Euro Weekly News - Costa de Almeria 25 - 31 May 2017 Issue 1664 by Euro Weekly News Media S.A.

ISSUE NO. 1664

25 - 31 May 2017

COSTA DE ALMERÍA

YOUR PAPER, YOUR VOICE, YOUR OPINION

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Rebate revenge Property claims set to snowball By Matthew Elliott The Surplus Value Tax has officially been abolished in Almeria, paving the way for an avalanche of claims from property owners across the province. The controversial toll meant that people who sold their properties were forced to pay tax on the increase in their home’s value since its purchase, even if the pro p e r t y a c t u a l l y d e creased in value. A survey from property specialists Tinsa recently found that more than 10,000 people across Almeria alone sold their homes for less than they paid for them in the past four years. Every one of those homeowners were forced to pay tax on the ‘profit’ they made from the sale. Now, following landmark rulings in the Spanish Constitutional Court, every victim of the convoluted tax system has the right to apply for a full refund. The average tax paid is around € 3 , 0 0 0 . I f all 10,000 Almerians get a re-

fund in that ballpark the total pay out by councils will hit a staggering €30 million. The ruling only applies to properties sold between 2013 and 2016. T h o u g h g o o d n e w s for

sellers who feel cheated by the tax, it is a disaster for local councils. Not only do they face a barrage of legal claims, they will also lose the valuable stream of income the Surplus Value Tax

Property Special

has provided for years. In 2015 for instance Almeria c ity ra is e d €3.5 million from the tax alone, money which it, and councils from Nijar to Mojacar, will now do without.

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HOMEOWNERS: Were forced to pay tax.

Party monsters AT a glitzy event the Popular Party (PP) celebrated their 13th congress in Almeria. The party rules Spain at the national level and local leaders were keen t o set out j ust what Madrid under PP r ul e has done f or Almeria. Spokesman Rafael Her nando sai d t he province will benefit greatly from €25 million in tax cuts for the agricultural sector. He claimed his party has brought 50,000 new jobs to Almeria in the past four years. Her nando ci t ed t he openi ng of t he Poniente desalination plant and investment i n a new one i n t he Levante as a symbol of commitment to resolving the province's water crisis.

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NEWS EXTRA

Stomach stab

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Twisted fire starter

POLICE charged a man with attempted murder following a brawl outside Almeria’s Maestro Padilla Auditorium during which a man was stabbed in the stomach with a large kitchen knife.

Bad hombre A 24-YEAR-OLD from Vicar was charged with robbing a local home last December and stealing €5,000 worth of cash and valuables. He was identified by neighbours who saw him flee the scene.

FIRE: Massive damage was caused by teenage arsonist.

By Matthew Elliott

Burnt toast A HUGE fire broke out at a rural home in La Mojonera when a home-cooked meal went badly awry. A woman and her son were rescued by firefighters.

A TEENAGER was arrested by Guardia Civil agents and charged with starting a massive fire in an Adra warehouse. The 15-year-old torched a Chinese bazaar on La Azucarera industrial estate completely destroying the building and forcing the evacuation of roughly 40 people. It took firefighters hours and a great

deal of manpower to extinguish the fierce blaze after they had moved customers and workers to safety. Two youngsters were trapped and freed by firefighters, who searched the premises before tackling the flames. The arsonist is believed to have poured lighter fuel from disposable cans found in the warehouse on a mattress before setting it alight. The fire quickly grew

out of control and is believed to have caused an estimated half million euros in damage. The teenager, whose motivations are unknown, has been reported to the juvenile prosecutor and faces serious charges of arson and property damage. Fortunately there were no injuries, though one woman required urgent medical attention after suffering a panic attack.

NEWS

It’s almost Shavuot! JEWISH people worldwide are gearing up to celebrate Shavuot, which this year takes place on May 30 and June 1. The second of three annual Jewish pilgrim festivals, it is also known as the Festival of Weeks or the Feast of the Harvest since it originally marked the end of the seven-week Passover barley harvest and the start of the wheat harvest. It also commemorates the day that God bestowed the Torah, the central reference text of Judaism, on the Israeli people on Mount Sinai in Egypt over 3,000 years ago. After counting down the 49 days between the end of Passover and Shavuot, Jews celebrate by lighting candles, decorating their homes with plants and stay up to study the Torah.

NEWS

Second class citizens RESIDENTS of the Almanzora Valley are effectively second class citizens when it comes to healthcare. That is the damning conclusion of furious politician Rosalie Espinosa who demanded to know where the €55.6 million pledged to improve medical facilities across the province has gone. The Popular Party member of the Andalucian parliament claimed a variety of statistics and stories to back herself up. There are 5,000 people on the waiting list at Huercal-Overa’s already stretched Hospital de la Immaculada, for example. She also cited the case of one local man who apparently lay on the street seriously injured for hours waiting for an ambulance, and the case of a resident of Sierro who died while waiting.

Stranded at sea A BOAT carrying 37 African immigrants was discovered roughly 40 miles off the coast of the Cabo de Gata deep in Almerian waters. It was found by Salvamento Maritimo coastguards who were alerted by their Moroccan counterparts that a vessel had set sail from the North African town of Kariat. Coastguards conducted a rescue operation, saving the lives of all 37 onboard the boat, which was highly unlikely to survive the long voyage to Almeria port. All were transported to Red Cross facilities upon docking for medical treatment. Among them were four women.

SPANISH FACTS OF LIFE...13 THE brown bear once roamed most of the Iberian Peninsula. Though now inhabiting just two enclaves in the Cantabrian Mountains, they are managing to fight back against extinction.

The bear necessities LIVING 25 - 30 years in the wild, d e s p ite th eir impre s s ive s iz e brown bears are timid and when possible avoid human contact. Males average 115kg but can weigh as much as 200kg, while fema le s tip t he s c a le s a t 85 150kg; they are 1.6m to 2m long and around 1m high at the shoulder. Thought to have originated in Asia and spread across the Northern Hemisphere, brown bears in Spain are the same as those living in the wilds of Canada. There are now two populations liv in g w ith in a 5,000 - 7,000 square km territory in the Cantabrian Mountains taking in A s tu rias , L eon, G a lic ia , a nd Cantabria. Human pressure - a nd ille ga l poa c hing h a v e

INSIDE VIEW News 1 - 25

Finance 27

Property 33 OMNIVORES: They eat roots, fruit and hunt small animals.

threatened the brown bear with extinction, though encouragingly populations are now growing with a bout 240 in the C a nta bria n Mountains. Habitat is regularly patrolled by rangers as part of much-needed conservation and the planting of fruit trees and siting of beehives in their surrounds helps further supplement their diet as they roam for food. Bears are omnivores; they eat roots, fruit, a nd a ls o hunt s ma ll a nima ls and track carrion.

Leapy Lee 41

No baby boom!

Time Out

CUBS are born in January and February after mothers wake from hibernation. The Spanish bear has no fur when it is born and weighs just 350g. Litters are normally up to three, and in rare cases four cubs. M ot her and cubs em erge i n spring and the little ones are dependent on the adult for a year and a half; so mothers do not reproduce again for two years after e a c h l i t t er, m aki ng i t a sl ower process for numbers to increase.

BEAR CUBS: Born after mothers wake from hibernation.

Tied down SALSIDO, the Almeria Association for Down’s Syndrome has reacted furiously to a court judgement absolving an activity centre which tied a young Downs boy to a chair for two consecutive days. The incident took place last summer at special camp held for disabled children by Pita Aventura. Litigation began when Alejandro’s parents found how that he had been strapped to a chair for misbehaving with unqualified staff at a loss over how to manage him.

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Letters 48

Health & Beauty 51

Social 54

Albox

Chinese weeze A POSTAL worker from Almeria has won the best photo award in a competition held by Chinese social media website WeiBo. Mariana Belmonte, who sorts letters in Almeria, won a popular vote for her photo of the city during Semana Santa. The prize isn’t quite as random as it seems. Correos has been trying to infiltrate the Chinese market in a series of online campaigns to share Spanish

culture with the Chinese public.

X-Factor goes local NIJAR’S got talent. Hundreds of youngsters celebrated the Second Festival of Music, entitled ‘New Talents’ on Sunday. The spectacle was held at the town’s San Isidro culture centre and was organised by local youth association Sol Delcalzo in collaboration with the council. Young people of all ages and from dif-

Wild driver fined and jailed A DANGEROUS driver who almost killed another driver on the A-7 motorway with his reckless and aggressive actions has been jailed for 18 months. The Almeria man was ordered to pay €6,000 to his victim, who took 45 days to fully recover from her injuries. The terrifying incident saw the man desperately trying to overtake both his victim and a truck simultaneously. With no space to manoeuver he sped up so

close to her car from behind that they were almost touching. Blasting the horn and swerving he eventually swung around and overtook her, before immediately moving back in front to avoid the truck. The woman was left with no choice but to veer off into the protective barriers to avoid crashing into him. She was badly injured and shaken while the man gestured and hurled insults. Judges also stripped the man of his driving licence for three and a half years.

ferent backgrounds joined in as artists, volunteers or spectators to make the day a fantastic success.

Classifieds 66

Autism awareness SPECIAL workshops for children with autism and their families were held at Vicar’s Teatro Auditorio. They offered space for reflection, awareness and communication with other families whose children fall on the broad autism spectrum. Workshops included discussions on how to communicate with young autistic children, stimulating conversations and using helpful words and a more open tone.

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Motors 68

Sport 72

The total number of news and features appearing in last week’s Euro Weekly News Costa de Almería edition, with 49 local stories.

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Spain backs France MADRID is backing Emmanuel Macron - the new French president in calling for an overhaul of the Eurozone and reforms to the European Union’s economic system. Spain wants real democratic economic government and believes there are a series of critical errors within the common currency that opened a massive divide between north and south Europe in the recession. It said the shortcomings of the Euro explained the different impact of the crisis across Europe and as well as ‘firefighters,’ ‘architects’ were needed to establish a wellstructured plan rather than dealing with ‘short term needs.’

Bullfight protest THOUSANDS of people took to the streets of Madrid calling for bullfighting to be banned across Spain; chanting “torture is not culture.” Protesters are demanding the end of any event that mistreats animals for the amusement of humans; and attacked the conservative view bullfighting was part of Spain’s cultural heritage.

Man overboard THE captain of a Singaporean ship was pulled from the sea in ‘a very serious state’ off the coast of Spain, clinging to a lifebelt and suffering extreme hypothermia and exposure to the sun and salt. The cargo ship Morning Ninni reported a man could have been lost overboard as it sailed close to Ceuta in northern Morocco in the Gibraltar

e ye on SPAIN

Around the nation in 7 stories

Postcard from Vigo Historic Rua dos Cesteiros.

VISITORS to the bustling city of Vigo can combine a city and beach break and take the opportunity to soak up both culture and sun. With a population of 293,000, Galicia’s largest city lies on the Atlantic coast of North West Spain. It is 29km south of the provincial capital of Pontevedra, but the nearest large city is Porto in Portugal, a 153km drive across the border. And getting to Vigo could not be easier. It has an airport, is on Spain’s motorway network - Madrid is 597km away - and is served by the high speed AVE service. The area boasts 45 beaches on the mainland and the beautiful, Caribbean-like sands of the Cies Islands can be enjoyed for a day trip. The scenic old town, ‘casco vello,’ shows off Vigo’s maritime traditions, its history and architecture from a sometimes stormy past. However, there is a busy industrial area while the modern fishing port is the largest in Europe. Inside the pulsating historic centre there are shops, museums, bars, taverns and restaurants. Tapas bars specialise in seafood, said to be the best in Spain. Enjoy specialities of octopus, mussels, prawns, lobster, hake and sea bass; and wandering the streets, why not buy a freshly shucked oyster in Calle de la Ostros, hats on Sombrereiros or baskets on Cesteiros.

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Straits and Spanish rescue services were alerted.

Call for Franco move SPAIN’S parliament has approved a motion for the remains of General Francisco Franco to be moved from a mausoleum built by prisoners during his dictatorship. The controversial Valley of the Fallen in the Sierra de Guadarrama holds the bodies of 30,000 dead from both sides of the Spanish Civil War and was built as an act of reconciliation by the regime. However, the move is largely symbolic and does not place any obligation for the government, whose supports abstained, to act.

Taxi ride UBER, the electronic hail and ride app service, should be licensed like any other taxi firm, a top EU lawyer has said. Uber links passengers with freelance drivers and is cheaper than traditional cabs, but the lawyer said while “innovative,” it was at heart a transport company and should be regulated as such.

Cocaine cargo COCAINE with a street value of €200 million was seized and 24 people arrested as a container ship was intercepted by the Spanish authorities. The 5.5kg of the drug was being smuggled from Ecuador to Spain and in a joint operation between the two countries. Spain’s Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido said it was one of the biggest hauls of cocaine in history.

NEWS

Birthdays • Paul Weller (58) May 25, Rock Singer British singer and songwriter, who was a member of Jam from 1976 to 1982 and The Style Council from 1983 to 1989. He was greatly influenced by Paul McCartney and The Beatles. He won the 2009 BRIT Award for Best Male Solo Artist in 2009. • Stevie Nicks (68) May 26, Rock Singer Singer, pianist and tambourine player and member of Fleetwood Mac, Stevie was famous after writing Landslide, and broke the record for female rock artist at the Grammy Award Nominations. Rolling Stone magazine named her ‘The Reigning Queen of Rock and Roll,’ after her solo debut album, Bella Donna, went to number one. • Jamie Oliver (41) May 27, Chef Also known as the Naked Chef, the restaurateur and media personality became known for his campaign for healthier school lunches. His first job was as a pastry chef for Antonio Carluccio’s restaurant, Neal’s Yard. • Kylie Minogue (48) May 28, Pop Singer She started out as an actress in the Australian soap opera, Neighbours, and after became a singer, signed by Stock, Aitken and Waterman. Her songs include Locomotion and Can’t Get You Out of My Head and she later appeared in Moulin Rouge, as a fairy. She has her own brand of lingerie and was made a member of the Order of the British Empire in 2008 for her services to music. • Danny Elfman (63) May 29, Composer Composer of the long running animated series, The Simpsons, used to be lead singer for rock band - Oingo Boingo, but later became well-known as a film and television composer who has had many collaborations with Tim Burton. He married actress, Bridget Fonda in 2003 and has three children.

NEWS

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NEWS EXTRA

Bloody past RENOWNED author Pageo Ruzafa presented his new history of the civil wars that ravaged Almeria and Granada five centuries ago at the city’s Picasso bookstore yesterday.

Leg up AN investment of €300,000 has been made in fixing up dozens of lifts in apartment complexes across the province. Homeowner communities have long been demanding and competing for resources.

Good idea? RIFLES, guns and knives will be auctioned off by the Guardia Civil at their Almeria headquarters on Monday evening. Only registered weapons owners are allowed to purchase items.

Sticky Sick sexual abuse Nothing excuses fingers OUR VIEW

this carnage

SOMEHOW the news that teenagers have been killed in what appears to have been a terrorist attack in Manchester makes the news even more horrifying. Anyone aged 14 or over is allowed into the Manchester Arena unaccompanied and imagine the excitement of the many young people who were perhaps attending their first concert alone. Then imagine the horror when they realised that a bomb had exploded and the panic that swept through the crowd as they tried to flee to safety without even knowing where safety lay. Parents who were waiting to collect their children were in the foyer as the bomb went off and those that survived then had to try to find their loved ones amongst a crowd of stunned and terrified concert goers. Whilst security was by all accounts tight prior to the concert, it appears on first reports to have been virtually nonexistent as the evening was coming to an end and anyone was able to access the foyer to await friends and family. According to the Greater Manchester Police those waiting included one person carrying an Improvised Explosive Device packed with shrapnel who exploded the bomb and died alongside 21 innocents. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this pointless act of inhumanity.

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CLEANERS at Almeria airport went on strike, furious that they are still owed wages from March and April. The employees of private contractor KLE Servicios Integrales refused to work at the airport or the 11 other institutions the firm is charged with cleaning. They have the support of the general UGT union of Almeria who said it is unacceptable that any employees, especially those with families to feed, should be denied wages. Strike action will continue until full payment is made. The company has financial problems and it is unclear whether they will be able to meet the demands. In the meantime Almeria airport has been forced to draft in another cleaning crew to keep the place spotless for the millions of arrivals due in the coming months.

A MAN believed by Guardia Civil officers to be a pervert who sexually abused a disabled teenager was arrested in the Almerian Levante. The 73-year-old is accused of taking advantage of the youth, who suffers from profound intellectual disabilities. Police are also investigating a supposed friend of the victim, aged 15, who allegedly accepted payments from the elderly suspect to help facilitate the sexual abuse.

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NEWS

Life on Mars By Matthew Elliott A NEW generation of Almerian children is being inspired to build robots by a scientist born locally but who now works with NASA in the United States. Ramon Gonzalez Sanchez has gone from studying engineering in Almeria to working with the planet’s top robotics specialists at the famed Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Despite working

with NASA on such exciting endeavours as developing robots to explore Mars and the future of artificial intelligence, Sanchez regularly finds time to return home to Almeria where he shares his experiences with local school children. Answering questions from ‘what are robots made of?’ to ‘what will the future be like in

1,000 years?’ Sanchez brought some answers to the inquisitive minds of students aged three to 12, for whom space travel may one day be a possibility. But the main message of his tour of the province was that science is only as good, or as bad, as we make it. Sanchez encouraged all the students to use technology, whether smart phones, robots, or spaceships, to make the world a better place.

THE MARS ROVER: Robots are exploring the solar system .

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NEWS

Battling homophobia FIREBRAND politician Ines Plaza has accused the government of doing nothing to combat homophobia across Almeria, despite pledging to do so 18 months ago. She said the ruling Popular Party were only interested in photo shoots and PR stunts rather than taking real action to protect sexual minorities. Her comments came days after International Day Against LGBTophobia was celebrated last Wednesday. Activists in Almeria gathered on Plaza Pablo Cazard to make various demands, including the removal of transexuality from an official list of diseases. Until recently homosexuality was also included on the list. The furore comes amid preparations for Gay Pride events across the province on June 18. The PSOE councillor claims an agreed plan to fight homophobia in Almeria’s schools and recognise famous gay,

INES PLAZA: PSOE councillor always has a battle to fight. lesbian, bi and transgender people had been ignored. She wants education campaigns in schools which might protect gay students

from bullying or being ostracised by classmates. Family diversity and gay parenthood should also be publicly celebrated Plaza

argued, while police forces should be given special training on the quirks of the gay, lesbian and transsexual communities.

Numbers in the news

€ 2.2 billion The projected cost of a leisure and casino complex with beach near Madrid now under local government consideration.

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Photo by Guardia Civil

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Two gangs toured provinces raiding houses in the morning By John Smith

STOLEN GOODS: Taken while owners are out at work.

NEWS

SIXTEEN people have been arrested in two different cases for

breaking into houses in Malaga and surrounding provinces. Following nine robberies in the area of Pantano de la Viñuela

officers of the Guardia Civil tracked down those responsible to the town of Roquetas de Mar in Almeria where nine people ei-

Numbers in the news

€2,783 The amount pet owners pay Ciovert Clinic in Cabra (90kms from Malaga) for radiotherapy treatment, the only Spanish clinic offering the service.

ther Moroccan or Spanish were arrested and their modus operandi was discovered. They deliberately used stolen vehicles with false number plates to travel to targets in Almería, Burgos, Cordoba, Granada, Jaén, Malaga and Murcia where they committed a total of 43 thefts, generally including intimidation or in some cases violence. Following their arrest, officers recovered cash, jewellery, tablets, watches, phones and TVs which they will try to return to their owners. At the same time and with both groups of investigators keeping in close contact, it was decided to arrest seven people of whom six were Romanian in respect of 20 robberies which had taken place in Cordoba, Granada and Malaga. These robbers only worked in the mornings during week days when property owners were generally at work and the investigation was sparked by a theft from a house in Alhaurín el Grande where the gang broke down the door and stole small articles and cash. The Guardia Civil raided three properties in Benalmadena, Fuengirola and Torremolinos recovering cash, jewellery and watches and are investigating an Italian watch dealer in Torremolinos who may be involved in receiving stolen property.

FINANCE

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Will your family benefit from the new UK inheritance tax threshold? 6th April 2017 saw the introduction of an inheritance tax reform that will reduce the amount of tax paid by most estates. Announced in the 2015 summer budget, it effectively increases the inheritance tax threshold to a potential £1 million. This figure is for a couple, and the increase will happen gradually over four years and only applies to property - with a number of limitations. The Residential Nil Rate Band (RNRB) The inheritance tax rate is fixed at 40%, with a tax-free threshold (‘nil rate band’) of £325,000. When this allowance is not or only partly used, you can transfer the balance to your spouse or civil partner. So the threshold for a surviving spouse can be as high as £650,000. The £325,000 allowance remains in place, but estates will now benefit from a second, additional allowance, the new Residential Nil Rate Band.

By Gerald Turner, Partner, Blevins Franks The final ‘family home allowance’ will be £175,000, but it will be introduced gradually as follows: • £100,000 in 2017/18 • £125,000 in 2018/19 • £150,000 in 2019/20 • £175,000 in 2020/21. It will then increase in line with inflation. As with the regular nil rate band, you can transfer the allowance to a

spouse/civil partner in line with existing principles. This makes a total potential threshold for a couple of £1 million by 2020. Limitations on the allowance First of all, it only applies to property which is inherited by direct descendants, so children (including adopted and stepchildren) and grandchildren. You need to have lived in it at some stage. Assets besides the family home do not receive any extra allowance, and only one property can qualify. Secondly, a limit is imposed. Where an estate is worth over £2 million the residential nil rate band is tapered, £1 for every £2. Estates valued at over £2.2 million do not receive this allowance at all (they still get the standard £325,000). This £2.2 million value applies to your whole, worldwide estate, not just to property. So it includes your savings and investments, trusts, pay outs from

life insurance policies, pension lump sums received on the death of a spouse/partner, cars, furniture and personal belongings such as jewellery. It also includes applicable gifts given away over the last seven years. Debts and liabilities are deducted from the total. Trusts Since the residential nil rate band is only available where property is passed directly to children and grandchildren, this will not apply to many trusts. For example, discretionary trusts will be excluded, since the assets are technically owned by the trust. Some types of trusts do qualify, if the property is deemed to pass directly to the beneficiaries. Seek advice if you own property in a trust. Expatriates and the new allowance If you are UK domiciled, you are liable for inheritance tax on your worldwide assets. Domicile law is complex; you can live in Spain for

many years and remain a UK domicile. You can claim the new additional family home allowance on a property in Spain, provided it is your main home. Seek advice on how to protect your family and heirs from inheritance tax. It gets more complex for expatriates because of the domicile issue, and because you are also liable to Spanish succession tax. You need specialist cross-border estate planning advice to establish where you are domiciled and the most effective solutions for you. Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personalised advice. Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www.blevinsfranks.com.

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NEWS

GUITAR: Modern version invented by Almerian musician.

Guitar godfather ignored DESPITE his instruments being showcased at collections in London, Tokyo and Paris, there are no plans to honour Antonio de Torres, an Almeria native who helped create the modern guitar. On June 13 it is the 200th anniversary of Torres’ birth, an anniversary which several local leaders regret, as it appears to have been lost on Almeria’s

city council. The La Canada native is considered one of the major figures in the history of classical instruments. Tourism officials and business leaders fear Almeria has missed out on a great opportunity to attract guests or hold international conferences to celebrate his legacy. Born in 1817 Torres became

a professional guitar manufacturer in the 1850s and built the very first modern classical guitar a decade later. He continued constructing guitars into the 1890s and achieved global acclaim, inspiring replicas around the world. He gave the young Francisco Tarrega one of his guitars when the future legend was just 17.

Numbers in the news

1,397 The number of new homes and flats provided with building approved from January - March in Malaga Province.

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NEWS

NEWS EXTRA

Numbers in the news

Tax cuts

205,857

SELF-EMPLOYED entrepreneurs will enjoy tax cuts courtesy of Almeria mayor Ramon Fernandez who wants to boost job creation, promote more local businesses and encourage new ideas.

pets - mostly dogs and cats, but also 139 ferrets and 141 other species were registered in Andalucia last year.

WATERMELON: Overproduction slashing profit for Almeria farmers.

Watermelon wars GLOBAL competition is forcing farmers to sell watermelons for 60 per cent less than they did last year. Coexphal, the Almeria Association of Fruit and Vegetable Producers warned that melons of all shapes and sizes are no longer earning a profit for hard up farmers. More melons arriving from overseas sources and delays in collection at fields across Almeria has caused mayhem in the local marketplace.

Overproduction this season has also left farmers with a very small window to sell the fruits and bulk buyers are taking advantage. A successful harvest in Murcia has also led to stiffer watermelon competition from Almeria’s closest neighbour. Coexphal warn that if overall profits are hit too hard by low melon prices, local farmers may simply decide not to grow them next season.

Footie fun LAND valued at €150,000 and spreading over 6,000 square metres was bought by Almeria Council in Cuevas de los Medinas and will be converted into a football pitch for the neighbourhood.

Team spirit A SOLIDARITY race for MS sufferers was held in Huercal-Overa, Pulpi and Cuevas del Almanzora. It was the first of its kind and included hiking trails to raise awareness of the disease.

NEWS

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Holiday time! A NUMBER of British TV stars have been causing a stir in glitzy Marbella this week. Coronation Street’s Brooke Vincent was seen soaking up the sun as she hung out by the pool with footballer boyfriend Kean Bryan. Kean plays on loan for League One outfit Bury, but his 24-yearold squeeze put on a Premier League display as she struggled with her skimpy bikini top before the pair relaxed on loungers. In Puerto Banus, 19-year-old Abbie Holborn, who recently made her debut on Geordie Shore, also sported a miniscule two-piece as she topped up her tan. She enjoyed steamy flings with both Scotty T and Aaron Chalmers during the show, and has apparently been invited back for a second series after making a strong impression. Elsewhere, Made In Chelsea star Emily Blackwell avoided a potential wardrobe malfunction by donning an elegant black crochet swimsuit. The 20-year-old sizzled as she dipped her toes in the Med alongside pal Lottie Fitzgerald, who sizzled in a fluorescent peach bikini. Emily later posted a snap of her sipping a cool drink at a well-known beach club, clad in a tiny multicoloured bikini. BIKINIS: All dressed down and plenty of places to go!

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Big island hopping SHE recently underwent butt surgery in Turkey. And Chloe Khan appeared keen to show off her surgically-enhanced assets as she spent a few days on party island CHLOE: Bumper-size cur Ibiza alongside friends and fellow lers. celebs this week. The Celebrity Big Brother star is notorious for her racy outfits which she uses to tease her fans in endless sexy selfies. She even went braless when heading to a luxurious yacht party with Ex On The Beach’s Helen Briggs and Geordie Shore’s Chantelle Connelly, who both put on quite the busty display as they rocked almost-there swimwear. Others on board included The Valleys’ Lateysha Grace, who posted shots during the bash, and Big Brother’s Sam Giffen as the girls’ holiday hit full swing.

What a doo ron ron HE has just bagged his second Spanish league title with Real Madrid, but Cristiano Ronaldo now faces a €140 million tax probe. The Portuguese superstar is being investigated over claims he failed to pay enough tax on earnings from image rights between 2009 and 2011. Spanish media reports suggest that the star allegedly sent money to the British Virgin Islands, an offshore tax haven, using a series of shell companies set up in several countries. The blow comes as Ronaldo celebrated scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 away victory over Malaga that sealed the club’s 33rd league title and first in five years. Madrid now march on to the Champions League final against Italian giants Juventus in Cardiff on June 3.

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NEWS

Major setback after brain scan for Leo the Lion LAST week four-year-old cancer fighter Leo Bermejo from Almeria travelled to the UK’s Alder Hey hospital for an MRI scan following his recent return from 31 sessions of proton beam therapy in Oklahoma. THE oncologist and radiologist agree that the results show a suspicious mass within the same tumour cavity measuring about 1cm by 0.80cm. There is also another strange area but the oncologist seems confident that this is just inflammation from the proton treatment. Mum Karen reacted to the distressing news saying, “Our hearts are shattered into a million pieces.” “There is still a glimmer of hope... I know miracles are possible. “My beautiful boy couldn’t have gone through all of this for nothing... but we are fighting a beast. “I can’t watch my boy fade away in front of my eyes... that’s so cruel.” The medical team will discuss Leo’s case this week

and another MRI will be done in a month to determine how fast this mass is growing. Karen has contacted Alder Hey to tell them that if the tumour is progressing to grow that she would like another operation for Leo followed by oral chemotherapy. But she knows that if a lumbar puncture test shows positive for cancer cells that they will refuse to operate and it really is over. But, to date, Leo’s lumbar puncture results have always been negative. She said, “The most important thing is that Leo is so happy, he is not in any pain, he would not suffer any more pain having another operation,

he would not get more damaged, and he just wants to live like a normal little boy so he deserves to have that final chance at life.” “Everyone I have spoken to have commented how after each procedure or treatment Leo has just got stronger and stronger... I have to continue fighting for him and do whatever it takes. “I wouldn’t cope. Never mind Sofia losing her best friend and brother. “The oncologist told me that I have done so much more than some mums would have and given Leo the best chance... but it wasn’t good enough. He doesn’t deserve this.”

25 - 31 May 2017 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

SPECIALNEW

Expats in Spain can finally put painful memories to rest

Sick killer going to hell With many wishing him an eternity ‘rotting in hell,’ serial killer Ian Brady made dark funeral arrangements to prepare himself for the Devil, writes David Noon

WHEN Ian Brady’s coffin eventually goes up in flames next week there won’t be a tear spilt for Britain’s most twisted killer. Responsible for abducting and killing at least five children in the 1960s, Brady’s funeral will mark the final chapter for a community tortured by the memories of crimes committed over 50 years ago. Striking fear into the Manchester community along with his girlfriend Myra Hindley - who died, aged 60 in November 2002 - the Moors Murders changed the face of the North West of England, Britain and beyond. Some of those who lived through the torment of Brady’s sick reign are now residing in retirement throughout Spain, the majority on the Costas. And despite being over 1,750 kms away from where the crimes took place, they will finally be able to put their painful memories to rest, knowing that the monster responsible for such heinous crimes is no longer on this planet. British expat Carol Wootton is just one of the thousands now living here. Residing with her husband in Alhaurin el Grande, Costa del Sol, she still struggles however to escape from the ‘truly shocking memories’ of the case that she studied while at university. “A lot of expats, myself included, lived through these dark times,” she told the Euro Weekly News. “This for us is the final chapter of this heinous behaviour. “I have many clear and truly shocking memories of this case from listening to evidence in court to talking to friends in the pub. It was horrific.” She added: “This case rocked thousands of normal working class families of Manchester and the surrounds.

IN HELL: Ian Brady died aged 79 at Ashworth high-security hospital.

Brady’s last victim and the Spanish shotgun mystery WHILE most people will be glad to see Ian Brady’s corpse go up in flames, the family of his final victim have been left in an eternal limbo. Brady never revealed the location of Keith Bennett’s body, who was snatched in 1964, and he has taken that last secret to his grave. Despite pleas from Keith’s mother Winnie Johnson to Brady, the serial killer never revealed where the 12-year-old lad had

been buried. In fact, he never revealed any details of how he and Myra Hindley killed Keith. But hope for an answer is not lost. Justice campaigners have found a Spanish-made shotgun that they believe holds the key. Following ‘clues’ left in Brady’s book The Gates of Janus, campaigners, family and friends uncovered a double-barrelled shotgun on Saddleworth Moor while hunting for Keith’s grave last year.

While they believe this was the murder weapon used to kill Keith, scientists have so far not been able to connect it to the crime. Campaigner Erica Gregory, believes that she has cracked the code while reading Brady’s book in reverse. Murder weapon or not, the discovery of the shotgun reveals that even after his death the family and friends of Keith Bennett will continue to seek out the truth.

“The social impact was immense; so many people immediately stopped leaving their kids alone to go to the pub. Something that had previously been unheard of. “Their palpable fear and abhorrent disgust pulled them together to the heights of which society had not seen since the Second World War. “They became a close knit community again, and we were very much part of it. This case changed the community and impacted Britain like no other.” And the depth of feeling that swept the nation in the 1960s remains as strong today. The outpouring of emotion since Brady died aged 79 of lung cancer at Ashworth high-security prison where he spent much of his 51 years behind bars after being declared ‘medically psychotic’ - has been overwhelming. Facebook and Twitter has been full of users wishing Brady an eternity ‘rotting in hell.’ The EWN website has equally been full of comments from expats closing the door on Brady’s memory. From his funeral plans, it would appear that Brady himself was even preparing for a lifetime in the Devil’s company. For much of his time behind bars, the serial killer had been orchestrating a detailed plan for his final send off. And it looks like the Moors Murderer was preparing himself to meet the Devil when he chose his funeral music. In his final psychotic missive, Brady is to be cremated to a symphony that charts a murderer’s descent into hell. Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique is about a killer haunted by the spirit of his victims in hell and is largely considered one of the darkest pieces of music ever written. As Brady’s coffin enters the flames, the killer appears to have readied his mind for an eternity in hell. And no one would begrudge him his place beside the Devil.

POLL OF THE WEEK Given the horrific nature of Ian Brady and Myra Hindley’s crimes, should they have been given death sentences, thereby saving UK taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds? To vote, log on to our website www.euroweeklynews.com or see our Facebook or Twitter pages.

WS FEATURE

25 - 31 May 2017 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

Heinous crimes that rocked Britain: Brady’s five victims • Pauline Reade, 16 The first victim of the couple’s killing spree. Pauline was on her way to a dance when Hindley persuaded her to get in her car. With Brady they drove her to Saddleworth Moor where she was raped, beaten and stabbed. • John Kilbride, 12 Snatched from Ashton market in November, 1963, he was strangled and buried in a shallow grave. John was the second of Brady and Hindley’s five victims. • Keith Bennett, 12 Keith disappeared on the way to his grandmother’s house. Hindley had lured him into her car and driven him to the Moors where he was murdered. Keith’s body has never been found, and the method of killing has been taken to the grave with Brady. • Lesley Ann Downey, 10 She disappeared on Boxing Day after being snatched from a fair and taken back to Hindley’s house. Lesley was brutally assaulted with the ordeal captured on tape. • Edward Evans, 17 The couple’s final victim. Edward had just been to see Manchester United play when Hindley lured him in. Brady repeatedly bludgeoned Evans with an axe.

MYSTERY: The body of Keith Bennett has neve r been found.

Spain’s worst killers • Francisca Ballesteros Known as La Viuda Negra (The Black Widow), Francisca poisoned her husband and three children in Valencia between 1990 and 2004. Killing her first child with a cocktail of drugs and alcohol, Ballesteros waited 14 years before killing her husband and daughter in 2004. She also attempted to kill another son but he survived the attack as his mother fled the city. Sentenced to 84 years in prison in 2005, Ballesteros will die in prison. • Manuel Blanco Romasanta A travelling salesman who claimed to be a werewolf, Romasanta admitted to 13 murders but was only convicted of eight during his 1853 trial. Handed the death sentence, Romasanta didn’t make it to the gallows and died in prison 10 years later where he was being studied by psychologists. • Manuel Delgado Villegas Known as El Arropiero (The Arrope Trader), Villegas confessed to 48 murders in Spain, France and Italy, during the 1960s and 70’s. Found guilty of seven murders, including the killing of his girlfriend, Villegas was detained in a mental institution until his death in 1998. • Francisco Garcia Escalero A schizophrenic beggar, Escalero remains in a psychiatric hospital after being convicted of 11 murders carried out in the early 1990s. Also known as El Mendigo Asesino, The Killer Beggar, Escalero used his homelessness to lure people towards him late at night.

nfessed to 48 murders. MONSTER: Villegas co

• Enriqueta Martí A self-proclaimed witch who kidnapped, prostituted, murdered and made potions with the remains of small children in early 20th century in Barcelona, Marti was murdered in prison while awaiting her trial in 1913. In total 12 bodies were found in her home.

25 - 31 May 2017 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

COMMUNITY

HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY on the 23rd of May to Maisie Shanley from Mummy and Daddy Richard and Jessica xxx

A quiz for Dames in Turre DAMES IN TURRE’S May Meeting will be held on Monday 29 at 11am at The Hostel Rural in Turre. Ladies, it’s that time again when everyone must don their thinking caps for Sylvia’s fantastic Quiz. Come along and have a good laugh and join in the fun, with prizes for the top team. Dames

in Turre is a friendship club raising money for local charities and will be presenting cheques at this meeting, so come along for this special occasion, guests and friends are always welcome. For more information please contact Secretary Pam Smith on 677 543 031 or President Lesley Barlow on 661 085 551.

Numbers in the news 1,377 hunting licence applications were denied in Andalucia after moves to regulate hunting following pressure from animal rights groups and the younger generation’s increased empathy for animals.

NEWS

www.euroweeklynews.com

WACKY RACES in Villaricos once again proved a blast, with the local school this year providing three teams of racers, all young and enthusiastic. They made their own banner as well as some box cars for the younger ones to model. The adult racers had poor luck. One team dropped out the day before, two teams turned up with only half their members so merged into one team and a third team were short of members and then encountered an injury in the first heat which caused them to retire.

25 - 31 May 2017 / Costa de Almería

Racers raise impressive total This left two teams to fight for the winner’s slot. Lucky Bar, last year’s winners, and the merged team of Pampered/Irish Rover. After two run-offs in the full heat of the afternoon the winners were Lucky Bar. The organisers would dearly love more teams to take part next year and would welcome one or two extra members to join the team that organises the event.

They would like to thank the council for supporting the event, the two groups of dancers and the DJ Ian ‘the legend’ once again, plus all the helpers who pitched in. Special mention for Mark’s mates from Portsmouth, the people from El Timon and Muriel the ‘ace’ raffle ticket ripper. Thanks also to all sponsors and prize donators and all those who came along to give money on

the day and cheer the teams. Mr Whippy, Sally’s Pies and the bouncy castle people for food and entertainment also deserve a mention. A total in excess of €1,350 was raised for distribution to various causes, while a full list of raffle prize winners is displayed in both Bar la Plaza and Lucky Bar in the centre of Villaricos village. Sadly, race marshall and kart maintenance/ safety manager, Mr Tom Tannant, had to go into Almeria Hospital on the eve of the race day. He died in hospital on Monday 15.

25 - 31 May 2017 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

RUSSIAN PRESS

SOVIET-ERA: Old flats have place in Muscovite’s hearts.

Prefab flat fight M U SC O V ITES ra llie d against plans to demolish dozens of Soviet-era apartment blocks to make way for luxurious high rises. The thousands of prefab flats are an iconic panorama in the Russian capital but officials argue they are dilapidated a nd ne e d to go. A round 5,000 people thought otherwise.

Pop propaganda RUMOURS surfaced that the K re mlin pa id a top Russian pop star two million ruble s (€31,000) to make a pro-government music video. Alicia Vox’s song Baby Boy has had over one million YouTube vie w s. Lyrics suggest youngsters stay out of political protests if they want girls and money.

Piano politics

Confetti chaos

PRESI DENT Put i n r eveal ed anot her t al ent besides wrestling alligators and di scover i ng hi dden treasure. The Russian leader showed off his musical ear, playing Soviet classics on the piano while waiting for the Chinese president to attend bilateral talks in Beijing.

REGI STRY off i ces i n Moscow have banned Champagne receptions because they disrupt the work of officials. The wedding cent r es cl ai m t hey exi st solely to sign the paperwork and have also banned cateri ng, l i ve m usi c, al cohol , confetti and breaking glasses as they create too much nuisance for employees.

Odd voyage A NEW f er r y ser vi ce links the Russian far-east with the hermit kingdom of North Korea. A nine-hour j our ney t akes t r avel l er s f r om t he Russi an por t of Rajin to Pyongyang. Guests can enjoy a sauna and spa on boar d but t he bul k of t r aff i c wi l l be goods and North Korea slave labourers.

Bad apples ATHEISTS are not criminals, just very naughty, according to the Russian Orthodox Church. An atheist t el evi si on st ar asked t he church to confirm whether people who denied Jesus’ divinity should be jailed. The answer was no, as long as t hey don’t off end t he sensibilities of any of the faithful.

Cinema wars PLANS are afoot to make cinema tickets for Hollywood films so expensive that Russian cinemagoers are forced to choose home-made films instead. Russian culture minister Vladimir Medinsky believes price fixing is the only way Russian films stand a chance of competing against their American counterparts.

CINEMA: Russian films falling behind Hollywood rivals.

FINANCE

Costa de Almería

25 - 31 May 2017

business & legal

STAT OF WEEK

€1.129 trillion

SADDLED with huge amounts of toxic debt, the Banco Popular needs to find a saviour according to the European Central Bank. Economy Minister Luis de Guindos invited Spanish banks to submit expressions of interest in taking over Banco Popular but the response has been lukewarm with the most likely bidder being the troubled Bankia which is 66 per cent owned by the Spanish government.

is the value of toxic (bad) debt held by Banco Popular. With a capitalisation of just €3 billion and 2016 losses amounting to €3.5 billion, Banco Popular does seem to be vulnerable, but according to the minister there will be no rush sale, although he recognises that absorption by another bank and rationalisation of debt

ON STRIKE: Algeciras dockers.

Port law reforms to be approved AFTER months of strikes, €21 million in EU fines and parliamentary defeat, the government will finally be able to push through reformed port laws. This has been a major bone of contention amongst the various political parties, docker’s unions and the European Union which has demanded the ending of what is a closed shop in Spanish ports. In the lead up to the first vote, many ports saw waves of strikes and with Ciudadanos abstaining

would be sensible. The other Spanish commercial banks are in the process of building their businesses by increased investment to attract more customers or by the takeover of healthy overseas banking operations such as the recent TSB acqui-

“There are signs of acceleration” in the economy in the first half of the year – including exports, investment and consumption” according to Spanish Economy Minister Luis de Guindos.

International Dockworkers Council

Quote of the Week

€30 billion

in the vote, the proposed law fell at the first fence. Now following discussions between the government and various parties in parliament, following some amendments to the proposed bill, the second draft law has been passed. This will come as a relief to the government which faced additional and increased fines but may see more strikes in the two largest ports of Algeciras and Barcelona which could damage the economy.

BUSINESS EXTRA

Pension worries WITH many Spaniards worrying about the lack of money to pay future pensions, it has been revealed that 1.1 million receive two p u b l i c p e n s i o n s . Wi t h t h e current workforce not contributing enough to cover pension expenditure, the government needs to consider options.

Mad law E N V I R O N M E N TA L I S T Robert Kennedy Junior visiting Sevilla criticised Spain’s lack of support for solar energy. He called it a ‘mad law’ in favour of the oil companies and stressed the need for the country to become a leader in clean energy.

Electric avenue NISSAN Spain has asked the government to reduce tax on electric cars to increase sales and save €18 million of fuel costs. Nissan would increase advertising in order to encourage Spanish drivers to switch to electric if tariffs were lower.

Consumer price index up SPAIN has seen an increase in the General Consumer Price Index for April to 2.6 per cent. This is an annual review of the cost of a basket of items updated monthly and is considered a very important reflection of the health of a

country’s economy which is important when calculating inflation rates. Main contributors to this latest monthly increase are housing costs, fuel, electricity and leisure.

is Spain’s record new public debt for March 2017 which once again exceeds 100 per A EURO WEEKLY NEWS 6 PAGE SPECIAL SECTION // WWW.EWNBUSINESS.COM

Banco Popular needs a saviour By John Smith

EWN

sition. The bank appears to be operating quite well under its new president Emilio Saracho from a purely operational point of view but the toxic debt it carries, if reversed and converted to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), would be placed just behind Bahrain at the bottom of the world’s 100 most successful economies. If it can dispose of its debt (and Spain already owns the Sareb toxic debt bank) then it would certainly be a viable proposition.

Government gets help from EU law DUE to an EU directive, Spain is due to unexpectedly reclaim €1 billion from Spanish companies. This is the amount of money that the Spanish government gave to assist Spanish business to purchase foreign companies and was known as the Trade Fund, but in a ruling by the European Court of Justice it was decided that such state support was against Community rules. Now the Spanish Tax Authorities have indicated they will collect refunds from companies who received this support from corporate tax returns for 2017 to 2020. Whilst the companies involved may not be happy it will be a useful bonus.

E W N 25 - 31 May 2017 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

LONDON - FTSE 100

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

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C LOSING P RICES M AY 22

PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) COMPANY Anglo American 1,069.00 -24.00 Associated British Foods 2,674.50 -209.50 Admiral Group 1,975.00 -28.00 Ashtead Group 1,604.50 37.50 Antofagasta 790.50 -18.50 Aviva 515.00 -19.00 AstraZeneca 4,925.50 -193.50 BAE Systems 637.50 -2.50 Babcock International Group 954.75 17.25 Barclays 211.00 -2.70 British American Tobacco 5,462.50 61.50 Barratt Developments 606.75 -3.25 British Land Co 642.00 13.00 BHP Billiton 1,227.50 12.50 Bunzl 2,370.00 -88.00 BP 470.05 -2.10 Burberry Group 1,716.00 2.00 BT Group 310.50 -1.05 Coca-Cola HBC 2,251.50 44.50 Carnival 4,574.50 -157.50 Centrica 198.50 -2.80 Compass Group 1,533.50 -66.50 Croda International 3,919.00 -8.00 CRH 2,810.00 0.00 ConvaTec Group 287.50 -12.50 DCC 7,225.00 -225.00 Diageo 2,310.00 18.00 Direct Line Insurance Group 344.50 -7.20 Experian 1,635.50 4.50 easyJet 1,251.50 -2.50 Fresnillo 1,561.50 -36.50 GKN 342.00 -11.50 Glencore 295.00 -0.15 GlaxoSmithKline 1,642.50 -5.00 Hikma Pharmaceuticals 1,799.50 63.50 Hargreaves Lansdown 1,428.00 71.00 Hammerson 587.75 9.25 HSBC Holdings 662.50 -3.00 International Consldtd Air Grp 578.00 -18.00 InterContinental Hotels Grp 4,288.00 26.00 3i Group 826.50 -2.00 Imperial Brands 3,645.00 -25.00 Informa 620.75 -25.75 Intu Properties 266.50 1.00 Intertek Group 4,113.50 -53.50 ITV 195.25 -0.75 Johnson Matthey 3,117.00 72.00 Kingfisher 350.75 -17.05 Land Securities Group 1,044.50 -24.50 Legal & General Group 246.00 -3.10

% CHG. NET VOL -2.20 14,987.05 -7.26 22,649.80 -1.40 5,741.21 2.39 7,698.06 -2.29 7,946.01 -3.56 21,481.15 -3.78 65,051.95 -0.39 20,197.43 1.84 4,664.13 -1.26 36,039.49 1.14 100,415.47 -0.53 6,162.65 2.07 6,575.07 1.03 25,228.70 -3.58 8,196.10 -0.44 92,304.22 0.12 7,531.37 -0.34 30,772.77 2.02 8,022.99 -3.33 10,092.51 -1.39 11,028.88 -4.16 26,326.23 -0.20 5,156.72 0.00 23,168.83 -4.17 5,790.02 -3.02 6,692.31 0.79 57,644.00 -2.05 4,819.38 0.28 15,657.41 -0.20 4,885.66 -2.28 11,650.29 -3.25 6,013.94 -0.05 41,888.70 -0.30 80,545.37 3.66 4,079.64 5.23 6,427.02 1.60 4,600.50 -0.45 131,680.15 -3.02 12,462.06 0.61 8,451.31 -0.24 8,098.63 -0.68 34,935.42 -3.98 5,306.59 0.38 3,624.73 -1.28 6,681.57 -0.38 7,728.79 2.36 5,960.83 -4.64 8,220.78 -2.29 8,634.99 -1.24 14,941.53

COMPANY

PRICE(P)

Lloyds Banking Group ORD 72.15 London Stock Exchange Grp 3,381.00 Micro Focus International 2,337.50 Mediclinic International 882.25 Merlin Entertainments 491.75 Marks & Spencer Group 354.15 Mondi 1,988.50 Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets 254.65 National Grid 1,054.00 Next 4,400.00 Old Mutual Group 193.50 Provident Financial 3,148.50 Paddy Power Betfair 8,320.00 Prudential 1,730.00 Persimmon 2,417.50 Pearson 695.00 Reckitt Benckiser Group 7,507.00 Royal Bank of Scotland Group 262.50 Royal Dutch Shell 2,117.50 Royal Dutch Shell 2,210.00 RELX 1,530.00 Rio Tinto 3,147.50 Royal Mail 432.50 Rolls-Royce Group 840.00 Randgold Resources 7,367.50 RSA Insurance Group 605.00 Rentokil Initial 239.25 Sainsbury (J) 268.55 Schroders 3,098.50 Sage Group (The) 690.50 Shire 4,815.00 Smurfit Kappa Group 2,134.00 Sky 872.50 Standard Life 385.00 Smiths Group 1,641.00 Scottish Mortgage Invstmnt Trst 384.00 Smith & Nephew 1,402.00 SSE 1,480.50 Standard Chartered 732.50 St James's Place 1,118.50 Severn Trent 2,443.50 Tesco 180.65 TUI AG 1,150.00 Taylor Wimpey 203.50 Unilever 4,101.50 United Utilities Group 975.00 Vodafone Group 220.50 Wolseley 4,860.00 Worldpay Group 309.50 WPP Group 1,710.00 Whitbread 4,040.00

CHANGE(P) 0.37 -79.00 -134.50 5.75 -22.25 -30.75 8.50 12.15 0.00 -21.00 2.50 40.50 -60.00 -26.00 -13.50 -3.00 -113.00 -0.40 -0.50 45.00 -96.00 -20.00 4.10 -11.00 57.50 -4.50 -18.25 -5.75 -9.50 -6.00 -37.00 -13.00 -133.50 1.50 57.00 -0.50 75.00 -28.50 -3.50 -50.50 5.50 -1.85 19.00 5.50 -36.50 -57.00 0.20 -31.00 -12.40 -7.00 -138.00

% CHG.

NET VOL

0.52 -2.28 -5.44 0.66 -4.33 -7.99 0.43 5.01 0.00 -0.48 1.31 1.30 -0.72 -1.48 -0.56 -0.43 -1.48 -0.15 -0.02 2.08 -5.90 -0.63 0.96 -1.29 0.79 -0.74 -7.09 -2.10 -0.31 -0.86 -0.76 -0.61 -13.27 0.39 3.60 -0.13 5.65 -1.89 -0.48 -4.32 0.23 -1.01 1.68 2.78 -0.88 -5.52 0.09 -0.63 -3.85 -0.41 -3.30

50,936.66 12,018.29 5,525.53 6,421.39 5,246.66 6,216.21 9,604.25 5,654.50 39,354.82 6,402.84 9,460.61 4,562.00 7,039.11 45,209.90 7,473.95 5,721.09 53,049.05 31,192.81 94,391.12 80,939.97 17,367.57 42,903.38 4,336.00 15,650.34 6,837.36 6,233.37 4,742.16 5,979.37 7,063.20 7,511.97 43,653.28 4,970.59 17,207.36 7,610.36 6,441.90 5,193.96 11,480.75 15,152.56 24,275.58 6,171.28 5,661.83 15,042.08 6,621.79 6,497.56 52,615.42 6,921.17 58,608.51 12,229.11 6,326.00 21,715.31 7,577.03

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US dollar ................................................................1.11942 Japan yen .............................................................124.812 Switzerland franc .............................................1.09109 Denmark kroner................................................7.44281 Norway kroner .................................................9.36967

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DOW JONES C LOSING P RICES M AY 22

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 195,800 +0,29% 0,560 116M 76,8000 +0,55% 0,4200 68M 153,060 +0,34% 0,520 797M 180,760 +1,89% 3,360 109M 102,430 +2,21% 2,210 60M 106,52 +1,28% 1,35 201M 31,210 -0,54% -0,170 156M 43,90 +0,23% 0,10 187M 77,8200 +1,01% 0,7800 67M 81,93 +0,22% 0,18 347M 28,0500 +2,07% 0,5700 243M 215,39 +0,11% 0,23 84M 156,3000 +0,39% 0,6000 187M 151,98 +0,80% 1,20 142M 35,4000 +0,51% 0,1800 166M 84,7800 +0,98% 0,8200 301M 127,0000 +0,02% 0,0300 342M 148,1500 +0,78% 1,1400 120M 63,78 -0,17% -0,11 174M 67,690 -0,03% -0,020 522M 51,77 +0,17% 0,09 68M 32,4600 +0,74% 0,2400 193M 86,240 +0,43% 0,370 220M 120,79 -0,07% -0,09 33M 121,16 +1,50% 1,79 97M 172,59 +0,66% 1,14 166M 45,42 +0,84% 0,38 185M 92,48 +0,84% 0,77 170M 78,7700 +1,59% 1,2300 238M 107,5200 +0,79% 0,8400 168M

NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES M AY 22

COMPANY

PRICE

CHANGE NET / %

Most Advanced Sportsman's Warehouse Holdings, Inc. Vital Therapies, Inc. Destination XL Group, Inc. GlycoMimetics, Inc. PennTex Midstream Partners, LP Calithera Biosciences, Inc. Autodesk, Inc. AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Lonestar Resources US Inc. uniQure N.V. 21Vianet Group, Inc.

$ 5.70 $ 3.125 $ 2.40 $ 12.76 $ 19.88 $ 16.10 $ 109.91 $ 2.65 $ 4.27 $ 5.71 $ 5.51

0.97 ▲ 20.51% 0.525 ▲ 20.19% 0.40 ▲ 20% 2.09 ▲ 19.59% 3.23 ▲ 19.40% 2.40 ▲ 17.52% 14.08 ▲ 14.69% 0.30 ▲ 12.77% 0.48 ▲ 12.66% 0.55 ▲ 10.66% 0.53 ▲ 10.64%

$ 28.17 $ 4.45 $ 3.76 $ 22.30 $ 12.91 $ 33.31 $ 7.75 $ 3.46 $ 34.65 $ 4.35 $ 3.75

4.75 ▼ 14.43% 0.50 ▼ 10.10% 0.39 ▼ 9.40% 2.20 ▼ 8.98% 1.25 ▼ 8.83% 2.95 ▼ 8.14% 0.65 ▼ 7.74% 0.29 ▼ 7.73% 2.90 ▼ 7.72% 0.35 ▼ 7.45% 0.30 ▼ 7.41%

Most Declined VelocityShares Daily 2x VIX Short Term ETN Highpower International Inc Proteostasis Therapeutics, Inc. Coherus BioSciences, Inc. Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. Educational Development Corporation NantKwest, Inc. MakeMyTrip Limited Codexis, Inc. Digirad Corporation

E W N 25 - 31 May 2017 / Costa de Almería

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FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

ALMOST one year on from the Brexit vote that saw British expat pensioners living in Spain getting less in euros from State pensions due to a fall in the value of Sterling, those that still live in the UK face predicted price rises. While t h e o u t c o m e o f Bre x it may be uncertain, Mintel’s flagship British Lifestyles report reveals that consumers are braced for an expensive future ahead and that could be increasing depending on the General Election results. The report states that 83 per cent of Britons are currently concerned about seeing price rises on goods and services, with 59 per cent worried about the mounting cost of groceries, 35 per cent worried about the climbing cost of holidays and 26 per cent fearing that clothes prices will ascend. The report also looks at what it refers to as the bigger picture and four out of five interviewed are worried about the prospects for the National Health Service (NHS) and since the report was issued, it was almost crippled by the WannaCry virus and has been at the centre of the General Election manifesto

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Britons fear price rises reveals report

EXPENSIVE FUTURE: Worry over increase in grocery prices. promises from all of the main political parties. Many pensioners who live in Spain have decried the refusal to

pa y the m the w inte r fue l a llowance, but there may be some comfort in the fact that the Conservatives have stated that if elected,

they will introduce means testing for this allowance which means pote ntia l savi ngs of bi l l i ons of pounds.

Spanish government hopes to be able to influence the eurozone La Moncloa flickr

SPAIN wants to see an overhaul of the eurozone and has offered to lead the way. The economy ministry has revealed that it has sent a proposal to the European Commission suggesting greater economic unification amongst the 19 members who have adopted the euro as their unit of currency.

Spain is promoting itself as the one economy that has managed to drag itself out of financial difficulty. The government appears united on this proposal, supporting the concepts put forward by recently elected French President Emmanuel Macron and has stated that the euro has been vulnerable to economic influences which led to a painful increase in unemployment in countries such as Spain. Mariano Rajoy and his ministers want to see a new banking union, introduction of euro bonds, an anticrisis budget, and a common unemployment insurance scheme which would apply to all members of the eurozone. The timing of this proposal is crucial as the EU will be shortly reviewing its policy concerning the

MARIANO RAJOY: Wants to lead the reform of the eurozone. euro which when implemented will be far reaching, certainly as far as 2025. Spain believes that having worked its way out of the crisis it is ideally placed to lead the way forward. In addition to the proposed changes, it is also recommended that the EU increases its ability to oversee the actions of members to ensure that they are

implementing sensible and workable policies in order to grow their economies. Spain is promoting itself as the one economy in the zone that has managed to drag itself out of financial difficulty by the implementation of painful reform and is proud that it has recently become one of the most successful economies in the EU.

Spain offers to advise the EU on employment AT a G20 meeting in Germany, Spanish employment secretary Fatima Báñez announced the creation of a specialist employment committee. Consisting of a number of experts in the field of employment the committee will be charged with making recommendations for future employment options, especially in the digital field. The minister made it clear as first suggested in a Madrid conference the Spanish government has two aims, firstly to see the increase of pan-European employment at the rate of 500,000 jobs a year and to create a talented employee bank ready for the future. She believes it imperative to see stability of employment both for the peace of mind of workers but also to increase competitiveness suggesting that as one of the most successful economies in the eurozone Spain can lead with Germany. “We are aware much remains to be done,” said the minister, who pointed out that Spain faces two essential challenges, cultivating and attracting talent.”

Bad Bank to float shares BAD BANK Sareb is looking to float shares in a new estate agency which holds properties valued at €11 billion. Although believed to be State owned, it actually has private investors accounting for 55 per cent of its equity and they are looking to receive a 15 per cent return on their money during the life of the Bank. In addition to the huge property portfolio, mostly repossessed homes, Sareb has undertaken to fund the building of 3,716 apartments and houses ranging in price from €17,700 to €394,417 across 16 different regions including Andalucia, the Balearics and Valencia. Although it admits it has lost €751 million since its creation in 2012, it appears confident that as the Spanish economy recovers, it will generate positive revenue through the disposal of more properties.

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FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

MAIN SUPPLIERS: Accused of hiding certain information in small print.

Choice of telecoms providers shrinks By John Smith AS Spanish telecoms companies look to expand, the latest takeover offer values Zegona’s Telecable at €686 million. According to Basque based company Euskaltel it is prepared to take over debt of €245 million, payment of tax at €15 million and pay the balance in cash and newly created shares. Zegona only purchased Telecable for a reported €633 million as recently as 2015 and

In the past few years, five smaller companies have been taken over. the share offer which includes a seat on the board of Euskaltel and a 15 per cent shareholding in that entity may well be enough for the offer to be accepted at the AGM in June. During the past few years four major telecoms companies have between them taken

over five smaller companies, arguably reducing the choice users, although they still compete quite fiercely. All of the main suppliers of internet connections have however been accused by a consumer group of misleading new customers by hiding certain information in small print or not even mentioning the fact that prices can increase or that with fibre lines no phone line is needed, even though they often insist on charging for one.

Bid to create world’s largest toll road operator AS forecast in our 1660 edition, Italy’s Atlantia has bid €16.3 billion to take over Spain’s Abertis to create the world’s biggest toll road operator. They had first tried to amalgamate in 2006, but this fell through due to government opposition at the time. However there is no indication that any decision will involve significant government participation and it will be down to Abertis and its shareholders to accept or reject the offer which would create a €36 billion company. Atlantia are offering a combination of cash and shares in what has been described as a friendly approach whilst a spokesman for the Spanish company said

that although in discussion, the bid had not been requested and main shareholder Caixabank in particular will take its time to consider the offer. A marriage of the two companies is very much to the advantage of Atlantia (owned by the Benetton fashion family) which has seen income from the Italian market slow down so access to the lucrative French, Spanish and Latin American markets would be attractive. In turn, some of the concessions that Abertis operates in Spain are due to expire, so its shareholders may well consider this a good time to release a cash amount to invest elsewhere and still keep shares in the new company.

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EURO WEEKLY’S SPACE FOR YOU TO TAKE A BREA

Fill all the empty squares using the numbers 1 to 9, so that the sum of each horizontal block equals the ‘clue’ on its left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the clue on its top. No number may be used in the same block more than once.

MADDOCKS’ VIEW ON LIFE

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

‘ THOSE FIRELIGHTERS ARE SLOW BURNERS. ANTONIO - WE NEED HEAT. I AM HALF SCOTTISH SO PUT THIS TORY MANIFESTO ON THE BARBECUE ’

LOTTERY YOUR STARS FOR 7 DAYS Saturday May 20

BONUS BALL

IRISH LOTTO Saturday May 20

BONUS BALL

EURO MILLIONS Tuesday May 16

BONUS BALL

Friday May 19

BONUS BALL

4 9

LA PRIMITIVA Saturday May 20

BONUS BALL

48 9

EL GORDO DE LA PRIMITIVA Sunday May 21

33 42

34 47

LEO (July 24 - August 23) You are moving on in an important area but do not burn bridges before you have others to cross. You will know why I mention this later in the week. You are able to influence others far more than you realise, but with your wish to keep things on an even keel you may be giving away too much. You need to keep a balance.

CANCER (June 22 - July 23) Something that you had set your heart on, although still coming, is terribly slow. This is not a time to be a pessimist. Please don't, however, allow your tendency to put all your eggs in one basket trip you up. It is not necessary to go about things the way that you normally do.

BONUS BALL

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Is there a chance that you are burying your head in the sand? It is likely that something happening right in front of you is being overlooked or ignored. You are able to deal with this more easily than you think. Just take one step at a time and stick to your plan. Simply telling someone what to do instead of asking them to do it can work wonders. LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) This is not a time to take anyone for granted. At this time of the year people tend to look at their situation and ask if they are getting enough out of it. Neglecting someone now could store up a lot of problems for the future. Avoid doing anything that could lead to you being blamed later.

GEMINI

(May 22 - June 21)

This is your week to sparkle and show how clever you are. Why be modest? Let others know what you are capable of; your talents will come out sooner or later. Don’t be embarrassed when paid a compliment, for it is richly deserved. You have put on a jolly good show of late and it is now time to listen to the applause.

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) Now is your chance to go straight for what you want. The shock of having this opportunity could cause you to hesitate. Do bear in mind, though, that he who hesitates is often lost. The temptation to keep something for yourself is not selfish but sensible. SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) A big change means big chances, so don’t let small things get you down. In the past six months you have come a long way. You are not back where you started. You are being given the chance to start again, but this time you have far more experience. CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) Challenges that do not please you are inevitable. That does not mean that your attitude towards them could not change. Indeed, unless you want to continue to be upset, it must. Luckily, you have mostly had your own way recently. AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) You have a chance to give someone great delight, so why not go ahead? Your insecure side tells you that it is too good to be true and there must be a catch.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION abed aged aide arid bade bard bead bide bird brad bred dare dear dire drab drag dreg drib egad gird grad grid ibid idea raid read ride abide aider aired badge bared beard braid bread bride darer debar direr dirge drear drier gibed grade rabid radii raged rebid rider ridge rigid arider badger barged barred birder birdie bridge garbed girder grader raider regard abridge brigade abridger BRIGADIER

Why should there be? This is a situation that you may relax into as only you know how.

Sudoku

PISCES (Febraury 20 - March 20) Don’t look for spooks in the closet when there are none. Not only does it look silly but it wastes good time. Basing your actions on past disappointments can only lead to more of the same. Show confidence in others and they will show it in you. Sometimes, your patience wears thin but it is in your best interests to remain calm.

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.

ARIES (March 21 - April 20) Is someone that you are closely involved with trying to drive a hard bargain? Are you surprised at the amount of time and energy that they are throwing at it? It could be that they are more passionate about it than you realised. TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) You have been learning about certain people very fast. Do you feel as though you are in the middle of a soap opera? With the summer sun now high, it is possible that passions will fire up. Everything seems to revolve round one person and it is upsetting everything else.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

UK NATIONAL LOTTERY

TARGET: • Average: 10 • Good: 14 • Very good: 20 • Excellent: 26

OUT

25 - 31 May 2017 / Costa de Almería

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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

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

CRYPTIC

Quick

Across:

Across 1 Fellow approaching US place is a worry-guts (7) 5 Where boats may be seen made of tin and aluminium (5) 8 Wild Australian animal makes rumpus disappear (5) 9 Silver discovered in stylish old US city (7) 10 Pass four middlemen looking really laid-back (7) 11 Found Hydra making an emotional performance (5) 12 She’s as strange as parts of a window (6) 14 In Fermanagh a staff nurse is appalled (6) 17 Congratulate prior to key new start (5) 19 Custodian organises car tour (7) 21 Two requirements for tennis or another sport (7) 22 Flashlight reveals newt or chameleon (5) 24 Look at manuscript, it appears (5) 25 Remainder of new rise now owing (7)

1 Cantata, 5 Calms, 8 Motet, 9 Burma, 10 Dispute, 11/19 Dog tag, 12 Valet, 14 Charm, 20 Bobcats, 22 Blade, 23 Drive, 24 Chafe, 25 Torrent. Down: 1 Campus, 2 Noted, 3 Artiste, 4 Arbour, 5 Curse, 6 Leander, 7 Stingy, 13 Algebra, 15 Hoarder, 16 Static, 17 Object, 18 Patent, 20 Blake, 21 Spire.

QUICK

Down 1 Passing fancy that is in today and cast off a day later (3) 2 Dan is split between the ship and the beach (5) 3 Write about a side view (7) 4 Watch your heart (6) 5 Shed a few tears while cider brewed (5) 6 Hard core again rises and falls (7) 7 Keep an eye on a new teak floor (4,5) 10 Stops open for a change, then schedules for a later date (9)

Code Breaker

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Crossword

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Across: 13 Milo O’Shea, the Irish actor, reveals cover (7) 15 Butcher gets Ray wheels (7) 16 Don’t start joking, it’s purely visual (6) 18 Approaches broken snare (5) 20 Bored Tim almost a communist (5) 23 Colour seen in Mogadishu evening sky (3)

Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 16 represents J and 25 represents V, so fill in J every time the figure 16 appears and V every time the figure 25 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 Disordered (7) 5 Velocity (5) 8 School year divisions (5) 9 Open and genuine (7) 10 Lacking interest or excitement (4) 11 Free-standing post with hooks for hanging headgear on (8) 13 Portable computer (6) 15 Sex (6) 18 Knitted woollen jacket with buttons up the front (8) 19 Small pieces (4) 22 One more, in addition to a former (7) 23 At or in the front (5) 24 With the subtraction of (5) 25 Excess (7)

Down 1 Fortress in or near a city (7) 2 Fourth month (5) 3 Any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted (4) 4 Relaxed and unconcerned (6) 5 Suggestive of threatened evil (8) 6 Green gemstone (7) 7 Abject fear (5) 12 Makes a surface shiny (8) 14 Make off with belongings of others (7) 16 Lives (7) 17 Large marine mammal with tusks (6) 18 Maintain (5) 20 Perfect (5) 21 Just (4)

1 Serious, 5 Scrap, 8 Links, 9 Rules, 10 Stunned, 11 Owe, 12 Order, 14 Screw, 19 Add, 20 Generic, 22 Close, 23 Inane, 24 Silly, 25 Success.

Down: 1 Salary, 2 Rants, 3 Obscure, 4 Strong, 5 Solid, 6 Restore, 7 Pamper, 13 Radical, 15 Cardiac, 16 Famous, 17 Unless, 18 Excess, 20 Glory, 21 Crave.

ENGLISHSPANISH Across:

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

1 Bastar, 4 Seco, 8 Uncertain, 9 Veintidós, 11 Ama de casa, 12 Misa, 13 Escoba. Down: 1 Beer, 2 Saucepans, 3 Ascender, 5 Enamorado, 6 Own, 7 Arrivals, 10 Piña, 11 Arm.

CODE BREAKER

Across 1 Courgette (9) 6 Bordes (de asientos, andenes, pañuelos) (5) 7 Fly (insect) (5) 9 There (near you) (3) 10 Cangrejo (4) 11 Arena (tierra) (4) 13 Uso (utilización) (3) 15 Roncar (cuando se duerme) (5) 16 Wheat (5)

17 Traducir (9) Down 1 To fall (4) 2 Lizard (large) (7) 3 Great grandmother (9) 4 T-shirts (9) 5 Plomo (4) 8 Smile (7) 12 Bears (animals) (4) 14 Hueso (4)

25 - 31 May 2017 / Costa de Almería

LETTERS

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FEATURE

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

Looking for clarification SIR, I wonder if there could be some clarification regarding the piece on ‘Time for the Spanish tax returns’ of the 18-24 May edition. Having been tax residents for some years now and having had to pay income tax every year on our only income of our state pensions, we took your page to our accountant on Friday evening when completing this year’s return, and asked why we always pay tax. He informed us that the €22,000 quoted is for Spanish residents only who earn from a maximum of two jobs. All foreigners are only allowed to earn €11,200 before they have to pay tax. Were we still in the UK neither of

us would pay tax as our old age pensions do not equate to the level for payment of income tax. Several of our neighbours here in the Murcia region either don’t bother or are also paying tax. Could your Finance writer please rewrite the section with the correct details, unless it is relevant to the Valencia Region and not Murcia, in which case could that also be put in writing to save further querying of our accountants. Yours faithfully and a regular reader, Richard Prowse Cartagena Dear Richard, Thank you for your enquiry. As we

said in the piece, Spanish taxation is particularly complicated and this was just a brief indication of what was required. Everything that we have seen suggests that those treated as Spanish residents only need to complete a tax form if they earn above €22,000 and that the €11,200 refers to Spanish residents who have two jobs. If you own a property then there is also a need to complete a tax return. You obviously followed the advice received from your local accountant but in the meantime and in time for next week’s publication, we will make further investigations into the situation. Regards, John Smith

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

Dear Loopy Lee, Whilst I understand you are attempting to garner attention through Katie Hopkins-esque means, I’m afraid your mantra of ‘Leapy Lee says it others think it’ only reveals the flaw in the claims you make in your latest article, ‘They honestly haven’t got a clue.’ You see, I am the girl on the left in the photo used to accompany your article, captioned ‘YOUNG ADULTS: They simply haven’t been around long enough’ and I’m writing (age 17) to say that you haven’t been around young people long enough if you hold such generalised and ignorant views. By the time one reaches the age of 16 in the UK, one will have received a secondary education with a curriculum shaped by our very own government. If this education is insufficient in helping them form informed views and gain understanding of our nation’s history then that is a failing of education, not young people. Furthermore, should this problem exist, it isn’t magically resolved by age 21, the voting age you suggest. It is important everyone who can

Not in our name

Dog park Mijas I think this is an absolutely fabulous idea. There has never been many areas where dogs can run free without being worried about traffic and to have a proper play area with fun equipment is fantastic. Jenny Holmes

Malaga Airport changes In what commercial airport, anywhere in the world, is it possible to meet and greet a passenger and get them out of the airport in less than 15 minutes? This is just another stealth tax on the ordinary people. It often takes me over an hour to locate my visitors and get them gathered up before I can leave the airport. If you try parking outside the airport and wait for a phone-call from your visitors then drive up to the airport to whisk them off, you'll find it impossible to find a waiting area within a kilometre of the set down area. I have tried several times. Allan Cameron At least they do not have to pay £3.50 for 10 minutes to drop off at Stansted. Then it goes up to £01.00 for each minute over your allotted 10 minutes up to £25, didn't read any further. Suffice it to say it is very expensive to take a car on or near Stansted. Baron

A very dangerous man indeed (Leapy) Hi Lee Still vivid in my mind is seeing him on TV in Parliament... Virtually saying Sadam Hussan could deliver a nuclear device to the UK within 20 minutes !!! As he had weapons of mass destruction. That has got to be the most blatant lie ever spoken in Parliament and has cost thousands of lives since !!!! Then he is made UK Ambassador to the Middle East. (Unbelievable) But you can bet lurking in sidelines will be another just like him... Ready to latch on to any Blair success. Mandelson will be right behind him somewhere : The Terrible Twins !!! The UK TeddyBoy

IN PROTEST: At a referendum run on lies. make an informed decision is given access to the democracy which guides our country. If young people are, as you point out, able to choose to die for their country, then it is simply insulting to deem them ‘too inexperienced’ to make a choice. Our lives are impacted greatly by the government in power. Our education is determined by them. How much it costs for us to attend university is determined by them. Our healthcare faces cuts or funding depending on who is elected. Our freedom to live and work where we want in exchange for membership fees is determined by referenda they hold. With so much at stake, it is clear that young peo-

COMMENTS from EWN Online

ple would have every incentive to make an informed vote that best met our interests. You attempt to silence the voice of young people to advance your conservative agenda because we are naive and will feel that the ‘left are the answer,’ but my agenda is less partisan. I simply believe that it is important that we have a true and fair democracy. That is why myself and my friends took to the streets: to protest a referendum that was run on lies (£350 million to the NHS, anyone?) and was, as another of our signs said: ‘Not In Our Name.’ Yours truly, A Disenfranchised Youth

HAVE YOUR SAY 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 am just one of the millions that despise this cretinous creature. I sincerely hope that we are in the majority. Leo Roy Leon Surely the most dangerous man is Paul Dacre. Imposing his views, distorting the truth, and making the UK less tolerant. Did he invent fake news before Trump. The latest bizarre line was to publish a story about Gina Miller being found guilty of fraud in the USA. Not the Gina Miller of the UK who disagreed with Paul Dacre. I would not believe a word from the Daily Mail whereas I can take Blair with a pinch of salt. John Booth

Brexit task force Bad situation, many expats all over Europe, these are normal people living in foreign countries, a specific task must be put in place to assist these people. There is a big difference between illegal immigrants and people emigrating to other countries for retirement or to have a better life with their own money and work. Pps Estepona

They honestly haven’t got a clue (Leapy Lee 1662) Of course you think the voting age should be raised. How else to lessen the increasing likelihood of a Corbyn win. You are right. They do not know what it is ilke to live under the ‘depressing, inept incompetence of a left wing government.’ But, oh boy, they surely know what it is like to live under the depressing, inept incompetence of a right wing Tory government. It is all they have known.

Jonathan Whittingham

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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FEATURE

We brought the exiles home again! 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.

BY now I’ve told you four or five times that the village people just didn’t like us beach building folk. After all, Spain of the early 70’s was cheap; even with the smallest of pensions you could live exceeding well. We were changing that paradigm. Bottled drinking water was four times the price of wine. Need I say more? We were obviously ruining their good life. And we well understood why they didn’t like us. But, that doesn’t say we weren’t liked at all. The Spaniards living in the village could see the work we were creating and could also foresee the return of their sons and daughters from living in squalid conditions abroad where they were forced to immigrate. Their sons and daughters filled the dark factories of Germany or performed the menial tasks on the farms of France and Holland. Loved ones they would only see every 10 years would now have the possibili-

MOJACAR PLAYA: Ferias were all night affairs until dawn crept up on us.

ty of returning home and working. Spanish families could exist once again. So, for all the verbal abuse we endured visiting the village, it was well worth it come Easter time when

those exiled began to return and celebrate. Local merchants required more tradesmen, farms here were once again attended and produce began to flow. The village markets thrived as did the banking and bars.

A different Spain was being made in Almeria’s distant most desolate area. Who would have thought that the area’s most natural enemy, the sun, would flip and become its biggest ally. Towns that numbered less than

the hundreds (like Mojacar) began to replete themselves and a new energy transformed the countryside. Trucks began shipping once again over the tiny narrow roads that knitted Spain together. Soon, they too would need expansion as would the miniature stopping places along old trade routes to keep the commerce rolling. Almost monthly there were new tapas bars to visit and new worker’s relatives to greet. Wow, and with the advent of the village fairs, we were more than compensated with drink, food and strong friendship. Escorted about as if visiting royalty we were what allowed them to celebrate their ferias once again. A few years of that and believe you me one preferred to stay home than attend those raucous affairs; ferias that were always all night affairs until dawn crept up on us. We laughed, shouted and sang to wake up those that hadn’t stood the test of time before escaping into the early morning’s haze. Believe me, not everyone thought ill of our efforts building and creating jobs. Just a few that had personal interests at hand.

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Cava in Catalonia, or Port in Porto? Christina Sharp GLOBELINK INTERNATIONAL christina@globelink.co.uk.

WHO doesn’t love a holiday? And a taste of the local vino once they get there? So why not combine the two and try a wine tasting tour for your next break? What could be better than a trip to a world class wine region, where vineyards serve as stunning backdrops for tasting some of the best vintages available? There’s no need to go long-haul - Europe offers the perfect blend to choose from. Take a look at our travel suggestions to inspire your next trip. The steep-terraced vineyards of Portugal’s Douro Valley are among the world’s oldest winemaking regions. The landmark Sandeman winery offers a comprehensive tasting centre and is a must for Port lovers. Or chose one of 200 quintas (estates), including Port and DOC winemakers such as Fonseca Guimaraens Port Winery. Italy offers perky Prosecco (and Grap-

WINE TASTING: Create your own perfect blend with a wine tour holiday. pa…) in the unspoilt Dolomite peaks. Try the tiny hamlet of Rolle and Cantina Vigne Matte, with six different prosecco, plus a spectacular vista. Or opt for a Chianti lesson at Siena’s Tuscan Wine School, or the famous castle estate vineyards of Fonterutoli and perhaps the medieval town of San Gimignano to savour the Veraccia grapes. Alternatively, head to Piedmont’s infamous

Barolo where the Fratelli Barale have operated since 1870. If you prefer to engage in the age old battle of whether its Burgundy or Bordeaux, head for Chateaux D’Agasacc, or Domaine de la Romanée Conti, France. But note that many vineyards rarely allow visits and tastings without reservations. Check in advance to avoid missing out on the elegant pinot

noirs and characterful chardonnays. Whether it’s Cava in Catalonia or Port in Porto, experience the delights of local wineries whilst staying safe and remembering to buy Travel Insurance. It is not a lifestyle choice: it’s a must. Like it or not, as we get older, we’re less resilient when travelling away from home. Minor ailments that you usually shrug off may easily turn into health headaches when travelling. Decent travel insurance shields us from the holiday disasters that happen to ‘someone else.’ Insurance is a small price to pay for peace of mind - especially if that ‘someone else’ turns out to be you! Finally, given all this talk about wine: always drink responsibly. Injury or accident as a result of excessive alcohol will not be covered by your travel insurance! 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 call our Spanish link line on 966 265 000. Your Policy and Emergency Assistance Card will be delivered immediately by email.

& Stay active on holiday HEALTH BEAUTY

IT’S not the news those of us who look forward to having two weeks off doing nothing, wanted to hear, but a study claims that a two-week holiday can increase the risk of chroni c d i se a se s a n d e v en premature death. Whil st i t h a s l o n g b ee n thought that two weeks of relaxing o n t h e b e a c h in th e sunshine is good for our wellbeing, releasing stress and anxiety, a new study by the Univer si t y o f L i v e rp o o l claims that this time lounging around affects muscle mass and p r o d u c e s m e t ab o lic changes that drastically affect your heart health. Thei r st u d y i n c l u ded 2 8 healthy, p h y si c a l l y a c tiv e people with an average age of 25. They wore an armband to measure their physical activity and c o m p l e t e d a d i eta ry journal with assessments at the start of the study and after

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a 14-day ‘holiday’ where participants reduced normal activity by around 80 per cent, equating to a drop in exercising from 161 minutes a day to just 36 minutes, with time sitting around doing nothing increasing. Even in this relatively short space of time, after the 14-day pe riod of i nact i vi t y t he r esearchers observed noticeable changes in body composition inc luding l oss of skel et al muscle mass and increases in body fat. Returning to their original exercise programs, participants were unable to run for as long or the same intensity as they could previously. The lead author of the study said such changes can lead to chronic metabolic disease and even premature mortality and highlighted the importance of s ta ying physi cal l y act i ve, even on holiday.

Grandparents to blame? ARE you a doting grandparent? Well try not to dote too much on the little darlings as you risk leading them into a life of obesity. A new study claims that children who live closer to their grandparents are more likely to be obese as the older relatives shower their love in food. The research was conducted by the University of Birmingham in England, as they examined the region of Guangzhou, in southern China and looked at those who left their rural homes where it is more common for grandparents to care for the children. It is reported that around 15 per cent of Chinese youngsters and teenagers are overweight and the incidences were higher in those children who were left in the care of elders. In China a chubby child is seen as a symbol of health, prosperity and success but the research said to prevent the rise of obesity there must be an understanding on the causes of childhood obesity.

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The end of summer hair EVER noticed you lose more hair towards the end of the summer? If so, don’t worry, it is natural. According to experts during the summer more hair is needed to help protect the scalp against sunburn, but as the weather begins to cool the hair sheds naturally in larger amounts than normal as it is no longer needed. So what can you do to help prevent it? Very little it seems and unless you regularly lose more than 100 hairs a day there is nothing to worry about. Also, carry on brushing and washing hair as normal as to avoid it means that when you do, it will all come out at once, that can be even more alarming.

HAIR LOSS: Nothing to worr y about.

Most people lose anywhere from 50 to 100 strands of hair daily according to the American Academy of Dermatology, but hair loss can also occur for a number of other reasons such as medication. Certain medications can trigger hair loss such as those

prescribed for acne. Iron deficiencies are the most common cause of hair loss in premenopausal women, followed by polycystic ovarian syndrome, leading to excessive amounts of testosterone. Crash dieting and stress can also increase hair loss.

Brave baby survives despite odds A BABY born in India has become the smallest ever to have successful heart surgery. It is reported that the baby boy was born at just 28 weeks weighing just over one pound. He suffered from a condition where the two major blood vessels of the heart are connected called Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) which left him struggling to breathe. As he failed to respond to medication, surgery was the only option, being performed in an intensive care unit with miniaturised equipment as he was too fragile to be moved. His eyes, lungs and skin were also not fully developed leaving even doctors unable to touch his tiny body, but despite the odds, he survived.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Ask The Doctor

Brought to you by

Prevent heatstroke

SPECIALIST: Doctor Luis Perez Belmonte.

1. What is heatstroke? Heatstroke is where a person is exposed to high temperatures for a prolonged period of time, t ypi cal l y dur i ng t he hottest times of the year. Most patients suffering from heatstroke tend to have been doi ng som e form of intense physical activity which combined with warm temperatures, lead to the body’s core t em per at ur e t o r i se sometimes causing organ and system failure. 2. What are it’s symptoms? It begins as mild discom f or t , t hen, as t he body’s temperature rises, m uscl e and j oi nt pai n, nausea, vomiting. I t can al so l ead t o chest pains, palpitations, l oss of consci ousness and i n ext r em e cases heart failure. 3. What can you do if you/someone else is suffering from heatstroke? Firstly it is important to stop any physical act i vi t y you ar e doi ng at the time. Then it is important to find a cool space, drink plenty of liquids (water or isotonic drinks) and cool their skin by spraying them with cool water

and fanning or by using ice packs. If symptoms do not fade after these steps call a hospital. 4. When shoul d you contact emergency services? You shoul d al ways contact emergency services for assessment. Alt hough i n m ost cases r est , shaded ar eas and plenty of hydration are usually enough to recover, it is important to be checked over as heat stroke can lead to organ failure. 5. Who are the most at ri sk of suf f eri ng heatstroke? Some people are less l i kel y t o suff er f r om heatstroke depending on physical traits and a person’s level of fitness. The elderly, the young and peopl e wi t h l ongterm health conditions (such as diabetes or heart problems) are the most at risk. 6. How can you prevent heatstroke? Avoi di ng st r enuous physical activity during the hottest hours of the day and exposing oneself to high temperatures are t he best ways t o avoi d suff er i ng f r om heat stroke.

If you have any questions for Dr Perez Belmonte, please send them to: jefemedico@helicopterossanitarios.com

HEALTH & BEAUTY

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Worrying perception of obesity OVERWEIGHT: Many Spanish do not recognise they have a problem.

AS the number of those classed as obese is on the increase, perhaps even more worrying is the Spanish population’s perception of obesity. A survey presented by the Spanish Society for the Study of Obesity (Seedo) said that 82.2 per cent of those who are obese do not recognise they have a problem and up to 12 per cent of them think they have a ‘normal weight.’ President of Seedo, Francisco Tinahones, warned this is “tremendously worrying” with obesity now affecting more than 20 per cent of society, twice as much as 25 years ago. With obesity being linked to other diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and osteoarthritis, he pointed out the importance of “identifying the problem” so that measures can be taken to alleviate it. “It is important to change the perception, to see that this is a problem and address it as a disease,” said Tinahones.

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Flowers of Heaven By Duncan Burr A COUPLE of weeks ago, on arriving at the Chapel in Aljambra, we found the outside beautifully decorated with wild flowers, a purple floral cross on the door. Our initial reaction was that there’d been a misunderstanding and that the local Spanish were celebrating the Flower Festival, planned for the last weekend in May a touch early, but further enquiry revealed that these decorations were actually in celebration of La Divina Pastora, or Divine Shepherdess, to whom the Chapel is dedicated. How important it is to celebrate significant anniversaries in our lives. And how lovely to see this floral tribute, in plain view for all who pass. I’m not sure the Flower Festival, planned for later this week will be able to compete visually from the outside, but with nearly 50 displays promised, each celebrating gratitude for some aspect of life, the inside of the Chapel should be quite spectacular. For ourselves as a Church, we’re

FLORAL CROSS: Beautifully decorated. promoting this event in gratitude for the foresight of the town hall in refurbishing this building for community use and allowing regular Church Services in English for the past 10 years. And it’s been wonderful to find that what had initially been per-

ceived as a British celebration has been so completely endorsed by our hosts, with many Spanish businesses and individuals getting involved and offering displays and/or practical help to ensure its success. So this is one way of giving thanks to the community and to

God. And the more we look around, the more we see, despite occasional set-backs, for which we need to give thanks. There’s an old hymn which includes the words ‘count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done’ and I can only say how much we each can benefit from taking time to do just that. And if, counting your blessings, you too feel there’s much to be grateful for, then may I invite you to share that gratitude in visiting this free of charge festival of thanksgiving this weekend. Details of a number of English Language Churches are given in Sol Noticeboard for any who wish to Worship, but further information about the Anglican Church and details of forthcoming events may be seen on the web site www.mo jacarchurch.org. Duncan Burr is Licensed Lay Reader for the Anglican Chaplaincy of Costa Almeria and Costa Cálida and may be contacted at djburr@avired.com.

SCENE

OCIAL

Puppet Masters ONE of Spain’s most acclaimed theatre groups will be touring Almeria Province over the coming weeks with a special puppet show that has received extremely good reviews. The Axiom Theatre Group consists of generations of artists and is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year. The group have received numerous awards and performed 42 independent productions in every corner of Almeria as well as international festivals, fairs and theatre circuits. On June 1, 2 and 3, Axiom will be performing their puppet play El Legado (The Legacy) each evening at 9.30pm at the Patio de Luces. A tour of the province will then get underway with dates scheduled in five yet to be named municipal theatres on June 10, 17, and 30, and July 1 and 8. There are also special puppeteering workshops set to be held in Vera, Tabernas and Gador. Visit the Axiom Theatre Group website to keep up to date with the latest news.

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SOCIAL SCENE

Speed devils take over

FESTIVAL: Moors and Christians just around the corner.

PORSCHE GT3: Winner of last year’s Costa del Almeria Rally. LADIES and gentlemen start your engines. The 43rd Costa de Almeria Rally kicks off this weekend with the test race on Saturday and the main event on Sunday. A major fixture on the Spanish rally racing scene since 1964, the race will draw 50 top drivers and an estimated crowd of 20,000 to streets across the province.

This year’s race will cover a two-stage route of more than 375km with 10 timed and four non-timed sections, tearing off from the capital and taking in Vicar and the Filabres and Sierrra Alhamilla for a spectacularly scenic route. It has been described as one of the most important touristic events the province will see all year, and one of

the few occasions where Almeria suddenly becomes the epicentre of the sporting and motoring worlds. Race results contribute directly to the Andalucian and Spanish professional rally racing rankings. Saturday’s first stage begins in Los Filabres in the afternoon with epic stretches between Benizalon and Benitagla, and from Cobdar to Uleila del Campo. Evening tests take place on Avenida Federico Garcia Lorca. On Sunday there is an early departure towards Vicar before a speedy return to the city looping around Enix. The race is expected to conclude by 12pm with an awards ceremony at 2pm and parties, music and flowing drinks well into the night.

Medieval magic comes alive THE official schedule for one of Mojacar’s biggest festivals is now in. The costumes are ready and now the timetable set for the stunning Moors and Christians festival which takes place in just a few weeks. From June 9-11 Mojacar will be showing the rest of Spain how its done with one of the top Moors and Christians events in the country, one which attracts thousands of people from here and abroad. It is a tremendously dramatic reenactment of the medieval wars between Christians and Muslims that forged Almeria as we know it today. There are three elements. From June 5-9 the Bartolome Flores School will be running educational workshops teaching people about the history of Mojacar’s most famous festival and its origins. There will also be special classes on life in Medieval Mojacar.

The legendary medieval market opens on Friday June 9 at noon and on the Saturday and Sunday at 11am. It features all kinds of terrific handmade products sold by merchants dressed in medieval clothes. On the evening of Friday 9 Christian troops will enter Mojacar at 11pm followed by marching bands and live music. The party will last at least until dawn. On the Saturday from 6pm there will be horse riding and a dressage competition on Playa del Lance followed by pitches battles, handkerchief wars and a dance and fire show. Back in Mojacar centre the party once again runs through the night. On Sunday the party begins bright and early at noon on the beach before a massive gala takes place in the centre from 6.30pm with an unbelievable atmosphere guaranteed.

SOCIAL SCENE

25 - 31 May 2017 / Costa de Almería

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Cheers Roy, you gave us a lot now enjoy the rest! GOOD FOOD, GOOD WINE AND GOOD FRIENDS WITH

GARRY WAITE

NE OF THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY’S ICONS has passed away at the relevantly young age of 75 from a stroke. Roy Ackerman was indeed a giant of our industry. A bon viveur, the original ‘foodie’ who liked nothing better than a great meal, a fine bottle of wine, a good cigar and someone decent to share it with. Over the years he accumulated a mass of friends, fans and followers. He was born in Bristol in 1942. He first started as an apprentice chef, a title he used for a TV programme he later made. His hard work and enthusiasm culminated in the opening of his first restaurant Quincy’s Bistro in Oxford in 1975 which is where I first met him. Even in those days you could see the man was determined to leave his mark on an industry that he loved so much. He joined forces with the late Michael

Golder and between them they forged a formidable restaurant chain - Kennedy Brookes - which went on to operate 130 restaurants and hotels. Following the sale of Kennedy Brookes, Ackerman went on to be appointed as chairman in myriad restaurant company and consultancy groups including Simpsons of Cornhill, 190 Queen’s Gate, the Restaurant Partnership, the Restaurant Factory and, more latterly, Tadema Studios. His involvement with these businesses resulted in the opening of a plethora of restaurants and concepts in London, among them Bistro Bistrot at the Montague and Bailey’s hotels and Refettorio at the Crowne Plaza City, as well as breathing new life into such lauded venues as Elena’s L’Etoile, the Gay Hussar and the White Tower. Ackerman was also something of a Renaissance man, exploring various aspects of the arts, but always with a connection to hospitality. As well as producing a series of highly respected restaurant guides, he launched CoolCucumber TV, an early online food magazine programme. More recently he

TRIPADVISOR IS BACK IN THE NEWS, does it ever go away? This time because, a venue has complained about a review posted by a disgruntle customer. High Rocks, a restaurant and wedding venue in Tunbridge Wells in Kent, has hit back after a visitor left a one-star review on the travel site. A Sarah Gardner visited the restaurant in March and apparently had a less-than satisfactory experience. She decided to share her opinion about what she felt was ‘mediocre’ food and ‘rude’ staff by writing a review. Within a week, Sarah received a letter from London law firm Cohen Davis Solicitors instructing her to remove the post which they deemed as defamatory and therefore against the law. The letter claimed that High Rocks had caused “financial harm worth tens of thousands of pounds” and the firm intended to prepare a High Court claim against the lady in question. The law firm, which is owned by Yair Cohen, provided a statement which says that Sarah Gardner had falsely claimed, in three separate TripAdvisor reviews, to have attended their clients’ establishment in March 2017 when, on her own admission, apparently she had not. They claimed that, because of that, her reviews could not be described as a fair and accurate review of her experience or an honestly held opinion. Ms Gardner’s false reviews came about because she was banned from booking our client’s establishment having been extremely rude and offensive to staff over the telephone. Ms Gardner also claimed to have recorded a telephone conversation with the owner and his wife

headed up Ackerman Studios, an art consultancy which partnered emerging artists with restaurants and hotels, such as the Dorchester Collection’s 45 Park Lane, to provide them valuable gallery space. One of Ackerman’s most significant successes came in 1987, when the Licensing (Restaurant Meals) Act came into force. As chairman of the Restaurateurs’ Association of Great Britain (RAGB), he spear-headed the campaign to reform the archaic licensing regulations of the time and even led a march of 200 RAGB members on Downing Street, two years earlier. The new law enabled alcohol to be served with restaurant meals in the afternoon for the first time, transforming the sector by boosting business and profits. Ackerman was involved in many other organisations. He was chairman of the Hotel and Catering Training Board and held numerous honorary positions, including president of the Academy of Food and Wine Service, chairman of the governors of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and chancellor of the Wine Guild of the United Kingdom.

DON’T CRY OVER SPILLED MILK. BY THIS TIME TOMORROW, IT’LL BE FREE YOGHURT. Stephen Colbert The late power house that was Roy Ackerman, holding his Industry Award. Among some of the accolades bestowed on Ackerman throughout his long and illustrious career was an OBE presented to him in 1990 for his work on promoting tourism and training which was followed by the CBE, given for his services to gastronomy in 2004. Ultimately, Ackerman will be remembered for the kindness and support he showed so many people throughout the industry and his love of life. Hundreds of individuals over the years will have benefited from his willingness to help them in furthering their business ambitions - he would frequently work on a no-fee basis in order to support aspiring young chefs and restaurateurs on setting up their businesses on a confidential basis, as well as supporting community projects and charities. He leaves behind his wife Sally and their children. Cheers Roy, you gave us a lot, now enjoy the rest!

The High Rocks Restaurant and Banqueting Suites. Idyllic or Imperfect? but, when pressed to provide a copy of the recording was unwilling or unable to do so. Her false reviews were noted by many potential clients of event restaurant business and were therefore damaging the venue’s reputation. In response to the claims, Ms Gardner claimed that she was never ‘banned’ from the establishment and that she was neither offensive, nor loud. It was claimed that she had never visited the establishment, despite her providing proof that she had, consisting of emails, bank statements and photographs, while the venue and their lawyers provided nothing. She claims that “Mr Cohen is banking on me not contesting the lies, I am unfortunately in this position

because of my honesty and unwillingness to continue to be bullied” Her review has since been removed from the TripAdvisor website. “The reviews were removed due to bullying, not for any other reason,” continued Sarah Gardner. This is not the first time that the High Rocks has been involved in legal action after complaints from clients. Also a look at their TripAdvisor reviews show that of 130 reviews, 84 were excellent (64 per cent) but reading through the comments 10 were average, seven were poor and five were terrible. The poor and terrible reviews did claim that service, attitude and poor staff and food were the main grievances. Long may the rows continue!

YOU MAY HAVE SEEN McDonalds TV add which depicts a mother and her son discussing ‘his Dad’ in the past tense. How he liked this and that and football etc It turns out that the boy had little in common with his late dad, until he arrived with his mother at a McDonald’s when it transpired that the boy enjoys a Filet-oFish in just the same way that his father did. “That was your dad’s favourite too,” the mother tells her son in the advert ‘getting tartare sauce over his chin!’ Personally I found the ad quite poignant and it was handled well and whatever one’s opinion of McDonalds and their food the basis of the ad was to show that memories are good and can be shared with the family. Would you believe that the company has been made to withdraw the advert? The company initially said that it had no plans to pull the advert. However, as the number of complaints on social media and among bereavement charities grew, McDonald’s announced that the advert would be removed and apologised for the upset it had caused. A spokesperson for McDonald’s said: “It was never our intention to cause any upset. We are particularly sorry that the advert may have disappointed those people who are most important to us – our customers. The last advert was broadcast on Wednesday 17 May. “We will also review our creative process to ensure this situation never occurs again.” The Advertising Standards Authority, which received more than 100 complaints, said it would be looking at the advert to assess whether to take the matter further. Someone out there should get a life!!

ON THAT NOTE I will bid you farewell until next week and should aspiring restaurateurs need some help or advice, please do not hesitate to contact me. A toast to Good Food, Good Wine 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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ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS

First time for a foreign mayor? NOW with the dubious distinction, only shared with Albox, of having three of its last four mayors disqualified from public office, Partaloa could soon become the first municipality in Almeria to have an expat mayor. Following the dismissal of two leading Spanish candidates, councillors Antonio Penuela and Enrique Montalvo, a likely shortlist now comprises one Belgian and four Brits. The town council is still reeling from a recent judgement condemning a previous administration for its complicity in granting licenses to build 29 homes on land where construction was technically illegal. A criminal court in Almeria condemned the role of already disgraced former leader Federico Molina, and the two councillors who have been banned from office for seven years.

Childhood epidemic CHILDREN across Albox took part in a healthy new initiative encouraging them to eat their greens. The free activity saw local youngsters strap on their aprons and learn how to cook their own healthy meals, packed with fruit, veg and lean meats. They enjoyed talks from top nutritionist Carolina Gonzalez and worked with chef Marife Montoya who showed them how to create a delicious meal from tomatoes, lettuce, carrots and turkey. The initiative comes as part of a region-wide program to combat childhood obesity, a growing epidemic in Spain and major health concern. Experts are worried that the famed Mediterranean Diet no longer influences the daily eating habits of young people across Spain. By going back to basics with healthy and local products, Albox hopes to lead the way in educating youngsters.

ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS

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Global ambassador by Matthew Elliott A MAJOR multinational based in Cantoria pulled off a huge publicity coup by securing joint event with iconic model Cindy Crawford. Leaders from the American wing of Almanzora Valley giant Cosentino held a star-studded event in Hollywood to celebrate Crawford becoming the new global face of the company. Around 300 top architects and executives from California attended the event, which was presided over by Eduardo Cosentino. He described Crawford, now 51, as representing the beautiful and elegant aesthetic that defines Silestone, the firm’s top brand which leads the world in quartz surfaces. Cosentino has an advantage over its global rivals in having roots in Macael, home to one of the largest quartz quarries in the country. The American model is now the official brand ambassador

CINDY CRAWFORD: New face of Cantoria company. for Silestone, boosting Cosentino’s dominance of interior design markets in Europe and the Americas. She

told press that she admired the dedication Cosentino has in creating beautiful surfaces and in making the home special.

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WHETHER Albox mayor Francisco Torrecillas can raise public money to help renovate the old convent depends on the goodwill of local business leaders. And their goodwill depends on whether he can provide a concrete set of blueprints. After securing a long term lease for the convent to create a new town hall, Torrecillas urged Albox residents to donate to its renovation. The lease was made on the understanding that the old building would undergo full repairs within five years. But the Association of Employers and Professionals isn’t placing absolute faith in the mayor’s ability to get the job done. They will lend money

ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS

Show us the blueprints CONVENT: Albox needs funds to convert it into a town hall.

.only when he provides precise measurements, budgets, health and safety certificates

and surveyor studies. Torrecillas has promised to create a special plaque with

the names of all donors made public in recognition of their generosity.

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Pool heating - 4 steps - 4 days - 4 sure! MY pool at 28° asap! Can you do it? Albert from Poolworx: “Sure! This is a question we frequently get via our website and the answer is YES, when you’re living in Spanish costa climate conditions. Swimming whenever you want, whatever the season, that’s what our customers are looking for and that’s what we make possible. With a pool cover on, we are always confident of the timing and result. How does that work? Installer Simon Spragg explains: “As soon as night-time temperatures exceed 10°, it takes only four days to heat the average 8x4 pool from 15° to 28°. After that, you can easily keep your pool up to temperature by running it during offpeak hours only! “A heat pump is the single most efficient way to heat a pool and you don’t need sunshine, only ambient temperature. The cost to run it during spring season is less than 2€/day. The Duratech units are high-end Belgium-made products, developed with Belgian universities. It efficiently absorbs heat from the air and transfers it into the pool water, like a reverse aircon.”

What are the 4 steps? Albert: “Step 1 is talking to you in person! Choosing the right model, fit for your pool is where it all starts. Poolworx is always your contact, before and after installation! We do the calculations and assess your current pool situation. This includes an analysis of the circulation system setup. If required, we do a site visit. We then pick the best available spot to install the unit. If needed a solid base is put in place. After

that, it’s a natural job for a skilled installer. Try out our online calculator at www.poolworx.eu!” Simon: “Step 2 is the installation of the unit. Once the heat pump is on site, we mount it on rubbers and hook up electrics. This is straightforward as the heat pump is connected to your existing wiring, 230V single phase. All models can steer circulation autonomously and even start/stop automatically by detecting the water flow from your pool pump. This means you

have full flexibility! “Step 3 is the installation of bypass valves to direct the flow of pool water from the existing pipework to the heat pump and back. No need to run the water through the unit during boiling hot summer months! “Step 4 is setting the desired temperature via the digital control panel and after that … four days of patience and you can start enjoying your pool at any moment you feel like it!”

Contact Poolworx or refer your preferred installer for a no obligation ‘pool specific’ price quote, by calling Spain 643 363 179 or Belgium (+32) 497 408 800, email albert@poolworx.es or visit their websites in English at WWW.POOLWORX.EU | Spanish at WWW.POOLWORX.ES | Dutch at WWW.POOLWORX.BE

The soothing sounds of water in the garden THERE is nothing better when getting home from a hard day’s work, to be able to sit out in the garden and relax. This moment of winding down from the day could be considerably enhanced with a water fountain, as it helps create a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere. A water fountain can be a bit daunting to those of us that shy away from DIY, but armed with a basic knowledge and the appropriate materials, it is possible to create the beautiful sound of trickling water in your garden, without too much effort. A water fountain is made up of three things, including water, to flow up a pipe in a continuous cycle. A pump is required to propel the movement of water and an apparatus over which the water can flow. To create a tiered water fountain, you would need to take a waterproof pot and drill a hole in the bottom, to be able to feed

the plug from the pump through, while the pump is placed inside. Then fill the hole with putty to make it waterproof. A rubber hose should be attached to the pump to be fed through another hole of a slightly smaller pot and repeat this process until you have three levels. When the hose reaches the top pot, this can be trimmed. It is advisable to form a secure base for the fountain, and insert stones into the pots, making sure they are stacked neatly, to accommodate the overflow of water. The last thing to do is fill the pots with water and switch on the pump. A final finishing touch would be to landscape around

WATER FEATURE: Will enhance your garden.

the feature, after you have enjoyed listening to the sound of your water feature first, and putting your feet up with a cup of tea!

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Chicory or endive the choice is yours ADDING different varieties of fresh garden vegetables to summer salads is always a passion for connoisseur chefs. If you have a space for growing salad vegetables there is a huge range of different types, flavours, shapes and uses for the ever increasing possibilities. The vast array of choices can make selection a difficult task when it is not possible to sample all the possibilities as most are not readily available in stores and even markets have their limitations compared with what is available to grow if you can manage your own salad garden. A great example is the endive that has evolved from the chicory plant or botanically speaking the Cichorium genus of plants. Basically the top leafy zone of the plant is salad endive and the root is the chicory part that is used as a coffee substitute when ground up, but not always - it’s not that simple. With so many varieties and types of Cichorium available the names are often varied in use and there are

Ruud Morijn Shutterstock

By Graeme Tyrrell

A field of healthy Cichorium.

many other names used to describe the parts of the plant used and grown in different ways. This makes the Cichorium plant fascinating in that so many possibilities exist to grow and prepare it. A species of the wild Cicorium grows naturally in Spain and other areas of Europe and is known as blue succory. You can find it in rural areas when it

displays its characteristic blue flower in late spring. With the interbreeding and selection of plants from other countries it has become difficult to relate what is now available to the original plants. Well-known developments from Cichorium include Radicchio, French endive, sugarloaf/witloof/Brussels chicory, Belgian (red) endive, red

chicory, succory, Chioggia, Verona, Treviso, Castelfranco (types), curly endive, escarole, broad-leaved/Bavarian endive, Batavia endive, grumolo, chicory/frisée and scarola. Cichorium is naturally bitter in taste so much of its selection and growing methods are designed to make the taste more pleasant. The principal way to do this is through

blanching. Blanching is done in two distinct ways. One is to grow the plant and, when to the required size, wrap it in light proof material to exclude light on the leaves to blanch the leaves of the green colour to produce the whitish yellow leaves with less bitterness. Some varieties can self blanch by their outer leaves, sometimes assisted by tying them closed, protecting the inner part that is the usable part for salads and cooking. The other method is to grow the plant full season over summer and in autumn dig up the plant, cut the top leafy part off and replant the roots in a dark place covered to exclude light. New growth will emerge from the strength of the roots to provide delicious chicons which are a wondrously interesting vegetable that can be prepared in a number of ways by adventurous chefs. You don’t need a lot of space to grow Cichorium and they are generally very hardy. They make a great hobby vegetable if you have the time to care for them to produce the unique flavours and forms.

Feng shui brings opportunities to your door THERE is not usually a great regard for how our homes could reward us with a better life as far as welcoming in opportunities, but we could incorporate some ideas from Asian culture into the home. Feng shui has been around for centuries and originates from the East where everyday lives are predominantly ruled by harmony and superstition. The philosophy is that a home should be inviting, allowing a path for free f l o w i n g e n e rg y t o m o v e a r o u n d t h e s p a c e t h a t ’s available. In general, a house should be free of clutter and contain only the things that we love. There should be an abundance of good quality air and light, including open windows and air-purifying plants. The first aspect that visitors will encounter is always the entrance, but if this area looks as if it’s unc a r e d f o r, t h e n i t o n l y

makes sense that people will be a bit hesitant about entering the home. Our homes are a reflection of our lives and if presented and arranged correctly, you may get visitors and maybe

encourage good energy in all aspects of your life. I f y o u ’ r e a b e g i n n e r, i t would be wise to consult the ‘Bagua,’ or Feng shui energy map that explains which area of the house is

PERMACULTURE EDUCATION SUSTAINABLE DESIGN Telephone: 666 33 33 35 info@permamed.org http://permamed.org/

connected to particular areas of your life, including c a r e e r, r e l a t i o n s h i p s a n d money. The first thing to focus on though, is the door, because tha t is w he re the e ye is

drawn to on entering. The area around the door can be improved with a touch of paint, a wind chime nearby, some colourful plants and better lighting. All of this will invite

g o o d e n e rg y i n t o y o u r home and when you’re finished applying feng shui, just sit back and wait, for you never know who or what will come knocking at your door.

25 - 31 May 2017

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Summer safety

Active days out with dogs DOGS give so much love to their owners and most are regarded as a family member. Most owners take their dogs out on their usual walking routine, but once in a while it would be interesting for them to try other outdoor activities. There are a few interesting and challenging options, which include hiking trails or dog-friendly parks. Swimming is another good form of exercise for dogs. Playing fetch on the beach with all that fresh air is invigorating for dog and owner. If you’re a fitness junkie that goes jogging every day, you could take the dog with you, so get a hands-free running leash to have round your waist.

PETS PAGE

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

DURING the summer months responsible dog owners must take vital precautions to protect their pets from the season’s many hazards. Dogs have inefficient cooling systems compared to humans. With sweat glands in its tongue and paw pads, a dog primarily sweats by panting. If something such as a muzzle or a respiratory blockage interferes with its ability to pant, a dog may overheat quickly. A high temperature of more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit can produce rapid panting, bright red gums, tongue and other mucus

membranes, vomiting, watery and bloody diarrhoea and staggering. Thick saliva is also a sign of impending heat stroke. If a dog is not treated immediately it is possible that coma, respiratory collapse and death can ensue. If your dog shows any signs of heat stroke, cool it off by submerging the dog in tepid water and immediately take it to your vet. Cooling a dog that is in shock too fast can cause further problems, and it can actually go hypothermic, which is too low in temperature. Using ice water to cool your dog may actually prove to be a detriment, it can cause a narrowing of the arteries to the skin, and thus the animal will retain the heat longer. It is also a good idea to make a breeze like a fan, blowing towards the animal; this will allow gradual cooling. Overheating can occur at any time when a dog is subjected to hot temperatures, humidity and

exercise. I do not recommend leaving dogs in cars even with the windows down and certainly never to allow them to travel with their heads out of the car windows. If ever you see a dog in a car unattended for more than five minutes call the police, the owners will be fined. It is advisable to carry water in the car, keep the water in the boot of the car and out of the sun; dogs do not drink warm or hot water. Pay attention to exercise if your dog starts to pant, stop and give water. Sand on the beaches will burn his paws; the pavements can fry an egg, and will also burn your pet’s paws. If you are off for the day to the mountain areas pay special attention if the dog has never been above sea level. Some owners condition themselves with a run around the block and expect their dog to run, this is unwise. Never allow your dog to run be-

HEAT STROKE: If your dog starts to pant, stop and give water.

hind a car, one day he will run behind another and you will either loose him or he will be killed by other cars. Exercising young or small dogs needs special attention. One must realise that small dogs take 10 steps to our one, young dogs under 18 months need most of their energy for growing! Dogs in kennels need plenty of shade and water and it is a good idea to hose down your

dogs a couple of times every day with the hose, not on the head or ears. Finally a lot of thought should go into grooming and clipping your pet. Many owners think it better to clip their pets short in hot weather. I recommend that dogs are not clipped too short otherwise their skins will burn. Dog’s coats are for protection against cold weather and the sun.

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25 - 31 May 2017

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Clarkson Quote of the Week

On the Ford Focus: “It’s like an air hostess wearing orange.”

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Motoring shorts Some might say...

Apple & Android revolution By Matthew Elliott THE new 2017 models of MINI’s Clubman and Countryman will come fresh off the production line equipped with Ap-

BMW CLUBMAN: Next to embrace Apple CarPlay technology.

ple CarPlay connectivity incorporated into the cars’ infotainment systems. The BMW brand has wheeled out a variety of changes for all cars in the two ranges produced from the summer onwards following customer surveys. Dri-

ver friendly adaptations to the fuel gauge and MINI driving modes button are responses to customer requests. There is also a new driver alertness monitor which checks your reaction times and general technique to ensure you’re not about to fall asleep at the wheel. But undoubtedly the synchronicity with Apple’s hugely popular CarPlay smartphone system is the big MINI news of summer. By simply plugging their iPhones into the car’s USB port, an Applestyle touchscreen will appear allowing drivers to do pretty much everything they can on their phone in the car while driving

and using voice commands. Car-phone connectivity beyond simply playing music is fast becoming a must-have for all new models, demanded by customers from airport car rentals to everyday car showrooms. At the moment Apple is ahead of the curve but manufacturers are set to make Android connectivity just as ubiquitous. Volvo is working closely with Google to establish Android Auto in all of its new cars within the next two years. There are rumours that the Swedish brand will incorporate new technology that allows autonomous driving applications to be downloaded on phones and easily used while driving. An example would be the self-park technology already rolled out by BMW. It allows drivers to simply press a button on their phone ordering the car to park perfectly in even the tightest of spaces. They can even step outside the car to carefully check there’s no chance of a mistake.

Vending machine LUXURY cars are being dispensed to wealthy buyers from a gigantic ‘vehicle vending machine’ in Singapore. The country is notoriously short on space and flush with skyscrapers and rich Chinese businessmen, making the vertical vending machine a natural idea. The car showroom from Autobahn Motors stands 15 stories tall and has a stellar variety of Ferraris, Mercedes and Bentleys stashed in 60 slots, four on each floor. Buyers on the ground floor have a touchscreen menu and can simply press a button to have the car of their choice descend on a lift for viewing. The innovative idea looks set to take over showrooms in places like Singapore, Shanghai, Toyko and Dubai where space is in short supply, but there is a huge appetite for luxury cars and a personal consumer touch.

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25 - 31 May 2017 / Costa de Almería E W N

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SUBARU IMPREZA: McRae’s old 555 is up for auction in June.

Rally icon under hammer RALLY legend Colin McRae’s Subaru 555 is going up for auction. The 1997 Impreza is expected to fetch at least €250,000 as one of the most iconic collector’s items available in the sport. The Impreza series won three consecutive world titles from 1995-1997 with the 1997 model being the first developed for the new WRC class.

It was driven by the late Scotsman during his final season with Subaru before going on to achieve some of the highest honours in Rally Racing. It was actually tested in Spain where McRae spent weeks getting a feel for the 555 ahead of the Monte Carlo race. He told press at the time that he couldn’t wait to take it on the French track.

He left but Italian driver Piero Liatti duly won first at Monte Carlo in the new car’s, and his, first major victory. That year also saw wins for the 555 in Sweden, Kenya and across France, clocking up 19 victories. Two years later in 1999 with McRae out the Subaru picture, it was even driven by Valentino Rossi in the 1999 Rally di Monza.

E W N 25 - 31 May 2017 / Costa de Almería

New BMW 8 Series EXCITING reports confirm that BMW has given the goahead to production of a brand new 8 Series. The German manufacturer has been toying with the idea for months, if not years. They’ve finally decided to give the M8 the green light and mount a serious challenge to Mercedes’ hugely successful S-Class Coupe. It has been almost two decades since the original 8 Series came to an end. Immensely popular among drivers, calls for a modern update have been nagging away at BMW’s top brass for years. A teaser trailer for the new M8 is due for official release tomorrow. Industry insiders who have seen clips report a low profile with powerful wheels and eyecatching ergonomics. Chief executive Harald Kruger said the new 8 Series will follow BMW’s “tradition of luxurious sports coupes and add a genuine dream car to our line-up.” Tomorrow’s release will show a concept version of the car, which will likely undergo radical changes before it debuts in Geneva sometime in the next few years.

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MOTORING

ROAD TEST by Nick Fletcher

Audi A5 S Line REFINED high performance luxury coupes are a niche market and aimed at very discerning buyers who demand outstanding driving dynamics and cossetted comfort. Brands such as Mercedes Benz, BMW, Jaguar and Lexus occupy this territory and so too does Audi whose latest sleekly-styled A5 model offers plush technoladen cabin and sharp performance and handling in an overall package very hard to resist. The new A5 is slightly

longer and a tad narrower than its predecessor, with subtle styling details giving it a potent yet classy image. Prices start at €37,677 (£32,140) and every A5 comes with xenon headlamps, cruise control, 17-inch alloys, climate control, LED running lights, Bluetooth connectivity and Audi’s MMI infotainment system. There are various petrol and diesel engines in the line-up and my test model utilised the 2.0 litre 187 hp diesel mated to a sevenspeed auto gearbox and in

Stats panel: Model: Audi A5 S Line Engine: 2.0 litre diesel Transmission: 7-speed automatic Performance: 0-100 kph 7.7 seconds, top speed 235 kph (146 mph) Economy: 23.8 kpl (67.3 mpg) Emissions: 111 g/km

sporty S Line trim. This version is priced at €44,664 (£38,100). The 0-100 kph time is just 7.7 seconds, top speed 235 kph (146 mph) and the fuel economy 23.8 kpl (67.3 mpg). Use of aluminium and other lightweight materials means the A5 is 60kg lighter, and with its revised sports chassis gives wonderfully assured handling. The engine is eager yet smooth and quiet and the power delivery through the auto gearshift feels immediate and effortless. Suspension is understandably firm but still provides excellent ride comfort and some versions have the option of adaptive damping. Inside, the cabin has a premium look and feel, and the

Audi virtual cockpit - a €293 (£250) option - replaces the analogue dials with a screen version which adds a futuristic touch. Seating is exceptionally comfortable and the rear seats are roomy for two adults, with decent head room despite a sloping roofline. The boot space is wide and deep at 465 litres the largest in the class. Overall, the A5 S Line, with its purposeful looks and engaging driving dynamics, makes a strong statement and given that the Audi brand has cooler street credibilty than it its main rivals, in latest form the A5 has a telling edge in a sector which is fiercely fought. AUDI A5 S LINE: Makes a strong statement.

Model tested is UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets.

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25 - 31 May 2017

Spain’s Maverick Vinales won last Sunday’s French MotoGP; Johann Zarco (France) was second with Dani Pedrosa (third).

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Costa de Almería’s best guide to local sport

Harry ‘Kanes’ them to claim Golden Boot Tony Matthews International Sports A former player, Tony is now the world’s most prolific author of football books with 150 published since 1975. He has also been a PE teacher and a policeman, and is now a quiz-organiser, fund–raiser, for various charities, and sports correspondent for Spectrum Radio. Costa de Almeria

FORTHCOMING EVENTS • Start with football and tonight it’s Dundee United v Hamilton in the SPL play-off final at Tannadice… on Saturday we have Arsenal v Chelsea in the FA Cup final and Aberdeen against Celtic in the Scottish Cup final… Sunday sees the FL1 play-off final between Blackpool and Exeter, followed 24 hours later by the Championship play-off final involving Huddersfield and Reading both games are at Wembley. And we have the Copa del Rey final - Barcelona v Alaves - this weekend as well. • The second one-day England-

South Africa cricket international is also on Saturday, at Southampton; the first was at Leeds yesterday; the third takes place at Lords on Monday. • The French Open tennis Grand Slam tournament starts at Roland Garros without Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova, but Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, who lost to Alexander Zverev in the singles final of the Italian Open recently, will be there. Djokovic with have new coach Andre Agassi with him. • Around 37,000 fans will attend Sunday’s Monaco F1 Grand Prix ‘live’ where Lewis Hamilton will be aiming to repeat last year’s victory. • The two-day IAAF Diamond Athletics League meeting takes place in Oregon, USA tomorrow and Saturday. • After their respective semi-final victories over Saracens and Leicester, Exeter will play Wasps in Rugby’s Union Pre-

miership final at Twickenham on Saturday. • And on Monday, the World Table Tennis championships begin in Germany and England’s cricketers play their third one-day international against South Africa at Lords. FOOTBALL ROUND UP • The final fixtures of 2016-17 produced 37 goals as the top five PL teams were Chelsea (51 winners over Sunderland), Tottenham (who hammered Leicester 6-1 and Hull 7-1 in their final two matches), Liverpool (3-0 victors over Middlesbrough), Manchester City (who won 5-0 at Watford) and Arsenal (3-1 winners over Everton). Unfortunately, the Gunners missed out on a Champions League place for the first time in 20 years. • Manchester United boss Joe Mourinho fielded the youngestever team in PL history last Sunday against Crystal Palace,

average age 22 years and 284 days and substitute Angel Gomez became the club’s youngest PL player, aged 16 years and 263 days. • Celtic won the SPL by 30 points, 106-76 from Aberdeen and remained unbeaten in all 38 matches. Now for the treble! • Over 53,000 fans saw Millwall beat Bradford City 1-0 in last Saturday’s FL1 play-off final while York defeated Macclesfield 3-2 in the FA Trophy final. • Last night, Ajax played Manchester United in the Europa League final in Stockholm. • England were knocked out of the Euro U17 Championship on penalties by Spain • Besiktas (Turkey), FC Copenhagen (Denmark), Cork City (Ireland), Monaco (France), Real Madrid (Spain) and Spartak Moscow (Russia) are the latest clubs to win League titles. • Harry Kane, scorer of seven goals in Spurs’ last two PL

games, has won this season’s ‘Golden Boot’ with 29 goals. • As PL champions, Chelsea receive £38m; Spurs, second, pick up £36.1m, Manchester City third, get £34.2 m and demoted Sunderland receive £1.9m. • Watford will sack manager Walter Mazzarri while Birmingham boss Harry Redknapp wants Kevin Bond as his assistant. Bond’s dad, John, was in charge at St Andrew’s in 198687. • Ross Barclay will cost £50m if and when Everton sell him; Nolito is set join Real Betis from Manchester City and Red Bull Saltzburg are keen on Chelsea teenagers, Jadon Sancho and Dominic Solanke. • Uzbek-born Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov who owns 30 per cent of shares at The Emirates, wants to buy Arsenal outright for £1 billion. “It could be a great move” said exGunner Ian Wright.

• And ‘divers’ in football next season will be banned! SPORT IN GENERAL • Spain’s Maverick Vinales won last Sunday’s French MotoGP; Johann Zarco (France) was second with Dani Pedrosa (third). • Ex-USA World MotorGP champion Nicky Hayden (aged 35) has sadly died in hospital after being hit by a car while cycling in Italy. And former GB Olympic discus thrower, Phillippa Roles has died, aged 39. • Spain’s Fernando Alonso has had his first practice session for the Indianapolis 500. • American, tennis star Nikita Kry-vonos, has been banned for 10 years and fined €18,000 after being found guilty (with others) of attempting to fix the outcome of certain matches. • Paris and Los Angeles are the likely venues for the 2024 and 2018 Olympic Games respectively.