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MONTGÓ FIRE HIGHLIGHTS POOR PHONE COVERAGE 1€

The News/views Magazine ABOUT and FOR Jávea - you can hold in your hand

Nº 18 Oct./Nov. 2014

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If any explanation is still needed

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La Plana resident, Rosa Mansell, returned from a local walk at 4.30pm on 11th September, to see the fire becoming an Inferno, rushed indoors to alert friends, only to find there was no tone on her fixed phone, no electricity and no mobile coverage. Rosa, a member of Xabia Democratica sought their help.

XD Membership Secretary, Linda McGillycuddy has organised a petition to Telefónica/Movistar seeking improved mobile phone coverage that would benefit owners and visitors/walkers in the area.

Rosa told Linda “I had no way of calling for help. Police and Firemen could not communicate with each other and will be supporting the petition. It affects not only us who live here, but also any of the thousands of visitors to La Plana we have each year as if they have an accident they have no means of calling for help."

The petition calls on Telefónica to ensure mobile phone providers cooperate in providing a new mast on La Plana.

An English translation of the petition states: Under the Law of Consumers and Users, 2007 Royal Legislative Decree 1/2007, of 16 November where the revised text of the General Law for the Defence of Consumers and Users and other complementary laws.

WE PETITION Last September 11th in the town wherein lies the association that has sent this letter (Jávea) there was a forest fire in the area of the Plana de San Jerónimo, an area that does not have mobile phone coverage.

Considering the seriousness of the lack of communication in an extreme emergency situation and in Continued on page 11

We could have called this local magazine HAVVYER HEARD, but we thought Jávea Jeard would confirm our light-hearted attitude to the serious political and economic problems in Spain, and their effect on Jávea.

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Wot is were?

Page 2

October/November 2014, Nº 18

Advertising rates .

4, 15 Agenda 21 .

4, 6, 12, 16 7 Bob Yareham’s English Denia hospital praised . . 26 Doris saves couple’s holiday 14 Duty Chemist Rota .

28 Humour . .

9, 24 .

2 Jávea Postcodes Legal system deciphered 28,19 Mayor gives fire update , 26 Poor phone coverage petition 1 Players present 39 Steps 25 San Antoni hotel objection 27 Satellite Fact File .

8, 10 Scallops Voucher recycling 26 Social worker vacancy .

11 Spain’s record electricity price 16 Spotlight on Sergio and Mari Luz 21 Sunday morning invitation 9 Town Hall Monthly Meeting 3, 15 UK Magazine Service .

17 Woman to Woman .

17, 20 Yellow line fines . .

23

JAVEA POSTCODES

Most towns have a single Postcode: Jávea has 4, but Correos discourage their use, claiming it is better to use 03730 (where 50% will be wrong) rather than the code for your area, which ‘some’ will get wrong.

Adsubia 03739 Alborada 03739 Arenal 03738 Cala Blanca, Urb 03738 Cap Martín 03738 Capsades 03739 Catarroja Partida 03737 Cerezos, Los 03739 Colomer 03737 Costa Nova, Urb 03738 Ermita, Urb 03737 Eurocondal, Urb. 03737 Fontanella 03737 Frechinall 03738

Granadella, La

03738 Lluca 03739 Mandarina, La 03739 Media Luna 03738 Montgó 03737 Montgó Carrasquetes 03737 Montgó Toscamar 03737 Panorama, Urb 03738 Pinosol 03739 Portichol 03738 Rebaldi 03739 Rimontgó 03737 Seniola 03737 Tarraulla 03739 Tosalet, Urb. 03739 Tosals 03737 Toscal 03738 Trencall 03738 Valls 03737 Valls Carrasquetes VA-CA 03737 Valls Planets VA-PN 03737 Valls Tosal VA-TS 03737 Everywhere else 03730

Jávea Jeard is published in Jávea by A2Z Publicaciones on behalf of Iglesia Grupo International de Divulgación del Evangelio (CIF: Q0300542H) at OASIS Centre, C/. Toni Llido 5, 03730

Articles published in these columns represent the views of the individual authors.

We are unable to provide assurance of the accuracy or reliability of views expressed, and readers are advised to take independent unbiased advice, before commiting themselves to any action.

Contributions bearing the reference CR are made by Clive Read in good faith, and based on his living in Jávea with his wife and son for almost 29 years.

AEverW

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September Agenda Turned on its head

Jávea Jeard

October/November 2014, Nº 18

Page 3

There were so many members of the public in the Council Chamber as the meeting was opened by Mayor, Jose Chulvi, that he decided to start with Point 16, instead of Point 1.

Point 16 It soon became obvious why there were so many people present. The Mayor decided they were all there for Motion 16, and as they were people he knew, thought it unreasonable that they sit through fifteen motions in which they had no interest. After all, you don’t know the detail of what Councillors approve. and once they have voted, if you are affected, there is nothing you can do about it.

The proposal was put to the Council by the local Committee of the Red Cross that a street or park be named after “Dona Maruja” who was born in El Campello. but came to Jávea in 1960, as the town Midwife, and is credited with bringing more than 3000 Javienses into this world.

Maruja worked alongside doctors Don Rafael and Don Jaime, both of whom had streets named in their honour.

She was also a founder of the local assembly of Red Cross group in which she was noted for her personality and knowledge. Now, the town will remember and publicly recognise her work and career with an urban park (on a piece of land previously occupied

by Guardia and Customs officers) alongside the steps to Bar El Clavo and the church.

Among the members of the public who left following the first decision, was an elderly man in a wheelchair on oxygen. Disabled people are reminded that they have access to the Townhall from Plaza Baixa at the rear of the Townhall, where there is a ‘lift’ to all floors.

Point 1 Councillors approved the Minutes of the monthly meeting on 31st July, 2014.

Point 2 approved the decisions taken by Mayor Jose Chulvi since the August monthly meeting. Councillor Belen (Nueva Jávea) asked

about Marmara Construction and was told by the Mayor that there are a number of local firms waiting for repayment of their IBI. Point 3 took into account the comments of the Treasurer with regard to invoices received for payment.

Point 4 ratified resolution 2014/1068 at the 24th August meeting of Councillors, declaring the local interest by Excavaciones Alfonso Lopez, S.L. Point 5 was similar in content to Point 4 in respect of item 2014/1015 at the September 10th meeting, in respect of POYGI S.L. Point 6 The Statutes of the Marina Alta Cultural Circuit were approved.

Point 7 No idea why it was made a separate item on the Agenda, but noted a bill for 840€ for fuel for Municipal Police vehicles.

Point 8 referred to the modification of credits 3/2014 and it was agreed that the amount saved by lower interest rates, will be applied to the recovery programme for the forest fires on La Plana. Work must commence within a month to qualify for emergency status.

Point 9 Councillors improved new charges for rubbish collection. We have asked Councillor Doris Courcelles for information, Point 10 Councillors approved a payment to Esther Cardona Salvador for damages caused to her vehicle whilst parked in Plaza de Constitucion carpark. (ED. I always thought that drivers should be insured against damage to their vehicles and that all vehicles were parked at the risk of the owner).

Point 11 approved changes to land markings in Covatelles, passing some public areas into ‘local heritage’ status.

Point 12 Those who work for the Spanish government, be it

Councillors unanimously approve Maruja Varó proposal

in Madrid, Valencia or Jávea, only received 13 monthly payments rather than the 14, I was told that Bank workers get 16 monthly payment for each calendar year. To compensate for the 1 month bonus money staff in Jávea did not receive in 2012, Councillors agreed that each should receive the equivalent of 44 days money.

Point 13 Councillors approved work that had the reference Adsubia-Rebaldi 30.

Point 14 Project Cap Marti 38 was also approved.

Point 15 Project Media Luna, 4 was also approved.

URGENT MATTERS There was a lot of discussion about the fire on La Plana on 11th-12th September. Trees had fallen to create a hazard and there was ground erosion.

All Councillors agreed the matter was urgent and it was agreed that anti-erosion measures must be adoptedm with dykes and embankments rebuilt to encourage flora and fauna.

Continued on page 15

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Agenda 21 Jávea Updates

October/November 2014, Nº 18

Page 4

Ontinyent company wins Avenida Augusta contract

The company "Construcciones Francés" based in Ontinyent has won the contract to finish off part of the Avenida Augusta.

The contract was valued at €695,164, but their bid came in at €397,161. The company has done a variety of works in the area including in Denia. The contract for the roofing and lighting of the Arnuada Riurau (Participatory budget) will now be offered at €72.271, a saving of some €11,000 on the original estimate.

Jávea releases €117,000 for Montgó fire cleanup

Jávea Townhall has set aside almost €117,000 to carry out emergency cleanup operations following the Montgó fire.

This involves felling and removing burned or partially burned trees which may be a danger to the public, repairing damaged terraces and ditches and anti

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Jávea Jeard is grateful to Chris Jones for compiling the Agenda 21 reports, on which this report is based.

Chris acknowledges javeamigos.com in sourcing local information. http://agenda21-xabia.wikidot.com

erosion measures, as well as promoting wildlife.

In a related development, the Natural Park authorities have simplified the procedure for obtaining permission to fell burned trees and clean land so that the property owner affected can quickly clear their property. They also noted that people were under the wrong impression that it was illegal to clean and maintain land, when this was not the case, and that some agricultural practices were allowed in the park.

Intentional forest fire started in Pinosol area

A recent small fire in the Pinosol area (Calle Paul Klee) was lit, probably intentionally. It was quickly extinguished by firefighters, having consumed some 100 metres of hillside.

La Plana residents call for Watchtower, better mobile coverage and reforestation

Residents of La Plana which was affected by the Montgó fire have met with the Mayor and asked for a watchtower to be installed on the cabo de San Antonio; they also asked for better mobile phone coverage and reforestation with carob and oaks.

Valencian Government to spend €175,000 in the aftermath of Montgó fire

The Valencian Government has announced plans to spend €175,000 on immediate measures regarding damage caused by the Montgó fire. Their main

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Jávea Jeard

concern is the possibility of excess erosion in the autumn rains and they will be repairing damaged terraces, building retaining fences and enhancing a network of natural drainage. Trees will be removed from burned forest, and tracks repaired.

Focus will be on areas used by the public and inhabited areas. No moves for reforestation will be made until an evaluation of natural regneneration has taken place after a year.

Spat about confusion in fighting the Montgó Fire

A war of words has broken out between Mayor Chulvi and the regional government about the degree of coordination and support between regional and local firefighters. Articles in Jáveamigos give both sides of the argument. Firstly, "Xàbia calls for responsibility for neglect of La Plana during Fire fighting operations" Jávea calls.. and then the response from the Generalitat: "Generalitat claims Jávea Mayor is not telling the truth In addition, José Chulvi deplored the inaction of the Montgó Park management Board, in this and other issues including the possible prospecting for oil in the Gulf of Valencia, and proposal to turn the lighthouse into an hotel, and accused the regional authorities of not maintaining the park properly so that the fire risk had increased. He also initiated a reforestation project, asking for volunteers through a form on the Municipal website.

Continued on page 6

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October/November 2014, Nº 18

Page 5

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6 October/November 2014, Nº 18

Agenda 21

Continued from page 4

The Montgó Phoenix Project - an alternative approach to the Montgó Fire

This proposal was put forward by Members of the PUXS association (Para Una Xàbia Sostenible), in response to the aftermath of the extensive fire in the Montgo Natural Park. It promotes allowing the park to regenerate naturally, while at the same time exploiting the regeneration process as an opportunity for tourism, public education about the environment and even adding to the knowledge base about the park. Interested parties will be meeting in October 2014 to develop this idea into a viable project so it can be put forward to the relevant authorities and experts for consideration.

Facebook page promoting reforestation of the Montgó Natural Park gets over 10,000 "likes" but experts advise caution.

A Facebook page entitled : "Montgó Viu" - which promotes the reforestation of the Montgó natural Park, received over 10,000 "likes" within 73 hours of the fire. However, the person who set up the page, Pere Peréz is himself cautious about what should be done stating in the press that he wanted a safe, regenerated park. The president of the Association against Forest Fires (ACIF) said that during the coming year there should be a study to see how the affected zone is regenerating, and only then could they decide what to do in certain areas.

Although he applauded the popular sentiments of the people, he noted that in some cases they could be harmful.

The hottest start to September since 1950

The Spanish Met Office has recorded the hottest start to September in the Comunidad since 1950. Although hot days are expected in September, a number of consecutive hot days is exceptional. The anomaly is mainly related to high night temperatures which are 2.5 degrees above average.

Massive fire decimates La Plana of the Montgó

A fire broke out on La Plana in the Montgó Natural Park Thursday Sept 11th at about 3 in the afternoon. It seems to have begun within the park, along the semi-urban Cami la Serpeta, not far from the windmills. Witnesses report a bang, like a can of petrol exploding. If true, this modus operandi is similar to that used to start the fire near Los Lagos in the spring. There are other reports of

multiple fire in the La Plana area and negligence has not been ruled out. Aided by high temperatures and brisk winds, the fire spread towards Denia as far as Las Rotas, incinerating 439 hectares of mostly forest, causing the evacuation of over 1400 people and the destruction of a number of homes. The fire raged through the night, and by next morning the wind had changed direction and flames consumed the Cabo de San Antonio, down to the sea near Xàbia Port. A special operation was launched which included the Military Emergency Unit (UME). A total of 19 air assets (planes and helicopters) and 21 fire engines worked to bring the fire under control.

Crisis sees rise in number of youngsters out of work and not studying

One in every four young Spaniards is a “nini” – a nickname in Spanish for someone who is neither working nor studying (ni trabaja, ni estudia).

According to a new education report from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Spain has the highest number of ninis aged between 15 and 29. The level is also five points higher than the OECD average, on a par with Chile, Ireland, Turkey, Italy and Mexico. The number of university graduates in the country out of work, or who are no longer studying, has risen 10 points in four years, to 23 percent, according to the OECD’s Education at a Glance 2014 report.

Port works begun on 9th September

The renovation of the avenida Jaume I began almost a year later than intended.

The works were planned for the autumn of last year but were delayed after several modificaciones, which forced it to be re-tendered. Then Easter got in the way and the works were delayed until after the summer. The project has a cost of 110,000 euros and in addition to widening the sidewalks, will renew tree grates, install new street lights and reorganize the parking spaces. The work will be carried out by Montgó SL and will have a duration of four months.

Continued on page 12 Consciencious English lady (speaks Spanish) seeks work, caring for the elderly, frail or vulnerable.

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FALSE FRIENDS

To most people a false friend would be the despicably familiar character, who on arriving at the bar would go not to the bar but, barring a miracle, straight to the toilets to stare at the iron bars over the windows trying to remember if he'd been barred from this bar for stealing a Mars bar.........sorry I got carried away!

Anyway you get the idea, any trick to avoid paying the first round (an interesting word that we'll return to later).

Well, for an English teacher a false friend is a word that looks or sounds the same in two languages but isn't.

Sometimes these words can drop you in the proverbial "it".

Many an innocent tourist has settled down for a relaxing shellfish platter in a seemingly respectable seafood restaurant in Spain, only to have their tranquillity shattered when they discover that RAPE is on the menu today. Suddenly that friendly waiter is getting a shade too friendly. But of course, whatever culinary crime they may be prepared for, what they're going to get is monk-fish, and a monasterysized bill.

October/November 2014 Nº 18

False friends can be a source of great fun, usually at someone else's expense, and it's an unforgivable limitation of our tongue that we don't have a word like the German "schadenfreude" which means "to derive pleasure from the misfortune or discomfort of others", because let's face it, we all love a bit of schadenfreude from time to time.

I'll never forget, (and I've worked hard to exaggerate this perfectly true anecdote), the time when I was teaching in Italy; a young student arrived late, a really pleasant, diligent young man in his immaculate three-piece, out of breath and obviously having worked on his apology while coming up the stairs. We stared, and waited; he took a deep breath and out flowed: "I'm terribly sorry for arriving late, but my rubber broke." A perfectly natural mistake I explained as they helped me back onto my (shamelessly unprofessional) feet, perfectly natural bearing in mind that the Italian words for rubber and tyre are the same. Fortunately Italians, like Spaniards, have a great sense of fun and rubberdelays became the standard excuse not only for lateness, but for undone homework and absence.

Spanish students are frequently flabbergasted when they venture abroad to those great British centres of culture; and I refer of course to Tesco's and Sainsbury's, where they are unable to work out why British food manufacturers should go to so much trouble to point out that their products don't contain preservatives. After all you won't find a single Spanish tinned product boasting that it is quite definitely free of condoms! ("preservativos" in Spanish; preservatives are "conservantes"). It gives a whole new perspective to the notion of 57 varieties.

While we are of a culinary disposition, Spanish people also suffer when indulging in the ritual of visiting an English fish and chip shop and inhaling the bracing waves of burnt grease smoke. For us, a pie may be a tasty meat stain encased in serrated, hardened dough; but for Spanish people, "pie" means foot.

Every year thousands of Spanish students travel to England and the other bits stuck on the top and to the left, in the vain hope that close contact with British people will enable them to become fluent in English and therefore get a good job and pick up Norwegian blondes on Benidorm beach.

Page 7

(Interesting, my spell-checker rejects "Benidorm" and offers "bender" as an alternative. Do spellcheckers have a sense of humour?

Where was I? Oh yes, so of course, the first thing they learn is that if you visit England at any time during the ten month winter (eleven I’m told if you venture north of something called Halifax, then you will immediately fall victim to an English cold and spend most of your time ejecting noxious substance into a crinkled handkerchief that appears to have been victim of a staple attack.

At some point you will go to a Chemist’s, and more than likely tell them that you are constipated, "constipado," meaning to have a cold in Spanish. If you dutifully take your medicine, you may discover that your simple cold is virtually unshakeoffable.

One of my students told me about an embarrassing situation where, at the end of a negotiation he asked if they could now resume the meeting. The others thought that they were being asked to re-negotiate, but in fact he only wanted to summarise, which is what “resumir” means in Spanish.

Which brings us back to the bar and round to "round", to round off this section. The greatest contribution of our nation to International Diplomacy has been the development of a language where anything can mean anything and frequently doesn't. "Round" is a case in point. "Case" and "point" are two more, but I digress. Our trusting students ask, gazing skywards, hoping for salvation; what is "round"? Is it a verb? Is it a noun? Is it a preposition? Is it an adjective? Well of course it is! Now please pay on your way out!

This inevitably frustrates and infuriates students, whose languages have been plastic-wrapped, clearly-labelled and stamped with a sell-by date from their national academy for the protection and propagation of linguistic purity, which is as good a death certificate as you'll find, and a formula adopted by countries like France to stop their own citizens freely adapting English words and expressions like ‘le weekend’. But then, as any Englishman will tell you: "c'est la vie".

You can read more by Bob Yareham on www.valencia-international.com Read more by Bob Yareham at www.valencia-international.com

Page 8 October/November 2014, Nº 18

Satellite Fact File

Satellite Reception is affected by the weather hot, wet or cold

We have had quite the hottest and longest summer that many can remember, including me! Now of late the weather has become cooler and we have had our first ‘Rainy Season’, good for the garden many are telling me.

We have also experienced our first thunder and lightning and at this point it’s best to remind you that this type of weather can play havoc with your satellite entertainment. May I issue the usual warning, at the first sound of thunder, start thinking about protecting your valuable satellite installation; it gives you many hours of entertainment.

My advice has always been as the first sound of thunder is heard, consider disconnecting your satellite cable/s from the satellite receiver, not as easy as you think, as it often involves manipulating the satellite receiver so you can reach

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and unscrew the ‘F’ plugs and then move them well away from the receiver.

Why you may ask?

Simple, approaching thunder is usually accompanied by lightning! In a microsecond lightning, even if it’s only in close proximity can cause serious damage to your satellite installation.

First the lightning attacks the satellite dish and also the LNB (to date I have always found the dish survives but, very often the LNB is rendered useless!

Moving to a more serious case the splash of lightning travels the length of your coaxial cable feed to the satellite receiver itself, causing serious damage, often rendering the satellite receiver beyond economical repair. If this is the case, were you to have a Sky satellite receiver, then you have the extra problem of explaining to Sky that you have obtained a replacement Sky satellite receiver and wish to transfer your Sky card over to the replacement Sky receiver, a little tricky as this ‘Box’ is supposed to be in the U.K. !!!

It is possible to obtain a little ‘Add-on Converter’ which allows you to screw the ‘F’ Plug into the converter and the other end is a simple ‘Push Fit’ rendering it possible to simply pull the cable out by the converter and when all has settled down again simply pushing the converter back into place.

In very rare cases I have also had to replaced the coaxial cable itself when testing has proved that the dynamics of the cable have also suffered. This is where my test equipment is so very useful, as it has a facility to scan the whole of the spectrum we use for satellite applications and should there be a dip in performance, then I can simply read this off and demonstrate this if required to the client.

Cables

The satellite cable is a vital link in the performance of any system and its importance is often overlooked. I have examined systems where TV cable has been used, the results being way below the required standard. Moving on I have seen installations where very cheap satellite cable has been used and in as little as a Summer Season its impedance at the required frequencies has rendered it useless. Very often these poor types of cables have been used on work that has involved fifty to a hundred metres of

Jávea Jeard

by Richard Pollock B.Ed I.Eng. FIEEIE Consultant Electronic Engineer

Telephone: 670 362 395 (Monday to Friday 10am - 6pm)

Formerly Lecturer in RTVE at Bradford College

cable, which is very time consuming and a costly exercise. In my opinion it’s quite silly to go down that route and I always use top quality cables. You can check this out yourself as the better types of satellite cable have a copper sheath and on top of this is a copper weave. These days as we all know, copper is very expensive! Simply unscrew the ‘F’ plug after removing it from your satellite receiver. If it’s not ‘copper’ and has a sliver appearance you may have a problem in the future?

My own preferred cable is from the range WF100 or CT100+ both have been excellent cables over the years and have never ever given me a problem.

Case History

Fault. No Vision or Sound. Sky H.D. + Satellite Receiver with Full Record Facility etc.

Continued on page 10

The people who brought ‘care’, ‘comfort’ and ‘understanding’ to bereaved families in Spain

Sympathetic and prompt assistance starts with a phone call to BALBI on 610 204 864 Cremation, Repatriation or Interment

Thanksgiving and Memorial services arranged, religious or humanist Cami del Cementerio 2 JÁVEA - 96 579 0188 Fax: 96 579 4138

Jávea Jeard

YOU DESERVE A LAUGH

October/November 2014, Nº 18

Page 9

WHERE CAN I GO ON A SUNDAY? There’s lots of new friends waiting to meet you - and free tea, coffee, cake or biscuits afterwards, at

The ‘Oasis’ Centre

NEW Sunday venue

C/. Toni Llido, 5 GPS - N:38.793196 and E:0.180900 At the rear of ‘LA CAIXA” Bank at the ‘Dolphin Roundabout’

I am a Dutch lady and speak several languages. I am looking for additional care work in this area.

Qualified and Experienced.

Need some help - Hours to suit Phone Yvette on 606 899 036 RUSTIC LAND FOR SALE (Price negotiable) OR RENT Many uses. Could be builder’s yard, or site for Static Caravan (subject to any permissions from Townhall).

2 minutes from Benitachell.

GOOD ACCESS Tel: 696 76 73 49

Sunday morning service 11am TOWN

OASIS Centre

SEA

If you need transport, phone 669 386 702 or 669 386 701

We are a caring church, meeting 21st century need with 1st century Christian compassion

Page 10

Jávea Jeard

October/November 2014, Nº 18

Let’s Support our local Businesses

If we don’t we won’t have any

Azorin Restaurant C/. Toni Llido Tel: 96 579 4495

Bon Retir elderly care home C/. Cantallops 31 Tel: 96 579 0242 688 883 155 Building and Tiling by Victor victorjavea@hotmail.com Tel: 626 975 244

Butcher’s Block The English Butcher in Jávea Av del Pla (North of Yorkshire Linen) Tel: 96 579 2676 Cabo Casse Hire Tools and Machinery C/. Liverpool 11 (opposite the Moli) Tel: 96 579 2502 C B Installations Glazing, Reforms/Building works Rupert Cooper Tel: 606 662 991 622 872 991 vistaglaze@gmail.com

Satellite Fact File

Continued from page 8

I visited the installation and observed that there was no Vision or Sound throughout all channels. At this point I checked out the input signals and as this was a double input, there were two coaxial cable inputs! Both gave the same result - no signals obtained. At this point I suspected the obvious, either the 2.4 metre satellite dish had moved (mounted in the garden) or the LNB.

A quick examination of the satellite dish proved the installation was rock steady and so I checked out the LNB (Low Noise Block) excellent signals were obtained! How strange that two coaxial cables had decided to be found defective at the same time! This was a first for me.

I then found that the coaxial cables were fed through quite a torturous route. First they went into the underbuild (should I consider Rats nibbling away? - it does happen, dare I suggest this to the owner!) Further investigation then proved that the cable had then come right through to the other side of the underbuild and then had been rendered into a wall that had then been covered with decorative tiles.

I had a chat with the owner who was not convinced that two cables could exhibit the same fault on the same day and time,

I was first to admit it did take some understanding! To prove the point I did offer to run a temporary cable from the LNB direct to the satellite receiver (not an easy task as it was a run of some 45 metres), the results were perfect vision and sound. My own theory for what it is worth, is that the cement rendering had attacked the cables. It’s also worth mentioning that the cables were of the silver type!

I suggested replacement with top quality coaxial cables in suitable outside heavy duty tube. We dug a channel and buried the cables and then fed them through the underbuild. Result: Job Completed, Delighted Client!

If I Die First...

Now that they are retired, my mother and father are discussing all aspects of their future. "What will you do if I die before you do?" Dad asked Mom. After some thought, she said that she'd probably look for a house-sharing situation with three other single or widowed women who might be a little younger than herself, since she is so active for her age.

Then Mom asked Dad, "What will you do if I die first?"

He replied, "Probably the same thing."

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Jávea Jeard

Petition re mobile phone coverage Continued from page 1 light of the right to obtain a connection to a public electronic communications network from a fixed location provided their application is considered reasonable.

A connection must allow voice, fax and data, sufficient to permit functional Internet speed. The connection to the public communications network capable of functional internet access should allow data communications broadband downstream speeds of 1Mbit per second, as well as other benefits included in the universal service, regardless of the geographical location, at an affordable price and specified quality.

Just as the right to receive electronic communications services with quality assurance, and to receive comparable, adequate and up to date on the quality of information services.

This Association requires you: Proceed with the installation of telecommunication tower or mast or repeater equipment that allows mobile phone connections in La Plana area.

Signed:

You can obtain a copy of the form for signatures by sending an eMail request to rosamansell@yahoo.com

SOCIAL WORKER VACANCY

October/November 2014, Nº 18 Page 11 Let’s Support our local Businesses

If we don’t we won’t have any

Jávea Townhall have released the basis for a vacacy in the Social Services Department. The requirements can be found on the municipal website (www.ajxabia.com) and checking at the Office of Citizen Services, adjacent to CLOT parking.

Applications can be submitted between May 1 and October 13 to participate in the selection process.

The basic requirement to register for this vacancy is to have a first degree or degree in Social Work and merits as work experience in this field, knowledge of Valencian and other languages. Also have the demonstrated social skills in a personal interview The tasks that social workers are responsible in Jávea are, among others, coordinating family intervention programmes, truancy and organisation of team supporting the community. Also the social intervention with children and adolescents from broken homes, family mediation or counselling on issues of adoption and fostering.

DELIVER Store & More A & M Henry will buy and bring things to you, or deliver. Nothing too much trouble, 633 294 509 Helping Hands (J and J)

Personal care, Overnight stays, Ironing, Washing, Light housework, Social occasions, Shopping Tel: 634 735 105 and 660 143 503

Independent Financial Advice Lee Hodges 699 966 914 lee@leehodges.es L P Catering Suplies Everything for restaurants at an affordable price Tel: 96 579 3893 Susana: 607 630 221 Sergio: 647 540 862

Milar Moragues The corner shop with trade prices Av. del Pla 43 Tel: 96 646 1677 www.milar.es

I want TV, Internet and Phone from a local provider who talks my Language - and answers my questions Jávea’s Main Internet Provider New Channel 5 test images already PHONE SERVICE More than 1,000 homes can´t be wrong. on our EXTENDED package.

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Office Phone: (leave message if occupied) 96 577 1121 (Accounts Ext. 202, Tech. Help Ext. 220) Sales (Anne): 679 797 473 (General Enquiries) 865 667 123 Providing service to individuals, Urbanisations and Apartment Blocks in Jávea, Moraira, Benissa, Calpe, Benitachell, Gata, Jesús Pobre, Els Poblets and Vergel

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Page 12

Agenda 21 update

October/November 2014, Nº 18

Let’s Support our local Businesses

If we don’t we won’t have any

MPM Property Repairs Maintanance, Management and Repairs Tel: 96 577 0205 681 005 731

Gail McCafferty NURSE RGN.NMB regd/homologlomised gailm969@gmail.com 667 316 954

Painting and Decorating Pinturas Jaime Ortola 609 677 094 www.pinturasortola.net P C Highway Calle Niza 13 Tel: 96 646 2509 info@pc-highway.com

Pick-up and Deliver Service Covering Alicante to Gandia - they’ll even pay for an item and fetch it.

Andrea and Mark 633 294 509

Rent an Officiant For a Wedding, Funeral, Memorial or Thanksgiving occasion: Rev. Clive Read 669 386 702 www.divineservices.org clive@cliveread.com Second-hand furniture store Sheila’s Deals 609 827 753 sheilabond21@gmail.com

Septic (toilet) problems Limpiezas Jávea 608 861 153 www.limpiezasjavea.com Spanish Lessons www.languagecentremoraira.com 699 216 516

Swiss Cable - and much more Tlf: 96 577 1121 www.swisscable.es info@swisscable.es

Taxi www.eurotaxijavea.com reservas@eurotaxijavea.com Card payment OK - Airports - Tours 633 400 044 Tanatorio Jávea Undertaking in your language Tel: 610 204 864

Let’s Support our local Businesses

If we don’t we won’t have any

Wage cuts causing Spanish households to struggle, warns OECD Continued from page 6

Cuts to the annual average wage of around 2% triggered by the economic crisis have caused Spanish workers and families to struggle to make ends meet, according to a study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In its 2014 Employment Outlook report, the international organisation adds that the reductions have also improved productivity and external competitiveness. Spain will post the best unemployment reduction rate between 2014 and 2015 (-2.2%), but the jobless rate will still hover around 23.9% by the end of next year, a figure that is set only to be surpassed by Greece with 27%.

The euro zone average is 11.6% while the US average is 6.2%.

Summer tourism shows slight improvement over 2013

Figures released by the Jávea Tourism department show the overall number of

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Jávea Jeard

tourists this summer to be similar to last year. Hotel occupation and registered property rentals were down a bit, while camp site occupation was up. Numbers the number of tourists per day, calculated from water consumption and volumes of rubbish collected were just over 41,000 in August and just over 33,000 in July. Overall the figures were seen as a "slight improvement", though there was a tendency for short stays and visitors were spending less. The main foreign tourists were English and French followed by Dutch and German.

Can we prevent the End of the World?

A post-apocalyptic Earth, emptied of humans, seems like the stuff of science fiction TV and movies. But a surprising talk by Lord Martin Rees asks us to think about our real existential risks natural and human-made threats that could wipe out humanity.

As a concerned member of the human race, he asks: What’s the worst thing that could possibly happen?

Spain's brain drain 'worst in Western Europe'

Spain is among the European countries hardest hit by the so-called 'brain drain' effect with thousands of professionals including nurses and teachers taking steps to leave the country in recent years. The professionals most likely to

Continued on page 16

A year in the life of a Spanish town Xabia / Jávea

Words by the late Charlene Quince and photos by Billie Cook is still on sale at HUMPTY DUMPTY (Javea Park) LA RULLA and OASIS HELP CENTRE (both in the Port)

10€

Why not enjoy a nostalgic journey at www.memories-of-javea.com Artist / Photographer Tel: 636 161 941 You can ‘friend me’ on Facebook?

Billie Cook

Jávea Jeard

Copi Shop Online 96 507 4549 and 610 206 042 copishop@yahoo.com

Gaile Griffin Peers www.gaile.biz/web

Grapevine Magazine www.grapevinespain.com/javea

Easy Flatpax (Bringing IKEA to you - the easy way) www.easyflatpax.com Tel: 96 647 0770

Fontana Design www.fontanadesign.eu Tel: 634 419 247

Haweli Restaurant www.hawelispain.com info@hawelispain.com Tel: 677 004 651

Javea Photos Choose from 4,300 photos.

Juan Luis Millet Sancho - Notary Tel 96 592 3522

Lawns in Spain www.lawnsinspain.com Mob: 676 863 778 Skype: lawnsinspain lawnsinspain@yahoo.com

Lifestyle Spain News and Views from around Jávea www.lifestylespain.com

Lucia Rajah Social Media and Tuxedo Hire Landline: +34 96 647 0770

Mai Griffin – Author, Artist www.maigriffin.com Portraits, Still Life and Landscapes.

Tel: 96 646 1913

Marina Alta Business Club www.mabusinessclub.com/mabc

Marina Alta Business Community www.marina-abc.com/community

Mike Peers – Creative Design Mike Peers Graphics Design Studio, Tel: 97 646 1913, mike@mikepeers.com

My Destination Alicante Sarah Farrell Locally informed, globally inspired. sarah.farrell@mydestination.com

Online Antiques Review Sharing information on Antiques www.antiquesreview.info

Oscar Ricor – Abogado English speaking regulated Costa Blanca Abogado - operating throughout Spain.

Tel: 687 88 88 73 www.ricorabogados.com

Peri Pera Cafe, Jávea Port Bistro Bar, Theme Nights, Private hire for Dinner Parties and Celebrations.

Tel: 677 253 488 (Tracy) Phoenix Computers @ The Sign Shop www.signshopjavea.com info@signshopjavea.com Tel: 96 579 0710

October/November 2014, Nº 18

MABC meetings are held once of twice a month but there were no dates or venues at www.mabc.biz

Page 13

Peter Williamson MA MSc www.lawlesswilliamson.com

Porcelain Painting Club Lavender Studio Hand painted decorative ceramics and porcelain - hand made customised greeting cards - classes - club.

Rabbit FX Glenn.tullett@rabbitfx.com

RTN (Round Town News) 50,000 copies every week, reaching 175,000 readers. Colin Rich - Tel: 607 553 870

Solar in Spain Time to turn to solar Tel/fax: 902 636 570 http://www.solarinspain.com email: info@solarinspain.com

Spectrum Financial Advisers John Hayward www.financialadviceinspain.es

St James Place Wealth Management www.sjpp.co.uk/neilgubbins Specialist financial advice, particularly during periods of volatility and change.

The Art Centre Association, Jávea www.facebook.com/ArtJavea Encouraging beginner and experienced artists in traditional and contemporary arts and crafts.

The Sign Shop, Javea Computers and Websites www.signshopjavea.com info@signshopjavea.com Tel: 96 579 0710

Tom Parkinson www.jacksons-group.com Chartered Accountants

TV Satellite Equipment & Installation Peter Hoffer www.tvsateq.com Electronic repairs since 1972.

Tel: 96 646 1662 & 630 352 172

U P Publications Ltd Designers and authors publisher and adviser.

UKTV4U 10€ monthly. No contract, http://www.uktv4u.com

Wising UP! Online www.wising-up.co.uk

Jávea Jeard and Oasis Help Centre is pleased to support the aims of MABC and publish the names and contact information for their members. We are happy to promote local businesses, in this ‘old-fashioned’ and ‘traditional’ magazine if they contact: editor@javeajeard.com

Everything you need to survive the Spanish Health Service - for 6,50€

The Health Service in Spain is every bit as good - and many say MUCH better than in the UK, but no matter the level of professionalism and skill of the doctor or nursing staff - if you don’t speak Spanish, ‘Murphy’s Law’ says those who care for you will not understand English or Spanglish.

What they DO understand on the Costa Blanca, and instantly recognise, is the Booklet “Tell the Doctor” which lists all the words and phrases you are likely to need during your visit to the Health Centre or Hospital.

The book is NOT intended to replace a competent Interpreter for those visits when accuracy and understanding are essential.

Originally compiled by Jenny Bussey, founder of Jalon Valley HELP, copies can be obtained from the OASIS HELP CENTRE, C/. Toni Llido 5 (at the rear of La Caixa bank in the Port) for 6,50€ a copy.

Tell the Doctor is also published in French and German, but the OASIS generally only stocks the (blue covered) English edition.

NO CHARGE FOR FIRE-FIGHTING WATER

Javea Townhall took the immediate decision, following the fire that destroyed so much of the Montgo park, that AMJASA would NOT charge residents whose water was used in fighting the fire.

YOU NEVER KNOW - WHEN YOU TURN UP FOR ‘WORK’

Page 14 October/November 2014, Nº 18

10 years after I should have retired (and that’s 10 years when I’ve been receiving my State pension) I am still to be found most weekdays at the Oasis Help Centre between 10am and 2pm.

On Thursday September 11th, I’d watched helicopters and planes bombing water on the Jávea side of the blaze, and the glow visibly from my town apartment of the flames trying to find their way to the back of the Port church, only to be thwarted by pilots whom I can only describe as ‘intrepid’.

Friday morning was like most others, trying to ‘cheer people up’ as they came in to escape the heat, and there was nothing about Barbara and Terry that separated them from others who’d called in with news of health or some other occurance.

Terry and Barbara

Barbara almost apologised for bothering me, just the two of them in a foreign country, at the end of their holiday, and facing disaster on a number of personal fronts.

“We’ve been renting up on La Plana” Barbie told me “but we’ve been evacuated by the police and they won’t allow us back, and our clothes, passports and return tickets are inside” she shared with me. She wasn’t crying, but I could see they did not know which way to turn.

“We were partially homeless at that point - which is why we came to you, hoping you’d be able to advise us, and that is what you did five-fold.”

“We didn’t know anything about you and the Help Centre; we just saw your shop with its welcoming sign outside, when we were strolling around town looking to buy some clean clothes.

I’ll help where and when I can, but this was one of those times when I was out-of-my-depth.

I pointed them in the direction of Yvonne at the Townhall Help Desk, who - in turn - introduced them to Fairy Godmother Doris Courcelles, who acted as if she’d come across the problem many times before: Visitors to Jávea forced out of their villa by flames!

Doris pointed them in the direction not too far away of the Red Cross - and as Councillor for Services and the Environment (not Police, Civil Protection or Citizen Participation), phoned the Municipal Police and was ‘patched through’ to an Officer on La Plana, making arrangements for him to meet with Barbie and Terry and escort them into their holiday home to retrieve their belongings. Barbie told me in an eMail, thanking those who had helped them, that she felt quite guilty at not being able to spring-clean the place before they left. Other holidaymakers were due to arrive on the Saturday.

“We were provided with accommodation in Hotel Los Angeles in Denia and arrived back home in Ringwood, the following Monday.”

Terry does not enjoy flying so they came by train.

“It takes around 2 ½ hours on the Eurostar to Paris” Barbara explained “and then 6 ½ hours on the TGV train to Barcelona. Then on the Renfe train Barcelona to Valencia 3 hours. It sounds a long time but in fact it doesn’t feel that long. We stayed overnight in Valencia at a lovely hotel called the Melia Plaza, which on the top roof terrace has a little outside pool, it looks out over the square….really pretty, before picking up the hire car the next morning to drive to Jávea.

“The usual cost of our journey when you book ahead is quite good: £340 return for the TGV and £90 approx for the Renfe train.”

Later, Barbara wrote in an eMail, “When we went into your shop last Friday we would have never imagined you could have achieved what you did in so little time, for us. Within a few hours, thanks to you, we had our passports back along with our clothing. etc.

“We would very much like to thank you for all your help with arranging for “Doris” helping us to get to “Cami del monistir” area, and for us to quickly collect our belongings last Friday afternoon, (12th) along with the Red Cross help.

Jávea Jeard

“I have also written to the Jávea Mayor and told him about you and Doris helping us on that day.

“We go to Spain every year by train from the UK via Paris, and can honestly say that we have never found a community so friendly as Jávea.

“We most certainly will come back to Jávea, as it feels very homely.

“We will pop in and see you next time we visit Jávea for a holiday”.

Best Regards Terry and Barbie Smith (Ringwood, England)

COUNCILLOR DORIS HAS MORE GOOD NEWS Jávea Townhall received an unexpected gift to its income, in the amount of 58,275 €uros (VAT included) from the company who empty the “Blue Bins” of paper and cardboard. Doris points out that it is only the diligence of people who live here and make the effort (take the time) to separate their ‘rubbish’ that makes it possible, pointing out that it provides more than 1,000 €uros a week to maintain much needed services.

Income from separated ‘waste’ produced an income to Jávea of 175,000 €uros in 2013.

Councillor Doris told us from her Department of Services office that it is the citizens who should be congratulated for maintaining this income to Jávea that would otherwise add to our landfill costs. “Ï cannot overstress the need to separate paper, glass bottles, plastic containers, clothing and used cooking oil, from ‘ordinary household waste’. I know it takes a few minutes to put different items in different piles, but it is one of my main priorities as I try to protect and maximise the environment we sometimes take for granted in Jávea.”

Doris asked if we could convey her thanks and appreciation for the way people formed a chain of solidarity and generosity the moment they heard about the Montgo/La Plana fire. “We didn’t need to make an official appeal from the Townhall - the people of Jávea seemed to errupt with a pent-up urge to help.

“People were offering accommodation, pet caring, food, gardening and cleaning services etc.

“As Councillor for Services and the Environment the spontaneous reaction of citizens in Jávea, reminded me of the pride I have in serving Jávea and its people. Their enthusiasm pays its own rewards and dividends.”

Guess what, Doris? The people living here feel the same about you! CR

Jávea Jeard

Townhall August meetings Continued from page 3

Approval was granted to access extra funding to carry out the emergency programme of prevention and protection, enabling work to proceed without the normal paperwork being passed between Jávea and the regional and Madrid government.

Belén Quiroga (Nueva Jávea) questioned invoices issued consecutively of the days of San Juan fiestas. She was told they were for SGAE music licences in respect of 15th June, which were all for the same amount, and asked how they could be repeated so many times?

In some cases the invoice is over 3000€ which was then split in order to avoid paperwork costs.

Belén asked what was happening with regard to allotments, since those in Avenida Agusta had been reposessed by the Council, following cultivation by local residents.

Councillor Doris Courcelles said nothing had happened “but perhaps, next year.”

The water bill for the Arenal allotments was in excess of 2000€ which was excessive, and urged for some form of control, no matter the severity of the weather.

9000€ had been paid for a study in Police Coordination, but Belén wanted to know what changes had been made.

She was told there would be several changes implemented over the next few months.

Jose Luis Genoves (Partida Popular) said traffic congestion earlier in the day had been more chaotic than in August and blamed the absence of police and sign-posting.

Painters had replaced existing lines on the Cami Cabañes, but had painted double white lines wherever there were sideroads, making it necessary for drivers to travel to the junction with Benitachell Road, or the roundabout close to Restaurant Carrasco, to start their journey. The Mayor said he had a

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October/November 2014, Nº 18

meeting the previous Monday and there were no plans to make changes. The new lines were intended to avoid accidents. It is a Provincial road, and not one where Jávea has jurisdiction Jose Luis questioned what happened to the Motion presented in November 2009?

Vicent Chorro drew attention to the Eastern end of Cami Cabañes which was lacking street lighting but said it was no different to the roundabout at the other (Benitachell Road) end, which had been without lights for 10 years.

There was much talk about the fire on La Plana, but “what is being done?”

Mayor Chulvi said there had been an emergency meeting, and another on the following day, along with contact with neighbours, police and public services, on a daily basis. “But what happens, now?” Lanes must be cleared and new prevention measures put in place to prevent a re-occurance. Those needing a Police report for their insurers, will receive it free of charge. Chulvi said Jávea, Denia and environmentalists needed to get together - put their cards on the table - and work together.

Although current thoughts were centred on La Plana, fire among trees and brushland were a risk in most areas of Jávea. Calle Penaguila will probably become a private road, with chained access for emergency vehicles.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS

There were more questions about the fire and the reliability ad availability of the emergency services. Speculation on the cause was pointless, and it would only be the Guardia Civil and their forensic team who could provide any reliable information. Their finding will be made known in due course, but there was no obvious reason.

Chulvi was asked about allegations that there was insufficient water on La Plana to fight the blaze, and said all services worked together, with AMJASA increasing water pressure to La Plana by a factor of 4. Pressure had to be carefully monitored at AMJASA distribution control, to ensure that increased pressure occurred only when demanded by fire crews, otherwise there could have been extensive damage to distribution pipework and joints. He said politicians are expected to look out for the best interests of the community, not bickering among themselves.

People living in La Plana were now aware of the confusion of regulations between neighbouring municipalities and the Montgo Park authorities. Rights and obligations, according to some La Plana owners, needed to be clarified.

CR is grateful to Kacie for help with this report.

Page 15

If you understand this then please explain it to me, otherwise when you do understand this, then, please explain it to me.

Are you confused by what is going on in the Middle East? Let me explain.We support the Iraqi government in the fight against ISIS. We don’t like ISIS, but ISIS is supported by Saudi Arabia who we do like.

We don’t like Assad in Syria. We support the fight against him, but ISIS is also fighting against him.

We don’t like Iran, but Iran supports the Iraqi government in its fight against ISIS. So some of our friends support our enemies, some enemies are now our friends, and some of our enemies are fighting against our other enemies, who we want to lose, but we don’t want our enemies who are fighting our enemies to win.

If the people we want to defeat are defeated, they could be replaced by people we like even less.

And all this was started by us invading a country to drive out terrorists who were not actually there until we went in to drive them out.

It's quite simple, really. Do you understand it now?

Jávea Jeard

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Agenda 21 Report Page 16

October/November 2014, Nº 18

Continued from page 12

seek to leave Spain were secondary school teachers, nurses and doctors, the Eurostat figures show. The United Kingdom was by far and away the most popular destination with 55 percent of applicants choosing that country.

Germany and Italy both received 10 percent of all applications. Of the total of 18,408 people with Spanish qualifications who had those recognized overseas, 6,202 were recognized as secondary school teachers in the UK and 887 were recognized as doctors in the UK.

Jávea applies to declare Loreto fireworks as "Fiesta de Interés Turístico"

At the August council meeting, the Town Council agreed unanimously that Jávea should start the process of declaring the Loreto Fireworks as a Festival of Tourist Interest.

Jávea demands information on soundings for oil in Gulf of Valencia

At the August Council meeting, Jávea Townhall expressed alarm after learning that unauthorised hydrocarbon surveys had been conducted near the Balearic island of Ibiza in April 2013. The revelation was exposed by various media and the protest group 'BALEARS DIU NO' who claimed that no official explanation had been received. The motion asked what control measures the Government has in place and what environmental impact the surveys may have had. It also reiterated Jávea's outright rejection of the search for oil in the Gulf of Valencia and the Balearic Islands and demanded an immediate halt to the project and a meeting at the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism to address the issue and stop it while there are no agreements with the tourism sectors and with local and regional institutions.

Mountain lovers should be more aware of dangers, authorities warn

Spain is one of the most mountainous countries in Europe. Around 76 percent of its surface area is between 500 and 1,000 metres above sea level, and 24 percent is more than 1,000 metres above sea level. Several studies by the Spanish Tourism Institute have discussed this enormous potential. Climbing federation licenses have grown from 88,323 in 2003 to 169,188 in 2013.

Types of rescue In 2013 the Civil Guard went out on 892 rescue operations, in which 94 mountaineers were found dead, 475 injured and 1,010 unharmed. Of these, 362 people had been hiking, 123 had gone off the marked path and ventured into abrupt terrain, 95 were canyoneering and 38 were skiers.

Causes: In 39.8% of rescues, the accident was the result of “overestimating one’s own abilities,” according to the Civil Guard. This is followed by “lack of technical expertise or experience” (31.9%) and “deficient planning” (29%), meaning that the hiker failed to bring enough food and water, a charged cellphone, warm clothes and so on. Truly inevitable causes, such as a rock suddenly falling on someone, make up only three percent of all rescue cases.

Between two and three percent of rescues involved seasoned mountaineers who somehow lost their way.

Spain denounced for Higher than Ever Electricity Rates from the website of Citizens Advice Bureau Spain

After the discount that had to be applied over the rates that had been charged to Spanish consumers during the first three months of this year, which most of us received in July, August has brought another increase in the tariff, resulting in electricity rates being higher than ever.

Calculating the tariff over August, an average consumer now pays 1.4% more than in August 2013. And it looks like we will be condemned to pay amounts ever higher for the consumption of energy, as the Government refuses to approve a system that allows the rates to be established by calculating the real costs involved in generating energy.

Consumer organisation Facua compared prices in 2013 and 2014 and a summary of their findings follows: In the first eight months of this year, the monthly rate for each kWh consumed was 13.93 cts in January, 12.76 in February, 12.76 in March (the re-calculated tariff, discount included), 12.12 in April, 14.17 in May, 15.22 in June, 14.83 in July and 15.37 in August.

With regards to the fixed tariff for each kW contracted, this has come from 3.78 euro in August last year, when the Ministry approved a rise of 62.8% with respect to the tariff of 2.32 euro which had been established in April 2012. In February of this year another rise of 17.9% has been approved, resulting in the 4.46 euro that you will find on your bill now. In just over a year, an increase of 92.2%.

Jávea Jeard

In April this year Facua denounced the Spanish Government to the European Comission. The denuncia contained several elements, one of which is clear discrimination in calculating the price for consumed kWh for those with the new digital meters, and those without.

Another, the non-transparant, unnecessarily complicated way to calculate the prices and information regarding the tariff to be billed only given in retrospect, not in accordance with European consumer law at all.

Facua hopes the European Commission will intervene and will start court procedings against the Spanish Government, leading to the paralisation of the present chaotic tariff calculation model.

RIU RAU LIGHTING CONTRACT AWARDED

Councillor Oscar Anton has announced that the contract for lighting at the Riu Rau d’arnauda, brought three offers ; Manuel Groves (Eur 72.721), Raphael bisquert Crespo (Eur 75.625) and Joaquin Bas sart (Eur 82.321,60). The Townhall has awarded the contract to Manual Groves, which met the standard for bidders and was the best economic offer. The tender was offered at an estmated cost of 84.561,44 euros and awarding the contract to Manuel Groves has saved 11.840,44 euros.

Woman to Woman Jávea Jeard

(but men are welcome)

As many of our readers know, My husband Clive and I are responsible for "The Oasis Centre" situated in the street at the back of La Caixa bank at the dolphin roundabout in the Port area of Jávea.

The centre is open each morning from 10am to 2pm (Monday to Saturday) to give general advice and help. We also sell a good selection of good quality greeting cards (including Christmas cards) for 1 euro each. Many of our customers come into the Centre with long lists of people they need to buy cards for and go out with as many as ten or more at a time. We have a good selection of Christmas cards including hundreds of packs of cards at 4 euros each, many containing sixteen cards and some as many as thirty.

October/November 2014, Nº 18

by Ann Read after her 5-year ‘rest’

The Oasis also provides a photocopying service (including colour) and Peter our Son looks after all the printing enquiries including printing on canvas and personalised printed t-shirts and hoodies. The centre is also collecting food and clothing for Pastor Marcos Sanz of the Spanish Church (which meets in the town each Sunday evening), for distribution to the poor, homeless and needy people.

Every Sunday morning the Evangelical Church (Clive is the Pastor), holds a service at 11am and everyone is welcome. Afterwards we have a time to chat over a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit. There is also a Bible study each Wednesday afternoon and recently while we were having our tea and biscuits, the subject came up of broken biscuits our mums used to buy when we were youngsters.

Page 17

Our family lived on the New Cross Road in South East London which is a continuation of The Old Kent Road.

Money was scarce as Dad was on a basic wage and Mum was never able to work. I had two younger sisters Linda and Carol, and a younger brother, Derek. Mum had a very bad accident when she was sixteen years old. She was out on her bike with her brothers when the wheel got stuck in the tram lines and she was thrown into the front of a moving bus. She received horrendous injuries which kept her in hospital for thirteen months and she told us that every Friday morning a huge basket of fruit was delivered to her from a man who had witnessed the accident but wanted to remain anonymous.

From a very early age, I took on the responsibility of helping Mum. She had to keep her legs elevated as much as possible so Linda (who is two years younger than me) and I were responsible for many of the tasks that Mum wasn't able to do without difficulty. When we came home from primary school there was a different task for us to do each evening. Twice a week we changed Mum's library books (while we changed our own). One evening we would tidy, sweep and mop the bedrooms. Another evening we would tidy and clean the downstairs rooms. I Continued on page 20

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Page 18

SPAIN’S LEGAL SYSTEM DECIPHERED contributed by Oscar Ricor

October/November 2014, Nº 18

WOT’S IT ALL ABOUT

IBI

HOW TO INTERPRET THE IBI RECEIPT

Often we receive questions from clients who do not understand what the IBI (“Impuesto sobre bienes inmuebles”) means and where and how to pay it. So, for those who might still be unaware about the existence of this local rate, we hope you will find this information useful.

First of all, the IBI is a local rate payable to the local authorities by ALL residents and Non resident people (irrespective of their nationality), as a consequence of owning any kind of property in Spain, (dwelling, garage, rustic or urban dwelling, plot of land, etc).

It doesn’t matter if you are Spanish or English or you use the dwelling as a second residence only. You will still be liable to pay!

LI is the official constituency for overseas British Labour Party members.

We welcome new recruits and supporters. Meetings are held at L’Ancora Tennis Club in Jávea on the second Tuesday of each month and social events take place along the Costa Blanca.

For more information, call Lorraine on 679 231 412 or website: www.labintspain.org.uk

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In the “Valencian Region”, the office in charge of managing the payment of the IBI is called the “SUMA office”, but Jávea is one of only two municipalities in the region who collect their own taxes.

Every time you receive a letter about IBI, in 90% of occasions, it will be unfortunately bad news for you.

Second, the payment is due annually and it is highly advisable that you tell your bank to arrange a direct debit, so the charge will be made automatically around September-October each year directly from your bank account. This will allow you to obtain a little “bonus” for payment by standing order.

Third, if you are planning to buy a property, do not fail to ask the seller for copies of the latest 2 or 3 IBI receipts duly paid. Be extra cautious if the property you intend to buy is “rustic” (a country house for example), as the lack of IBI receipt will reveal a legality problem. Sometimes, you will notice that the property is paying very little tax, simply because it was registered only as a plot of land or perhaps due to the fact that it was registered a long time ago but as a “warehouse” instead of a dwelling!

In situations like this, before signing the Title Deed at the Notary, you must always demand the seller correct the situation by updating the receipts at their own expense and the changes noted in the Escritura.

This is an explanation of the terms used: 1.- VALOR CATASTRAL: The catastral value of the property is the rateable value of the property, which may bear little resemblance to what you believe the property to be worth, or what you actually paid for it. The Valor Catastral is usually around 50% to 70% of its market value.

2.- ULTIMA REVISION: Due to the market value of properties changing over time, local authorities will periodically update the catastral value assigned to each property. You will be able to identify when this happens from your last receipt where you will find it displayed. However, in practice, this figure can be legally reviewed by bankrupt local authorities, with the sole purpose of raising money, irrespective of the actual market value of the property.

In other words, almost every year, the IBI rate will most likely increase, even if the market price of properties might have gone down. For example, in cities, like Madrid, studies have revealed that property owners have seen huge increases as the IBI has been increased

Jávea Jeard

by more than 54% in the last 5 years!

Absolutely disgraceful!

3.- TIPO IMPOSITIVO: Once the 'Valor Catastral' has been decided, a different percentage will be applied depending on a number of factors: Rural or Urbanised land, Type of Property, Square metre of Land and Build, Proximity to services, Infrastructure etc, etc. Each Town Hall will place a slightly different importance on each factor or criteria mentioned.

4.- BONIFICACIONES: Finally, “bonifications” will be taken into account in order to calculate the final quote. The most frequent one is setting up a standing order, as indicated earlier.

To sum up, if you suspect your bill is too excessive and if you disagree with the assigned value, the first thing you should do is check all the papers that you hold regarding your property (title deed, previous IBI receipts, etc).

We’ve encountered a few situations where the SUMA office actually made several mistakes, especially with regards to old rustic country houses. Never take for granted that the value given by the Townhall or SUMA office is the correct one! Under these circumstances you should contact us urgently for advice and we will be delighted to guide you on the most effective way to request a revaluation aimed to rectify the error.

Should you need a reliable, 100% independent, honest, cost effective and efficient English speaking Spanish solicitor, to help you with your property conveyance or taxation matters, (or with any other legal problem), do not hesitate to contact us by eMail at ricorsolicitors@yahoo.co.uk

THE EU COURT OF JUSTICE DECLARES “SPANISH INHERITANCE AND GIFT DONATION TAX” ILLEGAL

In Spain, the “Inheritance and gift tax” is a state tax applicable throughout the national territory (except in the Basque Country and Navarra who have their own completely different tax system), but is transferred to the several autonomous communities, (i.e, Murcia region, Valencian Community, etc), which can approve their own rules in order to supplement or replace the basic rules laid down by the central Government.

Continued on page 19

Jávea Jeard

Spanish law deciphered

Continued from previous page This chaotic situation of delegated regional legislation has led, in practice, to large differences in treatment between expats and non residents depending on the specific location of the property or assets.

In simple words, the current Spanish law is DISCRIMINATORY because it establishes unjustified differences in treatment between residents and nonresidents in the 17 different autonomous communities of Spain.

The good news is that this situation is about to change as the European Court of Justice (ECJ), has determined in a recent landmark ruling (C127/12), that Spanish Succession and Donation tax fails to comply with the European rules, by not permitting non-residents to benefit from the tax advantages and deductions offered by regional administrations to resident and Spanish citizens.

Moreover, the ECJ ruling declares that the design of the Spanish tax is a blatant restriction on the free movement of capital within the EU, which is one of the fundamental principles of the European Union market, infringing the Treaty of Operation of the European Union.

According to the EU Commission, discrimination occurs when the deceased or donor, the heir or donee are not resident in Spanish territory and particularly in the case of donations, where the property being transferred is located abroad, regardless of the place of residence of the taxpayer.

The EU Court states that it is contrary to the free movement of capital, because it discourages non-residents from making or holding investments in another EU country.

To be accepted, any possible difference in treatment must be justified by overriding reasons of general public interest. In the Spanish case, the ECJ considers there is no difference between the “objective” situation of a resident and a non-resident that may justify a different tax treatment. Subsequently, as indicated before, any difference in treatment concerning tax reductions will simply lead to discrimination and as a result is forbidden.

In conclusion, this ECJ decision will force Spain to implement a "new state regulation". Likewise, it implies a perfect argument for those non resident people who might have paid excessive taxes on inheritance or donations, to bring legal action against the Government aimed to claim back the refund of those taxes paid in excess.

When you don’t owe the money they claim you do

October/November 2014, Nº 18

Our client Mr J.S - of English nationality- had a dispute with a well known multinational telecommunications company based in Spain, which illegally had produced invoices for services never provided and as a result our client was included in a defaulter debtor’s list (“lista de morosos” in Spanish).

It is well worth noting that our client runs important businesses both in Spain and UK, subsequently his personal and professional reputation is of the utmost importance.

We sued the company for moral damages and the Court not only obliged the defendant to remove our client’s personal details from the defaulter’s register list but our client was granted a significant financial compensation for moral damages.

YOU HAVE ‘RIGHTS’ WHERE THE POLICE ARE INVOLVED

I am proud to announce that a few days ago we won a complex criminal case and achieved the acquittal of our English client. In a case where two police officers were off-duty in Benidorm, there were genuine issues of fact regarding whether they had probable cause to arrest our English client, who allegedly fought with them after they aggressively attacked his nephew in the middle of the street.

The event occurred in 2013 in a very crowded street of Benidorm. Our client was having a few drinks in a well known “tapas” area, when suddenly two people wearing casual clothes, came out of a car and started shouting at our client and his family in the most aggressive way.

Unfortunately, it just so happened that the two men were in fact two policemen off duty that afternoon. The two officers - one senior and his young impulsive trainee - claimed they had only stopped the car after “someone” in the street threw “something” at their vehicle.

The situation went beyond control and ultimately our client was unlawfully arrested for disobedience to authority and injuries.

During the trial, it was proved that even though our arrested client resisted them, the officers used excessive force and subsequently, the police officers unlawfully interfered with our client's liberty. Moreover, where powers are exercised arbitrarily and without justification, they cannot then be within the scope of an officer's duty We won the case because although, it is true that a police officer can be of any rank and need not be in uniform in order to arrest someone, they should have made their authority known and alerted their presence by using the flashing lights as well as the police siren,

Page 19

available in all police vehicles. These are compulsory steps required prior to any kind of police intervention in Spain!

Due to the fact that the accusers failed to follow the police protocol, the Court accepted our plea and ruled that the two men were acting outside the scope of their employment for the city and subsequently they acted beyond the bounds of lawful authority.

So, what happens if you are arrested and you do not know or believe that a person is a police officer, like in our client’s case?

Always remember that if you do not genuinely believe someone detaining you is a police officer and you resist the arrest, mistakenly believing it necessary to do so in order to defend yourself or a member of your family, the usual rules on self-defence will apply and, so long as your response is reasonable, you should be acquitted, as happened in our client’s case.

Should you ever need a reliable, 100% independent, honest and efficient English speaking Spanish solicitor, in order to assist you in any civil or criminal dispute in Spain, you can visit our website www.ricorabogados.com Do not hesitate to contact me by eMail at ricorsolicitors@yahoo.co.uk OFFICES IN SPAIN (where a Face-toFace meeting is needed and strictly by request and with prior appointment only):

MARINA ALTA AREA Office in Javea: 5 Carrer del Canellat. 03730

HEAD OFFICE - Situated in Alicante city centre: Av. Eusebio Sempere Nº11. 03003.

Tlf: 0034. 687 888 873

Late for Class

At a prestigious university there is a clear hierarchy that outlines how long one has to wait for a class to begin if the professor doesn't show up. A full professor is rated fifteen minutes; an associate only ten. A mere instructor was expected to be on time, if not early. This system worked only one way, however, and students were afforded no such grace.

It was to be expected, that one professor, the foremost authority in his field by his own admission, would register distinct annoyance when a student, just out of military service, was late for class for the third morning running.

"Tell me," the professor began, "exactly what did they say in the Army when you sauntered in late like this?"

"Well," mused the unperturbed young man, "first they saluted, and then they asked, 'How are you this morning, sir'?"

Woman to Woman Page 20

October/November 2014, Nº 18

Continued from page 17

did the simple ironing a couple of times a week and once a week Linda and I would take Carol's empty pushchair and go to "Rosie Lyons", a food shop in Bermondsey with a long shopping list which Mum had prepared for us.

It was a fair trek to the shop, passing many others on our way, but the reason we went there was because she knew we were one of her families struggling on a small income and she was very generous when she was weighing food out on her scales. I expect many of you remember sugar in huge bags which was weighed out into small dark blue bags.

Everything Rosie weighed for us was well over the weight we had asked for.

The shop was busy and Rosie would often stop serving us to serve one of her customers who had only come in for a couple of items. We had to be very patient and often had to wait for as long as an hour before our order was completed. Our eyes would light up when it came to weighing our 1lb of broken biscuits. In the shop there were about twelve big grey tins and each contained a different type of biscuit.

Some were creams, some chocolate and some plain. Linda and I loved the cream ones and while Rosie was taking biscuits out of each of the tins to make a good selection, we would be hoping and praying that she gave us plenty of cream ones.

When our order was complete, Rosie would help us load the pushchair with all our food which we carefully wheeled back home, making sure that the biscuits were on the top so we could easily have one on the long trek home. It was during the time when food, including sweets was on ration and sometimes elderly people gave her their unwanted sweet coupons for distribution to families with children (which included us). When we arrived home and had put all the food away in the cupboard, Linda and I would sneak into our "front room" with the bag of broken biscuits, find our Library books and settle in each of the huge armchairs which stood either side of the fireplace and munch our way through the bag of biscuits, the creams first of course. We tried not to eat too many because once they were gone there would be no more until the following week when we went shopping again.

I well remember the last tram running ceremoniously past our house. Linda and I were there, outside in the front garden, standing on the wall, waving Union Jacks as it passed by to the cheers of the onlooking crowd. I was never happy getting on the tram. Unlike the trolley buses, they used to stop in the middle of the road and we had to dodge the traffic

as we made our way into the middle of the road and onto the tram. A few years ago, Clive and I were driving past my house on the New Cross Road and the traffic was chaotic. I remember thinking to myself there was no way anyone could ever get on a tram with all that traffic, how things have changed over the years.

Soon after the last tram made its last journey, the workmen were there to dig up the old tram lines ready for a new road to be laid. The lines were bedded into the road with big blocks of wood, covered in tar and all day long the men would be there removing the blocks and throwing them into a pile at the side of the road ready for the lorry to come during the evening to collect them.

Mum would send us up to where they were working with Carol's pushchair, together with our friends and their pushchairs and we would hide behind a wall while the workmen came to the end of their working day and packed up and went home. As soon as the last man had gone, and before the van arrived to collect the tarred blocks, there was a mad dash as we all filled our pushchairs with the blocks which we pushed home and put in our coal-house. Every evening in the winter, Dad would put a block on the fire, cover it with a little coal and it would stay burning throughout the evening. All our hot water was heated on the fire in an old sooty kettle for water bottles etc.

It's interesting to look back to those days of our childhood when most of us lived in houses that didn't have bathrooms.

Saturday was our bath night when the big tin bath would come out in the kitchen and filled with warm water.

Carol the youngest went in first and when she had finished, a kettle full of hot water heated on the fire would be added and Derek would have his bath.

Kettle of water and Linda was next, then me, and finally Mum then Dad. Doesn't bear thinking about does it? Clive was one of the few children that lived in a house with a bathroom. In fact when he was born, he was three months premature and weighed less than 2lb. So after he was born, the midwife wrapped him up in towels and put him in the airing cupboard which acted as an incubator. He had to be fed by milk dropped into his mouth through a fountain pen. When you think about it, it's a miracle he survived.

As I said earlier in my article, Clive is the Pastor of the Evangelical Church that meets at the Oasis on Sunday morning. Recently, Clive was scheduled to Ordain Julio into the Priesthood, a Spanish man from Seville during our Sunday morning Communion Service.

He was due to arrive on the Friday evening by train to Alicante so we drove

Jávea Jeard

to Alicante in Clive's Fiat Scudo to meet Julio and drive him back to Jávea. When we arrived at the train station, Clive drove the van round the block while I went into the station to find Julio. Not an easy task as I had no idea what he looked like, but Clive had given me his name on a sheet of card to hold up as people came through the barrier. I finally located him and we went to the front of the station where I had arranged for Clive to park when I had phoned to let him know we were ready to be picked up, only to find he was stuck in a traffic jam in the street next to the station. The traffic was manic and at a standstill.

I spotted Clive's van and loaded Julio and his luggage on board and we just sat there for about ten minutes, the traffic just wasn't moving. Suddenly there was a "hot" smell and a warning light came on to say the engine was overheating badly. Clive did a quick turn round in the road, much to the disgust of the other waiting drivers and we finally managed to pull away, only a short distance, to a bus stop where Clive pulled in and switched off his engine. I would have been at a loss to know what to do, but Clive got his insurance out of the front of the van and rang a breakdown number and within twenty minutes to half an hour, a breakdown truck pulled up and a young girl got out.

She took all the details down and told us that if there had just been Clive and I, she would have been able to put us in the breakdown vehicle with her (after the car had been loaded) and she could have brought us back to Jávea. As there were three of us, she was going to call for a taxi to take us home, take the car to her depot and wait for Clive to call her on Monday morning to tell her which garage to tow the vehicle to in Jávea.

True to her word, she brought the car to our garage in Jávea at no charge to us and there was no charge for the taxi journey to bring us home. What fantastic insurance cover is that, which included a "Get you home" service free of charge.

It's well worth checking your policy to find out if this service is included in your policy. You get what you pay for!

Peter Ayling

Still here when others have left Tel.: 96 646 0933 Mob.: 616 375 608

Jávea Jeard

October/November 2014, Nº 18

Page 21

Sp ot Jávlight ea on peo ple

Family business survives adversity

Last month was the first time we turned on the Spotlight to feature a local Spanish family. This column is all about the people in our community and their everyday lives and connections to the area of Jávea.

Our Jávea Jeard spotlight this month focuses on Sergio Soriano and his family and their connection to the Town.

Sitting in the Chiringuito Mint Bar on a hot August afternoon overlooking the bay, Sergio orders a glass of cool beer while I settle for a cup of tea with milk. He looks at me as if I was absolutely crackers and says “typical English.” He then asks me in a Spanish accent “why no beer? The beer is so good and refreshing,” my reply to him was swift, “so is the tea” I said.

Sergio’s personal history starts with his grandfather, Miguel Soriano and grandmother Pilar, who was originally from Jávea. Miguel Soriano lived and worked in Cañamelar, Valencia, where he met and married Pilar. To help make ends meet Pilar decided to open a tobacconist shop (Stanco), but before she could do this she had to apply for a license. General Francisco Franco was in power at this time (1939 to 1975) and he had included a new law stating that all tobacconists and pharmacists had to be licensed and approved by the government. Even today, the government keeps this policy in place and enforces strict controls over how many tobacconists and pharmacies can operate in a particular local area where the numbers of licenses issued are based on the numbers of the local population.

Written by Ian Amer

who acknowledges and thanks Linda Jennings as Interpreter and Translator

In 1947, Miguel and Pilar had their first son who was also named Miguel and in 1949 their second son Paco (later to become Sergios father) was born.

Unfortunately sadness was to descend upon the young family because in 1956 Miguel, senior, unexpectedly passed away. The devastated Pilar faced life without her husband but she had to remain strong for her two young sons.

Pilar had no choice other than to carry on with the tobacconist shop in Cañamelar.

In 1967, Pilar returned to Jávea with her two sons and once again she decided to open another tobacconist shop. Pilar had to reapply for another license and fortunately her application was granted so she opened her shop in Calle Major, situated in the main town. Pilar worked hard in the shop where she made a living from the small commissions paid for each packet of cigarettes or pouches of tobacco that she sold.

Our story now moves to Paco, who after leaving school became an electrician.

He worked for the ayuntamiento (townhall) and as a young man growing up in Jávea he remembers enjoying socialising with his friends at the local discotheque. It was in 1976 at “The Caracol”, discotheque which is now the site of Supercor, that he met his future wife Mari Luz Chico Sacristan.

Mari Luz Chico Sacristan was from Caserio de San Jose in Segovia and had moved to Denia in 1973.

Paco and Mari Luz were married in 1978 at the Santa Maria de Loreto Church in Jávea port.

Sergio with his mother Mari Luz in their Thiviers premises.

Mari Luz entered into Pilar’s business shortly after marrying Paco where she helped her mother in-law run the business. Eventually Pilar was looking for retirement so she decided in 1988 to transfer the license over to Paco. After a while both Paco and Mari Luz made a decision to relocate the tobacconist from the town to Calle Thiviers, where the business continues today.

In 1980, Paco and Mari Luz had their first baby, a son who they named Sergio and he was one of the last to have been born in Jávea. He said “I was born at home in the Port of Jávea but these days parents choose to have their children safely in the hospitals of Denia or Valencia.”

Their second son was born in 1983 but he sadly passed away due to a heart problem. Following the death of their second son, Mari Luz gave birth a year later to a daughter who was also named Mari Luz. The daughter Mari Luz is now a qualified and successful special needs teacher in Benitachell.

At the age of sixteen, Sergio helped his mother in the shop during the summer and christmas holidays which provided him with extra pocket money.

Sergio studied at the Vicente Tena Primary School in Jávea and enjoyed playing music. He can play the saxophone, flute and some percussion instruments but he also enjoys instrumental Orff which is based on Carl Orff’s principles of creative education through the trinity of music, dance and the spoken word.

Continued on next page

Focus on Jávea people Page 22

Jávea Jeard

October/November 2014, Nº 18

Continued from previous page During our festivals and fiestas, Sergio can often be seen playing his saxophone while parading through the streets of the town or port with the Jávea Band.

In 1998, Sergio left school to study as a teacher at Endetania, University of Magistery in Valencia. Sergio says this is the University for Teachers and after qualifying as a music teacher in 2002 he earned a first year placement at the Catholic University of Valencia (UCV) where he honed his skills as a music teacher.

Sergio then moved to Barcelona in 2003 and took a job as a substitute music teacher where he covered teacher holidays and sickness periods for a variety of schools throughout the area.

Unfortunately the global crisis hit the education sector and in 2006 his hours were slashed from eight hours to just three hours per day. This was a tough time for Sergio as he enjoyed teaching music and had worked hard to become a teacher, but as Barcelona is a very expensive place to live and there was no other full time teacher vacancies available he decided to return to Jávea and assist his mother with the running of the tobacco shop in Thiviers.

He continued by saying his favourite childhood memories were with his parents, He said “my dad would take out the family dining table and chairs from their home in the port and set everything up on the beach, while mum prepared the dinner alfresco style.” He continued “to eat and drink with family and friends around a table on the beach while watching the sun set behind the Montgo was just fantastic.” He also said that as a child he remembered catching red octopus with his hands around the rocks, especially at Montanar beach which is the outcrop of rocks along Mediterranian Avenue near the Queens Baths, close to the Parador Hotel.

Fishing the beaches in the Port was always good fun with dad he said, as we always caught these small silvery fish

Sergio, Mari Luz (Daughter), Mari Luz and Paco

which he thinks might have been small Dorada or Mullet.

Concluded on page 23

kITCHEN MAkE-OVER AT HUGE REDUCTION

I asked Sergio about his future plans and he told me “I am preparing myself to take over the family business once my parents finally decide to retire.”

Sadly in 2009, his grandmother Pilar passed away but her tobacco business legacy lives on and looks set to provide a living for a second generation.

Apart from playing music Sergio’s other hobbies include listening to and attending classical music concerts, he also studies the history of Jávea, growing vegetables and looks after his ducks from the family home, just outside the town.

Prompting Sergio I asked him about his favourite things in Jávea, he replied, “I do enjoy the multicultural feel about the place, the gastronomy, climate, beaches and of course our fiestas.”

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Jávea Jeard

Focus on Jávea people

Continued from previous page “So what don’t you like about Jávea? I asked Sergio. “Well,” he said I would like to see a change in the local politics.

I don’t like the summer crowds either but I do realise that tourism is important to our town although for me it is horrible. There are too many people and getting around by car is terrible. I just don’t like the Mercadonna tourists” he said. What do you mean by that, I asked?

“Mercadonna tourists are the visitors who rent private apartments and then stay around the pool on the complex and don’t go out, except to shop at Mercadonna”.

He continued to say that there was a time when visitors to the town would pack out the bars and restaurants over what he thinks was a longer season, he said the months from April to October were always busy but nowadays the season is just for a few short summer months.

The family are proud of their town and say there is no other place they would want to live.

October/November 2014, Nº 18

VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS COMPULSORY BETWEEN YELLOW OR ORANGE ROAD MARKINGS

Guardia Civil officers are stopping - and fining - drivers who drive between orange/yellow lines (generally indicating roadworks or diversion) without their headlights being lit, even during the day and in bright sunshine.

Drivers are told restrictions are the same as when passing through a tunnel.

Initial fines are 80€ which can be reduced by 40€ if paying quickly, but reports are reaching us of additional amounts - without notification - being subsequently taken from Bank accounts.

Drivers believe a bankrupt country is raising revenue for wages by ‘stealing’ money from drivers’ bank accounts.

LEARNER DRIVER

An insurance agent was teaching his wife to drive when the brakes suddenly failed on a steep, downhill grade.

"I can't stop!" she shrilled. "What should I do?"

"Brace yourself," advised her husband, "and try to hit something cheap."

Received from Thomas Ellsworth.

Page 23

Casa Segura Locksmiths Casa Segura Locksmiths was established in 2004.

Company Owner, Carl Barclay, fluent in Spanish (having grown up in Javea in the 1970's) and a well-established member of the local community, is a trusted source used by the Local Police and Guardia Civil.

Having an already established key-holding business, a security retail outlet and a mobile installation and emergency service, Carl offers a rapid response and quality service.

We take emergency lock-out situations seriously and will respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need an emergency service please avoid calling numbers from stickers on your gate, these numbers connect you to call centres charging extortionate rates. Always confirm a call-out fee first.

Carl Barclay 659 853 645 www.locksmithspain.net

Pool Problems?

Page 24

Are you ready for

October/November 2014, Nº 18

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Filter sand changes, coronation repairs and re-grouts

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More HUMOUR?

IT’S TIME TO GROAN

The one who invented the door knocker got a No-bell prize.

No one knew she had a dental implant until it came out in a conversation.

I wrote a novel about a fellow who had a small garden. It didn't have much of a plot.

The patron saint of poverty is St. Nickeless.

What's the definition of a will? (It's a dead giveaway).

Why did the capacitor kiss the diode? He just couldn't resistor.

The roundest knight at king Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference.

Yesterday I accidentally swallowed food colouring. The doctor says I'm OK, but I feel like I've dyed a little inside.

I thought she had PMS, but she was just ovary acting.

I used to be addicted to soap, but I'm clean now.

When a clock is hungry, it goes back four seconds.

Sleeping comes so naturally to me, I could do it with my eyes closed.

What did the grape say when it got stepped on? Nothing - but it let out a little whine.

Need an ark to save two of every animal? I noah guy.

I was going to buy a book on phobias, but I was afraid it wouldn't help me. From Retief de Villiers

Charm School

Two American woman of high breeding were talking on the porch swing of a large white-pillared mansion.

The first woman said, "When my first child was born, my husband built this beautiful mansion for me."

The second woman commented, "Well, isn't that nice."

The first woman continued "When my second child was born, my husband bought me that fine Cadillac automobile you see parked in the drive."

Again, the second woman commented, "Well, isn't that nice."

The first woman boasted "Then, when my third child was born, my husband bought me this exquisite diamond bracelet."

Yet again, the second woman commented "Well, isn't that nice."

The first woman then asked her companion, "What did your husband buy for you when you had your first child?"

The second woman replied "My husband sent me to charm school."

"Charm school!" the first woman cried "land sakes, child, what on Earth for?"

The second woman responded, "So, instead of saying 'who cares?', I learned to say 'Well, isn't that nice'."

Received from Steve Sanderson

Jávea Jeard

BETRAYED BY THE TRUTH

A young lady entered a supermarket and on her way round she sees the man she had a 'one night stand' with her the previous evening, after they had met in a pub.

He was stacking boxes of washing powder onto the shelves. "You lying toad" she yells" last night you told me you were a stunt pilot" "No I didn't"..........."I told you I was a member of the Ariel display team".

Can you meet this challenge?

I've seen this with the letters out of order, but this is the first time I've seen it with numbers.

Good example of a Brain Study: If you can read this OUT LOUD you have a strong mind.

And better than that: Alzheimer's is a long long, way down the road before it ever gets anywhere near you.

7H15 M3554G3 53RV35 7O PR0V3 H0W 0UR M1ND5 C4N D0 4M4Z1NG 7H1NG5!

1MPR3551V3 7H1NG5!

1N 7H3 B3G1NN1NG 17 WA5 H4RD BU7 N0W, 0N 7H15 LIN3 Y0UR M1ND 1S R34D1NG 17 4U70M471C4LLY W17H 0U7 3V3N 7H1NK1NG 4B0U7 17, B3 PROUD! 0NLY C3R741N P30PL3 C4N R3AD 7H15.

PL3453 F0RW4RD 1F U C4N R34D 7H15

Only great minds can read this. This is weird, but interesting!

If you can raed this, you have a sgtrane mnid, too.

Can you raed this? Olny 55 people out of 100 can.

I cdnuolt blveiee that I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd what I was rdanieg.

The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in what oerdr the ltteres in a word are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is that the frsit and last ltteer be in the rghit pclae.

The rset can be a taotl mses and you can still raed it whotuit a pboerlm. This is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the word as a wlohe. Azanmig huh?

And I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

Let's climb 39 steps and go to the Theatre

Jávea Jeard

Make it the Union Musical, Gata, one evening between Monday November 3 and Friday November 7 and let's go with Richard Hannay. Things happen and get pretty exciting when he is around. He may even introduce you to Annabella Schmidt or one of the other gorgeous young ladies he seems prone to bump into.

If you haven't met, let me introduce you to Richard. He is thirty-seven years old, sound in wind and limb, dashingly handsome, brim to the top with British gung-ho and comes complete with a stiff-upper-lip. John Buchan recruited him originally way back in1915 to do battle for his country with dastardly murderers and double-crossing secret agents.

Hitchcock discovered him in 1935 and made him a star of the silver screen.

Patrick Barlow decided in 2005 to put the Hitchcock movie on the stage and his adaptation of the Alfred Hitchcock film has played in over thirty-nine countries and is still playing to packed houses at London's Criterion Theatre.

Jávea Players are bringing Richard and the movie to the Gata stage in a production produced and directed by Cherry Cabban.

October/November 2014, Nº 18

Page 25

BRIC-A-BRAC FOOD and Bottle Tops

John Buchan wrote a spy thriller, Hitchcock, of course, directed thrillers and this isn't lost sight of in Patrick Barlow's adaptation – the manic plot twists and red herrings for which the old master was renowned are still there in plenty BUT, in the words of The Guardian, it is “Theatrical tomfoolery to die for.”

You will find following the incredible adventures of Richard Hannay on the Gata stage makes for an uproarious evening. It would be a murder to miss it.

Cherry Cabban's production of The 39 Steps plays the Union Musical, Gata from Monday November 3 to Friday November 7. Curtain-up is at 8 pm.

Tickets are priced at 12 euros (10 for parties of ten and over) and are available from the box office on 96 579 49 37 and online at boxofficejp@gmail.com

can be brought to OASIS HELP CENTRE in Toni LLido 5 (at the Dolphin roundabout) for CHARITY RECYCLING 10am - 2pm Mon-Sat.

When it’s URGENT LETTERS AND CARDS brought

to our office before 11am on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday will be in UK NEXT DAY. BIG CARDS - buy an A4 card from us, address the envelope with UK address and for a total outlay of 3,60€ it will be in UK next day. You can’t even buy big card for that elsewhere in Jávea.

ELSEWHERE in SPAIN Overnight service - Monday to Friday using MRW. PASSPORT SERVICE, too.

Oasis Help Centre (open 10-2) C/. Toni Llido 5 (in Port) behind La Caixa bank.

Jávea Jeard

can now be sent to your own Jome!

All work carried out by Qualified Legal Tradesman

By law, all workmen should be legal.

Clients can be fined if illegal workers are used.

TREVOR SIMMONS & Co 606 007 246 / 96 647 0893

trevmsimmons@gmail.com

Don’t miss out on our News and Views if you live overseas or would prefer to jave a copy delivered to your Jávea Jome.

Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Postal Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.............................................

.............................................

Postcode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Annual Subscription for 2014/2015 is 12€ in Spain, and £20 (UK cheque: A2Z Publications) to UK.

Send to: Apartado de Correos 227, VERGEL 03770 (Alicante)

Further details available from:

clive@cliveread.com or phone 669 386 702

I WAS LUCkY

Page 26 October/November 2014, Nº 18

I’m covered by Denia Hospital

In March 2014 I was LUCKY to be diagnosed with skin cancer, yes, you read it RIGHT: Lucky!

Let me explain. In January I asked my doctor about a mark on my chest and he was unsure so referred me to a dermatologist at the hospital.

It took about 1 minute before she said the dreaded word ‘cancer’ and told me I would need an operation to remove it under local anaesthetic, and it would be done as soon as possible.

The operation was carried out at the hospital in Denia, La Jara. All went well and I was back at home in the afternoon.

Ten days later I had the stitches removed - this was in April.

On the day they removed the stitches, I had a call from the hospital to come the same day and see the dermatologist, and thought to myself “This does not sound like good news.”

She did not speak English, but that was not her problem, we were in Spain.

My Spanish is pretty basic but her colleague’s English was more than adequate.

The cancer had been diagnosed as a malignant melanoma and they needed to do another operation on Monday, just four days ahead.

The next day was Friday, and I was asked again to return to the hospital to see the Oncologist, who explained about the melanoma and the need for a further operation.

Two weeks after the first operation the second took place, this time needing 14 stitches, but all went well.

The Oncologist arranged for me to have a CT scan and blood test and I went to see her after the results came through.

The operation for the cancer was fine, BUT: The BUT was an abnormality in my bladder, and it was arranged for me to see the Urologist. The abnormality was a tumour in my bladder and it needed to be removed.

The operation was scheduled for 25th August and I was admitted at 7.30am. I was prepared for surgery in my own private room, which was complete with en-suite bathroom and a pull-down bed for my wife who was expected to stay the night.

I was fitted with a catheter that would be removed on the Thursday at the Insalud in Jávea. My follow-up appointment was in September with the Urologist, who told me the operation had gone well and the tumour was not too deep.

I watched part of the operation on the screen which was not compulsory

(and I am a wimp) but what I saw looked quite interesting. I am not on any medication and I have an appointment for a further scan, followed by an appointment with the Oncologist with the results in November.

In January I have two appointments, the first with the Dermatologist and then with the Urologist.

If you are waiting for any medical procedure, I wish you well. I have only PRAISE for all the medical staff, both at the Insalud in Jávea, as well as the hospital.

Many thanks to the Spanish National Health Service - managed by Marina Salud for the past 5 years. Five years of outstanding progress.

Name and address provided but withheld due to the personal nature of his experience.

Jávea Mayor updates everyone on the fire

Jávea Mayor Jose Chulvi, made an assessment of the wildfire that has devastated the Cap de Sant Antoni, in the Natural Park of Montgo. He described the incident as "one of the most devastating in recent times and a lot more serious than we imagined with some totally unforeseen consequences."

Once the fire has been officially declared "extinct", the Mayor wanted to give voice to the feeling we have in the town of Jávea on the services deployed to fight the fire. "Those of us involved on the Thursday evening had a

There are occasions when Scallops are willing to ‘contra’ the FREE bottle of wine with chosen meals, but you MUST say you DO NOT WANT the wine when you order your meals. We ate with a family on a limited budget, who were surprised by the 20€ unexpected drinks bill, and 6 bottles of wine they did not order. Everyone was happy with the deal in the end. Sadly, the 1/2 price Pepsi is not on offer every day, you need to ask or look at the offers.

If you have Scallops vouchers you are unable to use, you can leave them in the box outside the OASIS CENTRE (in C/. Toni Llido, at the rear of La Caixa bank) and we will see that their value is not wasted.

It costs you nothing to give away what you cannot use.

Jávea Jeard

perception, now supported by the reports of the local police and the Department of the Environment, that the area of La Plana was "abandoned to its fate", leaving fire containment, according to the local media, practically in the hands of local volunteers.

"We felt fighting efforts were uncoordinated and followed guidelines that were not explained" noted the Mayor, who has demanded explanations both from Les Corts Valencianes and the Council of Alicante as to why there was a lack of sufficient air assets in Jávea and little cooperation from the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture (took over an hour to acknowledge the request for large capacity seaplanes and finally denied this help).

Also why the Advanced Command Post (PMA) without explanation was moved to Dénia from the Cabo de Sant Antoni where it was not on-the-spot to stipulate on need and support. On the Thursday evening and during the night the fire progressed from the cliffs in the area of the former barracks of the Civil Guard towards urbanization Cuesta San Antonio.

"I witnessed how the police are claiming - according to the overnight press - that no reinforcements were sent" denounced the Mayor. "I'm not questioning the efforts of firefighters and everyone who worked on foot to fight the fire, but I think there was a lack of communication to the local and regional media, who were unfamiliar with the terrain and the problems it presented.”

That is why, in the opinion of Chulvi, "no one can be happy or proud" of the results of the operation in the Montgo but "we must clarify responsibility for what happened and, immediately, completely revise protocols and evacuation procedures to prevent any re-occurrance of a similar situation.

The Mayor thanked companies like SVS, trucks Cuba Township and AMJASA who multiplied supply in the area.

Chulvi also spoke of the many citizens who offered to assist with reforestation efforts, which the Consistory channelled through a section on the website www.ajxabia.com in which they will be asked data and eMail addresses so we can notify them when action is scheduled.

Jávea’s Mayor reiterated that he is still waiting for an urgently convened special meeting of the governing board of the Natural Park to discuss what happened and especially address how it will deal with the grave situation that has been Natural Park. action is needed to recover the land for which Jávea has also made available the experience of the municipal area of Environment, who worked in Granadella after the fire of 2000 with very good results.

Jávea Jeard

Jávea requests Ministry of Development to halt planned construction of a hotel at the lighthouse of Cap de Sant Antoni

The City regrets that the Port Authority of Alicante has acted and made decisions about this property behind our backs.

Jávea Townhall has asked the Ministry of Public Works to halt any procedure or authorisation for converting the lighthouse at Cap de Sant Antoni into a hotel.

In the letter signed by the Mayor, José Chulvi, which has been referred to the Minister, Ana Pastor, the Mayor also requested a report as to how such a major decision about Jávea could have been taken without consultation.

After learning through the media of the intention of the Port Authority of Alicante to permit the lighthouse to change its use into that of a hotel, the Mayor received an information pack that explains the Port Authority had approved a project "knowing it had failed to give Jávea City Council their right to make submissions in respect of property in their municipality”.

In the reply, signed by the president of the Port of Alicante, José Joaquín Ripoll, said the Port Authority had received three applications for the lighthouse of Jávea within the "Lighthouses of Spain" programme, launched by the Ministry of Development to maximise the value of the network of lighthouses in the country (favouring hotel use through concessions to respect its heritage value).

Two of the lighthouses were designated for hotel use and restoration, while the third is intended for an Environmental Interpretation Centre (the lighthouse that sits within the Montgo Natural Park), multipurpose room and a restaurant. Of the three applications, the Port Authority reports it has chosen the proposal that "provides the greatest investment for a 12 month concession, while it evaluates fuller exploitation and better economic deal for the rent due" and this is the construction of a hotel.

In the copy of the selected project dossier, the hotel complex will have six rooms, café, restaurant and massage services. It will create two new jobs and the reformation will require an investment of 540,000 €uros. The concession will be for 30 years and the monthly operating fee of 2,500 euros (2,000 euros the first five years).

Upon receipt of the documentation, the Jávea Townhall wants to make public its displeasure over the little institutional respect shown by the Port Authority of Alicante, which has acted off its own

October/November 2014, Nº 18

back, taking unilateral decisions regarding the uses to be made without consulting the opinion of the municipality in which the lighthouse is located.

Those in the Consistory who took the decision express regret that they only took into account the economic factor of using buildings that were now unoccupied, taking no account of the fact that it was located in the Montgo Natural Park.

Coupled with the severe forest fire in the area suffered on 11th and 12th of September, has led the Mayor, José Chulvi, to request in writing a halt to the project in as far as it affects the lighthouse at Cap de Sant Antoni, and requests a meeting to discuss the matter.

The mayor said the other political groups in Jávea supported his request.

Who do we value the most?

WHY has no one been able to explain why young men and women serve in the British, Canadian, Australian, or US Military for 20 years, risking their lives protecting freedom, yet only receive 50% of their pay on retirement or should they be ‘early retired’ because of - often - the most horrendous injuries.

While Politicians hold their political positions in the safe confines of all our nation’s capitals, protected by these same men and women, and receive fullpay retirement after serving just ONE term.

It does not make sense that - in the UK - some soldiers and their families come home only to be put out on the streets: homeless.

Whilst immigrants and asylum seekers who have done nothing for our countries are treated to Free Housing, Medical Care and Benefits of every description.

The desire for Freedom will never die, so please have the will to allow our retired soldiers to live out their lives in peace, comfort and a little happiness.

It is estimated that only 1% will talk about this issue to their friends and write to the UK political party leaders.

Even if you don’t take any action, it is still a choice that you have made - and these brave soldiers have given you that right.

Page 27

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Cheryl Brown on 693 551 107 info@sharecareonline.co.uk www.sharecareonline.co.uk

Jávea Duty Chemist 24h Each 24h period of duty starts at 9am

Antonio Marín 96 646 1954 October Nov. Dec. Avda. Augusta 30 (Rear of Mercadona Pla) 11, 24 6, 19 2, 15, 28 Concepción Rodrigo Gasque Avenida Colomer 3 12, 25 7, 20 3, 16, 29 Consuelo Espinós 96 579 1801 Plaza de la Iglesa 11 (Town) 13, 26 8, 21 4, 17, 30 96 579 1099 Belchi-Cholbi Ronda Colón 4 (Town) 1,14,27 9, 22 5, 18, 31 Amparo Marsal 96 579 1955 Avda. Juan Carlos I, 33 2,15,28 10, 23 6, 19 Isabel Garcés 96 579 1520 C/. Sevilla 1, (Port) 3,16,29 11, 24 7, 20 Paz Uriol 96 579 3839 Avenida de la Libertad (Arenal-Playa) 4,17,30 12, 25 8, 21 Juanna Ripoll 97 577 0900 18, 31 13, 26 9, 22 Ctra La Nao (Cala Blanca) Salome Martinez 96 646 2545 Avenida Lepanto 12 (Port) 5, 1,14,27 10, 23 Rosa Maria Pérez 96 646 3531 Ctra. Cabo La Nao Pla, 126 (Arenal) 6, 19 15, 28 11, 24 Antonio Almodóvar 96 646 3994 Plaza Joanot Martorell 5, Av. Amanecer 7, 20 2, 29 12, 25 Lydia Gil 96 646 3142 Avda, Fontana 21 (Club de Tenis) 8, 21 3, 16 13, 26 Ana Lillo 96 646 3947 Avda. de Palmela 16 (Southern By-Pass) 9, 22 4,17,30 27 Vicente Salort 96 647 1133 Ctra la Nao Pla 165 (Barclays Roundabout) 10, 23 5, 18 1, 14, We are grateful to Antonio Marín (whose premises are 80m South of the rear entrance to Mercadona) for making this information available to our readers.

Julie and Diego welcome you to

BAR PICOTEO Av. Jaime 1, Jávea Port

MENU DEL DÍA - 9,50€ 7 starters and 8 main courses inc. drink, dessert, bread, ali oli

More than a dozen ‘one-plate’ meals More than 50 ‘Tapas’ (prepared in-house)

SPECIALITIES PAELLA to order - Tel.: 696 767 349

Fried and grilled mixed fish and shell fish (min order 2 people). Mixed Grilled Vegetables English Breakfast HAMBURGERS

Take-Away Service

Jávea Jeard is published in Jávea by A2Z Publicaciones on behalf of Iglesia Grupo International de Divulgación del Evangélio (CIF: Q0300542H) at OASIS Centre, C/. Toni Llido 5, Jávea 03730

SUNDAY CAN BE SUCH A BORING DAY

But not if you start it at the 11am Morning Service at the Oasis Help Centre, which is as much ‘an entertainment’ as a ‘spiritual experience’, whether it is Clive or Ann who has responsibility as the MC and preacher.

Every Sunday morning is different with refreshments afterwards and many go on to various nearby or Pedgreguer ‘eateries” and find that new friendships and eternal destinies have been carved.

If you need a ‘helping hand’ because we are ALL shy of new demands on our emotions - phone Ann on 669 386 701 or Clive on 669 386 702 and they will arrange for someone (or one of them) to meet you and act as your ‘buddy’.

Jávea Evangelical Church was established in 1992, now meets at the OASIS Help Centre it has created in the street belind LA CAIXA bank in the Port, where it offers 30,000 greeting cards for all occasions for 1€ each, as well as a huge range of print facilities, including one-off 4-colour T and polo shirts.

AUTUMN OFFER

INCREDIBLE !!!

Commencing Monday 29 September

Our first ever 2 course menu Choose from 6 starters and 10 main courses for an incredible

4.95€

Come and enjoy our new great value 2-course menu every evening and lunchtime, at just 4.95€, that includes free breakfast voucher

valued at 2.15€

INCREDIBLE!

ALL OUR OTHER MENUS ALSO AVAILABLE On the roundabout between Barclays Bank and the sea-front and beach OPEN DAILY from 10.30am.

Tel: 96 505 8275 or 650 288 710

If you don’t want to have to wait - PLEASE BOOk IN ADVANCE