In early April we headed down to our neighbouring province of Murcia to enjoy the spring festival in the capital city Murcia. The city was alive with music and people dressed for the parades that are the centrepiece of the festivities. The old town provided a beautiful backdrop with its squares, lanes and magnificent buildings
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CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS Saturday 15th April Great result for Monte Mar Bowls Club at the Champion of Champions, Lynne Armitage and Neil Crawford won the Mixed Pairs. It was a nail biting final, on the last end Lynne and Neil were three down but they managed to win by one shot!!! Also the mixed rinks
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Mayor of Santa Pola, Loreto Serrano, began in politics as a Councillor in 1991. From 1991 to 1999, she was in government as mayor in both legislatures, from 1999 to 2003 in the opposition and working in the Provincial Council. Loreto Serrano returned to politics to head the Popular Party in 2019 and is standing
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Hi, my name is Lynne and I have been lucky to call Gran Alacant home for the last 6 years. People fascinate me and I love to hear about their adventures and life stories. This month’s interview is with Cindy and Colin Bedford. They bought their property in GA off plan in 2001. In
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Last month “Ley de Bienestar Animal de la Comunidad Valenciana” has been passed. This is not the famous Spanish Animal Protection Act, which is still in process. Both laws talk about animal protection, and they are very similar, but there are small differences. Besides, some aspects of both laws haven’t been developed yet. A good
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Winter is orange time in the Valencian Community and we were lucky enough to join a guided tour of the most important citrus fruit collection in Spain and possibly in the world – the Fundacion Todoli (https://todolicitrusfundacio.org) in the town of Palmeras just south of Gandia. The tour was organised by the Costa Blanca branch
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FRIENDSHIP CUP On Wednesday 15th March we travelled to Calpe for the return match for the friendship cup. We had a lovely morning bowling in beautiful sunshine followed by an enjoyable lunch. After lunch as we had won, the Captain of Calpe presented Cindy with the friendship trophy, well done everyone. SAINT PATRICKS DAY The
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Several months ago we wrote about our concerns regarding the over development of Gran Alacant and the need for proper modern urban planning to replace the current policy of pouring more concrete. We followed that article with another about our visit to Valencia where the city council is actively pursuing an urban greening policy to
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CHICKEN RUN Sunday 26th February The February chicken run was well supported thirty six members took part which meant we played six rinks of trips, It was a very enjoyable mornings bowling. Lynne Armitage and Ian Hamilton won the chickens, Rita Towle and Colin Bedford won the eggs. Thank you Lesley and Graham Smythe who
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In January we travelled south into Murcia to explore one of its most historic and beautiful Cities; Caravaca de la Cruz. Located in a spectacular setting surrounded by mountains the city rises up to the site of its former castle which is now occupied by the impressive Sanctuary of Vera Cruz. This ancient church houses
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FUN DAY On Saturday 28th January we held an open fun day. It was well organised by Howie and Cindy, there was six different challenges in each round which everyone enjoyed. Sue and Joan were on the desk checking people in as they arrived. At the end of the mornings challenges the winner with nine
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With the Santa Pola media maraton completed its time for some further races in and around Gran Alacant. Andy took part in the Alicante 21k on Sunday 19th and Claudia and Brigitte are preparing themselves to run in the Guadamar marathon in April. By then they will have left Gran Alacant for a new home
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Sunday 22 January saw the XXXI Santa Pola Half Marathon which started and finished on Calle Fernando Perez Ojeda on the harbour front. This run is widely regarded as one of the best half marathons in Spain, if not the best, and we are fortunate to have it here in our neighbourhood. There were a
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Q: Hi Lou, A few issues back you had an article about “Dogs on Leads” and how it is law that they should be on a lead when in public places. I have a dog and love dogs and we are responsible owners. We never go out without poo bags and a water bottle and
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TURKEY CHASE Sunday December 18th The yearly turkey chase took place on a beautiful December morning. It was well attended with everyone wearing something relating to Christmas. The turkey crowns were won by Cindy Bedford with twenty one shots and Ian Hamilton with twenty shots. The eggs were won by June Young who played her
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Great night in The Jolly Rodger celebrating 1st anniversary
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ASPETGA’s “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” event Raised Nearly 400 euros for their pet food bank! Thank you to all of our friends, neighbours, and donors who helped ASPETGA with our Santa Claus meet and greet event at Molly Malone’s Irish Pub. We’ve raised almost 400 euros thanks to you and your generosity! Economic pressure
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A group of football fans in Gran Alacant have come together to set-up their own supporters club to watch the local professional club, Elche CF, at their home games at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero, and their away games in local bars around Gran Alacant. Having started last season, with just 5 members, all buying
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GALS – GRAN ALACANT LADIES UPDATE Saturday 26th November saw the Gran Alacant Ladies host a fundraising Christmas Fayre in aid of SAT Animal Rescue. The event was held at the Sueno Azul Restaurant Avenida Mediterraneo in glorious sunshine and beneath beautiful blue skies. SAT has been the chosen charity of the group for the
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Hi, my name is Lynne and I have been lucky to call Gran Alacant home for the last 6 years. People fascinate me and I love to hear about their adventures and life stories. Over the next few months, I will be sharing some interviews with GA’s very own Superstars! This month’s interview is with
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FUN DAY Saturday 28th January 2023 No need to be a bowler – you are invited to try your luck at the above event and have some fun. There will be six different challenges in each round. Help and advice will be available, as well as shoes and bowls. It will be 2 euro per round
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For those of you lucky enough to have stayed in Gran Alacant for December all I can say is well done. Northern Europe experienced a prolonged period of freezing weather due to, would you believe it, “A wind drought” with western European winds calmed with barely a breeze and this caused the freezing weather. And
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Dunbars Christmas Singalong with Stuart and Bryan raised 150€ for SATs charity and still counting….
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Christmas 🎄🎄🎄carols Singalong at Tommy’s bar raised 91,50€ for Paul Eady Thank you everyone 🥰
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ZEST BAR raised 510€ for ECCH in the run up to Christmas with raffles and fundraising events. Thanks to everyone who donated toiletries and gifts and also to Sharon and Mandy for donations from selling items on their craft stall. Big thanks to the Gran Alacant Singers
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Hi, my name is Lynne and I have been lucky to call Gran Alacant home for the last 6 years. People fascinate me and I love to hear about their adventures and life stories. Over the next few months, I will be sharing some interviews with GA’s very own Superstars! Tell me about your job
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1850 runners turned out on Sunday 13 November to run 21km in the IV Gran Carrera del Mediterraneo which started in Alicante before passing through Urbanova and Arenales, continuing along the coast to La Cadena before finishing at Varadero in Santa Pola. The daughter (Lykke Trusbak) of my Danish friends in GA flew out on
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The year is ending, and it can be easily summarized like this: it has been the year of the fake news. Here, in Spain, about Ley de Bienestar Animal (Animal Welfare Act), which is NOT EVEN completely developed at this moment, we have heard lots of silly things and nonsense. We’ve already written about this
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As we write this article the world’s leaders are meeting in Egypt at the COP 27 summit conference to discuss measures to address the challenge of global climate change. Climate change is one of several interrelated issues threatening the natural world and human civilisation: Species extinction, desertification, degradation of soil and the acidification and pollution
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VISITING TEAM On Saturday 15th October we welcomed a touring team from Weston Super Mare. We played six rinks of rinks everyone thoroughly enjoyed the bowling in lovely Spanish sunshine. After the game we enjoyed snacks and drinks in the Tavern. The captain of the visiting team presented Cindy with a Plaque of their club
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Enjoying NEW “TAPAS & COCKTAILS” afternoons on a sunny terrace at Dunbars restaurant Monday to Friday from 14:00 – 18:00
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Great Afternoon at The London Tavern Afternoon Tea Party with Kim Peters
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One of the features of Spain that is little understood by foreigners is its tradition of establishing model new towns and villages. The country is scattered with little settlements built at various times over the last three hundred years by landowners, industrialists and governments. The motivations for establishing these planned communities have included utopianism, commercial
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AUSSIE PAIRS On Wednesday 21st September we played the popular drawn Aussie Pairs.Twenty four players took part each pair played eighteen ends. The result was based on the most shots per couple. The winners were Joan Harding and Sue Bounds the runners up were Jan Soars and Ian Hamilton. Well done to the winners and
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We are now able to enjoy the cooler weather at our 11am Wednesday sessions at the Indoor Centre on Av. D’Escandinavia,78. Numbers are constantly good with old regulars coming and visiting more frequently as we all come to terms with “life with Covid” – and we continue to welcome new members and introduce them to
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1st of October saw El Altet host their 7th edition of the 5k and 10k races with 3 of our runners taking part – Philippe (GA Homefinders) and 2 new comers, Ian and Julie from the UK. Philippe has suffered with knee problems (Meniscus) for many years and this was his first race in 2 years
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In August last year we visited the historic Archena spa hotel on the River Segura in Murcia for Juan’s birthday. We were very impressed by the river and countryside surrounding it. This year we organised a return trip to the River Segura, also for Juan’s birthday, but with a very different feel – water rafting!
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As the temperature cools somewhat there is an increase in activity both here in GA and at home with runners arriving from their homes and looking for partners to run with. Jeanne looks like she is improving from her injuries and has started her slow journey back to fitness and is looking forward to the
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Hi, my name is Lynne and I have been lucky to call Gran Alacant home for the last 6 years. People fascinate me and I love to hear about their adventures and life stories. Over the next few months, I will be sharing some interviews with GA’s very own Superstars! This month’s interview is with
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CHICKEN RUN Sunday 28th August Twenty two players took part in the monthly chicken run. As it was another very hot day we only played sixteen ends. The chickens were won by Cindy Bedford and Phil Goble the eggs by Sheila Roberts and Chris Harding. Thank you to Jack Burrell and Tanya Oliver who donated
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Hi, my name is Lynne and I have been lucky to call Gran Alacant home for the last 6 years. People fascinate me and I love to hear about their adventures and life stories. Over the next few months, I will be sharing some interviews with GA’s very own Superstars! This month’s interview is with
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Fantastic night at The London Tavern with Robbie Williams Tribute
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Great night at Tommy’s Bar with fabulous Fake 70s duo and a bit of fancy dress
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Not wanting to state the obvious, August was hot. In fact too hot to run, but some did venture out in the early morn, to try and avoid the hot sun. Eileen arrived from the UK and bravely ventured out on a run, as did Julie before she returned to Scotland. Both have now picked
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The Alicante region is a hive of activity year-round with seasonal festivals celebrating food, drink, history and local traditions. The summer, coinciding with a traditionally less demanding period in the fields, is packed with diverse fiestas and celebrations which allow one to hop from village to village in a big summer-long party. All of these
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CHICKEN RUN Sunday 31st July On a very hot Sunday morning we had a very enjoyable competition, it was good to see some of our new members enjoying the morning. Thanks to Neil and Debbie Crawford who sponsored the chickens and as usual Julia and Ian Hamilton for the eggs and of course thanks to
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Hi, my name is Lynne and I have been lucky to call Gran Alacant home for the last 6 years. People fascinate me and I love to hear about their adventures and life stories. Over the next few months, I will be sharing some interviews with GA’s very own Superstars! This month’s interview is with
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Despite the rapid industrialization of our region during the 60s, 70s and 80s and the dominance of technology in our lives, driving in the summer months through the rural areas of our region still means spotting numerous ‘huertos or huertas’. These two words are normally used interchangeably although strictly speaking a huerto is a short
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