Hope Christian Fellowship in La Marina Urbanisation has been supporting residents of San Fulgencio and the surrounding area for more than 13 years, combining regular Christian worship with a wide range of practical community services. From free paperwork assistance and charity fundraising to social activities and pastoral care, the church has become an important meeting place for both permanent residents and visitors on the Costa Blanca.

More than a decade of community support

Hope Christian Fellowship in La Marina Urbanisation has spent more than 13 years serving San Fulgencio and the surrounding area, combining regular worship with practical support for local residents.

Founded under the leadership of Pastor Bryan Lowry, the congregation raised enough money to buy its own church building, opposite the popular Thursday market. Earlier this year Pastor Lowry retired at the age of 93, handing over leadership to Pastor Mary Walker.

Sunday services begin at 11.00 AM and are conducted in English, attracting worshippers from a wide range of nationalities and Christian traditions. The relaxed, contemporary style and informal atmosphere make visitors and holidaymakers feel welcome, while refreshments after each service provide an opportunity to meet others and make new friends.

Practical help for local residents

Pastor Mary’s vision is to place the church at the heart of the community. Working alongside local charity A.A.N., the church collects food for those in need and also provides financial support for the organisation.

Every Thursday, from 10.00 AM until 1.00 PM, the church’s Cornerstone group offers free assistance with paperwork, including Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, the Ley of Dependency, medical appointments and TIE applications. Mobility aids are also available to borrow.

These practical services have become a valuable source of support for many local residents, particularly those navigating Spanish administration or seeking advice on accessing healthcare and social services.

Charity work and new community activities

The church supports overseas mission projects, The Message Trust in the UK and prison ministry in Ukraine through monthly fundraising lunches.

Community activities also include the women’s WOW group, held every six weeks, and a new initiative, A Cup of Joy and a Chatter, launching on 3 September from 11.00am to 1.00pm. The free gathering will offer drinks, snacks, music, crafts and games for anyone wishing to enjoy friendly company.

Hope Christian Fellowship is at Calle Justo Antonio Quesada 19A, La Marina Urbanisation, opposite the Thursday market. For information call (+34) 631 452 546 or send a WhatsApp message to (+34) 634 452 546.

Gran Alacant has taken another important step towards improving local healthcare after plans for a long-awaited new medical centre received official approval. The new facility will provide modern medical services for the area’s growing population and has been designed with space for future expansion as demand continues to increase.

Health ministry approves site for new medical centre

Gran Alacant has moved a step closer to getting its long-awaited new medical centre after the Valencian Health Ministry approved the proposed site and delegated construction powers to Santa Pola Town Hall.

The future health centre will be built on a 5,450 square metre plot in Calle Monte, close to the new El Faro school.

The project is expected to take 18 months to complete once construction begins, meaning the new facility is unlikely to open before 2028.

The town hall has already approved a separate project to prepare the site and build access roads, with those works funded from municipal resources and expected to begin next year.

Modern healthcare facilities for a growing community

The single-storey building will have a constructed area of more than 1,600 square metres and will replace the existing Gran Alacant medical centre on Avenida de Escandinavia.

Plans include six GP consulting rooms, five nursing rooms, two paediatric surgeries with dedicated children’s nursing facilities, a midwife’s consultation room, treatment and blood sampling areas, waiting rooms, administrative offices, staff facilities, storage areas and technical services.

The site has also been designed to allow future expansion if the area’s growing population requires additional healthcare services, while a large car park will be provided for patients.

The new health centre is expected to significantly improve access to healthcare for residents of Gran Alacant by providing larger, more modern facilities capable of meeting future demand. The project also reflects continued investment in public services as the area’s population continues to grow.

Visitors can once again enter Santa Pola’s historic Castle Fortress through its main gateway after a temporary protective structure was installed to allow safe access. The reopening marks an important step in preserving one of the town’s best-known landmarks while preparations continue for restoration work on the historic clock tower.

Main entrance welcomes visitors once again

Visitors can once again use the main entrance to Santa Pola’s Castle Fortress after a temporary protective structure was installed to allow it to reopen safely.

The entrance has been closed since January after cracks were discovered in the clock tower, known locally as “La Peineta”. During that time, anyone visiting the Chapel of Our Lady of Loreto, the Sea Museum or the Tourist Office had to enter through the rear entrance.

The temporary scaffolding has now been installed while the Town Hall waits for approval from the Regional Heritage Department to begin restoration work on the historic tower.

The protective structure allows the main gateway to reopen safely until a permanent solution is put in place.

Restoration plans move forward

Reopening the entrance also means cultural events can once again be held in the castle’s central courtyard. Civic and religious events linked to Santa Pola’s patron saint celebrations in September can now go ahead, having previously been affected because emergency evacuation requirements could not be met while the entrance remained closed.

Over the coming days, the scaffolding will be covered with a printed canvas designed to match the section of the castle hidden behind the structure, helping to preserve the appearance of the historic building while restoration work is prepared.

The Castle Fortress remains one of Santa Pola’s most important historic attractions, welcoming residents and visitors throughout the year. The temporary measures ensure that public access can continue safely while work progresses towards the long-term conservation of this landmark building.