Hi, my name is Lynne and I have been lucky to call Gran Alacant home for the last 7 years. People fascinate me and I love to hear about their adventures and life stories. I will be sharing some interviews with GA’s very own Superstars!

This month’s interview is with Selina Bruce from Fife in Scotland. Selina came to live permanently in Gran Alacant with her husband Alasdair in 2019.

WHY DID YOU MOVE TO GA

We actually wanted to move to Tenerife but we came here on holiday and loved it. We had a holiday home before we moved permanently and used to holiday here 6 or 7 times a year.

We sold our holiday home during Covid and bought a bigger place all on the one level with a self-contained space for visitors, a craft room for me and lovely roof terrace for our pets and us.

WHAT DID YOU WORK AS

I was a Police Officer for 30 years. I had many different roles including Response Officer, Community Officer, Schools Liaison Officer; I even worked in management for a while before ending up as a Custody Sergeant.

DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO WORK IN THE POLICE FORCE

No, I trained as a Chef and worked in hotel catering. My best friend joined the police and I thought I would give it a go. I was the first female on my shift and the only female for two years. My male colleagues treated me very well and we had some good banter.

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB

I loved my role as Custody Sergeant. I liked the fact that I didn’t have to go outside and get wet. It was an exciting and safe environment where I met many colourful characters. The station I worked from had a 20% Polish community so I learned enough Polish to be able to book our regulars in.

WORST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB

Being physically assaulted was the worst. Every year we trained in self-defence, how to use restraint holds, fend off techniques, use batons and CS spray but it never fully prepares you for when it happens.

I also didn’t have much of a social life working in the police service. Sadly, many people’s attitudes changed towards me when I told them I was a Police Officer so it was easier to say I was an Air Traffic Controller.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES

I help organise GALs (Gran Alacant Ladies) events along with Claire Williams and Joanne Whearity. GALs was set up for like-minded women to come together and share advice about living and holidaying in Spain. We are an international group with over 560 members.

I volunteer for SAT Animal Rescue Charity Shop one day a week. I enjoy altering clothes I buy there.

I have my own craft room in the house. I love making name badges, invitations, table plans for the GALs events.

WHAT EVENTS DO GALS ORGANISE

We have coffee mornings the first week of the month at Hispania. There are monthly lunches at various restaurants in Gran Alacant.

We also organise special charity fairs where we raise money for our chosen charity Elche Children’s Home. Each year members can nominate a registered charity that has a connection with Gran Alacant and all our members vote for their favourite.

HOW DO WOMEN JOIN GALS

They can join through our Facebook Group GALs – Gran Alacant Ladies. On this page we have ‘Sell it Sunday’ where members can post items they want to sell, ‘What’s On Wednesday’ where members can advertise what’s on in the area, and ‘Recommendations’ any day of the week.

MORE INTERESTING INFORMATION

  • On Valentine’s Day in 2005, at the age of 35, Selina married her husband Alasdair in secret at Dunfermline Town Hall in Fife, Scotland.
  • Selina loves science fiction ‘Marvel’ and ‘Star Trek’ and once took the bus and train to Blackpool dressed up for a Star Trek convention.
  • Their dog’s name is PIVO Polish for beer and their cat’s name is MESSI after the football player.
  • Selina was born in England but has lived most of her life in Scotland. Selina is the only one in her family with a Scottish accent.
  • Selina is Meat Free and Alcohol Free.

I really enjoyed chatting to you and getting to know you better.