Costa de Almeria 13 - 19 October 2022 Issue 1945

PRESTIGE BRAND

Linda Hall

S ABORES ALMERIA (Almeria Flavours) has ramped up its potential as a prestige gourmet brand at Madrid’s Fruit Attraction trade fair.

More than 60,000 people from 130 coun tries attended the lat est edition of the fair held between October 4 and 6, with Almeria Province in a prominent position.

Maria Luisa Cruz, who heads the Diputacion’s provincial council’s De partment of Agrifoods Promotion, was present to support local grow ers and consolidate Sa bores Almeria provin cially, nationally and internationally.

“The feedback we are getting is very positive, owing to the huge num ber of professionals at this year’s fair and the commercial agreements that have been fi nalised,” she said.

The Diputacion had provided institutional support with the Sa bores Almeria brand so that the firms attending

Fruit Attraction would know that the provin cial council was behind them, Cruz explained: “This all results in more growth for the sector.”

The provincial coun cillor went on to stress the great strides that Sabores Almeria had made over the last year, consolidating

Almeria products in the gourmet sector where it was increasingly in de mand.

MADRID: Was the venue for the Fruit Attraction trade fair.

Photo credit: Diputacion de Almeria

Joining roads

LINKING the A­7 and A­92 motorways has now be gun although there is little to see at present.

Sources at the central government’s Sub­delega tion to Almeria explained that before the two roads can meet it will first be nec essary to get through a cer tain amount of red tape.

This includes attending to services that are going to be affected during con struction, and include repositioning an Endesa power cable as well as en suring the well­being of wildlife, the Sub­delega tion sources explained.

“These are not very con spicuous processes, but they are nevertheless ab solutely necessary,” the same sources said.

It will be some time be fore the heavy machinery can appear, they added.

This first phase should be finished by the end of this year, according to the Provincial Highways Ser vice.

Price isn’t right

Linda Hall

FIFTY­SIX years on, Palomares is still suffering the effects of its infamous ‘nuclear incident’.

This occurred on January 17 in 1966 when four unarmed thermonuclear bombs were released after two US aircraft crashed in mid­air over the Mediterranean.

One bomb was found far out to sea but three fell on Palo mares, releasing plutonium and contaminating an area of two square kilometres. The US army decontaminated some of the land but much remains un treated.

Spain’s central government announced in early October

THE Mojacar FaXtor contest was more than an opportunity for resi dents and visitors to display their talents.

It was also an inno vative way to raise money for the Shea Fox Ukrainian Refugees fund and on October 6,

COMPULSORY PURCHASE:

Government will buy up contaminated Palomares land.

that it would soon be com pleting its estimate of the val ue of the plutonium­affected properties it intends to ac quire.

“This would appear to be the first step in the clean­up plan drafted more than 10 years ago,” provincial media sources said.

Buying up the land was in the public interest “to safe guard residents’ health and permit a close watch on the land,” the government said, al locating €345,127 for the com pulsory purchase of 324,073 square metres of land.

According to the same sources, the 30 owners in volved, who include develop ers and agricultural growers, dismissed the €1 per square metre compensation as “laughable.”

Mojacar FaXtor

the Mojacar Red Cross branch received a cheque for €5,001.

This followed an ear lier donation of €2,011 resulting from Mojacar

FaXtor co­organisers Carol Newton’s head shave at the Valery Cocktail and Music Bar in May. In all, both this event

and the Mojacar FaX tor raised a total of €7,752 less expenses of €80 and the contes tants’ prize money of €660.

Antas lights up

ANTAS (population 3,169) is set to become a national name in solar en ergy production.

This close neighbour of Vera, Los Gallardos and Cuevas del Almanzora has signed an agreement that will permit energy firm Endesa to install its first solar plant in Almeria Province.

Not only will the Endesa agree ment put Antas on the map in re newable energy production and sus tainability, but it will also add more than €8 million to the town hall bank balance in taxes before con struction begins.

Nor does the cashflow stop there, as Endesa will pay Antas Town Hall an annual €1 million over the next 35 years, bringing a grand total of €43 million.

As well as the immediate eco nomic and social impact, the solar plant will mean more jobs for Antas residents and increased demand for services.

Antas mayor Pedro Ridao empha sised the future installation’s impor tance to the town and expressed his satisfaction at the successful conclu sion to the town hall’s discussions with Endesa.

Rich and poor

NATIONAL STATISTICS INSTI

TUTE (INE) named Almeria Province as Spain’s poorest with an average annual in come of €9,709 per person.

The figures quoted in INE’s Distribution of House

hold Income report re vealed that Alcudia de Mon teagud headed the list of the 10 Almeria Province municipalities with the high est per capita income of €14,119.

Alcudia was followed by Beires (€13,371), Castro de Filabres (€13,317), Senes (€12,689), Alsodux, (€12,685), Velefique (€12,646), Olula de Castro (€12,517), Bayarque (€11,545), Padules (€11,518) and Barcares (€11,460).

The same INE survey named Arboleas (€7,429) as having the lowest per capita income in the province, coming last after Turre (€7,439), La Mojonera (€7,443), Partaloa (€7,535), Nijar (€7,801), Vicar (€7,912), Bedar (€7,968), Taberna (8,085), Berja (€8,085) and Adra (€8,444).

INE also clarified that Benitagla and Darrical were both excluded from the Household Income report, owing to their extremely small populations.

Nevertheless, Alcudia’s statistics could be regarded as skewed as it has been pointed out that the village had only 138 registered in habitants in 2020, the year of the INE survey.

Roman glass

ARBOLEAS Town Hall will pro mote its lapis specularis (se lenite gypsum) mine as a tourist attraction. Classed as an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC) and included in Andalu cia’s General Heritage Cata logue, the mine was worked in the first century AD by the Romans who used the miner al as glass.

Pool time

FIVE THOUSAND people, of whom 62 per cent were adults, visited Cuevas del Al manzora’s municipal pool in the sports complex between June 21 and September 12.

“It has been a very positive summer season, especially as we extended the timetable for free swimming,” said Sports councillor Miriam Quintana.

Running again

FRANCISCO TORRECILLAS, mayor of Albox, confirmed on his Facebook page that he hopes to remain in the post for another term and will be standing once more in the May 2023 municipal elections. As before, he will head the list of candidates for the Indepen dent Citizens’ Union (UCIN).

Red Cross rescue

THE Red Cross in Almeria an nounced the rescue of a fur ther 71 migrants who were stranded at sea on Wednesday October 5. The NGO launched eight operations to provide hu manitarian assistance and res cue stranded people. The peo ple were principally rescued from two vessels that ran into trouble after receiving reports of people in distress from mer chant ships.

Don’t go

CANTORIA received €2.5 mil lion from the central govern ment to assist the municipali ty’s transition to clean energy.

“This historic aid will help us halt depopulation,” Canto ria’s mayor Puri Sanchez said.

“We need structural changes to make our young people see that their town is perfect for their professional devel opment.”

Second Vera Triathlon

Betty Henderson

ATHLETES got set for the sec ond edition of the Vera Triathlon which took place on Sunday October 9. The event was organised through a collaboration between Ve ra local council, and Tribaria Sports Club.

Tribaria Sports Club Vice President, Miguel Jorge, said organisers were pleased to announce 182 competitors had already registered ahead of the event, rivalling last year’s 220 finishers. Organis ers also hope to reach last year’s gender balance, with

33 per cent women partici pants. The competition con sists of a 750 metre swim,

Poetry competition

A POETRY competition launched by the Val paraíso Foundation, founded in 1990 by Paul and Beatrice Beckett, has been announced in Almeria with prizes worth up to €4,000.

To enter, the works, of free form, metre and theme, must be original and unpublished, with no less than 500 verses and no more than 700. They must be submitted in Spanish and typed double-spaced on folio-size sheets of paper, written on one side only and in du plicate.

Entries must be submitted under a slogan or pseudonym in an envelope noted: ‘For the Paul Beckett Poetry Prize’.

In a separate, sealed envelope, attach the author’s name, surname, address and tele phone number, together with a brief bio-bib liographical note.

The deadline for entries is December 23, 2022. The works should be sent to the ad dress of the Valparaíso Foundation at its headquarters in Madrid, Calle Miguel Angel, nº 1.

followed by a 20km bike race, and a five kilometre run to finish. Competitors will

start the race at playa de Las Marinas­Bolaga, finishing at the Paseo Marítimo de Vera.

Cash prizes are also up for grabs with €200, €100 and €50 for the top three finish ers in each category. Partici pants also receive a special finishing pack, including pael la.

The Vera Triathlon comes at the end of an exciting sea son of duathlons, triathlons a team time trial in the Almeria region, so many athletes will be seeking to set personal records. For those who don’t feel like competing, specta tors are welcome from 9am.

Mental health charter

LOCAL authorities in Adra are marking World Mental Health Day by launching a new charter that commits to protecting mental health ‘from birth’. Adra local council announced a new mental health policy with a focus on youth mental health on Fri day October 7.

This year’s slogan for the campaign is ‘growing up with mental well-being’ and en courages positive mental well-being during childhood and youth. The council cam paign enshrines this objective saying “emotional education is key in promoting mental well-being from childhood.”

Adra Council committed to allocating more resources for

Cancer awareness

OCTOBER is Breast Cancer Awareness month and World Breast Cancer Day is on Wednesday October 19, an international cam paign to raise awareness for the detection and treatment of breast can cer, raise funds for re search, treatment and sur vival.

To mark the occasion, we found some facts and figures about breast cancer

in Spain and the UK.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in both Spain and the UK. In Spain, there are 35,000 new cases of breast cancer a year, in the UK the figure stands at around 55,000. Breast cancer rates have risen by around 18 per cent since the early 1990s.

However, breast cancer has higher overall survival rates than some other can

cers. In Spain 87 per cent of women survive breast cancer for more than five years after diagnosis, in the UK 88 per cent of women survive for five years.

Breast cancer can also be prevented, in up to 23 per cent of cases in the UK. Breast Cancer Awareness month is crucial in raising awareness about early de tection.

mental well-being initiatives, breaking down misconcep tions about mental health conditions and better detec tion and treatment of mental health conditions.

Adra has developed poli cies to improve mental health awareness in recent years in cluding the creation of a net work for mental health ser vice users to participate in community activities.

The policy launch coincided with World Mental Health Day which has been celebrat ed on October 10 globally for the past 30 years. The day aims to raise awareness for mental health conditions and mental well-being by reduc ing stigma around conditions.

The

Joint project

THE Diputacion provincial council and Nijar Town Hall will collaborate on convert ing the former Infant School into a new Guardia Civil headquarters.

At present the force is us ing small and inadequate premises in Calle Malvinas.

“We are very pleased, because this will contribute to improving the safety of all Nijar residents as well as the working conditions of the people protecting them,” said Diputacion vice­president Ferando Gimenez.

“We have been behind the town hall from the out set, drawing up the plans and now providing eco nomic help.”

The vice­president ex plained that the current co operation began with a re quest from the town hall for help on what is now a joint, co­financed project.

“We are committed to ensuring that each and ev ery municipality in the province can count on the presence of the Guardia Civil,” Gimenez said.

The future headquarters will be distributed over two floors, each with an area of 270 square metres, as well as a 160­square metre basement.

The plot of land will in clude parking for official vehicles with direct access to the custody area as well as spaces for private vehi cles.

Event organisers hope to welcome more athletes in the second edition of the Vera Triathlon.

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Vera

Spanish Realism Museum

THE Provincial Council has completed the restoration and refurbishment work on the old Santa María Magdalena Provincial Hospital, which will soon be open as the Museum of Spanish Realism.

The vice­president of the Supramunici pal Institution, Fernando Gimenez, con firmed that before opening the museum, the building will be opened to the public so that “all can see how it has been re stored.”

Guided group visits will be organised in November for a period of three months.

The Diputacion de Almeria intends to carry out a hundred routes through the rooms and galleries that have been refur bished.

The Museum of Spanish Realism will be inaugurated during the first quarter of 2023 and will house the largest collection

of this artistic movement since the begin ning of the 20th century.

The old Provincial Hospital is the only 16th­century civil building still standing in the capital of Almeria. The museum pro ject will transform the historic building and turn the province into an important cultural and tourist attraction on an inter national level.

AlmAnimal success

Betty Henderson PET festival, AlmAnimal was hailed as a resounding success on Sunday October 9. The second edition of the pet festival was held over the weekend of October 8 and 9 and saw pet lovers travel from across Andalu cia to celebrate their love for animals and take part in

organised activities.

More than 20 hours of activities were scheduled during the weekend which saw pet lovers come to gether to discuss animal welfare, fundraise, learn new skills in workshops and compete in entertaining contests.

Events aimed to teach visitors how to live in harmony with pets and promote animal health and well­being.

The event was organ ised by Almeria City Council’s Department for Environment and Sustainability in collabo ration with local pet wel fare organisations in cluding the Centro Zoosanitario.

Celebrations for locals

ELDERLY people in Berja cele brated International Day for the Elderly in style with a trib ute to some of the town’s el derly people, before an openair concert on October 8.

Local elderly people en joyed the celebrations to mark the day which raises awareness of issues facing older people and their contri butions to society.

Local social services and the council joined forces to pro vide the event which paid tribute to three elderly local residents, Encarna López , An tonio Maldonado and Francis ca López.

Later, attendees were served refreshments and en joyed the outdoor concert.

Elderly walking marathon

ON Thursday, October 6, the Roquetas de Mar Town Council, through its Department for the Elderly, organised a Walking Marathon to mark the fiestas in honour of the Virgen del Rosario. The mayor, Gabriel Amat, welcomed everyone who was encouraged to enjoy the recreational sporting activity at the starting point of the Plaza de la Constitucion.

The councillor for Social Services, Loles Moreno and the coun cillor for the Elderly, Mari Angeles Alcoba, accompanied the members of elderly associations on their route through the main streets of the municipality.

MUSEUM: An important cultural attraction.

Image:

Rural road lighting

ALMERIA City Council has committed to agriculture with the promise of a rural road lighting plan and more kilometres of as phalted roads.

The mayor of Almeria, María del Mar Vazquez has promised a “real commit ment” to implement a Municipal Plan for the lighting of rural roads and the inclusion of a specific item in the municipal budget of 2023.

The mayor confirmed: “Living in the countryside does not mean simply produc ing. To live in the countryside is to focus your life in a specific environment that can not lack services and benefits.

“That is why this multi­year plan will be implemented with the support of the provincial council.

“More than €7 million is to be invested and around 200 kilometres of farm accesses are to be improved. This will guarantee the safety of farmers and the best possible transport of the produce from the green house to the markets to make it more com petitive.”

The transfer of purified or desalinated wa ter when necessary or the campaigns to pro mote the consumption of fruit and vegeta bles in schools are also part of the municipal contribution to Almeria’s agriculture.

Glass recycling

MOJACAR has increased its recycling of glass by 43 per cent more than the previ ous year.

Mojacar municipality, a participant in the Ecovidrio company Green Flags movement, has had 110,764 kilos of glass col lected.

Mojacar has surpassed

Ecovidrio’s challenge in the competition which involves actions to respond to the increase in the generation of these residues in coastal areas and in the summer season, due to tourism.

The organisation thanked Mojacar local council, resi dents and hospitality busi nesses for their efforts and

work carried out, taking a further step forward in the transition to a circular econ omy and in the fight against climate change, becoming “an example of green re covery.”

Green Flags is established as one of the key initiatives of the Ecovidrio alliance with the hospitality sector.

€465m for AVE

A TOTAL of €465 million has been allocated for the AVE in Almeria in the State Budget for 2023. Spain’s General State Budgets for 2023 are now offi cial and certain items have been reserved for investment in the province of Almeria.

The government presented the 2023 General State Budget Bill in the Congress of Deputies on Thursday, October 6.

The Minister of Finance and Public Administration, María JesUs Montero, presented the 2023 Budget Bill to the Presi dent of Congress, Meritxell Batet.

On the one hand, the Bud

get Bill reinforced the Welfare State as a guarantor of quality public services through record resources for social policies in a context of uncertainty due to the Russian invasion of

Ukraine. At the same time, they consolidate growth and job creation through the change in the production model driven by European funds.

New turf

WORK has begun on replacing the grass at the Salva Sevilla football pitch in Berja.

On Tuesday, October 4, works started to remove the old ar tificial turf of the Municipal Stadium Salva Sevilla and to re new it in which the town council is investing €129,000.

The works are being carried out by the company awarded the contract, Realturf Systems SL, which is using specialised machinery to remove the turf and accumulate the existing rubber to reuse it as infill material in the new turf.

The mayor of Berja, Jose Carlos Lupion, and the councillor for Sports, Rafa Villegas, visited the football pitch on Tuesday. The mayor pointed out that “Berja needed a new, more mod ern, functional and safe turf. The existing one had numerous deficiencies due to the intensive use by the hundreds of users who make use of the facilities every week.”

The Minister of Finance and Public Function, María Jesus Montero.

The project includes the laying of synthetic turf paving be fore installing the new 100 per cent UV­resistant polyethene fibre turf, ballasted with silica sand and rubber from the previ ous turf that was removed.

Image: Spanish government

Health centre contract

Linda Hall

THE Junta de Andalucia finally awarded the €3.4 million contract to build Mojacar’s new health centre.

The company whose bid was originally cho sen later backed out after announcing that it had not taken into account Spain’s added­value tax, IVA, Junta sources revealed.

A regional government memorandum ex plained that the 2,398­square metre substitute for the Mojacar Playa and Mojacar Pueblo cen tres has been planned to meet the needs of a municipality where the population triples each summer.

VERA Town Hall is prepar ing to cope with heavy rain this autumn and winter.

Codeur, which is partly owned by the municipality and responsible for Vera’s domestic water and main drainage, is currently clean ing the grills that cover the town’s storm drains.

These drains channel rainwater to the network of sewers, and it is essential that their grills are kept clear if they are to cope with the increasingly­fre

The town hall has ceded a 9,196­square me tre plot in the Paraje Rambla de Campos area adjoining the road linking Mojacar Playa and Mojacar Pueblo.

The new centre will be more comfortable and accessible, with personalised attention and services that will improve and extend the exist ing health network.

Patients will no longer need to travel to Vera for x­rays as the new centre will have its own fa cilities. It will have an Observation Room for pa tients equipped with a bed and armchair. There will be six bedrooms for on­call medical staff, with a communal room and separate entrance.

Ready for storms

quent high altitude depres sion DANA storms that can cause flooding.

“We have a series of blackspots that are particu larly affected during rainy periods,” said deputy may or Alfonso Garcia who is al so Vera’s Infrastructure councillor.

“These are concentrated mainly in the Vera Playa area, which needs intensi

fied maintenance and ex ceptional cleaning mea sures to solve rainwater channelling and flooding problems.”

His department intended to anticipate potential problems there by taking advantage of the current operation and also repair ing deteriorated manholes and storm drains, Garcia added.

Top retirement destination

Betty Henderson SPAIN ranked in the top 10 best countries to retire in 2022 in a report released by a lifestyle magazine this October. The report ranked Spain at number nine globally due to its warm climate, high level of security and beautiful coastal regions.

Retirement is a universally popular concept, but that doesn’t mean everywhere is an ideal retirement destination. The report used a ‘glob al retirement index’ to rank countries, consider ing aspects of quality of life thought to be key to retirement living.

Other countries in the top 10 included Pana ma at number one, Portugal at number four and France at number seven.

Spain ranked as number nine on the list due to its 300­plus days of sunshine annually, af

fordability of property, excellent healthcare fa cilities and healthy Mediterranean eating op tions. The report also cited historical and cultur al heritage throughout the country as a factor in its high ranking. Other services that con tributed to the top 10 ranking include reliable and affordable public transportation options, internet stability, having potable tap water, de cent electricity and good council services.

Sports budget increase

THE government will allocate €1,804 million to Culture and Sports policies in 2023, the Spanish government confirmed on Friday, October 7.

This allocation compared to the budget for 2022, is an in crease of 13.5 per cent. The Minister of Culture and Sport, Miquel Iceta, who presented

the accounts at a press confer ence confirmed that “these are budgets designed to strengthen the cultural industries.

“They are designed to con tribute to the creation of new audiences and to protect the workers in the cultural sector.

This is in line with the aim of this government to protect the so

cial majority in the face of the crisis caused by the war in Ukraine.”

Iceta said “the budgets ear marked for Culture and Sports are, for the first time, consid ered to be public goods of a preferential nature, due to their nature as the backbone of soci ety, as Health and Education.”

Spanish inflation controlled

NEW figures have revealed that inflation in Spain slowed during September to 9 per cent. This follows August’s inflation rate of 10.5 per cent and inflation increases for four succes sive months. Statistics re leased by the INE at the end of September were con firmed last week.

The September figure is the lowest inflation rate since May this year, infla tion in the country had reached double­digit fig ures not seen since the 1980s in June.

The fall in inflation is be ing attributed to falls in electricity, gas and trans port prices, some of it due to government subsidies.

Core inflation also fell slightly to 6.4 per cent, a decrease of 0.2 per cent, notable due to previous 14 month consecutive increas es in the indicator, since June 2021.

News of falling inflation rates comes as a relief for consumers, particularly as we head towards winter.

Face-to-face banking

A MEETING between the First Vice­President of the government, Nadia Calvino, and the banking associa tions was held on Friday, October 7, in which a roadmap was agreed upon. The roadmap comes with the aim of ensuring that credit institutions guarantee access to face­to­face financial services for all citizens of Spain.

This commitment comes in the hope that it will favour the fight against depopulation and contribute to an appropriate territorial structuring.

The agreement establishes a framework for action that will be articulated with full respect for competi tion regulations to guarantee at least one point of ac cess to face­to­face banking services through different modalities for the more than 660,000 people residing in the 3,230 municipalities that do not have this ser vice. Measures are also included to ensure the main tenance of face­to­face banking services in those mu nicipalities that currently have only one access point.

The associated entities will have a period of six months, extendable by a further six months, to en sure the implementation of at least one access point.

SPAIN: One of the world’s top destinations for retirees.

Photo credit: Daniel Myjones / shutterstock.com

The Spanish government has introduced measures to combat spiralling inflation.

Photo credit: rnl / shutterstock.com

SPAIN’S Defence Ministry is sending a new convoy to Ukraine with light allterrain vehicles, ambu lances and medical equip ment.

The shipment will cover logistical and medical needs of the highest prior ity for the Ukrainian Min istry of Defence. A further 12 heavy vehicles will be shipped by sea in the com ing days.

The Minister of De fence, Margarita Robles, attended the departure from Alcala de Henares on Thursday, October 6, of a land convoy transporting eight light vehicles, two ambulances and five tonnes of various medical equipment to Poland.

The vehicles and medi cal equipment were pro vided by the Army, the Navy and the Spanish Emergency Military Unit and were prepared for transport by the Projec tion Support Group (GAPRO), a unit that pro vides logistical support for operations and exercises both on national territory and in operations abroad.

Help for Ukraine

Robles explained that “these are the priorities that Ukraine has at the moment and this is what they are asking us for, the war is being very cruel, there are many wounded people and they urgently need medical material.”

ON Wednesday, October 5, Spain and Germany signed an agree ment to intensify relations in high er education.

The Minister for Universities, Joan Subirats, met with his coun terpart, the Minister for Education and Research of the Federal Gov ernment of Germany, Bettina Stark­Watzinger, during the Ger man­Spanish Summit.

During the meeting, the two ministers agreed to sign a Declara tion to raise the profile of the commitment to strengthen ties in the field of higher education, recognising training as a basic pil lar for the advancement of both countries.

Higher education

Joan Subirats confirmed: “We welcome the fact that the Declara tion of Intent we are signing today will allow us to learn in situ about Germany’s policies, programmes and actions on common chal lenges.”

Germany has extensive experi ence and a proven track record in areas that are of great interest to Spain, such as the retraining of the working population, dual universi ty education and the university model at the service of social needs.

Repsol promotion

AN offer to get one gas cylin der free was announced on Tuesday, October 4 by Repsol and is available to anyone who buys at least 10 units (12.5 kgs) using the company’s website or mobile application.

The offer is limited to one per person and is valid on the main land and in the Balearics until the end of the year.

Respol currently offers an ad ditional discount to anyone who buys petrol through its mobile payment app, which al so needs to be used to get the benefit of the gas cylinder offer.

Once the order is placed, the cylinder will be made available.

In addition, anyone who pur chases more than 10 cylinders will receive a coupon that is valid in­store for three months.

The offer comes ahead of winter and at a time when gas prices have fallen from their earlier highs this year of €19.95.

Although the free butane gas cylinders offer can be seen as a gimmick, for those hardpressed to pay for gas supplies the offer does have value.

NEW CONVOY: Margarita Robles and the departure of logistical vehicles.

SUMMIT MEETING: Joan Subirats with Bettina Stark-Watzinger.

Image: Spanish Government/Ministry of Defence

Image: Spanish Government/Department of Education

Sophisticated fakes

ON September 21, Europol lead a joint operation with the Spanish National Police and the Catalonian Mossos d’Esquadra to dismantle an organised crime group in volved in printing and dis tributing counterfeit €500 notes.

During the operation a clandestine print shop was dismantled and 12 people were arrested. Nine loca tions were searched in Ali

BUSINESSES and schools closed in order to join in the celebrations for Spain’s National Day on Wednesday October 12.

Spain’s National Day commemorates the ar rival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas and is also sometimes known as Dia de la His panidad (Hispanic Day).

Italian­born Christopher Columbus set off from Pa los de la Frontera in south west Spain in 1492 on Au

cante, Barcelona, Malaga and Valencia. €4.3 million in fake €500 banknotes were seized and a large amount of equipment (several printing presses, an insulation ma chine, a hot stamping ma chine, a paper guillotine and raw materials).

Investigators identified the main suspect behind the print shop as an individual al ready known by authorities detained for similar criminal

activities in 2009. These counterfeits were of better quality but had similarities to the 2009 counterfeits, which lead to the same suspect.

The investigators estimate that in as little as three months, the criminal net work printed more than €8 million.

The fake money was used for different criminal activi ties including drug traffick ing.

Spain’s National Day

gust 3. Just over two months later he arrived in the ‘New World’.

Columbus, who was sponsored by the Spanish monarch, Ferdinand of Aragon, was actually look ing for a western route to India, but instead stum bled upon the Americas, a continent that had been largely unknown to Euro peans.

The discovery led to a period of rapid explo ration of the continent.

Día de la Hispanidad was first celebrated in Madrid in 1935 and was made an official public holiday in 1981. In 1987, its name was changed to Fiesta Nacional (Spain’s National Day), removing any reference to Spanish colonialism.

New historical memory law

Betty Henderson

THE Spanish government approved another landmark historic memory law on Wednesday October 5. The legislation builds on laws originally created from 2007 and aim to bring justice for the victims of the Spanish Civil War and subsequent dictatorship under Franco.

Measures contained in the law in clude a national DNA bank and a pur pose­made census to facilitate easier location and identification of victims’ remains. The ‘Valley of the Fallen’ area where Franco’s body lay for 44 years prior to its exhumation in 2019

will also be ‘redefined’ to provide a more comprehensive historical ac count of the Civil War and dictator ship. The law also bans any glorifica tion of the Franco regime or the dictator himself.

President, Pedro Sánchez’s PSOE, who praised the move on Twitter say ing, “we have taken another step to wards justice, reparation and dignity for all the victims.”

The Spanish Civil War and its com memoration remains a polarising top ic in Spain due to differing accounts of historical memory and political opinion.

Trees in Barcelona

MORE than 8,000 trees are to be planted around Barcelona’s city districts between now and the end of 2023.

The planting campaign began on Thursday, Octo ber 6, with teams from Parks and Gardens to get support as part of the city’s maintenance plan Cuidem Barcelona.

The campaign comes in addition to an exercise to plant over 55,000 plants and flowers in the spring earlier in the year.

Citywide checks were carried out in the last quarter of 2021 with a view to reducing the number of empty tree

beds. The exercise count ed 8,911 empty beds, 465 of which will be paved over due to services run ning underneath them or other impediments mak ing it unfeasible to plant

trees in them. Planting campaigns are organised according to the time of year and type of tree and factor in the removal, re planting and availability of specific trees.

Rare literature auction

A RARE collection of 17th century work by Spanish literary great, Miguel de Cervantes will go to auction later this year where stories could fetch more than €900,000 combined. The collector’s edition books will go to the auction hall in December in Paris, 400 years after being printed.

A unique third edition of literature classic, Don Quixote, is set to fetch an impressive €500,000­ €600,000. It is made particularly unusual due to manuscript­style notes made by Cervantes as he revised tales from the first and second editions of the book.

Another item by Cervantes up for auction is a first edition collection of stories, Novelas ejemplares, also from the 17th century. The books also have a fascinating story of their own, having been sought out by Boli vian diplomat, Jorge Ortiz Linares in the 1930s. One antique book dealer described it as the “rarest and best example to have reached the market in decades” and a “mira cle find.”

Cervantes’ classical works have inspired generations of Spanish literature lovers. And for collectors, the works are priceless.

PLANTING: Around the city’s streets.

Barcelona City

Gardens

A DESPERATE DAN has tak en to advertising on a mo torway billboard in an effort to get himself his first date after all previous attempts didn’t work out.

According to a news out let, Ed Chapman, 23, from Leeds, West Yorks, has been single all his life. Having failed to secure himself any dates by traditional meth ods or from dating apps he decided to step outside of the box and try something different in his bid to find love.

The plan has apparently worked for Chapman who has received an influx of messages from people aged between 18 and 48. He is now busy arranging his firstever date, which he hopes will go to plan.

Billboard dating

He said: “I had tried some dating apps, but it didn’t go well for me at all, so I decid ed I needed to try some thing different and thought having my own billboard would be a good way of meeting people.”

Dating apps didn’t work.

Chapman designed the billboard and it can be seen on the M621 on the way in to Leeds.

UK satellite launch

THE UK is set to be the first country to launch satellites into orbit from Europe marking a new era in the UK’s space his tory.

The first launch will take place from Space port Cornwall in the southwest of England and will be what is known as a ‘horizontal launch’.

A specially modified Boeing 747 from Virgin Orbit called Cosmic Girl, with a rocket attached under its wing, will take off from a runway. In flight, the LauncherOne rocket will launch from the wing, taking multiple small satellites into orbit.

The plane will then re turn to the Spaceport, able to launch more satellites in future.

Spaceport Cornwall is situated at Newquay Air port and the 747 will fly out over the sea and launch its rocket far

away from populated ar eas.

The UK has a growing space sector, which em ploys 47,000 people.

UK space companies have a strong track

record in satellite manu facturing, spacecraft de sign and data applica tions. In fact, Glasgow builds more satellites than anywhere outside the United States.

Blackout plans

THE UK has been warned by the National Grid’s Electrici ty System Operator (ESO) that planned three­hour pow er blackouts could be imposed in some areas, due to the chances of gas shortages this winter. In the ‘unlikely’ event supplies of gas fall short of demand the ESO has revealed preventative measures that could be taken in readiness for the cold months ahead.

The risk of temporary power cuts could be avoided with help from the public and the ESO urged households to help manage that balance by signing up to an energysaving scheme through their supplier, in a bid to help ease the risk of the lights going out. The ‘demand flexibil ity service’, due to start next in November, will see billpayers be paid to save energy during peak hours.

The prospect of rolling power outages has caused alarm among some health groups, with particular con cerns for the thousands of vulnerable patients who rely on electrical devices to keep themselves alive and healthy.

Mortgage rate high

THE average mortgage rate in the UK has risen above 2008 levels following the market turmoil caused by the ‘growth’ mini­budget presented by Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng.

According to financial data firm Mon eyfacts on Wednesday, October 5 the average mortgage rate has risen above 6 per cent to 6.07 per cent. Fixed inter est rates have seen a similar rise hitting 5.97 per cent and the average mort gaged household is now shelling out as much as 27 per cent of their income on repayments.

That is the highest­burden since 2009 following the credit crises and the col lapse of the housing market.

Experts have expressed concern that the sharp rise in rates from around 2.5 per cent to over 6 per cent will see many unable to afford their repay ments. That they say could result in a market correction and the reduction in the average price of homes by as much as 10 per cent.

They are also concerned that the fast rise and continuing turmoil in markets will see rates rise even further.

UK negotiations

SPEAKING on Wednesday, October 5, Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said that the ‘mood music’ from the British govern ment had changed ahead of talks to resolve issues around Northern Ireland.

With talks set to resume after seven months, Coveney told reporters: “Both sides have agreed to

engage this week” al though “It remains to be seen whether this new look British government is will ing to make compromises to get a deal done, but cer tainly the mood music has changed quite fundamen tally.”

Earlier reports had sug gested that the new For eign Minister James Clever

ly, who took up his post last month under new Prime Minister Liz Truss, had a more pragmatic ap proach to international re lations.

Sources say that he is less about headline­grab bing figures than he is about achieving practical results that work for the UK and its partners.

No permission

THE closing speech by Liz Truss has managed to up set more than just the voters, the Tory faithful and the markets.

Her closing message on Wednesday, October 5 made use of the M Peo ple song ‘Moving on up’ without the band’s per mission.

In another spectacular own goal that emulates the mistake of other prime ministers and pres idents, the song generat ed much discussion but for all the wrong reasons.

M People founder Mike Pickering has expressed outrage at the use of their song at the Tory party conference without the band’s permission and that “They (the band) are livid.”

Tony Blair and Labour used the same song in the 1990s, which con tains some interesting lyrics that perhaps best explain her policies.

These include ‘You’ve done me wrong’, and ‘Move right out of here, baby, go on pack your bags’.

Pickering said the band had contacted their lawyers but been advised there was little that could be done.

Christmas carnage

THE National Farmers Union (NFU) said on Monday, October 3 that more than three million birds have had to be culled so far with Avian Influenza Prevention Zones introduced in Norfolk, Suffolk, parts of Essex and the whole of the south west of Eng land.

So far the disease has been detected at more than 155 sites across the UK and is now at risk of infecting the country’s turkey population, with the wild bird population severely affected.

James Mottershead, Chair of the NFU Poultry Board, told a news outlet: “It is a risk.

“If bird flu, for example, gets into turkeys that could cause holy carnage; that could cause real supply chain issues in the run­up to Christmas time.”

Bird farmers with populations of more than 500 in the areas affected are required to restrict access for non­essential people on site, whilst in some areas, farmers have had to cull their popu lations as a preventative measure.

Liz Truss error.

Family Rock ‘n’ Roll

A FAMILY fun Rock ‘n’ Roll festival is heading to Alme ria for one day only on November 13. ‘Rock en Fa milia’ festival showcases the best in Rock ‘n’ Roll mu sic throughout history and brings all of the family to gether around live music and fun! A varied bill of Rock ‘n’ Roll tunes will be played throughout the af ternoon, from legendary old school British bands like The Beatles and Queen to 80s and 90s rock by the likes of AC/DC, Nirvana, Iron Maiden and Metallica. Announcing the event,

organisers said “It’s about time you take your child to their first rock concert... if you don’t want them to be a rapper!” The event is a chance for parents and grandparents to reminisce and share their memories and love for Rock ‘n’ Roll with children and grandchil dren during an unforget table afternoon. Organisers say volume levels will be lower than in concerts for adults, to protect the little ones’ hearing. The event starts at 12pm at the Teatro Cervantes in Almeria and tickets start at €12 online.

Kenny Garrett in concert

Betty Henderson

ONE of the most influential jazz saxophonists in the industry, Kenny Garrett, will perform in Almeria on November 12. Gar rett will perform as part of the 30th edition of Almeria Jazz Fes tival, Almerijazz 2022.

Garrett is set to bring his dis tinctive style from 1980s Detroit all the way to the stage in Alme ria. Trained in the Duke Ellington Orchestra in 1978, Garrett has rubbed shoulders with some of the biggest names in the indus try, and become distinguished in his own right for records pro duced with a variety of bands during his career.

Garrett was also nominated for a Grammy award in the Best Jazz Instrumental Album in 2013.

Garrett has performed in Almeria twice in the past, in 2006 and 2011 and is back for a third time to perform his most recent 2021 album, ‘Songs from

Critically acclaimed saxophonist Kenny Garrett performs in Almeria in November.

the Ancestors’. The album cap tures the sound of Detroit by blending jazz with echoes of Mo town, Gospel and Blues.

Local councillor, Diego Cruz said the council expects the event to be well­attended after fans missed out on the festival during the pandemic.

Lawrence of Almeria

CARBONERAS is celebrating the 60th an niversary of iconic film, Lawrence of Arabia with a fell running event on October 15 and 16, the Áqaba­Carboneras Trail. The compet itive event will offer three different dis tances: one kilometre uphill, eight kilome tres and 12 kilometres.

The event aims to commemorate scenes in the film shot in the region, and will see competitors traverse a mountainous ‘movie tour’ route. The Áqaba­Carboneras Trail was famously used for desert scenes in the 1962 classic which tells the tale of a British lieu tenant’s adventures during the First World War in areas of the Ottoman Empire.

The event is being organised by Amigos de Stramilano and Carboneras Council to mark 60 years of the critically acclaimed film and will raise funds for charities supporting peo ple with Alzheimer’s.

The races are open to competitors aged 16 or above due to the difficulty of the cours es, but competitors aged 10 and above can walk an eight kilometre route for charity. The top three finishers of each category will receive also receive cash prizes.

Local councillor, Isabel Hernández, said the council expect the event to be ‘well­attend ed’.

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Almería

Sustainable dairy farming

EUROPEAN dairy coopera tive, Arla, announced pay ment bonuses for farmers that comply with its new sustainability targets on milk production.

More than 8,900 mem bers of the cooperative will be eligible for bonuses of €0.003 per kilogram of milk produced in a sustainable way. Farmers produce around 1.2 million tonnes of milk per year. Farmers can meet targets by using sustainable animal feed and renewable energy among other criteria an nounced in Arla’s ‘sustain ability initiative’.

The programme aims to help the dairy cooperative reach its targets of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and reducing emissions on farms by 30 per cent per kilogram of milk produced.

Announcing the initia tive, Arla’s chair, Jan Toft Nørgaard, said “The milk price Arla farmers will re ceive for their milk will not only depend on fat, protein

and quality, it will also de pend on their activities on sustainability.”

This adds to Arla’s grow ing list of sustainability

measures in recent years. The move represents a step towards sustainability be ing a focus of Europe’s food and agriculture industries.

Fendi sister passes away

ITALIAN fashion house heiress, Franca Fendi, died aged 87 on Wednesday October 5 in Rome. Fendi along with her four sisters transformed their parents’ small familyrun leather and fur business to a globally coveted fashion house, Fendi.

A lucrative deal signed between the sisters and Ger man designer Karl Lagerfield in 1965 became the longestrunning collaboration between a designer and a fashion house in the industry’s history, lasting 54 years.

Franca worked as purchasing manager for Fendi, and latterly in Fendi’s boutiques in Rome until the company was sold in 1991. The fashion house was acquired by French LVMH in 2001, but one member of the Fendi fam ily still works at the luxury brand.

Figures in the fashion industry paid tribute to Franca Fendi, and her achievements in propelling the family business to become one of the most iconic fashion hous es in the world. Franca Fendi is survived by her four chil dren.

Bill Diamond’s first novel

AUTHOR, Bill Diamond, left school at 15 with little formal education and served a full ap prenticeship as a bricklayer. Af ter educating himself he learned most facets of the building industry and property development. He started a property management compa ny in 1979 which is still going strong.

During the early months of Covid, with no golf to occupy him, Bill started to write his first novel on an iPhone as he had no laptop or tablet to use.

He lives in Javea, Costa Blanca and has had a long­time love af fair with Spain and lived in De nia for many years before mov ing to an apartment on the Arenal in Javea four years ago.

His writing is carried out in Javea on the balcony of his apartment overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and it is the sound of the waves and the

beautiful ambience of Javea which gives him so much inspi ration for his books.

Bill has a passion for horses and has ridden the Badminton and Gatcombe Park courses on his competition horses, many of whom he bred himself.

Bill also has a passion for golf and through practice and dedi cation has managed to achieve a single figure handicap.

Recently he had the privilege of flying in a Spitfire over the white cliffs of Dover which re mains one of his most memo rable experiences.

As an avid reader of spy/ thriller novels, Bill has often criticised books that have too much “padding out,” even though the storyline may be strong and entertaining so with this in mind Bill has created a gripping novel packed with ad venture, intrigue, danger and romance on every page.

His first novel due to be re leased shortly, Max Catt ­ The Beginning, is the first in a hoped series. The novel follows MaxCatt who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth but broke away from the easy life of the landed gentry.

He became a one­man killing machine whose skills and rouge modus operandi attracted MI5, the anti­terrorist unit and MI6 who all wanted to recruit Max, but it was the SAS that he chose.

An expert with a sniper rifle coupled with his animal in stinct, he caused havoc within terrorist groups so much so that a huge bounty was put on his head by the newly formed and dangerous Islamic Republican Front

From a young age danger and death have followed Max from a family hostage crisis to black mail and murder!

International tourism figures

THE Spanish government have confirmed that spend ing by international tourists in Spain in August was close to the pre­pandemic level.

With data accumulated in the first eight months of the year, the arrival of in ternational tourists to Spain exceeded 48 million (83 per cent of the same period pre­pandemic) and spending reached €63,898m (92 per cent of the same period in 2019).

The Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, confirmed: “The expectations we had of re covering nine out of 10 prepandemic international tourists in the central

months of the summer, Ju ly and August, have been fulfilled.

“Spain has experienced an extraordinarily high tourist season and, for the moment, we are facing the autumn without inflation and the uncertainty caused by the war hindering this tourist reactivation.”

The minister added: “The recovery of 93 per cent of the seats scheduled by air lines to fly to our country during the month of Octo ber is an example of this.”

By source country, the UK was the main source market, with 1.8 million tourists, followed by France with 1.6 million and Ger many with 1.1 million.

Author, Bill Diamond.

Image: Bill Diamond

TOURISTS: Numbers are now close to pre-pandemic levels.

Image: Spanish Government/Industry, Trade and Tourism

PRESSEUROPEAN

DENMARK

Bargain capital

ACCORDING to a survey carried out by UK price comparison site Confused.com, Copenhagen is the best city in Europe for those seeking bargains, be they antiques, collector’s items, food or clothes from street and flea markets, as well as antique and specialist shops.

THE NETHERLANDS

Stowaway

A WOMAN, said to be Russian, outwitted security controls at Rotterdam airport and managed to board a Transavia flight headed for Malaga as a stowaway, although when flight crew discovered her presence, the plane was diverted to Madrid where she was removed and arrested.

BELGIUM

Short temper

A COACH for Futsal team Herental, is in trouble with the Belgian Football Association when, in a fit of temper over decisions made by the referee he pulled the ref’s shorts down, resulting in the game being abandoned and his team losing.

GERMANY

Dreary Munich

DESPITE the fact that it was cancelled for two years due to the pandemic, Munich’s Oktoberfest (which actually runs for two weeks in September) didn’t attract the expected high numbers with a reported 5.7 million people downing just 5.6 million litres of beer due to bad weather.

FRANCE

Football protest

THE City Fathers in Paris have decided they will not allow the broadcasting of World Cup matches on giant public screens due to perceived violations of foreign workers’ rights in Qatar and as a protest about the environmental impact of the tournament with air-conditioned stadiums.

NORWAY

Bhangra style

A NORWEGIAN dance group Quick Style has taken the internet by storm as a video of the members dancing to a 2018 Bollywood hit song Kala Chashma at a wedding has received millions of views and spawned numerous versions by dance groups around the world.

FINLAND

Lenin removed

FOLLOWING the Russian invasion of Ukraine, local residents in the city of Kotka called for a statue of Vladimir Lenin (the last on public display in Finland) to be removed and on Tuesday October 4, it was taken to a warehouse.

IRELAND

Epic voyage

FORMER rugby player Damian Browne became the first Irishman to row from New York to Galway, but after 112 days at sea and just short of his final destination, he ran aground on some rocks just outside of the port and was helped ashore.

ITALY

Iran protests

TWO art institutions based in Milan and Rome have invited visitors to cut off and tie up a small lock of hair to place in containers as a symbolic mark of respect following the death of 22-year-old Iranian woman Mahsa Amini and the demonstrations in Tehran.

PORTUGAL

Motor homes

AS more people take advantage of vehicle tax reductions on gas guzzling motor homes, the Portuguese government has proposed that the 30 per cent reduction on new vehicles and the zero rate on those built before 1970 should be scrapped from January 1, 2023.

UKRAINE

Gift for Putin

SET up in the Czech Republic, a website called 'A Gift for Putin' has reportedly raised more than $1.2 million through crowd funding which will allow it to purchase for Ukraine a number of upgraded T-72 battle tanks originally supplied by the Russians to the Czech Army.

SWEDEN

IKEA House

SUPERGROUP, the Swedish House Mafia have worked with designers at IKEA to create and market OBEGRÄNSAD, a limited edition of furniture designed to appeal to and help inspire those starting off in music and digital arts, allowing them to build the perfect home studio on a budget.

More money

THE Spanish government’s 2023 budget looks to in crease the amount spent on the Tax Agency to €1.4 billion which is an overall growth in funding of 15.2 per cent when compared to the 2021 figures and takes into ac count cost of collecting the temporary wealth tax.

Mortgages up

THE cost­of­living crisis in Spain is now hitting mort gages and although Euribor rates (to which three quar ters of Spanish mortgagees are linked) are comparatively low when compared to the UK, it will now rise from 2.363 per cent to 2.47 per cent.

Pension fragility

THE Deputy Governor of the Bank of England Sir Jon Cun liffe has told Parliament that without the Bank stepping in to buy long term bonds fol lowing the mini­budget it is perfectly likely that a number of Britain’s pension funds could have gone under.

Building woes

DESPITE protestations that they were unable to obtain sufficient numbers of skilled workers to meet the demand in the UK and with excep tional order books, the over all feeling from Britain’s con struction sector according to a report by S&P is that reces sion is just around the cor ner.

Most customers

NOW that the merger be tween CaixaBank and Bankia has been completed it can claim to have almost five mil lion more customers than nearest rival Santander de spite the fact that it may have lost as many as one mil lion accounts who banked with both organisations

2.33 billion

the forecast profit to be made by Spanish Government owned organisations such as the State Lotteries in 2023.

Musk moves FINANCE

Fishing restrictions

THE ‘will he, won’t he’ conundrum over Tesla Boss Elon Musk and his takeover of Twitter for $44 billion has taken a new turn as after back ing out and being hit with a $1 bil lion lawsuit he has now confirmed that he wants to go ahead at the original price.

Twitter shares jumped some 25 per cent on the US stock exchange and at the same time, the billion aire has been dumping Bitcoin (al though a single piece is still valued at around $20,000 compared to its record high of $68,000).

He is now supporting crypto cur rency newcomer Marscoin which has been issued to help fund a mis sion to Mars and currently a single piece is valued at around 5c.

Shoppers down

FISHING is an important aspect of the Spanish economy as well as play ing a part in the menu of the average household.

For this reason, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Luis Planas confirmed on October 5 that Spain will appeal to the European Court of Justice over new restrictions concerning fishing rights.

The European Commission has put a stop to fishing in 87 areas con sidered vulnerable marine ecosys tems, which the minister says “is ab solutely disproportionate and unfair” as he believes that data used

in making the decision is out of date and the decision should comply with economic, social and environmental points of view.

No sooner had he had made this announcement but he returned the following day, Thursday October 6, to confirm that following discussions with the European Commission, Spanish fishermen were to be per mitted continued access to 41 of the 87 fishing areas in question.

The minister said “this is good news,” although he made it clear that Spain will still go ahead with the presentation of the appeal to the Eu

ropean Court of Justice concerning the entire edict as previously an nounced.

Commenting on the way forward, he added “The government under stands that we all must protect the seas and oceans, but we have to do it in such a way that fishing activity can continue to be carried out, re spectfully and selectively.”

He also announced that at the be ginning of July 2023, the Spanish Presidency of the European Union will organise an informal Fisheries Council in Vigo to promote the coun try’s leadership role in fishing.

Reason for financial turmoil

UNDER­FIRE Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng blamed the Queen’s death for the bud get shambles as he tried to shift the blame for the finan cial turmoil.

PM Truss has signalled she still wants to scrap the higher rate, while rumours continue to circle that she intends to cut benefits and pensions by extending the retirement age.

Explaining the run­up to his September 23 statement, Mr Kwarteng claimed: “It was a very quick time that we did it, and you have got to remember the context.

“What was extraordinary about that month was that

we had a new government and also we had the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, so we had a nation in mourning

and then literally four days, I think, after the funeral, we had the mini­budget.

“It was a high­speed, highpressure environment.”

So, for the time being, the decision to reverse the cut of the top level of income tax in the UK from 45p to 40p has been reversed, although time will tell whether the Conservative government manages to slip it in to the next financial statement due on November 23 (or possibly earlier as he tries to save face).

There was little mention of the economic problems triggered by the mini­budget during the recent Conserva tive Party Conference but Liz Truss, slipping into Tony Blair language said that her target was “Growth, growth, growth.”

UK shops continue to see a reduc tion in footfall with September fig ures just 6.8 per cent up on the same month in 2021, but this has been dropping since July blamed mainly on the cost­of­living crisis.

These figures were released by retail analysts Springboard who note that up to 50 per cent of em ployees still work from home at least part of the time, so that they are not then commuting or visiting shops during lunch hours or after work.

Even though Christmas buying should act as a fillip to the econo my, it is feared that continued in flation, higher interest rates as well as energy costs will mean less visits to high streets and a subsequent reduction in spending.

AMERICAN Fintech company Square which has had some suc cess in Spain with its easy to access payment systems and credit card readers is using its Spanish experi ence to target Hispanic businesses and consumers in the USA.

Last month it bit the bullet and translated all of its documentation and websites into Spanish to offer a seamless and understandable service within Iberia and has now transferred all that information to its targeted marketing campaign.

Para Tu Proximo Paso (For your next step) is being run on TV, YouTube and social media in Dal las, Houston and Miami and if suc cessful will be rolled out further.

MINI-BUDGET: PM Truss and Chancellor Kwarteng finalised their plans on September 22.

PROMOTING

Minister Planas at Conxemar

Vigo.

3I Group 1.129,00 1.147,50 1.128,50 1,72M

Abrdn 136,55 138,45 135,75 1,48M

Admiral Group 2.011,0 2.039,0 1.999,0 106,50K

Anglo American 2.763,0 2.880,0 2.752,0 786,26K

Antofagasta 1.117,75 1.157,00 1.115,50 757,05K

Ashtead Group 4.378,0 4.417,0 4.340,0 531,51K

Associated British Foods 1.266,0 1.298,0 1.263,5 217,84K

AstraZeneca 9.802,0 10.000,0 9.789,0 585,71K

Auto Trader Group Plc 541,00 549,60 539,40 824,99K

Aveva 3.160,0 3.171,0 3.148,0 255,51K

Aviva 404,20 409,50 403,00 2,01M

B&M European Value Retail SA316,00 323,66 314,30 88,23K

BAE Systems 820,00 830,60 816,40 4,70M

Barclays 144,80 149,20 144,54 12,47M

Barratt Developments 352,67 360,90 350,75 527,87K

Berkeley 3.391,0 3.436,0 3.361,0 391,82K

BHP Group Ltd 2.303,04 2.340,00 2.298,00 220,26K

BP 452,10 460,80 450,57 14,43M

British American Tobacco 3.260,0 3.333,0 3.262,6 1,38M

British Land Company 341,90 347,00 338,90 764,99K

BT Group 125,78 127,47 125,15 751,68K

Bunzl 2.751,0 2.812,0 2.748,0 177,63K

Burberry Group 1.906,5 1.940,0 1.906,0 372,15K

Carnival 567,2 573,6 553,4 527,21K

Centrica 68,91 71,28 68,82 8,44M

Coca Cola HBC AG 1.912,5 1.931,5 1.900,0 27,24K

Compass 1.818,00 1.848,50 1.816,00 1,95M

CRH 2.977,0 3.060,0 2.977,0 457,92K

Croda Intl 6.720,0 6.776,0 6.694,0 62,92K

DCC 4.773,0 4.827,0 4.773,0 46,54K

Diageo 3.747,9 3.817,0 3.746,7 107,93K

DS Smith 249,00 251,70 246,90 1,87M

EasyJet 295,00 298,40 289,30 1,63M

Experian 2.745,0 2.779,0 2.742,0 2,28M

Ferguson 9.994,0 10.095,0 9.914,0 274,52K

Flutter Entertainment 10.520,0 10.602,2 10.459,0 7,76K

Fresnillo 815,80 829,00 808,80 144,68K

Glencore 490,72 506,70 487,95 17,32M

GSK plc 1.317,40 1.335,80 1.316,00 4,69M

Halma 2.152,0 2.174,0 2.150,0 107,02K

Hargreaves Lansdown 899,20 925,20 897,40 407,85K

Hikma Pharma 1.275,50 1.311,50 1.273,00 200,13K

HSBC 469,95 478,45 469,75 25,88M

IAG 99,91 102,20 99,64 1,29M

Imperial Brands 1.938,00 1.987,00 1.930,50 883,43K

Informa 541,40 544,20 532,60 1,27M

InterContinental 4.459,0 4.527,0 4.459,0 345,10K

Intermediate Capital 1.085,50 1.097,50 1.067,00 679,18K

Intertek 3.791,0 3.817,0 3.790,0 104,46K

ITV 58,80 59,44 58,42 2,00M

J Sainsbury 170,90 174,90 170,70 2,10M

Johnson Matthey 1.898,0 1.922,5 1.887,5 61,89K

Land Securities 514,00 518,80 510,60 702,55K

Legal & General 225,50 229,80 224,30 9,17M

Lloyds Banking 42,40 43,54 42,37 60,64M

London Stock Exchange 7.710,0 7.850,0 7.706,0 340,75K

Melrose Industries 102,45 105,20 102,45 6,18M

Mondi 1.374,50 1.395,50 1.373,50 259,67K

National Grid 919,00 927,37 917,73 239,21K

NatWest Group 228,40 231,50 227,70 4,09M

Next 4.712,0 4.867,0 4.709,0 101,54K

Norilskiy Nikel ADR 9,10 9,10 9,10 0

Ocado 457,90 471,70 456,70 814,51K

Persimmon 1.261,0 1.296,0 1.251,5 534,08K

Phoenix 536,20 548,60 536,20 3,17M

Prudential 945,00 952,40 929,65 209,13K

Reckitt Benckiser 5.932,0 6.032,0 5.914,0 796,81K

Relx 2.268,40 2.305,00 2.268,00 1,14M

Rentokil 492,80 501,80 492,20 31,49M

Rightmove 483,00 489,65 481,15 47,11K

Rio Tinto PLC 5.026,0 5.145,0 5.016,0 955,72K

Rolls-Royce Holdings 71,49 75,23 71,44 2,85M

Rosneft DRC 0,20 0,20 0,20 0

Sage 719,40 724,00 716,20 325,94K

Samsung Electronics DRC 995,20 1.005,00 990,20 4,20K

Schroders 388,5 397,2 388,5 674,55K

Scottish Mortgage 788,19 793,60 784,80 506,91K

Segro 745,60 751,20 731,80 4,44M

Severn Trent 2.357,0 2.394,0 2.354,0 105,06K

Shell 2.270,0 2.323,0 2.259,0 8,19M

Smith & Nephew 1.043,00 1.049,50 1.033,50 652,94K

Smiths Group 1.552,50 1.579,50 1.551,50 371,79K

Spirax-Sarco Engineering 10.830,0 10.935,0 10.760,0 161,57K

SSE 1.513,00 1.545,00 1.511,50 699,24K

St. James’s Place 1.008,00 1.040,00 1.004,00 418,60K

Standard Chartered 570,60 591,80 570,40 3,79M

Taylor Wimpey 93,22 95,00 92,26 5,12M

Tesco 200,30 205,10 200,20 5,90M

Tui 113,10 116,75 110,70 2,01M

Unilever 3.932,0 3.989,5 3.929,5 685,69K

United Utilities 875,00 889,20 874,40 303,11K

Vodafone Group PLC 102,28 102,78 101,46 46,62M

Whitbread 2.501,0 2.534,0 2.474,0 467,70K

WPP 776,80 782,60 774,00 725,11K

DOW JONES

3M 114,58 114,92 138,95K

American Express 144,33 145,04 142,40 149,83K

Amgen 232,64 233,14 231,24 82,37K

Apple 147,08 147,36 145,81 6,92M

Boeing 132,49 133,30 130,66 509,20K

Caterpillar 179,75 180,98 176,89 248,01K

Chevron 160,22 161,12 157,28 961,47K

Cisco 41,97 42,06 41,58 1,03M

Coca-Cola 55,86 56,10 55,84 916,40K

Dow 45,86 46,10 45,58 255,33K

Goldman Sachs 307,48 309,08 305,47 80,82K

Home Depot 289,15 289,97 287,85 191,20K

Honeywell 176,43 177,69 176,29 155,23K

IBM 124,98 125,25 124,55 308,04K

Intel 27,59 27,76 27,29 2,69M

J&J 163,63 165,00 163,63 358,16K

JPMorgan 109,24 110,19 108,96 787,83K

McDonald’s 238,76 239,88 238,15 139,37K

Merck&Co 87,69 87,94 87,49 499,84K

Microsoft 249,40 250,34 247,99 1,95M

Nike 91,75 92,62 90,58 1,11M

Procter&Gamble 128,29 129,06 127,97 306,60K

Salesforce Inc 156,85 158,23 155,60 507,12K

The Travelers 159,48 159,84 158,73 42,28K

UnitedHealth 526,62 528,33 523,90 107,07K

Verizon 39,36 39,66 39,15 4,02M

Visa A 187,38 188,05 186,51 391,27K

Walgreens Boots 33,20 33,25 32,93 354,54K

Walmart 134,31 134,46 133,14 418,09K

Walt Disney 101,08 101,45 100,14 465,93K

Most Advanced

Code Chain New Continent Ltd +119.45% 32.36M

Statera Biopharma +106.78% 33.06M

Motus GI Holdings +44.18% 4.38M

Pineapple Holdings +37.68% 26.41M

Revelation Biosciences +31.72% 4.36M

Heartbeam +31.02% 19.35M

Provention Bio +28.48% 3.15M

Green Giant +27.78% 2.87M

Healthcare Triangle +16.67% 31.23K

Wisekey International Holding AG +19.11% 3.52M

Clever Leaves Holdings +22.39% 0.13K

Most Declined

Avanti Acquisition -85.00% 480.75K

Cyclerion Therapeutics -32.68% 415.40K

Chardan Nextech Acquisition 2 -29.63% 157.13K

UWM Holdings -22.53% 1.37K

Top Ships -21.26% 1.52M

Crown Electrokinetics -21.05% 1.19M

FingerMotion -17.74% 1.43M

Applied Therapeutics -17.81% 205.95K

Chardan Nextech Acquisition 2 -16.15% 0.49K

Gold Royalty -15.55% 639.48K

Gold Royalty Wnt -14.73% 2.70K

2023 budget

ADDRESSING the House of Deputies on October 5, Spanish President Pe dro Sánchez explained that the 2023 budget in creases social spending by 35 per cent compared to 2018, reinforces the sustainability of the pub lic pension system and raises regional financing to an all­time high.

Best bars

THIS year’s World’s 50 Best Bars list was an nounced at a live awards ceremony held in Barcelona on October 5 with the host city not only winning Europe’s best bar and coming first with Par adiso, but had two more bars placed in the top 10.

Libyan problems

THE Governor of the Cen tral Bank of Libya, Al Sidiq Omar Al Kabir, for mally received the Am bassador of Spain to Libya, Javier Qarsa Larac ci to discuss a number of matters including the dif ficulties facing Spanish companies who want to resume their operations in Libya.

Deliveroo HOP

FOOD delivery company

Deliveroo seems to have turned the tables upon it self by opening a store in partnership with Morrisons situated in London’s New Oxford Street.

Although it will employ some 19 staff dedicated to preparing groceries to be delivered, it will also wel come members of the pub lic to browse its shelves but on Monday October 3, just two people were waiting for the Deliveroo HOP store to open its doors for the first time.

Deliveroo say that situat ed where it is, those visiting other nearby shops and de partment stores will be able to pop in and pick up groceries to go.

Bad debt provisions

BANK OF SPAIN Governor encour ages new bad debt provisions by commercial banks in order to en sure that they are not caught out if economy falters.

Although not quite as dramatic as the apparent rift between the Bank of England and the UK Gov ernment, there appear to be signs of disagreement between Spain’s economy minister Nadia Calviño and Bank of Spain Gover nor Pablo Hernandez de Cos.

He delivered a long speech at the El Economista Forum on Tues day October 4 in which he warned banks against the possi bility of defaulting loans due to high energy costs and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

On the same day Minister Calviño suggested that there were currently no signs of an eco nomic slowdown even though on

the previous day, the forecast for 2023 growth had been reduced from 2.7 per cent to 2.1 per cent.

One of the highlights of the

Governor’s speech was this state ment “We find ourselves in a highly complex macro­financial situation, characterised by high

Greenwashing in the UK

inflation, tightening of financial conditions, and increased uncer tainty, which has already led to a slowdown of economic activity.”

He highlighted the fact that there would be a downturn in economic growth, later forecast ing a 2023 growth of just 1.4 per cent due to the cost­of­living cri sis and the unresolved situation with Russia and Ukraine.

Although he accepted that the current debt situation in Spain is good, he anticipates the situation deteriorating should there be higher inflation, as well as soaring interest rates since the majority of mortgages are at variable rates.

Some Spanish banks have strengthened through mergers, but could still be vulnerable to in creasing bad debts and significant increases in operating costs.

Dearer fuel

AS the world economy enjoyed some respite from the rising cost of living thanks to a drop in the price of crude oil, members of the main oil producing nations group OPEC+, which includes Russia, have announced that they will reduce production.

With two million less barrels being produced each day, this decision has been made in order to push the price back up again and is of course of spe cial interest to the Russian Govern ment.

This is the largest cut in production since 2020 and comes despite the knowledge that most of the world is facing economic crisis fuelled in part by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

GREENWASHING is a viable mar keting plan for businesses who want to persuade the public that their product is environmentally friendly.

As consumers become more alert to the need to preserve the environment, many companies have come up with PR strategies which range from ‘varnishing the truth’ to simple fabrication and this process is known as green washing.

In late September 2022, Envi ronmental Social and Governance (ESG) communications agency, Clearly PR polled 1,500 senior UK executives asking whether they

understood their sustainability aims and whether they were achieving them.

Astonishingly almost half (44 per cent) of these UK businesses admitted that they are failing to deliver on their sustainable com mitments, with nearly one in five (18 per cent) admitting to publicly exaggerating their green creden tials.

A further one in four (24 per cent) admit they do not know if their sustainability efforts are making any positive difference at all, and 20 per cent were even un aware as to whether their busi ness had any system in place to

measure the effectiveness of their environmental initiatives in the first place.

To put this into perspective, just 19 per cent of respondents be lieved that their business was making genuine progress on its sustainable initiatives.

The findings of the poll could suggest that the rise in businesses guilty of greenwashing may partly be the result of a lack of under standing among businesses of how to measure the impact of their sustainability initiatives in the first place but equally a good num ber cynically distort the truth in or der to benefit their companies.

Tesco figures

BRITAIN’S largest supermarket chain Tesco has seen an increase in turnover, but a significant drop in profit in the first half of 2022.

It has announced that profit before tax plummeted by 64 per cent to £413 million during that period, but still ex pects to hit the low end of forecast for the year at around £2.4 billion thanks to recent innovations.

In addition, it is to increase staff hourly rates for the second time this year from November to help staff cope with the rising cost of living, bringing their annual pay rise to 8 per cent and increasing club card discounts.

GOVERNOR PABLO HERNANDEZ DE COS.

GREENWASH DEMONSTRATION: Many companies fabricate the truth.

MANY moons ago, when I began writ ing for this wholly unique, free think ing publication, I often wrote of the impending national disaster should the UK continue to allow immigra tion, particularly from countries out side of Europe, to continue virtually unchecked. This resulted in the emer gence of the phrase ‘Another Leapy Rant,’ which became one of the most oft uttered observations in a whole multitude of derisory mail that subse quently found its way into the EWN postbag.

Although many agreed with my sentiments, laughter and derision was, at that time, very much the or der of the day. Well, they’re not laughing now are they? I can quite categorically state that Great Britain as we knew it has changed ­ forever. Sure, the country areas are, for the time being, reminiscent of our great culture and heritage, but in the cities, particularly parts of London, British values are virtually non­existent.

Don’t take my word for it. These are a few observations from an article recently published by a female jour

Prophecies proved right

nalist who has, for 17 years lived in Acton Vale, London, one of the areas most affected by immigration.

She writes. “So many Muslims in the area insist on their separateness there are not even any attempts to in tegrate into British society.” She goes on to say that her neighbours ‘flap by’ in full niqab, so heavily veiled she can’t see their eyes. When she smiles and tries to communicate, they won’t even look her in the eye.

She claims most of the shops have been taken over by Muslims and even her fish and chip shop has become Halal. A nearby shop, which advertis es ‘no alcohol’, has recently added that alcohol is also banned in streets near the shop!

Muslim patrols are also allegedly in creasing, with white ‘normally clad’ Western girls, being admonished for ‘exposing themselves’ near a mosque. The members of these ‘patrols’ have also been heard shouting ‘this is a Muslim area’ at other white Britons. Openly gay men have reportedly been attacked on the streets. The list simply goes on and on.

So, despite wishful thinking from multi culturists, wilful segregation has

resulted in, among other unaccept able practices, the term ‘White Flight’. Nearly two million white Britons have left London over the last 10 years.

Furthermore, police have apparent ly been ordered not to enter certain areas in uniform and advised it is also considered unwise to wear any part of their uniform (ie blue trousers) anywhere at all when off duty.

Most of the old Leaper’s ‘rantings’ have been realised. So, all you snowflakes out there, despite your well­intentioned, but unbelievably naïve aspirations for us all to all live side by side as one big happy family, the unforgivable fault is mass uncon trolled, alien immigration. An error of judgement that unfortunately is mak ing reluctant cynics of just about ev eryone.

Keep the faith.

Love Leapy leapyee2002 @ gmail.com

Personalised products and great offers to meet customers’ real needs!

WHEN it comes to choosing an insurance policy, price will (of course) be a significant factor, but you really need to consider what you’re going to get for your money.

Are you paying for what you actually need? Will you have the backing of a reputable company that really understands your re quirements ­ and can they offer the right advice on the right product(s) for you?

The insurance market is now more competitive than ever be fore, so it’s not surprising that consumers are increasingly look ing for more competitive pack ages that can be tailored to their own circumstances. Liberty Se guros understands this, which is why it continues to innovate its range to be able to offer prod

ucts that can be personalised to suit customers’ real needs.

Furthermore, it regularly offers fantastic deals not only to new customers, but also existing cus tomers to reward their continual loyalty.

For example, from now up un

til November 24, 2022, Liberty Seguros existing clients will re ceive €60 Cashback on each new policy that they take out.

New clients can make great savings too, with €30 Cashback on their first Life, Home or Car policies and €60 Cashback on

Good times run dry on avocado plantations

tive’ fruit.

But with water shortages exacerbated by drought, it’s no stretch of the imagina tion to foresee they’ll soon be fighting, lit erally, over water supplies.

subsequent new policies there after*.

Best of all though, their com petitive products now come with more benefits and advantages than ever before!

As an example, all your car’s extras are covered as standard,

for free, if they have been fitted by the vehicle’s manufacturer.

When it comes to Home poli cies, for example, you can get compensation for additional wa ter costs due to a broken pipe up to the value of €1,000; and up to €600 per claim/year to help with the unblocking of pipes.

With regard to Life policies, you have the option of taking out Level Term Life Insurance with no premium increase for 10 years, guaranteeing the same death benefit and the same level of payments for the full length of the term.

Liberty Seguros really does have you covered and always has your real needs in mind, so it’s not surprising that it is still the expat’s preferred insurer in Spain.

Animal Rights Law in Spain 2022

be required after a study of the sociability of each pet if it shows signs of aggressive behaviour.

MATTERS

A SPANISH Stonehenge has been discov ered in Andalucia on farmland near the border with Portugal after the owners presented plans to convert potentially one of the largest me galithic sites in Europe in to an avocado plantation.

The site, dating back at least 7,000 years, contains more than 500 standing stones and two stone cir cles similar to the one on Salisbury Plain. Nonethe less, should Spain allow these avocado plantations given that every kilo of av ocado fruit requires 2,000+ litres of water?

With avocados viewed as ‘green gold’, farmers in Andalucia and many other parts of Spain will be sorely tempted to rip out orange trees to plant this ‘lucra

Orange trees have already been ripped out in Valencia, replaced by pomegranate trees. Now farmers there want avocados, too, but are currently being refused, pre sumably because of water usage costs.

A final thought: if you look at what’s happening in Australia due to over production, prices have crashed. Maybe that’ll happen here, too. And they’ll start putting all those traditional, lessthirsty orange trees back. Result!

Nora Johnson’s critical ly acclaimed psychologi cal crime thrillers (www.nora­johnson.net) all available online in cluding eBooks (€0.99; £0.99), Apple Books, au diobooks, paperbacks at Amazon etc.

Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.

REGULAR readers will know that I have two res cue dogs, Tara the Galga (greyhound) and Troya the Podenco (Spanish hunting dog) and animal welfare is something that is close to my heart. I am not alone as here in Spain as eight out of 10 homes in Spain have a pet

The Animal Rights Law tries to put an end to the mistreatment, abandonment and sacrifice of animals and introduces one of the biggest changes in this legislation: preventing pet animals from being put down or sacrificed except for sani tary and euthanasia reasons.

The law toughens the penalties for animal abuse that includes all vertebrate animals. In cases of mistreatment with the death of the animal, the sentence can be up to 36 months, with prison sentences and fines that can reach €200,000, in addition to being disqualified for possession and for activities related to animals (breeding, market ing, veterinary assistance, etc) between five and 10 years if the infraction is very serious.

The law changes and considers that no animal is automatically dangerous because of its breed, so dogs must be assessed individually. For this rea son, the list of dangerous dogs, which until now existed, is eliminated, but specific training could

Those who wish to adopt or acquire a pet must first undergo training that guarantees the welfare of the animal. The law also provides that the ac commodation must meet the conditions so that they can adequately develop their needs accord ing to their nature.

All pets must be identified, and the breeding of animals can only be done by registered breeders. The transfer of animals between individuals must be, in any case, free and be reflected by contract.

Circuses with wild animals and participating in horseback riding or on stage are prohibited. Dogs, cats, and ferrets are also prohibited from being sold in pet stores, displayed, and exposed to the public for commercial purposes.

Zoos and dolphinariums will be converted into centres for the recovery of native species, and the use of animals in activities and shows in which they may suffer harm or death will be prohibited.

The new law has caused some contradictions since hunting dogs have not been included in this law, and because bullfights are not covered by this law.

‘Working’ dogs, such as guide or police dogs, will be regulated separately.

The existence of feline colonies is recognised. Also, the responsibility of caring for community cats, whose ‘ethical’ management is under the ju risdiction of the municipalities.

Marisa Moreno Castillo Consul for Denmark and Senior Lawyer at Just Law Solicitors.

contact@justlawsolicitors.com

LIBERTY SEGUROS: The expat’s preferred insurer in Spain.

Four ways to instantly feel more put together

Betty Henderson

ALTHOUGH feeling good comes from with in, knowing you look great can be the per fect confidence boost, especially when go ing out. Looking more elegant doesn’t have to be so difficult or time­consuming, simply adding a couple of extras can entirely ele vate a look. Here we share some simple tips to make us feel

1. Add some jewellery

Simply putting on a pair of earrings or necklace can bring together your whole out fit. Jewellery can be a great way to express your sense of style, so opt for a design that means something to you.

2. Use a spritz of perfume

We often associate smells with memo ries, spray a perfume that reminds you of a good time and feel empowered.

3. Use skincare products

Caring for your skin is a guaranteed way to look radiant. Having bright, fresh skin can make us feel more confident in stantly. Simply hydrating your skin with a moisturiser can make a difference to your whole appearance.

4. Add some lipstick

A touch of lipstick immediately makes someone look more put to gether. A classic red lipstick livens up any look, but if that’s too bold for you, use a lip balm instead to look effortlessly

Simply adding a pair of earrings can bring a look together.

Tips for mental well-being

WITH World Mental Health Day being cele brated on October 10, UNICEF have highlight ed the importance of looking after mental health even if you don’t have a problem. We share some guidance on how to maintain good mental well­being with just a few simple steps.

• Eat healthily

Food and drink affect our bodies and minds, a balanced diet containing lots of fruit and veg etables is essential. Spain has plenty of fresh seasonal produce you can enjoy that can boost vitamin intake, particularly at this time of year.

• Learn new skills

Learning something new is an excellent way to engage the brain and can make daily rou

tines more exciting. Learning new skills can al so be a great way to socialise, especially by joining a club. From baking to gardening, there are plenty of options!

• Make plans

Having something to look forward to can im prove mood and decrease stress. Plan to visit a new place or spend time with friends or family. Studies showed people were 12 times happier when they spent a day with friends or family.

• Spend time outdoors

Experts have found links between good mental well­being and spending time outside. It can improve mood, self­esteem, reduce feel ings of loneliness, help with relaxation and connect you to your local community.

Learning a new skill is a great way to engage your brain and take care of mental health.

Photo credit: Tero

Villa Flamingo in Zurgena

A BEAUTIFULLY presented, recently dec orated three bed, two bath Villa in the popular ‘L’ shape to give extra privacy in the bedrooms, living area and garden. With H&C aircon, 8m x 4m swimming pool and pool side bar and with attrac tive, private, established gardens of 538m2. Three minutes drive to popular restaurant / bar.

Seven mins drive to La Alfoquia & Zur gena village. Ten mins to Arboleas, 12 mins drive to Huercal­Overa town. Thirty mins drive to the coast at Mojacar etc.

A metal sliding leads onto a gravelled driveway with room for two or three cars.

The private swimming pool sits nicely in front of the villa and steps lead up to the covered terrace area which looks over the pool and garden and makes an excellent ‘inside/outside’ living and din ing room. This has fly / mosquito netting and electrically operated up and down blinds for when you want the shade.

From here the front doors lead in to the spacious light and airy living room

with log burning fire and ceiling fans. To the left of the living room a doorway takes you through to the spacious fitted kitchen. There is also an archway be

Holidays for eco-tourists

tween the two rooms giving a more so cial feel. The kitchen also has an access door leading out to the side garden. Here is a block built storage room which

houses the washing machine and tumble dryer.

At the other end of the living room is a door leading to a hallway taking you to three large double bedrooms all with H&C air con, ceiling fans and fitted wardrobes. The spacious master bed room has ensuite shower room and glazed double doors which have views of, and lead out to the swimming pool.

Between the guest bedrooms is a large family bathroom.

The villa benefits from double glazed windows with fly nets, pull down blinds and attractive security grills. Mains elec tricity, water and internet are connect ed.

Outside there are also two useful gar den sheds and two small covered areas for logs or bikes etc.

Voss Homes is a British family­run business with offices in the nearby thriv ing, market town of Huercal­Overa and village of La Alfoquia. We specialise in selling properties around Huercal­Overa, Zurgena, La Alfoquia and Taberno.

Camping for a special occasion

IF you are looking for a unique way to celebrate a special occasion, why not try camping? What better way to spend a birthday or occa sion like a wedding anniver sary than connecting with nature, while surrounded by friends and family.

activities such as white water rafting and watersports on Spain’s Atlantic coast, cliff jumping in Malaga Province and mountaineering along the Costa Blanca. Adventur ers will relish the opportunity to wake up in a cave. Lots of campsites through

out Spain are also in prime locations to be able to visit beaches, mountains and new cities. Many campsites also offer special experiences like vineyard tours and wine tasting so you can enjoy your occasion in style. Happy camping!

WITH the rise of ‘ecotourism’, holidaymak ers are increasingly seeking out sustainable accommodation options, like camping. Eco tourists aim to support wildlife and conser vation efforts and reduce the damaging ef fects of traditional tourism on the environment.

Spain is rapidly becoming one of Europe’s top ecotourism destinations due to its envi ronmental diversity, from the oceanic cli mate in Galicia to the extensive Mediter ranean coast in the east to the sub­alpine climate in the Sierra Nevada.

Sustainable campsites appeal to eco tourists, particularly sites which offer facili ties like toilets and showers that use recycled rainwater, green power, solar water heaters or recycling points for campers. Other sites

New trend, eco-tourism and camping go hand in hand.

offer special sustainable practices and ser vices such as natural mountain spring water on a site in Asturias, homegrown produce on sites in the countryside or site­provided communal transport on a site in Girona.

Activity options for tourists in Spain are just as diverse as the climate and terrain. Tourists interested in wildlife can observe impressive bird species like in Matarranya on the Ebro River, or a nature walk discover ing wild mushrooms and edible plants in Alá jar in Huelva. Tourists can also enjoy sustain able activities such as hiking in many regions across the whole country or outdoor activi ties like kayaking.

With the climate crisis becoming increas ingly pressing, eco­tourism is only growing in popularity.

Spending time outdoors without the distractions and hustle and bustle of every day life can be the perfect way to reconnect with peo ple that mean the most to you.

With more and more luxu rious ‘glamping’ experiences available, you don’t have to cut corners on comfort on camping anymore either.

You can use specialist websites including glamping search engines to find the perfect getaway for your oc casion. Glamping sites often equipped with luxurious fa cilities including hot tubs, comfortable bedding and kitchenettes.

Camping is the perfect way to spend a special occa sion for adventurers who can enjoy adrenaline boosting

Four essentials to take

IF you’re thinking of going camping, the equipment you take is fundamental to your experience. Pleasant tempera tures in Spain mean camping is still an enjoyable break dur ing autumn. Some simple additions can be a game­changer to your whole camping experience.

A warm sleeping bag

Autumn brings cooler temperatures. Stay warm with a thicker sleeping bag than you normally camp with during the summer.

A flask

With a flask, you can stay warm with minimal effort. Bring a hot drink or snack in a flask to stay warm while cooking dinner, or setting up your camping area.

A rechargeable lamp

With shorter days and longer nights setting in during Oc tober, a lamp is a practical addition that can improve any autumn camping experience. Modern rechargeable LED lights can provide more than 48 hours of light.

A comfortable camping chair

Take advantage of pleasant October weather by sitting outdoors while camping. Investing in a good­quality camp ing chair can make all the difference to a camping trip.

VILLA

overlooking the private

Photo

GO LOCAL

WHEN YOU GO SHOPPINGGO

YOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE - YOUR OPINION

Letters should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com or make your comments on our website: 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.

CLOCKS CHANGE

WE will soon have to turn the clocks back an hour, on October 29/30.

It is time to say enough is enough and say “No more changing of our clocks.”

Let us at least have one thing in this troubled world stay as it was meant to be .

I don’t know who con trols these clocks, but we should let them know that there are many out here who do not agree with them.

Inga Mojacar

Thank you

Hello, yet again EWN we would like to thank you for getting the FULL answers to the Nonogram into your solutions page. I know we’ve been asking for a while and you have always told us that you’d try and you have eventually man aged to do it.

Many thanks from us (and maybe a ‘few’ others that may have wanted the same).

It’s nice to know that you do actually take notice of your reader’s comments and also take action when you can.

Again, many thanks for providing that extra bit of information. We obviously will continue to collect and enjoy your paper each week, as we have done for many years.

J & S & Friends

UK’s choice

I still find it difficult to

comprehend why some people still don’t under stand Brexit, Susan Han nah’s letter complaining about the ridiculous 90day rule.

I wholeheartedly agree with her except one thing, it was the UK that insisted

and introduced it not Spain, we are a third country now totally our choice, maybe English ex ceptionalism is still alive and kicking.

Alan Robinson Moraira

OUR VIEW

NOBEL PEACE PRIZE

ALTHOUGH there was some talk of cancelling this year’s Nobel Peace Prize Awards, due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine and other smaller yet still deadly conflicts taking place, this was soon discounted.

The actual shortlist for those nominated is a closely kept secret which is not revealed until 50 years after the event but perhaps unsurprisingly, the 2022 Awards are associat ed with the Ukraine but not as directly as might have been expected.

One of the three recipients is the Ukrainian Centre for Civil Liberties which was established in 2007 to promote human rights values and has played an important part in trying to gather support for Ukraine and the rights of its citi zens following the invasion.

As an interesting side line, the team governing the or ganisation is almost exclusively made up of women, although this may be because so many male members have been conscripted or volunteered to fight.

Next on the list of recipients is a Russian organisation Memorial also dedicated to the support of human rights which was founded some 30 years ago in memory of the millions of Russians who suffered during the Soviet era.

Last of the Peace Prize winners is Ales Bialiatski, a hu man rights advocate from Belarus, an outspoken supporter of democracy and was for many years associated with the now banned Minsk based Viasna Human Rights Cen tre.

Bialiatski has been in jail since July 2021 having been found guilty of ‘tax evasion’.

Hopefully by the time next year’s Peace Prize is awarded the Ukrainian situation will be resolved and the current winners will have a greater measure of freedom.

How to

HEART-BREAKING figures released this summer re vealed that Spain has the most abandoned pets in Eu rope, at nearly 300,000. As shelters encourage people in Spain to rescue a pet rather than buying a new one, we share three top tips on how to welcome a res cue animal into your home.

1. Prepare in advance

If you are prepared for your new pet, this can avoid issues if anything un expected comes up later. Decide where your pet will be sleeping, eating and playing and prepare these areas ahead of time. Stock up on food only once you know what your pet likes to eat.

2. Be patient

Rescue animals often have experienced lots in their lives, including trau ma, and it can take them time to adjust to a new home. Introduce friends

and family slowly, to avoid overwhelming your pet.

3. Prioritise exercise

It can be difficult to recognise signs of anxiety or depression in pets, but ensuring they get enough exercise can help them to

let off steam. If you are adopting a dog, consult your vet to find out how much to walk it, if you choose a cat, make sure it has access to an outdoor space or somewhere to ex ercise.

How does microchipping work: a guide to put your mind at ease

THE Spanish government announced legislation to make pet microchipping a legal requirement, but many people still have questions about how the process works. Here we ex plain the process to ease any anxieties or doubts for pet owners.

Microchipping has multi ple benefits, namely to in crease the likelihood of be ing reunited if your pet gets lost, but also to help vets keep up­to­date with your pets’ details and vac cinations.

But what actually hap pens during the process?

Pets can only be mi crochipped by a trained professional, so speak to your vet to book an ap pointment to ensure that the chip will be officially registered. Pets need to be

older than four months old in Spain to be mi crochipped. You will need to take your pet’s health record (cartilla sanitaria) with you and proof of ra bies vaccination.

At your pet’s microchip appointment, the vet will use a special implanter to place a tiny chip under your pet’s skin with a nee dle. Chips contain a unique

15 digit number that can be identified by vets when scanned. The procedure may be uncomfortable for your pet, but doesn’t last long.

In most cases, your pet won’t need to recover af ter the appointment, but contact a vet immediately if you believe your pet is having an allergic reaction to the chip.

How to check your pet for lumps and bumps

IT is possible for pets to get tumours, particularly as they age, so it’s important for pet parents to know how to identify lumps and bumps and what to do should you find one.

Monthly checks

Each month, feel around your pet’s entire body for any new lumps. Run your fingers through their fur and check their whole body.

Don’t forget their mouth!

Although this may be a difficult task for some, ani mals can get growths in their oral cavity. If you can’t manage to look inside, watch out for signs such as your pet not wanting to eat or bad breath.

What if I find a lump?

If you find a new lump or bump then it is extremely important to schedule an appointment with the vet. There, the veterinarian can take cells from the lump and check whether your pet needs surgery or not and any further action that may be needed.

ALMERIA BUILDERS :

Fully Legal, Fully Insured, All Work Guaranteed. 659 685 133 www.almeria builders.com (253556)

please go to The Angli can Chaplaincy of Costa Almeria and Costa Cali da web page. Or con tact Tony Noble 950 069 103. (10002)

TURRE EVANGELICAL CHURCH We meet every Sunday at 10.30. For wor ship. We believe you’ll find us ‘relaxed’, welcoming’ and ‘informal’. Find us on Turre’s main street, to wards the motorway at the far end on the left. To know more contact 617 914 156 (10021)

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

ROYAL BRITISH LE GION - Why not make this year the year you volun teer? Call and see how you can help either as a case worker (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 Spanish phone number then why not email us for more info tbuddyhhvis its@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 talk

ing to someone is the first step to feeling more in control. It can be a per sonal need or some help with your home or infor mation on what or who to speak to on a medical is sue, we help with signpost ing if we cannot help di rectly, 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, www.britishlegion.org.uk/ counties/spain-north ZUR GENA Branch meeting on the first Thursday, Coffee Morning on the third Thursday and Buffet & Quiz Night on the last Tuesday of the month all at Bar Trinidad, Arboleas, for further details please email zurgenarblchairman@ gmail.com - (253989)

ABBOTT ELECTRICS

From a Light Fitting to a Full Rewire. Tel: 950 137 208 / 638 010 691

VOSS HOMES are a pro fessional, British family-run Estate Agents with an of fice in Huercal-Overa town. They specialise in selling and renting properties in the Huercal-Overa, La Alfo quia, Zurgena & Taberno area. Andy, Anna, Jess, Adele, Hannah, Amy & Karen look forward to help ing you buy, sell or rent your ideal property. Please call 678 002 006 for more information (283824)

MOTOR INSURANCE

For the most competitive quotes in English call Linea Directa on 952 147 834, you could save as much as 30% and you can transfer your existing no claims bonus. Call Linea Directa on 952 147 834 for motor insurance with a human voice in English from Mon day to Friday 9am to 6pm and save money now! (200726)

STAY SAFE! Abbeygate Insurance Call 971 277 455 For your security www.abbeygateinsure.com

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

FOR SALE

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

LOCAL ANGLICAN (C of E) church services at Mojacar Los Llanos Del Peral and Alhambra. Communion every Sun day in Mojacar at 11am. Communion at Los Llanos every Sun day except the last Sunday in the month when there will be Prayer and Praise all at 11am. The services that were being held in the South American church Albox have now returned to the chapel and Communion is held on the second Thursday of the month at 11am. Priest in charge rev canon Alan Bennet telephone num ber 680 243 436. For further information,

WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of di rect car, motorbike, home and company fleet insur ance. Since we started out in 1995, our philoso phy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in En glish, call Linea Directa on 952 147 834. (200726)

OTHERS

Male/Female viagra, cialis, kamagra jelly, mixed trial packs available, all ar eas mail order. 604 385 476. viagra4you19@ gmail.com

THE FIVE BONE HOTEL, TURRE. Little dogs €7.75, medium dogs €8.50, big dogs €9.25, cats from €7.00 a day. 630 234 556 / the5bonehotelturre @gmail.com fiveboneho tel.com (296266)

PETS PLUMBERS

KNOWLES PLUMBING

No 1 for all plumbing jobs

big or small. Central heat ing, solar hot water and water deposits. Tel: 606 807 797 or 684 143 560 (296493)

in Spain. Call Phil for com petitive prices on 636 261 240 or email info@suner gyalmeria.com (295779)

REMOVALS & STORAGE

Ifyoucanreadit,socanyourclients. Contactusandhaveyourbusiness growat+34951386161

PROP FOR RENT WANTED

SOLAR WIND POWER SOLUTIONS. Over 20 years installation experi ence. Established 17 years

SOLAR ENERGY UPHOLSTERY - UPHOLSTERERS

Subaru Outback - the thinking drivers’ choice

lead­in model more than ac ceptable.

byMarkSlack

SUBARU have not had much luck with sales of late despite arguably having one of the most interesting range of cars. Having reinvented them selves as an SUV brand their sales have improved consider ably with new dealers also added to the network.

In addition to a new all­EV shortly, Subaru have two well established self­charging hy brids with XV and Forester.

My particular focus is on the Outback that is essentially a large estate car with raised ride height and all­wheeldrive. Even the lead­in model of the three trims on offer is loaded with standard equip ment and prices start from €41,037/£35,995.

Power comes from a 2.5litre, four­cylinder petrol box er engine that is a wellknown Subaru powertrain

and delivers good perfor mance via a CVT automatic transmission. While, as with all CVT gearboxes, the char acteristic high revs while the gearbox and speed catch up is present, the Subaru box is one of the best of this type that I have driven.

The Outback’s premium

build quality means you are well insulated from the out side world but nonetheless the CVT characteristic engine revs are still heard.

The equipment levels, even for a car at this price point, puts many others to shame with everything you might ex pect, from keyless entry and

start and dual zone air condi tioning, through to things you might not expect, such as heated rear seats and steering adaptive lighting.

Three trim levels ­ Limited, Field and Touring ­ offer an increasing range of features as standard but in all honesty most people would find the

Apart from an excellent load space the biggest plus point of the Outback is practi cality. With increased ride height, and protection on the wheel arches and bumpers, it is capable of much more than rutted tracks and fields.

Space is plentiful inside the car and fold the rear seats and it becomes a mobile dance hall. There are plenty of nooks and crannies to store your incar detritus and the smart

phone integration is quick and easy, something that isn’t al ways the case.

Subaru have always been a sophisticated, thinking drivers’ choice, in a similar manner to that which applied to Saab, but they have started gaining back some of the mass market appeal they had when the Impreza ruled the rally stages. Long may it con tinue because Subaru is a brand with real character in an automotive landscape that seems all too similar.

Facts at a Glance

Model: Subaru Outback Touring

Price: €47,304/£41,495

Engine: 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder, Boxer, petrol Gears: CVT automatic

Performance: 0-100 kmh (62 mph) 10.2 seconds/Maximum Speed 193 kmh (120 mph)

Economy: 7.17l/100km (32.8mpg) Combined driving (WLTP)

Emissions: 193 g/km (WLTP)

Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets.

PRACTICAL OUTBACK: Even the lead-in model is loaded with standard equipment.

The 20th anniversary of the Porsche Cayenne is approaching

AS reported by the Porsche Newsroom, the iconic Cayenne is turning 20 and its influence has been great. It has helped to define the brand as well as combining comfort and off­road qualities with sportiness. As an all­rounder, it has also been met with enthu siasm by Porsche customers.

It’s not very often that 20year­olds change the world. At the very least, the Cayenne has managed to turn the Porsche world upside down. The sports car manufacturer had high hopes for the ‘third

Porsche’ ­ after the Boxster and 911 (type 996) ­ when it launched in 2002.

The Cayenne was designed to tap into new markets and thus secure the company’s fu ture over the long term. Twenty years later, we now know that the Cayenne far ex ceeded these high expecta tions. The Porsche SUV helped shape the segment of ultra­sporty off­roaders that was still young at the time, and its impressive success has opened up new options for the market itself.

In addition to two­door sports cars, there’s now also a range of highly dynamic fourdoor vehicles to choose from: the Cayenne was followed by the Panamera, the Macan, and the all­electric Taycan.

With the third generation launched in 2017, the Cayenne is available in a vari ety of variants and has proven itself to be a family­friendly travel vehicle, robust off­road er, and spacious sports car. And it can do so much more.

The sky’s the limit. See for yourself!

Porsche Cayenne.

Verstappen champion again

RED BULL driver Max Ver stappen was crowned as the F1 world champion on Sunday, October 9, for the second consecu tive season. The Dutchman total ly domi nated a rainy Japanese Grand Prix in Suzaka, although his title came under dramatic circum stances.

His crown was not im mediately guaranteed af ter the race ended as there was confusion over the actual length of time the drivers had spent racing due to the rain causing a shortened race.

FIA awarded the drivers full points as re duced points would only have been applied if the

race had been suspend

The difference in point reduction would have left Verstappen still short of the title. When in formed that he had just become champion again, a bemused Verstappen even asked: “Are you sure?” He now heads to the USA Grand Prix with his second world title safe ly in the bag. Verstappen said: “It’s crazy, very mixed emo tions. Win ning the champi onship, what a year we’ve had. It’s incredi ble!”

Boxing ban lifted

THE International Boxing Association (IBA) announced on Wednesday, October 5 that it voted in favour to cancel its previous decision and allow boxers of Russia and Belarus to com pete at the IBA events with immediate ef fect,” the Internation al Boxing Associa tion said.

“The IBA strongly believes that poli tics shouldn’t have any influence on sports. Hence, all ath letes should be given equal conditions.”

International Boxing Association (IBA) makes major announcement concerning Russia and Belarus fighters.

It added: “Respect ing its own autonomy as the international sports federa tion, the IBA shall remain politically neutral and indepen dent. IBA calls for peace and remains a peacemaker in any conflicts.

“Moreover, the IBA has obligation to ensure equal treat ment towards the athletes and competition officials, re gardless of their nationality and residence.

“Both Russian and Belarus teams will be able to perform under their flags, and the national anthems will be played in case they win a gold medal.”

According to the decision, “the technical officials of Rus sia and Belarus will also be back in the competitions.”

VERSTAPPEN: Champion for the second time after win in Japan.