The Leader Newspaper 19 September 2023 – Edition 989

A friend of the family called the Civil Guard to notify them of the attack.

As the scourge of gender violence continues to claim victims, it seems that this year it is especially prevalent on the Orihuela Costa after a woman was found dead last Friday in her home in Punta Prima’s La Ciñuelica urbanisation. Her attacker was arrested after confessing that he had stabbed her to death in a "fit of anger," following an argument between the pair.

If officially confirmed, it will be the second sexist murder that has occurred on the Oriola coast in the last six months.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

BRITISH CHARIT BRITISH CHARIT Y WORKER Y WORKER MURDERED IN ORIHUEL MURDERED IN ORIHUEL A COST A COST A A

CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE ORIHUELA COSTA MURDER

The Civil Guard received notification at 7:40 a.m. when a friend and neighbour of the victim notified the Police after the alleged murderer had called to inform him that he had killed his partner. The friend and the Guardia agents quickly attended the property where they were received by the aggressor, but they could not do anything for the woman, beyond confirming her death.

The multiple injuries she had, according to police sources, correspond to a brutal assault with a knife.

The victim was identified as Suzanne McCullum, a 76-year-old woman who was born in London. The aggressor, who is in custody, is an 82-year-old man of Norwegian nationality. They were not married but are understood to have been living together for about two years. A police spokesman said there was no history of gender violence between the couple.

During the remainder of Friday, the house was guarded by Benemérita agents while, inside, the forensic officers collected samples at the crime scene, where they had earlier found the woman lying in the middle of a pool of blood. At the entrance, a patrol car was waiting with the arrested man but as the media arrived, the agents took him to the police station to take his statement.

Very close by, two funeral home workers were waiting for the agents' orders to remove the body, in a black van with the logo of the Institute of Forensic Medicine on the side. With a police cordon shielding the move, two men took out the stretcher, the body wrapped in a white bag, through the front door of the house to their vehicle.

The murder occurred in La Ciñuelica urbanisation in Punta Prima, located on the border between Orihuela Costa and Torrevieja. It is a neighbourhood with few shops and where there are many semi-detached properties, inhabited mostly as a second summer residencies by foreigners, which makes it difficult for neighbours to know who is living around them.

Suzanne had lived in Orihuela Costa for 20 years, having moved from London with her husband Chris, a well-known Artist and Sculptor, who sadly passed away eight years ago.

She was a caring woman, a true Londoner, who joined the local Help At Home Costa Blanca chari-

ty in as a volunteer in 2011.

Suzanne worked in their first charity shop at The Emerald Isle, and continued as a volunteer whilst the charity progressed, eventually becoming the Vice Treasurer.

As a child she was a gifted athlete, specialising in the Javelin in which she won many medals. Her friends all agreed that she loved to live her life to the full, enjoying dancing and having fun in the sun.

She was proud of her family and will be sorely missed by her friends as well as her colleagues at the charity shop and by the many Entertainers she followed in Orihuela Costa."

One local man who had nothing but praise for Suzanne was the groundsman of the local Racing Playas de Orihuela football club, which trains on a pitch just across from her house.

The groundsman said he was dismayed to see the police deployment. "On Thursday I saw her driving her car," he said, surprised. “They were an older couple. Her husband passed away, I believe. We used to greet each other in English," said the man, quite obviously distressed about the fatal outcome. The investigation has now been put in the hands of the Torrevieja court.

The Consell de la Generalitat has expressed its

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"strongest condemnation" of the murder with the Vice President and Ministry of Equality publishing a message on its X account (formerly Twitter) condemning the murder, while conveying the Consell's " firm commitment" to the "eradication of violence against women."

The Generalitat also expressed its solidarity and condolences to the family and friends of the murdered woman.

If confirmed as a murder due to gender violence, the number of women murdered for this reason would rise to 45 in 2023 - four of them in the Valencian Community - and to 1,229 since 2003, as reported by the Government Delegation against Gender Violence.

When confirmed as such the Council will call political groups and members of the public together to pay a tribute to the victim with a minute of silence.

Last March, another 62-year-old British woman died at the hands of her partner in an urbanisation in Lomas de Cabo Roig, also in Orihuela Costa, in what was the first sexist crime of the year in the province of Alicante.

The aggressor, 69 years old and the victim's partner, was registered in the VioGén system, but the case remained "inactive" as no complaint was previously filed by the deceased.

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Staff from the Institute of Forensic Medicine waiting to remove the body.

SCIENTISTS SAY THAT SPAIN IS A MAJOR EARTHQUAKE RISK

Scientific experts in Spain say that they anticipate an earthquake of similar magnitude to the one recently experienced in Morocco, with the possibility of hundreds of deaths. The faults in the south and southeast of the Iberian Peninsula are associated with the same tectonic process that framed the recent earthquake in Morocco, but not enough preventive measures are being taken to minimise the existing risk.

In Spain we can expect earthquakes of a magnitude between 6.5 and 7, particularly on the faults in the south and southeast of the Iberian Peninsula, associated with the same regional tectonic process as Morocco: collision of the Eurasian and African plates. In the Betic Mountain Range, which extends 600 kilometres across the south-southeast of the Iberian Peninsula, there are a good number of faults, many of which can generate earthquakes of magnitudes similar to those we have just seen in Morocco. If these earthquakes have a superficial focus and are located close to towns, then they could prove lethal.

In Spain there are many buildings built in the 60s or earlier, without seismic standards or with very old seismic standards, which are known to be very vulnerable and have a very high probability to collapse in the event of a severe earthquake. The forecast could be hundreds of deaths, depending on exposure. Scientists say that for a long time they have been expecting an earthquake in Spain of similar magnitude to the one Morocco has just experienced, so it is very important to adopt effective preventive measures.

However, there is a controversial issue at this time, which is the review of the current Spanish earthquake-resistant regulations, which, although dating from 2002, are totally obsolete and incomplete: they do not regulate, for example, how to seismically rehabilitate existing structures to prepare them against a severe earthquake.

In Europe, countries have long replaced their national standards for the design of structures with the set of common European standards called Eurocodes, but Spain has not yet done so, despite the fact that the Eurocodes are an integrated package of standards that are much more complete, coherent and secure than their own national ones.

However, the Spanish Administration is acting in a totally wrong and very dangerous direction that can put people's lives at risk. The result is a draft seismic standard that is full of inconsistencies and safety gaps.

In the 21st century, we saw the Lorca earthquake, which was moderate, with a magnitude of 5.1, and due to a confluence of factors, it caused nine fatalities and considerable material damage and collapses, even in structures designed with the seismic regulations in force in Spain. This earthquake is far from being the maximum magnitude that can be expected in the

south and southeast of Spain where, by increasing the magnitude by just one degree, the energy is multiplied by 30, an earthquake of magnitude 6.5 to 7 is almost 900 times greater than the Lorca earthquake of 2011 in terms of energy. Spain has a seismic risk that is not inconsiderable for which we are not prepared.

The last large and destructive earthquake took place in 1884. It was the Arenas del Rey earthquake (Granada), known as the Andalusia earthquake, with an estimated magnitude of 6.8. That earthquake caused more than 1,000 deaths and since then no event of similar magnitude has occurred in Spain, with the exception of two very deep quakes that caused no damage. Therefore, 140 years have passed without a major earthquake, when on average we have had two per century. You could say that we are currently in extra time.

HOWCAN WE PREPARE?

In this situation, ignorance or lack of awareness makes us more vulnerable. If we want to avoid the catastrophe, preventive measures must be adopted and these must be implemented before the anticipated earthquake occurs.

These measures include adopting the European regulations in full, which regulate how existing structures must be modified to prepare for severe earthquakes (the current Spanish seismic standard does not do so) guaranteeing levels of safety in the earthquake-resistant project as in the rest of Europe.

Secondly, and in parallel, municipal emergency plans for seismic risk must be carried out that guarantee rapid and effective action in the event of an earthquake, and that identify the most vulnerable buildings and areas of the cities. Thirdly, the government must implement actions that stimulate the seismic rehabilitation of buildings, via subsidies, information campaigns, etc.

LET'S NOTWAITFOR D-DAY

Our message is ìlet's not wait for D-Dayî, but let's use all the means at our disposal so that the earthquake that is going to occur is not a catastrophe. The Marrakech earthquake, which has caused so much damage and desolation, should be a warning to minimise this risk in Spain and in any other country with seismic risk.

ORIHUELA COSTA FUNERAL HOME UNDERWAY

Work is now underway on a the Orihuela Costa’s first funeral parlour that is being built in La Zenia, with an anticipated completion date of early next year.

The Funeral Director Pompas Fúnebres Samper SL has been processing an application for the construction of the funeral home in Orihuela Costa since 2018.

The building will purely be for funeral parlour activity, and as such, there will be no cremation or incineration.

At a cost of almost one million euros, the plot on which the structure is being built is located on the street corner of Calle Diamante and Calle Amatista, opposite the entrance to Leroy Merlin Builders merchants, in PAU-2 of Orihuela Costa, which is classified as urban

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land.

The funerary building will have four floors. On the ground floor there will be parking, an outdoor garden, reception, hall, administra-

tion, two meeting rooms, manager's office, toilet, an embalming area, chapel of rest, two assembly rooms and public toilets.

The first floor will house a hall, four rooms,

changing rooms for staff and a further embalming area. The second floor will have a multipurpose room, toilets, warehouse, facilities room and terrace.

As for the company, Pompas Fúnebres Samper, is a family business based in Pilar de la Horadada whose activity has been carried out since 1950. In 1987, the Virgen del Pilar funeral home was opened in that municipality, the first in the southern area of the province.

The owner, Francesca Samper, is a very well known and respected businesswoman across the expatriate community, which she has supported since taking over the management of the company, almost 30 years ago.

More delays reopening the cafeteria at Orihuela Costa social centre

The socialist leader,Carolina Gracia,has again denounced the delay in the reopening of the cafeteria service at the Alameda del Mar social centre,in Orihuela Costa.She called the delay "unjustifiable,especially when the councillor,Agustina Rodríguez,is aware of both the new contract and the length of time that users have been demanding the reintroduction of the service."

Despite great demands from both the staff who work in the centre and regular users of the social and welfare facilities,the cafeteria has been closed since June 2021.

It was not until February 2023,with the efforts of the then socialist councillor,María del Carmen Moreno,that the opening of the tender document and the awarding procedure for the service was approved.

Gracia said,"this is another example of what we found when we arrived in government,unanswered demands and zero files initiated to be able to offer a response.”

and

with the possibility of annual extensions of up to three years.

Workers at Alicante Elche Miguel Hernandex Airport from the Ilunion Seguridad private firm, which operates the security services at the airport, announced a series of strikes that will affect the facilities.

The industrial action will commence on 22 September, due to the "continued situation of defencelessness and precariousness" of their working conditions.

The works council of Ilunion Seguridad explained that these strikes will affect the security controls of passengers, staff, hold luggage, merchandise supplies, private flights, and the security control centre. The strikes are partial and will be carried out in two waves, one hour in the morning, between 8:45 and 9:45, and a second in the afternoon, between 6 and 7 p.m.

The strike that will begin on the 22nd but will continue on September 23, 24, 26, 29 and 30, they explained in a statement where they assure that "working conditions have been deteriorating year after year."

She said that the contract was tendered with an annual fee of 1,165.97 euros,an amount that was agreed by municipal staff that contemplated an upward improvement by the bidders.Once the tender was concluded,the amount to be received by the Council fee would increase to 2,400 euros per year with a duration of two years,

The former mayor has asked the councillor,Agustina Rodríguez, for explanations regarding the delay."We are clear that for the Popular Party this is not a priority,but it is unfair that while everything is administratively ready,the service has not been reintroduced.We hope that this delay does not put this facility at risk."

The funeray is being built by Pompas Fúnebres Samper, a family business based in Pilar de la Horadada

The cafeteria has been closed for over 3 years

Decomposed body found by sewage plant

Abody has been found by workers who were repairing irrigation pipes next to a farm in Lomas de Cabo Roig.

The body was found on Friday, outdoors in a field close to the urbanisation of Lomas de Cabo Roig. The Civil Guard attended the scene after workmen found the human remains while they were carrying out pipe repair work. Upon their arrival, the agents cordoned the area off and a forensic team moved in to study the scene, where they waited for the court's order to remove the body.

Agents said that the body was in an advanced state of decomposition. They estimate that it could have been hidden for several months.

The area is very close to the Orihuela Costa treatment plant. According to

sources, the body is of a young man who was dressed in beach clothing. His identity is unknown. The remains have

now been transferred to the Institute of Legal Medicine where an autopsy will be carried out.

CARLOS MAZÓN JOINS IN CRITICISM OF OVERGROWN RIO SEGURA RIVERBEDS

Carlos Mazón has demanded that the Government clean the Segura riverbed to prevent floods similar as those caused by the DANA of the Vega Baja four years ago. He said that we are currently in an “alert” period due to possible rain storms and the central government has not carried out the cleaning and clearing of the channel necessary to prevent the floods. He went on to denounce the CHS which has still not started the Segura channeling works four years after the DANA.

The president visited 'ground zero' of the Segura overflow in the town of Almoradi, as it was during the DANA in September 2019

The president was accompanied by the mayor of Almoradí, María Gómez, highlighting her performance as a “true heroine” during the DANA, working to find means to reduce the impact of the floods on the streets of her town.

After this visit to ground zero, the president held an institutional meeting at the Almoradí City Hall with its mayor and the municipal council. He warned that we are in an "alert" period for possible

IN BRIEF NEW AUDITORIUM FOR SAN MIGUEL

rainstorms and the central government has not carried out the cleaning and clearing of the channel necessary to prevent floods of water, "nor has it authorised others to do so," he lamented.

Mazón also denounced the Government's “lack of will and commitment” to Vega Baja and Alicante, as demonstrated, he said, by the central executive abandoning the Water Table of the province of Alicante for the first time in 38 years.

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San Miguel has given the green light to the construction of a new covered municipal auditorium in Plaza Jaime I, the first phase of the creation of a cultural centre that will replace the current House of Culture, and which will also include a municipal library.

The work on the auditorium will cost around one and a half million euros, of which 70% will be subsidised by the Alicante Provincial Council, which is responsible for contracting and executing the work.

The proposal was approved at last Thursdays plenary session with the votes of the municipal council, PSOE (6) although all other parties abstained; PP (4), Vox (2) and EU (1).

Mayor, Juan de Dios Fresneda, said, “We have taken an important step to promote the cultural and artistic growth of San Miguel. The new facilities will provide extra motivation for the residents to become more involved in the social life of the town. We are fond of the Casa de Culture, but it is time to replace it with a more functional space.”

WORK BEGINS ON GUARDAMAR CAR PARK

Work has begun on the new car park to serve the town of Guardamar del Segura, located in plot M-196A (Rincón de Pedro) between calles Nicaragua, Uruguay, Argentina and Brasil.

Once completed, the car park will boast 76 parking spaces, and will be accompanied by the redevelopment of pavements and green areas.

The body, dressed in beachware, was in an advance state of decomposition

The president was on a visit to Almoradi.

Following a lot of confusion and doubts about the new Animal Welfare Law, the Government has now issued a circular to veterinary colleges and administrative bodies to clarify some of those questions that have been appearing.

The mandatory training course for dog owners will now be delayed. We already know that a two-year transition period was included in the legislation to allow existing dog owners time to complete the course, but as of yet, the criteria is not yet ready, and so there will be a delay.

Also being delayed is the State Registry of

Pets. That too is not ready.

Perhaps the most important element that affects dog owners in particular is the mandatory requirement for civil liability insurance. Whereas it still remains the case for certain dog breeds, the new law requires all dog owners to subscribe to civil liability insurance, which differs from traditional pet health insurance, but despite many people already subscribing, that too will not enter into force with the law on 29 September.

The reason for this change, the Government says, is that these points needed to have a specific complementary regulation that

detailed their characteristics and, today, they do not have it.

The Ministry of Social Rights sent the circular to veterinary colleges and other competent public administrations where it recognises that the mandatory contracting of civil liability insurance for all dogs is postponed until the specific regulation is approved.

"In pure legal terms, it is not effectively applicable until the regulatory development of said precept occurs, in accordance with its provisions," says the circular.

The Ministry assures that this is the same problem that the University entrance test or EVAU or the sports regulations have faced, since there is no Government in office, only a caretaker administration until the agreement is reached to enable a Government to be

formed, it has not been possible to approve the necessary complementary regulations.

"This regulation is in the form of a Royal Decree and a government with full functions is necessary to approve it," point out ministerial sources, who assure that the text is ready to obtain the green light, waiting for the political situation to change.

All of the points mentioned will become mandatory, as they are enshrined and agreed in law, but not yet. We will now have to wait for the official announcement as to when each part does obtain the necessary legal approval, although there is nothing stopping you subscribing to the soon-to-be mandatory civil liability insurance now.

SOME ELEMENTS OF THE ANIMAL WELFARE LAW WILL NOT ENTER INTO FORCE THIS MONTH

Read Part 3 of this 4 Part series next week

Male Wasps Don’t Behave At All WHITE ASPHODEL EXCELLENT DROUGHT TOLERANT PLANT

AVespa is a luxury motor scooter made in Italy and was considered to be the bee's knees in the 1950s and beyond. Which reminds me that 'vespa' is the Italian word for wasp.

An animal behaviourist who studied the male wasp found... absolutely no behaviour at all. "The male wasp is a nonentity," he wrote, unaware of how WASPs would come to dominate American society.

"Wasps are relatively harmless, unlike vectors," said one vespologist, who obviously hadn't been stung by a wasp lately.

It seems a vector is a biting insect that transmits diseases from one animal to another.

And of course human beings are animals, although we try to pretend otherwise by shaving or wearing makeup, usually depending on the face we see in our mirror.

The coronavirus recently took centre stage in our tragedy, hogging all the limelight, but other villains are waiting in the wings, and lots of them have wings.

Some viruses have hijacked mosquitoes in order to survive.

The female Asian Tiger mosquitoes, which until recently preferred tropical climates, are now en route to the Netherlands, perhaps attracted

by the more tolerant lifestyle to be found there. Or perhaps thinking of that lovely stagnant water in Amsterdam canals. Let's hope the girls are only on a mini-break.

Most of us have probably heard the characteristic whine of female mozzies outside our tent at some time or other, and even dinosaurs were plagued by them a hundred million years ago. Was that perhaps why dinosaurs became extinct? Some naturalists claim

that mosquito-transmitted illnesses have killed nearly half of all the humans who ever lived, or at least those without mosquito netting draped around their beds.

(I'm safe. Are you?)

With uncanny intuition, most vector biting insects seem to have worked out that humans are easy targets, and that beaches are good places to find them immoble and displaying uncovered acres of skin. Ancient Greek fables

including 'The Elephant and the Mosquito' and 'The Bull and the Mosquito', taught the lesson that large creatures ignore small ones at their peril -- as many gunfighters discovered when they drew against Billy the Kid. Only light can move at the speed of light, but alpha vectors like mosquitoes get close, something you should never let them do to you. Even a swarm of midges in the Scottish Highlands takes evasive action when a squadron of mosquitoes comes over the horizon.

I am a man whose feathers are seldom ruffled, but I am usually streets ahead of the midges by then, possibly even exceeding the speed of light, and that's without my Vespa. It is a pity we have not yet developed simple sprays to repel and otherwise make Covid desist. Saying "Shoo!" or "Boo!" to a virus doesn't work, believe me, I've tried it. Perhaps each side could choose a champion, as fair maidens used to do in jousting tournaments. Female Tiger Mosquito versus Virus? Loser drops dead? I'd put my money on the mozzie, if I thought that would help, and if I had any money. Not that I spend much time outside, I'm more of a male wasp these days -- absolutely no behaviour at all.

WHITE asphodel - Asphodelus albus - is widespread throughout the Mediterranean regions,as it's an excellent drought tolerant plant to grow.

It thrives in a sunny position that must be well draining,as the fleshy roots are liable to rot in moisture retentive soil,and will bloom from late spring into early summer, giving early season colour to your garden. The flower spike has many small white flowers that are star shaped,that open in succession from the bottom to top of the spike and each petal is subtly marked with brown veining down the centre. Their long stamens give each flower a ‘whiskered’appearance,protruding beyond the petals and tipped reddish orange. If the summer is favourable,rounded reddish or purplish fruits follow the flower. Once established it's an easy to care for plant that re-grows year-after-year and needs virtually no care,apart from cutting back the dead growth once dormant. Propagate either from seed,or by division during late winter.

Their blooms are attractive to all pollinating insects.

Note: Asphodel is toxic to humans and pets.

Mixed covid+flu vaccination to launch

The Ministry of Health is finalising the flu vaccination campaign, which will be brought forward to the end of September, despite the fact that the original plan was to start in October.

The rise in covid cases in recent weeks, which has been noticeable in all communities, has led the Ministry of Health and the autonomies to bring forward the immunisation of risk groups to the end of this month, as agreed last Tuesday at the meeting of the Public Health Commission by regional officials.

Like last year, there will be the option of a mixed vaccination, offering vaccination against the flu and against the coronavirus during the same visit, since this achieves higher rates of vaccine coverage.

The campaign will start with risk groups beginning with nursing homes, according to health sources, coinciding with school vaccinations against flu, which will take place at the end of September.

The joint vaccination campaign against flu and covid-19 will be aimed at certain target groups, such as those over 60 years of age,

The campaign will get underway by the end of the month

people at risk, pregnant women and health and social health personnel .

EXPAT APPOINTED MAYORAL DELEGATE IN QUESADA

Briton Matt Smith and German resident Sven Dirk have been appointed as delegates of the mayor in Quesada.

The pair have been selected by mayor Antonio Pérez as his representatives in the different developments in the municipality.

The mayor's resolution aims for the two local businessmen,of British and German nationality,to carry out a direct communication function between his office and local residents, across a number of different urbanisations,comprising of some 82 nationalities.They will be responsible for dealing,on the residents behalf,with the local administration.

According to the mayor, this arrangement will allow problems to be resolved more quickly and more effectively in collaboration with all members of the Local Government team. The two representatives will carry out their duties from the town hall located in the Plaza Blanca of the Ciudad Quesada urbanisa-

Princess Leonor achieves new milestone in her military training

Princess Leonor, the future queen of Spain, has reached an important time in the first year of her military training.

The heir to the throne of Spain has been at the General Military Academy in Zaragoza for a month, training with the Army as she begins three years of work which will see her also complete year long ini-

tion,where they will be in direct contact with the Councilor for Resident Services and Integration, Lourdes López.

Matt Smith is already well known in the local area as the owner of the Expat Services Provider,‘One Way Services’which he established in Quesada over ten years ago.

tiations with the Navy and Air Force as well.

Now, the princess has completed the Combatant Training Module and, along with her fellow recruits, she has received the ‘beret grancé’as a result.

The name refers to the colour of the beret, a deep red. The presentations of berets was announced on an official social media account of the Spanish Army.

Princess Leonor began her training in August when she arrived at the Academy with her parents, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, and her younger sister, Infanta Sofia.

The vaccines used will "preferably" be those adapted to the new variants. In Europe, only

Pfizer's, known as Comirnaty Ómicron XBB.1.5, already has the support of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Commission, although there are other candidates.

This will be the third campaign where both are administered together, and that coincides with a period in which there have been weeks of slight increase in SarS-CoV-2, which is now is stabilising: the rate is around 130 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in Primary Care and 3 cases requiring hospitalisation.

In the Region of Murcia, the incidence rate of covid in the last week has increased by 32% compared to the previous week, according to the report from the Epidemiology Service of the Ministry of Health published Wednesday.

The 7-day accumulated incidence stands at 71.03 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to the 53.6 recorded in the previous report.

The Ministry of Health in Murcia expects to receive some 216,000 doses of the covid vaccine by the end of October, although it insists that it will be at the end of September when the new vaccination campaign will get underway.

Sven Dirk and Matt Smith with the mayor in the centre

First respect should not ‘have to be earned.’

‘Respect has to be earned’: how often have we heard that one, but this is one prescription we should not blindly accept.

I would contend that ongoing respect has to be earned, but in a fairer world, the respect of one human for another should be a right until that respect is either lost or consolidated.

All people we encounter are entitled to receive the benefit of any doubt by way of initial respect. How can respect be earned if we don’t give a person the chance to earn that respect? The word ‘respect’ comes from the Latin, ‘respectus’ which means ‘look back at’ or ‘regard.’

All too often people are mistreated because of who they are, where they live, how they speak, or how they dress. This discrimination should not be acceptable in a just society. I am not preaching from my pulpit, dear readers, because I am as big an offender as anybody else. Whilst I would always have claimed to give any man a chance, the older I get the more inclined I have become to judge a person at face value.

I have been given many lessons

over the years as to the error of my ways. By way of example I am going to tell you a true story of where I fell short of the above ideals, but in this instance was lucky enough to be able to put the thing right.

The Squash Club of the 1980s was a private members club, made up of really lovely people; mostly of a certain ‘standing’ in the community. The standards were set before I bought the place, but we were ever anxious to maintain those said same set standards.

As well as promoting the game of squash, we also provided aerobic and dance classes, fitness programmes, sports injury clinic and we had 3 different gyms, with qualified instructors at hand.

A new gym instructor, devoid of local knowledge, was giving a ‘free introduction’ to two guys in the men’s gym. One of the members came upstairs to reception and told me; ‘if you have those two lads as members, you will have none else.’ I quickly checked it out and he was right. The two boyos were bad news and didn’t make the cut; ‘unless you have a proposer and seconder’ I explained politely to them.

One day shortly after that

The Councilor for Social Welfare, Agustina Rodríguez, announced the award of grants totalling 74,131 euros, to associations and charities of for the year 2023.

encounter, a twenty-something guy came in and asked about membership. As soon as he told me his name; I performed the standard trick of giving him an application form to take away.

Three times over the following two weeks he came back and I fobbed him off each time. But on this third attempt and failing to be accepted; the young man looked me straight in the eye and addressed me thus; “I want you to tell me straight am I wasting my time coming in to you. I am a handballer and a runner and all I want is to pay to use your gym so that I can be better at sport.” The hurt in his voice stopped me dead. “Come in and see me tomorrow,” I said.

That night I rang my friend and fellow-member, Garda Joe Hanney. “He has never come to our attention,” Joe told me.

David arrived in, a bit apprehensive looking, next morning. I took his year’s membership fee and gave him his receipt and club card. The satisfied relief on his face was clear as daylight. “You will have no bother from me, I won’t even come upstairs”, he said. With that remark, I put my hand on his shoulder with the words; “David, don’t ever let me hear you say anything like that again. You are a full member of the club now, with the same rights and privileges, subject only to the same rules as every other member … and I want to see you upstairs.”

I used sometimes to watch David and how hard he pushed himself with his gym workout. He never

played squash, but he would come upstairs and watch the matches from the viewing area off the bar. On tournament nights he might drink a pint of Guinness and I could see a sublime difference unfolding in the man. He was naturally quiet and soft-spoken, but now he smiled and laughed with other members on party nights. In time they all got to know him and he did earn respect. Undeserved praise was given to me for seeing ‘something different’ in this member from a challenging

SOCIAL WELFARE GRANTS IGNORE COAST

She spoke of "the importance of and commitment to supporting the projects of such local groups, because their work is essential for the many hundreds of people who need their services."

During this current allocation, the associations and charities benefiting from the subsidy are: Adeem Sentit Fundación de la Comunitat Valenciana for its project “A social club for people with serious mental illness, and their families.” Association of Relatives of Patients with Alzheimer's and other dementias

“Miguel Hernández” (AFA) for its project “Preventive stimulation service (SERPRE)”.

Other beneficiaries have been the Spanish Red Cross and its “Family intervention with children at risk” project and “Renacer” the regional Association to help drug addicts which deals with young people and/or adolescents at risk of abuse and/or addiction in addictive behaviours” project.

The fifth beneficiary entity is Recicla Alicante for North-South development cooperation, with its project “The new social vaccine”. Other associations that have benefited are

background. I say undeserved praise, because I was someone who denied the man the initial human respect that he should have been entitled to.

Some years afterwards, David came and asked me for a reference. I handwrote it on company notepaper. I was happy to do so, because I owed it to David.

DON’T FORGET

Society is always taken by surprise by any new example of common sense.

Asociación Libertea and its project

“Comprehensive care for people with autism spectrum disorder and family” and the Adis Association of people with functional diversity. While this is good news for the associations that work hard supporting the vulnerable, elderly, frail and disabled, none of the funding is directed to the charities of Orihuela Costa?

Orihuela Costa has more people residing on the coast with these long term conditions due to the increase and ageing of the population, 4000 additional multicultural residents in one year alone from January 2022 to January 2023 according to the official statistics.

The coastal assns and charities have campaigned since 2011 for support from the local government, but to no avail. They are the unsung heroes who work tirelessly looking after the needy, frail, elderly and disabled, including those with mental health issues.

However, P.I.O.C, your Party of the Coast, will continue to campaign for the services we deserve and need NOW!

The Orihuela Town Hall

Mayor wants to open Los Saladares de Orihuela excavation site to the public

Orihuela has resumed the second phase of the excavations that are part of the Archaeological research project at the Los Saladares site, in the foothills of the Sierra de Hurchillo

The Councilor for Historical Heritage, Matías Ruiz, said that "we are in an enclave that not only has archaeological wealth, but is also landscaped. Los Saladares has truly significant landscape and fauna around the area".

Meanwhile, the mayor, Pepe Vegara, advocated the opening of the site for all Oriolanos, because "finding part of our origins is finding part of ourselves."

Thus, he said that the Council's intention is to renew the agreement with the University of Alicante for "a new research project which will be opened to the public through arranged vis-

its." In fact, once this second phase of excavation is completed, there will be open days so that the public can visit.

Vegara was accompanied on a visit to the site by several councillors, where they met the researcher and professor from the University of Alicante, Alberto Lorrio, along with the municipal archaeologist, María del Carmen Sánchez, and the retired archaeologist Emilio Diz Ardid.

Los Saladares is a site of cultural interest (BIC) that was acquired by the Council in 2019. It is one of the main protohistoric towns in the southeast and east of the Iberian Peninsula, 9th to 3rd centuries BC, which was a milestone in research into the origins of Iberian culture. This emblematic site was already the subject of excavation between 1971 and 1973 by O. Arteaga and Mª R. Serna.

GUIDED TOURS AND WORKSHOPS AT TORREVIEJA’S NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

In this second phase, the work will focus on the consolidation of a large building belonging to the ancient Iberian period, provisionally dated to the beginning of the 5th century, and the

excavation of a possible footing and the foundation pit to document its initial chronology. The 2nd phase will also include the restoration of a Late Bronze age house.

The European Researchers' Night will be celebrated over the last weekend of September in almost 400 European cities, one of which will be Torrevieja that will join the celebration with several activities organised by the Ars Creatio Cultural Association and the Department of Culture, including guided tours and a neuroscience workshops at the Natural History Museum.

The activity will consist of a free guided tour of the Museum followed by a neuroscience workshop in which the brain of a dolphin will be compared with that of a human to understand how cetaceans manage to develop echolocation.

Preparations of brain sections that scientists from the Institute of Neurosciences have carried out in their research to study the function-

ing of the brain and neurons will also be displayed.

The activity will last an hour and a half and will take place on Fridays, September 22 and 29, in the mornings for educational centres, and on Sundays, September 24 and October 1, in the mornings for families and the general public.

The activity is coordinated by the scientist MarÌa Luisa Molina, financed by the Miguel Hern·ndez University of Elche and carried out with the collaboration of the Institute of Neurosciences of Alicante and the Department of Culture of the Torrevieja City Council. Prior registration is required through the link https://shre.ink/2oVs or the QR code on the poster.

The site will open to the public following completion of the second phase of excavation

IT’S EUROPEAN MOBILITY WEEK

The first point to make this week is that if you are a resident in Spain with a UK driving licence, you are no longer permitted to drive. You will have to partake in training and testing to exchange your licence from now on, as we explained this week. If you are a resident and have a UK licence and you drive, you are committing an offence.

Sticking with the roads though, this week is European Mobility Week, where there will be a focus on sustainable mobility, with various events taking place around the continent, including here in Spain.

Coinciding with EMW, Roadpol, the European Traffic Police network, will also be conducting “safety days” throughout the week, focusing on different elements of road safety, which will include enforcement as well as education. The week coincides with World Car Free day on Friday, when many towns close roads to motor vehicles in favour of more sustainable modes of transport, we know that Torrevieja is taking part in this, but no doubt other local towns will too, so leave the car at home on Friday and enjoy a day in the wilderness of suburbia.

Also, on the subject of transport and security, security staff at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernandez Airport have announced a series of strikes which will affect the flow of passengers, luggage and goods through the airport.

The strikes start on Friday and will also take place on Saturday and Sunday, then Tuesday next week, and a couple of days next weekend. The stoppages are for an hour in the morning and again in the afternoon, so disruption will be isolated, but if you are flying it is a good idea to allow extra time to get through the security protocols.

The week starts with hardly any references on the business or macroeconomic level. Attention shifts to the UN headquarters in New York, where heads of state and government meet to review the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is the first UK leader in a decade to skip the meeting, supposedly because he is “busy”, but many believe it is because he risked being excluded from the Climate Ambition Summit on account of the failure of the UK’s environmental policy. On the plus side, he’s saving on a private jet flight for once.

WEEK

Tuesday in the UK and the eyes will be on the start of a four-day hearing as the Scottish government makes its case against the Government’s decision to block Holyrood’s Gender Recognition Reform Bill. In January, Westminster used its power for the first time since devolution to block the legislation, which proposes lowering the age someone can legally change gender from 18 to 16 and reduces the time over-18s need to have lived as their acquired gender to three months.

Pencilled in for Wednesday, although subject to confirmation, the European Parliament will be discussing free movement and the Schengen Borders Code. The Civil Liberties Committee will adopt its position on reforming the Schengen Borders Code rules on free movement within the area. In the context of increasingly permanent border controls within the Schengen area, the proposal seeks to clarify the rules, strengthen free movement and introduce targeted solutions to genuine threats.

In the UK on Wednesday the August reading of the year-on-year variation of its CPI will be known, in a context in which in July (6.8% year-on-year) its general inflation continued to be the highest of the G-7 economies. Following this data, on Thursday the Bank of England will have to decide whether to maintain its official interest rate at its current level of 5.25%, or if, on the contrary, it decides to increase the reference rate for the fifteenth time in a context in which inflationary and wage tensions continue to persist.

Those results may not fare well for NHS medics as junior doctors and consultants hold a historic joint strike on Wednesday over pay and conditions, as well as under investment in general. Consultants will also walk out on Tuesday and junior doctors on Thursday. Both junior doctors and consultants will take a form of action known as Christmas Day cover. The joint strike is scheduled to be repeated in October during the Conservative Party Conference as the British Medical Association blames ministers for refusing to negotiate with the union.

Coincidentally, a report on hospital A&E activity will be published on Thursday, and before that, although not directly related, on Tuesday, we get to find out how much those life-saving and frontline footballers get paid, or at least, the highest paid, thanks to Forbes. Finally, Friday is World Rhino Day.

And Friday is World Rhino Day IT’S EUROPEAN MOBILITY

And Friday is World Rhino Day

RIOT POLICEMAN TAKES DEMONSTRATOR TO COURT OVER NON-CONSENSUAL KISS.

Following on from ‘Rubiales Gate’,a National Police officer has now filed a complaint for the "sudden and non-consensual" kiss on the mouth that a 60 year old woman gave him during a protest march against the independence referendum in October 2017,alleging that it constituted a crime against sexual freedom.

"My reaction,in addition to feeling disgust,was one of condemnation due to the extreme violence," he says,stating that he was insulted by the woman and then,when she realised that there were cameras, she grabbed him with both hands, "immobilising him," and gave him a kiss on the mouth.

In his statement the officer says, "A woman of about 60 years approached me,insulted me,and upon observing that a camera was close to both of us,she grabbed me with both hands by the neck and the riot helmet that I was wearing while I was in uniform, surprisingly immobilising me,and bringing my head to hers,and

then kissing my mouth with hers".

The denuncia was presented on 11 September before the Investigative Court number 7 of Barcelona by an agent of the Police Intervention Unit (UIP),the 'riot police',who were deployed in Barcelona to prevent the independence referendum.

The agent has demanded that the woman be identified,for which he published an image and a link to a video on a YouTube channel,in which the kiss can be seen.As a precautionary measure,he has also asked that the courts issue a restraining order,restricting her from either contacting him or approaching within one thousand metres,in order to provide him with protection.

The Unified Police Union (SUP) has legally supported this agent's complaint and has urged public authorities to make all the tools and guarantees of the rule of law available to this police officer.

Man dies while installing solar panels in Torrevieja

A53-year-old worker died on Monday at the Acciona headquarters in Ronda Ricardo Lafuente in Torrevieja. Afather and son were installing solar panels on a corrugated board roof with plastic skylights when one of the workers fell on his head from

You might wonder why it has taken 6 years for the police officers’ case to come to light

a height of about four metres.

The work accident occurred around 9:30 a.m., when the Emergency Information and Coordination Center (CICU) was alerted, which mobilised a SAMU unit whose medical team tried to revive the injured man, but without response.

Sources consulted confirmed that the workers did not have a harness or other safety measures.

QUICKIE CROSSWORD

ANSWERS

Week 988

QUICK QUICK

ACROSS: ACROSS: 3 Frustrate; 8 Noon; 9 Advantage; 10 Engage; 11 Spoon; 14 Lithe; 15 Nail; 16 Epoch; 18 Daub; 20 Owing; 21 Lapse; 24 Becalm; 25 Unnatural; 26 Gown; 27 Steadfast.

DOWN: DOWN: 1 Interlude; 2 Forgetful; 4 Rude; 5 Scamp; 6 Ration; 7 Toga; 9 Agree; 11 Shore; 12 Navigator; 13 Alignment; 17 Hovel; 19 Banana; 22 Scuff; 23 Unit; 24 Bass.

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS ACROSS

1.Risk (5)

4.Evolve (7)

8.Desolate (7)

9.Of the moon (5)

10.Require (4)

11.Define (8)

13.Den (4)

14.Deer (4)

16.Authorise (8)

17.Too (4)

20.Grieve (5)

21.Turkish title (7)

22.Theft (7)

23.Perch (5)

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 22

DOWN DOWN

1.Tiny (13)

2.Oath (5)

3.Source (4)

4.Repudiated (6)

5.Speed (8)

6.Desire (7)

7.Idealist (13)

12.Miserly sum (8)

13.Lassitude (7)

15.Solitary (6)

18.Language (5)

19.Distant (4)

CR

CR YPTIC YPTIC

ACROSS: 3 Press home; 8 Tear; 9 All at once; 10 Incite; 11 Fleet; 14 Expel; 15 Rain; 16 Loose; 18 Test; 20 Abeam; 21 Tight; 24 Renown; 25 Sensation; 26 Left; 27 Appealing.

DOWN: 1 At liberty; 2 March past; 4 Rule; 5 Small; 6 Hoover; 7 Mica; 9 Atoll; 11 Front; 12 Take cover; 13 In a minute; 17 Eaten; 19 Tissue; 22 Hotel; 23 Help; 24 Roan.

ACROSS ACROSS

1.Don't drop this kind of phrase (5)

4.No philosophy for the single-minded? (7)

8.Seat ten of the most tidy (7)

9 and 22Ac. Resorts to protection when these talkers become diffuse (5,7)

10.Social status is offensive (4)

11.Lot One is a variety of sharpener (8)

13.Shape a wooden seat (4)

14.Hack greenstone (4)

16.Puts to pasture, as it happens (5,3)

17.Finished part of a love rhapsody (4)

20.What speakers do is nothing to grumble at (5)

21.Everybody is in favour of a gas-bag! (7)

22.See 9 Ac.

23.Some of the quickest aircraft for part of a flight (5)

DOWN DOWN

1.They're largely made up of regulars in the services (13)

2.Give some instruction to the attendants (5)

3.What gardeners use for a sprinkler, we hear (4)

4.Hold back and tie in a knot (6)

5.Well, the area isn't ruined (8)

6.Annoying enough to make Kim sore (7)

7.Member of staff at the Naval College? (6-7)

12.Go in search of some chance of success (8)

13.Burner in which the front part holds the ash container (7)

15.Jack often comes after discarded bits and pieces (6)

18.Shakespearean character instrumental in making a bloomer (5)

19.Fifty in the main uprising - they are drunk (4)

LEADER TRIVIA QUIZ (Answers on page 22)

1. In which film does Acheron surprise Surprise?

2. What is the motherly mare in George Orwell's 'Animal Farm' called? a. Ivy, b. Daisy, c. Lily, d. Clover

3. What is the name of the Kingston ghetto in which Bob Marley was raised?

4. Which six European capital cities are home to clubs that have won the UEFA Champions League title or, European Cup, as it was previously known?

5. Which English band, sometimes referred to as the 'godfathers of goth rock', shares its name with a 20th century architectural style?

6. Which five countries in the world have the largest Muslim populations?

7. The Drake Passage is a body of water between which two continents?

8. The coronavirus SARS. What does the acronym SARS

stand for?

9. Which spice is needed to create a Risotto alla Milanese?

10. The following words are all from songs with the word "Fast" in the song title. Can you name the song? a. You gotta make a decision, leave tonight or live and die this way. b. There were lines on the mirror, lines on her face.

11. What are Trent 900's?

12. The son of which European Footballer of the Year was a Wimbledon Boys Singles Champion? a. Paulo Rossi, b. Johan Cruyff, c. Stanley Matthews, d. Alfredo Di Stefano

13. Name the films in which Harrison Ford plays each of the following roles. a. Rick Deckard, b. Colonel Woodrow Dolarhyde, c. Jack Ryan, d. Detective Capt. John Book, e. Colonel Lucas

14. What is Abyssinia called today?

15. Charles Conrad jr. was the third to do what?

16. The name of which prized flower stems from the Greek word for "testicle"?

17. Which 2010 film ends with the words "You're not an asshole Mark. You're just trying so hard to be."?

18. The three letter name for which music genre invokes the sound made by the guitar?

19. Which two ingredients are used to make the tasty rich mixture known as 'Ganache'?

20. Plus or minus 1.77 billion years, how old is the universe?

Pilar Christian Community Church

“Where every person matters but GOD matters most!

Not Just a Church Service on a Sunday Morning!

THURSDAYS: Exercise for Seniors 12 noon.

FRIDAYS: 10:30-12.30 Coffee Morning –come & meet us!

SUNDAYS: Service in English 11am –12:15.

This month I am going to share a piece written by one of our UK members.

(with permission)

HOW'S YOUR CUP?

Have you ever had the conversation about whether your glass is half empty or half full? Pessimists say their glass is half empty, whereas optimists say its half full. Stuart and I usually say that we have one of each so together we make a full glass. Sounds pretty smug!

Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known and best-loved psalms in the Bible. It is a psalm of great comfort and peace and tells us what Jesus, our Good Shepherd does for us. David, the writer, says in verse 5 to the Good Shepherd, ‘You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.’ It seems his cup was neither half empty nor half full but running over!

David had an eventful life. He experienced deep sorrow and suffering, but also great joy

and dancing. He made mistakes, but repented and was forgiven and restored. David understood God’s nature and God’s love and peace. He also understood God’s might, power and justice. If we read the psalms, we will realise that he indeed lived an overflowing life.

What about us? Are we happy to settle for a half-life, or do we want a full to overflowing one? I am not talking about circumstances or health, for David suffered in many ways, but about our spiritual life, our heart, our inner being.

Is an overflowing life an easy life? No! Is an overflowing life a trouble-free life? No! Let’s be honest, most of us, myself included, are happy to have the highs of life but we don’t want the lows; we prefer to settle for the half full or half empty life which we hope will tick along nicely! But guess what? Very few people are spared the difficulties. Sorrow, loss, pain challenges come to us all at some time.

Psalm 23 has wonderful promises for those who are willing to embrace all of life and put their trust in the Good Shepherd.

Verse 1 – I lack nothing because he is the

source of everything I will ever need.

Verse 2 – He makes me lie down in green pastures and gives me peace and rest in every situation.

Verse 3 – He guides me along the right paths. I don’t have to rely on my own wisdom, he will guide my life.

Verse 4 – Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I am never alone. He is with me, and he gives me comfort.

Verse 5 – You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. He provides for my every need, even when I’m surrounded by those who are against me. I am set apart and protected and MY CUP OVERFLOWS.

Verse 6 – Surely your goodness and love will follow me, they are behind covering my back and I have a future hope that I will live with him forever.

That sounds like the kind of life I want. You may be feeling today that your cup is not even half full, but almost dry – life can do that to us. I hope that by meditating on and taking hold of the promises in this Psalm we will all enjoy a fresh supply of His life-giving water, and our cup will start to overflow again.

Lis Douglas, September 2023

Pilar Christian Community Church. Calle Canalejas 3, Pilar de la Horadada. phil.molloypccc@gmail.com English Service at 11am every Sunday. Info at: pilarchurch.com

Orihuela schedules three day conference in support of Alzheimers.

The Councilor for Health,Irene Celdrán, presented details of the II AFA Miguel Hernández Conference on Wednesday,a launch in which she was accompanied by the director of the association María Sánchez and the socio-care supervisor Martina Lorenzo.All of the activities will take place in Orihuela at La Lonja auditorium on September 19,20 and 21 on the occasion of World Alzheimer's Day. The morning sessions will take place from 10:00 a.m.to 12:00 p.m.and in the afternoon from 5 p.m.to 7 p.m. "These sessions will allow attendees to better understand the disease and help patients and families," said the councillor,who thanked "the tireless work of the association with which we will continue to walk together as a sign of our commitment from the City Council."

The director of AFA Miguel Hernández explained that "what we intend is to provide attendees with is practical training on different aspects of the disease and the care of people who suffer from it, because It is essential to have up to date information because we can all be affected directly or indirectly.”

Full information is available on the Council website

The Church of JESUS CHRISTof 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, PolÌgono 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

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 page7.

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

Los Alc·zares 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.

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

find Eva or Norah. email: communitycare@gmail.com

RAGS CLUB (previously Friendship Centre). Every Tuesday Lunchtime, From a Bun to a Banquet. At Graceys - upstairs La Zenia park in Lidl Carpark. COME AND PLAYRUMMIKUB.

Age Concern Costa Blanca Sur is here to help you with problem solving and well being for the over 50ís. 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 RAFACosta Blanca RMG is a social group of caring people and remains affiliated to the parent Association. Contact with the RAFAand the RMG is via the RAFAwebsite

rafa.org.uk.

Business Opportunity: LOOKING FOR Silent Business Partner for small Private Care Home. Invest 10K and get 20K back in 14 months. 747 438 225 (4)

Law Services: PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR, Solicitor, Debt Collections, Bad Tenants. 747 438 225 (4)

Two x 90 x 190 single beds (not slatted bases). Bought them in oct 2020, slept on just 4 times. Come with new duvet covers and mattress protectors . Emain for more info: Cragg at coffeeandcakes@coffeeandcakes.karoo.co.uk

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. SEND BY EMAIL TO: office@theleader.info

The Car of the Month at AUTOMOVILES CRESPO is a very attractive 2019 Ford Ecosport ST-Line Petrol which is priced at just 17,900 euro.

Anyone wanting to join CCAsocial 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

ALICANTE AIRPORT SEES YET ANOTHER AUGUST RECORD BOOM

Alicante Elche Miguel Hernandez Airport has once again broken records for passenger number in August, with more than 1.7 million passengers passing through the Costa Blanca terminal.

According to Aena, this is the best August recorded in the airport´s history, with a total of 1,702,139 travellers. The previous best figure was reached in August 2019 with 1,692,011 passengers, an increase of 12.6% compared to the same month last year.

Of this total number of travellers, 1,699,038 corresponded to commercial passengers, of which 1,451,808 travelled on international flights, an increase of 14.1% compared to August 2022. Added to this are the 247,230 that used domestic flights, 3.9% compared to the previous year. Breaking down international traffic by nationality, the countries that contributed the most passengers in August 2023 were the United Kingdom, with 581,304 travellers; followed by Germany, with 108,500; Netherlands, with 100,861; Belgium, with 84,530; and France, with 82,710. Regarding operations, the Airport managed a total of 10,468 flights in August, which is 6.9% higher than the movements in the same period of 2022.

Perhaps the downside of this growing success is reliability. In August, more than 45% of the flights at Alicante were delayed, with 46 of those flights delayed by more than 3 hours. There have been calls for a second runway at the Costa Blanca terminal, along with promises of integrated transport systems such as trains and trams, but so far these projects seem to be many years away.

Ryanair operates the majority of routes from Alicante, but the August statistics show some 50% of their flights were delayed.

DATA ACCUMULATED DURING THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF THE YEAR

The Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport registered a total of 10,487,688 passengers from January to August, which represents an increase of 20% compared to the same period in 2022. Likewise, in these same months it managed 66,881 flights, an 11.3 % more than the previous year. These data would confirm that for the moment the terminal is on track to exceed the accumulated data for 2019.

NATIONAL DATA

Across the national territory as a whole, Aena airports saw a historical record for passengers

in the month of August, with 29.8 million, 9.5% more than in the same month of 2022 and 1.4% more than in 2019, before the pandemic, the previous year in which a record was achieved.

In the eighth month of the year, Aena managed 235,938 aircraft movements, 5.7% more than in 2022, and 86,809 tons of merchandise were moved, 10.6% above last year. Of the total number of travellers, 29,825,273 were commercial passengers. Thus, 20,592,197 travelled on international flights, 11.7% more than in 2022, while 9,233,076 travelled on domestic flights, 4.8% more than last year.

As for the accumulated figure, a total of 189 million passengers passed through the airports of the Aena network between January and August 2023, which represents an increase of 18.7% compared to the figures for 2022 and 1.2 % compared to 2019.

In this same period, according to a statement from the airport manager, 1,608,918 aircraft movements were registered, 8.9% more than in 2022, and 681,132 tons of merchandise were transported, 4.5% more than the same period of 2022.

The Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport registered the highest number of passengers in the eighth month of the year, with 5,559,790, which represents a growth of 11.5% compared to August of last year, but 4% below 2019.

It was followed by Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat, with 4,974,579 (11.4% compared to 2022); Palma de Mallorca, with 4,371,606 (+5%); Málaga-Costa del Sol, with 2,419,072 (+17.8%); Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández, with 1,702,139 (+12.6%); Ibiza, with 1,435,874 (+5.5%); Gran Canaria, with 1,129,345 (+3.6%) and Valencia, with 1,072,418 passengers (+18.7%).

In terms of operations, the airport with the most movements in August was Barajas, with a total of 33,811 (7.1% compared to 2022), followed by El Prat, with 29,854 flights (+7.5%); Palma de Mallorca, with 29,233 (1.4%); Málaga-Costa del Sol, with 16,945 (+11.8%); Ibiza, with 12,513 (-2.4%); Gran Canaria, with 10,556 (+6.5%) and Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández, with 10,468 landings and take offs (+6.9%).

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Spain, like many countries, is suffering the effects of global warming, from droughts affecting most of the country, resulting in water rationing, and severe flooding. Flying accounts for around 2.5% of global CO2 emissions, but 3.5% when we take non-CO2 impacts on climate into account.

Aircraft are considered to be one of the most damaging elements contributing to the environmental impact responsible for the changing weather, and so, whilst from a commercial point of view this growth can be celebrated, from an environmental standpoint, and the subsequent direct effects Spain and the planet are suffering, there is perhaps less cause for celebration.

THE‘F WORD’

By John McGregor

Forces – flowers – fairies – fun… Flippin ´eck, what did you think I was going to say? I´ll put you in the Olympics for jumping to conclusions. Aged just eighteen in 1967 I signed on to serve my Queen and country in the Royal Air Force. Fighting fit after eight weeks brutal basic training, the following four months were fearful, firmly fixed in a classroom learning about aircraft radios: few… I mean phew!

Flowers - 1967 saw the famous ´Summer of Love´, and flower-power was all the rage. Fortunately I was posted to the sunny south coast of England and the actual RAF Station, Thorney Island was fantastic.

Arriving in May I found the place was thoughtfully filled with pink and while Almond-blossomed trees on the main part of the camp, although I was soon sent ´Up The Line´ to work on the formidable Hercules aircraft. Not many flowers there but I did find some…

Fairies! My fellow airmen at work were a fantastic bunch of lads and I was immediately branded a ´fairy´ due to my trade´s light workload - basically black box changing if and when the aircraft landed with a fault. The antithesis of we fairies were the ´Heavies´, either airframes or engines who strutted their stuff brandishing mean-looking tools and muscles.

Meanwhile we fairies drank coffee and played cards in the crew room (aka the coffee bar with the radio blaring out the hits of the day). From this firm foundation I was able to travel with the very versatile Hercs all over the world.

Although I was groundcrew aircraft handling and flight servicing are always welcome on trips abroad so I was able to visit places like New York, Bermuda and The Maldives courtesy of Her Majesty as well as the regular forces bases around the world.

Fleshpots – as The Beatles warbled ´All You Need is Love´, I endorsed that wish dahn sarf as I soon got closer to the female sex. Hayling Island, Portsmouth, Southampton, Chichester and Bognor Regis provided great sources of entertainment: hospitals need nurses, the GPO needed telephonists. and holiday camps needed workers – and holidaymakers.

In the middle of all this was our RAF station with around 2,000 young men and very few women, indeed Thorney Island was known by the local girls as ´Horney Island´: harsh but true....

Finally - a full and frank admission. I have been known to use the real F word myself on occasions. I was actually brought up with a scant knowledge of hard core swearing, only audible from my Dad if he hit his finger with the hammer and a mild ´damn´ or ´bugger´ was heard - hardly offensive. But on that bitterly cold day in January 1967 I joined

one hundred and twenty other innocents. We were quickly and dutifully shorn short, shouted (no, make that screamed) at, and fearfully and roundly abused for eight hard weeks by mean moody drill instructors.

A week´s camping in February´s snow sorted out the men from the boys as we somehow became fighting fit servicemen who could march, salute and run ´til we dropped. One of the few downsides was that my previously choirboy language ( I had been one a few years earlier) took a savage turn for the worst.

Living, eating, sleeping, breathing and speaking in an all-male environment for two months meant certain ominous changes to my everyday chatter.

After the welcome passing-out parade at the culmination of the basic training we were allowed home for a very brief period of rejoicing, as Churchill once described, before starting another different direction of our training. Back safely at my parents´ house for a long weekend it wasn´t long before my new crude vocabulary was exposed.

At the Sunday dinner table I happened to be discussing how hard a particular Corporal had been on us – and the F word was used to describe his disgust as he swore viciously at us. Everything went quiet for a moment. Dad was always hard of hearing (I inherited that) and didn’t catch it, still smiling – but my Mum and two sisters did hear and looked suitably appalled. My little brother spluttered over his roast chicken trying unsuccessfully not to laugh - but the damage was done and I had to apologise.

Of course, by this time with the everyday working life in the Forces such language became mundane, and I served five

years before happily leaving to return to civilian life. Here I found I had to curb my bad habits and it took some effort to avoid using such profanities, and today I think I am more or less in control to not embarrass myself in public. There is one more aspect of such language I would like to explain. Many years after my five years service, in 2011 I decided to write a book * about my RAF adventures, and to my amazement this has led me to pastures new. As a direct result my old friends and I meet up every year at that same Thorney Island, now an army base in a reunion at the Sailing Club, an old haunt of ours.

In my book which recounts many stories of those halcyon days as an SAC (Senior Aircraftman to you) the F word is necessary in print to report direct speech as it occurred. But how to do this without causing offence did pose a problem. Formula - years before I had read a very funny book about a young man doing his Army National Service back in the 1950s.

The same problem I have outlined occurred in this book, but was cleverly circumvented by swapping several crucial letters. A good example was telling somebody to ´Fugg off´ or a question such as ´What the fuggin´ hell are you doing?´nuance, i.e .only a slight change of spelling but introducing a more comical version in print which still conveyed the message: fait accompli.

Finally - that´s my story and I´m sticking to it ffs (false format shock)

*Fairy Tales of an SAC, John McGregor Woodfield Publishing 2011

Last week, we spoke generally about the technical definition of a VMP, the vehicle category that e-scooters fall into. We also mentioned that those characteristics are going to become stricter. Before we talk about the specific rules for using a VMP, we will explain some more of the technical characteristics.

All VMP’s, which, as we have said, include e-

scooters, will require a certificate of circulation, CERTIFICADO DE CIRCULACIÓN.

All electric scooters that are marketed from January 22, 2024 must have been certified in compliance with the regulations. All scooters marketed before January 22, 2024 will be able to circulate until January 22, 2027 even if they do not have a certificate. And from January 22, 2027, only electric scooters that have a certificate to circulate will be allowed

to be used.

This is an important note, especially as we are approaching the Christmas period, where the temptation to purchase one of these vehicles, either for personal use, or as a gift, may be greater. It is in your own best interest to ensure that the scooter has a certificado de circulación now, because if it doesn’t, it will become unusable in 3 years.

We know that they must have a maximum permitted speed of between 6 kmph and 25 kmph, and nominal power less than 1,000 watts (2,500 in the case of those with self-balancing functions). We looked at the physical size too, but they must also have a mass of less than 50 kilograms.

In addition to an audible warning device and lights, it is mandatory that they have the capability of displaying both the speed and battery level, at least. This can be done through a connected app.

Regarding the braking system, they must have two independent brakes, with a minimum deceleration of 3.5 m/s2.

Front reflectors (white), on both sides (white or auto yellow) and rear (red), are mandatory, and the brake light must be differentiated or combined with the rear light.

They must also be equipped with a stabilisation system when parking. With the aim of avoiding scooters falling in the middle of the streets, it has been established that it is mandatory for VMPs with less than 3 wheels to have a stabilisation system consisting of a side kickstand or central stand while they are parked.

The minimum established diameter of the wheels is set at 203.2 mm and they must have a rough surface to allow grip on the ground. The use of smooth tires will not be permitted.

All VMPs must have a unique, permanent, legible and clearly visible factory marking with information on the maximum speed, serial number, certificate number, year of construction and make and model.

The VMP must have a space on the back of it to carry an identification or registration label.

SCOOTER TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS IN MORE DETAIL

AFTER 13 YEARS THE MULTI-PURPOSE BLANCO

SANTA POLA OYSTER FARM HAS CAPACITY ALTERATION APPROVED

The Sueña Torrevieja political group is reporting that after 13 years, the multi-purpose Blanco Pavilion has still not been completed, after numerous false promises by the PP government.

In 2010, in a major PR exercise, the PP promised the brand new centre, but 13 years later the file remains unresolved.

The current government team then promised to complete the works by November 2021 but the bidding file for the execution of the works was never approved.

On May 3, 2021, the councillor secretary of the Government Board announced that “the completion works on the Blanco pavilion would begin shortly, announcing the new start date of July, more than two years ago, with the completion date of November. of 2021,” but still no progress.

On June 13, 2023, the technical file for drafting the project and the completion works of the pavilion was approved by decree, “but without the project having been tendered to date nor the management of the work", nor the execution of it," says Pablo Samper, spokesperson for Sueña Torrevieja.

The true reality in Samper's words is “that not only has the completion of the works, scheduled for November 2021 been achieved, but the bidding file for the execution of the works has not even been approved.”

Samper states that "it is incomprehensible how this work has not been moved forward since 2010 and that 4 terms have passed without finding a definitive solution for such an important sports facility that could provide relief in terms of schedules and uses to the great and growing demand for athletes and students of sports schools. We therefore demand a solution as soon as possible."

Brit expat overlooks Alicante for 1,000 year old cave house in Granada

By Staff reporter Alicante's busy coastal areas lead to a former Cornish resident settling into a cave house in Granada, instead of the bustling city lifestyle.

"I moved from Cornwall to live in a 1,000 year old cave house," said Matilda Kennard Troughton.

"It’s so warm you don’t need any heating - I sleep like a baby," she said.

Matilda, 54, was looking for peace and quiet after years following a hectic work lifestyle as a wholesaler.

"I moved into an 11th century salt store in Granada, transforming it into a modern cave house and opened a bird sanctuary," said Matilda.

She initially set out looking for a country house, travelling from Alicante to Malaga to view properties: "Due to a

dreadful road and a dislike for the busy coastal areas I decided not to return - and headed towards Granada.

"An estate agent showed me a property. Approaching it you could see a large yard, with what looked like a garage door leant up against a hill. The keys were brought to me by a tiny old man on a tractor," she said.

She told the Mapping Spain website: "The moment he opened up the door that was it, I fell in love with the place."

The cave used to be an 11thcentury salt warehouse carved out of the rock.

After hiring local builders to make the cave house habitable, she fitted plumbing, a kitchen, flooring and electrics, over a period of three months.

The cave house also has two floors: "lt has more space than I need, so I leave the first floor

Cavehouses maintain 20Cwarm in winter - cool in summer.

Reports that overfishing is damaging the ecosystem of the Mediterranean,which in turn results in more occurrences of the likes of sharks and jellyfish,for example,appear to have been ignored by the Alicante provincial council,who have approved an adjustment to maximum capacities in Santa Pola.

The company Moluscos Santa Pola SL,is now able to farm up to 135 tons of oysters and scallops per year in Santa Pola,after the company had requested not to assign the annual production capacity to each crop species,but to the crop as a whole,a request that has ended up being accepted by the Department of Agriculture,Livestock and Fisheries,whose opinion was published in the Official Gazette of the Generalitat Valenciana.

The territorial director of Alicante issued a favourable report to this modification,after the positive report from the General Directorate of the Coast and the Sea on 15 March.

Various production plans are proposed for the three species that are intended to be cultivated, but there is some common sense in that in no case could they lead to an increase in the authorised 135 tons per year.

However,the risk to the environment has not been totally ignored,as it is an environmentally sensitive area,and in view of a new report prepared by Red Natura 2000,new conditions were established.

Before the start of the activity,existing infrastructure that will not be used will be removed and the affected environment will be physically restored.

And above all,different measures to protect biodiversity,such as not locating crop lines on sensitive habitats,not cultivating exotic species,not using certain devices that could alter the life of marine mammals,or ensuring that farm divers do not interact with the bottlenose dolphins.

for the bats which inhabit the cave.

"Each unique cave house in the area was designed and decorated to meet the requirements of the family that originally dug it out of the hillside.

"Most have a central hallway; rooms to the left and right, with more rooms leading fur-

ther into the ground, usually used as bedrooms," she said.

Matilda added: "Cave houses maintain a temperature of about 20C throughout the year - they’re warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

"You could do without heating, if you used thermal glass - but it’s expensive."

In this way,a series of requirements have been added regarding contingency plans,prevention of impact also on birds,sampling has been limited, which will be quarterly,and an environmental monitoring plan is required as well as waste collection.The installation involves a rectangleshaped surface of 1,200 x 650 metres.

Overall,the owner of the company is the leader of the sector in the Mediterranean with half of the annual production in the ports of Valencia and Sagunto,and a turnover of around 7 million euro annually.

Photo: Mapping Spain.

MULTI USE PAVILION IS STILL NOT COMPLETED

2023 LINEA DIRECTA VALENCIANS TAKE SHAPE

Peta Rhodes and Lisa Bonsor of Greenlands

SAN MIGUEL BOWLS CLUB

By Barry Jones

On Monday 11th September San Miguel played an evening friendly away to San Luis.The result was 3 trips to San Miguel and 3 trips to San Luis with the shots going to San Luis 63 to 56.The 3 winning trips all won by 8 shots each.

On Friday 15th September, San Miguel were host to San Luis in their last evening game of the year. San Luis came out on top winning 5 of the 6 Rinks with our only winning trip being Janet Parr, Steve Parr and Steve Cantley who won 9-8.

Areminder that the Wasps sessions take place

By Suzi Cooper

After the first day of play the Mixed Fours had reached the semi final stage. In the top half of the draw Peter Bonsor,Lisa Bonsor,Peta Rhodes & Derek Toozer (Greenlands) will play Graham Richardson,William Miller, John Jukes & Carole Donnellan (Country Bowls).

The bottom half sees Martin Foulcer, Alan Bannister,Graham Doel & Mo Foulcer (Vistabella) take on Dave Morrison,Andy Miles,Debby Perryman & Sue Bosworth (Greenlands). It was then the turn of the Mixed Triples teams.

Some really close matches before the semi finalists were decided.Sheila Westwood,Paul Durham & Freddie Willey (Vistabella) will play T

McDonald,Steve & Della Wailes (Country Bowls) while Peter Bonsor, Lisa Binsor & Peta Rhodes (Greenlands) will play Graham Richardson,John Jukes & Carole Donnellan (Country Bowls).

The Mixed pairs are in progress and will be played down to semi final stage by Sunday Evening.

On Monday the Mens & Ladies Pairs matches start.Lots of good pairings in both disciplines.

The final disciplines to start will be the Mens & Ladies Singles.

By Thursday evening we will know all the semi finalists.

Playing 2 matches a day in this heat takes it’s toll but the cream will come to the top.

Wednesdays 1.30pm for 2.00pm - Ä5 for an afternoonís 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 clubwe 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

SAMM GOLF SOCIETY AT VILLAMARTIN

One of the most established courses in the region, designed by Paul Putnam in 1960’s. Host to the PGA Mediterranean Tour in 1974 which was won by José María Olazábal who then went on to win the Masters one week later. The 17th was Seve Ballesteros’ favourite par 3 in Spain - unsurprisingly SI 1. Captain for the event, David Shephard led us off. Rona Agnew won the Stableford with a worthy 34 points, George Ruston won nearest the pin on 9th, Mike Bates on the 13th and Tim Pritchard won longest drive on 11th. Best guest went to Walter Palsson.

Thank you all for another great day out.

Next SAMM Society venue is planned for La Manga on 28th November with discounted fee inc buggy, prizes and an xmas bash. This is a prestigious course and we would welcome additional guest golfers to join us for this game so please mail to: sammgolfsociety@gmail.com

RBL AND AACC CHARITY GOLF DAY AT VISTABELLA

103 Players in 26 teams arrived to battle out the 14th running of this event. The early weather forecast for the day was not very promising, but we were blessed with an almost perfect day for golf. It was an early day, 07:30 registration and 08:30 Shotgun Start. The teams were split into 2 divisions, one for WHS players and the other for Society handicaps. They all played a Texas Scramble, 4 drives each with 10% of combined handicaps.

In the WHS Division the winners were Clarke’s Bar 5 with 58.6, Balls of Fire 2 were Runners up with 60.2 and Clarke’s Bar 3, third, 60.5. Clarke’s Bar 4 had strong shoulders in this division but only 3.5 off the pace.

In the Society Handicap Division the winners were Barry Purvis team with 56.4. Runners up were Michael Wilks team, 58.8 and Third, Steve Webb’s team with 59.7. Best at Not Winning were Torrevieja GS, but an enjoyable day had by all.

The whole event was a great success raising

e1852.00; this was split between the two charities, e1172 from entry fees, the two ladies on Hole 15 Challenge raised over 200 included in the total, also over 400 from the Raffle.

Many thanks are due to the following:

Joaquim Rocamora and his team at Vistabella Golf for allowing us to use the whole course for this event and also for his generous donations, yet again, the course was in excellent condition

Marcus Dickson from Campoverde Car Hire who last minute stepped up and donated the money for prizes. A big thank you to all the players, without you these events could not take place. It is encouraging to get this level of support year after year.

Next Year’s event is already booked at Vistabella golf for Thursday September 12th 2024 so book early to reserve a place by texting Bob Smith on 693 788 661. There will also be the event in June, please phone Charlie Rogers on 618 181 703 for details.

Barry Purvis and the Non WHS Winners

Clarke’s Bar 5 - WHS Winners

Captain for the event, David Shephard, led us off.

Eventful opening day for SAAM Racing

SAMM’s autumn racing season got underway on September 10th with a good turn out of competitors that allowed 6 boats to come to the line for the first race.

In a good ENE wind of 10 knots and a fairly flat sea four boats got away well, unfortunately Sirocco, a Sailfish 18, struggled and started 5 minutes late and Dos, a Laser 2000, was delayed when their rudder downhaul failed and they had to return to the shore to replace it. The fleet gradually spread out and the race became more of a procession except for a tussle between the single handed Laser radial and the Omega with two crew.

The about to finish signal was sounded after 52 minutes but the crew of Sirocco did not hear it and did not cross the line to finish but retired.

When the handicaps were applied the result was the closest ever in the history

of SAMM racing with first and second positions having to be calculated to two decimal places. The winner being the Laser Radial with an average lap time of 425.1 secs and second the Omega in 425.8 secs.

It was then it was noticed that the starboard end start/finish line buoy had almost sunk (later traced to the inflation valve not being completely closed) but all boats saw this and finished correctly, but by then the buoy had completely sunk. Disaster!

The management team rushed around to collect and inflate a replacement and attach a new anchor, while the support boat crew used their anchor to drag for the sunken buoy which they managed to recover and replace. This delayed the second race for30 minutes but it at last started at 12.40.

It was a great start with four boats starting within 52 seconds and the last after 2 minutes.

Las Salinas Charity Mixed Triples Petanca

This was a much closer race with the four leaders in a close battle throughout and lapping with a minute or two of each other.

The final result was an apparent win for the Laser 2000 with the 3rd, 4th and 5th places separated by only 3 seconds and only 16 seconds separating the four scoring places.

Unfortunately the result was marred by a protest that the winner had sailed inside the beach swimming exclusion zone. This was upheld by the race officers and the Laser was designated Did Not Finish for not sailing the correct course.

Results: First race, Laser Radial 425.1 secs, Omega 425.8 secs, Gamba 440 secs. Sailfish 460 secs

Second race, Omega 414 secs, Sailfish 427 secs, Laser Radial 429 secs, Gamba 430 secs.

Las Salinas charity Mixed triples petanca competition was held at Rocajuna petanca on the 9th of September with pristine terrains and plenty of room for spectators! The competition was an astounding success, and the bar was kept busy providing refreshments, crepes, and sandwiches to the hungry players. Thank you to Eduardo providing the barbeque, Myriam and her colleague in the bar providing drinks.

The weather was extremely HOT as was the competition with 24 teams from 13 clubs most wearing their team strip. It was close games for the top slots! The top three teams were presented with a prestigious cup which will be inscribed with the winners’ names. This will be retained for a year and will continue to have inscriptions for the forthcoming competitions.

All three top teams were given medals and wine as recognition of their success. The umpire of the day was Jean Francois Santiago who with his own flair and style ensured fair play and measuring! We had Mac the submariner at the desk taking and recording the results with great accuracy.

The chosen charity for the Las Salinas league is the San Jose Obrero orphanage and we raised 255.00 on the day from the tombola with the assistance of the lovely Chrissy who persuaded the players to part with their money! Thank

It was an exciting opening day for SAAM with Omega taking Race Two after a protest

QUIZ FROM PAGE 14: 1.Master and Commander, 2. Answer d.Clover, 3.Trenchtown, 4. Six answers.Madrid, Amsterdam, Lisbon, London, Bucharest, Belgrade.5.Bauhaus, 6.Five answers.In order:Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Nigeria.7.South America and Antarctic.8.Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.9.Safron.10. Two answers.a.Fast Car (Tracy Chapman), b.Life In The Fast Lane (Eagles).11.Turbofan aircraft engines built by Rolls-Royce (used on the A380).12.Answer c.Stanley Matthews (Stanley Matthews Jr won the title in 1962).13.Five answers. a.Blade Runner, b.Cowboys and Aliens, c.Patriot Games and Clear And Present Danger, d.Witness, e. Apocalypse Now.14.Ethiopia.15. Walk on the moon.16.Orchid.17. The Social Network.18.Ska.19. Cream and chocolate.20.13.77 billion years

SUDUK SUDUK O SOLUTION O SOLUTION

CARP R US ANGLING

Thursday 14th September Carp-R-Us fished their Memorial Cup on the El Bosquet complex and we also welcomed a new member, Trevor Morrey.

We had three members withdraw for various reasons and, in the end we had nine fishing for the cup, which is fished for in memory of members no longer with us.

The day could not have started better as we had a glorious sunrise as the pegs were drawn. Section 26 to 40 was used.

you, for your efforts! The amount for the charity is 495 as all registration fees are included in the total.

The WINNERS ON THE day with 4 wins were La Marquesa Captain JeanMichel Gelline, 2nd Rocajuna 3 Captain Patricia Sacre (3 wins), 3rd Rocajuna 1. Captain Christian Larrosa (3 wins)

Clear winner and, therefore, winner of the 2023 Memorial Cup was Tony Flett who has 21 kilos of carp off the current hot peg, 26. Second from peg 29 was Roy Dainty and third was Jeremy Fardoe on peg 27. Jeremy was unfortunate in that he landed a 3.68kg carp but after the permitted extra 15 minutes so couldn´t be counted. As seem to be the case at the moment on this stretch, the higher number failed to produce decent weights.

A new notice board has been installed by Paul Burton and Graham Patterson who fish with all three clubs. This will be used by the clubs to advertise which pegs are in use on match days. A big thank you to Paul and Graham for their work.

Further information about the club can be found on its website www.carp-r-us.weebly.com or on the Facebook page:

Carp-R-Us Fishing Costa Blanca

The

picture shows winner Tony Flett (far right) weighing in his catch.

Winner Tony Flett weighing his catch

Winners La Marquesa

OUTSTANDING CHEMA EARNS POINT FOR SHOT SHY THADER

After last weeks mauling at Santa Pola, things couldn't have got any worse for Thader, so Sundays goalless draw at home to Olimpic was a step in the right direction.

Due to re seeding of Moi Gomez stadium pitch, the match was played at Formentera, the first of probably 3 or 4 whilst the new grass beds in.

Lloyd resumed captaincy, replacing the injured Fran, as manager Noe Garcia strove for more consistency.

The hosts were close to taking the lead on 4 mins, when centre back Juan powered a header from a corner narrowly over the bar. Oscar became the first player in referee Sanchez notebook, for a nasty tackle, a sign of things to come!

In a half of few chances, an over the top foul on Javi earned the culprit a yellow card, when on another day, Olimpic would have been reduced to 10 men.

CD Thader ...........0

CDOlimpic

...........0

of an open goal from 5 yards.

Pedro Juan ended the first half with a booking for dissent, one in which neither keeper had yet to work up a sweat.

Five mins into the new half, Chema produced the first of a string of outstanding saves, to deny Olimpic sub Mauro a certain goal. Then from the resultant corner, Alberto put the ball in the net, only for celebrations to be cut short when a free kick was awarded for a foul. Juan unceremoniously scythed down an opponent, earning him a booking, as Thader were forced to defend for their lives.

On the hour mark, another worldly save by man of the match Chema, once again denied the impressive Mauro, then from the corner, Gio headed wide of the far post. Mauro thought he'd broken his duck on 75 mins, but the linesman's flag for offside came to Thader's rescue.

resulted in a free kick but no further action, an example of ref Sanchez inconsistency. Thader sub Kike was next to be cautioned for taking one for the team.

bench.

On 35 mins, a golden opportunity was squandered by Olimpic striker Gio, when following a right wing cross to the far post, he headed wide

From the next Olimpic attack, stout defending repelled a number of shots, as Lloyd's men were putting their bodies on the line. A horrendous over the top tackle by Olimpic defender Cares on Pascual,

PORTUGAL EDGE TO VICTORY IN PINATAR U/17 SUPER CUP

From the free kick on 82 mins, Luino headed wide, as the hosts were hanging on by a thread. With time ticking away, Javi was next into the refs naughty book, before Chema once again performed heroics from the free kick.

Following another Chema super save, Olimpic manager received the only red card of the match, presumably for comments made from the

Catral flyer in Costa Blanca Independent Pool Winter League

Catral Sheerin's opened their campaign in the 2023-24 Costa Blanca Independent Pool Winter League division one with a 9-1 win against The La Hacienda.

Dave Yeates, Paul Johnson, Jack Fowkes, Dave Evans, Lesley, and Mel Leverett were amongst the winners for Catral, with Keith Oakes chalking up Hacienda's win.

So, although Thader can be reasonably happy with a point and a clean sheet, manager Noe needs to address why his team failed to produce a single shot on target throughout the whole match.

Next weekend, Thader have an away match against Benidorm, to be played at Villajoyosa, because they too are re seeding their stadium's pitch. Check CD Thader facebook page for details of when this match will take place.

The Portuguese under-17 team has won the Costa C·lida Supercup that was held last week at Pinatar Arena, after winning all three of their matches, defeating England, Spain and Morocco.

The team, managed by Joao Santos, showed its superiority from the first day, emerging as champion after achieving three victories in their three games.

The Portugal player Geovany Quenda, was nominated as the Best Player of the tournament.

England were by no means disgraced, however, finishing second in a hard-fought competition. They took the runners-up position by beating Spain in the last match of the tournament. Spain finished in third with the Moroccan team fourth but showing great potential, especially in the first two

days.

More than 3,000 people were able to watch the six matches live and to follow the developments of some of the most promising players on the international scene. In addition, all the tournament matches were televised live, projecting the image of the Region of Murcia and Pinatar Arena as one of the world's leading football destinations.

The four teams participating in the Costa C·lida Supercup generated more than 1,000 rooms in the Mar Menor and San Pedro del Pinatar area in the nine days that the event lasted.

The Costa C·lida Supercup will continue this week (from September 17 to 23) with the under-16 competition that will see the participation of Scotland, Poland, Switzerland and the Faroe Islands.

Happy Days Too A were also in fine fettle, returning a 8-2 victory over visitors The Olde 9th Shakers.

The Cafe Almoradi and Floyd's shared the spoils in a 5-5 frame encounter, as did The Club Quesada A versus The Club Quesada B.

The Laguna Tavern A defeated The Pines B 7-3; The Olde 9th Young Boys chalked up a 6-4 win against Happy Days Too B. The Pines A returned a 6-4 win against The Laguna Tavern B.

Summer Super League

The summer super League has finally come to an end, with some great play from all teams who took part during a baking hot summer of play.

7 teams participated from various teams in

the area, made up from some of the best players in the area, challenging each other in a slightly different game set-up compared to the winter play.

In first place came Havana hotshots, well done to Mike, John, Kathy, Christian, and Craig and Rob. With a special mention to Kathy who had a 100 percent win rate over the season.

Second came the firststation red devils, closely followed by tipsy toads likely lads. Hopefully more teams will join for next year, any teams who would like to register for next year contact John or Mike . Again well played to all involved.

Havana hotshots