No 901 Monday 10th - Sunday 16th January 2022
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Keeping people safe and informed for over 18 years - The Costa Blanca’s oldest ‘FREE’ English language newspaper
ALCOY’S 140 YEAR OLD 3 KINGS PARADE ACCUSED OF RACIST STEREOTYPING
ating back almost 140 years, the people of Alcoy, just north of Alicante, dress themselves up as pages.
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They paint their faces black, draw on bright red lips, and dress from head to toe in black clothing Their performance is part of the town’s 3
Kings Parade on 5 January, where they march proudly through the streets alongside roman centurions, dancers, Disney characters and many other people, decked out in their Christmas regalia. But in recent years, these black painted figures, known as pajes negros, have become the subject of heated debate with many people now accusing the tra-
dition of promoting racist stereotypes. During the parade, the pajes use red ladders to climb up onto balconies and deliver presents to the children. It the oldest such parade in Spain with over 2,000 people taking part, around 300 of which are dressed as pages.
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Monday 10th - Sunday 16th January, 2022 www.theleader.info CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 influencers such as Lucía ALCOY 3 KINGS PARADE
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But now the long tradition could be coming to an end as, in less than a week, over 13,000 have signed a Change.org petition calling the ‘Black face’ custom ‘racist and offensive’. The digital magazine Afroféminas, which concentrates on anti-racism and black feminism, has launched the Change.org/StopBlackFace petition calling for "the transformation of the Alcoy parade into a party free of racism" and therefore, "without the traditional black-painted pages that characterise the spectacle. On their website they write, “It doesn't matter what you think you are trying to represent. It does not matter that you think that this way you make children happy. It doesn't matter if it's a tradition. If you paint yourself in a colour that is not yours, it is racist.” They also quote a European Parliament resolution in which the member states are asked to denounce and refrain from "racist and aphrophobic traditions such as blackface" The campaign has been joined by journalists and
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Mbomío, Desirée Bela, Moha Gerehou, the deputy in the Madrid Assembly Serigne Mbayé and the actress Asaari Bibang.
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The pajes getting the children’s presents ready prior to the 3 Kings Parade last week
However the Alcoy councillor for heritage and tourism, Lorena Zamorano Gimeno, says that the black faces are often the parents of Alcoy’s children, who are painted black so that they can remain anonymous from their offspring. She said that “the pajes are the post important part of the parade as they are a symbol of magic and wonder. They are almost more important than the kings themselves, because they deliver the presents. Kissing or hugging a paje is a magical and marvellous experience where the children believe all their dreams have come true.” Afroféminas counter her argument by saying that their criticism is not against the Cabalgata but against the representation of the pages. That is why they have asked to change these figures into others that "respect all people equally". The procession is currently recognised in Spain as a Fiesta of National Tourist Interest and listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
TORREVIEJA POLICE RESCUE WHEELCHAIR BOUND WOMAN FROM BURNING APARTMENT he Civil Guard and Local Police of Torrevieja, with the support of the Torrevieja firefighters, have rescued a 60 year old wheelchair bound woman who had taken refuge on the balcony after a fire broke out in her first floor home.
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The officers climbed onto the balcony from the roof of a Policia Local van, as they were unable to gain access through the main door of the apartment because of the fire. The Local Police parked the patrol van under the balcony after which two Local Police officers and two Civil Guard officers gained access to the first floor balcony by climbing onto the top of the vehicle and handing her to the officers below. The rescued woman and a married couple with a 7year-old child were transferred by SAMU ambulance to the Torrevieja University Hospital where they received assistance following their inhalation of smoke from the fire.
Notification of the fire was received by the Torrevieja-Vega Baja Sur fire station around 10:30am on Thursday. The incident, which could have been caused by a failure in the apartment electrics, occurred on the first floor of the seven-storey Panorama building, located at the confluence of Calle Babor, very close to Avda Alfred Nobel, to the North of the Torrevieja municipality. The fire can be seen to have caused significant material damage to the apartment. Firefighters evicted tenants from the rest of the building, which was almost empty of residents. They have also carried out the work of smoke extraction which was made difficult because the owners had covered the air outlets in common areas with cabinets and other belongings.
Booster for Prime Minister Sánchez The President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, received his third dose of the Covid vaccine at the Puerta de Hierro Hospital in Madrid on Friday, at the same time that he took the opportunity to emphasise the message that vaccination is key to curbing the virus. "This afternoon I received the third dose of # VacunaCOVID19 at the Puerta de Hierro Hospital.” “My thanks to all the health personnel who continue to take care of us and who make Spain a world example in vaccination. Vaccines and prudence are the best way to combat the virus" he said in a Tweet. Despite criticism from the opposition for the lack of forceful measures to face the wave of
infections as a result of the expansion of omicron, Sánchez has always defended Spain's Vaccination Strategy as an essential element to combat the pandemic that has been raging for two years.
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THE SEARCH FOR HENRY GOES ON
Image courtesy Objectivo Torrevieja
Henry Alejandro Jiménez Marín's family were in Plaza de la Constitución Torrevieja on Saturday, where they demanded that he is not forgotten by the authorities after he mysteriously went missing in Orihuela Costa 3 years ago.
"Happy new year my little brother, I love you very much, take care of yourself a lot and for the most that we have left, little brother, I love you very much."
THE search goes on for Henry Alejandro Jiménez Marín who mysteriously went missing in Orihuela Costa three years ago.
"After three years, I still don't know what the Guardia are doing. From the first moment they have done things incorrectly.
Andrés said: "I know that he would never have left the family like this.
"I think that in the Pilar de la Horadada barracks it is a big case. His family were at the Plaza de la Constitución in Torrevieja on They are not trained for something like this, because they lack the January 8, to demand that he is not forgotten expertise." by the authorities. “I think the people who were I think that the people who were with him Henry went missing on New Year 2019 after with him know more than they know more than they are telling, and a fight and his brother Andrés and mother because of the way they have hidden things Georgina were both in Torrevieja to carry on are telling us. Something smells from the start of the investigation something bad,” ......brother Andres. their search for Henry, who was just 20 smells bad. when he disappeared. "I started looking for my brother on January 2 when I received a call from my mother. She said that she could not find him and that he had not appeared to eat," said Andrés.
"I imagine his friends know something because it is not normal. If this happened to another boy, the first thing I would have done is to show my face and tell them that we would help them in everything.
The Civil Guard in Pilar de la Horadada have been involved in the case, where it is alleged an assault on Henry took place on New Year's Eve in 2019.
"If they still have a conscience and they want to help us, they can do it, even anonymously, and if they know anything at all they should not be afraid to tell us. I appeal once again for them to tell us the truth.”
It is said he could not defend himself because he was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and LSD, according to witnesses. The Civil Guard have been informed of Henry allegedly being punched in the face - blows that sounded like firecrackers. And Henry, in a recorded video, asks his mother for help, telling her that he was not well. The Civil Guard has all the material that circulated the night he went missing on mobile phones, including an audio message that Henry sent to Andrés to congratulate him on the New Year.
"I think my brother, unfortunately for us, is gone. The only hope I now have is to know at least what has happened to him and that he has a place to rest." The Civil Guard said the search for Henry is still active, however they tell us nothing because, they say, as it is an ongoing operation, the proceedings are secret and cannot be divulged.
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Light pollution from illegal advertising boards on the Coast T
he Ombudsman has told the Orihuela City Council to curtail the abundance of illuminated advertising billboards in the La Regia and Playa Flamenca Urbanizations, adjacent to the N-332, which “cause inconvenience to the residents and environmental damage to the natural areas of Aguamarina and Punta The Glea”.
Residents on the coast denounce the entire area which they say is plagued with illegal billboards that respect neither height nor disrtance
He recommends that the local administration “check whether the signs have authorization”. If not, a sanctioning order should be opened, and urban legality restored.
The letter is the result of a complaint made by residents that was presented in May last year and is motivated "by the inactivity of the City
FAST - EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONDERS
Council" and its "lack of response" both to the residents and to the Valencian Ombudsman, Ángel Luna González, who throughout the process has made five requests with only one reply from the council”.
The service is also supported by the British Consul in Alicante who is keen to expand the takeup of it’s training across the region. Following the completion of the course the presentation of certificates took place last Friday in the Blue
Residents on the coast denounce the entire area which they say is plagued with billboards that pose multiple problems by not respecting distances or heights, but none so flagrant, they insist, as those cited by the Ombudsman.
Palm Bar on Sierra Golf by the Vice President Gordon Clive and Tony Dwyer. More info on FAST can be had by calling 634 338 110 or at www.fast2016.org
FAST is an Emergency First Response Team operated by trained volunteers on Camposol to provide vital medical support in the interval between the onset of a medical emergency and the arrival of an ambulance.
BITES More than 780 Bankrupt Companies in 2021 A total of 781 companies declared bankruptcy in the Valencian Community during 2021, 47.62% more than in 2020, according to axesor's business radar for bankruptcy and business creation.
However, in the Valencian region a total of 11,903 companies were created from January to December 2021 (+ 31.45%), making it the fourth autonomous region that created the most new businesses throughout the year,
Drug network run from Alicante results in 79 arrests A total of 79 arrests have been made following a National police investigation, "Beautiful operation", into drug trafficking crimes, in what is thought to be the largest drug trafficking network operating on the Spanish Mediterranean coast, led by businessman Juan Andrés CP, who was detained at his home in Cabo de las Huertas. Investigating judge, José Luis Calama, said that almost 3,800 kilograms of cocaine have been seized, the wholesale value of which is around 268 million euros.
They have two fully equipped emergency response vehicles and the response times are typically less than ten minutes. The service, which first started in 2011, operates 24 hour per day, 7 days per week. As well as the provision of medical support FAST also provides free medical training, which is certified by the Murcian Health Authority and in recent weeks, President and Lead Trainer, Barry Hamilton BEM and Tony Dwyer, have been providing tuition in emergency first aid and the use of a defibrillator to the Sierra Golf First Aid Group, organised by Peter Hall and based on Sierra Golf, Los Balsicas, and the immediate surrounds.
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The Valencian region was third in terms of registered bankruptcies last year, behind Catalonia, which leads the table with 1,373 and an increase of 38.41%, and Madrid, with 1,256, 38.17% more.
The letter adds that "we are also not aware of the existence of a license for the installation of these structures." The ombudsman asks to council to review the appropriateness of the illuminated signboards to correct their possible impact on nearby homes and the natural setting. He states that all advertising facilities must be respectful of the environment.
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Puig guarantees support to enforce the COVID passports
Gordon Clive, Tony Dwyer and Peter Hall, standing right
S AT A N I M A L R E S C U E
The president of the Generalitat, has guaranteed the hospitality sector all the support in the enforcement of COVID passports. He confirmed that there would be prosecutions in the face of coercion and threats from denialists or groups. We are going to defend those who defend legality, “said the president, who added that people” have the right to think the way they want, but not to hinder compliance with the law. ”
50 investigations into Mar Menor pollution Murcia Provincial Court has dismissed the appeal of an agricultural company from Campo de Cartagena against the order of the Court investigating the alleged perpetrators of the polluting discharges to the Mar Menor. Nuit is a 3 month, medium cross who is a little nervous. She just needs lot of love, patience and understanding. For more info contact 966710047 (leave a message) or email info@satanimalrescue.com
The appellant alleged that other farmers and companies had seen how the proceedings were dismissed for them and considered that it should be included in that group.
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THAT VINTAGE TASTE OF SPANGLES HARMONY IS BACK Spangles Ladies’ Harmony Chorus has coped well with whatever this pandemic has thrown at them. “The past two years have been unprecedented but we’re a very supportive team that’s great at facing challenges and coming out on top” said Chorus Manager, Lyn Baines. “2021 was no exception!” In 2020 the Chorus turned a negative into a positive by recruiting “virtual” members who, together with existing members, were coached individually by Musical Director, Valerie Lynch. Once restrictions were lifted, and following strict
safety guidelines, the chorus were able to meet again to practice in person, adapting to each new regulation as it came along. The Christmas season is always busy for the chorus, and they were disappointed to miss out on so much in 2020, in 2021 it was exciting to dust off the Christmas music and prepare in earnest. It proved to be one of the busiest seasons so far, singing at new venues in Los Alcázares, Los Urrutias, Cabo Roig, San Javier, Balsicas and Playa Flamenca. “Our feet didn’t touch the ground during December and we loved every minute of it” Valerie remarked. In 2021 the chorus ran two retreats, one in June and one in September, with new and existing members receiving vocal coaching, heavily mixed with a lot of fun. November saw them enjoy their first Thanksgiving Dinner (postponed from 2020), thanks to their American MD. Their second Burns Night, planned for 22 January, is a total sell-out. Other events are planned during 2022 and the chorus is optimistic these will go ahead. “We have had to adapt to an ever-changing scenario in this pandemic and we have learned to take one day at a time, but it’s good to make plans for the future so we keep moving forward” said Valerie. Since its inception in December 2004, Spangles has always supported local charities and 2021/2022 sees this tradition continuing, singing for MABS at Christmas and planned
fund-raising events for Cruz Azul Murcia on 9 February and for Barrington on 17 February.
2022. To find out more, check out their Facebook page: SpanglesChorus
“Barrington has been a great supporter of Spangles and local charities for many years, so we are extremely happy to be able to pay it back now that he and his family need it” said Lyn Baines.
Spangles is a ladies’ a cappella chorus, singing in four part harmony.
Their excellent fundraising team is also continuously working hard to support the chorus in its 2022 plans. During 2021, Spangles welcomed 10 new members, boosting their membership to 33, with a new recruitment campaign in action now for January
They rehearse every Thursday, from 10 am to 1 pm at Centro Municipal Las Claras, Calle Helena, Los Narejos, Los Alcázares and visitors are always welcome. If you’d like to book the chorus for an event or you are thinking about joining them, you can find out more at: www.spangleschorus.com or email: info@spangleschorus.com Spangles singing at Peaky Blinders in Los Urrutias Photo: Gary Beaudin
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DID THE UNIVERSE BEGIN AT NIGHT? A large telescope is on its way to take a look at how the universe began. It took 30 years to get such a project off the ground, which tempts me to compare it with the model plane my pal Ronnie and I constructed out of balsa wood in just 2 days. Admittedly, we never managed to get ours off the ground at all, but I'm just saying. Incidentally, Ronnie's father, Owen McCabe, was a drummer with the famous Jimmy Shand Band, who recorded more tracks than the Beatles and Elvis combined. Jimmy's accordion seemed more like a second chest at times, especially since it was covered in buttons. The James Webb Space Telescope hopes to capture light still coming our way from the time the first stars
and galaxies formed. In that respect, it is really a modern version of a seebackroscope, except for the fact that it cost 10 billion dollars and wouldn't fit into your jacket pocket. What intrigues me is the possibility of the glimpses of history it may provide en route. Will we finally be able to see what size Napoleon was? Establish the fate of the crew of the Marie Celeste? And look -- are those Martians down there, on that red planet? Whatever happened to them?
With this new larger-than-Hubble (x100) spyglass, part of which is the size of a tennis court, could we get near enough to observe Wordsworth swooning over a bunch of daffodils, or the surprised looks on the faces of the dinosaurs as they caught sight of that asteroid
approaching? Perhaps we'll see Tolstoy agonising over names for his new novel? -"War and Prejudice? Vodka? Punishment? Peace?" No wonder he rewrote it several times, daunting as that must have been. At least I never suffer from writer's cramp, except mentally.
The truly fascinating end of the journey might be the moment just before everything started with a bang. The sun wouldn't exist yet, so the universe would begin at night. Will the onboard screen go totally blank, or show constant buffering, like BBC iPlayer when it can't find a programme? With possibly an 'interlude' picture of a pottery wheel and the disquieting words, "Please Be
Patient. The Universe Should Begin Shortly." (Should? Interlude?)
And once we have discovered how everything came into existence (my guess would be on a Monday) can we turn Mr Webb's space telescope around and look in the opposite direction, to examine what the future will be like for our present universe?
Will it also end with a bang as we whimper? Frankly, wherever it ends, I don't think I want to go there. I'm booking a seat on the next rocket headed for the past. And I won't be looking behind me, seebackroscope or not.
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Eurovision Song Contest will cost Benidorm 200k
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he Benidorm Council and the Spanish Radio Television corporation are finalizing the agreement for the 'Benidorm Fest' event, which will take place from January 26 to 29. According to the agreement, the City Council will contribute 200,000 euros to meet the commitments toward running the event.
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Unemployment at Lowest Level Since 2007 The last month of 2021 ended with a fall in the total number of unemployed of 76,782 in relation to the previous month. December marks a new record with ten consecutive months of decreases, the longest period in the historical series in which the total decrease in the unemployed is 902,884 people.
Murcia’s Ruth Lorenzo during the presentation of the Benidorm Fest
The Council, RTVE and the Generalitat, have been working since last July toward the first 'Benidorm Fest', whose winner will be the Spain representative in the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest that will take place in Italy.
The total registered unemployment stands at 3,105,905 people.
All those involved consider their collaboration "very beneficial" and that is why they have opted for an agreement that formalizes the terms of their relations and enables cooperation between the institutions.
Ambulance Driver Thwarts Kidnap Attempt
The mayor of Benidorm, Toni Pérez, has said that the municipal contribution "is linked to the accommodation sector and the displacement of technical and artistic teams."
A quick-thinking ambulance driver managed to thwart a kidnap in Murcia this week.
The celebration of this first edition of the 'Benidorm Fest' will have a significant impact on accommodation in the city, “which has been estimated at more than 2,000 overnight stays during the days of the event.
semifinals and one final) that will be held on January 26, 27 and 29 in which the selection process will be held to choose the Spanish representative at the next Eurovision Song Contest.
safe culture, in which it can be enjoyed ”.
To this figure will be added the overnight stays generated by the infrastructure and technical equipment that accompany the event ", Pérez added, for which work is already underway," so that these stays have an impact not only on accommodation but also on local businesses”.
The three galas, presented by Alaska, Máximo Huerta and Inés Hernand , will be broadcast live on RTVE, as is also included in the agreement.
The Eurovision Song Contest itself will be held in Turin on May 14. This contest has been televised without interruption since 1956 and is the oldest television program that is still broadcast in the world. It is also the largest song festival in terms of audience since it is followed internationally by some 200 million people and televised in many countries beyond the European continent.
As is known, the 'Benidorm Fest', which will be held at the Palau d'Esports L'Illa , will feature three galas (two
Toni Pérez has stated that “everything is already prepared so that the effort at the municipal, Generalitat and RTVE level can already be considered a success, not only the artistic and musical promotion but also that of the city and the Benidorm destination, with a
"We are moving forward so that this 'Benidorm Fest' achieves all the objectives that we have set ourselves," Pérez concluded.
Battle against time for Guardamar’s Babilonia Fishermen’s Cottages Battle against time as once again stone bollards, concrete structures and sandbags placed along Babilonia cottages shoreline By Andrew Atkinson in Guardamar THE beaches of Babilonia and Vivers de Guardamar, between the urban area and the south of the mouth of the river Segura, have seen a plethora of former fisherman's cottages disappear, due to the continuous erosion caused by the sea. Despite attempts to save many historical properties down the decades the strength of the sea has been one battle that has caused the destruction of many properties within the area. Once again, huge stone bollards, concrete structures and sandbags have been placed in situ at the front of a plethora of properties, that lie along the shores. The Ministry of Ecological Transition have acted in the area where there were no standing houses, where at the same time the road has been withdrawn. Guardamar del Segura recovered 180 linear metres of beach in 2021 - costing 220,000, funded by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition, and executed by the public company Tragsa. The move was effective in shielding the serious regression that the coastal profile suffers from the advance of the sea - that has escalated during the last decade - as reported by the Costa Blanca and Costa Calida Leader newspaper.
Historical cottages, once the homes of descendants of family chainlines, are no longer. Scaffolding propped up some, with costly ongoing repairs being the norm for others. Groups of owners have been vociferous with their determined support for help by the city council over the years, only to fall on deaf ears. The Fishermens' cottages fate lies in the hands of the sea. For the time being many remain standing. But for how long? Only time will tell.
Babilonia Fishermen’s Cottages
The observant driver witnesses two people put a man in a car against his will and began to give chase in his ambulance whilst alerting the National Police to the situation. Thanks to his actions, the police attended and arrested three individuals, whilst freeing the fourth man who allegedly owed them money.
Marsh Harrier no longer endangered The Ministry of Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition has said that in 2021 the marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus) population, reached a total of 33 pairs distributed in the three provinces of the Valencian Community. The species, considered in Danger of Extinction has now been removed from the highest level of risk, which now downgrades it’s classification as Vulnerable. “This confirms that the continued monitoring and protection of all nesting sites has been successful in the recovery of the species,” said the general director of Medio Natural, Julio Gómez Vivo.
Murcia to create Great Wetland in Mar Menor Murcia are to expropriate 3 million square metres to re-naturalise the Mar Menor, described as a 'great wetland', mirroring the Tablas de Daimiel - Ciudad Real - to protect the lagoon. The expropriation process will begin, with the Government investing €1 million for the purchase of the lands - partly owned by the Army - and partly by individuals. Regional president, Fernando López Miras, announced the expropriation of the lands in El Carmolí, a volcanic zone located on the shores of the Mar Menor, for its re-naturalization.
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FAMILY DOCTORS DEMAND URGENT MEASURES FROM VALE NC IA’S M I N I STE R OF H EALTH Meeting of the forum of family doctors with the Minister Ana Barceló
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Campoamor Farmacia to open 24-hours The Campoamor pharmacy becomes a 24-hour pharmacy thanks to an agreement that has been reached with the rest of the chemists in Orihuela Costa, as a result of which it will be the only one to offer this service in the area. Counter service to the public will be provided daily from 8:30 am to 9:00 pm aftyer which the main shop will close with the service provided by a bell affixed to an external window with pick-up by car . In 2015 the Campoamor pharmacy was the first pharmacy in Spain to be authorised to sell non-prescription drugs online and it also won the ONCE award for it’s website adapted for the use of blind people. It is also a pioneer in digitization and robotization, with two of the Rowa Vmax 15-meter robot units that manages the entire logistics system, monitored the temperature, controls the stock of medicines and avoids human error in the management of prescriptions. The Campoamor Pharmacy is located on Avenida de la Adelfas 45, opposite the Consum supermarket. Telephone: 965 32 0584 The Pharmacy website is also adapted for the use of people who have difficulties with their sight
They say that the situation in health centers is critical and they cannot wait for the plan due to be announced by Health The Forum of Primary Care Physicians of the Valencian Community (FOMAP-CV) has warned that Primary Care needs "urgent measures" to resolve the impending "collapse" of it’s services in health centers and warns the Ministry of Health that " it cannot wait the implementation of the National Plan " due to be introduced over two years, 2022-2023. The spokesmen regret, after the
meeting held on Tuesday with the Minister herself, that "they have been waiting for a very long time for the adoption of solutions and, once again, they are being delayed." Representatives of family doctors admit that "there have been some minor advances in the provision of healthcare", but that the only response they receive from Health is "direction to the Primary and Community Care Plan 2022-2023, the content of which we simply do not know.” With no involvement in drawing the
plan up, they say they do not know the Primary Care model that is to be implemented, if replacements are foreseen, nor the role of doctors, paediatricians and other Primary Care professionals in any changes.
problems for which we are still awaiting an effective responses is added the high physical and psychological exhaustion of family doctors and paediatricians, which is currently exacerbated by the Covid pandemic situation."
The Forum said that it has a "deep concern for the present and the future of Primary Care because today, patients and medical staff alike have no reasons to be hopeful".
After reinforcing to the Minister "the suffocating, exhausting and demotivating situation of the work carried out in Primary Care, that has now gone on for so long," they said that "if far-reaching measures are not implemented very soon, the situation will inevitably lead to the collapse of Primary Care."
They emphasize that in health centers "we are living on the very edge. To the long-reported chronic
BRITS ARE STILL THE KEY TO SPANISH TOURISM SECTOR Seven times more tourists arrived in Spain in November than a year ago
that it had in 2019, although the uncertainty associated with the new wave could delay the recovery of the prepandemic levels in international tourism, which will depend on its duration as we have seen in previous waves. Confidence in travel to Spain is higher due to the high levels of vaccination in our country, which makes us predict a total of international tourist arrivals in the fourth quarter of 2021 between 10.2 and 10.6 million, which represents between 62% and 64% of those received in the same period of 2019 ".
Data released by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) on Tuesday reveals that Spain recovered 72% of the international tourists in November, compared to the same month of 2019.
The more than 3.3 million tourists who visited Spain in November represent an increase of 54% compared to 2020 and bring to 28.2 million the accumulated figure in the first 11 months of the
year. Spending in November increased at a higher rate, 63.8%, reaching 31,274 million euro between January and November. For the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, these data "confirm that the recovery of international tourism continued its gradual advance in November, despite the increase in infections in our main European markets. Month after month we see how Spain is getting closer to the volumes of tourists and spending
Seven times more tourists arrived in Spain in November than a year ago. The United Kingdom was the main source market, with 597,458 tourists, (17.8% of the total), followed by France, with 496,579 tourists, and Germany, with 479,403 tourists. The main destination for foreign visitors was the Canary Islands (it received one million foreign visitors), where three out of ten tourists went, mainly British and German. Catalonia was the second main destination Autonomous Community, with 604,925 tourists coming mostly from France and other European countries; and Andalusia, with 485,504, coming mainly from the United Kingdom and the Nordic countries.
BITES Google Maps leads to Italian gangster's arrest in Madrid? Police officials from Spain and Italy have arrested Italian gangster Gioacchino Gammino from Madrid, where he has been living in hiding for 20 years. The gangster was caught after a photo of him was found on Google Maps. He had been working as a merchant and cook in Galapagar, a municipality in Madrid after he escaped from a Roman jail in 2002. The shop and the restaurant are now closed, but the police found a photo of Gammino, dressed in his chef’s garb, on a still-existing Facebook page for La Cocina de Manu. He was recognisable by the scar on the left side of his chin.
Govt invests nearly e4.4mn in 4 military Airbus projects The govt has invested €4,395mn in four military projects with Airbus. The aeronautical company is expected to manufacture 20 Eurofighter combat aircrafts, 36 H135 helicopters, modernize 18 Tigre attack helicopters and transform three refuelling aircrafts for the defence sector.
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true feelings sometimes?
Try not to be the ‘Great Pretender …’
Keeping the old poker face when hiding a deep hurt is a very understandable form of pretending. You know that song by the ‘Platters’: ‘The Great Pretender?’ I actually love that song. “Oh-oh, yes I’m the great pretender: Pretending that I’m doing well. My need is such, I pretend too much. I’m lonely but no one can tell.”
Y
ou may have heard this one before but it’s too late to stop me now. When you pen a column like this for so many years, and know so little, (Ah … Lads, please, …‘tis the season to be jolly!) it is likely that you will hear the same story more than once.
That is not bad pretending, but in real life we should be able to tell someone how we feel. The second-worst type of pretenders are those smooth-talking con-men who have perfected the art of deceit.
The story in question is one that has stuck in my mind, from a radio interview of many years ago. I think it was Gay Byrne who was interviewing a guy who had just written a book. The man was a retired concierge from a top London hotel and he had written about his forty years’ experience of dealing with people.
But the worst of all are those who pretend to be a friend whilst knifing you in the back, sometimes anonymously. There is an old saying that; “an honest enemy is better than a false friend.” That’d be right! So, the best advice is the simple message to just ‘be yourself.’ Grow in self-awareness and acceptance of the true you. Be the very best and only person that you can truly be.
It is Gay’s last question, or more importantly, the author’s answer, which stuck with me. “What one thing about human behaviour surprised you most in the course of your career,” enquired the host. The man replied; “The most extraordinary thing about people is that those who have a lot of money pretend they haven’t and those with little, pretend they have lots!” This story just goes to show that people will pretend ‘downwards’ as well as ‘upwards’. There are those who will pretend in order to avoid the limelight as well as the more plentiful who will pretend in order to seek some limelight. Many imagine that pretending to be somebody you are not is a worthwhile strategy. It is not. It is a very foolish path to embark upon and will lead no further than ‘up the garden path.’ You should never have to pretend to be somebody or something you are not. Being comfortable in one’s own skin is a gift that should be practiced. If you want to be better and do better – then do so, but pretending won’t get you there. Personally, if I find myself in compa-
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ny, or talking to someone where I get the slightest urge to pretend, I buzz off and talk to someone else. Pretending to be someone else impacts you in at least two negative ways. First of all you can attract people you wouldn’t have a lot of time for, and secondly, you are missing out on people you would rather be around There are different levels of pretending, and as many different reasons for it. You will come across those who will pretend to like you in order to curry favour, or to get something you can help them obtain. Or they may just see you as the key to a social circle they would like to be a part of. As a general rule, you will see through this façade – and hopefully cop on before you end up being used or abused. Worse than that is the downright dishonest indi-
- Flamingo Flower Anthurium - Flamingo Flower - rewards you with wonderful, long-lasting flowers Anthurium - Flamingo Flower - is grown as a houseplant in cooler areas, but can be grown outside in the warmth of the Costa Blanca. Care for anthurium is easy as they can tolerate all levels of indirect light, however, anthuriums growing in very low light will have fewer flowers and will grow slower. Anthurium plants cannot tolerate any direct light, as this will burn the leaves. Plant outdoors in a well draining soil, they don’t like continually moist soil, as the plant is susceptible to root rot. Make sure to water your anthurium plant regularly, but don’t overwater. Only water when
vidual who makes an art out of pretending for their own benefit. But sometimes we have to be compassionate and understanding in the midst of an acquaintance’s pretending. That is if the obvious pretending is caused by low self-esteem or self-worth. To praise that person’s good points is a nice thing to do – and remember, this category of pretending is usually harmless. But isn’t it fair to say that most of us will ‘pretend; when it comes to showing, or hiding, out
One of the advantages for those of us of a certain age is that we don’t have to ever consider pretending anything. We are what we are; it took us a long time to get like this and we’re not going to change! We don’t give a damn anymore as to what other people might think and we realise that never pretending is a lovely place to be! Don’t Forget Actors are the only honest hypocrites.
Bernie.comaskey@gmail.com
Man Suffered’, ‘The Best of Bernie’, ‘The
*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.
Team’, and ‘Just Between Ourselves’. Bernie’s
Bernie has published four books; ‘If Ever a
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the soil is dry to the touch. If the plant becomes too dry, it will slow down its growth. If the rootball becomes too dry in the pot, soak the pot in water for a good few hours to rehydrate it. To get the best blooms the plant only needs to be fertilised once every three to four months. Once you have the plant in the right soil and the right location, it will reward you with wonderful, long-lasting flowers.
books are available at half price, on sale from either Spanish Solutions or ‘The Leader.’ Call
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LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM
TEAM England 2018 Commonwealth Games Silver medalist Lucy Stanhope, whose grandparents live in Los Montesinos, studies at the University of Utah where she competes for the Utah Red Rocks gymnastics team. "When I watched the Pac-12 Networks’ gymnastics coverage from England, I was amazed at Utah’s home crowds and wondered what it would be like to compete in the atmosphere," said Lucy.
Member of the Great Britain Team, Lucy, 20, joined the University of Arkansas to compete for the Arkansas Razorbacks gymnastics team prior to switching to Utah. Before her official visit, she only knew of Utah gymnastics from watching the Pac-12 Networks. “I didn’t know how much I would compete and I didn’t know what to expect at all coming into the season," said Lucy, who started following College gymnastics aged 13. Utah coach Tom Farden said he learned much of what he needed to know about Lucy, when he watched her compete in Boston in a cold gym. “I was cold and I am from Minnesota. But she never complained about that environment, she was so focused on her gymnastics and I was excited about coaching her," said Farden. Lucy, was also a member of the silver-medal Team Great Britain at the 2016 Junior Euro’s and Team GB at the 2018 World Championships, Having trained at City of Liverpool Gymnastics, she is a Graduate of Bridgewater High School, the daughter of Warren and Wendy Stanhope, and sister to Lewis. Her parents visited Lucy in Utah during the festive season, with Warren flying out on Christmas day to Seattle, missing the flight to Utah, due to a 2 hour delay at the immigration check-in. "Warren arrived late Christmas day night," said his dad George, who lives in Montesinos. Freshman, Lucy, has competed on everything except the uneven bars and has proven to be a steady performer, scoring 9.8 or higher for every vault and has just one score below a 9.825 on the floor. She came up big for the Utes, with her 9.825 debut on the balance beam at Arizona State, helping the Utes stave off an upset by the Sun Devils. Part of Utah’s vault line-up from the beginning of the season, she has arguably made her biggest impact on the beam and floor. She scored a 9.775 against the Bruins to go with the 9.825 debut, which she said was a special moment. “I knew it really helped the team. That made me so happy," said Lucy, an English women's artistic gymnast, and a member of the England and Great Britain senior elite squads. Lucy, who represented Team GB at the 2015 European Youth Olympic Festival, earned her a place in the Team England squad, where she represented her country in the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Queensland. She contributed to England's silver medal in the team competition, missing out on the Gold Medal by 0.425 points. Lucy was selected as a member of the team to represent Great Britain in the 2018 European Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Glasgow, where she performed on vault and bars. The team were placed fourth. The Utah Utes women's gymnastics team, also
By Andrew Atkinson known as the Red Rocks, represents the University of Utah and competes at the Division I level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as members of the Pac-12 Conference. Home meets are held in the Jon M. Huntsman Centre in Salt Lake City, Utah, capacity 15,000. The Red Rocks are the only team to have qualified for every NCAA Championships and have never finished lower than tenth. The team was coached from its inception by Greg Marsden until his retirement after the 2015 season. Tom Farden is now the head coach, after the retirement of Megan Marsden in 2019. The University of Utah became a member of the newly-expanded Pac-12 Conference in 2011, and the Red Rocks became one of eight teams in the conference to compete in women's gymnastics. Utah has won the Pac-12 Championships four times since joining the conference, winning in 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2021. The Red Rocks won the inaugural Regular Season Pac-12 Championship in the 2020 season by going undefeated in conference play; the 2020 season is the first time each of the eight Pac-12 teams competed against every other team in the conference. Utah gymnasts have won the individual all-around title at the Pac-12 Championship seven times. On her rookie experience in Utah, Lucy said: "Gymnastics is so much more fun and enjoyable. It’s amazing to have a team bond in the gym like we have.” Lucy's gran Brenda said: "Lucy gave up going to the Olympics - because she loves life in America. "Concerns about visiting her in America were overcome with the Covid strict measures, with her mum and dad having had the full vaccines, so they were able to go. We are so proud of Lucy's achievements."
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1958 - Jerry Lee Lewis was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Great Balls Of Fire'. He was the only major white rock 'n' roll star to play piano rather than guitar.
his life after a heart attack following major stomach surgery. The 53 year-old singer had been rushed to hospital after collapsing at his Florida home.
1962 - Cliff Richard was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'The Young Ones'. It stayed at the top of the charts for six weeks and made Cliff the first UK artist to enter the chart at No.1.
2006 - An Australian woman appeared in court charged with repeatedly stabbing her partner with a pair of scissors in the back, shoulder and thigh because he played Elvis Presley’s song 'Burning Love' over and over again.
1981 - John Lennon's Imagine’ started a fourweek run at No.1 on the UK singles chart, 10 years after it was recorded. He had two other songs in the Top 5 this week, 'Happy Christmas, (War Is Over') and '(Just Like) Starting Over.' 1984 - BBC Radio 1 announced a ban on 'Relax' by Frankie Goes To Hollywood, after DJ Mike Read called it 'obscene', a BBC TV ban also followed. The song went on to become a UK No.1 and spent a total of 48 weeks on the UK chart. 1984 - Paul McCartney was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Pipes Of Peace.' With this release he made chart history by becoming the first artist to have a No.1 in a group,The Beatles), in a duo, (with Stevie Wonder) in a trio, (with Wings) and as a solo artist. 1993 - Van Morrison failed to turn up at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction dinner, making him the first living inductee not to attend. 2003 - Bee Gee Maurice Gibb was fighting for
Council U-Turn as Orihuela Costa Chiringuito Contract extended Once again a Ciudadanos councillor was over ruled but on this occasion the decision to do so was eminently sensible
2010 - Shakin' Stevens was found guilty of hitting a press photographer with a microphone stand during a concert at a hotel in Ballymena. The Welsh singer who scored No.1's in the 80s was fined £300 for assault and criminal damage and ordered to pay the photographer £479 to compensate for his damaged camera lens. 2016 - English singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, painter, and actor David Bowie died from liver cancer at his New York home two days after releasing the album ‘Blackstar’ on his 69th birthday. During his lifetime, his record sales, estimated at 140 million albums worldwide, made him one of the world's best-selling music artists and in the same year Ed Sheeran's new singles 'Shape of You' and 'Castle On The Hill' entered the UK singles chart at No.1 and No.2 respectively.
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2017 - Richard Carpenter said he was owed at least $2m (£1.6m) in royalties for the hits he recorded in The Carpenters. He claimed Universal Music had only paid the band a "minuscule fraction" of the money they were owed from downloads on sites like iTunes and Amazon. The musician was suing for compensation, according to legal documents filed in Los Angeles. 2018 - Irish musician and singersongwriter Dolores O’Riordan from The Cranberries died unexpectedly while she was in London, England, for a recording session.
The Official Charts Company said it was the first time in history an artist had taken the top two chart positions with brand new songs. awarded prior to the start of the summer tourist season. The decision, signed by the mayor and the general secretary of the council plenary session, which had to be adopted before the end of the year, has been confirmed by the municipal group of the PP against the wishes of its government partner, Ciudadanos (Cs), which is responsible for the management of Beaches.
First Donations handed out from Studio32 Susan and Phillip with the Chairman of the San Fulgencio Man Shed project Barry Wallis
The extension was agreed just a few hours after the company paid its liabilities for 2020 and 2021 into the municipal account, a sum totalling 1.3 million euros. Galindo said that her decision was made in the public interest and that it would ensure the economic, tourist activity and the image of Orihuela Costa.
The Councillor for Contracts, Sabina Goretti Galindo, has agreed "in extremis" a last minute extension to the Orihuela Costa Beach Bar Contract for Chiringuitos del Sol In so doing she has over-ruled her Ciudadanos colleague, and Councillor for Beaches, Antonio Sánchez, who gave the order on 13 December that the beach bars were to close at the end of the year. However, Galindo has said that the extension is only until such time as a new contract has been
As seems to be increasingly customary with the day to day management of the Orihuela Council, Galindo had failed to inform Cllr Sánchez of her decision, so it was only when he sent a team of municipal workers to clean the public toilets on 1 January, that he found out the Chiringuitos and their staff, were still in situ. Nevertheless, Sánchez has said that he will continue working on the specifications of the tender document for a new award this summer. He explained that the details of a new contract are not so complicated since the specifications will be very similar to those that are currently in force.
Studio32 are pleased to announce that as a result of a successful run of our musical South Pacific, we are now in a great position to contribute once again towards local charities. Our Chairman Philip Wilson and our show Director met with the Chairman of the San Fulgencio Man Shed project Barry Wallis (photo) and handed him 500 euros to go towards the project. The San Fulgencio Alzheimers Association and Age Concern will also receive donations in the very near future.
Recruiting for our summer production of Guys & Dolls got underway at an Open Day at Lakeview Bar and restaurant in Quesada last Sunday but if you missed the event there are still lots of opportunities to join us. So if you are interested in auditioning for the show or working with our team backstage then please give Chairman Phillip a call on 602 617 848. No experience necessary as you would be given expert tuition on stage craft and acting'.
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CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
QUICKIE CROSSWORD
ANSWERS Week 900
ACROSS 7. Parentless child (6) 8. Mood (6) 10. Bridge (7) 11. Compel (5) 12. Unsightly (4) 13. Dwarf (5) 17. Emulsion (5) 18. Just (4) 22. Amulet (5) 23. Bauble (7) 24. Saga (6) 25. Watchword (6) CAN YOU MASTER THE SUDOKU CHALLENGE? Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.
Solution on Page 23
DOWN 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 9. 14. 15. 16. 19. 20. 21.
Self-important (7) Shaft (7) Claw (5) Scent (7) Jet (5) Generate (5) Insult (9) Recompense (7) Parcel (7) Feign (7) Chastise (5) Guffaw (5) Inane (5)
QUICK ACROSS: 3 Fragrance; 8 Race; 9 Frivolous; 10 Nipple; 11 Snort; 14 Price; 15 Ease; 16 Tress; 18 Slab; 20 Poker; 21 Ladle; 24 Hiatus; 25 Maladroit; 26 Ovum; 27 Stratagem. DOWN: 1 Transpose; 2 Sceptical; 4 Rare; 5 Given; 6 Allure; 7 Clue; 9 Fleet; 11 Sieve; 12 Talkative; 13 Wearisome; 17 Split; 19 Banana; 22 Larva; 23 Fast; 24 Hire. CRYPTIC CRYPTIC ACROSS: 3 Speculate; 8 Okay; 9 Eavesdrop; 10 Sundry; 11 Utter; 14 Optic; 15 Rest; 16 Taboo; 18 Cede; 20 China; 21 Eaten; 24 Manila; 25 Statesman; 26 Acme; 27 Clergymen. DOWN: 1 Hopscotch; 2 Magnitude; 4 Play; 5 Cleft; 6 Ledger; 7 Trot; 9 Erect; 11 Urban; 12 Reminisce; 13 Stratagem; 17 Ocean; 19 Easter; 22 Essay; 23 Et al; 24 Made.
ACROSS 7. It may remove the cap of the first batsman (6) 8. The boss put the mistake right (6) 10. Creature found in old pate? (7) 11. Delia could be perfect (5) 12. Arguments concerning lines (4) 13. In which you'll find maps of the mountains (5) 17. Boat that rights itself when capsized (5) 18 . Some fearless nobleman (4) 22. Language of the Chindits (5) 23. Clean up Arundel? (7) 24. English county sorted out (6) 25. Instance of eating out? (6)
L EA D E R T R I V I A Q U I Z 1. What percentage of the population of Ireland have red hair? a. 4%, b. 10%, c. 28% 2. In song, who "lives in a very bad part of town"? 3. Cape Agulhas (Cape of Needles) is the southernmost point on which continent? 4. The 12th century Italian Flavio de Gioia is considered by many to be the father of which useful rose? 5. What relationship were Monica and Ross in Friends? 6. Which famous hill is named after Prince Carlo III? 7. Which impeccably dressed gentleman drove a 1926 4.5 litre Bentley in a popular TV series? 8. What year was Google images invented, and what prompted its creation? 9. In most Arab countries Homer Simpon's first name is what? 10. The dockyards in which city were the largest industrial complex in the world for much of the 19th century? 11. Which little song ditty ends with the words "Cyril Connelly"? 12. Charlie Chaplin shared his cabin with Arthur Jefferson on his first Atlantic crossing in 1910. Who was Arthur
DOWN 1. The stance of various troupes (7) 2. Fields mowed as ordered (7) 3 . Purport to be a singer (5) 4 . Money at the top of the column (7) 5. Frequently decimal? (5) 6. Bore with repetitious training exercises? (5) 9. Food made from stale lamb? (9) 14. Servicemen sorting out the remains (7) 15. Air-raid people doing conflict studies? (7) 16. Churchmen going round in circles? (7) 19. It may keep light away from heads somehow (5) 20. I change the rent by not moving (5) 21. Cower when getting the bird? (5)
( A n s we r s o n p a g e 2 3 ) Jefferson? 13. Thomas Tompion (1637-1713), John Arnold (17361799), Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747-1823) and FerdinandAdolf Lange (1815-1875) were all world famous makers of what? 14. Can you name the three original members of The Supremes? 15. Which controversial actor played all of the following historical figures in film? Fletcher Christian, George Armstrong Custer and Gentleman Jim Corbett 16. The largest wine cask in the world, found in Schloss Heidelberg, holds how many litres? a. 2,200 b. 22,000 or c. 222,000 17. xn + yn = zn is associated with which famous French mathematician? 18. Which expression is associated with the fate of the HMS Birkenhead? 19. The so called Ararat anomaly appears in certain photographs. What is it that can apparently be seen in these photos? 20. Name four of the fourteen landlocked countries in Europe.
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Cartagena surgeon has passport seized to avoid him fleeing Spain injuries to the kidney, liver, duodenum, and colon and the intestine, while undergoing the cosmetic surgery operation in a private clinic, Virgen de la Caridad de Cartagena on December 2. It is said that Sara told the surgeon that she already had had a tummy tuck and asked if she could carry out a further cosmetic operation. The surgeon reportedly assured her that there was no problem.
The surgeon leaving the court on Wednesday avier Alejandro Masso, the surgeon who is being sued for reckless homicide by the family of a 39-year-old woman from Murcia, who died a month after undergoing liposuction in a private clinic in Cartagena, has been released after attending a court hearing in the city on Wednesday, and following the forfeiture of his passport.
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After appearing in court voluntarily, following the issue of an arrest warrant on Tuesday afternoon, he was warned that he will incur a crime of breach of disobedience if he does not comply
with the precautionary measures imposed, as requested by the private prosecution. According to sources from the Court, it has not pronounced on the disqualification of the physician, as was requested by the accuser, stating that such a measure can only be imposed in criminal law as a penalty following a conviction. The woman, identified as Sara, aged 39, was admitted to Santa Lucia Cartagena ICU in a critical condition after liposuction with her family has maintaining that she suffered medical negligence which included multiple perforations and
"It is something that could have been avoided, but for the bad advice of the surgeon," said Sara's ex-partner, Ezequiel Nicolás. Following Tuesday’s brief hearing, Sara’s family confirmed that they are also considering extending the prosecution to a number of other people who were in the operating theatre at the time including some, allegedly, without any medical training, one of which was the surgeon’s romantic partner.
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n Alicante there are 134 people over 65 years of age for every 100 who are under 16, and as fertility falls to historical lows, births are down by 3.7% up to November
I
hat a lovely idea, but in my mind not very practical - the flying car. There have been a number of reports of late, also the display of prototype models. They refer to the provision of future travel by the pile with wheels in the garage, so that it can take wings and leap over the travel congestion, taking the owner to where they wish, quickly, smoothly and quietly.
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The fall in the birth rate that has been caused indirectly by the coronavirus health crisis has contributed to further accelerate the aging of the population in the province of Alicante. What, until now, has been a fairly well founded assumption, has been corroborated by the latest data on births and other demographic indicators published by the National Institute of Statistics (INE). There is currently an average of 134.26 over 65s for every 100 people under the age of 16 residing in the Province. Furthermore, the aging index has had the highest year- on- year growth in more than two decades.
The thought is a little mind-blowing, visualising the queue at the end of the street as the neighbours take it in turns to use the roadway as a runway, so their vehicle can get airborne to take the possessor to their intended destination.
The 13,334 births registered in 2020 are not a historical low, as the figure was significantly lower between 1994 and 1998. However, the birth rate is, at just 7.06 births per thousand inhabitants, and so is the fertility rate where, in 2020 only 32.66 births were registered for every thousand women between 15 and 49 years of age. This index is now half of what it was four decades ago, although what is significant is that it has dropped 12 points since 2008, and that since 2018 it has regularly broken historical lows.
That does not seem practical to me, one might as well get in the line at the traffic lights, on the other hand perhaps these things will be designed to take off vertically.
In parallel, the increase in longevity is contributing to an increasing number of older people, and the lower birth rate contributes to these groups having more relative weight over the population as a whole. Similarly, in the province of Alicante we must also add an external factor, the immigration of so-called foreign residents on the coast where, to a large extent, ages are also higher.
That is an interesting thought, can you imagine eight o'clock in the morning a street of detached houses coming to life with flying cars lifting off from their front drives, the downdraft from the rotors causing dust to rise, smothering the flower beds, and if someone was keen enough for an early start, having laundry fluttering in the wind with the smut scattering over it. That last bit is a bit of nonsense; who hangs out washing these days.
Whilst the boffins are studying how to create a car to fly, I read in a report that there are other boffins in the three big names in the electronic industry, Apple – Google – Samsung, all are planning their own excursions into the motor industry, with gadget adorned passenger vehicles. I guess the future is sitting in a car and controlling it with your mobile phone! Of course, the cars will be made by the people who have designed the complexity of the ‘all singing and dancing row of buttons in your pocket,’ no doubt there will be frequent upgrades to the vehicle and after a few years you will need to buy a new one as the one you have will not respond to the new format.
WHO’S THAT BANKER! One of the subjects I have written about in the past is the banking industry who it seems on a daily basis create further restrictions of services to its customers. Sadly, honesty is secondary to these hoarders of wealth as they are not beyond laundering money, as proof, a few banks recently have been fined heavily for doing exactly that. As they are busy wining and dining the wealthy – my words – the man in the
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Fall of birth rate further accelerates ageing of population
A Real Emergency
What is the point of the flying car, I suppose useful on long journeys flying above the traffic jams on the motorways and on arrival at the seaside instead of queuing on a major road to enter the complex, one could fly over the car parking lot and lower the rig down on an available vacant spot?
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street is finding it more difficult to deal with an organisation which by its very name is dealing with money. Ah, but when it comes to cash, no, no, no in many instances it is not acceptable. Strong words! However, I am referring to charities, those remarkable groups who with volunteers are dedicated to promote the cause they are involved in, and go out of their way to raise money, which on many occasions is in small coin. With hardly a smile on their face some banks refuse to accept it. Then, what is the charity going to do with hundreds of Euros in small change, which is part of the life blood of its enterprise? That leads to the question how long before small change ceases to be legal tender?
OUR WONDERFUL CARERS The medical profession performs wonderfully in the care and promotion of good health. In the current Covid crisis I have felt gratification of the stories of how over stressed medical staff go the extra mile in their efforts to care for the unwell. Not similar to bankers who keep regular hours, and on a regular basis close branches and other facilities to their customers. The twenty-four-hour health service, comparable to other amenities in the service industry that do not have regular hours. From the day of commitment by the new recruit, surely there is an understanding that whilst on duty the days are twentyfour hours long without division, and they are on call when those magic three numbers on the telephone are used to get in
touch with them. One problem is that those numbers are used for occasions when there is no real emergency. A true story: It is Boxing Day morning and after a wonderful Xmas day the family retired to their beds. I awoke early with a stunning headache and feeling poorly. Everyone in the house was feeling ill, the worst case was laying on the bathroom floor unconscious with very little in the way of a pulse. We called an ambulance, their response, they would not attend unless authorised by a doctor. The doctor would not attend either and he moaned about being disturbed that early in the morning. We tried the ambulance again to no effect - my guess they were swamped with the aftereffects of the Christmas festivities. Fearing for the life of the one who was seriously ill we took her to the hospital, when they saw her, they did not worry first about paperwork they rushed her immediately into intensive care. She spent six weeks getting over Meningitis. We were lucky everyone else in the house had symptoms of the dreaded illness, but recovered. Those three numbers on your keypad are promoted to call in an emergency – but what is an emergency? That can only be decided by the individual. However, please be careful calling the service when there is no real need; it only clogs up the system, leaving it powerless. Take care. www.facebook.com/percy chattey Percy’s books are all on Amazon and Kindle.
There is currently an average of 134.26 over 65s for every 100 people under the age of 16 residing in the Province All these circumstances have favored the fact that the proportion of those over 65 when compared to those under 16 has doubled in less than three decades. In 1994 the aging index was 66.18. Right now, 20.46% of the residents of the Alicante province are over 65 years old, and 2.8% are over 85 years old. In 2001, these percentages were 15.83% and 1.3%, respectively, which gives an idea of how the population has been progressively aging. This can also be seen in other indicators such as the median age of the inhabitants of the province: in women it is already 46.07 years, while for men it is 44.24. It does not seem likely that the situation will change in the short term, based on the birth figures in 2021 that we know so far, highly conditioned, of course, by the coronavirus pandemic. Until October, according to the latest estimates by the INE, 11,009 births had been registered in the province, 2.68% less than in 2020, but a decrease of 13.77% when compared to the same period in 2017. HIGHER BIRTH RATES IN ELCHE-CREVILLENT, ORIHUELA AREAS The health department with the most births between January and November 2021 was the area covered by the General Hospital of Alicante while the least was Alcoy, with 1,745 and 750, respectively. However, in proportion to its population, the highest birth figures corresponded to the areas of Elche-Crevillent, Orihuela and Elche-General Hospital, where 1,236, 1,156 and 1,075 boys and girls were born, respectively. At the opposite extreme, the lowest figures were in Sant Joan d'Alacant, the Marina Baixa and Elda; in absolute terms there were 861, 821 and 993 births. Meanwhile, two other towns for which we have birth rates are Dénia where there were 931 & Torrevieja where 1,009 children were born.
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HERE’S AN IDEA FOR YOU ........
T H E H E R B A L S PA Soaking in a hot scented bath is one of the nicest ways to unwind.
Add the right herbs or essential oils, and it can also be a tonic for the spirit, a terrific beauty treatment and a wonwonderful remedy for a wide range of human woes. our skin is porous, so soaking in a bath containing herbal infusions or essential oils is a very gentle way to absorb their medicinal properties. Indeed, in the case of essential oils, it's one of the best ways, along with massage, since they should never be taken internally except under expert direction.
Y
As a general rule, a herbal spa bath should be pleasantly warm rather than hot, especially during the day. Save hot baths for bedtime, when they can relax you and soothe aching muscles. Their effect will be enhanced if you give yourself a quick cool-to-tepid shower at the end, or - if your bath has no shower attachment - pull the plug out, run in plenty of cold water, and have a quick splash in the cooling water.
If you have plenty of nettles in your garden, enjoy a nettle bath: great for arthritis, sunburn, aching muscles or even inflamed and itchy eczema. To make it, put a couple of generous handfuls of nettles in a big pan, pour over 2 litres of boiling water. Simmer for five minutes then take off the heat and infuse for another ten minutes. Strain the liquid and add it to your bath; keep it warm rather than hot.
Very hot baths can be debilitating, and are an especially bad idea if you suffer from high blood pressure, a heart condition or varicose veins.
PAGE 17
sorts and chesty, lavender flowers to soothe muscle aches, balm to calm your spirits and chamomile or marjoram to help you wind down at bedtime. Health-food stores and supermarkets these days stock a huge range of herbs, both single and mixed, in handy teabag form, so brew up a strong infusion, using four to five bags at a time, and tip it into your bath.
Essential oils, incidentally, evaporate very rapidly in high temperatures. Make your own personal blend of essential oils for a luxury bath. Rose, geranium, ylangylang, neroli and lavender are all particularly lovely, uplifting smells.
Water, paradoxically, is drying to the skin. Add oatmeal to your bath, and it not only soothes and moisturises - a beauty secret known to the ancient Egyptians, the Greeks and the Romans - but it's also a well known treatment for the irritated itchy skin of eczema sufferers. You can buy the specially finely milled colloidal oatmeal, which can be added straight to the bath. Or you can use ordinary oatmeal: simply stuff a cupful into the foot of a pair of clean tights, knot it over the hot tap, and a creamy liquid will flow out into your bath when you run the water.
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No time for a therapeutic bath? Try soaking up the herbal remedy via your feet. If you've been rushing or, worse still, standing around all day and your feet are killing you, soak them for ten minutes in a warm footbath to which you have added 4-5 drops of peppermint essential oil or a mug of very strong peppermint tea; use three tea bags. When you get that achy, chilly, coming-down-with-a-cold feeling, give yourself a bedtime footbath of limeflower and elderflower - a strong infusion, half a cup of the fresh herbs each to a good litre of boiling water, infused covered and then added to the footbath.
Hang the oatmeal filled tights on the taps
To enhance the soothing effect of oatmeal, add 5-10 drops of lavender or geranium essential oil.
Another terrific skin-softener is apple cider vinegar. You can make up your own herbal bath vinegar by half-filling a preserving jar with fresh herbs, then filling it right up with cider vinegar, dosing it tightly and leaving it in a dark place to infuse for three to four weeks. Then strain it through a coffee filter paper and put it in a clean stoppered jar: don't forget to label it or it might turn up in your salad dressing! The herbs need to be absolutely clean and dry. Choose rosemary for a wonderful morning pick-me-up, peppermint or ordinary garden mint for a great refresher (perhaps before you go out in the evening), thyme if you're feeling out of
NEXT WEEK: GROW YOUR OWN
PAGE 18
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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
e:charitycentrehelpathomecb @gmail.com. Curious about the work of Samaritans in Spain? Have a few hours a week to help with the charity shop, fundraising
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PERSONAL Come along to our showroom in Elche and see our vast range of new and used cars or call 96 666 22 60 for all our latest offers. The biggest and best for price, choice and quality. ENGLISH SPOKEN
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CHURCHES AND SERVICES La Siesta Evangelical Church, Torrevieja is a friendly, English-speaking church. We currently hold services at 11.15am on the 2nd and 4th Sundays each month (and the 5th Sunday when there is one). For more info about our church, please see our website at www.lasiestaevangelicalchurch.org For info see www.lasiestaevangelicalchurch.org Join us at the SALT CHURCH Sundays at 10.30 am. We are a friendly church, bible centred in our teaching and informal in our worship. Meets at Calle Daya Nueva 12, Polígono Ind. Levante 11, 03187 Los Montesinos. We are a lively, friendly church and look forward to meeting you. (Covidaware. www.Saltchurchspain. Facebook SaltChurchSpain 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. Phone or whatsapp the missionaries on 648 914 347 International Christian Assembly, Calle Urbano Arregui, 23, Torrevieja Evangelical non-denominational church. Sunday service 11a.m.; Sunday school; Prayer meetings; craft and computer clubs. Ladies Bible Study: Thursday 11a.m. Church Bible Study: Thursday 1.30p.m. House groups in Torrevieja, La Siesta – Contact: 966 752 543 / 617 215 463. Phone: 966 799 273 / 966 752 543 / 617 215 463. www.icatorrevieja.org
CAR SALES The Car of the Month at Automoviles Crespo is a 2019 Ford Focus ST_Line Auto which is on Special Offer priced at just 19,500 euro.
Self Employed Experienced Car Salesman - No employment contract required. An experienced new and used car salesman looking for full or part time work in the costa blanca area. Fully autonomous I can run your showroom or car front or just help out during busy periods or cover holidays with 5 star customer service. Also available for driven vehicle collection and delivery across Europe and the UK. Please call or email for more info: 0034 680 299 927 (3/8) andrew@chambersleisuregroup.com
SOCIAL AND CLUBS The January Meeting of the Royal British Legion Orihuela Costa and District Branch will be held at 7 for 7.30 pm on Thursday 20 Jan at the Olympia Pool Bar in Mil Palmeras. Everyone welcome, incl non members. Call Jean for info on: 630 28 08 99. The Royal British Legion, Torrevieja Branch - Meets at the Oasis, formerly the Casa Ventura, San Luis on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6.30 pm for 7pm start. New members are always welcome. You do not have to be ex-services. For more info please contact:Torrevieja.secretary@rbl. community
Age Concern Costa Blanca Sur is here to help you with problem solving and well being for the over 50’s. We need volunteer Drivers and people to join our 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 email: costablanca@ageconcern.org.es Royal Naval Association, Torrevieja Branch now meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 1700 (5pm) at CHE LOCO bar/restaurant, El Chaparral urbanisation, Torrevieja. For more information please contact Chairman Tony Jenkins on 693 866 709, Vice Chairman Danny Kay on 966 71 6274 or Margaret Forshaw on 966 92 1966. Royal Air Force Association Costa Blanca Registered Members Group: The RAFA Costa Blanca RMG replaces the RAFA Costa Blanca Branch 1359 which is now closed. The RMG is a social group of caring people and remains affiliated to the parent Association. Contact with the Royal Air Force Association and the RMG can be made via the RAFA website rafa.org.uk. Tel:0044 800 018 2361. 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
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to start the Tiaras off with Dario Sierra (D1) narrowly managing an equaliser. Dario clocked up 2 tons and a 140 in his 4 appearances at the oche, finishing 100%, one of which was a bull, and rightly earning himself MOTM.
MATCH RESULTS FOR 6 JANUARY - WEEK 12 Hub Hyenas Pint Depot Queens Tipsy Toad Toppers Ale House Lads Domino's Desperados Boris' Bears Milo's Danny's Bar
5-7 1-11 11-1 6-6 9-3 3-9 4-8 8-4
El Capitan Cc's Flyers Ale House Totties Tipsy Toad Tiaras Hub Hellraisers Mind The Gap Wee Rock Horrors Freakie Taverners
LEAGUE TABLE 06/01/2022 WEEK 12 P Pts Mind The Gap 12 23 El Capitan 12 21 Hub Hyenas 12 20 Ale House Lads 12 19 Tipsy Toad Toppers 12 18 Cc's Flyers 12 16 Danny's Bar 12 15 Freakie Taverners 12 13 Wee Rock Horrors 12 12 Milo's 12 10 Boris' Bears 12 8 Tipsy Toad Tiaras 12 7 Domino's Desperados 12 4 Hub Hellraisers 12 4 Ale House Totties 12 2 Pint Depot Queens 12 0
Legs 123 108 103 91 99 93 89 73 71 67 70 48 39 37 31 26
Sharon (108) got a 75% win rate in her 4 efforts but was pipped to the post for MOTM by Simone de Lacy (119) probably for a 2-darter on 97 in her singles against Eugene Lane. An unexpected match-point for the delighted Tiaras but the draw keeps the AH Lads in 4th place by the skin of their teeth. Nigel Justice 140,100,D4, "Liama " 121,100,D18 and match winning Ed Klimonis 100, D10, were the Caps singles winners, the Hub sharing the spoils in the final 6 legs, from Rodford 100,97,D10, Fitzsimmons 160,83,D5 and Havelock D8. John Eyre had the opportunity of defeating the elder Klimonis for a draw but couldn't make the vital double even after several attempts. MOTM - Fitzsimmons - Liama.
DEPOT QUEENS V C.C.'S
BORIS BEARS V MIND THE GAP Bears were ahead in this tussle just the once after Barry Shingler converted 70 on D20, with a 117 thrown in. The following 4 legs went the Gaps way, Sam Salt 100, converting 2, Gordon Cowan and Paul Moody 121,100, and 54 out. Shingler redressed the balance with an excellent T14,D20, finish despite a 180 from Carlos Escansiano. The next 5 went the way of the Gap, Sam Salt taking out D10 for the match, Esco following Salt with 100,140,111, D8 to earn Gaps MOTM.
The girls from the Pint Depot suffered their 12th straight defeat, this time to the Flyers. Queen Marie Cummins was the sole royal to find any treble success, but not finding the same with her double efforts.
Bears Kain Hickman converted 56 for the 12th and final leg, Shingler taking MOTM.
Only Jade Hockton managed an out on D2, incredibly playing C.C.'s MOTM - Charles Pritchett. Needless to say Hockton won the Queens accolade.
Dannys now look likely to gain division 1 status later in the season, possibly at the expense of this weeks opponents. lt will be a close run thing.
180's - Billy Dolling,Wee Rock Horrors - 06/01/2022
Cameron Nesbitt featured in 2 outs and 2x100 for C.C.'s,as did John McKay to include 2x100,140.
HUB HYENAS V EL CAPITAN
Sam Farrow wrapped up the mach for the visitors against Queens top scorer Cummins.
Brian Livsey did his upmost for the Taverners, pinning just the one double but heavily scoring. 2x100, 2x121, 123 and 3x80+. Team mate Ernie Willis supporting with 2 leg doubles, to include a 90 out . Sharon Frain 110,135.
HIGHEST CHECK-OUTS: James Brown 154 (T20-T18-D20) Tony Spiers 100 (5-T19-D19) Simone de Lacy 97 (T19-D20) Edmundas Klimonis 96
06/01 06/01 06/01
Hub faced a strong El Caps team this week, in what is likely to be a battle for 2nd place, prior to the February divisional split. The Gap sitting on a nice 2 point cushion at the top. Some reasonable early Hub scoring was eclipsed in the opening triples, the Caps taking all three, Vycka Bobinas taking the 1st on 62, " Liama "the 2nd on 62, plus 100,125, 140, Chris Logan the 3rd on D4. Ed Klimonis added a 4th to open the pairs on 96 plus 2x100. Caps MOTM Andres Liamazares
TIPSY TOAD TOPPERS V ALE HOUSE TOTTIES Like the Queens,Totties managed just the one victory, via Nikki Dean on D5, meriting her MOTM award. Only other notable scoring from Sue Collins, Winnie McKay, Hennie Oortwijn and Andrea Kelly. Hugh Galloway got the all important 7th winning leg on D19, Steph Simpson gaining 2 game shots, Phil de Lacy went one more with 3, plus a 118, 100. Earning yet another MOTM tag, with an outstanding performance was the genial Lee Maiden, with 2 outs, 135, 2x 140, 180 and 4 further 80+ scores.
DANNYS BAR V FREAKIE TAVERNERS
Skipper Bob Smith took the 10th singles and match on D4 also scoring 100,119,135 Steve Lumb finding 2 outs and 135,138. lt was left to Alan Walker to earn his sides MOTM playing just 2 legs, winning both and contributing 3x100, 4x80+. Livsey MOTM.
MILOS V ROCK HORRORS Billy Dolling earned MOTM status with a 180, numerous high scores and gaining D16 for the match. Tony Spiers added a tasty 100 out with pairs partner Graham Solomans.
Barry Schofield found his name in lights this week, virtue of a fine 118 and a singles victory worthy of a cure for insomnia.
Raul Rocomora merited Milos MOTM with 100,121 and 2 game shots one on 95. By my reckoning Milos will just miss out on division 1 status, if they fail i make them favourites to win division 2.
DOMINO'S DESPERADOS V HUB HELLRAISERS
ALE HOUSE LADS V TIPSY TOAD TIARAS
The Despo's gained their 2nd victory of the season at the expense of the Plaza's Hellraisers.
You might be thinking that the 4th placed team in the league were suffering from a shortage of their top players so soon into the New Year but that was not the case.
Just the 3 wins from the visitors, Lesley Dolling 100, D9, Alison Scammell D2 and Sue Spiers 85,D2. Dolling taking the MOTM with numerous other scores of 80+.
Alex Nikolov 140 and Dylan Fitzsimmons D4, reduced the deficit for Hub, John Rodford 125, D10 and Alan Havelock 100, making it 2-4 at the break.
PAGE 19
Despos win moves them above the Raisers on leg difference, their MOTM - Ben Kerneham helping himself to 3 tasty outs, 125,100 and 6x80+. Akash Panchal not far behind with 2 game shots , 140, 2x100. Paul Chick finding D9 to earn Despos both points.
None of them appeared to be observing a dry January either so how could it be that the Tiaras lead from the very beginning with the lads always playing catch-up? The result sheet showed that the Lads were marginally outscoring the lasses, but the real difference came in the finishing. Sharon Crane got the Tiaras off to a fine start with D8
Peter " Snakebite " Wright became the 2022 World darts champion in a thrilling Alexandra Palace final, overcoming 31 year old Michael Smith 7 sets to 5. Despite losing, the St Helens prodigy enjoyed a superior 3 dart average (albeit small) of 99.2 against Wright's 98.34, the latter achieving his 2nd World success. The winners spoils of £ 500,000 takes the champions career earnings to £ 3,8 mil. Asked prior to the final my choice of champion my response was Smith providing his finishing was up to scratch, as his scoring is phenomenal, well illustrated by his 24 maximums in the final, taking his overall competition tally to 83, totally eclipsing Gary Andersons previous best of 71 in 2017. Unfortunately his finishing again let him down at vital times and he ended " Bridesmaid " for the 8th time in 9 televised finals. Back in July last year Wright suggested any "armchair" gamblers should consider a 50p or £1 bet on him winning the World Matchplay and PDC Worlds, if you had done so, your odds would have been around 80/1,in hindsight not a bad bet. Selco Builders Merchants offered a £100,000 bonus for any player in the last 4 to manage 2 nine dart finishes, very generous but it never materialised. Three did however in earlier rounds, 1 from World no.1 Gerwyn Price in his losing quarter final to Smith, the remaining 2 from William Borland and Darius Labanauskas, previously. Wright is now only £15,250 behind Price for the coveted P.D.C. Order of Merit, World no 1 spot, a position l would expect him to attain mid year. Smith moves to no 5, just behind Wade (4) and van Gerwen (3). Wright also joins an elite group of multiple PDC world champs, Taylor 14 successes, MvG 3, Adrian Lewis and John Part, two each. And finally to all our O.W.S. players and darts players worldwide, even pros have dodgy games. l refer to the final where Smith's winning 2nd leg in the 1st set arrived in a deplorable 28 darts. Keep practising, there's still time for some of you.
PAGE 20
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Bar La Cascada Golf Society
EnVistabella Golf Society Guardamar GS
THE RBL CENTENARY POPPY APPEAL Congratulations and thanks to all the golfers on the Costa Blanca for your tremendous support for The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, especially in this, the centenary year. 29 Events were held during September, October and November, and thanks to your generosity a truly magnificent sum of E8000 was raised to help veterans and their familes here in Spain. Well done to everyone, especially the organisers of each event. I wish you all a Happy and a Prosperous New Year. Mick the Grip
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HDA Members Chemies GS, home of the Rangers supporters Club which donated all the monies they collected from selling half time pies in the bar during Rangers matches.
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San Miguel Bowls Club
LA SIESTA BOWLS CLUB by Alan Carr
By Barry Jones
During the time that the league season has stopped for the festive season we kept the club open for rollups and to catch up with the internal championship games. The social secretary Molly arranged a Tenpin bowling afternoon and the winning female & male received a box of chocolates, also the members Christmas dinner and dance took place at Chiefs on Broadway with the normal raffle with loads of prizes.
Friday saw the first game of 2022 for San Miguel Bowls Club. San Miguel Boxers were away to La Marina Seagulls, playing a re-arranged game from December 2021, where they won 10 - 0, 75 shots to 56. The best winning triple were Ann Young, Dave Young and Derek Farmer 20 shots to 9. A reminder that the Wasps sessions take place Wednesdays 1.30pm for 2.00pm - 5 for an afternoon’s bowling with shoes and bowls available to borrow. Due to the popularity of the Wasps, first time bowlers are asked to attend an initial coaching session on Tuesday afternoons, starting at 1.45pm. We welcome all bowlers who would like to join San Miguel B.C. as we are a unique club we only pay owner fees and a club fee and NO LEAGUE RINK FEES. For further information on San Miguel B.C please contact club secretary Barry Jones on 602 504 905 or club president Alan Campbell on 606 676 118
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PAGE 21
The Club had a Fun day of bowls on the 26th December and members who attended brought with them snacks for after the game which Sue & Bill Jordan worked hard to prepare prior to the raffle being drawn for the three hampers the winning ticket holders were; 1st - Pauline (Legionaries). 2nd. Bill Jordan. 3rd. Jean Cooper. Division (C) At home the Silvers had a re-arranged match on Wednesday 5th January against Country Bowls Cubs who could only put 3 teams out, which saw us take two rinks together with the overall (Shots 55-50) making the end result 8-2, rinks won by; Maggie Gray, Graham Doel & Dave Giddings (15-14). Dave Collins, June & David Whitworth (19-18). Like most of the other Bowling Clubs we have covid protocols in place for bowlers & guests who wish to enter/play at La Siesta Bowls Club and everyone must meet these requirements to enter the premises for the safety of all. Interested in joining La Siesta Bowls Club call the President George 865772498 or the Captain Wendy 633068399 who will give you further information.
SAN LUIS BOWLS CLUB By Sheila Cammack
smacks you in the face & reminds us that we are all fragile and we must make the most of the time we have with our family & friends. On December 28th we received the sad news of the sudden death of our lovely friend: Ann Holland. At the service celebrating her life, Ann’s nephews spoke the eulogy, which began: “It would be hard to talk about Ann without mentioning the fact that she was very small, but what Ann lacked in height she made up for in so many other ways. She had a big heart, her capacity to watch or play sport was never ending, her love for her sister, her girls, Ray, Amy and her 6 grandchildren was endless and she had an insatiable appetite when it came to socializing and getting together with friends. Her heart and soul were forever young, in short Ann wasn’t small at all.”
Happy Days with Ann Holland (centre) back in June 2019 2021 has gone. At Christmas most people enjoyed sharing time with family & friends; via phone, computer or real life (once you’ve managed to unpick the mys-
We will all miss her so much. To ease us gently back into bowling, after New Year’s Eve celebrations, Dee organised fun bowling followed by “Breakfast”!
teries of all the paperwork connected to travelling out of our home countries!). But sometimes, just as things seem to be going really well, life – or the opposite, suddenly
Mike Probert talks Golf H
ere on the Costa’s golf is one of the biggest leisure time activities for both tourists and resident alike and with this
Our next challenge, organised by Keith, was “Last
CHANGES AT LA FINCA GOLF RESORT? Three of the oldest and more established courses in the Torrevieja area are La Finca, Las Ramblas and Villamartin, who operated collectively under the banner of Grupoquara for many years but changed in recent times to La Finca Golf Resort.
(Man) Bowler Standing.” On 3rd January 18 people turned up at San Luis to play, 2 rinks of 4 and 2 rinks of 5 were selected and play began at 10:30am. Everyone began with 3 bowls, which were gradually reduced as the furthest from the jack was removed each end, some of the measurements were quite close but well away from the jack!! The winners from each rink: Jane Hamill, Ralph Jones, Christine Jackson & June Jones played a one bowl knockout. The ultimate winner was June Jones who was presented with a bottle of wine and a bottle of whisky, whilst the other finalists received a bottle of wine each. It was a different format to normal and was enjoyed by all. So after the warm-ups we’re all looking forward to getting back to work/league matches next week. Take care, stay safe & carry your Covid QR passport!! HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022.
Somewhat more controversially La Finca have decided not to renew memberships for 2022 replacing these instead with a system whereby the public can purchase a selection of green fee books or vouchers in various denominations. Many long-term members at La Finca were not happy with these
THE LEADER will provide discounted golf prices to all of our
There are however big changes ahead for these golf courses, their owners and members, because it has been announced that from the 1st January 2022 Las Ramblas will now function as an independent entity but will honour agreements made under the former collective until the end of 2022.
readers.
We wish them well in the future.
and we will attempt to keep you updated accordingly.
We at THE LEADER are committed to providing to our golfing readers affordable golf without the need to join a club or apply for a card but simply contact the number below to have instant access to discounted golf prices, many of which are exclusive to us: The deals shown in the table are some of the best prices currently available to you: Course Price Comments Alenda €134 Two Green Fees & Buggy Alicante €84 Two Green Fees & Buggy Altorreal €120 Two Green Fees & Buggy Bonalba €90 Two Green Fees & Buggy Campoamor €138 Two Green Fees & Buggy
Don Cayo (Altea) El Plantio El Valle Font Del Llop Hacienda Del Alamo La Finca La Marquesa La Serena La Torre Las Colinas Las Ramblas Lorca
Lo Romero €148 Two Green Fees & Buggy Mar Menor €50 Single Green Fee New Sierra Golf €68 Two Green Fees & Buggy Puig Campana €98 Two Green Fees & Buggy Roda €115 Two Green Fees & Buggy (1.06pm) Saurines €60 Single Green Fee Villaitana Levante €50 Single Green Fee Villaitana Poniente €35 Single Green Fee Villamartin €115 Two Green Fees & Buggy Vistabella €112 Two Green Fees & Buggy For Bookings/info Mike at info@costa-blanca-greenfees.com quoting reference LEADER or tel on 966 704 752 or 661 345 931
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
€90 €84 €61 €110 €47 €125 €134 €110 €41 €50 €97 €78
Two Green Fees & Buggy Two Green Fees & Buggy Single Green Fee Two Green Fees & Buggy Single Green Fee Two Green Fees & Buggy (1pm) Two Green Fees & Buggy Two Green Fees & Buggy Single Green Fee (1pm) Single Green Fee (1pm) Two Green Fees & Buggy (1pm) Two Green Fees & Buggy
new working practices and have decided to leave and find other courses to play, which in itself is problematical because many alternative courses have full membership lists. I am sure that there will be further developments in the near future
PAGE 22
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Dean Martin played off 6 while Sinatra’s idea of golf was to kick the ball back into the fairway
FAMOUS ENTERTAINERS who loved their golf. Frank Sinatra had a handicap of about 24, but his idea of golf was to kick the ball back on to the fairway if he missed it.
of golf has now become second nature to new golfers, who know nothing else. Clubs have two choices: keep tee-booking or re-introduce the roll-up.
Dean Martin, who played off 6, took it seriously. Dean and Frank would frequently play the Wynn Golf Course, Las Vegas (then called the Desert Inn course) but would refuse to play the full 18 holes unless alcoholic drinks were provided.
Some golfers want a definite tee time, but according to one harassed club manager: “The trouble was some people were panic booking because, if they didn’t, they might not get a tee time, and then they didn't always turn up. It's impossible to please everyone, and the result will probably be about 50-50, but we'll just have to put it to the members.” Good luck with that.
The Desert Inn obliged; they came up with a cart loaded with every tipple imaginable. The 'beverage cart’ was born. Bob Hope played off 4. He had a $14,000 custom-built golf buggy with a TV, tape deck and a rear-mounted camera so he could film his swing. Three great golfing entertainers. Sadly missed. Hope they're having a great game up there. TEE TIME BOOKING or rollup? For many, a roll-up is what being a golf club member is all about; to just turn up, pop a ball in the hat or throw it up in the air and see what fate brings.
COLIN MONTGOMERIE is not impressed by the re-branding of the European Tour. "There’s not one word about Europe” he says; “Challenge Tour, Legends Tour and now DP World Tour. Not one mention of Europe. I wonder what Seve will be looking down and thinking, after everything that he did for the European Tour.” He is also unhappy with the decision to throw even more money at top players. “The Players Championship is going from $15m to $20m.
Gloriously unpredictable, sociable, and the foundation on which some of Britain's oldest clubs were built.
Are we really supposed to believe that the world's top players won’t show up if they don’t get that extra $5m?”
Since Covid, even the most traditional clubs in the UK have had to rethink. Subject to strict control measures, many brought in tee booking software for the first time.
The overall prize money on Tour in 2022 will rise to $427m - increasing the average purse from $8m to over $9m. The FedEx Cup bonus pool is to be increased from $60m to $75m, the Player Impact Program (PIP) fund raised to
Using a phone or computer to arrange a round
Carp-R-Us are back Carp-R-Us returned after the Christmas break to fish the stretch of water known as Nancys. Even though we arrived just as it was getting light most of the popular pegs had already been taken by pleasure anglers enjoying a Kings Day fish. It was also the coldest day for some time although the lack of wind and bright sunshine made for pleasant conditions. The match was won by Willy Moons using his usual method feeder and corn to take 5.35kg and just pip Terry Screen who had 5.24kg using pole and punched bread. Third, fishing his first match with the club, was Nick Bastock with a single carp of 1.68kg caught using method feeder and pellets, and fourth was Steve Fell with 0.66kg of small mullet caught on pole and punched bread. The club sadly lost one of its longest serving members this week, Ann Fowles. Our thoughts are with her family at this time. For more information, visit our website http://www.carp-r-us.weebly.com
$50m; and the new 'Play15' Bonus Program will be worth $10m. Monty doesn't think ‘bonus’ schemes are good for the game either. “Getting money based on social media and stuff like that, we’re almost into Reality TV.” he snorts, “Tiger's come second in that PIP scheme this year, he's won $6m and hasn’t hit a competitive shot all year. That says it all. Selling the stadium rights, that’s what it feels like. Thank God my club [Leeds United] still plays at Elland Road. Look around the Premier League. The Emirates, the Etihad. The Vitality. These aren’t places anymore. They’re adverts. They’ve given up their identity for the almighty dollar.” Unfortunately, at that point Monty exploded.
SAN MIGUEL GOLF SOCIETY A rather cold and windy day at La Finca. The course was in great condition with the typical fast La Finca greens. The par 3s were somewhat challenging with the wind and championship pin placements. So much so we had no twos recorded therefore it’s a rollover for next week.
Norman Padmore 31 pts
We did, however, have some fair scores from our division winners. Well done guys including our captain Mick Roscoe.
Best Guests Gerard van der Putten @ Andrew Jones Nearies
Hole
Graeme Forbes
3&6
Cecilia Lager
12
Tony Smale
16
Abacus - Hugh Reilly
Next week we are at Villamartin. If you wish to play as a guest or enquire about membership please visit our website https://smgs.org
35 pts 35 pts 30 pts
Division 3 Martin Readman Knut Hemstad Mick Roscoe
34 pts 32 pts 31 pts
Contact Mick for regripping and repairs. Tel. 638 859 475.
Lo Crispin Golf Society The Society played its first game of the year on Wednesday 5th. January, an Individual Stableford Competition at Lo Romero. Twenty four members and 2 guests teed it up, but one member had enough after 9 holes, in the light of the very difficult playing conditions. Even that is something of an understatement as the wind blew ferociously throughout the day ! On the more exposed greens, putting proved very difficult. Additionally most greens were quick, adding significantly to the challenges. In truth, the course should probably have been 'closed ' as the possibility of injury from wind affected wayward shots was very real.
Silver Division 1st Place - Paul Flanaghan 30 pts off 33, 2nd Place - Sue Smith 24 pts. off 35, 3rd Place - Jamie Ellis 22 pts. off 33 N. T. P. on Par 3s Hole 5 - Richard Brady, Hole 7 - Wayne Hartley, Hole 12 Mark Baker, Hole 15 - Nobody managed to reach or stay on the green ! (Not surprising really in view of its 200 yds. length and the very strong wind against)
Division 2 Johan Lager Rob Fyfe^* Steve Hart^
Until next time: Happy Golfing.
1st Place - Steve Price 23 pts. off 20, 2nd Place - Richard Brady 21 pts off 20 ( on count back), 3rd. Place - Bill Croft 21 pts. off 19
34 pts 33 pts 33 pts 31 pts 36 pts
As Santa didn't bring me a £550 Stealth driver, I'll have to take their word for it.
Gold Division
Results - Overall Position Division 1
Kyrre Skårsmoen
The revolutionary Stealth drivers have a striking red 60X Carbon Twist Face, 40% lighter than a titanium face of the same size, and 60 layers of carbon fibre help provide more speed. “Titanium is old hat,” say Taylor Made, “Carbon is coming!”
Following the game we returned to the Lo Crispin Tavern, where those who managed the very difficult conditions better than others, received their prizes and those who wanted it were supplied with Tapas, by the friendly staff.
Our thanks to the staff at La Finca for a most enjoyable day.
Robin Eastman David Rowe Spencer Andrews Graeme Forbes
TIGER WOODS called his brand-new Taylor Made Stealth Plus driver “Truly an amazing product” when he used it en route to finishing second with 12-year-old son Charlie at the PNC Championship.
Photo above: Hugh, the only player to explore parts of the course that no other member dares to! Probably searching for another 45 points, alas Hugh not this week!
The 2s pot will be rolled over to our next game at Roda on 19th. January, which will also be an individual stableford, as nobody scored a 2. Finally, the Free Game Draw was won by a new member, Mark Baker. Steve Harrington (Membership and Handicap Secretary)
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PAGE 23
POINT AGAINST RAYO GET’S THADER OFF TO FINE START IN NEW YEAR UD Rayo Ibense....2
Thader In their new away kit.
CD Thader ............2
F
orced to field an understrength side against 2nd in the table Rayo Ibense, Thader manager Raul Mora must have feared the worse.
home the equaliser. Up to that point, ref Eduardo had sensibly kept his cards in his pockets, but starting with Quino, he proceeded to book a total of 3 Thader and 1 Rayo players, as the game took on a more nervous approach.
Even with 2 new signings, the visitors could only name 5 of the permitted 7 substitutes. Pedro has arrived from a USA university side, having previously scored 14 goals for Thader in the 18/19 season, whilst centre back Konate arrived from Orihuela CF. A number of players, including club captain Lloyd, Dani Lucas & Josan, were isolating from Covid.
Miguel almost sliced the ball into his own net on 80 mins, as Thader were forced to defend heroically. ball out for a corner.
Rayo play their home matches in the mountainous town of Ibi, at the modern Francisco Vitaplana stadium, where they have dropped only 6 pts all season.
Attacking full back Rosquin received a cross from the right on 29 mins, this was followed with deadly accuracy, as he drilled home his first goal for the men from Rojales.
It took a worldly save from Thader keeper Chema on 17 mins, to deny the hosts from taking the lead, then from the rebound, he bravely punched the
Alas, the lead lasted less than a minute, for Omar was allowed to run through the defence unchallenged, before rifling home a shot past a helpless Chema.
Monte climb table after narrow win against Orihuela Photo: Sandra Espinosa
When Rosquin was brought down for a cast iron penalty on 54 mins, it was anyone's guess who would step up to the mark. Having previously missed a couple from the spot this season, Thader were running out of candidates, but the duty once again fell upon the once reliable Ruben. This time he made no mistake, sending
"The holidays are over and the league returns and with it a new opportunity for the Greens to get a victory at Pinoso CF that will take them out of the lower zone of the table. "Pinoso CF is one of the coldest fields in the league and one of the few that remain with natural grass.
The win at The Municipal Stadium on Saturday nudged Monte onto 17 points ahead of Sunday's fixtures, with Orihuela remaining in the lower echelons of the table. In the Valencia 2nd Regional G16 Monovar Atletico A returned a 3-0 away win at FB Redován CF B to consolidate a top four place, with Redován remaining mid-table. Sunday's 1st Regional G9 fixtures feature
Konate came on as sub, and along with fellow debutant Pedro, made a good impression. Rayo sub Rafa seemed to appear from nowhere, robbing Oscar of the ball on 64 mins, then as Chema came off his line to reduce the angle, he somehow managed to find space in which to fire
On the stroke of full time, a counter attack resulted in Thader sub Calderon putting the ball in the net, only for an offside flag to cut short his celebration. On Sun 16 Jan, ko 1130, Thader visit local rivals Benferri. The opening day of the season saw the hosts record an excellent 3-1 victory at Moi Gomez stadium, and apart from a few disappointing results, they are looking good in 7th position on 24 points.
eleventh place Pinoso CF A hosting thirteenth placed CD Benijofar at the Rico Mira Stadium, with the visitors hoping to bag valuable points to head up the table. CD Benijofar return to action on the back of defeats against CD Montesinos and league leaders Atletico de Catral that sees them hovering amongst the relegation zone on nine points.
CD Montesinos jumped up to eighth place in the Valencia 1st Regional Group 9 following a 1-0 win against CF Popular Orihuela Deportiva.
the keeper the wrong way to make up for his previous poor miss.
"It will not be easy, but the team has continued working during the holidays to get to the game as well as possible, and they will surely give it their to get three points," said a club spokesperson. With a victory over Racing San Miguel, Athletico Catral, meanwhile, will be hoping to extend the gap over second placed Torrevieja, who are without a game. *Sunday's Valencia 1st Regional G9 and 2nd Regional G16 results round-up will be online.
Elche rewarded in last 16 of Copa del Rey with home draw against Real Madrid Elche’s reward for coming from behind to beat Almeria in the Copa del Rey on Thursday night was a home tie against La Liga leaders Real Madrid. The draw was conducted at the headquarters of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) in Las Rozas (Madrid). It was also broadcast live on TV and radio. First out of the hat were the 3rd tier outfit Atletico Baleares who were drawn at home to Valencia. To get to this stage Atletico have already dumped out two Primera sides, Getafe and Celta, and although they quite likely had their sights on Real Madrid or Barcelona they can’t be too disappointed with a tie against Los murciélagos (The Bats). Elche come from behind in Copa del Rey
SUDUKO SUDUKO SOLUTION From Page Page 14
The two Segunda División sides, Girona and Sporting, were paired at home to Rayo Vallecano and Cadiz and then the small matter of Elche was the next team pulled from the hat. They were paired with one of the plum ties of the round, Real Madrid at the Martínez Valero, with Carlo Ancelotti looking to repeat his trick of delivering the Copa in his first season at the Bernabéu, as he did in 2013-14, the last time Madrid lifted the trophy. Meanwhile, Barcelona will continue their defence of the title against Athletic in a repeat of last seasons final, a tie that Xavi may have preferred to avoid at this stage of the competition. The games will be played on either 20 or 21 January. The winners of the competition 2021-22 will earn themselves a place in the 2022-23 Europa League group stage.
TRIVEA QUIZ FROM PAGE 14: 1. a. Ireland has the highest number of redhaired people per capita in the world with the percentage of those with red hair at around 10%. 2. Sloopy. Hang on Sloopy (The McCoys), 3. Africa, 4. The windrose on a compass. 5. Brother and sister. 6. Monte Carlo. 7. John Steed in The Avengers. 8. July 2001, as a result of mass Google searches in February 2000 when Jennifer Lopez wore a jungle print dress, designed by Donatella Versace, to the Grammy
Awards. 9. Omar (Omar Shamshoon). 10. Portsmouth England, 11. Eric the half a bee. 12. Stan Laurel. 13. Clocks and watches. 14. Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard. 15. Errol Flynn. 16. c. 222,000 litres. 17. Pierre de Fermat. 18. 'Women and children first' 19. The remains of Noah's Ark. 20. Europe has 14 landlocked countries: Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Czech Republic, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Moldova, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Vatican City.
PAGE 24
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