The Leader Newspaper Edition 879 – 9 August 2021

No 879 Monday 9th - Sunday 15th August 2021

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

HOLIDAY BOOST AS SPAIN REMAINS ON UK AMBER LIST

By Andrew Atkinson even countries joined the UK ‘Green List’ on Sunday, while Spain, despite widespread speculation that it could be moved to the now-defunct ‘amber plus’ list or even the ‘red list’, remained on the UK Amber list for travel, follow-

S

ing an announcement on August 5 by the Transport Secretary, Grant Schapps.

Prior to the announcement Tens of thousands of holidaymakers who were planning to travel to Spain were holding their breaths, due to it being thought that the country could even go onto the ‘Red list’.

Neither is there is quarantine for those travelling from Spain, however, the Department of Transport urged travellers to take a PCR as their pre-departure test, in the three days prior to travel, as a precaution against the increased prevalence of the virus and variants in the country.

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Spain remains on UK Amber List ADVERTISING SALES

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637 227 385 E-mail office@theleader.info Website www.theleader.info Journalists 600 228 616 office@theleader.info The Costa Blanca and Costa Calida Leader, its publishers, members of staff and its agents do not accept responsibility for claims by advertisers nor can it be held responsible for any errors in advertisements which are reproduced from poor artwork, low quality electronic data or inadequate instructions for text or other layout features. Further no responsibility is accepted for any loss or damage caused by an error, inaccuracy or non-appearance of any advertisement, although all advertisements produced are checked prior to insertion. We regret that we cannot accept responsibility for more than ONE incorrect insertion and that no re-publication will be granted in the case of typographical or minor changes which do not affect the value of the advertisement. E&OE. NO PART OF THIS NEWSPAPER MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE PUBLISHERS.

Previously, the test could have been a lateral flow or antigen test. They must also take a test on or before day two of their arrival "UK clinicians and scientists remain in close contact with their counterparts in Spain to keep abreast of the latest data and picture of cases," said a spokesperson..

Shapps has promised that the latest changes to the travel lists will be in force for at least three weeks, barring any unforeseen developments.

After spending time on the ‘amber plus’ list, France also moved back to amber, meaning that fully vaccinated travellers returning from there into England, Scotland and Northern Ireland no longer need to quarantine.

India, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have moved from red to amber, with arrivals no longer having to spend 11 nights at quarantine hotels.

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Transport Secretary Grant Shapps also said: "The Government is committed to opening up international travel safely, taking advantage of the gains we've made through our successful vaccination programme.

"While we must continue to be cautious, the changes reopen a range of different holiday destinations across the globe, which is good news for both the sector and travelling public."

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tions.

From August 12, the rate for solo travellers isolating in hotels will rise from £1,750 to £2,285 and additional adults sharing a room will see their bill rise from £650 to £1,430.

Children over the age of 12 are charged at the same rate as adults, while parents will have to pay an additional £325 for those aged between 5 and 12.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid added: "Changes to the travel lists are based on the latest data and expert public health advice.

There are different rules for countries on the red, amber and green lists that also differ according to a traveller's vaccination status.

"The announcement demonstrates the need for continued caution, with additions made to the red list to help protect the success of our vaccine rollout from the threat of new variants".

Anyone returning from a green list country need only have proof of a negative Covid-19 test before travel, fill in a passenger locator form and take a test on day two after arrival.

The news is deemed to be an ‘11th hour lifeline' for summer holidays, after double-jabbed tourists are spared quarantine from August 8.

Karen Dee, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association, said: "The extension of the green list is a positive step forward but the UK remains a long way off a full and meaningful restart of international travel".

Seven European countries, including Germany and Norway, were also added to the green list of destina-

Crescendo International Choir to Resume Singing in September

By Nancy Klein Choir member and publicist

C

rescendo International Choir will resume singing in the outdoor patio of Rincon de Miquel, a restaurant and bar in Los Montesinos.

Our first rehearsal will be Monday 6th September from 17:45 to 20:15.

We sit in a social-distanced manner and wear masks.

Despite these restrictions, we still have a lovely time singing together.

We will be rehearsing every Monday night.

If you are interested in joining us, please see the Crescendo website at www.crescendo-choir.com/index.html for details.

We are especially seeking men to join

us.

Please come join if you are looking for something to do and like to sing with others.

Our choir is made up of sopranos, altos, tenors and basses.

We sing a wide variety of songs ranging from musicals to spirituals, from pop to classical, in English, Spanish, Dutch, and Latin.

When we give concerts, the money we raise goes to local charities.

Crescendo lives up to its name of International because of the many nationalities in its membership, including English, Dutch, German, Scandinavian and American, with a Spanish Musical Director and Pianist.

Allthough we are many nationalities, English is the main language spoken.

Crescendo International Choir rehearsing outside at Rincon de Miguel in December 2020

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AFTER 30 YEARS OF NEGLECT AND ALMOST 600,000 EURO ORIHUELA BULLRING CLOSE TO REOPENING shows were banned by the municipal government. Now it will be offered to associations and event companies to host different events and performances, according to municipal sources.

It was the star project in the previous municipal term of the mayor of Orihuela, Emilio Bascuñana , but two years after the restoration of the property it has still not been able to open its doors due to the lack of an activity license.

The lack of use has caused the deterioration of the facilities to such an extent that the City Council has had to budget a further 10,600 euros for additional works.

Final upgrades are currently being carried out in the Orihuela Plaza de Toros as it is currently being modified to meet requirements for an opening licence.

sure cost Orihuela taxpayers more than 563,000 euros as it was converted into a multipurpose venue for leisure, cultural and musical shows with a capacity for 2,800 people.

In 2019, following the building lying empty for over 30 years, the refurbishment of the enclo-

Also included in the project are with green areas, a cafeteria, a children's playground and a

small museum that will remember the bullfighting history of the town.

The appearance has been maintained and it continues to be identified as a bullring, although there will be no bullfights there - there have not been for decades and animal

Amongst the new works being carried out are the fitment of fire extinguishers, evacuation signs, emergency lights and safety rails, all of which will guarantee the safety of users, ensuring that, when the Plaza de Toros finally does reopen “security guarantees” will be in place.

Almost 50,000 people over 50 years of age choose not to be vaccinated In the province of Alicante alone, about 47,000 people over 50 years of age have chosen not to be vaccinated against the coronavirus despite the fact that immunization for these age groups has long been available. This is the group considered to be at greater risk if they contract the virus, as experts have repeatedly pointed out.

The reasons why are many, according to the same experts. However, the explicit rejection of the vaccine is scarce, and this occurs only in 1.13% of the cases. Far from what it may seem, most of the people who do not want to be vaccinated are not deniers, nor are they proponents of conspiracy theories.

Thankfully though, 64.5% of Valencians have now received their two doses of the vaccine against coronavirus, which, for the president, Ximo Puig, means that his objective of achieving herd immunity, with 70% of the population having had both doses, can be achieved by the third week of August.

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Costa Blanca exceeds one million tourists in July One million tourists arrived in the Costa Blanca during July , about double the numbers seen in July 2020 and a large majority of them Spanish.

Indeed 85% of the people who stayed in hotels and apartments on the Costa Blanca travelled from within Spain while just 15% arrived from overseas.

The figures were 30% fewer than in 2019 but twice as many as in July 2020. The average occupancy of the 60,000 operational beds in hotels and apartments was 70%. The province currently has 194 hotels open, just 75% of those that could be available.

For August, the average occupancy forecasts are similar, but the president of Hosbec, Toni Mayor, forecasts that some hotels may reach 90%, a figure that was enjoyed in 2019, pre-pandemic.

According to the survey made public on Friday by Turisme , the average occupancy forecast for all the hotels on the Valencian Community coastline

during the month of August stands at 65.8%, 26.5% more than in 2020.

Hotels on the Alicante coast (excluding Benidorm) expect to occupy 68.78% of their beds this month, 29.1% more than in 2020. Benidorm expects an occupancy for August of 65% (20 % more than the forecasts for August 2020), Alicante expects 70% and the city of Valencia is at 60%, 21.5% more than last year.

Hotels say that they are confident that they will be able to increase the percentages with last minute bookings, particularly after last week’s announcement by the British government that Spain is to remain on the UK Amber Travel list.

The regional secretary for Tourism, Francesc Colomer, said that “August starts with an average of two out of three occupied hotel beds and everything seems to indicate, if the health situation allows, that it will reach 75% of tourist occupancy with last minute reservations, even 80% in some of the more popular destinations."

Orihuela Council on the move

Orihuela Town Hall is moving out of it’s eighteenth century stately palace, the Marquis de Arneva, where it is headquartered, as the rehabilitation works get underway in the building, that was damaged by floods during DANA in 2019.

The work will be carried out

by UTE Construcciones Uxcar 97 SL-Pramoram SL at a cost of 794,902 euros (VAT included), half of which is financed with a grant from the Ministry of Territorial Policy.

Last week workers from the removals company began tak-

ing out furniture and pictures, many of them historical and of great value. The intention is that the work will begin in September.

Staff will be moved to four locations. Some will move to the offices of the Palacio del Agua, others to the municipal building La Peineta located next to the Town Hall.

Further offices have been rented next to the Prop building with the remainder located in the CAM Foundation building.

The move has generated criticism from the socialist group, who in May denounced the

Moderna put pressure on Spain to commit to 3rd dose The US Pharmaceutical giant Moderna, which has supplied almost 7 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine to Spain, announced last week that it recommends a third dose of the vaccine be administered before the end of the year in order to stop the spread of the infection generat-

Torrevieja beaches are packed from early morning PHOTO: Andrew Atkinson

fact that the government had not carried out refurbishment of the old courthouse building - destined for new municipal offices – instead deciding to pay expensive in rents in other offices.

The rehabilitation works, which are divided into five procedures, will take 288 days. They are reinforcement of the structure deteriorated by the humidity in the subsoil, repairs to the facade where there are cracks and fractures, carpentry repairs, repair of the roof, waterproofing of the basement that was flooded during the 2019 Dana.

ed by the Delta variant.

As such the pressure is now intensifying in Spain to follow the initiative set by neighbour France and commit to a third dose.

Just 2 weeks ago the Minister for Health, Carolina Darias, said in a radio interview that she was already anticipating the need for a 3rd dose although she was not able to commit to any sort of time frame.

World Tourism Council denounces traffic light confusion

The World Travel and Tourism Council has called on the British Government to remove the amber category from its "confusing" health traffic light system that governs the travel situation of countries during covid.

"It is time for Boris Johnson to remove the ambiguity by abandoning the confusing and harmful traffic light system and replacing it with another simpler to understand method with only countries in green and red, so that travellers know exactly where they are", said the Senior VP, Virginia Messina.

POETRY W ARNED

CORNER Trees towered high above Trunks baring professed love

by Sylvia Stults©

Birds chirping from sites unseen Gone, paper joined pollution's team

The sands of time have rendered fear Blue skies on high no longer clear Stars were bright whence they came Now dimmed, obscured, pollution's haze

One can't blame pollution alone As they say, you reap what you've sown So let us plant a better seed Tear out old roots, cultivate, weed

Crystal clear our waters gleamed Fish abundant, rivers streamed Ocean floors sandy white Now littered, brown, pollution's plight

Protect what has been given for free Our waters, skies, wildlife and trees For once they're gone, don't you say Consider yourself warned of that fatal day

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Torrevieja’s Summer Carnival 15 & 16 August Torrevieja will celebrate it’s Summer Carnival on 15 and 16 August, with a series of activities that are being arranged by the Councillor for Fiestas, Concha Sala, and the president of the Torrevieja Carnival Cultural Association, Francisco Pizana.

The councillor said that the Torrevieja carnival has been declared a festival of Autonomous Tourist Interest of the Valencian Community, so it will provide an excellent portrait of the city for all visitors who are spending their holidays in the area.

The events that will be held inside the historic venue Eras de la Sal with admission until full capacity is reached. Free tickets must be obtained, however,

from the Municipal Theatre box office.

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Future of 150 year old trade, crafting salt boats, secured

Sunday, August 15 - Parade of nine carnival dance and marching groups, known as comparsas. There will also be a screening of the pre-pandemic carnival held in 2019, when around 30 comparsas took to the streets.

Img courtesy Univ of Alicante Another great donation to the Albergue Animal Shelter, Torrevieja.

Desperately needed dog and cat items such as food, litter, cleaning materials, gloves and much more from Astrid and Richard of Holland.

The venue will open its doors at 7:30 p.m., with side shows and a restaurant area. The shows themselves will start at 9:30 p.m. A raffle will be held to raise funds for future carnivals.

A big thanks to both of you who, not for the first time, have been very generous.

By Andrew Atkinson The future of the craft of the 150 years old salt ships in the pink lagoon of Torrevieja are secured with salt crafts workshops taught in schools in the city, pioneered by La Inmaculada Public School.

The salineros Master Craftsmen, Manuel Sala and Miguel Pérez, now retired from working at the salt company, retain the necessary knowledge to make the salt ships.

Ana Meléndez, historian and researcher, said: "The salt ships that remain submerged in the lagoon for about 24 hours in 2021 have turned out very nice with a hard and shiny grain.

The employment and training program ‘Castillo de Orihuela Accesos', will allow the employment of thirty students, three supervisors, a director and an administrator, who will be engaged to carry out rehabilitation work on the Roman road, as well as the repair to the entrances of the Castle.

The 12 month scheme has a LABORA grant of 724,000 euros, plus 40,000 euro municipal contribution, and is equivalent to 1,920 hours of training alternating with both theory and on site instruction.

All of the work will also carry an archaeological follow-up to safeguard the remains at all times. This will greatly improve access to the Castle from the seminary, so that everyone can go along a single path and thus not disturb the flora and fauna of Mount San Miguel. In addition, the access includes a viewpoint over Orihuela and the orchard”, explained Matías Ruiz, coordinator of the Department of Historical Heritage.

Albergue Animal Shelter

Salt craft workshops are now being run in La Inmaculada School

Monday, August 16 Performances by local chirigota (Spanish folklore singers) 'Los Sangochaos' and actor, singer and diva transformist 'Nacha la Macha'.

Thirty unemployed taken on to repair Roman Road

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"The skill is over 150 years old, an original and beautiful salt tradition that consists of coating with salt crystals, in a thin and uniform layer, objects made with cane and wood and previously lined with worn white cotton fabric.

"The models made by the artisans are immersed

in the lagoon to await their coating with salt crystals.

"The hypersalinity of the Torrevieja lagoon and its wet form of exploitation are amongst two conditions necessary to collect a crust of salt along with winds, environmental humidity and temperatures, insolation, drifts of water currents, and waves.

"The geomorphology of the lagoon bed has to have the above conditions to find the best place to install the platforms for the set, and with the drifts of its currents.

“Only a small number of boats set per season, usually coinciding with the months of June and July.

"The popular ships of salt are made, sticks covered with curd salt, that are sold or given as souvenirs to thousands of tourists who visit its facilities every summer."

If you care to know more about the shelter and animals or indeed like to help in any way contact alberguecats@gmail.com Following the Gota Fria two years ago the lagoon was severely affected: "Last year, as a result of the Dana in September 2019, they had to delay the setting season to the beginning of autumn 2020," said Professor Meléndez.

Its compulsory implementation in the industrial exploitation area, within the Natural Park area, focuses on the authorisations of the salt company and the protected environmental space to guarantee its development, when teachers Miguel and Manuel retire.

The salt boats are unique - an icon of the city - a Torrevieja tradition.

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Drones trialled on Guardamar beaches to prevent drowning Puig announced that the pilot program is being carried out in ten municipalities of Valencia and Castellón imo Puig has announced a pilot program in which several coastal towns will participate, including Guardamar.

X

It will see the use of drones on the beaches of ten municipalities that will be used by lifeguards to spot swimmers and bathers who might be in difficulty.

The formal announcement, called the ‘Stop Drowning Campaign’, was made by the President in Javea, alongside the mayor and the head of the Security and Emergency Response Agency (AVSRE), José María Ángel.

The pilot project to carry out this support work for the first aid and rescue services by the use of these unmanned aircraft will be carried out in 10 municipalities, on the beaches of Guardamar del Segura , Dénia, Jávea and Benidorm, in the province of Alicante; Alboraya, Gandia and Cullera, in the province of Valencia, and Burriana, Oropesa and Peñíscola, in the province of Castellón.

The project will last three months, running from Monday to Sunday, can be adjusted to the needs of each municipality and will be coordinated by the AVSRE. The drones will work together with the rescue

services employed on each of the beaches to deploy surveillance support tasks in the bathing areas and to launch floats to those bathers in difficult situations.

Puig has also underlined the importance of the 'Stop drowning' campaign, which seeks to make people aware of the need to act "prudently" to avoid dangerous situations. He said that drowning is currently the third leading cause of mortality in the world amongst boys and girls aged between 5 and 14 years.

He said that the Valencian Government is determined to “achieve, together with the involvement of the general public, a coast that is completely free from drowning, because, as the slogan of the campaign says to all those people who enjoy our beaches in summer, “we want to see you again.”

Puig also expressed his concern about the numbers of people who have drowned, with 23 deaths in the Community up to July 31. A total of 61 bathers died last year, a trend similar to that in 2019. "We cannot stand idly by," he said.

It was heartbreaking that the announcement of the trial came on the same day that a Scandinavian couple tragically drowned in Guardamar. (See story below)

Joia Tulloch from London, said: "There were many people in the water - while the red flag was flying.”

Scandinavian couple drown in Guardamar

In

Guardamar it was announced that a Scandinavian couple had tragically drowned.

A statement by Guardamar del Segura Mayor José Luis Sáez confirmed said the deceased were Scandinavian: "It had been a difficult day with several rescues carried out by the Lifeguards and bathers taken to hospital.

"The red flag was flying and Lifeguards had notified bathers to obey the warnings and respect the signs for danger," said the Mayor.

The incident occurred, due to heavy seas, with strong currents and easterly winds.

Zena Emanuel from St Albans, who lives in Sax with her husband Robert, said: "Myself and husband are both 70 and are pretty good swimmers,

but we don't go swimming in the sea now, as we have trouble getting out.

"If it's windy the waves can knock you over and you can't get back up easily, at our age. "The waves pull you under and drag you back in. We have had to hold on to one another for balance.

"You lose your footing, therefore we don't go sea swimming. It would have to be very calm and shallow, but sadly, nearly always it's windy and rough."

Joia Tulloch from London, said: "I was in Guardamar in one of the apartments, near Roqueta beach.

"There were many people in the water - while the red flag was flying - I also saw an ambulance and police mopeds, along with Lifeguards in the area.

"It’s really sad - but I don't know why people take the risk."

Leslie Vandenbruwaene, from Kortrijk, said: "Lifeguards had their hands full of people - who wouldn’t listen. We saw the accident and still people disregarded what the Lifeguards said."

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Everyone needs an understudy You don’t hear much talk nowadays about your guardian angel. When I was going to school we were taught about the big part our guardian angel played in keeping us safe and out of harm’s way.

Apparently the only place your guardian angel couldn’t save you was in a pub! My mother gave a dire warning to her sons that when a man (it was always men in those days) entered a pub, his guardian angel stayed outside!

Anaways, (as they say in the west) I don’t know if the guardian angels are doing any shifts these days. Maybe they only do days and don’t work weekends? Or gave up the ghost altogether in frustration, threw up their collective hands in despair and said.

‘Let them at it?’

What I am going to say to you is that whether or not you choose to operate whilst ignoring your guardian angel, the one being you must have is an understudy. No matter what we are doing in our everyday life, there should be at least one other person who can do it if for any reason we are suddenly not able to do it ourselves.

I know I told you this before, but for those of you with short memories, and for those of you who couldn’t give a rat’s ass one way or the other; I milked cows in one of my other lives.

I believed that nobody could milk my

cows as good as I could. ‘They wouldn’t let it down to a stranger’, was one of my commandments, as well as, ‘the hoor of a kicker would burst anyone else going near her!’ I never missed a milking for nine years (they were ‘dry’ from November to January) and then I hurt my elbow and had to go into Navan hospital for surgery.

Now I was forced to contact a ‘relief milker’, a young man by the name of Tom Keane. Tom showed great patience - not with the cows but with me, as I totally overdid his ‘line-up.’ I instructed him like a teacher addressing first-class and I festooned the milking parlour with numbers and notes.

After a couple of days I arrived home from hospital - all the time searching my brain wondering how I could possibly have been done without for those few days. But at least now I could talk Tom through this evening’s milking!

It was then my nine year old son set the record straight and sorted me out in two minutes. “Daddy, you know the black, number 39, the kicker, that you get it hard to milk?” Oh God, I thought, what harm have they done …

Ian continued: “Well, Tom (his new best friend) put no kick-bar on her and there was no cursing or anything like that, and he just miked her the same as the rest of them without a word!!”

No story stands on its own and the sequel to this one is that I took heed and learned my lesson – and I still practice that lesson to this day. Only for torn tendons in my elbow, I might never have acquired the certainty that nobody is indispensable. For the

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remainder of that dairying life, I used Tom regularly and enjoyed the freedom it brought to me and my family.

This lesson applies not only to farming, but to business and in fact all the things you do around your own house.

One other person should always know how to do even the simplest of chores in preparation for the day you are not there to do it. Never leave a document, key – or even money, where one other person doesn’t know about it.

If you are a manager or a business person, this piece of advice is way more vital. ‘Doers’ always have the urge to rush and ‘do it myself’, but that attitude will cost you some day. Too many managers keep too much knowledge to themselves.

I suppose this goes back to a fear of ‘cutting a rod to beat yourself’ – as in training someone to take over your job.

But, someone needs to be able to do your job. Weak managers view subordinates as a threat and keep the workings of the business close to their chest Good bosses don’t wait until the last minute to train an understudy. They pick possible successors early in the game and start delegating different parts of the job to them.

One of the trickier situations is where a parent is the farm or company boss.

The son or daughter who is the ‘understudy’ should gradually be given responsibility and shown that ‘the boss’ has confidence in their ability to handle it. This will encourage the ‘understudy’ to take initiative and develop their skills.

Ah Lads … thank you … thank you; I appreciate your advice and concern, but I don’t see the same urgency in allowing my understudy to write this column …!

They look good in groups or massed as ground cover in a shaded garden, and also make an effective edging plant.

Its leaves emerge apple green in colour with a spotted border, and age to become eventually completely covered in a pure silver sheen, that provides a beautiful display attractive all season.

Its flowers' transition from their starting colour of violet blue to purple, then into pink.

Pulmonaria are fabulous shade loving

It is better to teach children the roots of labour than to hand them the fruits of yours.

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.

GARDEN FELIX ...... . Pulmonaria flowers of violet blue to purple, into pink Pulmonaria 'Diana Clare' - lungwort - is a semi-evergreen plant that has short stalks of dark violet blue funnel-shaped flowers, from late winter to late spring.

Don’t Forget

plants with semi-evergreen foliage which remain attractive, as long as they are planted in rich, moist, well drained soil.

They need adequate moisture throughout the summer, as its prone to become dormant in extended dry spells.

Afternoon shade is a must to avoid scorching the leaves.

A low maintenance plant that requires to be cut-back on any tired looking foliage during midsummer, which will promote a flush of new growth.

For optimal performance, divide the plant every 4-6 years, immediately after flowering, or in early autumn as the original plant will have quadrupled in size.

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One more off THE BUCKET LIST

I

spent many years between Tenerife & the Costa Blanca behind the desk of a radio station & I loved every minute of it.

Even to this day when I present my ‘Bit In The Middle’ on Fresh Radio, I feel relaxed & my heart totally transforms back to living in Spain with you all.

As you know, I am living back here in Ireland.

One of my dreams came true last week when I was asked to join the local radio station here in Co Wexford, South East Radio, to stand in for a presenter who is away on holidays.

I suppose with being a Wexford girl, my goal was to work for a Wexford station. If I could fulfill that dream, then I was going to be a happy girl.

So I can gladly tick that off of my bucket list now.

I’m really enjoying doing the show, it’s a Country & Irish show so it really takes me back to my youth as I grew up going to my mother’s gigs at the weekends, singing with her on stage since I was 4.

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Q

All of the music that she would’ve sang is exactly the music that I am now playing & it’s given me a whole new love for it. My grandparents had a travelling road show back in the day so I love when people tell me all of their stories & memories of the shows, the amusements & the prizes that they would’ve won.

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Being a Wexford girl, my goal was always to work for a Wexford station

I love the fact that even though my Grandparents have since passed away, they touched so many people’s hearts & brought so much joy to each little village in every county of Ireland.

They gave the love & gift of music to myself & my family & we will carry it on for as long as we possibly can.

The kids are on their summer holidays which means that they are at home 24 hours a day. As much as they’re driving me cracked, I’m loving the sound of sibling laughter & general happiness around the house, with no homework, no uniforms & no rushing out of the door in the morning.

Still quiet on the gig front here in Ireland, I do however have 1 a week in a local campsite & I look forward to my Wednesdays coming around & being able to entertain people that are on their holidays & out to enjoy themselves.

After having no live music for so long, they really appreciate it so much. As entertainers here, all we can do is keep an eye out on the ever changing

guidelines & hope that very soon they’ll be a bit kinder to us.

secure jobs so I’m really hoping that when restric-

Some people I know are really struggling with the

back on stage & continue to light up a room.

fact that they can’t go out & do what they love,

In the meantime have a wonderful week on the Costa Blanca.

others have given up the music & found more

tions eventually lift, everyone will find their way

O

ne of Orihuela’s most popular bands, the GREMIO DC, will play a free concert on the Esplanade of Playa Flamenca, in Orihuela Costa, at 11pm on Thursday, August 12.

With free admission and complying with all health measures, Gremio DC will perform live, bringing their latest work, entitled “Era Warhol”, to Orihuela Costa.

It will be followed by a review of many of their musical hits.

"Coinciding with the Perseids Meteor shower, the Department of Culture has organised this performance by the Gremio DC Oriolans on the coast to enliven this special summer night," said Councillor Mar Ezcurra, as she invited everyone in the area to enjoy the music of one of the best Oriolano groups.

Space enthusiasts will be able to spot them the Perseids till 12 August.

Those living in the Northern Hemisphere will be able to spot over 40 an hour from as early as 10 pm

Mar Ezcurra with a member of the band

G r e m i o D C t o p l ay f r e e concert in Orihuela C o s t a

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CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

QUICKIE CROSSWORD

ANSWERS Week 878 QUICK ACROSS: 6 Strange; 7 Jewel; 9 Stiff; 10 Flatter; 12 Ill-mannered; 14 Controversy; 18 Stamina; 19 Adage; 21 Greet; 22 Shatter.

DOWN: 1 State; 2 Lawful; 3 Age; 4 Seethe; 5 Referee; 8 Blunder; 11 Impound; 13 Posture; 15 Temper; 16 Sedate; 17 Agree; 20 Shy. CRYPTIC CRYPTIC ACROSS: 6 Caravan; 7 Cello; 9 Booby; 10 Stretch; 12 Betting shop;

ACROSS 1.

Faculty (10) 7.

Bedeck (5) 8.

Funny (7) 10. Interrogate (8) 11. Robe (4) 13. Guarantee (6) 15. Hurtle (6) 17. Fever (4) 18. Forceful (8) 21. Turkish title (7) 22. Above (5) 23. Heat unit (10) CAN YOU MASTER THE SUDOKU CHALLENGE? Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.

Solution on Page 23

DOWN 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

9.

12.

14.

16.

19.

20.

14 Trying times; 18 Idler (5) Burst (8) Logic (6) Savage (4) Disgusting (7) Pretence (10) Benevolence (10) Landscape (8) Melee (7) Predilection (6) Sea-air (5) Insect (4)

Rampant; 19 Stall; 21 Quail; 22 Box-tree.

DOWN: 1 Wagon; 2 Gamble; 3 Gag; 4 Recess; 5 Elector; 8 Stencil; 11 Staging; 13 Break up; 15 Impair; 16 Estate; 17 Blues; 20 Ton.

ACROSS 1.

Take part in horseplay at the golf club? (4,6) 7. Church on a hill seen with flashlight (5) 8. Girl takes on personnel on her side (7) 10. Time off for a man having got a rise? (8) 11. Plant on the hand (4) 13. Men keeping quiet concerning trees (6) 15. Delivery with which a cricket match cannot start (2-4) 17. Fuss concerning what's not yet accomplished (2-2) 18. Patterns used for part of a church (8) 21. Enlist a revolutionary for striking (7) 22. List of furniture (5) 23. Sponger at liberty before terrible ordeal (10)

L EA D E R T R I V I A Q U I Z 1.The American Film Institute has a list of 'The 100 Greatest Male Stars of all Time'. In the top ten, two were born in England. Can you name them?

2. Name the two stately homes which tourists visit the most in the USA? 3. Although India qualified for the football world cup in 1950, they refused to take part. Why? 4. Which resolute word has the most definitions in the English language?

5.The following are all names of what? Tungi Banjo, Norman Conquest, Quim, Danger Fourpence, Hulk, Chiqui Arce, Adigun Salami, Heavens Chinyama and Mansour Boutabout.

6. Who sang the following 'official' football world cup songs? a. Un'estate italiana (1990), b. La Copa de la Vida (1998) 7. The hyoid bone is the only bone in the human body that is not articulated (attached) to any other bone. Where is the hyoid bone found?

8. Legend has it that when taking an oath Roman men would do what with their hands?

9. Which military accessory did Jacqueline Kennedy and designer Oleg Cassini bring back into fashion in the early 1960s?

10.The following are from songs with a day of the week in the song title. Name the song? a. The silicon chip inside her head, b. Do the five day drag once more, c. Catch your dreams before they slip away, d. How long must we sing

DOWN 1. Italian city in which father carries a weapon (5) 2. Sportsmen allowed in new heats (8) 3. Possibly dad was in the lead and got confused (6) 4. Love to employ this runner? (4) 5. Falls over in North America? (7) 6. Draws least teams out (10) 9. In which the relatives branch out? (6,4) 12. Suggested a trick was written down (8) 14. Salesman on a bike, say? (7) 16. Partially treating rot to reveal a cave (6) 19. Some remember an old flame! (5) 20. Only a lake? (4)

( A n s we r s o n p a g e 2 3 ) this song, e. It's seven o'clock and I want to rock, want to get a belly full of beer.

11. The name of which very popular vegetable takes its name from the late Latin word for a single white pearl?

12. Which four countries have won the FIFA Women's World Cup? 13. The following planets are found in which films? a. LV-426, b. Pandora, c.

Fhloston 14. Name the plastic horns popular at football matches in South Africa?

15. Fierce, Milk, Brown, Collet's, Tiger, Sea and Blind are examples of what?

16. Which actor has played Rameses II and King Mongkut?

17. The first UN peace keeping mission in 1948 was sent to keep the peace between which two countries?

18. Bad boys at the football world cup. a.Which country has had the most players sent off since the inception of the football world cup? (11 in total). b. In a match between which two countries were a record four red cards shown during the 2006 football world cup?

19. Fescue, Rye, Bermuda, Buffalo, St. Augustine, Bahia and Zoysia are all examples of what?

20. Some football world cup songs are just inappropriate. For example, the England squad and Magnum Brass with 'Here we are, Here we are'. In which year was this football ditty not a hit?

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AWNING ERECTED TO SHIELD ELDERLY AND SICK WHO ARE FORCED TO WAIT IN LONG MEDICAL CENTRE QUEUES

PAGE 15

ORIHUELA COSTA TOURIST TRAIN BACK ON TRACK

The long queues have been a feature at the Orihuela Costa Health Centre for many months and we are now told they are likely to continue for some time to come.

Councillor José Galiano blames large numbers of patients requiring PCR and antigen tests and the vaccination campaign against COVID-19.

This has meant that clients have had to wait, sometimes for hours, in the sun or the rain, enduring high temperatures which are typical of those experienced at this time of year.

While Galiano has been unable to do anything about the queues what he has done is put up an awning that will at least provide some shelter for patients waiting outside the centre. He said that the tent was absolutely necessary “because it was almost inhuman for patients to be standing in direct sunlight for so long.” “Once again,” he added, “it is clear that the Orihuela Costa is in desperate need of a second health centre, but for which we still await an answer from the Ministry of Health”.

The councillor said that the long queues do not occur only in high season as you may think, but they are also repeated in the autumn and in the winter months.

“The healthcare pressure at the centre is constant throughout the year. This centre is insufficient, not only to deal with the needs of all-year round resi-

During this month of August, tourists and residents of the Orihuela Costa will be able to enjoy the ‘Playas de Orihuela’ Tourist train that will be travelling between beaches during the holiday season and which will be completely free of charge.

The ‘little train’, as it is known colloquially, will travel between the urbanisations of La Regia, Cabo Roig and La Zenia, with stop off points at each of the local beaches, Cala Bosque, Cala Mosca and Playa de la Glea.

The councillor for health José Galiano dents, but also to the ailments of tourists, and now the problem of the pandemic has been added.

There is an itinerant population here, which can be seen by the consumption of water, electricity and the waste they generate. During the winter more

than one hundred thousand people reside on the Orihuela coast and in summer there are more than three hundred thousand. To serve such a population, a single health centre is totally insufficient”, said Councillor Galiano.

It is a fun way to travel, especially for the children and will operate on every day apart from Sunday.

More information, including route, stops and timings, can be found at the tourist information office or online at: www.orihuelaturistica.es

PAGE 16

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After getting rid of the tiny thorns, drink hot three times a day Blackberry leaves, incidentally, were often used as a substitute for ordinary tea in the days when it was an expensive luxury. They have an aromatic, slightly smoky taste not unlike China tea.

THROATY Sore throats can be a painful side effect of colds or bronchitis.

But don’t rush to your doctor or chemist for antibiotics: there are plenty of potent antiseptics in the plant world which will see off both viral or bacterial bugs.

Get professional help, though, if the sore throat is severe, lasts more than four or five days, or keeps coming back.

France's Dr Jean Valnet, who was a great believer in country cures, was enthusiastic about the powers of blackberry leaves to sort out a bad sore throat. Most people can locate that invasive pest the sharp-thorned bramble somewhere near them, if not in their own back garden.

Arm yourself with stout gardening gloves, harvest a bagful of the prickly leaves and get to work.

Put a good handful of leaves in a pan, cover with a litre of water, bring to the boil and simmer for two minutes. Then let them steep for another ten minutes. Strain through coffee filter paper - it's very important to get rid of all those tiny prickles - then drink hot three times a day.

From time to time, gargle with the mix as well.

Purple - or even ordinary - sage is another great country cure for sore throats: put 2 tablespoons of the fresh leaves into a pint of cold water, bring it to the boil, then leave it to steep, covered, for ten minutes. Then strain and gargle with it, two to three times a day and again at bedtime, warming it up each time.

Another powerful resin is myrrh, extracted from a small shrubby North African tree, and prized by ancient civilisations as perfume, incense or medicine.

If you can't get hold of fresh sage, use a teaspoon of the dried version from your herb rack, as long as it's still fresh enough to have a good strong smell.

Tincture of myrrh is a great healer and antiseptic: add a teaspoonful to a small glass of warm water and gargle with it. Don't swallow this one afterwards but it's so bitter tasting that you won't be tempted.

Even better, combine the sage tea with equal parts of apple cider vinegar. You can put this mixture into a little spray bottle from the chemist and spray your throat at intervals, too.

I once recommended sage for sore throats in a newspaper article. I had a letter from a reader a week later saying that she had been having antibiotic treatment for her chronic laryngitis for over six months. On reading my suggestion she had rushed into her garden, picked a bunch and started dosing herself with sage tea. Her laryngitis had cleared in days.

Propolis, the sticky resin that bees manufacture from various tree buds for the construction of their hives, is highly antiseptic, particularly for the mouth or throat, and I've seen it work for many friends to whom I've suggested it.

PROPOLIS: Keep the liquid in contact with your throat as long as possible when gargling

Add 10-20 drops to a little warm water, which will turn a cloudy yellow. Then gargle with the water, keeping the liquid in contact with your throat as long as possible; swallow it afterwards. Repeat two to three times a day.

In Indian traditional medicine turmeric is a popular remedy for sore throats. It is in fact pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic.

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

Try some liquorice tea to soothe that painfully inflamed and aching throat.

Put three or four liquorice root sticks in a pan and cover with water. Bring to the boil and simmer for twenty minutes, then strain and enjoy. By the way, this has to be the brownish root - that popular black confectionery won't do the trick.

If you want to try the turmeric treatment add half a teaspoon of turmeric powder and half a teaspoon of salt to a small cup of hot water, stir well, and gargle with it.

One thing: those pretty little jars of spices often hang around the kitchen for years, losing both flavour and medical usefulness. Make sure your turmeric is still fresh, bright and strongly scented.

Why not try the turmeric treatment?

NEXT WEEK: A bad wheeze

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PAGE 17

A PLAGUE ON ALL OUR HOUSES There have been worse pandemics, although not for us, of course.

know (I didn't) that between 1918 and 1920 it ended almost 100 million lives worldwide. Get your flu jab this winter.

The Black Death in the 14th century killed 75-200 million people.

Little wonder it was also called the Great Mortality and the Pestilence. And we have all heard of the Spanish flu, but did you

The Babylonians suffered from flu as long ago as 1200 BC. Is any of this making you feel better? The less said about Sars in Hong Kong... I was there undergoing a sort of early Covid-19 experience, although I was unaware of it at the time. Public health warnings, facemasks, advice regarding large gatherings -- but whether there were fewer people on the streets, it was difficult to tell.

Hong Kong's subway system isn't called the Mass Transit Railway without good reason.

I suppose what I'm trying to do -- without much success so far, it seems to me -- is to offer a piece of writing that will act as a sort of comfort-food for the eyes (or brain, or imagination, or psyche -- you see why I fear I have failed?) Perhaps I should have just said, "You think we've got things bad?

Those Great Mortality people didn't have it so great -- they didn't have vaccines!" Or tiramisu.

Everything is relative, you're going to remind me, and you're absolutely right to quote Einstein, I'm impressed.

How we see things depends on our point of view and (often) our birthplace. What is mild for you might be bitter for me, I can hardly remember. What is a success for you might be a failure for me... I don't think I'm going to pursue this line of thought. Let's just agree that life is all about perspective -- the sinking of the Titanic must have seemed like a miracle to the lobsters in the ship's kitchen.

Our planet sometimes seems to have suffered almost as much as we have, what with bombardment by meteors (aren't you glad you weren't a dinosaur?), earthquakes, volcanoes, tidal waves, erosion, solar flares, geomagnetic storms, and pop music blaring at all hours of the day and night. (How do owls manage to get any sleep?)

And us, of course -- our blue sphere has to put up with us, melters of ice caps, fellers of trees, serial polluters, strip miners and rainforest assassins. Distributors and sometimes exporters of trash. The Polystyrene People. What on earth must Earth think of us?

I had my second vaccination in the Caird Hall in Dundee in Scotland, where Sinatra and the Beatles once sang, not together of course.

After the jab, we in the mainly elderly audience were asked to go and sit for 15 minutes on the stage, where we must have resembled an ageing casting call, waiting to audition for some play or musical -- From Here to Eternity, perhaps. The first night might turn out to be a flop, but the second vaccine received rave reviews.

LA APARECIDA GETS A 55,000 EURO SKATEPARK FOR IT’S 536 RESIDENTS La Aparecida ‘Skatepark’ has been formally opened and can now be enjoyed by all lovers of skateboarding, which, we are told, has more and more followers every day.

The mayor of Orihuela, Emilio Bascuñana, was accompanied by the councillors of Sport, Víctor Bernabéu, of Infrastructure, Ángel Noguera and of Rural Development, Víctor Valverde, when the park, costing 55,011 uros, was handed over by the contractor.

The new ‘Skatepark’ measures 23 mtrs x 9mtrs and can be used for all disciplines of the sport.

The councillor for sport, Victor Bernabéu, was

Elche police close illegal kennels with 137 dogs ELCHE police have closed down an illegal kennel farm that had 137 purebred dogs on site without authorisation.

The set up was stopped after police intercepted the sale of one of the dogs for €1,200, which lead to the location of the farm.

Following surveillance Police went to the urban based farm and found the dogs - in what is deemed the largest illegal kennels in Elche.

The Urbanity and Environment Unit (UMA) said the person in charge did not have a license, environmental permit, civil liability insurance, declaration of a zoological centre nor a certificate of urban compatibility.

According to the regulations, the person involved faces fines of between €6,000 and €18,000, the temporary closure of the facilities for a maximum period of five years and the prohibition of acquiring other animals for a period of up to 10 years.

Orihuela councillors with the mayor, Emilio Bascuñana

quick to state that this is the first of three that are projected in Orihuela, one of which will be located on the Orihuela Costa and another in the city.

The Councillor for Infrastructure explained that “it was a highly demanded project that was demanded in La Aparecida participatory budgets”.

The mayor of Orihuela, Emilio Bascuñana, also expressed his satisfaction that the park is now a reality “despite the difficulties we have experienced recovering sports facilities after DANA. I think we can be very proud to that this facility is now available today to all the residents of La Aparecida and also to the rest of the residents of the municipality”.

PAGE 18

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

SOCIAL AND CLUBS

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 Montesinos. We are a lively,

HELEN...

friendly church and look forward to meeting you. (Covid19 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 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

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 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 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

637 227 385

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.

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.

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

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

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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.

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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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Call 634 300 074 Torrevieja blonde lady, 59 years, gives erotic massage, happy ending, speaks English, 604 382 799 Torrevieja, Valentini, Brazilian lady, 35. Erotic massage with complete satisfaction. Good time guaranteed. 688 340 708 Norma... Russian lady, mature, big breasts. Torrevieja. Tel. 665 056 834 Grace... Horny Latina. Busty.

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PAGE 19

SAT ANIMAL RESCUE How gorgeous is our Betty!

She is a happy, 11.5 year old who would love to get lots of cuddles.

DIGITAL NORMAL.

To

open a book and disappear into another world is an unbeatable joy as the story unfolds and the chapters flow past detailing the exciting story line and then the disappointment when there is no more to read, and it comes to an end.

As an author and writer, it is a pleasure to create a fictional family, develop it and let it acquire its own life, as the storyline takes over and the words flow.

A well written narrative creates excitement, perhaps one of where people are trapped and there does not appear to be an answer to their problem.

That situation always makes a stunning read as one wonders how the author is going to resolve the tricky story line.

For more info contact 966 710 047 (leave a message) or email info@satanimalrescue.com

In my novel ‘Death for a Starter’ which is set in the middle of the eighteen hundreds and mimics the crisis of the potato famine in Ireland at that time, where the spud, the staple diet for most of the population was attacked by a fungus.

Although the crop grew there was no edible Irish potato, just a runny mess. A sad but exciting tale.

Finca la Castellana Animal Welfare Centre are very excited to announce the launch our new sponsorship program.

The human mind, with its ability to seek and question events, has a vast ability to dream and imagine situations with all the complications that are presented in the content of a well written novel.

The book! No need for the digital world to be involved in reading it. No password! Hold it in your hand and slowly turn the pages and enjoy the aroma of the printed sheets. Read it and get lost in a domain created by the vivid imagination of the author, or perhaps if it is a true story, with the real events as they are explained in detail, from a happening in the past. Coming to the end of the narrative, to close it, and there it is permanent.

The joy of sliding it into a row of books, all standing in unison on a shelf or perhaps stacked one above the other. They are real and as time passes, to be able to see the cover sparkling in the light and remembering the joy of reading the tale within.

Call me old fashioned, and believe me it is a privilege to be called that as I have lived in the real world when items were reliable. It may be far quicker punching things out on an electronic device but there is nothing like the joy of writing with a pen and aligning words on a page. And

Finca la Castellana Animal Welfare Centre

like the written words in a book, they are there as an enduring reminder of the time when it was written.

It is accepted today to be able to talk to anywhere in the world without waiting for a connection, or pushing the buttons on the WhatsApp machine, and hey presto they transfer instantly. It was not too long ago this was not possible without processing a coloured photograph let alone a moving one like now, with little wonder how it works.

Videos in full colour dance across our screens and we accept it as normal. But is it?

In the nineteen seventies I had an appointment in Sweden and was amazed that from my living room I could book a taxi to pick me up from the airport when I arrived. I did not have to think about how that worked, because shortly before the engineers had connected an underwater telephone cable between the UK and the Swedish Capital. That was normal progress.

I can see the paper and the pen on my desk – that is normal. I can see the leaves playing in the wind on the other side of the window – that is normal.

But speaking to someone a thousand miles away without any visible connection, how can that be normal?

The boffins will tell us that it is because it is digi-

Campaign launched to prevent the consumption of alcohol and drugs

tal and having used morse code in the Army, which is similar, I can understand that to a degree. What baffles me is, I can take my mobile out of my pocket almost anywhere and open up Facebook, or any other programme. But How? The phone drags the package out of the air and as an up to date version. But how?

Somewhere, and I am sure it is more like manywhere, there are big machines pouring out numerical information swamping the atmosphere around us, with digital images floating around making pictures and messages as and when we want them. Magic!

But, unlike the written word, once used they disappear into the cloud, unseen, no musky smell like the pages of a book, no gleaming covers to enjoy. Nothing – a digital entry to be called back by a keyboard.

In closing I must acknowledge the person in California who does a fine job on Spotify, keeping my vinyls nicely in order and playing them as requested.

Facebook.com/percy chattey – Percy Chattey’s short stories and novels are available on Amazon & Kindle.

ally a time of year when more alcohol and drugs are consumed and the UPCCA warns us that it is very important to be aware of their dangers from

Orihuela’s Councillor for Health, José

responsibly. No alcohol, no drugs’, the

an early age. Unfortunately, minors

Galiano, has presented a new aware-

campaign is aimed at those younger

have less perception of risk and are not

ness campaign to prevent alcohol and

members of society, making them

aware of just how dangerous it is to

drug use in collaboration with the

aware of the dangers of such sub-

consume these totally destructive sub-

Orihuela Prevention of Addictive

stances through a variety of informa-

stances ”.

Behaviours Unit (UPCCA).

tional posters.

The campaign consists of audiovisual

Under the maxim ‘Enjoy the summer

Galiano said, “holiday periods are usu-

material and posters, as well entries on

For €5 per month (for twelve months), or a oneoff payment of €55 (covering a year membership) you can become a 'Finca Friend' and help us look after all the animals that live at the finca.

We have around 300 animals, including dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, goats, pigs, chickens, peacocks, ducks, and parrots that will live their life out at the finca.

They stay with us mostly due to physical or phycological issues, or we are unable to rehome them.

The monthly cost to feed these animals can be up to €3,000.

By joining our 'Finca Friends' team you can have an important and active role in making sure they all receive the care and attention each animal deserves, relieving the financial burden we, and many other animal charities endure.

When you sign up you will receive a welcome letter, car sticker and a framed photo of your chosen sponsored animal.

Throughout the year you will also receive a birthday card with an update of your animal, and a Christmas card. You can sponsor an animal as a gift for a family member or friend! Please visit our revamped website to become a 'Finca Friend' www.fincalacastellana.org, the more money we raise, the more pets we can save.

social networks, to raise awareness of the need to enjoy leisure and free time responsibly.

With an end to the state of alarm and relaxation of Covid-19 measures, young people find themselves looking to regain that long-awaited normality, which often includes the promotion of the “Botellón”, as well the consumption of drugs.

The campaign " Enjoy the summer responsibly " is about making sensible

decisions and behaving maturely.

PAGE 20

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By Linda Bentley

ACTIVITIES FOR ALL THE FAMILY IN TORREVIEJA Naufragos.

As well as the Promenade there is a long walkway that juts out with the sea on one side and the Marina on the other. The Marina has several bars, and it is lovely to sit watching the boats bobbing on the water.

At the start of the Promenade is the Paseo de Libertad craft market. Here there is a whole street filled with stalls offering all sorts of different crafts, jewellery, leather bags, phone cases, clothes, souvenirs and so much more. There are only a few stalls open in the day as most open in the evening.

Close to here is the fair with the usual buzz and

El Paseo Juan Aparicio Torrevieja is on our doorstep, but have we explored it fully but do we know of all the activities that are on offer?

ly event, an international contest called the Habaneras and Polyphony International Contest.

Around 20 choirs enter each year.

Did you know there is a Submarine in the port area, which you are able to visit and explore, and experience that feeling of cramped conditions that sailors on these crafts had to endure. There are also a couple boats you can go aboard. One being an Albatross III patrol boat and the other is the Pascual Flores Schooner which is a Floating Museum although at the moment it is on a European tour, so not in Torrevieja Port.

Further along is the Sociedad Cultural Casino building, an impressive structure that stands out from its surroundings. It was built in 1896 in an almost colonial style. It has impressive and ornate posts and arches on the outside, housing what is now a café. Inside is old decadence done in a beautiful way. What once was the ballroom is now part of the café. There is an Arab room reminisce of the Alhambra and visitors can look around this room. It is a private club and members even pay monthly for a seat by the window so they can sit and watch the world go by at their leisure.

There are boat trips, one being to the Isle of Tabarca, a little Island just out to sea.

Alongside the port there are a couple of sculptures which pay homage to Torrevieja’s place in musical history.

There are 5 quirky statues making up a band, each playing a musical instrument.

Art exhibitions and other cultural activities are held here throughout the year.

There is a small quaint Sea Salt Museum which explains the history of excavating the salt from the lakes. We can see the salt piles from the N332 coming into Torrevieja from the south and north near Santa Pola, where there are plenty of salt lakes with hundreds of Flamingos living there.

cocks. It is a very pretty and colourful place with all its different plants.

At one end is a children’s playground with a delightful huge dragon slide along with swings and the usual play equipment.

Torrevieja has its own Water Park Aquopolis, open June to September with so many different slides, rides, and pools to suit all ages, a great day to be had by all.

Going south on the N332 about 3k is a karting track, they accommodate a range of ages and now they even have a Go Fly which simulates sky diving, a must if you want to try something different.

The population of Torrevieja is around 85,000 and this number over the last few years has been decreasing due to the recession. Within the foreigners’ the British have the most inhabitants which is around 13,000.

In the summer this number increases enormously to 400,000, an incredible increase. We have seen an upturn this year but due to Covid the numbers are not going to be anywhere that.

But whatever you do - have fun.

The Paseo de Libertad craft market

The Salt Train provides guided tours

rides, suitable for children and adults alike.

Shopping in the town can be good as lots of small boutique shops if you are wanting something a little different.

There is a lovely park to spend time having a picnic, the Garden of Nations. It has a lake in the shape of Europe and all the European flags are flying. There are many ducks, geese, chickens running about and even have a few beautiful peaBeautiful beaches galore

Torrevieja’s world class marina

Torrevieja has plenty of beaches, Los Naufragos being one of them, a blue flag beach, it is a long and wide beach with palm trees and a children’s small water park at the far end out in the sea.

There is also Cala Cura a sweeping bay backed with a promenade with plenty of cafes and shops.

Celebrating Torrevieja’s musical heritage Further along there is the sculpture paying homage to the Habaneras.

Torrevieja has a history of music ranging back to when it had a great amount of commerce with Cuba, and the sailors used to come back singing Cuban songs. The name Habaneras derives from the capital of Cuba. Havana and Habaneras has been associated with Torrevieja ever since.

In 1955 the first official contest of the Habaneras Choir Competition took place. Now this is a year-

The Promenade of Torrevieja is usually a busy place with many residents and tourists alike enjoying a lazy stroll in the sun or the evening breeze.

Woman of the sea

Here there are plenty of restaurants to grab a bite to eat or just to sit with a drink.

Also, there’s lots of seating just by the water to chill and read a book or just listen to the waves.

You can venture onto the rocks and go for a swim.

There are ladders into the water making it easy to do this. Or just a little further along there are even more beaches to choose from, 20kms of coastline from La Mata, Los Locos, El Cura, to Los

Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepcion

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20-20 Voice Cancer Charity Awareness Campaign

By Andrew Atkinson The 20-20 Voice Cancer Charity whose former Patron was the late Villamartin based snooker star Willie Thorne, who passed away in Torrevieja hospital last year, have begun their Awareness Campaign.

20-20 Voice Cancer.org donated £17,256 - the price of a Thoracic Ultrasound Machine (TUM) - being the latest technology for cancer diagnostics.

Hospital Quirònsalud Torrevieja is one of the leading hospitals in Spain treating head and neck cancers, along with hospitals in Valencia, Madrid and Barcelona.

20-20 Voice Cancer Charity Chairman Phil Johnson told The Leader: "The campaign puts

the emphasis very firmly on the early diagnosis for Head & Neck cancer sufferers.

"Awareness for throat cancers is of major importance as they are always hidden and extremely difficult to spot.

"Five years ago 20-20 purchased the 'FlexiVideo-Rhino-Laryngoscope' which can reach down into our larynx.

"50% of the population will endure cancer at some stage during their lifetime, this 'TUM' is just what is needed by our hospitals.

"The Awareness Campaign early diagnosis is equally important to all, especially throat cancers, a small surgical procedure is far better than the 10-13 hour procedures some sufferers have had to endure in order to survive."

There are approximately 12,000 new cases of Head & Neck cancers each year in the UK. "20-20 Voice Cancer charity feels the time is right to start creating the awareness around the country, starting with Manchester," added Phil Johnson.

Cancers of the head and neck are often identified by the site in which they originate.

Traditionally, sites of head and neck cancer include: Oral cavity (mouth, lips, gums, cheeks, tongue, tonsils and mouth floor).

Salivary glands, Nasal cavity/paranasal sinuses/ nasopharynx; Throat/pharynx. Larynx/voice box.

20-20 Voice Cancer Charity Patron Jill Saxby took over the role following the passing of for-

Trainer Phil Kirby and family rescued

by Emergency Services ....... By Andrew Atkinson Trainer Phil Kirby is back holding the reins at his Green Oaks Farm in Richmond, Yorkshire after an eventful family break in Cornwall - having had to be rescued on the Helford River.

"We are back at Green Oaks after getting stuck on a low tide mud flat on the Helford River," said Phil's wife, Pippa.

The Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Team were called out after the Kirby family ran aground at Bishops Quay, Mawgan, near Helston. Porthoustock Coastguard Rescue Team and full time Senior Coastal Operations Officer S11D were also tasked.

The Kirby's were stranded on a large mud bank in the centre of the river.

Specialists mud Rescue technicians were deployed and returned the family to the shore.

Weather conditions were changeable, with Storm Evert bringing the possibility of 75mph winds.

"Many thanks to the Rescue teams who came to our aid," added Pippa, who was rescued along with Phil and their two daughters.

ALFIE’S GOLF SOCIETY Vistabella –Thursday 29th July 2021

By Ian Connell, Captain

Runner up in the Silver Division was Wayne Stevenson with 29 points, playing off a handicap of 21.

Nearest the pin in 3 on the 5th – Martin Armstrong – Albatross Golf Voucher Nearest the pin on the 7th – Alan Connell – Albatross Golf Voucher

The Blind pairs were won Norman Howes and Chris Udell The Captain’s Charity this year is “Help at Home” and we’ve just broken through the €1,000 barrier. Well done everyone for your support.

It’s been great fun (especially when trying to come up with themes) and I would like to thank everyone who has sent me messages of encouragement along the way.

The reports have gone some way to recruit new members and in one instance reunite old friends.

Sadly I have also had to comment on members who are no longer with us.

Huge thanks go to the staff of The Leader, The Costa Blanca People and The Costa Blanca News for publishing my efforts on a regular basis. I hope my successor enjoys the same support.

By the way, given that I rarely win anything and this is my final opportunity to do so, this week’s mug shot is me celebrating a rare birdie!

And so to the job in hand:

Adios amigos, Peter Reffell

Nearest the pin on the 2nd – Martin Armstrong – Albatross Golf Voucher

Best Guest with 38 points – Colin Gillespie – bottle of Wine

It’s possible that some of my readers will be devastated at this news, however, I’m sure counselling will be made available for anyone struggling with mental health issues!!!

Onto Friday and it was relays day in the form of a ‘two ball better ball’.

Despite Reg Akehurst achieving a PB, scoring 5 points on the most difficult hole on the course, it was Bryan Neal and John Dobson who brought the baton home with 46 points.

The winner of the Silver Division was Alan Connell with 38 points, playing off a handicap of 20.

Best Net Score – Steve Barlow – Albatross Golf Voucher

Results for w/c 2.8.21 Live from Tokyo So, after three years of training, preparation and coaching (from the wife!), it’s time I hung up my laptop, earned my Olympic mascot, stepped away from the podium and entered (another) period of retirement.

Mike Brentnall kept his piggybank well stocked and earned silver after coming 2nd with 38 whilst it was Nigel Price in the bronze position with 37. There were no ‘2’s on the day so there’s a good size pot up for grabs next week.

Runner up in the Gold Division went to Steve Barlow with 39 points, playing off a handicap of 19.

Best Gross Score – Alan McAuliffe – Albatross Golf Voucher

Las Ramblas Golf Society

Another superb round of golf in Wednesday’s Stableford saw Andy Martin score 39 points (off a 3 handicap) and take the gold.

The weather was hot and sunny, so good scores were forecast.

Longest Drive on the 16th – Rita Potters – Bottle of Soberano

The End Of An Era?

With 88 points Monday’s ‘Change Partners’ was won by Dave Pulling, Mike Brentnall, Andrea Martin (and after a couple of years in the wilderness) Brian Levy.

27 members and guests from Alfie’s GS played at Vistabella in the second round of our annual Eclectic Cup competition. The course was in good condition, but the bunkers were in scruff order and the greens were slow.

Nearest the pin in 2 on the 12th – Steve Barlow – Bottle of Soberano

mer Patron and husband Willie Thorne.

For further details contact: Phil Johnson: admin@2020voicecancer.org

Our winner of the Gold Division and our overall winner on the day was Alan McAuliffe with 40 points, playing off a handicap of 15, pictured here with our Captain, Ian Connell 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 on Thursday, 26th August at La Marquesa, and at the time of writing there were 24 names on the list.

PAGE 22

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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.

The Eyes have It So you are facing a difficult shot or you are coming to the end of your round and you have a particularly good score.

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Technically this is known as a ‘saccadic’ – rapid eye shift.

So what do you do about it?

In previous articles I have explained how visualisation and simple deep breathing can and will help in such situations.

On the golf course select vision targets that are easy to identify such as the ball markers on the tee or perhaps the ball and the hole on the putting green.

This I will be covering again in forthcoming articles.

How does this process work?

However the first thing to understand is why you feel this way.

Physiologically when conducting this act the mind has difficulty in conducting other tasks because your visual sensory system will lock you into the present and prevents you from processing thoughts in the past or the future.

Experts such as Craig Farnsworth believe that it is simply that your internal ENERGY SYSTEM is running out of control resulting in doubt, anxiety and loss of motor control.

There is another mind clearing technique that you can use to control these feelings called the ‘laser eye shift’, which was pioneered in the 1970’s in the USA by Doctors Lee and Harrison.

How do you feel?

If you are normal then your palms will be sweaty, your heart will feel like it is going to burst through your chest, your hands will be shaking, your arms feeling as heavy as lead and your mind will be full of

While keeping your head still, shift your eyes between the two objects that you have chosen as fast as you can for five to ten seconds.

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:

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so many thoughts at the same time, mainly negative.

Whenever you experience the feelings of anxiety detailed above you should simply choose two objects a few feet apart, one in your left field of vision and the other in the right field of vision.

Course Alenda Alicante Altorreal Bonalba Campoamor

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La Vuelta de Espana to pass through Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa on 21 Aug

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You can actually try this at home to see the technique in action.

While sitting comfortably and in a relaxed position think about or visualise in your mind some event that caused you anxiety recently.

You should be able to feel those gut wrenching feelings deep inside of you.

Now follow the laser eye shift technique as described above and then try again to regain and repeat those anxious feelings.

You should find that they disappear altogether or exist at a much lower level of intensity.

Lo Romero €166 Two Green Fees & Buggy Mar Menor €120 Two Green Fees & Buggy New Sierra Golf €68 Two Green Fees & Buggy Puig Campana €98 Two Green Fees & Buggy Roda €115 Two Green Fees & Buggy (1.06pm) Saurines €100 Two Green Fees & Buggy Villaitana Levante €90 Two Green Fees & Buggy Villaitana Poniente €70 Two Green Fees & Buggy Villamartin €130 Two Green Fees & Buggy (11-2pm) Vistabella €105 Two Green Fees & Buggy ( 1.00pm) For Bookings and info Mike at info@costa-blanca-greenfees.com quoting reference LEADER or on 966 704 752 or 661 345 931

Winner Chris Froome, riding out of Campoamor in 2017

The mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolón, has issued a municipal statement in which he states that on Saturday, August 21, the 8th stage of the Cycling Tour of Spain will take place, starting in Santa Pola and travelling through the main streets and avenues of Torrevieja.

As they travel south the cyclists will join the N332 at Punta Prima, riding through Orihuela Costa, Pilar de la Horadada, San Pedro, San Javier, Los Alcazares, across to Torre Pacheco and Cartagena before finishing in La Manga.

As a result of the likely disruption the mayor announced that all of the roads being used in Torrevieja, will be closed, and cleared of vehicles, from 0015hrs on through to mid afternoon.

Traffic and all vehicle movement will be totally prohibited, as will parking on many streets and avenues during these times.

The mayor asked for the maximum cooperation of the general public.

Thursday Night Darts

An

Kim Forbes (Chemies Chicks) with anticipated late September start League Chairman Paul Durrant for this popular darts league, will be preceded by an AGM at the Tipsy Toad bar ( El Galan ) on Thursday 19th August convening at 7-30 pm for a 8-00pm start.

New teams wishing to join the league, should ideally make prior contact with Simone de Lacy by email at: simonedelacy@hotmail.co.uk Existing teams should attend with at least one representative and registration form.

New teams must attend for acceptance. Some players have been left without a team due to withdrawal from the competition due to (Brexit and Covid). Players finding themselves in this situation, should contact Simone (as above) as several sides require additional darters.

Any start date will be compliant with the Covid regulations that are in place at the time, with the committee determining the date as soon after the AGM as is practical.

Smiling Jacks Golf Society What a wonderful day out at Roda golf and beach resort. Firstly I'd like to thank you all for supporting Smiling Jacks. We had a great course in excellent condition with some very interesting holes.

I would also like to welcome some new members including Marina who played for the first time on a golf course.

The winners of nearest the pins were: Hole 7 Oliver Smith, hole 13 Mark Smith and hole 15 Oliver Smith.

We had some good scores and a mention goes out to 15-year-old Oliver Smith who scored 36 playing off a handicap of 8, well done.

After having numerous lessons recently we also had a new champion, Nick Williams, with a score of 42, well done Nick, who also receives a new handicap of 19.

The Blue Johnny was won by Craig.

A big thanks goes out to Julie for the delicious food.

The next game will be Thursday 9th September at either La Finca or Vista Bella

The Blue Johnny was won by Craig.

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PAGE 23

QUINO STRIKE NOT ENOUGH FOR THADER

CD Thader ................ 1 Real Murcia Imperial .. 2

F

or this second pre-season warm up match, Thader manager Raul Mora elected to start with a mixture of established and new signings. Raul Murcia Imperial are basically their 'B' team, playing in Murcia region of division 3, which is one step up from Thader.

A surprisingly sparse crowd inside Moi Gomez stadium, Rojales, were still basking in glorious hot sunshine by the time both teams took the field last Saturday evening. Included in Thader's starting 11 were keeper Jesus from Callosa, ex Santa Pola duo Pascual and Josan, Rosquin from Kelme, plus Jony from Murada.

It took precisely 7 mins for Thader to open the scoring, and there's no prizes for guessing who got the goal. Last season's leading goalscorer

SC Torrevieja CF look to new season Newly promoted Valencia 1st Regional Group 9 club SC Torrevieja CF (formerly Sporting CostaBlanca CF) have renewed players contracts and boosted the squad with new signings ahead of the 2021-22 season.

Sports Director Juanpe has overlooked new signings with first team coach Carlos Pérez set to run the rule over the squad in pre-season friendlies during August and September, with the 202122 campaign scheduled to commence September 18-19.

Youth player, central midfielder Lucas, 18, and central defender Manu Parades, 22; ex-Almoradi right back Manu Amores, 28; attacking midfielder José

Quino, rose high to head a corner firmly into the back of the net, getting the big man off the mark.

Ten minutes later, Imperial thought they'd snatched an equalizer, but as would be a regular feature, an offside flag came to Thader's rescue.

Jesus saved well from a point blank shot midway through the 1st half, in which the visitors finished the stronger of the 2 teams.

Imperial made wholesale changes from the start

of the 2nd period, whilst Thader chose to introduce 1 or 2 at different stages - one of which was a change of keeper (Chema from Orihuela 'B').

Parity was restored on 57 mins, when a well worked move resulted in a shot from an acute angle squeezing between near post and Chema.

Following a debatable free kick just inside Thader's half, a quickly taken kick caught the defence off guard, allowing Imperial to go ahead

Kike Grandos, formerly of Orihuela, Almoradi and Redovan is also on board.

Pre-season friendlies are: SCB Torrevieja CF v FB Redován (August 18); SCB Torrevieja CF v CD Murada (August 21); CD Thader v SCB Torrevieja CF (August 25); Guardamar Soccer CF v SCB TorreviejaCF (September 4); SCB Torrevieja CF v Formentera CF (September 8); SCB

TRIVEA QUIZ ANSWERS FROM PAGE 14: 1. Cary Grant (no. 2) and Charlie Chaplin (no. 10). 2. The White House and Graceland. 3. The Indian players were not allowed to play their matches barefoot. 4.

Set. (circa 464 definitions). 5. Names of professional football players. 6. a. Gianna Nannini, b. Ricky Martin. 7. Throat. 8. Hold their testicles. 9. Pillbox hat. 10. a. I Don't Like Mondays (Boomtown Rats). b. Friday On My Mind (The Easybeats). c. Ruby Tuesday (Rolling Stones). d. Sunday Bloody Sunday (U2). e. Saturday Nights All Right (For Fighting) (Elton John). f. Manic Monday (The Bangles). g. Wednesday

Although the hosts came close with a lobbed effort, which just evaded the cross bar on 81 mins, Imperial probably deserved their narrow victory on the night.

On Wednesday (ko time expected to be 7.30 or 8.00 pm, but check Thader facebook page), there will be another friendly match at Moi Gomez stadium, this time against newly promoted Callosa.

Marta amongst top women footballers in Italy Serie A

Maria Cases Hernàndez, 34, who arrives from Orihuela CF, form part of the squad.

Torrevieja prodigy Javi Burguillos, 30, formerly of CD Almoradi; prodigy and central left midfielder Aaron, 18, show a wealth of youth and experience, alongside Alex Ruz, Gonzola, Ramon, Kevin, Cristian, Angel, Ismael, Sami, and Arias.

through a headed goal.

"The womens Serie A in Italy has had an exponential growth. Playing at Falconara is a pleasure and to receive a nomination is very satisfying," said San Javier born Marta.

A technical jury of coaches and captains from across the season will choose the New Energy 5TAR Futsal.

Murada Signing Ruben Garcia Cutillas has re-signed for Valencia 1st Regional Group 9 CD Murada ahead of the 2021-22 season.

Torrevieja CF v Pilar de la Horadada (September 11).

Valencia 1st Regional Group 9 scheduled teams 2021-22 season: SCB Torrevieja CF, CD Montesinos, CD Benijofar, CF Popular Orihuela Deportivo, Sporting Dolores CF, CF Sporting San Fulgencio, Racing San Miguel, Pinoso CF, Alguena CF, Orihuela CF B, CF Rafal, CD Cox, CF Sporting Albatera, CF Atletico Algorfa and Atletico de Catral CF.

Morning 3 AM (Simon and Garfunkel). h.

Lazy Sunday (The Small Faces). i.

Pleasant Valley Sunday (The Monkees). j.

Monday Monday (Mamas and the Papas).

11. Onion. (Latin 'unio'). 12. USA (1991, 1999, 2015, 2019), Germany (2003, 2007), Norway (1995) and Japan (2011). 13. a.

Alien or Aliens. b. Avatar. c. The Fifth Element. 14. Vuvuzela. (or Lepatata). 15.

Snakes. 16. Yul Brynner. (in 'The Ten Commandments' and 'The King and I'). 17.

Israel and Palestine. 18. a. Brazil. b.

Portugal vs Holland which became known as "The battle of Nüremberg. 19. Grass.

(Different types of grass). 20. 1974.

(England failed to qualify)

Paul García Ferrandiz will also return to the fold this year after being sidelined with injury last season.

New contract for Diaz at Saladar Marta Penalver has been named amongst the top women footballers in Italy's Serie A after a successful season at Citta di Falconara.

SUDUKO SOLUTION From From page 14

Club Sporting Saladar have renewed the contract of Almoradi born Central defender Juan Gabriel Diaz, 32, for the Valencia Regional 2021-22 season.

Three Olympic Gold’s for Spain There were a total of 17 medals for Spain in the Tokyo Olympics which ended on Sunday, finishing in 22nd position in the medal table with 3 Gold, 8 Silver and 6 Bronze.

The three gold medals were won by Sandra Sanchez in Karate, Alberto Ginés, Climbing and in shooting the Trap Mixed Team.

Unfortunately there were no medals for either of the Torrevieja athletes that competed, with Luis Manuel Corchete, the 37-year old husband of 3 time Olympic gymnast, Jennifer Colino, failing to finish in the 50 km walk, and Mula resident, Mohamed Katir, who trains in Torrevieja, finishing 8th in the 5,000 mtrs.

PAGE 24

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