The Leader Newspaper Edition 819

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C o s t a B l a n c a aw a r d e d 7 3 'Blue Flags', two more than last year

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pain has been awarded a total of 688 'Blue Flags' (589 beaches, 98 marinas and five tourist boats) that will fly from June on the coast of the country, which is 19

more than last year. The Valencian Community, with 148, is the leader in the number of 'Blue Flags' this year, with 134 on beaches and 14 in ports, one less than last year in

each category.

Spain, with 23 more beaches and 4 fewer ports, has maintained its uninterrupted international leadership since 1987.

Although more than 100 'Blue

Flags' have been flying in Spain for more than ten years, ten Spanish beaches premiered a new banner this summer.

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Of the 'Blue Flags' awarded, Spain has maintained around 15%. Thus, although only in one in five (18.4%) of the Spanish beaches will fly the 'Blue Flag' this summer, around one in seven Blue Flags that fly across the world will do so on the Spanish coast.

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Many would question the award in Campoamor considering the current state of the surrounding infrastructure

Spain is well in front with 688 flags followed by Greece (514), Turkey (508), France (507), Italy (482) and Portugal (387). The International Blue Flag Jury, with the participation of the UN Organisations for Tourism (UNWTO) and the Environment (UNEP), has awarded Blue Flags to 45 countries in the Northern hemisphere.

Of the 662 candidate beaches in Spain in 2020, 589 have been awarded. This means that 89% of the beaches that applied for a 'Blue Flag' were successful.

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Alicante Province received 73 blue flags, more than Valencia and Castellón combined.

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The main changes this year are the renewal of the blue flag on the beach of Torrelamata sur, in Torrevieja, and Villas Higuericas in Pilar de la Horadada; likewise, the flag at Puerto Dársena, Pilar de la Horadada, has also been won back.

Llevant, Tamarit and Calas Santiago Bernabéu de Santa Pola have obtained a blue flag.

However the Community lost two flags, a beach and a marina in Santa Pola, which have been under construction during the last year and have, so far, been unable to return services to normality.

However the Vega Baja is the region with the most blue flag beaches, with two more compared to 2019: Torrelamata-Sur in Torrevieja and Higuericas in Pilar de la Horadada.

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

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In Guardamar del Segura the beaches of La Roqueta, Centre y el Moncaio have obtained the distinction, while in Torrevieja the beaches of Cabo Cervera, El Cura, Los Náufragos, Cala Piteras, Los Locos and Torrelamata-Sur have all received a blue flag.

Orihuela is the Valencian municipality with the most blue flags, with a total of 11: Punta Prima, Cala Bosque (la Zenia), Cala Capitán-Cabo Roig, CaletaCabo Roig, Aguamarina, Campoamor, Barranco Rubio, Cala Estaca, Cala Mosca , Cala Cerrada and Mil Palmeras, although many would question the award in Campoamor considering the current state of the surrounding infrastructure.

The Mil Palmeras beach also receives a blue flag in the municipality of Pilar de la Horadada, which has five other blue flags (one more): Jesuits, Higuericas, Conde, Rocamar and Puerto.

Most of the blue flag marinas in the Valencian Community are in Alicante. In fact, only one, Orpesa, is outside the Alicante province.

By regions, in the Marina Alta, six Dénia beaches have been awarded the blue flag (les Bovetes, les Marines, Molins, Punta Raset, Marineta Casiana and les Deveses), three in Xàbia (la Grava, l'Arenal and la Granadella), one the Poble Nou de Benitatxell, the Cala Moraig; three from Teulada (el Portet, l'Ampolla and les Platgetes), one from Benissa, Cala Fustera and three from Calp (la Fosa, Cantal Roig and Arenal Bol).

The Roda, l'Espigó and Cap Blanc, in Altea, have blue flags in the Marina Baixa; the Racó de l'Albir de l'Alfàs del Pi; Llevant, Mal Pas and Ponent, from Benidorm; La Cala, from Finestrat and Varadero, Ciutat, la Caleta, Bon Nou and Paradís, from Vila Joiosa.

Two beaches in El Campello (Carrer de la Mar and Muchavista) and five in Alicante have a blue flag in l'Alacantí: Sant Joan, l'Albufereta, Postiguet, Saladar and Tabarca.

In Baix Vinalopó, the beaches of l'Altet, Arenales de Sol, la Marina, Carabassí and les Pesqueres-el Rebollo in Elche, and Calas del Este, Varadero,

The marinas awarded blue flags are CN Altea, CN Dehesa de Campoamor (Orihuela), CN El Campello, CN Xàbia, CN Les Bassetes (Benissa), CN Marina Internacional Torrevieja, CN Torre de la Horadada (Pilar de la Horadada), CN la Vila Joiosa, Marina Dénia, Marina Deportiva de Alicante, SA, RCN Calp, RCN Dénia and RCN Torrevieja.

148 Valencian blue flags, from north to south From north to south, in the Baix Maestrat, two Vinaròs beaches (Fortí and For a Forat) will have a blue flag; two from Benicarló (Morrongo and La Caracola); one from Peñíscola (Nord) and four from Alcalà de Xivert: el Carregador, la Romana, el Moro and Manyetes. The south beach of Peníscola loses the flag In the Plana Alta, the flags are awarded to les Nord beach in Torreblanca; les Amplaries, Morro de Gos, la Conxa and les Plagetes de Bellver in Orpesa; Voramar, l'Almadrava, Torre de Sant Vicent, els Terrers and Heliópolis in Benicàssim and the beaches of El Pinar and Gurugú in Castelló, a city that loses its distinction on Serradal beach.

In Plana Baixa the beaches of l'Arenal and the Grao-Malvarrosa of Borriana have a blue flag; the Grao, Pedra Rotja, Masbó and

Estanyol de Moncofa; les Cases y el Cerezo de Xilxes y Casablanca de Almenara.. The Marines de Nules beach also retains the distinction, which it obtained for the first time in 2019.

La Pobla de Farnals loses its blue flag In the province of Valencia, two municipalities in the Camp de Morvedre receive a blue flag: Canet d'en Berenguer, with the Racó del Mar beach, and the Corint, l'Almardà and Puerto de Sagunt beaches.

In l'Horta the beach of Puçol and seven beaches of València have received a blue flag: el Saler, la Garrofera, la Devesa, l'Arbre del Gos, RecatíPerellonet, Cabanyal and Malva-rosa. La Pobla de Farnals has lost the recognition.

Cullera is the only municipality in Ribera Baixa with beaches that have this distinction, a total of six: Dossel, Far, Olivos, Cap Blanc, Sant Antoni and Racó.

La Safor is the region of this province with the most recognised municipalities, with a total of eight.

Tavernes de la Valldigna receives the blue flag on the beach of the same name and on the Gulet; the Bellreguard, Daimús, Miramar, Piles and Xeraco beaches also receive a blue flag and in Gandia, the Nord beach has been recognized. Oliva is the municipality with the most blue flags in this region with a total of four (Terranova-Burguera, l'Aigua Morta, Pau-Pi and Aigua Blanca).

244 municipalities received a blue flag throughout Spain The number of participating Spanish coastal municipalities in 2020 is 244, the same as in 2019, of which 233 (+6) have obtained at least one 'Blue Flag', despite the increase and control of their demands.

THE OASIS BAR & RESTAURANT. We are now welcoming customers to dine inside the bar, along with outside dining.

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

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

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Brugal waste contract case sees all 34 defendants acquitted Prevarication, fraud, bribery, influence peddling, extortion, coercion, illegal association, use of privileged information and electoral crime, just some of the charges brought against the 34 defendants in the Brugal case.

One of the most high profile corruption cases to be heard in Spain in recent years, the Brugal Case, which has earned notoriety around the world has ended in uproar in Elche last week after all 34 suspects were acquitted after more than a decade of police investigations and court hearings.

The judge in the case ruled that much of the evidence used to prosecute the defendants was inadmissible, which included two former Partido Popular mayors of Orihuela, José Manuel Medina and Mónica Lorente, along with the local businessman Ángel Fenoll.

All 34 people were accused of business corruption surrounding the multi million euro Orihuela refuse contract.

The investigation began in 2006 surrounding the possible fixing of the local waste collection and disposal contract during the term of the PP mayor José Manuel Medina.

The original case then led to several further enquiries which culminated in the largest ever corruption probe in the Alicante province.

Of the 34 people who were tried, 15 were public officials including the former mayors Medina and Lorente and seven former councillors

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Former Orihuela mayor Mónica Lorente outside the Elche court of the Orihuela Corporation.

It was alleged that Fenoll attempted to bribe politicians by threatening to reveal recordings of telephone conversations he had with them relating the multi million euro waste contract, however the judge ruled that the recordings were inadmissible as they were obtained unlawfully by eavesdropping and other illegal means.

Once this decision had been made it was felt that the remaining evidence was not enough to secure a conviction.

Thus, and after more than ten months of trial held between February and December 2019, all the accused were acquitted by the Seventh Section of the Alicante Provincial Court, based in Elche. This was detailed in a 391-page sentence released on Wednesday.

The former mayor of Orihuela, José Manuel Medina, expressed his satisfaction with the resolution of the trial saying “All is well that ends well. I was waiting to be discharged, because I have had 17 trials and 16 acquittals. There has been persecution by the Prosecutor's Office”.

Lorente said: “It was what I expected, from the very first day I trusted in justice and I come to the court today with the same feeling knowing that I have done nothing wrong.”

The deputy of Esquerra Unida and deputy spokesperson of the Parliamentary Group of Unides Podem in the Valencian Corts, Estefania Blanes, was disgusted with the outcome of the trial saying "the acquittal of those accused is frustrating to us all. The worst thing is that, instead of seeing how crimes against natural heritage and public resources should be punished, we are once again experiencing a feeling that these alleged criminals enjoy an impunity that drives us all to despair."

The prosecution is currently considering an appeal to the Supreme Court.

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Another three equines rescued by EHCRC during extended lockdown

Lockdown puts unprecedented pressure on Rescue Centre

The centre is funded entirely by donations, open days, charity shops and fundraising events

EHCRC is the only organisation of its kind in the Costa Blanca that works entirely to home, help save and heal any, and all, abandoned and abused equines, including ponies and donkeys rescued in collaboration with the police.

Funded entirely from donations, fundraising, open days and its charity shops, the severe and extended lockdown in Spain has put unprecedented pressure on all of its resources as it has had to rely on donations only as all other means of income were severed.

Due to the financial pressures of Lockdown many more equines have been abandoned or found wandering on roads and lanes, which is in itself a hazard for not only them but for drivers.

The rescue centre was called out by the police on three separate occasions this month to rescue a horse a donkey and a pony. All found wandering on the roads.

Rescue with happy ending The only place for these equines is EHCRC, founded by Sue and Rod Weeding who work very closely with all the police forces.

The centre already has over 120 animals and is stretched to capacity, but Sue and Rod never refuse an animal that needs help.

Often there are complex and difficult issues regarding abandoned animals, requiring time and negotiations which Sue and Rod have to deal with as well. Very few of these equines can be re-homed as most do not actually belong to the centre but are a "case number" and therefore not eligible for rehoming.

Rescued runaway!

The latest rescue a donkey to arrive at the centre came with a myriad of problems. Malnutrition, worms, neglected hooves creating problems for him to walk, painful infection due to untreated wounds and he is entire, meaning he will need castrating as soon as possible in order that he can be put with other equines. One of the most important things for all stray animals, be they equine, cats, dogs, is to prevent further breeding so that the problem of abandoned animals is not increased, but this is something that owners do not often understand so they don’t have a castration or sterilisation done, and of course, it costs money.

The rescue of equines is incredibly costly, not only in emotional terms but financially. The feeding of 120 every day is a massive expense, then there’s the Vet with treatments, operations, medicines and worming and the farrier for trimming hooves or speciality shooing.

Sue Weeding said: "It’s a crucial time for us, despite the reopening of our shops from July 1" (with collection of good quality furniture already started to restock the shops).

If you feel you could help the centre or donate toward the upkeep of it’s rescued equines go to the website at: www.easyhorsecare.net

PSOE blames flooding on lack of government investment in Orihuela were announced in that area by the Local Government and recall “a few months ago the works that were to be carried out with the Renewal Funds that the City Council carries out together with the company awarded the water service in Orihuela and none were included in areas such as Espeñetas, San Antón or Escorratel ”.

Gracia assures “it is very good that today it is announced that the municipal brigades are working to return to normal as soon as possible, but with the notices that had been transferred from Emergencies as well as through other channels, once again the Local Government has arrived late, they would have had to clean the scuppers in order to ease their burden. "

PSOE spokesperson Carolina Gracia The PSOE has demanded that the Orihuela council carry out works that are necessary to solve the sewage and drainage problems that avoid episodes such those seen across the city, the costa and pedenias last week, when many areas of the municipality were flooded by the heavy rains.

A spokesperson said "the investment that has been made by the City Council following last year’s DANA has been nil, they have had plenty of time and they have a budget to be able to make improvements to the sewerage network which would have prevented neighbourhoods like San Antón and Espeñetas from flooding again”.

Carolina Gracia said that she was disappointed that in the last nine months, the residents who saw their businesses, premises, garages and houses flooded with water have once again experienced “real anguish both last month and also last week, when they saw how their properties were once again put at risk as a result of the government’s lack of investment.” Gracia said that in the weeks and months since September she has not seen any municipal action to resolve the same old problems.

The Socialists assure that it was not until last month and after another storm that caused floods in the Escorratel when works

She said that all too often Bascuñana and his government partners only make announcements of works, but they never get carried out. He an expert in talking about it and in complaining in the media, but he just seems unable to resolve the people's problems.”

The PSOE urge the Local Government to prioritize these works, either through local funds or through the grants or work plans from the Provincial Government, an institution that, according to Gracia, “is another that visits Orihuela and, along with the mayor, makes grand announcements, but then fails to release the funds”.

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De-escalation and the return of pollution Just over a month ago Traffic is we were reporting that almost back to the quality of the air normal levels on the Costa Blanca on the N332 was the best that it had been in over 30 years, a situation, unfortunately, that was only short-lived as the recovery of activities brings with it an increase in traffic and a 40% rise in levels of nitrogen dioxide.

De-escalation has led to an increase in economic activity, and with it, the movement of people and vehicles.

It is a gradual process that is also seen in the quality of the air that we breathe, which becomes more polluted with each passing day.

The Laboratory of Atmospheric Pollution of the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH) says that since de-escalation began to be introduced in the province, the levels of nitrogen dioxide, which largely caused by traffic, has increased by 40%, with the upward progression expected to continue until the pre-confinement levels return.

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DUCATI : NEW VENTILATED JACKETS FOR SUMMER RIDE

tilated outerwear. All pieces are designed to face journeys during the warmest season, always with great attention to comfort and safety.

Ducati fabric jackets and technical sweatshirts are made of light, breathable materials and are characterized by a unique and distinctive design. Created in collaboration with the best technical clothing brands in the industry, they are equipped exclusively with CE certified protections and specially designed to fit the back protector.

A complete range of summer outerwear, from the simplest to the most technical pieces, to meet the needs and comfort of every

motorcyclist

mum breathability

Ducati technical jackets and sweatshirts are made of lightweight materials to ensure maxi-

Summer is just around the corner and Ducati recommends all motorcyclists its new line of ven-

Earning from your empty driveway Annual driveway league table reveals that empty driveways make more than £1,000 per year on average for homeowners in 25 towns.

Londoners make the most with more than £2,000 per year on average, followed by Brighton and Edinburgh residents yourparkingspace.co.uk annual driveway league table also reveals the full top 50 driveway money earning locations New research highlights that households are earning more than £1,000 per year on average in 25 UK towns and cities simply by renting out their driveways, when not being used, to other motorists needing somewhere to park.

The annual study by online parking portal yourparkingspace.co.uk, which lists more than 350,000 parking spaces across the UK,

reveals that Londoners are making the most with £2,100 per year on average, while people living in Brighton and Edinburgh are earning £1,944 and £1,896 respectively.

Significantly though, residents in 25 towns and cities across the UK, stretching from Aberdeen to Belfast to Bournemouth, are making more than £1,000 per year on average offering their unoccupied driveways to motorists searching for a pre-booked parking space.

Harrison Woods, managing director at YourParkingSpace.co.uk, said: “Empty driveways continue to offer a significant extra income for households the length and breadth of the UK, which is possibly even more welcome now than ever before.

We expect a new surge in demand for empty driveways as motorists struggle to find places to park near their places of employment.”

Meanwhile, further analysis of the league

More trouble ahead for Spain’s Automotive Industry

The collection of ventilated jackets for the summer is available on shop.ducati.com or in Ducati dealerships. Thanks to the safety measures guaranteed by the Ducati Cares program, customers wishing to visit their dealer will be able to try on the garments before purchasing.

The rumours about their intentions have been circulating in the UK for almost a month, with their CEO, Makoto Uchida, confirming them on Monday in an interview with Les Échos .

The move, originally reported by the Financial Times, is now on hold due to the current political climate, according to the paper. One insider told the FT discussions were set to continue "within weeks", while

If you are a habitual resident in Spain, you should have already exchanged your driving licence for the Spanish equivalent. However, holders of a UK driving licence have been granted an extension by the UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, DVLA. According to the DVLA, in order to make it easier for drivers who need to update their photocard licence with a new photo at the end of the 10 years validity, photocard driving licences that expire between 1 February 2020 and 31 August 2020 will be automatically extended for 7 months from the expiry date.

Drivers do not need to take any action as the extension will be automatic and they will be sent a renewal reminder before their 7-month extension ends.

If a driver has already applied online to renew their photocard, this will be processed as normal. If they have already sent a paper application to renew their photocard there will be delays in processing, but the 7-month extension will apply in the meantime.

table shows that empty driveways in towns and cities further down the listing are still making a significant sum.

For instance, residents in Wigan in 50th spot can still make almost £650 per year on average from their driveway by listing it for free on YourParkingSpace.co.uk.

For more information about YourParkingSpace.co.uk, or to register an empty driveway or pre-book parking, visit www.yourparkingspace.co.uk

Rumours of the Captur being moved to Sunderland

The Japanese manufacturer admits the existence of "conversations" with its French ally to move the Captur and the Kadjar. The departure would not be before 2025 The earthquake generated by the closure of Nissan Barcelona threatens to have consequences well beyond the Catalan capital. The global cut in production of the Japanese manufacturer, and the restructuring of its alliance with Renault, means that the company has set its sights on the Renault Captur and the Renault Kadjar, two models assembled in Spain, moving to their plant in Sunderland.

UK Drivers Granted 7-Month Photocard Licence Extension

another source said it was too soon to put any timeline on a restarting of negotiations.

Nissan's Sunderland plant, will remain the Japanese company's European production base, despite previous warnings that Brexit could put its future in jeopardy. The factory has the capacity to produce 500,000 vehicles a year, but only built 350,000 in 2019.

This extension applies to the photocard renewal date. It does not apply where a driver’s entitlement to drive is due to expire if they wish to continue to hold a valid licence – they need to renew this in the normal way.

Remember, this is only for UK licence holders who may be classed as visitors to Spain and in no way alters the need to exchange your licence if you live here in Spain.

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www.theleader.info The mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolón

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Torrevieja to open new beach for dogs Just 24 hours after the mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolón, decided to remove, by decree, the two dog beaches authorised by the previous government of the Torrevieja City Council and limit the permission for pet bathing to Cala del Rocío, a small stretch of rocky coastline located between Cala Ferrís and Rocío del Mar there came a further announcement from the town hall that a more suitable beach is to open.

Located between Cala Ferris and Rocío del Mar, the area will replace the two small beaches that were authorised in 2018 by the previous government and which have caused continuous clashes between residents and dog owners The Torrevieja Council is going to authorise a new dog bathing area to the south of Torrevieja (Cala Rocío), located between Cala Ferris and Rocío del Mar, and which will replace the two small areas that were authorised in 2018 by the previous government and which have caused continuous clashes between residents and dog owners.

After several months of research by the departments of Beaches and

Animal Protection, the area has finally been chosen as the most suitable, accessible and one that will not pose any conflict between the owners of dogs and residents.

The mayor, Eduardo Dolón, announced that this new recreation area will be exclusively for dogs and will be a great improvement on the two previous locations, which are difficult to access, smaller and without any type of signage or services for the enjoyment of pets.

It is an area covering more than 1,600 square metres, with good accessibility, and which will have a signage, in Spanish and English, with all the instructions, rights and obligations of the users, as well as the measures that currently exist, as a result of COVID-19. In addition, the Government intends to fence the area, as well as providing shaded spaces and hooks for dogs.

The mayor said that his Councillor is in contact with the Provincial Coastal Service to obtain the necessary permits for what will be an attractive and exclusive area for leisure and recreation for dogs.

Summer Health Plan still not approved

Covid bonus for Police and Guardia It is just over two weeks before the 'new normal' on July 1 when the starting gun is fired to open a tourist season that, although it will not be like those before, it will still bring in large numbers of holidaymakers to the Valencian coastal towns, with the arrival of thousands of visitors.

Every year the Ministry of Health designs a plan to cover the needs of those coastal municipalities in the summer season, but this year that plan is still to be approved. Sources point out that it has always been agreed with unions that during the summer months at least 70% of the posts in each service or establishment will always be filled.

In other words, seven out of every ten places will be covered during the holidays, although the staff may be increased if there is an urgent need. In the case of essential services (such as emergencies or ICU staff), the percentage will rise to 100%. But this year, with regard to the traditional reinforcement of health establishments on the coast, nothing has yet been finalised.

The Ministry has decided not to hire more staff as it does every other year, but it has said that it will use the medical professionals that it brought into the service during the pandemic, approximately 5,670 doctors, nurses and support workers.

Also, as part of the health plan, we still await the announcement regarding the auxiliary clinics belonging to small municipalities in the interior that have been closed during the pandemic. Many of them are still waiting to find out if they will be reopened, with all the administrative problems that will entail.

Let’s not forget also that this week 10,900 German tourists arrive in Spain while national mobility is still not allowed.

The action of the Ministry of Health has generated concern among the unions which have denounced

the Generalitat's lack of foresight, saying that health centres do not have enough staff to cover these needs.

Dolly Prunes, president of the health section of the CSIF union, denounced the lack of personnel available to the Ministry of Health. "It is a fundamental problem of the workforce and there are not enough resources," she explained, adding that professionals accumulate not only holidays but also many pending days that they need to take off.

"Workers are missing in vast numbers," she insisted. Prunés also denounced the delay of the Ministry of Health in finalising the plan for the summer and accused the department of "lack of foresight".

"For weeks we have been asking for the plan to be presented to us," explained Francisco Martínez of Comisiones Obreras. "We cannot understand," he added, as he also expressed his concern for the manning of some of the essential services, such as emergencies and ICUs. He also referred to the fact that the increase in waiting lists in external consultations will not be able to be addressed during the summer either, and that backlog will likely grow.

The PP Health spokesman in Les Corts, José Juan Zaplana, also denounced "one more example of the lack of foresight by the Ministry that continually acts by applying patches". He regretted that the department is still not consulting professionals to plan health care.

The PP asks the Government to exempt police and civil guards from Social Security and income tax The Partido Popular in the Senate has registered a motion in which it urges the Government to exempt the Local Police, National Police, Civil Guard and regional Police officers from Social Security and Personal Income Tax payments, during the months of the state of alarm.

The proposal that has been presented by the PP spokesman, Fernando Martínez-Maillo, asks the Government of Pedro Sánchez to approve an extraordinary and comprehensive bonus to the officers by exempting them from paying and Social Security or welfare system contributions.

"The members of the State Security Forces, the Police Bodies of the autonomous communities and local corporations, were under the direct orders of the Minister of the Interior, according to the decree that declared the state of alarm," he said.

For this reason, the PP senator has praised the work of the State Security Corps during confinement: "The workload they have assumed, the lack of material protection means for their performance, and the level of exposure to contagion, they have earned the

appreciation of society”.

According to the motion, the law officers " have not received sufficient means to carry out their work, nor have they been considered as subjected to a high enough health risk, despite the service they performed."

For all these reasons, the Partido Popular Group believes that the work carried out by the police forces must be rewarded in a "tangible" way, and to this end it requests the Interior Committee of the Upper House to urge the Government to provide them with full wages with an exemption of all their taxes and that should be charged to the General State Budgets (PGE).

In the case of the Local Police it would be through the municipalities, after an agreement with the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), and also by charging to the PGE.

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In phase 3, the Consell can assume the adoption and control of the whatever measures it feels are appropriate, as well as deciding how long to stay in the phase. The only thing that is outside its authority is to grant mobility to a different autonomous community.

Among the changes that this phase allows is interprovincial mobility within the Valencian Community. In other words, people from Alicante will be able to travel to the provinces of Valencia and Castellón, and vice versa, which can be key to stimulating local tourism.

Likewise, the time slots for going outsi-

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When can you travel between communities?

Province of Alicante enters Phase 3 today he province of Alicante will enter Phase 3 of the de-escalation plan today, Monday 15 June, along with the rest of the Valencian Community. Following the request made by the Generalitat on Tuesday the Minister of Health, Salvador Illa, and the director of the Coordination Centre for Health Alerts and Emergencies, Fernando Simón, authorised the move following Friday morning’s meeting of the monitoring committee.

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Restaurants and shops may now open up to 75% of their internal capacity de disappear completely (in Phase 2, only the periods for the elderly and those most at risk were kept).

Other changes that Phase 3 incorporates include the opening of discotheques and nightlife venues to a third of capacity, although the dance areas cannot be used.

The decree increases from 50% to 75% the capacity allowed in hotels, shops, shopping malls, restaurants and bars, 100% on terraces, churches, museums, theatres, as long as safety distances can be maintained. The other establishment that can reopen from Monday are children’s playgrounds, betting shops, casinos and the like.

As for hotels and shopping centres, they also gain 'capacity' with the passage to zone 3. Thus, the common areas of shopping centres may be put back into use, as can the common areas of the hotels.

The most important change that will

apply in phase 3 is the authority of the Generalitat to manage it’s own situation and measures. It can also decide just how long it wishes the Valencian Community to remain in Phase 3 and when it will adopt the so-called 'new normal'.

If everything goes according to plan, the period in Phase 3 will be no more than one week, according to the Minister of Health, Ana Barceló.

This will mean that from today more than 70% of the population (34 million people), will be in phase 3.

Only the autonomous community of Madrid, the Castilian-Leonese provinces of Salamanca, Segovia, Ávila and Soria, and the health areas of Barcelona, Metropolitana Norte and Metropolitana Sur, and the health area of Lleida will remain in phase 2. Galicia, meanwhile, will pass to the new normal phase.

Spain will reactivate national tourism on 21 June. From this date, members of the public will be able to travel to other provinces or territories, regardless of the activity and whether or not their community is in phase 3.

From June 21 the general public will have unrestricted travel across Spain.

Regardless of the phase of the deescalation process in which each territory finds itself, the Government has set Sunday 21 June for the reintroduction of national mobility.

The reason is that it is the day that the state of alarm ends and, as the Prime Minister himself has already said, after the end of the current period, an extension would not be requested again.

Therefore, on June 21 the mobility restrictions in force since last March 14 will end, so you can visit family members residing in other provinces

or travel anywhere in the rest of the country.

What will the new normal be like?

But, despite the end of mobility restrictions, certain safety rules will still have to be followed to avoid infections, such as the use of face masks when safety distances cannot be guaranteed.

Measures to contain the spread will continue until the coronavirus crisis is over, either because of the discovery of an effective healing method or the discovery of a vaccine.

The mask will continue to be mandatory for those over six years old in any open or closed space if the safety distance cannot be kept and on public transport, and Health does not rule out imposing more restrictive measures in the event of any further outbreak of the virus.

10

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‘What a load of B####X! …’

‘So’, here in Ireland it now seems that nobody can answer a question or commence a sentence without ‘so’ being the first word used. It is the newest ‘in word’ – or what might be commonly called a ‘crutch word.’ ‘Look’ and ‘listen’ are also well up there – especially when someone from the world of sport is being interviewed.

The greatest ‘filler’ word over the past decade has been ‘like.’ God Almighty; like sometimes it would be like used two or like three times in the same like sentence. This one came from America … as did of course the obligatory conversation filler, ‘omigod’ – or ‘omigawd’ in its original form. And speaking of ‘American’, regrettably, more and more Americanisms are attacking plain English speak like a virus. Our beautiful, distinctive regional accents are under threat. The educated younger – and not so young generation, now parrot the American style of raising the volume at the end of a sentence and make a statement sound like a question. The latest American crutch word is ‘doubling down’ Yea, I know that is two words, but get used to them before your ordinary man in the street loads it up.

I digress … where was I …

The use of a ‘crutch word’ is very understandable and there is nothing wrong with it – in moderation! During conversation, the use of a ‘filler word’ gives us a little more time to think about a response. We also use them in writing for effect, (Guilty as charged!) but if we end up overusing ‘crutch words’, either in the written word or verbalising, it annoys the reader and listener.

‘Listen’ (!), what do the words, ‘basically’, ‘literally’ or ‘actually’ contribute to what you are trying

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to say? There is a sports commentator on local radio here, who uses the word ‘certainly’ once or twice in almost every sentence. The worst part is that despite being engrossed in the match, I find myself cringely waiting for the next ‘certainly.’

‘Definitely’, is yet another much over-used ‘crutch word’ in all types of general conversation.

Brian Cowen’s “we are where we are”, Michael Martin’s “going forward” and Leo Varadkar’s “people who get up early in the morning”, have all entered the realm of other people’s fillers when they cannot think of anything fresh to say. Indeed these are fall-back ‘crutches’ which have lasted a long time.

Have I used ‘virtually’ here yet? This is another word bandied about as a bit of dressing on a sentence. I almost forgot the most common crutch word on the planet. It transcends all borders and is pronounced the same in every language. The word is ‘ummm’. Here we have a very forgivable ‘filler’. We are all inclined to go ‘ummm’ when we are trying to think of what to say next. I enjoyed a couple of pleasant years in Toastmasters years ago and the first thing it teaches you is to eliminate, or at least reduce your ‘ummms’ There are some crutch words we cannot use in this respectable newspaper. These were once deemed to be the sign of a limited vocabulary – but any of you who watch Bill Maher or John Oliver, will see how far this theory has been debunked,

Brian Cowen’s “we are where we are”, Michael Martin’s “going forward” and Leo Varadkar’s “people who get up early in the morning”, have all entered the realm of other people’s fillers when they cannot think of anything fresh to say. common crutch word: And on this one, I shall leave you with a chuckle.

‘but’ and more of the story!

A smile is the same in all languages.

We may or may not be close to another election in Ireland. Whenever it comes, you can ‘rest assured’ (Janey … there goes another one!) that these old reliable crutch words will be dusted down by the politicians. ‘On the ground’ and ‘on the doorstep’ will preface the answer made to any query by a reporter. I hope that nobody goes ‘doubling up’ ‘on the doorstep’ and finishes up ‘on the ground!’

‘Personally speaking’ in ‘real time’ sounds a lot safer to me … ‘personally speaking!’

I had a friend, Billy O’Callaghan, in Canada in one of my other lives. Billy was a character in the mould of our recently departed ‘La Zenia Legend’, Tomas. Billy too had that rare gift where he could say anything to anybody without offending them.

Billy’s work partner had a bad stammer, and it needs to be said, they were great friends on and off the job. Anyway, Don would start telling Billy something and half way through he would get stuck on “but …. Bb .. but …b .. but. This is where Billy interrupted with; “less of the ‘but’ please, and more of the story!!”

‘But’ can be overused in a sentence and serves as a

In future this column will strive for less of the

June bursts of bloom with lavender-blue trumpet-shape flowers

THE spectacular jacaranda tree is enjoyed all over the world - especially on the Costa Blanca with its micro-climate!

With a barren of leaves for 10 months of the year, in May and June the trees burst into bloom, with a solid covering of lavender-blue trumpet-shape flowers at the tips of branches.

Jacaranda prefer a sandy soil with good drainage - and love to bask in full sunshine. Fast growing it can grow up to 18 metres, with a branch span just as wide.

Don’t Forget

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

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

A native to Mexico, Caribbean and South America, jacaranda require regular watering - allow to dry out in between in the early days. Prune regularly in early spring time.

Upon planting, choose wisely, as when flowers drop, they will need to be raked up, due to becoming slimy as they decompose and can potentially cause damage to the surrounding garden.

Note the flowers, seeds and nectar are very poisonous and all parts of the plant can cause irritation and pain in the mouth, if chewed.

The sap and bulb are especially toxic to children.

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UK Cancels Summer

11

The causes of the explosion in the villa are still being investigated

New UK quarantine rules jeopardise holiday flights - By Andrew Atkinson Britain’s three biggest airlines filed papers in the High Court last Friday in a bid for a judicial review of the UK government’s quarantine laws, currently requiring a 14 day isolation period for people arriving in the country.

With UK flights set to return to and from Spain on July 1, British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair claim the rules, which came into effect on June 8, are flawed and will cost thousands of jobs.

The airlines initially sent a letter to the government in the first week of June to start their legal challenge and court proceedings, with a request for a hearing as soon as possible.

Briefings have reportedly taken place that air bridges, allowing travel between the UK and some other European countries could be established by the end of June, but the airlines say they have not yet seen any evidence of how and when they would be implemented.

The trio are urging the government to revisit a policy briefly introduced in March - that targeted passengers entering from high-risk countries for quarantine.

“This would be the most practical and effective solution and enable civil servants to focus on other, more significant issues arising from the pandemic while bringing the UK in line with much of Europe which is opening its borders mid-June,” The airlines’ chief executives have been outspoken in their criticism of the rules. Willie Walsh, the boss of BA’s parent company IAG, has described them as irrational and disproportionate, while Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary has said they are nonsense.

Woman dies after an explosion in her Orihuela Costa home In the legal filing, the airlines argue that the rules are more stringent than those applied to people who have Covid-19 and leave their home.

The victim, apparently, suffered from Diogenes syndrome and because of the accumulated waste the flames spread throughout the house very quickly

And that there was no consultation on the policy and no scientific evidence provided to support it; that exemptions for commuters undermine the policy, and that the government is seeking to ban travel to and from countries with lower infection rates than the UK.

A 69-year-old German woman has died following an explosion and subsequent fire at her home in Orihuela Costa. One of the victim's dogs has also died.

Home Secretary, Priti Patel, said the rules are guided by the science and necessary to help prevent a potential second wave of coronavirus.

Most UK passenger flights have been grounded since the end of March, and the carriers say the quarantine rules jeopardise their plans to start increasing holiday flights in July. The government has said the rules will be reviewed on June 29.

The fire occurred at 8.40 on Friday morning on la calle Amadeo Vives in Villamartín, according to the Provincial Fire Consortium. fire crews moved to the scene of the explosion, in addition to the Local Police and paraamedics, who treated the trapped victim inside the house.

Two Local Police officers were the first to arrive on the scene and attend to the

woman, who was trapped and seriously injured. The emergency services tried to revive her, but, unfortunately, the woman passed away. Medical staff also treated a 38-year-old firefighter for smoke inhalation. Subsequently, he was transferred in the Basic Life Support ambulance to the Quirón Hospital in Torrevieja.

The causes of the explosion in the villa are still being investigated, but the rapid spread of the flames throughout the house would likely have been due to the amount of garbage and personal belongings that had accumulated inside. A spokesman at the scene said that the victim, apparently, suffered from the behavioural disorder Diogenes syndrome.

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Seventies star Ricky Valance passes away after battle with dementia Best known for just the one major hit, his cover of Ray Peterson's US hit Tell Laura I Love Her, Valance was the very first Welshman to have a solo number one.

Journey! not Taken

On it’s release in 1970 the song went straight to number one in the UK charts beating Elvis, Cliff and Roy Orbison on the way.

Born David Spencer in 1940 in Ynysddu, in the Sirhowy Valley in South Wales, he was the eldest of seven children. On leaving school he tried various jobs before joining the RAF aged 17.

On his release from the RAF he decided to pursue a career in singing. He signed to EMI and recorded the cover of Ray Peterson's US hit ‘Tell Laura I Love Her’ which sold over 7 million copies across 14 countries.

It was controversial at the time and reportedly banned from airplay by the BBC, but it still spent 16 weeks in the chart, three of those at number one.

After a successful career in UK Ricky and his wife retired to Spain where they intitally settled in Cabo Roig.

Ricky was a regular at La Finca de Eduardos Restaurant It has been confirmed that Welsh singer Ricky Valance has died at the age of 84.

The 70's star had been diagnosed with dementia and had been in hospital since before the start of lockdown.

He continued working throughout his retirement and became a regular visitor to the offices of the Leader where we had many long chats. He often appeared on our sister radio station Exite Radio and it was always a great pleasure to listen to his wise words.

Ricky was good enough to sing at my mother’s 80th birthday party which we held at La Finca de Eduardos Restaurant and she still talks about his wonderful performance to this day.

Ricky eventually moved back to UK in 2015.

Searching for an Unsung Superwoman Teacher suggested?

Has your child a new curiosity, a new passion for learning?

Has your child become more enthusiastic about learning because of something the teacher suggested or did?

Is the teacher like a candle lighting the way?

Can your child tell you what makes one of their teachers special during these past two months?

Let the EUW Marina Alta know. Send your nominations by personal message on our Facebook group European Union of Women Marina Alta or email euwmarinaalta@gmail.com. The competition closes at the end of June.

Lockdown has been particularly difficult for children who needed to quickly adapt to home schooling and being isolated from their friends. Teachers have had to make speedy changes too as they learn to control a ‘virtual classroom’ and teach online.

That is why the European Union of Women Marina Alta has launched a competition to find an ‘Unsung Superwoman Teacher’ who has gone that extra mile and truly inspired their children.

Has she made her lessons 'sing' with enthusiasm, stories and wacky ideas?

Has your child been inspired by something she

The European Union of Women is a non-governmental organisation of women with a special purpose, bringing together the people of Europe in peace and prosperity through co-operation and friendship. EUW Marina Alta is the newest branch of Mujeres en Igualdad, which is the Spanish section of EUW, the European Union of Women.

I

t was after the second World War when the ‘Urney’ family, (and as everyone knows that means ‘first’ in ancient Greek) along with their young son ‘Jo,’ moved away from their motherland of Greece and settled in the U.K. Up to that period and for three generations before, they were recognised as business people in dairy farming.

Following their losses at the hands of the invader of their homeland they salvaged what they could and managed to set up a similar business in Southern England.

As the British in the nineteen fifties struggled to recover from the period of conflict, of the previous decade and were starting to flourish, so did the Greek family. They were very proud of the fast delivery service of dairy products where their milk carts would go out daily to serve their customer, it was often said “Urney’s had the fastest milk carts in the West.”

Their son ‘Jo’ was a sad disappointment to his parents as he refused to follow in their footsteps and became the first ‘Urney’ to ignore the family

business and go out in the world and earn a living other than in the dairy industry. As a child, and as a result of the original travelling away from the family’s homeland, the desire to travel had been induced in him.

Jo scoured the newspapers looking for work that included travelling and was content when he managed to gain a post as a ‘Client Service Manager’ with a shipping company. He was not too disappointed when he realised it was a ferry company and what he thought was a very important job turned out to be a steward standing behind a bar serving drinks, and all the other chores of clearing up that went with it. Nevertheless, he persevered with his employment.

From a very young boy Jo had been fastidious in keeping a diary and each day before retiring he would make notes of the activities hour by hour. The ferry, with him on board, travelled back and forth to France on a daily basis. Jo, besides serving, made notes of the actions and deeds of the travelling public.

In his twentieth year of working on the ship and finally being

promoted to Purser, he gathered up his writings and put them into book form. It was A5 in size with an attractive red cover and the name ‘Journey’ flourished in Gold print across the front of the finished item. It looked impressive.

He had a large number of them printed and travelled around the small shops delivering them, on the understanding the owners of each individual business would pay him, when he called on them at a later time, for the ones they had sold.

The first week came to an end and he set off to collect the revenue. At the first small shop on a corner, with its wares displayed to the front also adverts plastered over the windows describing its stock, he pushed the door, as it opened it set off a bell attached to the top of it on a spring,.

Behind the counter was Mr Singh, wearing a coloured turban on his head and who was serving a customer. He looked up at the sound and with a long face and shaking his head saying in broken English “Journey! not taken.”

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15

hildren over 12 years of age will go to school on alternate days if social distancing cannot be guaranteed. This was the recommendation that the Ministry of Education made to communities in a document that was distributed recently.

C

address an educational reconstruction plan that includes the investment in teachers and infrastructure.

CC OO also applauded the proposal and asked that the alternation in Secondary does not suppose an additional workload for the teaching staff.

The Government is recommending a blended model of education with rotating shifts when it is not possible to ensure 1.5 metres

The Ministry of Universities, however, has raised its own proposal also based, like that of Education, on a Health report. But in this case a mixed model is proposed. In the event that the distance of 1.5 metres cannot be respected, the Ministry recommends opting for a system that combines online and face-to-face classes, suggesting that they all be transmitted electronically so that the rest of the students can follow them live, via videoconference.

The document presented by the Ministry of Education for the organization of the next school year has been widely accepted across the country, with the Valencian Community also confirming it’s concurrence on Thursday, along with the rest of the communities, apart from Madrid and the Basque Country.

In the event that this alternative is adopted, they should "Periodically rotate between students who receive the teaching in person and those who receive it by videoconference". Wearing of face masks will also be mandatory.

The proposal, a minimum agreement, is included in a 14-point document the aim of which is to ensure the school and university attendance of students.

The document also recommends that 100% of the Infant and Primary students attend class normally, every day and with their usual schedule. They will also have canteen and school transport services.

For Secondary, Baccalaureate and FP students, those over 12 years of age, a model has also been proposed, based on attendance, but which will mean that class attendance is on alternate days, since with these courses it is more difficult to safeguard the safety distance of 1.5 metres with an average of 30 students per class.

The classroom will be divided into two groups.

One of them will come to class one week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and the other, on Tuesday and Thursday. The following week they will reverse so that they receive the same teaching load. The remaining days will be spent at home carrying out whatever coursework the teacher has set.

Death of 3 year old boy in pool tragedy

Alternate day schooling for children aged 12 and above The advantage, according to the Ministry, is that the groups will be smaller and the teacher's will provide more attention. The hiring of additional teachers and the expansion of facilities will also be avoided. The document focuses on more generic points such as the recommendation of safety and hygiene measures as well as confirmation that the course will have 175 school days.

Those attending the meeting showed an almost

unanimous desire that the school be restarted in September with the attendance of students.

The president of Feceval, Alberto Villanueva, supported the proposal to recover face-to-face attendance as did the spokesman for the Confederation of AMPA, Gonzalo Anaya, who pointed out that it is necessary to recover the "face-to-face" educational space as a place of reunion and shared and socializing learning. CSIF raised the need to

A 3 years boy lost his life on Wednesday after falling into a swimming pool in the Alicante town of Callosa d'en SarriĂ . Despite the efforts of the medical team to revive him for over an hour, nothing could be done to save his life.

According to sources from the Emergency Information and Coordination Center (CICU), the accident ocurred around 6.30 pm on Wednesday evening, when they were alerted to deal with a child who was in cardiorespiratory arrest due to drowning.

The medical services were trying to resuscitate the boy for more than an hour but unfortunately there was no response and the boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

16

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Car Sales The Car of the Month at Automoviles Crespo is a 2016 Ford Kuga petrol which is on Special Offer priced at just 16,900 euro. Come along to our showroom in Elche and see our vast range of used cars or call 96 666 22 60 for all our latest offers.

The biggest and best for price, choice and quality.

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

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

Meetings are currently postponed during the current crisis.

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

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

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

Or you can email: costablanca@ageconcern.org.es Almoradi Meal Club. If do you fancy a meal out and meeting new friends, come and join our English speaking club. We have twice monthly meals at various restaurants in and around Almoradi. For info go to FaceBook or contact me at davedanie@gmail.com.

Badminton in Pilar de la Horadada.

Mon, Tues, Wed and Thurs.

10-12.30 pm. Call John on 634 658 506 ...currently postponed Royal Naval Association, Torrevieja Branch now meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 1700 (5pm) at CHE LOCO bar/restaurant, El Chaparral urbanisation, Torrevieja. For more information please contact Chairman Tony Jenkins on 693 866 709, Vice Chairman Danny Kay on 966716274 or Secretary Margaret Forshaw on 966 92 1966. ...currently postponed Royal Air Force Association Costa

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

Contact our head office on 965 328 794 or email: charitycentre helpathomecb@gmail.com.

Curious about the work of Samaritans in Spain? Have a few hours a week to help with the charity shop, fundraising or admin? Come and join us for a chat at our Centre in the Punta Marina Shopping Centre.

Volunteers are unpaid but expenses are met. Email: spainsamsrecruits@outlook.com The Orihuela Costa Drop In Centre is in C/Cipres, Lomas de Cabo Roig, where we can offer you a full range of activities Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Info available at: oc.communitycare@gmail.com

Churches and Services La Siesta Evangelical Church hold services each Sunday.

Our 11.15am Services are held every 2nd and 4th Sunday in the month (and on the 5th Sunday, if this applies.) On the 1st and 3rd Sunday’s our Services are at 9.30 am. Our choir sings at our 11.15

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am Services and there is also a Sunday School, Stepping Stones, on these Sundays. For info see www.lasiestaevangelicalchurch.org The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) in Torrevieja meet at 10.00 each Sunday in their chapel at Rambla Juan Mateo Garcia, 104. All Welcome. You can phone or whatsapp the missionaries on 667 533 597..

International Christian Assembly, Calle Urbano Arregui, 23, Torrevieja - Evangelical nondenominational church. Sunday service 11a.m.; Sunday school; Prayer meetings; craft and computer clubs. Ladies Bible Study: Thursday 11a.m. Church Bible Study: Thursday 1.30p.m. House groups in Torrevieja, La Siesta – Contact: 966 752 543 / 617 215 463. Phone: 966 799 273 / 966 752 543 / 617 215 463.

BENIDORM GHOST TOWN - Seeing is believing, a moment in history Reporter Andrew Atkinson speaks to Ian and Tracey Billing, who took a trip to Benidorm after the easing of the phased coronavirus lockdown restrictions, only to see empty beaches and deserted streets.

"WHO knows what the next few weeks may bring - when visitors from outside the province begin to arrive,?" said Ian, from Rada De Moraira, Valencia.

With protocol of face masks mandatory, Tracey said: "We walked down to the indoor market to collect the face masks I had ordered - fairies and unicorns!

"We then had a walk from the Levante end along the sea front - we cannot imagine seeing the beach empty in June ever again.

"We walked back up Calle Gerona, which is usually bustling with the tourists and nightlife, all oddly quiet."

With the usual scene of holidaymakers unable to travel to Spain at present, Ian said: "We drove down to the old town and had a wander around the Dove Park and the shopping streets - the only shop we went in was predictably a shoe shop, as a pair caught Tracey's eye!"

Finding somewhere open to eat proved difficult: "We settled on a French/Swiss restaurant in the Old Town, where we had great service, with all coronovirus health and safety precautions undertaken.

"It was lovely food - we even got a free dessert - a yummy pannacotta that was brought out without us asking for it," said Tracey.

Ian said: "All in all, while it was sad and strange to see Benidorm so forlorn, I'm glad we went.

"It's another moment in history, that hopefully will never be repeated in our lifetime. Seeing is believing, as the case may be."

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Alicante-Elche airport estimates that it will not recover until 2023

T

he director of the Alicante-Elche airport, Laura Navarro, has said that the facility will not reach 15 million passengers, the number handled in 2019, until 2022 or 2023 after the "disruption" that has been caused by the coronavirus. "It is a period of great uncertainty," she said, when speaking to the media during the visit of Community President, Ximo Puig.

Navarro said that the airlines are "beginning to take to the air in July", but they will most certainly be nowhere near to their capacity”. "It is clear that we are not going to recover the 15 million throughput of passengers until 2022 or 2023; but the important thing is to start working again as we strive for those days, to recover and start to move little by little, but within the stipulations placed on us by health and security," she said.

In 2019, the airport broke its record twice: in November when it reached 14 million and then on December 20 when it reached 15 million passengers, which made it the fifth largest airport in Spain, in terms of passenger numbers.

During the visit Ximo Puig said that "it is not necessary to have gone to Cambridge or Oxford make those predictions." "This year is going to be a bad year," he said. From the Generalitat what we aim for is that "as quickly as possible" the airport is once again able to "accommodate all the flights that can provide it with some life". However, Puig also said that it is "logical that reactivation is not going to happen all at once," adding that July and August "do not have to be completely bad."

"Depending on the virus disappearing from our lives, reactivation will become a reality, the best asset we have at the moment is health and security, "he said.

Cautious about opening borders Puig told the press that he is "extremely cautious" when opening borders for the arrival of European tourists and has called for the establishment "as quickly as possible" of a European environment that allows mobility after studying the pilot project that will take 6,000 German tourists to the Balearic Islands.

In this regard, he commented that the

Airport Chief Excutive Laura Navarro on Monday, with Community President, Ximo Puig.

Valencian Community has requested that something similar can also be achieved "with other countries".

However, the epidemiological circumstances of the British market, the main

supporter of the Costa Blanca, "is not the same" as the German one. "We hope that as quickly as possible, a European normality can exist because it will guarantee safe mobility."

Puig has described the initiative of the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, and the Italian Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte, as "very positive".

Local activist and a thorn in side of Orihuela’s politicians Liam checking out the micro reserve in Aguamarina with the Councillor for the Environment Damaso Aparicio One person who has done more than most to ensure that the many deficiencies of the Orihuela Costa remain constantly in public view is a 25 year old Welshman, Liam Kiley, a resident of Las Filipinas Elected last year to the Orihuela District Board X, representing the Orihuela Costa, fluent Spanish speaker Liam works as a local activist and a political gadfly, as he continues to be a constant thorn in the side of Orihuela’s political elite.

In recent months he has been increasingly praised for making his civic views well-known to those politicians and groups representing all sides.

Liam quite clearly identifies with the many problems that residents suffer from on the coast, and often speaks out about the poor level of services that they receive from the Orihuela City Council.

He feels that as a resident of the Orihuela Costa he has an obligation to do whatever he can to improve the situation, to keep the politicians ‘on their toes’ and he does this by working hard every day, to identify the many deficiencies, to report them to the municipal council and to regularly remind them of their obligation to the residents

that they were elected to serve.

He is a major contributor to the Facebook page ‘AVCRL Asociación de vecinos Cabo Roig y Lomas’ and during the current pandemic Liam has spent many long hours translating government text into English for the benefit of the expatriate community.

Many of his posts have subsequently been posted on local WhatsApp groups across the area, so, without knowing, you will most certainly have benefitted from the information that he has shared.

Liam is a real find for the people of the local area, and he is already better known than most elected officials.

He is a young man who intends to make a difference and as he continues to work hard behind the scenes on your behalf, he deserves the support of us all, as he strives to achieve a level of quality in the provision of services and infrastructure appropriate to our needs. Speaking to the Leader he talks only of his one ambition, that of “making the Orihuela Costa a better place for us all, in which to live.”

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CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

QUICKIE CROSSWORD

ANSWERS Week 818

ACROSS 6.

Endanger (7)

7.

Conscious (5)

9.

Repeated (5)

10.

Vocation (7)

12.

Genuinely (11)

14.

Quarrel (11)

18.

Unite (7)

19.

Journal (5)

21.

Carouse (5)

22.

Stupid (7)

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 22

DOWN 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

8.

11.

13.

15.

16.

17.

20.

Picture (5) Area (6) Excavate (3) Dozen (6) Dispute (7) Disobedient (7) Ancestry (7) Everywhere (3,4) Symbol (6) Hateful (6) Deception (5) Cheerful (3)

QUICK ACROSS: 1 Desolation; 7 Outer; 8 Success; 10 Ordinary; 11 Halt; 13 Remote; 15 Befell; 17 Else; 18 Pendulum; 21 Snippet; 22 Begin; 23 Antecedent.

DOWN: 1 Dated; 2 Serenity; 3 Lustre; 4 Tact; 5 Operate; 6 Colourless; 9 Settlement; 12 Readable; 14 Mission; 16 Fettle; 19 Light; 20 Apse.

C RY P T I C A c r o s s : 1 Regulation; 7 India; 8 Unusual; 10 Carriage; 11 Pert; 13 Silent; 15 Better; 17 Inch; 18 Beetroot; 21 Neither; 22 Order; 23 Art gallery.

DOWN: 1 Rider; 2 Gradient; 3 Lounge; 4 Tour; 5 Opulent; 6 Discussion; 9 Literature; 12 Bestrode; 14 Luckier; 16 Petrol; 19 Oddly; 20 Chug.

ACROSS 6. A grave ceremony (7) 7.

Set great store by (5)

9.

A gesture one doesn't care to make (5)

10. Staying in accommodation (7) 12. Show what discontented groups do (11) 14. Mistakes one cannot make twice (5,6) 18. Retired train-bearer? (7) 19. Religious retreat for sailor and Turk (5) 21. A poem that could shock? (5) 22. Sort of clip found at the end of a lead (7)

L EA D E R T R I V I A Q U I Z 1. Which animal is usually used to depict the eternal Ouroboros symbol?

2. A very very successful band and the name given to a Coptic bishop.

3. In which films would you find the following doctors? a. Dr. John MacEntyre, b. Dr. John Hammond, c. Dr. Zira 4. The following are the first words to which songs? a. It was the 3rd of September, that day I'll always remember, b. It was the 3rd of June, another sleepy dusty delta day 5. "As the snow flies" are the first words to which sad mega hit from 1969?

6. Which spiritual, religious or philosophical 'ism' claims everything, including your pint of Guinness, has a soul? First letter "A" 7. There is a famous photograph of Hiroshima resident Kengo Nikawa's broken pocket watch. The watch stopped the moment the atom bomb exploded. What time did his world come to an end on that fateful morning? (plus or minus 1 min) 8. Name the four countries in the world starting with the letter T that are Red Crescent Societies.

9. The RMS Titanic picked up passengers in which three ports before its ill fated collision with an iceberg?

DOWN 1. Have a duty, even if it might be tough? (5) 2. Don't accept that it should be thrown away (6) 3. Left with a thousand to beat (3) 4. He makes a false impression (6) 5. Stone in great pieces (7) 8. Study variety in a partner (7) 11. Anticipate charge for concealing minerals (7) 13. This posting means trouble in China (7) 15. Things to be done in company (6) 16. Tease lad about being coarse (6) 17. Devil doctor in his study (5) 20. She is in order (3)

( A n s we r s o n p a g e 2 2 ) 10. The Italian pasta named farfalle is derived from the Italian word farfalla. A farfalla is what kind of animal in Italy? a. Bumblebee, b.

Ladybird, c. Butterfly 11. Which country has the fastest growing population in Europe? a.

Ireland, b. the UK, c. Iceland, d. Luxembourg 12. Which two symbols are found on the Red Cross flag in Russia?

13. Depending on how it is pronounced, which low or edible strait separates Tasmania from mainland Australia?

14. Russia and European Overseas Territories excluded, in which six European countries would you find active volcanoes? 1 pt for each correct answer 15. With 75,600 km, which continent has the longest coastline?

16. If one includes Russia, what are the three longest rivers in Europe?

17. The Drake Passage separates which two continents?

18. + or - 5 %, what percentage of the planet Earth is covered by land?

19. The highest tides in the world are found in which Canadian Bay? 20. Which remote and hostile place starting with the letter A is considered to be the largest desert in the world?

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19

body else up; result being lots of body contact.

Assuming a front loading plane then the sensible idea would be to board the last rows first and then work towards the front. Likewise if loading from front and back, then start with the middle rows and work outwards. Far simpler and certainly much easier to police.

Restrictions of hand luggage in overhead lockers Good afternoon, Have just been reading your article regarding the banning of hand luggage in overhead lockers in order to reduce the chances of bodily contact. At first read it makes sense but surely a more sensible solution would be to enforce a stricter regime for boarding all aircraft.

Don’t airbrush history by destroying, damaging or removing statues. Let’s use this giant wave of public anger as a golden opportunity for good.

There is good and bad in everyone – the only difference is that in some people the balance is for good, in others the balance goes the other way.

That was seen even in Jesus...but more of that later.

All the statues around Britain and worldwide have been erected to commemorate the good side of the person, while ignoring anything bad the person did.

This is nothing more than hypocrisy. The likes of Churchill and Nelson saved Britain and it’s absolutely right that they should be remembered.

But if those huge greats from the past did wrong then that should be remembered too.

So, instead of disposing of our statues, or putting them in museums, why not put them back on their plinths and on one side of the plinth remember all the good things that person did, and on the other record the bad things.

That way future generations who pass the public statues could read the good the commemorated person did while balancing that with the bad side.

Ghastly as it is for us to think about it now, you and me and all people in Britain have, in some way, benefited from the slave trade.

Without it Britain would not be one of the top ten wealthiest nations in the world and we wouldn't have had the millions from super rich

slave traders and land-owners for public buildings and to institutions.

So it is fitting to say we owe a great debt of gratitude for the blacks who suffered great hardship, cruelty and death in the hands of traders and landowners of the 17th and 18th centuries.

If you haven’t watched some of the heart-wrenching films showing what slaves went though then you should – and if it doesn’t bring you to tears nothing would.

I think Germany was wrong in removing all the statues of Hitler at the end of WW2. He and his ghastly band of Nazis should be on statues with details of their atrocities recorded below, especially to the Jews and races the Nazis believed inferior.

That way history would not be airbrushed or forgotten and would be a poignant reminder for future generations to be very wary of who you elect into power!

I mentioned Jesus earlier. He committed an act of vandalism when he ran amok in a temple when he saw money lending going on...with the church no doubt benefiting financially from the transactions. His motives may be right but his actions were wrong – in just the same way as the vandals who commit crimes in pursuit of a cause.

As a human race we are better than all this. We cannot erase history, we have to learn from it and teach the next generation to do better than we have. That way we can all lead better lives.

At present people fight to get to their seats first and to claim a locker near their seats, Passengers that are in the low number rows block the aisles so that those people in the higher numbers cannot get to their seats and, in turn, hold every-

If this new idea is implemented then major changes will need to be made at the carousels as there will now be more people barging in and shoving to get to the carousel to reclaim their bags and then fighting to get out again once they have retrieved them. A damn sight worse scenario than the current one!

If the authorities introduce a queuing system to get to the carousels, then again there are going to be blockages especially in the height of summer and policing will require a lot of staff.

Back to the drawing boards folks and come up with a workable solution Barry Weston Playa Flamenca

CHARITY GIRLS PAINT THE DAY PINK AVAT (Asociación de Voluntarios de Animales de Torrevieja) Animal Charity A massive thank you to everyone that supported the Mohican cut charity day on Saturday 7th June at the Mi-Sol Bar with Lisa and Lesley.

What a fabulous day it was. Over 2000 euros was raised with more still coming in. AVAT is committed to helping both the Albergue animal shelter in Torrevieja and any other animal that is in need within the area. During lockdown the Albergue obviously didn't receive any donations which meant the pot was getting empty.

Some people think that because it is a council run shelter that the council provides everything. Wrong... The council provide basic vet treatments, but some of the more complicated and advanced treatments have to be met by ourselves. Also any expensive medicines we have to buy ourselves. They provide only dry food, no wet food at all, so we have to buy that, including wet kitten food, formula milk, feeding bottles.

We also have to supply litter trays, dishes, beds and the same with the dogs...any improvements are paid for by ourselves.

Thanks need to go, in particular, to the Scandinavian and British communities for their very generous donations.

An even bigger thank you to Vivienne Woolfitt who had a grade 1 haircut and sprayed pink, she raised 155 euros.

And of course, the girls from Charlie´s Salon, La Siesta. For further information – alberguecats@gmail.com

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Quote: 'I’m like a new Willie Thorne - but with hair! I hope he is doing okay' - Ronnie O'Sullivan

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Real Madrid's home games to be played at the estadio Di Stéfano

By Andrew Atkinson Ronnie O'Sullivan has grown a moustache in respect to Villamartin based Willie Thorne who is undergoing chemotherapy treatment for leukaemia at Torrevieja hospital.

“I set myself a challenge as soon as we were in lockdown. Initially I thought I’d grow a beard," said O'Sullivan.

“But that got a bit itchy. Then my partner said: ‘Why not grow a 'tache?’

“So I thought: ‘Why not for a giggle?’ I might keep it. I’m like a new Willie Thorne – but with hair," said O'Sullivan.

“I hope he is doing okay," said O'Sullivan, 44, fivetimes world champion, playing in the Championship League.

"A few people said I look like Mexican drug lord El Chapo and Freddie Mercury,” said O'Sullivan.

Snooker returned amid the COVID19 pandemic lockdown in midMarch with O'Sullivan winning his first competitive match since February, against Kishan Hirani, in Group 10.

O'Sullivan grows 'tache in respect to Villamartin based Willie Thorne Speaking from the Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes, O'Sullivan said: “We’re cooped up in this bubble here. That’s the hard bit.

"I’ve struggled not having the freedom to go out for a walk, get a coffee, grab a bit of fresh air.

“I was in the room for 24 hours. I’ve had a headache. I have started to get a bit of a cough. I cannot open the windows in my room. It’s important to be in good health at the moment.

“If every tournament was going to be like this and this type of bubble, I’m not sure I would be able to do it.

“There are no heating facilities here.

I don’t mind eating cold food, but I have run out. It’s a bit of a nightmare.

“I’m eating cornflakes instead.

That’s all I’m prepared to eat.”

The Coral Tour Championship, cancelled in March, moved from Llandudno, will take place on June

20-26 - without spectators - at the Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes.

Meanwhile Thorne was again rushed into hospital on Wednesday after being unwell at home: "Willie Thorne returned to Torrevieja hospital on the advice of the doctors," friend Mark Roe exclusively told The Leader.

Concerns continue to surround Thorne following his multiple illnesses since being diagnosed with leukaemia: "I’m awaiting on news from the hospital," said Roe.

Kanoute: "Football needs more than hashtags & campaigns to curb racism" “Racism in sport and society cannot be removed merely by a few campaigns as it is entrenched the world over,” said former West Ham and Spurs forward Frederic Kanoute last week, adding he would nevertheless help Spain's La Liga to fight the menace. "Football needs more than hashtags & campaigns if it is to curb racism"

Kanoute, who made over 200 appearances for Seville, and who is the La Liga ambassador, said he would help the Spanish top flight in its fight against the menace but added there is no room for complacency anywhere.

Speaking to reporters from London, the 42-year-old said he hoped the Black Lives Matter protests in the United States and across the world, after the death of George Floyd, a black American man who died after a white police officer knelt on his neck, would be a wake-up call.

"When I'm asked about racism generally, I say it's much more than football. But if we think we're going to tackle racism because a few high profile players occasionally speak out, we are completely wrong," Kanoute said.

"I think it's prevalent across the whole of society... It will take much more than just a few protests and a few hashtags. It's a long process because we can see it's ingrained in the minds of a lot of people."

The former Sevilla striker added that heavier sanctions for racism should be the way forward.

"The overt racism (in society) maybe isn't so much any-more but the covert (racism) is a big part of the iceberg so we have to keep working very hard... I'm not going to single out La Liga or any other league, it's widespread throughout the world.

UEFA to hold key meeting this week UEFA will determine the fate of its tournaments, including Champions League, in the next week's meeting following a nearly three-month suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The European football governing body said in a statement on Thursday that the executive committee will discuss the future of the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League and Europa League, as well as the UEFA EURO 2020 venues and match schedule.

UEFA executives will hold talks via videoconference on June 17 and 18.

On the second day, the qualifying draw procedure

Inspectors from LaLiga and the RFEF have already authorised Madrid's facilities in Valdebebas for use in six league matches, and Zidane and the players are delighted to be based at Real Madrid City where they will see the season out.

"I'll support and encourage La Liga to tackle all forms of discrimination and racism, but definitely it's never enough."

“Sanctions have to be longer for clubs when their fans act like this. I think clubs that aren’t taking any action should be punished. At the personal level, any individual or coach who has made racial slurs should be banned. If we had taken more severe measures long ago, we would not have been in this situation today,” he said.

for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Financial Fair Play rules will be discussed.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin will hold an online press conference following next Wednesday's meeting.

All top European football competitions were halted due to virus restrictions across the continent.

EURO 2020 got delayed for a year, and will now be held in 2021.

Real Madrid are not going to change their plans and will play all of their remaining home games at their training ground until they are able to return to the Santiago Bernadeau, currently undergoing a major renovation.

There had been some speculation that Madrid might play some of their final LaLiga games at Atlético Madrid's ground, the Wanda Metropolitano, which was offered to them by their city neighbours, but this has now been categorically ruled out.

A spokesman for the club said they will play their home games only at the Alfredo Di Stéfano, and once they are ready to leave their temporary home in Valdebebas, they will return to the Santiago Bernabéu.

The Alfredo Di Stéfano stadium, where the reserve team, Real Madrid Castilla, play their home games, has all of the latest technology, with VAR now completely installed, first team squad sources say, "with dressing rooms, warm-up areas, recovery zones and training facilities which are better and more comfortable than a lot of those found at top flight clubs".

Outcome of Man City appeal not expected until July In February, it was announced that City would not be allowed to feature in Europe's biggest club competitions for two years after reportedly being found guilty of breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.

The English champions subsequently launched an appeal which was heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) this week, finishing on Wednesday, and which saw City’s legal team argue against the two-year ban and €30million fine handed down by UEFA in February.

Despite being found guilty of breaches of Financial Fair Play regulations and UEFA Club

Licencing rules by the governing body's Club Financial Control Body, City have always maintained their innocence.

"At the end of the hearing, both parties expressed their satisfaction with respect to the conduct of the procedure," CAS said in a statement.

"The Panel of arbitrators was composed of Mr Rui Botica Santos (Portugal), president, Prof. Ulrich Haas (Germany) and Mr Andrew McDougall QC (France), will start its deliberations and prepare the Arbitral Award containing their decision.

However Manchester City will

City entertain Arsenal as the Premier League returns on Wednesday have to wait until July to discover whether their appeal against the two-year ban and fine has been successful.

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

LATEST POST COVID-19 GOLF NEWS Authorised use of shared buggies To obtain permission for golf courses to open from the 11th May 2020 the Spanish Golf Federation along with the Golf Directors

Association and the Green Keepers Association lobbied the Spanish Government and arising from this was the covid-19 safety protocol which you see when playing golf in recent weeks.

Most of this is common sense with social distancing, wearing masks, no touching flags, no hand greetings, no rakes in bunkers, etc but by far the biggest problem to date has been the no sharing of buggies instruction.

The problem is that without tourist golfers the golf courses have been reliant on our retired resident pensioner golfers with an average age near to 70 than 60 and for whom walking in high temperatures or paying an extra €15-€25 is not possible.

I can now report that after discussions with the local golf courses the covid-19 safety protocol has now been amended officially to allow the sharing of buggies on the proviso that both players wear

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

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

€80 €152 €94 €35 €118 €100

Course Alenda Altorreal Bonalba Campoamor Don Cayo (Altea)

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

€75 €107 €135 €96 €118 €47

Price €134 €120 €106 €126 €46

Comments Two Green Fees & buggy Two Green Fees & buggy Two Green Fees & buggy Two Green Fees & buggy Green Fee + sgl buggy/elec trolley

Ramblas Results for w/c 8.June.20 And we’re back! (Well at Villamartin anyway) With the Las Ramblas course not due to reopen until early September most of us have been playing at Villamartin for the past two or three weeks and generally giving all our money to Graham Murray. A big thank you goes to all the staff at Villamartin who have made us feel very welcome. Monday saw us compete in our 1st ‘official’ team game since the Lockdown with a 1-2-3 Waltzer. Taking the honours, with a very respectable total of 87 points, were Nora Betts, Nigel Price and Lindsay Forbes. Hot on their heels, with 85, were Nick Campbell, Reg Akehurst and a very handsome local golf reporter!

Whilst the course at Ramblas remains closed the terrace is open for business. Sergio and Alberto would certainly appreciate any support you can give them in these trying times.

round of golf by Richard Connock.

Playing off a handicap of 8 he managed to score 40 points which unsurprisingly took the top spot (He picked up 10 points on the last 3 holes!) Second, with 38, was John Dobson and the bronze went to Mike Brentnall with 36.

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

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

masks when in the buggy together.

Hopefully this action combined with the low season prices for the remainder of the season will see more players trying to get back on the golf courses.

Golf Courses NOT available for play Please remember that until after the state of emergency has ended on or near the 21st June 2020 you can only travel and play courses in your province and as most courses are now open we will now list those courses that aren’t yet open for play: Alicante Province Alicante, La Finca, Las Ramblas and Villaitana Poniente.

Murcia Province Alhama and La Manga South & West remain closed.

Las Pinaillas Lorca Lo Romero Mar Menor New Sierra Golf Puig Campana Roda Saurines Villamartin Vistabella

€40 €78 €136 €35 €68 €98 €115 €35 €140 €84

Green Fee (incl single buggy) Two Green Fees and buggy Two Green Fees and buggy Green Fee (single buggy €15) Two Green Fees & buggy Two Green Fees & buggy Two Green Fees & buggy Green Fee (single buggy €15) Two Green Fees & buggy Two Green Fees and buggy from 1pm

For Bookings and info Mike at info@costa-blanca-greenfees.com quoting reference LEADER or on 966 704 752 or 661 345 931

San Javier's Marta takes to cycling

We saw a superb round from Richard Connock on Wednesday

We rounded off the week on Friday with a ‘Yellow Peril’ plus the next best two scores to count. With 145 points John Dobson found himself in the money again together with Nigel Price, Ken Robertson and wife Liz. Just two points behind them were Mike Brentnall, John Shervell, plus John and Ellen Drakesmith.

Given the strange circumstances under which we are currently playing I was reminded of the saying; A ‘gimme’ can best be described as an agreement between two golfers, neither of whom can putt very well.

Pues hasta la semana que viene Peter Reffell

In Wednesday’s individual Stableford we witnessed a superb

Las Ramblas Golf Society

San Javier football star Marta Penalver has covered 60.55km at Roncalceci-Bertinoro in Italy.

FF Cagliari and former Florentina Futsal player Marta covered the IDA: 30.15km, in 1:38:32, with an average speed of 18.4 km/h, and maximum speed of 35km/h.

The return leg recorded 30.40km km/h in 1:24:55, with an average speed of 21.5 km/h, and maximum speed of 44.5km/h, totalling 60.55km/h.

Spanish international Marta turned to cycling after the La Liga women’s football premier league 2020 season was cancelled, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Marta, who celebrates her 28th birthday on July 12, played in the Menor Sports Association (AD) Mar Menor, and was part of the league champions of the region of Murcia, joining Roldan FS in 2005.

During her eleven years at Roldan FS, Marta, who played a part in gaining promotion to the First feminine division, caught the eye of the Spanish national team in 2015, playing in the V1 Futsal World Championship.

Marta, who joined Italian club Futsal Cagliari in 2016, returned to the club this season after a spell at Futsal Florentia.

LA MARINA BOWLS CLUB REPORT by Barry Latham Bowls again, at long last some bowls to watch or play. Our Captain Dave Hadaway organised a Pairs League to be played on a Friday. Folk chose their own partners and there were some good pairs there. Interestingly and I often make a similar comment—most of the top players played and those who didn´t came to watch so where were the other bowlers who could benefit from watching. I didn´t manage to see all the games as I

didn´t know I was writing a report until I arrived. All games were 14 ends long and as prescribed cautions prevailed.

A really exciting match saw Lesley and Dave Joynes beat Alex Whyte and Tom Spencer in a very tight match 12 ¬ 10.

Kath and Jim Manning came up against a known pair in the shape of Dave McGaw and John Rae and lost 25 ¬ 5. Dave Mcgaw was brilliant, he told me himself.

Steve Douglas and Mo Kidd beat Jean and Paul Tregoing 18 ¬ 4. A good game to watch though. Another good game was played between Carol and Mike Smith (Hope the bathroom is great.) and Shirley Hadaway and Margaret McLaughlin with the latter winning 17 ¬ 12. Another good win came in the game with Cliff Rawlinson and Lorita Rae up against Jan and Pete Parsons with the Parsons winning 15 ¬ 5. Lastly on this beautiful

21

Emerald Isle Bowls Club

sunny morning came Mike and the Anne

Starting on Sat 4th JULY at

Stone up against Garth Slater and Geoff

10am, the old favourite SAPS

Halfhyde. Now I don´t know how true

will return at the Emerald Isle,

this is as I wasn´t there for the start of the

so after your lay off get back

games but from hearsay it would appear

to it as usual 5

that Mike and the Anne were 13 ¬ 0 up

Euro per game with Shoes,

and managed to win15 ¬ 14. What a game. Let´s hope we have some more excellent games next week.

Bowls and Coaching if needed.

It will be good to see you all again

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Queen to miss Royal Ascot for first time in her 68 year reign

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Gary Gibson Lennon: Piggott style riding-short-stirrups, bum-in-the-air!

LEADER Frankie Dettori geared up for Royal Ascot

By Andrew Atkinson

QUOTE: QUOTE 'I just wish my granddad could have given me a leg-up - he would have been so proud. Seeing me return to the Paddock, covered head to boots in sand, he would have said his usual two words: 'Silly-bugger!'

Frankie Dettori is all geared up for the behind closed doors meeting at Royal Ascot after the meeting was given the go ahead amid racing's lockdown in mid-March, due to COVID-19.

"Royal Ascot is here and I am ready and looking forward to it," said jockey Dettori ahead of the meeting during June 16-20.

By Andrew Atkinson We’re trying to make the most of it words of Nick Smith, Ascot’s spokesperson, ahead of Royal Ascot's 2020 meeting.

“It’s going to be different but we are trying to make sure there’s as much compensation as possible for not being able to attend," said Smith.

"It will be a little different this year after the coronavirus lockdown but I hope that the people will enjoy the meeting from the comfort of their homes," said Dettori.

The five day meeting that starts on June 16 will be staged behind closed doors, due to Covid-19, under government legislation of health and safety guidelines.

"The idea is to take as many people as we can through the Royal Ascot experience from their homes," said Smith.

Royalty, including The Queen and Prince Philip, and all owners of horses are among those banned from the track, amid racing’s strict protocols designed to minimise the risk of Covid transmission.

The Queen's absence - of which her runners at the meeting include First Receiver on June 17 - will be the first time in her 68-year reign, that she has not been at Royal Ascot.

Ascot will forward personalised racecards to each owner, along with faux entry badges - stamped Royal Ascot at Home.

A live 360 degree camera has been installed in the Paddock, enabling owners to see horses' final preparations.

By Andrew Atkinson Exclusive Lester Piggott tutored amateur jockey Gary Gibson Lennon reminisced of his time on the turf, when riding Maron at Southwell races almost two decades ago.

"I had great expectations going down to post on Maron at Southwell in 2002 - looking like Lester Piggott," Gary exclusively told me.

Speaking amid the return to racing this month after the sport's COVID-19 lockdown in mid-March, Gary said: "Riding with short stirrups,

bum-in-the-air!"

Tutored by legendary Flat jockey Piggott in Newmarket, Gary who has appeared in films as Beatles lookalike and soundalike John Lennon, and performed alongside Sir Elton John and Sir Tom Jones, recalled: "Coming back after the race, having been behind the field, I looked like a 7 stone weakling.

"It felt like a bully had just kicked sand in my face! that's racing. Maron looked more pissed off than me!"

Gary, who last rode out in Arizona in 2006, said: "It's

not just about winning, it's just owning your own racehorse and riding in your own racing colours."

On the minus side, Gary said: "Five mile runs every night - in plastic bin liners and thick jumpers. Then jump into a hot bath for half an hour!

"How I managed to go from 13 stone to ride at 10 stone is a miracle - and was bloody hard work, aged 47.

"Then, rise at 6.30 in the morning and drive to Jack Berry's Stable at Cockerham to ride out a few barmy horses that nobody else wanted

to ride!.

"I just wish my granddad could have been there in the Paddock, giving me a leg-up on Maron at Southwell - he would have been so proud.

"It came 22 years too late having died of cancer on March 10, 1980.

Seeing me coming back into the Paddock, covered head to boots in sand, he would have said his usual two words to me: 'Silly bugger!".

American trainer Westley Ward had runner Flying Athena arrive at Ascot on June 9.

Michael Bell trained The Lir Jet has been quoted at 16-1 to win the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot next month.

Godolphin's beaten favourite Pinatubo, third in the 2,000 Guineas on June 6, behind winner Kameko at Newmarket on June 6, is featured at the five day meeting.

SUDUKO SOLUTION Fr om page 18

TRIVEA QUIZ ANSWERS FROM PAGE 18:

9. Southampton, Cherbourg and Queenstown

1. The snake. Swallowing its own tail. 2. Abba, 3.

(Cobh), 10. c. Butterfly, 11. a. Luxembourg 1.90, 12.

Three Answers: a. M:A.S.H, b. Jurassic Park, c.

The Red Cross and the Red Crescent, 13. Bass

Planet of the Apes, 4. Two answers. a. Papa was a

Strait, 14. Iceland, Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal

rolling stone and b. Ode to Billie Joe, 5. In the

and Norway. 15. North America, 16. Volga, Danube

Ghetto, 6. Animism, 7. 8:15 (am) 8.15. 57 sec exact-

and Ural, 17. Antarctic and South America. 18. 29

ly, 8. Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey and Turkmenistan,

%. 19. Bay of Fundy. Nova Scotia. 20. Antarctic

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FFCV GIVE SPORTING CHANCE TO SAN FULGENCIO We are fortunate to remain in the same category," CF de Sporting San Fulgencio player Dani O'Rourke told The Leader.

CF de Sporting San Fulgencio will kick-off the 2020-21 season in the Valencia 1st Regional Group 8 after a decision to retain the status quo was announced by the FFCV. With the season having been initially postponed in March, amid the coronavirus lockdown, the FFCV confirmed in May that the campaign was not to recommence and thus cancelled.

"Following the announcement by the FFCV to end the 2019-20 season, due to the coronavirus situation, we will remain in the 1st Regional for the next season. The decision by the FFCV is welcomed and one that makes us very happy," said a spokesperson from the club.

CF de Sporting San Fulgencio were promoted to the 1st Regional G8, via the play offs in the 20172018 season from the 2nd Regional G14, in a campaign that saw CD Murada top the table.

Sporting de San Fulgencio and Sporting Orihuela vied for promotion, with the Rojillos finishing second, four points ahead of Orihuela.

Under Jairo Sousa and Paco Martínez, CF de Sporting San Fulgencio faced a play-off against Algemesí, being successful in winning both games.

Having reached the 1st Regional two years ago the club were in transition and found life difficult in the higher echelons of Group 8.

spokesperson.

"After the misfortune of the COVID-19 we have to say that we are fortunate to remain in the same category," CF de Sporting San Fulgencio player Dani O'Rourke to The Leader.

CF de Sporting San Fulgencio have found life tough in the 1st Regional

"The season was one of very bad results, although we never threw in the towel," said Dani.

Despite being at the lower end of the table throughout the season, with relegation never too far away, Dani said: "We were going to try 100% as long as it was mathematically possible to get away from the relegation places."

After the decision by the FFCV to keep the club in the 1st Regional Group 8, Dani said: "It is a second chance for the team - the people, the fans who are very much part of regional football in San Fulgencio."

Dani O'Rourke CF de Sporting San Fulgencio.

The club struggled during the 2019-20 season, so much so they were just one place above bottom club Monovar at the time of the postponement of games amid COVID-19.

"The 2019-20 campaign was not brilliant, particularly for the fans.

"But preparations have already begun for next season. We will continue to improve and promise to give everything. We look forward to the continued support of the fans, even more so," said the club

Carp R Us Coventry promoted as Champions - Tranmere relegated preparing for the new norm!

I hope everyone has coped well with the lockdown and looking forward to moving out of the state of alarm.

As a fishing club we have not been able to fish matches since March and we are not sure when are going to restart so I’ve written a small update piece for those anglers out there who are keen to get back out on the lakes.

By Andrew Atkinson Sky Bet League One clubs have voted to curtail their season with Coventry promoted as champions and Tranmere relegated following a meeting on June 9.

Rotherham will also go up automatically to the Championship. Bolton and Southend join Tranmere in being relegated to League Two. The League One play-offs will still go ahead,

with Wycombe replacing Peterborough in the top six along with Oxford, Portsmouth and Fleetwood.

League One sides opted to bring an immediate end to the 2019/20 campaign following a crucial vote on June 9, with the final league positions decided on a points-per-game basis.

Their counterparts in League 2 took the same decision.

As we move towards the ‘New Normal’ and what that might entail, Carp-R-Us would like to report on what has been happening with fishing and how things have impacted on the club.

As with all things, the complete lockdown from 14th March brought to an abrupt halt the club’s match calendar for the year. We also had to cancel our monthly club meetings and postpone a couple of social events we had planned.

Gradually, as the lockdown was relaxed we were able to start thinking about when we could start fishing again, initially on a non-competitive basis.

It was as we were making these plans we discovered that fishing is not considered a sport and falls in with hunting, which gave us a whole new timescale.

However, thanks to a lot of lobbying by various groups, we finally managed to get out on the bank again in late May. The club, along with another in the Torrevieja area, spent several days getting venues fishable again and we’d like to thank all those who turned up to help.

The club committee also worked on a series of guidelines to keep members safe and healthy and ensure regulations are met when they are out, these will be further revised once matches can start, which we hope will be once we are in phase 3 although we will not be able to visit some of our venues until phase 3 is finished.

24

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