It’s almost time for ‘Almost A Panto’

TORREVIEJA’S Santa Run has grown from strength to strength over the past few years and this year looks like being a bigger event than ever. This year will be no exception to others with all participants running, and I use the word lightly, along the promenade, all dressed as Santa. This year the organisers are asking those that still have their outfit from last year to wear it again this year, but there will be new suits for anyone that needs one. 

This year’s event takes place on Sunday 5 December 2010, starting at 10:30 from Hombre del Mar, Torrevieja in aid of the AECC. Registration is just €10:00 and includes a Santa Suit. You can do your part by registering at OK Gym Los Dolces. Tel. 966 765 755 or Capital Hair & Beauty Torrevieja. Tel. 965 708 802.

One of the many groups and associations taking part in December’s event are a few of the cast from Showgroup Torrevieja who are taking time out from learning their lines for their next production to ‘run’ for a good cause; the AECC  cancer charity. Cancer, as we all know, can strike anyone at any time and everyone knows someone that has suffered from it.  As cast members Shirley & Ray said, ‘Several of our family and friends have suffered from cancer in one form or another. We hope that by doing our bit, the money we raise will help towards the care and treatment of others and the research needed to find cures for this disease.”

They are just two of the many (and the more the merrier) who will be supporting this excellent. However the Showgroup Torrevieja’s fund raising efforts don’t stop with the Santa Run because in the New Year you can go and see them in different costumes, as Shirley (their acting writer), Ray (an ugly sister), Lisa (Buttons) and Linda (our director) are all to be found on stage in their winter production of ‘Almost’ a Panto!’ Apparently or allegedly, this panto is a little more Sinderella than Cinderella and not for kids, as you may find yourself shouting out “look behind you” for completely different reasons at you would do normally, at this time of year! If Carry On movies and Brian Rix farces are your cup of tea, then this show will be perfect for putting a smile on your face, and all for another good cause.

Whilst the performances of ‘Almost a Panto’ are not until January 6, 7 and 8, 2011 the Christmas and New Year celebrations are rapidly creeping up on us, so reserve your tickets now. Their chosen Charity for this season of performances is DEBRA (The Butterfly Children). ’Almost a Panto’ ,  is being performed by Showgroup Torrevieja at Los Arcos Restaurant, doors open at 1930 for curtain up at 2000-hrs. Tickets cost just €8:00 with a 10% reduction for groups of 10 or more and are available from Los Arcos.

250 classics at Mar Menor

Over 250 classic cars made the journey to the Explanada de Lo Pagán, San Pedro del Pinatar on Sunday November 7^th, for the VII Concentracion Automoviles Clasicos Mar Menor. Numbers of cars may have been down slightly from last year but visitors were not disappointed with the display of cars ranging from 1923 to 1985, staying within the 25-year old cut-off point for Classic Car status.

Representing the International Motoring fraternity were Phoenix Car Club, Freewheelers, Noche del Coche and Club Torrevieja Classics and Specialists Cars. The event was organised by the Ayuntamiento de San Pedro del Pinatar along with Automóviles Clásicos Mar Menor and remains one of the best events in the region. 

Jimmy Cricket: the consummate entertainer

JIMMY CRICKET: two little words that just seem to put a smile on everybody’s face. And last week in Torrevieja’s Lounge Bar was no exception as Jimmy had everyone rolling in the aisles during his non-stop, laugh a minute show. It’s all good clean fun and although there were not any children present on the night, Cricket never has to resort to blue language, he can always get a laugh, a smile or even bring a tear to the eye with one of his more poignant songs or poems, in his own inimitable style.

Born in Cookstown, Northern Ireland, he entered show business, as many did in the sixties, by signing up to be Butlin’s Redcoat in1966, at Ireland’s one and only Butlin’s, south of the border in Mosney, County Meath. Getting the feel for entertainment he then moved over to the mainland and spent the next two summers at Butlin’s Holiday Camp in Clacton. He then switched coats, to a blue one in 1972, working at Pontins holiday camps in Southport and Morecambe, all the time honing his trade,

Jimmy Cricket is probably best known for his TV appearances, reaching the finals of 'Search for a Star' and then appeared before HRH The Princess Margaret on the following night, live for ITV's Royal Gala Show 'A Night of Hundred Stars' from the National Theatre, almost 35-years ago!

The jokes may be old but the audience on Wednesday laughed away. Over the last 45 years Cricket has perfected his timing. It is the secret of good comedy and he is certainly a master of it. On stage, he not only told jokes but recited poetry, chatted with the audience, sang and even juggled! A true entertainer in every sense of the word and a joy for those that made up the packed house at the Lounge Bar, for what is becoming a regular, annual event. If you missed him this year, keep watching this space and if he’s in Torrevieja in 2011, get yourself along for an evening of good clean fun that is guaranteed to send you home with a smile on your face. 

Make your Vote count in 2011

All EU residents, on the Padron in Spain have a right to vote in the Local Elections. If you voted back in 2007, you’ll probably find your name is still on the list, or at least it should be! Sometimes, computer glitches and upgrades can wipe your names off the record so it’s worth checking but, you must do it before December 31, 2010, for the May 22, 2011 elections. 

On November 18 there was a presentation entitled ‘Did you Know…. The Municipal Padron and your right to Vote’, in Torrevieja’s Music Palace. Next May 2011, elections take place in Spain to decide who will govern the hundreds of town halls (Ayuntamientos) throughout the whole country, not to mention regional and national government, for which only the Spanish can vote for.

Registering on the municipal census, the “PADRON”, is a legal obligation to all those who reside anywhere in Spain. Not only is the ‘padron’ a form of municipal census, it is the basis upon which investment from national and regional government is allocated and is the means through which residents can obtain local services. In fact, being registered on the municipal ‘padron’ is essential when soliciting most social services and benefits.

One of the most important issues is that registration on the ‘padron’ in itself does not automatically entitle a non-Spanish E.U. resident to vote in the elections, you must inform the the "Statistics Office" (Oficina de Estadistica) of the Ayuntamineto of Torrevieja, situated in Calle Union Musical Torrevejense, (the office where one signs on the 'padron'). Their staff suggest that the most convenient time, with less waiting, is on Thursdays and Fridays of each week, during the hours of 08.00h and 14.00h. All applications to register to vote should be made BEFORE 31 December 2010, plus it’s a perfect opportunity to get yourself  a new and updated copy of your pardon.

The statistics office will receive enquiries from he following groups of residents:

1. Those EU residents who did not vote in the last municipal elections in 2007. (i.e. those 'new' residents who have registered on the padron since May 2007). In this case it is *IMPERATIVE* that the resident calls at the Statistics office and makes a PERSONAL APPLICATION *SOLICITING the RIGHT* *TO VOTE.*

2. Any resident who may have any doubt as to whether their name is included on the Electoral Register.