Euro Weekly News - Costa de Almeria 19 - 25 February 2015 Issue 1546 by Euro Weekly News Media S.A.

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Alzheimer’s art INMACULADA Hospital in Huercal Overa is hosting a sample of wall-art donated by various artists to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease, until March 30.

Blossom trail THE Rutas Almendro en Flor in Lubrin continues with weekend walks until March 15. More information is available at almeria informacion.com.

Sitting pretty ONE THOUSAND seats have been installed in Garrucha’s sports hall, bringing it another step closer to completion. The hall has already cost €4 million.

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Almeria must not be ‘the poor relation’

A PLEA has gone out for more investment to stop Almeria becoming the poor relation in Andalucia. Unless the province receives significant investment for infrastructure and communications, it will continue to lag behind neighbouring provinces in Andalucia. That is the message from the Confederation of Employers of Almeria (Asempal) following the publication of figures which show that 2014 has been one of the worst years in Almeria in terms of bidding for tenders for public works, which are seen as a driving force for the local economy. In 2014, total tender works in Almeria added up to €127.6

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ISSUE NO. 1546

million, a drop of 2.2 per cent on the previous year and making Almeria the only province in Andalucia to register a fall. And while other provinces – including Granada and Sevilla – saw their spending limits increased, Almeria’s had been cut.

who added: “It needs to be corrected immediately.” Among the works that Garcia highlighted as needing investment were the promised high-speed railway line between Almeria and Murcia, the Almanzora motorway, and an improved communications infrastructure, all of which are vital to connecting Almeria with the rest of Spain and helping to boost Almeria. Switzerland took market competitiveness. 7.9 per cent while the UK The figures released by bought 5.8 per cent. the Observatorio de la Other notable conConstruccion de Seopan sumers were France, show that in 2014, 86.9 Poland, Andorra, per cent more tenders Germany, China, Japan, were rejected than in South Korea and Peru. 2013, at a value of €62 million.

President of Asempal, Jose Cano Garcia, said that as well as Almeria suffering the most in terms of monies allocated, it is also one of the provinces most in need of infrastructure improvements. “The situation has been dragging over time,” said Garcia,

Americans in love with Almeria olive oil THE United States accounted for more than 43 per cent of the total value of exports of olive oil during 2014. Almeria’s 307 olive mills sold a total of 1.9 million kilos of olive oil to foreign

markets in 2014, an increase of 15.7 per cent on 2013 figures. These exports earned Almeria €5 million, 7.1 per cent more than in 2013. The US accounted for €2.2 million, representing

43.6 per cent of all olive oil exported from the province. After the US, Italy was the largest customer, purchasing €1.4 million, representing 27.8 per cent of total exports from

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INDEX News 1 - 34 Finance 35 - 40 Letters 41 Daily TV 48 Leapy Lee 50 Time Out 54 - 55 Health & Beauty 60 - 62 Food 67 - 71 Albox 72 - 77 Property 78 - 79 Homes & Gardens 80 Classifieds 81 - 83 Motoring 84 - 86 Sport 87 - 88

LATEST ACTION: Displaying vinyl stickers in their police cars.

National Police fight gender violence

THE latest actions in the National Police’s continuing fight against gender violence are the release of a YouTube video and the display of vinyl stickers in police cars. The YouTube video is short yet to the point and encourages women to step forward and ask for help. It is located at the case sensitive URL http://youtu.be/H1JYslAUhWw. The vinyl posters now on display in National Police cars state in Spanish: ‘Say no to gender violence’ and encourage victims, as well as those aware, to report the crimes.

Director General Ignacio Cosido also recently introduced new measures aimed at strengthening the structure of the police force to aid the fight against gender violence. Among other actions, family care centres are being created in National Police stations, 63 in total across Spain. Also, new special care units will be set up to enable comprehensive, continuous and specialist support for victims and their families that ask for police assistance.

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Herat, Afghanistan, the delegation was greeted by Italian general Maurizio Scardino, chief of Regional Assistance Command and Training. Spain commanded this department until 2005 with Italy taking over since then. Also in the welcoming committee was the head of the Spanish contingent in Herat, Colonel Carlos Diez.

Vicar women VICAR’S centre for women has confirmed a range of activities that begin on International Women’s day on March 8. Events including presentations, dining and visits will run until April 12. Agricultural visits STUDENTS from the University of Almeria have spent some time in the Almanzora valley visiting goat farms. The visits were to learn more about the management of the farms. Lucky seven SEVEN entrepreneurs in Almeria are benefiting from a cash injection intended to launch new businesses. The business include Whatsabi Sushi Tapas, El Patio de Vecinas and Kebap Mag. Fire fire ALMOST 30 per cent of 1,087 call-outs for the fire service in Almeria City were for bins and containers. In total, the fire station in Almeria City dealt with 162 fires in bins, 91 in homes and 75 in cars.

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During the visit, the delegation participated in a ceremony to honour the fallen before visiting the living quarters and work areas of Spanish staff. They also learned about the work carried out by different units including Tactical Force Protection and the military hospital. The mission is dedicated to training and advising Afghan police and military forces.

Flamenco: an authentic taste of the real Spain PROUD AND FLAMBOYANT: Spain’s famous dance form.

SIDE from bullfighting, Don Quixote, paella, sun, sand and sangria, nothing screams ‘Spain’ more than flamenco. The frilly dresses, the plaintive cries of the songs, the flowers in the hair, the intense finger strumming of the guitar and the staccato of clapping hands are so synonymous with Spain that flamenco has been featured in tourism campaigns for the country down through the ages. Originating in Andalucian gypsy culture, flamenco has become a worldwide, symbol representing all things Spanish. Visit any tourist shop in Spain and there will be row upon row of flamencothemed statuettes, dolls, pictures, fans, key-rings, ashtrays and dresses, as the tourism industry learned long ago that flamenco is one of the main draws

Quote of the Week It’s not the worst injury I’ve seen, but it’s the biggest goring wound I’ve ever had to operate on,’ said Dr Enrique Crespo who was called to operate on an American man who was viciously gored by a bull at the Carnaval del Toro festival in western Salamanca.

Albox heliport ALBOX has a new heliport to help 061 helicopters get easier access to the town. It is on 268 square metres of land northwest of Albox and is the ninth in the province.

MAYOR of Almeria, Luis Rogelio Rodriguez-Comendador, along with members of the Spanish national government, visited Spanish troops in Aghanistan. The delegation, consisting of 25 senators and deputies, also spent three days in China, headed by the Chief of Defence, General Admiral Fernando Garica Sanchez. On arrival at the support base in

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Sierro carnival THIS weekend brings Sierro carnival into play. Activities are planned for Saturday February 21 and Sunday 22. Highlights include a 7pm parade on Saturday and the sardine burning at 5.50pm on Sunday.

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Afghan tour for Almeria mayor

Photo: Francesco/flickr

Orange day GADOR has praised the Dia de la Naranja which brought more than 6,000 residents and visitors together for an orange based feast. Plans are already under way to organise a repeat for 2016.

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for foreign visitors. One of the country’s biggest flamenco festivals kicks off tomorrow (February 20) in Jerez, one of the birthplaces of the flamboyant and proud form of dance. The Festival de Jerez attracts the most famous flamenco artists in Spain, and performers and students from all over the world descend on Jerez to take part in specialised workshops and classes taught by only the best instructors. But for the casual observer, fan, or visiting tourist looking for some authentic Spanish flamenco, the outstanding list of shows over the two-week festival makes the Jerez event a must-visit if you’re looking for that genuine flavour of Spain. The Festival de Jerez runs from February 20 to March 7. For more information visit www.festivaldejerez.es.

Number of the week

12.8

million is the number of people in Spain at risk of poverty and social exclusion, and the number finding themselves in the situation is still rising, according to the European Anti-Poverty Network.

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Green areas

GREEN areas around Huercal de Almeria are getting a facelift. Rosemary, carob and wild olives will be planted. A study is also being carried out on threatened flora for conservation.

Golden orange FRANCISCO RUIZ LOPEZ has been awarded the Naranja de Oro (Golden orange) by Gador Council for his work over the years in promoting orange farming in the area.

Chacon triumphs FRANCISCO CHACON EGEA from Mojacar Bike has triumphed at the 40 kilometre MTB race in Turre. He was declared winner after a photo finish with Daniel Estevez Fernandez from Filabres.

Plastic cover ALMERIA Province has 29,596 hectares of agricultural land under plastic cover, 10.5 per cent more than 2010. El Ejido accounts for 41 per cent of the total with 12,286 hectares.

Cantoria works GABRIEL AMAT from the Junta has signed a construction contract valued at €151,366 with contractor Oller SL on behalf of Cantoria. Work is for the refurbishment of the Casa de Cultura.

Fines lights ALMERIA Province has provided €50,000 to finance the replacement of 725 street lights in Fines. The new lighting is expected to save the town approximately 60 per cent from its annual electricity bills.

And finally... A WILD boar caused havoc at Madrid’s Barajas airport when it broke through a perimeter fence and caused runways to shut. The beast set off security alarms around 100 metres from the nearest stretch of runway, and an incoming flight from London was delayed by 20 minutes, and another from A Coruña by 10 minutes.

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Road repairs for Oria ORIA roads are to get some attention thanks to €101,900 from Almeria Provincial Council. The contract has been signed with Incoal SL. The roads due for repair are those damaged by torrential rain in September 2012, particularly the road from Oria to Rambla Quiles, which will be stripped back, resurfaced where necessary with irrigation and drainage implemented.

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The oranges have it! HUERCAL OVERA Council has hailed Las Naranjas (The Oranges) as the overall carnival winners for 2015 with their bright and flamboyant costumes. Other winners included Bingo Eclipse (second place), Los Dragones de Hielo del Perez (third place), Las Mil y Una Noches and La Tribu Estelar. The effort put into the costumes this year was apparent, and all the participants and everyone else seemed to enjoy the festivities. The decision was made by a jury of five people, independent of Huercal Overa, who came together to judge the costumes for originality, elaboration and staging. Councillor for Culture, Antonio Lazaro, thanked everyone for their

FRUITY SPECTACLE: Carnival winners Las Naranjas (The Oranges). participation and highlighted the great atmosphere. He added: “This year has surpassed others in both originality and participation.”

After the parade, residents and visitors headed to the town square where the party and live music continued into the early hours.

Our View

Headache-inducing motoring problems

‘E

XASPERATING’ would be a fitting word to describe the recent spate of problems, confusion and rule changes regarding driving in Spain, particularly for expats. It would appear that the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing when it comes to the Spanish system for implementing new road and driving regulations, and it is becoming increasingly frustrating to be a motorist simply wanting to get around. The issue of UK driving licenceholders needing to change to a Spanish licence is one that is interpreted differently in different parts of the country and national departments often contradict each other. People are now incorrectly receiving fines for €200 for an out-of-date ITV inspection because systems are not being updated immediately.

Speeding fines are due to go EUwide in the near future, and that is bound to throw up another plethora of headaches, questions and confusion. Put simply, nobody really knows where they stand. There needs to be nationwide agreement on motoring issues and better systems put in place so people are aware of what they can and can’t do on Spanish roads. We all love this country – it’s our home – but some of the inefficient systems in place can be at times testing. On a lighter note, we loved the story about the Malaga shoeshine man who, having registered the @riodejaneiro Twitter handle years ago, handed it over for free to Rio City Hall to help them promote next year’s Olympic Games. We think the Brazilian authorities should invite Javier Castano – who earns €30 a day shining shoes – for an all-expenses-paid trip to Rio.

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More fashion please CANDIDATE for Almeria in the Andalucian party, Ricardo Garcia, has asked for more promotion of fashion freelancers and manufacturers in the province. Garcia stressed the importance of boosting the textile trade by local enterprise and creating a strong communication network to raise awareness of fashion and textile production outside the province. He said: “It should be promoted more and more effectively, both with designer materials and materials from our land. These are of extraordinary quality and could be placed at the top of the market.” He added: “Besides being a source of employment and promotion for young designers, it boosts the local economy.”

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47 low cost apartments for families in difficulty LA CAIXA is offering 47 apartments at low cost for social renting in Vera as part of the programme Alquiler Solidario. The apartments will be made available to families with financial difficulties. The rent of each apartment will be between €170 and €300 per month and includes IBI and any community charges. La Caixa will be subsidising half the

rent, so the families will pay between €65 and €150 per month. There are a number of requirements, including being of Spanish nationality or long term resident, the household must have less than 2.5 times the minimum wage which currently would be €18,600 per year. As a minimum, income must not be less than €5,000 per year because the rent

still has to be paid and that figure will not represent more than 30 per cent of the family unit’s income. The homes will be awarded direct on a five year lease. Those interested in applying can do so online at http://obrasociallacaixa.com/es/viviendaasequible/alquiler-solidario where further information is also available in Spanish. The housing programme was launched in 2012 to facilitate access to a home for those The perpetrator had a hardest hit by the current .38 in his pants with a financial crisis. Four modified barrel. thousand families have Judge Manuel Jose Rey already benefited from also ordered the man to the initiative and the pay a fine of €120 and organisation said that denied the suspension of 2,000 of those were in the sentence due to his 2014. previous multiple Currently the La Caixa convictions of crimes, group has more than some of which were 13,000 social housing serious. units across Spain.

Gun hidden in pants THE Almeria criminal court has sentenced a 53year-old man to two years in prison for illegal possession of a firearm and an offence against public order. The man was caught at San Agustin fair in September 2012 after a spot check at the El Ejido event. Officers asked the

man several times to raise his arms so they could carry out a search. He was also described as having a disregard for authority. When the man reached for the area around his genitals, the officers restrained him and found a gun concealed in his underwear.

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A lucky escape THE emergency services stopped traffic on the road between Almeria City and Aguadulce when a car careered off the road. The driver escaped without injury and normal traffic flow resumed soon afterwards.

Jail for drug dealers FOUR women and two men have been sentenced to prison for drug dealing in the Comarca del Almanzora. The six were arrested in 2011 after spot checks uncovered cocaine and marijuana.

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Improvements under way on Mojacar’s Rio Agua bridge WORK has started to widen the bridge over the Rio Aguas, which connects Marina de la Torre and the Rumina roundabout close to Calle La Mata. The contract for the works has been agreed at a little more than €79,000, which is well under the original budget of €83,000. The aim of the bridge project is to improve safety and to upgrade the current pedestrian connection between Marina de la Torre and the local businesses. The work is expected to be completed in 10 weeks and involves the

BRIDGE PROJECT: To improve safety. widening of the existing pavement to a safer width of between two

and four metres, the installation of new street lighting, new railings and the construction of steps to provide easier access to the Mojacar

football ground. The area will then be further enhanced aesthetically with the installation of new benches and a garden area. The mayor of Mojacar, Rosa Maria Cano Montoya, commented: “These works are in response to requests from our residents and the local hotels to enable easy access for people staying or working at the Marina de la Torre hotels. They are also to encourage walkers to pass through areas like El Palmeral with its bars, restaurants and businesses, or to venture along to the commercial park.”

Exports buzz ANIMAL breeders are making a beeline to success with exports up 36 per cent since 2013 Unusually, leading the way are sales of bees and other insects used for biological control. New areas to take the insects are Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Belarus, Tunisia and Turkey. The exports are carried out in conjunction with animal health services with controls exercised by the Unit of Agriculture

and Fisheries. In general, countries taking the highest number of exports were Morocco, Algeria, Canada and South Korea. The creatures most exported were 385,249,000 bees in 73,004 beehives plus 500,000 dorada (sea bream) fry, followed by 1,131 calves. A notable increase has been in exports of fresh fish and meat products to new markets including Algeria, Israel, Syria and Venezuela.

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Thieves of steel OFFICERS from the Guardia Civil have arrested three men from Viator on suspicion of the theft of two steel beams from an unfenced unit in upper Andarax. FJGS, aged 26, REG, 31, and DGR, 30, are suspected of stealing the two beams valued at €400 each. The men were arrested after their vehicle was identified.

Resurfacing rural roads in Mojacar WORK has now begun to repair several roads near Mojacar which were damaged by recent storms. The project has been drawn up by the Department of Public Works, Agriculture and the Environment of the province of Almeria. The remedial work on the Camino Eras del Lugar and the Camino de Micar will take approximately three months to come to fruition. The cost of just €36,670 is a large saving on the original budget of €52,800. The work, which is to be carried out by Mojacar Council workers, will include tidying up and strongly reinforcing the Camino Era del Lugar and resurfacing the Camino de Micar. No changes in the width of the road or the street layout are envisaged although a number of extra drainage ditches will be dug out where space permits.

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Berja food gets sexy BERJA is celebrating its third Ruta de Tapa but this time the route carries an erotic theme in which it marries food with sensuality. Thirteen establishments are

taking part in the culinary event, wooing customers from the first erotic bite. The visual presentation of the food is of particular importance as the chefs endeavour

to titillate the eyes as well as stimulate the palate. Among the dishes offered, visitors can enjoy snacks that translate into English as the excited, the lovers’ kiss, some like it hot, Cupid’s eggs, aphrodisiac skewer, Romeo and Juliet and sweet passion, simple pleasure. The participating venues are La Brasa, Los Mallorquines, El Burladero, Las Tinajas, Meson Andalucia, Churreria Plaza Porticada, Bar Casino, Cafe Bar Entrecafes, Apeadero del Kema, La Verea, La Oveja Negra, La Tejilla and El Gusto es Nuestro. The Ruta de Tapa Erotica runs until February 22 and offers various prizes to establishments that are most highly rated by plants were torn out. visiting voters. Voting year-old MO, a resident of closes on February 23 Nijar, and arrest him on and the results will be suspicion of criminal drawn in the town hall on February 25. damage.

Man left evidence at scene of tomato wrecking spree A MAN accused of vandalising 500 tomato plants was tracked down after his mobile phone and wallet were left at the scene. Guardia Civil officers began an investigation after reports of vandalism in El Molino, Nijar. The perpetrator had cut through a perimeter and torn tomato plants from their wires although the fruit was not removed. The officers examined the property and discovered a wallet and mobile phone which did not belong to the owner.

VANDALISED: The tomato The wallet contained identification which enabled the officers to track down the suspected vandal, 33-

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Junta aid helps families do up their homes FORTY-NINE families in five municipalities in Almeria Province are able to refurbish their homes after receiving a share of €357,000 in aid from the Junta de Andalucia regional government. The rehabilitation programme aims to help

people with limited resources to refurbish their homes by supplementing 50 per cent of the cost of the works as well as 100 per cent of the drafting and construction management costs. Albanchez saw five

ALBANCHEZ: One of the municipalities where households receive aid for refurbishing their homes. families begin work on their homes with grants totalling €37,000. Bacares has eight households which gained

€51,750 to refurbish their homes. In Lucar nine have benefited with

€58,600. In Purchena 19 families received a total of €162,100. Finally, in Urracal eight homes had grants of €48,000. The grants cover structural repairs for safety as well as modernisation of water supply, sanitation and electricity. There is also funding for the internal reorganisation of space for improved functionality and to increase the room

size as well as improving ventilation and natural light. The families benefiting from the aid all have incomes 2.5 times below the minimum wage, equivalent to €1,331 per month. These households with very low levels of income would normally be unable to carry out any substantial reformation work without the assistance of the Junta de Andalucia.

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Oria youth centre under investigation AN INVESTIGATION into allegations of abuse at the young offenders’ centre in Oria continues with a former employee coming forward to comment. Ferran Martinez said that incidents including the tying of inmates to beds happened often. Referring directly to a leaked video, Martinez said: “I understand that detentions occur, but as for the testimonies I have read that claim the practices seen in the video are made only in rare situations – they are lying.” He continued: “You have to look very carefully at these measures, which are violent and, instead of

causing a positive effect on the child and their integration, can cause quite the opposite.” According to Martinez the measures were applied in many situations that were not justified, a fact that he described as ‘alarming’. Law 5/2000 of Criminal Responsibility of Minors allows for such means only to prevent acts of violence or injuries to themselves or others, to prevent escape, to avoid damage to school facilities or for resisting the instructions of staff. “I understand there are rare cases where the child requires immobilisation, but abusing this measure

was not right,” added Martinez. Martinez left the centre after eight months and said this was because he was unhappy with the practices. He said other staff members felt the same way. However, he did want to speak favourably about the centre and said it had carried out an interesting job in encouraging the integration of young people into the workplace. The investigation remains open for the time being and is following a complaint by the centre’s owner, Manuel Madrid, who wishes to see the perpetrators exposed.

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Dog thefts ALMERIA Council has increased security at the city pound after several dogs were stolen over recent weeks. The Health Department said such animal thefts were unusual but targeted.

Family reburbs FIFTY families in five Almeria municipalities are able to refurbish their homes after receiving €357,000 in aid.

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Agricultural thieves caught with haul of vegetables TWO men have been arrested by the Guardia Civil on suspicion of theft from agricultural facilities in El Ejido. AJSE and JMSE, both aged 22 and residents of El Ejido, were arrested on three counts of theft and one of attempted theft. The investigation began when two carts, 20 plastic boxes and a crop of peppers were

reported stolen by a farmer in the hamlet of Aguilas Bajas. During the investigation, the officers were alerted to a robbery in progress when several workers surprised two people removing goods from a warehouse. The officers attended the scene where they found the suspects. They also discovered cucumbers, aubergines

and peppers previous thefts. Armed with

from this

information the officers were able to tie the two men to four robberies.

The two, along with case details, have been referred to the court.

Sponsored walk for MACS AMIGOS DE LUBRIN are holding their first charity event on March 1, a 12.5 kilometre walk in the countryside surrounding Lubrin. The money collected will go to MACS cancer charity. Registration costs €5 and is available in advance using the contact details below or on the day from 9am at Bar La Tasca at the bottom of Lubrin village. Some may complete the entire walk while others may choose to do part of it. There will be watering stops along the

LUBRIN: Picturesque location for the charity walk. route and it will finish in the picnic area at the top of Lubrin close to the pool and football ground. Local businessman Juan has agreed to provide a tapa of migas at

1pm. A donation of €1.50 for the dish will go to further boost the charity donations on the day. Register beforehand at mikemoran6767@hotmail .com

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Gay couple accused of exhibitionism A JUDGE in Almeria has accused Luis Guillermo and Ricardo de Frutos, a homosexual couple who reported an alleged assault on Torregarcia beach in June 2014, of exhibitionism and released a man without charge. In June 2014, Luis and Ricardo were strolling naked towards the water at Torregarcia beach in Cabo de Gata when a man shouted: “Not another step, faggots!” According to witnesses, the verbal dispute escalated to blows, with Luis requiring stitches for a head wound, while Ricardo was kicked in the side repeatedly, losing consciousness. Police were called and

the man and his son were arrested. The injury report, police statement and testimony of several witnesses were delivered to court. In October 2014, Ricardo raised a complaint against the judicial system because his section had been shelved without him being able to testify. Ricardo commented: “We have to be careful because the attitude of both the judiciary system and the police in these cases is not friendly.” This month, a questionnaire was sent to Almeria Council by the investigating judge, Maria del Mar Cruz, in which it was queried whether the beach

permitted nudist use. This has resulted in the case against the alleged attacker being thrown out by the court and the two men being accused of indecent exposure. Ricardo and Luis say they feel stigmatised by the decision and stated: “Laws since 1978 allow any citizen to exercise his right to freedom and go to any beach naked, unless an ordinance expressly forbids it.” TrustLaw Almeria has taken the case with lawyers Salvador Benitez and Manuel Ocaña appealing the decision. The lawyers described the attack as: “Obviously homophobic and displaying obvious sexual orientation discrimination.”

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FINANCE

Interest Rates To Remain Low In 2015 There was much discussion last year as to when, rather than if, the UK interest rate would rise in 2015. After six years of just 0.5%, even a small increase would be welcomed by savers. However hopes of a Bank of England (BoE) rate rise appear to have been quashed before we were even one month into the year. Many analysts now expect the first increase to come in 2016, possibly after the first quarter, with a few suggesting 2017. Minutes of the BoE’s first Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of the year revealed that the vote to keep rates on hold had been unanimous. The two members who had been calling for a rise since August reversed their decision - a significant change in the path interest rates were expected to take this year. MPC members are concerned about low inflation after UK inflation fell to 0.5% in December, its lowest rate for 14 years. Lower oil prices coupled with a supermarket price war

The MPC will probably only consider raising rates once all the downside risks to the medium-term inflation outlook have passed. The Eurozone also continues to pose a risk.

By Bill Blevins, Financial Correspondent, Blevins Franks could keep inflation below 1% for some time. They believe there is a “roughly even chance” that inflation could fall into negative territory. Although the sharp drop in price pressures is expected to be temporary, a rate rise would increase the risk of low inflation becoming entrenched. Lower oil prices could help the economy by boosting real incomes and lowering production costs, but deflation could damage the economy if it continues for a long period.

European Central Bank quantitative easing The European Central Bank (ECB) interest rate has been held at 0.05% since September 2014. Inflation was -0.2% in December. In January, ECB President Mario Draghi unveiled plans for a massive quantitative easing programme to boost the economy and ward off deflation. Under quantitative easing, a central bank pumps money into the economy by buying assets, usually bonds, with money printed (or created electronically these days) for the purpose. From March, the ECB will buy €60 billion of private and public bonds each month. This is

intended to continue until September 2016, making a total of €1.1 trillion. This move has been described in the press as the ECB’s “big bazooka”. It is hoped it will inspire confidence in the markets and prove effective in kick starting the economy, as happened with the UK and US quantitative easing programmes. Tempted by higher rates? With interest rates remaining low, cash deposits offering higher rates could be tempting. However, you need to consider the ‘risk free rate of return’ - the theoretical rate of return of an investment with zero risk. To measure the rate, investment managers often use the return available on government fixed interest investments maturing within three months. This is currently 0.05% for the Euro, 0.5% for Sterling and 0.25% for the US Dollar. So if you see offers of risk free

returns which are much higher than the international monetary bank base rate, you have to wonder how they provide such returns. We would urge caution; in our experience, if something seems too good to be true, it often turns out to be the case. Cash based deposits quoting returns in excess of the central bank rates must bear some risk, and the higher the return, the higher the risk. As always, when considering your savings and investment options, you need to choose assets based around your personal circumstances, objectives, risk profile and time horizon. And remember, diversification helps lower risk, so make sure you have a suitable mix of assets. Seek professional advice. To keep in touch with the latest developments in the offshore world, check out the latest news on our website www.blevinsfranks.com.

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Hepatitis C patient feels like a new man ISIDORO ESCAMILLA was tired of feeling like he always had the flu, an effect of suffering from Hepatitis C that was diagnosed in 2007. A drug called Sovaldi

was hailed as something that would completely change things for him and has been prescribed in Spain for 18 months. Unfortunately, until January 2015 it was not

Door thief case closed GUARDIA CIVIL officers have arrested a Nijar man on suspicion of theft of metal doors and tools. The man was arrested for items valued at an approximate €3,000. His vehicle, an Opel Corsa was seen in the vicinity of the crime scene which enabled the officers to narrow their search while also visiting junkyards in Almeria to see if any goods had been sold. They found three of the metal doors had indeed been sold at a junkyard by a man in an identical Opel Corsa. The officers were able to identify the man and arrested him. The details have been referred to court.

available to patients in Andalucia. Escamilla fought to get the drug to Andalucia, and even Tweeted Susana Diaz, president of the Junta de Andalucia regional government. Now that the drug has been released, Escamilla’s doctor in Torrecardenas Hospital was able to prescribe the drug, which costs a prohibitive €50,000 on January 7. On February 3 Escamilla was thrilled to get the call that he could come and collect his prescription. Since beginning Sovaldi, Escamilla is improving steadily. He said: “I feel like a new man.” He urges doctors to prescribe to more patients, particularly those at stage four, on the cusp of liver cirrhosis.

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More jobs THE Emple@joven and Emple@30+ initiatives have created more jobs in Velez-Blanco, in conservation and maintenance of public spaces and enhancement of cultural heritage.

Oil trust OLIVE oil Project Oleoalmonazora has received the support of the Junta de Andalucia as a tool for generating added value for the region.

Monthly bloom THE botanical gardens in Sierra del Maria Los Velez have named their flower of the month as Azuzon, a small yellow flower that can easily outgrow other plants.

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On a musical journey THOSE who attended an open rehearsal for new singing group The Incognito Singers have begun an exciting journey.

The first rehearsal proved there were quite a few singers and potential singers from the Almanzora region who want to

be part of a quality choir. The fledgling choir was in the hands of musical director David. His musical experience and avid

enthusiasm for music was ever present, but the tuition and musical direction was presented in a very easy-to-learn format, including a lot of fun and laughter. At the end of the evening, held on February 11, all attendees were enthusiastic, positive and eager to be part of the new project. The group’s aim is to be a quality choir of dedicated and committed singers who will strive, as an amateur group, to be as professional as possible while always having fun. To join the group contact David on 629 977 822 or email david_j_murphy@ MAIN PORT AVENUE: Tunnel will provide access for heavy traffic. mac.com. Alternatively just turn up. Rehearsals with the movement of 4.3 includes two round- transfer to the reare on Wednesdays at million tonnes of goods in abouts, one near the development of the 6pm at the Hostal Gran 251 boats, mainly current overpass and one promenade, which will be Rosaleda on the road materials from nearby near the promenade. separated from the road between Albox and quarries for export. The Once the tunnel is by side rails and a Arboleas opposite the design of the new access complete, activity will landscaped median. Belgian Beer Bar.

Port works to finish in summer WORK at Garrucha Port is expected to be completed by the summer. According to Joaquin Jiminez, Development and Housing representative from the Junta de Andalucia regional government, the port works are currently at about 60 per cent finished. The work, which has a budget of €7.4 million, was restarted in October 2014 and is currently focusing on the tunnel on the main port avenue which will provide access for heavy traffic. During 2014, traffic increased by 7.7 per cent

E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

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Cornea implant doctor honoured HUERCAL OVERA Town Hall has awarded the title of ‘Distinguished Visitor’ to Doctor Antonio Campos Muños. He was the first person in the world to build an artificial cornea and implant it into patients with corneal blindness. He was presented at the town hall. Mayor of Huercal Overa, Domingo Fernandez, said: “The town council bestows this title and we hope that we can count on several more visits from the doctor so we can join him in his major achievements and progress in the field of medicine and technology.” Doctor Campos Muñoz is a professor of historiology at the faculty of medicine at the University of Granada, president of the Royal Academy of Medicine and Surgery of Granada and Eastern Andalucia and director of the Research Group of Tissue Engineering. He is also an academic of the Royal Academy of Medicine, occupying the role of the Ramon y Cajal Nobel Prize.

DISTINGUISHED: Doctor Campos Muñoz. He was the first to build a complete artificial cornea in his laboratory and first to implant a cornea. He was also the first in the world to generate artificial human

skin and oral mucus from stem cells for treatment of patients with severe burns or tumours. He has received several awards worldwide for his scientific work.

Police warn of online dangers GUARDIA CIVIL have arrested two people for accessing people’s Facebook accounts and passwords. While developing the ‘Grimhilde’ operation, officers discovered two people who had hacked a victim’s Facebook account. They had accessed the victim’s profile over a period of 18 months, approached her friends, read her private messages and gained other private information. The situation caused the victim to suffer frequent panic attacks, nervousness, bouts of insomnia and low self esteem. The victim felt that people were talking about her and she needed psychological treatment. The Guardia Civil officers were able to

identify two brothers, JVM, aged 49 and FVJ, 44, who were subsequently arrested, via their internet IP addresses. The Guardia Civil advise everyone to take basic safety measures when using the internet. They recommend special vigilance with social networks and advise the use of strong, complicated passwords. They draw particular attention to download sites, reminding people to be careful what they click and to always carry out bank transactions from a secure site, distrusting any communication via email. Officers also advise people to show the same vigilance when using tablets and smart phones as well as computers.

E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

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NEWS

Andre dos Santos stands for election

CHANGE NEEDED: Andre with his wife Sarah.

ANDRE DOS SANTOS is a well known and respected face in Mojacar and has just announced his intention to run as an independent candidate in Mojacar in the upcoming elections. Born in Brazil with dual nationality (British and Portuguese), he began his professional career in the banking industry. In 1993 he moved to London and was educated in International Business and Spanish while there. Andre now spends most of his time in Mojacar, and has done so for the past 12 years although he regularly travels back to the UK. He set up Veritas Homes, a property company, in Mojacar in 2004 and this customer facing role has fulfilled his desire to look after his clients’ best interests.

This is something Andre is keen to bring to his role as candidate in the upcoming elections. Above all, Andre wishes to make a real difference to lives in Mojacar and sees candidacy as the perfect avenue to accomplish this. “I believe in change,” said Andre, “and I really think I can make a real difference for the better – make the change that Mojacar needs” Andre is a family man, married to Sarah from the UK, and has three children aged 14, 12 and 11. He speaks excellent English because of his education but also Spanish and his native Portuguese, which has made him approachable to the English-speaking population of Mojacar and beyond.

Marihuana bust OFFICERS from the National Police have arrested a 52-year-old man for running a drugs outlet from a property in El Ejido. The police also seized 21 plants, 437 grams of picked marihuana, notebooks with transaction details and various items used for cultivation. The man awaits court sentencing.

E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

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Lions Club help local food banks DURING the last few months Jan and Phil from Price Busters in Albox have been actively helping local food banks. They have been donating food which is going ‘out of date’ and have a collection box where customers can donate food items which are then passed on to local food banks. This help has been received

gratefully by the food banks which are helping the growing number of hungry people in the area and as a ‘Thank you,’ Sandie Tinkham, President of Vera and District Lions Club has presented them with a Certificate of Appreciation. The Lions also have collection points at Iceland in Vera and at the English Supermarket

Motorcyclist killed A 37-YEAR-OLD motorcyclist, ODJJ, has been killed after a collision with a truck at the roundabout which links Viator to the A-7. According to the emergency services the rider accessed the roundabout from the Viator direction and was hit by the truck. He was trapped under the truck, but the emergency services could not save his life.

in Turre where people can leave food including dried or canned goods such as rice, pasta, lentils and beans. The Lions actively help the food banks by collecting fresh vegetables from local packaging firms. The vegetables donated are those which are not considered good enough for the supermarkets and which would normally get dumped or fed to the goats. If you would like to learn more about the Lions please contact the secretary, Pam Mattioli, on 950 069 249 or 610 309 032, or join their meetings. The Lions meet at El Gnomo Feliz in Vera on the first Wednesday of the month at 6pm.

E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de AlmerĂa

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NEWS

Criminals expelled from Almeria NATIONAL POLICE expelled 212 foreign criminals from Almeria during 2014. The immigrants were thrown out of the country partly because of information on the Interpol database available to Spanish police.

Forty two of the ejected criminals came from the prison of El Azabuche while the majority, 170, came from various police operations carried out in Almeria through the two existing border controls at the airport and Almeria port. The expulsions have accounted for 35 per cent of repatriations that took place during 2014. The rest were because the people involved were illegal immigrants or had foul of in Avenida Federico Garcia fallen administrative offences. Lorca The vast majority were During the investigation, officers were able to from countries that make narrow down suspects up the Maghreb including because of details of Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, witness accounts. It was Morocco, Tunisia and the determined the man was a Western Sahara. More than 60 per cent of regular customer of one of criminal acts the shops and also had a the committed by the 212 history of similar crimes. The detainee has been criminals were against transferred to court and a property, mainly theft. All carry an request made for his expulsions automatic ban from Spain. immediate imprisonment.

Suspected gunman is apprehended POLICE in Almeria have arrested a 32-year-old man suspected of two robberies within 24 hour stores in Almeria City. As reported in Euro Weekly News at the end of January 2015, a gunman entered the two stores and demanded money from the till with threats to kill. The aggressor fled on foot from the first robbery in Avenida Cabo de Gata and in a waiting car after the second

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Dames in Turre hold next meeting THE next Dames in Turre meeting will be held on Monday February 23 at 11am at the Centre de Usos Multiples in Turre. The first speaker will be Maria Aznar Solana who is going to provide some

information on how to get the best interest on your savings in Spain. Maria will be followed by Alejandro. From time to time everyone has legal issues, specific or general, and it is useful to have an industry professional you can call upon for answers. A list of questions has been collated and passed on to him and he is going to address those for starters. The Dames screwdriver before rifling would like to encourage through the car’s everyone to attend and contents. DCS is perhaps get answers to suspected of stealing from some burning questions. The Dames in Turre 17 cars since early hold regular fundraising January 2015. When the officers events to benefit causes caught the fleeing man he and charities in the local was carrying a screwdriver area. For further information plus various objects and documents from the two please contact the Dames’ secretary, Pam Smith, on latest car thefts. He already has a 950 475 418 or the criminal record for similar Dames’ president, Lesley Barlow, on 950 478 633. offences.

Alleged car thief caught OFFICERS from the National Police have arrested a man from El Ejido suspected of stealing items from 17 cars. The officers arrested DCS, aged 33, as he fled from Avenida Oasis in El Ejido after allegedly committing his latest two thefts. According to National Police sources, the modus operandi was to break or force a car window with a

19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

EWN

E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

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NEWS

NEW SYSTEM: Whereby radars can check whether vehicles have passed an ITV.

Incorrect vehicle fines

VEHICLE owners in Spain are up in arms over an avalanche of fines coming in from the traffic authorities regarding MOT information. The DGT traffic authorities recently implemented a system whereby radars and some surveillance cameras on roads across the country also check whether vehicles have passed their ITV technical inspections. Unfortunately the system is proving inexact and has already been cancelled in Cataluña, yet fines, many incorrectly issued, are continuing to come through. Mario Arnaldo, head of AEA drivers’

association, explained that the problem is that although a charge of €3.80 is included in the cost of ITVs, the systems are not updated immediately meaning that drivers are receiving fines they should not be. Although the DGT stated the system had a very small margin of error, Arnaldo claimed it was larger than the authority cared to admit. “It’s a problem because not only are citizens being wrongly fined and their time wasted, also the DGT needs to explain why it is charging for a service not being provided,” Arnaldo said.

E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

NEWS

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Brit on the run for 10 years caught in Valencia A BRITISH bank robber on the run for 10 years has been arrested by the Guardia Civil in Turis,

Valencia. The 60-year-old man had been wanted by UK authorities since he escaped to Spain using a false passport during his first temporary release, five years into his 14year jail sentence. The man, who was jailed for his involvement in five violent bank robberies, set up home in the Valencian municipality of Turis and had lived there under a false name ever since. The Guardia Civil’s

UNDER ARREST: British fugitive is recaptured. Fugitives Group collaborated with UK police and court

authorities during the investigation leading to the arrest.

Learn Spanish with Vinnie HARD man footballer-turned-actor Vinnie Jones has been showing off his Spanish language skills in a new ad that has gone viral on social networks. Dressed in a colourful Hawaiian shirt in front of the Spanish flag, the former Wimbledon hatchet man reels off some useful Spanish phrases in his characteristic Cockney accent for Britons planning on visiting sunny Spain for their holidays. But Vinnie’s handy phrases are slightly removed from the usual ‘Donde esta la playa?’ (‘Where is the beach?’). In typical Jones style, he reels off phrases such as: ‘Hola cielo, como te va?’ (‘Alright sunshine, how you keeping?’); ‘Oye, me das otra cerveza por favor’ (‘Excuse me pal, can I have another beer

HANDY TIPS: Vinnie Jones.

Screen grab YouTube/ThreeUK

please?’) and ‘Eh tio! Ven aqui para que salgas en este selfie’ (‘Oi! Come over here and get in this selfie mate!’). Vinnie’s handy Spanish tips can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTml R28lilk

E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

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NEWS

Young adults in Spain lack skills A THIRD of young adults in Spain lack sufficient qualifications to enable them to find decent jobs, according to a new report. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) reported that 33 per cent of people in Spain between 25 and 34 years of age had only completed secondary school studies, and some had not even got that far.

Spain more than doubles the 15 per cent average reported by the OECD for the European Union. Studies on the total adult population in Spain (aged 25 to 64) found that 44 per cent of people gave up studying after secondary school, double the OECD averages for the EU. “Countries have many good reasons to avoid young people falling into the trap of entering the job market and adult life without good qualifications,” said Dirk Van Damme, head of OECD’s Innovation and Progress Indicator Department. Many countries have identified the problem of AN American man is recovering in intensive care after early school leavers as one being gored by a bull during a festival in western of the biggest challenges education systems face, Salamanca. And the surgeon called to operate on the 20-year-old according to Van Damme. Spain managed to said it was the “biggest goring wound I’ve ever had to operate on.” Benjamin Miller, from Georgia, USA, reduce the number of early underwent a three-hour operation to repair damage to his leavers to 21.9 per cent in thighs, sphincter and back muscles after he was gored by 2014 but was still far from a large bull at the running of the bulls at a festival in Ciudad the EU 2013 average of 12 per cent. Rodrigo in Salamanca.

American suffers horrific goring

E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería COSTA BLANCA NORTH

No charge JAVEA Town Hall opposed Generalitat regional government plans to privatise parking at the port. Parking is already a problem in the area and restricting the harbour would be detrimental to the fish market, sources said.

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News from our editions With six editions and read by more than half a million people, EWN is Spain’s largest free local English-language newspaper

Dealer caught GUARDIA CIVIL officers in Comenar (Axarquia) arrested a Colombian man who was carrying 88 grammes of cocaine ready for distribution.

Clear speech

THREE graffiti artists were arrested for defacing five carriages of a train held up at Alcoy station. Rail operator Renfe intends to prosecute and will reclaim the cost of cleaning the carriages.

Need to know PINOSO asked the central government whether crude oil will finally be stored there. Two six-year licences granted to Invexta Recursos to study the project have now expired, the town hall reminded Madrid.

COSTA BLANCA SOUTH

New jobs JANUARY saw 1,050 work contracts signed in Elda, more than any other municipality in Alicante Province municipality. Despite the town’s extensive number of footwear factories, most of the new jobs were in service industries.

Victim protection MORE than 8,000 victims of gender violence in the Valencian Community are safeguarded by a computer system that allows police and Guardia Civil to control and protect victims’ movements.

Gas theft SEVEN people have been arrested in Puerto Lumbreras, Murcia, for stealing 200 butane gas bottles from a warehouse in the town.

AXARQUIA A TOTAL of 4,000 kilos of food has been raised by the association ‘Friends of the Sahara People’ in Velez-Malaga. It was donated by local schools and will be given to the Saharan community in the refugee camps of Tinduf (Argelia).

A SECONDARY school in traditional fishing town Villajoyosa has introduced a vocational course on fishing to the syllabus. It hopes to attract young people to a rapidly-disappearing occupation.

Paint job

a Tallin court had issued a European detention order for him. The youth had a pending 18-month jail sentence in Estonia for drug-trafficking.

Aiding Saharans

Fishing tackle

FOREIGN tourists reporting crimes at Benidorm’s SATE office increased by 40 per cent last year. Of the 1,750 people seeking help in their own language, 1,148 were from the UK or Ireland.

NEWS DESK

COW SHARK: Had to be winched from the beach.

Two sharks visit TWO sharks recently visited the Marina Baja. One, a bluntnose sixgill shark commonly known as the cow shark, was washed up in Albir where it was found early in the morning by two beach cleaners. The 2.7-metre shark was probably young as an adult grows to around five metres, municipal biologist Jose Manuel Perez believed. It had been dead for around 15 hours, but bore no external wounds and possibly died from the same virus that has recently killed dolphins, Perez said.

Motorway fire A VEHICLE caught fire a few metres from the exit of Orihuela-Benferri on the A-7 motorway. Firefighters extinguished the flames and no one was injured.

The harmless cow shark, which would normally live at a greater depth, could also have approached the shore in search of fish. It was winched from the beach by the Local Police and later collected by Valencia University biologists. The other, a four metre thresher shark weighing 109 kilos, was caught in the nets of Benidorm fishing boat, La Cartagenera, as it trawled a few kilometres from the coast. It later fetched €3 a kilo at Villajoyosa’s fish market. energy, reduce bills and make the area as attractive as possible, while caring for the environment.

English guide

AN earthquake measuring 2.1 on the Richter scale occurred about seven miles off the coast of Torrevieja. It is the fifth earthquake in the area in four months.

TWENTY thousand copies of Disfruta Mijas Senda Litoral, a user’s guide for the recently completed coastal path that runs along Mijas’s beaches, will be printed in English and distributed at establishments along the route before Easter.

COSTA DEL SOL

Russian film festival

Earthquake

Zombies in Coin ALMOST half the scenes of a Spanish Walking Dead-style television series, Rabia, have been filmed at locations in Coin and the Guadalhorce valley. The series is due to be launched in April.

MARBELLA will be hosting the third edition of the International Russian Cinema Festival from March 1-6 at the Palacio de Congresos Adolfo Suarez. Original versions of 11 popular Russian films will be screened with Spanish subtitles.

Greener lighting

Wanted man caught

LED streetlights are being installed on Marbella streets in an attempt to save

TORREMOLINOS police arrested a 19year-old Estonian man upon discovering

Political event PRESIDENT of the Andalucian Region, Susana Diaz, visited Velez-Malaga last Sunday (February 15) to present the PSOE Socialist Party municipal candidate as part of the political campaign leading to the elections on March 22.

Naughty politician THE spokesperson for Malaga’s PSOE party, Francisco Conejo, has received a formal complaint after constructing a pool at his home in Rincon de la Victoria without the necessary permit.

Car accident TWO men suffered severe injuries after their vehicle swerved violently off the A-7 motorway in Velez-Malaga and rolled over several times.

MALLORCA

Tourism fair THE Balearic Islands’ Tourism Agency took part in the International Tourism Fair of Milan, to promote the islands’ tourism attractions to the Italian market.

Lower than average THE Balearic Islands have registered 179 flu cases per 100,000 inhabitants, a figure which is lower than the national average. The data was released by the National Network of Epidemics Surveillance, from the Carlos III Health institute.

Classic cars record A TOTAL of 365 classic vehicles (290 cars and 75 motorcycles) paraded through Palma last Sunday (February 15) in the largest classic vehicle meet-up ever registered in the history of Mallorca.

For more local news from our regions see www.euroweeklynews.com … EWN top for all the news from Spain.

E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

S CANDINAVIAN P RESS

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Stories making headlines in Europe

GERMAN PRESS Drinks ban

BRITISH PRESS Fewer controls DENMARK: Danish airports have called for fewer security controls, citing inconsistency and inconvenience to passengers.

Scout island DENMARK: An island off the coast of Copenhagen has been purchased on behalf of the Danish Scouting Organisation for activities and lessons.

A cut above SWEDEN: Hairdressing is the most common job among foreigners living in Sweden, according to the country’s official statistics agency.

Alien existence DAME Helen Mirren has described the royal family as “aliens” because they live in a world that nobody else can imagine. The 69-year-old actress has played the Queen four times on film, television and plays.

Fans anger

Most romantic SWEET manufacturer Rolo’s ‘Do you love anyone enough to give them your last Rolo?’ has been voted the most romantic ad of all time by UK television viewers. It beat the classic Milk Tray man ads and the Nestle coffee couple.

Prince promoted

ENGLAND rugby fans have expressed their anger at six different international jerseys costing £90 each being released for sale in the space of only 10 months, ahead of this summer’s Rugby World Cup.

PRINCE ANDREW has been promoted to rank of vice-admiral by the Queen ahead of his 55th birthday on February 19. He joined the Navy at the age of 18 and fought in the Falklands before retiring at 41.

Schedule change SEVENTY per cent of head teachers plan to change term dates when they are given powers to set schedules in September, in order to facilitate families looking for cheaper holidays during offpeak times.

DAME HELEN MIRREN: Royal family live “alien” existence.

Safe drivers SWEDEN: Forty-seven per cent of European drivers polled believe that Swedish motorists are the least reckless in Europe.

Bad year NORWAY: Norwegian Air Shuttle posted its first loss for seven years in 2014. The company had a loss of €120 million last year.

A-ha back! NORWAY: Eighties pop sensation A-ha, from Norway, will reform for a concert in Brazil this summer to celebrate their 30th anniversary.

Neo-Nazi rise NORWAY: The head of Norway’s intelligence agency has said that the country is increasingly under threat from neoNazi groups.

Photo: Isriya Paireepairit/flickr

TWO Chechen men have been detained for attacking police officers called to an erotic massage parlour in Volgograd where the Chechens had caused a brawl following what they deemed to be an ‘unsatisfactory’ service.

Powerful Putin

Flu epidemic

Little press freedom THE Reporters Without Borders group has placed Russia 148th in the world in terms of freedom of the press rankings. They say the climate for the press has become “oppressive” thanks in part to the crisis in the Ukraine.

Attacks rise ATTACKS on asylum seekers in German shelters are on the rise. In the last three months of 2014 there were 67 attacks, including arson and graffiti.

No reparations GERMANY’S economy minister has rejected renewed calls from Greece for war reparations from the Nazi occupation.

Strong quarter THE fourth quarter of 2014 gave the German economy a strong boost mainly through consumer spending. GDP expanded by 0.7 per cent.

AN American man has been jailed for 70 years in the United States for shooting dead a 17-year-old German exchange student in Missoula, Montana.

Whopper delivery

RUSSIANS consider Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to be the most powerful force in the country, ahead of the FSB, the military, the Orthodox Church, the parliament and the media, according to a new poll.

MORE than 1,000 schools in Russia have closed amid a worsening flu epidemic that has affected one in five citizens. The closures are to prevent the spread of the flu that has killed one girl in Yekaterinburg.

THE Social Democrat Party is urging the government to ban the sale of energy drinks to under18’s because of potential health risks.

Jail for shooting

RUSSIAN PRESS Unsatisfactory service

EUROPEAN PRESS

WHOPPER MEAL: Home delivery for Germans.

World Press Photo of the Year A PHOTO of a male gay couple in St Petersburg has won the World Press Photo of the Year 2014. Taken by a Danish photographer, Mads Nissen, the photo confronts Russia’s atmosphere of intolerance towards homosexuality.

BURGER KING in Germany has introduced a home delivery service but so far only eight of the 685 nationwide branches ace currently taking part in the scheme.

Polish visit POLISH President Bronislaw Komorowski is to visit Germany on February 20 and 21 where he will be the guest of honour at a feast in Hamburg.

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

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19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

inance F

EWN

business & legal Spain acted on Falciani List in 2013 SPAIN knew about the Falciani List of HSBC clients with Swiss bank accounts almost two years ago. In April 2013 national daily El Pais published dozens of names on the list leaked by former bank employee Herve Falciani. They included that of Santander’s late president Emilio Botin, who paid Spain’s tax authority €200 million to

legitimise a €2 billion fortune held in Switzerland. Other Spanish names included Alfons Godall, former vice-president of Barcelona football club, former Supreme court judge Ramon Lopez Vilas and Fernando Alonso. The Formula 1 driver stressed that he was a Swiss resident and HSBC client until 2011 but neither had, nor

Scramble for Aena shares DEMAND for Aena’s €58 shares was five times greater than anticipated. Part-privatisation plans for Spain’s airports operator were shelved last November following auditing doubts, but flotation finally went ahead without hitches. The government benefited from the delay as the original share price was intended to range from €41.50 to €53.50 but this was raised to between €43 and €55 and then €53 and €58. The final price at the top end of this range put Aena’s equity at €9.7 billion. A relatively low 88,972 requests from small investors allowed a minimum allocation of 25

shares, although just over 9 per cent of the total was set aside for bigger orders. Maximum investment was set at €19,720 for 340 shares. Despite the demand, the government decided not to increase the number of shares available to private investors, although the 21 per cent initially reserved for anchor investors was not taken up. The quintupled demand meant that the offer price was three times higher than London-based TCI, plus Spanish fund Grupo Alba and Ferrovial - one of Heathrow airport’s biggest shareholders had agreed to pay.

usiness extra

Blow-out SPAIN’S wind farms had 22,986 megawatt output by the end of 2014. Despite possessing Europe’s second mostimportant capacity, it inaugurated the fewest installations last year, sufficient to produce 27.5 megawatts.

Film facts CINEMAS in Barcelona, La Coruña, Alicante, Oviedo and Madrid are dearer than in any other Spanish city, charging at least €8 per person. Cheapest are Huelva (€4.90), Almeria (€4.75) and Granada (€4.50).

Rumasa makes a profit RUMASA, now publicly-owned, made €191,000 last year. The group was almost bankrupt and its founder Jose Maria RuizMateos owed Hacienda millions in unpaid taxes when it was expropriated in February 1983. It has assets of approximately €160 million through selling Rumasa companies and subsidiaries. This amount must cover

reprivatisation contracts and lawsuits launched by the former owner’s family, the government explained. Last year’s profit came from the interest on investments in Spain’s public debt but Rumasa now employs nine workers instead of 60,000. They deal with court cases and collection and settlement of payments from privatisations.

LA VEU DEL PAÍS VALENCIÀ LA MAREA

A EURO WEEKLY NEWS 6 PAGE SPECIAL SECTION // WWW.EWNBUSINESS.COM

STAT OF WEEK THE 4.48 billion journeys made on all types of Spain’s public transport fell by 0.2 per cent in 2014. Rail travel increased by 0.6 per cent and air travel by 2 per cent.

has, any problems with Hacienda. Spain’s Finance ministry, then headed by Elena Salgado, advised those involved beforehand so they could put their tax affairs in order. This earned Hacienda €250 million in what was described as the biggest regularisation operation ever known. EMILIO BOTIN: Paid taxman €200 million.

E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

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NASDAQ

C LOSING P RICES F EBRUARY 16

C O M PA N Y MMM 3M Co AXP American Express Co T AT&T Inc BA Boeing Co CAT Caterpillar Inc CVX Chevron Corp CSCO Cisco Systems Inc KO The Coca-Cola Co DIS Walt Disney Co DD E I du Pont de Nemours and Co XOM Exxon Mobil Corp GE General Electric Co GS Goldman Sachs Group Inc HD Home Depot Inc IBM International Business Machine... INTC Intel Corp JNJ Johnson & Johnson JPM JPMorgan Chase and Co MCD McDonald's Corp MRK Merck & Co Inc MSFT Microsoft Corp NKE Nike Inc PFE Pfizer Inc PG Procter & Gamble Co TRV Travelers Companies Inc UTX United Technologies Corp UNH UnitedHealth Group Inc VZ Verizon Communications Inc V Visa Inc WMT Wal-Mart Stores Inc

PRICE CHANGE %CHANGE VOLUME 165.94 78.08 34.66 149.73 85.13 112.78 29.43 41.99 104.17 76.18 93.37 25.15 189.00 111.89 160.40 34.36 99.62 59.67 95.65 58.81 43.87 92.04 34.64 85.90 108.00 121.25 109.44 49.31 269.63 85.81

+0.03 -2.40 +0.05 +1.64 +1.60 +1.92 -0.03 -0.18 +0.59 -0.11 +1.00 +0.26 -0.78 -0.27 +1.88 +0.235 +1.18 +0.10 +0.56 -0.07 +0.78 +0.04 -0.23 -0.13 -0.04 +1.66 -0.40 -0.21 -1.28 -0.08

+0.02% -2.98% +0.14% +1.11% +1.92% +1.73% -0.10% -0.43% +0.57% -0.14% +1.08% +1.04% -0.41% -0.24% +1.19% +0.69% +1.20% +0.17% +0.59% -0.12% +1.81% +0.04% -0.66% -0.15% -0.04% +1.39% -0.36% -0.42% -0.47% -0.09%

1.8M 34.9M 16.1M 3.4M 5.6M 7.5M 50.7M 10.8M 5.2M 2.3M 12.1M 33.1M 2.7M 5.1M 3.7M 18.0M 11.2M 16.5M 6.8M 7.9M 40.3M 3.8M 23.4M 6.3M 2.2M 3.8M 3.7M 14.6M 2.1M 5.6M

C O M PA N Y

18.25 -0.50 1.10 -5.00 -8.00 -11.50 -20.50

0.51 -0.06 0.25 -0.27 -0.43 -0.99 -0.71

NET VOLUME 66,927.21 8,476.82 35,679.76 6,299.23 8,276.98 7,667.65 6,268.80

PRICE

CHANGE NET / %

$ 18.43 $ 51.50 $ 2.09 $ 13.84 $ 3.7499 $ 52.52 $ 12.90 $ 3.58 $ 6.29 $ 6.92 $4

4.33 ▲ 30.71% 7.91 ▲ 18.15% 0.30 ▲ 16.76% 1.88 ▲ 15.72% 0.4999 ▲ 15.38% 6.83 ▲ 14.95% 1.61 ▲ 14.26% 0.42 ▲ 13.29% 0.69 ▲ 12.32% 0.73 ▲ 11.79% 0.42 ▲ 11.73%

Zynga Inc. $ 2.24 Career Education Corporation $ 5.34 MediciNova, Inc. $ 3.62 Presbia PLC $6 Ballard Power Systems, Inc. $ 2.66 Moneygram International, Inc. $ 8.6013 Ambarella, Inc. $ 50.71 VelocityShares 3x Inverse Silver ETN $ 50.26 Hollysys Automation Technologies, Ltd. $ 23.45 Ubiquiti Networks, Inc. $ 28.78 Dawson Geophysical Company $ 6.89

0.42 ▼ 15.79% 0.925 ▼ 14.76% 0.56 ▼ 13.40% 0.67 ▼ 10.04% 0.26 ▼ 8.90% 0.8387 ▼ 8.88% 4.46 ▼ 8.08% 4.39 ▼ 8.03% 2.02 ▼ 7.93% 1.88 ▼ 6.13% 0.42 ▼ 5.75%

Most Advanced Rocky Brands, Inc. Columbia Sportswear Company Amyris, Inc. SkyWest, Inc. SAExploration Holdings, Inc. CyberArk Software Ltd. VisionChina Media, Inc. ReachLocal, Inc. InnerWorkings, Inc. Alcobra Ltd. Energy XXI Ltd.

Most Declined

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

C O M PA N Y PRICE(P) CHANGE Centrica 279.30 -7.70 Coca-Cola HBC 1,160.50 -3.50 Compass Group 1,118.00 -1.00 CRH 1,819.00 -1.00 Diageo 1,834.25 -2.75 Direct Line Insurance 316.25 -0.75 Dixons Carphone 424.20 -1.80 easyJet 1,723.00 16.00 Experian 1,197.50 -0.50 Fresnillo 854.50 -24.50 Friends Life Group Limited 410.65 0.15 G4S 284.15 -1.65 GKN 378.90 -0.10 GlaxoSmithKline 1,552.00 -1.00 Glencore Xstrata 290.85 4.25 Hammerson 690.00 -1.00 Hargreaves Lansdown 1,008.50 2.50 HSBC Holdings 601.05 2.85 Imperial Tobacco Group 3,014.00 -11.00 InterContinental Hotels 2,601.00 -18.00 International Cnsldtd Air 558.25 4.25 Intertek Group 2,525.00 -70.00 Intu Properties 372.30 -1.70 ITV 230.00 -0.50 Johnson Matthey 3,444.50 -2.50 Kingfisher 343.90 1.10 Land Securities Group 1,246.50 -3.50 Legal & General Group 269.00 -1.00 Lloyds Banking Group ORD 75.60 0.25 London Stock Exchange 2,397.00 -3.00 Marks & Spencer Group 494.40 0.40 Meggitt 554.25 2.75 Mondi 1,258.00 1.00 Morrison (Wm) Sprmrkts 184.15 0.65 National Grid 880.25 -9.95 Next 7,230.00 5.00 Old Mutual 216.00 0.00 Pearson 1,363.00 1.00 Persimmon 1,661.00 3.00 Prudential 1,598.50 -1.00 Randgold Resources 5,092.50 -12.50 Reckitt Benckiser Group 5,612.50 -47.50 Reed Elsevier 1,159.50 -0.50 Rio Tinto 3,152.50 1.00 Rolls-Royce Group 932.75 -11.75 Royal Bank of Scotland 386.90 -2.10 Royal Dutch Shell 2,134.50 -14.50 Royal Dutch Shell 2,221.25 -15.25 Royal Mail 451.50 5.00 RSA Insurance Group 443.25 -1.15 SABMiller 3,538.00 80.50 Sage Group (The) 469.15 -2.25 Sainsbury (J) 267.00 0.20 Schroders 2,946.00 1.00 Severn Trent 1,994.00 -25.00 Shire 5,112.50 -17.50 Sky 929.50 10.50 Smith & Nephew 1,158.50 -4.50 Smiths Group 1,182.50 -3.50 Sports Direct Interntnl 681.00 -0.50 SSE 1,545.50 -22.50 St James's Place 897.50 -1.50 Standard Chartered 955.40 -1.00 Standard Life 401.10 1.90 Taylor Wimpey 141.15 0.65 Tesco 242.90 1.30 Travis Perkins 1,973.00 -7.00 TUI AG 1,145.00 -10.00 Tullow Oil 407.80 2.80 Unilever 2,768.00 -21.00 United Utilities Group 943.00 -11.00 Vodafone Group 231.83 -0.57 Weir Group 1,851.50 -40.50 Whitbread 4,979.00 -21.00 Wolseley 3,876.00 -9.00 WPP Group 1,452.50 5.50

% C H G. -2.68 -0.30 -0.09 -0.05 -0.15 -0.24 -0.42 0.94 -0.04 -2.79 0.04 -0.58 -0.03 -0.06 1.48 -0.14 0.25 0.48 -0.36 -0.69 0.77 -2.70 -0.45 -0.22 -0.07 0.32 -0.28 -0.37 0.33 -0.13 0.08 0.50 0.08 0.35 -1.12 0.07 0.00 0.07 0.18 -0.06 -0.24 -0.84 -0.04 0.03 -1.24 -0.54 -0.67 -0.68 1.12 -0.26 2.33 -0.48 0.07 0.03 -1.24 -0.34 1.14 -0.39 -0.30 -0.07 -1.43 -0.17 -0.10 0.48 0.46 0.54 -0.35 -0.87 0.69 -0.75 -1.15 -0.25 -2.14 -0.42 -0.23 0.38

VOLUME 14,270.68 4,234.03 18,669.33 14,870.32 46,195.29 4,757.25 4,912.87 6,790.27 11,868.68 6,477.30 5,783.45 4,441.44 6,293.41 75,670.71 37,595.21 5,413.60 4,774.02 115,153.73 28,923.29 6,193.36 11,305.69 4,195.41 4,915.76 9,295.57 7,066.59 8,052.59 9,877.70 16,055.47 53,865.76 8,330.43 8,084.70 4,421.69 4,619.89 4,284.87 33,451.12 11,056.58 10,617.82 11,154.51 5,084.18 41,097.32 4,732.70 40,601.30 13,149.37 44,665.81 17,656.66 24,807.90 83,893.97 54,714.01 4,471.50 4,508.76 55,845.15 5,076.51 5,113.82 6,656.36 4,835.79 30,283.68 15,793.47 10,401.28 4,671.92 4,072.55 15,481.00 4,671.13 23,666.13 9,569.12 4,567.86 19,657.64 4,924.32 N/A 3,692.73 35,789.26 6,515.44 61,642.59 4,038.24 9,082.89 10,080.80 19,042.47

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

www.euroweeklynews.com

19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

EWN

There is no easy solution IF you are in business chances are there are going to be occasions when you have to address an audience. When you are watching someone else speaking at an event it comes across as a bobby’s job. Don’t believe it. For many people, standing up in front of a packed audience, and setting one’s stall out, can be the most unnerving experience of their lives. Curious as to how speakers respond to such situations a test was carried out. Several heroic figures, including a mountaineer and a fighter pilot, were wired up. Whilst doing their ‘day

Talking shop Mike Walsh Mike Walsh was for 20 years Regional Assessment Manager for the Guild of Master Craftsmen, Britain’s biggest quality assurance body for businesses.

www.michaelwalsh.es • 966 786 932

jobs’ the stress of their doing so was barely noticeable. However, wired up when public speaking their heart rate and blood pressure shot up to the red section on the gauge.

Constantly referring to notes as you are speaking, or reading from a written speech, is a no-no. You will still trip over your own tongue, your delivery will be met with polite response, but the impact of what you want to say will be negligible. There is no easy solution. Like much else, some can and some can’t. These fortunates tend to be the exhibitionists of life, the selfconfident. For the rest of us, we would prefer a visit to the dentist. Those called to the soapbox have their own tricks to help them through the ordeal. I cottoned on to mine

when in my early 20’s. I had two tricks up my sleeve. I never look at the audience. It is there, but for me it is wallpaper. What I do is deliver as though I were talking to myself. It works, for me. It might for you too. My other ploy I learned quite early on. I noticed that amongst the hundred or so faces staring up at me, there was one soul who appeared to be responding well to my presentation. Ignoring the rest of the audience, I spoke directly to her as though we were having a one-to-one meeting. Again, for me, it worked like a charm.

E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

www.euroweeklynews.com

Money remains the top source of stress Loose change A look at finance for females

Jane Plunkett jane.plunkett@euroweeklynews.com

WE’VE got our mind on our money and our money on our minds - constantly, according to a new survey. Apparently, even more than family responsibilities and personal health concerns, a massive 72 per cent of adults say they are stressed out about money. While another 22 per cent say that they have extreme stress about money. The main triggers that lead people in general to panic about money include paying for unexpected expenses, paying for essentials and saving for retirement. Basically, handing over money for anything and everything.

And it’s women, not men that seem to be having sleepless nights over money worries. Fifty-one per cent of women surveyed say they lie awake at night worrying about money, versus just 32 per cent of men. Another effect of money stress is that women are more likely than men to say stress affects their eating, with 41 per cent saying they’ve eaten too much or had unhealthy food during the past month because of stress - for men it’s 24 per cent. This is of concern since medics often point out that serious

stress can lead to obesity and illnesses such as cancer. From those surveyed in this recent study, when asked how they try to de-stress, the

majority said by watching TV or surfing the internet, while these activities were then followed by napping, alcohol and smoking.

To de-stress meet a friend and have a chat about it

MONEY WORRIES: Causes include paying for unexpected expenses, essentials and saving for retirement.

Bank did not pay council tax Q. I purchased an apartment in Mallorca in 2013. I was assured by the solicitor and the Notary, and the contract confirmed, that no debt was owed on the property. I am now receiving bills for 2010 and 2011 from Calvia Town Council for the yearly Council Tax.

The property we bought had been repossessed by the bank several years ago for non-payment of the mortgage. I no longer remember which bank it was. Can you please advise me on how to resolve this matter? S.M. (Mallorca)

You and the Law in Spain By David Searl

A. There may be good news for you. First, if you have a sales contract signed by the bank stating that the property is sold clear of all debts, this makes them responsible for the payment of any back Council Tax. If you want to know who sold you the property, try looking at your contract. It might be the bank itself or a company set up by the bank to handle the many thousands of repossessed properties that Spanish banks now hold. These banks quite often do not pay all the back taxes on their properties, especially Council Tax, also known as the rates, and in Spanish as ‘IBI,’ short for the ‘Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmobiliarios.’

Because the Statute of Limitations restricts collection of this tax to four years, the town halls generally send out

notices only when the cut-off date approaches. If it takes the bank six years to move the property, they have escaped two years of Council Tax. Yes, your lawyer should have checked to make sure this IBI was paid up to date, and the Notary should have asked to see paid-up receipts. These lapses indicate poor legal service, but they are not sufficient grounds to bring a case against either of them. However, the bank has made a false statement in its contract with you. Have your lawyer start proceedings against the bank to recover the amount. He may advise you to pay the tax first and then act against the bank, or perhaps the bank will simply pay the bill. Spanish banks usually pay up promptly in these cases because they are in fact guilty of false statements in a contract.

Send your questions for David Searl through lawyers Ubeda-Retana & Associates in Fuengirola at Ask@lawtaxspain.com, or call 952 667 090.

These are a worrying combination of ‘de-stress’ activities as they are largely unsocial, and to combat money stress, experts recommend seeking emotional support from family and friends. It’s found that people without a shoulder to lean on tend to suffer worse from stress. For example, 43 per cent of people without emotional support said their stress has increased in the past year, compared with 26 percent of those with support. So instead of de-stressing by watching box sets, it’s better to meet a friend for a coffee and have a chat about money worries if needs be. And if money issues are taking their toll on your stress levels, then start to look at how you deal with money. Break bad habits and slowly begin to implement small changes that can create big differences!

BUSINESS EXTRA

Madrid helps out STANDARD & POOR’S calculated that borrowings by Spain’s autonomous communities and town halls will drop by 30 per cent this year. The €26 billion needed to refinance their debts and €11 billion to finance budget deficits will be covered by the government’s funding system for local entities, the rating agency said.

Subway contract CONSTRUCTION company ACS won a €380 million East Side Access contract, boosting the US expansion plans of the group headed by Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez. The company has been present in New York since 2005 when it won its first contract to work on the city’s subway system.

Happier bunnies INDITEX, owners of the clothing label Zabel, confirmed that it stopped producing garments using angora after the animal defence association PETA revealed abuse in Chinese factories where rabbits are skinned alive for their hair. The chain, which stopped using fur last year, has blocked all orders while they investigate suppliers.

OPINION & COMMENT

Rapid service I AM one of the first to complain about poor service, particularly when it’s the result of government cutbacks or trade union blackmail. The UK’s Passport Service seems to have suffered dreadfully during the last year with the most horrendous backlogs. It is only fair that, with great pleasure, I can now acknowledge the current situation in that particular department. On January 18 I Googled ‘How to renew a UK passport from overseas.’ I immediately got a lot of information and the opportunity to complete an online application. The next day I posted the old passport and a couple of photos to Belfast as instructed. On February 4 our friendly local courier-delivery man knocked on the door and handed me a package which contained the new passport! That’s 19 days from start to finish. I am very grateful for such efficient service and thank those concerned most sincerely. I don’t think I’ll be making the same sort of report about changing my British driving licence for a Spanish one. It’s taken two weeks just to get the application form! John Westwood, Tormos (Alicante)

Pat on the back WE’RE staying in Calahonda and I just wanted to say how much we enjoy Leapy Lee’s articles. Thank you for stating the obvious and having the gumption to write it publicly! I wish our politicians back home would take it on board. Diane and John (Wales)

Drying up I WAS interested to read about Cortijo Grande and the majestic environment that it once was. Today all I can say is: “What is happening to that wonderful valley formerly an oasis in an otherwise arid landscape?” As Ric Polansky points out, the golf course was a challenge to golfers of all levels. Now it is a dried-up shadow of its former self. Why? No-one knows for sure. The owner remains silent

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Letters

19 - 25 February 2015/ Costa de Almería

our aRUST dvert isers

WE D

YOURSAY@EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

Letters for Your Say should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com, posted to Euro Weekly News, C/Moscatel 10, P-62, Polígono Industrial, Arroyo de la Miel, 29631 Benalmadena, Málaga, Spain or faxed to 0034 952 440 887

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WHEN YOU WRITE All letters, whether by email or post, should carry the writer’s postal address, NIE and contact number though only the name and town will be published. Letters may also be edited. Readers who have missed earlier correspondence can see all letters posted on:

Not so cheap EXPATS are quite right to object to losing their vote. I think it is disgusting that only five countries in the world do not give their expats the vote and Britain is one of them. As for Michael Warren of Fuengirola, how lucky he is to afford to spend five winter months here! My husband served six years in the Second World War and was wounded in Germany. I worked from 1942 and came to Spain when my husband retired. There were no company pensions in our day unless you were a civil servant and we had his 89-year-old mother to look

we would be nowhere near the £10,000 threshold, he informed us that Hacienda talks to HMRC. We would still be liable here in Spain as they would be told that we have paid nothing in the UK. Also, if not covered on time we would also incur Spanish tax fines. So whilst Michael thinks ‘expats are really in heaven, unlike nonexpats,’ it is not all profit. Having said that, we would still not move back to the UK. Richard Prowse, Cartagena (Murcia)

Just wonderful AN operation was necessary and I found myself in Torrevieja hospital. A place of dedication, professionalism, and above all, tremendous kindness. The staff’s attention to detail was simply marvellous. Rita Tobin (by email)

www.euroweeklynews.com

on the subject. Rumours abound. One suggests that the underground irrigation system is badly broken in various places. Whatever the reason, the simple truth is that the course is no longer watered and it would appear that all but one staff member has been released. This, reputedly the oldest golf course in Almeria, would appear to have been tragically abandoned by its owner. The beautiful valley of Cortijo Grande is simply being allowed to wither and die in front of our very eyes. What future do homeowners face when the golf course finally yields to desert and scrub in the absence of life-saving water? Derek Martin, Turre (Almeria)

EWN

Why not us? NELSON MANDELA was a great man and our daughter is on the short side, but this photo from Johannesburg really brought it home to me. Andrew Martinson (by email)

after. Her husband died in his 50s due to wounds received in the First World War and she could not exist on £20 per week. That is why she had to live with us. Now Spain has had nearly all my money. In my 87th year with no family, I can assure Mr Warren the cost of living is very high. I just hope I die before my money runs out. (Name and address supplied)

Ups and downs I NOTE Michael Warren is an expat pensioner living here for five months only. I understand he is tempted to become a permanent expat as we are doing so nicely with the exchange rate increasing our pensions, thus rendering our heating allowance unnecessary! I beg to inform him that in December 2008 the euro and pound reached parity on the

exchange rate, giving us a vast drop in our pensions for a very long time. The rate was way below our average and forced many expats to leave Spain, particularly if renting their homes. It caused great hardship to those only on state pensions when they dropped by a third of their value. As far as I can see we are only back where we started with the euro. Love the Euro Weekly though! Jean Mudge (by email)

Tax snag MICHAEL WARREN is right about the higher exchange rate, but there is a downside. When you are tax resident here you are only allowed to earn €6,000 per annum before tax kicks in. On telling our accountant that we would move our tax paperwork back to the UK where

THE Labour party ignored us during 13 years in office. The Conservative party has had nearly a full term to correct this anomaly. My French and German neighbours here in Spain have a vote for life. UKIP, give us back our vote please! We are in the European Union because...? Brian Johnston, Benalmadena (Malaga)

Streets ahead I DON’T usually bother to write to papers, but I would just like to say how much I prefer the Euro Weekly News to its competitors. I find its format and content better than ever. Your writers too are excellent. A case in point is Nora Johnson’s recent article about the House of Lords. An anachronism in a modern democracy, it’s way past its sell-by-date. The unrepresentative, undemocratic House of Lords should be scrapped without delay and replaced with a much-reduced and democratically-elected second chamber. Hardly surprising so many of the electorate don’t bother to vote! Chris Taylor, Granada

The views expressed and opinions given in Letters are not necessarily those of the EWN publishers. They accept no responsibility for accuracy of information, errors, omissions or statements, and reject claims arising out of any action that a company or individual may take on the basis of information contained therein.

E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

Thursday BBC ONE 5:30pm Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm EastEnders 9:30pm Death in Paradise 10:30pm EastEnders 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:45pm Question Time 12:45am Artificial Intelligence: AI

BBC TWO 5:45pm Hi-De-Hi! 6:15pm Flog It! 7:00pm Two Tribes 7:30pm Eggheads 8:00pm Cycling 9:00pm The Great British Sewing Bee 10:00pm Reinventing the Royals 11:00pm Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe 11:30pm Newsnight 12:20am A Cook Abroad

ITV 5:00pm Mel and Sue 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm ITV News London 7:15pm ITV News and Weather 7:45pm Emmerdale 8:45pm UEFA Europa League Live 11:10pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:55pm The Great War: The People's Story 12:55am River Monsters

CH4 5:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 8:55pm The Political Slot 9:00pm Location, Location, Location 10:00pm Cucumber 11:00pm My Tattoo Addiction 12:05am The Romanians are Coming

CH5 6:00pm 5 News at 5 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm The Classic Car Show 9:00pm Benefits Britain: Life on the Dole 10:00pm Britain's Biggest Primary School 11:00pm The Mentalist 11:55pm Castle 12:50am True Crimes: The First 72 Hours

SKY1 5:00pm Futurama 5:30pm Futurama 6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Futurama 7:00pm Futurama 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm Arrow 10:00pm Ross Kemp: Extreme World 11:00pm The Making of Critical 11:30pm Quiz Nights 12:30am NCIS: Los Angeles

Friday BBC ONE 5:30pm Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm A Question of Sport 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm EastEnders 10:00pm The Musketeers 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:35pm The Graham Norton Show 12:20am Bluestone 42

BBC TWO 5:15pm To the Manor Born 5:45pm Hi-De-Hi! 6:15pm Flog It! 7:00pm Two Tribes 7:30pm Eggheads 8:00pm Antiques Road Trip 9:00pm Mastermind 9:30pm Food and Drink 10:00pm Italy Unpacked 11:00pm QI 11:30pm Newsnight 12:05am 2001: A Space Odyssey

ITV 5:00pm Mel and Sue 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Barging Round Britain with John Sergeant 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm Bear Grylls: Mission Survive 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:40pm ICC Cricket World Cup Highlights 12:40am Air America

CH4 5:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm The Simpsons 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm The Million Pound Drop 10:00pm Gogglebox 11:00pm The Last Leg 12:10am Catastrophe

CH5 6:00pm 5 News at 5 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm The Billion Dollar Wreck Hunt 9:00pm Secrets of St Paul's Cathedral 10:00pm NCIS: New Orleans 11:00pm NCIS 11:55pm Law and Order: Special Victims Unit 12:50am True Crimes: The First 72 Hours

SKY1 6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Futurama 7:00pm Futurama 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm Flintoff: Lord of the Fries 10:00pm Stella 11:00pm Quiz Nights 12:00am Bruce Almighty

Saturday BBC ONE 5:30pm Final Score 6:20pm Pointless 7:10pm BBC News 7:20pm Regional News 7:25pm Weather 7:30pm Now You See It 8:00pm The Voice UK 9:25pm The National Lottery 10:15pm Casualty 11:05pm BBC News 11:20pm Weather 11:25pm Match of the Day 12:50am The Football League Show

BBC TWO 4:45pm The Go-Between 6:35pm The Great British Sewing Bee 7:35pm Flog It! 8:30pm How We Got to Now with Steven Johnson 9:30pm Dad's Army 10:00pm Reginald D Hunter's Songs of the South 11:00pm Gambit 12:20am Spider

ITV 3:05pm The Chase 4:05pm Doc Martin 5:05pm Big Star's Little Star 6:05pm Local News and Weather 6:15pm ITV News and Weather 6:25pm You've Been Framed! 7:30pm Planets Got Talent 8:00pm Saturday Night Takeaway 9:25pm Take Me Out 10:40pm The Jonathan Ross Show 11:40pm ITV News and Weather 11:55pm I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry 1:55am Jackpot 247

CH4 5:15pm Come Dine with Me 6:15pm The Big Bang Theory 6:45pm The Simpsons 7:10pm The Simpsons 7:40pm Channel 4 News 8:00pm Homes by the Sea 9:00pm The World's Weirdest Weather 10:00pm Silver Linings Playbook 12:25am Green Zone

CH5 3:10pm Ice Road Truckers 4:05pm Columbo: How to Dial a Murder 5:35pm Columbo 7:25pm NCIS 8:05pm NCIS 9:00pm 5 News 9:05pm Law and Order 10:00pm CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 11:00pm World Championship Boxing: Live From Monte Carlo 1:15am Super Casino

SKY1 3:00pm Inside RAF Brize Norton 4:00pm Sun, Sea and A&E 5:00pm The Simpsons 5:30pm Modern Family 6:00pm Modern Family 6:30pm Modern Family 7:00pm Modern Family 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm NCIS: Los Angeles 9:00pm Hawaii Five-0 10:00pm Bruce Almighty 11:55pm Hawaii Five-0 12:55am NCIS: Los Angeles

TV LISTING

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Sunday BBC ONE 3:00pm Escape to the Country 3:45pm Eat Well for Less? 4:45pm Your Home in Their Hands 5:45pm Lifeline 5:55pm Songs of Praise 6:30pm BBC News 6:50pm Regional News 6:55pm Weather 7:00pm The Big Painting Challenge 8:00pm Countryfile 9:00pm Call the Midwife 10:00pm The Casual Vacancy 11:00pm BBC News 11:20pm Regional News 11:25pm Weather 11:30pm Match of the Day 2 12:40am Super League Show

BBC TWO 5:30pm The Wonder of Animals 6:00pm Alaska: Earth's Frozen Kingdom 7:00pm Speed Dreams: The Fastest Place on Earth 8:00pm The Fifteen Billion Pound Railway 9:00pm Top Gear 10:00pm Dragons' Den 11:00pm Meet the Ukippers 11:50pm Blackthorn 1:30am Countryfile

ITV 3:10pm The Chase 4:10pm Tipping Point 5:15pm Octopussy 7:40pm Local News and Weather 7:45pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Get Your Act Together 9:15pm All Star Family Fortunes 10:00pm Mr Selfridge 11:00pm ITV News and Weather 11:20pm Bear Grylls: Mission Survive 12:20am Aviva Highlights

CH4 3:00pm The Big Bang Theory 3:25pm Love Happens 5:35pm Location, Location, Location 6:35pm A Place in the Sun: Winter Sun 7:30pm Channel 4 News 8:00pm Four Rooms 9:00pm The Auction House 10:00pm Indian Summers 11:00pm 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown 12:05am Moonrise Kingdom 1:50am Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA

CH5 4:20pm Stand by Me 5:55pm Honey, I Shrunk the Kids 7:45pm WarGames 9:55pm 5 News 10:00pm Top Gun 12:15am Young Guns

SKY1 3:00pm Emergency Animal Rescue 3:30pm Emergency Animal Rescue 4:00pm Modern Family 5:30pm Modern Family 6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm The Simpsons 7:00pm About a Boy 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Holidaymakers 9:00pm The Flash 10:00pm Hawaii Five-0 11:00pm NCIS: Los Angeles 12:00am NCIS: Los Angeles

Monday BBC ONE 5:30pm Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm Inside Out 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm Panorama 10:00pm New Tricks 11:00pm BBC News 11:25pm Regional News 11:40pm Weather 11:45pm Waterloo Road 12:45am The Graham Norton Show

BBC TWO 5:45pm Hi-De-Hi! 6:15pm Flog It! 7:00pm Two Tribes 7:30pm Eggheads 8:00pm Top Gear 9:00pm University Challenge 9:30pm Only Connect 10:00pm A Cook Abroad 11:00pm House of Fools 11:30pm Newsnight 12:15am Weather

ITV 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm Local News and Weather 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm More Tales From Northumberland with Robson Green 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm Broadchurch 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:40pm ICC Cricket 12:40am The Jonathan Ross Show

CH4 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm The Simpsons 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 8:55pm The Political Slot 9:00pm Dispatches 9:30pm Food Unwrapped 10:00pm NHS: £2 Billion a Week and Counting 11:00pm Catastrophe 11:35pm Bodyshockers 12:40am 24 Hours in A and E

CH5 6:00pm 5 News 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News 8:00pm Criminals: Caught on Camera 8:30pm Car Crash TV 9:00pm Police Interceptors 10:00pm Benefits Britain: Life on the Dole 11:00pm 10,000 BC 12:00am The Jackal

SKY1 6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Futurama 7:00pm Futurama 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm The Holidaymakers 10:00pm Arrow 11:00pm Modern Family 11:30pm Modern Family 12:00am NCIS: Los Angeles

Tuesday BBC ONE 5:30pm Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm EastEnders 9:00pm Holby City 10:00pm The Gift 11:00pm BBC News 11:25pm Regional News 11:40pm Weather 11:45pm Child Birth: All or Nothing 12:35am Growing Up Down's

BBC TWO 3:45pm Africa 4:45pm Open All Hours 5:15pm To the Manor Born 5:45pm Hi-De-Hi! 6:15pm Flog It! 7:00pm Two Tribes 7:30pm Eggheads 8:00pm Wanted in Paradise 9:00pm Natural World 10:00pm Inside the Commons 11:00pm Rhod Gilbert's Work Experience 11:30pm Newsnight 12:15am Weather

ITV 5:00pm 1000 Heartbeats 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm Local News and Weather 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm UEFA Champions League 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:40pm UEFA Champions League: Extra Time 12:40am Carry on Henry

CH4 5:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm The Simpsons 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 8:55pm The Political Slot 9:00pm Mary Portas: Secret Shopper 10:00pm The Romanians are Coming 11:00pm Immigration Street 12:00am Kid Criminals

CH5 6:00pm 5 News 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News 8:00pm Police Interceptors 9:00pm Costa Del Casualty 10:00pm Killer Psychopaths 11:00pm 10,000 BC 12:00am World's Biggest Hips

SKY1 5:00pm Futurama 5:30pm Futurama 6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Futurama 7:00pm Futurama 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm The Flash 10:00pm Critical 11:00pm Ross Kemp: Extreme World 12:00am NCIS: Los Angeles

Wednesday BBC ONE 5:30pm Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News 8:00pm The One Show 9:00pm The Great Comic Relief Bake Off 10:00pm The People's Strictly for Comic Relief 11:00pm BBC News 11:25pm Regional News 11:40pm Weather 11:45pm A Question of Sport 12:15am Film 2015

BBC TWO 5:15pm Three Up, Two Down 5:45pm Hi-De-Hi! 6:15pm Flog It! 6:50pm A Party Political Broadcast by the Labour Party 7:00pm Two Tribes 7:30pm Eggheads 8:00pm Wanted in Paradise 9:00pm Suffragettes Forever! The Story of Women and Power 10:00pm Wolf Hall 11:00pm Up the Women 11:30pm Newsnight 12:15am Weather

ITV 5:00pm 1000 Heartbeats 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm Local News and Weather 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm The Brit Awards 2015 11:20pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 12:00am Perspectives

CH4 5:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm The Simpsons 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 8:55pm The Political Slot 9:00pm The Restoration Man 10:00pm 24 Hours in A and E 11:00pm Junk Food Kids: Who's to Blame? 12:05am CITIZENFOUR

CH5 6:00pm 5 News at 5 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm Cowboy Builders 9:00pm GPs: Behind Closed Doors 10:00pm Jack the Ripper 11:00pm Autopsy 12:00am Trauma Doctors

SKY1 3:00pm NCIS: Los Angeles 4:00pm Modern Family 4:30pm Modern Family 5:00pm Futurama 5:30pm Futurama 6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Futurama 7:00pm Futurama 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm The Fanatics 10:00pm Stella 11:00pm Flintoff: Lord of the Fries 12:00am NCIS: Los Angeles

E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

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OPINION & COMMENT

Anti-British BBC at it again LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT

HEY’RE at it again, aren’t they? Once again the BBC’s antiBritish ‘aunties’ have attempted to undermine and basically insult our heroes of yesteryear. Their coverage and biased reporting of the Dresden bombing anniversary was not only a disgrace, but had they adopted this stance at the time of the event, would probably have resulted in them all being hanged as traitors. With hardly a word about the brave air crews who lost their lives during this and many other dangerous missions, they paraded a biased bunch of ‘survivors’ who made our brave airmen sound like IS in the sky. One after another these ‘eye witnesses’ reeled off a

BIASED: BBC’s coverage of the Dresden bombing anniversary. succession of horrific tales of the death and destruction that rained down from the allies onto the ‘innocent’ citizens of the German city of Dresden. With suitably pained, sympathetic expressions, the news vendors of this so-called British institution delivered what can only be described as a damning indictment of the allied forces

Cassandra Nash

A weekly look - and not entirely impartial reaction to the Spanish political scene

involved in these operations. Typical. You know what their main problem is? Ninety per cent of these newscasters are too young. Too young to remember the thousands of Britons who were also wiped out by the relentless onslaught of the German luftwaffe. Too young to have been among the citizens of our great cities, who

crowded into tube stations and cellars as the indiscriminate bombing of the enemy flattened their homes and institutions. Too young to remember the blood and gore as our own innocent men and women ‘exploded’ in the streets. This terribly misplaced sympathy for the enemy is a most dangerous path to traverse. It is the attitude that loses wars and brings disaster and defeat to those who are weak enough to practise it. Thank God Churchill never had this type of pacifist attitude. We were coming to the end of a horrific war - for the second time! Millions of military personnel and civilians throughout Europe had been lost to the animals of the German Nazi party. Despite protestations of innocence, I have no doubt that the citizens of Dresden and Berlin took to the streets in triumph and celebration at every victory

Bon voyage

The lilywhite boy THE Spanish have fallen out of love with their politicians. They hail them with the harsh criticism that they are “all the same” and they aren’t referring to ideology. No party is free from accusations of political-financial corruption and politicians are seen as power-hungry shysters. The Podemos party is not escaping unscathed as its co-founder Juan Carlos Mondero failed to declare €425,000 earned by ‘advising’ Venezuela, Nicaragua, Ecuador and Bolivia. He has now coughed up €200,000 to keep Hacienda happy, but the taint remains. Those who accuse others of corruption and of belonging to the caste must be whiter than white themselves.

A time experiment PODEMOS has overtaken the PSOE and would be the second-most voted party if elections were held now. That’s some achievement for a fledgling party although Podemos couldn’t form a

TRAVEL PLANS: Your name and itinerary could be a part of new database. government with that vote and polls suggest that it has reached its ceiling. Harold Wilson famously said that a week is a long time in politics and there are three months before the local and regional elections in May. Those three months could stretch into an eternity where anything can happen, especially to Podemos as all eyes turn to Greece and

Syriza to gauge what could be in store for Spain.

He’s behind you! CIUDADANOS has crept up behind the three front-runners. Ciudadanos? Rather a tongue-twister for the non-Spanish,

Hitler and his psychopaths announced. Horrific and wrong as it may have been, it was war. A war that through the sacrifice of millions the allies had won. The people of the allied forces needed to teach these people a lesson, they wanted revenge. And why not? Their bravery in the face of often overwhelming odds must never be forgotten and never ever undermined, particularly by a bunch of BBC pillocks who, when the time comes - as surely it will - will probably hand us all over to IS on a pacifist plate. Well, we wouldn’t want to ‘offend’ anyone, would we? Keep the faith Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com

THE same sectors that agonised about Spain’s ‘life means life’ sentence are now agonising over PNR. This means Passenger Name Record, a database listing a passenger’s name and itinerary. If centralised it could track and identify known or suspected jihadists worldwide but while Brussels drags its feet over this, Spain is proceeding with its own version. It is meeting opposition as PNR could abuse data protection directives and ‘fundamental rights’ opponents say. A Metroscopia opinion poll showed recently that 67 per cent of the Spanish, regardless of political leanings, want reviewable life sentences. Probably that number, or more, approve of PNR. As for expats, anyone travelling to or from Evesham, Edinburgh, Ebbw Vale or Enniskillen is probably less concerned about data protection than knowing they will arrive all in one piece. Ciudadanos is often shortened in print to C’s. It spread from Cataluña since its beginnings as a non-nationalist party in 2006 with the ambition of focusing on ‘the real problems’ of citizens. Its leader Albert Rovira recently said: “Podemos wants revenge and Spain needs justice” and for that alone C’s deserves forgiveness for using the greengrocer’s apostrophe.

OPINION & COMMENT

www.euroweeklynews.com

19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

EWN

Living with a propensity to play with death! Ric Polansky Ric Polansky moved to Mojacar in 1969 as a pioneer developer. He reads extensively and has travelled in South America panning gold and looking for El Dorado.

an imminence of danger to achieve the full effect. Not an easy task for anyone, for even the most aged

IS name is Francisco Torres Jerez. He hasn’t become a household name yet. But soon, he’s laying his life on the line to do just that. Can’t ask for more than that now, can we? Francisco is a matador de toros looking for that one big day which could catapult him to worldwide notoriety and attention. Unfortunately, so are many others. So, he has had to propose something of gargantuan proportions to make even the most indolent sit up and take notice. It must be of virtuous dramatic effect and contain

and learned of his profession. The day chosen is Andalucia Day, Saturday, February 28, at exactly five o’clock in the afternoon (as Garcia Lorca made famous in his noted poem about the death of his friend Ignacio Sanchez Mejias). The place is

the Plaza de Toros in Almeria wherein Francisco will face off and sacrifice six toros bravos by himself. He will have back people to aid at times or in case of his own early personal injury. To further complicate the issue he has selected six bulls from six different ranches to

OLE!: Francisco is a matador looking for worldwide notoriety and attention.

demonstrate his artistic valour and dominance. It will be a long and complicated day for Francisco and those of us that know him well will be sitting on the edges of our seats in jaw-dropping awe and suspense. A situation that deserves much respect. The organisers have reduced the price of the tickets to an easily affordable €25 in the ‘sol’ section. I have them for sale if interested. I have already sold and booked 18 seats for members of London’s famed Taurine Club and quite a few writers. In ‘sol’ you can sit where you want (other than the lower seats numbered). Anywhere else is for your choosing. For tickets call 607 11 71 74 in the mornings or see me in Los Arcos bar near my office. I only have 15 of 60 left.

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NEATER HEATERS have now been warming homes in Spain since 2009. These stylish Norwegian convector heaters are quite simply the most efficient way to provide cost-effective electric central heating for your home. “One of the real challenges we face, however,” said Tony, “is public perception. We have always sold Neater Heaters as electric central heating. In other words, they are radiators, and not fires. In the UK we have centrally heated homes with full insulation, double glazing, windows and doors that fit properly, and we still light fires when we settle in for the evening. Yet in Spain some people expect to create a tropical paradise in their draughty noninsulated homes with just a few low-wattage electric heaters. “I suppose we were the same once. However, having tried many options, we discovered Neater Heaters from Norway and haven’t looked back.” “Another challenge we have faced recently,” said Richard, “is

NEATER HEATER DISTRIBUTORS: ALMERIA SAN JAVIER: DFS Spain. Tel. 968 334 194 MAZARRON Camposol B. La Red Solutions. (Mapfre). Tel. 968 199 025 ANTAS: Lifestyle Enclosures. Tel. 950 459 060 ROQUETAS DE MAR: Almeria Relocations. Tel. 950 335 340 Heaters also available for purchase at our online shop with free home delivery NEATER HEATERS: Can be wall mounted or freestanding. confusion about what a Neater Heater is. We were recently tipped off that some people were being less than complimentary about Neater Heaters in an expat forum. “Now, we don’t monitor forums, but we decided to have a peek and it soon became apparent that the heater being criticised was an eco-heater, not

WWW.NEATERHEATER.ES or Tel. 634 312 171 a Neater Heater. An eco-heater is a flat piece of metal that heats up hot enough to fry an egg on. “It is not designed to circulate air. It is what we were looking to replace in our home when we discovered Neater Heaters, which do not themselves heat up, but instead they heat up the air inside them. This hot air rises

out through the top of the heater drawing cold air in through the vents at the base. “The cold air, in turn, heats up and rises, leading to convection heating. Convection simply means hot air rises. “This as opposed to oil-filled heaters which lose energy at each of their three stages of

conduction: element heats the oil, the oil heats the metal carcass of the heater, the metal carcass heats the air - but not much as it has a relatively small contact surface area. “Our heaters can be wall mounted or additional feet can be purchased to enable them to be freestanding.”

E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

OPINION & COMMENT

What a klass act - there are no klassroom prizes here!

ARENTS have been making the headlines recently. The singer/radio DJ Myleene Klass took to social media after receiving a ‘bonkers’ email suggesting she paid £10 towards a ‘kindle and a desk’ for two of her daughter’s schoolfriends’ birthdays. However, Myleene’s ‘publicity stunt’ (the email reportedly sent over a year ago) seems to have backfired when she was confronted by angry mothers mortified at having their email correspondence publicised on Twitter, together with Myleene’s own joke reply (a ‘unicorn’ for her daughter’s birthday and a ‘Ferrari and Leonardo

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Nora Johnson

Breaking Views A Costa del Sol resident for a number of years, Nora is the author of psychological suspense and crime thrillers. To comment on any of the issues raised in her column, go to www.euroweeklynews.com/columnists/norajohnson

DiCaprio’ for her own). Whatever you think about such donations, Myleene shared her personal experience with the entire nation, humiliating those involved. Now, let’s face it, it’s not the kids at issue here, it’s the parents. Take, for instance, the parents of Alex Nash, five, who were invoiced for a £15.95 ‘child’s party, no show fee’ after he missed his classmate Charlie’s birthday party. Alex’s

UESDAY was Pancake Day and it was a signal for me to break out the flour, milk and eggs, and spend the day splattering the walls and whipping up batches of my wife’s favourite food. Perhaps not favourite; it’s simply that pancakes are rarely on the menu for us at other times of the year, and so on this one day we really go to town. Even if I say so myself, I am pretty darn good at making these yummy frisbees and I have pancake tossing down to a fine art. Okay, so I’m not so good at catching them, but you can’t have everything. The exception to the once a year rule is if we find ourselves visiting the US to see friends. On these occasions, the Princess will not hesitate to indulge herself and when breakfasting in local restaurants, it’s a safe bet that this will be her food of choice. On our way from Yosemite to San Francisco recently, we stopped at a roadside diner for a late breakfast. It was like something out of Happy Days and we half expected to see

MYLEENE KLASS: Her publicity stunt backfired. father subsequently found the invoice in his son’s schoolbag, went public and was threatened with court action if he didn’t pay up. In neither of these cases was it necessary to

publicise the issue the way they did. Why didn’t Alex’s parents simply discuss it with Charlie’s calmly and rationally? Myleene may have changed all the names in her tweet, but everyone

at her daughter Ava’s school will know who she was talking about. And it’s the children - Ava and Alex - who’ll suffer from their parents’ behaviour. They’ll be the ones ignored in the playground, not invited to future parties. As for Myleene, a more grownup approach would have been to buy the children gifts she thought appropriate, and make her views known privately to the offending parents. But where are the innocent times, back in the day, when money wasn’t such a big deal for kids? Now it’s all about money and ‘how much will I get?’ What happened to: just be grateful you got

something? And what about: you don’t invite people so they give you something, but because you like them, want to spend time with them? We shouldn’t begrudge today’s kids having all the latest gadgets and whatever. But in so doing they risk growing up, to misquote Oscar Wilde, knowing the price of every gadget under the sun and the value of nothing. Nora Johnson’s thrillers Landscape of Lies, Retribution, Soul Stealer, The De Clerambault Code (www.norajohnson.com) available from Amazon in paperback/eBook (€0.89;£0.79) and iBookstore. Profits to Cudeca.

An annual battering Colin Bird Each week, Colin brings his slightly off-the-wall view of the world to the pages of EWN in his own irreverent style.

the Fonz saunter in. No sooner had we parked ourselves in a window booth, than a pretty little gumchewing waitress appeared at my elbow, and taking the obligatory pencil from behind her ear, prepared to write down our order. “What’s your pleasure, guys?” she drawled (all Americans drawl). I was tempted to tell her, but I ordered some bacon, sausage and eggs-over-easy with lots of toast, instead. The Princess asked if they happened to have pancakes. Our waitress paused in mid chew and with a disbelieving expression replied: “Do we have pancakes?” Hellooo!

PANCAKES: Perhaps I should make them at home more often! Then realising that the accent was hardly West Coast, declared: “Oh, you’re Brits. Cute. Yeah sure we got

pancakes - medium or large stack?” Being familiar with the American idea of portion control, a medium stack was

ordered; this turned out to be eight pancakes. On another occasion six of us had decided on a very smart restaurant for breakfast at the San Diego marina. We were en route to Mexico and needed to fuel-up for the journey. Predictably my lady ordered her beloved pancakes, but this time didn’t hold back and the Everest-sized mound duly arrived - dripping in melted butter and maple syrup, the whole edifice topped with strawberries and an assortment of exotic berries. Two bites in and amid much lip smacking, she declared loudly: “If there’s such a thing as a gastronomic orgasm, I’m having it!” The clatter of forks dropped onto expensive crockery echoed around the elegant dining room. I’m thinking that perhaps I should make pancakes at home more often.

E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

CROSSWORDS

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MADDOCKS’ VIEW ON LIFE

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day Eleven-year-old Alexander experiences the most awful day of his young life - a day that begins with gum stuck in his hair followed by mishap after mishap. So when Alexander tells his happy-go-lucky family about his terrible day, he finds little sympathy and begins to wonder if only bad things happen to him. But he’s not alone when his mum, dad, brother and sister all find themselves having their own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Directed by Miguel Arteta, starring Ed Oxenbould, Steve Carrell and Jennifer Garner. Run time 81 minutes. Rated PG.

TODAY

VELEZ RUBIO

TOMORROW HUERCAL OVERA

ALBOX

VELEZ RUBIO GARRUCHA ALBOX MOJACAR

ALMERIA

HUERCAL OVERA

RETAMAR GARRUCHA

ADRA

ROQUETAS

MOJACAR

RETAMAR

ALMERIA

ROQUETAS

ADRA

Visit the stars, for details on our expanded range of services

ARIES (March 21 - April 20) Your efforts to get your message across might be best delayed for seven days. Keep your ideas and emotions grounded.

Almeria

CLOUDY MAX 14C, MIN 9C MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

www.fiduciarywealth.eu

Mon - 19 11 S Tues - 17 8 S Wed - 16 9 Cl

15 8 C 18 10 S 18 11 S

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) You will see the advantage of working towards a new location, or even a specific makeover for your domestic scene. Either way, wait for a further green light, especially where money’s concerned.

tars

CANCER (June 22 - July 23) Refuse to be miffed by whatever disagreements or difficulties clutter your world. The sooner you get on with things, the better for your peace of mind.

6-Star Quiz

Fri Sat Sun -

SCORPIO (October 24 November 22) You’re not the only member of the zodiac who’ll have to toughen up. It’ll pay you to chill on Tuesday, be patient on Wednesday, and put your potent insights into orbit.

Sudoku Fill the grid so that every row, every column and every 3X3 box contains the digits 1-9. There’s no maths involved. You solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 December 21) The full moon in your own sign is a powerful ally against this week’s planetary fracas. Speak from the heart and reject any ambiguous emotional games.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

CAPRICORN (December 22 January 20) There’s a financial theme to many of your plans and ideas. Above all, spend with care and examine all offers carefully.

LOTTERY UK THUNDERBALL

IRISH LOTTO

EURO MILLIONS

Saturday February 14

Friday February 13

14 25

15 34

BONUS BALL

THUNDERBALL

BONUS BALL

24 42

LUCKY STARS 3

REINTEGRO 27

EL GORDO DE LA PRIMITIVA 16

19 47

Fri Sat Sun -

S Sun,

14 6 Cl 16 3 Cl 17 4 S

TODAY:

MAX MIN

Mon - 19 6 S Tues - 14 3 S Wed - 15 4 S

Mon - 18 8 S Tues - 16 7 Cl Wed - 17 7 C Cl Clear,

CLOUDY MAX 16C, MIN 9C MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun Fog,

Sn Snow,

MAX MIN

18 8 C 21 10 S 21 9 S

Mon - 22 11 S Tues - 20 9 C Wed - 19 9 C

C Cloud,

Sh Showers,

Th Thunder

Nonagram How many English words of four letters or more can you make from the nine letters in our Nonagram puzzle? Each letter may be used only once (unless the letter appears twice). Each word MUST CONTAIN THE CENTRE LETTER (in this case C) and there must be AT LEAST ONE NINE LETTER WORD. Plurals, vulgarities or proper nouns are not allowed.

Average: 7

Very good: 12

Good: 9

Excellent: 15

aper, cape, capo, carp, clap, clop, cope, corp, crop, kelp, leap, lope, opal, pace, pack, pale, pare, park, pawl, peak, peal, pear, peck, perk, plea, plow, pock, poke, pole, pore, pork, prow, rape, reap, rope, warp, wrap, caper, copal, coper, copra, crape, loper, opera, pacer, paler, pawer, pearl, place, poker, polar, poler, polka, power, prole, prowl, recap, carpel, cowpea, packer, parcel, parole, placer, plower, repack, ropewalk, WORKPLACE

Word Ladder SOFT

Move from the start word (SOFT) to the end word (RUSH) in the same number of steps as there are rungs on the Word Ladder. You must only change one letter at a time.

38 48

REINTEGRO 2

MAX 14C, MIN 3C

Murcia

CLOUDY MAX 17C, MIN 6C 17 7 Sh 16 8 Cl 16 7 S

CLEAR MAX MIN

MAX MIN

Mon - 22 11 S Tues - 20 11 Cl Wed - 18 9 Cl

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

MAX MIN

Mon - 21 11 S Tues - 19 10 S Wed - 18 10 S

Madrid

Mallorca TODAY:

17 11 Cl 19 10 S 19 12 S

TODAY:

MAX 18C, MIN 8C

18 9 Cl 18 10 Cl 22 11 S

Sunday February 15

Saturday February 14

39 44

LA PRIMITIVA

MAX MIN

Mon - 18 10 S Tues - 16 9 Sh Wed - 16 9 C

TARGET:

AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) Your emotions, extra expenses and other domestic pressures are on the boil. Put off major decisions until next week.

UK NATIONAL LOTTERY

Fri Sat Sun -

MAX MIN

Mon - 19 13 S Tues - 18 12 S Wed - 18 11 C

SHOWERS MAX 16C, MIN 11C

TODAY:

MAX 14C, MIN 8C

16 9 S 18 9 S 17 9 S

CLEAR

17 10 Cl 17 11 S 18 12 S

Benidorm

SUNNY

MAX MIN

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) Scanning the rest of the star-signs, you’ll see that you have many things in common this week: challenging influences at work and play, and during other clogging capers.

LEO (July 24 - August 23) Move forward on this week’s positive waves of optimism. Treat yourself, but don’t overindulge your temptations. The planets aren’t dancing to all your wants and desires.

Fri Sat Sun -

Malaga TODAY:

CLOUDY MAX 16C, MIN 11C MAX MIN

Barcelona TODAY:

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) If it doesn’t rain, it pours, so keep an umbrella of humour to hand. Have a much happier trend for your workaday, social and financial prospects.

Y S our

TODAY:

MAX MIN

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) Don’t jump from one financial frying pan into another. Take it easy on all fronts, especially where your money, emotions and other people's moods are at odds with your ideas.

1. According to Lewis Carroll’s 1871 book Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There, what does the White Queen offer Alice ‘every other day’ as an inducement to work for her? 2. According to the title of Jeanette Winterson’s 1985 novel, what Are Not the Only Fruit? 3. Humble Pie was the title of the 2006 autobiography by which famous British chef and restaurateur? 4. In Roald Dahl’s children’s book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, what is the name of the eccentric chocolatier who owns the chocolate factory? 5. ‘To begin at the beginning: It is Spring, moonless night in the small town, starless and bible-black, the cobblestreets silent and the hunched, courters’-and- rabbits’ wood limping invisible down to the sloeblack, slow, black, crowblack, fishingboat-bobbing sea’ is the first line of which 1954 radio drama by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas? 6. What is the one-word title of the 1999 novel by Joanne Harris that tells the story of Vianne Rocher, a young single mother, who arrives in the French village of Lansquenet-sousTannes at the beginning of Lent with her six-year-old daughter, Anouk and opens a shop called La Céleste Praline?

Alicante TODAY:

RUSH

RUST RUSH

PISCES (February 20 - March 20) It’s both a vertical and horizontal week. What goes right somewhere could easily go wrong elsewhere. Sensitive Venus conspires with touchy Mars to trigger tensions and troubles.

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SOFT LOFT LOST LUST

1. JAM, 2. ORANGES, 3. GORDON RAMSAY, 4. WILLY WONKA, 5. UNDER MILK WOOD, 6. CHOCOLAT

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19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

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Housesitters found for Jim and Jewel from HouseSit Match By Lamia Walker of HousesitMatch HIGHLAND terriers Jewel and Jim travelled over from Scotland two years ago with owner Jackie from Glasgow. The puppies are great companions; she moved

to southern Spain when her husband passed away. They had always enjoyed holidays in Costa Almeria and she now lives in a sunny house by the coast with her dogs. Time has passed and they have all settled into

coastal life. She wants to travel more independently to visit family and friends abroad. But what to do with the dogs? After looking online for a suitable local solution, she decided to invite housesitters into her home to care for the dogs and property while she travels. She found a website which allowed her to build an online profile and to have a look at the sitters before she made a commitment. She connected with several sitters. Within six months she booked three housesitters for different holidays, all experienced. All that for £65 per year. ‘Very good value’ she said! Download your Free Easy Guide to Housesitting from here www.bit.ly/eurown001 To find a petsitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com or call Lamia on +44 (0)1865 521508.

How can I stop my puppy’s biting? David THE Dogman

Listen to David on TRE every Saturday 10 thru 11. Costa del Sol (Gibraltar/Sotogrande) 98.7fm (San Roque to Calahonda) 91.9fm (Calahonda to Motril) 88.9, Costa Calida 92.7fm Costa Blanca (Torrevieja to Elche) 105.1fm (Elche to Calpe) 88.2fm, (Calpe to Gandia & Ibiza) 104.6fm, (Denia to Valencia) 95.3fm Mallorca 103.9fm

THERE are a few methods to stop your puppy’s biting. The most important thing to remember is to stop the bad habit before it snowballs into a bigger problem. Startle your dog and redirect his behaviour. Just as your puppy bites down, make a sudden, abrupt, high-pitched and loud ‘AWRP’ sound. It’s the same sound a littermate would make if bitten by the puppy. The sound should be so sudden and sharp your puppy is immediately startled and stops the

behaviour. If done correctly, you’ll be surprised how instantly your pup removes his mouth and looks bewildered. At that point, quickly substitute a toy, such as a ball, your puppy can chew on. This redirects your puppy’s biting behaviour to the ball. Also you can ignore your dog. Leave the room when your puppy bites. This is an easy training method that even children can use. Your puppy will learn that every time he bites he loses his playmate, and that’s no fun at all. No matter what method you use, do not entice your puppy to bite you. Games like tug-of-war

BITING: Little puppies like to chew. and waving your hands in front of your puppy could encourage him to bite. Little puppies like to chew on everything, from your fingertips to your socks. But now is your chance to redirect his bad behaviour onto his toys. If you help him during this stage, he will easily grow out of it. Good luck, have patience and always praise him when he stops any unwanted behaviour.

FEATURE

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19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

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Grab a bargain at Glad Rags and help contribute to a local charity MANY of us are or have been affected by the evil disease that is cancer, myself included. This is the reason that Gladrags’ chosen charity for this year is ‘The Walk For Life,’ a local charity that is constantly raising funds to help people and their families who are fighting cancer. For the week starting February 23, I will be running the final week of the Winter Sale, with prices slashed by 50 per cent and more as everything must go to make way for new stock that will be coming soon. You will all be able to grab some unbelievable bargains. This includes all knitwear, tunics, blouses, dresses and nightwear from the Autumn/Winter collection. Also more items will have been added to the €5 and €10 rail. So if you have had your eye on a certain piece of

GLAD RAGS: Everything must go to make way for new stock that will be coming soon. clothing, you may just find it is now heavily reduced!

The most important day of this week will be Monday 23, as on

this day I will donate €1 from each purchase made to The

Walk For Life Charity, so not only will you be getting a bargain, but you will be supporting this very worthwhile charity. We all need to remember the heartache and devastation this disease brings with it and as a community we need to do everything we can to raise funds for charities like The Walk For Life, who do everything possible to make a very difficult time just that little bit more bearable. None of us know what is round the corner or when we may need to call on this charity for help, so if you can, do something to help as every contribution helps no matter how small, but it can make a BIG difference. Glad Rags Calle Malaga, Albox Tel: 634 313 071.

E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

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OPINION & COMMENT

Sensible ban or Nanny State? RUTH REILY of The Sleep Centre, IT has been announced that the UK is to ban people from smoking in Albox would be in favour of a similar cars when children are present. Should Spain follow the UK’s lead, or is ban in Spain. “My husband and my the Nanny State going too far in telling people what they can do? daughter are both asthmatic, so I am already in favour of banning smoking in enclosed spaces such as cars. “Our children are precious so I completely agree with the UK’s ban on it and would be happy to see Spain go down the same route.” Dr Helen Webberley, who runs online GP service MyWebDoctor.co.uk believes smoking in vehicles should be banned in the UK and Spain. She said: “We are all very aware of the dangers of smoking these days and it is very distressing to see people smoking in cars when there are other non-smoking passengers in the car. “It is even more distressing when those passengers are MARK: Thinks it will be BOB: Smoking should be a DR WEBBERLEY: Smoking children. Smoking should be should be banned everywhere. unenforceable. banned everywhere and especially personal choice. in enclosed spaces.” Alan, the owner of Eurodog smoke in a confined space where Mark who is The Sky Doctor, Kennels, Mijas Costa, said he thought there are children, and as a parent Internet installations thinks that it that it was inconsiderate of adults to they are being irresponsible. would be an unenforceable law:

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“Although I think the ban would be a good thing, I think it is one of those laws that will never happen, I mean where do you stop. I think it is a good thing to deter kids from smoking, as kids usually follow what their parents do. “I do think, however, kids are wiser now and will choose for themselves.” Michelle, the owner of Ace of Shades Blinds and Awnings, Mijas Costa, commented that “if you are alone in your car and wish to smoke, then that is up to you, but when there are others in the car, especially children, then you should refrain from doing so.” Bob Pratt, owner of The Royal Oak, believes it should be everyone’s personal choice whether they smoke in a car or not, but, as a non-smoker he doesn’t allow smoking in his car: “I don’t like smoking in cars as a non-smoker, but I don’t think it should be illegal and I won’t let people smoke in my car, but I wouldn’t ask them to stop if I was in their car. Each to their own.”

JAVEA BRIDGE CLUB

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Avenida de Paris, 2, Javea, Alicante. www.javeabridgeclub.com or Tel: 96 646 3671

Hesitations and unauthorised information Step 3. Having decided there was UI, THERE are often misunderstandings concerning a player’s right to redress the director asks himself whether the UI suggested a course or type of action. If following a hesitation by an opponent. Say the director is called to a table at not, no adjustment. This is a subtle the end of a hand, and a claim is made point and best illustrated with an that an opponent had obtained example: unauthorised information (UI) from his partner’s hesitation. The claimant states S W N E that his side was damaged. There is a 3♦ X 5♦ 5♥ four-step process that the director must 6♦ 6♥ all pass go through before he awards an adjusted score: Step 1. He must be satisfied that The 5♥ bid was made after a long there was indeed a hesitation. If one or both of the ‘offending’ side argue that thought. East might have been thinking there was no hesitation, there is nothing of passing, or doubling or even something stronger, before he settled the director can do. No agreed hesitation, therefore no UI on 5♥. Yes, there was a hesitation by East but West had received no and no adjustment. Step 2. Having established to his information that would help him in his satisfaction that there was a hesitation, decision over 6♦. No UI, no adjustment. the director must decide whether or not Step 4. Finally, having accepted UI the hesitation conveyed UI. If not, no was conveyed by the hesitation, the adjustment. A player is entitled to stop director must judge (Law 16.B.1(a)) and think when he has alternative whether the recipient had chosen “from continuations to consider – it is not among logical alternatives one that www.euroweeklynews.com demonstrably have been automatic that this results in passing UI. could

suggested over another by the extraneous information”. Modifying the previous example: S 3♦ No No

W X 6♦ 7♥

N E 5♦ 5♥ No 6♥ all pass

7♥ makes. 5♥ was bid in tempo but 6♥ was preceded by long thought. The director is summoned and, on examining West’s hand, allows the result to stand. Passing 6♥ was not a logical alternative as West was clearly strong enough to drive past 6♥. So why bid 6♦ rather than 7♥ directly? West is legally entitled to bid 6♦ and his motivation is irrelevant (he might have hoped to double a 7♦ sacrifice). The director was happy that East’s hesitation played no part in West’s 7♥ bid, therefore no adjustment.

We play duplicate four days a week, starting at 3pm (arrive by 2.45pm please). Monday – no fear, Tuesday & Friday – open, Wednesday – host system, so you will be assured of a partner. On Thursday – lessons. We’d like our articles to be interactive so if you have bridgerelated comments, problems, etc, send them to: questions@javea bridgeclub.com and we’ll do our best to answer.

E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de AlmerĂa

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IT seems scientists are finally catching up on what the Spaniards have known for decades; the siesta can be good for you. New research found that indulging in a power nap can repair the

damage caused by a lack of sleep and a 30-minute power nap can help relieve stress and boost the immune system. The scientists hope their findings will help shift workers and those who suffer from insomnia, by showing a quick nap can reduce the damage caused by too few hours sleep.

QUICK NAP: Can boost the immune system.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

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19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

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Toughest day of my life Erica Russell Watson: My journey – and I’m driving

14th February I WAS diagnosed with breast cancer in August of last year, which was a tough time but little did I know the toughest day of my life was yet to come. On Sunday, February 8, I received a call from a Guardia Civil traffic officer informing me that Angus Julian Russell Watson had died in a cycling accident. Angus had been my husband for nearly 17 years and the father of my children. We had recently divorced, which made things all the sadder. Nothing can prepare you for a moment like this. Within a short time of receiving the call I had identified his body and signed for his possessions. I just could not believe it. Whilst at the Guardia Civil offices his mobile phone rang. Then I realised it was Oliver, our son, ringing his Daddy’s phone, wanting to know why he was taking so long. It was utterly heartbreaking. I did not answer the call. My head spun and my stomach twisted but now was not a time to buckle. I had to get to my children as soon as possible and tell them. The children had been spending the weekend with their father and were at his flat. I pulled up outside knowing the children were inside waiting for news. I wanted to prolong their blissful ignorance of the abhorrent thing that had just happened and protect them but I could not delay one moment longer. Two expectant faces greeted me. “Daddy has had an accident, hasn’t he?” they said. I told them their father had died. It was the worst moment of my entire life. I have never heard such sorrowful crying. The pain was tangible, utter devastation. We held each other until we could cry no more.

COMING TOGETHER: Angus’s family say a fond farewell. I then had to ring his family with the terrible news. It was just awful. They had spent such a happy Christmas together and Angus had recently visited his father, who is very ill. Noone could believe it or take it in. His mother, brother and sister were over on the first available flight. His father sadly was too ill to travel. The ensuing days were a whirlwind of organisation. In Spain, funerals are conducted within 48 hours of a death. This was very hard for his family as they just didn’t have time to come to terms with things. We had to arrange the funeral, invite guests, co-ordinate airport pick-ups, accommodation and flowers. It was all a blur.

The pain was tangible. We held each other until we could cry no more It was decided, as Angus had lived in Spain for 16 years, that he should have his funeral here locally. At the eleventh hour his two lovely children from his previous marriage, Amy and Joshua, managed to get a flight over. It would be the first time that my children had met their half-brother and sister. I can honestly say that despite the

pain it was a wonderful moment and provided us all with comfort and some level of relief because we were all running on empty. Oliver and Isabella instantly loved their brother and sister and the sentiment was entirely reciprocated. Having a big brother and big sister to put their arms around made all the difference. The funeral was at 4pm on Thursday, February 12. The turnout was massive. People had come from England, from Comares, the Spanish village where we had moved to initially, and from Benajarafe, where we both had lived for the last nine years. A veritable army of Angus’s colleagues also came to pay their last respects. His brother James, Joshua his eldest son and his dear friends Steve and Andy were pallbearers. Oliver brought up the rear followed by myself and Isabella, his mother Elizabeth, his sister Linzi and his eldest daughter Amy. We had organised two ceremonies. The first being a Catholic ceremony out of respect for the Spanish attendees and the second a more intimate gathering for our English family and friends, although our Spanish friends were welcome too. The English ceremony was extremely moving. One by one

each member of the family and dear friends stood up and spoke from the heart about Angus. It was beautiful and I know Angus would have been so happy. We went back to Benajarafe and had a bit of ‘morale’, as Angus used to call it. A glass or two was definitely required. We were completely drained but the following day would be a difficult one as his ashes were to be delivered in the morning. We decided that Angus would not have wanted to be trapped in an urn. So we picked a beautiful rocky outcrop and scattered his ashes into the sea along with flower petals and almond blossom. Those of you who knew Angus will know he had a wicked sense of humour and could be quite a devil at times so it was no surprise to me that he refused to come out of his urn! It took us half an

hour to prise off the lid. We had to laugh because it was almost impossible to cry any more. We watched as Angus floated off, we noticed, at haste in the direction of his favourite bar. My daughter said: “Look Daddy is off for a quick pit stop, i.e. a beer, and then off to England to see Grandpa.” I think she was probably right. With his ashes gone we will put some special things in his urn and bury it in the garden so that the children have a place to go when they want to have a chat with their Daddy. I finish by saying how outstanding my children are. Their behaviour has been exemplary. They were so strong on the day of the funeral, greeting all our friends and loved ones and holding it together when everyone around them was crumbling. I could not be prouder. Life is short and you never know what tomorrow holds so really appreciate each day. Chemotherapy is nothing compared to such a loss. Goodbye, Angus, may your soul rest in peace although I suspect you will be bringing a bit of your own special brand of devilment to Heaven!

E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

Drinking, not eating AN increasing amount of women are suffering from what experts are calling ‘drinkorexia’ where they are substituting food with alcohol. Psychologists say that labels detailing the calories in bottles of alcoholic drinks are encouraging people with eating disorders to swap food for drink. Those obsessed with calorie counting will often not eat to be able to drink. One psychiatrist said more people are drinking on an empty stomach, maximising the effects of the alcohol and whilst advertising calorie content can be beneficial for most, it can also be harmful for those with eating problems.

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

The new health rules

A NEW book claims to give readers tips on how to be take control of their own health and improve it. Dr Frank Lipman, an expert in the field of integrative and functional medicine from New York, has used his 30 years of experience to compile a definitive list of 175 health rules to give you a lifestyle for the better. ‘The New Health Rules’ covers tips from eating habits to healing, energising and getting active. Dr Lipman said he wanted to offer some clarity, in a world where misinformation is rife. Here are some of his top tips: Yoga pose Dr Lipman said if you only learn one yoga pose let it be the supta baddha konasana. This is a heartopening, lung-stretching, deeply restorative posture you can do with or without props and is a beneficial way to start or end your day. Energy bars Energy bars can actually sap energy as they are full of sugar

RAW NUTS: Better for you than energy bars. so offer just a quick instant boost. Dr Lipman said: “They are convenient but are not healthy. When you’re grabbing something at a deli, make it raw nuts instead.”

Move every hour After 55 minutes of work, get up and walk around or climb a flight of stairs, just get up and be active for a few minutes to release your body from the shape it’s been

holding for the last hour. Get your hands dirty Your body needs microbes from outdoors to keep your immune system strong. Too many of us live inside, often inhaling processed air so go outside more, dig, play in the sand and walk barefoot: “If you take antibiotics or wash your hands with certain chemicals because you’re scared of germs, all you are doing is killing off the good bacteria that the body needs.” Foot care Roll a tennis ball under the bottom of one foot, then the other, for five minutes each to release the tiny muscles that hold up your frame all day to release tension and benefit your whole body. Be unproductive The brain can be the organ that needs the most care and attention and sometimes all it needs is to be switched off, so try an unproductive day where you have no to-do list, no phone and no computer.

E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

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OPINION & COMMENT

NATO the flawed defender Mike Walsh Mike, based in Mediterranean Spain, is an international journalist, author and professional writer.

tto Von Bismarck Germany’s Iron Chancellor, who unified Germany in the 20th Century: “People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war, or before an election.” What about before a war, sir? There seems to be a belief that in terms of the unthinkable NATO America has the edge on modern Russia. This is selfdelusion on a par with the ‘home by Christmas’ canard spouted at the outbreak of the Great War. NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) was ostensibly created in 1949 to thwart Soviet ambitions. This marketing arm of America’s

vast arms industry takes the gold medal at starting conflicts, in defiance of inter-national law. It is remarkably inept at ending them. Stephen Lendman, 80-yearold Research Associate for the Centre of Research on Globalisation: “I was never scared through the Cold War. I am scared now. America won’t drop its idea of waging a full size war in the region.” Ukraine is Europe’s biggest country. He speaks for many. If America gets its eagerly sought for conflict with Russia, the battlefields do not stop at the end of your urbanisation. You read about the Western Front: in the next war you are the Western Front. The casualty rate will be far worse and irrecoverable. America hopes to fight Russia to the last Ukrainian, Pole, Latvian, Lithuanian, and Estonian. Dream on. The days of fighting trade wars on the

AMERICA: Believes it has the edge on modern Russia. soil of proxy states are over. a total of 38,300 formidable America’s industrial heartlands, weapons, plus the back-up of what is left of them, are firmly the British Army of Occupation. fixed in the cross-hairs of It’s gone. Next year the last modern Russia’s formidable British soldier goes home too. As in 1939, Germany’s army means of response. Not my opinion; I researched the is now significantly smaller beliefs of a wide range of than is Turkey’s or Poland’s. With or without Germany, a experts on modern warfare. NATO is a busted flush. In war with Russian cannot be 1990, Germany’s hippie-army, won. It is conceded that the with US military hardware, had Baltic States would be occupied

in 24-hours. Brussels concedes that the Bloc’s (NATO) response will be enough for only two categories of missions. Limited participation in a humanitarian operation and operations (frontier customs) to enforce an embargo; Sleep well. NATO is a paper tiger capable of little more than doing what a sniper’s bullet can do more cost effectively, but less profitably when it comes to regime change. To bring NATO up to strength would require a drop of 20/25 per cent in European living standards. The performance of NATO’s fighter jets is an embarrassment, as is its means of submarine warfare; it is way behind that of modern Russia. We have not heard the term MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction) since the end of the Cold War. Today, if America’s war lobby wins, as did Britain’s in 1939, we can all kiss our backsides goodbye.

Guided tours to remember Spanish Civil War

CROSS MADRID TOURS is a newly-created concept designed to offer visitors the opportunity to learn about the culture, history and architecture of Madrid. Visit the Prado and Reina Sofia museums, the principal sights of the capital, and of course, bars for tapas tasting, in small groups with specialist guides. There is also a choice of tours organised for children. However, what makes Across Madrid unique are the tours to discover the events, which took place in and around Madrid during the Spanish Civil War. These include visiting the battle sites where Nationalist troops and the International Brigades were engaged in heavy fighting at Jarama and

Peter Fieldman London-born journalist and author, Peter spends his time between Paris and Madrid. His novel ‘1066 The Conquest’ available on Amazon or www.1066TheConquest.com

www.pfieldman.blogspot.com

Brunete as well as in the centre of Madrid. These specialist tours are selected and led by Dr Almudena Cros, a researcher on the subject whose family was directly involved in the war. Dr Cros, who has degrees from Warwick University and is Professor of History at the American Suffolk University in Madrid, has been working for a number of years as a consultant, interviewer and interpreter on numerous projects, books and documentaries related to

the Spanish Civil War and has lectured on the subject. Her first-hand knowledge and ample experience interviewing war veterans and survivors brings to

life the realities of the conflict and its aftermath in an unparalleled manner. The first half of the tour

reconstructs what the city centre looked like in the war, with the help of photographs from that period. Dr Cros will share her family’s wartime story in her native Madrid, illustrated by their photographs and documents of the time. The use of authentic materials recovered from battlefields and military memorabilia provides an exceptional insight into the Spanish Civil War. Dr Cros is deeply involved in organising and attending commemorative trips, events and ceremonies related to the

International Brigades in Spain and other countries as well as helping relatives of the volunteers trace the steps of their family members during the Spanish Civil War. To find out more about the available tours and prices visit the web site: ACROSS MADRID or email info@across madrid.com. A donation from the proceeds of this particular itinerary will be made to the Friends of the International Brigades Association (Asociación de Amigos de las Brigadas Internacionales/AABI).

KNOWLEDGEABLE GUIDE: Dr Almudena Cros.

E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

COMMUNITY

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Happy birthday to Victoria Twead EW

ALMERIA author Victoria Twead celebrated her 65th birthday on February 17. Victoria’s ‘Chickens’ books have three slots on the New York Times bestseller list and book one is also on the Wall Street Journal top 10. They tell the story of Victoria’s move to a rural village in Spain, her time with her husband, Joe, in the Middle East during the Arab Spring and their subsequent return home to Almeria. Victoria, who still lives in Almeria with her husband, is celebrating the event with her family in Australia.

VICTORIA: Celebrating in Australia.

Penny for your thoughts PENNY is looking for a new home. She is a pure white girl aged three or four months. She gets on well with people and other dogs. Her foster carers have generously offered to help with neutering, chipping and vaccination costs and Penny also comes with her own travel cage so she is ready to go to a new home now.

PENNY: Gets on well with people and other dogs. If you can offer Penny a new home please

A charity night BAR CIELOS in La Alfoquia organised an event to raise funds for two local charities. Entertainment was provided by Melanie HowardColes, Brian Dee and Jill Farmiloe who gave their time for free, with €275 being donated to Pat from Cucador Dog Rescue and funds are headed to Vera Orphanage to buy Easter eggs for the children. Glenn at Bar Cielos wishes to thank everyone for their support.

contact APSA on 663 762 642.

FACE food collection FACE (Fundraising in Arboleas, Caring for Everyone) is collecting for families in need. People can donate at the Arboleas pharmacy and the Total Entertainment shops, Albox or Arboleas.

Forever home needed for spaniel MACS (Mojacar Area Cancer Support) is seeking a forever home for an eightyear-old spaniel. The owner is terminally ill so wants the spaniel to be settled and happy in a loving home. If you can help contact MACS on macscancersupport@live.co.uk

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Costa de Almeria’s best guide to local restaurants

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Laguna restaurant: 27 years of excellence THERE are very few restaurants in Spain that can boast they have been open for 27 years, let alone if they have been owned and managed all that time by a couple of British brothers. But Laguna Restaurant is a little special. Located in Vera Playa, this very popular restaurant had to be completely gutted and refurbished after the heavy storms of 2012. Thankfully it came back even better than ever and thrilled its clients who return every year to enjoy delicious food and a great atmosphere courtesy of brothers Nigel and Stuart. The two brothers are always found front of house ensuring everyone is enjoying themselves. Everyone in the area knows the brothers and it is their popularity

A SPECIAL PLACE: With a great atmosphere. that brings people back time and again. The restaurant originally opened 27 years ago with an

entirely Spanish menu, but now caters for international tastes because it has evolved to meet the demands of the clientele who

are of many nationalities and from all over. Because of the buzz and fun atmosphere, it is very popular with groups whether they are dining or out for a few drinks. But don’t let that put you couples off either, this is a great place for you too. Every Thursday night for 25 years Laguna has provided live entertainment with acts including singer Hayley Louise, magician Max Francis and other popular performers from the area. There is always something planned for special nights of the year such as Christmas, New Year and Valentine’s Day. Mothers’ Day is rapidly approaching and the restaurant will be providing a special menu so you can ensure your Mum is extra spoilt.

Do not hesitate, book now, because these places go extremely fast. Both Nigel and Stuart are big Formula 1 fans. When we say big, we mean huge! There is a vast collection of Formula 1 memorabilia that anyone is welcome to view. All the races are shown, even the early morning events and the restaurant turns into a Formula 1 frenzy with Nigel and Stuart in the driving seats. Laguna restaurant Pueblo Laguna, Avenida de Juan Sebastian Elcano, 76. Vera Playa Tlf: 950 132 566 www.facebook.com/nigelstuart. lagunarestaurant Opening hours. Open every day except Monday 10am until 4pm / 7pm until late.

E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

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CHILL OUT: Perfect place for a bite to eat or something to drink.

Bar Cielos: a venue with a view BAR CIELOS in La Alfoquia boasts one of the best views across the Almanzora Valley, making it the perfect place to chill out with a bite to eat or something to drink. Located in front of the football pitch in La Alfoquia, this newly opened venue has already firmly stamped its presence on the map, attracting clientele from near and far. Take advantage of the special menu nights including Thai on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, fish and chips on Fridays and of course a traditional roast dinner on Sundays. There is a separate bar and restaurant which means that you can enjoy your food with

all the fun in the bar, or have a more romantic meal in the restaurant. It is recommended to book ahead if you want to join in one of the specials nights, or to reserve a table while the entertainment is on. On Saturday nights the venue lays on cabaret which is proving extremely popular, plus there is live music at 4pm on Sundays. Entry is free for the live entertainment. Bar Cielos has a pool table and also shows live sports, meaning that you don’t have to miss a moment of your favourite sporting action.

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Bar Cielos Calle Petunia, 1. La Alfoquia, Zurg ena, Almeria Tlf: 634 393 23 5 barcielos@hotm ail.com www.facebook .com/ barcieloslaalfoqu ia Bar Cielos is perfect to spoil your Mum as they have a very

special menu planned for Mothers’ Day.

See the advert on page 69 and book now to avoid disappointment as places fill very fast. Valentine’s Day was a massive success recently with the roast lamb and the strawberry cheesecake being particularly popular all accompanied by the romantic guitar playing of Chris Pottle.

Opening hours

• Monday: 6pm until late. • Tuesday to Sund ay: Noon until late.

E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

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FOOD & DRINK

Do you advertise with the EWN? AT EWN we have our clients’ best interests at heart. Getting your news out to the public can sometimes be a struggle, but we here at EWN want to help. Have you changed your menu, recently renovated or won an

award? Do you have an upcoming charity event you’d like to publicise? Do you have a new member of staff? Maybe you’d like to take part in our ‘Restaurant’ experience?

Your establishment provides a meal for two which we will review and publish - with pictures - in your local edition. If you have any news of interest that you would like to get out to local readers, then please let us

know. We cannot promise to publish everything, but we will do our best.

Please send your news and photos to whatson@euroweeklynews.com

E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

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ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS

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Moda & Albox: F more at knock do MODA & ALBOX is a clothing store with masses of bargains. However, that is not where it ends. This discount clothing store located in the old Pegasus showroom on Avenida 28 de Febrero, between Albox and Arboleas, has much more than you would expect. The store stocks adult and children’s clothing including formal and leisure wear. They also stock Communion and party outfits for children and for grown-ups. They have a wide selection of baby clothes, bags, perfumes, cosmetics, shoes, lingerie, accessories,

CLOTHING STORE: Stocking adult and children’s clothes, as we curtains and bedding and a whole lot more.

The 20,000 square metre store currently has more than

ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS

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Fashion and own prices whenever you pop in for a browse. At the time of press Moda & Albox has a clearance sale with hundreds of items costing just €3.95, €4.95, €6.95 and €9.95 but be quick because the bargains are going fast.

ell as all sorts of accessories. 100,000 articles in stock, guaranteeing a bargain

If you would like to know more, simply pop into the store and chat to the staff, or give them a call on 950 121 221, or drop them an email to loveyun@hotmail.com The large store is open from 9am until 9pm Monday to Saturday.

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19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

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E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de AlmerĂa

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ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS

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Olivares Domene: Electrical expertise is best for your car WHEN you have electrical or electronic problems in your home or place of work, you contact an expert. You want the reassurance that a specialist brings to your home, ensuring a great service and safety. The same level of expertise is available for your car too. Olivares Domene SL in Albox is just such an expert. Located opposite (diagonally right) the BP petrol station on Avenida 28 de Febrero 28, this local vehicle expert for all things electrical and electronic for your car is perfect for your repairs and troubleshooting. The workshop is an official service provider for Bombas ESPA and Bombas EBARA. They cover the entire southeast area of Almeria, providing electrical and engine repairs including batteries, alternators, air conditioning, pumps and motors. You are assured of a warm

ELECTRICAL WORKSHOP: Speak to the experts for repairs on your car. welcome in addition to the obvious knowledge and expertise that oozes from every atom of this local business. The workshop is open from 9am until 2pm and 4pm until 8pm. You can contact them

on 950 430 040 or by email on info@olivaresdomene.com. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t settle for second best for the electrical and electronic service and repairs on your car, speak to the experts.

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E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

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ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS

Another step towards final approval for Arboleas land use ARBOLEAS mayor, Cristobal Garcia Granados has held a meeting with Almeria’s Agriculture, Environment and Spatial Planning department. The meeting was to revisit the General Spatial Plan, including regularisation. According to the mayor: “The end result of this meeting is very positive. It has broached the last problem in meeting all requirements and made possible the partial revision of the General Plan in Arboleas.” Now it is necessary to amend the review document for the various suggestions made in the sector reports. After this the review document will pass for provisional approval by Arboleas council before heading for final approval. The mayor continued: “Once we are in a place where we can see some light at the end of the tunnel we are satisfied. We value positively this progress, but we appreciate that it is very difficult to successfully complete this intense

MAYOR: Cristobal Garcia Granados. process.” He concluded: “We have learned that urban issues are very complex to solve and require time, but we are also confident that this hard work will yield its fruit.”

E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

PROPERTY

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Ref:B460 Penthouse at Vera Playa for 94,995€ THIS is a very spacious penthouse apartment located on a small, well maintained community. Only five minutes drive to the nearest beach and within walking distance to the supermarket and also the local bar/ restaurant. The complex is very secure and has an electric gated entrance and two pedestrian gates. There is a children’s playground, indoor heated swimming pool for the winter and an external swimming pool for during the summer months. The apartment is on

PENTHOUSE: Has a large front terrace with a wooden pergola offering beautiful mountain views.

the second floor and benefits from a very large front terrace with a wooden pergola which offers beautiful views over the urbanisation and out to the surrounding mountain ranges. The apartment consists of a lounge / dining room with satellite television and air conditioning, as well as large patio doors making the room very bright and airy. The fully fitted kitchen is separate with a utility

area, breakfast bar and electric appliances. There is a family bathroom, a master bedroom with an en suite bathroom and a guest bedroom. Both

bedrooms have fitted wardrobes. The property is also being sold including a private parking space. Community fees are €82 per month.

Rental properties are also available through SPC on the Al Andaluz developments. Contact Tamara or Sharon today for availability.

Spanish Property Choice, Avenida Del Mediterraneo 363, Mojacar Playa, Almeria, Spain. Telephone: 0034 950 615 388 UK cheap rate call line: 0843 313 3639 www.spanishpropertychoice.com country@spanishpropertychoice.com

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19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

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MICHAEL COURTNEY/SHUTTERSTOCK

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REAL ESTATE JOBS: Number of workers on the rise.

Experts predict rise in property employment CONSULTANTS KPMG are predicting growth in the number of jobs in the property sector in Spain, estimating 10 per cent of workers will be employed in real estate by 2020. The sector currently employs 7 per cent of the working population in Spain, and as muted predictions of recovery in the market persist, KPMG’s survey of 200 property executives found some confidence in an upturn in jobs. The study found 55 per cent of the experts interviewed believed the industry would employ between 7 and 10 per cent of the active population within the next five years. An even more confident 35 per cent predicted the figure would be between 10 and 15 per cent, more like the pre-crisis level when 14 per cent of Spaniards in work were

employed in property. A large majority, more than two thirds, said they felt there would be no real evidence of any recovery in the sector unless the 10 per cent employment marker was reached. KPMG’s study, entitled ‘2015: year zero for the start of the recovery of the real estate sector in Spain,’ found respondents did not expect a quick recovery, with more than half predicting two years before it takes hold significantly. However, 35 per cent of those interviewed said they thought demand for housing had already rallied, or would do within 2015. The executives also predicted the sector would claw back a bigger share of Spain’s GDP within five years, though none could foresee a return to the 22 per cent share held by real estate in 2007.

House prices still declining but at a much slower rate HOUSE prices fell by just 0.2 per cent during the month of January, confirming the decline in prices is slowing. According to information from property portal fotocasa.es, the average price of second-hand housing in Spain now stands at

€1,629 per square metre. In year-on-year terms, house prices recorded a fall of 6.1 per cent in January, which is more moderate than the decline registered for the same period in the previous year of 8.3 per cent.

In 2014 access to financing for potential house buyers eased slightly which goes some way to explain the upturn in home purchases. The website said that if this increase continues, the sector should see a marked improvement.

Award winning Aguilas architects

ANTONIO MARTINEZ believes he was born to be an architect and his childhood ambitions became a reality very early on in life when he first started working within an architects’ studio from the age of 14. He has since studied and learned the industry and become one of the most renowned professionals in south-east Spain. Running his own studio from Aguilas for 11 years, Antonio’s Martinez de la Casa Architects is a leading and highly reputable practice operating across Alicante, Murcia and Almeria provinces. The company has been recognised and awarded within Spain and abroad for its engaging approach to public environments and innovative design with Antonio believing the reason for their success is that “we give the best of ourselves.” Passionate and enthusiastic about creating the right space for clients and staying true to his architectural beliefs, Antonio has worked on numerous high profile projects including Aguilas Town Hall and Aquarium, the archaeological museum of Aguilas and the town’s casino as well as restoration of the Tebar Medieval Castle and Cope Medieval Chapel. But private projects are just as important and Martinez de la Casa will fully oversee your villa project, working to your specific details and ensuring everything is completed on schedule and with the correct licences. As members of the Forensic Experts of the Murcia College of Architects (COAMU) the company provides full surveys and assessments, appraisals, valuations, property reports and assistance with judicial tribunals. Antonio said they do more legalisation docu-

PRESTIGIOUS WORK: Antonio of Martinez de la Casa making a speech on the inauguration of his company’s sole exhibition at the Auditorium Infanta Doña Elena. ments and retrospective licences than any other company within these areas: “We are experts in the field of retrospective licences which are very quick and affordable. We have issued over 5,000 between retrospective, occupation/habitation licences, appraisals and Energy Performance Certificates.” For any property query, from renovations to a complete new build or to

get a habitation certificate, call the best and call Martinez de la Casa Architects. Providing a fully bilingual service, they offer first class services across all architectural fields. Martinez de la Casa Calle Floridablanca, no 38, Aguilas Murcia Tel: 968 446 077 Visit: www.martinezdelacasa .com

E W N 19 - 25 February 2015 / Costa de Almería

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