RTN Newspaper - Costa Blanca North 2 - 8 February 2018 Issue 954

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COSTA BLANCA NORTH

2nd - 8th February

Green light given to eco hotel complex

Plans to wipe out historic debt GATA DE GORGOS,

Issue 954

INSIDE THIS WEEK ... SUSPECTED TERRORIST ARRESTED IN ELCHE

presently governed by Photo by Twitter

by Carol Palmer T H E G e n e ra l i t a t Va l e n ciana has given the green

a minority administration, has announced steps to reduce what

light to an ex tension of a

they describe as a ‘his-

hotel that serves the popu-

torical debt.’ The mayor, Magda

l a r t o u r i s t a t t ra c t i o n o f The Hotel Vivood - locat-

debt will be wiped out

ed in the municipality of

during this year. “In

Benimantell - has been given

three years, we have

permission to add on a fur-

made a great effort so

ther 10 rooms to the exist-

that Gata can get out

ing 25, create a special area

of the ‘economic well’ that the previous gov-

for massages and improve ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY: A view from the Hotel Vivood.

ernments left it.”

the new constructions.

awarded following receipt of

ished by the end of June to

when they came to pow-

is part of a new concept of

Although no definitive

the all-important environ-

allow them to reopen for the

er, the debt stood at

hotels made up of wooden

date has been given to start

mental impact statement.

high tourist season, and to

around €3million. It now

cabins that blend almost

the works, all the relevant

However, it ’s understood

beat last year ’s number of

stands at €745,361.

unnoticed into the sur-

per missions have been

that the work may be fin-

more than 10,000 guests.

rounding landscape with hardly any impact on the environment. This has been one of the main reasons that the application for the enhancement to the exciting project has been approved. I n i t i a l l y, t h e o w n e r s wanted to build 17 new rooms, but instead decided to reduce it to 10 independent suites. This will give them a capacity of 70 p l a c e s , a re s u l t o f w h i c h will also need additional access routes built to reach

P7 A TRUE CHORAL SPECTACULAR

He emphasised that

The Vivood - which first opened its doors in 2015 -

HENS AND STAGS FACING HOLIDAY CULL

Mengual, said that the

Guadalest.

the exterior of the building.

P6

that it has made great

P11

2

2nd - 8th February

Neighbourly chat ends with emergency call Photo by Marina Baixa Hospital

by Mark Rogers A 72-YEAR-OLD woman needed to be rescued from the balcony of her house in L’Alfas del Pi after she collapsed. The alarm was raised by a next door neighbour after

Three arrested after knifepoint robbery by Rob Murray GUARDIA CIVIL officers have arrested three men in the act of breaking into a house and threatening the occupants at knifepoint. Two of the men were detained at the scene and a third was later caught 48 hours later. They were charged with robbery with violence and intimidation. The events unfolded on an urbanisation in San Vicente del Raspeig when the gang tried to gain entry to the house, and one of the occupants called the police to report it. However,

she all of a sudden fell to the

as soon as the name of the street was mentioned the police

ground when they were talk-

heard a number of shouts and screams and the call was cut

ing across their balconies.

off. At that point both uniformed and plain clothes members

At first, they were able to

of the Guardia Civil went to the scene and surprised two of the

converse but when the

intruders as they tried to escape through a garden fence. They

woman stopped responding,

were detained immediately.

the emergency services were

The victims were all men their 30s and had to be treated by

called. After the Guardia

paramedics for a number of minor injuries. It appears they had

Civil arrived at the scene,

RESCUED: Woman enjoying a chat taken to the Marina Baixa Hospital.

they realised that the woman

heard strange noises outside and as they were alerting the Guardia Civil the thieves rushed in snatching the telephone

was in danger and called for

front door two of them

consciousness, and after

emergency paramedics, she

and cutting off the call. At that point, one of the men had a

backup from the fire service.

climbed up on to the balcony

making an initial assessment

was taken by ambulance to

knife put to his throat demanding all the money they had.

with the help of a ladder.

of her condition, they safely

the La Marina Baixa Hospital

Following subsequent investigations, the ‘missing’ third thief

moved her inside and laid her

in Villajoyosa where she is

was traced and arrested. The gang comprised two Spaniards

down on her sofa.

expected to make a full re-

and one German aged between 38 and 40.

However,

when

the

Guardia officers discovered

Once they reached the

they couldn’t get into the

woman who by now was

woman’s proper ty via the

showing hardly any signs of

After being treated by the

covery.

2nd - 8th February Photo Credit: Dima Aslanian Shutterstock

TEMPORARY RELIEF: Bonfires allowed again.

Bonfires may be lit AS many farmers and agri-

within 500 metres of wooded

cultural growers have com-

areas, while farmers were al-

plained about the ban on

so banned from burning

bonfires near woodlands,

stubble and unwanted vege-

there will a relaxation of the

tation.

rules. Due

Farmers however argued ongoing

that the accumulation of

drought, the regional govern-

to

the

dead wood was itself a fire

ment’s department of agri-

hazard and could also attract

culture and environment de-

pests.

partment had imposed the

Following recent rains, the

same restrictions that are in

ban has been lifted on a tem-

place each summer to reduce

porary basis but may be rein-

the risk of forest fire.

stated should future weather

No bonfires were allowed

conditions make it necessary.

Cliff rescue of British pensioner A FRANTIC British family reported the disappearance of a 68-year-old Briton who had gone missing in Benidorm. At the same time as the report was being made, a walker spotted an elderly man looking lost on the cliffs above the beach at the Tio Ximo cove. Although they tried to help the man, they were unable to communicate with him as they didn’t speak English so called the Local Police instead. When officers attended, they discovered that the man was in distress having apparently fallen several metres down the cliff and who also showed signs of hypothermia. Due to the steepness of the cliff and the man’s difficulty in walking, a number of officers had to form a human chain to help him up the path until he could be treated by paramedics before being transferred to the Villajoyosa hospital. Officers realised that his family had entered a missing persons report and were able to give them the good news that he had been found.

3

Keeping an eye on landlords THE time has now come according to the Valencia Tourist Board (AVT) for them to enforce the regulations concerning the rental of short term tourist apartments. Despite the fact AVT only employs 10 inspectors, they plan to inspect 3,000 residences but this means the department will have to spend up to €55,000 on outsourcing part of the work. Putting this spend into the shade however is the €600,000 the AVT expects to spend on a me-

dia campaign to explain the rules and make it clear to landlords that they must comply with the regulations or face sanctions. Working alongside hoteliers and the Local Police force, the department wants to make sure that landlords understand the unfairness of competing against tourist associations and local business. The crackdown started in 2017 and will continue with a vengeance during the coming year.

4

2nd - 8th February

Black mark for Piedra Negra site THE Piedre Negra landfill in Jijona al-

factories, as well as agricultural green

legedly accepts unsorted and untreated

waste and household refuse, are arriving

The plant is run by Reciclados y Com-

rubbish with the regional government’s

at Piedra Negra to be compacted and

postaje Piedra Negra, originally a part-

knowledge.

buried.

nership between publicly-owned Vaersa

cycling target set by regional laws.

The plant opened in 2003 to serve the

Many lorries arrive with loads that

and Cespa-Ferrovial until the Generali-

l’Alacanti Alcoy, El Comtat and Castalla

were rejected for recycling but these of-

tat sold its 51 per cent holding for €5.2

areas, as well as the Vega Baja which has

ten contain rec yclable refuse that

million in 2015.

neither a treatment nor landfill plant.

nonetheless ends up in a Piedra Negra

Meanwhile, Joan Piquer, the Generali-

Piedra Negra should take only domes-

pit. According to the Ecologistas en Ac-

tat’s director general for Climate Change

tic refuse, but lorries from Pilar de la

cion environmentalist

and Enviromental Quality, said the re-

Horadada, as well as Vinaroz in Castel-

group, the Piedra

gional government is preparing legisla-

Negra site fails to

tion stipulating that industrial refuse

meet even

must be treated and disposed of as near

half the re-

as possible to its origin.

lon bring in tons of rubbish of all types each day. Unwanted

furniture,

builders rubble, plastics, rubbish from industrial estates and

Photo credit: Alan Levine

LANDFILL: Rubbish must first be compacted.

Councillors support hate crime colleague COUNCILLORS from all political parties approved a motion condemning ‘homophobic and discriminatory attitudes.’ The motion agreed to ‘fight for a society free from sexual discrimination’ in clear support for Denia’s Public Safety councillor Javier Scotto. Homophobic comments were launched against him on the social media by Local Police officer Eugenio Crespo, now banned from approaching Scotto after a Denia court issued a restraining order against him. Crespo subjected the councillor to ‘grave insults, disrespect towards a superior and actions that could be construed as hate offences arising from sexual discrimination,’ a judge said. Crespo, a SPPME union official, has been signed-off work for months. He has been at loggerheads with Scotto, Denia mayor Vicent Grimalt and Denia’s Local Police superintendent Jose Martinez Espasa since 2016, when the town hall painted a Marques de Campo pedestrian crossing with the colours of the rainbow flag. At the last council meeting of 2017, Crespo entered the chamber and facing the councillors, removed his jacket to display a t-shirt proclaiming ‘Mar i Cona’, ostensibly innocent words that taken together form a homophobic epithet. Scotto thanked his colleagues at the recent council meeting, admitting that the December incident had been ‘a hurtful situation.’ Equality and diversity are enriching, he added: “Affection causes no harm, but hate does.”

2nd - 8th February

5

Hard of hearing benefit Every little from sound upgrades work helps Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Benidorm

by Mark Rogers A NUMBER of improvements will shortly be carried out in the Benidorm Assembly Hall located in the town hall - to improve the sound quality. In addition, there will be a system installed for people with hearing problems.

FOUR residents living in the municipality of El Poble Nou de Benitachell have recently been employed by the City Council thanks to two grants totalling €17,000. They are two women cleaners, and two labourers who will be working on stone walls. The four people are from one of the most vulnerable groups of unemployed people as they are classed as low-skilled and over 45. A number of the same demographic has also been unemployed for some time and have previously had serious difficulties in finding a job.

Councillor Jose R amon

These latest contracts will last for six months.

Gonzalez de Zarate said that “the new sound system will be operated by a digital system with 16 channels, speakers, subwoofers, amplifiers and a built-in sound proces-

CLARITY: Future Assembly Hall audiences will experience better sound quality.

Major storm alert fails to arrive

aid via a magnetic field,

fil an agreement made at a re-

more performances and con-

DURING the storms that

weather conditions, the

In order to adapt to all and

greatly reducing background

cent council meeting that was

certs throughout the year.”

affected the area last

municipality was put on

improve the audio quality for

noise, competing sounds, re-

proposed by the Ciudadanos

those with impaired hearing,

verberation

group.

a system known as a magnet-

acoustic distortions that re-

ic induction loop will be put

duce clarity of sound.

sor.”

and

other

It’s hoped that once the fi-

weekend, a total of 46.6

heavy alert last Sunday

nal proposals have been fully

litres per square metre of

but it stopped raining at

De Zarate said: “This pro-

audited, the money should be

rainfall was recorded in La

7am after almost 12 hours

ject will cost around €9,500

available for the installation

Nucia.

non-stop and didn’t re-

in. This transmits an audio

The councillor confirmed

and is necessar y since the

of the new system as soon as

signal directly into a hearing

that these improvements ful-

venue is hosting more and

possible.

Such was the concern for

more

dangerous

turn for the remainder of the day.

6

2nd - 8th February Photo by Guardia Civil

HAVE YOUR SAY

SCREENSHOT: Showing his contempt for those attacked in London.

A popular post this week is “Alicante-Elche Airport gets ready for Brexit changes” Reaching 9,475 people with 106 reactions and comments

Ali Wilson

It’s costing us a fortune to leave the EU, but now the 27 EU countries are going to have to fork out a lot of money to please the Great British public and no doubt the bill will be handed down to us when trying to visit these counties.

Suspected terrorist arrested in Elche

Pensionage farmers almost the majority THERE are worrying signs for the future of farming throughout the Valencian Community, with the latest figures showing the average age of

by Michael Cano

the owners. Data released by

IT has been revealed by the Guardia Civil that a Spanish citizen has been detained in Elche accused of promoting Daesh.

the Spanish National

The individual who had not left his house for the past 10

Statistics Institute

years and was said to be estranged from his family, took to the

(INE﴿ notes that for

internet to praise the activities of Daesh.

the year 2016 - the

He mocked the victims of the Barcelona bombings and con-

latest information

sidered those who had attacked them as heroes and martyrs of

available - some

the Islamic Jihad.

53,635 owners of

The 30-year-old is accused of spreading terrorist propagan-

family-run farms out

The EU thought if they could scare us enough it would stop, but guess what they are going to have a cost as well. Britain will be better off and Europe will suffer if they take things lightly.

da, stating in one message ‘God bless Allah, kill all the cru-

of a total of 107,318

saders of this blessed planet. The end of the infidels goes by

have already reached

leaps and bounds.’

the age of 65.

Barrie Woodfine

In addition, he mocked those who ‘lost their legs’ in one of

This is particularly

the bombings in London, considered ‘heroes’ all those who join

prevalent among the

@RTNNewspaper Most liked posts from this week

the ‘Jihad against the Western Crusaders’ and applauded the

smaller farms in Ali-

terrorist attacks ‘against the corrupt Crossed state.’

cante, and there is no

When the officers went to arrest him, they saw that because he

revealed that more

• Benidorm bars face fines over ‘illegal’ street party

had taken so little exercise he had suffered muscle wastage and had

than 6,000 farms

difficulty in walking, but this did not affect his ability to show his

have been lost or

• Costa Blanca serial arsonist held

contempt for the arresting officers and the Spanish state.

closed in the past

• Ryanair introduces new baggage policy

quences of his actions.

• Tourist hotspot councils clamping down on noise levels • Alicante-Elche Airport gets ready for Brexit changes

In Total 20,934 people reached 10,461 reactions

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

All of this outpouring of support for Daesh was intercepted by the cyber security division of the Guardia Civil, which discovered

sign of the downward trend improving. The same data also

that the man had left school at 16 and had never worked.

It is also reported that he expressed no regret for the conse-

three years.

More water restrictions LOCAL residents in the municipality of

drought conditions.

Tarbena have once again run out of water.

This has affected the well in Murta - from

They have suffered a series of water

where the municipality is supplied - and has

restrictions over the last few months,

resulted in the occasional cuts to the supply.

which due to their location, isn’t helped

The situation was exacerbated back in

by the increase in population during the

May 2017 when one of the water pumps

summer months and the continuing

ruptured.

2nd - 8th February

Hens and stags facing holiday cull Photo credit: Twitter

by Dave Bennett ONE of the most common sights and sounds of Benidorm is facing the axe due to a crack-

7

Beware buckets from the balcony A WOMAN living in Benissa couldn’t put up with the noise from a local bar any more and decided to take the matter into her own hands. The lady - married to a local Benissa councillor and former mayor - got into an altercation on Sunday evening with a group of people that were hanging around her front gate which is close to a local bar. Her method of getting them to move was to throw a bucket of water over them.

down among a number of hotels. The traditional hen night

Smoother driving in prospect

trips and stag dos could well be a thing of the past on this part of the Costa Blanca as some of the hotels have begun to prevent such groups making book-

TARGETED: Members of stag dos increasingly not welcome.

traffic between Calle Derramoador and Calle

ings in their establishments. The case of one such stag

THANKS to a new roundabout being planned, the

with the hotel.

split the booking into pairs but

Benidorm - already state on

Gerona in Benidorm will run much smoother in the

party originally planned for

He told British media: “We

risked being asked to leave the

their website and the page con-

future. The works are also part of the area that will

Benidorm was changed to

were a group of nine and we

hotel if the management dis-

nected with group bookings:

include the new Foreign Tourist Assistance Service

Tenerife when the organiser -

were set on Benidorm. We had

covered we were all together on

“Stag and hen groups not ac-

(SATE﴿ and a Local Police office, where the Rincon

Allan McDonald, 34, of

been saving and looking to

a stag do. We had to rule out

cepted. Individual bookings

de Loix tourist office is already located. Drivers ap-

Alexandria, West Dunbarton-

book for April but, when we

Benidorm after being told

that make up a group will not

proaching the area will notice that the provisional

shire - was advised by two

went into the travel agents, we

that.”

be accepted. Group bookings of

road markings are already in place indicating

travel agents that he and his

were shocked.” He went on to

Hotel chain RH Hotels - who

more than four rooms not ac-

where the new construction will be.

group might face some issues

say that “...we would need to

manage seven hotels in

cepted.”

8

2nd - 8th February

Safer and softer play areas for all ages Photo credit: YouTube

by Dave Bennett C H I L DR E N p l ay i n g i n a number

of

parks

in

Benidorm will soon be able

Self-employed grant scheme by Rob Murray BENIDORM’S Councillor for Employment and Local Development, Maria Jesús Pinto, has increased by 20 per cent the amount of aid given to set up new companies. The annual grants given by the City Council - which during 2017 helped 68 self-employed set up their own busi-

to play in much safer condi-

ness - amounted to €30,000. However, this year will see an

tions in the future.

extra amount invested.

In an initiative from the

Councillor Pinto said that “for the year 2018, we have

City Council that wants to

budgeted €36,000 to support those self-employed workers who start or have already started their activities in our city

see children’s playgrounds RUBBER: All Benidorm public play areas on softer ground.

safer, a ne w contract has been put out to tender to gradually change the current sand-filled parks with foam rubber.

since the start of January.” He pointed out that this is an increase of €6,000 for the direct grants which have been well-received and appreciated by those that have opted for this means of employment. In addition to increasing the overall amount, Pinto said

I t ’s n o t j u s t t h e yo u n g members of the area that

r u b b e r. I t ’s n o t j u s t t h e

have suffered from vandal-

ther tender, alongside any

that the council had also increased the number of those

will benefit from these pro-

children that fall from their

ism and graffiti. In total,

others that have 15 days in

who can now qualify for the aid.

posed changes. Those that

playthings...

Benidorm contains 34 such

which to apply once it’s an-

They are now aimed at entrepreneurs who need to se-

play and exercise areas.

n o u n ce d i n t h e O f f i c i a l

cure an opening licence from the town hall and those who

Gazette (BOP).

can work from home. The grants for the former have risen

use the number of parks

The contract will also see

which include the metal

t h e s e c u r i t y o f t h e a re a s

The company which had

keep-fit equipment will al-

stepped up and to replace

t h e co n t ra c t u n t i l i t f i n -

T h e va l u e o f t h e fo u r-

s o h ave t h e i r g rave l a n d

a ny d a m a g e d o r b ro k e n

ished in June 2017 is also

year contract has been set

sandy surfaces renovated to

items, including those that

expected to submit a fur-

at €40,763.

from €500 to €600 whereas the latter increases from €350 to €375.

Epidemic affects routine THE f lu epidemic which continues to af-

pone a number of non-urgent operations

fect the health of many has begun to cause

to take the extra admissions into account.

problems in the Marina Alta region.

It has been confirmed that urgent oper-

The local health authority has had to in-

ations, including those that are cancer re-

crease the number of beds for f lu victims

lated, are continuing to take place as nor-

and has therefore had to cancel and post-

mal.

10

2nd - 8th February

Bring on the empty houses VILLJOYOSA’S City Council will shortly open a series of negotiations to allow a number of empty houses in the municipality to be used for social housing. They will be talking with SAREB - an asset management company - to draw up an agreement to form a registry of their empty properties that can be used as a type of council housing. The proposal was made by the Partido Popular (PP﴿ and was agreed unanimously at a recent council meeting.

Marina Baixa taxis are united by Dave Bennett PREVIOUS and historic quarrels between taxi drivers from different municipalities in the Marina Baixa have finally been put to one side. This follows an initiative that will see a total of 329 taxi drivers joining forces to improve current rates and the service in the local region.

Photo credit: Twitter

The new agreement came into force yesterday (Thurs-

COMBINED: Three major taxi organisations forget the past conflicts.

day) following announcements from the two groups

with the 232 run by Radio

agreement also allows taxis to

could only drop them off, they

that previously operated and

Taxi Benidorm to make the

pick up passengers from any

could not pick up anyone else

controlled the taxi service.

combined fleet.

of the municipalities in the

who may have been waiting

scheme, which would have

for a cab and thus return to

previously been prevented.

L’Alfas empty.

Radio Taxi Marina Baixa

Such an agreement couldn’t

and Central de Taxis Marina

have taken place earlier as

Baix will link up with 18 mu-

Benidorm isn’t part of the Ma-

As an example, a taxi driver

As of yesterday the entire

nicipalities. Their 97 autho-

rina Baixa region but this has

from L’Alfas who was taking a

operation will be based and

rised taxis will now join forces

now been resolved. The new

passenger to La Vila Hospital

operated from Benidorm.

2nd - 8th February

11

Photo credit: YouTube

New season for Coral Clasica Javiense CORAL CLASICA JAVIENSE, an international choir in Javea, has just started its new season of rehearsals for the spring of 2018. They’re a hard-working, friendly group, who would eagerly welcome new members. All voices are welcome, but they have a special need for tenors! Choir practice is held each Friday from 4.00 to 6.00pm at the Instituto Musical, Avda. Juan Carlos 1, in Javea/Xabia. Plans for this season are still in flux. At present they are learning some lovely musical settings by the composer Francisco Vila of poems by the iconic Andalucian poet Fred-

CHARITY CONCERT: The performance in full swing.

A true choral spectacular

erico Garcí a Lorca. This will be their second season with musical director Asunción Tarrasso. Asuncion is the cellist of the Orchestra of the Marina Alta (OMA﴿, and is also engaged in further train-

WHEN Melody Makers Inter-

tained, with a musical mix

from Aida, and by the full

ing A Couple of Swells from

ing as a choir mistress at the university Carlos III in Madrid.

national and Orihuela Costa

from the pen of Sigmund

company, The Battle Hymn Of

Easter Parade.

The warmth, skill, and energy of Asunción’s teaching style

Male Voice Choir come to-

Romberg , Ir ving Berlin,

The Republic. Classic songs

Director Nigel Hopkins was

gether to support Debra, the

Franz Lehar, Puccini and a

from White Horse Inn, The

delighted to let Saturday’s

The choir is based in Javea, but members come from all

Butterfly Children charity, it

splendid arrangement by

Merry Widow and Les Miser-

house know, that in 10 years of

over Marina Alta. They have an interesting cross-section of

is a case of ‘Full House.’

Brymer of Freddy Mercury’s

ables kept Saturday’s audi-

bringing shows like today’s

nationalities - German, British, Dutch, Spanish, Swiss, and

Bohemian Rhapsody.

ence well entertained.

concert to the Costa Blanca, a

one solitary American.

The concerts which were

makes each rehearsal a pleasure for them.

held at the Orihuela Costa

Special mention perhaps in

No concert by Nigel Hop-

total of €50,000 has been

Those who would just like to be occasional guests may

Resort Hotel, La Zenia last

this mixed bag of wonderful

kins would be complete with-

raised and presented to charity.

visit and observe. Choir members need a basic ability to

Saturday raised €2,500 for

music, would be to Rebecca

out Jane Atkinson and Eric

The standing ovation given

read music and should have some experience of choir work.

the charity.

Holt with the Barr y and

Berg, taking to the stage.

Two houses at 2pm and

Robin Gibb classic, A Woman

This year was no exception,

8pm, were royally enter-

in Love, The Grand March

with the dynamic duo becom-

to this Saturday ’s Choral Spectacular, was well deserved.

For

information

http://www.coralclasicajaviense.es or call 676 285 493.

visit

12

2nd - 8th February

Goody, goody... no more gum droppers by Mark Rogers

Shops facelift to be completed

THE San Juan Council has

The works will see Avenida

given their approval to con-

Miguel Hernández undergo

tinue a series of works to

a transformation to finish

complete the commercial

one of the important com-

area along the old N-332

mercial and business areas

THE City Council of Alicante is fighting

road. The cost of the project

which employs around 4,000

back against those that throw chewing gum

is almost €6 million but

people. The building work is

on the pavements.

comes from a private invest-

expected to commence be-

ment initiative.

fore the middle of this year.

During a recent cleaning exercise, some 100,000 blobs of discarded gum have been removed from the beach promenade, the

NON-STICK: Alicante cleans their main areas of gum.

Injuries at work on the increase

ways in the centre of Alicante. Over a peri-

the chewing gum that’s been left every-

can never be imposed as the perpetrators

DATA released from the Valencian Institute of Safety and Health

od of six months a steam cleaner set at

where.”

are never seen by either a police officer or a

at Work (INVASSAT) shows that on average five workers are in-

member of the municipal cleaning team.

volved every day in work accidents during working hours in the

main square in front of the town hall, the municipal theatre and along the busy Avenida Maisonnave. But it’s not just the chewing gum that’s been removed from the streets and alley-

220ºC has cleansed the area of other fatty

He has continued to encourage everyone

deposits and even urine stains that have

to accept their civic responsibilities to keep

The machines purchased and the work

province of Alicante. During the course of last year, more than

blighted the walkways and cause inconve-

streets clean and tidy, and reminded people

for this specialised cleaning cost €40,000

2,000 work-related accidents were recorded in the Alicante

nience and unpleasantness to pedestrians.

that fines of up to €210 can be handed

and was part of the cleaning contract oper-

Province.

Councillor Fernando Marcos, who is re-

down for littering the pavements with not

ated by UTE Alicante. Not only does it

With 2018 being just one month old, there have already been

sponsible for cleaning services in the city

only gum, but food, cigarette ends and even

eliminate all the chewing gum and other de-

19 people who have been injured during the course of their work

said: “The centre of Alicante is a very

spitting. The problem with such laws, as

posits, it also polishes the pavement and

in Alicante and are likely to reflect the steady increase in the num-

crowded place and it’s very easy to find all

Councillor Marcos highlighted, is that they

leaves them in as-good-as-new condition.

ber of such incidents over the past two years.

13

2nd - 8th February

British Consul visits Alicante towns Photo Credit: British Embassy Madrid

TOWN HALLS across the Alicante Province will be hosting a series of events with British Consul, Sarah-Jane Morris, to talk about Brexit and how this affects British citizens living in Spain. Mrs Morris will be visiting the towns in the Alicante Province with the highest volume of British citizens on the

Officer killed in off-duty crash A MOTORCYCLIST has died following a traffic accident on the main CV-800 road between Xixona and Alicante. He has been identified as Pablo H, a 47year-old National Police

Padron, to talk to residents about any

officer who was based

concerns they have around Brexit, to

in Alicante, and the ac-

provide an update on the progress of

cident happened when

Brexit negotiations and to respond to

he was off duty and not

any questions and concerns they may

riding a Guardia bike at

have.

the time.

Four events have been confirmed in

Official sources say

Alicante south next Monday and Tues-

that the motorcyclist

day in the following locations:

simply lost control of

ROJALES - Monday at 12pm. Venue

his bike and after falling

- Capitol Theatre, Calle A Gonzalez

from it suffered serious

Vergel, Rojales

injuries. Emergency

TORREVIEJA - Monday at 2pm. Venue - Torrevieja Town Hall (3rd floor

medics transferred him

BRITISH CONSUL: Sarah-Jane Morris.

to hospital but medical

Salon de Plenos) Plaza de la Constitucion, 5, 03181 Torrevieja

There will be a further four events in

These events are part of the efforts

PILAR DE LA HORADADA - Tues-

Alicante north (Alfas de Pi, Teulada,

made by British Consulates in Spain to

EU

day at 10am. Venue - Casa de Cultura,

Benidorm and Javea), details of which

meet with British citizens across Spain,

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/advice-for-

Calle Carretillas 19, Pilar de la Horada-

will be published next week.

and ensure that the concerns they raise

british-nationals-travelling-and-living-ineurope.

da

para-

Advice for UK citizens living in the can

be

found

here:

staff were unable to save his life due to the extent of his injuries. The dead man was heading to La Carras-

You don’t have to be resident in these

around healthcare, pensions and resi-

SAN FULGENCIO – Tuesday at 1pm.

towns to attend the events; they are

dency rights are understood by the UK

We recommend following our Brits

queta, an area that is

Venue - Centro social, Calle Amster-

open for any British citizen who is in-

negotiating team, and reflected in their

in Spain Facebook page, and to sign up

often visited at the

dam, Urbanizacion la Marina, San Ful-

terested in finding out more about the

discussions with our EU partners about

for alerts from the gov.uk page to ensure

weekends by bikers.

gencio

subject.

our departure from the EU.

you are getting accurate information.

14

2nd - 8th February

Museum visitor numbers rise Photo credit: Javea.com

by Carol Palmer THE year just ended proved to be a good one for the Museu Soler Blasco de Xàbia

Prize winning student MARTA MARTINEZ, a young girl from Callosa, has received the prestigious ‘Isidro Cortina’ prize from the mayor of Benidorm Toni Pé rez, and from the president of the Rotary Club of Benidorm, André s Laporta. The award is given to the student from the Marina Baixa region who achieves the best qualification marks in the entrance exams for university. In Marta’s case, she scored 11.674 out of a maximum of 12 and is studying Biomedical Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Valencia.

toured the venue... an in-

Young shark found on storm beach

crease of 1,425 compared to

A DEAD shark has been found on a beach in Javea.

2016, and tourists have been

It appears that it came in as part of the strong tides

able to discover the remark-

caused by the recent storms which dominated that

able history of the locality

part of the Mediterranean at the weekend.

as visitor numbers were up on the previous 12 months. A total of 24,550 people

contained in a number of

HISTORY: Foreigners account for a significant number of the museum’s visitors.

different rooms in the museum.

ganised tours and groups.

The shark - measuring around one and a half metres long - was discovered on the Cala Blanca beach

ber of tourists from other

sents 26.2 per cent of the to-

with a nasty wound on one side of its body. Initial

Figures issued by the mu-

The remaining 2,074 were

mainly European countries -

tal; a figure higher than that

thoughts suggest that it’s a peregrine shark but a

seum’s management show

made up of those who at-

as well as the UK - these

of 2016, which was 24.4 per

very young specimen, since these sharks can mea-

there were 15,330 individual

tended exhibition opening

numbers are also more than

cent. The locals accounted

sure 12 metres long when fully grown.

visits in 2017 (62.5 per cent

days and special confer-

encouraging.

for 18 per cent (4,434 visi-

of the total) compared to

ences. Bearing in mind the

In 2017 there were 6,446

7,146 people arriving in or-

municipality attracts a num-

foreign visitors, which repre-

The same storm also brought a two-metre long

tors), whereas 45.2 per cent

dead bottlenose dolphin to the Arenal Beach.

came from the rest of Spain.

The dirt has gone

T he museum remains grateful for the help offered by the A ssociation of

PEDEDSTRIANS walking through the Plaza de SSMM

Friends which, since its cre-

Los Reyes de Españ a in Benidorm will have noticed that

ation five years ago, has car-

their walk is a much brighter one than before. A pro-

ried out the translation of

gramme of work has taken place to clean the pavement

the entire museum’s infor-

and return it to its natural colour again. The City Council

mation in both English and

used a specialist machine to clean the porous concrete

French which has enabled

which forms the square and almost by magic turned

more to understand the ex-

from black to white once the dirt was removed.

hibits.

16

2nd - 8th February

Man injured fighting his own house fire by Mark Rogers ONE man has been injured while trying to put out a fire in his own property.

The walk of many colours

The fire has severely affected the house on Calle cente, and left the man suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.

by Carol Palmer GIVING a whole new meaning

For reasons that are currently still being investi-

to ‘the school run’, the walk to

gated, a fire started in some trees directly outside

school in Callosa d’en Sarrià is

the house that spread to a gas boiler and then to

going to be a lot brighter for

a store room that included an amount of cloth

pupils.

and material that caught alight.

The initiative means that a

Photo by Ayuntamiento de Callosa

Caobo on Urbanisation Los Girasoles in San Vi-

The initiative will be operated at first with volunteers who will accompany the students to the different schools. The education department has already put out a public appeal for such volunteers and they will be looking for around

The fire continued its destructive path through

number of routes made up of

15 each day. Each route will

the property, burning three rooms and filling the

multicolour footprints will be

have meeting points where

home with smoke. Despite raising the alarm him-

placed through the streets of

self, the man attempted to fight the flames until

the municipality so that chil-

the fire brigade from the Parque de San Vicente

dren can get to their school by

been marked with different

Mirantbo school; Route 4 - is

del Raspeig arrived, but in doing so ended up with

walking. It aims to promote

coloured feet for each of them.

the orange route and takes the

As well as promoting the

his injuries.

not only a safer journey for

Route One - in white will

followers to the Bernat de Sar-

health and safety aspects of

the pupils but also encourage

lead to the Almedia School;

ria, located in Plaça del Llau-

the project, the aim is to re-

a healthier lifestyle.

Sources from the fire brigade reported that the family needed to spend the rest of the night and following day elsewhere as the house in its current state is uninhabitable.

the volunteers will meet the

SAFER: Follow the ‘yellow feet road’ to school

children and take them to their respective schools.

Route 2 - with yellow feet will

rador. Finally, Route 5 goes to

duce traffic congestion and

Five separate routes have

reach the IES of Callosa d’en

the Bernat de Sarria Primary

thus cut down on levels of pol-

been designed, one for each of

Sarria; Route 3 - follows the

School and pink feet take the

lution to improve the quality

the local schools, and have

blue markings and goes to the

pupils there.

of life in the municipality.

Cross-legged waits could finally be over... by Dave Bennett OPPOSITION members on the Benidorm City Council are asking for more public toilets on the ever-popular beaches.

m a r k e d t h at “ w i t h s o fe w a l o n g t h e beaches, many older people are forced to wait in queues to use them.” Finally, Bigorra encouraged the company that has been awarded the contract

Political par ty Compromís wants to

to provide the lavatory facilities to carry

see not only an increase in the existing

out a further study on the location and

provision with the installation of new

expansion

facilities; they also want the current toi-

Benidorm’s beaches.

lets to be cleaner and more hygienic.

of

public

to i l e t s

on

Responding to the criticisms, Council-

The matter was raised during a recent

lor Lorenzo Martinez said that his de-

council meeting by the spokesperson of

par tment is already working with the

Compromís, Josep Bigorra, where he de-

company in question to install new facil-

nounced the condition of the public toi-

i t i e s a s s o o n a s p o s s i b l e , a n d t h at a

l e t s - t wo o n t h e L e va n te b e a c h a n d

meeting with all the interested parties

three on the Poniente - as being “dirty

will be convened this week to decide on

a n d l a c k i n g i n hy g i e n e .” He a l s o re -

their location.

18

SPOTLIGHT ON MORAIRA

2nd - 8th February

EU parliament offer support for funding Photo credit: Twitter

RAMON LUIS VARCARCEL, vice president of the European Parliament and member of the commission for regional funding, met with the PP leader, R aul Dalmau, to get some more information on their archaeological plans. The City Council wants to

Cyclist injured in training ride

refurbish the famous Torre

A MEMBER of an amateur cycling team has

Vigia (the watchtower) and

been involved in an accident on the road

continue with the ongoing

from Moraira to Calpe.

archaeological digs in the La

The incident took place in front of Les Plat-

Cendra cave, which have so

getes beach in Moraira around lunchtime last

far revealed an Iberian vil-

Wednesday when he fell from his bike after it

lage.

slipped going round a bend. His cycling companions alerted the emergency services

The representative of the Te ulad a municipality ex-

REFURBISHMENT: Moraira’s Torre Vigia is part of bigger archaeological plans.

and the arriving paramedics treated him for

plained that the area of Cap

sites along the Mediter-

the recover y of an ancient

will help with the pro ject

an injured arm.

d’Or has a huge archaeologi-

ranean coast , which is be-

fishermen’s path which con-

wherever he can, and make

The stretch of road where the accident

cal and cultural value due al-

lieved to date back to Pale-

nects Moraira with Beni-

sure this archaeological exca-

took place is well used by members of both

most entirely to the cave.

olithic times around two

tachell, from the Cap d’Or to

vation gets all the support it

professional and amateur cycling teams as

million years ago.

the Barranc de la Cala Llebeig.

deser ves as a histor ical,

part of the regular training.

It’s considered one of the most important excavation

Included in the project is

Varcarcel has promised he

artistic and cultural asset.

2nd - 8th February

19

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20

SPOTLIGHT ON CALPE

2nd - 8th February

Photo Credit: Twinsterphoto Shutterstock

CYBERCRIME: A worldwide problem.

Calpe police selected for EU cybercrime project T WO policemen based in

Martin Moreno and Ben

Prophets - is composed of a

Calpe have been selected to

Wilkinson were chosen after

consortium of 16 different in-

take par t in a European

submitting their research pro-

stitutions in the EU. Calpe will

Union (EU) project set up to

posals which look at investigat-

now work alongside various

tackle cybercrime. The two

ing and preventing the prolifer-

police forces and universities

will par ticipate in the

ation of online criminal and

from across Europe and under

scheme that involves 10

terrorist acts.

the direction of the University

member states of the EU.

The

scheme

-

called

of Bavaria. The objective of the initia-

First migrants of 2018 are discovered AFTER two months without any arrivals on the nearby coast, a boat has been found on the beach at Calpe containing migrants. Two members have been arrested by the Local Police but it’s understood others which arrived are still at large after landing at the Arenal. Normally, such boats contain around 10 in total, and Local Police and Guardia Civil patrols have been alerted. Authorities say it’s unusual to see arrivals at this time of the year as the crossings are normally made when the temperatures are higher.

tive is to identify and develop new and advanced tools to tackle the radicalisation that leads individuals to access terrorist-related websites. Supported 100 per cent with funding from the EU, the scheme will last for three years and the two officers selected from Calpe will shortly move to Germany to take part in the start of the project.

2nd - 8th February

Photo Credit: CHUMS (friends of charity)

Good Samaritans killed after crash rescue by Rob Murray THREE people have died and five oth-

which had already been involved in an

cedes lost control in the dangerous

a cc i d e n t . T h e t h re e m e n w h o d i e d

conditions , hit the three men - in-

were aged 31, 34 and 47.

stantly killing two of them - and left

ers injured in a multiple collision on

A cco rd i n g to s o u rce s f ro m t h e

the AP-7 close to Benissa. Two of the

emergenc y ser vices, the events un-

dead were killed as they got out of

folded when a car containing only the

T h e d r i ve r o f t h e M e rce d e s a l s o

their car to help an injured driver and

driver left the road just short of the

died in the collision. In addition, two

all three were hit by another car.

Mascarat tunnel. A second vehicle, a

more cars hit the other vehicles which

The incident happened during the

Nissan van containing two men, was

had already been involved leaving two

heavy storm of rain and hail that hit

about to collide with it but managed

occupants with serious injuries.

the area in the early hours of Saturday

to avoid the car and pulled over to

morning. The slippery and icy condi-

help.

the other man who had been rescued with minor injuries.

The AP-7 motorway was closed for more than six hours in the Alicante

tions made braking extremely difficult

They were able to rescue the man

for cars to avoid the various vehicles

but at that point an oncoming Mer-

21

STOCKING UP: The Finestrat Food Bank.

Helping to feed those in need

d i re c t i o n u n t i l i t h a d b e e n f u l l y cleared of the debris.

CHUMS (friends of charity﴿ went shopping with the ladies of Finestrat Social Services and spent €577 buying food for the Finestrat Food Bank. Having already donated more than €1,000 to this

Illegal catch goes to a good home

cause last year they were pleased to find that they were

GUARDIA CIVIL’S Nature

the Altea fish market. The

fisheries inspector from the

lacked proper labelling and

people who gave so generously and made this possi-

Protection Ser vice (SE-

catch was discovered as part

Valencian government.

was banned from being sold.

ble. CHUMS is a small fully registered charity whose

PRONA) has seized a total of

of one of their regular in-

The 220 kilos of octopus,

Instead, the fish - perfectly

supporters meet socially three times a month and if

316 kilos of young fish which

spections and on this occa-

88 kilos of whiting and eight

edible - was delivered to a

you would like to join them please call Marilyn on 965

was being offered for sale in

sion was accompanied by a

kilos of monkfish found

number of local charities.

864 394.

able to make another donation during January. Those involved would like to thank all those lovely

22

2nd - 8th February

1881 – A great year for corned beef lovers … and sceptics by Barry Duke

THE security geezer at Gatwick Airport was utterly nonplussed when he found six tins of Fray Bentos steak and kidney pies in my hand luggage. “I’m not sure if these are allowed on a plane,” adding: “In all the years I’ve been here I have never seen anyone trying to take pies out of the country.” So I explained how they got into my bag. Before leaving Brighton to return to Benidorm last November I’d put them in my suitcase, then weighed it using VERY accurate digital scales. The read-out said I was well within my allowance of 20 kilos. To be doubly sure, I borrowed a friend’s scales, which gave precisely the same reading. But when I placed the suitcase on

a check-in belt at Gatwick a machine advised me that I was 1.5 kilo over the allowance, ordered me to remove the case and pay a £10 surplus fee at the customer service desk. “Your scales,” I told an assistant, “are rubbish and I flatly refuse FRAY BENTOS: to pay.”“In that case,” he From then until said. “your luggage won’t now. go into the hold.” “Oh yes, it will and I’ll perplexed, show you how,” I bellowed. I so along opened the case, seized the pies came a third, and - for good measure - my toithen a fourth. letries bag, and hurled them into my After a lengthy hand luggage. debate the consensus Of course the toiletries bag was a was that the pies were good huge mistake. It contained creams to go, and I was sent on my way. and liquids in measures not permitWhile I was waiting for a verdict, ted on a plane, plus a prized cutand wondering if I’d get on the throat razor. I ground my teeth as plane, I noticed a banner on the these items - worth well in excess of cans that simply said ‘since 1881.’ £10 - were consigned to a trash can. Now for me this is a hugely sigBut the pies were put to one side nificant date, for in May of that year while the security man sought a seca young fellow called George ond opinion. A colleague was just as William Foote, born in Plymouth in

1850, began publishing the Freethinker, a weekly atheist journal priced one penny. Its combination of humour, illustrations and articles debunking religion and related subjects played a big part in its popularity. It had weekly sales of 10,000 in 1882 and circulation never fell below 4,000, a fascinating phenomenon given the importance of religion among Victorians. In its second year, Foote went too far with a mix of humour and anti-religious argument and, following publication of irreverent cartoons in the Christmas 1882 edition, he was prosecuted for blasphemy and sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment with hard labour. The publication, however, continued without further hindrance. I was appointed its editor 20 years ago, and am still doing the job. But back to the pies. When I saw

1881 on the Fray Bentos tins, I immediately began to research the product and discovered via Wikipedia that in 1865, Liebig’s Extract of Meat Company was founded in Britain by German chemist Justus von Liebig. The company established a factory in Uruguay to manufacture a beef extract product that would later be sold under the name Oxo. In 1873, the factory began manufacturing tinned corned beef, which was sold in Britain under the name Fray Bentos, the town in Uruguay where the factory was located Fray Bentos was trademarked by Liebig in 1881 for the principal purpose of marketing corned beef. In the immediate post-war years, the Fray Bentos products were a staple food in Britain. The range was expanded to include canned meat pies such as steak and kidney and minced beef and onion, and I was delighted to discover last month that they are sold by Dealz at La Marina for just €1.50. Now which pie shall I have tonight for dinner? The chicken or the steak and kidney?

Haber and the present perfect tense

Basic Spanish for everyday needs

by Jane Cronin

WELL hello there! Have you had a good week?

late the word ‘have’ in these kinds of questions,

we were looking at those things called past par-

Habé is hablado con mi vecino.

Have you been busy? Have you done anything

or answers, using tener.’ We have a different

ticiples and saying that they joined together with

(You have spoken to my neighbour﴿.

interesting? What have you done today before

verb to translate ‘have’ or ‘has’ when talking

these forms of ‘haber’ to talk about the recent

Han hablado con mi vecino.

reading this? I have just got out of bed and

about the recent past, and that is ‘haber.’

past.

(They have spoken to my neighbour﴿.

made a cup of tea, but you don’t need to know that. Those of you who have been up slightly longer than I have and are sufficiently awake

Like all verbs in Spanish, ‘haber’ changes its

Not wishing to be tedious, but I want to re-

To make it slightly more interesting, we can

forms depending on who the subject of the sen-

mind you again that these past participles don’t

also change the possessive adjectives, so that

tence is, that is, who is controlling the action.

need to change at all. They remain exactly as

you have spoken to your neighbour, and we

This is how ‘haber’ goes:

they are, independently of anything else, relying

have spoken to our neighbour, like this:

should have noticed something about these

Singular

on the verb ‘haber’ to make the relevant

He hablado con mi vecino.

questions. They all contain the word ‘have’ and

He • I have

changes for them.

(I have spoken to my neighbour﴿

they are all enquiring about recent past events.

Has • you have (familiar﴿

To illustrate this, let’s go back to the first of

Has hablado con tu vecino.

Ha • He/she has. You have (formal﴿

our example sentences again: ‘He hablado con

(You have spoken to your neighbour﴿

member that at

Plural

mi vecino.’ (I have spoken to my neighbour﴿

Ha hablado con su vecino.

the end of last

Hemos • We have

Now you should re-

We can change the person doing the action

(S/he has spoken to his/her neighbour﴿

week’s article we

Habé is • You have (familiar﴿

said that, howev-

Han • They have. You have (formal﴿

He hablado con mi vecino.

(We have spoken to our neighbour﴿.

er tempting it is,

This verb ‘haber’ is an odd one because it is

(I have spoken to my neighbour﴿

Habé is hablado con vuestro vecino.

we cannot trans-

rarely used on its own and generally has no in-

Has hablado con mi vecino.

(You have spoken to your neighbour﴿.

purely by changing ‘haber’ as follows:

Hemos hablado con nuestro vecino.

dependent meaning, apart from in a few odd

(You have spoken to my neighbour﴿

Han hablado con su vecino.

expressions. Usually ‘haber’ is used to help

Ha hablado con mi vecino.

(They have spoken to their neighbour﴿

change the meaning of other verbs, as in the

(S/he has spoken to my neighbour﴿

case we are looking at now.

Hemos hablado con mi vecino.

generally found repetitiveness a very useful

(We have spoken to my neighbour﴿.

thing!

So, taking your minds back an article or two,

If you find this a bit repetitive, well it is, but I’ve

24

2nd - 8th February

Who’s laughing now

by Michael Walsh

Photo Credit: President of Russia

Photo Credit: GCHQ Ministry of Defence

keyboardcosmetics@gmail.com WHERE mass demonstrations failed and insurrection was found wanting, many a regime was brought crashing to the ground by ridicule. The royal houses of Britain could shrug off criticism by the bucketful, but what the ruling elite fear most is ridicule.

The shocked guide told the impertinent grandmother that only state ap-

best if he was put up against the wall.

the wonders of modern broadcasting.

proved presenters could use this device.

The Soviets were unlikely to be amused

During a guided tour of Radio Moscow

at the skit that takes place in a school

the elderly tourists were awestruck as

classroom. Carefully, it is explained to the

they entered the broadcasting studio.

pupils that their country is the mother-

Patiently, their guide showed her

flect on our lives and asked that age old question: What’s it all about? We look back and

“Just one word, one little word,” the elderly babushka begged. Relenting, the guide replied; “Alright

We laughed when we heard the gag, ‘they have television in the Soviet Union but there it watches you.’ Today, our every email is stored as is every telephone conversation. Social media are the combine harvesters of illicit information.

but just one little word, mind you.”

Perhaps we see ourselves and our situ-

Reassured, the elderly woman drew

ation in a similar light, but let’s not mock.

that when you spoke into the device you

closer to the microphone and pressing

Presenters of western media are far more

could speak to the entire world.

the button screamed, “Help!”

reprehensible. They parrot propaganda

An elderly lady pleaded: “Oh, please, I

First Secretary, Nikita Khrushchev,

would love to say something to the

proudly showed his elderly mother

The tricky path to enlightenment cause to stop and re-

The joke goes that the tourist visiting

guests a microphone. She then explained

school’s inspector.

er, most of us have

“But, Nikita,” she whispered. “What will you do if the Communists come back?”

world; may I, please?”

One is reminded of the small party of

AT one time or anoth-

office.

sir, it is a microphone.” of the classroom. babushkas being shown for the first time

‘An orphan,’ was heard from the back

luxurious trappings that come with high

The waiter smiles, “It’s not a dumpling,

it, whilst his foil suggested it might be

“Now children, what would you like to

his mother the grand gardens and the

pected a dumpling with his soup.

portrait of Stalin. One suggested hanging

be when you grow up?” asked the

tourage, the latest Soviet leader showed

BIG BROTHER: Not just watching in Russia.

the Gulag. A famous skit depicted two

land and their father is Josef Stalin.

of limousines and his flunkies as en-

Moscow complains that he hadn’t ex-

Making fun of the Soviet system was sure to get the joker a one-way ticket to comedians wondering what to do with a

around his palatial dacha. With its fleet

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

realise that perhaps

when all they need fear is the loss of their job.

BUDDHISM: Might just be the answer.

a squeeze box outside Dial-

usual phases: enjoyed all the

my head and wearing a saffron

prix?

Bible stories at school and

robe and sandals. Don’t get

looked forward to Christmas

me wrong, it looks good on

St Peter when I present him

assemblies when we got to

some, but I would just resem-

with a shortlist which includes

sing all those groovy carols,

ble a bread stick in a duster.

giving up my seat on the bus

even if I didn’t understand

and contributing the equiva-

what three ships had to do

enment idea, which basically

lent of half a cup of coffee to a

with the baby Jesus.

says that you can take any

It’s hardly going to impress

starving musician. He’s just

Then into my rebel years

we should have done things

or the Yorkshire Ripper, these

going to frown and point to

when I dismissed it all as a

differently and experienced

‘what-if’ phases of our lives

the lift going down.

load of horlicks and became

much more of what life and

are to be expected.

the world had to offer. Said yes to opportunities that came our way instead of playing it

I have been going through one of these periods recently. What have I done, I ask my-

I can see why some turn to

But I like the path to enlight-

route you like, just so long as you get there. There is only one problem.

just another intolerant atheist,

I’ve got quite good at chanti-

religion for answers, but my

before settling in the calmer

ng, but when it comes to get-

experience is that it only raises

waters of agnosticism. But

ting into the full lotus posi-

yet more difficult questions,

one good thing about being

tion, all I ever get is agonising

safe, and regretting past self-

self, that has enhanced the

and besides, religion and poli-

an agnostic is that you keep

cramp in my legs and a stiff

ish acts that may have caused

lives of others apart, from

tics are two subjects to steer

looking.

neck.

discomfort and pain to others

helping old ladies across the

well clear of if you want to

road and dropping 50 cents in

avoid arguments.

It’s totally natural and unless you are a complete slime ball

the tin for the bloke who plays

I have been through the

So right now I am looking at Buddhism. I don’t see myself shaving

I wonder if meditating on a sun lounger is against the rules?

26

2nd - 8th February

money Let’s talk about risk

by Sam Kelly Managing Partner Chorus Financial

ONE of the most overlooked areas of financial advice in Spain is risk. Everything we do in life involves a risk/reward balance. That trip to the bathroom in the middle of the night? You flick the light on to avoid the risk of tripping over your bedroom furniture, but perhaps one in 10 billion times someone gets electrocuted by the bedroom light switch! We all need to eat, so we get in the car, drive down the busy roads and cross the supermarket car park. We’re balancing the risk of the trip vs the risk of not eating! Investment is also an essential balance of risk vs reward. It is the intention of central banks and governments to keep the economy growing at a constant rate. This is managed through fiscal and monetary policy, and usually inflation targets are set at between 2 - 3 per cent. In basic terms this means, over 10 years,

the average costs of the things we need to survive day-to-day life will increase by around 25 per cent. So, in our current low to zero interest rates environment, the risk is do you leave your money in the bank and lose potentially 25 per cent of its value over 10 years, or do you balance risk vs reward to either match, or stay ahead of inflation with some form of investment? The number of times I’ve heard people say leaving money in the bank is the safer option, but for me losing a potential 25 per cent of your savings buying power over 10 years is not a truly safe option. One of the most important conversations I have with my clients is about their tolerance to risk versus the sort of returns they’d like to achieve. The basic rule is these two elements need to line up. At Chorus we risk profile our clients in accordance with EU regulations and UK FCA guidelines. We then tailor-design an investment portfolio, with the intention of maximising returns within our client’s personalised risk profile. We use some pretty advanced tools for this, and as a truly independent firm, we have the whole of the market to find solutions. We can

analyse and compare thousands of regulated, long-established funds, from household names like Rathbone Brothers PLC, The Prudential, HSBC, Royal London etc. From these we will build a portfolio of high quality funds that have proven themselves, not just year after year, but decade after decade, although it should be noted that past performance is no guarantee of future performance. There will always be peaks and troughs in the markets, periods of calm and periods of volatility. It is essential that you have an expertly designed portfolio, suitable for your own risk tolerance, and made up of quality funds, with a proven track record from recognised and trusted institutions. Do not simply settle for some in-house, off the shelf option, from your bank or financial advisor, without having explored all of your options. Over the next few weeks I’m going to share

more information on Chorus’s industry leading approach to building portfolios, and why we’re confident that our clients here in Spain have the best possible portfolios to guide them successfully through their investment goals, coupled with honest and transparent fees. If you would like to arrange a free consultation to discuss a new or existing investment portfolio, please do not hesitate to call me directly on 664 398 702 or email s.kelly@chorusfinancial.es.

Chorus Financial are a trading style of Tourbillon Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Commission (Gibraltar﴿, licence Number FSC1118B & registered with the UK FCA, ref. 539348. Photo Credit: Alexey Boldin Shutterstock

FACEBOOK has revealed that users have spent approximately 50 million hours a day less on the site in the last three months of 2017. This was even before the company announced major changes in its news feeds in January of this year but despite the fall in visitors, profits continue to soar. To actually see a drop of 5 per cent over a three month period would horrify some companies, but according to CEO Mark Zuckerberg it is more important that people interact with each other rather than just spend time looking at videos. “We can make sure the service is good for people’s well-being and for society

FACEBOOK: Less views by users.

Drop in viewing but profit increase

overall,” he said as he also promised changes to news

In January, Facebook

feeds to prioritise posts

said

from friends and family and

changes to news feeds to

make content from busi-

prioritise

nesses and news outlets less prominent.

make content from busi-

it

would

make

nesses and news outlets

while profits jumped by a

less prominent.

whopping 56 per cent

Facebook declared that

reaching $16bn (€12.8bn﴿

from

turnover had increased by

thanks in part to a windfall

friends and family and

47 per cent in 2017 to

of $2.3bn (€1.84bn﴿ follow-

more than $40bn (€32bn﴿,

ing a change in US tax law.

posts

More fears over powdered milk AFTER admitting last year that some of the milk products made by French company Lactalis may have been contaminated it now transpires that this problem may be a decade old. Millions of boxes of powdered milk have been recalled worldwide following a salmonella outbreak last year. Lactalis which took over Granada-based group Puleva in 2010 had admitted that so far 38 French and Spanish users of the milk powder marketed under the names of Celi, Milumel and Picot became sick during December but researchers believe that this is only the tip of the iceberg. It appears that an identical strain of salmonella was responsible for a much earlier outbreak which took place in 2005 and the company has now admitted that some of its products may have been tainted for 10 years or more. The company had actually closed the suspected contaminated drying tower in its Craon factory for sterilisation and at that time, it was believed that 146 children fell ill. Now it is suggested that a further 25 children were affected by salmonella between then and 2016. The current crisis is believed to have cost Lactalis millions of euros in both destroyed powder and the understandable decision of many parents to stop using its products. In the meantime, although happily no children have died from the effects of the milk powder, the French government has temporarily suspended sale of the product until it is given a clean bill of health.

28

2nd - 8th February

legal

Q A

I want to become self-employed (autonomo I think it is called). What do I need to do to become this? First of all which autonomo is it that you require - there are two types. • Commercial/trading businesses (au-

by IGNACIO PELLICER MOLLÁ & PEDRO HEREDIA ORTIZ

LAWYERS

tonomo empresarial﴿. • Professionals/freelancers (autonomo profesional﴿. Within which there are individual subclassifications, depending on the type of business or professional activity. Furthermore, the Tax Agency and Social

Security offices both have their own clas-

Please remember that the application

sification systems. All of this can have

forms must be completed correctly and

some important effects on the timing and

appointments at these offices need to be

structure of tax payments.

made.

You must register at the Tax Agency and in the Social Security system.

Also bear in mind that regulations tend to change often!

If you have any questions regarding this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact us our team our experts will be happy to assist you. Call 965 480 737 or 606 056 282 or email info@pellicerheredia.com Videos at www.pellicerheredia.com

2nd - 8th February

29

money €50 notes on sale for €15 in Costa Blanca Photo credit: STOCK IMAGE

by Glenn Scott NATIONAL POLICE officers in Elche have arrested two men - an Italian and a Spanish national - caught in possession of a number of counterfeit notes.

and three genuine €20 notes in one of their pockets. Despite the high quality of the print, it was the standard of some of the security measures on the banknotes that led them to believe they were counterfeited.

Royal Mail buys Murcian courier

THE British Royal Mail has made its second acquisition in Spain, paying €16.5 million for Murcia-based Redyser Transporte. This is a small purchase when compared to the €71 million spent on ASM Urgent Transportation in 2016, but is part of a programme set up by the recently privatised operation to improve speedy delivery of shipments throughout Europe. The actual purchase

was placed through a Royal Mail subsidiary General Logistic Systems (GLS﴿ and it is expected that this latest acquisition will improve the GLS service in Spain, which is now the second largest network of urgent shipments in the country. Redyser has more than 200 offices and agencies throughout the area as well as 12 distribution centres and turned over €45 million in 2017.

The two, aged 38 and 52

The man detained con-

respectively, were caught af-

fessed that he’d brought the

ter a short monitoring oper-

fake €50 notes from Italy

Welcome the all-new Costa Calida

and had done a deal with

HOTELIERS that form part of the local business association (HOSTETUR﴿ are looking to create a new selection of enterprises to connect the area between Cabo de Palos and La Manga. They believe that such an initiative - that will see an urban zone including new commercial areas full of shops, restaurants, sporting facilities and hotels - can rejuvenate that part of the Costa Calida into an all-year tourist destination.

ation by the dedicated Citizen Security Brigade based in the city.

FAKES: Counterfeit operation spotted by Elche National Police.

the other man to sell them for €15 each.

The police began follow-

behaviour, who then met up

Officers immediately inter-

The police then searched

ing a man that had previous-

with another man and ap-

vened, and after establishing

the man’s car and found an-

ly been brought to their at-

peared to exchange some-

the identity of the men dis-

other 16 €50 notes in a suit-

tention for his suspicious

thing with him.

covered nine fake €50 notes

case and ready for sale.

FRIDAY 7:00am Breakfast 10:15am Food: Truth or Scare 11:00am Homes Under the Hammer 12:00pm Wanted Down Under 12:45pm A1: Britain's Longest Road 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News at One 2:30pm BBC London News 2:45pm Doctors 3:15pm Father Brown 4:00pm Escape to the Country 4:45pm Farmers' Country Showdown 5:30pm Antiques Road Trip 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm A Question of Sport

7:00am 7:30am 8:15am 9:00am

My Life in Books Wanted Down Under Food: Truth or Scare MasterChef: The Professionals Victoria Derbyshire BBC Newsroom Live The Daily Politics Monty Halls' Great Escape Coast Australia A Place to Call Home This Wild Life The Hunt Flog It! Eggheads Great American Railroad Journeys Big Dreams Small Spaces Mastermind A Vicar's Life Nigel Slater's Middle East: Lebanon

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8:10am The Pets Factor 8:30am Matilda and the Ramsay Bunch 9:00am The Dengineers 9:30am Deadly Top 10 10:00am Robot Wars 12:00pm Homes Under the Hammer 1:00pm Hairy Bikers Mediterranean Adventure 2:00pm Tennis: Davis Cup Spain v GB 4:30pm Nigel Slater's Middle East: Lebanon 5:30pm Final Score 6:15pm Flog It! 7:00pm Hugh's Wild West 8:00pm A House Through Time 9:00pm Dad's Army 9:30pm Grand Tours of Scotland's Lochs 10:00pm Live at the Apollo 10:45pm QI XL

7:50am Super 4 8:00am Share a Story 8:05am Ultimate Spider-Man v the Sinister Six 8:30am Scrambled! 8:35am The Tom and Jerry Show 8:55am Fangbone 9:10am The Powerpuff Girls 9:30am The Haunted Hathaways 10:05am Wishfart 10:25am ITV News 10:30am Saturday Morning with James Martin 12:20pm Dancing on Ice 2:20pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:30pm Britain's Favourite Walks: Top 100 5:00pm Tipping Point 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm ITV News London 7:05pm ITV News 7:15pm You've Been Framed! 7:40pm Take Me Out

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

Don't Tell the Bride Toy Story of Terror Melissa and Joey Melissa and Joey Melissa and Joey Melissa and Joey Melissa and Joey The Goldbergs The Goldbergs The Goldbergs The Goldbergs The Goldbergs The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory Transformers

7:00am Milkshake! 11:05am Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 11:40am Fail Army Comedy series taking a look at when things go wrong in the worst possible way. 12:05pm Police Interceptors 2:00pm The A-Team 4:00pm Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords 6:00pm Rich House, Poor House 7:00pm 5 News 7:05pm The Wonderful World of Puppies 8:00pm Greatest Ever Celebrity Wind Ups 9:00pm Blind Date 10:00pm Football on 5 The Championship. 11:00pm Football on 5 Goal Rush.

4:30am 7:00am 8:45am 10:30am 12:20pm 2:30pm 4:15pm 6:10pm

The King's Choice One More Time Cardboard Boxer Ghost in the Shell King Arthur Chips Wakefield Ghost in the Shell Live-action reimagining of the classic animation about a cyborg government agent on the trail of a mysterious hacker. 8:00pm King Arthur Rip-roaring reworking of the classic tale about a roguish swordsman who discovers his birthright and takes on his evil uncle. 10:15pm Chips 12:00am One More Time

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7:05am 7:35am 8:05am 8:35am 9:30am

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Rude(Ish) Tube Hollyoaks Omnibus Coach Trip Coach Trip Coach Trip Coach Trip Coach Trip The Crystal Maze The Crystal Maze Toy Story Toons The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Devil Wears Prada

6:10am The Great Artists 6:35am HouseBusters 7:00am Milkshake! Programming aimed at children aged two to seven years old. 11:05am Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 11:40am Football on 5 The Championship. 12:35pm Football on 5 Goal Rush. 1:10pm Fail Army 1:35pm Police Interceptors Documentary series profiling the work of a high-speed police interception unit in Essex. 3:30pm Johnny English Reborn 5:25pm Earth to Echo 7:05pm 5 News

7:00am One More Time 8:50am Cardboard Boxer 10:35am Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Special. 11:05am My All American True-life sports drama about Freddie Steinmark an underdog American footballer 1:15pm King Arthur 3:25pm Chips A maverick FBI agent working undercover in the California Highway Patrol is partnered with a complete rookie 5:10pm Ghost in the Shell 7:00pm My All American 9:00pm King Arthur

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Coast The NFL Show Gardeners World Countryfile Saturday Kitchen Best Bites Tennis: Davis Cup Spain v GB MOTD2 Extra Orson Welles Talking Pictures Jane Eyre Adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's classic novel. Info not available Info not available Elise Christie: In From the Cold Ski Sunday Six Nations Rugby Special Yellowstone

2nd - 8th February

31

community

Local Masons cheque to El Preventorio ARTISTIC DONATION: For Grant a Wish.

Local artist helping to Grant a Wish

RECENTLY the Provincial

this post could become a

Grand Treasurer of the

permanent one in the fu-

Grand Lodge of Valencia,

ture.

WBro Fred Miller, visited El Preventorio

The home is always in

children’s

need of children's (and

home in Gandia to present

young teenagers﴿ clothes,

another cheque for €2,000.

shoes, bedding, toiletries

Having now supported

and hygiene items.

the home for several years

If you have anything to

this was the latest in a long

spare, no matter how

THE Grant a Wish charity has

Initially planned to run just

line of cheques and gifts

small, please contact El

been the recipient of some

through November, interest

for the children in an at-

Preventorio as they can

wonderful donations but in

in the 150 pieces of work was

tempt to make their lives

January, they were delighted

so great that the exhibition

just a little better.

to receive a large donation

continued until Christmas.

The money was largely

raised thanks to an amazing

Altogether the astounding

initiative by Galeria Marque in Javea. Naturally, the charity,

GENEROUS DONATION: WBro Fred Miller holding the cheque with some of the workers and volunteers.

always use items you no

raised by a grand charity

Jose Castelle Morant, the

three children is difficult,

Freemasonry and would

sum of €2,040 was raised

raffle held late last year at

Director of the home, who

with upwards of 50 it be-

like to learn more of who

and will be donated to the

the Provincial Grand Lodge

was immensely grateful for

comes a major chore. If

they are and what they

two nominated charities.

of Valencia's Ladies Night

the donation.

sufficient money can be

do please email pren

raised it is hoped that

sa@glp valencia.com.

If you are interested in

which raises funds to help

In mid-February the charity

where over 200 Masons,

She said that this cash

children and adults in poor

will be privileged to offer for

and their wives, made

would be added to other

situations, is grateful for all

sale some of Billie’s yet-un-

every effort to raise the

monies raised to support a

donations but it was particu-

sold work in the Grant a

magnificent sum of €1,600.

paid, part-time worker to

larly excited by this latest ini-

Wish Javea boutique in the

When local Masons of

help clean, wash and dry

tiative.

Plaza de la Constitution.

Oliva La Safor Lodge heard

bedding etc, which was a

Visit the charities Face-

of this, they were moved to

constant chore for the vol-

page www.face book.com/grant.awish.37/

add another €400 to round

unteers and becoming al-

had to move into sheltered

the total up to a very re-

most impossible to sustain.

accommodation which of-

for details of precise dates

spectable €2,000.

fered no space for her life-

and to keep up to date with

time’s work of paintings and

their latest initiatives.

Eighty-six-year-old local artist, Billie Cook, knew she

book

longer need.

As many will know,

The cheque was present-

looking after the hygiene

ed by Fred to Sra Maria

requirements of two or

She couldn’t bear the thought of just dumping this legacy, so reached out to Rod Davis and his wife and gallery partner Maluh. They visited her flat which was crammed with works of art and swiftly decided to mount an exhibition of Billie’s work at the Galeria. There, instead of putting a price on each item, visitors interested in acquiring an artwork were invited to donate whatever sum they

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

Edita : RTN Publishing and Media SL

thought appropriate. Funds raised in this innovative way would ultimately be divided between Grant a Wish and Aspanion - children with cancer.

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 nonappearance 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

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MONDAY 10:15am Countryfile Winter Diaries 11:00am Homes Under the Hammer 12:00pm Wanted Down Under 12:45pm A1: Britain's Longest Road 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News 2:30pm Regional News 2:45pm Doctors 3:15pm Moving On 4:00pm Escape to the Country 4:45pm The Farmers' Country Showdown 5:30pm Antiques Road Trip 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm Inside Out 9:00pm EastEnders

5:05am 7:00am 7:30am

This is BBC Two My Life in Books Wanted Down Under 8:15am Food: Truth or Scare 9:00am Antiques Roadshow 10:00am Victoria Derbyshire 12:00pm BBC Newsroom Live 1:00pm The Daily Politics 2:00pm Women's Six Nations Highlights 2:30pm Coast 3:00pm Monty Halls' Great Hebridean Escape 4:00pm A Place to Call Home 4:50pm This Wild Life 5:20pm The Hunt 6:20pm Flog It! 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm Great American Railroad Journeys 8:00pm Big Dreams, Small Spaces 9:00pm Only Connect 9:30pm University Challenge

7:00am

11:30pm 11:45pm

7:30am Wanted Down Under 8:15am Countryfile Winter Diaries 9:00am Celebrity Antiques Road Trip 10:00am Victoria Derbyshire 12:00pm BBC Newsroom Live 1:00pm The Daily Politics 2:00pm Super League Show 2:45pm Coast 3:00pm Monty Halls' Great Hebridean Escape 4:00pm A Place to Call Home 4:50pm This Wild Life 5:20pm The Hunt 6:20pm Flog It! 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm Great American Railroad Journeys 8:00pm Big Dreams Small Spaces 9:00pm Back in Time for Tea

10:25am The Oddbods Show 10:50am Super 4 11:20am Dino Dan: Trek's Adventures 11:50am Grizzly Tales for Gruesome Kids 12:15pm Almost Naked Animals 12:45pm Horrid Henry 1:30pm Horrid Henry 1:45pm Fort Boyard Ultimate Challenge 2:40pm Make it Pop 3:00pm Almost Naked Animals 3:15pm Almost Naked Animals 3:30pm The Oddbods Show 4:00pm Dino Dan: Trek's Adventures 4:25pm Super 4 5:00pm Mr. Bean 5:15pm Fangbone! 5:30pm Horrid Henry

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

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 Next of Kin ITV News at Ten and Weather ITV News London Death Row 2018

Baby Daddy Melissa and Joey Melissa and Joey How I Met Your Mother 11:30am How I Met Your Mother 12:00pm Brooklyn Nine-Nine 12:30pm Brooklyn Nine-Nine 1:00pm The Goldbergs 1:30pm The Goldbergs 2:00pm The Big Bang Theory 2:30pm The Big Bang Theory 3:00pm Melissa and Joey 3:30pm Melissa and Joey 4:00pm Baby Daddy 4:30pm Baby Daddy 5:00pm Brooklyn Nine-Nine 5:30pm Brooklyn Nine-Nine 6:00pm The Goldbergs 6:30pm The Goldbergs 7:00pm The Big Bang Theory 7:30pm The Big Bang Theory 8:00pm Hollyoaks 8:30pm Coach Trip 9:00pm The Big Bang Theory

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

House Doctor Milkshake! The Wright Stuff The Hotel Inspector 5 News Cowboy Builders Access Home and Away Neighbours Killer Assistant NCIS 5 News Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Anglo Welsh Cup Highlights 9:00pm Police Interceptors 10:00pm The X Files 11:00pm The Silence of the Lambs 1:15am Traffic Cops 2:15am Super Casino 4:10am Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords 5:00am Get Your Tatts Out: Kavos Ink

7:00am Top Ten Show, the 2018 7:20am Viceroy's House End-of-Empire drama about Lord Mountbatten, the viceroy appointed to oversee Britain's peaceful withdrawal from India in 1947. 9:25am Cardboard Boxer 11:10am My All American True-life sports drama about Freddie Steinmark, an underdog American footballer who overcame his small statute to become a University of Texas legend. 1:20pm King Arthur 3:30pm One More Time 5:15pm My All American 7:15pm Chips 9:00pm King Arthur

9:30am Football's Greatest Teams 10:00am La Liga Highlights: Barcelona 10:15am La Liga Highlights: Real Madrid 10:30am La Liga Greatest Games 10:45am La Liga Greatest Games 11:00am Football 5:15pm La Liga Icons 5:30pm La Liga Greatest Games 6:00pm La Liga Highlights: Barcelona 6:15pm La Liga Highlights: Real Madrid 6:30pm Football Countdowns 7:00pm La Liga Files 7:45pm La Liga Icons 8:00pm Soccer A.M. 8:30pm La Liga Icons 8:45pm La Liga Greatest Games 8:55pm Football

7:00am 7:30am 8:00am 8:30am

6:35am 7:00am 10:15am 12:10pm 1:10pm 1:15pm 2:10pm 2:15pm 2:45pm 3:15pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm

4:15am One More Time 6:10am Top Ten Show, the 2018 6:30am The Great Wall: Special 7:00am Cardboard Boxer 8:45am My All American 10:55am Top Ten Show, the 2018 11:15am Texas Blood Drama about an old-fashioned Texas cowboy and former sheriff battling to keep possession of his treasured family ranch. 12:55pm King Arthur 3:15pm Chips 5:10pm My All American 7:20pm Texas Blood 9:00pm King Arthur 11:10pm Chips 1:00am Frank and Lola

1:00pm SPFL Round Up 2017/18 1:15pm SPFL Greatest Games 1:30pm Soccer A.M. - The Best Bits 2:00pm La Liga Icons 3:00pm SPFL Round Up 2017/18 3:15pm SPFL Greatest Games 3:30pm Soccer A.M. - The Best Bits 4:00pm Football's Greatest 4:30pm Football's Greatest Teams 5:00pm Scottish Cup Greatest Games 5:30pm La Liga Greatest Games 6:00pm Football Years 6:30pm Football Countdowns 7:00pm Revista de la Liga

9:30am 10:00am 10:30am 11:00am

TUESDAY 7:00am Breakfast 10:15am Countryfile Winter Diaries 11:00am Homes Under the Hammer 12:00pm Wanted Down Under Revisited 12:45pm A1: Britain's Longest Road 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News 2:30pm Regional News 2:45pm Doctors 3:15pm Moving On 4:00pm Escape to the Country 4:45pm The Farmers' Country Showdown 5:30pm Antiques Road Trip 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News

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

Hollyoaks Hollyoaks Coach Trip All Star Driving School Baby Daddy Melissa and Joey How I Met Your Mother Brooklyn Nine-Nine Brooklyn Nine-Nine The Goldbergs The Goldbergs The Big Bang Theory Melissa and Joey Baby Daddy Baby Daddy Brooklyn Nine-Nine Brooklyn Nine-Nine The Goldbergs The Goldbergs The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory Hollyoaks

HouseBusters Milkshake! The Wright Stuff The Hotel Inspector 5 News Cowboy Builders Access Home and Away Neighbours The Devil's Teardrop NCIS 5 News Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Secrets of the National Trust 9:00pm QE2: The Worlds Greatest Cruise Ship 10:00pm Elizabeth Our Queen: A Life of Service 11:00pm Return to the Wild 12:00am Paddington Station 24/7

34

2nd - 8th February

WEDNESDAY 7:00am Breakfast 10:15am Countryfile Winter Diaries 11:00am Homes Under the Hammer 12:00pm Wanted Down Under Revisited 12:45pm A1: Britain's Longest Road 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News 2:30pm Regional News 2:45pm Doctors 3:15pm Moving On 4:00pm Escape to the Country 4:45pm The Farmers' Country Showdown

7:30am Wanted Down Under Revisited 8:15am Countryfile Winter Diaries 9:00am See Hear 9:30am Great British Railway Journeys 10:00am Victoria Derbyshire 12:00pm BBC Newsroom Live 12:30pm The Daily Politics 2:00pm Coast 3:00pm Monty Halls' Great Hebridean Escape 4:00pm A Place to Call Home 4:50pm This Wild Life 5:20pm New Zealand: Earths Mythical

4:50am 6:05am

ITV Nightscreen The Jeremy Kyle Show 7:00am Good Morning Britain 9:30am Lorraine 10:25am The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30am This Morning 1:30pm Loose Women 2:30pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:55pm ITV News London 3:00pm Judge Rinder 4:00pm Dickinson's Real Deal 5:00pm Tipping Point 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm ITV News London

9:00am 9:30am 10:00am 10:30am 11:00am

Baby Daddy Baby Daddy Melissa and Joey Melissa and Joey How I Met Your Mother 11:30am How I Met Your Mother 12:00pm Brooklyn Nine-Nine 12:30pm Brooklyn Nine-Nine 1:00pm The Goldbergs 1:30pm The Goldbergs 2:00pm The Big Bang Theory 2:30pm The Big Bang Theory 3:00pm Melissa and Joey 3:30pm Melissa and Joey 4:00pm Baby Daddy 4:30pm Baby Daddy

5:45am 6:10am 6:35am 7:00am 10:15am 12:10pm 1:10pm 1:15pm 2:10pm 2:15pm 2:45pm 3:10pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm

The Jeremy Kyle Show 7:00am Good Morning Britain 9:30am Lorraine 10:25am The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30am This Morning 1:30pm Loose Women 2:30pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:55pm ITV News London 3:00pm Judge Rinder 4:00pm Dickinson's Real Deal 5:00pm Tipping Point

9:00am 9:30am 10:00am 10:30am 11:00am

8:55am 9:05am 9:20am 9:35am 9:55am

House Doctor The Great Artists HouseBusters Milkshake! The Wright Stuff The Hotel Inspector 5 News Cowboy Builders Access Home and Away Neighbours Midnight Stallion NCIS 5 News Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Police Interceptors

6:10am Top Ten Show, the 2018 6:30am The Great Wall: Special 7:00am Cardboard Boxer 8:35am Texas Blood 10:05am King Arthur 12:15pm Chips 2:00pm One More Time 3:45pm My All American 5:45pm Texas Blood 7:15pm Chips 9:00pm King Arthur 11:10pm Harmonium 1:15am Frank and Lola 2:50am One More Time 4:45am My All American True-life sports

9:30am Football's Greatest Teams 10:00am Revista de la Liga 10:30am La Liga World 11:00am Eredivisie 12:00pm One2eleven 12:15pm One2eleven 12:30pm SPFL Greatest Games 12:45pm SPFL Greatest Games 1:00pm Revista de la Liga 1:30pm La Liga World 2:00pm La Liga Icons 2:45pm La Liga Icons 3:00pm Revista de la Liga 3:30pm La Liga World 4:00pm Football's Greatest

4:45am 7:00am

10:30am La Liga Greatest Games 10:45am La Liga Greatest Games 11:00am Revista de la Liga 11:30am La Liga World 12:00pm One2eleven 12:30pm SPFL Greatest Games 1:00pm Revista de la Liga 1:30pm La Liga World 2:00pm La Liga Icons 3:00pm Eredivisie 4:00pm Football's Greatest 4:30pm Football's Greatest

THURSDAY 7:00am Breakfast 10:15am Countryfile Winter Diaries 11:00am Homes Under the Hammer 12:00pm Wanted Down Under Revisited 12:45pm A1: Britain's Longest Road 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News at One 2:30pm BBC London News 2:45pm Doctors 3:15pm Moving On 4:00pm Escape to the Country

7:00am My Life in Books 7:30am Wanted Down Under Revisited 8:15am Countryfile Winter Diaries 9:00am MasterChef: The Professionals 10:00am Victoria Derbyshire 12:00pm BBC Newsroom Live 1:00pm The Daily Politics 2:00pm Coast 3:00pm Monty Halls' Great Hebridean Escape 4:00pm A Place to Call Home

6:05am

Baby Daddy Baby Daddy Melissa and Joey Melissa and Joey How I Met Your Mother 11:30am How I Met Your Mother 12:00pm Brooklyn Nine-Nine 12:30pm Brooklyn Nine-Nine 1:00pm The Goldbergs 1:30pm The Goldbergs 2:00pm The Big Bang Theory 2:30pm The Big Bang Theory 3:00pm Melissa and Joey

Floogals Digby Dragon Rusty Rivets Shimmer and Shine Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 10:05am Mofy 10:15am The Wright Stuff 12:15pm GPs: Behind Closed Doors 1:10pm 5 News Lunchtime 1:15pm Cowboy Builders 2:15pm Home and Away 2:45pm Neighbours 3:15pm NCIS

My All American Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Special Sky Movies takes a behind-the-scenes look at the latest trip into JK Rowling's wizarding world. 7:30am Texas Blood 9:15am Chips 11:05am King Arthur 1:15pm Escape Room 3:00pm Texas Blood

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

talk to us

RTN welcomes Readers views for publication in its Letters to the Editor section. All letters by email or post should carry the writeŕs address, and contact number, though only the name and town will be published.

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

this week weather FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU Feb 2 Feb 3 Feb 4 Feb 5 Feb 6 Feb 7 Feb 8 15º/7ºC 14º/7ºC 17º/9ºC 19º/10ºC 18º/11ºC 18º/11ºC 18º/11ºC Clouds and sun

Clouds and sun

Clouds and sun

Clouds and sun

Sunshine and patchy cloud

Sunshine and patchy cloud

Clouds and sun

36

2nd - 8th February

Puzzles Code Breaker

Play on Words 1S2A3F4E5T6Y7

Kenny Corris I For Readings, Consultations and Castings email: kennycorris@hotmailcom / www.kennycorris.net Mobile: 686 361 594 / Tel: 965 878 424

OHIOWA

Answers: Safety in numbers. United States.

It takes two to tango and someone has enlisted the help they need to prove you wrong. With sincerity, if you knew then what you know now, you would have never got involved in the first place. However, this is not a time to run away from accusations that are best done and dusted. Right now, do have your say! Believe in karma.

Word Wheel The goal of a word wheel puzzle is to create as many words possible with the letters in the word wheel. You can only use each letter once and every word must have the letter in the center of the wheel. Can you find the 9 letter word?

The Venus square on Jupiter is enlightening and rewarding; especially as there is more to what is going on right now than meets the eye. Jupiter has a sharp eye for due reward and recompense and has your true interests at heart. Between these two planets comes a new negotiation that favours putting your good foot forward. Everything points the way to making the changes you need to enable you to move on. Timing is of the essence this week, as push turns to shove, and the impetus is not to let anyone down in the process. Mercury opposes Ceres and this sees your routines going out of the window, but hallo to new and more exciting schedules! Sharpen the pincers, it’s going to be a bumpy ride! Your inner self is bidding for calm whereas your instinct is to make a song and dance about recent events. With Uranus targeted in a sextile with Venus start to think of the bigger picture; whilst remembering that revenge is a dish best served cold and you have other fish to fry! With the Sun in opposition to Ceres, and Mercury opposing, you don’t need that anybody tries to rain on your parade. You have worked so hard for all that you have right now, and you’re ambition and temerity is keeping you rock solid. Don’t listen to those who seek to hold you back with their sage and friendly advice, this time around! Faced with your current options, do not give in to compromise in any way. Staying silent isn’t a solution either, and time and tide are not waiting for your excuses. Mercury plays devil’s advocate whilst sextiling Mars; which should lead to a midweek show down or go for bust. Just once in your life stand up for yourself, by yourself! Balancing all the many things that you do is especially difficult this week, as the scales are quivering. Inner anger has brought you to your knees and it has to be the first thing that you have to deal with. Pressure may be on, but above all see to it that your point of view is known, and then take any further action you feel appropriate! Mars and Mercury start your week with a bang. The powerful energies of the Cosmos bring success right to your door, with actions and communication ready and willing to send out the message you need to be heard. There will be no time like the present, since dynamic energy abounds and in the right hands this can make magic! Your planning skills are needed to ensure that a worthwhile project gets off the ground. With Venus squaring on your planetary leader, Jupiter, you cannot go wrong, but without you it may be a very different kettle of fish. You’ll get all the backing you need, and give generously of your time, but keep your hand in your pocket this time. You can never resist a challenge! Right now you have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain in showing everyone what you are all about. Venus sextiles Kora and this means that your interpretation is free and will be understood without question. Silence, right now, is just not what you are all about, anyway! Venus and Uranus are in sextile and there appears on your horizon an alternative that you hadn’t thought of. It is not stubborn to have to say no, even when you would rather say yes, if that is how you truly feel. Let it be known, once and for all, that you are not to be messed with, but accept every cloud has a silver lining. Take some precious time for yourself this week as you need to charge your battery and power up your mojo! Taking time should not have to be your secret pleasure, but with current commitments and pressures, you are left feeling that there is no time for yourself. Delegate to others more than you do, and top up that R and R.

Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 6 represents R and 8 represents G, so fill in R every time the figure 6 appears and G every time the figure 8 appears. Now, using your knowledge of the English language, work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you discover the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and the control grid.

Kenny’s Postbag Kenny, I often dream of my deceased Mother and she seems to be floating around with her arms open. Does this mean that she wants to move on? How can I help her? Doreen J. Doreen, often floaters are people who lived in pain whilst they were on Earth. The freedom of being without pain allows them to travel freely and contented in the safety of the Spirit World that they now inhabit. All who succeed in connecting with their living relatives and friends love to be acknowledged. That way you can assure them absolutely that you can see them!

Kenny Corris

Don't forget to email or message me with your Postbag Questions!. Check out my new website: www.kennycorris.net

For Birthday Celebrants Take every opportunity for just what it is, and don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Your intuition is strong and this Astrological year sees those who dare…. winning!

The 9 letter word is:

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

2nd - 8th February

More Puzzles Cryptyc

Across 1 Oriental brass made into weapons (6) 3 In the midst of conflict he besieged an ancient Greek city (6) 8 Tidy hospital worker (7) 10 They have pride in their families (5) 11 Affordable cooked peach (5) 12 Top level infiltrating the French network (7) 13 Celebration in the back bar (5) 15 Trainee soldier from America detained (5) 20 Typical example of tempo that is changed (7) 22 Push a canal boat (5) 24 Carry note for facial hair (5) 25 Refined gate Len made (7) 26 Stick plug in this place (6) 27 Holmes’ assistant is now sat around (6)

Futoshiki

Down 1 Twenty nearly get church to burn (6) 2 Small bird I lost in move (5) 4 Serf requiring helium – a great deal (5) 5 ‘I’m bored silly’ is a platitude (7) 6 Nun is back to sort out the rest (6) 7 Diplomacy cleverly concealed revolution (5) 9 Regret having gym in Indian capital (5) 14 Tombstone inscription in English mine, by A P Herbert, originally (7) 16 Take a chance first off, it’s a stroll (5) 17 Rabies treatment for this country (6) 18 Characters in a magazine were more up-to-date (5) 19 Comedian spotted in a Beamer tonight (6) 21 Sort out the charge (5) 23 Wanders around for nothing, among the sheep (5)

Quick

Fill in the squares so that each digit from 1 to 6 occurs exactly once in each row and column. Greater-than and less-than signs indicate the relationship of the two adjacent squares. There is only one solution, and you can find it without guessing.

37

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?

ROAM 1 2 3 4

SPED

Sudoku

English - Spanish

Fill the grid so every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1-9 The clues are mixed, some clues are in Spanish and some are in English.

Across 1 Lawn (6) 4 Ópalo (4) 8 Entre (más de dos elementos) (5) 9 Rígido (tieso) (5) 10 Call (telecommunications) (7) 14 Bee (insect) (5) 15 Cave (5) 16 Empujar (4) 17 Torcedura (6)

Down 1 Garra (de animal) (4) 2 Hombros (9) 3/15 Huevera (3,3) 5 Spring (season) (9) 6 Izquierdo (4) 7 Island (4) 11 Abbot (4) 12 Húmedo (clima) (4) 13 Advertir (4) 15 See 3

Across 1 Disperse (7) 5 Goods carried by a large vehicle (5) 8 Earnest or urgent requests (7) 9 Goddess of love (5) 10 Recently made, produced or harvested (5) 11 Person engaged in military service (7) 12 Be able to spare or give up (6) 14 Consisting of one only or one part (6) 17 Opposed to (7) 19 Short musical compositions with words (5) 22 Sharp hard part of the leaf, stem or root of a plant (5) 23 Farm vehicle (7) 24 Soiled (5) 25 Meet the requirements or expectations of (7)

Down 1 Personnel (5) 2 Fruit with red, yellow or green skin and sweet to tart crisp whitish flesh (5) 3 Educator (7) 4 Strive against or oppose (6) 5 Applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military (5) 6 Going swiftly, at more than a walking pace (7) 7 Watch (7) 12 Changed in order to improve or made more fit for a particular purpose (7) 13 Taste experience when a savoury condiment is taken into the mouth (7) 15 Immediate (7) 16 Condition of affairs (6) 18 Female goat (5) 20 Brief written records (5) 21 Wander away (5)

38

2nd - 8th February

health

Early rising can make you slimmer A STUDY has found that people

Possible help for cancer treatment SLEEP: Changes with age.

suffer from insomnia.

the over-60’s describing them-

who went to bed earlier and got

Almost 90,000 people were

selves as morning types compared

up earlier in the morning, tended

asked if they were naturally a

to those aged under 30. Women

to be thinner than those who go to

morning or a night person, and

were more likely to enjoy mornings

bed later.

had their DNA analysed, which re-

than men.

The results came from a study

vealed 15 genes that were linked

The study by a genetic testing

that analysed the DNA of self-pro-

to a person being a ‘lark’ or an

company in California, USA, sug-

fessed ‘night owls’ and ‘morning

‘owl’.

gested that a gene involved in

larks’. It also discovered that those

A preference for mornings in-

body weight also affects whether

who woke earlier were less prone

creased the older someone was,

someone is at their best in the

to depression and less likely to

with more than twice as many of

morning or at night.

VIGOROUS exercise could help those going through treatment for cancer. Whilst it may be the last thing patients feel like doing, a group of researchers at the University of Copenhagen said it could be beneficial in the long term. They have been studying tumours in mice and discovered that intensive physical activity can help the body’s own defences shrink the growth of tumours by up to 50 per cent. They believe there could be a similar effect for human cancer patients. Researchers found ‘natural killer’ cells were directed towards tumours during exercise, and they believe the shot of adrenaline produced by a high-intensity workout helps move these immune cells towards lung, liver, or skin tumours. Meanwhile, Macmillan Cancer Care found 77 per cent of cancer patients had not received any advice from their physicians on the benefits of exercise.

Tricks to make you healthier

A HEALTH psychologist who has studied eating behaviour and obesity for 25 years, believes there are simple tricks to making you a healthier eater: Accept the hunger Hunger pangs are not a sign to snack, it simply means you are getting hungry, so try and avoid the urge to snack and just enjoy your next meal. Three-minute cravings Hunger isn’t just a physical process to do with how full or empty the stomach is, essentially hunger comes from the mind. Cravings are not necessarily about the food, but what it represents and they usually only last a few minutes. Go and dis-

COOK: From scratch to avoid hidden sugars and fats.

tract yourself for three minutes to avoid the need to reach for that chocolate bar. Anticipated regret Many who are trying to lose weight and eat healthier feel guilty when they eat a

feel if you eat an apple instead. Cook from scratch You will be in more control of what you eat and avoid the hidden sugars and fats in pre-prepared meals and sauces.

naughty treat and wish they hadn’t, so next

If you are short on time, a quick pasta

time you want that cake remember and

dish with a tin of tomatoes and diced veg-

imagine how you might feel afterwards.

etables is a healthier choice than putting a

Even better, think about how good you will

ready meal in the microwave.

2nd - 8th February

39

health

What is a chemical peel?

SLEEP APNOEA: If left untreated it can lead to a stroke or heart attacks.

Sleeping problems could be serious NOT getting enough sleep? Join

which causes snoring and danger-

the club as nearly half of all women

ous pauses in breathing. The

As well as snoring and insomnia,

are sleep deprived and constantly

chances of getting the disorder can

symptoms include restless legs, fa-

tired.

stroke or heart attacks.

be increased during pregnancy,

tigue, depression, headaches and

It can be a side effect of getting

and the menopause increases a

muscle pain.

older, as sleep is a problem as

woman’s risk of suffering from the

women approach the menopause,

disorder.

A survey of 4,100 British adults found that 46 per cent of women have trou-

but it could also be a sign of a

It is thought around 1.5 million

ble sleeping, compared with 36 per

more serious underlying medical

adults in Britain suffer with sleep

cent of men, with women also more

condition, sleep apnoea.

apnoea, yet many do not talk to a

likely to wake during the night. Six in

A disturbed night is often caused

doctor about the problem, and if

10 women said they become irritable

by the disorder sleep apnoea,

left untreated it can lead to a

during the day because of lack of sleep.

Paracetamol may not be safe to take during pregnancy PARACETAMOL is the most widely-used painkiller,

take paracetamol during pregnancy may also in-

and is deemed the only one suitable and safe for

crease the risk of their child developing ADHD.

mothers-to-be, but now studies by scientists have

Researchers in New Zealand analysed the use of

found it can have an effect on the baby, particular-

paracetamol, aspirin, antacids, and antibiotics dur-

ly girls.

ing pregnancy, and measured symptoms in chil-

Tests found when a mother took paracetamol her female offspring had fewer eggs and smaller

dren at ages seven and 11. Almost half of the mothers took paracetamol

ovaries. They found paracetamol had effects on ba-

during pregnancy and their children were more at

by boys also, raising their risk of infertility and can-

risk of behavioural difficulties and ADHD. The oth-

cer.

er drugs made no significant differences to the

Meanwhile, another study has found women who

child.

MANY people have ageing spots or pigmentation in the skin, which normally appear after the age of 35. A lot of products are promised to heal this skin condition, but it rarely gives changing results. The medical chemical peels are the solution for your problems of ageing spots, but also for wrinkles, dehydration, lack of luminosity, and acne problems. Chemical peeling is a simple technique used to improve the appearance of the skin through the accelerated renewal of the most superficial layers of the skin and the repair of the deep layers. What results do you get from peeling? - decreases the depth of wrinkles and firms the skin - removes stains and homogenises skin tone - controls the excess of fat and the inflammation of acne prone skin and acne - reduces scars, acne marks and stretch marks - revitalises and moisturises the skin - lightens dark circles They have several types of peeling, depending on the depth of the problem. - Superficial - treats fine wrinkles, oily skin and dilated pores, non-uniform colour, dehydration, lack of luminosity, dark circles - Middle - treats wrinkles, spots, scars and stretch marks - Deep - treats flaccidity, severe spots, deep scars The best time to do peelings is in the winter, as sun exposure can be very damaging to the skin. At Derma Clinic Spain they always take their patients commands seriously, and they will treat you with the peeling that is most suitable for your skin. If you have any questions, please call, or make a free first consultation. 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

40

2nd - 8th February

what’s on THE Royal Air Forces Association Costa Blanca (1359 branch﴿ is a fully registered charity operating in Costa Blanca South. It supports RAF personnel and their families, resident

Celebrating the Centenary of the RAF

in Spain, retired or serving

contingent from the UK due to take part and the Guest of Honour at this most auspicious occasion is the British Vice Consul in Alicante, Sara Munsterhjelm. The musical entertainment for the dance is being

and is celebrating the RAF

RAF Red Arrows flypast.

anniversary event by holding a celebratory Centenary

provided by the Posh Affair Dance Band, and by Terry Joughin during Big Band in-

Dinner and Dance on April

tervals. Free refreshments

12, at the La Laguna Hotel

will be available throughout

and Spa, located in Donna

the entertainment period,

Pepa, just off the Lemon

which is expected to be

Tree road, Quesada.

from around 10pm to 1am.

The evening will be start-

Any members of the RAF,

ed at 6.30pm with a recep-

either serving or retired ,

tion, and the dinner will

and not necessarily RAFA

commence at 7.15pm. The

members, who have an in-

event is being attended by

terest in attending this once

Association members from

in a lifetime event, should

the three RAFA branches

contact the coordinator,

located in Spain, members

Ken

Booth

( rafacb

from Gibraltar and also

vicechair@gmail.com or

members from branches in

phone 966 712 881 ﴿ for

France.

details but bookings close on February 21.

There is also a small

Credit: Ayuntamiento de L’Alfas del Pi

STRIKING POSES: The day was an homage to dance of all styles.

Dancing the day away THE Schools of Dance of l’Alfas del Pi

Indeed, many of the participants take

have gathered again with more than

advantage of the opportunity to week-

300 young people meeting different ar-

end in l’Alfas del Pi sightseeing.

eas of the Valencian and Castilla La Mancha communities. Organised by the Club Costa Blanca

Throughout the day, beginners-level ballroom and Caribbean dance workshops were available.

Balla and the Department of Sports of

Dancers were able to learn salsa, ki-

l’Alfas, the event was held at the Hotel

zomba, foxtrot, tango, samba, waltz and

Kaktus Albir.

swing among others.

The purpose of the occasion (in its

Councillor for Sports Luis Morant

ninth year now﴿ is to bring together

congratulated Costa Blanca Balla for or-

lovers of dance from across the

ganising the event and helping to pro-

provinces, who may or may not know

mote a positive and healthy lifestyle,

each other and spend the whole day

while also promoting tourism in the

dancing end enjoying themselves.

area.

2nd - 8th February

41

food & drink This week Celebrity Chef & Master Chef Steven Saunders, proprietor of The Little Geranium in La Cala romances us with a Valentine’s dish that you can easily create at home.

Scallop & Prawn Marinara

Steven Saunders FMCGB The Little Geranium La Cala de Mijas & Marbella

www.thelittlegeranium.com

Ingredients for two (as a starter, double the quantity for a main course﴿. • For Pasta 1 packet fresh linguine pasta 200ml olive oil approx. 2 teaspoons of truffle oil 50g of unsalted butter

• For the Sauce

4 cloves garlic, chopped

1 red onion, chopped 2 tomatoes, seeded and diced A few leaves of fresh basil to finish 1 tablespoon green olives, stone removed 1 can chopped tomatoes 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon ground thyme 1 small glass of red wine Juice of ½ lemon Maldon salt to season

• For the fish 4 King Scallops 4 King Prawns Olive oil Maldon salt Juice of ½ lemon

• Method

1. Fill a large saucepan with lightly salted water with a little olive oil and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the pasta and return to a boil.

Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about three minutes. Drain well in a colander in the sink and cool with cold running water. 2. Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a thick bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the garlic and onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about three minutes. Stir in the chopped tomatoes and then add the tomato paste, oregano, olives and thyme. Pour in the red wine and add the lemon juice. Season to taste. Simmer gently for 15 20 minutes. 3. Now, in a hot frying pan add in a little olive oil, fry the prawns and the scallops without moving them allow them to seal and colour on one side, (one

minute﴿ season well and squeeze the lemon juice over. 4. Now flip them over and cook the other side for one minute. Set aside and rest. 5. Take the sauce off the heat and whizz it up in your food processor, or use an electric hand blender, until absolutely smooth and silky. Keep the sauce warm in a saucepan. 6. In a clean saucepan heat up the butter until warm, and add a little olive oil so that it doesn’t burn. Drop in the pasta and with a wooden spoon, turn it around so that it heats up fully. Add the tomato sauce until the pasta is fully coated. Season. 7. Finally put the cooked fish in a bowl, and using a fork, make a neat little pile of pasta with the fish served around it. Drizzle with truffle oil and dress with basil leaves and serve.

You can email Steven your questions or enquiries to: steven@thelittlegeranium.com Steven Saunders FMCGB - The Little Geranium La Cala de Mijas & Marbella • www.thelittlegeranium.com

42

2nd - 8th February

home & garden

Oleanders ideal for a Mediterranean garden Photo Credit: Olga Lamonova Shutterstock.

IF you are in an area that has had good rainfall you are fortunate. The gardens in most areas are desperately waiting for post summer rains. It has been so dry, with lower than average rain last year in many areas of Spain. The main challenge of Mediterranean gardening is this survival through summer, often with scant supplies of quality water. It is so important to select your plants with this in mind when setting out, or developing your garden.

many cultivars to provide a variety of colours and forms. It can be grown as a shrub or tree and pruned after flowering has finished, or as required, to keep it contained to make hedges, pot plants, wind protection and shade. It is very important to know it has toxins in its sap that can irritate the skin and, in some cases, cause illness when exposed to the skin. Protective gloves and clothing are essential to prune or handle the plant. Ingestion can

The careful selection of plants to suit

cause vomiting and other severe reactions,

Mediterranean conditions does restrict the

so ensure that children (young and older﴿ are

variety of species we can include in our gar-

well aware never to touch the Oleander. It is

dens. This is not boring to me. It gives a char-

best as a peripheral planting or background

acteristic Mediterranean garden theme

plant for this reason.

throughout the region, that I find alluring. It

CHOOSE PLANTS CAREFULLY: Oleander in flower.

is easiest to use tried and tested plants that

deciduous ‘Flamingo Maple’ (Acer Negundo

way the tree changes

you can grow them from tip cuttings, 8cm

you know will survive here, and that will have

Flamingo﴿. It emerges with pink leaves in

with the season, and often comments on it.

long, taken in late summer. I have grown

a harmony with neighbouring gardens.

Smaller plants are not very expensive, but

spring, has variegated leaves in summer and

A beautiful example of a hardy acclima-

them from seed and have a beautiful red one

With appropriate summer preparations

cream, light-brown autumn leaves. It flourish-

tised flowering plant, that most Mediter-

that I had to wait a year to know which

that allow the traditional hardy plants to

es in the microclimate created by the rest of

ranean gardens have for their abundant flow-

colour it would be.

thrive, you can add additional varieties that

the garden. Our local neighbour, who still dri-

ers and hardiness in the summer months, is

It is best to plant Oleander in autumn, after

need more protection and care. In amongst

ves her donkey cart to collect her seasonal al-

the Oleander. Its name is derived from its

the first decent rains, so they establish by the

my colourful Mediterranean shrubs I have a

mond and caper harvest, is fascinated by the

botanical name (Nerium Oleander﴿. It has

next summer with minimal watering.

2nd - 8th February

43

pets

How clever is your pet?

Indoor exercise for your pet INTELLIGENCE: Cats versus dogs. With the capacity to deceive other

DOGS are (normally﴿ active

or directly in your dog’s

animals, usually itching for

eyes as it can cause

a walk on the beach or to

serious harm.

words, dogs can easily solve basic spatial

winter weather doesn’t

a set of stairs, run your

throughout the home,

awareness problems, and can be trained

have you quite raring for

dog up and down them by

and having your dog try

to a very high level.

the great outdoors just

standing at the top and

to uncover them, whilst

yet, then an indoor

throwing a toy down. It’s a

tiring themselves out in

great extra workout for

the process.

When it comes to cat versus dog intel-

workout could be just the

the opinions across pet owners. Dogs

ticket.

tricky concept for humans to get their

have larger brains, but cats have more

heads around. It’s difficult enough

neurons and a higher information pro-

of great ways to tire your

sometimes putting yourself in the shoes

cessing capacity.

dog out without leaving

Throughout thousands of years of human interaction, dogs are clearly the

There are a fun variety

the comfort of your home. A laser pointer is a

There are, however, basic indicators

more social animal, and their brain evo-

handy tool to have. Your

which make for some interesting read-

lution reflects this, while cat brains have

dog can chase the light

ing.

hardly changed in millennia.

around the home, just be

While there is of course a huge variety

However, some point towards a

careful not to shine it over

within a species, and across breeds and

‘dumbing down’ of dogs, as they come

any expensive ornaments,

personalities, scientists now consider the

to rely too much on humans, while cats

average dog to have a roughly similar

have retained a more primal intelligence

level of intelligence to a human toddler.

based on independence and caution.

Looking after parrots

PARROTS have something of a troublesome reputation, with only the boldest of pet owners willing to take up the challenge. Many of their perceived problems are, however, slightly unfair on our colourful friends. For instance, the screaming of a parrot can be one of the most agonising, antagonising sounds around, but it’s not something they typically do in the wild. A call across the forest is usually answered and a parrot isn’t forced to sit and scream for half an hour to get a little attention. Humans essentially teach parrots to scream, and should endeavour to tutor a different noise that will have the same effect of attracting us. Another issue is the care that parrots require. This is often heavily underestimated by humans, who then shift the blame over to parrots unjustly. Of course they are messy creatures, they have beaks and claws to find food and like to use them. If you want them to behave themselves then you’d do well to allow them some of the freedoms of the wild. Provide a vast variety of wood and toys to play with. Parrots are highly intelligent animals with a wild history stretching back millions of years. If you’re going to have one, then make sure you’re up to the challenge.

treats by stashing them

clamber up a hill. But if the

ligence, the science is about as settled as

a creature from another species.

Play hide and seek with

dogs and understand more than 150

ANIMAL intelligence is a notoriously

of your next door neighbour, never mind

their legs.

CHALLENGE: Intelligent animals.

Alternatively, if you have

in secret locations

44

2nd - 8th February

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BUILDING SERVICES

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SITUATIONS VACANT

2nd - 8th February SITUATIONS VACANT

TV & SATELLITE

45

46

2nd - 8th February

motoring

Mazda win Concept Car of the Year Award THE Mazda Vision Coupe has won

Kia, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz

the title of Most Beautiful Concept

Mercedes-Maybach, Nissan and

Car of the Year at the 33rd Festival

Peugeot, all of which had en-

Automobile International in Paris.

tered their own concepts in-

This is the second time in two

to the competition.

years that a concept car from the

”The Vision Coupe uses

Japanese car manufacturer has

reflections to express a

won the top award at the festival,

sense of vitality, the next

which attracts a crowd of more

step for Kodo design,”

than 35,000 to the Hotel National

said Ikuo Maeda, Mazda

des Invalides in the French capital.

managing executive offi-

The jury, which included automobile and motor sport experts as

that the exterior’s simple form

brand style.

well as architects and fashion de-

”This car embodies a delicate

signers, chose the Vision Coupe,

Japanese aesthetic, and to be

over nine other models nominated

recognised here in the ‘City of Art’

for the coveted honour this year. The company beat Audi, BMW,

The company believes

cer in charge of design and

expresses a sense of speed, whilst the interior borrows a congratifying. We want to retain

cept from traditional Japanese ar-

our identity as a Japanese brand as

chitecture, to create a degree of

two years after the RX-Vision was

we continue making cars with

three-dimensional depth con-

awarded the same honour is very

global appeal.”

ducive to a relaxed space.

WINNER: The triumphant Mazda Vision Coupe.

2nd - 8th February

sport

Cycling elite roll into Benitachell

THE cream of the cycling world will be coming to Poble Nou de Benitachell today (Fridayď´ż to begin the race of the Volta a la Comunitat to Valencia. The route has been trimmed from 30km to 23km but reportedly has a more demanding gradient. Several streets in the town will be closed for the event.

HANDLING PRESSURE: The race will feature many world class contenders. and Local Police officers.

scene, including the leader of

Traffic restrictions will be in

In addition, the Council’s

the Movistar Team, Alejan-

place and parking prohibited

Department of Education has

dro Valverde and Olympic

along Calle de Valencia, Calle

changed the school schedule

gold medallist Greg Van

de Pau and Avenida de Ali-

so that children can have the

Avermaet.

cante among others.

day free to enjoy the specta-

There will be an ambu-

cle with their parents.

After many riders eased back into racing at Challenge

lance service and a logistical

The race will feature an ar-

Mallorca last week, this five-

security plan. This will involve

ray of stellar cyclists from the

day battle to Valencia will

civil protection volunteers

national and international

prove a much sterner test.

47