The Leader Newspaper in Spain – Edition 903

No 903 Monday 24th - Sunday 30 January 2022

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

J U ST 56% OF TO R R EVI EJA R E S I D E NTS AR E S PA N I S H

Residents from the United Kingdom (5,236) continue to be the nationality with the greatest number in the municipal census, followed by Russians (4,484) and Ukrainians (3,203), who have considerably increased their presence in Torrevieja, which now has residents from 123 countries ccording to the statistical data on population and evolution of the Municipal Register, Torrevieja has started 2022 with a total of 87,901 registered inhabitants, of which 49,807 (56.6%) are of Spanish origin, while the rest, 38,094 (43.4%) have arrived from abroad.

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The number of registered men numbers 43,247 (49.2%), while there are 44,654 (51.8%) women.

With this data, Torrevieja continues to be the third largest city in the province of Alicante and the fifth in the Valencian Community, only behind the three provincial capitals (Valencia, Alicante and Castellón) and Elche. In total, the residents come from 123 countries and five continents.

The data, provided by the Department of Census and Statistics of the Torrevieja council, shows that people from the United Kingdom continue to lead the number foreigners residing in the city (5,236) while the numbers from Russia (4,484) and Ukraine (3,203) continue to increase.

Next on the list are Colombian residents (2,377) who for the first time, appear ahead of the Moroccan population, with 2,271 registered, followed by Romanians (1,580), Bulgarians (1,526), Swedes (1,374), Belgians (1,206), Germans (1,038), Italians (1,016), Chinese (844), Algerians (720), Norwegians (694), Brazilians (613), Poles (593), Finns (551), Argentines (541), French (526), Indians (489), Lithuanians (474), and the Netherlands (404).

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637 227 385 E-mail office@theleader.info Website www.theleader.info Journalists 600 228 616 office@theleader.info The Costa Blanca and Costa Calida Leader, its publishers, members of staff and its agents do not accept responsibility for claims by advertisers nor can it be held responsible for any errors in advertisements which are reproduced from poor artwork, low quality electronic data or inadequate instructions for text or other layout features. Further no responsibility is accepted for any loss or damage caused by an error, inaccuracy or non-appearance of any advertisement, although all advertisements produced are checked prior to insertion. We regret that we cannot accept responsibility for more than ONE incorrect insertion and that no re-publication will be granted in the case of typographical or minor changes which do not affect the value of the advertisement. E&OE. NO PART OF THIS NEWSPAPER MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE PUBLISHERS.

In total, Torrevieja has residents from 123 countries, among which are people from Cuba, India, Switzerland, Hungary, Belarus, Algeria, Senegal, Denmark, Paraguay, Nigeria, Peru, El Salvador, Austria, Bolivia, Pakistan, the United States of America, Cape Verde, Mexico, Guinea, Egypt, Nepal, Philippines, Honduras, Israel, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Thailand, Costa Rica, Australia, Japan, South Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Jordan, Mauritius, Guatemala, Cyprus , Malta, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Vietnam, Sri-Lanka, Malaysia, Gabon, Gambia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Suriname.

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Torrevieja’s La Bella Lola, situated on the Paseo Juan Aparicio

According to age, the number of children and youths under 20 years of age is 15,709. Those between 20 and 40 number 18,779; from 40 to 60 years of age there are 26,905 residents registered; from 60 to 80 there is a total of 21,375; and from 80 to 100 years, the number of registered is 5,108.

Residents in Torrevieja who are 100 years of age or over number 25, of which 8 are men and 17 women.

Cruz Azul helping pets in need

Robert Bonovox - RIP

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Cruz Azul Murcia continued to help pet-owners who needed assistance throughout 2020 and 2021.

Charities have faced a very hard time over the past two years, and Cruz Azul’s volunteers have risen to the challenge, working tirelessly to ensure the safety of its patrons and to take care of the animals in need of vet care.

“It was particularly difficult when people couldn’t cross borders” said President, Lyn Baines.

“But, thanks to an understanding landlord, our generous supporters and our trusted vets, no animal in need was turned away. Thankfully, the Cruz Azul donation centre in San Javier (next to Yorkshire Linen) was able to resume usual opening hours when the borders were re-opened and we got back on track planning fundraising events for 2022.”

The first event is a fun day on 9 February, organised by Jilly Roberts, at Le Petit Bistrot in Calle Rio Nalón, Los Alcázares. Enjoy a quiz, raffle, bingo, auction and entertainment from Spangles Ladies’ Harmony Chorus as well as Jilly’s Home-made Irish Stew! This will be a popular event, so please pre-book your table/food to avoid disappointment by calling now on 603 285 123 “We are so grateful to Jilly and the many local businesses who have generously donated prizes for the event in these difficult times.” Lyn says.

“We are a small team and always welcome offers of help with fundraising. Please get in touch if you have any ideas for an event. Cruz Azul and its volunteers wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2022”.

Last Wednesday 19th January, the Costa Blanca woke up to the sad news of the passing of a fellow performer and friend to many, Robert Bonovox.

Rob was well known in the area for performing his tribute to U2’s Bono, a show that he put his heart & soul into.

Whilst living here in Spain, he also gave a lot of his time to help out local charities.

In 2010 he joined forces with Andy McBride, who sadly also passed away around this time last year, and they put together a tribute show to the music of both Rod Stewart & U2.

Rob, along with his wife Sue, lived life to the full and they enjoyed their time in Spain, making many friends and memories before moving back to the U.K where Rob continued to perform on the circuit.

He can only be described as lovable, always bubbly, positive and he always had time for everyone. His sudden passing has left everyone who knew him in shock.

We send our condolences to Sue, Rob’s family and friends and to all who enjoyed his gigs throughout the years.

By Julie McCracken

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N E W PA R T Y R E V I V E S C A L L F O R ORIHUELA COSTA INDEPENDENCE Coastal residents are tired of broken promises

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ith Municipal elections just 16 months away, residents of the Orihuela Costa are stepping up their demands for a greater voice, for more representation in local government, and in their own administration.

Managed by a council almost 40 km away, residents of the Orihuela Costa have long felt abandoned, as time and again they claim that the coast is being used as little more than a cash cow, to support the activities and the promotion of Orihuela and it’s pedanias, while their own deficiencies are being ignored by the decision makers in the city.

But now, what began in 2019 as a local association, is about to be officially registered with the ‘Ministerio del Interior’ as the Orihuela Costa Independence Party (PIOC).

The process will begin this coming week, which should lead to the issue of it’s legal constitution as an official political party, within the next month or so.

The nucleus of the current group is made up of people of many different nationalities, and is a true reflection of how cosmopolitan the people who reside on the Orihuela Costa are. One of them, the former President of CLARO, Román Jiménez, is keen to move the organisation forward as quickly as possible, so that he and his members can start talking to the many hundreds of coastal voters who share with the party’s future ideals.

PIOC spokesman, Peter Houghton, who has been working alongside Sr Jiménez, says we have been ignored for far too long. We could have a very significant voice on the coast but it is only rarely used. It’s now about time that the politicians in Orihuela were made to wake up to our demands.

Brexit has forced many British people to register. Now, the important thing is they are also registered to vote. Unfortunately though, in recent months, Houghton says he has received a number of complaints from Brits who say they have been refused inclusion on the voting register, despite quoting the bilateral agreement that guaran-

tees their voting rights.

According to the latest data published on 1 January, there are 29,550 foreigners in the municipality, 35.7% of the total, of which 10,976 (13%) are from the United Kingdom, the majority of whom live in Orihuela Costa.

Román Jiménez maintains that the current demographic movement is detrimental to the city: “In a few years the coast will have the same population. We want establish a good relationship, but one that must be on equal terms." Because, he says, “the coast generates between 50 and 60% of the municipal revenue; however, it only benefits from about 15%”.

But it is not only PIOC who want a better deal for the coast. The feeling of general abandonment has made all of it’s neighbourhood associations very active in their complaints and, for the first time, their discontent translates into a fishing ground for votes.

The President of CLARO, Antonio Cerdán, welcomes the new party. "What unites us all is economic independence," he says, adding that he now sees it as feasible that "for the first time the entire coast could go on a joint voting list to establish a voice in the City Council", because "we are increasingly realising that supporting the Orihuela parties is a contradiction”.

He says that while complete segregation, as in the case of Pilar de la Horadada, will take many years, administrative decentralisation is definitely possible, with the coast being allocated its own human and material resources, such as Urban Planning management, which cannot continue to carry the burden of financing the entire municipality any longer”.

But he is also wary that, with elections just around the corner, the Municipal Government is finally beginning to wake from it’s slumber, and that the promise of a new civic centre is just the opening salvo in what is likely to become a propaganda war, as the politicians in Orihuela city regroup in order to keep the powers that they currently enjoy.

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Court of enquiry points to military failings in La Manga pilot’s death A

military court of enquiry has found evidence that the Spanish Air Force could have been responsible for the death of one of it’s own, Commander Francisco Marín Núñez of the Eagle Patrol, who died in August 2019 when he crashed his C101 aircraft into the sea close to La Manga.

The pilot’s mother blames a faulty altimeter

Although the detailed report has not been released to the public it seems to support the claims of the pilot’s mother, retired university lecturer in physics, María José Núñez, who has viewed the calculations of the Commission for the Technical Investigation of Military Aircraft Accidents (CITAAM) in which she claims to have found so many errors, that she says she would have suspended the authors of the report, had they been her students at the University of Murcia, where she taught.

She blames a faulty altimeter, concluding that her son lacked only 35 feet of extra altitude to save himself, a mistake that such an experience acrobatic pitot would never have made.

However, in a report that was made by investigators, several other factors were cited including a lack of safety checks on the 40 year old aircraft and outdated safety equipment.

The C101 was over 40 years old

ing to find out if the control tower had warned Commander Marin of his fact.

Although the investigation still continues the early signs seem to be that the courts will eventually find that the Spanish Airforce was responsible for the pilot’s accidental death.

S AT A N I M A L R E S C U E

They also state that the aircraft wasn’t carrying a ‘black box’ flight recorder.

However the main reason they say was the dangerous weather conditions, unfavourable formations of clouds that could have easily disorientated the pilot.

The enquiry chairman is also saying that the meteorological conditions weren’t conducive to acrobatic manoeuvres and is now attempt-

Corbetti´s silbings have all been adopted, leaving poor Corbetti still waiting.

Do you have space for this gorgeous boy!

For more info contact 966710047 (leave a message) or email info@satanimalrescue.com

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COSTA WASTE SERVICE IS INEFFECTIVE BECAUSE OF RAM SHACKLE COALITION to bring the service back into municipal management, it was thought for a period of six months, but in May it will have been for 10 years.

According to Aparicio, "We then had 24 fewer workers, which was more than enough to carry out all the tasks, some of which were then the responsibility of other departments, such as cleaning up after the markets and collecting algae from the beaches."

Since those days the Department of RSU and Street Cleaning has invested 2 million euros in improvements, half to acquire new trucks, but even with that, less than a third of the fleet has been replaced.

“It is clear that the service has become obsolete and deficient," he states.

Councillor Dámaso Aparicio says “It is clear that the service has become obsolete and deficient."

he misunderstandings and disagreements between the government coalition, the Partido Popular with nine councillors and Ciudadanos with five, in the Orihuela Town Hall, is close to breaking point with many PP officials saying that there is a permanent obstruction and that if the local administration could bring forward the elections it would do so.

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PP councillors have even sought the support of the opposition to carry out some initiatives.

The greatest example of these problems is the management of the council’s largest public service, that of waste collection and street cleaning, an issue that provokes numerous complaints from the public.

A survey carried out by the council itself reveals that 49% of the population considers that the service currently provided is unacceptable.

Councillor Dámaso Aparicio says that he has spent five years trying to modernise a system that is clearly outdated and unfit for purpose.

Not surprisingly, it’s operation is based on an award inherited and designed in 2008 that has nothing to do with the current reality of the municipality, which "has grown exponentially, especially in the districts and on the coast," he says.

In 2012 the PSOE, Los Verdes and CLR-Claro three party coalition, in the midst of a workers' strike, decided

For that reason, last year we commissioned an external report on the different management options: direct, mixed and outsourced.

Based on the study's conclusions, according to Aparicio, the solution would appear to be a joint venture; that is, with public and private collaboration, but with the municipal contribution having more weight.

This version presents "certain advantages in cases where it will be necessary to undertake significant economic investments or introduce methods and techniques that the City Council cannot

carry out on its own," he maintains.

"In Orihuela we have had a bad experience with a totally external company, and although we know what needs to be done, the political decision to prepare an economic and labour report, which has to be approved at the monthly plenary session (council meeting), is still to be agreed".

This is where the main stumbling block lies because, as has been the case time and again, we do not have the support of our government partner.

The municipalised service costs the Orihuela budget 12 million euros a year, but to provide what the councillor considers to be adequate service, would need at least 3.5 million more. In Torrevieja, a city of a very similar size, the current budget is 27.5 million euro.

As anyone living on the coast will know, the service operating in the area is obsolete and with huge shortcomings.

Orihuela generates 50,000 tons of waste a year.

It has not updated the collection rate since the 1980s and there are many deficiencies in a service that is provided according to 2008 parameters.

For councillor Dámaso Aparicio, the time has come to act. Likening the service to a hospital patient, in his words, “We have stabilized him, but he can't continue as he is; either we revive him or he dies”.

HOSPITAL CLEANERS TO STRIKE FROM MONDAY NIGHT

Cleaners at the Vega Baja Hospital will go on strike from midnight Monday/Tuesday, unless there is a new proposal before 9:30 am on Monday. This was announced on Friday by members of the company committee, made up of Workers' Commissions and the union, after a meeting held with the cleaning company, Ferrovial, and the hospital management.

A day earlier the Ministry of Health and Ferrovial, had rectified an error in the calculation of the area to be cleaned, reducing it by 2,877 square metres.

Despite calling earlier for reductions in manpower, the company promised to keep the workforrce at its present levels, however the cleaners committee say "it does not meet our expectations. We need an increase in manpower, not a decrease. All of our demands have fallen on deaf ears so we will strike.”

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BARCELÓ APOLOGISES FOR STATE OF PRIMARY CARE The Valencian Society of Preventive Medicine (SVMPSP) has once again demanded measures from the regional government to reduce social contacts in closed environments to control the sixth wave of Covid that has generated an "unprecedented" incidence of cases since the Christmas holiday.

The demands include capacity restrictions for sizeable events, large family gatherings, controlled attendance at closed entertainment venues and time limitations on nightlife.

place, hoping that the entire population becomes immunised naturally, goes against the principles of Public Health Medicine."

While the demands were being worded, the Minister of Health, Ana Barceló, apologised for the saturation currently being experienced by health centres across the community, totally overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic and the explosion of infections caused by the omicron variant.

They warn that "leaving the circulation of the virus to its

Barceló made her statement during an appearance in Parliament to report on the evolution of the pandemic.

free expansion, without putting preventive measures in

This new variant, according to the minister, "has made Many Medical Centres in the Region are unable to cope it difficult for people to go to their health centres, with the ease that they could previously expect. I know of the long queues that they have to suffer and I am aware of the inconvenience that the public are undergoing, for which I apologise, "said Ana Barceló during her appearance.

To try to solve this logjam suffered by Primary Care, Barceló maintains that in recent days a series of measures have been launched to relieve doctors and nurses who have been completely run off their feet. Among them, the automatic extension of chronic treatments, so it is not necessary for such patients to go to the health centres for renewal of their prescriptions.

During her appearance, Barceló also announced that next year 1,500 additional staff will be hired for Primary Care and 91 million euros will be invested to adapt

health centers.

The minister also offered data on the efficacy of vaccines and how they are changing the future of the pandemic. At the moment, for every 100,000 unvaccinated people, 28.6 have been admitted to the ICU, compared to 2.9 among those who have been vaccinated. She said that “unvaccinated people have 10 times more risk of ending up in an ICU than vaccinated people. In addition, the risk of death from covid among the unvaccinated population is 6 times greater than in the vaccinated."

At the same time, an increase in hospitalisation rates can be seen in the unvaccinated who are over 30 years of age, and a pronounced increase in the ICU admission rates of those who are unvaccinated 60 to 79 year olds, while the vaccinated rates remain stable in very low levels.

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Moroccan brothers to be deported from Pilar de la Horadada for terrorism

Seeing Stars from Tabarca Island

he two brothers arrested in Alicante last November for jihadist terrorism, who have been living in Pilar de la Horadada since 2003 and 2006 respectively, are to be deported.

The island of Tabarca has been awarded the certificate "Paraje Starlight". It is the first community in the province of Alicante to achieve this distinction, which certifies the quality of the sky for astronomical observation and the development of astrotourism on the island.

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The brothers being moved to a detention centre in Madid

After spending 60 days in a Madrid detention centre awaiting their appearance in court the pair are now back in the province, waiting for the arrangements to be carried out with Morocco.

The deputy mayor and head of the Alicante City & Beach Tourist Board, Mari Carmen Sánchez, presented the award at the Fitur tourism trade fair.

However their lawyer, Aurora Gámez, says that the process "is a serious attack on the Constitution and an infringement of their human rights," and is working on its reversal.

“The natural wealth of Tabarca makes the island an ideal Starlight Site. This accolade validates not only the quality of the sky for observation but also the commitment to preserve it in a sustainable way”, explained Sánchez. "The objective is to develop astrotourism and help deseasonalise tourism on the island."

The pair are said to by in contravention of article 54.1 of the Immigration Law, a precept that refers to "very serious offences", such as "participating in activities contrary to national security”.

One of the brothers is said to have a Facebook profile that managed “posts exalting the figure of a Chechen terrorist who, in October 2020, beheaded a professor in France.” In September 2021 he was also found to be in possession of two videos with captions in Arabic containing radical content.

Police information received from France states that the other brother, "is shown to have a violent charac-

ter to the point that he ended up being arrested for rape and death threats”.

Gámez has said that, despite the fact that the expul-

sion of the two brothers arose from their arrest for alleged terrorism nothing has been proved, and as such their case will now be put before the Ombudsman.

Guardamar approves highest budget in it’s history The plenary session of the Guardamar Council has approved the 2022 budget amounting to 19.1 million euros, the highest in the history of the municipality.

The municipal accounts were approved with a simple majority of the PSOE and its mayor José Luis Sáez - who has 11 councillors - despite the abstention of the PP (4), IU (1) and Cs (1).

The Partido Popular has announced that it will present arguments for provisional approval, so if any of them is technically accepted, the Corporation will have to debate them again in a new plenary session.

One of the most outstanding features of the budget is the striking increase in spending on personnel, which is forecast at 12 million euros, one million euros more than the last approved budget, which represents 60% of spending total. The PP say that this is a very high percentage when in other municipalities the average is between 30 and 40% .

However, the increase is attributed to the PP's opposition to new municipal contracts with public companies, especially the rubbish collection and street cleaning, with Gesnet.

Outstanding debts with banks stands at 2.4 million euros, although the forecast is for it to drop to 1.7 million by the end of the year, with amortization expected over the next twelve months..

The PP say they are dismayed that the budget assumes the arrival of European funds that have not yet been confirmed or appear in the preliminary draft budget.

The Guardamar Council managed the 2021 finan-

butane has been the one set in April 2005, 9.38 euro.

Butane Price Reaches Record High

The FACUA consumer group is demanding that the government of Pedro Sánchez modifies the calculation instruments in the revision of rates that ensure the protection of the economic interests of consumers.

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he cost of a butane gas cylinder has rocketed to reach a new historical high of 17.76 euro since last week, 33.4% more expensive than a year ago, when in January 2021 its price was 13.31 euro (4.45 euro more).

The price of the standard 12.5 kg cylinder is established as of 18 January 2022 at 17.76 euro (including 0.015 euro per kg of hydrocarbon tax and 21% IVA) compared to 16.92 euro of November 2021.

With this new revision, the standard 12.5 kg format is 5.0% more expensive (84 cents) than in the last revision of the rate last November, when it was 16.92 euro.

Until now, the historical maximum cost of a cylinder had been the 17.50 euro that users had to pay during almost half of the tenth legislature, between 14 May 2013 and 16 March 2015 (a total of 672 days), with Mariano Rajoy at the head of the Executive. The highest price during the

cial year with budgets carried over from 2020.

During the current term, the local council has managed to obtain millions of dollars in subsidies that it has allocated to its enormous archaeological heritage: from the rehabilitation of the castle to the musealsation of the Rábita Califal and the Roman and Islamic remains of the Moncaio beach.

Zapatero governments was the 15.19 euro in force from 1 October 2011 (81 days from the end of his second term) and that Rajoy maintained until 31 March 2012.

In the last fifteen years, the lowest price for

In September of that same year it was set at 16.13 euro; in July, at 15.37 euro; in March, at 13.96 euro and in January, at 13.31 euro.

The new price of butane becomes 115.9037 euro cents per kilogram (not including taxes), according to a resolution that appears in the Official State Gazette (BOE).

Restoration work on Torrevieja landmarks Restoration Work Continues on the Landmark of the Cortes Valencianas Torrevieja´s councillor responsible for the enhancement of the urban image, Carmen Gómez Candel, has reported that restoration and painting work continues on the landmark located in one of the roundabouts on Avenida de las Cortes Valencianas, popularly called "the needle" and the pergola in the square of Encarnación Puchol de La Mata, which for nine years had not had any type of action.

The works that are being carried out on the landmark of the Valencian Courts consist of cleaning up the most deteriorated parts and subsequent repainting, while sanding, cleaning and painting are being carried out on the pergola of the Plaza de Encarnación Puchol, as the proximity to the sea has caused considerable deterioration of the wood.

The total amount of the contract for the execution of these two actions is to 28,350 euro.

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TRANSPORT BOOST FOR HELEN’S TRUCKS Communication with their customers is another key element to success at Helen’s Trucks ensuring their clients are kept abreast of the situation.

elen’s Trucks has been in business now for over 19 years and is based in Crevillente and they specialise in smaller loads and light removals, moving goods between the UK and Spain and vice versa.

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They bring that personal touch to transporting your belongings from A to B. Helen and Kevin, who make up the team at Helen’s Trucks, along with Barry and Trevor. Although the market has changed significantly, they are always on hand to help.

Helen always brings a smile to the business

They will also help guide you through the new paperwork

needed, for transiting from the UK to Spain and Spain to the UK, for Customs clearance.

They also offer storage, at their warehouse which is fully insured and alarmed and everything is placed ito containers and full inventories are made, when items are coming in.

You can contact Helen’s Trucks on 965 400 616 or 667 815 081 and email at helenstrucks1@yahoo.co.uk. There is also a website at: www.helenstrucks.com and on Facebook at Helens Trucks.

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BITES Free lifesaving courses in Torrevieja The Department of Youth has organised a free training course in aquatic lifeguarding on beaches, swimming pools and natural spaces (215 hours), which will take place from February to April 2022.

They also specialise in local removals, within Spain and have just very recently upgraded their vehicle, to a Spanish one, to accommodate the volume, whether a small, or large removal.

At Helen’s Trucks it is a personal, friendly, quality service their customers get. Helen and Kevin both believe it is very important to meet their customers face to face even when giving those initial estimates. “That way we can find out what the customer really wants and needs,” said Helen.

That helps build up trust with their customers that they can safely leave their treasured possessions in safe hands

If you are between 18 and 30 years of age, and want to train to work as a lifeguard in the Valencian Community, the Youth Information and Animation Centre (CIAJ) offers this course to provide you with the knowledge and techniques necessary to be able to provide safety for users of water facilities, and attend to any health situations that may arise.

Wrapping and packing can be undertaken by Helen’s Trucks but if you prefer, they can supply all the necessary cartons, paper and tape for you to do the work yourself.

More information and registration at: CiajCouncil Youth Council Of Torrevieja. Paseo Juan Aparicio 5 ground floor. Phone: 965714072.

WhatsApp: 606 055 291.

Helen’s Trucks have recently upgraded their vehicle. See ad on page 3

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If

there is one thing that I’m not good at (Ah, OK Lads, so what if it could be more than one!) it is ‘giving the other fellow the right to be wrong.’ I try – but then I forget. Things that are not worth bothering about, such as bad driving on the road, a newsreader with hair covering one eye, a lying politician, or a dodgy call from a referee, can get my blood-pressure up out of all proportion to the offence. Over the years I have worked on this defect of my makeup, but still, when someone does something to me, my response can often bypass the brain.

If you have a justifiable grievance with somebody which needs to be resolved, try to come to an amicable conclusion if at all possible. Give the other person a bit of ‘wriggle-room’ with something like, ‘if I were you, I might feel that way too.’ This means nothing, but at least you have given him or her something out of it.

It isn’t easy to apply any of the above advice in an extreme situation where for example, somebody has a vendetta against you. As mentioned above, you cannot win the battle against a hatefilled deviant with no regard for the truth - so this is a battle not worth taking on.

I know I am not alone here – apart from you, Job. We all need to take stock and only tog out for the battles that are worth fighting. Let the other stuff, ‘the small potatoes’, flow past you – or as the comedienne, Catherine Tate proclaims in one of her sketches, “I’m above it!” Too often, instead of being ‘above it’, I, for one, ‘lose it’.

Life isn’t measured in how many times you fight a good fight – just because you were right. On the contrary, it isn’t winning the battle that makes you happy, (apart from maybe that first shortlived surge of satisfaction) but how many times you looked the other way and decided you were ‘above it.’

Every confrontation drains our tank of time and energy. Even when you win that battle, maybe your time and expertise could have been better spent elsewhere? Not wasting your time is far more important than coming out on top in some

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tance to our lives in the long run. We would all do well to pause here and ask ourselves; ‘is this something I need to deal with, dwell upon, lose sleep over … or could my thinking-time be better spent elsewhere?’ One of the most common ‘wrongs’ is when we hear somebody was badmouthing us, or worse still, spreading malicious lies. This one is difficult to ignore, and more difficult to do anything about; so it is best to ignore and let the people make up their own minds.

Choose your Battles Wisely

Whenever any of us are 100 per cent in the right, it is very difficult to give the other fellow ‘the right to be wrong.’ But sometimes the cost of battle cannot justify proving you were right in the first place. If it is simply not worth it, well then you are better off just settling for the knowledge in your own heart that you are in the right.

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The high moral ground isn’t always the safest road to travel, so we’ll drive home this point by repeating my favourite epitaph: ‘Here lies Michael Day: He died defending his right of way, He was in the right, and his will was strong, minor skirmish.

Here is the important bit: Pick the battles that are worth fighting. No matter what the provocation, ask yourself what have you to gain by winning, after investing your precious time and energy.

(Yes, I know, Lads …. I haven’t always taken my own advice!) Time lost is lost forever – and time is a limited resource. Ask yourself the question; what difference will it make in my life a year or two from now, whether I win or lose this argument?

We are not talking here about disputes that grow to the extent that they are settled in a court of

law. But if you are unfortunate enough to be embroiled in any such case and are unable to side-step the steps of the court; you need to remember that what you get in a court of law, is law – and not necessarily justice.

But he’s just as dead, as if he was wrong!’

Most of the things that ruffle us on a daily basis are small, petty irritations with no great impor-

Some people are so ingenious they can complicate simplicity.

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

GARDEN FELIX - BEE BALM ADDS COLOUR MONARDA 'The Bee Balm Plant' Bee balm adds cheerful colour to the garden.

THE bee balm plant - botanical name Monarda - are perennials coming back year-after-year, adding cheerful colour to your garden.

The flowers are an open, daisy like shape, with tubular petals in shades of red, pink, purple and white that are very attractive to bees and butterflies.

Bee balms prefer to be planted in moist, rich soil, in a sunny sheltered location, but will tolerate shade.

They will grow up to five feet tall, but there are also dwarf varieties that grow 10 inches high, ideal for containers.

Simply pick the flowers frequently, to encourage flower production. Deadheading or removing spent flowers will also promote a flourish of new blooms.

If you want a bushier plant, pinch-off the stem tips as the new growth appears in early spring.

In late autumn, cut the plant down to just a few inches tall. In colder areas it may die back completely to the ground.

The bee balm plant is susceptible to powdery mildew, so plant where it will have good air circulation. Also avoid watering from overhead.

So, let that be our lesson for today … choose your battles wisely!

DON’T FORGET

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

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WE ARE LIVING IN AN AGE OF BLAME ne morning at his home in Paris, Alfred Nobel was understandably surprised to read his own obituary in a French newspaper.

O

Not only because he wasn't dead at the time -- he hadn't even finished his breakfast, but he lost his appetite on seeing the words, "The merchant of death is dead." Clearly the writer wasn't a believer in not speaking ill of the dead. Many of whom would have been seriously ill, of course, prior to dying.

Nobel must have experienced mixed emotions on discovering it was his brother Ludvig who had died, grief and relief, perhaps.

None of the 5 eponymous Prizes has ever come my way, because for some reason there is no Nobel Prize for Journalism, and I can't believe the prize committee members are totally free from blame in that respect.

They could have created such a prize with the stroke of a pen, not that most modern journalists would recognise a pen even if it came with a free bottle of invisible ink. Or a free bottle of whisky.

We are living in an Age of Blame. There have been many such ages before ("How could you not spot an iceberg, helmsman, there were polar bears climbing all over it!") but our era now possesses universal technology to make deniability difficult, or ludicrous.

Managers of losing soccer teams appear at press conferences and blame the ball: "If that shot had gone in, it would have been a goal."

Once, when votes were tied for Lord Provost, my local town council cut cards to decide the

winner, and the loser flung the cards everywhere, blaming a queen of hearts for his misfortune, like many men before him. Just as well they weren't playing darts.

Nobel blamed his own invention of dynamite for causing him to be reviled as "a man who found a way to kill more people faster than ever before."

Which was rather unfair on dynamite, like me blaming a knighthood for passing me by without even a nod (or a sword) of recognition.

And we have begged the question for long enough. Who is to blame for the pandemic?

For its pervasiveness throughout society? Or the grave repercussions of playing games of chance with our health at stake, versus the wealth of economies/ airlines/hotels/restaurants/theatres/ football clubs/night clubs and hairdressers?

Too many knaves and jokers in that pack for my liking, give me Happy Families any day.

If we are going to indulge in a needle match, I know which needle I prefer, and there would be a nurse at the other end of it.

One never wants to read one's own obituary before breakfast. That's why I always put Long Life milk in my coffee before I exercise my teeth on a box of Ritter Sport chocolate.

A bar of Ritter is designed to fit into the pocket of a sports jacket, but somehow that never happens, since luckily I don't own a sports jacket.

Although I am thinking of buying a camouflage outfit with six pockets. And then who could blame me, if I filled them with chocolate?

New legislation to be introduced on Fly Tipping The Generalitat is finalising a decree that aims to improve the management, recovery and recycling of construction and demolition waste generated throughout the Valencian Community.

The objective is to tighten surveillance of uncontrolled dumping that now causes a major impact and a huge environmental problem, even in protected areas, where bricks, concrete, stones and rock, ceramics, glass, wood, plaster, metal waste, PVC are piled up alongside dangerous elements such as paints, detergents or resins.

The Valencian Government will require all municipalities to have their own ordinances that regulate the management of this waste 12 months after the new legislation comes into force.

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1962 - Brian Epstein signed a management deal with The Beatles. He was to receive 25% of the bands gross earnings, the normal management deal was 10%.

1964 - The Searchers were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with the Sonny Bono song 'Needles And Pins'.

1972 - The triple album The Concert For Bangladesh went to No.1 on the UK album chart. It was organized by George Harrison to raise funds for the people caught up in the war and famine from the area.

Monday 24th - Sunday 30th January, 2022

lyrics, he announced his refusal to play the record, not knowing that the BBC had decided that the song was not to be played on the BBC anyway. Produced by Trevor Horn the song remained on the chart for 48 weeks.

1986 - Allen Collins, guitarist from Lynyrd Skynyrd crashed his car, paralyzing him from the waist down and killing his girlfriend Debra Jean Watts. He had survived a plane crash in 1977 that killed two other band members, also in the same year Norwegian group A-ha were at No.1 in the UK with 'The Sun Always Shines On TV,' becoming the first ever Norwegian act to score a UK No.1 hit single.

1989 - Marc Almond started a four week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart' with guest vocals from Gene Pitney

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be cut into two-inch snippets and sold for £270 each.

2005 - Country singer Lynn Anderson was arrested for shoplifting after being caught stealing a Harry Potter DVD from a New Mexico supermarket and punching a police officer during her arrest. The 57 year old had the 1970 Top 5 hit 'Rose Garden'.

2014 - Susan Boyle applied for a minimum wage, £6-an-hour cashier's job after spotting a job advert in the window of her local bookmakers, Ladbrokes, in Blackburn, West Lothian. Upon reading the advert the singer who is said to be worth over £20m entered the premises and spent around five minutes Ladbroke’s cashier, Susan Boyle

2004 - Elvis Presley fans expressed their anger at plans to cut up a rare tape of the singer's early songs and sell the snippets at auction. The tape, which featured a recording made by Presley during the early 1950s, was now too fragile to play. US firm Master Tape Collection said the tape would

On tour with Lulu and Marty Wilde Ciudad Quesada, Rojales dancing star Rosemary Mason reflects on touring with Marty Wilde, Lulu and the Luvvers and Millie in Part 2 of a Leader Exclusive.

By Andrew Atkinson Rosemary Mason performed in various Cabaret shows in London in the sixties, until the start of the Pantomime season - then joined a touring company with Marty Wilde, father of pop singer Kim Wilde, Lulu and the Luvvers and Millie.

"I joined a touring company with Marty Wilde, Lulu and the Luvvers and Millie," said Rosemary, aged 18 at the time.

"I was the girlfriend of the bass guitarist from the Luvvers and that is how I met Lulu, who was just 16.

"Her manager Marion Massey asked me to stay with her in her house in St Johns Wood. I spent a year or so travelling up and down the country with them - and many other pop stars on the same circuit," remi-

nisced Rosemary.

"I was offered a job in the Caribbean on a cruise ship, which I accepted, and spent a year travelling around the Caribbean and South America.

"The next job took me to Lisbon, Portugal, where I stayed for more than a year.

"I returned to London in 1972 and gave up a dancing career. I later trained as an aerobic instructor, working for David Lloyd for many years," added Rosemary.

Rosemary, said: "The biggest influence of my career was Margot Fontaine and my teacher Beryl Grey.

"With the biggest disappointment was getting part in 'Budgie' with Adam Faith, only to fall ill and having to spend time in hospital. I lost the opportunity."

Rosemary reflected: "I have met lots of well known people during my life. As a child I was on 'Crackerjack' with Eamonn Andrews, Ronnie Corbett and Lesley Crowther.

"At boarding school I was in the same dorm as Pattie Boyd and at stage school many contemporaries are now famous - but not me!"

talking to the shop's deputy manager David Corr about the role.

2015 - Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne were given a song writing credit on Sam Smith's hit 'Stay With Me', because of the similarities to his 1989 track 'I Won't Back Down'. 'Stay With Me' had been nominated for three Grammys, including song of the year - which honours the writers of the track. Tom Petty's publisher had contacted Smiths publisher who made an out of court settlement.

2003 - Billy Joel was airlifted to hospital after his car smashed into a tree. The singer lost control of his Mercedes S500 and skidded for 100 yards before crashing.

The accident happened in The Hamptons, New York.

1984 - Frankie Goes To Hollywood started a five-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Relax!' BBC Radio 1 DJ Mike Read expressed on air his distaste for both the record's suggestive sleeve and its

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Return of Torrevieja Municipal Choral School

E

ntrance examinations and auditions will be held for the Municipal Choral School on Saturday, January 29, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Palacio de la Música, for potential members and students between the ages of 4 and 25 years.

Following its closure in the last legislature, the Council will be reforming the organisation thanks to and agreement signed between AGAMED and the Department of Education.

The objective of this musical project is to promote choral singing and the habanera amongst the children in the municipality, as one of the most deeply rooted and authentic expressions of Torrevieja.

Registration for the course is free for all students.

The Municipal Choral School will have three groups: Minuet A: from 4 to 7 years of age. Saturday mornings Children's Choir (Rondó): from 7 to 12 years old.

Friday afternoon and Saturday mornings.

Youth Choir (Symphony): from 12 years old.

Friday afternoon and Saturday mornings.

In total there will be 108 students in the three groups. Classes will be held at the Palacio de la Música on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings.

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CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

QUICKIE CROSSWORD

ANSWERS Week 902 QUICK ACROSS: 7 Obese; 8 Thirsty; 9 Vitriol; 10 Dirge; 12 Changeable; 15 Antagonise; 18 Tiara; 19 Gallant; 21 Netball; 22 River.

DOWN: 1 Conversant; 2 Heats; 3 Semi; 4 Stolen; 5 Kindness; 6 Ascribe; 11 Elementary; 13 Hogmanay; 14 Straits; 16 Niggle; 17 Waive; 20 Lord.

CRYPTIC CRYPTIC ACROSS: 7 Rolls; 8 Ebbtide; 9 Stuarts; 10 Optic; 12 Stonemason;

ACROSS 1.

Leap (4) 8.

Duty (10) 9.

Comic (8) 10. Infant (4) 12. Spirit (6) 14. Nuclear (6) 15. Meal (6) 17. Pride (6) 18. Tie (4) 19. Unsafe (8) 21. Fortress (10) 22. Simple (4) 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 2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

11.

13.

16.

17.

18.

20.

15 Tolerantly; 18 Santa; Unexpected (10) Prod (4) Floodgate (6) Schedule (6) Unyielding (8) Jealousy (4) Violent (10) Pulling (8) Pang (6) Sight (6) Touch lightly (4) Cipher (4)

19 Tillers; 21 Console; 22 Satin.

DOWN: 1 Prospectus; 2 Claus; 3 Tsar; 4 Lessen; 5 Abnormal; 6 Fittest; 11 Conversant; 13 Tarragon; 14 Planing; 16 Netted; 17 Lento; 20 Last.

ACROSS 1. Spaniards on the university staff (4) 8. Assembly that puts fellows in partial disarray (10) 9. Nevertheless she’s a member of the fair sex (8) 10. The French way to survive (4) 12. Everybody interrupting deplorable song (6) 14. Takes off for an excursion in the vessel (6) 15. Says tastes differ (6) 17. Leave a great deal of waste (6) 18. To sing after this request is enjoyable (4) 19. Repudiate Diana’s insurance demand (8) 21. You’ll need a taxi in case there’s heavy luggage (5,5) 22. The last character to break up a generation in the Old Testament (4)

L EA D E R T R I V I A Q U I Z 1. What was Google's top search term for the year 2020?

2. A 'blessing' is the collective noun given to which fabled creature?

3. What is the defining characteristic of someone who suffers from Hypertrichosis?

4. Which enchanting role have both Edmund Gwenn and Richard Attenborough played in film?

5. For those of you with a sweet tooth, what are the two typical ingredients in 'Ganache'?

6. The following line is from which famous film? "Charging a man with murder in this place was like handing out speeding tickets at the Indy 500" 7. Which male tennis player reached the finals of every US Open between 1982 and 1989?

8. What is a 'dendroglyph'?

9. James Bond's mother Monique Delacroix was born in which country? a.

Switzerland, b. Canada, c. France 10. The following words are from which Christmas songs? a. Here we are as in olden days; happy golden days of yore, b. Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow will find it hard to sleep tonight, c. The mood is right, the spirit's up, d. With a note saying 'I love you' I meant it, e. But instead it just kept raining, a veil of tears for the virgin's birth 11. The Pacific Islands are usually divided into three enthnogeographic group-

DOWN 2. A feature of the Victorian room above the gas-fitting, we hear (10) 3. Part of a bridge nine inches long (4) 4. Packed into a box car, maybe, with Edward (6) 5. Strive to break the fasteners (6) 6. What the beggar does could be simple or involved (8) 7. Leave it in the waste tip (4) 11. Excellent face-saving device for the foreman (10) 13. Playful philanderer left before Horatio got upset (8) 16. To quieten down when badly teased (6) 17. In the event, the record is given to you and me (6) 18. Nibble a quantity of grain (4) 20. Enjoy showing a resemblance (4)

( A n s we r s o n p a g e 2 3 ) ings. Can you name them?

12. Name the artist who painted each of the following works of art. a. The Starry Night (1889), b. Primavera (1477-78), c. Garden of Delights (15051510), d. Snow Storm-Steam Boat off a Harbour's Mouth (1842) 13. The first found remains of an Australopithecus afarensis are better known as what? Four letters 14. David Helfgott is the central character in which critically acclaimed film?

15. What do each of the following acronyms stand for? a. scuba, b. JPEG, c.

POTUS, d. Taser 16. Starkey, Ed Teynte, Bill Jukes, Cecco, Noodler and William Slank all lend which man a hand?

17. Of the chemical elements of the Periodic Chart, what is the minimum number of symbols that it takes to correctly spell the Capital of Iran?

18. Which so called profession made Matthew Hopkins (ca. 1620-1647) famous and infamous in 17th century England?

19. With the aid of the following lyrics, name the girl in each song. a. Jubilation, she loves me again, b. She's got it, yeah baby she's got it, c. She's just a girl who claims I am the one , d. She just can't be chained to a life where nothings gained, e. She is like a cat in the dark and then she is the darkness 20. In which language do each of the following mean 'Thank you'? a. Dank je, b. Komapsumnida (Ko map sum nee da), c. Gratiam habeo, d. Efcharisto

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Hunting Bargains at Moncayo!

By Andrew Atkinson Everyone loves a bargain, with peoplewarming to the Guardamar hunting grounds.

The popular market is booming with a plethora of goodies up for grabs, from jewellery, candlesticks, chandeliers, furniture, paintings, mirrors, gardening, to builders DIY merchandise, and ladies and gents clothing items, et al - from as little as 50 cents!

A Lenci dollbought for £29 - is worth £3,000

A Spanish dancer figurine by Lenci - purchased for £29 - is worth up to £3,000 according to Antiques Roadshow expert Will Farmer.

The Spanish dancer - found in a charity shop was designed by Helen Konig Scavini for Lenci in the 1930s.

The Spanish dancer's black and white ruffled polka-dot dress figurine is highlighted by her immaculate eyeliner and lipstick.

"25 years ago, age 13, I walked into an antique fair and acquired my own which was exactly the same," said BBC Antiques Roadshow expert Farmer.

Farmer, who revealed the figure was valued at £2,500-£3,000, said: "These are incredibly designed figures and the Italians love them. I have to say I love mine as well."

An old Asturias Spanish church cross pot candleholder was also bought at Moncayo.

The coat of arms of Asturias is the official heraldic emblem of the Principality of Asturias, adopted in 1984.

Bargains purchased at Moncayo weekly Saturday market include a pair of rare iron galleon ships, a Louis Armstrong figurine, and a Spanish oil painting on canvas.

Antique shows on TV have proved to be a big hit with millions of viewers tuning in daily to programmes such as Bargain Hunt, Salvage Hunters, Cash In The Attic, and Antiques Roadshow.

and household wares, including decorative ceramics.

The Victory Cross (Asturian and Spanish: Cruz

Lenci, during the 1920-1930s, was the jewel in the crown of the ceramic industry: "Lenci in the 1920s and 1930s were the pinnacle of the ceramics industry.

"They were formed by Helen Konig Scavini, a well-travelled lady who originated from Germany, but moved to Switzerland and married an Italian," said Farmer.

"They were some of the most wonderful artdeco figures of the period, epitomising the style and the entire essence of that day," he added.

The Lenci Company was established in Turin after the First World War, circa.1918, producing high-quality dolls, luxury goods, toys, puppets

de la Victoria) is an early 10th century Asturian crux gemmata or jewelled cross, given by King Alfonso III of Asturias, who reigned from 866 to 910, to the Cathedral of San Salvador of Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.

It was made in 908 in the Castle of Gauzón (Raices Viejo, Castrillón, Asturias). At the core is an oakwood cross, in legend identified with a cross carried by King Pelagius of Asturias at the Battle of Covadonga. *If you have purchased a valuable antique from a charity shop or car boot let us know at: office@theleader.info

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Frosty reception for Civil Guard officers

The Coffee Cup.

ivil Guard officers in the Villena, Sax, Monóvar and Castalla police stations are having to take in fires from their homes to combat the overnight cold due to a lack of heating

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The freezing temperatures that have been seen in the province during the last two weeks have once again highlighted the lack of means of the Civil Guard. A year after suffering the intense cold of the Storm Filomena and denouncing the authorities for a lack of heating devices in many of the Benemérita stations, the Spanish Association of Civil Guards (AEGC) is warning that the situation remains exactly the same.

wonder, dear reader, if you have heard the story of a garden party, where a group of people got together after a busy day working in a bubble, finding a little time to unwind.

I

During the hours prior to relaxing, it would have been a day of important decision making, especially as, when the picture was taken, the Covid 19 virus had taken control of the land, with, no doubt, most of their time spent looking at ways of fighting the pandemic.

If the agents want to work in a warm environment, without gloves, overcoats and scarves, they must resolve the problem themselves by taking in heaters of their own homes.

In the Villena police station, where the temperature dropped to minus 11.5 degrees, the guards have to change shivering in a locker room without any heating. The situation is the same in the reception areas and offices and neither is hot water.

One thing is very certain, these workers would have known about safe distances between people, and the picture of the event clearly shows that was taking place.

The situation is the same in the Sax barracks, where the mercury has dropped to minus 5.3 degrees overnight, and where the freezing temperatures are suffered by both the guards and the public, as there is no heating in the reception areas. In fact, several people complained on Tuesday because they could not “hold out being in a refrigerator any longer,” referring to the waiting room.

This illustration was taken twenty-one months previously. If it was so important, why was it not shown then? The answer to that is simple – it was kept so as to be used as part of a rebellion to bring down the Government, or at the least the Prime Minister himself.

And to add to Boris Johnson’s woes, they, the people organising this plot, think that the boss popping in to a ‘get together’ for a quick snifter is nothing but criminal. It is yet another old event being used now to pile on the agony, as if it was important.

Nothing more than a political assault.

Let us try and put this into perspective – we are talking 10 Downing Street, the decision making hub of the United Kingdom, so, because of the Covid virus spreading rapidly, were they supposed to shut up shop and go home, and let the country come to its own conclusions about the problem, with no leadership?

What we are seeing is trial by media, with social media piling on the agony by those who are opposed to the government.

Mob action shouting the loudest, and as a ‘lie’ travels far faster than the ‘truth’, the populace is enjoying an exciting story where the honesty of it does not matter, and is not considered. In real terms it is just the baying of the hounds for a head, and never mind where it will lead.

MR LOOPHOLE AND PERCEIVED JUSTICE In the news this week we saw the result of a non-court case involving ‘Mr Loophole’ – he is an expensive solicitor used by ‘A’ listers to find a reason why they should not be punished for breaking the law. A few years ago he managed to get a speeding charge against David Beckham removed.

This week he came to the aid of Frank Lampard who avoided prosecution despite being caught by video, driving his Mercedes with a phone in one hand and a coffee cup in the other. To my mind how can he possibly have control of a vehicle, while two hands are occupied holding the items as described above?

Lampard denied the charge of using a

Monovar’s Guardia Barracks doesn’t even have hot water

handheld mobile phone/device while driving a motor vehicle on a road, and after hiring 'Mr Loophole', the case was suddenly dropped before a court hearing, as it was decided that the prospect of a conviction was too low, due to the inability to prove he was on the phone for interactive communications ……. so what about the coffee cup?

To my mind, and as I have written before, the attitude and the understanding of the law by the Prosecution Service is inadequate. Perhaps they should take a lead from the Australian people, who deem that a well-known ace tennis player broke the rules of entry to their country. They told him to get on his bike and go home, albeit that in this instance it was an aeroplane.

While the jurors in a trial, helped by a judge, puzzle the right’s and the wrongs of a case, the perpetrators are obviously guilty. However, the three elderly people involved have been found not guilty for delaying a train on the docklands light railway. Philip Kingston, 85, Reverend Sue Parfitt, 79, and Martin Newell, 54, climbed on the roof of the Docklands Light Railway train at Shadwell station in East London, delaying the movement of trains for over an hour.

MPs blasted the decision by a jury as 'outrageous' as they unanimously cleared the three Extinction Rebellion activists of obstructing the railway - after a judge quoted their right to protest under the European Convention of Human Rights.

Following other cases where people have admitted an offence, only for the jury to

find them not guilty, and while I puzzle over what is happening to law and order, I cannot help wondering how an 84 and a 79 year old managed to actually climb onto the roof of a railway carriage.

While leniency is being dished out by the courts, trial by the media is being used to find the Prime Minister guilty as people call for his downfall - what would have been, in the old days, the ‘ducking stool’.

Prince Andrew, what a sad affair - but again it is something that happened many years ago at a time when Hugh Hefner, with the help of many others, developed the ‘Playboy Clubs.’ In the clubs, one could be served by a shapely lady wearing ‘not a great deal’. Some were even topless, but all with bunny ears and a tail.

Times have moved on and attitudes have changed and that is how it should be – but shouldn’t history also be left where it is, and not constantly scrutinised to find items now illustrating that present day thinking considers it to have been wrong.

It is not possible to change yesteryear, so is it right to punish somebody today for an action that was acceptable at that time?

In the meantime, the circus condemning the man, Prince Andrew, is no better than a kangaroo court with people baying for his demise. My understanding of law is, innocent until proven guilty.

FINALLY – the facemask is very useful in bed if your partner has been eating garlic.

Take care. www.facebook.com/percy chattey - all my books are available on Amazon and Kindle

Officers are particularly critical of the Sax accommodation because in summer the civil guards also suffer the suffocating heat with the mercury above 40 degrees without asingle air conditioner. They have therefore gone from extreme heat to severe cold in five months.

But these two stations are no exception. The guards and the public are also suffering in the Castalla barracks where, in recent nights in Monóvar, the agents have been forced to dress in changing rooms that barely reached two degrees, a problem that they also have to bear when they patrol since, in addition to official vehicles being insufficient, they are very old with high mileages, and where one of them has faulty heating.

Neither the guards nor their association, the AEGC, can understand why a problem that has been around for years has still not been solved. What's more, in some of these barracks, still in their packaging, the Benemérita has the heat and cold pumps necessary to put an end to the problem, but since the required services cannot not paid for, the installer refuses to carry out any new work until he is paid.

So instead, officers will continue to bring in heating equipment and fires, none of it with the government’s health and safety authorisation or approval, to their police stations, giving an impression of apathy by the government and by their senior officers towards the men and women who provide this essential public service.

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HERE’S AN IDEA FOR YOU ........

SOOTHING STORMS IN A TEACUP The herbal infusion known simply as tea is drunk all over the planet for its pleasant stimulating effect, but plenty of other herbs make great teas too...

Discover some of nature’s rich variety here's an ever-growing demand for herb teas, and you can buy a dizzying variety in tea-bag form. You can also buy a number of great herbs in combinations aimed at specific problems such as stress, respiratory or skin ailments and general detox.

T

Buy the herbs loose, though, and store them away from light, in labelled jars, and you'll find they have a fresher, more vivid taste as teas. You can use more than the often rather stingy amounts in tea bags, and you can also experiment and develop your own personal blends.

Keep a glass or china teapot specially for your herb teas, make them with the loose herbs, and pour them out through a strainer, just as we all used to do before tea bags were invented.

Make your own herbal tea blends

When I was living in Italy, some friends of ours in the country served this aromatic tisane as a digestive after a summery lunch. Take 2 sprigs of thyme, 2 of mint and 10 rose petals -any colour will do. Pour 2 cups of boiling water over them and leave them to infuse, covered, for three to four minutes. Then strain and serve.

Teapots are a good idea, since most herb teas should be infused covered.

How much herb to use?

For a single cup or mug, a good teaspoonful of dried herb; more if it's fresh.

And infuse for a good five to ten minutes. If you're using roots or bark, they need to be simmered (in a stainless steel or enamel pan, please) for about ten minutes to draw out their goodness.

The black tea we all love is rich in antioxidants; green tea is even more so, though if you like your tea with milk, it loses that antioxidant punch. But some of the best-known herbs taste so good they can be drunk on their own.

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PAGE 17

When herbalist Alex Martin came to lunch with me, she brought me one of the special teas she mixes up for her patients, with names like Blues and Flus, Revitalise and Wake Up. Her choice for me was Tranquillity, now one of my favourite bedtime drinks: it's made with two parts each of limeflower and chamomile, and half a part of lavender.

'Limeflower soothes the nerves,' she explained. 'Chamomile helps digestion, and lavender helps you sleep - but lavender is a very up-front taste, so you don't need too much of it: If you have specific health problems, match your tisane to your personal needs. Nerves, depression, anxiety? Try lemon verbena, chamomile, lemon balm. Respiratory problems? Limeflower, elderflower, ginger, thyme. Troubled skin?

Red dover - a mellow, delicate flavour - nettle, marigold.

Digestive problems? Meadowsweet, peppermint, ginger, fennel seeds. Need a general tonic? Sage or rosemary.

Chamomile, the great calmer, has a warm, mellow, slightly apple-y flavour. Limeflowers and elderflowers both have a gorgeous smell of summer. Peppermint is, well, minty.

Lemon verbena - another gentle calmer of nerves and stomach - has a clean, fresh lemony taste, as does lemon balm, a cheery, uplifting tea.

I combine three of these in a lovely after-dinner tea: one part limeflower, one part lemon verbena, and - if you have it - a few fresh lemon balm leaves. It's a warm, citrussy, aromatic brew, and a great substitute for coffee.

Many valuable herbs taste, frankly, boring - grassy, hay-like, bland, earthy or just sort of green. So if there are serious medical reasons for choosing a particular herb, and its taste doesn't thrill you, you can always blend it with a herb that has real zing.

Nettle tea, for instance, is so mineral-rich it's better than any pill, and a great calmer of allergic problems into the bargain, but you might as well drink an infusion of spinach.

Mix it with zesty, minty peppermint, though, and it slips down a treat. If, like me, you find green tea both bland and slightly bitter, copy the Moroccans who get through gallons of their favourite mint tea: green tea brewed in silver teapots with sugar and plenty of the fresh herb - marvellous for the digestion.

Here are some other ways to zizz up teas. Add a scrap of lemon or orange peel, a pinch of cinnamon or ginger and, for sweetness, a little honey or a pinch of powdered stevia if you can find it; it's sweeter than sugar and actually good for you.

NEXT WEEK: GOOD HAIR DAYS

PAGE 18

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Samaritans in Spain? Have a few hours a week to help with the charity shop, fundraising or admin? Come and join us for a chat at our Centre in the Punta Marina Shopping Centre. Volunteers are unpaid but expenses are met. Email: spainsamsrecruits @outlook.com

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SOCIAL AND CLUBS The February Meeting of the Royal British Legion Orihuela Costa and District Branch will be held at 7 for 7.30 pm on Thursday 17 Feb 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.

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MATCH RESULTS

Knockout Cup Round Semi Final Venues to be advised

FOR 20 JANUARY - WEEK 14 Hub Hyenas Pint Depot Queens Tipsy Toad Toppers Ale House Lads Domino's Desperados Boris' Bears Mind The Gap Danny's Bar

6-6 3-9 6-6 3-9 5-7 10-2 11-1 11-1

Milo's Wee Rock Horrors Cc's Flyers El Capitan Tipsy Toad Tiaras Ale House Totties Freakie Taverners Hub Hellraisers

LEAGUE TABLE 20/01/2022 WEEK 14 P Pts Mind The Gap 14 27 El Capitan 14 25 Hub Hyenas 14 23 Tipsy Toad Toppers 14 21 Cc's Flyers 14 19 Ale House Lads 14 19 Danny's Bar 14 17 Wee Rock Horrors 14 14 Freakie Taverners 13 13 Boris' Bears 14 12 Milo's 13 11 Tipsy Toad Tiaras 14 9 Domino's Desperados 14 6 Hub Hellraisers 14 4 Ale House Totties 14 2 Pint Depot Queens 14 0

Legs 144 128 118 115 108 97 102 83 74 89 73 57 52 41 37 30

HIGHEST CHECK-OUTS: Carlos Escanciano (mind the Gap) T20-D16 (92)

Danny's Bar v Tipsy Toad Toppers El Capitan v Mind the Gap

Auxillary Cup Round Semi Final Venues to be advised TIPSY TOAD TOPPERS V C.C.'S FLYERS

" Liama " 100, D9, overcome a lively lan Phillips 121, Sierra figuring 2nd for the Lads just edging out Arold K 123, on D16 plus a 140. lt was to be the last Lads leg as an El Caps strong final four reeled off the remainder Marcos Lopez D17, Walker 3x80+, D20, Ed K. 80,85,121,D16 and finally Bobinas eventually nailing D1 after some impressive scoring 100,85,100.

MOTM - Sierra - Walker.

C.C.'s move into the top 5 on leg difference, since occupying 6th spot from November 4th , following this real cracker of a match.

O.W.S. director and league sponsor Matt Smith showed the way in the 1st triple with 100,121,100, D16 ( not sure what the other 2 were doing ).

HUB HYENAS V MILOS At 4-0 to the good, Hyenas looked well on the way to a comfortable victory over visitors Milos. A complete collapse followed, Milos taking the next 5 and deservedly too.

PINT DEPOT QUEENS V WEE ROCK HORRORS

Raul Rocomora made a win possible with a D5 out in the 11th after Paul Durrant had levelled the match on D2. Fortunately for the hosts they had Dylan Fitzsimmons to salvage the tie, 100,140,D16 ensured the draw against a spirited performance from Fabian Alcocer.

The Costa Blanca Royal family, also have their problems as the girls couldn't find their scoring or finishing boots in the first 3 legs, which went Horrors way, Joe Cuyt, 100,D5, Tony Spiers,100,D10 and Jackie Forrest D18, a rejuvenated Graham Solomans contributing a ton.

With the 1st four legs in the bag via Alex Nikolov, D20, Eric Manders D7, " Fitz ",D16 and Alan Havelock D7, Milos pounced on the hosts casualness, reeling off 5 in succession from Alcocer D12, Rocomora 100 and a 63 out, Alcocer 121,D8 in the opening singles, Darren Boyle 140,100,85,D4 and Cathal Hough D10.

Lorraine Cox reduced the deficit on D2, Andy Forrest D6 and Billy Dolling 100, D20 increasing the Rocks lead to 1-5. Marie Cummins a fine 121.

Roco 100, D5 made it 6 for Milos and a point, Fitzsimmons earning his sides MOTM in the closing leg. Alcocer and Rocomora sharing MOTM, for Milos.

180's - 20 January Ben Kernahan (Domino's Desperados)

Paddy Winterbourne made it all square on D1, Andy Gildea contributing 3x100. Lee Maiden 100,81,D16 and Winterbourne again on D16 ( plus 2x100 ) made it 3-1 in favour of the Toppers.

Jesus Madrid D3 narrowing the lead aided by a Charles Pritchett ton. Maiden closing the 1st half on D1, partner Gildea 100.

Andy Flavell outed on 54 in two after a fine 138 set up, John McKay 101, D6 overcoming the free scoring Gildea 85,140. The score now 4-4 , Smith continued his excellent evening on D5 and 104,140 for 4-5.

Maiden evened the legs with a 69 out, following 81,81,140,100, with just 2 to play. Stalwart Phil de Lacy D12 edged Toppers ahead once again, Pritchett, not for the 1st time saving the day for the Flyers on D15 for the draw. MOTM - Gildea - Smith.

DOMINO'S V TIARAS Anticipating a 'close run thing', Tiaras brought six stalwarts to the fray to test out the skills of young bucks, Ben Kernahan and Akash Patel.

It was, however, Captain Christine Oates who took the first one for the team, 'going out lads- but maybe some time' to bag the first triples on D1. Akash did the same for the next game, but the ladies slowly warmed up and found the better scores leading to their first leg courtesy of captain de Lacy (10-D1) in the 3rd triples.

Mike Tierney outed on D12 to earn at least a point, and then came a mini Queens revival, Vi Turner D18, Cox 98, D2, making it 3-6, the visiting Rockers clearly shocked and now on the back foot.

The tremors proved minor as Forrest, D2, Solomans D4 and Dolling 100, D20 added a further 3 legs for victory despite Cummins, Debbie Wright, and Jade Hockton finding numerous big trebles, MOTM Hockton - Dolling.

Veteran Ray Hayes (85, D2) pulled one back in the Pairs but then Lesley Eagles (98, D8-D8) and de Lacy (16-D8) evened things up for 3 apiece at the half-way stage. Young Ben, testing out his new darts, scooped a 2nd 180 in two weeks but couldn't get the finish against Pat Schofield (D8) as teammate Ash giggled from the side-lines.

ALE HOUSE LADS V EL CAPITAN Tons from Vycka Bobinas and Ed Klimonis not enough as Dario Sierra 100, D18, opened the Lads account.

Olly Walker reversed the trend taking the next 2 with a 140 thrown in.

A good response from both Eugene Lane, 81, 100 and Sierra 100,100,85. Graham White made his presence felt with 100,100,D18, to level, Bobinas replying with 134,121. Arold Klimonis 121 and Andres Liamazares D9 extending Caps lead to 2-4.Lads, Thomas Harrison 85,132.

PAGE 19

Milos MOTM Alex Alcocer and Raus Rocamora

Ben reciprocated as Ash floundered and flailed in the 2nd singles, but eventually managed to check-out on D2 to his great relief for 4 -4. Tiaras de Lacy (D4), Wendy Hayward (D2) and Eagles (D5) took the ladies to the all-important 7 legs with MOTM Paul Chick (92, 94, D8) getting the last point from MOTM Lisa Ivill (95, 114, 85).

A great match where everyone got down to a finish

Freakie Taverners v Hub Hyenas Wee Rock Horrors v Tipsy Toad Tiaras

Games to be played on February 3rd Draw conducted at Angels by John McKay. and are looking forward to a re-match in the spring.

BORIS BEARS V ALE HOUSE TOTTIES The Totties soon to be in situ at Angels bar Los Dolses, managed just two legs against an "on song" Bears side preparing themselves for a victorious division 2 campaign soon to be undertaken.

Wins from Steph Broadfoot 110,and Winnie McKay, plus heavy scoring from Sharon Williams were Totties only highlights.

Several nominees for the Bears MOTM, namely Ron Chadwick gaining 3 winning legs, D10, D20, D2 and 2X100, Barry Shingler 95,133 and 2 outs 55 and 88 ( T16,D20 ), Yvonne Rouffignac the match winner on D8 and 95,95,99, but it was Amanda Skinner taking the plaudits with 3x100+ 2x80+ and a singles victory, Broadfoot Totties MOTM. DANNY'S BAR V HUB HELLRAISERS This crushing defeat of the Raisers ensures Dannys division 1 status when the league splits into 2 in February. Notable Raiser scores came via Carol Peace, Lesley Dolling and skipper Cheryl McGlynn earning MOTM status. Sue Spiers Raisers lone victor.

Bob Smith playing just 2 legs, courtesy of his own squad rotation still managed to merit MOTM with 2 game shots and 100,119,121,140, no mean feat.

He was supported however by other good efforts from Alan Walker, 2 outs, plus 121,123, 3x80+ and John Giggs D10, 81,140,140 and Steve Lumb, D7, 2x80+, 100,134,125. Top shot of the game went to Steve Hodgett on 160.

MIND THE GAP V FREAKIE TAVERNERS A reasonable all round scoring performance from the Tavern, adequate against a number of other league teams was totally inadequate against leaders Gap. A handful of 80+'s, 140 and D20 earned Mitch Halliday MOTM for the visitors, Brian Livesy, Ernie Willis, John Bowden and Sharon Frain putting in a decent shift, just wasn't a match against unbeaten Gap. Top game shot came via Calos Escansiano 96, T20,D18, Darren Sanderson close behind with 20,20, D18 ( 76 ). Gordon Cowan came away with the MOTM

PAGE 20

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LA SIESTA BOWLS (Members Run Club) by Alan Carr Enterprise The Apollos travelled to Vistabella to play the Albatrosses, where the home team kept a commanding lead throughout the game on most of the rinks with the best result for the Apollos were one team getting within a shot.

Result 0-10 (Shots 51-92).

Discovery An away game for the Pioneers the hosts being Quesada Diamonds who nearly won on all rinks but were stopped by; Kathleen Morrisroe, Bill & Sue Jordan who managed to secure two points with a (17-16) win. One other rink went very close losing out by one shot. Lost 2-8 (64-88).

Voyager The Sputniks home game against Quesada Rubies had to be called off and be re-arranged due to building work nearby causing problems that the club had too temporary close.

Winter League An early start for La Siesta and due to last minute medical problems we had to reorganise the players to only field 3 teams at BBC. The game ended with a win

SOUTH ALICANTE WINTER TRIPLES Week 11 - Monday 17th January ENTERPRISE DIVISION San Miguel Alsations 74 (5) Greenlands Maples 49 (4) San Luis Klingons 51 (2) El Rancho Pintos 71 (2) Vistabella Albatrosses 92 (10)

Quesada Pearls Vistabella Albatrosses Emerald Isle Titans San Luis Klingons San Miguel Beagles La Siesta Apollos Greenlands Maples San Miguel Alsations Greenlands Sycamores El Rancho Pintos

P 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11

Greenlands Sycamores 73 (5) San Miguel Beagles 64 (6) Emerald Isle Titans 93 (8) Quesada Pearls 90 (8) La Siesta Apollos 51 (0) W 32 28 24 26 20 22 22 19 12 10

D 0 1 2 0 3 0 0 1 1 2

L 12 15 18 18 21 22 22 24 31 32

Diff Diff 357 163 145 34 16 -61 69 -119 -241 -363

Pts 84 73 66 63 60 54 52 44 29 25

DISCOVERY DIVISION Quesada Diamonds 88 (8) La Siesta Pioneers 64 (2) San Miguel Dalmations 52 (0) Vistabella Drivers 80 (10) Emerald Isle Neptunes 61 (3) La Marina Explorers 70 (7) La Marina Pathfinders 81 (9) Emerald Isle Moonrakers 40 (1) Country Bowls Flamingos 99 (10) San Luis Trekkers 46 (0) P W D L Country Bowls Flamingos 11 36 2 6 Quesada Diamonds* 11 27 1 16 La Marina Pathfinders 11 23 3 18 La Marina Explorers 11 22 2 20 Vistabella Drivers * 11 22 1 21 San Miguel Dalmations 11 17 3 24 La Siesta Pioneers 11 18 2 24 Emerald Isle Neptunes 11 18 1 25 San Luis Trekkers 11 15 2 27 Emerald Isle Moonrakers 11 13 1 30 * 2) deducted for failing to field a full side

Diff Diff 231 177 107 131 -2 -34 -21 -56 -223 -310

Pts 94 67 65 60 57 47 46 45 36 29

VOYAGER DIVISION Greenlands Chestnuts 94 (10) El Rancho Raiders 76 (6) La Siesta Sputniks P-P

Greenlands Chestnuts Country Bowls Seahawks Vistabella Eagles Quesada Rubies La Siesta Sputnicks Vistabella Buggies ** El Rancho Raiders

P 7 8 7 6 7 8 7

Vistabella Buggies 43 (0) Country Bowls Seahawks 78 (4) Quesada Rubies W 22 19 14 14 11 10 7

D 1 1 0 0 2 1 1

** 5) deducted for failing to field a full side

L 5 12 14 10 15 21 20

Diff Diff 216 97 14 62 -66 -184 -139

Pts 59 53 38 34 26 18 17

Monday 24th - Sunday 30th January, 2022 on one rink and losing on the remaining two. Rink winners were; Kathleen Morrisroe, Tracey Paffett, Jim Jarvie & Dave Blackie (19-15). Lost 2-8 (Shots 41-64).

Division A The Blues afternoon game was at Emerald Isle playing the Cavaliers which resulted in three of our rinks taking heavy defeats, but the home side could not stop our remaining team from taking two points for a win. Rink winners were; Joy & Brian Gardiner with Jean Cooper (28-24).

Lost 2-8 (Shots 59-100).

Division B The Golds welcomed Vistabella Picadors to La Siesta which ended up by us having a good day winning on three rinks and losing on the other, getting a result of 8-2 (Shots 62-52). Winning teams being; Mags Haines, Joan & Mike Inns (17-10). Noel Morrisroe, Wendy & Alan Ralph (17-11). Irene Laverick, Derek Barker & John Skipper (1914).

Division C No game for the Silvers as they had a Bye this week.

Interested in joining La Siesta Bowls Club call the President George 865 772 498 or the Captain Wendy 633 068 399 who will give you further information.

El Rancho Bowls Club Monday morning found the Raiders playing host to Country Bowls Seahawks and put in a good performance, in taking the rinks 3-1 and losing the overall shots by just 2.

Dave Baker, Debbie Ham and Adrian Ham 13-34. Peter Blackburn, Dave Haynes and Marion Haynes 20-18. Val Ryder, Ron Greenstreet and Judy Foley 22-16. Sheila Millward, Brian Gilham and Jim Eastwood 21-10.

In the afternoon the Pintos were also at home, playing Quesada Pearls, who put in

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Vistabella Bowls Club

Monday 17th South Alicante League: Enterprise Div. Klingons, were at home to Emerald Isle Titans. As expected it was hard fought match & a close measure for a draw didn’t quite make it, so in the end we only had one winning team: Giuseppe Galelli, June & Keith Jones 17-14. Points 2-8, shots 51-93.

Discovery Div. Trekkers journeyed down to play Country Bowls Flamingos but unfortunately came away empty handed: points 0-10, shots 46-99.

Wednesday 19th saw our Winter League team making the long trip up to Javea Green. It was lovely to see our northern friends; although we knew the match would be tough. We hoped for better but came away with 4 points-6, shots close 66-70.

Well done to our winners: Jane Hamill, Dee Hoey, June & Keith Jones 20-18, Ralph Jones, Bill Webb, Pam Lockett, Scott Malden 23-10.

Southern League Div A. Friday 21st Lions away v La Marina Sharks & another

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with Brian Zelin

Monday 17th January, Vistabella Albatrosses were at Home to La Siesta Apollo's, Winning on all 4 Rinks. Lynne Bishop, Sue Kemp, Brian Zelin 26-13, Neil Burrows, Sandra Burrows, Eric Bishop 16-15, Mo Foulcer, Tony French, Martin Foulcer 20-15, Kath Reid, Carol Thorpe, Ian Kenyon 30-8, Shots 92-51. Points 10-0.

Vistabella Drivers were Away to San Miguel Dalmatians, Winning on all 4 Rinks. Ron Smith, Alan Whitely, Stan Dibble 17-13, Olwyn Radcliffe, Brian Pointon, Brian Dunn 16-14, Frank Barclay, John Goddard, Stuart Allman 24-15, Barry Tarling, Mark Matthewman, Paul Durham 23-10, Shots 80-52. Points 10-0.

Friday 21st January, Vistabella Lanzadores were at Home to Quesada Swallows, Winning on 2 Rinks, Tony French, Carol Thorpe, Gary Thorpe 17-14, Kath Reid, Maggie Furness, Ian Kenyon 17-15, Shots 62 - 79 Points 4-6.

Vistabella Conquistadors were at Home to Greenlands Elms, Winning and Drawing on 2 Rinks. Rosemarie Savage, Ken Savage, Alice Howe 23-12, Peter Caldwell, Denise Howell, Steve Baxter 16-16, Shots 65-71 Points 37.

Vistabella Picadors were Away to La Siesta Gold's, Winning on just 1 Rink, Frank Barclay, Jeff Neve, Stuart Allman 17-9, Shots 52-62. Points 2-8.

a fine performance. The Pearls took the rinks 3-1 and the overall shots by 90-71.

Johnston, Brian Gilham and Ron Greenstreet 14-18.

Brian Harris, Ngaio Baldwin and Pete Baldwin 13-28. John Richards, Diane Yates and Richard Lee 18-26. Sheila Cox, Malc Sykes and Mike Cox 23-15. Ria Dukker, Pam Harris and Henry Ryder 1721.

The Mustangs were playing host to Greenlands Oaks and played well despite the very cold conditions and took the rinks 3 to 1 and the overall shots by a small margin.

On Friday the Broncos were away at Country Bowls playing the Cubs and put in a fine performance in sharing the points, with both teams taking 2 rinks and 63 shots each. A good away result.

Sheila Cox, Malc Sykes and Mike Cox 2312. Brian Harris, Ngaio Baldwin and Pete Baldwin 13-32. John Richards, Diane Yates and Richard Lee 25-12. Lesley Day, Pam Harris and Henry Ryder 15-13.

David Baker, Sue Ziepe and Marion Haynes 16-21. Val Ryder, Steve Ziepe and Judy Foley 20-12. Sheila Millward, Jim Eastwood and Dave Haynes 13-12. Bill

Bowlers of all levels are welcome at El Rancho, for further membership information contact Sheila Cox at micksheilacox@gmail.com

San Luis Bowls Club ....... by Sheila Cammack The week started with another cold morning, causing problems for those of us who wear glasses, to steam up because of our masks!! The new rules about checking/scanning Covid certificates & I. D.s also adding to the pre-match jobs to be done through fogged up glasses.

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chilly 6ºc start with the inevitable heavy “layered” look, woolly hat & gloves, numb fingers and cold feet making playing rather less enjoyable.

There were some very close games unfortunately some of us weren’t quite so close; finishing 4points-6, 53 shots -71.Well done to our winners: Tricia Riley, Vic Mahomet, Pat Riley 16-15, Giuseppe Galelli, Bill Webb, Scott Malden 17-12.

Div B. Tigers were at home to Emerald Isle Outlaws and had a good result with useful points; 6-4, shots 70-59. Winners: John Bagnall, Sue Ross, Lyndon Johnson 23-14, Pauline Johnson, Cas Blay, Barry Edwards 28-7.

We look forward to welcoming more new members, joining us in March, with the summer leagues. There is a range of membership fees for 12, 7 or 3 (Brexit) months.

You can come along & watch on match days, join in on a Saturday morning with the “Chicken Drive” or speak with Club Captain, June Jones 691 903 773, or email: keithjones81@hotmail.com for more information or to arrange coaching.

We have been hearing of more Covid positive tests amongst local bowling friends; we wish everyone well & hope they recover quickly. Take care, stay warm & dry!!.

La Marina Bowls Club With Dave Hadaway Last week our 2 teams in the Discovery league and this week they both played Emerald Isle. Pathfinders at home against their Moonrakers and the Explorers travelled to the Isle to play their Neptunes.

Both our teams had exceptionally good results the Pathfinders winning at home 9-1, with a shot difference of 81-40, and the Explorers winning 7-3 with a shot difference of 70-61.

Our top trips at each venue were Martha Reynolds, Dave McGaw and John Rae, winning 26-4, and Anne Stone, Jean Fowkes, Peter Parsons winning 19-11.

Friday Southern League Sharks are in Division A and had 40 points from 10 games, and the Seagulls in Division B also had 40 points from 10 games – putting them both in the lower half of the league but a good way from the bottom teams.

This week's games have done little to improve the situation the Seagulls were away to Greenlands Cedars and lost 8-2 with a shot difference of 54-98, and the Sharks holding a strong position at 10 ends ending with a 6-4 win against the San Louis Lions.

I would however like to congratulate the trip of Anne Stone, Jim Reeves and Peter Parsons with a 26-5 win adding immensely to a overall shot difference 71-52.

I would like to remind you all that the Monday monthly quiz will take place next Monday 31.01.22. Please contact Trevor Hancock if you wish to take part.

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Quesada Bowls Club Roundup

By Steve Hibberd Top of the table, Pearls recorded yet another victory, this time away at El Rancho.

Against the Pincho's, these 3 trips earned them 8 valuable points - S Barnes, A Linley, D Barnes 21-17. G Phillips, M France, J Prokopowycz 2813. C Brazier, T Morgan, P Morgan 26-18. Also in good form, Diamonds also won 8-2 for the 2nd consecutive week.

Home to La Siesta Pioneers, here's the winning rinks - B Elliott, K Gordon, P Farrell 19-18. S Hibberd, S Heath, T Voisey 29-14. A Bowen, S Jakeman, A Benson 24-15. Due to a water leak close by, Rubies match at La Siesta was postponed.

Meanwhile in the Friday Southern league, Swallows had a tough match at top of the table Vistabella Lazadores.

Although 2 of our rinks lost by a couple of shots, these 2 rinks ensured that overall shots difference was secured, meaning a hard earned 6 points came our way - T Morgan, S Heath, P Morgan 24-19. C Brazier, M France, J Prokopowycz 26-9.

Swans succumbed to a 2-6 home defeat to San Miguel Boxers, and it could have worse but for these 3 dudes - G Kershaw, A Linley, B Armstrong 19-8.

Finally, Swifts had another day at home watching the box!

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San Miguel Bowls Club

By Barry Jones On Monday morning San Miguel Dalmations got off to a bad start for the week losing 10 - 0, 85 shots to 52.

Also on Monday morning San Miguel Beagles were away to Greenlannd Maples winning 6 - 4, 64 shots to 49. Both winning triples won by 5 shots. Mary Dyer, Ron Nairey and Steve Cantley 19 - 4 also Bob Graham, Carol Broomfield and Lynn Greenland 21 - 6.

Monday afternoon saw San Miguel Alsations play Greenlands Sycamores where they shared the points 5 all, 74 shots to 73. The winning triple were Paul Hayward, Ken Guiney and Ed Cowan 22 - 15.

On Friday morning San Miguel Bulldogs were home to Country Bowls Geckos losing 4 - 6, 72 shots all. The winning triple were Sandra Hannan, Alan Campbell and Lynn Greenland 26 - 10.

Also on Friday Morning San Miguel Boxers were away to Quesada Swans winning 8 - 2, 64 shots to 58. The best winning triple were Bob Nesbitt, Jack Jackson and Dave Champion 22 - 12.

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.

Mike Probert talks Golf H

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

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PAGE 21

GREENLANDS BOWLS CLUB With Dave Webb In the Enterprise League , the Maples were at home to San Miguel Beagles, Final scores were Total shots for - 49, total shots against, - 64. Points for - 4. points against - 6. In the Voyager Division, The Chestnuts were at home to Vistabella Buggies. Final scores were - Total shots for 94, Total shots against - 43. Points for 10, - Points against - 0.

In the Enterprise Division the Sycamores were away to San Miguel Alsations. Final scores were Total shots for, 73 total shots against, 74. Points for 5, Points against 5.

In the Winter League, Greenlands were away to Emerald Isle, Final scores were - Total shots for 49, Total shots against - 68. Points for - 2, Points against - 8. In the Southern League, The Cedars were at home to La Marina Seagulls. Final scores were - Total shots for - 98 Total shots against 54, Points for - 8, points against - 2.

The Oaks were away to El Rancho and encountered the usual difficulties but managed to win one rink. The overall was very close but final scores on the doors were 2 points to us and 8 points to El Rancho.

EMERALD ISE BOWLS CLUB by Elwyn Morris Titans began the week in great style with a fantastic 8-2 Aggregate 93-51 win at San Luis Klingons, P Coffey S Marks R Marks 39-5, L Ponsford C Smyth J Smyth 22-12, D Jones S Elvin A M Gerrard 18-17 Neptunes slipped up at home to La Marina Explorers by 3-7 Aggregate of 61-70, M Ellis J Bright K Jolliffe 1817, G Dyer S Johnson J Mulloy 14-14 Moonrakers played at La Marina Pathfinders and lost 1-9 Aggregate 40-81, R Adams C Wilson P Willicott 1414 Wednesday brought Greenlands to the Isle in the Winter League clash and the home team came out on top of the game with an 8-2 Aggregate of 68-49 win Cavaliers played at home against La Siesta Blues and had a fine win by 8-2 Aggregate of 100-59, A M Gerrard C Smyth J Smyth 32-5, P Coffey S Elvin J Pering 26-14, L Ponsford G Ponsford J Pooley 18-12 Claymores played at home against La Manga Crusaders and had a great 10-0 aggregate of 101-37, J Mulloy G Odell M Odell 29-10, G Dyer S Johnson Ian Grimshaw 23-4, B Taylor B Smith K Soderlund 25-10, C Thomas B Eldred M Thomas 24-13 Outlaws travelled to San Luis Tigers and lost 4-6 Aggregate of 59-70, M Peaper J Ball M Willicott 18-8, K Alderson K John E Sheppard 20-11

However, seriously, are there any acceptable reasons for actually walking off the golf course?

A recent study indicates that the following are at least plausible reasons for leaving the golf course (although it you had tried some of these with my dad you would be lucky to play with him again)

SAPPHIRE GOLF SOCIETY At Bonalba on 19th January 2022.

In assn with Sapphire Properties and Costa Blanca Green Fee Svcs

Bad Health Bad Weather - Bad Case of the shanks An off the course emergency Extremely slow play Terrible playing partners Running out of golf balls

Is it ever acceptable to just walk off the golf course?

As anyone who has played the game of golf for some length of time can confirm it can be the biggest test of patience you will ever face doing something that you are supposed to be enjoying and at some point in time we have all felt like just walking off the course and throwing the clubs in the river.

It should be pointed out however that all of the above are to be extreme cases before you actually remove yourself from the golf course.

We should also remind ourselves that the reason that we first took up golf was enjoyment and so why look for reasons to stop doing what we are supposed to enjoy!

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:

La Serena

€110

La Torre

€44

Single Green Fee (1pm)

Las Colinas

€50

Single Green Fee (1pm)

Las Ramblas

€97

Two Green Fees & Buggy (1pm)

The deals shown in the table are some of the best prices currently available to you:

Lorca

€78

Two Green Fees & Buggy

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

Course Alenda Alicante Altorreal Bonalba Campoamor Don Cayo (Altea) El Plantio El Valle Font Del Llop Hacienda Del Alamo La Finca La Marquesa

Price €134 €84 €120 €90 €138 €90 €84 €61 €110 €47 €125 €134

Comments Two Green Fees & Buggy Two Green Fees & Buggy Two Green Fees & Buggy Two Green Fees & Buggy Two Green Fees & Buggy 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 (1.08 pm)

€50

Single Green Fee

Villaitana Poniente €35

Single Green Fee

Villamartin

€115

Two Green Fees & Buggy (1pm)

Vistabella

€112

Two Green Fees & Buggy (2pm)

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

For this month’s meeting the Sapphire Golf Society and a group of 25 players visited the established course at Bonalba taking advantage of the excellent society deal obtained from Costa Blanca Green Fee Services.

The weather was superb for November and the course in good condition.

Gold Division 1st - Steve Broom - 36 points 2nd – Tim Hopton - 32 points Silver Division 1st – Gordon Thursfield – 32 points 2nd – Morten Kristensen – 32 points Bronze Division 1st – Jim Speakman - 26 points 2nd – Paul Fairbairn - 26 points Nearest the Pins – Mills, Barton & Taylor Football Card - Barton On this occasion we didn’t return to Edina’s Bar and Grill bar, which is located at Dona Pepa, Quesada but we give our thanks for their support and that of our sponsor Sapphire Properties.

Our next fixture is the interim game at Font Del Llop on the 2nd February 2022 followed by the society day at Vistabella on the 16th February 2022.

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

PAGE 22

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ROBINHO SENTENCED TO NINE YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEXUAL VIOLENCE

Monday 24th - Sunday 30th January, 2022

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Torrevieja Winter Pool League League returns with teams adhering to Covid protocol

By Andrew Atkinson The 2021-22 Torrevieja Winter Pool League returned to the green baize after the festive break with the teams remaining to adhere to Covid protocol by producing their ID and vaccines documentation.

Some fixtures were cancelled, due to players testing positive and being in isolation.

"A reminder to all teams is that Covid passports and ID are required for every bar," said chairman Alan Boswell.

Week 10 results in Division 1 saw close games between Unity Bar 4 Quiet Man 5 and Bar Next Door 5 Terreza 4.

Fire Station Black Watch suffered a 6-3 home defeat against Office Aces. Santana A v Britannia A (p). Catchup game result: Quiet Man 7 Terreza 2.

In Division 2 The Courtyard A defeated Murphs 7- 2, Britannia B defeated Mi Sol 5-4, Marie's Rendezvous went down 8-1 against Fire Station Green Watch. Office Bulls lost 5-4 at home against Santana B, with Racing Toast II losing 6-3 against Bar 6.

In Division 3 Mickey's racked up a 6-3 win against The George. Reflections suffered a 7-2 home loss to Dejavu, with Thirsty Boot gaining a 6-3 home win against The Courtyard B. Oasis v Laguna (p). Irish Abbey (bye).

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Torrevieja Presents it’s 2022 Sports Calendar tournaments during Easter, and in the summer of 2022 the futsal, soccer, volleyball, inclusive soccer and beach handball tournaments, the latter being a novelty within the management of Torrevieja International Cup, despite being a tournament with a long history in the city, which is held for non-profit purposes, welcoming a greater number of participants from all categories each year.

A

Court in Rome has rejected an appeal made by the lawyers of the former Real Madrid player, Robinho, against a 9 year prison sentence for sexual violence.

The Brazilian footballer Robson de Souza, Robinho, has been sentenced on Wednesday afternoon to nine years in prison by a Rome Court for a crime of sexual violence that occurred in 2013, when the striker was a player with AC Milan.

His lawyers had filed an appeal against the sentence last December, but the Roman Supreme Court, the highest in the Italian judiciary, has definitively rejected it this Wednesday, which will now see the player and his friend Ricardo Falco, also sentenced to a 9 year term, enter an Italian prison.

However, the Italian media is reporting that the player is currently in Brazil.

The first conviction in the case dates back to 2017, when a young woman of Albanian nationality accused the player and Falco for having sexually abused her in 2013, when she was 23 years old. Robinho, declared himself innocent of the charge, stating that the sexual act had been consensual.

The former Real Madrid and Manchester City was playing for the Brazilian team, Santos, at the time but they took the decision to release him from his contract, since which time he has been without a team.

The South American media also say that the player is currently in Brazil, which in principle, could keep Robinho out of prison, as long as he does not cross the Atlantic and set foot in Italy.

A cooperation treaty between Brazil and Italy from 1989 and still in force, prohibits the serving of a sentence from Italy on Brazilian soil. Neither is there and extradition treaty between the two countries.

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As for water sports, from 27 to 30 January, the 14th Euromarina Optimist Torrevieja Regatta will be held, an international meeting that brings together the best international sailors. In the month of February it will be the turn of the 8th Comunitat Valenciana Olympic Sailing Week, a light sailing meeting in which the Flying Dutchman Cup of Spain and the Cup of Spain Europe Class will take place.

The calender was unveiled in Madrid at the FITUR International Tourism Fair he Mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolón, accompanied by the Councillor for Tourism, Rosario Martínez, presented the sports program to be held in Torrevieja on the Costa Blanca Tourism Board's video wall at Madrid’s International Tourism Fair (FITUR).

T

This chess meeting will begin on 10 April and in addition to the competition there will be conferences and simultaneous activities that will allow lovers of this sport to enjoy the city of Torrevieja at the same time as they enjoy chess. It is a firm commitment to sport promoting the different modalities in Torrevieja.

Torrevieja will celebrate for the first time the VI International Chess Open Easter Week at the Palacio de los Deportes de Torrevieja, from 13 to 17 April, 2022, which will feature the participation of the champion from last year, Pepe Cuenca , as well as great national and international chess players such as the Armenian Karen Movsziszian (former veteran world champion), Jacob Aagaard (Scotland), considered in the world of chess as the best coach, or the Champion of Spain 2020 (under 16) and 2019 WFM semi-rapid World runner-up, Adhara Rodríguez Redondo (Canary Islands).

The 73rd edition of the Vuelta Ciclista a la Comunidad Valenciana will host the arrival of its fourth stage in Torrevieja on 5 February.

It is a stage that will start from Orihuela and finish in the salt city with a total distance of 193.1km.

In the month of May, the Ibero-American Athletics Games will take place, with two major events in Torrevieja, the half marathon and a popular 5-kilometre race for women, aimed at promoting women's sports.

The Torrevieja International Cup will once again hold the soccer and futsal

The XXII Estrella de Levante Regional Cup Trophy will meet on 30 April and 1 May on the Torrevieja coast for sailing cruisers.

In the firm commitment of Torrevieja as a city of Sport for all, there is a clear focus on promoting the participation in high-quality competitive events of athletes with intellectual disabilities. For this reason, the XIX Edition of the Spanish Championship of Autonomous Teams of the Spanish Federation of People with Intellectual Disabilities (FEDDI) will be held from 1 to 5 June, at the Palacio de los Deportes de Torrevieja.

Torrevieja continues to promote sports tourism, hosting various international teams for their training sessions, as well as sports campuses, among which the basketball campus stands out, which will take place from 18 May to 6 June, and which has one of the most important players in the Finnish Basketball Team as director of the campus.

Torrevieja Darts Ladies Org Carp-R-Us Fishing

League Format Week 2 Friendly Chicas

5-4

Dolly Mixtures

Primadonas

3-6

Ladybirds

Tipsy Tigers

3-6

Friendly Temps

Racing Toast

P-P

Gap Girlz

LEAGUE TABLE

P

Pts

Macklin's Dolly Mixtures

2

12

Gap Girlz

1

9

Friendly's Temps

1

7

Ladybirds

1

7

Friendly's Chicas

1

6

Primadonnas

2

5

Tipsy Tigers

2

4

Racing Toast

0

0

Hot Darts: Sue Wade (FT) , Ann Wharton (FT) 140, Julie Hallett (FC) 134, Sharon Crane (TT) 125, 100, Beverley Howard (FT) 123, Ann Bartlett (FT) 114, Pat Schofield (TT) 108, 100, Tracey Simpson (TT) 105, Debbie le Grys 104, Kim York Fickling 103 Highest Finish: Amanda Skinner 11/01/2022 - 62

This week saw Carp-R-Us kick of their new Murcia Cup series on the Rio Segura in Murcia Town Centre. At this time of year this venue can be very cold as most of it remains in shade all day. Added to this, the temperature when we met was only 2°c, warm clothing was needed!

The match itself was very strange. The pegs near the first road bridge and below produced fish, the further upstream you went, the harder the fishing. In fact, two of the upstream pegs sadly failed to produce a fish or even a bite.

Alan Smith won the match from the peg immediately up stream of the road bridge with an excellent 17.50kg caught fishing method feeder and wafter close to the far bank. Steve Fell was second with 9.93kg also fishing the method feeder close to the far bank but using double corn on the hook. Steve was near the bottom of the access slope. Third was Jackie Breslin, also on the method feeder, with 7.92kg just upstream of Steve. Fourth was Terry Screen with a single carp for 1.95kg.

The club held its 2020/2021 Presentation Meal at Giovanni´s in Almoradí. Congratulations to all the winners and a huge thank you to Giovanni´s for an excellent meal.

For more information, visit our website www.carp-r-us.weebly.com

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Monday 24th - Sunday 30th January, 2022

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PAGE 23

SUDUKO SOLUTION From Page 14

FK BODØ/GLIMT PREPARE AT PINATAR ARENA FOR THEIR CONFERENCE CLASH WITH CELTIC The Bodo/Glimt, Celtic, gameplan has been revealed as they get set for gruelling boot camp ahead of their Europa Conference Clash with The Hoops.

TRIVEA QUIZ FROM PAGE 14: 1. Coronavirus. 2. Unicorn. 3. (lots of) Hair, everywhere. 4.

Kris Kringle in 'Miracle on 34th Street'. 5. Chocolate and cream. 6. Apocalypse Now. 7. Ivan Lendl. 8. An engraving in a tree trunk. 9. a. Switzerland. 10. a. Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas, b. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts roasting on an open fire), c. Wonderful Christmas Time, d. Last Christmas, e. I believe in Father Christmas. 11. Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia. 12. a. Van Gogh, b. Sandro Botticelli, c.

Hieronymus Bosch, d. JMW Turner. 13. Lucy. 14. Shine. 15. a. self contained underwater breathing apparatus, b. joint photographic experts group, c. President of the United States, d.

Thomas A. Swift's electric rifle,. 16. Captain Hook. Pirates in Peter Pan. 17. Four (Te-Tellurium, H-Hydrogen, Ra-Radium, N-Nitrogen). 18. Witch Hunter. He gave himself the unofficial title 'Witch Finder General'. 19. a. Cecilia (Simon and Garfunkel), b. Venus (Shocking Blue), c. Billie Jean (Michael Jackson), d. Ruby Tuesday (Rolling Stones), e. Rhiannon (Fleetwood Mac). 20. a. Dutch, b. Korean, c. Latin, d. Greek

The Norwegian champions, and one of the revelations in Europe this season, have chosen the Pinatar Arena to prepare for next month’s Conference League matches with Celtic.

During their time in the area they will stay at the La Finca Golf hotel in Algorfa.

Bodø/Glimt are currently in the middle of a long off-season, with the domestic campaign in Norway not starting until April The play-off round match against Celtic is sure to be a special occasion with Kjetil Knutsen's recent 6-1 demolition of Jose Mourinho's Roma a prime example of his devastating attacking style.

During their stay at Pinatar Arena FK Bodø/Glimt will play three friendly matches as they hope to reach peak fitness for their historic clash with Celtic in mid-February.

They will face Dynamo Kiev on January 27, before they entertain CSKA Moscow on February 3, before rounding off their trip with a friendly against Danish side Aarhus on February 10, a week before they face Celtic.

They could be without the highly rated Norway international Ola Solbakken who wants a move

Following the gruelling three-week Spanish training camp the Norwegian champions will fly straight to Scotland for their Europa Conference League tie with Celtic. who drop to ninth.

Formentera CF defeated Sporting Saladar away 3-2 to move up to third spot on 27 points.

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Two wins in 4 days puts SC Torrevieja back in contention

uardamar Soccer CD took a point in their 33 draw away at Atletico Benejuzar A on Saturday to remain in the promotion race in Group 16 of the Valencia 2nd Regional Division.

Goalscorers were Borja, German and a Nino penalty.

Guardamar sit in second place, three points behind league leaders UE Crevilente FB A on 37 points following the top side’s hard earned 2-1 away win at Atletico Club Torrellano B. Callosa Deportiva CF moved up to 12th after beating CD Horadada 2-0 at home.

FB Redován CF B rise up to eighth on 18 points after a 2-1 win against visitors Bigastro CF

In the Valencia 1st Regional Group 9, after being two goals behind, Racing San Miguel CF took a point in a 2-2 draw away at CD Benijófar with goals from Peke and Aarón.

San Miguel, who trailed 2-0 at half time, had a goal by Buján ruled offside in the second half.

Peke scored in a move from the right, to cut the deficit to 2-1, with Aarón equalising following a corner. In the final stages, Racing pressed, with Pablo saving the Rojiazules, and Aarón hitting the crossbar with a header.

There was a narrow 1-0 win for San Fulgencio over Sporting Dolores which keeps them on the tail of leaders Catral but the team of the week was SC Torrevieja who put themselves firmly back in contention with two wins in just four days.

After beating promotion rivals Algorfa by 3-1 on Wednesday new manager Paco Martinez celebrated his second straight success with a straightforward 4-2 victory over mid table Alguena lifting them to third.

There was a goal apiece for Arias and Hucha in the match while Adrian grabbed a brace.

CD Montesinos also did themselves a favour in beating CF Rafal 3-1. The win lifts them into the top half of the table.

Meanwhile in Group V of the Preferente Division, there was an upset as runaway leaders Crevillente Deportivo were beaten by bottom side Betis Florida by 3-1 while in the same division, Sunday morning’s match between CD Thader and Novelda was called off because of a waterlogged Estadio Moi Gomenz.

Despite the council offering an alternative venue Novelda refused to play insisting that the facility did not meet League requirements.

PAGE 24

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