RTN Newspaper - Costa Blanca South 17 - 23 August 2018 Issue 980

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Issue 980 17th - 23rd August

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New Brexit legal challenge BRITISH Prime Minist e r T h e r e s a M a y, i s facing a major new legal challenge over Brexit, with an expat in Spain playing a major role. Sue Wilson, Chair of Bremain in Spain - a group campaigning tirelessly for the rights of British citizens in Spain and the EU - is lead claimant of a group of British citizens living in EU27 countries which has issued a court challenge against Brexit. In summary, the claim argues that the illegal conduct of Leave organisations during the 2016 Referendum campaign should nullify the Prime Minister ’s decision to notify the EU of t h e U K ’s i n t e n t i o n t o withdraw. It is hoped that the case will be heard on an expedited basis and referred promptly to the Supreme Court. The premise for the legal challenge is that the triggering of Article 50 was not in line with ‘constitutional requirements.’

They claim that had it been a binding referendum, the result would be declared null and void, adding that in their view it cannot be right that a non-binding referendum on which politicians nevertheless decide to act is not subject to the same scrutiny. The court will be asked to declare that the Prime Minister's decision to notify the European Council of the UK's intention to leave the EU be set aside. Sue Wilson says: “The Electoral Commission found 'beyond a reasonable doubt' that Vote Leave broke the law by exceeding spending limits during the Brexit referendum campaign. This matter has now been referred to the police for a criminal investigation. “Our case will argue that the electoral offences nullify both the result of the referendum and, given that she relied upon that 'democratic decision' the Prime Minister's notification to leave the EU under Article 50.”

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Photo credit: Euro Weekly News

by Darren Parmenter

NEW HOPE: Sue Wilson at an earlier Bremain in Spain event

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from Front page

We won’t stop fighting

Wilson continues: “The accumulated rights of British citizens living in the EU are at serious risk in the event of Brexit. While many rights have been ‘agreed,’ as part of the Withdrawal Agreement, other rights haven’t. These include our freedom of movement and ability to work in other EU countries. As we’re constantly told that ‘nothing is agreed until everything is agreed,’ it’s no wonder that so many of us, as with EU citizens in the UK, live in a continuous state of fear and anxiety about our futures.” Will the outcome of this latest legal challenge result in another referendum? Finally, Sue Wilson explains that “If the Brexiters firmly believe the

public knew what it was voting for in 2016, and that the result would be the same again, let’s put this idea to the test. Give us a referendum on the final deal and we’ll see if it really is the ‘will of the people,’ going forwards. “Whatever the result of this legal challenge, we hope to demonstrate that you can’t win by cheating. If another referendum occurs, we mustn’t see a repeat of the illegal activity of 2016. We haven’t taken back control - instead, we have been put in the hands of those who care more about their careers and political party than their country. “The UK deserves better, we deserve better, and we won’t stop fighting until we succeed.”

Photo credit: Regional Government of Murcia

PREPARED: The firefighting team in front of their new aircraft.

Boost to battling blazes A HELICOPTER with double the water capacity of its predecessor has been bought by Murcia’s regional government to enhance its ability to fight fires from the air. There are four helicopters assigned to monitoring and extinguishing forest blazes in the area, with one of them used purely in a co-ordination role. The latest addition has extra seats (now eight compared to six in the other air-

craft) and faster response ability; and being fitted with a double-turbine instead of the traditional single, the amount of water able to be dropped from the craft goes from 670 litres to 1,200. The new machine was formally presented by the Murcia regional president, Pedro Rivera, at the base at La Pila, in Abaran. During the course of the visit, Rivera also took the opportunity to personally

thank the firefighters who have been involved in a number of recent incidents, including fires which caused devastation in and around Valencia. Rivera said that “helicopters play a key role in the monitoring and fighting of forest fires and so it’s important that we are committed to providing the most modern equipment available for such tasks.”

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Murcia arms arrest FOUR people have been arrested, one of them in Murcia, suspected as being alleged arms traffickers. The joint operation carried out by the National Police and the Guardia Civil made the arrest after dismantling a criminal network in the Malaga Province. A total of eight properties were

raided, which included Murcia, where a selection of firearms including rifles, shotguns and a pistol were found, in addition to around 1,000 loaded cartridges. The investigation began after police found an illegal gun had been used in a suicide of an Estonian national in Torremolinos last year.

Beach tragedy averted

SAFE: One of the rescued dogs discovered in disgusting conditions.

Chip identifies dog cruelty suspect ANTA POLA Town Council has been able to finally identify a local man believed to have mistreated a number of dogs. He faces a fine of up to €6,000 for his alleged offences against 12 fully grown dogs and a further 10 puppies which were discovered abandoned in warehouses in Play de la Vallonga.

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They were found in very unhygienic conditions with no food and fully exposed to the sun. According to a report in the Spanish media, Councillor Marisa Gouyo - who has responsibility for the protection of animals was asked for the maximum fine available. They range from €400 up to €6,000. When the dogs were found, they were infected

Remote rescue for cyclist

with fleas and ticks and it was obvious that they had been there for some considerable time. Thankfully, one of them was chipped and it was because of this that the owner was able to be traced. Local Police were praised for the way they dealt with the situation, having spent up to four hours with the highly stressed dogs until they were all rescued.

A 34-YEAR-OLD cyclist was injured in a fall from his bike and needed rescuing from a remote area of Jacarilla. After they located the Spanish man in the zone known as the Cabecico Redondo, officers from the Guardia Civil and a group of firefighters needed to carry him on a stretcher around one kilometre before transferring him to the Vega Baja Hospital. The cyclist suffered a badly bruised hip that made it impossible for him to walk unaided, and because of the narrowness of the road where he fell, neither the ambulance nor the fire engine could reach him. The rescue was not helped by the extreme heat at the time.

A SEVEN-year-old French boy almost drowned on the Playa del Cura in Torrevieja. According to a report in the Spanish media, the youngster had swallowed a great deal of water after being rescued by lifeguards. He was later taken to Torrevieja Hospital by paramedics attached to SAMU (Urgent Medical Assistance Service) where after receiving emergency treatment he was taken to the intensive care unit for continued observation. The following day, a statement from the hospital said the boy had made ‘satisfactory progress.’

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N AT I O N A L P O L I C E based in Alicante are on the look-out for three robbers who burst into the home of an 82-year-old woman. According to reports, she wasn’t attacked or injured during the raid but was tied up by the men before they forced

Elderly woman robbed of €20,000 her to open the safe... they escaped with around €20,000 in cash. The fact the woman

had been restrained with handcuffs meant that she couldn’t raise the alarm sooner. The incident took

place just after midn i g h t o n We d n e s d a y evening when the three assailants rushed into the property via a back door that is understood to have been open at the time. The trio had their faces hidden and it’s believed that even though they weren’t carrying any firearms, they had no problem whatsoever intimidating the woman and were met without any resistance. A forensic team were quickly on the scene to gather any clues as to the identity of the robbers. In addition, the woman was helping police with their investigation to see if the intruders may have known her previously or whether she was simply the unlucky victim of a random robbery.

Elche ‘plastic thread’ robbers arrested TWO people are being held in connection with a number of break-ins at homes in Elche. The pair - both 28 years old and Georgian nationals - are believed to have prepared their locations by using the well-known method of putting a small piece of plastic thread across the doors of targeted properties. The arrests were made after a neighbour surprised the two men at 2am one morning as they were in the process of putting the marker in place. They then fled, but the eye witness managed to get a description. This was passed on to the police who managed to identify the suspects and arrest them. A source claims the thieves moved from place-to-place in different high-end cars that were hired in different names in an attempt to throw the police off their scent. The thread method is apparently widely used by a number of gangs who specialise in home burglaries and consists of placing an almost invisible mark on the home to check which ones are empty. They return a few days later to check if the plastic is still in place. If they are it can be assumed this is the case, particularly during the holiday season.

Photo credit: Rafael dP. Iberia-Hispania - Flickr

PROHIBITED: Tourist thief spotted in city-centre archaeological dig.

Councillor nabs thieving visitor A ‘LIGHT’ fingered tourist allegedly stealing a selection of archaeological artefacts was caught redhanded by a local councillor. The incident happened when Councillor Ana Rama from the Ciudadanos party in Cartagena spotted the German visitor to the Molinete dig ‘placing several objects into a cold box.’ She was the prime witness to the alleged theft and she immediately alerted

the police who arrested the holidaymaker. They then recovered the pieces that he is said to have taken from the ancient site. It is claimed the man immediately confessed to the crime and was later released on bail. Following on from the events that involved one of their representatives, the Ciudadanos party has urged the PSOE-led municipality of Cartagena to increase the security at the

Molinete dig. It’s located in the middle of the town centre, is wellknown and easy to find. It’s apparently easy to enter if nobody is guarding the area despite it being prohibited to do so without permission. So far, the objects that were stolen have not been described, but it’s highly likely they were pieces of ceramic that date back to the Roman era which are associated with that area of Cartagena.

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17th - 23rd August

Biggest quake in 58 years by Darren Parmenter

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HE biggest earthquake to hit the Alicante Province for 58 years had its epicentre between Crevillente

and Albatera. The 4.3 magnitude quake was felt across a large area at 4.40pm on Monday afternoon and despite its severity, no reports of any injuries or damages to buildings have been reported.

Earthquakes and tremors have been quite common in recent months across the Costa Blanca, both out to sea and inland, but this is the strongest yet and the fourth highest since 1919. Thanks to the depth of the quake - measured at 11 kilometres - it prevented serious damage being caused, although it didn’t stop thousands of people worrying when they felt the earth move and saw furniture shaking in their properties. Reports across social media suggested the afternoon

quake was felt in some areas and not in others. However, the majority of the comments came from those living in the Vega Baja region in municipalities such as Callosa de Segura, Benferri, Dolores, Orihuela and San Fulgencio. As the quake spread further afield, it was felt in Elche, Alicante, Aspe, Elda, Novelda, Santa Pola and Campello. The most serious earthquake in recent times hit Lorca in May 2011 with a 5.1 magnitude, resulting in severe damage to buildings.

WORRYING: Thousands shaken across the Alicante Province

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Ten days for a GP appointment LOCAL people living in Elche have complained about the amount of time it now takes to make an appointment with their local doctor. They have blamed the average current wait of 10 days on the decision taken by the Ministry of Health not to replace GPs when they go on holiday; a fact acknowledged by Councillors Cristina Martinez and Fernando Dura who make up the opposition group Ilicitanos por Elche. According to a report in the Spanish media, Martinez said that “many people have been moved to complain about the appointments service when they find that they have to wait a week or more to see their family doctor.” She said that these delays are causing many people to go directly to the hospital emergency departments instead.” The two councillors have also said that these are the latest set of shortcomings to add to the closure of a number of health centres in the afternoons, as well as the absence of a medical service on weekends and holidays. This is especially noticed in areas such as Arenales del Sol in which there are an estimated 25,000 inhabitants during the summer months.

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by Ray Chadwick

Major ‘illegal’ fish stash found Photo credit: Guardia Civil

GUARDIA CIVIL officers based in Alicante have seized over 600 kilos of octopus in a restaurant in Santa Pola. The discovery came as a result of a major investigation that uncovered several fishing boats unloading their catch into private vehicles. The undercover officers then followed the men that were on the boats and in the vehicles and ended up at a local restaurant. It was at this point that the inspection of the restaurant took place. The catch that had been delivered turned out to be freshly caught octopus and other fish, but none had undergone any relevant health and safety controls. Next door to the restaurant, in an annex, the Guardia Civil also discovered another store containing three large industrial freezers with a large amount of plastic bags also containing oc-

SKYLINE: Building permissions up by 68 per cent in Murcia. (File image)

The cranes are back... UNCOVERED: Part of the 600 kilos of fish in a Santa Pola restaurant.

topus. Again, there was no documentation to confirm their origin. The absence of any formal information immediately led to the Guardia Civil confiscating all the fish, and once it had been proved to be fit for consumption was delivered to a charity centre.

According to a report in the Spanish press, the 604 kilos of fish - if it had been sold in the restaurant - could have generated around €7,000. Investigations continue to see if there are any other restaurants involved in such illegal practices.

THERE’S something dominating the skies of Murcia once again that hasn’t been seen in such numbers for some time. The building cranes have returned and are another sign that the regional economy is back on the up. According to data released by Spain’s Ministry of Development, during the first half of 2018, a total of 1,408 building permissions were granted which represents an increase of 68 per cent when compared to the same time last year. Out of those, 914 have been given for new construction projects, 469 for renovation and restoration and

25 for extensions. The Murcia region suffered particularly badly when the economic crisis hit in 2008 and the subsequent bursting of the housing bubble destroyed their construction industry. Therefore, it’s been more than eight years since such levels have been seen... and the cranes, which are always a sign of building taking place. Despite the very positive and encouraging figures, the levels of construction are nowhere near those of 2006 which saw 52,524 homes built both houses and apartment blocks and the best year since the new millennium began.

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Taxis to get the blues by Darren Parmenter Photo credit: Flickr

FOLLOWING on from similar initiatives in Belgium, the Netherlands and Greece, Spain is the latest country to introduce a system of blue number plates for its taxis. The measure has been brought in as part of a number of attempts to crack down on the illegal, private hire and pirate taxis. The new law came into force at the beginning of August and will require the rear number plates of taxis and other legal operators of vehicles of up to nine seats to be coloured blue, with white characters. There will be no change to the front plate which will remain the traditional white with black lettering and numbers. Owners of the vehicles affected by the change in the law will have up to a year to change their registration plates, although they can do so immediately if they choose. The change follows an amendment to the law approved back in 2016 and followed a substantial increase in the number of pirate companies and private vehicles intruding on legal taxi areas.

NEW LAW: Taxi number plates will now be blue.

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July blip for airport numbers by Darren Parmenter

FOR the first time in six years, there has been a decline in passenger numbers for Alicante-Elche Airport for the month of July. The figure of just over 1.5 million passengers is 2 per cent down compared to the same month last year, although still keeps the airport as fifth across Spain in terms of traveller numbers. The data, supplied by airport managers AENA, also showed a 1.8 per cent drop in the number of flights using the airport. This decrease confirms reports of a minor tourism slowdown in the first part of the summer in which popular resorts such as Benidorm have seen their hotel occupancy fall by a similar 2 per cent. Back in 2012, a total of 1,076 passengers passed through the terminal which represented an 8.4 per cent drop compared to July 2011. Since then, the numbers have grown to extraordinary levels with a historic record of 12 million annually recorded in 2016. However, despite the decline in July 2018, the annual figures to date continue to be positive. During the first seven months of the year, Alicante-Elche Airport registered 7,919,047 passengers, representing an increase of 1.1 per cent year-on-year.

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vox pop

Is it important to speak Spanish when holidaying or living in the Costas? Name: Mark and Angela Age: 52 and 51 On holiday: Yes Where from: Birmingham

too. We’ve never really had a problem with not being able to speak the language, people do try to help if there are communication problems. We get by in restaurants and shops. Saying that, I’m a primary school teacher and I do think there should be more emphasis on learning languages at a much earlier age, in nursery would be better.

MARK: It depends where you go. Here, in the Costa del Sol, it’s less important because most people speak or understand English. But in the more rural areas, it’s different. I have a friend who went to Name: Hannah Styles a small place in Age: 27 Sevilla and he On holiday: Live here Where from: Leeds said he really struggled I lived here and went to and had to school here when I was use his mogrowing up, so I am fluent. bile phone I moved back to the UK in to translate. 2011 and came back two Angela: years ago. I don’t think it’s We came important to speak the lanhere last year, guage if you are holidaying and have been here, the Costas cater for to Mijas and other tourists very well. But if you areas around here, Mark and Angela

want to live here and enjoy the Spanish way of life, of course, it is better if you can communicate. Name: Malcolm Berry Age: 64 On holiday: Yes Where from: Hull No, not in these sort of holiday resorts anyway. I know the obvious, how to say hello, goodbye, please and thank you, and order basic drinks. My wife is better than me, we have been holidaying in different parts of Spain for years and she likes to practise before we come. Name: Margaret Smith and Elaine Bell Age: 58 and 63 Margaret: I have just the odd little

words but I get by. I think it’s because Fuengirola is a holiday resort and caters for the British. I don’t think it’s possible to learn the language of every country you visit, it depends how often you go to the same place. Elaine: Sometimes I think we can be a bit lazy. We should probably make more of an effort to speak the language. At least here they are friendly and helpful. When we went to France and tried to speak a bit of French they seemed to appreciate it, Margaret Smith and but in Germany Elaine Bell they didn’t want to know.

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Anyone for fishing?

Six ‘fake’ passengers arrested

by Darren Parmenter

IN the space of just 48 hours, six people of different nationalities have been arrested at Alicante-Elche Airport trying to enter the country with fake ID. They were detained by specialists operating at the passport checkpoints who are trained in the detection of illegal and counterfeit documentations, and is part of the annual security operation which has been

in operation since the beginning of the summer. It’s accepted that many illegal travellers try to get through the border controls by taking advantage of the large flow of passengers moving through the airport terminal at this time of the year. Thanks to the excellent training that those manning the border posts have had, they were quickly able to identify those that have attempted to enter Spain with false papers.

Photo credit: Policia Nacional

TORREVIEJA Town Hall has launched an initiative named Pescaturismo, which aims to offer tourists an insight into traditional fishing techniques that first saw the town become famous. The initiative allows for tourists to take to the sea on a night fishing boat, hopefully to catch red mullet, one of the most characteristic fish caught at night off the Torrevieja coast. Councillor Fanny Serrano has said that the scheme will run until October, and offers tourists a chance to “sample our wealth and serve to give an insight into sustainability through traditional fishing techniques.”

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NO ENTRY: Trained officers stop illegal entries at busy airport. (File image)

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Photo credit: Diego Delso Wikimedia

Five hurt in Alicante crash FIVE people have been slightly injured in a traffic accident in the centre of Alicante. According to a report in the Spanish media, the person who allegedly caused the incident was driving without a licence. For reasons that are still being investigated, the car hit another from behind after which it then crashed into a third as they travelled in the direction of Alicante along the Avenida de Villajoyosa.

Cigarette attacker sought OFFICERS from the National Police are looking for a young man in connection with an attack on another person after they refused to give him a cigarette. The attacker, believed to be around 25 years old, approached the victim and demanded a cigarette. When he said that he didn’t have any, the young man - understood to be of Moroccan nationality - walked away but then, without warning, grabbed a stone and hit the 50-year-old on the head from behind. According to a report in the Spanish media, the victim also had an amount of money taken from him after he was assaulted.

DIZZY DAYS: Alicante General Hospital experiencing air con issues.

Air-con fault stresses patients by Darren Parmenter HUNDREDS of patients attending the Alicante General Hospital have had to put up with the excesses of the current heatwave due to problems with the air conditioning. At one point before the system was worked on by engineers, around 20 patients ending up sweating in one of the hospital’s

waiting rooms when the temperature registered 30.5ÂşC at 11am. Others throughout the hospital are also understood to have suffered bouts of dizziness, with a number also being put at a higher risk of infections. According to reports in the Spanish media, a significant number of visitors to the hospital have taken advantage of a Chinese supermarket opposite the Alicante General

Hospital to buy a variety of fans. One of the problems is the alleged age of the air conditioning ducts which affect the distribution of the air. In addition, the change in the levels of humidity can reduce the efficiency of the equipment by 25 per cent. Until the faults are completely repaired, a number of portable airconditioning units and fans are being deployed within the hospital.

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New builds shared across the province FOR the first six months of the year, the amount of new houses being built in the Alicante Province has essentially moved into positive territory. According to statistics from the Official College of Quantity Surveyors, Technical Architects and Building Engineers of A l i c a n t e (COAATIEA), a total of 3,919 new homes were built during the first half of the year and shows an increase of 50 per cent. The figure has been boosted with the construction of 1,523 homes in Visterhermosa, found in the northern part of Alicante City. President of the College of Quantity Surveyors, Martin Pomares, said: “The housing data we’ve seen for the first six months of the year clearly show that there is a spreading out of construction across the province rather than concentrating in specific points as before. The trend is changing.” Alicante City leads the way with 801 new homes being started since January 2018 - an increase of 106 per cent compared to the same point a year earlier - with Orihuela (361) and Torrevieja (330) in second and third spot. The only area bucking the trend is in the city of Elche which has seen a decrease of 27 per cent in new builds.

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Alcoholics Anonymous anniversary year

THIRTY years ago on September 6, 1988, a lady by the name of Tracey B set up the very first English-speaking meeting of the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in the newly built multi-denominational La Siesta Church in Torrevieja. When it first opened, Tracy would often be sat there all on her own… just occasionally a couple of members from the Alicante International Saturday meeting would turn up and then another,

who had a holiday home in Torrevieja, would attend whenever he was in the country. However, over the past 30 years, the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous has grown tremendously along the coast. They now have as many as 11 meetings each week ranging from Montebello to Torrevieja and down to Los Alcazares. There are also what have been called ‘Al-Anon’ meetings… a sister organisation for

family and friends of the still-suffering alcoholic. The AA will be holding their 11th Annual Convention on September 14, 15 and 16 at the Hotel Playas de Torrevieja, formerly Cabo Cervera. If alcohol is costing you more than money, the AA helpline numbers are: Costa Blanca North 648 169 045; Costa Blanca South - 625 912 078; Costa Calida - 679 385 105 or check on the website at www.aa-costablanca.org.

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It’s becoming a rubbish summer by Darren Parmenter

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OCAL residents and opposition parties in Santa Pola have highlighted the amount of large items of rubbish - including furniture - that are being abandoned on the municipality’s streets. The council are aware of the problem and according to a report in the Spanish media, they say that around 70 per cent of the items are being dumped without no-

INCREASE: Furniture dumping rises during the summer months. (File image)

tifying the free collection service that exists for such rubbish. The problem is always exacerbated in August with the arrival of thousands of people at their second holiday homes in the municipality. Many decide to change and renew household goods, furniture and mattresses and not knowing the collection arrangements simply

dump them in the streets close to the rubbish containers. Already across June and July, a total of 178,740 kilos of bulky waste such as sofas, tables, chairs and cabinets have been removed from public roads. This accounts for 60 per cent more than the same period last year. Mattresses make up the most abundant

item dumped, with 594 recovered and taken to one of the two dedicated eco-park dumps in Santa Pola. Residents groups and the opposition Partido Popular (PP) have written to the council asking them to extend the opening hours of the dumps to include the weekend which is aimed at going some way to solving the problem.

Credit: National Police

Gang members arrested (stock photo).

Operation sees arrest of 4 alleged drug dealers by John Smith IN a combined operation between officers of the National Police based in Alicante and Murcia a gang of four alleged drug dealers have been arrested and two kilos of cocaine seized. The group were known to the police and were being observed by officers in Murcia, but it was believed that they were looking to expand their area of

operation into Alicante City. As the gang travelled to the Alicante capital, officers who had been in communication with their colleagues in Murcia, swooped on the group and arrested them, discovering two kilos of cocaine. Searches of the property of the four men aged between 32 and 59 revealed â‚Ź3,000 in cash and a special radio device believed to be used as a frequency jammer to inhibit messages between officers.

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Head lice on rise

A TROMBA: Usually appears as a funnel-shaped cloud over a body of water.

A fine spectacle A ‘TROMBA’ appeared above the sea off the coast of Torrevieja yesterday, treating witnesses to a five-minute spectacle. The phenomenon is an intense columnar vortex, which usually appears as a funnel-shaped cloud, over a body of water. Most waterspouts do not suck up water, they are small and weak rotating columns of air. According to the data released by the State Agency of Meteorology (Aemet), the vision occurred at around 10am and

was accompanied by light rain. It was added that ‘trombas’ are normally short-lived and tend to occur in the morning when the sea and land breeze converge in an unstable environment. A spokesperson said that ‘while the clusters are forming, the type of cloud that we see is usually associated with a cottony form.’ It was suggested that the vortex which occurred in Torrevieja had been formed from bottom to top by stretching the vortex on the surface until connecting to the base of the cloud.

NEW technologies, in particular selfies, are being blamed for an increase in the number of cases of head lice and nits. It follows research by the Cartegena-based Spanish Association Against Pediculosis (the medical term for being infested with lice) which suggests the close proximity of people posing together could be a contributing factor. People of a certain age will remember the ‘nit nurse’ visiting schools and checking pupil’s hair for any signs of infestation, and thanks to more chemical products used to prevent and treat the condition, was a problem that was thought to have been almost eradicated. However, as stated by the president of SAAP, Nuria Clemente, the lice aren’t being effectively removed any more as more heads in the population are found to have nests of these insects. One of the findings suggests the growing trend of selfies has caused lice to spread. Most selfies tend to see two people, or more, put

their heads together to take the photo and lice are easily transferred during this operation. In addition, sharing headphones is also suspected of being a further reason for more cases being reported.

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Those behind the study state that it’s essential that once someone has been diagnosed with head lice, they should be kept in relative isolation and not mix with anyone until the problem is solved.

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17th - 23rd August

No funeral for me, thanks

by Barry Duke

AFTER ascertaining that I spoke English, a woman in charge of a pay-now-die-later stand in Benidorm asked: ‘can you spare a moment to discuss what plans, if any, you have for your funeral?’ ‘No,’ I snapped. ‘I’m running late for an appointment - and I am not planning on having a funeral. EVER!’ She looked aghast. If I had the time I would have stopped to explain the brush-off I’d just given her. Just a week before I took possession of a Spanish directive drawn up by a lawyer which says that if were to be struck down by any condition likely to leave me permanently disabled, I should be allowed to die. The legally binding Acta De Manifestaciones also stipulates that I want my organs harvested, and whatever remains is to be donated to medical science. If my cadaver is deemed unsuitable for either organ transplants or for sci-

ence study, then I am simply to be incinerated at minimal cost without a funeral - just like David Bowie, who took the direct cremation route in 2016. And, in a belt-and-braces move, I had tattooed at the base of my neck the words ‘do not resuscitate me’ in Spanish. The document also makes my partner, Marcus, my next-of-kin. This was an important part of the document, for I had just learned of the bureaucratic nightmare into which the family of a friend had been plunged when he died suddenly in Spain. The authorities flat-out refused to hand over the body to his partner because the couple were not married, did not have a civil partnership nor any documentation to indicate that they were in a relationship. They would only deal with family members who were unable to come to Spain. The upshot was that the body was kept in storage for around three weeks while the authorities sorted the necessary paperwork for a funeral. What reminded me of this ghastly incident was a distressing

FUNERALS: Most Spanish families have plans. news report on tellie last week. ITV reported that an increasing number of people in the UK were finding it impossible to meet the escalating costs of funerals, and that bodies were being held in mortuaries for lengthy periods while relatives struggled find the cash to lay them to rest. A Freedom of Information request by ITV News revealed that a quarter of hospital trusts in England have held bodies for three months or more. And two trusts said they kept bodies for up to 14 months. ITV News also surveyed 120 fu-

neral directors - they too have had to keep bodies for up to eight months because families struggled to pay. The latest industry research shows the average cost of a basic funeral in the UK now stands at £4,078.00. How does this compare with Spain? Back in January 2018 a couple called Bob and Pat posted this message on Expat.com: ‘We were stopped in Carrefour by two female sales people selling death plans. They said Spain is the most expensive place to die and we need a €20,000 plan. Is this true?.’

This prompted a flurry of replies from people who insisted that Bob and Pat had been lied to; that the cost of a Spanish funeral is, in reality, more in the region of €3,600, and in some regions far less. The problems reported on by ITV simply don’t exist in Spain because the law here requires burials or cremations to take place within 48 hours of death - and most Spanish families have funeral plans or insurance. Furthermore, greater numbers of Spanish people are opting for non-religious funerals. This is in keeping with the rapid secularisation of Spain since the dark days of the Franco regime. Last year the website ThinkSpain reported that while Catholic funeral services and wakes are still in the majority, secular funerals are rapidly increasing in number, especially in large, cosmopolitan cities. Cataluña is the region with the highest number of secular funeral ceremonies in Spain, which fits in with a recent survey showing that as many as 55 per cent of the region’s residents do not identify with any religion at all.

Holi Festival

T

ERRA NATURA Benidorm is hosting its Holi Festival 2018 on Saturday, also marking the

birthday of Petita the park elephant. Also known as the Festival of Colours, or the Festival of Love, the religious cel-

ebration of Hindu origin, symbolises the triumph of good over evil. Men, women, rich and poor, young and old, mark the occasion by throwing coloured powder over each other. And at the weekend, the Benidorm theme park is offering the chance to take part in one of these colourful battles, together with traditional music and dance. This will be followed by a musical parade and multicoloured f o a m party in the water park. All of the special festival activities will be included in the normal ticket price for Terra Natura, or a combined Aqua Natura entrance. The Holi Festival symbolises the triumph of good over evil.

www.rtnnewspaper.com

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Illuminated skies

EN people were injured and firefighters tackled 15 separate small fires d u r i n g E l c h e ’s s p e c tacular Nit de I’Alba. Emergency services had treated eight people for burns and wounds, most of which were apparently related to the use of fireworks and debris, by midnight on Sunday as the sky was illuminated with the effects of 2,000 kilos of gunpowder. As festivities continued until dawn, a further two people needed medical attention for similar injuries. Firecrews made a total of 15 outings, according to sources, which centered mainly in green areas and the streets, posing a challenge for emergency services who had to operate around parked cars. But despite the numbers of fires and casualties, the authorities in-

volved in organising the annual celebration and protecting the safety of visitors have been praised for keeping incidents to a minimum. There were no ‘serious’ injuries and any blazes were quickly distinguished, according to city officials and emergency services. A mammoth 2,000 kilos of gunpowder was launched from 17 points by the Ferrandez Fireworks, culminating with the breathtaking Palm of t h e Vi r g i n - a f a n t a s t i c finale which composed of 1,300 rockets. Mayor Carlos Gonzalez, said: “The culmination of the display ascended to a height of 250 metres to occupy in the sky a radius light of another 250. It is an unsurpassable palm tree that keeps the skies lit up for about 25 seconds. “This is possibly the most special night of the year in our city.”

COLOUR: The most ‘special night of the year in Elche.’

BREATHTAKING: A team of 40 people created the spectacle.

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Fire compensation pledge THE Government Delegate to Valencia, Juan Carlos Fulgencio, has pledged government support for those affected by the wild fire that devastated Llutxent. He has emphasised that there are grants available to help people recover. Anyone wanting to make a claim will have one month from the moment the fire was declared extinguished last Sunday) in which to do so. Aid will be available to families for personal injury, as well as for damage to property as well as financial support for local authorities. The fire had burned for a week before it was finally extinguished. It scorched 3,270 hectares of land, destroyed or damaged 40 homes and forced the evacuation of 2,620 peiople. At its height the blaze which was started by lightning strike in the

EXTINGUISHED: Firefighters worked hard to put blaze out.

area of Valencia threatened the seaside resort town of Gandia. More than 700 ground based personnel and 31 helicopters and planes were drafted in from Valencia, Castellon and Alicante, as well as from the forestry service and military units to contain the fire which had been

whipped up by strong gusts of winds. The districts of Gandia, Llutxent, Pinet, Ador, Barx and Quatret o n d a w e r e a ff e c t e d , with 120 people from Pinet joining 2,500 evacuees from La Drova and the Montesol and Montepino urbanisations.

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WiFi for Mar Menor

Worldwide shoe success ELCHE are more than famous the entire world over for their shoe production. This fame has been on display in the USA during this week as part of the ‘Magic Las Vegas’ fair. A total of 34 Spanish shoe companies were in town. Twelve of them came from the Alicante Province - seven from Elche - and under the umbrella of the Federation of Spanish Footwear Industries (FICE). The USA was the main buyer of Spanish-made shoes outside of the EU in 2017, with 4.7 million pairs worth €222 million.

A WOMAN was shocked to find her ex-husband had been spying on her with cameras hidden in her home. The 58-year-old man was only caught when workmen started to install an alarm system at the Spanish woman’s house in Murcia. A police source said the

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Cameras spied on ex-wife couple were divorced and the woman suspected that it was her ex-husband who had placed the cameras in hidden places in the living room and bedroom. Now the ex has been arrested using laws that CAPTION: National Police Interior

THANKS to an initiative by the Murcia regional government, WiFi coverage is now available on two beaches of La Manga del Mar Menor. The free internet service is now accessible on the Playa Mistral (San Javier) and the Cala del Pino (Cartagena) and will allow people who cannot be a single moment without their mobile devices to enjoy their favourite pastime in even more places. This pilot project is seen as expanding an important service to the thousands of residents and tourists alike in the region, and was presented as part of the ‘La Manga Abierta 365’ scheme which has been partly financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

17th - 23rd August

HIDDEN: Secret cameras filmed woman.

Big ‘Jaws’ on show WHETHER by accident or good planning to coincide with the release of the new film ‘The Meg,’ Elche’s Paleontological Museum has put on display the enormous jaws of the Megalodon Shark. The life-size replica of the largest marine predator in history that patrolled the Mediterranean many millions of years ago can be seen during a visit to the popular L’Aljub Shopping Centre until and including tomorrow (Saturday). Each of the triangular and serrated teeth is around 10 centimetres long, and it’s believed that the Megalodon was more than 11 metres in length.

make ‘discovery and disclosure of secrets between individuals’ criminal offences. Police say the cameras had been hidden insideplastic housing covers on the ceiling in each room.

They sent images to a recording device tucked away in the basement, which then beamed pictures via a router on to the internet where whoever was responsible could view them.

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Market move... almost

THE Wednesday market in La Mata is closer to transferring to its new location. However, it’s not going to happen before the end of the summer. The original intention was to relocate the popular market on July 4 but was cancelled after around 50 of the traders expressed concerns at a number of security issues; especially those that would allow a quick and orderly access of the area in the event of an emergency. The market will eventually be held on Avenida de Francia and moves from its current location due to subsidence issues in the area where it goes above an underground canal.

Torrevieja U new se ALONG with the rest of the Torrevieja U3A sections, June saw the last outing of the Torrevieja U3A Walking Group, although the team leaders themselves - along with a few other hardy members - have been embarking on several expeditions during the oppressive July sunshine to check out new walks for the members to enjoy during the new season. The Group’s walks give its members a unique opportunity to see and appreciate the Costa Blanca at its best and to gain a different perspective of the region, its countryside, wildlife and coast. The results of the expeditions will see a new schedule of walks put together which will start next month, in September, and carry on through until May 2019. The current coordinating team of Paul Farrow and

AWAITING: The Torrevieja U3A w Bob Morris has been increased with the welcome addition of John Summers. The Torrevieja U3A Groups Fair which will be held on Monday September 24 at 10.30am at the CMO building (Central Municipal de Ocio behind Carrefour) al-

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U3A launch eason

17th - 23rd August

Cliff top diver injured

A 28-YEAR-OLD swimmer has suffered a number of injuries after jumping from the cliff top of the Cap Negre in Javea. According to a report in the Spanish media, the young man suffered a possible fracture of the clavicle and his left arm, as well as a badly-bruised right wrist and a number of other cuts after attempting to dive into the sea from between six and eight metres high. Once the alarm was raised, a Red Cross rescue team brought him out of the sea to the shore on the Playa

Drink-drive stats concern A STUDY has revealed that one in three drivers in the Murcia region openly admit to getting behind the wheel of their car after drinking alcohol. It also showed that there are more men than women taking that risk. The study, undertaken by the motoring organisation RACE and with the support of the Spanish traffic authority (DGT) showed that 29 per cent of drivers in Murcia defy the usual drink-driving advice. This compares to 25 per cent across the whole of Spain. The highest percentage of those driving after consuming alcohol comes from the Balearic Islands with 34 per cent.

School delay over

walking group gather. lows them to showcase many of the group activities... and the Walking Group will be doing just that, inviting current and new members of the U3A to join the group. So, if you enjoy the countryside and would like to see more of it with a group of

like-minded and friendly people come along to the U3A Groups Fair and see what the group has to offer you. Details of the Walking Group and all other sections can also be found on the Torrevieja U3A website at torre viejau3a.org.

LA CALLOSILLA, a small village between Orihuela and Callosa de Segura, will finally get its long-awaited school within four to six months. Work on the school that serves a population of just over 100 inhabitants was stopped in April due to a number of problems that have dogged the reconstruction project for more than 10 years. The programme of work has now restarted with a budget of just over â‚Ź191,000.

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Cala de la Barra where he was conscious but in a very confused state. However, because of the number of cars in the vicinity - many poorly parked - the ambulance and another emergency vehicle had their access blocked for several minutes. This type of preventable accident is a regular occurrence at this time of the year; the most recent being in July in Campello when a child was seriously injured after jumping from and hitting rocks in the BaĂąos de la Reina.

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Market traders suffer in heatwave Photo credit: Zeisterre Wikimedia

W

ORDS and phrases such as ‘insufferable,’ ‘horrible’ and ‘third world conditions’ have been used to describe the conditions endured in the Alicante Central Market. This has been due to the failure of the air conditioning system due to the appliances overheating. At one point, the temperature inside the building reached 40ºC and, according to a report in the Spanish media, an estimated 30 per cent in the turnover of fruit and vegetables had been lost. Another area severely affected has been the fresh fish department. Most of the system has now been repaired, but both traders and customers alike are going to have to wait until October

WASTE: Fruit, vegetables and fish lost in air con failure.

until it’s due to be fully restored. Speaking to the Spanish media, local trader Ana Girones said: “We had to spray our customers with water to keep them and allow them to buy our produce. This is a very serious situation.” A number of stalls have also installed

their own fans to keep themselves and their products as cool as possible. In the fish market, traders said that twice as much ice than usual was used to cover the wide variety up for sale and thus has led to increases of their electricity bills of up to 20 per cent.

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17th - 23rd August

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Police help in plastic removal Mayor asks for road cash “H by David Bennett

OW can people be so dirty?” That was the question posed by the head of the Maritime Unit of Torrevieja’s Local Police after his

team removed more than half a ton of plastic from the Mediterranean so far this summer. Adolfo Rodriguez, said the rubbish had been found in the waters between the beaches of La Mata and Punta Prima following the

recent cleanup operation. The voluntary work was initiated last year when two members of the Local Police met a French couple who themselves spent a great deal of their time removing plastic that blighted the zone. They decided to get involved with the task, since when they’ve managed to collect more than a ton of such waste products. This summer alone, they’ve removed 375 plastic bags; 228 bottles, cans and glasses; seven oil / petrol drums; 26 lengths of rope and a long list of other vari-

ous items of debris that affects the overall look and image of the area. But it’s not just the environment that can suffer, as last year one of the officers rescued a sea gull that had been injured after it became entangled with plastic. Rodriguez appeared alongside his colleague Jeronimo Manzanaro and Councillor Fanny Serrano at the event that not only explained their work, but also encouraged local people to be more aware of the problems and what they can do to help. credit: Ayuntamiento de Torrevieja

COLLECTORS: Local Police combing the area for plastic and other rubbish.

TORREVIEJA’S mayor, Jose Manuel Dolon, has called on the Valencian regional government to include the upgrading of the CV-95 road as part of the 2019 budget. He’s asking for the almost €2 million to be spent on the busy section of around 729 metres between Los Balcones and the Torrevieja Hospital to avoid the almost continuous traffic jams along that stretch. According to a report in the Spanish media, Dolon said: “It’s not a priority, although it’s a project that should have been carried out back in 2003.”

Almoradi on a charge ALMORADI Town Council is looking at a number of locations in the centre of the municipality which can be used for semi-fast charging points for electric vehicles. The aim is to put them close to commercial areas that will encourage users to leave their cars on charge while shopping at the same time. The total cost of the scheme is around €15,000 with a subsidy of €12,000 coming from the Valencian Institute of Business Competitiveness (IVACE).

TELEFONICA has strengthened its mobile network across the Murcia region to cope with an increase in demand. The communications giant is investing a total of €1.4 million to expand its capacity following a doubling of the use of mobile internet in the region during the first six months of the year. Around 20 municipalities have been directly affected by the work to extend and improve the mobile signal. These include as San

Javier, Aguilas, Mazarron, Lorca, Molina del Segura, Cartagena and Murcia, and both the 3G and 4G band have seen upgrades carried out. Telefonica has been working since the start of 2018 to improve its capacity in order to provide maximum coverage during the summer, which traditionally sees more people accessing internet data and making more calls. The upgrades will see a stronger 3G signal on the 900 Mhz band and increase the 4G footprint in the 1,800 and 800 Mhz band.

Mobile usage upgrade

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17th - 23rd August

Advertising Feature SINCE moving from Scotland to the sunny Costa Blanca over 10 years ago, Gary and Lynn Routledge have successfully run Cyclogical, a cycle sales, repairs and bike hire store in Quesada. They have started many cycling groups and tours, made many friends and have been delighted with the amount of people that they have introduced to the saddle, promoting health and well-being through cycling. Over the years due to hard work and dedication, the business has expanded and the range of stock and accessories has increased greatly. They now also have a custombuilt superstore and workshop and are the main dealer for Pinarello, the world’s No.1 Superbike as ridden by Team Sky. They are also the main dealer in Brinke Italian e-bikes which more and more people are using to get fitter, go further and enjoy cycling. Cyclogical are also now a Shimano Service Centre and the main agents in Spain for Tenn cycle clothing and Oxford cycle products and have a new clothing department. Gary worked in the leisure industry for over 20 years and

Keep healthy and enjoy Costa Blanca by bike managed the largest leisure centre in Scotland. He is also a qualified Shotokan Karate Instructor, Spinning Bike Instructor and Mountain Leader, so is no newcomer to the outdoors and fitness. He also used to buy and sell second-hand cycles and motorcycles for many years. Lynn worked in banking for 25 years and was desperate to start a new career. She has always been into fitness attending spinning bike classes and has always been a keen cyclist. Both Gary and Lynn love cycling around the local area after work and at weekends sourcing new routes and tracks suitable for all levels and abilities of cyclists to enjoy. They have written and published two cycling books. Volume 1,

The Cyclogical team are waiting to help you.

Cycle Groups and Tours and Volume 2, Cycling Tips and Advice. Both publications have bike routes, advice and maps. Cyclogical is based in Calle Los Arcos 7, in Quesada and is open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.30pm and on Saturday 10am to 2pm. So if you fancy a challenge, Team ‘Cyclogical’ meet every Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 5.30pm and Sunday mornings at 8am and cover between 90kms and 120kms at a moderate to fast pace on road bikes. Lynn has a regular ladies group every Monday at 1pm and every Wednesday at 11am covering between 50kms to 100kms on hybrids. Looking to improve your fitness, riding ability and speed, then why not give it a try?

Call Gary or Lynn on 637 487 377.

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17th - 23rd August

The winds of change

by Michael Walsh

keyboardcosmetics@gmail.com

WHEN on February 3, 1960, Prime Minister Harold Macmillan made his shameful Wind of Change speech to the parliament of South Africa the smarter of us were underwhelmed. In diplomatic platitudes the premier informed South Africa’s ethnic-Europeans, who since the 16th century had turned a wilderness into one of the world’s most benign and prosperous republics, that they were to be betrayed. Macmillan’s speech was met with stony resignation. Like Winston Churchill, Harold Macmillan was half-American. Both men worshipped the United States and supported the concept of American Imperialism. What we were witnessing was the transfer of European colonialism to Wall Street’s banking

dynasties. Many colonies, like the then Belgian Congo, were scuttled. Sadly, life for Black and White Africans is far worse now than it was under European colonialism. The Congo Crisis occurred between 1960 and 1965 during which time I spent a while in Boma. The small town stands on the Congo River 100 kilometres upstream of the Atlantic. Due to my facing death on at least two occasions my mortal remains nearly became part of the local fauna. The horror of being captured in the African jungle never leaves one. On another occasion, I was held by up to 10 fully armed trigger happy troops of the Armée nationale Congolaise (ANC).

Spending much time in the many nations that make up West Africa I learned much as I mixed with the Dark Continent’s many ethnic groups. Senegal and Gambia, Mozambique, Guinea and Sierra Leone where I had the pleasure of being treated for a medical condition by the country’s Minister of Finance, who was a doctor and chemist. Liberia and what were then the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo and Benin, I visited them all. Then there was Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and on to the Congo; much more besides. Nail-biting adventurous, high risk and high humour, I have nothing but the fondest of memories of Africa. Strangely, many Europeans familiar with Africa

CLOSE: Macmillan ‘worshipped’ America.

for all its risks love it better than they do Europe. I feel sorry for post-colonial Africa and I know many Africans and Europeans look back and see European stewardship as a Golden Age. Colonialism is never perfect, although it has to be said that vast tracts of Africa pillaged by the allies from Imperial Germany in 1919 were paradisiacal compared to now. Macmillan’s Wind of Change

was one of many of the 20th century’s great deceits. Perhaps this is why Woodrow Wyatt, politician and journalist, quoted Macmillan’s son, Maurice, who before his father ’s death exclaimed: ‘I hope he dies before they find him out.’ The Last Gladiators by Michael Walsh (Amazon Books) details the mercenary wars of post-colonial Africa.

Mike Walsh’s opinions are his own and do not necessarily represent the views of the publishers advertisers or sponsors.

Advertising Feature

Help is at hand for blocked drains THERE can be few people who haven’t experienced the inconvenience of blocked drains, often coupled with pest infestation, but Unblock-A-Rod SL with 15 years of experience in Spain can help turn a nightmare into a positive result. The company offers a dedicated, professional drainage service including 24hour emergency call out ensuring a rapid solution at unbeatable cost. They have new high tech equipment offering services such as high power jetting to clean and clear drains and CCTV cameras for internal waste pipe inspections. Any excavation works required to replace or repair damaged waste pipes or to construct manholes/inspection points is carried out to the highest standard and any excavations will be reinstated by qualified engineers. This fully legal registered business in the Costa Blanca employs a large staff of experienced professionals who are able to converse in English and Spanish which could be very helpful if they need to approach neighbours for access. Blockages can happen at the most in-

UNBLOCK-A-ROD SL: Professional help when you need it.

convenient of times and Unblock-A-Rod offer a 24-hour phone service with no extra call out charge and will turn up ready to do what is necessary to resolve any problem. Covering an area from north of Benidorm to south of San Javier airport/Murcia and inland, the company works for private and business customers, as well as having many con-

tracts with urbanisations to carry out routine services, maintenance and repairs. There is little doubt that Unblock-ARod rightly boasts that it offers the best service and pricing on the Costa Blanca and will work happily with insurance companies to ensure that their specifications are complied with. Broken drains are often accompanied

by the arrival of pests and this is another area where the expertise of the company can come in very useful. For a complete service at prices which will be a pleasant surprise, contact Unblock-A-Rod, Poligono Industrial La Fabrica, Calle Algorfa 3, Daya Nueva, 03159 (less than 10 minutes from Quesada) which is open from 8.30am to 4.30pm.

The office telephone number is 966 720 109 whilst the important 24/7 Mobile/WhatsApp number is 618 356 270. To find out more visit www.unblockarod.com, email info@unblockarod.com or visit their Facebook page Unblockarod.

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money

Check those sofas and drawers Photo credit: Public Domain Images

NINE months after the old £1 coin ceased being legal tender, the Royal Mint has said that there are probably £170 million worth of them hiding in sofas, drawers and pockets. And with so many British expats moving to Spain before that cut-off point, there’s probably a few million over here too; many in savings jars in readiness for a quick trip back to the UK or some welcome pocket money for visiting grandchildren. The old £1 coin can’t be used any more in shops, but can be deposited in UK banks with most of them still happy to exchange them for the newer ones. However, unlike the old bank notes, the old £1 coin can’t be returned to the

VULNERABLE: The original £1 coin is still out there... somewhere. Bank of England for an unlimited time after they go out of circulation. According to a report in the UK press, a spokes-person for the Royal Mint said it had expected around 85 per cent of the 1.7 billion old £1 coins - worth £1.4 billion - to be returned during the advertised transition time. The estimate was based

Bank pays fine

ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND has been fined £3.8 billion (€4.3bn) due to allegations it misrepresented types of mortgages it sold to investors. The US justice department weighed in on the situation stating how this is the largest penalty ever placed on a company for misconduct leading up to the financial crisis that took place from 2005-2008. The bank announced it reached this settlement back in May, though it is not until now

on the number of 50p coins returned when that changed to its smaller version 20 years ago. Because the old £1 coin had become increasingly vulnerable to counterfeiting, it was replaced by the version resembling the old 12sided threepenny bit in March 2017 after being first introduced in 1983.

that everything has gone through. The government alleges RBS to have misled investors in underwriting and issuing mortgage backed securities, understating the risks behind many of the loans and providing inaccurate data. The Justice Department said that the bank disputes the allegations and denies any wrongdoing, although the bank released in a statement they are happy to move on.

NO CHANGE: Bank of England rate hike not filtering through... yet.

Savers awaiting hike benefits FOLLOWING the recent announcement by the Bank of England to increase interest rates to 0.75 per cent, it is the majority of loyal savers that are yet to see any benefit. The hike in the base rate was much anticipated and for many people who are getting historically low returns on their savings it came as somewhat of a boost. But it wasn’t to be, with only a handful of banks and building societies announcing rate increases to both savers and borrowers. The delay in passing over the benefits of interest rate rises is nothing new, as a number of banks appeared to be unwilling to put a smile on their

customers’ faces after a similar increase in November last year. Rather than the full 0.25 per cent rise, the average rise was just a mere fraction at 0.09 per cent. According to a report in the UK press, finance expert from MoneyComms.co.uk - Andrew Hagger - said that “just one in 10 acted within five weeks [last time]. Most are sitting on the fence again now.” He continued: “Big banks and building societies seem to be more focused on profit margins than looking after savers. There is no reward for loyalty, so do not feel bad about taking your custom elsewhere.”

Trouble at the airport

SECURITY GUARDS: Threaten to stop work. MONEY is at the heart of the latest dispute that could leave expats queuing for luggage. After a year pending agreements between government and the Union, the possibility of security guards stopping work is now a real concern. The affected party was awarded new terms that the AENA administration approved at the end of April last year for a two-year period extendible provided both parties agree. In theory, that should have resolved the problems which caused a four-week

layoff with the security firm in the Barcelona airport of El Prat last summer and which also spread into other sectors within the airport. The disagreements were regarding issues with workers’ salaries and after further protests in September and October last year, AENA, the Ministry of Employment and development finally came to an agreement. This arrangement stated the new improvements made in the worker’s contracts, (€0,68) per hour worked, (€1,19) per hour the X-Ray machine is used

and (€0,60) for every hour worked on security lines people go through before being checked at the main gate. AENA promised to abide by these terms, but the argument from workers is that these new terms have not yet taken effect, therefore they’re not receiving the new rates established. For now, the protests stay focused on the Illunion group that received almost a third (31.6 per cent) of the agreed upon sum awarded by AENA last April in the amount of €109 million.

FRIDAY 11:00am Homes Under the Hammer 12:00pm Fake Britain 12:45pm Thief Trackers 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 1:38pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News at One 2:30pm BBC London News 2:45pm Red Rock 3:25pm Escape to the Country 4:30pm Royal Recipes 5:15pm Flog It! 6:15pm Impossible 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm A Question of Sport 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm Still Open All Hours 10:00pm Death in Paradise 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:35pm Room 101

7:00am An Island Parish 7:30am Animal Park Summer Special 8:15am Impossible 9:00am Gardeners' World 10:00am Victoria Derbyshire 12:00pm BBC Newsroom Live 1:00pm Scott of the Antarctic 2:45pm Talking Pictures 3:20pm Meet the Monkeys 4:15pm Nature's Weirdest Events 5:15pm Oceans 6:15pm Antiques Road Trip 7:00pm Celebrity Eggheads 7:45pm The Repair Shop 8:30pm Great British Menu 9:00pm Gardeners' World 10:00pm Extraordinary Rituals 11:00pm The Big Asian StandUp 11:30pm Newsnight 12:05am Edinburgh Nights with Nish Kumar 12:35am Rhod Gilbert's Work Experience

6:05am 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 7:30pm ITV Evening News 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm James Martin's American Adventure 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm Doc Martin 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather

9:30am Everybody Loves Raymond 10:00am Frasier 10:35am Frasier 11:05am Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA 12:00pm The Simpsons 12:30pm The Simpsons 1:00pm Channel 4 News 1:05pm Couples Come Dine with Me 1:50pm The Great British Bake Off: The Final 3:10pm Countdown 4:00pm A Place in the Sun 5:00pm Sun, Sea and Selling Houses 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:30pm The Simpsons 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm The Crystal Maze 10:00pm 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown 11:00pm The Last Leg

10:15am The Wright Stuff 12:15pm The Dog Rescuers with Alan Davies 1:10pm 5 News Lunchtime 1:15pm GPs: Behind Closed Doors 2:15pm Home and Away 2:45pm Neighbours 3:15pm Cagney and Lacey 4:15pm Asteroid: Final Impact 6:00pm 5 News at 5 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm Penguins of Cape Town 9:00pm Britain by Bike with Larry and George Lamb 10:00pm Celebrity Big Brother 11:00pm Funniest Celeb Reality TV Ever 12:05am Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side

4:55am 6:30am

Couples Vacation Mamma Mia - Here We Go Again: Special 7:00am Waiting for You 8:45am Quackerz When a flock of mallards arrive at the island home of a group of mandarin ducks, it's up to the clans' kids to help everyone get along. 10:15am 2:22 12:00pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 2:50pm Kingsman: The Golden Circle 5:25pm Waiting for You 7:20pm Quackerz 9:00pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 11:40pm Kingsman: The Golden Circle 2:15am Trafficked

10:00am Play-Off Final Highlights 11:00am Championship Season Review 12:00pm One2eleven 12:15pm One2eleven 12:30pm SPFL Greatest Games 1:00pm Efl Cup Highlights 2:00pm Football Countdowns 2:30pm One2eleven 3:00pm Championship Season Review 4:00pm Football's Greatest 4:30pm Football's Greatest Teams 5:00pm Efl Cup Highlights 6:00pm Football Years 6:30pm Football Countdowns 7:00pm Efl Cup Highlights 8:00pm Football 11:15pm The Debate - Live 12:15am Greatest Moments in Football

8:55am 9:25am 9:30am 10:25am

Drop Dead Weird ITV News Zoe Ball on Saturday Saturday Morning with James Martin James Martin's American Adventure Eat, Shop, Save Love Your Garden 10k Holiday Home ITV Lunchtime News Tenable Tipping Point The Chase WOS Wrestling ITV Evening News Regional News and Weather Japandemonium Big Star's Little Star Info not available ITV News Play to the Whistle Jackpot247 Eternal Glory

9:20am 9:50am 10:20am 10:55am 11:25am 11:50am 12:20pm 12:55pm 1:55pm 2:25pm 3:00pm 3:30pm 4:00pm 4:30pm

Frasier Frasier Frasier The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Simpsons The Simpsons Come Dine with Me Four in a Bed Four in a Bed Four in a Bed Four in a Bed Four in a Bed A Place in the Sun: Winter Sun The People's Vet Escape to the Chateau: DIY Channel 4 News A Year in the New Forest Fixing a Hole Terminator Genisys Sin City: A Dame to Kill For

11:00am Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 11:35am Access 11:40am Police Interceptors 12:25pm Police Interceptors 1:20pm Police Interceptors 2:20pm Police Interceptors 3:20pm Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords 4:15pm Bad Tenants, Rogue Landlords 5:15pm Rich House, Poor House 6:15pm Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away! 7:10pm Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away! 8:00pm Cricket on 5 8:55pm 5 News 9:00pm Blind Date 10:00pm Gino's Win Your Wish List 11:00pm Celebrity Big Brother 12:05am Best of Bad TV:Most Shocking Ever

6:00am Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Special 6:30am Monster Family: Special 7:00am Waiting for You 8:40am 2:22 10:25am Quackerz 12:00pm Goodbye Christopher Robin 1:50pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 4:30pm Kingsman: The Golden Circle 7:00pm Goodbye Christopher Robin 9:00pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 11:40pm Kingsman: The Golden Circle 2:05am Waiting for You 3:45am Trafficked 5:30am Quackerz

7:00am 7:15am 7:30am 7:45am 11:00am 12:30pm

Zoe Ball on Sunday Japandemonium Cannonball! Ninja Warrior UK WOS Wrestling ITV Lunchtime News Big Star's Little Star Best Walks with a View with Julia Bradbury Paul O' Grady's Little Heroes Tenable Tipping Point The Chase ITV Evening News Regional News and Weather Info not available Unforgotten ITV News Info not available Info not available

9:00am 9:30am 10:00am 10:30am 1:30pm 1:55pm 2:25pm 2:55pm

Frasier Frasier Frasier Sunday Brunch The Simpsons The Simpsons Peng Life Location, Location, Location A Place in the Sun: Winter Sun Homes by the Sea The Devil Wears Prada Channel 4 News Flying Across Britain with Arthur Williams Hidden Britain by Drone Bridge of Spies First Dates Still Alice Building the Dream

5:45am 6:10am 6:35am 7:00am 11:00am

5:30am Quackerz 7:00am Top Ten Show, the 2018 7:20am Goodbye Christopher Robin 9:20am Kingsman: The Golden Circle 11:50am Patti Cakes 1:50pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 4:30pm Goodbye Christopher Robin 6:30pm Kingsman: The Golden Circle 9:00pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 11:40pm Patti Cakes 1:40am The Resistance 3:35am Canaries 5:20am Quackerz

SATURDAY 12:30pm Nadiya's Family Favourites 1:00pm Football Focus 2:00pm BBC News 2:10pm Weather 2:15pm Athletics 5:30pm Final Score 6:15pm Wedding Day Winners 7:15pm Wallace and Gromit: A Grand Day Out 7:40pm BBC News 7:50pm Regional News 7:55pm Weather 8:00pm Impossible Celebrities 8:50pm Pointless 9:40pm Casualty 10:30pm Mrs. Brown's Boys 11:00pm BBC News 11:15pm Weather 11:20pm Match of the Day 12:45am The Rugby Codebreakers

9:55am Nature's Miracle Babies 11:00am Natural World 12:00pm Miniature Britain 1:00pm Nigel Slater: Eating Together 1:30pm Great British Menu 2:00pm Great British Menu 2:30pm Homes Under the Hammer 3:30pm Garden Rescue 4:15pm Escape to the Country 5:00pm Flog It! 5:50pm Inventing the Impossible: The Big Life Fix 6:50pm Reinventing the Royals 7:50pm BBC Proms Extra 8:30pm Dad's Army 9:00pm Blitz 10:00pm QI XL 10:45pm The Boy with the Topknot

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

5:30pm 6:35pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 12:25am

1:00pm 4:00pm 4:15pm 6:15pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 12:05am 12:35am 12:45am 1:00am 3:05am 3:30am

EFL Greatest Games EFL Greatest Games SPFL Greatest Games Football Soccer A.M. Best Championship Goals 2017/18 Gillette Soccer Saturday Gillette Soccer Saturday Gillette Soccer Saturday Football EFL Goals: Championship Football Best Championship Goals 2017/18 MLS Greatest Games MLS Greatest Games Football Football's Greatest Football's Greatest Teams

SUNDAY 12:25pm Homes Under the Hammer 1:00pm Animals Behaving Badly 2:00pm BBC News 2:10pm Weather for the Week Ahead 2:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:45pm Songs of Praise 3:20pm Fake or Fortune? 4:20pm Eat Well for Less 5:20pm Pointless 6:05pm Swallows and Amazons 7:35pm BBC News 7:50pm Regional News 7:55pm Weather 8:00pm Countryfile 9:00pm Antiques Roadshow 10:00pm Fake or Fortune? 11:00pm BBC News 11:20pm Regional News

9:35am Countryfile 10:30am The Beechgrove Garden 11:00am Saturday Kitchen Best Bites 12:30pm Great British Menu 1:00pm Great British Menu 1:30pm Great British Menu 2:00pm The Hairy Bikers' Best of British 3:00pm Sailing 4:00pm Motorsport 5:00pm Seven Wonders of the Commonwealth 6:00pm Tribes, Predators and Me 7:00pm Fighting for Fresh Air 8:00pm Inside the Factory 9:00pm Dragons' Den 10:00pm Eight Go Rallying: The Road to Saigon 11:00pm Supercar, Superfam 11:30pm Man Like Mobeen

9:30am 10:25am 10:50am 11:50am 12:50pm 1:55pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 3:30pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:15pm 7:25pm 10:00pm 11:05pm 11:20pm 12:15am

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

11:35am 12:20pm 1:15pm 2:10pm 3:10pm 4:10pm 5:10pm 8:00pm 8:55pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm

House Doctor Great Scientists Wildlife SOS Milkshake! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Holidays Make You Laugh Out Loud Police Interceptors Police Interceptors Police Interceptors Police Interceptors Police Interceptors Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Cricket on 5 5 News Greatest Ever Celebrity Wind Ups Celebrity Big Brother Straight Outta Compton

12:30pm EFL Goals: Championship 1:30pm EFL Greatest Games 1:45pm EFL Greatest Games 2:00pm EFL Greatest Games 2:15pm EFL Greatest Games 2:30pm EFL Greatest Games 2:45pm EFL Greatest Games 3:00pm EFL Greatest Games 3:15pm EFL Greatest Games 3:30pm EFL Greatest Games 3:45pm EFL Greatest Games 4:00pm EFL Greatest Games 4:15pm EFL Greatest Games 4:30pm EFL Greatest Games 4:45pm EFL Greatest Games 5:00pm EFL Greatest Games 5:15pm EFL Greatest Games 5:30pm MLS Greatest Games 5:50pm Major League Soccer 7:55pm Football 10:00pm Football 12:05am Phenoms - England

The schedules for the television programme pages are provided by an external company: we regret that any changes or errors are not the responsibility of RTN.

MONDAY 11:00am Homes Under the Hammer 12:00pm Wanted Down Under 12:45pm Thief Trackers 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News 2:30pm Regional News 2:45pm Red Rock 3:30pm Escape to the Country 4:30pm Royal Recipes 5:15pm Flog It! 6:15pm Impossible 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm The Pope and I 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm Legal Weapon Panorama 10:00pm Who Do You Think You Are? 11:00pm BBC News 11:30pm Regional News 11:40pm Weather 11:45pm Cuckoo Cuckoo

7:30am Animal Park Summer Special 8:15am Impossible 9:00am The Sheriffs are Coming 10:00am Victoria Derbyshire 12:00pm BBC Newsroom Live 1:00pm Coast 1:25pm Whisky Galore! 2:45pm Building Dream Homes 3:15pm Collectaholics 4:15pm Nature's Weirdest Events 5:15pm Oceans 6:15pm Antiques Road Trip 7:00pm Celebrity Eggheads 7:45pm The Repair Shop 8:30pm Great British Menu 9:00pm Nadiya's Family Favourites 9:30pm University Challenge 10:00pm Bollywood 11:00pm The Wedding Guru 11:30pm Newsnight 12:10am Weather

9:30am Lorraine 10:25am The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30am This Morning 1:30pm Loose Women 2:30pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:55pm Regional News and Weather 3:00pm Judge Rinder 4:00pm Dickinson's Real Deal 5:00pm Tipping Point 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm Regional News and Weather 7:30pm ITV Evening News 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Give it a Year 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm Lewis 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:30pm Regional News and Weather 11:45pm The Detectives

10:35am Frasier 11:05am Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA 12:00pm The Simpsons 12:30pm The Simpsons 1:00pm Channel 4 News 1:05pm Come Dine with Me 2:05pm Bang on Budget 3:10pm Countdown 4:00pm A Place in the Sun: Winter Sun 5:00pm Sun, Sea and Selling Houses 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:30pm The Simpsons 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm How to Get Rich Quick 9:30pm Jamie Cooks Italy 10:00pm Saving Poundstretcher 11:00pm Who is America? 11:35pm 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown

7:00am Milkshake! 10:15am The Wright Stuff 12:15pm Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away! 1:10pm 5 News 1:15pm GPs: Behind Closed Doors 2:10pm Access 2:15pm Home and Away 2:45pm Neighbours 3:15pm Cagney and Lacey 4:15pm The Art of Murder: Garage Sale Mystery 6:00pm 5 News 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News 8:00pm Cricket on 5 9:00pm Big Week at the Zoo 10:00pm Celebrity Big Brother 11:00pm Celebs on the Farm 12:05am Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side 1:05am Frozen: Cryonics 2:00am Super Casino

5:20am 7:00am 8:45am

Quackerz Canaries Goodbye Christopher Robin British drama charting the fraught relationship between Winniethe-Pooh creator AA Milne and the son who inspired his writing 10:45am The Truth About Lies 12:35pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 3:15pm Patti Cakes 5:15pm Goodbye Christopher Robin 7:10pm The Truth About Lies 9:00pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 11:40pm Patti Cakes 1:40am Waiting for You 3:30am Trafficked 5:25am Quackerz

2:00pm EFL Goals: Championship 3:00pm Championship Season Review 4:00pm Football's Greatest 4:30pm Football's Greatest Teams 5:00pm Football's Greatest 5:30pm One2eleven 5:45pm One2eleven 6:00pm Football Years 6:30pm Football Countdowns 7:00pm Soccer Am Best Bits 7:30pm EFL Greatest Games 7:45pm EFL Greatest Games 8:00pm EFL Goals: League One and League Two 8:30pm EFL Goals: Championship 9:30pm Best Championship Goals 2017/18 10:00pm MLS Greatest Games 10:15pm MLS Greatest Games 10:30pm MLS Greatest Games 10:45pm MLS Greatest Games 11:00pm MLS Round Up Show

9:25am

9:30am Lorraine 10:25am The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30am This Morning 1:30pm Loose Women 2:30pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:55pm Regional News and Weather 3:00pm Judge Rinder 4:00pm Dickinson's Real Deal 5:00pm Tipping Point 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm Regional News and Weather 7:30pm ITV Evening News 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm 10k Holiday Home 9:00pm Love Your Garden 10:00pm Long Lost Family 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:30pm Regional News and Weather

10:00am Frasier 10:35am Frasier 11:05am Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA 12:00pm The Simpsons 12:30pm The Simpsons 1:00pm Channel 4 News 1:05pm Come Dine with Me 2:05pm Bang on Budget 3:10pm Countdown 4:00pm A Place in the Sun: Winter Sun 5:00pm Sun, Sea and Selling Houses 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:30pm The Simpsons 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Ackley Bridge 10:00pm 999: What's Your Emergency? 11:00pm Manhunting with My Mum

10:15am The Wright Stuff 12:15pm Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away! 1:10pm 5 News 1:15pm GPs: Behind Closed Doors 2:10pm Access 2:15pm Home and Away 2:45pm Neighbours 3:15pm Cagney and Lacey 4:15pm I Know Your Darkest Secrets 6:00pm 5 News 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News 8:00pm Cricket on 5 9:00pm Big Week at the Zoo 10:00pm Celebrity Big Brother 11:00pm The Last Days of Patrick Swayze 12:00am Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side

5:25am 7:00am 8:50am 10:50am

12:00pm One2eleven 12:30pm SPFL Greatest Games 1:00pm Football's Greatest 1:30pm Football's Greatest Teams 2:00pm Soccer Am Best Bits 2:30pm MLS Round Up Show 3:00pm Championship Season Review 4:00pm Football's Greatest 4:30pm Football's Greatest Teams 5:00pm MLS Round Up Show 5:30pm One2eleven 5:45pm One2eleven 6:00pm Football Years 6:30pm Football Countdowns 7:00pm MLS Round Up Show 7:30pm Best Championship Goals 2017/18 8:00pm Football 11:15pm The Debate - Live 12:15am EFL Greatest Games

TUESDAY 11:00am Homes Under the Hammer 12:00pm Wanted Down Under 12:45pm Thief Trackers 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News 2:30pm Regional News 2:45pm Murder, Mystery and My Family 3:30pm Escape to the Country 4:30pm Royal Recipes 5:15pm Flog It! 6:15pm Impossible 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm EastEnders 9:00pm Holby City 10:00pm Age Before Beauty 11:00pm BBC News 11:30pm Regional News

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

The Farmers' Country Showdown Victoria Derbyshire BBC Newsroom Live The Super League Show Coast Natural World Building Dream Homes Collectaholics Nature's Weirdest Events Oceans Antiques Road Trip Celebrity Eggheads The Repair Shop Great British Menu Saving Lives at Sea A Passage to Britain Goodness Gracious Me Special Newsnight Weather

12:50pm 2:30pm

5:10pm 7:00pm 9:00pm 11:40pm 1:10am 3:05am 5:00am

Quackerz Waiting for You Patti Cakes Goodbye Christopher Robin The Jurassic Games Star Wars: The Last Jedi With the Resistance cornered, aspiring Jedi Rey must persuade the great Luke Skywalker to save the galaxy once more. The Truth About Lies Goodbye Christopher Robin Star Wars: The Last Jedi The Jurassic Games Patti Cakes The Resistance Canaries

The schedules for the television programme pages are provided by an external company: we regret that any changes or errors are not the responsibility of RTN.

30

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17th - 23rd August

WEDNESDAY 4:30pm 5:15pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:40pm 11:45pm 12:15am

Royal Recipes Flog It! Impossible BBC News Regional News The One Show Rip Off Britain The Lenny Henry Birthday Show The Real Marigold Hotel BBC News Regional News Weather A Question of Sport Live From the BBC

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

Collectaholics Nature's Weirdest Events Oceans Antiques Road Trip Celebrity Eggheads The Repair Shop Great British Menu Recipes That Made Me Recipes That Made Me Horizon Rhod Gilbert's Work Experience Newsnight Weather

ITV Lunchtime News Regional News and Weather 2:30pm ITV Racing Live 5:00pm Tipping Point 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm Regional News and Weather 7:30pm ITV Evening News 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Paul O' Grady's Little Heroes 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm Info Not Available 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather

Nature's Weirdest Events Great Bear Stakeout Antiques Road Trip Celebrity Eggheads The Repair Shop Great British Menu Saving Lives at Sea Searching for Mum Quacks Newsnight Hospital Who Do You Think You Are? Angela Carter: Of Wolves and Women

9:00pm Emmerdale 9:30pm Birds of a Feather 10:00pm Inside the Court of Appeal 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:30pm ITV News London 11:45pm David Walliams Presents...Return of Alright on the Night 12:45am Unforgotten 1:40am Give it a Year 2:05am Jackpot247 4:00am Shopping: End of the High Street? Tonight

2:00pm 2:25pm

2:05pm 3:10pm 4:00pm

Bang on Budget Countdown A Place in the Sun: Winter Sun 5:00pm Sun, Sea and Selling Houses 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:30pm The Simpsons 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Orangutan Jungle School 10:00pm 24 Hours in a and E 11:00pm Hang Ups 11:30pm How to Lose Seven Billion Pounds

3:15pm 4:20pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm

Cagney and Lacey Forgotten Evil 5 News Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Cricket on 5 Big Week at the Zoo Celebrity Big Brother 11:00pm Extraordinary People 12:00am Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side 1:05am The Last Days of Jimi Hendrix 2:00am Super Casino

7:00am Waiting for You 8:50am The Jurassic Games 10:30am Goodbye Christopher Robin 12:30pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 3:10pm The Truth About Lies 5:00pm Patti Cakes 7:00pm Goodbye Christopher Robin 9:00pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 11:40pm Mountains May Depart 2:00am The Jurassic Games 3:30am Patti Cakes

3:00pm

4:15pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm

6:00am Anon: Special 6:30am Moana: Special 7:00am Mountains May Depart 9:25am The Truth About Lies 11:20am Goodbye Christopher Robin 1:20pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 4:00pm Don't Hang Up 5:30pm The Jurassic Games 7:00pm Goodbye Christopher Robin 9:00pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 11:40pm Don't Hang Up

5:00pm 5:30pm 5:45pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 8:00pm 8:30pm

Championship Season Review 4:00pm Football's Greatest 4:30pm Football's Greatest Teams 5:00pm Football's Greatest 5:30pm One2eleven 5:45pm One2eleven 6:00pm Football Years 6:30pm Football Countdowns 7:00pm EFL Greatest Games 7:15pm EFL Greatest Games 7:30pm EFL Greatest Games 7:45pm EFL Greatest Games 8:00pm Football 11:15pm The Debate - Live

THURSDAY 5:15pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:45pm 12:45am

Flog It! Impossible BBC News at Six BBC London News The One Show EastEnders Celebrity MasterChef Keeping Faith BBC News at Ten BBC London News New Tricks Miriam's Big American

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

3:10pm 4:00pm

Countdown A Place in the Sun: Winter Sun 5:00pm Sun, Sea and Selling Houses 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:30pm The Simpsons 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Location, Location, Location 10:00pm Inside Alton Towers 11:00pm Grayson Perry: Rites of Passage: Death 12:00am Who is America?

Til Death Do Us Part 5 News at 5 Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Tonight World Rally Championship 2018 Highlights 9:00pm Big Week at the Zoo 10:00pm Celebrity Big Brother 11:00pm Nando's Saucy Secrets 12:05am Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side

9:00pm 9:15pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm

Football's Greatest One2eleven One2eleven Football Years Football Countdowns EFL Greatest Games EFL Matters Best Championship Goals 2017/18 EFL Greatest Games EFL Greatest Games EFL Matters Championship Season Review 2017/18 The Debate - Live

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this week weather FRI

SAT

SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

Aug 17

Aug 18

Aug 19

Aug 20

Aug 21

Aug 22

Aug 23

38º/18ºC 39º/20ºC 39º/19ºC 39º/21ºC 39º/21ºC 38º/22ºC 36º/20ºC Partly sunny

Brilliant sunshine

Brilliant sunshine

Brilliant sunshine

Brilliant sunshine

Brilliant sunshine

Partly sunny

The schedules for the television programme pages are provided by an external company: we regret that any changes or errors are not the responsibility of RTN.

32

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17th - 23rd August

What’s On FRIDAY AUGUST 17 La Bamba’s Dance Group - Los Rosales Restaurant, Guardamar. Every Friday is New Beginners Class between 8pm and 9pm. Intermediate Class from 9pm until 10pm. Contact Andrea on 616 478 157 for more details. Cantabile Ladies Choir is a friendly group who take their music seriously but equally enjoy their regular social get-togethers as well. They rehearse every Friday at the La Siesta Church from 3pm to 5pm. Contact Valerie on 966 795 816 for more details. Santa Pola - Summer Concerts - 8.30pm - ‘Pim, Pam Plum’ in the Plaza de la Glorieta. Los Alcazares - Fiesta de la Huerta y el Mar - 10.30pm - International Folk performances in the Parque de las Penas Huertanas auditorium. Free entry until full. Mil Palmeras - 7pm to1am - Pirates Market along the Paseo Maritimo and the Parque Universal de Playa Vistamar.

SATURDAY AUGUST 18 Los Alcazares - Fiesta de la Huerta y el Mar - 7pm International Folk Parade. 10.30pm - International Folk performances in the Parque de las Penas Huertanas auditorium. Free entry until full. Alicante - Auditorio Municipal de la Concha located along the main promenade close to the marina. Resonate Basuband in concert starting at 8pm. Free to all. Mil Palmeras - 7pm to 1am - Pirates Market along the Paseo Maritimo and the Parque Universal de Playa Vistamar. Formentera del Segura Fiestas in honour of San Roque and San Miguel. Parades and coronation of the fiesta Queens gets underway from 9pm.

SUNDAY AUGUST 19 Baker Foundation Spiritual Centre - Playa Flamenca. Sunday service with clairvoyance from 11am to 12 noon. For info, contact Linda on 606 990 665.

DO NOT MISS

Las Claras Centre in Los Narejos every Thursday from 10am to 1pm. New members are always welcome and the group would love to hear from you. Call 968 334 527 or 968 432 525 or e-mail: info@span gleschorus.com for more details.

Pirates on parade

ANYBODY that likes anything related to pirates is in for a real treat over this weekend. For the second year, Mil Palmeras are hosting a ‘Pirate Market’ (Mercada Pirata) and has been split over two separate weekends. The first, at the end of July, was very successful and popular in equal measures and so if you missed it first time around or didn’t know about it - you can catch up from tonight (Friday) until Sunday. Will you be expected to walk

A New rugby club - Bettas Torrevieja RFC - trains at the Nelson Mandela Stadium every Sunday between 8.30pm and 10pm. Call Javi on 603 727 179 for details. Alicante - Auditorio Municipal de la Concha located along the main promenade close to the marina. 8pm Mensajeros de la Musica. Free to all. Mil Palmeras - 7pm to 1am - Pirates Market along the Paseo Maritimo and the Parque Universal de Playa Vistamar. Formentera del Segura Fiestas in honour of San Roque and San Miguel. 9.30pm - Grand Song Contest at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

MONDAY AUGUST 20 La Bamba’s Dance Group - Los Rosales Restaurant, Guardamar. Every Monday is Sequence Dancing Class (7pm to 8pm) followed by a Social Dance until 10.30pm. Contact Andrea on 616 478 157 for more details. Orihuela Costa Community Care - Ramon de Campoamor Civic Centre on Urbanisation Monteznia. Every Monday is Beginners Spanish (12.30pm to 2pm): Flower Arranging (12.30pm to 2.30pm): Crafts (2.30pm to 4.30pm). For information, e-mail: oc.community care@gmail.com Walking Wanderers Walking Football Club They meet every Monday af-

the plank or have a parrot on your shoulder? That will be for you to find out, but there’s sure to be something of interest for all ages. The ‘Pirate Markets’ are similar to the very popular Medieval equivalents that are often staged along the Costa Blanca, and every effort is made to create a superb atmosphere that takes you back to the days of Blackbeard. Bright and colourful costumes dominate the market

ternoon between 4pm and 6pm at the Orihuela Costa Municipal Sports Centre. There is also a very active social aspect to the club too. For more details, contact Bob Gorrill via e-mail: bob byg2542@hotmail.com. Pilar de la Horadada Badminton Club meets every Monday at the sports centre between 10am and 12.30pm. Please contact John McGilvray on 868 700 235 or 634 658 506. E-mail: carolejohn_3@hotmail.com. For people over 50 who find themselves on their own, then Phoenix Solos Club meet every Monday from 11am to 1pm at the Marina Club in the International Marina in Torrevieja. Formentera del Segura Fiestas in honour of San Roque and San Miguel. 10.30pm - A night dedicated to the elderly residents with magic and comedy acts in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

TUESDAY AUGUST 21 English Folk Music Club - Meet every Tuesday at the Madhouse, Urb Pueblo Principe from 8.30pm. It’s an opportunity for acoustic performers of all genres and it’s free entry too. There’s a raffle each week to raise funds to book visiting acts from the UK. For more details, contact Carol by e-mail: dive smith@hotmail.com. Baker Foundation Spiritual Centre - Playa Flamenca. Every Tuesday, an evening of psychic clairvoyance from 7.30pm to 8.45pm. For information,

ACTIVITIES: A full weekend of pirate related events for everyone. with its own pirate-style scenery, and feature demonstrations and workshops as well as a number of stalls selling homemade crafts.

contact Linda on 606 990 665.

oc.communitycare@gmail.c om.

Help At Home Costa Blanca (Orihuela Costa) Every Tuesday at the Emerald Isle between 11am and 3.30pm. Funds are currently being raised for a special needs vehicle for disabled persons. Selection of stalls including clothes, shoes, art and crafts and jewellery among others.

Amigos Friendship Group - Meets at El Bar, El Raso every Wednesday at 3pm for a get-together and a fun quiz. They also arrange a number of activities such as day trips, meals and holidays. Just turn up on the day.. or call Ann (642 774 399) or Ken (642 703 488) for more information.

Pilar de la Horadada Badminton Club meets every Tuesday at the sports centre between 10am and 12.30pm. Please contact John McGilvray on 868 700 235 or 634 658 506. E-mail: carolejohn_3@hotmail.com.

Pilar de la Horadada Badminton Club meets every Wednesday at the sports centre between 10am and 12.30pm. Please contact John McGilvray on 868 700 235 or 634 658 506. Email: carolejohn_3@hot mail.com.

CF Rojales Walking Football - Open to men and women aged 50 and over, they meet at the football pitches on Calle Limonar every Tuesday from 11am to 12noon. You can just turn up on the day, or for more information, call Pat Stephens on 654 049 388 or e-mail: pat.stephens08@gmail.com.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 22 Market held at the Emerald Isle (Orihuela Costa) from 11am to 4pm, raising funds for the 12 to 18-yearolds living at Association Elche Children’s Care Home Orihuela Costa Community Care - Ramon de Campoamor Civic Centre on Urbanisation Monteznia. Every Wednesday is Art, Sketching and Watercolour (2.30pm to 4.30pm): Spanish Beginners (2pm to 3.30pm). For information, email:

Benimar Social Club meets every Wednesday at the Rojales Steakhouse for a variety of activities such as bridge, chess, fundraising quiz, short mat bowls etc. Contact Sue on 685 339 179 or Richard on 660 825 390. A New rugby club - Bettas Torrevieja RFC - trains at the Nelson Mandela Stadium every Sunday between 8.30pm and 10pm. Call Javi on 603 727 179 for details. Santa Pola and Gran Alacant - Street Art at 8.30pm. They are free to watch, although payment/ tips are asked for following the show. Tonight on the Paseo González Vicen is ‘Niunpaloalarte’ ‘Escuela Billy Elliot.’

THURSDAY AUGUST 23 Spangles Ladies Harmony Chorus - Meets at the

Dragon Riders - Whether you live in the area or just visiting, this is your chance to ride with like-minded people. All makes and models more than welcome. Meet every Thursday at 10am at Waldamars Restaurant, La Florida. Contact is Rob on 671 826 201. Orihuela Costa Community Care - Ramon de Campoamor Civic Centre on Urbanisation Monteznia. Every Thursday is Card Making (1pm to 3.30pm): Sewing and Knitting (2pm to 4.30pm): Exercise to Music (12.45pm to 1.30pm): Drumming / Percussion Workshop (2pm to 4pm). For information, e-mail: oc.community care@gmail.com. Baker Foundation Spiritual Centre - Playa Flamenca. Every Thursday morning, Spiritual healing from 10.30am to 12 noon. Development group from 2.30pm and open to everyone. Animal healing is also available for pets. For information, contact Linda on 606 990 665. Pilar de la Horadada Badminton Club meets every Thursday at the sports centre between 10am and 12.30pm. Please contact John McGilvray on 868 700 235 or 634 658 506. E-mail: carolejohn_3@hotmail.com. The Vivace Choir is a mixed group of around 50 voices from all across Europe. This friendly classical choir meets every Thursday from 7.15pm to 9.30pm at the Casa de Cultura, San Miguel. Alicante - Auditorio Municipal de la Concha located along the main promenade close to the marina. Grupo Danses Cresol entertain from 8pm. Free concert. Torrevieja - 16th International Band Festival in the Eras de la Sal. 10pm start and tickets are free on a first come, first seated basis.

www.rtnnewspaper.com by Colin Bird The opinions published in Colin’s weekly column are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or newspaper sponsors. I WAS fascinated to discover that one of my ancestors, a certain Josiah Bird, was sentenced to transportation to Australia for seven years in October 1818 for stealing a pork pie from a butchers shop in Cambridge. He might have got away with a much lighter sentence, had he not asked for a further 86 offences to be taken into consideration and paid the assize judge the disrespect of hawking the contents of his nose against the side of the dock. My forebears were not the brightest of creatures and another I have tracked down - one Uriah Henry Bird - was a lesser player in the gunpowder plot of 1605 and was arrested whilst smoking his pipe astride a keg of gunpowder in a secret store room in Bow, illustrating that if brains were themselves gunpowder, Uriah would not have possessed enough to blow his hat off. But to get back to Josiah. Almost exactly one year after his trial he was taken aboard the vessel Coromandel along with 300 other felons and sailed for the new territories in Australia.

17th - 23rd August

Big down under

TRANSPORTED: Pork pie theft earned a free trip.

There is no record of what life aboard was like or how long the voyage lasted, but bearing in mind that under arm deodorant spray had not yet been invented and there was just one WC for the

lot of them and no paper products, it would not have been the happiest of passages. Their destination was Van Dieman’s Land in New South Wales and that’s

33

where the story becomes patchy, because having served just eight months of his sentence in the penal colony, and according to prison records regarded as a model prisoner, Josiah somehow managed to escape but there was nothing to indicate that he was ever recaptured. It is also stated in the escape report, that Josiah took with him a number of pork pies and a flagon of strong beer from the prison kitchen and puzzlingly, several silk handkerchiefs belonging to the governor. All I can think of is that pork products were still very much on Josiah’s list of favourite food items and perhaps the nasal problems that had landed him in the mess to start with, were still giving him grief. Be that as it may, Josiah was never heard of again, at least not as far as the authorities were concerned. But coincidentally some years later in Brisbane, a young man by the name of James Inigo Bird a baker specialising in prime pork pies, was credited with making the first commercially produced kangaroo sausages carrying the slogan: ‘Josiah’s Original since 1820.’ Coincidence? These days starting a new life in Oz is a very attractive proposition for many, but of those thousands of transported convicts in the 18th and 19th centuries, how many I wonder, recognised it as an opportunity and in spite of their criminal past became successful entrepreneurs?

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Irregular verbs ‘ir’ and ‘haber’ ha

Basic Spanish for everyday needs

by Jane Cronin

IT’S amazing really just how much hard work the present simple tense is in Spanish. It’s for that reason that I like to tackle a few other tenses and verb forms first, which are not only easier but in many ways more useful. Things like expressing intention ‘voy a hablar’ and the recent past tense - ‘he hablado’ may crop up more in our day to day communication than simply ‘hablo’ - ‘I speak.’ However, let us not be fainthearted, especially as we have covered nearly all of the present simple tense in theory, with only our four irregular verbs to go. So now here they are, in all their glory. The first one is haber which goes like this:

han

If you can’t remember what this means, it’s because it doesn’t actually mean a great deal on its own. In fact, this is the verb we use in the tense just mentioned, the one that refers to the recent past, for example - ‘He visto la película’ (‘I have seen the film’) and such like. ‘Haber’ is a grammatical type of word that is only used on its own in limited ways and principally helps us to form tenses by combining it with other verbs. Of course we could say that ‘haber’ means ‘to have’ but that can cause confusion with the verb ‘tener.’ We need to keep the difference clear: ‘tener’ means ‘to have’

generally in the sense of possession (‘Tengo un perro’ ‘¿Tienes una bolsa?’), whereas ‘haber’ is the grammatical ‘have’ In the sentence ‘I have seen the film’ there is no sense of possessing the film, only an indication that it was seen some time in the past. Our second irregular verb is ir meaning ‘to go.’ This one is just weird in every way. Here it is: voy vas va

vamos vais van

As you can see these changes bear no relation whatsoever to its infinitive

Well, our final two irregular verbs are SER and ESTAR and clearly I cannot possibly do them justice at the end of this article, so I will devote the whole of next week’s article, just for them. If you like I will talk about the uses as well as the irregularities. I can sense the anticipation already - what sad people we are!

Haber he has

form. In fact, they look as though they belong to an ‘-ar’ verb, perhaps ‘var’ which unfortunately doesn’t exist, but it would make more sense if it did. Again, we have come across most, if not all of these forms in our previous articles, particularly in relation to ‘intentions.’ If we put the word ‘a’ after each of these we can express the equivalent of the English ‘I’m going to’ ‘you’re going to’ etc. However, this is far from the only use of IR which can be used in the straightforward present simple tense as follows: ‘Voy a clases de español’ (I go to Spanish classes). Here we have added ‘a’ again, but in the meaning of ‘to.’ ‘Vamos a la playa los domingos’ (We go to the beach on Sundays) is a similar use. IR is a good example of a verb that, although it is irregular, is used so commonly that it becomes second nature very quickly.

hemos habéis

Advertising Feature NOT everyone knows that taking out a home policy is not mandatory except when the house is mortgaged. That is the only situation that requires a person to have a policy which protects their home in Spain. However, it is worth saying that, although it is not mandatory, it is advisable and necessary to be prepared for any eventuality. Our home is our most precious asset and if we want to avoid surprises and unforeseen events, it is important to get an insurance that gives us the peace of mind knowing that whatever happens in our home there will be someone who is responsible for solving it. The first thing you should know is that you do not have to contract your home insurance with the entity that is granting you the mortgage but you can compare prices in the market and hire the product which provides the coverage that best suits your needs. Until a couple of years ago, banking entities could condition their mortgage lending with an ‘obligation’ to contract some linked products, such as the Home insur-

Our house, our refuge, our castle... In short, our home

ance. But now, with the approval by the European Parliament of the Mortgage Credit Directive, banks are prohibited by law from linking a mortgage to the purchase of insurance. Your insurance company might include a clause in your policy registering your lending bank as mortgage beneficiary, to cope with the request of the bank. Then, the key question is, what is the best insurance for my house? In this article we give you the keys so that you can make the best decision when taking out your home policy insurance. The value of the Building There are two criteria to assess a home insurance policy: the Building and Contents. The ‘Building’ section of your policy refers to the costs of rebuilding your home, not to the market value or the cadastral value. However, it is of key impor-

tance to declare the whole size of the property, according to the cadastral property details. The value of the Contents The ‘Contents’ section of your policy refers to economic valuation of all the household goods: furniture, including kitchen furniture, electronic devices, musical instruments, jewellery or other objects of special value. Check that the imputed valued of the content can cover the value of all those things.

Although in many cases the sentimental value is higher than the economic one, the best advice is to add all the important items in the content to secure them. Special features Besides worrying about the Building and the Contents, there are other very interesting and useful covers to consider that not all insurance companies offer. Liberty Seguros is offering among others the following great covers: • Up to €1,000 compensation for the additional water consumption costs due to water leakage when you take out their premium home policy. • An unrivalled DIY

Service, to avoid the hassle of assembling packed furniture, fitting curtain poles, hanging pictures, etc. • Damage to your garden furniture, even if it has been damaged by adverse weather conditions. • Your goods will be insured on a ‘value as new basis.’ • Legal defence, claims for damages and IT assistance service. • Home assistance, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with just a simple and FREE telephone call on 900 243 657, in English or German. • A return ticket to your home in Spain, if you are abroad in your home country should an unforeseen claim happen. Apart from all these advantages, Liberty Seguros has an extensive network of over 300 brokers and agents who are dedicated to providing unbiased, friendly and expert advice, because every home is different and such an important decision deserves a face to face chat with a professional insurance advisor, in your own language, to discuss the most suitable cover for your home in the sun.

With insurance, not only for home, but also car, life, pet, business, commercial, leisure, public liability and personal injury, Liberty Seguros is considered by far, the expat’s number one choice in Spain today. To find out more visit www.libertyexpatriates.es or simply call 913 422 549.

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by Inmaculada Rodríguez

When should you apply for Family Therapy?

info@psicologainmarodriguez.com FAMILY THERAPY is a type of psychological treatment that includes all the family members who live and want to help the identified patient. It is a short term approach, lasting for one hour every two weeks and normally does not take more than 15 sessions to resolve the problem. In my experience working with families, sometimes clients express their doubts about what type of therapy intervention to choose and not many people know about family therapy. Clients usually request individual therapy for their loved ones when family therapy could be a better intervention. I currently work with families that have a member suffering from an eating disorder such as anorexia, bulimia or binge eating. In these cases, it is usually the family that one looks to for help, as the patient

FAMILY THERAPY: Often the best course of action. is not always fully aware of the need for psychological treatment. Some of the cases which would benefit from Family Therapy can be eating disorder, any kind of addiction, alcoholism, depression, severe mental health problems, OCD, hyperactivity, child psychological disorders and so forth.

I would say that family therapy can help in any case and most importantly, gives the whole family the chance to participate finding the solution. Some cases might need a combination of individual and family therapy, overall when the patient is an adult. Family therapy is a positive technique

for finding solutions with the family. It promotes the family strengths that are usually forgetten in periods of crisis. Family dynamics are also reviewed in case these need to be improved, always aiming at the health of the family and the patient. The family therapist collaborates with the family and never against it. His/her aim is to help the family system to improve its communication skills and relationships. Family therapy does not make the family or the patient dependent, instead provides the whole system with the skills to function in an autonomous way. Other situations when family therapy is a must are when certain events affect the balance of the system such as dwelling, divorce, gender violence, dependent relationships, lack of employment, illnesses etc. Not all families have the skills to deal with these kind of situations and they might need help from a professional. The general aims in Family Therapy are: • To improve the family functioning. • To improve the understanding and the communication between its members. • To develop strategies when dealing with difficult situations.

If you have any questions about family therapy or any psychological issues, please do not hesitate to email your comments to info@psicologainmarodriguez.com, Tel: 722 254 848 • www.psicologainmarodriguez.com

Get children gardening GARDENING could be the perfect way to help your child stay slim. The claim is made by researchers from the University of California in America who found that teaching your child how to garden could help them stay healthier. The team studied the impact of gardening lessons of children aged nine to 10 years old at four schools across the state of California. They looked at 230 children who did gardening and 179 who did not, over the course of the school year. As part of the classes they grew their own vegetables which were then used in cooking demonstrations and

GARDENING: Enjoy the benefits. served in the school canteen. Those in the gardening group saw their BMI (Body Mass Index) rate decrease in children who were slightly overweight, showing that the messages in gardening their own healthy produce was

having a positive effect on their health and helped them to lose weight by teaching them more about healthy foods. The actual physical activity of gardening was also a factor in reducing weight. If your child’s school does not offer gardening as an option, try and get your child outside at home and enjoy the benefits for yourself also. Gardening is seen as a moderate intensity level activity and according to the CDC Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, around 2.5 hours of gardening a week can help reduce the risk of obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and osteoporosis.

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Advertising Feature

Summer contact lens care advice SUMMER is a time when many people use contact lenses, for flexibility, the freedom to play sports, choose the sunglasses they want, or to dress to impress at all the summer events. However, summer can be a tough time for contact lenses due to the heat and endless days at the pool or the beach, so we’ve asked Louise Stone, from Specsavers Opticas Calpe and Javea for their advice on how to use contact lenses this summer. Take care with air conditioning Air conditioning can dry out your eyes, making them feel itchy and irritated and this is a particular issue for contact lens wearers. Switch air conditioning off where possible and avoid fans and air jets pointed directly towards the eyes to control this. Eye drops can help keep your eyes hydrated if this is a problem for you over summer. Remember to remove them before swimming It is tempting to just dive into the pool or sea on a hot summer’s day, but exposing your contact lenses to water is risky. This is because water is full of bac-

CONTACT LENSES: Remember to remove them before swimming. teria including an amoeba called acanthamoeba. If this gets under your contact lens and multiplies it will irritate your eye and can cause a serious infection which can lead to permanent visual impairment

or blindness. Of course this is rare, but it is important to take the risk seriously and remove contact lenses before swimming. If you swim a lot, it’s worth investing in prescription

swimming goggles to protect your eyes and maintain good vision. Don’t forget your sunglasses A key benefit to contact lenses in summer months is that you don’t need prescription sunglasses, and you don’t have to keep switching between your normal glasses and sunglasses. However, most contact lenses don’t protect the eyes from the powerful UV rays at this time of the year, so it’s important to always wear good quality sunglasses with 100 per cent UV protection whenever you’re out in the sun. Specsavers Opticas have just launched their new easyvision aquiane daily disposable lenses. These innovative silicone hydrogel lenses were made with comfort in mind, providing everyday value, convenience and health benefits for just €16.50 for a box of 30 lenses.

For more information and to find your nearest store visit www.specsavers.es

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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?

Puzzles Page

LEFT 1 2 3 4

Cryptic

Down 1 Bands' trip to England in a ship (7) 2 Headless rodent left by bird (5) 3 Outlines for small, confused clients (8) 4 Recognise a South American stringed instrument (6) 5 Actually has one on your side (4) 6 Criticise bats, male bats (7) 7 Time rove to wander about to find treasure (5) 12 Emperor turning pale? No, no! (8) 14 Rear back around that dry, little snake (7) 16 They help make curls and waves (7) 17 Prepared sauces for the campaigns (6) 18 Phosphorus is put on many bits of land (5) 20 A good person isn't a revolutionary (5) 21 Correct some submitted items (4)

SHOE Weekly Stars

Across 1 Places one vessel inside another (5) 4 Rattles baffled young film actress (7) 8 Name of bloke to steal cattle, it's said (7) 9 Dance in a state of uncertainty (5) 10 Stick with musical animals (8) 11 We must accept silver as payment (4) 13 Scottish beginners wrap an ancient manuscript (6) 15 Bird of prey, a sort of parrot (6) 18 Abit of apathy is a way of life (4) 19 Use girl outside fairground ride (8) 22 Anointed muddled oldie (5) 23 Rearranging set with needle is unproductive (7) 24 Priests drunk some spirits (7) 25 Paper money produced by musician (5)

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

past, rather than to move on from where you are even now. There is nothing that is worth holding onto right now, whilst your priorities are an indication of your next move; highlighted by a corner of achievement and reward, bordered by an ebullient Jupiter in trine midweek with a buoyant Neptune.

Libra. With Jupiter in trine this week, some good fortune is about to rub off on you. Being blessed and feeling happy with what you do is more than just a give-on, and you do finally deserve your slice of the pie. Enter in to a care free week, when dreams become a distinct reality, and you realise that you are more than you think you are!

Taurus. This is the start of something new, and you are gifted various portents that spiritually show you that you are very much on the right track. Spurred on to achieve, take time to know what lies ahead by both instinct and gut feelings, but do not be put off! Mercury sextiles Venus, so, right now, the word is out, love what you do.

Scorpio. Mixed emotions are riding high at the present. You are dammed if you do and dammed if you don’t, but it is time that people saw the healing heart and soul that beats within you. If peace is a solution, and love, a blessing, then you are deserving of both; and you are about to show others just how far your caring energies can stretch to.

Gemini. The reactions of others has been quite a slap in the face; especially when your good intentions have been deliberately misconstrued, for no reason. With all the will in the world you can’t teach an old dog new tricks! The midweek brush up between Ceres and Kora puts you straight back to routines best suited to heal all wounds.

Sagitarius. With the Sun ensconced in Virgo and planning a future trine with Uranus, it is easier to see the wider picture right now. The grass may look greener on the other side but you have your feet firmly on the ground this time. An offer seems too good to be true this week, and yet you have to start somewhere, even in your dreams.

Cancer. Someone is in line for a nasty nip this week, and not before time, either! You are non-judgmental and free thinking, but it is time to let off steam, and you can’t think of scheduling a retreat into your shell. Moon magic is there for you, and cosmically, after the Sun enters Virgo, midweek, things will just fall into place at long last.

Capricorn. Under the guise of Mercury, what goes around comes around and you are capable of better. There is no easy way down sometimes but you do have to know what you do. Be true to your instincts and take things with a pinch of salt, if they stand in the way of your happiness this week. Something better is now waiting around the corner.

Leo. Pride comes before a fall, but you have to look before you leap. Right now you are about to resume responsibility in the work front. This will not only show others what you are capable of, but also that, above all, you are not to be messed with. This week the Sun interacts with Mars bringing you enlightenment backed up to the hilt!

Aquarius. Say what you think this week, as your silence does nothing to help an ongoing situation. You may be biding your time and holding your tongue, but there will never be a right time for this, and you do not have to wait. The imminent actions of the Sun in trine with Uranus sheds new light on what’s wrong, so spill the beans!

Virgo. Mercury’s sensitive coupling with Venus, in sextile this week, brings you a means of communicating your exact wishes. Be clear in your intentions, because such clarity can and will be rewarded once you get down to the nitty gritty. Mixed messages may have been sent in the past as a defence not now needed, in the current scheme of things.

Pisces. Your own, specific psychic skills are heightened this week as Comic energies abound and you can relate to the shift. Venus bonds with Neptune, unleashing love energies on all levels, and it is time to love as you are loved, with an open and hungry heart. Feel special, because you are, and because you are worth your weight in gold.

Aries. This is not a time to rake up the

Code Breaker

Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 1 represents F and 20 represents C, so fill in F every time the figure 1 appears and C every time the figure 20 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.

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17th - 23rd August Across 1 Of or relating to very low temperatures (9) 7 Agreement's conditions (5) 8 Synthetic silk like fabric (5) 9/5 Rallying shout (3,3) 10 Large edible fish (6) 14 Edible nut (6) 15 See 19 Down 18 South American mountain range (5) 20 Cognisant (5) 21 Mobsters (9)

Quick

Down 1 Make reference to (4) 2 Nautical-spar part (7) 3 Breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted (4) 4 Being usual, typical or standard (6) 5 See 9 Across 6 Sunshade (6) 11 Ordinary, banal (7) 12 Yellow fruit (6) 13 Occurring together or simultaneously (6) 16 Forbids (4) 17 Charges for services (4) 19/15 Cigarette butt (3,3) Across 1 Estrellas (5) 4 Snail (7) 8 En contra de (7) 9 Hielo (3) 10 Alga (7) 11 Down (physical movement) (5) 12 Escobas (6) 14 Finally (6) 17 To fear (be afraid) (5) 19 Barriles (7) 22 Caliente (3) 23 Example (7) 24 Respect (7) 25 Afeitar (5)

Down 1 Tiendas (5) 2 Device (technical) (7) 3 Soft (pleasant to the touch) (5) 4 Sister-in-law (6) 5 Delay (hold-up) (7) 6 Fall (physical action) (5) 7 Acostarse (3,4) 12 Carnicero (7) 13 Label (tag) (7) 15 Mop (for floor) (7) 16 Worker (agriculture, industry) (6) 18 Motorbikes (5) 20 Cuerdas (gruesas) (5) 21 Salsa (5)

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

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.

Sudoku

Funagram Unscramble the name of a university degree (three words): AFTER SCHOOL BAR Unscramble the name of a variety of fruit (two words): BROADEN LOGO

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

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Kenny’s Postbag Kenny, we have had bumps and knocks in our village house for several years, but just recently we are experiencing that someone is walking up and down the stairs. There is nobody there. Is it time to take action, and what do we do? Hege B. Hi Hege! Sounds like you have an entity in your house, but not a threatening or demanding one. The dead do not belong on this Earth amidst the living, but those who do not move on usually gravitate around the homes they once occupied when living. They should be encouraged to move on for their own good, so do this. I have sent you a set of instructions, and if you have any problem please contact me. You are the best to start the process, but I will take over if I have to! Good luck!

Kenny Corris

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

ANSWERS: - BACHELOR OF ARTS - BLOOD ORANGE

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ARCHITECTS

ELECTRICIAN

LOCKSMITH

MR. FIXIT. For all your electrical, plumbing, general & appliance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434.(260205)

WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of firect car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 902 123 309 (200726).

INSURANCE

BATHROOMS BATHROOM & KITCHEN conversions. Costa Blanca, contact 698 320 434 (260873)

BOILERS

BENEFICIAL INSURANCE SERVICES. Car, Home, Business, Travel, Life, Funeral, all insurances available. Policies in English. BEST rates, covers & service. Immediate quotes. Tel 961 129 215 / 622 275 561, (whatsapp) info@beneficialinsuran ceinspain.com or visit www.beneficialinsurancein spain.com for online quote.

INTERNET GET YOUR business noticed online! Make sure that expats in Spain can find your product, service, restaurant, bar or shop. Contact Spain’s newest and brightest online directory TODAY. Call 951 386 161 or e-mail mark.w@euroweeklynews. com for more details.

MOTORING

LOCKSMITHS

MISCELLANEOUS

PET TRANSPORT

MEETING POINT

A.A.

PET TRAVEL UK Family pet transporters Spain/UK. Travel with your pets for free. All air conditioned vehicles (no vans) www.pettraveluk.co.uk Removals also arranged in other vehicles Tel: UK 01209 630604 or Spain 960 130 537 (280295)

SITUATIONS VACANT

PLUMBING MR. FIXIT. For all your electrical, plumbing, general & appliance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434. (257948)

BLINDS GRILLS

PLUMBERS

WRITING SERVICES POOLS HOUSE CLEARANCES

REMOVALS & STORAGE

www.rtnnewspaper.com POOLS

REMOVALS/STORAGE

POOL MAINTENANCE Repairs, Spares and Leak Testing. Call 965 725 565 / 676 945 360 www.pooltech spain.com (259394)

MAN AND VAN UK Spain. 2 vans travelling twice a month, Murcia – North / South UK. Storage in Spain Tel 610 846 260 or 0044 751 918 6355 email van.man@hotmail.co.uk

REMOVALS/STORAGE

SPANISH MOVES, small removals and deliveries. Spain/UK budget prices. Last minutes jobs undertaken www.spanishmoves.net Pet transport also arranged in our air conditioned pet/people carriers. Tel: UK 01209 630604 or Spain 960 130 537 (280295)

17th - 23rd August REMOVALS/STORAGE UK-SPAIN-IRELAND. Removals with the personal touch. Pets carried with care 965 696 750 / 0044 (0) 7447 918 589 e-mail chrisyounge73979 @aol.com

SITUATIONS VACANT

SITUATIONS VACANT

FIELD SALES positions available. Must have own transport, English and Spanish preferred, but not essential, must have local knowledge of the area and be smart and presentable. Applications by email with full CV should be sent to recruitment@euroweekly news.com

TAKE Care of your Career as a live in Carer in the UK. If you have good written/spoken English with a British or EU passport you can earn from £952 - £1456 for 2 weeks. Contact Sandra Field on 658 965 204 or email s.field@consultuscare.co m (258473)

INSURANCE

PETS

PETS

MISCELLANEOUS

SITUATIONS VACANT

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TELECOMS FED UP PAYING TOO MUCH FOR YOUR MOBILE PHONE CALLS? THEN CONTACT TELITEC TODAY. CALLS TO SPAIN 7C PER MINUTE INCLUDING MOBILES. CALLS TO UK 5.3C PER MINUTE. NO MONTHLY FEES, NO CONTRACT. WWW.TELITEC.COM teL: 902 889 070 (0)

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WANTED DIESEL car LHD and motorhome right or LHD wanted. Cash waiting. Tel 650 722 905 (260886)

WANTED Quad Bike and Jet Ski. Call 650 722 905 (260885)

XXX RELAX

REMOVALS & STORAGE

SPANISH lady – classic. Playa Flamenca, private house, 35 years, attractive. All erotic services, massage, sexy lingerie. From €40. Ana 657 603 495 (280961)

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

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pets

17th - 23rd August

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Pet-sitting is personal PETS make great holiday companions. For some people pets are the habit of a lifetime. I must confess I’m of that tribe. While I founded Housesit Match.com to help pet owners and sitters meet safely online, I also love to pet-sit for ‘authentic travel.’ I believe if you see a new location from a pet’s point of view, you see it with a fresh perspective. I love to pet-sit People often ask if I use HouseSitMatch myself? I can honestly say that I do. While we no longer have pets at home we still use house-sitters to care for our garden while on holiday some call it tomato-sitting! Recently, I helped clients close to my own home in Buckinghamshire, UK to care for their dog ‘Nuka.’ They had a wedding overseas and a last-minute arrangement between neighbours had fallen through. They registered with HouseSitMatch and I offered to help. Authentic travel The home owners introduced me to their favourite places to visit and shops of nearby food artisans, bakers, cheese makers, honey producers all working locally with organic materials producing delicious food. I had my own personal tour guide in Nuka the dog, walking me to stunning vista points in the Chiltern Hills, I followed her down the footpaths her owners favoured and she was my local expert

Pets welcomed here... and there ACCORDING to a recent survey of 10,000 animal lovers, Britain tops the polls for pet friendly places. When it comes to a fun day out with your dog, Britain led the way for having more pet-friendly outdoor attractions than any other country, with sites like Glastonbury Tor, the Cerne Abbas Giant and Newbattle Abbey in Scotland, which were the most highly recommended for dog walkers. From over 54,000 locations which were recommended worldwide, 30 British places made the top 100 list, making the UK the most pet-friendly place in the world, followed by the USA with 26 locations and Australia with 20. Australia took the top spot for the world’s most pet-friendly beaches, while Portobello Beach in Edinburgh received the most recommendations in the UK.

S.A.T.

FOUR-LEGGED SPACE: Glastonbury Tor among the most pet-friendly.

The UK also came first for pet-friendly cafes, most of which - including one whic h welc om es dogs , c at s and a friendly ferret - can be found in Brighton.

www.satanimalrescue.com

With pet welfare at their heart Dog-sitting for Nuka. guide. It was a wonderful experience, an authentic holiday literally walking in the footsteps of the home owners showing me new vistas. How we work All new members register to join our online HouseSit Match network. On registration we ID check every new member to ensure we know who you are, and in addition sitters are police checked by us. How you benefit as a home and pet owner Our membership offers you a secure network to help you find suitable sitters. We don’t reveal your contact details, or your address. You

post an advert ahead of your travel dates, we publish the advert then house-sitters apply. You can view their profiles and chat with them before you accept your choice of applicant. If you join as a Premium member we can also help you at each stage of the process to get you started. How you do join? Register online via our website www.Housesit match.com •Choose a membership plan •Standard (DIY option) = £49 pa •Premium (with support at each step) = £79 pa

Do you need a house- or pet-sitter? Get in touch. House-sitting can be a winwin for both parties, free house- and pet-sitting, plus the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! Register as either house-sitter or homeowner with a 20 per cent discount using coupon code P2020 – an exclusive offer for readers. To find a house- or pet-sitter go to www.HouseSitMatch.com call Lamia on 00 44 (0) 777 214 2742 or email admin@housesitmatch.com.

THE Sociedad Protectora para Animales de Torrevieja (or SAT) is a registered charity formed in 1992, whose aim is to alleviate the local stray and abandoned dog problem. SAT was founded by a group of people of all nationalities who saw the need for a sanctuary for the abandoned dogs that roamed the streets of Torrevieja. Today, with its kenRESCUED: An example of the gorgeous pets looking for rehoming. nels at Dolores which can home up to 70 dogs, it is SAT have an enormous amount of volstill a multi-national organisation and a unteers who do just about anything to registered charity with the Valencian make the stay of the ‘guests’ at Dolores Community. Their aim is to prevent unnecessary suffering and attempt to re- a happy one. Dog walkers, poo-pickerhome the many abandoned dogs within uppers, washing hanger-outers, shop workers, fundraisers and general allthe Costa Blanca area. No longer do they only cover Torrevie- round helpers all contribute to the sucja; they have cries for help from as far as cess of the charity. Their only sources of income are Murcia and as far inland as Pinoso and Sax. Luckily for us, there are now more thanks to the shop in Guardamar, and places like this that take in abandoned regular Sunday events in San Luis and animals and they can deal with immedi- San Miguel. For more details, call 966 ate problems in the Vega Baja area 710 047 or look on their website at www.satanimalrescue.com. more readily.

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17th - 23rd August

motoring AS investment in selfdriving vehicles continues to rise the smart money is on production efforts merging with those of electric vehicles. Of course, this is already evident at Tesla, which has invested billions in developing both technologies, but more and more companies are now trying to follow their lead. Both engineering and human factors suggest that the two technologies will eventually combine, especially as support from the Chinese government is pushing both techs forward in one of the world’s most important markets.

The self driving EV future The growth of advanced automotive technology has led to the rise of companies such as Foresight Autonomous Holdings Ltd an innovator in advanced vision sensor systems for assistant driving, semi and fully autonomous vehicles. Tesla Inc found a foothold in China. General Motors will start mass production of self-driving vehicles next year and has been pushing its latest electric SUV to the Chinese market. Apple Inc is developing a sophisticated self-driving system that fuses multiple sensor inputs. And Intel Corporation has joined the sector by acquiring Mobileye, bringing its technological clout to sensor technology. Though many people

still see self-driving cars as science fiction dreams, such vehicles are coming close to reality. Big players such as Tesla and General Motors are pushing forward with this technology, showing their faith in the market. Alongside them, a wealth of smaller specialist businesses are emerging to provide critical components. Analysis by Lux research indicates that battery-powered engines and sensor-equipped self-driving vehicle manufacturing will almost inevitably merge with each other. There are practical engineering reasons for this, tied to the batteries of electric vehicles. For example, the voltage and storage capacity of an electrical vehicle’s

EV FUTURE: Self driving and electric vehicles - the two technologies may eventually combine. battery are better suited than the capacity of a conventional fossil fuel-powered car’s battery for sustaining self-driving equipment. This gives designers more freedom to create the best possible sensor and processing technology for self-driving vehicles. Automated driving could help to solve one of the biggest drawbacks of electric cars: driving distance ranges.

Automated driving leads to more efficient driving, reducing a vehicle’s fuel consumption and allowing electric cars to travel farther before they need to recharge. The behaviour of consumers will also play a part in this emerging trend. Early adopters who pay a high price for Tesla’s electric cars are more likely to try out other innovations, such as the selfdriving vehicles that use vision sensors like Fore-

sight’s. They will want to see these features combined, and manufacturers will be keen to fulfil this request because winning the support of this group is vital to the success of any product. Both technologies are expected to mature enough for mainstream use around the same time. They are forecast to hit the mass market together, and so it will make commercial sense to combine them.

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17th - 23rd August

47

sport

SHOOTING STARS: Spain will offer perfect views of the Perseid meteor shower

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@RTNNewspaper Most liked posts from this week • Benidorm holds silent vigil in memory of gender violence victims • Spain rejects Aquarius migrant rescue ship docking request • Costa Blanca market traders suffer in heatwave • Migrants rescued from small boat and taken to Benidorm

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More new faces for CD Torrevieja CD TORREVIEJA can now confirm the signing of two more players. Jorge García Mojica, 23 years old and born in Elche joins the club after an agreement was reached between both player and management. Jorge Mojica plays as a centre-back and his main strengths have been identified as his power, aggressiveness and spectacular kick-offs. Jorge joins CD Torrevieja from SF Benidorm CD, where he was regarded as one of their best players last season. After training with Kelme Juvenil, he ascended to the Preferente in 2014/2015, playing an important and successful role with CD Alcoyano B where he stayed for two seasons. From there he went to Callosa Deportiva CF in Prefer-

IRONIC, isn’t it? In the UK a fair weather golfer is one who will only play when the sun is shining. For the weekly Stableford at Roda, 23 players signed up, fewer lined up and it seems that same sun is to blame for the low turnout. It was also noticeable that everyone who did show up lingered longer in the cool of the clubhouse before reluctantly heading to the practice ground. Who needs to warm up when you can break into a sweat simply stroking a few putts? The first club out here to field a fleet of air conditioned buggies would be on to a sure thing! Scoring on the day wasn’t bad overall but the greens were disappointing with many of them scarred with sand-covered patches. However, credit to the

Photo credit: CD Torrevieja

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MORE SIGNINGS: Jorge and Rulo to strengthen the CD Montesinos squad. ente and then joined Muro CF, who play in the 3º Division. Joining Jorge is fellow Elcheborn Raúl Romero Jiménez, who will also be ready for the new season. The 21-year-old known as

players in green and white and most important members of the team. He comes with the backing of coach Manu Sánchez, who has spent the last two seasons training him.

San Miguel Golf Society greenkeepers for working hard in the testing conditions. The day’s results, by category and in reverse order, were the following: Silver Category: 3rd - Ken Flaherty (29), 2nd - Norman McBride (30) and 1st - Mike Inns (36) Gold Category: 3rd - Graham Temple (36), 2nd Robin Eastman (36 CB) and 1st - Norman Cahill (39) Nearest the pins went to Theo Boelhouwer, Robin Eastman, Colin Smith and Micky Roscoe. Best guests were: 1st Dave Exley and 2nd - Mick McDermot. Colin Smith won this week’s Abacus prize for the

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Rulo can play in any of the attacking positions. His best qualities are his speed, his dribbling and his ball-kicking skills. He leaves UD Ilicitana, where last season he was one of the star

Photo credit: San Miguel Golf Society

HOT VICTORS: Ken Flaherty, Norman McBride and Mike Inns.

lowest number of points. Keep up to date with all

SMGS matters by logging on to the website

www.smgs.org or simply give Tony Smale a call on 628 227 687. The next three games will be at Vistabella, Lo Romero and Riquelme.