The Leader in Spain 18 July 22 – Edition 928

No 928 Monday 18th - Sunday 24th July 2022

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Keeping people safe and informed for over 18 years - The Costa Blanca’s oldest ‘FREE’ English language newspaper

n the last 6 days, here in Spain, there have now been a total of 360 deaths attributed to the high temperatures. The figures are provided by the MoMo surveillance system of the Carlos III Institute, a government body created to monitor increases in the rates of mortality.

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Most of the deaths were of older people and people with health problems, which the extreme temperatures had a particular effect on, and although the figures do not detail the causes, it is known that most of them are not caused by heat stroke, but rather, in most cases, metabolic decompensation, which can lead to kidney failure, cardiac, respiratory, or multi-organ failure.

The figures cover the period from 10 to 15 July with the death toll on Friday alone 123.

L A S T 6 D AY S O F H E AT WA V E L E AV E S 3 6 0 D E A D I N S P A I N

According to Carlos III, the biggest spikes in deaths coincide with the worst of the wave, on July 14 and 15: July 10: 15 deaths, July 11: 28 deaths, July 12: 41 deaths, July 13: 60 deaths, July 14: 93 deaths, July 15: 123 deaths By age, most of the deceased are over 85 years of age with, from July 10-14 the ages: over 85 years: 225, between 7584 years: 86, between 65-74 years: 31, between 45-64 years: 12, between 15-44 years: 3, between 0-14 years: 1.

Just 8 of the deaths were recorded in the Valencian Community whilst in Murcia there were none.

Last month, in the June heat wave, there were a total of 714 deaths due to the temperatures with June 19 being the day with most fatalities, a total of 106.

Hicham Achebak, a postdoctoral researcher working on the EU-funded EARLY-ADAPT project at ISGlobal, says that "due to rising temperatures, we will have more and more heat waves, more frequency, greater intensity and duration.

They will break records."

But parallel to the increase in heat waves, the researcher points out that "from 1980 to now it has been seen that vulnerability to high temperatures has been reduced. This is mainly due to socio economic improvements, that is, living standards are better, people have more access to air conditioning, they have more resources to alleviate the negative effects of the heat. Another factor is the improvements in the health system, in the housing stock, we have houses that are much better insulated than years ago".

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STAYING SAFE WHEN IT’S TOO DARN HOT

Deaths from heat in Spain ADVERTISING SALES

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"This mortality typically occurs in older people, " says Acheback. "With increasing age, thermoregulation is altered like many other functions of our body. Some people die from heat stroke, but most of this excess mortality occurs because it affects some previous cardiovascular or respiratory pathologies".

When the temperature climbs above 80°F, older adults need to be proactive and take precautions to avoid ailments due to excessive heat. Keep in mind the following tips when trying to stay cool.

It seems that "when it comes to sex, women are much more vulnerable than men. It seems that women start sweating at a much higher temperature than men, a fundamental way of dissipating heat, although she cautiously adds that the subject needs much more study.

Stay away from direct sun exposure as much as possible. If possible, plan your outdoor activities either early in the morning or when the sun starts to set.

"Many of the people who die prematurely from heat are quite weak," Acheback notes, "although most of the time these deaths could be prevented entirely by air conditioning. But there is a social inequality issue here. Not all people have air conditioning at home and not everyone who has aircon at home can afford to put it on. Energy prices are high and as such the prevalence of the use of air conditioning in Spain is still quite low. On average it is used in 30% of homes which seems very little for a country where temperatures are so high in summer."

Air conditioning is your friend in summer. Spend as much time as possible in air-conditioned spaces. If you don’t have an air conditioner, go somewhere that is air-conditioned.

However, she concludes: "The time will come when air conditioning will be a basic necessity. This is already happening in many of the countries around the Persian Gulf.

Air conditioning is everywhere as all spaces are cooled.

We'll get to this point in a few years time, most likely."

Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of cool water, clear juices, and other liquids that don’t contain alcohol or caffeine. Alcohol and caffeine cause you to lose water in your body by making you urinate more.

Dress appropriately. Whenever

you can, try wearing loose, lightcoloured clothes. Avoid darkcoloured clothes as they may absorb heat. Top it off with a lightweight, broad-brimmed hat and you are dressing like a pro!

These simple changes will help you both stay cool and avoid sunburn.

Did someone say sunburn? Buy a broad spectrum sunscreen lotion or spray with sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.

Apply the sunscreen liberally to all exposed skin. Also, bugs are abundant in summer, so spray insect repellent when going outdoors.

Cool down! Take tepid (not too cold or too hot) showers, baths, or sponge baths when you’re feeling warm. Don’t have the time? Then wet washcloths or towels with cool water and put them on your wrists, ankles, armpits, and neck.

EXPATS WARNED THEIR UK BANK ACCOUNTS AT RISK OF CLOSURE

As a direct consequence of Brexit, British expats are being warned that their UK bank accounts may be closed by the end of the year.

According to reports, a number of banks are in the process of writing to customers who live abroad to tell them that their accounts will automatically be closed, and they should make alternative arrangements.

Brexit has resulted in so-called “passporting” rules ending for UK banks, which is what allows European financial institutions to provide services across the EU. The move is expected to result in thousands of bank accounts being closed, many of which have been held by expats for decades.

The result means that not only

will these account holders have to find alternative arrangements, but it could also affect income from pensions and rental properties, meaning that vital payments and direct debits will have to be set up again.

Jason Porter, of expat specialist financial adviser Blevins Franks, told The Telegraph that banks had continued to send letters more than two years after Britain left the EU, but “It’s too early to breathe a sigh of relief if your UK financial institution hasn’t contacted you yet,”.

One Telegraph Money reader living in Spain received a letter from Barclays, which warned their account would be closed on or after 2 December 2022 unless an exception was given.

The notice said that customers

could only keep their savings or current account open if they lived in the UK and all addresses on file were in the country.

It said: "We’re applying limitations to the banking services we provide to customers with an address in the European Economic Area. We’re sorry to say this means we need you to close your account.”

Regulators in a number of European countries have said it would be illegal for British banks to operate following the end of Britain's transition agreement with the EU. Banks will only be able to serve customers if they obtain new legal permissions and set up separate entities in each jurisdiction. For many the extra cost and hassle is not viable so they will cut services instead.

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PROBLEMS CONTINUE TO BESET SAMU ON THE ORIHUELA C O S T A

While the brand new Orihuela Costa Emergency Centre, a building of 4,700 square metres, continues to only partially operate, as it waits for services to be added, conditions in the SAMU base a little over a kilometre away on the N-332 Cabo Roig roundabout, are in a deplorable condition.

Local Police, Immigration services and Civil Guard, was also provided to locate the SAMU, as well as Firefighters, Civil Protection and Forestry brigades, from where the authorities could then coordinate actions in the southern part of Alicante.

Staff denounce the fact that they have been without air conditioning for three weeks: "In the current temperatures it is inhumane," they say.

However, the first floor of the centre planned to accommodate this service "remains unfinished, an empty shell that requires a further 600,000 euros in spending, in addition to the 2.2 million euros that it has already cost.”

In this heat wave, they are operating in temperatures of more than 30 degrees, but despite the numerous complaints that have been sent to the Ministry of Health about the faulty aircon, they still await a response, so during the 12 hours of service they provide on a daily basis they bring in fans from their homes.

Staff also confirmed that "this year they have rarely had the services of a doctor” a situation that violates the law, and despite the fact that Valencian Health regulations require that this type of medical transport has a doctor with it at all times.

Recently the Nursing Union, Satse, warned that the Ministry of Health is failing to comply with health regulations every time it sends out a SAMU ambulance without a doctor. Satse says that, according to the regulations published by the Ministry itself, SAMU ambulances must have a doctor, nurse and a paramedic, they must be labelled as such and the staff must wear badges that identify them.

Just last Saturday the family of a 56-year-old man who died of a heart attack in Alicante, after being treated by a SAMU team without a doctor, has denounced the case to the courts.

Currently the number of SAMU ambulances that have to attend daily calls without a doctor continues to increase to the point when there are days, according to workers and unions, where between 30% and 40% of ambulances in the province do not have a doctor on board.

Neighborhood organisations on the coast have been calling for a better service for some time and for SAMU care to be extended from 12 to 24 hours, especially during the summer, when the population triples, as does the additional pressure that these arrivals put on the medical services.

The Emergency Centre, which at the moment houses the

The former Councillor for Health, José Galiano, explained that before leaving the government he made arrangements with the Ministry to change the SAMU service to 24 hours and, by the end of the summer, to transfer it to the Emergency Centre.

He said that a project was presented according to the requirements demanded by the Valencian Ministry of Health, headed by Miguel Mínguez, with the Council proposing an area of about 90 square metres, complete with a pharmacy, four rooms and a kitchen, and which had obtained the approval of the Ministry.

However, housed as it is in a building that barely meets their current requirements the question being asked by the staff is why not make the move to the half empty La Zenia Emergency Centre, with it’s far superior facilities, now?

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ROBOT DOGS UNLEASHED

Elche Company unleashes robotic dogs

It will walk up and greet you, and move happily around when it welcomes you, like any well-trained dog, but this one has no hair.

It is a robot designed to be used for military missions, although it is not too far away in being put to use as a guide dog for blind people.

Software and artificial intelligence can be changed so that the dog can be adapted to whatever mission it is put to.

The robot dog has been designed by a company located in the Elche Business Park, and it already has orders from many different armies and also from companies wishing to monitor their facilities.

The guide dog will have to wait, though, before it can be used by a blind person, as it has not yet been put on the market, but the company Bumerania, and its CEO, Isidro Fernández, tells us that they are finalising their technology and have already carried out the pertinent tests, with a view to putting it into production in two months.

The robot dog has 14 built-in cameras and is capable of climbing stairs. As for the guide dog project, it is being developed in partner-

ship with the University of Alicante (UA).

They have now developed a system so that the cameras are able to read the visual signals of traffic lights identifying if they are red, amber or green.

CEO of Bumerania, Isidro Fernández

It also identifies pedestrian crossings and other road signs, as well as a car approaching at high speed. "A blind person can indicate an address and the robot dog will take you to the site safely," explains Fernández. It even incorporates a leash as if it were a real dog.

As for the military version of the robotic dog, it is larger and is even capable of submerging under water, which makes it very useful for army missions. This military robot dog can carry up to 80 kilos and even carry a person.

Many armies are already showing interest in this marvel of technology, and in Indonesia the company has already sold 124 units, at a cost of 60,000 euros each.

The Spanish army has also shown an interest and has asked the research department to incorporate a chemical weapons sensor into the robot dogs. It can also be connected to a military drone so that both are able to maintain communication and, if the dog detects something unusual, it notifies the drone, which can be several kilometres away, and

which can then scan the situation.

They are also programmed to act as riot police, launching pepper spray balls, although

Major embarrassment as Orihuela closes three contaminated beaches Yet another major embarrassment for the Orihuela Council last week as raw sewage caused the closure of 3 award winning beaches, details of which were widely reported in the UK press, attracting such headlines as ‘Wish Poo were Here’?

Cala Bosque would normally have been packed with holidaymakers

BITES Spain advances bill to honour memory of Franco's victims Spanish lawmakers gave the first round of approval to a bill which attempts to rehabilitate the memory of victims of Spain's 1936-39 civil war and Francisco Franco's dictatorship.

CPI rises by 10.2% in June, highest since 1985

One local environmentalist told The Leader that the never-ending increase in the population of Orihuela Costa resulting from the council’s constant and totally irresponsible approval of projects for new housing (and commercial centres) is putting an impossible strain on basic municipal services?

However, just 24 hours after they were closed "until further notice" because of "a high level of pollution of residual origin" the Orihuela Department of

The Spanish army has also commissioned

After Franco came into power after the war, his opponents were left in unmarked graves across Spain. The 'Democratic Memory' bill will make unearthing the mass graves a "state responsibility".

Earlier in the year all 3 of the beaches concerned were awarded a blue flag for the quality of their waters, the renewal of which must now be called into question as the Orihuela Costa sewage system experienced yet another critical failure.

“The approval of new house building, as we know, is not accompanied by the investment and provision of necessary services to deal with the ever-increasing population, and as such these failures in the sewage system are becoming a regular problem.”

the CEO of Bumerania points out that they are not prepared to fit weapons to the dogs.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 1.9% in June compared to the previous month and its yearon-year rate shot up 1.5 points to 10.2%. This is the highest increase since 1985.

Inflation in Spain has now been on the rise for two consecutive months.

Beaches reopened the 3 beaches, Cala Mosca, Cala Cerrada and Cala Bosque, after new analyses showed that "no polluting element had been detected that prevents bathing".

The councillor responsible, Antonio Sánchez apologised to residents and tourists for the inconvenience caused, in addition to "thanking all Council departments, institutions and service companies for the work carried out during the

24-hour period, to resolve the situation on the coast". The incident left strange images of beaches without bathers in the middle of the July tourist season.

When the sewage spills were detected, the red flag was raised while the Local Police deployed a drone and a jet ski patrol to ensure that no one got into the water. Officers were placed at the entrances to the affected beaches, where warning signs were also dis-

played.

Some of those who were hoping to take a dip left with the feeling of " the summer starting off badly", while others blamed the episode, once again, on the saturation of a coastline whose growth is not keeping pace with improvements in services and infrastructures.

It seems that yet again the council has failed to heed the warning of earlier sewage discharges on the coast.

Queen Letizia resumes official duties after testing Covid-19 positive Spain's Queen Letizia has resumed her official duties eight days after testing positive for Covid-19.

She attended the opening of the fifth conference on the coverage of disability in the media at the Vallehermoso Stadium in Madrid.

The news of the Queen testing positive came a few days ago, following which she isolated herself.

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Benejúzar to twin with French town Pont Saint Esprit The Benejúzar City Council has stated the twinning procedures between the municipalities of Benejúzar and Point Saint, following a decision that was voted unanimously in favor at a recent plenary session.

Pont Saint Esprit is a municipality of 10,600 inhabitants in the heart of Occitan Provence.

A region of vineyards and fruit and vegetable

producers. It also has 12 historical monuments.

Pont Saint Esprit

Benejúzar mayor, Rosa García, was approached by the Point Saint Councilor for Festivities, Hélène Rodes, together with her husband, José Rodes, a member of the Pont Saint Esprit twinning committee. She said that the objective of twinning is to strengthen ties of friendship, as well as weave synergies and promote the exchange of experiences, cultural

and tourist activities between the residents of both municipalities.

HORADADA TO EMPLOY 43 SUMMER STAFF

Employment and Local Development Agency with the selection process carried out through the Valencian Employment and Training Service, LABORA.

The Councillor for Employment, Susi Sánchez, and the councillor for Public Services, Adrián López, welcomed 43 new staff to the Horadada payroll on Monday morning, workers who are temporarily joining the City Council until 7 October.

38 agricultural labourers and 4 foremen have been hired to carry out cleaning and conditioning work on rural roads and in public areas across the municipal district of Pilar de la Horadada during the summer months.

Their employment is possible thanks to the subsidy from the State Public Employment Service (SEPE), of 188,273.00 euros. This subsidy has been processed from the

Following the greeting, held in a municipal warehouse the staff received a talk on health and safety after which they were distributed into groups and work areas across the municipality.

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Electric Scooters flood torrevieja . . . despite Sanctions Despite the fact that there have been no applications, nor licenses issued by the city council, electric scooters for rent can be found in dozens of different locations around Torrevieja and it’s surrounds.

The Torrevieja Council has said that it has no intention of authorising the hire activity, as long as it is not specifically regulated in the City Ordinance.

Companies continue to place them in areas of high tourist influx, on pavements, street corners, sea front restaurants and bars, commercial areas, plaza’s and squares, despite facing the daily payment for dozens of removals by municipal tow trucks, and the imposition of subsequent fines.

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BITES Sexual assault cases go up by over 80% between 2020 and 2021 The ANAR Foundation has warned about an increase in cases of sexual abuse after the pandemic and has said that these cases increased by 80.9% between 2020 and 2021.

The foundation also warned of an increase in group rapes during the summer period, calling some parties a "breeding ground for sexual assault." It has increased from 717 cases of sexual abuse in 2020 to 1,297 cases in 2021.

The taxi sector continues to warn of dangerous road practices, particularly overnight and in the early hours of the morning, although they also confirm that in high season they have no impact on the volume of customers The City Council has gone on to state that it has no intention of authorising the activity, while is not specifically regulated in the ordinance.

Pope Francis appoints three women to bishops advisory committee for first time

The Councillor for Security, Federico Alarcón, confirmed that all vehicles on public roads that fail to comply with local traffic regulations will be removed. He also indicated that aside from municipal regulations, this activity is not being considered, and that no company has requested a license for their use in the public domain.

Pope Francis named an Italian woman, a French woman, and a laywoman to the bishops advisory committee, making it the first time that women will serve on the committee.

“We are going to continue carrying out this removal of scooters,” said the councillor.

The members of the committee are in charge of vetting new bishops who are nominated by Vatican ambassadors, although the Pope gets the final say in the matter.

The proliferation of the supply of these electric scooters that can be rented at a rate of 0.20 euros per minute, has also been fuelled by intense competition between two companies which share a very similar colour and name, both fighting for the lucrative business despite having to travel almost entirely on conventional roads because there are hardly any specific lanes for scooters or such vehicles.

However, the church still reserves the priesthood for men.

CPI rises by 10.2% in June, highest since 1985

The taxi sector is also beginning to notice the impact of renting scooters that can be used anywhere from a mobile app. "Right now the problem is focused on traffic safety rather than the impact on customers," says the president of radio taxi, Vicente José García Torres, who represents the majority of the sector in Torrevieja.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose BY 1.9% in June compared to the previous month and its year-on-year rate shot up 1.5 points to 10.2%.

This is the highest increase since 1985.

This is according to data published by the National Institute of Statistics (INE).

Scotsman is new head of Age in Spain A Scot living in Santiago de Compostela has been elected President of Age in Spain, the organisation dedicated to supporting older English language speakers living in Spain or thinking of moving there.

John Rafferty joined the organisation as a volunteer eventually becoming a trustee where he convened a campaign group delivering awareness raising

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campaigns on dementia and the subject of moving to or living in Spain.

Alongside a career at chief executive level in the voluntary and public sectors, John chaired NHS trusts in Scotland and England before moving to Spain.

He takes up his new post alongside three new Trustees of Age in Spain who have also had practical experience as volun-

teers with the organisation.

Marijke Cazemier, David Dransfield and Margaret McKay strengthen the practical skills on the Board of Trustees, with expertise in project management, quality standards and leadership.

The founder of Age in Spain, Judy Arnold-Boakes, MBE, becomes the organisation’s first Honorary Vice President.

Inflation in Spain has now been on the rise for two consecutive months.

Spain considers extending monkeypox vaccine to at-risk groups Spain's Public Health Commission is debating whether the vaccine against monkeypox should be extended to at-risk groups, which include people who have had group sex with strangers and had multiple sexual partners in the last year, irrespective of whether they came into contact with infected persons.

At present, vaccination is only given to those who have been exposed to the virus.

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Orihuela Tourist Routes Capital of the Vega Baja, and with it’s abundance of monuments, churches, palaces, convents, museums and other historical sites, Orihuela is one of the most important Tourist locations in the whole of Spain.

Every corner of it’s more than 384 km2 contains shades of tradition and modernity, show it as a prosperous place with a monumental artistic heritage.

During the month of July, organised tours of the city take place twice every week, on Thursdays and Saturdays, details of which are shown below. The tour on 29 July will be in English.

Salvo’s of arquebuses fill Orihuela’s besieged streets More than ninety ‘shooters’ took part in perhaps the most spectacular event of the Orihuela’s Moors and Christians Celebrations last week, the Guerrilla Única de la Reconquista, the simulated battle that precedes the taking of the castle, as the city festivities got underway to commemorate the arrival of Christian troops in the 13th century, and their triumph over the Saracens.

It was the action that recreated the force of sound, the thunderous parade of "the guerrillas and guerrilleras" and their salvos of arquebuses, their long guns, which began on the Paseo de

Calvo Sotelo, continuing through the streets of the city centre to Calderón de la Barca to conclude at the Puente de Levante and the Glorieta de Gabriel, where the storming of the castle by the Christians took place

Now with the introduction of a higher level of safety awareness each of the participants was accompanied by a trained muzzle loader with the distribution of the gunpowder being supervised by Guardia Civil.

More than an hour and a half of deafening gunfire, shots into the air that left behind the musty and sulfuric smell gunpowder.

Once again, Orihuela proved to be a great destination, with many enactments taking place, each telling it’s own colourful story of the area’s history, with the streets filled with the spine-tingling sound of band music and extravagant costumes, paraded in processions through the week-long festival.

Each was isued with a kilo of gunpowder where, for a number of years now, many of the 91 shooters participating in the act have been women.

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The Lads get Organised … suppose in hindsight we shouldn’t have been all that surprised. Unrest and disquiet is in the air these times and in fairness, The Lads have taken a back seat for a very long time.

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Just about every group within society has become organised.

There are several women’s groups, ethnic organisations, victims groups, pressure groups, LGBT and transgender – to mention but a few. ‘Everyone is represented except us’, said one of the Lads ‘United we stand, divided we fall’, came from a small Lad at the back of the room as another member, with a few pints in him, burst into ‘we shall not be moved.’

Cutting straight to the chase, the breaking news this week is that The Lads have organised themselves into an association, which they hope will give recognition to the plight of a voiceless segment of today’s population in Ireland.

‘We are now a minority … a persecuted minority’, claimed one of the founder members to loud applause and roars of ‘up ya boya’ at the inaugural meeting. ‘The group name is very important because it makes members feel cohesive’, said the chairman. After the word ‘cohesive’ was debated for a while, the new chairman went on to launch the name of the new association. It will be known as AMEN – or ‘Association of Men Entitled to Nothing.’

AMEN will incorporate the previously known ‘Ordinary man in the Street’ and ‘The poor unfortunate Scrut’. It was also pointed out from the floor that 75 per cent of the letters in AMEN spells ‘men’; ‘but have you ever heard that mentioned before’, he asked.

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among the Lads, but members must always be respectful and kind to women.

Sexist jokes are permitted amongst members – as long as they are funny and not dirty or vicious.

Same thing with racist jokes: mild funny ones are OK as long as the teller can laugh at himself as well. And as one Lad pipped up with; ‘if he’s a Biffo … he’s a Biffo!’

To qualify for membership a Lad must have, or have had, a mother or a mammy. Any young applicant with a ‘mom’ will be placed on a waiting list. When yours truly enquired about being a member, I was told that my application would have to go before a full committee hearing.

One of the founders has a long memory and apparently one Sunday in 1964 I went for afternoon tea with a girl and missed a hurling match. Joining is not as easy as it seems!

But back to the benefits of being organised into a fellowship of our own. AMEN is confident that there will be significant advantages to individual members and to the association as a whole. Last night’s spokesman was quite excited over how he sees future prospects.

‘Because we represent a threatened minority, we will get anything and everything that is going’, the man said. ‘You won’t see a discussion panel on RTE without a token chair there for There are naturally some requirements to satisfy before one of us. At least one Lad from AMEN will be featured becoming a member of AMEN. ever week in a three-page colour pull-out article in a Sunday The applicant must be a Lad, never have been anything other newspaper. Most importantly of all, nobody … and I mean than a Lad, and must give an undertaking that he will never nobody, will be allowed to show even a hint of what appears try to be anything other than a Lad. ‘Slagging’ is encouraged to be discrimination against a Lad. It is essential that we always have a ‘hard done by’ Lad on standby to talk to Joe Bernie.comaskey@gmail.com Bernie has published four books; ‘If Ever a Duffy!’ *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.

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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 - Lampranthus - Sunbeam!

The Lampranthus - Red Mesen, Dewplant, Cats Claw or Sunbeam - is a creeping succulent plant characterised by a mass of flowers.

Blooming heavily from late winter to spring in warm winter areas, and from early summer to early autumn in cooler locations.

It's perfect for covering garden areas and decorating rockeries or slopes, due to its creeping nature.

An evergreen, erect, shallow-

There was a long discussion on how members might be discriminated against because of being a Lad. Several exam-

rooted succulent shrublet with a fibrous root system with wiry stems, spreading out horizontally, bearing small blue-green finger like leaves, up to 3 in. long and growing up to 3ft. high.

Many varieties, with flower colours ranging from red, orange, white and to violet.

After flowering, dead-head spent flowers, helping continually to produce flowers.

They don't mind poor quality soils, happy in both pots and in garden borders. Water moderately being a drought tolerant plant, an ideal choice

ples were put forward and answers sough and given as to how to deal with being ‘different.’ The last topic to be dealt with was the possibility of being pestered by the opposite sex.

No resolution was passed on this one when some bachelor farmer members said they knew nothing at all about the subject. Then after it was explained to them, they stated that if a lady out there was interested in pestering them a little, they would like to wait to see how it affected them before making up their mind …

Two of the Lads called to my house. Both Miriam O’Callaghan and Ryan Tubridy were looking for an AMEN representative to come into studio.

The Lads asked if I would do it. Of course I was chuffed and really looking forward to becoming a national figure. ‘Stand by for a phone call, I was told.

‘Ting-a-ling-a-ling’ … here it comes. I nonchalantly mutter, ‘Hi Ryan’ after stretching for the ringing handset. But … shock …horror; instead of a phone, I find myself cradling the alarm clock. It was all a bloody dream – and sadly to relate, the Lads continue to be as disorganised as ever!

DON’T FORGET When in doubt, don’t.

in Costa Blanca South gardens.

A sun loving plant, plant in a very sunny or bright area of your garden for abundant flowering. They do not need fertilising, as that will cause overgrowth, making softer, weaker branches.

A succulent they are sensitive to low temperatures, although, being very hardy, can withstand a light frost.

Easy to propagate from cuttings, or simply let them self seed. A very resistant plant, however, it can be affected by attacks of cottony mealybug.

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CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, SOMETIMES ehind every great fortune there is a crime, wrote the French author Balzac, by which reckoning my ancestors must have been extremely lawabiding. As pure as the driven neige.

B

If crime doesn't pay, why are there so many criminals? One ex-criminologist put it down to the fact that modern prisons are "holiday camps with three square meals a day, medical care, free legal advice, educational opportunities, and they launder your clothes at no extra charge." Not sure if that last joke was intentional.

A city in America is proposing to pay criminals not to commit crimes for a specific period of time, which sounds similar to a supermarket's 'limited offer only,' except the customer gets to pocket the cash for doing nothing. Many lawbreakers have problems managing their personal finances, so one wonders what they will do when their bribe falls at the first fence.

Run into a bank and ask for a non-returnable loan, perhaps.

There must be large numbers of crooks

for whom crime has paid, but their success in evading detection (and detectives) makes it impossible for an honest researcher to gather reliable statistics.

When did a person armed with a clipboard last approach you in the street and inquire, "Have you ever robbed a bank, sir/madam?" Did you give an honest answer? What about your little sister's piggy bank, does that count?

The maxim 'Crime Doesn't Pay' originated as an FBI slogan in 1927, and today organised crime is Britain's fourth-largest industry, with an annual turnover in excess of £20 billion. There are many new crimes for our modern age -- insider trading, internet scams, tax evasion, identity theft, the opium poppy proliferation, people trafficking and worse, if you can think of anything worse.

It must be harder than ever before to make crime profitable, not that it was all that easy in the past. Crime may have paid -- at one remove -- for successful bounty hunters in the Wild West, when outlaws had prices on their heads. And

master criminals like Professor Moriarty and Natwarlal -- who repeatedly sold the Houses of Parliament and the Taj Mahal -were probably never short of ill-gotten gains to jingle in their pockets.

But the Penguin would be easy to pick out in an identity parade, and Butch and Sundance struggled to make a dishonest living, as did Bonnie and Clyde. The English murderer Beverley Allitt is certainly paying for her crimes, currently serving 13 life sentences. Will she survive to serve even two, I wonder? Your guess is as good as mine. Lord Lucan is 88 now, and living in the glens of Scotland.

There is a touch of moral ambiguity about the actions of Robin Hood, who -- allegedly, Your Lordships! -- robbed the rich and gave to the poor. Which at first glance may sound like an early version of income tax, i.e., theft. But Robin must have used be less than pleased with a constant diet of venison. The amount a lot of his loot for the upkeep of his remaining for distribution to the poor would be next to nothing. band of outlaws in Sherwood Forest.

Criminally low, some might say. Robin probably spent most of his available funds on Maid Marion, that's usually the way a gangster -- or His Lincoln green costume would constantly need repair after snagging on twigs hood -- treats his moll. Like the evergreen trees in Sherwood Forest, some things never change. and branches, and the Merry Men might

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1955 - Slim Whitman was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Rose Marie.' The single stayed at the top of the charts for eleven consecutive weeks.

1966 - Georgie Fame was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Get Away'. The song started life as a TV jingle for a petrol advert.

1972 - Rolling Stone’s Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were arrested in Warwick, Rhode Island on charges of assault after a fight broke out with a newspaper photographer.

1973 - TV talent show Opportunity Knocks winners Peters And Lee were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with their first single and only chart topper 'Welcome Home.'

1975 - The Bay City Rollers were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Give A Little Love', the group's second and final UK No.1.

Monday 18th - Sunday 24th July 2022

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1983 - Paul Young had his first UK No.1 single with his version of the Marvin Gaye song 'Wherever I Lay My Hat, (That's My Home.)'

1995 - Two R.E.M. fans died at Dublin's Slane Castle gig, one drowned in the River Boyne and the other was allegedly pushed from a bridge.

1996 - The Spice Girls made their debut on Top Of The Pops performing their debut single ' Wannabe' which gave them their first of nine UK chart toppers.

2001 - 59 year old Paul McCartney became engaged to 33 year old Heather Mills, an activist for the disabled and a former swimwear model whose left leg was amputated below the knee after she was run down by a police motorcyclist in 1993.

The pair would split in 2006 and divorce in 2008 with a settlement that cost Macca millions.

2003 - Johnny Cash picked up six nominations in the MTV Video Music Awards for his remake of Nine Inch Nails' 'Hurt' from his album, American IV: The Man Comes Around. The video, featuring images from Cash's life and directed by Mark Romanek, was also named the best video of the year by the Grammy Awards and CMA Awards, and the best video of all time by NME.

1976 - Elton John scored his first UK number 1 single with ‘Don't Go Breaking My Heart’ a duet with Kiki Dee. It was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin under the pseudonym "Ann Orson" and "Carte Blanche" and was Elton's first UK No.1 after 16 Top 40 hits.

1978 - Def Leppard made their live debut at Westfield School, Sheffield in front of 150 students.

2011 - Amy Winehouse, pictured right, was found dead at her North London home, she was 27. A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed that a 27 year old woman had died in Camden and that the cause of death was as yet unexplained. London Ambulance Service said it had been called to the flat at 15.54pm and sent two vehicles but the woman died.

2019 - Crowds dancing at a festival triggered minor earthquakes. The biggest tremors were recorded during a headline set by indie band Two Door Cinema Club at Tramlines Festival in Sheffield. Manic Street Preachers, Lewis Capaldi and Nile Rogers and Chic were also on the bill.

Alicante and Benidorm, the best cities to visit with children Amusement parks, green areas, security and accommodation are just some of the criteria used by the travel portal ‘Bounce’ to prepare this report.

A report published last week says that Spain is one of the most popular holiday destinations to travel with children as the climate, the geographical and cultural diversity make it a unique destination. In addition, within Spain, Alicante is the bets valued city for families to travel to with children, followed by Benidorm.

Among the information gathered to determine the listing, attractions for children, the number of natural areas and parks per 100,000 inhabitants, the average annual temperature, the safety index and the average price of hotels, were at the top of the list.

The portal highlights Alicante for its "sunny climate, warm beaches and small-town atmosphere" and its proximity to Valencia for excursions. It also states that it has nine natu-

ral areas and parks for every 100,000 inhabitants along with its "beautiful" beaches. In addition, the safety index is high (72.6 out of 100), only behind cities such as Santiago de Compostela, Benidorm, Valencia and Malaga.

That is why it qualifies as “one of the safest cities in Spain for family holidays”.

The report also states that the average price of a double room in a hotel, per night, is 109 dollars.

When considering Benidorm it highlights the Old Town, its beaches and its large number of green areas (22 for every 100,000 inhabitants), rating its security index at 77.87.

Complete list of the best Spanish cities to travel with children 1. Alicante: 6.94 2. Benidorm: 6.84 3. Valencia: 6.73 4. Malaga: 6.43 5. Granada: 6.12 6. Palma de Mallorca: 5.31 7. Madrid: 5.20 8. Barcelona: 5 9. Santiago de Compostela: 4.80

Alicante and Benidorm top the list in Spain, with Valencia in 3rd.

10. Toledo : 4.69 In addition to analysing the Spanish destinations for traveling to with children, it also carried out a global study with Budapest

(Hungary) chosen as the best country to visit (7.39 points), followed by Paris (6.90), Berlin (6.80), Vienna (6.60), Amsterdam (6.55), Rome (6.06), Helsinki (5.52), Venice (5 .52), Milan (5.42) and Florence (5.37).

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CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

QUICKIE CROSSWORD

ANSWERS Week 927

ACROSS 3.

Profitable (9) 8.

Lure (4) 9.

Hard work (9) 10. Spaceship (6) 11. Agencies (5) 14. Exhausted (5) 15. Rotate (4) 16. Moor (5) 18. Sell (4) 20. Release (5) 21. Entice (5) 24. Strain (6) 25. Sensible (9) 26. Quarrel (4) 27. Fecundity (9) CAN YOU MASTER THE SUDOKU CHALLENGE? Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.

Solution on Page 21

DOWN 1.

2.

4.

5.

6.

7.

9.

11.

12.

13.

17.

19.

22.

23.

24.

Vulgar (9) Villain (9) One (4) Uplift (5) Essay (6) Sin (4) Demise (5) Intended (5) Lethargic (9) Increase (9) Vegetable mould (5) Portray (6) Bottle (5) Vast (4) Powder (4)

QUICK ACROSS: 1 Asparagus; 8 Rio; 9 Cataclysmic; 11 Precede; 12 Laird; 13 Priest; 15 Breeze; 17 Drawl; 18 Discard; 20 Incongruous; 22 Ado; 23 Testament.

DOWN: 2 Sea; 3 Ruche; 4 Geyser; 5 Similar; 6 Archipelago; 7 Roundhead; 10 Trepidation; 11 Pipe dream; 14 Solicit; 16 Adonis; 19 Syria; 21 Urn. CRYPTIC CRYPTIC ACROSS: 1 Overspend; 8 Ill; 9 Definitions; 11 Contact; 12 Adult; 13 Ratify; 15 Dampen; 17 Leeds; 18 Octopod; 20 Ace of Hearts; 22 Nod; 23 Spectator.

DOWN: 2 Vie; 3 Sonia; 4 Estate; 5 Diorama; 6 Tissue paper; 7 Glistened; 10 Find the lady; 11 Carolling; 14 Fastens; 16 Toffee; 19 Theft; 21 Two.

ACROSS 3. There should be no hens here (4,5) 8. Somehow reap fruit (4) 9. Annoying by looking around the street (9) 10. American money said to bring grief (6) 11. When the man takes tea (5) 14. Swear about merchandise (5) 15. Pleasant resort in France (4) 16. Cathy capsizes the sailing boat (5) 18. Step to the right and get gun out (4) 20. Shore up an animal (5) 21. Girl losing her head over slang (5) 24. Some Dorset terrier or another dog (6) 25. Cane under trial for lasting quality (9) 26. Proceed to find a fool (4) 27. Plan to dig around for something to gild with (4,5)

L EA D E R T R I V I A Q U I Z 1. In Portugal, if you buy "sem chumbo", where would you put it?

2. In Slovenia, if you heard someone shout "Na Mesta, Pozor, Zdaj" what sport would be you be spectating/taking part in?

3. What Japanese name means "fried food, often at the table"?

4. From the Greek meaning apple, what do we call this fruit?

5. What is the national drink of Yugoslavia?

6. Who founded the Greek theatre?

7. In terms of hair care, what does FSH stand for?

8. Who is the Patron Saint of France?

9. What does a polythesistic person believe in?

10. What links Millionaires, Metropolitans, Black Hawks, Silver seven?

11. Archaeopteryx was the first what?

12. Chogori is better know by what boring name?

13. Which Game is Played 15 a side and scores 3 or 1 points?

14. Who does a Filicide kill?

15. Rolihlahla was who's middle name?

16. How long can a bedbug live without food: a: 1 Day, b: 1 Month or c: 1 Year?

17. Who wrote The Picture of Dorian Grey in 1891?

18. The first known what happened in Wisconsin 1878?

19. Which Canadian won the 1957 Nobel Peace Prize for Suez?

DOWN 1. Digging routine preparatory duties? (9) 2. Ran libel article about dancer (9) 4. Tire out with a row (4) 5. Keeps in with Bill the billionaire (5) 6. Pilot in the marina, perhaps (6) 7. Vehicle with a worn top? (4) 9. Baby cat? (5) 11. Coats thrown at the races (5) 12. Turns into a grim journey (9) 13. Tree trend can be off-putting (9) 17. A number found in there (5) 19. Justification you give for retreating? (6) 22. Japanese port to get a soak tipsy (5) 23. Cause the downfall of United Nations party (4) 24. Read the descant part (4)

( A n s we r s o n p a g e 2 1 ) 20. What did Canada's "Grand Falls" change their name to 1964?

21. 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?

22. 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?

23. In which four countries in the world would one find the most Spanish speaking people?

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

25. Which solo performer was Time Magazine's first 'Man of the Year' in 1927, and until Greta Thunberg, was the youngest winner?

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

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

28. Umami is one of the five what?

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

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

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The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints 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 659 016 733

La Siesta Evangelical Church, Torrevieja, a friendly, Englishspeaking church. We hold services at 11.15am on the 2nd and 4th Sundays each month (and the 5th when there is one). For more info see our website at: www.lasiestaevangelicalchurch.org Join us at the SALT CHURCH

Monday 18th - Sunday 24th July 2022

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 look forward to meeting you. www.Saltchurchspain.

Facebook SaltChurchSpain 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

The Car of the Month at Automoviles Crespo is a 2020 Ford Focus ST3 petrol which is on Special Offer priced at just 37,900 euro. Come along

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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

Builder, remodelling,kitchens, extensions, we beat most quotes. Call Andy 697 834 934.

Come Join The Band' The Royal British Legion Concert Band Spain is looking for a second violin player of any nationality to join our growing group of musicians. Please contact Graham Robinson at email by phone on 658 663 846 or by email at: robinsongraham256@ googlemail.com

The JuneMeeting of the Royal British Legion Orihuela Costa and District Branch will be held at 7 for 7.30 pm on

SHARE THE COST OF BUYING AN APARTMENT I am looking for someone to share the cost of buying a 2 bed apartment in Los Alcazares.

Total cost is 100k so 50k each.

Please contact Fintan on +353 86 878 1317

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Thursday 21 July at the Olympia Pool Bar in Mil Palmeras. SILENT AUCTION. Bring something along. Everyone is welcome incl non members. Call Jean on: 630 28 08 99.

The RBL 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 info please contact:Torrevieja.secretary@rbl. community 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 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

Diana from Greece. 47 year old lady. Blonde hair, blue eyes. Beautiful, sweet, natural body. Private apartment.

Calle Gil Vallejo 5, Torrevieja. Call 663 817 943 Rocio, 40, Argentinian, sweet, qualified massausse. Big, natural breasts. House 75. La Zenia. 672 872 050.

Mery... 35 sweet Polish girl.

Beautiful body. Complete

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 Margaret Forshaw on 966 92 1966.

The RAFA Costa Blanca RMG replaces the RAFA Costa Blanca Branch 1359 which is now closed. The RMG is a social group of caring people and remains affiliated to the parent Association. Contact with the RAFA and the RMG is via the RAFA website rafa.org.uk. Tel:0044 800 018 2361.

Over 50 - On your own in the Torrevieja area. Check out Phoenix Solos who meet every Monday morning from 11am to 1pm at Reflections Bar/Restaurant, C/Aviles, San Luis Lakeside. Call Lynette on 643 098 173 or see website at; phoenixsolos.wix.com attention. Maximum privacy in Campoamor. Fantasies.

Tel. 672 539 332 TORREVIEJA MIRIAM Brazilian lady blond 59 year.

Do massage erotic with happy end. Speak good english. Call 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

NADIA...

SO SWEET MONDALVIAN (31) Turquesa St. La Zenia.

Tel. 643 276 205

LUNA 30 EX MODEL. Brasilian. Slim.

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Casa 77 (close to Consum).

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La Zenia. Casa 77 (Close to Consum).

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TAX IS FOR THE LITTLE PEOPLE

BY TONY MAYES

to feather the nests of those in power.

We have seen year after year, the Tory government cutting public spending on the altar of cutting taxes. And the result now is Britain in a terrible mess. Waiting lists for doctors' appointments and hospital waiting lists are at an all-time high, because the NHS is grossly underfunded. We have a road and rail network which is the laughing stock of Europe. One example of this is where I live in West Sussex, where we have an A road with a level crossing with barriers down against traffic more than they are up - with resulting traffic chaos.

Multiply that across the country with years of underfunding and you can see how Britain has become grossly uncompetitive compared with the continent. I can drive 100 miles on superb continental motorways in little more than an hour. Trying to drive 100 miles on congested and inadequate roads in the UK takes twice and often three times longer.

W

e've heard much in recent days during the great Tory leadership struggle about tax cuts, and no doubt we will be hearing far more in the coming days.

So why are tax cuts so important to Tories? The answer is simple.

The majority of paid-up members of the Conservative party, who will be voting shortly to choose a new Prime Minister, are well off.

Some are captains of industry, earning megga bucks, some are landed rich, some are property rich while some are silver spooners.

And for someone earning, say 250,000 pounds a year a 1p cut in income tax would give him or her 2,500 pounds straight in the wallet, while someone on the average pay of around 25,000 pounds would get just 25 pounds extra.

Put simply, the better off you are, the more you will press for tax cuts, while the poorer are conned into thinking that a tax cut will benefit them, while, in reality, it makes very little difference.

What would make a real difference would be a meaningful cut in the VAT on essentials, like food, fuel, gas and electricity - and to pay for that, VAT should be increased on luxury goods. But you will never hear a Conservative suggesting that, because it would hit them more.

For years we have been hearing the Tories banging on about "levelling up" - which in their world means putting more investment in the north of the country. Cynics would say the policy is a gimmick to get more votes in northern constituencies - and at the last election it worked, although I believe the election of Tories north of Watford Gap was more about the fear of Corbyn and nationalise everything left wingers getting into power.

Levelling up should mean, in a fair society, policies to give more help to poorer people but we have seen little of that in the last 12 years of Tory rule. In fact, the opposite is the case, with the rich getting richer and the poor poorer, year after year.

In my job as a newspaper editor, I attended many business meetings and dinners and listened to company bosses swapping stories about how they have managed to reduce the tax they pay - as if that was something to be proud of. The more oiled they became after a few drinks the more they patted themselves on the back.

No-one likes to pay tax - in fact in biblical times tax collectors were looked upon as the lowest of the low. But taxes are essential for the well-being of the country, provided it is properly spent and not used

Tory spending cuts have resulted in reductions in the police to the extent that some forces don't even bother to record minor crime and certainly not investigate it.

Education standards in schools have deteriorated, and when it comes to local government services - well ‘heaven help the public’. Refuse collection, road maintenance, street cleaning, upkeep of public spaces have all taken a hammering.

Local government services could so easily be improved by adding a few additional bands at the top so that people owning mansions pay much more council tax. And why not tax second home owners more, especially those who have holiday homes they rent out in the summer and keep empty in the winter, destroying the villages where holiday homes proliferate.

So, when you hear right wing politicians banging on about tax cuts the remarks are pointed to the selfish brigade, who are more than happy to have tax cuts, and the bigger the better. Why? Because it is they who have the income and capital to pay for private health, private education and private care in their old age and couldn't care less about how people who have far less money than they have are struggling.

Britain has had too many years of right-wing government which has brought about increased unfairness. The last 3 years has been an utter disaster with a government with an 80-seat majority, which has allowed them to think they can do virtually anything and get away with it.

That must never happen again. Nor should Britain keep on lurching from right to left in politics. We see it falling apart in America with Republicans v Democrats at each others' throats. Luckily in Britain we have a viable third party, the Lib Dems, who, if people would only give them a real chance at election time they could make a real and positive improvement in Britain's future.

Oh yes, Tories and Labour will unite at general election time to do their utmost, aided and abetted by the Tory and Labour press to discredit Lib Dems. At the next election let's hope people will at last see those smear campaigns for what they really are.

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EU recommends second Covid-19 booster dose for vulnerable and over 60s EU authorities have recommended a second Covid-19 booster dose for everyone over 60 as well as all medically vulnerable people across Europe amid rising cases of infections.

Almost all European countries have reported a surge in infections, driven mainly by Omicron variant BA.5. The EU's health and medicine agencies had previously recommended a second booster for people over the age of 80 in April.

Loggerhead Turtle aborts egg laying at La Mata

By Andrew Atkinson A child who saw a large Loggerhead sea turtle metres from the La Mata seashore lead to the University of Valencia and Torrevieja Department of the Environment arriving on the scene.

The discovery was made by the youngster, while sitting near to a beach bar with his parents, this month.

Due to the interest by members of the public the loggerhead turtle left, aborting its egglaying attempt.

"It is possible the turtle was the one that had tried to spawn three times in the Region of Murcia, two of them on optimal beaches in the Calblanque Regional Park and another one in La Manga," said a spokesperson from the Torrevieja Department of the Environment.

The neighbouring coastal Municipalities of Guardamar del Segura, Elche, Santa Pola, Orihuela, Pilar de la Horadada have placed posters in situ, alluding to the possible presence of spawning sea turtles this summer, to notify the authorities by calling 112.

"It is important that the informative posters about the existing protocol are in place. "The posters in the beach bar, were carried out within the LIFE MedTurtles project in which the University of Valencia participates, distributed by the Torrevieja City Council, at the beginning of the sea turtle nesting season this year," said the spokesperson.

"Unfortunately this time it was not possible, in what was a very early attempt to lay eggs.

"This, or another female turtle, could arrive on any beach, including the most urban ones, and for this reason you have to call 112.

"Do not approach, or let others approach the turtle and, above all, do not disturb it," added the spokesperson.

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BITES Archaeologists find Europe's oldest human fossil Archaeologists in Spain have claimed to find what could be described as the oldest human fossil discovered in Europe. The fossil they found likely dates back to around 1.4 million years ago. Researchers associated with the non-profit Atapuerca Foundation have said that the oldest hominid fossil in Europe before this was a jawbone unearthed in northern Spain in 2007.

New tax on profits earned by large energy companies Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, has announced a new tax "on extraordinary profits" of large energy companies that will collect 2,000 million euros a year for the next two years.

Monday 18th - Sunday 24th July 2022

Aging continues to be unstoppable and is aggravated by the drop in birth rates due to covid

In 2021, a total of 13,365 births were registered in the province, 31 more than in 2020, however, during the previous year, 2019, there had been a sharp drop due to the pandemic.

Spanish banks listed on the IBEX 35 recorded sharp falls between 6 and 12%.

The number of births last year, therefore, continued at these very low levels, and was once again highly conditioned by the health situation, but what did achieve a record was mortality, with 18,453 deaths, a number in which coronavirus played a significant part.

Fourth dose of Covid-19 vaccine announced for people above 60 Spain's Health Ministry has decided to lower the age for receiving fourth dose against Covid-19 to 60 from 80 following a discussion on 12 Jul. Earlier, the booster was only being given to people above age 80. This comes after the European Union recommended that the fourth dose should be immediately administered to people above 60.

However, Spain has not specified when it plans to lower the age

Immunologists warn of new wave of Covid-19, recommend masks The president of the Spanish Society of Immunology (SEI), Marcos Lopez Hoyos, has warned that the new wave of Covid-19 infections could be worse than last Christmas and in the upcoming days, Spain could see more people hospitalised with severe symptoms.

Immunologists have also urged caution and requested people to wear masks as the current variants are extremely transmissible.

Those over 65 now make up 20.65% of the province's population.

The latest demographic indicators released by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) show this to be the case with a notable increase in the average age and an increase in people who are within the highest age groups.

However, following the announcement, the stocks of the largest Spanish banks fell sharply. The IBEX fell by 2.1% and fell below 8,000 points after Sanchez's announcement of the tax.

Also, according to the report, India is projected to surpass China as the world's most populous country in 2023.

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The aging of the population in the province of Alicante continues to increase at an alarming rate and is said to have been worsened by the record drop in birth rates caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

In addition, the difference between births and deaths, which grows continuously, has been accentuated by the health crisis, making a short-term change in the trend inconceivable.

The global population is projected to reach 8bn on 15 Nov 2022, according to the World Population Prospects 2022, released on 11 Jul, World Population Day, by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

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AVERAGE AGE IN ALICANTE PROVINCE INCREASES BY 5 YEARS IN JUST 2 DECADES

Sanchez explained that this tax will be in effect in 2023 and 2024 and "will affect the extraordinary profits obtained in 2022 and 2023."

World population to reach 8bn on 15 Nov 2022, projects UN

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The result was a rate of 724.27 births per thousand deaths, the lowest figure in recent history, and in the midst of this negative balance, the population as a whole continues to grow thanks to immigration, which means that aging is increasing.

The number of young people is declining, and as it does so they are becoming, proportionally, less and less of the total population.

The average age of the population is currently 44.27 years, almost five more than two decades ago.

By sex, women average 45.30 years, while with men it is 43.23. But in reality, there is an imbalance between the number of older people and the number of young people: the median age. This is 45.54 years for the population as a whole, in women it rises to 46.47 and in men it is 44.64.

Those over 65 now make up 20.65% of the province's population. This proportion has been growing steadily since 1975, even during a time of limited rejuvenation, the boom years between 1998 and 2008.

Forty years ago, this percentage was just half what it is today. However, it should also be borne in mind that in the Alicante region there is another factor that contributes to the high average age of its population, apart from aging itself: the presence of a large number of elderly residents in tourist areas such as the coast, that make these areas even older than the interior.

PROPORTION OF PEOPLE OVER 80

In this sense, we should look at the specific data of localities with more than 50,000 inhabitants. Torrevieja and Orihuela are the municipalities with the highest percentage of people over 65 years of age, 23.27 and 23.08% respectively.

It is quite plausible to think that this is due to the coronavirus, and the high mortality that it produced among older people.

However, the highest rates of people over 85 years of age are found, by far, in Alcoy and Elda; these cities have, respectively, 3.47 and 3.26% of inhabitants in that older age group.

The percentage of inhabitants over 85 years of age has also decreased, from 2.80 to 2.79%.

Somehow, this shows that in less touristic and more industrial areas, aging is more progressive and less concentrated in a specific age range, and also that there is less of a young population which means that the percentage of older people is higher.

YEARS OF AGE IS DECREASING The update of the demographic indicators offers a rather striking fact: in the last year the proportion of people over 80 years of the total population in the province has been reduced.

Specifically, according to the INE, it has gone down from 5.66 to 5.59% .

If it is not the exclusive cause, at least it seems unquestionable that it has been a decisive factor.

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FANS DENIED ACCESS TO PLAYERS DESPITE APPEAL BY POMPEY BOSS DANNY COWLEY Fans who travelled over 1,000 miles denied meeting players after friendly against Qatar SC

Quote: 'Fans, including children, marched out of ground and denied chance to speak to manager and players, despite a request

by Pompey boss Danny Cowley'

Pompey's famous fan John Westwood whose bell and bugle were confiscated, pictured with Paul Glanville.

By Andrew Atkinson Criticism has been pointed at Pinatar Arena match stewards security by Portsmouth fans in the pre-season friendly against Qatar SC.

Fans who travelled over 1,000 miles were able to watch a training session, ahead of the friendly against Qatar SC. As temperatures hit 34 degrees, Pompey fan Paul Glanville, who lives in Los Montesinos, told The Leader: "Sun cream was taken off a fan and water taken into the ground was also confiscated. I was told the sun lotion costing 12 wasn't returned."

It is also alleged fans, including children, were marched out of the ground and denied the chance to speak to the manager and players, despite a request to do so by Pompey boss Cowley.

Fans took to Twiyter to vent their anger. Ryan Lewis tweeted: ‘Took our

CARP R US SERIES Round 6 of the Carp-R-Us Summer/Autumn Series was held at the El Bosquet complex.

Temperatures were predicted to reach the mid-thirties and as there had been a large charity match fished at the venue the day before where weights had been relatively poor, expectations were not high.

However, we were wrong, and the fishing was quite good.

First, making one of his rare appearances, was Ken Wilcock on peg 2 with 22.70kg caught using pole and bread.

Second, on peg 1b was Tony Flett with 16.30kg caught on pole and sweetcorn.

Third from peg 5 was Willie Moons who fished his usual feeder tactics to take 12.58kg and fourth was Steve Fell on peg 7 who had 10.15kg caught switching between feeder with corn and pole with bread.

Further information about the club can be found on its website www.carp-rus.weebly.com

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Tom Chappell, tweeted: ‘Don’t forget afterwards when Danny asked the fans to stay after and cheer the boys on for the cool down the security were keen on getting everyone out.'

'Danny himself protested how far fans had come to watch us play but the Spanish guys were having none of it.’

Witnessing the events was The News’ chief sports writer Neil Allen, who tweeted: 'Disappointing to hear of the treatment towards some #Pompey fans today by staff at the Pinatar Arena.

'Confiscating suntan lotions, ropes to hang up flags and also John Westwood’s bell and bugle. No doubt other stories too.

Poor.'

Despite the issues, Paul who has supported Pompey for decades, told The Leader: "It was a good day out with Pompey winning.

"It was nice to see old faces - the team done well playing in those hot temperatures."

Post-match 'incidents' were witnessed

by Pompey manager Danny Cowley following 200 supporters arriving in Murcia to watch the Blues at the club's San Pedro del Pinatar training camp.

Flag ropes were also taken away by stewards, along with Pompey's famous fan John Westwood’s Bell and Bugle.

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bottles of water off, and the minute any kids went to speak to a player who was up for a chat they were on us’.

abroad to see Pompey when the Manager had encouraged it? Poor show from them.’

Paul Woodley tweeted: ‘Security was over the top. Treatment was unfair.

@RegularTory commented on Twitter: ‘My 20 year old daughter wasn't allowed a small suncream in case she used it as a weapon. Unbelievable #pompey.’

‘My son, sunflower lanyard and all, being pushed back just because he wanted a couple of autographs and pictures with players from his first trip

On @officialfournil content creator,

VALENCIAN BOWLS CHAMPIONSHIPS It was decided at last Tuesday’s LLB meeting that, in order to give all clubs the opportunity to put their venue forward as this year’s Host/Co-Host for the Valencian Bowls Championship, which will run from the 14th September to the 27th September, those clubs that are interested must sent an e-mail requesting consideration by July 19th.

The Draw will for the venue (s) will then take place at 12:00 noon on the 20th July at Greenlands Bowls Club to decide which 2 clubs will share the hosting for this year.

The meeting will also decide on a third club to assist in the hosting, in the event that the entry numbers are large enough to warrant it.

The draw will be made by June Jones, Bob Donnelly and John O'Brien as per the rules of the draw.

The clubs that did NOT host last year’s Championship will receive preferential treatment, as will those clubs with 8 rinks, as this allows scheduling to be carried out rather more efficiently.

The clubs that have shown an interest to date are: Bonalba, Emerald Isle and Greenlands.

Any club looking to host the Championship should send their request by email to John at: jbnuk0591@gmail.com

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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 and run our golf competitions.

ROUND AND ABOUT THE GKN GOLF COURSES

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The GNK group manage a number of golf courses in the Murcian region that were formally part of the Jack Nicklaus golf trail and include Alhama Signature, Hacienda Riquelme, El Valle and La Torre.

These courses were badly damaged by the storms of 2019 and then, just as they recovered, were hit by the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic. Some of the courses, for reasons of finance and maintenance, have taken some time to recover but are now all in a much better condition and I would like to give you a brief update for each course as follows: Both El Valle and La Torre had their greens hollow cored in late May/early June and both courses are fully recovered.

We at THE LEADER are committed to providing to our golfing readers affordable golf without the need to join a club or apply for a card but simply contact the number below to have instant access to discounted golf prices, many of which are exclusive to us: The deals shown in the table are some of the best prices currently available to you: Course Price Comments Alenda €134 Two Green Fees & Buggy Alicante €82 Two Green Fees & Buggy Altaoana Village €95 Two Green Fees & Buggy Altorreal €80 Two Green Fees & Buggy (holes 10 to 18 played twice) Bonalba €90 Two Green Fees & Buggy

Campoamor Don Cayo (Altea) El Plantio El Valle Font Del Llop Hacienda D Alamo La Finca La Marquesa La Serena La Torre Las Colinas Las Ramblas Lorca

€136 €90 €82 €45 €110 €47 €65 €52 €90 €45 €60 €97 €70

SUDUKO SOLUTION

It certainly was a hot day for the members of the La Marina Golf Society who began their Summer Cup campaign with the first game being at the Bonalba Golf Course.

The course was in excellent condition and all those who took part had a great round, especially Vice Captain Iain Lyall who holed out of the bunker at hole 4 to scoop the quadruple rollover two’s pot. Iain then very generously donated some of his winnings to the Society’s social fund.

Club Captain, Jeff Wiszniewski took first place with 40 points, Paul Crump was second with 37 points and Louvain Smith took the third spot with 34 points. Nearest the pin prizes went to Louvain Smith for hole 8, Jimmy Scott for hole 11 and Lesley Cullen for hole 14.

The second game of the Summer Cup will be played at Roda Golf Course, those wishing to play please let the General Secretary know ASAP.

QUIZ FROM PAGE 14: 1. In the car, it's Unleaded Petrol, 2.

Athletics - "On your marks, set, Go!" 3.

Tempura, 4. Melon, 5. Slivovitz, 6.

Thespis, 7. Follicle Stimulating Hormone, 8. St Denis, 9. Many Gods, 10. Stanley Cup winners, Ice Hockey, 11. Bird, 12. K2, 13. Gaelic Football,

14. Son or Daughter, 15. Nelson Mandela, 16. c: One year - does that make you feel itchy?, 17. Oscar Wilde, 18. Organised motor race, 19. Lester Pearson, 20. Churchill falls. 21. The Troggs, 22. Pollyanna (Pollyannaism), 23. Mexico (111 million), Colombia (46 million) and the USA & Argentina (41 million), 24. The Pink Panther Show.

El Valle is in fantastic shape and the greens in particular are in very good condition and likewise La Torre is in excellent condition and gets better each day.

Hacienda Riquelme in particular was badly impacted by the lack of tourist golfers during the pandemic but is improving day by day with the greens and tee boxes in very good shape and the fairways starting to fill. During the summer the Paspalum grass will only get stronger in and there has been positive feedback from golfers that have played the course in recent weeks.

Hacienda Riquelme will be fully recovered by the end of the summer and in my view and many other golfers in the region, the course is

Two Green Fees & Buggy Two Green Fees & Buggy Two Green Fees & Buggy Single Green Fee Two Green Fees & Buggy Single Green Fee Single Green Fee Single Green Fee 2 Green Fees & Buggy (from 1.08pm) Single Green Fee Single Green Fee (from 4.30pm) 2 Green Fees & Buggy (from 2.00pm) Two Green Fees & Buggy

LA MARINA GOLF SOCIETY AT BONALBA

(Deux-Deux was the Inspectors sidekick), 25. Charles Lindbergh, 26. Bob Marley, Barry Manilow and Bette Midler, 27. Ritz, 28. Tastes. The others are sweet, sour, bitter and salty. 29.

Philip Marlowe, 30. Cats. Figaro (Pinocchio) Arlene (Garfield) World War Two (Peanuts) Bastet (Eygptian cat goddess) Jonesy (Alien)

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PAGE 21

one of the best layouts in Murcia and it’s great to have it back.

Alhama Signature reopened on the 15th of June after almost 2 years of closure and the feedback from members and residents has been very positive. Almost all expressed the opinion that the course is in better shape than they expected and are very impressed with the work the greens staff has put in the past couple of months. Again the tee boxes and greens are in very good shape but similar to Hacienda Riquelme the fairways will be back to normal by the end of the Summer but the course is more than playable and it’s great to see people out playing one of the best courses in the region, if not in Spain.

Lo Romero €50 Single Green Fee (from 1.00pm) Mar Menor €50 Single Green Fee New Sierra Golf €68 Two Green Fees & Buggy Puig Campana €98 Two Green Fees & Buggy Roda €115 2 Green Fees & Buggy (after 1.06pm) Saurines €47 Single Green Fee Villaitana Levante €80 Single Green Fee Villaitana Poniente €58 Single Green Fee & Buggy Villamartin €115 2 Green Fees & Buggy (after 2.00pm) Vistabella €112 2 Green Fees & Buggy (after 1.00pm) DEAL OF THE WEEK: Roda ONE player in every 8 FREE. For Bookings/info Mike at info@costa-blanca-greenfees.com quoting reference LEADER or tel on 966 704 752 or 661 345 931

PAGE 22

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POTENTIAL FOR CRICKET IN SPAIN IS HUGE LaManga Torrevieja CC cricket coach Andrew McCulloch 'Macca' talks to Andrew Atkinson in Part 2 of an exclusive interview ahead of Bulgaria Men's National team for the World qualification matches in Finland, during July 20August 1.

HAVING played a big part in the development of cricket in Spain, underlined by Andrew's time as coach of La Manga Torrevieja CC in Spain, he says the future is bright.

"We must develop a good group of active coaches throughout Spain, to ensure that cricket is sustainable, with solid foundations at grassroot levels essential for continued growth," said Macca.

Macca, who arrived in Spain in November 2019 immediately got involved coaching with LaManga Torrevieja CC. "In July 2020 I met John Howden, CEO Cricket España, and we discussed ways that I could help cricket grow throughout Spain.

"The potential for cricket in Spain is huge, especially with the outstanding weather," said Macca.

"Sadly, due to Covid-19, most of my work has been administrative, firstly developing a High Performance Programme, then heading up a working group to deliver a Strategic Development Plan (SDP)," said Macca.

"The biggest hurdle will be locating facilities and getting a foot in the door of schools," he said.

"Currently I'm managing the Regional Development Officers across Spain, as they start to implement the SDP.

Andrew McCulloch front row (third left) with the Bulgarian National Cricket squad.

"I'm also responsible for Coach Education within Spain, as we align our Coaching Framework to the new ICC Coaching Courses," he said.

istration and good governance, my happy

"On a personal level my passion is coaching, whilst I fully understand the need for admin-

*Part 3 of The Leader Exclusive with

Class of 2022 receive Junior Cricket Awards

place is in the ground coaching," added Macca.

Andrew McCulloch continues next week.

TORREVIEJA’S CHARO ESQUIVA CROWNED CHAMPION OF SPAIN

By Andrew Atkinson La Manga Torre Cricket club believe in growing a strong junior development programme, working with schools and young players of all abilities.

way for young talent.

LMTCC are looking for new players within Cartagena, Murcia, Mar Menor, and Orihuela Costa who have an interest in cricket.

"All ages and abilities are welcome to join our growing club to train and play in the best cricket facility in Spain at La Manga Club," said LMTCC captain Adam Algar.

LMTCC welcome new members of all ages and abilities, whether you want to play, train, score, or Umpire.

Players are also wanted for the first X1 playing in the Spanish ECCL: "The club are also looking for new members to join their Development X1, providing opportunities for social cricketers and a path-

"LMTCCs newly established Junior Academy coaching the next generation every Sunday morning.

Following LMTCCs coach Andrew McCulloch appointed Coach of the Bulgaria Men's National team, Algar said.

"Speaking from experience, we know that Macca will set extremely high standards and work tirelessly to take the players and the team to the next level."

A Bulgarian Cricket Federation and Cricket Clubs in Bulgaria spokesperson said: "New National coach Andrew will be actively involved in the preparation of the team for the World qualification matches in Finland, during July 20August 1.

"ECB Level 2 coach Andrew has over 15 years of coaching experience in the UK and Ireland, currently working towards the ECB Level 3.

"He was responsible for the development of cricket in Spain and the training of new coaches in Spain."

Charo (left) with her partner Marta Picó It has been an extraordinary week for Charo who completed the double in the “Manuel Alonso memorial” Spanish Tennis championship that was held at the Las Norias sports complex in Logroño.

In the final of the Infantil singles competition she justified her top seeding by beating Gabriela Paun from the Canary Islands in the final by 6-1 6-1.

Along with her partner Marta Picó she then went on to beat the Asturian sisters Paola and Claudia Piñera 6-1 6-3 in the doubles final, bringing to a close an unbeatable first half of the season.

The next competition in two weeks’ time will be the individual European Championships in the Czech Republic.

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500 PRESTON FANS AT CAMPOAMOR FOR GETAFE FRIENDLY AS TEMPERATURES HIT 34 DEGREES! Andrew Atkinson with Ryan Lowe

BY ANDREW ATKINSON at Campoamor 500 Preston North End fans arrived at Hotel Campoamor Golf on July 12 to watch the Championship club's pre-season friendly against La Liga side Getafe CF - in temperatures that hit 34 degrees.

Preston netted through Ryan Ledson to lead 1-0 at half time, with Getafe netting two second half goals from Gastón Álvarez, to gain a 2-1 win.

The Lilywhites fans celebrated their summer jollies, having hit Benidorm 24 hours prior kick-off, to witness the historic fixture against Getafe, when Ledson scored after 2 minutes.

Getafe and former Watford boss Quique Sánchez Flores' team found Ben Woodman in the Preston net thwart Sabit and Mata with fine saves.

Aleñá and Mata were always a threat to the Preston defence, with Gastón Álvarez equalising on 50 minutes. It was Àlvarez who bagged the winner after 82 minutes to give Getafe their first win of the pre-season.

Preston's Senegalese born defender Bambo Diaby, 24, formerly resident of Mazarron, who moved to Matarò, Catalonia, aged 4, and who played in the Segunda B division with UE Cornellà, featured.

Preston boss Ryan Lowe told the Costa Blanca and Costa Calida Leader: "We've had a fantastic time in Campoamor, with their superb facilities.

"I was here with my former club Plymouth Argyle and it's good to be back in Spain with Preston.

"The fans are fantastic - for them to make the trip to Benidorm, before travelling to watch the game and some staying in the hotel - it's what football is all about.

"All singing Preston North End songs, it reminds me of watching Liverpool away in Europe!

"Getafe are a good team and it was a good game against the La Liga side. The fans are massively important to the club, it's not just about the players." *Andrew Atkinson spoke to Martin Hughes, father of PNE star Andrew, at Campoamor.

Exclusive interview and photos coming soon. Only in The Leader.

CLASSY CARTAGENA TOO GOOD FOR SAINTS SECOND STRING FC Cartagena ....................2 Southampton 'B' ...............0

FC Cartagena played their first pre-season friendly at nearby Pinatar Arena last Wednesday evening.

Opponents Southampton FC 'B', also known as under 23s, had undergone extensive preparation for this match.

Saints 'B', along with other Premier league second string sides, have entered the Papa Johns trophy, where they will play league 1 & 2 sides.

They have been placed with Exeter, Forest Green and Newport in their group.

With early rounds due to commence in August, Cartagena proved to be a useful tester for what is to come.

A good crowd in excess of 700, were treated to end-to-end football, sensibly refereed by Clemente Ortuno.

Familiar with the current red-hot conditions, Cartagena set off at break neck speed, forcing their opponents to defend for long periods.

On the half hour mark, some lovely build up play down the right flank, resulted in Adrian

Dave Horseman watches on as his side take on Cartagena at Pinatar Arena (Photo Aitor Alcade)

Ayala-Sanmartin being released in plenty of space. The tricky winger then floated an inch perfect ball to Alfredo Orturo, who made no mistake in tapping the ball home from close range.

Following numerous near misses by EFESE (Cartagena's nickname), the inevitable second goal arrived on 42 mins.

A rare Southampton assault on goal broke down, resulting in EFESE punishing them on the counter attack. A cross field pass found the feet of Diego de Pedro, who worked his way past Matt Carson, before planting an unstoppable drive past Ollie Wright in Saints goal.

Despite a resilient 2nd half, Saints were unable to break down Cartagena's rock steady defence.

The closest they came to scoring, was when substitute Ballard brought off a wordly save from Cartagena keeper Escandell. There were also clear chances for Cartagena's Arribas, Teddy & Borja, but the Costa Calida based side were unable to add to their goal tally.

18 year old full back Matt Carson joined Southampton from Glentoran

Played in a hard but fair manner, the game's first booking arrived on 65 mins, shown to Cartagena defender Rico, then in stoppage time, the card count was evened up when Morgan suffered the same fate.

Both teams are scheduled to appear again at Pinatar Area in July. Saints take on Villarreal 'B' on Sun 17 Jul, ko 7pm,

before returning to the small Hampshire town, close to their big city neighbour Portsmouth.

Cartagena play La Liga side Getafe on Thurs 21 Jul, ko 7pm, before embarking on their Segunda division campaign, when they will host Ponferradina on Mon 15 Aug, ko 10pm.

PAGE 24

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