The Leader Newspaper 04 September 2023 – Edition 987

TORREVIEJA MAYOR IMPOSES HEAVY FINE ON WASTE MANAGEMENT CONTRACTOR, ACCIONA

Following last week’s revelations by the opposition parties in Torrevieja about the state of contractual compliance of the multi million euro waste disposal contract, documenting the appalling service that the residents have to put up with, PSOE spokesperson Bárbara Soler invited everyone to the town hall on Friday to observe a meeting where the matter would formally be discussed, the contract analysed, and the failure reports scrutinised.

The result of that meeting call, and the public pressure on the town hall, is that after just 14 months of audit-proven poor performance, the mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolón, has finally sprung into action, and will now financially penalise the contractor, Acciona, to the tune of almost a million euro.

On Thursday, the day before the planned PSOE-led meeting, Dolón signed the resolution that will apply a reduction of 548,000 euro in the billing submitted to the town hall by Acciona for the month of July, for the contract that began in June 2022, and which swallows up a quarter of the entire municipal budget, representing a 27% reduction on the monthly cost established by the contract, which amounts to 2,030,000 euro, and so the company will now only receive 1,482,283 euro, the true value of the work the town hall believes has been carried out.

Of course, the service has been defective since day 1, and although a penalty is appropriate, it still means the company has provided an inferior service for their full monthly fee for 13 months, other than an additional penalty for subsequent deficiencies of 319,000 euro.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE HEAVY FINE FOR ACCIONA

The measure is adopted based on the conclusions of the external service quality control audit carried out by the Quipons company, as initially highlighted by Soler, which Dolón already had access to, as well as on the criteria of the municipal technicians themselves, who have also carried out their own inspection in which they have identified up to 50 breaches of the specifications.

It should be noted that although this particular current contract was negotiated last year, the operator, Acciona, have been running the service for around two decades, and have been taken to court a number of times to fight discrepancies in billing, which they have mostly won.

Their appearance in court is most likely once again as they have the right to appeal the fine, first with the town hall itself, and then the administrative courts, although on this occasion there is considerable evidence of their failings reported by the independent auditors.

In addition to the failings in basic services, such as the collection of garden waste, paper and cardboard, amongst many others, Acciona also fails to comply with 16 of the 34 improvements that it

proposed in its specifications and that conditioned the award in its favour in the tender -365 million euro for fifteen years-, improvements that are not being carried out.

Aside from the material provisions needed to satis-

COMMUNITY CARE ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES BACK UNDERWAY

Starting on 11th September at the Alameda del Mar Civic Centre. CCA are pleased to offer the following sessions to existing and new Members over 60,wanting to learn or brush up their skills and make friends plus information regards the Spanish Social Welfare system and local support.

Note: The Spanish classes are 8 week sessions.

MONDAY. 14:00 - 15.30.Spanish Beginners level 1 sessions.

15:45- 17.15.Spanish Beginners level 2 sessions.

14:00 – 16:00 Spanish Games and Quiz in English and Spanish.

WEDNESDAY. 14:00 - 16:30 ART - Watercolours,Acrylics,Techniques. Freehand.

14:00 – 15:30 Spanish – Easy Conversation

THURSDAY. 14:00 - 18:00 Social and Wellbeing activities.Social Welfare Information and Advice / Presentations.

CCA plan to offer more activities for everyone wanting to enjoy and socialise in a friendly environment.Chess,Bridge,Singalong,Musical gentle exercise sessions,etc.

Would you like to join CCA activities,the registration fee is e20 per year.You can join as many activities as you wish for this one off fee. We will register new Members between 12:00h - 14:00h Monday 11th

fy the contract, Acciona have also failed to provide sufficient staffing, as the report points out the lack of minimum staff in high season - especially in Urban Cleaning where 193 of the 228 planned operators work – which is identified as a "fundamental cause of non-compliance with the service."

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September in the Cafe at the Centre.All you need to join is provide a copy of your Passport and NIE or TIE.

WANTED:

If you have a skill and wish to pass on your knowledge and are interested in joining our team of Volunteer Tutors,contact Eva by email to Secretary General,at oc.communitycare@gmail.com

CCA provides social fun activities within Orihuela Costa and aims to offer information for the Spanish Welfare Services system to the many residents who have chosen to live permanently in Orihuela Costa. The objective is to integrate with the multicultural community which to date has 117 nationalities.

A diverse area,represented by amazing Volunteer heroes who are committed to supporting and caring for each other in Orihuela Costa.

P O E T R Y C O R N E R

The old folk's home was silent

Apart from many snores

The residents all sleeping

Behind their bedroom doors

The night shift had just started

With carer's who weren't trained

Their attitude was 'what the heck

These folk should be restrained'

There was no sense of duty

Compassion or regard

They only worked for wages

And they didn't work that hard

An alarm bell inconveniently

Broke into their calm

It was an old man with dementia

Known for sounding his alarm

But this time it was serious

The man was on the floor

But the carers just ignored the bell

Just like they had before

They were busy on a tea break

Playing cards and winning cash

Whist the old man with dementia

Had a nasty open gash

His life's blood slowly seeping

His alarm bell still ignored

He wondered what his life was for Those army days abroad

His medals all now meaningless

His war now in defeat

Nobody there to help him now

His life now obsolete.

The carers started laughing

Their loud noise muffled the bell

A care home with no care at all

Where a man died where he fell

To see your poem published on this page send to: office@theleader.info

"Without a Care" by David Whitney Torrevieja c 2023

Random photos taken around Torrevieja Front page image courtesy Diario Informacion

LA VEG LA VEG A B A B AJ AJ A N A N E E R R V V OU OU S S L LY Y A AWWAITS TH AITS TH E AR E AR R R IV IVAL OF D AL OF D AN AN A A

I’m no expert but looking around the area at the amount of vegetation, reeds, cane and other such overgrown and invasive vegetation, that is currently occupying riverbeds, ravines and barrancas, I wonder if our politicians have learned any of the lessons that they were so harshly taught during the 2019 DANA, when catastrophic flooding completely destroyed villages, properties and traditional orchards, across much of the local area.

As La Vega Baja once again faces September with the uncertainty that a new DANA situation may occur in the coming days, the devastating episode of the Santa María flood in September 2019 still feels all too recent, the intensity of which, in some areas of Bajo Segura, was thought to occur only once in every 500 years, but somehow the concern persists.

The Rio Segura in the Vega Baja accumulates more than 6,000 m2 of floating waste every year and presently, most of its course, from the gates of Murcia in Las Norias to the mouth of Guardamar has not been cleared of the proliferation of invasive cane that would, first, reduce the speed of the flow of the river in the event of torrential rains, and then cause a blockage, or a dangerous accumulation of vegetation, around the bridges in urban sections, where the channel's capacity is narrowed.

In September 2019, the channel in Almoradí collapsed, from where it released 20 cubic hectometres that flooded large areas of Dolores, Daya Vieja and San Fulgencio for long periods.

In recent weeks there have been warnings from the residents of Molins, which was under water for days, Formentera del Segura, where a dense mesh of vegetation barely allows a trickle of water at this time of year, and the Orihuela City Council itself, which is responsible for its own urban section, yet the same pattern of reeds more than four metres high can still be seen at the mouth.

On the Orihuela Costa, neither the CHS nor the Orihuela City Council have acted in any of the six riverbeds that flow into the Orihuela beaches. Invasive trees, weeds and urban waste clog many of the channels that have also been narrowing in the last thirty years due to pressures of urbanisation. No

one acts while the debates about who should take charge seem to be no further forward.

The CHS says it has no responsibility when the riverbeds are urban, as it considers those to be on the Orihuela coast. Among them is the Rio Nacimiento, capable of adding up to 380 cubic metres per second at its mouth and which is covered by dense invasive cane vegetation in its final stretch, where it arrives at La Glea beach in Campoamor. However, in recent months, the CHS has carried out an emergency dredging at the mouth of the old Segura riverbed, where clogging by sediments was one of the main causes of the continuation of the flooding of thousands of hectares of traditional orchards, between Guardamar, San Fulgencio and Dolores, in 2019.

Another of the actions they have carried out on the public domain land of the riverbeds has been the clearing of the Seco river, upstream of the motorway, in coordination with the Pilar de la Horadada Council, which has contracted maintenance work for 40,000 euros, to clear 1,700 linear metres of its riverbed up to its mouth at Mil Palmeras beach. But despite the announcement of an investment of 600 million euros contemplated in the Cuenca plan, the CHS has made little progress with in-depth investments to reduce the impact of flooding in the region with political parties and farmers once again accusing them of using the Vega Baja as the sinkhole for the Region of Murcia. Local communities can now only wait nervously to see whether measures adopted during the four intervening years will help to protect La Vega Baja against flooding from DANA, should it arrive.

POLITICS RETURNS WITH KING’S SPEECH

POLITICS RETURNS WITH KING’S SPEECH

As has been the norm recently, we will touch on the Spanish elections, but the reality is there is nothing more to say other than negotiations are ongoing.

We did have an issue last week of some of the parliamentary groups not wanting to sit together, which reminds us, it´s next week when children go back to school, so we´ll probably talk about that a little more next time.

The Ministry of Equality has convened a crisis meeting for Monday to talk about the recent wave of domestic violence deaths across the country. This is normal protocol when there are 5 or more such incidents, and in August, so far (bearing in mind they can be classified after the event), there were 6 confirmed in August. This is the fifth time the committee has been convened.

So far this year, 39 women have been confirmed killed within the criteria to be recognised as domestic violence, with 45 children being left orphaned.

One thing we will say with a political leaning is that it happens at a time when VOX are still negotiating a place in Government, a political group that claims violence against women does not exist, wanting to ban the gatherings such as the minute’s silence held for each of the tragic victims. It was, incidentally, their partners in the runup to the elections, the PP, who didn’t want to sit with them in parliament.

There had been planned strikes by bus drivers working for Alsa, but the management and unions have now agreed to a meeting this week, so the disputes are pretty much cancelled in the hope the issues will be resolved. It mostly affected areas in the north of the country, but also some Madrid routes. On the subject of buses and Madrid, there´s more good news as they are free this week, within the municipal area at least.

In the markets, the week will begin in the Eurozone with the publication of the trade balance in Germany and the Sentix investor confidence index.

Next, the PMIs for the services and composite sectors will be published. After the summer period, with tourism standing at levels similar to those reached before the pandemic, a further deteriora-

tion is expected as lower household consumption spending, the slight rebound in inflation expectations and lower growth and the tightening of monetary policy hampers the dynamism of the sector.

PlayStation Plus subscribers (and who isn’t!) will be subject to a price hike this week, as plans increase as much as 30 euro in some cases.

Locally, Friday is a holiday in Cox, Daya Vieja, Jacarilla, and Santa Pola, as well as Orihuela, and the Rock Against Cancer concert takes place in Torrevieja at the weekend.

We have been told that as well as music fans, the concert is a draw for bikers, with many expected to attend the event. Coincidentally, at the weekend, the DGT will be running a special surveillance campaign focusing on motorbikes, with the likes of the Guardia Civil actively looking for, and dealing with, dangerous behaviour, amongst other things. Also on the roads, the coastal road in Alicante reopens to traffic on Monday, just in time for the end of the summer rush.

In the UK, the holidays are over for parliamentarians (perhaps in more ways than one) who return after summer for what will be the final session of the current Parliament, including the first King’s Speech for nearly 70 years and the start of a third general election campaign in five years, despite the number of Prime Ministers the country has had since the last election.

Boris Johnson, incidentally, left office exactly a year ago on Wednesday, to be replaced by a lettuce. No, sorry, Liz Truss we mean, obviously. Hearing from the King will in no way overshadow the fact that Friday marks a year since the death of, we think it’s safe to say, a more beloved monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.

There has been talk of reshuffles upon return, not only in the Cabinet, but also on the other side, as Keir Starmer is said to be doing the same.

In the world of sport, the Rugby World Cup starts this week, with England taking on Argentina on Saturday, and Prince Harry will attend the opening of the Invictus Games.

Finally, if you plan to use Google on Monday, be sure to wish our longest internet friend a happy birthday, as the search engine turns 25.

HORSE POWER TAKES OVER IN MURCIA

Lucero, Caminero, Notario and Antonio 5º are the 4 horses that make up, for the moment, the new Local Police Cavalry Unit in Murcia, which was been introduced on Wednesday in Santo Domingo square. The new service will not only be provided in the centre, in the parks and gardens of Murcia, but also in the districts, on the Vía Verde, across 12 routes of between 5 and 7 kilometres. They include ??Coto Cuadros, Valle Perdido, Cresta del Gallo, "many places with difficult accessibility and where the Local Police, will now be more visible," according to the councillor. of Citizen Security, Fulgencio Perona, who thanked the commitment and vocation of those who have made it possible in forming the Cavalry Unit: sub-inspector José Luis Díaz, who will be in command, and three agents.

Deputy Inspector Díaz explained that they have already spent "several weeks of continuous training, both in the

morning and in the afternoon, working on the track and outdoors." The head of the Unit said that the horses have undergone training to get them used to different noises , such as those generated by tractors, metal doors, motorcy-

cles... In addition, the riders, who are all federated, have had to pass a Gallop 4 exam. " We want to make sure that the horses are used to going out into the streets without any mishap happening," he added.

OPEN DAY FOR MELODY MAKERS ON 12 SEPTEMBER

We are a recently formed group of singers (Male and Female) who are looking for new members.

Rehearsals are at the Lakeview bar and restaurant in Quesada on a Tuesday afternoon from 2-4 p.m.

If you love singing and are looking for a group to sing with then why not come along and join this friendly group.

We sing a wide variety of songs and are always expanding our repertoire.

We have been booked for per-

WOMAN TAKES HER OWN LIFE AFTER KILLING DISABLED SON

formances in December and so are beginning to rehearse our Christmas repertoire. There's no audition or experience in reading music but you may find it useful.

Our aim is to continuously improve our singing skills, help to raise money for local charities and create a fun and friendly atmosphere.

If you can't make it on the 12th don't worry, the first rehearsal is free for every new member. We look forward to hearing from you!

For further information check out our new Facebook page www.facebook.com/melodymakersquesada or alternatively get in touch with Lorraine by email at lorraine.simpson@yahoo.co.uk.

The 54-year-old woman and her 25-year-old son, who suffered with Down syndrome, were found dead in a Valencia hotel room on Friday, where they had been staying since Wednesday.

The National Police says that evidence points to the mother, taking her own life by the ingestion of a powerful poison dissolved in water, which she had earlier served to her son.

The homicide, followed by the suicide of the mother, took place on the night the couple arrived at the city centre hotel, judging by the state in which the room was found, with the bed unmade and with both still dressed in their street clothes.

The tragic event was not discovered until the hotel employees entered the room, 705, on the seventh floor of the establishment, on Friday afternoon, alerted by neighbouring residents, because they had not left the room for more than 48 hours.

The son was lying on the bed and the woman was on the floor, at the young man's feet. Both are said to be of Colombian origin.

Kiki is a 10 week old medium crossbreed, Hoping to find her forever home.

For more info 966710047 or WhatsApp 688792515 or info@satanimalrescue.com

The new Special Cavalry Unit

SA SA T ANIMAL T ANIMAL RESCUE RESCUE

What a cutie!!!

THREE MILLION EURO TO REOPEN AGUAMARINA WALKWAY

The cost of front line building land in Orihuela Costa is currently around 850 euro per square metre

Owners who own the land, stating that it is part of the community itself. In 2015 the then Councillor for Urbanism, Antonio Zapata, ordered its reopening, insisting that the enclosing walls had been built without a license, and represented an urban infringement.

The residents, around 50 owners, went to court, which gave them permission to reinstate the walls again, at both ends of the paseo.

The walkway has now been closed to the general public since December 2021, a closure that not only prevents both residents and holidaymakers from enjoying this section, but also forcing them to take a long two-kilometre

detour to get to the beach.

But the procedure to be approved by the plenary will take time, since it will foreseeably generate new judicial proceedings, both to discuss the just price of the expropriation, it is clear that there is no agreement, and to establish the very justification of the public interest for the reopening.

However, despite the Orihuela council asking the Generalitat to declare the expropriation as urgent, the procedure will take time, with even the most optimistic forecasts saying it will be at least a year before the general public are able to use the walkway once again.

The reopening of the Aguamarina pedestrian maritime path will take time. A very optimistic period would be rather more than a year, but that is if the Orihuela Council finally manages to overcome the important technical, economic, and legal obstacles that stand in its way.

At the upcoming plenary session for the month of August, which in Orihuela is always held at the beginning of September, a vote will be taken to approve the reopening of the path, and what is more important, to agree the need to claim the land through an expro-

priation, or a compulsory purchase procedure.

It is understood that the Council had valued the land to be expropriated at 70,000 euros, 227 square metres next to the cliff face, while the owners are asking for 3 million. Meanwhile the owners of the land not only object to the valuation, but they are going to challenge the main legal argument of the Council as they attempt to validate the forced expropriation.

The walkway was closed in 2013 by the residents of the Bellavista I Community of

Accidents Seem to Form Queues HUMMINGBIRDS, BEES AND BUTTERFLIES LOVE RUSSIAN SAGE !

Life can be a minefield, and not always at ground (or underground) level. Boats sink, planes plummet from the sky, I once tumbled from my elderly roller skates and skinned both my knees, a manoeuvre the instruction booklet claimed was impossible.

And many of us fall headlong in love at some point, accidentally or otherwise. Accident-proneness is sometimes used as a reason to refuse insurance to people who have a predisposition to suffer mishaps of one sort or another.

I used to laugh at such an idea just as you are doing now, unless your bandages are too tight. But some examples are self-evident: young male drivers, apprentice liontamers, butchers' assistants, and welterweight boxers wrongly assigned to the heavyweight category. Gory wouldn't begin to describe that. Not to mention welter.

Common causes of 'accident frequency' are absent-mindedness ("I forgot my parachute! Again!"), clumsiness (falling downstairs in a police station) and impulsive behaviour (knocking a policeman's helmet off.) Or helping yourself to an idling helicopter, something James Bond occasionally does when necessary.

We could all learn a humbling lesson from Charles Darwin, who once shrank back athletically to avoid a strike from a poisonous snake, even though there was thick glass separating them.

I would have thought he of all people would have evolved beyond such a reaction, but it just goes to show, if you're fit you'll survive.

Some people are better at having accidents than others, by which I mean they survive more efficiently and can be ready for their next calamity in due time.

PE

Russian sage offers carefree colour,with an open airy habit and dreamy drifts of lavender blue flowers,that bloom from mid-summer into autumn.

It is an herbaceous woody hardy perennial that is easy to grow,heat and drought tolerance and virtually maintenance free,once established.

Take the case of the 36-year-old woman who left a supermarket and hit herself on the back with her car door, fell into a small sinkhole, and only escaped by imitating Charles Darwin, plus a sprained ankle. It would be more dramatic if I could report that the supermarket then disappeared into the sinkhole, but what is an honest chronicler to do, it was just her car that vanished.

There are non-accidental self-inflicted afflictions, of course. Look at smokers, who read health warnings on cigarette packets and somehow persuade themselves the advice doesn't apply to them. They puff and wheeze short-windedly when you try to convince them otherwise.

By age 15, a friend of mine -- no, really -had already set fire to his own tree house, fallen out of a friend's tree house, and been knocked unconscious after running into a tree during a game of blind man's buff/Easter egg hunt. A tree surgeon was summoned.

I am relatively lucky where accidents are concerned. Even when I almost choked to death during an embarrassing coughing fit in the Vienna Opera House, a man in knee-breeches and a powdered wig came over and gave me a cough sweet. What he was doing dressed like that, I never thought to ask.

Well, you don't really, when you're waiting for the corpulent lady to sing.

Most varieties will reach 2-3ft tall and wide, however some can be much larger.

A versatile perennial plant,useful as a filler in a mixed border and can also be planted as hedging,or in containers.

Russian sage thrives in hot,dry conditions and in well-draining soils.Choose a site that receives 6-8 hours of full sun.Space plants 2-3 feet apart.

Seed heads and stems can be left through winter for ornamental interest.Then simply cut plants down to 6 inches in early Spring. A self sower,that will spread vigorously,so just pull up any seedlings or dig out the roots where they’re not wanted.

A relative of the mint plant,it has silvery green leaves that exude a pungent scent when crushed and can be dried and used for potpourri.

The flowers are a favourite of hummingbirds,bees and butterflies.

Note: Foliage is toxic.

Dotty, age 11 weeks is a very sociable kitten with a calming temperament.

She is negative for feline diseases and is good with other cats and dogs.

Call: 645 469 253.

PE TS IN SP TS IN SP AIN AIN

The Ups and Downs of Monarch Airlines Relaunch

Before we get to the current state of affairs with the proposed revival of Monarch Airlines, the headline does not refer to the history of this once popular flying legend, we are not delving into the history, but rather the progress this month, this week, and even today, and so, if you, like many, are looking forward with excitement to their return, don’t pack your suitcase just yet.

Two weeks ago, on Monday 21 August, we posed the question, “Could Monarch Airlines Return to Alicante?”, as we, with considerable excitement, jumped onboard with the prospect of the teased but quietly announced return of Monarch Airlines.

Last week, on Tuesday, we admit to being utterly disappointed by the release of their new logo and flying colours, ditching the crown, and becoming purple with a dull letter “M”, underlined, as their new motif. We did get some criticism for our disappointment and negativity (which we freely admitted in the article), but aside from the fact we wanted a return to the Monarch we know and loved, we also pointed out that such a rebranding of the design may have cost a lot of money, funds that could, perhaps, have been spent on something like a plane.

Two days later, Thursday to be exact, Monarch Airlines ran out of money, and so

Many people are disappointed that they have ditched both the crown of their logo, and their trademark yellow dominant colour

“We have been approached with new options to continue launching Monarch. We hope to bring more positive news to you shortly.

Monarch's Chairman is to step down and be replaced with immediate effect.

We are working tirelessly and will continue to do so. Thank you to all those who have supported our relaunch and rebranding process so far.”

Although details are yet to be released, according to the press office, the new chairman is an “industry veteran”. No doubt, to be continued…

their relaunch is halted.

A statement read, “It is with immense regret that we announce today that we have been forced to put the brakes on our process to relaunch Monarch. This is not a decision that we have taken lightly, however since taking

Mazón extols Community virtues as he presents La Vuelta trophies in Burriana

over the business two weeks ago we have drawn close to exhausting the start-up funding provided to us far, rather more rapidly than anticipated”.

However, all is not lost, as later that same day a new statement was published, which read,

Carlos Mazón,the president of the Generalitat,officiated in the presentation of trophies at the end of La Vuelta’s 5th stage that took place between Morella and Burriana

During the ceremony he spoke about the economic and promotional impact of hosting one of the stages of the Cycling Tour of Spain in the Valencian Community.

He highlighted the economic benefits generated by each overnight stay for the cycling

teams that took part in the event,which adds to the important promotional value that the competition represents at a European and international level,where it is followed by millions of spectators .

The head of the Consell has also stated that "the Vuelta adores the province of Castellón" where "mythical stages" have been held.He said that thanks to the Vuelta because,"today all of Europe knows where Burriana is".

THE IRISH VERSION OF ‘THE GREAT EQUALISER’

In America, that great nation of opportunity, where even a hustler can turn into a hero; owning a gun – or 20 of them, is regarded as its citizen’s most fundamental right to their very existence. When everybody owns a gun, it gives no advantage to anybody – just levels the playing field and more people die. ‘An eye for an eye makes everybody blind!’

The Yanks refer to their gun as ‘the great equaliser’. In fact, there is a Smith and Wesson handgun with the official name of ‘The Equalizer.’

Thank God we have strict gun control in Ireland, and therefore no requirement for that particular ‘equaliser’. But do we harbour any other form of equaliser in our everyday lives?

I’m afraid that we do; the motor vehicle in Ireland has become our equaliser. Just as lethal as an American gun, the car has become our modern equaliser. And like the gun in America, the car in Ireland is entitled to be owned by every citizen over the age of 17.

The fact that it is legal to own a gun or a car, doesn’t mean that there are some owners from whom these weapons should be taken. Just as the most worthless human being can pull a trigger; so too can any idiot get behind the wheel of a car. The most timid, 5’-nothing misfit becomes all powerful in a driver’s seat – because the car is our great equaliser. The only reason for the ever-increasing slaughter on our roads is because more drivers are taking risks and acting more aggressively. Everyone I speak to have the same

NEWS IN BRIEF

Spanish aircraft at risk due to pilot fatigue

Whilst airline passengers faced days and disruption last week a report puts air safety at risk due to pilot fatigue, especially in Spain.

The report "European Pilot Fatigue Survey" paints a bleak picture with 63.1% of the pilots in Spain indicating that the management of fatigue risks is not well managed by the airlines.

story: Aggressive driving and road rage is on the increase. Some say that the stress caused by Covid is responsible for unbelievable acts of kamikaze driving. I think this behaviour was on the increase before Covid.

More and more, I am driving in a line of traffic; perhaps the line is moving 10km under the permitted speed. The narrow Westport road between Strokestown and Ballaghaderreen on a Friday afternoon springs to mind, as I travel it on a lot of Fridays. Every bit of straight stretch, and a yahoo (most often in a ‘D’ reg car) will pull out and accelerate until a flashing truck forces him back in line. Somebody in the line will brake hard to let him back in, rather than cause a crash. (Note I said ‘crash’, not ‘accident’.) Then another hero from behind sees how it works and pulls out and does the same thing

When I worked underground for ‘International Nickel’ in Canada, there was always a safety slogan displayed on the headframe. It was changed every week, and you could be asked by a boss at any time to state the slogan of the day. One that I remember in particular said; ‘ACCIDENTS DON’T HAPPEN – THEY ARE CAUSED.’

It is now a minority of drivers who use the traffic indicator as a courtesy or statement of intent – especially on roundabouts. It has become an aggressive, threatening message that ‘I am coming in or out’. Another bit of intimidation is where the vehicle is driving up your backside to force you onto the hard shoulder. At best, it is as clear as an undipped

One in every 4 organ donors in the EU from Spain

One in four organ donors in the EU came from Spain in 2022. wwith the country also performing one in five transplants. Spain maintains the first position in the world in organ donation from deceased people and, in transplant activity, only the United States surpasses the country, according to the World Observatory of Donation and Transplantation.

headlight that incivility is on the rise and an acceptable part of everyday road use. All of us have an inflated notion of our own safety and security in our vehicle-bubble. Modern cars are so quiet and comfortable to drive that we have a false sense of ‘it will always be the other fellow.’ I am not a slow driver, and I have been lucky on a few occasion. This is dangerous complacency that I would say most of us are guilty on occasion. This is different from the reckless ‘F.U’ individual behind the wheel of his ‘equaliser.’

Nobody can disagree that the problem exists. Like the use of the gun in America, it is mostly innocent people who die on our carnagestrewn roads. And like the gunman, the Irish equivalent will sometimes turn the weapon on himself.

So, if we all know the problem, does anybody

have a solution? More traffic police are badly required, but you cannot police the problem, nor is it possible to have a garda car on every stretch of road.

What about drones? Surely if drones can take photos of any spot on the planet, and even drop precision bombs in conflicts; why not use drones to identify dangerous driving and help to prosecute the offenders?

One crumb of comfort for any Irish victim of the equaliser is that, unlike the American version, if he doesn’t nail you at the first attempt, he won’t have a gun in the glove compartment to finish the job!

DON’T FORGET

Driving a car would be a much greater pleasure if each motorist would use his head as much as he uses his horn.

FLU VACCINE EXTENDED TO MORE KIDS

The flu vaccine is being extended this autumn, for the first time in Spain, to healthy children between 6 months and 5 years of age, whereas previously only the infant population with underlying diseases were vaccinated. All the communities have already acquired the doses for this year's flu vaccination, which will benefit 1.6 million children.

Massive cocaine haul seized in Algeciras

Officials seized almost 9.5 tons of narcotic substance in a maritime container from Ecuador, that was hidden inside banana boxes, the largest cache seized in Spain to date. This operation has been an unprecedented blow to one of the most important criminal organisations worldwide in the distribution of cocaine whose recipients were the main criminal networks in Europe.

CAMPOVERDE CHURCH IN THE COMMUNITY CHILDREN’S SUMMER CLUB 2023

How does a Church get and hold the interest of children long enough to tell them about God and in a way that they will remember for a long time?

The answer for Campoverde Church in the Community is: provide them with a Summer Club, held every Thursday in August, that is fun, exciting and gives them an opportunity to display their talents, with God sprinkled on everything we do!

We take our role in the community very seriously. We know that going to Church is increasingly unpopular in modern life but rather than just close our doors and give up, we take our Church out into the community.

Everything we do as a Church is motivated by our desire to tell people about God.

We are particularly aware that the younger generations know even less about God than those older generations who maybe grew up going to Sunday School or being in the Church choir as children.

Teaching about God is being excluded more and more from modern life and we believe that is having a detrimental effect.

We want to give the children in our village the foundations of knowledge of God and all the amazing things he has done and continues to do that we hope will stay with them as they go

through their lives. Hence the Church Summer Club was started two years ago and continued this year.

Our theme this year was “Bible Superheroes”.

One of our four afternoon activities was focused on telling the story of and preparing a graphic illustration of: Noah and the Ark, Daniel in the Lions Den, Jonah and the Whale, and David and Goliath, each of which has an important lesson for today.

The kids also made Bird Boxes, a Bug Hotel, jewellery, all of which included a cross, and painted a tile with a bible theme.

The mornings were spent in Campoverde Square (Plaza Florida) and the park behind it.

The day started with a prayer and then fun and games with Marylyn. She took them through their paces with exercise, dance and team games.

Everyone then played French Cricket and football. Lunch was at a local bar, the Tipsy Cow, where the children were fed and watered and spent time playing on all the children’s equipment before walking to the Church and Community Hall, known as The Shed, for their afternoon activities.

The whole Summer Club was finished off with an End of the Show Show on Friday August 25. Lots of the children turned up with their family, friends, neighbours and supporters. The grand

Woman hit by car on Orihuela bar terrace

There were 72 children on the register, with an average attendance each week of 33 plus 20 helpers.

A47-year-old woman has suffered multiple seriously multiple injuries when she was run over by a vehicle while she was sitting on a bar terrace located on Calle Extremadura not far from the railway station in Orihuela. The accident happened on Thursday, around 11:45 am, when the driver of the vehicle, a man in his 80s, mounted the pavement having lost control of his vehicle.

The vehicle left the road , driving across the paved area, which is more than two and a half metres wide in this section, and embedded itself against the facade of CafÈ Delicias, according to the data provided by the Local Police.

Medical staff attending the scene managed to stabilized her injuries, which included several fractures, and she was transferred to the Vega Baja Hospital in San BartolomÈ.

They also treated three more people in the cafeteria, which

was very busy at the time. The bar is a very popular hotel business in the centre of Orihuela on the corner with Avenida de Duque de Tamames.

Apolice spokesman said that everything seems to point to human error as the cause of the accident.

finale was the singing of this year’s song: This Little Light of Mine I’m Gonna Let It Shine. All-in-all the whole Church Summer Club of 2023 was a huge success. We had 72 children on our register, with an average attendance each week of 33 plus 20 helpers.

The total cost was covered by donations from within the community. Special thanks go to all

our helpers, too numerous to mention. We are confident that all the children now have more knowledge of God than they did before and we hope and pray that they will remember and draw on that knowledge throughout their lives.

Thanks be to God.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

By John McGregor

What does this picture mean to you? Fear? Rage? Laughter? Amazement? If you live on Mars you might not know this is THE ´mug shot´ of ex-President Donald J. Trump, taken as he addressed his latest batch of appalling charges at Fulton County jail in Georgia last week.

Apart from being carried there by his own jet emblazoned with ´TRUMP´ on the side, how did he ever get to this lowest point in his very-eventful life?

German ancestry meant that Donald´s father Fred Trump had to be careful building his real-estate company around the Second World War as a number of his associates and customers were Jewish.

The enterprising workaholic father of five was notoriously tight, saving sawdust and re-using nails as he built his miniempire of sub-standard houses designed for lower income families with little choice of alternative homes.

Donald had two brothers, Fred Junior older than himself and Robert younger, and two sisters Maryanne and Elizabeth. Fred Junior was popular and talented but did not turn out as his father had intended. He became an airline pilot and married with two children, Mary and Fred 111. Although he came back into the family business later it did not work out. Fred Junior deteriorated due to drink problems, divorced and later sadly died at the young age of 43. As a result of seeing this Donald Trump neither drinks or smokes, it upset him considerably watching his elder brother do it to himself.

Fred senior did not tolerate family weakness and turned his attention to his second son Donald. He became considerably wealthy and mixed with politicians to further his cause. He gave Donald money with which his boy bought his first hotel, slyly joking that perhaps he would later emulate his father´s housing business.

When Trump Senior died in 1993 aged 88 his will said his considerable estate would be split four ways to his remaining children - but not to Fred Junior´s children.

Grandchildren Mary and her brother Fred 111 acrimoniously sued the family for their share, and when Fred´s child needed hospital treatment that had previously been paid for by the family, this was immediately withdrawn.

Donald´s new-found wealth from his father encouraged him to branch out and he became a self-styled property tycoon in his New York home town. To this end he featured in America´s version of ´The Apprentice´, and largely on the strength of this began to be viewed by the Republican Party as a contender for greater things.

But Trump, by now twice married with three children had developed an over-eager interest in the opposite sex: lurid stories began to emerge of his extra-marital affairs and he

was caught on air bragging about his aggressive sexual exploits. One particular attack has landed him in serious trouble today.

Proving that in America anyone within reason can become the President, in 2016 to the shock of the outside world Donald J Trump did just that. With many enemies made along the way from his business transactions and hushed-up affairs quietly-paid-off this aggressive man with little political experience somehow became one of the most important figures in the world.

It didn’t take long before his inexperience and contempt for political protocol began to show. On the world stage, although he travelled to Russia and North Korea this had little effect but his disdain for important treaties like NATO did the USA no favours internationally.

Domestically Trump´s government created some jobs which endeared him to many people, some who will never cease to regard the man as some sort of messiah. But to many more Americans including most Democrats Trump steadily blew it as a ´Commander-in-Chief´ and leader of his country.

The evidence of his inability to run the country came when Covid struck - the man didn’t have a clue, wouldn’t take any of the advice available – and a million Americans died. Come the election, America came to its senses and voted Donald Trump out.

He became a lame-duck one-term president, not a thing to be proud of in US history. This loss was clear by seven million votes, clear to almost everyone except the man himself. In truth he knew he´d lost but instantly launched into total

denial and deceit, ensnaring many of those around him, sychophants only too happy to go along with this amazing and ridiculous subterfuge.

At last, safely booted out of The White House, Trump headed south to his mansion in Florida - but proving the man´s stupidly took confidential government documents with him. He further idiotically denied possession even inveigling his now-troubled lawyers - along with other now-indicted workers. Now they and Trump are in more serious trouble. The debacle of the Election ínterference rumbles on, both nationally, or federally in Yankee speak in the capital Washington DC where Trump alone stands accused and the trial date has now been confirmed as March 4th 2024. But the plot has thickened considerably this week in the Peach State of Georgia. Here a young prosecutor (black, a Democrat – there, I’ve said it) has charged Trump and nineteen others in a conspiracy to alter the election illegally, but only in Georgia. This is why Trump was ordered to the grim prison to be charged along with his other co-conspirators –bring it on…

Oh yes, remember his earlier sexual misdemeanors? Ex-president Trump was found guilty of sexual assault earlier this year. He has appealed with little success and may be in more trouble as a result. His previous New York business ´affairs´ are also catching up with him, he awaits the case coming to court. Four separate charges equal ninety three charges. Trump was once known as ´Teflon Don´ where nothing used to stick to him as he just kept putting everything off. Well, the rage in that mug shot to me said it all – time´s nearly up!

Emotional farewell for Sofia

Having said goodbye to their eldest daughter, Princess Leonor, who left for Zaragoza to start her military training a little under 2 weeks ago, now it is the turn of Infanta Sofía to fly the coop.

The youngest daughter of King Felipe and Queen Leticia left last Tuesday for Wales, where, for the next two years, she will attend the International Baccalaureate at UWC Atlantic College, thereby following in the footsteps of her sister.

The Royal Household released a series of images to show the moment that Sofia left home. They were taken at the gates of the royal residence in Zarzuela. Not only did Sofia say goodbye to her mother and father but she was also joined by Jan, the black labrador that they have as a pet. The puppy was carrying a toy in her mouth and approached the Infanta so that she would take it and throw it for her to retrieve.

A love for animals is something that the king and queen have enjoyed since they were young and that they have taken pains to pass on to their daughters.

The next couple of years will be somewhat emotional for the royal parents as it will be the first time that they are ‘home alone’ in Zarzuela as their two daughters carry out their respective duties.

But they will see Princess Leonor in October, on the occasion of the Pledge of Allegiance of the heiress to the Spanish throne, at the Military Academy in Zaragoza.

MAZÓN ‘ALL SMILES’ AT TOMATINA DE BUÑOL

The President of the Generalitat has attended the Tomatina on the occasion of it’s 76th anniversary.

"La Tomatina represents the smile that the Valencian Community sends to the world," said the head of the Consell,where he has extolled the "open,cheerful,welcoming and hospitable" character of this International festival.

The president explained that,what began as "high spirits" many years ago has become "a wonderful annual occasion that transcends borders and reaches out to all the world".“I feel privileged for having been able to come”, he said.

Mazón was accompanied by the mayoress of Buñol,Virginia Sanz; and the president of the Valencia Provincial Council,Vicente Mompó.

QUICKIE CROSSWORD

ANSWERS

Week 986

QUICK QUICK

ACROSS: ACROSS: 1 Register; 5 Lira; 9 Deaf; 10 Athletic; 11 Bawdy; 12 Retinue; 13 Replenishment; 18 Marksman; 19 Rage; 20 Assegai; 21 Mixed; 22 Toll; 23 Undulate.

DOWN: DOWN: 2 Elevate; 3 Infidel; 4 Extermination; 6 Intense; 7 Ancient; 8 Clutch; 13 Remnant; 14 Perusal; 15 Ensign; 16 Martial; 17 Neglect.

CRYPTIC YPTIC

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS ACROSS

1.Dispute (11)

9.Foolish (7)

10.Repose (5)

11.Clergyman (5)

12.Biased (7)

13.Careless (6)

15.Bowman (6)

18.Gratify (7)

20.Facade (5)

22.Clear (5)

23.Secret laugh (7)

24.Mimic (11)

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

2.Constellation (5)

3.Lockjaw (7)

4.Reside in (6)

5.Mistake (5)

6.Egotistic (7)

7.Perceivable (11)

8.Trial (11)

14.Small quantity (7)

16.Rowdy (7)

17.Population count (6)

19.Scoop (5)

21.Should (5)

ACROSS: ACROSS: 1 Well-to-do; 5 Mini; 9 Agra; 10 Scotfree; 11 Balsa; 12 Naivete; 13 Penny-farthing; 18 Anarchic; 19 Ruth; 20 Inertia; 21 Deuce; 22 Ta-ta; 23 Nepotism.

DOWN: DOWN: 2 Engrave; 3 Liaison; 4 Decontaminate; 6 Israeli; 7 Iceberg; 8 Strict; 13 Pianist; 14 Nearest; 15 Yachts; 16 Hardest; 17 Notices.

ACROSS ACROSS

1.The upper classes have to account for the scary riot taking place outside (11)

9.Ring five times for a symbol (7)

10.Begin to organise a drinking bout (5)

11.Terribly inane musical (5)

12.Ill-feeling stems from the Franco-Uruguayan conflict (7)

13.Bird in a large quarry (6)

15.Pilot's new gun (6)

18.State that the girl's outside the boxing association (7)

20.Lean on a good article (5)

22.As a party member I have a defence (5)

23.Groups of pirates? (7)

24.Translate 'meet up' into Latin before the end (11)

DOWN DOWN

2.Light fabric? (5)

3.Wrongly presume to be the greatest (7)

4.Large vehicles sought by film stars (6)

5.Birdman (5)

6.Was Prince Albert the right type? (7)

7.Oslo data Pat processed and made a meal of (6,5)

8.Sit or lounge around with a doctor (11)

14.Plainer mixture of nuts and sugar (7)

16.Intervening and not quite meriting a change (7)

17.Rolls of a favourite floor covering? (6)

19.Goodbye to commercial that is high class (5)

21.Fool returning to Amin (5)

LEADER TRIVIA QUIZ (Answers on page 22)

1. What is the largest city in the US named after a British PM?

2. Although it has been mistaken for "I bury Paul", at the end of which Beatles song does John say "cranberry sauce"?

3. What is the subtitle to JRR Tolkien's novel 'The Hobbit'?

4. What are the three largest islands in the world with names beginning with the letter "N"?

5. The following are the IOC (Int Olympic Commitee) codes for which countries? a. KSA, b. ESA, c. CIV

6. Victor Emmanuel III was the king of which country between 1900-1946?

7. Until September 11, 2001; the largest single loss of American civilian life in a deliberate act occurred on November 18th, 1978 when 918 people died. In which country did this tragedy take place and what was the name of the settlement?

8. Other than Walt Disney, which American actor is the only other person to have been nominated for an Oscar in six different categories? a. Woody Allen b. Tom Hanks c. Robert Redford d. George Clooney

9. What was the name of the controversial artist responsible

for "The Wrapped Reichstag", "The Gates" and "The Pont Neuf Wrapped"?

10. The following lyrics are all from songs with the word "Dance" somewhere in the song title. Can you name the song? a. Cause your friends don't dance and if they don't dance well they are no friends of mine. b. Before this dance is through I think I'll love you too. c. Hot sun beating down, burning my feet just walking around. d. All we need is a drummer for people who only need a beat, I'm gonna add a little guitar and make it easy to move your feet

11. Which two men with the initials S. P. have won the Academy Award for Best Actor?

12. Which South American country is home to the largest Japanese population outside of Japan?

13. Which 1965 film comedy is dedicated to Elias Howe, the inventor of the sewing machine?

14. The final scene in the film 2010: The Year We Make Contact depicts a single Monolith standing on which Jupiter moon?

15. At which FIFA World Cup was a match decided with a penalty shootout for the first time?

16. The name of which popular cocktail with plenty of ice translated means "little country girl"? One word

17. What are the oldest texts in Sanskrit literature called?

18. Who was the only person or band to have held the top five positions in the US Billboard Hot 100 singles charts?

19. The following is the film poster tag line for which film?

"Her life was in their hands. Now her toe is in the mail."

20. The following is the last line to which novel? "He drew a deep breath. 'Well, I'm back' he said."

HIGH COST OF RETURNING TO SCHOOL

Following Christmas expenditure,where many of us usually spend excessively,January can be a difficult financial month but,for those who have children,September is just as hard,if not more so.

This year,the cost of going back to school will be "the most expensive in history",according to a number of different ‘Mothers and Fathers of Students Associations’(FAPA),with parents spending about 500 euros for each student between 5 and 16 years of age.

A return to the classroom is not only marked by the context of inflation,but also by the uncertainty following the change of regional government and the measures that the new Ministry of Education may still develop.

Javier Pérez ,the Federation’s President in the province of Alicante,points out that,this year,families will have to spend between 20 and 30 euros more than last year.

"Inflation affects us all very directly.The cost may be around 250 euros for material only,while the books will add between 200 and 400 euros more",he says.

The National Catholic Confederation of Families and Parents of Students (Concapa) also confirmed the figures."This year will probably be the most expensive in all of history.

Those who end up paying for everything are the families.We are going to see a rise close to 6 %.The cost in books is more than 300 euros and with material it will amount to about 470 euros in total.Books have increased in price from between 25 and 27 euros to between 30 and 33.

This year the book bank has also been lost due to a new educational law,so the books must be new.Logically,parents are going to have serious problems as they approach the beginning of the new school year.

It's not just books and material,it's also transportation,comido, excursions,uniforms,insurance,extra-curricular activities and AMPA fees...With all that,the cost could rise to around 1,500 euros per child," says Rafael Araújo,the President.

This year will be the most expensive return to school in history in the province of Alicante

Back to school in the Valencian Community

August has come to an end and we are now in the first days of September, the ninth month of the year, which means the end of the holidays for many and a return to routine for the majority, but if there is something characteristic about September, the return of our children to 'school'.

The 2023/2024 school year will begin next Monday on the 11th in the Valencian Community where thousands of Infant, Primary, ESO, Baccalaureate and Vocational Training schoolchildren will return to their classrooms.

But if you are already thinking ahead to the 2024 summer holidays, this new school year will end on 21 June. In between, of course, there will be, as usual, two holiday

periods, Christmas and Easter.

In addition, Valencian students will be able to enjoy a number of other holidays and some long weekends as well as the local holidays that are established by each municipality or city.

If you want to get them in your diaries now, these are the holidays that you will be able to enjoy during the 2023/2024 academic year

Monday 9 October Thursday 12 October

Wednesday, 1 NovemberWednesday 6 December

Friday 8 December

Christmas holiday period, from 22 December to 7 January Easter holiday period, from March 28 to April 8

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 SALTCHURCH 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

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.

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. 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 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 RAFA website 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)

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SEND BY EMAIL TO: office@theleader.info

Carnival in the Hondón Valley

It’s Fiestas in Hondón de los Frailes and last Saturday the streets of this little village were ringing to the sounds, not only of the several Spanish bands in the parade but also the floats with their own (very loud and different) dance music.

It is a great time to celebrate and the DIVAS amateur drama group and their friends were right in the amongst them for the 4th year running with their float, Dick Whittington welcomed to London by the King and Queen.

The parade was enjoyed by an enthusiastic crowd of all nationalities, the final act being the fantastic display of drumming. The celebrations continued well into the night. Information about DIVAS next production – a Pantomime in the New Year - and further photos, can be found on our Facebook page.

PANTO IN THE SUN

After the summer we’ve been having, it feels very strange to be thinking about a Christmas show, but here are members of Adapt Theatre Group having our first read through of this year’s winter spectacular.

It does seem early but time flies, especially when you’re having as much fun as we will be! The script is now finalised and we’re all getting down to learning our lines, although we might wait until it’s a bit cooler for the singing and dancing!

For more information about the ADAPT Theatre group contact Eric at: ericberg2@hotmail.com or visit : https://adapttheatregroup.wordpress.com

The hard work begins for ADAPT

PERCY’S RAMBLINGS

THE GROMMET:

Children are the blessing of the world, all individuals with their own unique way some of which will make you scream other times one rolls up in laughter. I have told stories of our two ladies, the amazing pair, well at least I think so. They have both been brought up in the same household in identical ways and yet they are so different. I feel certain other families have found the same in their off springs.

A little story set in the early nineteen eighties, and involving our eldest, which her sibling would not have thought of, let alone do. We lived close to Bath and Anne was in the sixth form at the local school where she was known to be one who likes a joke.

On one occasion it was during the lunch break and to call everyone back to lessons there was an electric bell. It was a simple item attached to the wall situated in the hallway, a circular dome with a hammer which vibrated at the time to resume work.

Our lovely daughter decided with the help of another girl to disable it. By climbing on the back of her accomplice she could just reach the clanger and by inserting a grommet between the hammer and the bell, stopped it from ringing. Lessons were delayed that day.

Was it vandalism? I do not think so, it’s nothing more than a caper, a nuisance yes, but no damage and gave her class mates a giggle. Nothing like the story coming out of Birmingham where another lady, Christine Buckingham, put a box of books out on her front wall for people to help themselves to, a few people did exactly that.

A group of lads came along and three of them started to throw the books around also tearing the pages from them and throwing the torn pieces in the air – that is vandalism. However, without a doubt today, with this, and possibly other activities she, that is my eldest, would have been diagnosed with ‘Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder’ or ADHD, which I understand from the reports I receive, is being diagnosed not only in children that act differently but also adults. The question arises is there such a thing as ADHD, on children boredom could be a reason or schoolwork is not interesting enough, just simple everyday happening can perhaps trigger an attitude that fits one of the behaviours patterns.

And what are these guides to being diagnosed with a disruptive disorder? There are twelve listed on the web. Here is part of it:

Having a short attention span (that’s definitely me) - being easily distracted - making careless mistakes - for example, in schoolwork; appearing forgetful or losing things; being unable to stick to tasks that are tedious or time-consuming; appearing to be unable to listen to or carry out instruction; being unable to sit still, especially in calm or quiet surroundings; constantly fidgeting; excessive talking; being unable to wait their turn; acting without thinking; interrupting conversation. (I think I fit them all. I better start taking the tablets). Having read that list and there are more, the meaning is most people have ADHD as in my mind it is people acting naturally.…

ADULT ACTIVITY:

Daily, throughout the continuous reporting on television news and other outlets, generally most are keen to inform us of the ‘A’ list personalities who are getting married or divorcing over some disagreement. There are also stories of sexual misconduct by a variety of people, and of course those who are

Regional Government Joins Calls for Second Runway at Alicante

The new Valencia regional Government has joined business groups in urging Spanish airport operator AENAto program and build the second runway at Alicante - Elche Miguel Hern·ndez airport, as, they say, the aerodrome is operating at the limit of its capacity.

The Minister of Tourism, Nuria Montes, made a statement to the fact this week and said that she is confident that this action can be carried out throughout this legislature, so within 4 years. Montes recalls that the Alicante airport has a first-class terminal building, planned to operate up to 25 million passengers per year. Currently, she points out, we are at 16 million but in order

to reach those figures it is necessary to build that second runway.

The minister gives the example of Malaga airport, which moves in figures similar to those of Alicante. The second runway has allowed them, for example, a direct connection with the United States and a possibility of growth much greater than that of Alicante.

The Minister of Tourism recalls that AENAalready has the land reserve to be able to build that second runway and that this action would be much easier than building a new terminal building or a new airport infrastructure.

expecting a child. Then there are fictional programmes explicit in telling stories of two people being in love with each other. All very Interesting – but the news is no more than scandal and probably created by PR people to keep their clients name to the fore and in fiction the love angle is needed, which for certain would mean any child would be aware of these accounts so it would be naive to think children did not know of adult activity.

However, it is difficult not to agree with Will and Maria Taylor from Hull who were shocked when they viewed the images printed in the book ‘Grandads Pride’ provided by Genesis Preschool in Hull, where their four-year-old was attending. The book is a promotion of the thoughts from the LGBTQ+ group and organised and printed by ‘Stonewall’ who state that it is for children aged 4 and upwards.

The two parents were so upset when they saw the images in the book clearly showing the act of bondage and men kissing. They contacted the school concerning the contents of the blatantly sexual images, nevertheless they received no satisfactory answer and immediately removed their child out of the pre-school.

Following the above event and other similar reports, the Conservative MP Miriam Cates claimed that children were being taught “graphic lessons on oral sex, how to choke your partner safely, and 72 genders”.

As a result, a review to create guidelines of what children can be taught was put in place by the Government’s Gillian Keegan, the education secretary who said, “The wellbeing and safeguarding of children is our absolute priority, and I share the concerns of parents and teachers about reports that inappropriate lessons are being taught in schools”.

I would like to think with the Government’s backing, the education of children will improve and be more childlike.

A NEW CRAZE:

When in those teen years with boundless energy which everyone has lived through, we all thought that the world was at our feet and nothing was impossible, hence a new craze by the youth of today of climbing hotel walls and jumping from balcony to balcony, also pictures of young people leaping into swimming pool from dizzying heights.

The thirty thousand Euro fine imposed by the authorities on the daredevils should help them to see sense and the dangers. Take care.

www.facebook.com/percy chattey winner of five writing awards

Despite just the one runway, passenger traffic continues to increase significantly

Myths about the ITV Inspection Explained

The Inspección Técnica de Vehículos, or ITV test, is a mandatory process for all cars from their fourth year of life that, on occasions, arouses many doubts and questions. Here we briefly explain some of those doubts, and the reality around these top myths.

The ITV, which is similar to the MOT in the UK, is an essential requirement to ensure both road safety and care for the environment. Despite the fact that the process is simple and a large majority (81.5%) of vehicles pass this inspection on the first attempt, it is a nervous time for most drivers.

Performing the ITV after the deadline carries an additional surcharge

The ITV stations do not apply any fine for delay in carrying out the technical inspection of vehicles. However, if you drive the car with an expired ITV this is considered a serious offence and you can be fined up to 500 euro because of the potential danger this poses to yourself and other road users. You should conduct the test before the last day of expiration, and if you don´t then the only legal option is to take the vehicle to the

inspection centre on the back of a tow truck.

You cannot drive a vehicle with an expired ITV in any circumstance. You may have the test conducted up to a month before the expiry and the outstanding time is added on.

You have to take the test in the region in which you live

This is a myth. The ITV inspection can be carried out in any autonomous community, regardless of where the vehicle is registered. It is true that in some areas the test differs, but these elements are additional tests and are outside the minimum mandatory requirements. You are free to choose your area, inspection centre, and even shop around for the best price, if you wish.

You don´t have to display the ITV sticker in the windscreen

Again, this is not true. The ITV sticker, also known as V-19, must be placed in a visible place, and should be in the top right-hand corner of the windscreen as we are looking out, and is as important as any other vehicle document. Failure to display the sticker can result in a fine of 100 euro. You should also

only display the current, valid sticker, not a collection. On vehicles without a windscreen it should be placed in a visible location.

A workshop cannot carry out the technical inspection of a vehicle

Again, this is not true. Although many garages offer pre-ITV tests, only the ITV stations authorised by each Autonomous Community can carry out the technical inspection of vehicles. The workshops can only carry out repairs and maintenance to guarantee that the

vehicle complies with the ITV requirements. Foreign vehicles can have an ITV test This is a common question and is both true and false at the same time. A foreign vehicle can be subjected to an ITV test, however the certification of that test is not valid in Spain. The mandatory inspection must be done in the country of registration. The ITV centre will inspect any vehicle to ensure it is safe, but they are unable to certify it as such, and only advise.

WHO ARE THE MOST UNDERRATED LA LIGA SUMMER SIGNINGS?

La Liga has been one of the biggest forces in European soccerfor as long as continental competition has existed. The league is seen as one of the most attractive landing spots in the entire footballing world. As a result, superstars regularly flock to the Spanish top flight.

The league of course hosts giant clubs in Real Madrid and FC Barcelona who are responsible for some of the biggest transfers in the history of the game. However, this summer, the league has seen many low-cost signings made that could prove to be invaluable additions to their new teams. Which have been the most underrated signingsby Spanish top-flight clubs this summer, and why could they be important for their new clubs?

BARCA'S FREE TRANSFERS

Barcelona has managed to strengthen this summer despite operating under financial constraints. Their business has left them firmly placed as one of Europe's strongest teams and are once again being heavily tipped to win the UEFAChampions League.

In all likelihood, the club is not quite pre-

pared to become champions of Europe for a sixth time with many other experts suggesting that Manchester City is likely to win the UCLfor a second season running at the conclusion of the 2023/24 campaign.

However, Barcelona have made up some ground this summer due to their smart work in the market. They acquired both Ilkay Gundogan and Inigo Martinez on free transfers.

The club made a profit of around €90million in the summer transfer window, yet managed to add a world-class midfielder and a solid defensive rotation option to the squad.

Gundogan is the standout addition, he will bea much-needed leader in Barca's midfield following the Sergio Busquets departure to Inter Miami. He is a midfield allrounder who couldestablish himself as one of the leading players in his position in La Liga.

The German international may have been beaten to the headlines by the huge signings made by rivals Real Madrid, but his influence could be as great as any new signing in the league.He's a player who

elevates the quality of everyone around him with his positional discipline and exceptional work rate.

BUNDESLIGATO LALIGA

Several stars have made the switch from the Bundesliga to La Liga over the summer. Dodi Lukebakio's switch to Sevilla is one that has gone under the radar compared to others.

Sevilla's track record of signing players that prove to have been undervalued has been incredible in modern times. For example, Diego Carlos cost the club €15 million from FC Nantes in 2019 and was sold for more than

double to Aston Villa in 2022. Lukebakio cost just €10 million largely due to his former club Hertha Berlin's Bundesliga relegation last season. In 32 Bundesliga appearances, he managed 11 goals and four assists last season from the right-wing position. He is a skillful dribbler that guarantees goal contributions for his team.

The Belgian's fee was minuscule considering his past performance record. He has developed excellently in the Bundesliga in recent years, and at 25 years old he is set to enjoy the prime of his career in the south of Spain.

While Barcelona have certainly been proactive in securing additions that improve the team despite their difficult financial situation, Sevilla, meanwhile, always seem make smart decisions in the transfer market, and this summerthey appear to have penned a bargain signing yet again.

Dodi Lukebakio's switch to Sevilla is one that has gone under the radar compared to others.

THE 5 STAR KILDARE Hotel and Country Cub is hosting the Irish Open from September 6- 10th.The chateau-style hotel on the river Liffey is said to provide unimaginable luxury and comfort,even by the exacting standards of it's multi-millionaire guests.

Rory McIlroy delighted his fans in 2016 by winning the Irish Open there,turning a one-stroke deficit into a three-shot victory, with a birdie/par/eagle finish.He donated the winners' cheque to charity.That's the style.

SAN MIGUEL PRODIGY DIMI RETURNS TO RACING

Racing San Miguel coach Adrián Sánchez has boosted his squad with the signing of Demetrio De Miguel Stadnik (Dimi) for the coming season.

If they can tear themselves away from the K Club the players then head to Wentworth on September14-17th where last year Shane Lowry won the BMW PGA Championship with a -17 victory, beating Rory and Jon Rahm into tied second place without dropping a shot the whole week.

Then it's off to the Alfred Dunhill Links (5th October) with it's individual tournament and ProAm team championship. Held at Kingsbarns,Carnoustie and St. Andrews Old Course,a good time will be

"Defensive midfielder Dimi is a versatile player who can also playforward, or even in a central role," said Sánchez.

The new signing from San Miguel trained in the lower categories of Racing San Miguel CF and Racing Playas de Orihuela.

"The coaching staff have been very satisfied

SPAIN TO MEET ENGLAND AT PINATAR ARENA

Starting on Wednesday the Pinatar Arena complex will host the Pinatar Supercup under-17 football tournament, a competition that will include national teams from England, Portugal, Morocco and Spain, with some of the very best young talent in Europe and N Africa going head-to-head on the football field.

The arena will host the tournament from September 6 to 12 with a total of six games in all.

On Wednesday, Spain and Morocco will open the competition at 11am with England and Portugal facing each other at 7pm.

On Saturday the 9th, with the same schedules, when Spain will play Portugal and England will meet Morocco and then on Tuesday 12th the tournament will close with Morocco versus Portugal at 11:00 in the morning and then, the highlight of the tournament for local fans, where England will once again take on Spain at 6pm.

The cost of entry to all matches will be five euro with children under three years of age admitted free.

had by all,even if,like last year,everyone ends up soaked and frozen.

THE SOLHEIM CUP comes to Spain for the first time at Finca Cortesin,Casares, Andalucia,from 18-24th September. Contested over three days,it follows the same format as the Ryder Cup,with 28 matches – 8 foursomes and 8 fourballs over the first two days and 12 singles on the final day.In 2021,at Inverness Club in Ohio Catriona Matthew's team Europe made it back to back wins with a thrilling 15-13 victory over Pat Hurst's U.S.Team. Europe have won four of the last six Solheim Cups,including a memorable contest at Gleneagles in 2019,when they won each of the last 3 games,Suzann Pettersen holding her nerve to hole the winning 7footer on the 18th green of the last match. Let's hope her nerve holds when she captains her team this time around.

ONLY A HANDFUL of 58's have been recorded in golf,none on LIV Tour.That was until Bryson deChambeau shot 12 under par at the Old White Course at Greenbrier,capturing his first LIV Golf title in the process.Striving for marginal gains in everything has undoubtedly earned him the nickname ‘The Scientist.' His desperation for that extra 1% of perfection took him to Scottsdale following The Open,to take advantage of their SST Puring technology.

Scottsdale’s master club fitters went through every club in his bag,revising and dialling in spin rates,ball speeds,and flight characteristics.Research shows structural irregularities in shafts can cause bending and twisting during the swing,leading to inconsistencies between clubs and higher dispersion rates.

with Dimi's performance pre-season. "He is a footballer who, despite lacking senior experience, has shown some very good qualities to be able to contribute to the team.

"We are fully confident that he will perform at a high level this year," added coach Sánchez.

The SST Puring system analyses shaft structure and identifies its most stable bending plane before aligning with the clubhead in a new optimal orientation,giving higher consistency.With his adjusted bag firing out the desired numbers,Bryson headed for Greenbrier where he joined the very exclusive 58-club.Was he happy? Fairly, but if,like Bryson,you have a minion spraying your golf balls between practice shots to replicate morning dew then you're probably not easily satisfied.

YOU PROBABLY have to own at east 150 camels to be considered for membership, but the ERBIL HILLS GOLF CLUB, Kurdistan,Iraq's first golf course,will feature a world class 7,128 yd.championship course designed by renowned course architects Dye Designs.With more than one million inhabitants,Erbil is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world,dating back more than 8000 years. The gated development will include 300 exclusive residences around the golf course which will apparently offer a new style of green,luxury living.Expanding from nine holes to eighteen in 2024,Erbil Hills aims to host major international competitions. Russell Hannah of IMG Golf said: “Erbil Hills Golf Club is a truly unique development that will offer all residents and guests an active,healthy lifestyle.”

Who'd have thought you'd be heading to Iraq for your health.

Until next time: Happy Golfing. Contact Mick for regripping and repairs.Tel.638 859 475 or visit https://mickthegrip.blogspot.com

New season about to launch

The Valencia 2nd Regional Group 8,2023-24 season, kicks-off this month with 16 teams competing in the new campaign.

The newly formed FFCV Group 8 features Aspe UD,CD Montesinos,Elche Dream CF,CD Cox,CFE Il-Licitana Raval,CF Atletico Algorfa,CF Rafal,Alguena CF.

Racing San Miguel CF,Sporting Dolores CF,UD La CocaAspense,CD Eldense C,Guardamar Soccer CD,Monovar Atletico,CF Sporting Albatera and UD Sax.

With pre-season preparations completed CD Montesinos also played the annual Fred Griggs Trophy,defeating Sporting Saladar 5-1 on August 27.

Montesinos open their campaign with an away trip to Aspe UD on September 10,hosting Alguena CF on September 17 at the Municipal Stadium (TBC).

THE 5 STAR KILDARE Hotel and Country Cub

CD Montesinos, winners of the Fred Griggs Trophy

by Tony Mayes

IT’S A MAD, MAD WORLD

and thousands more were unable to start their holidays on the busiest day of the year.The madness is that we have become almost totally dependent on computers – so much so we have lost the ability to do anything manually any more.

Ithink it is a pretty safe bet that the vast majority of you,when you read a newspaper or watch the news on TV,think the world is going more insane by the day.

Let’s look at a number of examples.Perhaps the maddest thing that’s happened in the past fortnight is that kiss.Probably it will be remembered as the kiss which rocked the world.

I suspect that Luis Rubiales didn’t put his brain in gear before he kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s Womens World Cup win.He shouldn’t have done it,it was stupid – he should have done what so many Spanish do and kiss on both cheeks.

And when he saw the tidal wave of female outrage heading his way he could,so easily,have apologised,said he did it without thinking,on the spur of the moment,consumed with monumental national pride in the Spanish women’s team. That would have gone down so well and taken the heat out of the situation.Instead,in ridiculous macho,matador style he tried to pretend the kiss was consensual and refused to apologise.Jenni, instead of being hailed as one of the heroines of the hour,found herself at the centre of controversy, not of her making,and was even threatened with legal action.

Madness? Yes,total madness,compounded by women marching in the streets,in effect saying,oh woe are we.Yes,women have suffered for generations in not being treated as equals but that is changing.Not quickly enough in my view,but we’re getting there.But please stop trying to be martyrs – it’s getting most boring,like minorities banging on about injustices and trying to get reparations at every turn.

MADNESS NUMBER 2. A glitch in air traffic control over the UK brought flights to a standstill and chaos at airports.Thousands of holiday makers were left stranded in airports around the world

SUDUK SUDUK

4.In order:New Guinea, North Island, Newfoundland, 5.a. Saudi Arabia, b.El Salvador, c.Ivory Coast.6.Italy.7.Guyana, Jonestown (The Jonestown massacre).8.Answer d. George Clooney (nominations include: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Screenplay, Best Adapted Screenplay).9. Christo (and Jeanne-Claude).10.a. Safety Dance (Men Without Hats).b.I'm Happy Just To Dance WithYou (Beatles). c.I Can't Dance (Genesis).d.Dance To The Music (Sly And The Family Stone).

11.Sean Penn and Sidney Poiter.12. Brazil.13.Help!.14.Europa.15.Spain

1982 (semi-final between West Germany and France).16.Caipirinha.17.Vedas.18. Beatles (April 1964).19.The Big Lebowski.20.The Lord of the Rings.

It’s the same obsession with iphones – if the system went down,how many teenagers or 20 somethings would be able to read a map or find out the most basic information about anything? If an enemy managed to shut down the UK’s National Grid,the country would be totally in the proverbial.

WANT MORE MADNESS? How about the newly-introduced Greater London ultra-low emission zone,requiring drivers of older,more polluting vehicles to pay a 12.50 pound per day charge.Ask Londoners whether they want cleaner air and the majority would give a resounding yes,because living close to main roads stinks.

But it should have been handled far better,with several years’ notice and a meaningful scrappage scheme,to help poorer people who rely on their cars with some financial help.

My daughter helps run a riding stable giving rides for disabled children and those with learning disabilities.She lives outside the zone,as do many other volunteers and parents with disabled children.The stables are a few hundred yards inside the zone.Is it fair that they should pay 12.50 pounds a day to help give disabled and children with learning difficulties more confidence?

Of course,one of the greatest UK madness examples is the way the NHS is being destroyed.The number of patients whose appointments or procedures have been cancelled since industrial action started now stands at 850,000.Any government which is not around the bend would have held discussions with doctors and nurses and got a solution.

The government has been under fire for allowing water companies to pollute rivers.Now the government is proposing scrapping EU-era water pollution restrictions for housing developments in a bid to build more homes,Up to 100,000 new homes could be built by 2030 if rules around building houses near waterways in protected areas are loosened say the Tories.If it happens, just don’t go anywhere near rivers! WANT MORE MADNESS? A police officer died when he was hit by a train trying to save a man who was attempting to kill himself on a railway track.

O SOLUTION O SOLUTION

WORLD-WIDE MADNESS? It’s got to be the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the continued religious conflicts in the Muslim world causing thousands of refugees,many trying to cross the Channel in flimsy boats and risk their lives. Madness,madness.In my book it’s the Muslim world (and some are obscenely rich) which should look after its own,it’s not for the West to provide an open door for the rest of the world. How about more madness?

Britain should have properly controlled euthanasia as other countries do – It should not be the job of rescue services to try to stop a person hell bent on suicide,and by so doing put their own lives at risk.

I am sure you could bombard with countless more examples of modern-day madness – these are just a few examples from listening to just one day’s TV news.

But I will leave you with just one more example.In the UK we live on a mobile home site which is governed by many rules for the well-being of residents. We are unfortunate enough to live close to someone with a yakky dog,which goes berserk whenever anyone passes. The owners do nothing to control their beloved pet.

On one particularly warm day we had the door open and the dog was more noisy than normal.During one long outburst my wife shouted “shut up”.The

husband bounded over the road and shouted “don’t you speak to my dog like that.”

When we suggested he keep his dog quiet he threatened to report us to the park owners.The rules say dog owners should keep their pets under control and not allow them to annoy neighbours. Here’s an example of madness which comes from people who put their pets before the well-being of people.

It makes sense to have government Defence Secretary who,in a former existence,was a British Army officer.This was Ben Wallace,who quit his job this week,to be replaced by Grant Shapps, whose claim to fame is that he founded a design,print,website creation and marketing business after graduating from Manchester Polytechnic with a business and finance diploma. He is now in charge of Britain's defences,without any military experience whatsoever.Madness: Britain safer in his hands? Ha ha! I imagine the Kremlin is having a good laugh. The government has known for years that buildings constructed with concrete impregnated with bubbles (like Aero) are dangerous.It was used for about 25 years but was found to crumble when it gets wet.

A week before school term starts 100 schools have been told they cannot open because of the use of bubble concrete.Hospital buildings have this concrete too.You couldn't make it up could you?

IT'S ALL PART OF THE BRITISH MADNESS!

QUIZ FROM PAGE 14:

1.Pittsburg.2.Strawberry Fields Forever,

3.There and Back Again,