Issuu

SSUENN 1555 //5 -23 29 A2016 PRIL 2015 IISSUE OO . .1609 11-May

COSTA DE ALMERÍA

YOUR PAPER, YOUR VOICE, YOUR OPINION

It’s back to the drawing board By Emily Chettle Last week, April 28, EWN reported on Mr and Mrs Prior’s ongoing battle with the authorities over the demolition of their newly built luxury home in Vera. In the latest twist, the town hall has decided to appeal the ruling which saw the Priors win a partial claim after the traumatic demolition back in 2008. Eight years after the property was razed to the ground by the authorities, the Priors have been locked, head-on, in ongoing legal battles against the town hall and the Junta de Andalucia regional government in a bid to reclaim the money and emotional damages lost to them. Due to the fact the couple, both aged 72, had been given all of the correct paperwork to go ahead and build their dream home, it would seem to an outsider a clear cut case. Back when the property was first built, the town hall, in a series of private planning meetings, deemed the land the property was built on to be protected and not suitable for building.

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Safety first on the roads TWENTY-THREE people died on the roads of Almeria Province in 2015, many on smaller roads, leading the government and the traffic authorities to announce new measures to make them safer which are due to be put into place by this summer. See page 5

Happy birthday A MEMBER of Mojacar’s gym for the elderly classes celebrated her 91st birthday with classmates with cakes and drinks after their regular exercise session. Expat Edna Thirlaway has lived locally for more than 12 years. See page 6

Taking to the road MOJACAR is just one of the towns in the province which will be taking part in the Costa de Almeria 2016 road show, a promotional campaign set to travel the country and attract visitors. See page 16

Communing with nature A GROUP of disabled people who attend the El Saliente day centre in Albox spent a day on a After issuing the Priors with what seemed like the proper planning consent, the truth only came to light when the bulldozers arrived on that fateful winter morning. The devastating flattening of the couple’s retirement home followed, leaving all of their hard-earned savings lying in rubble before their feet. Helen Prior told EWN that nothing has been said to them and they have had no communication whatsoever from the town hall. She continued: “We

are absolutely cheesed off. The appeal itself could take another five years to conclude.” The Priors feel the Junta de Andalucia is to blame for all of

the troubles caused over the years and not the town hall. She said: “We have been victimised whilst the Junta has not gained anything from it whatsoever.”

farm last week. They had the chance to ride horses and interact See page 58 with animals.

Culture and stone ALBOX teenagers took part in a Stonid, Culture and Stone project open day in Macael last week where they were introduced to the more technical aspects of the stone and marble sector and encouraged to conSee page 62 tinue studying the sector for the future.

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LOCAL NEWS

Road recovery THE Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing of the Junta de Andalucia regional government has announced that almost €1.6 million was invested in conservation and improvement of the Almerian

road network in 48 separate municipalities between April 2015 and April 2016. Upgrades have included reparation of barriers, gutters, banked curves and potholes, as well as clearing margins.

You have to be in it to win it By John Smith WE would like to congratulate the Olive Press in coming second to a French publication in the recently announced Tesca Awards whereby a number of media companies invited their readers to vote for them as the best local newspaper, radio station or blog in their area. The hard-working team of young writers in the Olive Press defeated all the other English language newspapers in Spain that had entered the competition to win this award and deserve a pat on the back for what they have achieved.

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NEWS

Stories competition comes to an end By Eleanor Hawkins THE more than 100 children who took part in the Museum of Stories competition organised by Vera’s Education Department to honour World Book Day were given diplomas on Thursday (April 28) at a ceremony at Convento de la Victoria. The judges, consisting of the directors of the Reyes Catolicos and Cuatro Caños schools, various teachers and youth group leaders and the Education councillor, Maria Montoya, chose two winners from each of the three schools taking part. First prize went to Rafael Vascan and second prize to Cristina Sola Fernandez from Angel de Haro school, Alvaro Castillo Morales and Marina

DIPLOMAS: Were awarded to all the participants. Fabrega Beltran took first and second prizes for Cuatro Caños school and Julieta

Murias and Clara Fernandez Martinez for Reyes Catolicos school. A special mention also

went to the pupil who came third at Reyes Catolicos, Gala Domech Leon.

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Featured News 3

Finance 33 - 38

Stocks 34

Leapy Lee 39

Letters 44

Our View 46

Colin Bird 46

Daily TV 48

Time Out 50 - 51

Health & Beauty 52 - 53

Social Scene 56 - 57

Albox 58 - 63

Property 64

Homes & Gardens 68 - 69

Pets 71 - 72

Classifieds 73 - 75

Motoring 76 - 77

Sport 79 - 80

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Leaders visit Calar Alto By Matt Ford PRESIDENT of Andalucia Susana Diaz visited the Calar Alto astronomical observatory on the morning of Wednesday May 4, where she was received by Spanish government sub-delegate for Almeria, Andres Garcia Lorca, plus a number of other regional officials and local dignitaries. The group was treated to a presentation regarding Carmenes, a revolutionary instrument with the ability to search for Earth-like planets, which is unique in the world in terms of precision and stability. The instrument consists of two spectrographs able to analyse visible and infrared light emitted by celestial bodies, with both optimised for detection of planets orbiting stars. Although the project was initiated in 2009, it was October 2015 before construc-

Photo Credit Shutterstock.

CALAR ALTO DOME: In the Sierra de los Filabres. tion of the instrument was complete, with the first data collected in early 2016. The team managing the project comprises a consortium of 11 German and Spanish institutions, with

overall management handled by the Andalucian Astrophysics Institute (IAA) and Spanish Research Council. The observatory is owned and operated jointly by the

Max-Planck Institute for Astronomy, which has its headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany, and the IAA, and is located on the 2,168 metre high mountain Calar Alto in the Sierra de los Filabres.

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Road safety first By Eleanor Hawkins SECONDARY roads are under the spotlight all over Spain this week following an announcement from the Ministry of the Interior that the traffic authority will be spending €7.2 million on introducing new measures to improve their safety before the summer.

Although they bear less traffic, these roads have proved time and again to be the most dangerous. In fact, of the 23 fatalities in Almeria Province in 2015, 15 of the victims died on secondary roads. The figures are similar across the country, resulting in this type of road becoming quite an obsession for the

DGT (General Traffic Directorate). The ne w me a s ure s inc lude ins ta lling rumble strips down the sides and the centre of the roads, banning overtaking in dangerous areas, providing better signs at dangerous junctions a nd pe de s tria n c ros s ings and upping checks at night to reduce speeding.

Workers’ rights INTERNATIONAL Labour Day on Sunday May 1 saw thousands take to the streets in Almeria to protest against the government, demanding better wages, permanent contracts, and social justice. A march organised by a conglomerate of trade unions departed the port area just after midday and proceeded along the city’s main streets, with an address by union leaders at Puerta Purchena. Protesters carried hundreds of banners, posters, and slogans which accompanied defiant chants as they voiced their displeasure at the worsening economic situation for the lower classes in Spain, with multinational companies increasing the use of zero hours contracts and reducing salaries.

Surprise arrival THOSE waiting at Almeria City train and bus station on Sunday morning (May 1) witnessed an unexpected scene as an 18-year-old woman gave birth to a baby girl in the entrance hall. Emergency Services reported the young woman began to feel unwell while inside a vehicle near the station and the baby was born shortly afterwards.

EWN

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Fibre optic is coming VERA is preparing to leap into the world of modern technology following an agreement which includes it in five Almeria municipalities due to receive fibre optics over the next seven months, The service, which will provide high-speed internet connections to an estimated 7,500 buildings in the town, will be installed by Telefonica, following a meeting to discuss the matter held at the town hall last week. This will, once work is finished, allow local residents and businesses to make use of high speed internet connections, play online games, watch high definition TV, and even have remote access to security cameras. Speaking on behalf of the council team, Treasurer Alberto Clemente stated: “the town is advancing with new technologies, making the most of the many benefits of fibre optics.”

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Accident in images

NEWS

A birthday celebration WHILE it goes without saying that those attending an exercise class for the elderly are not likely to be fresh out of high school, a 91st birthday is still quite a mean feat. That is exactly what the Mojacar gym group recently celebrated with their oldest member, Edna Thirlaway, who has attended the sessions since the council started to run them nine years ago. Edna moved to the area more than 12 years ago with her daughter Jill.

Nice surprise CASINGS: Of two bombs involved in the accident are on display at a museum in Albuquerque. By Eleanor Hawkins OPERATION Broken Arrow exhibition, containing some previously unseen images of the Palomares nuclear accident, has opened in Cuevas del Almanzora. Although the main display of items, including cases of the bombs involved in the incident in 1966, are

on display in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the local area has now at last got its own exhibition on the accident, albeit for a limited time only. The exhibition contains 60 images from films which have been released from US government files over the years and will be running at the La Tercia Hall at Marques de los Velez Castle until May 29.

Culture and Tourism deputy, Indalecio Modesto Alonso, opened the exhibition on Friday evening (April 29) and described the council’s immense satisfaction at finally being able to host it: “finally we can show this important part of our history in images thanks to the collaboration of the Andalucia Photography Centre.”

THE Eastern Almeria Fire Fighters Cultural and Sports Association made a surprise visit to an AECC cancer charity event in Turre last week. Nobody knew the firemen were going until they arrived in their fire engines, sirens blaring, to the surprise of attendants. They are one of the most popular groups in the area thanks to their continual work for the community, which includes visiting children and the elderly in hospital and arranging fundraising events. The firefighters were applauded even more when they handed a €2,000 cheque to the local AECC president.

NEWS

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EWN

Goat quote agreed for Almeria By Matt Ford A DELEGATION of Ukrainian farmers have held a fresh series of meetings with their Almerian counterparts, in order to provide uncontaminated milk to the country in the wake of the Cher-

Positive outcome A WOMAN who spent most of the bank holiday weekend camped outside Garrucha Town Hall with just a sleeping bag, bottle of water and basic food appeared to receive good news on Monday, May 2 as her employer agreed to offer her a contract featuring more hours and a minimum wage. The 50-year old single mother with a disability ‘rating’ of 47 per cent decided to protest at her substandard living conditions and perceived maltreatment by her employer. She has been working for a social services firm for seven years and is not receiving any benefits, but has recently seen her hours reduced to the extent that she is paid just €210 per month, leaving her unable to feed her daughter.

Party time extended HUERCAL DE ALMERIA Council were forced to extend festivities dedicated to their patron saint San Jose Obrero, following requests from residents and restaurateurs who were enjoying themselves so much. The event was scheduled to end on Sunday May 1, after the customary closing act duri n g wh i c h a t r a d itional service is followed by a spectacular firework display, but was extended until 7 pm on Monday May 2, coinciding with the celebration of Children’s Day. Not o n l y d i d t h e party continue, but special prices and discounts were available throughout the extra day, and continued into the evening.

nobyl power station disaster thirty years ago. The Ukrainians have been looking for an alternative to cow’s milk, which cannot now be supplied to the majority of the population due to radioactive contamination which can produce di-

rect effects on consumers, especially children. Initial contact was made two years ago, and the idea is now to send around 5,000 goats to the country, which must be able to adapt to the local climate, and be extremely productive in terms

of milk output. In the recent round of talks the Ukrainians decided to choose the Murcia-Granada race which is bred in several parts of Almeria, including Filabres and Los Velez, because it meets both criteria, whereas the common

white goat is produced mainly for meat. The local farmers also recommended that young goats should be sent to the eastern state, since adults are easilystressed and their milk can be adversely affected by changes in environment.

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NEWS

Silly Billy goats Credit Matt Ford

SPANISH IBEX: Can be quite bold in the presence of humans. MOUNTAIN goats have started to encroach on urban dwellings across Almeria in search of food following the excessively dry winter. The ravenous animals are suffering due to prolonged drought in the region, which has limited the growth of new vegetation in forested areas, forcing them further afield in order to fill their bellies. Also known as ibex, the

audacious ungulates have even been spotted roaming the outskirts of Almeria City in addition to invading rural parks and gardens where they nibble at hedges and trees, and have been seen raised on their haunches to munch from branches protruding over walls. They are not considered dangerous, and residents are advised to simply leave them alone.

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THE elderly residents and workers at Albox’s Virgen del Saliente old people’s home have extra cause to be cheerful this week as their

floral cross won the first Cruces de Mayo (Crosses of May) competition organised by the local council. Filling a corner with flow-

ers and colours to celebrate the arrival of spring is a tradition at the home, meaning creating a floral cross and taking part in the competition was a natural progression. Another five groups took part in the competition this year, Costaleros, Paso Blanco, Paso Morao, Virgen del Saliente nursery school and The Black Sheep, and the council is confident that this was just the first of many to come and expects even more participation next year.

Photo Credit UK in Spain.

A floral affair

NEWS

THE TRUTH: British Ambassador to Spain and Andorra, Simon Manley.

Truth is in no sense stranger than fiction By John Smith THE front page of the April 29 edition of RTN bizarrely states; ‘The Chosen One: RTN, your English Newspaper, has been hand-picked by the British Consulate to become their official media partner.’ It seemed so unlikely that an arm of the British Government should actually have done this, that on April 29, on behalf of the Euro Weekly News I wrote formally to the British Ambassador in Madrid, asking for his observations, and received the following reply at around 10pm on Saturday, April 30. CLASSIFICATION: OFFICIAL. “John, Thanks for your email on Friday afternoon. It was very good to see you at the Voter Registration event in Malaga. My thanks to you for making it down there, and my apologies for having to dash off back to Madrid so quickly. In your email you raised your concerns about the reporting of the launch of our ‘local ambassadors’ pilot project in Alicante, in RTN. I understand that one of your colleagues has raised similar concerns with my head of communications, Simon Montague. I think there may be a misunderstanding. I can assure you that the Embassy has in

no sense decided to start working exclusively with any one expatriate newspaper in Spain. Nor would it of course make any sense for us to do so. The reality is that we have

...the Embassy has in no sense decided to start working exclusively with any one expatriate newspaper.” one pilot project in one region (Alicante) where we felt we would achieve more media impact with the target audience through giving one paper access to the project launch. Offering a story to a few or even one particular channel is a technique that is widely used by organisations of all kinds - public and private when they believe it may achieve greater impact than by issuing it to more outlets and then finding that few or none give it much or indeed any prominence. As ever one doesn’t, of course, have any editorial control over how a channel selected in this way might present the story. That’s the nature of a free press, as I hope you will appreciate. We would be very happy to provide all the information about this specific pilot project to EWN or indeed any

other channel that wishes to follow up the launch, and my communications team would be happy to brief your news desk on the project next week. The very large majority of our stories are, we believe, of relevance to British nationals right across Spain, and we offer them to all English language channels at the same time. However, even then, we may be able to invite only a select few to a particular event, as was the case with the event in Malaga which you attended. Your newspaper, with its several editions and wide readership across Spain, is one of the most important and valued channels for us to reach the British expatriate audience, and, needless to say, it will continue to be so. I look forward to working with you. I am copying this email to our Consuls for Central and Southern Spain, to our viceconsuls for Alicante and Malaga, and to Simon Montague. Best regards, Simon Manley British Ambassador to Spain and Andorra” Truth will out and having received this communication from the Ambassador it is clear that the statement on the front page of RTN is neither accurate nor fact.

FINANCE

5 - 11 May 2016 / Costa de Almería

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EWN

What Will Happen To Your Legacy? Even if you have put a lot of thought into your wealth management in the past, there comes a time when we need to look at our financial planning again in terms of multi-generational wealth management. How will your wealth be passed down to your children, grandchildren and any other chosen heirs? How will they handle your legacy? How much will they actually receive, and how much will go to the taxman? Complex family situations need particular consideration – for example, if you remarried and have children from previous marriages, or need to consider stepchildren. You may wish to establish a way to gift with certainty, where you still have some control over when your heirs receive their funds and how they use it. Taxation is another essential component of estate planning. Spanish succession and gift tax If you live in Spain or if you have Spanish assets, you need to plan to

By Gerald Turner, Partner, Blevins Franks protect yourself and heirs from Spanish succession and gift tax. It is due when either the assets are located in Spain regardless of where the recipient lives, or if the recipient is resident in Spain, regardless of where the assets are. Tax is paid by each recipient and spouses are not exempt. Allowances under the state rules are very low – €15,957 for spouses, descendants and ascendants. There is a 95%

allowance against the main home (maximum €122,606 per inheritor) when inherited by a spouse or descendant if they keep it for 10 years. Under state rules, tax is applied at progressive rates from 7.65% to 34%. Multipliers, depending on the relationship between the two parties and the recipient’s pre-existing net worth, can take the tax up to 82% in some cases. Each autonomous community has the right to amend the state rules, so they could be more beneficial in your area, particularly for spouses and children. Whether the state or regional rules apply depends on where the beneficiary and the donor are resident and where the assets inherited/gifted are located. UK inheritance tax UK nationals are also faced with UK inheritance tax. Determined by domicile rather than residence, it

continues to affect many British expatriates living here. For wealthier families, the tax bills can be considerable. Other tax considerations If you are leaving your heirs savings and investments, once they receive the funds they will start to pay tax on the income and gains. So you plan how to hold your investment capital so that it is tax efficient for them. Also consider how these investments will pass on to chosen heirs – will it be a drawn out and costly process, or can ownership easily change hands? Finally, do not forget your own needs. You also have to ensure you and your spouse benefit from your wealth in the meantime. Writing your ‘last will and testament’ is one key step in estate planning. You may need one in Spain and one in the UK. But a will can only go so far. If you are looking

to gift with control, and reduce taxation, you need to employ other arrangements as well. Cross-border estate planning is complex, and needs to take multijurisdictional succession law, inheritance taxes and probate into account. There are compliant opportunities available in Spain that allow you to do all this, and which provide significant tax advantages. This is a specialist area, so take professional, personalised advice to get it right. Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices, which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personalised advice. To keep in touch with the latest developments in the offshore world, check out the latest news on our website www.blevinsfranks.com.

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NEWS

Young farmers get aid from banks By Eleanor Hawkins AN agreement has been reached with 10 banks to allow young farmers access to loans with better conditions than usual, in an aim

to keep rural activities going. Carmen Ortiz, head of the regional Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development department, announced that this agreement will allow for even better conditions for young farmers

starting up in business, with loans granted at an interest rate of Euribor plus 2.25 per cent, as opposed to the plus 4.5 per cent which was previously charged. This, Ortiz said, should provide farmers with

more of a chance to get started in rural activities and help solve the problem, which is widespread across Andalucia and indeed all over Europe. At this time just 9 per cent of farmers in Andalucia are aged under 40, she explained.

Murder suspect arrested A MAN wanted for alleged murder in nearby Aguilas, Murcia, was arrested in Carboneras on Sunday (May 1), in a joint operation by the Guardia Civil and Local Police.

The arrest was made at about 4.30pm in a popular bar on Calle Sorbas, after police officers were alerted to the possible presence of the man in the town and identified him after visiting possible

haunts where he could be hiding out. The arrestee, with initials LY, is believed to have stabbed another man to death in a fight, possibly over drugs, in Aguilas.

Tapas on top ACCORDING to a recent poll by Huffington Post, Almeria City is the second best in Spain – after Leon – to go out for tapas. Included with your drink or not, sophisticated or sumptuous, typical or innovative, when talking about tapas, Spain is the world’s reference. Almeria offers a wide variety of tapas at very attractive prices. Three drinks and a full meal of tapas can be had for only €6-€7 in a typical bar in the city centre. Some of the traditional dishes include migas (fried breadcrumbs), cod, and grilled octopus, among others.

NEWS

5 - 11 May 2016 / Costa de Almería

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Leaky boat is rescued THE Coastguard service had to help out in the early hours of Monday morning (May 2) when a fishing boat with five members of crew on board got into trouble, encountering a leak about 40 miles from Almeria. Helimer 202 helicopter and Polimnia lifeboat were mobilised and a nearby ship, Veendijk, was asked to alter its course in case its assistance was needed, yet eventually with the help of water-pumping machinery provided by the rescue craft, it was able to limp into port at lunchtime, escorted by the lifeboat.

Photos on tour

FILM SCENES: The stunning Almeria countryside has served as the backdrop for many films. By Eleanor Hawkins AN exhibition of the photographs selected for the Almeria, Land of Film competition will be touring nine towns and villages in the province this year. Provincial Culture delegate Antonio Jesus Rodriguez announced that the places chosen to host the exhibition are Albanchez, Gador, Arboleas, Rioja, Lijar, Lucainena de las Torres, Sante Fe de Mondujar, Canjayar and Fines. The exhibitions will all be held between

May and November, and the provincial council’s aim, Rodriguez explained, is to help towns and villages with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants prepare their cultural calendars while providing local residents and visitors with the chance to see the stunning images of Almeria countryside which has served and continues to serve as the backdrop for films. The Almeria, Land of Film collection consists of 30 photos, 29 of them in horizontal format and one in vertical format, which include the winning three from the competition.

EWN

Appeal rejected by court TWO Vera men have had their appeal rejected by the High Court and will therefore spend five years each in jail, and have to, between them, pay €7,458 in damages to a man they stabbed during an argument over drugs. The two men, plus a third who is missing, went to their victim’s home to buy marihuana, but stabbed him during an argument and ran away with a bag containing 59 grams of the drug, which they later threw under a car, the court sentence states.

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NEWS EXTRA

Fire rescue

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A step towards equality

FIREMEN had to break down the door of a flat on Calle Estadio in Almeria City in the early hours of Friday morning (April 29) after the tenant passed out during a fire, emergency services reported.

Local health PULPI’S Health Department has launched the Local Health Action project, which aims to promote physical and mental health, and prevent illness through a programme of activities for the public.

Tax grants

ACCESSIBLE TOURISM: A demonstration on the beach by a specialist from Natural Kayak.

CARBONERAS has approved grants for 83 residents in need to help them pay their IBI property tax, for a total amount of €13,421. The beneficiaries are unemployed people, pensioners, disabled people and low income families.

By Eleanor Hawkins VERA has made a step in the right direction where services for the disabled are concerned, by officially opening an ‘Accessible Tourism for All’ point at El Playazo on Puerto Rey beach. Run by specialists in adapted sports and tourism company Natural Kayak, the new facility will from now on cater for the dis-

abled on the beach, providing them with equipment and assistance in water sports. At an official inauguration attended by representatives of many nearby disabled peoples associations and the local and regional authorities, the project was revealed in all its glory by the council. Tourism Councillor Isabel de Haro welcomed attendees, and explained that the council had set itself the goal of providing

equal beach facilities for all. Mayor Felix Lopez summed up, he said: “Today, Vera has taken an important step towards equality.” As sea conditions on the day were sadly not fit for sailing, a demonstration was made on the sand, of the different types of vessel and activity available, by a qualified monitor and adapted sports specialist from Natural Kayak, Alejandro Otero.

NEWS

Out in the open LIJAR has published its first municipal bulletin, which will in the future serve to keep locals up to date on matters relating to the village, and allow them to take a more active part in running it, t he counci l has announced. The municipal budgets and accounts are also incl uded i n t he bul l et i n, which local mayor Sergio Sanchez explained, ai m s t o ensur e t hat everyone knows exactly what i s goi ng on and what is spent at the town hall. Details of how much has been spent on festivi t i es, r oad wor ks, gar dening and sports facilit i es ar e j ust som e of those put down on paper as the council strives for transparency, the mayor said.

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NEWS

Complex case over black dot painting THE number one court in Vera has decided to declare the current case against 30 Greenpeace activists as a complex one, meaning proceedings will last up to 18 months. The activists are suspected of activities, which led to the illegal painting of a giant black dot on the façade of the El Algarrobi-

co Hotel in Carboneras. In their statements, the activists who have so far been questioned by the courts have all d ec la re d tha t the y s imply took pa rt in protests against the 20-storey hotel, which was recently declared by the high court to have been built on protected ground.

The case was started by the developer of the building, Azata del Sol, which has sued the ecologist organisation for damages and demanded €200,000 in compensation. The black dot, painted on the hotel by a group of approximately 100 activists in May 2014, was accompanied by the slogan ‘hotel

ilegal’, which a group of local residents modified just days later, painting over the ‘i’ to express their support for the hotel. Some claimed that the hotel would have been beneficial for the area as it would have created employment and attracted custom to the town.

Tomato alert By Eleanor Hawkins ALARM bells began to go off on Friday (April 29) within the agricultural sector, when Holland reported Almeria tomatoes to the European Food Safety Agency after detecting excessive levels of ethephon in two batches of the produce. Use of the substance, a chemical used to regulate plant growth, which makes tomatoes mature quicker, is banned for Spanish tomato growers, although it is permitted for cotton, olives and some other crops. The Junta de Andalucia re-

gional government’s Agriculture and Fishery Department sprang into action as soon as the alarm was sounded, and tracked the offending salad fruit’s origins down to two greenhouses in Almeria run by the same company, which is due to be fined for its digression. However, head of the department Carmen Ortiz stressed that this was an isolated case, and emphasised that one small batch should not be allowed to cast doubts on the rest of the Almeria producers as, she said, 99 per cent of them follow the rules to the letter.

TOMATOES: Caused alarm bells to ring briefly.

‘Roadshow’ for tourism COSTA DE ALMERIA will be repeating its promotional ‘roadshow’ for the fourth year in a row, taking its tourism offer all over Spain as of the end of May. Almeria Provincial Council has reported that meetings are already underway with all the entities which will be taking part, which in-

clude the town halls of Mojacar, Taberno, Seron, Macael and Almeria City, and a number of hotel and leisure groups. The aim of the ‘roadshow’, council deputy Javier Aureliano Garcia explained, is to promote the destination across the country and help the participants to present their products.

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NEWS

The butterfly effect in Nijar NIJAR has opened the first butterfly park in Almeria Province. The park, located on a plot of land in the Hualix area of Nijar, offers visitors the opportunity to discover more than 500 butterflies from 16 different species. A visit to this tropical garden is not only enchanting because of the mixture of colours from the multiple butterflies fluttering around, but also because it offers a close insight on how these beautiful insects are born and change from one state to another. Besides the well-known species of butterflies, Monarch and glass-winged, other less frequent species will also be seen, including the paper kite (Idea leucone), owl, blue morpho, flame (Dryas iulia), atlas moth and swallowtail, among others. Guided tours will be offered in Spanish, English and French over the 500 metre garden in which the numerous butterfly species are bred. Open every day from May to November, this is an experience not to be missed for anyone in the area.

PAPER KITE BUTTERFLY: Will be on show.

Antenna not wanted here A PETITION signed by 1,075 people has been delivered to Vera Town Hall to request a different location for a mobile phone antenna due to be set up at Las Viñas football pitch. The alarm was raised when approval of a rental agreement to allow the mobile company to install an antenna on the football grounds was noted in the minutes of a plenary session in February, and parents and teachers of children at nearby El Palmeral secondary school

and local residents were quick to complain. However after receiving the petition, Parents Association Ramon Valverde reported, the council sent a report to the school to prove that the contract was legal. “We have never claimed there is anything wrong with the contract, we have simply asked them to think of a better place for the antenna where our children’s health will not be affected,” Valverde complained.

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NEWS

British Embassy anxious to get expats to vote on referendum THE British Ambassador to Spain, Simon Manley, made the train journey to Malaga on Friday, April 29, to speak to a collection of press and council representatives to promote the voter registration campaign. In some ways, whilst clearly anxious to ensure that as many British expatriates did take the trouble to register to vote as possible, the ambassador had a somewhat difficult position to defend. This was due to the fact that the current government had, as part of its election manifesto, stated that it wanted to see one person one vote, but it had called the referendum with insufficient time to pass legislation to allow those UK passport holders resident in Spain (or elsewhere), who had lived here for more than 15 years, to vote. This coupled with the fact that those who had lived in Northern Ireland could not apply to register to vote online, and that no obvious assistance was available for those without internet connection, rather dampened the excitement of those being exhorted to invite British expatriates to register to vote. Regardless of this trio of disappointments, there are still potentially hundreds of thousands of British potential voters still not registered for the referendum. No one actually knows the true number, but since the start of 2016, it appears that as many as 80,000 people

Photo Credit EWN

By John Smith

RECRUITING: Ambassador Manley, flanked by British Government officials on April 29.

May is the date by which anyone who possibly can vote in the referendum should register to do so.

from Spain have visited the government website https://www.gov.uk/register-tovote and the majority of them have registered to vote. It is a very simple process and basically requires a passport number, national insurance number and postcode of your last UK address. Despite everything that appears on any website, it is highly recommended that anyone who possibly

can should register no later than May 16. The reason is very simple, as whilst you can register online, ballot papers will be sent by post on May 23 which means that you have to receive the physical document, cast your vote and then post it back in time to be counted in the referendum. One thing that the ambassador made clear was that there is a great deal of mis-

information with regards to what could or would happen in the event of an exit from the Union. The only things that he could really say with certainty is that in the event of leaving, British nationals would cease to be nationals of the European State and that everything else was effectively supposition, and possibly wishful thinking.

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NEWS

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5 - 11 May 2016 / Costa de Almería

Recycling glass to be made easy By Eleanor Hawkins DURING 2015, the people of Huercal-Overa recycled a total of 120,259 kilos of glass, an average of 6.5 kilos each. The town currently has 33 green recycling bins, one for each 562 inhabitants, and the glass placed in them last year equates to almost 80 tonnes less carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere, local

Environmental Councillor Emilio Perez has reported. “The figures are clear, Huercal-Overa recycles,” Perez said, “our goal is to increase the amounts recycled every year by providing the necessary tools and teaching our children to do so.” The latest sector to receive help in this respect is the catering sector, with a joint project by Ecovidrio, the

non-profit company which manages glass recycling across Spain, the AlmanzoraLevante-Velez waste consortium and the local council. Sixty-four bars, restaurants and other catering businesses are receiving new containers with systems to help make glass recycling easier for them, such as industrial-sized openings and hydraulic lift aids.

Pushing for the patio VELEZ-BLANCO mayor Antonio Cabrera will be pushing today (Thursday May 5), at a meeting between the relevant authorities, for work to continue on the ground to build a reproduction of the original ‘Patio of Honour’ of the Velez-Blanco castle. The castle was declared a Cultural Interest Asset (BIC) in 1985, and has belonged to the Junta de Andalucia regional government since 2005. The 16th century castle/

fortified palace was the home of the Los Fajardo nobles, and contained a piece of spectacularly beautiful work: the Patio of Hono u r, ma de by Ita lia n a rtis ts w ith w hite Macael marble. However the patio was purchased in 1904 by a French art dealer who sold it to American millionaire George Blumenthal. After his death it was donated to the New York Metropolitan Museum.

EWN

NEWS

5 - 11 May 2016 / Costa de Almería

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A man and his guns A SIXTY-TWO-YEAROLD man has been arrested in Almeria for an alleged crime of illegal possession of weapons and trafficking after trying to sell them on the internet, stating in the adverts that the weapons had no documentation. Guardia Civil officers took note of a number of advert s o n l i n e an d tracked them down to a home in the city, where the man was identified and a search carried out. Officers found five different types of guns and four boxes of ammunition, in perfect working order but with no legal papers and discovered that the owner did not hold a gun licence. The a r r e st e e a n d t h e confi sc a t e d we a p o n s were placed at the disposal of the courts.

50 Cent at Dreambeach By Eleanor Hawkins 50 CENT will be the star of the show at Dreambeach Villaricos festival this summer along with a long list of other popular artists. The American rapper, who will be giving his only concert in Spain at the festival, has joined other names including Deadmau5, Laurent Garnier, Richie Hawtin, Jamie Jones, Pendulum DJ Set & Verse, Yellow Claw, Datsik, Die Antwo-

ord, Carl Cox, Oscar Mulero, Claptone, Audion, Luciano, Dirtyphonics, Joel Mull, DuArt, Cuartero, Christian Wünsch, Dj Nuke, Gelab, Alvaro Sanchez, Reeko, Raul Pacheco and Heels to Kill, on the stage in Cuevas del Almanzora between August 11 and 14. Tickets, starting at €62.50, are on sale via Correos, El Corte Ingles, Entradasatualcance, Entradas.com, Ticketea, Ticketmaster, Ultimaentrada.es and the official festival website.

EWN

E W N 5 - 11 May 2016 / Costa de Almería

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NEWS

No more muddy puddles in park By Eleanor Hawkins MUDDY puddles are to become a problem of the past for families who go to the Parque Andaluz in Carboneras, the council has promised. Extensive work has been announced by the Services and Works department, which will be dealing with areas on pathways where puddles tend to form when it rains, filling in cracks, fixing

kerbs and carrying out improvements all over the 8,000 square metre park. Along with work to put an end to problems on the ground, workers will also be replacing the litter bins and the stage area where open air concerts and activities are carried out in the summer months will be replaced as the passing of time has left it worse for wear. Services councillor Pedro Jose Venzal said: “the im-

provement works we’re going to do are to meet the requests of many local residents, who had complained to the council about the puddles and mud in the park when it rains.” The Parque Andaluz is Carboneras’ main park, located near the San Andres castle and the seafront. It includes beautiful gardens and an impressive 19th century home which was turned into the municipal Casa de la Musica.

Cruelty of dog reported to police A GUARDIA CIVIL officer found a dog in Nijar last week which had been severely abused and was left with wire through its mouth and legs to stop it eating or moving, Pupekas animal charity has reported. The dog, which the officer quickly rushed to a veterinary clinic in San Isidro, were it re-

mains in a critical condition, had been left without food or water and unable to move for several days and was found coated in a substance believed to be petrol. Anyone who may have any information on those behind the cruel treatment of the animal is asked to contact the police.

E W N 5 - 11 May 2016 / Costa de Almería

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NEWS

School sexism is a problem WoodleyWonderWorks/Flickr

EQUALITY: Boys and girls should be referred to separately in the future. By Eleanor Hawkins SPANISH language norms are to be modified in schools throughout Andalucia, the Junta de Andalucia regional government has announced, among a swathe of measures to be introduced under the recently approved second Plan for Gender Equality in Education. Among the policies included in the document, which is designed to combat domestic violence and sexist attitudes, is one which aims to ‘promote and encourage inclusive and equitable school practice,

using inclusive and non-sexist language in oral, written and digital educational platforms. A manual produced by the Andalucian Women’s Institute entitled ‘Nonsexist Administrative Language,’ recommends avoiding masculine forms when referring to men and women in a collective sense. For example, instead of ‘chicos’ or ‘alumnos’ (children or students), a teacher should say ‘chicos y chicas’ or ‘alumnos y alumnas,’ in order to acknowledge both genders.

The announcement has been met with widespread criticism, with the Real Academia Española, the official institution responsible for overseeing the Spanish language, refusing to back the plan since it violates certain grammatical and lexical concepts. Head of the Andalucian Education Authority, Adelaida de la Calle, maintains that this is not the case, while her department recognises that implementation of the scheme will be ‘a cultural process requiring time and perseverance in order to change habits and dominant values.’

Collecting signatures for church SEVERAL brotherhoods in Cuevas began last week to collect signatures to restore their dilapidated local church, Nuestra Señora de la Encarnacion de Cuevas del Almanzora.

The petition will be then sent to the Junta de Andalucia, the Cuevas Council and the Diocese, demanding a complete refurbishment of the church due to the deterioration of its roof and walls.

Discover the giant geode A VIRTUAL visit to Pulpi’s giant geode (a geological cavity where crystals have formed) has been awarded the Murcia VR (virtual reality) prize. The prize, awarded by Medialab Espiritu Santo Association and Murcia Town Hall in collaboration with The App Date, was collected by local mayor Juan Pedro Garcia and

the creators of the project. Entitled Discover the Giant Geode, the virtual reality tour was developed by Estudiofuture company for the Oculus Rift gadget, and allows people to tour the geode, the largest in Europe and the second in the world beaten only by one in Mexico. So far more than 30,000 people have thus been able to

catch a glimpse of the geological jewel, which is noted on a worldwide scale both for its size (10.7m3) and the transparency and perfection of the selenite crystals lining the inside at a depth of 50 metres in the Pilar de Jaravia lead mine. The virtual visit is available at the San Juan de los Terreros Castle at weekends and on bank holidays.

NEWS

5 - 11 May 2016 / Costa de Almería

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Stone leads the way By Eleanor Hawkins ALMERIA Province increased its volume of natural stone exports by 42 per cent during the first two months of this year compared to the same period in 2015, with the total amount of sales surpassing €57.3 million. The latest figures released by the Andalucian Exterior Promotion Agency (Extenda) also revealed that altogether the sector in Almeria made more than €321.9 million in sales abroad last year, €85.5 million more than in 2014. The main international market for Andalucian stone, of which Almeria is responsible for 98.3 per cent of exports, during January and February 2016, was the US, which spent €22.2 million, followed by the UK (€7.8 million), Australia (€2.5 million), Germany (€2.1 million), Italy (€2 million) and Canada (€1.9 million).

MARBLE: Almeria is responsible for most of the stone exports from the region. China, France, Argentina and Portugal are also amongst the top 10 buyers. The number of Andalucian stone companies that

export also increased last year to 249, nine more than in 2014, although just 50 of them export their products on a regular basis, Extenda

reported. Andalucia leads the national ranking for natural stone exports, ahead of Valencia, Galicia and La Rioja.

EWN

Fewer jobless THE number of people out of work in Almeria Province fell by 1,600 over the first three months of the year, leaving a total of 81,600 (an unemployment rate of 24.39 per cent) according to the latest Active Population Survey (EPA). The figures given by this survey are believed to be more accurate than those released by the National Statistics Institute each month as they include people who are looking for work, but haven’t bothered to register as officially unemployed.

E W N 5 - 11 May 2016 / Costa de Almería

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NEWS

RUSSIAN P RESS

#ShaurmaZhivi

POPULAR SNACK: Authorities have threatened to ban the kebab. MUSCOVITES have been outraged by new threats from city authorities to ban shawarma kebabs, a hugely popular snack among locals. Officials claim that vendors have repeatedly failed to comply with sanitation standards but now a Twitter campaign named #ShaurmaZhivi (long live shawarma) has been launched in its defence.

Kalashnikov blues NATIONALIST MPs from Leningrad have demanded fines for anyone found to insult ‘unofficial symbols’ of Russia, including the Kremlin, the Tsar Cannon, and the Kalashnikov. The authors of a proposed bill have lamented the ridiculing of various institutions since the advent of the internet.

Cheeky trip AN 11-year-old girl who had never flown before managed to wander aboard an aeroplane departing from Moscow’s Vnukovo airport and quickly found herself in St Petersburg without a ticket or identification. The little traveller claimed she was simply curious about flying while red-faced airport staff face investigation.

Lord of War CONVICTED arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was dubbed the ‘Lord of War’ and had a Hollywood film made of his exploits, has made an unlikely surfacing in connection with the jailed Ukrainian Nadiya Savchenko. Reports have emerged that Russia is demanding Bout’s release from an American prison in exchange for Savchenko.

FINES: For insulting symbols.

Tatar troubles THE Supreme Court of Crimea has declared the top legislative representation of the Crimean Tatars, known as the Mejlis, an extremist group and banned its activities. A Turkic ethnic group, the Tatars long dominated the peninsula until Russian rule and relations have been heavily strained by the recent annexation.

Space palm A TECHNICAL glitch caused a minor delay to the inaugural launch from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia’s far east, with president

Putin on hand to witness the disappointment. The president has also vowed to discover where the responsibility lies for the corruption and controversy which beset the space port’s construction.

Digital dissent THE architects of the great firewall of China are being courted by a millionaire religious fanatic who is attempting to censor the Russian internet. Konstantin Malofeev has the ear of both the Kremlin and the church and is attempting to curb American influence online, although critics say the real motive is crushing dissent.

FINANCE

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DreamWorks Animation rumours By John Smith THERE is a whole family of DreamWorks companies producing feature films and animation, but probably the most recognised is DreamWorks Animation which has been responsible for such huge successes as Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar, as well as various TV offshoots. Originally founded by the triumvirate of David Geffen, Jeffrey Katzen-

Quote of the Week

$3 billion (€2.65 billion) is rumoured to be the amount that Comcast would be prepared to pay to take over DreamWorks Animation.

berg and Stephen Spielberg, with its trademark boy fishing from a ‘banana moon’, the company has become phenomenally successful in its 21 years of activity and there are now very strong rumours that it is about to attract an enormous takeover bid from US Cable giant Comcast. Shares have shot up in light of these rumours, which suggest that the company could be worth considerably

China respects strength, and by letting them take advantage of us economically like they are doing, we are losing all their respect,” according to Donald Trump as he outlined his policies if elected.

La Moncloa Gobierno de España

BUSINESS EXTRA

INTERIM GOVERNMENT: Will change working pattern.

Plan for shorter working hours DESPITE the fragility of their position in the lower house of parliament and the fact that there will be a new election in June of this year, the interim government is determined to push ahead with its plan to change the working pattern within Spain and with a majority in the upper house, it is quite possible that this will be approved.

The intention is that the majority of employers would effectively remove the long lunchtime siesta period and introduce a closing time for offices in particular of 6pm, in order to ensure that families were able to spend more time together and to make working life more pleasurable for the majority of people.

No payment THE EU has confirmed the Spanish deficit of 5.1 per cent at the end of 2015 is the second highest in the European Union and is looking for Spain to reduce this by at least 2 per cent. In addition, it has stopped the payment of more than €1 billion due to Spain for regional funding because of bad fund management from 2007 to 2013. This freeze on payments will adversely affect no less than 22 programmes around Spain due to past poor control of previously paid subsidies.

Job losses MEDIA Group Unidad Editorial is to reduce its staffing by 224 people, of whom 91 will be cut from the wellknown daily newspaper El Mundo, which has a circulation of more than 200,000 and a huge web following. Other cuts are due to take place in Andalucia, the Basque Country and the Balearics and all are being discussed with the appropriate union.

Mitsubishi fuel tests scandal IN scenes reminiscent of the end of the Second World War, a number of senior Japanese executives from the world’s sixth largest car manufacturer Mitsubishi stood with their heads bowed in shame as they admitted falsifying fuel efficiency tests. The majority of the problems have arisen

$1.51 billion (€1.33 billion) is the amount of profit that Facebook made in just the first quarter of 2016, representing a considerable increase over 2015 which is driven by mobile usage.

STAT OF WEEK

business & legal

EWN

with models that were only marketed in Japan but since the news broke, ongoing sales of their cars have almost halved and there is every chance of the company and its directors being fined, and having to pay compensation to consumers who were misled into purchasing their cars.

more than its Wall Street valuation. The combination of a great back catalogue together with a strong list of films in production or pre-production would make this a very attractive purchase for Comcast, and there is the added benefit that many of the characters would be a perfect fit for its collection of Universal Studios theme parks, and characters such as the very popular Minions.

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More money wanted A BIT like Oliver Twist but without the charm, the companies who have been involved in the construction of the new AVE lines have realised they will be overspending considerably. Rather than take the loss of profits on the chin, it appears they have approached the Development Ministry explaining their situation and have indicated if they do not receive authority to recover this additional expenditure, they may be forced to cease work.

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PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) COMPANY 3i Group PLC 469.15 -4.50 Admiral Group PLC 1924.50 68.00 Anglo American PLC 729.80 -33.50 Antofagasta PLC 477.10 -6.60 ARM Holdings PLC 936.50 -1.00 Ashtead Group PLC 908.50 1.00 Associated British Foods PLC 3072.00 7.00 AstraZeneca PLC 3895.00 -33.00 Aviva PLC 437.60 5.20 Babcock International Group 947.50 0.00 BAE Systems PLC 473.15 -4.20 Barclays PLC 170.20 -1.30 Barratt Developments PLC 531.50 -0.50 Berkeley Group Holdings 2976.00 -18.00 BHP Billiton PLC 913.60 -20.00 BP PLC 372.35 -1.40 British American Tobacco 4172.25 2.00 British Land Co PLC 723.75 4.50 BT Group PLC 446.53 3.30 Bunzl PLC 2038.00 -1.00 Burberry Group PLC 1175.50 -13.00 Capita PLC 995.25 -6.00 Carnival PLC 3433.00 36.00 Centrica PLC 236.95 -1.40 Coca-Cola HBC AG 1413.00 14.00 Compass Group PLC 1217.50 -2.00 CRH PLC 1978.50 -10.00 DCC PLC 6080.00 20.00 Diageo PLC 1850.25 4.00 Direct Line Insurance Group 366.30 4.40 Dixons Carphone PLC 428.05 2.70 easyJet PLC 1455.00 -18.00 Experian PLC 1255.00 4.00 Fresnillo PLC 1117.50 4.00 GKN PLC 277.05 -1.40 GlaxoSmithKline PLC 1474.75 15.50 Glencore PLC 158.85 -4.05 Hammerson PLC 585.00 0.50 Hargreaves Lansdown PLC 1283.50 -3.00 HSBC Holdings PLC 464.05 11.50 Imperial Brands PLC 3704.50 -14.50 Informa PLC 667.25 12.50 Inmarsat PLC 928.00 -2.00 InterContinental Hotels Grp 2726.00 -3.00 International Consolidated 515.75 -9.50 Intertek Group PLC 3292.00 34.00 Intu Properties PLC 304.15 -0.10 ITV PLC 228.90 3.60 Johnson Matthey PLC 2914.50 26.00 Kingfisher PLC 364.20 0.30

% CHG. -0.95 3.66 -4.39 -1.37 -0.11 0.11 0.23 -0.84 1.20 0.00 -0.88 -0.76 -0.09 -0.60 -2.14 -0.37 0.05 0.63 0.74 -0.05 -1.09 -0.60 1.06 -0.59 1.00 -0.16 -0.50 0.33 0.22 1.22 0.63 -1.22 0.32 0.36 -0.50 1.06 -2.49 0.09 -0.23 2.54 -0.39 1.91 -0.22 -0.11 -1.81 1.04 -0.03 1.60 0.90 0.08

NET VOL 196.81 133.60 1,211.80 289.55 410.40 124.32 60.51 233.89 1,109.71 29.04 501.93 3,774.87 125.79 60.21 891.12 2,541.35 219.66 194.95 1,369.96 35.95 118.57 107.49 31.87 500.26 45.60 390.80 78.04 9.53 338.43 354.86 189.71 108.84 171.55 136.45 251.33 1,051.29 4,598.19 102.62 16.03 5,059.45 114.39 164.39 60.88 27.49 1,506.68 53.71 128.09 1,783.97 39.66 443.76

COMPANY PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) Land Securities Group PLC 1140.00 8.00 Legal & General Group PLC 223.55 0.40 Lloyds Banking Group PLC 67.50 0.43 London Stock Exchange Grp 2716.00 3.00 Marks & Spencer Group PLC 420.80 -2.70 Mediclinic International PLC 903.00 -2.50 Merlin Entertainments PLC 429.80 -1.70 Mondi PLC 1305.00 -3.00 Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets 191.20 0.10 National Grid PLC 978.95 4.20 Next PLC 5070.00 -15.00 Old Mutual PLC 185.30 -0.10 Paddy Power Betfair PLC 9147.50 5.00 Pearson PLC 784.00 -20.50 Persimmon PLC 1978.00 -9.00 Provident Financial PLC 2936.00 23.00 Prudential PLC 1363.50 16.50 Randgold Resources Ltd 6787.50 20.00 Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC 6668.00 14.00 RELX PLC 1209.50 -1.00 REXAM PLC 632.50 7.50 Rio Tinto PLC 2223.00 -77.00 Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC 659.50 -9.50 Royal Bank of Scotland Gr 227.70 -2.30 Royal Dutch Shell PLC 1774.00 -12.00 Royal Mail PLC 485.85 -0.90 RSA Insurance Group PLC 476.65 17.60 SABMiller PLC 4192.25 6.50 Sage Group (The) PLC 593.50 1.92 Sainsbury (J) PLC 287.35 -1.70 Schroders PLC 2514.00 1.00 Severn Trent PLC 2235.50 9.00 Shire PLC 4216.00 -45.00 Sky PLC 939.50 1.50 Smith & Nephew PLC 1180.50 24.85 SSE PLC 1512.00 2.00 Standard Chartered PLC 540.80 -10.98 Standard Life PLC 324.70 -1.40 St James's Place PLC 869.00 2.00 Taylor Wimpey PLC 183.90 -0.40 Tesco PLC 170.15 -1.95 Travis Perkins PLC 1838.50 -10.00 TUI AG 985.75 -5.00 Unilever PLC 3063.25 8.50 United Utilities Group PLC 948.00 8.50 Vodafone Group PLC 220.70 1.50 Whitbread PLC 3882.00 10.00 Wolseley PLC 3832.50 11.00 Worldpay Group PLC 271.85 4.95 WPP PLC 1602.50 6.00

% CHG. 0.71 0.18 0.64 0.11 -0.64 -0.28 -0.39 -0.23 0.05 0.43 -0.29 -0.05 0.05 -2.55 -0.45 0.79 1.22 0.30 0.21 -0.08 1.20 -3.35 -1.42 -1.00 -0.67 -0.18 3.83 0.16 0.32 -0.59 0.04 0.40 -1.06 0.16 2.15 0.13 -1.99 -0.43 0.23 -0.22 -1.13 -0.54 -0.50 0.28 0.90 0.68 0.26 0.29 1.85 0.38

NET VOL 116.39 1,179.34 12,476.39 28.95 507.46 24.80 45.75 64.52 534.97 411.52 57.82 431.85 2.35 548.99 67.20 17.33 558.52 23.39 116.70 391.26 232.40 561.90 235.53 1,363.07 383.81 139.66 392.70 171.68 105.85 452.86 21.18 21.73 268.90 211.26 530.47 109.48 630.32 430.73 80.52 747.45 1,237.11 35.46 42.22 235.56 223.83 4,798.27 31.09 47.23 350.11 254.89

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US dollar ...................................................................1.13009 Japan yen.................................................................122.382 Switzerland franc ................................................1.09946 Denmark kroner ..................................................7.441129 Norway kroner .....................................................9.23568

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COMPANY MMM 3M AXP American Express AAPL Apple BA Boeing CAT Caterpillar CVX Chevron CSCO Cisco KO Coca-Cola DIS Disney DD E I du Pont de Nemours and Co XOM Exxon Mobil GE General Electric GS Goldman Sachs HD Home Depot IBM IBM INTC Intel JNJ Johnson & Johnson JPM JPMorgan Chase MCD McDonald's MRK Merck MSFT Microsoft NKE Nike PFE Pfizer PG Procter & Gamble TRV Travelers Companies Inc UTX United Technologies UNH UnitedHealth VZ Verizon V Visa WMT Wal-Mart

PRICE CHANGE %CHANGE VOLUME 168.34 +0.96 +0.57% 1.7M 65.68 +0.25 +0.38% 4.3M 93.64 -0.10 -0.11% 48.2M 134.01 -0.79 -0.59% 3.7M 77.84 +0.12 +0.15% 3.3M 103.31 +1.13 +1.11% 6.8M 27.37 -0.12 -0.44% 27.4M 44.98 +0.18 +0.40% 12.6M 104.36 +1.10 +1.07% 5.3M 66.07 +0.16 +0.24% 1.6M 89.13 +0.73 +0.83% 10.3M 30.89 +0.14 +0.46% 17.2M 166.18 +2.07 +1.26% 2.0M 136.05 +2.16 +1.61% 4.3M 145.27 -0.67 -0.46% 3.5M 30.61 +0.33 +1.09% 21.1M 112.75 +0.67 +0.60% 5.2M 63.79 +0.59 +0.93% 10.2M 128.20 +1.71 +1.35% 4.8M 55.30 +0.46 +0.84% 9.7M 50.61 +0.74 +1.48% 33.1M 59.59 +0.65 +1.10% 8.6M 32.80 +0.09 +0.28% 38.1M 80.97 +0.85 +1.06% 7.9M 110.91 +1.01 +0.92% 1.4M 104.37 0.00 0.00% 4.2M 132.10 +0.42 +0.32% 2.9M 51.32 +0.38 +0.75% 11.1M 78.46 +1.22 +1.58% 7.6M 67.59 +0.72 +1.08% 7.6M

NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES M AY 03

COMPANY

PRICE

CHANGE NET / %

Most Advanced SPI Energy Co., Ltd. Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. CEVA, Inc. Apollo Education Group, Inc. Aeglea BioTherapeutics, Inc. Galapagos NV Catabasis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. American Superconductor Corporation VSE Corporation NewLink Genetics Corporation

$ 6.75 $ 17.92 $ 26.54 $ 8.77 $ 9.76 $ 50.35 $ 4.90 $ 20.41 $ 10.89 $ 67.33 $ 17.615

1.73 ▲ 34.46% 3.73 ▲ 26.29% 3.48 ▲ 15.09% 0.97 ▲ 12.44% 1 ▲ 11.42% 5.04 ▲ 11.12% 0.49 ▲ 11.11% 1.93 ▲ 10.44% 0.93 ▲ 9.34% 5.40 ▲ 8.72% 1.405 ▲ 8.67%

$ 5.25 $ 2.67 $ 5.34 $ 4.60 $ 2.92 $ 8.51 $ 3.40 $ 2.63 $ 2.64 $ 15.54 $ 15.97

0.93 ▼ 15.05% 0.45 ▼ 14.42% 0.83 ▼ 13.45% 0.64 ▼ 12.21% 0.40 ▼ 12.05% 1.10 ▼ 11.45% 0.43 ▼ 11.23% 0.30 ▼ 10.24% 0.30 ▼ 10.20% 1.73 ▼ 10.02% 1.65 ▼ 9.36%

Most Declined Legacy Reserves LP Legacy Reserves LP Legacy Reserves LP Sterling Construction Company Inc Pulmatrix, Inc. Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. region Approach Resources Inc. EV Energy Partners, L.P. Cellular Biomedicine Group, Inc. Rovi Corporation

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FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

Sterling is enjoying a spring bounce Ask the expert Peter Loveday Contact me at euroweekly@currenciesdirect.com

AFTER a stormy start to 2016, Sterling is defying gravity and enjoying a spring bounce back as it is trading at its highest level against the dollar and the euro at the end of April. This is fairly surprising as the gains posted by the pound appear to completely disregard the economic fundamentals. As a matter of fact, investors seem happy to ignore a spate of bad economic news out of the UK, as concerns over Britain leaving the European Union have started to weigh on economic activity. As the FTSE surged on the back of a rebound in the price of oil, so did the pound in a very remarkable turnaround from the dark days in February. Investors turned positive on sterling after a very rocky start to the year. Weaker labour market numbers with unemployment nudging higher, slower wage growth and weaker consumption failed to stop the rebound in the pound, as investors are more concerned with the possibility of Brexit.

STERLING: Trading at its highest level against the dollar and euro so far this year. Sterling sold off aggressively until the beginning of the spring, and this was mainly due to the uncertainty that the EU referendum is causing among major investors. Many thought the pound depreciated too quickly and too fast but Brexit fears were enough to spook investors away. The majority of economists are unani-

mous to expect the pound to slump if the public do vote to leave the EU and therefore Obama’s visit to the UK indirectly provided a major boost to the ‘Remain campaign’. Late in April, the President of the Unites States Barack Obama made a dramatic intervention in the UK referendum debate as he threw

his weight behind the continued membership to the EU as he urged voters to remain in Europe. The US president delivered a killer press conference while in the UK, where he insisted that Britain would be at the “back of the queue” to arrange a trade deal with America in case of a Brexit, and urged the public to support the continued membership of the European Union. President Obama’s intervention drew harsh criticism from the ‘Leave’ campaign, which tried to silence his remarks, but this ended up backfiring after both Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage were criticised for referring to arguments that the President has an anti-UK outlook because of his ‘part-Kenyan’ heritage. Traders cheered Barack Obama, who has single-handedly offered a major boost to sterling, as traders are convinced the US President’s comments will sway many of the undecided voters to vote to remain in the EU, and his words will surely be used many times between now and the June 23. The situation can still unfold in the weeks to come and the pound might be under pressure again as the debate enters its final stage ahead of the referendum day, when British people will be called to decide their future within Europe. It reminds us how Brexit alone remains a pivotal moment for the United Kingdom and Europe.

Visit us at our Spanish offices in Costa del Sol, Costa Almeria, North Costa Blanca and South Costa Blanca. Telephone: UK +44 (0) 207 847 9400 SPAIN +34 950 478 914 Email: euroweekly@currenciesdirect.com • www.currenciesdirect.com

O2 sale blocked by Brussels Photo Credit Simon Wikimedia

By John Smith DESPITE the apparent universal hatred of Brussels interference, sometimes it does actually appear to be working in favour of the British consumer and this is very much the case with mobile telephony. Having decided that it is wrong to

13 billion euros is the likely financial benefit to the shareholders impose ‘roaming charges’ within the EU boundaries, which will save all consumers quite significant amounts of money over the coming years (although possibly not the British if the Brexit vote is to leave), it is now trying to block the sale of O2, the British affiliate of Telefonica, to the Asian group Hutchinson which wishes to amalgamate it with the Three network. The reason is that this would then reduce the competition within the

O2 SALE: Asian group wishes to buy the network to amalgamate it with Three.

Three and Tesco have already announced the massive reductive charges will actually be applied now UK, effectively reducing the number of service providers from four to three. With a likely financial benefit to shareholders of more than £10 billion (€13 billion), there is bound to be considerable lobbying to the British agency responsible for competition but it will need to take heed of the Brussels opinion. Not all mobile services are acting in accord with each other, as both Three and Tesco have already announced that the massive reductive in charges, which does not come into place across Europe until 2017, will actually be applied now, whilst O2 appears to be ramping charges by making a £1.99 (€2.60) daily charge to certain of its customers who make calls or send texts (regardless of the number) from within the EU.

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Photo Credit flickr

Probably the most expensive hair dryer in the world

SIR JAMES DYSON: Has a large number of products in development.

mired and much copied. It is thanks to them that he has built a massive empire and earned himself his knighthood, but he is clearly not a SIR JAMES DYSON spends a great deal of ‘one trick pony’ and supposedly has a large time considering new products which would number of other products in development. be beneficial to his customers and then spends Time will tell whether this extremely exa decent amount of money in developing them pensive accessory will beand bringing them to market. come another of his successHis latest product, which will es or whether the price initially be launched in Japan, (which in some cases is more is a £299 (€385) hair dryer expensive than a vacuum which could be the most expencleaner) will be too high for sive consumer hair dryer in the euros is the price of the the average person. world and has supposedly cost new hair dryer which is to Perhaps in anticipation of £50 million (€65 million) to be launched in Japan. some resistance, in an interdevelop. view with the BBC, he is According to the accompanyquoted as saying “It’s not so much how many ing ‘spiel,’ this is a quieter and more hair you sell that’s important, it’s whether people friendly dryer which uses a miniature air who buy it like it.” pump in the handle based on the same princi“I don’t mind if I only sell 100 a year, as ples as his desk fans which have no visible long as those 100 people think it’s really blades. good. I wouldn’t make much money but that’s There is no question that Sir James has been not always the point. That’s not what drives extremely successful with his innovative bagus, that’s not what makes it exciting.” less vacuum cleaners which are both much adBy John Smith

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Getting a few things straight LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

RIGHT, let’s use this week’s blurb to get a few things straight. Particularly to the purveyors of all the hate mail I have been receiving of late. I’m referring of course to my position regarding the British ‘in/out’ fiasco. Frankly I was against the whole Common Market concept from the word go. With our trade deals and wide range of powerful partners in the Commonwealth, I truly believed we didn’t need to amalgamate with other European countries to enable us to move forward in the world of commerce, and subsequently enjoy the prosperity of our country and its citizens within the world of finance. Over the years many of my opinions have changed. Indeed I have taken full advantage of the freedom of movement and inte-

grated social services offered by the countries involved in the scheme. As I stated some time ago, if David Cameron had returned from Brussels with a renegotiated deal, I would vote to stay in. But he didn’t did he? On the one thing that I believe is the biggest danger, not only to the UK, but to the whole of Europe, he achieved just

about zilch. Namely the open border policy. This mind numbing exercise is either being perpetrated by bureaucrats of quite unbelievable naivety or traitors, pure and simple. We are in a war, and the enemy is being allowed to flood in like a veritable tsunami. If we don’t do something to prevent it, within a generation or two, we will either be under Sharia law, or have

been embroiled in an internal war which will have cost untold thousands of lives. Well, I am not prepared to succumb to these perpetrators of hatred and inhumanity purely for my own selfish ends. Contrary to the belief of many of my dissenters, I am not a rich individual who doesn’t need the protection of the Spanish medical and social infrastructure.

OPEN BORDER: Policy is one of the biggest dangers not only to the UK, but to the whole of Europe.

On the contrary, soon to be 77 years of age, with a small British and Spanish pension, and a singular responsibility for two teenage children who, although born in Spain, hold English passports, I am extremely worried about what fate should befall us should we opt to leave the EU. No, despite not living in the UK for some 40 years, I am extremely patriotic, proud of being British, and truly mortified to see it walking blindly into capitulation and servitude through the blind ignorance of its power hungry bureaucrats. My father and millions of other patriots risked and sacrificed their lives to preserve our nation, and I for one refuse to hand it all over to heathen, undeserving aliens, purely for my own selfish ends. I trust I have now made my position perfectly clear. Keep the faith Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com

E W N 5 - 11 May 2016 / Costa de Almería

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OPINION & COMMENT

Are these surrealistic circumstances really just very interesting times? Ric Polansky Ric Polansky moved to Mojacar in 1969 as a pioneer developer. He reads extensively and has travelled in South America panning gold and looking for El Dorado.

JUST to set the record straight you are not as confused as you might presume yourself to be. I know that living in Spain right now must seem like a bad sci-fi movie is happening all around you especially when you read about the corruption, economically, politically and spiritually. Yes, it is for real but you should have known that already (having read Don Quixote). In short, it is the nature of the beast and has been so for more historical years than writers have bothered to recount. Naturally it doesn’t sit well with those of us from different cultural and historical backgrounds but it is the way it is: bountiful sun, some shade and plenty of good wines sharing the land wherein exist no active predators other than those lurking amongst us. In Alaska, you can be the nicest guy in the world, take your kids for a stroll in the park and if by circumstances a mother bear is there with her cubs, a dreadful and inglorious histo-

SPANISH LIFE: Seems like a bad sci-fi movie is happening all around you. ry could be made within seconds. No, our task has been to survive within the situation in a constant head-shaking viewpoint that continually makes us dizzy. The prolonged effects of this symptom are in fact vicariously absorbing us into a popular spiritual culture vacuum currently lacking communal values and trust.

Well, it’s kind of a directional finder that doesn’t necessarily show the way or even point anywhere. You might suspect that you are the butt-end of a joke that infested your camel with a thousand fleas, and as irritated as you get constantly scratching and fidgeting about, there is no quick

cure other than the passage of time. A ‘MAÑANA’ CURE HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED. Right now, there aren’t any laws to combat the systematic looting of the system, nor is there a group of any type of enforcers that would set the record straight. All is still evolving in the shadows off stage, or hiding behind the palms. Timing isn’t right either, for them to appear without being instantly vanquished. Good, honourable and noble Spanish folk are also shaking their heads and wearing out their knees from constant fervent prayers. We, as non nationals, are not alone in our current uncertainties and misgivings. Meanwhile those craving their power-elite statuses are obligated to remain vigilant 24/7 to keep from being caught and dragged to the dungeons. Those robber barons still in the thick of the battle, swaggering about in public awe will be diminished by half when the dust clears. Escape they will not because those places are filled with none other than similar rogues so, more continued vigilance will be needed from their companions and their new resident government. Life should be easy, comfortable and tranquil. Has that ancient Chinese curse caught up with us: “Are we living in interesting times?”

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LETTERS

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YOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE - YOUR OPINION

Letters for Your Say should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com or make your comments straight on our website: www.euroweeklynews.com

A right Royal rhapsody SOME of the comments by British expats on the relative values of their monarchy, and especially those that question the cost, leave me absolutely dumbfounded. I wonder where Britain would be without such an important and internationally admired Head of State, together with the family who in the main carry half the cross among them. I am equally amazed when those curious Costa know-it-alls (a minority of the residents), talk about costs when the figures show just how ridiculously cheap the British royals are. Where on earth would the presidency of any democratic or tin-pot state cost any less? Britain talks in billions when it comes to the cost of the real expenses of the bureaucratic armies and their generally unproductive machinations, which create no more than quirky services and increasing demands for new taxes. Does anybody really think a short term president with or without real social skills, can relate on a long term basis with the leaders of the world in the way the Royals can? Neither would they attract the sort of reverence and genuine affection that the Royals generate with their simplicity and lack of need to impress. Only heritage can do that as has been seen with so many exiled monarchs who have returned to restore their nations to former glory. It is only the diehard Willie Hamiltons of the past who make such a pastoral issue out of the royal, non-existent economic drain. This government without reins is a blessing which needs no prompting and gets on with it with an inflexible sense of duty that is awesome. Without them, Britain would be no more than a backwater which would fare even worse by the poor reflection cast by so many of its pompous emigrants. What I saw so closely, made me have sleepless nights many a time when I realised that an ageing woman could not only be kept up at banquets past midnight but be expected to make the unrelenting whole day agenda, whether or not she slept well or at all. The problem, as the Queen would say, is that she is averse to fuss and would rather just get on with the job, however intimidating, than be associated with groans and moans. Think what she does for the nation despite being stripped to basics (they do not even have a Royal yacht whilst minor foreign Princes have two or three

Photographs for possible publication should be sent by email with a full caption to: photonews@euroweeklynews.com

Known unknowns I RECENTLY wrote to the Department of Work and Pensions asking the following questions in the event of a vote to leave the EU: 1. British pensioners living in Spain currently are entitled to healthcare funded by the UK. Will this arrangement continue? 2. British pensioners currently receive the annual pension increase the same as UK resident pensioners. Will this arrangement continue? 3. British nationals living in Spain do so as an entitlement as the UK is part of the EU. Will rights of residence be affected by a ‘Leave EU’ vote? I have received a reply from the Department of Work and Pensions, dated April 25, from which I

each). I can assure anyone that getting up for what lies in front of them each day is not just inspiring, but were she my mum, I would put the crown away somewhere safe or find someone like King John to do something with it. Michael via email

No lame-duck I FEEL I must respond to ‘Leapy says it others think it’. It’s a pity he does not think to say that president Obama threatening the UK is nonsense as he has every right to say what he thinks of the dangers of Brexit, especially considering that the UK involved the USA in two world wars not of their making. Thousands of American servicemen are buried in the graveyards of Europe. Leapy questions Obama’s birth certificate, may I suggest he reads ‘The

quote: “UK citizens living in the EU currently enjoy a range of specific rights to live, to work and access to pensions, healthcare and public services that are only guaranteed because of EU law. “There would be no requirement under EU law for these rights to be maintained if the UK left the EU. These questions would need to be answered as part of the process of negotiating the UK’s exit if there is a vote to leave.” It does seem odd to me that people are asked to vote when the implications in these areas are unknown, and UK expats should rightly be concerned that their lives will change if there is a vote to leave the EU. Lynda, San Miguel de Salinas

Dreams of my Father’ as it might put his small mind to rest. Leapy seems to portray Barack Obama as a lame duck president, let me point out that he has given the poor people of America healthcare. He has also reunited the USA with Cuba, something that no president has done in 50 years. I can assure Leapy that approx 160 million American Democrats respect him, even if Leapy doesn’t, but then again who’s Leapy? Tony A via email

Misplaced morals I CAN’T help but comment on a post in the Letters column (issue 1607), when Ian from Calpe wrote on his anger at the prospect of dogs being allowed on beaches.

There are too many foolish and egotistical views to comment on but have you ever compared what the human race is inconveniently making of our planet and societies? And the exaggeration about the bowl of water in a restaurant ‘which turns the WHOLE surrounding floor into a skating rink’... you poor soul… Moreover, yes I will correct you because the law in Spain asserts the proprietor of the establishment to determine whether pets are allowed indoors or not. Presently there are guides dedicated to larger cities in Spain listing where dogs are welcome in restaurants, with more also being permitted on public transport, such as in our neighbouring countries. I would rather see some excrement which will dry and blow away than all the plastic and tins discarded everywhere (by humans), which will never biodegrade. These end up in the guts

of animals in oceans or wash up on shorelines, where humans are most likely to come into direct contact with the toxins (relating to your ‘pristine’ beach comments). Every day in countries around the world, animals are fighting for their lives. They are enslaved, beaten, and kept in chains to make them perform for humans’ ‘entertainment’, they are mutilated and confined to tiny cages so that we can kill them and eat them, they are burned, blinded, poisoned, and cut up alive in the name of ‘science’, they are electrocuted, strangled, and skinned alive so that people can parade around in their coats, and worse. Now this is a topic to write about and not in your view about ‘selfish dog owners.’ “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” Mahatma Gandhi Felipe via email

Healthcare woes I WOULD like to respond to Sue in your Letters page (issue 1607), who is worried about her healthcare here. Who told you your healthcare would come to a stop if we exit the EU? As pensioners living here you will probably be paying tax in Spain, if you are you should have a Spanish social security number which entitles you to healthcare if we are in or out of the EU. If you are living here and using your EHIC E111 you are breaking the law as this is intended for holiday and short stay. If you have healthcare after filling in an S1 form then the UK government still pay for your healthcare and there is no reason for this to stop upon leaving the EU. This is the information I have received after researching this. I will vote ‘Leave’ either way because I believe in Britain and in the long run all us Brits will be better off. Dario via email

WHEN YOU WRITE All letters, whether by email or post, should carry the writer’s postal address, NIE and contact number though only the name and town will be published. Letters may also be edited. Readers who have missed earlier correspondence can see all letters posted on:

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The views expressed and opinions given in Letters are not necessarily those of the EWN publishers. They accept no responsibility for accuracy of information, errors, omissions or statements, and reject claims arising out of any action that a company or individual may take on the basis of information contained therein.

E W N 5 - 11 May 2016 / Costa de Almería

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OPINION & COMMENT

It’s just plain luck Why some have far more than their fair share of either, however, is a mystery.

Colin Bird A weekly look Each week, Colin brings his slightly off-thewall view of the world to the pages of EWN in his own irreverent style.

I HATE it when you wish someone good luck, and back comes the smug reply: “You make your own luck.” Sure, being really organised will help, but there are some people who are just born lucky and seem to have access to the Philosopher’s Stone and capable of turning base metal into gold. You know the ones. Whatever they do in life, they always seem to land on their feet, or as my old Dad used to say: “If they fell down the loo, they would come out with a box of Quality Street.” Then conversely there are those who always drop the bread butter side down.

GOOD LUCK: I will continue to touch wood and do the lottery. The ones who realise that the ITV on their car is overdue, and then get pulled over by the Guardia on their way to the test centre. There is good and bad luck - of course there is. Why some have far more than their fair share of either, however, is a mystery.

It’s the same with accident prone people. I have friends who are so butterfingered, that you would never dream of breaking out the best crystal. You just know that at some point something will get spilt, dropped or knocked over. It’s as inevitable as a politician say-

ing: “Let me be perfectly clear.” A friend from my younger days was such a person. For some inexplicable reason, he only had to approach a young lady and a run would mysteriously appear in her tights. It happened time and again. He was responsible

for more ladders than George Wimpey. One night travelling home in his Ford Anglia during a heavy storm, both wipers, as if by mutual consent, shot off into the night, leaving two metal spikes eeek eeeking back and forth across his windscreen. Give him a new Airbus A380 for Christmas, and he would break it by Boxing Day. So don’t give me that guff about making your own luck, it’s a contradiction in terms anyway. For my part though, I will continue to touch wood and do the lottery.

Photo Credit White House.

June sees two important votes John Smith Random thoughts... THE next few months are going to be very hectic as far as we expats are concerned, as we can look forward to the Brexit referendum and then the Spanish general election, which will fall within a few days of each o t h e r i n t h e l a tter p a rt o f June. Every day a different pro or anti Brexit report appears and all of the big guns are vying for position to make sure that their words of wisdom (or in many cases unproven opinion) are given prominence. Whilst the Conservatives are doing a p r e t t y g o o d j o b o f b a d mouthing each other and Boris Johns o n , i n wh a t a p p e a rs to b e something of a fit of misplaced excitement, played the Trump card by reminding everyone that President Obama was a Kenyan who really shouldn’t be allowed to express an opinion on the referendum (unless of course it agreed with the mayor of London’s). Ironically, by Obama coming out

BARACK OBAMA: Heavily in favour of Britain remaining in the EU. so heavily in favour of Britain remaining in the EU and with poor financial figures coming from some of the main members of the Union, the pound received a fillip and started to bounce back against th e eu ro , mo v ing up by s e ve ra l cents. The Labour Party seems to be keeping a low profile on the mat-

te r, a gre e ing in princ iple tha t Britain should remain but being a bit jealous of the conservative implosion, has decided that it is far more important to suspend members MP Naz Shah and Ken Livingstone for appearing anti-semitic due to comments the MP made before being elected to Parliament, and for Mr Livingstone’s defence

OUR VIEW

Working together.

Community counts ALTHOUGH running the six regional versions of the Euro Weekly News requires a large number of staff with the cost of offices across all of our areas, we enjoy the challenge and of course it is a business but unlike most others. We see ourselves as being part of a caring community which is quite rare in this day and age. Whilst reporting on news events in each area, we are also very careful to do our best to alert readers to local charities and what they are doing especially in our social pages, and by announcing the activities of these charities, we feel that we are undertaking a service for the community as a whole. One thing that has become increasingly clear over the past few months is that if any of our readers have a problem with local government, are searching for a lost member of the family or just want advice, then they are not scared to contact the newspaper to ask for our assistance and wherever possible, we will do all that we can to help in one way or another. Sometimes all we can do is publish an appeal to other readers who may know a missing person, but in many cases one of our Spanish speaking reporters will contact a local council office or hospital just to try to find an answer to a particular question. All of our staff and especially the Euesdens are proud to be part of this expat community and welcome the opportunity to assist wherever and whenever we can.

of her, which was perhaps not terribly well-worded. The main Liberal activity was to send Sir Simon Hughes to Gibraltar to effectively preach to the converted, as even the warring politic ia ns t her e ar e uni t ed agai nst a Brexit vote. No party in Spain believes that it c a n run a m i nor i t y gover nm ent therefore after four months of futile attempts which included some quite good name calling, the king has had no option but to call another election which is the first time that this has ever happened. Although it must be remembered that there have only been 12 elections so far and some of the governments didn’t last too long. Opinion polls don’t seem to be able to predict a clear-cut victory for any party, but possibly things will become clearer as the election date looms. One thing is sure, expats who Now we have lived outside of the UK for want to more than 15 years may find themhear your views. selves helpless to vote in either the referendum or the SpanYOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE ish election, and will just have - YOUR OPINION to accept whatever the outcome www.euroweeklynews.com may be.

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The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Kirstie and Phil's Love it or List it 24 Hours in Police Custody Grayson Perry: All Man Alan Carr: Chatty Man Shipping Wars The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News George Clarke's Amazing Cabins in the Wild Gogglebox The Windsors The Windsors Rude Tube The Big Bang Theory Come Dine with Me Channel 4 Racing A Place in the Sun Homes by the Med Channel 4 News Great Canal Journeys Coastal Walks with My Dog Prometheus Alien The Tiny Tots Talent Agency Channel 4 News The World's Most Famous Train Paul Merton's Secret Stations Indian Summers Gogglebox 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Shipping Wars The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Eating Well with Hemsley and Hemsley Food Unwrapped What Britain Buys Very British Problems Random Acts Shipping Wars The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Sun, Sea and Supersavers How to Get a Council House Children On The Frontline 24 Hours in A and E Couples Come Dine with Me Four in a Bed Shipping Wars The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News The Supervet One Born Every Minute Never Seen a Doctor Gogglebox

7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:00am 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm

11:55pm 12:55am 6:00pm 7:00pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 9:55pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 1:15am 6:55pm 7:00pm 10:00pm 12:50am 1:35am 5:00am 5:25am

5 News Tonight Chris Tarrant: Extreme Railway Journeys On Benefits: Life on the Dole The Secret Life of Puppies Aidan: The Rarest Boy in the World Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away!

6:30pm

5 News Tonight The Gadget Show Henry VIII and His Six Wives Ben Fogle: The Great African Migration Eamonn and Ruth: How the Other Half Lives The Hotel Inspector Access

3:00pm 3:30pm 4:00pm

Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away! Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away! NCIS NCIS: New Orleans 5 News The Championship Goal Rush NCIS Super Casino 5 News Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves Greatest Ever 90s Movies Goal Rush: League One Final Day Reservoir Dogs Great Scientists Great Scientists

7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:00am 12:30am

8:30pm 8:40pm 8:55pm 11:00pm 12:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 3:45pm 6:00pm 9:00pm 11:00pm 12:30am 2:00am 3:30am 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm

12:30am 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:00am 12:45am 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:00am

7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:00am 12:45am

Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Deep-Sea Super Predator Police Interceptors The Tube: Going Underground Gotham Up Late with Rylan Person of Interest 5 News Ben Fogle: The Great African Migration The Yorkshire Vet Penguin A and E with Lorraine Kelly Beaver Las Vegas: Saving the Strip Up Late with Rylan UK version of a late night chat show. 5 News Britain's Horror Homes GPs: Behind Closed Doors Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away! Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords Up Late with Rylan On Benefits: Life on the Dole

6:30pm 7:30pm 8:30pm 10:30pm 11:30pm 12:00am 6:00pm 7:00pm 8:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:00am 1:00am 2:00pm 4:00pm 8:30pm 11:30pm 12:30am 1:00am 3:00am 5:00am

Barclays Premier League World Bpl 100 Club BPL Legends Live Premier League Darts La Liga Show 2015 Barclays Premier League World Bpl 100 Club Bpl 100 Club Football's Greatest Football's Greatest Live Indian Premier League Rugby Gold Rugby Gold Live Rugby League The Fantasy Football Club Barclays Premier League Preview Soccer A.M. Live FL Live Pro 12 Rugby Live Ford Saturday Night Football SNF: Game of the Day SNF: Match Choice SNF: Match Choice SNF: Match Choice SNF: Match Choice Sky Sports Originals Goals on Sunday Ford Football Special The best of the action from the penultimate week of action from the Barclays Premier League Football Gold Soccer A.M. - The Best Bits Football League Goals Live Elite League Speedway Football League Goals SPFL Round Up Soccer A.M. - The Best Bits Soccer A.M. - The Best Bits Barclays Premier League Review Live Ford Football Special BPL Legends Sporting Mavericks Soccer A.M. - The Best Bits Ford Football Special The Premier League Years Live Indian Premier League Live Ford Football Special Sky Sports Originals Bpl 100 Club Ford Football Special The Premier League Years Ford Football Special

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EURO WEEKLY’S SPACE FOR YOU TO TAKE A BREA

Word Ladder

MADDOCKS’ VIEW ON LIFE

Weather

for next 7 days

Alicante

Move from the start word (ARMS) to the end word (RACE) in the same number of steps as there are rungs on the Word Ladder. You must only change one letter at a time.

ARMS

TIME

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TODAY:

Madrid

CLOUDY MAX 20C, MIN 14C MAX MIN

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

MAX MIN

Mon - 21 15 Sh Tues - 22 15 Sh Wed - 21 15 Sh

21 15 Cl 21 15 Sh 21 15 Sh

Fri Sat Sun -

Almeria TODAY:

MAX 24C, MIN 15C

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

Mon - 20 14 S Tues - 20 15 Sh Wed - 20 15 C

20 15 Cl 20 15 Sh 19 14 C

AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) You are in a romantic mood but something is missing from the picture. Its not that you’re feeling the need to have more than one string to your bow, it is more that you are tired of using the same old arrows. So, what is out there to fire your imagination? Something really new will not miss the mark with you.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Energy levels go up and down and you seek to ration yours by not going all-out physically. It is still possible to be quite dynamic while planning. Indeed, your clear vision impresses a colleague. If you are due for promotion then some good news is likely. Blow your own trumpet rather than wait for others to do it for you.

balance and everything else will fall into place. Life has taught you some rather harsh lessons recently. The upshot of that is you now feel more in control and more secure.

mind when with them. Saturn influences you to be more organised before a bout of indecision strikes. VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) The influence of Venus and Jupiter brings you the influence and status that you deserve. It's not that you haven't worked towards it but now you start to see the benefits. There is an urge to improve your appearance and surroundings to fit in with the ‘new you.’

CANCER (June 22 - July 23) The changes affecting you for the past few weeks continue but you are now getting better at managing their direction. Someone wanting you to take a logical action should not be allowed to push you forward. When to act will be clear to you.

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) During the past few weeks you may have gained a different perspective on life. Your need for a close attachment and harmony in your life should not be underestimated or denied in the name of practicality.

LEO (July 24 - August 23) Someone who has been unhelpful in the past suddenly steps forward. Could you have been wrong about them? Probably not. Keep a clear

ARIES (March 21 - April 20) You will see the lighter side of life this week when you discover that someone is holding a torch for you. You are flattered and vaguely interested. Your combination of intelligence and humour make you a delightful companion. Venus smiles on all your close relationships and you seem to be able to do no wrong.

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) When needed you are sure to be positive this week. On a project, ‘striking while the iron is hot’ springs to mind. There is much fun to hand but it must be ‘work first’ at the moment. Some opportunities do not come twice and you need to be aware of them when they present themselves.

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) To be truly happy you need to build on your partnerships. Keep these in

IRISH LOTTO

Saturday April 30

BONUS BALL

EURO MILLIONS Tuesday April 26

17 32

31 42

LUCKY STARS

Friday April 29

5 28

25 43

LUCKY STARS

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

Mon - 21 15 Sh Tues - 21 15 Sh Wed - 22 15 Sh

21 15 C 21 15 Sh 21 15 Sh

S Sun,

CLOUDY MAX 22C, MIN 13C

TODAY:

Cl Clear,

F Fog,

Sh Showers,

Sn Snow,

MAX MIN

25 15 C 23 15 Sh 23 15 C

Mon - 24 15 Sh Tues - 25 15 Sh Wed - 25 15 C

C Cloudy, Th Thunder

How many English words of four letters or more can you make from the nine letters in our Nonagram puzzle? Each letter may be used only once (unless the letter appears twice). Each word MUST CONTAIN THE CENTRE LETTER (in this case M) and there must be AT LEAST ONE NINE LETTER WORD. Plurals, vulgarities or proper nouns are not allowed.

Nonagram

TARGET: • Average: 8 • Good: 11 • Very good: 15 • Excellent: 20

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION bare barn bear beer brae bran brat brut burn earn erne near rant rate rent rete rube rune runt tare tarn tear tern tree true turn urea antre beret brant brent brunt brute buret burnt eater enter enure exert extra exurb ranee rebut taxer tuber tuner unbar urban banter beater berate brunet bunter extern nature neater neuter nutbar rebate tenure turban tureen urbane exurban EXUBERANT

Sudoku

Fill the grid so that every row, every column and every 3X3 box contains the digits 1-9. There’s no maths involved. You solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic.

LOTTERY UK NATIONAL LOTTERY

Mon - 21 14 Sh Tues - 21 13 Sh Wed - 21 13 Sh

Murcia

SHOWERS MAX 20C, MIN 14C

PISCES (February 20 - March 20) This is a brilliant week for money and business. Mars is influencing you to be more up-front and practical in your approach. You may feel changes coming on that you would rather deny. Burying your head in the sand is not an option.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) There is an all-consuming need to see some reward for all your efforts. There will be those who will tell you that you need to push harder for success. Perhaps you need to be with more like-minded people. Certainly being with the wrong colleagues can bring your spirits down.

MAX MIN

22 14 C 21 14 Th 20 14 Th

LA PRIMITIVA

EL GORDO DE LA PRIMITIVA

Saturday April 30

Sunday May 01

REINTEGRO

7 14

4 22

REINTEGRO

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

YOUR STARS

Fri Sat Sun (April 21 - May 21)

Fri Sat Sun -

Mon - 19 15 Sh Tues - 21 15 Sh Wed - 20 15 Sh

MAX MIN

There is much to be tackled this week, but you are wary of making full-on decisions. Taking things one step at a time is the best policy because it gives you space to consider the options. There is a restlessness about you that is hard to pinpoint. Perhaps you are feeling positive but have to hold fire because of others. This is frustrating, but try to relax.

TAURUS

MAX MIN

19 14 C 18 15 Sh 19 15 Sh

CLOUDY MAX 23C, MIN 13C

TODAY:

Benidorm TODAY:

Mon - 19 13 Sh Tues - 19 14 Sh Wed - 20 14 Sh

Answers 1. AER LINGUS, 2. SEVEN (1970, 1980, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1996), 3. The highest PEAKS/MOUNTAINS in Ireland, 4. HIBERNIA, 5. GIVE IRELAND BACK TO THE IRISH, 6. PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON, 7. SHERGAR, 8. CORK, 9. MARY ROBINSON, 10. BALLET/DANCE

Solution ARMS AIMS RIMS RIME RICE RACE

RACE BACK

‘WALTER... DID YOU SAY WALTER? - HI THERE WALTER - MY NAME IS TOM’

MAX MIN

21 15 C 21 14 Sh 18 13 Sh

Mallorca

CLOUDY MAX 20C, MIN 15C MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

Mon - 16 9 Sh Tues - 16 9 Sh Wed - 16 9 C

SHOWERS MAX 22C, MIN 15C

TODAY:

Barcelona TODAY:

MAX MIN

20 11 Sh 17 10 Sh 16 10 Sh

Malaga

CLEAR MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

SHOWERS MAX 20C, MIN 11C

TODAY:

OUT

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5 - 11 May 2016 / Costa de Almería

AK, BE INFORMED AND ENJOY A CHALLENGE

page

Enjoy filling in the following puzzles and check the answers in next week’s edition

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS CRYPTIC

Code Breaker

Quick Across 1 Enters by military force (7) 5 Outer garments (5) 8 Offers for a price (5) 9 Colonist (7) 10 Unique or specific (7) 11 Have in common (5) 12 Disturb the balance of (5) 14 Requested information about (5) 19 Falls vertically (5) 21 Observe closely (7) 23 Confidential (7) 24 Make fun of (5) 25 Take without the owner's consent (5) 26 Most immense (7) Down 1 Maintain firmly (6) 2 Worth (5) 3 Aversion (7) 4 Furnish (6) 5 Prepares food by heating (5) 6 Lacking exceptional quality (7) 7 Arranged into groups (6)

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Crossword

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Across:

Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 10 represents N and 22 represents F, so fill in N every time the figure 10 appears and F every time the figure 22 appears. Now, using your knowledge of the English language, work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you discover the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and the control grid.

1 Napkins, 5 Trees, 8/24 White goods, 9 Imitate, 10 Scratch, 11 Slice, 12 Oscar, 14 Defer, 19 Annul, 21 Spenser, 23 Terrace, 25 Stave, 26 Saddles.

Down: 1 Newest, 2 Prior, 3 Inertia, 4 Slight, 5 Toils, 6 Evasive, 7 See red, 13 Sangria, 15 Emerged, 16 Tastes, 17 Assess, 18 Crisis, 20 Lease, 22 Scowl.

QUICK Across:

13 Commit to undertake (7) 15 Disperse (7) 16 Makes fit or suitable (6) 17 Make visible (6)

English - Spanish

1 Scared, 4 Lances, 8 Relic, 10 Alarm, 11 Elect, 12 Lists, 13 Hyena, 14 Saucy, 17 Sick, 19 Fuss, 21 Shine, 24 Start, 25 Mocha, 27 Alike, 28 After, 29 React, 30 Porter, 31 Delete.

18 New (6) 20 Gastropod mollusk (5) 22 Representation (5)

Down: 1 Surplus, 2 Atlas, 3 Excess, 5 Apathy, 6 Chateau, 7 Samba, 9 Menu, 15/16 Ash can, 18 Charter, 20 Startle, 21 Starve, 22 Ibis, 23 Emerge, 24 Sharp, 26 Chase.

The clues are mixed, some clues are in Spanish and some are in English.

Across 1 Celery (4) 3 Playing cards (6) 8 El más fácil (7) 9 Laughs (3) 10 Computer (9) 12 Rum (3) 13 Prefix (7) 15 Por favor (6) 16 Red (4)

ENGLISH-SPANISH Across: 1 Cuadro, 3 Used, 7 Tan, 9 Viernes, 10 Newspaper, 13 Entrada, 14 Sea, 15 Root, 16 Sangre.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

Down 1 Edad (de persona, animal, árbol) (3) 2 Seguro (9) 4 Day before yesterday (8) 5 Newspaper (9) 6 Semilla (4) 7 Recibos (de haber pagado) (8) 11 Trampa (para cazar) (4) 14 Gold (metal, commodity, currency) (3)

Down: 1 Cats, 2 Revistas, 4 Singers, 5 Dust, 6 Telaraña, 8 Nuestro, 11 Beer, 12 Lake.

Cryptic Across

Hexagram

The purpose of the Hexagram puzzle is to place the 19 six-letter words into the 19 cells. The letters at the edges of interlocking cells MUST BE THE SAME. The letters in the words must be written CLOCKWISE. The word in cell 10 (PLURAL) and one letter in four other cells are given as clues.

ASLEEP DELETE DOUBLE ENABLE ETHANE FEEBLE HUDDLE INHERE MALLET MARVEL

MEAGER NEURON PLANAR PLURAL (10) RENDER REPEAL SERENE TRAUMA TREBLE

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION 1 Obsess 2 Odious 3 Extent 4 Desire 5 Stereo 6 Cancel 7 Debtor 8 Excise 9 Otiose 10 Breach 11 Heroin 12 Thirst 13 Sophia 14 Cerise 15 Icicle 16 Spring 17 Inhere 18 Scotch 19 Guilty.

1 Test end product with special rail (5) 4 Level-headedness in Montreal is mixed (7) 7 Feeling of joy from damaged toenail (7) 8 Part of stair is Eritrean (5) 9 Police officer in Home Counties area (5) 10 Pele mentioned part of kettle (7) 11 Most pleasant French city street (6) 13 Merchant returns scarlet paintings (6) 17 Refuse to leave book in service station (7) 19 Head of clan calls for drums (5) 21 Downgrade a pedestal (5) 22 Sit dear, not straight but with one leg on each side (7) 23 Manual dexterity is unimportant by the sound of it (7) 24 A good man holding small Scottish dessert (5) 5 Alternatively, some of Britain’s tea Down drinkers (7) 1 Unpleasant reasons to hide betrayal (7) 6 Worth me having a right to it (5) 2 Some proclaim a golden rule for an 8 The odd rioter has eggs (3) adult insect (5) 12 Devastation of old horse in care (7) 3 Lags: Rot! Lies! Deviation! (7) 14 Quotes poetry in acts of worship around 4 About a tenner for curdled milk (6) Ecuador (7)

15 Look up to unnatural spectre (7) 16 The banquet is about Dad’s last bet (6) 17 The informer is back in the flats, Sarge (5) 18 Yes, start another youth establishment (3) 20 Spike nips back with sweetheart (5)

E W N Costa de Almería

5 - 11 May 2016

VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.EWNLIFESTYLE.COM

TO READ MORE

BEAUTY

Benefits of green tea

Friendly help NEW research by Oxford University has found that having lots of friends could be ‘better than morphine.’ “Endorphins are part of our pain and pleasure circuitry - they are our body’s natural painkillers and also give us feelings of pleasure,” said Katerina Johnson from Oxford University. Adults aged between 18 and 34 were asked a variety of questions about their lives, and also took a non-invasive, physical pain test. Researchers discovered that people with larger social circles tended to have a higher pain tolerance. One theory, known as the brain opioid theory of social attachment, is that social communications generate positive emotions when endorphins bind to opioid receptors in the brain.

HEALTH

By Emily Chettle

HITTING CHILDREN: Could have long-lasting effects.

Harmful smacking BEING smacked as a child could have long-lasting effects according to researchers. Professors from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Michigan in the USA, analysed 50 years of research involving

more than 160,000 children. They said their research found children who were smacked as five-year-olds were slightly more likely to be aggressive and break rules later at school and were more likely to misbehave and defy their parents; the opposite of

what parents intended. The researchers also investigated cases of adults who were hit as children and found the more they were smacked, the more likely they were to experience mental health problems later in life.

WITHIN a relatively short space of time, green tea has gained a global following because of its undeniable health properties, being packed full of anti-oxidants. Here are some of the health benefits : Anti-Aging: Free radicals created in the body are responsible for our bodies aging and green

tea can drastically put a halt to these. Immunity Boosting: People who regularly drink green tea do not fall victim to common bacterial and viral infections as easily. Astringency: These substances trigger contractions in muscles and tissues which tones up muscles and skin. Anti-carcinogenic: The Catechins present in green tea neutralises free radicals, responsible for causing certain types of cancer. Reducing Cholesterol: Reduces cholesterol levels due to its alkalinity. Credit NataliTerr – Shutterstock.

GREEN TEA: Has so many health benefits.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Ask The Doctor

Brought to you by

Allergy conditions

SPECIALIST: Doctor Luis Perez Belmonte. Today we take a look at something that is all too relevant at this time of year: allergies! No matter the season, allergies can be a nuisance for people of all ages, but spring in sunny Spain offers an abundance of new irritants that can keep people feeling far from their best. HI there, My husband has terrible hayfever and allergies, he has had a blood test and they said he is allergic to grass pollen, olive pollen and dust which is relatively normal, but we think he is also allergic to something else as he is suffering terribly and it can make him bed bound until it passes. We think he requires a full allergy test as he has tried all tablets and even the steroid injection but nothing works. A pharmacist did mention about a vaccine - would this be a possibility once we know the allergies? Kind regards Jessica Answer: Hello Jessica, Your husband should be seen for a full examina-

5 - 11 May 2016/ Costa de Almería

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tion by a specialist in allergies to determine whether or not his symptoms are allergic. Once they are confirmed to be allergic then it is the time to find out what is causing them. To this end, tests are needed which consist of small injections into the arm (Prick Test) which allow us to discover what the patient is allergic to. Sometimes blood tests are also needed but generally the skin test is sufficient. I would recommend that he stops taking antihistamines and steroids for a month as they can affect the results of allergy tests. One the cause of the allergy is determined, if antihistamines don’t help there are injections which can control symptoms very effectively. Regards

If you have any questions for Dr Perez Belmonte, please send them to: jefemedico@helicopterossanitarios.com The Coast’s Home GP service - wherever you are - at home - in the office - in the car - on the golf course your GP will get to see you any time, anywhere. A priceless service at an affordable price.

EWN

Cheating can turn out to be good for you WOMEN who have been cheated on by their partners often end up in stronger relationships as a result. Researchers said that the infidelity helps women make better choices of partners in the future so after the short term pain and grief, the cheating can actually be a good thing in the long term. Dr Morris, an evolutionary biologist at Binghamton University in New York, led the study, and said over 85 per cent of individuals will experience at least one break up in their lifetime. He worked with colleagues at University College London, and conducted an online survey of over 5,000 people in 96 different countries about their relationship break-ups. Their findings showed

UNFAITHFUL PARTNERS: In the long run it can actually benefit women. that while discovering an unfaithful partner could have negative short term effects, in the long run it actually benefited women.

Avocado hair mask NATURAL oils and nutrients in avocados make them a great treatment for damaged and frizzy hair. An avocado hair mask can add shine into your hair. Mash one ripe avocado and mix with one egg yolk, add a tablespoon of coconut oil and massage into your hair, leave for 15-20 mins, then shampoo and condition. This hair mask will soften stiff, dry hair. It will create a glossy, shiny result.

Meanwhile scientists in America have claimed that sleeping with other people could lead to a happier marriage. They said that ‘out-

sourcing’ certain areas of the relationship, such as sex, can make couples happier as there is often a long list of demands on partners.

E W N 5 - 11 May 2016 / Costa de Almería

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OPINION & COMMENT

LEGALLY SPEAKING

I’m getting old Category ‘B’ Mike Senker

In my opinion Views of a Grumpy Old Man I’M getting old. Well actually I am old. I don’t like the ageing process but of course it’s better than the alternative. All sorts of things start happening to the body and in some cases stop happening. On a recent visit to my doctor she told me that I should stop eating chocolate, stop smoking, stop drinking, stop eating red meat, stop having fried food, cut down on my dairy products, walk four miles a day and stop having sex… I asked if this would make me live longer and she said ‘No but it will definitely feel like it!!’ The other day I was trying to do something on the computer. By the time I’d logged on I’d completely forgotten what it was I was going to do. What’s that all about? I walk in to rooms, look round and walk out. Not a clue why I went in. I stand there like a doughnut looking around for some inspiration but nothing. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been driving somewhere then realised that I’ve gone past the turning because in my head

I’m going somewhere else! Please tell me it’s not just me. Today I was looking to hire a car so I went on to a car rental company’s website and all I had to do was put in my username and password and I was all set. Was I heck? Could I remember my password? I thought I did. I tried it three times then got locked out. I got a message saying I now had to change my password. I spent the next hour trying to do that but it all got too complicated as they wanted my driving licence number and credit card details. Driving licence was fine but I couldn’t remember what credit card I had on their file. I tried three which were wrong and then I got locked out of that screen! I’ll call them tomorrow if I remember. I have so many pin numbers and passwords it’s impossible to remember them all and you are always told don’t write them down, so I hide them on my phone and code them. Then I forget the code! I have decided to change my password to ‘incorrectpassword’, so if I put it in wrong or forget it at least when that pops up I’ll have half a chance of remembering it. When you get old, I’ve decided, two things happen to you. One is that your memory starts to go and the second ….. err, err, mmm can’t think of it at the moment. I’ll get back to you on that one.

AS part of the series, we answer some common driving questions and keep you updated on the latest driving and road news kindly provided by members of the Guardia Civil based in Torrevieja, Costa Blanca, who set up the N332 website and Facebook page to help break down barriers.

CATEGORY ‘B’: Holders can drive a normal passenger car and some other vehicles. THE majority of drivers in Spain have a category ‘B’ licence, which means they are certified as qualified to drive a normal passenger car, but being qualified in that category also allows you to drive some other vehicles. As a category ‘B’ licence holder you are permitted to drive specially-designed passenger cars, for private use, ranging from a small urban car, an SUV, minivan or sports car. There is no limitation to the type of vehicle, so long as it is a private car, but there are limitations to the physical characteristics. Namely, a private car must be equal to or less than 3,500kg in weight and can have a maximum of nine seats, including the driver. The vehicle can only be driven for private and leisure use and not for any commercial gain, whether that be for business or carrying passengers in exchange for cash or goods. In the case of vans, you can drive any van

in which either passengers, goods or both can be transported, whether that vehicle is approved as a private or commercial vehicle, so long as it has a maximum weight equal to or less than 3,500kg and no more than nine seats including the driver. For both cars and vans you can also attach a trailer with a category ‘B’ licence, provided the total combined weight of the vehicle and trailer do not exceed the maximum weight permitted. If the trailer exceeds 750kg and the joint weight between car and trailer is 3,5004,250kg it is necessary to take two specific practical tests, which covers vehicle manoeuvres and dealing with traffic. For combined weights of over 4,250kg, it is necessary to obtain a BE category certification. This requires both a theoretical test and two practical tests, one of manoeuvres and the other in traffic.

For more news and articles visit www.n332.es or search N332 on Facebook.

One owner – one vote? IN our small Community I own several properties and garage spaces but our administrator insists that I get only one vote. Is this legal? Let us clear up the voting picture. The Law of Horizontal Property clearly states that each property has one vote, and this vote is weighted according to the size of the property. If one large owner controls the community and his actions prejudice the group of small owners,

I pay fees on five units, so why don’t I get five votes? You have written that the law says each property has one vote. JA (Costa Blanca)

David Searl You and the Law in Spain

they can go to court. However, in 1995, Spain’s Supreme Court ruled that communities can simply vote to use a oneperson, one-vote system. Over the following years

more and more communities have voted to use this system. It is simpler and easier to administrate. Now it is the large owner who has to go to court if he feels prejudiced. This gradual change has overtaken my standard advice that each property has a vote, and I regret not making it clear any sooner.

Send your questions for David Searl through lawyers Ubeda-Retana & Associates in Fuengirola at Ask@lawtaxspain.com, or call 952 667 090.

OPINION & COMMENT

5 - 11 May 2016 / Costa de Almería

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Indian Summers won’t be back on Channel 4 as it gets the chop tions, as the BBC is trying to keep its budget under control and Love Productions is asking for more cash to make the show. It’s all because Bake Off was originally commissioned by the BBC’s documentary team, with less money than would normally be given to an entertainment programme.

Richard Shanley

Dishing the Dirt OF EUROPA DIGITAL

INDIAN SUMMERS is no more, as Channel 4 has confirmed its axe. The period drama series currently airing on Sunday nights won’t be back for a third series next year. “We’re incredibly proud of Indian Summers and have loved having it in the schedule,” Channel 4 said. “But with a number of new drama launches already confirmed for 2017, we have decided not to commission a third series.” The second series is set in 1935. It stars Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Nikesh Patel, Julie Walters, Patrick Malahide, Jemima West and Roshan Seth, among others. The Great British Bake Off ’s future on the BBC is in doubt, a new report has suggested. According to an article in Broadcast, the BBC is about to start negotiations for more series of the show with production company Love Productions.

If you would like me to answer any questions you may have on satellite TV or to expand on anything I have written about please call me on 678 332 815 or email richard@europa-digital.com I look forward to your comments and questions.

BAKE OFF: Current deal ends after the upcoming series. While we’ll definitely be getting more Bake Off on the BBC this summer, the current three-year deal will end after the

upcoming seventh series. And the report claims that money is becoming a sticking point in the negotia-

Don’t forget to listen to my radio show every weekday from 10am on Spectrum 96.1 & 106.8FM, now covering almost 3,000 sq km of Costa Almeria and Calida or listen online at costaalme ria.spectrumfm.net for the latest news and views from the world of satellite television.

SCENE A busy month for RBL

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5 - 11 May 2016

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APRIL proved to be a busy month for the Zurgena Branch of the Royal British Legion. At the Branch Meeting at the start of the month, Nigel Hails, District Chairman, Spain North made a visit and gave a very informative talk to members which was much appreciated by all. On April 27 a group of members and guests took a trip to Sorbas Caves, the youngest being 56 and the oldest 78. They went caving, travelling just over a kilometre underground, taking about two hours, on hands and knees, backsides and feet, crawling, sliding and scrambling their way through some very tight spaces. It was a fantastic experience, one they all thoroughly enjoyed. Afterwards they were joined by other branch members and guests for a well earned lunch. On May 24 members and guests will be visiting the Spanish Legion base at Viator, then on June 9 they are having a trip to the Medieval Market in Lorca, while the Chairman’s BBQ will be held on Friday June 17.

OCIAL

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SORBAS CAVES: Members and guests went caving and all thought it a fantastic experience. Zurgena Branch of the RBL meets on the first Thursday of the month at Latino’s bar in Alfoquia for their branch meeting.

They hold regular events throughout the month including a coffee morning and a quiz night.

For more information about the branch, please contact secretary Chrissy at zurgenarblsecretary@yahoo.co.uk

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Mother earth in Plenty planned eyes of the artists for Albox RBL

MOTHER EARTH: Expresses artist’s love of nature. PACHAMAMA, an exhibition of paintings, photographs and scultpures, launched in Mojacar on Saturday, April 30, and will be running until May 31. Organised by the town hall’s Culture Department, the exhibition is open to the public at the Fuente de Mojacar arts centre and includes work by Luis Alonso de Armiño, Lucas Carrion and other artists. The name Pachamama, or Mother Earth, aims to express the artists’ respect and love of nature, the countryside and life in general. Nature is the main subject used by Luis Alonso de Armiño, while Lucas Carrion works with recycled materials and his neighbours often take him their broken tractor and machine parts to use for his creations.

THE Royal British Legion Albox Branch has the following events taking place: Coffee morning at La Parrilla in Albox today (Thursday, May 5) starting at 10.30am. Do drop in, have a bevvie and a chat. Members’ business meeting at La Parrilla in Albox Thursday, May 19 at 11am. This month’s speaker is Sarah Edkins talking about her life in the British Transport Police. Anyone who knows someone who would like to join is invited to bring them along to sign up as a member. All Branch events are published on both the Branch FaceBook page https://www.facebook.com/g roups/alboxrbl/ and the branch website http://coun ties.britishlegion.org.uk/bra nches/albox. On Wednesday June 8 the branch is having an ‘away day’ to Baza Market followed by a meal at a restau-

rant by the lakeside. The pick-up point will be Maxi Dia in Albox, times and costs will be provided shortly. Anyone who has not already registered an interest and would like to come is asked to contact Sarah via sarahedkins123@gmail.com. There will be no coffee morning in June. The branch will be holding a Summer Poppy Dance at the Kubatin in Arboleas on Saturday July 16 so do make a note in your diary for this.

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Working towards safer roads THE AL-7103 road between Cantoria and Arboleas is the latest to receive attention, with Almeria Provincial Council spending €100,000 on resurfacing and other tasks to improve its safety. Work was focused on a 720-metre stretch of the road, which was resurfaced and provided with better drainage systems to avoid flooding. Public Works and Development delegate Oscar Liria reported that the provincial council is spending almost €10 million on provincial roads in 2015-2016 as “it is vital to ensure that all our roads, both inland and on the coast, are in the best possible condition and all areas are connected.”

ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS

Great day out for association By Eleanor Hawkins A GROUP of members of El Saliente Disabled Association had a great day out on Friday (April 29) at the Granja Escuela La Alegria de Sustana farm school in Huercal de Almeria. About 10 association members, accompanied by their monitors, made the trip to the farm where they had the chance to ride horses and interact with various animals and learn how to make bread rolls. Many later said if the free activity is repeated they would sign up to go again. The benefits of this type of activity are many, the associa-

tion explained, as they improve personal relationships and emotional states due to the change in routine and new experiences which are very different to the disabled group members’ usual daily routines. At the farm school, they were able to take part in a number of new activities including cake making, planting wheat, interacting with animals and learning about local plant life. Volunteers are often needed to help out with this type of activity, and the association encourages anyone who speaks Spanish and has time on their hands to get in touch to find out what they can do to help.

ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS

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Mystery of missing cash

HORSE RIDING: And other activities involving animals are very beneficial.

PP, the opposition party in Albox, has once again put the cat among the municipal pigeons, claiming that €100,000 is missing from the council’s accounts which nobody has mentioned. The money in question is part of an agreement between the town hall and Gestagua water company back in April 2011 which outlines a €1 million payment to the council as advance payment for work to be carried out, however the accounts show a payment of €900,000, the PP has stated. “Nobody seems to have noticed that there is €100,000 missing which seems strange. “Surely the accounts supervisor, the Treasury councillor, former mayors Jose Garcia and Rogelio Mena or

current mayor Sonia Cerdan would have been aware of this difference in amounts, yet nothing has ever been said. “It seems strange, like if you asked the bank for a loan and they gave you less money but you said nothing,” PP spokesman Juan Pedro Perez Quiles said. Although his party has asked for a meeting with the mayor to give her the chance to explain the matter, the opposition explained, this has been set for September 7, more than five months away. The council failed to comment on the matter when contacted by EWN and at the time of going to print no official statement on the matter had been issued by the town hall.

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ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS

Ban now effective By Eleanor Hawkins FORMER mayor and current spokesman for the Opposition at Tijola Town Hall, Jose Francisco Carreño has resigned from his post within the council following an agreement with the public prosecutor over a case of planning irregularities in 2009. The ban will last three years and became effective on April 18, meaning Carreño will be able to run in the next municipal elections.

Another brick in the wall A NEW retaining wall at the entrance of Zurgena will be finished in the next few days. This 50 metre long, two metre high wall is not only intended to stop the landslides which worry local residents - especially during heavy rains - but it will also embellish the entrance to the town.

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ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS

Culture with stone By Eleanor Hawkins PUPILS from Martin Garcia Ramos secondary school in Albox took part on Thursday (April 28) in a Stonid, Culture and Stone project day at the CTAP centre in Macael. The youngsters were invited to join technicians at the CTAP Technology and Investigation centre to collaborate with lab tests and see how new products are created as part of the project, launched to encourage scientific voca-

tions within the so-called Marble Region consisting of Macael, Olula del Rio, Cantoria, Purchena and Albox. Youngsters aged 13 to 16 are, within the project which has the support of the Cosentino Group, Almeria and Jaen Universities and the marble region’s secondary schools, introduced to the different areas related to marble and stone in which they can seek qualifications. Stone and marble make up the main traditional industry in the area, and

youngsters who leave their studies early to take up manual work within the sector are one of the most vulnerable groups which the drop in construction and the recession have affected. This project aims to combat this by showing the next generation how they can focus their studies on the sector where they are most likely to obtain work, meaning they will at least have some qualifications to back them up in the future.

It’s a family matter within CANTORIA mayor Purificacion Garcia had the unpleasant task last week of having to have her husband forcibly removed from a council plenary session by the Local Police after he interrupted the meeting and allegedly began yelling insults at another councillor.

Antonio Cerrillo, the mayor ’s husband, is also a town hall advisor and was removed from running in the May 2015 local elections by the PSOE socialist party. Now, according to the official complaint lodged with the Guardia Civil by PP party spokesman Jose Maria

Llamas, Cerrillo was not only insulting but also threatening him, causing him to fear for his and his family’s safety. In the complaint, Llamas states that there were witnesses present and asked for recordings of the session to be viewed, and

explained that he believes the advisor was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which made him aggressive. He also added that as Cerrillo was a hunter and has access to guns he truly fears that he could take matters further.

ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS

And they won! YOUNGSTERS from the Alto Almanzora secondary school in Tijola are preparing to visit the Andalucian and European Parliaments after winning an online competition, Euroscola 2016, which this year was focused on the 30th anniversary of Spain joining the European Union in 1986. As reported in Euro Weekly News, the youngsters carried out two separate projects for the competition, one of which included sale of charity t-shirts to raise money for a charity for the blind in Olula and the other included a debate on Europe with students from a school in Seron.

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5 - 11 May 2016

V I S I T O U R W E B S I T E W W W . E U R O W E E K LY N E W S . C O M

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PROPERTY www.euroweeklynews.com

Brexit backtrack

Wayfaring waffles

By Matthew Elliott THE interest of overseas companies in investing in the British property market has been steadily declining due to fears over the impending Brexit vote, according to a new report from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. A survey of the respected group’s members found that 40 per cent had seen marked reductions in investment, while in London 80 per cent claimed that uncertainty over the result was hindering investment. Only 5 per cent said they had seen an increase in interest during the year’s first quarter, and others reported fears that major internationals are considering relocating to the likes of Dublin, Frankfurt and Paris. Even uncertainty over whether multinationals would leave is holding back further investment as they typically own huge chunks of the capital’s property market. The report added: “Brexit could see less demand for higher end properties as highly paid executives could follow their headquarters to mainland Europe.

BREXIT: British property market has been steadily declining due to fears over the impending vote. We can, therefore, suggest house prices could decrease in the immediate to short term.” A further impact on property should a Brexit come to pass would be within the construction industry as an estimated 10-12 per cent of workers come

from overseas. Construction costs have already escalated sharply due to a lack of skilled workers. Summarising the report chief economist Simon Rubinsohn said: “There is no doubt that since the EU referendum became a certainty following the gen-

eral election last May we have seen a decline in interest from overseas investors in UK commercial property. At least in the short term, we know that international retailer and service providers are finding the UK market less attractive.”

BRITS, Germans, Scandinavians and Russians typically dominate the headlines of the expatriate property market in Spain, but when it comes to numbers a far smaller nation is punching well above its weight. Belgians are actually the fourth largest buyers in Spain at present and command a solid 6.26 per cent share of the foreign market. This puts them just behind their German and French neighbours (at 7.33 per cent and 8.72 per cent respectively). The continentals lie substantially behind Brit buyers who continue their dominance with a 21.34 per cent share. Second homes in Spain have proven a popular venture for many Belgians and in 2015 there were 2,907 purchases, a 1.3 per cent rise on the previous year and representing a dramatic eight purchases per day on average.

Top 10 tips on buyer’s psychology John Graham The property expert

IN previous articles I’ve talked about the psychology of buyers’ first impressions when visiting your property for the first time, and the importance of controlling the good appearance of your neighbourhood, community and the exterior of your apartment or villa. Before we get into the buyer setting foot in to your property and looking inside and talking about what you should do to make the right first impressions, I want to first cover one

of the most important points of the sale and that is, the price! The sales price of your property will either sell your property fast or it will take a long time maybe years, so getting this right is very important and there are golden rules to follow. It’s common for sellers to overvalue their property due to the emotional attachment and the psychology that sellers have in wanting the highest sales price possible. As a senior surveyor I have carried out hundreds of valuations over the years and there are a number of golden rules in pricing a property correctly. Get it right and the property will sell fast, get it wrong and the

property could take years to sell or you will have no offers. Here are my 10 top tips on the psychology of selling your property. 1. Getting the sales price right is vital, remember a surveyor is professionally qualified to do this work. 2. Psychologically the first number stays in the buyer’s mind, so for example the four in €487,500 will stick and seem much cheaper than a price that starts with a five as in €500,000. 3. Don’t overprice your property, it’s a common mistake. 4. If you have priced your property too high you may have to discount the price at some time in the future. 5. If you need to discount the price do so by at least by 15 to 20 per cent in one big discount. 6. Avoid discounting your price over a period of time by several small amounts, it doesn’t work and your property will be on the market for a long time. 7. After you have discounted your price, avoid buyers thinking there could be something

wrong with your property and explain that you are in a hurry to sell and are moving away, hence the discount, even if it’s not the case. 8. Saying you’re eager to sell quickly is good, buyers will want to visit and make an offer. 9. Avoid telling buyers you’re in no hurry to sell, it puts buyers off and you will have fewer visits because they will think your price is non-negotiable. 10. Don’t lose the sale of your property by haggling with the buyer over some items of furniture or fittings he wants included in the price, just agree and focus on selling your property. I hope you have learned new ideas from how the psychology of selling property works and if you are selling your property I hope you will sell it in 2016. If you are looking to sell your property contact me for more professional assistance. John H Graham is a Fellow of The Architecture & Surveyors Institute Contact him by email gk.ipad@me.com

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OPINION & COMMENT

Straight down the middle Cassandra Nash A weekly look - and not entirely impartial reaction to the Spanish political scene

MARIANO RAJOY is already going for Albert Rivera’s jugular. If the country is going to the polls again – if not the dogs – it’s the fault of Ciudadanos and the PSOE, Rajoy claimed. His animosity towards the PSOE is understandable but Ciudadanos, which perches not on the fence but dead centre, ran off with Partido Popular votes last December and refused to pact with the party afterwards. Correction: Rivera refused to pact with Mariano Rajoy which is an entirely different matter.

Get it over with AN austere monarchy is a prime example of tautology, but insofar as an austere monarchy is possible, the present Borbon generation does its best. Unsurprisingly, Felipe VI in his last-ditch

round of talks with political leaders, expressed hopes that the coming election campaign will be pared-down and not a burden to the population. What would make Spanish voters really happy is an election now, preferably tomorrow. June 26 is just over eight interminable weeks away and like childbirth or the dentist’s drill they want the agony to end as soon as possible.

enough show over the last four months to overshadow anyone else in the party, and that includes Susana Diaz.

MARIANO RAJOY: Is already going for Albert Rivera’s jugular.

Wrong country

Support needed

PABLO I GLESI AS, l eader of Podemos, chided the journalists who give him and the party a hard time. In his best, chatty, prime time television mode he added that of course he understood they were “professionally obliged” to speak ill of them. Wrong country, Pablo. This is Spain you’re talking about – not Venezuela, the near-dictatorship that you and yours were formerly paid to advise and assess on economic and political matters.

THE PSOE will hold pre-election primaries with Pedro Sanchez as the only candidate. It might smack of totalitarianism but should ensure that he has the support he needed and didn’t always get before and during the December 20 election campaign. Not every ‘baron’ or regional president could digest the fact that Sanchez was chosen by the PSOE cardcarriers, not them, and many still don’t warm to him. But he’s put up a good

Advertising feature

Liberty brokers…stars of the show THE new Liberty Seguros press advertising campaign for 2016 has been launched and this year, the ‘stars’ of the campaign are the actual brokers and agents themselves! It’s a nice ‘twist’ from Liberty, who believes that their intermediaries (another name for agents and brokers) should be strongly featured in their marketing campaigns, because they are at the core of the Liberty Seguros insurance business. A specially created microsite was designed for the intermediaries to access, where they were able to vote for the ‘real look and feel’ of a true insurance intermediary. In this microsite, they voted for the person that they thought could represent the look of a real intermediary from a selection of photographic models. Two men and two women were chosen. They also selected the look and style for the models. The results were very conclusive, with the winning choice being a smart-casual look. Following the online voting, the chosen models, two women and two men, were invited to a photo

AD CAMPAIGN: The stars of the campaign are Liberty Seguros’ brokers and agents. shoot and were dressed to fit the chosen smart-casual look and the shoot began! The resultant images are now be-

ing used in the press campaign which will run, in different formats, throughout this year, including the current promo ads, where as much

as 50€ can be saved on car, home and life insurance. As Ivan Ortego, intermediaries experience director, pointed out,

“We value the amazing support that all our agents and brokers give to Liberty Seguros and, of course, to all our valued customers, who are insured by Liberty Seguros. What a better way to get them involved in our business strategy for 2016? We would like to thank them for their involvement in this project.” Liberty Seguros currently has over 300 expatriate intermediaries in Spain, providing customers with professional advice on any insurance matter, including car, home, life, marine, leisure, pet as well as business and commercial covers. Go to www.libertyexpatriates.es or call 902 255 258 for the name of your nearest LIBERTY SEGUROS broker.

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Will the water table rise in May – that is a key question! Dick Handscombe

Gardening Corner By Spain’s best known expatriate gardening author living in Spain for 25 years.

UNTIL a few years ago the first week of May was the traditional time when heavy rainfalls and some thunderstorms used to saturate soils deeply.

Checking the weather forecast for the first fortnight of May this year doesn’t look too promising in terms of urgently wanted rain, so taking steps to minimise the need for water in gardens makes good sense. There are many ideas appropriate to all expatriates in our earliest books - Practical Gardening on the Costa, Your Garden

in Spain, Growing Healthy Fruit in Spain, Growing Healthy Vegetables in Spain and Apartment Gardening Mediterranean Style, but unfortunately these are no longer in Spanish bookshops as the publisher and main distributor stopped trading as a result of the impact of the declining economy and reduction in the

number of new expatriates buying properties in Spain. This led to the collating and expanding the number of practical ideas for designing, planting up and maintaining gardens which require much less water than traditionally from day one in new gardens or in the future by modifying existing gardens and gardening practices in the

handy book ‘How to use less water in your Garden’. Just going down some of the section headings in the index starts to prompt a recognition of things that are often done only half-heartedly. These include the following: • Designing and developing your garden

• Soil improvement • Select plants that need least water • Preparing planting areas and planting holes • Effective watering practices • Reducing evaporation losses • Reduce drainage losses • Mulch more and more • The importance of shade • Protection from drying winds • Interesting features that don’t require watering • Special ideas for apartment and patio gardens Some 300 individual ideas, often easy and inexpensive, are grouped under these and other section headings. © Dick Handscombe May 2016.

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Tips for a greener home By Eleanor Hawkins THERE are many small and relatively easy changes we can make to help the environment and create a healthier home for ourselves at the same time, with the added benefit that a lot of them help save money too! Electrics: Scrimping works out more expensive in the long run. When buying new appliances, go for class A or higher. Although more expensive, they will work out cheaper as they use 30 per cent less electricity. The same goes for lights: low energy or LED bulbs reduce CO2 levels and last 10 times longer than traditional ones. Water: Special taps that set a certain temperature and gadgets to reduce water pressure can cut the amount of water you use in half. Change your habits: Shower instead of bathing, don’t use the WC as a bin, turn taps off while you shampoo or brush your teeth, fill the washing machine before you turn it on and avoid leaving appliances on standby.

CLEANING: Use products that don’t contaminate for a healthier home and family. Temperature: The ideal room temperature is 21ºC. Set heaters and air conditioning to this temperature to save on bills and look after the planet. Clean and healthy home: Make sure the cleaning products you use don’t contaminate. You’ll have a healthier home and family and do your bit for the environment too. What about the garden or terrace? • Make the most of rainwater: Install rain collectors and use

the water to water your plants. • Make your own urban veg-

etable plot and eat your own 100 per cent ecological veg.

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Part three of Edward’s story David THE Dogman Listen to David on TRE every Saturday 10am to 11am Costa del Sol (Gibraltar/Sotogrande) 98.7fm (San Roque to Calahonda) 91.9fm (Calahonda to Motril) 88.9, Costa Calida 92.7fm Costa Blanca (Torrevieja to Elche) 105.1fm (Elche to Calpe) 88.2fm, (Calpe to Gandia & Ibiza) 104.6fm, (Denia to Valencia) 95.3fm Mallorca 103.9fm

THE third part of the story of a woman with a rare skin disease and her beloved dog, Edward. One day on the bus home from art, laden with art books etc, Edward stopped the bus at the beach. As we passed the beach the bus stopped and the driver turned to me and said:”Do you want this stop love.” I said “no.” “Well your dog pressed the button.” You can see that Edward has a sense of humour. I am not allowed to cry as it clos-

EDWARD: He even stays in hospital with me, no one is as gentle as he is. es my throat altogether and I have to go into hospital and be put on a drip until it opens again. Sometimes it is very hard not to get upset so I just

bury my face in his fur and it all falls away. After all, nothing can be that bad as long as I have Edward. He even stays in hospital with me

as it would make my throat close if I get upset at being parted from him. The nurses have found he is the best one to undress me as he causes less

trauma. No one is as gentle as he is. I used to dread going shopping and had to go when the shops were quiet or people would bang into me and take my skin off with their bags or trolleys. Now I can go anytime as they give Edward more room and it protects me. One day last November, Peter was in the garage and I started to choke. I gripped the sink and Edward let himself out into the conservatory and into the garden, barking his head off till Peter came in from the garage to help me. I was terrified I was going to die. In recognition of his valued work, Edward is paid £30 (€38.47) a week by the government. He saves them over £29,000 (€37,192) a year. I love Edward more than I ever thought I could. With him I can fly, if he thinks I am ok - I am ok. If Edward never worked again I could never part with him. I love him more than life itself. I hold his lead, he holds my heart.

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PETS

Advertising feature

The best place for your pets THE Five Bone Hotel in Turre which reopened last October under the new (ish!) ownership of Anita and Mark, has enjoyed a phenomenally successful first seven months due to overwhelming support of customers both new and old. The couple attribute this to the fact that they love their work and it shines through in everything they do, plus their combined 41 years of professional animal care experience. Anita has been a dog groomer for 20 years and was a British trained veterinary nurse, whilst Mark has run the kennels for 16 years now. The couple take their kennels very seriously and it is their vocation as well as their livelihood. The kennels is a way of life to them and their dedication reflects this. Due to this and the time they spend there, it is unnecessary to book an appointment to view the kennels and refurbished cattery. Just visit during open hours which are Monday – Saturday 9.30am – 12.30pm and 6pm –

7pm and Sundays 9.30am – 10.30am. It is closed on fiestas. Set within extensive gardens, what is on offer for your pets is a secure, super clean, individual space (with no sharing!) where they can have their own comforts from home. It is a wonderful environment where your pets will find ample stimulation, fresh air, freedom and companionship. Hygiene, comfort and care are the top priorities at the Five Bone Hotel, Turre, which employs highly-trained and professional staff ready to cater to all of your pet’s needs. The value of dedicated training and expertise can never be overesti-

TOP PRIORITIES: The highly trained staff at the Five Bone Hotel in Turre offer hygiene, comfort and care.

mated when it comes to the health and happiness of your pets. For dogs there is a huge paddock for running, and set apart from the kennels, the cattery has a completely wired-in garden for the cats’ individual exploration under supervision. Because the Five Bone is one of the few government registered and licensed animal boarding establishments in Almeria, the facilities meet and exceed all legal requirements. There are complaints books available (never been used!) and it is subject to inspections (never failed!). Go and see for yourself! One would expect so much dedication and experience to be expensive. However, in order to regain the top spot on the best Pet Hotel list, the Five Bone has kept its prices the same as in 2010! (See classifieds). So, for the best professional care for your pets, including dog grooming and bathing, at the best prices available, call Mark or Anita today on 630 234 556 or 662 344 734.

Tintin and Cesca feel safe in their home House-sitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and pet-sitting and the experience and checked sitters get free accommodation! To find a pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com or call Lamia on +44 (0)1865521508. HOMEOWNERS with multiple pets often ask if we can find a reliable and experienced sitter to care for their fur families at home. And yes we can! House-sitting is definitely a growing trend around the world, as many retired and semi-retired people look for new and affordable ways to swap their lifetime’s experience in home and pet care and maintenance for an exchange of free accommodation by housesitting.

Jo is a retired sports coach from Northern Ireland who has started house-sitting as a way to see the world. He is particularly keen on learning more about Spain, visiting the cities and spending time in the campo. What’s more he loves animals and has kept many dogs, cats and even donkeys as pets over the years. Now that the last of his dogs has passed, he is taking the opportunity to pet-sit for other people, allowing them to

travel and him to enjoy Spain at a leisurely pace. GrandaJo, as he is known on HouseSitMatch, has already completed several house-sits in Spain, looking after Tintin and Cesca recently. He is also a handyman and can keep your fences mended and swimming pools in good condition while you are away. If you need a house or pet-sitter for your next holiday why not register with HouseSitMatch as a homeowner and meet Jo or one of our other house-sitters? We have a growing list of experienced sitters to choose from. House-sitting can be a winwin for both parties, free house and pet-sitting and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! Register now with 50 per cent off using coupon code SPECIAL50. To find a pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com.

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THE FIVE BONE HOTEL, TURRE. Still at 2010 prices! Cats 5€, Big dogs 7.25€, med dogs 6.50€, little dogs 5.75€, per day. 630 234 556 / the5bonehotelturre@gmail. com New opening hours MonSat 9.30-12.30 Sundays 9.3010.30 (244261) THE FIVE BONE HOTEL TURRE DOG grooming salon is getting very busy. Anita asks all clients to please book well in advance to avoid disappointment 662 344 734 or the5bonehotelturre@gmail. com New opening hours Mon-Sat 9.30-12.30 Sundays 9.30-10.30 (244261)

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UK driving licences UK driving licence holders hiring vehicles within the UK will need to use the new online DVLA service ‘Share Driving Licence’ to validate their driving record, as the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence will no longer be valid. ‘Share Driving Licence’ will generate a code which is valid for a maximum period of 21 days and requires the driver to submit their driving licence number, National Insurance number and home postcode. To access the service and generate your DVLA Share Driving Licence code visit www.gov.uk/view-driving-lice nce and you should bring the code and your driving licence with you when picking up your hire vehicle. This only applies to those with UK issued driving licences. Non-UK Licence holders and Northern Ireland licence holders are not affected.

Clarkson Quote of theWeek

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“Honest to God, the Qubo is so slow that if you climbed into one this morning in Hunstanton and attempted to drive south as fast as possible, coastal erosion would swallow you up by Wednesday evening.” Some might say...

Enter the beast By Matthew Elliott A NEW Cayenne platinum Edition is being offered by Porsche with special editions of the Cayenne Diesel and S E-Hybrid boasting enhanced features and attractive pricing. A myriad of delightful tweaks are on display which are sure to captivate even the most illustrious of buyers. Impressive 20-inch wheels in RS Snyder design are provided with much larger and wider arches, while the interior now features leather sport seats with an electric adjustment with eight settings. Comfort and safety are well taken care of with automatic anti-glare on the exterior and rear-view mirrors. A Park Assist feature graphically shows drivers their immediate surroundings, while back-seat passengers are afforded a relieving privacy through dark tinted glass windows. Online navigation is incorporated into the latest generation Porsche Communi-

cation System, while a state-of-the-art BOSE surround sound system makes the car a universe unto itself. Additional features include bi-xenon headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System, heated front seats, Power Steering Plus, Connect Plus and GTS sports seats and Alcantara seat centres. There is ‘Platinum Edition’ lettering for both models, with the letters being luxuriously illuminated for the Hybrid model. Finishes are a non-metallic black or white, with optional deep black, mahogany, carrera white, Purpurite, and rhodium silver metallic paints. On to the important matters of power and torque, the three-litre V6 engine in the Cayenne Diesel consumes around 6.7 litres per 100 kilometres, depending on the tyres, and has an impressive output of 193 kW (262 hp).

NEW: The Porsche Cayenne Platinum Edition. The combined power of the Cayenne S E-Hybrid results in a spectacular output of 306 kW (416 hp) courtesy of the fluid interaction between the three-litre V6 petrol engine and the electric motor. With a consumption of 3.3-3.4 litres per 100 kilometres the Cayenne S E-Hy-

brid does command a heftier asking price than the Diesel at €90,298 compared to €74,352. Naturally prices will differ across national markets. Porsche is taking orders now, with the deliveries to commence from late August.

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Zombie fleet THE DVLA has published interesting figures which reveal which cars have substantial numbers listed as SORN (Statutory OffRoad No t i f i c a t i o n ) , mea n in g th e y are currently languishing in garages and gardens, yet are still registered. As of April 2016 half of all registered MG Midgets are listed as SORN, with more than 7,000 of the 14,000 classics now officially off-road. The Ford Sierra clocks up the

highest proportion of SORN listed vehicles with a hefty 75 per cent now squirrelled away. In terms of sheer numbers, however, the trusty Volkswagen Golf storms first place with a massive 60,875 SORN registered. Other cars which feature prominently are typically old classics including the Ford Escort, Saab 900, Austin Mini, Renault Cleo and Mercedes 200.

DIESEL CATASTROPHY: Cars have been caught without essential filters.

Deadly diesel

DIESEL could be causing far more harm than it’s worth as UK government figures reveal thousands of cars have been caught without essential pollution filters. The diesel particle filters have been compulsory since 2009 but can cost upwards of €1,000 and frequently break down. Without the filters, emissions soar dramatically and contribute to the estimated 29,000 deaths caused each year in Britain by air pollution. Many garages offer discreet ways to avoid motorists being caught by recently implemented visual checks at MOTs, and also claim that removing filters can enhance fuel efficiency. Clean Air London now estimates that hundreds of thousands of vehicles have been tampered with in this way, leading to a ‘diesel catastrophe’ that is costing the National Health Service billions.

MG MIDGETS: As of April 16 half of all those registered will be listed as SORN.

Radio face THE latest trailer for the BBC’s Top Gear in the United States has left out Chris Evans in favour of Friends star Matt LeBlanc. The snub is the icing on the cake for a tough period for the presenter, who has been fending off accusations that he made a producer cry and is even more of a drama queen than his predecessor. Meanwhile the BBC have announced a new Top Gear spin-off show aptly named Extra Gear. It will be filmed after each Top Gear production and fronted by Rory Reid, a motoring presenter.

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Glory, glory Leicester City, and congratulations to Mark Selby Tony Matthews International Sports A former player and now the world’s most prolific author of football books with almost 150 published since 1975, Tony is also the sports correspondent for Spectrum Radio and lives on La Pilica in the Sierra Cabrera Mountains overlooking Turre. Costa de Almeria

FOOTBALL • Leicester City are Premier League champions; they’ve pulled off one of the greatest upsets in football history! After their 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday, Claudio Ranieri’s Foxes and their jubilant supporters watched and listened with baited breath, and finger nails down to the quick, as Chelsea drew 2-2 with Spurs on Monday night to ensure the top prize in British football went to Leicester. The party is still going on in the East Midlands city. • Meanwhile, last weekend Southampton kept alive their hopes of European football with a 4-2 win over Manchester City, West Ham won 3-0 at WBA, Everton defeated Bournemouth 2-1, Watford knocked over Aston Villa 3-2 and Swansea beat Liverpool 3-1. • At the bottom of the table, Newcastle, 1-0 winners over Crystal Palace; Norwich, who lost 1-0 at Arsenal in Arsene Wenger’s 750th match as manager and Sunderland, who drew 1-1 at Stoke, are all battling for their lives to stay up. This weekend Newcastle visit relegated Aston Villa, Norwich play Manchester United and Sunderland take on Chelsea. • The final games in the Championship and Leagues One and Two all take place this weekend. The ‘big one’ in the Championship is Middlesbrough-Brighton. A

draw would see ‘Boro promoted with Burnley, a win for Brighton would send them up. Derby, Hull and Sheffield Wednesday have already secured their playoff places. FL1 champions Wigan Athletic will automatically be joined in the Championship next season by Burton Albion (at Doncaster) or Walsall (at Port Vale). And either Oxford (v Wycombe), Accrington Stanley (v Stevenage) or Bristol Rovers (v Dagenham & Redbridge) will rise from FL2 with champions Northampton, who are on a 22-match unbeaten run. • Celtic have been crowned Scottish League champions for the fifth season running and the 47th time overall. • With two games remaining, Barcelona (85 points), Atletico Madrid (85) and Real Madrid (84), all winners last Saturday, stand 12-3 in La Liga. • Earlier this week the second legs of the Champions League semi-finals took place between Bayern Munich (0) and Atletico Madrid (1), and Real Madrid (0) and Manchester City (0). Tonight we have the return legs of the Europa League semi-finals between Liverpool (0) and Villarreal (1), and Sevilla (2) and Shahktar Donetsk (2). FORMULA ONE • World Champion Lewis Hamilton was livid once again in Russia! Another engine problem (hybrid system failure) for the second time running meant that he started Sunday’s Grand Prix at Sochi 10th on the grid. Nico Rosberg went on to win the race with Hamilton second and Kimi Raikkonen third. Rosberg lead’s the dri-

DID YOU KNOW Three players – Richard Dunne, Patrick Vieira and Duncan Ferguson – share the record for receiving most red cards in Premiership football, total eight. Roy Keane and Lee Cattermole have received seven. Gareth Barry, Joey Barton, Nicky Butt, Steven Gerrard, John Hartson, Vinny Jones, Martin Keown, Paul Konchesky, Franck Queudrue, Alan Smith and Nemanja Vidic all collected six. Barry also holds the record for most yellow cards – 109.

ver ’s championship by 43 points (100) from Hamilton (57). The next race is in Spain on May 15. SNOOKER • World number one Mark Selby, from Leicester, beat China’s Ding Junhui 18 -14 in the final of the World Championship in Sheffield. Junhui, 6-0 down at one point, fought gallantly throughout, and gave Selby a really tough game. And what a ‘double’ it was for Leicester last Monday as Selby collected a cheque for £330,000. RUGBY LEAGUE • Warrington Wolves (10 wins from 13 starts) lead the Super League, ahead of Catalan Dragons, Hull FC and Wigan Warriors. R U G B Y UNION • Leicester (for the 12th year running), Exeter Chiefs, Saracens and Wasps have qualified LEICESTER: One of the greatest upsets in football history.

for this season’s Premiership semi-finals, with the make-up still to be decided. HORSE RACING • Frankie Dettori rode 141 shot Galileo Gold to victory in the first Classic of 2016, The 2000 Guineas.

Other events taking place this weekend: • French MotoGP at Le Mans (Sunday). • The BTCC at Thruxton with fellow Baggies’ fan

Matt Neal in action. • Madrid Open tennis tournament in Spain. • Badminton horse trials. • Premiership darts in Manchester. •North Carolina Wells Fargo golf tournament. • Rabat Trophy golf festival, Egypt.

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SPACE JAM: Lebron James is set to follow basketball legend Michael Jordan by starring in the sequel to Space Jam.

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Aguilon Golf Marina Phoenix Golf LOTS of work going on around the golf course in readiness for the summer season, with the course already in fine condition. Results Wednesday April 20 – Individual Stableford With the greens getting faster the members are finding it tricky to keep up the good scoring of recent weeks but given time they will come to terms with the examination of their putting stroke. First: John Bridgen 35pts Second: Derrick Manning 33pts Third: Tony Phillips 32pts on a card play off Twos: Ian Jenner 8th and Norman Whibley 12th Wednesday April 27 – Individual Stableford It was Ladies Day at Aguilon with the lady winner showing a clean pair of heels to our low handicappers and the chasing pack on another good day for scoring by most of the players. First: Ann Miles 38pts Second: Dave Sharp 36pts on a card play off Third: John Bridgen 36pts Twos: John Bridgen x2 12th & 14th, Dave Sharp 12th, Derek Manning, Ann Miles, and Terry Moore 14th, David Greaves 17th Guests and visitors are welcome to join on a Monday and Friday with prior notice. For information contact Derrick on 636 240 726 or Les 634 641 199 or log on to their website at aguilonmembersclub.com.

MARINA PHOENIX: It was a close team game, with less than two shots separating the top three. THE team game at Marina Phoenix on Thursday April 28 was a Texas Scramble played in four balls. Scoring was close with less than two shots between the first three teams. The winners, John Park, Alex Farrugia, Marcos Caparros and Rosalie Fardon scored 59.5 ahead of

Jim Budd, Steve Dimmock, Jose Urroz and Tony King (60.4), in second. Third place went to John Lally, Alf Taylor, Rhoda Elwick and Linda King (61.3). There were nearest the pin prizes for Linda King (5th) and Nadie Wass (17th). Monday’s individual stableford saw a three-way tie for

first place, settled on countback, for the men’s division, in favour of Les Armfield (36). John Lally was second (36) ahead of John Kavanagh (36) in third. The ladies division winner was Jackie Kay (33), followed in second by Rhoda Elwick (32). Carole Taylor (31) was

third and there were twos prizes for Steve Dimmock (9th) and Ali Mahmud (5th). Marina Phoenix play Mondays (individual) and Thursdays (team game). To join for a €25 green fee ring Jim on 950 162 727 / 600 353 670 or Rosalie 950 397 117 / 697 512 882.