FLYING THE FLAGS AND ORIHUELA NEWS

The mayor of Orihuela, Monserrate Guillén, along with the councillor for the coast, Martina Scheurer, both from the Los Verdes green party of Orihuela, were present at Cala Capitán on Friday to raised the quality standard flags on the beaches of the Orihuela Costa. As be beaches now collectively have 7 Blue, 11 Qualitur and 5 “Q” for quality flags, the standards of the beaches of Orihuela are once more confirmed, although Scheurer said that it is there aim to do more and continue to improve the facilities, cleanliness and standards of the beaches, which will once again face an audit by the relevant administrative bodies. Orihuela has the highest concentration of Blue Flag beaches on the Mediterranean coast, as well as the highest number of “Q” for quality flags in Valencia. Cala Capitán has already undergone extensive work on the north side, where the footpath has now been created, along with stairs down to the beach, making a continual walkway for pedestrians wishing to visit the beach from that side, something not possible before. Scheurer also explained how the lifeguards will be present until the 1st of October now, and the town hall would like to extend the service further, should the budget allow.

The town hall balcony of Orihuela has once again been adorned with a rainbow flag, in order to show support for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities of the municipality, in celebration of World Gay Pride day. The government had already taken the steps in May as part of the worldwide celebrations against homophobia, but the 28th of June is a globally recognised date for the gay community in recognition of the revolt against persecution of the gay community during the Stonewall riots in New York. An exhibition entitled “Human rights and sexual freedom” opened at the María Moliner library as part of the event, which the councillor for equality, Emilio Zaplana, explained as important for “the government is to try to reflect on this issue” with ten real stories of people who were imprisoned, tortured and even killed because of their sexual orientation.

The Councillor for Tourism, Rosa Martínez, has announced that during the months of July and August there will be two tourist information points situated on the beaches of playas Flamenca and La Glea, to provide more information on the attractions in Orihuela in order to promote both the sun and sand elements of Orihuela, as well as the cultural activities of the city. With these two posts, the Orihuela Costa will now have a total of four tourist information offices, including the established centres in the town hall at Playa Flamenca and the Zenia Boulevard. In order to provide the service, the town hall are employing three people, two of whom will be full-time for six months, the third on a part-time basis in July and August and will all be proficient English speakers, as well as Spanish. The beach information points will open from 11:00 to 13:00 and from 17:00 to 19:00, whereas the town hall office will open from 09:00 to 14:00, and the Zenia Boulevard office from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 18:00 to 22:00.

An army of workers has been seen moving through the streets of the Orihuela Costa, part of a team of previously unemployed residents who were given the opportunity for work through a scheme managed by the councillor for employment, Manuel Gallud of the Los Verdes green party. They have already been clearing streets of weeds, which will then be treated to slow down further growth, before they move onto some of the parks and gardens which don´t fall under a current maintenance contract. Martina Scheurer, the councillor for the coast, explained that the teams will be working on the Orihuela Costa for the next 3 months, right through the summer period.

On Saturday the 5th of July, a telescope will be set up at Playa Flamenca, where a qualified guide will offer information and pointers to allow visitors to the coast to observe the night sky. The event will start at 10 in the evening, will be free of charge, and everybody is welcome to simply turn up, without booking, to enjoy the visual spectacle that nature offers on the night, weather permitting. On the 5th of July, the moon will be in its first quarter and around that time, comet UQ4 will be around, as well as Venus and Mars both being visible.

Orihuela´s recreational complex at Pinar de Bonanza will host a children’s summer camp in July and August, with adventurous facilities and lots of educational fun promised by the councillor for the environment, Manuel Gallud from the Los Verdes green party, in conjunction with the council´s education department. In the wildlife-rich grounds, surrounded by pine trees, a zip-wire, archery and a host of other games will be practised, in a facility that has already welcomed 1,500 people since it opened earlier this year. The camp is aimed at children between 6 and 14 and will run from 08:30 in the morning until 14:00, with a possibility for the children to remain to eat and even stay until 19:00 at night. The school is also run with bilingual staff, who speak both Spanish and English.

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