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ISSUE NO. 1651
23 Feb - 1 March 2017
COSTA DE ALMERÍA
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YOUR PAPER, YOUR VOICE, YOUR OPINION
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Stunning additions VERA Council has provided its Local Police force with electric immobiliser (or taser) guns with an aim to increasing officers’ safety when faced with dangerous situations. Local mayor Felix Lopez presented police chief Andres Sanchez with the new taser guns, which officers have been thoroughly trained to use correctly. See page 8
Sandy solution AS promised by the Spanish government following the storms in December and January work is underway to repair damage to Almeria’s beaches. Initially €600,000 had been budgeted CAR DEALERS: Were also in on the con.
Fraud crackdown 75 held in scrap car tax scam By Simon Firth Seventy-five people have been arrested, some in Almeria, as part of investigations into a massive fraud involving older cars being re-registered after they had supposedly been scrapped. Investigations revealed the scale of the problem extended to large areas of Spain. In one region around 350 vehicles were involved, po-
lice reported. Officers have also arrested a number of car dealers who were in on the con. The fraud revolved round the Spanish Pive scheme under which owners accrued significant tax reductions if they scrapped an older car for a newer version with improved fuel and CO2 emissions. Certain dealers sent individuals who were looking to purchase new cars to scrap yards
to obtain the log books of scrapped vehicles. This would typically cost between €150 and €400 so that they could then claim the tax refund. Arrests have also been made in Madrid, Cordoba, Lugo, Jaen, Guadalajara and Toledo. Police inquiries began in December 2015 following one man’s complaint that he was being charged the tax for his former vehicle which had al-
ready been scrapped. They discovered signatures in the contracts of sale and other documentation had been falsified. The signature of one individual who was subsequently found to have died, had also been forged. Fraudulently obtained documentation then allowed dealers and others to obtain reductions on new vehicles under the Pive scheme.
for Almeria’s beaches but in light of extensive damage caused by storms between January 16-22 an extra €300,000 was added to the pot. See page 10
Faking it A GROUP which faked residence permits to enable Moroccan driving licences to be exchanged for Spanish ones irregularly has been busted in a joint Guardia Civil and National Police operation in Almeria. So far 29 people have been arrested suspected of forming part of the group, which charged between €1,500 and €2,000 to provide fake cerSee page 12 tificates of residence.
Palace puzzle THE opposition has accused Cantoria Council of abandoning promised plans to renovate the Palacio del Almanzora. Municipal Partido Popular group spokesman Pepe Llamas complained the socialist council, which had promised repeatedly during pre-election campaigns if they won, the palace would be restored to be used by the public. See page 61
Win a Car! YOU CAN STILL BE THE WINNER OF A CAR! SEE PAGES 6 & 7
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23 February - 1 March 2017 / Costa de Almería
LOCAL NEWS
Brussels shout THE Mesa de Defensa del Ferrocarril, an Almeria platform fighting for better rail communications for the province, will be taking its cause to Brussels. Representatives will be at Eu-
ropean parliament on March 29-30 to stress the need for work on the Mediterranean Corridor railway, particularly the Almeria-Murcia stretch, to be completed.
Weather woes ALMERIA suffered the effects of the weather again at the beginning of the week with yellow and orange alerts for wind speeds of up to 80 kmph and waves of up to five metres on Monday and Tuesday. Trasmediterranea was forced to cancel various ferry crossings to Melilla due to adverse sea conditions.
Four injured FOUR young men were taken to hospital after their car crashed into a boulder by the side of a Nijar road on Monday night (February 20). One of the passengers was trapped in the back seat by his leg and had to be cut out by firefighters. All four were taken to Torrecardenas Hospital for treatment.
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NEWS
Flavour of the moment By Eleanor Hawkins TABERNAS became flavour of the moment when more than one million viewers tuned in to Volando Voy, a popular Spanish TV programme presented by adventurer Jesus Calleja. Screened in prime time, the show captured a 5.8 per cent share of viewers and Tabernas became a trending topic on social media with thousands of tweets and Facebook posts mentioning the town and the desert.
Tabernas was chosen as the perfect location to discuss the possibilities of solar power. Solar energy was the theme of the show and one of the highlights was when the presenter drove Spain’s first 100 per cent solar powered car through the desert. With more than 3,000 hours of sunlight per year, Tabernas was chosen as the perfect location to discuss the possibilities of solar power. Local mayor Jose Diaz was very ha ppy a bout the me dia a tte ntion. “We’ve shown the essence of a place
where Spaniards and also many foreigners attracted by our climate and delights live happily together,” the mayor said.
JESUS CALLEJA: Presents the TV programme Volando Voy.
NEWS
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23 February - 1 March 2017 / Costa de Almería
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INSIDE VIEW
Watch this space!
News 1 - 26
Finance 33
Leapy Lee 39
TV 48
Letters 50 EWN TEAM: Passionate about our future. THE Euro Weekly News Media Group is expanding and promises to be bigger, better and more successful than ever before. Spain’s largest FREE local newspaper in English has officially acquired the RTN brand, one of the Costa Blanca’s longest-standing expatriate newspapers. This is a huge step forward for us, and tremendous news for all of our clients and readers throughout southern Spain and the Balearic Islands. By joining forces to create the Euro Weekly News Media Group, we will be able to invest more in digital tools and strengthen our capabilities in innovation, while continuing to maximise our print products as we increase our scale and reach.
Time Out
Together we pledge to bring our loyal readers all the best local news relevant to their lives, families and communities. We will help all of our beloved clients develop and expand their businesses by advertising in the biggest, boldest English newspapers in the country. Watch this space closely because the Euro Weekly News Media Group has major ambitions for the future. The intention is to build, and we believe that our products will continue to play an indispensable role for local communities while ensuring an independent voice for future generations. EWN is passionate about our future, together as a community. EWN gets it.
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Health & Beauty 55
Social
Double trouble FIVE women have been taken to hospital after a car crash in Cuevas del Almanzora. The women, aged between 36 and 48, were rushed to La Inmaculada Hospital in Huercal-Overa for treatment. A few hours beforehand, emergency services also had to take action in Nijar to free a man from a car after a head-on collision on the A-3108 road, the same source reported. Another four people in the vehicles were able to get out without assistance.
Partners in crime TWO men have been arrested by the Guardia Civil in Almeria suspected o f b ein g b e h in d tw o c rime s in Tabernas in October. In a 48-hour period, the 43 and 50-year-old are believed to have broken into a house to steal a 32inch television and a mobile phone and into a car to steal a pair of sunglasses.
Work woes THE number of work accidents in Almeria increased 10.8 per cent in 2016 compared to the year before
according to newly released official figures. Altogether there were 7,694 accidents which led to time off work, 7,633 of them of a non-serious nature. While the number of accidents considered as serious dropped from 60 to 51, the number of deaths rose from eight to 14. Regional Delegate for Economy, Innovation, Science and Employment Miguel Angel Tortosa said: “we have to keep stressing the need for everyone involved in labour health and safety to work together to extend the prevention culture and guarantee the safety of our workers.” The Andalucian government, Tortosa said, encourages companies not to merely meet the law but to take up the challenge to improve working conditions and health and safety in the workplace.
Conditions will apply THE regional government has awarded Georock permission to investigate the presence of mining resources in Nijar. The authorisation concerns resources classified under section C) of the Mines Law, specifically clay and diatomites, and is valid for three years across an area of 480 hectares, regional Economy, Innovation, Science and Employment delegate Miguel Angel Tortosa reported.
The permit affects part of the Ramblas de Gergal, Tabernas y Sur de Sierra Alhamilla special conservation area, therefore specific conditions have been set to ensure the environmental department is aware of and approves of any work done there. The company will also have to hand over funds in advance to guarantee any damage caused by its investigations is repaired after the three years are up.
Exchange trip THIRTY secondary students from Portugal, Lithuania and Czech Republic are in Almeria City on an exchange trip with Albaida secondary school as part of the Erasmus+ Water Around Us project. During the two years the project lasts the students will have the chance to visit all four countries and focus on different aspects of the importance of water.
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Albox 61
Property 67
Classifieds
In common CUBAN consul in Sevilla, Alejandro Castro Medina, and Almeria Provincial Council head, Gabriel Amat, found tourism the perfect thing to chat about during the consul’s visit to the province last week. Both men agreed tourism was a vital part of the economy of Almeria and of Cuba and discussed the success the sector has had in Almeria.
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Motors 76
Sport 79
Postscript to ponder
8 billion
The estimated amount in euros that political corruption has cost Spain since the country became a democracy in 1978, with 175 official cases recorded.
23 February - 1 March 2017 / Costa de Almería
Clean-up time! SPAIN has been sent a final warning to comply with EU air pollution standards. If it does not show how it intends to comply with EU law within two months, a court hearing with the power to impose heavy fines could begin later this year. There are three ‘air quality zones’ that exceed the NO2 limits in the country, one in Madrid and two in Barcelona. Poor air quality is believed to be the cause of an estimated 30,000 deaths a year in Spain alone. The UK has been issued a final warning for 16 air quality zones exceeding the pollution limits, including London, Birmingham and Leeds.
Ghostly fear A COUNCILLOR claims a ghost is living in a Granada council building. A supporting photograph taken by a civic worker at the Vegas de Genil council building has been widely circulated on the internet. The councillor told the Ideal newspaper: “It was unusually cold in the office. I put on my coat and went to the bathroom. That’s when I heard strange rustling sounds down the hallway.”
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e ye
Baby boom
on SPAIN
Around the nation in 7 stories
Postcard from PAMPLONA
Unai Beroiz/Shutterstock
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THE eight-day festival of Saint Fermin is held every July and is famous the world over. While not all will know why it is globally famed from such a bare description, many will have heard of the events which annually put the courage, or in some cases the drunken bravado, of mostly young men to the test. The event is the running of the bulls, or encierro in Spanish. Six young bulls are released from a coral, accompanied by six bullocks and three more behind them. The last three aim to ensure there are no reluctant stragglers. Ahead of them are hundreds of mainly men, who basically act as their quarry. The bulls are set off on a route of city streets that culminates in the bullring, with the near three minutes it takes them to get there fraught for the men running... and dodging... in front. Injuries are common but not all are caused by the bulls. Records kept since 1910 show only 15 people have been killed in that time, usually by goring. Nowadays around 200 medics are on duty each day. If you fancy testing your courage against rampaging bulls with sharp horns then put any one of the eight days from 7 July in your diary!
Slave saved from service THREE people suspected of subjecting a young Moroccan woman to slave-like conditions of domestic servitude have been arrested in Navarre. The victim was handed to a family in Holland who are accused of exploiting her by making her work long hours for miniscule pay, with Spanish police describing her employment as “almost feudal.”
The woman had no rights or permits and was forced to give most of her small income to her father. When police in Holland became aware of the woman’s situation they alerted colleagues in Spain with a joint operation resulting in the arrests of three Moroccans in Navarre. Dutch police believe the Netherlandsbased family had also exploited two other women.
A 64-YEAR-OLD who underwent in vitro fertilisation in the United States has given birth to twins by caesarean section in the northern city of Burgos. She also gave birth to a daughter six years ago via the same method, but the Junta de Castilla y Leon placed the girl into the care of a relative in 2014 after social workers reported issues with her personal hygiene, clothing and absenteeism from school.
Porno sting SPAIN’S National Police force has arrested 22 people and is investigating another 10 for distributing photographs and videos of child pornography. One of the detainees has also been accused of abusing his children, aged eight and 13, one with a mental disorder. Two others arrested are also suspected of grooming children on the Internet. They deceived the victims by posing as teenage girls and took photographs of them naked, with which they subsequently blackmailed them.
Banking scandal THREE Bank of Spain officials are stepping down after learning that they are under investigation by the High Court as part of a probe into the Bankia flotation fiasco of 2011. The bank’s Director General of Supervision, Mariano Herrera Garcia-Canturri, his deputy Pedro Comin Rodriguez and Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez, who headed an inspection unit at the lender, are all to leave their posts, the bank has announced.
NEWS
Birthdays • Linda Nolan, Singer, February 23, 58 Irish singer who, along with her five sisters, formed girl group The Nolans whose most famous hit song was I’m in the Mood for Dancing. She has also had a successful career in the theatre having starred in productions such as Blood Brothers and Prisoner Cell Block: The Musical. • Floyd Mayweather Jr, Boxer, February 24, 40 Amercian boxer who was undefeated in his professional career winning 15 world titles. In 2016, ESPN hailed him as the greatest boxer of the last 25 years. In 2012 and 2013 he came top of both lists by Forbes and Sports Illustrated, and in Forbes’ 2014 and 2015 list, as the highest paid athlete in the world. • Ed Balls, Politician, February 25, 50 British former Labour MP and Shadow Chancellor who lost his ‘safe’ seat at last year’s General Election. He is now on the Board of Directors at Norwich City FC as Chairman. Married to fellow politician Yvette Cooper they were the first married couple to both be Cabinet members at the same time. • Michael Bolton, Singer, February 26, 64 American singer/songwriter who is best known for his hit ballads such as Time, Love and Tenderness, How am I Supposed to Live Without You? and Soul Provider in the late 80’s, early 90’s. Prior to this he was the lead singer with the hard rock/heavy metal band Blackjack who once toured as a support act with Ozzy Osbourne. • Paul Hollywood, Chef/TV Presenter, March 1, 51 English chef and baker who is one of the judges on the hit TV show The Great British Bake Off. He has also presented his own cookery shows Paul Hollywood’s Bread and Paul Hollywood’s Pies and Puds. He has written and published cook books including How to Bake, 100 Great Breads and The Weekend Baker.
NEWS
23 February - 1 March 2017 / Costa de Almería
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OUR VIEW
Drive safely RECENTLY there seem to have been a large number of serious road accidents reported with some lucky escapes, but sadly a number of deaths. We all think that we are good drivers, but one has to think about the other person and not be tempted to get involved in trying to stop the idiot behind you from overtaking. There is a huge business in car rentals to tourists and all that a visitor needs to do is produce money to cover the rental and a valid driving licence and they are then allowed to get behind the wheel of a large piece of fast metal. At night, in Spain in particular, it seems that every other car has a problem with badly adjusted headlights or with one out completely and the dazzle effect from their lights in rear view mirrors is quite frightening. At Euro Weekly News we value all of our readers and would simply ask that you ensure that your car is properly looked after as although there is nothing you can do to stop the other hazards on the road, if your car is kept in good order, then it makes life safer for everyone.
Now we want to hear your views. YOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE - YOUR OPINION www.euroweeklynews.com
Another one for the list By Eleanor Hawkins A MAN who has been behind bars since January 17 suspected of killing his partner in Huercal de Almeria has been fined for obstructing the course of justice.
The defendant has been ordered to pay €4 per day for six months. The 33-year-old, the sole suspect of the first gender violence related death in Andalucia this year, ignored summons and failed to turn up in court twice to act as a witness. He gave no reason and had been warned that he could be charged with obstruction, the Public Prosecutor declared. For this, just one of a long list of crimes and offences of which he is to be or has been tried, the defendant has been ordered to pay €4 per day for six months.
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NEWS
Licence to lie LOCAL POLICE in Almeria City have arrested a 30-yearold Moroccan man for allegedly buying a motorcycle licence for €850 during a business trip to the Czech Republic. Officers stopped the arrestee during a routine check on Carretera de Nijar in the La Cañada district and discovered the motorcycle was uninsured and had not passed its ITV (MOT). After confiscating the vehicle, officers also checked the driver’s licence and discovered it was fake.
Drug network busted TESTING TIMES: The Public Services councillor had the dubious honour of trying the effects of the new tasers.
No-nonsense equipment provided By Eleanor Hawkins VERA Council has provided its Local Police force with electric immobiliser (or taser) guns with an aim to increasing officers’ safety when faced with dangerous situations. Local mayor Felix Lopez presented police chief Andres Sanchez with the new taser guns, which officers have been thoroughly trained to use correct-
ly. “This council has pledged to provide our officers with as much equipment as possible to guarantee their safety while they carry out their important, and often risky, work,” the mayor said while handing over the guns. Lopez also said he was always happy to hear officers’ suggestions on how the police force can be improved as this is of vital important for the welfare and safety of Vera residents.
The new guns, classified as non-lethal weapons, must only be used in extreme situations in which officers fear for their safety or are unable to retain a criminal. With a single shot, tiny barbs attach themselves to the target’s clothing and temporarily paralyse them, making them fall to the floor where officers can secure them. The equipment comes with a memory system to register every shot to allow close control over their use.
THE Guardia Civil has brought down a large criminal group in Almeria which grew, prepared, sold and distributed drugs across Europe with the arrests of 24 people, eight of whom were sent straight to jail. Operation Choclo began in May 2016 and searches at various properties in Almeria City, Alhama de Almeria, Huercal de Almeria and eight flats in the same block in Viator led to the confiscation of 2,700 marihuana plants. Officers also busted a cocaine laboratory where products used to alter and ‘cook’ the drug were discovered. This type of practice, the police force reported, increases the price and the danger of consuming the drug. The group also had industrial machinery to vacuum package drugs for distribution. The group was well
structured with a clear hierarchy and defined tasks for each member, from managing indoor marihuana farmers and caring for plants all the way up to planning and coordinating operations and assigning tasks to others in the case of the leader.
As well as cash, luxury cars and firearms were found. Along with the plants, officers confiscated 10 kilos of dried marihuana buds ready for packaging and distribution, almost one kilo of cocaine, €170,000 in cash, 17 vehicles including seven luxury cars and three vans, various firearms and a large amount of mobile phones plus two radio transmission sets.
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23 February - 1 March 2017 / Costa de Almería
Heading up north
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Repairing the damage
THE Costa de Almeria destination has been up north this week promoting its attractions to travel agents in Navarra and Aragon. After returning from the Holiday World travel fair in Prague, representatives from the provincial tourism department, Almeria Turistica municipal company, Playa Senator and BestHotels hotel groups headed for northern Spain to promote activities.
NEWS
NEWS EXTRA
Hidden stash A MAN from Alicante, 44, has been arrested by the Guardia Civil in Melilla for trying to smuggle 250 kilos of hashish onto a ferry to Almeria. The drugs were found in a hidden compartment in his lorry.
All victims EL ALCON BEACH: Work is underway to repair damage. By Eleanor Hawkins AS promised by the Spanish government following the storms in December and January work is underway to repair damage to Almeria’s beaches. Government delegate for Almeria, Andres Garcia Lorca visited emergency work underway on El Alcon beach in Carboneras, accompanied by local mayor Salvador Hernandez and provincial head of the coastal depart-
ment Miguel Angel Castillo to inspect progress. The work is part of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fishing, Food and the Environment’s 2017 Coastal Plan. Initially €600,000 had been budgeted for Almeria’s beaches, but in light of extensive damage caused by storms between January 1622 an extra €300,000 was added to the pot. Most of the work being done involves replacing sand which was washed
away by storms. In Carboneras, about 23,000 cubic metres of sand are being moved from the beach sheltered by the fishing port to others as and where it is needed. Garcia Lorca said: “the central government has wanted to respond immediately to the damage to our beaches as we can see here and in other coastal areas. Improving our beaches is important for tourism, a vital sector for Almeria.”
PSYCHOLOGISTS at the Institute of Legal Medicine in Almeria evaluated 136 women and one child, all allegedly victims of gender violence, in 2016.
First to visit THE first ship of the new season is due into Almeria City port at 8am tomorrow, Friday 24. German FTI Cruises’ ship Berlin has capacity for 412 passengers and 180 crew members and will leave again at 6pm.
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23 February - 1 March 2017 / Costa de Almería
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NEWS
Caught faking it
FAKE CERTIFICATES: Further arrests have not been ruled out. By Eleanor Hawkins A GROUP which faked residence permits to enable Moroccan driving licences to be exchanged for Spanish ones irregularly has been busted in a joint Guardia Civil and National Police operation in Almeria. So far 29 people have been arrested suspected of forming part of the group, which charged between
€1,500 and €2,000 to provide fake certificates of residence. Investigations began in January when Almeria Traffic Department requested further information from the Foreigners’ Office regarding a number of residency certificates. These were found to have been tampered with and information changed, while the official signatures and stamps had been
scanned. All the people who were named on the documents were of Moroccan nationality and had applied to swap their driving licences for Spanish ones, for which applicants are required to prove they obtained their licence before their permission to live in Spain. Investigations continue and further arrests have not been ruled out, the police forces reported.
Alleged wife batterer arrested A LOCAL POLICE patrol in Almeria City arrested a 55-year-old man after seeing him lay into his wife on the street in the presence of their young daughter. Officers reported that as they approached they saw the man slap his wife’s face, shake her, yank her handbag from her shoulder, put
his hands round her neck then slam her against a metallic shop door. The victim, who was taken to Torrecardenas Hospital for medical attention while her husband was taken to the police station, told the officers it wasn’t the first time he had attacked her.
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Photo by Salvemos Mojacar
NEWS EXTRA
Lucky wins ALMERIA CITY registered two separate lottery wins on Friday February 17. One person won €1 million on the El Millon draw, while another won €77,859 on the Bonoloto, the State Lottery and Betting Agency reported. EL ALGARROBICO: A demolition order has been requested.
Jobs created CUEVAS DEL ALMANZORA Council, in collaboration with the Junta de Andalucia regional government and European Social Fund, has created temporary jobs for 33 unemployed people.
Political visit FORMER Lehendakari Patxi Lopez, who is running for election as General Secretary of PSOE socialist party was in Almeria City and Huercal -Overa at the weekend to rally support for his candidacy.
Accusations over hotel continue By Eleanor Hawkins SALVEMOS MOJACAR conservationist group has asked the courts to force Carboneras Council to issue a demolition order for the illegal hotel in El Algarrobico. The group has stated that, as the council has ignored the demolition request issued in November 2016, it has no
choice but to ask the Adminsitrative Court to put the pressure on. In the meantime, the Junta de Andalucia regional government has yet to take possession of the land as Azata del Sol developers failed to hand it over. Salvemos Mojacar has accused the Junta of stalling as, the conservationist group said, it was obvious
from the start that a court order would be necessary yet the regional government has failed to request this in advance. Now it could take until at least 2018 for the court order to come through. “The Junta has a doubtful and questionable attitude and little apparent interest in demolishing the hotel,” the group concluded.
NEWS
Alleged small scale dealer discovered A MAN has been arrested in Nijar for a suspected crime against public health after officers caught him with a tub of marihuana which he seemed to be selling. Officers were called out to Campohermoso by a local who reported a group of people arguing loudly in the street. A patrol was dispatched and, upon entering the home outside which the row happened, found a clear plastic tub of what looked like marihuana and a set of precision scales. The owner of the house was patted down and found to be carrying a packet of sealable plastic bags and multiple euro coins. Altogether 650 grams of marihuana were confiscated by the police and the man arrested suspected of selling small amounts of the drug. DRUGS: Were found in clear plastic tubs.
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NEWS EXTRA
Look east COSTA DE ALMERIA has been selling itself to the Eastern European market at the 26th edition of the Holiday World Fair at Incheba Exhibition Centre in northern Prague. Last year 30,950 people visited the fair.
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Learning from the pros By Eleanor Hawkins EIGHT fourth-year art students at Mojacar’s Rey Alabez secondary school have had the chance to learn from and work with the pros and redecorate the school’s sports hall at the same time.
Top graffiti artists Alberto Clerencia and Jesus Moreno, both in town under the Valparaiso Foundation and Moja c a r C ounc il s c hola rs hip s c he me , w orke d w ith the youngsters to create and original piece of work based on the
school’s name to adorn an outside wall. Graffiti sprang up as a sign of protest and rebellion but has now become a widely acc e pte d a nd a ppre c iat ed ar t form and a cultural movement of its own right.
More inventive THE number of inventions registered in Almeria Province in 2016 was up 53 per cent from the previous year, the Junta de Andalucia regional government has reported.
Safer access ENTERING Pechina from the AL-3117 is now a much safer affair thanks to a €100,000 job done by Almeria Provincial Council to replace the old t-junction with a new roundabout.
ART STUDENTS: Got the chance to redecorate their school’s sports hall.
NEWS
Hugging thieves arrested by police EIGHTEEN alleged members of a criminal group which stole from 21 elderly people in Almeria have been arrested in Malaga and Madrid, the National Police has reported. The police force said the group, which carried out so-called ‘affectionate thefts’ had been very active in Almeria City. Investigations continue and the group, suspected of being behind at least 40 crimes, may well be found to have been responsible for other similar incidents. The arrestees reportedly used various excuses to approach their victims, usually elderly people seen to be wearing jewellery, including asking for directions, claiming to have mutual acquiantances or even to offer them sex. They then established physical contact, usually by hugging them, to distract them while removing valuables. Often the victims had no idea what had happened until later, when they realised a watch, bracelet or other item had gone missing. If they did realise what was happening, the police force said, the suspects had no qualms about immobilising or threatening their victims. The group consisted of a number of separate teams, each made up of a driver, usually, male, who was in charge of transport, selecting victims and providing a getaway after the thefts, and at least two women who carried out the thefts. During the police operation a number of items reported stolen were recovered from pawn shops and returned to their rightful owners.
NEWS
23 February - 1 March 2017 / Costa de Almería
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Extension examined REGIONAL Education Department head Francisca Fernandez has paid a visit to Garrucha to check on progress of extension works underway at Mediterraneo secondary school. The work, with a €1.3 million budget, will provide space for one extra class per year along with a new laboratory, library, art room and computer room among others. Altogether an extra 1,050m2 are to be built.
This aim of the project is to meet present and future needs. This, Fernandez explained, is just one of the projects underway in Almeria Province aimed at meeting the present and future needs of an area with one of the highest birth rates in Spain. Accompanied by local mayor Maria Lopez and Education councillor Maria Luisa Campoy, the delegate also visited Ex Mari Orta and Hispanidad primary schools for a tour of their facilities and a chat with the staff. Fernandez praised the local council’s “active involvement” in projects to improve educational facilities in the town and its permanent collaboration with the regional education authority.
By Eleanor Hawkins VERA Council has reached an agreement with PATAN animal charity for it to provide the stray animal collection service for the town. PATAN has been running in Vera for the last two years to help save stray and abandoned dogs and usually finds them homes elsewhere in Europe. Now the charity will be providing a 24-hour service whereby locals and visitors can alert the Local Police to the presence of animals on the streets and the police force will in turn inform PATAN. The animal collection van will also carry out daily patrols. The news was announced at a prize-giving ceremony for a pet disguise competition held in No-
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New task for charity Now the charity will be providing a 24-hour service. vember. The owners of three winning dogs, Coco, Alaska and Lulo, were each presented with a diploma and a €100 voucher for pet food and equipment. Councillor Francisca Garcia also presented PATAN representative Daniel Manzano with a total of 75 kilos of dog food for the shelter, five kilos for each dog which took part in the competition.
Off the hook at last A FORMER mayor of Garrucha and various members of his team have been found not guilty of corrupt practice after an 11 year wait for justice. The case goes back to the property boom, when a construction company built 28 more houses than it should have done and it was left to socialist mayor at the time, Andres Segura, to find a solution. Eventually it was agreed that the illegal houses would be regularised in exchange for €2.1 million to cover administrative costs and fees. However, in 2007 with local elections looming the Partido Popular opposition decided to put a cat among the pigeons by accusing the mayor of corrupt practice over the matter and the developer jumped on the bandwagon, suing him for forcing them to sign the agreement. Now, after 11 years of suspicions which lost Segura the elections and have hung over all involved, Judge Marta Ines Sierra Lopez of Almeria City’s number four criminal court has found them not guilty and ordered the prosecutors, Hermanos Muñoz Fernandez SL, to cover all legal costs for acting in bad faith.
LOCAL POLICE: Can be alerted to the presence of animals on the streets.
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NEWS EXTRA
Safer road
www.euroweeklynews.com
New place to shop
A PROJECT to improve road safety on the A-332 between Cuevas del Almanzora and San Juan de los Terreros has been put out to tender by the regional government for €1.45 million.
More arrivals ANOTHER 66 refugees, 65 Syrians and one Iraqi, have arrived in Spain from Greece under the European Union’s relocation programme and 18 of them have been sent to Almeria.
Peddler poached A MAN, 27, from Murcia has been arrested by the Guardia Civil in Pulpi for allegedly selling marihuana and cocaine in nightlife areas in Almeria and Murcia.
NEW STORE: Nijar’s first Lidl supermarket has now opened. By Eleanor Hawkins NIJAR mayor Esperanza Perez and councillor for Public Works and Development Tonibel Sanchez attended the opening last week of the town’s first Lidl supermarket. The chain has spent 1.5 million
euros on the new store, which will be providing work for 20 local people. Perez stressed the importance of encouraging commerce in the area and promised that her council would do its best to assist companies which decide to open businesses in Nijar, as was the case with Lid.
“We support this type of initiative as they boost commerce and create jobs,” she said. The new supermarket, on the Carretera de Iryda, covers an area of about 1,300m2, has 100 parking spaces and will be open from 9am to 9.30pm Mondays to Saturdays.
NEWS
Not so innocent victims arrested FOUR men have been arrested by the Guardia Civil with regards to a dispute over the sale of three sacks of marihuana. Three of the men, aged 21, 46 and 75, are from Nijar and called the police to report they had been robbed in the countryside near the road to Lucainena de las Torres. Six strangers, the alleged victims told the police, had approached them, threatened them with knives and a gun and taken their documents and possessions before leaving in two vehicles. A nearby patrol car spotted a vehicle matching the description racing away from the area. Although unable to catch it, officers noted the registration and a search was launched by the Guardia Civil and Nijar Local Police. The vehicle was soon found parked in the town and the owner, a 40-year-old from Roquetas del Mar, identified. Police officers found the stolen items plus three sacks containing 11 kilos of marihuana inside and arrested the man for alleged violent theft and a crime against public health. Later the Guardia Civil arrested the three men initially believed to be victims after learning that the theft had occurred after an argument over the purchase of the drugs. Investigations continue and the police have yet to rule out further arrests.
NEWS
23 February - 1 March 2017 / Costa de Almería
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British group wants EU citizens’ passport rights By John Smith A NUMBER of British citizens, especially those with links to European Union members are worried about their future ability to live, work and travel within the EU once Britain has left, possibly as early as 2019. They are therefore encouraging those who want to keep access to the EU member states open to consider signing a petition to the European Commission requesting that it considers the granting of EU passports to those who want them. The European Union citizens’ initiatives allow for pressure groups to request a debate on different proposed courses of action, but any petition does require one million signatures from those individuals who meet voting criteria with the proviso that signatures come from at least 25 per cent (seven) of the countries in the Union.
Child molester jailed THE High Court has confirmed a 15-year jail sentence for child abuse issued by Almeria Provincial Court. The defendant’s appeal was rejected and his jail sentence fully upheld along with a restraining order to ban him from going within 500 metres of or communicating with his victim or her family for 10 years and €30,000 in damages for the youngster, who suffers severe posttraumatic stress and requires psychological treatment. The victim suffered abuse of a sexual nature at the hands of her mother’s partner from the age of eight until she broke down and told her family what was going on when she was 15.
Whilst the EU is not a country and therefore cannot bestow citizenship, it does have the possibility to issue EU passports which it does for some diplomats and EU officials and it is the argue-
ment of those behind the petition that this could be extended to protect British citizens. One week into the campaign the petition which can be viewed at http://choose
freedom.eu/ had attracted less than 12,000 signatures, but organisers believe that even if they fail in their bid, they will have succeeded by drawing the attention of the Commission and Parliament
to the wish of the many who do not want to cut their ties with the EU. The recently appointed EU chief, Brexit negotiator and former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt,
has already indicated that he may be in favour of some form of ‘associate citizenship’ for British passport holders, but it is debatable whether it would be possible to implement this.
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COMMUNITY
FACE Valentine’s Day Quiz ON February 14 the ladies and one gentleman of the charity FACE, Fundraising in Arboleas Caring for Everyone, organised a fabulous, Valentine-themed quiz night. The venue was Bar Kubatin which is situated below the Hostel Meson in Arboleas. The quiz master was FACE committee member Zoe West, who along with the new President Carrie Green, devised more than 100 questions related to St Valentine’s Day and included questions on music, films, general knowledge and literature. Eleven teams of between three and six persons entered the event. The winners of the Wooden Spoon ‘Carrie’s Dusty Boots,’ comprising of Ann and Roger Green, Helen Simpson and Eleanor Tolman, created a record on this occasion as this was the fourth time they had the ‘honour’ of collecting the Wooden Spoon. Each member of the winning team ‘The Paddles’ comprising of Ann
PADDLES TEAM: Winners graciously donate winnings back to FACE charity. and David Steen, Ed and Linda Smyth Masson, Eve Morgan and Dave Walker won a prize of €40 on the night. In addition to the quiz a raffle was also held and prizes were donated by generous FACE’s supporters and sponsors. The charity would also like to thank the sponsors of each individual quiz round on the night, Smooth FM Radio, Angels Nursing Group, Sol Yoga Centre, Almería Bowling Centre and Total Entertainment of Albox and Arboleas.
The main aim of the quiz was to raise money for the various charities which FACE continually supports and they were successful in raising €311. The winning ‘Paddles’ team very graciously decided to donate their prize to the charity, making a grand total raised of €351. For further information about FACE please take a look at FACE charity on Facebook or on its website www.face-charity.com. Contact email face.charity@ho tmail.com.
Keeping tabs on skiving By Eleanor Hawkins ABSENTEEISM is continuing on its nine-year downward trend in Mojacar the council has reported. The Mojacar School Absenteeism Technical Team, formed by representatives from local schools, Education Councillor Ana Garcia Fernandez, Social Services, Local Police and Guardia Civil representatives met recently at Rey Alabez secondary school. During the
meeting, the fifth so far this academic year, the team analysed each individual case and discussed possible solutions and preventive measures. The results of the team’s work, the council reported, are very positive and the town now has a very low rate of absenteeism, under 2 per cent. Identified absenteeism cases are usually due to a number of factors including a lack of parental intervention and low motivation playing a major role.
Equinac saving lost and distressed sea creatures DAMES IN TURRE’S next meeting will be held at The Hostel Rural Turre on February 28 at 11am when our speaker will be Alex Lawson who is a volunteer for Equinac. Equinac saves distressed sea creatures and tries to rehabilitate them if possible, and then return them to
the wild. The volunteers at Equinac are particularly interested in the marine environment so the meeting is anticipated to be fascinating. Dames in Turre is a friendship group raising money for local charities and causes including The Turre Town Band and Clinivet, which helped an
injured Ibizan hound and her ten puppies. Come along and learn more about us, we always welcome new members and guests. For further information please contact: Secretary Pam Smith on 677 543 031 or President Lesley Barlow on 661 085 551.
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HEART OF THE COMMUNITY
Leo en route to his treatment in the USA
Spanish account • Bank: Banco Sabadell Account Name: Leo James Bermejo Account Number: ES69 0081 0597 0900 0602 1116 • Swift: BSAB ESBB
UK account • Bank: Royal Bank of Scotland Account Name: Alda Keefe Account Number: 17485819 • Sort Code: 16-24-06
gofundme.com/leothelion3
D O N AT E
D O N AT E
out. the UK helped DS: People in N FU G IN IS RA
LITTLE Leo is on his way to the States! The four-year-old was declared well enough to make the journey to the treatment centre in Oklahoma. Under the guidance of Dr Andrew Chang, Leo will undergo proton therapy. It’s the only treatment that will reduce the damage to his brain and hopefully kill off the tumours. Mum Karen told EWN: “Part of me is feeling nervous and anxious as we are going into the unknown to a country far away, but as the days pass I am more and more positive. We are doing the right thing.” Leo has been given his chance by the surgeons at Alder Hey. One of the best-known children’s hospitals in the UK, they were able to remove the cancerous tumours that keep coming back inside his brain. “I am sure we have made the right decision giving Leo the best chance at having a normal life,” says Karen. She admits the medical team’s reports have not been easy to understand and believes what was worrying the surgeons before his operation - nodules near the tumours - have now been cut out. “From what I understand these nodules have been removed, including the suspicious one that the doctors were worried about. Hopefully I will get confirmation that Leo has a clear scan with nothing suspicious, but I am trying not to get too excited.” Keeping her spirits up over such a long period has not been easy, she admits. “I was having a couple of down days, everyHis treatthing getting on top of me, living out of a suitment will case and trying to organise a million things. start “Maybe it was the depressing English almost weather, and comments from people who immediately. don’t mean anything but I’m not going to let them get me down anymore.” Leo is making the trip with his older sister Sofia to try to make the atmosphere around him as normal as possible and make up for the time they’ve lost together during his prolonged bouts of treatment. Once in Oklahoma his treatment will start almost immediately, and, the family hope, impact less on him KAREN’S BRO as he tries to recover. THER: Giving the thumbs up . “Seeing Leo go through one of the most aggressive forms of chemotherapy that exists was very difficult, one of the worst things for a parent to witness,” says Karen. “During proton therapy Leo might only have a bit of nausea and a headache during treatment which is a breeze compared to the chemo.” How long it will take before the success of the proton treatment can be gauged, won’t be clear for some time. If young Leo is not too ill, then the family hope they can actually enjoy some aspects of life in the USA. Says Karen: “We hope that he can actually enjoy his stay in the USA and still have some fun, despite having his treatment.”
NEWS
23 February - 1 March 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
BREXIT PAGE By John Smith ALTHOUGH there is regular criticism of the activities of the House of Lords and calls for its abolition, it has to be said that whilst the House of Commons effectively gave Prime Minister Theresa May carte blanche on Article 50 the Lords are looking feistier. With no majority in ‘the other place’, the Conservative government has to expect some opposition to the bill concerning Article 50 although Labour leader Lady Smith has gone on record saying that it is highly unlikely that the Lords will try to block a late March trigger. What does however appear likely is that with 200 peers wanting to speak on the matter that one major area will concern the guarantee of resident status for all those from the European Union who were in the UK prior to the referendum.
If this does go back to the Commons and the amendment is accepted (although the same amendment brought by an MP was rejected previously) then this may bring comfort for British passport holders living in EU member states as they could reasonably anticipate a similar commitment from the EU. In the same way that you don’t expect turkeys to vote for Christmas, many peers fear that if they are too obstructive to the government, action will be taken to dissolve the House and bring in an alternative and this has been inferred in warnings from Conservative ministers. Threats however have not deterred former Labour minister Lord Hain or the ever present Lord Mandelson from suggesting a more vigorous opposition and the latest former politician Tony Blair has also joined in, saying that it is his “mission” to try to persuade the British people to rise up against the decision to leave the EU. As Mr Blair certainly divides much of the population, many of whom believe that he took
Britain into Iraq based on falsehoods Brexiteers appear to be pleased that he has joined in as they consider that his comments will have the opposite effect on what he hopes to achieve. Time will tell whether ‘the Ayes have it’ when the vote is taken in the Lords at the beginning of March.
TONY BLAIR at the European Parliament.
Photo by Roman Yanushevsky Shutterstock
Spirited Lords to debate Brexit
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Brussels will not surrender A NUMBER of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from different countries have been vocal in comments to European and British media warning that if Prime Minister May expects to divide and conquer or blackmail a soft exit then she will be disappointed. From an early stage, Mrs May has warned the EU that if negotiations are difficult and if Britain is being given a difficult time, then she will simply walk away, regardless of whether any agreement is in place and in such a scenario, she has warned that member states will suffer. These MEPs however have said that there will be a united front and Britain could be surprised at the response from the European Parliament if it tries to threaten or bully it.
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COMMUNITY
Eleanor & Gilly’s Monday afternoon Line Dance class Valentine’s love-themed afternoon MEMBERS of Eleanor and Gilly’s Line Dance class were in the party mood again when they held their Valentine’s afternoon at Maloan’s Bar in Albox. Cupid was on hand to present all the dancers with a heart-shaped candle, and also to sell kisses in aid of FACE (Fundraising in Arboleas, Caring for Everyone) charity. A raffle was also held to raise further funds for FACE class members who were asked to wear a touch of red to mark this day of love, and all dances throughout the afternoon were performed to love songs such as ‘Blame it on Your Heart’ and ‘Achy Breaky Heart.’ One of the class members, Margaret Farmery, was celebrating her birthday so to mark the occasion she was presented with a beautiful birthday cake. The Monday afternoon Line Dance class has contributed to the FACE charity since its inauguration at the old Bar Rojo more than eight years ago.
BIRTHDAY CAKE: Margaret was celebrating.
In total this small group of dancers has raised more than €2,000, and with monies already raised this season plus this afternoon’s contribution of €58, it hopes to donate enough money to take the fundraising over the €2,500 mark and will be presented to FACE later in the year. The Line Dance class is held every
Monday afternoon at Maloan’s Bar in Albox. The class is held between 2.30pm and 4.30pm. It is a social afternoon with Line Dancing as its core activity, but it is also a place to meet friends and make friends. Most of all, it is a place to have fun. For further information please telephone 950 439 003.
Mojacar Royal British Legion March Diary THE Mojacar branch of the Royal British Legion meets the first Thursday of the month at the centre of Multi Uses (Artisan Centre) Mojacar Pueblo at 11.15am. The second meeting of the month, on the third Thursday, is a coffee/lunch meeting; venues to be notified. On Thursday March 2 at 11.15am there is a branch meeting with guest speaker Alejandro talking about ‘Living in Spain.’ Friday March 3 at 7.30pm there is a Fish N’Chips Supper and Quiz at the Oasis Bar, Palomares. Profits from the quiz will go to the Poppy Appeal. To book a table contact Rhoda on 697 297 929. A branch social meeting and/or lunch will take place on Thursday March 16 , 11am to 3pm at the Reina Mora Café/Bar near the Red Cross Roundabout, Mojacar.
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EUROPEAN PRESS
DENMARK
BELGIUM
Grammy performance
Winning ticket
DANISH band Lukas Graham performed at the 59th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, USA, but despite being nominated in three categories, failed to pick up any awards.
Homeless numbers A COUNT of the homeless people on Photo by Wikimedia
Copenhagen’s streets revealed that 41 were foreign and just three were Danish. Copenhagen municipality said many of the foreign homeless are in Denmark illegally and so cannot assist them.
Happy 100th
City roadworks
MORE Da n e s a r e r e a ch in g the ripe old age of 100. Last year s a w 1 , 1 4 3 Da n e s celebra t e t h e i r 1 0 0 t h birthda y wi t h b e t t e r childhoods and friendlier wo r k p l a c e s b e lieved to be the reason behind why people are living longer.
COPENHAGEN seems to be a city of roadworks with figures showing that last year nearly 11,000 digging permits were granted in the city, an increase of 18 per cent on the previous year.
A BELGIAN man has scooped €23.5 million on the Euromillions lottery. He is the first major jackpot winner in the country for 2017.
Fighting force ESTIMATIONS predict that by 2028, Belgium will have lost a quarter of its fighting forces. That’s according to the military trade union.
Active workers THE Flemish government has
launched a campaign to get more employees to exercise at work and is set to advise companies on the issue and how to get workers more active.
Bad air AIR quality in Belgium is below par and not what it should be, with levels exceeding the European alert level of 50 microgrammes per cubic metre in some places with Flanders and Antwerp the worst affected.
LUKAS GRAHAM: Failed to pick up any awards.
NETHERLANDS
GERMANY
Early spring
New chancellor THE most recent poll has shown that 64 per cent of Germans want a new Chancellor after the election to replace Angela Merkel following 12 years in office.
Bavaria boost BAVARIA is enjoying a tourism revival with more tourists than ever. For the first time, 90 million beds
were booked in hotels and guest houses in the region in 2016.
Outback death AN elderly German couple have died in the Australian outback after becoming disorientated. The couple had been missing for days and were found near Alice Springs as temperatures topped 40 degrees
centigrade.
Fake news TWO people are being investigated amid claims they made up a story about dozens of Arab men rioting and sexually assaulting women in Frankfurt. Interviews with alleged witnesses led to doubts over what had happened.
FRANCE
NORWAY
Rape riots
More recycling
RIOTS broke out in a suburb of Paris following the alleged rape of a black youth with a police baton. President François Hollande has condemned the riots but said justice must be served of what happened.
A CONSORTIUM of companies are backing research which focuses on the development of new technologies for bio-plastics and recycling of plastics packaging. Currently, over 60 per cent of plastic packaging is recycled in Norway.
Skiers killed FOUR skiers were killed following an avalanche in the town of Albertville in the Alps. The avalanche, some 400m wide, is believed to have been set off by a group of skiers higher up the mountain.
Hit and run A DRIVER has been arrested after hitting a six-year-old girl and then fleeing the scene. She was on her way to school at the time and was taken to hospital for checks.
Obesity rates
Drugs ban
THE country’s childhood obesity rates are stable or declining according to the French Ministry of Health. According to a study, 18.1 per cent of French children were considered overweight, significantly less than the European average.
NORWEGIAN cross-country skier Therese Johaug, aged 28, has been suspended from the sport for 13 months after testing positive for steroids.
No hacking RUSSIA has denied that it was behind media attacks of presidential hopeful Emmanuel Macron. A Kremlin spokesperson said: “We do not have any intention of interfering in the internal affairs of other countries.”
Child welfare NORWAY’S Child Welfare Service is being criticised for the number of children it puts into care. A total of 1,664 children were taken into care in 2014 and in the last year eight cases have been taken up by the European Court of Human Rights.
SPRING has sprung early as many parts of the country basked in above average temperatures, just a week after snow. In Maastricht, the temperature reached 17 degrees, compared to the average six degrees for this time of year.
Worker arrest A MAN who spent more than 15 years working in child care has been arrested on charges of possessing child pornography.
Street harassment HOLLAND’S Labour party wants to make it a criminal offence to sexually harass women in the street with fines of up to €8,200 for offenders.
Cat’s travels A CAT which went missing from Tilburg in August has reportedly been found in Austria. It was found and taken to a vet who located its owner thanks to its microchip.
SWEDEN
Match fixing A SWEDISH football striker is one of three people jailed for match-fixing. The case followed a complaint from the Norwegian Football Association.
Milk study A SWEDISH study claims that drinking too much milk could shorten your life. Women who drink at least three glasses of milk per day with little fruit and veg, are three times more likely to die earlier than those who drink one glass of milk a day.
Offensive plates A SWEDISH man has had two of his latest attempts to create his own personalised number plates denied after it was deemed they were offensive when the letter and number combinations were reflected in a mirror.
Horny beer A NEW beer from a Swedish microbrewery has become an overnight success selling out within a day. It could be due to its unusual name; Katol, which roughly translates as ‘horny beer.’
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NEWS
RUSSIAN PRESS VYACHESLAV VOLODIN: Has proposed a new law.
No insulting THE chairman of the state duma has proposed a new law protecting the honour of the president. Vyacheslav Volodin wants it to become a crime to personally insult the president. He has even described Putin as the ‘essence’ of Russia. The law would resemble others in place in Turkey and Thailand.
Hero’s welcome RUSSIA’S ministry of defence has ordered the minting of 20,000 medals for soldiers returning from the Syria front. Soldiers who fought on the front lines have been granted full veteran status. Another 50 special medals are reserved for those who liberated the ancient city of Palmyra.
Health hazard PLANS are afoot to ban
homeopathy in Russian hospitals. The alternative medicine was branded a ‘health hazard’ by the Russian Academy of Scientists. Russians are evenly split on whether they support the ban, which comes amid a wider crackdown on alternative cultural practices.
Counting chickens AN inquiry has been ordered after a man called an ambulance for his 92-year-old grandmother and was shocked when medics arrived in a funeral hearse. The grandson reported that he had recently received calls enquiring after his grandmother’s health.
Camera killer A SHOCKING image of a
Original pranksters A PA IR of notori ous Russi an pranksters embarrassed an American congresswoman in a call broadcast online. Lexus and Vovan posted a recording of their call with Maxine Waters of California on YouTube. They pretended to be the president of the Ukraine and made her denounce Russian actions in Limpopo, a fictional African country.
MAXINE WATERS: Embarrassed.
terrorist assassinating the Russi an Am bassador t o Tur key at an Ankar a ar t gal l er y has been nam ed Wor l d Pr ess Phot o of t he year. Andr ei Kar l ov was shot dead i n Decem ber 2016 while giving a speech at the gallery. Horrifying f oot age of t he m ur der quickly spread around the world.
Bootleg books PUBLISHERS are furious over a ban on Russian books which has been imposed across the Ukraine. More than 100,000 Russian books are normally sold in the country each year, over half the market. That all changed with the war between the two countries leading to fears of a black market in literature emerging.
FINANCE
Costa de Almería
23 February - 1 March 2017
STAT OF WEEK
business & legal
€202.593 billion
BACK to the coffee house is the instruction that Lloyds of London has effectively given to its 800 strong staff as it has banned the drinking of alcohol between the hours of 9am and 5pm. Originally set up in Edward Lloyd’s coffee house in the 17th century, it became the world’s largest insurer and some of the deals were struck over fairly boozy lunches, but the organisation now intends to ensure that its
Quote of the Week
£2.1 billion (€2.47 billion) is the profit that Lloyds of London declared for the 2015 accounting year and it is on course to exceed this when 2016 profits are announced later this year. staff are not influenced by the ‘demon drink.’ One of the reasons for the decision is because in a survey of internal grievance and disciplinary cases, a high percentage were fuelled
by or related to alcohol and the employer now wants to ensure that its policies are in accord with other industries. Certainly at one time every senior employee of the Royal Mail, apart
Good for jobs and businesses in Europe and Canada. Voted in favour of CETA.” Jyrki Katainen, European Commission vice-president for jobs, growth, investment and competitiveness on trade deal with Canada.
Photo by Vauxhall
Opel and Vauxhall sale
BUSINESS EXTRA
Going Greek WHILST the International Monetary Fund warns about the continued fragility of the Greek economy and invites the European Union to give more financial assistance, creditors have previously indicated that nothing is likely to be available to assist Greece until 2018.
Bank rate GENERAL MOTORS: The Astra in production. By John Smith GENERAL MOTORS (GM) which owns the Opel and Vauxhall car brands has indicated that despite both companies turning in regular losses over the years, there is a possibility that a French group may be interested in taking them over. The PSA Group, makers of Citroen and Peugeot cars works with GM on a number of projects in Europe and is currently the third largest manufacturer in Europe, behind Renault-Nissan
which has recently recorded increased sales and Volkswagen. Vauxhall currently employs 4,500 staff in the UK, but unions estimate that a further 30,000 people worked in occupations connected with Vauxhall and its vehicles. The French company is partly owned by the state, but also has investment from the Peugeot family as well as a Chinese vehicle manufacturer and if a sale was to be agreed, the new company would become Europe’s number two producers of vehicles.
THE chairperson of the US Federal Reserve Janet Yellen has indicated to Congress that it would probably be sound economic sense to increase the base rate of interest in the USA in the not too distant future following a December 2016 increase.
Alleged fraud ACCUSATIONS of corruption will not disappear as far as the ruling Partido Popular of re-elected Mariano Rajoy is concerned as the president of Murcia has been accused of alleged fraud and bribery, whilst the former mayor of Cartagena has been accused of using public funds to underwrite a digital newspaper which promoted her in a positive light.
Increasing price of milk AFTER the publicised shortage of vegetables in the UK and bacon in the US, the next possible consumer problem could be with milk and yoghurt according to French global company Danone. There isn’t likely be a shortage of the dairy
product, but prices of milk have risen by 9 per cent in the last year which means that the owner of the Activia and Actimel brands will be keeping a close watch on the escalating price of the ‘white stuff.’
33
is the total forecast tax income to be collected by the Spanish government in 2017, an increase of 7.8 per cent over 2016 forecasts. A EURO WEEKLY NEWS 6 PAGE SPECIAL SECTION // WWW.EWNBUSINESS.COM
Booze ban at Lloyds of London By John Smith
EWN
from being a member of the Territorial Army), had their own drinks cupboard in their rooms which ranged from antique wood to metal lockers in their rooms, but that was stopped many years ago. Ironically and perhaps irritatingly for Lloyds’ staff, independent brokers and underwriters who work in the same building will not be subject to the ban. The organisation is also gearing up for Brexit and has already announced that it will be moving some of its staff to new offices in Europe.
£5 update AFTER saying that it has treated the 100,000 signature petition calling for the withdrawal of the new £5 note due to use of tallow with “utmost seriousness,” the Bank of England has announced that it will continue to issue that note regardless. In addition, having already spent £24 million (€28.25 million) on production, it will also go ahead with the release of the equally ‘tainted’ new £10 bank note in September of this year. The bank argues that only a very small amount of tallow is used in the process of production, which is a bit like arguing that there is only a bit of pig in crackling!
34
E W N 23 February - 1 March 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
LONDON - FTSE 100
FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL
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C LOSING P RICES F EBRUARY 20
PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) COMPANY Anglo American 1,345.00 0.00 Associated British Foods 2,840.50 231.50 Admiral Group 1,790.00 -58.00 Ashtead Group 1,733.00 29.00 Antofagasta 842.50 5.50 Aviva 495.00 -3.40 AstraZeneca 4,545.50 -49.50 BAE Systems 608.50 2.00 Babcock International Group 907.50 12.00 Barclays 237.50 0.50 British American Tobacco 4,997.50 -6.50 Barratt Developments 516.25 -4.25 British Land Co 606.00 -4.00 BHP Billiton 1,410.00 15.50 Bunzl 1,050.00 -2,162.00 BP 447.50 1.50 Burberry Group 1,713.50 53.50 BT Group 311.00 -5.10 Coca-Cola HBC 1,000.00 -1,989.00 Carnival 4,317.50 14.50 Centrica 230.00 -2.60 Compass Group 1,455.00 -18.00 Capita Group (The) 519.50 -2.50 Croda International 1,625.00 -3,408.00 CRH 1,300.00 -2,753.00 Convatec Group Ord 10p Wi 0.00 0.00 Dixons Carphone 162.50 -301.20 DCC 3,425.00 -6,780.00 Diageo 2,262.50 -10.50 Direct Line Insurance Group 368.50 14.60 Experian 796.50 -1,608.00 easyJet 955.00 -8.50 Fresnillo 1,532.50 9.50 GKN 346.50 -0.80 Glencore 324.00 4.55 GlaxoSmithKline 1,620.00 -19.50 Hikma Pharmaceuticals 1,975.00 -59.00 Hargreaves Lansdown 750.00 -1,372.00 Hammerson 256.00 -564.50 HSBC Holdings 704.00 -3.50 International Consolidtd Airlns 497.50 -15.50 InterContinental Hotels Group 1,400.00 -3,889.00 3i Group 335.00 -720.00 Imperial Brands 3,700.00 -81.00 Informa 0.00 0.00 Intu Properties 124.50 -273.50 Intertek Group 2,000.00 -3,538.00 ITV 211.05 5.55 Johnson Matthey 2,940.50 -121.50 Kingfisher 329.00 1.90
% CHG. NET VOL 0.00 19,203.73 8.87 20,330.19 -3.14 5,308.86 1.70 8,546.74 0.66 8,364.99 -0.68 20,431.48 -1.08 57,247.52 0.33 19,169.56 1.34 4,542.79 0.21 40,377.81 -0.13 92,780.57 -0.82 5,205.96 -0.66 6,255.80 1.11 29,864.70 -100.00 7,188.74 0.34 87,343.71 3.22 7,221.83 -1.61 31,124.51 -100.00 6,944.30 0.34 9,330.68 -1.12 12,898.77 -1.22 23,810.00 -0.48 3,442.45 -100.00 4,437.49 -100.00 23,016.34 0.00 4,539.13 -100.00 3,488.43 -100.00 6,036.17 -0.46 56,814.65 4.13 4,908.75 -100.00 15,063.54 -0.88 3,779.44 0.62 11,082.88 -0.23 5,951.11 1.42 46,710.93 -1.19 79,401.07 -2.90 4,835.42 -100.00 6,460.22 -100.00 4,469.62 -0.49 140,019.65 -3.02 10,740.17 -100.00 7,649.85 -100.00 7,004.11 -2.14 35,136.75 0.00 5,413.71 -100.00 3,677.58 -100.00 5,680.81 2.70 8,376.88 -3.97 5,945.35 0.58 7,362.59
COMPANY PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) Land Securities Group 1,033.50 -20.50 Legal & General Group 245.00 1.00 Lloyds Banking Group ORD 66.40 -0.46 London Stock Exchange Grp 1,645.00 -3,130.00 Micro Focus International 0.00 0.00 Mediclinic International 375.00 -828.00 Merlin Entertainments 0.00 0.00 Marks & Spencer Group 343.15 17.65 Mondi 1,837.50 -21.50 Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets 253.00 4.10 National Grid 963.00 1.80 Next 3,750.00 -102.00 Old Mutual Group 209.00 -7.10 Provident Financial 0.00 0.00 Paddy Power Betfair 0.00 0.00 Prudential 1,557.50 -56.50 Persimmon 1,935.00 -76.00 Pearson 669.50 1.00 Reckitt Benckiser Group 7,080.00 -20.00 Royal Bank of Scotland Group 238.50 -3.90 Royal Dutch Shell 2,145.00 50.00 Royal Dutch Shell 2,229.00 43.50 RELX 1,464.50 -19.50 Rio Tinto 3,606.00 6.50 Royal Mail 424.00 13.40 Rolls-Royce Group 703.25 37.25 Randgold Resources 7,340.00 -45.00 RSA Insurance Group 300.00 -581.50 Sainsbury (J) 245.00 -23.40 Schroders 1,550.00 -3,069.00 Sage Group (The) 348.50 -633.50 Shire 4,845.00 9.00 Smurfit Kappa Group 2,187.50 -49.50 Sky 995.00 0.00 Standard Life 355.00 -12.20 Smiths Group 745.00 -1,514.00 Smith & Nephew 1,196.00 -7.00 SSE 1,535.00 11.00 Standard Chartered 782.50 9.50 St James's Place 400.00 -1,090.00 Severn Trent 2,327.50 17.50 Tesco 196.40 0.65 TUI AG 1,193.50 69.50 Taylor Wimpey 176.60 -0.90 Unilever 3,792.50 -4.50 United Utilities Group 938.00 -13.00 Vodafone Group 197.50 -0.50 Wolseley 2,400.00 -4,991.00 Worldpay Group 131.00 -267.20 WPP Group 1,896.00 -4.00 Whitbread 3,750.00 -186.00
% CHG. -1.94 0.41 -0.69 -100.00 0.00 -100.00 0.00 5.42 -1.16 1.65 0.19 -2.65 -3.29 0.00 0.00 -3.50 -3.78 0.15 -0.28 -1.61 2.39 1.99 -1.31 0.18 3.26 5.59 -0.61 -100.00 -8.72 -100.00 -100.00 0.19 -2.21 0.00 -3.32 -100.00 -0.58 0.72 1.23 -100.00 0.76 0.33 6.18 -0.51 -0.12 -1.37 -0.25 -100.00 -100.00 -0.21 -4.73
NET VOL 8,318.63 14,624.98 47,998.84 10,926.06 5,007.57 6,100.69 4,969.34 5,361.60 8,934.19 5,822.49 35,953.37 5,664.62 10,722.61 4,094.79 7,051.35 42,060.10 6,207.64 5,429.05 48,312.66 28,789.46 94,025.63 83,355.81 15,921.27 50,143.10 4,100.00 12,752.19 6,886.09 5,995.31 5,845.49 6,882.38 6,864.98 43,086.30 5,206.92 17,155.79 7,274.92 6,038.40 10,573.87 15,494.89 26,544.80 5,776.15 5,423.67 16,088.06 6,580.70 5,786.59 42,963.80 6,454.07 52,785.32 12,709.08 5,400.00 24,208.15 7,231.39
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US dollar ...................................................................1.06214 Japan yen..................................................................120.173 Switzerland franc................................................1.06500 Denmark kroner...................................................7.43358 Norway kroner .....................................................8.85623
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DOW JONES C LOSING P RICES F EBRUARY 20
COMPANY 3M AMERICAN EXPRESS APPLE BOEING CO CATERPILLAR CHEVRON CISCO SYSTEMS COCA-COLA DU PONT(EI) DE NMR EXXON MOBIL GENERAL ELECTRIC GOLDMAN SACHS HOME DEPOT IBM INTEL CORP J.P.MORGAN CHASE JOHNSON & JOHNSON MC DONALD'S CORP MERCK AND CO. NEW MICROSOFT NIKE PFIZER PROCTER AND GAMBLE TRAVELERS CIES UNITED TECHNOLOGIE UNITEDHEALTH GROUP VERIZON COMMS VISA WAL-MART STORES WALT DISNEY CO
PRICE CHANGE %CHANGE VOLUME 182,950 -0,25% -0,460 109M 79,7100 +0,25% 0,2000 71M 135,720 +0,28% 0,375 710M 172,710 +1,11% 1,900 105M 98,850 +0,60% 0,590 57M 110,33 -0,32% -0,35 207M 33,740 +0,42% 0,140 169M 41,23 +0,07% 0,03 177M 77,4900 -0,39% -0,3000 66M 81,76 -0,66% -0,54 338M 30,3700 -0,26% -0,0800 267M 250,38 +0,38% 0,94 99M 143,0000 +1,03% 1,4600 173M 180,67 -0,42% -0,76 171M 36,4800 +0,19% 0,0700 172M 90,2300 -0,33% -0,3000 323M 118,8600 +0,66% 0,7800 322M 127,8000 +0,87% 1,1000 104M 65,39 +0,20% 0,13 179M 64,620 +0,15% 0,100 497M 56,75 +0,82% 0,46 74M 33,6200 +0,00% 0,0000 203M 91,090 +0,33% 0,300 232M 121,95 +0,13% 0,16 34M 112,15 +0,07% 0,08 90M 157,62 -3,68% -6,03 149M 49,19 +1,51% 0,73 199M 87,46 +0,06% 0,05 161M 69,3700 +0,73% 0,5000 212M 110,0600 -0,59% -0,6500 173M
NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES F EBRUARY 20
COMPANY
PRICE
CHANGE NET / %
Most Advanced LMI Aerospace, Inc. GSI Technology, Inc. SunPower Corporation Fate Therapeutics, Inc. Cohu, Inc. Universal Electronics Inc. Connecture, Inc. The Kraft Heinz Company Corium International, Inc. Encore Wire Corporation Nabriva Therapeutics AG
$ 13.66 $ 6.99 $ 7.89 $ 3.93 $ 15.72 $ 72.65 $ 2.212 $ 96.65 $ 3.84 $ 47.85 $ 10.82
4.47 ▲ 48.64% 1.27 ▲ 22.20% 1.13 ▲ 16.72% 0.54 ▲ 15.93% 2.08 ▲ 15.25% 9.55 ▲ 15.13% 0.222 ▲ 11.16% 9.37 ▲ 10.74% 0.33 ▲ 9.40% 4.10 ▲ 9.37% 0.87 ▲ 8.74%
$ 2.29 $ 31.17 $ 21.40 $ 40.30 $ 2.80 $ 42.60 $ 4.38 $ 21.23 $ 29.90 $ 33.76 $ 191.99
0.41 ▼ 15.19% 4.19 ▼ 11.85% 2.20 ▼ 9.32% 4 ▼ 9.03% 0.27 ▼ 8.79% 4 ▼ 8.58% 0.30 ▼ 6.41% 1.41 ▼ 6.23% 1.80 ▼ 5.68% 2 ▼ 5.59% 10.41 ▼ 5.14%
Most Declined Icahn Enterprises L.P. Impinj, Inc. Monotype Imaging Holdings Inc. Gibraltar Industries, Inc. Marchex, Inc. Huron Consulting Group Inc. Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. Zynerba Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Bel Fuse Inc. Avis Budget Group, Inc. Credit Acceptance Corporation
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E W N 23 February - 1 March 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL
Ethical Co-op Bank may be sold or split up IT has been announced that the selfproclaimed ethical bank owned by the Co-op which was founded in 1872 as the Loan and Deposit Department of the Co-operative Wholesale Society has been put up for sale by the Board of the Co-op. In reality however this is not strictly true as following the huge scandal concerning former chairman, the ‘crystal Methodist’ Paul Flowers and the discovery of a £1.5 billion (€1.75 billion) hole in its finances, the parents raised the funds needed by selling 80 per cent of the equity to mainly American hedge funds. What is actually being sold therefore is the remaining 20 per cent of the business and there are suggestions that it might appeal to the TSB which is owned by Spanish bank Sabadell, fellow Spanish group Santander or Virgin Money. Hedge funds invest in weak businesses in order to see a relatively quick growth and return and therefore they will be looking to either walk away with a decent profit or perhaps release their investment to
Photo by Sludge G/Flickr
By John Smith
CO-OP BANK: Has been put up for sale by the Board. place elsewhere. A complete sale is not the only option as in theory, the bank could be floated on the stock exchange or broken into parcels and sold to different
financial groups, but a number of politicians including former Finance Minister Sir Vince Cable are worried by the possible sale. According to the Liberal Democrat
grandee who lost his seat in parliament in the 2015 election, Britain, unlike the USA and so many other countries in Europe does not have a large number of small local banks but
Champagne prices may rise By John Smith IT appears that the price of ‘premium’ Champagne in Britain is likely to jump due to Brexit and UK tax, but it is still possible to purchase a bottle of supermarket Champagne for less than £10 (€11.70) and with continued price wars this should continue.
than a Tesco best buy. The Champagne brands capitalise on this ‘snobbery’ and charge accordingly and there is no doubt that they have in-
Champagne brands invest huge amounts of money in marketing.
French ‘original’ by a factor of four to one and it is still relatively inexpensive. It is considered (rightly or wrongly) to be a cut above Cava from Spain and Sekt from Germany and whilst ladies who lunch now ask for Prosecco, it is highly unlikely that any of them will know the name of any of the brands. Sparkling wine is big business in the UK and even British wineries, particularly those in Kent, Surrey and Sussex, with similar ground and grapes to those used in the Champagne region and are beginning to be treated seriously with some high quality production and financial results. CELEBRATING with Champagne.
Whilst many will turn their noses up at the Champagne from Aldi or Lidl, it should be remember e d t h a t t o b e c a lle d Champagne it has to go through all of the requirements of its much more expensive premium brothers and sisters which begs the question as to why prices vary so much. At the end of the day, the long established Champ a g n e b r a n d s s u c h as K ru g , M o et, Bollinger and Tattinger are names that everyone knows and are therefore associated with quality. If you are holding a social function, you are far more likely to serve one of those brands rather
vested huge amounts of money into their properties, their grapes and their marketing, so need to see a decent return. When Boris Johnson directed observations to the Italian government about a trade deal following Brexit he was quite accurate in warning them about the market for Prosecco as it is a simple fact that the Italian fizz now outsells the
Photo by Mikael Damkier Shutterstock
effectively the entire high street banking system is run by a few conglomerates which have gobbled up any ‘lame ducks.’ Sir Vince’s opinion is shared by a number of MPs who fear that the options for consumers in particular could be restricted even further if the Co-op Bank is taken over by one of the ‘big boys,’ as it still has four million account holders who would be treated as a commodity. Having disposed of a number of ‘bad loans’ and introduced cost savings, the Co-op group has still ‘written down’ the book value of its 20 per cent shareholding on more than one occasion and it seems likely that the entire bank is worth less than £1 billion (€1.17 billion). With the recent acceptance by Lloyds Banking Group that there were irregularities at HBOS prior to its takeover, repeated accusations against HSBC and now lawsuits from a number of former and often bankrupted clients of RBS, the need for an ethical bank is possibly greater than ever which is why the possible disappearance of the Co-op is under the microscope.
Charging costs A CAFÉ in Vienna has decided to ‘call time’ on nuisance customers who come in for a cup of coffee and then spend hours occupying a seat and what is worse recharging their phones or running their laptops at the café owner’s expense.
It costs less than €1 a year to charge a phone. Whilst this may appear to be a reasonable decision with anti-social customers hogging seats, the argument about the cost of electricity isn’t so strong as research suggests it costs less than €1 a year to charge a phone. Some café owners have taken to disguising electric points and only let regular customers know where they are.
FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL
23 February - 1 March 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
Former Bank of Spain Governor to be quizzed over Bankia Group THE farrago which saw the public flotation of the Bankia Group and then the huge loss of value of shares following the revelation of the misleading financial prospectus and the government bail-out continues to rumble on. The Spanish government invested more than €22 billion in saving the group and although it is beginning to see some positive results, Bankia is still having to compensate those persuaded to purchase shares when the bank was first floated. In the meantime, former Spanish government minister and former Bankia president Rodrigo Rato is still awaiting a verdict following his trial for alleged misuse of Bankia funds which he has always denied. There is no question that the whole Bankia affair came as a huge embarrassment to the Spanish government and helped in its own way to trigger a major
Photo by Banco de España/Flickr
By John Smith
FORMER GOVERNOR: Miguel Ángel Fernández Ordóñez. financial crisis in the country. Now it has been announced that a number of senior former employees of the Bank of Spain including the former governor Ordóñez as well as others from the watchdog National Commission for
Market Values are to be interviewed by the court in Madrid over their inability to detect the irregularities in the Bank. No formal charges have been laid against any of those who will be examined and three current Bank of Spain em-
ployees have resigned their positions as they are to be interviewed, but they will all need to explain why they apparently ignored information from a Bank of Spain investigation team which warned that Bankia was not financially sound.
The Bankia affair came as a huge embarrassment to the Spanish government. According to the court, these warnings included unequivocal and strong advice that the listing of the bank on the Spanish stock market should not be allowed and if their warnings had been heeded, investors and tax payers would have been in a much better position, as much of the money invested by the government following the crisis will never be repaid.
EWN
37
Spanish pensions AWARE that the Spanish pension pot has been consi der abl y r educed by t he current government in order to ‘plug holes’ in state finances, the governor of the Bank of Spain, Luis Maria Linde has come up with a plan. According to the governor, as people live longer and pension funds are stretched, it would be sensible to increase the retirement age as has been done in the UK which would mean less money spent and more taxes collected. He would like to see the new retirement age of 67 which is due to be implemented in 2027 brought forward, but this idea has not found favour with the gover nm ent , al t hough t hey have no problem in principle if people wish to voluntarily continue to work after they reach 65.
Losing mental capacity whilst living abroad by Stone King Charlotte Macdonald Contact me at international@stoneking.co.uk
MANY UK expatriates living in Spain own properties in the UK and have pensions and investments in the UK. They rely on their UK assets to maintain their lifestyles (and those of their families) in Spain. If they can no longer manage their affairs in the UK due to a loss of mental capacity, it can cause many difficulties.
You can choose a person or people, who you trust, to act for you when you are no longer able. The best way to avoid the legal and practical difficulties that can occur with the loss of mental capacity is to plan for it in advance by drawing up a document called a ‘Lasting Power of Attorney’ (‘LPA’).
An LPA must be made while you have full mental capacity.
What is an LPA? An LPA is a legal document that enables you to appoint one or more attor-
neys to act for you when you are no longer able to act for yourself. Your attorney can be a professional,
such as a solicitor or a family member or friend. There are two types of LPA: ‘Health and Welfare’ or ‘Property and Financial Affairs’ An LPA must be made while you have full mental capacity. It is therefore important to make one while you are in good health. Why should you get an LPA? You can choose a person or people, who you trust, to act for you when you are no longer able. If you lose your mental capacity and do not have an LPA, then your family (or the authorities) will have no choice but to make an application to the Court of Protection to appoint a ‘deputy’ to look after your affairs, which can be time consuming and costly. Will my LPA be recognised in Spain? Unfortunately there is no international type of LPA which is guaranteed to work in both the UK and Spain. The advice we give to our clients at Stone King, is that if you have assets in both Spain and the UK, your only safe option is to appoint attorneys in both jurisdictions.
If you would like to discuss LPAs contact Charlotte Macdonald or Dan Harris at Stone King LLP by email international@stoneking.co.uk or by telephone on +44 (0)1225 337599.
OPINION & COMMENT
www.euroweeklynews.com
23 February - 1 March 2017 / Costa de Almería
39
Blair is an eloquent con artist LEAPY LEE SAYS IT
OTHERS THINK IT
successful conmen are akin to market ‘mock’ auctioneers, who can basically talk the hind leg off a donke y w hic h is why he has amassed millions spouting his diatribes to anyone prepared to line his pockets. This despicable individual is also the classic opportunist.
HT RIG PY CO ky evs ush an nY ma Ro
COULD anyone believe the gall of Tony Blair in last week’s rambling tirade against Brexit? This arrogant war criminal, personally responsible for the destabilising of the Middle East and the deaths of thousands, is a political conman who, through added guile and misinformation, not only opened the doors to millions of immigrants purely to bolster his re-election, but now has the audacity to stand up as bold as brass and virtually call for another referendum!
flict of which the public, not only had no idea of the outcome, but were even lied to about its true purpose. Blair possesses the one thing that is a basic necessity for all con artists, he is extremely eloquent. H e, l ike ma ny
He sees the Brexit situation as just another opportunity. ‘Th e p e o p l e v o t e d k n o w in g n o th in g about the consequences,’ he spouted. Pretty rich from a man who led us into a con-
Tony Blair.
All those years ago, realising the Labour party had sunk into an unelectable morass (sound familiar) he gleefully swooped in, renamed it ‘New,’ and callously used it as a vehicle to ultimately attain the highest office in the land. He sees the Brexit situation as just another opportunity. Completely unaware, or simply not giving a damn about the revulsion he attracts, he deviously observes it as a chance to f or m som e ki nd of new ‘ m ovem ent ,’ which at some point will be able to ‘Rise Up’ and challenge the present Labour party. With him at its head of course! I bet he’s even decided on a name for it. Send this revolting intelligence insulter back to whatever cesspit he crawled out of; along with his equally abhorrent, selfgratifying spouse! Thanks for all your mail. Most with attachments, or too long to publish. Nevertheless, much appreciated, I do read them all. Keep ‘em coming. And whatever ya do. Always. Keep the faith Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com
42
23 February - 1 March 2017 / Costa de Almería
www.euroweeklynews.com
NEWS
Travel By Eleanor Hawkins ONE of the most important Islamic monuments of the West and one of the most amazing in the world, the Cathedral Mosque of Cordoba is a surprising fusion of Christian and Islamic architecture which sums up the evolution of styles and influences over the centuries. The site the monument stands on has always been one of worship to different divinities. Under Visigoth domination, the Basilica of Saint Vicente was built there and later part of the land was bought by Muslims to build a primitive mosque. Gradually the Moorish population increased and the mosque grew, and eventually the basilica was purchased by Abderraman I and demolished to make space for the city’s main mosque. Some parts of the Visigoth construction remain to this day within the first part of the mosque built in 785. Curiously the mosque was constructed facing south, like that of Damascus. This move from the tradition of
A fusion of religions CORDOBA: The Cathedral Mosque.
facing mosques towards the Mecca is believed to have been due to the sandy lands around the nearby Guadalquivir river, which made other plans impossible. The mosque was gradually adapted and extended to cater for the increasingly large pop-
ulation as Cordoba became the capital of the most influential Islamic realm of the west. Rather than demolishing the mosque once the city had returned to Christian rule, Bishop Manrique and King Carlos V agreed in 1523 to build a cathedral within the
mosque. Three generations of architects were involved in the construction, which displays almost two centuries of architectural evolution. In a similar way to the mosque-cathedral itself, the clock and bell tower was built around the existing minaret in
a fusion of Moorish and Christian construction. Another key part of the monument is the Patio de los Naranjos (orange tree patio). In Islamic times the patio was used for public activities such as administration of justice
and education. The area was also set aside for women to pray and for ablutions, with water channels under the trees ensuring sufficient water. Initially the patio was planted with palm trees in the 13th century and there is evidence that orange trees have also been present since the 15th century. Olive and cypress trees were added in the 18th century. The monument is open to the public from 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and from 8.30-11.30am and 36pm on Sundays and religious holidays between November and February, and from 10am to 7pm Monday to Saturday and 8.30-11.30am and 3-7pm on Sundays and religious holidays between March and October. Tickets can booked online in advance or purchased at the ticket office on the day at a price of €10 for adults and €5 for 10 to 14-year-olds. Children under 10 enter free of charge. Various guided tours are also available via www.mezquitadecordoba.org/ en.
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Do less and see more: try a great canal journey Christina Sharp GLOBELINK INTERNATIONAL christina@globelink.co.uk.
REMEMBER the 1970’s Hoseasons advert to the tune of ‘Messing About on the River ’? We’ve come a long way since then, but 40 years later, canal and barging holidays are seeing a revival; possibly thanks to the compulsive viewing of TV programmes like Great Canal Journeys and Celebrity Carry on Barging. Canal holidays are a glorious leisurely alternative to a driving or walking holiday. With over 2,000 miles of waterways in the English countryside alone, it’s a perfect way to slow down the pace and see more of your surroundings while revelling in the comforts of a cosy home-away-fromhome. Whether you opt for a crewed barge and just sit back and enjoy the scenery as you meander by, or fancy learning the ropes yourself, you can enjoy an unhurried holiday afloat with friends or family and discover the hidden world of canal boating. Beginners will soon get the hang of it
CANAL HOLIDAYS: A glorious leisurely alternative to a driving or walking holiday. and if you need an extra hand, there are several online and paper guides available. Where are the top destinations for your canal boat holiday? It depends what rocks your boat (and your budget), however, some of our favourites include: the Shropshire Union Canal, in England’s West Midlands, meandering through rolling hills, valleys and across deep cuts and magnifi-
cent bridges - a testament to the bygone era of the industrial revolution. Or opt for the picturesque, wide tree-lined routes of Canal du Midi, France which passes through vineyards and walled cities in easy reach of the canal. Board in the ancient canalside village of Le Somail, near Narbonne. Life slows to a snail’s pace and the most taxing decision is whose turn it is to
buy the fresh croissants for breakfast. The Gota Canal, Sweden, offers spectacular scenery and history, connecting a series of lakes across Sweden from Lake Vänern, near Gothenberg, to the Baltic. The canal includes 58 locks along the way. Book direct with boat companies, or via operators like www.Hoseasons.co.uk, www.barginginfrance.com, or try late boat.com and save trawling through lots of websites to compare prices. Wherever you chose, be a savvy traveller and buy a reliable Travel Insurance Policy to avoid deep water if you have a mishap while away. Globelink’s Annual Multi Trip Policy covers an unlimited number of trips for as little as £59.47 (one adult aged 51-65yrs travelling in Europe for 17 days) and you’ll be covered for up to £10,000,000 emergency medical and repatriation, up to £3,000 for your baggage and £4,000 if you have to cancel or cut short your trip. Globelink Travel Insurance: for people living in the EU. Get an instant quote and arrange cover securely with www.globelink.co.uk, or call (UK) +44 1353 699 082 or our Spanish link line 966 265 000. Your Policy and Emergency Assistance Card is delivered
44
23 February - 1 March 2017 / Costa de Almería
The great diesel car scam Mike Senker
In my opinion Views of a Grumpy Old Man ONCE again the British public have been stuffed by misinformation from the government. I’m talking about diesel cars. About 15 years ago Gordon Brown offered incentives for people to buy diesel fuelled cars and over the next few years we did … in fact over eight million were sold. Fuel was cheaper and no-one wanted to buy your second-hand petrol car so their prices dropped. Now it turns out they were wrong and they want you to pay a surcharge if you want to drive your diesel car into many city centres. So, of course, no-one wants to buy your poison-spewing death machine diesel car! It’s absolutely disgusting that folks that bought these cars in good faith are now being punished by the new ‘toxic tax.’ There is talk about a scrappage scheme to encourage people to dump their diesel cars and buy a petrol car. That is no help whatsoever to the punter who just can’t afford a new car. As usual the government has cocked up and you, me and all the other mugs that listened to them are going to have to foot the bill. On to more serious things. What is the point of garnish? I like veal Milanese with
spaghetti bolognaise. A pretty basic, simple dish for a pretty simple person. So why does it turn up with a lettuce leaf and a slice of orange on it? The orange, of course, is slightly cut and twisted to make it look pretty. It does nothing to compliment the meal and immediately gets dumped on to the nearest side plate. I’ve had egg and bacon with parsley on the plate! In fact, parsley keeps turning up everywhere. Why? Why use up so much of something nobody wants? I’ve had food turn up with so much green stuff sprinkled over it, it looks like it was left in the garden and someone has gone past it with a Flymo! I’ve even had a sprig of parsley on an ice cream dessert. Are you raving bonkers? The only things you can garnish ice cream with is chocolate or fudge sauce or another dollop of ice cream. NOT GREEN STUFF! I used to go to a great Thai restaurant on the Mijas road, which is closed now, and they used to make amazing things with carrots, like little sculptures of flowers and animals. It was a bit wasted on me because I like carrots and I just ate them only to be informed one day that they were only for decoration and sometimes got moved from plate to plate! That will teach me to think that everything served with my dinner was for me to eat and not to take a bloody photo of! I’m on Talk Radio Europe Friday February 24 at 11.30am. Email me at mikesenker@gmail.com.
OPINION & COMMENT
www.euroweeklynews.com
LEGALLY SPEAKING
Are you distracted by modern systems? 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.
OVERLOAD: Can fatigue a driver. THERE are many systems now on vehicles that can help make driving safer. Many hide behind names and acronyms that not everyone understands such as ABS, ESP, traction control or blind spot control and whilst these aim to improve safety, they can also increase the level of distraction. A recent study by RACE and Castrol revealed that the lack of knowledge about the operation of these technologies can have a negative effect on driving, with a reported 6 per cent frightened by these systems, 13 per cent stressed and 25 per cent distracted by them. As a result, it is necessary to know how they operate to avoid the anxiety caused by the new technology. As a car’s cockpit becomes more like that of a complex space shuttle than a classic car with steering wheel and levers, it is important to train yourself on exactly what your vehicle does. Read the manual, search the internet and train yourself on every device on
your vehicle, and do so before you take to the road. According to studies, ignorance or relying too much on the technology, can directly influence driving. For example, if the system alerts the driver when they are exceeding the speed limit, but the speed control is automatic, the driver can become lazy and forget about the acceleration and take longer than normal to take it off speed control and manually reduce the speed. The stress caused by new technologies in the vehicle can also affect your psychophysical state. According to Luis Montoro, President of the Spanish Foundation for Road Safety (FESIVAL), long periods of stress behind the wheel, means the mind cannot rest and consequently, the body will perform negative actions which can affect driving safety. An overload of data from all the extra dials, controls and equipment, can also fatigue a driver and distract attention from the road.
For more news and articles visit www.n332.es or search N332 on Facebook.
Does he need building permit? More than 10 years ago I applied to my local town hall for a building licence to build my house in the ‘campo.’ Under the regulations at the time, the minimum area to build was 10,000m2 of land and the maximum builtarea of the house was 2 per cent of the plot area. My plot was over 10,000m2 and the built area was less than the maximum. The licence was issued, the house was built and a Certificate of Yes. If you build, you need a licence. You need to take your plan to your town hall urbanismo department. Further,
Habitation issued on completion. The house is U-shaped around an open courtyard. Now I want to extend my house by enclosing part of the courtyard. The new enclosed area will take the built-area to the limit of 2 per cent of the plot size, but will not extend beyond the original footprint. Do I need to apply for a building licence for this small extension? B C (Costa Blanca)
David Searl You and the Law in Spain
when you are done, you need to change your listing in the Property Registry to show your new covered area.
Send your questions for David Searl through lawyers Ubeda-Retana & Associates in Fuengirola at Ask@lawtaxspain.com, or call 952 667 090.
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23 February - 1 March 2017 / Costa de Almería
Cassandra Nash A weekly look - and not entirely impartial reaction to the Spanish political scene
MARIANO RAJOY’S phone conversation with Donald Trump was called his Azores Moment. The offer by Spain’s president to act as Trump’s mediator with Latin America was considered as unn e c e ssa r y a n d s e rv ile as Spain’s ex-president Jose Maria Aznar ’s decision to sign up for the Iraq war in 2003. The moment was immortalised in a photo where George W Bush encircles Aznar with an avuncular arm. Unfortunately Bush always had trouble with Aznar ’s name, often referring to him as Mr Ansar, which means ‘goose’ in English. Th e u n - a v u n c u la r Ra jo y Trump phone conversation lasted 15 m i n u t e s i n st ea d o f th e plan n e d 2 0 . An d w h a t d id Trump make of Rajoy’s name. Mr Rajah perhaps? Possibly Trump hung up believing he had spent 15 minutes trying to cut short a cold caller from an Indian call centre.
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OPINION & COMMENT
The cold caller Proxy empathy THE Podemos party conference enthroned Pablo Iglesias as its one and only. Meanwhile party Number Two Iñigo Errejon who challenged Iglesias’ policies of street protests to bring about change will soon be shunted into a s id in g . E rre jon a ls o w a nts change but believes it should arrive via the institutions and parliament. He and Iglesias come from very comfortable backgrounds and have strings of letters, in-
cluding doctorates, after their names. They preach radicality aka pie in the sky without ever having been broke, hungry or jobless. For all their talk about comrades they are as cushioned from reality as the political caste they affect to scorn.
As per usual MARIANO RAJOY emerged from his own party conference as unassailable as expected. What he said was expected too, particularly regarding Cataluña. Nei-
Double vision FORMER Minister of Health Ana Mato resigned because she was deemed to have benefited via her ex-husband from freebies and kickbacks in the Gurtel corruption case. She knew nothing of their provenance, Mato told judges: “They were given to my husband, not me.” Can someone please explain how a woman with sufficient ability to rise to ministerial level can be unaware of what goes on in her own family?
ther he nor the party would e ve r c ou nt enance “any process leading to the destruction of national sovereignty,” he declared. But if the Catala ns w on’t be al lowed a referendum, what wi l l Rajoy offer in return? Ev er y par ent and politician knows that “no” might mean “no” but there has to be a sweetener of some kind to compensate.
MARIANO RAJOY: Spoke with Trump.
OPINION & COMMENT
www.euroweeklynews.com
23 February - 1 March 2017 / Costa de Almería
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Who wants to be a millionaire? Even lottery winners are victims now Nora Johnson
Breaking Views Nora is the author of popular psychological suspense and crime thrillers and a freelance journalist. To comment on any of the issues raised in her column, go to www.euroweeklynews.com/3.0.15/nora-johnson
NEWS that Britain’s youngest Euromillions winner, Jane Park, had planned to sue lottery bosses for negligence for ‘ruining’ her life is hardly surprising. ‘I thought it would make it 10 times better but it’s made it 10 times worse. I wish I had no money most days,’ she moaned. Only 17 when she won £1m with her first-ever ticket in 2013, Jane whinged about being sick of shopping for designer goods and staying in upmarket holiday resorts, struggling to find a boyfriend who’s not after her money and being burdened with the stress of being a millionaire. Poor Jane - how we feel for her pain! Well, she could always have
given it to some deserving cause (like, for example, here in Spain the Costa del Sol Cudeca cancer charity celebrating its wellearned 25th anniversary this year). Basically, she should have employed a minder to stop her frittering away her million, but the fact that she didn’t is, naturally, someone else’s fault. When are we ever going to return to an era when people take personal responsibility for their actions rather than whine: ‘I’m the victim here, who can I sue?’ But then, people taking responsibility for their actions? What a quaint old-fashioned notion these days... However, thoroughly inspired by Jane Park’s experience, just think what some might still do. Sue secondary schools and/or colleges for allowing them to achieve less than top grades and, consequently, top jobs. Cosmetic
JANE PARK: Lottery ruined her life.
companies for not allowing their ‘miracle’ creams and potions to make them instantly look decades younger. Supermarkets for allowing them to get not only well and truly plastered but also morbidly obese as a result of their wine and chocolate multi-buy offers. Well, that should all go down, as a certain orange president ensconced in his golden tower might say, ‘bigly’! Finally, to return to the lady in question, I am reminded of an advert from years ago where a little girl utters the immortal words: ‘and my mother says that one day I shall grow up to be a right little madam.’ ’Nuff said. Nora Johnson’s psychological/suspense crime thrillers ‘No Way Back,’ ‘Landscape of Lies,’ ‘Retribution,’ ‘Soul Stealer,’ ‘The De Clerambault Code’ (www.nora-johnson.com) available from Amazon in paperback/eBook (€0.99;£0.99) and iBookstore. All profits to Costa del Sol Cudeca cancer charity.
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E W N 23 February - 1 March 2017 / Costa de Almería
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23 February - 1 March 2017 / Costa de Almería
LETTERS
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OPINION & COMMENT
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
Low fare Ryanair played fair ON the morning of February 15 my friends booked a flight from Malaga to Dublin travelling on February 22. At 5pm they received a call from Ireland to say a close friend had died. They immediately contacted Ryanair to ask if they could transfer their flight to the following day i.e. February 16. Their request was dealt with at no extra cost. Well done Ryanair. So often they get bad publicity. Yvonne Thomas, Torremolinos
Brexit confusion FIRST it was ‘Brexit means
Brexit’ with no further details. Then it was the boiled egg variety ‘soft or hard Brexit.’ There were even some references to ‘black or white Brexit.’ Now it seems it is ‘Brexit at any cost.’ One particular commentator here is fond of calling Remain voters ‘confused.’ There is no confusion among Remain voters. They voted with perfect clarity to remain inside the EU. They would do so again given the opportunity. The confusion is all in the Brexit camp. Just look at the pledge they made to divert British EU money to the NHS - completely opposed in the Bill before Parliament by the very people who argued FOR it only nine months ago!
Immigration - arguably the biggest issue of all in the referendum - has been shown to be mostly from countries OUTSIDE the EU. In fact, most Brexit voters just want to keep out people from Muslim countries which are not in the EU. How confused is that? ‘Brexit at any cost’ means exactly that. Cost. Brian Eagleson, Mojacar
Trump truths THE only person scowling after that fiasco was Trump seeing his great plan blown out of the water and the
worldwide condemnation that followed. The would-be terrorists must be rolling all over the desert busting their sides laughing. Immigration control is vital but it is also such a serious and contentious issue that it needs to be carefully planned and executed. This was neither. It was clumsy and amateurish. The follow up was equally pathetic. At the moment all we are seeing from Trump’s Presidency is disarray and chaos. Naturally he denies this, claiming that it is a well-oiled machine. And of course, he is the president therefore he must be telling the truth and everyone else is wrong. Ian Terry
Photographs for possible publication should be sent by email with a full caption to: photonews@euroweeklynews.com
COMMENTS from the Euro Weekly News website On Tony Blair I STILL cannot understand why this man is not in prison for what he has done to the country. He took us into the Iraq war after which the world now suffers from terrorism, and he destroyed Britain with his immigration programme. Anyone who listens to this idiot deserves a good slapping. Roy Peters
Mallorca taxi drivers A GREAT common sense idea, I can’t understand why there isn’t already a bus service to and from the airport! As is the Spanish mentality, taxi drivers hate competition rather than looking at it as a way of using it to provide a better service to try and entice customers! Spain is way behind on the competition front because their culture, political and otherwise, prefers monopoly, they don’t like giving... but they love taking! Mike in ESP
Animal rights in Benidorm
LETHAL WEAPON: The deadly hairs of the processional caterpillar.
Caterpillar curse EVERYONE, especially dog owners and parents, should be aware that the hairs on processional caterpillars carry a deadly poison. A mere touch by a dog’s nose or tongue can have deadly consequences. One of our own dogs was poisoned in this way. With just a little of the poison on her nose, she naturally stretched her tongue to lick it off but this immediately transferred into her mouth. Unless very quick remedial action is taken, serious damage then occurs often causing complete loss of the tongue and possibly death.
The best and vital action to take is to immediately and thoroughly wash the inside and outside of the dog’s mouth with running water, taking great care not to touch the dog’s mouth or nose with bare hands. It is strongly advised to have a vet repeat the mouth washing and give injections of cortisone or other medicine to counter the poison plus pain killers. Luckily, our dog responded well and appears normal again. The most important recommendation is to stay well away from pine trees, particularly during the caterpillar season. Ken Lelliott
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: www.euroweeklynews.com
I WOULD like to thank your paper for taking the time to cover this story, you have the thanks of all animal lovers and also thanks from the members of Benidorm News & Information Forum on Facebook who expressed their horror at this barbaric incident. Special thank you to Caroline for covering the story. J. A. Perkins
Brexit & Blair WHY wont people just accept that, rightly or wrongly the vote was leave - had the vote been stay then the remainers would be saying ‘the people have spoken!’ (for what it is worth I think leaving is a mistake). David Allcock I THINK the point is that people were wrongly informed and blatantly lied to (£350 million to the nhs) and while I don’t like the guy no one else is willing to stand up to the right wing media and say it. Scott Wilkinson THERESA MAY has changed her mind. Why can’t others - especially when new information becomes available? Blair has rattled those in favour of Leave. Why, because he is listened to by most and Brexit cannot be defended when sensible questions and concerns are raised. Anyone in favour of Remain, are crazy not to support Blair’s intervention. Graham Clark
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.
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MADDOCKS’ VIEW ON LIFE
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
‘ CHECK MATE AGAIN - AUTOMATION IS GOING TO RUIN OUR COFFEE BREAK! ’
YOUR STARS FOR 7 DAYS
Women’s wit
‘
The three ages of man: youth, middle age, and ‘my word you do look well’.’ June Whitfield, Actress
ARIES (March 21 - April 20) Emotional and monetary wealth go hand in hand at the beginning of this energetic week. Someone is likely to make demands that you find unacceptable and you will need all your tact to avoid unpleasantness, but any resistance by you will, in the longer term, only gain you respect.
Famous quote
‘
You can be the one-in-amillion. Don’t be discouraged by the odds to succeed.’ David Beckham, Professional Footballer
TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) You may feel a bit like Sherlock Holmes when you solve a tricky dilemma. With your intellect soaring, it is little surprise that others come to you with their problems.
World of English
‘
GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Someone with a romantic interest
Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?’
LOTTERY
UK NATIONAL LOTTERY
Saturday February 18
11
13
IRISH LOTTO
Saturday February 18
27
32
2
Friday February 17
19
37
44
45
24
49
59
46
47
44
33
BONUS BALL
4
24
48
LUCKY STARS
3
10
CANCER (June 22 - July 23) Small matters start to clog up the emotional works. You would rather be somewhere else, but grit your teeth and deal with necessary matters. Finances certainly must be watched most carefully. Get your glad rags on at the weekend and
Saturday February 18
EL GORDO DE LA PRIMITIVA
Sunday February 19
5
15
7
19
21
37
29
39
39
31
36
40
BONUS BALL
in you starts buzzing around. This is all very well if you are willing, but if not keep your distance. As thoughts turn to a well-deserved break, it is not surprising that a holiday is on your mind.
25
10 21
(February 20 - March 20)
Even as you prepare to go on a trip or start something new this week, the future beckons. In small things there are clues to
LA PRIMITIVA
EURO MILLIONS
Tuesday February 14
PISCES
LUCKY STARS
2
9
38
REINTEGRO
43
1
the way forward. A chance encounter brings humour and opens your eyes to a friendship lately neglected.
really let your hair down. time. LEO (July 24 - August 23) Mutual plans are exciting but make sure that others know your needs exactly. As a Leo, you will never willingly accept second best but how can others know your standards? VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Putting your thoughts and feelings on a par with someone else will help you to understand their point of view. As painful as it seems, there will need to be some compromise if everyone is to be happy. Are you feeling the need for some activity and excitement? LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) Sometimes, you retreat into your shell and your normally gregarious personality takes a back seat. Although you may not have received the expected response to a question recently, it is no reason to brood.
REINTEGRO
7
SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) The way to bring energy levels up
this week is to spend time with energetic people. You may feel a little on the fringes initially but, at the end of the day, your spirit will be lifted. SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) Look ahead to see how exactly you can make this spring time extra special. Making your plans clear to others means a smooth journey as opposed to unnecessary delays. A particular place brings back memories of a love long past. CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) There is an incredibly romantic week ahead if you only enter into the spirit of it. Let your feelings be seen and felt, showing appreciation for loved ones. You do not need the excuse of a birthday or anniversary to give a gift, just a heart full of love. AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) Being at the forefront of a learning experience is pleasurable this week. An unexpected offer seems small but could have a big effect. A friend in need may go over the top and annoy you. It may be necessary to distance yourself and give help through others. Planning ahead to the weekend means that you have more time and energy to get things done.
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E W N 23 February - 1 March 2017 / Costa de Almería
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EURO WEEKLY’S SPACE FOR YOU TO TAKE A BREA
The purpose of the Hexagram puzzle is to place the 19 sixletter 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 (FUTURE) and one letter in four other cells are given as clues.
Hexagram AMOEBA AROUSE BARBER BARFLY BARLEY CHEESE EARTHY EUREKA FILTER FUTURE (10)
GRISLY MAGGOT OYSTER RELIEF STOCKY STROLL TOUSLE TRACER TUMBLE
This week in history 1950 – Labour’s Clement Attlee returned as prime minister after winning the general election by a slim majority. 1959 – British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan met with Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev to discuss expansion of Anglo-Soviet trade. 1964 – At the age of 22 Cassius Clay, who later became better known as Muhammed Ali, unexpectedly became the heavyweight champion of the world when he beat Sonny Liston. 1971 – The UK government introduced a new Immigration Bill which meant Commonwealth citizens lost their automatic right to remain in the UK. 1975 – A packed London underground tube train crashed killing 43 people, including the driver. The cause of the crash was never established. 1981 – Buckingham Palace announced that Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer were engaged to be married. 1982 – Corporal punishment was banned in British schools after the European Court of Human Rights ruled it violated the Human Rights Convention. 1987 – The General Synod of the Church of England voted to allow ordination of women priests. 1896 – French physicist Henri Becquerel discovered evidence of radioactivity which led him to being awarded a Nobel prize. 1991 – As Allied troops entered Kuwait Saddam Hussein ordered a retreat bringing an end to the ground war. 1979 – Referendums in Scotland and Wales saw both countries reject devolution which had a crippling affect on Labour’s minority government. 1993 – Sir Bobby Moore, captain of the winning England team in the 1966 World Cup, died at the age of 51, 10 days after announcing he had cancer. 1994 – NATO carried out its first combat in its 45-year history when American fighters shot down four Bosnian Serb jets in a no-fly zone.
Nonagram 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 W) and there must be AT LEAST ONE NINE LETTER WORD. Plurals, vulgarities or proper nouns are not allowed.
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION 1 Decode 2 Nettle 3 Beater 4 Ninety 5 Beyond 6 Survey 7 Yeoman 8 Server 9 Anneal 10 Myself 11 Insert 12 Deafen 13 Seller 14 Leaden 15 Teller 16 Hoyden 17 Advent 18 Eldest 19 Hearty.
Costa de Almería TODAY
VELEZ RUBIO
HUERCAL OVERA
ALBOX
GARRUCHA
MOJACAR
ALMERIA
weather Alicante TODAY: MAX 21, MIN 12 - C Fri - 20 11 Cl Sat - 19 10 C Sun - 19 11 S Mon - 21 12 S Tues - 19 11 S Wed - 18 11 S
Bilbao TODAY: MAX 15, MIN 10 - C Fri - 12 6 Sh Sat - 18 7 C Sun - 19 9 C Mon - 18 8 Sh Tues - 14 6 C Wed - 16 7 Sh
Almeria TODAY: MAX 22, MIN 12 - CL Fri - 19 12 Sh Sat - 19 11 C Sun - 20 12 S Mon - 21 13 S Tues - 21 12 S Wed - 19 12 Cl
Madrid TODAY: MAX 20, MIN 5 - CL Fri - 18 3 S Sat - 17 4 S Sun - 18 5 S Mon - 17 4 C Tues - 16 3 C Wed - 16 3 Cl
Barcelona TODAY: MAX 19, MIN 9 - S Fri - 16 9 Cl Sat - 16 8 C Sun - 17 8 Cl Mon - 18 9 S Tues - 15 8 Sh Wed - 16 8 C
Malaga TODAY: MAX 21, MIN 11 - S Fri - 21 11 Cl Sat - 18 9 Cl Sun - 20 10 Cl Mon - 21 11 S Tues - 19 10 S Wed - 19 9 Cl
Benidorm TODAY: MAX 21, MIN 12 - C Fri - 19 12 C Sat - 18 11 C Sun - 19 11 S Mon - 21 12 Cl Tues - 19 11 Cl Wed - 18 10 Cl
Mallorca TODAY: MAX 21, MIN 10 - CL Fri - 18 8 Cl Sat - 17 8 S Sun - 18 7 C Mon - 18 8 C Tues - 18 8 Cl Wed - 17 7 Cl
RETAMAR
ADRA
ROQUETAS
TOMORROW
VELEZ RUBIO
HUERCAL OVERA
ALBOX
GARRUCHA
MOJACAR
ALMERIA
RETAMAR
ADRA
ROQUETAS
SATURDAY
VELEZ RUBIO
HUERCAL OVERA
ALBOX
GARRUCHA
MOJACAR
ALMERIA
RETAMAR
ADRA
S: Sun
TIME
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Cl: Clear
F: Fog
ROQUETAS
C: Cloudy
Sh: Showers
Sn: Snow
Th: Thunder
Euro Weekly News strives for accuracy, but cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of published forecasts
TARGET: • Average: 12 • Good: 16 • Very good: 24 • Excellent: 31
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION aeon amen anoa damn darn dean done earn mana mane mean mend moan morn name nard near nerd node norm omen rand rend roan adman admen adorn amend anode arena demon drone maned manor monad named namer nomad radon roman anadem daemon enamor madman madmen maenad merman moaned moaner modern random remand adenoma MEMORANDA
NEW ON DVD Arrival Directed by: Denis Villeneuve Starring: Amy Adams, Forest Whitaker, Jeremy Renner Linguistics expert Dr Louise Banks (Amy Adams) is enlisted to decipher an alien language after 12 mysterious spacecraft appear around the planet. Arrival is a stunning, philosophical new take on the sci-fi contact movie which features a cracking performance from Adams and a number of thoughtprovoking themes. The film was nominated for eight Oscars and ranks among the very best releases of 2016 while cementing Villeneuve’s reputation as one of the most impressive directors at work today.
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AK, BE INFORMED AND ENJOY A CHALLENGE
page
Enjoy filling in the following puzzles and check the answers in next week’s edition
Cryptic
Code Breaker
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS
CRYPTIC
Quick
Across:
Across 1 Good man has help to get sober (5) 4 Street telephone line (6) 9 Church renews lease for a football team (7) 10 Sense some of his mellowness (5) 11 Foolish King is with Cinders (4) 12 Delight in French song (7) 13 Liberal left slum the lot (3) 14 Delight some eagle-eyed viewers (4) 16 Upset pet’s gait (4) 18 The dish is from occupied France (3) 20 A sabre I broke in a military installation (3,4) 21 Call for part of a book (4) 24 Enthusiastic approval is lost in a terrible clatter (5) 25 I posed a problem being fat (7) 26 Substitute a small sorceress (6) 27 Wimbledon champion Chris is always on time (5) Down 1 Observe dog being kept safe (6) 2 Raves about claims (5) 3 Sleep like a tramp in Barbados shack (4) 5 Examine luggage to establish legal precedent (4,4) 6 Repeat some of the composite rates (7) 7 For a change, go late for an Italian ice cream (6) 8 Corrupt males in Oregon (5) 13 Times can change meaning of words (8) 15 Knowledge Garland added for enchantress (7)
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Crossword
EWN
7 Recall, 8 Attune, 9 Node, 10 Entirely, 11 Abstain, 13 Peace, 15 Brisk, 17 Beating, 20 Lacerate, 21 Ruse, 23 Renege, 24 Scarab. Down: 1 Nero, 2 Lament, 3 Algeria, 4 Paste, 5 Starve, 6 Anglican, 12 Barrages, 14 Reverse, 16 Sweden, 18 Tarzan, 19 Jaded, 22 Span.
QUICK Across:
17 Harbours with own poles (6) 18 Bar some flopped albums (5) 19 ‘God without end’ admitting church is fake (6) 22 Poem for a sailor to remind him of home (5) 23 Textbook item contains mention of bird of prey (4) Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 5 represents K and 17 represents L, so fill in K every time the figure 5 appears and L every time the figure 17 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.
Across 1 New World vulture (6) 4 Writing implement (6) 9 Be in accord (5) 10 Less rational (7) 11 Unforeseen obstacle (4) 12 Friendly and pleasant (8) 13 Let for money (5) 15 Strikingly odd or unusual (5) 18 Reticent (8) 21 Blemish made by dirt (4) 24 Disease (7) 25 Accumulate (5) 26 Wayward (6) 27 Place where bread and cakes are made or sold (6) Down 1 State of extreme confusion and
disorder (5) 2 Give a spoken or written account of: (7) 3 Kitchen cooker (4) 5 Check closely (7) 6 Ascend (5) 7 Small storeroom for storing foods or wines (6) 8 To say again or imitate (4) 12 Prosecute at law (3) 14 Operating physician (7) 15 Take in marriage (3) 16 Put back (7) 17 Cook in liquid (6) 19 Relating to the sun (5) 20 Posing no difficulty (4) 22 Savoury, appetising (5) 23 Spanish sparkling wine (4)
English - Spanish The clues are mixed, some clues are in Spanish and some are in English.
1 Robin, 4 Phobic, 9 Tractor, 10 Nurse, 11 Apex, 12 Edifice, 14 Grab, 16 Acre, 18/13 Rip off, 20 Piccolo, 21 Save, 24 Erode, 25 Trample, 26 Linger, 27 Maybe.
Down: 1 Ritual, 2 Brave, 3 Note, 5 Handicap, 6 Barrier, 7 Clever, 8 Brief, 13 Obsolete, 15 Raccoon, 17 Appeal, 18 Route, 19 Recede, 22 Apply, 23 Calm.
ENGLISHSPANISH Across: 1 Llegar, 4 Eggs, 8 Clear, 9 Ataud, 10 Aconsejar, 13 Leche, 14 Often, 15 Ríos, 16 Tapete. Down: 1 Lock, 2 Ejercicio, 3 Aprender, 5 Guarantee, 6 Seda, 7 Cacerola, 11 Flor, 12 Once.
CODE BREAKER
Across 1 T-shirts (9) 8 Boniato (5,6) 9 Minutes (of a meeting) (4) 10 Cinturón (4) 13 Table tennis (5,2,4) 14 Scarlet (9)
Down 2 Olives (9) 3 Dentro de (4) 4 Those (4) 5 Asombro (9) 6 Asphalt (7) 7 Cartero (7) 11 Island (4) 12 Campana (de iglesia, puerta) (4)
E W N 23 February - 1 March 2017 / Costa de Almería
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By Rosa Prince MORE than a decade after she warned stunned Conservatives of their ‘nasty’ image, May has become the champion of Middle England. This maps the rise of Britain’s second female premier, who had to fight against the odds to become an MP, remained overlooked and undervalued during much of her time in Parliament, yet went on to become a formidable Home Secretary. She is now the leader of her country as it faces its greatest challenge since the Second World War. In this fascinating biography, Rosa Prince explores the selfstyled unflashy politician whose commitment to public service was instilled in her from childhood. books@euroweeklynews.com
RUGBY fans will be in their element at the moment with the Six Nations Rugby currently underway. If rugby isn’t your thing well perhaps one of our top 10 sporting events to look forward to in 2017 will be. Here’s a look at what’s coming up. 1. The London Boat Race Now known as the Cancer Research UK Boat Race this popular event first took place in 1829 with the men’s race. The women’s race was introduced in 1927. It is amongst the oldest sporting event in the world. The annual contest sees rival rowing crews from Oxford and Cambridge universities race four miles (6.8km) along the River Thames. This year’s races will take place on Sunday April 2. 2. The Grand National First run in 1839, this annual National Hunt horse race takes place at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool. This year’s event will be held on Saturday April 8. The handicap steeplechase has 30 jump fences over the two laps and the gruelling course is four miles and 514 yards (6,907km) in length. As the race has a higher than average death rate for horses, animal rights groups often campaign to have it modified or abolished. 3. The World Snooker Championship If you are ‘snooker loopy’ then you will be eagerly awaiting this year’s championship which will take place between April 15 and May 1. This ranking tournament first took place in 1927 and it has been held in the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield since 1977. The Second World War played havoc with the event meaning it was not held between 1941 and 1945 and from 1958 to 1963 it was not held due to a decline in interest.
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BOAT RACE: One of the oldest sporting events in the world. 4. UEFA Champions League Final In 1992 the European Cup, which was founded in 1955, was rebranded and replaced with the UEFA Champions League. One of football’s most prestigious competitions it is a firm favourite with football fans. Reigning championis, Real Madrid, have won the tournament 11 times making them the most successful club. The 2017 final will be played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday June 3. 5. The Tour de France Since the first race in 1903 it has been held every year except during both of the World Wars. Bike buffs can catch the event from July 1 to July 23 this year. Each year the route changes although the race format stays the same and it also alternates between clockwise and counterclockwise circuits around France. The
Boggled
cyclists will cover around 2,200 miles (3,500km) over a 23-day period with 21 daylong segments. 6. Royal London One-Day Cup If cricket’s your thing then July 1 is the date for you to remember. This is a 50-over limited overs competition for England and Wales firstclass counties which replaced the ECB 40 tournament in 2014. Two groups of nine teams play and the top four teams from each group progress to the quarter-finals. Cricket fans are sure to be bowled over. 7. Wimbledon One of four Grand Slam events it is the oldest and often considered the most prestigious tennis tournament. Played on outdoor grass courts it is the only major tournament to be played on grass. Established in 1877 it is played at the All
TARGET:
SCORING:
• Average: 19
4 letters: 1 point 5 letters: 2 points 6 letters: 3 points 7 letters: 5 points 8 or more letters: 11 points
• Good: 26 How many English words can you find in the Boggled grid, according to the following rules? • The letters must be adjoining in a ‘chain’. They can be adjacent horizontally, vertically or diagonally. • Words must contain at least four letters and may include singular and plural or other derived forms. • No letter may be used more than once within a single word, unless it appears twice. • No vulgarities or proper nouns are permitted.
Sudoku
• Very good: 38 • Excellent: 49
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION jotted jotter jots josh joss jest jests jess ditto dittos dent dents dentist dentin dentins denim dermis hotted hotter hottish hone honed hots hose host hosts estop edit erns sire hush hurst hurt hurts huts indite into inter intern interns inert inst inrush inrushes
Word Ladder SEND
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
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.
England Club in Wimbledon, London. Will the world’s number one Andy Murray successfully retain the title this year? Tune in from July 3-16 to find out. 8. The Open Championship Golf fanatics will be heading to Royal Birkdale for the 146th Open which will be held this year from July 20-23. This will be the 10th time it has been hosted at this course. The Open was first played at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland on October 17, 1860. Currently the event rotates around nine different courses - four in Scotland, four in England and one in Northern Ireland. 9. Athletics World Championships The first Athletics World Championship event was held in Helsinki in 1983. It used to be held every four years but since 1991 it has been held every two years. This will be the 16th event and it will take place from August 4-13 in the Olympic Stadium in London. Sprinter Usain Bolt and long distance runner Mo Farah are likely to be highlights as both have announced this will be their final track and field competition. 10. F1 Grand Prix Avid Formula One fans will be looking forward to the final race of the season which is scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi on November 26. Motor racing has its roots in France and the first Grand Prix took place in 1906 at Le Mans with racers completing six laps each covering 105km. The race currently rotates around various courses around the world with racers completing the smallest number of laps that exceeds 305km, although no race can exceed two hours in length.
WORM BACK
Move from the start word (SEND) to the end word (WORM) in the same number of steps as there are rungs on the Word Ladder. You must only change one letter at a time.
or SEND FEND FOND FORD WORD WORM
BOOKS
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Solution SEND SAND (WEND) WAND WARD WORD WORM
54
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MACS - Behind the scenes and big dreams MACS cancer support group has been helping cancer patients and their families for 10 years. The assistance the volunteers provide by way of counselling, help with hospital visits and the superb ‘buddy’ scheme has been invaluable to hundreds of people. Along with these support systems a lot goes on behind the scenes to help make the road that little bit easier for sufferers of this terrible disease. Most people who are suffering from, or have survived cancer will agree that the debilitating effects of the treatment and the stresses it puts on the body are a struggle to deal with. The well-known side effects of chemotherapy are severe nausea and hair loss, but most people do not realise that there are many other effects on the mind and body. People undergoing chemotherapy often suffer from loss of toe and fingernails, along with bladder weakness and of course the mental strain of undergoing such aggressive treatment which can cause depression and anxiety. MACS helps patients through these difficult times by trying to improve their daily well-being with make-up sessions, loan of wigs and
MAKE-UP SESSIONS: Can give a boost to patients. help with hair styling, assisting with the fitting of prosthesis and mastectomy bras. MACS buddies provide vital support by way of a friendly face and a listening ear when times get particularly hard, and for family members or carers, the loan of equipment such as wheelchairs or special beds can be a real
help. Plenty more goes on behind the scenes at MACS including the volunteers who develop the website, help with promotional work and prepare editorials and press releases to help raise further awareness for the organisation. One of the most important, yet little publi-
cised, projects being developed in the background at MACS is the plan to build a muchneeded hospice in the area. A hospice would benefit many patients with advanced-stage cancer and provide out-patient and residential care including psychological, physiological and social support, together with palliative and terminal care. While the reality of a MACS hospice remains far in the future, the time to begin planning is most definitely now. Every euro lodged in the hospice fund is another small step to bringing this dream to life and providing an invaluable facility to those who need it most. Despite MACS’ high profile in the area there is always an urgent need for more funding, especially to boost the hospice fund and the team urges the generous local public, groups and businesses to consider MACS when choosing an organisation to support, and expresses its gratitude to those who have been loyal supporters over the years. For more information call 634 328 334 or visit our website www.macscancersupport.com.
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Spain is leading the way in egg donation SPAIN is the European leader of egg donations in women. The European IVF Monitoring Group (EIM) recently released data on egg donations made throughout Europe which revealed Spain has the highest figure with 30 per cent of al l E u r o p e a n do n atio n s mad e coming from Spain. The Czech Republic and Russia had the second and third highest number of donations, but many countries have restrictive laws on assisted reproduction. There are countries like Italy or Germany where many types of treatments cannot be performed, and others like Holland where the use of these techniques for single or lesbian women is not permitted. The figure in Spain is deemed to be so high as the Assisted Reproduction Law 14/2006, is quite permissive. Spain also has high rates of assisted reproduction with excellent
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To sleep or not to sleep
EGG REMOVAL: Is a relatively simple procedure. results meaning many patients travel to a Spanish centre for IVF treatment. The removal of eggs is also a relatively simple procedure with few risks. It does not require general anaesthesia and after a few hours
rest the donor can return to normal life. The eggs remain frozen until the receiver is ready. Egg donations can now also be stored until a suitable recipient patient is found to rec e ive the m, a s is the c a s e w ith sperm banks.
Some top beauty trends to try this year THE popular website Pinterest has published its list of top trends for 2017, which includes a beauty category. Trends which made the cut have displayed at least a 25 per cent increase in search activity over the last few months.
HEALTH & BEAUTY
In terms of hairstyles, the braided top knot is expected to continue its rise, having been sported by stars such as Julianne Hough and Hailee Steinfeld recently. Silver to ash-blonde balayage are predicted to be the
hair colours of 2017, replacing the currently popular ombre graded style. Reflective chrome nails were among 2016’s biggest trends, and the craze appears set to continue, having obtained a 570 per cent in-
crease on Pinterest. The cut crease technique, in which the eyes are defined and contoured using make-up, is also trending massively, as is microblading, an expensive eyebrow treatment which uses semi-permanent tattoos.
SPECIALIST: Doctor Luis Perez Belmonte. THIS week we’ve asked the doctor about something a lot of people complain about, insomnia. - How many hours of sleep does the average adult really need? The number of hours of sleep a healthy adult needs varies as it depends on many different factors. Getting at least seven hours of good, uninterrupted sleep is considered to be adequate on average, however some people find six hours to be sufficient and others need more to be able to correctly carry out their daily activities. - When are sleep problems considered to be insomnia? A patient is considered to have insomnia when they are regularly unable to fall asleep or suffer from frequent episodes during which they wake up during the night and are unable to get back to sleep and all of this causes them problems and stops them carrying out their normal activities during the day. - What are the most common causes of insomnia? There can be many different reasons behind insom-
nia. The most frequent cause is emotional stress. There are, however, also many psychiatric problems and hormonal imbalances which also include insomnia as one of their symptoms. - What can be done to cure it? The first thing to do is discover and avoid the cause of the insomnia. For example by avoiding stress or by remedying the hormonal imbalance which produces it. Medicines such as muscle relaxants or anti-depressants can help people get to sleep. Sometimes natural remedies alone such as relaxation techniques and exercises and herbal teas can be sufficient to keep it under control. - Can it be bad for our health? It can most definitely be very bad for our health, not just because it can affect our normal day-to-day lives and activities, but also because it can be a cardiovascular risk factor.
If you have any questions for Dr Perez Belmonte, please send them to: jefemedico@helicopterossanitarios.com
OCIAL
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Not long now IT won’t be long now before the new Centro Perez Siquier photography museum opens in Olula del Rio, the foundation behind its creation has announced. Ibañez Cosentino Art Foundation began work on the new museum, the first dedicated solely to the awardwinning Almeria-born photographer, in July and expect it to open its doors to the public by the end of next month. The Foundation received concession of the complete archives of the photographer, considered one of the pioneers of avant-garde photography in Spain, in September. The museum, covering an area of 550m2, will include a permanent display of Perez Siquier’s work across more than 60 years, from black and white images from the late 1950s through his discovery of colour in the 70’s and 80’s, which earned him an international reputation, up to his most recent creations.
It will also store all the photographer’s archives (including negatives, letters, his personal library and his cameras) and be an investigation and digitalisation centre. The new Museum, which will join the Museo Casa Ibañez as part of Olula del Rio’s Ciudad de la Cultura (City of Culture) project, has cost €300,000 to build. The foundation took out a loan for €200,000 of this, which it has already started paying back, explained Andres Garcia Ibañez from the foundation, while the rest was raised through crowdfunding and the sale of 25 files each including 10 of Perez Siquier’s photographs. The new museum is particularly important, Garcia Ibañez explained, as photography is still not as widely acknowledged as a form of art in Spain as other more traditional disciplines and there are very few photography museums in the country.
EXHIBITION LAUNCHED: To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Sierra Maria-Los Velez Natural Park.
Celebrating with nature By Eleanor Hawkins CELEBRATIONS of the 30th anniversary of the Sierra Maria-Los Velez Natural Park have kicked off with the launch of an exhibition at Miguel Guirao county museum. Launched by the Junta de Andalucia delegate for Almeria, Gracia Fernandez, the exhibition will be running at the museum for two months. Fernandez said “the joint efforts of the local councils, businesses, associations and residents of
the four municipalities where the park is located have for three decades served to promote the park and combine economic activity with conservation of natural resources.” The display consists of 14 interpretative panels, four of which show the Andalucian Protected Natural Spaces Network while the rest highlight the natural, cultural, historical, agricultural and touristic wealth of the Sierra Maria-Los Velez Natural Park. When it was created in 1987, the park
covered 9,062 hectares of land. In 1989 the protected area was extended to more than 18,000 hectares and this increased again in 1994 to 22,600 hectares. One of the popular attractions within the park is Umbria de la Virgen botanic gardens, dedicated to the conservation and study of more than 1,200 vegetal species found in the area. There is also an endangered species recovery centre, Las Almohallas, the only one of its sort in the province, a Forest Defence Centre and a natural monument, La Sabina de Chirivel.
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SOCIAL SCENE
Tunnels reopen
ART COURSE: The students were presented with diplomas at a ceremony.
Another popular women’s course By Eleanor Hawkins MOJACAR Council’s Cultural Department intends to put on an exhibition of work by 22 women during the recently concluded Carmen de Burgos art course organised by Almeria Provincial Council. The courses, which ran in various different towns and villages in the province in collaboration with local councils, were part of the provincial council’s Provincial Equality Between Woman and Men Strategies and provided female students with training in basic painting and plastic arts.
In Mojacar, the lessons were given at the Edificio de Usos Multiples by Angela Sirvent Artero, who studied fine arts at the universities of Valencia and Granada. Mojacar’s course, explained local Culture councillor Raquel Belmonte and Provincial Delegate Dolroes Martinez Utrera at a ceremony to present the students with diplomas, was one of the best attended in Almeria. The town is traditionally popular with artists and all art classes organised by the council or other entities also always prove popular, the councillor said.
Go, go, go in Murcia MURCIA now has its own Go Association, which has been created to bring fans of the strategic board game together. The first match-up between the club’s members took place on January 5 in Al-
gezares, and the group plans to meet on a regular basis in the future. For more information, email clubgomuri ca@gmail.com or visit the website http://thadersw.wixsite.com/clubgomurcia.
WORK is planned to allow visitors to enter the civil war shelters under Almeria City without having to join guided tours. City mayor Ramon Fernandez-Pacheco announced the project at the weekend when the shelters were reopened to the public after having been closed for some time for conservation works. There are 4.5 kilometres of tunnels which were discovered nine metres underground by Guillermo Langle and provide insight into what it was like during the Spanish Civil War. Culture councillor Ana Martinez Labella said: “there is so much demand for visits that tickets had sold out before the tunnels were reopened. If we can adapt them for individual visits many more people will be able to explore them without having to join guided tours.” The completed conservation work was done by Jose Angel Ferrer Arquitectos for €60,181 and included improvements to the exit stairs, the steps into the former larders, treating damp and fitting metallic reinforcing sheets to the ceilings. Work was also done to restore some elements of the operating theatre and the larders, generally clean up the tunnels and illuminate some side galleries to provide visitors with more perspective of the networks running off the great central gallery.
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Art on show
Under the stars
EXHIBITION: Of work by German artist Thomas Neukirch will be on display.
By Eleanor Hawkins MOJACAR’S La Fuente gallery will be hosting an exhibition of work by German artist and self-proclaimed cultural activist Thomas Neukirch until March 4. Born in Germany, Neukirch has lived in Mojacar and now lives in the nearby hamlet of Cariatriz. He studied Fine Arts at the Academie des Beaux Arts in Lyon and went on to be a professor at Jean Betholle
Fine Arts Academy in Paris where he worked until 1996.
Work includes seven large oil paintings and small Chinese ink pieces. The artist has had his work displayed in France, Spain, Germany and Argentina and there are pieces on permanent display in Stuttgart and Paris. The exhibition in Mojacar,
which can be seen Tuesdays to Fridays from 9am to 1pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 1pm, includes seven large oil paintings and a number of small pieces in Chinese ink. The exhibition will close at 6pm on March 4 with a cultural festival including a performance from Mojacar’s Sansonora Choir and appearances by poet Beatriz Towers and philosopher Jose Antonio del Moral.
FOOTBALL MATCH: All proceeds from ticket sales went to a good cause.
Sport and charity THE Comarca de Nijar-CD Ejido indoor women’s football match played in Nijar at the weekend combined sport and charity as all proceeds from ticket sales went to a good cause. The AECC (Spanish Association Against Cancer) was the grateful recipient of the €2 ticket charges and, with the stands full of supporters for both sides, the funds should help with the association’s important work.
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Local mayor Esperanza Perez Felices, who attended the match along with Sports councillor Sergio Vicente and Social Welfare councillor Victoria Calatraba, said: “today we can congratulate both teams for making us enjoy the sport and also everyone who attended for helping an important charity for an important cause.” The match was very equal but was eventually won by the visiting team.
RUNNING and sports fans in general have a unique opportunity to race under the stars for a good cause in Albox on March 18. The 10th edition of the Villa de Albox Night Race, organised by Albox Council, will dress participants in pink to support the fight against breast cancer and this year is incorporating new technology with an electronic chip system to register runners’ times. Adults and children of all ages and fitness levels are welcome to take part in the five kilometre race, which will have various categories for different difficulty levels organised by the council’s Sports Department. For €10 (or €2 for children), runners who sign up in advance will receive a bag containing a pink t-shirt and discount vouchers for local businesses. Proceeds will go to AECC.
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Good Food, Good Wine and Good Friends WITH GARRY WAITE
I
N LAST WEEK’S column I continued reporting on the progress that we were making regarding the regeneration of a client’s restaurant. The menu has now been decided upon and both the owner and his chef are happy with the outcome. We now have to look at creating a different image. No great changes as the client had spent quite a bit of money on reforming in the first place. This is more cos me t i c . A l o t o f e ffe c t ca n b e h a d b y changing tableware, table setting and lighting. At present the restaurant, which is open for lunch and dinner, is clothed up. A standard base cloth with a coloured slip cloth. Slightly old fashioned for a place that is aiming to modernise its image. A look under the cloths however revealed good quality oak effect tables. The crockery that was being used was standard white round plates most of which appeared to have come with the pro p e r t y wh e n t h e clie n t b o u g h t it. Lighting was a bit bright and mostly white but candles in the evening softened the room. The f i r st d e c i si o n w as to remo v e th e cloths for the lunch time service and replace with place mats and ‘table runners.’ However in the evening we would revert to table cloths. Considering the decoration of the room wh i c h wa s m a in ly c re a m/v an illa colours we c h o se a c o n tras tin g almo s t chocolate colour base cloth for the evening service with vanilla top cloths. Using the same material as the base cloths we made the table runners. For the individual place setting I sourced a very attractive matt vinyl table mat in the same colour. This enabled us to use the runners on the square and rectangular tables and the mats on the round tables. We discussed using serviettes of the same colour t h e o n l y p r o blem w ith c o lo u red serviettes is that continual washing makes them fade. So we decided on vanilla serviettes and using brown presentation plates for the evening. Lunchtimes the serviettes will go perfectly on the coloured place mats. Crockery was the next step. As we had an abundance of white plates it was sensible to continue to use many of those, b u t we a d d e d s o me d iffe re n t shapes and styles which helped to modernise the presentation and allowed the chef to play around with his food presentation. Nowadays you can get every shape and style imaginable.
Funky shapes and styles make for interesting place settings Next was lighting. First thing was to put all the lights on dimmers. Then we changed the fixed ceiling lights to pendulum lights with a mixture of cream and brown shades. The effect was stunning. Picking out some of the columns in brown would finish off the effect perfectly. The next week or so it should all come together and the place will be ready to welcome clients old and new. MY SISTER sent me a picture of a bottle of wine she had just consumed and commented that she ‘had never had this before.’ It was a Sancerre Red. It’s true that it is not very common to see it in the UK or here in Spain. Sancerre is from the Loire and is famous for its Sauvignon Blanc. But it is interesting to know that Sancerre had been producing reds for several hundred years until phylloxera destroyed its vines in 1860. Up until then it was a favourite served in the royal courts on both sides of the channel. Sancerre uses the popular Pinot Noir for its red wine. It is interesting to note that of the total production of Sancerre 57 per cent is exported of which only 3 per cent is red. The bigger day-night temperature differences in the Loire compared with Burgundy gives more of a crunchy raspbe rry- a nd c ra nbe rry-s tyle fruits over cherry, and a spicy, pe ppe ry c omple xity ra the r than Burgundy’s earthy undergrowth. Better known for their crisp white sauvignon blanc. The unique soil structure in Sancerre is also key. About 40 per cent of the vineyards lie on the white chalky limestone-clay soils in the w e s t of the re gion, ma ny on s te e p hills above Bué and Chavignol, c a lle d te rre s bla nc he s . The s e a re among the best vineyards for both Sauvi-
gnon Blanc and Pinot Noir, along with those on the most easterly slopes around Sancerre which are planted on the flinty silex terroir (about per cent of the appellation), which gives a trademark smoky note and superb minerality and acidity to the wines. The remaining vineyards are on limestone pebbles, or caillottes. The last few years the weather has been better in the Loire than in wine producing areas of France meaning that Sancerre has been able to come up with some good vinta ge s s uc h a s 2014. A s I sai d, I haven’t drunk any in years, but I personally found the wine very light and despite its popularity I’m not really a Pinot Noir kind of guy!! But I would be happy to try a bottle again. (Nothing new there I hear you say!!)
People who love to eat are always the best people. Julia Child.
ONE OF THE STRANGEST projects I undertook many years ago was to put together a Chinese/Japanese restaurant. It was a huge reform of an old villa near Puerto Banus. I designed what I thought was a brilliant table setting consisting of a black base cloth with an orange/rust top cloth with black Chinese style writing. I then finished t he set t i ng wi t h bl ack base pl at es, r ust col our ed ser vi et t es and bl ack st em m ed glasses. It looked fantastic and I showed it to an old friend, fellow restauraLOVE IT OR HATE IT, TripAdvisor, the teur and interior bible for many a traveller, is here to stay. It design guru and comes in for a lot of stick especially from he loved it!! restaurateurs and hoteliers. And yet we all So armed with check our rankings and read the comments, smiling when we receive good reviews and my brilliant table scowling when we receive bad or unfair setting I proudly ones. I have had run ins with TripAdvisor pr esent ed i t t o especially their aptly named ‘Content Inm y cl i ent who tegrity’ department who, as the name sugst epped back i n gests, are responsible for not only what goes into the rehorror. I thought the ‘Chiviews, but whether said reviews are legitimate and not nese’ writing might have acwritten by members of staff or friends and family. tually meant something rude I was contacted once about one of my restaurants where but it was simpler than that they informed me that I was being ‘disciplined’ - ie being dropped down in the ratings - because they were under the Bl ack i s a ver y unl ucky impression that a member of staff or of their family had writcolour in Chinese ten a glowing review. This was not the case as it happens, culture. but there was a review from the brother of one of my staff, Ooops!! but he was a regular client and was perfectly qualified to write a review. Where does one draw the line between a random client and a regular who becomes a ‘friend’ of the business. Because of the link between TripAdvisor and Facebook if a ‘friend’ on Facebook writes a review it states that that review was written by a ‘friend.’ How does that fit into their rules? Businesses are encouraged to get clients to write reviews for them. Some even offer incentives like complimentary wine or drinks. Is this against the rules or just enthusiastic marketing? In some cases, penalised businesses are not even aware that rules are being broken, as in the case of a small hotel where an elderly relative of the owners posted reviews after staying at the hotel as guests. As a result, TripAdvisor dropped the business in the rankings by over 100 places. There have been cases though where some businesses have written bad reviews about their competitors. This is a despicable act and should be stamped on, but their rulings are a bit wacky! Business owners are often unaware that they should not post reviews about a competitor business, even if they are relaying a genuine experience, good or bad. ON THAT NOTE I will The problems arise when those that own or work in a bid you farewell until next business do not realise how TripAdvisor defines direct comweek and should aspiring petitors. TripAdvisor confirm that this would apply to any type of business in the same sector if that business is within restaurateurs need some help 10 miles of your business. To put that into perspective, an or advice, please do not hesemployee, say of the three Michelin star Alain Ducasse itate to contact me. A toast restaurant at the Dorchester hotel (in Park Lane, London) is to Good Food, Good Wine not permitted to write a review of McDonald’s in Hackney!! and Good friends.
Garry Waite is a well-known foodie and restaurateur as well as a Hospitality Management Consultant. If you are contemplating setting up an operation in Spain, or indeed having problems with an existing project contact him on garrywaite@euroweeklynews.com.
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Palace abandoned, opposition complains By Eleanor Hawkins THE opposition has accused Cantoria Council of completely abandoning promised plans to renovate the Palacio del Almanzora. Municipal Partido Popular group spokesman Pepe Llamas complained that the socialist council, which had promised repeatedly during pre-election campaigns, that if they won the palace would be restored to be used by the public in general.
Llamas accused the mayor of a poor attitude regarding the palace, the most important neoclassical building in the province, and complained that since she came into power she has refused to meet members of the Friends of the Almanzora Palace Association. The council has not contacted the association to inform it of any plans for the future of the palace, a Cultural Interest Asset (BIC) which locals have been demanding some TLC for
for many years. The council has owned one third of the palace, designed by architect Ventura Rodriguez, since 2010 and the PP party feels it is high time it is put to good use. “Seven years have passed since the PP council bought part of the Palacio del Almanzora for all the people of Cantoria. It was always a priority for us and we met our promises. Now the ball is in the socialists’ court,” Llamas said.
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Tennis visitor FORMER tennis champ Manolo Santana has been on a visit to the Cosentino headquarters in Cantoria. Santana, current director of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis competition, was welcomed by the company’s President Francisco Martinez-Cosentino and Communications and Marketing Director Santiago Alfonso. The men signed an agreement to increase support between the company and the competition, then staff at the facility had the chance to meet the former star player and bat some balls with him in a mini tennis court.
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Jail sentence for hit and run driver By Eleanor Hawkins A MAN has been jailed for two and a half years by an Almeria criminal court for running over and seriously injuring a cyclist and fleeing the scene. The defendant was found guilty of driving an old uninsured car without a licence when, in September 2012 on the AL-6102 road in Urracal, he crashed head on with the cyclist while going round a blind bend on the wrong side of the road. Judge Luis Columna stated that the jail sentence demanded by the Public Prosecutor was
“quite lenient for such a serious crime.” The 45-year-old victim was thrown over the top of the car, landing on the tarmac and breaking three vertebra. However, the defendant, rather than doing anything to help, alerting emergency services or even trying to stop traffic, fled the scene on foot. The cyclist, a lawyer, spent 23 days in hospital, five of them in a coma, and took more than two years to recover. He was however left with limited mobility, speech problems due to injuries to his vocal chords and memory problems among other effects which prevented him from returning to work.
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Woman’s death is accidental By Eleanor Hawkins POLICE are considering the death of a woman in her 50’s whose husband ran her over as accidental. Emergency services were alerted at 5.30pm on Thursday February 16 to an accident at a property on Camino de los Zampas, on the outskirts of Albox. Juan TF, the deceased’s husband, was reportedly reversing his small lorry into the garage and his wife, Maria GG, was giving him directions, which neighbours said she often did. Investigators believe a brusque movement caused by a wheel hitting a pothole led to the woman receiving a blow to the head which killed her. Paramedics sent to the scene could do nothing but confirm the death, 112 Emergency Services Andalucia reported. Government sources reported that gender violence had been ruled out and investigators were initially treating the incident as a fatal traffic accident.
NEWS EXTRA
Happy 50th ALBOX’S Virgen del Saliente school is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a programme of events lasting from now until June, with hundreds of old pupils and former teachers taking part.
Well done TWENTY-FIVE students, four women and 21 men, received diplomas after completing studies and becoming qualified for ‘Auxiliary operations at natural stone elaboration and treatment plants’ at the Escuela de Marmol in Fines.
No closure IZQUIERDA UNIDA political party has expressed its support for the parents of students of Albox’s Francisco Fenoy primary school, as no public schools should be closed by the regional government while private schools receive support.
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Travel
Following the royal path By Eleanor Hawkins NORTH of Malaga, between Ardales and Alora, there is a unique trail, the Caminito del Rey (King’s Walkway), which is attracting people from all over the world to its dizzying heights. The walkway was originally built early in the 19th century by the Hydroelectric Society of El Chorro to provide access for maintenance workers and guards and to transport materials. In 1921 King Alfonso XIII presided over the official inauguration of the reservoirs in the area and either walked along or at least visited the trail, leading locals to begin referring to it as the King’s Walkway. Once considered the most dangerous mountain trail in the world, where four unfortunate adventurers lost their lives on its narrow, unprotected ledges in 1999 and
2000, the Caminito has now been completely renovated and safely opened up to the public. Altogether the trail consists of 7.7 kilometres, of which 2.9 kilometres run along walkways suspended from the sides of gorges and dangling over heart-stopping drops. The walk takes between three and four hours from one end to the other and is currently only possible from north to south, beginning at the Ardales end and ending at the Alora end. There is a bus service to return to the car park at the beginning with tickets priced at €1.55 per person. To visit the Caminito walkers must obtain tickets (€10 each) in advance. The trail is generally open every day except Mondays, extreme weather conditions may cause the trail to be closed down for safety
KING’S WALKWAY: Dizzying heights.
reasons, in which case tickets are exchanged for another date. Children under the age of eight are not allowed onto the trail for safety reasons, and the management
recommends visitors read the information available on the website (www.camini todelrey.ino/en) before their visit. While the new, improved
trail is safe and suitable for non-athletes, it does include slopes, steps and ramps and is not suitable for wheelchairs or the very unfit. Also, with its walkways hug-
ging cliff-sides, narrow passes and a 105metre high suspended bridge, those who suffer from vertigo may not find it enjoyable.
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Almeria, an oasis of a province
MOORISH CASTLE: Alcazaba of Almeria.
restaurants in the town. Mojacar, like so many other towns in Andalucia, traces its roots back for more than 1,000 years and despite its population of less than 10,000, this white town which leads down to the pleasant beaches is a quiet yet beautiful setting although it does come alive at least once a year with its international beach festival. Perched above a ravine, the hanging houses of Sorbas are something of a tourist attraction as is the entire inland town which traces its existence back to the Bronze Age. Thanks to the heat, it is a fairly tranquil town although the il-
All hands on deck for refunds JUDGES have suggested that Spanish provinces should be equipped with a court specialising in abusive mortgage clauses. The proposed emergency plan from the General Council of the Judiciary comes after the European Court of Justice ruled banks must pay back money to clients who lost out. An avalanche of difficult cases is anticipated to join the thousands already in litigation across Spain. Banks are expected to have to pay out billions of euros to clients in the
Photo by Ziegler175 Wik imedia
SAID to be the driest area in Europe, Almeria is conveniently situated between Murcia and Granada but apart from the desert like interior has a coastline which runs for 214 kilometres so offers a huge amount for everyone. Many remember the ‘spaghetti westerns’ which were filmed in the province but Beatles fans recall that it was in Almeria City that John Lennon composed ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ and there is a statue of him still in the city which also boasts a ferry to Algeria and Morocco. The name Almeria derives from the Moorish occupation, originally named Al-Mariyya, meaning mirror or possibly watchtower as Almeria City was a Moorish stronghold and the Moorish castle of Alcazaba is the second largest of the Arabic fortresses in Andalucia, after the Alhambra in Granada. With a recorded 3,000 hours of sun each year this is certainly a place for the sun worshipper and although there is a thriving property market in Almeria City, it tends to be mainly Spanish orientated with expatriates concentrating more on the northern part and the coastal areas of the province. Inland, both Albox and Huercal-Overa in particular attract interest due to their rural position and their historic background with crafts such as pottery still being practised by any number of artisans. Garrucha, with a population of around 8,000, is an attractive town with a good beach and good sized port which caters for local fishing boats but also recreational boating and with high quality fresh fish, visitors and residents alike are attracted to the bars and
Photo by Tomasz Czajkowski
By John Smith
coming years and decades. Specialised regional courts would help offset the workload and streamline cases into a more manageable system. They would also ensure people are not discriminated against because of where they live, ensuring clients in Madrid or Andalucia can expect the same justice. In 2013 Spanish courts ruled the clauses were illegal but banks wouldn’t have to compensate clients. December’s European ruling didn’t let them off the hook as easy.
luminated walk to view the hanging houses and the enthusiastic municipal band can certainly attract attention. The area of Vera combines an old town with some beautiful beaches and has seen some development, especially as it is now something of a paradise for nudists who have actually set a Guinness World Record for the number of nudists bathing at one time. This doesn’t mean that everybody has to walk around naked but it has attracted a number of
The hanging houses of Sorbas. holiday makers and new residents. Almeria has a thriving housing market and a number of very different locations all of which welcome new residents, so the choice is wide for those who are looking for charm, history or the beach life.
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WINTER pruning time is here. Pruning is an essential part of any healthy garden. It is necessary to remove damaged and dried out branches, restrict plants to fit into the garden design space, promote flowers and fruits of better quality, and to shape the plant to look better. Now is the time to prune most deciduous trees that require improvement. The first key to good pruning is understanding the basics of plant growth to cut in the right place at the right angle at the right time to improve recovery of the plant from the wound. The second is ensuring the right tools for the job are sharp and effective to give a clean cut. Thirdly, as a rule of thumb, only prune a third of the plant’s height and width in a year to allow it to recover before removing any more. If you need to prune more than a third of a plant in a year your plant is probably in the wrong place. There are different types
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SAFE PRUNING: Use a sharp tool to give a clean cut.
of pruning methods and tools to suit the way you tackle the maintenance of your plants. Trees need specialist care when mature to
ensure their longevity, shape and purpose with correct pruning cuts. Densely branched shrubs and hedges need skill but generally have
smaller, thinner branches that allows shearing off multiple branches with minimal damage to the plant if pruning is done regularly. Sparsely branched shrubs, such as roses, need more care and skill in pruning to encourage a good framework and promotion of flowers. The main point to pruning cuts is to make the cut just above a bud or branch with minimal waste wood after the joint. This is to prevent die back which promotes insect and fungal entry. Avoid damaging the remaining bud or
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lateral branch including the branch collar, which is the swelling on the branch around the joint, by allowing a small space of clearance above the joint. On large limbs it is easiest to cut a branch first well away from the join to the trunk to remove the weight and make the final precise cut with only the stub to be removed. In a garden with a variety of plants and trees, pruning can be a year round activity. Autumn is the time to restrict pruning to damaged and dead branches for mature trees as it is a time of fungal growth and insect activity that can infect trees. Most deciduous trees are pruned in winter when the plants are dormant in order to establish a good framework of branches while visible and encourage stronger growth in the remaining branches to produce better flowering and, for fruiting trees, premium quality fruit. Spring pruning is normally undertaken for winter and spring flowering plants to remove flower stems and reshape the plant to encourage the next flowering season. Summer pruning is mostly removal of die back branches and overgrowth that may be taking over the allotted space to the detriment of other plants, paths or proximity to buildings and utilities, this includes hedges and topiary features. Take care when pruning.
Fighting nature with nature THERE’S nothing worse than receiving a beautiful bouquet of flowers then watching it wilt within a couple of days. Although every bouquet is different and some types of flower last better than others, there are a few basic rules for care and maintenance which will keep them fresh for longer. Usually a bouquet which has come from a florist will have been treated to make it last longer, and we can help it along by making sure we don’t place it in direct sunlight or draughts and avoid extreme temperatures. If the stalks need to be cut down, always do so at a 45-degree angle and try to cut them with a knife, under water if at all possible. Leaves should not come into contact with the water inside your vase and it should never be too cold. Change the water frequently, at least once or twice per day, to keep it spotlessly clean and clean the vase at the same time. Remove any wilted flowers. There are special products which can be added to the water to kill bacteria and make cut flowers last longer, or try adding a drop or two of white vinegar, gin or lemon juice.
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Stress can cause grey hair
Update from Scooby, Thomas and Jason me that he rememScooby, bered him from the first housesit assignment and they are the best of friends now. But all three are real scamps, and Bragi has to remember to keep his food completely out of reach. Or, the tykes will demolish every last morsel before Bragi has even had a taste of his own dinner! What cheeky characters! Do you need a house or petsitter? Get in touch. Housesitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and petsitting, and the experienced and checked sitters
Thomas and Jason on the beach.
Photo by Bragi Johnsson
REMEMBER these three pure white German Shepherds? Scooby aged eight years, Thomas aged four years, Jason aged three years? They are now living in Denmark and being cared for once again by our housesitter Bragi from Iceland. They go for daily walks on the beach, and are very well behaved until one of them sees something interesting in the distance. Then they all sprint off to discover what’s new on their patch. Bragi’s latest update for us began to describe their personalities, all very distinct. Jason is happy in himself and very friendly to new people. Scooby gets a little scared of loud noises, so one has to be sensitive to what is going on around him. And Thomas is just a little shy at first, and nervous of strangers. But Bragi tells
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get free accommodation! Register as either housesitter or homeowner now with a 20 per cent off introductory offer using coupon code PERFECT20. To find a house or petsitter go to www.Housesit Match.com
Housesitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and petsitting and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! To find a petsitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com or call Lamia on 00 44 (0) 777 214 2742.
DOGS get grey hairs for the same reasons humans do, with stress and anxiety the worst offenders according to a recent study in Applied Animal Behaviour Science. Carried out on 400 dogs all of which had grey hairs on their faces, the study revealed that those which were left alone, submitted to excess noise or made to cope with stressful situations were more likely to go grey. Therefore, concluded one of the scientists involved in the study, Professor Thomas Smith from the Northern Illi-
nois College, dogs which are irritable, stressed or anxious will inevitably have grey hairs while their size, health problems and whether they have been neutered are irrelevant. Applying basic education, health care and affection to reduce stress levels in dogs can also reduce the amount of grey hair they will sprout over time. Dogs, investigators say, should be taught how to remain calm and not react impulsively at home or outside to avoid them becoming stressed.
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OPINION & COMMENT
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Solving the enigmas of Roswell 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.
I HAVE never taken for granted my stay in this world would last forever. Once you’ve survived to the age of 30 you soon realise that therein still remain lots of life’s mysteries to be solved. But, sometimes personal circumstances land one just on the threshold of some of those doors that needed opening. So it came about on one of my November road trips to the south west of America with brother Kevin. This journey was specifically to the town where the clovis-headed spear points were found. They weren’t as important as their approximation to the next pivotal star-dot on the expedition - Roswell, New Mexico. The hallmark spot on this earth wherein the extra-terrestrial legend began. The crash site in July of 1947 jolted a slumbering nation into possibly thinking that all wasn’t really as easy
ROSWELL: Makes the TV series Dallas look common and down market. as the American Disneyland way of life. This quiet town deserves to be on everyone’s bucket list just from the fact that they know they are the world’s capital for the strange and bizarre. The entire town cashes in on its sensationalised notoriety. Every store sells something of an Alien reference, ‘out of this world burgers’ to invisible candies sold by the bucket.
Even the streetlights are moulded in a special way connoting alien heads with large slanted almondshaped eyes. Both locals and visitors don’t hesitate to parade about in costumes muttering unheard of languages. It’s Halloween every day of the year. God only knows how they adorn themselves for Christmas? And just when you think you’re ready to bail out of the kookiest town
in east New Mexico you meet a tallhatted Texan member of Roswell’s famous Cattleman’s club, which makes the TV series Dallas look common and down market. Being from Spain I easily talked my way in and did a table-hopping survey wherein everyone questioned believed that Aliens did in fact crash nearby and the rest was a cover-up. Although I believed the whole
scenario one big cover-up to begin with, further reasons have surfaced lately that make the incident more compelling to believe: one, the man sent down from Washington DC in 1947 to explain the situation as an errant weather balloon was none other than the secretary of the army. Damn high up for a floating piece of transparent plastic. Two, over the past 10 years high up officials concerned have made death-bed confessions swearing to the authenticity of their recantations. Too many to discount as a numerical aberration. Three other books have made the early much more commonsense argument concerning the recent explosion of electrical gadgetry that swamped the markets for the past 50 years. Back in my youth the radios were as big as fireplaces. Now because of ‘reverse engineering’ new versions started immediately appearing on the market the size of handheld transistor radios. Innovations out of nowhere. Then, major rockets started being tested and getting ready for Space exploration.
The end of the golden years? MANY working Brits believe that they will never retire. Leading researchers found that four out of every 10 Brits in employment think they’ll work in some manner right to the end. Global market research firm Mintel suggest that their findings imply that many people now have a negative view of retirement. A substantial percentage have given up on the golden years and are resigned to a more financially fraught retirement than enjoyed by older generations. When polled, 39 per cent of working men and women said that they never expect to fully retire. The number goes up to 42 per cent among those
aged 18-34. Even around one in three people aged 54+ expect to be working in some manner or other in the coming decades. Londoners expect the worst, with almost half at 45 per cent expecting to still be punching the clock during their twilight years. North of the border, people are slightly more optimistic with the figure at 32 per cent among Scots. Of course many other people feel exactly the opposite. One third of working Brits plan to retire the very second they can claim a state pension, with 42 per cent of younger men planning to do so. But generally the future doesn’t look quite so rosy
among younger generations. A majority of 61 per cent of Generation X’ers (born 1965-1979) expect their retirement to be poorer than their parents.’ Only 30 per cent of current workers expect a comfortable income in their retirement. As relative wages decline people are finding it harder and harder to make savings. Many young families struggling to get on the property ladder lack the job for life and pension plans of the past. They see the state pension age rise higher and higher and now retirement itself is only a pipe dream for millions of people.
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Top Gear 2017 gets an official start date, and it’s closer than you might think Richard Shanley
Dishing the Dirt OF EUROPA DIGITAL
THE brand new era of Top Gear will be making its way onto our screens a lot earlier than expected. The 24th series of the BBC motoring show will launch on Sunday, March 5 at 9pm (CET) on BBC Two. So that’s just two weeks away! Last year’s series began in late May, so the boys are clearly eager to get stuck back into the action. This will be the first series without former host Chris Evans, with the new series seeing Rory Reid and Chris Harris elevated as co-hosts alongside Matt LeBlanc. Judging from the first trailer, we’re pretty excited for the new series as it seems to have brought back the classic feel of three guys having a great time in cars, but also finding its own style and humour. Top Gear will arrive a month after its Amazon Prime rival The Grand Tour
TOP GEAR: Rory Reid and Chris Harris will co-host alongside Matt LeBlanc (centre).
The new series has brought back the classic feel of three guys having a great time in cars.
came to an end after 13 episodes. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May’s series is expected to return for a second season before the end of 2017, and is commencing filming later this month. After months and months (and months)
of speculation over who’s going to form the new Great British Bake Off lineup on Channel 4, it looks like we may finally have our new Mary Berry - and it’s a name who’s barely even been rumoured. Prue Leith - a 76-year-old restaurateur, writer and food campaigner from South Africa who’s spent most of her working life in London - is apparently in line to repl ace Mar y on t he r eal i t y ser i es. A spokesman for Channel 4 wouldn’t confirm or deny the news, but said: “We’ll be announcing the lineup in due course.” If you would like me to answer any questions you may have on satellite TV or t o expand on anyt hi ng I have wr i t t en about please call me on 678 332 815 or email richard@europa-digital.com. I look forward to your comments and questions. Don’t forget to listen to my radio show every weekday from 10am on Spectrum 96.1 & 106.8FM, now covering almost 3,000sq kms of Costa Almeria and Calida or l i st en onl i ne at costaalmeria.spec trumfm.net for the latest news and views.
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The Caterham may only have 250bhp, but you have to remember it weighs about the same as a J-cloth.” Some might say...
Rare breed hits auction Lexus GS300h ROAD TEST by Nick Fletcher
By Matthew Elliott
THE Lexus brand has a strong following with both private buyers and business users, and the latest GS300h explains why. Beautifully styled and extremely refined to drive, the GS300h has a clue in its name the ‘h’ is for hybrid. It uses petrol engines boosted by electric motors to deliver good fuel economy, low road tax and more attractive benefit-in-kind rates for the business user. There are two engines in the range, the 300h and 450h. Both are mated to electric motors. There are four trim levels: Executive Edition, Luxury, F Sport and Premier. Rivals in the sector include BMW 5 Series and Audi A6, but the Lexus offers a formidable alternative, scoring highly for classy styling, green credentials, lower taxes and, it can be argued, more brand exclusivity.
Prices start at €41,890 (£34,995) for the GS300h Executive Edition, which was my recent test model. The 0-100 kph time is nine seconds, top speed of 191 kph. And for such a large powerful car, the fuel figure of 22.7 kpl (64.2 mpg) combined is impressive. Underway, this model is ultra-smooth, with seamless gearshifts and quiet cabin even at motorway speeds. In town, you can use all-electric power for short periods. The car is very comfortable and has nicely balanced suspension. Standard kit even in the entry level Executive Edition includes dual-zone climate control, sat-nav, powered and heated front seats, 12-speaker audio system with DAB radio and DVD player, leather upholstery, auto lights and wipers, reversing camera and Bluetooth.
A FORD GT once owned by Jenson Button is going on sale at an auction where it is expected to fetch more than €300,000. Built in 2005 the VIP Ford boasts a hand-crafted 550bhp V8 engine with a quad camera and six-speed manual transmission. It can easily hit 200mph plus and reaches 60mph from a standstill in just three and a half seconds. Benson, awarded an MBE for his services to the sport, raced the car from 2006 to 2011. Even today it has less than
9,000 miles on the clock. The Ford will be sold by Silverstone Auctions who described it as that ‘rare breed of modern cars that instantly be-
A rare bread of modern car that instantly becomes collectable.
come collectable.’ It goes on sale at the track’s famous Race Retro rally from February 24-26. The Warwickshire show will see a terrific selection of classics, including a TS14 raced in 1972 and a Bentley Speed 8 worth over €10 million. It’s unknown if Button himself will be in attendance. The 27-year-old announced his retirement from Formula One racing in 2016, but remains an ambassador for McLaren until at least 2018. He won the 2009 Championship with Brawn GP and won 15 races out of 305 with 50 podium finishes.
FORD GT: Boasts a hand-crafted 550bhp V8 engine and six-speed manual transmission.
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Supermoto screeches into action THE Supermoto race series has started in Spain with the first round of the Catalan championships held last weekend at the spectacular Mora d’ebre circuit in Cataluña. Whilst Saturday practice was held under sunny skies, on race day the heavens opened and the best of Spain’s Supermoto racers did battle in the torrential rain and winds. The track was partially flooded in places and the dirt section had to be closed due to the tricky conditions. The Supermotoland team were fielding three riders in the premier SM1 class with Mathew Ford-Dunn and his brother Anthony in the SM road class. The third rider was Mat’s son Loris Ford-Dunn, who, at only 15 years old, was the youngest competitor in the SM2 youth class that runs in the same race as the adults. Anthony got off to a good start by qualifying third in the SM road class. In his first race he was third away, but an
early crash ended his day with a dislocated shoulder. He hopes to be fit again for the first round of the European championships in Italy at the end of March. Undeterred by Anthony’s injury, Loris and Mat lined up in one of those rare moments where father and son are in the same race. The tricky conditions made for a tough race, but both riders held their nerve and finished strongly with Mat fifth in SM1 and Loris third in SM2. The next race saw the track starting to dry a little, but with the vicious gale force winds proving even more of a problem. This time Mat ran with the leaders and finished in third to give him third place overall in SM1, and Loris finished third again in SM2 to put him third overall as well.
TOP Gear returns to the BBC for the second season in its controversially revamped formula. The first new episode will be broadcast on BBC Two on March 5 featuring a spanking new line-up minus one Chris Evans. The marmite radio presenter who fronted the first season without Clarkson and co quit the show after receiving quite appalling feedback from viewers last year. Instead the 2017 version will feature Matt LeBlanc, an
With both riders on the podium it was a great day for the Supermotoland.com race team and they now continue their training and preparations for the second round of the Catalan championship on March 12, followed closely by the first rounds of the Spanish and European Supermoto championships.
SUPERMOTO: The first round of the Catalan championships were held last weekend in Cataluña.
Top Gear returns unexpected hit from season one, motoring journalist Chris Harris, and TV presenter Rory Reid. One ad for the new show has already aired on the BBC featuring helicopters and rocket launchers, suggesting the Beeb is pulling out all the stops to challenge Clark-
son, May and Hammond and their Grand Tour. The show is currently available on Amazon Prime. The former Top Gear trio has also launched a new motoring platform DriveTribe which is set to compete with the BBC online as well as on the small screen.
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Congratulations to Lincoln, Millwall and Farah as United prepare to face the Saints 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 * After last weekend’s tremendous 1-0 FA Cup victory at Premiership Burnley (thanks to Sean Raggett’s dramatic 89th minute header), National League leaders Lincoln City – the first non-League team to reach the quarter-finals since QPR in 1914 - will face Arsenal (2-0 winners at Sutton) in the quarter-finals. The other three ties are:
Chelsea (2-0 winners at Wolves) versus Manchester United (2-1 victors over Blackburn), Middlesbrough (who ousted Oxford United 3-2) against Huddersfield or Manchester City and Spurs (comfortable 3-0 winners at Fulham (thanks to Harry Kane’s hat-trick) versus Millwall, 1-0 conquerors of Leicester City. * This Sunday (6.30pm Spanish time) four-time winners Manchester United play Southampton in the
SPURS: Harry Kane scored a hat trick.
QUIZ FOR LEO Don’t forget my quiz tomorrow night at Bar Orsoca in Turre (5pm start). All proceeds will go to the cancer victim ‘Leo the Lion’ fund.
QUARTER FINALS: Lincoln City and Millwall are both through to the next level. League Cup final at Wembley. This technically is a ‘repeat’ of the 1976 FA Cup final which Saints won 1-0. * The top Premiership games coming up this weekend are Chelsea v Swansea City, out-of-sorts Leicester City v Liverpool, Southampton v Arsenal and Spurs v Stoke City. * In the Championship, we have Wolves v Birmingham (Friday) and Brighton & Hove Albion v Reading and Newcastle United v Bristol City (Saturday). * It’s Bristol Rovers v Scunthorpe United and leaders Sheffield United v Bolton Wanderers in FL1, and Doncaster Rovers (top) v Accrington Stanley and Luton Town v Plymouth Argyle in FL2. * Celtic, 24 points clear of Aberdeen in the SPL, face Hamilton Academical. * La Liga leaders Real Madrid, who visited Valencia last night, will take on Villarreal on Sunday. * On Tuesday, in the first legs of their last 16 ties in the Champions League, Manchester City played AS Monaco and last night it was Sevilla v Leicester. Also 24 hours ago, in the return legs of their Europa League round of 32, St Etienne (3-0 down) met Manchester United and this evening Spurs (1-0 up) play AA Gent in the same competition at Wembley.
* Senior Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg is set to quit the UK to ‘work’ in Saudi Arabia. * Arsene Wenger, Arsenal’s manager since 1996, may have a new club next season (we’ll see). * Goal-line technology could be used in the Championship matches starting in August. * And the attendance of 30,193 for Saturday’s Wolves-Chelsea FA Cup-tie was the biggest at Molineux since 1981.
compete in the Los Angeles Track World Cup on February 25/26. * The Dubai Duty Free tennis tournament starts on Monday and will feature inform Karolina Pliskova who beat Caroline Wozniacki in this week’s Qatar women’s singles final. * Stuart
Bingham beat Judd Trump to take his first Welsh Open snooker final. Earlier in the competition, 15-year-old Jackson Page defeated two higher ranked players and 17year-old Chinese star Yan Bingtao knocked out world number one Mark Selby. * Last Saturday, runner Mo Farah won his last indoor race, taking in the Birmingham Grand Prix 5,000m title in a record time of 13 minutes 9.16 seconds. GB’s Laura Muir won the women’s 1,000m title, also in a record time. * Joe Root’s first Test as England’s new cricket captain will be against South Africa in July * And Peter Richardson, ex-Worcestershire, who scored a century when Jim Laker took 19 wickets for England in the 1956 Test against Australia, has died, aged 85.
RUGBY * The Six Nations tournament continues this weekend with Scotland v Wales, Ireland v France and England v Italy. * Bath (22-12 v Harlequins), Exeter (48-32 at Worcester), Gloucester (3123 v Saracens) and Leicester (50-17 over Bristol) are all going exceedingly well in Rugby Union’s Aviva Premiership. * Warrington Wolves beat Brisbane Broncos 27-18 to win the World Series. * Ex-Australian lock Dan Vickerman has died, aged 37. ROUND-UP * Some of the world’s top cyclists
DID YOU KNOW? WENGER: May have a new club next season.
Fulham defender Matt Briggs, aged just 16 years and two months, became the youngest-ever Premiership footballer when he made his debut as a substitute at Middlesbrough in 2007. Briggs currently plays for Colchester United.
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Keeper WAYNE SHAW who was seen eating a pie during the game against Arsenal is under investigation after a bet was paid out. He said “I was just hungry.”
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Double win for the Dicksons FORUM GOLF SOCIETY visited the Valle del Este Golf Club on Friday February 17 for a stableford competition doubling as a Campbell Lamont League qualifier. Myra Dickon was first with 37 points, Douglas Dickson second with 34 points, Jim Bridge third with 34 points, Brian Gyer fourth with 33 points, Richard Price fifth also with 33 points and Fran Elam sixth with 32 points. Nearest the Pins: Yvonne Mackay (6th), Kevin Bircher (10th) and Ann Lawrence (11th). On the 15th Malcom Sibbons won the longest drive. Upcoming competitions: Team Coloured ball at Aguilon GC on March 3 and the Maurice Jamieson Memorial Trophy stableford competition at Lorca GC on March 17. The Forum Golf Society commitee is now Brian Gyer, Bob Cowan and Richard Price. For information please call Richard on 850 993 073 or email rfp53@yahoo.co.uk.
Down to the wire
LADIES CHOICE: (R to L) Winners Trevor and Gill Young narrowly beat Janet and Ian Jackson. THE Mixed Pairs – Ladies Choice Competition at Cabrera Lawn Bowling Club should have been played between January 19-22 but due to heavy rain over the semi-final and final had to be rearranged to February 16-18. Spectators were not disappointed as they were treated to a thrilling final between Trevor and Gill Young against Ian and Janet
Jackson. Trevor and Gill started the better and were winning 4-0 after the first two ends but then Ian and Janet picked up a four followed by a one to level the score 5-5 after five ends. Trevor and Gill pulled away again but Ian and Janet kept them in their sight and after the 17th end had levelled the score 15-15. It was all down to the 18th and
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last end and after some lovely bowling the umpire had to decide the winning shot as it was a very close measure. The winning shot was awarded to Trevor and Gill who won the final 16-15. A truly exciting final which was appreciated by everyone who watched it. Congratulations to Trevor and Gill and commiserations to Ian and Janet.
Hat trick for Badgers at Valle del Este Resort AN early start at 8.30am almost had the Badgers’ players asking for the floodlights to be switched on when they visited Valle del Este Resort on Tuesday February 14. Although the course was in good condition and the weather was perfect the course was tricky so the scores on the day were only average. Lee Nash finished in first place with 32 points, followed by Dave Wr i ght wi t h 32 poi nt s and t hi r d with 31 points was Geraldine Goodmass. Nearest the Pins were Keith Dering at the 6th, Jerry Nash at the 8th, Trevor Goodman at the 12th and Lee Nash at the 14th. Two’s wer e achi eved by Lee Nash at the sixth and Trevor Goodman at the 12th.