The Leader Newspaper 11 March 2024 – Edition 1014

With St. Patrick’s Day just a few days away, Cabo Roig is gearing up for a big weekend of festivities.

From parades and activities to bar crawls, wonderful Irish entertainment and food specials, some big things are set to make this St. Paddy’s weekend a special one, not least of which will be the amazing number of floats, dance troupes, drummers and Comparsas taking part, so pull out that green shirt from the back of your closet and start practicing that bad Irish accent while enjoying some of the St. Paddy’s Day celebrations!

While the entertainment will cover the entire weekend, the Cabo Roig parade itself is scheduled to get underway at 3pm on Sunday, 17th March, in just 6 days’ time. It will start at the junction of Calle’s Agua with del Mar and then meander along the back of the Cabo Roig Strip, into Calle Cielo before returning to the starting point.

According to the parade Facebook page, which is regularly updated by organiser Brian Kiernan, a total of 43 troupes will take part in the spectacle.

The show will kick off with a circuit of the entire route by a number of classic cars and bikes, but that is just a ‘warm up’ for what is then to follow.

As the exhaust fumes settle it will be the time for the main event, the parade itself, led, as ever, by Torrevieja Pipes and Drums, followed by St Patrick himself, in the guise of local resident, Jose Antonio Marcia del Amo.

ities with monies raised at golf events, tenpin bowling, raffles, race nights, the Trinity walk and even sponsored haircuts at the Bay Barbershop, adding to the pot.

GET THERE EARLY AND ENJOY THE FUN

The Cabo Roig parade is scheduled to get underway at 3pm on Sunday 17th March

Thereafter we would expect to see the Grand Marshall, former MEP and Government Minister, Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher who will no doubt be shepherded around the route by a plethora of local politicians, and then, get your camera’s ready for what promises to be a spectacle that you will not forget, the biggest parade to date and the largest in the whole of mainland Europe.

But as we reiterate year on year, these parades don’t organise or fund themselves, and, in the Case of the St Patrick’s Day Parade, there has been a dedicated team of organisers and fundraisers working hard all year round.

As might be expected, in recent weeks we have seen a surge in supporting activ-

These activities have all been led by the hardworking committee and their group of dedicated helpers, including Brian and Jimmy Kiernan, Ger Flanagan, Niall O’Riordan, Hugh Mcildowney, Milo Byrne and his son Rory, Elizabeth Ward, Dolores Molloy, Marina Herron. There are no doubt many more like Kiki in the phone shop, staff at the Havanna Bar, Cladagh, Bar Liquid, McCafferty’s, Bushwacka and Morgans Bar, who are still organising raffles in the days leading up to the main event.

And there is still even more to come, with a race night taking place in O’Riordans this coming Wednesday, which is expected to contribute another chunk to the total pot, every cent of which is spent on the parade, usually well in excess of 15,000 euro.

As ever one local charity will also benefit from the parade and this year the chosen charity is the Samaritans in Spain who do

such good work across the local area, so do dig out that spare change, or even that spare note, as you see them patrolling alongside the parade with their buckets.

This promises to be a day full of family fun, which the whole International Community can enjoy in a safe environment, a day when the Irish, Spanish, British and many other nationalities come together with crowds expected once again to top over 15,000 spectators.

So get ready to don your green attire and immerse yourself in the festivities as St. Patrick's Day sweeps across Cabo Roig this coming weekend.

The Day holds a special place in the hearts of the Irish, and Orihuela Costa is no exception, so there will be no apology for the traditional music and the lively dance performances, as the area comes alive with the essence of Irish culture and community spirit.

So do go along....You are all invited to join in the festivities, and enjoy the 11th Edition of the Cabo Roig St Patrick’s Day Parade which promises to by the biggest and the best yet.

The odds of finding a four-leaf clover are not exaggerated so ifyou find one, spray it with hair-spray, stick it in a laminated folder, and frame it on your wall with the caption ìI win at lifeî beneath it, because you may never find another oneÖever again.

St Patrick’s Day is an enchanted time - a day to begin transforming winters dreams into summer magic.

Exclusive to The Leader Newspaper, the Councillor for Orihuela Costa, Manual Mestre, has taken the opportunity, to explain his thoughts to readers on the importance ofthe multicultural community that resides here on the coast, the cultural diversity that they bring and the particular significance ofSt Patrick’s Day, which will be celebrated next Sunday 17 March, with yet another spectacular Parade through the streets ofCabo Roig.

QUESTION: What does the celebration of St.Patrick's Day mean for Orihuela Costa?

ANSWER: St Patrick's Day is a very special event for Orihuela and the whole of the Vega Baja region as it gives us the opportunity to celebrate and recognise the cultural diversity that characterises our area.

It is a time when we can come together and enjoy the wealth of traditions that each nationality brings to our coast.

In addition,the attendance of more than 18,000 people at last year's parade represents an achievement for the promotion of local tourism.

This impressive figure demonstrates the attractiveness and relevance of the event at local, national,and even international level.

QUESTION: What would you highlight as new for this year's St.Patrick's Day parade?

ANSWER: This year we are particularly excited because the St. Patrick's Day parade promises to be the biggest,most colourful, and most exciting ever.

We will be joined by the Grand Marshall,Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher,a highly respected and former politician both in Ireland and in Europe.Read his bio below.

QUESTION: How would you rate the importance of listening to and valuing the different nationalities living in Orihuela?

New York City's St. Patrick's Day Parade is one of the world's largest parades. Since 1762, roughly 250,000 marchers have traipsed up 5th Avenue on foot with another 2 million watching from the pavements. In 1999 the Grand Marshall was Maureen O’Hara, only the 3rd woman ever to be so.

St Patrick was born in Scotland or Wales.

Rumour has it that when he was 16 years old, he was kidnapped by pirates and held in captivity in Ireland for six years where he found religion. He eventually escaped but later returned as a Christian missionary.

ANSWER: As a councillor for Orihuela Costa it seems to me fundamental to recognise and value the diversity of all nationalities that live in Orihuela Costa. Each community brings its own culture,traditions,and experiences,thus enriching our daily life.

That is why we have taken over the Coastal Department with total commitment to listen to and attend to the needs of all our residents.

QUESTION: What is the commitment of your government to the multicultural community of Orihuela Costa?

ANSWER: Our commitment is to provide continuous and solid support to the multicultural community of Orihuela Costa.We recognise the importance of listening and understanding the needs of each of our residents.

We are committed to working closely with the community to effectively identify and address their needs effectively,ensuring that everyone feels valued and listened to.

QUESTION: How does your municipal team plan to engage with the multicultural community?

ANSWER: We intend to actively engage with the community through a variety of initiatives, such as citizen participation sessions,community meetings as well as open dialogue with resi-

dents.

In addition,we will establish effective communication channels to ensure that the voices of all members of the community are heard and considered in our municipal decision making.

QUESTION: What message would you like to send to the members of the association and to all those who help make St Patrick's Day in Orihuela Costa possible?

ANSWER: Of course,I would like to highlight and pay compliment to the incredible work done by the association that organises St Patrick's Day in Orihuela Costa.It is made up of committed and passionate members of our community who are fundamental in mak-

ing possible such an important and eagerly awaited event as the St Patrick's Day parade.

QUESTION: What message would you like to send to residents and visitors planning to attend the St Patrick's Parade?

ANSWER: I would like to encourage all residents and visitors to Orihuela Costa to join us at this exciting event.It is a unique opportunity to celebrate our diversity and unity in our community.We hope you will enjoy the music,the fun and the festive atmosphere that characterises St Patrick's Day.

We look forward to seeing you all at the parade in Cabo Roig which gets underway at 3pm!

YOUR GRAND MARSHALL

Pat "the Cope" Gallagher is an Irish former Fianna Fáil politician who served as Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann (Chair of the Lower House) from 2016 to 2020 and as a Minister of State from 1987 to 1994 and from 2002 to 2008.

He also served as a Teachta Dála (TD - Member of Parliament) from 1981 to 1997, 2002 to 2009 and 2016 to 2020, and as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 1994 to 2002 and from 2009 to 2014 representing the Connacht–Ulster constituency,

Gallagher was born in Burtonport, a fishing port in The Rosses in the west of County Donegal. He is the grandson of Paddy 'the Cope' Gallagher, of the Irish Co-Operative movement. He was educated at Dungloe Secondary School – Rosses Community School, Coláiste Éinde in Salthill and at University College Galway (UCG), where he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in 1970. He worked as a fish exporter until 1982, becoming involved in local politics in 1979.

Although he has been away from politics for the last 3 years, he did consider making a return later this year, via the European elections in June, however he has recently taken a decision not to stand and, instead, concentrate on helping his party prepare for the local elections.

Pat "the Cope" Gallagher

Councillor Manuel Mestre “I would like to highlight and pay compliment to the incredible work done by the organisers of the St Patrick's Day Parade here in Orihuela Costa”.

Sylvia Gallimore, who lives in San Miguel De Salinas, was awarded a BEM (British Empire Medal) for “services to charity and the community”, as part of the 2023 King´s Birthday Honours list.

The award is particularly significant as it comes just three years after the same honour was bestowed on her son Daniel, by HM Queen Elizabeth II, who lost his sight when he went to the aid of a young man under attack at cash point in Bristol.

Although Sylvia’s recognition comes after many years working in Spain with with the charity Help at Home, the citation traces her voluntary work back prior to her arrival in San Miguel, going back over 50 years to her first involvement in voluntary work with a play group in St. Barts Church Hall, Bristol.

Since those early days she has worked unselfishly with the Woman’s Royal Voluntary Service at Horfield Prison in Bristol, an animal rescue and a rehoming project in the same city.

In 1996, Sylvia moved to focus on the visually impaired community in Bristol, raising funds for the Royal National Institute of Blind People and Avon Sports and Leisure, during which time she organised theatrical ‘audio described’ performances, as well as ‘touch tours’ in the Bristol museum and at local art galleries.

While she subsequently moved with her family to Spain Sylvia still helps the charity from afar, also spending time writing books to raise money for a charity run by her son, ‘Have Stick Will Travel,’ of which she is a trustee.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Sylvia Gallimore

Indeed, together with Daniel, Sylvia played a crucial role in establishing the ‘Have Stick Will Travel’ charity, organising numerous fundraising initiatives to obtain technology for visually impaired people, helping them be more independent in their homes. She still also supports several sports teams made up of visually impaired people.

More recently, since she has been living in San Miguel de Salinas, Sylvia works with the charity Help at Home, which helps people with mobility or health problems attend medical appointments or run errands. She has also written a book called 'Sleeping Rough' to raise funds for another charity ‘Shelter’, which supports homeless people.

While she could have waited for an invitation to collect her award in UK, Sylvia chose to receive her BEM last week, from the British Ambassador,

Hugh Elliott, at a ceremony that was held at his private residence in Madrid which she attended, along with her husband and a group of relatives and friends, many of whom work with her at ‘Help at Home’.

Sylvia said of the occasion, “It was a wonderful few days for me. It was really lovely; the Ambassador and his wife were charming, and we all had a very pleasant time. They opened up their home to us, provided delicious tapas and plenty of wine. Everyone was absolutely delightful to us all.”

“There are kind people everywhere and I am privileged to know a great many of them. But no charity can run without volunteers, even an hour a week can help. There are an unbelievable number of people out there who give up their time freely. They think they are just a cog in the wheel, but without them, nothing could be achieved. No one can do anything on their own, so

LA MATA SPORTS PAVILION TO BE COMPLETED THIS YEAR

The mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo DolÛn, has visited the works of the municipal sports pavilion in La Mata, located just off the N-332.

The mayor said that the construction is progressing well, so it is expected that the building will be completed ahead of schedule, before the end of this year.

The construction director, RamÛn Guijalba, reported that the La Mata pavilion, which has an budget of nearly 6 million euro, is going to change the format of its main faÁade to a more attractive one that will allow it to protect the building from the entry of sunlight.

Among the facilities that the pavilion will have, its ground floor will have a gym of more than 100 m2, in addition to two multipurpose rooms of 95 m2 each, which could be unified, and that will enable the hosting of meetings and social and cultural activities, which will meet the growing demand in this

thankyou to everyone who has been so supportive to me over very many years.”

Torrevieja district, as well as the changing rooms for teams and referees, toilets, outdoor lobby, cafeteria, access control and cloakroom.

Other facilities will be located in the basement which will also serve as a warehouse, so the ground floor can have more services for users.

The La Mata pavilion will have a 44 x 23 metre sports court, equipped for the practice of sports such as indoor football, volleyball, handball, basketball and badminton, in accordance with the specific regulations of the Higher Sports Council (CSD).

In addition, the building allows a transversal layout to combine several simultaneous events with a capacity for 400 people including a seating area of almost 200 seats.

However, one of the most

striking visual aspects of the new La Mata Municipal Sports Pavilion is the distance that separates the facilities from the existing balconies in the building located at side, residents who are now staring directly into a brick wall. They now have no view whatsoever, and the building blocks the light into their homes.

However the mayor has said that because of the inconvenience they can choose the colour of the offending wall.

P O E T R Y C O R N E R HAPPY ST PATRICK’S DAY

By David PCarroll (2024)

It's Saint Patrick's Day and Everyone is Irish today

And we'll have some fun along the way Green shamrocks and a colourful rainbow

In the clear blue sky

And the shiny pots of gold are in sight And we'll sing and dance

All through Saint Patrick's night

From Madrid to Barcelona and to Torrevieja and on to sunny Benidorm

With classical Irish Music fills the air

And all the little leprechauns Are dancing and jumping

Up in the air and the little children

Are having so much fun

And I love Saint Patrick's Day and I'm playing the fiddle on This special Irish day and The people are marching through the Streets celebrating Saint Patrick's Day

And the little children

Are running up and down And chanting Saint Patrick

And we will sing And dance

All through the night

So may the love and luck

Of the Irish be With you all today on this very special and loving And peaceful happy Saint Patrick's Day.

The new building is just yards from their homes

Sylvia proudly displays her BEM

CONSTRUCTOR OF ALTERNATIVE SOLAR PARK OFFERS SUPPLY FOR TORREVIEJA DESALINATION PLANT.

The company that has approval to build the Vega del Segura solar plant with 82 megawatts of installed peak power has offered the Ministry for the Ecological Transition (Miteco) to supply energy to the Torrevieja desalination plant.

The initiative of the Evergood Capital renewable capital fund comes when the Government's controversial project to build a second solar plant on 200 hectares of agricultural land in San Miguel de Salinas, in order to lower the cost of producing desalinated sea water in Torrevieja, has generated overwhelming rejection in the municipality.

At a march just a few days ago, 3,000 people, half of the municipal population, took to the streets, to demand that Miteco finds another location for the project announced by Prime Minister Sanches at a recent visit to the Torrevieja Desalination Plant.

The Vega del Segura Photovoltaic Solar Park is the only one currently being processed, that has a favourable environmental evaluation in the region, obtained last December.

Since the fever for renewables began, both the Generalitat and the State have ruled out numerous solar park projects in Bajo Segura for environmental reasons when considering them in forested areas or adjacent to protected areas of Sierra Escalona and its surroundings.

The Vega del Segura solar park has an approximate investment of 70 million euros and will occupy 174 hectares in the municipalities of Almoradí, Algorfa and San Miguel de Salinas. The authorisation procedure began in May 2021 and in December 2023 the General Directorate of Quality and Environmental Assessment of the Generalitat favourably resolved the environmental impact declaration of the project. However, the initial area of 311 hectares was reduced to 174 following protests from environmental groups.

Several factors could see Acuamed carefully evaluate Evergood's offer beyond the legal problems it raises. The first is that it already has authorisation, the environmental one. Another point in its favour is that it already has signed longterm lease option contracts with all land owners for a period of 40 years, which would rule out the expropriations for the

Over half of the town’s population turned out in protest at the new plant

new plant that are planned by the State.

A further advantage is the similarity in installed power with respect to that planned by Acuamed.

The location of the Sanmiguelera part of the Vega Baja solar park is very close to the land that the Government has proposed for its public plant. The surface distribution of private infrastructure is 20 hectares in Algorfa, 98 in Almoradí and 56.5 in San Miguel de Salinas, a distribution, according to company sources, that reduces its impact in each municipality and "meets the percentages set by the Valencian Community for the rational use and occupation of land."

The same sources state that once they have the administrative and construction authorisation and the construction licenses "the plant could begin to be built and then be providing electricity to the Torrevieja desalination plant for self-consumption within months."

The investment fund considers that it is "the best alternative" to replace the photovoltaic proposed by Acuamed and for Miteco to provide renewable electricity to the Torrevieja desalination plant "as it has a similar size and locations." And it adds that it would make it possible due to its advanced state of development that the desalination plant "could consume renewable energy much sooner than anticipated."

There is one major disadvantages, however. Acuamed 's projects for solar plants that help reduce the energy cost of desalination have received European Next Generation funds, but if the plant is not public the Government will not receive the money.

TWO-DECADE FIGHTGOES ON AS COSTAFAMILYCHAIN THEMSELVES TO EXCAVATOR

Mother and daughter, Gabriele and Kimberly Lee Wesenauer, chained themselves to a mechanical digger on Thursday morning, in an effort to stop, what they say is, illegal building work,

on their rural property, the Casa Langostina finca in PAU 25, Lomas de Cabo Roig, originally bought by the Austrian family in mid-1996.

At the time, only fields and pastureland separated the property from the sea, just a few kilometres away ñ now, according to the family, the immediate surroundings are like a desert of dust and rubble. There is no longer a pasture landscape in front of the finca. Instead, there is a grey stone wall just a few metres from the entrance to the house, which was built overnight by construction company on the Wesenauers' property - without a licence, according to the emigrants.

Construction machinery recently came threateningly close to the old house, but at the turn of the year, the mayor's intervention provided a small glimmer of hope for the historic finca.

The builders have since stayed away, until last week, when they arrived with heavy machinery so, once again the family took up their protest, on this occasion by chaining themselves to the construction machinery, after which, patrols arrived from the Local Police, the Civil Guard as well as members of the Orihuela Civil Protection.

According to Gabriele, the land grab on her property was probably based on old plans at the time, which did not clearly show which part of the property was assigned to which development plan. She stated that the Popular Party-Vox government team promised to initiate a protection file as an Asset of Local Relevance last December.

The family, who have been fighting for two decades to prevent the urbanisation of the surrounding area eventually halted their action only when the Councillor for Urban Planning, MatÌas RuÌz PeÒalver, promised to temporarily stop the work.

Orihuela mayor refuses plea bargain with prosecutor

The Orihuela Mayor, Pepe Vegara, has refused to strike a deal with the public prosecutor for the alleged crimes of fraud and tax evasion, with which he is charged, in exchange for admitting his guilt.

In its indictment, the Prosecutor's Office requests, along with three other defendants, a sentence of seven years in prison for a crime of falsifying a commercial document and two crimes against the Public Treasury for VAT and corporate tax fraud.

However, Snr Vegara continues to declare his innocence saying that he is happy to fight the case in court.

He says that he is not willing to accept any other agreement that does not involve acquittal of all the charges

of which he is accused.

Vegara and three of his partners are charged with a crime of tax fraud in which it is alleged that the group, whilst running the company ITV Vega Baja SA, RPZ and CCB, reduced the company profit so that the amounts to be paid for Corporate Tax and IVA for the year 2005 were significantly less than the amounts due, saving them 760,539.12 euros of Corporate Tax in 2005 and 157,396.80 euros in VAT.

During the presentation of the PP list for the municipal elections in 2023, the mayor elaborated a little more and attributed the case to malpractice on the part of an employee whom, they decided not to report.

Now, however, almost a year after the case came to light, and eight months since Vegara was sworn in as mayor of Orihuela, the issue raised its head again on Friday. After his lawyers refused to reach an agreement with the Prosecutor's Office and following his refusal to accept any guilt, everything is now in the hands of the Criminal Court number 1, which must set a date for the trial that Vegara will now have to face.

Pepe Vegara continues to declare his innocence

Kimberly and Gabriele

Vox joins Women’s Day March in Orihuela

Orihuela turned purple on Friday on the occasion of 8-M as the feminist wave left the Town Hall at 6:00 p.m. heading to the Glorieta Gabriel Miró. The march included many members of the town council, with the surprise being the presence of Vox, the deputy mayor, Manuel Mestre.

The presence of Santiago Abascal's party was especially surprising, even more so as they had voted against an

institutional declaration for Women's Day at last week's plenary session.

On Friday, however, neither the councillor Mestre nor any of his Vox colleagues had any problem joining the march and walking behind the municipal banner that carried the wording 'Orihuela making equality a reality'.

There were some absences though, Jose Aix and the councillors from Ciudadanos, whose absence was not

anticipated.

Outside of politics, the march, attracting a hundred or so participants, was carried out in a jovial atmosphere.

At the head was the banner caried by the Councilor for Equality, Agustina Rodríguez, followed by the FilarmoníaACAMDO Band.

Next, came the municipal banner held by the mayor of Orihuela, Pepe Vegara, along with councillors from the local government. There followed a mixture of groups, associations and Oriolanos of all ages.

In front of the Glorieta pavilion, attendees listened to the words of the Councilor for Equality, who said that "we must continue to keep in mind our forerunners, all those people who risked everything to achieve equality for women." She said that "feminism must maintain its place in all social area, only in this way will we be a society that progresses, let us not fear or despise feminism."

The event to commemorate International Women's Day concluded with a performance by the Oriolana singer Carolina Reymundo, who performed different songs, including 'I will survive', by Gloria Gaynor.

FOUR OUT OF EVERY 10 HOMES IN THE PROVINCE ARE SECOND HOMES OR ARE EMPTY

The province of Alicante has more than 1,350,000 houses, but only a little more than half are permanently occupied. The rest, up to 44% of the total, are mainly second homes and, to a lesser extent, empty properties.

This is a percentage much higher than the national average –which stands at 30% – and clearly reflects the weight that socalled residential tourism has in the area, both from an economic and urban point of view.

This is reflected in the latest data published by the Valencian Institute of Statistics based on the 2021 Population and Housing Census, which also reveals that holiday homes are the ones that have grown the most in the last decade, in Benidorm second homes represent 51% of the housing stock; a figure that rises to 54% in El Campello; or 55% in Xàbia. In Calp, Dénia, Orihuela, Santa Pola and Pilar de la Horadada it exceeds 60%, but in Guardamar del Segura, holiday properties represents 73.3% of the total. Or put another way, only one in four houses in the municipality is occupied throughout the year. However, there are more advantages than disadvantages in the massive presence of second homes in their municipalities, according to the mayor of Guardamar, José Luis Sáez . "The existence of all these homes represents a large volume of income for the council, especially through the IBI, which then does not require the same level of service provision as the rest throughout the year." Thus, the budget of the council that he presides, about 22 million euros annually, is much higher, almost double, than that of other nearby cities of a similar size, thanks to this income.

10am

11-12 am

Embark coach at Orihuela Costa Town Hall, travel to Orihuela

City Tour - Colegio Santa Domingo and Casa de Miguel Hernandez

12-1330 Shopping

2 pm Lunch at Sercotel, Palacio Tudemir

4-5 pm Guided tour - Museo de Arte Sacro

6 pm Return to Orihuela

613 076 336

664 342 924

ORIHUELA ON TOUR

Looking for an enjoyable and relaxing day out. Why not consider a trip to Orihuela City next Thursday courtesy of The Association of Merchants and Hoteliers of the Municipality of Orihuela together with the Departments of Commerce and Tourism.

The “ORIHUELA ON TOUR” campaign began last week but it is being run every Thursday, connecting the coast with the historic city centre, providing the opportunity for Coastal residents to sample Orihuela’s wonderful commerce, hospitality and monuments.

A coach leaves the Orihuela Costa Town Hall at 10 am. On arrival in Orihuela, a guided tour of monuments and points of tourist interest will then take place.

You will then have time to get to know the commerce and take the opportunity to shop, after which you will enjoy lunch, taste the typical gastronomy, and then continue getting to know the city with your guide.

The coach will return to the coast at 6pm.

Take time to think and you’ll see the link.

Hands up all of you who know what Mullingar and Athens have in common? I thought so … and please don’t feel badly for not knowing the answer – because I didn’t know until I thought about it and worked it out for myself.

What have cowboys and showband musicians got in common? (No, that is not the answer I was looking for - from that ‘blue-rinse’ lady up on the gallery!)

Where to begin … Let us start by having a look at Athens.

Athens is the home of the Olympic Games Movement. The ancient games were held in Greece from the 8th century BC, to the 4th century AD.

This inspired the idea of the modern Olympics, now the greatest sporting event on the planet. The first Olympics of the modern age were held in Athens in 1896. Since then, the games take place every four years –except when wars or pandemic get in the way.

Around 200 countries take part, so just about every nation is represented.

This year’s games will be held in Paris; and already, the jockeying, canvassing, politicisingand perhaps bribery, are in full throttle from countries vying with each other to host the games in future years. ‘Olympic Villages’ will be built at enormous expense and with breath-taking waste.

Athens hosted the 2004 Olympics and did a superb job. All agreed that there was something very special about ‘the Olympics coming home.’

Why then, instead of inviting corruption and extravagant waste of money and energy, because of shifting countries every four years, cannot Athens, with its ancient arena, be given the Olympic Games permanently?

The first Fleadh Cheoil na h-Eireann was held in Mullingar in 1951. (Now you can guess where this is heading!) Mullingar is the ideal location for the Fleadh. Centrally located and steeped in the culture of Irish traditional music, there is an undeniable case to be made for the Fleadh ‘coming home’ permanently.

The 2022 Fleadh Cheoil was said to be the best ever, because of the fact that Mullingar more than rose to the occasion. The only one that surpassed ’22 for atmosphere, organisation, ‘just the right size of town’, and the ‘coming home’ feeling was the following year; the 2023 Fleadh was nationally acclaimed as being ‘the best ever.’ Mullingar needs to be made the permanent home of Fleadh Cheoil na h-Eireann.

And this is what Mullingar and Athens have in common!

The Irish ‘Showband Era’ stretched from the late 1950’s until the mid-1970s. Few of today’s younger generation can have any idea of the change that came about in Ireland with the coming of the showbands and the dance halls. It was our teenage revolution!

It changed everything; it gave the young generation an identity for the first time. With it came a freedom, a confidence, and an independence of thought.

It is no exaggeration to say that the showbands changed Ireland – and not only its musical tastes. This was the golden age of

musical expression in Ireland and there is no doubt but that it was from this that the creative musical genius of the following 50 years was born.

Not only did the showbands change the leisure scene in Ireland, but the top bands were in high demand for the dancehalls that sprung up to cater for the demand in England.

Like the showbands in Ireland, the legacy of the American cowboy and the lore of the Old West lives on in American culture. (Of course you can’t see any link … yet!) It wasn’t just in America, but cowboy films were the staple diet of ‘going to the pictures’ back in the day.

Unlike the showband stars, ( the top ones were earning five times the average weekly wage) the cowboy was very poorly paid; making only around $30 a month - and he only got paid after the cattle were sold. These young men became tough and resilient

EXCELLENT START TO YEAR FOR CONCERT BAND

The Costa Blanca International Concert Band gave its first performance of the year to a packed audience at the Norwegian Church,El Chaparral,Torrevieja last Tuesday evening 5th.March.

The band played a very varied selection including music from Phantom of the Opera,Les Miserables,Jurassic Park and Colours of the Wind.

There were solos from Alan Brookes, euphonium who played ‘Under the Boardwalk’and Patricia Shepley,clarinet playing ‘Gabriel's Oboe’.

The concert finished with ‘Song's of the Sea’and a long-standing ovation from the audience.

The Norwegian Church is an excellent venue in which to give concerts and we hope to be able to do more here in the future.

The band is totally international with musicians from the UK,Spain,Norway, Switzerland and Germany, We are always looking for more players to join us,contact Graham on 711 056 343 or by email TO: robinsongraham256@googlemail.com,

The band rehearses every Friday in San Miguel

and grew with the mantra of survival of the fittest.

The cowboy exemplifies the best ideals of being an American; wit, adventurousness, courage and wholesome goodness.

So, what do cowboys and showbands have in common, you may be wondering … Well, the most extraordinary common denominator is that both the showband era and the cowboy era were only around for less than 20 years in the case of the showbands and for scarcely 30 years in the case of the cowboys.

The impact that both had on the culture of their respective countries after operating for such a short timespan makes this an exceptional piece of history.

Their story lives on.

DON’T FORGET

The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that our aim is too low and we reach it.

alternatively just come along to one of our rehearsals. We rehearse every Friday downs-

4.30pm.to 7pm,you will be made very welcome.

tairs at the library in San Miguel from

Easter beach bars unlikely on Orihuela Costa

The PSOE is saying that there will be no beach bars in Orihuela Costa this Easter. They say that time is very tight and, although the PP-Vox government team insists that they are working around the clock, the issue is increasingly unlikely. This was announced by the socialists, who have had access to the file, whichis still in the offer evaluation phase.

After studying the documentation, they state that "a total of 17 companies have submitted bids for the tender that began in November, but four were not accepted because they were out of time.

Right now the reports are being prepared for the remaining 13 bids, but the process still has a long way to go. It will be impossible for the beach bar contracts to be awarded and the bars put into operation before Palm Sunday," says councillor

María García.

The PSOE said that all local beaches are about to receive visits from thousands tourists and residents "there are only two weeks left before the Easter holidays, and according to the document itself, by that date, 6 of the 11 beach bars should already be open." la Glea in Campoamor, Cala Capitán in Cabo Roig, Cala Cerrada in la Zenia and Cala Estaca in Playa Flamenca, in addition to Cala Bosque (la Zenia) and La Caleta (Cabo Roig), which the specifications allow to trade all year round.

But the lack of beach bars, adds García, "is worse than it appears because we do not know if they have a ‘plan B’ to at least guarantee the toilet service. Yet again we see that there is a lack of planning, and now, either they will make a new contract out of urgency or "they will be late again, this is not the way to work."

The PP-Vox government team insists that they are working around the clock

However, according to a municipal spokesman, the toi-

lets and walkways are guaranteed and have been processed through minor contracts.

The contracts for the beach bars has a duration of four years (until 2027) but the tenders are divided into five lots, which increases the complexity of the award.

“It is the first time that the City Council has chosen to batch contract this service, and precisely for this reason we believe that the government should have been more prudent, perhaps this procedure has caused more companies to present themselves and therefore the valuation and adjudication is becoming more complex. Some companies have only bid for one lot and others for two, with the lots receiving the most proposals being 2 and 3, which contain the beach bars in which the bars are open practically all year round," said councillor García. García concluded by stating that both the mayor and the councillor for beaches “must stop thinking about making announcements just to make the headlines, but which they know they cannot fulfil. It has happened with the budgets, with the beach bars and many of us fear it will happen with the Oriol works. "That is no way to operate in politics, because eventually the general public will stop believing in your words."

Rafal approves its budget

The Rafal Council has approved its draft budget for the year 2024, amounting to a total of 3,519,541 euros, an increase of 8,000 from the previous year.

The mayor said that the budget is “a level and balanced document, which this year has been increased, thanks to the savings and the surplus from previous years.”

Major award for Las Colinas

Las Colinas Golf & Country Club has confirmed its status as “ the Leading Villa Resort in Spain and Europe” at the World Travel Award , winning the award again this year in both categories. The presentation took place during the gala held last Tuesday at the emblematic Ritz-Carlton hotel in Berlin.

Escaping in Los Montesinos

The Los Montesinos

Council has organised an escape room called "Turn around" for all residents of the municipality over 12 years of age.

The escape room will take place on March 15 from 5 to 10 p.m. with groups to a maximum of 8 people.

Booking must be made in advance through https://entradium.com/

Safe place to live

At a meeting between the Mayor of Almoradí, María Gómez García, and the new Deputy Government Delegate in Alicante, Juan Antonio Nieves, the security situation of the municipality was analysed and future projects were presented, such as the need for the numbers of Civil Guard to be increased.

However, it was said that so far this year – crime figures in the municipality are exactly four points below the provincial average.

POLICE CONTINUE CLAMPDOWN ON ILLEGAL AIRPORT TAXIS

The Road Crime Unit of Elche Local Police are continuing to monitor vehicles within the vicinity of Alicante-Elche Miguel Hern·ndez Airport, and in their most recent checks they found numerous violations both in vehicles with a VTC licence (Vehicles for hire) and vehicles that do not have authorisation to pick up travellers at the terminal.

The police recorded up to 9 sanctions, involving complaints of VTCís for soliciting passsengers that results in a fine of 1,001 euro to a goods transport vehicle that was driven into the public service area of the airport and that also lacked a transport card, with a fine tht could cost 4,001 euro.

The objective of these police checks is to ensure legality in transportation and the safety of travellers, as if you do not use a

correctly licenced vehicle such as a taxi, amongst a number of problems, you will not be insured for the journey.

Likewise, action was taken with a taxi from a nearby town that had lacked a licence since 2002. It was towed to a municipal pound.

In addition, the driver will have his taxi licence revoked and all taxi signs removed from the vehicle. It will now also cost the owner 4,001 euro to retrieve

An illegal taxi being removed by the police

New Fire Station for Orihuela

A new fire

The location has a quick connection to highcapacity networks and the towns that border the highway, although it will be much further away from the Oriolano urban centre. Currently, the station is based in the San Antón neighbourhood, next to Palmeral.

Firefighting teams have been complaining for some time about the shortcomings of the current facilities located very close to flood zones.

During Dana 2019, they were almost cut off as a result of floods in the adjacent the mountain range, which turned the surrounding streets into scree. “The garage is also short of space so we have to do the daily checks of vehicles on the street,” said a spokesman. However, the new location will slightly lengthen the park's response times to accidents in the centre of Orihuela.

Combatting crime on Orihuela Costa

Orihuela Costa 'Vecinos Colaborando' Association (Neighbourhood Watch), held a meeting with the Security Councillor, Monica Pastor, and Local Police officers, to coordinate actions with the sole aim of improving security in the area.

The Assn brings together volunteers from different urbanisations but because of COVID 19 it was not held for a number of years. However, it has now resumed its activity and is once again in direct communication with the local police.

The association currently has around a hundred members, with Chris Stimpson, Paul Kelly and Graham Jones, responsible for monitoring their communities and alerting them to suspicious situations.

Councillor Mónica Pastor said that 'Vecinos Colabo-rando' does a great and once again "we have agreed to hold a monthly meeting to exchange concerns and present a summary of the actions that have been and that need to be taken".

As well as a direct communication channel between the association

and the police, it was agreed that awareness-raising and information campaigns will be carried out among neighbours.

In the association there are volunteers living in different urbanisations who communicate, by email or phone, with the Local Police, if they perceive any anomalous situation that raises suspicions that a crime is being committed, or that they think it may be committed.

Both the association and the councillor recognise the importance of this collaboration and citizen participation which, by way of prevention, is aimed at creating a safe environment.

the vehicle from the pound.

In addition, other vehicle drivers were reported for various violations in relation to the rules for carrying passengers in exchange for money.

You should only use legal taxis or VTC services as these vehicles and drivers are subject to stricter rules for passenger safety, and so-called ìpirate taxisî, vehicles that carry passengers for money which are not correctly licenced, can be heavily fined and the passengers has no security or liability insurance.

station is to be built next to the exit of the A-7 towards Orihuela-Benferri.

Social, Emotional and Mental Health in our Golden Years

HOW IS YOUR SOCIAL LIFE?

Does it just consist of the odd “Night Out” at the local? Are you looking for better social interactions with other like-minded people?

EASY Exercise is about safely regaining and maintaining your mobility, balance and flexibility by gently building muscle, but it is also about social interaction with others with similar life situations. Although we are all different, we have much in common with others.

The EASY Exercise Suite at the Sophia Wellness Centre is designed to promote social interaction as well as gently exercising all parts of the body.

The human body is not just made up of flesh and bone, muscle and blood, there is also a very important social, emotion, and mental element as well. While the comfortable machines at the

EASY Exercise Suite gently exercise our bodies we quite naturally talk and joke with those around us, friendships develop and our emotional wellbeing increases.

Older adults need a good balance in their lives, emotional balance as well as the ability to stay stable while moving or standing up.

Regular EASY Exercise improves both types of balance reducing the risk of depression as well as falls and injury. Over 90% of EASY Exercise users report a positive impact on mental health, feeling more relaxed and less stressed.

Depression is common among older adults especially those living alone. Most people over 55 have lost someone they love and over the next few years are likely to lose others. As our own health goes slowly downhill, we have plenty to feel sad about. Those involved in out-of-home activities are less likely to feel lonely, sad or even depressed. Alcohol is not a good solution to social, emotional and mental health challenges, so it is best to find activities that stimulate all the human social, emotion and mental health needs.

Social Wellbeing is one of the five elements of healthy aging.

Good psychological health is important for confidence and a positive outlook on life. Exercise, community activity and social contact are known to boost psychological health and reduce the impact of loneliness amongst older adults.

Torrevieja Flamingos inspire Zenia boulevard Leisure Area

The Zenia Boulevard Shopping Centre on the Orihuela Costa, managed by Nhood and owned by Ceetrus and CBRE Investment Management, continues to make progress with the renovation of its facilities, and in so doing, paying tribute to the local environment.

In the latest phase of the development, Torrevieja’s Pink Lagoon and the flamingos that live there have served as an inspiration for the remodelling of the leisure areas.

A large flamingo will delight the children so they can have fun, in an area where symbols of the aquatic environment can also be seen

The Lappset company, dedicated to the

The Boulevard pays tribute to the local environment.

implementation of recreational game areas and urban furniture, has been responsible for recreating this spectacular 6.5 metre high pink bird figure located on the upper floor of the shopping centre and which will undoubtedly arouse the interest of all visitors.

Likewise, the Pink Lagoon of Torrevieja has served as inspiration for the “salineros” toilets in the Plaza Mayor, highlighting its special characteristic colour (white and pink).

Likewise, the Plaza de la Lonja will have a rest area and playground set in the area's citrus trees, which has been developed by the Cabana company.

In the Plaza Mayor there will be an allusion to the sea, as mentioned, with a giant jellyfish with three slides that will connect with an interactive fountain that is being improved and that has always been highly valued by visitors to the shopping centre. The Galopín company has been in charge of creating this play area in the Plaza Mayor.

In the words of Cristina Ros, director of the shopping centre, “Zenia Boulevard is being the protagonist of a spectacular change that will not leave anyone indifferent.

With the remodelling that we are carrying out in all areas of the shopping centre, reflecting the identity of Orihuela, its area of influence and its people, we hope that all people who come to Zenia Boulevard enjoy a unique experience.

“We are very satisfied with the progress of the project and we hope that the leisure areas will be operational by Easter.”

QUICKIE CROSSWORD

ACROSS ACROSS

1.Children's game (4,3,4)

9.Enquire (3)

10.Fatigue (9)

11.Swarthy (5)

13.Alfresco (4-3)

14.Nakedness (6)

16.Allot (6)

18.Not fact (7)

19.Hard-wearing fabric (5)

20.Protrudes (6,3)

21.Simple tune (3)

22.Very upset (11)

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 16

DOWN DOWN

2.Writing fluid (3)

3.Access (5)

4.Not broad (6)

5.Unhappiness (7)

6.Height (9)

7.Invariable (4,3,4)

8.Stargazers (11)

12.Tempting (9)

15.More dense (7)

17.Bury (6)

19.As above (5)

21.Wonder (3)

ANSWERS

Week 1013

QUICK QUICK

ACROSS: ACROSS: 1 Dead; 3 Watchful; 9 Soldier; 10 Utter; 11 Anticipation; 13 Cranny; 15 Prison; 17 Extortionate; 20 Aroma; 21 Dissent; 22 Mastered; 23 Stay.

DOWN: 1 Distance; 2 Allot; 4 Abrupt; 5 Counterpoise; 6 Fatuous; 7 Lure; 8 Disconsolate; 12 Ancestry; 14 Anxious; 16 Stodge; 18 Alert; 19 Calm.

CRYPTIC YPTIC

ACROSS: ACROSS: 1 Fact; 3 Swaggers; 9 Ravioli; 10 Onset; 11 Wicketkeeper; 13 Rapids; 15 Vienna; 17 Encyclopedia; 20 Recto; 21 Maestro; 22 Black tie; 23 Eden.

DOWN: 1 Firework; 2 Civic; 4 Whisky; 5 Goose pimples; 6 Eastern; 7 Site; 8 Domesday book; 12 Macaroon; 14 Panacea; 16 Alumni; 18 Dated; 19 Grub.

ACROSS ACROSS

1.Class of wage-earners making it a real port (11)

9.Sheep from the West (3)

10.Obvious love for a party plan? (9)

11.Type of source? (5)

13.See grim problems for refugees (7)

14.Such a son normally succeeds (6)

16.AFrench type can be cruel (6)

18.Edition of new revision lacking one (7)

19.Does it rule the waves? (5)

20.There are strong links between its members (5,4)

21.Obtain a sheep that came back (3)

22.Science often met in its abbreviated form (11)

DOWN DOWN

2.Whiskey or port? (3)

3.It could be the absolute end (5)

4.Gentle nurse? (6)

5.Funfair turns out to be rough (7)

6.Senator is making a claim (9)

7.Egomaniac's sort of store? (4-7)

8.Thoughtful form of desecration (11)

12.Promise to leave some? (9)

15.Discipline learnt by nieces outside top college (7)

17.Not just dark-haired (6)

19.Member finding a student of the law (5)

21.It may provide transport for the concert (3)

LEADER TRIVIA QUIZ (Answers on page 16)

1. Which controversial English bassist was named after an aggressive pet hampster?

2. Demerara sugar. Demerara is a region in which South American country?

3. Which 1965 film; based on a 1949 autobiography, was the biggest box office hit of the 1960s?

4. Tisane is another word for which popular kind of beverage?

5. Which M.R. was a Spider from Mars?

6. The Admiral Benbow Inn is an important setting in which popular novel?

7. A well known southern US city and the most populated city in the world in 2,000 BC.

8. Mayday is an emergency call used in maritime and aeronautical radio communications to signal imminent danger. Which two words, repeated three times, is used to signal a state of urgency?

9. Who is the only person to have won the so called 'Golden Slam' in tennis? (all four Grand Slam singles and Olympic Gold in a calendar year)

10. The following lyrics are all from songs with the word "City" somewhere in the song title. Can you name the song? a. 15 cars and 15

restless riders, 3 conductors and 25 sacks of mail. b. Where the grass is green and the girls are pretty. c. This mellow thighed chick just put my spine out of place. d. Back of my neck getting dirty and gritty

11. What is the only country in the world with five red crosses on its national flag?

12. Which 19th century painting technique used countless tiny distinct dots of pure colour?

13. Who did Joy and George Adamson raise?

14. Which dance is usually performed to an opera bouffon music piece titled 'The Infernal Galop'?

15. The following is the movie poster tag line from which Spaghetti Western? "For three men the Civil War wasn't hell. It was practice!"

16. The Old French name given to the leader of a troop of demons on horseback and a kind of jester or clown. One word.

17. Name the films in which Ben Kingsley plays each of the following roles. a. US Vice President Gary Nance. b. Don Logan. c. Xavier Fitch

18. What is the name of the green tea used in a Japanese tea ceremony?

19. What was the title of Pink Floyd's memorable 1972 concert film?

20. Who was the first US billionaire?

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NEWS IN BRIEF RESIDENTS SPARE COUNCIL BLUSHES

Residents of the Avalon residential complex in Playa Flamenca have received permission from Segura Hydrographic Confederation (CHS) to clean a section of a ravine next to their homes.

The work is the responsibility of the council but, because of a risk of fire, residents have been allowed to carry out pruning and cleaning in an urban stretch of promenade adjacent to their properties.

TENDER FOR LIFEGUARD SERVICE

The Orihuela Council has put out to tender the rescue, lifeguard and ambulance service on the eleven Orihuela beaches during the seasons from 2024 to 2027, with the possibility of extending it during 2028, at a cost of 3.8 million euros.

The services include surveillence and prevention, water rescue, assistance and first aid as well as bathroom care for people with reduced mobility.

DENUNCIA MADE AGAINST SAMU

Two women from the San Blas area of Alicante have filed a complaint with the Ministry of Health for the "inadequate response" to an emergency, after their father suffered respiratory failure, with the SAMU ambulance taking 52 minutes to arrive.

“If the ambulance had arrived earlier he could have been saved,” they said.

STRAWBERRY HEALTH ALERT

Spain has issued a health alert due to the presence of hepatitis A in some strawberries imported from Morocco.

It is thought that contaminated water in irrigation could be the source of the problem.

In the meantime, experts recommend avoiding eating strawberries, even after washing them, as the virus may still remain on the fruit.

HOLIDAYS AND RED DAYS IN MARCH

MARCH 19: FATHER'S DAY AND SAINT JOSEPH'S DAY, SAN JOSÉ

This is one of the most special days in the Spanish celebratory calendar, although it’s not as old as some people might think, started by a nun and was then commercialised by El Corte Ingles, but it is the day when Father's Day is celebrated, also known as San José.

However, in 2024, Father's Day is only a regional holiday in the Valencian Community and the Region of Murcia, where there is no work on this Tuesday.

In the Community of Madrid, this holiday, which in other years has been part of the rest days of the work calendar, is moved to July 25, which is celebrated on the day of Santiago Apóstol and which is one of the regional holidays set for 2024

HOLY WEEK 2024

Holy Week 2024 begins on March 24, Palm Sunday, and ends on March 31, Easter Sunday and lasts

8 days, but the distribution of nonworking holidays varies depending on each autonomous community.

Thursday, March 28, is a moveable national holiday and the communities in which work is not carried out are: Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Castilla-La Mancha, Cantabria, Basque Country, Murcia, Castilla and León, Extremadura, Community of Madrid, Galicia, La Rioja, Navarra, Ceuta and Melilla.

In Catalonia and the Valencian Community, they have decided to replace the holiday of Thursday, March 28 (Holy Thursday) with Monday, April 1.

In the case of Friday, April 29 (Good Friday), this day is a holiday throughout Spain.

Finally, there are some Autonomous Communities that have a three-day holiday, over the Easter weekend, that is, March 28 (Holy Thursday), March 29 (Good Friday) and Monday, April 1, and these are the Balearic Islands, Cantabria and the Basque Country.

Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday

ORIHUELA TO INVEST 48,000 E IN RESURFACING THE STREETS FOR HOLY WEEK PROCESSIONS.

The work is being carried out "in order to guarantee safety along the processional route"

The Orihuela Council is spending 33,575 euros repairs to the city centre streets that will form the route for the Holy Week processions taking place over the Easter period. The work will include filling in of potholes as well as resurfacing of the tarmac, repairs to kerbstones and pavements as outlined in a contract that was published on Monday.

The project report states that a large part of the city's road network has serious deficiencies in both the asphalt and the pavements throughout the historic centre. It states that it is important to repair the damage "in order to guarantee safety for both the participants and the spectators along the entire processional route."

The work will consist of repairing the natural granite cobblestone pavement on Calle’s Santa Justa, López Pozas and Doctor Sarget. Potholes and the covers of manholes will also be repaired on Calle’s Santa Lucía, Paseo, Alfonso Hospital, Plaza del Carmen, Plaza Nueva, San Agustín and Avenida de España.

The completion period is fifteen days from the signing of the tender document. The budget amounts to 33,575 euros, which, once general expenses, and VATare included, amounts to a total of forty 48,344 euros.

This amount includes the demolition and lifting of sunken areas due to the passage of vehicles, the repair of ditches, the replacement of paving slabs, the placement of natural paving stones, the cleaning and recessing of joints, the grouting of the paving stones with mortar, and surface cleaning, as well as the grading of manholes and safety and occupational risk prevention measures.

SECOND ALICANTE RUNWAY NOT A GOVERNMENT PRIORITY

Forecasts suggest that 2023 figures could be exceeded this year as Ryanair has announced an increase in routes

The Government does not see the second runway of the Alicante-Elche airport as a priority in either the short or the medium term.

This was the Executive's response to a parliamentary question put by Senator Agustín Almodóbar (PP) in the Upper House on Wednesday, who had asked them to comment on the possibility of launching the Master Plan for the Miguel-Hernández airport that allows for programmed growth. with its necessary expansion.

Almodóbar said that he believes that, with their answer, the Government is completely disregarding the tourist interests of the province of Alicante and the Valencian Community.

The Alicante-Elche airport is currently the fifth largest in Spain, having just closed the best year in its history, after breaking the passenger record in 2023, with the movement of 15.7 million.

This was a number that was very nearly achieved in 2019, the year immediately before the pandemic, in which 15,048,240 passengers were processed.

QUIZ FROM P 12:

1.Sid Vicious, 2.Guyana, 3.The Sound of Music, 4. Herbal tea, 5.Mick Ronson, 6.Treasure Island, 7. Memphis, 8.Pan-pan, 9.Stefi Graf (1988), 10.a. City Of New Orleans (Arlo Guthrie), b.Paradise City (Guns N'Roses), c.Suffragette City (David Bowie), d. Summer In The City (The Loving Spoonful).11. Georgia.12.Pointillism.13.Elsa the lioness (Born Free).14.Can-can.15.The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.16.Harlequin.17.a.Dave, b.Sexy Beast, c. Species.18.Matcha.19.Live at Pompeii.20.J D Rockefeller

SUDUK SUDUK O SOLUTION O SOLUTION

ity and competitive prices that allow efficient operation for airlines."

Agustín Almodóbar said that "an expansion of the airport is essential" for the tourism development of the province and for maintaining competitiveness. "This 2024, a growth of over 13 percent in seats is expected," which is why, he stressed, that the airport needs this additional

infrastructure. "Although the new terminal was recently built, the second runway is essential, because, with it, it will then be possible to target even more far flung destinations such as the United States," he said.

Along these lines, he stressed that "there are airports that, thanks to similar expansions, have already been able to look for other markets."

Forecasts suggest that these figures could be exceeded again this year as Ryanair has announced an increase in routes, while Jet2Holidays plans to launch a base from the Alicante airport during the spring.

For this reason, the Generalitat Valenciana has been urging the expansion of the airport so as not to supress the province as a tourist destination. One of the objectives they are working on is a direct flight with the United States. Both the president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, and the Minister of Tourism, Nuria Montes, have been demanding that the Executive schedule this key investment for the tourism growth of the province. According to the Government's response, the Alicante-Elche airport "has infrastructure with sufficient capac-

NEWS IN BRIEF

LONG LEASE FOR FARMERS

Why does a lifelong irrigator decide to lease his land to developers for 40 years and stop farming so that solar panels can be installed? Logically, for economic reasons, the going price current being 3,200 euros per year, per leased hectare. Must get out with a tape and measure my garden!

AIR RAID SHELTER

Construction works in Alicante have brought to light an anti-aircraft shelter from the Civil War. This is the seventh defensive infrastructure to be incorporated into the municipal network, and it will be opened to the public in the coming weeks.

CARLO ANCELOTTI IN TROUBLE

The Prosecutor's Office wants four years and nine months in prison for the Real Madrid coach, Carlo Ancelotti, for having defrauded the public treasury of 1,062,079 euros in tax ten years ago.

2024 - LADIES SINGLES FINALS VENUE - TIPSY TOAD, EL GALAN.

RESULTS

Final - Best of 5 legs - 501

Chelsea Campbell 3-2Bliss Wright (Dominos Domignomes) (Mind the Gap)

Semi Finals - Best of 5 legs - 501

Chelsea Campbell 3-0Simone de Lacy (Dominos Domignomes) (Tipsy Toad Toppers)

Lesley Lumb 1-3 Bliss Wright (Dannys Bar) (Mind the Gap)

HIGHEST FINISH:

Bliss Wright - 77,68, Simone de Lacy - 72, Chelsea Campbell - 55

3 FIGURE SCORES:

Chelsea Campbell - 12 tons + 5x121+, Bliss Wright - 8 tons, Lesley Lumb - 2x121+, Eileen Askew - 100,119, Simone de Lacy - 133, Mitch Halliday - 130, Sandra Crabbe - 121, Sharon Frain - 117, Dons Ralph - 115, Yvonne Rouffignac - 100

MOST 90+:

Mitch Halliday - 5

Chelsea Campbell made it 3rd time lucky in winning the Serenity Insurance Singles title at the Tipsy Toad. Beaten finalist in '22 and '23 the Gnomes star was in fine form, as the "tons table" shows, to beat close pal Bliss Wright in a real "nail biter".

The final however, could have gone either way, Campbell finding the outer ring in the 1st and 3rd legs, Wright taking the 2nd and 4th to make it all square.

The Gnome got to a finish first in the 5th, missing on 2 seperate occasions, allowing Wright the opportunity to claim the title.

Despite two close efforts from her opponent, Campbell fired a D7 for a 3-2 victory.

The champion faced Sharon Frain in the earlier Round Robin stage, losing the 1st leg of the tie, before taking the next 2 of 3.

The formidable Yvonne Rouffignac followed, but she was disposed of in 2 straight, to include a nice 18 dart leg from the soon to be title holder.

Simone de Lacy was next, the Tipsy Tiara exceeding her expectations to reach the semis, due to a troublesome knee. Campbell, realising her opponents distress, upped her game to win in 3 legs, to qualify for the final.

Wright opened the competition against the very capable Amanda Skinner, but won without reply, to face further difficulties in Eileen Askew.

This tie went to 3 legs, the eventual finalist finding D1 to progress. Danny's Lesley Lumb claimed victory in group 4 with a "play off" leg, each player level on wins and legs. Now facing Wright for a final place.

Both players gave a good account of themselves, Wright taking the 1st two with 48 and 77 outs. Lumb taking the 3rd with a 121, only for Wright to find D5 for semi final success.

MENS SINGLES COMPETITION, THUR 14, MARCH - VENUE - NEW TAVERN, SAN MIGUEL

With an entry in excess of 50 players, competitors are reminded registration is 7-45pm at the latest, play commences 8pm. The best of the best are competing for the prestigious event, Mark Ellis in fine form hoping to retain his title. Spectators welcome.

Mitch, Simone &Dons

Simone and Chelsea

Bliss and Eileen

Lesley, Sandra &Jane

Sharon, Yvonne &Chelsea

Runner Up - Bliss

2024 Winner - Chelsea

ROAD CLOSURES DUE TO SNOW

Driving in snow or snowy conditions can be extremely dangerous, as the entire dynamics of both the road and driving needs change, and if we don´t adapt, the consequences could be catastrophic.

During an active snowfall visibility can be affected, but so can our perceptions, as a visible tunnel effect can be created as we drive through the falling snow.

Once on the ground, snow can leak to blockages and significant problems maintaining traction on the road, and so skidding can be caused.

Whenever we drive in snow, we must take the utmost precautions

by slowing down, perhaps even considerably, ensuring that everything we do with the vehicle is slow and gentle, such as turning, braking or accelerating, and allowing a significantly wider distance between us and any vehicle or road user in front.

It is also important to known that in Spain, because of the topography of the country, the weather can be deceptive, in so much as you might well be on the sun drenched Mediterranean coast, but little close to an hour inland you could find yourself coming across snow, and so the first thing to do is always to check the traffic conditions via the official sources, the DGT for the

roads, and AEMET for the weather.

It is not mandatory to carry snow chains in Spain. However, in some situations it is mandatory to use them, and so, again, the importance of checking your route is paramount because you could find yourself in a situation where you are not permitted to proceed.

If you come across a blue circular sign with a pictogram of a wheel which is encased in snow chains, then it is mandatory to have snow chains on your wheels in order to proceed beyond the sign.

If you do not have snow chains and you continue, it is both extremely dangerous, and illegal, and you could not only find yourself facing a

fine, but having to abandon your vehicle where it is as the traffic police take you to a place of safety and a talking to.

In this circumstance however, specific winter tyres are also permitted. There is also a rectangular sign with the word “PAJARES” at the top and then three rectangles below.

These rectangles may display certain types of information, including restrictions for particular vehicle types, but principally we must always check the topmost rectangle, which will be colour coded as follows.

Blank / White – Possibly displaying the word “ABIERTO”. The road is open without further restriction.

Green – Road open. You may continue, but you should do so with care.

Yellow – Precaution. You may continue, but with extreme care, and in general terms at a maximum speed of 60 kilometres per hour.

Red – Passible under certain conditions. In principle, when the red band is displayed, you may only pass if you have got snow chains fitted or winter tyres, the same as the blue mandatory warning already mentioned. In this case, in general terms, the maximum permitted speed is 30 kilometres per hour.

Black – Impassible. The road is closed, and you must not proceed.

St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is one of Christianity’s most widely known figures. But for all of his prevalence in culture, his life remains somewhat of a mystery.

Many of the stories traditionally associated with St. Patrick, including the famous account of his banishing all the snakes from Ireland, are false, the products of hundreds of years of exaggerated storytelling.

But what we do know of him is that he was born in Great Britain quite probably Scotland or Wales, to wealthy parents, near the end of the fourth century. He is believed to have died on March 17, in 461 A.D.

St Patrick is also the Patron Saint of Murcia and, a little further south in Lorca, there is a church named after him, the Collegiate Church of St Patrick, (Iglesia Colegial de San Patricio) that was built in 1533. The church was erected after the Murcia council declared him patron of the city following the battle of Alporchones, held on St. Patrick's Day in 1452, when King Juan II of Castile defeated the Muslim army of Granada.

Its construction lasted almost 250 years. The result is a magnificent Renaissance building, monumental cornerstone of the Plaza de España (Spain Square).

On 17 March, an Irish flag is hoisted on the balcony of the church while the Irish national anthem is played.

WHY 17 MARCH?

Simple – the date marks the saint’s death. Patrick died in 461 in Saul, County Down.

It was here that he had established his first church in a small and simple barn, after arriving nearby at the mouth of the Slaney River.

He is buried in the grounds of Down Cathedral in Downpatrick and a memorial stone, made from local Mourne Mountain granite, marks his grave.

For those who celebrate its intended meaning, St Patrick’s Day is a day for spiritual renewal.

WHEN WAS THE FIRST PARADE?

The first St Patrick’s Day parade was not held in Ireland at all, but in Boston in the United States in 1737.

This was followed by an “official” parade in New York in 1766. Ireland was a little further behind with the first parade held in Waterford in 1903, while Dublin joined the club back in 1931.

Today, the parade in Dublin is a huge, colourful, theatrical event that snakes through the historic city centre, with vivid displays and international bands.

WHO INVENTED ST PATRICK’S DAY?

Raise your glasses to Luke Wadding, an Irish Franciscan friar from Waterford whose persistent efforts turned March 17 into a feast day.

Born in 1558, Wadding died in Rome on 1657 and his remains are interred there in the college of St Isidore’s, which he founded.

If you visit the National Gallery, you can see a painting of the friar by Carlo Maratta, while in Waterford city he is commemorated with a statue outside the French Church (Greyfriars).

St Patrick’s Day in Irish History

1777 - Patrick Brontë, originally Brunty;clergyman and father of Charlotte, Emily and Anne, is born in Ballynaskeagh, Co.Down.

1839 - John B.Yeats, painter and father of William Butler and Jack B.Yeats, is born in Tullylish, Co.Down

1903 - St Patrick's Day is declared a bank holiday.

1927 - Cairbre, the lion used to introduce Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer films was born in Dublin Zoo.

1949 - Snooker player and two time world-champion Alex "Hurricane" Higgins was born in Belfast.

1955 - Belfast born Singer Ruby Murray scores five simultaneous hits in the British charts.

1959 - RTÉ interviews Ireland's first ban garda (female police officer), Mary Brown from Roscommon.

1970 - Dana (Rosemary Brown) wins the Eurovision Song Contest for Ireland with 'All Kinds of Everything'.

1976 - Boyzone singer Stephen Gately was born in Dublin.He sadly passed away aged just 33 in October 2009.

1998 - Cork athlete Sonia O'Sullivan won a gold medal in the World Cross-Country championships.

1999 - The Minister for Tourism, Jim McDaid, unveils plans to commemorate the Year 2000.Commencing on St.Patrick's Day, "The Party Starts Here," is the official title of a 21-month long series of events, which will link over 300 separate festivals

2000 - Hundreds of sprigs of shamrock are airlifted from Ireland by the RAF to Irish regiments of the British Army around the world in accordance with a decree issued by Queen Victoria 100 years ago.

2001 - For the first time, Queen Elizabeth II sends a special St. Patrick's Day greeting to President Mary McAleese and Mary Robinson, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, announces that she is stepping down from her post.

2006 – An Eczema gene is identified in a study led by Irish doctors Alan Irvine from Enniskillen and Professor Irwin McLean from Ballymoney.The findings are regarded as the first steps towards finding a cure.

2023 – After it was cancelled in 3 successive years for the Covid Pandemic and the weather, the 10th St Patrick’s Day was finally celebrated in Cabo Roig.

Surviving St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is one of the greatest creations that mankind has come up with in the 200,000 years we’ve been on this rock.

It’s an excuse to let loose and get blackout drunk on a Sunday, which many people do but are never judged for it. However, people go a little crazy when it comes to the Irish Holiday.

Here are some tips if you want to make it out of the wekend alive and with only a handful of regretful, life-altering mistakes.

WEAR GREEN

Obviously there’s a tradition of wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day in order to pretend that you’re Irish or a leprechaun or something similar.

However, there is a hidden reason why wearing green is a ‘go-to’ for St. Paddy’s celebrations.

Similar to a cross for a vampire or silver bullets for a werewolf, wearing green is a form of protection against drunk people during the feast of St. Patrick.

While drunks and people that don’t respect personal space have free reign against everyone else, they would shrivel up instantly if you were wearing any hue of the Irish color.

Think of the scene from Indiana Jones where all of the Nazis are melting in front of the Ark. Replace the Ark with someone wearing green socks and it’s basically what happens.

JUST OUT DRINK EVERYONE ELSE

In the years that St. Patrick’s Day behaviors have been studied, it appears there is always one person who consumes so much alcohol they essentially turn into a Super Saiyan God. This being is impervious to both physical damage and social norms during the time they are intoxicated.

This phenomenon is the Alpha Alcoholic, and an easy way to get through St. Paddy’s is to just inhale as much liquor as possible to have this title be thrust onto you.

An easy way to tell if you’ve reached this level or not is to either smash your head into a wall, or make a move on your best friend.

If you don’t feel anything from either of those, congratulations, you made it!

CHANGE YOUR NAME TO PATRICK

There’s not a lot to protect you from the drunken masses when the Irish holiday is in full swing.

If we have ben taught anything though, it’s that being named Patrick is both a blessing and a curse.

The advantage of the name is that whenever it is proffered at any point in the month of March, people say, “Oh, you must be so excited! That’s like your day, that’s crazy.” After that they just blab about how much they love St. Patrick’s Day and how they’re 6 percent Irish on their grandads’s side.

While this could be exciting for the minority it makes many people want to Shamrock Shake the crap out of some people.

And that’s the best way to survive the St Patrick’s Day weekend here in Cabo Roig. Or you could just join “the Women’s Temperance League”.