Torrevieja has one of the best carnivals in Spain

By Andrew Atkinson

Torrevieja mayor Eduardo Dolón has praised the city for having one of the best carnivals in Spain during it’s appearance at FITUR 2023.

"Torrevieja Carnival filled the central square of Callao to Puerta del Sol with colour and magic, with hundreds of people admiring this great show.

"I want to congratulate everyone that,despite the cold,has put Torrevieja at the top,showing that we have one of the best carnivals in Spain," said Mayor Dolòn.

The sixteen year old’s charter

It is about fifteen hundred miles from London to the capital of Ukraine, and life could not be so different. In one, people worry about the cost of living, in the other they worry about living.

Some recent pictures from war torn Ukraine brought back sharp memories. It is the Second World War, I was about eight and a half, the half is important at that age. One afternoon in a class of about thirty boys being taught English by a young lady teacher, there was not a pupil there who did not have a soft spot for her.

Suddenly there was a loud explosion. The windows overlooking the courtyard rattled and the building shook with the shock waves. Shortly after, the headmaster came in and asked if anyone lived in East Road, they could go home for the rest of the day as it had received a direct hit.

I was terrified walking homewards on my own, wondering what I would find, I had seen many bombed buildings in the four years of the war and my imagination visualised piles of rubble. However, I turned into the street and our house stood proud and tall and unharmed. The nasty German doodlebug, a pilotless flying bomb had destroyed a row of houses further along on both sides of the road, rescuers were digging in the rubble for survivors, and there, just like the picture recently shown of bombed property in Ukraine, a house with its side wall missing and the bedroom on the first floor still complete with a double wardrobe and other furniture, laid out as if waiting to be used.

After the end of the conflict the country changed, shaking off the depressing period of the war and shedding its Victorian ways, leading to freedom and the sensual and exciting ways of the swinging sixties. The new dress codes with men and women turned out in a more casual way, and young women in miniskirts and (wow) hot pants ñ Exciting. Despite this sexual freedom, homosexuality was frowned on and illegal, creating a division where gay people stayed under cover.

In 1989, Simon Fanshaw who is gay, with a group of other people, were passionate in their determination to fight against the discrimination that many gay and bisexual people experienced on a daily basis. The group formed ëStonewallíwith an LGB logo (Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual) and the rainbow flag at its masthead, with the intention of changing attitudes and the law.

What happened a decade before may have had influence in that direction, although I do not suggest it was the reason for the formation of ëStonewallí. There was a pantomime running, no singing or dancing, it was in the High

Jungle Cactus showy, fragrant, white flowers

Court. For six weeks it generated daily headlines in the mass media as the hearing was broadcast to the nation and people were agog with the news they were hearing of detailed tales, in high places of the hidden world of homosexuality.

Jeremy Thorpe, who was leader of the Liberal Party and a Member of Parliament for twenty years, was accused of attempted murder, by the hiring of an assassin to kill his onetime lover, Norman Scott. Thorpe was acquitted by the Jury, but the assassin was jailed for two years. As I have indicated, it may or may not have had some influence in forming the ëStonewall Charity.í ëWhile Stonewall started out as a wellmeaning organisation that championed gay rights, it has, in recent years, morphed into a propaganda machine that preaches extreme and divisive gender ideology, under the guise of 'factual' information. It is dogma that is far from universally accepted seeing your sex at birth not as an immutable fact but as open to personal choice.í

Stonewall, with the guidance of Simon Fanshawís group, have achieved what they set out to do, and today gay people have the same recognition in the law as heterosexuals. However, in the founder members words, ìit has lost its wayî and I quote from his statement of the 22nd December 2022, in which he also says he has put distance between them and himself.

He explains in the piece, that one in five blue chip firms in the footsie 100 are paying £5,000.00 per year, being advised on diversity and inclusion by the charity Stonewall. He goes on to say that the charityís influence is in government departments, media, schools and the NHS. They have also published a list of readings aimed at schools, parents and carers, including books directed at children with titles such as ëAre you a boy or are you a girl?í

So, there we have it, a so called charity working in the background to change the very fabric of British lives, It is they who are also responsible for promoting the woke attitude, changing words and their meanings, as seen in hospitals where a woman is longer referred to as a mother but, as ësomeone who has given birth.í

In my mind, confusing the very young about their gender is perplexing, bewildering and dangerous to the individual and the generation of children. Young minds searching for a way forward should not be influenced by dogma; they should be free to look at the world through their own natural senses.

I do not know if Nicola Sturgeon, the first Minister in Scotland, was influenced by Stonewall, but the new Scottish law allowing sixteen year olds to change their sex without guidance, medical or otherwise, was pushed through by Sturgeon. It has been reported she had the casting vote in a hung ballot.

The directive is wrong. It destroys the very fabric of womanhood by legally removing female privacy, it takes away the mystery of the sexes and is open to abuse by the sexual predator.

Imagine Grandma with a very young granddaughter going into a ladyís room to be confronted with a transwoman (man) in a state of undressÖ www.facebook.com/percy chattey

Take care.

Epiphylllum oxypetalum has a plethora of common names - Dutchman's Pipe; Jungle Cactus; Lady of the Night; Night blooming Cactus and Queen of the Night!

A night blooming Cactus that grows on the surface of other plants, from which it collects moisture and nutrients: from rain, the air and debris, collected on the host plant.

It has huge, showy, very fragrant white flowers from spring through mid-summer, that open only once, at night, and typically only last that one night. When pollinated the flowers are followed by 5" long, oblong, purple red fruits.

Its natural habitat is in a rainforest setting, rather than a hot dry location, so will need more water than most cacti when grown here on the Costa Blanca and Costa Calida.

They can grow up to 10' tall and 3' wide, so if growing in a container ensure the plant remains stable. Should it become top heavy, either trim long stems back, or repot into a larger or heavier container. It has no true leaves, but flattened stems that can be easily rooted.

Plant in well-draining soil in a location that has partial shade or bright, indirect light.

Soak the soil completely when watering and water frequently, letting the top of the soil dry out between watering. Reduce watering to 1 to 2 times per month during winter.

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RESULTS FOR 26 JANUARY WEEK 15

Mind The Gap10-2Ck1 Lads

Hub Hyenas7-5Fallen Angels

CC´s Bees11-1Pint Depot Queens

Tipsy Toad Tiaras6-6Domino´s Des’dos

Danny´s Bar3-9El Capitan

Freakie Taverners2-10Tipsy Toppers

Milo´s4-8CC´s Flyers

Ck1 Ladybirds9-3Hub Hellraisers

Angel Delights3-9Leeson St Trotters

League Table P Pts Legs

Mind The Gap1530162

Hub Hyenas1528141

El Capitan1525131

Tipsy Toad Toppers1523123

CC´s Bees1523116

CC's Flyers1521115

Leeson St Trotters1518101

Ck1 Lads151699

Milo´s151592

Danny's Bar151486

Freakie Taverners151483

Fallen Angels151383

Ck1 Ladybirds151068

Domino's Desp’dos15860

Tipsy Toad Tiaras15654

Angel Delights15339

Hub Hellraisers15336

Pint Depot Queens15028

MOST 180´S: Dave Rowlinson CC`s Bees x 4

HIGHEST FINISH TO DATE: 154 - Mario GarciaFreakies

MIND THE GAP V CK 1 LADS

No POTM this week from Kevin Wood, his new SpecSavers possibly wearing out? The badge of honour going to Steve M.Dalton, hitting 1 of his sides 2 legs and plenty of scores. Lads 2nd leg coming via dependable Les Adams and a couple of tons.

Only 17 tons and 14 scores of 80+ from the league leaders, Gordon Cowan nominated for Gap's POTM. His 2x100, 124,95,97 and 2 outs ably supported by Sam Salt's 2x140,125 and James Brown's 4x100, 125,140. Gap will hope their form continues as they face the Caps this week in the cup, should be a real "ding dong".

Hub Hyenas V Fallen Angels

Hyenas looked well in command of this encounter, with a 4-2 half time lead. Nice outs from Jay Wilkinson and plenty of tons from Alan Havelock and Dario Sierra. Graham White 140, D15 and Mike lt then went all Pete Tong for the hosts as Fitzsimmons, Sierra and Havelock despite a bagful of tons all lost to clinical finishing from Billy Dolling, Darren Foster and Jimmy Mackay, now 4-5. Facing defeat for the 1st time this season, Hyenas narrowly pulled off an unlikely victory through Wilkinson, Spence and Andre Wing, Wilko defeating POTM White, Spence earning the same accolade by narrowly taking out Tierney. Wing finding D16 for 2 points.

Tierney a 55 out, responding for Angels.

Cc Bees V Pint Depot Queens

Bees ensured Division 1 status for the leagues main event commencing early March, Queens still searching for their 1st point. The Royal ones do have several individuals who can play a bit, unfortunately it's rarely in the same week.

One who does find some consistency is Lorraine Cox, yet again claiming POTM winning her sides only leg with partner Rachel Broadhead. lt was a one sided affair, nothing outstanding but decent performances from Bees Paul Tollafield, with 3 finishes, Reg Christopher nailing several tons and POTM Paul Christopher hitting 100,125,140 and 2 outs

Tipsy Toad Tiaras V Dominos Desperados

closest to the core in a ´nearest the bull´ decider. POTM´s Dennis Rhodes for getting half Despo´s points (D4, D1, T11-D5) and Pat Schofield for the most 80+ scores (98, 92, 88) and the last finish which made it a fair draw.

Dannys Bar V El Capitan

A fine 76 out from Simon Perryman in the 1st triple wasn't the anticipated stepping stone for Dannys who proceeded to lose the following five. Chris Logan replied with a 70 out, Ben Kernahan doubling on the 20 bed for 1-2.

Logan struck again in the 4th, Vycka Bobinas and Ed K sharing 4 tons, Ed closing on D20, for 1-4. Kernahan D10 increasing Caps lead despite a Bob Smith 125.

Ed K and Logan ensured both points for Caps, prior to Perryman 115, D10 gained Danny's 2nd. Kernahan 81,140,126,D4 just edged out Mike Parry for 2-9, Smith deservedly earning POTM with 100,95,100,D19. Ed K. Caps POTM.

Freakie Taverners V Tipsy Toad Toppers

By Paul Durrant

It was the first time Despo´s came to play the ladies at ‘El Galan’, as last season the Tiaras were unfortunate to get two away draws although they won both matches 7-5. Despite a home advantage, the hosts were not finding their form and went 2 points behind at the halfway stage although all games went down to the doubles.

The Tiaras bucked their ideas up for the singles and swooped from behind to nail the finishes first. including a nail-biter between Captain Steve Harding and Sue Hodgeson which saw the latter get

Toppers were quickly into their scoring stride, taking the opening 3 triples via Graham Solomans D10, Lee Maiden D5, and Lance Hardy D2, Solomans finding T20 with ease. Noel Kenny halted the slide on D16, only for Hardy, D15, to restore Toppers 3 leg advantage. Freakies John Boden and Sharon Frain making it 2-4 at the break. All 6 singles went the visitors way, with some impressive shows from Hugh Galloway 2x100,140,D6, Andy Gildea D10 and multi 80+'s plus POTM Hardy 95,117,D20. Best of the Freakies bunch, Boden, Anette Dobson and POTM Frain.

Milos V Cc Flyers

The hosts lost this one in the 1st half, a 1-5 scoreline difficult to turn into victory. They did however share the singles spoils, the match not won until the 11th leg by John Mckay. Flyers Chelsea

Campbell top scored with a 140 and plenty of T20's as did Dougie Adkins, but POTM going the way of Charles Pritchett.

Raul Rocamora and Cain Garcia were steady throughout, both with winning singles, Milos actually taking the 3rd pairs and 3 of the 1st four singles. Javi de Gea enjoying another POTM finding the outer twice.

Ck 1 Ladybirds V Hub Hellraisers

Ladybirds will be the team to beat in Division 3 after completion of the 1st half fixtures. Having said that this weeks finishing leaves a lot to be desired, 5 of their 9 points finished on D1. Come on girls tidy up.

Hellraisers on the other hand, found any treble almost impossible to find, they did however convert their efforts into 3 doubles, Lesley Dolling hitting 2 for POTM the 3rd via Carol Rowland. Solid darts from Birds Sue Cam, Gina Wood, and Sharon O'Rourke, their POTM going the way of Dons Ralph.

ANGELS DELIGHTS V LEESON ST. TROTTERS

Henni Oortwijn 125,95 and Sue Collins D5 overcame an incredible (against the throw) Mark Farmer solo performance 85,121,121,121 in the 1st pairs, Delights only leg in the 1st half. Farmer had earlier hit 123,95,97, D16 in the 2nd triple. Fine throwing Mark.

Nikki Dean and Winnie Mackay found scoring simple but doubles far more difficult, that was left to Oortwijn and Rita Carr. Outstanding for Trotters were Steve Tilley with 4 outs and 3 tons, and Barry Shingler regularly finding T20. POTM however went to Farmer and Delights Oortwijn.

Emerald Isle Bowls Club

The Titans began the week at home against La Siesta Apollos where they were held to a 6-6 tie, Aggregate of 8776. P Heaney S Elvin C Lindgren 27-11, S Verity Jo Pering

Julian Pering 17-12

Neptunes played at home against Greenlands Chestnuts and slipped to a 4-8 Aggregate of 89-90, M Riley R Pollock R White 24-8, M Oakley M Ellis J Pooley 21-20

Moonrakers travelled to Quesada Rubies and lost 4-8

Aggregate of 70-107, M Nash I Fay K John 19-15 C Leigh G Digby A Fay 15-13

Cavaliers took on top of the table at home and they slipped to a 5-7, Aggregate of 81-84 D Jones M Veale C Lindgren 19-14, P Heaney M Odell A M Gerrard 17-16, N Davis I Grimshaw D Gerrard 17-17

SAPS on Saturdays at 13.15

By Elwyn Morris

South South Alic Alicante Winter Ante Winter Triples Triples

MOND MONDAAY 23 Y 23 JJANUAR ANUARY Y - WEEK 12 - WEEK 12

ENTERPRISE DIVISION ENTERPRISE DIVISION

Country Bowls Flamingos 95 (8)Greenlands Maples 89 (4)

La Marina Pathfinders 78 (6)San Miguel Dolphins 82 (6)

Emerald Isle Titans 87 (6)La Siesta Apollos 76 (6)

Quesada Pearls 95 (8)Vistabella Albatrosses 66 (4)

P P W W D D L L Dif Dif ff Pts Pts

Vistabella Albatrosses103021816078

Emerald Isle Titans11302232578

Greenlands Maples *113112310775

San Miguel Dolphins11281265067

Country Bowls Flamingos 11272265866

Quesada Pearls 102502517064

La Marina Pathfinders *1123230-20050

San Luis Klingons * * 1021227-4647

La Siesta Apollos 1119036-32442

* 2) deducted forfailing to field a full side

** 5) deducted forfailing to field full sides

DISCOVERY DIVISION DISCOVERY DIVISION

Emerald Isle Neptunes 89 (4)Greenlands Cínuts 90 (8)

Country Bowls Seahawks 75 (4)La Marina Explorers 89 (8)

Vistabella Drivers 107 (10)El Rancho Pintos 63 (2)

San Miguel Orcas 105 (8)La Siesta Pioneers 60 (4)

Quesada Diamonds Bye