Costa Blanca South 20 - 26 October 2022 Issue 1946

LONDON BRIDGE HERO

TORREVIEJA will soon have a tribute to a hero of London’s 2017 terrorist at tack after a local skate park has been named in honour of a 39­year­old Spanish banker.

On June 3, 2017, London Bridge and Borough Mar ket were targeted by a devastating terrorist at tack which left eight peo ple dead and 48 seriously injured. Ignacio Echever ria, with only his skate board as a weapon, fend ed off one of the three terrorists as he was about to stab a woman. He saved her life, also dis tracting her assailant long enough for others to es cape to safety.

He then confronted a second terrorist who was attacking a police officer, before he was stabbed in the back and killed.

The new skate park will be located on a plot of municipal land in Avenida de las Cortes Valencianas,

revealed Torrevieja’s may or Eduardo Dolon.

He made the announce ment at the end of a re cent performance at the Municipal Theatre of Skateboard Hero, a musi cal that relates the last 24 hours of Ignacio’s life.

This was attended by Ig nacio’s parents Joaquin and Ana, who took part in

a talk following the perfor mance, and were present ed with one of Torrevieja’s traditional salt boats.

Photo credit Main:

London bridge terror attack 2017.

IGNACIO ECHEVERRÍA: Hero who saved lives.

Credit J.ECHEVERRIA

Meet your charity

SANTA POLA Province has an important net work of social organisa tions that have been consolidated over the years. These non­profit organisations have a long history and work in a continuous and sta ble manner.

One of their objec tives is the improve ment of society in the most diverse fields through the achieve ment of social welfare and the improvement of people’s quality of life.

Most organisations are made up of volun teers, people who carry out their work altruisti cally and actively par ticipate in their imme diate environment.

Given the need to de velop public policies that highlight and en hance the participatory wealth of these acts of

altruistic nature, Santa Pola wants to promote a project focused on bringing the social fab ric, initiatives and pro grammes developed to meet the needs of citi zens to the population.

There will be a spe cial emphasis on vol unteering and social entrepreneurship as a form of relationship and key support to weave the primary networks of citizen sol

idarity.

The event will give the associations and the general public a chance to meet, in the format of an associa tive fair, where each entity will have its own space to show what they do.

The fair will take place on Saturday, Oc tober 29 and last roughly four hours. The starting time has yet to be confirmed.

Voicing their concerns

ON September 24, Torrevieja North Residents & Neighbourhood Watch met with councillors Lund­Thomsen and Sandra Sanchez , for resi dents to share their concerns on the bad state of roads and footpaths in the area.

Sanchez outlined the plans for works due to be undertaken in the area shortly, with some roads being resurfaced and footpaths repaired.

In the meantime, residents were advised to send a photo and notify pangea@torrevieja.eu of any serious road or footpath issues.

Linda Hall

TORREVIEJA cat lover Susan Pearce recently contacted the Euro Weekly News after her latest visit to the munici pal Animal Shelter.

“They are constantly struggling with not having much wet food for the cats and kittens,” she said. “They have donations of biscuits, which is great, but not much meat which is important for healthy cats and kittens.”

Sue also told us that she’s been told that the two ladies taken on via the town hall are brilliant, but they still need volunteers to help dur ing the week.

At the next meeting on Monday October 24, recent crime events in the area will be reviewed and the N332 team will be giving a presentation on new traffic laws and the Spanish Highway Code. Residents will have an opportunity to ask the N332 team any questions they have on driv ing in Spain. Councillor Lund­Thomsen will also be on hand to answer any other queries .

Please note this meeting will still be at Oasis San Luis on October 24 at 4.30pm due to an event at Oasis on the 30th.

Always kitten season

Donations needed and adopters wanted.

“I don’t think there is much time for interaction with the cats and kittens as there is so much to do,” she added.

“There are still about 70

or more cats and aban doned and injured kittens and more keep turning up. There doesn’t seem to be a kitten season here, unlike England. It’s non­stop yearround, plus the fact that people just leave their ani mals when returning to their home country.”

The Shelter continues to rely on the generosity of people giving donations ev ery day, Sue pointed out. “There is still such a lot that needs to be done!”

ASSOCIATIVE FAIR: Come along and meet your charity.

Image: Santa Pola City Council

NIBS EXTRA

Copter rescue

FIREFIGHTERS, a mountain rescue unit and a paramedic assisted a 55­year­old man who injured both ankles after falling five metres while climb ing in Rincon de Bonanza (Ori huela). Owing to the steep ness of the terrain, he was then winched into a Fire Brigade Consortium helicopter and transferred to hospital.

On the level

SAN ISIDRO Town Hall will spend €577,377 on remod elling Calle Isidro, which cross es the town centre from east to west. The project financed by the Diputacion provincial council will remove architec tural barriers, eliminating kerbs with a one­level street shared by pedestrians and traffic, giving preference to the former.

Don’t stress

SUPPLIES of Dumirox, the an ti­depressant most common ly­prescribed by the region’s primary care doctors, are run ning out in Alicante City. Al though chemists in the city centre currently have the 50milligramme version in stock, they still await deliveries of the 100­miligramme tablets which were ordered at the end of September.

Sludge opp

ELCHE’S wastewater treat ment plants produce an an nual 12,800 tons of dehydrat ed sludge, which Aigues d’Elx does not have the means of transporting or disposing of. The part publicly­owned com pany is now putting out to tender a four­year €1 million contract to take the problem off their hands.

Pedal on

WORK has finally started on Callosa’s 250­metre bicycle lane between the San Roque roundabout and the CV­900 road. The town hall has pro vided the plans and the land, but construction is being car ried out by the central govern ment’s General Directorate for Roads, Callosa’s mayor Manuel Martinez Sirvent ex plained.

Memorial Shield

ON Friday October 7, Busters Golf Society played for the Lee Barber Memori al Shield at the ever-wel coming Altoreal Golf course. There were 20 play ers competing for this shield, the weather was very good and the course which can be a challenge was in good condition.

After the game the soci ety returned to the spon sors bar Little Leias by Consum in Quesada for a mixture of sandwiches and liquid refreshments fol

lowed by the winners prize-giving. The par three nearest the pin winners were Jim Stevenson on the fifth, Gary Townsend on the eighth, Chris Soane on the 10th and Peter List on the 17th.

The BF9 winner with 15 points was Terry Sharley and the BB9 winner was Andy Rawlings with 16 points. In second place with 30 points was Allan Collis, all receiving a bottle of wine. The winner of our Shield, Michael Lind

Farewell to the Felipe y Francisca

TORREVIEJA Town Hall is paying €30,000 to remove a 15­metre fishing boat from a roundabout at the Doña Ines urbanisation.

The 15­metre Felipe y Francisca was registered in Torrrevieja and, as records show, was commercially active until 1994. It was in stalled on the roundabout in 2003, but is now unsightly, dilapidated and also a danger to the children who like to play there.

Residents are now waiting to see what will replace the boat on the huge roundabout which, many say, is disproportionately large for the amount of traffic in the area.

With a perimeter of nearly 200 metres and covering an area of 3,000­square metres, there will be plenty of room for features like the huge earthenware jars, flags and flamingos seen on other Tor revieja roundabouts, residents pointed out.

Breast Cancer History

AS the world marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month with fundraising activities and events to raise awareness and prevent breast cancer, we take a look at the history of the month.

The iconic breast cancer pink ribbon was created in 1991 at the Race for the Cure in New York when the Susan Komen Foundation handed out pink rib bons to competitors.

Then, a campaign by Estée Lauder in 1992 handed out 1.5 million pink ribbons accompanied by a card on breast self­exams from its beauty counters.

They explained the colour choice, “For women who experience cancer as predominantly a loss of womanhood, what better colour to pin on than pink ­ girlie, pretty, healthy pink?”

Breast cancer was detected as long ago as 1600 BC. Now, scientists encourage preventative action including living a healthy lifestyle to reduce risks of breast cancer. Survivor, Emma, now advocates for healthy lifestyles, saying “people should have the information they need so they can make an in formed choice for themselves.”

stroem, took home a bot tle of vodka. There were two, two’s winners, both scoring a two on hole 10, being John Rush and Allan

Collis, who shared our two’s pot. Our November meeting is being held at the Seve Ballesteros’ de signed Alicante Golf Club.

Two outings for Carp-R-US

CARP­R­US fished the Rio Segura in the centre of Murcia City earlier this month.

“Fishing at this venue has not been very good for most of the year,” said the club’s secretary, Steve Fell. “We hoped that recent rain might have freshened it up, but sadly that was not the case.”

Alan Smith (10.8 kilos) was first, followed by Terry Screen (8.3 kilos) in second place, Steve Higgins (4.9 ki los) third, and Tony Flett fourth (2.7 kilos).

A week later, Carp­R­Us fished the 11th round of their Summer­Autumn se ries at El Bosquet near Elche. The match was split between Pegs 1b to 7 and 17 to 25, with a big differ ence between the two sec tions as anglers on Pegs 17 ­ 21 struggled for just one fish.

U3A success

THE annual Groups Fair that was held in the Centro Mu nicipal Ocio (CMO), Torrevie ja at the end of September proved to be a successful event with an average of 200 visitors at any one time at tending during the morning.

Quite a few of the visitors opted to join our association whilst also signing up to take part in a variety of the groups that were in attendance there. After all the problems of the previous few years it was a good turnout.

Our recent events included a coach trip to Agost to the Pottery Museum and then on to an Italian restaurant in Pucol on October 5, 24 mem bers of the U3A joined in and it proved to be a great day out.

Further information about what the Torrevieja U3a has to offer its members plus info

on how you can join the as sociation can be found on our website torreviejau3a. org, or come along to the CMO on the last Monday morning of each month (map/direction also on web site).

Winner Willie Moons transferred the skills learnt on the Segura at Bigastro and honed at The Pond to El Bosquet, landing 22.1 ki los. Jeremy Fardoe (19.8 ki lo) was second, Terry Screen (13.8 kilos) came third with Paul Burton in fourth place.

“The series is now enter ing its last weeks with five anglers in contention for the trophy,” Steve said.

Further club information can be found at www.carpr­us.weebly.com

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BUSTERS GOLF SOCIETY: Michael Lindstroem, winner of the Shield, with President Barrie Hopkinson.

Most unique green space

A €362,000 BUDGET has been approved for the re furbishment of El Palmeral Park, one of the most unique green spaces in Ali cante City.

Among the new fea tures of the project is the conversion of the BMX bi cycle circuit into a track that extends its use to skateboards, roller skates and scooters.

The councillor for the Department of the Envi ronment, Manuel Villar, confirmed: “The design of an original and safe track for its users is envisaged.

“The number of users

for the track can be 20 or 30 at the same time, maintaining a safety mar gin of at least five metres. The course is designed for beginners and advanced riders and can be used from the age of 12 up wards.”

The councillor added: “The circuit has a wide route designed to obtain more speed and to be able to give height to obstacles. The banked curve has the appropriate measures and inclinations according to the BMX regulations of the Royal Spanish Cycling Federation.”

Beautiful survivors

THE exhibition Renace (Re birth) has arrived at Pilar de la Horadada’s Casa de Cultura.

The author, Elizabeth Amador focuses on breast cancer through 18 large for mat photographs that docu ment the women’s new lives, their stories and experiences.

“They are beautiful sur vivors, whose war wounds bear witness to the tremen dous battle they have had to fight,” Amador said.

The photographs highlight the empowerment of the par ticipants, projecting images that blend with their natural surroundings, transforming them into goddesses of re markable beauty.

“This exhibition tells society that it is necessary to take these women into account and help them emotionally,”

the photographer said.

Estibaliz and Maria, two of the women who appear in the photographs, were also present at the inauguration on Friday October 14 which was attended by Pilar’s may or Jose Maria Perez and coun cillors Marina Saez, Nieves Moreno and Susi Sanchez.

Moreno is Pilar’s health

RENACE EXHIBITION: Estibaliz and Maria with Elizabeth Amador.

councillor, and as well as words of thanks and admira tion for Elizabeth Amador, Es tibaliz and Moreno, she stressed her department’s support for the prevention campaigns which promote the early detection that can save so many lives.

The exhibition remains in Pilar until November 5.

Autumn equinox

THE Humanists of Murcia held their Autumn Equinox 2022 on Friday September 16 at the beach with fun, food and games of petanca and Jenga.

Thirty-six people were lined up to join in the fun, but the weather changed everything. As rain was forecast on the planned date it was swapped. Some people had prior en gagements, so dropped out. Then it transpired that several had not read the email with the change of date. The can cellations slowly multiplied up until at 4.00pm just 15 peo ple arrived.

The petanca and (not so) giant Jenga took place. Tom and Jan were knocked out in the first round of Jenga, but bounced back to win the petanca beating Geoff and Linda in the final. Beth and Dereck managed to outlast Terry and Sam in the Jenga final.

If you would like to join the group for walks, discussion groups, gardening groups, games evenings and lots of lunches, for information see their Facebook page, call (+34) 669 338 885 or email humanistsofmurcia@gmail.com or check out the website www.humanistsofmurcia.com.

Weddings, funerals and naming ceremonies: for person alised ceremonies without religion, contact the celebrant at (+34) 634 025 711.

The warriors

A FIRST for Torrevieja, as it will be the setting for the Spanish Inter national Women’s Handball Tournament from October 28­30.

The Spanish nation al team, nicknamed ‘The Warriors’, will face off international sides from Egypt, Tunisia and Switzer land in the preparato ry tournament for the European Women’s Handball Tournament in Slovenia.

There will be six matches during the tournament held at the Palacio de los De portes, ‘Tavi y Car mona’. ‘The Warriors’ will also train in Torre vieja from October 24 to November 2.

This will be the 25th edition of the national tournament and the first time it has been held in Torrevieja. However, Torrevieja does have experience hosting international handball meets, most recently as a venue for the 2021 World Women’s Handball Championship.

The local council highlighted the im portance of the event for the local tourism sector, saying it would drive business for ho tels and restaurants.

The Spanish team are favourites to win the event, having won the last five editions!

Torrevieja will once again host a top international women’s handball event.

Photo credit: Pilar de la Horadada town hall

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Torrevieja

ALICANT E’S provincial council, the Diputacion, has allocated €41 million to the city of Elche dur ing the present legisla tive term.

Working out at just over €175 per inhabitant, this will be sufficient to carry out new projects including the conference centre and the Diputa

Dedicated to Elche

cion’s first Alicante Province delegation.

This level of financing also makes it possible to increase allocations for the annual Misteri d’Elx mystery plan, the city’s

Palmeral forest and the Santa Maria basilica, pointed out Juan de Dios Navarro, provincial coun cillor responsible for the Diputacion’s Contracts department.

City break

THE deputy mayor and head of the Alicante City & Beach Tourism Board, Mari Carmen Sanchez, confirmed that Alicante is “well positioned as a city break or getaway destination in order to weather the problems caused by inflation.”

During the second Alicante Spanish Economic Forum, ‘Business leader ship and future prospects’ on Tues day, October 11, Sanchez took part in a round table discussion on Tourism together with the regional secretary, Francesc Colomer, the general secre tary of Hosbec, Nuria Montes, and the president of the Alicante Restau rant Association (ARA), Cesar Anca.

The deputy mayor said: “In the cur rent international context we must be more competitive in terms of sup ply.

“We must have the commitment to conference tourism, incentive travel, teleworking and digital nomads, which are tourism products that com plement the sun and beach that we fortunately have.”

Sanchez criticised the lack of train connection with the airport, the nonexistence of the high­speed train to Valencia and the poor connection with the rest of the coastal towns in the province, which means that it takes four hours to get to Denia.

“Throughout our term in office we have been clearly committed to projects and invest ments that have been very important to the city,” Elche-born Navar ro said.

“Elche’s funding has grown from €5.8 million in 2019 to €10.6 million in 2021, a sum that will have increased consider ably by the end of this year.”

Comparing the Diputa cion’s dedication to the regional government’s attitude, Navarro called on the Generalitat to pay off the €43 million it owes city hall, which footed the bill for the compulsory purchase of land to build the Miguel Hernandez University.

In contrast, the Diputacion will cover the €4.5 million cost of ac quiring land for the Con ference Centre, Navarro said.

Lifeguard heroes

WITH the beaches being full this summer with bathers and swimmers re laxing in the sun, the life guards have had their hands full keeping every one safe.

Between June and September, the Rescue and Lifeguard service car ried out a total of 2,173 ser vices in the six first­aid sta tions distributed on the five beaches of Alicante: Pos tiguet, San Juan I, San Juan II, Albufereta, Almadraba and Urbanova. Of these, only 2.6 per cent, or 57 ac tions, were classified as se rious.

The lifeguards have also

carried out 138 rescues in the water this summer, most of them due to the negligence of bathers.

The deputy mayor and head of the Alicante City & Beach Tourist Board, Mari Carmen Sanchez, praised the “professionalism of the staff on the beaches” who are on duty from the begin ning of June until Saturday, October 15.

The mayor said: “Thanks to the lifeguards, Alicante residents and visitors can enjoy our beaches calmly and safely because they at tend to any incident that may occur both in and out of the water quickly.”

Image: Alicante City Council

Safety on the beaches.

No mobile hotspot

Linda Hall

RESIDENTS in Elche’s Las Bayas district are oppos ing plans for a mobile phone mast to improve the area’s coverage.

Half of Las Bayas’ popu lation receive no signal at all, and residents are not objecting to the mast it self, but to its future loca tion adjoining the social centre.

This disregards current legislation, they maintain, which states that mobile phone masts must be at least 100 metres away from social centres, schools and health cen tres.

For 10 years Las Bayas residents have successful ly opposed every attempt by a phone provider to in stall the mast, which in any case lacks a municipal permit from the town hall, a municipal sub­divi sion of Elche’s city hall.

Recently, however, they discovered that the

company’s employees were once again starting work, three years after the last attempt was halt ed.

“On this occasion, to avoid being seen they have not used a crane, but used the building’s lift

and stairs instead,” resi dents told the local Span ish media.

They have reported the company to the town hall, who now await a statement from the Local Police in Elche before tak ing action.

Water pipes

ORIHUELA City Hall has announced plans to renew domestic water pipes in Punta Prima.

The Infrastructure department will soon be starting work in Calle Bergantin as well as the streets between here and Calle Fragata, together with Avenida del Mar and the roads that lie perpendicular to it.

“It is necessary to renew these water pipes as they are made from fibre cement and on average they were installed 30 years ago, increasing the risk of leaks and the need for ur gent repairs,” a city hall memorandum explained.

The Infrastructure department is also removing water pipes of different diameters that have been laid beneath the area’s pavements, explaining that these would not be able to guarantee a reliable flow to hydrants should there be a fire.

The initiative, which is expected to be completed within three months will cost €149,832.

ELCHE has taken a step into the future with a brand new fleet of hybrid buses. Seven teen new hybrid buses and eight electric buses will join Elche’s current fleet by spring 2023.

The council has a budget of nearly €6 million for the hy brid buses which will run on most bus routes in the city. The addition of 17 hybrid buses brings the total hybrid buses in service to 28, almost

Green energy go-ahead

50 per cent of the total fleet.

Local transport services are also set to buy eight new electric buses with funds from the European Next Generation Fund.

Local councillors an nounced the move on Mon day October 10 with a visit to the bus depot. Elche mayor, Esther Díaz attended the

Women in the workplace

A FASCINATING photog raphy exhibition about women and the world of work opened on Thursday October 13 in Orihuela.

‘The Conquests of Women at Work’ exhibition will run until October 26 in La Lonja Cultural Centre.

The exhibition consists of 32 images taken by 18 photojournalists in Ali cante and the surrounding area. Photographers and journalists from Orihuela contributed to the exhibi tion, including Tony Sevil la.

The exhibition was cu rated by Pilar Cortés and Ángel García with the sup port of the local council’s Department for Equality and LGBTQ Rights as well

as the Alicante Associa tion of Journalists and the regional Valencian gov ernment.

Opening the exhibition at the Orihuela Auditori um, councillor for Equality and LGBTQ Rights, Patricia Menárguez explained “the objective is to high light the professional ad vances of women throughout history, while recognising the photo journalists who took the photographs.” Photos de pict and commemorate the struggles of women in the workplace as well as their successes.

The exhibition is free to the public to visit until Oc tober 26 in La Lonja Cul tural Centre.

event and praised council ef forts to create a sustainable transport network saying “it is a decisive step in our aspi ration to improve public transport services and re duce greenhouse gases and carbon emissions in the fight

against climate change.”

Díaz added that the buses will transport 12 million peo ple per year, reducing carbon emissions by 882 tonnes. The buses will also be accessible and equipped with the latest technologies.

Volunteers needed

AGE CONCERN Torrevieja are appealing for volunteers to help those in need to get around. If you can spare some of your time and have a Spanish driving licence you could be of real benefit to the people in the community. For full informa tion about this key position please telephone 966 786 887, Monday to Friday between 10.00am and 1.30pm and an ap pointment can be made for you to call into The Day Centre, Calle Paganini, La Siesta.

Lifetime of love

ROMANCE was in the air on Saturday October 16 when the city council paid an emo tional tribute to couples from Elche who celebrate their Golden Anniversary this year.

Thirty couples, accompanied by their closest relatives, were honoured in an emotional event organised by the Depart ment of Elderly Policy of the Elche City Council.

The councillor for the Elderly, Puri Vives, added: “I have had the privilege of witnessing the love of many couples, who, like

you, decided to participate in this Golden Anniversary tribute. Let me tell you, I have learned that 50 years together is much more than a tribute, it is the re flection of a lifetime of dedica tion and love and that love is perceived today in the room.

Thank you for letting us share this special day with you.”

The event began with the projection of a video on the events that took place in Spain and in the world in 1972, the year in which the honoured couples said ‘I do’.

Smile for the camera

IF you are driving through Almoradi munici pality take extra care as the town council has announced the installation of 60 cameras to control traffic.

The mayor of Almoradi, Maria Gomez, confirmed that the Local Police can now view images from the 60 cameras installed in various parts of the municipality in realtime. She confirmed: “The aim of this invest ment in security is to improve traffic and pre vent possible offences that can be committed to achieve a safer Almoradi.”

The mayor added: “Some of these cam eras read number plates to be able to con trol the entry and exit of vehicles, others are strategically placed in streets to improve traffic management and detect possible of fences that may be committed, or even as vi sual support for compliance with municipal ordinances, such as depositing things at times that are not allowed.

“Citizen collaboration is very important, both in terms of security, reporting possible infractions, and in terms of cleanliness.”

Image: Elche City Council

Golden anniversaries.

BLAI TOMAS IBANEZ from Huelva won the first Interna tional Painting Competition ‘Palmeral de Orihuela’.

Fifty artists took part in the competition on Satur day, October 16, and has been considered a “success” by the councillor for the En vironment, Patricia Menar guez.

Painting fun

The councillor confirmed: “It has been a success not only for the number of par ticipants, but also for the quality of the works.”

The artists came from dif ferent provinces of Spain, the most numerous being

Murcia, Alicante and Valen cia. The great majority of the participants were Spanish, but others from Russia, Eng land and France also took

part. The first prize of €1,500 was won by Blai Tomas. The second prize of €750 went to Juan Gallego and the third prize of €500 was divided by the jury and two prizes were awarded to Fuensanta del Rio and Raul Ibanez.

La Fireta

LA FIRETA DEL CAMP D’ELX opened its doors to the public on Saturday, October 15, in the Paseo de la Esta cion with the presence of the mayor, Carlos Gonzalez.

Carlos confirmed: “It is an important day for the city and for the Camp d’Elx. This event is a showcase for all that the rural environ ment has to offer the people of Elche.”

The mayor added: “The Camp d’Elx is cul ture, identity and has top quality products,

as well as an activity with an undoubted value for the economic dynamics of the city.”

The councillor for Rural Development, Feliz Sanchez, has stressed that the fore casts are good and the number of people in attendance is expected to exceed 25,000.

La Fireta will be held until Sunday, October 23, and has around 30 stands which confirms this event in Elche as a benchmark for agricul tural fairs in the Lev ante region.

Finally not Monday

THE radio programme ‘It’s finally not Monday’, presented by Jaime Can tizano on Onda Cero, will be broadcast live from the Teatro Circo de Orihuela on Saturday, October 22.

The councillor for Communication, Maria Garcia, has reported that the programme will take place from 8.00am until midday and anyone who wishes to attend will be able to pick up tickets at the Tourist Of fice.

The councillor con firmed that: “This is an opportunity to promote Orihuela touristically, making different aspects of the municipality known, such as its gas tronomy and its cul ture.”

The programme di rected by Jaime Canti zano has an average of 800,000 listeners.

Jaime Cantizano and part of his team will visit

Orihuela on Friday, Oc tober 21, to see some of the cultural attractions of the town.

Luis Sanchez, director of Onda Cero Vega Baja, thanked the Department of Communication for the opportunity to do live radio, while pointing out that the broadcast of the programme not only allows Orihuela to be promoted as a tourist destination on the radio, but it will also have an impact on social net works.

To be broadcast live.

Image: Orihuela City Council

A NUMBER of Ukraini ans, mainly women with children, managed to drive out of the country and find sanctuary across Europe following the Russian invasion.

Those who arrived in Spain after often gru elling journeys were welcomed with open arms, but are suddenly

Ukrainian refugee plea

facing an unexpected and expensive problem.

Under Spanish law, once they have re mained in Spain for six months, they are re quired to change the

registration on their car to a Spanish one at con siderable expense or face a potentially signifi cant fine if stopped by the police.

One person caught in

Iberdrola’s volunteers

MORE than 7,000 people joined the International Volunteer Week with Iber drola.

Iberdrola’s volunteers have thrown themselves into the more than 90 ini tiatives that have been de veloped throughout the week in the different countries where the com pany is based.

More than 7,000 volun teers wanted to partici pate, 40 per cent more than last year, from Spain to the United States, Mexi co, Brazil, the United King dom, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Germany, France, Belgium, Japan and Aus tralia.

Under the slogan ‘To gether we build the world we want’, from October 1 to October 9, solidarity projects related to envi ronmental care, the inclu sion of vulnerable groups and social assistance were carried out.

In Spain, native species were planted in the munic

ipality of Solosancho in the province of Avila. There, more than 100 Iberdrola volunteers, together with 60 members of the AMAS Foundation and the Ande Foundation, collaborated in the planting of 800 na tive trees.

The trees were planted

in one of the municipali ties affected by the Navalacruz fire in 2021, which devastated nearly 22,000 hectares.

The chairman of Iberdro la himself, Ignacio Galan, travelled to share the re forestation day with the volunteers.

Film festival aid

THE Ministry of Culture and Sport has granted aid of €1.3 million for the organisation of film festivals and competitions in Spain.

Aid has been granted to 64 organisations promot ing film festivals and events that will devote special attention to the programming and dissemination of Spanish, EU and Latin American cinema, as well as special attention to animated films, documentaries and short films.

Thanks to the funds, the grants cover the digitisa tion and sustainability costs of the beneficiary festi vals.

These grants are the first call for applications made by the Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA) with new assessment criteria, such as the contribution of festivals and competitions to sustain ability, the promotion of effective equality of women in the sector, the attraction and training of new audi ences and the inclusion of people with disabilities.

this situation, Margaryta Pugachova has launched a petition on change.org explaining the problem and points out that she and many other refugees want to return

to their homeland when the war is over but will then be forced to change the number plate back again when they return at further expense.

Money is not easy to

come by and Margaryta is pleading with the Spanish authorities to follow the lead of Ger many and Poland to al low Ukrainians to con tinue to drive their cars without changing the registration until the war is over and it is safe for them to return home.

EUROPOL confirmed on Friday October 14 that with the support of Eurojust, the Spanish National Police and Tax Agency they have dismantled an organised crime group believed to be running Eu rope’s biggest ‘narco­bank’.

Composed mainly of Syrian nation als, the criminal network provided fi nancial services to criminal organisa tions linked to drug trafficking in

‘Narco-bank’ dismantled

more than 20 countries.

Active since 2020, this criminal gang is believed to have laundered over €300 million per year.

Over 200 law enforcement officers raided a total of 21 locations in the Spanish provinces of Malaga and Tole

SPAIN’S water reserve stood at 31.7 per cent of capacity on Tuesday, October 11.

Spain’s water reserve is cur rently at 31.7 per cent of its total capacity. The reservoirs currently store 17,747 cubic hectometres (hm³) of water, decreasing in the last week by 197 cubic hectometres (0.4 per cent of the current total capacity of the reservoirs).

The reserve by area is as fol lows:

Eastern Cantabrian is at 67.1 per cent.

Western Cantabrian at 56.3 per cent.

Mino­Sil at 42.4 per cent. Galicia Coast at 49.6 per cent.

Internal basins of the Basque Country at 71.4 per cent.

do, resulting in 32 arrests and the seizure of almost €3 million of criminal assets.

The sum of €428 205 in cash, 19 cryp tocurrency accounts worth €1.5 million, 11 luxury vehicles, 70 kilos of hashish, 1.2 tonnes of marihuana and a planta

tion with 995 marihuana plants were seized.

Organised crime groups could make payments, receive funds and even have their proceeds laundered by this inter nationally structured financial network.

The criminals ran their money laun dering activities from a local restaurant where their customers would come to deposit or collect bulk cash.

Water reserves

Guadiana at 23.3 per cent.

Tinto, Odiel and Piedras at 64.6 per cent.

Guadalete­Barbate at 22.7 per cent.

Guadalquivir at 19 per cent.

Andalucian Mediterranean Basin at 37.2 per cent.

Ebro at 35.4 per cent.

Internal basins of Catalonia at 37.4 per cent.

Duero at 29.7 per cent. Tagus at 35.3 per cent.

Segura at 33.8 per cent.

Jucar at 52.2 per cent.

Precipitation has consider ably affected the Mediter ranean basin and has been scarce in the Atlantic basin. The maximum was in Mahon (A) in Menorca with 164.6 mm (164.6 l/m²).

Healthy school meals

Betty Henderson

THE Spanish government is launching a new healthy eating initiative, tasked with improv ing healthy eating in schools, including boost ing the fruit and vegetable content of school meals to 45 per cent from 2023. The project which was announced on Monday October 10 also aims to improve nutrition education in schools. The government initiative includes reducing the amount of fried food served in schools and increase organic food consump tion by 5 per cent in schools.

The project also has an education focus, dedicating resources to helping students learn about the origins of their food to in crease healthy and well­informed diet and

well­being choices.

The British School of Barcelona has created its own education programme to coincide with the government scheme and ‘Global Be Well Day’. Teachers promoted sustainable nutritional values to children through practi cal activities which hope to change attitudes towards healthy eating.

Classes, workshops and assemblies with Saned organisation also revealed the envi ronmental impact of food choices and in volved interactive activities on subjects such as ‘food miles’, incorporating a range of school subjects to engage as many children as possible and create a comprehensive re sponse.

CAPACITY:

Image: Spanish Government/Ecologi cal and Demographic

DESPITE uncertainty over the issue follow ing Brexit, Brits living in Spain will still be able to vote in local elections following a re ciprocal agreement agreement between the two countries. The next round in Spain is on May 28, 2023 and the time to register your intention is drawing near.

To vote in these elections you must be over 18 years and not be the subject of any

Brits’ voting rights

official restrictions on your right to vote. You must also be registered on the Padron, have residencia, and have lived legally in Spain for three or more years.

Voters can register online at

https://sede.ine.gob.es, at their town hall, or by post to the Spanish electoral office (OCE). The OCE will also be sending out let ters at the end of October to anyone al ready registered with them containing a

password allowing voters to register online.

To register at their town hall, voters will need to take their residencia, passport, and a certfificate showing how long they have lived in Spain from the Oficina de Extranje ria or National police.

Registration will be open to Brits be tween December 1, 2022 and January 15, 2023.

Fuel discount review

SPAIN’S government is considering whether to retain the fuel discount in the new year or to make it available only to selected groups.

According to a national news site, First Vice President of the Government, Nadia Calviño, said on Monday, October 17 that the discount will be reviewed in the coming months.

Outlining the high cost to the government but also to the general population, Calviño said: “Let’s see, here at the end of the year, how the situation evolves.

“The current discount, in principle, ends on December 31, but there is a discussion to be had about whether you must keep it for all or just focus on a collective more affected.”

The news that Spain’s government is consid

DISCOUNT: Due to end on December 31.

ering whether to retain the fuel discount next year will come as music to most people’s ears, but it is unlikely that any announcement will be made until closer to the time given the fluidity of world markets.

Booking.com complaints

THE Spanish National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC), confirmed on Monday Oc tober 17 that it was initiating ‘antitrust proceed ings’ against Booking.com for possible anti­com petition practices affecting online travel agencies and hotels.

Two complaints have been filed with the watch dog by the Regional Hotel Association of Madrid and the Spanish Association of Hotel Managers claiming that booking.com has taken advantage of its dominant position in the market, according to the CNMC.

The complaints noted that the booking website

had levied unfair conditions on hotels located in Spain and introduced policies that could lead to ex clusionary effects on other online travel agencies and online sales channels.

These practices ‘may amount to unfair competi tion acts affecting public interest due to the distor tion of free competition they have produced’, the watchdog said.

Booking.com has claimed that it has been the target of several ‘unfair competition’ investigations in recent years, especially in the European Union.

The CNMC now has a maximum period of 18 months to conclude its investigation.

New product launch

GOOGLE CLOUD has launched Dual Run, a new product built on top of unique technology de veloped by Banco San tander.

Banco Santander is working with Google

Cloud to help other com panies across multiple industries simplify their transition from legacy mainframe systems to the cloud, Santander confirmed on Thursday October 13.

The Dual Run technol ogy, which will be made available to customers exclusively by Google Cloud, has proven appli cation in the highly­regu lated financial services industry, and Santander has begun utilising Du al Run to bring data and workloads onto Google Cloud’s trusted infrastructure.

Santander will also take advantage of Google’s deep knowl edge and tech abilities in the use of Cloud and software to accelerate its digital transforma tion.

In the next few months, Google Cloud will host a series of customer events to showcase their Dual Run service with the help of software de velopers and engi neers from Santander who have been in volved in the bank’s unique technology.

Coastline renaturation

THE Olympic Port is taking a further step in the renaturation of Barcelona’s coastline with the installation of 100 biotopes, and bio­regenera tion sculptures that create underwater habitats and increase the area’s biodiversity.

The placement of these shields is in addition to the 2,000 concrete blocks installed in the summer of 2021 to cover the Dico de Recreo and protect the Olympic Port from the effects of storms. Of these, more than 300 were natu ralised to promote marine biodiversity.

These actions are part of the process of transforming Port Olimpic and are being car ried out under the name of Barcelona Munici pal Services (B: SM) on behalf of Barcelona City Council. Their objectives include promoting the biological diversity of the area, a task which it is carrying out jointly with Barcelona Zoo.

CORPORATE and household debt fell slightly in the second quarter of 2022 year­on­year by 0.7 per cent.

More significantly as a per centage of gross domestic product (GDP), debt fell to 132.2 per cent.

Household debt increased by €5.7 billion, but fell in terms of GDP to 56.5 per cent of GDP in the second quarter of 2022 which was standing

OLYMPIC PORT: Is being transformed.

President of B: SM, Jaume Collboni, con firmed that: “This project is another sign of the Olympic Port that we want: a lively, dynamic space, committed to generating economic ac tivity linked to the sea, and also to raising public awareness of the need to preserve the mar itime environment.”

Falling debt

at 61.5 per cent a year earlier.

Households’ gross financial wealth increased by 0.7 per cent in the last year, declining in terms of GDP to 210 per cent of GDP, down from 228.9 per cent a year earlier.

The Financial Accounts of the Spanish Economy, pub lished mid October, show

that the consolidated debt of firms and corporations reached €1,679 billion in the second quarter of 2022. This figure is 0.7 per cent lower than the figure of €1,691 billion a year earlier and 4.2 per cent higher than at the end of 2019 before the pandemic began.

Transplant breakthrough

Peter McLaren­Kennedy

THE impossible has been achieved in Spain where doc tors performed an intestine transplant on a child taken from a donor in cardiac arrest.

A report by a national news outlet on Wednesday, Octo ber 12 said the operation is a

world first with the transplant of intestines not deemed pos sible due to the risk of infec tion.

The chief of paediatric transplantation at the Hospi tal of La Paz, Madrid, said: “The transplant of the intes tine is unachievable: they said

it couldn’t be done due to the high bacterial load.

“It is more susceptible to is chemia, lack of oxygen.”

After three years of work in preparing for such a trans plant along came Emma. Her small intestine was shorter than normal, which means that she can’t take in enough food. That meant intravenous feeding.

Emma who received the transplanted organ is, accord ing to her father a happy girl and is already learning to crawl.

After two months postop eratively, doctors said: “Her quality of life is excellent,” having shown curiosity in ev erything that is around her in the hospital.

Image: Barcelona City Council

An organ transplant first.

Image Dan Race / Shutterstock.com

£10bn Redevelopment

SITUATED on the banks of the River Thames, the rede veloped Battersea Power Sta tion was formally opened on Friday, October 14 to mixed reviews, following a £10 bil lion refit.

Once among the largest power stations in Europe, the station became a world icon after featuring on the Pink Floyd album Animals. Decom missioned in 1983 after more than 50 years, the sprawling site was left to decay for decades.

As a protected site, devel opment of the building was restricted to retain the original façade.

Bought by a consortium of Malaysian investors in 2012, the site has been redeveloped complete with shops, bars, restaurants, apartments, of fice space and includes a river side park and underground railway station. Among those who will be taking space is Apple, whose new London headquarters will be included in the facility.

One of the main attractions

Battersea Power Station.

will be the glass lift that will take visitors to the top of the chimney for panoramic views of the London skyline.

Up in smoke

A SCOTTISH derelict building fire in Cowdenbeath, Fife has led to a drugs haul of more than £1 million after emergency services found it contained a cannabis farm.

The police announced on Friday, October 14 that they were looking for assistance in identifying anyone who may have entered the building in the weeks prior to the fire.

Emergency services were rushed to the scene when the fire broke out only to find the cannabis farm and no one in the building. The police were called once the fire was extin guished with a forensic investigation suggesting that the ‘farm’ contained cannabis worth more than £1 million.

The fire is said to have involved a derelict property next to the Bingo Hall on the High Street in Cowdenbeath.

Detective Inspector Kieran Marsh, of West Fife CID, said: “Thankfully, no one was injured as a result of the fire.”

Credit Songquan Deng / Shutterstock.com

Documentary now delayed

NETFLIX has apparently postponed a controversial documentary about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.

The series, which the couple has been involved in making, was due to ar rive before Christmas, but according to reports, the Duke and Duchess of Sus sex wanted to make edits to their programme follow ing the death of the Queen.

A news outlet said on October 18, that the ex pected December airing of the couple’s documentaryfollowing the November 9 launch of the new series of The Crown ­ has been pushed to next year.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not re leased an official state ment, but it has been claimed there were issues with the docuseries after alleged contradictions be tween the docuseries and Harry’s upcoming memoir.

It’s an honour

JAMES BOND star Daniel Craig was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to film and theatre, by the Princess Royal during an in vestiture ceremony on Tues day October 18, at Windsor Castle.

Daniel, 54, looked stylish and suave as the late Queen’s daughter Anne placed the prestigious award for services to film and theatre around his neck ­ the very same honour

THE winner of the Natural His tory Museum Wildlife Pho tographer of the Year 2022 competition was announced on Tuesday, October 11, as American, Karine Aigner.

Her remarkable image is of a buzzing ball of cactus bees spinning over the hot sand on a Texas ranch. In her bee­level close­up, all except one are males and they are intent on mating with the single female at the centre. Like most bees,

held by Ian Fleming’s iconic character, James Bond.

The actor first appeared as 007 in ‘Casino Royale’ in 2006

and his fifth appearance in No Time To Die, released in cine mas last year marked the end of his stint as 007.

During his time as Britain’s famous fictional spy, Daniel appeared in character along side the Queen in a sketch to mark the opening of the Lon don 2012 Olympic Games.

The Royal Family marked Daniel’s honour on Tuesday, tweeting the snap of the actor and the Princess Royal along side the caption: “We’ve been expecting you…”

Bee-eautiful

they are threatened by habi tat loss, pesticides, and cli mate change, as well as farm ing practices that disrupt their nesting grounds.

Karine is the fifth woman in the competition’s 58­year his tory to be awarded the Grand Title award.

Chair of the jury, writer and editor, Rosamund Kidman

Cox OBE said, “Wingswhirring, incoming males home in on the ball of buzzing bees that is rolling straight in to the picture.

“The sense of movement and intensity is shown at beelevel magnification and trans forms what are little cactus bees into big competitors for a single female.”

Bird Flu outbreak

BRITAIN is now under strict biosecurity measures after the chief veterinary officer declared a preven tion zone across the whole island. The announcement on Monday, October 17, as covered by a national press site, makes it a legal re quirement for anyone with a flock of 500 birds or more to implement strict biose curity measures.

Free­range birds will now need to be kept in fenced enclosures and non­essential people will be barred from entering the premises. Clothing and footwear will need to be changed before entering

enclosures and sites includ ing vehicles will need to be disinfected regularly.

Statistics provided by DEFRA say there have been 190 confirmed cases since late October 2021, with over 30 of those con firmed since the beginning of the month.

A joint statement issued by the chief veterinary offi cers for the home nations said: “Bird keepers have faced the largest ever out break of avian flu this year and with winter brings even more increased risk to flocks as migratory birds return to the United King dom.”

BOND: Shaken not stirred.

Image: Shutterstock.com/360b

BIRD KEEPERS: Face largest outbreak of avian flu.

Credit Merrimon Crawford / Shutterstock.com

Peter McLaren­Kennedy

QUEEN fans will be excit ed to hear that the band are to reissue ‘The Mira cle’ album which will in clude a lost Freddie Mer cury recording.

The announcement on Thursday, October 13 by the band confirmed that the song, Face it Alone, which was originally recorded in 1988 to go on the ‘The Miracle’ album, released in 1989, but did not make the cut and ulti mately was forgotten, will now feature on a reis sue along with some stu dio recordings of the band in discussions.

A real discovery

of us... working in the stu dio on a great song idea which never quite got completed... until now.”

Drummer Roger Taylor said: “It’s wonderful, a re al discovery. It’s a very passionate piece.”

Get Boris back

A PETITION calling on Boris Johnson to be brought back as Prime Minister has been signed by more than 10,000 Conservative Party members and supporters in just two days, reported a press outlet on Monday October 17.

Members of the party have vented their frustration as Ms Truss’ government is spiralling out of control. In a par ticularly humiliating development her tax and domestic policy agenda was u­turned by Jeremy Hunt, the man she brought in to save the government.

Guitarist Brian May said: “I’m happy that our team were able to find

this track.

“After all these years, it’s great to hear all four

Queen continue to tour along with American Idol star Adam Lambert on vo cals. They have, however, not recorded or released any new tracks since the death of Freddie Mercury in 1991.

Missiles for Ukraine

THE UK will donate hundreds of cut ting­edge air defence missiles to Ukraine which can help protect against Russian missile strikes, UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace announced on Thursday, October 13.

“The AMRAAM rockets, which will be provided in the coming weeks for use with the NASAMS air defence sys tems pledged by the US, are the first

donated by the UK which are capable of shooting down cruise missiles,” the UK government said.

“The rockets will help to protect Ukraine’s critical national infrastruc ture,” with the announcement coming days after Russian missiles struck civil ian targets in cities across Ukraine.”

It added: “Hundreds of additional air defence missiles, of other types than

previously provided, will also be do nated as part of the package, along with hundreds of additional aerial drones.”

The UK government continued: “The UK will also give £10 million to NATO’s Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine.

The donation adds to similar pledges by the US and Germany among others.

Mr Hunt demolished almost all the tax cuts in the mini Budget which got her elected over the summer. Now MPs are claiming that the new Chancellor who was only ap pointed on Friday is the ‘de facto Prime Minister’.

Party members have responded to the Conservative Post petition with demands that Mr Johnson is begged to come back. Boris Johnson is currently on a tour of the USA while his successor Liz Truss is fighting for her political life.

Diamond dismay

AFTER centuries of debate between India and the UK over the rightful ownership of one of the world’s largest and most controversial gems, the Kohinoor diamond is back at the centre of attention.

It has been suggested that Camilla, The Queen’s Con sort is expected to wear the diamond, during King Charles III coronation at Westminster Abbey on May 6 next year.

However, it was reported on October 13 by a national news outlet that there are serious political sensitivities and it is yet to be confirmed as to whether the diamond will be a part of the coronation ceremonies.

QUEEN: Are about to reissue ‘The Miracle’ album.

Credit spatuletail/

Early detection saves lives

WITH October being Inter national Breast Cancer Awareness month, the management at Zenia Boulevard are once again sponsoring an event to mark the occasion.

On Friday October 21, the Pink Ladies will be at Zenia Boulevard to show support for all those fight ing, surviving and those who unfortunately lost their fight against cancer. There will be live music all day, introduced by Simon Morton of Sunshine FM, with top entertainers from 12.00 until approximately 5.00pm.

The ladies will be there in force with a table of

merchandise and offering to book appointments for various cancer screening tests as ‘Early Detection Saves Lives’.

So the message on the day is Early Detection Saves Lives.

Pink Lady, Mari Wilson is a survivor due to early de tection from a spur of the moment decision to have a mammogram which

saved her life.

Appointments for a screening test can also be booked online via the new website at www.pinkladies.org email info@pink­ladies.org Facebook pinkladies&pan thers

Tel 865 942 795 or just pop in to our office at CC Flamenca Beach next to the flower shop.

Tours with a fear factor

HALLOWEEN is nearly up on us and Guardamar will once again be hosting a spooky schedule of events to celebrate on October 31.

The town’s popular ‘Terror Tours’ are set to run throughout the evening, or ganised by the local tourism board.

There will be two options of tours for thrill seekers: Terror Tours for adults (over 12s) and Terror Tours for children (aged three to 12). The adult tours will leave from Parque Alfonso

XIII and run between 7.30pm and 11pm on Octo ber 31. The children’s tours will leaves every 10 minutes from the Anfiteatro on Avenida Los Pinos.

Guardamar Council said it expected Halloween will be a popular celebration once again saying “local streets are flooded with skeletons, witches, vampires and the undead.”

Prior registration is not required, for more informa tion, send a WhatsApp message to 633 969 692.

Walk Against Cancer

PINOSO’S first Walk Against Cancer will take place on Sunday, October 23 with the aim of raising funds to continue with the in vestigations already initiated.

Maria Fi Linares, president of the House wives’ Association, has been helping to coor dinate the event and appeals to people in Pinoso to collaborate in order to make can cer visible and normalise it.

Those interested can now register by con tacting the members of the board of direc tors of the Housewives’ Association or the town hall. A donation of €5 will be enough to receive an identification pack and to take part in a draw to win gifts from local estab lishments.

At 10.00am the walk will depart from the

TORREVIEJA will once again be showcasing its rich cuisine with a Tapas Trail in November. The Torrevieja Tapas Trail 2022 will be held on two long week ends, from November 1013 and 17­20 and will fea ture the best of Torrevieja local food as well as fusion and international dishes with exquisite flavours.

Locals and visitors alike

Plaza of Spain to the park of Santa Catalina. Entertainment will be provided by DJ Ruben, alongside children’s entertainment work shops, lunch with doughnuts and chocolate and a gift raffle all thanks to the various col laborating organisations.

Torrevieja Tapas Trail

are invited to head out and grab some tapas in the city centre. Guests can purchase tickets to try tapas menus developed especially for the event. Participating restaurants design tasting menus consisting of four speciality tapas for guests to try.

Afterwards, guests have

the chance to rate the dish es they sampled and vote for favourites. The Torrevie ja Hospitality Association will then announce a win ner. Guests will also have the chance to win a phone donated by the Torrevieja Hospitality Association, simply by reviewing the dishes tasted.

Walk Against Cancer

Image: Pinoso City Council

Transatlantic schedule

LONDON Gatwick Airport an nounced there will be 51 flights a week to the USA during the peak booking peri od for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

Passengers travelling to the USA from Gatwick Air port can now choose from 51 flights per week to popular destinations including New York, Orlando, Boston and Tampa.

The increased transatlantic schedule comes as JetBlue added a second daily flight to New York from October 31 just in time for the peak booking period ahead of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season.

This means London Gatwick passengers will now have even more choice when heading stateside, whether to enjoy New York’s worldfamous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, sample the Black Friday sales, the city’s multitude of Christmas mar kets or legendary Rockefeller Centre ice rink or treat the family to a once­in­a­lifetime

festive trip to Disney World in Orlando.

Last month, Gatwick an nounced Delta Air Lines would be returning to the air port next April, with daily flights to New York JFK.

Brain drain

THE loss of EU research funding has sparked a brain drain as top scientists begin to leave the UK rather than lose access to valuable research grants.

According to a news outlet on Thursday October 13, more than 20 top scientists have made the decision to relocate from the UK over the uncertainty of continued funding.

UK scientists lost access to EU research grants due to Brexit, grants that the UK government said it would match when the time came. However, with many of these grants now nearing the end of their funding period, scientists relying on funding for their research are being forced to make a choice.

Negotiations to continue UK access to the fund have stalled over impasses over Northern Ireland and other Brexit­related disagreements.

The scientific and engineering community are saying that it could result in a brain drain with the first signs that it has al ready started.

NEW YORK: Will be more accessible from the UK.

Image: London Gatwick Airport

FRANCE faced disruptions on Tuesday October 18, after unions called a nationwide transport strike, as they re main in deadlock with the government over walkouts at oil depots that have sparked fuel shortages.

The effects were already visible at Paris hub Gare de Lyon early on Tuesday, with packed suburban trains flooding platforms with pas sengers every 15 or even 20 minutes.

Travel chaos

The broader strike comes after workers at several oil re

Calling all retirees

THE Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) is testing out a new winter marketing campaign aimed at reaching out to the retired.

In a bid to extend its tourist season by attracting retirees to the country their new campaign ‘Do you wanna feel 20 again?’ launched in mid October.

In May of this year, Greece’s Ministry of Tourism an nounced the launch of the global campaign ‘You will want to stay forever’. The campaign which was created with the support of the Onassis Foundation was to boost the coun try’s summer season and it proved highly successful.

The campaign drew in nearly eight million tourists in the first half of the year, which was an increase of 428.9 per cent in comparison to 2021.

The GNTO campaign also helped generate €5.126 billion in revenue between January and June with an expected earning of nearly €20 billion by the end of the year.

fineries and depots operated by energy giant TotalEnergies voted to extend walkouts.

Motorists have also scram bled to fill tanks as the fuel strike, which has lasted for nearly three weeks, cripples supplies at around 30 per cent of France’s service sta tions and has had a knock­on effect across all sectors of the economy.

President Emmanuel Macron’s government used requisitioning powers to force some strikers back to open fuel depots, a move that infuriated unions but has so far been upheld in the courts.

“The time for negotiation is over,” Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire Le Maire told a French broadcaster.

Oil refineries and depots extend walk outs.

Image: Shutterstock.com/KrivosheevVitaly

Parisian headquarters

CRYPTO.COM has an nounced Paris as its European Regional Headquarters.

Crypto.com, the world’s fastest-growing cryptocurrency platform, announced on Octo ber 13, that it will invest €150 million in France to support the establishment of its market op erations, including a regional headquarters in Paris.

This investment follows Crypto.com being registered as a Digital Asset Service Provider (DASP) by the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) after clearance with the Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Réso

lution (ACPR) in September.

In addition to establishing its regional headquarters in Paris, their investment will help an chor its long-term commit ment to France through the

hiring of local talent.

Eric Anziani, COO of Crypto.com confirmed: “We are incredibly excited to ce ment our commitment to France and Europe through the establishment of our regional headquarters in Paris.

“Our regulatory approval was the first important step in our journey in France, and we look forward to continuing to engage with stakeholders across sectors to help facilitate the new digital economy in France and providing cus tomers with a best-in-class crypto experience.”

Princess in hiding

THE teenage heir to the Dutch throne has been forced to give up life at university and return back to the palace amid security fears.

According to Queen Maxima on Friday, Octo ber 14, Princess Amalia is back home where she is continuing her studies. She said: “Amalia, can’t leave home” and that has “enormous conse quences for her life.”

Amalia, 18, who is studying Politics, Psycholo gy, Law and Economics at Amsterdam University

had intended to live with other students in the heart of the city. Instead, she is still at home in nearby The Hague, her mother said adding that “She doesn’t have a student life.”

The comments from the queen provide in sight into the difficult life that the royal family and others across Europe are living, faced by threats from organised criminal gangs. Drug traf fickers are said to be behind the security fears with gangs becoming stronger and more brazen.

Vaccine text scandal

MISLAV KOLAKUSIC of the European Parliament took to Twitter on Wednesday, Oc tober 12 to announce that the EU’s purchase of too many ‘unproven’ Covid vac cines equates to the “biggest corruption scandal in the his tory of mankind.”

Mislav Kolakusic said: “The purchase of 4.5 billion doses of the Covid­19 vaccine for 450 million EU residents is

the biggest corruption scan dal in the history of mankind.”

Kolakusic stated “10 MEPs asked Mrs von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, when she will present to the members of the European Parliament, and the EU citizens whom she supposedly represents, the communication she had with Pfizer during the vaccine

procurement at a time when there was absolutely no proof of the effectiveness.”

Kolakusic added: “Imagine, four and a half billion doses for 450 million people. Based on that calculation, each child, newly born, should re ceive 10 doses of something that no one in the world ex cept maybe two or three people, knew what it con tained.”

Ireland’s tourism

IRELAND welcomed over 900,000 Interna tional tourists in September, which is only about 9 per cent less compared to the same period in 2019.

The data provided by the Irish Tourism In dustry Confederation (ITIC) on Wednesday, October 12, has revealed that so far this year, visitors’ numbers are down by 20 per cent.

In addition, the same data shows that dur ing September this year, Ireland was visited by 338,000 people from continental Europe, which means 5 per cent less than in 2019,

making it the strongest­performing market.

CEO of ITIC, Eoghan O’Mara Walsh, point ed out that: “Members such as hotels and restaurants were reporting that energy bills had jumped to unsustainable and unprece dented levels, warning that profit margins have come under serious pressure.”

Meanwhile, air and sea travel statistics show that in the same month more than 1,703,200 overseas passengers arrived in Ire land. As a result, this represents a dramatic recovery compared to June last year, when the country recorded only 160,000 arrivals.

Image:

European Regional HQ.

Shield agreement

Peter McLaren­Kennedy GERMANY is leading a coali tion of 14 northern European countries to develop an antimissile shield following the indiscriminate rocket attacks in Ukraine.

NATO made the an nouncement on Thursday, October 13 saying that the proposed system will be compatible with existing sys tems, and will include nonNATO countries in the north.

An agreement was signed by the defence ministers of the 14 countries committing them to the development of the new shield.

Mircea Geoana, Deputy Secretary­General of NATO said: “This commitment is even more crucial today, when we see the missile strikes, merciless and indis criminate, Russia to Ukraine.”

Southern European coun tries like Spain, have not been included in the agree ment with no invitation to do so received as yet.

Current signatories include Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Re public, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Slo vakia, Slovenia, Romania and

the United Kingdom.

Spain has formally indicat ed that if asked to join, it would do so, according to a spokesperson for the govern ment.

3D Modelling

ADVANCED 3D modelling is to be used by investigators to recreate the scene where a suspected gas explosion killed 10 people in Creeslough, Co. Donegal.

According to a national news outlet on Sunday, October 16, investigators will begin recreating the scene of the explosion virtually.

The hope was that crime scene investigators from the Gar da Technical Bureau could begin sifting through the evidence earlier, however, they are having to wait for the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) to confirm it is safe enough to enter the site. According to the emergency services, the blast was caused by gas containers stored in an apartment alongside the petrol station. With investigators working to understand what caused the blast, they said at this stage there is nothing to suggest foul play.

Independent gas and oil explosion expert, Norwegianbased consultancy DNV, will examine the rubble and 3D modelling software to recreate the explosion. It is hoped that the modelling will give insight into the nature, the timing and the path of the explosion.

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MANDATORY SPANISH DRIVING LI CENCE

New regulations governing the manda tory issue of Spanish driver’s licence for British citizens is an issue that’s causing concern for some of our English expatri ate customers.

Our Legal Assistance service will keep you fully updated on all the latest news and provide details on driving schools closest to your home, where you can pre pare for the exam in English, consult the registration fees and raise any questions you may have.

In this article we’ll explain the regula tions and procedures that you’ll have to follow, and the possible sanctions for non-compliance. If you need more infor mation or you’d like to speak to our Legal Assistance team, please call 919 180 022 and we’ll be happy to assist and advise you.

AUTOMATIC LICENCE EXPIRY AFTER APRIL 30, 2022

As of December 31, 2020, the UK ceased to belong to the Euro pean Union, and regula

tions that allowed driving in Spain, with a British driving licence, ceased to be appli cable.

UK issued driving licences were only au thorised to drive in Spain until April 30, 2022, and are now not valid. All existing agreements on highway regulations that protect the Member States of the Euro pean Union have ceased to be valid and applicable. However, those British drivers who do not have their main residence in Spain and travel for periods of less than six months (tourist type), may continue to drive in Spain, during that period, with their original permit.

ENGLISH FOR SPANISH LICENCE SWAP

Residents with a British driving licence, had until December 31, 2020 to swap and redeem theirs for a Spanish licence. Con sequently, they must now obtain a new Spanish driving licence from scratch, sub mitting to the requirements and tests es tablished in Spain for obtaining said li cence.

Call their English-speaking cus tomer service staff on 952 147 834 or get a competitive quote now at lineadirecta.com.

SPANISH DRIVING LICENCE: Now mandatory if you live in Spain permanently.

The ultimate Mick Hucknall tribute

WELSHMAN Mick Bassett looks and sings like Mick Huck nall and is just waiting to get back to Spain with his Red Mick tribute.

The former boy soprano, like many of his Welsh coun terparts, was born to sing and several years ago after selling shares that he had earned whilst working for Tesco, he purchased his own PA system.

The band he played with supported other Welsh bands Catatonia and Super Furry Ani mals at concerts but as there wasn’t enough work, he went solo and became a singer at Butlins before returning to Wales to think about his fu ture.

“The fact that I looked so much like Mick Hucknall prompted me to take on the alter ego of ‘Red Mick’ and I started to perfect the voice which was difficult as his tone and range is so very distinc

tive, but reviews suggest that I have pitched the voice abso lutely correctly,” he told Euro Weekly News.

He had a great deal of suc cess with gigs around the UK either with a band or as a solo act which meant that he was soon booked for cruise ships and later found himself play ing at El Oceano in La Cala de Mijas, where he met up with

Martyn Wood of Big M Promo tions who booked him for eight dates across the Costa del Sol in early 2020.

Looking back, Mick said “It went really well and we were talking about another possibly longer tour when the pandem ic really hit and that was the end of my musical career for quite a while.

“I had to work to live and

took a job in a meat factory and then became a driver de livering vital medicines during lockdown and now I’m back singing, although a number of pubs and other venues simply went out of business but I’m still working mainly solo and finding gigs.”

His repertoire includes all of Simply Red’s top numbers in cluding, If You Don’t Know Me

by Now, Star, Fair ground, Money’s too Tight (to Mention) and the autobiographical Holding Back the Years which was inspired by the upheaval following Hucknall’s mother leav ing the family when he was just three.

Red Mick hasn’t met Simply Red Mick as yet but did get to play at Bil ly’s Pub run by the son of the lady who used to look after him when his father was at work as a barber and appar ently his act went down very well.

Now that the Costa del Sol is seeing such a resurrection with tourists flocking in, de spite Brexit and with Simply Red drawing large crowds and great reviews whenever they play here, Red Mick hopes that next year will see him performing in Spain again.

Credit: Red Mick Facebook Simply the best.

GREAT REVIEWS: Red Mick is the star of the show.

PRESSEUROPEAN

DENMARK

Inflation fight

CREATED to fight the cost-of-living crisis, new Danish discount supermarket Basalt is opening 10 stores which will only sell basic products such as pasta and toilet paper whilst replacing fresh milk with long-life in order to cut down the need for fridges and use of electricity.

THE NETHERLANDS

Mistaken identity

SIMILAR to the UK’s Long Lost Family, Spoorloos, a Dutch TV programme traces and reunites family members but it has now admitted that in at least two of the shows, the wrong person was identified and now the programme makers are investigating a further 12 suspect cases.

BELGIUM

Cat scam

CAT lovers in Belgium were so worried about the chance of their four-legged friends catching Covid-19 that they spent an average of €3,000 per animal to purchase what turned out to be a banned drug which didn’t work and now six people have been arrested.

GERMANY

War damage

GERMAN taxpayers could be in for a financial shock if a Polish government claim for €1.3 trillion in war reparations is recognised although the German government has rejected the claim relying on the fact that in 1953 the Soviet Union persuaded the communist Polish government to drop all claims.

FRANCE

Ulterior motive

A YEAR after President Macron said Algeria had “hatred towards France” things have changed and after his peacekeeping visit earlier this year, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said her recent trip had nothing to do with a need for vital liquid gas, just a chance to cement friendship.

NORWAY

Too good

A REVIEW by financial magazine Kapital has concluded that Erling Haaland who has taken the UK Premier League by storm (and actually has a humorous petition calling for him to be banned from playing for Manchester City) is likely to become Norway’s first Krone billionaire.

FINLAND National Service

A SURVEY by the Uutissuomalainen newspaper group found that 35 per cent of those responding were in favour of introducing military conscription for women although nearly half were against. Currently all males are required to spend up to one year in some form of national service.

IRELAND

Side stepping

FOR some time, those behind Riverdance have been supporting and advertising with the CLRG which arranges Irish Dancing competitions, but it has now announced that until allegations of judges fixing competitions are completed it will have to suspend all advertising with the organisation.

ITALY

Winter fashion

ITALIAN athletes taking part in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo will be competing in outfits designed by Giorgio Armani for his EA7 line operated under the Emporio Armani brand name thanks to a deal with the Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI).

PORTUGAL

Airport fees

HOLIDAYMAKERS can expect their trip to Portugal to become more expensive from February 2023 as the airport authority Aeroportos de Portugal is pushing to increase landing and take off fees by around 15 per cent, although this is currently being fought by airlines.

UKRAINE

Custom bikes

RALEIGH, the British bicycle brand, is supporting Alans BMX and the charity Bikes4Ukraine by creating two custom Raleigh Burner Bikes in Ukraine colours which are being auctioned on eBay to raise funds for the charity so refugees can be supplied with bikes.

SWEDEN

Nobel Prize

THE 2022 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Swedish scientist 67-year-old Svante Paabo, for his years of study to discover how to extract DNA from the bones of Neanderthals to compare similarities with Homo Sapiens who became the dominant human species.

PC decline FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA

Crypto tax

TRYING to control the in creasing investment in cryp tocurrency, the 2023 Por tuguese budget includes a proposal to implement a 28 per cent tax on profits if cryp tocurrencies are sold within 12 months of acquisition and this will be the first step in a crack­down.

Mortgage freeze

A REPORT by a Spanish newspaper suggests that the recently created Caixabank is in the process of discussing with other Spanish commer cial banks the possibility of freezing variable interest rates on mortgages for one year in a bid to try to cushion the finances of homeowners.

Bad news

ACCORDING to Pierre­Olivier Gourinchas, Chief Economist at the International Mone tary Fund, the euro area will continue to stall in the com ing year with the energy cri sis caused by the war contin uing to take a heavy toll, reducing growth to 0.5 per cent in 2023

More workers

EVEN though pay levels con tinue to fall in many indus tries, unemployment in the UK has dropped to its lowest level in 50 years with a total of 29.7 million employees on registered payrolls at the end of September, an increase of 69,000 in a month.

Numbers up

SPANISH airport manage ment group AENA has an nounced that by the end of September it had handled 98 per cent of the number of passengers than it forecast for the year, showing the re silience of the Spanish tourism industry following the travel difficulties caused by the pandemic.

STAT OF WEEK €135 billion

is the value of Spain’s tourism gross domestic product in 2022 according to a forecast by industry association Exceltur which is 88 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

Economy is stressed

WHAT goes up must come down is a maxim which is proving true in the world of personal computer (PC) sales worldwide according to a report by Gartner Inc.

With the boom in home work ing during the pandemic, PC sales (including Apple products) under standably shot up but according to this latest report, in the third quar ter of 2022 worldwide sales of 68 million units was down 19.2 per cent over the 2021 quarter.

This is the largest market decline since Gartner began tracking the PC market in the mid­1990s and the fourth consecutive quarter of year­on­year decline which has not been helped by problems with supply chain disruptions.

McColl sale

ATTRIBUTED to former Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson, the phrase “a week is a long time in politics” cannot be more appropriate than the week which saw the sacking of UK Chancel lor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng and a reversal of most of his policies.

After the Chancellor blamed the problems with the September 23 mi ni­budget on the death of the queen, Business Secretary Jacob Rees­Mogg told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that it is possible that the problems were caused not by the Treasury but by the Bank of England for not raising

interest rates in line with the USA.

The new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has acted swiftly in order to try to re store confidence in the British econo my and on Monday October 17, de molished almost every plan put into place by Kwarteng which had not al ready gone through parliament.

The basic rate of income tax will re main at 20p indefinitely instead of be ing reduced to 19p as he considers it wrong to borrow in order to fund such a reduction and this will only be changed when he believes that the government can afford to do so.

The cap on energy bills is now only guaranteed until April next year and will then be reviewed rather than keep it in place for two years as previ ously promised.

The announced cuts to stamp duty and National Insurance will however be kept in the hopes that these will help to stimulate the housing market and the economy.

All in all, the promises that Liz Truss made when campaigning against Rishi Sunak have effectively been dec imated and this cannot help her credi bility one iota.

More energy security plan

SPAIN has approved the More Energy Security Plan (+SE) to strengthen the pro tection of consumers against the rise in prices caused by the war in Ukraine.

The initiative also seeks to reduce gas consumption, improve energy autonomy, increase the competitive ness of the economy and increase energy exports.

Minister for the Ecologi cal Transition and the De mographic Challenge, Tere sa Ribera, confirmed on Tuesday October 11 that it is a plan that will continue to be updated, given the uncertainty of the evolution of the war and its conse quences, and a monthly re

port will be published which will monitor the effi ciency and savings in elec tricity and gas from the dif ferent measures.

The Plan contains 73 en ergy security measures grouped around six major objectives: savings and effi ciency; transformation of

the energy system; exten sion of protection to con sumers, especially the vul nerable; fiscal measures; transformation of the in dustry thanks to renewable energies or hydrogen, and cooperation with the rest of the European countries.

To guarantee and im

prove the protection of the population, the granting of the electric social bonus and the thermal social bonus will be expanded, in creasing the volume of the protected population.

The energy bills of 1.6 million households with community boilers will also be reduced with a view to next winter and families will have fiscal support to implement renewable air conditioning systems, cost allocators in centralised heating will be encouraged and smart natural gas me ters will be installed.

A further billion euros will be made available in or der to implement all of the plans.

THE Competition and Markets Au thority (CMA) has announced its initial findings after investigating the Morrisons reported £190 mil lion purchase of stores owned by McColl’s Retail Group plc.

It has now confirmed in princi ple that it doesn’t believe that the deal would harm the vast majority of shoppers or other businesses, but it raised competition concerns in 35 areas.

Morrisons has now offered to dispose of 28 of McColl’s stores to a purchaser or purchasers to be approved by CMA and assuming that an acceptable deal can be put in place then the CMA expects to approve the amended sale.

Lashing out

THE mayor of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, a respected member of the Partido Popular, has accused the government of Pedro Sánchez as being akin to Argentina’s “Peronist government.”

She told the Madrid Assembly that the plans to impose a tempo rary additional tax on Spain’s rich est residents is an attack on free dom as “here in Spain people want to be free.”

In her opinion, this is a form of ‘fiscal popularism’ which will harm the economy and see an increase in unemployment and she said that she would investigate appeal ing to the Courts to negate the ‘sol idarity law in Madrid.’

FINANCE to read more FINANCE scan this QR Code

INITIATIVE: Minister Teresa Ribera announced the plan.

Credit: HM Treasury flickr

POLICY REVERSAL: The new Chancellor quickly spoke with Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England.

Credit: La Moncloa flickr

C OMPANY OMPANY

3I Group 1.090,50 1.109,00 1.078,50 305,83K

Abrdn 142,65 143,00 137,95 1,72M

Admiral Group 1.950,0 1.949,0 1.911,5 51,17K

Anglo American 2.669,5 2.722,0 2.652,0 357,69K

Antofagasta 1.083,50 1.104,50 1.074,00 168,77K

Ashtead Group 4.285,0 4.309,0 4.170,0 129,91K

Associated British Foods 1.321,0 1.322,5 1.292,0 878,33K

AstraZeneca 9.930,0 9.945,0 9.800,0 478,06K

Auto Trader Group Plc 534,40 536,60 523,60 520,38K

Aveva 3.150,0 3.176,0 3.150,0 4,77K

Aviva 401,20 401,70 394,80 6,88M

B&M European Value Retail SA316,70 317,80 308,10 1,24M

BAE Systems 829,60 831,20 815,60 2,99M

Barclays 145,50 148,88 143,64 19,26M

Barratt Developments 352,68 355,40 346,45 344,29K

Berkeley 3.401,0 3.416,0 3.341,0 116,31K

BHP Group Ltd 2.236,50 2.250,50 2.211,00 139,98K

BP 463,05 465,50 460,24 5,45M

British American Tobacco 3.298,0 3.320,5 3.284,5 825,93K

British Land Company 335,90 341,70 326,90 1,09M

BT Group 122,40 123,10 121,15 3,28M

Bunzl 2.731,0 2.734,0 2.688,0 95,65K

Burberry Group 1.850,0 1.880,0 1.799,5 422,29K

Carnival 558,2 572,8 545,4 388,33K

Centrica 72,97 72,97 70,30 680,22K

Coca Cola HBC AG 1.992,8 1.998,0 1.965,0 1,99M

Compass 1.820,00 1.821,50 1.799,00 41,46K

CRH 2.886,0 2.938,0 2.843,0 173,16K

Croda Intl 6.464,8 6.560,0 6.357,4 8,29K

DCC 4.721,0 4.745,0 4.663,0 22,94K

Diageo 3.677,0 3.682,0 3.638,5 383,27K

DS Smith 268,00 273,52 266,31 338,13K

EasyJet 308,00 308,30 294,55 982,77K

Experian 2.674,0 2.681,0 2.610,0 168,22K

Ferguson 9.606,0 9.686,0 9.496,0 68,79K

Flutter Entertainment 10.485,0 10.505,0 10.305,0 632,11K

Fresnillo 728,00 739,00 721,60 270,56K

Glencore 491,55 500,30 489,40 8,19M

GSK plc 1.348,60 1.354,60 1.335,40 1,99M

Halma 2.085,0 2.096,0 2.030,0 243,59K

Hargreaves Lansdown 826,80 835,40 813,20 282,73K

Hikma Pharma 1.287,50 1.300,50 1.264,50 134,76K

HSBC 461,85 464,25 456,25 15,28M

IAG 110,42 112,30 108,42 7,44M

Imperial Brands 2.010,00 2.026,00 2.009,00 512,17K

1,39M

Intermediate Capital 992,19 1.019,50 971,00 245,56K

Intertek 3.674,0 3.698,0 3.626,0 122,14K

ITV 63,00 63,67 61,64 1,73M

J Sainsbury 180,77 182,60 178,15 1,84M

Johnson Matthey 1.843,7 1.859,0 1.816,0 75,04K

Land Securities 511,80 519,20 500,40 554,19K

Legal & General 223,79 225,55 219,12 2,26M

Lloyds Banking 43,24 43,61 42,42 30,51M

London Stock Exchange 7.348,0 7.384,0 7.236,0 94,07K

Melrose Industries 103,05 103,90 100,50 3,51M

Mondi 1.392,50 1.417,50 1.372,50 576,88K

National Grid 884,12 885,40 872,40 1,61M

NatWest Group 231,00 238,24 229,71 3,70M

Next 4.835,0 4.838,0 4.670,0 204,52K

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

Ocado 484,20 484,20 439,00 1,77M

Persimmon 1.235,5 1.242,0 1.206,0 476,68K

Phoenix 531,71 537,60 527,20 1,52M

Prudential 892,20 912,80 884,80 1,19M

Reckitt Benckiser 5.882,0 5.910,0 5.786,0 762,14K

Relx 2.202,00 2.209,00 2.167,00 1,78M

Rentokil 502,20 503,40 491,90 1,72M

Rightmove 478,00 478,60 460,80 2,28M

Rio Tinto PLC 4.899,0 4.964,0 4.877,0 396,66K

Rolls-Royce Holdings 71,50 71,88 69,94 8,34M Rosneft DRC 0,20 0,20 0,20 0

Sage 695,00 695,80 681,00 613,48K

Samsung Electronics DRC 981,00 981,80 971,20 9,92K

Schroders 373,8 376,1 368,2 639,96K Scottish Mortgage 744,21 748,60 729,40 1,17M

Segro 740,80 740,80 718,60 943,60K

Severn Trent 2.343,0 2.349,0 2.262,0 246,00K Shell 2.295,0 2.322,0 2.288,5 4,24M Smith & Nephew 998,80 1.007,50 992,60 2,33M

Smiths Group 1.528,50 1.544,50 1.512,00 160,20K

Spirax-Sarco Engineering 10.640,0 10.670,0 10.415,0 67,05K SSE 1.495,00 1.499,50 1.467,00 1,81M St. James’s Place 980,40 982,60 968,60 276,82K

Standard Chartered 549,00 557,80 543,80 1,06M Taylor Wimpey 89,50 90,04 87,22 6,99M

Tesco 205,20 207,00 203,00 4,51M Tui 116,90 119,45 114,70 946,65K

Unilever 3.902,0 3.917,5 3.857,0 702,42K United Utilities 865,15 869,80 839,20 690,95K

Vodafone Group PLC 100,24 101,52 99,54 12,86M Whitbread 2.514,0 2.521,0 2.457,0 166,73K WPP 748,78 757,60 738,80 929,51K

DOW JONES

3M 114,26 114,83 4,77M

American Express 141,55 142,55 130,65 4,59M

Amgen 251,66 252,37 242,84 3,29M

Apple 142,99 143,59 134,37 112,74M

Boeing 132,40 134,70 124,17 7,72M

Caterpillar 183,14 184,95 172,71 3,73M

Chevron 165,28 165,99 156,35 10,19M

Cisco 40,61 40,80 38,60 26,19M

Coca-Cola 55,87 56,08 54,26 16,20M

Dow 45,92 46,50 42,91 8,26M

Goldman Sachs 307,07 308,76 287,75 2,69M

Home Depot 282,83 284,83 268,73 3,88M

Honeywell 177,55 178,39 169,22 3,22M

IBM 121,79 122,15 115,54 5,84M

Intel 26,42 26,83 24,59 62,26M

J&J 165,15 165,99 160,75 6,46M

JPMorgan 109,37 109,90 101,76 22,15M

McDonald’s 246,75 249,30 234,46 5,01M

Merck&Co 92,49 92,72 89,27 9,37M

Microsoft 234,24 236,10 219,13 42,39M

Nike 89,56 89,81 86,05 9,23M

Procter&Gamble 126,31 126,75 122,92 6,90M Salesforce Inc 145,44 146,34 137,59 6,54M

The Travelers 165,51 166,55 155,72 1,95M

UnitedHealth 509,91 513,47 487,74 3,99M

Verizon 36,40 36,59 35,04 33,11M

Visa A 184,66 185,37 174,60 8,36M

Walgreens Boots 33,65 34,01 31,77 21,39M

Walmart 132,28 132,94 128,37 6,83M Walt Disney 96,64 96,97 90,71 10,94M

Most Advanced

Nutex Health +72.40% 42.58M

Fednat Holding Co +56.48% 40.97M

Digital Brands Group +44.93% 21.99M

Digital World Acquisition Wnt +42.57% 1.28M

Laser Photonics Unt +40.96% 45.18M

American Virtual Cloud +35.82% 16.21M

Epiphany Technology Acquisition +30.00% 23.47K

Ambow Education +28.48% 255.84K

Service Properties +27.31% 8.66M

Oblong +26.53% 5.15M

Digital World Acquisition +23.79% 5.58K

Most Declined

Relmada Therapeutics -79.57% 19.47M

Insu Acquisition -58.59% 3.75K

Otonomy Inc -53.46% 13.43M

Hippo Holdings -45.90% 185.18K

mCloud Technologies -35.90% 684.79K

9F -33.86% 906.61K

Happiness Biotech -23.64% 335.64K

Maiden Holdings -22.01% 4.05K

Pintec Tech -21.62% 2.79M

iPower -19.80% 108.75K

Adamis Pharmaceuticals Corporation -18.98% 4.93M

BUSINESS

EXTRA

Bond sale delay

FOLLOWING a report from the Financial Times on Tues day, October 18 stating that the UK government planned to delay the sale of some of its bonds through its quanti tative easing (QE) stimulus programme, a spokesper son for the central bank was quick to deny the allega tions.

J&J Q3 results

JOHNSON & JOHNSON re ported sales growth of 1.9 per cent to $23.8 billion (€24.2 billion) with opera tional growth of 8.1 per cent and adjusted operational growth of 8.2 per cent. The company also reported earnings per share (EPS) of $1.68 (€1.71) increasing 22.6 per cent and adjusted EPS of $2.55 (€2.60) decreasing by 1.9 per cent.

Horse gambling

NORWAY’S Ministry of Agriculture and Food pro posed regulations on the distribution of profits from gambling on horses on Tuesday, October 18. The proposed regulation states profits from gambling on horses must go to organisa tions that promote eques trian sports, horse keeping and Norwegian horse breeding.

Eradicating polio

THE Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation pledged on Sun day, October 16 to invest a further $1.2 billion (€1.22 bil lion) in worldwide efforts to eradicate polio.

“Polio eradication is within reach. But as far as we have come, the disease remains a threat,” Bill Gates said after announcing the pledge at a summit in Berlin.

A spokesperson for the Foundation said: “Despite historic progress, interrup tions in routine immunisa tion, vaccine misinforma tion, political unrest, and the tragic floods in Pakistan in 2022 have underscored the urgent need to finish the job against polio.”

Royal Mail job cuts

ROYAL MAIL plans to axe up to 6,000 roles, according to reports on Friday, October 14.

The company blamed delays in improving productivity and falling parcel volumes were to blame for the loss of £219 mil lion (€251 million) for the first half of this financial year.

Roughly £70m (€80m) of the loss was directly attributable to three days of industrial action, the company said, after 115,000 employees went on strike over pay and conditions.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said it would seek an urgent meeting with Royal Mail to discuss the planned re ductions.

A statement issued by the union said that it wanted to put forward an alternative business plan saying that “gross misman

agement” was to blame for the issues.

CWU General Secretary Dave Ward said: “The announcement

is the result of gross misman agement and a failed business agenda of ending daily deliver ies, a wholesale levelling­down

El Corte Inglés donation

of the terms, pay and conditions of postal workers, and turning Royal Mail into a gig economy style parcel courier.

“What the company should be doing is abandoning its assetstripping strategy and building the future based on utilising the competitive edge it already has in its deliveries to 32 million ad dresses across the country.

“The CWU is calling for an ur gent meeting with the board and will put forward an alterna tive business plan at that meet ing.

“This announcement is hold ing postal workers to ransom for taking legal industrial action against a business approach that is not in the interests of work ers, customers or the future of Royal Mail. This is no way to build a company.”

Huge Jet2 order

JET2 announced on Tuesday, October 18 that “to meet the future anticipated growth of its Leisure Travel business and to refresh its existing aircraft fleet, the company has entered into an agreement with Airbus to purchase 35 new firm­ordered Airbus A320 neo aircraft with the ability for this to ex tend to up to 71 aircraft.”

“The firm­ordered aircraft deliveries stretch over three years until 2031 and at base price represent a total value of approx imately $3.9 billion (€4 billion), with a total transaction value for up to 71 aircraft of ap proximately $8.0 billion (€8.1 billion),” though the company negotiated significant discounts from the base price, it said.

“This order, in addition to the A321 neo aircraft orders announced in 2021, means Jet2 now has a total of 98 firm­ordered air craft, which could eventually extend to up to 146 aircraft,” it concluded.

Anglian Water fined

EL CORTE INGLÉS donated €72,000 to UNICEF Spain thanks to the funds obtained from the ‘Solidarity Toys’ cam paign, carried out both in El Corte Inglés stores and on its website over the past year.

This was the 12th consecu tive campaign, which has been very well received by the public every year, the company said on Monday, Oc tober 17.

El Corte Inglés’ ‘Solidarity Toys’ campaign consisted of a large selection of toys, which were reduced in price by up

to 70 per cent.

Twenty per cent of the sales obtained were donated to UNICEF Spain as part of a col laboration agreement be tween the two.

El Corte Inglés is reportedly the first Spanish retailer to in corporate the Children’s Rights and Business Principles into its corporate policies.

“These Principles provide a general framework for under standing and addressing the impact of the business world on the well­being of chil dren,” the company said.

The €72,000 donated by El Corte Inglés will make it pos sible to bring water, food, vi tamins and vaccines to the most vulnerable children, provide hygiene and sanita tion services and promote ac cess to education for children and adolescents.

The company said it “sup ports the organisation’s work on behalf of children to en sure that the rights of chil dren and adolescents around the world are fulfilled and to improve their living condi tions.”

ANGLIAN WATER has been fined £350,000 (€402,000) after a pumped sewer burst for the sixth time in several years, the UK government announced on Tuesday, October 18.

Anglian Water appeared at Cambridge Magistrates Court on October 12. It was charged with causing poisonous, noxious, or polluting matter to enter inland freshwaters without an environmental permit. This is con trary to regulations 12(1)(b) and 38(1)(a) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.

In sentencing, District Judge Ken Sheraton found that there had been “no effective sur veys” of the pipe in question. He went on to say that had there been surveys, the two air valves would have been noticed.

ROYAL MAIL: Blame strikes for recent loss of revenue.

Credit:

CHARITABLE DONATION: El Corte Inglés make it possible to bring water and food to vulnerable children.

Image:

WORDS TO UNDERSTAND WHEN BUYING IN SPAIN

REBECCA SERWOTKA ­ “We sell houses! It’s what we do, it’s ALL

Your favourite local resale property expert, of In mobiliaria Real Estate Agents in Ciudad Quesada. Published author of ‘Mov ing Forward ­ 25 Essential Rules

For Buying & Selling Real Estate Without Going Crazy’. Request your FREE copy! Featured on Best Buy Spain. Prestige Award Winner for ‘Real Es tate Agency Of The Year 2021/22’.

Buying a home on the Costa Blanca? You’ll hear local professionals jabbering away in Span ish. Unless you ‘habla Español’ you’ll not have a clue what they’re talking about!

Here’s a quick transla tion of the seven most important words you’ll hear during the buying process:

1. ESCRITURA: (‘Ess­kree­tour­a’) Title Deeds

2. NOTARIO: (‘No­ta­reo’) Notary; A Public Official authorised by the govern ment that prepares the Title Deeds

3. REGISTRO DE LA

PROPIEDAD: (‘Reh­hist­row Day La Prop­e­eh­dad’) Land Registry

4. NOTA SIMPLE: (‘Not­ah Sim­play’) Land Registry Search

5. ABOGADO: (‘A­bow­gadoe’) Lawyer

6. HIPOTECA: (‘Ippotech­a’) Mortgage

7. NIE (Numero Iden tificacion Extranjero): (Pronounced ‘Newmeh­row E­dent­if­ekath­eon Ex­tran­hayrow’) Foreign Tax Identification Number; Most times you’ll hear the locals say ‘Knee­eh’ for short.

With practice, you’ll be able to say them yourself!

I WAS terribly saddened by the an nouncement of the death of vocal ist Loretta Lyn. This delightful, hit producing country singing icon re cently passed over at the grand old age of 90 and will be sorely missed by her family and masses of adoring fans. I actually met Loretta on a number of occasions and found her to be a great character and ex tremely interesting companion.

We first met in 1968 when I had been invited over to America to ap pear at the Grand old Oprey in Nashville. The week I was there I al so attended the presentation of the Country Music Association awards which were scooped by Johnny Cash for his classic recording of Fol som Prison Blues among others.

My own appearance at that ter rific venue, which has now become a country music shrine, was a little earlier in that week; after I finished the act I made my way to a small bistro type restaurant situated at the rear of the building. Many of the artists would go after the show and enjoy the pure country repasts

A great character

that were on offer. After 10 min utes or so I was approached by Mervyn Conn, the English impre sario who produced the Wembley Country Music festival and was ac tually considered in in the UK as ‘Mr Country Music. “Hey Leapy” he said, “there’s someone over here who would like to meet you.”

I peered through the gloom to where he had been sitting. To my surprise I spied none other than Johnny Cash, sitting with his (then pregnant) wife June Carter and a number of others. Naturally I was delighted to meet up and joined them at the table where I was in troduced all around to the guests, one of which turned out to be Loretta Lyn.

Little Arrows was actually racing up the American country charts and they all seemed to like it. What fol lowed was a great session of drinks (Jack Daniels I seem to remember!) and jokes, which lasted far into the night. I got on very well with Loret ta and she told me she was coming over to do the Wembley festival which I had also been booked for. When the show took place she

duly arrived and, after managing a short lunch, I invited her and her fe male companion to a party I threw in my lovely new Ascot home (them were the days!) She stayed until very late and although it would have been nice to meet up again, our schedules unfortunately could n’t make it happen. Shortly after this terrific and extremely success ful interlude, my life changed some what drastically, (it’s in the book!) and we never saw each other again.

Loretta Lyn, a wonderful lady, a great talent, and a pure ‘Country Coalminer’s Daughter’. Sadly missed. Thanks for all your corre spondence. Not able to always re ply, but certainly read them all. Keep ‘em coming. And always.

Keep the Faith. Love Leapy. leapylee2002@gmail.com expatradioscotland.com Mon. Wed and Fri.1pm till 4.

LeapyLee’sopinionsarehisownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.

OTHERS THINK IT

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

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The daftest research studies I’ve heard yet!

NORAJOHNSON BREAKINGVIEWS

DISTURBED sleep can lead to demen tia! This is according to the latest re search that a single night of disturbed sleep increases levels of a brain pro tein linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

But perhaps it’s drink ing too much coffee that causes us to sleep badly, and reportedly increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s? But worry not as, according to an other study, drinking coffee might prevent de mentia and even help us ‘live longer’!

Let’s look forward to the next bit of research showing that the two balance each other out. So, we end up living as long as we would have lived if we’d rarely drunk coffee and always got our

eight hours. But wait! Didn’t I read somewhere eight hours is too much... or not enough?

Well, let’s end where we began: on a low note. According to yet another survey, a fifth of people believe toadin­the­hole has REAL toads in it and a half that bangers and mash is a madeup dish. And if you think that’s bad enough, don’t even get them started on spot ted dick...

PS. Am writing this at the starry Cheltenham Literature Festival where I’m hoping to meet fellow crime writ ers: watch this space!

Nora Johnson’s criti cally acclaimed psycho logical crime thrillers (www.nora­johnson. net) all available online including eBooks (€0.99; £0.99), Apple Books, audiobooks, pa perbacks at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.

NoraJohnson’sopinionsareherownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.

Noraistheauthorofpopularpsychological suspenseandcrimethrillersandafreelancejournalist.

Nora’s latest thriller.

Improve your health

THE Mediterranean diet is globally renowned for its health benefits and living in Spain, you’re in the perfect place to soak up all of its benefits. Here we share some top tips on how to get the most out of a Mediterranean diet while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Use extra virgin olive oil regularly. Switch to cook ing with olive oil from other cooking fats like butter or other oils. Scien tific research has shown that regularly using olive oil can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and even improve mood and brain function.

Load up on fruits and vegetables. This makes up the base of the Mediter ranean diet food pyramid. Take advantage of local fresh fruit and vegetables and incorporate them in

to every meal in dishes or on the side as a salad.

Avoid fried products. Enjoy traditional Spanish fried fish and meat dishes in moderation. Instead, you could opt for grilled fish or meats. Fish and meat in Spain is fresher

than in many places, so enjoy the flavours.

Luckily the Mediter ranean ‘diet’ is more of a lifestyle than a diet, so enjoy eating without re strictions on what you can or cannot eat. Get in to the spirit of the Mediterranean diet by eating with friends, so cialising and staying ac tive.

Why always to me?

DISCOVERING EMOTIONS WITH

BETINA VON HOHENDORFF

WE ask ourselves all the time:

Why is it happening to me?

Why me?

Why always to me?

But only when something negative hap pens.

Why don’t we ask ‘why’ when something positive happens to us?

Do you also ask:

Why am I so successful in life?

Why am I so healthy?

Why am I so well loved?

Think about it.

People have the tendency to always look for someone to blame. Always when some thing negative happens. But never when something positive happens.

WHY?

Because something negative is often con nected to a punishment, then we always look for someone to blame. Unfortunately, we don’t learn from our mistakes because in our thoughts it’s always someone else’s fault. In stead of asking ourselves the question:

Why do I always attract such situations?

Why do I always react the same way?

Analyse when something negative hap

What are age spots?

AGE SPOTS are flat brown, gray, or black spots on the skin that can appear as a single age spot or as a few clustered together. The spots have the same texture as the rest of your skin and they are flat to the touch and don’t cause any pain. Age spots can vary from the size of a very small freckle to an inch in diameter and are typically round or oval, with very defined edges.

They usually occur on sun­exposed areas such as your face, the back of your hands, your shoulders, your upper back and your forearms.

Age spots typically appear due to an excess production of melanin, or skin pigment, and experts don’t know exactly why age spots de velop, but some people do have a higher chance of age spots if they run in the family.

You are also more likely to get age spots if you are older than 40, have fair skin, have a history of frequent sun exposure or frequent tanning bed use.

Age spots are not cancerous, and they don’t develop into cancer, either. It is however al ways a good idea to ask a doctor to look at any new spots on your skin that you are unsure of.

Age spots don’t cause any health problems, so treatment isn’t necessary, however, varying treatments are available from over the counter bleaching creams to chemical peels, if you sim ply don’t like their appearance.

WHY ME?: A question we always ask.

pens which emotions are generated.

Analyse when something positive happens which kind of emotions arise.

Look into your past; childhood, similar situ ations and then understand the WHY.

Whether positive or negative.

Everything that happens to you is part of your inner programming. And if you always think the same, you always get the same re sults.

Who was always to blame, the father, the mother?

Were people always punishing you, even for small things?

Who or what made you feel like you are not good enough?

Were you compared to others?

My advice:

Write down what’s going wrong and what you can do to change this situation.

Love, Betina www.mindovers.com ­ 0034­699 327 363

What is the perimenopause?

The natural transition to menopause.

Image: Shutterstock.com/SewCream

THE term perimenopause refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, signalling the end of the reproductive years.

Estrogen and progesterone lev els fluctuate and fall and your ovaries release eggs less often. This means that you become less fertile and pregnancy is unlikely, howev er, it is still possible.

Perimenopause usually starts in your mid 40s, with the average age being 47. The symptoms can last from a few months to 10 years and it can feel very different for every one. You may have a number of symptoms or none at all.

The first sign of the peri

menopause is usually, but not al ways, a change in the normal pat tern of your periods, for example they become irregular and eventu ally you will stop having periods al together.

The most common symptoms are mood changes, anxiety, changes in sexual desire, trouble concentrating/brain fog, headaches, night sweats, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, trouble with sleep, joint and muscle aches, heavy sweating, having to pee often and PMS­like symptoms.

Perimenopause symptoms may look like other conditions therefore if you have any concerns contact your doctor for a diagnosis.

more Health & Beauty scan this

The Mediterranean diet has numerous health benefits and is even UNESCO recognised for its unique heritage.

Photo credit: Foxys Forest Manufacture / shutterstock.com

What rather than when

WHETHER you’re trying to lose some weight or just maintain a healthy lifestyle, the times of the day we eat at can af fect our health. Here we consult ed some advice from dieti cians to learn how to achieve health goals by planning meal times.

Firstly, consistency is key. Planning to eat regular, small meals can help metabolisms and increase fat burn ing potential.

Control morning caffeine intake. Experts recommend drinking coffee mid­morning, rather than just after wak ing up. Drinking coffee im mediately in the morning pre vents our bodies from waking up naturally and can make our energy levels crash early on.

Try ‘intelligent nutrition’. Try consuming more calories earlier in the day to improve di gestion and boost your metabolism. Plan bal anced and substantial meals that will leave you feeling full after eating. This reduces the likelihood of snacking, which doesn’t effective ly target hunger and often adds empty calo ries.

Recent studies have shown the ‘eat late,

What we eat and when we eat can affect our general health.

gain weight’ theory to largely be a myth, which is good news for people following later Spanish meal times! Researchers place more impor tance on what you eat, rather than when you eat. However, do avoid eating right before bed because this can cause indigestion and inter rupted sleep.

Adjust your skincare routine for a new season

MANY of us are ready for autumn after a long and hot summer, but making sure our skin is also ready is crucial. As the weather gets cooler, our skin needs extra attention to keep it healthy and glowing.

Keep cleansing. Skincare experts often see clients cutting out cleansers in au tumn and winter, worried about further irritation, but this can cause more problems. Switch to a creamy cleanser for au tumn to keep your skin ra diant.

Switch lightweight serums for moisturiser. Particularly if your skin was exposed to lots of sun dur ing the summer, make hy dration your priority to avoid dry, flaky skin. Multi purpose moisturisers can also target multiple issues. Skincare experts recom mend products with deeply hydrating hyaluron ic acid to lock in moisture during cooler weather.

Add antioxidants to your routine. Antioxidants pro tect skin against pollutants and toxins outside. While

pollution is at higher rates during the winter months, incorporate an antioxidant to your skincare routine to protect your complexion.

Try Vitamin C products. As well as being an antioxi dant, Vitamin C targets wrinkles, blemishes and acne and repairs skin barri ers after hours on the beach during the summer.

Keep wearing sun cream. Even if the weather seems overcast, protecting your skin from the sun’s power ful rays is crucial for a youthful complexion.

Photo credit: Tanya Joy / shutterstock.com

Photo credit: Oksana Mizina / shutterstock.com

HELP SKIN: Try switching some skincare products to help with the transition to a new season.

GO LOCAL

THE EURO WEEKLY NEWS has urged its readers to support local businesses in the community by shop ping locally in recent times. Now things are heading back to normal, we challenge you to maintain that habit by supporting local high streets, markets, butch ers, greengrocers and all of the wonderfully quirky independent businesses in your area.

Local businesses make our villages, towns and cities what they are. They add unique character. They are convenient. And they offer excellent produce from known suppliers.

The joy of shopping lo cally means that indepen dent businesses can sup port the local community. You may find something a euro or two cheaper online

BUY LOCAL: By shopping locally, independent businesses can help support the local community.

but have you considered where your money is actu ally going?

By shopping locally you’re putting food on a lo cal family’s table and there is nothing better than giv ing back to the communi

ties that have given us so much. Local stores support charities and they sponsor local sports teams. In many cases, they are much more than just a business, they’re a legacy. They may have supported genera

tions of the same family. Likewise, brand new local stores and bars may help the generations of the future fulfil their dreams and am bitions.

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

They can’t win that battle on their own. So give them your support.

Spending your money locally will make a real difference to the local economy. Local businesses recirculate a greater share of every euro they receive at local level. They create locally owned supply chains and they invest in their employees. So remember. When you go shoppinggo local!

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.

SCARY HALLOWEEN NIGHT

ON a dark and scary night

There was a loud bang tonight

And the little children Ran with fright so scared tonight

And there’s laughter in the air tonight

And it’s a cold dark lonely Scary Halloween night

And the moonlight is blue and bright

And it’s a ghostly night

A cold breeze blowing all night

And there’s another loud Bang tonight

And the little children are Running with fright it’s just Skeletons and ghosts and ghouls

Tonight and the howling

Of the crazy werewolves tonight

And the dead Zombie’s walking through the Streets on this cold dark lonely

Scary Halloween night.

David P Carroll

Online reading

I have started receiving and reading all the papers from the Costas via email and just want ed to say how I enjoy Leapy’s column. We are based in Birm ingham, but are hoping to buy something in Spain in the next couple of years. Keep up the good work, it’s on point social ly and still raises a smile.

Peter Matthews

Driving licence issue

Thank you for a continuing, well­produced newspaper. (Only one in the Balearics). I got my residency in the early 90s. My UK driving licence was

issued as a ‘European Model’ and was valid in Spain. It cov ered cars, motorcycles and light goods vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes. I changed it to the Spanish licence in 1993.

At the time, I did not notice the Spanish licence covered only cars and motorcycles and that my ‘C1’ classification (‘light goods vehicles’) had been

omitted. I recently asked Trafi co to reinstate the missing clas sification, pointing out that when I obtained the Spanish version, the UK was at that time IN the EU. They are cur rently refusing to do so. I won der if this problem has come up with any other readers? Keep up the good work!

Norm MacLoud

OUR VIEW

ARISE KING CHARLES

MAY 6 next year is the date set for the coronation of King Charles III which happens to also be the fourth birthday of his grandson Archie, the son of Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, so could be the time for one rift in the family to be repaired.

Charles at 74 will be the oldest British Monarch to be crowned and this will be the first Saturday since 1902 that a coronation has taken place and may mean that the public won’t enjoy another bank holiday unless that planned for the previous Monday, May Day is moved to allow a long weekend.

His wife Camilla will be 75 and she will also take part in the ceremony at Westminster Abbey as she will be crowned Queen Consort (as was Charles’ grandmother in 1937), so although it is expected that the entire ceremony will be more modern than that for Queen Elizabeth II, it could last some hours.

Assuming that the cost-of-living crisis is still with us, the Royal Family and their advisors will have to walk a thin line to ensure that the coronation is not seen to be too extravagant, whilst at the same time still being in keeping with tradition and the expectations of the world that will be watching.

It is more than likely that although Charles will swear an oath to “maintain and preserve inviolately” the establish ment of the Church of England, the ceremony will embrace a number of different religious leaders in recognition of the diversity of faiths within the country.

Hopefully this will be a time for the nation to celebrate and for the world to once again be impressed by the pomp and ceremony of the occasion.

Last year’s prices

NEATER HEATER, in com mon with most other retailers, are having to deal with the soaring costs of manu facturing and de livery. However, they have decid ed to hold the prices down on all the models advertised on their 2021‐2022 catalogue. This price freeze will continue throughout October and until November 14 allowing customers, both new and existing, to pur chase at last year’s prices.

With the cost of utilities rising all over the world it is essential that customers choose a heater that uses electricity effi ciently, effectively and therefore, more economically than its rivals.

Neater Heaters rely on Scandinavian design to provide stylish and cost effective convector heating that would grace any

Prices have been held down on all models advertised.

style of living space. Whether you are looking for a heater to simply turn on and off manually, or prefer a heater that can be controlled via either bluetooth or wifi from an app on your phone, Neater Heater has the model for you. They are also pleased to announce a new range of Neo ‘Compact’ wi‐fi heaters that take up less wall space, but have the same heat output, than the standard Neo mod els.

Check the Neater Heater website www.neaterheater.es for information about all the models in stock, and your purchasing options.

Advertising Feature

LPL Commercial embraces new generation

EXPERTS in all Worldwide Debt Recovery related issues including the recovery of out standing Community Fees in Spain, Cyprus and Portugal. The respected 45‐year‐old UK debt collection agency enters a new digital era under the new management of founder’s sons. Following the untimely demise of founder Alan Levene and retire ment of business partner Stephen Lewis, respected Essex‐based commercial debt collection agency LPL Commercial Investiga tions is resurgent under the leadership of Alan’s sons Gavin and Richard. Trading as LPL Commercial Investigations, the new en tity is not only maintaining the legacy of transparency and integrity the brand is known for, it is also undergoing a major modernisation of the company’s processes and systems, and a greater shift online.

Personal touch + new tech

“Dad and Stephen established the busi ness in 1978 and were brilliant at their jobs. Having been mentored and trained in their ethos whereby the approach of a profes

credit policy procedure, ensuring ‘the cash flow cogs continue to turn’ for our clients,” comments Gavin Levene, Director. “While the personal touch and relationships LPL is known for will remain, we have invested heavily in a new website and customer rela tionship management systems that will mean our growing customer base will have an even speedier resolution to their aged debtor requirements.”

Continuing the legacy

The brothers may be new company di rectors, but they are not new to commer cial debt collection. “Gavin has been in the industry for 30 years, and I’m still the new boy with ‘only’ seven years’ service,” laughs Richard. “But in reality, this business has al ways been part of our lives and it is an hon our to continue our father’s legacy.”

Richard Levene

LPL Commercial Investigations rlevene@lplgroup.com

Brian O’Sullivan Daredevil brian.osullivan@daredevilpr.com

How to win at car camping

Top destinations in Andalucia

CADIZ has long been a top destination for camping and with news that the Cadiz beach towns of Conil, Bar bate and Tarifa were the most popular camping des tinations in Andalucia dur ing August, we investigated why they are so popular.

The furthest town south, Tarifa is the most southerly point on the whole Iberian peninsula. Campers in Tarifa can enjoy delightful vistas of a different continent, Africa.

so the most popular destina tion in all of Andalucia in Au gust with 108,675 overnight stays made during the month. Camping is a socia ble experience in Conil, with many campsites having ex cellent facilities including

bars. Similarly, camping in Conil is a top choice for surfers who want to sleep under the stars.

Excellent weather in all three destinations mean they are also ideal choices for autumn camping.

Enjoyable family trips

CAMPING can be a memorable experience for many reasons, particularly when with family. Enjoy and avoid arguments on family camping trips by following these three top trips.

1. Leave devices at home

DURING the pandemic, ‘staycations’, where holidaymakers stayed closer to home be came extremely popular, including going camping with a car. Equally, as the cost of liv ing increases, many are seeking cheaper al ternatives to traditional holidays with pricey accommodation. Here we share some top advice on how to have an unforgettable camping trip with your car and a tent.

1. Organisation is important Ensure your holiday is as comfortable and relaxing as possible by packing your car in a logical way. Smart packing can reduce the amount of time you spend searching for things once you arrive at camp and can help you fit more things into the car. Plan your sleeping set up, will you sleep in your car, or

take your tent?

2. Keep it simple

Camping is supposed to be a way of dis connecting from busy everyday lifestyles. Trying to be equipped for every possibility can be costly, especially if you don’t plan to go camping very often. Leave the electronics at home and enjoy sleeping out in the open.

3. Plan your trip

If you’re going camping with your car, choose a place where you know it is legal to camp and where you can definitely park. Re search online where other people have en joyed camping with their cars and plan an epic road trip.

Get out there and enjoy the great out doors!

The simple nature of camping is also a pleasure for campers in Tarifa who can even take a day trip to Morocco by catching a ferry. Adventurers will also love camping in Tarifa which is a great site for surfing.

Just under 50 kilometres further north, Barbate is an other ideal destination for campers. Situated on the edge of a national park, the Breña of Barbate and with kilometres of sandy beaches easily accessible, Barbate is an excellent camping spot.

The most northerly of the three locations, Conil was al

Get into the spirit of camping and reconnect with nature without home comforts, it will make them all the more en joyable when you get home! Instead spend quality time with your camping companions, cook together, eat together and enjoy each other’s company.

2. Choose the right site

Think about your group’s needs before leaving. If you are taking young children, consider a site with activities for chil dren or facilities like a swimming pool or playground, or else, bring your own games. If you are camping with adventurers, consider an active camping experience with activities like hik ing or kayaking. If camping with people who like creature comforts, bring supplies, or choose a glamping experience.

3. Plan meals ahead

No one likes to be hungry, particularly on holiday. Reduce the risk of fall­outs with ‘hangry’ family members by planning meals that everyone likes. Bring cooking supplies with you to avoid mid­camping trip shopping runs. Get children involved with the meal preparation and tidying up.

Camping with your car can be a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Photo credit: mdanek / shutterstock.com

dog’s fur

AUTUMN is officially here, and as you make changes to prepare your home and garden for a new season, it is important not to forget our four­legged friends. Here we share some expert advice on how to properly care for your dog’s fur in autumn.

Dogs’ fur isn’t simply an aesthetic concern, it’s also a health matter. A dog’s fur is its protection against the el ements as well as bugs and bacteria. We can tell a lot about a dog from the condi tion of its fur.

Many dogs shed hair both in the spring and in au tumn, but its fur coat can al so be affected by stress, poor diet and bacteria.

The first key tip is to ob serve your dog’s behaviour and check its fur and skin regularly. Excess scratching can be a sign of poor fur health or of parasites and disease. Increased fur loss could indicate conditions like alopecia. Dandruff, crusty or discoloured fur can be a sign of irritation

top

from shampoos or allergies.

You can also create a fur care routine. Buy a sham poo suitable for your dog and its fur and bathe it reg ularly, making sure it dries fully after each bath.

Brushing your dog’s fur

can also make its coat more glossy and thicker. Experts recommend buying a brush suitable for your dog’s coat and be aware of different layers of fur, which have different functions in pro tecting its health.

Saving money on pet care

AS a pet owner, your top priority is your animal’s health and well­being. Having a pet is a signifi cant investment and can sometimes seem like a fi nancial burden. Here are some tips for if you are feeling the financial squeeze of having a pet during a cost of living cri sis.

1. Research costs

Before getting a new pet, think about whether you can afford the costs of its upkeep, from healthy diet to vet bills to insurance to toys. Pet or ganisations urge potential pet owners to research costs before getting a pet.

2. Get insured

Accidents or illnesses could hit at any time and unexpected vet bills can be a shock to your house hold finances. Pet insur ance can protect your wallet against any poten tial bills and prevent stress at a later point.

3. Use cheaper food

Giving your pet a healthy and satisfying di et is crucial, but you don’t need to splash the cash on food. Look into cheap er alternatives to premi um brands which often contain similar ingredi ents or mix in cheaper food to supplement your supply of expensive pet food. You can also try

Measures like supplementing premium pet food with budget food can help you reduce the financial pressure of having a pet.

bulk buying pet food.

4. Monitor your pet’s health

Minimise the risk of costly bills by keeping an eye on your pet’s health.

Advertising Feature

Make sure to give your pet enough exercise, monitor its weight and general health including paw, skin and dental health.

Antibiotic resistance is a serious problem

IT is very important that medicines are used re sponsibly in animals, such as in humans. Antibiotic resistance in pets is be coming a greater chal lenge, much like it is in hu mans.

Due to bacterial resis tance, antibiotics are no longer effective and dis ease­causing bacteria are not affected by antibiotics.

To make sure antibiotics stay effective now and in the future, they must be strictly controlled and used only when really necessary and with caution.

In case of illness, your vet may need to carry out a laboratory test to find out whether treatment with antibiotics is really necessary and, if so, which antibiotic will work best.

Antibiotics are strictly controlled in animals.

In this way, your veteri narian will prescribe the appropriate antibiotic against the identified bac teria. It is also important to follow the dosage guide lines and duration of treat ment. Surgeries must be performed with maximum sterility and in most cases do not require postopera tive antibiotics. If your vet says that your pet does not need them, don’t demand antibiotics. Also in cases of viral infections, antibiotics are not usually necessary.

Photo credit: 279photo studio / shutterstock.com

Photo credit:

Photo credit: DCreativecatstudio

APPLIANCE

AUCTIONS

CONSTRUCTION

DRAINS

ENERGY

GATES

LOCKSMITHS

GRILLS

PAINTERS/DECORATORS

REMOVALS & STORAGE

POOL MAINTENANCE

GLASS CURTAINS & SCREENS

EXPAT ULTRA

TV

SATELLITE

TV & SATELLITEPOOLS TV & SATELLITE

WINDOW TINTING

CLASSIFIEDS

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

also have a 24-hour Emer gency helpline which is available to both members and non-members on 966 723 733 (95456)

branch website www.orihuela costarbl.co.uk. (95457)

J & J PAINTERS. Insideoutside - clean - fast - low cost. Torrevieja - Orihuela Costa and surrounding ar eas. Tel: 650 363 159 (294244)

Anyone wishing to attend a meeting or discuss a possible drinking problem contact Costa Blanca North: 648 169 045 or Costa Blanca South: 625 912 078 or Costa Calida 679 385 105 All calls are treated in the strictest confidence. AA in Ger man: 645 456 075; Spanish: 679 212 535; Flemish: 635 047 053; and Scandinavian: 659 779 222. www.aa-costablan ca.org (93323)

INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY, TORREVIEJA Calle Beniajan 16, Torrevieja 03185, Alicante Evangelical non-de nominational church. Sunday morning Services at 11.00am. All nationalities welcome - Con tact 966 752 543 / 966 799 273. For other church matters phone: 966 799 273 / /617 215 463 www.icatorrevieja.org (95476)

LA SIESTA EVANGELICAL CHURCH on Urbanisation La Siesta, Torrevieja is a friendly, English-speaking church. For more information, including de tails of our services, see our website www.lasiestaevangeli calchurch.org (10005)

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Gran Alacant & La Marina Branch. For info, contact the branch Secretary at granalacant.secre tary@rbl.community

ROYAL MARINES ASSOCIA TION (Costa Blanca) The aim of the Association is to bring together not just ex Royal Marines, but ex Service person nel with an affinity to the Royal Marines. For further details contact Hon Sec P S Wilkins Tel: 966 194 158 email: inkin spain@yahoo.co.uk (10004)

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

CAMPELLO CONTRA CANCER in conjunction with AECC Asso ciation Español Contra Cancer. Please support your local Can cer charity and if you wish to obtain literature or simply talk to someone. Please contact Mi na or Trisha. Tel 650 071 278 or 610 921 413 e-mail aecc_campello@hotmail.com (95475)

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (MABS) MURCIA/MAR MENOR Help and support is just a phone call away, Avda Rio Nalón, Tel: 693 275 779 (95462)

CHURCH SERVICE IN EN GLISH Tel: 950 617 549 www.givinglight.com.(10006)

FREEMASONRY . Are you aware that Freemasonry is thriving on the Costa Blanca? There are various Lodges meeting up throughout the Va lencia region. If you already are a Mason or simply wish to know more about Freemasonry in Spain please contact sec@ glpvalencia.com Tel 600 841 064 (95477)

PHILIP SCOTT LODGE No 10671 of the RAOB. Please call the secretary, Colin Bird on 693 287 614 for further informa tion. (95459)

PILAR CHRISTIAN COMMUNI TY CHURCH. All welcome from any church background or none. For further information, www.pilarchurch.org Reg No: 2009-SG/A (95463)

ROYAL Air Force Association Costa Blanca Registered Mem bers Group: The RAFA Costa Blanca RMG replaces the RAFA Costa Blanca Branch 1359 which is now closed. The RMG is a social group of caring peo ple and remains affiliated to the parent Association. Contact with the Royal Air Force Associ ation and the RMG can be made via the RAFA website rafa.org.uk. Tel:0044 8 00 018 2361. (238593)

ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION For information please contact Chairman Anthony Jenkins +34 693 866 709, Vice Chairman Dusty Miller +34 711 006 670, Secretary Mike Cockman +34 670 224 822, Treasurer Carl Louden +34 678 518 202, email rnatorrevieja@aol.com (95455)

STROKE ASSOCIATION Spain (formally known as Torrevieja stroke support) Our aim is to help and support stroke sur vivors and their carers, with re habilitation, speech therapy, OC therapy and a very active social group. For info please contact 653 588 475 English and 620 907 474 Spanish or email strokesupportgroup@hot mail.com, website: torreviejas trokesupport.org. We are al ways looking for volunteers who have the skills and knowl edge to support. (95473)

families with neurological dis eases such as; HUNTING TON’S, ATAXIA, MOTOR NEU RONE, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS and PARKINSON’S. Our MOVERS AND SHAKERS CLUB held every Friday @ 1pm –3pm, is a chance for members to meet up socially, for a drink and a chat on a full range of topics and to exchange ideas and information. The club is held at O’Briens Bar in El Raso, Guardamar del Segura (except July and August). For more de tails, contact Marion Smith on 711 008 250, or email: marion. smith@amscb.org.es, or you can find us on Facebook: fb@movers and shakers www.amscb.org.es (295976)

ELECTRICIAN

MR FIXIT. For all your electri cal, plumbing, general & appli ance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434 (290228)

FOR SALE/WANTED

WANTED Gold, Silver, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel678 716 693 (288662)

GOLD WANTED

HOME

BATHROOM & KITCHEN Con versions Costa Blanca, contact 698 320 434. (291660)

INSURANCE

FED UP OF NOT BEING SENT YOUR RENEWAL? CUT YOUR INSURANCE COSTS AND STILL HAVE 100% COVER. YOU HAVE TRIED THE REST NOW TRY THE BEST WITH SOS IN SURANCE. WE CAN EVEN INSURE YOU FOR UP TO A €1,000 OF WATERLOSS. CALL 686 116 297 (WHAT SAPP TO) OR VISIT www.sosinsurancein spain.com or email tracey@sosinsurancein spain.com (302024)

BENEFICIAL INSURANCE SERVICES. Car, Home, Busi ness, Travel, Life, Funeral, all insurances available. Policies in English. BEST rates, covers & service. Immediate quotes. Tel 961 129 215 / 622 275 561, (WhatsApp) info@beneficial insuranceinspain.com or visit www.beneficialinsurancein spain.com for online quote. (301135)

STAY SAFE! Abbeygate Insur ance Call 971 277 455 For your security www.abbeygatein sure.com

MASSAGE

WE buy, sell & transport all makes of static caravans for more information contact 630 055 418 or Elsyd7@hotmail. com (294686)

CARE home in Torrevieja, full care, full board from €800 per month. Call 747 438 225 (295552)

HELP VEGA BAJA. We are a non-profit making organisation that helps and supports any one, without prejudice, in times of need or crisis within the Vega Baja area. Our offices are based in San Miguel at Calle Lope de Vega 46 (Tel 966 723 733), Torrevieja at Rambla Juan Mateo Garcia 4 (Tel 965 704 282). We are online at www.helpvegabaja.com and al so on Facebook. You can email the San Miguel Centre at of fice@helpvegabaja.com. We

ROYAL BRITISH LEGIONWhy not make this year the year you volunteer? 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 tbuddyhhvisits@gmail.com. If you or your partner served or are serving, and you feel you need help or support then con tact us using the details on the card, we are here for the small things as well as the big, sometimes talking to someone is the first step to feeling more in control. It can be a personal need or some help with your home or information on what or who to speak to on a medi cal issue, we help with sign posting 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, http://branch es.britishlegion.org.uk/branch es/orihuela-costa - covering from Punta Prima to San Javier. More info can be found on

THE AIRCREW ASSOCIATION COSTA BLANCA BRANCH. For mer & serving aircrews of the UK or Allied Armed Forces are welcome to join this convivial & friendly organisation, now in its 21st year. www.acacostablan ca.org or call the Secretary on: 966 495 042 (95465)

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH, La Fustera. For more info: contact Frank Bentley on 966 495 188. (95461)

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

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

THE SPIRITUALIST CENTRE, Benijofar meets at Hamilton’s Bake House, 62 Calle Vicente, Blasco Ibañez, Benijofar 03178. We hold a Sunday Sevrice at 11.30am. For further information: www.spiritualist centre-benijofar.com . Tele phone 711 060 171. Email martindroute66@hot mail.com. Fiscal G54713789

MOVERS AND SHAKERS We are a non-profit organisation that supports people and their

HEALTH & BEAUTY

PERSONAL TRAINER, WEIGHT LOSS, TONING, RESULTS GUARANTEED. CERTIFIED WITH 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE. FORMER US KICKBOX CHAMPI ON. CALL 747 438 225 (301319)

INSURANCE

FRENCH, ELÉGANTE , slim, Sophie, 3 languages spoken. Experienced in a large variety of full body massages. Villa martin apartment or can travel to all areas. 693 357 526 (295405)

EXPERIENCE the best with a 1hr unique massage with Veronica. Shaving or perma nent hair removal available. For appointments call 679 292 678 (295446)

either an English Male or a Male/Female couple. Home premises and visits within 20km of La Zenia area. Call or WhatsApp 711 059 849

MISCELLANEOUS

GOLD & SILVER Bought & Sold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel - 678 716 693

CLASSIC SPANISH LADY , Playa Flamenca area, private premises, all massage services from 40€. Ana 657 603 495 (295475)

ATTRACTIVE, Girlfriend, Pro fessional Masseuse relaxing and therapeutic Masseuse. Tel: 693 357 526 (295448)

RELAXING MASSAGE FOR MEN - Mario qualified masseur in Alicante - Spe cial Massage for Men - 7 days 10am to 10pmAPPOINTMENTS visit : www.masajeyrelax.es/en or WHATSAPP 649 761 607 (296490)

LA ZENIA AREA English Masseuse offering relaxing & theraputic massage. Home premises and visits within 20kms of La Zenia. Call 711 041 330 (301279)

DIANA from Greece. Masseur. Call for relaxing & therapeutic massage. Torrevieja. Call 663 817 943 (302072)

LA ZENIA Professional Sensu al Massage service for men by

WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insur ance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has al ways been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most com petitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 952 147 834. (200726)

MOTORHOME / Campervan wanted. Left or right hand drive. Cash waiting for right van. Tlf 650 722 905

PIANO , Keyboard, Organ, Qualified Teacher. Please call 606 984 535 (294805)

TUITION OTHERS

KAMAGRA Gold 100mg plus Kamagra Jellies. Collection or Delivery. ROY HAS A NEW TEL. - 613 584 915 (295447) tp

Male/Female viagra, cialis, ka magra jelly, mixed trial packs available, all areas mail or der. 604 385 476. viagra4you19@gmail.com

GATAMI ORGANISATION, to help kittens and cats, looking for good homes, also spaying wild cats in the community. Kit tens require adoption, fully vaccinated, de-wormed, deflead. volunteers to Tel Anna: 966 806 976 / 654 729 977 (95709)

P.E.P.A. VOLUNTEERS & FOS TER HOMES URGENTLY NEED ED. By fostering an abandoned dog or spending a few hours each week on our telephone helpline, you could help save the lives of many animals. Please call: 650 304 746. For more information browse our website: www.pepaspain.com (95708)

POOL MAINTENANCE Repairs, Spares and Leak Testing. Call 965 725 565 / 676 945 360 www.pooltechspain.com (289147)

TAILOR-MADE in durable canvas, pergola covers, sails, umbrella, spa and CAR COV ERS. 10% off Cushions. Mazarron to Costa Blanca. RE TIRING SOON DON’T MISS OUT Google: KrugerCanopies. com WhatsApp: 667 879 399 krugercanopies@yahoo.co.uk (293646)

PET CHARITY

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

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

PLUMBERS

MR FIXIT. For all your electri cal, plumbing, general & appli ance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434 (290228)

4 BEDROOM country finca to rent long term in Crevil lente. Stands on 7000 Sqm plot with over 50 olive trees. Own pool and bar areas. Sep arate kitchen. Large lounge. 4 good sized bedrooms. 1 bathroom. 1 shower room and extra wc. Own private driveway. 750€ per month plus bills. Please call 677 627 135 for further details (302090)

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

byMarkSlack

EVERY so often you get be hind the wheel of a car, usu ally a cheaper model, and are surprised in the sense that you could happily drive one every day. What’s even more surprising on Hyundai’s Bay on, and unusual in this class, is that it is also incredibly comfortable and capable on long journeys. It also comes with enough standard equipment to put more expensive models to shame.

Priced from €23,385/£20,350 there are three trim levels, one engine with two power outputs along with either sixspeed manual gears or a dual clutch automatic. The turbocharged, 1.0­litre, three­cylinder engine is as sisted by 48v hybrid power.

Performance is more than capable, even if nowhere near warm hatch territory, yet feels quicker and has the

Hyundai Bayon

fortable, front are heated, and there’s decent space even in the rear, although a fifth passenger might prefer short journeys.

As one might expect of Hyundai the assembly quali ty is excellent but you can tell it’s built to a price with hard plastics evident, but they have made the effort of con trast by different textures on some of the surfaces. This gives the interior a more quality look and allied to neat and very clear instru mentation it makes the Bay on a nice place to be seated.

This is a very appealing

car, it simply does what it’s meant to do and does it well.

It has a nice driving feel with clear and simple controls, plenty of buttons rather than an overly digital experience.

The climate control offers in dividual settings rather than as with so many cars’ multi ple options, ie face and feet whereas in the Bayon you can have them separately.

The style will not be to ev eryone’s taste, but it’s cer tainly different and is quite colour sensitive as to looks in my view. I really enjoyed the Bayon and was genuinely sorry to see it depart.

Facts at a Glance

Model: Hyundai Bayon Premium

Price: €25,863/£22,495

Engine: 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder, turbocharged petrol developing 100PS

Gears: 6-Speed manual

far from unpleasant charac teristic thrum of the threecylinder. My test car was mated to the manual sixspeed gearbox and unless you need an automatic is the better choice in my view.

Cross country it’s surprisingly good fun despite being aimed at urban commuting.

Hyundai describe the Bay on as a crossover SUV, not sure I’d agree with that, but you get lots of space inside,

although thanks to that hy brid gear the boot is a tad limited. It’ll fit most people’s requirements fine and you can always lower the rear seat in whole or part. Inside the cabin the seats are com

Performance: 0-100 kmh (62 mph) 10.7 seconds/Maximum Speed 230 kph (114 mph)

Economy: 5.3l/100km (53.3mpg) Combined driving (WLTP)

Emissions: 121 g/km (WLTP)

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

HYUNDAI BAYON: An appealing car, it does what it’s meant to

and

It’s the end for Jaguar F-Type

Buying an electric car second-hand

ELECTRIC cars are becoming increasingly popular across Spain as the government tries to incentivise sustain able transport and fuel prices continue to soar. But with big price tags, buying a brand new electric car is equally unaffordable for many. Here we run through the process of buying a sec ond­hand electric car to of fer you an alternative.

buying from abroad.

You can enjoy other ben efits of being an electric ve hicle owner. For example, councils are increasingly of fering free parking and oth er benefits to electric vehi cle owners. Some electric companies also offer re

bates on electricity prices to thank electric vehicle own ers for their contributions to sustainability.

Buying an electric vehicle second­hand has advan tages and disadvantages, but a good deal can save you lots.

JAGUAR is bidding farewell to its iconic F­Type sports model. The British car manufacturer un veiled one last special edition of the model be fore it goes out of production after 2023. The Jaguar F­Type 75 is being released to celebrate 75 years of the car manufacturer.

The Jaguar F­Type 75 caused quite a stir in the motoring community after it was re vealed on October 11. Commentators have described the car as ‘a last hurrah’, and ‘top of the highway’, praising its sleek exterior and luxury design touches. The special edition model also features four­wheel drive and Jaguar’s 5.0 litre supercharged V8 engine.

The decision comes as the brand makes the move to all­electric from 2025, and ends a

75 year history of producing petrol combus tion cars.

Announcing the new model, Jaguar Exteri or Design Chief, Matthew Beaven said “For 75 years, Jaguar has been renowned for pro ducing extraordinary sports cars that deliver performance, agility and maximum driver re ward.”

He added “The F­Type special editions hold true to these principles, adding unique interi or and exterior design details to celebrate this lineage before Jaguar becomes an all­electric brand from 2025.”

Motorists are encouraged to get their or ders in sooner rather than later, as the end of Jaguar’s petrol car production is nigh.

Firstly, be aware that you will miss out on some tax in centives that electric vehicle first time buyers receive. The same applies to the in stallation of hardware at home to support your elec tric car. You will have to pay these costs out of pocket.

Secondly, be sure to test drive the car and check its system is working as it should.

However, if you find a second­hand electric vehicle at a good price, you can save a lot of money com pared with buying new. You will receive a reduced IVTM tax rate, as well as cheaper re­registration of the car if

Photo credit: Sergey Kohl / Shutterstock.com

The Jaguar F-Type has been a firm favourite among sports car fans for years.

Formentera take top spot

THE first leaders in the new season of the Costa Blanca Walking Football League (CBWFL) are For mentera WFC after their 3­2 home win against newcomers Red Lions of Fortuna.

Despite the close score it was the the home side who dominated the match, taking an early lead in the third minute.

Unperturbed the Red Li ons fought back and some sharp passing saw them slot home the equaliser three minutes later.

The teams were well matched but For mentera’s high pressing game frustrated the visi tors and allowed them to start dominating the game.

In the 28th minute the home side took the lead

again after a promising long passing move had just failed. Half time For mentera 2 Red Lions 1.

The second half saw Formentera continue to dominate and it was no surprise when they went 3­1 up after a good move up the right wing with a low hard shot from the right side of the box finding the back of the net.

A yellow card saw Fortuna reduced to eight players for five minutes and the Red Lions took full advan tage of the extra man to put pressure on the home side and pulled a goal back to make it 3­2.

Both sides at tacked in the final minutes without success with For

mentera taking the three points to become the first CBWFL leaders in the new season.

Result. Formentera WFC 3, the Red Lions of Fortuna 2.

Note . Portobello Cam poverde Open Day this Saturday October 22, 11am to 1pm at the Polideportivo, Pilar de la Horada da.

Come along and see what walking football is all about and you might well be tempted to give it a try. An excel lent form of exer cise for Ladies over 40 and Men over 50.

Supported by Pilar Town Hall, Pilar Tourist Board and Pinar Properties.

Fast approaching is probably the biggest Walking Football Tourna ment ever to take place on the Costa Blanca with the Torrevieja Tourna ment being hosted by Es quina Park Rangers on Saturday October 29 commencing 10.00am.

Teams from the Costa Blanca will be joined by teams from Murcia, Almeria and Malaga with an international flavour added with teams from the Basque Country, Por tugal and Scotland.

Make a note to attend what should be a very entertaining and com petitive tournament.

For news of walking football make sure you get YOUR copy of the Eu ro Weekly News , sup porters of walking foot ball.

SPORT to read more SPORT scan this QR Code

LEAGUE ACTION: Formentera v Red Lions of Fortuna.

Torrevieja Tournament on Oct 29.