The Leader Newspaper 05 February 2024 – Edition 1009

No 1009 Monday 5th - 11th February 2024

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Now in our 21st year of keeping people safe and informed - The Costa Blanca’s oldest ‘FREE’ English language newspaper

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historical air and atmosphere flooded the streets of Orihuela City over the weekend as the traditional Medieval Market opened on Friday with the customary inauguration parade, followed by three days in which visitors were able to experience the most glorious times of the city, and the cultural melting pot, that was brought together within its walls.

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The official opening ceremony of this powerful festival, one of the largest leisure activities held in the province, began on the stroke of noon at the Olma Gate, the only one left standing in the Moorish enclosure, dating back to the middle of the 16th century, when the Bishopric of Orihuela was first created.

O R I H U E L A S T R E ET S T U R N E D BACK TO THE MIDDLE AGES

Resplendent in their period costumes, the mayor, Pepe Vegara, the Festivities Councillor, Rocío Ortuño, together with a large representation of the municipal council gathered, along with the president of the festival, Manolo Ortuño, the Armengola, Ester Hernández, and the Moorish and Christian ambassadors, José Francisco Rocamora and Francisco Ruiz.

The mayor spoke of “this great event that is approaching its 25th anniversary and that is now a national benchmark, which is why we must continue to support it and its promotion so that it continues to grow every year.”

The councillor of festivities said that it was, “an atmosphere worthy of any novel of deeds and chivalry, three days, during which we are going to enjoy a unique experience, many surprises and a special atmosphere that will take us into the past of an Orihuela that was a key in Spanish history.”

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tion companies as well as historical recreation, all connecting the city with the roots of its three cultures that coexisted during the medieval period: Christian, Jewish and Muslim, bound together in a wide route throughout the historic centre.

MEDIEVAL MARKET This XXIV edition had nearly 300 stalls spread across three areas which were open to the public throughout the weekend, along with an extensive program of activities for children and adults amid the drumbeats and dulzaina.

It proved to be a spectacular weekend, far from the recent memories of rain and wind that have accompanied the event in recent years, for a change in glorious sunshine, allowing visitors to enjoy a decorated city that had been returned to the Middle Ages.

More than 300 craft and food stalls, included workshops of bygone crafts, music, theatre and anima-

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Monday 5th - Sunday 11th February 2024

The market was divided into three different areas, the first of which had a dragon village. There was also a stop for donkeys, another for camels and a farm with different animals, in addition to many children's games and crafts.

The second area was where the large-format shows took place, along with the artisans and a further ten tables with puzzle games and children's attractions.

There were also regular exhibitions and medieval tournaments.

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The third area was the Arab market area, with shows, music and dance, with the Great Knights Tournament in the Rincón Hernandiano.

There was also no shortage of Theatre and musical performances, entertainment activities in the streets, dances and craft workshops (pottery, blacksmithing, weapons, stonework, glass, wood, basketry, silk, weaving, wicker, goldsmithing, shoemaking, leather embossing), as well as an exhibition of falconry.

Attended by many tens of thousands of people, many travelling from the coast and elsewhere, it truly was a wonderful event, which, unlike many other council contracts that we have written of in recent months, it gave spectacular value for the 99,000 euros that it is said to have cost.

La Torreta to get 9 million euro ‘Green Area’. P O E T R Y C O R N E R “ I DONT BELIEVE IT” By David Whitney

The redevelopment of La Torreta will begin with new green area at Punta de la Víbora.

This was stated by the mayor, Eduardo Dolón, in plenary session when he was asked about the project by Sueña Torrevieja.

The opposition party was critical that this action, the drafting of which was awarded by the Governing Board on 31 March, does not appear in the catalogue of investments included in the 2024 Budgets, neither in the short term nor in the long term. All despite the fact that, according to the party spokesperson, Pablo Samper, that "in the ordinary plenary session in October, I asked the mayor about this and he answered that they were analysing the sequence of works to be carried out with the 2024 Budget."

The mayor explained that the La Torreta urbanisation project is costed at just over nine million euros. "You can get the idea of the magnitude we are talking about," Dolón

responded. He said that the plan involves undertaking "a first phase" which will be the redesign of the green area of approximately 70,000 square metres which has an estimated budget of 1.5 million, and which, he stressed, "we have agreed with all and each of the representatives of the residents”.

He said that he hopes the permits will be approved "in the coming months."

The area where this new green park will be located borders the protected space of the Lagunas Natural Park, managed by the Generalitat, as well as lands on the public maritime-terrestrial domain, which is dependent on Costas. This is the reason, Dolón argued, that has led him to take the prudence of not including the investment in the current budget.

When permission is obtained, he stated, a modification to the Budget will be made to incorporate the money.

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If my mother came back Just for one day I know there are things That she'd definitely say

She'd marvel at people Stuck fast to their phones And self service tills And the uses of drones

She'd be staggered at prices For corned beef and bread Cereals, milk And even cheese spread

Shopping online From your comfortable chair As shops in the High Street Are no longer there

She'd wonder what happened To good cups of tea To real cups and saucers That there used to be

She'd ask me what happened To manners and pride She'd ask why Prime Ministers Constantly lied

Now it's disposable A stick for a spoon Hot water, a tea bag Not cheap to consume

I think she'd despair What the world has become Daily knifings and shootings Not the world of my mum

She'd wonder how people Afford to survive When prescriptions mean debt Just to keep them alive

So I think she'd be happy To go back to God Saying "Son I'm amazed at the high price of Cod!"

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Once again Torrevieja climbs over 100k residents. he salt city hit rock bottom in 2018 after undergoing a purge of its statistics but, since then, it has recovered strongly thanks to the foreign push, which now represents half of the population.

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Torrevieja has once again passed the barrier of 100,000 registered inhabitants, 12 years after first achieving the record as a result of the construction boom, according to the data shown on the municipal register as of February 1, 2024.

This lifts the salt city into third place as the city with the largest population in the province of Alicante and consolidates it, as the fifth in the Community Valenciana, only behind the three provincial capitals (Valencia, Alicante and Castellón) and the city of Elche.

And it is the foreign push that has seen it overcome that significant figure now showing 100,000, 50.26% (50,477) are Spanish and 49.74% (49,944) are of international origin from 122 countries across 5 continents.

It is worth highlighting the significant growth in people who first registered in 2023, a total of 8,690 from January 2023, when there were 91,731 registered inhabitants. The number of men registered in Torrevieja numbers 48,887 (48.68%), while there are 51,534 (51.32%) women.

The data, however, should be treated with some caution.

According to the National Institute of Statistics, which last November highlighted Torrevieja and Benidorm as the two cities that gained the most inhabitants in Spain in 2022, there were 87,975 residents in Torrevieja showing in its records, well below the figure of 100,000.

Exceeding the six-figure limit is not a trivial matter for any municipality. The funding that such municipalities receive from the State will amount to far more more when the city in question exceeds this figure. In addition, it also means that the City Council could elect two new councillors.

Instead of the current 25 councillors, the figure would increase to 27 councillors, something that happened during the first term of the current mayor, Eduardo Dolón (2011-15) With the bursting of the brick bubble, Torrevieja saw its numbers fall away, and in 2014 the City Council carried out a purification of its census, as it was suspected that a large number of the registered population, especially those of foreign origin, had not been deregistered, either due to death or change of residence.

That process translated into a reduction of more than 9,000, which, by 2016, with the task finally completed, had reached 10,000 residents.

Torrevieja subsequently hit rock bottom in 2018 with just 82,599 inhabitants but from there, the dynamic turned strongly upwards. Although the crisis and then Brexit saw another decline, new foreign communities have made up for the decline among the British grouping. From the data pro-

vided by the Department of Census and Statistics, citizens from Ukraine (7,650), Russia (5,837) and Great Britain (4,912) now occupy the podium of international residents.

The City Council said that the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine has transformed Torrevieja into a refuge enclave, which has turned Ukrainians into the largest international community in the salt city. Since January 2023, a total of 1,879 Ukrainians and 905 Russians have been registered.

Thereafter, following the United Kingdom, comes Colombia with 4,360 registered residents, which for the fourth consecutive year surpasses the number of Moroccan residents (2,473), followed by Swedes (1,677), Romanians (1,604 ), Bulgarians (1,524), Belgians (1,474), Italians (1,246), Germans (1,159), Algerians (982), Poles (909), Chinese (830), Brazilians (803), Argentines (777), Norwegians (667 ), Venezuelans (664), Finns (622), French (621), Belarusians (582), Lithuanians (559), Indians (533), Netherlands (529), Cubans (447) and Irish (384).

The statistics also show that international residents have arrived from 122 countries, which include Senegal, Latvia, Kazakhstan, Chile, Uruguay, Portugal, Switzerland, Hungary, Slovenia, Macedonia, Denmark, Austria, Cyprus, Malta, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Paraguay, Peru, El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Honduras, Mexico, United States of America, Cape Verde, Guinea, Nigeria, Gabon, Gambia, South Africa, Kenya, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Egypt , Nepal, Madagascar, Mauritius, Philippines, Israel, Bangladesh, Burkina Fasso, Thailand, Australia, Japan, Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Vietnam, Sri-Lanka, Malaysia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Suriname.

Finally, the census in Torrevieja also tells us that the number of children and young people under 20 years of age amounts to 18,536, while the number of Torrevieja residents between 20 and 40 years of age is 22,435; thereafter, from 40 to 60 years old there are 30,513 registered; from 60 to 80 years old, a total of 23,485; and from 80 to 100 years old, the number of those registered is 5,431; while residents in Torrevieja aged 100 number 21, of which 6 are men and 15 women.

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The former socialist mayor of Bigastro, José Joaquín Moya

Former mayor of Bigastro admitted to Open Prison The former socialist mayor of Bigastro, José Joaquín Moya, has been admitted to an open prison in Murcia, where he will serve a four-year sentence for embezzlement of public funds.

The former mayor, who is now 74 years of age, appeared at the Guillermo Miranda Social Integration Centre (CIS) in Murcia late on Wednesday afternoon, where he has since remained.

Moya was initially sentenced to four and a half years in prison for keeping 70,440 euros, from the sale of municipal land, but he was able to benefit from the modification of the crime to embezzlement, which has seen the sentence reduced by six months.

The former municipal secretary Antonio Saseta, also punished for the same crime, saw his sentence reduced from three to two years.

Moya, who was the Bigastro mayor for 25 years, has also to compensate the Council with 70,440 euros plus another 26,000 in solidarity with the former secretary.

It is understood that Moya would have directly requested admission to the CIS in Murcia, even though these are facilities intended for prisoners during their reintegration, a requirement that would not be met in the case of Moya.

However, he could also have used his age as leverage, one of the conditions established by the Penal Code, which would see him to go to the centre only to sleep.

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Man arrested for desecrating graves in Almoradí

The damaged burial chamber The Civil Guard has arrested a man for robbing graves at the Almoradí cemetery. He has subsequently been released on bail.

At the end of December, the Almoradí Council notified the Civil Guard of a series of robberies from a storeroom and a cleaning room at the municipal cemetery. The perpetrators stole metal objects, caused damage to a burial chamber and seized two rosaries from inside a pantheon, even going so far as to stir around the bone remains deposited at the site.

A number of the stolen objects were recovered close to the cemetery, suggesting that the person responsible was moving the objects on foot, which led to focusing suspicions on someone who lived nearby.

Visits were paid to scrap yards and recycling centres in Almoradí and its surroundings. In one local establishment, the agents recovered the objects stolen from the warehouse, valued at about 300 euros. They also obtained information of the person, identifying a 43-year-old resident with a history of crimes against property.

The individual was arrested, and placed at the disposal of the Court of Instruction No. 3 of Orihuela.

Casas Baratas is in Orihuela not Rafal A contentious legal argument about boundaries has resulted in the court confirming that the Casas Baratas neighbourhood belongs to the municipality of Orihuela, and not neighbouring Rafal.

This has been ratified by the Superior Court of Justice of the Valencian Community after rejecting the appeal filed by the Rafal Council against the resolution, of February 8, 2022, of the director of the Valencian Cartographic Institute, approving the improvement in the geometric precision of the boundary line between the municipalities of Orihuela and Rafal.

The Councillor for Rural Development in the Orihuela Council, Víctor Valverde, has pointed out that "it has always been clear that the Casas Baratas belong to the municipal area of Orihuela, not only historically since the limit was determined in 1897, but that this has been recognised by all the authorities to which the Rafal Council has resorted".

Rafal Council said that the administrative act was null and void as the legally established procedure had been dispensed with and the competent body had not resolved, and that the demarcation proposed by the Rafal Council has been rejected without any motivation.

Another appeal is possible against the sentence before the 3rd Chamber of the Supreme Court.

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UNSEASONALLY HIGH TEMPERATURES BRING EARLY APPEARANCE OF PROCESSIONARY CATERPILLARS. ast Friday MeteOrihuela issued a cautionary warning given the dates: in the Alicante municipality of Bigastro, processionary caterpillars were seen over the weekend, both in their small, silk bags and on the ground.

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The caterpillars have also been seen in Orihuela, specifically on the Cruz de la Muela Trail, where the authorities notified dog owners who were walking their dogs through the green areas.

It is the most important defoliating insect in pine forests in Spain. Defoliators are insects that, in their caterpillar phase, feed on the softer parts of the leaves, leaving only the veins or harder parts.

It is not the first year that the presence of the processionary has been brought forward due to climate change, although The early appearance of this caterpillar once again raises alarm bells about the January would usually be too early for possible consequences of the increase in them.

The warning appeared on the social net- temperatures in the province of Alicante and the eastern Mediterranean and work X (formerly Twitter) brings into focus the need for us all to 'MeteOrihuela' that wrote of this event in Vega Baja. act against climate change.

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Healthcare workers to share 55 million overtime boost The Valencia regional government has approved a budget of 55 million euro intended for overtime payments to public health staff.

The Thaumetopoea pityocampa , known as the processionary caterpillar, is a species of defoliating lepidopteran which is very common in pine forests in southern Europe, Asia Minor and north Africa.

In non-allergic people, contact with the processionary caterpillar can cause irritation, however with dogs you have to be a little more careful since it can be potentially fatal for them.

he Orihuela Costa Carnival is moving forward but whilst it waits to learn of the support being provided by the council it is trying to attract last-minute public sponsors from around the local area.

For the moment the group has confirmed that it has financial support from La Zenia Boulevard, as well as from a dozen real estate and hospitality businesses in the area.

The president of the commission, Rosa Cárcamo, has asked the Orihuela Council for a stage, lighting and sound points as well as portable toilets, so that everything goes smoothly in 2 weeks’ time on Saturday the 17th, from 5:00 p.m.

If there are no setbacks, they expect the procession to leave from Calle Pintor Ribera / Nicolás de Bussy and travel to Calle Estaca, according to Cárcamo.

The parade will feature displays of music, costumes and dance that will include 17 groups from the coast and another three from Torrevieja and Pilar de la Horadada.

This year they will not have the help that festival commissions from other parts of the municipality enjoy, although the intention is to present themselves at the next opportunity.

Meanwhile, the Council, has already decided to preserve the parade in Orihuela City that the previous government team promoted last year.

However, some Orihuela Costa associations have expressed discomfort at the creation of this new festive commission, calling for "more transparency."

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What is the processionaryCaterpillar?

These worms, potentially dangerous for dogs, proliferate in pine trees with the arrival of spring and rising temperatures, which this year appeared before the last weekend of January.

ORIHUELA COSTA FESTIVAL GROUP SEEKS SPONSORS FOR ITS FIRST CARNIVAL.

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The processionary is covered with highly stinging hairs that break off and float in the air, which is why they can also cause great irritation to humans when breathing them in, or coming into contact with them through the ears, nose and throat.

Nevertheless, you should not attempt to move or destroy them, as they form an essential part of the ecosystem. The advice is to avoid them.

In the PP electoral manifesto, it was promised that the Council would promote the creation of this commission, however it failed to get involved as the group was established purely on the initiative of a small number of residents.

The councillor of the Coast, Manuel Mestre, meanwhile, has said that he will try to integrate local associations into the commission.

The organisers are looking for local sponsors

The program promoted by the Ministry of Health requires that staff wishing to participate must first comply with the requirements of their regular schedule or, to put it in simple terms, the workers will be paid for working overtime.

Ruth Merino, the Minister of Finance, has highlighted the need to compensate for the additional workload of health personnel "in the face of the needs of health care or other circumstances, such as seasonality or epidemiological situations that require a greater response".

This is a new agreement, which brings together all the productivity programs, is designed to respond to the care and preventive demand in the Valencian public health system during the period between February 1 and 31 of December 2024.

The purpose is to have a specific program that allows us to deal with the excess care burden when necessary, and that facilitates quality care both in Primary Care and Hospital Care, as well as in the services of Sanitary and Public Health Inspection.

For this additional activity, the staff receives extra remuneration, and for this year 2024, the Ministry of Health has increased the budget in all modalities and for all professional categories.

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TORREVIEJA FLOOD PLAN WARNS OF RISK IN 23 CRITICAL AREAS he new Municipal Action Plan for Flood Risk (PAMIN) warns of 23 critical flood zones in Torrevieja. This document, commissioned by the City Council to comply with risk prevention legislation, is prepared with the aim of achieving "maximum protection" for people, property and the environment, that may be affected by flooding in the city.

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In addition to identifying the areas of greatest risk, including public infrastructure, it establishes a hierarchical structure of the municipality's means and resources, both public and private, that allows it to deal with risk or serious emergency situations.

The company that has been awarded the work, Strato Sismic, has defined vulnerable

areas based on the risk analysis and its levels in the different areas of Torrevieja, using all types of technical tools. and the mapping of the Patricova and the CHS, but also with work on the ground.

Among the 23 risk areas identified in the document, special mention is made of two located on the east shore of the Torrevieja lagoon: Torreta Florida, and El Salado and Torreta III. The document states that these are areas located below sea level where significant accumulations of water occur, with inadequate drainage, and where water remains stagnant for long periods of time, causing logistical and health problems.

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Most of the rest of the 21 critical points are located in geomorphological danger zones and are associated with the alteration or integration into the urban fabric of boulevards, ravines, alluvial fans, spills, or flat-bottomed valleys that, in the event of episodes of very localised rain or of high hourly intensity, can be activated suddenly or lead to flooding of depressed sectors with repercussions on mobility and road traffic.

Nobel (222) and la Avenida Alfredo Nobel Avenue in la cala de la Zorra.

Among these critical areas, it identifies la calle Rambla Juan Mateo - where the work to duplicate the current stormwater basin is about to begin; calle Navegantes and adjacent streets; la cala del Palangre and la Avenida de las Habaneras, la Avenida Roentgen, Alfredo

Many of these areas, to a greater or lesser extent, are where, in recent years, the City Council with the water cycle management company has acted to improve the drainage of rainwater with a network that already has 29 kilometres of collectors.

The entire area around the Casa Grande industrial estate and the avenues of the Cortes Valencianas, Rosa Mazón and Delfina Viudes are also at risk; the Doña Inés urbanization, including the large stores of Carrefour, Habaneras and Ozone, the CV-95; the Torreta Florida urbanization; la calle Mar Menor and the Torrevieja University Hospital car park.

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‘LOTTO’ MORE TO LOTTO THAN WINNING IT......... n a recent YCBS, we wrote about the Lotto and asked the ceist as to whether you might be better off keeping your wager, due to the prohibiting odds stacked against winning. But I omitted something from that article something I thought of later.

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My aunts were home from England and America and all staying with my granny in Ballinock. The visitors, awash with cash, were laying out some of it on ‘sweep tickets.’

Granny wasn’t inclined to participate – despite the urgings of a range of accents. Despite the persuasive pressure, Granny held out and failed to part with any of her pension.

After the audible sighs of disappointment at not winning from the assembled Granny had this to say: “Now … wasn’t I lucky I didn’t buy a ticket!”

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enhances creativity. When it comes to setting goals, taking the time to dream your dream is known to prove beneficial. To fantasise about what you might do with your Lotto win is pleasurable and a little respite from the tough graft of everyday life.

Obviously there are different sorts of fantasies and some are not good.

There are those unfortunates who fantasise about bad luck befalling their neighbour or how they might ‘fix’ somebody. This is not good for the fantasiser. Fantasising over a long period can easily tip from being normal to being abnormal and unhealthy. Bad fantasy consumes a lot of every day living and the sufferer tends to float in and out of a fantasising state throughout the day. Bad fantasy drains your energy, whilst good fantasy gives you energy.

I suppose the ‘Irish Hospital Sweepstake’ was the front runner of a national lottery in this country. A ticket in the ‘Sweep’ cost a £1; certainly not cheap. But then, you could buy a quarter share for five shillings.

Some weeks later, whoever was in the house tuned into the radio in order to learn who had won the sweep. The numbers were called out along with where in the country the tickets had been purchased.

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There is no simple, objective way to know when the good becomes the bad; but if it disrupts your day-today life it’s not great. It is Ok for me to fantasise about being marooned on a desert island with … ah ….like … Des Cahill … like, but if I spend all day planning what I’ll say to … what’s-his name, it has become unhealthy.

For a few weeks after purchasing the ‘sweep ticket’ the buyer had bought the right to dream. That is what we neglected to include in our last article; the right to dream and to fantasise about winning. This pleasure is included in the price of your ticket and can give hours of

harmless fantasy and escapism. So, is fantasising good or bad?

Fantasising is good; and like so many other good things in life, is good only in moderation.

Daydreaming has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety and also helps with problem-solving and

The man who made his name and billions of dollars from ordinary people’s fantasies was, Walt Disney.

It is 100 years ago that Walt invented Mickey Mouse, the first cartoon with synchronised sound. The wise heads laughed at the very idea, but ‘Mickey’ was a sensation.

This showed that the people longed to watch and listen to fantasy, as

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well as creating their own in their head. Walt Disney struggled with his dream, going bankrupt at the start, but he followed his dream – and as the say, the rest is history.

When Disney started work on ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ in 1934, the project was known as ‘Disney’s Folly’, but Walt ignored the jibes and he had the last laugh.

Walt Disney died in 1966 and for about twenty years after that, there was a lull in the Disney creativity.

Then, under a new chief executive, Michael Eisner, came the Disney renaissance from 1989. ‘The little Mermaid’, ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘The Lion King’ gave a whole new generation to that wonder of fantasy.

Mrs Youcantbeserios and I attended Disneyland in California in 1979.

My aunt took us there and I only went out of politeness – thinking the place was only for children.

How wrong I was: I still retain beautiful memories of that day … and maybe the experience stayed with me and improved the dreamer I was born!

Like say, Glasgow Celtic and Manchester United soccer clubs, Disney makes more money these days from merchandising than making dreams. But they still turn out those fantasies!

So, dear reader, go ahead and scratch that card and do the numbers. You probably won’t win anything – but the fantasy will do you good!

DON’T FORGET ‘It could be you’.

PILAR INVESTS 31K IN OFFICE FOR FOR CASES OF GENDER VIOLENCE he facilities are being opened, with municipal financing, in the Torre de la Horadada Guardia Civil Headquarters, which will allow better monitoring of gender violence in the municipality.

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The Torre de la Horadada Civil Guard barracks, with the financial contribution of the Pilar de la Horadada Council, has renovated part of its facilities which will provide and area for the comprehensive monitoring in cases of gender violence (VIOGEN).

This service monitors fifty cases of gender violence in the municipal area every year which are managed by the Civil Guard and the Local Police.

The council has explained that it is "sensitive to the serious problem that gender violence represents" and has carried out this work in order that the Civil Guard will be able to provide a better service to the victims in such cases from withing their own headquarters.

The City Council "has fully covered the cost of this work with their contribution of 31,460.48 euros", explained the Mayor, José María Pérez Sánchez who said that “the Council has always collaborated closely with the Civil Guard in everything they have needed.”

The office has been equipped with all the necessary IT tools, with the Pilar Council providing all the IT equipment: computer, screen, keyboard and mouse for the VIOGEN office.

The office will allow care of sensitive victims, accessible facilities where they can be offered private treatment, avoiding a second victimisation, and not being subject to general observation, an environment that will be as friendly as possible.

The new office is located in the Torre de la Horadada Civil Guard barracks

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RAFT OF NEW MEMBERS JOIN PARTY AT PIOC GENERAL MEETING here was an encouraging attendance and an abundance of new members at the General Meeting of the Partido Independencia Orihuela Costa (PIOC), that took place at the Emerald Isle in La Florida last Monday, where Party Founders outlined their achievements and forthcoming ambitions for the coast, in the run up to their very first Annual General Meeting, which will be held at the same venue on 9th February, starting at 6pm.

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The meeting afforded the opportunity for those wanting to learn more about the party, to hear about party strategy, as well as ideas and plans for the future of Orihuela Costa.

Chaired by Román Jiménez, the president of PIOC, discussions centred around the lack of amenities and services that are currently unacceptable, for a sector of the municipality that contributes a major proportion of the Orihuela budget, but gets little back in return.

“This is a problem that has been going on for decades”, he said,“and that is once again pushing the demand for independence of this population centre”.

Political writer, and party candidate in last year’s municipal elections, Ramón Fusté, said that despite all those individuals criticising the focus on separation, independence for the coast is possible, “but it will take time and effort, with many hurdles to be overcome for this young and formative party”.

He encouraged those who are unhappy with the way that the coast is being treated by Orihuela politicians, those who share his ambition to rejuvenate and modernise the area, and to provide a better future for our children, to join PIOC and help the party build toward the next municipal election, to ensure that it gains essential representation on the municipal council and is thereby able to provide a meaningful voice for the people of Orihuela Costa.

Residents wishing to join the party may do so, either at the Annual General Meeting on 9 February, ostarting at 6pm at the Emerald Isle in La Florida, or in advance through either the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ PIOCgrupo or the website; www.pioc.es.

More information is also available by email from: community@pioc.es

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The party continues to attract new members on Orihuela Costa

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My cancer, My journey

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Amrit and Navjot

By Maria Wilson Part Two

very pleasant I can tell you. I was given an appointment to see the consultant for the results on Tuesday 13th April, as this was almost two months away I didn´t think there was much to worry about. BUT!!

Whilst back in the UK to attend a family wedding I received a phone call from Torrevieja hospital on Sunday 7th March informing me that I was to have an MRI scan the next day, this was obviously not possible as we were not returning to Spain till the next day so another appointment was made for Wednesday10th March for the scan. It was after this phone call that the alarm bells started to ring and there was something very serious going on here for the hospital to call on a Sunday afternoon for an immediate MRI scan.

The appointment with the consultant was brought forward to Tuesday 23rd March, this is when I was told I had breast cancer and that both lumps were malignant and the best course of action would be a full mastectomy of my left breast, this came as a complete shock as there was no history of breast cancer in my family.

We were informed that following the surgery I would need a course of chemotherapy and then 30 sessions of radiotherapy to be carried out in at a private clinic in Benidorm, that meant travelling to Benidorm every day Mon to Fri for 6 weeks, this was very tiring having to meet the transport at Torrevieja hospital at 8.30 every day and not getting back sometimes until mid-afternoon.

Maria Wilson is the President of The Pink Ladies & Panthers My mammogram was on Friday 12th February 2010. It showed there were two small tumours in my left breast.

A week after the mammogram I received a phone call to return to Torrevieja hospital on Monday 22nd February, I thought for another mammogram as they couldn´t have got a very good image and needed to do it again.

Unfortunately, I soon realised it wasn’t for another mammogram but for a biopsy as the mammogram showed the two lumps, one 1cm and the other 1.25 cm so they performed the biopsy, not

T

he Zenia Boulevard Shopping Center, managed by Nhood and owned by Ceetrus and CBRE Investment Management, located in Orihuela Costa, continues to move forward with the renovation of its facilities in which it wanted to pay tribute to its environment, reflecting the characteristics of the area in which serves.

The mastectomy was booked in for Tuesday 23rd April , I was given this devastating news in what seemed a very “ matter of fact way”. We were in complete shock and couldn´t really focus on what we were being told, we left the consultant in a complete daze trying to come to terms with it all. But, It is what it is and we will HAVE to deal with it.

Contact the Pink Ladies by phone at 865 94 27 95 or call into the office on the lower level No 8, CC Flamenca Beach, Mon Fri 10am to 1pm (To be continued)

Anniversary Wishes to a wonderful wife.

Amrit is known to many on the Cabo Roig strip, where he works as the manager of the Shakira Indian Restaurant. But what you don’t know is that, together with his wife, Navjot, the couple recently celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary with friends and colleagues from the local Sikh community.

Married in the village of Kang Sahbu in the Punjab back in 2020, the couple have now adapted to their new life in Spain, together with their three-year-old daughter Gurleen.“Of course we miss our families back home, but we love our new lives in Orihuela Costa which we hope to enjoy for many more years to come”, said Amrit, who has now been in Spain for seven years.

Speaking to the Leader he had this message for his wife: “Today, I am so lucky as I wish a happy anniversary to you, my love.You fill my life with happiness.You are so beautiful, so loving and caring. I am so happy that you have come into my life. I always want to be with you and I heartily wish you a happy marriage anniversary”.

Zenia Boulevard pays tribute to the Vega Baja

The reform has not only improved the aesthetics of the toilets but has also reflected social needs. The breastfeeding rooms and toilets for PMR are maintained and four ostomized bathroom units with adapted furniture are included.

Director Cristina Ros, said, “what we intended when thematizing this work is to go beyond an aesthetic change. We wanted to give meaning and, above all, added value to the development, taking into account that Zenia Boulevard is located in an area with a large tourist population and that we consider ourselves a tourist spot where many different cultures meet, we believed that it was an opportunity to show our international visitors the best of our land.

As such, we pay tribute to characteristic aspects of the area that represents Orihuela, and also covers Vega Baja, and Torrevieja.

One of the areas that has seen the most radical change is the toilet area, where we have had the collaboration of the interior designer Juan Ares, designer of the Espacio Invisible Studio.

Of the four totally different toilet areas; One of them, the Plaza de la Lonja toilet, will be themed around citrus fruits, specifically lemons, a

In addition, we have extended this theming to the streets, children's areas and rest areas, highlighting distinctive elements such as citrus trees, the sea and the Mata Torrevieja lagoon."

We have also established a residential area dedicated to the poet Miguel Hernández. In designing the area the shopping centre has worked closely with the Museum and House of Miguel Hernández with the aim of making visitors aware of the poet's life, but, above all, to highlight the culture of the area.

typical fruit of the area. Another, the one in the garden, will be decorated with the artichoke, the star product of Vega Baja, while, in the Plaza Mayor they will have salt toilets. These allude to the pink lagoon of Mata-Torrevieja.

Each toilet will have information about the history of its theming thanks to the collaboration of Professor Gregorio Canales, with whom we have worked to illustrate this project.

Juan Ares said: "Collaborating on the theming

of Zenia Boulevard has been an exciting project. We have worked hard to reflect the unique essence of Orihuela Costa and its surroundings in every corner of the centre. The toilets have been transformed into areas that pay tribute to the rich diversity of the region, from citrus trees to the pink lagoon of Mata-Torrevieja.

The collaboration with professor Gregorio Canales to include the history of the region also gives value added to this thematic experience.

Zenia Boulevard, opened in 2012, is the largest shopping centre in the province of Alicante, registering an increase in traffic of 8.6% in 2023 with 15 million visitors. Located in Orihuela Costa, in a strategic position in the surroundings of Orihuela, it has more than 150 commercial premises.

In March of this year, the renovation is scheduled to be completed with improvements to the facades, the pavement, the rest areas, the green areas and the restaurant areas, as well as the children's leisure areas, a total investment of e18 million.

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PIONEERING SCHOOLING IN RAFAL

Mª Carmen Albero and Francisco Torregrosa, the school Directors at CEIP Trinitario Seva and the IES Rafal gave details of a new approach to schooling that they are experimenting with in Rafal this year, which the councillor of education, Gabriel Valero, described as initiatives that “try to combine classroom teaching with multidisciplinary, appealing and innovative activities to reinforce student learning through practice and own experience”.

Mª Carmen Albero and Francisco Torregrosa, the school Directors at CEIP Trinitario Seva and IES Rafal with the Councillor for Education and the Mayor

The two schools are “developing common projects that, with the support of the Council, allow transversal learning for students and work on aspects such as respect for the environment and the importance of an active life whilst at the same time they are teaching language or mathematics”.

One of the initiatives is the Olympic project 'From Rafal to Paris', which has been developed at all levels since September, and with which children "learn about the countries that compete; subjects such as geography, history and languages, as well as promoting sports and physical activity”.

At the end of February, the schools will have a visit from Olympic athletes, as part of the campaign to disseminate the values ??of sport of the Spanish Olympic Committee and the Trinidad Alfonso Foundation.

Other joint initiatives will be the Knowledge Olympics, “with the participation of both the school and the institute students, and where the different Courses will measure knowledge in the different subjects.”

The schools will also produce two plays in English for language

learning as well as making cultural visits to the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, and the STEAM workshops on robotics and programming”.

The mayor of Rafal, Manuel Pineda, has expressed his gratitude to both those in charge of the centres and his colleagues on the teaching staff “for the daily work they do to educate

the Rafaleños of the future on such topics, important things such as caring for the environment, physical activity and sport and their values, always through multidisciplinary and didactic methods that make learning and the acquisition of knowledge faster and more enjoyable for them, and at the same time, more effective.”

The mayor of Redován, Nely Ruiz, with councilors Ramón López, Lidia Belmonte and David Ballesta.

REFORESTATION AND NEW WALKING TRAILS IN REDOVÁN The Redován Council has concluded the landscaping carried out over the last three months in the La Sierra Municipal Natural Area, in the vicinity of the La Ermita recreational area.

The work, financed with funds from the Vega Renhace Plan of the Generalitat Valenciana, has cost around 250,000 euros and has seen the repair and adaptation of paths, turning them into channels that will carry rainwater to the ravines, revegetating the area with trees and bushes and creating new rest area, thus expanding the surface of the recreational facilities that already existed in the area.

The work was completed on ‘Valencian Tree

Day’ of which the mayor, Nely Ruiz, said, “It is without a doubt a perfect day to finish the work that has been carried out here and that the entire town of Redován can now enjoy.

We now have a wonderful meeting area for hikers, climbers, young people and families who want to enjoy some time outdoors in an area prepared for it, one that we already had, but which we now have now improved with more tables, rest areas, pergolas for shade and with paths, including one adapted so that all people can enjoy our mountains and nature.”

The mayor also pointed out that the most important thing about the work is that the new ‘rainwater channels’ in this natural area, perform a necessary function in the event of torrential rains to avoid, as far as possible, damage to the urban area such as that caused by the DANA of 2019.

PAGE 12

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Archaeologist Felipe Mejías and his team are concerned in case, with the change of government, the grants dry up.

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ROYAL NEWS

An uncertain future for the largest Franco concentration camp in Spain Albatera concentration camp, was the largest Francoist detention centre in Spain. In April 1939 it housed over 15,000 prisoners, captured as they tried to flee from Alicante Archaeological surveys that are being carried out on the lands previously occupied by the Albatera concentration camp, the largest Francoist detention centre in Spain, with some 15,000 prisoners in April 1939, face an uncertain future after the change of government in the Generalitat Valenciana.

The regional aid that has allowed the San Isidro City Council to finance four fruitful archaeological campaigns, on the site of the former Republican prison, that was transformed after the war into a concentration camp for the defeated Nationalists would seem to be in doubt.

"We have no news, we don't know if there will be a budget," the mayor, Manuel Gil (PSOE), told the press agency EFE. "It is something that they still have to consider," he says, referring to the regional government coalition of PP and Vox. Archaeologist Felipe Mejías, director of research in the Albatera fields, trusts that it is just an "impasse." He said that the Department of

Democratic Quality, which financed the work of his team, in recovering the memory of Franco's repression and searching for and exhuming the remains of victims, has disappeared from the new organisation, What is more uncertain than the continuity of the archaeological surveys, however, is the development of the project that Mejías and the San Isidro Council propose for the future: the purchase of two plots on which 90% of the prison was located (brackish agricultural land of little value), which will allow the continued search for material and human remains and the establishment of the site as a museum.

Mejías perseveres in his goal of expanding his knowledge of the Albatera countryside and creating a museum that tells its story. "There is nothing in Spain, either on this scale or with the importance that this site had," he said.

Built in the summer of 1937 by the Government of the Second Republic as a forced labour camp to hold

Body of a diver washed up on a San Javier beach The body of a diver was found on the shoreline of a San Javier beach on Thursday morning. It was discovered by a local resident in the Monteblanco area, belonging to the municipality of San Javier. The man was looking out from his balcony with a pair of binoculars. He informed the Local Police who immediately travelled to the scene.

The body has yet to be identified and the causes of death are currently unknown.

Nationalist prisoners, it had capacity for about 2,000 inmates.

On April 1, 1939, the Spanish War officially ended, with the last Republican stronghold in the port of Alicante, with some 20,000 defeated people seeking escape on ships that did not arrive.

The Albatera camp then became the destination for some 15,000 men where many of them died from stomach problems caused by hunger and thirst.

In the absence of documentary records, the history of the camp and its inmates is told by the memories left by a few prisoners and the objects and material evidence that the archaeologists led by Mejías have discovered and depositing in the Archaeological Museum of Alicante (MARQ).

"The testimonies are so overwhelming, they are so insistent and there are so many about the presence of human remains here, that I have no doubt," he says as he steps on the whitish earth of San Isidro.

The King and Queen entering the Throne Room

KING HOSTS 126 DIPLOMATS ACCREDITED IN SPAIN Their Majesties the Kings and Queen of Spain have hosted the traditional annual reception for the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Spain at the Royal Palace of Madrid, composed in total of 126 embassies and almost 800 Consulates, 153 career and more than 600 honorary.

They were received at the reception by the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares.

Following the greetings, Don Felipe and Doña Letizia went to the Throne Room where the event began with an address by Monsignor Bernardito Cleopas Auza, nuncio of His Holiness the Pope.

The Civil Guard assumed responsibility for the investigation after being alerted by the San Javier Local Police, following the appearance of the body, around 9:30 a.m. on Thursday morning.

The body, which was wearing fins and a neoprene suit, was located at kilometre 3 of La Manga, in the Monteblanco beach area. The Benemérita said that it was someone who was diving and who probably felt unwell in the water. The sea currents would have dragged the body towards the shore.

The Guardia Civil proceeded to remove the body and transfer it to Alicante for ID and an autopsy.

Monsignor Bernardito Auza, nuncio of the Pope In his own speech, the King highlighted that "In 2023, Spain has continued to deepen its commitment to multilateralism as a way to solve global problems. The year 2024 now gives us the opportunity to move towards a better United Nations, prepared to respond to the commitments assumed and the challenges of our days, such as the new threats to peace.

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CRYPTIC CROSSWORD QUICKIE CROSSWORD

ANSWERS Week 1008 QUICK ACROSS: 6 Miserly; 7 Incur; 9 Wit; 10 Desirable; 12 Prohibition; 15 Immediately; 17 Decadence; 19 Shy; 21 Perch; 22 Capable.

DOWN: 1 Civil; 2 Bet; 3 Glue; 4 Unearthly; 5 Outlook; 8 Gibbet; 11 Grievance; 13 Hailed; 14 Impeded; 16 Child; 18 Clap; 20 Sad. CRYPTIC CRYPTIC ACROSS: 6 Get away; 7

ACROSS 1.

Modest (10)

DOWN 1.

Dynamited; 12 Miss the Express (5)

post; 15 Demonstrate; 17

7.

A profit once more (5)

8.

Drink for morale? (7)

Famous (5)

2.

Impertinence (8)

Well-being; 19 Tit; 21

8.

Leaves (7)

3.

Endure (6)

Guest; 22 Conifer.

10.

Embellished (8)

4.

Masculine (4)

11. The demeanour of one put among males (4)

11.

Defeat (4)

5.

Closest (7)

DOWN: 1 Penal; 2 Saw;

13. Prepare to stop (4,2)

13.

Revolve (6)

6.

Intolerable (10)

3 Wary; 4 In dispute; 5

15. One could get a bangle from here (6)

15.

Placard (6)

9.

Venture (10)

Reverse; 8 Washer; 11

17. Call 150 out as leaving pass in the mountains (4)

17.

Char (4)

12.

Grumble (8)

Win or lose; 13 Sister; 14

18. The others don’t get as much, being fidgety (8)

18.

Music-writer (8)

14.

Twister (7)

Revenue; 16 Siren; 18

21.

Exaltation (7)

16.

Lent (6)

Noon; 20 Bit.

22.

Map-book (5)

19.

Ointment (5)

23.

Trust (10)

20.

Quarrel (4)

7.

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 19

DOWN 1. A trap set thus is not together (5) 2. The athlete is out of bed, but he came second (6-2) 3. Anne is unfortunately quite mad (6) 4. Quiet tune for two (4) 5. A revolution cropping up (7) 6. For which players take to the air (5,5) 9. Having given vocal items, girls use them to keep out the glare (3-7) 12. Somehow get rid of set joint (8) 14. Almost aiming for pain-killer (7) 16. The riches derived from the law (6) 19. Delete some of the matter as erroneous (5) 20. She introduces boy to youth leader (4)

ACROSS 1. Assorted dairy pails used in flying show (3,7)

Onset; 9 Ban; 10

10. Need hint finally (2,3,3)

21. Post in flying? (3-4) 22. Fish on ice? (5) 23. Unique opportunity is merely luck (4,6)

L EA D E R T R I V I A Q U I Z 1. Which mega hit song from 1967 begins with the words "Seven-A"?

2. Which French town has the greatest number of hotels per sq km after Paris?

3. Which time keeping monsters sound "like Rice Krispies after you pour the milk in"?

4. Which woman spent a record 377 weeks at No 1 in the WTA rankings? a. Serena Williams, b. Chris Evert, c. Stefi Graf 5. The name for which Indian curry dish translated means "hot fry"?

6. Which hit song begins with: a. "It was the third of September". b. "It was the third of June" 7. Where did Saint Simeon Stylites the Elder spend 39 years of his life?

8. In which film does the mere mention of the name Frau Blücher frighten all the horses?

9. Which Sir is Sean Lennon's godfather?

10. In Game of Thrones, many of the backdrop scenes for King's Landing are filmed in which European coastal city?

11. Which chocolate bar was named after Ethel Mars favourite race

( A n s we r s o n p a g e 1 9 ) horse? a. Bounty, b. Aero, c. Kit Kat, d. Snickers 12. Which controversial 1979 film stars Peter O'Toole, Helen Mirren and Malcolm McDowell?

13. What were the three most populated countries in the world in 1850?

14. Plus or minus 4, in which year did the US Surgeon General first publish its report on the negative health effects of tobacco smoking?

15. Which Asian country's name means "Holy Island"?

16. Nicknamed the "Black Pearl", which American dancer helped the French Resistance during WWII? 17. Name the film in which David Bowie played the following characters? a. Major Jack Celliers, b. Pontius Pilate, c.

Nikola Tesla 18. Which US President was a former director of the C.I.A.?

19. Which fictional couple is mentioned in each of the following songs? Don't Fear The Reaper (Blue Oyster Cult), Fire (Bruce Springsteen), Fever (Peggy Lee) and Stuck In The Moment (Justin Bieber) 20. The following was the movie poster tag line for which 1970 documentary? "The music that thrilled the world .... and the killing that stunned it."

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Former Torrevieja Mayor denounces state of protected ‘Casa Torre de los Balcones’ José Manuel Dolón, a former Los Verdes mayor of Torrevieja, together with Compromís, has denounce the poor state of Casa Torre de los Balcones, a building that has been protected in the General Urban Planning Plan (PGOU, since 1986.

He said that the ruinous state of the building, that is currently propped up by structural supports, was not mentioned at the tourist fair that ended on Sunday in Madrid, FITUR, despite its indisputable urban and architectural value, and that it represents an important historical reminder of the recent agricultural past of the Vega Baja region, as it is one of the few examples that are still preserved from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.”

“Its advanced state of dereliction has caused the fall of masonry and the collapse of large parts of the building; The rest remains standing with rudimentary shoring that is totally insufficient to guarantee the conservation of the façade, the tower and the viewpoint,” said the former mayor.

According to Dolón, “the ruined building of the Casa Torre de los

The first impression that many people have of Torrevieja

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Aviators Start Your Engines San Javier Airshow Confirmed he Festival Aéreo San Javier, or San Javier Air Show if you prefer, has been confirmed for the dates of 3 to 5 of May 2024, in the sky above the playas de Santiago de la Ribera.

As always San Javier airfield will be the base of operations and flights, but viewing locations can be found all around the Mar Menor.

T

More details regarding the spe-

Balcones, which is located at the entrance to Torrevieja on the CV-95 road, is the first image that people see when driving into the municipality, and the last that they see when leaving.”

He continued, “the building is also part of the landscape that can be seen from the rooms of the Hotel Doña Montse, it is visible to the millions of people who come into Torrevieja every year, and the Torrevieja council should be ashamed.”

The Greens and Compromís party’s have urged the Municipal Corporation to recovery this unique Torrevieja building in cooperation with the owners and in accordance with the court ruling that was made on the matter two years ago.

The Greens have suggested the use of the architectural work contributed by the Danish architect Henriette Baden, who selflessly studied the values of the building in depth, and who suggested procedures to ensure its recovery and conservation.

PAGE 15

cific show and static exhibition will be released nearer the time.

For those with an interest in aviation, there are many other air shows and events taking place around both Spain including the Festival Aéreo Internacional de Motril, on June 9, 2024 and The Torre del Mar Air Show in Malaga, one of the most popular in Spain, which takes place this year on 6 to 8 September 2024.

PAGE 16

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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 Join us at the SALT CHURCH Sundays at 10.30 am. We are a friendly church, bible centred in our teaching and informal in our worship. Meets at Calle Daya Nueva 12, Polígono Ind. Levante 11, 03187 Los Montesinos. We look forward to meeting you. www.Saltchurchspain.

Facebook SaltChurchSpain International Christian Assembly, Calle Beniajan 14, Torrevieja -Evangelical Church. Sunday Service 11 a.m.; - Contact 966 799 273 / 660 127 276. Evangelical non-denominational church. www.icatorrevieja.org

The Car of the Month at AUTOMOVILES CRESPO is a very attractive 2019 Ford Focus ST-Line Hybrid at just 21,900 euro.

Come along to our large showroom in Elche and see our vast range of new and

used cars or call 96 666 22 60 for all our latest offers.

See page 7.

We can assure you of the biggest and best choice of new and used cars in the area for price, choice and quality. ENGLISH SPOKEN

AGE CONCERN BEREAVEMENT GROUP. Have you lost somebody close to you? Are you finding life difficult after a bereavement? Come along and chat to other people in the same situation. Starting on October 10th, then every Tuesday from 2-4pm at the Age Concern Centre, Calle Paganini, La Siesta, Torrevieja. 96 678 6887.

Everyone is welcome.

Los Alcázares Digital Camera Club. Interested in photography? We invite you to come and join us at our twice monthly meetings. Please contact coordinatorladcc@ gmail.com or see http://www.los-alcazarescamera.club/ for details.

COMMUNITY CARE ASSOCIATION (CCA) Open to residents of Orihuela Costa over 60 years of age.

Located at the Centro Civico Alameda del Mar. Open 3 times a week for a programme of English speaking

Monday 5th - Sunday 11th February 2024

activities, support, information and advice with the support of Orihuela Council.

Anyone wanting to join CCA social activities can pop along. Open 2pm -6pm Mondays and Thursdays, Wednesday 2pm - 5pm. You can register between 1pm & 2pm on those days, in the Cafe area where you will find Eva or Norah. email: oc.communitycare@gmail.com Age Concern Costa Blanca Sur is here to help you with problem solving and well being for the over 50’s. We need volunteer Drivers and people to join our Home Visiting Team to visit a Residential Home, and take them out for a coffee. Call into our centre at C/Paganini s/n, Urb. La Siesta 03184 Torrevieja or ring 966 786 887. Or email: costablanca@ageconcern.org.es Royal Naval Association, Torrevieja Branch now meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 5pm at the Lakeview bar/restaurant, Quesada. For more info contact Chairman Tony Jenkins on +44 7576 117 222, Secretary Steve Hemingfield 0n Mob/Whats 711 011 373 The RAFA Costa Blanca RMG is a social group of caring people and remains

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affiliated to the parent Assn.

Contact with the RAFA and the RMG is via the RAFA website rafa.org.uk.

LOOKING FOR Silent Business Partner for small Private Care Home. Invest 10K and get 20K back in 14 months. Call 747 438 225 CONSTRUCTION AND GENERAL BUILDING. For all building works large or small, phone 604 152 124 for quotes. We also specialise in pool leaks and repairs. (1010)

Law Services: PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR, Solicitor, Debt Collections, Bad Tenants. 747 438 225

FREE

CLASSIFIED ADS If you have items that are WANTED or FOR SALE, ANNOUNCEMENTS, NOTICES and suchlike, advertise them, to a maximum of 35 words, FREE OF CHARGE, on this page.

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ealing with administration can be a daunting task for many, partly due to the apparent complexity of some of the procedures, and partly due to the inconvenience of having to attend a very busy office, where many more people are trying to achieve their own resolution, but when it comes to traffic and vehicle procedures, there is some good news, because almost all traffic procedures can be carried out remotely.

D

At this time, 94% of traffic procedures can be carried out without having to go to the provincial or local DGT Traffic Headquarters, either by telephone -060-, Internet - via the Electronic Headquarters - or through the mobile application - AppmiDGT -.

Only the application for permits for dangerous goods and the exchange of permits require in-person attention.

The General Directorate of Traffic works every day to improve the service it provides to citizens.

For this reason, it has continued to expand the procedures related to driving licences or vehicles that can be presented or carried out electronically, without the need to make an appointment or go in person to the provincial and local Traffic headquarters.

At this time, with the exception of the appli-

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cation for permits for dangerous goods and

quickly by telephone (060), through the

the exchange of permits, all procedures relat-

headquarters electronic from the DGT or the

ed to the driver's licence of the holder or the

AppmiDGT mobile application and with the

vehicle can be carried out comfortably and

same guarantees as if it were done in person.

HOW TO AVOID VISITING THE DGT TRAFFIC OFFICE

PAGE 17

In addition, there are also other procedures, such as renewing a driving licence or permanently deregistering a vehicle, which can be carried out directly at collaborating offices.

In this line of improvement, the DGT Electronic Headquarters has been renewed and now allows all procedures related to vehicles to be carried out in an even simpler way, explaining the entire process step by step and also allowing all documentation to be directly attached without even having to do it through registration.

After presenting the documentation, the operator at the DGT Headquarters carries out the procedure and sends the response to the individual.

IN terms of collaborating entities, one of the biggest and most useful is the post office, Correos. Via Correos you can carry out procedures such as the application for a duplicate driving licence, obtain vehicle reports, notify a vehicle sale or purchase, as well as change of ownership, and of course, the issuing of the Environmental Sticker for your vehicle.

Many of the procedures are available at all post offices, although some can only be conducted via networked centres, and the website. More info is available at correos.es,

PAGE 18

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Tony Mayes Rant The Platform for 100x100 Public and Quality Health Department 22 denounces the critical reduction in the Torrevieja Hospital investment program

FUTURE FAR FROM ROSY FOR EX PATS LIVING ON THE COAST

Brexit has cost the UK £140bn so far, according to new analysis, and could see the nation £311bn worse off by the middle of the next decade, according to a new report.

Ex pats come to retire to Spain for the sun, the superb food, the lovely Spanish welcome and to live in a peaceful and healthy environment.

What they don’t want to hear is that, if they are ill, there are serious shortcomings.

Here in Orihuela Costa, Torrevieja and the greater area of Vega Baja, things are far from rosy. Torrevieja Hospital was originally built in 2006, for a population of about 100,000 people. In 2024 the population of the hospital catchment area has more than doubled.

In the 17 years since the creation of Torrevieja hospital, neither the hospital, nor in its health centres, have expansion works kept in line with population growth, and now, recklessly and inexplicably, we have a future regional budget with so many shortcomings that it will in no way keep pace with the demands being placed on health services locally in future years.

The consequences will be obvious.

Yes, people will die.

It’s time that ex-pats got off their fat backsides, stop sitting, sunning themselves, outside cafes and living the retired good life, and start demanding that something is done right now to ensure the authorities create a budget that puts far, far more money into Torrevieja Hospital.

It seems that we have regional politicians who look on the coast as being populated by expats, or Spanish who are making money from ex pats, and that the people who really matter are those who live inland. In other words, ex-pats are there to be milked to provide the money for better services in towns and cities in traditional areas inland.

But let me tell those with this mentality, that if ex-pats packed up and returned to their countries of origin the remaining Spanish would be far, far worse off.

Last week my wife and I, plus my daughter from the UK, were delighted to be part of a peaceful protest outside Torrevieja Hospital, against this latest regional health budget which will put local lives at risk.

It was a protest which was not organised by ex pats, but by local

from outside its borders, and because Britain stupidly decided not to be inside the EU borders it has had to suffer the inevitable consequences.

These figures have come from economists and analysts at Cambridge Econometrics - commissioned by London's mayor, Sadiq Khan - who modelled how the UK's economy would have acted were it still in the European Union.

Spanish people who are rightly concerned about health services locally going forward – and they were in the majority by far.

Here are just some of the financial facts which, I hope, readers will absorb and realise that spells disaster if you are ever ill here.

The current government of Generalitat Valenciana has drastically reduced the budget of 2024 for works of the department of Torrevieja designed by the previous autonomous government. Of the 17.3 million euros foreseen in the previous year's budgets for 2023 and 2024, which included the expansion works of the Torrevieja hospital and the Health Centres of Guardamar and Orihuela Costa, only 1.84 will be invested.

In Torrevieja Hospital, of the 11.1 million euros planned to be spent, they have been reduced to 1.1 milllion euros and in the health centres mentioned, the 6.3 million have been reduced to 730,000 euros – and we all know how overstretched the present health centres are.

But this funding nonsense gets worse. There is only a minor reduction in the planned investments in Orihuela city area. Of the 29, 6 million euros that will be invested this year in the city area, 27,8m will go to the department of Orihuela, compared to 1.8m that will be invested in Torrevieja despite this being the most populated and aged area. To put it another way, for every euro invested in Torrevieja, 16.4 will go to Orihuela.

Wonderful, isn’t it? I hope all of you who read this now understand how the coast is being screwed and equally are prepared to do something about it. It’s the same mentali-

ty of the Orihuela City power base which spends far, far more money in the city and surrounding villages, than for services on the coast, and that’s why we have grossly inadequate refuse disposal services, poor road maintenance, open areas going to pot. Need I go on? No!.

Here’s how you can make a start.

Why don’t you come to the visitors’ centre called the Hub, part of the Help at Home charity which is in Playa Flamenca. You can meet people there who can put you more into the picture and perhaps there could soon be a petition going out to the Valencian Government, urging them to change their budget to give a better deal to Torrevieja.

The Hub can be found behind the Help at Home charity shop in the Playa Flamenca shopping area – or call them on 965 32 8794, 10am to 2pm weekdays.

BREXIT RED TAPE I think it would be fair to say that the vast majority of expats living in Europe can see how stupid it was for Britain to leave the EU. They have seen the vast increase in bureaucracy caused by Brexit, from the nonsense of a 90 day restriction on visitors to the need of a residents card which we all have to show to pass freely at the passport control.

and prevent pests and diseases from being imported into Britain”.

It’s a whole load of ridiculous and absolutely unnecessary additional paperwork and customs control nonsense that Britain has dreamed up, and the extra cost will fall on UK businesses, and guess who will pick up the tab – yes, the British shopper.

Under the new Brexit red tape, imports of chilled and frozen meat and fish, cheese and dairy products, and five common varieties of cut flowers will require an export health certificate, signed off by a European vet or plant inspector, before they can enter the UK. And it doesn’t end there - from April 30 the same categories of goods will face physical inspections at the border, raising the prospect of delays and shortages in fast turnaround supply chains.

The UK imports around half of its pork from the EU and the industry says the new rules, particularly physical checks planned for April, are impractical and should be reviewed.

We who live in Europe know full well that food we eat here is perfectly safe – and we know that one of the main reasons why millions of people come to Spain for holidays each year is to enjoy the food.

But that’s nothing to the massive increase in the cost of food and fresh flower imports which will soon be experienced in British shops. And what a time for extra costs on cut flowers mostly from Holland, just before Valentine’s Day!

The EU have regulations which govern the production and sale of food within its borders. Any sane British politician knows only too well that any food originating in the EU will be perfectly fit to eat and will not have any biosecurity, pest and disease issues and all these additional checks are totally unnecessary.

New regulations came into force in the last week to “protect biosecurity

It’s obvious that the EU has food import controls on imports coming

The British people didn’t realise way back then how many lies and half truths came from the mouths of those politicians pushing for Brexit – and we know who all these pathetic people are.

Now the British people are suffering the consequences – many probably fooled into thinking that Brexit would put an end to the serious immigration problem. That went well didn’t it!

I wish at least one UK political party would have the guts to announce that if they had a majority they would cancel Brexit and negotiate a re-entry. It’s my guess that when people see another round of spiralling prices in the shops and realise that Brexit bo****ks is the cause, they will rush to support that party.

HOW DID IT GET TO THIS? Does the UK government think that Brits are completely gullible? It announced this week that, in future, people can go to pharmacists to get treatments and advice for sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women under 65, without the need for a GP appointment or prescription.

Since when has any sane person gone to a doctor and waited up to three weeks for a doctor’s appointment for a prescription for a sore throat, insect bite, or other common conditions. The chemists is the obvious first port of call. And by the end of a three week wait to see a doctor the condition is more than likely to have cleared up.

It seems that the Tories are going to come up with all these stupid headline catching gimmicks to try to convince the public that they have any credibility. They lost it years ago.

Arts & Culture

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PAGE 19

X Factor’s Ruth Lorenzo to host Habaneras

his 70th edition will feature choirs from Indonesia, Ukraine, Philippines, Mexico, Belarus, Venezuela, Colombia, China and Spain.

T

Torrevieja used the occasion of the Fitur World Travel fair from which to launch details of the 70th Habaneras and Polyphony Contest to be held in the town between July 21 and 27.

Usually, the competition would have its own presentation later in the year, but the Council did not want to keep any tricks up its sleeve as it exploited the last day at the Ifema to showcase its next edition at Fitur.

As usual, a high international presence is expected, which on this occasion will bring together

QUIZ FROM P 14: 1. Daydream Believer (Monkees), 2. Lourdes, 3.

Langoliers, 4. Answer c. Stefi Graf, 5. Jalfrezi, 6.

Two answers. a. Papa Was A Rolling Stone (The Temptations), b. Ode To Billie Joe (Bobby Gentry), 7. On top of a pillar. 8. Young Frankenstein. 9. Sir Elton John. 10. Dubrovnik. 11. Answer d. Snickers.

12. Caligula. 13. Three answers. In order: China, India and Russia. 14. 1964. 15. Sri Lanka. 16.

Josephine Baker. 17. Three answers. a. Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence, b. The Last Temptation Of Christ, c. The Prestige. 18. George H W Bush. 19.

Romeo and Juliet. 20. Gimme Shelter

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choirs from countries as diverse as China, Belarus and Mexico. In addition, the gala will feature the presence of the face of the last Benidorm Fest: the Murcian composer, singer and presenter, Ruth Lorenzo, who’s path to fame was launched following her appearance in the fifth edition of The X Factor in 2008.

nents will meet from the 20 that have been presented. Four choirs will remain in reserve. The countries of their origin are Indonesia, Ukraine, Philippines, Mexico, Belarus, Venezuela, Colombia, China and Spain.

The Minister of Tourism, Nuria Montes, said that Ruth Lorenzo, who was also representative of Spain in Eurovision 2014, will be the host of this 70th birthday contest of the Habaneras in which the Murcian mother will also perform a habanera that she has composed.

The president of the Alicante Provincial Council, Toni Pérez, congratulated Torrevieja for its 70 years of uninterrupted history of the Contest. “For the Costa Blanca brand and for the Provincial Council it is a pride to have a musical meeting that brings together the best groups from the five continents.

Back once again at the Municipal Theatre, which will host the Contest for the third time instead of the Eras of Salt, 16 choirs from 3 different conti-

It is a wonderful tourist opportunity that highlights the musical quality of Torrevieja and its habaneras”.

MEN NEEDED FOR STUDIO32 The Studio 32 theatre company current production is under way, The Pajama Game, a very funny musical. We have a marvellous assembly of ladies, but we are short of men that are needed to compliment the cast and make it whole.

Our Director sends out this plea, please, if you would like to become part of this enjoyable group, just ring Linda and she will give you the details of the rehearsal times and where we are. We will do the rest.

drama are most welcome, don’t worry, you

Anybody without experience of musical

on: 679 062 272

can be taught This could the fun experience you are looking for, Its that simple. Just call Linda, our secretary, for more information

PAGE 20

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Monday 5th - Sunday 11th February 2024

SAN MIGUEL BOWLS CLUB On Monday San Miguel Dolphins were home to San Luis Klingons, where they won 8 - 4, 107 shots to 77. The best winning triple were Pat McEwan, Ann Taylor and Jim Taylor 28 - 6.

San Miguel Orcas were also home on Monday to Quesada Rubies where they won 8 - 4, 81 shots to 74, the best winning triple were Bob Nesbitt, Ann Young and Barbara Scotthern 20 - 12, and Stan North, Sheila Booth and Mike Douglas 25 - 17.

San Miguel Stingrays were away to San Luis Trekkers, where they got a ‘blooded nose’ losing 0 - 12, 75 shots to 122.

On Friday morning San Miguel Commanches were home to Greenland Elms, where they lost 7 - 5, 92 shots to 85. The best winning triple were Gunnie Sigurdardottir, Gestur Saemundsson and Brian Mundell 31 - 14.

San Miguel Apaches were away to Quesada Swallows where they lost 2 10, 69 shots to 108. The winning triple were Jan Farmer, Stuart Hemmings

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and Derek Farmer 19 - 9.

San Miguel Navajos were away to La Marina Sharks where they won 7 - 5, The best winning rink were Hank Van Essen, Tom Dalgleish and Eddie Cowan 24 - 14.

A reminder that the Wasps sessions take place on Wednesdays from 1.30pm for 2.00pm - 5 for an afternoon’s bowling with shoes and bowls available to borrow. Due to the popularity of the Wasps, first time bowlers are asked to attend an initial coaching session on Tuesday afternoons, starting at 1.45pm, by appointment ONLY. To book, please call Dave or Lynn Greenland on +34 667 207 508.

We welcome all bowlers who would like to join San Miguel B.C. as we are a unique club we only pay owner fees and a club fee and NO LEAGUE RINK FEES. For further information on San Miguel B.C please contact club secretary Barry Jones on 602 504 905 or club president Alan Campbell on 606 676 118

BY BARRY JONES

VISTABELLA BOWLS CLUB with Freddie Willey A good week of bowling in lovely weather, great results for our club.

South Alicante Enterprise Division - Vistabella Albatrosses - bye South Alicante Discovery Division - Vistabella Drivers v Montemar Matadors A tough game for our guys against top of league team. A couple of winning rinks from Rosemarie Savage, Ken Savage & Alan Gordon 18-13 plus Frank Barclay, Dave Hill & Graham Doel 25 - 9. Scores went to Montemar 86pts to 78pts very close, making it a win for Montemar 8-4.

Winter League - Vistabella v BBC Bandits Lovely to see our friends from up north, great crowd. A very steady start by Vistabella taking the initiative with a great win at home. Good wins for Hilary James, Tony Grimes, Sue Wilson & Alan Bannister 26-8, Graham Doel, Brian Gilham, Freddie Willey & Paul Durham 19-12, Clive Smith, Barbara Brown, Arthur Brown & Maggie Furness 25-6, plus a good draw for Denise Howell, Alice Howe, Derek Howe & Don Conlon 14 - 14. Scores 84pts to 40pts in favour of Vistabella.

Giving Vistabella a great win 9-1.

LLB Southern League Division B - San Luis Tigers v Vistabella Picadors.

A beautiful afternoon for bowls, blue skies, and sunshine. Another tremendous result for Vistabella. Wins for Keith Black, Freddie Willey & Maggie Furness 19-17, Alice Howe, Stuart Allman & Brian Dunn 19-9, John Goddard, Don Conlon & Paul Durham 19-14, plus a draw for Denise Howell, Derek Howe & Del Stevenson 1414. Scores going to Vistabella 85pts to 71pts.Great win for Vistabella 9-3.

What a great result for Conquistadors with good wins for Frank Barclay, Dave Hill & Graham Doel 17-10, Rosemarie Savage, Ken Savage & Alan Gordon 17-15, Peter Horsfield, Tony Grimes & Sue Wilson 16-13, Jennifer McDonald, Mark Mathewman & John Ridley 17-12 & Julia Clarke, Jim Jepson & Steve Wilson 18-7.

Giving Vistabella 85pts to Emerald Isle's 57pts.Great win for Conquistadors 12-0.

A good week for Vistabella bowls club.

Contact: richardwilley321@gmail.com Tel: 698 925 932

With Elwyn Morris The Titans started the week with a home game against La Marina Explorers, and they got a fine 10-2 Aggregate of 102-52 win. P Heaney S Elvin D Mooney 31-7, N Prior D Jones B Kavanagh 22-11, N Davis M Ellis M Dyer 16-9, A Pridmore M Odell M Hartley 15-10, M Oakley G Wallis G Odell 18-15 Neptunes travelled to Greenlands

Chestnuts and came away with a good 6-6 Aggregate of 85-108, draw. P Moore B Fenty R White 25-13, I Laverick G Dyer J Loughran 21-12, J Sayer S Johnson K Jolliffe 25-18 Moonrakers played at home against San Luis Romulus, and they slipped to a 2-10 Aggregate of 65-113 defeat, M Peaper K John C Wren 27-5 Explorers played San Luis in Winter League and got a good 6-4 Aggregate of 95-62. D Jones N Prior M Ellis C Lindgren 25-11, S

Verity K Whelan N Davis D Mooney 22-13 Cavaliers played at San Luis, and they were beaten 4-8 Aggregate of 62-74. N Prior B Kavanagh C Lindgren 23-12 Claymores were at home against Quesada Swans and were beaten 5-7 Aggregate of 78-102. T Paffett B Fenty T Upham 18-16, I Laverick K Barber R Stokell 18-16, J Sayer P Moore J Taylor drew 22 all Outlaws played at home against Vistabella Conquistadors and they had a bad day 0-12 Aggregate of 57-85

Wednesday game was postponed due funeral arrangements for San Miguel.

both teams. Lesley Day, Malc Sykes and Bob Day 10-23. Sheila Cox, Mags Higgins and Mike Cox 10-15. Mick Higgins, Pam Harris and Steve Ziepe 14-16. Debby Ham, Adrian Ham and Henry Ryder 12-19. Chris Ziepe, Trevor Witcher and John Ziepe 14-18.

On Friday the Mustangs were at Country Bowls playing their Panthers, were the Panthers took advantage of the home mat to take all the points despite good play, in close matches, from

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

EL RANCHO BOWLS The Raiders had a bye on Monday and the Rowdies

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GREENLANDS B.C. The CHESTNUTS were at home to Emerald Isle and really had to fight all the game to get some result but they managed to get a 6 all draw which was a pleasing result on the end so well done all .The Beech team travelled to San Luis and played an excellent game, and achieved a 9-3 victory so congratulations to all the team on a wonderful away win.

The Maples had a very hard game this week against Quesada and unfortunately did not fair quite so well but dug deep and managed to gain 4 to 8 points so well done.

The Elms were up against San Miquel and really played extremely well to get a 7-5 victory Congratulations on your result you are proving strong opponents so keep it going.

The Gladiators made the trip to Country Bowls this Wednesday and managed a 6-4 result which keeps them firmly at the top of that league.

Congratulations to Lisa on her remarkable last shot to give the team the overall points so well done all the team. The Green Flag is flying high.

The Oaks had a tough game against Country Bowls who proved to be a bit stronger and came out 7-5 victors so need to get back to winning ways again Oaks but well done on a good fight to achieve these points.

No game for The Cedars this week.

PEARL HOUGHTON

LA MARINA B.C.

LLB Southern League Division C - Emerald Isle v Vistabella Conquistadors.

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Last week ended on Saturday with the traditional Scots versus England game, this year however it was the Celts versus England so that everybody could be involved and with me being a true Brit I am happy to congratulate the Celts on their win. This carried on to a Robbie Burns night with haggis, whisky, and music which was enjoyed by all. Well done to the organisers of both events.

Monday gave us yet another away game this time at the Emerald Isle and I would just like to congratulate the Isle on their 12 nil victory, (least said soonest mended).

Friday and I turned up at apx 11.30 due to appointments to see us playing San Miguel and everything was looking very rosy where we were up on 4 rinks. I was thinking positive thoughts, but we ended up losing 5-7 on a very close game. Our scoring trips were Janet Parsons, Margaret MacLaughlin & Barry Roberts 21-9, Trevor Stemp, Maureen Kidd and Alex Whyte 20-19 and Anne Stone, Shirley Hadaway, & Peter Parsons 15-15. But then we lost the overall shots 87-88 – what a great effort but Oh, what those 2 extra shots would have done.

Another case of every shot really does count. Dave Hadaway

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PAGE 21

SAN LUIS BOWLS CLUB with Sheila Cammack Another busy week, with mixed results, as teams battle for points and positions as we get towards the end of the winter leagues.

SOUTH ALICANTE LEAGUE: MONDAY 29TH SL KLINGONS had a tough time away v San Miguel Dolphins, taking 4 points-8, 77 shots 107. Winners: Margaret & Neil Morrison, Ian Kenyon 23-21, Kath Reid, June & Keith Jones 23-19.

SL TREKKERS were at home to San Miguel Stingrays. There were some close fought matches, but Trekkers pulled through for a clean sweep; 12 points-0, shots 122-75. Well done: Joy & Brian Gardiner, Jean Cooper 23-13, Stuart Wilson, Jane & Stewart Hamill 26-23, Chris Jackson, Phil Lockley, Vic Mahomet 18-17, Mary Lockley, Cas Blay, Jim Gracie 34-8, Sheila Cammack, Bob Bromley, Florence Murphy 21-14.

WINTER LEAGUE: WEDNESDAY 31ST SAN LUIS away v EI Emperors, had some nip & tuck battles, splitting the shots 62-75, points 46. Winners: Tricia Reilly, Mike Veale, Florence Murphy, Dave Webb 20-11, Neil Burrows, Kath Reid, Sandra Burrows, Ian Kenyon 18-17.

SOUTHERN LEAGUE: FRIDAY 2ND SL LIONS had a good result, home v EI Cavaliers; 8 points-4, 74 shots-62. Winners: Mike Veale, Caroline & John Smyth 26-7, Neil & Sandra Burrows, Dave Webb 19-9, Dee Hoey, Neil Morrison, Scott Malden 17-13.

SL TIGERS, were at home v Vistabella Picadores but found it a very hard afternoon, just managing 3 points-9, 71 shots-85. Winners: Stuart Wilson, Brian Gardiner, Stewart Hamill 17-14, Joy Gardiner, Jane Hamill, Jean Cooper 14-14.

SL VULCANS had a hard time at home v Greenlands Beech; points 3-9, shots 73-109.

Winners: Jill Wyatt, Tony Ferreira, Steve Gray 19-18, Sue Kenyon, John Bagnall, Derek Biggs 17-17.

SL PUMAS away v Country Bowls Cubs had a tough battle but took the shots 92-82, points 57. Winners Lesley & Wayne Howlett, David Whitworth 35-13, Jim Gwynn, Ken Stringfellow, Maxine Wright 14-14.

SL ROMULANS, away v EI Moonrakers, had a good result; 10 points-2, 113 shots-65. Well done: Judy Carroll, Gordon Paton, David Blackie 17-13, Ray Watmough, Ngaio Baldwin, Peter Ayres 28-8, Catherine & Noel Morrisroe, Barbara Louis 28-12, Pauline Johnson, Kevin McKenna, Lyndon Johnson 35-5.

SL LEOPARDS had a great result away v San Miguel Cherokees, 10points-2, 99 shots-70.

Winners: Derrick Cooper, Mags Haines, John Skipper 24-13, Ray Watmough, Cathy & Noel Morrisroe 19 -13, Pauline Johnson, Kevin McKenna, Lyndon Johnson 20-13, Judy Carroll, Gordon Paton, Dave Blackie 20-13.

Full house at Pinatar Arena during month of February

the grand final on Friday, February 8 at 4:00 p.m.

There will also be plenty of Men's national teams using Pinatar Arena in February. The under-19 teams from Denmark and the Czech Republic will join the under-17 teams of Switzerland, Hungary, the Republic of Ireland and again Denmark in a series of friendly matches starting on February 14.

In addition to the national team squads, Ukrainian teams such as Polissya, Kryvbas and Metalist 1925 will train at Pinatar Arena where they will each stay for about a month each.

Thirty teams will gather at the Pinatar Arena during the month of February Squads will arrive from Ukraine, Switzerland, England and Sweden to either train or to compete in a variety of tournaments and competition, including the MIMA Cup 2024 featuring the Philippines, England, Scotland and Sweden women's U-17, and the Pinatar Cup 2024 with 4 senior teams and 4 under19 women's teams.

The highlight is expected to be the popular Costa Cálida Pinatar Cup Women's National Team Tournament which will feature the Philippines, Scotland, Finland and Slovenia from February 19 to 28. In the under-19 category, Portugal, Sweden and the Czech Republic will take part.

TORREVIEJA DARTS LADIES ORGANISATION TDLO LEAGUE FORMAT WEEK 7 TUESDAY 30 JANUARY Friendly Temps

10 - 11

Gap Girlz

Randers from Denmark, Kalmar from Sweden and junior sides from Brentford and FC Basel will also use the venue to prepare for the second part of their respective seasons while Belgium will be bringing over its senior referees to brown their legs in the winter sun.

Tipsy Tigers

12 - 10

Ladybirds

Primadonnas

13 - 10

Friendly Chicas

Wacky Allsorts

9 -13

Dolly Mixtures

Primadonnas

7

89

65

Pinatar Arena continues the trend that, in 2023, saw it achieve the best figures in its history, after hosting 130 teams from 41 different countries, that filled more than 30,000 hotel rooms on the Costa Cálida.

Gap Girlz

7

85

50

For the first time in ten years, the number of national teams exceeded the number of clubs (72-58), as a clear example of the importance that Pinatar Arena has gained at an international level within football federations around the world, helping to strengthen Murcia's candidacy, as a potential venue for the 2030 World Cup. UK and IRELAND TEAM LIST – FEB 24:

In the MIMA Cup Scotland and Sweden will open the tournament on Monday, February 5 at 11:00 a.m. while England and the Philippines will play at 4:00 p.m.

Scotland: Scotland Women, Scotland Women U19, Scotland Women U17

The winners of the two matches will meet in

Republic of Ireland: Republic of Ireland U17

England: Brentford Reserves, England Women's U17

LEAGUE TABLE

P

F

A

Friendly's Temps

7

78

71

Tipsy Tigers

7

78

83

Ladybirds

7

76

76

Macklin's Dolly Mixtures

7

66

84

Friendly's Chicas

7

62

82

Wacky Allsorts

7

62

87

Campbell (GG) 125, 120, 100, Groa Bryndis (PD) 125, 104, 107, Monique Edelenbos 123, Kirsty Green (LB) 119, 111, 100, Shirley Stephenson (WA) 119, Linda Curdy (FC) 115, Bliss Wright (GG) 114, Di Dane (PD) 113, 100, Lesley Justice (DM) 110, 100, Yvonne Rouffignac (GG) 108. 100, Joyce Wilkinson (PD) 107, Lorraine Veale (DM) 103 x2, Simone de Lacy (TT) 103, Sharon Crane (TT) 100 x2, Debbie le Grys (PD) 100 HIGH CHECK-OUT: Yvonne Rouffignac (GG) 108

HOT DARTS WEEK 7 (30TH JAN):

The Friendly Chicas, who play at the Friendly Bar, Citrus Centre, are looking to recruit new players for the remainder of this season and then hence forth.

Pat Schofield (TT) 140, Julie Thompson (FT) 138, Margaret Boden (WA) 129, Chelsea

If you are interested, please contact Lin Cousins 664 574 348, lincousins@live.co.uk.

PAGE 22

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Results Group 1

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Results Group 2

(2 pairs through to semis)

(2 pairs through to semis)

1st - Dons Ralph & Kirsty Green - 8 pts 2nd = Sonya Lock & Kathryn Mullholland - 6 pts Simone de Lacy & Eileen Askew - 6 pts 4th = Pat Schofield & Lisa Ivill - 3 pts Jane Wills & Jean Randell - 3 pts 2nd place play off winners - De Lacy & Askew

1st - Yvonne Rouffignac & Amanda Skinner - 8 pts 2nd - Bliss Wright & Chelsea Campbell - 7 pts 3rd = Karen Collins & Karen Raffell - 3 pts Lesley Lumb & Jan Norbury - 3 pts 5th - Sharon Frain & Mitch Halliday - 2 pts

Semi Finals - Best of 5 - 501 Ralph & Green 1-3 Wright & Campbell Rouffignac & Skinner 3-0

De Lacy & Askew

Final - Best of 5 - 501 Wright & Campbell 3-0

Rouffignac & Skinner

HIGHEST CHECKOUTS: Pat Schofield - 92 & 112, Chelsea Campbell - 74 & 82.

TON SCORERS: Amanda Skinner - 100x2, 125x2, 135. Yvonne Rouffignac - 121,140. Bliss Wright - 140, 100. Sharon Frain - 102x2 Jane Wills - 132 Jan Norbury - 132 Dons Ralph - 123 Lesley Lumb - 123 Kirsty Green - 119 Eileen Askew - 116 Karen Collins - 113 Simone de Lacy - 112 Kathryn Mullholland - 105 The runners up found their way to the final via a comfortable 3-0 semi victory over the accomplished Tiaras, de Lacy and Askew. Rouffignac taking the 1st on D10, partner Skinner finding the remaining 2 legs for a place in the final.

Group 2

Group 1

In the other semi, Ralph and Green had been convincing qualifiers, winning all their group matches and dropping just one leg to Lock and Mullholland.

Now facing the eventual winners, they lost the opener to a Wright ton and D20 from Campbell, but levelled through a Ralph D16. A Wright 140 and a Campbell 74 out gave the Gap / Gnomes pair a 1-2 advantage, despite a 123 from Ralph. Birds should have taken the 4th, Campbell seizing the opportunity to hit 25, S17,D20, for the match and a final place.

Thank you's are extended to Bob Smith, John Rodford and Pete Spence, for their event organising expertise.

WINNERS: Bliss & Chelsea Surprisingly this years final was a repeat of 2023's, but not the result. The new champions Wright and Campbell reversed last years final, winning 3-0, the same scoreline by which Rouffignac and Skinner won previously.

Despite heavier scoring from the Leeson St duo, it was Campbell nailing the 1st leg on D20, the same double was the preferred choice of Wright for a 2-0 advantage.

The 3rd and what was to be the last leg saw both pairs find their way to an out shot simultaneously, Wright looking for a single 3 for tops, but hitting a S17, but then D13 for the title.

RUNNERS UP: Amanda & Yvonne

Mens Pairs - Thursday 8th February Venue - New Tavern, San Miguel.

Players are reminded registration is by 7-30 pm competition com-

Bliss, Chelsea, Kirsty, Dons

mences 8-00 pm.

There is one place remaining prior to the draw, for further information contact team captains or Simone de Lacy.

It's a strong field, the winners coming from any one of the 12 league

Simone, Amanda, Yvonne & Eileen

teams represented. Outstanding pairs from Division 1 as expected but keep an eye on both teams from Division 2 outfit Fire Station, they will be formidable opponents. Dangers to the Big Guns, the Klimonis's, Dalton and Hurcombe, Christopher and Tollafield, Perryman and Smith.

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THE LEGEND that Robert Louis Stevenson roamed the hills and sandy dunes of Pebble Beach while writing his classic novel Treasure Island inspired the designers of Spyglass Hill in 1966, and holes were named after a significant place or character in the novel.

When Spyglass Hill joined the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am rotation it was considered a true championship test of golf and Bing was so confident of it's difficulty that he bet Jack Nicklaus he wouldn’t break par in his first round there.

Jack shot a 2-under 70, and Bing presented him with a signed, framed $5 bill in commemoration.

250 founders were roped in to help finance construction of the course, paying $2,500 up front and annual fees of $50. In return, they received 9 starting times each weekday and 12 every weekend. (These days a round at Spyglass costs upward of $500.)

Robert Trent Jones II, son of the course designer and one of the founding members said, “It became the best deal in golf, which is why the Pebble Beach Company wanted those starting times back.” In 2016 they finally got them back when the 50-year agreement came to an end. Only 12 of the founder members were still alive.

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PAGE 23

Despite being one of the most iconic events on the PGA Tour, many top players now tend to skip the Pebble Beach AT&T, citing long rounds, celebrity distractions, unsettled weather and the bumpy poa annua greens.

In addition, the schedule faces competition from the Saudi International, LIV Mayacoba is scheduled for the same date. Oh, for the good old uncomplicated days of the Crosby Clambake.

COBRA HAS ANNOUNCED that their new DarkSpeed driver is another leap forward in performance at a competitive price. As usual, there are three to choose from.

The low-spinning Darkspeed LS is tailored to Tour players and elite amateurs, with 8, 9 and 10 degrees of loft. The interchangeable weight system allows players to dial in their launch conditions and ball flight, keeping the heaviest weight on the back for more backspin, or moving it forward to reduce spin.

vast majority. More aerodynamic than the Max, it offers speed and forgiveness.

The Max driver has the same lofts and is the most forgiving in the Darkspeed range, but still delivers speed and competitive distance, and is the easiest to hit. At £429.00 I'll have to take their word for it.

With dashing good looks, the aerodynamicshaped Cobra head has carbon in the sole and crown. Testers found it fast without compromising accuracy.

BILLY CASPER, who died in 2015 aged 83, was called “The nicest guy in the business.”

Aways modest in victory and gracious in defeat, although overshadowed by the ‘Big Three’ (Palmer, Nicklaus and Player) he still won 51 PGA Tour titles, two US Opens and the 1970 Masters. His 23 1/2 points is still a U.S. Ryder Cup record, and he captained the U.S. squad to victory in 1979.

The Darkspeed X is the middle-of-the-road driver for both low and middle-handicap golfers, and is available in lofts 9°, 10.5°, and 12° which makes it a suitable option for the

Billy had a lethal putter and total self-belief.

“I had a hand/eye link,” he would say. “I could look at a telephone pole 40 yards away and hit it with a 7 iron 10 times in a row.

And somehow I understood the game, without having a lot of guidance."

THE ‘CRADLE OF CHAMPIONS’ in Beijing is looking to produce more world and Olympic champions. One of China’s ‘Centres of Excellence’ teaching badminton, gymnastics, table tennis and golf, the golf hall consists of bare walls, no windows, the Chinese flag, and about 30 children aged between 5 and 9, putting and chipping in front of mirrors for two hours a day after normal schoolwork, no doubt all part of Confucious's instructions to go and beat the pants off everybody.

Golf, however, tends to produce unlikely champions without intensive training. Like Billy Casper.

Until next time: Happy Golfing.

Contact Mick for regripping and repairs. 638 859 475.

Season opener for Celts Club de Golf

ROS SMITH CROWNED QUEEN OF LA SIESTA The last Saturday in January is always the biggest day in the La Siesta calendar. It’s Club Championship time.

A full house for the prestigious title of Club Champion and bragging rights for a year.

Instead of the normal crisp January morning this year players were complaining they couldn't see the ball going down the first because of the sun. It was a glorious setting and fitting for the occasion.

A warm wecome back to all our members for the new season. Warm it was with 24 degrees.

First, I would like to wish Dave Stockton our Captain a speedy recovery. It was great to see you at the presentation, get well soon.

With all the allocated tee times taken it was a hectic start but the players soon settled into their rhythm as the round unravelled. The course is in much better condition nowadays and so it played with a lot of competent rather than spectacular golf being played.

The course is in excellent condition and thanks to everyone in helping our club events run so smoothly.

The competition was tight, which is always nice, with no runaway leaders at the half way mark.

This made for a thoroughly enjoyable day for all. The usual prizes for nearest the pin and longest drives were on offer and the ten prizes were neatly distributed throughout the membership.

As the four balls rolled in there were still no obvious winners until the last scorecards were analysed. However, players had to wait until the evening gala at the clubhouse to discover who was in pole position.

Many would have had an anxious few hours wondering if their score was good enough.

What a competition it turned out to be - only two points separating the top seven golfers.

In fifth place beating Gail Mosley and Michael Hughes on handicap was Dave O’Reilly, himself beaten by fourth placed Bruce Boswell.

Third placed Ken Meredith was pipped on handicap by Les Mann but the Queen of La Siesta this year is Ros Smith - winning the title at her first attempt. Congratulations to Ros and to all who made the day such a success.

Down to the results. Crystal winners, Michael Stott 39 Shaun Locke 39, and Clive Jenkins 37.

Michael Sephton 41, Alex Duchart 38, and Colin Fleming 37. Sally Hopkins, 40, Jane Knight 40 and Steve Formby 38. Chris Daw 34, Clive Jenkins 32, and Skip Stuphlrfarrer 32.

Jane Knight 36, Kevin Fitzpatrick 34, and Chris Fyffe 32.

Golf Prizes. Alex McIntyre 42, James Imrie 36, and Alan Cambell 35. James Hayes 43, Theo Boelhouwer 37. Michael Stott 37, Clive Jenkins 36, and Eddie Wall 36. Paul Raffell 35, Hep Kinnear 35, and Jim Hayes 34.

Medals. Jim Imrie 74 and Michael Stott 78.

Alan Walker 70 and Stuart Bulling 71. Martin

Archer 65 and Tony Smithurst 73. John O’Brien 69 and Pauvla Serakova 71. Stuart Tosh 71 and Dave Cossan 73. Holly Thomson 72 and Steve Formby 74.

Championship results. NTP’s. John O’Brien, Clive Jenkins, Gary Conroy, Colm Murphy peter Dunne and Terry Fitzgerald. It is most import that you do not put your name down on the NTP’s if you are not staying to collect your prize.

Category III. Christine Fyfe 38, Tony Stafford 38, and Peter Freeman 37.

Category II. John Aitchison 36, Gordon Montgomery 35 and Wernfried Stuhlpfarrer 34.

Category I. Robert Smith 34, James Imrie 34, and Andrew Currie 34. The Gross was won by Michael Stott with 33. Second overall went to Alan Ewing with 38. Our winner on the day with a fantastic score of 42 points Peter Dunne.

Well done to everyone who all who participated and supported the winners with your presence at the prize presentation.

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