RTN Newspaper - Costa Blanca North 7 - 14 December 2017 Issue 946

FREE! North edition

For daily news online

www.rtnnewspaper.com

Issue 946

7th - 14th December 2017

Reporting The News Photo credit Javea Ayuntamiento

No battery? No problem

Inside this week...

Electric vehicle owners will be able to charge them for free, 24-hours a day in Jesus Pobre as two new 22KW charging points were unveiled in the centre of the town this week.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, action

P6 PLANNING AHEAD: Javea Mayor Jose Chulvi with architect and engineer Francisco Valiente

Building bridges by Tahnee Wright AFTER TEN YEARS, the bridge over the river Gorgos on Javea’s Avenida Mediterraneo (Puente de Triana) will finally be rebuilt. The project has been put out to tender with a budget of €567,000. Javea Mayor Jose Chulvi acknowledged the time it has taken to get the project to this stage, a result of the sheer number of external public bod-

ies involved. Now, having overcome various bureaucracies, Javea Council plans for the rebuilding to begin in Spring 2018 to be complete by the summer. The bridge has been in a state of disrepair since October 2007 when major flooding caused damage to its concrete supports, leaving just the inner framework that supports its weight. Since then, it has been closed to heavy traffic including local buses.

The damages were assessed in 2014 when Javea Council paid for a technical study to be carried out. The study recommended demolishing the bridge and rebuilding it completely. The new bridge will be wider and will also provide access for pedestrians. The project will take around three months to execute but traffic will only need to be diverted for 4-5 weeks since part of the project can be completed with the circulation of cars.

Local scientist in London

P8 Life’s a beach

P9

2

THANK YOU: Original Charity Shop volunteers with Red Cross volunteers

Red Cross Refugee Appeal receives €1,000 by Rose Holmes JAVEA’S Original Charity Shop & Library presented the Red Cross Refugee Appeal with a cheque for €1,000 last week. The donation was very gratefully received, with volunteer Sandy Tsalikidis expressing her greatest thanks: “Please thank all your volunteers for the splendid work they do for everyone in the community. What would we do without you?” The Original Charity Shop was founded in 1971 and has been going strong for 46 years. In 1992 the Original Charity Shop took over the English Library and for the last 25 years has

been known as The Original Charity Shop and Library, with the library located in Javea Park. During the last 45 years the Shop (and later with the support of the Library) has raised more than €2 million for local charities. The organisation is run by a team of more than 80 international volunteers from 11 different countries. The shop itself on Calle Nancy is close to the beach and offers much more space for shoppers. It is open Monday to Saturday from 10.00am to 1.00pm. Check out - www.charityshoplibrary.com for more information or email info@charityshoplibrary.com.

24 feb - 2 march 2017

Walk to school week every day by Fabio Delucci Denia will encourage students to walk or cycle to school as part of its ‘Red de Caminos Escolares’ (School Path Network) project. Councillors Javier Scotto and Rafa Carrio presented the initiative last week, highlighting the “seriously problem of mobility in Denia and its two smaller neighbours, Jesus Pobre and La Xara.” The councillors said children travelling to school in a car every day is leading to “health problems such as sedentary lifestyles and obesity." The idea of the School Path Network project is to create a network of routes to the 11 schools in the area where students can walk or cycle to school safely and securely. It is hoped the initiative will improve children's health, allowing them to travel independently whilst reducing the number of cars on the road, improving air quality and road safety. As part of the project:

HEIGH HO, IT’S OFF TO SCHOOL WE GO: The School Path Network will allow children to walk or cycle to school safely and securely • A website will be launched (caminisdenia.com) • Awareness campaigns will be inaugurated • Activities will be arranged both in the schools and on the streets A fleet of ‘walking buses’ will also be introduced. Each walking bus has an

adult 'driver' at the front and an adult 'conductor' at the rear. Students walk to school in a group along a set route picking up additional 'passengers' at specific 'bus stops' along the way. The initiative is being rolled out to primary schools initially and secondary schools next year.

Pedestrians run over in city centre

Two pedestrians were injured on Monday morning when they were run over by a car next to an ancient monument in the centre of Valencia. The accident occurred at rush hour opposite the Torres de Serranos, one of the twelve gates that formed part of the Valencia’s ancient city wall.

The driver of the car, which had rolled onto its side, also suffered injuries and had to be cut out of the vehicle. Police at the scene said they did not think the accident was a result of speeding given the amount of traffic in the city at that time. The pedestrians and the driver were taken to hospital.

3

4

24 feb - 2 march 2017

Will residents do the right thing?

WHERE’S THE FUN IN THAT? Bulls can be blinded, causing them to crash into people or objects

by Tahnee Wright SENIJA residents can vote to decide whether to abolish the municipality’s annual ‘El Toro Embolado’ event. The event forms part of the village’s Mare de Deu dels Desemparats and Santa Caterina fiestas held at the beginning of May. The roots of El Toro Embolado are unknown, although it is thought to date back as far as the pre-Roman period. The routine has evolved little over the centuries; a bull is tied to a post and organisers attach to its horns an iron contraption holding a pair of flammable balls. The balls are then set on fire, in the hope that the animal, once unleashed, thrashes around wildly to put out the fire, much like a bucking bronco.

Although protaurinos claim the bulls are not harmed during El Toro Embolado, animal rights activists strongly disagree, claiming bulls regularly die during the event and can also be blinded, causing them to crash into people or objects. Activists have shared videos on YouTube to show the extent of suffering experienced by the bulls, including a video filmed in 2012 where a bull is seen lying dead after crashing in panic with its horns on fire. Senija is following in the footsteps of Pedreguer in in putting the decision in the hands of its residents. Both Senija and Pedreguer are governed by Compromis and Pedreguer residents voted to abolish the town’s El Toro Embolado earlier this year. Senija residents are able to vote at the Town Hall until next Thursday December 14.

5

Six treated after fire break out

SIX people including two pensioners had to be treated for smoke inhalation after a fire broke out at house in Javea on Monday. A passer-by alerted the emergency services to the fire on Avenida de Estrasburgo - near the Arenal - at around 8.45pm after spotting two people on a balcony screaming for help. A few minutes later, firefighters arrived and rescued the owners of the house, both over 70-years-old. They were attended by medics for smoke inhalation and burns and four neighbours were also affected. Investigators have not yet revealed the cause of the fire.

Bills, bills, bills A SPANISH RESTAURANTEUR has been ordered by Alicante Provincial Court to pay to pay €2,329 in connection to non-payment of charges linked to his restaurant in Benidorm. The case of the businessman and retired bullfighter - who owns several restaurants all over Spain - caused a stir amongst legal professionals in the province as he argued that his company is not nearing bankruptcy, despite having accumulated €900,000 euros in losses.

Child pornography hacker arrested A ROMANIAN MAN was arrested in TeuladaMoraira for hacking his neighbours’ Wi-Fi networks to download and share content of a paedophilic nature. The arrest came as part of an international operation led by the Violent Crimes Against Children International Task Force (VCACITF) of the FBI, in which 63 people from 11 countries have been arrested for exchanging files. To prevent hackers accessing your Wi-Fi network, the police recommend taking the following steps: • Change or ask for help to change the default configuration of your router. Use an encryption type WPA2-AES with a secure password and limit the number of assignable IP addresses. • Keep your router's firmware updated • Change the name of your access point (SSID) • Use a firewall as a second line of defence

Don’t lose out on €2.7 million CALPE is encouraging its citizens to register on the Padron as it fears resident figures have dropped to under 20,000. Aside from being needed for many personal administrative and bureaucratic processes, the

more people that are registered on the Padron, the more funds Calpe will have to maintain and improve public services - the Government of Spain allocates funds to each individual municipality based on the number of officially

registered residents showing on the Padron. Calpe is awaiting reports from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) but if resident figures are found to be below 20,000, it will amount to an immediate munici-

pal loss of €2.7 million from the Government of Spain. According to municipal figures, between 40,000 and 45,000 people live in Calpe over seven months of the year, figures that in summer reach 100,000 people.

6

Have your Say!

A popular post this week is “Prince Harry and

Meghan Markle announce royal engagement” which has reached over 2,600 people with over 45 reactions.

Hilary Toman “Good luck to them both and I hope the other Royals and the press leave them in peace”

Lights, camera, action by Rose Holmes STAFF from the Benidorm Film Office (BFO) and Visit Benidorm were in London this week at the FOCUS exhibition. FOCUS “brings together professionals from all sectors of the creative screen industries, offering highvalue contacts, a packed industry expert session programme, facilitated meetings and receptions.” The Benidorm team ran a stand at the exhibition to promote the city as it becomes one of the most active audio-visual production destinations in Spain. Benidorm’s streets have become a popular backdrop for hundreds of productions, the most soughtafter areas being Mirador de la Cruz, Paseo de Poniente, calle Dos Calas and calle Gerona. Figures for the first half of 2017 were up 47 per cent on the first half of 2016 with most filming taking place in the months of May and June. In June this year, four productions were being EASY ON filmed on one day. Head of the BFO Rosa Llorca said: “We attended THE EYE: The view the FOCUS exhibition with the idea of studying from the how other destinations in this sector work and of Mirador making our city known as a set.” de la Cruz

Students against sewage

@RTNNewspaper

Our most liked posts from this week

Surprised?

Five ways to stop snoring. Monastery will reopen as hotel. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce royal engagement. High blood pressure in older cats . Mulled wine chocolate brownies.

A recent nationwide survey has revealed that three Marina Alta municipalities sit in the top 50 for highest priced contents insurance in Spain. Contents in an average home in Pedreguer are insured for €30,417, followed by Benissa at €30,328 and Teulada-Moraira at €29,991. The contents in an average Spanish home are insured for €22,466. Javea comes eighth of the Valencian Community, with contents in an

In Total 4,523 People reached 1,224 Post engagements

rtnnewspaper.com Send us your comments on Facebook, Twitter and on our website. Or if you prefer you can email our editor directly:

admin.rtn@ ewnmediagroup.com

See this weeks letter on Page 32

Reporting The News PART OF THE EWN MEDIA GROUP

News & Views from the North & South Costa Blanca & Costa de Sol

• General Enquiries

951 386 161

Deadlines Adverts: copy changes, classifieds and editorial Copy: Tuesday 5pm for following Friday’s edition.

average home insured for €28,557, whilst Els Poblets sits amongst the top 20 in the community at €26,777. Denia barely exceeds the national average at €22,655 and El Verger (€21,839) and Calpe (€21,776) sit below it – Calpe being the lowest in the entire region. Also above the national average is Ondara, where contents in an average home are insured for €25,765, Benitachell at €24,991 and Pego at €24,830.

CLUB NAUTICO DE XABIA, together with Fundacion Ecomar and Fundacio Oceanografic took year five and six students from the CEIP Port de Xabia school out on a coastal clean operation last week. More than 150 kilograms of waste was collected from the breakwater, the fishermen’s wharf and the maritime area of the Paseo de la Marina Espanola. Students enjoyed interacting with the Oceanografic technicians, who taught them about the jellyfish and octopus they saw as the sea was calm. 5 kilograms of paper and cardboard was collected, 43 of plastic and packaging, 32.5 of organic matter, 35 of glass and another 30 of mixed waste.

All adverts must be prepaid whether they are placed at our offices, by email or fax, or via our sales team. The advertisers full name, address and ID number must be supplied (not for publication). RTN does not accept any responsibility for claims made by advertisers, either in advertisements or advertorials, nor can it be held responsible for any inaccuracies, errors, or the non-appearance of advertisements or advertorials. This publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors as a result of poor quality artwork or logos supplied by advertisers and no responsibility is accepted for any loss or damage caused by any error or inaccuracy or non-appearance of an advertisement or advertorial. Every effort will be made to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of articles and advertisements in this publication, however the publisher does not accept responsibility for claims or opinions in the same. The publisher does not accept responsibility for opinions expressed by readers in the ‘Mailbox’ section of this newspaper. Reproduction of any part of this newspaper without the consent of the publishers is prohibited.E:&O.E. All rights reserved/Todos los derechos reservados Edita : RTN Publishing and Media SL Deposito Legal : South A-853-1999 North: A-134-2004 Costa del Sol MA-630-2017

Customer service • Customer Service If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of our service you can call us or write to: EURO WEEKLY NEWS MEDIA SA Avda Ramon y Cajal 54. Edf River Playa, local 2. 29640 Fuengirola - Málaga 951 386 161

• Enquiries Enquiries

Sales@ewnmediagroup.com accounts@ewnmediagroup.com • Editorial Editorial

newsdesk.rtn@ewnmediagroup.com • Internationalenquiries Enquiries International

Marketing@ewnmediagroup.com Distribution • Distribution Distribution@ewnmediagroup.com • Complaints Complaints

Complaints@ewnmediagroup.com

8

24 feb - 2 march 2017

Local scientist in London by Tahnee Wright 30-YEAR-OLD scientist Jose Torres from Pego is one of ten Spaniards selected for the second edition of Ambassadors for Science - a pioneering shadowing scheme between scientists and diplomats developed in the Embassy of Spain in London. The scheme brings together both professionals to get them exposed to their different worlds - science and diplomacy - with the aim of finding common grounds that could foster lateral thinking and better science diplomacy. Whereas scientists shall receive introductory seminars about the Spanish diplomatic action, diplomats will receive basic notions about science and technology at the global

and national level, focusing on Spain and the United Kingdom. Scientists will also shadow diplomats on their daily routine to learn about the diplomatic activity and diplomats shall visit scientists’ laboratories to get an insight firsthand about the world of science, technology and research. Jose, who was born in Pego and now works as a postdoctoral researcher in Queen Mary University London has been paired with Maria Cruz-Guzman Flores, First Counsellor of the Spanish embassy in London. The first edition of Ambassadors for Science was developed in the Embassy of Spain in London in 2016 and the programme aims to be expanded to other diplomatic delegations and institutions in the near future.

Disconnecting The bus service connecting the centre of Denia with the streets of the Montgo will come to a halt next Friday December 15. Councillor Javier Scotto announced that the service - launched in July as an experiment to see how popular it would be – will only operate in summer as in winter, there are simply not enough users to make it worthwhile. The decision was received unfavourably by the Association of Neighbours of the Montgo, however Scotto explained how he and his team are already working with the association to ensure the service suits all next summer.

Photo credit Fundacion FECYT

LEARNING FROM EACH OTHER: Jose and Maria

Just keep swimming

In January this year, Javea residents and swimmers Colin Smithson and Jose Ramon Garcia set themselves a challenge – to swim 200km from Valencia to Alicante. They took to the challenge in stages, beginning on the beach of Pinedo in Valencia. Now, some 11 months later,

the double-act have nearly completed the challenge in 28 stages, completing the penultimate stage from Barranc d'Aigues to Banos de La Reina in El Campello this Wednesday before swimming the final stage from the port of El Campello to the beach of San Juan tomorrow (Satur-

day). With generous donations from family and friends, Colin and Jose have raised funds for UK children’s charity Cash For Kids at the Club Esportiu Aquarium in Alicante. For more information check out https://www. justgiving.com/fundraising/ silloth-rotary-club.

9

The chosen one

BENIDORM has been chosen to host the 31st meeting of Spain’s UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet) next year. The network links educational institutions across the world around a common goal: to build the defences of peace in the minds of children and young people. The 10,000 ASPnet member schools in over

180 countries work in support of international understanding, peace, intercultural dialogue, sustainable development and quality education in practice. The network operates both internationally and nationally. Principals and teachers from 173 educational institutions across Spain will attend the meeting in Benidorm.

IT’S nearly Christmas

With the impending arrival of Christmas comes the annually anticipated festive edition of the ‘It Market’ in Javea. This Friday December 8 through to Sunday December 10, the Christmas It Market will be held at the Parador de Javea, presenting the perfect opportunity to pick up a few presents - with stalls showcasing clothing, accessories, children's clothing, homewares, jewellery and art. Caritas will also have a stall at the market, collecting unwanted toys and clothes. Caritas acts as a social safety net, providing a food bank, a clothing store, help in preventing eviction proceedings, grants to pay for utilities, help to improve people’s job prospects, household essentials and school supplies for children.

Life’s a beach by Rose Holmes ENTREPRENEURS at Javea’s most recent ‘Beers and Bytes’ session enjoyed presentations from three local businesspeople: Dayana Santacreu – President of Jovempa and businesswoman in the veterinary sector, Guiomar Ramierez-Montesinos of Centro de Terapias Mezquida and Yamilla Repetto of Monsoon Thai Restuarant. Part of the municipality’s commitment to becoming the capital of the beachworking movement, the primary aim of the ‘Beers and Bytes’ sessions is to bring together entrepreneurs, all with a desire to make contacts and share experiences and advice. Francesc Camprubi Martell, Head of Javea’s Department of Economic Development is behind the concept of ‘beachworking’ – promoting the municipality’s unique offering of quality of life along with professional development opportunities, great for those for want to develop professionally without forfeiting the relaxed characteristic that comes with living in a Meditteranean town. Sessions are held on the last Wednesday of every month and are open to all current or future entrepreneurs.

Photo credit Javea Ayuntamiento

SMILE FOR THE CAMERA: The monthly sessions are well atended by entrepreneurs from a variety of sectors ** WATCH THIS SPACE ** New for 2018 from Beers and Bytes founders Adl Tecnologico Creama Xabia will be ‘XABIATIC’ – sessions to bring together entrepreneurs from the technology sector.

Sessions will be held on the second Tuesday of every month, start date yet to be confirmed. For more information and updates, follow ‘Adl Tecnologico Creama Xabia’ on Facebook.

10

From Ireland to Benitachell

ALTOGETHER NOW: The Northern Irish National Elite men’s and women’s squads together with Benitachell Bowls Club players

by Tahnee Wright Benitachell Bowls Club hosted the Northern Irish National Elite Bowling Squads last week as they tested their skills on the green ahead of next year’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. The men and women’s squads – both made up of eight players - spent four days in the rinks closely monitored by officials who will now trim the teams down to five-a-side to represent Ireland in Australia next April. Two of the days were spent in training and the other two saw the visitors take on BBC players together with guests from El Cid and Javea Green. Benitachell Bowls Club Captain

Trevor Evans told of how a member of the club first initiated the interest of the Irish – “One of our members who spends six months here and six months in Northern Ireland happened to know one of the National Elite Squad’s managers and suggested they came to see what the club had to offer.” Trevor continued: “The carpet here at the club is really fast and together with the weather, the playing conditions have been similar to what the squad will face in Australia.” Northern Irish National Elite Squad Manager Neil Booth agreed: “We would definitely come back; the green here is comparable to Australian greens and BBC offers excellent facilities and great hospitality.”

Ever thought about playing bowls? Lawn bowls is a wonderful social game. Enjoy new found skills and develop them – it’s up to you how far you go from being a social bowler; to competitive or to international level. Benitachell Bowls Club caters for the complete range of bowlers Coaching ethos at BBC is one of encouragement and constructive advice and is carried out by well qualified and experienced personnel (many of the BBC players having played for the Spanish international team!). For more information, get in touch with the club via email – bbc.spain@gmail.com or visit www.benitachellbowlsclub.com.

And relax…

The Teulada-Moraira Lions were non-stop last weekend, hosting two “superb” events and suitably rounding off what has been a very successful year. The blustery winds and cold temperatures didn’t stop party-goers on Saturday night as they gathered in Moraira’s church square for the Lions’ annual traditional Christmas party and enjoyed Christmas songs, the English choir, The Timbrells and lots of festive goodies… Including, of course, the ever-popular mulled wine. Funds raised at the Christmas party were donated to Denia’s Salvation Army. Sunday saw the final concert in the Lions’ Autumn series with Ges Rogers Union Gap. The iconic 60s band wowed the crowds at

the Espai La Senieta, performing an excellent playlist of some of the classic hits from Union Gap, as well as covers from the Hollies, Roy Orbison, Jigsaw etc. The Teulada-Moraira Lions will kick off the New Year with a bang, with the return of the ‘Desperados’ Eagles tribute band on Sunday January 28, once again at the Espai La Senieta in Moraira. For and tickets and/ or more information, get in touch with Colin Lilley 966 499 954 / colinlilley1424@gmail.com. The Teulada-Moraira Lions Club is actively seeking new members. If you’d like to join one of the largest service clubs worldwide, please get in touch with Membership Secretary Nico Dekkers – 965 974 941 / nicorateulada@gmail.com.

12

24 feb - 2 march 2017

13

First time lucky

Fair raises €2,350 for rescued animals

by Tahnee Wright THE U3A Moraira-Teulada’s Dining Out Group enjoyed dinner at Restaurante Antiquary Pizzeria in Benitachell last week. U3A Moraira-Teulada member Eric Taylor writes: “This was the first time that most of the diners had been to this restaurant and they certainly did not leave disappointed. The atmosphere was warm and cosy and it made a pleasant change to dine in a traditional restaurant away from the commercial feel of some of the Javea and Moraira restaurants, nice though they are. The food was excellent, starting with a wide range of tapas to suit all tastes. In addition to the three-course menu we enjoyed a welcome glass of cava, water and half a bottle of wine each

A SUCCESSFUL EVENING: Dining Out Group members with the meal, followed by coffee and liqueur. All included in the price and extremely good value. Maria with her young table staff were very accommodating and the chef, Antonio, ensured that we Brits had hot food served on warm plates. On the last evening the diners seemed to have a reluctance to leave, a further evidence of a successful evening.

Well done to Pauline and Peter Griffiths for introducing us to this restaurant and for their smooth organisation.” For further information check out the Moraira-Teulada U3A website https://www.u3amoraira-teulada.org/. General meetings are held on the first Monday of every month at Salon GL Avenida Mediterraneo 32, Teulada.

CBMVC Christmas Carol Concert

THE COSTA BLANCA MALE VOICE CHOIR will fill the Santa Maria Magdalena church in Benitachell once again this year at their annual Christmas Carol Concert on Wednesday December 13 from 7.00pm. Choir member Vernon Pearce says: “It's always

standing room only at this beautiful church and this year the choir are promising a great programme of festive songs, old and new, with some traditional carols which the congregation can join in with.” Entry to the concert will

be free but there will be a collection on exit. The choir have also been invited to take part in a carol service in the Iglesia de Santa Catalina Martir in Teulada old town on Thursday December 14 from 8.00pm. Again, entry

will be free. For more information, check out the Costa Blanca Male Voice Choir website - www.costablancamale voicechoir.wikidot.com, get in touch with Mike Evans - 965 744 577 or follow ‘Costa Blanca Male Voice Choir’ on Facebook.

The Pensionistas Hall in Jalon set the perfect scene for the Jalon Valley A.R.C.’s Christmas Fair last Sunday. Stallholders arrived bright and early to set up their colourful displays offering a variety of food and drink, crafts, bags, bric-abrac, books and cards. The ever-popular Matt Mason serenaded shoppers and was joined by the U3A Vall del Pop Popsters and Ukulele Groups. The afternoon ended with the drawing of the Grand Charity Raffle, much to the delight of the winners who went home with an array of excellent prizes, generously donated by local businesses. The event raised an outstanding sum of €2,350, all of which will go towards supporting all the rescued animals in A.R.C.’s care

Jalon Valley A.R.C. expresses its greatest thanks to its volunteers who give their time working in the shelter, walking dogs and of course at the charity shop and the many fund-raising events: “Your help is so valuable and A.R.C. could not function without you!” A date for your diary: Jalon Valley A.R.C.’s next fundraising event will take place at Iceland in Benissa on Wednesday December 20 and Friday December 22. Volunteers will be on hand to help shoppers pack their Christmas shopping bags and a hamper filled with festive goodies will be raffled. For more information on all the rescued animals in A.R.C.’s care, get in touch with Jayne - 649 310 285 or Sally - 625 985 689.

Left – Jayne, right - Sally and centre – Jalon Mayor Joan Miquel Garces Font and Cornelia

14

Calpe combats bullying and truancy

Photo credit Calp

And receives award for doing so! Calpe Council received an award at the third Concurso de Buenas Practicas Municipales (Good Municipal Practices Competition) recently for its programme designed to combat bullying and truancy in local schools. The Programa Especializado de Atencion Educativa (Specialised Programme of Educational Attention) was born by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (MECD) together with the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces. The programme celebrates its

tenth anniversary this year, having helped more than 1,300 young people in Calpe. Councillor Ana Perles collected the award at the ceremony held in the Ministry of Culture’s auditorium. The ceremony was led by MECD Deputy Assistant Director General Santiago Pinel Vallejo, who, as a secondary school teacher himself, said he knew all too well the problems caused by bullying and truancy and congratulated Calpe Council for its efforts.

The most wonderful time of the year The Christmas ice rink on the Plaza Mayor opened to the public earlier this week – offering fun for all the family until January 7, 2018. Boots and push along sleds for smaller children can be hired at the kiosk. For more information about the exciting programme of events planned for the Christmas period, including a live transmission of The Nutcracker from the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden and various other concerts, check out www.calpe.es.

15

pe Ayuntamiento

SMILES ALL ROUND: Councillor Ana Perles (centre) collected the award

Costeffective Christmas childcare

CALPE’S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION has organised two weeks of workshops for children over the Christmas period. The workshops will be held from 09.00 – 2.00pm each day at the Casa de la Cultura: Week one Tuesday December 26 – Friday December 29 Week two Tuesday January 2 – Friday January 5 Each week costs only €24 per child with the workshops designed to offer a cost-effective childcare solution for parents working over the period. Registration is open until Wednesday December 20 at the Punt Jove on the Plaza Constitucion.

16

News from around Europe NETHERLANDS

Suspended jail sentence AN ELDERLY MAN who helped his 99-year-old mother to die seven years ago should be given a threemonth suspended jail sentence, the public prosecution department told the court in Den Bosch on Monday. The public prosecutor said that while it did not doubt the man had the best intentions, he should be punished for going his own way.

Evacuation AN APARTMENT COMPLEX with 42 flats in Leiden was evacuated in the early hours of Monday morning after a carbon monoxide scare. Checks revealed boilers in some of the apartments were producing too much of the poisonous gas, leading officials to evacuate the entire complex of over 100 people.

RUSSIA

Tickets please AMSTERDAM CENTRAL STATION’S main concourse is now only accessible to people with a valid ticket or travel card. The move is part of a wider NS strategy to improve safety and stop people travelling without paying the fare. Beforehand, the ticket barriers were open, meaning anyone could pass through freely.

‘Dynasty’ fails to sell THE MOST EXPENSIVE diamond ever polished in Russia, named Dynasty after the Romanov-era Imperial Court, failed to sell in an auction. Alrosa PJSC said it didn’t receive a high enough offer for the 51.4-carat gem in an online auction last week. New submarines THE RUSSIAN NAVY expects to receive a new class of nuclear-powered fifthgeneration submarines in the 2030s, according to the service’s deputy com-

FRANCE Baby panda finally named FRANCE’S first baby panda finally has a name four months after his birth: Chinese dignitaries and French first lady Brigitte Macron chose Yuan Meng for the cub born at Beauval zoo, south of Paris, which fittingly means “the realisation of a wish” or “accomplishment of a dream.”

mander for armaments, Vice Admiral Victor Bursuk. “The fleet will start getting fifth-generation submarines around the 2030s,” Bursuk told the Russian press last week. UFO evidence A NEW VIDEO of a “TR-3B type of UFO” captured in Russia is being called the “best evidence ever” of a UFO sighting. Posted on UFO Today’s YouTube page on Saturday, the video shows an object making its way slowly past a building at night, displaying three lights in a triangular formation.

GERMANY Hosts FRANCE will host next summer’s World Rugby U20 Championship. The tournament will be played in Beziers (Stade de la Mediterranee), Perpignan (Stade Aime Giral) and Narbonne (Stade d’Honneur du Parc des Sports et de l’Amitie) over a 19-day period between the end of May and middle of June.

iceland New woman PM ICELAND’S new Prime Minister is Katrín Jakobsdóttir, leader of the Left Green Alliance. Jakobsdóttir is 41 years old and a mother of three and becomes the second woman to head a government in Iceland. The new coalition government spans the entire political spectrum in Iceland. Delayed temple to restart ICELAND’S first pagan temple in 1000 years will be ready in late 2018. The temple is being constructed in the woodland covered hill of Öskjuhlíð in Reykjavik, and despite there being a break in building work, it will restart in January. Shaken...but no danger A LARGE number of minor earthquakes have occurred at Askja, in the north central highlands of Iceland. Most of the quakes were around 2.0 on the Richter scale. Geologists at the Iceland Met Office say that this is not unusual and does not point to any volcanic unrest.

Back to normal TRAFFIC returned to normal at Paris’s Montparnasse station this week after a computer glitch stopped all trains leaving and arriving last Sunday. Transport Minister Elisabeth Morne described the breakdown as “unacceptable” and summoned rail network boss Patrick Bontet to give him a dressing-down.

SCANDINAVIA Redgrave rewarded ACTRESS Vanessa Redgrave, 80, has been honoured by the Swedish Stockholm Film Festival for her work in film and theatre. The six-time Oscar-nominated British actress is known for her tremendous talent as well as her political activism. Her directing debut, Sea Sorrow, was featured during the festival. Brought to account DANISH homeless people are now able to open bank accounts in order to receive their benefits thanks to an

Market bomb discovered GERMAN police were searching for the sender of a package initially feared to contain a bomb found near a Christmas market in Potsdam, almost a year after a deadly terror attack at a similar market in Berlin. The device was uncovered at a pharmacy.

initiative from Kommunernes Landsforening, and the umbrella organisation for banks, Finansdanmark. Until now, it was a case of no address – no bank account.

Widow’s pension A COLLECTION of South African gold coins with a value of over €100,000 were found by an employee in a box of donated food at a senior care home in Mönchengladbach. The contents included high-calorie drinks and were donated by a 78-year-old widow after her husband died.

Russian people smugglers A RUSSIAN family of three is suspected of smuggling dozens of people to Finland through the Saimaa Canal. The father and his two children – a grown-up daughter and an underage son – were taken into custody after 17 people were found hiding inside their 12-metre motorboat in June.

Green light for Air Berlin purchase GERMAN aviation giant Lufthansa has offered concessions to encourage the European Commission to green-light its planned purchase of parts of bankrupt Air Berlin. Now that Lufthansa has submitted more extensive concessions, the deadline for Brussels to reach a decision has been pushed back to December 21.

18

Today they wring their hands Those who rang their bells now wring their hands. The hypocrisy and criminal lack of accountability of the political class is gut-wrenching. Recently, we were subjected to Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson piously berating Marxist Mugabe for iniquities his hapless regime brought upon the people of Zimbabwe. A pity mainstream forgot to show photographs of Tory Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and the Archbishop of Canterbury slobbering over the Marxist dictator, who was later knighted by her maj’. Westminster’s political troika drooled over Zimbabwe’s dreadful despot. The same can be said of the Anti-Apartheid Movement, the Labour Party, and mainstream media; their now silence is deafening. Those who at the time warned against Mugabe were pilloried by the benefit scroungers of Pigminster. Rhodesia, until Britain’s betrayal and transfer to Robert Mugabe, was Africa’s most prosperous and benign nation. Rhodesia exported their harvests and their manufactured products. There was full employment and universal education. It was not an apartheid system; Rhodesia’s only problem was the on-going maintenance of frontier fences to keep refugees from black ruled nations out. Now, the deposed Mugabe has a get out of gaol card. Like his Communist mentors he will never face trial and will indeed pocket $10 million as a golden handshake. Will media investigate where this amount is coming from? I doubt it. Déjà vu, today unfortunate sub-Saharan Africans in war-torn Libya suffer casual mass murder, anarchy, genocide, slavery, rape and organ trafficking. Again, the political elite, who promoted their NATO war on peaceful and prosperous Libya, talk as if this has nothing to do with them. When Libya was governed by Muammar Gaddafi a home for every citizen was considered a right. There was no tribal warfare, Libya en-

by

Michael Walsh

keyboardcosmetics@ gmail.com The opinions published in Mike´s weekly column are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or newspaper sponsors.

spanish 9,750€

joyed free education, electricity and healthcare, and business and family growth was invested in by government. Literacy went up from 25% to 75% and Libya’s navy kept Africa’s surplus population well away from Europe’s shores. Libya like Rhodesia was an example of what Africans can be without the interference of globalists. Similar NATO debacles in Syria, Ukraine (Donbass) Iraq, Iran and elsewhere come to mind. The corrupt political elite and their press talk as if these horrific failures were acts of God rather than the consequence of their disastrous foreign policy. The fact that those responsible are smug in their belief that mainstream will never bring them to account is proof enough that the press is the keyboard upon which government plays. If parliamentarians were to follow any other trade other than one in which they set their own rules many would be serving long gaol terms.

car of the week

9,995€

6,495€

SMART FORTWO COUPE MHD 2013 1 LTR PETROL FSH

one owner FORD FIESTA 2014 1.2 LTR PETROL FSH

6,995€

automatics 7,750€

HYUNDAI IX20 2014 1.4 LTR PETROl FSH

6,495€

HYUNDAI I10 2009 1.2 LTR PETROL FSH

UK GOING HOME CARS

9,995€

3,995€

3,995€

PEUGEOT 207 PROFESSIONAL 2012 1.4 HDI DIESEL FSH MOT

CITROEN BERLINGO VAN 2009 1.6 LTR DIESEL MOT FSH

DIESEL one owner HYUNDAI I10 2013 1.1 LTR PETROL FSH

TOYOTA RAV 4 2007 2.2 LTR DIESEL 4X4 FSH

FORD FOCUS CMAX 2008 1.8 TDCI DIESEL motorhomes

10,995€

ONE OWNER 1800km FORD FIESTA 2015 1.25 LTR PETROL-YES 1800Kms

GENUINE CARS AND CAMPERS WANTED INSTANT PAYMENT - ALL LEGAL PAPERWORK COMPLETED - PART EXCHANGES! - CALL NOW!

35,995€

32,500€

29,995€

17,995€

2017 KNAUS WEINSBERG CARABUS 601K 4 BERTH, SPANISH LHD, ONE OWNER

HYMER EXSIS I 522 2007 2.2 LTR DIESEL 3 BERTH

LAIKA KREOS 3009 2005 2.8 LTR DIESEL 3 BERTH

COMPASS SUNTOR 120 2006 2 LTR DIESEL 4 BERTH FSH MOT UK RHD

20

My debit card is exhausted by

Colin Bird The opinions published in Colin’s weekly column are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or newspaper sponsors.

One thing that is noticeable in Spain and in complete contrast to the UK, is the laid back atmosphere in the supermarkets at this time of year. Visit Sainsbury’s, Tesco’s or any of the other big supermarket outlets anywhere in England right this minute, and I am prepared to bet my week’s pocket money that it will be as manic as Michael McIntyre plugged into the mains. Even Christmas Eve, when occasionally I have had to drop in to our local Dial Prix for some last minute stuffing mix or a bottle of cooking sherry, it has never been anything other than business as usual. We took some friends to Iceland in Torrevieja recently and like many expats, they love all the familiar products on offer from back home. It’s a store that we personally visit infrequently – perhaps two or three times a year –but as the cat’s pantry needed stocking up with some of their preferred canned food, we thought a trip was due. For my part, there is nothing I like more than a good old British pork pie and always use the opportunity to buy one for immediate use as a taster, and another as a main course. But some of the frozen stuff on display leaves me utterly confused and puzzled. I mean, there is a complete

aisle of nothing but frozen sliced bread. That’s seven freezers full of what is, let’s face it, frozen white or brown floppy cardboard. Understandable if there is no alternative to white or brown floppy cardboard, but here in Spain where the fresh bread is simply wonderful. Why? Then you have frozen shepherd’s pies, or bangers and mash, or baked spuds for goodness sake. How hard or time con-

suming is it to knock any of these uncomplicated meals together? Amazingly you have bags of grated cheese. But look, here’s a tip: buy a block of cheese grate it (a grater is that shiny metal thing with holes in it) bung it in a bag and it’s all done. Three minutes tops and much cheaper. Anyways up, we emerged a half hour later; our friends with their supplies and

us with some cat food, two pork pies and one hundred and seven euro’s poorer. Why? Because of all the other ‘must have’ items that we cannot find anywhere else and which, being Christmas, are just perfect for when we are entertaining. That’s why. My flexible friend is still groaning in my wallet with a pulled muscle and a very high temperature.

22

Advertising feature

Anyone for golf? Ifach Golf is situated in Benissa in an idyllic location in the valley between two hills close to the villages of Teulada, Moraira and Calpe. One of the first courses on the Costa Blanca, developed in 1974 by the renowned designer Javier Arana, boasting some spectacular views featuring the famous Peñon Ifach of Calpe set against the magnificent Mediterranean Sea. The course has 9 holes, six par threes and three par fours, a challenging and demanding course, though perfect for all types of golfers, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player. Most of the holes have large greens and are surrounded by trees and with the constant sea breeze, it makes golfing very pleasurable during the hot summer months. Primarily it is a members’ club, although they welcome all golfers that wish to play here. You can choose whether to play

9 or 18 holes with a round of 9 holes taking approximately 1 and a half hours. There is a practice area comprising 4 practice nets, a putting

green, an approach and bunker. Perfect for warming up before your game starts. Kiko Marques, the golf pro is available for classes, both for

adults and for children. Ifach is a highly international club with the majority of members and visitors being from the U.K. It is very family orientated with

lots of focus on organising social, fun events and with many competitions played throughout the year. For those that don’t play golf, there are also three tennis courts that are available to everyone. The Clubhouse is used regularly for parties, quiz nights and many other social occasions. Although the clubhouse is for members, everyone is made to feel welcome. It has a good bar and restaurant where you can enjoy a drink on their superb terrace overlooking the course, or try their tapas and daily delicious menus. There is also a very good restaurant situated alongside the golf course with a large outdoor pool in beautiful surroundings. They are open every day throughout the year from 8 am till 8 pm during the summer and 8 am till 6 pm during the winter. They look forward to seeing you and hope that your visit to Ifach will always be a memorable one!

Booking is easy. Contact them today on 96 649 7114 or email at info@golfifach.com or you may book online at www.golfifach.com

24

Formation of present action tense We started to look at gerunds, or “present participles” last week; that is the Spanish equivalent of words in English ending in – ing. We saw how simple they are to form, by changing the endings in a very uniform way. The – ar of the infinitive verb changes to – ando, and the –er and –ir infinitive endings change to – iendo. These forms are used fairly extensively in Spanish, but are not nearly so common as the gerund is in English. In English we use “–ing” words to express many different things that are not possible in Spanish. For example we can talk about future events by saying “Tomorrow I’m playing tennis” or “What are you doing later?” This is impossible in Spanish. We have to say “Tomorrow I’m going to play tennis” (Mañana voy a jugar al tenis) or “What are you going to do later?” (¿Qué vas a hacer más tarde?). In English we can also use gerunds to describe activities, for example “I go to swimming lessons”. In Spanish this would be “Voy a clases de natación”. Another example is the use of the gerund in English after “I like” – as in “I like visiting the family” or “I don’t like watching horror films”. After “me gusta” and related forms in Spanish we use the infinitive of the verb. “Me gusta visitar a la familia”, “No me gusta

Basic Spanish for everyday needs by

Jane Cronin

¿Qué estás haciendo?

ver películas de terror”. So, we can definitely say that in Spanish the gerund has much more limited uses, so we need to be careful not to translate too literally. Probably the most common use of this form in Spanish is to combine it with the verb estar to talk about activities at the present moment in time. For example, if you phone someone up on their mobile phone, you might say to them: “What are you doing?” In that question you are enquiring about exactly what their actions are at that specific moment. They might reply “I’m cleaning the kitchen” or “I’m having a drink with a friend”. In the context, the use of the gerund or present participle is exactly the same as it is in English. So, to create the same meaning we need the equivalent of “I am” and “you are” etc. and for this we use the verb estar. Here is the verb estar in its different forms. Estoy (I am), Estás (you are – familiar singular) Está (he is, she is, it is, you are – formal singular) Estamos (we are) Estáis (you are – informal plural) Están (they are, you are – formal plural)

gerund

Now we can simply combine the appropriate form of estar with the gerund of our verb to make a meaningful sentence, referring to actions in the present moment. Here’s what I’m doing now. Estoy escribiendo un artículo. Estoy tomando un té. Estoy escuchando la lluvia. Estoy pensando. ¿Qué estás haciendo? What are you doing? Now here is what my friends and family are doing (I assume, although I haven’t phoned them to find out). Mi madre está haciendo las compras. Mi gata está comiendo. Mi hermana está trabajando. Mis hijas están estudiando. Now you have some fairly obvious homework – at any moment you can think about how to say in Spanish what you and the people round you are doing! Next week we will look at just a few irregular gerunds, but don’t worry, there aren’t many!

Estoy pensando

Estoy tomando un té

Mi madre está haciendo las compras

present participle

Is it ever OK to have a gull friend? by

Barry Duke The opinions published in Barry’s weekly column are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or newspaper sponsors.

“Hey mate, can I have a word?”, said the aggressive old geezer who stopped me as I was walking towards my local park to have a relaxed lunch and read a book, something I did in the summer months whenever the weather was good. “Sure,” I replied warily. “What’s on your mind?” “I have been watching you for weeks, and I know you’re off to share your crisps and sandwiches with a bird. That’s totally unacceptable because it just encourages these pests to attack people and steal their food.” This happened about ten years ago when I was living in the UK seaside resort of Brighton, and – yes – I did have a gull friend – one that had an insatiable appetite for bacon flavoured crisps. Our friendship began when I realised that the bird, unlike most other herring gulls in the area, was not a vicious winged hooligan who would snatch food out of one’s hand – and perhaps take a finger or two with it. “Stephen”, as I chose to call him, would patiently wait at my side and take crisps and pieces of bread I offered him in the gentlest manner imaginable. I really can’t say whether it was a male or female, but I chose the name “Stephen” because some months previously an evangelist called Stephen

FEEDING TIME: Barry, that had better be bacon flavoured Green came to Brighton to bellow hateful anti-gay claptrap on one of the city’s busiest streets. He’d just reached fever pitch when a gull dive-bombed him, and with unerring accuracy splattered guano across the front of his jacket. This immediately put a stop to his rant, and he legged it to the nearest washroom to clean off the mess. Howls of laughter followed,

and he simply disappeared. Until then, I shared most Brightonians dislike of the creatures, mainly because of their loud screeching. But this incident convinced me that gulls cannot be all bad. People, of course, will tell you terrible tales about these birds. Reports of gulls savaging small dogs and kittens and stealing ice cream cones from

toddlers and little old ladies abound in the local press in the UK, but the story of what happened to a friend of mine called Stephanie truly belongs in a horror movie. Stephanie was working at a restaurant in a large shopping complex that had trash cans on the roof. On a bitterly cold winter’s afternoon she took two plastic sacks of rubbish up the roof and was immediately spotted by a gull which settled on her head. Stephanie, who had an absolute terror of gulls, literally froze on the spot. An hour later, colleagues – noticing that she hadn’t returned – sent out a search party. She was found, frozen stiff and in a state of complete shock – with the bird still nonchalantly perched on her head. When she told me of her encounter a few weeks later in a pub, I laughed so hard beer came out my nose – and Stephanie delivered a painful kick to my right shin, and stormed out. I was reminded of “Stephen” and Stephanie’s experience when – on a business visit to Brighton last weekend – I spotted a pair of gulls aggressively ripping open a garbage bag. Seeing them prompted me to call Stephanie to ascertain whether she’d forgiven me, but, curiously, she slammed down the phone.

26

money

A big Thank You! by

Sam Kelly

Managing Partner Chorus Financial

As this will be the final article of the year from myself, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all our regular readers over the last 12 months. As many of you will be aware, Chorus Financial have been on a real mission in 2017. We identified major issues with how many financial services companies operate out here in Spain, and myself and Senior Partner, Tracy Storer, felt that something had to be done about it. Rather than simply running our usual adverts, telling you all about the various services we provide, we wanted to use our advertising space to better educate the public on how to navigate safely through the financial planning process. It’s fair to say that the articles we’ve published have not made us particularly popular with certain financial services companies out here in Spain. We’ve revealed practises that despite being illegal in the UK, have been generating an awful lot of undisclosed commission for a large number of Spanish based financial advisory firms. I won’t try to hide it; financial advisors earn good money. This is the case in the UK, and it’s also the case in Spain. But there’s a difference between earning a

good wage because you’re doing a good job, and providing a great service to your clients, and earning a ridiculous wage by putting your interests before those of your clients. Our mission is simply to educate the public in such a way, that the latter becomes impossible. One of my personal highlights in 2017 was being asked to join the prestigious panel of The Finance Tour. For Chorus Financial to have been sat on the panel alongside the likes of Rathbone Brothers PLC, The Prudential and London & Colonial, was a major endorsement of the important work we’re doing out here in Spain. The Finance Tour was arguably the most successful event of its kind here in Spain, and the response we received from the general public was overwhelmingly positive. I’m delighted to announce today that The Finance Tour is returning to Spain in Spring 2018. More information will follow nearer the time. All that leaves me to do now is wish all our readers and clients a peaceful and wonderfully Happy Christmas, and Tracy and I will be back in the New Year, with what we hope you find to be more useful and educational content.

Chorus Financial is a trading style of Tourbillon Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Commission (Gibraltar), Licence Number FSC1118B and registered with the UK FCA as an EEA Authorised firm, reference 539348.

On the dole

THE NUMBER of people in Spain registering as jobless rose by 0.21 percent in November from a month earlier, or by 7,255 people, leaving 3.47 million people out of work, data from the Labour Ministry showed on Monday. The number of people paying in to the social security system as workers in Spain fell by 12,773 people, to 18.42 million people, the ministry said. In seasonally adjusted terms, registered unemployed fell by 22,744 people in November from a month earlier.

TIPPING THE SCALE: Spain’s CCI rating is just over 100

Consumer confidence rises SPAIN'S consumer confidence rose by 0.9 points to 100.5 points in November, indicating an optimistic perspective about the country’s economic situation, the Sociological Research Centre (CIS) reported on Monday. The Consumer Confidence Indicator (CCI) ranges between 0 and 200 points, with ratings over 100 points

considered as positive perceptions of the economic situation and ratings below that figure indicating a negative perception. The CIS said that the rise was especially due to an increase in the indicator of economic expectations about the future which rose by 3.9 points, while pointing out that the indicator of the current economic

situation dropped by 2.2 points. On a year-on-year basis, the CCI has risen by 1.1 points with the indicator of the current economic situation increasing by 2.7 points and the indicator of the expectations about the future decreasing by 0.5 points. The CIS does more than 1,500 interviews for the CCI, which helps forecast consumers' behaviour.

by

IGNACIO PELLICER MOLLÁ & PEDRO HEREDIA ORTIZ

LAWYERS

legal Property contracts Q A What is the purchasereservation contract (Contrato de compraventa)?

A ”contrato de compraventa” provides safety and security for both the buyer and the vendor, when buying/ selling a house. Important elements that must appear include:

- Full names, address of residence, passport and or fiscal numbers of the buyers and the vendors - A description of the property - The price - The deposit, the amount, when and how is it payable? - Any consequences if any of the parties fall into a breach of contract Please remember to sign this document ONLY when your independent lawyer has given you the go ahead! For more information call us today.

If you have any further questions about this or any other legal matter, please do not hesitate to contact us; we have a team of experts standing by to assist you in any way we can. Call 965 480 737 or email info@pellicerheredia.com Videos at www.pellicerheredia.com

27

29

money Banco Santander cuts incentives

Benetton’s ready for bidding war

BANCO SANTANDER is cutting back on interest and other incentives for some customers of its flagship current account in Spain because of pressures from ultra-low interest rates in the euro zone, it said on Tuesday.

Spain's largest bank launched the 1-2-3 account, which offers customers cash and other rewards for keeping stable deposit balances and using it to pay bills, in 2015. Like European rivals, Santander is trying to increase earnings from lending and other activities in Spain as interest rates hover at historic lows and rising competition erodes margins. Santander has not said how much it must pay its around 2 million 1-2-3 account holders and it expects any impact to be offset by an increase in customers. The change would boost Santander's

FOLLOWING SUIT: The move in Spain follows a similar one in Britain last year annual net interest income by around 100 million euros, Spanish brokerages told the press. Account holders will still benefit from a 3 per cent interest rate on balances from 3,000 euros to 10,000 euros, 2 per cent between 2,000 euros and 3,000

euros, and 1 per cent for between 1,000 euros and 2,000 euros, Santander said. This move also follows a decision by Santander to change the pricing of its 1-2-3 accounts in Britain last year to offer a flat rate of 1.5 per cent.

Italian company Atlantia – owned in part by the Benetton family - is preparing to raise its bid for Spanish toll-road operator Abertis Infraestructuras SA and “has the cash” for a prolonged battle with Real Madrid Chairman Florentino Perez, according to the company’s chief executive officer. “We have enough financial resources to sustain an eventual bidding war,” Atlantia CEO Giovanni Castellucci said in an interview. Though the Rome-based infrastructure company seeks to compete successfully to win control of Abertis, higher offers “won’t reach any irrational point,” the executive said. “The offer we presented in May was not our reser-

vation price and we have room for improvement, " Castellucci said. “We’re going forward to make the best possible offer." Four members of the Italian Benetton Family founded the Benetton Group fashion company in 1965. The three brothers and one sister were all born in Treviso, Veneto, Italy and their father owned a bicycle shop. The Benetton family control a number of other businesses including 30 per cent of Atlantia - an operator of nearly two-thirds of Italy's motorways and 60 per cent of Autogrill - a chain of roadside restaurants. They also have investments in the hotel industry including the Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal in Venice, Italy.

Thursday 7th December - Thursday 14th December

Pick of the Day

Thursday 7:00am 10:15am 11:00am 12:00pm 12:45pm 1:15pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 2:45pm 3:15pm 4:00pm 4:45pm 5:30pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:45pm 12:45am

Breakfast Island Medics Homes Under the Hammer Claimed and Shamed The Sheriffs are Coming Bargain Hunt BBC News BBC London News Doctors Armchair Detectives Escape to the Country The Hairy Bikers Home for Christmas Money for Nothing Pointless BBC News BBC London News The One Show EastEnders Holby City Love, Lies and Records BBC News BBC London News Question Time This Week

7:00am 7:30am 8:15am 9:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:45pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:15am

An Island Parish: Falklands Island Medics The Hairy Bikers Home for Christmas MasterChef: The Professionals Victoria Derbyshire BBC Newsroom Live The Daily Politics Snooker Rugby Union Snooker Celebrity Eggheads Strictly - It Takes Two Snooker MasterChef: The Professionals Blitz Live at the Apollo Newsnight Snooker

7:00am 9:30am 10:25am 11:30am 1:30pm 2:30pm 2:55pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:35pm 11:45pm 12:15am

Good Morning Britain Lorraine The Jeremy Kyle Show This Morning Loose Women ITV Lunchtime News ITV News London Judge Rinder Dickinson’s Real Deal Tipping Point The Chase ITV News London ITV Evening News Emmerdale Tonight Emmerdale Paul O’Grady: For The Love of Dogs I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! ITV News and Weather ITV News London The Late Debate UEFA Europa League Highlights

7:20am 8:35am 10:00am 11:05am 12:00pm 1:00pm 1:05pm 1:25pm 3:10pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:55pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:25pm 12:25am

3rd Rock from the Sun Everybody Loves Raymond Frasier Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast Channel 4 News Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas 12 Wishes of Christmas Countdown Lost and Found A Place in the Sun Four in a Bed Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News The Political Slot Great Canal Journeys Catching a Killer 999: What’s Your Emergency? Born to be Free

7:00am 10:15am 12:45pm 2:25pm 2:30pm 3:00pm 4:40pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:05pm 11:45pm 1:45am

Childrens TV The Wright Stuff The Christmas Spirit 5 News Lunchtime Neighbours The Flight Before Christmas A Star Crossed Christmas 5 News Neighbours 5 News Tonight UK’s Strongest Man 2017 Traffic Cops at Christmas Brick Mansions 5 News Brick Mansions Takers Sinkholes

7:00am 7:30am 8:00am 8:30am 9:00am 10:00am 11:00am 11:30am 12:00pm 12:30pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:00am

Monkey Life Monkey Life Monkey Life Monkey Life It’s Me or the Dog The Dog Whisperer Meerkat Manor Meerkat Manor Modern Family Modern Family NCIS: Los Angeles Hawaii Five-0 Hawaii Five-0 NCIS: Los Angeles Stargate SG-1 The Simpsons Futurama Futurama The Simpsons The Simpsons The Simpsons A League of Their Own Living the Dream The Russell Howard Hour The Simpsons

7:00am 7:30am 8:15am 9:00am 9:30am 10:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:05am

An Island Parish: Falklands Island Medics The Hairy Bikers Home for Christmas Anglesey Caught Red Handed Victoria Derbyshire BBC Newsroom Live The Daily Politics Snooker Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is Strictly - It Takes Two Snooker Mastermind Only Connect The Year in Music 2017 QI Newsnight Snooker

7:00am 9:30am 10:25am 11:30am 1:30pm 2:30pm 2:55pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:30pm 12:05am 12:20am

Good Morning Britain Lorraine The Jeremy Kyle Show This Morning Loose Women ITV Lunchtime News ITV News London Judge Rinder Dickinson’s Real Deal Tipping Point The Chase ITV News London ITV Evening News Emmerdale Coronation Street Judge Rinder’s Crown Court Coronation Street I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! ITV News ITV News London Tonight at the London Palladium

7:45am 8:10am 8:35am 9:00am 9:30am 10:00am 10:35am 11:05am 12:00pm 1:00pm 1:05pm 1:25pm 3:10pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:05am

3rd Rock from the Sun 3rd Rock from the Sun Everybody Loves Raymond Everybody Loves Raymond Everybody Loves Raymond Frasier Frasier Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast Channel 4 News Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas A Christmas Wedding Tail Countdown Lost and Found A Place in the Sun Four in a Bed Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast Gogglebox The Last Leg First Dates

7:00am 10:15am 12:45pm 2:25pm 2:30pm 3:00pm 4:45pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:05am

Childrens TV The Wright Stuff Stealing Christmas 5 News Lunchtime Neighbours A Christmas Promise Christmas Under Wraps 5 News Neighbours 5 News Tonight The Gadget Show Brunel Eight Days That Made Rome Eight Days That Made Rome Secrets of the Nazi Occult

7:00am 7:30am 8:00am 8:30am 9:00am 10:00am 11:00am 11:30am 12:00pm 12:30pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:00am

Monkey Life Monkey Life Monkey Life Monkey Life It’s Me or the Dog The Dog Whisperer Meerkat Manor Meerkat Manor Modern Family Modern Family NCIS: Los Angeles Hawaii Five-0 Hawaii Five-0 NCIS: Los Angeles Stargate SG-1 The Simpsons Futurama Futurama The Simpsons The Simpsons The Simpsons The Simpsons Modern Family Karl Pilkington A League of Their Own The Simpsons

Holiday of My Lifetime with Len Goodman Nature’s Weirdest Events Naomi’s Nightmares of Nature Deadly 60 Show Me What You’re Made of: UK Saturday Mash-Up! Penguins on a Plane: Great Animal Moves Raymond Blanc: How to Cook Well Tom Kerridge’s Best Ever Dishes Demolition Operation Snow Tiger Escape to the Continent Mastermind Snooker John Noakes: TV Hero BP Confidential Snooker QI XL Insert Name Here The Cider House Rules

7:00am 10:25am 12:20pm 12:45pm 1:45pm 2:10pm 2:20pm 4:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:25pm 7:35pm 7:50pm 8:15pm 9:20pm 10:50pm 11:50pm 12:05am

Childrens TV Saturday Morning with James Martin Gino’s Italian Coastal Escape The Hungry Sailors Thunderbirds are Go ITV News The X Factor Endeavour The Chase Paul O’Grady: For The Love of Dogs ITV News London ITV News You’ve Been Framed! Ninja Warrior UK I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! Through the Keyhole ITV News Shaun of the Dead

7:05am 7:35am 8:00am 8:25am 8:50am 9:15am 9:45am 10:10am 10:40am 11:10am 11:40am 12:10pm 1:55pm 2:25pm 2:55pm 3:25pm 4:00pm 4:30pm 5:30pm 6:30pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 10:00pm 12:35am

Trail Running Everybody Loves Raymond Everybody Loves Raymond Everybody Loves Raymond Frasier Frasier The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Simpsons The Simpsons The Simpsons 12 Dates of Christmas Come Dine with Me Come Dine with Me Come Dine with Me Come Dine with Me Come Dine with Me A Place in the Sun Best Laid Plans Grand Designs Channel 4 News Guy Martin’s WWI Tank X-Men: Days of Future Past The Drop

7:00am 11:45am 12:40pm 12:50pm 2:40pm 4:20pm 5:20pm 5:25pm 6:35pm 7:35pm 7:40pm 8:55pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 10:55pm 11:25pm 12:20am

Childerns TV The Gadget Show Cruising with Jane McDonald A Perfect Christmas List A Nutcracker Christmas Nativity 3: Dude, Where’s My Donkey?! 5 News Nativity 3: Dude, Where’s My Donkey?! The Family Man 5 News The Family Man 5 News Weekend Santa Makes You Laugh Out Loud Football on 5 Football on 5 NCIS: New Orleans NCIS: New Orleans

7:00am 8:00am 9:00am 10:00am 11:00am 12:30pm 1:00pm 1:30pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 4:15pm 6:15pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:00am

Ashley Banjo Ashley Banjo Supergirl The Flash Soccer A.M. Futurama Futurama Futurama Futurama Futurama NCIS: Los Angeles Gillette Soccer Saturday Gillette Soccer Saturday Gillette Soccer Saturday Gillette Soccer Saturday Modern Family Modern Family The Simpsons The Simpsons A League of Their Own A League of Their Own The Russell Howard Hour Karl Pilkington

Paul O' GRady: For The Love of Dogs, 9.30pm, ITV1

Friday 7:00am 10:15am 11:00am 12:00pm 12:45pm 1:15pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 2:45pm 3:15pm 4:00pm 4:45pm 5:30pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 10:30pm 11:00pm 11:25pm 11:35pm 12:25am

Breakfast Island Medics Homes Under the Hammer Claimed and Shamed The Sheriffs are Coming Bargain Hunt BBC News BBC London News Doctors Armchair Detectives Escape to the Country The Hairy Bikers Home for Christmas Money for Nothing Pointless BBC News BBC London News The One Show Sounds Like Friday Night EastEnders Still Open All Hours Have I Got News for You Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas Special 2015 BBC News BBC London News The Graham Norton Show The Apprentice

The Year in Music 2017, 10pm, BBC2

Saturday 7:00am 11:00am 12:30pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 2:15pm 5:30pm 6:15pm 6:45pm 6:55pm 7:00pm 7:45pm 9:20pm 10:20pm 11:10pm 11:30pm 12:55am

Breakfast Saturday Kitchen Live Nigella: At My Table Football Focus BBC News Snooker Final Score Len Goodman’s Partners in Rhyme BBC News BBC London News Pointless Strictly Come Dancing Michael Mcintyre’s Big Show Casualty BBC News Match of the Day The NFL Show

7:15am 8:00am 8:30am 9:00am 9:30am 10:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 1:30pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 5:30pm 6:30pm 7:10pm 8:00pm 11:00pm 11:45pm 12:15am

this weeks weatherinbrief THU Dec 7

15º 4ºC /

Partly sunny

FRI Dec 8

18º 8ºC /

Variable cloudiness

sat Dec 9

14º 4ºC /

Periods of sun and clouds

sun Dec 10

16º 7ºC /

Mostly sunny

mon Dec 11

15º 6ºC /

Mostly cloudy with a shower

tue Dec 12

20º 7ºC /

Mostly sunny

wed Dec 13

14º 5ºC /

Partly sunny

X-Men: Days of Future Past, 10pm, Channel 4

thu Dec 14

19º 8ºC /

Mostly cloudy with a shower

Pick of the Day

Sunday 7:00am 8:35am 10:00am 11:00am 12:00pm 1:15pm 2:00pm 2:15pm 2:50pm 3:50pm 4:00pm 4:35pm 5:50pm 6:50pm 7:05pm 7:15pm 8:15pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:20pm 11:30pm 12:35am

Breakfast Match of the Day The Andrew Marr Show Fern Britton Meets... Sunday Politics Bargain Hunt BBC News Escape to the Country Mary Berry’s Country House Secrets Lifeline Songs of Praise Toy Story Blue Planet II BBC News BBC London News Countryfile Strictly Come Dancing Blue Planet II Attenborough and the Giant Elephant BBC News BBC London News Match of the Day 2 The Women’s Football Show

Childrens TV ITV News Best Walks with a View with Julia Bradbury The Martin Lewis Money Show Save Money: Good Food Tipping Point Junior ITV News You’ve Been Framed! Midsomer Murders The Chase How to Spend it Well at Christmas with Phillip Schofield ITV News London ITV News Ninja Warrior UK The Chase Celebrity Special I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! ITV News Diamond Geezers and Gold Dealers

7:20am 7:45am 8:10am 8:35am 9:00am 9:30am 10:00am 10:30am 1:30pm 2:00pm 4:00pm 6:10pm 6:45pm 7:10pm 7:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 12:30am

3rd Rock from the Sun 3rd Rock from the Sun Everybody Loves Raymond Everybody Loves Raymond Everybody Loves Raymond Frasier Frasier Sunday Brunch Paul Hollywood Evolution The Sorcerer’s Apprentice The Snowman The Snowman and the Snowdog Channel 4 News Britain’s Wildest Weather 2017 Coastal Railways with Julie Walters The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Unbroken

7:00am 11:05am 12:00pm 12:30pm 2:10pm 3:55pm 4:25pm 4:30pm 5:30pm 5:35pm 7:45pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:05pm 12:20am

Childrens TV Football on 5 Football on 5 The Secret Life of Mrs Claus Journey Back to Christmas Trolls Holiday Special 5 News Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End 5 News Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End Need for Speed Chappie 5 News Chappie Resident Evil: Afterlife

7:00am 8:00am 10:30am 11:00am 11:30am 12:00pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 4:30pm 5:00pm 5:30pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:00am

The Hour of Power Futurama The Simpsons The Simpsons The Simpsons WWE Raw NCIS: Los Angeles NCIS: Los Angeles NCIS: Los Angeles Modern Family Modern Family Modern Family Modern Family Modern Family The Simpsons The Simpsons The Simpsons The Simpsons The Simpsons Inhumans A League of Their Own The Force Manchester Ross Kemp

of the British Garden

9:35am

Countryfile

10:30am

Saturday Kitchen

Best Bites

12:00pm

Food and Drink

12:30pm

My Life on a Plate

1:15pm

MOTD2 Extra

2:00pm

Snooker

6:15pm

Ski Sunday

7:15pm

Flog It!

8:00pm

Snooker

12:00am

Employable Me

7:00am 10:25am 10:30am 10:55am 11:25am 12:00pm 1:00pm 3:05pm 3:15pm 3:45pm 5:40pm 6:35pm 7:35pm 7:45pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:35pm 11:50pm

7:00am 7:30am 8:15am 9:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:05pm 3:35pm 4:20pm 5:05pm 6:05pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:15am

An Island Parish: Falklands Island Medics The Hairy Bikers Home for Christmas Mary Berry’s Country House Secrets Victoria Derbyshire BBC Newsroom Live The Daily Politics Athletics Terry and Mason’s Great Food Trip Home Away From Home 32 Brinkburn Street The Fifteen Billion Pound Railway The Blue Planet Celebrity Eggheads Strictly - It Takes Two Celebrity Antiques Road Trip Nigella’s Christmas Table Employable Me Insert Name Here Newsnight Blitz

7:00am 9:30am 10:25am 11:30am 1:30pm 2:30pm 2:55pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:40pm 12:50am

Good Morning Britain Lorraine The Jeremy Kyle Show This Morning Loose Women ITV Lunchtime News ITV News London Judge Rinder Dickinson’s Real Deal Tipping Point The Chase ITV News London ITV Evening News Emmerdale Coronation Street The Martin Lewis Money Show Coronation Street Bancroft ITV News and Weather ITV News London White Right: Meeting the Enemy - Exposure Killer Women with Piers Morgan

7:20am 8:35am 10:00am 11:05am 12:00pm 1:00pm 1:05pm 1:25pm 3:10pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:05am

3rd Rock from the Sun Everybody Loves Raymond Frasier Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA Jamie’s Ultimate Christmas Channel 4 News Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas The Dog Who Saved Christmas Countdown Lost and Found A Place in the Sun Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Paul Hollywood Supershoppers 999: What’s Your Emergency? First Dates Don’t Tell the Bride

7:00am 10:15am 12:45pm 12:55pm 2:30pm 4:15pm 6:00pm 6:35pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:00am

Childrens TV The Wright Stuff 5 News Lunchtime The Christmas Gift Rooftop Christmas Tree A Rose at Christmas 5 News The Yorkshire Vet: Winter on the Moors 5 News Tonight Weather Terror Police Interceptors Concorde: Triumph and Tragedy Concorde The KKK: Behind the Mask

7:00am 7:30am 8:00am 8:30am 9:00am 10:00am 11:00am 11:30am 12:00pm 12:30pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:00am

Monkey Life Monkey Life Monkey Life Monkey Life It’s Me or the Dog The Dog Whisperer Meerkat Manor Meerkat Manor Modern Family Modern Family NCIS: Los Angeles Hawaii Five-0 Hawaii Five-0 NCIS: Los Angeles Stargate SG-1 The Simpsons Futurama Futurama The Simpsons The Simpsons The Simpsons Supergirl Football’s Funniest Moments Karl Pilkington The Simpsons

7:00am 7:30am 8:15am 9:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 3:30pm 4:15pm 5:00pm 6:05pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:15am

Flog it! Trade Secrets Island Medics The Hairy Bikers Home for Christmas Celebrity Antiques Road Trip Victoria Derbyshire BBC Newsroom Live The Daily Politics Coast Terry and Mason’s Great Food Trip Home Away From Home 32 Brinkburn Street The Fifteen Billion Pound Railway The Blue Planet Celebrity Eggheads Strictly - It Takes Two Celebrity Antiques Road Trip MasterChef: The Professionals Rick Stein’s Road to Mexico Motherland Newsnight NFL

7:00am 9:30am 10:25am 11:30am 1:30pm 2:30pm 2:55pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:35pm 11:45pm 12:45am

Good Morning Britain Lorraine The Jeremy Kyle Show This Morning Loose Women ITV Lunchtime News ITV News London Judge Rinder Dickinson’s Real Deal Tipping Point The Chase ITV News London ITV Evening News Emmerdale Save Money: Good Food How to Spend it Well at Christmas with Phillip Schofield Bancroft ITV News and Weather ITV News London Lethal Weapon Lethal Weapon

7:20am 8:35am 10:00am 11:05am 12:00pm 1:00pm 1:05pm 1:25pm 3:10pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:05am

3rd Rock from the Sun Everybody Loves Raymond Frasier Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA Jamie’s Cracking Christmas Channel 4 News Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation Countdown Lost and Found A Place in the Sun Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Food Unwrapped Does Christmas The World’s Most Expensive Presents Finding Me a Family Gogglebox

7:00am 10:15am 12:45pm 12:50pm 2:30pm 4:15pm 6:00pm 6:35pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm

Childrens TV The Wright Stuff 5 News Lunchtime Window Wonderland Merry Ex-Mas The Mistletoe Promise 5 News The Yorkshire Vet at the Great Yorkshire Show 5 News Tonight Steve Backshall’s Hedgehog Rescue Jo Brand’s Cats and Kittens Ben Fogle: Return to the Wild Britain’s Favourite Christmas Hits

7:30am 8:00am 8:30am 9:00am 10:00am 11:00am 11:30am 12:00pm 12:30pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:00am

Monkey Life Monkey Life Monkey Life It’s Me or the Dog The Dog Whisperer Meerkat Manor Meerkat Manor Modern Family Modern Family NCIS: Los Angeles Hawaii Five-0 Hawaii Five-0 NCIS: Los Angeles Stargate SG-1 The Simpsons Futurama Futurama The Simpsons The Simpsons The Simpsons The Flash A League of Their Own Sick Note The Simpsons The Simpsons

7:05am

Coast

8:05am

Gardeners’ World

8:35am

Monty Don’s Secret History

I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here, 10pm, ITV1

Monday 7:00am 10:15am 11:00am 12:00pm 12:45pm 1:15pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 2:45pm 3:15pm 4:00pm 4:45pm 5:30pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:45pm

Breakfast Island Medics Homes Under the Hammer Street Auction Fake Britain Bargain Hunt BBC News BBC London News Doctors Armchair Detectives Escape to the Country The Hairy Bikers Home for Christmas Money for Nothing Pointless BBC News BBC London News The One Show Panorama EastEnders Would I Lie to You? The Real Marigold on Tour BBC News BBC London News Have I Got a Bit More News for You

The Real Marigold on Tour, 10pm, BBC1

TUESDAY 7:00am 10:15am 11:00am 12:00pm 12:45pm 1:15pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 2:45pm 3:15pm 4:00pm 4:45pm 5:30pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:45pm

Breakfast Island Medics Homes Under the Hammer Street Auction Fake Britain Bargain Hunt BBC News BBC London News Doctors Armchair Detectives Escape to the Country The Hairy Bikers Home for Christmas Money for Nothing Pointless BBC News BBC London News The One Show EastEnders Holby City The A Word BBC News BBC London News Sports Personality of the Year 2017 - The Contenders

Jamie's Cracking Christmas, 12pm, Channel 4

32

Pick of the Day Inhumans, 9pm, Sky 1

WEDNESDAY 7:00am 10:15am 11:00am 12:00pm 12:45pm 1:15pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 2:45pm 3:15pm 4:00pm 4:45pm 5:30pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:45pm

Breakfast Island Medics Homes Under the Hammer Street Auction Fake Britain Bargain Hunt BBC News BBC London News Doctors Armchair Detectives Escape to the Country The Hairy Bikers Home for Christmas Money for Nothing Pointless BBC News BBC London News The One Show Mary Berry’s Country House Secrets The Apprentice BBC News BBC London News Match of the Day

7:30am 8:15am 9:00am 9:30am 10:00am 12:00pm 12:30pm 2:00pm 2:10pm 3:05pm 3:35pm 4:20pm 5:05pm 6:05pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm

Island Medics The Hairy Bikers Home for Christmas Nigella: At My Table Anglesey Victoria Derbyshire BBC Newsroom Live The Daily Politics Lifeline Coast Terry and Mason’s Great Food Trip Home Away From Home 32 Brinkburn Street The Fifteen Billion Pound Railway The Blue Planet Celebrity Eggheads Strictly - It Takes Two Celebrity Antiques Road Trip MasterChef: The Professionals Peaky Blinders The Apprentice: You’re Fired! Newsnight

7:00am 9:30am 10:25am 11:30am 1:30pm 2:30pm 2:55pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:40pm 12:45am

Good Morning Britain Lorraine The Jeremy Kyle Show This Morning Loose Women ITV Lunchtime News ITV News London Judge Rinder Dickinson’s Real Deal Tipping Point The Chase ITV News London ITV Evening News Emmerdale Coronation Street Gino’s Italian Coastal Escape Coronation Street Bancroft ITV News and Weather ITV News London Exposure Parking Wars

7:20am 8:35am 10:00am 11:05am 12:00pm 1:00pm 1:05pm 1:20pm 1:25pm 3:10pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:00am

3rd Rock from the Sun Everybody Loves Raymond Frasier Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA Jamie’s Night Before Christmas Channel 4 News Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas The Dog Who Saved the Holidays Countdown Lost and Found A Place in the Sun Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News The Secret Life of the Zoo The Channel Vanished by the Lake 999: What’s Your Emergency?

7:00am 10:15am 12:45pm 12:50pm 1:00pm 2:30pm 4:15pm 6:00pm 6:35pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm

Childrens TV The Wright Stuff 5 News Lunchtime Access Guess Who’s Coming to Christmas Season’s Greetings Murder, She Baked: A Christmas Pudding Mystery 5 News The Yorkshire Vet 5 News Tonight Police Interceptors GPs: Behind Closed Doors Harrogate: A Yorkshire Christmas Greatest Christmas TV Moments of All Time

7:00am 7:30am 8:00am 8:30am 9:00am 10:00am 11:00am 11:30am 12:00pm 12:30pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:00am

Monkey Life Monkey Life Monkey Life Monkey Life It’s Me or the Dog The Dog Whisperer Meerkat Manor Meerkat Manor Modern Family Modern Family NCIS: Los Angeles Hawaii Five-0 Hawaii Five-0 NCIS: Los Angeles Stargate SG-1 The Simpsons Futurama Futurama The Simpsons The Simpsons The Simpsons DC’s Legends of Tomorrow Inhumans Football’s Funniest Moments The Simpsons

Island Medics The Hairy Bikers Home for Christmas MasterChef: The Professionals Victoria Derbyshire Street Auction Fake Britain The Daily Politics Coast Terry and Mason’s Great Food Trip Home Away From Home 32 Brinkburn Street The Fifteen Billion Pound Railway The Blue Planet Celebrity Eggheads Strictly - It Takes Two Celebrity Antiques Road Trip MasterChef: The Professionals Blitz Live at the Apollo Newsnight

7:00am 9:30am 10:25am 11:30am 1:30pm 2:30pm 2:55pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:40pm 12:40am

Good Morning Britain Lorraine The Jeremy Kyle Show This Morning Loose Women ITV Lunchtime News ITV News London Judge Rinder Dickinson’s Real Deal Tipping Point The Chase ITV News London ITV Evening News Emmerdale Tonight Emmerdale Paul O’Grady: For The Love of Dogs Bancroft ITV News and Weather ITV News London Birds of a Feather Tonight at the London Palladium

7:20am 8:35am 10:00am 11:05am 12:00pm 1:00pm 1:05pm 1:15pm 1:25pm 3:10pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:00am

3rd Rock from the Sun Everybody Loves Raymond Frasier Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA Jamie’s Christmas with Bells On Channel 4 News Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas The Holiday Tree Countdown Lost and Found A Place in the Sun Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Amazing Spaces Snow and Ice Special The Crystal Maze Extraordinary Teens Naked Attraction

7:00am 10:15am 12:45pm 12:50pm 2:35pm 4:20pm 6:00pm 6:35pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:00am

Childrens TV The Wright Stuff 5 News Lunchtime The Perfect Holiday My Christmas Dream A Perfect Christmas 5 News The Yorkshire Vet 5 News Tonight UK’s Strongest Man 2017 Gypsy Kids at Christmas Harrogate: A Yorkshire Christmas My Crazy Christmas Obsession My Crazy Christmas Obsession

8:00am 8:30am 9:00am 10:00am 11:00am 11:30am 12:00pm 12:30pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 10:30pm 11:00pm 12:00am

Monkey Life Monkey Life It’s Me or the Dog The Dog Whisperer Meerkat Manor Meerkat Manor Modern Family Modern Family NCIS: Los Angeles Hawaii Five-0 Hawaii Five-0 NCIS: Los Angeles Stargate SG-1 The Simpsons Futurama Futurama The Simpsons The Simpsons The Simpsons Arrow Star Wars VIII: The Last Jedi A League of Their Own Unseen The Russell Howard Hour The Simpsons

thursday 7:00am 10:15am 11:00am 11:30am 1:00pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 2:45pm 3:15pm 4:00pm 4:45pm 5:30pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:45pm

Breakfast Island Medics Homes Under the Hammer Grenfell Tower Memorial Service Bargain Hunt BBC News BBC London News Doctors Armchair Detectives Escape to the Country The Hairy Bikers Home for Christmas Money for Nothing Pointless BBC News BBC London News The One Show EastEnders The Apprentice: Why I Fired Them Love, Lies and Records BBC News BBC London News Question Time

7:30am 8:15am 9:00am 10:00am 11:30am 12:15pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 3:30pm 4:15pm 5:05pm 6:05pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm

Letters to the Editor

The Apprentice: Why I Fired Them, 9pm, BBC1

talk to us

Help not deserved Sirs, I welcome the British Ambassador´s assurance outlined in the report over a Healthy Brexit (RTN November 22nd). However, his advice that those living under the radar could have problems which result in the consu-

lates being inundated is typical of modern authorities being unable to voice what people should be told for fear of upsetting the poor dears. He should have advised that there is no excuse for living here without registering on the padron

which robs local authorities of money and using the facilities without paying tax. Should they have problems by not registering then they have brought it upon themselves and should not expect consular assistance. M.Fone (by e.mail)

Email letters to admin.rtn@ewnmediagroup.com with your full name and address

Still Open all Hours

The Ronnie Barker classic returns to our screens on the BBC this Christmas, four years since the sequel that brought Sir David Jason back to the corner shop sitcom. This festive episode is kicking off a fourth series that will bring the total number of episodes to 26. Which is the same number of episodes as the original show. Granville (David Jason) is joined by James Baxter (Granville´s son Leroy), Johnny Vegas (Wet Eric), Brigit Forsyth (Madge), Maggie Ollerenshaw (Mavis), Geoffrey Whitehead (Mr Newbold and Stephanie Cole (Mrs Featherstone). In this Christmas episode some of Granville´s most important customers are planning to leave town. He does his best to persuade them to stay.

34

Puzzles Code Breaker

Mars is now in Scorpio, and the start of a hard working period begins. Truly you are being tested but when the tough get going they do not do things by halves. Not only do you get the satisfaction of a job done well, but this is an opening to further work on the horizon; and a wonderful chance to show to others what you are capable of too!

Word Pyramid

6

A friendship has escalated very nicely and it is good to be able to share your thoughts with somebody who can see things from your point of view. This may very well be the break that you have been waiting for, and the blessing you deserve in the light of your dedication to so bless others with your good fortune. You have much to give and some to share. You are feeling the need to make some big changes, but seem to be waiting for the best time to make a move. However when all is said and done you have to set the scene and make the action work all around you. If this is to be more than just pie in the sky then you have to start as you mean to continue and have a clear way ahead to launch your ideas! Mars brings timbre and dedication to make actions now more poignant than they ever were. You are gently being called into using your skills in a positive and inspiring way for the good of those who need what you have on offer right now. You are hardworking and thorough and the time is now, if you want to make changes that will have a rebound effect. The trine of Uranus sees Mercury opening up channels of communication which certainly weren’t closed by you. However you are the conduit that allows the right message through, and the bringer of change and opportunity into the bargain. Be strong and firm in your actions, since not everybody has your energy, wisdom and foresight. You have been putting things off as of late, and right now have to see things face on so that your wishes do not become a compromise. Taking control the way that you have had to in the past is irrelevant now, since somebody has moved the goalposts somewhat and so turn things around so that the ball is fairly and squarely in their court for a change. Mercury allows you the luxury of expression as you finally get to have your say. You are merely telling things the way that they are, and if that reality causes upset it will show you to what ends others will go to turn a blind eye over what is really going on right now. Keep it simple and be frank, because you have absolutely nothing to lose right now. : Neptune faces up to Venus and brings a consumate blessing into proceedings you attend. This is the very best of times to attend a workshop or a seminar, to enlighten you and broaden your mind. You will find that those people who find you this week are those who really do need your expertise and your loving, tender and sensitive way of loving.

P

T E

R

Word Wheel There is 1x9 letter word and 305 others! Make as many 3 or more letter words as you can using any letter combination just once and you must use the central letter in every word!

There may be two sides to every tale, but what you have been told may be discarded just like a pinch of salt. Though it is hard to have to take sides right now, you know very well where your loyalties lie, and this takes you closer to a truth which should shortly have to be told. Someone is going to be hurt in the process, but what option is there?

The tri working phases of Sun energies see action with Ceres, Kora and a conjunction with Mercury, to boot. This is a time for contemplation, and getting things right, rather than rushing in just where fools fear to tread. Steering is needed to take your message straight to the top, but be sure that you leave no stone unturned in light of full investigation!

S

Start at a letter and spell out a 10-letter word by moving to adjacent letters. Each letter will be used at least once, but no letter will be used twice in a row.

Squaring on Neptune, your planetary leader Venus is quick to bring up any unfinished business this week. You cannot be expected to just hold back on what has to be said, but getting the run around just now is a surety that your suspicions, above all, are warranted and that there is much more than meets the eye around a current pressing situation.

With the Moon in Virgo there comes a resonance into the sheer working possibilities of what comes next. This is a time to make plans rather than to just wait and see, though with so much going on this may seem very tempting. Quality is the benchmark that you need to work alongside of this week, and then nothing else should tempt you away.

I

Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 10 represents P and 14 represents Q. Now using your knowledge of the English language work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you discover the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and the control grid.

Kenny’s Postbag Kenny, my sister finally lost her battle withc and passed to Spirit last month. The family have taken it so very badly that I find that even my spirituality is being tested. What can I do? Everyone is looking me for answers and I feel so empty. Helen G. Helen I am so sorry that your sister lost the fight finally. Whilst she was strong in her fighting cancer, now the family have to be strong too, for her. I doubt that your sister would like to look down and see that her death brought devastation in the family. She would surely want you all to be happy that she is free of pain and would want to see that you are, all of you, getting on with life and whatever it brings you. I know it isn't easy to lose somebody you love so much, but smile at each happy memory you have of your sister and be happy for them. Death is not the end of anything, but it is the great beginning!

For Birthday Celebrants You need to use all your many powers and put them to

good use. The Universe is tying a knot with self help and bids you to learn much more about the inner you. The

astrological year ahead will bless you as a result bringing positive changes wherever necessary.

WORD fit

Using just logic, can you make all the words fit correctly into the grid?

3 LETTERS ACE ALB AND HUT IDA LED LIT NAB NEE PER 4 LETTERS ALBA ALEC ALOE ANNE ARGO ARID

ARTY BASE BASS BLAT BOSE CAGE CARR CHAP DATE EARN EDNA EMIL EVEN GLEN GRIN HALE IRIS KLAN

LARK LASE LEAN MILE NOSE OLAV ORAL PALE RAMO RARE RIGA ROSE SEEN SERA SIAN STAN TRAG UREA

5 LETTERS AFIRE ANKLE ATONE CARET CATER EAGER EDITH ENOCH FACET HOARD HORSE IRATE LARES LILAC LUGER MATEO SAUCE

SHALE STEEN SUSIE UTTER 7 LETTERS PROTECT ROEBUCK SYNAPSE 8 LETTERS ABETTING AIRPLANE 9LETTERS BERENICES FORGETFUL

More Puzzles

Cryptic

ACROSS 7 Try my routes out - for people who don’t know where they are going? (7,4) 8 Characteristic of cap set askew (6) 9 No huge assortment is sufficient (6) 10 Stick one’s oar in as gong is heard (6) 12 Some of the stuffiest areas for a holiday abroad (6) 13 Health resort in Spain (3) 14 Craftsmen getting on in service (6) 16 Centre redevelopment not long ago (6) 18 Ariel’s new land (6) 20 Intense dislike of headgear that’s brightly coloured? (6) 22 A bird from Florence? (11) DOWN 1 Little devils at one mile per second! (4) 2 Rise for dances awkwardly (6) 3 Sauce ruined presents (8) 4 Old stringed instrument from hilly region (4) 5 Gloomy doctor got up (6) 6 Clever, getting on in seaside resort (8) 11 Lean pigs mucked up, seen in passing (8) 12 Distant object is an old coin (8) 15 Go near nuts or fruit (6) 17 A yacht going astray in China (6) 19 Many things sold at auction (4) 21 Always entertained by Guinevere (4)

Word Ladder

Can you by changing 1 letter at a time, get from the first word to the last word in the given number of moves?

TREES 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

BELLS Soduku

Quick

Futoshiki

The purpose of the game is to discover the digits hidden inside the board’s cells; each cell is filled with a digit between 1 and 6. On each row and column each digit appears exactly once; therefore, when revealed, the digits of the board form a so-called Latin square. The board may also contain some inequalities between the board cells; these inequalities must be respected and can be used as clues in order to discover the remaining hidden digits. ie > is greater than and < is less than.

35

Fill the grid so every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1-9

Quiz 1 A staggered junction or golf hole (basically ‘ahead-sideways-ahead’) is called a ‘(What?)-Leg’: Cat; Dog; Frog; or Broken? 2 Formed 1950 and dissolved 1990, the Stasi was the secret police of: USSR (Soviet Union); East Germany; Australia; or Scotland? 3 Sepals and Tepals are decorative protective elements of many old: Churches; Sailing ships; Rifles; or Flowers? 4 The porbeagle is a: Vulture; Shark; Monkey; or Dog? 5 What human organ makes four new words when prefixing Head, Diver, Flint and Tight? 6 Aurizon, VicTrack, Brookfield and John Holland are/were major railway operators of: Canada; Australia; India; or USA? 7 A plantar wart or myrmecia is better known as a: Beauty spot; Blood blister; Veruca; or Mole? 8 The ancient pre-scientific system of classifying all universal matter as Water/ Air/Fire/Earth/Aether is called the Classical: Constituents; Elements; Energies; or Isotopes? 9 The famous USA electronics brand, alluding to its 1921 wireless origins, which collapsed in 2015 is: RadioShack; TunerRoom; TransistorHub; or AerialWarehouse? 10 The Fountain of Neptune, Bologna, Italy, inspired which famous sports car logo: Ferrari; Lamborghini; Maserati; or Alfa Romeo?

ACROSS 1 Waggish (4) 3 Loyal (8) 9 At ease (7) 10 Domain (5) 11 Dry Spanish wine (5) 12 Receding (6) 14 More corpulent (6) 16 Stableman at an inn (6) 19 Remember (6) 21 Labyrinths (5) 24 Minimum (5) 25 Quiver (7) 26 Seductive (8) 27 Homer Simpson’s son (4)

DOWN 1 Planes (8) 2 String quartet member (5) 4 Patron saint of Scotland (6) 5 Pulsate (5) 6 Face-cloth (7) 7 Floppy (4) 8 Breathe out (6) 13 Outlook (8) 15 Elation (anagram) (7) 17 Boil slowly (6) 18 Protein present in wheat (6) 20 Later on (5) 22 Striped animal (5) 23 Supplication (4)

Last Weeks Solutions on page 45

36

whats on APASA Christmas coffee morning

The Babes In The Wood? The Juniors

Panto time!

Robin Hood – The Panto, directed by Marian Carter, is coming to the Careline Theatre in Alcalali in January. Written by Peter Denyer, it has all the traditional ingredients of the classic panto, with ‘The Babes In The Wood’ as the twist in the tale. With Careline's trademark professional touch it's sure to be a hit for all the family. Opening night is ‘Party At The Panto’

with a free glass of cava plus nibbles. Donations from this production will be going to Help of Denia and Marina Alta, MABS and Jalon Valley Help. The photo shows the Juniors: back row Emily, Charlotte and Maya, front row Izabel, Aliyah, Daisy and Laura. Are any of these The Babes? You'll just have to buy a ticket to find out. Show dates run from Thursday January 18

to Sunday January 21 at 8.00pm each evening, with matinees on the Saturday and Sunday at 3.00pm. Tickets cost €12 for adults, €8 for children. €11 for pre-paid groups of 10 or more adults. Book your tickets now by calling the Careline Box Office on their NEW number - 605 181 726 or email carelineboxoffice@gmail.com.

APASA is holding a coffee morning tomorrow Saturday December 9 at Mr Punch in Javea Park. Everyone is invited to catch up over a cuppa and some cake, enjoy some mulled wine and mince pies and try their luck on the tombola. Refreshments are being provided by Clair and David at Mr Punch and cakes are being baked by volunteers and friends of APASA. APASA rely greatly on volunteers, working in the shelter, walking dogs and at their many fund-raising events. All proceeds raised at the Christmas coffee morning will directly fund the goal of making the lives of the dogs better and provide essential care for them. For more information, get in touch with Sue on 965 741 668 / 606 588 197.

37

Benidorm food & drink

Old Town Benidorm Calle la Palma 7

providing cosy bars and restaurants in the heart of Old Benidorm. From a tasty snack to a full blown A La Carte menu, cocktails and shots, English and local beers and wines, there is something for

everyone! All these venues are within a 5 minute walk of each other, so try them all...

Make sure you tell the owners you saw their advert in RTN!

BENIDORM OLD TOWN uay

C/Marav all

Urug

Jaim e

Last March, Nosh became Benidorm’s latest dining experience. Located just off the walking street, in the Old Town’s main dining destination, calle la Palma. In addition to our delicious seasonal menu, we have weekly specials offering mouth watering specialties with influence from world cuisine, right here in Benidorm. Our carefully selected wines change regularly to complement our menus. Alongside these we provide cheese boards, with an average of 40 different cheeses to choose from… including some great vintage choices too!

Benidorm’s Old Town has an enormous amount to offer in terms of atmosphere and tradition. Known for it’s huge array of Tapas Bars, there is also a huge expat community

TOWN HALL

04 02

ALE-HOP

09

01

07

06

03

Nosh

01

Two palms

02

Calle la Biga

Kafee Klee

03

Life Guard Station Molly’s 04

Molly’s

04

O’Maras

05

White Bull

06

Thistle

07

Amigos

09

You can book online via the link on Facebook, email us on reservations@noshrestaurant.es or call us on ES +34 965 02 02 71 or from the UK on +44 (0)20 3695 2440 We are looking forward to your visit!

Calle Moli

Calle San Roque

05

Calle Ruzafa

BRUNCH: 12.30 - 4.00pm DINNER: 6.30pm - 11.00pm

02 2 Palms

Amigos 09

01 Nosh

38

community news Charity News

Grant a Wish for Christmas

Now’s the time to buy your Christmas essentials – and extras! At the Grant a Wish boutique in Javea (Plaza de la Constitution) you’ll find a great selection of Christmas and New Year cards, calendars and diaries, Christmas gift bags and much more. Every centimo or euro you spend in the shop helps Grant a Wish for someone in need this Christmas. As well as our stock of donated new and second hand clothing – currently on sale at massive seasonal discounts – we have lots of gift ideas at prices to suit everyone’s pocket. Don’t forget we have lovely jewellery and pretty evening bags in our display cabinets, as well as masses of CDs, DVDs, old and new books as well as ornaments and paintings. There’s truly something for everyone....and, good news, flowers and plants are now back in store. Do drop in – on Mondays you’re welcome for a coffee and a chat, we’re now open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and don’t forget market day on Thursdays when we’re delighted to receive your donations of fruit and veg for us to deliver to the men’s shelter. Spread a little more Christmas cheer by helping us to Grant a (Christmas) Wish this year.

ALTOGETHER NOW: 13 members took to the Vall de Laguar

U3A Vall del Pop: Explorers Mountain Walking Group EVERY THURSDAY the U3A Vall del Pop Explorers Mountain Walking Group set off on a walk to discover new vistas of the local landscape and to enjoy the wonderful autumn weather. Last week, the group ventured out to Cavall Verde Benimaurell, covering 8 kilometres from Cavall Verde (Green Horse) in the Vall de Laguar with a total ascent of 380 metres, which members covered in just under five hours. The village itself is 550 metres above sea level, so more than half of the climb was made by car. Why not join Paul Leniston and his group on their weekly adventure, or join another

exercise group, be it Keep Fit, Line Dancing, Ballroom Dancing or the Wednesday Walking Group. For further information check out the U3A Vall del Pop website http://u3avalldelpop.com. The U3A is all about enjoyment and learning and this is particularly evident in the U3AVall del Pop group, whose members generally meet on the first Thursday of each month at the Polivalent Centre in Murla. For information regarding the U3A Vall del Pop groups and their meeting dates, get in touch with Groups Coordinator Marie Fitzgerald - groups@u3avalldelpop.com.

Diocese in Europe

The Church of England in Spain Christmas Services 2017 at the Ermita Del Popul, Javea Tuesday December 12 4.00pm Service of Nine Lessons and Carols Followed by mulled wine and mince pies for all

Sunday December 24 – Christmas Eve 9.45am Holy Eucharist 11.30 pm Midnight Mass

Monday December 25 – Christmas Day 9.45 am Holy Eucharist

For more information get in touch with local Chaplain Jim Booker – 965 734 029 / 670 846 898 or check out www.costablanca-anglicanchaplaincy.org.

40

health Acne – not just for spotty teens IT IS a misconception that acne is solely a condition of adolescence. Although it’s true that severe acne past the age of 45 is very rare, mild to moderate acne can either continue past the adolescent years (called persistent acne), or can appear suddenly in adulthood, even if the sufferer never experienced acne as a youth, called late onset acne. The general term adult acne applies to anyone over 25 with the condition. Bacterial Infection The skin’s hair follicles become clogged with excess sebum, which encourages the growth of bacteria. This leads to an excess of white cells being called to the site. The white cells secrete an enzyme, which damages the follicle walls, resulting in an inflamed pimple. Hormones In men, the sebaceous glands can become hyper sensitive to testosterone, leading to an excess production of sebum. While hormonal fluctuations are more typically thought of as a female problem, the androgens present in the male body can encourage oily skin and breakouts.

5 A Day IF YOUR life keeps you on the run – working late, travelling often, always busy – it might seem hard to make sure you eat enough fruit and vegetables. But by making a few easy changes, you can fit 5 A Day into even the busiest schedule.

The over 25s are still susceptible to acne in later life Stress While stress doesn’t cause acne, it can aggravate it. If you lead a stressful life, you’re more likely to sleep and eat poorly, which contributes to body toxins that have no way to escape except through the pores. In most cases, the stress didn’t cause the acne; rather, the acne caused the stress, which then just makes the acne worse. Poor Hygiene Formerly, the thinking was that the

skin should be scrubbed aggressively in order to thoroughly clean it, but this just isn’t true. Too much washing can irritate the skin, and may also by itself stimulate the glands to produce more oil, thus creating more blemishes. Drug Reactions Some drugs have been linked to increased acne breakouts, including anabolic steroids, epilepsy medications, isoniazid and rifampin (used in the treatment of tuberculosis), lithium, and drugs that have iodine in them.

When you eat out, it can be hard to know exactly how much, if any, fruit and vegetables are in your food. For example, fastfood meals often contain less fruit and vegetables (and more fat, sugar and salt) than the meals you'd cook for yourself. All that can mean trouble when it comes to getting your 5 A Day. But a few easy habits and a little planning ahead can help you increase the amount of fruit and vegetables you eat.

5 A Day at breakfast You could slice fruit over your cereal or just grab a banana before you leave the house. If your breakfast is scrambled eggs, add some grilled mushrooms or tomatoes. 5 A Day snacks Take apples, clementines, pears or satsumas to work to snack on. Or why not have some carrot or celery sticks with reduced-fat hummus? This requires a little forward planning. Think about what you want to take to work and buy it the next time you do your shopping. 5 A Day at lunch Can you add extra salad to your sandwich, roll or baguette? And have some fruit or a fresh, unsweetened 100% fruit juice for dessert.

The perfect winged eyeliner

Step 1 Start by placing the tip of your eyeliner at the inner corner of your eye, along the lash line. Slowly swipe the liner to the outer corner of your eye. The more firmly you press down with your liner, the darker your wing will be. If you prefer a thicker wing, retrace your steps a couple of times. Step 2

To wing the liner out, angle your line towards the end

of your eyebrow. You might have to gently tug the skin

at your outer corner to draw a straight line. Most people stop at the crease of the

eye, but you can draw your

liner out as much as you like depending on how dramatic you want it to look. Step 3

Fill in your wing, thickening

the curve as you go. Chances are you might mess up a

time or two, so grab a cotton swab and start the wing over if you need to.

41

health

on the go 5 A Day in a restaurant Can you order a starter, side vegetable or salad, or add an extra ingredient – to a pizza, for example – that will count as one portion? Check the menu for starters and sides, and don't be afraid to ask if the chef can add steamed vegetables to a dish or fruit to a pudding. Instead of ordering chips, ask for a fresh salad or some roasted vegetables. 5 A Day when ordering a takeaway How can you add a portion to a takeaway? If you have a Chinese takeaway, for example, add stirfried vegetables. When ordering a pizza, ask for extra mushrooms on top to help towards your 5 A Day. If you're having a curry, order a vegetable side dish. Be aware that some vegetable dishes may be high in fat. Dishes that come in a tomato or vegetable-based sauce are usually lower in fat than cream or cheese-based sauces.

Steamed vegetables are normally lower in fat than fried vegetables. Most takeaways and other fast foods contain high levels of fat, salt and sugar, so only have them occasionally or in small amounts as part of a balanced diet. 5 A Day when eating out Why not order a salad filled with a variety of vegetables for your main course, and ask for either a lowerfat dressing or for the dressing to be on the side so you can add less? How will you add one portion of fruit and vegetables to food on the run? Make that question part of your daily routine and you'll soon hit your 5 A Day target.

Six top teas to aid weight loss Green Tea and Matcha These teas are known for increasing metabolism. A study published in the American Journal For Clinical Nutrition found that green tea promotes fat oxidation, beyond that explained by its caffeine content - caffeine boosts your metabolism on its own, but green tea's got that extra mojo. It's also been shown that matcha can stop the growth of new fat cells. It triggers the release of fat from fat cells and also helps speed up the liver's ability to turn fat into energy. Dandelion This floral tea can help eliminate excess water weight. This small, yellow flower dots meadows around the world and its roots are known to offer a string of healthy benefits. The dandelion's use traces back to the 10th century when Arabian physicians revered the root for its cleansing properties and as a natural aid for digestion. Oolong Oolong tea has been studied and proven to be effective in helping obese patients lose weight. It is also recommended for a metabolism boost. Pu'erh Another great metabolism-booster is pu'erh, a fermented variety from China. White Tea Similar to green tea, white tea can stop new fat cells from forming — it's been studied and published in the journal Nutrition & Metabolism to help with weight loss. Black Tea Black tea is higher in caffeine, and any tea with caffeine will support high energy levels, which will in turn support weight loss. High energy leads to more movement – sip on a cup of black tea before a workout to get a better calorie burn.

How can Botox make you look younger? Botulinum treatment (or Botox as it is better known) offers ways of reducing deep facial wrinkles without the need for surgery. This anti-aging treatment is simple, effective and low-risk, resulting in growing popularity in the cosmetics industry. When we are young, our skin springs back to its initial position after facial expression. But by time, as we age, our skin loses its volume and our collagen and elastin stores naturally deplete. As a result of that, we notice fine lines, wrinkles and sagging of our skin. Many facial wrinkles occur when we use our muscles to form facial expressions. The wrinkles formed during these expressions are called dynamic wrinkles. For example, when we smile our eye wrinkles become prominent, and when we frown the vertical lines between our eyebrows become noticeable. When properly used, Botox treatment has minimal risk. It is injected into specific muscles responsible for causing wrinkles. Only tiny amounts are used, and spread of the toxin from the site of injection is very limited. The effect of Botox lasts for different lengths of time in different people, but normally for 3-6 months. Regarding to the Spanish law, only an experienced Doctor can perform Botox injections. The procedure will usually take less than half an hour, including consultation and injection. No anaesthetic is required and apart from the risk of a little bruise, you can return to work immediately. At Derma Clinic Spain we are well experienced with the Botox treatment, and you are welcome for a free consultation to discuss your aesthetic treatments. Derma Clinic Spain are located at Camino del Pincho 2, 1, 03580, L´Alfaz del Pi, Alicante. For more information call 674 255 579 or email info@dermaclinicspain.com. Alternatively see their Facebook page facebook.com/DermaClinicSpain

42

home & garden

How to care for a Christmas poinsettia The poinsettia (or Mexican Flame Tree or Christmas Star, as it is also known) is synonymous with the festive season but keeping the plant alive long enough to see Christmas Day can be a challenge.

sap that is irritating to the tissues of the mouth and esophagus. If the leaves are ingested they can cause nausea and vomiting, but it would take a large amount of the plant’s material to actually cause significant poisoning.

How do you keep a Poinsettia healthy? Buy your poinsettia from a garden centre or reputable store. Do not buy from outside shops or stalls as lower temperatures on display will reduce the shelf life of the plant. Inspect the plant carefully before buying; poinsettia are tender plants and will not last if they stand in the cold for any length of time. If possible, check your poinsettia’s compost before buying. It should be neither dripping wet nor totally dry. Dense foliage and yellow-green budding flowers in-between the coloured bracts are a sure sign of quality. Protect your poinsettia from the wind and cold and transport it quickly to its warm new home. Keep it in a bright, warm spot (around 20° C). It can be close to a radiator, but not in direct sunlight or near draughts – so keep away from open doors, windows and fireplaces. Be careful not to overwater it by leaving a pool of water in the bottom of the pot it’s sitting in. Water only when the compost is starting to change colour and become lighter. To use poinsettias as fresh flowers in a vase, cut the bracts, dip the cut end in warm (60 degrees) water for five seconds, then immediately in cold water, and you’re ready to arrange.

How do you revive a Poinsettia? Remove the dead leaves from the pot, and continue to remove any leaves that fall off. If the stems of the plant have started to rot, cut them back far enough so that you can remove the dead parts. Place the poinsettia near a bright, south-facing window. Poinsettias are tropical plants that benefit from plenty of light. Monitor how much you are watering your poinsettia. The plant should be moist rather than soggy. How much water you will need will depend on the temperature and humidity level. When in doubt, skip the water. Fertilise the poinsettia once a month after you’ve pruned it. As a rule of thumb, a poinsettia will require 1 or 2 tablespoons of fertiliser. Cover your poinsettia plant every night or move it to a dark cupboard overnight. For it to bloom again, a poinsettia requires 14 hours of complete darkness every night. Continue to cover your plant until the buds start to appear again.

Are Poinsettia plants poisonous to pets? The poinsettia plant’s brightly coloured leaves contain a

How long do Poinsettias last? It will depend on how well you follow the tips above, but on average a well-cared for poinsettia should last 4-6 weeks until the flowers start to fall off. Remember, poinsettias like the warmth of centrally heated

homes but they should be kept away from direct heat, as well as from drafty windows and doors. Will the poinsettia be part of your Christmas decorating scheme this year?

43

pets

Enrichment for rabbits

Rabbits can be so much fun but how can you make sure that they’re enjoying themselves too? As well as always ensuring they have large, spacious homes, there are lots of things you can do to enrich your rabbit’s environment and help keep them stimulated and happy. A happy bunny is one that can display its natural behaviour and you can find ways to help them do this. They need to be able to hop, stretch and play and because rabbits live together in the wild it’s important to keep them in a pair or compatible group otherwise they’re likely to get very depressed. Make sure your rabbits are neutered – this is important even if they’re in a same-sex group to avoid them fighting. Rabbits’ favourite things include climbing, tunnelling and digging and their instinct is to run and hide if they sense danger. There are lots of things you can do to allow them to do

this. Make sure they have plenty of space and a private compartment so they can get a bit of privacy. Give them tubes to run through and hide in and a cardboard box, filled with shredded paper and with an entrance and an exit they can hop in and out of. They love a good piece of dirt that they can burrow into so they’ll really appreciate a digging pit. Did you know that rabbits spend 70 percent of their waking hours feeding? You can make this fun by encouraging them to forage – hang some root vegetables on a string for them to nibble and scatter their food to encourage them to search for it. You can also put their hay in hanging baskets which they can reach up and nibble at like they would do in the wild. You can give your rabbit safe things to chew, like apple wood or willow, or buy edible wooden chews from a good pet supplier.

Fynn

Osc ar

FYNN Miniature Pinscher - Born July 2016 - a fabulous little boy - full of fun, loves everybody, enjoys being with all other dogs . Microchipped fully vaccinated and negative of lishmania

Dan a

OSCAR - he is a pure ginger boy around 11 weeks old. He is very healthy and playful and needs his own forever home. NO ADOPTION FEE BUT A DONATION IS MUCH APPRECIATED.

Dana - it is not often that we have a Pedrigree dog in at Akira for re - homing. Dana is a German Wire - Haired Pointer, approx 6 years old. She was given to us because of her owners ill - health.

44

AIRPORT PARKING

situations vacant Need an extra income? Earn 75€ to 400€ per week, flexible hours from home. We are a reputable British home retailer, new to Spain. No selling required or experience needed as full training given. Apply now at irrigation

252011

bathrooms For all bathroom conversions contact 698 320 434 CARPENTRY www.dragonreforms. com Tel 966 807 098. Free quotes given (256718) for sale Alpine Jacuzzi Spa (used) 198 x198 x90 cm Good working order. Buyer transports. Offers around Euros 750 Tel: 637 982 871 Moraira (246795) gardening HEDGES & DESIGN. Professional Landscaper trims perfectly – Hedges/Columns/ Balls. Also designs and builds your garden. Andy 634 809 379 / 600 030 193. (252160) INSURANCE & INVESTMENTS BENEFICAL INSURANCE SERVICES. Car, Home, Business, Travel, Life, Funeral, all insurances available. Policies in English. BEST rates, covers & service. Immediate quotes. Tel 961 129 215 / 622 275 561, (whatsapp) info@beneficialinsurancein spain.com or visit www.beneficialinsurancein spain.com for online quote. (257880)

F&P-IRRIGATION: professional new sprinkler systems and repairs, 30 years’ experience. 14 days free trial, fixed price. Six Solid Rock Guarantees. Free quotation. 952 931 558 (258952) F&P PUMPS: pressure, wells and pool pumps, service, sales and repairs Six Solid Rock Guarantees 952 931 558 (258952) METAL WORKS mobile welding service Gates, rejas, railings etc Made to measure or repaired. Free quotes. No job too small. Calpe. Made to measure or repaired onsite. Call Dave 965 834 869 or 616 173 699 (252148) painters & Decorators STEPHEN HILL PAINTER/DECORATOR, PROPERTY MAINTENANCE. 35 YEARS EXPERIENCE. www.hillspropertyservice.com. 646 112 981 (252202) pest control BUGBUSTERS Fully legal Costa Blanca Pest Control Company. EST 1994. For all pest problems, commercial and domestic. Call Lois Clark 619 054 939/ 96 686 5204. bugbusterslois@hotmail.com. ROESB 0552 CV

www.the-vista-group.com (260527) solar Small Solar System 2x140watt panels. 2 batteries, controller and inverter/charger 950€ call 675 878 601 or 692 170 778 (258563) SOFT FURNISHINGS LOOSE COVERS, CURTAINS ETC. Made to Measure. Choose from a wide range of beautiful fabrics in your own home. Tel: 965 771 397 or 686 453 827 TV SATELLITE Skyline Satellite Experts in repairs, service calls or advice on UK and International tv installations 965 838 225, info@skylinesat.com Specialist in community and apartment installations and Solutions, no dish, no problem. Satellite and TV accessories available 965 838 225 info@skylinesat.com (248218)

248138

45

building services

REMOVALS & STORAGE

xxx RELAXATION

Readers of a sensitive disposition may find some of the advertisements in this section offensive. Denia we are 2 friends from Spain 18 years old massage sex cum here 643 656 643 in/out calls available. (246573)

VALERIA in Denia, clean and discreet, erotic massage, relaxing, sex, outings and more call 686 094 328. BENIDORM / ALBIR MATURE BLONDE

BRAZILIAN

LADY.

MASSAGE WITH HAPPY END â&#x20AC;&#x201C; GOOD ENGLISH SPOKEN.

situations vacant

BENIDORM 2 sexy pretty affectionate girls, massage, kisses, hotel/private apartment. Tel 671 431 214

MIRIAM 689 820 132

MASSAGE in Benidorm. Relaxing, qualified private service in my positive home. 604 232 351 www.pridemassage.info BENIDORM

sado and golden shower Tel 667

Russian Blonde. Big boobs invites you for erotic massage/sexual pleasures. 632 422 799

plumbing

SEXY Noelia visits home and Hotels 24 Hours. Sex Toys, massage, 861 513 IN DENIA, VICTORIA Beautiful Brazilian escort, sexy body, affectionate, massage, outings and more. Discreet 632 257 503

WANTED

251549

252273

Last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s puzzle answers (Issue 945)

Wordwheel Solution aal ada aid ail ain air ala ale ana and ane

ani ara are dal dan ear era lad lar lea nae

nan rad rai ran ria aide airn alae alan alar anal

anil anna area aria arid aril dale dane dare darn deal

dean dear dial earl earn elan idea ilea iran lade laid

lain lair land lane lard lari larn lead lean lear liar

lira naan nada nail nala nana nard near raia raid rail

rain rale rand rani read real rial aider ailed aired aland

alane alder alien aline anear anile annal areal arena arian ariel

deair denar diana dinar drail drain elain eland ideal inane irade

laari laden lader ladin laird lanai learn liana liane liard lidar

nadir naiad naira naled nidal ranid redan redia renal aerial alanin

aldine aldrin alined aliner andean anneal ariled daniel darnel delian denari

denial derail dialer inaner inland laired lander lanner larine linear nailed

nailer narial narine radial radian railed rained randan realia redial relaid

reland renail adrenal airland alanine annelid araneid ireland laniard lindane nadiral

nardine

Word Pyramid UNDETECTED

radiale adlerian inlander adrenalin

Codebreaker Solution

Cryptic Solution

Quick Solution

Word Ladder

SHARK SHARD SPARD SPAED SPRED SIRED SITED SITES BITES

Soduku Solution

Quiz solutions 1 Curved Sword 2 Geometric shape 3 Eye 4 Seth 5 Ladybird / Ladybugs 6 Human body scans 7 Elevator 8 1 (one) 9 Home alone 10 Day

46

motoring

All-electric Renault Zoe takes top award

THE game-changing range of the all-electric Renault ZOE has contributed to the stylish city car being voted the ‘Best Small Company Car’ at the Carbuyer Awards 2018, which were held at a ceremony in London. The award recognises that the Renault ZOE, with its ultra-low running costs, impressive range of up to 250 miles (NEDC), represents an unbeatable proposition for business users searching for a compact car that will be both exceptionally efficient and usable. On the decision to award the highly-coveted ‘Best Small Company Car’ award to the Renault ZOE, Stuart Milne, Editor, Carbuyer, said: “The Renault ZOE packs plenty into a very small package. It's good to drive, comfortable and more spacious than you'd ever think possible. Thanks to its electric power, it sits in the lowest nine per cent BIK band, but what really seals the deal is its range. The standard car can travel up to 149 miles on a charge, but ZOE Z.E.40 versions are capable of an impressive 250 miles.” The Renault ZOE is an all-electric, five-door supermini available in a choice of three trim levels and with two battery options. Despite its affordability, the entry level Expression Nav comes with a

high level of standard specification, including items such as climate control and the 7-inch touch screen R-Link 2 infotainment system with sat nav. In Dynamique Nav, features include hands free keycard, automatic lights and wipers and rear parking sensors. The new topof-the-range Signature Nav trim provides buyers with features including supple leather upholstery, a seven speaker BOSE audio system, heated front seats and a rear parking camera. ZOE is the best-selling electric vehicle in Europe and more than 4,500 ZOE have been sold since launching in the UK in 2013. ZOE is one of three models in Renault’s diverse electric vehicle range which also includes the Twizy quadricycle, the Kangoo Van Z.E. and the forthcoming Master Z.E. large panel van.

47

sport A former player, Tony Matthews is now the world’s most prolific author of football books with 150 published since 1975. He has also been a PE teacher, policeman, radio correspondent and is now a quizorganiser and fund–raiser, for various charities. Football The group draw for next year’s World Cup in Russia indicates that England and Spain should qualify for the knockout stage The eight groups are: (A) Egypt, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay (B) Iran, Morocco, Portugal, Spain (C) Australia, Denmark, France, Peru (D) Argentina, Croatia, Iceland, Nigeria (E) Brazil, Costa Rica, Serbia, Switzerland (F) Germany, Mexico, South Korea, Sweden (G) Belgium, England, Panama, Tunisia (H) Colombia, Japan, Poland, Senegal The opening game is Russia v Saudi Arabia on 14 June 2018; Spain meet Portugal 24 hours later and it’s England v Tunisia on 18 June. The top two from each group will enter the last 16, with

the final taking place on 15 July. After recent results, Manchester City, 2-1 winners over lowly West Ham, lead the Premiership by eight points. This was City’s 14th successive PL win – a record. In a brilliant match at The Emirates, Manchester United (2nd) had Paul Pogba sent-off in a 3-1 win over Arsenal (5th); Chelsea (3rd) beat Newcastle 3-1; Liverpool (4th) won 5-1 at Brighton and Spurs (6th) drew 1-1 at Watford. Wolves (after winning 1-0 at Birmingham) lead Cardiff by four points at the top of the Championship while struggling Sunderland, beaten by Reading, haven’t won in 21 homes games. SPL top-dogs Celtic, now unbeaten in 67 domestic games, battered Motherwell 5-1. La Liga leaders Barcelona are well clear of fourth-placed Real Madrid who had Sergio Ramos

sent-off for a record 19th time in their 0-0 draw with Bilbao.

and Wolves-Swansea. Ties to be played on 5/6/7 January.

early doors; the final is at York’s Barbican on Sunday.

The last 72 hours has seen action in two major European competitions with five English clubs set to make progress in the Champions and this weekend there are three Premiership derbies – the 109th West HamChelsea meeting (Saturday) and the 175th Manchester clash at Old Trafford and the 229th Merseyside battle at Anfield (Sunday).

General Round-up Australia beat unlucky England 6-0 in the Rugby League World Cup final in Brisbane, while Wales defeated South Africa 24-22 in a ‘Union’ friendly in Cardiff. Exeter (40 points) lead the Aviva Premiership from Gloucester (32); Glasgow and Scarlets top the Pro12 sections A & B respectively.

Rickie Fowler won the Heroes Golf Championship in the Bahamas; GB’s Tommy Fleetwood was third while Tiger Woods had three good rounds and finished eighth.

The 3rd round FA Cup draw has produced some intriguing ties including BournemouthFylde/Wigan, Coventry-Stoke, Fleetwood/Hereford-Leicester, Forest Green/Exeter-WBA, Fulham-Southampton, LiverpoolEverton, Manchester City-Burnley, Manchester United-Derby, Middlesbrough-Sunderland, Norwich-Chelsea, Nottingham Forest-Arsenal, Shrewsbury-West Ham, Spurs-AFC Wimbledon

England needed 354 to beat Australia in the Second Test in Adelaide after Jimmy Anderson’s 5-43 had set up the target. Ben Stokes scored just two runs and was wicketless on his Canterbury debut in New Zealand and ex-Gloucestershire and England batsman Tom Graveney has died, aged 88. Reigning champion Mark Selby, Ken Doherty, Judd Trump and Neil Robertson crashed out of the UK Snooker Championship

Alfie Hewett beat Gordon Reid in the all-British Wheelchair Tennis Masters final. Birmingham must wait to see if they’ll host the 2022 Commonwealth Games and 48 Russians have been banned from athletics for drug abuse. And GB Olympian Jade Jones has added the world Taekwondo Grand Prix title to her C.V. Did You Know? From 1998-2003 Wolfgang Wolf managed German Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg.