Euro Weekly News - Costa Blanca South 7 - 13 October 2021 Issue 1892

News

The people’s paper Issue No. 1892

7 - 13 October 2021

Alicante lights up for Xmas HUNDREDS of streets and plaza in Alicante will be decorated with stunning Christmas lights featuring over two million LED bulbs. The budget for this year has increased by €100,000 with a spectacular display expected.

The council has already begun the installation of the lights, which will include new motifs and giant decorations including over 800 illuminated arches. The lights will be turned on at the end of November.

The installation work began in September and is being carried out by Iluminaciones Ximénez. The company will be responsible for the installation, maintenance and dismantling of the lights. The lights have a total budget of €343,000.

Councillor José Ramón González said they are “bringing forward the installation to November to support the commercial and hospitality sector, and as an incentive to bring forward Christmas shopping.”

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LEST WE FORGET Turn to page 2 »

Photo credit: Royal British Legion

POPPY APPEAL: The Benidorm parade will be led by Torrevieja Pipes and Drums.

THIS year’s Poppy Appeal Launch for District North Spain takes place in Benidorm on Saturday October 16.

“Having been forced to hold a reduced ceremony behind closed doors last October be‐ cause of Covid, we’re delight‐ ed that restrictions have now relaxed sufficiently and we can

return to the format of previ‐ ous years,” said Kevin Rear‐ don, Chairman the Orihuela Costa and District branch.

There will be a Parade of Standards from both the Royal British Legion’s branches in Spain and other ex‐service as‐ sociations. The Standards will leave Calle Castellon at 12

noon and move along the Paseo de Levante promenade.

Once again, they will be led by the Torrevieja Pipes and Drums. Meanwhile, the audi‐ ence waiting for the main cer‐ emony in the Rincon de Loix will be entertained by the Roy‐ al British Legion Concert Band awaiting their arrival.

FREE • GRATIS

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7 - 13 October 2021

Dead fish mystery GUARDAMAR beaches and the southern section of Elche’s coast were recently littered with dead fish.

The majority were grey mullet, usually found in the

sea or brackish fresh water at the Segura river‐mouth where the first were spot‐ ted the previous day.

Rivers authority Confed‐ eracion Hidrografica del Se‐

gura (CHS) sent personnel to investigate the deaths and take samples of the water. Their initial findings suggested that whatever had killed the fish was not located in the ‘new’ river‐ mouth which at present has very little flow after water was diverted to the Hondo de Elche lagoons.

The CHS experts believe that the fish was probably affected by a spill in the ex‐ cess water from agricultur‐ al irrigation that is chan‐ nelled off to the original Segura river‐mouth.

“It is still very early to draw conclusions when it’s not yet clear where the possible spill occurred, which could even have happened at sea,” CHS sources told the Spanish media.

They also revealed that there were no signs of pol‐ lution in Orihuela or Ro‐ jales and any possible spill must have occurred further downstream.

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Looking forward Poppy to Saturday Appeal

from Front page »

2021 Photo credit: GVA.es

RESTRICTIONS LIFTED: Ximo Puig and Health chief Ana Barcelo visiting a Castellon hospital.

REGIONAL president Ximo Puig confirmed that most remaining anti‐Covid restrictions would end on Satur‐ day October 9, Valencian Community Day. De‐escalation was entering the final straight and daily life would gradually return to normal, Puig told the Span‐ ish media at the beginning of this week.

The ever‐cautious Generalitat president also stressed that de‐escalation targets would nevertheless depend on epidemiological statistics: “The risk level is low but decisions will always be based on these figures,” Puig said.

Asked if this meant there would be an end to mask‐ wearing, the president replied that this would have to be an inter‐territorial decision to ensure that all communi‐ ties were in the same situation.

Asked to comment on regions where restrictions had been relaxed early, Puig pointed out that decisions like these “had consequences” in an indirect reference to ar‐ eas with higher incidence and mortality rates.

THE main ceremony will begin at approximately 12.15pm and last about 30 minutes. This year’s princi‐ pal guests will be Antonio Perez, Benidorm’s mayor, Joe Falzon, national vice‐ chairman of the Royal British Legion and Captain Ian Clarke RN, British De‐ fence Attache, Madrid.

After the event, there will be a buffet lunch at the Marina Hotel to which all spectators are cordially invited at a cost of only €15 (excluding drinks).

Those wishing to attend the lunch should contact their local Legion branch, whose details can be found on the http://coun ties.britishlegion.org.uk/c ounties/spain‐north/the‐ district‐its‐branches web‐ site.

An unlikely alliance DISCONTENT over services in Orihuela Costa has united the PSOE, Cambiemos Orihuela and VOX parties.

Spokeswomen for the three groups recently gave details of the Agenda for Joint Action in Orihuela Costa motion which they intended to table at the next meeting

of the city council.

This has the backing of 18 Orihuela Costa groups and associations although Maria Garcia Sandoval (Cambiemos), Carolina Gracia (PSOE) and Maria Asuncion Aniorte (Vox) revealed that neither Orihuela’s mayor Emilio Bascuñana nor deputy

More freedom but caution needed SAN FULGENCIO’S town fiestas began on October 2 but con‐ tinue until October 12 with a full programme of events.

“Fortunately we are able to celebrate these special days with a little more freedom,” said San Fulgencio mayor Jose Sampere, referring to the recent relaxation of anti‐Covid measures, although he emphasised the continuing need to act with caution.

“It will be necessary to collect tickets for concerts and events in advance at the town hall, the Urbanisation office or Tourism office,” Sampere announced before the fiestas began.

All attendees are asked for contact details in case anyone later presents symptoms, he explained.

In addition, masks and social distancing are still required at all times, Sampere stressed.

mayor Jose Aix was prepared to meet residents to discuss their problems.

Orihuela Costa has a registered population of 30,000 people who, the parties explained, have been calling for improved municipal services ‘for decades.’

Many of them staged a peaceful demonstration last summer but it was neither logical nor serious that the only groups not attending were those with the power to do something, the parties pointed out.

“After many years of putting up with deficient services, the discontent formerly voiced in the social media went further when groups decided to organise protests like last July’s,” they added.

The motion was a response to the demands of ‘thousands’ of Orihuela Costa residents that drew attention to their right to decent infrastructure and efficient services, the spokeswomen declared.

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NIBS EXTRA Action plans CALLOSA’S latest plenary council meeting approved the municipality’s Territorial Emergency and Flood Prevent Plans detailing action to be taken during emergencies. Both plans were essential and should have been created long before the town had to cope with the September 2019 floods , Callosa mayor Manuel Martinez declared.

New role ALICANTE City football club Hercules is backing Generalitat plans to convert the Rico Perez stadium, which it acquired in 2017 to prevent property speculation, into a multiuse arena. The club will continue to play there, but the centre will also be used for other social and cultural events.

Fewer jobless ALICANTE Province’s unemployment figures fell by 1,451 last month as the number of jobless continues to fall, leaving a total of 172,422 without work. This reverses the traditional trend, as unemployment usually rises in September once seasonal contracts come to an end in the tourist and services sector.

Holiday lets DESPITE the pandemic, the number of registered tourist apartments and villas in the Vega Baja grew by 10 per cent during 2020, particularly in Torrevieja and Orihuela. Between them both towns can provide accommodation for 40,000 people outstripping Benidorm which has the region’s largest individual offer of 30,000.

Not for me TORREVIEJA mayor Eduardo Dolon maintained that although renewing the fleet of municipal vehicles includes a €46,567 allocation for his official car, he will not use it. The €694,000 contract includes four more cars, three SUVs, 14 vans, two box lorries, a lorry with a crane and 13 motorcycles.

7 - 13 October 2021

Reaching the heights TORREVIEJA’S fire brigade has a new fire engine with an automated turntable lad‐ der.

Noel Quiñones, who heads the local brigade, stressed the importance of the new vehicle which will guarantee more safety and effectiveness, especially dur‐ ing rescues involving the el‐ derly.

For the last three years the controls on the fire brigade’s existing model have often stuck or failed to respond at the worst‐possi‐ ble moment, firefighting sources told the local Span‐ ish media.

Photo credit: Torrevieja town hall

NEW EQUIPMENT: Torrevieja mayor Eduardo Dolon inspects the new fire engine.

In September 2018, two Torrevieja firefighters were stranded on the turntable

ladder during a callout to a collapsed property in Ori‐ huela Costa.

Return to Murcia

LAST week saw Carp‐R‐Us return for the first time in nearly two years to the Riiver Segura in central Murcia.

Much had changed since their last visit, with a new pathway and plenty of plants lining the bank making it a very attractive venue.

The river itself seemed quite low and coloured but this did not stop visiting Welsh members from taking the honours.

First, off peg 10 just above the bridge, was Alan Davis (9.70 kilos) while second, from

peg 5 just below the bridge, was Doug Hornblow (8.59 kilos). Third, making a wel‐ come return after a break of several months, was Dave Sutton with 6.30kg, which would have been more if he had not dropped a large fish back into the river in‐ stead of his keep net. Fourth was the ever‐ consistent Willy Moons (5.25 kilos).

Further information about the club can be found on its www.carp‐r‐us.weebly.com website, or Carp‐R‐Us Fishing Costa Blanca on Facebook.

Off-course vulture rescued A BIGASTRO LocalPolice officer, Efren Pamies, re‐ cently rescued a disorien‐ tated black vulture.

Efren was off‐duty at the time but his colleagues did not hesitate to call him after they were alerted by a member of public who spotted the exhausted bird on the Apatel industrial es‐ tate.

Efren, who is an expert on local wildlife and has been officially congratulated in the past for his part in ani‐ mal rescues, used a blanket and protective gloves to im‐ mobilise the vulture before taking it to police headquar‐ ters. From here it was later transferred to the Wildlife Recovery Centre in Santa Faz outside Alicante City.

The bird, which was still not fully‐grown and around a year old, was visibly tired after a long flight, Efren ex‐ plained afterwards.

The Black Vulture, also

known as the Cinereous Vulture, is one of the Iberi‐ an Peninsula’s largest birds with a wingspan that reach‐ es three metres when fully grown.

Pilar has queens once more PILAR DE LA HORADADA’S town fiestas will be doubly special this year.

Last year there were no cel‐ ebrations nor were new fies‐ tas queens elected, and those chosen in 2019 have contin‐ ued in their roles until now.

But this year the fiestas will be held as in previous years and they will be presided by Aitana Saez Punzano, repre‐ senting the municipality’s children. Her name was cho‐ sen at random from those of

five candidates hoping to be‐ come this year’s Reina Infan‐ til.

In contrast, Almudena Ramos Albaladejo, Reina Mayor 2021, was chosen by a jury.

Pilar de la Horadada tradi‐ tionally elects a third fiestas queen, Reina del Ausente who represents local resi‐ dents now living outside the town, with this year’s title go‐ ing to Clara Martinez Romero.

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Four months later in Jan‐ uary 2019 there was a repe‐ tition while extinguishing a fire in El Palmeral, the same sources said.

At this point, Alicante Province’s Consortium of Fire Brigades assured the Torrevieja brigade that a new vehicle would soon be on its way, although this took longer than expected.

Hitches like these are un‐ likely to recur, thanks to the €700,000 Iveco Magirus model with its articulated arm, a 32‐metre reach and basket for four people fi‐ nanced by the Diputacion provincial council.

New health centre THE €396,774 contract to build a second health centre for Elche’s Altabix district was recently put out to ten‐ der.

“This is one of the biggest investments in primary health care that the regional government has made in Elche for decades,” city may‐ or Carlos Gonzalez declared.

The new Elx‐Travalon cen‐ tre will provide health care for 19,754 people, Gonzalez added, relieving pressure on the existing Altabix health centre which at present has to cover a population of 46,995 people.

The mayor also pointed out that the Generalitat has not limited local investment to the new health centre.

“They are currently rehabili‐ tating the General Hospital while enlarging the operating theatre wing,” Gonzalez said.

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Cactus action at last AFTER repeated requests from Orihuela City Hall, the Generalitat agreed to eliminate Arizona cactus from the Sierra de Ori‐ huela.

Public sector company VAERSA will soon be starting work, Orihuela’s Environment councillor Damaso Aparicio an‐ nounced recently.

“An entire brigade is going to be assigned to the southern zone and will be working there for a minimum of six months,” Aparicio re‐ vealed, adding that this would be extended to two years if necessary.

“We were asked to make a municipal proper‐ ty available for tools and vehicles, which we have provided as well as all the support and collaboration the Generalitat might need from city hall,” he said.

Accompanied by re‐ gional MP Elisa Diaz, Aparicio went on to ex‐ plain that although the regional government had at last agreed to take ac‐ tion regarding the non‐ native and invasive cac‐ tus, the Sierra de Orihuela’s problem of re‐ forestation remained.

“We are waiting for €300,000 in funding from the EU that will enable us to carry out replanting,” Aparicio continued. “But the Sierra’s streambeds are still full of vegetation and weeds and we shall lose this cash unless we can complete this by De‐ cember 31.”

and finally...

FIESTAS with a difference. Crevillent recently celebrated its Moors and Christians fiestas with participants wearing face masks, a first for Alicante Province. Luis Manchon, president of the San Francisco de Asis Moors and Christians association explained the celebrations were important in so many re‐ spects. “It meant returning the fiesta and music to our streets and boosting the local economy,” Manchon said.

“The florists saw light at the end of the tunnel thanks to the Floral Offering and the hospitality industry also noticed a dif‐ ference,” he added. “The fiestaswere also a re‐encounter with our identity that was suppressed during the pandemic.”

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Covid vaccine patch SCIENTISTS have developed a new painless Covid vaccine patch using 3D‐printed mi‐ croneedles.

The prototype patch has been created by scientists from Stanford University and the University of North Caroli‐ na. Each patch contains 100 needles. The patch comes in at only one square centimetre and is made of polymer.

The tiny needles barely pen‐ etrate the skin, but are ex‐ tremely effective at delivering the vaccine. Human testing of the patches has not yet been undertaken.

Researchers discovered that when testing on mice, the vac‐ cine patch gave an antibody response around 20 times higher than a traditional jab af‐ ter three weeks.

After a month, the anti‐ body response was shown to

be 50 times higher.

The scientists said: “Using model vaccine components, we demonstrated that 3D‐ printed microneedle delivery resulted in enhanced cargo re‐ tention in the skin, activation of immune cells, and more po‐ tent humoral and cellular im‐ mune responses as compared with traditional vaccination routes.”

The technology used for the patch is not new, but previous‐ ly it had been difficult to manu‐ facture on a large scale. The scientists have overcome these problems using ad‐ vanced 3D printing.

The new technique uses continuous liquid interface production. The scientists be‐ lieve that the new prototype could be the answer to reduc‐ ing vaccine hesitancy in people who have a fear of needles.

Brits want 4-day week

PILOT SCHEME: Nearly six out of 10 adults would like the working week to be reduced.

A POLL has revealed that most people in the UK are in favour of moving to a four‐ day working week. According to the poll, nearly six out of 10 adults would like the working week to be reduced to 32 hours without loss of pay.

The research has been car‐

ried out following the decision of the Scottish Government to try out the system following pilot schemes in countries across the world.

Almost 57 per cent of adults support the four‐day working week, with only 21 per cent opposing.

The number drops dramati‐ cally in the over 65s and con‐ servative voters but both groups still favour the move.

The idea was a key part of Jeremy Corbyn’s manifesto for the Labour Government in 2019. Clive Lewis, a former Labour leadership candidate, said: “It’s no surprise that such large numbers of people sup‐ port it, with evidence showing it can have a really positive im‐ pact on working people and

businesses.”

The Norwich South MP added: “As we emerge from the pandemic we have a real chance to do things different‐ ly, where people have more time to spend with family and friends, and where the bal‐ ance between work and leisure is more balanced.”

Leaders from countries such as Finland and New Zealand support the four‐day working week and experts believe it would create more jobs.How‐ ever, not everyone backs the idea. A Government spokesperson said: “There are no plans for the government to mandate a four‐day work‐ ing week, as the cost to the economy, businesses and jobs would be excessive.”

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Lost Lennon track sold AN unreleased track by John Lennon has sold at auction in Denmark.

Several Danish school‐ boys recorded an inter‐ view with John Lennon and Yoko Ono back in 1970. The cassette tape features the Beatles star singing an unreleased song and sold at auction in Copenhagen for a stag‐ gering £43,000.

The schoolboys turned up late for a press confer‐ ence. Luckily they were still invited in and got the chance to interview Lennon. The recording was made by Karsten Hoejen. Speaking to the BBC, Hoejen said: “We were a bunch of 16‐year‐ old hippies. We went in and saw John and Yoko sitting on the sofa, it was fantastic. We sat down with them and were quite close to each oth‐ er.”

He continued, “John asked me, ‘where do you come from? A radio sta‐ tion?’ I said ‘No, from a school magazine’.”

After a traditional Dan‐ ish dance, Lennon played a song or two. First, he sang Give Peace a Chance, before launching into an unreleased song, Radio Peace. Lennon had intended for this song to be the theme tune for a radio station he wanted to set up in Amsterdam.

Hoejen explained: “The radio station was never opened and the song was never released. To our knowledge, the only place where this song ex‐ ists is on our tape.”

The auction house di‐ rector Alexa Bruun Ras‐ mussen remarked: “A recording like this is in‐ deed very rare, we are not sure that there are any other recordings like it, because it’s an unoffi‐ cial recording.”

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7 - 13 October 2021

Church of England celebrates Harvest THE Church of England Chaplaincy of Ss Peter and Paul, Torrevieja celebrated its Harvest Festival on Sunday October 3 at La Siesta Church.

Members of the congregation brought gifts of non‐perishable food items which were blessed at the end of the Mass and then taken to Reach Out in Torrevieja.

Father Richard A Seabrook SSC, the Church of England priest, said: “We had a very happy Sunday morning singing favourite harvest hymns and praising God for the gift of food we receive. The congregation were very gen‐ erous in their food collection which we placed around the altar.”

Liz Shouksmith, one of the members of the congregation, also works for Reach Out in Torrevieja. “Liz has had a long association with Reach Out and we are aware of the great need in Torrevieja so Liz’s enthusiasm for Reach Out really inspired a great re‐ sponse,” said Father Seabrook.

“The pandemic has further underlined the great need in our local communities. People so easily forget the struggles of those who live all around us. That need is real indeed,” continued Father Seabrook.

After the church service, members of the congregation enjoyed lunch together in El

Harvest collection around the altar.

Liz and Sandra, church members, present the harvest gifts to Reach Out.

Chaparral.

Father Seabrook con‐ cluded “After 18 months we are finally beginning to go back to what we could do before the pandemic. We are so grateful for our church life, especially now we can have our times of fellowship again.”

The Church of England has services at La Siesta Church, Calle Granados on the first and third Sundays at 11.30 and the Saturdays be‐ fore the second, fourth and fifth Sundays of the month at 5pm.

For more information call 693 932 438 or go to @anglicantorrevieja on Facebook.

“We are always pleased to see returning and new friends,” said Father Seabrook.

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Come join the band

THE last 18 months have been very difficult for a lot of people, the Royal British Le‐ gion Concert Band had to can‐ cel the majority of concerts/ musical events and re‐ hearsals, but we now hope all this is behind us and we can return to a more normal way of life.

We continue to grow and have recruited more musicians in the woodwind and brass sections and recently per‐ formed for three nights at the Oasis Restaurant for the RBL Torrevieja branch centenary celebrations.

There are many bookings in the diary and we are currently rehearsing for the poppy ap‐ peal launch in Benidorm on Saturday October 16 and that evening the band will be play‐ ing for the RBL Benidorm branch centenary gala dinner in the Marina Hotel.

The following evening the band will play for the Alicante branch centenary ball at the Caseta Nova Hotel, Castalla, Al‐ icante. In November the band plays for the annual remem‐

Returning to normal.

brance services in Torrevieja on Thursday November 11 and in Mil Palmeras on Sunday November 14.

In December we have many carol concerts booked includ‐ ing the very popular ‘Carols in

the Square’ in Torrevieja on Friday December 10. We are always looking for more musi‐ cians to join us in the string, woodwind and brass sections.

If you are interested please contact Graham Robinson by email robinsongraham256@ googlemail.com or telephone 658 663 846, alternatively come along to one of our re‐ hearsals. We rehearse in the basement of the Sophia Well‐ ness Centre, Cabo Roig every Thursday afternoon between 3pm and 6pm, you will be made very welcome.

Alicante shark alert

AUTHORITIES raised a red flag on the beaches of Moraira in Alicante after a shark was spotted on Saturday, October 2.

The decision came after officers from the Guardia Civil confirmed the sighting during a routine check of the water. A diver detected the shark and Teulada Town Council were alerted.

As a precaution, the beaches of El Portet, L’Ampolla, and Platgetes were evacuated. Officers from both the National Police and the Guardia Civil investigated to find out what type of shark was spotted. The main objective was to assess if it posed any danger to the public. No further information was released.

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NEWS

Spain celebrates job creation

U N E M P LOY M E N T in Spain fell in September by 76,113 people and now stands at the levels of October 2018. The to‐ tal number of unem‐ ployed in September 2021 was 3,257,802. Tra‐ ditionally, Spain’s job market receives a boost at the outset of the sum‐ mer season ‐ mostly thanks to tourism ‐ and then recedes in August.

However, this year’s posi‐ tive trend is yet to sub‐ side.

UNEMPLOYMENT: This year is showing a positive trend.

The number of people paying Social Security in seasonally adjusted terms stood at 19,559,689 peo‐ ple in September. Thus,

the number of employed people in February 2020, the month prior to the start of the health crisis due to Covid‐19, in which

Genuine email alert

IF you are self‐employed and receive an email from the General Treasury of Social Se‐ curity in the next few days, you should not delete it or file it as spam, as it’s probably real.

On this occasion, the email is not one of the common cases of phishing, a method used by cybercriminals to trick a user into sharing their personal or banking data by posing as a trusted institution.

If the email comes from the account nore ply@seg‐social.es, it is not a fake and you

should read its content. The Treasury has confirmed via Twitter that it is sending an in‐ formative email to self‐employed people re‐ garding debts and account charges. It has also emphasised that “it is not fraud,” with the aim of reassuring recipients.

Any email that arrives on behalf of Social Security, but with a different sender, can go directly in the recycling bin, since it is most likely an attempt by cybercriminals to get valuable information from users.

19,479,814 affiliates were counted, has been sur‐ passed, representing the highest recorded affilia‐ tion level historically.

Taking into account sea‐ sonality and the ‘calendar effect’, there have been increases in almost all branches of activity, with special intensity noticed in the services sector (85,742), reported the Ministry of Labour. Only the agriculture sector saw a decline.

President, Pedro Sánchez said on October 1: “Spain is doing better and within a year I am convinced that Spain will do even better.”

Sánchez also confirmed the increase of €15 per month in the minimum salary (SMI) to €965. “We must approve measures that break the wage gap.

Continuing to advance the SMI is not only social jus‐ tice and dignity, but also entails an economic bene‐ fit,” he added.

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7 - 13 October 2021

Readers’ poll

New ERTE at a low THE Social Security agency regis‐ tered 239,230 people protected by a Temporary Redundancy Pro‐ gramme (ERTE) on September 30, according to provisional data.

The number of workers on the ERTE scheme associated with Covid‐19 is at its lowest level since the beginning of the pan‐ demic.

The ERTE, designed to help businesses and protect employ‐ ment, reached more than 3.6 mil‐ lion workers at its highest in 2020, meaning that more than 93.4 per cent of those affected have already left the scheme.

Compared to the last day of August, there was a decrease of 32,960 people on ERTE if the noti‐ fication date is considered, but if the discharge date is used the de‐ crease is 17,924 people.

The Travel Agencies and Tour Operators sector is the one that has the most workers under this protection instrument, with 30.97 per cent of the sector’s af‐ filiates, followed by Air Trans‐ port, with 14.65 per cent, Gam‐ bling and Betting Activities (12.1 per cent) and Accommodation Services, with 10.53 per cent.

Expats furious over rising electricity prices EXPAT readers have told the Euro Weekly News they think the Spanish gov‐ ernment should nation‐ alise the electricity net‐ works to lower prices.

The EWN asked readers whether they think electric‐ ity should be nationalised to end the energy rip‐off and 100 per cent said it should.

The price rise of electrici‐ ty in the wholesale market saw a new all‐time high on Wednesday, September 29, reaching €189.9 per megawatt‐hour (MWh).

The price was the highest historically registered, more than the €188.18 per MWh that reached the wholesale market on September 16, and the €182.71 per MWh that the pool marked on September 28.

The price more than triples the amount that was paid during the fifth

PROTESTS: Have been organised against the rising prices of electricity throughout Spain.

Wednesday of September of last year when it was €49.15 per MWh. The high costs of electric‐ ity has caused outrage across Spain, with the Com‐ munist Workers Party of Spain (PCTE) calling for ral‐ lies across cities. Under the slogan ‘No to the tariffazo,’ the party, which has joined with the youth organisation Colectivos Jovenes Comu‐ nistas, organised protests in

cities in Andalucia, Castilla y Leon, the Basque Country, Cantabria and Asturias.

In Andalucia, the protests were announced in Cordo‐ ba, Malaga and Sevilla; in Castilla y Leon they were announced in Leon, Sala‐ manca and Valladolid; and in the Basque Country, in Bilbao and San Sebastian.

Demonstrations were also announced in Oviedo and Santander.

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Fire devastates caravan site A FIRE has ripped through the Camping Villa Cara‐ vaning complex in La Man‐ ga, next to the Mar Menor in Murcia. The blaze oc‐ curred on Sunday, Octo‐ ber 3, destroying 19 plots containing bungalows and caravans.

According to the emer‐ gency services and the Lo‐ cal Police of Cartagena, there were no injuries, but many people had to be evicted from the site. The 112 emergencies reported receiving a call at around 8.30am informing them of the fire.

As a result, they imme‐ diately mobilised the

Cartagena Fire Brigade, and the Consortium Fire‐ fighters, along with pa‐ trols from the Guardia Civ‐ il, Local Police, and Civil Protection, plus an ambu‐ lance. Three light pumps, two mothership pumps, and two light vehicles, tackled the blaze, with a total of 22 personnel in at‐ tendance.

Cartagena City Council has announced that they are offering a housing so‐ lution to those who have lost their caravans, but it will not be necessary to relocate any residents as they had relatives in the vicinity.

and finally...

A 52-YEAR-OLD climber has been successfully rescued by the Alicante Fire Brigade on October 2. The climber had fallen several metres on Puig Campana and the daring rescue took more than 18 hours to complete, as it was complicated by environmental conditions. A lack of natu‐ ral light and the injuries of the climber also hampered the mission.

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NEWS

Readers’ poll

Spanish government urged to act over train strikes THE Euro Weekly News asked its readers whether they think the Spanish Government should be doing more to prevent the train strikes causing travel disruption in Catalonia and a huge 100 per cent said they should.

EWN readers said that travellers need trains to run on time, with no readers agreeing that workers should be on strike.

The strike, called by drivers’ union SEMAF, started on Thursday, September 30, sparking travel chaos in Catalonia.

The industrial action is set to take place until Tuesday, October 12 following accusations by train workers that Renfe had failed to comply with agreements to guarantee services.

The union also criticised the, “failure to re‐es‐ tablish all non‐covered employment and all cir‐

culations suppressed, and the breach of the col‐ lective agreement, and will not solve it, with re‐ gard to new incorporations and processes of mobility and integration of staff. Delaying, misin‐ forming, and intentionally hindering the normal development of processes.”

SEMAF also claims that a further 150 workers are needed and that Renfe is not complying with an earlier agreement to increase employment numbers.

The strike last week caused chaos throughout the day in Rodalies in Catalonia, with the cancel‐ lation of more than 400 trains, the specific clo‐ sure of some stations, such as Plaça Catalunya, and the interruption of services in Saints.

Renfe criticised drivers for not coming to work.

Spain gas boost JOSE MANUEL ALBARES, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, travelled to Algeria on September 30, to hold meetings with officials over gas supply issues. After the meeting he declared: “I have received the guarantee of gas supply from Algeria to Spain, as well as the Algerian commitment to satisfy Spanish demand.”

The trip was made in the wake of the recent breakdown in diplomatic relations between Algeria and Morocco and the possibility of a gas supply problem in Spain this winter.

Algeria has made it clear that it is prepared to cut off the gas supply to Morocco

on October 31.

This would have repercussions for Spain and Portugal, as the Maghreb-Europe gas pipelines connect with the Iberian Peninsula through the Strait of Gibraltar.

If the two pipelines were closed off, it would force Spain to concentrate on shipping gas through the Medgaz gas single pipeline, which directly connects Algeria with the Almeria coastline through the Alboran Sea. That would not be enough to supply the quantity of gas it currently receives from Algeria, which would raise the price to consumers.

No end in sight SCIENTISTS are now un‐ able to estimate when the eruption on La Palma will end, the President of the Canary Islands admits.

The Cumbre Veja volcanic eruption is not near its end, the President of the Canary Islands, Angel Victor Torres, said on October 4.

The volcano, which began erupting last month, was initially estimated to last for between 24 and 84 days Over the weekend it en‐ tered a more aggressive phase with new fissures and lava flows appearing. Hun‐ dreds of small earthquakes have been registered on La

Palma since and the amount of sulphur dioxide in the air remains high indi‐ cating that there is more la‐ va to come.

President Angel Victor Torres said: “I have to con‐ vey that we do not know when it will end, it does not seem that we are near the end yet.”

Hundreds of acres of prime farmland have been destroyed and even areas that escaped the lava are at risk because farmers are un‐ able to irrigate their crops.

At least 5,500 people re‐ main evacuated from their homes.

Court suspension for Puigdemont PUIGDEMONT, the former president of Catalonia and a mem‐ ber of the European Union parliament, was briefly arrested in Sar‐ dinia in September.

He had been invited to attend a Catalan cul‐ tural event and a meeting of indepen‐ dence sympathisers on the Mediterranean island.

At a hearing on Oc‐ tober 4 his legal team said Puigdemont had immunity as a mem‐ ber of the European Parliament. His immu‐ nity was lifted earlier this year, but Puigde‐ mont has appealed.

His arrest is the re‐ sult of the active search and capture or‐ der that had been is‐ sued by Judge Pablo Llarena on October 29, 2017.

Puigdemont fled Spain for exile in Bel‐ gium in 2017 after he declared Catalan inde‐ pendence. “The arrest of Puigdemont is due to an ongoing judicial procedure that applies to any citizen in the European Union, who must answer for his actions before the courts,” the govern‐ ment of Spain insists.

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NEWS

Plane crash injures journalists TWO journalists along with two other people received minor injuries after a light aircraft accident.

The accident took place at the Casarrubios del Monte aerodrome in Toledo. The journalists were reporting on the aviation school when the accident happened on September 30.

According to sources from 112 emergency services, the accident happened shortly after 3pm at the aerodrome. The light aircraft had lifted off and left Cuatrovientos, in the

LIGHT AIRCRAFT: Crashed as it was trying to land.

Community of Madrid. The crash occurred as the plane was landing.

Officers from the Guardia

La Palma animal rescue bid VETS on the island of La Palma face the challenge of saving animals affected by the recent volcanic eruption.

Specialists have been working in a makeshift tent set up by the Red Cross in a field near Los Llanos, one of the most affected areas. The College of Veterinarians has provided crucial equipment. There are five vets working on site every day as well as a group of volunteers.

One of the vets, Elena Tarife, said: “Many animals have arrived dehydrated. This is because they fled the houses because of the noise or the owners did not have time to catch them. I know of a case where they had six dogs and two ran away, scared.

“I have seen mostly pets: dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, chickens ... But there are also many livestock animals affected.”

She added, “We are relocating them to shelters and to people who have offered to keep the animals at home until the owners find a place to keep them.”

She said that many of the animals’ eyes were affected by the ash.

Executive’s tech fear

HEAVYWEIGHTS: Have banned social media at home.

TOP technology executives involved in the production of some of today’s most popular devices such as mobile phones and tablets are apparently among the most likely to ban or limit their use in their own homes. Even applications they are involved with, such as social media platforms and streaming are not welcome.

Heavyweights of the industry including the late Steve Jobs, his successor at Apple, Tim Cook and Bill Gates have all said on more than one occasion they do not let their children use devices with an internet connection or social networks.

Steve Jobs said in 2010: “My kids haven’t used the iPad. We limit the amount of technology they use at home.” Bill Gates did not allow his children to have a mobile phone until they were 14 years old, and Tim Cook has said that he gets angry when he sees his little nephew using social networks.

Civil, the Local Police, firefighters from both Santa Olalla and the Community of Madrid rushed to the scene of the incident. They were joined by an emergency doctor and a basic life support ambulance.

Cameraman Álvaro Esteban and journalist Alexi Poblet from the Madrid Directo programme were injured in the crash. The two other people in the aircraft were also injured too. Everyone was taken to hospital for treatment.

According to reports all those involved in the accident are now in good health.

Car stolen with boy inside A CAR was stolen in Sevilla with a five-year-old boy inside on September 29. The shocking theft took place outside a nursery Iin Villanueva del Ariscal when the boy’s mum nipped in to pick up her daughter.

The car was found abandoned on the outskirts of town only half an hour later. Fortunately, the child was still inside and was unharmed. Officers from the Guardia Civil are looking for a man who took the car after it had been left for a few moments with the engine running. The boy had an immobilised leg and was left inside the car as it is difficult to move him.

According to witness reports the alleged perpetrator is a man aged about 25 years old. He is said to have a dark complexion and was wearing a cap.

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Citrus trade stance

SPAIN has asked the EU not to offer any more concessions to South African citrus growers.

The citrus sector in Spain is worth €2.5 bil‐ lion per year on average. Citrus fruit accounts for 4.9 per cent of the Spanish agricultural sector and 32.5 per cent of all fruit grown in Spain. Spanish citrus growers harvest 60 per cent of total EU production, which places Spain as the main citrus producer in the EU and the fifth largest in the world.

Faced with the upcoming review of the economic partnership agreement between the European Union (EU) and the Southern African development community, Agriculture Minister Luis Plana and Trade and Tourism

THE EU and EU consumer authorities have called on Volkswagen to compen‐ sate all EU consumers for misleading them about vehicle emission standards.

The Commission and EU consumer au‐ thorities argue that Volkswagen’s com‐ mercial practices violated EU consumer protection laws regarding the marketing of diesel cars equipped with illegal sys‐ tems.

On September 28, Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice, said: “Six years ago ‘Dieselgate’ broke. Up until now, not all consumers have been compensated.

There have been court rulings exposing

Minister Reyes Maroto have addressed a joint letter to the Commissioners for Agricul‐ ture urging no more concessions to South African citrus growers.

In the letter, Planas and Maroto state that Spanish citrus production is harmed by a lack of reciprocity in trade agreements. “The next review of the agreement should not offer ad‐ ditional concessions for citrus imports,” they argued.

Spanish production and export of citrus fruits are of crucial importance for the agri‐ food sector as a whole and have a direct im‐ pact on the rural economies in Spain. Since the agreement was signed, South Africa has notably ramped up production.

Alicante Covid doll created AN Alicante company nate viruses and bacteria. has created a doll it These claims are claims to be virus‐free backed up by the and able to beat Covid‐ Valencian Institute of 19.

Microbiology (IVAMI).

The company, The doll aims to Berjuan, created the doll prevent the transmission using a fabric which can de‐ of viruses. The company is activate 99.99 per cent of virus‐ not new to innovation and SANIBABY: First of its kind. es and bacteria. The material has previously created the Be‐ should be able to beat the bé Glotón breastfeeding doll viruses for 100 washes. and the Mosquidoll, a mosquito‐repellent doll.

Berjuan are based in Alicante and have The company hopes that Sanibaby will get named the product ‘Sanibaby’. The doll is said ‘children back to playing and sharing toys nor‐ to be the first of its kind with its ability to elimi‐ mally.’

VW compensation call

Volkswagen’s unfair treatment of con‐ sumers, and yet the car maker is not will‐ ing to work with consumer organisations to find appropriate solutions for con‐ sumers.

“As I wrote to the company last year, not only consumers residing in Germany, but all consumers need to be compensat‐ ed,” he added.

To date, Volkswagen has only agreed to compensate EU consumers residing in Germany at the time of the car purchase.

NEWS

The German car manufacturer has in‐ formed the Commission and authorities of its view that voluntary payments to Eu‐ ropean consumers residing outside Ger‐ many were not justified since the affected cars have now been altered to meet legal requirements.

The company’s position has not changed despite recent EU and national court decisions which is why the Commis‐ sion and EU consumer authorities are mounting the pressure.

and finally...

GIRLS allowed. Marbella’s Sugar Bay beach club hosted the only all‐female international cocktail competition on October 4. The Lady Amarena 2021 Championship is a global event covering five continents and 21 countries. The final phase will be held in Bologna (Italy) in 2022 where na‐ tional winners will compete in a live challenge for the world crown. China are the reigning champions.

NEWS

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Glastonbury wildlife shock ACCORDING to scientists, dangerously high levels of Class A drugs have been detected in the river that runs through the site of Glastonbury Festival.

Researchers discovered that during the festival, which runs over five days, levels of cocaine and MDMA were dangerously high and causing damage to wildlife.

Festival‐goers prefer to pee on the land rather than use the toilets at the Somerset festival.

Experts urged those who at‐ tend the festival in the future to use the facilities provided.

Dr Christian Dunn, from Ban‐ gor University, said: “Our main concern is the environmental impact. This study identified that drugs are being released at levels high enough to disrupt the life cycle of the European eel, potentially derailing con‐ servation efforts to protect this

endangered species.”

He added, “Education is es‐ sential for environmental is‐ sues, just as people have been made aware of the problems of plastic pollution, and Glas‐ tonbury have made great ef‐ forts to become plastic‐free, we also need to raise aware‐ ness around drug and pharma‐ ceutical waste ‐ it is a hidden, worryingly‐understudied yet potentially devastating pollu‐ tant.”

A spokesperson for the festi‐ val said protecting local rivers and wildlife was of “paramount importance” to Glastonbury Festival and that it has a waterways sampling regime in place during the event each year.

They said “no concerns” were raised by the Environ‐ ment Agency following Glas‐ tonbury 2019.

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Vic Reeves’ tumour VIC REEVES (real name Jim Moir) revealed he has been left deaf in one ear due to an inoperable tu‐ mour. The comedian is undergoing regular MRI scans to see how the tumour is growing. His loss of hear‐

ing has affected his love of music and other areas of his life.

Speaking of his tumour Reeves said: “I’ve got a vestibular schwan‐ noma ‐ it’s a tumour in my head.

I’ve gone completely deaf, 100 per

cent deaf, in the left ear, and it will never come back. It’s dead ‐ abso‐ lutely completely gone. It’s like the size of a grape, so they just have to keep an eye on it.”

He added, “It’s benign. They can’t remove it ‐ they can shrink it or they can leave it and keep an eye on it, and that’s what they’re doing.”

“I had to throw away all my stereo LPs,” Reeves joked. I thought the stereo was great when it first hap‐ pened. All I’ve got left is Frank Ifield and mono!”

Dr David Jenkinson, in‐ terim CEO for the Brain Tu‐ mour Charity, explained a little about the disease: COVID-19: Safety measures are not being followed.

“Our warmest wishes go to 2020. Residents of the hos‐ One occupant told how Vic Reeves after his diagno‐ tel have claimed that occu‐ a roommate had been in‐ sis with a vestibular pants are not able to self‐ fected with coronavirus schwannoma, also known isolate even after having but had not been able to as an acoustic neuroma. tested positive for Covid. self‐isolate. He said: “The They are slow‐growing, Southwark Council has guy was sick for three days. low‐grade brain tumours, reportedly written to Home We had no masks at that which account for around 8 Secretary Priti Patel to warn time. One night I had to call per cent of all primary brain that housing asylum seek‐ an ambulance. It wasn’t tumours. ers in the hostel poses “im‐ until five days later he was “They are rarely life‐ mediate risks.” moved to another room.” threatening.”

Asylum hostel risk ASYLUM seekers were crammed into 24‐bed hos‐ tel rooms despite the risk of Covid‐19. The hostel in Southwark, South London, is said to be housing around 500 people. This, despite the local council saying the facility was not safe to house rough sleep‐ ers.

One report claims many asylum seekers are having to share the same room.

The rooms are said to be filled with dozens of beds, amid the ongoing coron‐ avirus pandemic. So far in 2021, the number of small boats arriving in the UK has doubled compared to

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Spain extends ERTE

THE government has extended the tempo‐ rary lay‐off (ERTE) scheme until February 2022. A special ERTE regime has also been put in place for the Canary Islands. The agreement was reached between the Min‐ istry for Labour and unions to extend the plans until February 28. The focus now, the government said, is on training workers as they re‐enter the workforce.

The Canary Islands have been granted an ERTE scheme to reflect the difficulties busi‐

THE vaccination campaign is still active as more Spaniards wait to be immunised against Covid‐19. How‐ ever, many mass vaccination cen‐ tres are closing across the country.

On Thursday, September 30, two centres, one in Bilbao and another at the Miguel Delibes Cultural Cen‐ tre in Valladolid, were closed after immunising more than 400,000 people.

It was also the last day of mass vaccinations for the Galician Cidade da Cultura, in Santiago de Com‐ postela where they recorded a total of 482,000 vaccine administrations.

It was the first vaccination centre in

nesses, employers and employees face in the wake of the Cumbre Vieja volcano ex‐ plosion on La Palma.

On the Canary Islands, “Workers will have protection and companies will benefit from exemptions of up to 100 per cent of social contributions in the event of their activity being totally impeded and of up to 90 per cent in the case of activity limitation,” the government said on September 27.

Nationwide, the ERTE will continue to

provide guarantees for working people. The government confirmed: “The ERTE will con‐ tinue to have protection clauses such as, among others, the so‐called zero counter, which is extended until December 31, 2022, or the employment maintenance clause. Al‐ so the limitations on subcontracting, the performance of overtime hours or the limits related to the distribution of dividends and access to these aids by companies domi‐ ciled in tax havens.”

Covid centre closures

VACCINATION CENTRES: Are now closing across the country.

Galicia and began operating on March 11.

Some communities had to return vials of the different vaccines be‐

cause fewer people are attending appointments. The region of Valen‐ cia announced on October 1, they will return 240,000 doses of Janssen and AstraZeneca to prevent them from expiring.

However, they will not be wasted as they will be included in the na‐ tional fund that will be sent to de‐ veloping countries so that they can use them as part of the Global Vac‐ cine Action Plan ‐ developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

NEWS

Elderly prankster arrested A 70- Y E A R - O L D woman was arrested in Almeria after mak‐ ing 24 fake emergency calls.

The Guardia Civil charged her as the author of a crime of public disorder after making the prank calls.

Officers began an investiga‐ tion after three people report‐ ed the issue to the Guardia Civ‐ il of Almeria. They claimed a person had made numerous calls to the emergency ser‐ vices. The calls waste the time of phone operators and officers who attended the houses of the alleged victims.

According to reports, all of the calls related to false re‐ ports of abuse or domestic ac‐ cidents. All of the calls were linked to the same address in Pechina, Almeria. The Guardia Civil compiled a list of all the calls and the woman’s voice was recognisable on all the recordings.

The 70‐year‐old woman has now been arrested for a crime of public disorder. Officers from the Guardia Civil have passed the case over to the court of Almeria.

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Abortion rate drop

THE number of abortions performed in Spain decreased by 10.97 per cent in 2020 compared to 2019.

According to the State Registry of Voluntary Interruptions

of Pregnancy (IVE) published on Tuesday September 28 by the Ministry of Health to coincide with World Safe Abortion Day , the IVE rate in 2020 was 10.30 per 1,000 women be-

Football star’s fuel plea ENGLAND has been hit by fuel shortages and many people have been queueing at the pumps. In some areas, 90 per cent of the pumps have been affected by the shortages. And some stations have seen demand grow by 500 per cent. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced 5,000 temporary visas for lorry drivers to try and ease the problem.

The shortages have also hit the world of football and Mill‐ wall’s Matt Smith took to Twitter to ask for help.

He tweeted: “Anyone in the West London (Chelsea/Ful‐ ham) area know where’s a good bet to get fuel at the mo‐ ment? Struggling to find anywhere! If not, can anyone give me a lift to training in the morning?”

Fans soon commented on the post. One person tweeted: “Get @jedwallace12 to carry you in, he’s been carrying the rest of the team for two years.” Another fan said: “Genuine offer. Downside you’ll have to cover admin cost for insurance and Spotify is pre‐set to John Mayer or Flock of Seagulls. Oth‐ er than that you’re good to go.”

STATS

7 million

tween 15 and 44 years old, compared to 11.53 in 2019.

The decrease may have been caused by “the exceptional situation caused by the Covid pandemic” the Ministry of Health said. The decrease occurred in “each and every one of the autonomous communities and in all age groups.”

Most IVEs take place during the first weeks of pregnancy.

The Ministry stressed: “The Department headed by Minister Carolina Darias has the firm intention of continuing to guarantee the right of women to voluntary interruption of pregnancy in public health, improving access to this benefit in the National Health System, while valuing work developed by all and all health professionals inside and outside the system in favour of the health and safety of women.”

is the number of foreigners living in Spain, around 15 per cent of the population.

NEWS

Pirate taxi war

THE town council of Malaga are fighting back against pirate airport taxis. Pirate taxis are a drain on legitimate taxi drivers who have to pay taxes and other expenses.

So far this year, Local Police in Malaga have caught 90 pirate taxis in the area around the airport. This figure has dropped from previous years, as coronavirus restrictions have affected the number of pirate taxis in the area.

José del Río, councillor for Mobility said: “The airport is going to improve the signage so that travellers arriving in Malaga have clear indicators of where the taxis are.”

The airport director along with the Local and National Police held a meeting last week. Their aim is to improve the taxi service and “prevent unauthorised vehicles from entering to pick up passengers.”

Avelino Barrionuevo, councillor for Security, explained that Local Police officers are

AIRPORT TAXIS: Police are trying to improve the service.

being trained at the Public Safety School of Malaga Town Council (ESPAM). He also said that both uniformed officers and plain-clothes officers are fighting against pirate taxis who illegally pick up and drop off passengers at the airport.

Barrionuevo explained, “We know who they are, but you have to catch them during an economic transaction or when they are picking up or dropping off passengers.

The Local Police know who does it, but they have to be caught.”

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! y a s r u o y e v a H

AS a loyal reader of the Euro Weekly News, you are the reason we keep doing the job we love. We strive daily to create a newspaper that satisfies your need to access local, national and international news.

That’s why we are redesigning the Euro Weekly website to ensure it rivals the best worldwide news sites and continues to be the most popular English news website in Spain.

The site will be bigger, better and faster, yet still provide your favourite articles, updated by the minute, along with new and exciting features.

However, it wouldn’t be fair to you, our loyal readers of 20 years, to not have your say. Everything we create is with you in mind, so we are giving you the opportunity to shape the future of our website.

Just spend a few moments filling out the questionnaire in the link below so we can read your thoughts and suggestions. In return,

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Fill out our survey for a chance to win a trolley dash worth up to €300 at Overseas Supermarket all participants will be entered into a prize draw to win a trolley dash worth up to €300 in Overseas Supermarket vouchers.

We can’t wait to hear your feedback and look forward to incorporating your ideas into the NEW Euro Weekly News website launching in the coming weeks!

Survey closes on October 21.

TROLLEY DASH: Worth up to €300 to be won.

Head to the following link to have your say: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/V683DG7

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MAJOR airlines, including Iberia and easyJet, have committed to better infor‐ mation and timely reim‐ bursement of passengers in case of flight cancellations.

The Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) enforce‐ ment authorities were alert‐ ed in December 2020 to ad‐ dress several airlines’ cancellation and reimburse‐ ment practices in the context of the Covid‐19 pandemic.

Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders said: “It is good news for consumers

7 - 13 October 2021

Airlines cough up Elderly trips delayed

that airlines cooperated dur‐ ing the dialogues, and com‐ mitted to respecting passen‐ gers’ rights and improving their communication. In the early phase of the pandemic, some airlines pushed vouch‐ ers on passengers. They were acting against EU con‐ sumer protection rules. That was unacceptable. Following our joint action, I am pleased that most of them have now

agreed to refund these vouchers. I call on authorities to ensure that the remaining airlines also offer a money refund for such vouchers.”

The airlines include Aegean Airlines, Air France, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Air‐ lines, easyJet, Eurowings, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, Nor‐ wegian, Ryanair, TAP, Vuel‐ ing and Wizz Air.

Spain trade & tech boost

THE launch of the EU‐US Trade and Technolo‐ gy Council (TTC) is potentially a huge boost for Spain, says Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto.

The (TTC) met for the first time in Pittsburgh on September 29, 2021. Maroto, said: “It is great that the US and the EU reinforce their cooperation to strengthen the semiconductor production ecosystems, so necessary in indus‐ trial sectors such as the automotive industry, in which Spain is a world power.”

“The shortage of semiconductors is a prob‐ lem that affects the entire automotive indus‐ try and requires joint action on both sides of the Atlantic,” she added.

The Council was co‐chaired by European Commission Executive Vice President Mar‐ grethe Vestager, European Commission Exec‐ utive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, US Secre‐ tary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai.

STATS

9.1%

EWN 19

is the percentage of the population reporting crimes in Spain, compared to the European average of 15.5 per cent.

THIS year’s Institute for the El‐ derly and Social Services (IM‐ SERSO) trips could be delayed until November, said the pres‐ ident of the Spanish Confed‐ eration of Travel Agencies (CEAV).

Confusion still continues over the trips, which, accord‐ ing to the Ministry of Social Rights, are scheduled to begin this October. But, this is con‐ tradicted by Carlos Garrido, president of the Spanish Con‐ federation of Travel Agencies (CEAV), who believes they will not start until the earliest in November.

CEAV has asked the Admin‐ istration to resolve the proce‐ dures expeditiously so they can start selling and encour‐ age demand. The contract is pending following a dispute between rival travel groups Traveltino and Halcon Viajes over a point of sale in Arucas on Las Palmas in the Canary Islands.

According to the documents posted on the government’s portal, the Imserso pro‐ gramme is made up of three

different sectors: coastal areas of the peninsular, the islands and the interior and Europe,

with a total budget of €66.69 million (without VAT) and 816,029 places on offer.

Denise Welch heartbreak LOOSE WOMEN’S Denise Welch has been left devas‐ tated after her beloved dad Vin died.

The star took to Insta‐ gram to reveal the tragic death and said: “Pneumo‐ nia plus his existing pul‐ monary fibrosis was more than even he could take.”

Denise posted a heart‐ breaking photo showing her holding her father’s hand.

She wrote: “Last night at 11pm, we lost our dad, the

life force that was Vin Welch. After making a miraculous recovery from major surgeries, pneumonia plus his existing pulmonary fibrosis was more than even he could take.

“He left us surrounded by his family who could not have loved anyone more. I can’t quite function as I’m so grief stricken but I know he meant a lot to so many peo‐ ple, even those who’d never met him,” she added.

and finally...

OFFICERS from the Guardia Civil have rescued more than 265 kilos of live octopuses caught in illegal traps.

They did so as part of Operation Santolagarro. The offi‐ cers were able to detect poachers off the coast of San‐ toña in Spain.

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NEWS

Inclusive tourism pledge

THE Minister for Indus‐ try, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, said her priority is to reactivate and modernise the tourism sector. To guar‐ antee security, and diver‐ sify the range of destina‐ tions so that tourism benefits all people and territories.

Speaking at a ministerial summit organised on World Tourism Day by the World Tourism Organisa‐ tion (UNWTO), Maroto said Spain intends to mod‐ ernise the tourism model to make it more sustain‐ able, digital and inclusive from an economic, envi‐ ronmental and territorial point of view.

“Spain places inclusion as a priority within the Sustainable Tourism Strat‐ egy 2030. It is essential for us to distribute the bene‐ fits of tourism throughout our territory and to make it a useful tool for inclu‐ sive development,” she said.

“Spain focuses on mea‐

sures related to social in‐ clusion, in particular to make tourism accessible to all. For example, we collaborate with organisa‐ tions such as the ONCE Foundation for the coop‐ eration and inclusion of people with disabilities.

“We are working to im‐

prove the pioneering sun, beach and urban destina‐ tions, as well as promot‐ ing rural and inland tourist destinations, through tourism products based on their heritage, such as cultural tourism, gastron‐ omy, wine tourism and ac‐ tive tourism,” she added.

EU migrant smuggling plan THE European Commission will adopt a renewed action plan against migrant smuggling and a communication on the application of the Employers Sanctions Directive.

Both are part of a ‘comprehensive approach to migra‐ tion’ under the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. The ini‐ tiatives aim to prevent organised exploitation of migrants and reduce irregular migration.

On September 29, Vice‐President for Promoting our Eu‐ ropean Way of Life Margaritis Schinas said: “Last week marked one year since we put our proposals on the table for a New Pact on Migration and Asylum. Whilst progress on their adoption has been painfully slow, at the same time, migratory challenges have continued to arise in forms new and old.

“From continued pressure in the Central Mediterranean, to a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and new pres‐ sure on our Eastern borders, all of these developments show the imperative need for a sustainable European asy‐ lum and migration framework.”

NEWS

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THREE batches of gazpacho products were withdrawn from the market by FACUA on October 1 amid ethylene oxide fears. The gazpacho sold by the Alvalle brand was discovered to contain traces of oxide containing ethylene.

Ethylene oxide has been banned in the European Union since the 1990s, as it is a pesticide considered a mutagenic, toxic, and carcinogenic substance that could cause cancer in extreme cases.

This move follows another recent case when the same

7 - 13 October 2021

Gazpacho fears

TAINTED PRODUCTS: Three lots have been recalled.

substance was found in some ice cream, leading FACUA to

Angola cultural relationship SPAIN is set to build economic and cultural relations with Angola as the two countries celebrate their 44th anniversary of diplomatic ties on Tuesday October 19. President Pedro Sánchez and João Lourenço, the President of Angola, have pledged to deepen bilateral relations.

Sánchez said: “Spain wants to contribute to the design of EU policy towards Africa so that it is oriented towards the progress and industrialisation of the continent, the creation of jobs, especially for young people, and the effective implementation of the Continental Free Trade Area.

Angola is a “priority country” for Spain due to its political weight, regional projection and enormous economic potential and it is part of the 2019 ‘III Africa Plan’ and the ‘Foco Africa 2023’ Action Programme developed by Spain.

withdraw products from Mars and Nestle.

The three lots which have been recalled are L5243, which is gazpacho with beetroot, along with L1236 and L1244 from gazpacho gourmet. All three have an expiration date of November 2021.

Although these products have already been withdrawn from sale, consumers are asked to make sure that they do not have any at home with these characteristics. If so, they should contact the company to alert them of its existence, by calling 900 164 164, or email contacta@pepsico.com, or, via the Avalle website.

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Madrid edging to normality

NEW MEASURES: For food and entertainment venues.

MADRID lifted all Covid capacity restrictions on food and en‐ tertainment on Monday, October 4. There are no more limits on the number of people allowed at a table, and face masks need not be worn in outdoor spaces as long as a safe distance can be maintained.

The new measures apply to bars, restaurants, nightclubs, cine‐ mas, theatres, multi‐use spaces and sports centres. Madrid pre‐ mier Isabel Díaz Ayuso, of the conservative Popular Party (PP), made the announcement on September, 29, during an inter‐ view on Spanish TV. “Starting Monday, we are going to get rid of all the restrictions on capacity and we are practically a step away from how it was before the pandemic,” she said from Washington, where she is on a promotional visit. Since September 20, there have been no restrictions on the opening hours of these venues. However, ca‐ pacity has been limited to 75 per cent. With respect to bars and restaurants, there has been a six‐person limit on indoor tables and a 10‐person limit in outdoor spaces.

Food waste warning

THE Minister for Consumer Affairs, Alberto Garzón, has warned that food waste in Spain is “socially and environ‐ mentally unsustainable.”

According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fish‐ eries and Food, each person in Spain wastes 31 kilos of food per year. And it is not just about individual choices.

About 14 per cent of food produced is lost between har‐ vest and retail.

Another 17 per cent is wasted in households, food

service and retail. Garzón stressed that when food is lost or wasted, all the resources used for its production ‐ wa‐ ter, land, energy, labour and capital ‐ are also wasted. The Minister said his department is now working on legislation that would encourage super‐ markets and other retailers to offer better discounts on food items that are approaching their sell by dates.

This is the first major an‐ nouncement Garzón has made since he was vilified for

NEWS

Andalucian art at Prado TWO important Andalu‐ cian baroque paintings are on loan to the Prado from the National Gallery in Ireland. The exhibition will run until January 23, 2022.

The exhibition will fea‐ ture The Parable of the Prodigal Son and the Sto‐ ry of Joseph by Murillo and Antonio del Castillo, both of which have sur‐ vived complete; and the series on the Life of Saint Ambrose by Juan de Valdés Leal. The exhibi‐ tion also showcases other paintings which originally belonged to series of this type that were split up and dispersed over time.

“Through these works visitors to the exhibition will be able to appreciate both the importance of serial creations in Andalu‐ cian painting of the peri‐ od and the role played in the development of the latter by private collectors and patrons,” the Prado said.

In total, the exhibition features 33 works from the Museo Nacional del Prado, the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin and institutions such as the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, the Museo de Bellas Artes de Asturias, the Museo de Bellas Artes de Sevilla and the Biblioteca Nacional de España. suggesting Spaniards should eat less meat earlier this year.

Garzon is the leader of Izquierda Unida (United Left), who joined the government as part of Podemos, who in turn formed a coalition with PSOE placing Pedro Sanchez as president.

www.euroweeklynews.com

7 - 13 October 2021

NEWS

EWN EXCLUSIVE

Gerry Rafferty, a new album MANY people will re‐ member Gerry Rafferty, the singer and musician who had two enormous hit singles with Stuck in the Middle with You (as part of Stealers Wheel) and Baker Street under his own name.

After years of patient work, his daughter Martha has sorted through a huge library of demo tapes and with the help of many of his friends who had played with him over the years as well as a young producer, she issued this month his 11th so‐ lo album Rest in Blue.

One of his early friends and drinking partner, Patrick Knowles who now lives on the Costa del Sol and has had a musical career himself told Euro Weekly News about his relationship with one of Scot‐ land’s favourite musicians.

They met by chance when both were long term guests at the Cavendish Court Hotel in Maida Vale in the early 1970s as Gerry having left the Hum‐ blebums (his folk group with

generally.

It obviously struck a chord with Quinten Tarantino who included it on the soundtrack of Reservoir Dogs.

The other ‘controversy’ surrounds the signature alto sax breaks played by Raphael Raven‐ scroft on Baker Street with Ravenscroft claim‐ ing he came up with the mu‐ sic itself but as has been proven by the release of an original demo, Rafferty com‐ posed it on guitar but didn’t think the sound was strong enough.

Gerry Rafferty died of com‐ plications of the liver caused by his excessive drinking in 2011, but his legacy continues both with these two hugely successful singles and body of work, but also thanks to the continued involvement of his daughter Martha.

Credit: Paisley Scotland/Alex Kyle Photography

24 EWN

A 2014 tribute concert in Paisley to Gerry Rafferty.

Billy Connolly) was getting Stealers Wheel together.

The two hit it off straight away and spent many nights at the famous Ronnie Scott’s jazz club in London and as the two were in their early 30s they both enjoyed a few drinks and singing Irish Rebel songs, since both were Catholics.

They kept in touch for some considerable time and Patrick still speaks to daughter Martha who explained to him the background surrounding

the new album.

There are two very interest‐ ing pieces of information about Rafferty’s best‐known songs, the first being about the lyrics of Stuck in the Mid‐ dle with You which include the phrase ‘Clowns to the Left of Me, Jokers to the Right, here I am Stuck in the Middle with You.’ Written by Rafferty, it is ba‐ sically a dismissive tale of the music industry and the people working in it who he believed took advantage of musicians

26 EWN

www.euroweeklynews.com

7 - 13 October 2021

Combatting Chefs’ charity fundraiser driver fatigue

S T A R T I N G from next year, a driver fatigue detection system will be mandatory in all new cars. A series of other driver assistance systems that improve road safety and driver comfort will also be obligatory.

EU Commissioner Elżbieta Bienkowska for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs said: “Every year, 25,000 people lose their lives on our roads. The vast majority of these accidents are caused by human error.

“We can and must act to change this. The new advanced safety features can have the same kind of impact as when the safety belts were first introduced.”

The driver’s fatigue and sleep detector

warns when the driver has been at the wheel for more than a few hours.

It also monitors eye movement, blinking and pressure of the hands on the steering wheel to detect when the driver is suffering from fatigue.

It warns them by emitting a sound so they can stop and rest.

These safety systems will not be mandatory on older cars although there are after-market systems that can be retro-fitted.

Other systems set to become compulsory include intelligent speed assistance, lane assist, advanced emergency brakes, reversing camera or sensors and a data recorder in case of an accident (black box).

CHEFS from around Spain will gather in Marbella to raise funds for children with cancer at the Materno Infantil Hospital.

A total of 33 Michelin‐starred chefs will take part in the event to be held on Mon‐ day October 25. The event also aims to raise awareness of the importance of eating healthily.

Los Monteros hotel will host the ‘Chefs for Children’ event, which has the support of the Marbella Town Hall and the Provincial Council through the ‘Sabor a Malaga’ campaign. A gala din‐

ner will be held.

The event aims to raise money for the Juegaterapia Foundation. The foundation helps children who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment. The founda‐ tion is working on a project to create a green outdoor play area on the rooftop of the Malaga health centre.

Everyone attending the event will be treated to an exclusive tasting menu pre‐ pared by Michelin‐starred chefs. Tickets can be bought via the website chefs forchildren.es.

Brexit rule change EU citizens who do not have any post‐Brexit right to live in the UK will no longer be able to use EU ID cards to enter the country from October 1. EU nation‐ als who do not have settled status in the UK and those using visas to travel will now be required to show a passport.

Under the new immigra‐ tion system, only those set‐ tled in the UK can use EU,

EEA or Swiss national ID cards to enter the country.

This method will be accept‐ ed until 2025.

The Home Office said the policy change comes as the UK ends the freedom of movement and “takes back

control” of its borders.

A Home Office spokes‐ person added EU ID cards are an “insecure form of identification” and insisted those affected have been given almost 12 months to be ready.

STATS

80%

of Spain’s population lives in urban areas.

NEWS

Bowie’s lost album DAVID BOWIE’S lost al‐ bum, recorded in 2001, is to be released by Par‐ lophone record in Novem‐ ber.

Titled Toy, the album will form part of the fifth instal‐ ment of box sets from the artist’s discography titled: David Bowie 5. Brilliant Ad‐ venture. It covers his big hits from 1992 to 2001.

The album was recorded with his band playing fully live and was intended to be a surprise release. But it was decided the concept was not compatible with the sounds of the moment.

Bowie left it parked on the back burner and set about making his next album Heathen which went on to sell more than one million copies worldwide.

An extended version will be released on January 7, 2022, the day before the singer’s birthday. It will in‐ clude a 16‐page booklet featuring never‐seen‐be‐ fore photographs of Bowie.

EUROPEAN PRESS

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EUROPEAN PRESS DENMARK

Peeing at night

Rare find

A STUDY by Denmark’s Aarhus University and Stanford University in the US suggests that getting up at night regularly to have a pee could, especially if you are a male aged more than 60 with a benign prostate enlargement, increase your chances of getting dementia by 21 per cent.

A CASSETTE TAPE containing a 33-minute recording of John Lennon and Yoko Ono being interviewed by four Danish teenagers in 1970 which includes them singing an unpublished song and talking about world peace fetched Kr370,000 (€49,758) at a Danish auction on Wednesday, September 29.

THE NETHERLANDS Cat flap

Data fears

HUISKAT THUISKAT, a Dutch Foundation, claims that millions of birds and small mammals are killed every year by roaming cats and is taking out a test case against the Ministry of Agriculture demanding that it instructs the three million cat owners to keep their animals under control.

THE Dutch police have been criticised for regularly using drones manufactured by Chinese company Da Jiang Innovations, even though the Ministry of Defence has banned their military use because it has serious concerns about data security as it is stored on servers in China.

BELGIUM Pumpkin giant

Big Bad Wolf

NOT to be used for Halloween, but getting ready for the European pumpkin championships in early October, the Belgian contender so far measures 3.56 metres wide and 5.42 metres in circumference with an estimated weight of 1,020 kilos.

ALTHOUGH it wasn’t a scene from a 1930s horror movie, some 3,000 people gathered in the municipality of Meeuwen to join a Big Bad Wolf march to protest about the appearance of wolves in the area. Rather than flaming torches, they carried electric ones for safety.

GERMANY Tall ship

War crime

AFTER the first shipyard given responsibility to refit the Gorch Fock, a three-masted sailing ship used by the German navy for training cadets went bankrupt and with costs spiralling from an expected €10 million to €135 million, after six years the vessel has returned to service.

WHAT will probably be the last war crime trial to be held in Germany had to be put on hold as a 96-year-old woman who was a secretary at the Stutthof death camp situated in Nazioccupied Poland has ‘gone on the run’ after jumping in a cab.

FRANCE Saving face

Foie Gras

THE French Government is starting to bounce back from the loss of face suffered by losing the Australian submarine deal as President Macron has signed a €3 billion sale of frigates to previously cash strapped Greece which has also purchased 24 French fighter jets.

THE French ambassador in the UK has taken up the call from trade bodies involved in the production of Foie Gras to try to ensure that the import of this ‘delicacy’ into the UK is not banned as threatened in the Queen’s Speech in Parliament earlier this year.

NORWAY Bailing out

Chinese debut

TELECOMS company Telenor which is part owned by the Norwegian Government was caught unawares by the coup after expanding its interests in Myanmar (formerly Burma) and has been accused of trying to sell up to a Lebanese company in breach of international OECD rules.

CHINESE electric car manufacturers may be relatively unknown in Europe, but they have built huge industrial empires in their home country and one, Nio Inc, has just launched its ES8 electric SUV in Oslo since Norway expects to only allow electric car sales by 2035.

7 - 13 October 2021

EWN 27

28 EWN

www.euroweeklynews.com

7 - 13 October 2021

NEWS

Cruise ship pollution

CRUISE ships should be monitored for the envi‐ ronmental harm and pol‐ lution they case, say Span‐ ish and European researchers.

New research called for global monitoring and ef‐ fective legislation for the cruise industry because of their impact on both the environment, and human health and well‐being. The review finds that cruising is a major source of environ‐ mental pollution and degradation, with air, wa‐ ter, soil, fragile habitats and wildlife affected.

Dr Josep Lloret, of the University of Girona, said: “Our paper highlights that cruising is a prime example of how the fates of our health and our environ‐ ments are intertwined.

“Up until now, most studies have looked at as‐ pects of this in isolation.

Our review is the most comprehensive to date to combine these research fields and take a holistic

view of how cruising dam‐ ages our environments and our health. We now need

global legislation to min‐ imise damage on both our oceans and our health.”

Crime crackdown

SPAIN, supported by Eu‐ ropol, coordinated an EU‐ wide action plan targeting the facilitation of illegal im‐ migration, drugs and firearms trafficking.

The operation took place between September 15 and 18 and involved 27 countries (17 EU Member States and 10 non‐EU countries). They were supported by Eurojust, Frontex, INTERPOL and oth‐ er international organisa‐ tions.

The activities took place mainly in Southeast Europe, while other countries from across the continent partici‐ pated by sharing intelligence and conducting operational actions at the national level.

The actions, involving al‐ most 11,000 officers on the ground, led to 330 arrests re‐ lated to different crimes in‐ cluding drug trafficking, the facilitation of illegal immigra‐ tion, document fraud and the trafficking of firearms.

and finally...

A MISSING drunk man in Turkey accidentally joined a search party that was actually out looking for him. He managed to spend hours helping the group before real‐ ising it was himself they were looking for after he had been uncontactable after having drunk a little too much!

EUROPEAN PRESS

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EUROPEAN PRESS FINLAND

Robotic disinfectant

Helsinki hold ups

DEVELOPED in Denmark six years ago, the first UV disinfection robot is now in production and costs €80,000, but the EU has donated one to the Turku University Hospital in Finland to undergo tests in the expectation that the mobile apparatus will kill Covid-19 and other bacteria.

ACTIVISTS with Extinction Rebellion Finland have started a 10-day demonstration at Mannerheimintie, the main thoroughfare in Helsinki, with around 1,000 people promising to turn up during that period. Police asked the demonstrators to move to somewhere safer, but the group refused.

IRELAND The Monk

Special moves

KNOWN as The Monk, Gerry Hutch arrived back in Ireland on September 29 after being extradited from Spain on a European Arrest Warrant, travelling in an Irish military aircraft which he boarded in Madrid and was formally arrested at Casement Aerodrome upon touchdown.

A VIDEO from Dublin has gone viral as it shows two men standing on a wall, using brooms as supports, whilst a third man pushes a couch over a balcony on the first floor of a block of flats as they safely bring it to the ground.

ITALY Sexist statue

Wild boar

A CONTROVERSY has broken out in Italy over a ‘sexist’ statue representing a female in a diaphanous dress based on a famous 19thcentury poem by Italian writer Luigi Mercantini. The bronze sculpture has caused a storm on Italian social media amid accusations of sexism.

SO regularly are wild boar sighted on the streets of Rome, happily navigating the traffic and looking for whatever food they can find on the streets and in bins, some jokers have suggested that it’s time to add a wild boar lane next to the cycle lanes.

PORTUGAL Hells Angels

Little Portugal

NO less than 88 alleged members of a Portuguese chapter of the Hells Angels have been charged with a huge number of different crimes involving a gang feud in a document which is 1,000 pages long and of those charged, 50 members are under house arrest.

THERE is a thriving Portuguese community in Little Portugal, Toronto, Canada and many of them turned out to welcome the arrival of a giant sculpture of a rooster, decorated by a local artist. The 2.8-metretall rooster was donated by the municipality of Barcelos.

RUSSIA Really lost

Secret drinker

A POLAR BEAR that apparently walked nearly 2,000 miles south from the Arctic into Siberia was found in a very weak state as she had lost a great deal of weight during her journey.

Unable to be returned to the wild, Tompa now lives in Moscow Zoo.

A NEW book written by Boris Yeltsin’s former son-in-law, suggests that Yeltsin knew that Hilary Clinton didn’t approve of Bill’s drinking but at a meeting in the Kremlin, Yeltsin arranged for a bar to be set up in one of the larger cloakrooms which they both used.

SWEDEN Zlatan returns

Foo Fighter

LEGENDARY and sometimes controversial striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will return to international football playing once again for Sweden at the age of 40 in his nation’s World Cup qualifiers in October, now that he has recovered from injury even though he has played little competitive football.

SPEAKING to the BBC former member of Nirvana and now leader of the Foo Fighters, Dave Grohl has waxed lyrical about the reformation of Swedish pop giants ABBA and has revealed that if given the chance, he would love to play drums with them.

7 - 13 October 2021

EWN 29

FINANCE BUSINESS EXTRA Huge investment THE New West End Company, which represents 600 businesses, plans to invest £5 billion in London’s West End across 22 existing and new developments to make the area more appealing to the modern consumer following the devastation in retail businesses caused by the pandemic.

Corporation tax IN keeping with proposals agreed in principle for a unified corporation tax rate across the world’s major economies, Spain has its own internal battle to fight as Podemos junior partner in the government is fighting to introduce the 15 per cent minimum sooner rather than later.

Seasonal recruitment ANXIOUS to ensure that it doesn’t lose lucrative Christmas trade, Sainsbury’s has announced it needs to fill 22,000 seasonal jobs across the UK with recruitment taking place for immediate start. The company is paying incentives in order to try to engage several thousand delivery drivers.

Bank dividends NOW that the European Central Bank has withdrawn its restriction on payment of dividends to shareholders, imposed at the height of the pandemic in order to boost funds, both BBVA and Santander have confirmed their intention to pay up to 40 per cent of profits in cash.

Investing in Angola ANGOLA’S president João Lourenço visited Madrid for discussions on closer cooperation and held meetings with HM King Felipe VI and President Pedro Sánchez on September 28. At the meeting, the two leaders agreed on a Joint Declaration to deepen bilateral relations and strengthen sectors of economic interest for Spanish companies and investments in the country. The good economic relations between the two countries are evidenced by the fact Spain exported goods worth €87m to Angola in 2020 and imported items to a value of €548m.

30

www.euroweeklynews.com • 7 - 13 October 2021

STAT OF WEEK

€225 million

is the amount that Japan’s Nippon Steel expects to earn by selling its last 7.9 per cent holding in Spanish steel giant Acerinox.

Prices are continuing to rise IN case you haven’t noticed, prices in Spain continue to rise and according to advance fig‐ ures released by the National In‐ stitute of Statistics (INE), infla‐ tion in September is up to 4 per cent.

This is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which provides a statistical measurement of the evolution of the set of prices of goods and services that the resi‐ dent population in family dwellings in Spain consumes.

This index is made up monthly by logging 220,000 prices from

479 articles, of 29,000 establish‐ ments based in 177 municipali‐ ties in the whole country and the data is obtained by a combi‐ nation of visits, telephone calls and emails, so is considered rel‐ atively accurate.

Assuming this initial indicator is accurate then inflation is up by 0.7 per cent over the August figure and will be at the highest level since 2008.

Some argue that inflation, if kept relatively steady and low, is a positive influence on any economy as it means that the

LEGALLY SPEAKING

supply of money is greater than the demand for money and this helps to increase business turnover and makes the econo‐ my healthy.

Whilst this is positive for man‐ ufacturers and retailers it hits the consumer in the pocket and can also make exports less at‐ tractive.

The latest increase in inflation is to a great extent due to the massive increase in the cost of both electricity and fuel for ve‐ hicles and compares to drops in prices during 2020.

The Golden Leaves’ guarantee

Will 90-day rule change?

WE are from the UK. We are struggling with the 90‐day limit for a tourist stay in Spain. As pensioners with a house on the Costa Blanca we usu‐ ally spend four summer months in Spain in our house and then rent for two months in Tenerife over the winter. We also ski for a week in Europe. None of this is possible with the 90‐day limit in 180 days. Our ques‐ tion is, are there ongoing negotiations taking place to increase the limit to 180 days, which is what EU visi‐ tors to the UK are allowed? We have written to vari‐ ous officials on this subject with no response.

J L M (Costa Blanca) No, there DAVID SEARL are no YOU AND THE LAW negotiations tak‐ IN SPAIN ing place be‐ tween the Euro‐ pean Union and the UK regarding a change to the 90‐day rule. There have been discussions regard‐ ing the concept of ‘reciprocity’ meaning that per‐ haps the European Union could treat UK citizens the same as the UK treats EU citizens. This would mean the authorisation of 180‐day stays in EU countries. However, these talks have not pro‐ duced any concrete results, so it looks as if you will have to adapt your plans to meet the rule of 90 days in Spain and 90 days back in the UK. Send your questions for David Searl through lawyers Ubeda-Retana and Associates in Fuengirola at Ask@lawtaxspain.com, or call 952 667 090.

THIEVES can persuade UK iPhones to pay from Visa according to re‐ searchers from the universities of Birmingham and Surrey.

They claim that there is a weak‐ ness in the Visa programming for ‘Express Transit’ when set up in an iPhone wallet and have demonstrated, using their own accounts, the removal of £1,000 thanks to this flaw.

Start planning ahead.

WHEN planning a funeral, financial con‐ siderations can be one of the most impor‐ tant things to take into account for most people.

With rising funeral costs and with many people un‐ willing to leave their loved ones to pay the expense of their funeral when the time comes, buying a pre‐paid funeral plan with Golden Leaves guarantees that the funeral services stipulated in your plan will be met in full.

Golden Leaves has several pre‐paid plans to choose from and all their plans are held in the Golden Leaves Trust, which manages the funds to achieve stable long‐ term growth. This trust is overseen independently by a board of trustees and regulated in compliance with The Financial Services & Markets Act 2001. The fund is annually independently audited and subject to strict actuarial reporting to ensure that it remains complete‐ ly secure.

So, with many years of experience handling funerals abroad, and with their Golden Leaves’ guarantee which means that the funeral services set out in your plan will be carried out in full, contact Golden Leaves International to start planning ahead in good hands.

www.goldenleavesinternational.com enquiries@goldenleaves.com Facebook: goldenleavesspain

‘Express Transit’ scam Advice from the Apple website concerning ‘Express Transit’ says “Quickly pay for rides with Apple Pay using Express Transit on your iPhone and Apple Watch without having to wake or unlock your de‐ vice, or open an app. You don’t

even need to validate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.”

The only requirement is that the phone is turned on and the ‘Express Transit’ App has been downloaded to the iPhone.

In a video seen by the BBC, the

Spain’s debt falls slightly THE Bank of Spain has con‐ firmed in its second quar‐ ter 2021 review that the general government debt under the Excessive Deficit Protocol (EDP)1 amounted to €1.42 trillion at the end of June 2021.

This means that public debt has risen to 122.8 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is some 12.5 per cent higher than the same quarter in 2020, but has fallen from the first quarter deficit of 125.3 per cent.

The report from the Bank suggests that this continued high amount of debt, which is currently growing at a rate of 10.4 per cent per annum has been caused by additional spending due to the pan‐ demic.

Retail sales WITH inflation increasing as well as National Debt, the forecast recovery for the Spanish economy has taken another, slightly less dra‐ matic, blow.

Latest figures released by the Office of National Statis‐ tics (INE) reveal that retail sales decreased by 0.2 per cent in August following a flat July even though restric‐ tions have been lifted to a great extent over much of the country.

Overall, retail sales are down by 0.9 per cent on an annual basis but the gov‐ ernment is still confident that the economy will bounce back strongly and has not changed its fore‐ cast of an overall 6.5 per cent growth by the end of the year. researchers demonstrated how the con occurs using two specific pieces of equipment which don’t even have to be near the iPhone so long as it is connected to the internet.

So far, there have been no re‐ ports of theft actually occurring and the scam was only demon‐ strated under laboratory condi‐ tions.

32 EWN

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7 - 13 October 2021

LONDON - FTSE 100

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY WITH US See our advert on previous page

C LOSING P RICES O CTOBER 4

COMPANY PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) 3I Group 1.274,00 1.277,00 Abrdn 251,25 252,80 Admiral Group 3.186,0 3.186,0 Anglo American 2.595,5 2.612,5 Antofagasta 1.345,00 1.352,50 Ashtead Group 5.662,0 5.676,0 Associated British Foods 1.834,0 1.847,0 AstraZeneca 8.883,0 8.887,0 Auto Trader Group Plc 588,20 589,40 Avast 563,82 565,40 Aveva 3.540,0 3.540,0 Aviva 396,28 396,60 B&M European Value Retail SA573,60 576,20 BAE Systems 568,60 568,60 Bank VTB DRC 1,360 1,364 Barclays 186,72 188,04 Barratt Developments 655,40 657,00 Berkeley 4.306,5 4.309,0 BHP Group 1.848,40 1.864,80 BP 338,10 341,85 British American Tobacco 2.546,4 2.547,5 British Land Company 489,70 495,40 BT Group 148,05 152,00 Bunzl 2.437,0 2.437,0 Burberry Group 1.870,0 1.874,0 Carnival 1.729,6 1.760,6 Centrica 57,68 58,46 Coca Cola HBC AG 2.416,0 2.416,0 Compass 1.538,00 1.552,50 CRH 3.439,0 3.449,0 Croda Intl 8.484,0 8.494,0 DCC 6.174,0 6.178,0 Diageo 3.566,5 3.581,0 DS Smith 401,65 402,50 EasyJet 697,60 716,00 Experian 3.111,0 3.111,2 Ferguson 10.296,6 10.305,0 Flutter Entertainment 14.740,0 14.855,0 Fresnillo 782,40 782,80 GlaxoSmithKline 1.391,19 1.393,00 Glencore 352,80 353,55 Halma 2.833,0 2.833,0 Hargreaves Lansdown 1.418,00 1.419,50 Hikma Pharma 2.380,00 2.400,00 HSBC 385,20 386,55 IAG 187,26 193,70 Imperial Brands 1.541,00 1.541,50 Informa 567,00 569,00 InterContinental 4.905,0 4.954,0 Intermediate Capital 2.047,00 2.059,00

% CHG. 1.266,00 249,30 3.111,0 2.573,5 1.329,50 5.576,0 1.828,5 8.723,0 583,40 562,80 3.461,0 391,20 568,40 563,00 1,348 185,42 647,40 4.249,0 1.831,00 337,30 2.525,5 487,50 146,75 2.410,0 1.828,0 1.726,0 57,56 2.390,0 1.535,00 3.417,0 8.322,0 6.102,0 3.532,0 396,10 696,60 3.085,7 10.160,0 14.585,0 773,60 1.381,00 349,80 2.791,0 1.404,00 2.364,00 382,55 187,10 1.520,50 558,00 4.897,0 2.026,00

NET VOL 81,54K 726,89K 85,08K 589,00K 114,85K 63,26K 81,35K 278,57K 138,46K 325,59K 50,44K 1,22M 254,37K 437,85K 242,29K 3,32M 261,54K 22,79K 815,02K 6,66M 476,94K 222,61K 14,65M 25,96K 146,69K 181,03K 3,70M 35,86K 501,20K 249,90K 35,74K 10,31K 370,16K 572,62K 1,61M 14,85K 2,64K 59,15K 75,06K 820,75K 6,89M 55,89K 65,22K 38,04K 5,64M 15,12M 150,63K 961,49K 99,04K 32,45K

COMPANY

PRICE(P)

Intertek ITV J Sainsbury Johnson Matthey Land Securities Legal & General Lloyds Banking London Stock Exchange Meggitt Melrose Industries Mondi National Grid NatWest Group Next Norilskiy Nikel ADR Ocado Persimmon Phoenix Prudential Reckitt Benckiser Relx Rentokil Rightmove Rio Tinto PLC Rolls-Royce Holdings Rosneft DRC Royal Dutch Shell A Royal Dutch Shell A Royal Dutch Shell B Sage Samsung Electronics DRC Sberbank Schroders Scottish Mortgage Segro Severn Trent Smith & Nephew Smiths Group Spirax-Sarco Engineering SSE St. James’s Place Standard Chartered Taylor Wimpey Tesco Tui Unilever United Utilities Vodafone Group PLC Whitbread WPP

4.897,0 107,85 299,87 2.623,0 697,60 279,90 44,91 7.492,0 741,80 173,15 1.828,00 898,30 223,01 8.200,0 30,01 1.681,94 2.615,0 636,40 1.442,00 5.693,0 2.167,00 579,60 687,00 4.830,5 143,33 8,36 1.650,8 1.650,70 1.652,4 709,60 1.549,00 18,54 3.540,0 1.385,50 1.205,00 2.614,0 1.294,16 1.442,73 14.820,0 1.572,98 1.491,50 432,50 154,45 252,00 332,60 3.929,5 976,00 112,69 3.325,0 984,40

CHANGE(P)

% CHG.

NET VOL

4.900,0 109,35 300,20 2.637,0 701,40 280,50 45,40 7.494,0 742,60 173,90 1.829,50 901,20 223,90 8.244,0 30,32 1.682,00 2.622,0 636,60 1.442,50 5.712,0 2.170,00 579,80 687,20 4.852,5 145,68 8,50 1.670,2 1.670,20 1.670,6 709,80 1.551,50 18,61 3.559,0 1.394,00 1.209,50 2.614,0 1.298,00 1.450,50 14.820,0 1.584,00 1.492,50 433,30 155,40 252,25 342,00 3.977,0 976,00 112,92 3.418,0 994,80

4.835,0 107,80 285,97 2.601,0 692,20 277,60 44,67 7.398,0 738,00 170,55 1.797,00 892,50 220,90 8.156,0 29,88 1.624,50 2.593,0 630,80 1.423,50 5.656,0 2.148,00 574,00 675,60 4.800,0 142,78 8,35 1.645,2 1.644,61 1.644,2 698,80 1.542,50 18,41 3.518,0 1.379,00 1.190,50 2.591,0 1.282,50 1.430,50 14.650,0 1.564,50 1.472,00 429,70 152,95 247,50 332,90 3.917,5 965,00 111,64 3.316,0 983,40

11,12K 525,15K 544,48K 82,18K 100,82K 908,42K 25,01M 41,72K 85,81K 672,28K 120,58K 594,91K 3,64M 36,67K 143,93K 156,17K 92,81K 161,84K 71,06K 99,16K 470,00K 135,03K 152,99K 353,22K 12,10M 302,35K 740,42K 684,65K 1,80M 418,92K 1,42K 339,93K 14,19K 715,48K 305,72K 46,39K 371,86K 69,83K 21,60K 347,80K 169,52K 831,68K 2,13M 4,31M 863,33K 692,17K 117,68K 6,58M 89,75K 405,73K

1.16802

0.85576

Units per €

US dollar (USD) ......................................1.16155 Japan yen (JPY)......................................129.182 Switzerland franc (CHF) ...........................1.0791 Denmark kroner (DKK) .............................7.4377 Norway kroner (NOK) ...............................9.9854

currenciesdirect.com/la-zenia • Tel: +34 965 994 830 THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER

DOW JONES C LOSING P RICES O CTOBER 4

COMPANY 3M Alphabet C Amazon.com Amgen Apple Boeing Caterpillar Chevron Cisco Coca-Cola Facebook Goldman Sachs Home Depot Honeywell IBM Intel J&J JPMorgan McDonald’s Merck&Co Microsoft Nike Procter&Gamble Salesforce.com Tesla UnitedHealth Verizon Visa A Walmart Walt Disney

PRICE 176,68 2.729,3 3.283,26 213,92 142,65 226,00 194,33 104,33 55,14 53,02 343,01 380,00 329,86 215,65 143,32 53,86 160,47 167,13 242,93 81,40 289,10 147,06 139,58 275,26 774,74 392,43 54,30 230,46 137,05 176,01

CHANGE CHANGE% VOLUME(M) 177,41 174,22 2,42M 2.741,4 2.667,6 1,41M 3.309,17 3.255,94 2,78M 214,61 210,80 2,62M 142,92 139,11 93,76M 226,72 220,60 9,05M 195,87 191,24 3,46M 104,54 101,88 10,82M 55,41 54,04 18,26M 53,20 52,57 16,16M 345,02 338,64 14,70M 382,72 375,85 2,37M 332,73 324,58 2,79M 216,42 211,63 2,27M 143,97 140,37 6,54M 54,10 53,05 18,17M 161,90 158,62 8,51M 168,30 163,60 11,12M 244,69 240,25 2,03M 84,34 80,63 101,95M 289,98 281,29 28,69M 148,00 144,37 8,10M 140,23 138,32 5,54M 276,34 268,77 4,73M 780,78 763,59 16,60M 393,69 383,12 3,13M 54,56 53,92 17,93M 231,56 223,47 7,92M 139,63 135,92 9,92M 177,32 171,97 12,06M M - MILLION DOLLARS

NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES O CTOBER 4

COMPANY

CHANGE NET / %

VOLUME

Most Advanced Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Cl A Cable One Inc. TransDigm Group Inc. MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index 3X Leveraged Direxion Daily Regional Banks Bull 3X Shares Vail Resorts Inc. UBS AG FI Enhanced Large Cap Growth ETN Silvergate Capital Corp.

Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Mastercard Inc. Martin Marietta Materials Inc.

0.85% 1.76% 4.54% 11.93% 7.56% 4.49% 1.87% 10.87% 0.91% 3.60% 3.61%

1K 35.53K 438.59K 650.65K 337.8K 451.91K 99 1.2M 115.09K 5.23M 511.74K

-3.01% -1.51% -2.87% -1.28% -3.07% -0.96% -0.18% -1.57% -8.64% -43.34% -0.37%

37.26K 200.6K 1.42K 1.37K 839.74K 5.94K 21.87K 75.46K 1.39M 11.78M 729.42K

Most Declined Texas Pacific Land Corp.

AutoZone Inc. Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. Cl B Danaher Corp. 5% Mand. Pfd. Series B RH Danaher Corp. 4.75% Mandatory Conv. Pfd. NVR Inc. Chemed Corp.

ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Natural Gas Spire Global Inc. Shopify Inc. Cl A

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

www.euroweeklynews.com

Currency outlook: Dovish ECB undermines the euro’s attempts to recover, US dollar rebounds amid bearish trade sentiment

STERLING: Rebounded following the Bank of England’s September policy meeting.

ASK THE EXPERT Peter Loveday

Contact me at euroweekly@currenciesdirect.com

Euro EUR/GBP: Unchanged at £0.85 EUR/USD: Unchanged at $1.17 The euro initially got off to a strong start in September, with the single currency carrying over some of its momentum from late August and supported by some robust Eurozone data releases.

However the euro hit a major stumbling block in the form of the European Central Bank (ECB), which maintained its dovish stance as it concluded its September policy meeting, in spite of also announcing plans to begin reduc‐ ing the pace of its pandemic emergency pur‐ chase programme.

This pullback in the euro through the second half of September has also been fuelled by po‐ litical uncertainty in Germany ahead of its gen‐ eral election as well as pressure from a stronger US dollar.

Looking ahead, the single currency could face additional volatility in the weeks to come, as German coalition talks, and the increasing policy divergence between the ECB and Feder‐ al Reserve are likely to dominate EUR senti‐ ment.

Pound GBP/EUR: Up from €1.16 to €1.17 GBP/USD: Unmoved at $1.36 The pound has traded in a wide range over the past four weeks, in response to growing doubts over the resilience of the UK’s econom‐ ic recovery.

This comes as businesses express concerns over staff shortages, supply constraints and ris‐ ing energy prices, the combination of which could lead the rebound in growth to stall in the latter half of 2021.

Also spooking GBP investors in early September were concerns over Boris John‐

son’s announcement that national insurance contributions would rise in 2022 as part of a ‘healthcare levy’.

But Sterling subsequently rebounded fol‐ lowing the Bank of England’s (BoE) September policy meeting, as support from within the bank to start reducing its quantitative easing programme grew.

With the UK’s economic headwinds show‐ ing no signs of abating, the pound could face an uphill battle in the coming month, particularly if the end of the government’s furlough scheme results in a sharp rise in unemployment, as some economists predict.

US Dollar USD/GBP: Unmoved at £0.73 USD/EUR: Unmoved at €0.85 Following on from the disappointment over the Federal Reserve’s reluctance to announce any concrete tapering plans at its annual Jack‐ son Hole Symposium at the end of August, the US dollar got off to a muted start in September.

However, demand for the currency picked back up through mid‐September as an increas‐ ingly gloomy outlook for the global economic recovery, bolstered demand for the safe‐haven currency.

A more hawkish outlook from the Fed fol‐ lowing its September interest rate decision then helped to extend the upside in USD ex‐ change rates, as investors began to price in an expected November start to the bank’s taper‐ ing process.

Going forward, with most economic indica‐ tors pointing to a stalling of global growth in the last quarter of 2021, its likely investors will con‐ tinue to favour the safe‐haven US dollar, partic‐ ularly as the divergence in policy between the Fed and other central banks only looks to grow wider.

Currencies Direct have helped over 325,000 customers save on their currency transfers since 1996. Just pop into your local Currencies Direct branch or give us a call to find out more about how you can save money on your cur‐ rency transfers.

Visit us at our Spanish offices in Costa del Sol, Costa Almeria, North Costa Blanca and South Costa Blanca.

Telephone UK +44 (0) 207 847 9400 SPAIN +34 950 478 914 Email euroweekly@currenciesdirect.com • www.currenciesdirect.com.

7 - 13 October 2021

EWN 33

34 EWN

7 - 13 October 2021

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT IRRESPECTIVE of your political leanings, your position in society or your financial worth; it’s very hard to ignore the fact that someone, somewhere, has totally lost the plot!

Last week in the UK, over double the number of illegals had already arrived than came ashore over the whole of last year ‐ and there’s still three months to go! The situation is bordering on pure insanity. The majority of these people are male. A large percentage is fighting fit ‐ and even the authorities admit to the possibility that some 4,000 terrorists have already been smuggled into Europe by enemy forces.

What on earth is going on? The UK’s esteemed Home Secretary, who you remember engages some 99 per cent ethnic assistants in her department (all by pure coincidence of course!) just seems to pipe up with some pacifying appeasement every time the going gets a bit tough. I truly have never heard a minister promise so much and deliver so little, (and we’ve heard a few!). It’s high time Ms Patel was hauled up and made to explain her immigrant policies

www.euroweeklynews.com

How gullible

in full, not with an occasional intelligence insulting platitude when her survival merits it. When is it all going to stop?

The UK’s infrastructure is already crumbling.

NHS, housing and accommodation is all but falling apart. The benefit system is bleeding the country dry and people are sick and tired of not being able to express their feelings for fear of prosecution. And still thousands of illegal aliens are able to pour in. The hotels are full of them, the government has no idea what to do with them and they are costing the taxpayers millions.

Couple this with the fact that, according to the experts, an average 10 in every 1,000 is a potential terrorist; it’s certainly not rocket science to see that they have imported a substantial army already. It took only 19 to kill 3,000 people in the US. After these insurgents have recruited partisans and set up their respective ‘cells’, which is no doubt what they are instructed to do, they will have in place a lethal, internal force of such frightening proportions it could make 9/11 look like a light skirmish ‐ and all at British citizens’ expense. How they must all be

laughing. How gullible they must believe we all are. Well of course they are completely right!

Anyone who believes that Taliban have ‘seen the light’ and changed the habits of thousands of years, shouldn’t even be in the vicinity of authority, leave alone its actual purveyors. I for one hope I’m still around to see the looks on the faces of the PC and Wokers when it finely dawns on them that they’ve made a terrible mistake and have, by their naive incompetence, managed to bring terror and grovelling submission to a once great nation.

And finally; once again I see British footballers have been the recipients of racial taunts on the pitch. I notice they still insisted on the racially provocative ‘knee take’ at the start. The unprecedented rise of racism is purely down to those who doth protest too much ‐ methinks!

Keep the Faith. Love Leapy. leapylee2002@gmail.com.

To read more articles from our columnists and to have your say in the comments go to www.euroweeklynews.com

Leapy Lee’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.

FEATURE

Travel

European peaks

THE Picos de Europa are defined by soaring mountains, diverse wildlife and miles of forest making them the ideal location for thrill seekers looking for an adventure off the beaten track.

Thinking of tourist attractions in Spain often conjures up images of beaches layered with sun cream lathered bathers or towns with a contrasting mix of Moorish and Christian architecture.

Very few think of the mountain peaks in the North West with walking trails and scenery to challenge hiking holiday locations like the Black Forest or the Alps.

The name was given by the early colonialists on their way home from America, as this was the first landmark they could identify. This is not surprising as the mountains are so huge they stretch through parts of Asturias, Cantabria and Castile and Leon.

The animals which roam throughout the area, most of

which is protected national park land, is one of the biggest draws of the Picos. In the most remote parts there are significant populations of wild wolves and brown bears which are known for avoiding humans and being quite timid.

Buzzards, eagles and vultures can be spotted as well if you keep your eye to the sky.

As physically challenging as it may be to hike around the Picos de Europa it is a rewarding experience which will provide breathtaking views of Lakes of Covadonga and vast expanses of forest relatively untouched by waves or tourists.

If hiking up great hills doesn’t sound enjoyable the Fuente De cable car will take you up 800 metres to a great peak from which you can hike down. There is also a great network of natural caves beneath the mountains believed to be the deepest in the world which are still being explored.

NEWS

www.euroweeklynews.com

CONSULAR MATTERS RECENTLY I received a notifi‐ cation for a hearing of a court case for January 13, 2026, which made me think of Arbi‐ tration. As a lawyer I am committed to saving clients money and time where possi‐ ble.

One of the ways to do this is

by Arbitration. I myself and a number of other abogados in Spain are listed as Arbitrators by the Spanish Bar Association.

So when could you have Ar‐ bitration? Well for example if you rented out your house in Spain. In the tenancy agree‐ ment you could specify that if there was a dispute between the parties to the agreement, you, the landlord and the ten‐ ant consent to have the dis‐ pute resolved by Arbitration.

Arbitration could also apply to a property purchase con‐ tract or a supply contract for goods. There are many other circumstances in which Arbi‐

7 - 13 October 2021

ARBITRATION

ARBITRATION: As an example, can apply to a property purchase or a contract for goods.

tration could apply.

The next question is why would I want Arbitration?

Well the two main advantages are speed and cost. With Arbi‐ tration you will get a resolu‐

tion within six months where‐ as a court case could take two or more years.

EWN 35

Regarding costs, Arbitration is significantly less expensive.

Do I need a lawyer? As with any legal matter in Spain there is no requirement to have a lawyer but of course, I recom‐ mend to have one.

What if I win and the other party doesn’t pay me? Well the decision of the Arbitrator is final, you enforce the deci‐ sion in court to recover your damages from the other side.

Can I choose my Arbitrator?

If both parties agree in the contract then yes you can. If not then you are allocated an Arbitrator by the Bar Associa‐ tion, basically the next one on the list, like a cab rank.

Can Arbitration be done in English? Well it can if I am the Arbitrator, otherwise you may need a translator, depending on which Arbitrator is appoint‐ ed, but the resolution has to be produced in Spanish.

To read more articles from our columnists and to have your say in the comments go to www.euroweeklynews.com

Marisa Moreno Castillo Lawyer and Consul for Denmark. www.justlawsolicitors.com • contact@justlawsolicitors.com

36 EWN

www.euroweeklynews.com

7 - 13 October 2021

FEATURE

HIGH FIVE YOUR INNER DAIMON TONI C. EASTWOOD OBE, MBA

#TheWomanBeyond YOU may remember in my first col‐ umn I explained that if there’s a gap between who you’re capable of be‐ ing in any given moment and who you are actually being in that mo‐ ment, you will experience a level of Discontent. Regret. Anxiety. Depres‐ sion.

And in last week’s column we intro‐ duced you to your Eudaimon ‐ how is she, did you name her yet?? Do let me know, I’d love to hear.

If you’re feeling a little out of sorts ‐ let’s face it we all do at vari‐ ous times, me, it’s when, as I am at the moment, stuck in Rainy Blighty and wishing to be in our beautiful south of Spain. And in this case our

bad‐daimon raises its head!! aka: Unhappiness, feeling unful‐ filled or lacklustre, not a good feel‐ ing.

Well, I hear you asking what IS the trick to closing the gap between who I’M capable of being and who I’M ac‐ tually being. How can I enjoy the mental and emotional well‐being of eudaimonia?

The Greeks (you must have guessed by now, I love a bit of Ancient Wis‐ dom) had a word for that, too. And, if I had to summarise my entire philoso‐ phy in business and life in one word, this word sums it up perfectly ‐ Areté.

The word Areté doesn’t directly translate into English, however in essence it means ‘virtue’ or ‘excel‐ lence,’ but it also has a much deeper meaning ‐ something closer to ‘ex‐ pressing the highest version of your‐ self moment to moment to moment.’

I’m all about doing what I do with excellence, if something is worth do‐ ing, it’s worth doing to your best. As part of my own research, I have spent the last 30 years trying to unearth what creates ‘success’ or what’s en‐ abled us to flourish. One of these se‐ crets is about putting into practice your best virtues ‐ So I have worked on establishing my own, my top five being, Creativity, Gratitude, Zest, Spirituality and Curiosity.

When we are able to put our virtues into practice, through our work on a daily basis, there’s simply no room for regret or anxiety or disil‐ lusionment.

So, when you’re at a choice point today, think Areté. Are you putting your core character strengths (virtues) in to practice? If you are not feeling fulfilled, or you are under‐ whelmed by your work or current vo‐ cation, perhaps it’s time to reflect

and make some changes.

High five your inner daimon and ex‐ perience the joy of flourishing.

If you’d like to find out more about establishing your Character Strengths ‐ drop me a line and I’ll send you a FREE Assessment that will tell you your Top Five Virtues. And you can start putting them into action. ¡Hasta luego!

Stay Focussed, Keep Positive and Choose to +1 in Every Moment.

Love, Hugs, High Fives and Fist Bumps Toni x Toni Eastwood OBE, MBA #TheWomanBeyond To read more articles from our columnists and to have your say in the comments go to www.euroweeklynews.com

Please do get in touch if you have any questions. Follow me, chat and share your thoughts and network with other fabulous women in my Visionary Women Facebook Group.

@tonieastwood

@SixSecretsToSuccess @VisionaryWomen

tonieastwoodobe

sixsecretstosuccess

FEATURE

www.euroweeklynews.com

7 - 13 October 2021

EWN 37

Advertising Feature

GLOBAL DISCOUNT FURNITURE: ‘The Sale Never Ends, It Just Gets Better!’

ON Monday, September 27, Chan‐ nel 5 were filming at Global Dis‐ count Furniture for a new UK TV Series of Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun. The series charts the lives of expats and holidaymakers in and around the Costa Blanca who en‐ joy life in the sun on a budget and also the businesses who cater for them.

The series is an observational one, focusing on people’s day to day lives. Haley Lynch and Global Discount Furniture were chosen and will feature in the whole series which is due to air in January 2022.

With all the negativity around Brex‐ it and the pandemic it was time to let everyone know there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Monday was the official relaunch and discounted offers were avail‐ able on every line in store. It was a

GLOBAL DISCOUNT: Keeping prices low, quality high and offering a service which is second to none.

great turnout with food and cava for all. Over 20 free prizes were giv‐ en away including pictures, a clock and wall art. Haley and the team

gave themselves a target for the day and they smashed it!

Dad Mark has been in the busi‐ ness for 40 years and after investi‐

gating the market, Haley decided to start her own business, which has gone from strength to strength. Ha‐ ley is a single mum with two chil‐

Global Discount Furniture: Calle Vicente Blasco Ibañez 50, Benijofar 03178 Tel: 966 713 457 / Haley 607 360 963 • Open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, Saturdays 10am-1pm www.globaldiscountfurniture.com • info@globaldiscountfurniture.com

dren and with hard work, dedica‐ tion and a little help from Mum and Dad, she has come through the hard times everyone has endured and now has plans to open a new store within the next year or so.

Global Discount Furniture pride themselves on keeping prices low and the quality high, offering a fan‐ tastic service which is second to none. All items are delivered free of charge and there is also free assem‐ bly. This is why Global Discount Fur‐ niture boasts to be the place where ‘The Sale Never Ends, It Just Gets Better!’

Global Discount Furniture now al‐ so manufactures their own sofas in all sizes and different fabrics. New lines are arriving weekly. They are specialists in storage beds, including mattresses, from single to king size at budgets to suit everyone.

THURSDAY 07/10

6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:35pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:25pm

MONDAY 11/10

SUNDAY 10/010 SATURDAY 09/10

FRIDAY 08/10

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WEDNESDAY 13/10

TUESDAY 12/10

11:00pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 8:50pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:25pm 11:30pm 11:35pm 8:00pm 8:30pm

9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:25pm 11:30pm 11:35pm

Pointless BBC News at Six; Weather BBC London News; Weather The One Show EastEnders Shop Well for Less Ambulance BBC News at Ten Regional News and Weather

5:30pm

BBC News at Six; Weather BBC London News; Weather The One Show Question of Sport EastEnders Richard Osman's House of Games Night Have I Got News for You

4:45pm 5:30pm

Question of Sport BBC News BBC London News; Weather Weather Pointless Celebrities The Hit List Strictly Come Dancing Blankety Blank Casualty BBC News Weather

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

Zootropolis The Mating Game BBC News BBC London News; Weather Weather Countryfile Strictly Come Dancing: The Results The Mating Game Ridley Road BBC News

2:50pm 5:15pm 6:00pm 7:00pm

BBC London News; Weather The One Show Finding My Family Our Lives EastEnders The Goes Wrong Show Paul Merson: Football, Gambling & Me BBC News at Ten

5:15pm

The One Show EastEnders Holby City Would I Lie to You? Who Do You Think You Are? BBC News at Ten Regional News and Weather Weather The Earthshot Prize: Repairing Our Planet

4:30pm 5:15pm 5:30pm

The One Show Afghanistan: Life Under the Taliban Panorama The Repair Shop Death in Paradise BBC News at Ten Regional News and Weather Weather The Earthshot Prize: Repairing Our Planet

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6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm

Glorious Gardens From Above Flog It! Richard Osman's House of Games Strictly: It Takes Two Celebrity Antiques Road Trip The Hairy Bikers Go North Don't Exclude Me QI Newsnight

8:00pm

Curiosity Glorious Gardens From Above Flog It! Richard Osman's House of Games Strictly: It Takes Two MOTDx Inside Culture with Mary Beard Grand Tours of Scotland's Lochs

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

Your Home Made Perfect Saving Lives at Sea Supercharged Otters: Natural World Grand Tours of Scotland's Lochs Simon & Garfunkel: The Harmony Game Later - with Jools Holland: Dave Grohl Simon & Garfunkel: Concert in Central Park

8:00pm 8:10pm

Ice Station Zebra Flog It! Rugby Super League Climate Change: Ade on the Frontline Cornwall: This Fishing Life Antiques Roadshow: Best of the Summer, Part 1 The Ranganation Dave Dave The Conjuring 2

8:10pm

An Island Parish: After the Hurricane Flog It! Richard Osman's House of Games Strictly: It Takes Two Iolo's Pembrokeshire Mastermind Only Connect University Challenge Blair & Brown: The New Labour Revolution

8:00pm

Curiosity Beechgrove Repotted Glorious Gardens From Above Flog It! Richard Osman's House of Games Strictly: It Takes Two Back in Time for School Saving Lives at Sea Dementia & Us Live at the Apollo

8:00pm

Curiosity Back to the Land with Kate Humble Flog It! Richard Osman's House of Games Strictly: It Takes Two Back in Time for School Your Home Made Perfect Hunting the Essex Lorry Killers Mock the Week

10:00pm

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11:00pm 11:50pm

12:50am 1:50am

Great British Railway Journeys The Joy of Painting A House Through Time The Babadook Mark Kermode's Secrets of Cinema Hitchcock's Shower Scene: 78/52 Great British Railway Journeys Wild Brazil

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

Irish Rock at the BBC TOTP: 1991 TOTP: 1991 Boomtown Rats Sight and Sound in Concert: Boomtown Rats The Old Grey Whistle Test Irish Rock at the BBC TOTP: 1991 TOTP: 1991 Boomtown Rats

5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm

Coast The Celts: Blood, Iron and Sacrifice with Alice Roberts and Neil Oliver Pole to Pole Paris Police 1900 Paris Police 1900 The Trials of Oscar Pistorius Motherland A Stitch in Time Pole to Pole

5:00pm

Dylan Thomas: From Grave to Cradle - Arena Alexander Pope: Rediscovering a Genius Sylvia Plath: Life Inside the Bell Jar The Sky at Night Have You Heard George's Podcast?

Carlos Ghosn: The Last Flight - Storyville A Stitch in Time

7:30pm 7:50pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:05pm 11:19pm 11:20pm 11:45pm

Great British Railway Journeys The Joy of Painting Secrets of the Museum Nature and Us: A History Through Art Special Relationship Orbit: Earth's Extraordinary Journey A Stitch in Time Great British Railway Journeys

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

Great British Railway Journeys The Joy of Painting The Good Life One Foot in the Grave The Mother Nothing Like a Dame The Sky at Night Orbit: Earth's Extraordinary Journey Great British Railway Journeys

4:59pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:15pm 7:45pm 8:15pm 11:00pm

Enslaved with Samuel L Jackson Restoring the Earth: The Age of Nature From Ice to Fire: The Incredible Science of Temperature Orbit: Earth's Extraordinary Journey Great British Railway Journeys

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

9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm

11:30pm

6:00pm 6:30pm 7:25pm 7:45pm 8:00pm 11:00pm 11:45pm 11:59pm

12:40am

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11:30pm 11:45pm

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ITV News London ITV Evening News Emmerdale How Green Is Your Supermarket? Tonight Emmerdale The Martin Lewis Money Show: Live Savile: Portrait of a Predator ITV News at Ten and Weather

7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:55pm

The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Courtney and Cameron's Story: Stand Up to Cancer Joe Lycett's Got Your Back Taskmaster Football Trolls 24 Hours in Police Custody

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Tipping Point The Chase ITV News London ITV Evening News Emmerdale Coronation Street Simply Raymond Blanc Coronation Street Grantchester ITV News at Ten and Weather ITV News London

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FEATURE

Advertising Feature

The conditions of Retrospective Licences F I R S T cases of Unlicensed Exten‐ sions denouncing frenzy between neighbours in the area.

After the famous event of an indi‐ vidual denouncing over 300 Unli‐ censed Extensions back in 2019, we have had the first case of illegal building denouncing frenzy, this time local to the area, in Rojales, Al‐ icante, in a predominantly English Community.

Two neighbours got upset with the Community after being de‐ nounced whilst doing small exten‐ sions at their properties and were subsequently fined by the authori‐ ties. Full of anger and seeking re‐ venge against the local town hall and the Community, they took the courageous decision to denounce every single unlicensed extension in the province. Both the denouncers and the denouncees are predomi‐ nantly English, living in basically an English Community.

Avoiding being fined in Spain is es‐

SATELLITE IMAGE: Checks the age of pools.

sential because of the high amounts for fines. (A fine for a 20 square me‐ tre shed can easily reach €6,000.)

Even worse is that a demolition or‐ der can stay within the land registry files for over 15 years (depending on the area), potentially ruining the sale of the property.

Some of the neighbours are calling us in panic to issue Retrospective Licences, but for others it is too late and the authorities have already sent the owners fines and demoli‐ tion orders.

Not all property owners that have done building work without a li‐ cence are entitled to obtain a Retro‐ spective Licence. Note the following conditions: • In the Murcia area, the condi‐ tions in order to obtain a Retrospec‐ tive Licence is that the building work already done is a minimum of four years old.

• In the Almeria area, the building work needs to be over six years old.

• In the Alicante area, the building work needs to have been completed before August 2010 (over 11 years approximately).

• No retrospective licences can be issued for extensions that have al‐ ready been fined for.

Currently the process for obtain‐ ing a Retrospective Licence is straightforward.

Once confirmed, Martinez de la Casa Architects will arrange an ap‐ pointment to survey the pool/exten‐ sion, requiring only your NIE and

current Title Deeds. Back in our of‐ fice we check the age of the pool us‐ ing satellite images (pictured is an example used in the process for An‐ tiquity Certification) along with the measurements and documentation we take during our on‐site visit.

The Retrospective/Certificate of Antiquity is stamped by the Official College of Architects or Notarised and delivered within 10 working days, (guaranteed).

The price of a Pool Restrospective Licence/Certificate of Antiquity is €190+IVA (€229 IVA inc) and for Ex‐ tensions Licence €270+IVA (€326 IVA inc ‐ all extensions in the prop‐ erty included).

Martinez de la Casa Architects is the number 1 company for Architec‐ tural Certification in southern Spain, including Energy Performance Cer‐ tificates (€121 inc IVA) and the number 1 company for Habita‐ tion/Occupation Licences (prices depend on each town hall).

For all enquiries, or to arrange an appointment, please call 665 810 411 (English) or visit www.martinezdelacasa.com to see an impressive list of over 200 testimonials from different clients. Email info@martinezdelacasa.com.

EW YOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE - YOUR OPINION Letters should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com or make your comments on our website: www.euroweeklynews.com Views expressed and opinions given are not necessarily those of the EWN publishers. No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of information, errors, omissions or statements.

POST OFFICE CHARGES From our Facebook In the Murcia Province it seems that the post office is now charging a handling fee for all mail from the UK. With Xmas coming everyone should be aware that not only is there a long delay, at least a month, but also a handling charge of at least €5 on deliveries from the UK!

A taxi plus fee to remove car from the pound cost €100, which for a pensioner is a little too much.

Thank you.

Dianne Thorpe

Rant

Bob Gammell

Wake up!

Dear Leapy Lee, Brilliant, I agree with all your opinions on BLM, immigration, woke etc,etc but ref climate change, you have really nailed it.

I am astounded that everyone from the man in the street to Royalty and all in between are suckered into this CO2 scaremongering.

Nice to hear someone with common sense, Leap.

Keep up the good work on behalf of many of us.

Regards Brian

Parking in La Cala de Mijas On Thursday September 29, l parked my car at the eastern entrance to the car park behind Carrefour, here there is space on the right hand side in front of Opticians Laza, with no yellow line, where l have parked many times.

However the Local Police thought otherwise, and whilst l was shopping, called a grua to remove all vehicles parked there. The opticians asked police why, to be told it blocks lorries entering. Not 50 metres away, several bars and cafes have still got extended terraces into the road, often blocking traffic when lorries are unloading. There must be some consistency

by Local Police, town hall etc, to either paint yellow lines where one should not park and the removal of these extended terraces, which are no longer necessary as we are told by the Junta we are now at almost 0 level, which would free up more parking space for an already lack of such in La Cala de Mijas.

PENSIONER’S DILEMMA MORE than one of our readers are facing a dilemma due to the 90/180 day restrictions for UK passport holders who do not hold residencia in Spain or indeed any other EU member State.

Many retired people particularly enjoy the concept of living part of their life in Spain and the other part in the UK but whereas before, if they owned a property in Spain, they could spend the summer here and then return to the UK, that will be curtailed.

So, if you were used to spending four to six months

CORRECTIONS

Hello Leapy, I would like to start off by saying that I absolutely love your column and always agree with what you’ve said. I feel the need to rant and what I’m about to say has been bottling up for some time because if I’ve ever mentioned this subject over Facebook I get called a racist.

I am 67 years old and never considered myself racist in any way, shape or form but what’s happening now is making me racist. The constant TV adverts that now always contain black people together with presenters whether or not they are fit for the job, and the constant BBC stupidity and push of BLM just makes my blood boil. We have become the minority now and not allowed to speak up for the ‘white’ community. We can’t even display our national flags without hate being shown against them. I have lived in Spain for 16 years and never ever want to go back. The BBC infuriate me so much that I don’t watch it anymore and hardly ever listen or watch the news. The likes of Lewis Hamilton who blatantly supports BLM while raking in a fortune thanks mainly to his white British followers and who paid black people to attend social functions.

Plus now the TV adverts showing black families are telling us to go vegetarian to help the planet. It beggars belief. Don’t get me started on the policing in the UK and the lack of respect for the law.

I apologise for this rant but I needed to vent and now feel a bit better. There is so much to complain about in the UK it would take me weeks.

I thank god my son and daughter have made a great life out here and never wish to return to the UK. Kind regards, Helen

OUR VIEW

here from April to September for example, this is no longer possible as the maximum time you can spend is three months and then be out of the country for three months before returning.

It would appear that the only way round this is to apply for Spanish residency, but that doesn’t suit everybody as there are so many ramifications, not the least of which is the burden of taxation being transferred to the Spanish system.

For some, this may mean that they will decide to sell their

Spanish property or as some used to do, spend winter in Spain staying in low season priced hotels and there could be a noticeable loss to the economy if many decide that Spain (or indeed anywhere in the EU) is no longer an attractive destination for them.

Businesses here need as much financial support as possible, but whilst the UK Government and the European Union have ‘bigger fish to fight over’ it seems highly unlikely that the plight of those affected will be uppermost in their minds.

xxxxxxxxxxx

Sue Wilczynski Good , happy for them to take risks with their lives but can’t be allowed to risk the lives of others

Keith Lowrey Shouldn't let them play in the premiership either and stop their massive salaries....

Jacquie Anne Good for them. Their bodies their choice!

Matt Cox I’m surprised it’s only 5 . Wow …

Let’s hope they don’t give in to the pressure .. Their long term health must come first ..

Valerie Thatcher Why will people not have a vaccine

Tina Gillmartin Good on them personal choice

Kevin Somerville Good for them

Peter Sauer Their land, their rules

At the EWN, we pride ourselves that reports are accurate and fair. If we do slip up, we promise to set the record straight in a clear, no-nonsense manner. To ask for an inaccuracy to be corrected. Email: editorial@euroweeklynews.com

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NEWS

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7 - 13 October 2021

EWN 47

Advertising Feature

Neater Heater announce a new, improved, website I T has been 12 years since Neater Heater first started successfully warming people’s homes in Spain by introducing them to a (previously un‐ known in Spain) range of economical and efficient Norwegian convector heaters. The company has developed since those early days. It has part‐ nered up with a number of business‐ es where Neater Heaters can be viewed and purchased directly, and it has increased the range and variety of models to appeal to the widest spectrum of customers from those who are technically disinterested all the way through to those who wish to control every aspect of their life with an ‘App’ on their phone. Neater Heater caters to you all.

Richard Winter, co‐owner of Neater Heater ‐ “These last few years have challenged us, like all businesses, and has made us realise that our website, our virtual showroom, needed to be

NEATER HEATER: Warming people’s homes in Spain.

simplified for our new online cus‐ tomers.

“With complete gratitude to some

of our customers who made some great observations, we are happy to open our new online

store and showroom. A potential cus‐ tomer can browse for their perfect match, check the price and availability and order it with just a few mouse clicks.

“Within days it will be couriered to your home, and you will have the peace of mind that, being a valued Neater Heater customer, your war‐ ranty will be honoured.”

Tony Sim, Richard’s partner, agrees ‐ “We have always prided ourselves on our customer service, but the new website is wonderful, even for technophobes like me. It is so logi‐ cally laid out that I can navigate around it smoothly and with great ease.”

Winter is fast approaching, and with electricity prices rising, the need for cost effective heating has never been more necessary. Whether you want to find a local agent, or purchase online, visit www.neaterheater.es.

NEATER HEATER DISTRIBUTORS: COSTA BLANCA SOUTH BENIJOFAR: Vincent Real Estate. Tel. 966 712 440 • BLUE LAGOON: The Electrical Shop (Euronics). Tel. 966 188 170 SOUTH TORREVIEJA: For home inspections call Edmund. Tel. 693 594 270 Heaters also available for purchase at our online shop with free home delivery. WWW.NEATERHEATER.ES or Tel. 634 312 171 (WhatsApp available)

48 EWN

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7 - 13 October 2021

FEATURE

GO LOCAL

THE EURO WEEKLY NEWS has urged its readers to sup‐ port local businesses in the

community by shopping lo‐ cally in recent times. Now things are heading back to

normal, we challenge you to maintain that habit by sup‐ porting local high streets, markets, butchers, green‐ grocers and all of the won‐ derfully quirky independent businesses in your area.

Local businesses make our villages, towns and cities what they are. They add unique character. They are convenient. And they offer excellent produce from known suppliers. The joy of shopping locally means that independent businesses can support the local community.

You may find something a euro or two cheaper online but have you considered where your money is actually going?

By shopping locally you’re putting food on a local fami‐ ly’s table and there is nothing better than giving back to the communities that have given us so much. Local stores sup‐

port charities and they spon‐ sor local sports teams. In many cases, they are much more than just a business, they’re a legacy. They may have supported generations of the same family. Likewise, brand new local stores and bars may help the genera‐ tions of the future fulfil their dreams and ambitions.

Remember, your local store is going up against multinationals and chains.

They can’t win that battle on their own. So give them your support. Spending your mon‐ ey locally will make a real dif‐ ference to the local econo‐ my. Local businesses recirculate a greater share of every euro they receive at lo‐ cal level. They create locally owned supply chains and they invest in their employ‐ ees.

So remember. When you go shopping ‐ go local!

HEALTH & BEAUTY OUR busy everyday lives can be shattering in the modern world. There may be many reasons why you’re tired such as job stress, insomnia, burning the candle at both ends, or personal issues.

In a perfect world we’d take a week off to relax and catch up with sleep but hello... this is not a perfect world, chin up and let’s get on with it, we need a quick make‐up fix! Tiredness can be hard to cover, but here are some tips: For bloodshot eyes, either from exhaustion or crying, flesh‐toned eyeliner is your new best friend. Go for a shade only slightly darker than your natural skin tone to cover those red rims. Matte shades are more subtle but shimmery ones have some great brightening power.

A touch of blue mascara can work wonders on making the whites of your eyes appear whiter and in eliminating the appearance of the red tones.

For those dark circles which may be anything from grey to blue to dark purple try a peachy or yellowy‐toned concealer.

Peach looks more natural, but yellow is brightening.

Your skin may be showing the tell‐tale signs of tiredness

www.euroweeklynews.com

Hiding tiredness even if the rest of your face is‐ n’t. Dull, lifeless skin can be perked up with a refresher spray. If it’s kept in the fridge then it’ll help refresh skin and reduce puffiness. Light foun‐ dation or BB cream is always a lifesaver in these situations but go easy, as trowelling it on

never helps.

A cream blush is a great fix for the face as it introduces a soft glow for a fresh‐faced look, instead of harsh unnatural colours. For cool undertones use a baby‐ pink shade, and for warm complexions, opt for something a little more peachy.

7 - 13 October 2021

EWN 49

SOCIAL SCENE

www.euroweeklynews.com

7 - 13 October 2021

Glitzy charity event

THE Torrevieja charity event, ‘Puttin On The Glitz,’ raised €441 for the Stroke As‐ sociation Spain when it took place at the Marina Bar on Saturday, September 25.

Organised by fundraisers David and Lorraine Whitney, the evening saw guests enjoy a two‐course meal, raffle, tombola and quiz.

Paul Owen, founder of the Stroke As‐ sociation, was there to outline the chari‐ ty’s work and its importance.

David Witney said: “A big thank you must go to all the many people who gen‐

THE DEBRA Butterfly Children Char‐ ity raised €3,519 at its Butterfly Gala Dinner at La Marina Camping Resort on Friday, September 24.

Cocktails on arrival were fol‐ lowed by a three‐course meal in the La Marina Restaurant and top entertainment courtesy of Paula Molina Garcia who entertained all the guests. Once again John Court‐ ney of Water Filters Spain spon‐ sored the entertainment.

Tommy Rogers hosted the evening and there were two win‐ ners of the Lucky Squares, Karen Wright and Fred Kerridge, who won €50 each and kindly donated their

THANK YOU:€441 was raised.

erously donated items and to Lynne Smith who at short notice conjured up a dreamy gateau for the raffle and to Mary Terry Flynn for her generous donation of a voucher for afternoon tea for two at the bar.

“Thanks to Rita and Dave of the Mari‐ na Bar for their continued charity sup‐ port and to their team of brilliant work‐ ers at the bar.”

The next event to raise funds for the charity will be the Christmas Fayre on Saturday, November 20.

Funds for DEBRA GALA DINNER: Funds for charity.

winnings back to the charity.

The main prize of the evening was €150 in travel vouchers along with many more prizes, including

vouchers from hair salons and restaurants.

The auction allowed many guests to bid for green fees from Golf La Finca Villamartin and La Ramblas and hotel vouchers provided by Paloma Blanca Boutique Hotel, Mar‐ bella, Sunset Beach Club, Benal‐ madena and Gran Hotel Peniscola.

Next year’s Butterfly Charity Ball will be held on Friday, September 3. To attend next year’s event, con‐ tact Mary Chambers on 616 076 072.

EWN 51

Proposals approved AT the Annual General Meet‐ ing of the Huntington’s Dis‐ ease Association Costa Blanca held on September 15, new proposals over the future of the charity were approved by Members.

In addition to supporting people with Huntington’s Dis‐ ease, the association will now also support people with Ataxia, Motor Neuron Dis‐ ease, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease, and their carers.

In addition to offering ad‐ vice and social support at the weekly Movers and Shakers Friday afternoon club at El Ra‐ so, the association’s successful fundraising programme will continue to assist people with grants towards the cost of equipment not available through the Spanish health and social care services, or respite care for much needed support for a sole carer as these diseases take its toll on their loved one.

President of the Associa‐ tion, Marion Smith, said: “We are now working quickly to launch the new association in

early January as the chal‐ lenges arising from the pan‐ demic have had a devastating effect on the quality of life for British people living in Spain with severe neurological con‐ ditions, and for their carers.”

She added: “Now that we have approval to move for‐ ward, we would be interested to hear from anyone suffering from one of the neurological diseases mentioned, or their carers so that we can keep them in touch with progress.

“In the meantime any suf‐ ferers and carers are welcome to join as at O’Briens Bar, El Raso, Guardamar del Segura on Fridays between 1pm and 3pm.”

PETS

52

www.euroweeklynews.com • 7 - 13 October 2021

SPONSORED BY

Need pet sitters?

IF you are planning a trip later this year you still need to plan early for pet and house‐sitters.

Perhaps you are already making plans for a staycation get away.

Even if you are planning just a short trip, you’ll know that you simply can’t travel with some pets. Young pets in particular may benefit from staying behind so they can follow their routines at home. So, plan ahead.

Take a moment to plan ahead for pet and house‐sitters, if you have trips planned later this year. Now is the time to get ready. We will help you as much as we can. Our philosophy is that we are all in this together. These are the steps to take: 1. R e g i s t e r a s a h o m e o w n e r on HouseSitMatch.com 2. Choose a Premium account

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How does it work?

HouseSitMatch can help you find suitable sitters. Join our net‐ work for a small annual fee. You get ID checked for safety and then build your advert saying when you are going on holiday.

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Please register online via our website www.Housesitmatch. com ‐ Choose a membership plan ‐ Please note prices go up soon so sign up now on subscription to secure these prices: o Standard (DIY option) = £69 pa o Premium (with support at each step) = £89 pa

Do you need a house-sitter? Get in touch. House-sitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and pet-sitting, and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! Register as either a house-sitter or homeowner with a 50 per cent discount using coupon code SUPER50 – an exclusive offer for readers.

To find a house pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com.

Advertising Feature

An alternative to extraction of teeth CANINE or feline root canal therapy is a common en‐ dodontic treatment that is an alternative to extraction for injured or infected teeth.

Root canal therapy is a treatment which involves re‐ moving infected pulp from the root canal of the tooth, disinfecting the canal, and replacing the removed tissue with dental material. The root canal is accessed through the crown of the tooth.

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In Costa Blanca Sur: www.resonanciaveterinaria.es Centro Veterinario de Diagnóstico por Imagen de Levante C/Los Arcos 23 Ciudad Quesada, Rojales. Tel: 609 779 109

Fox sake

VEGANISM is the practice of abstaining from consuming some or all animal products.

Many vegans extend the phi‐ losophy to other areas of their lives, including imposing the diet on their own pets.

This issue came to a head

recently with the publication of pictures of an emaciated looking pet, by an apparent animal rights activist in Barcelona. But what does it mean to impose a vegan diet on an animal, and is it a healthy choice for the animal?

Owners of vegan pets insist this diet is particularly suited to animals that suffer from cer‐ tain allergies, diseases and pathologies, such as digestive and cardiovascular problems, obesity, leishmania (in dogs) and the prevention of crystals (in cats).

However, critics of the pet diet state that for many pets the meat aspect of their diet is crucial to their well‐being. They argue that pets should eat what they eat in the natural world and make the point that some pets, such as cats, will have problems digesting plants and processing non‐meat sub‐ stitutes, actually causing them health problems.

What is clear is you are re‐ sponsible to care for and nour‐ ish your pet to ensure it is healthy.

54 EWN

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7 - 13 October 2021

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MOBILITY

MOTORING

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REMOVALS & STORAGE

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REMOVALS & STORAGE

INSURANCE

STORAGE

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TV & SATELLITE

WINDOW TINTING

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CLASSIFIEDS ARCHITECTS

BUILDING SERVICES J & J PAINTERS. Inside outside - clean - fast - low cost. Torrevieja - Orihuela Costa and surrounding areas. Tel: 650 363 159 (290728)

BUY & SELL PRIVATE collector will buy your Gold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel – 678 716 693 (288662)

CARE HOME CARERS / CARE HOME. COMPLETE PROFESSIONAL CARE. REASONABLE RATES. CALL 697 834 934 (293504)

CARS FOR SALE

Scandinavian: 659 779 222. w w w. a a - c o s t a b l a n c a . o r g (93323) CAMPELLO CONTRA CANCER in conjunction with AECC Association Español Contra Cancer.

Please support your local Cancer charity and if you wish to obtain literature or simply talk to someone. Please contact Mina or Trisha. Tel 650 071 278 or 610 921 413 e-mail aecc_campello@hotmail.com (95475) CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (MABS) MURCIA/MAR MENOR Help and support is just a phone call away, Avda Rio Nalón, Tel: 693 275 779 (95462) CHURCH SERVICE IN ENGLISH Tel: 950 617 549 www.givinglight.com.(10006) FREEMASONRY. Are you aware that Freemasonry is thriving on the Costa Blanca?

There are various Lodges meetings up throughout the Valencia region. If you already are a Mason or simply wish to know more about Freemasonry in Spain please contact sec@glpvalencia.com Tel 600 841 064 (95477) HELP VEGA BAJA. We are a non-profit making organisation that helps and supports anyone, without prejudice, in times of need or crisis within the Vega Baja area. Our offices are based in San Miguel at Calle Lope de Vega 46 (Tel 966 723 733), Torrevieja at Rambla Juan Mateo Garcia 4 (Tel 965 704 282). We are online at www.helpvegabaja.com and also on Facebook. You can email the San Miguel Centre at office@helpvegabaja.com. We also have a 24-hour Emergency helpline which is available to both members and non-members on 966 723 733 (95456) INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY, TORREVIEJA Calle Urbano Arregui, 23, Tor-

CARS WANTED CHARITY ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS IS ALCOHOL COSTING YOU MORE THAN MONEY? Drinking to excess not only affects your health it can spill over into every other aspect of your life – damaging everything that is important to you. Englishspeaking AA meetings are held throughout the Costa Blanca from Valencia City to Murcia.

Anyone wishing to attend a meeting or discuss a possible drinking problem contact Costa Blanca North: 648 169 045 or Costa Blanca South: 625 912 078 or Costa Calida 679 385 105 All calls are treated in the strictest confidence. AA in German: 645 456 075; Spanish: 679 212 535; Flemish: 635 047 053; and

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revieja 03185, Alicante Evangelical non-denominational church. Sunday morning Services at 11:00am. All nationalities welcome - Contact 966 752 543 / 966 799 273. For other church matters phone: 966 799 273 / /617 215 463 www.icatorrevieja.org (95476) LA SIESTA EVANGELICAL CHURCH on Urbanisation La Siesta, Torrevieja is a friendly, English speaking church. For more information, including details of our services, see our website www.lasiestaevangeli calchurch.org (10005) PHILIP SCOTT LODGE No 10671 of the RAOB. Please call the secretary, Colin Bird on 693 287 614 for further information. (95459) PILAR CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH. All welcome from any church background or none. For further information, www.pilarchurch.org Reg No: 2009-SG/A (95463) ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATION COSTA BLANCA BRANCH 1359. The association supports the welfare needs of ex-members of the RAF and their dependents.

We also provide a social hub for members by organising monthly events. To fund Welfare we raise money through the Wings Appeal. New members are very welcome. To find out more contact Chairman Tony at tony.elaine.cuenta@gmail. com. For Welfare contact Bill or Pauline on 0034 634 389 983 or email rafacbpresi dent2@gmail.com. For general information on RAFA visit www.rafa.org.uk.. (238593) ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Why not make this year the year you volunteer? See how you can help either as a caseworker (with full training) or as a Telephone Buddy. We also visit beneficiaries who are housebound or in hospital. If you feel you could support us here in Spain, and you have a

7 - 10 October 2021 • www.euroweeklynews.com SPONSORED BY

Spanish phone number then why not email us for more info tbuddyhhvisits@gmail.com. If you or your partner served or are serving, and you feel you need help or support then contact us using the details on the card, we are here for the small things as well as the big, sometimes talking to someone is the first step to feeling more in control. It can be a personal need or some help with your home or information on what or who to speak to on a medical issue, we help with signposting if we cannot help directly, just call and have a chat with Pam who will try to guide you to where you need to be.

If you would like to go to a branch meeting then find your nearest one at, http://branch es.britishlegion.org.uk/branch es/orihuela-costa - covering from Punta Prima to San Javier. More info can be found on branch website www.ori huelacostarbl.co.uk. (95457) ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Gran Alacant & La Marina Branch.

For info, contact the branch Secretary at granalacant.sec retary@rbl.community

THE SPIRITUALIST CENTRE, Benijofar will be closed for the immediate future due to Covid-19. To join the centre on ZOOM on a Tuesday evening at 7pm download the ZOOM App. To enter use ID Number 8451471869, then Password 3uf5TE. Identification Fiscal G54713789 (95454)

ELECTRICIAN MR FIXIT. For all your electrical, plumbing, general & appliance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434 (287535)

FOR SALE/WANTED WANTED Gold, Silver, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel – 678 716 693 (288662)

GOLD WANTED

ROYAL MARINES ASSOCIATION (Costa Blanca) The aim of the Association is to bring together not just ex Royal Marines, but ex Service personnel with an affinity to the Royal Marines. For further details Hon Sec 692 938 664. (10004) ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION For information please contact Chairman Paul Edwards on 618 644 934, Vice Chairman Danny Kay on 966 716 274 or Secretary Margaret Forshaw on 966 921 996. (95455) STROKE ASSOCIATION Spain (formally known as Torrevieja stroke support) Our aim is to help and support stroke survivors and their carers. With rehabilitation, speech therapy, OC therapy and a very active social group. For info please contact 654 801 260 or email strokesupportgroup@hotmail.c om, website: torreviejastroke support.org. We are always looking for volunteers who have the skills and knowledge to support. (95473) THE AIRCREW ASSOCIATION COSTA BLANCA BRANCH. Former & serving aircrews of the UK or Allied Armed Forces are welcome to join this convivial & friendly organisation, now in its 21st year. www.acacostablan ca.org or call the Secretary on: 966 495 042 (95465)

CHARITY

THE PATIENCE LODGE No 2177 of the R.A.O.B Please call Secretary Dave Tonge on 688 704 091 for further information. (253807)

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH, La Fustera. For more info: contact Frank Bentley on 966 495 188.

(95461) THE BAKER Foundation Spiritual Centre Playa Flamenca.

Calle Luis Gordillo, 1 Playa Flamenca Alicante 03189. You can join us on Facebook, The Baker Foundation spiritual centre. Or contact Linda Schug Tel. 606 990 665 for more details (95458)

HOME IMPROVEMENTS BATHROOM & KITCHEN Conversions Costa Blanca, contact 698 320 434. (288988)

INSURANCE FED UP OF NOT BEING SENT YOUR RENEWAL? CUT YOUR INSURANCE COSTS AND STILL HAVE 100% COVER. YOU HAVE TRIED THE REST NOW TRY THE BEST WITH SOS INSURANCE. WE CAN EVEN INSURE YOU FOR UPTO A €1,000 OF WATERLOSS. CALL 686 116 297 (WHATSAPP TO) OR VISIT www.sosinsurancein spain.com or email tracey@sosinsurancein spain.com (293473) BENEFICIAL INSURANCE SERVICES. Car, Home, Business, Travel, Life, Funeral, all insurances available. Policies in English. BEST rates, covers & service. Immediate quotes. Tel 961 129 215 / 622 275 561, (WhatsApp) info@beneficialin suranceinspain.com or visit www.beneficialinsurancein spain.com for online quote.

(293334) STAY SAFE! Abbeygate Insurance Call 971 277 455 For your security www.abbeygatein sure.com

INSURANCE

CLASSIFIEDS MISCELLANEOUS GOLD & SILVER Bought & Sold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel – 678 716 693 (288662)

MOBILE HOMES WESELLMOBILEHOMES.EU We can sell your park home or static caravan, sited or unsited, at NO COST TO YOU. Call 966 711 156 sheree1holiday homes@gmail.com WEBUY MOBILEHOMES.EU Cash waiting (293913)

MOTORING

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QUALITY LHD & RHD Vehicles bought & sold. All paperwork undertaken quickly & professionally. Immediate payment for all purchases. Mobile / WhatsApp +34 600 726 221 Office +34 965 687 946 www.fwreurocars.com info@fwreurocars.com (293606)

FOR SALE WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance.

Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 902 123 309. (200726)

MUSIC TUITION PIANO, Keyboard, Organ, Qualified Teacher. Please call 606 984 535 (290217)

NAUTICAL INTERNATIONAL SKIPPER LICENCE: Courses held in English and starts soon. RYA VHF and Radar Courses. 626 245 098 (293730)

PERGOLAS

If you can read it, so can your clients. Contact us and have your business grow at + 34 951 386 161

TAILOR MADE, durable canvas, sails, umbrella, spa and CAR COVERS. Mazarron based, and serving the Costa Blanca too. Mail Order and Ordering online 667 879 399 kruger canopies@yahoo.co.uk (290481)

PET CHARITY EASYHORSE CARE RESCUE CENTRE. We aim to rescue HORSES. If you would like to DONATE please call 965 967 033 or sales@easyhorse care.net www.easyhorsecare. net or call Sue 652 021 980 (95706)

7 - 13 October 2021

POOL MAINTENANCE

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

POOL MAINTENANCE Repairs, Spares and Leak Testing. Call 965 725 565 / 676 945 360 w w w. p o o l t e c h s p a i n . c o m (284911)

FED UP PAYING TOO MUCH FOR YOUR MOBILE PHONE CALLS? THEN CONTACT TELITEC TODAY. CALLS TO SPAIN 7C PER MINUTE INCLUDING MOBILES. CALLS TO UK 5.3C PER MINUTE. NO MONTHLY FEES, NO CONTRACT. WWW.TELITEC.COM TEL: 902 889 070 (2001)

SPAS & JACUZZI

GATAMI ORGANISATION, to help kittens and cats, looking for good homes, also spaying wild cats in the community. Kittens require adoption, fully vaccinated, de-wormed, de-flead. volunteers to Tel Anna: 966 806 976 / 654 729 977 (95709) P.E.P.A. VOLUNTEERS & FOSTER HOMES URGENTLY NEEDED. By fostering an abandoned dog or spending a few hours each week on our telephone helpline, you could help save the lives of many animals.

Please call: 650 304 746. For more information browse our website: www.pepaspain.com (95708)

WANTED

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TESTIMONIALS

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SPAMA GANDIA SHELTER. Dog and cat rescue registered charity, La Safor area. 500 animals awaiting re-homing. Phone Gail 962 896 118. Visit our website for directions. www.spama.org and view our new blog at www.spama-safor.blog.com.es PLEASE HELP US TO HELP THEM (95707)

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

READERS OF A SENSITIVE DISPOSITION MAY FIND SOME OF THE ADVERTISEMENTS IN THIS SECTION OFFENSIVE.

PLUMBERS MR FIXIT. For all your electrical, plumbing, general & appliance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434 (287535)

XXX FEMALE SOPHIE naughty, slim, elegant, sexy French lady. 3 languages spoken. Visit all areas 693 357 526 (291686)

INSURANCE

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If you can read it, so can your clients.

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TESTIMONIALS

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MOTORING

Barcelona Motor Show 2021 THE Barcelona Motor Show 2021 was inaugurated on Thursday, September 30, by King Felipe VI of Spain. Also present were Pedro Sanchez, the President of the Gov‐ ernment; Reyes Maroto, the Min‐ ister of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism; and Roger Torrent the Minister of Business and Labour of the Generalitat.

After opening this grand event at the Fira de Barcelona Montjuïc, they paid a visit to the various ex‐ hibitor’s stands that will be on show until October 10, with 23 different car manufacturers pre‐ sent.

Pau Relat, the president of Fira de Barcelona, speaking during the opening lunch, said he hoped that the running of the Barcelona Mo‐ tor Show this year will lead to the reactivation of the automobile sector in Spain.

Relat also stressed that this event is capable of “generating

multiple opportunities for the in‐ dustrial, productive and commer‐ cial fabric,” pointing out that the sector is undergoing an important transformation process, with the electric car already a reality, and sustainable mobility a challenge facing Spain’s cities and territo‐ ries.

He continued, “This 2021 edition is very special. It is one of the first major face‐to‐face events that we have been able to celebrate, fol‐ lowing the security protocols, and after the forced stoppage of the pandemic, so it is logical that it does so under the expressive slo‐ gan of ‘The illusion returns’.”

The Fira president added that the Barcelona Motor Show offers a renewed illusion for the auto‐ motive sector and its profession‐ als, and for the public, who he hopes will attend and enjoy this large event that is celebrating the evolution of the motor industry.

MOTORING

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ROAD TEST

by Mark Slack

SUZUKI may not have the clout of larger car makers but has always driven well above its automotive weight. A col‐ laborative link with Toyota has produced Suzuki’s most expensive production car to date; the Across. Priced from €53,367/£45,599 the Across is a considerable step up the price league by normal Suzu‐ ki standards, but does hold the prospect of some con‐ quest sales.

The Across is, with a few subtle tweaks, an RAV4 and in Suzuki form not only feels and drives very premium but is a proper 4x4. A single model hosts one of the best equipped SUVs with stan‐ dard fare including such things as leather trim, heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel, dual zone air conditioning, electronic four‐wheel‐drive, high beam assist, keyless en‐ try and start, rear park‐ ing camera, reclining rear seats and much more.

Power comes from a 2.5‐

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Suzuki Across - the perfect fusion of power litre, four‐cylinder petrol en‐ gine mated to 134kw electric motor providing hybrid pow‐ er. Four driving modes offer the option of pure electric, au‐ tomatic between hybrid and electric, hybrid and battery charge. There’s a claimed pure electric range of 46 miles, I managed 40 miles without any effort at conserv‐ ing battery power, so it’s a particularly impressive and commutable distance.

The fusion between petrol and electric power is impres‐ sive too, with easily‐selectable

modes and an e‐CVT auto‐ matic transmission that makes for smooth transitions without the usual raised en‐ gine revs. Add the self‐charge button, which raises the en‐ gine revs somewhat, and there’s a surprisingly rapid recharge on the move. Plug‐in the Across and it’ll take around six hours to fully charge from a domestic wall‐ box.

On the road the Across has a very premium feel helped by the smooth and refined progress. A large touchscreen still leaves buttons

SUZUKI ACROSS: A suitably rugged looking SUV.

(hurrah!) for other functions and it’s all very intuitive. A conventional style automatic gear shift lever adds a touch of normality in a world where the standard rules of car con‐ ventionality seem to have dis‐ appeared. Many hybrids and

electric vehicles have lost that conventional look and all too frequently for reasons of style rather than practical sub‐ stance.

There is plenty of space for passengers and their luggage, not to mention lots of cubby

boxes and pockets for your in‐ car bits‐and‐bobs. With subtle styling tweaks to the front de‐ sign the Across is a suitably rugged looking SUV, as befits a proper off‐road vehicle, and with a high specification more than lives up to the price tag.

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Atletico Madrid pile on more pressure WALKING FOOTBALL...

ATLETICO MADRID really piled the pressure on an already rocky Barcelona side, and their under‐fire coach, Ronald Koeman. A one‐sided affair at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday, October 2, saw the Catalans fall to a 2‐0 defeat.

This victory sends Diego Simeone’s LaLiga champi‐ ons level on points with city rivals Real Madrid who lost to Espanyol on Sunday, October 3. Defeat leaves Barca in ninth, with just 12 points, though they do have a game in hand, but one win in six matches is out of charac‐ ter for this giant of a club.

Thomas Lemar got in behind the Barcelona de‐ fence after 24 minutes to smash a stunning goal past Ter Stegen, finishing off a scintillating move of one‐touch passing be‐ tween himself, Luis Suarez and Joao Felix.

Then, of all the people

ATLETICO MADRID: The game ended up being a one-sided affair.

to hurt Barcelona, it was their former hitman, Luis Suarez, apparently deemed to be past his best by Ronald Koeman when he took the hot seat at the Camp Nou. Suarez latched onto a pass from Lemar on 44 minutes and stroked the ball beyond the advancing Barca keep‐ er for 2‐0.

“I knew if I was going to score I wasn’t going to cel‐

ebrate too effusively,” said Suarez after the match, “I have a lot of love for those guys, they were my teammates and they’re going through a tough time.”

A few minutes later, the Uruguayan striker had the chance to make it three, but failed to hit the target.

Brazilian, Philippe Coutin‐ ho, was given the oppor‐ tunity to pull his side back

into the game, but his poor effort was saved eas‐ ily by Jan Oblak.

Former Barca star An‐ toine Griezmann made a late appearance as a sub, and almost carved the third goal.

One can only wonder how much longer Ronald Koeman’s misery will last.

At one point he could be seen in the stands, holding his head in his hands.

WITH the encouragement from the Walking Football Association of Iberia the Costa Blanca will see its first Walking Football League when teams line up on Wednesday October 20 to contest the first League matches . The League is thanks to the hard work of For‐ mentera, Portobello and San Miguel Walking Football Clubs, al‐ though San Miguel will not join this season. The other two will be joined by Hondon Valley Fliers, Moraira and Pinoso.

It is hoped with the inaugaration of the CBSWFL it will encour‐ age more clubs to join this league next season while there are also plans for another League involving teams from Alicante and Alme‐ ria.

This region rich in walking football clubs,with Murcia not far away either, has the potential to develop two quality Leagues or one League encompassing all walking football clubs making it the envy of its Southern Neighbours Legaue.

Early talks have also taken place to debate the feasability of a ‘Champions League Final’ between the Alicante League winners in the north and the south of Spain Premier League winners.

The opening fixtures in the CBSWFL are as follows...

HONDON VALLEY FLYERS V MORAIRA WFC PORTOBELLO WFC V PINOSO FORMENTERA WFC V PORTOBELLO WFC ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ THE EURO WEEKLY SUPPORTS WALKING FOOTBALL...

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