SOUND ADVICE.

By John McGregor

ëSo, John. Youíre about to change direction in your life and career?

ëYes, Fiona. Iíve just left the Royal Air Force and Iím looking for a fresh challenge.í ëOK. Well, actually here at the Job Centre weíre pioneering a new way of trying to help people re-settle in their lives. We want you to take some tests, but our way might surprise you. I am going to give you a booklet and ñ a pin! Not a pen, but a pin. If you work through steadily, with your initial thoughts only please, donít dwell over the four multiple choice answers - just put a pin prick in the box next to the answer that suits you best. Then you can have a break and a cup of tea while I have a look at your answers ñ OK, John?í

And thatís how I came to be interviewed in the Nottingham Job Centre back in 1972, aged 23. I had just finished a frisky, funny, five years as an aircraft radio mechanic, seen a fair bit of the world, made some great mates and had a ball.

But all good things must come to an end and I had decided that long term the Air Force and its quirky way of life, so different to civilian life was not for me. The RAF, bless ëem had tried to advise me to go into ësafeíjobs: banking, teaching, the Civil Service. Indeed I had been offered a teacherís training course, but I declined it: both my sisters were teachers and it just didnít appeal, and neither did the others options mentioned.

Lately I had seen that the Probation Office were looking for people to train - now that certainly seemed more interesting. Oh, and dear old Dad was an Area Sales Manager for the East Midlands for a toiletries and medicines manufacturer. He had told me his company would shortly be looking for new young inexperienced people to train up: hmm...

So while getting a short term job in Players, the famous Nottingham fag factory to earn some necessary short- term money while I changed career, I mentioned my quandary at the Job Centre and was invited along to this somewhat strange interview. My young Scottish interviewer, Fiona certainly came over as knowing her stuff.

When I opened the booklet there was a mass of written questions, all with four possible answers - like ëDo you get on with your parents/authorityí, ëDo you like to work on your owní, or ëDo you like working with your handsíetc. For some nosey reason I picked up the heavy document several pages thick and could see that it opened up. Having a naughty peek I noticed there were graphs behind where some dots I had made linked up, and some did not. Very interesting.

From memory it took me about an hour to finish all the questions.

Fiona came in with a welcome cup of tea and took my answer sheet away. After thirty minutes she came back and we started to talk.

She asked me to describe the type of work I had been doing in the Air Force - if I had liked it, what aspects did I dislike etc, and then she turned to the future, asking if I had any ideas. When I told her about my becoming a Probation Officer she frowned and explained: ëJohn, that worries me. Your ëblack boxíchanging aircraft work is straightforward, with an end result. But being a Probation Officer involves working with problematical people who have disobeyed the law.

People have an awfully nasty habit of going back to their old ways, often when you and others think they are getting better, and the job can be very frustrating. Iím not sure from the answers you have given that The Probation Service may be the right move for you, John. What other interests have you?í

While discussing the other options available I mentioned becoming a company salesman, and Fiona brightened up. ëHow strange you should say that, Johní. I told her about my father, and she nodded enthusiastically. ëYou see your profile shows you that that would be an ideal position given your abilities and temperament. Your personality would seem ideal and that is actually one of this systemís recommendations for youí. And do you know what? The following week I answered an advertisement for ëFledgling Marketeersíin the Daily Telegraph for my Dadís company, and soon after joined five other young men fresh

Society garlic - tubular flowers clustered into umbels of 20 flowers

from college on a two-week training course at the companyís head office at Slough in Berkshire. I started as a junior salesman, immediately adored the job, and relished the challenges along the way. After several successful years ëon the roadíI started to steadily climb the greasy pole of sales management, before eventually leaving eleven years later to join another company. I worked for four different companies over the next 25 years, staying happily in that profession until taking a welldeserved early retirement and coming to live in Spain in 1998, aged 49.

Then what? Retirement can be boring while still so young. Well, I started writing, firstly in newspapers and magazines, published a book or three and achieved my degree in English at the Open University in 2013 - and during this lively period a sort-of sales opportunity came up, this time selling advertising space in a monthly magazine. It was a dirty job, but someone had to do it ñ actually, I loved it, and it came naturally. So looking back fifty-odd years ago, the couple of hours I spent at the Nottingham Job Centre in 1972 was time exceedingly well spent ñ why donít they do that now? It certainly set me on the right path for a decent career in life which I loved and helped me get to early retirement in Spain. Cheers Fiona, lassieyou got it bang on!

Tulbaghia Violacea - commonly known as the Society Garlic - is perfect for borders, pots and ground cover that flower for a long period over the summer months.

This is a popular garden plant that is useful for difficult hot corners of the garden, as it will tolerate prolonged drought, flourishing with regular watering.

It's also ideal for coastal gardens, since it tolerates sea breeze very well.

A fast growing, bulbous plant that grows from fat, tuberous roots which spread to form clumps of plants to a height of 0.5m.

Its leaves are long and narrow, slightly fleshy and smell strongly of garlic when bruised.

Its tubular flowers are pinkish mauve in colour, clustered into umbels of up to 20 flowers, held above the leaves on a tall flower stalk.

The fruit when ripe will split to release the flattened, hard black seeds to self propagate in Spring, or you can divide any larger clumps.

It seldom falls prey to pests and diseases, however, slugs and snails can cause considerable damage to the foliage.

ADVERTISINGHOTLINE 637 227 385

RESULTS FOR 9 FEBRUARY WEEK 16

El Capitan8-4Freakie Taverners

Fallen Angels0-12Mind The Gap

Pint Depot Queens4-8Tipsy Toad Tiaras

Domino´s Desp5-7Danny´s Bar

Ck1 Lads6-6CC´s Bees

Leeson St Trotters0-12Hub Hyenas

CC´s Flyers9-3Ck1 Ladybirds

Hub Hellraisers8-4Angel Delights

Tipsy Toppers6-6Milo´s

League Table P Pts Legs

Mind The Gap1632174

Hub Hyenas1630153

El Capitan1627139

Tipsy Toad Toppers1624129

CC´s Bees1624122

CC's Flyers1623124

Leeson St Trotters1618101

Ck1 Lads1617105

Milo´s161698

Danny's Bar161693

Freakie Taverners161487

Fallen Angels161383

Ck1 Ladybirds161071

Domino's Desp’dos16865

Tipsy Toad Tiaras16862

Hub Hellraisers16544

Angel Delights16343

Pint Depot Queens16032

MOST 180´S: Dave Rowlinson CC`s Bees x 4. THIS

WEEK 180’S: Mark Ellis - Hub Hyenas, Gordon

Cowan - Mind The Gap, Andres Llamazares - El Capitan, Dariio Sierra - Hub Hyenas

HIGHEST FINISH TO DATE: 154 - Mario GarciaFreakies. THIS WEEK: Gordon Cowan-Mind The Gap 123, 19-T18-Bull. Dougie Adkins - CC´s Flyers 102, T20-6-D18.

Fallen Angels V Mind The Gap

Gordon Cowan must be devoting far more time to darts practise than his beloved music these days as his contribution this week shows. A 123 out on the Bull, 3x100,121,140,180, quite outstanding, oh and by the way a POTM accolade. Also helping out Cowan were Che Liam 4x100, James Brown, 4x100 and Darren Sanderson 100,119,123.

Unsurprisingly after that barrage, Angels were not at their best. They did however welcome back after a recent holiday to Tony Spiers who top scored with 100,125 as did Steve Godwyn nominated for POTM. Mike Tierney and Graham White also putting in good shifts.

Leeson St Trotters V Hub Hyenas

Hyenas repaid the Trotters warm hospitality with a thumping at the Street, the visitors achieving their best performance for weeks. Usual Trotter suspects Amanda Skinner 3x100, and Yvonne Rouffignac 120,140, showing the way, but Mike Fellows meriting POTM with 100,123 and numerous 80+'s. lt wasn't the best from the hosts, but they will figure for honours as the 2nd half beckons.

Excellent efforts from Hyenas Dario Sierra 2x100,121,180 and Mark Ellis 3x140,100,180, gave skipper Rouffignac a headache to determine POTM, the accolade eventually given to Ellis.

83, D7) and Lorraine Cox (84, 126, D5) but the same three Tiaras struck again with Simpson (2010), Crane (D5) and finally a 4 out of 4 for POTM Pat Schofield on D3 in the final leg.

Dominos Desperados V Dannys Bar

Plenty of scores in this encounter, Dannys not claiming both points until the penultimate leg, won by Bob Smith on the Bull for an 84 out. Graham Eagles 130, D16 and Ray Hayes 125, D8 found the outer circle for Doms in the 1st half, Paul Robinson D12, Jan Norbury D7, Smith D12 and Steve Lumb D18, the other four. Three figure scores from Dannys Simon Todd, Lesley Lumb, John Giggs and Jean Randall.

Three Doms victories from Paul Chick, Akash Panchal and Dave Oates not enough as Dannys claimed the remaining singles via Steve Collins, Steve Lumb 139,D10 and Smith's Bull out. POTMEagles - Smith.

El Capitan V Freakie Taverners

By Paul Durrant

halves, although if l were a Topper l would be a little disappointed after leading 6-4 with 2 to go. The 11th and 12th legs retrieved to rescue a Milos point from Alex Alcazar and Rory Byrne D10.

Toppers were outgunned in the 1st half scorewise, Javi de Gea 3x100, 2x90+, and Cain Garcia 2x100, with Fabian managing 2 outs, one on a Bull. The rolls reversed in the 2nd half with all six Toppers finding plenty of trebles, the best of which came from leg winners Andy Rutter D4, Graham Solomans D18 and Andy Gildea D4 ensuring a point. POTM - Rutter - Fabian.

Cc Flyers V Ck 1 Ladybirds

Flyers claimed all 3 triples, with finishes from Charles Pritchett D2 and two from Dougie Adkins on D20 and D16, plus 100 and 121. John McKay made it 4-0 before the Birds responded with a Sharon O'Rourke 134, Dons Ralph D15 and Kirsty Green D1 for 4-2.

Dons 117,95 added a third on D5, for POTM only for it to be their last point of the game. Flyers finding the outer ring in the next 5, Chelsea Campbell hitting the 7th leg, Adkins earning POTM with a T20, S6, D18 (102) finish in the 11th.

Hub Hellraisers V Angels Delights

Ck 1 Lads V Cc Bees

Bees just outscored the Lads overall, but the result was shared points. Steve M. Dalton, Lads, and Reg Christopher Bees merited their POTM awards scorewise, Dalton claiming bragging rights by narrowly beating Christopher in the singles. Bees were 3-1 up through both Pauls, Tollafield and Christopher, plus a Liam Daly 125,D12. Lads replying from Bill Leaves, Kevin Wood 125 and Paul Green 140.

Liam Daly 137,D14 nudged Bees ahead, Dalton and Steve Mullen 140, D14 giving Lads a 5-4 lead. Tollafield D12 made it all square, Terry David D3, taking Lads closer to the tape and 6-5. Against the throw skipper Liam Lumb overcome Leaves on D16 for shared points.

Pint Depot Queens V Tipsy Toad Tiaras

Queen´s POTM Debbie Wright (D2) opened the account for their highnesses despite a valiant effort from Sharon Crane (105) and Lisa Ivill (83). Tiaras outshone the crowns thereafter for the next 5 legs with Pat Schofield scooping three wins (2 -D2, D3 and 8-D5), Tracey Simpson obliging with her own 2-darter (80, 90, T7-D13) and Sharon supplying the 5th (83, 4-D2). The Royals fought back hard after the break, QD with (99, D5), Marie Cummings (92, lt was a good all round Gap performance Arold and Ed Klimonis, Marcos Lopez and Ben Kernahan 2x100 providing the 1st half outs. Andres Liamazares "supporting" with 100,125,2x140.

A creditable Freakies showing this week against a strong Caps with home advantage. The visitors wins via Ernie Wills, Mario Garcia, Annette Dobson and John Boden, Sharon Frain deserving POTM with the most high scores.

Kernahan 121,Bull nailed the 6th leg, "Limmo" finding D16 for the match after hitting a 137 and 180 for a deserved POTM award.

Tipsy Toad Toppers V Milos

Shared spoils all round in this one, 3 apiece in both

Raisers tasted victory for the 1st time since early October, opponents the Delights failing to capitalise on better scoring in the opening six, the half time score 5-1. Carol Peace, skipper Cheryl McGlynn and Sue Spiers with 3 outs, Henni Oortwijn replying for Delights.

Nikki Dean on D2, made it 5-2, Spiers ensuring the draw on D10 (her 4th out) for POTM, Ali Scammell taking out D10 for both points. Christine Hutchinson and Oortwijn POTM reducing the deficit for the visitors. Linda Davies wrapping up the match for Raisers.

Monte Mar Bowls Club

Sponsored by The Pub, Gran Alacant Insurances, Dialprix,The Belfry,Sunrise Builders, The Chippy and Dunbar

MONTE MAR MATADORS - At home to the Quesada Rubies we had a very good result winning on three rinks well done Sheila Roberts, Sue Bounds skip Phil Goble, Gina Hindle, Chris Harding skip Joan Harding, Lynne Armitage, Steve Hindle skip KeithYoung.

Shots Matadors 107 – 73 Rubies, Pts Matadors 8 – 4 Rubies

MONTE MAR MATADORS - Away to the Conquistadores we finally had a good result at Vistabella winning on three rinks and drawing on one well done Colin Bedford, Steve Hindle skip Phil Goble, Sheila Roberts, Les Bounds skip Keith Young, Sue Bounds, Barry Watson skip Ronnie Cairns and the drawing rink Lynne Armitage, Steve Leatherland skip Cindy Bedford. Well done everyone!!!

Shots Matadors 96 – 68 Conquistadores, Pts Matadors 9 – 3 Conquistadores

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

SOUTH SOUTH ALIC ALICANTE WINTER ANTE WINTER TRIPLES TRIPLES

MOND MONDAAY 6 Y 6 FEBRUAR FEBRUARY Y - WEEK 14 - WEEK 14

ENTERPRISE DIVISION ENTERPRISE DIVISION

San Miguel Dolphins 107 (8)Quesada Pearls 67 (4)

Country Bowls Flamingos 90 (9)Emerald Isle Titans 80 (3)

La Marina Pathfinders 59 (0)Vbella Albatrosses 95 (12)

Greenlands Maples (P)San Luis Klingons (P)

La Siesta Apollos Bye