The Leader Newspaper Edition 863 – 16 April

No 863 Monday 19th - Sunday 25th April 2021

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Keeping people safe and informed for over 17 years - The Costa Blanca’s oldest ‘FREE’ English language newspaper

PASCUAL FLORES RELAUNCHED

BY NAO VICTORIA FOUNDATION

he Nao Victoria Foundation has now re-launched the replica of the Pascual Flores following the restoration of it’s hull.

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The renovation work is currently being carried out by the organisation in Punta Umbria (Huelva).

Following an agreement signed with the Torrevieja council, in the coming months

this unique ship will be completely refurbished, following which, at a cost of 150,000 euros per year, it will be used as a heritage of its history" and an "ambassador" for the tourist promotion and culture of the city.

It is hoped that the work will be completed by the end of July.

The ship will then be be put to use in car-

rying out cultural tours, in which it will show off the long history of its relationship with the transport of salt, with an exhibition that will be displayed on its decks, and that can be visited by the public and by schoolchildren wherever it stops.

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The Pascual Flores is a historic 3-masted schooner, a onetime star of the TV series ‘The Onedin Line. She was the last sailing ship built on the beach in Torrevieja during the early part of the last century.

After her trading career finished, she was British owned and based at Dartmouth and then Bristol. The ship was rescued in Milford Haven and brought back to her home port of Torrevieja on a heavy lift ship where, in 2008, she was restored at a cost of 4 million euros.

Unfortunately, in the intervening years, the ship was allowed to decay. Moored in the port of Torrevieja, it was left in a state of “semi-abandonment” with only minimal maintenance work being carried out. Last year all of the masts and all of it’s rigging had to be removed because of safety concerns, at which

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time much of the wood was found to be rotten.

It was at that time that the City Council agreed that all further repairs would be carried out by the La Nao Foundation, which has also restored many other historical replicas including the Nao Victoria, El Galeón and the Nao Santa María.

Based in Seville, the Nao Victoria Foundation is a non-profit marketing and educational platform that promotes historical events, which are supported by the construction of historical ships (the Nao Victoria and El Galeón) that are sailed throughout the world’s ports.

The agreement will see the Foundation retain control of the schooner for the next five years, although during that period it will dock in Torrevieja for at least two months every year. For the remainder of the time it will travel around the world, operating both as a School Ship and providing a strong marketing and educational platform in support of great world events and

expositions.

The restoration and overhaul work began last November, when the ship was pulled out of the water in the Punta Umbría (Huelva), shipyard, since which time carpenters, caulkers and engineers have been working hard to return its structure "back to a perfect state".

Dedicated Volunteers ensure Charity success

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charity such as HELP Vega Baja exists purely because of the dedication of its volunteers and supporters.

One such volunteer is our dear friend Ann Townsend.

Ann joined the charity in 2009 and has played a major part in raising much needed funds at Campoamor Market every Thursday. Come rain, wind or sun Ann was there. She became an extremely popular person with other stall holders and of course customers.

The income Ann’s hard work provided has been tremendous over the years and enabled the charity to support many people within the community who were struggling in one way or another.

With an unforgettable laugh and sense of humour people went along each week to support Ann and even donated many items of clothing for her to sell to raise funds. Sadly, then came Covid!

Despite all the clothes being sanitized before they

Ann Townsend is just one of many volunteers

reached the market and also on the day they were sold, the council decided they did not want “second hand” items being sold, and Ann was told to leave!

Believe me, Ann fought her corner as did the charity, but we have now accepted that we cannot have a stall at Campoamor and with the support of our Treasurer and other volunteers, we are now attending various other markets, stalls and car boots around the area to

It will now be taken to the Levante dock in Huelva where the masts will be installed.

Once the work is finished, the Pascual Flores " will be open to the public in Huelva, and from there it will begin its tour of different Mediterranean ports, with a special stopover in Torrevieja.

continue our fund raising.

We are delighted to say that we may have lost the stall, but we have certainly not lost Ann! When restrictions permit, Ann will be back co-ordinating the Friendship Centre at La Zenia.

For more information of the various venues we will be attending (these are of course in addition to our charity shop in San Miguel which is open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 am to 1.30 pm), please send follow or message our Facebook page or visit www.helpvegabaja.com where we will shortly be publishing not only our selling venues but also awareness sessions.

We would like to hear from any bar/café who would like our “tour bus” to come along with a stand to raise awareness of how we can support people, answer questions and offer our memberships at just 10 euros per annum.

NB All services offered by the charity are completely free including assistance with applications for Attendance Allowance. However, HELP Vega Baja members receive additional benefits including free 150 euros of interpreting service, annual blood analysis at Quiron Hospital and discounts on many other items – full details on our website.

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Torrevieja erects protective fencing around Cabo Cervera micro-reserve

he Alicante Brigada Red Natura 2000 is one of six Government sponsored organisations in the Community of Valencia that is part of the efforts to conserve local biodiversity, especially linked to coastal areas adjacent to beaches that have been awarded Blue Flag status.

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conjunction with the City Council, and with the authorisation of the Provincial Coastal Service in Alicante, is the delimitation of a series of pedestrian routes within the area that will prevent the passage of people directly through the places where this most vulnerable vegetation grows.

They are dependent on the General Directorate of Natural Environment of the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition, and with the cooperation and support of the Torrevieja City Council and the authorisation of the Provincial Coastal Service in Alicante, they have begun to erect fencing around and area in Cabo Cervera that will both restrict and better define the pedestrian routes within the area.

Wooden fence posts with ropes are being placed that delimit the trails, something that this area of the Torrevieja coast has lacked.

The route still allows access to the bathing areas located in this rocky coastal sector but in future it will be through the established entrances, thereby avoiding cat's head jarilla, which is included in the Spanish Catalogue of Threatened Species and in the Valencian Catalogue of Threatened Flora Species.

All this in order to protect the vegetation and flora of interest, especially the vulnerable species of cat's head jarilla (Helianthemum caput-felis). The action will respect the established pathways to the bathing areas located in this rocky coastal sector.

As is also the case in Punta Prima and Cala Mosca where CLARO and Cambiemos are caught up in a clash with both developers and the Orihuela Council, they too are attempting to protect many of the same species of vulnerable vegetation and flora, as part of the national efforts to conserve local biodiversity.

The micro-reserve in Cabo Cervera, a privileged enclave by the sea, is one of the few areas where the vulnerable cat's head jarilla (Helianthemum caput-felis) still grows, a plant species that has found a refuge on the southern coast of the province, where one of its largest populations that remain.

However, the main danger to the vulnerable vegetation that grows in the micro-reserve are the bathers who access this rocky coastal area in their thousands without looking where they step, destroying the plants that grow underfoot and that make it such a unique place.

Therefore, the action that is being carried out by the Consell in

The Torrevieja Council has said that the action is part of "the efforts to conserve local biodiversity, especially linked to coastal areas adjacent to beaches awarded with the Blue Flag."

In addition, invasive alien species will also be removed, and revegetation work will be carried out with native species typical of the coast, reinforcing the populations of the cat's head jarilla.

Likewise, it is also intended to help reduce soil erosion and guarantee the safety of pedestrians who walk through the area.

The action is very similar to that carried out last year by the Generalitat, in collaboration with the Orihuela City Council, in the La Glea micro-reserve of flora, where there is also a large population of jack-headed jars.

It is a unique species in the world that is only found in the western Mediterranean. Their situation is so critical that scientists are counting each specimen or set of specimens in detail. The Torrevieja Department of the Environment reintroduced in 2018, after protecting this space, 203 specimens of Helianthemum caput-felis in the micro-reserve of flora of Cabo Cervera.

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BOMB HOAX AT SAN JAVIER SCHOOL he Civil Guard carried out a search the IES Ruiz de Alda de San Javier building on Thursday morning after a threat was received warning of an "attack with explosives."

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The Headmaster of the college alerted the Guardia Civil, agreeing to suspend classes after receiving an email, in Spanish and Arabic, in which it was said that there was going to be an explosion in the institute because "one of the teachers had disrespected Islam.

Explosive Specialists from the Civil Guard carried out an intense search of the premises early on Thursday morning, although they did not find anything suspicious. The ‘all clear’ was announced

New British Councillor for Los Alcázares

shortly after nine am, and after verifying that there was no danger, they left the centre, and the students were able to return to classes.

Sources suggested that the manner of the warning was not the normal method by which terrorist groups advise of such attacks which is why the authorities initially considered it to be a hoax.

However, the threatening messages have now been handed to the Civil Guard who will investigate their origin. They said that "a false bomb warning is a crime classified in the Penal Code."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education notified parents that it was a false alarm saying that everything had returned to normal by ten am.

Her council responsibilities include international residents.

A resident of Murcia, whose identity has not been released, has been sentenced to two years in prison for sexually abusing a minor on a train.

However, the prison sentence has been replaced by his expulsion from Spain for a period of six years.

Joanne Scott was appointed as a PSOE councillor in Los Alcázares recently, filling the position vacated by Marina Gema Garate, who resigned in February. Her council responsibilities include social services, equality, markets, statistics and international residents.

Joanne, aged 54, hails from Bexley Heath in London but has lived in Los Urrutias since 2005.

At a professional level, she has developed work related to commerce, hospitality, education, the media, and social and integration work, such as supervision of housing for convicts or the realization of social projects.

In 2005 the decision was finally made to say goodbye to England to start a new life in Murcia, Spain. Joanne told the Leader, “When I first saw the coast around the Mar Menor I had the sensation that I was home. Then I discovered that I

Expelled from Spain for abusing a minor in a railway carriage.

had spent a summer in La Manga in the 1980s, and I had really come back without realising it.”

In 2009 Joanne opened a bar/restaurant in Los Narejos, La Zona Terraza.

Of her appointment to the Los Alcázares council she said, “"It is a completely new experience for me that I face with great enthusiasm and desire to solve new challenges.”

They took place on a commuter train where the individual saw a 14-year-old adolescent in the company of her father.

He approached the adult and "asked him if she was his girlfriend, as he was holding her hand, to which he answered yes."

The 31-year-old Moroccan acknowledged abusing the teenager in a railway carriage when the train was arriving at the Carmen Station in the Murcian capital. He also has to compensate his victim with damages of 1,500 euros.

As the pair subsequently passed him on the train, he grabbed her left breast, at which point the victim screamed and ran away. Having alighted the train, the man was intercepted by two station guards as he was walking out of the station. The suspect was detained by the police and spent two days in the cells.

The facts, to which the perpetrator pleaded guilty, are considered proven.

The victim's father filed the complaint for sexual abuse.

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Valencia’s Tourism wants Safe Corridors licante has stood up to the third wave of the virus; something that is clear from recent figures where the province, despite a minor increase, maintains an incidence of less than 27 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, a figure that is below that of most European countries.

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Secretary of State but "it was stopped because of the data that was gradually rising." Now, "it has been taken up once again, so that if the Government plans to return to that option, it will do so with us in the Valencian Community, as well as with the islands."

Among them, Portugal has about 60 cases of incidence, with the United Kingdom recording 78 cases and Russia with 82.

The intention is that "the tourist dynamics start to rise again as soon as possible, always in step with the health situation and now also with the program of vaccinations."

According to the Regional Secretary for Tourism, Francesc Colomer, “This is a situation that makes the Province an "island" to which tourists can travel as long as the situation continues and in compliance with all sanitary measures.”

And the Hosbec hotel management association is moving along the same lines. The Secretary General, Nuria Montes, explained that "we have a safe corridor project that has been submitted and we are waiting for it to be authorised."

These are proposals now being made by both Turisme and also the hospitality, hotel and travel sectors: to insist once again the need to open safe corridors, so that visitors can return to the Costa Blanca.

Being able to have safe corridors with specific areas would be an advantage, both for the province and for the Community. But the problem is that, the United Kingdom "differentiates between Spain and the Islands" which especially hurts us on the Costa Blanca.

The idea is not new. In fact, it has been on the table for many months but the arrival of the third wave and the increase in cases forced it to be put on the ‘back burner’ and the Consell once again to extend the restrictive measures.

But now, after the storm, and with the numbers of infections almost minimal the Consell is working once again to open these corridors, according to Colomer.

Before the third wave, this option was raised with the

Right now the accumulated incidence in Spain is 199 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, but in the Community is 36 and in the province 25, according to the latest data updated by Health a few days ago. Hence, the idea of ??"Benidorm Island" was raised together with Visit Benidorm and the City Council.

With it, safe routes to specific areas would be established with countries with the same incidence data and an exhaus-

The pair were caught in the double saddle and dragged for more than 50 metres.

tive monitoring of tourists would be carried out. "People who come to Benidorm will stay in Benidorm", hence the concept of the island.

However, the project would not only cover the international sphere but could also be applied to the national level: "it

would be a plan B in the event that the perimeter borders are not lifted."

As long as the current, encouraging, data is maintained, the travel corridors will be an enormous advantage to raise with central government, something they will find difficult to ignore.

700 million bank loan to bale out Aena T

he Airline industry has been hit especially hard by the Coronavirus pandemic with just a handful of flights still operating, leaving airports practically deserted.

The alarm caused by the crisis, which has now lasted for more than a year, continues to devastate companies in the tourism and travel sectors, with there being little likelihood of a major improvement any time soon, as Spain seems about to enter the fourth wave of the pandemic.

Man dies in Valencia after being thrown by a runaway camel A camel ride through the Turia natural park ended in tragedy after a 20-year-old boy, Christian BD, died and his sister was seriously injured when the animal ran wild.

The pair were caught in the double saddle and dragged for more than 50 metres.

Christian was admitted to La Fe Hospital in a critical condition, where he died despite the medical efforts.

It would appear that the camel was scared when it came across a girl on horseback, unseating and then dragging the victim and his 22-year-old sister along the road and causing them serious injuries.

They were both were caught in the double saddle as the animal ran uncontrollably until it was intercepted by a car traveling. The parents of the deceased man, who were riding another of the animals, witnessed the event, along with the tour guide and a number of others who were also taking part in the trek.

When the camel stopped after being blocked by the vehicle, the young woman still hanging from the saddle. Her brother had been thrown from the animal but had suffered serious brain injuries when he hit his head on the ground, while his sister suffered trauma and two broken legs.

According to medical sources, the young man suffered irreversible brain injuries, but he remained connected to a respirator while doctors prepared the donation of his organs with the approval of the parents. The funeral took place last Saturday in Valencia.

As well as the airlines themselves, Aena, the Spanish company which manages airports across Spain, the UK and South America, also suffered heavy losses last year, and will surely continue to do so for some time in the future, as many of it’s airports continue to lie empty.

The company recently estimated that it will not return to normal levels of air traffic until 2026 so in its quest for survival, it is now taking measures to try to cope with the impact of restrictions on mobility and the collapse of the sector.

In a press release on Monday the company announced that it has obtained a loan with various financial groups that together reaches 700 million euros with maturities of between two and five years, which will be available until October 2021.

"Aena continues to adopt the measures that are considered necessary to reinforce its liquidity due to the situation created by covid-19 in its business activity," the press release notes.

In 2020 Aena suffered it’s first annual loss since 2012, when it was publicly owned amounting to 126.8 million euros with its revenue from January to December reducing by 50.2 per cent year-on-year to 2,262.9 million euros

However, Company president, Maurici Lucena, foresees that air traffic will begin to recover "sometime next summer" thanks to the acceleration of the vaccination process and the immunity of those affected by covid-19 so far.

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Visitor Centre for Los Saladares site

DECOMPOSED WHALE WASHED ASHORE ON GUARDAMAR BEACH

The Orihuela Councilor for Heritage, Rafael Almagro, said on Tuesday that the archaeological site at Los Saladares, where excavations are underway once again, is to have a Visitors Centre.

By Andrew Atkinson Police attended the scene after the decomposed body of a whale was washed ashore on the Els Vivers beach in Guardamar de Segura.

It is said to be a sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus - one of the largest cetaceans.

The Guardamar Police and the Seprona stood by the corpse while the authorities worked to remove the whale.

Guardamar Mayor José Luis Sáez said the Municipal cleaning services plant machinery did not have the capacity, but arrangements would be made available.

The Civil Guard Seprona filed a report on the dead whale although experts say that the cetaceans state of decomposition made the cause of death unknown.

He explained that it was during the 70s when the excavations began, after it was found by a resident of Desamparados.

Shortly after, after having done some sample digs, it was abandoned, since which time it has suffered a lot of looting”.

It was in 2019 when the council bought buy the land, which "was lemon orchards at the time.” The area was cleared, and a cartographic study was carried out.

“We are now very pleased to see how the excavations are progressing, although much remains to be done before the Visitors Centre can be built”.

Alberto Lorrio, Professor of Prehistory at the University of Alicante, explained that the main interest that this location has compared to other sites from that period, such as Peña Negra in Crevillente, is that “the others were abandoned around the 4th century BC while Los Saladares continued until, at least, the third century BC, which gives it far more archaeological wealth”.

The main stumbling block that he says he has encountered, is that there is no documentation of the surveys that were carried out in the 70s, which is a setback.

The mayor said that “this site is a very great opportunity for the municipality. “Without a doubt, it is one more rea-

Los Saladares, where excavations are underway once again son to visit Orihuela resulting in greater activity from a rural, cultural and archaeological tourist point of view. It is an opportunity for the future. It has come about as the result of the persevering work of Rafael Almagro, who has always had this in mind, with the cooperation of the rest of the Council and the University of Alicante”.

The archaeological site is located on a 10,000 m? plot, owned by the Orihuela Council. It is a protected area located in the area known as "Los Cabecicos Verdes", between the districts of Arneva and Desamparados. Its importance lies in it being one of the first sites from which the Iberianization process can be investigated to see how Phoenician and Greek influences are adapted by indigenous peoples which ended up originating the Iberian culture.

Its chronology ranges from the 9th to the 4th century BC.

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Orihuela allows surfers to practice with a red flag The Orihuela Council has taken another step to make it easier for surfers to practice their sport.

It has modified the ordinance on Cala Cerrada, in La Zenia, that will in future allow licensed surfers to practice their sport in high season even when a red flag is flying, despite bathers being prohibited from entering the water.

The Councillor for Beaches, Luisa Boné, said that the changes were approved by the Governing Board last

Tuesday.

Cala Cerrada, is one of the eleven beaches of the Oriolano coast where surfers gather to enjoy their sport and with demand growing year on year surfers have been demanding a relaxation in the rules that allows them into the sea during heavy waves, when the conditions are at the optimum for surfing.

Boné said, “the former councillor, Ramón López Cabrera, authorised surfing on the Cala Cerrada beach, setting conditions, which includes having a federated license.

Now we want to go a step further so surfers really can enjoy the waves all year round”.

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FREE LEISURE WORKSHOPS FOR ORIHUELA’S YOUTH Nine free courses will be held in May and June by the Orihuela Department of Youth "aimed at providing healthy leisure and environmental workshops for young people."

Details were announced by Councillor Mar Ezcurra, on Friday morning who said the courses will also be delivered by young people, the vast majority from Orihuela, who will be able to publicise their work known, as well as provide training to the municipality’s youth.

Details of the courses are listed below: Saturday, May 8 - ‘Musical Graphics' Musical products will be made from plastic and cardboard waste, demonstrating the commitment to reducing pollution.

Thursday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the María Moliner Municipal Library.

Saturday May 15 - The "Home Garden" Learn how to design a small garden, ideal for a balcony.

Carmen Meseguer, an internationally renowned model who is a regular at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, will tell us first-hand about her professional career.

Saturday May 22 - The `Conscious Life '

Friday, June 4, at the La Lonja auditorium at 7.30 pm.

Tips for a healthy diet. Homemade cleaners (detergents) will be made, as well as natural cosmetics, all with completely natural materials.

Alejandra Martínez, @ale_mcseven, with more than 127 thousand followers on Instagram, her life as an influencer.

She will also offer advice and ideas for your own accounts.

Saturday 29 May - The `Editorial Fancinera´ workshop

Friday, June 11, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday June 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m at the María Moliner Municipal Library.

Fanzine lovers will be able to interact using art and culture.

On Saturday June 5 – Skateboarding in Colours Personalise your skateboard by means of screen printing, stencil or direct drawing

Luisa Boné with La Zenia surfers

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Launch your own YouTube channel, how to organise content and promote your personal brand.

Saturday June 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - "CanvaLovers"

All of the above courses will be held from 10am on Saturdays in the courtyard of the Orihuela Youth House and will include all materials.

Resources and tricks that the Canva graphic design program makes available to its users to create posts for Social Networks.

Additionally, there will be two presentations by two young Oriolan women, who are especially well known on social networks.

All of the courses are free but there are limited places, so those wishing to attend must register either by phone on 96 673 80 44 or by email to: juventud@orihuela.es

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN ORIHUELA

Hernández y Caja Rural Central.

Despite the Classical Concert in Playa Flamenca being postponed last Saturday evening we have been assured by the Department of Culture that it will be rearranged in the future. We will share that info with you when we have it.

As the department continues with its Hernandian Spring we list below the events that you will be able to catch to the end of the month. One of the main events of the program will be held on 29 April, the presentation of a copy of the magazine “El Gallo Crisis” (1934-1935), said, from the literary point of view, to be the most important magazine in the first half of the 20th century in which Miguel Hernández collaborated in all its issues.

02 MARZO to 27 JUNIO Literature Exhibition “María Zambrano. La aurora del pensamiento”. (The dawn of thought). Exhibition Rooms Miguel Hernández.

Organiza: Concejalía de Cultura y Fundación Cultural Miguel Hernández.

Meanwhile, at the Teatro Circo in Orihuela, there is a further series of events, music, comedy and theatre.

Because of the current situation all these shows will be carried out with all the necessary security measures and with reduced capacity. "Some shows may suffer alterations, please check the social network of the Department of Culture and the Teatro Circo Atanasio Die for up-to-date information.

Tickets are on sale both at the box office of the Teatro Circo Atanasio Die and on bacantix.com COMEDY VIERNES 23 April at 20:30 h. “Pablo Chiapella.

Pablo is a stand-up Spanish comedian. The show is entitled Mal acompañao (In bad company).

MUSIC DOMINGO 27 April at 19:00 h. Ara Malikian.

Ara Malikian

21 APRIL WEDNESDAY 19.15 H Poetry - Encounters with poetry. Begoña Abellán Rodes.

Biblioteca Pública Municipal María Moliner. Orihuela.

Organiza: Concejalía de Cultura y Fundación Cultural Miguel Hernández.

28 APRIL 19.15 H Poetry - Encounters with poetry. Rosa Cuadrado.

Biblioteca Pública Municipal María Moliner. Orihuela.

Organiza: Concejalía de Cultura y Fundación Cultural Miguel Hernández.

29 APRIL THURSDAY 19.30 H Literature - Presentation of the magazine El Gallo Crisis (1934-1935).

Biblioteca Pública Municipal María Moliner. Orihuela.

Organiza: Concejalía de Cultura, Fundación Cultural Miguel

Ara is a Lebanese/American violinist of world renown. He spent many years studying at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London and is considered one of the most brilliant violinists of his generation with what might be described as a wide-ranging repertoire covering all genres.

Weekly events will feature every Monday in the Leader Newspaper with the full program available on the website www.theleader.info

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PAGE 9

More cash needed to fight Mosquitoes

Councillors Israel Muñoz and Carmen Morate

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umbers of mosquitoes in the Torrevieja municipality continue to grow exponentially.

The two essential elements that are combining for this to be happening are rain and heat, but still to be addressed are the necessary increases in the actions required to fight against the growing number of plagues, in areas where they are prevalent, rainwater pools and suchlike.

For this reason, Los Verdes has presented a motion to the Town Hall demanding a better strategy in the fight against pests in the city as well as a request for an increase in budget.

The situation we are facing is very worrying.

Ticks have now become common in some parts of the municipality and the presence of other more dangerous, and even lethal mosquitoes, such as the tiger mosquito, is already a threat in

this and other wetlands in the region.

The company that provides the fumigation service does so with a motorized vehicle that cannot access many of the sites where pools of stagnant water accumulate. That makes it impossible to act in the foci of the permanent plagues.

Los Verdes say the authorities must locate the points of greatest incidence, and addressing their eradication, draining the soil so that the waters do not stagnate and they flow to the Laguna.

That would require a project that could be carried out with the help of the University of Alicante, which would then be followed by the immediate drainage of the sites, by municipal personnel.

A spokesman said, “This is where it must be shown by the government team that they are really concerned about the health of Torrevejenses.”

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Online or on foot?

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y declared interest in this week’s topic is that I have very little interest in it: I am not much of a shopper. When I have to, and when I need something specific, I find out where it can be had and then I make a simple single purchase as quickly and effortlessly as is humanly possible. This simple way of life has become yet another Covid casualty.

Like so many other things around us, the methods of shopping have changed drastically in recent times. There has been an explosion in the growth of online shopping. I admit to having purchased the odd item in this manner, but I have to say that, everything else being equal, I am far more inclined to deal with the man who owns a counter.

You cannot try on a couple of pairs of shoes online, nor have the assistant tell you that something looks good on you. We had always been led to believe that it is how a business person connects with customers. This used to be the first requirement of success. How then can faceless online shopping be better than shaking hands over a good deal being struck?

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There is no doubt but that the online market has contributed to the heart being pulled out of the centre of towns and villages across the land.

Next time you are in town, take a look at all the high street shops with ‘To Let’ signs in the windows.

Offline shops have higher overheads and the online outlets exploit this by undercutting the traditional shops and promoting ‘loss leaders’.

Think about this side-effect of buying online.

Shopping was always a sociable human activity. There was a time when people took time to go to town to shop. They met friends and neighbours and exchanged pleasantries, as well as local tit-bits of news.

Whatever the reasons, it certainly seems as if the trend towards online shopping is becoming more and more popular, so is this a good or bad development?

Convenience has to be the main attraction of buying goods online from the comfort of your own home. Most folks don’t fancy spending endless hours traipsing around shops (well, apart from Mrs You-know-who!). This is the reason that online shopping has caught on to such an extent.

No online market can offer atmosphere or individualism. You cannot experience a street market or a ‘Moore Street’. The meat may look good on your screen trolley – but it won’t be the same as that bought from butchers like Lenihans or Seamus Bracken.

You can source stores, change products and view goods with the click of a button. Mind you, I suspect that the sellers sometimes make the product appear more beautiful on your screen with the benefit of image editing. Even grocery shopping is very much a part of online business these days.

In addition, it is nice to be appreciated and to be told, ‘thank you for your custom’. To ‘Mr Online’ you are just a number and he doesn’t care how your children are.

If you do decide to purchase goods online, it might be a good idea to try and secure a C.O.D deal, rather than leaving your credit card details out there – with the risks of fraud and scams. At the very least, ensure that you have a name and a phone number you can contact.

Because it is there, we are all likely to buy something online going into the future, but let us not forget the importance of real shopping.

It is much more than just buying something: Conversation and communication is included at no extra cost and it is a social connection in a community. It should never be allowed to die.

Don’t Forget The most important factor is individual recognition – more important that salaries, bonuses or promotions. Most people, whether they are engineers, business managers, or machine operators, want

GARDEN FELIX ......Casa Blanca classic Oriental Lily

T

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This column has previously reflected upon the sadness of seeing old traditional shops closed and boarded up in recent years.

For some people this was their only weekly outing, apart from attending church. Online shopping deprives people of this pleasure of getting out and mixing with the people they know.

Most online sellers promise a return policy, but according to some commentators, it isn’t as easy to get your money back with the push of a button as it was to order the article in the first place. You also need to consider what the after sales service will be like – if any.

637 227 385

he Casa Blanca is a classic Oriental lily - widely regarded as the best white Oriental Lily ever! - with showy, exotic, heavenly fragrant, pure white flowers, that delicately curve back towards the end of each petal and dark red stamens.

Spring planting is a better option, if your

The flowers, of up to 6-8 blooms on each tall stems, flowers from mid to late summer, making excellent cut flowers.

drained soil, enriched with well-rotted orga-

Loved by bees, butterflies and hawkmoths, that will hover over the blooms all day long.

Space them 15-30cm apart and provide sup-

Lilies can be planted at any time, from early autumn to mid-spring. Planting in autumn often helps them settle in and become better established, before they start to put on their new spring growth.

dead stems back to ground level at the end

soil is heavy and wet during winter. Choose a sunny spot of 6-8 hours of sun daily, preferably where the plant receives a little light shade at its base.

Plant each bulb 15-20cm deep in a wellnic matter or leaf mould.

port, before the flowers appear. Dead-head the faded blooms, promptly, and cut the of autumn.

Note: All parts of the lily, including the flower, leaves and pollen can be fatal to cats.

to be creative.

They want to identify with the success of their profession and their organisation. They want to contribute to giving society more comfort, better health, more excitement. And their greatest award is receiving acknowledgement that they did contribute to making something meaningful happen.

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

Bernie has published four books; ‘If Ever a Man Suffered’, ‘The Best of Bernie’, ‘The Team’, and ‘Just Between Ourselves’.

Bernie’s books are available at half price, on sale from either Spanish Solutions or ‘The Leader.’ Call 637 227 385 for info.

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Alicante’s ‘Mushroom Street’ goes viral S ome of the most popular images of the city are currently being shared across the world as the mushrooms on Calle San Francisco seem to have suddenly attracted the attention of many popular pages on social networks.

One American radio host, Delilah, with almost 2 million followers, wrote, "I would love to take a walk down this funny and peculiar street. I wonder what magical creatures we could find under the mushrooms."

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Virtual Dog Walk to raise money for guide dogs

The installation of these large mushrooms in 2013, during the government of Sonia Castedo, with the objective of revitalising the area, provoked criticism from the opposition for its cost - about 66,000 euros. Their installation was subsequently branded as "botched".

Now known as "mushroom street" the area has attracted the attention of tourists and it is not unusual to find people walking up and down the street taking 'selfies'.

Recently, however, these gigantic mushrooms seem to have made the international leap and images captured in the street have begun to be shared on social networks in Italy, France and the United States.

and Calpe explains, ‘Due to the pandemic, we have sadly been unable to plan any big public events this past year to support our national chosen charity, the ONCE Foundation for Guide Dogs (FOPG). However, we are not going to be defeated by lockdown restrictions and have an exciting new campaign to raise vital funds for the charity - a virtual dog walk.

To put it simply, members of the public will be encouraged to walk their chosen distance with (or without) their dog and help raise money for FOPG. All they need to do is donate a minimum of 5€ to the charity in their local Specsavers Ópticas store and choose a walking route and distance that suits them – along the beach, in their local park, wide open spaces or just down their local streets. It’s entirely up to them.

But the mushrooms that sprouted in the pedestrianised C/San Francisco, in the traditional centre of Alicante, transforming the area into a whimsical, fantasy wonderland of yellow brick roads, toadstool houses, and towering mushrooms, were initially not without controversy.

The controversy did not stop there and a year later the City Council put metal bars on the children's mushrooms due to the emergence of urine and excrement. However, since those early days, these ornamental figures on the pedestrian pathway that connects the Portal de Elche with the Plaza de Calvo Sotelo, have become one of the most popular images of the city.

PAGE 11

We have pledged to raise over 5,000€ for FOPG during 2021 and this will be an important event to help us to reach our goal and fund the training of the guide dogs, which are so essential.

DOG lovers on the Costa Blanca are being encouraged to grab their leads and put on their walking boots to join hundreds of other people in a virtual walk for charity.

To celebrate International Guide Dog Day (28th April) and raise funds for the ONCE Foundation for Guide Dogs (FOPG), Specsavers Ópticas is launching its Virtual Dog Walk 2021 initiative. Taking place between the 26th of April and the 2nd of May, this will be a chance to fund the vital work that this guide dog association does and allow dog owners to get involved with the campaign without concerns about social distancing and COVID-19 restrictions.

Mike Stone from Specsavers Ópticas in Javea

To participate in the Virtual Dog Walk, visit your local Specsavers Ópticas store to make a donation to FOPG and collect your Virtual Dog Walk Certificate. There are stores in Javea, Calpe, Benidorm, Torrevieja, Guardamar and La Zenia on the Costa Blanca.

Specsavers Ópticas want to see participants getting involved and share the love. They’re asking you to take a picture of your dog on their walk and tag @SpecsaversOpticas on Facebook or @specsaversspain on Instagram and the best will be shared to show our support for guide dogs.

To find your nearest store to make a donation visit www.specsavers.es. To find out more about FOPG visit www.perrosguias.once.es

PAGE 12

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tries. The video was shot in Paris, and consists almost solely of a close-up on O'Connor's face as she sings the lyrics. Towards the end of the video, two tears roll down her face. The clip won Best Video at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards the first video by a female artist to win in this category.

1957 - Elvis Presley had his custom built 'Music Gates' installed at Graceland.

1965 - Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Game Of Love', a No.2 hit in the UK. Wayne, who lived on the Orihuela Costa for a number of years, took his name from DJ Fontana the Elvis Presley drummer.

1979 - The Police made their debut on BBC TV's Top Of The Pops performing 'Roxanne'.

1982 - Clash frontman Joe Strummer disappeared for three weeks, which resulted in the group cancelling a tour. The singer was found living rough in Paris, France.

1985 - The charity record 'We Are The World' by USA For Africa was at No.1 on the UK singles chart. The US artists' answer to Band Aid had an all-star cast including Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Bruce Springsteen, Diana Ross, Bob Dylan, Daryl Hall, Huey Lewis, Ray Charles, Billy Joel and Paul Simon plus the composer's of the track, Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie.

1988 - Roy Orbison celebrated his 52nd birthday at a Bruce Springsteen concert, during which the audience sang happy birthday to him.

1959 - Goldband Records released 'Puppy Love' by a 13-year old Dolly Parton in the US, a song that was recorded two years earlier when she was just 11 years old (later to be a hit for Donny Osmond).

1997 - Michael Jackson attended an unveiling of a wax statue of himself at the Grevin Museum of Wax in Paris, France. He provided one of his own outfits to dress the figure and in the same year, Club boss Paul Donavan was fined over £2,000 after being found guilty of tricking fans that he had Peter Andre appearing at his Club in the West Midlands. He had in fact an act called Peter Andrex a puppet who threw toilet rolls.

1990 - Sinead O’Connor started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with her version of the Prince song 'Nothing Compares To You'.

The track was also a No.1 hit in 18 other coun-

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2020 - Michael Ball and Captain Tom Moore went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with their version of "You'll Never Walk Alone". The charity single made Captain Tom Moore, six days short of his one hundredth birthday, the oldest person to achieve a No.1 (he was at the top of the charts on his 100th birthday), beating the previous recordholder Tom Jones.

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S

D L O

PAGE 13

PAGE 14

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CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

QUICKIE CROSSWORD

ANSWERS Week 862

ACROSS 3.

Evidence (9) 8.

Merit (4) 9.

Helper (9) 10. Revenue (6) 11. Hair dye (5) 14. Furnish (5) 15. Certain (4) 16. Immature (5) 18. Advance (4) 20. Domicile (5) 21. Lone star state (5) 24. Funeral car (6) 25. Mirthful (9) 26. Heroic poem (4) 27. Clear (9) CAN YOU MASTER THE SUDOKU CHALLENGE? Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.

Solution on Page 23

DOWN 1.

2.

4.

5.

6.

7.

9.

11.

12.

13.

17.

19.

22.

23.

24.

Attractive (9) Sullen (9) Repose (4) Clan (5) Prayers (6) Holy women (4) Friendship (5) Periods of time (5) Signature (9) Awe (9) Gambles (5) Particular (6) Farewell (5) Notice (4) Vast (4)

QUICK ACROSS: 1 Avow; 3 Purchase; 8 Vary; 9 Keenness; 11 Commensurate; 13 Centre; 14 Advice; 17 Construction; 20 Obedient; 21 Male; 22 Evenness; 23 Lens.

DOWN: 1 Advocacy; 2 Oarsman; 4 Uneasy; 5 Contradict; 6 Avert; 7 East; 10 Repression; 12 Meanness; 15 Imitate; 16 Drinks; 18 Obese; 19 Bole.

CRYPTIC CRYPTIC ACROSS: 1 Cost; 3 Persists; 8 Lord; 9 Berberis; 11 Sets the scene; 13 Adhere; 14 Simple; 17 Consequences; 20 Informal; 21 Wing; 22 Foremost; 23 Less.

DOWN: 1 Colossal; 2 Scratch; 4 Eleven; 5 Subscriber; 6 Siren; 7 Sash; 10 Starts from; 12 Messages; 15 Pack-ice; 16 Equals; 18 Offer; 19 Tiff.

ACROSS 3. It's assumed by one out of this world (5-4) 8. In the Psalter it explains a liturgy (4) 9. A rope must be twisted by a vermin catcher (5-4) 10. Saw you and I in a broken-down dive (6) 11. Assumes there are conflicts round the East (5) 14. Look for water to put the fire out? (5) 15. Rouse a knight about the start of the tourney (4) 16. Fancy things when one has retired (5) 18. The man who goes straight will follow it (4) 20. Intended to help the first person inside (5) 21. Have an attempt at composition (5) 24. Do their attitudes present the artist with problems? (6) 25. It's fractionally above the line (9) 26. Girl showing signs of successful slimming, one hears (4) 27. Some adolescents are observed around a function (9)

L EA D E R T R I V I A Q U I Z

DOWN 1. Making a stipulation for supplying what is needed (9) 2. Or a variety of white rose (9) 4. Poke softly with a stick (4) 5. Social distinction shown by those in play, we hear (5) 6. They need some pluck when the stairs are broken (6) 7. Terrible name for one near forefront of battle (4) 9. Some wedding-guests sounded kittenish inside (5) 11. Describing an untended garden of insipid character (5) 12. Rushes to upset step-dames (9) 13. Merchant and master intermingled (9) 17. Key officer (5) 19. One in an early sect showing a bit of boundless energy (6) 22. Not connected with an acting role (5) 23. Fish not caught, by the sound of it (4) 24. A European measure (4)

( A n s we r s o n p a g e 2 3 )

1. A Barista traditionally makes what

16. The Dinar not the currency of which country, Lybia, Serbia, Iran,

2. Zablaglione is a dessert from which country

Algeria

3. Hydroponics is the science of growing plants in what

17. If You had Distrix what would you have

4. As an aid to his gambling, John Montague invented what

18. King Zog ruled which country

5. HP as in the sauce stands for Houses of Parliament true or false

19. Which country leads the world in Pork Pruduction. China, USA,

6. What is the name of the pan in which you make paella

Germany, Brazil

7. The name of which Italian cheese means re-cooked

20. On January 21st, 1976, what left London for Bahrain, and Paris for

8. Which building has its address as 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue?

Rio?

9. Which fictional character lives at 4 Privet Drive Little Whinging?

21. On what road did Nellie the Elephant meet the Head of the Herd?

10. Flemish Bond and English bond are methods of doing what?

22. Where was England’s wartime Code Breaking Service situated?

11. In which food would you find Ronnie Barker

23. What is the name of the husked coarse oatmeal that, when boiled, is

12. Cointreau or Triple sec is added to which spirit to make a sidecar

served with breakfast in some regions of the USA?

13. What spirit is mixed with Ginger beer to make Moscow Mule

24. In fairy tales, what was the name of the little man who could spin

14. In the song Walzing Matilda, what is a jumbuck

straw into gold?

15. Stanley Burrell became famous as who

25. Who was the last British Governor of Hong Kong?

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PAGE 15

Either way, they will be hard, dry and - quite literally - a pain in the ass.

Making his TV series Jamie's School Dinners, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver was staggered to discover how many schoolkids were severely constipated on their diet of junk food.

If you're desk-bound and loathe exercise you'll have problems too: the muscles in your gut walls that keep things moving will have lost tone and elasticity. If you've been bombarding them with laxatives, which mostly work by irritating the gut wall into activity, then they may just forget how to work on their own.

And finally, if you don't go when you feel the urge - not just occasionally, but regularly - then the urge, too, may stop working. And then you're constipated, joining the sad millions who take the morning paper into the loo and sit grunting and straining for minutes on end.

If your case of constipation has come on out of the blue without any special changes in your diet, if it's painful or if it's been going on for more than a week, check it out with your doctor.

But even 'normal' constipation should be a cause of concern.

Bodily wastes are not meant to hang around in the colon for days at a time, stagnating, putrefying, and releasing toxins back into the body.

GET THINGS MOVING AGAIN To get things moving again, there are two great herbal remedies: flax seeds (linseeds) or psyllium - the little dark seeds of plantain.

Taken dry with plenty of water, both swell into a soft mass in your gut that not only helps produce bulky stools, but soothes and heals down under, and helps nudge lazy gut-wall muscles into action again.

Psyllium becomes a viscous compound that benefits constipation

Here's an idea……..

Coffee can be very irritating to the whole digestive tract, and it’s not a very good Idea If you are constipated. Try dandelion coffee: It has a mildly laxative action, and it’s a wonderful tonic for the whole digestive system.

in dozens of different forms on any chemist's shelves.

But most of them work by irritating the gut wall into action, and taking them is counterproductive in the long run, since your body will 'forget' how to operate properly without them.

Keep them for the occasional emergency.

For obstinate or chronic constipation, consult a herbalist, who will know how to blend these active agents with other herbs that can offset some of the damage they can cause unaided, and help tone and nourish the digestive system.

The best herbal laxative is food,' remarks herbalist Christopher Robbins, in his book The Household Herbal. If you're a regular laxative-pill-popper, taper the dose off very slowly.

At the same time start increasing your daily intake of fibre but do it little by little. Think fibre-rich foods like dried fruit, nuts, seeds, fruit, vegetables.

Eat wholemeal bread instead of white, jacket potatoes instead of mash, porridge instead of soggy cornflakes.

ALL BUNGED UP Huge numbers of people in Western-style societies suffer from chronic constipation.

And for many of them, popping a laxative pill – helps keep you regular – is as much part of their daily routine as brushing their teeth. you're eating a diet of highly refined and processed food white flour, sugar, rice, pasta - and little or no fruit and veg, or nuts and seeds, it won't supply enough fibre to bulk out your stools for easy passage.

If

And if you aren't drinking plenty of water, there won't be enough of it to add softness and bulk to your stools.

Look for a good brand and start with a teaspoon each morning, well-crushed and swallowed down with a full glass of water.

After a week or so, add another teaspoon last thing at night.

Finally, double the morning dose - and use even more water.

The water is very important; without it the seeds could pile up to cause a bit of a blockage. You can buy flax seeds ready crushed.

Herbalist Dee Atkinson makes up a mix of equal parts of psyllium seeds and the intriguingly named slippery elm powder - the dried inner bark of an elm tree - and suggests to her patients that they sprinkle it onto their breakfast cereal.

Or take a couple of teaspoons three times a day, drinking plenty of water at the same time. Slippery elm is wonderfully soothing to an irritated gut and has a useful antiseptic action too.

There are a number of powerful herbal laxatives, such as cascara, aloes, rhubarb or buckthorn, or the senna which appears

NEXT WEEK: THOSE DAMNED SPOTS

PAGE 16

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Monday 19th - Sunday 25th April, 2021

International Christian Assembly, Calle Urbano Arregui, 23, Torrevieja Evangelical non-denominational church. Sunday service 11a.m.; Sunday school; Prayer meetings; craft and computer clubs. Ladies Bible Study: Thursday 11a.m.

Church Bible Study: Thursday 1.30p.m. House groups in Torrevieja, La Siesta – Contact: 966 752 543 / 617 215 463. Phone: 966 799 273 / 966 752 543 / 617 215 463. www.icatorrevieja.org

CAR SALES

CHURCHES AND SERVICES La Siesta Evangelical Church hold services each Sunday.

Our 11.15am Services are held every 2nd and 4th Sunday in the month (and on the 5th Sunday, if this applies.) On the 1st and 3rd Sunday’s our Services are at 9.30 am. Our choir sings at our 11.15 am Services and there is also a Sunday School, Stepping Stones, on these Sundays. For info see www.lasiestaevangelicalchurch.org SALT CHURCH (formally

Torrevieja Christian Fellowship) Meets at Calle Daya Nueva 12, Polígono Ind. Levante 11, 03187 Los Montesinos. Sunday Service 10.30 am. Wednesday Bible study 6.00 pm. We are a lively, friendly church and look forward to meeting you.

(Covid-19 aware) The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) in Torrevieja meet at 10.00 each Sunday in their chapel at Rambla Juan Mateo Garcia, 104. All Welcome.

Phone or whatsapp the missionaries on 648 914 347

The Car of the Month at Automoviles Crespo is a 2019 Ford Ecosport petrol which is on Special Offer priced at just 18,500 euro. Come along to our showroom in Elche and see our vast range of new and used cars or call 96 666 22 60 for all our latest offers. The biggest and best for price, choice and quality. ENGLISH SPOKEN

SOCIAL AND CLUBS The Royal British Legion Orihuela Costa and District Branch has put future meetings on hold because of the current Covid situation in accordance with advice receiived from the Generalitat.

There are no further meetings planned at this time. Call Jean for info on: 630 28 08 99.

The Royal British Legion, Torrevieja Branch - Will meet at the Oasis, formerly the Casa Ventura, San Luis. Details will be announced when it reopens.

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New members are always welcome. You do not have to be ex-services. For more info please contact:gill.burden20@gmail.com Age Concern Costa Blanca Sur is here to help you with problem solving and well being for the over 50’s. We need volunteer Drivers and people to join our Residential Home Visiting Team. to visit people in a Residential Home, and take them out for a coffee. If you think you can help call into our centre at C/Paganini s/n, Urb. La Siesta 03184 Torrevieja or ring 966 786 887. Or email: costablanca@ageconcern.org.es Almoradi Meal Club. If do you fancy a meal out and meeting new friends, come and join our English speaking club. We have twice monthly meals at various restaurants in and around Almoradi. For info go to FaceBook or email: davedanie@gmail.com.

Badminton in Pilar de la

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Horadada. Mon, Tues, Wed and Thurs. 10-12.30 pm.

Call John on 634 658 506 ...currently postponed Royal Naval Association, Torrevieja Branch now meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 1700 (5pm) at CHE LOCO bar/restaurant, El Chaparral urbanisation, Torrevieja. For more information please contact Chairman Tony Jenkins on 693 866 709, Vice Chairman Danny Kay on 966 71 6274 or Secretary Margaret Forshaw on 966 92 1966.

Royal Air Force Association Costa Blanca Branch.The association supports the welfare needs of ex-members of the RAF and their dependents.

Due to ongoing covid-19 restrictions we cannot hold General Meetings at the moment. In normal times we provide a social hub for members and hold lunches every month. To fund Welfare we raise money through the Wings Appeal. To find out more contact Chairman Tony: tony.elaine.cuenta@gmail.com For Welfare contact Andy on 0034 711 00 86 84. For general information on RAFA visit www.rafa.org.uk.

HAH CB need you to help us help those in need in their own homes, short or long term medical conditions of all ages and nationalities. Contact our head office on 965 328 794 or email: charitycentrehelpathomecb @gmail.com.

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

office@theleader.info

The Orihuela Costa Drop In Centre in C/Cipres, Lomas de Cabo Roig, is currently closed.

We will reopen as soon as we are able when we can offer you a full range of activities Info at: oc.communitycare @gmail.com

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SOMEWHERE OVER THE 'RAINBOW' FOR GREG! Greg Bannis: Cooking and growing fruit and veg in Spain.

Photo courtesy Greg Bannis

Andrew Atkinson talks to former Hot Chocolate lead singer, Murcia based Greg Bannis, in Part 2 of an Exclusive interview.

MURCIA based Greg Bannis, lead vocalist of Hot Chocolate during 1992-2010, looks back on a career that took him throughout the world including performing in front of 100,000.

"There are many memories that stand out while with Hot Chocolate. We travelled all over the world," reminisced Greg.

"But playing for around 100,000 people in Berlin, one New Year’s Eve, was a highlight," he said.

Greg, famed for his Bob Marley Tribute in Spain and other European countries, added: "I recall meeting all the artistes I used to watch on Top Of The Pops - most of them were 'real people!' ".

Hot Chocolate hit 'You Sexy Thing' featured in The Full Monty film and Greg gave an insight how that helped the band.

"We we’re doing around four shows a week when

that film was out, so this was good business for the original members," he said.

"But I enjoyed all the travel - and exotic places and hotels," said Greg, appointed lead singer when Hot Chocolate reformed in 1992.

Having departed Hot Chocolate in 2010, Greg said: "I was with Hot Chocolate for 18 years. I wanted to enjoy my life independently again and I wanted to live in the sun again - before it was too late.

"So this was the perfect time to leave. I also wanted to do a Bob Marley Tribute, for fun. I did it and have no regrets - I'm loving life."

Greg launched his Bob Marley Tribute Show in Spain and in Europe, with shows and tours affected, due to the coronavirus pandemic during the last year.

"The pandemic has affected us all. Artistes, bars, concerts, et al," said Greg.

"But even before the pandemic, I had cut down on working in Spain. I worked mainly in Austria, Germany, Belgium and Estonia, to name but a few countries," added Greg.

Asked which Hot Chocolate hits he deems as his favourites, Greg said: "Put You Together Again; Emma; and It Started With A Kiss - but I loved all the songs."

On future plans in the Costa Blanca and elsewhere in Europe, Gregg said: "I have no immediate plans. Currently I am enjoying the free time, recording, cooking and shopping."

Asked on his choice to meet a famous person, no longer with us, who would it be and why?: "Bob Marley. Because I saw him live at the Rainbow in London- and what a Star!," he said.

During his free time during COVID-19, and his favourite food, Greg said: "Fish, fish and more fish! I do a lot of experimental cooking, so I don’t really have a favourite dish".

On sports, he said: "I grew up watching West Indies play cricket, this has to be my favourite sport. When I lived in Liverpool I became a footie fanatic - and a Red." Away from performing, Greg said: "I'll continue cooking and trying to grow fruits and vegetables in the hot sun - I try but never succeed!.

"Music is my job, but still a hobby, especially the writing, recording and production of my own material, for fun. Things can only get better!"

COOL LUCA - DRUMMING UP SUCCESS! Andrew Atkinson talks to Luca Simone, 11, son of Strictly Come Dancing star Vincent and celebrity manager mum Susan, in an Exclusive interview.

"Aged three I became interested in playing the drums - I just naturally started by using toys as drumsticks - and drumming on the arm of the sofa!," said Luca, in what is his first ever interview.

Luca's parents, Italian born Vincent and Northern Irish born Susan, he has a younger sibling in Matteo, aged 7.

What made you choose being a drummer, in contrast to that of a guitarist - or dancing, following in your father's footsteps?

"I drummed along to a song called 'We Are Young' by Fun - and had natural talent. I have tried piano and guitar lessons, but it didn’t feel right," said Luca.

Fun are a Stadium rock, indie rock, indie pop group, featuring American singer Janelle Monàe, with Nate Ruess the lead singer of the band.

Luca, whose biggest influence is Steve Moore, aka 'the Mad drummer' who made a name for himself touring with showband Rick K. & The Allnighters: "I really admire Steve Moore, because he’s so unique and I love Tré Cool from Green Day," added Luca.

Trè Cool, Frank Edwin Wright III, German born American musician, singer-songwriter, is the drummer of punk rock band Green Day. On playing drums, he said: "Initially it started as a natural talent, but I also have drumming tuition to help me understand it."

On which drummer would he like to meet, Luca said: "Tre Cool!".

He added: "I have been very lucky to play in front of a live audience as the band Kolted used to let me perform a couple of songs with them on a Saturday night."

Kolted are a high energy rock band, with Taran Carter-Scott on drums. Talented lead singer is Che Liam, who recognised Luca's talent, giving him his first live debut performance.

Away from playing drums, Luca's hobbies include acting, sketching especially Superheros - likes travelling and would love to travel the world, along with watching movies.

"My favourite movie is Ready Player One and all of the Superhero Movies - I’ve seen them all," said Luca, whose favourite food is pizza and pasta.

"I don’t play or support any football club, I’m more into the Arts," added Luca, who lives and attends school on the Costa Blanca.

Speaking about his brother Matteo, he said: "My little brother Matteo loves watching me - he accompanies me on the guitar at times. Sometimes I give my parents a headache - as I’m too loud!."

Luca, whose favourite music group/solo artistes are Green Day, AC DC, and Kolted, said: "I can also sing a little - but that’s a secret!".

Luca, interested in forming a group in the future, said: "I just want to play drums live - anywhere!".

Luca Simone: Sometimes gives parents a headache as he's too loud!

PAGE 18

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POETS CORNER

The Medicine Cupboard

Every Tear A poem in memory of those lost to Covid 19

Y

Bless the new Angels in Heaven Those people we lost this last year The lives sadly taken from families The love shown in every tear

es! We have one, and probably like thousands of others it is hanging from the bathroom wall with a mirror to the front looking innocent.

Ah! How innocent? On opening the cabinet there are rows of shelves some with medicines on, which had been over prescribed and are still in their boxes, all with the original explanatory leaflet wrapped around them.

The hearts left in pieces, the sadness The questions un answered, the pain Each life, a precious soul taken The grief that will always remain

I felt that perhaps it was about time to read one to see what it has to say. As I did I could not help wondering how many other people actually do so, before taking the medicine lurking in the packet.

Paracetamol seemed to be a good place to start. The leaflet was neatly folded up and when opened it was a little larger than A4 size, on extremely thin paper, covering a total of about two thousand words on both sides of it, in tiny, difficult to read lettering.

I am inquisitive, why all this information for a tablet you have been told to pop in your mouth three times a day. The more I read of the leaflet which I was certain was simply covering the manufacturer from any liability, the thought of pill popping did not feel as secure as it did before.

Reading further on and tucked away at the bottom of the page, the side effects. I could remember sitting in front of the doctor and being reassured that what was being prescribed would cure the problem and the discomfort would go away. Ah! No mention of side effects. Has anyone ever been told when prescribed medicine that there could be side effects?

The list of side effects in this box of painkillers, which are taken every day by thousands of people, and probably more, is lengthy, and covers everything from high blood pressure, to blood clots, bleeding of the skin and thrombocytopenia.

That is right, a rare condition called ‘thrombocytopenia’ the very indicator, which is making headlines, because it is one of the side effects in the injection to combat Corvid 19, and maybe responsible for a few people dying of blood clots.

In memories ,smiles and in laughter Those moments you'll never regret The face that you now try to picture The voice you try not to forget

Isn’t it just possible they had taken pain killers as well? It does not end there because all medicines, even those you can buy across the counter, have a similar warning.

A question? Who is more at risk of developing a blood clot? A person who has had one injection or an individual endlessly taking a tablet, or another medicine, to cure or relieve some symptom?

The World is fighting a pandemic with one hand behind its back because of the fear created by a few influential people that vaccines are not safe.

A new genus and species of troodontid dinosaur that lived 66 million years ago at the very end of the Cretaceous period has been identified from an isolated bone found in Catalonia, Spain.

Tamarro insperatus lived in what is known as the Ibero-Armorican island during the latest Maastrichtian age of the Cretaceous period, about 200,000 years before the end-Cretaceous mass extinction.

“During the latest Cretaceous (77-66 million years ago) in the run-up to the end-Cretaceous mass extinction, Europe was a series of islands populated by diverse and distinctive communities of dinosaurs and other vertebrates,” said Dr. Albert Sellés, a paleontologist in the Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafon at the

Tears roll and eyes red with crying Stare blankly to greet a new day Life has to go on though your weeping And the love in your heart paves the way.

Perhaps the news media should make it very clear that whatever medicines one takes there is a risk of a side effect, including blood clotting.

By David Whitney - Torrevieja, c2021

Facebook.com/percy chattey. All my books are available through Amazon and Kindle. www.percychatteybooks.com

If you would like to see your poem featured in this column send to: office@theleader.info

66m year old Dinosaur bone found in Spain

By Andrew Atkinson

All those people now out of the picture As each life tries to cope with despair Hoping they'll walk through the door soon And sit on their favourite chair

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and the Museu de la Conca Dellà.

Dr Sellès and his colleagues said many of these animals exhibited peculiar features that may have been generated by lack of space and resources in their insular habitats.

Tamarro insperatus was a type of troodontid (Troodontidae), a group of bird-like theropod dinosaurs that includes kiwi-size (i.e. 0.8 kg for Mei long) to rhea-size species (i.e. 47 kg for Troodon formosus).

“The presence of troodontids in Europe has been debated for a long time, mainly because its record was entirely based on isolated teeth, until now,” the paleontologists said.

“The oldest troodontid evidence in Europe dates

back to the Early Cenomanian age (100-94 million years ago) and is based on the discovery of one isolated tooth in western France.

“The discovery of Tamarro insperatus in the latest Maastrichtian deposits from southern Pyrenees represents the first unequivocal bone evidence of this group of small-sized non-avian theropods in Europe, and confirms the occurrence of troodontids in the theropod faunal assemblage of that continent.”

The 66-million-year-old isolated bone of Tamarro insperatus was discovered in September 2003 by a team of paleontologists from the Museu de la Conca Dellà at the site of Sant Romà d’Abella in Catalonia, Spain.

“Its unique combination of anatomical characters allows its identification as a new species.

“Furthermore, its histology shows a growth pattern in which it grew fast in early ontogeny but reached subadult size quickly," researchers said.

Tamarro insperatus appeared within the faunal turnover on the Ibero-Armorican island in the early Maastrichtian age, which helps define the origins and timings of the migratory waves that brought the newcomers to the European archipelago.

"We hypothesize that it could have migrated from Asia to reach the Ibero-Armorican island no later

than Cenomanian or during the Maastrichtian dispersal events,” said the researchers.

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Easter egg joy for children Two new police cars for San Fulgencio Local Police

By Andrew Atkinson

Ines Perkins has been at the forefront in organising volunteers helping those in need during the last year during the coronavirus pandemic that has lead to many families and children benefiting from donations.

The Easter egg campaign saw children both at home and in Torrevieja hospital receive Easter eggs, thanks to the kind generosity of a plethora of people.

The cars have a security screen and "everything necessary for the officer’s security," says the mayor.

The San Fulgencio Local Police has two new vehicles, fully equipped with all the necessary equipment to

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PAGE 19

carry out their important role.

The cars are added to the fleet that is already being used by the agents in the municipality.

The mayor, José Sampere, said that the two vehicles are both procured under a lease agreement, and that in the coming months a third will be added under the same conditions. The term of the arrangement is four years.

The cars are fitted with a security screen and defibrillators will be carried in both vehicles, provided by the Council, because in many cases the Local Police are the first to respond to calls for help, and it is essential that they have all the equipment necessary to carry out their task.

"With permission from the parents pictures show the happy kids over Easter, thanks to the Easter egg campaign," Quirònsalud Nurse Ines told the Leader.

"Volunteer Nikkisixx Lloyd, who has a terminally ill baby, did all the work and delivered the Easter eggs.

"We delivered around 150 eggs in total. We can't thank you enough for making these children happy over Easter," added Ines.

SAT ANIMAL RESCUE Bailey is a gorgeous 9.5 year old, around 15 kilos.

Sadly his owner died so he has come into the kennels.

He is fully vaccinated with passport, microchipped, castrated, and bloodtested.

For more info contact 966 71 0047 (leave a message) or email info@satanimalrescue.com

The Civil Guard, within the framework of the 'Paseadores' operation, has arrested the Icelandic citizen as the alleged perpetrator of eight crimes of sexual abuse, all committed against minors in the municipality of Torre Pacheco.

The detainee, who is being held in prison, had a criminal record for paedophilia in his country of origin dating back in 1988, when he was convicted of having had sexual relations with four children.

He has been a resident of Torre Pacheco since the summer of 2020 The Civil Guard began the investigation by denouncing several families

The Alicante Provincial Council has approved works for the improvement of the hydraulic infrastructure for supplying water to properties in Calle Mayor, La Zenia in Orihuela Costa.

The total estimated value of the contract is € 119,941.49, with the Provincial Council and the municipality paying half each.

Councillor Noguera explained that “the drinking water network is made up of obsolete fibre cement pipes which are over 30 years old, and which have been translating into an increasing number of breakdowns, with the consequent effects on the technical performance of the network and the quality of service to users”.

STORMS WASHUP THOUSANDS OF JELLYFISH AT LA MATA

By Andrew Atkinson Recent heavy seas saw thousands of Blue Velellas, Portuguese Caravels and Pelagias Noctiluca washed up on beaches at La Mata and Los Locos in Torrevieja.

Sexual predator arrested in Torre Pacheco A 59 year old Icelandic man has been arrested by the Guardia Civil in Torre Pacheco for eight alleged counts of sexual abuse. The arrested man is also said to have a criminal record for paedophilia in Iceland, his native country, where he was convicted of sexually assaulting four minors.

RENOVATION OF THE DRINKING WATER NETWORK IN LA ZENIA

At La Mata thousands of the small 'Sail' Velellas could be found dead, strewn along large stretches of the shoreline.

that their children, minors, could have been the object of sexual abuse by an Icelandic citizen, a resident of Torre Pacheco district, since the summer of 2020.

He is said to have used the same modus operandi to approach his victims and gain their trust. When he achieved a friendly bond with them, he offered them small financial rewards to try to sexually interact with them.

The Civil Guard has asked Interpol to check if he has pending cases overseas since, in recent years, he has resided in several Latin American countries.

The police confiscated a mobile phone and a laptop tapped on which pornographic and paedophile material was found.

The jellyfish are easily recognisable by their colouration and size. Sails pose no danger to humans, in contrast the bite of Pelagia is painful and may require medical or hospital treatment, in severe cases.

A mix of Jellyfish and 'Sail' Velellas

David Payne, from Los Montesinos who has a boat in the area told the Leader: "There were quite large numbers out at sea that were dead in the water, and subsequently washed up along the shores."

Jellyfish nets on the Mar Menor

Pic Helen Atkinson

A MILLION EUROS FOR JELLYFISH NETS IN THE MAR MENOR Having identified a similar problem, Murcia’s Autonomous Community is erecting jellyfish nets along 43 kilometres of it’s coastline to safeguard the bathing areas at a total of 60 beaches and coves, thereby allowing more security and to enable their enjoyment by visitors. The nets will be installed thanks to an investment that exceeds 1.1 million euros.

The venture, approved by the Governing Council, also provides for the maintenance of the nets and the installation of buoys and markings between bathing and navigation areas in the Mar Menor during the years 2021 and 2022.

The panels will have a variable height of between 1.5 and 7 meters, leaving the deepest 50 centimetres of the net folded on the ground.

The works consist of preparation, installation, maintenance, removal, cleaning and storage of the jellyfish nets and the marking of the bathing areas across the Mar Menor, also including the organization and coordination of the works, as well as the provision of all material and equipment.

In addition to the non-native species entering the lagoon, after a period of slow population growth, recent reports have showed massive proliferations along much of the coastline, caused by the drop in salinity and the availability of nutrients.

PAGE 20

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Orihuela Costa Classical concert re-scheduled for 1 May

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Who can spin the hair of my cat?

Last week craft association Amata received an unusual question: “Good morning, I’m looking for somebody who can spin the hair of my cat.”

As it so happened, there was a spinner in Amata’s data base, living in the same village as the caller!

On another occasion somebody asked for a craftsman who could repair or replace a broken part of some antique furniture. And again, such a person was found within two days.

This is not so surprising as it sounds: Amata has been organising craft fairs over the last 20 years or more and consequently has collected the data of over a thousand artisans from all over Spain and in every imaginable craft, from glass blower to bookbinder, from blacksmith to chairmender.

The funny part of it is, that so few people realise how versatile real craft people are.

T

he Orihuela Symphony Orchestra tribute concert to Miguel Hernández that was postponed from last weekend has now been rescheduled to take place on 1 May. The concert is part of the activities organised by the Department of Culture, within the Hernandian Spring, and will be held on the esplanade of Playa Flamenca, in Orihuela Costa.

This concert is part of the activities organized by the Department of Culture, directed by the mayor A total of 20 musicians will be involved in the event which will also include readings of the poems` Vientos del Pueblo ´, `Elegía´,` Niño Yuntero´ and `Nanas de la onion´, by Emilio Pastor and Natalia Rodriguez".

The concert will feature works by Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, Holst, Ricard Meyer and Kalinnikov.

Alongside the premier of 'Evocación' written by the director of the Orchestra, Antonio Pujol, and dedicated to Miguel Hernández.

An artisan is not just somebody who makes nice things to sell in craft fairs. He or she can repair or restore, decorate furniture and other objects,

"Dramatism, uncertainty, agony and also tenderness and joy will be portrayed in this outdoor concert", explained Pujol.

The concert will begin at 7 pm although the organisers advise people to go a little earlier since there will be a strict control of capacity to guarantee compliance with current sanitary measures.

"It is a unique occasion to be able to enjoy the Orihuela Symphony Orchestra in a concert as emotional, in memory and as a tribute to Miguel Hernández. Furthermore, it is the first time that this wonderful orchestra will perform outdoors and in a place with as much charm as the esplanade of Playa Flamenca," said Mar Ezcurra, the Councillor for Culture.

add an image or a text to a chosen piece of work and, last but not least, accept special orders.

In their virtual craft village www.puebloartesano.es Amata introduces you to some forty real artisans and invites you into their workshops and stores, where you can watch them at work and buy what they have made. Other artisans have set up a stall in the virtual fairs that are held in this village.

And if you haven’t found what you are looking for, you can put your request to Amata and they will look for the most suitable artisan for your query. However unusual the ítem you are thinking of, Amata will try and find the person who can make it for you!

SAMARITANS IN SPAIN Samaritans in Spain are looking to recruit new members to the Board of Trustees – all positions are voluntary and unpaid.

We are a charity dedicated to the emotional wellbeing of all English speaking residents of Spain. Our vision is for a society in which fewer people die by suicide, people are able to explore their feelings, and people are able to acknowledge and respect the feelings of others.

Interested?

Contact Secretary Jan Knight: secretary.spainsams@gmail.com for an application form For further information about Samaritans in Spain, visit www.samaritansinspain.com

tation, in order for it to be ready in time for June, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

The EU Commission explained that each country’s authorities will be responsible for issuing the certificates. It has not been decided yet through which institution Spain will issue them.

Reaching out for a new Treasurer

The EU Commission was the first to propose creating a Digital Green certificate in March to make it possible for those vaccinated EU citizens to travel without any restrictions throughout the bloc.

The Member states will still be able to require arrivals from EU countries to test or self-isolate. They must inform the Commission and all Member States of their decision, while providing valid reasons.

According to the EU Commission, the Vaccine Certificate will include the holder’s following information: Name and surname

By Andrew Atkinson

Date of birth

The Spanish Government has decided to permit European Union citizens to enter the country from June - without being subject to COVID-19 test and self-isolation requirements - provided that they hold a Digital Green Certificate.

Issuing Member State

The EU authorities announced that the Digital Green Certificate, also known as a vaccine passport, will be ready by June, allowing tourists to travel freely without being subject to COVID-19 travel restrictions throughout the EU Member States, including Spain.

Type of test, time and date of the test, test centre, and test results for tested travellers

“It will allow for more people to arrive in a safer manner and facilitate the mobility of people in the European Union, guarantee public health protection and permit social and economic activity to resume free of charge,” said General Secretary of Digital Health Alfredo Gonzales.

Gonzales said the certificate is not a passport or a precondition in order to be able to travel: "It would tremendously help in boosting tourism in Spain during the summer season," he said.

Gonzales said Spain had commenced the process of certificate implemen-

A unique identifying QR code Vaccine product, manufacturer, number of doses, and date of vac cination for those who took the vaccine

Reach Out Extienda La Mano celebrates its Tenth Anniversary this year and due to the retirement of our current Treasurer we are need of a replacement in the near future.

Date of the positive test result, the issuer of the certificate, date of issuance, and validity date for recovered travellers

This Voluntary post involves normal Treasurer procedures, accounting for donations and shop income and paying bills etc, and in conjunction with our Accountant, producing tax returns, Annual Financial Reports etc.

All questions regarding the EU’s COVID-19 vaccine certificate would be issued in two languages, in English and the official language of the issuing country.

Our current Treasurer will of course complete an in-depth handover, including use of the Accounting software currently in use.

The validity of the certificates will depend on the evidence which is to be gathered when they are fully functional and will be adjusted, based on that.

Hours of operation in our Centre in Calle Bella Antonia would be between 9.00 & 2.00pm any weekday.

Previously, Spain extended the existing measures for third countries where COVID-19 mutations have widely spread until April 19, 2021.

Interested parties should enquire by email in the first instance to president@reachouttorrevieja.eu with a basic experience background.

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13th April 2021 - Villamartin The image across shows Ann McCaffrey picking up a sleeve of balls at last Tuesday’s Golf Society meeting which took a full field to the popular Villamartin Golf Course.

Next up will be the increasingly popular Lo Romero course, close to Pilar de la Horadada, with it’s signature 18th island hole.

The course sits on an old pear and apple orchard and measures just over 6 kilometres on the yellow tees.

Tee off time is 10am but places are being snapped up so anyone wishing to play is advised to get their name down quickly.

He shot a final-round 1-over 73 to win by one over Will Zalatoris. “Hopefully I’ll be a pioneer and many more (Japanese players) will follow me,”

Pete Dunn increased his chances with 39pts.

With the same score, but losing out on countback on the final three holes, were Andy Martin and AnneMarie Weisheit.

It was round four [of six] on Wednesday to decide this year’s Club Champions.

Matsuyama said through his interpreter.

With the weight of his home country on his shoulders, Matsuyama only flinched a couple of times after he entered Sunday with a four-shot lead before eventually building it to six midway through the back nine.

A couple of hiccups occurred late, but his cushion was too large. Matsuyama, 29, earned his sixth PGA TOUR win, the coveted Green Jacket and a whopping 600 FedExCup points to move to No. 7 in the standings.

England's Justin Rose, who led for two rounds, faded in the final 18 holes with a two-over 74 to end five under.

H

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

How to hold a putter correctly.

For the long game with woods and irons it is essential that the correct grip is used to allow the hands and arms to correctly ‘square up’ the clubface at impact.

For putting it is different because a good putting technique usually involves more of a rock of the shoulders rather than a hit with the hands and with more touch and feel involved and hence the grip when putting is more about how comfortable the club feels in the hands.

It is for this reason that you see many different techniques amongst the world’s best players and below are just a few types of grips that you could use: We at THE LEADER are committed to providing to our golfing readers affordable golf without the need to join a club or apply for a card but simply contact the number below to have instant access to discounted golf prices, many of which are exclusive to us: The deals shown in the table are some of the best prices currently available to you: Price €98 €98 €120 €100 €158

Pues hasta la semana que viene

With both players having to hit at least eight drives each Lindsay Forbes, together with Olga Douglas, came out on top with a net score of 63.25.

Pete Dunn increased his chances no end by winning on the day with 39 points. Tom Hardie made a welcome return to the leader-board with 38 whilst John Drakesmith took third place with 37 points.

The best ladies score on the day went to Yvonne Phipps who ran up a total of 37 points.

Nobody managed to score a two so next week’s pot will be pretty substantial.

Friday and it was the best two scores from four to count and all on the par 3’s. With 105 points (our record is 112) 1st place went to John & Ellen Drakesmith, Andy Martin and Mike Chapman.

With a very credible 103 the 2nd spot was taken

by Bryan Neal, John Shervell, Mike Mahony and Joyce McClusky.

GOLF COURSES AND COVID - 19

Course Alenda Alicante Altorreal Bonalba Campoamor

Remember, you can’t call golf a sport. You don’t run, jump, you don’t shoot or pass. All you have to do is buy some clothes that don’t match.

Results for w/c 12.4.21 It made a welcome change on Monday for us to play a ‘2ball Teas Scramble’. The final result could not have been any closer.

MATSUYAMA’S MASTERS MOMENT

A “first-ever” moment resonated throughout the world as Hideki Matsuyama became Japan’s first men’s major champion.

PAGE 21

Dunn moves closer to Las Ramblas Club Championship

McCafferty’s Golf Society -

History is made at the Masters every year. But last Sunday, it felt different.

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Mike Probert talks Golf In assn with Costa Blanca Green Fee Svcs

Standard Grip

Justin Rose.

Simply grip the putter as you do all the other clubs in your bag with perhaps the only change being the ‘reverse overlap’ or the index finger of the top hand down the side of the shaft.

Palm to Palm

Split Handed Hold the club the same as you do for normal shots but ensure that the hands are separated on the handle with no linking or overlap and the top hand will steady the club in motion while the lower hand will apply the hit, as seen in the Happy Gilmour film.

Cross Handed Often referred to as the ‘reverse grip’ simply hold the club as you do for normal shots but switch the hands so that the hand at the top of the grip becomes the lower hand and vice-versa and you will have seen this technique used by Jordan Spieth at the Masters.

The Claw Essentially this is a variation of the split handed grip where the top hand provides stability but the lower hand is almost removed from the handle and is attached only my the thumb, index finger and middle fingers and is often called a ‘pencil grip’ as a result and this grip is used by the likes of Tommy Fleetwood, Sergio Garcia and Don Cayo (Altea) El Plantio El Valle Font Del Llop Hacienda Del Alamo La Finca La Galiana La Manga La Marquesa La Sella La Serena La Torre Las Colinas Las Ramblas

€90 €98 €59 €123 €100 €214 €73 €90 €60 €48 €114 €59 €160 €164

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Players that use this technique usually have a bigger grip fitted to the putter because the style has the palms of both handed facing each other with both thumbs pointing down the shaft and is often referred to as the ‘prayer grip’ and this style has been used by Vijay Singh and currently by Matt Wallace.

Arm Lock This technique is legal but considered by many not to be so as anchoring the putter against the body is not allowed but appears that anchoring it against the arm is allowed and to use this style grip the putter lower down the handle or have the putter shaft extended, take your standard putter grip but ensure that the top of the handle of the putter remains jammed or locked against the inside of the forearm throughout the stroke as used by the likes of Bernhard Langer and now a reverse locking method being tested by Matt Kuchar.

Just remember that whatever style you use the aim is to be comfortable under pressure and it is not about how the technique looks or what other players say.

Lorca €78 2 Green Fees & Buggy (+ drink & tapa) Lo Romero €65 Single Green Fee Mar Menor €116 Two Green Fees + Buggy New Sierra Golf €68 Two Green Fees & Buggy Puig Campana €124 Two Green Fees & Buggy Roda €125 Two Green Fees & Buggy Saurines €100 Two Green Fees + Buggy (Temp closed) Villaitana Levante €90 Two Green Fees & Buggy Villaitana Poniente €70 Two Green Fees & Buggy Villamartin €156 Two Green Fees & Buggy Vistabella €123 Two Green Fees & Buggy (from 2pm) For Bookings and info Mike at info@costa-blanca-greenfees.com quoting reference LEADER or on 966 704 752 or 661 345 931

PAGE 22

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SHOEY BOWLS EM OVER!

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Shoey: Only kept two Commonwealth games trophies during his illustrious career.

Quote: 'I was practising in the early hours of the morning at a time when other players were returning home at 3am from a night out on the town' Leader Chief Sports Editor Andrew Atkinson speaks to Bowls legend Ian Schuback, winner of Australian Mazda International Jack High, Golden Nugget Invitational Singles, Queensland State Titles, Australian Singles Championship and Queensland Sportsman of the Year in a World Exclusive interview.

A

BROKEN jaw in an Aussie Rules final in the Latrobe Football League helped launch a successful bowling career for Ian 'Shoey' Schuback who I befriended 30 years ago.

"I suffered a broken jaw after being ‘king-hit’ playing Aussie rules in the Latrobe Valley football league," Shoey told me, via video chat from Queensland.

Shoey won the Churchill Insurance World Indoor Bowls Championship in my home City Preston at the Guild Hall in 1989.

Revealing for the first time, Shoey said: "Winning the final at Preston is something that I'll remember forever.

"I recall that I headed to the Guild Hall in the early hours - when groups of players were returning back to the hotel after a night out in the nightclubs," said Shoey.

"I had become buddies with the security guy at the Guild Hall and I'd turn up at 2am-3am to practice!

"Players used to pass me, not knowing where I was heading," said Shoey.

"The security guy gave me a key, switched the Guild Hall lights on and I practised through the early hours," he laughed.

Having began playing bowls aged 30 in 1982, the beginning of an illustrious career, selected for Queensland and selected as Australian

Monte Mar Bowls and Social Club Sponsored by The Pub, Gran Alacant Insurances, Dialprix and The Belfry.

singles representative at the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games in 1986.

"I went to Queensland and had my first game of bowls at Coolangatta Bowls Club in 1982 and was selected to represent Queensland in my second year," said Shoey.

In his green and gold debut Shoey won a Silver medal. In 1987 he was in Britain to compete in the World Indoor Championships, with countryman Jim Yates, winning the World Indoor Pairs title - the first time in the event's history the trophy had left British soil.

"I quit coaching tennis and fully devoted my time towards improving my game of bowls. I was selected as Australian singles representative in my fourth year at the 1986 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games, where I met HM Queen Elizabeth, who presented the silver

As the number of players are still restricted, we played two sessions of ten ends, so everyone who put their names down could have a game.

Lynda Saunders won the ladies chicken and Colin Bedford the men’s, well done to both. The eggs were won by Sheila Roberts and Michael Curtain.

Chris Frost won the football card with Brighton.

Thank you to Terry Cottle who donated the chickens and Ian and Julia Hamilton for donating the eggs.

GOOD NEWS FOR EASTER Having rented the bowling green from the owner last year we had welcome news at Easter when we were advised the owner had rented the rest of the complex with immediate effect.

The new management team led by Bernado went to work straight away and introduced a number of changes, including a vastly improved service and choice of food.

They are also carrying out some much-needed building repairs. This all provided a welcome

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medal around my neck," said proud Shoey.

In 1987 Shoey won a plethora of Australia's most coveted tournaments, including the Mazda International Jack High, the Golden Nugget Invitational Singles, the Queensland State Titles, and the Australian Singles Championship and named Queensland Sportsman of the Year.

In 1988 the Australian Pairs Championship and the AGC International Elite Singles followed and in 1990 he was selected to compete in his second Commonwealth Games, in Auckland winning Gold in the pairs with Trevor Morris.

In 1992 Schoey won the singles at the World Indoor Bowls Championships, the first non-British bowler to lift the title.

Schuback paired Cameron Curtis in the 1994 World Indoors Championship, Shoey winning his third World crown.

At the World Indoor Championships in 1996 he was successful in winning a fourth World Title with Kelvin Kerkow.

Looking back on his career, Shoey said: "At the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Game, Trevor Morris and I won gold for Australia in the men’s pairs event.

"At the time my aim was to be the most professional player in the world - and become world champion.

"I exceeded my goals, although I believe you make your own luck in life. I then retired after playing bowls for 15 years and winning over 70 major titles."

Since retiring Shoey was behind the mic for 16 years commentating on the ABC TV Super Series bowls, with weekly viewers topping 300,000.

"It was to keep me involved in the sport. I enjoyed my time as an ABC commentator," said Shoey, who went on to coach the Australian men’s and women’s bowls team at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

"It was a wonderful opportunity to put something back into the sport I love," said Shoey, awarded an OAM for services to bowls as a player, commentator and coach.

"That was one of the most humble feelings I could ever imagine or experience," said Shoey.

"I never ever reflected much on what I had achieved or won - victories re-charged my desire for the next tournament," said Shoey.

After his triumph at Preston Guild Hall Shoey, recalled: "I gave my winner's trophy to the young daughter of the owner of the hotel I was staying at.

"Something that didn't go down too well with the sponsors. They thought I was being disrespectful, but I didn't see it like that.

"In truth, with the exception of my two Commonwealth Games medals, I never kept a trophy. I gave them away." *Next week. In Part 2 Ian 'Shoey' Schuback salutes bowls legend David Bryant CBE who died in 2020, aged 88.

boost to our members, at what is a difficult time for everyone.

social events, keep checking notices at the bowls club and Monte Mar Friends.

and Garth near misses mean nothing and Len and John went on to win 20-17.

We look forward to a positive working relationship with Bernado and his team.

The first is 30th April, lunch at the Belfry.

The Ladies pairs, on the 14th end you would have thought done and dusted when Irene Mangum and Marilyn Fryatt pulled ahead with a 4 to lead 18-9.

Chris Harding (Chairman) MEETING WITH SPORTS COUNCIL

CHICKEN RUN - Sunday 28th March

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Chris and Howie had a successful meeting with the sports council. They were very helpful, and it was agreed we could use all six rinks.

As we can now also can play trips we will be able to complete our internal competitions.

AUSSIE PAIRS COMPETITION On Easter Sunday we held a drawn Aussie Pairs competition, playing eighteen ends with a break after nine.

After the competition the winning pair Lynne Armitage and Phil Goble were presented with a large Easter egg and a bottle of spirit each.

The couple with the lowest score, Joan Harding and Barry Watson were presented with a smaller Easter egg each.

After a few drinks in the Tavern everyone enjoyed lunch at the Belfry.

Lovely to be back playing bowls, enjoying drinks and lunch with good friends!!!!

SOCIAL EVENTS The social committee are busy organising future

For further information about Monte Mar Bowls and Social Club check out our website or email us at info@montemarbowls.com. We are also on Facebook.

La Marina Bowls Club by Dave Hadaway A busy 3 days for the competition secretary Don Fowkes this week with games on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Monday's men's pairs game I did not see as I had a appointment with Rock n Roll Bingo, so I will just give the result Mike Smith and Mike Stone beat Alex Whyte and Tom Spencer 20-12.

Congratulations to the Mikes.

Tuesday saw men's and ladies pairs – Len Daniels and John Rae versus Garth Slater and Steve Sydell, this game came to a climax with the score at 17-17 at 17 ends.

To be fair it was not the most exciting end until Len who was leading left his last wood of his game as a front toucher, which meant Steve had to attack it with positive woods which left us with a very exciting finish. Unfortunately for himself

However Lesley Joynes and Sue Daniels won 3 of the last 4 ends just missing out on the 4th by one shot to lose 16-19.

Thank you all for a entertaining Tuesday afternoon, and congratulations to the winners.

With Wednesday games of mixed pairs I thougt there may have been some excitement on the green, with 4 married couples playing each other in a knock out competition, but no the married couples had nothing but praise for each other.

Alex and Margaret shot off fast to gain a lead of 10-4 at 8 ends. Then Anne and Mike Stone won 4 of the next 5 ends to lead 12-15. A lead they kept until the end winning 14-19.

Lesley & David Joynes had a marvellous tussle with Janet and Peter Parsons with them leading 12-11 after 14 ends, with Dave holding a wood touching the jack on the 15th, causing Peter to change his hand with his last wood, when he drew to also touch the jack, and make the 15th a non-scoring end.

A shot that changed the game for himself and Janet who then went on to win 17-13.

Again thank you and congratulations to all.

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PAGE 23

Heartbreak for Thader in local derby defeat Straight up the other end, Adrian did well to deny Benferri's Tortosa, Thader's keeper coming to edge of his box, then blocking a goal bound effort.

A long-range drive by attacking full back Ruben on 29 mins, looked to have given Benferri the advantage, but alas the ball was fractionally too high.

CD Thader ................ 0 Benferri CF ............... 1

I

n this action packed, end to end local derby, bragging rights went to visitors Benferri.

Although it gave them the double, courtesy of a 3-2 home victory at the end of October last year, both matches were full of drama, where points shared could easily have been the outcome.

Both teams started the day on 20 points, but this defeat sees Thader drop to 10th, whilst Benferri move up to 6th. That's how close this Preferente division is, for nearly all teams are taking points off each other, as both promotion and relegation is still a possibility for Thader Rojales.

Thader manager Raul Mora was serving his 2nd of a 4-match suspension, whilst veteran striker Quino was again on the injury list, although he should be fit in a couple of weeks.

Javi showed his intentions in the 1st min, a solo run down the right wing culminated with a shot cum cross which the visiting keeper gathered easily.

Moments later, Adrian repeated his previous heroics, as he once again dived bravely at the feet of the dangerous Benferri front man Tortosa. Action was now thick and fast, for from the next attacking move, a Dani Lucas drive from the edge of the box rattled the visitor's post.

When Calderon was pushed in the back inside Benferri's penalty area, it seemed a certain penalty, but as with a lot of occasions in Spanish football at this level, the referee decided to play on.

Disaster struck midway through the 2nd half, for not only was Calderon denied another strong penalty appeal, but the hard-working, enthusiastic utility player, went down screaming in agony.

Following a lengthy stoppage in play, he was helped off the field to be replaced by Kike up front.

Subsequent enquiries revealed that his dislocated shoulder had been popped back into place, but thankfully x rays showed no breakages.

Hopefully, he will be fit to resume his place in the team in the not-too-distant future.

On 79 mins, a Lloyd free kick from distance brought off a good save from Benferri's keeper,

but from the clearance up field, the game changing moment arrived.

There appeared to be no danger, but when Fran failed to control the ball, Benferri's alert substitute Cristian robbed him, although still some 30 yards from goal. But in the blink of an eye, he clocked that keeper Adrian was off his line, then executed a brilliant lob into the back of the net.

Thader then threw the proverbial kitchen sink at their opposition. Nino shot agonisingly wide of the far post, then deep into stoppage time, Lloyd headed over, but ultimately it was all in vain.

Although this was a bitter pill to swallow, a trip to rock bottom Petrelense on Wednesday evening, gives Raul's boys an instant chance to get it out of their system.

Then on Sun 25 Apr, ko 1130, promotion chasing local rivals Almoradi visit Moi Gomez stadium, for what promises to be another cracking game of football.

At the time of writing, fans are still not permitted into stadiums, but check out CD Thader facebook page for regular updates as it could all change in the coming weeks.

Racing's late-late win spot on!

Alicante Stopover.

Aerial views of the Race Village.

Image: Pedro Martinez, Volvo AB

BY ANDREW ATKINSON

Alicante host city for Ocean Race Europe Alicante has been confirmed as the fourth host city for the May/June Ocean Race Europe along with the start port of Lorient, France; Cascais, Portugal; and the host of the finish, Genova, Italy.

The teams will race into Alicante from Cascais on the second leg of the Race in mid June.

With Alicante now confirmed as the final host city, the full schedule for The Ocean Race Europe, including coastal races, will be released in the coming days.

Alicante is very familiar territory for The Ocean Race, as it is the home of both the race headquarters and the venue for each of the around the world race starts since 2008.

SUDUKO SOLUTION From From page 14

TRIVEA QUIZ ANSWERS FROM PAGE 14: 1. Coffee, 2. Italy, 3. Water, 4.

Sandwich, 5. TRUE, 6. Paella, 7.

Ricotta, 8. The White House, 9.

Harry Potter, 10. Laying Bricks, 11.

Porridge, 12. Brandy, 13. Vodka, 14. Sheep, 15. MC HAMMER, 16.

Iran, 17. Split Ends, 18. Albania, 19. China, 20. Concorde, 21. The Road to Mandalay, 22. Bletchley Court, 23.

Grits, 24.

Rumpelstiltskin, 25. Chris Patten

Racing San Miguel 2-1 Sporting Dolores Racing San Miguel took three points with a late-late show penalty kick to gain a 2-1 home win against Sporting Dolores in the Valencia 1st Regional Group 10 to go sixth in the table.

Sporting Dolores took the lead on 30 minutes following a defensive mistake to net past Pablo, with Gabri equalising early in the second half, following an assist by new signing Yoel.

After 75 minutes Racing debutant Morante was sent-off following a second yellow card. Sporting were also reduced to 10 men after Christian Garre was scythed down inside the box. Up stepped Peke, coolly slotting the ball home from the penalty spot on 95 minutes.

Racing San Miguel coach Dani Pèrez Williscroft told The

Leader: "What a game! In the first half we missed three clear chances - then Dolores scored a very good goal with their first shot.

"We went in at half time losing, but knowing we deserved a lot more. In the second half we once again did a come back, with a lovely goal from Gabri, and a penalty in the last minute scored by Peque.

"It was a very good game to watch - and a very important three points to keep believing."

League leaders Aspe UD 'A' increased promotion hopes after a 3-1 home win against CD Montesinos. CF Popular Orihuela gained a 2-1 away win at Callosa Deportivo CF. Sporting Costablanca defeated Formentera CF 3-0 away to bolster their title hopes at the top of the Valencia 2nd Regional Group 17. Atletico Benejuzar 'A' gained a 3-1 away win at CF Inter Santa Pola.

PAGE 24

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