The Leader Newspaper Edition 848

No 848 Monday 4th - Sunday 10th January 2021

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We wish all our readers a very Happy New Year as we enter our 17th year as the oldest ‘FREE’ English language newspaper on the Costa Blanca

FEW ARE MORE WORTHY OF BEM

he New Year’s honours list includes a young man who moved to Villa Martin permanently 18 months ago, but still runs a charity in Bristol - England.

T

He is Daniel Edward Gallimore, now a

resident in Villa Martin, and he has been awarded the BEM: Daniel still runs a charity in England called ‘Have Stick Will Travel,’ that raises money to buy, mainly electronic gadgets, that can enhance the lives of blind and

poorly sighted people.He lost his own sight when he was 21, having gone to the aid of a young man of 18 who was being attacked by three older thugs by a Lloyds Bank cash point in Bristol.

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Continued from Page One New Years Honours List ADVERTISING SALES

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The original victim got off lightly with just a broken nose and bruises whilst Daniel was several month in Frenchay Hospital in a coma, waking up to discover he had lost his sight.

For this original act of bravery Dan received the Police Waley-Cohen award for bravery. This was followed in 1998 by the young achievers award and a visit to the Palace to meet the Queen and the majority of the Royal Family.

Wings (about Daniel's ordeal) and two novels The Poet's Trap and The Southerly Curse, as well as several poetry books and a third novel due out in the new year.

In addition to Daniel, who’s award was processed by channels in Bristol, there were four further awards in the Honours List for recipients living in Spain, There was an MBE for Mr William GRAVES, Trustee of the Fundación Robert Graves ‘For services to British culture and literature in Spain’

He then became the first Bravery Award winner at the Pride of Britain Awards in 1999, where he met some fascinating people. He has also been to two Palace Garden Parties.

An MBE to Ms Michelle Marie STEWART, Operations Manager, Consular Contact Centre, Malaga, Spain. ‘For services to British nationals overseas’

When Dan realised how expensive the items were that were needed to make life more normal for unsighted people he then decided to set up a charity – ‘Have Stick Will Travel’. His mother Sylvia and brother Adam are trustees and help with fund raising.

A British Empire Medal (BEM) to Mrs Sheila Anne BOWER, Volunteer for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal in Malaga. ‘For services to British nationals in Spain’

Dan also gives talks on how to interact with blind people, going into schools, offices, shops, anywhere he is asked. He especially likes talking in schools to show children that losing your sight is not the end of the world, though it feels like it initially.

He also likes youngsters to understand how a moment of madness, brought on by alcohol or drugs, can ruin a person's life, explaining how he lost his sight.

For many years, the charity also organised long weekends away, combining sighted members of the Somerville Club in Bishopston, Bristol, with the poorly sighted members of Avon Sports and Leisure for the Visually Impaired.

Originally these trips took them to Brussels, Ghent, Paris, Amsterdam, Bruges and Germany, amongst other easily assessable coach destinations.

Unfortunately, over the last 10 years, Health and Safety restrictions and general costs have changed the destinations to those in England, now usually Paignton or Torquay.

Money has been raised by many means, the usual raffles, dances, dinners, Elvis Evenings, Poetry readings, you name it, he has tried it.

Dan has also done personal fundraising by abseiling down the Avon Gorge in Bristol and the Evening Post building, off road driving, flying a glider, scuba diving and other slightly risky things.

Coronavirus has made fundraising difficult in 2020 so Dan has changed directions and now, with the help of Amazon self-publishing, he is having books published to raise money for his charity. Every penny raised through the sale of the books goes there.

The first book came out a few months ago and was called ‘The Penultimate Sacrifice,’ a rework of a book he had published earlier about reoccurring dreams.

The second book is original Fairy Tales called ‘The Unseeing Prince and other Fairy Tales’ for which he was assisted by his mother Sylvia.

Both books are available from Amazon in book form and on E. books.

There are many others in the pipe line including amusing stories and both serious and humorous poetry.

Daniel's mother is the author Sylvie Gallimore, who, along with her husband, is also a resident of Villamartin.

Her books include, The Wind Beneath My

A British Empire Medal (BEM) to Mr Barry HAMILTON, President and Director of Training, FAST (Medical Emergency Responders), Camposol, Mazarrón, Spain.

‘Also for services to British nationals in Spain’ There was a BEM for Barry Hamilton who is President of FAST in Camposol

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Health attend 537 out-of-hospital emergencies on New Year's Eve

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he Health Emergencies Service of the Ministry of Health, across the three Emergency Information and Coordination Centres (CICU), has attended 537 out-of-hospital emergencies on New Year's Eve between the three provinces, among which there were 18 ethyl poisonings, 13 assaults and six traffic accidents.

the curfew established at midnight.

On the last night of 2019, 584 incidents were recorded. The figure for this New Year's Eve is similar to previous years, due to the increase in care related to the pandemic, the CICU said in a statement.

The staff of the CICUs of the Valencian Community, made up of call centre staff, nursing staff and coordinating doctors, work nonstop every day of the year, 24 hours a day. After receiving calls the available emergency or emergency care resources are assigned, most appropriate to meet the request, following criteria of equity and effectiveness in care.

Of the total number of incidents attended from 8:00 p.m. on Thursday until 8:00 a.m. on Friday morning, 220 occurred in the province of Valencia, 197 in Alicante and 120 in Castell贸n.

Taking into account the type of emergency health care attended during New Year's Eve, there were 18 alcohol intoxications, compared to 142 registered on the last night of 2019. The CICU of Valencia has dealt with 9, Alicante 6 and In the province of Castell贸n there were 3 incidents.

There were also 13 emergencies derived from some type of aggression or fight; 39 took place on the previous New Year's Eve. Of the total, 7 were in the province of Valencia, 4 in Alicante, and 2 in Castell贸n.

Likewise, the CICU mobilized health resources to provide assistance in six traffic accidents, while on the same night of the previous year there were a total of 15. Of those that occurred this year, four took place in the province of Valencia, one in the Alicante and one in Castell贸n.

The data for these three types of incidents is much lower than those of previous years due to

The rest of the health emergencies managed during this atypical New Year's Eve correspond to medical conditions or common or domestic accidents.

EMERGENCY SANITARY SERVICES

New Year's Eve saw 537 out-of-hospital emergencies, with far fewer assaults and accidents than in 2019 Likewise, the SAMU (Urgent Medical Aid Service) works permanently, under the coordination of the CICU, to guarantee health care for vital emergencies and emergencies. Each unit of this service is equipped with technical means of advanced life support, and is staffed by a health emergency technician who acts as driver, a doctor and a nurse specialised in the care of critically ill patients.

Also there is the BLS units (Basic Life Support), assistance vehicles that work under the orders of the CICU, and that give immediate response to non-vital emergencies and medical transport. They are manned by two technicians in health emergencies, and these units are also equipped with intermediate and advanced medicalisation equipment which makes it possible to use these ambulances with medical and nursing personnel when required. In this way, the characteristics are practically similar to those of a SAMU or advanced life support ambulance.

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González Laya announces an Gibraltar agreement with London Foreign Minister, Arancha González Laya, announced an agreement with the United Kingdom by which the Schengen rules will be applied and the border with Gibraltar will be abolished.

According to the Spanish minister, Gibraltar will be joining the Schengen area, a European freetravel zone that is made up of 26 countries (22 from the EU, plus Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein), meaning that the border to enter the British Overseas Territory will no longer be at La Verja, but rather at Gibraltar’s port and airport.

The minister said that the agreement reached supposes "that the border is removed" by applying the rules of the Schengen Agreement, of which Spain must be the "last guarantor", although the agreement must still be put before Congress.

"Schengen is applied to Gibraltar, which allows the elimination of controls between Gibraltar and Spain," she pointed out, specifying that Frontex will play a role in assisting both at the port and at the airport, which will be points of entry into the Schengen area, during a transition period of 4 years.

FUTURE TREATY ON GIBRALTAR González Laya said that "this is the beginning of a new relationship" and has clarified that the agreement reached will serve as "the foundation of a future treaty between the EU and the United Kingdom regarding Gibraltar".

She added, the greatest difficulty lies in "the mobility of citizens, it is not so much a question of the fluidity of freight traffic" as may be the case in Northern Ireland.

However, she clarified that the British who travel to the Rock will still have to use their passport, since in the future they will be entering the Schengen area, of which the United Kingdom is not a member.

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ALICANTE FLIGHT SCARE 'We hit the ground with a massive bang - and saw the fire engines waiting outside the fire station'. Paul Mainwaring

By Andrew Atkinson A number of flights were left circling above Benidorm and Albir on Sunday evening - due to a scare at Alicante-Elche airport.

A plane from Bristol made an emergency landing at the airport after the pilot detected a problem in the brakes and activated the emergency protocol.

Emergency fire brigade services were on the scene following the landing of the Ryanair flight.

The alarm was raised after issues with overheating brakes and a subsequent risk of fire.

Firefighting fans were pointed in the direction of the brakes to reduce the heat with passengers having to wait to disembark.

One arrival caught up in the incident was from East Midlands to Alicante-Elche airport which had just 14 passengers on board, finally landing after circling Alicante for half an hour.

Paul Mainwaring, co-owner/partner of Luxury New Home Spain, was on the Ryanair flight from East Midlands airport with his wife Sue. "The pilot informed us that there was 10 minutes to landing, so the lights went out and we could see Alicante all lit up.

"Just as we were coming off the sea, the pilot did a left turn - and we headed back to sea!," said Paul.

"My wife's face was a picture - anyone that knows my wife knows she is not the best flyer.

"We circled around for 30 minutes and there were thoughts of an emergency landing.

"I tried to be calm, but have to admit I was getting a little bit worried," said Paul.

"The pilot then informed passengers 'five minutes to landing'. We hit the ground with a massive bang - and saw the fire engines waiting outside the fire station," added Paul.

Coronavirus Protocol at East Midlands Airport On the latest coronavirus protocol, Paul said: "We got into the queue at East Midlands and a Ryanair employee asked us if we had our PCR or LAMP test, QR code and Green card.

"I informed him we had a LAMP test yesterday at the airport. We didn't have the green card, but I had proof of our application in process. I was told to wait and speak to their colleague at the checkin desk.

"Two people in the queue in front of us were told they could not fly, because one hadn't got the result come through and the other, because their test was going to be past the 72 hours window of landing.

"We showed our LAMP test and QR code, and we were then asked to show our green cards. I explained that our application was in process and was trying to show proof, but they didn't want to see that and said we could not fly, without the green card.

"I asked to see a manager and was told to go over to the seated area, and wait to be seen.

"After about 25 minutes, and witnessing several other people being turned away, due to no green card or PCR/LAMP test, I went back to the desk.

"The lady was on the phone trying to get through to immigration in Alicante. She said they had been instructed not to let people through, without a green card.

"There have been quite a few people denied entry to Spain over the last two days, due to this.

"There was another guy next to me, who lived in Gran Alacant, and said he was a resident but could not find his green card. He was told if he didn't find it he wasn't flying.

"At the desk they eventually got through to immigration and started asking me questions: Can I see your NIE, Autonomo, tax declaration, Padron and proof of my application.

"I had all the documentation and she hung up and said 'okay you can fly' and we went through security. The call came for our gate and we boarded the plane.

"At Alicante, we went through passport control, then stood by several desks, alongside the baggage carousels, where we were asked to show our PCR or LAMP negative tests and QR codes.

"Nobody asked to see any residency documentation, that's why it is so strict at the UK side.

"Please make sure you have everything in order - or you will be told you cannot travel. Good luck, and stay safe."

Care Home residents to be vaccinated by 1 March The Alicante Consell says that all elderly residents and staff in the Province’s Care Homes will be vaccinated by 1 March.

The statement was made by the vice president and spokesperson, Mónica Oltra, who said that they plan to push ahead with the program during the month of January, and that it will overlap with the second dose for the first vaccinated (it must be follow at three weeks).

However, she added that "calculations are the calculations", and that "24 hours have already been lost" with the delay of delivery by Pfizer

on Monday. "The idea is that on 1 March everyone in our Care Homes will have been immunized, that is, they will ave been vaccinated and enough time will have passed for them to develop immunity."

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Majority of public believe that Felipe VI is honest 85% of Spaniards think that King Felipe VI is an honest person while 74% think quite the opposite of his father, the emeritus Juan Carlos I. This is revealed in a survey carried out by Hamalgama Métrica on the Crown, Felipe VI and Juan Carlos I, for the newspaper OK Diario.

To the question "Do you think that King Felipe VI is an honest person?” 85.7% of those surveyed answered yes.

Only 12.3% answered no while 2% said not sure.

But the figures change dramatically when the same question was asked of Juan Carlos I. Only 21.2% of those surveyed thought that the former Head of State is an honest person, while 74.1% think he is not.

The same survey also reveals that Spain continues to prefer a parliamentary monarchy as opposed to a republic with the data showing that 53.2% of those surveyed prefer a parliamentary monarchy.

Only 40.8% of voters said that they would opt for the republican option. 6% of those asked did not know.

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Three new waste collection trucks for Horadada Details of all the new routes are on the Council website.

The waste management concessionaire, STV Gestión, has added two electric porter-type vehicles, one of them with a hydro-cleaner, and a truck with a crane for collecting prunings to the waste collection fleet in Pilar de la Horadada together with 8 additional staff, and 8 more temporary workers that will be engaged during the summer period.

improve waste collection across the entire municipality with the addition of the new equipment and staff and now the company have no excuses as we intend to ensure that the service is better for everyone.

In addition, an electric brush cutter, an electric blower, and 8 new street cleaning trolleys have also been added.

He said that the Pilar de la Horadada Council extended the contract STV GESTIÓN in June, increasing the budget by 578,251.05 euros more than the price paid last year. The current cost now represents an expense of 4,155,857.12 euros per year.

At the presentation, the Mayor, José María Pérez, said that the Council is making efforts to

Details of all the new routes and frequencies are shown on the Council website.

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Valencian Community receives first large shipment of vaccine The vaccine arrived at Manises airport at 6:50 am Tuesday morning and was being distributed to care homes within the hour.

The Department of Health was able to resume it’s vaccination program against Covid-19 in care homes across the Valencian Community following the "logistical problem" suffered by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, which, on Sunday, prevented it from distributing vaccines to several European countries, including Spain.

The vaccines arrived at 6:50 am on Tuesday morning at the Manises air-

port and then escorted by the Civil Guard. This was the first large shipment to reach the Community with 30,000 doses in total for the Valencian Community in a 'package' which also included a consignment for Murcia.

The resumption of vaccination yhen tookplace onTuesday in some residences, depending on the arrival time of the doses at the three distribution centres.

The Valencian Community began it’s vaccination program against the coronavirus on Sunday with 775 doses of the Pfizer vaccine in seven

BRITISH STRAIN OF COVI D -19 FOU N D IN ELCHE HOSPITAL The General Hospital of Elche has detected two cases of patients who are carrying the new British strain of coronavirus.

These are the first two cases of this variant detected in the Valencian Community.

The finding has been confirmed after genetically sequencing the samples of two covid patients suspected of being carriers of this variant of the virus, confirmed by Antonio Galiana, principal investigator of the Microbiology service of the General Hospital of Elche.

This health centre is part, together with the General Hospital of Alicante, of the national Seqcovid consortium in charge of sequencing samples of covid patients to determine the transmission patterns of the virus.

Elche General Hospital

With this discovery, the Valencian Community joins other autonomies, such as Madrid and Andalusia, that have already detected cases of this new strain of coronavirus. The problem with these variants is that it is much more contagious. In fact, cases in the UK, where this strain is already dominant, have skyrocketed to levels not seen before during the pandemic.

Both patients in whom the variant has been detected are Spanish, one of them having recently travelled to the United Kingdom.

Nine confirmed cases in Spain This Monday, the director of the Centre for the Coordination of Health Alerts and Emergencies (CAES), Fernando Simon, reported that there were 9 confirmed cases of the new British strain, although there were more that were being investigated.

Of these cases, four have been located in Madrid and another five in Andalusia.

Simón explained that those infected showed symptoms four or five days after arriving from the United Kingdom. That is why he explained that the possibility of detecting them at the airport or at origin "was low."

nursing homes. As of now, each week, Pfizer is committed to delivering around 30,000 doses. Alicante receives 10,000 doses, Castellón, 5,000, and 16,000 will go to the province of Valencia.

Following completion of the vaccination program in nursing homes by 1 March, the next group will be health personnel with the vaccinations carried out according to the availability of the doses.

In total on Tuesday, Spain received 369,525 doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

The mayor of Orihuela, Emilio Bascuñana

Spain to keep controversial covid register The Minister of Health, Salvador Illa, has confirmed that although the vaccine is ‘voluntary and not mandatory,’ Spain will keep a national register of all those people who refuse to take the coronavirus vaccine.

He said that it is right and proper that the information be shared with other European partners but it will it will be maintained with the utmost respect for data protection, and it will not be made available to either the general public or to employers.

The minister confirmed that the vaccine will be provided free of charge by the National Health System and that each member of the public will be notified of their appointment to receive the vaccination in due course.

He also said that the way to defeat the virus was "to vaccinate everyone - the more the better," and that people should have confidence in the vaccine which is completely safe.”

Spain has been one of the countries in Europe worst affected by the virus.

As the number of people who have died from Covid-19 in Spain rose above the 50,000 mark on Monday, It is currently rolling out the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which was approved for EU member states last week, in care homes across the country.

Bascuñana, tests positive for coronavirus The mayor of Orihuela, Emilio Bascuñana released a video yesterday confirming that he has tested positive for coronavirus.

In the press clip he said that he is quarantining at home "following medical recommendations", with mild symptoms.

"Fortunately I am fine," he says, while emphasising that Orihuela residents should "be very strict and rigorous" with preventative measures.

He said "my task is now to be very careful with quarantine so that I can protect the people around me".

Bascuñana (61), a graduate in medicine and surgery and who was previously the manager of the Vega Baja Hospital, insists that Oriolanos

take care of themselves and ends the short message with his best wishes.

Since the pandemic began in the municipality of Orihuela, more than 2,200 cases of covid 19 have been registered and 47 people have died.

During the first wave, the municipality was one of those that suffered the smallest incidence, while in October and November the Generalitat had to impose restrictions when the municipality registered more than six hundred cases per one hundred thousand inhabitants.

Although that situation was reduced to less than half, it has now rebounded since the Constitution long weekend and the Christmas holidays.

Care home residents will be vaccinated by 1 March The Alicante Consell says that all elderly residents and staff in the Province’s Care Homes will be vaccinated by 1 March.

The statement was made by the vice president and spokesperson, Mónica Oltra, who said that they plan to push ahead with the program during the month of January, and that it will overlap with the second dose for the first vaccinated (it must be follow at three weeks).

However, she added that "calculations are the calculations", and that "24 hours have already been lost" with the delay of delivery by Pfizer on Monday. "The idea is that on 1 March everyone in our Care Homes will have been immunized, that is, they will ave been vaccinated and enough time will have passed for them to develop immunity."

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Torrevieja reports lowest rate of Covid Incidence falls from 100 infections

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First covid vaccine in Vega Baja given to 102 year old Ana

per 100,000 inhabitants to just 75 The Torrevieja health area is the only one in the Valencian Community with an incidence of coronavirus cases below one hundred infections per one hundred thousand inhabitants, currently just 75 cases per one hundred thousand inhabitants, according to the Generalitat.

The department suffered a rebound in positive tests ten days after the Constitution holiday long weekend but this has now stabilised. A situation that contrasts with the rising number of cases in the rest of the health areas of the province.

Hospital occupation compared to that being experienced only a month ago is far lower: now there are 20 patients on the wards for the virus; On November 25, the centre confirmed 47 patients hospitalised on wards and 15 in the ICU. However, with the ongoing Christmas, New Year and Three Kings holiday still to be concluded the authorities are certainly not resting on their laurels as they say they are well prepared for any spike that may arrive as people get back to work and to school.

There is no determining variable that explains the different evolution of the pandemic in the two health areas of Bajo Segura.

While Orihuela has registered a much higher number of cases and deaths in the second wave, during the first, between March and April, it was Torrevieja and its surroundings that were the most affected as the department of Health in Orihuela was the one that best dealt with the health crisis across the entire Community.

Ana celebrated her 102 years on Tuesday as she became the first person to be vaccinated against Covid 19 in the Vega Baja.

A native of the Estaciรณn neighborhood of Novelda, Ana Mira Palomares was the first of the 115 residents and 60 staff who welcomed the vaccination at the Vide Salud Care Home in Redovรกn.

Unfortunately both areas have recorded a high number of cases and deaths since the start of the pandemic. 120 deaths and 3,145 cases in the department of Torrevieja and 5,491 cases and 84 deaths in Orihuela.

The pandemic arrived in the Vega Baja last March with cases registered in Torrevieja, Guardamar and Orihuela Costa through residential tourism from Madrid as it then spread through a population with a percentage of people aged over 60 years that is close to 30%.

Meanwhile, the residents of Orihuela and its surroundings, with a slightly lower aged population, suffered rather less while Murcia got of lightly during the first wave but suffered badly during the second.

Teresa Valero was the first member of staff to be vaccinated in the centre: "We have spent a year living in fear, without being able to hug our friends, without being able to welcome our relatives to the centre, but now we believe that this vaccination is the beginning of something new and something very momentous, "she said excitedly.

Centre Director Javier Lillo said on Tuesday that the Care Home has not registered any case of coronavirus during the pandemic despite the fact that the facilities, one of the most important in the region, is located in one of the areas of the Vega Baja hardest hit by the second wave.

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Phoenix Car Club Christmas Car-Ols. The boys and girls of the Phoenix Car Club were on the road again in November and December with two drives within the Valencia region in

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keeping with the current restrictions.

In November we ventured to Hurchillo, Molins, Jacarilla and back via Torremendo for lunch in San Marino, Campoverde.

The December drive took us much further north to Mutxamel aerodrome and via the fabulous CV 819 to Tibi before returning via the AP7 for lunch at El Cortijo in Formentera where the club calendars were distributed and all the participants received their Christmas gifts.

The next drive is on January 17th and further info is on the website, www.phoenixcarclub.org

This type of survey is being carried out in Orihuela for the first time

Survey searches for city medieval walls A geophysical survey was carried out in Orihuela after Christmas using a georadar, in order to confirm the layout of the medieval walls in the city.

Councillor Rafael Almagro said, "It is a noninvasive technique, regularly used in archaeology, but for the first time in Orihuela."

It pinpoints the structure of the subsoil from the transmission of electromagnetic impulses, due to the presence of buried structures or lithological variations in the soil.

The project was funded by the Department of Historical Heritage, and carried out by the company Oppida S.L. at a cost of € 3,627.58.

Six areas were surveyed from which the data collected is still being gathered together.

Once this is done the data will be processed and studied, which will still take several days, “after which we will be able to learn about new aspects of the city’s medieval defensive system,” said Almagro.

Police Local Los Montesinos virtual reality headset

By Andrew Atkinson The Police Local Los Montesinos are to get a virtual reality headset to bring the force up to date with the latest technology.

The oculus job3, framed in the Smart City project, is financed with European funds.

Heuchera bell-shaped flowers ring in the Spring-early summer The Heuchera - Coral Bells - is a perennial foliage plant, with literally hundreds of varieties available to choose from.

ser, to replenish nutrients that leech from the soil.

Heuchera, at home in containers, rock gardens and borders, are ideal for ground cover and make wonderful edging plants.

Their beautiful small bell-shaped flowers appear in Spring or early summer on tall stems, being a lovely cut flower.

The flowers are rich in nectar, attracting hummingbirds, or the hummingbird moth and butterflies into the garden.

Container grown Heucheras will benefit from feeding with water-soluble fertili-

Their leaves are rounded, lobed, hairy, and evergreen or semi-evergreen,

depending on the climate.

Having traditional green-leaved coral bells, there are new varieties of Heuchera, with leaves in shades of purple, rose, lime green, gold, and a plethora of variegations in between.

Heucheras do best in partial shade, especially in hotter climates, such as Spain. The colour can wash out in full sun, and too

"With this helmet a trained aofficer will be in charge, exclusively, of controlling, in real time, the 25 road cameras in our municipality, instantly detecting the infractions and crimes committed. The future has arrived," said a police spokesperson.

much heat and light can cause leaves to scorch.

bling the plant's energy to grow more leaves.

If you do grow in full sun, give them extra water as their shallow roots will need extra moisture during hot, sunny days.

Heuchera are a short-lived perennial, so divide plants in early Spring or early autumn, every three to five years, to keep them healthy.

If planted in damp shade, they can be prone to fungus diseases. If your plants start having problems, it's best to move them to a drier site.

If the leaves get a bit weary looking, especially after winter, cut them back and new growth should fill in quickly.

Easy to maintain by cutting back the entire flower stalk, after flowering, ena-

Fertiliser Heucheras in the Spring, with a 1/2-inch layer of compost, or a light amount of slow-release fertiliser.

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JANUARY SALES, LAST HOPE FOR MANY T

he Murcian Federation of small businesses have said that the January sales campaign can save many businesses from closing down.

Cartagena shopkeepers see the coming weeks as "crucial" while those in Murcia appeal to the public to provide their support.

After a black 2020 for trade, 2021 is fraught with uncertainty for many businesses in this sector.

Now, with January, we will see the arrival of the traditional sales, a campaign that some shopkeepers in the Region see as the only possible salvation for hundreds of small businesses that face closure if they are not able to turn around the losses they have endured during the

The sales are the very last opportunity that many shopkeepers have to save their businesses

economic crisis that has brought by coronavirus.

Some businessmen haven’t waited for January 8 to introduce their offers, as they hope they can encourage sales that have been weak, and have fallen dramatically, by starting early, and although right now it seems that it is picking up a little, it is nothing compared to other years.

Carmen Piñero, president of the Trade Federation of the Region of Murcia (Coremur) and the Triángulo de Murcia association, says that "there are many businesses that depend on the Christmas and January sales campaigns to survive”.

In Cartagena, many of the sales began weeks ago. Its shopkeepers say they have had to go out of their way to offer big discounts and sales to attract customers. "This has been the only way that most stores have been able to survive," says Antonio Sánchez Casado, president of the Centro Comercial Abierto.

Campaigns have also been carried out in Murcia to promote sales, such as the Discount Fair held by the City Council and the Murcia Commercial Area Federation (Femuac), whose president, Santiago Vera, says of the situation: “The year was very bad, and unfortunately the sales are not going to fix it”. With more than 40 years dedicated to the retail business, he insists that sales "are not a lifeline, nor is having discounts all year long."

Vera says that "but we are going to try to take advantage of the January sales, but it is uncertain, we do not

know if people are going to come to the local shops." "The only way to save many of the businesses is if the people come."

“During previous years, with the arrival of the cold weather, people were encouraged to buy warm clothes, footwear and also party clothes; But as we now go out less from home and there are no big events, sales have fallen”, explains the spokesman of Cartagena merchants. For this reason, although small businessmen will continue with their sales campaigns, they do not expect large sales figures, but rather "they will settle for enough to keep them open, so as not to have to close their doors for good.”

PAGE 14

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CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

QUICKIE CROSSWORD

ANSWERS Week 847 QUICK ACROSS: 6 Shackle; 7 Rural; 9 Box; 10 Unhelpful; 12 Prevaricate; 15 Affiliation; 17 Decadence; 19 Cry; 21 Scull; 22 Garnish.

DOWN: 1 Throw; 2 Act; 3 Glen; 4 Suspicion; 5 Faculty; 8 Secret; 11 Irritable; 13 Veiled; 14 Offence; 16 Trust; 18 Coax; 20 Ink. CRYPTIC CRYPTIC ACROSS: 6 Groomed; 7 Whole; 9 Dun; 10 Allotment; 12 Down-to-

ACROSS 1.

Present (4) 8.

Play-list (10) 9.

Youthful (8) 10. Volume (4) 12. Gag (6) 14. Fatal (6) 15. Stabbing weapon (6) 17. Waver (6) 18. Hide (4) 19. Dogma (8) 21. Certainty (10) 22. Deposit (4) CAN YOU MASTER THE SUDOKU CHALLENGE? Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.

Solution on Page 23

DOWN 2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

11.

13.

16.

17.

18.

20.

earth; 15 Contracting; 17 Depict (10) Loyal (4) Elf (6) Ally (6) Difference (8) Yield (4) 1000 years (10) Runaway (8) Lessen (6) Fraud (6) Step (4) Peel (4)

Carollers; 19 Ale; 21 Flash; 22 Husband.

DOWN: 1 Argue; 2 Top; 3 Meal; 4 Champagne; 5 Planets; 8 Got out; 11 Boathouse; 13 Nearly; 14 Totally; 16 Fling; 18 Rout; 20 Ebb.

ACROSS 1. Its lot is to be soundly beaten (4) 8. Malaise causes animosity? (3-7) 9. Air got at one who stirs things up (8) 10. Could be a catch in this deep voice? (4) 12. Outcast has father with untidy hair (6) 14. One may find out he was a knight's attendant (6) 15. Standing half lost at American get-together (6) 17. Compared with dunderhead missing from near sick person (6) 18. Strait-laced, but not quite of the best quality (4) 19. Social gathering for politicians in Boston? (3-5) 21. Job centre? (4,6) 22. It states where what is left should go (4)

L EA D E R T R I V I A Q U I Z 1. Wet Wet Wet had a number one hit in the UK charts with 'Love is all around'. Which prehistoric band was the first to make the song a hit?

2. The word for "unreasonably or illogically optimistic" stems from a fictional girl who played 'The Glad Game' when faced with life's difficulties. What is her name?

3. In which three countries in the world would one find the most Spanish speaking people?

4. Deux-Deux was an able assistant in which popular TV show?

5. Which solo performer was Time Magazine's first 'Man of the Year' in 1927, and to this day, still the youngest winner?

6. Name the three people with the initials B. M. that have stars for excellence in recording (music) on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

7. The name of which 19th century Swiss hotel owner became a synonym for luxury, elegance, style and 'taste'?

8. Umami is one of the five what?

9. Dick Powell, Humphrey Bogart, James Garner, Elliot Gould and Robert Mitchum have all played which hard drinking character in film?

10. Can you name the last four clubs from outside of the top level of

DOWN 2. Circus MC has to telephone expert (4-6) 3. Money-making herb? (4) 4. Tightly grasp part of car (6) 5. Almost never, not ever before time (6) 6. Artful person upsets bossy lot (8) 7. Initially attenuated, grew ever such a long time (4) 11. Stop - don't fidget! (10) 13. Suggest resident swallowed it up (8) 16. Begin to counterbalance (3,3) 17. Nut country (6) 18. Sharp operators hide church leader (4) 20. Article you and I write up afresh (4)

( A n s we r s o n p a g e 2 3 ) English football to reach the F.A. Cup final?

11. Figaro, Arlene, World War Two, Bastet and Jonesy are all examples of what?

12. In which Bond film does Big Ben chime seven times at 6 pm, a signal that the British government has accepted SPECTRE's exorbitant ransom demands?

13. What is the opposite of the Lima syndrome?

14. P&O Shipping. What do 'P' and 'O' stand for?

15. Which two present day NATO members have at one time withdrawn from the alliance?

16. Who was the only man to win a posthumous Academy Award for best actor? (not best supporting actor) 17. Name the six longest rivers in the world with a colour in their name.

(Colours in the English language) 18. The five red crosses found on the flag of Georgia are said to have which religious significance?

19. The 'Impressionist' movement takes its name from the 1872 painting 'Impression, soleil levant' (Impression, Sunrise). Who painted it?

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Monday 4th - Sunday 10th January, 2021

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

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

CAR SALES

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

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

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

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

Phone or whatsapp the missionaries on 648 914 347

The Car of the Month at Automoviles Crespo is a 2017 Ford Ecosport petrol which is on Special Offer priced at just 15,500 euro. Come along to our showroom in Elche and see our vast range of new and used cars or call 96 666 22 60 for all our latest offers. The biggest and best for price, choice and quality. ENGLISH SPOKEN

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

They will return in January on the 3rd Thursday evening.

Call Jean for info on: 630 28 08 99.

The Royal British Legion, Torrevieja Branch - Meet the second Friday of the month at Casa Ventura, San Luis start-

ing at 7.00 p.m. New members are always welcome. You do not have to be ex-services. For more infor please contact:gill.burden20@gmail.com Age Concern Costa Blanca Sur is here to help you with problem solving and well being for the over 50’s. We need volunteer Drivers and people to join our Residential Home Visiting Team. to visit people in a Residential Home, and take them out for a coffee. If you think you can help call into our centre at C/Paganini s/n, Urb. La Siesta 03184 Torrevieja or ring 966 786 887. Or email: costablanca@ageconcern.org.es Almoradi Meal Club. If do you fancy a meal out and meeting new friends, come and join our English speaking club. We have twice monthly meals at various restaurants in and around Almoradi. For info go to FaceBook or email: davedanie@gmail.com.

Badminton in Pilar de la

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

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

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

Due to covid-19 restrictions we cannot hold General Meetings at the moment however, we were able to comply with regulations and hold a Battle of Britain Service and a Dinner Dance (without dancing)! We also provide a social hub for members and hold lunches every month. To fund Welfare we raise money through the Wings Appeal. To find out more contact Chairman Tony at tony.elaine.cuenta@gmail.com . For Welfare contact David on 615 048 892. For general information on RAFA visit www.rafa.org.uk.

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

Curious about the work of Samaritans in Spain? Have a few hours a week to help with the charity shop, fundraising or admin? Come and join us for a chat at our Centre in the

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Punta Marina Shopping Centre. Volunteers are unpaid but expenses are met. Email: spainsamsrecruits @outlook.com The Orihuela Costa Drop In Centre in C/Cipres, Lomas de Cabo Roig, is currently closed.

We hope to reopen in January when we can offer you a full range of activities Info at: oc.communitycare @gmail.com

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Ryanair in talks to increase flights to Spain

By Andrew Atkinson Ryanair are in discussions with Spanish airports hoping to pick up on extra flights from those airlines that have folded and gone into administration in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The latest airlines bombshells came with the new coronavirus strain, that led to flight cancellations at Christmas.

Countries, including Spain, closed their borders to the UK over concerns of a new strain of the virus.

One Covid protocol now is that passengers are only allowed to enter Spain, if they are Nationals or Residents of the country. Non-residents are not allowed.

“Somebody has to step up and take that capacity”, said Ryanair's Chief executive Michael O'Leary.

Norwegian Air went into administration in November with Ryanair eyeing filling in slots in 2021, at a time when airlines are facing a major crisis, ignited by COVID-19.

"It is a huge disappointment in not being able to fly to Alicante-Elche airport from the UK," Val Breedon, who has a property in Los Montesinos told The Leader.

Thomas Cook and Flybe are among other airlines that have collapsed during the coronavirus pandemic.

"We have rebooked our flight for March 2021 and hopefully we can get back to Spain then, fingers crossed," she added.

“I have never in my 30 years in the industry seen such a cleanout,” O’Leary told the Financial Times.

“The real seismic change from Covid will be the growth opportunities across Europe. They are much greater than after the financial crisis or 9/11," he said.

Ryanair has confirmed a discounted order for Boeing's troubled 737 Max aircraft, which will cut its costs further when it begins taking deliveries from early 2021.

Val Breedon and husband Mark

"The question is which airports are most commercial about re-growing their traffic quickly in summer 2021,” he said.

Following easyJet announcing the closure of its base at London Stanstead, Ryanair have filled 300 of easyJet’s weekly slots at the airport for summer 2021.

Ryanair suffered a net loss of €197m for the six months to September, with losses in the second half of its financial year expected to be even higher.

Ryanair and other commercial airlines dependency lies in the speed of COVID-19 vaccines by governments.

“Ultimately they will throw so much money at the vaccine they will get there fairly quickly,” O'Leary said of the UK Government.

“We have consistently been planning for a reasonably quick recovery and constantly disappointed - what has changed is the arrival of the vaccines,” said O’Leary.

“The issue for our industry is: 'Will the recovery be in May or August? We just don’t know'," he added.

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New survey reveals EV switchers don’t look back

A

new poll of Zap-Map’s community of electric vehicle (EV) drivers has revealed more than 90% of drivers will not be replacing their current EV with a petrol and diesel vehicle.

The results are strong evidence of the fundamental shift in consumer attitudes in favour of environmentally friendly cars. In the poll, which was carried out in November 2020 with over 2,000 respondents, 91% said “no thanks” to replacing their EVs with a petrol or diesel vehicle; and in stark contrast less than 1% were hankering for a return to fossil fuels. 9% said they were not sure.

The majority of respondents were first-time EV drivers, with 73% stating their current vehicle was their first EV, and 52% making the purchase within the last year. Driver satisfaction was notably higher for both battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, with EV drivers reporting a satisfaction score of 91 out of 100 (BEV 92, PHEV 84)[1], compared with only 72 for petrol or diesel vehicle ownership.

The data overwhelmingly shows the positive impact of the EV experience on drivers who may have become accustomed to loud, inefficient, and dirty fossil fuel vehicles.

EV models which received the highest satisfaction scores included: the Volkswagen ID.3, Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid, and BMW 3 Series saloon (all 100); Tesla Model 3 (96); Kia e-Niro (96); and the Hyundai KONA electric (94). Nearly all the models, including popular ones such as the Renault Zoe (92) and Nissan Leaf (90), also achieved high levels of driver commitment.

The survey results come at a time of record-breaking sales for the electric vehicle industry. Latest industry figures show that for the year-to-date 9.7% of all new car sales had a plug, compared to 3.2%

in 2019, and 1.1% in 2015.

Melanie Shufflebotham, CoFounder of Zap-Map, commented: “Our latest poll shows the strong and enduring impact of switching to a clean car. The evidence in favour of electric vehicles grows more compelling with each one of our surveys, even in a year as disruptive as 2020.

“The challenge for the automotive industry is to take advantage of the opportunities that EVs present, not only in terms of the rapidly expanding range, but also ensuring that sales staff are knowledgeable enough to present the benefits to their customers.

“At Zap-Map we monitor the growth of the charging network and it’s clear that many of the historical challenges of owning and running an EV have fallen away. The dramatic growth in EV sales in 2020 is one of the good news stories to come out of this difficult year for the car industry.”

RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “While the challenge is often convincing owners of petrol and diesel vehicles to switch to an electric vehicle in the first place, this data shows that once people have done so they seldom look back - which is also positive news for manufacturers that are investing heavily in electric vehicles and cleaner technology.

“While would-be electric car drivers might worry about range anxi-

ety, they should also be aware that the number public charge points is increasing rapidly and infrastructure continues to improve.

They should also remember that the vast majority of their journeys are unlikely to be over several hundred miles meaning that for dayto-day travel, operating an electric vehicle is a clean and cost-effective option.

“These figures show the momentum that is behind getting drivers into electric vehicles, something that is likely to build as we move closer to the end of the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.

We are doing our bit in giving drivers confidence they can make the switch, with 80 of our patrol vans now fitted with mobile emergency charging units, and half our fleet fitted with All-Wheels-Up recovery systems, removing the need for drivers to wait for a flatbed if they need a tow.”

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Stunning lighting system installed in Church Towers

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POETS CORNER A doggie home

By Carolynn Barclay I remember a time, not so long ago, When my house was spotlessly clean.

Everything shining and, in its place, Not a speck of dust to be seen.

By Andrew Atkinson Torrevieja Church of the Immaculate Conception is set to undergo high tech modifications - with the bell towers linked to a

thermometer that will record temperature changes from 7 January.

The Church towers have been illuminated in red during Christmas, but currently being

Defibrillators for Rafal Local Police

installed is a computerised system that will record all future changes in temperature.What this will mean is that when the temperature is higher than 30ºC, the bell towers will be illuminated in red; they will light up yellow when it falls below that figure and green when it falls below 20ºC. When the temperature drops below 10ºC they towers will be lit in blue.

Rafal now has two new defibrillators that have been issued to the Local Police. The purchase was made with a grant from the Alicante Provincial Council.

The towers will be multi coloured on days when it snows.

The decision was made to issue them to the police who will carry them in their patrol vehicles, allowing officers to quickly attend to anyone who suffers a cardiorespiratory arrest and thus increase their chances of survival while waiting for the arrival of emergency services.

The lighting system will be connected to the Mastral Project stations, located in the city centre.

It is now intended to purchase further equipment for the Sports Hall.

Rafal has a project chosen by the public in its participatory budgets called 'Rafal Cardioprotegido'. It is planned to be launched in 2021 as it had to be postponed due to the pandemic.

It will include talks, workshops, etc. aimed at the entire population, from young people to retirees. "The intention is that we all know how to act effectively in the event of a cardiorespiratory arrest, choking or any other action that requires prompt attention until the emergency services arrive," said the councillor, Manuel Pineda.

Butron meets Minister of Works

By Andrew Atkinson The Regional Minister for Territorial Policy, Public Works and Mobility, Arcadi Spain, the Deputy Director General for Mobility, Josep Llin and Head of the Territorial Service for Public Works, Enrique del Río, visited Los Montesinos to overlook the road safety improvement works on the CV-945 highway.

The works accesses to the industrial estate in the PK. 1 + 050.

The Mayor Jose Manuel Butron, along with the members of the government team, expressed to the Councillor and the technical teams different future improvements that remain to be carried out in the Vega Baja town.

Works outlined include extending the cycle lane to Torrevieja and the Vía Verde, lighting, and transportation or the General Plan, among others.

Following the Polígono Industrial roundabout works, scheduled to be completed in January, the Department will begin two new roundabouts on Avenida del Mar. The construction of a pavement in Los Pérez has also been outlined.

Torrevieja employs 57 new Anti-Covid staff A further 57 people were added to the ECOVID program last Monday by the Torrevieja Council.

They will all carry out works or services that reinforce the municipal services and departments, aimed specifically at preventing, containing or mitigating the effects of COVID-19 in the municipality.

They will control entrances and exits in municipal buildings and markets, verifying compliance with preventive measures, as well as the disinfection of public spaces.

The staff were employed following receipt of a grant from LABORA, co-financed by the European Social Fund, of 1,060,285 euros, which will allows the employment of 47 full time staff for a period of 6 months and a further 10 staff for a year.

The Council has co-financed the contracts with a municipal contribution of more than 215,000 euros. During 2020, a total of 67 unemployed people have now joined the Torrevieja City Council thanks to the subsidies received from LABORA.

Those days are now a memory to me, Like, when the time my floor was wet, It was from the fact, I’d just finished mopping, And not from my swimming pet!

I’m glad I don’t have carpets here, So, pleased I just have tiles, Coz when Red comes in from having a swim, She’s dripping, and I swear she smiles.

She just came in, from having a swim, It’s her fourth already today!

She’s dripping with water, there are puddles everywhere Oh Red....., just what can I say.

She’s desperate now, to get up on the chair, Because of course, the floor is too wet, She’s being refused, but with her puppy dog eyes, Daddy will soon let her, I bet.

I used to enjoy a relax on a chair, Or a lie down to read on the settee.

Now the furniture, is covered in dogs, There’s little room left for me.

I quite enjoyed the view outside, Through my windows, that were sparking clean.

Now they’re covered in doggie drool, Which kind of changes out the scene.

Would I go back to a spotless house?

To a home and no dog hair?

Hell no, I love my dogs, and all their flaws, And I love to have them there.

If a bit of drool and a few stray hairs, And puddles upon my floor, Are the only drawbacks of my lovely dogs, I’ll happily put up with more.

New employee for San Fulgencio Council A grant of 15,207.24 euros from the EMPUJU employment program, co-financed by the European Social Fund, for the hiring of young people under 30 years of age, has allowed the council to take on one new employee on a 12 month contract.

The worker will carry out maintenance tasks in the municipality of San Fulgencio, “in which he will be in charge of cleaning and maintaining different areas of the municipality in support of the municipal brigade”.

The Councillor for Employment welcomed the worker saying that “it is our job as the City Council to encourage the hiring of the young people in San Fulgencio through multiple initiatives, among which the introduction of this type of programs stands out.”

PAGE 20

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El Rancho club singles champions.

Singles champions Ngaio Baldwin and Eddie Thomson

With there being only a remote chance of inter club bowls in the New Year season, El Rancho chose to play the club championships earlier than normal and take advantage of the good weather and avoid the disappointment of players being unable to travel back post Christmas and complete the championships. We had splendid play with some new names to appear on the honours board, always a good inspiration to our bowlers.

One such new name was the ladies singles champion Ngaio Baldwin, who has seen her quality of play escalate with a change of bowls and confidence giving her a well deserved win. The men’s title was taken

by Eddie Thomson whose name has many entries on the board and always gives a great show of his talent.

The Ladies Pairs was taken by Sheila Cox and Diane Yates holding firm and putting on a good show against tough opposition in every round. The men’s pairs was taken by the formidable pairing of Eddie Thomson and Richard Lee, providing the quality we have come to expect. The mixed pairs winners were Sheila and Mike Cox, who put in a performance worthy of true champions. The mixed trips winners were Irene and Eddie Thomson with Malc Sykes, taking on strong opposition to give us a final to applaud.

The New Year will bring a new internal drawn pairs league to be played on Mondays and Fridays to replace the inter club leagues and as always the chest competition on Tuesdays and chicken run on Thursdays, a veritable feast of bowling activity for our bowlers.

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

San Luis Bowls Club

Saturday mornings, 9.30 for 10.00 am.

These sessions are enjoyable and all well attended.

We wish all our members and their families, and other bowlers, a happy New Year.

On 6th January we have a challenge match with the Royal British Legion.

The club Championships are rolling out from early January and the competition's secretary has issued schedules.

We continue to have bowling competitions on Monday and Friday and Vic's hamper on

All bowling will be played under the strict bowling protocol for safety during the

We look forward 2021 bringing a more normal situation. Keep safe.

Covid19 pandemic.

Covid-19 costs World Snooker Championship £2.5m

By Andrew Atkinson

Quote: 'It is like the tournament takes great pleasure in kicking me in the nuts' - World Snooker Chief Barry Hearn OBE Barry Hearn, a recipient of and OBE in the New Years Honours List, has confirmed the 'Tier-Four' restrictions in the UK will mean the Masters Snooker at Alexander Palace during January 12-19 will be behind closed doors.

"It is a mess. The Masters was all systems go - suddenly now, realistically, we have a problem," said World Snooker chief Hearn.

The latest coronavirus outbreak situation comes on the back of the World Championship in August - and the PDC darts in December – both played behind closed doors.

crowds.

"The darts, all of a sudden after one day with live crowds - gone. These things cost a lot of money.

"Even if we come out of whatever tier we are in now, which they are making up as they go along, I have to make decisions about things like tiered seating at 'Ally Pally', under covid-rules.

"We don't get any payment from the government, even as a pilot scheme. I'm not moaning, just stating a fact.

"Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State, said we can continue to put on professional tournaments behind closed doors. "How quickly we return to any kind of normality with the crowds I don't know. "I am thinking that perhaps it will be the Crucible for the World Championships in April."

A capacity audience of 1,000 per session was scheduled at the Masters.

On a brighter note Barry couldn’t hide his joy when an email arrived in his inbox saying he would be recognised in the New Year Honours List for services to sport throughout an illustrious career.

On COVID-19, Hearn said: "It is like this whole thing is taking great pleasure in kicking me in the nuts.

The 72-year-old said he was gobsmacked, “a recognition that is quite humbling”.

"Every time I spend a load of money, there is no payback. We had the snooker at the Crucible, but just half a day before the government changed their minds on

The award for Hearn is long overdue when you consider his 45-year sporting record, perhaps unrivalled by any other sports promoter in the UK or abroad.

"We lost £2.5m at the Crucible,£4m at the darts, and the Masters £750,000," revealed Hearn.

The World Snooker Championship at the Crucible lost £2.5m

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IV San Miguel Arcángel Christmas Tournament

By Andrew Atkinson

PAGE 21

Injury list mounts at Racing San Miguel Andrew Atkinson Chief Sports Editor

The fourth Christmas tournament organised by FB Redovan CF of the Alevin and Benjamin categories was a huge success in the midst of the coronavirus situation.

In the Alevin category, the host Alevin A of FB Redovan CF defeated CD Intangco Elche 6-3 in the final, with third place being Atletico Catral CF and fourth place Pablo Iglesias.

In the Benjamin category in an exciting final - decided on a penalty shoot-out - Atletico Catral were proclaimed champions against Academia Benferri Oleza, with third place going to FB Redovan CF and fourth place to CD Intangco Elche.

"Thanks goes to all those attending the tournament for the protocol measures adhered and the teams that had an exemplary behaviour on a great football day to say goodbye to 2020," said a spokesperson.

Torrevieja C.F. Shirts now on sale

Vazquinho and Dani O'Rourke Regional Group 10 Racing San Miguel player Dani O'Rourke has been sidelined until February, after sustaining a sprain of the internal ligament of his right knee, joining a long list of injuries at the club.

"Despite the significant casualties we have, if something has shown this team, is that it is capable of opposing any adversity," Dani told The Leader.

With fixtures set to resume on January 10 after the festive break, Dani said: "The matches will be taken with dedication and a lot of work.

"The squad are delighted that they return to the white mountain. The fans are the twelfth player - the ones who push us not to lower our arms - and take the games."

Dani suffered injury against Monnegre Mutxamel on December 19: "It is estimated that Dani will be out of action for a month and a half, approximately.

"The loss adds to the long list of injuries that has reduced the squad in recent months," said a spokesperson from the club.

Racing San Miguel Miguel casualties include Richard: Sprain of the internal knee ligament.

The football club has recently released it’s 2020/21 range of clothing to the general public.

Vasquinho: meniscus operation; Antonio: bone edema in the foot; Javi: ankle sprain; Esteban: quadriceps tear.

Items on offer include team shirts along with tracksuits, tshirts, polo and sweatshirts, all printed with the Torrevieja C.F logo’s and emblems.

"Encouragement is sent to the injured players so that they continue working on their recoveries, and will return soon.

"We are confident that the new year will bring us joys in the form of recoveries, that we will increase our numbers for the game on January 10, and that all of them can enjoy football as they deserve," said a spokesperson.

The clothing is manufactured by the brand JOMA Total Sport and are available in all sizes.

Members and supporters of Torrevieja C.F. have a special discount when purchasing any of the products which are available in the sports shop ‘Sport Torrevieja’ in Plaza. Isabel II

By Andrew Atkinson Aspe UD A top the Valencia 1st Regional Group 10 going into the opening fixture of 2021 with 21 points.

Aspe UD A top Valencia 1st Regional G10 Atletico de Catral

Second place CF Rafal have 18 points having defeated CF Orihuela, prior to the festive break, with CF Benijofar sitting third on 16 points despite losing 3-1 at CD Cox. Atletico de Catral CF are in fourth place on 14 points ahead of CD Montesinos on goal difference.

In the Valencia 2nd Regional Group 17 Sporting Costa Blanca top the table on 21 points on goal difference to CF Atletico Algorfa after a 2-1 win against them ahead of the break.

Bigastro CF sit in third spot on 16 points, after defending Formentera 3-1.

Guardamar Soccer CD A are in fourth place on 15 points, with Atletico Benejuzar A fifth on 13 points, ahead of sixth place Torrevieja CF on goal difference.

PAGE 22

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Gerwyn Price eyes World Top Spot

Price to ‘tame’ Anderson’s antics in World’s Final Gerwyn Price overcame a strong Stephen Bunting challenge to earn his 1st World Championship final appearance. Winning the 1st set comfortably, the Welshman found himself 3-1 down at the start of the fifth, Bunting looking very much at home on the Ally Pally stage, despite the lack of an audience.

The next 2 sets however went the way of Price, his opponent probably just letting the occasion get to him. Price opened the 7th set on D10, followed by a 128 finish, not to be outdone the Englishman replied with a 148, 46, and 118 to edge ahead. Two 12 dart finishes from Price sealed the 8th and then won all three legs with a 112 out and an 11 darter, for 6 legs on the trot.

At 5-4 down Bunting needed to respond, which he did by taking the 1st on 60, but it was short lived as the No. 1 in waiting polished off the next three for a 6-4 victory and a 100.9 average.

Price 15 x 180, Bunting 11 x 180.

The second semi featured 2 times World champ Gary Anderson and van Gerwens destroyer in the quarters Dave Chisnall. Anderson won the 1st 32 that included 3 x 180, Chisnall taking the 2nd by the same score, utilising the Bull for a 170

out, plus 2 x 180 .

The 3rd went to the Scot opening with an 11 dart leg. Chissy replying with a 119 on the Bull, Anderson hitting T20, D12 to go 2-1 up and 5 x 180 in the set.

The former champ made it 3-1, despite 2 x 180 from Chissy. A further 3 maxis and a 124 out on the Bull reduced the deficit, but Anderson appeared to be the most likely to succeed as he took the 6th set, Chissy busting 84 in the last leg.

At this point Andersons silky smooth dart release was in complete contrast to Chissys regular snatch, which often affects his scoring capabilities.. lt didn't however in the next set as both players shared 4 x 180, Chisnall winning the set on D20.

The Englishman couldn't reproduce the form of his previous round and didn't win another leg as Anderson won the last 2 sets 3-0 for a 6-3 victory. 13x180 to each player.

So an Anderson, Price final, the latter likely to be favourite, but the Scot is more than capable, if he doesn't succumb to the animated stage antics of the Welshman.

BARRY HEARN ‘LOST FOR WORDS’ Matchroom Sport supremo Barry Hearn, has been awarded an O.B.E. in the New Years Honours list, for services to sport gained over the past four decades.

Professional Darts Council ( P.D.C. ) chairman Hearn, joined the board of directors in 2001, being instrumental in raising the sports profile and consequently prize money.

Live P.D.C. events are now shown in over 130 countries worldwide, elevating many of the top pros to millionaire status.

The 72 year old former chartered accountant formed Matchroom Sport in the early eighties, the organisation regularly involved in the running and promotion of various sports to include golfs P.G.A. EuroProTour, Boxing, Snooker, Fishing and many others.

During his time at the head of the P.D.C. Hearn has rubber stamped the introduction of the P.D.C. ProTour and the Qualifying School / Tour Card system, allowing anyone to prove their ability and test their skills against the Worlds best, ultimately to reach the summit of pro darts.

Affiliated organisations around the World, support the World Series of Darts, formed in 2013, to create the current crop of players. many unknown to television dart addicts, competing in the 2021 William Hill sponsored World Championships in London.

To assist the journey a second tier Challenge and Development Tour has also been put in place.

When first learning about hiis OBE Hearn said he was ‘Absolutely Gobsmacked’.

Michael van Gerwen was sensationally knocked out of the Worlds, in what can only be described as a real thumping by Dave Chisnall. "Chissy" recorded a match average of 107.34 in the demolition of MvG (98.29) and a scoreline of 5 sets to 0 and a leg score of 15-7.

The man from St Helens hadn't beaten the Dutchman since February 2016, a winless run of 27 matches. The 14 x 180 and three 100+ outs too much for MvG. Although the World No 1 won the opening leg of the encounter, Chisnall's response was emphatic in the second, legs of 11,12,12 darts, to include a 141 out and post his intent.The next two legs were a little closer at 3-2 each, but contained an extraordinary leg probably never to be seen again.

Chisnall opened with a 180, MvG replied with a 180, Chissy then hit his second 180 to leave 141, MvG just a 140 leaving 181. Now on a 9 darter Chissy hit T20, T19, then wired D12 leaving 24.

The Dutchman the hit T20, T19, and D12 (141) to show Chissy how to do it ( leaving 40 ).

Quite amusing to those watching, however, the 24 was finished in 2 for an 11 darter. And so it continued, Chisnall checked out on the bull for a 130 in 12 and although MvG levelled, the Englishman completed the rout on 87 and 80, to make the semi's.

Facing Chisnall in the last eight was Gary Anderson who disposed of the fast rising Dirk van Duijvenbode 5 sets to 1, despite losing the first. The Scots match average of 101.07 was his best for some time. ln the fifth set DvD hit a 180 leaving 40, Andersons response a "showboating" 131 out, on T17, D20,D20. Anderson champion in 2015 and 2016 wanted to add a third and this year may be his last opportunity of acheiving the hat trick, considering the abundance of talent now on show.

His earlier encounter with Mensur Sulovic is unlikely to be repeated against the fast throwing Chisnall, Sulovic repeatedly changing his speed of throw to unsettle the Scot, which it did. Frowned upon a little on the pro circuit, and maybe considered unprofessional, but with in the rules.

Sulovic even nicked Andersons designated drinks table which also irked the former champion. He should know better.

Gerwyn Price started Sunday’s final as favourite

Gerwyn Price booked his place in the last four after a tight clash with Daryl Gurney, the match going all the way to the 9th set and 5th leg decider (no tie break).

Price won the first two sets, Gurney achieving just the 1 leg, but levelling after 4 sets, the Welshman taking the next 2 for 4-2. Surprisingly Gurney blitzed the next two without reply from Price, setting up a 9th set decider.

Price opened with a 107 out, following with a 130 out, the Northern lrishman making it all square with one to go. lt was however Price who found tops for a modest 16 darter for the match. lronically the legs total was in Gurney's favour 18 to 17.

The turning point in the match for me was in the 5th set where Gurney missed 5 leg darts, Price taking advantage with a 143 out.

Stephen Bunting, a former BDO Lakeside champion, was back to his best, with a fine 5-3 victory over Krzysztof Ratajski, Bunting failing to recognise it was K.R's birthday. The victor over James Wade, Bunting raced to a 3-0 lead, losing just 3 legs and utilising only 39 darts in the second set.

The birthday boy, took the fourth set, but the Englishman stunned the Pole with a 170 out in the fifth.

K.R. secured the next two sets, with a 12 darter and a 124 finish for 3-4. lt was to no avail as Bunting completed the match in the eighth without reply and a 101.01 average.

Look out for Ratajski, he will undoubtedly start winning events in the not too distant future.

Gerwyn Price, after the demise of MvG takes over as favourite and should he win the tourney outright become World No 1.

** James Wade hit his 3rd televised 9 dart leg versus Bunting. ** Wades effort was the 1st since Andersons in 2016. ** Joe Cullen's 19 x 180 in his match with MvG, equalled the 4th round record.

** Top five 180 scorers ( prior to 2021 event ) Taylor 688, Lewis 434, Anderson 426, MvG 388, Barny 353. ** New record of "ton" finishes in a match, 13, Price (8) v Bunting (5), previous best 11, Kevin Painter v Taylor in 2004.

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PAGE 23

Valuable point for Elche as Real Madrid held to draw Elche CF...........................1 Real Madrid.....................1 In a game that could have been won by either side Elche closed 2020 with a valuable draw last night against current La Liga champions Real Madrid in the Estadio Martinez Valero.

In an impressive defensive performance the home side were delighted with their point which moves them up to 15th on 16 points although Real Madrid had little to celebrate with the 1-1 draw, losing ground in the La Liga title race to leaders Atletico Madrid.

A header from Luka Modric gave the champions the lead in the 20th minute but Elche found their way back into the game when Fidel Chaves levelled from the penalty spot early in the second half.

Both sides had chances to take all three points, with Elche forward Lucas Boye striking the post, while Real defenders Dani Carvajal and Sergio Ramos were each thwarted by fine saves from the home side's keeper Edgar Badia.

That’s 4 goals in 6 home matches for Fidel!

Photo courtesy Elche CF

The draw halted a six-game winning streak in all competitions for Real and left them second in the table on 33 points, two behind city rivals Atletico who also have two games in hand.

Sergio Sanchez Atienza "CAPITÁN COLO" Sánchez provides vast experience in the Torry defence

Almost 100 players and staff arrive at Pinatar Arena from Poland on Saturday

His name alone is a clue to his Torrevieja heritage. Sánchez the family of the "colo", traditional sailors and lovers of horse riding; and Atienza for being the grandson of the former head of the Torrevieja chapter of journalists and communicators.

The 31-year-old player came up through the ranks of the Torrevieja Municipal Soccer School; He played for various teams in the Vega Baja region, including San Miguel, Catral, Orihuela Costa and Racing Playas Orihuela.

He has an excellent reputation, and stands out for his strength, footballing ability, knowledge of tactics and technical quality. He has an excellent left foot.

As he approaches the veteran stage of his career, Capitán Colo holds the captaincy of the Torrevieja C.F. first team, contributing his experience and his strength and resources as an important member of the defensive line. He also performs the task of club coordinator with Grassroots Football.

SUDUKO SOLUTION From From page 14

TRIVEA QUIZ ANSWERS FROM PAGE 14: 1. The Troggs, 2. Pollyanna (Pollyannaism), 3. Excluding Spain itself with 46 million, Mexico (111 million), Colombia (46 million) and the USA (45 million), 4. The Pink Panther Show.

(Deux-Deux was the Inspectors sidekick), 5. Charles Lindbergh, 6. Bob Marley, Barry Manilow and Bette Midler, 7. Ritz, 8. Tastes.

The others are sweet, sour, bitter and salty. 9. Philip Marlowe. 10.

Cardiff City (2008), Millwall (2004), Sunderland (1992) and Queens Park Rangers (1982). 11.

Cats. Figaro (Pinocchio) Arlene (Garfield) World War Two (Peanuts) Bastet (Eygptian cat goddess) Jonesy (Alien). 12.

Thunderball. 13. Stockholm syndrome. (Lima syndrome: Hostage takers sympathise with the hostages). 14. Peninsular and Oriental. 15. France and Greece.

16. Peter Finch (Network). 17.

Yellow River (5,464 km), Red River (2,188 km), Orange River (2,092 km), Blue Nile (1,600 km), Green River (1,175 km) and White River (1,102 km). 18. The five holy wounds of Christ. 19.

Claude Monet

Poland Youth return to Pinatar Arena Pinatar Arena will get the 2021 football season underway in January with the arrival of many of the best young players in Polish football.

The Polish Football Federation, PZPN, will hold a training camp from January 9 to 16 at Pinatar Arena within its Talent Pro days with its best players from the U15, U16 and

U17 categories, who will be trained by many senior Polish national coaches.

Jerzy Brzeczek, Poland's national coach, will once again manage the training camp and will be present for the duration of the Polish stay.

The PZPN, the Polish football federation, has chosen Pinatar Arena for this Talent Pro concentration for the second consecutive year.

The San Pedro del Pinatar Football Center thus begins 2021 with an international stage of almost a hundred people.

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