC CRYPTIC ACROSS: 3 Stag party; 8 Pear; 9 Pestering; 10 Dolour; 11 Assam; 14 Wares; 15 Nice; 16 Yacht; 18 Rung; 20 Horse; 21 Argot; 24 Setter; 25 Endurance; 26 Goon; 27 Gold paint.

Down: 1 Spadework; 2 Ballerina; 4 Tier; 5 Gates; 6 Airman; 7 Tank; 9 Pussy; 11 Ascot; 12 Migration; 13 Deterrent; 17 Three; 19 Ground; 22 Osaka; 23 Undo; 24 Scan.

ACROSS 1. Boy taking graduate to dance (5) 4. His cocktails are explosive (7) 8. Harps on about unfortunate children (7) 9. To get cross in charge is dangerous (5) 10. What Canute couldn’t control due to change of diet? (4) 11. Home for Hawaiian capitalists (8) 13. Hit a mollusc (4) 14. A roue in the garden? (4) 16. Small things knitters might make (8) 17. By which a reign may be measured? (4) 20. Lady of the manor? (5) 21. Great joy in breaking toenail (7) 22. Rank with an old mare, perhaps? (7) 23. One not winning different roles (5)

L EA D E R T R I V I A Q U I Z 1. Which Hollywood child star played the little girl in the 1947 Christmas film Miracle on 34th Street?

2. Mitchum and Pepper are both examples of what?

3. The fairy with turquoise hair appears in Carlo Collodi's book, The Adventures of Pinocchio. What is she called in the Disney film?

4. Which edible product was first created to celebrate a French victory over the English at Port Mahon?

5. Who said? a: "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." Whose take on life? b: Who explained his theories thus: "When a man sits with a pretty girl for a minute it seems like an hour. But let him sit on a hot stove for a minute - and it's longer than any hour." c: Of what was General Bousquet speaking when he observed, "C'est magnifique, mais ce n'est pas la guerre" (It is magnificent, but it isn't war)? d: Which king modestly asserted "L'etat, c'est moi"? e: Who supposed that "Golf is a good walk spoiled"?

6. In Brazil, what is Pelada?

7. What is Jabulani, first introduced on the 5th of December 2009?

8. What do the film characters Vince Vega (Pulp Fiction) and Donald Genero (Jurassic Park) have in common?

DOWN 1. Light punishment given by judge who’s a man of few words? (5,8) 2. Was gloomy concerning the vehicle (5) 3. A man from New Zealand (4) 4. It’s lucky to take a large number to the races (6) 5. Left it on a junction before examination of the shore (8) 6. Words on the river surface (7) 7. A sucker for housework? (6,7) 12. In which Chinese boats are stored? (8) 13. One liking to cause trouble in the kitchen (7) 15. Burn the new master (6) 18. Groups digging up tin in America (5) 19. As leaves do at the appropriate time over there? (4)

( A n s we r s o n p a g e 2 1 ) 9. Which old fashioned weapon is found on the flag of the Barbados?

10. Ceylon, now known as Sri Lanka, was at one time a colony of which three European countries?

11. With the aid of the following lyrics, name the girl in each song. a.

Who's trippin down the streets of the city smilin at everbody she sees. b.

That gypsy with the gold capped tooth. c. She was a red hot hoochie coocher.

12. Who painted the actual work of art entitled 'The Great Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed in the Sun' found in the film Red Dragon?

13. The U2 song 'Angel of Harlem' is a tribute to which woman?

14. The British Queen, Queen Elizabeth II has met eleven of the last twelve US Presidents during their term in office. Which of the last twelve did she not meet?

15. The following words are from which Christmas songs? a. Star with royal beauty bright. b. Follow me in merry measure. c. I don't care about presents underneath the Christmas tree. d. Please have snow and mistletoe, and presents on the tree. e. The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing.

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LAUNCH OF DEDICATED ALGORFA WEBSITE If you don’t know much about the small, typically Spanish town of Algorfa, that’s all about to change. Local resident, freelance writer and clairvoyant Sandra Piddock fell in love with Algorfa when she first came to the area on a property inspection trip back in 2007. She says: ‘I’d never even heard of Algorfa before going on that inspection trip, but the first property we were shown was the garden apartment on La Finca that we ended up buying. And when we went into Algorfa for lunch, the town seemed to welcome us with open arms. The only problem was, there was little or no information available about what was going on in and Around Algorfa.’

When she launched her first website, Sandra in Spain.com in 2014, Sandra vowed that soon Algorfa would have its own website. She even acquired the domain name Around Algorfa in readiness. It’s taken a fair bit longer than planned, due to life and Covid getting in the way, but finally the website is live. Sandra believes it’s the first English language website focused exclusively on Algorfa, although there are some excellent local groups and pages on Facebook.

Around-Algorfa.com is first and foremost a showcase for the town, its people and local businesses and services. The website covers everything from medical services and community organisations to shopping, eating out, things to do locally and finding your home in Algorfa. Upcoming features will introduce the people behind local businesses, provide information about Algorfa culture and traditions and offer helpful advice on living in Algorfa and its satellite urbanisations, from the people who already live there.

Local charities, volunteer organisations and businesses can expect some free promotion via links and mentions in overview features. Sandra is also offering competitively priced introductory advertising packages. You’ll have a banner on the website plus an exclusively tailored advertorial to tell the

world – or at least the world Around Algorfa! – what’s so special about your business. And it won’t Costa Packet – pun intended! Sandra says: ‘Around Algorfa will be a trusted information point for the local area, and I also want to introduce people to the variety of goods and services that are available in our town. Anyone who advertises with us can be sure their business will get excellent coverage, because it’s important to build trust with the people you live and work with. We have some very talented, hard-working people here in Algorfa; we aim to increase their online profile and bring more people into our beautiful, friendly town.’

If you’re local to Algorfa, Sandra always welcomes ideas for informative and interesting content for the website. She writes all her own content, and prides herself on finding unique and/or amusing angles for every piece she writes. Contact her through the website or WhatsApp to showcase your local business or organisation. One thing is certain - however Around Algorfa develops in the future, it’s will never be boring – Sandra will see to that!

www.theleader.info Sandra fell in love with Algorfa on a property inspection trip in 2007

PAGE 15

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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

Monday 25th - Sunday 31st July 2022

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 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

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

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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

Builder, remodelling,kitchens, extensions, we beat most quotes. Call Andy 697 834 934.

Come Join The Band' The Royal British Legion Concert 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

The JuneMeeting of the Royal British Legion Orihuela Costa and District Branch will be held at 7 for 7.30 pm on

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

637 227 385

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 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

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

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.

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 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

NADIA...

SO SWEET MONDALVIAN (31) Turquesa St. La Zenia.

Tel. 643 276 205

LUNA 30 EX MODEL. Brasilian. Slim.

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Very private in La Zenia.

Casa 77 (close to Consum).

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LATINA WITH SKIN OF CINNAMON. Fantasies. Private.

La Zenia. Casa 77 (Close to Consum).

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Donating glasses to Cáritas Javea ÁRITAS Parroquial have signed an agreement with Specsavers Ópticas in Javea for the optician to donate one pair of glasses per month to their charity.

C

but this is a big investment, and one that many of them cannot afford.

to allocate those to the people who are most in need of them at that time.

However, thanks to this new agreement, families will be able to receive the glasses they need.

Cáritas will select someone each month who needs glasses but can’t afford them and send them to the store.

Store Director Cecilia Navarro explains, ‘Since I took over as Store Director in February, I’ve been looking for ways in which we can help our community and found out about all the families in Javea that Caritas support.

We hope this will make things just a little bit easier for these families and are looking forward to collaborating with Caritas for a long time to come.’

They will then have a complete eye test to check their eyes are healthy, find out the prescription they need and then they will be able to choose a pair of frames.

The lenses will then be made to their prescription and the glasses will be given to them, completely free of charge.

Cáritas Parroquial are currently helping more than 120 families in Javea by providing food each month and helping them with their individual needs.

They also run workshops to help people gain the skills they need to find work, and have an allotment where people can learn the skills needed to grow their own food and feed their families with fresh, healthy produce.

Many of these families need glasses,

They give them food and support them in lots of different ways, but they didn’t have access to free optical care.

We already offer free eye tests, to ensure everyone can have their eye health checked, but know that for families that are struggling financially, a pair of glasses can be very difficult to afford.

If you have poor eyesight, this further restricts your job options and can hold you back at school.

This is the last thing that these families need, which is why we have committed to give one pair of glasses to Caritas every month and allow them

María José Costa, representative of Cáritas Parroquial Xabia, added, ‘Thanks to the generous initiative of Specsavers Ópticas we are able to help those who need it most, from school children with impaired vision to women who need glasses to be able to sew. Thank you very much.’

Find out more about Cáritas and the incredible work they do on their website www.caritas.es Specsavers Ópticas in Javea are also collecting money for the Red Cross Ukraine campaign and A.P.A.D. (Asociación Protectora de Animales de Denia).

You can make a donation in store at Avenida Del Pla 125, Edificio Caribe, Local 6, Jávea – just off the Carretera Cabo la Nao-Pla, near Servicolor.

Visit www.specsavers.es to find out more.

María José Costa y Elly van der Wel de Cáritas con Cecilia Navarro de Specsavers

PAGE 18

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BITES Energy cap discount set at 16 % Since 15 June, when the Iberian mechanism limited the price of gas to generate electricity in Spain and Portugal, experts are now predicting that electricity bills landing in the next few days will see a discount for regulated rate customers linked to the wholesale market by 16.2%, compared to bills that would have been obtained in the absence of the 'cap on gas'.

The Government has said that the measure will apply until May 31, 2023

Spanish bar sparks outrage for making customers pay for cutlery A bar in Spain has sparked outrage for charging its customers a cover charge for every time a waiter is summoned to the terrace and for even cutlery.

A man who was forced to pay 20 cents every single time the waiter came to the table and an extra euro for cutlery posted about his experience on Twitter.

The bar is located in northwestern Spain in Zamora.

Government having doubts over ‘no smoking’ law The Ministry of Health is having problems in the drafting of the Plan for the Prevention and Control of Smoking which has put the anti-smoking on a war footing.

In addition to the delay in approving the text, which should have entered into force last year, there is now the possibility that the government will drop one of the most far-reaching proposals from the document: the ban on smoking in cars and on terraces.

The Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) and the National Committee for the Prevention of Smoking (CNPT) have reacted "with concern and uneasiness" to the information published in some Spanish newspapers.

Drone Surveillance for Orihuela and Guardamar Following the pilot test last summer, the use of drones on local beaches is being extended to 20 municipalities in the Community, eight of them in the province of Alicante.

An example drill was carried out last week in Playa Flamenca to show how the system works, which is capable of being launched in just a few seconds, reaching a speed of 85 km/h, thereby enabling a quick response to an emergency in the water.

The pilot campaign, tested last summer, saved 6 lives and assisted in 99 other emergencies.

Bird Thieves Captured Santa Pola police arrested a group of people for breaking into a home and stealing an unusual collection of items. They were detained following a minor road traffic collision when the officers found a number of birds which they were unable to account for.

The birds, which were valued at over 2,000 euro, were competition pigeons that had been stolen in a burglary earlier on Thursday evening.

DON’T PUT WORDS IN MY MOUTH! Somewhere in England, there is a ventriloquist buried with his puppet. I'm not sure of the exact location, and obviously neither of them is going to tell me now. Do they still speak to one another, I wonder?

Ventriloquism was originally a religious practice. Ancient Greeks 'threw' their voices to counterfeit the prophecies and advice of oracles. ("Vote for Democritus!") The philosopher Pythagoras liked to scare his students by pretending to hold a conversation with a river.

He also amused himself by inventing rightangled triangles, or so I'm told.

In the Middle Ages, ventriloquism was considered spiritualism, and its practitioners to be in league with the devil, owing to their seeming ability to give life to inanimate objects. It is the ventriloquists themselves, of course, who must remain partly inanimate, not moving their lips when their puppet is speaking -- well, it would be rude to interrupt, I suppose.

Loose lips didn't hinder Peter Brough, whose puppet Archie Andrews starred in a radio show where his tailored blazers and manic eyes were also unseen by listeners. Archie's fan club had half a million members, who sound as if they were the real dummies.

When Brough moved to television, it was obvious he should have stuck to radio, either that or kept his mouth shut.

Many artists develop a fondness for their props. The puppet Charlie McCarthy had his own room in puppeteer Edgar Bergen's house, complete with bed, wardrobe and writing desk, proving conclusively that any dummy can write. When blues singer Sally Osman filed for divorce, she named her husband's puppet as co-respondent. And when Jay Johnson travelled with Squeaky and Bob, he disconnected their heads for convenience: "A suitcase with two heads in it gets a lot of attention at the airport."

Other ventriloquists have given voice to an indolent vulture, a morose tennis ball -- no need to ask why -- Terry Hall's Lenny the Lion and Shari Lewis's sock puppets Lamb Chop and Hush Puppy -- a strange name for a talking dog, but then you don't often come across a talking lamb chop either. Hollywood likes to scare cinema-goers -- are there any of them

left? -- with evil puppets, perhaps because they are cheaper than wooden actors, and certainly easier to work with. Believe it or not, one 'ventriloquist's assistant' even claims to be able to lip-read -- did he once work with Peter Brough? -- a skill other puppets would presumably envy.

Let's face it, when you get right down to it, a ventriloquist without a puppet is just a tight-lipped man muttering to himself -- we've all seen them -- and a puppet without a ventriloquist is similarly bereft, a mere painted doll. We've all probably met a few of them as well. Symbiosis, is that the word I am groping for, a mutually beneficial relation-

ship? Until one of you loses your voice, in most cases that would be the ventriloquist.

Talking of which, modesty has thus far prevented me from revealing that I am actually quite a proficient ventriloquist. Even if I do say so myself.

I'm off to the fridge to get a gottle o' geer.

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SPAIN MAY REQUIRE TRAVELLERS TO SHOW THEY HAVE AT LEAST £750 TO COVER HOLIDAYS More than 8.2 million international passengers visited Spain in June, close to pre pandemic numbers UK nationals may be required to have three additional documents in order to be able to get through Spain’s e-gates.

Travellers are also required to supply this additional documentation during the summer tourist season, after travel firms in the United Kingdom have reacted with dismay adding that Spain could facilitate many of these rules instead of toughening the restrictions, especially due to the fact that the United Kingdom is Spain’s most important market. use e-gates despite not being nationals of the European Union.

Still, the Foreign Office of the UK emphasised that its nationals may be required to have three additional documents in order to be able to get through Spain’s e-gates.

In this regard, the UK’s Foreign Office stressed that at the Spanish border con-

trol, they might be required to present a return or onward ticket, prove that they have enough money for their stay, and also show proof of accommodation.

In addition, the Foreign Office clarified that British holidaymakers could either show a hotel booking confirmation, an invitation from a host, or their address

VALENCIA LAWN BOWLING CHAMPIONSHIPS The Valencian Lawn Bowling Championships will be held from 14 to 27 September.

The two venues chosen as hosts are Bonalba and Greenlands Bowls Clubs with the Emerald Isle acting in a reserve capacity in case additional rinks are required This year the championships will include all 7 disciplines, men's & Ladies singles, Men's & Ladies Pairs, Mixed Pairs, Mixed Trips & Mixed rinks.

The reason for this is because the National Championships is now reduced to just Men's & Ladies singles, which leaves the Valencian

if staying with a third party, family, or friends.

“The Spanish government has clarified that the ‘Carta de invitation’ is one of the options available to prove that you have accommodation if staying with friends or family,” the Foreign Office highlighted.

Apart from those mentioned above, the Foreign Office has advised that everyone check if their passport is stamped when entering or exiting the Schengen Zone through Spain.

In addition, it was reported that Spain reached almost 85.5 per cent of the levels recorded in the same month in 2019 while surpassing those registered in June last year.

In addition, the same shows that the financial requirements go even further after travellers must have at least e900, together with two other forms of proof, a return or onward ticket as well as evidence of accommodation, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

Recently SchengenVisaInfo.com reported that the passport rules for UK holidaymakers changed, permitting them to

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Spain is among the most favourite travel destinations for internationals. According to the figures provided previously by the country’s Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism of Spain, more than 8.2 million international passengers visited Spain in June, which means that the figures were close to those before the spread of the Coronavirus.

Authorities in Spain may ask holidaymakers to show they hold enough money for their trips at the rate of e100 or £85 per day, according to the Daily Record.

According to the UK local media reports, the changes follow a significant change in moves to facilitate airport congestion for holidaymakers arriving in Spain by permitting British passport holders to use automatic e-gates in order to enter the country.

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Tournament as the only major Competition in the region.

Both of the venues, Greenlands and Bonalba, will have their NEW carpets laid before the Championship starts, so that is something to look forward to in itself.

Entries for the Valencian's must be received by 9pm on the 17th August with the draw then taking place on Friday 19th August at Greenlands Bowls Club.

All necesary entry information is currently with club representatives. The cost is 5 euro per discipline.

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SAPPHIRE GOLF SOCIETY AT VISTABELLA - 20TH JULY SPANISH BEACH HANDBALL In association with Sapphire Properties and Costa Blanca Green Fee Services CHAMPIONSHIP BRINGS 4,000 PLAYERS TO LA ZENIA For this month’s meeting the Sapphire Golf Society and a group of 30 players visited the established course at Vistabella taking advantage of the excellent society deal obtained from Costa Blanca Green Fee Services.

2nd – Paula Ekenstram - 37 points

The temperatures were very high and two players left the course due to illness but for those that remained there were some very good scores. .

Gold Division 1st - Neil Esseen – 38 points 2nd – Steve Broom – 34 points

We returned to Edina’s Bar and Grill bar, which is located at Dona Pepa, Quesada for the presentation and we give our thanks for their support and that of our sponsor Sapphire Properties.

Silver Division 1st – Gordon Thursfield – 41 points 2nd – Chris Hall – 35 points Bronze Division 1st – Debbie Allen - 38 points

Carp-R-Us Carp-R-Us fished the Rio Segura at Bigastro for the first time in two months for Round Seven of the Summer/Autumn Series and how it had changed.

The bank side vegetation, so carefully cleared after the DANA of 2019 is now back to head height in many places.

The river itself was down about half a metre from the previous visit (and fell a further 15cm during the match), so another tough day at the office was expected.

Winner of the match was Richard Crawshaw,

SUDUKO SOLUTION

Nearest the Pins – Forbes. Ekenstram,Broom and Forbes Football Card - Mike Dann and Ian Forbes

Our next fixture is the interim game at Vistabella on the 3rd August 2022 followed by the society day at La Finca on the 17th August 2022.

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

now fishing with us more regularly after almost a year spent renovating his house.

Richard fished feeder and maggot to have 2.83kg from peg 2. Next door on peg 1 was Steve Fell who managed 1.28kg also using feeder and maggot.

Steve´s catch included two small barbel, which was good to see. Third was Tony Flett with 1.00kg and fourth Jeremy Fardoe with 0.28kg.

It is worth mentioning that over 20 terrapins were caught during the match.

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.

Costa Blanca Independent Pool Mini Summer league.

Bar Principals A sit in second place after defeating Happy Days Nearlys away 7-2 in division one of the Costa Blanca Independent Pool Mini Summer league.

League leaders Happy Days Excellence faired better chalking up a 6-3 away win against Pines A. The Dogs, sitting in third place, returned a 6-3 home win against sixth place Pines B. Fourth place La Hacienda A had a walkover against Flagger's.

Match Ball (meaning 'to celebrate'

14. Lyndon B. Johnson. She

in Zulu). 8. Both die while in the

would have met LBJ if she had

toilet. 9. A Trident. 10. Portugal,

attended JFK's funeral, but she

Holland and GB. 11. a. Windy.

was pregnant at the time. 15.a.

(Windy, The Association). b.

We Three Kings of Orient are. b.

Madame Rouge. (Love Potion No

Deck the halls. c. All I want for

d: Louis XIV, e: Mark Twain. 6

9, Various). c. Minnie. (Minnie the

Christmas is you. d. I'll be home

Street or beach football. 7. The

Moocher, Blues Brothers). 12.

for Christmas. e. It came upon a

Adidas official 2010 World Cup

William Blake. 13. Billie Holliday.

midnight clear.

QUIZ FROM PAGE 14: 1. Natalie Wood, 2. Mint, 3. The Blue Fairy, 4. Mayonnaise, 5. a: Oscar Wilde, b: Albert Einstein, c: The Charge of The Light Brigade,

Over 4,000 players representing 277 teams from across the whole of Spain will gather at la Zenia beach this week for the final phase of National Beach Handball Club Championships. The competition will get underway on Thursday 28 July, culmination with the finals which will be held on Sunday.

The details of the tournament were announced at a press conference last Friday fronted by the vice president of the Royal Spanish Handball Federation, Diana Box, a former International player and currently the councillor of sport in Torrevieja, and the mayor of the Orihuela, Carolina Gracia.

Box said that the championship welcomes all categories of player ranging from base through to open male and female group-

ings. “We will have a Beach Handball show”, she said.

Entries to the championship have broken all records with 277 teams from all over the national territory, represented by more than 4,000 players.

The competition will attract more than 20,000 overnight stays in the province, most of them in Orihuela and the Vega Baja region. The championship finals will also be broadcast on RTVE's Teledeporte channel.

The Orihuela mayor, Carolina Gracia, said that "it is an immense honour for Orihuela to host this Spanish Beach Handball Championship. It is great news for our municipality and for the promotion of the sport”.

PAGE 22

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Mike Probert talks Golf

H

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.

HARDEST HOLES IN CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF Last week we witnessed a tremendous golf spectacle at St Andrews with the old lady a little exposed by the calm weather and hard running fairway instead of a course that can be almost unplayable in cold high winds.

This raises the question which is the hardest course or what are the hardest holes on Major golf courses?

A study in the USA conducted over the last 25 years has concluded that using scoring averages in all Majors during that period and using par 70 as the template, the following would be the hardest 'composite' golf course:

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The scoring average on this composite golf course by the best players in the world would have been a staggering 78.65 or in simple terms playing to almost 9 handicap.

The hardest hole ,was any many of us would think, was indeed the famous 17th hole at St Andrews.

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 2 Green Fees & Buggy Alicante €82 2 Green Fees & Buggy Altaoana Village €95 2 Green Fees & Buggy Altorreal €80 2 Green Fees & Buggy (holes 10 to 18 played twice) Bonalba €90 2 Green Fees & Buggy Campoamor €136 2 Green Fees & Buggy Don Cayo (Altea) €90 2 Green Fees & Buggy El Plantio €82 2 Green Fees & Buggy El Valle €45 Single Green Fee Font Del Llop €110 2 Green Fees & Buggy Hacienda D Alamo €47 Single Green Fee La Finca €65 Single Green Fee La Marquesa €52 Single Green Fee La Serena €90 2 Green Fees & Buggy (from 1.08pm) La Torre €45 Single Green Fee Las Colinas €60 Single Green Fee (from 4.30pm) Las Ramblas €97 2 Green Fees & Buggy (from 2.00pm) Lorca €70 2 Green Fees & Buggy Lo Romero €50 Single Green Fee (1.00pm) Mar Menor €50 Single Green Fee New Sierra Golf €68 2 Green Fees & Buggy Puig Campana €98 2 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 1.00pm DEAL OF THE WEEK: Hacienda Del Alamo and Saurines TWO players and BUGGY only e120 For Bookings/info Mike at info@costa-blanca-greenfees.com quoting reference LEADER or tel on 966 704 752 or 661 345 931

'Macca' appointed Bulgaria Men's National team coach La Manga Torrevieja, England and Ireland cricket coach Andrew McCulloch 'Macca' appointed Bulgaria Men's National team coach for the World qualification matches in Finland, during July 20-August 1, talks to Andrew Atkinson in Part 3 of an exclusive interview.

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Neil Brook

Lo Crispin Golf Society at La Finca

Following a number of last minute cancellations 28 members and guests competed at La Finca in an Individual Stableford competition.

Although not yet August the hot weather, although tempered at times by a welcome breeze made for a difficult and challenging round of golf !

Nevertheless some good scores were made. Those of us who made the short journey to the Lo Crispin Tavern after the game, were treated as usual to welcome Tapas by helpful and friendly staff and the day's prizes were distributed.

Gold Division 1st. Place - Dave Norton 38 pts off 14 2nd. Place - Ian Stuart 36 pts off 17 3rd. Place - Rod Pullen 30 pts off 16 Silver Division 1st. Place - Keith Rennison 32 pts. 29

HAVING achieved the ECB Level 2 coaching badge and currently working towards the ECB Level 3, giving an insight on the background of coaching, Andrew said: "After a successful application and interview process myself and Neil Brook were both allocated slots in the Cohort."

Brook was at the forefront of the InterSchools Cricket Tournament on behalf of Cricket España, hosted by Phoenix International School at CDM, Orihuela Costa, attended by El Limonar International School, Murcia; Laude Newton College, Elche; Kings College,

2nd. Place - Julie King 31 pts off 35 3rd. Place - Carl Rodel 27 pts. off 26 N.T.P on Par 3s

Murcia and Phoenix International School.

Macca, who has over 15 years of coaching experience, said: "Due to Covid-19 restrictions the ECB Level 3 Advanced Coaching Course has been running online since April last year, although we did manage a face to face weekend in Dublin last September."

Responsible for the development of cricket in Spain and the training of new

coaches in Spain, Macca added: "The next stage of the process is completing a portfolio of Advanced Coaching in a High Performance Environment over a three months period, covering individual and team plans showing understanding of the Technical, Tactical, Physical and Mental aspects of cricket.

"Once that has been completed a final interview by an ECB Tutor Assessor is required."

Hole 3 - Dave Norton Hole 6 - Dave Norton Hole 13 - John Dunnion Hole 16 - Bill Croft The Guest Prize (including those playing for Handicap) was won by : Mike Galvin - 32 pts off 16 The Free Game Draw was won again by Ed Downing (4th. time this year!)

Finally as there were no 2s, the 'Pot' will roll over to our next game at Font Del Llop on 3rd. August.

Steve Harrington ( Membership and Handicap Secretary)

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CD THADER CENTENARY YEAR NEWS It doesn't seem possible, but Thader's squad are reporting back for preseason training next week, and we're still in July!

There's been a lot happening since Thader were eliminated from the Preferente div play offs, back at the end of May. For a start, the comings and goings (and those staying).

The management team of Raul & Adrian have done a great job in retaining virtually all of last season's squad.

Only 3 players from last season have departed.

Keeper Chema has gone to Regional div side Torrevieja, Konate to UDI Elche (Elche's 3rd team), whilst Josan has retired, to take over a burger bar in Santa Pola.

Ruben, Lloyd, Berni, Edu & Rosquin.

Thader have been placed in group iv, which will have 2 more teams than last season, meaning that any cup games will now be played midweek.

Long trips to Benidorm and Villajoysa await the lads from Rojales, when the season kicks off on Sun 4 Sep. But, before then, a friendly match against Elche u19s has been pencilled in for Weds 3 Aug, ko 8pm.

Good news for evening matches, is that new floodlight bulbs should provide much needed extra light.

Former Thader youth players, Xavi Simons & Moi Gomez, now plying heir wares at PSV and Villareal.

Replacing them is Pablo Martinez, a goalie from Murcia 3rd div side Beniel (who incidentally played for Thader way back in 17/18 season), plus 2 players from Preferente div side Almoradi.

Argentinian Guido Gialleonardo is a seasoned defender, whilst team mate Raul Jimenez (Rulo) is an attacking midfielder.

With it being Thader's centenary next May, special events are being planned. A big name friendly will be played around Xmas time, and another next May. New blue & white striped home shirts will be worn throughout the season, along with a special centenary commemorative badge. Former Thader youth players, Xavi Simons & Moi Gomez have pledged support for the centenary.

That just leaves the long list of those staying, for what will hopefully be another successful season - Juan, Jony, Pasqual, Rafa, Dani Lucas, Amine, Javi, Miguel, Quino, Calderon, Oscar, Pedro, Fran,

COME ON MY SON!

By Andrew Atkinson EXCLUSIVE Martin Hughes and wife Rita travelled to Campoamor from Penarth, in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, to watch son Andrew play for Preston North End in a pre-season friendly against La Liga side Getafe on July 12th.

"As soon as the fixture was announced Andrew wanted us to come," said Martin, who brought the Welsh flag to Spain in support.

"We travelled from Penarth, a small town near Cardiff, on July 9 in the build up to the game and planned to stay in Torrevieja, but we decided to stop in Benidorm, as there's a lot more going on," said Martin.

Championship club Preston took a 23-man squad to Spain for their pre-season training camp, ahead of the 2022-23 season that kicks-off on July 30, with 500 fans in attendance.

With temperatures 34 degrees leading up to the game against Getafe, Martin said: "Andrew told me they were doing a trio of

training sessions - to help the team adapt to the heat.

"The weather was an advantage to Getafe, used to playing in the Spanish sun, but Preston did well in the heat.

"Coming to Spain for pre-season I think must be the warmest the players have played in but they'd take it any day, in retrospect to playing in the freezing rain in the UK in the winter!"

Martin and Rita are both retired, leaving them free to travel around the UK to watch Andrew in action for the Lilywhites.

"Once we both retired we decided to watch Andrew play all over the country.

"It will be nice to visit some grounds I've not been to," said Martin.

"I've managed to chalk up a lot of grounds visited. South of Birmingham is easy to travel, as are the London fixtures.

"When we travel to Preston, the journey takes four hours, leaving mostly Friday’s to stay at Andrew’s house to watch the games at

Xavi will be donating tickets, flights and hotel, for a match at his new club PSV Eindhoven, who are also playing a friendly match against Moi Gomez team (Villarreal).

There will be numerous items of centenary merchandise on sale throughout the season, starting last week in August from a stall at Rojales market place.

PNE star Andrew Hughes flanked by dad Martin and mum Rita in Campoamor

Deepdale.

"The journey is always worth to watch our son play for Preston. Fortunately early in the season Preston play Cardiff - just 10 minutes travel. But we will follow him everywhere," said Martin.

"Appreciation to Charlie and Alex, amongst organisers for the coaches, having started with a Tweet to fill a 15 seater Mini Bus -

ending with five coaches.

"Without them over 300 fans wouldn't have been able to travel to the game at Campoamor from Benidorm.

"We met a lot of PNE fans, who were very complimentary to us both about Andrew.

"When I initially heard Preston were playing 'Getaffy' I thought it was a Welsh club I'd never heard of!," quipped Martin.

PAGE 24

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