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FREE! COSTA BLANCA SOUTH

Issue 982 31st Aug - 6th Sept

For daily news online www.rtnnewspaper.com

Massive tax savings planned by Steve Collins

N a move designed to make the area more appealing for big companies, Santa Pola Council has announced its intention to make massive cuts to the annual IBI tax bills... popularly known as the SUMA. The plan, due to be raised at the next council meeting, will see a 95 per cent reduction on new building for the first five years. However, the purpose of them must meet a number of requirements before being able to benefit from such a generous cut. One of the motives behind such a move is the council’s desire to encourage tourism all-year round and not simply concentrated during the busy summer period when the population is known to increase five-fold. The intention is that the substantial local rates subsidy will be given to new buildings which are declared as special interest, can stage cultural and historic events, and create employment which would include hotels. Over a number of years, governing councils of Santa Pola have always want-

REDUCTION: Savings given to those meeting certain criteria in Santa Pola.

ed to adopt such initiatives since there are only four hotels currently in the area. These don’t take into account additional forms of tourist accommodation and campsites. At present, there are three hotels currently being built in the municipality;

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one of them in the Gran Playa area on a spare plot where another building once stood. These new constructions will bring not only extra tourists to the area for longer periods of time, but also a boost to the local economy.

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31st August - 6th September

Search locates ‘migrant’ boats TWO small motor boats containing 19 migrants have been intercepted in the waters off the coast of Alicante. They were located 30 miles out to sea and finally landed on the Cabo de Palos in Cartagena. According to reports, the alarm was first raised when the two boats were spotted in rough seas by the crew of the merchant ship ‘Elly Maersk.’ The original search by a helicopter failed to find the drifting vessels but later on, with the help of another aircraft and following a general notice to everyone at sea in the area, both were located.

Drunk attacks security guard A SECURITY guard patrolling an urbanisation in Torrevieja was badly beaten up by a drunken resident form the same area. The victim needed a total of eight staples to a head wound as well as needing to be treated for bruises all over his body following the attack with a baseball bat; an attack that, according to reports, could have been ‘life threatening.’ The incident unfolded in the early hours of Sunday morning when one of the residents of the urbanisation began to insult the security guard hired to prevent thefts in the area. The alleged attacker was arrested a few hours after the victim made a statement to the Guardia Civil, and was due to appear in court earlier this week.

Hotel sector banks on September by Darren Parmenter

OWER than expected numbers of tourists choosing the Costa Blanca for their annual high season summer getaways have left many in the industry crossing their fingers for a bumper September. Average hotel occupancy for next month is anticipated to be as high as 95 per cent, and calculated on the basis of a positive weather forecast and cheaper accommodation that is hoped will extend the busy season into November. This is especially the case in Benidorm where thousands gather to experience their annual fiestas. A number of hotels and related businesses in the sector always look forward to September as, if compared to the same time last year, is

BLIP: Some hotels across the Costa Blanca suffer slight fall in numbers. the most profitable month of the year. It’s a time when young families are replaced by couples and working professionals who are able to take breaks without the restric-

tions of school holidays and traditional August firm shutdowns. Also, this summer’s visitor numbers to the Costa Blanca - despite everyone appearing to be in Benidorm

following England - was also affected by the staging of the World Cup in Russia as well as many in the UK deciding to instead enjoy a ‘staycation’ and make the most of the hot weather.

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31st August - 6th September

‘Sex’ massage parlour raided

THREE ARRESTED: For carrying out violent attacks during robberies.

Violent trio held A

CAMPAIGN of terror was conducted by two knife-wielding brothers and a woman who have been arrested in connection with 14 violent robberies. According to a police source, ‘great social alarm’ was caused by the levels of violence and intimidation used against the terrified victims. The three accused are said to have spread across the Vega Baja, Murcia City, Molina de Segura and as far afield as Mojacar as they carried out their criminal activities. Police say that not only did they carry knives to intimidate their victims, but they did not hesitate to attack innocent members of the public with the sole purpose of obtaining what they wanted, namely money, mobile phones and the theft of their vehicles. The investigation began in mid-July after police received a number of complaints.

The first was from an international transport company that had €12,000 worth of diesel stolen. Police allege that the three suspects then carried out violent and intimidating robberies throughout the region and surrounding provinces. It is alleged they stole three cars in order to move quickly away from the crime scenes and to find new targets. In one case a victim was ordered to kneel down after being knifed in the neck, while in others the victims were dragged violently by the aggressors and thrown to the ground for the purpose of stealing their vehicles. With the help of witnesses, police were able to identify the three suspects. The two men - aged 27 and 39 - were tracked down to their mother ’s house in Los Conejos de Molina de Segura residential development. The investigation continues.

Weekend beach shock by Ray Chadwick MANY people making the most of the final weekend of the main summer season had quite a shock when the body of a dead cow washed up on the Playa Carabassi beach. It was last Sunday around 4pm when Local Police in Elche were called after the

Red Cross based on the beach were notified of the discovery. They were greeted by the headless and exceptionally decomposed body of the animal, and such was its state that it was at first difficult to see what kind of creature it was. The area around where the cow was beached was cordoned off to allow it to be removed by members of the

council cleaning services. The operation to remove the body from the shore took around two hours and during that time, swimmers were prohibited from entering the sea. However, it didn’t stop a large number of curious onlookers arriving en masse with their mobile phones in hand to take photo of this unusual occurrence.

NATIONAL POLICE in Elche have arrested a 45-year-old man accused of allegedly sexually assaulting one of his employees. According to reports, the incident happened in one of the two premises he managed where erotic massages are available. The investigation was opened after the police suspected that these ‘services’ were taking place in two massage rooms after being advertised in a number of newspapers. Once they visited the premises, they found a number of mainly foreign women working illegally and carrying out massages for ‘sexual

purposes.’ The working conditions of these and many other women who find themselves in similar situations often make them fear possible reprisals by their bosses if they don’t consent to having a sexual relationship with them. It was one such report that alerted the National Police into what was taking place. Investigations continue to establish whether there are more victims who have suffered at the hands of the arrested man, and to locate more similar businesses which are possibly hidden away while appearing to be legally trading in another guise.

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31st August - 6th September

Lowest fire devastation in a decade NEW data shows that less hectares of land were destroyed by wildfires from the start of this year to mid-August than has been recorded for the same period in the last 10 years. Blazes in Spain gutted almost 18,000 hectares of land in the first sevenand-a-half months of this y e a r, t h e s m a l l e s t a r e a consumed by fire in a decade. Figures from the Agriculture Ministry show some 80,228 hectares of land were obliterated during the same period last year. That was the highest figure since 2012, the year which saw more than 180,637 engulfed by wildfires. An average of 66,061 hectares of land has been engulfed in flames over the last 10 years. Firefighters were called out to an average of

Legion memorials attacked MEMBERS of the Royal British Legion have been outraged to learn that a cross in honour of fallen war heroes and a special time capsule have been vandalised in attacks in Mil Palmeras and Torrevieja. The marble base containing an inscription just outside the Parish Church in La Siesta was damaged by a heavy object, or possibly b y a h a m m e r, a n d i s e s t i m a t e d t o h a v e caused several thousand euros worth of damage.

Dog awareness lessons

DESTROYED: Almost 18,000 hectares of land ravaged by fires.

8,833 wildfires over that p e r i o d , w i t h t h i s y e a r ’s number at 4,493. The majority of this

y e a r ’s f i r e s , 3 , 2 2 7 , d i d not cover an area larger than one hectare. A total of 1,266 blazes covered

more than one hectare and three were classed as major due to them burning through more than 500 hectares. Spain’s Mediterranean coastal areas were hardest hit by this year ’s forest fires, with almost 40 per cent of the land destroyed on such places. More than 38 per cent took place in the northwest, almost 20.3 per cent were inland and about 2.3 per cent broke out on the Canary Islands.

TORREVIEJA’S Social Welfare Department has launched a campaign to teach young people about the work of the Frey Association. The organisation is responsible for training dogs that eventually become guide dogs or offer other day-to-day assistance. Some can even detect breast cancer from a few drops of sweat. Councillor Fabiana Ibarra visited the Summer School to explain the work of the Association and to make them more aware of what the dogs can do.

Fire zone safe FIREFIGHTERS from both Orihuela and Almoradi have successfully put out a fire in scrubland in the El Hondo Natural Park in Dolores. The fire broke out around 5.30pm on Wednesday afternoon and, according to reports, has affected more than 1,000 square metres of scrubland. The area was declared safe after around 90 minutes.

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Looking for helpers AGE CONCERN are still looking for volunteers who can give up just three or four hours a week. Such a small commitment can have a big effect on the lives of our more senior citizens. The charity is looking for drivers, preferably but not exclusively with a Spanish driving licence to drive one of their vehicles to pick up and drop off people at the Age Concern centre in La Siesta. They would also collect donations of small household items for the charityâ€™s shops. A vacancy also exists for one or two librarians. The library is only open every Tuesday from 10.30am - 12.30pm. Their charity shop in Patricio Zammit Street in Torrevieja is extremely busy every day and would welcome several volunteers to deal with multinational customers. Serving, dealing with displays and stock rotation, this role would suit anyone with retail experience and you would work with an extremely friendly team. Shop is open Monday - Friday 10.30am - 1.30pm and you may choose which day suits you best. The La Siesta centre needs one or two additional volunteers to help mornings from 10.00am - 1.30pm. To apply telephone 966 786 887 Monday - Friday between 10am - 1.30pm to arrange a meeting.

31st August - 6th September

Britannia rules the tills

SPENDING: Britanniaâ€™s passengers put a smile on local traders (File image).

by Darren Parmenter SHOPKEEPERS and businesses in the Alicante Province were more than delighted to welcome the luxury cruise ship Britannia during her stop on the way to Barcelona from Southampton. During the 10 hours that she re-

mained in port, an estimated 300,000 was spent across the province by the 4,000 passengers. Around 80 per cent stayed within the city and spent their money there, but the remaining around 750 visitors - went on a number of excursions that took in Benidorm, Elche, Guadalest, Busot, Villajoyosa and Altea.

This was the second time that the Britannia - a part of the P&O fleet - has visited Alicante this year and in preparation, more than 31 catering outlets in Alicante City had special tapas on sale. In addition, there were at least 400 stores participating in a campaign that offers special discounts for cruise tourists.

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31st August - 6th September

Dogs’ luxury breaks grow By Darren Parmenter

HERE would be no surprise at this time of the year for hotels in Alicante to be displaying their ‘full’ signs. This is also now true for

the increasing number of canine hotels in the province that host dogs when their owners go on their own holidays. But it’s not just dogs that can enjoy a pampered break away from their owners. This increase in demand al-

so includes ‘rooms’ for cats, birds, reptiles and rodents prevented from travelling or staying with their humans, and thus enjoy constant care for 24-hours-a- day. These new hotels have proved especially popular for people that may have previously had to cancel a trip altogether because they don’t want to leave their pets. Also, even if they were to travel on an aircraft, the costs are often prohibitive as well as the stress this often causes to the animals. Throughout the Alicante Province, these hotels have grown at a steady rate with some operating for as long as 10 years; others for just a few months due to the high demand from both animal and human clients. Some even take their dog on a day trip to the hotels, using the ‘nursery’ facilities between 9.30am and 9.30pm which keeps the dog nice and cool while the humans sightsee or shop nearby. “We don’t like to leave our dog at home all day,” said one owner. “If we have a day out, we bring her here and she’s comfortable.”

SUCCESS: Detentions come after a six-month investigation.

Multinational drugs gang arrested A TOTAL of 17 people - 14 men and three women - have been arrested in Alicante and in the Murcia Region for alleged drug trafficking. They are a mix of Spanish, Italian and Bulgarian nationalities. They were detained following a joint operation between the Guardia Civil in Murcia and Alicante’s National Police that saw 11 searches carried out in properties across both provinces. Large quantities of heroin and marihuana have been seized, as well as a number of tools and related equipment. In addition, they found a substantial amount of cash and, ac-

cording to reports, had even stolen some of the drugs from other criminal networks. The arrests were as a result of an investigation that began in February after the National Police noticed an increase in the amount of narcotics on sale at a certain part of Alicante, which indicated that the substances were coming from Murcia. During the raids, a total of 450 marihuana plants were found in various stages of growth and amounted to 110 kilos. They also uncovered an undisclosed amount of marihuana already individually packaged and ready for distribution.

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www.rtnnewspaper.com by Darren Parmenter A PLAN being put forward by Elche Council aimed at reviving certain areas of their two indoor markets has been announced, but at a cost... albeit a small one. For only €2, new market traders can get one of the pitches that have been empty in both Plaza de Madrid and Barcelona for some time, and the initiative comes from studying similar schemes in Sevilla and Santiago where they experienced similar problems in the past. There are certain criteria that need to be met to qualify, and while no business venture is being ruled out, ideas other than the traditional fruit and veg and meat and fish stands will be given priority. The council hope to attract a larger variety of operations such as organic produce, second-hand goods and a bookstall. Councillor Carlos Sanchez pronounced the scheme as a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ for entrepreneurs who will be given permission to operate the new business for six months under the new terms, with the chance of extending for three more. As from this October, a total of 18 spots in the market are

31st August - 6th September

Boost for new traders

ATTRACTION: Plaza de Barcelona market to see more traders from October. likely to see themselves trading once again. The deadline for applications is September 20 and must be submitted through the

Municipal Office of Citizen Services (OMAC) when they will be studied by a technical committee. Any submitted by the young, the unemployed

and the disabled, as well as those planning to sell local organic produce, will achieve a higher score in the final decisions.

Extra teachers hired ALICANTE Province schools will benefit from the hiring of 300 new teachers as the regional government tries to ensure minimum standards are met. Education bosses say the extra teachers will be in place in time for the new school term, with most of the extra staff going to secondary schools. The aim is to make sure every youngster has the opportunity to gain qualifications, and stop them from dropping out of school. The regional education department says that infant, primary and special education schools will get 80 new teachers, who will split their time between several schools each, meaning about half the 380 schools in the province will benefit. Secondary schools will have 220 teachers allotted to them. They have been assigned to 140 schools with many benefiting from two extra teachers. They will also have additional teaching hours for the new ‘reinforcement and accompaniment’workshops which the education department has included in the new curriculum.

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31st August - 6th September

Fiesta mobile Beach ‘life robbers caught savers’ praised L

IFEGUARDS on the La Mata beach have received praise from Torrevieja Council for the way they responded to a major e m e r g e n c y. . . a l b e i t a simulation exercise. The mock rescue took place to test the ability of the group after a ‘victim’ suffered from the effects of drowning. Torrevieja’s councillor with responsibility for Beaches, Javier Manzanares, was on hand to witness the ‘incident’ and spoke of his great pride in the way all the emergency services involved had coped and worked so well together. “ We h a v e o r g a n i s e d this drill - as we do every year as a rule - just to

PRIDE: Councillor Javier Manzanares (centre with hands on hips) among the ‘emergency’ situation. see the reaction times of the lifeguards and how long it takes for the ambulance and Local Police to arrive,” he said.

The simulation surrounded a victim wjo had s u ff e r e d a h e a r t a t t a c k around 150 metres out to sea.

THREE young people aged between 18 and 22 have been arrested in Callosa de Segura by the Guardia Civil. They have been held in connection with their alleged involvement in three robberies with violence and intimidation, which saw them stealing mobile phones from three teenagers during the recent fiestas. The three victims - aged between 14 and 17 - were attacked without warning and forced to duck their heads so they couldn’t see their faces as their phones were taken. One of the three also received a fracture to their nose during the attack. Without much to go on, the investigation concentrated on a particular group of youngsters who had boasted on social media that they were ‘dangerous’ and often posed with large

knives in photographs. A subsequent plainclothes operation located

the 18-year-old ringleader which itself led to the arrest of his accomplices.

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Torrevieja cliff fall A 53-YEAR-OLD woman from Madrid needed the help of local rescue services after falling three metres down a small cliff in Torrevieja. She suffered an injury to her left knee and was also treated at the scene for a number of other cuts and bruises, particularly on a shoulder. According to reports, the lady tried to go down to the hard to access beach by taking a short cut, which included the steep area close to Playa Los Locos. However, she slipped and crashed onto the rocks below, and such were the extent of her injuries that she couldn’t be moved from the area until she’d been correctly immobilised by paramedics.

31st August - 6th September ‘WE wish we had known about your earlier!’ This comment seems to occur most frequently in conversations with the families that have been introduced to MABS when someone is suffering from cancer. MABS are throughout the Costa Blanca, but the Torrevieja branch is growing and gaining from strength to strength. MABS originated as a breast cancer support group, but has grown into an organisation which deals with all forms of cancer, and can offer guidance and assistance to the patient and their families. In addition to translation services and treatment trans-

MABS - guidance and assistance when needed most port, MABS have a range of equipment available to make life easier, such as specialist beds, lifting hoists, commodes and mobility aids. Most important is that each patient is treated with dignity and concern and individually counselled to their special needs. The earlier that the patient and MABS are in contact the more beneficial that contact can be. In Calle Santander, Torrevieja, (near the Parque de Naciones) MABS are ex-

Sudden car blaze LOCAL POLICE in Santa Pola were forced to evacuate a two-storey building on Calle Madrid after a car suddenly burst into flames as it drove down the road. According to reports, the fire started in a Seat Ibiza occupied by two women who, after spotting smoke coming from under the bonnet, quickly pulled over and parked the car. Seconds later, and for reasons that are being investigated, the car erupted in flames and threatened nearby homes.

DONATION: Another welcome fundraiser courtesy of Jilly’s Bar.

panding their shop to make available a better range of nearly new and second-hand clothes as well as a dedicated furniture showroom where an ever changing supply of tables, chairs, beds and

wardrobes can be discovered. The shop is open from 10am till 2pm each weekday and free parking nearby is available. For more information, call 602 648 486.

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31st August - 6th September

Photo credit: William G Turney

REGULAR: A great turnout to support to great causes.

Local lodge benefits two charities L

OCAL Freemason’s Lodge Dama de Elche - recently held their annual Summer Dining and Disco evening, which has now become a regular event. This year it was held at the Raco d’Anna Restaurant in Elche, an ideal venue which has an excellent reputation as well as its beautiful gardens that were the backdrop to welcome more than 60 Masons, wives and guests. In addition, the weather was just about perfect with a cool breeze accompanying the hot and sunny conditions. All the guests were welcomed personally by WBro Nigel Saunders, the Worshipful Master of the Lodge for this year, along with his lovely wife, Lynne. As well as a

very good dinner, entertainment was provided by Bro Colin Pearce who ran an excellent disco which soon had the guests dancing. There was also a raffle which raised a very creditable €300 with all proceeds being donated to the two charities chosen, for this year, by the Master. They are the Elche Children’s Home and the Paul Cunningham Nurses, both of whom do a fantastic job. The money will be presented at a later date. Everyone agreed that this was a fantastic night which was enjoyed by all. If you would like more information about Freemasonry, please make contact at the following e-mail address: prensa@glpva lencia.com.

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31st August - 6th September

Environmental awareness SANTA POLA Council has organised a childawareness event for next Tuesday to help them learn and understand the importance of looking after the environment. In particular, they will be informed about the Oil Solidarity project which deals with recycling vegetable oil. In March, the Council signed an agreement with Rastro Solidario to collect used domestic oil, with the money raised to fund good causes.

TOMATINA: Record-breaking success.

Ripe roaring success A RECORD number of people bought tickets for the Tomatina festival in Buñol, Valencia this week. Some 20,000 locals and visitors threw a mammoth 145,000 kilos of tomatoes distributed from seven trucks during the annual event that attracts people from across the world. Town mayor Juncal Carrascosa said that tickets had been bought by English, American and Chinese nationals among others, adding that it

has ‘been one of the most international editions, since, in addition, the ambassadors of Lithuania and Bangladesh visited.’ As well as the traditional red, people were also seen sporting purple tshirts to pay tribute to women victims of domestic violence. A Tomatina organiser, Councillor Rafa Perez, said the gesture was in memory of the women who have been killed by their partners, and in support of victims suffering today, adding: “We want to tell them they

are not alone, that we do not forget them.” The fruit was delivered by the Castellon Cooperative of La Llosa. Manager, Jose Ramon Mecho, explained that they come from Xilxes, La Llosa, Moncofar, Almenara, Benicarlo and Hellin, and that if they were not used for the event, they would stay in the field without picking, because they are not valid for sale fresh or for preserves. He also said they were ‘super mature’ so that nobody gets hurt.

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31st August - 6th September

Port expansion plans revealed by Ray Chadwick LICANTE Port is set for a big future... in more than one sense. Late in July, the French group Eiffage were awarded the contract for the construction and management of the terminal for the next 30 years, and was the first step in implementing the new Strategic Plan 2018 to 2022 which headlines two main objectives. One is to improve the competitiveness of the docks so by 2022 the Port will be moving four million tons of merchandise annually, in addition to targets of 200,000 containers and 350,000 passengers.

GROWTH: Ambitious targets for trade and passengers in Alicante.

The challenge for the new company is there, as current figures show that the movement of goods has fallen by 15.4 per cent in the first half of this year to just 1,483,687. This is less than half of the 3,446,770 ton figure with which it ended 2017. The figures for 2022 foresee a growth of 16 per cent when compared to those of last year. The planned growth for cruise passengers is even more ambitious as it aims to multiply by eight the numbers who arrived in 2017. Although this year so far has seen some remarkable figures, (42,201

so far) they are likely to end 2018 somewhat short of the record for Alicante in 2011 which stands at 108,435... and a third of the 2022 target. The second aspect of the project is to open more leisure activities in the Port near to the fish market and the dry dock area, to accommodate the growing sport and hotel trade. A further objective is boosting the traffic to North Africa, with new links to Morocco being a key factor, and encouraging more imports and exports to the province to prevent businesses using other ports instead.

Short news Mastiff located A MASTIFF dog reported missing for two days has been found trapped in a storm drain in Orihuela. The large pet was found by a group of hikers who had heard a dog crying and raised the alarm. When firefighters arrived at the scene, they found the distressed dog in the drain that was enclosed between two gates and partially filled with water.

Late night stabbing TWO people have been injured, none seriously, during a stabbing incident in Albufereta on the outskirts of Alicante. According to reports, a fight started that was allegedly caused by jealousy in a venue in Avenida Villajoyosa. The National Police are still looking for the perpetrator of the stabbing which took place during the brawl between a number of people understood to be around 30-years-old and South Americans.

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31st August - 6th September

Fakes, fakes and more fakes LOCAL POLICE in Alicante have confiscated more than 1,200 fake items valued at â‚Ź24,000. The seizure comes after a series of checks on a number of mainly counterfeit football kits and shoes. The two arrests were part of an operation that will continue for the foreseeable future as the authoritiesâ€™ crackdown on this form of illegal trading on the streets. Local Police strategically placed themselves at a number of locations in the north of the city where the selling usually takes place to deter the sellers from setting up in the first place. In addition, they appeared on a number of TRAM trains that are reg-

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Alicante

by Glenn Scott

CRACKDOWN: Latest selection of counterfeit goods on display.

ularly used as a means of getting the sellers into Alicante armed with their products. On the second day of the operation, officers intercepted two vehicles and seized the overwhelming majority of the

recently discovered items. This was followed by another arrest as a number of pairs of counterfeit shoes were about to be distributed around sellers who had set up a pitch in the Alicante port area.

www.rtnnewspaper.com

31st August - 6th September

Benidorm Pride grows in stature CREDIT: GO FUND ME.

“GOSH, where have eight years gone?” I asked myself as I gazed up at a festoon of rainbow-coloured brollies above the entrance to Company Bar in the heart of Benidorm’s flourishing gay village. The delightful display catapulted me back in time to Benidorm’s first LGBT Pride event in 2011 11 months after I made this fantastic Spanish resort my home. It was, in comparison to Pride events in locations ranging from London and San Francisco to Sydney, Australia, a very modest affair that attracted just a few thousand people. But my, how it’s grown! Last year around 15,000 revellers poured into the resort for a week of festivities, and organisers of

this year ’s event expect even greater numbers to paint Benidorm pink and adorn it with extravagant costumes from Sunday until September 9. Around this time last year, I wrote a piece for the RTN headed ‘Why I am so proud of Pride.’ In it I said; ‘as we blow whistles, wave rainbow flags and dance in the streets, let’s pause to consider the plight of those living in places where being gay remains a criminal offence - 74 countries in total. It’s an appalling fact that 12 of them have the death penalty for homosexuality.’ I might well have added that, even in tolerant societies which have done so much to extend equality to their LGBT communities, there are still large pockets of prejudice. Take the case of Florida student Seth Owen. In July of this year the 18-year-old became headline material when it was widely reported that his religious parents, on discovering that he was gay, insisted that he attend their deeply-homophobic church so that he might be ‘cured’ of his homosexuality.

CREDIT: Matthew Stockall.

by Barry Duke

COMPANY BAR: The Company Bar team, from left, Bev, Ricardo and Sam.

Seth rightly rejected the ‘prayaway-the-gay’ pressure put on him by his parents and he left home. But this created a problem. He was due to enrol at Georgetown University this August with scholarships totalling $50,000. But he needed an extra $20,000 which his parents would not now provide. One of Owen’s former teachers then created a GoFundMe appeal

- and in the space of two months it raised a staggering sum of $141,636. Then the university generously decided to adjust Seth’s tuition fees, saying he need not pay the $20,000. Now that he is be able to attend Georgetown with no financial worries, Seth said he plans to get a law degree, and use the cash raised to establish a scholarship to help others in the LGBT community who are in similar situations. Seth’s story is not unique according to America’s Centres for Disease Control. Bullying and assault are common for LGBT teens who come out. One study published on the CDC website shows 30 per cent of LGBTQ teens consider suicide, compared to 6 per cent for heterosexual teens. Similar statistics have been recorded in other Western democracies. Seth’s experience - and the displays outside Company Bar and many other establishments in Benidorm’s Old Town in anticipation of Pride 2018 should serve to remind us that while much progress has been made, our battle against the forces of mainly religious bigotry is very far from over.

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31st August - 6th September

Royal British Legion in Murcia

HE Royal British Legion (RBL) had a mixed membership recruitment and community support stand at the recent fiestas held in Camposol, near to Mazarron. During just four hours, a tremendous amount was achieved with over 100 contacts being made, with those visiting the stand and 36 people making generous donations to the cause. In addition, lots of information was distributed about all aspects of the RBL and as a result five potential future members were recruited. Two people kindly offered to become Poppy Coordinators, something the branch doesn’t currently have, including people

FUN TIMES: Lynn, Billy, Pam, Steve and ‘friends’ enjoying the day.

who have only been in Spain for five weeks and have previous experience in this role. The event also proved that the RBL is not just about its members now, but about having fun with the next generation of members. The District Community

Support Coordinator, Pamela Twissell-Cross, also had the chance to promote RBL on a local radio station to promote all that is going on, that includes a breakfast club for local veterans and the forthcoming Poppy Day launch. Anyone interested in being involved with the RBL

Murcia Branch should contact Branch Chairman Steve Carne via e-mail: murcia.chairman@rbl.com munity or Branch Secretary Lynn Symonds mur cia.secretary@rbl.commu nity. The number for help and assistance or just a chat is Pam on 676 451 780.

Millions for Elche

LAST Saturday’s Spanish National Lottery saw €4 million in prize money distributed across Elche. The top prize winning number of 58180 was only sold in the municipality and nowhere else in the country. It was the Priego lottery office, located on Calle Porta de la Morera which sold the most tickets and was responsible for spreading the luck throughout the city. It’s the first time in 15 years that this kiosk has sold a winning ticket, with many locals receiving €60,000.

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31st August - 6th September

Black spots addressed ELCHE Council is planning to eliminate a number of notorious accident black spots in the municipality with the announcement that new traffic lights will be installed in 17 different locations. Two of the worst areas have already seen signalling put up at crossroads in the city centre and in Altabix. At an estimated cost of €100,000 the project is aimed to be completed by the end of the year.

VILAFAMES: Susana Meseguer had to give up her passion for sharing her local knowledge.

By Tara Rippin AN unauthorised tourist guide was forced to quit or pay a fine of up to €600,000. The regional government of Valencia told Susana Meseguer to stop offering her informative sightseeing walks, or face the consequences. Finding herself out of work, Susana signed up to GuruWalk, an online platform which brings together tourists and guides all over the world. Tourists have the option to

Pack in or pay up

tip rather than pay a set fee. Informal guide Susana claims to have received no more than €60 a month sharing her wealth of knowledge about Vilafames, a village in Castellon where she lives. But she recently received a letter from the regional government explaining that tourist guides in the region need authorisation, and warned her that unless she stopped giving tours, she could face a possible fine of

€100,000 to €600,000. The 50-year-old, who is extremely passionate about the area she lives in, has now apparently left GuruWalk and removed the cards she had placed in the village tourist office advertising her services. And she refutes claims made in the letter that she was operating from 9am to 9pm each day, adding that it was more of a hobby for her, the odd weekend at most. Speaking to Spanish

press, Susana said she was saddened that she could not share her ‘excitement to spread the word’ about what Vilafames has to offer. The tour that she offered is no longer available on GuruWalk, despite very positive reviews. But on a positive note, Susana has apparently setting up her own business hiring out electric bicycles with GPS that can be used to visit the area’s attractions.

www.rtnnewspaper.com

31st August - 6th September

Child measles cases spike Photo credit: Flickr

by Glenn Scott

IGURES released by the Public Health Department following a report from the National Epidemiology Centre (NEC) at the Carlos III Institute in Madrid, show a spike in the number of cases of measles being reported. Of all the incidences across Spain this year so far, two out of three are in the Valencian Community. The NEC monitors and oversees all notifiable diseases throughout the country, and it’s one week’s data that has caused the most concern. During the week of July 16 to 22, of the 191 reported cases some 131 came under the control of the Valencian Community... representing 68 per cent of the total. Such a significant percentage is likely to be as a result of a wave of infections in the area and comes after an outbreak in the Manises Hospital in Valencia in January this year. In spite of a major initiative to eliminate the disease, combined with an increase in those being vaccinated, such numbers of 100 plus haven’t been experi-

UNDER CONTROL: Vaccinations are solving the problem.

enced for many years. This year’s total to date is a fivefold increase compared to the whole of 2017, but experts are satisfied that the outbreak that has been adding to the totals - as well as a number of children arriving in the area unvaccinated - is coming to an end. According to reports, Francisco

Javier Roig, head of the Epidemiological Surveillance and Control Service of the Health Department said that they must now wait for the normal 21-day incubation time of the disease to pass. “If by the beginning of September there are no new notifications, we will be able to control the latest outbreak,” he explained.

Important tax meeting REPRESENTATIVES from the UK HMRC (Revenue and Customs) will be holding a session to discuss tax issues in the Capitol Theatre in Rojales. The event takes place on Tuesday at 11am and will be attended by British Consul Sarah-Jane Morris. HMRC has introduced new legislation that requires individuals to make sure their foreign income and assets are in order before a September 30, 2018 deadline and also tougher penalties.

www.rtnnewspaper.com

31st August - 6th September

Traffickers flee empty handed

ORE than 2,300 kilos of hashish was seized yesterday in a sting which saw the suspects escape. During a patrol of the waters at Algeciras, Cadiz, air resources of the Civil Guard and customs surveillance, spotted several ‘semi-rigid type’ boats usually used for drug trafficking. A source said they were sailing without lights and loaded with a

significant number of bales, heading for the coast of Algeciras. “It was also observed that a number of no less than 15 persons were expected to unload the illegal goods on the coasts,” said a police spokesperson. Further Guardia Civil and customs officials were called in as reinforcements, with the support of maritime and land patrols from both bodies. Once the unloading of

Sky’s the limit

b a l e s h a d b e g u n , o ff i cers moved in. When they realised they were being monitored, the all e g e d d r u g t r a ff i c k e r s fled, abandoning the goods they were selling. A total of 71 bales of hashish, weighing 2,332 kilos, were recovered. The location and existing vegetation ‘prevented the arrest of the drug traffickers, although the action remains open, so arrests are not ruled out.’

REMOTE control drones are to be despatched to help patrol the skies above Spain’s capital. The Guardia Civil has created the Pegaso team to operate and monitor the aircraft in the airspace over the community of Madrid. The boost to airborne resources was given the green light in December after almost two years of research into the use of the aircraft.

www.rtnnewspaper.com

31st August - 6th September

FORECASTS: A slowdown in holidaymakers is predicted this year.

Drop in arrivals, rise in spending WHILE the number of people holidaying in Spain this year may be down on last year, the cash spent could be up, according to recent forecasts. A report by Spain’s Tourism Board predicts that in the worst case scenario there could be ‘zero or negative’ growth in the number of overseas tourists holidaying in the country this year. Best case is a ‘very moderate’ growth. The document said the Tourism Board expected ‘positive and hopeful’ holidaymaker spending figures driven by a growth in ‘cosmopolitan tourism’ such as cultural visits and food and drink trips. Statisticians from Turespaña drew up the report to

forecast figures for the July to October period. The predicted slowdown in arrivals compared to previous years was said to be largely driven by a slump in visitor numbers from Britain, Germany and France, the three leading tourist nationalities in Spain. Visitors from those countries account for more than 50 per cent of the total arrivals in Spain between them. The report stated there could be a rise in French tourists during September and October this year. And trends from British visitors suggested there could be a fall of 4.2 per cent of tourists from that country. Industry performance in the final months of the year could lead to a stagnation or

decline in visitor numbers for 2018, the report stated. Spending is predicted to grow by 5.3 per cent during the July and October period, largely due to a growth in spending from US and Portuguese travellers of 11.9 per cent and 21.1 per cent respectively. This year’s figures come on the back of two recordbreaking years for tourism in Spain which in part explains the slowdown. Tourism experts have reportedly begun to wonder whether Spain has hit its ‘ceiling’ of the amount of arrivals in the country. Findings from the report also suggested the move away from classic ‘sun and beach’ holidays towards cosmopolitan tourism will continue.

www.rtnnewspaper.com

31st August - 6th September

Rare stuffed animals seized

COLLECTION of stuffed animals including specimens from several protected species in danger of extinction has been seized by the Guardia Civil. The operation began when the Investigation Team of the Nature Protection Service (SEPRONA) of the Guardia Civil learned of a person in Sevilla who collected stuffed animals. They tracked him down and searched his garage where they found trophies and heads of creatures including a polar bear, black bear, wolf, lynx, and buffalo. There were also four complete elephant tusks, ivory carvings, a complete leopard, a puma, and an ashtray and bottle rack

PROTECTED: A sample of the stuffed rare animals.

made out of rhino and hippo legs. In most of the cases the owner of the collection did not have the required paperwork to prove the provenance of the stuffed animals. According to the collector he had built up his collection by visiting markets

and small shops while on holiday on the Andalucian coast, as well as through the internet. The collection was seized by SEPRONA officers. The investigation is still open and no course of further action has been ruled out.

www.rtnnewspaper.com

31st August - 6th September

vox pop

Do you think alcohol should be banned on flights, and should it only be sold at airports after 10am? Name: Sandra and Margaret Nicklin Name: Soeren Age: 52 and 74 and Hanne On holiday: Yes Boye Age: 60s Where from: New Forest, England On holiNo. I went to Antigua which was an day: Yes eight-hour flight and it was very nice Where to have a drink or two! Long haul f r o m : flights are quite demanding and it Copenhelps you through them. On hagen, DenSoeren and those longer flights you’re having mark Hanne Boye. food too, so there can’t be many NO, absolutely people behaving badly. not! What’s wrong with Maybe there’s a case for it a glass or two of red wine on on the shorter flights, but holiday?! The same applies there’s not much point to airports. It’s up to the indrinking on those. dividual, people should Wetherspoons is alhave the freedom to choose one way or the ways full early in the other. morning at the airport! Restaurants can deIt’s because it’s cheap cide themselves if they isn’t it? Yes it’s probably better to want to ban it, but it shouldSandra and ban it at the airport, n’t be a law. That would be Margaret Nicklin. it leads to argutoo restrictive. People work hard ments and raucous and have the right to enjoy themselves behaviour on the flights. in their free time.

cluding religious groups don’t Name: Eduardo drink, and maybe certain airAge: 25 On holiday: Live here lines could appeal to them with the policy. I’ve had a Where from: drink or two on flights but Venezuela not too many. Well I have had the It’s stupid to ban alcohol odd drink or two, I at airports! Imposing your don’t see the problem own set of moral values on with that. I’m sure other others is wrong, so I don’t people have drunk more Eduardo. agree with that. People are rethough! In truth it wouldn’t sponsible for themselves. We live bother me if it was banned or in a free society and introducing these restricted to one or two drinks. It’s kind of measures is inappropriate. not an important issue for me. They could ban it at airports, it would Name: Anas make flights safer as it’s less easy for people to get hold of it. But then if people realAge: 41 ly want to, they will just drink at home beOn holiday: Yes forehand so you’ll never stop it completely. Where from: Rabat, Morocco Definitely not. What else are you going to do, you can’t go for a walk! As long as Name: Tom you’re not getting carried away it’s fine. Age: 28 But if a waitress sees that a customer has On holiday: Yes had too many drinks, they should be able Where from: Czech Republic No it shouldn’t. People have freedom of to stop serving them. I don’t mind a ban before 10am, people choice. But if the airlines want to ban it then that’s their decision too. Plenty of people in- should not be drinking so early!

www.rtnnewspaper.com

31st August - 6th September

by Colin Bird The opinions published in Colin’s weekly column are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or newspaper sponsors. I REMEMBER when an old boy, close to where I lived in Cornwall, won what was a record £250,000 on the football pools back in the early 70’s, and 10 years before that when a lady called Viv Nicholson pulled in a win of £152,000 - about £5 million and £3 million respectively in terms of today’s values. Viv declared that she was going to spend, spend, spend. She did and was broke within three years. It is estimated that more than 11,000 people in the UK earn a million a year plus, which would indicate that considerably more people hold more than a million in cash assets. Add to that property, shares and investments and the actual figure of millionaires in the UK could well be in the hundreds of thousands. But there is now a distinct difference between being a millionaire and living a millionaire life-style. Let’s say you went all the way on ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’ and experienced the dubious pleasure of

What’s a million these days?

THINK AGAIN: Maybe not such a good idea.

Chris Tarrant pumping your hand and giving you best-of-mates-hugs under a snow storm of confetti. What would it buy you? Well presumably a nice house would

be on many people’s shopping list, but let’s face it, if you opted for London or leafy Surrey there wouldn’t be a lot of change left over for things like food and lottery tickets. So a more modest target

elsewhere would need to be looked at say £500,000. That would get you an above average four-bedroom detached in many areas. But then maintaining it and living comfortably would be mighty difficult with the depressing interest rates today. You would seriously have to consider keeping the day job just to tread water. If you opted for an even more modest property at under 200k, then welcome to Birkenhead or Goole - at least you would be near the sea. The interest on the rest, foregoing the pleasure of a round-the-world-cruise, should just about ensure a reasonable lifestyle if you were careful. So in order to live that fabled millionaire lifestyle, you would need one of the heftier wins on Euro Millions - say £20 million at least. This would get you that pad in Chipping Campden; a nice Aston Martin Vantage; exotic holidays and a cabana on the beach in St Barts with its own mooring and accompanying Sunseeker. This should leave you with plenty in the kitty to invest wisely and live high off the hog for the rest of your life. And don’t forget that people with this sort of bread are always able to employ the best tax avoidance consultants, paying the minimum amount to HMCR. And that’s why I wouldn’t even get out of bed for anything less than a quadruple roll-over on the lottery.

www.rtnnewspaper.com

31st August - 6th September

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

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. It’s difficult to believe, but 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.’

Advertising Feature

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AA TV: Pete ready to install your television system.

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who set up the company in response to his own frustrations at not being able to get a decent reliable platform to watch British channels. Satellites were once the main and only way to pick up British TV and are still very

popular with AA Free English TV clients. Free to air systems start from as little as €295 with a one-off payment. Other options available to customers are IPTV internet protocol television. These work without a dish and just require an internet connection. They offer a full TV package with catch up TV service with over 4,000 movies and 400 box sets series included, from only €220 including the receiver. Pete believes IPTV is the future of television as the infrastructure for the internet gets better and better. All the systems are considerably cheaper than the monthly payments you pay to the rebroadcasting companies making them the sensible choice in

making real monetary savings in the long term whilst still enjoying an ever widening range of program choices. AA Free English TV have also installed brand new community systems plus upgraded and repaired many other community systems, so call now to ask for a free quotation for your community and you will be pleasantly surprised. You can also see the systems working before you purchase from them. They are always at the end of the phone and nine times out of 10 can get to our clients within 24 working hours. AA Free English TV Tel: 606 297 825 Visit: www.aafreeenglishtv.com

www.rtnnewspaper.com

31st August - 6th September

money

Reducing future tax burdens Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

A NEW, ‘Care ISA’ that will in future allow people to ringfence some of their savings from inheritance tax is reportedly being considered by the UK Government In normal circumstances, ISAs (Individual Savings Accounts) are automatically taxed when the holder dies. Under the possible plans any money remaining in the ISA specifically there to help meet costs of care in later life would be passed on to any heirs free of tax. However, it’s been estimated that only between 5 and 10 per cent of people actually leave enough money in their estates to make the beneficiaries liable for what many refer to as the ‘death tax.’ This fact has sparked a degree of criticism that a Care ISA would most likely only help the richest in society. Since 2014, widows, widowers and bereaved civil partners have been able to claim an extra ISA allowance called the Additional Permitted Sub-

SUPPORT: Former minister Baroness Altman in favour of the plans.

scription, which is the allowance equal to what a partner held in their ISA when they died. According to reports in the UK press, the Treasury has been looking at plans to include this new Care ISA in the forthcoming Green Paper on social care. Commenting on the proposals, former Minister for Pensions and Conservative peer, Baroness Altmann, backed the idea of introducing a special ‘Care ISA’ allowance, which could pass on free of inheritance tax if unused. “Each person could be allowed a Care ISA fund up to a maximum sum, to be spent on care. They could transfer existing ISA balances into this Care ISA, or fund it from new savings.” She continued, “There are huge sums saved in ISAs by the older generations. If all this money is spent before people reach later life, the burden of paying for their care will fall more heavily on younger generations.”

State pensions not included in no-deal

ONE of the many recently released technical papers relating to preparations for a no-deal Brexit announced by Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab has particularly worried a number of elderly UK citizens living in Spain. The one entitled ‘Banking, insurance and other financial services if there’s no Brexit deal’ explains that they could lose access to certain types of pension income and other financial services. However, there is no mention of the State / Old Age Pension in any of the documents which can be explained according to a BBC Facebook Live session: ‘Someone with a UK pension and living overseas - currently about 220,000 people - will still receive their payments, whatever the outcome of the UK’s departure from the EU.’ The thought of expats living in the EU and seeing some of their non-state pensions stopped in the event of the proverbial ‘cliff edge’ Brexit was raised by Tory MP Nicky Morgan last year in her role as Chair of the House of Commons Treasury Committee. Writing to Chancellor Philip Hammond, she said: ‘The possibility that UK providers may not be legally able to pay out pensions or insurance contracts to citizens in the EU - including UK expats - is a stark example of the consequences of a ‘cliff edge’ Brexit’ Commenting on the no-deal papers, Hugh Savill, director of regulation at the Association of British Insurers, said: “Leaving the EU without a deal would cause major inconvenience to millions of pensioners, travellers and drivers. We urge the government to agree a deal as a matter of urgency.”

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 The King's Speech

7:00am The TV That Made Me 7:30am Countryfile Summer Diaries 8:15am Impossible 9:00am Gardeners' World 10:00am Victoria Derbyshire 12:00pm BBC Newsroom Live 2:00pm Strictly Ballroom 3:30pm Killer Bees of Africa 4:15pm Kate Humble: Into the Volcano 5:15pm The Truth About Lions 6:15pm Antiques Road Trip 7:00pm Celebrity Eggheads 7:45pm The Repair Shop 8:30pm Women's World Cup Qualifier 11:00pm Mock the Week 11:30pm Newsnight 12:05am Edinburgh Nights with Nish Kumar 12:35am BBC Ouch Storytelling Live Going Out

9:30am Lorraine 10:25am The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30am This Morning 1:30pm Loose Women 2:30pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:55pm ITV News London 3:00pm Judge Rinder 4:00pm Dickinson's Real Deal 5:00pm Tipping Point 6:00pm The Chase: Celebrity Special 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV Evening News 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm James Martin's American Adventure 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm Doc Martin 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:30pm ITV News London 11:45pm Senna 1:40am Jackpot247

9:30am Everybody Loves Raymond 10:00am Frasier 10:35am Frasier 11:05am Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA 12:00pm The Simpsons 12:30pm The Simpsons 1:00pm Channel 4 News 1:05pm Come Dine with Me 2:05pm Bang on Budget 3:10pm Countdown 4:00pm A Place in the Sun 5:00pm Sun, Sea and Selling Houses 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:30pm The Simpsons 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice 10:00pm 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown 11:00pm Naked Attraction

9:55am Nella the Princess Knight 10:05am Mofy 10:15am The Wright Stuff 12:15pm Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords 1:10pm 5 News Lunchtime 1:15pm GPs: Behind Closed Doors 2:15pm Home and Away 2:45pm Neighbours 3:15pm NCIS 4:10pm Out of Reach 6:00pm 5 News at 5 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm Cricket on 5: England v India 9:00pm Britain by Bike with Larry and George Lamb 10:00pm Celebrity Big Brother 11:30pm Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side

4:35am 6:15am

8:40am 9:00am 9:25am 9:30am 10:25am

Toonmarty Scrambled!'s ITV News Zoe Ball on Saturday Saturday Morning with James Martin James Martin's American Adventure Love Your Garden Â£10k Holiday Home ITV Lunchtime News To be Announced Catchphrase Tipping Point The Chase WOS Wrestling ITV Evening News Regional News and Weather Big Star's Little Star Info not available Info not available Info not available ITV News Red Heat

8:35am Everybody Loves Raymond 9:00am Frasier 9:30am Frasier 10:00am The Big Bang Theory 10:30am The Big Bang Theory 11:00am The Big Bang Theory 11:30am The Simpsons 12:00pm The Simpsons 12:30pm Para Triathlon: Superhero Tri 2:00pm Four in a Bed 2:30pm Four in a Bed 3:00pm Four in a Bed 3:30pm Four in a Bed 4:00pm Four in a Bed 4:30pm The People's Vet 5:30pm Channel 4 News 6:00pm Formula 1 7:30pm Speed with Guy Martin 9:00pm Oblivion 11:15pm Exodus: Gods and Kings 1:55am Hollyoaks Omnibus

7:00am Milkshake! 10:50am Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 11:25am Pets Make You Laugh Out Loud 11:50am Police Interceptors 12:45pm Police Interceptors 1:45pm Police Interceptors 2:40pm Police Interceptors 3:45pm Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End 7:00pm Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away! 8:00pm Cricket on 5 8:55pm 5 News 9:00pm Brunel's Britain: Master of Bridges 10:00pm How the Victorians Built Britain 11:00pm Celebrity Big Brother 12:05am Lip Sync Battle 1:00am Cruising with Jane McDonald 1:15am Super Casino

4:30am The Bachelors 6:30am Moana: Special 7:00am Top Ten Show, the 2018 7:15am Tall Tales From the Magical Garden of Antoon Krings 9:00am The Boy Downstairs 10:50am Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 1:00pm Pitch Perfect 3 2:50pm Braven 4:40pm Tall Tales From the Magical Garden of Antoon Krings 6:20pm Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 8:30pm To be Announced 9:00pm Pitch Perfect 3 10:40pm Braven 12:20am The Boy Downstairs 2:10am Jackals 3:50am Top Ten Show, the 2018 4:10am The Competition

7:45am Football Leeds United meet Middlesbrough at Elland Road in the Sky Bet Championship 11:00am Soccer A.M. 12:30pm SPFL Matters 1:00pm Gillette Soccer Saturday 4:15pm Gillette Soccer Saturday 6:15pm Football 9:00pm EFL Goals: Championship 10:00pm Football 12:05am MLS Greatest Games 12:15am MLS Greatest Games 12:30am MLS Greatest Games 12:45am MLS Greatest Games 1:00am EFL Goals: Championship 2:00am Football 4:05am MLS Greatest Games 4:15am MLS Greatest Games

To be Announced WOS Wrestling Big Star's Little Star ITV Lunchtime News Info not available The Lego Movie Catchphrase Tipping Point The Chase Paul O'grady's Little Heroes ITV Evening News Regional News and Weather Info not available Info not available Info not available Info not available ITV News Our Everest Challenge with Ben Fogle and Victoria Pendleton

7:10am Motorsport 7:40am Everybody Loves Raymond 8:05am Everybody Loves Raymond 8:30am Frasier 8:55am Frasier 9:25am European Championships 10:30am Sunday Brunch 1:30pm The Simpsons 2:00pm The Simpsons 2:30pm Peng Life 3:00pm Hulk 5:40pm The Great British Bake Off 7:00pm Extreme Cake Makers 7:25pm Channel 4 News 7:45pm Formula 1 10:00pm Jack Reacher: Never Go Back 12:20am A Bigger Splash

11:20am Make You Laugh Out Loud 11:40am Make You Laugh Out Loud 12:35pm Police Interceptors 1:35pm Police Interceptors 2:35pm Police Interceptors 3:35pm Bad Tenants, Rogue Landlords 4:30pm Bad Tenants, Rogue Landlords 5:30pm Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away! 6:25pm Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away! 7:15pm Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away! 8:00pm Cricket on 5 8:55pm 5 News 9:00pm That's So 1980 10:00pm Celebrity Big Brother 11:00pm Most Shocking Moments in Pop

6:30am Black Panther: Special 7:00am Tall Tales From the Magical Garden of Antoon Krings 8:45am Top Ten Show, the 2018 9:00am Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 11:10am Pitch Perfect 3 1:00pm Braven 2:50pm The Little Hours 4:40pm Tall Tales From the Magical Garden of Antoon Krings 6:20pm Info not available 6:50pm Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 9:00pm Pitch Perfect 3 10:40pm The Little Hours 12:20am Braven 2:10am The Bachelors 4:10am Jackals

10:00am 10:30am 12:00pm 3:30pm 4:30pm 4:45pm 5:00pm 5:30pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 6:45pm 7:00pm

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

Lost in Paris Top Ten Show, the 2018 Moana: Special The Competition The Bachelors Tall Tales From the Magical Garden of Antoon Krings The Boy Downstairs Pitch Perfect 3 Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Tall Tales From the Magical Garden of Antoon Krings The Boy Downstairs Pitch Perfect 3 Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Jackals Final Score: Behind the Scenes Don't Hang Up The Bachelors

12:30pm 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 EFL 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 EFL Matters 6:30pm SPFL Greatest Games 6:45pm SPFL Greatest Games 7:00pm SPFL Matters 7:30pm EFL Matters 8:00pm Football 11:15pm The Debate - Live 12:15am SPFL Matters

SATURDAY 7:00am Breakfast 11:00am Saturday Kitchen Live 12:30pm Nadiya's Family Favourites 1:00pm Football Focus 2:00pm BBC News 2:10pm Weather 2:15pm Athletics 4:15pm Money for Nothing 5:00pm Final Score 6:10pm BBC News 6:20pm Regional News 6:25pm Weather 6:30pm Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides 8:35pm Impossible Celebrities 9:25pm Pointless 10:10pm Casualty 11:00pm BBC News 11:15pm Weather 11:20pm Match of the Day

10:40am David Attenbrough's Natural Curiosities 11:00am Nature's Miracle Babies 12:00pm Natural World 1:00pm Nigel Slater: Eating Together 1:30pm Great British Menu 2:00pm Great British Menu 2:30pm Tom Kerridge's Proper Pub Food 3:00pm Homes Under the Hammer 4:00pm Scrappers 4:30pm Garden Rescue 5:15pm Escape to the Country 6:15pm Flog It! 6:50pm A Passage to Britain 7:50pm BBC Proms Extra 8:30pm Eric and Ernie 10:00pm Morecambe and Wise in Pieces 11:00pm Gone Girl 1:20am Mystery Road

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

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 Points of View 4:15pm Songs of Praise 4:50pm Fake or Fortune? 5:50pm Shop Well for Less 6:50pm Pointless 7:35pm BBC News 7:50pm Regional News 7:55pm Weather 8:00pm Countryfile 9:00pm Fake or Fortune? 10:00pm Bodyguard 11:00pm BBC News 11:20pm Regional News 11:25pm Weather

8:35am Gardeners' World 9:35am Countryfile 10:30am The Beechgrove Garden 11:00am Saturday Kitchen Best Bites 12:30pm Great British Menu 1:00pm Great British Menu 1:30pm Great British Menu 2:00pm The Hairy Bikers' Best of British 3:00pm Wastemen 4:00pm Equestrian 6:10pm Tribes, Predators and Me 7:10pm Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom 9:00pm Dragons' Den 10:00pm Eight Go Rallying: The Road to Saigon 11:00pm Millionaires' ExWives Club 12:00am Kinky Boots

10:25am 11:40am 12:40pm 1:40pm 1:50pm 2:20pm 4:15pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 7:45pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:05pm 11:45pm 12:05am

7:30pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:30pm 11:00pm

EFL Greatest Games Sunday Supplement Football SPFL Greatest Games SPFL Greatest Games SPFL Greatest Games SPFL Greatest Games SPFL Greatest Games Football SPFL Greatest Games SPFL Greatest Games EFL Goals: League One and League Two EFL Goals: Championship Football EFL Goals: League One and League Two EFL Goals: Championship Football EFL Goals: League One and League Two

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

MONDAY 11:00am Homes Under the Hammer 12:00pm Dom on the Spot 12:45pm Close Calls on Camera 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News 2:30pm Regional News 2:45pm Doctors 3:15pm Neighbourhood Blues 4:00pm Escape to the Country 4:45pm Garden Rescue 5:30pm Antiques Road Trip 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm Inside Out 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm Murder on the Streets - Panorama 10:00pm Reported Missing 11:00pm BBC News 11:30pm Regional News

7:00am The TV That Made Me 7:30am Countryfile Summer Diaries 8:15am Impossible 9:00am Fake or Fortune? 10:00am Victoria Derbyshire 12:00pm BBC Newsroom Live 1:15pm Politics Live 2:00pm For What It's Worth 2:45pm Building Dream Homes 3:15pm Escape to Athena 5:15pm Lost Land of the Volcano 6:15pm Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 7:00pm Celebrity Eggheads 7:45pm The Repair Shop 8:30pm Great British Menu 9:00pm Nadiya's Family Favourites 9:30pm University Challenge 10:00pm Mother's Day 11:30pm Newsnight 12:10am Weather

7:00am Good Morning Britain 9:30am Lorraine 10:25am The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30am This Morning 1:30pm Loose Women 2:30pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:55pm Regional News and Weather 3:00pm Judge Rinder 4:00pm Info not available 5:00pm Info not available 6:00pm The Chase 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 at Ten and Weather 11:35pm Regional News and Weather

11:05am Undercover Boss USA 12:00pm Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA 1:00pm Channel 4 News Includes sport and weather. 1:05pm Come Dine with Me 2:05pm Bang on Budget 3:10pm Countdown 4:00pm Find it, Fix it, Flog it 5:00pm A Place in the Sun: Home or Away 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:30pm Extreme Cake Makers 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm How to Get Rich Quick 9:30pm Jamie Cooks Italy 10:00pm Married to a Paedophile 11:30pm 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown

9:30am

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 Info not available 5:00pm Info not available 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm Regional News and Weather 7:30pm ITV Evening News 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Â£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 11:45pm The Frankenstein Chronicles

11:05am Undercover Boss USA 12:00pm Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA 1:00pm Channel 4 News 1:05pm Come Dine with Me 2:05pm Bang on Budget 3:10pm Countdown 4:00pm Find it, Fix it, Flog it 5:00pm A Place in the Sun: Home or Away 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:30pm Extreme Cake Makers 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 1:20am One Born Every Minute

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

Wildlife SOS House Doctor HouseBusters Milkshake! Jeremy Vine Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away! 5 News NCIS Access Home and Away Neighbours Dream House, Nightmare Neighbour Friends Friends 5 News Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Cricket on 5 Gallagher 10:00pm Celebrity Big Brother Undercover Girlfriend

6:10am 6:30am 7:00am 8:45am 10:35am 12:15pm 1:55pm 3:35pm 5:15pm 6:55pm 7:25pm 9:00pm 10:40pm 12:20am 2:10am 3:50am 4:10am

Top Ten Show, the 2018 Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Special Tall Tales From the Magical Garden of Antoon Krings The Competition The Little Hours Guardians of the Tomb Pitch Perfect 3 Braven The Boy Downstairs Info not available Guardians of the Tomb Pitch Perfect 3 Braven The Little Hours Jackals Final Score: Behind the Scenes The Competition

10:00am EFL Goals: Championship 11:00am Play Off Final Highlights 12:00pm One2eleven 12:15pm One2eleven 12:30pm SPFL Greatest Games 1:00pm Football's Greatest 1:30pm EFL Goals: League 2:00pm EFL Goals: Championship 3:00pm Play Off Final Highlights 4:00pm Football's Greatest 4:30pm Football Countdowns 5:00pm One2eleven 5:30pm One2eleven 6:00pm EFL Goals: Championship 7:00pm Soccer Am Best Bits 7:30pm Football 8:00pm Nations League Preview Show 8:30pm Info not available 11:00pm SPFL Round Up Show

TUESDAY 12:00pm Dom on the Spot 12:45pm Close Calls on Camera 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News 2:30pm Regional News 2:45pm Doctors 3:15pm Neighbourhood Blues 4:00pm Escape to the Country 4:45pm Garden Rescue 5:30pm Antiques Road Trip 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm EastEnders 9:00pm Holby City 10:00pm Wanderlust 11:00pm BBC News 11:30pm Regional News 11:40pm Weather

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

The Farmers' Country Showdown Victoria Derbyshire BBC Newsroom Live Politics Live The Super League Show Building Dream Homes Lucky Jim A Taste of Britain Lost Land of the Volcano Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is Celebrity Eggheads The Repair Shop Great British Menu Saving Lives at Sea We are British Jews QI Newsnight Weather

6:10am 6:35am 7:00am 10:15am 12:15pm 1:10pm 1:15pm 2:10pm 2:15pm 2:45pm 3:20pm 5:00pm 5:30pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:15pm 11:15pm

House Doctor HouseBusters Milkshake! Jeremy Vine Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away! 5 News The latest news coverage. NCIS Access Home and Away Neighbours A Dangerous Date Friends Friends 5 News Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Police Interceptors The Yorkshire Vet Celebrity Big Brother Undercover

4:10am The Competition 6:10am Top Ten Show, the 2018 6:30am Mamma Mia - Here We Go Again: Special 7:00am The Bachelors 8:45am Guardians of the Tomb 10:25am The Little Hours 12:10pm Chronically Metropolitan 1:50pm Pitch Perfect 3 3:30pm Braven 5:10pm Guardians of the Tomb 6:50pm Chronically Metropolitan 8:30pm To be Announced 9:00pm Pitch Perfect 3 10:45pm The Little Hours 12:25am Braven 2:15am The Boy Downstairs 4:05am The Bachelors

5:00pm One2eleven 6:00pm Nations League Preview Show 6:30pm Football Countdowns 7:00pm EFL Greatest Games 7:30pm SPFL Round Up Show 7:45pm SPFL Greatest Games 8:00pm MLS Round Up Show 8:30pm Nations League Preview Show 9:00pm SPFL Round Up Show 9:15pm SPFL Greatest Games 9:30pm MLS Round Up Show 10:00pm Soccer Am Best Bits 10:30pm Nations League Preview Show 11:00pm SPFL Round Up Show 11:15pm SPFL Greatest Games

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.

www.rtnnewspaper.com

31st August - 6th September

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

BBC News Regional News The One Show Rip Off Britain Shop Well for Less DIY SOS BBC News Regional News Weather A Question of Sport One Deadly Weekend in America Weather for the Week Ahead

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

Lost Land of the Volcano Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is Celebrity Eggheads The Repair Shop Great British Menu Trust Me, I'm a Doctor Upstart Crow We are British Jews Motherland Newsnight Weather Eight Go Rallying: The Road to Saigon

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

ITV Evening News Emmerdale Coronation Street Paul O'grady's Little Heroes Coronation Street Info not available ITV News Regional News and Weather Bad Move Britain's Busiest Airport - Heathrow British Touring Car Championship Highlights Jackpot247

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

Countdown Find it, Fix it, Flog it A Place in the Sun: Home or Away Come Dine with Me Extreme Cake Makers The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News The Extreme Diet Hotel 24 Hours in A and E Hang Ups Cover Story Married to a Paedophile

3:15pm 5:00pm 5:30pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm

Lust for Murder Friends Friends 5 News Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Traffic Cops Gps Behind Closed Doors 10:00pm Celebrity Big Brother 11:00pm Undercover Girlfriend 12:05am Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side

7:00am 8:45am

5:00pm 5:30pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm

8:45am Guardians of the Tomb 10:30am Braven 12:10pm Singularity 1:50pm Pitch Perfect 3 3:30pm The Little Hours 5:10pm Guardians of the Tomb 6:50pm Final Score: Special 7:20pm Singularity 9:00pm Pitch Perfect 3 10:45pm Braven 12:30am Final Score: Special 1:00am The Mimic 2:55am Chronically Metropolitan

10:30am 12:10pm 1:50pm 3:30pm 5:10pm 6:50pm 7:20pm 9:00pm 10:45pm 12:30am 2:20am

Braven Guardians of the Tomb The Boy Downstairs Pitch Perfect 3 The Little Hours Chronically Metropolitan Braven Info not available Guardians of the Tomb Pitch Perfect 3 Mimic The Little Hours Chronically Metropolitan

4:30pm

Football Countdowns 5:00pm One2eleven 6:00pm Nations League Preview Show 6:30pm Football Countdowns 7:00pm EFL Greatest Games 7:30pm Football Countdowns 8:00pm Nations League Preview Show 8:30pm One2eleven 9:00pm Championship Season Review 10:00pm Championship Season Review

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

Pointless BBC News at Six BBC London News The One Show EastEnders Celebrity MasterChef Press BBC News at Ten BBC London News New Tricks Earth's Natural Wonders Weather for the Week Ahead

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

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is Celebrity Eggheads The Repair Shop Great British Menu Back in Time for the Factory The Mighty Redcar The Mind of Herbert Clunkerdunk Live at the Apollo Newsnight Josh Widdicombe Celebrity MasterChef

7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:45pm

Regional News and Weather ITV Evening News Emmerdale What Car Should I Buy? Tonight Emmerdale Birds of a Feather Ross Kemp and the Armed Police ITV News at Ten and Weather Regional News and Weather Regional Programmes

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

Countdown Find it, Fix it, Flog it A Place in the Sun: Home or Away 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:30pm Extreme Cake Makers 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Location, Location, Location 10:00pm Spying on My Family 11:00pm Grayson Perry: Rites of Passage

Friends Friends 5 News at 5 Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Tonight Police Interceptors Sinkholes: What Lies Beneath 10:00pm Celebrity Big Brother 11:00pm Undercover Girlfriend 12:05am Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side

1:00pm 1:30pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 3:30pm 3:55pm 6:00pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 8:40pm 10:45pm 11:30pm 12:30am 1:30am

Football's Greatest Football Countdowns Football Years Play Off Final Highlights Nations League Preview Show Football Football Football's Greatest II MLS Greatest Games Football Football The Debate - Live Info not available Football Countdowns

this week weather FRI

SAT

SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

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Sep 1

Sep 2

Sep 3

Sep 4

Sep 5

Sep 6

38º/19ºC 39º/20ºC 39º/20ºC 39º/19ºC 37º/198C 36º/19ºC 35º/19ºC Partly sunny

Partly sunny

Brilliant sunshine

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Brilliant sunshine

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR talk to us

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

Email letters to admin.rtn@ewnmediagroup.com with your full name and address 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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31st August - 6th September

What’s On FRIDAY AUGUST 31 La Bamba’s Dance Group - Paraiso Restaurant, Urb Jardin del Mar III 1a, Torrevieja. Restart - Friday September 7 Sequence Dance Class 7pm - 7:45pm. Social Dance - Ballroom, Latin & Sequence 8pm 10:30pm. Contact Andrea on 616 478 157 for more details. Cantabile Ladies Choir is a friendly group who take their music seriously but equally enjoy their regular social get-togethers as well. They rehearse every Friday at the La Siesta Church from 3pm to 5pm. Contact Valerie on 966 795 816 for more details. Santa Pola - Moors and Christians in honour of Our Lady Loreto until September 8. 8.30pm: Grand switch-on of the fiesta lights. 10.30pm: Official opening speeches in the Palm Park Auditorium. Murcia - 23rd Lemon Pop Festival. Free concert. 7pm: Luna, Perro, Noise Box, Fino Oyonarte, Murciano Total and Los Pilotos in the Parque Fofo.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 1 Santa Pola - Moors and Christians in honour of Our Lady Loreto until September 8. 10am: The Moors arrive at the Levante Beach opposite the town hall and fire the blunderbusses. 12 noon: Procession of the Moors and Christians. 7pm: Mock Battle and attack of the castle, followed by a parade of Moors from the Marina. Guardamar ‘Campo’ The events are taking place between Moncayo and El Raso along in CV895 (Lemon Tree Road). 1pm: Firing of the rockets. 9pm: Wine fiesta in the Campo de Guardamar Auditorium. 10pm: Official opening of the fiesta followed by live music and dancing. Restaurant and bar available and bringing your own food and drinks is NOT permitted. Murcia - 23rd Lemon Pop Festival. Free concert. 7pm: Las Ruinas, The Meatpies, Jump to the Moon, Fernando Rubio & Inner Demons, Futuro Terror and Amor Germanio in the Parque Fofo.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 2

DO NOT MISS It’s the turn of the campo! JUST one month after the spectacular Moors and Christians fiestas in the Guardamar town centre, it’s the turn of the rural area of the municipality to enjoy their own very different festivities. The Fiestas del Campo de Guardamar are held in honour of the Virgen del Rosario de Fatima and have been held since the 1950’s. They always take place during the four weekends of September which coincide Baker Foundation Spiritual Centre - Playa Flamenca. Sunday service with clairvoyance from 11am to 12noon. For information, contact Linda on 606 990 665. A New rugby club - Bettas Torrevieja RFC - trains at the Nelson Mandela Stadium every Sunday between 8.30pm and 10pm. Call Javi on 603 727 179 for details. Santa Pola - Moors and Christians in honour of Our Lady Loreto until September 8. 12 noon: Parade of band and the Moors and Christians from Plaza de Glorieta. 7pm: Mock Battle and attack of the castle, followed by a parade of the Christians from the Marina.

with the wine harvest, of which a special commemoration takes place this Saturday (tomorrow) at 9pm. The current fiestas over the course of the month include a paella contest, a spectacular parade and a selection of events, competitions and games for all ages. However, the most anticipated part of the fiestas is the proces-

ternoon between 4pm and 6pm at the Orihuela Costa Municipal Sports Centre. There is also a very active social aspect to the club too. For more details, contact Bob Gorrill via e-mail: bob byg2542@hotmail.com. Pilar de la Horadada Badminton Club meets every Monday at the sports centre between 10am and 12.30pm. Please contact John McGilvray on 868 700 235 or 634 658 506. E-mail: carole john_3@hotmail.com. For people over 50 who find themselves on their own, then Phoenix Solos Club meet every Monday from 11am to 1pm at the Marina Club in the International Marina in Torrevieja.

Guardamar ‘Campo’ The events are taking place between Moncayo and El Raso along in CV895 (Lemon Tree Road). 2pm: Traditional Paella Contest. Tables can be reserved from 9am. Free beer from 2pm and prizes for the best paellas. 4pm: Bingo. 4.30pm: Children’s entertainment and foam party.

Santa Pola - Moors and Christians in honour of Our Lady Loreto until September 8. 8.30pm: Grand Parade of Moors and Christians in full costume from the Palmeral Park along Calle Elche to the Plaza de Glorieta, along Calle Muelle finishing at the Marina.

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 3

English Folk Music Club Meet every Tuesday at the Madhouse, Urb Pueblo Principe from 8.30pm. It’s an opportunity for acoustic performers of all genres and it’s free entry too. There’s a raffle each week to raise funds to book visiting acts from the UK now and then. For more details, contact Carol via email: divesmith@hotmail.com

Orihuela Costa Community Care - Ramon de Campoamor Civic Centre on Urbanisation Monteznia. Every Monday is Beginners Spanish (12.30pm to 2pm): Flower Arranging (12.30pm to 2.30pm): Crafts (2.30pm to 4.30pm). For information, email: oc.communitycare@ gmail.com. Walking Wanderers Walking Football Club They meet every Monday af-

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 4

Baker Foundation Spiritual Centre - Playa Flamenca. Every Tuesday, an evening of psychic clairvoy-

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Guardamar YouTube

Lady Loreto until September 8. 9.30pm: Concert by the Coral Villa de Santa Pola at the Castle. 11.30pm: Handheld firework display.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 6

PARADE: Locals turn out in high numbers in the Campo de Guardamar every September. sion that includes the offering of the flowers on the day dedicated to the Patron Saint.

ance from 7.30pm to 8.45pm. For information, contact Linda on 606 990 665. Help At Home Costa Blanca (Orihuela Costa) Every Tuesday at the Emerald Isle between 11am and 3.30pm. Funds are currently being raised for a special needs vehicle for disabled persons. Selection of stalls including clothes, shoes, art and crafts and jewellery among others. Pilar de la Horadada Badminton Club meets every Tuesday at the sports centre between 10am and 12.30pm. Please contact John McGilvray on 868 700 235 or 634 658 506. E-mail: carole john_3@hotmail.com. CF Rojales Walking Football - Open to men and women aged 50 and over, they meet at the football pitches on Calle Limonar every Tuesday from 11am to 12 noon. You can just turn up on the day, or for more information, call Pat Stephensnon 654 049 388 or e-mail: pat.stephens08@gmail.com. Santa Pola - Moors and Christians in honour of Our Lady Loreto until September 8. 8pm: Children’s Theatre in the Castle.

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 5 La Bamba’s Dance Group - Paraiso Restaurant, Urb Jardin del Mar III 1a, Torrevieja. Ballroom Latin & Argentine Tango. Restart Wednesday September 5. New Beginners Class 11am 12pm, Intermediate Class 12pm - 1pm. Contact Andrea on 616 478 157 for more details.

Market held at the Emerald Isle (Orihuela Costa) from 11am to 4pm, raising funds for the 12 to 18-yearolds living at Association Elche Children’s Care Home. Orihuela Costa Community Care - Ramon de Campoamor Civic Centre on Urbanisation Monteznia. Every Wednesday is Art, Sketching and Watercolour (2.30pm to 4.30pm): Spanish Beginners (2pm to 3.30pm). For info, e-mail: oc.communi tycare@gmail.com. Amigos Friendship Group - Meets at El Bar, El Raso every Wednesday at 3pm for a get-together and a fun quiz. They also arrange a number of activities such as day trips, meals and holidays. Just turn up on the day or call Ann (642 774 399) or Ken (642 703 488) for information. Pilar de la Horadada Badminton Club meets every Wednesday at the sports centre between 10am and 12.30pm. Please contact John McGilvray on 868 700 235 or 634 658 506. E-mail: carolejohn_3@hotmail.com. Benimar Social Club meets every Wednesday at the Rojales Steakhouse for a variety of activities such as bridge, chess, fundraising quiz, short mat bowls etc. Contact Sue on 685 339 179 or Richard on 660 825 390. A New rugby club - Bettas Torrevieja RFC - trains at the Nelson Mandela Stadium every Sunday between 8.30pm and 10pm. Call Javi on 603 727 179 for details. Santa Pola - Moors and Christians in honour of Our

Spangles Ladies Harmony Chorus - Meets at the Las Claras Centre in Los Narejos every Thursday from 10am to 1pm. New members are always welcome and the group would love to hear from you. Call 968 334 527 or 968 432 525 or e-mail: info@spangleschorus.com. Dragon Riders - Whether you live in the area or just visiting, this is your chance to ride with like-minded people. All makes and models more than welcome. Meet every Thursday at 10am at Waldamars Restaurant, La Florida. Call Rob on 671 826 201. Orihuela Costa Community Care - Ramon de Campoamor Civic Centre on Urbanisation Monteznia. Every Thursday is Card Making (1pm to 3.30pm): Sewing and Knitting (2pm to 4.30pm): Exercise to Music (12.45pm to 1.30pm): Drumming / Percussion Workshop (2pm to 4pm). For information, e-mail: oc.community care@gmail.com. Baker Foundation Spiritual Centre - Playa Flamenca. Every Thursday morning, Spiritual healing from 10.30am to 12 noon. Development group from 2.30pm and open to everyone. Animal healing is also available for pets. For information, contact Linda on 606 990 665. Pilar de la Horadada Badminton Club meets every Thursday at the sports centre between 10am and 12.30pm. Please contact John McGilvray on 868 700 235 or 634 658 506. E-mail: carole john_3@hotmail.com. The Vivace Choir is a mixed group of around 50 voices from all across Europe. This friendly classical choir meets every Thursday from 7.15pm to 9.30pm at the Casa de Cultura, San Miguel. Santa Pola - Moors and Christians in honour of Our Lady Loreto until September 8. 8.30pm: Spectacular Carnival Parade from Palmeral Park along Calle Elche to the Plaza de Glorieta and then along Calle Muelle.

www.rtnnewspaper.com

31st August - 6th September

Advertising Feature

Make a date for Palace Variety Show IT dosen’t seem two minutes since the last Palace Variety Show. However, a whole year has passed and it’s here again. The sixth Annual Palace Variety Show is on Sunday, September 23, 2018 and is sponsored By Spain Property Shop. This year’s show stars SAM BAILEY the 2013 winner of X Factor. You’ll remember her as the ex-prison warden with the big voice who blew our minds with her renditions of Skyscraper and Listen. Headlining alongside Sam will be JAKE QUICKENDEN, also from the X Factor, but more recently known for his appearance on ‘Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.’ Not forgetting of course that he is also this year’s ‘Dancing On Ice Champion.’ Also starring with them is the returning comedy legend JIMMY CRICKET, who entertained so well at The Palace Variety Show 2015 alongside Stacy Solomon and Chesney Hawkes..

BIG VOICE: Sam Bailey will be headlining.

GLAMOROUS: The ever popular drag show.

GREAT FUN: Jimmy Cricket making a return.

The Palace Variety Show is an annual fundraiser which takes place at the Benidorm Palace. In the past it has raised funds for Help4Heroes and Elche Children’s Home. This year all profits will be donated equally to The Royal British Legion and The AECC Cancer Charity, both of which will be there helping on the night with Maria and The

Pink Ladies and Pink Panthers. Last year’s show was hit a little bit with the downfall of Monarch Airways. Many people had bought tickets for the show but got stranded and were unable to come. The show was a smash hit though, and saw the amazing Sonia own the stage. Starring alongside the very controver-

sial Honey G. Previous shows have included GARETH GATES, KATRINA & THE WAVES, CRISSY ROCK, RAY QUINN and MICK MILLER, to name just a few. This year the organisers promise to blow all previous shows out of the water. Other artistes will include local stars like James Macdonald, Benidorm’s most glamorous

Tickets are available from the box office 965851660

singing drag artiste. Also performing will be Nigel Birchill for all you Elvis fans and young singing superstar Dan Davy. The Amazing FUSION SHOW will be there featuring Stevie Spit, Nikki G, Kylie Burgazzi, Jay, Jaz Markwick and dancers from La Sal De Torrevieja, who will dazzle once more in some incredible Las Vegas Style Costumes. Also joining us on stage will be Footwork Dance Studio, with Al Joel as this year’s welcome artiste. The organisers say this year’s show will be very special. It will have a slight military theme as a salute to the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. So keep the date free and remember SUNDAY , SEPTEMBER 23, 2018. Doors open at 7pm. Show starts at 8pm Tickets are €25 for Standard or €50 for VIP which includes front of house seats, Chicken or Fish & Chips as well as entry to the secret after show party.

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31st August - 6th September

Book revolution that never happened

THERE are 26 tools in my toolbox. A clue as to their make-up is to be found in the words of Benjamin Franklin: ‘Give me 26 lead soldiers and I will conquer the world.’ Although there are 52 published book titles with my name on their front covers my name in lights tends to be elusive still. Authors rarely become famous and only a few become rich. Fortunately, we writers tend not to be money-oriented. Life’s riches aren’t to be found in bank vaults. Several rich friends winsomely confide that they envy my creativity or yearn for my comparatively uncluttered lifestyle. Before stepping off the hamster wheel I dreamed of an Ernest Hemingway existence. Driving along using my keyboard to steer by I would have a beautiful wife at my right elbow and Spanish wine at my left elbow. My dream came true but my pen still scratches a living from the literary dustbowl. History’s great novelists cut their teeth on self-publishing. It worked for me too. Income from my self-printed books often fixed holes in my torn bank account.

by Michael Walsh

keyboardcosmetics@gmail.com In 1995, Jeff Bezos created Amazon Books and for aspiring authors nothing would be the same again. This was the last nail in the coffin for picky palace publishers. Within reason, writers could now self-publish and place their novels on the bookshelves of the world’s biggest bookshop. The theory was fine but in practice left much to be desired. Amazon has on offer 32.8 million books so your book and mine are needles in a haystack the size of St Paul’s Cathedral. Recently, I returned to self-publishing and regret ever having been seduced by the bookshop behemoth. Amazon has proved to be a huge waste of time and money; a rainbow with a piss-pot at the end of it. It isn’t sour grapes from an un-

BREAK FREE: No need to be chained to Amazon. successful author; far from it. Before Amazon, income from writing and publishing my own books helped pay for my specialist retail shop, a mortgage, a flash car and the open mouths of infants. I had books and poetry collections printed by the 1,000 and they sold well. Before Amazon, just six of my book titles outsold

the 52 books I now have with Amazon. Amazon is simply not good at selling books. Genuine tributes from authors seem to be as rare as hen’s teeth. Amazon removes thousands of titles it considers to be politically incorrect; its royalties paying system lacks transparency, shipping costs are high

and deliveries problematic. Only Scrooge could applaud Amazon’s sweatshop working conditions. Shameless, the company faced further controversy after being granted a patent for a wristband which would track employee movements and tell them where to go. You can read what you will into that.

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 part 2 Basic Spanish for everyday needs

by Jane Cronin

WE ended the last article on this definition of the uses of ‘ser’ and ‘estar.’ ESTAR refers to ‘how’ and ‘where’ SER refers to ‘who,’ what’ and ‘when’ I’m rather pleased with that definition because I think it gives us a very good starting point and sums up the main difference between the two verbs. We can include the word ‘when’ in our definition of ‘ser’ as this is the verb used for time expressions, such as ¿Qué hora es?; Son las dos; hoy es lunes; ¿Cuándo es tu cumpleaños? ‘Estar’ refers to the ‘state’ of something or someone. The word is actually linked to the word ‘state’ which is ‘estado’ in Spanish. A nation state is ‘un estado’ and something that is in a good or bad state or condition is in ‘mal estado’ or ‘buen estado.’

We ask people ‘¿Cómo estás?’ (How are you? In other words ‘What state are you in?’) This could also apply to things: ‘La mesa está sucia’ (the table is dirty); ‘La comida está caliente’ (the food is hot). Most learners of Spanish also catch on reasonably easily to the idea that ‘estar’ is connected to location as in ‘Madrid está en el centro de España’ and ‘el libro está encima de la mesa’ (the book is on the table). (Notice that ‘estar’ is used in both cases, irrespective of whether the location is temporary or permanent). In the case of ‘ser’ we are talking about ‘who’ or ‘what,’ in other words, something that can describe the quality or nature of something in a way that makes it recognisable. Obvious examples are ‘Soy Jane, soy profesora, soy inglesa, soy delgada’ (I’m Jane, I’m a teacher, I’m English, I’m thin) these are descriptions of ‘who’ I am. This works in the same way for things: ‘el mundo es redondo,’ ‘la mesa es grande’ (the world is round, the table is big), all describe essential, identifiable qualities or characteristics. There is another basic principle about these two verbs and about languages in general which I think is worth pointing out here, which is that it is not always helpful to be over-concerned about what

is strictly ‘correct’ or ‘incorrect.’ Quite often it is more a question of what idea we wish to express. Sometimes the difference between ‘ser’ and ‘estar’ simply is the difference between a characteristic and a state. For example, I could say of a woman ‘es guapa’ (she is pretty) as a way of describing and identifying her using the verb ‘ser,’ or I could look at someone who has just walked into the room all made up with her hair done and a new dress and say ‘estás muy guapa hoy’ using the verb ‘estar.’ The best way to translate this into English would be: ‘you’re looking very pretty today’. I’m not implying that the person isn’t usually pretty, I’m just referring to their ‘state’ rather than something that describes them in an essential way. There are many other examples related to ‘ser’ and ‘estar,’ where what is correct or incorrect depends on what you mean. For example, I might say ‘estoy aburrida’ which means ‘I am bored’ that is, in a state of boredom.

If I say ‘soy aburrida,’ this means ‘I am boring,’ that is a boring person. Another well-known example is the word ‘listo.’ ‘Estar listo’ means to be ready, whereas ‘ser listo’ means to be clever, ie on the ball, quick on the uptake. There are many other examples of these kinds of differences, and as you can see they are often expressed in quite different ways in English. As ever, it is our reliance of translation which can make foreign languages harder for us to grasp. Well, that’s all I have time for today, but I think I’ll spend one more week giving you some more examples related to ‘ser’ or ‘estar’ before moving on to other wonderful things about this fascinating language we are learning!

www.rtnnewspaper.com by John Redfern

I WAS finally hitting the road with a prestigious six-piece English/Irish showband after 10 years of playing music in pubs and small working men’s clubs. These were the sort of places where the punters let their children run riot with a bag of Walkers crisps on the dance floor, and 50 per cent of the crowd left after the bingo, just when we came on to play our best and well rehearsed slot. Let me explain what an Irish showband was. It was a band that included a brass section, guitars and drums. It played all types of music from foxtrots to swing, waltzes to jive and modern day chart hits. Irish showbands had a massive popularity in the north and the south of Ireland and between the 1950’s and late 1980’s filled dance halls to capacity. In my new band (The Las Vegas Showband) I started to get a buzz from my gigs for the first time in many years. The punters were now paying good money to see us, which resulted in higher wages and a feeling of joy that at last my years of practising my bass without the help of Google was giving me results. But in 1975 the craic wasn’t good in Cricklewood, and yer Paddy and biddy

31st August - 6th September

Last track…

MEMORIAL: Commemorating The Miami Showband (inset).

was sad in the crown. This sad story encapsulated all the madness of this time in Ireland and to be honest with you when I heard this news it reduced me to tears. The Miami Showband was a Dublin band that was popular and talented. They were just young lads who played cabaret with the sole purpose of providing entertainment. On their journey home while driving back to Dublin they were flagged down at a fictitious checkpoint. It was the UVF. They had pre-prepared a time bomb which they had planned to place in the back of the van. The bomb exploded prematurely killing two of the UVF men (for want of a better word) who were also soldiers in the Ulster Defence Force. The rest of the gunslingers shot dead three of these lads and seriously wounded the other two. Three men were convicted of this murder but were released under the terms of the 1998 Belfast agreement. I am just a retired atheist living in a fantastic country. I will never understand how either Catholics or Protestants could wipe out a bunch of young lads...

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31st August - 6th September

health

Growing trend of the lotus birth A LOTUS birth, is an increasingly popular trend amongst new mothers. It involves not cutting the umbilical cord after the baby is born and leaving it attached to the placenta until it falls off on its own. This method is seen by many as a natural and spiritual option and is common in some cultures such as in Bali before the idea was introduced in the 1980’s in the USA and Australia. Followers believe it allows the baby to continue obtaining all the nutrients the placenta has to offer, such as stem cells, before the placenta dries up and that cutting the cord can be traumatic for the infant. However studies are still underway on any potential benefits of the placenta and now experts have warned of the risk of leaving the placenta attached. With some leaving it attached for up to two weeks before it drops off naturally, the British Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists warns about the risks of infection and bacteria developing in the placenta and spreading to the baby. With a growing number of women in the UK reportedly opting for a lotus birth, the British Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said the placenta is particularly prone to infection as it contains blood and recommends that babies be monitored carefully for any signs of infection. PLACENTA: Is prone to infection.

COMMUTING: Is damaging the nation’s health.

Be flexible to get the most out of workers SPENDING a lot of time commuting to work is more likely to lead to depression. A study of more than 34,000 British adults found that commutes, either by train or in the car, of more than half an hour are damaging the nation’s health, but are also affecting their productivity at work. Those with commutes of more than an hour each way fared the worst mentally as they were 33 per cent more likely to suffer from depression and 12 per cent more likely to report work-related stress. These longer commutes also meant many

workers were having to skip sleep which was affecting their mental state. In a bid to reduce the impact of long commutes, employers are now increasingly introducing the idea of flexible working hours and allowing them to spend some time working at home. The study showed that this flexible working has a positive impact on both employees’ physical and mental health and their productivity, with them less likely to be stressed or depressed. These employees also had an additional five productive days each year compared to those

with no flexible working arrangements. The study was carried out by Vitality Health in partnership with the University of Cambridge, across all industries in the UK. Meanwhile, a study has shown that night owls should be able to start work later. According to researchers at the University of Sydney, Australia, bosses would have more productive employees if it recognised some had a different internal body clock meaning they were more night owls, and allowed them to do their job during their own peak hours.

Instagram comes out worst for mental health INSTAGRAM is the social network with the greatest negative effect on mental health and well-being, according to a recent survey of 1,500 teens and young adults. Five social networks were included in the research, with YouTube the only site to achieve a net positive score. Twitter finished second followed by Facebook and Snapchat, with Instagram fifth. Although the photo-sharing platform received positive marks for self-expression and self-identity, it was also linked to high anxiety levels, depression, bullying and ‘a fear of missing out.’ The survey, designed by the UK’s Royal Society for Public Health posed questions about how social media affected 14 issues related to mental and physical health.

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31st August - 6th September

health Few Spaniards claim to be in good health

SPANIARDS: Despite a healthy lifestyle, many don’t consider their health to be good.

SPANIARDS are amongst the most medicated in Europe. Despite many claims it boasts one of the healthiest lifestyles in the world, it seems this health isn’t transmitting to much of the population as it has been reported as being one of the countries with the lowest percentage of people aged 50 or over who considers their health status to be ‘good.’ This is the conclusion of the report ‘Health in adult life and its relation to healthy ageing: current trends, opportunities and future challenges in Spain’ carried out by the Mapre Foundation to determine the health status perceived by those aged over 50. It found that many didn’t perceive their health to be particularly good with women giving a worse assessment of their physical, cognitive and emotional health compared to men. According to experts, the way in which citizens perceive their health is an “excellent indicator of the general level of health of the people.” Those who claimed to have better health were speaking in relation to their physical nature, such as not having limitations on being able to perform daily activities or not suffering from illness or pain or anxiety. In order to produce the report, an international comparison was made that found in Scandinavian and western European countries, the proportion of those over 50 who declare themselves to be in ‘good’ health is significantly higher than of the countries of south and eastern Europe. In contrast, Estonia and Italy are the ones with the highest proportion of this population that considered their state of health to be ‘bad.’

A new base for nutritional pyramid THE Spanish Society of Community Nutrition (SENC) has made a series of recommendations based on a new nutritional pyramid which offers a more holistic vision of food. It presents an approach focused not only on food, but also takes into account emotional, social, and economic implications, which are important and related to eating habits. Whilst the food pyramid cites what foods we should be consuming in greater and lesser quantities, the base of the food pyramid now shows that lifestyle is directly related to healthy conditions: First, it requires a moderate daily physical activity of about 60 minutes, or walking 10,000 steps would be equivalent. It also alludes to emotional balance. There is a close relationship between obesity and eating to reduce the negative effect of an emotion. The balance of energy is another key when it comes to having healthy lifestyles. It is important to adapt physical exercise to our diet, and vice versa to help maintain a healthy weight and look at how food is cooked to reduce calories such as grilling and steaming rather than frying. Finally, hydration is taken into account as another of the fundamental pillars in the nutritional pyramid. The daily recommended amount, which is set at 2.5 litres for men and at two litres for women, should be increased if it is hot, if sports are performed or for diseases that require a greater consumption of water.

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?

HARE

Puzzles Page

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31st August - 6th September

1 2 3 4

Cryptic

Down 1 Doctor East, half American, is a wishful thinker (7) 2 A way to ventilate a rising flight (5) 3 Consumes ingredients from meat safe (4) 4 Knight's tunic is the result of bad art (6) 5 Meddled with chopped up damp tree (8) 6 Silver discovered in elegant old US city (7) 7 A little bit of quiet colour (5) 12 Grounds for having a coin sent outside (8) 14 Liar cut-off limit (7) 16 Help too difficult for a nuisance on the road (7) 17 Was confused in her cable (6) 18 Came about a century later to a city in Saudi Arabia (5) 20 Pick up king, then knight (5) 21 Help needed in a punt (4)

FEET Weekly Stars

Across 1 Socialist leader in fitting decline (7) 5 They secure money for the government, so we hear (5) 8 Former performance is precise (5) 9 Tramp on the dock, it's rougher (7) 10 A small pond, pure and simple (4) 11 Carte blanche for an unpaid employee (8) 13 Chair for a biker (6) 15 Pay back when a Peru company is reformed (6) 18 On the edge? Potentially alarming anyway (8) 19 Spot British group (4) 22 Castle Hotel is demolished for ski lodges (7) 23 Runner has nothing for the party (5) 24 A novice gets a large amount of grant (5) 25 Tureen I transported in train (7)

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

most recent Cosmic transits, Mars rests on his laurels waiting a new instruction and the dawn of a new era. This isn’t a process of having to re invent yourself, but a new appraisal of all that stands in the way of current progress, and all that this entails.

Libra. Your next move is vital and you should have your escape plan in view ready to execute if you need to use it. Fear has been a major part of recent actions, and not only is it dead and buried, but it allows you to exert power, when all around just lately, seem to be losing theirs.

Taurus. With all the good intention in the World this isn’t a time to go it alone. Besides from being way outside your comfort zone, you are too close to a situation to do it any justice. Not just a case of gritting your teeth, but of stating your case loud and clear, and proving a point here.

Scorpio. The week starts off fine, but just watch for someone who seems to be determined to change your mind about things that you feel are not up for discussion at this time. Stick to your guns, when all is said and done there are strong reasons for your acting the way you do right now!

Gemini. Time and time again you love to do things the hard way, and this week is no exception to your rule. When all is taken into account there is a strong need to let go of the past and to focus on a future where the ground rules are simpler, and you can feature in onward and upward plans.

Sagitarius. Your patience will be rewarded this week as finally something nears completion at long last and you can close a door you were forced to open against your will, in the past. The cleansing energy of Mars, in trine with Ceres, brings a dividend, as you are free once more.

Cancer. Your impartiality and your clear focus have been an inspiration to many, and have brought you the recent results you need. Your logical and practical skills are honed to perfection as you manage to balance, but charm and tact are needed to be the icing on your cake!

Capricorn. Saturn, your planetary leader, is poised to be in trine with Mercury. This brings problems with relationships, especially amongst those closest to you at this time. Difficulties arise because of problems of communication; and a lack of balance as things veer out of control.

Leo. Avoid making plans and making decisions, however tempted you are. You would do well to avoid confrontations and hold back on all contracts until Mercury enters Virgo mid week. Kerb new ideas too, greatly simplifying that which you must do to keep your head above water.

Aquarius. Creative and aspiring, hard working and dedicated in all that you do means that you are constantly striving to do your best. This week your way is blocked by the Venus opposition to Kora and t any efforts are in vain. Success is based on results, let someone else do the dirty work!

Virgo. Mercury sextiles Venus, and resolutely places conscious control in your capable hands this weekend. A good time to see things through, and to celebrate a wealth of achievements. You have come through all this remarkably well, and limitations now imposed may severely clip your wings.

Pisces. Not only does your voice have to be heard, but actions have to be taken to ensure that neighbours take notice this time around. As pressure forces you to adapt a new strategy, do not abandon your vital first instinct, as it is conciliation that will bring things back on line.

Aries. Still reeling from impact from the

Code Breaker

Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 10 represents P and 23 represents G, so fill in P every time the figure 10 appears and G 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.

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31st August - 6th September Across 1 Card game (5) 4 Bad-tempered (5) 7 Spaceman (9) 8 Ill (4) 10 Commence (5) 13 Old-fashioned (5) 14 Interlocking plastic building blocks (4) 17 Schedule (9) 19 White heron (5) 20 Irreligious individual (5)

Quick

Down 1 Express approval of (6) 2/18 Knapsack (3,3) 3 Chess piece (4) 4 Place of worship that has its own altar (6) 5 Summary (7) 6 Free from danger (4) 9 Talk idly or rapidly (7) 11 Allow (6) 12 Rule (6) 15 Metal enclosure (4) 16 Come to a halt (4) 18 See 2

Across 1 Scorpion (7) 5 Rocas (minerales) (5) 8 Brazo (de persona) (3) 9 To cross (over) 10 Temprano (5) 11 Ostras (7) 12 Fly (insect) (5) 14 To lower (5) 19 Español (7) 21 Signature (5) 22 To pass (overtake) (9) 23 Murciélago (3) 24 Autumn (5) 25 To show (7)

Down 1 Abbots (6) 2 Wardrobe (for clothihg) (7) 3 Preparado (5) 4 Estrecho (calle, pasillo) (6) 5 Magazine (journal) (7) 6 Swan (5) 7 Estrés (6) 13 Watch out! (7) 15 To approve of (7) 16 Tin (ore) (6) 17 Ritmo (6) 18 Shepherd (6) 20 Fir tree (5) 21 Tenedores (5)

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

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

Sudoku

Funagram Unscramble the name of a famous English actress: TAKES CLEAN BIKE Unscramble the name of a US state capital (two words): OREGANO TUB

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

Kenny’s Postbag Kenny, I am trying to meditate and yet find it so hard to stay focussed on what I want help with. How can I improve my abilities and reap the benefits of meditation? I am 63, am I too late? Sadie P. Well, Sadie, age has nothing whatsoever to do with it, so just go for it. Start realistically with a short Meditation and let your mind wander as you shut out the pressures of the day and you can be open and creative in your thoughts. Shut out the pressures of life for an initial five minutes, dumping any pressures that are around you right now. Enjoy the escape as you relax your body and sharpen your mind. I do hold classes that can help you, so feel the freedom and energy that Meditation can bring, and just enjoy the process as you develop the skill!

Kenny Corris

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

ANSWERS: - KATE BECKINSALE - BATON ROUGE

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31st August - 6th September

ARCHITECTS

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

BOILERS

BALLROOM CLASSES Dancing – Ballroom, Latin, Sequence & Argentine Tango Wednesday Classes – Ballroom Latin & Argentine Tango Restart – Wednesday 5th September 2018 New Beginners Class 11am – 12pm Intermediate Class 12pm – 1pm Friday Classes – Restart – Friday 7th September 2018 Sequence Dance Class 7pm – 7:45pm. Social Dance – Ballroom, Latin & Sequence 8pm – 10:30pm. All are held at El Paraiso Restaurant, Urb. Jardin del Mar III 1a, Torrevieja, (near McDonalds & Carrefour). Contact Andrea + 34 616 478 157 (276627)

BLINDS

CHARITIES CHARITY BOOK STALL PEGO THURSDAY MARKET. Selection of over 500 books, all proceeds given to the elderly/disabled of Pego and local Animal Rescue. More stock always required please contact Chrissie 965 977 228/617 647 395 (95460)

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH, La Fustera. For more info: contact Frank Bentley on 966 495 188. (95461) LA SIESTA EVANGELICAL CHURCH on Urbanisation La Siesta, Torrevieja is a friendly, English speaking church. We hold services each Sunday and everyone is welcome. Our 11.15am Services are held every 2nd and 4th Sunday in the month (and 11.15 am on the 5th Sunday, if this applies.) On the 1st and 3rd Sunday’s our Services are at 9.30am. Our choir sings at our 11.15am Services and there is also a Sunday school, called Stepping Stones, on these Sundays. We welcome residents, visitors and children. For more information see our website HYPERLINK "http://www.lasiestaevangelicalchurch.org/"www.la siestaevangelicalchurch.org or telephone Pastor Keith on 666 180 108.

GRILLS

WRITING SERVICES

ROUNDABOUT CHARITY SHOP. We are now into summer and very soon we will be feeling the heat! It is time therefore for another visit to the shop where you might find a bargain or two. Choose from the clothing selection, jewellery, household goods, books or bric-abrac. There is usually something there for everyone - but not always. Charitable donations have recently been made to The Alzheimers Centre, Cancer Research and The Amigos Ambulance Service. We still need your help with donations etc. Please keep them coming in! We are situated on Avenida Del Furs close to the Fountain Roundabout and immediate left by Don Colchon bed shop. (93325)

THE ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION, Torrevieja Branch, meet at 17.00 on the first Wednesday of each month at the Restaurante El Paraiso, Urb. Jardin del Mar 3 (behind Carrefour), Torrevieja. Contact Paul Edwards, Chairman 618 644 934 or Margaret Forshaw, Secretary 966 921 996.

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

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

SITUATIONS VACANT

PLUMBERS

POOLS HOUSE CLEARANCES

REMOVALS & STORAGE

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

LOCKSMITH

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REMOVALS/STORAGE

31st August - 6th September REMOVALS/STORAGE SPANISH MOVES, small removals and deliveries. Spain/UK budget prices. Last minutes jobs undertaken www.spanishmoves.net Pet transport also arranged in our air conditioned pet/people carriers. Tel: UK 01209 630604 or Spain 960 130 537 (280295)

MEETING POINT

A.A.

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

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

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

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

MAN AND VAN UK Spain. 2 vans travelling twice a month, Murcia â€“ North / South UK. Storage in Spain Tel 610 846 260 or 0044 751 918 6355 email van.man@hotmail.co.uk (250809)

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

SITUATIONS VACANT

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

LOCKSMITHS

MISCELLANEOUS

PETS

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31st August - 6th September

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)

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

CASA ANGELA TORREVIEJA Luxury Private Chalet, parking. Drinks invitation. Feeling alone? Just want some company? Exotic girls from SPANISH lady – classic. Playa Flamenca, private house, 35 years, attractive. All erotic services, massage, sexy lingerie. From €40. Ana 657 603 495 (280961)

REMOVALS & STORAGE

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

RECORDS & CDs WANTED. Pop, Rock, Jazz, Blues. Top cash paid. Henry 630 665 363 (260051)

XXX RELAX Please note that in Spain there is NO legislation banning adverts in this section. Neither regional nor national governments are able to pass such a law due to rules governing freedom of publication and printing.

SPANISH COURSES

Readers of a sensitive disposition may find some of the advertisements in this section offensive.

Puzzle answers Puzzle answers Puzzle answers Puzzle answers Puzzle answers

Word Ladder DARK LARK LARD LORD LOAD ROAD or DARK DORK WORK WORD WOAD ROAD

Codebreaker

Kakuro

Quick

Sudoku

English-Spanish

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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

31st August - 6th September

• sponsored by

Keeping pets cool in summer

Easy Horse Care 2019 calendar launched

Happy Animales

COOL DOGS: Happy dogs. WHETHER as a pet owner or a sitter we need to be mindful of temperatures every summer. There are lots of signs that pets are not happy in the heat, some go off their food, others find a shady spot and hide for as long as they can. Here are some tips for caring for dogs in the heat: • Feed them early if you can when the temperature is still cool • If you walk dogs daily, walk them early or late, to avoid the hot ground and the hot sun • Always make sure they have access to fresh water, take a bottle with you if you’re walking • Put ice cubes in their water dish to keep it fresh • Offer a wet towel for the dog to lay on, or if you

TWELVE stunning photographs of horses, ponies and donkeys rescued from abuse and neglect feature in a new 2019 calendar launched by Spain’s Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre this week. The non-profit Rojales rescue centre - which has more than 120 equine residents and has saved 16 horses, ponies and donkeys this year alone - hopes the calendar sales will help raise funds to replace its deteriorating and costly internal fences. “Our internal fencing is currently made almost entirely of electric fence tape held up by plastic posts. PROJECT: Funds from the calendar will go towards While this type of fencing is new fencing safe for our horses, the electric tape deteriorates rapidly metre of strong and permanent Tornado Wire in the hot Spanish sun, requiring constant refencing. placement,” centre co-founder Sue Weeding The calendar features photos of the centre’s said. horses, ponies and donkeys kindly taken and “Some cheeky horses have also learned to donated by photographer Elaine Warnock. push over and snap the plastic posts. Each The calendar costs just €15 and can be day, we replace anywhere from five to 10 purchased at Easy Horse Care’s monthly broken plastic posts - and at €3 each, the open day or online (for delivery or pick-up cost quickly adds up.” from the centre’s charity stores) here: The centre hopes to raise €5,000 to comwww.easyhorsecare.net/shops/onlineplete stage one of its internal fencing replaceshop/calendars/2019-rescued-equine-calen ment project. For every three calendars sold, dar. the centre will be able to purchase an entire

can a cool paddling pool • Be mindful of humidity in your home, they may not be able to pant themselves cool if it is too high. How do 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 sit-

ters. We don’t reveal your contact details, or your address. You post an advert ahead of your travel dates, we publish the advert then housesitters apply. You can view their profiles and chat with them before you accept your choice of applicant. If you join as a Premium member we can also help you at each stage of the process to get you started and to manage your account. How do you join? Please register online via our website: w w w . H o u s e s i t match.com. • Choose a membership plan • Standard (DIY option) = £49 pa • Premium (with support at each step) = £79 pa

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

happyanimalesspanien@gmail.com

Make animals happy SUPPORTING Happy Animales Orihuela, there will be a Fashion Show next Thursd a y a t 11 . 3 0 a m h e l d at Cheers Bar, Eagles Nest. The event is the brainchild of Diane Westbrook, with all the money raised going toward the animals’ food, hay, water, blacksmith and vets bills, and repairs. The current monthly costs are around €1,200. At present, there are nine horses, four ponies, 13 geese, four pigs, nine goats, two dogs, Donald and Daisy Duck, one rooste r, t w o f e r r e t s a n d 1 5 cats that need constant looking after and care. All these animals were rescued after a bad life or abandoned because people had enough of them. Happy

THE ANIMALS: Need constant looking after and care.

Animales Orihuela is trying very hard to give them another chance in life, but they need your help. So, come along to the Fashion Show next Thursday and wear your animal heart on your sleeve. If you can’t make it, i t ’s p o s s i b l e t o g i v e a donation, using ac-

count IBAN ES 80 0075 1055 4806 0035 0 4 9 6 B a n c o P o p u l a r, To r r e v i e j a o r P a y P a l happyanimaless panien@gmail.com For more information about Happy Animales Orihuela, call Mona on 616 792 355 or Sol on 678 224 728.

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31st August - 6th September

motoring Lamborghini Aventador SVJ - quick off the mark AUTOMOBILI LAMBORGHINI has unveiled the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ during Monterey Car Week in California at

‘The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering.’ The combination of extraordinary design, groundbreaking technologies and

the ultimate in handling, performance and driver enjoyment, the Aventador SVJ creates pure driving perfection, taking the concept of a super sports car to a new dimension. The new Aventador SVJ, where SV historically stands for Superveloce meaning ‘superfast’ - takes the ‘Jota’ suffix, denoting its track and performance superiority: the Aventador SVJ has already claimed its position as the NürburgringNordschleife production car record holder, completing the 20.6 km lap in just

6:44.97 minutes. Production of the model will be limited to just 900. The lap record is living proof of its benchmarking performance. With its optimised power plant making it the most powerful series production V12-engined car produced to date by Lamborghini, the SVJ features an increase in power to 770 hp (566 kW) at maximum 8,500 rpm. The SVJ outputs 720 Nm of torque at 6,750 rpm, while a dry weight of just 1,525 kg gives the SVJ a weight-to-power ratio of 1.98 kg/hp. The SVJ accelerates from standing to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds and from 0 to 200 km/h in 8.6 seconds. A top speed of more than 350 km/h is complemented by a braking distance of 100 km/h to 0 in 30 metres. The first customers will take delivery of the new Lamborghini Aventador SVJ at the beginning of 2019.

MINI Clubman City... for the corporate market MINI is further enhancing its appeal among fleet and business customers with the arrival of the new MINI Clubman City, developed specifically for the corporate market. The launch of the new business focused model combines essential features, including Satellite Navigation and Park Distance Control, with highly competitive running costs and benefit-in-kind tax rates, delivering an economical option for fleet customers that can satisfy both the head and the heart. The MINI Clubman City comes with a host of technology as standard, designed for those who live their life on the go. Satellite Navigation, with 6.5” display, Apple Car Play, DAB, Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI) and Intelligent Emergency Calling (E-call) and Rear Park Distance Control (PDC) are standard, as well as Bluetooth hands free function. Retaining standard specifications of interest to fleet customers, Air Conditioning, Sports Steering Wheel and Cruise Control are all carried over from the MINI Clubman standard equipment list. MINIMALISM Fuel Saving Technology is fitted to every MINI Clubman model, with features including Automatic Stop/Start function, Brake Energy Regeneration and Shift Point Display. The MINI Clubman City comes with 16” Revolite Spoke Wheels as standard with 17” Silver Net Spoke or 17” Silver Vent Spoke available as a free upgrade or 17” Black Net Spoke as a paid for option. Three models will be available from launch of the new MINI Clubman City - two petrol-powered, and one diesel variant.

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31st August - 6th September

sport Have your say... €70,000 of fake goods seized in Benidorm tourist shop raids | RTN Reporting the News - Spain

7,090 people reached with 107 reactions

Fiona Hudson: Police should head to Lloret de Mar... every shop sells fake goods!

@RTNNewspaper Most liked posts from this week • Euro police on the Costa Blanca beat • Spain vows to ‘send back every-last migrant’ that stormed its borders • ON THE BALL: Costa Blanca police uncover more fake goods including football kits • ‘Quake in your boots’ Costa Blanca hideously unprepared for seismic emergencies

In Total 18,299 people reached 15,307 reactions

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San Miguel Golf Society GETTING up at 6am to play a round of golf is a sign of commitment or desperation to escape one’s partner for most of the day. The 8.30am shotgun start at Lo Romero began in glorious sunshine and a strong, swirling breeze. As always, Lo Romero was in excellent overall condition bar the odd woolly green. Scoring was generally on the low side with only three players breaking par, captain Tony Smale’s tremendous 42 points being the pick of the bunch. Bronze Category: 4th Chris Hamblett (33); 3rd Willie Fenn (34); 2nd - Brian Butler (34 on CB) and 1st Kyree Skarsmoen (36) Silver Category: 4th - Paddy Diskin (35); 3rd - Gerald Bannon (35 on CB); 2nd Brian Mulligan (36), and 1st -

EARLY BIRDS: Theo , Mike and Jim on parade. Hugh Reilly (39) Gold Category: 4th - John Humphreys (34); 3rd - John Osborne (35); 2nd -Theo Boelhouwer (38), and 1st Tony Smale (42). Nearest the Pins on the par 3’s went to Gerald Harwood, Phil de Lacey and Paul Griffin, the winners

handed prizes by the sponsor, Mick Roscoe, of The Property Shop. Best guest prize went to Richard Lewis. Bob Eyland won this week’s Abacus prize, a bespoke bottle of wine sponsored by Gordon Wilson. In the lone match play game, Barry Roehrig lost out

to Brian Mulligan 2 and 1. As always, big thanks to the staff at Lo Romero for their contribution to the day. Keep up to date with all SMGS matters by logging on to www.smgs.org or give Tony Smale a call on 628 227 687. Next week SMGS will be at Las Colinas.

Las Ramblas Golf Society by Peter Reffell

OUR week started with a two ball better ball competition. Some great scores but taking top slot with 46 points was Rachael Leckey and Nigel Price. It was quite noticeable that Rachael ‘came in’ on 13 of the 18 holes! I would imagine her shoulders were aching afterwards! Wednesday’s Stableford had a ‘twist in the tail’ this week, as each player had to select just five clubs and a putter with which to complete their round. At this point modesty should prevail (but it’s not going to as I’m unlikely to ever repeat it!), I won with 45 points beating the previous record for this competition by four shots.

MODEST: Peter Reffell, this week’s competition winner. Clearly playing with half a bag of clubs suits my game. However, given the impending decimation of my handicap, this might be my last appearance for a while as a winner so I’m allowed to en-

joy it! Making up the numbers were Olga Douglas with 36, Lindsay Forbes and Tom Hardie both on 35 and Bryan Neal with 34. Congratulations to the five players getting a ‘two’ this week (you

know who you are). Friday saw us playing the dreaded ‘yellow peril.’ Commiserations should go out to Pete Dunn at this point. His new glasses arrived from Vision Express yesterday but unfortunately for him he must have got someone else’s prescription. Never mind Pete I’m sure you’ll be back. Our winners, with a great score of 160 points, were Alan Douglas, Rod Doel, Curtis Collins and the ‘Slimmer’s World’ pin up boy, yet again, Bryan Neal. Oh, by the way I have been cut three shots! Finally in the words of Jack Nicklaus, ‘golf is the only sport where, if you win 20 per cent of the time, you’re the best.’

Carp-R-Us travel to Beniarres

CARP-R-US made the long, but usually worthwhile, trip to Beniarres for the penultimate round of the August series. Although sport was fairly slow during the first half of the match, the weights were very good with Terry Screen running out winner with 18.42kg caught on

pole and paste. S e c o n d w a s S t e v e C o l l i n s w i t h 11 . 2 0 k g caught using pole and corn, third was Roy Buttress with 8.62kg using feeder and corn, just p i p p i n g To m M a r s h a l l w h o h a d 8 . 4 0 k g o n f l o a t fished corn.

La Finca Golf Society MONDAY’S get-together this week was a ‘Three-Man Team Stableford’ of the Yellow Blocks, with the winning team made up of Derek Braid and Danish brothers Ole and Bent Dibbern with 103 points between them. Nearest the Pins: Eric Owens (Hole 3) and Brian Bevan (13). On Wednesday, the Society played a Medal competition of the Yellow Blocks with the following results: 4th: Barry Roehrig (73 points), 3rd: Stuart Tosh (71), 2nd: Ole Dibbern (70) and 1st: Brian Bevan (67). Nearest the pins: Barry Roehrig (Hole 3), Alex Duchart (6), Will Hammond (13) and Steve Higgins (16). Saturday was a bit cooler after the heat of the last few weeks, and the tees have been hollow-tined with greens following this week. This week was a Stableford competition of the Yellow Plates. The top four were: 4th: Stuart Tosh (33), 3rd: Derek Braid (34), 2nd: Shaun Locke (34) and 1st: Steve Higgins (37). Only two ‘two’s’, for Eric Owens (Hole 16), and Shaun Locke (13). The Society were pleased to welcome three guests, with Ian Grant winning with a very credible 34 points off a 7 handicap. Best Dressed Golfer was the Welsh Wizard from El Raso Mr Brian Bevan. After the day, it was back to The Corner Flag Bar for food and the presentation, with thanks to Steve and his staff. La Finca Golf Society meets every Monday, Wednesday and Saturdays at La Finca with first tee time around 9am. If you require more information give Barry a ring on 666 694 467 or 966 731 033.