Family pet killed by hunters dogs
The News/views Magazine A ABOUT and FFOR Jávea - you can hold in your hand Nº 8 December November 2013 2013
A local resident living on Covatelles urbanisation (Taraula) in Jávea awoke from a Sunday afternoon nap to be told hunting dogs had entered her garden and seized FAFU her loveable pet cat.
She told Jávea Jeard “I am heartbroken. I do not have children and that little cat was like a child to me. I loved him with all my heart and he in turn worshiped the ground I walked on. I am in shock.” The death of her cat generated a huge amount of interest on Facebook from where she received more than 150 messages, many from people who had endured a similar experience. She was quick to explain she was a lover of all animals and the dogs are not to blame, even though she has been told many are kept in atrocious conditions, tortured, beaten and often abandoned or killed if they do not kill or are not good hunters. She does not
If any explanation is still needed
We could have called this local magazine HAVVYER HEARD, but we thought However,Jávea some Jeard would confirm a our light-hearted attitude to the serious political and economic problems in Spain, and their effect on Jávea.
want the dogs to suffer for the death that resulted from their ‘exuberance’ but believes the hunters need reminding that they must not come too close to urbanisations.” She added “Sometimes we feel we have to duck the bullets..... and the death of my loving, trusting little animal is horrific and so, so wrong.” “We did not see the hunters. I was having a nap before dinner when my mum heard dogs barking outside and went to see what was going on, to make sure they were not in our garden. “The dogs had come into my garden taken my cat down the road and killed him horrifically.... then ran off down the lane.” There are others w Annoyance from hunters is not unusual. “Usually we take cats in when we hear the hunters close, but this Sunday we only heard one bullet so did not think they were close, so the cats lay out in the sun as they like to be. Many people who saw the message on Facebook contacted Jávea mayor José Chulvi, who that he is going to remind the Hunting Club of the Generalitat rules and will have them translated into English so that the bereaved owner will know their rights and limitacions.”
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December 2013, Nº 8
Advertising rates . 4, 15 Agenda 21 . . 15 & 21 8, 10 Christmastime is here . Christmas Street Decoration 26 Cryptic Crossword . 23 Duty Chemist Rota . 24 Humour . . 9 & 24 . 2 Jávea Postcodes Marina Alta Business Club 13 Oasis Help Centre Services 2 Online readership rockets 21 Passports only ONLINE 11 Pastor’s Point of View . 4, 6 & 7 Pensions Warning . 16 Satellite Fact File . 4-5 Scallops Vouchers recycling 22 Stephen rewarded by U3A 27 Straight Talking by Lee Hodges 18 Sunday morning invitation 9 Town Hall Monthly Meeting 3, 12, 14 Truth about Santa , 25, 26 Woman to Woman . 17, 20, 21 Come Strictly Scottish Country Dancing Meets on a Wednesday for 2 hours from 3.45pm at LÁncora Tennis Club. Great way to exercise and have fun. Phone Carole 608 980 252
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
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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 more than 28 years.
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Jávea Townhall November meeting
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Councillors normally meet on the last Thursday of each month, and we receive the Agenda on a Tuesday, but in November we received the Agenda on Monday 25th for a meeting the following day. Normally the first item on the Agenda is to approve decisions taken by the Mayor since the previous meeting. For some reason - it was omitted.
Point 1 It was a shock to see 6 sets of Minutes for approval. Not sure if it was the influence of the new Townhall Secretary? If Minutes are a true record of what happens at a meeting, how can it take almost a year to ‘write them up’? The approved Minuets related to 29th December 2012 (Extraordinary) 19th February 2013 (Extraordinary) 28th February 2013 (Ordinary Mtg.) 27th March 2013 (Extraordinary) 27th June 2013 (Ordinary Mtg.) 29th August 2013 (Ordinary).
Point 2 A loss of 529,000€ had been incurred in the year on operation of both underground parking areas. Meeting Chairman, Jose Chulvi said he wanted income from the empty building next to Clot parking, to meet the deficit in future. Point 3 Councillors agreed as it was Domestic Violence Day - to apply for all available State benefits to continue to help victims of domestic violence, regardless of sex, age and nationality, noting the increase in the deaths of women at the hands of their male partners. Toni Sebastia (PP) said she supported the proposal, but thought eliminating domestic violence should be the aim, although it was not the immediate solution, and she would prefer it to be eradicated, than have a day of
motion, where councillors approved Law 2/2012 obliging all levels of administration in Spain to do all they could to maintain economic stability and maximum employment. The ‘explanation’ by the Alcalde was unclear, but we gained info from the Boletin del Estado and guessed the rest! Point 7 was equally unclear, but referred to expenditure of 1260€, and was unanimously approved. Point 8 proposed a reduction in the amount of taxes to be paid for local ‘small works’ that will be published in the BoE and on the Townhall notice board, for 30 days, before it comes into effect. Opposition councillors said the construction industry was in severe recession and the reduction should have been made sooner. Oscar Anton
December 2013, Nº 8
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Luis Genoves (PP) said it was a great idea to have local TV but Canal 9 is a ‘bottomless pit’ and he thought it would be cheaper to start again, saying the debt and the workforce were both too large. Paco Catala (Ind) said the viewing Remembrance. Toni was a figures were low because no former President of Jávea Red one was providing the Cross. Oscar (XD) said he, programmes viewers wanted to too supported it, but wanted watch, and questioned the to ensure that the concern was wisdom in saving something for both sexes. The view was that is not working, with a expressed that teenagers terrible management. The debt should be taught to respect had increased by appointing their partners. All councillors too many managers. He praised voted in favour. some of the education Point 4 Asked for support programmes. Oscar Anton for the train line to be re(XD) said the company lacked established between Gandia public confidence. Councillors and Denia, that has been voted unanimously to close closed for 40 years. The cost RTVV. is estimated at 30 million Point 6 Even having Kayce €uros and there are few direct with me didn’t help explain this Continued on page 12 benefits for Jávea. The motion asked for all Townhalls to press Madrid for funding, as the area between Gandia and Denia was less-well-served than other costal areas that were reliant on tourism. Jose Alicante or Valencia Luis Genoves (PP) suggested the money might be better invested on other ‘sensible’ projects, citing high speed trains with only one passenger and unused airports. Vicent Chorro (Compromis) pointed out that we are a long way from capital cities and put at a major disadvantage as far as public transport is concerned. He said the rail extention would help locals as well as visitors. Unanimously approved. Point 5 referred to regional radio and TV coverage that was introduced in 1989 and 25€ per person, per journey, from JÁVEA was seen as a step towards Pick-up/Drop-off points Valencia Independence. Aparthotel Pinosol, Saladar, Quicksave Arenal, Rating decreased and there Consum, Dolphin roundabout, Montgo Rte. have been constant bickerings C/. Toni Llido 5 BOOK HERE, at the between staff unions and (behind La Caixa bank) management. 250 employees were made redundant, but Tel: 96 646 3707 went to court, and were or 669 386 702 ordered to be reinstated. Jose
Let you to the Airport
A Pastor’s Point of View
or, as
December 2013, Nº 8
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Never having ‘wanted’ to be a ‘Pastor’ which I have been of Jávea Evangelical Church for 22 years, I was surprised to receive an eMail in July telling me the ‘top cleric’ of the Anglican Independent Communion - Worldwide (equivalent in the eyes of the clergy and congregations to the Pope or Archbishop of Canterbury for Roman Catholics or the Church of England) planned to abdicate and name me as his successor. Wedding commitments in Jávea prevented me from being ‘Invested’ until 26th October when I became Primate Archbishop, after which I ‘Invested’ Bishop Bruce Taylor as AICW Archbishop of the USA. Within 2 weeks of returning from the UK to Jávea, Ann and I were off to South Africa to consecrate two black Bishops. We left Jávea about an hour later
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than intended on 11th November. Level 2 parking at Valencia airport was impossible to find from level 1, but reversed through two NO ENTRY areas until I found it. I thought Air Europa had been taken over by Ryanair when we had to walk from the terminal, across the apron and UP STAIRS to get on board. Flight out from Valencia OK but - JOY O JOY - the flight to Paris was so clever. Ann and I BOTH had window seats!!! She was in Row 17 and I was in row 20. We had a wait of a couple of hours for the 11 hour flight to Johannesburg, and a 4 hour wait and on to Port Elizabeth. It was a long flight from Paris but the Airbus 380 (a double decker) was high tech with about 800 seats each with their own touch screen tablet. l The A380 is 15 tonnes lighter than it would be if made entirely of metal. l The 4400m2 surface of the A380 is covered in three layers of paint weighing around 500kg. l During take-off the A380 wing will flex upwards by over 4m. l The air in the A380 cabin is changed every 3 minutes, and the temperature can be selected between 18 and 30 degrees. l An A380 takes off or lands every five minutes. Terrible turbulence as we flew over the North Africa coast, whilst I was in the toilet lasted for about 20 minutes and I had no choice but to sit on the toilet seat and hold both grab handles. It
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felt as if the plane was shaking itself to pieces, but I wasn't bothered because I was in the last room in the rear of the plane, in a box less than a metre square on the ground and with 4 walls surrounding me. I felt as if I was in my own nuclear shelter. By the time I got out of the loo, the lights were out, all the trolley-dolley's gone to their stations, and we couldn't work out how to get our seats to recline. Not much sleep. Our flight from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth was delayed for 90 minutes due to ‘local lightning’. I pondered on how Britain would cope if flights were grounded because of lightning, but felt guilty when the pilot announced “We are cleared for take-off. Three men driving push-back-tractors were struck by lightning yesterday afternoon! No wonder precautions were being taken I couldn’t wait to get to Port Elizabeth - and to bed! We were met by a 7-strong welcoming party that included our chauffeur and gleaming white Mercedes 500L. Three days after we arrived, Archbishop George Booty arrived from the UK. Archbishop Solomon from Benin hadn’t received his visa, so could not join us. Continued on page 6
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December 2013, Nº 8
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Villa with sea views in Jávea Ref. J5084 410.000€ Jávea Villa with sea views on two floors. First floor: entrance, living room with fireplace, kitchen, glazed terrace, distribution hall leading to 3 bedrooms with balcony and sea view, one is a master ensuite bedroom. Naya with fantastic views to the montgó, valley and panoramic sea views. From here there is access to the ground floor with a second living room, open plan kitchen, glazed naya with sea views, 1 double bedroom, shower room, gas central heating, double glazed aluminium windows, 10 x 5 swimming pool, solarium, garage. Construction: 250mts, plot: 1000 mts.
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Jávea - Impecable property for sale Ref. J8669 399.000€ Jávea Fantastic opportunity to own a gem of a villa on one floor, with entrance porch leading to hallway giving access to large living room with fireplace. Large dining room with direct access to the four arched naya. From the hallway access is gained to the spacious kitchen with direct access to the naya. Full laundry room. Back to the hallway there is access to 1 full shower, 2 double bedrooms with fitted wardrobes and 1 master bedroom suite style, with dressing room and bathroom with shower. The plot is completely flat with impeccably maintained garden having banana and fruit trees and irrigation system. Nestled in the garden is a rectangular swimming pool 10x4.5m2 with Roman steps. Full gas central heating. Parking for 5 cars, Rates: 650€.Construction: 180 m2 Plot: 1.000 m2.
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Penthouse Duplex in Jávea for sale Ref. J5815 177.664€ Jávea - DUPLEX oPPoRTUNITY Brand new duplex with sea views comprising: GRoUND floor with intercom entry, living room, kitchen, 1 toilet / shower and large terrace. UPPER floor: 3 bedrooms with wardrobes , 1 en suite, 1 shower. All the rooms have access to one large terrace, pre installations for A / C, underfloor heating, double glazed windows, communtiy pool and gym. Close to shops, town and port. Construccion.132m2 + 150 m2 terraces.
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December 2013, Nº 8
AS I SEE IT - Pastor’s Point of View Continued from page 4
Weaver Birds One of the highlights of the visit was watching - from our 4th floor balcony room at Summerstrand Hotel - weaver birds create their nests, from lengths of grass, that they interwove with their beaks.
The male bird takes about a week to create the nest, and if the ‘lady’ - who has been preening herself as she watches him at work in the most gusty of weather - rejects the nest after it is finished, the nest is abandoned. A human would lok around for a female who DID appreciate the house he’d created. Each bird is the size of a canary. Nests were blown down before we left and the hotel said I could bring two back to the Oasis. Why not pop-in and have a look?
Caused a bit of a riot Arriving at the church on Sunday morning, I saw a local uniformed police officer was among those waiting for us to arrive. After vesting (putting on the uniform) and prayer, we joined a congregation of 6-700 people. In my sermon I spoke my first (and only) words of the local Xhosa (pronounced TOSSER) language "Hello" and "Thankyou", Ann, George and I were the only WHITE people present. We consecrated the two new Bishops, Luthando Zolti and Felize Koliti and then moved to the Holy Communion. Without ant warning the doors burst open. Clergy tried to coral me into a place of safety, but I stood my ground. The police officer I’d seen waiting outside, with 20 colleagues and a Sheriff’s Officer, followed by menacing looking men, many in clergy vestments, had no respect for the fact they were
interrupting the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The scene turned ugly and violent, and I was able to grasp a bolt-cutter when it looked as though a policeman was going to hit a member of the congregation. I gently remonstrated with elderly ladies from the choir, who were jabbing police officers, and brought calm to the situation by conducting the congregation as they sang hymns in the Xhosa language. At one stage I took a lump of wood away from a 'Young Invader' to prevent him using it as a weapon. Information we'd heard at a BBQ the previous evening began to make sense. Following the death of Bishop Michael, the neighbouring Bishop of East London, decided to seize a number of the churches in the adjoining Diocese, and halved the Port Elizabeth Diocese in terms of churches and communicants. The Sheriff’s Officer had a Court Order to prevent the Consecrations, issued on the basis of representations by the Bishop of East London, but Thanks to God and delaying tactics of the Priest in charge, by the time the 'ugly mob' arrived, the Consecrations were over and Certificates issued and signed. It was agreed that BOTH sides would vacate the premises and present their respective claims to the Judge on Thursday. We had TWO new Bishops. Hallelujah. Photographs taken at the time can be seen at the Oasis Centre. At the Court hearing 4 days later, the claims by the Diocese/Bishop of East London were dismissed. Monday morning, and looking at the Port Elizabeth Herald, the front page photo story was the riot at the previous day’s Consecrations. When we met with the two Bishops later that afternoon to ‘talk through’ the ‘mechanics’ of the Investiture, Bishop Luthando (who was plain Reverend Luthando until the previous day) told us he had decided he was ‘unworthy’ to succeed Bishop Michael, who had died two years earlier. The death of Bishop Michael (without appointing his successor) had allowed the Bishop of East London to ‘grab’ churches and congregations. My only option - other than returning to Jávea without Investing a new Diocesan Bishop Ordinary - was to Invest the man I’d consecrated 24 hours earlier as the ‘Deputy’. BEFORE the Investiture, Bishop Luthando explained his decision to "set aside" his priestly responsibilities until he felt he had the confidence of the community.
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Bishop Felize was Invested, without the public interruption of the previous day.
The journey back It had been a 'topsy-turvy' visit, with constant disruption of well-laid plans. Our return journey began with an electronic malfunction at Port Elizabeth Airport, causing a delay that escalated by 'leaps and bounds', resulting in our staying in the Intercontinental Hotel at Johannesburg for a night and day, then flying back 24 hours later than expected.
AIR FRANCE - without telling us upgraded us to 'La Premiere' that was TEN TIMES MORE EXPENSIVE than the economy the Port Elizabeth Diocese had booked, with a chauffeur-driven limousine whenever we needed to move between terminals, and an escort through Diplomatic Passport Control points, to avoid waiting in zigzag queues. God (and Air France) were incredibly good to us and we thank Him for the opportunity to meet and encourage the folk in Port Elizabeth. Yes we were delayed for 6 hours by a faulty board on the plane. Then God kicked-in. We were fast-tracked through Port Elizabeth security (for the 3rd time that afternoon) then through Passport Control “It's too late for this Boarding Pass” I was told, but our Air France Fairy Godmother responded "We’re holding the plane for them" and we were out on to the Apron, up the stairs to the open door of a plane (I knew had already departed) and placed in the front row as I apologised as loud as I could for keeping everyone waiting. The door closed and we were off. I then realised that the blue curtains had been closed BEHIND us!! 15 minutes earlier I’d refused the offer of Port Elizabeth-JohannesburgLisbon-Madrid-Valencia. If they couldn't even get me away from Port Elizabeth, what on earth could go wrong - and how much delay - would such a re-routing produce.
Port Elizabeth ground staff said they’d sent an eMail to Johannesburg to arrange overnight accommodation. I asked for a copy believing we stood the risk of being abandoned at Joburg airport. Collecting our cases at the carousel, the Luggage Manager gave us a Hotel voucher for the Intercontinental Hotel. At Port Elizabeth we’d only received a voucher for 6€ each in the Wimpy. Continued on next page
Jávea Jeard
December 2013, Nº 8
AS I SEE IT - Pastor’s Point of View Continued from page 6
The following evening I presented the 'electronic ticket' I received back in August, to the girl at the 'PARIS Skyport' desk, and was told to go and 'self-service check-in'. The attendant (every machine needed one) took our passports, identified our booking and showed us our allocated seats. We didn't have a window seat "Never mind" I said to Ann, "It will be dark all the way there, so we won't miss anything - and look - we are either side of the aisle," (and can get out to the toilet without disturbing anyone else - I thought). Looking at our boarding passes, I saw the words SKYPORT so went back to the lady who had been rather dismissive and told me to go and get my own Boarding Pass, who (unbelieving what she was seeing - Ann and I both in scruffy anoraks - and Ann carrying a 'BBC Children in Need' bag as if she'd stopped at ASDA to do her shopping on the way) passed to the desk AND INTO ANOTHER WORLD - just like 'Alice' in 'Wonderland'. As we turned to go back into the Departure Lounge (to rid ourselves of the liquids we'd brought for the long wait) a voice from an immaculatelydressed lady in Air France Uniform, said "This way Sir" and took us to the rear of check-in - through a gap the staff use - with Ann proclaiming "but I've got liquids." Bottles of water and Cod Liver Oil were taken from us before passing through 'Security' where there were no other passengers, and with the lady pulling our cabin trolleys, to Air France Lounge, passing all the Business Class flyers and into the intimacy of 'La Premiere' flyers. "There is food, drink, wi-fi, beds, whatever you need - help yourself, I will be back to collect you for boarding" and just like a Fairy Godmother, she was gone. On our way, she had led us through 'orange area tapes' I'd never noticed before, and had our Passports stamped by the lady at the 'Diplomats' desk. On board, it was LEFT TURN towards the cockpit - whereas I'd always turned to the RIGHT (unless I was boarding by the rear steps). WELL!! - there were 12 seats, 3 rows of 4, and Ann and I had seats 2 and 3. Michelle introduced himself as our personal flight attendant and asked if we would like a glass of champagne as we waited for those in the back of the plane to arrive and be seated. I had a delightful French Sauterne (almost as good as a Teulada Moscatel - I told him when he served the second glass) and
tried to look as though it was the treatment I usually received. Not Ann!! who pointed out to me when she realised it, that 'all the other men' - she was the only lady - 'are sat there like experienced flyers, whereas she was playing with all the buttons, making her seat move forward by 6 inches, the calf rest rise, and the back drop, as she converted her seat into a horizontal bed. Then she discovered the 'massage' button! Michelle was back and crouching in front of me asking "Is this your first flight with us?" I was sharp enough to stop myself replying "Yes, I normally go with Easyjet" and he gave us the 'A La Carte' dining menu, wine list and another glass of Sauterne. The food was so different from the outward journey that I realised where the term 'chalk and cheese' had probably originated. An Appetiser of salmon and caviar and pate, preceded pork medallions, followed by sea bream. Then we were given our slippers, pyjamas and the attendant came with a case that contained our bedding, and made up the bed with mattress, sheet, duvet and pillow. Morning brought hot breakfast Ann having had duck the previous evening, had scrambled egg to start her day. We were soon in Paris to be met by a limousine at the bottom of the steps and taken to 'La Premiere' Lounge by a lady who had been a 'VIP greeter' with Delta Airlines, had 2 children, and was married to a man who worked at the airport on nights, when she was on days. At Valencia - we were last to leave the plane - but were stopped by customs
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who repeatedly examined our 'hold' cases and wanted the red one opened. I didn't know whether to 'confess' what I had 'not declared' but he lifted out a box that contained evidence of my 'crime', reaching deep down into the case "Ah, es metalico?" and I explained "es mi crozier, soy Arzobispo" and I was on my way, complete with the cardboard box he'd carefully replaced from where he removed it. The cardboard box contained the nests constructed by ‘weaver birds’ the Hotel said I could keep, after a storm blew them down. If you’ve never seen the handiwork of a ‘weaver bird’ it’s worth a visit to the Oasis Help Centre to see the nests and photos of the tiny - canary size bird that makes them. Back in Valencia, into arrivals, and the experience was over - like a dream we will never forget - to collect our car, pay the 57€ for 10 days parking. "The boss drove your car here and wants to advertise in the magazine you've got on the dashboard!" It was Jávea Jeard - it was GREAT to be BACK HOME. CR
Robbie's Move
Used to being the centre of attention, Robbie was a little more than jealous of his new baby sister. The parents sat him down and said that now that she was getting older, the house was too small and they'd have to move.
"It's no use." Robbie said, "She's crawling good now and she'd probably just follow us." Received from George
Christmastime is here again
Jávea Jeard
Page 8 December 2013, Nº 8
Friday 6th December from 8pm. Leisure. Shopping Night with special bargains and discounts and a "TAPAS" ROUTE in Xàbia Historical City Centre. 8.30pm. Concert for Christmas in the Port Church of Nuestra Señora del Mar The Xàbia Choir: Coral Clásica Javiense with extraordinary collaboration from the Soprano, Dolores Lahuerta and the Marina Alta Orchestra celebrate the 10th anniversary of its founding.
Saturday 7th December 11am. "El Tesoro de Xàbia" (The Treasure of Xábia). Theatrical Routes in Spanish. Discover the rich heritage of Xàbia with three actors who will represent historical characters of our Town. Inscription: Xàbia Tourist Info Tel.: 96 579 4356.
Sunday 8th December Trenc d'Alba school and adjacent roads. 10am to 2pm. 1st Car Show. Skill test with cars. Tuesday 10th December 7pm. Casa de Cultura HUMAN RIGHTS ROUND TABLE.
You shop at ICELAND for COLD food at COOL prices, but you’ll receive a WARM welcome at Jávea Evangelical Church C/. Toni Llido 5 GPS - N:38.793196 and E:0.180900
At the rear of ’La Caixa’ bank at the Dolphin roundabout on Av. Lepanto Sunday morning service 11am Centre
On weekdays visit our
C/. Toni Llido 5 (next to La Caixa in the Port)
where you will find
1000s of Greetings Cards for 1€ Photocopies and Fast Printing Crisis Start-up Packs Airport Pick-Ups, Phone Top-ups Post and Parcel Service Plus a LISTENING EAR and UNBIASED ADVICE We’re ‘on duty’ in the community every day of the week - not just on a Sunday If you need to speak in private - ASk
Tel: 96
646 3707 or 669 386 702
Round Table with participation of: Jaume Sendra: President of the Mediterranean Foundation for Human Rights. Rafael Junquera: Director of the UNED Philosophy of Law Department. – U. N. Human Rights Representative.
Thursday 12th December 8.15pm. Christmas Carols performed by Singgruppe Jávea. Director: Ruth Hablützel. Free entry.
Friday 13th December 10am. Fiesta in honour of Santa Llucia. Holiday Festivities in honour of Santa Llucía. Pilgrimage from the square, Plaza de la Iglesia up to the sanctuary: Ermita de Santa Lucía and subsequent religious celebration. 5.30pm. Biblioteca Pública Pueblo For children. The Hunchback of NotreDame. Pluja de contes: Children’s Stories. 8pm. Casa de Cultura Concert. "Latidos" is a new musical project where Paul Alcaide presents his new Latin-jazz band. In aid of Red Cross Jávea.
Saturday 14th December Roundtrip to Parc Natural Montgó by bicycle and boat. Additional Information from the Tourism Offices. 11am. Cívic Punt (Jávea Park) Saturday Story time. Stories and fun activities for boys and girls so they can practice English. 8pm. Town church of Sant Bertomeu Christmas Concert by Centro Artístico Musical de Xàbia, Grup Polifònic Ars nova and Orfeó de Xàbia who combine to offer an extraordinary concert of Christmas music. 10pm. Municipal Sport Pavillion Members of the ‘quintas’ declare who will be the ‘Queen of Fogueres 2014’ her Maids of Honour, President and Presidenta.
Sunday 15th December 6pm. Municipal Sorts Pavillion 15th Annual Sports Gala to recognise the local athletes 2013and present the Maurice Cheutin Prize. 8.30pm. Convent Agustines (opposite Mas y Mas in the town) Christmas Valencià style "La Rondalla" Group will perform the most beautiful traditional Valencian Christmas Carols.
Monday 16th December 7pm. Conservatori de Música Wind and Wood Instruments performed by students of the Professional Music Conservatory of Xàbia.
7pm. Chamber Music and Guitar performed by students of the Xàbia Professional Music Conservatory.
Tuesday 17th December 5pm. Conservatori de Música Concert of Wind and Brass performed by students of the Xàbia Professional Music Conservatory. 7pm. Conservatori de Música Percussion instrument concert by students of the Xàbia Professional Music Conservatory.
Wednesday 18th December 5pm. Conservatori de Música Concert by Piano students of the Xàbia Professional Music Conservatory. 7pm. Convent Agustines (opposite town Mas y Mas) Chamber Music performed by the students of the Xàbia Professional Music Conservatory. 7pm. Casa de Cultura Students of the Guitar at Xàbia Professional Music Conservatory in concert.
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
Last 10 pence
Jávea Jeard
A father walks into a restaurant with his young son.. He gives the young boy three 10p coins to play with to keep him occupied. Suddenly, the boy starts choking and going blue in the face.... The father realises the boy has swallowed the coins and starts slapping him on the back.. The boy coughs up 2 of the 10p's but is still choking. Looking at his son, the father is panicking, shouting for help. A well dressed, attractive, and serious looking woman, in a smart blue business suit is sitting at a coffee bar reading a newspaper and sipping a cup of coffee. At the sound of the commotion, she looks up, puts her coffee cup down, neatly folds the newspaper, places it on the counter, gets up from her seat and makes her way, unhurried, across the restaurant. Reaching the boy, the woman carefully pulls down his pants; takes hold of the boy's' testicles and starts to squeeze and twist, gently at first and then more firmly...... tighter and tighter !!! After a few seconds the boy convulses violently and coughs up the last of the 10p's, which the woman deftly catches in her free hand. Releasing the boy's testicles, the woman hands the coin to the father and walks back to her seat at the coffee bar without saying a word. As soon as he is sure that his son has suffered no ill effects, the father rushes over to the woman and starts thanking her saying, "I've never seen anybody do anything like that before, it was fantastic. Are you a doctor? " 'No,' the woman replied. ‘I work next door in the Tax Office.’
GROOM’S NIGHT OUT
A gentleman had arranged a Stag Party for his friend, prior to the wedding on the following day, and they were - as men do - celebrating his final night of ‘freedom’. He was approached by a very attractive lady, who asked him “Would you like to go to bed with me for 100€?. He thought for a moment, looking at his watch, before replying “I could do with the money but I’m rather busy tonight!”
YOU DESERVE A LAUGH
December 2013, Nº 8
Page 9
AN ELDERLY ITALIAN, CATHOLIC GENTLEMAN
An elderly Italian man who lived on the outskirts of Rimini, Italy,went to the local church for confession. When the priest slid open the panel in the confessional, the man said: “Father, during World War II, a beautiful Jewish woman from our neighbourhood knocked urgently on my door and asked me to hide her from the Nazis. So I hid her in my attic.” The priest replied: “That was a wonderful thing you did, and you have no need to confess that.” “There is more to tell, Father. She started to repay me with sexual favours. This happened several times a week, and sometimes twice on Sundays.” The priest said, "That was a long time ago and by doing what you did you placed the two of you in great danger, but two people under those circumstances can easily succumb to the weakness of the flesh. “However, if you are truly sorry for your actions, you are indeed forgiven.” “Thank you, Father. That's a great load off my mind I do have one more question though.” “And what is that?” asked the priest. “Should I tell her the war is over?”
OLD TECHNOLOGY
The boys had been up in the attic together helping with some cleaning. The kids uncovered an old manual typewriter and asked her, "Hey Mum, what's this?" "Oh, that's an old typewriter," she answered, thinking that would satisfy their curiosity. "Well, what does it do?" they queried. "I'll show you," she said and returned with a blank piece of paper. She rolled the paper into the typewriter and began striking the keys, leaving black letters of print on the page. "WOW!" they exclaimed, "That's really cool...but how does it work like that? Where do you plug it in?" “There is no plug," she answered. "It doesn't need a plug." "Then where do you put the batteries?" they persisted. "It doesn't need batteries either," she continued. "Wow! This is so cool!" they exclaimed. "Someone should have invented this a long time ago!"
Every time you Top-Up at the it helps maintain this HELP and ADVICE CENTRE C/. Toni Llido 5 (behind La Caixa in the Port) Tel: 96 647 3707 and 669 386 702
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’
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
December 2013, Nº 8
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
Jávea Jeard
CHRISTMASTIME Continued from page 8
Thursday 19th December 5pm. Convent Agustines (opposite town Mas y Mas). Concert by Choir students and String Orchestra at the Xàbia Professional Music Conservatory. 7pm. Conservatori de Música String instruments students at Xàbia Professional Music Conservatory in concert.
Friday 20th December 5.30pm. Town Public Library For children. A Christmas Story. 7pm. Conservatori de Música Wind Orchestra students at Xàbia Professional Music Conservatory in concert.
Saturday 21st December 11am. Cívic Punt (Jávea Park) For children. Performance by Dani Miquel. "El cantacançons". Traditional Valencian songs and activities. 6pm. Casa de Cultura Awards Ceremony for the 7th Nativity Scenes Competition and “Amanecer” Senior Citizens Choir, singing Christmas Carols. Sunday 22nd December 10am. Plaza Convent 30th Popular Turkey Bicycle Race. Finish line in Av. Alicante. Organized by Club Ciclista Jávea with support of Jávea Council of Sports.
9pm in the Port Fishermen’s Church Christmas Concert by Centro Artístico Musical de Xàbia, Grup Polifònic Ars nova and Orfeó de Xàbia join to offer an extraordinary concert of Christmas music. Those who long for cold weather and love these holidays mustn't miss this event.
Friday 27th December to 29th Port College 5pm - 9pm Christmas version of Extreme Sports with a skate park, skating championship and numerous surprises for young people at the athletic track: la Pista del Col·legi Port. Friday 27th - Sunday 29th December Municipal Sports Pavillion 4.30 to 8.30pm. Children's Christmas Fair with amusement park rides, inflated castles, workshops, car circuit, digital games and loads of fun for toddlers, kids and young people. 11am. Cívic Punt (Jávea Park) For children. Christmas Party. Christmas Festivities with children's games, inflatable air cushions and fun activities.
Saturday 28th Dcember 10pm. Plaza Convent Actividades for children on ‘Solidarity day’ or ‘Day of the Innocents’ - like 1st April in the UK. Activities for children until 7pm.
If you live in a Community of Horizontal Owners, we will see if there are problems, and come up with the answers, IN SPANISH, for YOU to submit to the President or Administrator.
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Jávea Jeard BRITISH PASSPORTS NOW ONLY AVAILABLE ONLINE Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office have again changed the Passport renewal process. Having increased the cost to almost double that of a UK resident, yet still charging for courier delivery of the new Passport and submitted documents back to Spain, the ‘issuing’ office was changed from Madrid to Belfast, meaning an International (rather than Spanish) submission of any existing passport and originals of documents. The latest change compels applicants to apply using the Internet. The process now begins at: www.gov.uk/overseas-passports/y where you will have to choose 1. the country where you live. 2. type of Passport 3. adult or child 4. cost Adult £147.86 Child £101.36 5. Choose ‘Start Application’ 6. Title Name
December 2013, Nº 8
Page 11
Let’s Support our local Businesses
Gender Date of Birth Place of Birth Country 7. Address Postcode Street Address or Box Nº Town and State/Province 8. Phone numbers 9. Passports submitted and Nº. 10. Check the details 11. Type TWO sets of numbers 12. Complete payment info. 13. Print off the Declaration 14. Sign it. 15. Add 2 photos and old Passport 16. Take it to Oasis Help Centre for 24h courier delivery to Belfast. At any stage you can SAVE the partially completed application. When you do, you will see a ‘response’ giving your Username and Password. Do not lose them, or you will have to restart your application. Saved applications have to be finalised within 72 hours. We can send documents securely by TNT from the Oasis Help Centre. CR
If we don’t we won’t have any
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
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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
December 2013, Nº 8
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
November Council Meeting Continued from page 3
(XD) explained it could not have been sooner as there was no funding to make it possible. Approved unanimously. Point 9 referred to the use of public areas (pavement) by bars and restaurants, lowering the rate of tax, and allowing a License for 3 months instead of 12. I am told that people in the public area of the seating were asking why concessions were being made to favour builders and bar owners, but no other occupations? I suppose it could be argued that Jávea has always relied on tourism and building. Approved without dissent. Point 10 referred to the establishment of ‘financial markers’ for the years 2015, 2016, 2017, that allow long-term projects to be considered. Point 11 introduced the Budget for 2014 with opposition councillors appearing to personally blame Oscar Anton - Finance Councillor - for everything it proposed. Councillors were all allowed to make pontificating speeches, that could have been predicted from their Party Manifesto, but the result was never in doubt as the PSOE/XD coalition had 11
Collection and delivery of Urgent items in Marina Alta by Sergio Laffitte Tlf. 673 546 193 http://tinyurl.com/ch2txx3 Prices start at 3,50€
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Jávea Jeard
councillors present, and the opposition had 10 - and that’s the margin by which the Budget was approved (see separate report). Point 12 approved some promotions in the Municipal police force, that looked as though it would have more ‘chiefs’ and fewer ‘indians’. Point 13 approved new tenants for stalls 12 and 14 in the Indoor Market, but no details (names, trades) were made public. Point 14 authorised the payment of 473,78€ in respect of damage caused to the vehicle owned by Maria Encarnacion Torres Fernandez. Questions and Answers These refer to questions that are NOT placed on the Agenda by the Townhall Secretary, but are distributed immediately prior to the start of the meeting, and seem to be aimed by opposition councillors at ‘scoring points’ against councillors with specific responsibilities. The answers could have been obtained during the previous month, but the monthly meeting provides the possibility of any reporter still awake (interested) to write about them in their newspaper. More Celebrations. Fiesta organisers propose a mid-year party to encourage the ‘troops and workers’ and Continued on page 14
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
MABC meetings are held once of twice a month but there were no dates or venues at www.mabc.biz
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
December 2013, Nº 8
Page 13
Readers Write
We have received letters from Jesus Pobre Abogado Fernando Campos with reference to our publishing in our October edition the text of an eMail sent by his client to our major distributor. Fernando claimed the eMail by his client had intended to remain ‘private’ and did not identify his client by name or give an eMail address, but we sent him a copy of the original that indicates otherwise. We have not suggested his client was anything other than a well respected member of Jávea community, but sought justification with regard to the statement claiming: when it's free everywhere else. We emailed his client on 2 occasions asking for a list of the venues, a request we have also twice made to Fernando Campos, but no names or addresses have been received. If other readers of Javea Jeard have evidence of Javea Jeard available, without charge ‘everywhere else’ we’d be happy to be told, so we can investigate. We DO give away ‘back issues’ from our premises in the Port, rather than throw them in the recycling bin. We also provide copies to other distribution outlets (see page 2). Once we receive details from the lawyer or his client and investigate the specifics, and find the statement “It’s free everywhere else” was factual and well-intended, we will be happy to issue any appropriate apology. CR We are always pleased to receive letters or suggestions from our readers, either by eMail to clive@cliveread.com or by hand to Oasis Help Centre C/. Toni Llido 5 03730 JAVEA
or by post to”
Apartado de Correos 227 03770 VERGEL (Alicante) Spain
November Council Meeting Page 14 December 2013, Nº 8 Continued from page 12
Toni Sebastia (PP) asked who was going to be paying. Fiesta councillor Juan Ortola said each organisation would meet their own costs, with responsibility for the meal, celebration, marquee and cleaning. More Video Surveillance was suggested for the underground car parks to reduce the cost of private management, completely overlooking the fact that the ‘cash accepting machines’ are either permanently switched off (like the ‘Lift’ at the Western end of Clot parking) or so likely to malfunction, that it would cost more to get a ‘duty man’ to come out and resolve the problem, than it does to employ them 24/7. Jose Chulvi (PSPV/PSOE) said the surveillance need not be from the offices in each carpark, but could equally be done from any other location with a video connection. Juan Planelles requested a meeting between the Ayuntamiento and business owners in the town. Perhaps he speaks in the interests of business that would be affected if Correos were to move their Counters away from Plaza Marina Alta, to somewhere in the town, Port and Arenal that offered easier parking. Juan is the owner of nearby business premises. Social Centre Cafeteria. Talks are still taking place to re-open the Cafeteria on the ground floor of the Social Centre. The solution is likely to be that it will become a ‘private bar’ for use by the Pensioners Association, with members of the public not normally allowed, which would avert the need for the ‘staff’ to be employed or autonomo. Mayor Jose Chulvi always goes out of his way to allow members of the public to raise their own questions and came in for a vociferous attack concerning the Conservatory of Music being closed over the weekend. On the previous Saturday, the lady said children performed - and parents and others watched and listened (in the freezing cold) - to a concert in Plaza de Baix - at the rear of the Townhall, whilst the Conservatory of Music was said to be ‘unavailable’ because there was no Concierge over the weekend, so the building remained sealed. One reason given was that the event was ‘not in the programme’ but Jose Chulvi claimed they were not allowed (or didn’t have the money or insurance cover) for a Concierge over the weekend. After 2 hours and 15 minutes, the Mayor brought the meeting to a close. He looked as pleased as I felt, that the marathon meeting was over. CR.
Jávea increases spending in 2014 by 28% on care of parks and gardens
Town councillors approved the 2014 budget of 37,141,185.44 €uros plus 8.4195 million €uros to the municipal water company Amjasa. The increase on the 2013 budget will be 3.19% One of the major increases is spending on Parks and Gardens and Environment that are increased by 26.75% and 28.85%. Jávea Mayor, José Chulvi, said the increase was necessary because the Council had received many green areas and garden spaces and had a duty to maintain them, “improvement to the urban aesthetics of a tourist town such as Jávea are already evident.” Chulvi described the 2014 figures as “a recovery budget” after the shock in 2012 when the Supreme Court annulled values called "catastrazo" which has been apparent in 2013. The mayor stressed that accounts for next year will reinforce the provision of social services and that “we will recover and invest in people.”. José Chulvi emphasised that local government has the ‘first duty of care’ and the council has increased provision for social assistance and also wants to continue initiatives launched this year with employment programmes “which are working well.” He said he hoped some of the major investment requirements would come to fruition, giving the restoration of the Central Cinema as an example. The project will require 400,000 €uros from Jávea council, and almost half of that amount has been programmed into the 2014 budget, with the balance for 2015. Jávea council provides employment to 310 people, including Townhall staff (in the various buildings) and the Municipal Police, at a cost of 13.7 million €uros. Small adjustments are needed in the police force to meet regulations for security and will experience a small change to fit the rules of the Region. Therefore it is planned to create a Chief Superintendent, Superintendent and Inspector, but reducing the ranks by 2 Sergeants and 3 officers. Expenditure on goods and services will increase by 1.58% to 15,854,790 €uros. In addition to increases in Parks and Gardens and the Environment, other departments with increases include Tourism, following a cut in 2013, now increased by 19.73%, Sports will rise by 14% and Culture and Education by 12.26 and 6.97%, respectively. Collection and disposal of garbage, street cleaning and street lighting, will have a rise of just over 7%.
Jávea Jeard
Financial expenses are lowered by 7.83% due to the repayment of loans. Creama will receive 118,000 €uros, with 205,000 €uros for the Provincial Fire Consortium and 16,000 to the Waste Consortium of Marina Alta. Social aid increases by 12,000 €uros, with grants to various associations, the largest being the Red Cross, to maintain emergency transportation. The Club Deportivo Jávea will receive 117,300 €uros, with UNED (distance learning) of 82,220.14 €uros. APASA will receive 45,887 €uros, and the Joventut Basketball Club 41,140 €uros. Real investment added just over 1.7 million and will include participatory budgeting projects to be funded by sale of municipal assets. Among the different activities planned include the reform of the Central Cinema, buying books for the library, improving energy efficiency, the climbing wall in Ratchet, and improving traffic signage in Avenida Juan Carlos 1. As regards revenue, direct taxes are expected to raise almost 20.5 million, 55% of the total, a modest 2.43% increase over 2013. Deputy Mayor, XD leader and Councillor for Finance, Oscar Anton, said he’d worked hard on a budget aimed at boosting the local economy. Opposition councillors criticise lack of time and consultation In the eyes of the opposition, the 2014 Budget is not the best for Jávea. Among the views expressed were “more of the same” with councillors outside the government team given little time to study the proposals and no opportunity for participation . PP spokesman Jose Luis Genoese, said the budget had not achieved efficiency in spending and said the executive should have made an effort to lower taxes to reach the entire population, given the surplus cash and not just certain sectors. Genovese also lamented that, unlike other years, “the views of the opposition councillors have not been sought” and “we only received the figures a few days earlier.” Compromís spokesman, Pepa Chorro, said her group had received little time to study the accounts of 2014 and added that the government team in Jávea “Seem to be forgetting the participation of other councillors” claiming Compromís would have liked to make proposals for inclusion in the budget. “If there is willingness we can agree on these things” said Pepa Chorro. For his part, Juan Planelles, in the group of Non-Affiliated Councillors, said the proposals were “more of the same” that was disputed by both Mayor José Chulvi and his XD Deputy Oscar Anton. CR.
Agenda 21 Jávea Updates
Jávea Jeard
Hunters want to shoot wild boar in the Montgó Natural Park An elderly lady was unfortunate enough to write off her car in a collision with a herd of wild boar on the Ondara/La Xara road. Two of the animals were killed. This has focused attention on the apparent population explosion of wild boar in the region. Boar are omnivorous and adaptable and have been seen rummaging in rubbish bins as well as foraging in crop fields. Hunters can currently obtain licenses to hunt "gancho" style, i.e. in groups with a maximum of 15 guns and 30 dogs, but would like to use beating over periods of several hours and unlimited numbers of dogs and guns. They note that 80% of the Montgó Natural Park is off limits to hunting, and declare that there is a "plague" of wild boar which needs to be dealt with.
The warmest autumn on record The traditional autumn (October and early November) has been the warmest in the Comunidad Valenciana since records began. Rainfall was 90% below average. Ice cream sellers and the Tourist industry were happy, but fruit growers were miserable since the extended summer has seen a longer pest season and damage to fruit crops.
The invisible empire Spanish police say last year's Operation Emperor, identified a series of companies run by a Chinese man from an industrial estate in the north of the capital who was found to be importing around 1,500 containers of goods a year. Between 10 percent and 20 percent of the real value of the contents was declared, and the rest generated earnings in the black economy of hundreds of millions of euros each year. Unofficial sources say less than 10 percent of containers entering and leaving the port of Valencia are physically checked. The risk analysis carried out by Rita (a super computer) is a vital tool in controlling goods entering Spain because the enormous amount of trade makes it impossible to check containers without bringing the port to a standstill. The usual trick is to falsify the amount, the value, and the nature of the goods inside a container so as to save on import duties and sales tax.
Jávea Jeard is grateful to Chris Jones for compiling the Agenda 21 reports, on which this report is based http://agenda21-xabia.wikidot.com
Empty home destruction plan Estimates of the number of unsold houses range between the government's figure of 675,000 and the 815,000 calculated by savings bank CatalunyaCaixa. Both figures ignore the close to half-a-million homes still under construction, according to both the government and the real estate sector. "There are places where homes are worthless, either because of their poor construction, or their location, and are simply a burden on the taxpayer," says Gonzalo Bernardos, a lecturer in economics at the University of Barcelona. In March, Sareb (authority managing taoxic assets) approved a business plan setting aside 103 million euros for demolition.
Two ex-mayors of Xàbia to appear in Alicante Court Two ex mayors of Xàbia, Juan Moragues and Eduardo Monfort have been called to appear before the Alicante provincial court to answer charges dating back 16 years. The case in point concerns alleged irregularities in town planning as well as forgery in relation to the development of the "Rodat" Aparthotel. Councillors serving on the governing team at the time are also implicated. Unfortunately for the accused, one of the properties affected by the building of the hotel is the brother of Valencia mayor, Rita Barberá, and he and another neighbour denounced the development.
Fifteenth Century graffiti in old municipal building received attention of Valencian restorers Earlier in the year there were reports of the poor state of repair of the Casa de Candelaria - an old town house owned by the Town Hall. Works were undertaken to ensure it doesn't collapse revealing grafiti - charcoal drawings of sailing boats and human figures, that seem to date from the 15th century and has now received the interest of the Valencian Institute of Restoration and Conservation. Hopefully these drawings will be preserved with some interesting interior arches when the building is restored.
Jávea Restaurant gets Michelin Star The Bon Amb Restaurant, on the Camí Cabanes/ Benitatxell road roundabout,
December 2013, Nº 8
Page 15
has been awarded a star in the Michelin international guide to restaurants. The Michelin inspectors visit restaurants "under cover" and Bon Amb had no idea they had been inspected, or indeed awarded a star. The restaurant is run by Alberto Ferruz and Pablo Catalá and uses 80% local produce. The press release of the Michelin guide refers to Bon Amb "as an updated traditional cuisine with creative touches."
Ban on tabletop oil pourers, as government tries to boost exports The era of the traditional olive oil dispensers regularly seen on restaurant tables across Spain has come to an end. Beginning in January, the country's more than 350,000 bars, restaurants and catering establishments will have to serve the "liquid gold" in non-refillable, tamper-proof bottles or capsules. Continued on page 21
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Jávea Jeard
December 2013, Nº 8
What does a financial adviser actually do? Well, to put it into perspective – and remembering that this is a serious subject – let’s tell a little joke: HUSBAND: So what’s wrong with the car? WIFE: It’s got water in the carburetor HUSBAND: How would you know? You don’t even know what a carburetor is! WIFE: Well I know the carburetor has water in it. HUSBAND: So, where is the car? WIFE: In the pool.
If that made you chuckle (depending on whether you are male or female) here’s a tale which is not funny at all:
FINANCIAL ADVISER: Don’t worry about your pension. CLIENT: Where is it? FINANCIAL ADVISER: In the pool. CLIENT: What do you mean in the pool? FINANCIAL ADVISER: In the pool of all the other high-risk, toxic, illiquid, unlawful, unregulated, suspended pension schemes I have arranged for my clients. CLIENT: Holy cow! Unfortunately, this is not a joke but a true story which applies to thousands of British clients in Spain (and elsewhere) who have seen their pensions drowned by unholy financial advisers. Now, money may well be at the root of all evil, but it is at the root of a lot of good too – such as security, peace of mind, solvency, quality of life, ability to retire etc. And the competent, conscientious financial adviser can either help to facilitate and enhance this – or scupper it altogether.
So what does a financial adviser actually do? Or, more importantly, what is he supposed to do? Let’s go back to the carburetor issue: I (being a woman!) have no idea what a carburetor is. But I know how to drive to Mercadona. When my car won’t start or I see warning lights flashing, I call my qualified mechanic and he sorts it out. He tells me a load of guff about what parts were worn and needed replacing, then hands me back my car fully working and no warning lights flashing, and gives me a bill.
Same thing goes for pensions and investments really. You want your pension or investment to work harder for you and generate the maximum income with the best tax efficiency, so
even the weather or the swimming pool, discuss your financial adviser’s professional liability insurance. Because if he is a devil in disguise and your pension ends up at the bottom of a sparkling swimming pool or a dirty ditch, you need his insurer’s details so you can make a claim to recover your lost pension assets and income. Angela Brooks
FINANCIAL ADVISERS – THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY – AND THE DOWNRIGHT UNHOLY
you don’t call a car mechanic – you call a financial adviser. But what are the qualities or attributes you need to look for in a financial adviser? And how do you know the difference between the good’uns and the bad’uns? And hereby lies the problem: you don’t know the difference until it is too late. And your pension is at the bottom of the pool.
A good, professional, conscientious financial adviser will do the following: he will go to great lengths to understand your personal investment needs and profile. You could be hugely wealthy with an enormous, widely-spread investment portfolio and an insatiable appetite for risk and a bit of a gamble. Or alternatively you could be a cautious, naïve and vulnerable person who doesn’t know the difference between a water-logged carburetor and a suspended, toxic investment. A good financial adviser will match your personal needs to an appropriate investment-profile pension. This means that he will look for three qualities in your pension investment: safe, safe and safe.
So how do we define safe? There are three qualifications: cautious, cautious and cautious. Plus three non-negotiable conditions: regulated, authorized and compliant. But one more condition that really separates the holy from the unholy: insured. When you talk to your financial adviser – before discussing anything,
On the Costa Blanca, just one financial adviser has landed numerous clients with solid UK pensions transferred into worthless junk, suspended by the authorities or in liquidation by the trustees. Many of the schemes he has sold have been declared unlawful and fraudulent. He has been doing this for at least three years and continues to do so today despite multiple complaints. So why would he do such a thing? Why wouldn’t he care about his professional reputation? The answer, of course, is money. He makes more money from selling risky, unauthorized, unregulated financial products than he would by sticking to safe, traditional and compliant ones.
So, how do you spot such a rogue financial adviser who could very easily (and profitably – for him) lose you your pension capital and income? Well, you could try using a crucifix and a bunch of garlic to “ward” him off. Or you could just ask for documented proof of regulation, compliance and insurance. The unholy ones will run a mile, and the good ones will stick around and give you competent, prudent advice and keep you as a loyal client for many years to come. ANGELA BROOKS, FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE BRITISH TAXPAYERS FEDERATION AND RETIRED TAX BARRISTER, CAN BE REACHED ON 674746663 AND 858995645.
Woman to Woman Jávea Jeard
(but men are welcome)
In the November issue of Jávea Jeard I wrote about my trip back to the UK. When we returned home, we only had 12 days before we were jetting off again, this time to Port Elizabeth in South Africa. The reason for our visit was for my husband Clive (as Primate Archbishop of the Anglican Independent Communion Worldwide) to Install two new Bishops. We had a fabulous time but our time away was very eventful. We originally thought we would have to drive to Madrid, stay overnight in a hotel and fly to South Africa the next day but I managed to get flights from Valencia to Paris, then on to Johannesburg and finally on to Port Elizabeth, including stops - over 20 hours of travelling. The flight to Paris was uneventful, and at 11.15pm we flew from Paris heading for Johannesburg on the overnight flight. After an excellent meal we settled down for the night and lights were dimmed. We found it very difficult to sleep and were pleased when we touched down the next morning, eleven hours later. We had to collect our luggage in Johannesburg as it was not possible to book it right through and stood in queues for ages waiting to clear customs. We had travelled on a Jumbo Jet with many hundreds of people on board and as we are nearly always the last passengers off the plane, we are always at the back of the queue. We breathed a sigh of relief as we boarded our last flight, from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth but there was a thunder storm overhead and the plane was grounded until the lightening had passed. When we arrived at Port Elizabeth we found seven representatives from the Church there to meet us in a luxurious white limousine to take us to the Summerstrand hotel. The hotel was excellent, very spacious rooms and the staff were the most friendliest that we’ve ever met in all our travels. They were never too busy to spend time talking and it was encouraged by the management, so we were never afraid of
December 2013, Nº 8
by Ann Read after a 5-year ‘rest’
getting the staff into trouble engaging them in conversation. We were very tired when we arrived at the hotel so the Church folk soon took their leave which left us free to have an early night. We arrived on the Tuesday evening with the Consecration and Installation of the Bishops on the following Sunday morning and Monday evening. We’d travelled five days earlier so we could have a holiday. For the next few days we were free to do as we pleased. Clive spent most of the time in our room catching up with work and preparing and printing the paperwork for the Installation. Yes, you've guessed it, Clive even took his portable printer, which became invaluable during the time we were there. I spent my free time walking, along the beach (the hotel was front line) and calling in at the shops on my way back for milk and bottled water etc. Our room overlooked the garden and swimming pool, but blocking out some of our view was a huge palm tree with dozens of weever birds busy making nests on the palm branches. We spent so much time during our visit just watching them, it was fascinating. (I think Clive intends including a photo on page 6). We saw one of the birds building his nest from scratch. (ladies take note, it's the male birds that build the nests while the females preen themselves and just watch!!!) Unfortunately, strong winds blew some of the nests down, but next morning saw the birds busy starting to build new nests. They were an inspiration to us the way they never gave up even when they saw their nest on the ground, they just "picked themselves up, dusted themselves off and started all over again". Port Elizabeth is known as "The Friendly City" but also "The Windy City", and during our stay at the hotel we saw about eight of the nests blown off the trees by the high winds. With the permission of the hotel manager, Clive brought back two of the abandoned nests back to Spain in our hold luggage. On the Friday afternoon, George Booty the other Archbishop arrived from the UK and my life changed.
Page 17
George was good company and like me, loved walking so for the next few days I had a companion on my walks, which nearly always ended up at the Wimpy bar for refreshments!! There was a meeting arranged by the Church on the Saturday evening to discuss the Consecration that were to take place the next morning. We were taken in the limousine out into the country and while the meeting was taking place, they prepared a barbecue for us with meat that almost melted in the mouth, they could teach the hotel a thing or two about cooking meat. The food in the hotel was excellent for me but not so good for Clive. There were always a good selection of different salads (which I love), soup (which suited Clive) and plenty of meat dishes for the main course but the meat was very often tough (not that I ate much meat, I prefer salads). Clive doesn't like spicy food so he sometimes found it difficult to choose something but he made up for it in the sweet section. The chef made the most gorgeous cream trifles and cakes, and there was always a big bowl of fresh fruit salad with whipped cream if you wanted it. Breakfasts were buffet style and there was always sausages, bacon, mushrooms, beans, scrambled or fried eggs if you wanted a traditional English breakfast. Sunday 17th arrived and we woke to find it was pouring with rain, and unfortunately the BBC weather forecast was correct, with rain continuing off and on all day, torrential at times. Earlier in the week Beauty (the Church treasurer, a lovely lady who became a firm friend during our time in South Africa), had presented me with a traditional South African skirt, apron and head covering and told me to wear it on the Sunday morning as a surprise for Clive. The limousine car picked us up shortly after 10am and we arrived at the Church about half-an-hour later. Clive and George were ushered into the vestry to robe and I went into the Church with Beauty. It was packed with 600 or more people, many smiling and waving to me as I took my seat in the front pew, ready to record the memorable event on my camera. They were already singing and had been for some time and what beautiful singing it was. There was no keyboard or any sign of any music being played, the cantor announced the number of the next hymn, sang the first line and they all joined in, a cappella. As Continued on page 20
Page 18
December 2013, Nº 8
Straight Talking by Lee Hodges, Independent Financial Adviser
Risk and Return
Risk versus reward is a difficult subject. It is difficult because, surprisingly, there is currently no clearly defined definition of ‘risk’ in the financial services industry.
Risk and reward means different things to different people. For example, if you saw a headline rate promising growth of 8% per annum for five years, you would probably be interested enough to know more. If the same headline rate came with a warning that your capital may not be returned after the five year investment period, would you still want to know more? Yes, you probably would, because until you were informed as to how this investment could result in a potential loss of capital, in your mind’s eye you would only see the headline rate, and be busy working out how this amount of extra capital could benefit your lifestyle.
It is human nature to chase numbers, and if those numbers don’t appear to be too outrageous, we are slowly and surely dragged into the net.
So, how do you know if the investment you are entering into is safe and will not lose you money? Sadly, you don’t! Even the strongest of companies ‘on paper’ can have major problems resulting in capital losses. Lehman Brothers is an example, as is Equitable Life. Investors who placed money with these organisations did not for one minute believe that they would lose money, but they did.
One proven way to reduce risk is diversification, which means not placing all your eggs in one basket. Diversification results in greatly reducing what is known as nonsystematic risk. This is the risk that is relevant to a particular company. For example, if you invest in a UK company that makes and sells ice-cream, and the UK summer is poorer than usual, the
share price of that company is likely to fall, due to poorer than average sales of ice-cream. If you also invest in a company that specialises in umbrellas and gloves, then given the poor summer just mentioned, the share price is likely to rise due to the increased demand in rain wear, somewhat counteracting the ice-cream share price. By diversifying, you are greatly reducing and perhaps extinguishing non-systematic risk, but to do this effectively you have to select Funds which operate in different sectors.
Market risk or systematic risk, is also present and cannot be wholly extinguished. Political events, interest rate hikes, currency movements, are all things that effect markets generally, and will be present regardless of diversification.
When selecting a Fund for inclusion in your portfolio, you will need to determine firstly into which area you wish to invest, for example bonds or equities. Assuming equities, you then need to decide on the geographical location (UK, USA, etc.), followed by the type (large cap, small cap, etc.), and then the sector ( pharmaceuticals, banking, building companies).
This process should be carried out whether you are a cautious, balanced or aggressive investor. The only difference will be the percentage of your portfolio which will be linked to certain asset types. For example, as a cautious investor, you may have 40% invested in Bonds, 40% in Equities, 10% in Cash and 10% in Alternative/Property. As an aggressive investor, you may have 80%
Peri Pera
Jávea Jeard
in Equities, and as a Balanced investor, you may have a 50% equity weighting.
There is a general misconception that Bonds always tend to be low risk. This is not true, and if you have Bonds in your portfolio, you need to look at the underlying portfolio, and also the underlying risk ratings. The name of the Bond Fund will also tend to give you some indication of the potential risks involved, and ‘High Yield’ would suggest a high risk Fund. Risk is, unfortunately, inherent in all financial products without any real exception, and it is important that you analyse your portfolio to ensure that the risks are acceptable to you. Risk cannot ever be 100% eliminated, but there are steps you can take to make sure you are aware of the risks involved.
LEE HODGES CERTPFS HAS LIVED AND WORKED IN SPAIN FOR OVER 16 YEARS. HE IS CURRENTLY SITTING THE DIPLOMA IN REGULATED FINANCIAL PLANNING. FOR TRULY PROFESSIONAL FINANCIAL ADVICE, VISIT WWW.LEEHODGES.ES CALL LEE ON 966 463 876, OR EMAIL HIM AT LEE@LEEHODGES.ES INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ADVICE, AND IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. THE AUTHOR TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ACTION TAKEN AS A RESULT OF THIS ARTICLE. E&OE.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW YOU CAN INVEST WITH CONFIDENCE, VISIT MY WEB-SITE WWW.LEEHODGES.ES
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December 2013, Nº 8
Page 19
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Jávea Jeard
December 2013, Nº 8
WOMAN TO WOMAN Continued from page 17
I looked round at the congregation I could see that George, Clive and I were the only white people in the Church. The service was very moving, long processions filed into the Church to the altar and each person sat in their allocated place. During the service there was a lot of singing and often dancing in the isles as the congregation gave God their Praise and Worship. It was wonderful to watch (and join in), as these colourful ladies (most of them dressed in red) sang and danced before God. During the service the two Bishops were Consecrated, and when Clive formally presented them to the congregation, there were big smiles, loud shouts, cheers and claps that equalled a football team scoring a goal. Clive gave a twenty minute sermon of encouragement and it was time to prepare for Holy Communion. Just as preparations began, there was a commotion at the door of the vestry and at the big doors at the back of the Church. Dozens of people entered including the a Sheriff’s Officer with a huge wad of papers in his hand accompanied by riot police in body armour. Apparently, there was a dispute as to who owned the building and the Sheriff’s Officer had a court order to say the premises had to be vacated by 11am that morning and he was there to execute it. There had been a split in the Church. Originally there had been 1,000 people in the local congregation but the Bishop of the neighbouring Diocese took thalf the congregation with him and was claiming that the building belonged to him. As the Sheriff’s Officer and his police officers entered the Church from the vestry at the side of the Church, the ‘Invading Bishop’ appeared at the back with about 100 of his congregation, shouting and waving banners and a riot started between the two sides. There was a lot of shoving and shouting and it got quite ugly when fighting started. At the front of the Church, meanwhile the clergy were trying to negotiate with the Sheriff’s Officer to see if Holy Communion, a very sacred part of the service, could continue before the premises were vacated, but he was having none of it. Clive had to intervene when one of the policemenstarted waving an enormous pair of bolt cutters in the air as a weapon. Clive grabbed the cutters and told him it was not a weapon and shouldn't be used as such. Clive also confiscated a huge lump of wood from
another of the intruders who came and shook his hand and thanked him as he left the Church. The clergy of the Church tried to usher Clive and George into the vestry away from the riot but Clive insisted on staying as he could see that the fight at the back of the Church between the two congregations was getting nasty and dangerous. Clive told the cantor to start singing, and as soon as they heard the first line, the congregation forgot about their fight with the intruders, joined in with their singing and dancing and completely ignored the intruders, who very quickly left the Church, along with the Sheriff’s Officer and most of the police officers but some remained to keep the peace and to make sure the service didn't start again. It was decided the service of Holy Communion be celebrated at another Church so the congregation settled down, under the watchful eye of the police officers, and hot lunch was served to everyone as they sat in their pews. How they managed to feed such a huge crowd I never did find out. When everyone had eaten, the whole Church, including some of the furniture was transferred to the other Church and preparations for Holy Communion took place once again. It was a long day, with the service starting at 11am and when the final benediction was given, it was 5.30pm. The limousine was waiting outside to take us back to our hotel to change for dinner and then on to a plush hotel nearby to join the new Bishops, their families and the Church leaders for a celebratory dinner.
Monday evening was the Installation of the new Bishops at the Church where we had celebrated Holy Communion the previous day. Fortunately there were no demonstrations, just a moving service followed again by Holy Communion. After the service, and before the closing blessing, Beauty presented Archbishop George gifts to take back to the UK as a memento of the occasion. We were also presented with gifts, a souvenir tea towel, Mugs, T-shirt and apron. It was a sad occasion saying goodbye to the
Continued on page 22
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Jávea Jeard Agenda 21 updates
Continued from page 15 Dog pound raided for fighting dogs Jávea's municipal dog pound, run in collaboration with APASA, has been raided three times in recent weeks -and it is thought the raiders are after dogs to use in illegal dogfights. Their recent target seems to be rottweilers, which are often seen as aggressive towards people. This time, no dogs were taken, though they were moved to different cages. A mastiff and an alsatian cross were taken in earlier raids. These dogs, though docile, would have been used as sparring partners for fighting dogs - and most likely killed. The pound is trying to improve its security measures. Cleaning up the Montgó Jávea's Department of the Environment is cleaning gulleys in the public area of the Montgó to enhance drainage and fire prevention. They are also bringing to light old agricultural constructions in the area, such as bancales (terraces) which are an integral part of the traditional landscape.
IBAN numbers and SWIFT codes will be essential for all payments and receipts from February 2014 To make any financial transactions involving bank account numbers, an IBAN number will be necessary from February onwards. This includes payments made to or to be received from accounts within the same country – no longer just from abroad. Anyone who has money regularly paid into their bank accounts in the form of wages, invoices settled by clients, standing orders from an account or savings plan in the UK, or a pension will have to let the sender know their IBAN. The Department of Health and Social Security (DHSS) in Newcastle-uponTyne, UK, is contacting all State pensioners asking them to confirm their full account numbers and IBAN codes.
End of season increase in unemployed October saw an increase of 124 unemployed in Xàbia and a total of 2062, although there were 444 new job contracts. Most of the unemployed (1353) are in the service sector while 418 are in construction. 81 in industry and 32 in agriculture. 178 people have newly signed on as unemployed.
12 new storm-water drain inlets for Avda Fontana Currently the Avda Fontana (Arenal) has only nine grilled drains to take surface water away into the storm-water drainage system. The Arenal is always
flooding, so to improve the situation, the Town Hall works department will be installing a further 21 grated water inlets, 100 x 50cm at a cost of €19,000.
On the job training with Amjasa for ten unemployed would be plumbers Jávea and Amjasa have received €888,253 from the Ministry of finance and European Social Fund to organise a training course for employability in the water sector. There will be places for ten unemployed Jávea people - aged above 25, as well as people over 45 who have family responsibilities. They will work with Amjasa's company crews from Monday-Thursday, as apprentices to Amjasa's 10 plumbers, and receive theoretical training on Fridays. The contracts will last a year and candidates will receive a monthly salary of 940 Euros. The trainees will be involved in Amjasa's extensive projects for renewing the water supply network. The Town Hall also has ideas for a similar training scheme for the Hospitality sector.
Jávea 2014 budget €37 million with a million for infrastructure investment Jávea's Finance Committee approved the town's budget for 2014 for €37 million that includes at least 1 million for investments (maintenance of roads and services etc.), plus another 800,000 conditional on the sale of municipal land. The tax for minor building works will be temporarily abolished, so as to encourage house refurbishments and improvements. Also business and bars which pay the "pavement tax" early can get a 60% discount. The period of payment to providers is being reviewed - at an average of 45 days it still needs to be reduced. Despite the crisis and "catastrazo" the Town Hall has been able to reduce the municipal debt, which stood at €45 million when the present administration took over, and should be down to €26 million at the end of 2014. This trend means that the Townhall coffers are paying less in interest to banks each year.
AMJASA donate pump to volunteer fire-fighting brigade Jávea’s municipal water company AMJASA has delivered a new water pump to the Bomberos Voluntarios de Balcón al Mar, the volunteer fire service that was first on the scene of the fire in La Guardia at the beginning of October. The new pump is more powerful than their previous apparatus and will allow up to eight hoses to be attached to it. It will also serve to help pump out flooded areas, another level of assistance that the volunteers have provided.
ISSUU THANKYOU
December 2013, Nº 8
Page 21
We are proud of our ‘old-time’ distribution method - a printed magazine you hold in your hand and can flip easily from page to page - but have also made it available to people living beyond Jávea, at
www.issuu.com
We don’t pay too much attention to our online readership, but looked at the figures on 5th December: April (issue 1) 3026 reads May (2) 2240 June (3) 1400 July/August (4) 1208 September (5) 111 October (6) 540 November (7) 7039
We do not claim that 7039 people looked at the Online edition, only that 7039 pages were ‘viewed - one at a time’ but - at worst, and if every reader looked at every page, that means 293 online readers of our printed magazine. We cannot explain the figures but THANK YOU for your part in boosting our public profile and readership. CR
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Page 22
December 2013, Nº 8
Woman to Woman Continued from page 20
many friends we had made at the Church and some of them asked for my email address so they could keep in touch. The limousine was again waiting outside the Church to take us back to the hotel for a late dinner. When we woke on the Tuesday morning it was warm and sunny but windy and George and I went for a long walk along the sea front calling at the shops to buy gifts for his children and grandson. After lunch it was time to say "goodbye" as he was flying back to the UK. Next morning (Wednesday 20th) it was our turn to pack as we were due to fly from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg at 1.30pm. Six leaders of the Church, including Beauty came to the hotel and then on to the airport to see us off and to thank us for our visit. They left us after we had checked in and we made our way through security ready for our 1.30 flight. That is when the fun and games really started. We boarded the plane on time but there was a technical problem and we would taxi and see what happens. We waited on the tarmac for about 10 minutes until the pilot said the plane couldn't be seen by the rada and we would have to return to the airport. We waited and waited and waited, and each time we looked on the departure board the flight was being put back another half-an-hour. I started to get anxious because by now it was gone 4pm and we had a connecting flight at Johannesburg for Paris at 8.15pm that we would miss. "You'll have to go out to the departure lounge to the British Airways desk and they will book you new flights” I was told, “Your luggage will have already been taken off the plane and will be waiting for you at their desk." So off we went and joined the others booked on our flight who had missed their connecting flights in Johannesburg. When eventually we got to the front of the queue, the girl wasn't able to help us and said her supervisor would look into the situation if we would take a seat with the dozen or more other passengers also waiting to hear news about their new flights. The time of our delayed plane departure got nearer and nearer and when I looked at the clock and found it was already 7.10 and the flight was due to go at 7.15, I decided we wouldn't be going on that flight. Suddenly the supervisor appeared from the British Airways office and said "Come on, quickly, we are holding the plane up for you. Your luggage has already been put
on." And with that she marched out towards the departure lounge with us trying desperately to keep up with her. At Security, the ‘reader’ wouldn’t allow us to pass as it was too late for our flight. "Let them through, we are holding the plane up for them." It was very embarrassing boarding the plane to the glares of the other passengers who viewed us as fugitives or people being deported and how dare we hold up their departure!! We arrived at Johannesburg, collected our luggage and received a voucher for the Intercontinental Hotel, where we had accommodation booked for us until our flight to Paris the next evening at 8.15. We would be arriving home at the same time but 24 hours later. The voucher specifically stated that drinks at the hotel or the courtesy bar were excluded. The Hotel was very luxurious with spacious bedrooms and we knew we would be enjoying our extra night in South Africa that was costing the airline over 200 €uros a night, plus breakfast. As soon as we arrived in our room, I put the kettle on for a welcome cup of tea but not finding any milk, decided to look in the courtesy bar to see if it had
been put in there. I found one sachet of milk at the front of the fridge so started taking out bottles to find the rest. Then I found I couldn't shut the door properly so spent about two minutes swapping bottles around trying to shut the door. In the meantime Clive was reading the mini-bar price list and told me that each time I took a bottle out, it was electronically added to our bill. I eventually found the milk in a separate drawer along with a good selection of tea bags, coffee and drinking chocolate. Next morning on our way to breakfast we stopped at reception and Clive casually asked "Can you tell us how much we used from the courtesy bar in room 107 overnight?" A quick look on the computer and she confirmed that we had the equivalent of 90 euros from the bar. We assured her we hadn't had anything and I asked if one of the staff could come up to our room to confirm this, which she did. After breakfast I went for a walk round the
Jávea Jeard
airport and Clive stayed in our room catching up on his emails. We stayed in the room until about 6pm until it was time to make our way from the Hotel back to the airport. At the airport we were told that we had to get our boarding passes from the automatic machines before we could weigh in our luggage, which we did. When Clive looked at the boarding passes he told me we had SKY Priority on them but he didn't know what it meant. We looked in dismay at the long line of people waiting to have their luggage weighed and knew we would be there some time. Suddenly Clive spotted an empty desk with the words "Priority" over it, and tongue in cheek, we went to the desk. Both suitcases were almost on their limit, but were OK and as soon as our passports and boarding passes were returned to us a smart young lady came from the back and said "I will take over from here." She took us through a corridor at the back of the desk and escorted us through diplomatic security clearance and then on to the front of passport control, bypassing the hundreds of people waiting in the queues. We were taken to the courtesy lounge where there was free drinks and food, and more importantly, free email access. Well, I guess I’ve ‘bored’ you enough for one issue, so until the New Year, remember - the reason for the season!
LAST MONTH’S CROSSWORD ANSWERS
TOWING CARAVAN FOR SALE @ 4000€ Lunar Ariva GT - 1998
Chosen by drivers for its narrow profile Imported Spain - 2003
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Jávea Jeard
Martyn’s Cryptic Xword
SEND YOUR ANSWERS to Jávea Jeard at Apartado de Correos 227, VERGEL 03770 (Alicante) or Oasis Help Centre, C/. Toni Llido 5, Bajo, JAVEA 03730 A winning entry was again received from Lyn, Well done! If there is more than one correct answer, a winner will be selected ‘out-of-a-hat’.
ACROSS
December 2013, Nº 8
1. Describing Abel in well-known book (3,5,3) 9. Easygoing leader upset about number ten (7) 10. Stitches a tiny piece of material (5) 11. This will get the job done, or money back (4) 12. Early christmas present containing game (4,4) 14. Cattle drive (5) 15. Get together in summer, generally (5) 20. Pastry sales (8) 22. Take the cowardly option when left in charge (4) 24. Live with old flame first (5) 25. Shoes could be for sale (7) 26. Creates extraordinary chap, like James Bond perhaps (6,5)
Down
Page 23
2. Last offer ? (4,3) 3. Transport returning at eleven (4) 4. Really fashionable enterprise (6) 5. Fighting illness (8) 6. Convert in church, we hear (5) 7. Ring judge and get address (5) 8. Supplement for girl, ten (5) 13. Newspaper man writing about beer (8) 16. Girl meets boy on ship (7) 17. Alternative parent losing head (5) 18. one who is keen to laze about (6) 19. Slow, and needs fixing (5) 21. In the workplace, extra money to burn, we hear (5) 23. Joke about northern outfit (4)
The answers to Martyn’s Cryptic Crossword in the November edition are printed on page 18.
Pool Problems?
Page 24
December 2013, Nº 8
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I dialled a number and heard the following recording: “I am not available right now, but thank you for caring enough to call. I am making some changes in my life. Please leave a message after the Beep. If I do not return your call, You are one of the changes.” ( I LOVE THIS ONE! ) My wife and I had words, But I didn't get to use mine. ~~~~~ Frustration is trying to find your glasses without your glasses. ~~~~~ The irony of life is that, by the time you're old enough to know your way around, you're not going anywhere. ~~~~~ God made man before woman so as to give him time to think of an answer for her first question. ~~~~~ I was always taught to respect my elders, But it keeps getting harder to find one. ~~~~~ A woman asks a man who is travelling with six children, “Are all these kids yours?” The man replies, “No, I work in a condom factory and these are customer complaints.” ~~~~~ Nominated as the best short joke this year... A three-year-old boy was examining his testicles while taking a bath. “Mum” he asked, “are these my brains?” “Not yet,” she replied.
SHOOTING PUZZLE
A lawyer, a doctor, and a preacher went hunting together. When a prize buck ran past them, they all fired at the exact same moment and the buck dropped. However, there was only one bullet hole, and they didn't know which of them shot it. So they took it to the registration centre, not knowing who should tag it. The agent said, "Let me look at the deer. Sometimes I can figure it out." He asked a few questions, examined the deer carefully, and declared, "The preacher shot it!" Amazed, they all asked how he knew. Stooping down, he pointed out the wound. "See here. It went in one ear and out the other." Received from Steve Sanderson
Jávea Jeard
Are you ready for More HUMOUR?
DOG'S RULES FOR CHRISTMAS
1. Be especially patient with your humans during this time. They may appear to be more stressed-out than usual and they will appreciate long comforting dog cuddles.
2. They may come home with large bags of things they call gifts. Do not assume that all the gifts are yours. 3. Be tolerant if your humans put decorations on you. They seem to get some special kind of pleasure out of seeing how you look with fake antlers.
4. They may bring a large tree into the house and set it up in a prominent place and cover it with lights and decorations. Bizarre as this may seem to you, it is an important ritual for your humans, so there are some things you need to know: Don't pee on the tree... Don't drink water in the container that holds the tree... Mind your tail when you are near the tree... If there are packages under the tree, even ones that smell interesting or that have your name on them, don't rip them open... And Don't chew on the cord that runs from the funny-looking hole in the wall to the tree.
5. Your humans may occasionally invite lots of strangers to come visit during this season. These parties can be lots of fun, but they also call for some discretion on your part: Not all strangers appreciate kisses and cleans. Don't eat off the buffet table. Beg for goodies subtly. Be pleasant, even if unknowing strangers sit on your spot on the sofa -- they don't know any better. Don't drink out of glasses that are left within your reach unless you can get away with it... 6. Likewise, your humans may take you visiting. Here your manners will also be important: Observe all the rules in Nº 4 for trees that may be in other people's houses. (4a is particularly important). Respect the territory of other animals that may live in the house. Be nice to the kiddies. Turn on your charm big time. 7. A big man with a white beard and a very loud laugh may emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night. DO NOT BITE HIM!!!
DOESN’T EVERYONE KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT SANTA?
Jávea Jeard
December 2013, Nº 8
The man who became Father Christmas
Father Christmas or Santa Claus is the world’s most popular non Biblical saint who has been portrayed by artists more times than any other saint except for Mary.
Prior to installing Nicholas as Bishop of Myra he would have been ordained to the offices as Deacon and Priest and so this would have been undertaken in quick succession although he did not serve in any of these offices.
On the death of his parents and prior to hearing God’s voice, Nicholas started to distribute his wealth amongst those in desperate need, often the poor, the sick and the lame. It is said that he had kept nothing back for himself thus fulfilling the Lord’s words “Let not thy left hand know what the right hand doeth” (Matthew 6.3). Nicholas would distribute his gifts personally and often in secret. There are so many recorded stories and legends about his generosity that there must be some truthfulness in them. One particular story is that a man had three daughters but had no dowry, (a sum of money given by the bride’s father to the parents of the groom), for any of his daughters to marry and so it was likely the daughters would become enslaved in prostitution. Nicholas heard about this and secretly went to the man’s house where he saw the door was open and therefore left a dowry in a stocking for each of his daughters. Nicholas would provide his secret gifts to those in need through open doorways or windows as there were no chimneys in those days.
Although Nicholas was a caring man he was also a hard man and stood up for his Christian faith which in those days was dangerous as this was the time when Christians were being persecuted, imprisoned and often crucified, by means of nailing a person to an upside down cross or execution usually in the form of beheading. It is said that Nicholas was imprisoned for a while by the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Nicholas became known as a defender of the truth of God, and was forever a spirited champion of justice among the people. Two recorded instances say, he saved three men from undeserved sentences of death. Merciful, trustworthy and loving he walked among the people like an angel of God. During his lifetime people considered him a Saint and would ask for his aid when in torment or distress. It is said that he would appear to them in dreams and in reality to those who called upon him for help, he would always respond speedily and without hesitation, whether close at hand or far away. When Nicholas went among the people it is said, his face would shine with light and his presence would bring solace, peace and goodwill. It is said that on 6th December AD343, Nicholas fell asleep after a short illness and so after his life of labour and fruitful toil he enjoys the eternal happiness in heaven, but continues to help the faithful on earth by his miracles and to spread the glory of God. Therefore the 6th December is celebrated as the Feast of St Nicholas whereby gifts were originally exchanged between adults. The tomb of St Nicholas lay in his cathedral church in Myra and here the story continues that Manna, a pure form of water formed inside his tomb, also referred to as holy oil, Myron or Miro. The tomb became a shrine and a place of pilgrimage, where the pilgrims were housed, fed and watered.
Page 25
Myra was a seaport, and when it fell to the Seljuks, Turkish dynasties, who had no compassion for the Christian faith, there were concerns among the Christians that the shrine would be destroyed and so on May 9th, 1087 three merchant ships from Bari, a port in Southern Italy, were returning from Antioch, stopped by at Myra and removed the bones of St Nicholas from his tomb. The bones or relics were taken to Bari and a church was built as a resting place for St Nicholas. The crypt was completed in October 1089 and there the bones were laid to rest by Pope Urban II. Again Manna formed in the tomb and apparently still does to this day. As the centuries passed many people upheld the stories, legends and fables of Saint Nicholas, even the Vikings dedicated a Cathedral to him in Iceland and on 6th December 1492, Christopher Columbus named a Haitian port after him. Continued on page 26
Jávea Jeard can now be sent to your own Jome!
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.
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The Annual Subscription for 2014 is 12€ in Spain, and £20 (UK cheque to C & A Read) to UK.
Send to: Apartado de Correos 227 03770 VERGEL (Alicante) Spain Further details available from: clive@cliveread.com or phone 669 386 702 (daytime)
The Santa Story
Page 26 December 2013, Nº 8
Continued from page 25
As the new world was being colonised by early Europeans they also took with them the stories of Saint Nicholas, who they had called Sinterklass, meaning the good saint. Eventually the name became Americanised and eventually the name evolved into Santa Claus. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint or special protector of more causes than any other saint. They include classes of people, professions, cities, churches and countries, although notably he is best known as the protector of children. Between the 1500s and 1800s the stories of Saint Nicholas transformed him from a goodwill Bishop into the modern day Father Christmas who delivered presents to children on Christmas Eve, although during this period he was depicted as a thin man wearing green, purple or red suits, often with a white beard and moustache and sometimes without. In 1822, Clement Clarke Moore wrote and published a poem “A visit from St Nicholas” or “Twas the night before Christmas”, this provided an image of Saint Nicholas as a warm, friendly, plump man who rode through the sky in a sleigh while being pulled by reindeers, he would land on roof tops where he would enter a house through the chimney with a sack full of toys for the children. This poem fuelled the imagination of Thomas Nast who, in 1823, became the first artist to transform Saint Nicholas into the modern day appearance of Father Christmas and it is also likely that Thomas Nast created the home for Father Christmas in the North Pole. In 1843, Charles Dickens also used Saint Nicholas as a figure in his “A Christmas Carole” where Saint Nicholas becomes the ghost of Christmas Present. In 1931, Coca Cola commissioned illustrator Haddon Sundblom to use the theme of Nast’s Father Christmas paintings as they wanted him holding a bottle of coke. Contrary to the popular belief, it is not true that Coca Cola used their red and white colour brand to dress up Father Christmas as these colours had been used many years before. Sundblom’s work was used in many poster campaigns from the 1930s to almost the present day, with little tweaks here and there but the big make over came in 2001 when Sundblom’s Santa became animated in a Coca Cola advert. So the story ends here?, not really as Saint Nicholas or Father Christmas will be back in our night sky again very soon! from Ian Amer
Jávea Historical Association announces contest for Christmas decorations
Prizes worth 500 €uros will be awarded to residents of the historic centre who adorn their windows, balconies and facades for the Christmas and New Year. The trade association Historical Javea, in collaboration with the Department of Economic Development and several nurseries, has announced the first Christmas decoration competition, not disimilar to an event held in the Summer and it is expected that the streets of the Old Town will brighten up the season as well as the sales. There is no limit on ingenuity with private houses and shop windows all competing to show the Old Town has the WOW factor, providing an activity for merchants, residents and restaurateurs to unite in encouraging people to visit. The Association will award a first prize of a shopping voucher worth 200 €uros, 125 €uros for the runner-up, 75 €uros and two 50 €uro prizes complete the line-up. Participants will receive vouchers worth a 20% discount at several nurseries and 10% at a hardware store to buy everything they need. Use of recycled materials will be encouraged in presenting colourful and original creations. Organisers hoped all properties would be decorated in time for the Friday 6th December night of shopping in the Old Town and the first visit of the jury, who will make a second check early in January to assess maintenance of the decoration. CR
Jávea Jeard
Christmas Reminder
The season of sweets and biscuits; good food and overeating! BUT not for Everybody. Take time to reflect the story of The “Muffin Man” VLanderen Belgium
A Belgian man, out of work, no home, living on the streets, HUNGRY- as we see many times on the streets of Jávea or Benidorm. He reached into a dustbin and retrieved two packets of muffins (crumpets). Before he had time to satisfy his hunger . . . the heavy hand of the Law was on his shoulder: Locked in a cell Taken to Court Sentence - 6 months Jail . . . for taking food from a Dustbin. Fortunately, because of public outcry he appealed the sentence and was brought back to Court for the charge to be dismissed. This lonely man is now a hero in Belgium, campaigning for Hotels, Restaurants and Shops to donate leftover food and groceries to the hungry, needy and out-of-work families of Belgium. Karin
PORT APARTMENT
Quality Apartment in Port, close to sea and all amenities. Cherrywood Kitchen, 3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, Hot/Cold Air Conditioning. Large parking space. All year-round tenancy.
(Retired couple preferred)
696 767 349
and ask for JULIE
Give your car a BOOST 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.
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Jávea Jeard
SUNDAY
MONDAY
March 2014
TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
Stephen may need to walk on water in his new role
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
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2014 CALENDAR
So many people have asked, that we’ve decided to publish a Jávea Views CALENDAR featuring views of Jávea (rural, town, harbour and beach) spiral bound and ready to post. All images by local photographers
ASK TO SEE A SAMPLE
at the OASIS CENTRE C/. Toni Llido 5 (next to the Port branch of La Caixa)
6 €uros each
All profits used for support of the local church in Jávea
We lead where others follow
HUGE RANGE Christmas Card Packs 10, 12, 16, 20, 30, 40 cards, with envelopes for
4€ per pack
Full range of individual Christmas Cards at 1€ each Help Centre C/. Toni Llido 5 behind La Caixa
Your ONE-STOP shop in the Port
Stephen Burke, Communications Officer for Xabia Democratic political group, has been chosen as the next President of Jávea U3A, pending ratification at the U3A AGM at the end of March. Stephen will be joined at the helm of Jávea U3A by Francis McNeil, a long-term Port resident who, with his wife, ran the very successful Bon Apetit English restaurant in the Arenal. According to an announcement by retiring U3A President Peter Allin in the November newsletter, Stephen and his wife, Jo, have organised 3 events in 2013 raising more than 2300€ for Caritas the U3A 2013 nominated Jávea charity. I am told that Stephen attended Sandhurst Royal Military Academy and was commissioned in 1978. After leaving the Army he spent 10 years in various sales and marketing roles, before establishing a recruitment company in Central London. At the same time but away from the recruitment industry Stephen owned and managed a corporate events company and another that traded wine. He was involved in UK politics as a local councillor for two terms and served for some years as chairman of local Conservative Party. He and Jo have always been interested in charity work, especially for Children With Leukaemia (now Children With Cancer UK). Working with CWL Stephen built friendships with a number of sportspeople and celebrities, including and especially the late Jeremy Beadle together with whom he set up a production company called Usual Suspects. In his younger days he was a county class rugby player and still tries to keep fit. Stephen and Jo have a daughter who lives in London. They moved to Jávea in 2008. Stephen is likely to continue as U3A Events Organiser. The charity to benefit in 2014 will be Emaus.
December 2013, Nº 8
Page 27
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Antonio Marín 96 646 1954 DEC 2,15,28 Avda. Augusta 30 (Rear of Mercadona Pla) Consuelo Espinós 96 579 1801 Plaza de la Iglesa 11 (Town) 3,16,29 Belchi-Cholbi 96 579 1099 4,17,30 Ronda Colón 4 (Town) Amparo Marsal 96 579 1955 Avda. Juan Carlos I, 33 5,18,31 Isabel Garcés 96 579 1520 6,19 C/. Sevilla 1, (Port) Paz Uriol 96 579 3839 Avenida de la Libertad (Arenal-Playa) 7,20 Juanna Ripoll 97 577 0900 8,21 Ctra La Nao (Cala Blanca) Salome Martinez 96 646 2545 Avenida Lepanto 12 (Port) 9,22 Rosa M aria Pérez 96 646 3531 Ctra. Cabo La Nao Pla, 126 (Arenal) 10,23 Antonio Almodóvar 96 646 3994 Plaza Joanot Martorell 5, Av. Amanecer (Town) 11,24 Lydia Gil 96 646 3142 Avda, Fontana 21 (Club de Tenis) 12,25 Ana Lillo 96 646 3947 Avda. de Palmela 16 (Southern By’Pass) 13,26 Vicente Salort 96 647 1133 Ctra la Nao Pla 165 (Barclays Roundabout 14,27 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.
And Finally
The end of another year approaches. A yearthat saw the opening of the new Oasis Port Help Centre in February, and the launch of Jávea Jeard in April. The range of services we offer in our ‘one-stop-shop’ appears to have been right because we are rrely asked for something we don’t have. It’s a year of THANKSGIVING for the goodness of God and the support of people of all nationalities, who have encouraged us - 7 days a week. On behalf of our advertisers and contributors, Ann, Clive and Peter wish you a warm, cosy and blessed Christmas and look forward to writing for you again in Twenty Fourteen. Don’t forget we have Christmas Tree at the Help Centre for your presents to needy family children. Our Carol Service will be on 22nd December as part of our 11am morning service.
Av. Jaime 1, Jávea Port
Julie and Diego welcome you to
BAR PICOTEO
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)
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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
By law, all workmen should be legal. Clients can be fined if illegal workers are used.
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