The Leader Newspaper Edition 882 – 30 August 21

No 882 Monday 30th August - Sunday 5th September 2021

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

THOUSANDS GATHER TO HUG THE MAR MENOR

panish Nationals, Expat Residents, holidaymakers, politicians and action groups, turned out in their thousands on Saturday as they formed a human chain to embrace the Mar Menor in protest against the desperate situation and the mismanagement of

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Europe’s largest saltwater lagoon, appealing once again to political leaders to put an end to this ecological disaster.

The demonstration was organised by the ILP Mar Menor Platform, in conjunction with the Ecologists in Action, taking place along much of the 73 kilometres coastline

that makes up the perimeter of the lagoon.

The symbolic action was also joined by Goddess Maat, a sailboat belonging to Ecologists in Action, which has ended its summer campaign in the Mar Menor, as a sign of protest against the "appalling" management of the salty lagoon.

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FROM PAGE ONE Hugging the Mar Menor ADVERTISING SALES

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It also included a minute’s silence as a sign of mourning, followed by a hymn composed by the Cartagena band Nunakat, entitled 'Sol y Sal', which they dedicated to the lagoon. They were joined in song by many local artistes following which demonstrators chanted, in unison, 'Long live the Mar Menor'.

Spokesperson Teresa Cutillas, a member of the ILP Mar Menor platform said, "we have been waiting for solutions for many years and the problem is only being patched up, with a series of decisions that, until now, have not solved anything.”

“The situation of the lagoon is desperate and the residents of the area, neighbours and lovers of the Mar Menor do not want to wait another second.”

Ecologists in Action has also been denouncing the "terrible" situation that the Mar Menor is going through for many years, and this week it has once again raised the alarm, having seen in recent days "thousands of fish and crustaceans dying on the shores of what was once the jewel of the crown of the regional environment.

"The main cause of this natural disaster is the constant loading of the lagoon with

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chemicals, animal waste, sewage, from the land, a process that it has suffered for several years due to the dumping of fertilisers of agro-industrial origin," she pointed out. “There is currently a lot of anger amongst the people.”

However, the Mar Menor continues in its agonising state and, after ten days of political squabbling over competencies, national and regional political forces finally seem to want to align themselves in favour of its recovery.

Murcia’s President, Fernando López Miras, initially claimed to have his "hands tied", but after five tons of dead fish washed up onto the shores he announced that a meeting with the Minister of Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera, has reached an agreement.

He said it is now possible to carry out joint measures to save the lagoon, which will include a ban on the use of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers in the so-called 'zone 1' of the Mar Menor, bordering land in the municipalities of San Pedro del Pinatar, San Javier, Los Alcázares and La Unión.

He said that, although they recognised that there are still "discrepancies" in the order of priorities, there is much more agreement in the overall vision that will see an end to the discharge of chemicals into the Mar Menor.

Photos: Facebook

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Monday 30th August - Sunday 5th September, 2021 Irene Montero & Noelia Vera, Minister and Secretary of State for Equality

Ministry of Equality accused of discrimination against Men he Ministry of Equality is the Government Department that most discriminates against men.

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Equal is exactly what it is not, certainly as far as the gender of its employees is concerned, with only 19 of the 88 staff available to Minister Irene Montero's department, being men, according to the latest update of the Statistical Bulletin of Personnel at the Service of Public Administrations. That is, only 21.5% of them are male. This is the lowest percentage of male representation in all of the different ministries in the coalition government.

According to "the number of personnel in each Ministry by sex", the proportion of men is as follows: Agriculture, Fishing and Food (39.5%); Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation (49.9%); Foreign Affairs, EU and Cooperation (49.9%); Science and Innovation (35.5%); Consumption (34.5%); Culture

and Sports (34.4%); Defence (54.2%); Social Rights and the 2030 Agenda (33.2%); Education (28.9%); Finance (41.9%); Inclusion, Social Security and Migration (36.8%); Industry, Commerce and Tourism (40.8%); Interior (62.3%); Justice (45%); Territorial Policy and Public Functions (44.1%); Presidency, Relations with the Courts and Democratic Memory (46.9%); Health (30.4%); Labour and Social Economy (40.9%); Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (54%); Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda (61.1%) and Universities (32.3%).

Administrations.

tracts.

The Minister of Equality, Irene Montero, defended herself by stating that men "are not excluded" in her Ministry, but she considered that, for many centuries "men and women have been ruled exclusively by men", so at the present time she makes no apology of the fact that "the most competent persons for positions of responsibility are women."

Last November, as El Confidencial newspaper reported, the Central Administrative Tribunal for Contractual Resources overturned an Equality contract to cover the services of the emergency telephone number 016, for reporting cases of violence against women. It stipulated that all of the assigned personnel be women. The amount of this contract amounted to 7.8 million euros, with a duration of 5 years.

In March of last year, the the Minister of Equality was denounced before the Supreme Court Prosecutor's Office for a possible crime of prevarication, pointing out that 79% of its senior positions were held by women.

The minister also surrounds herself with women in her inner circle, including Noelia Vera, Secretary of State for Equality and Gender Violence; Boti García, general director of Sexual Diversity and LGTBI Rights, and Antonia Morillas, director of the Institute for Women.

The complainants alleged that, in doing so, Montero was in breach of the principle of Equality in Public

"From our own experience, women have spent more time thinking about how society as a whole can be better, respecting more human rights and women are also more open," added Montero.

The Ministry is also accused of gender bias in many of its con-

The court found that the contract implied a violation of fundamental rights" and that the specifications of the hiring were "null and void."

Consequently, the Ministry had to cancel and then re-tender the contract.

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Bathers lives at risk in Aguamarina he PSOE has denounced the Orihuela City Council for failing to sufficiently warn bathers in Aguamarina of the danger of falling rocks onto the seafront below. The hazard is not signed, and bathers are completely unaware of the risks.

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In a statement issued on Wednesday the opposition group leader, Carolina Gracia, said that following the expulsion of a group of tourists only last Sunday, “The people were completely surprised as they did not know the reasons for the eviction, which is basically the fact that they are allowed to sit and bathe directly below an area of ??the cliffs that suffered a landslide in October 2020 and that, currently, still does not have a fixed fence or sufficient signing to warn of the risks”.

The Socialist Group explained that before publicising last Sunday’s events, they asked the Local Police to find out more details, but the response they have received only shows "the lack of maintenance and actions in the area, practically a year after the first landslide occurred.

“What we are told is incredible in that, despite the rockfalls occurring on more than one occasion, each time the provisional fencing that is put up around the area disappears or moves, it is then the work of the police to make people aware of the dangers ”, she said.

Gracia stated that it is not the first time she has been forced to denounce the "neglect and delay" of the Local Government in such matters, ruptures, sinkholes or landslides in the municipal coastal area. She said that should the sink hole above Cabo Roig beach be repaired, a year on from the opening first appearing, because of the delay it will now cost double the amount that was originally budgeted.

She said that her party will raise the matter at the next Plenary meeting. “There is money for what they want and although the installation of a fixed fence blights the image of the beach it must be erected with signing that warns of the danger and prohibits access, because the lives of the people who come to enjoy our beaches are being put at risk.”

Bathers lives at risk in Aguamarina due to the danger of landslides

A minute’s silence for victims of 1938 bombing At 12:00 noon on Wednesday, August 25, Town hall staff observed a minute’s silence for the 19 fatalities of the bombing that took place in Torrevieja in 1938 during the Spanish Civil War. This act was attended by representatives of all political groups that make up the town council, which began with a tribute by the deputy mayor, Rosario Martínez Chazarra.

“On August 25, 1938, our City suffered the devastation caused by the bombing that we remember today and today our thoughts are with all of the victims of that cruel event.

Photo shows winners with their chocolate money.

Hondón Valley RBL Summer Meeting The Branch met in July at Tipsy Terrace, Hondón de los Frailes, before closing until September. Members were updated on Legion information as well as Branch events later in the year, including The Golf Day, Poppy Ball and the Centenary Remembrance Service in November.

As the social aspect is so important, members were delighted that plans were in hand to be able to gather again with friends.

In an exercise of democratic responsibility, over and above ideological differences, we unite to dignify their memory, rejecting violence and war, wherever it comes from.

After the main meeting, the social time included taking members back 50 years to 15th February 1971 (Decimal Day) with a competition in £ s. d.

We remember our past to learn from mistakes, with the firm will that they never happen again and the unanimous desire for a peaceful and respectful coexistence.

The lucky prize winners were then given chocolate coins!

For all those who died in that senseless act, for their families and for all those who were forever marked by the horror of a war that should never have been, we ask you to share with us this minute of silence.” Rest in peace.

Anyone who would like information about the Branch or future events, is asked to contact hondonvalley.secretary@rbl.community.

The Branch is due to meet again in September with the date and location being available soon.

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TWO DEATHS PLUS HIT AND RUN WITHIN 24 HOURS ON TORREVIEJA CROSSING Following the deaths of a Madrid couple on Monday night, the same pedestrian crossing on Avda Desiderio Rodríguez in Torrevieja, was the site of a hit and run just 24 hours later

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married couple were both killed as they crossed a pedestrian crossing on Avd Desiderio Rodríguez in Torrevieja on Monday evening.

The man, aged 72, died from the impact while his wife, 69, both from Madrid, received treatment from the emergency services but she too died at the scene.

The accident occurred on Monday evening at 9:05 p.m. when the couple were on the crossing on Avda Desiderio Rodríguez, in front of the Paraíso II urbanization, close to Playa de Los Náufragos.

The victims were hit by a utility van in which a family of French nationality was traveling. The vehicle was speeding and the driver failed to see the couple who were crossing the marked crosswalk.

The pair had been shopping in a supermarket in the area.

The impact was brutal since the driver, not seeing the couple, failed to brake, throwing the man and the woman about 20 metres down the road.

The Emergency Coordination Center (CICU) sent a Basic Life Support ambulance and a SAMU ambulance to the scene, which was attended also by Local Police and the Civil Guard.

The 34-year-old driver of the van gave a negative breathalyser test and was arrested for two counts of reckless manslaughter. His wife and four children were in the vehicle with him. The Torrevieja Local Police has since taken over the investigation.

Just 24 hours later, at the same crossing, a driver fled the scene after seriously injuring a pedestrian when he too was making his way across the road.

The driver fled without assisting the pedestrian and was arrested but

was arrested on Wednesday night after offering his own version of the events, a complete contradiction of statements taken from witnesses.

One of the main routes into Torrevieja, the stretch of road where both of the accidents occurred

The arrested man was later released after he had been charged by the Local Police, pending his appearance in court.

The second accident occurred around eleven o'clock on Tuesday night when a man was run over. According to witnesses, the vehicle then sped away without stopping to give aid to the injured man.

The driver of the car involved in the collision drove to San Javier, where he resides. There he went to the Police to report that his car had suffered damage when he was hit by a person driving another car. However, he was referred to the Torrevieja Local Police where he was arrested after providing a statement.

The driver told officers that he had not been the offender, but that the pedestrian had been run over by another car, the impact of which had thrown him into the path of his car, thereby causing the damage.

Witness statements, however pointed to his vehicle being the only one involved in the accident.

After his arrest, he was charged and released. The pedestrian is understood to be still in hospital but in a stable condition.

Cars often pick up speed on Avda Desiderio Rodríguez, one of the longest straight roads in the city, despite the fact that there are several pedestrian crossings and traffic lights. The avenue has two lanes in each direction.

There were previously several speed bumps along the road but most were removed by the Torrevieja City Council.

At ‘The Hub’ of The Royal British Legion he Orihuela Costa and District Branch of The Royal British Legion was once again delighted to show it’s appreciation to those in the local community who provide us with their valued support.

Their efforts have been absolute-

In this case it was Simon Williams and Cameron McHardy, proprietors of The Hub Sports Bar in Villamartin Plaza, who donated over 500 euros to the Annual Poppy Appeal in support of local veterans and their families here in Spain.

ficult period.

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ly invaluable in providing much need funding that can spent assisting veterans and their families who are going through a difWe at the RBL are all extremely grateful for the efforts made by Simon and his loyal patrons, particularly during these challenging

Simon, himself a veteran of the RAF Regiment, earmarks the proceeds from the regular quiz nights held at The Hub for the Poppy Appeal, and following the recent handover of the cash he was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by Poppy Appeal Coordinator Eddie Coleman and Fundraiser Tatiana Ramsbottom.

The Branch President, Graham Rhodes said, “The Hub, which is one of the foremost sporting venues in Villamartin, has championed the RBL for sever-

times.”

POETRY “INNER STRENGTH” al years, raising many hundreds of euros in the process.

GOGGLEBOX FAMILY IN TOWN Andrew Atkinson talks to Gogglebox C4 TV stars Tom Malone, wife Julie, and daughter Vanessa, in another LEADER

CORNER

A poem dedicated to ex marine Pen Farthing, inspired by his desperate plight to secure the safety of his staff and animals in Afghanistan

by David Whitney c 2021

Stoic and determined A man with inner strength Somebody with a passion Who will go to any length

Praying for his loyal staff Fighting back the tears Their good work all for nothing Over many happy years

To get his many animals Away from danger spots Heading into brick walls And 'Red Tape' and terror plots

Wondering why evil Could overcome what's good When prevention was the answer Seems nobody understood

Pen Farthing showed such courage Though his hopes were often lost In the panic and confusion And lives tragically lost

Heartbroken for the people That he had to leave behind God help them in the aftermath God give them peace of mind

EXCLUSIVE next week, about their holiday in Spain ahead of filming a new series in September.

Almost reaching safety But then going back to base Nobody knows the anguish But for tears streamed down his face Almost giving up defeated But his battle wasn't done When love consumes, you carry on And in the end you've won !

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BRING ME SUNSHINE

Monday 30th August - Sunday 5th September, 2021 Best friends: Vincent and Ian on the Orihuela Costa.

Inspiration for The Ballroom Boys ACT 2 came from Morecambe & Wise

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BITES 8.677 people have sought medical attention for bites and stings

By Andrew Atkinson EXCLUSIVE

Health centres in the Valencia region, including Alicante province, have dealt with 8,677 jellyfish and insect bites - down 80% on 2019 data of 39,500 cases.

The show must go on! - 19 months following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic Strictly Come Dancing stars Vincent Simone and Ian Waite are returning to the stage in The Ballroom Boys ACT 2 tour.

Summer months have the highest concentration of insect, jellyfish and other arthropod bites which require medical attention in the Valencia region.

It is the second decrease in the last two years, with the 2020 initial Covid-19 pandemic playing a part in data.

"I haven't seen Vincent since March 2020, when our show was closed down, due to coronovirus," said Ian, 50, who travelled to the Costa Blanca to meet up.

"I came over to Spain to spend a few days with Vincent - along with getting some sunshine - and going through choreography," said Ian. The Ballroom Boys ACT 2 UK tour runs September to November, and returns April-June 2022. The first show is on September 14, touring throughout the UK after a tough time with coronovirus.

Vincent, who lives on the Costa Blanca South with his wife Susan and 2 children, said: "The Ballroom Boys ACT 2 takes in Hollywood glamour, Tango, etc., and I just can’t wait! We are very proud.

"Ian and myself are best friends and we have a lot of fun, added with the professional passion."

Ian added: "I've known Vincent 25 years and we have so much banter. The inspiration of The Ballroom Boys came from Morecambe & Wise - adding a bit of comedy into the routines.

"The decline is due to mobility restriction measures, people are spending less time outdoors," said the regional health department.

Torrevieja ‘Pit Stop’ as beachgoers sleep in their cars Torrevieja beaches lovers have gone that extra step to get a favourite spot - by sleeping in their cars in overnight pit-stops!

The story hit the TV news headlines last week highlighting enthusiasts sleeping in cars so thay could their favourite hot spot from their overnight pit-stop.

Mobile App to warn of severe weather in Valencia Comunidad

"I think our comedy routines are the highlights of the show!".

The Valencian Generalitat is currently developing an emergency application for mobile devices in order to inform the residents of the Vega Baja in real time about extreme weather events.

Italian star Vincent, 42, who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing during 2006-12, said: "The thing I like most is being on stage - and having the banter with the audience - they love it. Ian is such an amazing guy."

With the tool people can be more prepared of extreme weather phenomena, which, according to experts will become more frequent in future years. The application will send a notice to mobile devices with initial alerts, followed by regular messages.

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The routes ‘A walk with Loaces’ are also back: Friday, 10; ‘Legends’: Friday, 17th and ‘Palacios’: Friday, 24th, all highly applauded by those who have already enjoyed them and for which there is a waiting list.

Virgin of Monserrate the theme of Orihuela’s September tourist routes

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sing the beautiful image of Our Lady of Monserrate, patron saint of Orihuela, the Department of Tourism has announced the routes that it has prepared for September.

And the last Sunday of the month will be spent with an adventure on two wheels. Get ready, grab your bike and let's go for a ‘A Bike Ride through the Twin Wheels, Moquita and Pando. The day will begin 9 in the morning at the Plaza del Carmen and it will surely be an unforgettable day. The route is a tribute to the World Tourism Day that is celebrated on Monday, September 27, with the slogan 'Tourism and rural development'.

Our Lady is the central theme, not only of the poster but also of two Saturday activities, the 11th and the 18th.

The first of the 'Virgen de Monserrate' routes will leave from the Cathedral to reach the religious retreat with a most attractive route both. Seven days later, on September 18, the departure will be from the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Monserrate with a similar route and arrival also at the hermitage of the 'Virgen de Monserrate'.

Without a doubt, the routes will meet all expectations again. There are dramatised walks, and on Friday, 3 September, children are the protagonists on a walk they will very much enjoy with ‘El Juglar y

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The routes have been developed by the Department of Tourism of the Orihuela City Council, and Mariola Rocamora, who wants to invite as many people as possible us to enjoy the natural environment while getting to know our local heritage. el Cruce de Caminos’; and on Saturday, 4 with ‘Los Gremios’ by Teatro Expresión.

To be able to attend any of the routes, you have to reserve a place because, in addition to being totally free, the numbers are limited. To register visit www.orihuelaturistica.es.

Can you lend me a fiver?

Quote: 'Bank of Spain report over 70% of general public has less than five coins in purses, totalling under €5'

By Andrew Atkinson The old adage 'can you lend me a fiver' would fall on deaf ears in Spain - with two thirds of Spanish residents paying for everything by card, or mobile phone.

According to a Bank of Spain survey, seven in ten people carry LESS than €5!

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, by July 2020 card and mobile phone payments had overtaken cash (45.5% of transactions) from that of 87% using notes and coinage.

The changing trend arrived when Covid-19 hit Spain, with the country going into lockdown.

The Bank of Spain's national survey on use of cash in 2020 asked traders and the general public about their payment methods.

between 18-24, with 65s plus, 53% prefer cash.

Research by the Bank of Spain in 2014 figures were nearly 80%.

27.5% of those aged 35-44 use cash whenever possible, falling to 25.1% among the 45-54 age group, with the 55-64 age group being 25.3%.

Retailers, department stores, supermarkets and hypermarkets have been accepting non-cash payments for over two decades.

Following research people aged 90+ are deemed not to trust, or do not know how to use cashpoints, and withdraw cash at their bank branch.

Now traders across the board have been expressing a preference for card transactions.

The Bank of Spain survey said 2.5% of the populationed using cash - when Covid arrived - due to hygiene reasons in fear of catching coronovirus from handling coins and notes.

According to the Bank of Spain, bars, restaurants, small shops, cafés, department stores and other major national or international retail chains operating on the high street, and the public in general, all coincide now that paying and being paid with plastic is much faster and more comfortable.

The largest age group for cash use is

Lockdown between mid-March 2020 and June lead to a decline in cash use, with 61.2% of the population making payments with notes and coins infrequently, due to hygiene.

69.1% of the public, and 61.3% of traders, say they have changed prac-

San Pedro del Pinatar set to return Boba (Caretta Caretta) - loggerhead turtles to sea

According to a Bank of Spain survey, seven in ten people carry LESS than €5! tices in terms of making or accepting payments.

The Bank of Spain reports that over 70% of the general public has fewer than five coins in their purses, totalling under €5.

In recent years business' notices have warned they cannot accept €500 or

€200 notes.

In 2020, a total of 56.6% of retailers and restaurateurs said they refused all payments with notes, above €100.

According to the study, only 10.9% check notes for authenticity everytime; 51.5% don't. 70.2% of traders say they always check bank notes.

FREEDOM as a previous batch of turtles are released to the Mediterranean

By Andrew Atkinson in San Pedro del Pinatar SAN Pedro del Pinatar conservation centre has been the home of Boba (Caretta Caretta) - loggerhead turtles - that were born last year in La Manga del Mar Menor.

Initially 47 turtles were at the IMIDA centre in San Pedro del Pinatar, which hatched in La Manga del Mar Menor last summer, as part of the Head-Starting technique, designed to increase their chances of survival.

Only one in 1,000 hatchlings will reach adulthood and the project aims to give them a head start in life by rearing the turtles in captivity until they weigh around one kilo, at about one year, to improve their chances.

A meagre one in 1000 survive, due to predators, including birds, crabs, along with dangers of being caught up in fishing nets, and the ingestion of plastics in the sea.

In 1870 in Murcia little information was known of turtles eggs laying. Latest data includes in 2019 five events of eggs being laid. In 2020 in La Manga 100 eggs were laid.

Some eggs were moved to a more secure beach area to help successful hatchlings and others moved to incubation.

Once hatched at the San Pedro conservation sanctuary they were placed into tanks and the installation of microchips undertaken to identify each one, weighed on a daily basis.

"Now that the turtles are strong enough, they will be returning to the Mediterranean Sea after being released from the same beach where they were

Reporter Andrew Atkinson at San Pedro del Pinatar turtle conservation centre.

born," said Fran, from the San Pedro del Pinatar conservation centre.

"The turtles will be taken to Valencia - in the final step before returning to the sea.

In Valencia the turtles will be monitored, to see if the can feed on their own. Once that is established they will return to the sea," added Fran.

It is hoped that they will choose the same location to lay their own eggs in the future.

In 2019 the first turtle nest was found on a beach in the region for the first time in a century.

21 eggs were placed into incubation, hatched and taken to San Pedro del Pinatar and the Oceanographic Centre in Valencia.

Staff at the regional wildlife recovery centre Centre de Recuperation de Fauna Silvestre de El Valle, along with the Universidad de Valencia and Universidad Polytechnica de Valencia are involved in the wellbeing of turtles.

The loggerhead turtles remain a threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Call 112 if you see turtle trails in the sand. Do not touch turtles as this can jeopardise laying of eggs. In 2019 two failed nesting attempts in La Manga were reported.

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Monday 30th August - Sunday 5th September, 2021

Drowning woman saved by drone in Guardamar

By Andrew Atkinson A pioneering drone project brought in this summer to help the

of distressed swimmers, facilitating vital first aid by launching a lifeline.

emergency services in time of rescuing people in difficulties in

The pioneering drone project could be used in all coastal areas

the sea was called into action in saving a drowning woman in

in Spain in the future.

Guardamar.

The drone played a major role in helping rescuing the woman after she got into difficulties 150 metres out to sea at a beach in Guardamar del Segura.

At the time of the rescue a yellow flag was flying and due to strong currents the woman was taken out to sea.

The drone was launched to lower a life jacket after the Red Cross Lifeguard and Rescue service activated it.

After the life jacket was dropped a rescue boat manoeuvred its way to the distressed woman.

After the incident in Guardamar, a drone located two other swimmers in difficulties at a Valencian beach in Cullera, 100 metres from shore.

The pioneering life saving drone is part of a 'Stop Drowning' initiative launched by the Valencia regional government in August.

Currently Drones monitor the coastline in 10 municipalities, including Guardamar, Benidorm, Javea and Denia, flying over beaches and out to sea, notifying lifeguards of the exact location

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PAGE 9

The world tightens it’s stance on anti-vaccines.

Fines, dismissals, salary cuts, inability to enter places of leisure or travel. The world will increasingly become a much more difficult place in which to live for those who refuse to be vaccinated against Covid.

The United States and many European countries have begun to take drastic measures to encourage the immunisation of their populations and convince those who are still suspicious of vaccines against the new coronavirus that they are absolutely safe.

The United States is one of the strongest countries and will force its more than four million officials to be inoculated with the protective drug, once its drug agency has given full authorisation to the Pfizer vaccine.

The vaccine is no longer experimental, thus ending one of the arguments most used by those who rejected the protection.

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Monday 30th August - Sunday 5th September, 2021

A timely Reminder

days left in our future, we would make more use of our time.

read or heard somewhere recently that the word ‘time’ is one of the most frequently used words in the English language. Heads up, class … for today we are going to discuss the most important commodity in our possession. This word had been running through my brain (no, not because it is empty, Lads!) since I thought of doing this piece earlier today.

‘Killing time’, has to be the most negative time-span of all. Then again, the use of any given period of time can be very subjective depending on the experience of the moment.

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Time is everything, but what is the real definition of time. On one hand, it is the most valuable currency of all; and yet, very often it is the one we give the least respect to.

I suppose the first thing to say in trying to say what time is all about, is that it is the continued sequel of existence between the past, the present and the future. There is no pause button, ‘time and tide wait for no man.’

The time allotted to each of us to make up a lifetime carries a huge variance.

Like a lot of other privileges on this planet it is not fairly distributed. But we are all together in one aspect of the time distribution: That is today.

The old adage of Parkinson’s Law states that, ‘work expands to fill the time allotted for its completion!’

The couple celebrating their first dinner date will think of that two hours very differently from the guy walking home in the rain without a coat! The perception of the length of a year is very different from that of my grandchildren to an old geezer like me!

People fret about not having enough time for this or that, when really the problem is usually about priorities. A person generally has time to do all the things they really want to do.

Managing time should be one of the most important aspects of life. I believe it should be a subject taught in primary school; it is that important.

There is more talk about managing money than there is of managing time: And didn’t Benjamin Franklin tell us that ‘time is money!’

Today we all have exactly the same amount of time at our disposal. It is the one precious treasure that each of us receives in equal measure every day.

No matter what you are doing today, you are having ‘the time of your life.’

This is literally true – whether you are having fun or not, but if you are ‘doing time’ that is a very different kettle of fish!

Time is so powerful that it is given to us only in small doses. An awful lot of our 24 hour ration is badly wasted.

Maybe if we knew the total number of

There are so many different meanings of time, depending on the sentence and even where the word is placed in that sentence.

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This week’s column is about ‘time matters’, but that is very different from explaining to somebody that time matters. Then of course we have ‘new time’ and ‘old time’ when the clocks change.

My Irish friend (who shall be nameless) and I were walking back to our hotel in downtown New York one night several years back. (Oh, I’m not so sure I should tell you this one … but I’ve started, so I’ll finish!).

New York was reputed to be dangerous on the street, but I have often felt much more intimidated in some of our own towns over the years than I do in ‘The Big Apple’. Anyway, this big fancy car pulls abreast of us, the window rolls down, and a heavily madeup lady asks; ‘Hey guys - how ‘bout a good time?’

Joe looks at his watch and tells her ‘it’s twenty to one!’ (And we did keep on walking, Darling!)

‘Time gentlemen please’, is the oldest traditional cry of the publican at the end of the night - which of course is ‘closing time.’ The door will stay shut then until ‘opening time’ the next morning. The referee will blow what on his whistle? That’s right, class – ‘full time’.

‘Timing is everything and ‘being in the right place at the right time is more of the same. But no matter how right we get it, time will take it back. What Mother Nature gives us, Father Time will take back. Just remember that you have a finite amount of time left to you.

GARDEN FELIX ....... Erusimum - Wallflowers Erusimum - Wallflowers - are mainly grown as a spring-summer bedding plant, many of which produce delightfully scented flowers.

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Colours come in pale blues, greens, pinks, creamy yellows, warmer reds, oranges, hot pinks, and golden yellows!

Varieties have colour-changing blooms, which open bright yellow or orange and fade in shades of pink to a deep purple.

Most wallflowers are bedding plants, usually grown from seed in late spring and grown on to plant out in autumn or following spring.

Perennial varieties are best grown from young plants, bare-rooted, ready for planting out in autumn, becoming increasingly popular.

Flowering the following March, they offer a much needed splash of colour.

Perennial wallflowers are a great source of nectar, providing a reliable source of food for all pollinators.

Grown best in moist but well-drained soil, in full sun to partial shade.

Time marches on and my time is up here.

See you, same time, same place, next week! (Unless I get fired for telling Joe’s story!)

DON’T FORGET The best thing to spend on children is your time.

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.

Sow bedding (biennal) wallflowers annually, in late spring and plant out in autumn.

Perennial wallflowers are planted out during MaySeptember. Periodically cut back to maintain a good shape, which will also promote new flowering. Regularly take cuttings, to ward against any losses.

Bedding (biennial) wallflowers work well when planted with spring bulbs; tulips and daffodils, and can also be grown in pots. Plant along the edge of a path for a spring display.

Perennial wallflowers are best planted towards the front of a mixed ornamental border.

Easy to propagate and in the right conditions, they will self-seed. They are sterile, won’t set seed and need to be propagated from cuttings. They are short lived and can become woody. Take cuttings annually to insure against losses.

Perennial wallflowers can cope with cold weather and short burts of frost. However, they can't cope well with wet and windy winters, so make sure the soil is well drained and protected from wind.

Wallflowers are part of the brassica family, and

can be prone to club root and other diseases, namely downy mildew, leaf blight and flea beetles. Beware of slug and snail damage to young plants.

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James Goulding

Later on I joined a band & did the North West circuit which was a great experience. I also took part in a TV series for the BBC called ‘Rocky O’ Rourke’, where I had the pleasure of working with the lovely Bill Dean & Robert Keegan who both appeared in the fantastic soap opera ‘Brookside’. It seems like only yesterday.

What would be your favourite performance to date?

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JAMES GOULDING: “The entertainment circuit in Spain is fantastic. We have such a lot of great, talented people here.”

Q

Oh! Great question Julie. I have had so many wonderful highlights. I’m not sure but the TV series is hard to beat so I’ll go with that.

A

was delighted this week when my friend & fellow performer from the Live Lounge Costa Blanca James Goulding agreed to take part in my Q & A.

I

If you’ve ever been lucky enough to see James performing live, you will know that apart from his amazing voice, he manages to bring a smile to everyone’s faces with his quirky sense of humour.

Q A Q A

James, what part of the UK are you from & how long have you been living in Spain?

I was born in Liverpool & I’ve been in Spain for around 19 years now.

I’m a lucky lad.

How did you become involved in the Entertainment Industry?

My father taught me my 1st three chords on the guitar & I went on from there. I performed as a solo artist in the pubs of Liverpool & London.

Q

What would be your favourite thing about living in Spain?

Spain has a lot of things for me.

The entertainment circuit is fantastic. We have such a lot of great talented people here.

A

The weather is wonderful most of the year. Oh & the Mediterranean Sea is not bad.

Q

What has been your toughest moment throughout the pandemic?

I think anyone who knows me personally knows that originally I was worried for us all in the industry including bars, restaurants & hotels.

A

Tourism is a big thing for us & I think the toughest part was not being in control of my future.

Hopefully times are starting to change again & my friends & colleagues can stand on their feet again.

Q

If you could duet with any-

one else, who would it be & why?

It’s a toughie this one. I love Sinatra; my favourite group is The Stylistics. I’m out on a limb with this one so I’ll say Linda Ronstadt.

A

Linda has an array of genre, so she would have made me sound like a million dollars.

James would like to thank everyone who has supported him over his many years of performing. If you’d like to see him singing live, you can find him at ‘Gogarty’s, La Zenia on Mondays, Thursdays & Fridays, ‘C.C’s Bar on Wednesdays, & at ‘Ckone’ in Via Park 3 on Saturdays & Sundays.

You can also keep up to date with James through his Facebook page ‘James Goulding Entertainer’.

Calendar Girls come to the Costa Blanca!

T hey say charity starts at home. Well, meet Hayley Davies who has really taken this to heart and supported many local charities throughout the course of the last year.

This is all thanks to the raffles that she holds at the regular events attended by her ladies group.

With over 900 members, these ladies are forming close friendships, meeting new people and just generally having fun!

As if that isn’t enough, Hayley decided to take on the ambitious tasks of creating a ‘Calendar Girls’ style calendar for 2022. Her aim being to include as many ladies as were willing to participate of all ages, shapes and sizes, and all ready to be brave! “Whilst we didn’t all know each other beforehand, we are all firm friends and a strong community of empowered women by the end!” says Hayley.

It was this feeling of a community coming together that drove the decision as to which charities to support, As Hayley says “We wanted to select charities that embodied this and ended up selecting three, with each one providing emotional, practical and financial support to those who need it most”. Hayley is referring to Samaritans in Spain, Help at Home and A Helping Hand,

Costa Blanca.

With the ladies signed up and the charities agreed upon, an intensive period began where concepts and venues were selected as well as sponsors signed up.

This was quickly followed by the photo shoots themselves with photographer Kirsty Wallwork bringing the concepts to life, supported by hairstylist Nick Mooney. All of the ladies proved to be willing participants and thanks to Kirsty’s relaxed and friendly approach felt very much at ease despite wearing very little!

To see the end result for yourself, Glitz & Glamour – Calendar Girls of Spain 2022 is now available to purchase for 8€ with all proceeds being split equally between the three charities.

Stockists include Samaritians in Spain Shop, Help at Home, Mumbai Blue, Cakes ’n’ Bakes, The Hen’s Teeth, Kacey’ Bar, The Post Shop in Villamartin and more.

Hayley would like to say a special thank you to all of the sponsors for their support, to Kirsty for her professional photographs, to Nick for the amazing hair styles, Gareth Blake for designing the calendar, Platinum Print for printing the calendars and of course to all of the ladies who took part.

If anyone is interested in joining Hayley’s Ladies who lunch group, check out the Facebook page ‘Ladies Who Lunch - in and around the Villamartin area’.

Hayley Davies has supported many local charities during the year.

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CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

QUICKIE CROSSWORD

ANSWERS Week 881

ACROSS 1.

Children's game (4,3,4) 9.

Enquire (3) 10. Fatigue (9) 11. Swarthy (5) 13. Alfresco (4-3) 14. Nakedness (6) 16. Allot (6) 18. Not fact (7) 19. Hard-wearing fabric (5) 20. Protrudes (6,3) 21. Simple tune (3) 22. Very upset (11) CAN YOU MASTER THE SUDOKU CHALLENGE? Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.

Solution on Page 23

DOWN 2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

12.

15.

17.

19.

21.

Writing fluid (3) Access (5) Not broad (6) Unhappiness (7) Height (9) Invariable (4,3,4) Stargazers (11) Tempting (9) More dense (7) Bury (6) As above (5) Wonder (3)

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

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

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

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

ACROSS 1. Class of wage-earners making it a real port (11) 9. Sheep from the West (3) 10. Obvious love for a party plan? (9) 11. Type of source? (5) 13. See grim problems for refugees (7) 14. Such a son normally succeeds (6) 16. A French type can be cruel (6) 18. Edition of new revision lacking one (7) 19. Does it rule the waves? (5) 20. There are strong links between its members (5,4) 21. Obtain a sheep that came back (3) 22. Science often met in its abbreviated form (11)

L EA D E R T R I V I A Q U I Z 1.Which Italian word for 'bottle' means a complete and utter failure?

2. In 1999 Time magazine named Albert Einstein 'Person of the Century'. Can you name the two runners up?

3.What are the only two South American countries that do not border Brazil?

4. In gastronomy, what is the French word for 'between the ribs'?

5.Before Harry Kane in 2015/16 and 2016/17, who was the last Englishman to win the 'Golden Boot' in the English Premier League?

6.What was the name of the piquant little ship that first brought the news of Nelson's victory at Trafalgar back to Britain? a. HMS Pepper. b. HMS Onion. c. HMS Pickle.

7.The following 'brother' lyrics are from which songs? a. C'mon people now, smile on your brother. b. Sister Suzie, brother John, Martin Luther, Phil and Don, brother Michael, auntie Gin. c. Me and my brother were talkin' to each other 'bout what makes a man a man.d.Oh man I need TV when I got T-Rex, brother you guessed I'm a dude dad. e.This I tell you brother, you can't have one without the other.

8.Residents of which European country are the only Europeans who need to cross two borders in order to reach the sea?

9. David Bowie, Sherlock Holmes, Michael Faraday, Joseph Conrad and Rudyard Kipling are some examples of men who have declined what?

10. Which playing card has been called. a. 'The curse of Scotland'. b. 'The devil's

DOWN 2. Whiskey or port? (3) 3. It could be the absolute end (5) 4. Gentle nurse? (6) 5. Funfair turns out to be rough (7) 6. Senator is making a claim (9) 7. Egomaniac's sort of store? (4-7) 8. Thoughtful form of desecration (11) 12. Promise to leave some? (9) 15. Discipline learnt by nieces outside top college (7) 17. Not just dark-haired (6) 19. Member finding a student of the law (5) 21. It may provide transport for the concert (3)

( A n s we r s o n p a g e 2 3 ) bedpost' 11. Once hated and feared by millions of people worldwide, which symbol means 'conducive to well being'?

12.Which UK band from the 1980s with a female lead singer took their name from a Vulcan priestess in Star Trek?

13.Who were the only female priests in the ancient Roman religion?

14.Name the submarine film in which each of the following pairs of actors played a role. a. Cary Grant and Tony Curtis. b. James Mason and Kirk Douglas. c. Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson. d. Rachel Welch and Donald Pleasance. e. Denzil Washington and Gene Hackman.

15. Which name connects a three time Wimbledon singles semi-finalist, Duran Duran and the band Queen?

16.Which Who song is the theme song for: a. CSI Las Vegas. b. CSI Miami. c. CSI New York 17. Theophilus is Greek for 'lover of God'. The Latin equivalent was one of the names of an 18th century genius.What is the Latin equivalent?

18.What is a 'NEREID'?

19.What were the three previous names for Istanbul?

20.The title of which Beatles song is a Nigerian tribal greeting?

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BLACK FLY THRIVING IN REGION Step aside mosquitoes - black fly plagues with blood sucking bites are rampant Quote: 'The black fly bite is in the shape of a saw that leaves a bleeding and extremely painful cut that can become infected' - Spain’s National Association of Environmental Health Companies (ANECPLA)

By Andrew Atkinson Step aside mosquitoes - black fly plagues with blood sucking bites are rampant due to the high temperatures in Spain.

Spain’s National Association of Environmental Health Companies (ANECPLA) states episodes of extreme heat being recorded across the country are resulting in a huge increase in the number of black flies, known as mosca negra in Spanish.

“The black fly bite is in the shape of a saw that leaves a bleeding and extremely painful cut that can become infected,” Spain’s National Association of Environmental Health Companies (ANECPLA) said.

“High temperatures are one of the main factors leading to an increase in the black fly population,” said ANECPLA’s CEO Jorge Galván.

Spain’s heatwave has lead to an increase in larvae in riverside vegetation.

Lifespan, lasting from a few days to several months, can be reduced by half when it is very hot, which has occured during Spain’s latest heatwave, producing a demographic ‘boom’ and an

increase in bites.

Scientific data states climate change encourages their reproductive cycle, more so in areas close to rivers. Increased conservation and maintenance of rivers in urban areas has also helped them thrive, as black flies proliferate in clean and circulating bodies of water.

THE BIG INTERVIEW Casey Shaddock In June 1958, Orihuela Costa based Casey Shaddock's parents, Bill and Mildred, opened ‘Shaddock's Rainbow Supermarket’ in Lake Jackson, Texas, USA, from humble beginnings with late star Bing Crosby popping by!

The Valencia Region and Madrid has recorded the biggest increase in black fly populations.

A decrease in bat populations has lead to the black fly having no natural predators reducing numbers.

“We have to go outside in long sleeves because they bite you, even if you use mosquito repellent,” a resident told local TV channel Telemadrid, insisting that it’s preventing outdoor activities from taking place in Villaverde.

ANECPLA has increased the alert level for the prevalence of la mosca negra within urban areas across Spain.

Black flies are also known as buffalo gnat, turkey gnat, or white socks, that bite, sucking blood like mosquitos.

It is said the pain caused by a black fly bite is more intense and longer lasting with many victims not feeling a bite initially, due to injecting an anesthetic that is both a vasodilator and an anticoagulant.

Bites are not venomous, but can cause swelling or bleeding; in some instances can cause an allergic reaction.

It is said the pain caused by a black fly bite is more intense and longer lasting Symptoms can also include headache, nausea, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. The black fly acts during the day, particularly active in the early morning and in the evening, and can get under clothing.

In 1963, Bill and friend Buddy Baker, flew to Dallas to open the doors of B. E. Shaddock and H.L. 'Buddy' Baker - the first National Bank of Lake Jackson.

In Part 1 of a Costa Blanca and Costa Calida Leader newspaper Exclusive Casey looks back with reporter AndrewAtkinson

Advice by ANECPLA to avoid being bitten includes: Dress in light clothing and avoid bright colours that can attract swarms. Avoid walking along the riverside or in closeby areas, especially in late afternoon. Install mosquito nets on doors and windows.

Mildred Shaddock cuts the ribbon to open Shaddock's Rainbow Supermarket in Lake Jackson, Texas.

PAGE 16

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Top of the list are the creamy flowers of the elder tree, which in some countries are in full bloom in country hedgerows just as the hay-fever season hits its peak. Put three or four of the well-washed fresh flower heads in a glass or china teapot, pour a titre of boiling water over them and infuse for five minutes, then strain.

Keep the liquid warm with a tea cosy and drink three cups a day. You can buy ready-made elderflower teabags or an elderflower cordial which is, in effect, a concentrated syrup.

ATISHOO, ATISHOO For millions of unhappy people, summer is the start of the hay-fever season and the big sneeze.

If you’re one of them, use herbs to pacify the discomfort, the streaming eyes and nose and the irritation of this condition. ay fever is an over reaction of our immune systems.

When tree or grass pollens come in contact with the mucous membranes of eyes, nose, throat or lungs, they can trigger an allergic response to prompt the release of histamine and other inflammatory chemicals from tissue cells. Hence the wheezing, sneezing and the maddening itch around eyes and nose — which in turn produce the fatigue, the inability to concentrate and the irritability which sufferers struggle vainly to control.

H

Most sufferers find that the antihistamine pills which they rely on to get them through cause few side effects other than drowsiness, but what works one season often fails the next.

Try the herbal alternatives.

Something to celebrate .....

Try Elderflower Champagne

Diluted with water, apple juice or white wine, it's a delicious summer drink in its own right. Something to celebrate?

Elderflower 'champagne'.

The common stinging nettle offers wonderful relief for hayfever symptoms. In a double-blind randomised study, 98 sufferers took 300mg of freeze-dried nettle three times a day for a week. Of these, 68% rated it moderately or highly effective, while 48% also found it as good as, or better than, the antihistamine medication they had been taking.

When my Dutch colleague — a long-term hay-fever sufferer — went to his Amsterdam gym one summer morning, he spotted an interesting suggestion on the notice board.

A fellow member had found that a Chinese herb called Scutellaria baicalensis had been extremely effective for his own severe hay fever; he urged fellow-sufferers to give it a go.

Curious, he tried it as recommended, with a gram of vitamin C and some vitamin E. He found it worked even better than his favourite antihistamine.

Word has got around in Holland, and now, most health-food shops in Amsterdam lay in stocks of scutellaria root capsules come summer.

Almost certainly, it owes its new Western reputation to wellknown Australian herbalist Kerry Bone, who studied Chinese and Japanese research on this traditional Chinese remedy, noted that it seemed to have striking antiallergic and antiinflammatory effects, and began prescribing it for his hayfever patients.

Here s an idea for you ..........

If the streaming, itchy, irritated eyes of hay fever are driving you to distraction, keep a bottle of distilled witch hazel in your fridge.

From time to time soak cotton-wool pads in this soothing, icy liquid, and use them as eye compresses for ten minutes. Cooled chamomile or elderflower tea bags will work well too.

mucous membrane.

Modern herbalists prescribe it to help relieve the burning, itchy eyes of hay fever. Take it in pill form or as a tincture.

If you're a hay-fever victim, your immune system is badly in need of a boost.

Start a course of echinacea well before the season kicks in. The omega-3 essential fatty acids in linseed help subdue the inflammation which produces the streaming eyes and nose and the general irritation of hay fever. Take a tablespoonful of the oil every day, or grind a tablespoonful of the fresh golden seed into your morning porridge or muesli. Eat plenty of apples, berries and red or yellow onions too: they're rich in a flavonoid called quercetin which helps quell inflammation.

Echinacea can also boost the immune system

He found it to be very successful, mentioned it in his book Chinese and Ayuruedic Herbal Medicine, and the word spread.

The root, Kerry points out, is very rich in flavonoids which actually inhibit the release of histamine by cells.

Dioscorides, the author of the first Western herbal and a surgeon with the Roman armies, used eyebright to treat his soldiers' eye infections.

Valued for centuries as a sovereign remedy for the eyes, it helps clear accumulated mucus, reduces the irritable sensitivity of tissue in the nose and sinuses, and calms inflammation in and around the eyes. It also strengthens oversensitive

NEXT WEEK: Blocked Nose

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GIVE BLOOD AND GET WINE! once gave blood in France, in the town of Nancy in Lorraine, or was it two other women, I can't remember. I was also sweating blood at the time, as part of a language course which required me to spend a year in France becoming fluent in its language. That was the theory, anyway. Rather than a tour of restaurants and vineyards.

Are we still allowed Chablis and Gewürztraminer in post-Brexit Britain? What about Douro Valley port?

I was attracted by the fact that the reward for my humantarian action would not be a tepid cup of tea and a digestive biscuit, but (you won't believe this, I hardly believe it myself, and I was there) a choice of coffee, chocolate, or garlic sausage baguette (a kind of donor kebab) and a cup of red or rosé wine. Offered by waiters wielding corkscrews. Your good health, monsieur! I wondered how many pints of blood I could spare, and still have sufficient left for personal use.

Stag nights might henceforth have fewer antlers in attendance, especially if they are held in Eastern European 'hotspots'. Bored supermodels (are there any other kind?) may eat their way beyond most dress sizes, and dwindling sales will cause conglomerate fat cats to waste away inside their power suits.

If only all governments supplied those being vaccinated with sandwiches and a choice of beverage, the jab centres would have witnessed very few refusniks ignoring the call to arms.

Petrol stations will mostly sit idle, like those who work in them, made superfluous by the new age of Stay Outside and Pay at the Pump.

I

My only minor quibble would have concerned the absence of one or two white wines for the discerning jabee.

If not, what will we be left with, English Reserve Brut? Sounds like an aftershave.

Our pleasures in the post-corona world seem likely to diminish in number. Despite all protestations to the contrary from hopeful politicians, it may be some time before we are forming conga lines and parading through restaurants with party hats on -- that didn't come out quite right.

Ballet dancers will twirl neurotically on pointed toes, rendered footsore by pointless pirouetting in empty theatres. Tennis players will kick their heels, soccer stars will kick each other's.

Online shopping has conquered all, and made us revert to being cavemen. Cavewomen.

Cave Children. Lonely bus drivers stare out at us, forlorn and depressed.

It used to be claimed that if you sat for long enough in the foyer of Shepheard's Hotel in Cairo, you would eventually see everyone you knew come through its door.

PAGE 17

Hello David Thank you for bringing memories back for me . I was a milk man at Co.op Dairies Vauxhall Birmingham.

That was many years ago. I am 80 now This was my horse and cart all those years ago.

Fondest regards, John Craven

But how would you recognise them nowadays behind their various masks? Unless you were quarantined there for a fortnight, then some of the barmen might start to look familiar.

SAT ANIMAL RESCUE Zen is a 19 month old, energetic Pointer. He loves to play and walks well on the lead.

He is fully vaccinated/passport with microchip and castrated.

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

PAGE 18

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association supports the welfare needs of ex-members of the RAF and their dependents.

We also provide a social hub for members by organising monthly events. To fund Welfare we raise money through the Wings Appeal.

New members are very welcome. To find out more contact Chairman Tony at tony.elaine.cuenta@gmail.com For Welfare contact Bill or Pauline on 0034 634 38 99 83 or email rafacbpresident2@gmail.com.

For general information on RAFA visit www.rafa.org.uk.

computer clubs. Ladies Bible Study: Thursday 11a.m.

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

CAR SALES The Car of the Month at Automoviles Crespo is a 2018 Ford Fiesta Trend which is on Special Offer priced at just 11,900 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

CHURCHES AND SERVICES La Siesta Evangelical Church, Torrevieja is a friendly, English-speaking church. We currently hold services at 11.15am on the 2nd and 4th Sundays each month (and the 5th Sunday when there is one). For more info about our church, please see our website at www.lasiestaevangelicalchurch.org For info see www.lasiestaevangelicalchurch.org Join us at the SALT CHURCH Sundays at 10.30 am. We are a friendly church, bible centred in our teaching and informal in our worship. Meets at Calle Daya Nueva 12, Polígono Ind. Levante 11, 03187 Los

HELEN...

Montesinos. We are a lively, friendly church and look forward to meeting you. (Covid19 aware. www.Saltchurchspain.

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

Phone or whatsapp the missionaries on 648 914 347 International Christian Assembly, Calle Urbano Arregui, 23, Torrevieja Evangelical non-denominational church. Sunday service 11a.m.; Sunday school; Prayer meetings; craft and

SOCIAL AND CLUBS The next meeting of the Royal British Legion Orihuela Costa and District Branch will be held at 7 for 7.30 pm on Thursday 19 August at the Olympia Pool Bar in Mil Palmeras. Everyone welcome, incl non members. Call Jean for info on: 630 28 08 99.

The Royal British Legion, Torrevieja Branch - Meets at the Oasis, formerly the Casa Ventura, San Luis on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6.30 pm for 7pm start. New members are always welcome. You do not have to be ex-services.

For more info please contact:gill.burden20@gmail.com

637 227 385

Age Concern Costa Blanca Sur is here to help you with problem solving and well being for the over 50’s. We need volunteer Drivers and people to join our Residential Home Visiting Team. to visit people in a Residential Home, and take them out for a coffee. If you think you can help call into our centre at C/Paganini s/n, Urb. La Siesta 03184 Torrevieja or ring 966 786 887. Or email: costablanca@ageconcern.org.es Royal Naval Association, Torrevieja Branch now meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 1700 (5pm) at CHE LOCO bar/restaurant, El Chaparral urbanisation, Torrevieja. For more information please contact Chairman Tony Jenkins on 693 866 709, Vice Chairman Danny Kay on 966 71 6274 or Secretary Margaret Forshaw on 966 92 1966.

Royal Air Force Association Costa Blanca Branch.The

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 e:charitycentrehelpathomecb @gmail.com.

Curious about the work of Samaritans in Spain? Have a few hours a week to help with the charity shop, fundraising 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

PERSONAL Spanish. Beautiful Shemale Michelle. Experience the best. Tel. 606 847 280 Calle Turquesa 15. La Zenia

Sexy, elegant, mature, pretty, and naughty lady will visit you at home or in a hotel.

Costa Blanca South.

Email me at the address: dialadatemate@yahoo.com Transvestite Diana, blonde, new to Torrevieja. Great figure big breasts. Active and passive.well endowed. By appointment. Playa los locos.

651 363 396 Sexy, elegant Spanish lady.

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PAGE 19

mies’ warriors. I just wonder if any of the dinghies crossing the English Channel are called Trojan?

Quizzing the Young

Nearly a thousand immigrants arrived in the UK, swanning up the beaches in one day, apparently without a care and a determination of knowing where they were going. Where do they go? Why aren’t they stopped?

GROWING UP: I was a boy, and my sister was a girl simple.

The United Kingdom Government is structured with a large majority by a party which is more to the right of the spectrum and whilst it has made strong words about controlling refugees very little seems to have been done. Why?

T

he innocence of childhood! Running around without a worry in the world. How many adults can remember being four years old - I have a brief memory of helping my father in cutting the lawn. Another thought of the time is I was a boy, and my sister was a girl - simple.

That appears to have changed since the rainbow influence has come in to being, as I read a report that a school has been allowed to question four year olds, they are to be quizzed about their sex and whether they would prefer to be something else, all this without the involvement of the parents. That is a very strong liberty and no doubt confusing and upsetting for the children.

Surely it is not until a lot later that it become an issue for a person, when the natural body function takes control, for some to discover the sexual thoughts are different for the tackle they have.

Even then it is too early for life changing decisions to be taken.

There is the sad story of the fourteen year old girl who, after discussions with ‘experts’, decided she was in the wrong body. She was put on a course of tablets to change her natural development to the opposite. The change was many years long and painful.

There was the need for operations and more drugs and after almost ten years, and the process still not complete, she discovered it had all been a mistake and she did not want to be a member of the opposite sex.

My thoughts are, there are large areas of the UK controlled by Local democratically voted Mayors of a different persuasion than Westminster and even religion. They may not have the power to contravene but certainly the ability to water down proposals by the central Administration.

Influencing the young to be anything other than what they are is dramatic for any person and cannot possibly be right, and in my mind it should be an illegal practise. Any suggestion about delving into deep thoughts about a child’s personality is certainly confusing for the youngster, and to be told they can be anything they want to be, in some ways is correct, but in the end, they are either boy or girl.

diers to keep the garrison up to strength. If we are teaching children to be snowflakes how will we make fighting men out of them?

When they get to adulthood, that is the time to think about alternatives, and another certainty is there are only two choices, man or woman, bestowed on all of us by nature. There are none others, just misconception developed by the mind of people.

In the United States it seems to me the Democrats are more interested in feathering their own nest than working for what the USA stands for and the quality of life of its citizens

The recent situation of the American troops being pulled out of Afghanistan is, in my view, a disaster waiting to happen, but enough has been said about it. I am more interested in where things will go from here. Of course, they may have had to withdraw because they cannot recruit enough sol-

There is a rumour doing the rounds that the White House that dominates Washington DC is to be renamed The Blanco Biden Rest Home – okay I made that up, but I should think the Oval Office should be shut, which must be confusing for someone with a poor memory.

There is the story of the ‘Trojan Horse’ where a cunning aggressor was unable to take control of a castle because of its high walls, so he made peace and as a present built a large wooden horse hiding his soldiers inside it.

The owners of the castle, thinking the war was over, opened the gates and with open arms accepted the present only to be overrun with their ene-

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS! Los Montesinos in the Vega Baja often sees delays in travel caused by goats; as well as cockerells crowing, parrots squawking - and church bells ringing!

Andrew Atkinson reports. iving in Los Montesinos in the Vega Baja

L

often means small delays in travel caused by goats; cockerells crowing, parrots

squawking - and church bells ringing.

Likewise in Ribadesella, visitors have been warned about the reality of rural life.

Following complaints about braying donkeys, cowpats left behind by wandering cows and roosters awakening people, the mayor has put up posters.

"Last week we had a lady who called us three or four times over a rooster - waking her up at 5am,” said Ramón Canal, Ribadesella’s mayor.

“She told us that we had to do something."

To make my point there have been many press reports of certain areas, mainly cities, being controlled by Muslim law and not the regulations of the land. Local administrations are more interested in promoting their own views and laws and not those of the host country.

Finally, we are told that Muslim Families are large, and the British Centre of Administration are to give funds to local councils to buy large houses for homes of the Afghan immigrants. My maths works it out this way.

If these families are twelve and more strong and a normal English family is around four or five people, does it make an imbalance sometime in the future as the British way of life disappears.

Perhaps what we are seeing with the Taliban will be a side show to future events.

I worry for my GrandChildren and the little ones following on behind. Take care Facebook.com/percy chattey All my award winning work is available on Amazon and Kindle including the ‘Story Telling®’ series of short stories .

Goats graze in fields of La Herrada, Los Montesinos, at times delaying traffic. Photo: Helen Atkinson.

What followed was a poster campaign - warning people of all the 'risks' of rural life.

Here we have church bells that ring out regularly, roosters that crow early in the morning and herds of livestock that live nearby, at times carrying cowbells that also make noise, reads the poster.

If you can’t handle all this, you may not be in the right place the posters state.

“One needs to realise that milk doesn’t come in cartons - it comes from cows - and that you have to feed and maintain them," said the Mayor.

The idea for the posters came from a village in southern France, said deputy mayor Luis Sánchez.

In 2019, Saint-André-de-Valborgne, home to about 400 people, pushed back against petulant urbanites - with posters that warned of tolling church bells, clanging cowbells and crowing

roosters.

aware that this is daily life in the villages," said

The poster adds: If on the other hand you’re one of the privileged ones who can bear all this, you’ll enjoy the wonderful surroundings and the excellent products made by our fantastic farmers, ranchers or artisans. Enjoy Ribadesella!

Sànchez.

Viva Los Montesinos!

“To hear a rooster crowing at night is normal. If you come to a rural hotel, you have to be

PAGE 20

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Monday 30th August - Sunday 5th September, 2021

La Marina Golf Society At Vistabella 26 August

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GREENLANDS BOWLS CLUB

umphant.

Monday saw the 3-2-1 fixtures continuing, whilst on Wednesday Greenlands were visiting Emerald Isle for the first of our arranged friendly matches.

Our next match will be the last one at Greenlands, where we hope to reverse our fortunes and come away with a win,

Although we were to lose the majority of our rinks it proved to be an enjoyable morning of bowling and afterwards we all enjoyed a nice lunch in the restaurant.

The very hot weather of late has proved to be detrimental for the well being of all of us, but undeterred our members have turned out to play with good spirits and humour which is a testament to the friendly atmosphere we strive for here at Greenlands Bowls Club.

We are slowly but surely getting back to normal and these friendly games at other clubs are proving most useful to our newer members who have only played at home.

On Thursday evening we again visited Quesada for our away game, unfortunately, however much we tried, the opposition were too good for the majority of our rinks and only one rink was tri-

If you are looking for just such a club we are currently looking to welcome new members to start our new season in October. If you are new to bowling free coaching lessons are provided to get you started. for all enquires please telephone Chris Dewar on 698 418 987.

Quesada Bowls Roundup Left to right: Jeff Wisniewski, Geoffery Ettridge, Gerry McCabe Today's game for the La Marina Golf Society was at the Vista Bella Golf Course and was the last one of the four-game Summer Cup Trophy.

The course with its many bunkers and thick rough proved difficult for some, but not for Gold Division winner Gerry MaCabe who finished the round with 42points.

Silver Division winner with 39points was Jeff Wiszniewski, nearest the pin winners were as follows; Alan Janes, Dave Moor, Alan Craig, and Rod Loveday.

The two's pot was shared between Alan Craig

Lo Marabu Golf Society At El Plantio on 26th August 2021.

In association with Sapphire Properties and Costa Blanca Green Fee Services For this month’s meeting the Lo Marabu Golf Society and a group of 18 players visited the established course at El Plantio taking advantage of the excellent society deal obtained from Costa Blanca Green Fee Services.

The weather was beautiful and the course in excellent condition.

Gold Division - 1st - Colin Toole – 34 points, 2nd – Mike Probert - 32 points Silver Division - 1st – Sue Bishop – 32 points, 2nd – Jim Bryce – 29 points

and Jeff Wiszniewski. The presentation dinner was held at the La Marina Sports Complex, where the members thoroughly enjoyed the meal and the evening was rounded off with Club Captain Geoffery Ettridge awarding the Summer Cup Trophy to Gerry McCabe, Gerry's best two scores from the four games, was 77 points, closely followed by Alan Craig with 76 points and Jeff Wiszniewski with 73 points.

A big thank you goes out to Helena, Paulo, Nicky, and the kitchen staff for making it a great evening, much appreciated.

Bronze Division - 1st – Dave Freeman – 29 points, 2nd – Mick Martyn - 24 points Nearest the Pins – Probert Football Card – Colin Toole After the game we returned to Edina’s Bar and Grill bar, which is located at Dona Pepa, Quesada and we give our thanks for their support and that of our sponsor Sapphire Properties.

Our next fixture is the Interim game at Alenda on 9th September 2021 followed by the society day at Las Ramblas on the 23rd September 2021.

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

By Steve Hibberd There was another enjoyable evening at QBC last Thursday evening, when the hosts entertained bowlers and guests from Greenlands BC. Although the annual 'friendlies' 4 match series is now a foregone conclusion, next week's match at Greenlands promises to be as competitive as the others. For the 3rd consecutive week, it was the blue side of AP7 who emerged victorious, this time by 6 rinks to 1. There were some high scoring matches, from which the trips team of Chris Bowles, Claire Dye & Kim (is my hair ok?)

Bowles, emerged as best winning rink. As per normal, a post-match meal deal was available in The Club, and I can honestly say that the steak and ale pie is to die for!

Running in tandem with the friendlies, is the clubs internal 2 wood drawn pairs league. Played on a Wednesday evening, last week's gruelling schedule included one-off Friday games (never say that us oldies don't have stamina!). With only 1 week of this league left to run, before the final between the winners of group A and group B, it's still all to play for. In group A there are 2 teams on 6 points, whilst in group B, 3 teams currently have 4 points.

Wednesday 27 October, will see the start of a new internal league. Although the format has yet to be officially announced, I'm led to believe that it will be something different from the norm! Watch this space.

At a recent LLB meeting, QBC were drawn to play Emerald Isle in the preliminary round of the

Top winning QBC Rink in the Greenlands Friendlies 21/22 Premier 20 ko cup. Also at this meeting, were details of forthcoming Southern & SA leagues (QBC have entered 3 sides in each league). As predicted, the South Alicante league commences on Monday 11 October, running through to 7 March 22, whilst the Southern league starts on Friday 15 October, finishing on 11 March 22.

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Monday 30th August - Sunday 5th September, 2021

The Celts Club de Golf August Championship

S

unday morning we celebrated our August club championship day.

Again we had a 9.30am shotgun start and believe it or not we were finished with prize presentations and snack by 14.30.

We can’t say anything about the weather other than it was fantastic for golf with a gentle breeze and 28 degrees.

These days do not run themselves and we are indebted to a team of people who all work together to make the event such a success. The competitions committee under the guidance of Camillus Fitzpatrick and ably assisted

by Philip Mountford and Terry Fitzgerald. Thank you and well done.

In the golf shop Karolina looked after all our needs and generated our results within minutes of our completion, gracias.. To Vanessa and Gloria in the bar and restaurant muchos gracias por todo. The course management team has the course looking in great condition thank you.

A big thank you must also go to all the organisers of our daily golf events, they do a

fantastic job, thank you one and all.

July Medal winners were, Bob Smith 68, Steve Hopkins 68 and Michael Doyle 72. Crystal winners, July Cat I, Richie Heaton 35, Donald Love 35 and John Aitchison 34. Cat II, Tony Woodward 40, Terry Walsh 40 and Ian Sadler 38.

August Cat I, Michael Stott 38, Thomas Warren 38 and Colin Soones 36.Cat II, Ian Howie 42, Harry Lee 38 and Chris Fyfe 38. Golf prize winners, Alisdair McLean 43, Bob Smith 40 and Denis McCormack 40. Brendan Gannon 40, Stephen Formby 39 and Logan Nayager 37.

August medal winners Cat I, Alan Ewing 68, Nick Shaw 69, and Mick Reeves 70.

Results of the day, the NTP’s.

Denis McCormack, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Terry Fitzgerald, Stuart Bulling, Bob Smith and Clive Jenkins. Cat. III Steve Formby 38, Kevin Fitzpatrick 35 and Giovanni Butto34.. Cat II Chris Daw 36, Mike Banfield 35 and Ian Sadler 35.

Cat I, Camillus Fitzpatrick 37, Colin Soones 36 and Bob Smith 33.

The gross was won by Clive Jenkins 31. Second overall

Mike Probert talks Golf H

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

Putting Practice Techniques Most golfers visit the putting green for a few minutes to pass the time before a round of golf or for hours if they have serious putting problems.

Like every form of practise, putting practise is important and should be taken as so,however that does not mean that you can’t have fun or be imaginative with your practise.

Here are a few examples of putting drills or games that you can adopt into your practise regime to make it more enjoyable.

Plant Pot Similar to a ‘plant’ in a game of pool or snooker, simply place one ball approx 3 inches from the hole and try to ‘pot’ it by striking another ball into it from approx 2-3 yards directly behind and on the same line. If you strike the putt correctly the ‘target’ ball will go into the hole and this method will help you to be more positive with your We at THE LEADER are committed to providing to our golfing readers affordable golf without the need to join a club or apply for a card but simply contact the number below to have instant access to discounted golf prices, many of which are exclusive to us: The deals shown in the table are some of the best prices currently available to you: Course Alenda Alicante Altorreal Bonalba Campoamor

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with 39 Logan Nayager and the winner and keeping it in the family Savi Nayager with 40 points.

Well done to all the winners and congratulations to so many who remained behind to honour those who won a prize.

Again well done on the pace of play are really making good progress in relation to slow play with the round of golf taking only four hours to get everyone finished, well done everyone.

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ALFIE’S GOLF SOCIETY La Marquesa – Thursday, 26th August 2021 - By Ian Connell, Captain Seventeen members and guests from Alfie’s GS played at La Marquesa in the eighth round of our annual competitions.

with 37 points, playing off a handicap of 20.

The course was in good condition, the bunkers were reasonable, and the greens were slow. The weather was hot and sunny, so good scores were forecast, and achieved.

Longest Drive on the 9th – Geoff Sinclair - Bottle of Gin

If you would like information on joining our club or entering a team in any of the federation events why not send an e-mail to johnobrienalicante@gmail.com or call 615 466 398

Runner up in the Gold Division was Steve Barlow with 35 points, playing off a handicap of 18.

Best Net Score on the 10th – Dave Steward – Albatross Golf Voucher Best Gross Score on the 13th – Geoff Sinclair – Albatross Golf Voucher Nearest the pin in 2 on the 15th – Steve Barlow – Bottle of Brandy Nearest the pin on the 16th – Bob Chambers – Albatross Golf Voucher

Just a few tips, do not wait until it is your turn to play to start your routine, putting on or taking off your glove, marking and cleaning your ball, selecting your club, measuring your distance for your shot etc. all of these can be done in advance and this will help the smooth flow of the game.

We have a waiting list in operation at the moment for membership at La Serena, however membership of The Celts is always available.

PAGE 21

Nearest the pin on the 17th – Clive Beresford – Albatross Golf Voucher Nearest the pin in 3 on the 18th – Geoff Sinclair – Albatross Golf Voucher The Blind pairs were won by Tony Hall and Bob Chambers.

The Captain’s Charity this year is “Help at Home” and we’ve just broken through the €1,100 barrier.

Well done everyone for your support.

Our winner of the Silver Division and our overall winner on the day - Bob Chambers with 41 points, playing off a handicap of 26.

Runner up in the Silver Division went to Paul Skillet with 39 points, playing off a handicap of 26.

The winner of the Gold Division was Dave Steward

Many thanks to our sponsors, also a big thank you to Gary and Ben at The Keg ‘N’ Kitchen for their continued support throughout the year. And finally thanks to all the members and guests for supporting Alfie’s Golf Society.

Our next outing is at La Torre on Thursday, 30th September, and is our Captain’s Day, and at the time of writing the list is full with a reserve list being run.

stroke, particularly around the hole.

will assist to eliminate this problem.

Through the Gate

Simply place two three-ball golf ball boxes approx 18 inches directly behind the hole and ensure that if you miss the putt that you at least hit the boxes.

Put two tee pegs into the ground four inches apart and both approx three feet from the hole and place a ball them a putter head length back from the tee pegs and try to hole the putt without the putter head following through far enough to strike the tee pegs. This technique will bring back a confident rap into your putting stroke, Leapfrog This is a good but difficult exercise in distance control.

Position a ball approx 6 ft in front of you and attempt to hit a putt which JUST passes the first ball and continue working your way across the putting green hitting each putt just past the previous one until you fail to hit past the last ball or if you run out of room and if you fail to hit a putt past the previous ball go back to the start and begin again.

For fun you can keep a record of how many you fit in across the putting green and try to beat your best score.

When you play on the golf course the boxes will make a good mental ‘image’ when you are putting.

Pencil Push If you are consistently short or tentative on ‘tiddler’ putts then this method can assist you with this problem.

Place a long pencil approx 4 inches from the hole and directly across the line of the putt and hold it into position at each end with two pitch mark repairers.

Place your ball approx 18 inches from the hole and try to hole the putt by hitting the ball hard enough to go over the pencil and into the hole.

This will promote a firm positive putting stroke.

Tee Time

Euro for Euro

When practising your putting immediately prior to a round of golf use a tee peg in the ground as your target because once you get onto the course the hole will appear to be the same size as a ‘Kentucky bucket’ and will assist your confidence because your mind will not register it as a ‘miss’ if you don't hit the tee peg.

The purpose of this exercise is to place a euro coin on the back of your putter and to keep it there on the back swing and through to impact and this will help to maintain a smooth putting action.

The most frustrating fault of all is leaving putts short and this method

No matter how good a golfer you are, at some time you will experience problems with your putting and as this represents at least 40% of your game these techniques will help you get through these frustrating times.

Don Cayo (Altea) €90 Two Green Fees & Buggy El Plantio €84 Two Green Fees & Buggy El Valle €140 Two Green Fees & Buggy Font Del Llop €82 Two Green Fees & Buggy (post hollow tining until 12/09/21) Hacienda Del Alamo €100 Two Green Fees & Buggy La Finca €180 Two Green Fees & Buggy La Marquesa €150 Two Green Fees & Buggy La Sella €130 Two Green Fees & Buggy La Serena €114 Two Green Fees & Buggy La Torre €140 Two Green Fees & Buggy Las Colinas €171 Two Green Fees & Buggy Las Ramblas €140 Two Green Fees & Buggy

Lorca €78 Two Green Fees & Buggy Lo Romero €166 Two Green Fees & Buggy Mar Menor €120 Two Green Fees & Buggy New Sierra Golf €85 Two Green Fees & Buggy Puig Campana €98 Two Green Fees & Buggy Roda €115 Two Green Fees & Buggy (3.30pm) Saurines €100 Two Green Fees & Buggy 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 (2.00pm) For Bookings and info Mike at info@costa-blanca-greenfees.com quoting reference LEADER or on 966 704 752 or 661 345 931

Boxing Day

PAGE 22

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whose main team also takes part in 'La Nostra Copa'.

As suchit is mandatory to enter with the main team. It cannot be played by the B team instead.

Clubs may voluntarily withdraw from this competition, otherwise, they will remain registered and will play La Nostra Copa .

Once the list of teams entered is finalised, the FFCV will publish a circular outlining the competition with all details.

La Nostra Copa pioneered in Spain, inspired by FA Cup

However, it is planned that it will be a one-off match at home for the lowercategory team.

The FA Cup was the first of football’s great competitions, the best loved and most watched domestic game on earth teams from the Valencian Community have the right to compete in this new competition, pioneering in Spain for the first time and inspired by the model of the English FA Cup. 75 teams from Preferente, 119 from Primera Regional and 182 from Segonda Regional have the right to play the I Copa Mediterrànea 'La Nostra Copa'.

By Andrew Atkinson The FFCV have announced the first round of the new Copa Comunitat

Mediterrànea 'La Nostra Copa' which will begin on September 12, and which also will give access for lower league

Provincial Council injects half a million euros into sports clubs

A

ssistance is primarily for teams that participate in national and European leagues, a total of 300,000 euros from which fifty Alicante clubs will benefit

The Diputación de Alicante will allocate half a million euros this year in support of sports clubs across the province to help with the development of activities, programs, tournaments and events of special interest. The funding has now been formally approved and will be centred around three areas.

Eduardo Dolón, has welcomed the commitment of the Diputación with the different sports clubs “which work, day after day, not only in the promotion of physical activity, but also in the teaching of values ??as an essential part of our society such as respect, effort, the spirit of improvement and commitment”.

The aid program for senior and open category teams that participate in national and European leagues has a provincial investment of 300,000 euros that will be distributed among fifty clubs.

They include the Lucentum Baloncesto Alicante Foundation, the Elche Handball Club, the Villajoyosa Rugby Club, the Benidorm Beach Volleyball Club, the UNASYR Table Tennis Club, the Amics de les Muntanyes Excursionista Center in Ibi and Torrevieja’s Jennifer Colino Rhythmic Gymnastics Club (See info across).

In addition, the Provincial Council will pay 150,000 euros toward the organisation, by 64 clubs and groups, of sporting events of special interest such as the World Sailing Championship, Flying Dutchman Class, the Villa de Aspe International Chess Open, the VI International Chess Tournament, Rugby 7s, the International Mountain Congress (CIMS) and the Pilota Valenciana a Palma Trophy 'Villa de La Nucía'.

A further grant will be allocated to the clubs that support disabled, adapted and inclusive participants in the province in the development of their activity -physical, intellectual and / or mental disability. A total of 19 groups will benefit from this, totalling 50,000 euros.

clubs to play the Copa del Rey 22/23 and to meet a La Liga team.

A statement from the FFCV said: 376

All Pereferentt, Primera and Segonda Regional teams will be able to participate in this cup, except for the second sides of a team that competes in the national category, or the reserve teams

The clashes,, until the round of 16 will be established by geographical location, wherever possible, trying to avoid long journeys From the lst 16 there will be no geographical limitation.

Prizes for victory and financial assistance for referees: For each round that a club competes in, the FFCV will award a financial prize.

This reward will increase each round until reaching the final.

The specific amounts will be specified in the competition rules that will be made public soon.

In addition, the FFCV will also grant financial assistance to pay for referees, the fees of which will increase as the competition progresss.

Registration now open at Jennifer Colino Rhythmic Gymnastics Club, Torrevieja

R

egistration is now open at the region’s premier Rhythmic Gymnastics Club, run by 3 x time Olympian Jennifer Colino, for all girls and boys from 3 years of age.

The new courses will start on 1 September, and you can register on the club's website (www.jennifercolino.com/club). Places are limited and adapted to current COVID-19 regulations It should be noted that the Rhythmic Gymnastics Club coaches at levels, from complete beginner to competition.

For more information you can email: clubjennifercolino@gmail.com, or call 691 107 884.

Emerald Isle Bowls Club

By Elwyn Morris The Emerald Isle Bowls club are very happy to be hosting a fund raising Bowls day on Sunday 5th September for The Royal British Legion.

It will be a 10 am start and there will be a full days bowling with a Major and Plate competition being played for.

Linea Directa is sponsoring the event and a great day of bowling is on the cards. All monies raised from the event will go The Royal British Legion, so turn up and watch and support the great cause On Wednesday the club hosted a pre season Friendly against Greenlands Bowls club, the result was a 13-3 win for the ISLE. Well done to all players great game in right spirit. The return leg will be played on Wed Sept 1st, looking forward to it Let’s hope all keeps going well and we can get back to some sort of normality by Oct when the competitive season begins.

Our SAPS are still taking place on Saturdays at 10am, so come along and enjoy 2 hours of bowling Shoes, Bowls and coaching provided, if needed, with a bar all for only 5 Euros

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PAGE 23

INAUGURAL TELFY TOURNAMENT COMPLETES THADER FRIENDLIES CF Orihuela 5-0 SC Torrevieja CD Thader 0-0 CF Orihuela (Orihuela won on penalties) CD Thader 2 - 1 SC Torrevieja

Action from the goalless draw, Orihuela v Thader @miguelmenarguez_photos

impressive brand new blue and white striped kit.

T

hader´s main sponsor Telfy, instigated a first tri tournament at Moi Gomez stadium last Saturday night.

As well as three 45-minute matches, the fans that remained were treated to Latino music by a Spanish rock group.

But, 3 days before Telfy´s tournament, Thader faced newly formed Costa City from Elche. Up against lower ranked sides in friendlies, Thader had so far come out on top, and this match was no exception.

Although the score line was 5-1, it could easily have been a lot more. Goals from Alberto, Quino, Lloyd, Jony & Dani Lucas, showed how there is new found belief to score throughout the team.

So, onto the tri tournament, and first up were tercera div side Orihuela against newly promoted 1st regional outfit SC Torrevieja. The gulf in class was evident, as Orihuela romped to an easy 5 goal victory, over a poor Torrevieja side.

Twas a quick turnaround for Orihuela, for less than 5 mins after the final whistle, they were back out on the pitch again. This time the opponents were hosts Thader, who were wearing a very

On 11 mins, Ruben, then Quino, then Ruben again, forced the opposition keeper into making 3 important saves in quick succession.

Orihuela should have opened the scoring on 14 mins, when Julen somehow shot wide of a gaping goal. Juan picked up a booking for a nasty foul on the edge of the box, as Thader came under the cosh.

Although Orihuela were creating the better chances, Quino almost stole the points for the hosts. Last season's top goal scorer, hit the side netting from an acute angle on 38 mins, then from the next attack, forced the keeper into a fine acrobatic save. Only a last-ditch goal line clearance on 42 mins, denied Orihuela from taking the lead, as the game finished all square.

As tournament rules dictated that a result was required, each side prepared to take an initial 3 penalties. Both Ruben and Dani Lucas sent the keeper the wrong way, but as all 3 Orihuela spot kicks were converted, Rafa´s missed effort proved costly.

Therefore, the Thader v Torrevieja match now became academic, as Orihuela had already won the tournament.

In a scrappy match, Thader should have made light work of their pink shirted opponents, but

eventually had to settle for a narrow victory.

Hortega´s header narrowly missed the target on 9 mins, following a delightful free kick to the far post by Ruben.

Next it was Borja, who could only watch as his goal bound effort was pushed aside. From the resultant corner, Fran found himself unmarked on the goal line, before applying a touch to put Thader ahead.

Midway through the half, Dani Lucas was brought down inside the box, dusted himself off, before cheekily

the position it deserves, as they have already shown," said Valero, with the club remaining in the 1st Regional after being placed in the relegation group fixtures last season.

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ocal club CD Murada has signed the journeyman and former CD Javea, CFI Alicante, Atzeneta, CD Almoradi, CD Torrevieja, Elche Ilicitiano, and Benidorm CF/Torrellano striker Francois Obele Mvondo.

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ormer Orihuela and Villarreal player José María Cases made his debut for Valencia 1st Regional Group 9 club Sporting Costa Blanca Torrevieja Club in a pre-season friendly against FB Redován last week.

goalkeeping Coach Ariel Barea and team delegate Dario Garcia for the coming season.

Veteran striker Cases, 34, gave Torrevieja a 1-0 win after slotting home a penalty, under the watchful eye of coach Carlos Pérez at the Esteban Rosado, along with Ramón, Samy, Alex, Ismael, Burgui, Kevin, Lucas Góngora, Lucas González, Arias and Cristian in the starting line-up.

Cases, who also played at Éibar, Mirandés/Panthrakikos, was signed by former CD Montesinos coach Pérez to bolster his squad, ahead of the 2021-22 season, that kicks-off in September. eanwhile, Racing San Miguel have retained their technical team first team coach Dani, Physical trainers Alejandro Rubido D'Angelo and Eneko Delgado Deacosta,

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"Obele has a powerful physique and great definition. He is a striker with a nose for goal. He also has extensive experience in the Preferential Third and Regional Group leagues," said a club spokesperson.

chipping an audacious penalty into the net.

Torrevieja pulled a goal back on 40 mins, then in the dying seconds, almost snatched an equaliser.

Next Sunday at 11.30 am, Thader embark on a new Preferente division season. Benferri will be the visitors to Moi Gomez stadium, Rojales, for what should be a hard game, if last season's 0-1 defeat is anything to go by.

Thursday Darts League AGM 19th August This terms meeting convened at the Tipsy Toad, El Galan. Fifteen teams attended and were subsequently unanimously voted in to compete the anticipated 2021 / 2022 season, this included a new venue The Wee Rock Cafe, to play under the title of Wee Rock Horrors.

Several teams chose not to compete this coming term, the overriding reasons, Brexit (3 month visiting rule) and Covid, with the current regulations still affecting many who wish to avoid crowds etc.

Ideally the committee would prefer 16 teams, which leaves the opportunity for one team to join. Anyone interested should contact Simone on simonedelacy@hotmail.com for further details. The league programme starts on the 23rd or 30th September, to include the usual competitions.

League Chairman Paul Durrant was delighted to announce the continued support of sponsors One Way Services, the legal eagles based in Quesada and S.S.D. the Tiling, Painting and building maintenance contractors, for a second term as league sponsors.

The Leader newspaper remains a firm partner reporting weekly result round ups, which includes regular participating bar advertisements. The league's financial status remains very healthy, teams provided with new dartboards and a subsidised presentation evening expected May 2022.

The committee comprises Paul Durrant, Chair, Simone de Lacy, Secretary, Bob Smith and Sid Cross, Officers.

One further arrival is midfielder Javier "We are committed to continuity for this Minutes are currently being circulated, Captains pack, (to inc, fixtures, Del Cueto while the club has retained new season because we believe it is neccomp. entry forms, contact sheets and boards where applicable) will be Victor 'The Beard' Segarra Rios. essary to give confidence to our players, particularSUDUKO SOLUTION Swastika. Sanskrit, sa (well)+ asti ly after a season as tough From From page 14 (being). 12. T'Pau. 13. Vestal virgins. 14. as the last one, in which ANSWERS FROM PAGE 14: a. Operation Petticoat, b. 20,000 1. Fiasco. 2. Mohandas Gandhi and no one could fully enjoy Leagues Under The Sea, c. K-19 Franklin D. Roosevelt. 3. Chile and football," said club Widowmaker, d. Fantastic Voyage, e.

President, Chema Valero. Ecuador. 4. Entrecote. 5. Kevin Phillips

TRIVEA QUIZ

The Covid-19 affected 2020-21 campaign resulted in fixture cancellations and a reformat of games, into two groups of relegation and promotion.

"We are convinced that they have the ability and desire to lead Racing to

(1999-2000, 30 goals). 6. d. HMS Pickle. 7. a. Let's Get Together (The Youngbloods), b. Let 'Em In (Paul McCartney), c. Tattoo (The Who), d. All The Young Dudes (Mott The Hoople), e.

Love And Marriage (Frank Sinatra), 8.

Lichtenstein. 9. Knighthood. (Sherlock Holmes declined in 'The Adventure of the Three Garridebs'). 10. a. The 9 of diamonds, b. The 4 of clubs. 11. The

Crimson Tide. 15. Roger Taylor. (English tennis professional, a drummer for Duran Duran and a drummer for the band Queen). 16. a. Who Are You, b.

Won't Get Fooled Again, c. Baba O'Riley. 17. Amadeus. (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart). 18. A mermaid like creature. 19. Constantinople, Byzantium and Nova Roma (New Rome, Second Rome). 20. Ob-la-di-ob-la-da

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