Edition 1141 Monday 17th - Sunday 23rd Aug 2026
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19 orrevieja mayor Eduardo Dolón has accused the Spanish Government of abandoning the town and renewed his demand for the immediate tender and construction of the long-awaited N-332 widening scheme. Dolón has sent another letter to the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility after what the council says have been more than 100 unanswered requests for a meeting with Transport Minister Óscar Puente or senior officials responsible for the project. The mayor said the continued lack of dialogue was not simply a rejection of him or the council, but a snub to Torrevieja’s residents and the thousands of people who visit the municipality. “This is an infrastructure project of particular and urgent importance to Torrevieja,” Dolón said. “We are not asking for special treatment, but for essential work to improve road safety, mobility and one of the municipality’s most serious transport problems.” MORE THAN 60,000 VEHICLES A DAY More than 60,000 vehicles use the Torrevieja section of the N-332 every day, with traffic rising substantially during holiday periods. The volume of vehicles causes frequent congestion, lengthy journey times and serious difficulties for motorists entering or leaving the town.
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Dolón described it as unacceptable that a municipality with Torrevieja’s population, economic activity and level of tourism should remain dependent on a heavily congested road whose proposed duplication has still not gone out to tender.
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He blamed Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Transport Minister Óscar Puente for the continuing delay.
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“After years of demands and promises, it is shameful that the Government has not even managed to launch the tender,” the mayor said.
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MINISTER’S COMMITMENT REMAINS UNFULFILLED
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Dolón recalled that Puente publicly committed to tendering the N-332 widening work in 2025 during a forum organised by the newspaper INFORMACIÓN in 2024.
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Two years later, the mayor said, that promise remained unfulfilled and Torrevieja continued to face daily traffic jams without any firm dates, timetable or explanation from the Government. He added that none of the council’s repeated communications had received a meaningful response from either political representatives or technical officials able to explain the project’s current position. According to Dolón, the only replies received have been administrative acknowledgements from the minister’s office confirming the council’s repeated requests for a meeting. “No one is addressing the problem and no
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one is meeting with the council,” he said. “No more excuses” Dolón said he was tired of what he described as broken promises, delays and institutional disregard towards Torrevieja. He questioned how much longer residents and visitors would be expected to endure congestion that damages mobility, road safety and the municipality’s economic and tourism development. The mayor promised to continue pressing
for the project until the Ministry launches the tender and the road improvements are completed.
ic data or inadequate instructions for
“Torrevieja will continue demanding what it deserves,” he said. “We will not accept any more excuses, silence or broken promises. The Spanish Government must immediately tender the widening of the N332 and provide the town with the safe and adequate transport connections it needs.”
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text or other layout features. Further no responsibility is accepted for any loss or damage caused by an error, inaccuracy or non-appearance of any advertiseduced are checked prior to insertion. We regret that we cannot accept responsibility for more than ONE incorrect insertion and that no re-publication will be granted in the case of typographical or minor changes which do not affect the value of the advertisement. E&OE. NO PART OF THIS NEWSPAPER MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE PUBLISHERS.
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nvironmental campaigners are seeking to block a housing development near Torrevieja’s salt lagoon, warning that it would place an “unbearable burden” on the municipality. However, rejection could complicate plans to expand Torrevieja Hospital and improve the CV-95.
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Friends of the Southern Alicante Wetlands (AHSA) has lodged objections to Amendment 116 of Torrevieja’s General Plan and the Partial Plan for Sector S-29 La Ceñuela. The scheme covers 29 hectares and would allow approximately 1,350 homes in buildings of up to eight storeys, accommodating 3,300 people close to the lagoon. AHSA wants the land to retain its non-developable status, describing the proposals as “manifestly unsustainable”. Its objections, submitted on July 29, say the site forms part of a green corridor connecting coastal and wetland habitats. Several shallow ravines and drainage channels cross the sector and flow towards the lagoon. Environmentalists fear construction would damage the landscape, weaken ecological links and contribute to an almost continuous urban area between Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa. The organisation argues that decades of residential expansion have placed pressure on the La Mata and Torrevieja Lagoons Natural Park. It questions whether Torrevieja has exceeded growth limits established under regional planning legislation. Part of La Ceñuela lies within the protective zone established by the Natural Resources Management Plan for southern Alicante’s wetlands. Other sections feature in
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coastal green infrastructure identified under PATIVEL, the regional plan protecting undeveloped coastal land. Flooding is another objection. AHSA identified four shallow ravines affecting the site, recognised under the PATRICOVA plan as areas exposed to geomorphological hazards. It says these conditions provide another reason to prevent construction. The dispute has renewed criticism of Torrevieja’s reliance on a General Plan approved in 1986. AHSA believes modern sustainability assessments would prevent the land from being reclassified under an updated General Structural Plan. The process of awarding a contract to prepare that plan has remained stalled for more than six years. Campaigners claim the delay allows projects including La Ceñuela and Sector 20 La Hoya to proceed under less restrictive rules. AHSA says objections were previously submitted in 2004 and 2005, warning of damage to the lagoon and its wider ecological corridor. Torrevieja’s PP-led government argues that the project, pending for more than 20 years, would secure land for public infrastructure. This includes an extension to Torrevieja Hospital and the potential widening of 800 metres of the CV-95 between the hospital roundabout and La Veleta. The developer supplied the existing hospital site in the early 2000s under an agreement connected to the future reclassification of surrounding land. Progress halted in 2018 when approximately half the sector received PATIVEL protection. That designation was later overturned following a legal challenge by the landowner. The council must now balance the homes and infrastructure against flood risks, environmental safeguards and the future of one of Torrevieja’s most sensitive landscapes.
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IMMERSIVE CARE ARRIVES AT TORREVIEJA HOSPITAL Torrevieja University Hospital has installed an immersive projection system to support patients in its Mental Health Unit. The technology transforms hospital rooms by displaying images across walls and ceilings, accompanied by ambient sound. Patients can experience forests, seascapes, starry skies, mindfulness exercises and guided relaxation sessions tailored to their therapeutic needs. Unlike conventional virtual reality, the system requires no headset or glasses, allowing patients and professionals to share the experience and communicate throughout sessions. The hospital says it will complement medical and psychological treatments by promoting relaxation, reducing anxiety and supporting emotional regulation. Similar technology is used in more than 100 healthcare centres in Spain and abroad. The installation forms part of Torrevieja Hospital’s programme to create friendlier, more personalised and less intimidating clinical environments.
Torrevieja Approves €5.5m New Heated Pool Project
Torrevieja City Council has approved the e5.53 million project for a new heated swimming pool at the Sports City, but construction has not yet been authorised. The contract must first be advertised and awarded, with an 18-month building period planned once work begins.
Located behind the Tavi y Carmona Sports Palace, opposite the Cecilio Gallego Pavilion, the facil-
ity will connect with the existing indoor swimming complex. It will include a 25 x 12.5-metre pool for training, warm-ups and aquatic activities, together with spectator seating and separate women’s, men’s and mixed family changing rooms.
Plans also provide accessible facilities, landscaped areas, improvements to the car park and bicycle spaces. An independent high-efficiency heating
system, heat-recovery dehumidification and rooftop solar panels will reduce energy consumption. Renewable sources
must supply at least 70 per cent of the demand for pool heating and domestic hot water.
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NINETY-TWO ALICANTE DRIVERS FACED COURT IN JULY Ninety-two motorists in Alicante province were referred to the courts for suspected road safety offences during July, accounting for almost 41 per cent of all cases across the Valencian Community. Driving without a valid licence was Alicante’s most common offence, involving 47 motorists. Another 37 were investigated for drink-driving, while four faced proceedings for reckless driving. Two were accused of driving with drugs in their system, one of speeding and another of leaving an accident scene. Across the Valencian Community, Guardia Civil traffic officers referred 225 drivers to court. The regional total included 116 drinkdriving cases and 98 involving motorists without valid licences. Among the latter, 54 had lost every point on their permits, 10 were temporarily banned, one was permanently disqualified and 33 had never obtained a licence. Valencia province recorded 96 cases, while Castellón registered 37, making Alicante the second-highest province but the regional leader for unlicensed driving.
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DRUG DRIVER WRECKS TORREVIEJA TERRACE woman faces a e1,000 fine and six penalty points after crashing into a restaurant terrace in central Torrevieja and testing positive for drugs. The accident happened early on Sunday near Joaquín Chapaprieta, San Pascual and Apolo streets. Her car left the road, destroying two stone planters and the restaurant’s wooden decking. The business was closed, nobody was seated outside and the driver escaped injury. Local Police attended, tested the woman and arranged for the vehicle’s removal. The positive drug result
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must still be confirmed by laboratory analysis. Unless officers can prove the substance impaired her driving, the case is expected to remain an administrative matter. The damaged terrace is particularly important to the restaurant during the busy tourist season.
COSTA DRIVERS FACE SPEED BLITZ Drivers heading to the Costa Blanca and Costa Cálida face intensified speed checks after 107 people died on Spain’s roads during July. The fatalities occurred in 97 crashes, despite the total being five lower than in July 2025. 49.5 million long-distance journeys were recorded, two per cent more than last year. Speed was involved in one-quarter of fatal accidents, with conventional roads remain-
ing the most dangerous. As holiday traffic surges towards Alicante and Murcia’s coastal resorts, DGT and Guardia Civil officers are increasing enforcement under the ROADPOL initiative. Checks will target speeding, drink and drug driving, mobile phone use, seat belts and reckless manoeuvres. Motorists are urged to rest and inspect tyres, brakes and lights.
PIOC — the Party for the Independence of Orihuela Costa — represents people seeking a more prosperous, autonomous and effectively managed future for the coast. For too long, important decisions affecting Orihuela Costa have been made in Orihuela city without sufficient consideration of the coast’s distinct needs, population and priorities. PIOC believes that creating an independent municipality would provide more responsive local government, improve public services and allow the coast’s resources to be managed for the benefit of its community. The party is preparing a formal independence dossier supported by technical reports
assessing the viability of a separate municipality. Demonstrating public support through petition signatures is an important first step in that process. By signing, you are supporting better services, greater local accountability and Orihuela Costa’s right to determine its own future. Residents and non-residents are encouraged to take part. Sign the petition and help make an independent Orihuela Costa a reality. Follow the link: https://c.org/9kqBkmRWXY or search Google by typing in: PIOC Petition Independence for the coast
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ENTRE NARANJOS POOL TRAGEDY CLAIMS TODDLER 19-month-old boy has died after being found in a private swimming pool at a home in the Entre Naranjos urbanisation, near Orihuela.
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His mother discovered him in the water at around 11am on Wednesday and immediately raised the alarm. Emergency teams treated the toddler at the scene before transferring him in critical condition to Alicante’s Doctor Balmis General Hospital, where he died on Thursday. The circumstances remain unclear. The tragedy follows two fatal drownings on Torrevieja beaches in July. Across Spain, 308 people died in aquatic environments during the first seven months
of 2026, including 31 young victims aged under 18. Experts urge constant supervision of children around water.
TORREVIEJA SCOOTER FALL CLAIMS RIDER’S LIFE A 41-year-old man died after falling from an electric scooter in Torrevieja on August 8. The accident happened at around 8.30pm at the junction of Calle San José and Rambla Juan Mateo. The Colombian national reportedly lost control while travelling in the wrong direction and without a helmet, suffering a fatal head injury. Witnesses gave differing accounts of whether he struck a kerb, cobblestones or steps outside a nearby bar. A SAMU medical team attended but could not save him. Police are investigating the precise circumstances, including unconfirmed claims that alcohol may have been involved. The tragedy comes as officers intensify checks on scooters following new tighter national safety regulations.
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SAT ANIMAL RESCUE Elfie is on his way… could he be walking into your heart? This handsome boy is ready to swap kennel life for sofa snuggles, long walks, and a family to call his own. He’s got the smile, the gentle eyes, and a heart full of love — now he just needs you. Email: info@satanimalrescue.com WhatsApp 688792515 or 966710047
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Police have dismantled a migrant-smuggling network operating between Algeria and Spain, arresting five suspects in Alicante and Murcia and seizing 2 speedboats. The investigation followed a crossing carrying at least 24 migrants, including 4 minors. Passengers were allegedly ordered into the sea without life jackets when officers approached. A fleeing boat’s propeller seriously injured a 15-year-old boy, while several others required resuscitation or suffered fuel-related burns. Migrants reportedly paid up to e10,000 each. Suspects face multiple allegations including criminal organisation membership, illegal immigration, smuggling, assault, weapons and explosives offences.
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70-YEAR-OLD BRITISH TOURIST DIES IN BENIDORM PARASAILING ACCIDENT
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70-year-old British tourist has died following a parasailing accident off Benidorm that also left a 47-yearold man seriously injured. The accident happened on Monday evening near Tío Ximo Cove and the Cola de Caballo headland. Emergency services were alerted at 6.41pm after the line connecting the parasail to its towing boat reportedly broke. The two participants were carried uncontrollably towards the coast before crashing onto rocks in the Rincón de Loix area. Paramedics treated the woman for cardiorespiratory arrest and multiple injuries, initially succeeding in reviving her. She was transferred in critical condition to Marina Baixa Hospital but later died. The injured man was taken to Sant Joan d’Alacant University Hospital. Witnesses reported seeing the parasail drift towards the rocks after separating from the boat. The Civil Guard is investigating the tow line, equipment maintenance, operation of the excursion and prevailing weather. A yellow warning was reportedly active,
with strong gusts and deteriorating sea conditions recorded. Investigators will determine whether regulations were followed and whether changing weather could have contributed to the fatal accident. The precise cause of the line failure remains officially unconfirmed.
New European Union packaging rules will progressively remove unnecessary plastics from Spanish shops, hotels and restaurants. From 2030, supermarkets will generally be unable to wrap small quantities of fresh produce in single-use plastic, while miniature hotel toiletries, plastic can rings and individual condiment sachets will be restricted. From February 2027, takeaway businesses must accept customers’ reusable containers without charges. Online retailers face limits on oversized boxes. Spain must cut packaging waste by five per cent by 2030 and achieve a 90% collection rate for plastic bottles and metal drinks containers.
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‘Letting the game flow ...’ or many of us old sporting ‘dinosaurs’ it is a struggle to get used to the fact that the GAA inter-county year is over and only half the year gone. Actually, the whole thing now gets rushed off in three months; thus clearing the deck for soccer, boxing and concerts.
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Be that as it may, we’ll all now ‘get back to the clubs’ and attendances at domestic soccer games will continue to rise - as it has done by 30% over the past three years. But what another incredible year it has been for Gaelic Football, culminating with Westmeath, Mayo, Roscommon and Wicklow reaching their respective promised lands. Hurling may not have reached the dizzy heights of the last few years; but overall, for entertainment value, both codes get 10 out of 10! There is always a flurry of opinions at this time of years as to how our national games can be improved and everyone is entitled to have a say. The ‘Great Hurling Man’ featured heavily all during the current championship; in the pubs, on the stands and on the Sunday Game. ‘Great Hurling Man’ is ‘above’ a lot of small talk from less qualified fans. He doesn’t necessarily have to have played with the county, as long as he drank the same water from the Nore, the Suir or the Lee. Hurling fans from mid or lower tier hurling counties have no business telling ‘Great Hurling Man’ that you don’t have to be a great singer to know when someone is singing the song well – he knows the map of Ireland and where the real lines are drawn! ‘Great Hurling Man’ exercised his greatness on one aspect of the game in particular this year. He is death on referees who ‘don’t let
the game flow!’ Now, in fairness to our hero, he doesn’t come right out and propose we should go back to the ‘blood and bandages’ matches of pre-television, but by and large, the referee should keep his whistle where it belongs ... in his pocket! ‘Let the game flow ...’ with the odd exception of course. ‘Great Hurling Man’s’ team is a point behind in the last minute. His county star-forward has the ball out near the sideline. He is harried, harassed and shepherded over the line. Quite possibly an innocuous little foul by one of the defenders; but the ref doesn’t blow and ‘lets the game flow’. ‘Great Hurling Man’ now goes berserk and will never forgive the referee for ‘not blowing for a blatant foul!’ Not-so-great ‘Hurling Man’ will try to explain to ‘Great Hurling Man’ that you either enforce all the rules or do it his way and allow the referee to blow his whistle just whenever it takes his fancy. Nobody likes an overly-fussy referee, but it is his job to consistently apply the rules of the game just as it states in the rule-book. A good referee has a natural authority, earns respect and conducts the match under the rules laid down for the job. All of us spectators need to realise that most often it isn’t the referee that is the problem. The referee doesn’t commit the foul – so the foul is the problem and every foul should be a free – no matter what the ‘great men’ think. ‘Great Football Man’ can come from just about any county, but those from a ‘weaker county’ should always have the manners to give way to ‘Great Football Man’ from ‘serious contenders.’ Here again, the biggest gripe will be about referees preventing the game from ‘flowing’ – same as with ‘Great Hurling Man’.
Not-so-great-football-man will argue the toss that letting the game flow at the expense of implementing the rules of the game will lead to inconsistencies, frustration for players and spectators alike, higher level of fouling – and quite possibly even a referee losing control of the game. Players quickly read a referee and if he is a man who likes to ‘let the game flow’ the match will descend into a tug-of-war of pulling and dragging. ‘Taking the physicality out of the game’ is a combined gripe from the great men of both codes. He won’t come right out and say it, but dig a little and you will find that ‘Great Hurling Man’ and ‘Great Football Man’ will agree that ‘cutting a few welts’ out of opponent ads a bit of spice
to the game. In business some years back I was sometimes ridiculed by staff for being ‘sticky’ on the little things. (Turning the toilet-roll the correct way!) My argument always was that as soon as you allow the bottom layer of rules to go by default, soon the next layer won’t matter either. This is how it works with refereeing a match as well. DON’T FORGET Not only in Donegal, but right across the world of Gaeldom, a pallor of gloom and sorrow hangs in the air since news of the tragic deaths of James McHugh and his wife, Noreen broke. We in Westmeath are especially conscious of our connection to the family - after what James’ nephew, Mark, has done for us this year. We also remember Offaly’s Padraig Horan, while recalling great days in Croke Park Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha.
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ILLEGAL TAXIS EXPLOIT LICENCE DELAYS
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ing a post-mortem examination. It is the second similar fatality recorded on a Santa Pola beach this summer.
He is demanding details of money spent on repairs and temporary measures, together with a firm reopening date. Grao said residents simply need the lift to work again.
PSOE CHALLENGES GRANT DELAYS CF Orihuela are owed e120k from 2025
a dozen public green spaces despite July’s extreme temperatures.
Taxi drivers have warned that unlicensed passenger services are increasing across Orihuela Costa as the council’s licensing process remains stalled.
Teams carried out pruning, grass cutting, cleaning, general repairs and irrigation improvements at locations including Reina de la Sal Park, La Siesta Park, Plaza de la Constituci?n, Avenida del Agua, Mar Azul and Los Altos.
Drivers say illegal operators increasingly target queues in La Zenia and Cabo Roig, particularly at night. Passengers accepting unauthorised rides may face safety and insurance risks. Orihuela has 42 taxi licences, with only around 22 or 23 vehicles normally serving the coast. A process to award eight additional licences began last November but was delayed following controversy over examination and assessment criteria. Drivers want the shortage resolved before illegal services spread further locally.
E25,000 SHUTTLE REPLACES BROKEN LIFT Orihuela’s Socialist councillor Isidro Grao has accused the PP-Vox government of failing to repair the Barranco Rubio beach lift despite promising it would reopen by summer 2025. The lift remains unusable in August 2026, leaving the council to provide another free shuttle costing e25,198. The vehicle will make 16 daily journeys between upper Campoamor and the beach for elderly people, families and passengers with reduced mobility. Grao supports the temporary service but
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says it has become a permanent “sticking plaster”. Problems were known in 2022, and a previous shuttle operated in 2024.
Guardia officers checking a rogue taxi
The problem is particularly serious at Zenia Boulevard, where a private driver was recently fined after allegedly offering paid journeys to passengers waiting at the taxi rank.
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The lift has been out of order for 4 years
SEMEN TRACES FOUND IN SURGERY ASSAULT CASE Forensic tests have detected human semen in samples from a woman who alleges a plastic surgeon sexually assaulted her while she was sedated in a Murcia operating theatre. The material must now be compared with the accused surgeon’s DNA before any connection can be established. The suspect, identified as David S., was arrested in December 2025 and remains in custody after denying the allegations. Samples were taken at Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital and analysed by national forensic specialists in Madrid. The alleged incident was reportedly witnessed and recorded by two healthcare workers. A Molina de Segura court has converted the preliminary inquiry into formal proceedings and rejected the surgeon’s release request. Guilt has not yet been judicially determined.
TORREVIEJA TENDS ITS GREEN SPACES Torrevieja’s Parks and Gardens Service has completed maintenance work in more than
Irrigation networks were inspected to protect vegetation during peak summer demand, while specialist work was undertaken along the canal at Molino del Agua Park. The Paseo Vista Alegre fountain was also repaired after being damaged during celebrations of Spain’s World Cup victory. Councillor Concha Sala praised staff working through July’s heatwaves. Protective measures allowed maintenance to continue across Torrevieja’s 360-plus green areas safely.
MAN DIES AT SANTA POLA BEACH A man died after being rescued from the sea at Gran Playa in Santa Pola on Tuesday afternoon. Lifeguards pulled him from the water and performed CPR for around ten minutes before a SAMU medical team arrived. Paramedics continued advanced resuscitation for another 39 minutes, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause remains unknown pend-
Orihuela’s PSOE has demanded an explanation for delays affecting municipal grants while other nominated subsidies have already been approved. Socialist councillor Juan López blamed the continuing absence of a council budget, saying clubs, associations and festival committees are being forced to advance their own money while awaiting essential funding. Recently approved grants include e63,000 for the Orihuela-Alicante Diocese and payments to the Miguel Hernández Cultural Foundation and Historic-Artistic Heritage Foundation. However, substantial funding remains pending for Orihuela CF, the Junta Mayor de Cofradías, the Moors and Christians Association, MUDIC Foundation and Miguel Hernández University. Festival committees have reportedly received neither the final 20% of their 2025 grants nor payments for 2026.
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Spain will require all commercial calls to use nine-digit numbers beginning with 400 from October 17, 2026.
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Spain’s Cold Call Crackdown
Operators must block sales calls made from mobile, geographical, 800 or 900 numbers. The one-way prefix will help consumers identify marketing calls and prevent returncall scams. Customers may request blocks on all 400 calls. Companies must still follow consent and data-protection rules. The measure expands Spain’s anti-fraud campaign, which has already blocked millions of suspicious calls and messages. Orihuela Council has completed a e22,000 lighting upgrade Cleaner streets or just along 400 metres of the CV-923 between Hurchillo (pop 1124) more empty promises? and Bigastro. Ten nine-metre columns have been installed, while existing lights were replaced with 80-watt LED units to improve visibility on the widened road and new cycle-lane section. A separate electrical supply will allow more efficient operation. Dedicated floodlights were also added to the parking area beside Hurchillo’s school.
Orihuela Council has added three Renault Master trucks to its waste collection and street-cleaning fleet under a e193,540 contract. Two are tipper vehicles, while the third has a grapple crane for bulky waste. They join six recently introduced trucks and form part of a fleet-renewal programme exceeding e6 million. However, residents, particularly on Orihuela Costa, continue reporting overflowing bins, abandoned furniture and garden waste. The investment will ultimately be judged by whether it produces noticeably cleaner streets and more reliable collections.
Councillor Víctor Valverde said the improvements had increased safety and received positive feedback from residents.
Electric aircraft could begin serving short Spanish routes by 2030, particularly between islands and regional airports. Spain is considered well suited to the technology because many potential journeys are under 500 kilometres. Airlines Air Nostrum and Volotea are supporting development, while Spanish-Australian company Dovetail plans to convert existing 10-to12-seat aircraft to battery or hydrogen-electric power. Initial electric models may offer ranges of 100 to 150 kilometres. Although unsuitable for major routes, lower energy and maintenance costs could revive connections currently considered commercially unviable in Spain, provided certification, battery performance and airport infrastructure progress as planned
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Altea Firework Display turns into disaster as rogue shell injures 27 stray firework shell exploded among spectators at Altea’s famous Castell de l’Olla display, injuring 27 people and turning the event’s 40th anniversary into chaos.
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The accident occurred near El Cranc beach bar when a projectile veered away from its intended path over the sea and detonated on the crowded shoreline, prompting panic and a sudden rush to escape. Early reports suggest an anchoring failure may have caused a mortar on an offshore launching platform to shift position. An official investigation is now examining the precise cause. Fourteen victims were taken to
IMED Levante Hospital, with 11 later transferred to the specialist burns unit at Alicante University General Hospital. One person remained seriously ill on Sunday. Two further burn victims were transported to Marina Baixa Hospital, while others received treatment for contusions and minor injuries. Eight ambulances and dozens of emergency personnel attended the scene. Organisers expressed their regret, offered support to those injured and praised the emergency response. Socialmedia footage appeared to show a low-flying firework crossing the water before striking the beach and exploding among terrified spectators nearby.
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MUSIC GENRES BLUES ROCK TRANCE
SAME GRID TWO SETS OF CLUES
DANCE
QUICKIE CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Light shoe (4) 3. Praiseworthy (8) 8. Stave (4) 9. Baffle (8) 11. Waywardness (12) 13. Rejoinder (6) 14. Steady (6) 17. Naughtiness (12) 20. Escort (8) 21. Member (4) 22. Ruin (8) 23. Footwear (4)
DNB
DOWN 1. Sweat (8) 2. Tower (7) 4. Awaken (6) 5. Final (10) 6. Depression (5) 7. Whirlpool (4) 10. Sorrow (10) 12. Horrible (8) 15. Ill-mannered (7) 16. Crowd (6) 18. Silly (5) 19. Boat (4)
RNB ELECTRO REGGAE HOUSE GARAGE GOSPEL LATIN CHRISTIAN RAP POP HIP HOP OPERA TECHNO JAZZ
CRYPTIC CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Get down from this? (4) 3. No danger signal? (3,5) 8. Vessel for rubbish (4) 9. Possibly violated a joint (8) 11. It's bound to appeal to the less affluent! (5,7) 13. Cause to be esteemed when earned, perhaps? (6) 14. Small boat that's easily damaged (6) 17. Far better than other paperboys? (7,5) 20. Net value in its final form (8) 21. Leave out some indomitable characters? (4) 22. All the singles? (8) 23. Rode around a river (4) DOWN 1. A number expelled could be downcast (8) 2. Make an effort to study with care (7) 4. Men known for insurance in the main? (6) 5. Chat like Jack Sprat's wife? (4,3,3) 6. Time to finish is what poets may need (5) 7. Depend on entirely, not half! (4) 10. It seems family man is involved in new play ... (10) 12. ... but new director still has to be paid (8) 15. Imagined myself in fear (7) 16. Air filter? (6) 18. Possibly three in that place (5) 19. Give up like a selected competitor, say? (4)
TRIVIA QUIZ 1. Which magical creature played "along the cherry lane"? 2. Which scary man and Oscar winner was the voice of Robin Masters in Magnum P.I.? 3. Belfries of Belgium and France, the Palace and Park of Versailles, the Town of Bamberg, Mount Athos, the Piazza del Duomo in Pisa and Hadrian's Wall. What connects all of the aforementioned places? 4. Which make of trenchcoat did Humphrey Bogart wear in the film Casablanca? 5. Another word for a topless bikini. Eight letters 6. Carpenter, weaver, pharaoh, army, bull, meat and honeypot are all examples of what? 7. Indian words used in the English language: a: The Sanskrit word for a 'holy message or text'. Six letters, last letter 'A'. b: The Sanskrit word for 'one associated with well-being' and 'a lucky charm'. Eight letters, second letter 'W'. c: The Hindi and Sanskrit word for a 'scoundrel'. Four letters. d: The everyday Hindi word for 'KNEADS'. Seven letters, last letter 'O'. e: The Hindi and Urdu word meaning 'like a crocodile, which attacks stealthily'. Six letters, third letter 'G'. 8. What was 'Mad Max's' last name? 9. Complete the purported inscription on King Arthur's grave. "Here lies Arthur, ..." 10. The following beach lyrics are found in which songs? a. Redondo
Beach L.A., all over La Jolla, at Wyamia Bay. b. But the stars we could reach were just star fish on the beach. c. Flew in from Miami Beach. d. We stood on a beach at sunset, do you remember when, I know a beach where, baby, it never ends. e. One man washed on an empty beach, one man betrayed with a kiss. f. Night swimming, beach walking, always silent, never talking 11. Which EU country is bordered by the Gulf of Finland, the Baltic Sea, Latvia and the Russian Federation? 12. Who can be MARITORIOUS? 13. The name of which alcoholic beverage, often made from the sap of coconut palms, stems from the Arabic word for 'SWEAT'? 14. Which two boxers exchanged blows in the so called 'Thriller in Manila'? 15. Which beautiful silent film star was given the nickname 'The face'? 16. In 1882, the German Inventor Ernst Werner von Siemens began operating his Elektromote. The Elektromote was the world's first example of what? 17. Which novel begins with the words "It was a pleasure to burn"? 18. Puukko, Kirpan, Kris, Athame and Sgian Dubh are all examples of what? 19. Who said "The eyes of the world are upon you" on June 6, 1944? 20. What was the complete name of the band Chicago in the late 1960s?
Find answers on page 18
SUDOKU CHALLENGE
WORD WHEEL CHALLENGE
The target is 47 words My Total ______________ * Answers page 18.
Your aim is to create as many words of 4 letters or more using the letters in the word wheel only once in each word and always including the letter in the centre of the wheel. No proper names are allowed.
WORD SCRAMBLE CHALLENGE Unscramble the letters to reveal AUTHORS HEEESASPKAR - EGWHYMANI HTSTREECON - KTIECNBSE AKECYARHT - DKESOOVYTS NSEGKIYL - TNENSVEOS DOORTSRHWW - WEEOOUHSD
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UK- mostly found in Mosques and Islamic places. Critics on the right are labelling this as yet another move to make Muslims feel more at home in the UK. I’ll let you decide on that one – I just think they are most unhygienic and have no place in the UK.
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Tony Mayes Rant
BRITAIN’S £3 TRILLION IOU I think that most people will agree with me that once you buy your home on a mortgage, the best thing you can do is to gradually pay it off, so that eventually you will be debt free.
WHEN AI GOES TOO FAR Arguably the most worrying news of the week is that in an America university an AI system has created a series of previously unknown viruses capable of infecting and eliminating certain types of bacteria. Fair enough, you may say, if AI can eliminate some of the most deadly bugs killing people worldwide, this is good. But these experiments can go horribly wrong – as some theorists have said happened in China and let Covid loose on the world. You’ve only got to have some mistake in the laboratory and an unknown bug escapes with no known antidote. The result could be catastrophic. But not only that, we know there are crazed nutcases in power in the world who would dearly love to weaponize one of these bugs, attacking an enemy with it. Sadly the world is not a happy place and before universities carry out experiments – with the very best of intentions – much stricter controls should be in place for the sake of humanity.
LOO AND BEHOLD! One of the stories in the UK causing the most furore is the news that Labour controlled Cambridge council has decided to provide squat toilets in some public loos – because, apparently, the city has a lot of foreign visitors. Most people are totally unfamiliar with them – it’s rather like doing what was a necessity centuries ago, pooing in holes in the ground. There are very few of these toilets in the
Why then is it that presumably intelligent people in Parliament think it perfectly acceptable to borrow more and more money, year after year, and get the country into such a huge debt it will never get out? The sad fact is that Britain’s national debt has risen above £3trillion for the first time, after the Government borrowed £2.7bn more than expected in the first three months of the current financial year. The annual cost of servicing government debt will average £112.8 billion per year in 2025-26 prices It means every man, woman and child would have to find approximately £42,000 to £44,000 to pay off the country's official £3 trillion national debt. That’s how much we all owe! Just one single year's interest bill would be sufficient to cover the cost of repairing every pothole on roads across England and Wales nearly six times over. Eight per cent of all money the Government gets in tax goes on paying interest on the debt. So are politicians down the decades financially barmy, or just not fit for the job? I’ll let you give the answer. Just as a footnote on this – successive governments have raided the National Insurance pot to keep taxes down, which is why Britain now cannot pay people retirement pensions comparable to other affluent countries in Europe. Spain is doing marginally better, owing £1.74 trillion and economic growth has helped Spain in not having to borrow big sums lately. To pay off Spain’s national debt completely, every single Spaniard would have to pay approximately £34,928. Sadly the borrowing bug crosses borders!
BRAIN RUNNING ON EMPTY Why are younger people so stupid? I’m generalising of course, but I watched while a young woman drove to her boyfriend’s house and because he was not in, she waited outside. She sat in the car and left the
engine running for at least 15 minutes. That was probably about £5 in fuel, and then think of the unnecessary pollution. If young people thought a little more about not wasting money they might have enough to saved to put down as a deposit on a mortgage.
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Walk for Life Raises Impressive e7,300 for Local Cancer Charity Organisers of the June 2026 Walk for Life have announced that the event raised an impressive ˇ7,300 for the AACC cancer charity through Mar?a and the Pink Ladies. The total was announced later than usual because organisers had to wait for all the sponsorship money to be collected. Although some contributions were slower to arrive this year, the final result proved well worth the wait. The sponsored walk took place on Sunday, 7 June, starting and finishing at the Emerald Isle in La Florida. The event attracted tremendous support from residents across Orihuela Costa, who turned out in force despite the hot and sunny weather. The day included live entertainment, plenty of fun and a memorable performance by the Pipes and Drums of
Torrevieja. Organisers thanked the management and staff of the Emerald Isle for their hard work throughout the day. Special thanks also went to event patron Leroy Morales for his continued support. The ˇ7,300 raised will support the vital work of the AACC and Mar?a and the Pink Ladies in helping people affected by cancer and promoting early detection. Organisers also thanked everyone who participated, donated or collected sponsorship money. “The people of Orihuela Costa have once again shown their generosity and helped the Pink Ladies save lives,” they said. “We are all volunteers working hard to fight cancer, but we need the community’s continued support. Together, we can beat cancer.”
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BY TOMÁS MORENO uring the municipal plenary session on July 30th, a political dispute erupted between the opposition and the ruling council (PP and VOX) over the investments allocated to Orihuela Costa during the current 2023–2027 term.
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Rather than relying on rhetoric, the best approach is to consult the archives and objectively review the data to report on the significant investments and initiatives completed so far, those currently underway, and those unlikely to be finalized before the May 2027 elections.
1. INVESTMENTS MADE TO DATE: e10.4 Million (33% of the Total) As referenced in the first poster below.
700 roads along the coast, a much more ambitious, multimillion-euro resurfacing initiative is urgently needed. Coastal Repairs: The repair of the railings at Playa Flamenca and La Zenia (e160,000). This project was poorly executed, as sections of heavily rusted old railings were reused with deplorable results—a fact that speaks volumes about the oversight of Mr. Mestre, the councillor responsible for the coast and this specific project.
2. Investments Currently Underway: e10.4 Million (33% of the Total) As referenced in poster no. 2.
Once the May 2027 elections are officially announced (expected in early April 2027), the council will be legally prohibited from inaugurating works or services funded by municipal money. This leaves approximately seven months to tender, award, and execute the remaining contracts. Based on current forecasts, the council will fail to complete several critical projects, including: The Second Health Centre: This will not be ready until at least 2029, following the cancellation of the Aguamarina center extension. The Civic Centre and Auditorium. The Local Waste Management Plan: The measures required for its implementation are severely behind schedule.
Among the most significant completed projects, the following stand out: Waste Management: The acquisition of 12 refuse collection trucks for the entire municipality and the replacement of one-third of the coastal waste bins (e4 million). However, this remains entirely insufficient to provide adequate service, particularly during the peak summer months. Maintenance Services: The introduction of maintenance services for green spaces, children’s play areas, and roads (e4 million annually) through the municipal companies ILDO and ECOPLAN. Unfortunately, both services suffer from a severe lack of resources, rendering their output inadequate for the coastal area's needs. Overgrown palm trees and the deplorable state of road markings and signage clearly highlight these shortcomings. Road Resurfacing: A road resurfacing program (e1 million) improved key coastal routes, such as Avenida de Villamartín. Yet, with over
Between now and the end of March 2027, several major coastal investments are scheduled for execution. These include: The new drinking water reservoir.
The Permanent Coastal Recycling Centre: This facility is desperately needed to alleviate the ongoing chaos caused by the uncontrolled dumping of garden waste, rubble, and household items on the streets.
Further upgrades to street cleaning and waste collection infrastructure (trucks, machinery, etc.).
4. FINAL ASSESSMENT OF THE 2023–2027 TERM
The renewal of the drinking water network. The resurfacing of Miguel de Cervantes Street in Dehesa de Campoamor. The installation of a stormwater drain at the N332 underpass. There are, however, significant doubts as to whether the pedestrian extension of the bridge over the AP7 will be completed in time, or if its opening will be delayed until the new administration takes office in June 2027.
3. Investments Unlikely to Be Completed: e10.8 Million (34% of the Total) As referenced in poster no. 3.
Of the more than e31 million in planned investments for the coastal area over this four-year term, one-third has been completed, and another third is projected to be finished before the May 2027 elections. These figures would be acceptable if the completed and ongoing projects significantly improved basic coastal services, such as street cleaning, waste collection, green space and road maintenance, street lighting, and public transport. Regrettably, this is not the case. It appears this term will ultimately fail to deliver the standard of services that coastal residents demand—and deserve—given their substantial contribution to the municipal budget. For some residents, this ongoing neglect reinforces the belief that adequate municipal service can only be achieved through segregation.
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ALICANTE AIRPORT AVIATION NEWS Airport Sets New Record with 75.000 Passengers a Day Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport broke its passenger record in July after handling more than 2.34 million travellers during the month. The total of 2,341,007 passengers represented an increase of 11.1 per cent compared with July 2025 and was equivalent to more than 75,000 people passing through the airport every day.The figure is comparable to the entire population of a city such as Benidorm or Alcoy using the airport daily. Between January and July, the El Altet facilities handled 12.4 million passengers—9.6 per cent more than during the same period last year. Alicante-Elche remains Spain’s fifth-busiest airport and recorded the strongest growth among the country’s largest airports. Over the same seven-month period, passenger numbers rose by 4.3 per cent at Madrid-Barajas, 4.6 per cent at Barcelona, 2.2 per cent at Palma de Mallorca and 6.6 per cent at Málaga. The results underline Alicante-Elche Airport’s importance as the principal gateway for international tourism on the Costa Blanca. BRITISH MARKET REMAINS DOMINANT British travellers continue to account for approximately one-third of all passengers at AlicanteElche. Almost 3.96 million passengers travelling to or from the United Kingdom used the airport between January and July, representing an increase of 6.1 per cent. The figures once again demonstrate the British market’s continuing importance and loyalty to the Costa Blanca. Germany was the second-largest international market, with 769,052 passengers—an increase of 12.9 per cent compared with the same peri-
od last year. The Netherlands followed with 752,156 travellers, up 6.5 per cent. Poland recorded particularly strong growth and has now become the airport’s fourth-largest international market. Passenger numbers increased by more than 24 per cent to 724,090. Belgian traffic also performed strongly, rising by 18.8 per cent to 678,464 passengers. Domestic travel showed more modest growth. The airport handled 1,463,068 passengers on Spanish routes during the first seven months of the year, an increase of 1.3 per cent. RYANAIR CARRIES FOUR IN EVERY TEN PASSENGERS A total of 78,259 flights operated at AlicanteElche between January and July, 9.9 per cent more than during the corresponding period in 2025. Ryanair remains by far the airport’s largest airline, carrying 5.2 million passengers. Its traffic at Alicante grew by 11.2 per cent despite the airline reducing operations at several other Spanish airports. The Irish low-cost carrier now accounts for approximately four out of every ten passengers using Alicante-Elche. Vueling ranked second with 1,226,223 passengers, an increase of 10.6 per cent. EasyJet followed closely with 1,203,765 travellers, although its passenger numbers fell by 3.9 per cent. Jet2 carried 798,110 passengers, representing growth of 9.6 per cent. The fastest-growing major operator was Wizz
The airport VIP Lounge has recently been refurbished Air. The Hungarian low-cost airline carried almost 670,000 passengers between January and July following an increase of around 70 per cent. It has now overtaken several more established operators, including Transavia. EXPANSION PLANNED TO MEET FUTURE DEMAND The record figures have renewed calls for improvements to the airport’s capacity and infrastructure. Aena announced an investment programme worth e1.154 billion at the end of last year. The planned work includes
an extension of the passenger terminal and improvements to other areas of the airport, allowing it to accommodate several million additional travellers in the coming years. However, the state-owned airport operator is not currently considering the construction of a second runway, despite requests from Alicante business organisations and the Valencian Government. Aena maintains that the improvements included in the airport’s new master plan will provide sufficient additional capacity without the need for another runway at this stage.
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all the time, and when he comes home from work he wants a tidy home and some peace and quiet. He said I should have fed the kids by the time he gets home and they should be getting ready for bedtime, instead of the 'pandemonium' that he comes back to.
With a background in family and matrimonial mediation, life coach Sara Bell supports The Leader’s readers in navigating everyday concerns. If you are experiencing challenges in your relationships, family life, work, or any other area of life, help is available. Email your question to office@theleader.info.
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y partner and I have three children, all under 10. I have not worked for many, years as I am the primary carer.
After we had the last child my partner said we should not have any more, because of the expense. I want more children and would have another two or three at least if I could, but he refuses and says he is working maximum hours per week as it is to keep us all, and that he is at breaking point. I have offered to work, but there is literally no time with all I have to do for the kids. I asked him why he could not get some overtime, or take on a night job. He walked out and spent all day in the pub when I asked this; and when he came home he would not discuss it further. He complains to me that the house looks a mess
Lately he has been coming in and leaving very soon after to go the bar, where he spends an hour or so while I put the kids to bed. Then when he does come in, he watches TV and falls asleep in front of the TV. He won't hear any more from me about my wanting more children. Things have gotten so bad lately that he is threatening having a vasectomy; or, leaving.
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elationships should be give and take, and you might need to ask yourself whether one of you isn't taking more than you are giving.
At the moment you are asking for something that your partner feels cannot be provided. It is affecting your relationship so much that he walks out of the door almost as soon as he gets in from work. If you went through with your plan of wanting more children, then you would have at least six children to keep, and that is a lot for only one person in employment to manage. If you are having difficulty accepting your partner's reasons for not wanting to extend your family, then I am recommending you both go for relationship counselling.
Casanovas Orchestra Performs Soundtrack for the new Torrevieja Short Film Salitre he Casanovas Orchestra has recorded the soundtrack for Salitre, a new short film directed by Torrevieja filmmaker Lucía Samper and due to receive its premiere screening in the town shortly.
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The music was recorded in May under the direction of José F. Sánchez, with the José Hódar Choral Society, conducted by Miguel Guerrero, also contributing to the soundtrack.
The film Salitre explores Torrevieja’s local identity
of Maestro Francisco Casanovas, who had a lifelong admiration for film. He visited Hollywood studios, worked as a double for his friend, the celebrated pianist Jos? Iturbi, and recorded numerous film-music albums in India during the 1940s with the Casanovas Orchestra. Rich in symbolism, Salitre explores Torrevieja’s local identity and the gradual disappearance of traditional occupations.
The Francisco Casanovas Association said it was delighted to participate in the production, which continues its commitment to supporting local artists and creative projects.
Its story focuses particularly on the heritage of the town’s salt workers and artisans—a profession that shaped life in Torrevieja for generations but is now struggling to survive.
The collaboration also maintains the association’s connection with the cinematic legacy
Filmed at the Torrevieja salt lakes, the production involved a large technical team and
brings together professional performers and actors from across the Vega Baja. The cast includes Vicente Gil, known for El Pueblo, and Guille Zani, who appeared in Los Domingos.
The short film has received support from Torrevieja City Council, assistance from the saltworks and sponsorship from several local businesses.
WORD SCRAMBLE
CROSSWORD ANSWERS Monday 17 Aug (Week 1141)
Boorish; 16 Throng; 18 Inane; 19 Scow.
QUICK - ACROSS: 1 Pump; 3 Laudable; 8 Rung; 9 Confound; 11 Perverseness; 13 Retort; 14 Stable; 17 Misbehaviour; 20 Chaperon; 21 Limb; 22 Wreckage; 23 Shoe. DOWN: 1 Perspire; 2 Minaret; 4 Arouse; 5 Definitive; 6 Blues; 7 Eddy; 10 Heartbreak; 12 Terrible; 15
CRYPTIC CRYPTIC - ACROSS: 1 Duck; 3 All clear; 8 Junk; 9 Dovetail; 11 Cheap edition; 13 Endear; 14 Tender; 17 Streets ahead; 20 Eventual; 21 Omit; 22 Everyone; 23 Oder. DOWN: 1 Dejected; 2 Contend; 4 Lloyds; 5 Chew the fat; 6 Erato; 7 Rely; 10 Apparently; 12 Creditor; 15 Dreamed; 16 Strain; 18 There; 19 Cede.
QUIZ FROM P12
the sun (Terry Jacks). c. Back in the USSR (Beatles). d. Sunshine Superman (Donovan). e. Pride (U2). f. Black Coffee (All Saints). 11. Estonia. 12. A wife. Maritorious means being fond of one's husband. 13. Arrack. 14. Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. 15. Greta Garbo. 16. Electric Bus, trolley bus or trackless tram. 17. Fahrenheit 451. 18. Knives (Different kinds of knives). 19. Dwight D Eisenhower. 20. Chicago Transit Authority.
1. Puff the magic dragon. 2. Orson Welles. 3. They are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites (in Europe). 4. Burberry. 5. Monokini. 6. Ants (different kinds of ants). 7. a: Mantra. b: Swastika. c: Thug. d: Shampoo. e: Mugger (named after the Indian Marsh Crocodile). 8. Rockatansky. 9. "the once and future King". 10. a. Surfin USA (Beach Boys). b. Seasons in
SHAKESPEARE - HEMINGWAY CHESTERTON- STEINBECK THACKERAY - DOSTOEVSKY KINGSLEY - STEVENSON WORDSWORTH- WODEHOUSE
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HISTORY RESURRECTED AT PILAR’S ANCIENT FRONTIER
e6.23 Billion Bonus for Spain
ilar de la Horadada stepped back more than 700 years on Saturday as more than 500 people attended its first re-enactment of the 1304 Arbitration of Torrellas.
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Staged in El Mojón, the event recalled the historic agreement that helped define the frontier between the kingdoms of Aragón and Castile and shaped the future identity of the municipality. María García, director of the council’s Culture Department, explained the importance of the arbitration and the roles played by King James II of Aragón and King Ferdinand IV of Castile in establishing the territorial boundary. Mayor José María Pérez Sánchez unveiled a three-metre replica of a 14th-century royal boundary marker near the present
municipal border. He also revealed a commemorative plaque close to the coast, featuring an artistic map created from different coloured marbles. The historic Raya Real frontier is marked in bronze, showing modern-day El Mojón divided by the former boundary. The permanent installation will allow residents and visitors to discover more about Pilar’s history as a frontier community at the southern entrance to Alicante province and the Valencian Community. Organised by the Tourism Department with support from Alicante Provincial Council, the initiative could now become an annual event. Tourism councillor Eva Martínez said celebrating local heritage could attract visitors, support businesses and strengthen community pride.
Spain has received another e6.23 billion from the European Union’s Next Generation recovery programme, taking its total funding to approximately e78 billion. The sixth and penultimate payment includes
e5.97 billion linked to Spain’s March 2026 request and e265 million released after two previously suspended targets were completed. Spain has now received about 76.5% of the ˇ102 billion included in its
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Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan. However, the European Commission says only around 60% of the agreed reforms and objectives have been completed. Progress covered housing, healthcare, sustainable transport, railway digitalisation and major PERTE development projects, although three targets remain under assessment. Only one payment remains. Spain must complete outstanding objectives by August 31 and submit its final request by late September.
Disability Support stops short of Orihuela Costa rihuela Costa families are again effectively excluded from a council leisure programme supporting children with disabilities and additional needs.
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All 19 sessions of the third Elefantes de Papel programme will be held at María Moliner Municipal Library in Orihuela city, almost 35 kilometres from the coast. No coastal venue, transport assistance or separate activities have been announced. For families caring for children with mobility, sensory or complex support needs, regular journeys into the city may
be difficult or impossible, particularly given limited public transport. The programme, which includes movement, sensory stimulation and cooperative play, will run on Fridays from September 4 to December 18, with four additional Saturday sessions. Participation is limited to 10 families, allocated on a first-come basis. Although previously recognised as European good practice, its location and limited capacity have prompted criticism. Coastal families argue genuine inclusion requires local sessions or practical transport assistance for affected coastal children.
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ROYAL BRITISH LEGIO N
DOCTORS, HOSPITALS, EMPADRON'S. Any documents or medical reports translated. Dates available for NIE's. TIE Application dates : September and October Residencia Renewals. Driving licence UK Spanish also available.
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HOPE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP English speaking interdenominational church in La Marina welcoming all nationalities and church backgrounds. Sunday Worship 11am with Holy Communion on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month. Calle Justo Antonio Quesada 19A. +34 966 184 728 Ss Peter and St Paul
Contact Jason :
Church of England
Mobile/WhatsApp
C/Granados, La Siesta
603 86 87 56
SERVICES
CHURCH SERVICES
Monday 17th - Sunday 23rd Aug 2026
1st/3rd Sunday 1130am 2nd/4th/5th Saturday 5pm c-of-e-torrevieja.com
Church of JESUS CHRIST of LATTER-DAY SAINTS We meet at 10am each Sunday in the chapel at Rambla Juan Mateo Garcia, 104. Torrevieja Phone or WhatsApp 659 016 733 SALT CHURCH Sundays at 10.30 am. A friendly church, bible centred in our teaching and informal in our worship. Meets at Calle Daya Nueva 12, Polígono Ind. Levante 11, 03187 Los Montesinos. www.Saltchurchspain. Facebook SaltChurchSpain CORNERSTONE PENTECOSTALEVANGELICAL CHURCH Sunday Service 11.00am C/Escultor Ribera Girona 67 Pilar de la Horadada Join us for a multitude of activities, coffee mornings, exercise, bereavement group https://pilarchurch.com philm.cornerstone@gmail.com
Int Christian Assembly Evangelical Church Calle Beniajan 14, Torrevieja, Sunday Service 10.30 a.m Tel: 966 799 273 / 660 127 276. www.icatorrevieja.es COMMUNITY CARE ASSOCIATION (CCA) Orihuela Costa Residents over 60 years Located at the Centro Civico Alameda del Mar. Open twice a week for a programme of English speaking activities and Spanish lessons. Activities include Games & Quiz on Mondays. Art sessions and Easy Conversation on Wednesdays. Information and advice regards living in Spain. Anyone wanting to join CCA social activities can pop along between 1-2pm Mondays and Wednesdays for more info from Eva or Norah in the Cafe area. Email: oc.communitycare@gmail.com
PERSONAL SERVICES TORREVIEJA. BRAZILIAN MATURE LADY Offers relaxing therapeutic massage and holistic therapy. Silky hands and waxing. Hotel/home or outings. I use natural products to improve health. 674 674 932
ROYAL NAVAL ASSN, TORREVIEJA BRANCH A friendly and engaging group of people who embrace their ethos of Comradeship, Loyalty, Patriotism & Unity while enjoying a variety of social events, meet on the first
Wednesday of each month at 1700 hrs at Silverstone’s 2023 (Bar/Restaurant). Av. Romero, 03176 Montebello, Contact: For Membership Carl Louden; email: carllouden@msn.com or Phone +34 678 518 202
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RESTAURANTS PUSH BACK AGAINST INFLUENCERS SEEKING FREE MEALS growing number of restaurants are telling influencers that exposure is not accepted as legal tender and that, regrettably, the electricity company prefers
A euros.
The backlash follows a stream of requests from self-appointed celebrities offering a post, video or enthusiastic story in exchange for complimentary meals, drinks and “experiences”. For restaurants wrestling with food costs, wages and taxes, providing dinner to someone whose followers may live 2,000 kilometres away is not always the opportunity promised. Signs declaring influencers unwelcome have appeared at establishments in Spain and abroad. The message, however, is aimed less at marketing professionals than at diners who arrive armed with a smartphone, three ring lights and the conviction that 8,000 followers entitle them to dessert. A traditional restaurant in La Laguna, Tenerife, recently stated that it would not exchange food for posts or favourable opinions. It remains willing to work with creators through agreed advertising campaigns, where objectives, deliverables and payment are established in advance—an alarmingly conventional arrangement sometimes known as business. Influencer marketing can work. A well-produced recommendation from a creator with a large, relevant and engaged audience can fill tables and introduce an unknown venue to thousands of potential customers. The difficulty is separating genuine influence from impressive-looking numbers assembled from bots, inactive accounts and somebody’s cousins. Restaurant owners also complain about disruption. Producing the perfect 20-second clip may require tripods, microphones, lighting and repeated takes while the food cools and paying diners wonder why their lunch now
includes a television production. Staff can be obstructed, tables occupied for longer and strangers filmed without their agreement. Spanish restaurants cannot generally refuse an ordinary paying customer simply because that person creates online content. They can, however, regulate behaviour, prohibit unauthorised commercial filming and stop equipment from blocking staff or disturbing other guests. Rules should be reasonable, clearly communicated and applied consistently.
ence data, agreed publication dates, specific content and evidence that a promotion produced something more substantial than heart emojis. Creators who can demonstrate genuine commercial value will continue to secure partnerships.
“Likes won’t They should also disclose when meals or expepay the riences are complimentary so audiences know wage bill.” whether praise is spontaneous or sponsored.
The informal “free meal for a post” arrangement therefore appears to be maturing. Restaurants increasingly want audi-
For everyone else, the new policy is refreshingly simple: photograph the pasta if you wish, tell the internet it changed your life—and then ask the waiter for the bill.
PAGE 22
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Sunny Corner Golf at El Plantio Sixteen members of Sunny Corner Golf Society braved the intense summer heat for the society’s latest outing at El Plant?o Golf Resort. Despite the testing conditions, the players enjoyed another competitive and good-humoured day on the course, with several prizes remaining in contention until the final scorecards were checked. Jon McGuiness, pictured on the left, emerged as the overall winner after returning a score of 28 points. He finished level with Jim Horne, but secured first place following a countback. Jim nevertheless enjoyed a successful day, sharing the Blind Pairs prize with Keith and also claiming the Nearest the Pin award on the ninth hole. Martin Moon demonstrated the greatest accuracy across the short holes, taking the Par 3s competition. Congratulations go to all the prize winners and to everyone who completed the round in extremely hot and demanding conditions. Thanks also go to El Plant?o for hosting the society and ensuring another enjoyable day. Sunny Corner Golf Society’s
next outing will take place at Vistabella Golf on Tuesday, August 25, when members will once again compete for the society’s various individual and team prizes.
SAN MIGUEL GS AT LA FINCA
scores to celebrate: Gold: John Osborne (42 pts on countback, sharing the day’s best score with Ben Price) Silver: Lee Eastman (38 pts) There were no “Twos” today, so that pot rolls over to next week. Nobody managed Nearest the Pin on the 3rd, but Pete Baldwin found the green on the 6th, Freddie Ljuhs on the 13th, and Ben Price on the 16th. Adrian Roberts clearly fancied a glass of red later on and took the McBride Bottle home, while Matt Lowe picked up the best prize pot of the day from the football card. We also had two Best Guests to recognise: Gary Cornforth and Freddie Ljuhs. For the second week running, we received sad news: former member Steve Higgins passed away last week. Many will remember Steve whizzing around the local courses on his Golfboard. Although he had stepped away from golf for a while to take up fishing, he stayed in touch with several members. As they say in Leicester, where he was from, “Goodbye me Duck.” We raised a glass to him. ummer was well and truly in full swing at La Finca, with a slightly smaller field than usual as holidays – and very sensible caution around the heat – kept a few members away. It was our 7th Eclectic competition, giving those who did play a useful chance to improve their scores while others were absent. With temperatures nudging the early 30s and the sun doing its best to test everyone’s stamina, it was a proper August golfing day. There was also plenty of chatter about the much-anticipated eclipse, with some members proudly armed with
S
their super-duper safety glasses and ready to watch it without risking their eyesight! The course had been hollow-tined and scarified a couple of weeks earlier, and the maintenance work was still making itself known in the slightly slower greens. That said, we all know it is part and parcel of keeping a course in tip-top condition, especially with the busy high season just around the corner. After the round, everyone headed back to the lovely, airy terrace bar for the presentation. As expected at this ever-popular course, there were some excellent
Keep up to date with SMGS at www.smgs.org. Sponsorship opportunities are available for upcoming games, so please contact smgs91info@gmail.com if you are interested. We are also proud to be supported by Michaela Schmidt at www.golf-hotspots.com for all your golf travel needs. Next week we head down to Lo Romero, where we will be hoping for more great golf, more good company, and – no doubt – a few more impressive scores. Pictured left to right: Freddie Ljuhs (Best Guest), Peter Turbefield (Gold 3rd), Lee Eastman (Silver & President), John Osborne (Gold), and Adrian Roberts (McBride Bottle).
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Monday 17th - Sunday 23rd Aug 2026
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Monday 17th - Sunday 23rd Aug 2026
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