ISSUE 658 • 26th October - 1st November 2018
EST 2005
Nuclear waste CREDIT: Maria Jesus Amate, via Twitter
MORE EARTH: Parts of Palomares remain off limits. By Jose Artur TWO containers filled with more than one ton of radioactive earth were shipped to Palomares in 2016 without the knowledge of local authorities, a government research body has said. Spain’s Centre for Energy, Environmental and Technological Research (CIEMAT) said the earth was sent to Palomares from Madrid for evaluation purposes. Local authorities were not noti-
fied at the time, the mayor of Cuevas del Almanzora said. The news comes as the town has spent more than 50 years waiting for a final deal on the cleanup of contaminated earth. Parts of the town are still radioactive after a mid-air crash resulted in four United States (US) nuclear bombs falling on the area in 1966. CIEMAT said the two containers, one contain-
ing 796 kilograms of radioactive material and another filled with 670 kilograms, arrived in Palomares in May and November 2016 respectively. The body added the dirt’s radioactivity levels were low intensity and did not create any risk to the town or its residents. It remains in the two containers in a controlled area in the town, CIEMAT said. Antonio Fernandez,
the mayor of Cuevas de Almanzora, said he received no information about the earth at the time. “Cuevas has been asking for contaminated earth to be moved, not that more should be brought in and let alone without even saying anything,” the mayor said. Fernandez was due to hold a meeting with senior CIEMAT officials in Madrid yesterday (Thursday).
Shopping centre rolled out
NEWS BITES
Tourism stats THE latest Andalucia government figures show Almeria had another good summer season for tourism, clocking up a grand total of 3.45 million overnight stays in provincial hotels and hostels, a similar figure to last year.
Sea exports PROVINCIAL farmers exported less than 1 per cent of their produce by sea last year, while more than 99 per cent of fruit and vegetables grown in Almeria were transported to other countries by road.
Don’t forget! DON’T miss your extra hour in bed. At 3am on Sunday the clocks will be turned back one hour to 2am. Enjoy your lie in! BLISS: Enjoy an extra hour in bed this weekend.
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By Christophe De Chaume
A
SIX-KILOMETRE red carpet has been rolled out to connect the brand new To r r e c a r d e n a s S h o p ping Centre with the town’s historic centre, to mark its opening yesterday (Thursday). The stretch of Hollywood-esque carpet has broken the Guinness Wo r l d R e c o r d f o r i t s length, as more than 600 people showed up for the retail park’s inauguration. M a y o r o f To r r e c a r d e nas, Ramon FernandezPacheco, said: “We are developing as a town and this shopping centre will create many jobs and improve residents’ quality of life. “The carpet was a gesture to emphasise the historic and emotional attachment that Almeria has with cinema.”
Dignity demonstration Credit: @TorrecardenasCC/Twitter
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CRIMSON CARPET: The six-kilometre stretch broke the world record. The huge shopping centre (around 60,000sqm) has more than 70 clothes stores, along with numerous restaurants, leisure facilities and other shops. Francisco Javier Marin Rodriguez, General Director of site owning
company Bogaris Retail, believes the shopping centre will attract nine million visitors a year. The complex will have a cinema theme which will see movie motifs and memorabilia adorn bathrooms, corridors and parking lots.
By Tara Rippin A LARGE banner was placed across the gates of Levante dock of the Port of Almeria this week in protest against the number of deaths taking place in the Mediterranean. The Marches of the Dignity of Almeria demonstrated against what they call ‘unjust immigration policies and their consequences.’ As a mark of respect, a bunch of flowers was also thrown into the sea to remember the people who have lost their lives trying to find a better future and escape from the situations of their countries of origin. Group members also took the opportunity to point out other ‘injustices within society,’ which in their opinion, include the possible closure of the cement company CEMEX, which would affect more than 300 families in the province. They have called upon members of the public to join them in a demonstration in support of these workers at Puerta de Purchena, to take place on Saturday, at 10am. This will coincide with a large protest in Madrid during which numerous groups and organisations will lobby for ‘bread, work, roof and dignity.’ Among those supporting the ‘unitary mobilisation’ are collectives of pensioners, feminist groups, representatives in defence of the Public Health and Education, as well as human rights and freedom of expression.
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Prawns centre stage GARRUCHA’S famous red prawns are the star attraction at a food fair taking place in Garrucha this weekend. Visitors to the I Red Prawn Gastronomy Festival can expect an interesting programme of activities, ranging from demonstrations by participating restaurants of how to prepare dishes using the celebrated shellfish, as well as live music, an area for children and conferences on topics including the health benefits of fish and seafood. The event is being held in a 2,000sqm marquee on the port esplanade, where there are exhibition spaces promoting not only the fruits of the sea, but local produce from the land as well, including wine, olive oil and honey. Other areas are dedicated to explaining the different kinds of fishing carried out off the Garrucha coast and the historical importance of fishing for the area. “The future of the municipality is connected to tourism and gastronomy,” commented Garrucha mayor María López Cervantes, praising the restaurants taking part for “doing everything possible so that Garrucha grows economically around our star product.” The festival runs from today (Friday) until Sunday. On the last day there will be a tasting of grilled red prawns.
Gastronomy capital T
HE mayor of Almeria has urged local companies to fully exploit the city being named Spain’s gastronomy capital for 2019. Speaking at this week’s Fruit Attraction trade fair in Madrid, Ramón FernandezPacheco encouraged the provincial food production sector to use the opportunities which the title provided to promote the excellence of Almeria’s produce and their own businesses. “Being Spanish Capital of Gastronomy is a huge loudspeaker which is going to project Almeria much more to the outside,” the mayor affirmed. “Almerian agriculture is innovation and excellence, respect for the environment and scrupulous in food safety, in water consumption, and above all its products are the basis of the Mediterranean diet: fruit, vegetables, fish, olive oils, wines…”, Fernandez-Pacheco said. “We have the best primary material. Thanks to what is
CREDIT: Almeria city council website
OPPORTUNITY: Almeria’s mayor urged businesses to make the most of the gastronomy capital title. produced in Almeria many countries eat healthily in winter and we have to know how to make the most of any opportunity to promote ourselves, and there is no doubt that being Spanish Capital Gastronomy Capital is this.” Fernandez-Pacheco and Agriculture Councillor Juanjo Segura were at Fruit Attraction - one of the most important food production trade
fairs in Spain and at international level - to demonstrate the city council’s support for agriculture in the province, but also to thank the sector for their contribution to Almeria securing the culinary capital title. A number of provincial companies’ and cooperatives’ stands at the trade fair featured the Almeria 2019 Spanish Capital of Gastron-
omy image, which the mayor said indicated the strength of support for the project. “People have got a lot more involved than we expected,” he said, “and that is positive because Almería 2019 represents a unique opportunity… for our capital and province, from the gastronomy and the tourism point of view, as both concepts are much connected.”
NEWS SPECIALISTS from the University of Granada’s Medieval History Department who worked on the first phase of archaeological excavations on a settlement in Mojacar dating back to the Middle Ages have shared the initial data and findings. At a public event held last Friday in the municipal Multiple Uses Centre, they revealed fascinating details about the Mojacar La Vieja (Mojacar Old Woman) dig site. Discoveries so far include ancient water cisterns, one of which is the largest preserved example from the Kingdom of Granada, a mosque, the entrance gate to the settlement, the
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Dig findings remains of houses and an ammunition store with stone balls, which confirms the presence of a catapult mechanism. The remains of a forge, and later a kitchen, confirm there were weapons and troops there. According to the team, there are now doubts about the date of the settlement’s origin. It has been estimated at around the 8th century, but was probably at its most popu-
EARLY FINDINGS: Archaeologists were keen to share what they’ve unearthed so far. lated in the 12th century. What does seem clear is that Mojacar La Vieja
was gradually abandoned in the middle of the 13th century, the inhabitants re-
Credit: Pepe Alonso
Solidarity with breast cancer cause
Pink balloons in support of International Breast Cancer Day in Huercal-Overa (main) and offering information and taking donations in Adra (inset right). TOWNS around the province did their bit to support International Breast Cancer Day last Friday. The colour pink had a starring role at the midday fiesta celebrations in Huercal-Overa, Mayor Domingo Fernandez joining the Coalmama Association and local revellers in releasing pink balloons in a show of solidarity with the cause. In Adra the local branch of the Spanish Association Against Cancer
set up a table in the town’s main Plaza Puerta del Mar square offering information about the importance of early detection and investigation into the disease, and so people could make donations. Adras mayor Manuel Cortés, along with councillors from his administration, joined the Adra cancer association President Encarna Pérez and other association members to show their backing for the initiative.
settling on the site of modern day Mojacar village, which offered a better strategic situation. The archaeologists said the site is well preserved and has “enormous heritage potential,” offering a key to explaining life at that time and understanding the history of the years that were of such importance to the entire Mediterranean region. Project Director Jose Maria Martin Civantos
5 stressed the importance of the Mojacar La Vieja project for the municipality as part of its cultural, social and touristic development, as well as its relevance to national and international forums. He also praised the council's plan to open up its cultural heritage in this way, while promoting tourism and economic development and creating an extra identity for Mojacar. Also attending the event were Mojacar mayor, Rosmari Cano, Tourism councillor, Emmanuel Aguero, members of the local government team, Beatriz Becket and Teresa Santiago from the Valparaiso Foundation Board.
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Troubadours in town
MUSIC: Troubadours will be entertaining passers-by in Almeria this weekend.
THE streets of the provincial capital will be filled with the music of troubadours this weekend as groups from a number of countries take part in a competition of ‘tunas.’ The success of the 2017 event prompted the decision to go international this year, attracting troubadour groups from the Netherlands and Mexico, as well as Murcia, Granada, Malaga and Madrid. The groups will parade around a number of locations in the city and entertain passers-by tonight (Friday) and tomorrow. The public can also go and watch the competition stage of the event on Saturday evening at the Maestro Padilla theatre, when prizes will be awarded for best group, best soloist, best tambourine and best procession, among others. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Spanish Association Against Cancer, the Vive Training and Leisure
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26th October - 1st November 2018
Space, Marianista Action for Development, Almeria Acoge and the Nuevo Rumbo Association. Participating musicians will also get the chance to enjoy Almeria City’s nightlife and to discover the surrounding area. The tunas competition is organised by the University of Almeria Law Tuna, in collaboration with the university, Almeria Town Hall Culture, Education and Traditions Department and the provincial government, and is one of 70 activities this year marking the 25th anniversary of the University of Almeria. “Being the venue for these kinds of initiatives shows our neighbours from nearby provinces, and in this case from Mexico and Holland as well, that we are an open, friendly city, as well as being the prelude to a fundamental year for the city, as is 2019, when we will be Gastronomy capital,” said Culture Councillor Carlos Sanchez.
Festival triumph
HUERCAL-OVERA Council said this year’s annual festival had been a resounding success. Large numbers of people took part in the organised activities, and the municipal marquee was packed out for events, including live music from El Arrebato, OBK, Trogloditas, La Frontera, Eskorzo, Arco, Los Brincos and José Manuel Soto Culture Councillor Belén Martínez said the festival had attracted not only HuercalOvera locals, but also visitors from other towns in the province and from as far afield as Murcia, Granada and Alicante, despite forecasts of bad weather; in fact the weather remained largely dry. The councillor said the festival progamme had been designed to appeal across the board, with special events for
PACKED: Live music attracted large numbers of people.
children. One of this year ’s novelties had been the O O marquee for teenagers, giving youngsters an alternative venue for enjoying the festival at night. Huercal-Overa mayor stressed that the festival had once again been without any
serious incidents. He also thanked local emergency services, health professionals, cleaners and municipal workers for all their efforts, commenting, “it is due to your work that the rest of us can enjoy ourselves and have fun.”
Quake history
AN exhibition of copies of historical documents relating to the earthquake in the 16th century which levelled the old town of Vera opens today (Friday). The exhibition is part of a programme of commemorative acts marking 500 years since the earthquake struck on November 9, 1518, claim-
ing around 150 victims and destroying the old settlement on the Holy Spirit Hill. The documents, which are kept in the National Library of Spain and the Vera Municipal Archive, refer to the end of one chapter in the town’s history, having been a Muslim-occupied fortification and a strategic defence
against Christian forces for five centuries, and how Vera was retaken by Christian troops. The exhibition at the Bayra House of Culture has b e e n o r g a n i s e d b y Ve r a Council and the V Centenary Vera Earthquake Commission, and runs until February 22.
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Four men save woman
FANTASTIC FOUR: The incident took place on the Camino de la Cabuzana. LOCALS in Vera including the mayor lauded four men this week after they saved a woman from being raped in the town last Monday. Police have arrested a 39-year-old suspect in connection with the attempted attack. A local court has since remanded him in custody on sexual assault charges. The woman, 49, was running down a bike path between the town centre and the beach in the Camino de la Cabuzana area at around 8pm when a man allegedly jumped on her. The woman, a Lithuanian citizen living in Vera named only as RK, told lo-
cal media the man had been hiding behind a bush and attempted the assault while she was walking home. The assault took place as four men, Santiago Martinez and his son of the same name, Manuel Santiago and Cristobal Cortes, were passing in a car. They said they saw the man grab the woman by the neck and throw her to the ground beside the road. The men, of gypsy heritage and residents of Vera, said they heard the woman scream and that they could not see her or the attacker well in the darkness.
The four were able to pull the man away from the woman and restrain him until Guardia Civil officers and Local Police arrived. Felix Lopez, the mayor of Vera, said he was “very proud” of the four men. “The men had the courage to do what not everyone would be capable of,” the mayor said. The woman said she was grateful to the men and added that people who pass others in distress on the road should think twice before passing them by. “It could happen to their grandmother, their mother, their daughter or anyone else they know,” she said.
Rail requirements THE president of the Andalucian Council has demanded that deadlines and capacity figures outlined by the government for the service of AVE high-speed lines through Almeria be met. During a visit to the Cuatro Vegas watering community in Viator, Susana Diaz said that targets set for 2023 must be adhered to, pointing out that ‘we are not a point of arrival,
we are a starting point.’ Diaz is reported as saying that for this reason, Andalucia has to have a ‘first level connection on both the Mediterranean and the Atlantic slopes. She added that ‘economic growth, wealth generation and the leading capacity of producers, as well as the rights of citizens’ requires a first class service.
Nothing to declare OFFICERS at the Port of Almeria have arrested a van driver after allegedly finding 40 boxes of medical supplies, the majority of which had expired. During routine checks of people and vehicles
from North Africa, officers came across a motorist who claimed to have nothing to declare. But on inspection, they were found to be carrying 1,054 varieties of creams, pills, eye drops, bandages, gauze and tapes.
The suspect, said to be living in French territory, was arrested for a crime against public health. The case, and the detainee, are now in the hands of the Almeria Court of Instruction.
NEWS
Almería Land of Short Films comes to an end in advance of November’s international festival.
CREDIT: Diputacion of Almeria
Big screen
FIVE hundred people took part in the Almeria, Land of Short Films festival, which provides a platform for producers in the province to show their works in public. The last of the two sessions which make up the event was held this week in the Theatre of Cervantes, a prelude to the International Festival of Cinema of Almeria which takes place next month. Director of the short films festival, David Carron, said Tuesday’s screenings were varied, and spanned from post war to productions set in the year 2105.
Andalucia, with 22.85 per cent, occupies the third position for the same period in terms of jobless people. The province is surpassed by Cueta with 30.79 per cent, and Melilla (24.01 per cent). Nationally, unemployment fell by 164,100 people in the same period, which is 4.7 per cent less than in the previous year. This puts the overall total of unemployed at 3,326,000, the lowest figure since the end of 2008.
New hunt for missing woman
Workers backing THE Diputacion de Almeria is set to debate a motion next Wednesday that would commit it to supporting the 300 workers affected by the planned closure of the Cemex cement plant in Gador.
A FRESH search for a pensioner who disappeared near her home in Royo Morera de Turre in 2016, will take place on Saturday. T h e 7 8 - y e a r - o l d , w h o s u ff e r e d w i t h Alzheimer’s, left her home at around 4.30pm on October 22, apparently heading for her daughter’s house. When she didn’t arrive, the woman called 112 emergency services. The elderly woman lived in the mountains, but a new search will be carried out in Bedar, Mojacar, Campohermoso and different areas near to Turre, in case she had become lost and disorientated. Guardia Civil, firefighters from Extremadura, members of the Citizen Security Unit (Usecic) and volunteers from the QSD Foundation of Paco Lobaton will meet at 7.30am, to coordinate the operation.
New team
CREDIT: 112
Higher than average THE number of unemployed in Almeria rose by 11,000 in the third quarter this year, putting the total number of people out of work at 85,800. According to the Survey of Active Population produced by the National Institute of Statistics, this rate of 25.53 per cent is almost 11 points higher than the national average of 14.55 per cent. Some 42,600 of the jobless people in Almeria are men and 43,200 are women.
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LOOK AGAIN: Previous searches proved fruitless.
COUNCILLORS from the left-leaning Partido Socialista (PSOE) in Huercal de Almeria have already formed a new administration and have appointed Angeles Castillo as mayor following the ousting of the conservative Partido Popular’s (PP) Ismael Torres.ment plant in Gador.
Jab points HEALTH officials with the Junta de Andalucia have said they plan to set up 232 vaccination points throughout Almeria Province to give a total of 94,220 flu jabs as part of a campaign set to last until this December.
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An ultrasound move
NEW MACHINES: A total of 13 new ultrasound machines have been bought. THE Andalucian Health Service (SAS) has acquired 13 new ultrasound machines and four eye devices which are due to be given to centres in rural parts of Almeria Province. SAS said in a statement the equipment, which includes retinographs designed to detect vision problems, would help boost capacity at health centres. It comes as part of the Junta de Andalucia’s Health Department’s Primary Care Renewal Strategy, a €2.5m plan to upgrade equipment in centres across the region. The 13 ultrasound scanners are set to be installed in centres in Velez-Rubio, Olula del
Rio, Vera, Garrucha, Albox, Berja, La Mojonera, Roquetas de Mar and El Ejido. The remaining four are set to be delivered to Almeria City’s Primary Care Emergency service and clinics in the Cruz de Caravaca, Plaza de Toros and Ciudad Jardin areas. Junta health officials have also drawn up plans to train staff at the centres in how to use the machines as part of efforts to expand their capacity. The Junta said in a statement the machines had been bought in an attempt to detect serious illnesses earlier to make treating them easier.
Striking for change PRISON officers in Almeria went on strike on Wednesday, in protest at the lack of progress in talks with the Penitentiary Administration (PA). The unions UGT, ACAIP, CCOO, CSIF and CIG have condemned the situation and the fact that the dispute has been running for over a year. Proposals put forward by the Penitentiary Administration on September 25, which involved an investment of €123 million for the period 2019-21, were withdrawn only three days later.
The PA said this was unfortunately due to budget restrictions, but this outraged prison workers and a series of strikes are planned for the coming weeks. They are urging the authorities to get back to the negotiating table and to offer a package that reflects the workload of prison staff. Unions also say that without proper resourcing, prisons will not be able to carry out the rehabilitation and reintegration of its prisoners that is part of its remit.
European warrant A BRITISH teacher who was arrested in November 2016 for allegedly sexually abusing a 15year-old student in Roquetas de Mar, Almeria, was detained in Germany last Friday. He was reportedly held for failing to comply with a restraining order imposed in relation to the teenager. Head of the Court of Violence against Women of Almeria, Soledad Balageur, issued a European arrest warrant after being informed he had allegedly been in contact with the young girl.
NEWS
Slimathon fun A CHARITY slimathon aims to help members of the local community lose weight for a good cause. The Urcal Fat Boys & Birds seven-week slimathon charity drive, which will be in support o f t h e R e s i d e n c i a Vi r gen del Rio in HuercalOvera, invites participants and supporters to Friday night fun at Taberna Amazir in Urcal, starting on November 2 at 7pm. There will be weekly weigh-ins for anyone who has signed up to shed a few pounds; the penalties for failing to take weight off a good natured ribbing, a monetary fine or a food parcel donation. Registration is €5 and includes a 10th anniversary Urcal Fat Boys & Birds t-shirt. More information on the Urcal Fat Boys n Birds Facebook group page.
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Wear it with pride T
HE Royal British Legion Mojacar poppy appeal campaign is well underway in the lead up to Remembrance Day. Poppies are available in various bars, restaurants and shops in Mojacar and at Iceland supermarket in Vera town. There will also be a stall in Mojacar Playa’s Parque Comercial with poppy merchandise on Saturday November 3 and Saturday November 10. The Remembrance Sunday Service will take place at the outdoor church in Mojacar Playa at 10.30 on November 11. In the event of bad weather it will be held instead at St Pascual Church, Mojacar. The Royal British Legion created the poppy appeal to help those returning from the First World War. A century on
REMEMBRANCE: Poppy appeal merchandise on sale in Mojacar. from that conflict the RBL continues to help today’s armed forces in much the same way, whether coping with bereavement, living with disability or finding employment.
Money raised throughout poppy appeal goes directly to the legion’s welfare work providing care to anyone who currently serves in the British armed forces, who has previously served, and their families.
This vital work is entirely dependent on the public’s support, so each year the legion asks that the public to give generously and to wear poppies with pride. All money raised in Spain stays in Spain.
11 Fundraiser tickets still available TICKETS are still available for the Age Support Almanzora nautical themed charity fundraising event. The Unique Bar in Arboleas is set to be transformed into HMS Unique for the ‘Cruises, Cava and Canapes’ event on the evening of Saturday November 3. Guests will be welcomed aboard with cava and canapes. They will then be treated to a cruise wear fashion show, with items for ladies and gents. There will also be stalls selling clothes and accessories, and a raffle. Entertainment will be provided by a compere, Smooth FM DJs, live acts and surprise guests.
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Brexit latest
HE British Consulate in Alicante is running a series of events in November and December for UK nationals on Living in Spain and Brexit, including one in Mazarron on November 13. British Consul SarahJane Morris and her team will update residents with the latest information on Brexit and what this means for UK nationals living in this country. Anyone with specific questions on residency paperwork or anything else about living in Spain and the UK’s departure from the EU is invited to take them along to discuss with one of the members of the consular team. BREXPATS IN SPAIN, affiliated with the British in Europe group, will also be attending to assist people with legal and financial advice and to update on their current position with striving to defend the rights of
BREXIT British Consul Sarah-Jane Morris will update residents with the latest information. British in Spain. The Mazarron event will be held at the Camposol Centro Social, sector B, at 1pm. Advice for UK citizens
living in the EU can be found at: www.gov.uk/ guidance/advice-forbritish-nationals-travellingand-living-in-europe. The consulate also rec-
ommends following the Brits in Spain Facebook page, and to sign up for alerts from the gov.uk page for accurate information.
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DAMES IN TURRE have a number of events programmed for the run-up to Christmas. Next Monday there is the group’s monthly meeting at Hostel Rural in Turre, starting at 11am. Author Kevin Boorman will be giving a talk on his latest book. For more information contact President Soo Wallace on 667 362 713 or Membership Secretary Eileen McGill on 652 298 072. A shopping trip to Murcia is on the agenda for Tuesday November 13, the cost of which is €15 per person. The Dames in Turre Christmas market will this year be held in the main square in Turre on Saturday December 8, offering an opportunity for Christmas shopping in a friendly atmosphere. There will be a whole variety of stalls, a bumper raffle, tombola, mulled wine with mince pies and sausage rolls, bric-a-brac and a craft stall. Anyone who is interested in having a stall of their own at the market should email Soo Wallace at sillyboo59@yahoo.co.uk. It is the same email address for more information about spending Christmas in La Zenia.
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Weekender Jos Biggs’ column Page 12
Service your boiler
Property news
Page 19
Trick or treat
Page 16
Page 23
Behind the music
Sound of music
Page 28
Page 27
Cat adopted humans Page 29
Cheaper going electric Page 38
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Feature
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Law expert’s book on offer with Currencies Direct A N expatriate legal expert has teamed up with Currencies Direct for a free giveaway of the latest edition of his guide to the Spanish legal system. David Searl struck a pact with the international money transfer company to give away copies of You & the Law in Spain to anyone who registers in one its 15 Spanish offices. One of its branches is in Mojacar. The legal specialist has been writing about Spanish law since the 1980’s and his book is in its 24th edition. Peter Loveday, director of the Southern Europe arm of Currencies Direct, told the Sol TImes Searl’s book had helped him when he first moved to Spain.
ca region, four in southern Spain, two in Mallorca, and one in Tenerife, as well as the one in Mojacar. Ignacio Ortega, a sales manager for the company in southern Spain, said: “I love this job. It gives you the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping people save money. “We have not only ofBOOK OFFER: David Searl (centre, right) with colleague fered our services to Alex Radford (left) and Currencies Direct’s Ignacio Ortega clients but we have also (centre, left) and Peter Loveday (right). helped them travel if they live in an isolated “I wanted to find a prosperous and co-opvillage or use technoloway to inform as many erative relationship with gy if they are elderly. people as possible Currencies Direct fol“I remember one about Spanish law so lowing the launch of the client who asked us to the idea of giving away offer. help him transfer what copies of You & the Law Currencies Direct he said was a small in Spain to potential was founded in 1996 amount of money, clients was born,” he and has been operating €300,” Ortega said. said. in Spain since the open“He came back later Searl, who has lived ing of its Torrevieja ofand wanted to transfer in Spain for 53 years, fice in 1999. half a million. He was told this newspaper he It now has seven oftesting us!” looked forward to a fices in the Costa Blan-
The Tuck Conundrum
By Jos Biggs
TUCK, my new deep fat fryer, was refusing to fulfil the purpose for which he had been created, namely heating oil, so I had dissembled him and he was lying in several pieces on the kitchen worktop. I put him together again very carefully and plugged him in to a previously checked and fully working plug. And there he sat, a shiny lump of obdurately unlit steel. My fondness for him transformed into animosity with all the speed of someone finding a wasp in their shoe. I rescinded his name, thereby excommunicating him from my favour; he became simply ‘the fryer.’ I have neither use nor patience for fryers that don’t work, but I had Kept the Box. I rooted it out, complete with his packing, his guaran-
tee and his factura, bundled him unceremoniously and with no gentle affection back into said box, and bore him back to Electro Curro. He had fallen down on his part of the bargain, and he had it coming to him - I will not give kitchen room to recalcitrant fryers! I plonked him in his box on the counter, produced the all-important factura and explained the incident of his disobedience to the Chica. She listened to my tale of woe. ‘Have you pressed the reset button?’ She enquired. The What? Well, nobody told me he had a reset button! I have officially re-instated his name and drawn a veil over the past. However, when I got home with a fully functioning Tuck I was right off chips!
josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk
ALEX RADFORD: Contributor to the book.
DAVID SEARL: Legal specialist.
IGNACIO ORTEGA: Regional Sales Manager for the Costa del Sol.
PETER LOVEDAY: Currencies Direct Southern Europe Director.
Book Review Carol Naylor The Calico Cat by Amanda James ‘I longed to be out there in the wind, feeling the freshness of its kiss, the damp blossom sticking to my cheeks. I wanted to run to the wild ocean, immerse myself in nature, listen to the roar of the waves, fill my lungs and roar back.’ Lottie (Charlotte Morgan) is a complicated and insecure woman, unable to trust people and develop meaningful relationships. Her relationship with her mother is particularly strained. When she was 11, she had asked her mother for a calico cat having seen a film based on one: a combination of black, white and ginger (otherwise tortoiseshell). The fact that the colours were different appealed to her, a characteristic that comes to define Lottie in the novel. She embarks on a journey of self-discovery which she makes us aware of when she reaches the age
of 28. Not unusual. She had been teaching history for six years when she realised she needed a clean break. It was destroying her soul. Like her talented, late grandmother, Gwendoline, Lottie turns also to painting. It is the painting of the calico cat which reminds her of her first turning point and more importantly, it represents who she is. It also provides her with a firm purpose in life. She develops an unlikely relationship with Caleb Walker, a business teacher from the school where she worked. It is obvious that he has had a crush on her, enjoying her spontaneity. It is through her developing relationship with Caleb that she indicates how she was unable to deal with her angst, needing counselling. Her behaviour was inappropriate; she was rude and had been suspended from school. We learn that her home life had been
chaotic and unstable. She grew to be defiant and stroppy. Near the beginning of the story we discover that something unexpectedly shocking had impacted on her life, shaping a turbulent future ahead: “{It was} a big fat secret that my parents had kept hidden for 23 years,” she tells Caleb. Lottie over-analyses situations, shows signs of neurosis and indecision, resulting in confrontational behaviour. Even Caleb finds her a handful! It is a chance meeting with a maternal figure, stable and kind, Louise Truscott, who is able to provide Lottie with the confidence to deal with her skeletons from the past. The story portrays women as strong and determined and the ending is resolved in a credible and satisfactory manner. Publisher: Bombshell Books. ISBN: 978-1912604-37-1
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Property
26th October - 1st November 2018
House price hike
RISE: The cost of property in the Balearics has increased by 4 per cent in a year.
FIGURES released this week show that property prices in Spain have risen by 5 per cent in just 12 months. In the Balearics, the figure stands at 4 per cent. Most in demand on the islands are coastal properties,
along with houses in the large cities such as Barcelona and Madrid, where prices continue to rise. According to the report from the ministry of development, the Balearics and the Canaries have seen the biggest increase in property prices
since 2014, when Spain came out of the recession, with a growth of almost 20 per cent. But despite the rise, house prices across Spain remain 35 per cent lower than before the credit crunch in 2007. Only in the Balearics is the
situation slightly better with property prices 22 per cent below those of 11 years ago. Reports from real estate agents indicate the overall market picture for the Balearics is good, and that the main issue is finding quality homes and developments.
More living alone ONE in three people in Spain will live alone within the next 15 years, the National Institute of Statistics predicts. The Household Projection 2018 report shows that not only will nearly six million people live on their own by 2033, there will also be an increase in the number of senior citizens: one in four of the expected 49 million population will be over 65. The rise in single-person households is the main factor behind the forecast of nearly 10 per cent growth in the number of households overall in the 15-year period to just over 20 million. The Institute expects just 4.9 per cent growth in the population residing in family households over the same period, leading to the conclusion there will be less people living in each home. It forecasts average household size will drop from the current 2.5 people to 2.38. This compares with an average of 2.9 persons per property in 2001 and four people per property in 1970.
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Lifestyle
26th October - 1st November 2018
Transform scraps into Don’t forget to service your boiler an indoor garden
AVOCADO: Easy to grow at home THE kitchen cupboards are full of healthy goodies like squash, onions and potatoes, but busy lifestyles can result in them morphing into something else. With a little effort and creativity, they can be cultivated into an imaginative and personal indoor garden. Children and adults alike love to watch things grow, even more so when they were destined for the bin or compost heap. According to KidsGardening.org, a national non-profit making organisation, these types of activities improve nutritional knowledge, enhance social emotional learning, and environmental stewardship. It’s not hard to turn sprouted sweet potatoes into attractive indoor houseplants. Set them in a container of well-drained potting mix, so the growing point is just below the soil surface. Place in a sunny window and water thoroughly. Alternatively, start your own avocado tree from the seed. Hard seeds like these need a little help sprouting, so nick the seed or soak it overnight to soften the hard covering so that it can absorb water and start growing. Sprout your avocado seed in water by in-
serting three toothpicks into the seed about halfway down. Place the toothpicks on the lip of a glass with the pointed end of the seed facing up. Keep the bottom, the rounded portion, submerged in water to encourage rooting. Or, you can plant the seed in a container of well-drained potting mix with the top inch of the pointed end above the soil. Water thoroughly and often enough to keep the soil moist. Then watch your seed sprout and grow into a wonderful tree. You can start a new plant from the top of a fresh pineapple. Use a sharp knife to separate the leafy top from the fruit, leave the stem intact and scrape off any remaining fleshy fruit. Remove a few of the lower leaves for easier rooting. Set the base of the stem in a container filled with a well-drained potting mix and water thoroughly. Place it in a bright location, out of direct sunlight, and keep the soil moist. In a couple weeks, the plant should have formed roots and can be moved into a bright, sunny window for you to enjoy.
MAINTENANCE: Make sure your boiler works. THE spate of bad weather which Spain has been enduring has come as a nasty reminder of how chilly the country can be. At this time of year, we should be thinking about checking our boiler to make sure it is in good working order ahead of the hard work it has in store over winter. After months of inact i v i t y, f i r i n g u p h e a t i n g again can put a considerable strain on boilers. If there are any underlying
mechanical faults, the initial rude awakening from its summer slumber is often when problems reveal themselves. Having your boiler conk out the first time it drops cold, leaving you sitting shivering in your own home, is not a pleasant experience. It is far better to check for any potential problems in advance, so when it comes to the weather changing, you have peace of mind that your heating will work. In a recent consumer survey carried out on behalf of Go Assist in the UK, 51 per cent of people who took part said they had their boiler serviced regularly. A quarter said they did not get their boilers serviced, while 24 per cent said they did not own a boiler. If you are one of the 25 per cent who do not have their boiler serviced annually, it is strongly rec-
ommended that now is a good time to change your habits. Boilers are one of those things you don’t really appreciate until they stop working, and you’re watching TV wearing three jumpers clutching the hot water bottles. If you have a gas boiler, it may be worth considering a maintenance plan from your reputable local gas fitters. But even without one, a regular service should be performed. J u s t r e m e m b e r, y o u should never deal with the ‘gas men’ who often appear at this time of year knocking on doors saying a service is due. Many people have been caught out and ended up with bills for hundreds of euros for work worth a fraction of the price. You should always prebook an appointment with a reputable firm.
Lifestyle
26th October - 1st November 2018
Weekender 19
Height and cancer link study A STUDY of over a million people claims that taller people are more at risk of cancer. But experts say the results published by The Royal Society point to a very small increase compared with factors like smoking. It’s also not clear what is behind the link, although the leading theory is that tall people have more cells that can turn cancerous. While other illnesses, hormone levels, and how affluent or deprived people are when they are young might also have an impact on height and the risk of cancer. The study states that that for every 4in (10cm) increase in human height above the average used in the study of 5ft 7in for men and 5ft 3in for women, there is a 10 per cent higher chance of that person getting cancer. The data was put together using the results of four large-scale studies, including the Million Women Study, on 23 cancer types in the UK, US, South Korea, Austria, Norway and Sweden. Each study included 10,000 cancer cases for each sex. Of the 18 cancer types analysed in men and women, pancreas, oesophagus, stomach and mouth/pharynx, showed no apparent increase in relation to height. And in the sex specific cancers, only cervix cancer was unaffected. How tall a person is represents only one of many factors that determine somebody’s cancer risk and it’s not one of the big ones. Plus it can’t be changed, unlike lifestyle factors such as body weight. Experts say that the key to increasing chances of avoiding illness is living a healthy lifestyle. According to Cancer Research UK, the increased risk is small and
there’s a lot people can do to reduce the risk of developing cancer, such as not smoking and maintaining a healthy weight. According to Cancer Research UK, the increased risk is small and there is plenty that can be done to reduce the risk of developing cancer such as not smoking and keeping a healthy weight.
Experts in molecular biology at University of Manchester added that extrapolating from a height correlation to increased cell number being the reason for higher cancer incidence is a big leap and is only one possible explanation. And professors from the University College London, said tall people
BENEFIT: Taller people apparently tend to be more successful.
should not be concerned about the findings, adding that it has a lot of benefits, so one minus factor is nothing to be too worried about. A spokesman for the UK’s Tall Persons Club,
founded in 1991, said reports such as this one would be more reliable if they contacted associations such as the club, and used members to produce their reports. He added that the taller
a person is, the less chance they have of diabetes, stroke or heart disease. And apparently, people who earn more money and world leaders tend to be taller.
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A COMMON problem in Spain is mouldy walls. Façades that are solid without any cavity can transfer moisture from outside in, and over time, cause mould. There are innumerable species of mould growth and lichens, which first appear as tiny coloured specks or patches on render and masonry. They gradually merge until the surface is covered with colours that range from bright orange to yellow, green, grey and black. Moulds and lichens will only flourish in damp conditions, so try to cure the source of the problem before treating the growth. If one side of the house always faces away from the sun it will have little chance to dry out. Relieve the situation by cutting back any overhanging trees or shrubs to increase ventilation to the wall. Check for leaks. Maybe think about installing a gutter system at roof level as many houses on the Costas don’t have one, and when they do it is inadequate for the volume of rain that can suddenly come down. What causes damp in the first place? Moisture or ingress of water. This could be a leak, an area where there is a large concentration of water like an outside wall being dripped on by an inadequate drainage system, or a
26th October - 1st November 2018
Break the mould
MOULD: Common problem which flourishes in damp conditions.
Lifestyle leaking roof. Ground water penetrating through walls that have no cavities is also a culprit, or there may be a water source in the room causing high moisture/humidity levels. Removing the growth Caution is required and safety gloves, goggles, overalls and dust masks are highly recommended. The black mould can be harmful if left unattended. There are various products which remove these stains but a good quality bleach will do the job to kill the spores and remove the blackness. Brush the wall area vigorously with a stiff bristle brush. If the problem persists, seek out a fungicide solution from most DIY places. Damp proofing Basements can be tanked by sealing the floor and walls.There are many products and ways to do this including resin-based floor paints and waterproof render to the walls before decorating. It may be as simple as drilling a hole through the wall and covering with ventilation plates, the ones with the insect mesh. The key is to let the room air and vent. The Spanish will cover a metrehigh section of the exterior wall with natural stone that lets the wall breathe and dry out. They also, in worse cases, put stone on the inside of the wall for the same results.
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Food & Drink
26th October - 1st November 2018
Migas, making the most of leftovers
DELICIOUS: Perfect for a cold autumn evening.
WITH temperatures forecast to plummet at the weekend, the traditional cold-weather dish migas could be the order of the day in kitchens around the province. Translating literally as bread crumbs, migas is popular in many parts of Spain. But the ingredients vary from region-toregion, so there is no one precise formula for creating the dish. In fact in Almeria Province migas are traditionally made from flour or semolina thrown together with various bits and pieces, often fish, but also black pudding or chorizo sausage, along with fried peppers and tomato.
Over the border in Murcia migas are often made from flour, water and oil, to which sausage and dehydrated pepper i s a d d e d . To b e r e a l l y Murcian, migas should be eaten with a piece of fruit, and should be for rainy days only. A more typical version of migas in central Spain uses hard bread crumbs, garlic, sausages, bacon and various other ingredients. Over in Extremadura an often seen variant on the theme includes dayold bread soaked in water, garlic, paprika and olive oil, and contains spinach or alfalfa. W h a t t h e d i ff e r e n t types of migas all have in common is that they
are simple dishes to prepare, designed to be filling and warming, and also an economical option. It is no surprise then that historically migas has been seen as a rather humble dish, associated with rural, less a ff l u e n t c o m m u n i t i e s where thrifty housewives let nothing go to waste, creating a tasty meal from stale bread and other leftovers. These days migas has lost its ‘poor man’ associations, and it is not uncommon to see it on the menu in fashionable eateries. The common wisdom is that the origin of the migas dish in Spain dates back to the times of the Moorish occupation, the Arab invaders bringing with them new ways of cooking, and possibly from a traditional Arab dish made from pieces of bread in a vegetable or meat broth, associated with the upper classes, and often eaten during the month of Ramadan. Over the centuries migas has gradually evolved into the regional, very Spanish, everyday variations we know today.
Food & Drink
26th October - 1st November 2018
Trick or treat!
EYE POPPING: This is the perfect dish for Halloween.
A
S the nights draw in here at Olive Tree Farm, we are finding ourselves coming up with things to keep us busy indoors. The log fire is back in action and any excuse to light the big oven to warm up the kitchen is always a bonus! With Halloween, Bonfire Night and soon Christmas just around the corner, I have been getting into the swing of making traditional treats. This week, Parkin, one of our family favourites was enjoyed. For those from Yorkshire, you may try to claim it as your own, but as a Lancashire girl, I think it belongs to us! Ti p ‌ Wa r m y o u r syrup and treacle before trying to weigh them by sitting a saucepan of water on a low heat and sitting the containers in the water. Once warmed, weigh them straight into a pan. Sit the pan on your scales first and reset them to zero then drizzle in them in slowly.
OLIVE TREE FARM was set up about four years ago with the intention of achieving a level of self sufficiency. We have poultry for meat and eggs, goats for milk, rabbits and small pigs for meat and harvest our 70 olive trees each year for oil. We also grow a variety of fruits and vegetables. Parkin Ingredients 225g golden syrup 50g treacle toffee 110g butter 110g brown sugar 225g Oatmeal 110g Self raising flour 2 level teaspoons ground ginger Pinch of salt 1 large egg beaten (I
used one of our duck eggs) 1 tablespoon milk Method Pre heat oven to 140 deg C Weigh syrup and treacle straight into your saucepan (see tip above) add sugar and butter and gently melt on a low heat, keep stirring and do not let it boil. Add oatmeal, flour, ginger and salt to a mixing bowl, and once your wet ingredients are all melted together, slowly add it to mixing bowl stirring with a wooden spoon until all combined. Add the beaten egg and mix through, and finally add the milk and mix through. Ti p y o u r m i x i n t o a greased lined 18cm round cake tin or greased silicon mould. And bake in the centre of a preheated oven for one and a half hours. Leave to cool slightly before tipping it out. Wrap whilst still warm in cling film. This is quite a dry cake, but if left for a few days it gets moister and stickier, just as you remember!
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Puzzles
26th October - 1st November 2018
Wordsearch Types of Igneous Rock
Boggled How many English words can you find in the Boggled grid, according to the following rules? The letters must be adjoining in a ‘chain’. They can be adjacent horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Words must contain at least four letters and may include singular and plural or other derived forms. No letter may be used more than once within a single word, unless it appears twice. No vulgarities or proper nouns are permitted.
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
TARGET:
TROCTOLITE
TONALITE
DUNITE
APLITE
PERIDOTITE
DIABASE
DIORITE
GRANITE
PICRITE
GABBRO
OBSIDIAN
RHYOLITE
KIMBERLITE
TUFF
DACITE
NORITE
WEHRLITE
BASALT
Quick
Across 1 Omits (5) 4 Pairs of people who live together (7) 8 Fundamentally (11) 9 Manifold (8) 10 Adhesive (4) 12 Expensive (6) 13 Purchased (6) 16 Dark shade of blue (4) 18 Messages informing of danger (8) 21 Capable of being classified (11) 22 Spectacles (7) 23 Fragrance (5)
Down 1 Water vapour (5) 2 Rude expressions intended to offend or hurt (7) 3 Showing reason or sound judgment (8) 4 Appreciably or disagreeably cold (6) 5 Unattractive (4) 6 Faithful (5) 7 Propose (7) 11 Joins (8) 12 Marked by skill in deception (7) 14 Real (7) 15 Differs (6) 17 Russian spirit (5) 19 Depleted of content, energy, force, strength (5) 20 Requests information about (4)
• Average: 16
• Very good: 33
• Good: 23
• Excellent: 42
SCORING: • 4 letters: 1 point • 5 letters: 2 points • 6 letters: 3 points • 7 letters: 4 points • 8 or more letters: 11 points
merry rural kame nett yeti ramen raft lure laura lama lamb lame lawyer aura aural aurae alar alary ambit ameba amen enemy ever wren wryer ware warren wary walk waft awry maul malware mare marry marl meal titi fare fame fine bare barer barre barren balk balm bawl bear bearer beam bema bite bitt bitten earl embar near nearer
Cryptic
Across 1 Support parade proudly (5) 4 Plots resistance in different places (7) 8 Commemorate memorial, it’s rebuilt (11) 9 Take flight until tar is repaired (4,4) 10 Eye infection encountered in the first years of life (4) 12 Increases the number of dandies (6) 13 The approach or escape includes tedious tasks (6) 16 Ailment causing nasty eruptions, initially (4) 18 Detective is indeed comprehensive (8) 21 Hag can smell crooked coppers (5,6) 22 Beginning the climb after first of November (7) 23 Fibre used in optics is altered (5)
Down 1 Broke the family, in a way (5) 2 Regret about an inspector (7) 3 Accelerator or choke (8) 4 Good natured head of clan is wearing tartan (6) 5 Bitterly reproach perjurer for going back (4) 6 Upstanding characters from Crete (5) 7 Bags of cash confused alien skinhead (7) 11 Covers The Ashes broadcast (8) 12 Rank of Victoria for example (7) 14 Softens on the French in tears (7) 15 Farmer loth to consume wine (6) 17 Sent school head faulty dens (5) 19 Live in Erskine Caldwell’s house (5) 20 We must accept silver as payment (4)
Puzzles
26th October - 1st November 2018
IRREGULAR SUDOKU
HAM CITY, 10. Albert EINSTEIN (quote was originally in German)
band, whose UK Top 10 hit singles include: One Night in Heaven, Moving on Up, Sight for Sore Eyes and Search for a Hero? 7. Born in St George, Barbados in October 1961, with which sport would you principally associate Gladstone Small? 8. Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane, Kenney Jones and Jimmy Winston were the original members of which rock band formed in East London in 1965? 9. Which football club, currently playing in the Championship, was formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance? 10. Which famous theoretical physicist said: “Anyone who doesn’t take truth seriously in small matters cannot be trusted in large ones either”?
BURKE, 6. M PEOPLE, 7. CRICKET, 8. SMALL FACES, 9. BIRMING-
1. What is the name of the eccentric medium and clairvoyant in Noël Coward’s 1941 comic play Blithe Spirit? 2. Which BBC national radio station broadcasts on 693 kHz and 909 kHz on the Medium Wave (MW)? 3. Cyril Mead and Edward McGinnis are the real names of which British comedy double act? 4. Built by the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) between 1998 and 2008, what is the name of the biggest, most complex experimental facility ever built and the biggest single machine in the world? 5. Which two British comedy performers starred in the 2000 teen comedy Kevin & Perry Go Large? 6. Heather Small was the lead singer of which dance music
Answers
SOLTIMES STAR QUIZ : SMALL, MEDIUM AND LARGE
4. LARGE HADRON COLLIDER (LHC), 5. Harry ENFIELD and Kathy
Kakuro
1. MADAME ARCATI, 2. BBC RADIO LIVE, 3. LITTLE AND LARGE,
SUDOKU
Weekender 25
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.
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
CrosswordSolutions from last week Quick
Cryptic
Sudoku
Irregular Sudoku
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Weekender
Health & beauty
26th October - 1st November 2018
How we can help ta senior isolation T
HE world has been hit with an epidemic that could potentially kill older people. The crisis looming over our seniors today, is social isolation. The consequences of isolation could seriously challenge and threaten the well-being of older people. In fact, older people who are isolated are twice as likely to die prematurely. Shockingly, the mortality rate could even match that of smokers, whilst being twice as dangerous as obesity. It’s not surprising that many people feel socially isolated given that around 7.2 per cent of Europeans admit to never meeting up with relatives or friends. In fact over one in 10 older people over 65, across two-thirds of European countries, say they have no friends or never see them.
Social isolation can lead to illness and disability. Worringly, around 500,000 people in the UK aged over 60 spend at least one day on their own with no contact with other people. But social isolation can have serious health implications. Isolation can make people more vulnerable to developing conditions like dementia, becoming disabled, ending up in hospital, neglecting themselves, and can cause psychological distress. Even just very simple things like eating meals with other people, or sharing hobbies, can make a huge difference. Social interaction can help to significantly lower depression, boost the immune system and help keep our brains active. Keeping active and involved in the community can become central to an older person’s good health and wellbeing.
What can you do? Why not take up a new hobby and join a craft club or social group? There are many social clubs for seniors, and others that would be suitable despite not being age specific. Creative clubs such as sewing or knitting can be great, as these activities bring with them a sense of purpose and enjoyment, which can make a big difference. After all, it doesn’t matter what age you are to start sewing or knitting. Take inspiration from one 91-year-old man who spends his golden years knitting hats. While sitting in his hospice bed, Mr Boogaart has so far knitted around 8,000 hats so far, which he donates to the homeless. He’s been knitting hats for 15 years, and now it only takes him two days to finish one. When asked why he
does it, he says simply that he enjoys helping other people. No matter how seniors are encouraged to become less isolated, it is vital that you give those you know and love support and advice to enable them to do so. Just a small amount of human contact each week can improve lives and increase happiness, and this can have a dramatic effect on overall health in the future. If you know somebody who you think may be isolated and suffering from loneliness, try reaching out to them today. You could transform their life.
LONELINESS: Can lead to illness.
New radiation therapy is proving more effective CANCER of the larynx is diagnosed in around 3,725 people a year in Spain. It has a particularly high incidence rate in those with head and neck tumours and is more prevalent in men with smoking and alcohol raising the risk factors. Oncologists say radiotherapy is an effective treatment and if it is detected early enough, it can avoid the need for surgery. Hypofractionated radiotherapy, which comprises a higher dosage given in fewer treatments, has also shown to improve the survival of sufferers. According to a recent study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, in which more than 10,000 US patients participated for more than 10 years, hypofractionation radiotherapy in laryngeal carcinomas in early stages one and two resulted in increased patient survival. The five-year increase in survival for patients with stage two laryngeal cancer is estimated at 70.8 per cent when treated with hypofractionated
radiation therapy, but reduced to 64.5 per cent with conventional radiation therapy. Oncologists in Spain believe that concentrating the treatment in 28 to 30 sessions instead of the usual 35 is considered at present one of the main advances in treating cases and is increasingly being incorporated into clinical practice because it has been shown to have the same toxicity, or side effects, and greater disease control over conventional radiotherapy. Laryngeal cancers are one of the cancers that is found most quickly. As it can lead to a change in the voice it is often detected at an early stage. For those concerned, if a hoarseness like change in your voice lasts more than two weeks, contact your doctors. Other symptoms to look out for include a sore throat which does not go away; constant coughing; pain when swallowing; trouble breathing; ear pain and weight loss. Lumps or masses can also appear in the neck.
Health & beauty
ckle
26th October - 1st November 2018
Are we better with the traditional roles? IN today’s modern world, more traditional male and female roles have switched and the lines blurred. Encouraging women to stay at work and men to become house husbands has become the norm with many advocating the role reversals, but is that they really the answer? New research claims that switching these ‘conventional’ roles is actually making both sexes unhappy. Researchers at the University of Illinois examined data of nearly 1,500 men
The sound of music THE sound of music: is it just music to our ears or can it really heal our bodies too? As most of us know, music lifts the spirits. Stress relief melodies, calming background psalms, euphoric power ballads. Music could most definitely be considered food for all tastes. However, science now shows that music actually has a bio-chemical effect on our autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for controlling blood pressure and heartbeat, not forgetting the limbic system which is at the source of our feelings and emotions. To consolidate studies, scientists conducted various studies on choir members noting that their heart rates beat in unison in relation to the speed of their breathing which moved in a cadential pattern with the music. More surprisingly, heart rates of the group were quick to slow down and become synchronized. Reads from pulse monitors clearly indicated what moved from a jumble of jagged lines to a series of
UPLIFTING: Choir singing can be beneficial both mentally and physically. uniform peaks. This synchronization creates a sense of well-being. This age-old tradition of choral singing has been transferred to schools to promote good feeling at the start of the school day. Further studies have equally indicated the mental health benefits of singing. Oxytocin levels which help control stress and anxiety have been proven to be enhanced to the tune of stretched vocal
chords. Ground-breaking new evidence could even pave the way for therapeutic treatment for Parkinson’s and lung disease due to an increase in expiratory capacity. Sufferers noted the sensation of a strengthened voice, despite receiving a diagnosis of Parkinson’s five years earlier. Reasons for the improvement have been suggested as deep breathing and the extended use of the vocal chords.
and 1,800 women aged between 52 and 60. They reported that when females were the main breadwinners, there was an increased level in symptoms of depression with the opposite occurring in men. When they were the main earners, their psychological well-being was found to be at its highest. A man’s well-being decreased when they left the workforce to become home-makers, but for women, their well-being was not affected by leaving their jobs to stay at home.
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Weekender
by Sandy Shore WHENEVER the topic of ghosts comes up in a conversation there is perfectly natural and explainable scepticism. For those highly tuned, though not necessarily to the level of psychics, the presence of ghosts is self-evident. Those less aligned are simply unable to pick up the signals. Animals, like dogs for instance, are more receptive to the unnatural than are most humans. The Huff Post asked 1,000 people if they believed in the supernatural; 45 per cent did so. The 43 per cent who thought spirits harmless outnumbered the 32 per cent who thought mischief could be done by malevolent spirits. In my experience both are right. A ghost is the spiritual presence of a once mortal being and retains its characteristics. If you are nonthreatening and accept its presence then you have nothing to fear. If on the other hand your response is to challenge or challenge the spirit then you will certainly be the victim of
Feature
26th October - 1st November 2018
Banshees have right too
FURIOUS: Avoid the wrath of a banshee at all costs.
the encounter. I have lived in homes and ships that were homes to ghosts. Not once have I feared them. Living in an old manse I found my relationship with the spirit of an earlier female resident perfectly amicable. Being single at the time I occasionally entertained lady friends. If on occasion we had enough wine to put us over the limit then my guest stayed overnight. This never caused a problem until one night an attractive business colleague stayed over. My guest took the spare bedroom whilst I used the adjacent master bedroom; both being on the second f l o o r. N o s o o n e r h a d w e switched the lights off than the most frightful hullabaloo
occurred. Our bedroom doors were violently kicked and thumped whilst there were heard oaths and expressions of outrage. Leaping from our respective beds we bolted to our doors to see what on earth the commotion was; it was as quiet as a church vestry. My first thought was that my spirit friend was jealous yet other ladies had stayed without their being such a commotion. Only later did it occur to me that my friend, whose presence had led to the commotion, was a highly psychic person. Obviously, there had been a clash of psychic personalities. But, I must say my bedroom door was nearly kicked off its hinges too. Hell hath no fury like a banshee scorned. Spirits are natural and this doesn’t change just because we have not yet understood the phenomenon. My advice is, live with it and remember that supernatural beings have a right to be there too; don’t provoke or challenge their right.
Behind THE MUSIC
The Specials and Madness
V L James | vljcomms@gmail.com | Facebook: @vljamesinfo and You’re Wondering Now LAST Friday October 19 among the covers that was the 39th anniversary of the release of two somehow sat perfectly with social commenseminal albums for taries like Too Much my generation. The Too Young and ConSpecials and Madcrete Jungle. When ness both released their debut albums Roddy Radiation sang ‘I’m being on the same day. chased by the NaMore of Madness tional Front’ you knew next week. This week that Neville Staple we take a look at The and Lynval Golding Specials eponymously LEGENDARY: Any Winehouse (The Specials black titled 1979 debut. was influenced by The Specials. Heavily influenced members) had indeed had their exby Jamaican ska, The Specials took ska beats, sped it up and periences at the hands of the National added a snarling punk attitude. England Front. The Specials live performances bewas a dark and violent place in 1979 and was about to erupt in social unrest came legendary, with enthusiastic rude boys invading the stage during the and riots. The album was a mixture of original Skinhead Symphony climax to the material and souped-up ska classics. A shows. The album influenced so many. Message to You Rudy, Monkey Man Amy Winehouse was a massive fan.
PETS
26th October - 1st November 2018
Weekender 29
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The cat who adopted humans Simo was deposited on the doorstep as a kitten by an adult female - he wasn’t her own SIMO was just a kitten when he was left on a stranger’s doorstep. Last year, a mature stray cat deposited Simo, a Siamese kitten, on the doorstep of a home in Mojacar. The stray cat had been fed on that same doorstep from time to time. She didn’t belong to the house, but must have recognised the kindness of the owners, and so delivered Simo the abandoned kitten to the kind couple who would feed him. But he wasn’t the only one! Within the same month, the female cat delivered four other abandoned kittens to the same home, then promptly disappeared. One year later, the five nurtured kittens are fully grown and healthy, and now the homeowners need cat-sitters to care for these friendly rescued felines. Can you help? How we work HouseSitMatch is a house-sitting network where new members register online. We ID check everyone to ensure we know who you are, and sitters are also police checked. We charge for membership to ensure that there is a commitment from both parties and that we can afford to manage our network online professionally. Our latest review on Trustpilot “Excellent communications be-
Pet-friendly travels GETTING away and travelling to new places is one of life’s great pleasures, and can be even fun if you take the family’s faithful companion along too. There are many destinations in Spain which pet owners can enjoy in the company of their canine friends, from rural mountain retreats to the country’s extensive and varied coastline; these days there are even beaches with dedicated dogfriendly areas. Cities too can be an option for travellers with their pets by their side, as a growing number of hotels and hostels do now admit dogs. Planning ahead and checking out accommodation with a pets welcome policy is a good idea: some establishments have certain limits, perhaps on the size of dog they admit. Even if a hotel is pet-friendly, dog owners should use their common sense during their stay. Most establishments do not want dogs to be left on their own in rooms. Keep them on a lead in communal areas, not only so they won’t run off, but to prevent altercations with other four-legged guests. Also recommended is dogs wearing collars with name tabs, just in case they do manage to wander off on their own.
SAVED: Simo is now a picture of health. tween the HouseSitMatch team and ourselves, resulting in a smooth registration and for us a successful first house-sit.” Review by Mr Telvez Altea How you benefit as a home and pet owner Our membership offers access to a secure network, to help you find suitable sitters. We hide your contact details and address. You post an advert ahead of your travel dates, we publish the advert then house-sitters apply.
You can view their profiles and chat with them before you accept them. If you join as a Premium member we can also help you at each stage of the process to get you started and manage your account. How do you join? Please register online via our website www.Housesitmatch.com. Choose a membership plan: • Standard (DIY option) = £49 p/a. •Premium (with support at each step) = £79 p/a.
Do you need a house or pet-sitter? Get in touch. House-sitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and pet-sitting, and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! Register as either house-sitter or homeowner with a 20 per cent discount using coupon code P2020 – an exclusive offer for readers. To find a house pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com To find a house or pet-sitter go to www.HouseSitMatch.com call Lamia on 00 44 (0) 777 214 2742 or email admin@housesitmatch.com
Veterinary Clinic
Avenida de Almeria 1 Bis Local 2 Edf La Para,04639 Turre Almeria
CliniVet
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Weekender
26th October - 1st November 2018
Leisure
Top Gear announces new presenting line-up following the departure of Matt LeBlanc YouTube series Chris Harris on Cars, added: “I think you can tell just how much fun we’re going to have making Top Gear with Paddy and Freddie. They’re both brilliant, natural entertainers - and their mischief mixed with the most exciting cars on the planet is sure to take the show to the next level. My dream job just got even better.” Matt announced in May that he was leaving the show after the next series, as the workload meant he didn’t have time to see his family. The actor, who found fame as Joey Tribbiani on Friends, joined the line-up in 2016 after Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May left the show. His last series as host will premiere on BBC Two in early 2019.
Richard Shanley
Dishing the Dirt OF EUROPA DIGITAL
TOP GEAR has a brand new presenting line-up after Friends star Matt LeBlanc quit the show. Take Me Out’s Paddy McGuinness and cricketer Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff will be joining motoring journalist and racing driver Chris Harris. Speaking about his new role, Peter Kay’s comedy partner Paddy said: “Getting the Top Gear gig is a real honour and I’m thrilled the BBC have given me this opportunity. To be hosting a show I’ve watched and loved from being a small boy is beyond exciting. Top Gear fans worldwide are a passionate bunch and I consider myself one of them. “Now let’s start up this Great British machine and see what it can do!” Freddie added: “It’s not often you have the chance to do both of your dream jobs, but I’m now lucky enough to say I will have. I’ve always been passionate about cars and I’m so excited to be joining the Top Gear team.” Chris, who also hosts the
DREAM JOB: Andrew Flintoff will be joining Paddy McGuinness (inset) as the new hosts of Top Gear.
If you would like me to answer any questions you may have on satellite TV or to expand on anything I have written about please call me on 678 332 815 or email richard@europa-digital.com. I look forward to your comments and questions. Don’t forget to listen to my radio show every weekday from 10am on Spectrum 96.1 and 106.8FM, now covering almost 3,000sq kms of Costa Almeria and Calida or listen online at costaalmeria.spectrumfm.net for the latest news and views from the world of satellite television.
Feature
26th October - 1st November 2018
Weekender 31
Caught in the Bermuda Triangle Credit: Tabercil flickr
by John Redfern I HAD now been playing in Bermuda Triangle, the pop trio for 10 years, it was 1974 and I was now 25 years of age and although the gigs were keeping us busy it was mainly in Working Men’s Clubs. It was our main source of income but like the name of the trio the Bermuda Triangle, we were being sucked down into this mythical devils triangle in the North Atlantic Sea (Readers of this great rag the RTN newspaper please note, John Smith the editor is on tip toes with me because of my John Bull vocabulary, but I couldn’t care a monkeys). Well here we go! We were now playing in these clubs all around the Midlands and to be honest the money was good, but times were changing. The small Working Men’s Clubs were slowly closing down and bands had to travel further which was a
Chubby Checker – still doing the Hucklebuck. drag, but the show doesn’t end until the fat lady sings as the saying goes. We had to start looking at travelling into the sticks and had to go through a test called ‘Shop Windows.’ It was always on a Sunday lunchtime. This allowed the gaffers of their clubs an hour or two at a table on their own to let’s say to get half hissed. These middle-aged men with
red pimpled snot boxes and beer guts that flowed over their waistline like the Niagara Falls looked like lorry driver’s mates or a Russian shot putter but were in a position of power. They sat with a stack of business cards with their Woodbines glowing and puffing fag smoke that rose to the roof. The acts was given a 10-minute slot and at the end of show the perform-
ers wandered around the club to hopefully top up their diaries for future work. Entertainment secretaries at that time worked for their clubs for nothing. Oh boy! I am now coughing up blood while laughing! Please excuse me! Just had a sip of my favourite tipple (red wine) That’s better and I’ve calmed down now and lit up my fag. Right let’s get straight to the point. A few and it was a few of these so-called volunteers that represented the working class people (cough cough, wink wink) were skimming a few quid from the act’s fees and to be honest in the xx day we couldn’t care less. The dance nights at the clubs were a rave and the clubs used to put up signs outside saying full house on a blackboard at 8pm and some nights we had to play the Hucklebuck by Chubby Checker three times! Funny story: We were playing one night at the West End club in Coventry, There was a lightning strike for the night shift at the Chrysler UK car factory, it was about 10pm, and the gaffer
of the club came on stage to announce it! The dance floor was packed then within seconds of this announcement, the young and middle-aged women were grabbing their coats and legging it before their husbands came home. These dance nights were nicknamed by bands ‘Grab a granny nights.’ Cor blimey I was standing on stage playing my bass and watched this debacle, it was so funny, just like a dust cart following a wedding! Our trio after 10 years had now hit stony ground and my great friend John Clarke the guitarist and singer announced to us he was leaving. It was a bomb shell because in music terms we were a marriage and he was the king pin, but it was the best thing that could have happened to me because I finally ended up in a six-piece band which had a brass section including trombone, trumpet and saxophone. Wow, the brass section in a band when blowing gives the rhythm and percussion a thrill that blows your brains out.
CLASSIFIEDS
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Some of our fantastic sections, select one or create the best to reach success
TELEPHONE ALBOX OFFICE 950 633 217 or MOBILE 642 454 311 or sales@soltimes.com
BUILDERS ALMERIA BUILDERS: Fully Legal, Fully Insured, All Work Guaranteed. 659 685 133 www.almeriabuilders.c om (253556)
CARS WANTED CARS WANTED for Cash. Classic Cars & Land Rovers, Range Rovers, Defenders & Discoveries. Please call: 659 685 133 (253556)
CHARITIES/CHURCHES GIRASOL COMMUNITY CENTRE. Mosaic Classes, Art Classes, Karate, Yoga, Thai Chi, Pilates, Health Screening every 6 weeks. For Hire 5.00€ per hour. Tel 639 089 170
month, 11am. Evensong, second Sunday of each month 6pm. Llanos Del Peral, Cucador, Eucharist or morning worship, Sunday 11am. Church Wardens: Pam Carter 667 947 573. Janet Smith 671 451 838. For more information go to their website at www.mojacarchurch. org ZURGENA branch of the Royal British Legion hold Branch Meetings on the 1st Thursday of the month. Coffee morning 3rd Wednesday of the month. Quiz night with a hot and cold buffet last Friday of the month. We also arrange outings to places of interest and have regular lunches together. (253989)
DRAINAGE
COSTA Almeria and Costa Calida. Mojacar Eucharist Sunday 11am, at San Pascual. Aljambra Chapel, Albox, Eucharist, second and last Thursday of each
ANGLICAN CHURCH SERVICES FOR COSTA ALMERIA & COSTA CALIDA Oct 7 Oct 7 Oct 11 Oct 14 Oct 14 Oct 14 Oct 21 Oct 21 Oct 25
Mojacar Llanos Del Peral Aljambra, Albox Mojacar Llanos Del Peral Aljambra Mojacar Llanos Del Peral Aljambra, Albox
Oct 28 Mojacar Oct 28 Llanos Del Peral
BUILDERS
11am 11am 11am 11am 11am 6pm 11am 11am 11am
Eucharist Dedication Festival Eucharist Dedication Festival Eucharist Evensong Eucharist Eucharist Dedication Festival followed by Monthly lunch NO SERVICE 11am Licensing Service
ELECTRICS ABBOTT ELECTRICS. From a Light Fitting to a Full Rewire. Tel: 950 137 208 / 638 010 691 (278878)
INSURANCE ALBOX/MOJACAR INSURANCE, Award winning Agent for ALL your insurance needs. ALBOX OFFICE: 950 121 943. Mojacar office: 634 323 399
ESTATE AGENT VOSS HOMES are a professional, British family-run Estate Agents with an office in Huercal-Overa town. They specialize in selling and renting properties in the Huercal-Overa, La Alfoquia, Zurgena & Taberno area. Andy, Anna, Jess, Adele, Hannah, Amy & Karen look forward to helping you buy, sell or rent your ideal property. Please call 678 002 006 for more information (279615)
HEALTH & BEAUTY GIRASOL HEALTH FOOD SHOP, Calle Malaga, Albox. For all your dietary needs, health foods, organic foods, supplements, super food powders, organic eggs and veggie box scheme. Est 2006. Tel 639 089 170
INSURANCE
MOTOR INSURANCE. For the most competitive quotes in English call Linea Directa on 902 123 309, you could save as much as 30% and you can transfer your existing no claims bonus. Call Linea Directa on 902 123 309 for motor insurance with a human voice in English from Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and save money now! (200726)
INTERNET GET YOUR business noticed online! Make sure that expats in Spain can find your product, service, restaurant, bar or shop. Contact Spain’s newest and brightest online directory TODAY. Call 951 386 161 or email mark.w@euroweeklyne ws.com for more details.
LEGAL SERVICES PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR Debt Collection, evictions, solicitor. Professional & discreet. 697 834 934
MOTORING WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 902 123 309. (200726)
Classifieds NAUTICAL COURSES
26th October- 1st November 2018
SITUATIONS VACANT
INTERNATIONAL SKIPPER LICENCE: Courses held in English and starts soon. RYA VHF and Radar Courses. 636 444 929
SWIMMING POOLS
REMOVALS/STORAGE
INSURANCE
GENECO Pool construction. Tel 950 478 086 for no obligation quote (93401)
TRANSPORT
PETS THE FIVE BONE HOTEL, TURRE. Little dogs 6 euros, medium dogs 6.75 euros, big dogs 7.50 euros, cats from 5.25 euros a day. 630 234 556 / the5bonehotel turre@gmail.com New opening hours MonSat 9.30-12.30 and 18.00 – 19.00 Sundays 9.30-10.30 (279669)
PLUMBING SERVICES KNOWLES PLUMBING. No 1 for plumbing! Central heating, solar hot water and water deposits. Tel: 950 137 197 or 606 807 797 (278824)
REMOVALS/STORAGE FULLY Insured UK/Spain Removals & Storage, UK Trading Standards Approved www.indalotransport.c om 634 33 64 68 or Freephone UK 0800 999 33 68 (276002)
www.ukspainuk.com We’ve 18+ years’ experience. New Clean Vehicles running 2/3 times monthly. ONLINE QUOTES. Insured with RSA. ANY size move. Worried who to use? We’ll look after you. Call BMC European free on Spain 900 984 960 or UK 0800 612 4677 (WhatsApp +34 622 588 222) (279154)
FULLY Insured UK/Spain Removals & Storage, UK Trading Standards Approved www.indalotransport.c om 634 336 468 or Freephone UK 0800 999 33 68 (279773) ARE YOU selfmotivated and hard working? We are looking for administration/telesal es candidates. Experience not essential as full training is given. Applications by email with full CV should be sent to recruitment@eurowee klynews.com.
MOBILE APP COMPANY LOOKING FOR INVESTORS Our existing mobile app service is looking to expand into Europe Invest from as little as €3,000 Please call +34 626 426 642 for further information (279051)
CHARITY
REMOVALS/STORAGE
SECOND HAND INSURANCE
EARN 75€-400€ weekly, flexible hours from home working with a leading Swedish health & beauty brand. No selling required or experience needed as full training given. Apply now at www.the-vistagroup.com (277919)
SOLAR ENERGY /POWER SOLAR WIND POWER SOLUTIONS. Over 20 years installation experience. Established 17 years in Spain. Call Phil for competitive prices on 636 261 240 or email info@sunergyalmeria.c om (276001)
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26th October - 1st November 2018
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Sport
26th October - 1st November 2018
Cheering on basketball champs THE FEDDI 2018 Basketball Championship of Spain especially designed for people with learning disabilities attracted a huge amount of local support in Mojacar, which along with Garrucha hosted the tournament last weekend. The municipal sports pavillion venue was packed to the rafters throughout the event, with people from all over the area enthusiastically cheering on the teams and clapping loudly for every ball in the basket. Just under 300 male and female players spread across six categories and making up 26 teams from nine different regions of Spain battled their way through the contest. With a championship at stake in each category, the finals were very tight, the Almeria women’s team, Los Carriles, making a great position as Spanish runner-up. Presentations were made at the closing ceremony by
RUNNERS-UP: The Almeria women’s team. the respective sports councillors for Mojácar and Garrucha, Ana Garcia and Juan
19th Hole Golf Society Match Report LUCJ was on the side of the 19th Hole golfers as the rain stopped long enough for 45 of them to get round Aguilon in their Monthly Medal competition. Indeed the conditions were perfect for low scoring and some of the members took full advantage of this fact. The most impressive was Clive Kershaw, who has been playing well recently, but not scoring. This all changed as he came in with an impressive net 66 to take the Men’s Medal by three shots from in-form Ralph Hunter (69). Third spot was taken by Pat Odwyer on count-back from Lee Coxon, both having scored net 74. The Ladies’ Medal was won by Karyn Esposito with a steady net 76. There were three two’s recorded by Malcolm Chalmers (12th), Vic Butler and Gordon Buckland (both 14th).
Nearest the pins: 3rd 8th 11th in 2 12th 14th 17th
Malcolm Chalmers. Lee Coxon. Mark Baines. Gary Ashe. Vic Butler. Karyn Esposito.
The 19th Hole Golf Society play every week on local courses.Contact mi keesposito54@yahoo.com for information.
Pedro Molina, with championship medals presented to all players who came in the
first three in each category, as well as team trophies and mementos for all par-
ticipants. The championship was organised by the Spanish
Sports Federation for people with Intellectual Disabilities in collaboration with Mojacar and Garrucha councils, the Carriles Foundation, the provincial government, the National Sports Council, the ONCE Foundation, Liga 4Sports, the Spanish Paralympic Committee and a number of national companies. The sports federation and team representatives were keen to show their appreciation to the Mojacar and Garrucha local authorities and the Carriles Foundation for all their work, organisation and support to the players and their families who attended the event. Mojácar Council, as first time hosts of this important national event, provided all medical logistics with essential stand-by staff and full ambulance support, in addition to very welcome refreshments.
Aguilon Golf Members Friendship IT is that time of the year when a combination of rain and sunny weather mean the dreaded mosquitos make an appearance, so repellent is the order of the day before starting a round. Wednesday October 10 - Campbell Lamont Qualifier The second of the series was well supported and again the club members were treated to another runaway winner, with the rest of the field all in a bunch chasing the victor. 1st Glyn Ombler 41 pts 2nd Bob Tagg 35 pts on a card play off 3rd Derrick Stephenson 35 pts Twos: Brendan Cullen, Kevin Manser 8th, Norman Ridgway x2 12th and 17th, Peter Easthope, Les Raufer 12th, Mark Newall 14th, Peter Death, Dave Sharp 17th Wednesday October 17 - Individual Stableford A little wind brought the players back down to normality with no high scoring this week. However they did have a five-way tie for second place which
through sport
RUNAWAY CHAMP: Campbell Lamont Qualifier winner Glyn Omber. was decided on count back. 1st Roy Bishop 35 pts 2nd Chris Baker 34 pts on a card play off 3rd Norman Whibley 34 pts on a card play off Two’s: Ann Miles 3rd,
Kevin Manser 8th, Glyn Ombler 12th, Terry Ayling 14th, Norman Whibley 17th For further information log on to club website aguilonmembersclub.com.
THE Nijar Municipal Information Centre for Women is once again organising a programme of monthly guided hikes. Social Well-being Councillor Vi c t o r i a C a l a t r a v a , s a i d t h e council had decided to repeat the walking route initiative this year so that women ‘have the opportunity to share experiences and widen their circle of friends through sport, and to discover more of our area.’ The walking programme starts on Sunday with an eightkilometre route beginning and ending at the Fraile farmhouse and going through the Hornillo area, and classified as low difficulty. The walk is expected to take three and a half hours. The level of difficulty will move up to medium on Saturday November 24, with a 9.5kilometre walk taking in Agua Amarga and the Lucainena Green Way. The councillor stressed that i s w a s a n i n c l u s i v e a c t i v i t y, open to all residents of the m u n i c i p a l i t y, a n d f r e e o f charge.
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26th October - 1st November 2018
Motoring
Going electric... cheaper than believed A
CCORDING to car market experts CAP HPI, the cost of maintaining an electric car is much less than many people think. A recent report showed that it costs an average of 23 per cent less than what is involved in the traditional petrol engine. It’s accepted that the initial cost of buying an electric car is higher than the equivalent brand of fuel-driven model, but at least for the present, they are significantly cheaper to run. The headline for low EV running costs is how
POPULAR: The Leaf leads the UK electric car market. Photo credit: Qurren Wikimedia Commons
much cheaper they are to refuel than a petrol or diesel car, with the (almost) untaxed electricity making EVs very appealing. However, all that is likely to change when electric cars reach a significant percentage of new car sales. CAP HPI believes that there will be a drop of fuel duty for petrol and diesel cars, and for it to be replaced with road pricing where drivers pay a fixed amount per every mile driven. But even when that happens, electric cars will still have a cost advantage over an ICE car, with CAP HPI reporting that, on average, EVs cost 23 per cent less to maintain than an equivalent ICE car. Even for a small car like the Renault Zoe, there would be a saving of 35.7 per cent over three years when compared to a Vauxhall Corsa; and in the case of the Nissan Leaf - the most popular electric car in the UK - the saving over the same period when put up against a VW Golf 1.0 TSI, is still 19 per cent. Although the number of electric cars on UK roads has gone up by 128 per cent in the last three years, there are still only 37,483 electric cars on the road in the UK - just one in 800 cars - so road pricing is probably still a few miles away in the distance yet.
Motoring
26th October - 1st November 2018
39
Cutting edge technology in the 2019 Hyundai Nexo H
YUNDAI has introduced its technologically-advanced 2019 Nexo fuel cell SUV. Nexo is the new technological flagship of Hyundai’s growing eco-vehicle portfolio and marks Hyundai’s continued momentum with the industry’s most diverse SUV powertrain lineup, and will be available in California before the end of 2018. Nexo leads Hyundai’s plans in development of zero-emission vehicles. They plan to introduce 38 eco-friendly models by 2025 and 18 models by 2025. This new development plan also represents the next step for Hyundai, towards realising a cleaner environment via advanced eco-friendly vehicles. Dr. Woong-chul Yang, Vice Chairman of Hyundai, said: “Hydrogen energy is the key to building a more sustainable society. Hyundai have already taken a lead in hydrogen technology with the introduction of the Tucson fuel cell. “Yet, as another result of this earthsaving effort, I am so proud to introduce to you our second-generation Nexo Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle as a culmination of our cutting-edge technologies.” Nexo offers a number of advanced driver assist systems, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Driver At-
Photo credit: Alpha Squad YouTube
AUTOMATIC: The 2019 Nexo can park or leave a space without a driver.
tention Warning (DAW), High Beam Assist (HBA) and Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA). RSPA enables Nexo to either autonomously park or retrieve itself from either a parallel or perpendicular parking space with or without a driver. The RSPA system can even autonomously back Nexo into a parking
spot with a touch of a key fob button. When faced with any challenging parking scenarios, Nexo drivers will be able to park with complete confidence and reduced stress. Lane Following Assist (LFA) is a new technology for Hyundai, showcased first in the Nexo fuel cell. LFA automatically helps assist steering to help keep
Nexo more precisely centred in its current lane of travel. LFA can help keep Nexo centered in its lane at speeds between zero and 90 miles per hour on both highways and city streets. This advanced driving assistance feature is an additional aid helping drivers to traverse long distances with greater ease.