Gran Alacant Advertiser continues to bring you all the local NEWS including information from the local Town Hall representative. Working for the local community since January 2005.
If you have any QUESTIONS or PROBLEMS you would like to ask our councillors, please email on info@granalacantadvertiser.com
Oscar Valenzuela Councillor of Gran Alacant & Education
Hi Lou, as a resident of Gran Alacant I am absolutely disgusted with the amount of rubbish absolutely everywhere. Roads, pavements, Campo and parks! We have bins everywhere of all shapes and sizes. Why can’t people use these instead of dropping their rubbish on the floor? Do they expect the locals to pay for their mess to be cleared up? I would like to see this situation addressed before the next holiday season. Fines should made for dropping rubbish! Cameras set up and maybe rubbish patrols, are a few ideas that come to mind. I love Gran Alacant and cannot watch it be totally trashed and say nothing! Kind regards, Wendy
Q: Weeds on Calle Malta
Hi Lou. Can you please ask the counsellors why the Urbaser again have failed to ignore my request to do what we pay them to do? As you see from the photos Calle Malta
Borja Merino Councillor of Gran Alacant Tourism, Health & Animal Welfare
footpaths remains blocked even more now, so people have to walk on the road & risk injury. The simple job of replacing the aged & holed bin they often forget to empty & replace the bins bag has once again been neglected. They have removed the weeds from Calle Chipre but still left the short weeds in the causer edges. So they will quickly grow back !! This is not good enough. The road in the circle, Calle Malta at the bottom of street 26 needs cleaning. We pay for these services ,please make the effort needed to rectify these complaints.
Thank you Bill
GA Advertiser reply: Your concerns have been forwarded to the councillor in charge of cleaning, and we hope to see a positive resolution soon. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Hi, I read your article about a greener Gran Alacant. You are mentioning the building of eco parks and golf courses, and that the Santa Pola council is committed to these projects. Any update on this, and is there a timeline for these initiatives?
Rickard
GA Advertiser reply: Hi Rickard, please check our local news section on the next page, which includes an urban development update on a recent proposal in Gran Alacant. No specific timeframes have been provided at this stage!
Santa Pola is moving forward with a plan to reorganise land at the end of Avenida Escandinavia in Gran Alacant to improve access to the Sierra de Santa Pola. The project aims to reduce traffic near the mountain entrance, create a smoother transition between urban areas and nature, and include a future urban park and viewpoint connecting to pedestrian and cycling routes.
The proposal has received a favourable environmental report and now awaits final approval.
Santa Pola Council has shared photos of a recent collection of illegally dumped items carried out by the municipal cleaning services, noting that similar waste appeared in the same location less than 24 hours later. Residents are reminded to help prevent these situations by making use of the free collection service provided by the City Council and Urbaser.
This service offers free home pickup of household items and pruning waste. Appointments can be arranged by calling 966 693 955 or via WhatsApp at 639 537 476.
Gran Alacant is preparing to open one of the largest and most modern schools in the Valencian Community. The mayor of Santa Pola, Loreto Serrano, and the Education Councillor, Óscar Valenzuela, recently visited the completed facilities on Calle Monte de Santa Pola. The school will offer three full educational lines, from two-yearold classes to Year 6, positioning it as a regional reference point. The new centre includes advanced technology, energyefficient systems, five sports courts, a gym, a large dining hall, climate-controlled classrooms, and naturally lit spaces. Local officials highlighted that the project represents years of work and will provide a high-quality learning environment for families.
If you would like to supply news or info for our next edition, or have a question for our Gran Alacant Councillors, please email: info@granalacantadvertiser.com
By Angela Rodger
I have lived in Gran Alacant for 2 years, we don’t have a car and rely on public transport and our legs. We enjoyed the all day Bus Timetable, including Sundays, during July & August over the last 2 years, but when it came to an abrupt halt once again on the 1st September I had the thought about a petition.
The population of Gran Alacant has increased year on year and not only does the lack of the local bus service in the afternoon make it difficult for people to get to the top of Gran Alacant for the Health Centre it has a negative affect on local businesses as residents and visitors can’t access them all once the bus stops running. There were many complaints from residents and visitors on the various GA Facebook Groups so I looked online to find out how to officially create an on-line petition that could be shared on social media and show Santa Pola council and Vectalia the strength of feeling about the dismal lack of bus service for 10 months of the year. During my research a well worded complaint about the bus service popped up and I contacted the poster to ask if I could use some of their phrases in the body of the Petition statement. The poster was Pat and as well as agreeing to letting me use some of his comments he offered his help, plus that of his friend Shaun, where it was needed.
On the 7th September I set the online Bus Petition live and embedded a link to it onto a Facebook post that I shared across all of the Gran Alacant Facebook Groups I knew. The wording was in both English and Spanish and I encouraged everyone to share on their own Socials. That evening I
was contacted by Meike who had the great idea of a paper petition alongside the on-line one. A couple of days later I had created the paper petition which Meike put into the shops and bars at the top of Gran Alacant who, in the majority, were happy to support the petition. I met up with Pat & Shaun and gave them copies of the Petition to get into the businesses at the Carabasi Centre and the Commercial Centre and I covered Masa Square.
We have had great support from the Residents and visitors, of all nationalities, of Gran Alacant and there are many comments left on the on-line Petition website.
At time of writing we have a little over 2,200 signatures both on-line and on paper and are still collecting while we wait for an appointment with the Council. Thank you to everyone who has supported this Petition so far, please keep supporting it and sharing it with everyone you know.
You can sign the petition online by scanning this QR code →
At the beginning of November, a group of 55 adults from Gran Alacant and the surrounding area set off on another meticulously planned and cost-effective trip to Granada, organised by the Dream Team AKA Neil Lloyd and Alison Clark. Our Coach arrived promptly, and we made a swift getaway on our 4.5 hour journey to our Hotel - Gran Hotel Luna Granada.
Information provided by Alison and Neil pre-departure is concise, accurate and extremely helpful. Everything we need to be aware of is provided via social media channels and other less electronic formats – ie in the pub! Despite this attention to detail, we found ourselves merging onto the N332 out of Gran Alacant when (name withheld to prevent embarrassment) realised they had forgotten their identity document!
The decision was made to continue the journey in the hope that a photograph of said document on their phone would suffice.
As our dynamic duo had already provided all identification information to the Hotel beforehand, a crisis was averted.
Games of Bingo and a Quiz, helped to pass the time on the coach journey to Granada and a lunch stop in Gaudix enabled us to learn a little about this city in the Northern Foothills of the Sierra Nevada, where evidence of human settlement dates back to the Bronze Age.
On arrival at our hotel, check in was most efficient and all were more than satisfied with the rooms they had been allocated –except for 2 female friends who (despite their fondness for each other) did not wish to share a double bed! Staff rectified the situation hastily and a twin room was identified.
Further light entertainment was evident at the breakfast buffet in the mornings. Several of us queued for what seemed an eternity, posting our bread through the tostadora machine at least 8 times in an effort to have it resemble what we know as toast. The record for the number of rotations though the machine eventually stood at 9.
Day 1 of our trip allowed free time in Granada, where some of us opted for a trip on the Tourist Train for the princely sum of 4 euros and 60 cents. The trip lasted an hour and a half, took in the Cathedral and St Nicholas Mirador and was rather bumpy! We spent the evening in the bar, sat on cushions soothing our rears.
The definitive highlight of the trip was our visit to the Alhambra Palace on Day 2. A mere 15 minute drive away by coach.
The Alhambra is one of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture and one of the best-preserved palaces of the historic Islamic world. Additionally, the palace contains notable examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture. The complex was begun in 1238 and built on an outcrop of the Sierra Nevada. The site was continually modified and the most significant construction campaigns took
place in the 14 th century. The palace is the subject of Washington Irvings publication “Tales of the Alhambra” (1832), which brought international attention to the site. The Alhambra was one of the first Islamic Monuments to become the object of modern scientific study and has been the subject of numerous restorations since the 19 th century. It is now one of Spain’s major tourist attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Unfortunately, the morning of our departure arrived all too soon. After a call for a group photoshoot, we set off for Gran Alacant with a short stop in Baza, a city founded by the Iberians in the 4 th Century.
The Sculpture of the Lady of Baza is a prehistoric artefact discovered in the area in 1971 and now on display in the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid (although there are a few replicas scattered around the town itself).
Not surprisingly, the bus journey home was a little more subdued than on the journey out. The silence on the coach only broken by the sounds of some catching up on their sleep!
Congratulations and thanks must go out to Alison and Neil for yet another excellent trip. A few places are still available on the next one planned for April to Marbella and Gibraltar. My seat is already booked!
For more info contact Neil on: +34 626 65 19 65
Sponsored By:
Saturday 18th October
The annual Captain v Chairman competition once again was a great success. We played eighteen ends of trips, it was a very enjoyable mornings bowling with some close scores.
After the presention we enjoyed lunch and drinks at the Belfry. The football card was won by Colin with Wigan. Thank you to all who took part and made it another successful club competition.
Sunday 26th October
The Chairman thanked the members once again for their support, Gina and Steve for sponsoring the chickens, Ian, Julia and the chickens for the eggs. After a good mornings bowling the winner of the chickens were Sarah Ryley with thirty two shots and
after a one shot play off Ian Hamilton with thirty one shots. Bernadette and David won the eggs. The football card was won by Maggie with Birmingham.
The raffle tickets are now on sale for the Clubs Christmas Draw and will be drawn in early December.
On November 6th we had our anual shopping trip to La Zenia . After shopping we all met up for pre lunch drinks before leaving for The Pines restaurant in Benijofar. After lunch we enjoyed a celebration drink and cake for Ian Hamilton’s 70th birthday. Thank you to Joan and Sue for organising another successful club outing.
On Thursday 13th November we held a race afternoon at the Duna restaurant on the Evoca Resort. After lunch the fun began as everyone picked their horses and then enjoyed cheering them on. Thank you to Kevin and Joanne for a great afternoon and for your kind donation th the club.
Another successful cleanup morning took place in Gran Alacant in November! This month, a team of 10 volunteers - including several new faces - came together to collect litter for an hour around the Avda. Mediterraneo area.
As always, an impressive amount of rubbish was collected. Thanks to the group’s new bright yellow bibs (courtesy of GA-Homefinders!), even more residents/ visitors have expressed interest in joining the next session - and their help will be much appreciated as December will be a busy month for all.
A big thank you to all of our fantastic volunteers who generously gave their time. Special shout out to the GAHomefinders Gran Alacant team and Jan - and a HUGE Happy Birthday to Dave who joined us on his special day!!
Litter picking is incredibly rewarding work (even if it shouldn’t be necessary). Join us for the next meetup in December - gloves, bags and limited litter pickers provided!
Next Meetup:
Thursday 11th December at 10am
Location: By the church on Avenida Noruega (Capilla Santiago Apóstol) BRING YOUR CHRISTMAS HATS!
Offering a unique gastronomic experience with a variety of international dishes, from Tex-Mex to Italian, American, and Steakhouse, complemented by exquisite cocktails. Commercial Centre Gran Alacant (Previously known as Flavour Grill), Tel: 641 09 2495
Embark on a culinary journey at Duna Espacio Gastro, where a carefully crafted Mediterranean menu awaits. Evoca Living, C/ Monte de Santa. Pola, 13, Gran Alacant Tel: 966 619 010/910 284 776
Discover massage rooms, spa, pool for water activities, mindful movement classes, and relaxation areas at ONA spa. Evoca Living, C/ Monte de Santa. Pola, 13, Gran Alacant. Tel: 600 67 83 97
EVERY MONDAY
SANTA POLA MERCADILLO
General market. 9:00 to 14:00. Ctra. Elche, Santa Pola in front of the bus station.
BELGIUM GRAN ALACANT CLUB DE PETANCA at 11:00 on the playground beside the church (opposite Aldi) . New members welcome.
GRAN ALACANT DARTS LEAGUE - for more info, ask at your local bar or check the Facebook page: Gran Alacant Darts League
EVERY TUESDAY
GRAN ALACANT GOLF SOCIETY - meet at El Plantio Golf Resort at 7:40am. All golfers welcome. Contact Michael (966 698 925) or Tony (966 183 004)
LINE DANCING CLASSES at Evoca Living Theatre from 10:00-14:00). Price 6.50€ - includes raffle ticket in support of
ASPETGA. Contact Sue on 711 075 023.
SKIPPER QUIZ at Skipper Bar in MASA Square. Starts at 16:00. Booking essential. FB: Skipper Bar. Tel: 684 42 93 43
EYES DOWN at Tommy's Bar (Avda. Escandinavia). Starts 20:00. Booking recommended. FB: Tommy's.
EVERY WEDNESDAY
GA MEN'S WALKING FOOTBALL starts 12:00 on the Astroturf pitch at Gran Alacant Sports Centre (1€). FB: Gran Alacant's Walking Football Community. For more info contact Steve on 642 01 05 15.
GA SWEDISH CLUB meeting at Texicano restaurant (Carabassi centre) at 13:00. Open to Swedish speakers. FB: THE SWEDISH CLUB GRAN ALACANT
EVERY THURSDAY
GRAN ALACANT MERCADILLO
General market. 9:00 to 14:00. Calle Antoñita Sanchís Buades (next to Aldi/ Gabe Market).
WINE LOTTERY at the Norwegian Club (Urb. Sierra Mar). From 11:00-14:00. FB: DenNorskeKlubbenAlacant
GA WOMEN'S WALKING FOOTBALL starts 12:00 on the Astroturf pitch at Gran Alacant Sports Centre. FB: Gran Alacant's Walking Football Community. Contact Julie +44 792 618 7469.
JAM SESSION at Miley O’Rourke’s Irish Pub. Starts from 21:00. FB: Miley O'Rourke's Irish Pub Carabassi Centre Gran Alacant. Tel: (+353) 86 409 3286.
EVERY FRIDAY
FRIDAY ACTIVITIES at the Norwegian Club (Urb. Sierra Mar). Open from 12:00-14:00 for coffee and then again from 20:00-23:00 for social gatherings. FB: DenNorskeKlubbenAlacant.
JANE´S BRAIN STRAIN QUIZ at the The Pub in Masa Square. Starts 5pm. FB: The Pub Gran Alacant.
70s/80s/90s DANCE MIX PARTY at Miley
Bringing you the best events going on in and around Gran Alacant. Whether you are looking to make new friends or try something new, there is something for everyone!
O’Rourke’s Irish Pub. From 19:00 to 22:00. FB: Miley O'Rourke's Irish Pub Carabassi Centre Gran Alacant. Tel: (+353) 86 409 3286.
KARAOKE NIGHT at Molly Malone's Irish Pub (Carabassi Centre). Starts at 21:00. FB: Molly Malone's Irish Pub. Tel: 693 59 27 28
EVERY SATURDAY
LIVE MUSIC at Brisa del Mar restaurant in MASA square. Starts from 20:00. FB: Restaurante Brisa del Mar. Tel: 611 369 454.
QUIZ & PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT at Dick Turpin Bar (Sierra Mar square). Starts 20:00. FB: Dick Turpin Tel: 966 69 96 56.
ANDY'S KAROKE at Tommy's Bar (Avda. Escandinavia). Starts from 21:00. Booking recommended. FB: Tommy's.
ROCKING ROOSTERS LIVE MUSIC at Miley O’Rourke’s Irish Pub. Starts from 21:00. FB: Miley O'Rourke's Irish Pub Carabassi Centre Gran Alacant. Tel: (+353) 86 409 3286.
EVERY SUNDAY
GRAN ALACANT RASTRO MARKET
Second-hand market. 9:00 to 14:00. Avda. Escandinavia Marketplace, Gran Alacant.
RUNNING CARDS GAME at Dick Turpin Bar (Sierra Mar square). Starts 16:00. FB: Dick Turpin Tel: 966 69 96 56.
LIVE MUSIC at Miley O’Rourke’s Irish Pub. Starts 20:00. FB: Miley O'Rourke's Irish Pub Carabassi Centre Gran Alacant. Tel: (+353) 86 409 3286.
WEDNESDAY 3RD DECEMBER
CHERRY K LIVE MUSIC at Tommy's Bar (Avda. Escandinavia). Starts 21:00. Booking recommended. FB: Tommy's.
THURSDAY 4TH DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS FAYRE WITH LA SOMBRA & DICK TURPIN BAR in Urb. Sierra Mar from 11:00 to 15:00.
Don't forget to make your bookings for all the upcoming holiday festivities! Subject to availability - see adverts for more info on events
SATURDAY 6TH DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS FAIR IN AID OF ASPETGA in MASA Square - with entertainment from the Gran Alacant Stompers and lots of stalls including cakes, crafts, gifts and more. Starts 12:00.
SUNDAY 7TH DECEMBER
CORINE CALSIJN at Molly Malone's Irish Pub (Carabassi Centre). Starts at 21:30. FB: Molly Malone's Irish Pub. Tel: 693 59 27 28
WEDNESDAY 10TH DECEMBER
ROBERTO KNIGHT LIVE MUSIC at Tommy's Bar (Avda. Escandinavia). Starts 21:00. Booking recommended. FB: Tommy's..
To avoid disappointment, get in touch with the organisers to make your booking!
THURSDAY 11TH DECEMBER
GRAN ALACANT CLEAN-UP once a month a group of volunteers meet to collect litter around Gran Alacant. Meet at 10am outside the church on Avda. Noruega (Capilla Santiago Apóstol) Bring your christmas hats!
SATURDAY 13TH DECEMBER
N'JOY ROCK BAND LIVE MUSIC at Molly Malone's Irish Pub (Carabassi Centre). Starts at 21:30. FB: Molly Malone's Irish Pub. Tel: 693 59 27 28
SUNDAY 14TH DECEMBER
NIKO GABRIEL LIVE MUSIC at Molly Malone's Irish Pub (Carabassi Centre). Starts at 21:30. FB: Molly Malone's Irish Pub. Tel: 693 59 27 28
THURSDAY 18TH DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS PARTY at Dick Turpin Bar (Sierra Mar square). Secret santa, carols, singalong and more. Starts 17:00. FB: Dick Turpin Tel: 966 69 96 56.
FRIDAY 19TH DECEMBER
ROB LEWIS SOUL SHOW at Tommy's Bar (Avda. Escandinavia). Starts 21:00. Booking recommended. FB: Tommy's..
CHRISTMAS PARTY WITH DJ JOKO at La Piedra Bar & Grill (Avda. Escandinavia). Tel: 865 66 97 99. FM: La Piedra Bar & Grill
SATURDAY 20TH DECEMBER
ASPETGA 5TH ANNUAL SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN - a holiday meet & greet with Father Christmas himself at Molly Malone's Irish Pub (Carabassi Centre) from 11:00-14:00. Paw-friendly. FB: Molly Malone's Irish Pub. Tel: 693 59 27 28
CORINE CALSIJN at Molly Malone's Irish Pub (Carabassi Centre). Starts at 21:30. FB: Molly Malone's Irish Pub. Tel: 693 59 27 28.
SUNDAY 21ST DECEMBER
BAZ LIVE MUSIC at Molly Malone's Irish Pub (Carabassi Centre). Starts at 21:30. FB: Molly Malone's Irish Pub. Tel: 693 59 27 28
TUESDAY 23RD DECEMBER
SKIPPER CHRISTMAS QUIZ at Skipper Bar in MASA Square. Starts at 16:00. Booking essential. FB: Skipper Bar. Tel: 684 42 93 43
Christmas Day
THURSDAY 25TH DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS DINNER WITH KATY DANN LIVE MUSIC at Molly Malone's Irish Pub (Carabassi Centre). Starts at 13:30. FB: Molly Malone's Irish Pub. Tel: 693 59 27 28
LIVE MUSIC JAIME NORAMBUENA & VERA CALA at Get Fresh International Restaurant (Centro Comercial GA). Music from 14:00-16:00. FB: Get Fresh Tel: 635 744 257.
CHRISTMAS DINNER & LIVE MUSIC at The Flavour Restaurant (Carabassi Centre). Booking recommended. FB: The flavour Tel: 616 067 035
CHRISTMAS DINNER & LIVE MUSIC at The Foodie Hub (Centro Comercial GA). Tel: 641 092 495
WEDNESDAY 31ST DECEMBER
NYE DINNER & DISCO NIGHT WITH TONY HALL at Molly Malone's Irish Pub (Carabassi Centre). Starts at 19:30. FB: Molly Malone's Irish Pub. Tel: 693 59 27 28
NYE DINNER & LIVE MUSIC WITH THE STEADY ROLLERS at The Flavour Restaurant (Carabassi Centre). Music starts from 21:00. Booking recommended. FB: The flavour Tel: 616 067 035
NYE PARTY WITH SUGAR SHACK LIVE MUSIC at Tommy's Bar (Avda. Escandinavia). Starts 21:00. Booking recommended. FB: Tommy's.
NYE WITH JAY & BAND at Miley O’Rourke’s Irish Pub. Starts from 21:00. Tickets 10€ - reserve your table. FB: Miley O'Rourke's Irish Pub Carabassi Centre Gran Alacant. Tel: (+353) 86 409 3286.
To avoid disappointment, get in touch with the organisers to make your booking!
An excellent thriller for these colder months
My Recommended Book of the Month Conclave
By Robert Harris
The Pope is dead
Behind the locked doors of the Sistine Chapel one hundred and eighteen cardinals from all over the globe will gather to cast their votes in the word’s most secretive election.
They are holy men. But they are not immune to the human temptations of power and glory.
They are not above the tribalism and factionalism that consume humanity.
When all is said and done, one of them will become the most powerful spiritual figure of Christianity on Earth.
I found this book utterly fascinating. I am not particularly religious but you always wonder what goes on during one of these elections and Robert Harris as always gives ua an exciting thriller. Just remember it is fiction!
Beth worked as a Qualified Librarian in Aberdeen for 20 years. She loves reading and delights in finding exciting new authors as well as reverting back to favourite writers of all genres. Beth has lived in Gran Alacant for the last 15 years.
Next Book Club Meeting is Wednesday 28th January at 2pm in Skipper Bar, MASA Square
We meet up once a month, discuss the books we are reading now and suggest new ones.
Anyone interested in joining us or looking for more information please contact: Beth on Whatsapp +44 7853 363060
"Had to have this great co-ord outfit as burgundy is one of this season's colours. Comfortable fit trousers, perfect with boots. Easy to wear polka dot blouse in soft silky material. A great new style Gilet with Raglan sleeves. Fab for those cooler days if you don't want to wear coat."
"‘Loving this casual look, as not normally a jeans person. But I had to buy these great stretch jeans. So easy to wear, comfy fit . And the long sweatshirt was a must too being a dog lover."
"Loved this shirt dress as soon as I saw it. Loved the colours as thought with my hair colour was perfect. Beautiful silky fabric. It is a loose fitting style dress. But Sabine and I felt a gold chain belt would give me a bit more shape to suit my waistline and putting a mile on my face too. Thought the black suede ankle boots and bag were a perfect look too."
For your dose of fresh fashion inspiration, stop by House of Malu in Masa Square and see Sabine!
We’re excited to welcome our special guest, Lynne, to House of Malu this month! She spent a beautiful afternoon at our Masa Square store discovering the latest collection, choosing her three favourite looks, and telling us what makes them so special.
NAME: LYNNE CROSBIE
“I came to Spain 22 years ago with my parents and my son, who was 5. We first came to GA for 18 months while waiting for our villa in La Marina to be built, and there wasn’t much here then.
We lived there just over 3 years. In my first year I opened a hair salon in Santa Pola, which I ran successfully for 10 years. Due to illness I had to close, so I sold it and took part-time work, which I loved for 5 yearsuntil Covid changed everything.
By then I could see Gran Alacant really growing with more facilities, schools, and great shops. We moved back to GA 18 years ago, and it was the best move for us. My son did all his schooling here, becoming more like a native Spanish boy, and eventually found airport work he loves. Over the last 3 years I’ve sadly become my mum’s carer, so I treasure escaping to Beatcamp and Zumba, then having coffee and a chat with lovely friends.
I often pop into the beautiful new boutique in Masa Square, House of Malu - which was just what the area needed. Sabine, the owner, is so friendly, and we always end up chatting as she shows me the new collection. I love her swimwear and have bought a few for my Aqua Fit classes in summer. So I can honestly say, I love my life here.”
"Thank you Sabine for inviting me to take a look at your new Autumn collection at House of Malu. And to Lou for taking the photos. Turning a boring Tuesday morning into a fun shopping day."
In a new monthly feature, Dr Soraya Benavides an expert in Integrative and Anti-Aging Medicine, answers your questions on health and wellbeing.
"
After reading your article in November issue, I would like to share my own experience with IV drips.
Earlier this year, I needed surgery on my hand to correct Dupuytren’s contracture. Before the procedure, I chose to have a series of IV drips at GA Family Doctors - formulated to strengthen my immune system, boost energy, and speed up recovery.
The results were remarkable. My recovery was far quicker than expected. Within just four weeks, I was driving to the UK for a family reunion - feeling energised, avoiding fatigue, and staying healthy despite meeting lots of people. No colds, no infections, and a noticeable difference in my overall wellbeing. While I still take the occasional rest day, the benefits were clear. If you’re preparing for surgery or simply want to support your body’s healing process, I highly recommend IV drip therapy at GA Family Doctors. It made a real difference for me." - Dave
relaxes the muscle just enough to reduce grinding, ease jaw pain, and improve morning headaches. Many patients also notice less neck tension.
Q: "Hello Soraya, I often wake up two or three times a night needing to pee. It interrupts my sleep and leaves me
feeling exhausted the next day. Is this just part of getting older, or should I get it checked?" - James
Dr Soraya: Waking up once in the night to pee so often become more common from the age of 50 onward, but if is two or three times every night is uncomfortable.
Dr. Soraya: Dave, thank you for sharing your experience. We’re really glad the IV therapy helped you to recover so well. You handled everything with calm and discipline, and it shows. It’s always a pleasure to look after you. Thank you for your trust.
Q: “Every morning I wake up with a bad headache and a sore jaw. My partner says I grind my teeth loudly in my sleep and it wakes him frequently. I’ve tried using a mouth guard, but it’s uncomfortable and I’m still getting headaches. Are there other ways to stop the pain?” - Cindy
Dr. Soraya: Cindy, waking up like this every day is exhausting. When the jaw works all night, the muscles stay tense and the headaches become almost unbearable.
If the mouth guard isn’t helping, another option is treating the masseter muscles with small doses of botulinum toxin or botox. It
The most frequent reason in men is an enlarged prostate, which can press on the urethra and make the bladder more sensitive. Other possible causes include an overactive bladder, high blood sugar, certain medications (like diuretics), fluid retention from heart or kidney conditions, and even sleep apnoea.
It’s worth getting it checked. A GP can examine your symptoms properly, review your medications, test your urine, and decide whether blood tests or a prostate evaluation are needed.
In the meantime, reducing fluids a few hours before bed, avoiding caffeine or alcohol late in the day, and emptying your bladder twice before going to sleep can help.
Got a question or concern? We would love to hear from you! Send your queries to info@familydoctors24hr.com
Hello from us all and we wish you a very Merry Christmas from everyone at GALs (Gran Alacant Ladies).
It's been another very busy month and I'm pleased to say that we have had lots of new members joining us and taking part in our activities. It's great to see women. making new friends and connections.
The new news is that we have a new activity started by Joanne Whearity (Admin) which is called SUNDAY STROLLERS. Now this is for ladies who like a stroll and a chat which is not too challenging. We meet at la Milla Cafe by the roundabout on the way to Arenales from Gran Alacant at 9.30 on Sundays. We then walk down to the end of the Arenales strip and have Coffee and Tostada and stroll back. You don't have to sign up or anything. It's all laid back. Bring you and your dog if you like.
If you want to join Gran Alacant Ladies, look for GALs (Gran Alacant Ladies) on Facebook. Not to be confused with other groups of a similar name.
We had a great Indian Lunch at Kesari and Deep and crew could not have been more helpful. The food and service were
absolutely fantastic and serving 50 Ladies is not easy. Well done. We again raised money for SATs and thank you to you all plus to Deep for the free meal plus Rachael Kennedy for the treatment prize.
Once again we had a fantastic Coffee meet up at the Carribassi Strip at Il Texicana Internacional where Andres opened early for us 24 breakfast/Coffee Ladies. Lovely healthy tostadas and museli but also naughty Nutella and Caramel Crepes.
Well as we say goodbye to 2025 I hope that you all have a lovely Xmas and New Year.
Claire Williams, Selina Bruce & Joanne Whearity Team Admin
Make a difference in the lives of our serving members and their families with beginning a subscription to the RBL today.
By joining you will be aiding those that have served our country in conflicts around the globe. By maintaining peace and a freedom of speech for all in the UK.
Here in La Marina and Gran Alacant the work is undertaken by Paul Kane District Chairman and his team, who work voluntarily to aid armed forces expats living here in a slightly warmer climate. Their aim is to assist with meeting their needs whether this be with equipment, advice or simply someone to talk to.
Sadly, we have lost several members over this past year due to them passing onto the next life. This is why your membership matters.
For £22 per annum, you will gain access and invitations to the many events held here in
Costa Del Sol. From fun days/evenings, fetes, events. You’ll be advised of the monthly meetings here in Gran Alacant. In addition, you will you’ll be kept in touch on a far wider scale from headquarters in Northampton with development and progress of the work undertaken on behalf of our noble force’s veterans.
Sign up for a subscription today. Join us in this area of Spain, helping to aid and assist our local community.
You can really start to make a difference, your input at the monthly meetings is a valuable contribution. And we all look forward to meeting you.
Simply register via the website at www. brititishlegion.org.uk and follow the drop down menu. If you have difficulty or are unable to register in using this method, simply call +44 207 191 1091 full rate applies or the freephone number +44 0800 307 7773.
GRAHAM JOHN, DIANNE, KATHLEEN, JAMES...
THANK YOU FOR TRUSTING US!
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Direct flight from Madrid. First time in the HISTORY! We are specialists in personalized trips: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Krabi, Koh Tao, Koh Samui... Just ask for your budget
After some wonderful years in the community, the previous owners of The London Tavern want to say au revoir, to share our gratitude & to wish huge success in the future to the new owners.
Thank You to our Customers... Your support , laughter, and friendship and generous charity donations make this place special . We are deeply grateful for every visit and every memory.
Thank You to our Staf f... Our hardworking team led by Roger & Kristina: thank you for your dedication, energy, and warmth. You bring the Tavern to life.
Thank You to our Performers... who bring joy & fun to our bar with music, quizzes, bingo & afternoon teas; Kev, Kim, Steve, Cherry & Baz to mention just a few. Your talent & energy created unforgettable moments & kept our customers coming back for more.
Thank You to our Suppliers & Charity Partners... We truly appreciate your support and partnership over the years.
Best wishes for a great future to the new owners. We know you will do a great job & we look forward to enjoying “our local”
With heartfelt thanks, Mark & Cheryl , John & Sue
PULLED PORK SOUP PRAWN AVOCADO CUCUMBER SALAD
AIR FRYER BEEF FILLET WITH HOMEMADE RED WINE SAUCE TUNA STEAK WITH MANGO SAUCE ALL SERVED WITH ALIREDO POTATOES WITH CHEESE AND GRILL VEGETABLES
CHOCOLATE FUDGE CAKE FRUIT WITH VANILLA ICE CREAM
GET FRESH RESTAURANT
Tel 635 744 257
Carrer de finlandia 17 Gran alacant
WE DO FIREWORKS MIDNIGHT
Follow us on Instagram: juanruano.oficial & archiemaddan
If you spend long enough in the province of Alicante, you realise that Christmas here is more than just a season. People may picture snow, pine forests or German-style markets when they think of the holidays, but Alicante has its own version of magic — warmer, brighter and sweeter in every sense of the word.
Just 35 minutes from the city lies Xixona, the beating heart of Spain’s Christmas pantry. The turrón that fills tables from Galicia to Cádiz is born there, crafted much the same way it has been for centuries. In the weeks leading up to the holidays, the town transforms into a wonderfully lively Christmas market — small enough to feel local yet big enough to remind you that this region supplies the entire country with its most iconic festive treat.
And then, of course, there is Alcoi. Its cabalgata — the oldest Three Kings parade in Spain — is an extraordinary spectacle. Every 5th of January, the city becomes a living stage of tradition: lanterns glowing, music floating through the cold mountain air, children wideeyed with wonder. It is impossible not to feel something during that parade — joy, nostalgia, a sense of belonging.
Across the province, cities and towns now compete, quite enthusiastically, to outdo one another with Christmas lights. Whether or not we share the same taste for giant luminous reindeer or neon snowflakes is another matter… but the creativity is undeniable. Everywhere you look, something sparkles.
This is why we always say it: Alicante is Spain’s Christmas province. But this year, for us, the season feels different.
Many of you who read Home Turf know that
we — together with our neighbours from El Faro, Balcones del Mar and Brisas del Faro — have spent the past months trying to stop or at least mitigate the so-called “hotel project” in the upper part of Gran Alacant. It has been exhausting, emotionally and physically, and if we’re honest, it has drained much of our Christmas spirit.
Since the works began, our homes have been subjected to constant noise and vibrations. Cracks have started to appear. Walls continue to tremble as heavy machinery works just metres from our properties. These are not small inconveniences; they are the early signs of structural impact.
We asked the council for a few days to conduct professional surveys of our homes, so that we could document the damage properly and begin the process with our insurance providers. Silence. No response from the promoter. No response from the council. Not even the courtesy of acknowledging the request.
In fact, we have received no reply at all from the mayor or the Gran Alacant councillors. Not one meeting. Not fifteen minutes of their time. Not a single gesture of respect toward the hundreds of residents who will live with the consequences of this project long after political terms have changed.
And the more we investigate, the more troubling things become.
We have discovered that the works are moving forward without all the necessary permits for the scale of excavation currently underway. And even more shocking: what has been repeatedly presented to the public as a “hotel” is not a hotel. It is a block of tourist apartments — fully equipped with kitchens and gas installations. With precedents like Carlotti or Reales Campos de Castilla, you’ll forgive us for being concerned about what this building may eventually become.
What is clear to us is this: The council of Santa Pola has been granting rights and economic value to the promoter while disregarding the rights, safety and wellbeing of the neighbours.
It is unacceptable, and we will continue saying so.
We will continue fighting. We will continue asking questions. We will continue refusing to be treated as if we don’t matter.
And despite all of this — despite the fatigue and the frustration — we are determined to enjoy Christmas in our own small way, surrounded by the community that has shown us such remarkable solidarity.
To all the neighbours who have signed the petition, shared our articles, sent messages, forwarded information, or simply stopped us in the street to offer encouragement: thank you. Your support means more than you know.
To Lou and the Gran Alacant advertiser team — thank you for giving us space every month to write, reflect and connect.
And to each one of you reading this: we wish you, sincerely, a peaceful Christmas and a hopeful, prosperous New Year. May 2026 bring clarity, fairness and perhaps even a council willing to listen.
With gratitude, Juan & Archie
The GA Swedish Club will be taking a break over the Christmas season and will return in February. Rremember to follow our facebook page for more info!
WELCOME MIMOSA DRINK
STARTER
Schrimp Cocktail wiht Pink Sauce
FIRST COURSE
Seafood Cream
SECOND COURSE
Stuffed Turkey with Cranberry Sauce, Potatoes, and Parsnips baked with Steamed Vegetables
DESSERTS
Home-made Apple Pie
Christmas Sweets
WINE FROM THE WHINERY D. O
Christmas Eve Menu 50€
Ribera del Duero Gorgorito
WELCOME BELLINI DRINK
STARTER-TABLE CENTER PIECES
Gratinated Scallops
Salt-Baked Red Prawn
Brioche with Roasted Tomatoe, Acorn-Fed Iberian Ham, and Cavia
FIRST COURSE
Turbot with Vin Jaune Sauce, Clams and Chlorophyll Oil
SECOND COURSE
Dry-Aged Beef Tenderloin with Foie Gras and Mushroom Sauce
DESSERTS
Pavlova with Citrus and Crumble
LUCKY GRAPES
WINE FROM THE WHINERY D. O
Ribera del Duero Gorgorito
*Includes One Drink
*Includes Party Favors
This December, we’re dedicating the month to raising awareness about the importance of keeping your feet well hydrated to maintain good podiatric health.
Hello, my name is Alba Callejas Salazar, and I am your local chiropodist at the Happy Feet Podiatry Centre, located at Evoca Living Resort.
Did you know that the skin on your feet is thicker and has fewer sebaceous glands than the rest of your body? This means it loses moisture more easily. Without proper care, dryness, cracks, calluses, or even infections can appear.
By Alba Callejas - Alba Callejas
Hydrating your feet is not just a cosmetic gesture — it’s an essential part of keeping them healthy. Well-hydrated skin is more flexible, resilient, and less likely to develop injuries.
• Prevents cracks and fissures on the heels.
• Keeps the skin soft, elastic, and strong.
• Improves comfort when walking and wearing shoes.
• Reduces the risk of infections and calluses.
How to Hydrate Your Feet Properly
1. Use a cream that contains urea.
• 10–15% for daily hydration.
• 20–30% for very dry or cracked heels.
In the month of November, I would like to tell you a bit about what makes good footwear for older adults - and how the right shoes can make a big difference in your comfort and stability every day.
2. Apply the cream once or twice a day, preferably after showering or before bed.
3. Massage gently to help absorption.
4. Avoid applying cream between the toes, to prevent excess moisture.
Besides moisturizing, drink plenty of water, wear breathable footwear, and exfoliate your feet gently once a week. These simple habits help maintain healthy, comfortable skin ready for everyday life.
At Happy Feet, we’d like to remind you that healthy feet mean a healthier you. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, full of health, strong steps, and big smiles.
Calle Holanda 9, MASA Square I T: 966 698 569
Monday - Friday 10:00 -13:00 & 17:00 - 20:00 Saturday 10:00 -13:00
We suppose everyone knows we are under a sanitary alert due to a worldwide bird flu outbreak. Last 10-11-2025 they established a mandatory confinement of the poultry (hens, ducks, geese, turkeys, peacocks) at certain areas in Spain in order to prevent a quick spreading of the disease. So, from this moment, poultry in these areas must be kept indoors by law. A week later, this regulation expanded to all the territories in Spain, and included self- consumption farms.
How does this regulation affect people?
-First of all, if you have poultry in a nonprofit way at your private property (finca, big garden, country house), you are considered to have a self-consumption farm, even if you are keeping the birds just at companion ones, not intending to eat them or their eggs. Even in this case, you are obliged to register your poultry. Registration is mandatory and FREE (if you have a look at the Internet, you will find people calling it “poultry tax”. It’s absolutely false). All you have to do is to fill in a form. If you don’t know how to do it, we can help you. Just email us.
-Poultry living in public gardens or parks (not protected areas such as El Clot or Las Salinas) will be removed from those places, so we won’t see them for a while. The reason is preventing wild birds, specially migratory ones, which are important vectors for the virus, to contact local birds and transmit the disease to them. So far, there is no risk for human beings.
-Prices of eggs and chicken meat are rising, because of the virus itself, but mainly because the virus is used as an alibi by the omnipresent speculators at food supply chain. Since last summer, more than 2 millions of hens in farms have been destroyed due to bird flu outbreaks. Why do we say “destroyed” instead of “slaughtered”? Because one way or another,
Liliana Aldeguer Cerdán 793
English translation by Sergio Reina Esteban col 747
hens were going to be slaughtered, but the difference is, in this case, their remains were completely destroyed for stopping the disease from spreading, which would cause even bigger economic loss, instead of processed for obtaining chicken meat, nuggets or chicken wings.
The really big problem will appear when the virus, after managing to “jump” from birds to mammals, manages to jump directly from mammal to mammal, and finally, from human to human. There have been reported in USA, where the disease is in a stage about 6 months more “advanced” than Europe, some cases of cats, rats and cows, which have caught the disease, and even died, of bird flu, but so far no transmission from cat to cat has been reported, but there have been some cases of cats catching the disease from ingesting milk or meat from infected cows.
Is this a problem just involving poultry? No, every bird may catch the disease. As a matter of fact, hundreds of thousands of sea birds have died these last years at America coast and Antarctica. And here, in Spain, about 500 cranes died at Laguna de Gallocanta.
The disease has also affected severely entire populations of sea lions and sea elephants, killing from 50 to 95% of their individuals.
We recognize it can be a bit tiring to repeat and repeat all these alerts, but we believe science based information is the best tool for protecting people, birds, resources, economy, environment, etc.
One final recommendation: don’t touch wild birds which look ill or suspicious, and don’t let your cats eat them, just in case. And, despite it’s got nothing to do with bird flu, keep your human flu and SARSnCoV-2 vaccines updated.
Diwali Night at Get Fresh Restaurant Diwali Night at Azafran Restaurant
With the new season now in full flow, and with Elche making a great start, there’s a lot of interest and excitement locally for the La Liga campaign.
Home matches see the local supporters group meeting at Reckless Bar and carsharing to get to the ground in time for some pre-match beers and food before returning to GA afterwards. Away games are screened at Reckless Bar for the group to watch together.
The group currently consists of a large number of season ticket holders, and a growing number of regular match attendees.
Jornadas in Spain have games all spread out with each match being televised. It is normal for the date and time of matches to not be announced until 2 to 5 weeks beforehand. Tickets for matches can be purchased via the club website at www. elchecf.es - usually during the week of the game.
After November games against the two giants of Barcelona and Real Madrid, December brings home matches against Girona on Sunday 7th at 2pm, and Rayo Vallecano on the weekend of 21st December (date and time TBC).
Find the group on Facebook at ‘Peña Elche CF de Gran Alacant’ ¡Mucho Elche!
nationalities are welcome to join us.
NEW YEAR - NEW YOU?!
If you’ve made a resolution to try something new in 2026, be more mobile, get fit or simply have more fun, then this is the activity for you!
The Women’s Walking football sessions will recommence after the Christmas break on a different day – Thursday 15th January 12.00 hours on the Astroturf pitch at the Gran Alacant Sports Centre. The sessions will continue to be on a Thursday at 12 midday until mid-June (apart from any Red Days which fall on a Thursday).
A warm (but not too warm) welcome awaits anyone who wants to give this fun venture a try. Feedback from regular members is very positive, with many commenting on the fun aspect of the sessions, improvements in their balance and also their social life!
We train under the watchful eyes (and raised eyebrows) of our coaches Jim and John and are supported also by our Sponsors GA –Homefinders. If you’ve seen us on Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun then you’ll have seen the fun we have. However, it must be emphasised that the squad is a multi-national one and all
Hello everyone! And a Merry Christmas to all when it comes. Is it really that time already?? The Gran Alacant Walking Football sessions continue to be well attended and enjoyed this season in the unseasonably good weather. We meet each Wednesday at 12 noon on the outdoor astroturf pitch at the GA Sports Centre. We have a multinational membership where the common language is...football. If you want to come along, please arrive around 11.50am to allow for teams to be arranged but be mindful of students who may still be around. The facility will close at 1.30pm so we need to be out of the showers by 1.15pm.
The club AGM took place on Tuesday November 4th at Dream Corner where a number of ideas were discussed. We are always open to suggestions. Thanks are due to the staff at Dream corner who looked after us really well
Walking football is an excellent way to keep fit and meet new people. Designed for the more mature gent (over 50) it is played at a more leisurely pace but still has a competitive edge! We play each Wednesday on the astroturf at the Polideportivo (Sports Centre) in Gran Alacant. Everyone is welcome regardless of ability or experience. We have members from several countries with players’ ages ranging from early fifties to over 70. In addition, there are quarterly social meets (combined with the women’s group). So if you would like to join us at GAWF, or want to know a bit more, please get in touch (contact details below).
Walking football is well-established in the area. As well as our Wednesday group (GAWF) and the women’s group, there is the opportunity to play most weekdays between Gran Alacant and Santa Pola.
For more info get in touch on Whatsapp Women's group - contact Julie: +44 792 618 7469 Men's group - contact Steve: +34 642 01 05 15
Results up to and Including 20th October 2025
Highest Checkout
• 91 Liam - Jollys
Quickest Check-Out
Quickest Check-Out
• 18 Darts Neil - The Pub
Most 180’s
Peter - La Piedra B x 1
• 18 Darts Neil - The Pub
Most 180’s
Peter - La Piedra B x 1
•
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NEW MEMBERS & VISITORS WELCOME!
Play twice weekly at El Plantio Golf Resort (A-79, Km3, Alicante)
Arrive by 7:40am for 8am start
Tuesdays: Official Society Day (All welcome)
Fridays: Gentlemen’s Day
Cost: €50 incl. buggy + €1.50 insurance + €5 sweep (all paid out)
For more info contact: Michael 966 698 925 or Tony 966 183 004
JOIN OUR FRIENDLY CYCLING GROUP IN GRAN ALACANT!
Meet most days at 10am outside Molly Malones
We ride hybrid/off-road bikes, covering 12–25 miles around GA, Santa Pola & Elche All ages, fitness levels & sexes welcome
We always stop for coffee & chat!
Join our WhatsApp group to see who’s riding each day: Info: +353 87 991 6020
Hi, my name is Geoff and I have been asked by Lou to challenge you every month with a few teasers. I hope you enjoy them.
I first came to GA in 2001 and bought my house in 2002 where I have been a regular visitor ever since. You will see me at the quizzes, or out and about, running or cycling. If you see me come and say hi, or, just give me a cheery hello. I am also a big lover of live music and try to see as many live acts as I can.
1. Which South American country is named after Venice?
2. The Jets and Sharks appeared in which Broadway musical?
3. Who rode Marengo?
4. What are the three cardinal virtues?
5. Who was the pilot hero of Captain W.E. John’s stories?
6. Which two teams contested the first Wembley F.A Cup Final to go to a replay?
7. What two Scrabble letters have eight point values?
8. What fishes skin was once used commercially as sandpaper?
9. What would an American call a car bonnet?
10. What is the cube root of 64?
To solve the puzzle each 3 x 3 box, each row and each column must contain all the numbers 1 to 9. For
and
