RTN Newspaper - Costa Blanca North 24 - 30 August 2018 Issue 981

FREE! COSTA BLANCA NORTH

Issue 981 24th - 30th August

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Wheelchair bound killer arrested

by Darren Parmenter

A WOMAN has been arrested in Alicante for allegedly killing her husband just two weeks after getting married. The 45-year-old woman (who is confined to a wheelchair) was detained along with her carer - a 58-year-old man - after her husband was found stabbed to death by a screwdriver. According to reports, the woman - who was on her fourth marriage - was arrested by an off-duty National Police officer who rushed to the scene after hearing screaming and shouting, and went not only to restrain the

Bistro Shabby ChĂ­c

CRIME SCENE: Killing happened in the Albufereta district of Alicante. woman but to see if he could assist the victim. The victim had stab wounds to his neck and chest and died before help arrived. The crime occurred at 10pm on Monday in a car park in the Albufereta area.

Investigations continue as to the motive behind the killing, but it’s understood the recent marriage was one of convenience as allegedly the dead man only received a meagre pension and lived in a rented apartment.

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Aid for the needy ALICANTE’S Provincial Council has supported Javea’s social services programme with a subsidy of €34,000. The injection of cash will allow €16,636 to be given in financial aid to the most needy families in the municipality and a further €11,179 to the Home Help Service. The remaining amount will be shared among other vital projects. These include €2,427 for the purchase of new computers for the Social Centre that will be used in the Tapis workshop for those with chronic mental health issues. There will also be €1,045 for a prevention programme aimed at people with ‘modern’ dependency issues such as addictions to social media, new technology and online betting. In a statement, Councillor for Social Services, Pepa Gisbert, thanked the provincial government for the help provided for members of the local Javea community who most need it.

The day the rains came

STORM FORCE: Firefighters called to more than 20 incidents.

THE torrential rain that hit the Valencian Community during the traditionally hot and dry and sunny time of the year particularly affected two of the major towns of the Marina Alta. More than 105 litres per square metre fell in Javea, with almost 60 litres falling in just one hour. As well as causing numerous problems in Javea, neighbouring Denia also experienced flooded streets that brought traffic to a standstill. A number of buildings have been reported to have suffered structural damage as a result of the extreme weather. Firefighters were called to at least 20 separate incidents from floods in Urbanisation Cap Marti-Tosalet in Javea to a build up of debris in the river next to the La Sella Golf in Pedreguer. In another incident, three people were rescued from their car after they were trapped following a flash flood. Further down the coast in Benidorm, thousands of holidaymakers found themselves trudging through raging torrents of water which filled the traditional tourist areas.

Javea car fire FOR reasons that are still being investigated, a car was found to be on fire and burning out of control in the early hours of Sunday morning in Javea’s port area. The flames from the car on Carrer Azahador in the Duanes de la Mar neighbourhood affected other nearby vehicles as well as the window of an adjacent shop. Local Police, the Guardia Civil and a team of firefighters were on the scene until the blaze was finally put out around 7am.

Midnight road accident A YOUNG woman has been seriously injured in a traffic accident on the outskirts of Alicante. The incident happened on the Avenida de Novelda close to the municipality o f S a n Vi c e n t e d e Raspeig shortly after midnight on Saturday evening, as the 24-year-old crossed Calle Xativa adjacent to the

Rabasa fairground. The injured woman was stabilised at the scene before being taken to the Alicante General Hospital suffering from multiple injuries. According to reports, the road where the accident took place was especially busy that night due to the popularity of the fairground.

Euro police on the Benidorm beat IN a continued effort to provide a higher quality of service for foreign tourists, the National Police in Benidorm will in future have a number of officers speaking in French and Italian. Among the many millions of foreigners who choose Benidorm as their holiday destination every year, a growing number of French and Italians are among them; it’s not just the British that fill the tourist hotspot. The aim is to make them feel a little more at home if they have a problem during their break and have to resort to the police, and simply hearing a ‘bonjour’ or ‘ciao’ will make all the difference. Two members from each of the Police Nationale de France and the Polizía di Stato Italiana

COOPERATION: French and Italian police to patrol tourist areas.

are already patrolling the streets with their Spanish counterparts. The National Police in Spain have been participating in this Europeanbased initiative for a number of years which

has previously seen police from countries such as Portugal, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands spending some of the summer on the Costa Blanca.

In return, a number of National Police from other parts of Spain have gone to France and Italy to offer a similar service to Spanish nationals holidaying in those countries.

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Marina Alta family robbers found O

FFICERS from the Guardia Civil have managed to dismantle a criminal organisation that had allegedly carried out a series of robberies with force in the Marina Alta region. Their modus operandi was to target holiday homes which they knew would be empty for long periods of time. According to reports, three members from the same Algerian family living in Spain have been arrested, comprising of a man, aged 54, and his two sons, aged 26 and 28. The investigation into the series of robberies which had taken place in Calpe, Benissa and Teulada Moraira was stepped up when one of the suspected gang members was spotted close to one of the homes

Let’s ban `fiesta’ animals Photo credit: Guardia Civil

by Darren Parmenter

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LOCAL political party Gent d’Aci Mutxamel wants to ban animals taking part in any fiestas held in the municipality. They have proposed a motion that will result in a by-law to stop what they see as alleged abuse of animals, and particularly want to see it in force in time for the next Moors and Christian’s festivities. According to reports, party leader José Antonio Martínez said that “Muchamiel cannot have another year where we are complicit in the abuse of animals when they are used in official parades. These include horses, donkeys, camels, oxen, ducks and dogs.” Gent d’Aci are therefore looking to change the regulations in accordance with both national law and under the 1987 European Convention for the Protection of Animals.

Smoother rides in Denia STASH: Proceeds of around 50 robberies on display. that had been broken into. Based purely on a rough description by the witness and the make and model of car used, the Guardia Civil in Calpe and Benissa were able to narrow things down. Once the witness was shown a photograph of who they thought they were dealing with, he was immediately recognised. During the subsequent

search of the property in Alicante, an Aladdin’s Cave of alleged stolen goods from around 50 robberies was discovered. These included six high-end vehicles (some of them valued at more than €60,000), €13,000 in cash, jewellery of all description, 15 laptops, 20 tablets, 13 mobile phones, 30 watches, a television, and designer handbags.

OVER the coming months, Denia Council will be spending more than €200,000 to asphalt a number of streets in the municipality. The budget will include an initial programme of works on Passeig del Saladar and Camí de Badia followed by those on Calles Pont, Sagunt, Jupiter and Venus among others. The full projects are on public view for the usual period of 20 days, and if no claims or objections are filed within that timescale, they will be considered as formally approved and thus the tender process can get underway.

‘Prison’ arsonist arrested THANKS to the help of local residents, officers of the National Police have arrested a 44-year-old Spanish man suspected of causing a fire close to the Fontcalent Prison. A total of three hectares were burnt in the blaze which required several homes to be evacuated in the vicinity, and it took a number of hours to bring the fire under control. It is understood the man was known to police.

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New nursery unit almost ready

BENIDORM’S Department of Education has allocated just over €47,000 to adapt space at the Mestre Gaspar Lopez School to accommodate the new nursery unit starting in the new school year. Mayor Toni Perez said that “the work hasn’t been limited to inside the classrooms. Most of the spending has been used in renovating the playground areas and to carry out repairs where necessary.” This has included making improvements to the area that will enable rainfall to be properly collected in future and prevent the current issue of stagnant water. In addition, the rubber surfaces have been replaced and a dedicated area for the youngest two-year-old pupils has been created. Inside the classroom, floors have been upgraded,

Credit: Ayuntamiento de Benidorm

READY IN TIME: Inspections of the Mestre Gaspar Lopez School taking place. toilets updated and the electrics reviewed and modernised. Mayor Perez went on to say the work will be finished in ‘plenty of time’ before teachers return after their summer break and at least a fortnight before the nursery students start a new term. It is understood the new classroom will host 11 students.

Drone finds missing walker A 69-YEAR-OLD man who went missing when hiking was found thanks to modern drone technology. According to reports, the man had been wandering around for several hours after getting lost in a remote section of the Serra Gelada. Once the alarm was raised, Local Police in Benidorm activated a drone to locate him in an area that would otherwise have been almost impossible to access. He was finally spotted around 2pm. Once the missing man was located, he was suffering from dehydration and needed significant amounts of water and sugar before being taken to the local medical centre to continue his treatment.

Local pool closed ONE of Benidorm’s municipal swimming pools has been closed until September. According to Councillor Arturo Cabrillo, the pool in the Palau d’Esports l’Illa will remain shut until September 10 to carry out some maintenance and improvements to the changing rooms. All the facilities will undergo a deep clean, including the windows, and a number of repairs made to the pool surroundings. Anyone missing their daily swim can use the Foites Sport Centre that will be open from 8am to 8pm; same hours that the temporarily closed pool operated.

Bridge over Gorgos worry

Denia to get a lift

RESIDENTS of Gata, having witnessed the scenes of destruction in Genoa, have begun to show concern at the state of a bridge that crosses the River Gorgos. Experts have been quick to point out that the structure is not in danger - despite an apparent four-year delay in repairs - but stress that an immediate review is necessary to prevent any further erosion of one of the concrete piles.

THE Valencian Community has allocated a total of €38,115 for the installation of a new lift in Denia’s town hall. This is just one of a number of similar allocations of funds, totalling close to €4 million, aimed at improving the accessibility of town halls and other public buildings across the community for the elderly and people with disability and mobility issues. A total of 103 municipalities across the region that don’t exceed 50,000 registered inhabitants will benefit from the aid.

Does your Spanish investment bond have you tied up in knots??

By Sam Kelly, Managing Partner, Chorus Financial. here in Spain, it will also be fully tax compliant, meaning it is effectively taxed at source, and under most circumstances you won’t have to declare the bond itself on the M odelo 720, or indeed your annual gains or income. Within a bond y ou can hold a fully diversified portfolio, and if that portfolio is advised through Chorus y ou will also benefit from our pr omise that we only use FCA r egulated funds, that guarant ee no hidden fees or commissions. So, with all these advantages , where can a bond fail t o provide what y ou’d expect as an investor?

I’m a big believer in investment bonds, and many of my clients here in Spain hold them, in particular Spanish c ompliant investment bonds cr eated by companies including The Prudential, SEB and Old Mutual. Investment bonds offer great tax efficiency – as an example, a net return of 7% per annum would actually double y our investment over 10 y ears thanks to the g ross roll-up (compound growth) these bonds allow you to benefit from. (As always, returns aren’t guaranteed, and the figures given are for illustration purposes only). Alongside that, if y our bond is appropriately advised and designed for you as a r esident

Firstly, the annual char ges. Did you know that y ou could be paying more for exactly the same bond depending on which firm you sign up through? I’ve seen people commit to annual char ges of

over 1% a year for as long as 10 years on a bond . That’s an unnecessarily high charge, and if you’d taken that exac t same plan through Chorus, you would be paying far less. Secondly, and pr obably worst of all, there are certain bonds offered here in Spain which not only commit clients t o incredibly high char ges for a very long period of time , but also have exclusive agreements in place with par ticular financial advisories. This means if you become dissatisfied with your financial advisor you could be effectively forced to stay with them or fac e heavy exit penalties. This really isn’t how the market should operate and would be illegal in the UK. Chorus only use in vestment bonds that are openly available to all licensed advisors (such as the 3 I mentioned pr eviously), so this means that if w e fail t o provide the ser vice we’ve

promised you, you can simply cancel our ongoing f ee and appoint another advisor. For us this is the only fair wa y for the relationship between an advisor and their client t o operate. The final element comes down to the in vestment funds y our advisor uses within y our bond. As I’ve been sa ying for many years here in Spain, the use of commission paying funds is prolific, and can mean y our portfolio is loaded with lo w quality investments and high hidden fees that y ou may be unaware of f or many, many years. A well put t ogether Spanish investment bond can offer so many advantages and can be a fantastic long-term investment solution, but sadly man y advisors here in Spain fail to put them together with their client’s needs at the forefront of the advice. Your long-term financial security is simply too important to risk not ask ing enough questions or sig ning paperwork until y ou’re 100% sure you’re getting the best possible deal and the best possible investment advice. Never be afraid to get a second opinion, whether it ’s on a new application or an existing plan. If you’d like to discuss anything in this ar ticle, please call me direct on 664 398 702 or email s.kelly@chorusfinancial.es. All initial advice is free and without pressure or obligation.

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Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de DeniaYouTube

PUNCTURED: The Denia bike hire system breaks down.

Off ‘yer bike in Denia by Glenn Scott

DENIA Council has regretted spending more than €500,000 of local taxpayers’ money. It comes in the light of the failure of a bicycle hire system operating within the municipality which has failed. The service has shut down and the company that was given the concession to run the scheme hasn’t been forced to fulfil the commitment made in the original contract. According to reports, it was back in 2009 that the company Cyma-Señalia

Mobiliario Urbano SL obtained the concession to run the bike scheme that had proved popular in other municipalities. However, it didn’t succeed in Denia. The council has already dismantled the six hire points which had been set up over the nine-year period, although one was already out of action due to vandalism. The original plan was to create a total of 26 points and for the network to reach as far as Les Rotes and Les Marines, but the required investment of close to €500,000 failed to materialise and not as many local people as expected actually took advantage of the bike hire facilities.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: New tram lines in the works.

Tram station temporarily closed

ALICANTE government has announced the Isleta tram station will be closed on September 3, in order to link the railway with the Serra Grossa tunnel. The trams of the L1 will also stop running during the works in Albufereta station, where the L3 and L4 usually operate. This a necessary step in

expanding the tram network in the area. This means Albufereta becomes the temporary station during the course of the works, which is said to last around three months, with the tunnel due to be finished by November 30. In Albufereta, where lines 3 (Luceros-El Campello) and 4 (LucerosPlaza La Coruña) of TRAM

d’Alacant usually stop, Line 1 (Luceros-Benidorm) will be available while the works are being carried out. It should also be added, commuters have the option of taking the buses 9, 21 and 22. Likewise, passengers will be informed of all the time changes made at various stations and notices will be displayed inside the tram stops close to Isleta, suggesting the alternative Albufereta stop. Phase 1 will see the link of track 2 of the Serra Grossa tunnel to the main route. After completion of stage 1, rail traffic will be diverted through the single-track tunnel in use, while the second phase begins. When this last part has concluded, all the traffic will flow through the tunnel, in both directions. The Isleta stop will stay closed in both phases, until the work is completed. As works in the tunnel continue, the installations inside are being worked on such as the introduction of communication equipment and the implementation of new fire and safety systems.

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AP-7 access to improve

Future ideas requested RESIDENTS of Benidorm have the fate of €500,000 of council money in their hands. In the latest of a series of similar initiatives by other municipalities, the council will begin collecting ideas and suggestions for what is known as ‘participatory budgets.’ Local people have until the end of September to submit their proposals for what they would like to see carried out in their area to be included in the 2019 budget.

by David Bennett OTH visitors and local residents have made a number of complaints about the amount of small boats and other marine craft that have taken over a beach in Denia. The area of concern is what has been described as a ‘mini port’ in El Trampoli which has seen a build up of boats moored in Les Rotes and close to urbanisation La Racona. Among the many complaints from visitors are those stating that this little cove is especially popular

Photo credit: Denia.com

MADRID’S Ministry of Development has assessed as ‘viable’ the proposals made to improve access to the AP-7 motorway from Pedreguer and Gata. The ministry will also be looking at converting the N-332 into two separate roads with the aim of absorbing the traffic from Javea to access the motorway in Ondara. Any changes and alterations will be aimed at improving connectivity with the AP-7 once it becomes toll free as from January 1, 2020 as well as solving the issues of one of the area’s biggest accident black spots.

Beach becoming a boat park B

ACCESS: El Trampoli is increasingly full of small boats (File image).

New post boxes for Denia

DUE to changes in the postal delivery system which will see the door-todoor service in parts of Denia ceasing as from November 1, more than 2,000 new post boxes are available. They will be located in Montgó, Les Rotes, La Pedrera, Les Marines and Les Deveses and in the coming days the council will decide how much must be paid by the individuals for their new boxes.

and safe for young children and accessible for people with mobility issues. It’s now seen as a free and private mooring area for small boats and canoes in July and August, with some of their owners allegedly openly moving towels from the beach to tie up their craft. According to reports, Councillor Josep Crespo said that whilst accepting this area of beach is ‘an access zone for boats, it’s not a car park for them.’ Once the complaints were received, the Local Police and the Red Cross have been instructed to monitor and control any future infringements.

According to reports, they will range from €40 to €100. The change in postal deliveries has been known for some time and last week saw the deadline for locals affected to apply for a post box in the 16 separate locations... nine in Les RotesMontgo, five in Les Marines and two in Les Deveses. A grand total of 2,224 were applied for.

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Where have the children gone? A MAJOR study undertaken by Benidorm Council has revealed that the municipality has lost almost 2,000 schoolage children over a period of 18 years. Much of the drop which equates to approximately 100 children between three and 16 years old every year from 1999 to 2017 - is attributed to a significant number of immigrant families returning to their countries of birth. In addition, and according to reports, the lower birth rate has also contributed to the steady fall. The figures were contained in the recently published ‘Benidorm en cifras’ (Benidorm in numbers) which is prepared by the council on a bi-annual basis. For 2017, the number of students enrolled across infant, primary and secondary schools was 7,802 compared to the 1999 figure of 9,761. It’s the secondary level that has seen the greatest loss during the period of study. Sociologist and the man behind the data, Jose Antonio Nuñez de Cela, explained that there is no “educational phenomenon” behind this sharp drop but instead due to a number of general demographic issues. “As the population gets older, people have fewer children. It’s the only possible explanation,” he continued. Another consequence of the drop of school-age children is shown by a number of smaller classes, particularly among threeyear-olds, where 55 of the 520 available places have been left unfilled.

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All aboard for edible straws BALEARIA, the ferry operator behind many of the routes between Denia and the Balearic Islands, has reaffirmed its commitment to the environment and in the light of the international debate on the overuse of plastic products. The company is the first to use a series of biodegradable utensils in the self-service

restaurants and cafeterias on board ship. Among the items are edible straws which are 100 per cent natural, totally biodegradable and come in recyclable packaging. Produced by the company Sorbos, the straws are the first ever edible and flavoured on the market and come with less calories than contained in sugar.

Balearia has also elected to use other items found in their kitchens which are manufactured from biodegradable components such as recycled cardboard and a thermoplastic obtained from corn starch and the cassava plant. Such materials are used in the making of glass, napkins, tablecloths, spoons and other single-use containers.

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by David Bennett DUE to the increase in the amount of vehicles which park on the road that leads to the La Barraca and Portitxol beaches in Javea, the access way will be closed next summer during the busiest times. This year so far has been described as ‘chaotic’ and so for 2019 will see only emergency vehicles allowed to use the road... something they have found difficult to navigate along when vehicles

are parked on either side. Many drivers ignore the yellow lines and even the iconic ‘vado’ signs that prohibit parking in front of people’s properties, and so drastic measures have been taken, similar to those imposed close to La Granadella where the access road was closed to cars two years ago. According to reports, as many as 100 fines have been issued in one day by the Local Police. The decision was confirmed by Councillor Jose Chulvi who stressed that it had been taken in the inter-

ests of ensuring the safety of those who use the beach. In recent days, ambulances have had problems in getting through; something that will be without hindrance next year. Bollards were installed earlier this week to prevent further issues for the remainder of this summer. It has yet to be decided if Javea will introduce a free bus service for La Barraca as operated in La Granadella, or whether beach goers will have to reach their destination on foot... having found somewhere else to park.

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Javea

Council takes action on illegal parking

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NO PARKING: But will the bollards do the job?

Benidorm pilgrimage route

DESTINATION: The Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.

MANY people have been proud to have made a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, where tradition has it that the remains of the saint are buried. Its routes are followed as a form of spiritual path or retreat for their spiritual growth. It is also popular with hiking and cycling enthusiasts and organised tour groups. One such group regularly make the pilgrimage from Benidorm and Villajoyosa, and the distance of 1,183 kilometres is now marked at the starting point thanks to a monolith along the

Playa Poniente. The branch that starts from Benidorm connects with the Camino del Sureste and the Ruta de la Lana, and since the creation of the group some 18 years ago not only have the various stages been signposted, accommodation in the form of hostels have grown along the route. These i n c l u d e d R e l l e u , L a To r r e d e l e s Macanes, Ibi and Onil. On the monolith, found close to the beach, the inscription of the Camino de Santiago can be seen accompanied by the familiar yellow arrow symbol that indicates the trail.

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August hotel fall

Storms hit palm trees FOLLOWING the storm conditions that swept through much of northern Costa Blanca at the end of last week, two palm trees in San Juan de Alicante have had to be cut down. In addition, two more have been removed after discovering that they have been infested with the boll weevil. The decision to cut down the trees was made after an inspection of the eight palm trees in the Plaza de la Constitution by the company responsible for maintaining parks and gardens and Councillor Santiago Roman.

Bridge checks after Italian disaster by Glenn Scott

Photo credit: @CGTNOfficial Twitter

OFFICIAL figures have shown that Benidorm has started the month of August with yet another drop in hotel occupancy. This was announced by the hotel management organisation Hosbec, and showed the average occupancy for the first half of the month was 90.7 per cent and a small, but significant, drop of 1.6 per cent compared to the same period in 2017. It’s one of the worst results for August in recent years. Visitors from the UK are mainly responsible for the fall. Even though 192,000 stayed in the tourist hotspot during the first fortnight, the numbers are 10 per cent down on August 2017.

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N light of the disaster that hit the Italian city of Genoa, where a motorway viaduct collapsed and, to date, has claimed 43 lives, the safety of the network of bridges in the Valencian Community has been highlighted. According to reports, the Ministry of Development has confirmed that it will review the 2,546 bridges across the region every 15 months, with Murcia and Valencia being the locations for a large number of viaducts. Irrespective whether the bridges are state or privately owned, there is a strict inspection protocol in operation with the aim of avoiding similar disasters to that which befell Genoa. The commitment was made by Minister Jose Luis Abalos and the inspections will be carried out on a range of different structures such as pontoons, raised pedestrian walkways, and flyovers.

COLLAPSE: There are more than 2,500 bridges in Murcia and Valencia.

The routine and basic inspections of these structures are carried out by non-specialised personnel who simply look to see if there are any obvious faults or deteriorations which can be attended to immediately. The second, and more thorough revision is done by experts in their field and these are carried out every five years.

Since 2009, the Ministry of Development has spent €23.2 million on maintenance inspections although couldn’t give any precise details as to the amount spent solely on bridges. They acknowledged that the request for such information in the wake of the Italian disaster caught them off guard.

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Unprepared for earthquakes by Darren Parmenter ESPITE it being mandatory, there is a lack of emergency planning in place across 136 municipalities in the Alicante Province in the case of earthquakes. A law was established in 2011 to ensure that this was the case in an area which has been declared as being of ‘maximum seismic risk.’ The information has come to light following on from the largest earthquake felt in the area earlier this month when a 4.3 magnitude struck with its epicentre between Crevillente and Albatera. There were no injuries or damage as a result, but it did send a human shock wave amongst a large

Photo credit: Leggi il Firenzepost Wikimedia

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AFTERMATH: Parts of Alicante are highly susceptible to earthquakes (File image).

share of the population. The recent quake followed six minor tremors in the Marina Alta between July 26 and August 2. According to reports in the Spanish media, not one single municipality in the Alicante Province has emergency plans in force... a similar situation exists in Valencia too. That’s a total of 327 across both regions, of

which 191 are in Valencia. There are five municipalities in Alicante (all in the Vega Baja) with a greater risk of earthquakes listed as, in order of likelihood, Torrevieja, Rojales, Los Montesinos, Benifofar and Formentera. They are followed by Orihuela, Elche and Crevillente and, with a less but significant chance, Alcoy, Alicante, Villena, Benidorm, Denia and Elda.

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by Barry Duke

MY mother desperately wanted me to model myself on my Uncle Horace. Her brother was a highly successful dentist well on his way to making his first million and she had visions of me following in his footsteps. Trouble was, Horace was my least favourite person on the planet - an insufferable know-it-all who was constantly advising my parents on how to bring me up ‘proper’. He felt he had the right to do so because he’d appointed himself our family dentist, providing his services free of charge. His interference into our affairs went so far as to compel my mother to severely limit the Duke clan’s intake of sugar. And today I must grudgingly thank him for my healthy gnashers. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that every child should have someone close to curtail his or her sugar consumption. I reached this conclusion after I read a statistic that horrified me: The NHS, according to a January 2018 Sky News report, spent

Candy’s not dandy £36.2 million (€40.13 million) in the previous year on removing 42,911 sugar-decayed teeth from children and teenagers. The report added that, since 2012, the cost to the NHS of extractions had topped £165 million (€184.2 million) But this is mere chump-change compared to the cost of treating obesity. The UK today has the highest rate of obesity in Europe and, according to a Health Business report, by 2050 the cost to the NHS of overweight and obese patients is projected to double, to a staggering £9.7 billion (€10.82 billion). It’s clear from these figures that there are not nearly enough Uncle Horaces around to put pressure on families to halt their sugar addiction and I use the word ‘addiction’ advisedly, for there is an increasing body of research that tells us sugar could be as addictive as some street drugs, and has similar effects on the brain. The website Healthline, in a 2016 report, quoted one expert as saying: ‘Research shows that sugar can be even more addictive than cocaine. Sugar activates the opiate

ADVICE: Dentists know best. receptors in our brain and affects the reward centre, which leads to compulsive behaviour, despite the negative consequences like weight gain, headaches, hormone imbalances and more’. Enter the UK’s sugar tax. This came into force on April 6, 2018 and companies are now taxed according to the sugar content of their beverages. There are two levels of tax. One is for drinks with a total

sugar content of more than 5g per 100ml, while a second, higher levy is imposed on drinks with 8g per 100ml or more. A standard can of regular Coca Cola, for example, has gone up by around 8p for a 70p can and a 1.75ml bottle of Coke has increased from roughly £1.25 to £1.49. Will it work? Opinion is divided. I ran the question past several peo-

ple in my local watering hole last week, and found that around half said it was right for the government to intervene, while the rest insisted that this was a clear example of state nannyism and that it is the responsibility of families to regulate their children’s diets. In 2017, Cataluña introduced a 7 per cent tax on sugared drinks, but it’s not known at this stage whether there are any plans to extend it to the rest of the country. Also in 2017 the Spanish daily El Pais introduced its readers to a website called SinAzucar.org, created by photographer Rodríguez Estrada to show precisely how much sugar there is in Spanish products. Estrada said ‘SinAzúcar.org is trying to make the hidden sugar in these processed foods visible in a simple and graphic way that can be easily shared on the social networks’. It’s a brilliant, albeit scary site. For instance I was shocked to learn that a 150g jar of my favourite brand of peanut butter, Capitán Mani, contains the whopping equivalent of 15 cubes of white sugar. To those who will undoubtedly ask ‘well, why don't you read the bloody label?’ My retort will be; ‘how on earth can anyone read food labels without a magnifying glass?’

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24th - 30th August

A RECENT report from the University of Alicante has highlighted the effects that climate change is having on temperatures across the province. Studies revealed that over the last 10 years, the increase

Spanish ID renewal chaos

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SWEATING: Night time temperatures increasing over 38 years.

in both heat and humidity have shown that during the summer - especially at night has often recorded temperatures experienced in the Guadalquivir Valley... considered the hottest part of Spain. In city and town centres

such as Torrevieja, Elche, Alicante, Benidorm and Denia it has become an accepted way of life that during the socalled ‘tropical nights’ the temperatures rarely drop below 22ºC. The number of these nights has increased by around 300 per cent since 1980. It will come as no surprise to many to learn that during the first half of August, night time temperature levels have remained very high across the province. In many cases, the minimum didn’t drop below 25ºC, and with some reaching 30ºC unless you had air-conditioning installed it’s the level where sleep almost becomes impossible.

PANISH nationals looking to renew their national identity card (DNI) or applying for passports are experiencing significant delays; a situation that has long-since mainly been associated with foreigners. According to reports in the Spanish media, the o ff i c e s c a n ’ t c o p e w i t h the demand, with the busiest ones now not offering appointments until, on average, between September 21 and the middle of October. There are more than 250 offices across Spain that provide such a serv i c e a n d i t ’s e s t i m a t e d that over 100 are experiencing major issues. A statement by the union CCOO said that it’s a situation that can be

Photo credit: Malcalde Wikimedia

Alicante among the hottest in Spain

DELAYS: It’s not just foreigners in Spain that have to wait for documents.

prevented as ‘the same thing happens every year when staff take their annual leave (coinciding with the busiest times of the year), but no extra staff are taken on.’ The most overloaded

o ff i c e s a r e t h o s e i n Barcelona, the Valencia Community and Andalucia, with saturation levels also being reported in Galicia, Madrid, the Basque Country, Extramadur, Murcia, Navarra and Toledo. A spokesperson for the CCOO said that “it is reasonable for waiting times to reach 15 to 20 days during the peak holiday period, but people are now looking at anything between 45 and 60.” They went on to say that there are 1,200 vacancies still to be filled which is exacerbating the problem.

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24th - 30th August

City alcohol controls enforced Photo credit: C Quesada Wikimedia

A

LICANTE’S mayor, Luis Barcala, is leading the fight back against the problems of alcohol consumption among the city’s young people. The issues are currently highlighted every Saturday night during this hot summer when hundreds of young people gather in the Plaza 25 de Mayo and illegally consume large amounts of alcohol... much of which is contained in plastic soft drink containers with the aim of hiding their true contents. The crackdown by the authorities comes in response to a number of complaints and threats of legal action if the current practice isn’t brought under control. Mayor Barcala said that the council, with the

CLAMPDOWN: Plaza 25 de Mayo, a popular area for young drinkers.

help of the Local Police, will carry out stricter controls as from September to ensure that by-laws in respect of drinking alcohol in the streets are observed. A number of measures

have been taken by governments of all colours in Alicante to stop this problem which exists close to the market square, but neighbours are still being disturbed by the revellers.

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Drugs spot closed down

Spanish driving breakthrough A YOUNG woman from Altea is among the first Spanish nationals with a driving licence in Saudi Arabia, following the change in law that permitted female drivers for the first time as from June 2018. Begoña Armada has been working in the Saudi capital of Riyadh for a multinational construction company for the past two years. Applying and getting the licence took a long time, but it was given to her in mid-July and she is now able to drive in the last country in the world that stopped women getting behind the wheel of a car.

by Darren Parmenter

Photo credit: Juan Vicente Wikimedia

NATIONAL POLICE officers operating in Alicante have dismantled an alleged drugs ‘black spot’ in the city. According to reports, two people responsible for distributing the narcotics - Spanish men aged 37 and 58 - have been arrested as they were preparing to make a sale. Between them, they were found with 33 grams of cocaine and €1,579 in cash. At the address in Rebolledo, where it’s understood the bulk of the drugs and money were kept, a further three grams of cocaine and another €2,350 in cash was discovered.

Alicante taking charge of hybrid cars T

HERE are more and more places across the Alicante Province where owners of electric and hybrid cars can charge their vehicles. This is in response to the increase of such cars being registered over the past 12 months where they have tripled. Figures for the first seven months of 2018 have already exceeded those for the entire year of 2017. According to data from the Spanish Directorate of Traffic (DGT) from January to July, there were 144 of this type of car registered in the province compared to just 57 last year. Throughout 2017, the overall total was 135. Jose Company, an Alicante representative of the Association of Users of Electric Vehicles (AUVE), said that although sales are on the rise, “they are not at levels as we would like.” He believes this is due to a lack of infrastructure as well as information

INCREASE: Almost 400 charging points across Alicante.

about the advantages of owning this type of car. Across the province, there are 398 recharge points with the cities of Alicante and Elche having 60 between them, although these are mainly in service stations as opposed to those dotted around the streets.

In Benidorm, there are four points with plans to increase that number to seven in due course. Orihuela plans an extra six points in both the city centre and on the Orihuela Costa; San Vicente has a number located on the University of Alicante campus.

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SPOTLIGHT ON CALPE

Photo credit: Younique Sylwia YouTube

BEACHGOERS that are in the habit of reserving their places on beaches in Calpe will be thinking twice in future. It’s become more common to see people arriving on the beach as the sun rises to place an umbrella along the front line and then return home for breakfast before coming back mid-morning to their space. Often, early rising grandparents have been seen placing the sunshades in readiness for their families to arrive later in the day. But that is likely to stop from now on following the intervention of the Local Police on Sunday morning. According to reports, the police confiscated a significant number of beach umbrellas, towels and sunbeds from the La Fossa and Arenal-Bol beaches. The authorities are only

Time to watch the birdie

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Calpe

Police stop the early risers

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TWITCHING: Calpe unveils a third bird watching route. POPULAR: Early birds get the best spots on Playa La Fossa.

reinforcing a by-law passed in Calpe in September 2016 that prohibits the beaches from being occupied with any such items between midnight and 9.30am, with one of the main reasons being to allow thorough cleaning of the area in readiness for the new day.

The regulations had been more or less observed by beachgoers, but this summer has seen a significant increase in people returning to their old habits, that has even seen some having breakfast on the beach before having a sleep on their towels.

CALPE Council has this week completed the Las Salinas bird watching route. Across the municipality, a number of different places have been identified as being perfect for practising this particular pastime and is part of an ongoing initiative to promote ‘ornithological tourism’... something that is already flying high in the area. Up until now, the special routes had been created in the Morro de Toix, in the Serra d’Olta, which is a special conserva-

tion area for birds, as well as another at the foot of the Peñon de Ifach. The latest in Las Salinas has now followed suit. To promote the new area, a selection of different information boards have been installed, each giving details about the birds which can be spotted from that point, although it does depend on the time of the year and on the different places they inhabit. In addition, a wooden observation box has been constructed to allow bird watchers to admire them without causing a disturbance.

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Days are numbered for all-in deals BAN: Free drinks could be banned. HOTELIERS - and bars and restaurants - throughout Spain will be watching with interest how a ban on free booze in all inclusive deals will work out. It has long been a gripe amongst local bars that the pay up front and drink as much as you want deals some hotels offer are killing their tourist trade. Now one region in Spain has decided to do something about it. And if the scheme works it is likely other parts of the country will follow suit.

As long awaited proposals by the Balearic Government near completion, the days of downing free alcohol in Mallorca appear to be numbered. Tourism chiefs have decided to crack down on the offers, blaming them for antisocial behaviour with drunken tourists roaming the streets. The regional government’s proposals are in the final stages of drafting, which will regulate all inclusive deals.

When brought in, guests who want a drink will have to be served by a waiter and ‘free’ drinks will only be allowed in the dining room at lunch and evening meal times. Outside of those hours people will have to pay for their alcoholic drinks. The waiter-only service applies to the dining room and anywhere in the hotel complex at any time of the day. In addition, hotels will not be allowed to stock bedroom fridges with free drinks.

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money

Keep your pensions to yourself

Social care costs split opinions Photo credit: Public Domain Pictures

MANY British citizens of a certain age currently living in Spain may be considering returning to the UK for a number of reasons and may need to use social care services at some point in the future. The debate as to who funds such care has been fuelled following new research by Aegon, the multinational life insurance, pensions and asset management company. There is now widespread acceptance that costs should be shared between individuals and the state. Sixty-eight per cent supported the idea that the cost of care would be covered partly by the government and partly by themselves. Striking the right balance of the state/individual ‘deal’ will be one of the government’s greatest political challenges. With departmental budgets tight, it is widely accepted that the government will need to raise additional funds through higher taxes. Researchers explored what people would be willing to accept if they had to contribute towards government funds.

CHALLENGE: Important decisions as to the future of social care funding. Support was strongest for a wealth related tax, like an increase in council taxes for those with larger properties, with 66 per cent supporting the idea.The second most popular was the option of asking those who work beyond state pension age to continue paying NI from

which they are currently exempt. As growing numbers of older people work past state pension age, 54 per cent of people supported the idea. Steven Cameron, Pensions Director at Aegon said: “The government has already had its fingers burnt

over the funding of social care. It’s encouraging to see a growing realisation that the costs need to be shared between individuals and the government. And our findings show people have woken up to the fact that the government will need to raise taxes to pay its share.

THE Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and The Pensions Regulator (TPR) are urging the public to be vigilant when receiving unsolicited offers about their pensions and to check who they are dealing with. This comes after figures show that a total of 253 victims reported to Action Fraud that they had lost more than £23 million to pension scammers in 2017, which equates to an average loss of £91,000 per victim. Many people with access to UK TV in Spain have already seen the joint advertising campaign to raise awareness of pension scams and the most common tactics used by fraudsters. They show the contrast between the impact on the victims of pension scams and the lifestyles of the criminals, with a current one depicting a man ‘enjoying’ someone’s pension fund by spending his time on a jet-ski after taking a victim’s pension. Highly sophisticated scammers lure people into transferring their pensions into fraudulent schemes. Victims of pension scams can lose their life savings, and be left facing retirement with limited income. The FCA and TPR are calling the public’s attention to the tactics used by pensions scammers. One of the most common tactics is to offer a ‘free pension review’. If you think you’ve been a victim of a pension scam, report it to the police. ScamSmart is a website that helps victims and potential victims: www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart.

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vox pop

There are talks to call time on free alcohol at inclusive hotels in a bid to tackle anti-social drunken behaviour. But is a ban fair on holidaymakers or hoteliers?

Name: Rosemary Newby Name: Phil Caswell On holiday: No On holiday: No Where from: Been here 30 years Where from: Been here 30 years LOOKING at it from a business I don’t think it should be banned, point of view, I don’t think the respon- but perhaps there should be bounds i b i l i t y s h o u l d b e a l e g a l o n e , i t aries. It is probably true that people drink more when the alcohol is free should be down to the management to take conand unlimited. Some people trol. This is taking can’t control themselves, and control too far. some people can. I’m sure There should a ban would have a bad be freedom impact on hotels. of choice, Name: William for holidayHegarty makers, Age: 60 too. I run a On holiday: Yes garage repair shop, Where from: Ireand I would land I can’t say I’ve seen not like to be any trouble myself with told exactly drunk people while on holiwhat to in my day, but that sort of thing hapown business. Phil Caswell.

pens everywhere, not just abroad. People should be able to make their own minds up about out how much they drink and what sort of holiday they want. It’s not very fair on the hotels either, I’m sure they will lose out. Name: Sheila Hegarty Age: 58 On holiday: Yes Where from: Ireland I don’t really see that it will make any difference to anti-social behaviour. If people really want to drink, they will do. Alcohol is generally cheaper abroad anyway. I don’t understand why only hotels offering all inclusive deals are being targeted.

Name: Greg Howell Age: 18 On holiday: No Where from: Staffordshire I went on an all-inclusive holiday with my family a few years ago. I couldn’t drink alcohol, but I don’t remember people being drunk all the time. That seems to happen in the bars where people are paying anyway. I don’t think it will make a difference, it might stop me booking with those hotels though.

Greg Howell.

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FOOD Focus THE Trafalgar Restaurant in Alfaz del Pi is a delight, with a stunning outside terrace, luxurious interior and extensive menu it would be difficult for anyone not to fall in love with what this restaurant - bar bistro has to offer. Situated at the top of the town’s high street (what was Moira McRae’s) Trafalgar’s new owner Olga greets all her customers with a warmth and charm that is refreshing and inviting. Assisted by her staff, in particular Claudio the chef, Olga has created an ambience at the Trafalgar which makes dining a true pleasure, with high quality and freshly prepared food set to tempt the palate and an extensive selection of wines, beers and spirits. The inspirational menu of international dishes and Andalucian tapas make it difficult to choose from - be it

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Cuisine for all tastes

the marinated salmon tapas or an entrecote steak - quality is everything. Trafalgar source their fish from the best fish farms in Norway and Holland,

THE Frax Fusion restaurant in Albir offers diners a Mediterranean feast of choice, all prepared and hand baked by their Spanish chef in house. Using only the freshest of ingredients customers can enjoy a selection of steak dishes and burgers made from Rubia Gallega, rated one of the best quality beef sources in Spain. Frax Fusion’s chuleton steak, which is served

whilst their meat comes from northern Spain where cows graze on mountain pastures. Struggling to choose from the main menu? Then why not have the menu of the day, which offers three courses with options, all personally selected by Claudio. A children’s menu offers enticing options for the younger diners, with quality remaining paramount. Trafalgar is open Tuesday to Sunday 10am until 11pm with the kitchen closing at 10pm. For further information telephone 966 580 509, email: trafalgarrestau rant2018@gmail.com. Avd Pais Valencia 32, Alfaz del Pi.

An authentic Medi

boneless, weighs an impressive 900 grams. Despite the size it maintains its succulent flavour and is cooked to perfection, just how the customer ordered it. Diners can opt to eat inside or enjoy the luxurious terrace, both are spacious, offering privacy to its clients. The extensive, yet care-

fully selected, menu includes Tuna Balfego, sourced via sustainable fishing, and salmon negrit. Everything is cooked at a low temperature and made for each individual order, enabling the quality of the food to simply melt in the mouth and leave you exquisitely satisfied. For the younger diners a children’s menu offers a

www.rtnnewspaper.com EACH customer is provided with a Stone Grill set including a heated hot stone, a top quality and delightfully tender cut of Argentinian meat, delicious sauces and a side order of their choice. The idea is to give customers the chance to cook their meat exactly how they like it, rediscovering their primal food instincts, whilst having a unique, rustic and most importantly, fun dining experience that all the family will enjoy! When the meat touches the stone, it seals instantly trapping all the juices and flavours of the meat inside. The meat will not burn and the stone will remain hot throughout your meal, ensuring that your first bite will be just as succulent and mouth-

The Stone Grill

iterranean flavour variety of choices including chicken nuggets and spaghetti bolognaise. Frax Fusion’s popular shisha lounge is a warm and inviting space to sit with friends, with an excellent selection of flavours. So if it’s quality hot cuisine you are looking for, finger food snacks or just to sit and enjoy time with your friends and family,

Frax Fusion is definitely worth a visit. To keep up-to-date with events held at Frax Fusion, such as Flamenco dancing, the restaurant can be found on both Facebook and Instagram. Frax Fusion is open 5pm until 1.30am, closed on Wednesday. Avda Oscar Espla, Albir, Telephone 966 864 658.

FOOD Focus watering as your last. For the most health conscious of you, this method of cooking is one of the healthiest around. No oils or fats are used, making it a guilt-free meal and allowing you to indulge in one of their delicious puddings to finish! Fresh local seafood, vegetarian dishes, chicken and pork fillet are all also available on the stone. Their extensive menu has

something for everyone. Unique Mexican fajitas served on the stone, barbecue ribs, and Aberdeen Angus burgers are also available. The Stone Grill is open from Monday to Sunday, 5pm till late. Call 673 628 248 for reservations. The Stone Grill believes in using only the finest ingredients. Give it a try and you will not be disappointed!

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The clock is ticking but are you ready? By Nicole King MANY Brits currently living in southern Spain moved here because the education and health care systems are seemingly comprehensible, it’s easy to come and go, we don’t need a visa to work, pensions are protected and the sun shines most of the time. At the moment this is still the case whilst the UK is part of the European Union. However the referendum in 2016 created much confusion as to the viability of remaining in Spain after ‘Brexit’; two years later and just months away from the cut off date things are not much clearer. Very little is well-defined except there are two firm dates to take into consideration. March 29, 2019 which is the date when the UK will stop being full members of the EU as triggered by article 50. As of this date the UK will no longer sit in or be privy to any of the discussions with the other European members.Then there will be a transition period until December 2020. Many people still do not know what to do. The main concerns are the uncertainty as to whether there is a future for them here and whether they should perhaps return to the UK sooner rather than later. Another common uncertainty is whether they will be able to meet the requirements to stay

THE EU: From March 29, 2019 the UK will no longer be a member.

here or even be allowed to stay. For the older foreigners who may be very dependent on their pensions the concern is whether they will continue to receive it and if it will continue to rise in accordance with inflation and will they have access to the Spanish healthcare system. From the get-go the British Prime Minister and most other European Union member States seemed to agree that securing international citizens’ rights was a priority. Broad agreements have been in place since last year regarding this and although they do not contemplate all issues, they do address the most important concerns. It is courtesy of these

BREXIT: Get your legal status clear before the end of the year.

initial agreements that we have continued to live and work here and use the healthcare system and receive pensions.

However since those preliminary understandings were secured there have been changes in the UK cabinet with

a new Foreign Secretary and a change of Secretary of State for the European Union and a change of government in Spain, so everything will have to be renegotiated. With so many members of other European state members also residing in the UK, one would think that it is in everyone’s interests to keep things as simple as possible, even after the break. But to ensure that you don’t get caught in the crossover it is very important, if you want to stay in Spain, to have all your paperwork in order and as quickly as possible. For anyone who is legally resident in the UK or in any of the other 27 European member states at the date of the final withdrawal nothing should change. The key words here are ‘legally resident’ which means ensuring that you are registered as an EU citizen living in Spain, a legal requirement if you’ve been living here for more than three months. The only way of really proving this is by ensuring you have or get your certificate of inscription on the Central Register of Foreigners at the Police Stations in the department ‘“Extranjeria.’ This is the singularly most important document to have to ensure that you are legally resident at the time of the UK leaving the European Union and that nothing should change. If you do have all your paperwork in order at that time, in theory, the sun will continue to shine on the righteous.

www.rtnnewspaper.com by Robert Shallis

I SELDOM meet people that can truly say they love their job. Most of us are wishing our lives away Monday to Friday, in order to reach the weekend. Research figures show that 85 per cent of people are unhappy in their jobs, a rather sad statistic. Most of us have little choice other than to work in order to support ourselves and our families, many of us don’t feel motivated in our work lives. Many of us are stuck in a rut doing jobs we don’t like and without the belief or faith that we are capable of achieving anything more. Faith and fear have something very much in common, they both suggest that we believe in something we cannot see, and this is simply a state of mind. It’s your choice to stay in a job you do not like, you are just one decision away from changing your life. Very few of us feel we can take this step, we listen too much to our fearful inner selves

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Do you love your job?

UNHAPPY: Change your state of mind. and other people’s opinions. Fear of criticism is one of the most basic, but can affect us so much and stop us from taking that leap of faith, to achieve something better. The only people really worth listening to are those who have accomplished more than you,

but know they are no better than you. There’s a big difference when you’re in a job you do not enjoy or get any level of fulfilment from. I f y o u d o n ’ t t h i n k i t ’s b a d enough to change and just a means to an end, what is the

alternative? I invite you to view and approach it in a different way. Regardless of your job, do it to serve others to the ‘best’ of your ability, rather than for yourself. Genuinely, put your client’s needs over and above yours. This will give you fulfilment, a

better sense of achievement, just by changing your approach. If you are only interested in how much money you’re going to earn for as little effort as possible, then you are neither serving yourself or your job. Putting your ego underneath others and serving others to the best of your ability, will result in a much happier workplace for you and provide a better service for them and in turn, a better result for you. I t ’s d i ff i c u l t t o b e l i e v e , b u t there are millions of people who would love to have the privilege of your job, there are of course many that wouldn’t, but if you’re in the boat, you may as well sail it properly and reach your destination quicker, rather than going round in circles and getting nowhere stuck on that proverbial treadmill. So, the decision is yours, if you want to change your job, take a leap of faith and change it. If you honestly believe you can’t, change the way you think about it. ‘If you can change your thoughts, you can change your world.’

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by John Redfern

I AM now a bass player after my successful audition at the Wyken Working Men’s Club in Coventry for a slick Irish six-piece showband and was told that I was playing the following night at the Bedworth Liberal Club. Ruddy Nora! I had only played in a pop trio prior to my folk music days and when I arrived the following night I was that nervous I was glad that I had chosen to wear my brown corduroy trousers! The king pin of the band was a chap called Kevin Moore, the guitarist and lead vocalist (who became a life-long friend of mine up to this day)! He introduced me to each member of the band and gave me a large cardboard box saying: “You will need this tonight John!” We finally arrived and unloaded the gear from the band’s van. The cardboard box was worrying me. Back stage with an hour before kick off the

Did he stay or did he go? AUDITION: The Wyken Working Men’s Club in Coventry.

Credit: © Robin Stott Creative Commons

band members changed into their stage clothes. Blue suits, blue waistcoats, silk, sky-blue frilly shirts and large, black dicky bows which in a heavy wind, would have took you off your feet and sent you into outer space. I was wearing denim jeans and a threadbare jacket that matched!

by Colin Bird The opinions published in Colin’s weekly column are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or newspaper sponsors. IN the late ‘90’s, ladies from a village Women’s Institute in the Yorkshire Dales ranging in age from 45 to 65, made a decision to bare all for what they called an ‘alternative calendar’. The idea was the brainchild of Tricia Stewart and was agreed upon in order to raise funds for research into blood related cancers following the death, from nonHodgkins Lymphoma, of John Baker the husband of Tricia’s best friend and WI colleague, Angela. The calendar was launched in 1999 and nobody could have foreseen the repercussions. Tricia issued press releases to announce the launch and was inundated with phone calls that lasted for weeks. The media coverage was massive and the calendar sold 88,000 copies as a result. The story was in the national dailies for three whole weeks; the ladies appeared on Thames Television and were invited to model at the Savoy Hotel in London. They were voted Women of the Year and they personally took copies of the calendar to Buckingham Palace for the Queen and Queen Mother. They also received

I was that nervous I decided to leg it to the bar for a few jars of lager with a whisky chaser. Believe it or not I was back in the changing room 15 minutes later with a head on me like a zoo keeper’s boot. I slowly entered the dressing room and witnessed a sight for sore eyes - four grown men (excluding the drummer) practising dance

steps while holding their instruments. I was on the brink of doing a runner. Kevin Moore finally opened up the cardboard box saying: “A new suit, shirt and dicky bow, black shoes and socks. If they don’t fit just suffer and we can get them changed”. He added: “The steps are easy. Every four beats you

take two steps to the left then two to the right, swing your guitar upright, then take two s t eps bac k and lower y our guitar. Then two steps forward! ‘Always smile and never look at your watch’. I changed into my new gear, placed my microphone stand next to the drummer, clipped on my mike, tuned my bass and placed it on its stand. There were now seven minutes before the stage curtains opened, I was born with two left feet and didn’t know a crotchet from a crutchet because I could only play by ear. I peeped through the crack in the curtains and the audience was full to capacity. Two minutes to go (should I stay or should I go). The Clash were talking to my sixth sense and told me to stay! The curtains opened, my bass was strapped on, the audience was cheering and the opening song was Hey Las Vegas by Tony Christie. You must be waiting in anticipation to find out how the show went?

The alternative calendar

FRIENDS: Tricia Stewart and Angela Baker. ALL SMILES: The original Calendar Girls on a visit to London.

the dubious title of: ‘Oldie Exposure of the Year’ from Oldie Magazine. These were ordinary ladies, living everyday lives who, through their love and respect for John Baker and a mission to raise money for research into blood cancers, became extraordinary ambassadors for a great and worthy cause. The whole thing became a worldwide phenomenon and in 2000, the calendar was published in America, selling a further 240,000 copies, following two promotional tours of the US. Then in 2001 Tricia’s book ‘Calendar

Girl’ was published and later ‘Calendar Girl’s Story’, which has been reprinted many times since. The original aim was to raise £5,000 for the then named; Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research charity and also to publish a calendar in John’s memory. The whole project was expected to last no more than three weeks, but 18 years on, almost £5 million has been raised in spin-offs as a direct result of that original calendar and donated to Blood Wise, the charity’s new title. It was this inspirational story that prompted ACTS, a drama group here in

the southern Costa Blanca, to choose the stage play as their autumn production and which I have the honour of directing. Tricia Stewart has generously offered to fly to Spain in order to help promote our production and we are holding several events in her honour. where she will recount the real story of the Calendar Girls and how it has affected their lives since. The details of these events are published elsewhere. The show will take place at San Fulgencio on Thursday, October 18 to Saturday October 20. Tickets can be obtained by calling: 699 982 726 or email: tickets.acts@gmail.com.

FRIDAY 11:00am Homes Under the Hammer 12:00pm Wanted Down Under 12:45pm Thief Trackers 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News at One 2:30pm BBC London 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 at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm A Question of Sport 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm Celebrity MasterChef 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:35pm Room 101

7:30am Animal Park Summer Special 8:15am Impossible 9:00am Gardeners' World 10:00am Victoria Derbyshire 12:00pm BBC Newsroom Live 1:00pm On the Waterfront 2:45pm Talking Pictures 3:15pm Cheetahs 4:15pm Nature's Weirdest Events 5:15pm Great Bear Stakeout 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 1:05am Panorama

4:25am ITV Nightscreen 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 2:00pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:20pm ITV News London 2:30pm ITV Racing Live 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 Lewis 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:30pm ITV News London

9:00am Everybody Loves Raymond 9:25am Everybody Loves Raymond 9:55am Frasier 10:25am Frasier 10:55am Formula 1 12:35pm The Simpsons 1:00pm Channel 4 News 1:05pm Couples Come Dine with Me 1:55pm Bang on Budget 2:55pm Formula 1 4:35pm 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 Naked Attraction 12:05am Peng Life

10:05am Mofy 10:15am The Wright Stuff 12:15pm Rich House, Poor House 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 Aurora Teagarden Mystery: Three Bedrooms, One Corpse 6:00pm 5 News at 5 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm The Penguins of Cape Town 9:00pm Big Week at the Zoo 10:00pm Celebrity Big Brother 11:35pm Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side 12:35am Celebrity Big Brother

4:40am 6:15am

Kill Order Top Ten Show, the 2018 6:30am The Hurricane Heist: The Eye of the Storm 7:00am The Jurassic Games 8:35am Don't Hang Up 10:10am Goodbye Christopher Robin 12:15pm Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 2:20pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 5:00pm Patti Cake$ 7:00pm Goodbye Christopher Robin 9:00pm Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 11:00pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 1:40am Don't Hang Up 3:10am The Jurassic Games 4:40am The Truth About Lies

12:45pm SPFL Greatest Games 1:00pm Football's Greatest 1:30pm Football's Greatest Teams 2:00pm EFL Matters 2:30pm One2eleven 2:45pm One2eleven 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 EFL Matters 6:30pm Football Countdowns 7:00pm SPFL Matters 7:30pm EFL Matters 8:00pm Football 11:15pm The Debate - Live 12:15am SPFL Matters 12:45am Championship Season Review

10:30am Nature's Miracle Babies 11:30am Killer Whales 12:15pm Rugby League's Legendary Watersplash Final 1:00pm Nigel Slater: Eating Together 1:30pm Great British Menu 2:00pm Great British Menu 2:30pm Garden Rescue 3:15pm Escape to the Country 4:00pm Scrappers 4:30pm Saving Lives at Sea 5:30pm Final Score 6:15pm Flog It! 6:50pm A Passage to Britain 7:50pm BBC Proms Extra 8:30pm Dad's Army 9:00pm Blitz 10:00pm QI XL 10:45pm Anita and Me.... And Me 10:55pm Anita and Me

8:20am 8:30am 8:40am 8:55am 9:25am 9:30am 10:25am

8:10am 8:35am 9:00am 9:30am 10:00am 10:30am 10:55am 11:25am 11:55am 1:25pm 1:55pm 4:45pm 5:45pm

11:00am Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 11:40am Make You Laugh Out Loud 12:00pm Police Interceptors 1:00pm Police Interceptors 2:00pm Police Interceptors 3:00pm Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords 4:00pm Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords 5:00pm Rich House, Poor House 6:00pm Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away! 7:00pm Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away! 7:55pm Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away! 8:55pm 5 News 9:00pm Before They Were Stars 10:00pm Gino's Win Your Wish List 11:00pm Celebrity Big Brother

7:00am Goodbye Christopher Robin 9:00am Top Ten Show, the 2018 9:20am The Jurassic Games 11:00am Tall Tales From the Magical Garden of Antoon Krings 12:40pm Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 2:45pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 5:25pm Goodbye Christopher Robin 7:25pm Tall Tales From the Magical Garden of Antoon Krings 9:00pm Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 11:00pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 1:40am Patti Cake$ 3:30am Don't Hang Up 5:00am The Jurassic Games

6:50am Great Ashes Catches Relive some of the finest moments in the history of The Ashes. 7:00am Sky Sports News 8:00am Good Morning Sports Fans 9:00am Live Rugby Championship 12:00pm Soccer Saturday PreMatch 12:30pm Football Wolves meet Manchester City at Molineux Stadium in the Premier League 4:15pm Gillette Soccer Saturday 6:15pm Football 9:00pm Rugby Union 11:30pm Live Caribbean Premier League T20 1:30am Live Caribbean Premier League T20

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 2:45pm Triathlon World 4:15pm Wastemen 5:10pm Saving Lives at Sea 6:10pm Tribes, Predators and Me 7:10pm Raiders of the Lost Ark 9:00pm Dragons' Den 10:00pm Eight Go Rallying: The Road to Saigon 11:00pm Romesh Ranganathan: Irrational Live 12:00am Man Like Mobeen

8:55am 9:25am 9:30am 10:25am 10:55am 11:55am 1:00pm 2:00pm 2:15pm 2:45pm

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

5:00am The Jurassic Games 6:30am Top Ten Show, the 2018 6:45am Final Score: Behind the Scenes 7:00am The Truth About Lies 8:40am Tall Tales From the Magical Garden of Antoon Krings 10:15am Star Wars: The Last Jedi 12:55pm Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 3:00pm The Bachelors 4:45pm Tall Tales From the Magical Garden of Antoon Krings 6:20pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 9:00pm Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 11:00pm The Bachelors 12:45am The Jurassic Games

1:30pm EFL Greatest Games 2:00pm Football 4:45pm Championship Season Review 5:45pm EFL Greatest Games 6:30pm EFL Greatest Games 6:45pm EFL Greatest Games 7:00pm EFL Greatest Games 7:15pm EFL Greatest Games 7:30pm EFL Greatest Games 7:45pm EFL Greatest Games 8:00pm Championship Season Review 2017/18 9:00pm EFL Goals: League One and League Two 9:30pm EFL Goals: Championship 10:30pm Best Championship Goals 2017/18 11:00pm EFL Goals: League One and League Two 11:30pm One2eleven

SATURDAY 7:00am Breakfast 11:00am Saturday Kitchen 12:30pm Nadiya's Family Favourites 1:00pm Football Focus 2:00pm BBC News 2:10pm Weather 2:15pm Bargain Hunt 3:00pm Rugby League Challenge Cup Final 6:30pm Shrek Forever After 7:55pm BBC News 8:05pm Regional News 8:10pm Weather 8:15pm Impossible Celebrities 9:05pm Pointless 9:50pm Casualty 10:40pm Mrs. Brown's Boys 11:10pm BBC News 11:25pm Weather 11:30pm Match of the Day 12:50am Reasonable Doubt

12:20pm 12:50pm 1:50pm 2:20pm 2:30pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:15pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 12:45am 1:05am 1:55am

Ninjago: Decoded Toonmarty Toonmarty Drop Dead Weird ITV News Zoe Ball on Saturday Saturday Morning with James Martin James Martin's American Adventure Love Your Garden £10k Holiday Home ITV Lunchtime News ITV Racing The Chase WOS Wrestling ITV Evening News Regional News and Weather Japandemonium Big Star's Little Star Info not available ITV News WOS Wrestling Jackpot247

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

Mobil 1 the Grid Frasier Frasier Frasier The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Simpsons The Simpsons Formula 1 F1: Grand Prix Formula 1 Car S.O.S A Place in the Sun: Winter Sun The People's Vet Escape to the Chateau: DIY Channel 4 News Captain America: The First Avenger Pain and Gain Regression Hollyoaks Omnibus Village of the Year with Penelope Keith

SUNDAY 1:00pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News 2:10pm Weather for the Week Ahead 2:15pm Still Open All Hours 2:45pm Hold the Sunset 3:15pm Money for Nothing 4:00pm Escape to the Country 4:30pm Songs of Praise 5:05pm Fake or Fortune? 6:05pm Eat Well for Less 7:05pm The Deer Stalker Our Lives 7:35pm BBC News 7:50pm Regional News 7:55pm Weather 8:00pm Countryfile 9:00pm Fake or Fortune? 10:00pm The Bodyguard 11:00pm BBC News

3:15pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:15pm 7:30pm 8:30pm 10:50pm 11:05pm

Drop Dead Weird ITV News Zoe Ball on Sunday Japandemonium Ninja Warrior UK WOS Wrestling Big Star's Little Star ITV Lunchtime News Info not available Paul O'grady's Little Heroes Catchphrase Tenable Tipping Point The Chase ITV Evening News Regional News and Weather The Chase: The Bloopers Info not abailable ITV News Info not available

9:00am Everybody Loves Raymond 9:30am Para Swimming: European Championships 10:30am Sunday Brunch 1:30pm Peng Life 2:00pm Formula 1 2:40pm Formula 1 5:30pm Formula 1 6:35pm Car S.O.S 7:30pm Channel 4 News 8:00pm Flying Across Britain with Arthur Williams 9:00pm Hidden Britain by Drone 10:00pm World War Z 12:15am 47 Ronin 2:30am The Crystal Maze 3:25am Mobil 1 the Grid 3:50am Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 4:45am French Collection

11:35am 11:55am 12:50pm 1:50pm 2:50pm 4:55pm 7:55pm 8:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 1:40am 3:10am

Wildlife SOS House Doctor HouseBusters Milkshake! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Dogs Make You Laugh Out Loud Police Interceptors Police Interceptors Police Interceptors The Prince of Egypt Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End 5 News Worst Celebrity Pop Songs Ever Celebrity Big Brother The Bodyguard Whitney Houston: A Tragic Love Super Casino

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 10:00am Countryfile Summer Diaries 10:45am Homes Under the Hammer 11:45am Wanted Down Under 12:30pm Thief Trackers 1:00pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News 2:20pm Regional News 2:25pm Weather 2:30pm Murder, Mystery and My Family 3:15pm Escape to the Country 4:15pm Royal Recipes 5:00pm Money for Nothing 6:00pm Impossible 6:45pm Flog It! 7:15pm BBC News 7:45pm Regional News 8:00pm The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 9:00pm Would I Lie to You? 9:30pm EastEnders 10:00pm The Bodyguard 11:00pm BBC News 11:25pm Regional News

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

Coast Daddy Long Legs The Cruel Sea Triathlon World Series: Montreal Highlights Ocean Giants Lost Land of the Jaguar Antiques Road Trip Celebrity Eggheads The Repair Shop Great British Menu Nadiya's Family Favourites University Challenge Drinkers Like Me Adrian Chiles Riz Ahmed: Road to Englistan The Reluctant Fundamentalist Searching for Mum Lost Boys? What's Going Wrong for Asian Men

7:40am Super 4 8:00am Good Morning Britain 9:30am Lorraine 10:25am The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30am This Morning 1:30pm Loose Women 2:45pm 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: Celebrity Special 7:00pm Regional News and Weather 7:30pm ITV Evening News 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Griff's Great Britain 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm Lewis 11:00pm ITV News

10:35am Frasier 11:05am Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA 12:00pm The Simpsons 12:35pm The Simpsons 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 8:30pm Food Unwrapped 9:00pm How to Get Rich Quick 9:30pm Jamie Cooks Italy 10:00pm Speed with Guy Martin 11:30pm Who is America? 12:05am 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown

12:15pm Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away! 1:10pm 5 News 1:15pm GPs: Behind Closed Doors 2:15pm Home and Away 2:45pm Neighbours 3:10pm Draining the Bermuda Triangle 4:10pm Major Dundee 6:25pm 5 News 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 30 Years of Home and Away: Endless Summer 8:25pm 5 News 8:30pm Criminals Caught on Camera 9:00pm Traffic Cops 10:00pm Celebrity Big Brother 11:00pm Meghan and Harry: 100 Days Married 12:00am Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side

4:15am

Mountains May Depart 6:30am Moana: Special 7:00am Anon: Special 7:30am Top Ten Show, the 2018 7:45am Final Score: Behind the Scenes 8:00am Tall Tales From the Magical Garden of Antoon Krings 9:45am The Competition 11:35am Star Wars: The Last Jedi 2:20pm Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 4:25pm Goodbye Christopher Robin 6:20pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi 9:00pm Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 11:00pm The Competition 12:50am The Bachelors 2:35am The Jurassic Games 4:05am Don't Hang Up

1:30pm EFL Goals: League One and League Two 2:00pm EFL Goals: Championship 3:00pm Championship Season Review 4:00pm Football's Greatest 4:30pm Football's Greatest Teams 5:00pm One2eleven 5:45pm One2eleven 6:00pm Football Years 6:30pm Football Countdowns 7:00pm Soccer Am Best Bits 7:30pm 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 Efl Cup Highlights 10:30pm Efl Cup Highlights 11:00pm SPFL Round Up Show 11:15pm SPFL Greatest Games

Countryfile Summer Diaries Impossible Nadiya's Family Favourites The Farmers' Country Showdown Victoria Derbyshire BBC Newsroom Live Coast Odette Ocean Giants Lost Land of the Jaguar Antiques Road Trip Celebrity Eggheads The Repair Shop Great British Menu Saving Lives at Sea A Passage to Britain The Wedding Guru Newsnight Weather Dragons' Den

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: Celebrity Special 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 The Great British Bake Off 10:15pm First Dates Hotel 11:20pm Naked Attraction 12:20am 24 Hours in A and E

6:10am 6:35am 7:00am 10:15am 12:15pm

5:35am Tall Tales From the Magical Garden of Antoon Krings 7:10am The Competition 8:55am Tall Tales From the Magical Garden of Antoon Krings 10:35am Waiting for You 12:15pm Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 2:20pm Don't Hang Up 3:50pm Tall Tales From the Magical Garden of Antoon Krings 5:25pm The Bachelors 7:10pm The Competition 9:00pm Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 11:10pm Waiting for You 12:50am Final Score: Behind the Scenes 1:10am The Jurassic Games 2:50am The Bachelors 4:40am The Truth About Lies

2:15pm SPFL Greatest Games 2:30pm MLS Round Up Show 3:00pm Championship Season Review 4:00pm Football's Greatest 4:30pm Football's Greatest Teams 5:00pm One2eleven 5:15pm One2eleven 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 SPFL Round Up Show 7:45pm SPFL Greatest Games 8:00pm Phenoms - Dele Alli 8:30pm Live Carabao Cup Round 11:00pm The Debate - Live

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

7:30am 8:15am 9:00am 9:30am 10:00am 12:00pm 2:00pm 2:20pm 4:15pm 5:15pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:45pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:10am 12:15am

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

House Doctor HouseBusters Milkshake! The Wright Stuff Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away! 5 News GPs: Behind Closed Doors Access Home and Away Neighbours NCIS Deadly B and B 5 News Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Moto GP Highlights The Yorkshire Vet Celebrity Big Brother Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side

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.

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WEDNESDAY 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:40pm 11:45pm 12:15am 1:15am

BBC News Regional News The One Show Rip Off Britain Shop Well for Less Age Before Beauty BBC News Regional News Weather A Question of Sport The Lenny Henry Birthday Show Weather for the Week Ahead

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

Ocean Giants Lost Land of the Jaguar Antiques Road Trip Celebrity Eggheads The Repair Shop Great British Menu Great British Menu Upstart Crow Horizon Motherland Newsnight Weather Eight Go Rallying: The Road to Saigon Travels in Trumpland with Ed Balls

Judge Rinder Dickinson's Real Deal 5:00pm Tipping Point 6:00pm The Chase: Celebrity Special 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

Antiques Road Trip Celebrity Eggheads The Repair Shop Great British Menu Gardeners' World Extraordinary Rituals Live at the Apollo Newsnight Romesh Ranganathan: Irrational Live Who Do You Think You Are? Bollywood: The World's Biggest Film Industry

6:00pm

3:00pm 4:00pm

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

Come Dine with Me Bang on Budget Countdown A Place in the Sun Sun, Sea and Selling Houses Come Dine with Me The Simpsons The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Orangutan Jungle School 24 Hours in a and E Hang Ups First Dates Hotel Inside Alton Towers

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

NCIS A Wife's Suspicion 5 News Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Police Interceptors Gps Behind Closed Doors 10:00pm Celebrity Big Brother 11:00pm The New Wife Moving in with the Ex. 12:00am Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side

10:20am Don't Hang Up 11:50am Waiting for You 1:30pm Final Score: Behind the Scenes 1:45pm Tall Tales From the Magical Garden of Antoon Krings 3:20pm Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 5:25pm The Competition 7:15pm The Bachelors 9:00pm Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 11:10pm Lost in Paris 12:40am Waiting for You 2:20am Final Score: Behind the Scenes

4:30pm

Football's Greatest Teams 5:00pm EFL Cup Highlights 5:30pm One2eleven 5:45pm One2eleven 6:00pm Football Years 6:30pm Football Countdowns 7:00pm EFL Greatest Games 8:00pm EFL Cup Highlights 8:30pm Live Carabao Cup Round 11:00pm Phenoms - Dele Alli 11:30pm Football Countdowns 12:00am Championship Season Review

6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm

10:20am The Bachelors 12:05pm Don't Hang Up 1:40pm Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 3:45pm The Boy Downstairs 5:25pm Tall Tales From the Magical Garden of Antoon Krings 7:00pm Jackals 8:40pm Final Score: Behind the Scenes 9:00pm Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 11:10pm The Boy Downstairs 1:00am The Competition 2:50am The Bachelors

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

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

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 Adventure

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

The Chase: Celebrity Special 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV Evening News 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Our Debt: The True Cost - Tonight 9:00pm Emmerdale 9:30pm Birds of a Feather 10:00pm Our Everest Challenge with Ben Fogle and Victoria Pendleton 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:30pm ITV News London

3:10pm 4:00pm 5:00pm

Countdown A Place in the Sun 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 Flights From Hell: Caught on Camera 11:00pm Grayson Perry: Rites of Passage: Marriage

5 News at 5 Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Tonight Cricket on 5: England v India 9:00pm Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords 10:00pm Celebrity Big Brother 11:00pm Secrets of Mcdonald's: 100 Billion Dollar Burger 12:00am Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side

Efl Cup Highlights Football Years Football Countdowns Efl Cup Highlights Efl Cup Highlights EFL Matters One2eleven One2eleven EFL Matters Efl Cup Highlights Efl Cup Highlights EFL Matters EFL Greatest Games EFL Greatest Games Efl Cup Highlights Efl Cup Highlights

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this week weather FRI

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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.

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Food & Drink

Euro spiral success

FUNDRAISING: Church collected cash.

ON a very warm Monday evening some of the Anglican Church members and friends gathered to try to tempt passers-by to part with a euro. These were placed on a table in a spiral format. In the four hours they were

there they raised a total of €162 towards church funds, this was made up of €40 received in advance and €112 on the night. The church sent its thanks to everyone who contributed. They also welcomed Martine - the Alfaz del Pi councillor for the Foreigners who made a contribution. A service of Holy Communion is held in Albir every Sunday at 9.45am. You can find them in the centre of Albir, turn up the main road hill, Camino de la Cantera, (quite near the Consum Supermarket), signposted Rober Palas Hotel, turn right in front of the hotel and the Church (Norwegian Sea-

man’s Church) is just inside the next road on the left, Carrer Mart. Also every Thursday at 11am at the Forum Mare Nostrum, Alfaz del Pi they have a service of Holy Communion. The second Thursday of each month is a healing service. If more information: Local Church Warden , Elaine Mitchell, 966 864 962 or mobile 636 164 467. Albir is one of eight congregations in the Chaplaincy, from Gandia to El Campello. Costa Blanca Anglican Chaplaincy (the Church of England in Spain). More information: www.costablanca-anglicanchaplaincy.org.

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24th - 30th August

37

Food & Drink Happy birthday to charity THE original Charity Shop in Javea has just celebrated its first year in its new shop. Last year a team of volunteers spent several exhausting weeks painting, cleaning, sorting, packing, installing shelving and getting everything shipshape. They then moved a massive amount of goods to the new shop. Since opening the more spacious and professional premises, the charity is able to report that the relocation has proved to be way beyond its expectations. A charity spokesperson said: “The shop is really beautiful, with a very pleasant atmosphere, so that volunteers, customers and clients are all very impressed by the result of this venture. “Although the move was challenging, we now have many more clients and customers, and we are busier than ever. It is also very gratifying to see so many more Spanish locals and holidaymakers taking advantage of our amazing bargains. “We have definitely reached a higher level of satisfaction and confidence as far as our customers and clients are concerned, all due to the hard work put in on a daily basis by our many volunteers. Thank you everyone”! The Original Charity Shop is situated on Carrer de Nancy 1, in Javea’s Arenal area. It opens from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 1pm. The Original Charity Library is situated in Javea Park and is presently involved in the Books2africa project.

Time for the Great British summer drink

PIMMS is o n e o f th e wor ld’s favour ite cocktails, it is served from London to Lima and from Brighton to Bombay, but how did it all start and does it really need borage? James Pimm started out with an oyster business in the industrial area of east London in 1823 but he soon realised that there was more money, and fun, in making alcoholic drinks. Pimm teamed up with Samuel Morey in 1860 to start commercialising the drink

PIMMS: refreshingly cool.

through his oyster business which had by now become a restaurant. In winter they served it hot as a sort of toddy and in summer cold with all the accessories. Bar Pimm Oyster, as it was called, became one of the ‘in’ places to be seen and was eventually taken over by Sir Horace David Davies who was a bon viveur, a Member of Parliament and mayor of London between 1897 and 1898. Pimms eventually became an independent distillery in 1906 and its interna-

tional distribution came with the expansion of the empire. Pimms expanded their line in the 1920’s with numbers one to four; number one is gin based, number two Scotch whisky, number three brandy and number four on rum. In the 1930’s came numbers five and six which were, respectively, rye whisky and vodka based. The basic ingredients are whatever fruit you can find, cucumber plus Pimms and a sprig of herb - it doesn’t have to be borage!

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Food & Drink

Foods Foods which which help help protect protect the the skin skin from from sun sun damage damage AFTER its summer break, the Charity shop of Calpe reopens on Monday, September 3, at 10am. The shop is open every morning until 1.30pm except Sundays and can be found in Galerías Mar Azul - half-way up Avenida Gabriel Miro, on the right hand side.

THESE days most people are aware of the need to use an effective sun cream, particularly in the strong Spanish sun. But how many of us know that certain foods can also help to protect our skin from sunburn. Here are the most important nutritional remedies for sun damage. Fatty fish - fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids which can reduce the inflammation caused by sun exposure and may protect the body from skin cancers. Tomatoes - these have high levels of lycopene, an antioxidant which helps prevent the formation of free radicals, harmful molecules which cause inflammation and cell damage. Cooked tomato products, such as ketchup, contain higher levels of lycopene than fresh tomatoes. Orange fruits and vegetables - these contain high levels of betacarotene, another potent antioxidant which can neutralise free radicals. Carrots are a particularly good source. The body can also convert beta-carotene into Vitamin A, an essential nutrient for healthy skin cell formation. Greens - dark-green leafy vegetables are packed with antioxidants which protect against cancers and sun-related ageing of the skin. Cruciferous vegetables - broccoli, kale and cauliflower contain antioxidants and other specific substances thought to be cancer-protective.

Back in action

If you are looking for ladies’ and men’s clothes and shoes, household items, paperbacks and small pieces of furniture, then drop in and have a look. Also, if you have any items to donate or would like to help out in the shop just pop in.

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Food & Drink 10 benefits of drinking red wine

Do you know about eggs?

M

ANY scientific studies have found that drinking red wine has health benefits - just so long as it is drunk in moderation. In fact, very few alcoholic drinks have so many positives. Here are some you may not have known about: 1. Red wine activates a gene which impedes new fatty cells from forming and helps existent ones to die. 2. It combats mouth bacteria making your breath fresher; it slows the growth of streptococcus. 3. It improves cognitive function; over 70 studies have shown that red wine improves brain functionality. 4. Red wine gives you pleasure; it stimulates two areas of the brain which release endorphins. 5. Exercise in a bottle; the resveratrol in grapes decreases the negative consequences of a sedentary life.

RED WINE: Good for the heart. 6. It cleans the palate; we all know it makes food taste better but it also has astringent properties. 7. It reduces the risk of cancer; it blocks the cells responsible for breast cancer in women and lung cancer in men. 8. It’s good for the heart; a glass a day reduces cholesterol and helps

with blood flow. 9. It reduces the risk of prostate cancer in men over 40. 10. Healthy habits; studies show that red wine drinkers have healthier eating habits and a more balanced diet. So now you know, time for a glass of red, but just the one.

APPARENTLY the average human will have consumed 13,345 eggs over the course of their lifetime. But what do we really know about what is called the original superfood that is full of protein? Here are a few interesting facts to mull over next time you indulge yourself in the oval delight. We keep eggs in the fridge yet they are always sold at room temperature. This is because a brusque or frequent temperature change (cold, hot, cold) could allow for the formation of fungus between the shell and the inner membrane. You can tell if an egg is fresh or not by submerging it in water; the greater the buoyancy the fresher it is. Brown or white - it makes no difference to the egg itself, the colour is entirely dependent on the breed of chicken it comes from. Double yoke eggs happen when two ovulations happen simultaneously and continue their development together. This is often hereditary but some breeds produce these double delights more frequently than others.

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24th - 30th August

What’s On FRIDAY 24 AUGUST 24hr chemists Benidorm - Avda Ibiza, 6 Esq. Avda Europe, 12 or Avda Mediterranean, 29 Ed. Coblanca 41 Loc. 1 Villajoyosa - C/. Canalejas, 1 Alfaz del Pi - Avda. Pais Valencia, 44 La Nucia - C/. Alicante, 8 Altea - Avda. Comunidad Valenciana, 6 Benissa - C/. Padre Melchor, 8 Calpe - C/. Corbeta, 10 Ed. Apolo VII, L-4 Moraira market is held every Friday morning from 9am until 2pm www.teuladamoraira.com .es. Alfaz del Pi market is held every Friday from 9am until 2pm. www.lalfas.es. Altea - Every Friday during August, the Tourist Office are offering free guided tours in both Spanish and English. Places reserved by calling 965 844 114 or email: altea@touristinfo. net. Teulada - Muscatel Fiestas Ondara - Jazz Festival with free concerts. 7pm Concert Col·lectiu Jazzdara in the Casa de la Cultura. 11pm - The Swing Machine in the Placa Major.

SATURDAY 25 AUGUST 24hr chemists Benidorm - Avda Ibiza, 6 Esq. Avda Europe, 12 or Avda Mediterranean, 29 Ed. Coblanca 41 Loc. 1 Villajoyosa - C/. Colon, 39 Alfaz del Pi - C/. Bulevar Los Musicos, 18 Fase 2 BJ. Ed.Viminal La Nucia - Av. Coloma, Nº1 - Loc.9 (Zona Com. Plaza del Sol) Altea - C/. Carretera, 13, Local 2 (Altea La Vella) Benissa - C/. Alacant, 24 Calpe - Avda. Rosa de Los Vientos, 4 L-14-15

DO NOT MISS

Altea - C/ Pont de Moncau, Nº1 Benissa - C/. Alacant, 24 Calpe - Av. Juan Carlos I, Nº12-14 Ed. El Dorado L-4

Teulada Moscatel Festival

LA FIESTA DEL MOSCATEL is held in Teulada-Moraira every year at the end of August and is named after the local moscatel grape which is used to make Mistela wine. This year’s fiestas runs until tomorrow (Saturday), with the most spectacular night taking place then. You’ll witness the traditional parade of the Moscatel complete with horses and carriages which will move along the Avinguda Santa Caterina to the Glorieta de la Ermita de Sant Vic-

Benissa Farmers Market is held on the second Saturday every month from 9am until 2pm. www.ajbenissa.es. Benissa general market is held every Saturday morning from 9am until 2pm. www.ajbenis sa.es. Calpe market is held every Saturday morning from 9am until 2pm. www.calp.es. Ondara - Jazz Festival with free concerts. 11pm - Concert CSM Trio, Javier Colina, Perico Sambeat and Marc Miralta in the Placa Major. Benissa - Late night shopping until after midnight with discounts and a programme of entertainment in the streets. The event will take place in Calle San Nicolau, Calle Purissima and Plaza Rei Jaime I from 8pm until 1am. Teulada - Muscatel Fiesta. The main night of the fiestas featuring the parade of the Muscatel along Avinguda Santa Caterina to the Glorieta de la Ermita de Sant Vicnet. Traditional Grape Crushing with entertainment by the traditional dances group ‘Grup de Danses Font Santa’

net. Part of the entertainment includes the crushing of the grapes accompanied by entertainment from the Grup de Dances Font Santa. Mistela is a fortified sweet wine with an alcoholic content similar to that of sherry, although it’s best drunk well chilled. During the course of the fiesta, there were plenty of opportunities to enjoy a taster or three of the famous product of the area.

SUNDAY 26 AUGUST

altea@touristinfo.net.

24hr chemists Benidorm - Avda Ibiza, 6 Esq. Avda Europe, 12 or Avda Mediterranean, 29 Ed. Coblanca 41 Loc. 1 Villajoyosa - C/. Colon, 39 Alfaz del Pi - C/. Bulevar Los Musicos, 18 Fase 2 BJ. Ed.Viminal La Nucia - Av. Coloma, Nº1 - Loc.9 (Zona Com. Plaza del Sol) Altea - C/. Carretera, 13, Local 2 (Altea La Vella) Benissa - C/. Alacant, 24 Calpe - Avda. Rosa de Los Vientos, 4 L-14-15

Ondara - Jazz Festival with free concerts. 11pm - Eva Romero & Ramon Cardo Trio in the Placa Major.

Benidorm market is held every Sunday morning from 9am until 2pm. www.Benidorm. org. Albir market is held every Sunday morning from 9am until 2pm. www.lalfas.es. Altea - Every Sunday during August, the Tourist Office is offering free guided tours in both Spanish and English. Places reserved by calling 965 844 114 or email: altea@touristinfo. net. Altea - Every Sunday during August, the Tourist Office are offering free guided tours in both Spanish and English. Places reserved by calling 965 844 114 or email:

Albir - The eighth Costa Blanca Custom Bike Show at the Eucalyptus Park from 10am until late. More than 1,000 bikes expected, many of which will be the classic Harley Davidson.

MONDAY 27 AUGUST 24hr chemists Benidorm - Avda Ibiza, 6 Esq. Avda Europe, 12 or Avda Mediterranean, 29 Ed. Coblanca 41 Loc. 1 Villajoyosa - C/. Relleu, 20-22 Alfaz del Pi - Avda. del Albir, 44 Ed. El Llobarro La Nucia - C/. Sagi-barba, 14 Altea - C/. Cap Negret, 18 Bajo G Benissa - C/. Alacant, 24 Calpe - C/. La Niña, 7 Denia market held every Monday morning from 9am until 2pm www.denia.es. Albir - Coffee morning. If you’re new to the area or just feeling a bit lonely, a group of ladies - ‘Morning Miss-Chiefs’ - meet every Monday at 12pm for a chat, organise meals out, cultural trips etc. Find them on Face-

PRE-CRUSH: The Moscatel grape is celebrated annually in Teulada-Moraira.

book or pop along to Together Café & Pet Spar, Albir to meet them.

TUESDAY 28 AUGUST 24hr chemists Benidorm - Avda Ibiza, 6 Esq. Avda Europe, 12 or Avda Mediterranean, 29 Ed. Coblanca 41 Loc. 1 Villajoyosa - C/. Cervantes, 51 Alfaz del Pi - C/. Federico Garcia Lorca, 19 La Nucia - C/. Carretera, 2 Altea - Plaza Ayuntamiento, 22 Benissa - C/. Alacant, 24 Calpe - Avda. Ifach, 10 Altea market held every Tuesday morning from 9am until 2pm www.altea.es. Moraira - Jazz evening with free to all concerts. 7.30pm - Calle Iglesia: Little Big Band, 8.30pm Calle Dr. Calatayud: Giorgie and the Fire Lights and at 9.30pm Calle Castiillo: Jazzymakers.

WEDNESDAY 29 AUGUST 24hr chemists Benidorm - Avda Ibiza, 6 Esq. Avda Europe, 12 or Avda Mediterranean, 29 Ed. Coblanca 41 Loc. 1 Villajoyosa - C/. Arsenal, 44 Alfaz del Pi - C/. Pau Casals, 5 L-2C Pd. Albir Ed. Sta. Barbara La Nucia - C/. Aladroc, 1 Urb. Holiday Club

Altea - Every Wednesday during August, the Tourist Office are offering free guided tours in both Spanish and English. Places reserved by calling 965 844 114 or e-mail: al tea@touristinfo.net. Moraira - Jazz evening with free to all concerts. 7.30pm - Calle Mar: Black Tie Swing , 8.30pm - Plaza la Sort: Daisy’s Swing Band, and 9.30pm - Calle Barranquet: Purpura Pansa. Teulada - Jazz evening with free to all concert. 8.30pm - Plaza del Ayuntamiento; Purpura Pansa.

THURSDAY 30 AUGUST 24hr chemists Benidorm - Avda Ibiza, 6 Esq. Avda Europe, 12 or Avda Mediterranean, 29 Ed. Coblanca 41 Loc. 1 Villajoyosa - C/. Barranquet, 14 Esq. Avda. Benidorm Alfaz del Pi - Avda. Miguel Hernandez, 1 L- 2 Ur. San Rafael La Nucia - C/. Alicante, 8 Altea - C/. La Sequia, 17 Benissa - C/. Alacant, 24 Calpe - Urbanizacion El Tosal 2 J Javea market is held every Thursday morning from 9am until 2pm www.ajxabia.es. Villajoyosa market is held every Thursday morning from 9am until 2pm. www.villajoyosa.com. Teulada - Teulada Guided tour around the historic centre in English. Each tour starts at 7.30pm and lasts approximately 90 minutes. Places must be reserved in advance by calling 965 745 168.

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Forgotten victims of gender violence QUIETLY eloquent, my friend told me of his suicide bid that had been foiled by the unforeseen appearance of passers-by. The near tragedy was consequence of his being subjected to months of monosyllabic conversation and silence by his then wife. It was not manic depression on her part; with friends and family she maintained bright and breezy chitchat. I had known my friend for years; a hardworking breadwinner, he never strayed and he adored his children. My friend however was a victim of domestic violence of a peculiarly female nature. Another friend had succeeded in taking his own life after the mother of his child had committed to a rival. My pal had flung himself off a bypass pedestrian bridge. When a marriage breaks down in the UK the husband becomes a

by Michael Walsh

keyboardcosmetics@gmail.com non-person. The mother of his children invariably has firm rights to the home he has worked his socks off to provide. Access to his children is subject to a magistrate’s whim. He is however obliged by law to provide for his wife and children. Another man may move into his home, sleep with his wife and become surrogate father to his children. Yet, as often as not the fault of failure is hers and not his. Does this go some way to ex-

plaining a taboo topic; why far more men take their own lives than do women? Male suicide is often called the ‘silent killer’. It is the single biggest cause of death for men under the age of 45 in the UK. The latest figures show that male suicide rates across the UK are three times higher than female suicide rates. Statistics reveal 84 men take their own life each week. A suicide statistics report by the Samaritans showed there were 6,639 suicides in the UK and the Republic of Ireland in 2015. Of that figure 4,997 were men, meaning 75 per cent of all suicides in 2015 in the UK and Ireland were committed by men. Self-harm now takes more men’s lives than war, murder, and natural disasters combined. Approximately 30,000 people commit

HIDDEN PROBLEM: Suicide rates amongst men getting worse. suicide each year in the US and 80 per cent were men. Overall, males kill themselves at rates that are four times higher than females. The suicide rate for those ages 20-24 is 5.4 times higher for males than for females of the same age. Nineteen published articles that included individual-level data were identified. Twelve reported a

greater risk of suicide in men following relationship breakdown whilst two indicated a greater risk in women. In 1981, 63 per cent of UK suicides were male, but in 2013 the figure was 78 per cent. The proportion of male to female deaths by suicide has increased steadily since 1981. Let us remember men too.

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

Uses of ser and estar

Basic Spanish for everyday needs

by Jane Cronin

IT appears that I committed myself rather foolishly to writing about the uses of SER and ESTAR today. I would now quite like to change my mind but as I don’t want to disappoint the thousands of readers who have been waiting for today’s article with bated breath, I will do my duty. First of all, we need to look at their structure as both verbs are officially irregular in the present simple tense, which is why we are talking about them now. SER Soy Eres Es

Somos Sois Son

ESTAR Estoy Estás Está

Estamos Estáis Están

SER is clearly irregular as it is quite different from anything else at all. However, it might be more difficult for you to detect exactly why ESTAR is

considered to be irregular. Have a good look at it and I will tell you in the next sentence what the answer is. Well, the reason ESTAR is considered irregular is because of the accents, and therefore the rhythm with which the words are said. I have mentioned many times in the course of our present simple articles about how important it is to put the beat of the word on the roots in the first, second and third persons singular and third person plural. The significance of this is even more evident in the case of root-changing verbs, because it is the beat of the word which creates the change in the root. However, unlike any other verb ESTAR has the beat on the endings of all six forms. We should have been getting this right anyway from the time when we learnt to say ‘¿Dónde está?’ and ‘¿Cómo estás?’ when hopefully your Spanish teacher made you emphasise the final syllables. It makes all the differ-

ence to understanding when you speak. Now on the subject of usage, the first thing I want to do is disagree firmly and clearly with something that almost everyone seems to think about the use of SER and ESTAR (if you don’t think this, then just ignore the next bit) and that is that we use SER for ‘permanent’ and ESTAR for ‘temporary’. There are occasions when this rule of thumb may be useful but it can also be misleading if it is taken as the main difference between the two verbs. It fact it can create a lot of confusion which is a devil of a job to sort out once we start using both of these verbs in

past and future tenses. The problem is that the concepts of ‘permanent’ and ‘temporary’ are conceptuallytime-related. They make us conceive of the meaning of these two verbs solely in terms of the length of time they describe. However, the meanings of SER and ESTAR have no connection what-

soever with the concept of time. The difference between the two verbs is really to do with quality rather than quantity of time, but before we even get on to that, and if you need a rule of thumb to replace the one you’ve just lost, this is mine which you are welcome to try out for size: ESTAR refers to ‘how’ and ‘where’ SER refers to ‘who’ ‘what’ and ‘when’ Before I go into more details about finer differences, there is of course the major point that the verb ESTAR is used to refer to location. If you want to describe ‘where’ something is you will always use this verb. Going back to the distinction made earlier, this is equally true when talking about a temporary location. ‘El boli está encima de la mesa’ and permanent location. ‘Madrid está en el centro de España’. As I suspected, this subject is going to take me onto a second article, but I have now at least given you something to think about for the intervening week. Obviously, and as with most things, it isn’t all that simple, but I think this will give you a clearer starting point to move on from next week.

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health

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

Who is to blame?

ARE you a doting grandparent? Well try not to dote too much on the little darlings as you risk leading them into a life of obesity. A new study claims that children who live closer to their grandparents are more likely to be obese as the older relatives shower their love in food. The research was conducted by the University of Birmingham in England, as they examined the region of Guangzhou, in southern China and looked at those who left their rural homes

where it is more common for grandparents to care for the children. It is reported that around 15 per cent of Chinese youngsters and teenagers are overweight and the incidences were higher in those children who were left in the care of elders. In China a chubby child is seen as a symbol of health, prosperity and success but the research said to prevent the rise of obesity there must be an understanding on the causes of childhood obesity.

Stay active on holiday

HOLIDAY TIME: Important to be physically active. IT’S not the news those of us who look forward to having two weeks off doing nothing, wanted to hear, but a study claims that a two-week holiday can increase the risk of chronic diseases and even premature death. Whilst it has long been thought that two weeks of relaxing on the beach in the sunshine is good for our well-being, releasing stress and anxiety, a new study by the University of Liverpool

claims that this time lounging around affects muscle mass and produces metabolic changes that drastically affect your heart health. Their study included 28 healthy, physically active people with an average age of 25. They wore an armband to measure their physical activity and completed a dietary journal with assessments at the start of the study and after a 14-day ‘holiday’ where participants

reduced normal activity by around 80 per cent, equating to a drop in exercising from 161 minutes a day to just 36 minutes, with time sitting around doing nothing increasing. Even in this relatively short space of time, after the 14-day period of inactivity the researchers observed noticeable changes in body composition including loss of skeletal muscle mass and increases in body fat.

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health

New fibre bond technology THIS week in Clinica Britannia we have been very busy with one of our new procedures. We have had a number of patients with mobile teeth due to gum disease. Gum disease is the most common disease in the world after dental decay. In susceptible indiv i d u a l s t h e b o d y ’s i m m u n e s y s tem reacts to toxins produced by certain bacteria. This results in the bone around the teeth reducing and over time can cause loosening of the teeth. Due to our new fibre bond technology we have managed to splint the teeth together to hold them in place for many years to come as long as regular dental hygiene visits are maintained. Benefits of this is you keep your own teeth and avoid a denture, it’s done in one visit and it’s low cost. If you have any mobile teeth or are worried about gum disease, call us for a free consultation to see if this low cost treatment is suitable for you.

Look better after your holidays! MOBILE TEETH: Caused by gum disease.

Please call Britannia Dental on 965 837 553 for a free consultation to see if you are suitable for this treatment. Also like us on Facebook. Britannia Dental Clinic Avenida Ejercitos Españoles 16 BIS 1st Floor (Not ground floor) E-03710 Calpe (Alicante).

Feeling stressed, frustrated at a loss? Relationships Depression Anxiety Trauma Addiction Sexual issues Bereavement and Loss I provide integrative Psychotherapy, counselling and coaching for individuals or couples in need of help and support to overcome difficulties. With a wealth of experience spanning over 24 years working both in Spain and the UK, to serve the Costa Blanca community. Fully regulated by BACP accredited, FDAP accredited, C.O.S.R.T member. If you live between countries or travel much of the time I also work via Skype, FaceTime, WhatsApp audio or telephone. Please contact Annie on 634 333 169, +44 7712033508 or send an email to annie@annie-bennett.com Or visit my website www.annie-bennett.com I look forward to hearing from you.

The best service in your language A BRITISH Medical and Dental Centre established in Calpe since 1997. English, German, Russian, French and, of course Spanish are also fluently spoken by our staff. Always, feel free to contact us immediately in case of emergency (24h/365d). Our current services include Nurses; General Practitioners; Dentists, DR VICENTE MERA Orthodontics, Medical Senior Consultant Physician Specialists (Skin SpecialChief Specialist in Internal ist, Gynaecologist, UroloMedicine. gist, Psychiatrist, Ophthalmologist, Botox-Hialuronic Aesthetic); Non-surgical treatments (Haemorrhoids and Varicose Veins); Surgeons (General, Digestive, Orthopaedic, Plastic and Aesthetic); Allied Health Professionals (Acupuncture, Counsellor, Psychologist, Physiotherapy, Chiropractor, Podiatrist, Chiropodist, Audiologist, Hydro Colon Therapist); and Well-Being Specialists. Clinica Britannia expands their international medical team with Dr Marek Palka. He will attend as a long experienced Family Doctor the needs of the national and foreign patients. In case of diagnostic procedures or consultations you will be attentively referred, as soon as possible, to any of our associated hospitals, either IMED Hospitals (Teulada, Benidorm or Elche) or VITHAS Hospitals (Medimar or Perpetuo Socorro) in Alicante.

WE like to hear that ‘It looks like the holiday made you well,’ but nobody has to know that it didn’t all come by disconnecting and a relaxing beach life. In fact, many of the aesthetic treatments done today, have no down time, and if it’s done by a good doctor, people can only say you look better, but not necessarily say what you had done. They might even say you went to the hairdresser, or got a nice tan. If you’ve ever thought of making a little adjustment to your appearance, rejuvenating your look or improving your skin, this is the time to do it. Take advantage of your holidays and go for a first free consultation. More and more people are deciding to go for this attractive way of combining leisure and beauty treatment. You can choose between a wide variety of sophisticated and innovative treatments here, ranging from cosmetics to plastic surgery, and including techniques which require no surgery at all. Enjoy a dream holiday, improve your appearance and give yourself a boost. Derma Clinic Spain are located at Camino del Pincho 2, 03580, L’Alfaz del Pi, Alicante. For more information call 674 255 579 or email info@dermaclinicspain.com. Alternatively see our Facebook page facebook.com/DermaClinicSpain.

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health

The end of summer hair

EVER noticed you lose HAIR more hair towards the end LOSS: of the summer? If so, don’t Nothing worry, it is natural. to worry According to experts durabout. ing the summer more hair is needed to help protect the scalp against sunburn, but as the weather begins to cool the hair sheds naturally in larger amounts than normal as it is no longer needed. So what can you do to help prevent it? Very little it seems and unless you regularly lose more than 100 hairs a day there is nothing to worry about. Also, carry on brushing and washing hair as normal as to avoid it means that when you do, it will all come out at once, that can be even more alarming. Most people lose anywhere from 50 to 100 strands of hair daily according to the American Academy of Dermatology, loss such as those prescribed for acbut hair loss can also occur for ne. Iron deficiencies are the most a number of other reasons such as common cause of hair loss in premedication. menopausal women, followed by polyCertain medications can trigger hair

cystic ovarian syndrome, leading to excessive amounts of testosterone. Crash dieting and stress can also increase hair loss.

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Problems with sleeping could be more serious NOT getting enough sleep? Join the club as nearly half of all women are sleep deprived and constantly tired. It can be a side effect of getting older as sleep is a problem as women approach the menopause, but it could also be a sign of a more serious underlying medical condition; sleep apnoea. A disturbed night is often caused by the disorder sleep apnoea, which causes snoring and dangerous pauses in breathing and chances of getting the disorder can be increased during pregnancy and the menopause increases a woman’s risk of suffering from the disorder. It is thought around 1.5 million adults in Britain suffer with sleep apnoea, yet many do not talk to a doctor about the problem and if left untreated can lead to stroke or heart attacks. As well as snoring and insomnia, symptoms include restless legs, fatigue, depression, headaches and muscle pain. A survey of 4,100 British adults found that 46 per cent of women have trouble sleeping, compared with 36 per cent of men, with women also more likely to wake during the night. Six in 10 women said they become irritable during the day because of lack of sleep.

Advertising Feature A BRITISH Medical and Dental Centre established in Calpe since 1997. Both expats living permanently in Costa Blanca and short-term visitors are warmly welcome at the surgery. English, German, Russian, French and, of course Spanish are also fluently spoken by our staff. Our services include Nurses; General Practitioners; Dentists, Orthodontics, Medical Specialists (Skin Specialist, ENT, Gynaecologist, Urologist, Psychiatrist, Ophthalmologist, Botox-Hialuronic Aesthetic); Non-surgical treatments (Haemorrhoids and Varicose Veins); Surgeons; Allied Health Professionals (Nutritionist, Acupuncture, Counsellor, Psychologist, Physiotherapy, Chiropractor, Podiatrist, Audiologist, HydroColon Therapist). In CLINICA BRITANNIA our highly trained specialists offer a wide range of programmed surgical treatments (on a comfortable, fast, economical basis) that can be scheduled in less than one week: Ophthalmology (Cataracts) Digestive System (Gallblad

Welcome to Clinica Britannia

WARM WELCOME: Sonia Gomez (Practice Nurse) and Dr Marek Palka (General Practitioner). der, Hiatal Hernia, Haemorrhoids, Inguinal Hernias). Orthopaedic (Replacement of Hip and Knee replacement) Aesthetics (Mammary Prosthesis, Varicose veins). Urologic (Prostate and Lytotripsy). Gynaecological (Warts, Papillomas).

Dermatologic (Tumors, Warts). Dental (Implants, Orthodon tics, Endodontics) Lately the most requested procedures have been: Photodynamic Therapy for Cancer. The photodynamic therapy with Multidiode™ 630 PDT is an innovative minimally

INTERPRETERS invasive option for multiple diseases, namely benign or cancerous skin lesions, perianal warts or fistula, or certain types of cancer. GreenLight™ Laser PVP is a new technology that has achieved the goal of being less invasive and provides shorter recovery periods and more im-

CLINICA BRITANNIA • BRITISH MEDICAL & DENTAL CENTRE Ejércitos Españoles Av.Calpe 03710 • Tel 965 837 553 24H 607 255 755

mediate results for patients. Aesthethics: Breast Enhancement: Augmentation, Lift, Reduction Body Contouring: Tummy Tuck, Liposuction, Gynaecomastia Treatment Hip and Knee Replacement: Hip replacement is a surgical procedure in which the hip joint is replaced by a prosthetic implant, that is, a hip prosthesis.

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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

DARK 1 2 3 4

Cryptic

Down 1 Changes Pat's ad about (6) 2 More uncommon rubles are registered (5) 3 Agile secret agent creeping round the ringleader (4) 5 Modify, for example, ring for a confidant (5,3) 6 One's position is not changed at the inside (7) 7 Metal pin crook finally found in waste pipe (6) 8 Keep out of French watering hole (5) 13 State risk accepting European jurisprudence (8) 15 After a time, the pamphlet will entice (7) 17 Remains in taxicab I'd escaped in (6) 18 Squander, say, part of the body (5) 19 Mother, doctor and a Sikh leader are all from Chennai (6) 22 Continue performing in part of West London (5) 23 Cabbage is an ingredient of cock-a-leekie soup (4)

ROAD Weekly Stars

Across 1 Stop translating Sartre (6) 4 Prepared sauces for the campaigns (6) 9 First class rider takes a tumble in Scotland (7) 10 Swap jazz key (5) 11 Rotate tea boiler (4) 12 Fine head start with British Airways, perhaps (8) 14 Harbour with own pole (5) 16 It’s torture putting silver on Yankee (5) 20 Risk money, a pound, after some light shopping? (8) 21 Funny ditch (2-2) 24 Play doctor and a graduate (5) 25 Crush the star characters (7) 26 Something glossy for a teen's dance (6) 27 Love means nothing for such players (6)

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

recent hard work is about to be rewarded. With Pluto getting down to the nitty gritty and Mercury more than capable of spreading the good word, you have the backing to take things up to the next level, if this is what you want right now. Priorities are more than just a give-on, but you are home free!

Libra. Looking to recent actions in your sibling planet of Taurus, all is very fair in both love and war. Any battles that you have to make now are liable to be with yourself; as that stubborn streak has raised its ugly face once more. Stop making a mountain out of a molehill, and use your intelligence to see what’s on the new menu.

Taurus. It is a practical Pluto that helps you to face facts this week. After a square with Venus midweek, you may have already changed your mind about something that no longer seems to matter very much to you. Use you’re abundant energies and your psychic senses to make the best deal that you can. You’ve started so you must finish!.

Scorpio. Having to bite your tongue is a better alternative to saying something that you will later regret for a variety of reasons. What is needed now is a clear head, and the impetus to fight for that which you deserve. The Sun trines Saturn, and it is the infinite wisdom of the unknown that keeps you safe and sound and keen, right now.

Gemini. Hard working Mercury is right by your side when it comes to making the most of a situation. In hindsight it is only too easy to see that things could not continue as they were, and any alternative will be a step in the right direction for you. Keep your friends close by you, and just to make sure, keep those who oppose you now, even closer.

Sagitarius. Saturn prescribes a new route for you. Feeling very much at the crossroads you have to know that going backwards is not an option for you right now. Take time to examine your alternatives, and stall if you have to, until such time when you are in a better place, and what comes next seems a real possibility for a brighter future.

Cancer. Somebody needs your help, tender love, and care, but is not really going about it in the right way. It is true that you have been out of touch recently with many people who are normally there for you when they are needed. The Venus square this week sees you finding the right things to say, but actions speak louder than words ever could.

Capricorn. You have been burning the candle at both ends, and something has got to give; though it shouldn’t have to be you this time around. What is needed is to see things from a distance, since you are to close for comfort, and are on top of things, rather than shaping what’s next for you. You should move on, but do not confuse this as running away.

Leo. The Sun encounters Uranus, planet of innovation, change and commerce early this week. Forewarned is forearmed, and it is time to stop resting on your laurels and to use your significant skills to manoeuvre a situation to your advantage. A loophole not only works on your behalf, but will open doors to just what you deserve!

Aquarius. Under the influences of Uranus, do not be afraid to put your best foot forward. Sometimes you lack confidence in yourself, mistrusting the true actions of those who want to be supportive of you. Right now look within to follow the instincts that keep popping up, but which often serve to hold you back from what should be the main event.

Virgo. Triple actions of Mercury act as a wake up call, and give evidence that your recent suspicions are founded! The highlight of the currently explosive Cosmic energy shift travels through Jupiter, which takes on Mercury at the end of a busy, but inspiring week. You never know what you can do until you try, but you are about to find out!

Pisces. True love comes from within, and somebody has managed to connect with you through both heart and soul. These are trying and testing times, but your energy inspires others, and attracts them to you for all the right reasons. Accept the gift of love as it comes to you on many levels this week, as Venus squares and you get a surprise!

Aries. Mercury faces Pluto, and all your

Code Breaker

Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 1 represents R and 23 represents B, so fill in R every time the figure 1 appears and B every time the figure 23 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.

www.rtnnewspaper.com Across 1 Come or go back (6) 4 Prison (4) 8 Variety of peach with a smooth skin (9) 9 Gemstone (4) 10 Rely on (6) 13 Stable units (6) 15 Capital of Norway (4) 18 Sweets on sticks (9) 19 Nesting insect (4) 20 Have an ambitious plan or a lofty goal (6)

Quick

Down 1 Unpleasantly loud and harsh (7) 2 Friendly Islands (5) 3 Wealthy (4) 5 Nimble or active (5) 6/18 Hide out (3,3) 7 Ship of the desert (5) 11 Bishop's jurisdiction (7) 12 Ordinary (5) 14 Collection of maps in book form (5) 16 Japanese food (5) 17 Chief or leader (4) 18 See 6

Across 1 Desafortunado (7) 5 Toads (5) 8 Gaviota (7) 9 Parrots (5) 10 Thirteen (5) 11 To obtain (7) 12 Cubo (balde) (6) 14 Geese (domestic) (6) 17 Reign (7) 19 Arches (5) 22 January (5) 23 Pendiente (joya) (7) 24 Sheep (5) 25 Cantantes (7)

Down 1 Alterado (5) 2 Key (door) (5) 3 Dummy (for baby) (7) 4 Amarillo (6) 5 Hendidura (corte) (5) 6 Padres (7) 7 Tailors (7) 12 Barber (7) 13 Chino (7) 15 Scorpion (7) 16 Toallas (6) 18 Now (at this time, immediately) (5) 20 Delito (5) 21 Señales (indicaciones) (5)

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

Kenny’s Postbag Kenny, I find it hard to ask Spirit for anything, even if I need it. I have read what you have said about deserving, but I feel very selfish asking for help when others are more needy than myself. Kirsty H. Hi Kirsty! Asking can be for others too. If there is something that you need then why not combine your request with a wish that others are rewarded as well? Staying silent and letting things get worse is not an option, especially since you obviously have the very best of intentions. Asking for others isn’t a compromise, and your request could help them to face times of need; which would reward you, also.

Kenny Corris Don't forget to email or message me with your Postbag Questions!.

Check out my new website: www.kennycorris.net

Kakuro

For Birthday Celebrants 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.

All across the Cosmos there are elements of change and good fortune. Be wise in realising goals and enjoy being a part of the firmer foundation of your future!

Sudoku

Funagram Unscramble the name of a famous English actor and producer: ROAD MYTH Unscramble the name of a London Underground station on the Central Line (two words): BEN THE ANGLER

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

ANSWERS: - TOM HARDY - BETHNAL GREEN

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AIRPORT PARKING

CLEANING SERVICES A1 SPECIALIST CLEANING. Carpets, upholstery, 15 years’ experience 965 058 177/ 697 511 071 marc@barnaclebills.co.uk www.britishbusinesspa gesinspain.es (259042)

ELECTRICIANS MB ELECTRICS. Approved electrician. Any electrical repair. Iberdrola paperwork. Electric bill optimisation for free. Affordable prices. Miquel 655 282 175 www.mb electrics.es (259056)

APP REPAIRS REPAIRS TO WASHERS, DISHWASHERS, FRIDGES FREEZERS, COOKERS, AIR CONDITIONING. CALL SHOP 965 874 838 (9.30AM2PM) FROM BENIDORM TO DENIA. K & M ELECTRODOMESTICOS (276886)

WASHING MACHINE BROKEN? CALL BLUESKY REPAIRS FOR ALL YOUR DOMESTIC APPLIANCE REPAIRS. 626 430 671/966 875 283 (279936)

FOR SALE REF. SA-929 – APARTMENT ALBIR 97m2, 2BEDROOMS, 2BATHROOMS, 2PARKING SPACES- € 160,000 966 868 620 / 695 592 402 (279883)

REF. SA-2450 – APARTMENT ALBIR 74m2, 2BEDROOM, 1BATHROOM € 160,000 966 868 620 / 695 592 402 (279883)

REF. SA-2457 - CORNER TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT ALBIR 70m2 € 241,500 966 868 620 / 695 592 402 (279883)

BUY & SELL

I BUY RECORDS 50’s to the 90’s. Best prices for good records. Tel: 622 750 117 / 962 851 809 (276035)

REF. SA-2373 - APARTMENT IN ALBIR 100m2 HIGH STANDARD, 2BEDROOMS 2BATHROOMS € 282,000 966 868 620 / 695 592 402 (279883)

REF. SA-2026 - LUXURY PENTHOUSE CENTRE OF ALBIR 250m2, 3BEDROOMS 2BATHROOMS, 2KITCHENS, GARAGE € 739,000 966 868 620 / 695 592 402 (279883) REF. XSA-1014 - CENTRIC, INDEPENDENT AND SOUTH FACING VILLA ALBIR 100m2 , 4BEDROOMS, 2BATHROOMS, SWIMMINGPOOL – SALE PRICE € 329,000 966 868 620 / 695 592 402 (279883) REF. SA-2458 - SEMIDETACHED VILLA ALBIR 240m2 , 4BEDROOMS, 3BATHROOMS, DOUBLE GARAGE, SWIMMINGPOOL - € 345,000 966 868 620 / 695 592 402 (279883) REF. SA-228 – NEW MODERN SEMI-DETACHED HOUSE ALBIR 192m2, 3BEDROOMS, 3BATHROOMS, GARAGE - € 365,000 966 868 620 / 695 592 402 (279883)

INSURANCE

SITUATIONS VACANT

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@beneficialin suranceinspain.com or visit www.beneficialin suranceinspain.com for online quote. (259397)

METAL WORKS MOBILE WELDING SERVICE Gates, rejas, railings etc. Made to measure or repaired. Free quotes. No job too small. Calpe. Made to measure or repaired onsite. Call Dave 965 834 869 or 616 173 699

MOTORING WRITING SERVICES

REF. SA-2516 – VILLA ALBIR 273m2, 6BEDROOMS, 4BATHROOMS - € 385,000 966 868 620 / 695 592 402 (279883) REF. SA-2241 - MODERN VILLA ALBIR 265m2, 3BEDROOMS, 3BATHROOMS, PRIVATE POOL – SALE PRICE € 547,000 966 868 620 / 695 592 402 (279883)

MISCELLANEOUS PLUMBING

POOLS

www.rtnnewspaper.com PAINTER/DECORATOR

24th - 30th August

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SPANISH COURSES

PETS

HILLIER’S PAINTERS & Decorators. Covering the Costa Blanca & inland, 35yrs established. www.hillierpaintersanddecorators.com. Tel: 644 355 137 Facebook HillierPaintersCostaBlanca (277285)

PEST CONTROL BUGBUSTERS BENIDORM: Fully Legal Costa Blanca Pest Control Company. EST 1994. For all pest problems, commercial and domestic. Call Lois Clark 619 054 939/96 686 5204. bugbusterslois@hot mail.com. ROESB 05552 CV

REMOVALS & STORAGE

MOSQUITO & Wasp Control, Garden treatments from 30 Euros. Visit www.fogoffspain.com or call/whatsapp 681 609 730 (258886)

PET TRANSPORT

SITUATIONS VACANT

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

Puzzle answers Puzzle answers Puzzle answers Puzzle answers Puzzle answers

Word Ladder LEFT LOFT SOFT SOOT SHOT SHOE

Codebreaker

Kakuro

Quick

Sudoku

English-Spanish

www.rtnnewspaper.com • General Enquires:

951 386 161 Local call rates

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

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

Cryptic

Edita : RTN Publishing and Media SL Deposito Legal : South A-853-1999 • North: A-134-2004 • Costa del Sol MA-630-2017

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

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PETS

SITUATIONS VACANT FREE accommodation in Spain in return for handyman work. Email oasisparks@yahoo.co.uk. Telephone: 696 090 776 (256587)

MORE than just a job! Your career starts now! Serious consultants (m/f) for the Lottery Euromillions needed (for all regions of the Costa Blanca) High earnings. No previous knowledge necessary. Info: Tel 634 234 477 Lottocom - Lottery syndicate (276617)

NEED YOUR PETS TAKEN CARE OF? Not kennels, just a friendly home. Large fenced area. 699 790 080 Altea (241910)

PLUMBING www.100percentplumbing.co m Call for a free quotation 965 835 939

RIGHT PLUMBER - plumbing & drainage for an honest, affordable, professional service call 656 303 236

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 recruit ment@euroweeklynews.com

WORK FROM HOME! WE ARE LOOKING FOR LADIES AGED 20 TO 65 TO TAKE CALLS FROM AN ADULT-HOTLINE IN ENGLISH, SPANISH OR SWEDISH. PLEASE EMAIL YOUR INFO: work@kkhot line.com (279398)

SOFT FURNISHINGS PROPERTY RENTAL RETIRED COUPLE LOOKING FOR LONG TERM RENTAL IN LA MARINA BAIXA - PREF TWO BEDS NEEDED URGENTLY CALL JANICE 0044 7736251800 (279523)

LOOSE COVERS, CURTAINS ETC. Made to Measure. Choose from a wide range of beautiful fabrics in your own home. Tel: 965 771 397 or 686 453 827 (256750)

STRUCTURAL SURVEYS REMOVALS/TRANSPORT MAN & VAN. FOR HIRE. CHEAP AND RELIABLE. JALON VALLEY + SURROUNDING AREAS. 636 100 873 OR 966 480 757 OR (279522)

MARK PADDON BSc Hons. Building surveying. MCIOB, CAAT. From 245 EUROS + IVA. Insured and legally registered in Spain. Tel: 653 733 066 / 962 807 247 www.costablancasurvey ors.com (256116)

XXX RELAX 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)

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)

TV & SATELLITE SKYLINE SATELLITE EXPERTS IN REPAIRS, SERVICE CALLS OR ADVICE ON uk AND International tv installations 965 838 225 info@skylinesat.com SPECIALIST IN COMMUNITY AND APARTMENT INSTALLATIONS, and Solutions, no dish, no problem. Satellite and TV accessories available 965 838 225 info@skylinesat.com

WIG SPECIALISTS WIGS-R-US. Indoor Market Rincon de Loix, Benidorm. Monday - Saturday 10 - 3. Hundreds of wigs in stock, private appointments after 3pm and home visits. 690 378 844 (257051)

XXX RELAX SEXY MATURE ENGLISH, BLOND 15 mins ALICANTE AIRPORT, OVER NIGHT STAYS POSSIBLE RING KAREN 0034 662 049 021

EROTIC MASSAGE in villa. Gorgeous Mexican lady of 29 yo. Pool, pergola, drinks, class, satisfaction. Calpe and outcalls. Vivian 644772227 (whatsapp) (277268)

SITUATIONS VACANT

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24th - 30th August

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• sponsored by

Socialisation of dogs

SOCIALISATION: Makes caring for your dogs easier. SOCIALISING dogs can help prepare them for new encounters. Pet sitters can find themselves caring for dogs who are not prepared to meet new dogs or go out in public. It can be a challenge. Last week David the Dogman discussed a method of early ‘socialisation’ of dogs as a good preparation for their behaviour when meeting new dogs. As regular dog sitters will tell you, it can make all the difference if a dog is prepared through socialisation for new canine encounters. As a dog owner ‘socialisation’ of your dog can help make your dog easier to look after and more importantly it makes them more comfortable and relaxed in public places.

It is also easier for the dog and the owner if they understand the process of befriending other dogs. If you have dogs to care for while you are away on holiday, please get in touch with us. We can find you experienced pet sitters to help. How we work? All new members register to join our online HouseSitMatch 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. We charge for membership to ensure that there is a commitment from both parties and that we can afford to manage our network online professionally. How do you benefit as a home and pet owner?

Our membership offers you a secure network to help you find suitable sitters. You simply post an advertisement ahead of your travel dates which we publish and housesitters can then 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 help you at each stage of the process to get you started and to manage your account. How you do join? Please register online via our website: www.housesitmatch.com. Choose a membership plan. Standard (Do it Yourself 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.

Applying for ‘furternity’ leave! A MINNEAPOLIS marketing company recently made tweaks to its employee benefits this summer. It gave workers ‘furternity leave,’ or the ability to work from home for a week to welcome new dogs or cats. “This is kind of a nobrainer,” said Allison McMenimen, vice president of the company, Nina Hale, who helped devise the new policy. In recent decades, many companies in the United States have overhauled their perks in an effort to retain employees and entice new recruits. But, when it comes to pets, few companies ap-

PET TIME: Official leave to welcome new animals into homes.

pear to have gone far beyond ‘Take Your Dog to Work Day’. An Italian company allowed a woman last year to take paid time off when her dog became sick. And employees at mParti-

cle, a data company in New York, are offered ‘paw-ternity leave’, two weeks of paid time off for those who adopt a rescue dog or get an exotic pet, such as an iguana.

PLUTO www.pluto-protectora-animales-en.org A passion for animal care PLUTO PROTECTORA ANIMALES: Is a registered Spanish association which is fully committed to improving the welfare of animals in Moraira, Teulada and Benissa. The charity was originally founded by German animal rights protectors, but nowadays they’re an international team who speak different languages but share the same passion and philosophy. What does PLUTO do? They rescue cats and dogs, organise foster care, rehome as many animals as possible, neuter feral cats and take care of the feral cat colonies. They also educate the public on aspects of the care and welfare of animals.

CARING: Fully committed to animal welfare.

When PLUTO is made aware of a number of animal-related problems, they do their very best to advise owners. Perhaps it’s a dog that’s on a chain or leash that’s too short, or one that’s locked up in a confined space? They’ll tell the owners about animal protection regulations and

help to improve the situation; they’ll also report them to the Guardia Civil if any maltreatment doesn’t improve over time. To f i n d o u t m o r e about PLUTO, call 693 704 255, e-mail: Angelika@pluto-pro tectora-animales.org or look on the website at https://pluto-protec tora-animales-en.org/.

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motoring

AN intrepid duo has taken an a g e d To y o t a Ya r i s o n a marathon fundraising drive, to cover 12,500 miles from Cambridgeshire to Japan. Dan Handley and Dave Brooks will be travelling on inhospitable roads and gruelling terrain, passing through 20 different countries to reach their destination in Tokyo. They hope their spirit of adventure and one-off feat will help raise bumper sums for the BBC Children in Need appeal. Dan and Dave are both car enthusiasts and work together at HYUNDAI Motor Company’s Thomas Schemera and Albert Biermann unveiled the ‘N’ brand philosophy and vision at the Nürburgring in Germany, highlighting the company’s goal to create high performance vehicles that adhere to high standards of excellence, while giving drivers vehicles that are as fun to drive as they are practical. Hyundai Ns name and reputation are well established in global motorsports. Since its inception in 2015, N has performed at the highest level, racing with success in the FIA World Rally Championship, the Nürburgring’s VLN series, the TCR International Series, Pirelli World Challenge and the

Photo credit: Toyota Press Office

The road to Japan has begun

FUNDRAISERS: Children in Need to benefit from ambitious road trip.

Toyota specialists Fensport Performance in Chatteris. Their cross-continent drive has been a long-held ambition, made possible thanks to backing of the project, by winning the 2017 Motor-Vision Awards. T h e y c h o s e t h e Ya r i s a s a c a r they knew well, and which would be easily repairable should they encounter any problems. They have sourced a 16-year-old fivedoor model, powered by a punchy 1.5-litre petrol engine and costing just over €1,000, purchased with a donation from a local retailer. It has been modified to help it with-

stand the ri gours of the j ourney and to provide Dan and Dave with a home on wheels. The majority of the nights will be spent camping, preparing meals on a small stove, with an occasional stay in local hostels. Dan and Dave will cross Europe towards Turkey. They are allowing themselves eight weeks to reach the port of Vladivostok in eastern Russia, from where they will take a ferry to Japan, via South Korea. If all goes according to plan, they will arrive in Tokyo on October 5, and spend a week there before returning by air to the UK.

Heartbeats higher than the revs! gruelling Nürburgring 24hour endurance race. Hyundai’s competitionhoned N vision and philosophy come to life in a systematically structured product portfolio of worldclass consumer and competition vehicles including halo models built around high performance powertrains and chassis that deliver outstanding vehicle dynamics. The new N Line, characterised by N-specific design and performance-enhancing elements further widens the range of choices available to customers. These vehicles will be instantly distinguishable by their differentiated design elements. Finally, N Options will offer N-produced customisation parts for drivers who

desire improved performance and uniqueness. Rather than focus on outright performance numbers, the N experience is built to get the driver ’s heart racing. Beats per minute (BPM) are prioritised over revolutions per minute (RPM). With this fun to drive nature as its defining characteristic, the N models deliver the agile cornering ability you expect from a sports car combined with everyday drivability and race track capability. ‘We aren’t afraid to do things differently here’, said Albert Biermann, President and Head of Vehicle Performance Division. ‘Our N cars balance performance and practicality so that they are fun to drive every day.’

Volkswagen’s new TCross under wraps IT is Volkswagen’s smallest SUV and yet it has what it takes to become a great one: The new T-Cross, it is still under wraps, but the development to series production is running at full speed. The world première will take place this autumn and the launch will follow in spring 2019. Until then, Volkswagen will give more and more details about the new small but great SUV. ‘I am more’ is the slogan for the introduction of the T-Cross. This slogan reflects the philosophy behind the SUV: To offer more than others, but without costing more. The slogan is clustered in four characteristic areas of the T-Cross: ‘I am practical’ - more space and variability; ‘I am cool’ - masculine design and maximum individuality; ‘I am intuitive’ - digital and connected; ‘I am safe’ - one of the safest cars in its class. The modular transverse matrix, or MQB for short,, is one of the reasons for this. This is the technical basis of the T-Cross. The front axle moves far to the front, thereby lengthening the wheelbase, creating more space in the interior and increasing the available stowage space. The latter is also variable: De pending on the situation, the rear seat bench can be adjusted lengthwise as standard. This will allow for either more legroom, or more space in the luggage compartment (385 to 455 litres). The back of the rear seat can also be divided (60:40) or completely folded down. The high seating position in the T-Cross is typical for an SUV: 597 mm at the front and 652 mm at the three seats at the rear; the elevated view from the TCross is realised via higher ground clearance and the seat system.

New BMW5 Competition 0 to 100kph in 3.3 seconds THE new BMW M5 Competition, high-performance saloon brings together exceptional performance and a suitably rarefied aura with the unruffled ease in everyday use for which BMW M models are renowned. A 19 kW/25 hp hike in engine output over the standard version of the new BMW M5 (to 460 kW/625 hp), even more direct responses and bespoke chassis tuning, ensure a race-inspired driving experience at all times. The market launch of the new BMW M5 Competition heralds the creation of a new product category. In future, BMW M GmbH will offer the most powerful variants of its high-performance cars as standalone models. The car’s unique power delivery makes its presence felt in reducing the Competition’s 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) time to 3.3 seconds.

HIGH-PERFORMANCE: Spectacular enhancements both inside and outside. Furthermore, 0-200 km/h (124 mph) is over in 10.8 seconds, 0.3 seconds quicker than the standard version of the new M5. Standard specification for the new BMW M5 Competition includes a model-specific M Sport exhaust system with tailpipe embellishers in black chrome. The exclusive feel of the new BMW M5 Competition is further enhanced by a selection of other modelspecific design features. BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line trim is complemented by the use of discreetly sporty high-gloss

black for the kidney grille surround, the decorative mesh of the signature BMW M gills in the front side panels, the trim for the rear bumper covering and the exterior mirror caps. Inside the car, an understated stripe design in BMW M GmbH colours for the seat belts, plus floor mats with special piping and ‘M5’ logo point to the exclusive character of the new BMW M5 Competition. A further identifying feature is the ‘M Competition’ graphic that appears in the instrument cluster to greet the driver when it is starting up.

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sport

Benidorm hotel association says British holidaymaker numbers in ‘free fall’

8,392 People Reached 150 Reactions

My Spanish holiday is £500 dearer than last time for exact same holiday. If I booked today it would be £1,000+ more than I paid last year for two of us. That’s not Brexit that’s greed!! Geoff Tucker

@RTNNewspaper Most liked posts from this week • WATCH: Heavy rain causes flood chaos on the Costa Blanca • French boy drowns in holiday tragedy • ‘Women must not wear swim shorts!’ row on the Costa Blanca • The day the rains came to the Costa Blanca

In Total 25,639 people reached 13,490 reactions

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

Valldigna Golf Society THE monthly Stableford competition was held at La Galiana and the Valldigna Golf Society (VGS) was blessed with a slightly cooler and breezier day than had been the case for some time. The pleasant conditions no doubt contributed to the very good turnout. The scoring was also on the high side too and it was a very close run thing for the top spots on the day. It was good to see someone other than Mike take second place as he was quickly looking to take over the title of ‘bridesmaid.’ Mr Smith the VGS’s very own bandido managed to get two birdies and scoring six points on two holes. As a result, members will be pleased to hear that his handicap (in the words of Peter Nunn) is being ‘slashed’!

Photo credit: VGS

Have your say...

TIGHT FINISH: Good turnout for the August Stableford.

Pego Golf Society ON a very hot August day, 42 players turned up for a Texas Scramble Competition. The Society was pleased to welcome five guests: Richard Pike, Cameron Mitchell, Jonathan Park, Duncan White and Chris Witton. The results on the day were as follows: 1st placed team - Graham Borley, Jonathan Park, Penny Barden and A Ghost with a net score of 61.3. 2nd placed team - Fiona Sankey, Brendan Young,

Shawn O'Gorman and A Ghost (he really gets around) with 62.3. 3rd placed team - Jim Hayward, Chris Witton, Steve Patton and Malcolm Cannon with 62.6. Nearest the Pins went to Ian Roberson (Hole 3) and Stella Fox (16), and there were four ‘two’s’ during the day from Russ Peters, John Guest, Malcolm Wise and Steve Patton. Birthday boy John Chessher was happy to donate a bottle - won by Rob Westlands -

but was less forthcoming about his age! The Society bade a sad farewell to Iain Campbell who is leaving Spain to return the the frozen north... of Scotland. One of the most charming people around, everyone hopes he will return to Pego and play the occasional game. Next week features a Team Accumulator Competition, and anyone wishing to play as a guest, subject to handicap, should contact: pego handicapsec@gmail.com.

Spain in the ICC World 20/20 SPAIN has announced their squad to compete in the ICC World T-Twenty Europe B Tournament being played in Holland, and it features a number of local players. Current ECCL Champions Sporting Alfas are proud to have four players in the squad Adam Algar, Jamie Roper, Kieran Perman and Christian Munoz Mills - who have all learnt their cricket in Spain and came through the Spanish Junior Academy system. However, six members come from Pinatar Pirates and make up the backbone of the squad. They are Kuldeep Lal, Muckhtar Singh, Atif Mehmood and Ravi Panchal who all have previous experience at ICC Senior Tournaments whilst Tom Vine has represented Spain at Junior Level. Paul Hennessy will be representing Spain for the first time.

Gary Crompton, also from Sporting Alfas, will be the team manager. The squad are in Group B alongside Italy, Belgium, Isle of Man, Jersey and Finland and will be based throughout the event in the city of Rotterdam, staying at the Hotel van der Valk Blijdorp. Spain has a difficult start in the 18 team competition with matches against Italy and Jersey on consecutive days (next Wednesday and Thursday). A rest day follows and then they’re back in action against the Isle of Man in the morning and Finland in the afternoon of September 1. Spain’s final game sees them take on Belgium on September 2. The top two teams in the group will qualify to play in the ICC World T-Twenty Europe A competition next year.

Winners on the day were: (Members) - 1st - Keith White (34 points playing off 22); 2nd - Tom Smith (33 off 27) and 3rd - Kim Rasmussen (32 off 29). The guests were in fine form too with some very respectable scores. 1st - Dan Meek (35 points playing off 16); 2nd - Herman Oude Lohuis (28 off 16). Nearest the Pins were Andy Reseigh (Hole 3), Tom Smith (5), Mike Clarkson (14), Tigger Osbourne (15), Eddie Butterfll (16), and Ian Parker (17); the longest drive went to Carl Randall on the 12th. The next game at La Galiana is on September 18, so anyone up for the challenge is welcome to join. For more information, contact Don on 600 681 715 or Peter on 642 460 415. E-mail - valldinagolf soc@hotmail.com.

Montgo Golf Society LAST Friday, the Montgo Golf Society played its annual Middleton Trophy Stableford competition sponsored by Jan and Roy Jones. They started with the expectation that they may not be finishing as thunderstorms and heavy rain were forecast for Oliva. However as the clouds boiled around, the golfers remained under a very convenient ‘island’ of sunshine for the entire game. Shaun O’Gorman was given thanks for this as he covered his golf bag in all his wet weather gear thereby guaranteeing that the wet weather would stay away. Taking full advantage of the excellent conditions the defending champion, Geoff Willcock, took full honours in first place with 38 points. Following close behind in second was Ros Fletcher (37), while Jim Haywood appears in dispatches once again with his third place 35. Birthday girl Stella Fox received a special prize from Celia Cronin for coming in 7th. Nearest the Pins prizes went to Jim Hayward (Hole 3), Peter Gardiner (16), Sally Cottrell (5) and John Hall (18), while two ‘two’s’ were recorded by Peter Gardiner and Stella Fox. N e x t w e e k ’s c o m p e t i t i o n i s a S t a bleford sponsored by Terry Moore.