Costa Blanca South 29 December • 4 January 2022 Issue 1956 by Euro Weekly News Media S.A.

Living nativity scene

CHRISTMAS DAY seemed the perfect date for the mayor of Elche, Carlos Gonzalez, to visit the opening of the Living Nativity Scene of Pobladores Elche located in Traspalacio. In keeping with tradition, hundreds of people from Elche attended the opening of this unique Nativity Scene in which the members of the Historical and Artistic Association of Pobladores recreate various biblical passages, from the arrival of the Holy Family to the Adoration of the Three Wise Men.

Around 30 people bring to life the Living Nativity Scene, which recreates, in addition to the nativity scene, Herod’s palace and a Jewish village with its dwellings,

market and shops such as an inn, rotisserie, wine cellar, bakery and a new decoration shop, where you can buy items such as chestnuts and a wide variety of bread and sweets.

The Living Nativity Scene can be visited on Thursday December 29, from 11.30am until 2.00pm and from 5.30pm until 8.30pm; on Friday December 30, from 5.30pm until 8.30pm; and on Saturday December 31 and Friday January 6 from 11.30am until 2.00pm.

Gifting golfers

LO MARABU , Sapphire and Elche golf societies have been busy fundraising and raised a remarkable €2,242 for the Torrevieja Red Cross Charity.

The members of the golf Societies presented their donation to the Torrevieja Red Cross Charity at an event at Edina’s Bar and Grill, Rojales. This incredible donation will be used for dis

advantaged children to ensure they have presents, food and warmth at Christmas.

The money has been collected from the members via contributions, and other various fundraising events.

The societies would like to wish everyone a healthy, peaceful and prosperous New Year.

Open house

SANTA POLA Town Hall has confirmed the house of Don Gabino has now become the property of the people of Santa Pola.

The mayor, Loreto Serrano, confirmed: “The house is the perfect enclave to show Santa Pola residents and visitors a historic building and to become a cultural meeting point for talks, exhibitions, etc.”

The house is located at the junction of Calles Elche and Marques de Molins and was built at the beginning of the 20th century.

It is a groundfloor house that stands out for its cornice and balustrade and was part of a group of three houses built in 1902 by the Ruiz Baile brothers.

It is an example of the bourgeois architectural model of the period and houses a courtyard typical of Valencian constructions of the time as well as deco

rative carpentry work. The walls are covered with tiles typical of the era

and a beautiful archway, typical of Mozarabic architecture.

Investigation continues

A MAN had held his sister hostage in a house in the Cañada Hermosa district on Friday December 23. Neighbours raised the alarm after hearing the sound of gunshots coming from the property.

In a huge operation, lasting nearly 36 hours, specialist teams from the Prevention and Reaction Unit (UPR), the Special Operations Group (GEO), and members of the Special Security Operations Groups (GOES) of Valencia were deployed to the location. An expert negotiator was also dispatched.

It would appear that the man had a dispute with his family over the custody of one of his children.

As a result, he threatened their lives.

Everything came to a head at around 5pm on Saturday December 24 with the arrest of the person who had locked himself in the ‘perfectly armed’ house and opened fire on ‘the intervening policemen’, as a police spokesman described.

His sister is thought to have been released without injuries. An investigation continues to determine the facts behind the incident.

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The mayor visited the opening in Elche. Image: Kim Dixon

Fat prize

AN entire series of the 05490 ticket which won first prize in the December 22 Christmas Lottery was sold in Torrevieja, as well as administrations in 31 other provinces. Punters who bought a ‘decimo’ or a 10th of an entire ticket each won €400,000 less the taxman’s cut.

Not here

THE regional government asked Spain’s highest court, the Constitutional Tribunal, to approve regulations preventing installation of huge petrol storage deposits at Alicante port. Generalitat regulations require a 1,000metre distance between the port’s outer perimeter and the nearest residential area, a measure the central government claims is beyond Valencia’s remit.

Top Ten

ELCHE’S Miguel Hernandez University (UMH) entered Spain’s Top Ten list of sustainable universities, coming ninth out of the 29 reviewed by Green Metric Ranking of World Universities, a body founded by Universitas Indonesia in 2010. The UMH was also ranked 175th worldwide out of 1,050 universities in 80 countries.

Lifeline

THE regional government’s Official Bulletin has announced just over €1 million in subsidies for 13 Valencian Community town halls experiencing ‘special economic and financial difficulties’. These included Daya Vieja, which will receive €131,040 more than any of the other municipalities while Bigastro is in line for €91,728.

All shook up

THE National Geographic Institute registered a 2.2 earth tremor with an epicentre six kilometres below the surface near the La Pedrera reservoir in San Miguel de Salinas at 1.18am on Monday December 19. This was San Miguel’s second earthquake this year and the Vega Baja’s 14th.

Betty Henderson

MOTORISTS in Andalucia are preparing for changes as a renovation project gets underway to renumber kilometre markers on the A7. The motorway, which lines the east coast of the country, is set for changes to kilometre markers to avoid duplication.

The scheme began back on Tuesday, October 11, and affects portions of the road from Almeria to Algeciras. The Ministry of Transport embarked upon the project to avoid duplication of kilometre numbers between sections of the road from its start in La Junquera in northern Catalonia to its end in the Andalucian city of Algeciras. The new system means that the road’s first kilometre is at its northern start, ascending towards the 1,122nd kilometre which is at its southern end point in Algeciras.

Various kilometre signs had to be changed in the south of the country including at Fuengirola, which changed

Shifting gears

accustomed to the old system are aware of the new numbering convention.

Motorists took to Facebook over the Christmas holidays to remark on the changes and in some cases, express confusion about the decision. Others were dismayed about the use of money, as the project cost more than €350,000, but authorities say the project is necessary to avoid confusion among emergency services and highway patrols.

Roman artefacts

DEMOLITION work on the old Red Cross building in the Viguetas area of Santa Pola has uncovered a Roman cistern.

The 15metre deep cistern could date back to the High Roman Empire between the first and second centuries, in the ancient Portus Ilicitanus.

from kilometre 210 to 1015, and La Herradura which changed from 305 to 960. The changes mean that businesses will need to update any address information which refers to the kilometre number markers which could confuse customers.

Residents should also take care to ensure that any visitors who may have been

The number changes date back to 2003 when sections of the older N340 were connected with the current A7 to create a faster nationwide highway. Kilometre numbers were not always updated, which resulted in the system which stood for almost 20 years, with some numbers duplicated throughout the country.

Animals are not gifts

ORIHUELA’S town hall has launched an awareness campaign entitled ‘Animals are not gifts’ for the Christmas holidays to raise public awareness that an animal is not a gift and to promote, in turn, the adoption of animals.

Luis Quesada, the councillor for Health, explained that this campaign aims to “raise awareness among the population, at the time of year when

children are requesting gifts and that animals are not a toy. Animals feel and suffer just like people, and therefore they should be well cared for and not abandoned.”

The campaign is disseminated through posters installed in the city and on social networks, with images of various animals accompanied by phrases such as ‘Their main objective is to love you, what is yours?’, ‘Their

Christmas the Euro Weekly News would like to remind all readers of Spain’s emergency services number for police, fire, ambulance and coastguard.

life depends on you’, ‘Abandoning is never an option’ and ‘Animals are not gifts. Don’t buy animals, adopt them’. The councillor for Health confirmed that he is committed to adoption instead of buying animals and added that those who are interested in adopting, “can contact the animal protection centre managed by Asoka, by sending an email to asokaorihuela@ gmail.com.”

Christmas gastronomy

THE Municipal Gastronomic Centre of Murcia has received more than 900 applications for its Christmas activities in just one week.

The new space, located in the Romea Theatre building, offers cooking workshops for children and adults and cheese, wine and beer tastings, and, now, all the spaces have been fully booked.

The Centre is the core of a longterm strategic project to position Murcia as a gastronomic tourist destination.

The councillor for Culture, Tourism and Sports, Pedro Garcia Rex, confirmed that: “We are very satisfied with the success of the Municipal Gastronomic Centre’s proposal for the festive season, which will not remain just for Christmas,

but is part of a longterm strategic project to position Murcia as a gastronomic tourist destination.”

The mayor of Santa Pola, Loreto Serrano, has already announced that they are going to “protect and enhance the value of the discovery,” which could be “according to the archaeologists, a raft for an ancient cetaria or a salted fish factory in the area.”

The director of the Museum of the Sea, Maria Jose Cerda, confirmed: “We have had an inspection from the archaeologist from the Generalitat, who has given us instructions on how to proceed. Now, we have to preserve the structure and ensure maximum safety for people.

“Afterwards, we will fence off the area and close it, so that next year we can start a campaign of excavations to gain precise knowledge of the discovery and the area in a bid to enhance its value.”

New Year wishes

2022 HAS been a year of rebirth for Spain’s economy and tourism industry following two years of the pandemic.

Tourists have returned in their millions while the theatres, bars and restaurants which had been hit by Covid are booming once again.

Spain also saw some of the biggest names in music flock to its shores, with Craig David, Simply Red, Simple Minds and Texas all performing this summer.

2023 is now set to be an even bigger year of boom and the Euro Weekly News would like to wish all our readers and advertisers a very happy and prosperous New Year ahead.

With love, The EWN family x

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Kilometre numbers in the Andalucia section of the A-7 have changed to avoid duplication along the motorway. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons / Kokoo

ELCHE has officially been accredited as a tourist town of the Valencian Community and it has the plaque to prove it!

The mayor of Elche, Carlos Gonzalez, accompanied by the councillor for Tourism, Carles Molina, were presented with the plaque on Tuesday, December 20.

The councillor for

THE Torrevieja Classics and Specialists Cars Club are delighted to be able to resume their monthly events for the first time since the pandemic. Car runs, parties, dinners, and treasure hunts are just a few of the events to be enjoyed.

Tourism explained that Elche has achieved recognition as a tourist brand of the Valencian Community thanks to the work carried out by the city and the tourism sector to ‘enrich and add value to the Community’. The councillor also pointed out that the city “provides cultural, heritage and environmental dimensions”

and also has “three UNESCO recognised World Heritage Sites located in the town.”

The main advantage of Elche having a tourism brand is that, in the Turisme Operational Marketing Plan, it will appear as one of the seven major brands of the Valencian Community to promote different promotional activities.

Prized plaque Club classics

The club has also elected a new President this

Around 200 national and international promotional activities are car

ried out throughout the year through the Operational Marketing Plan.

trikes, vans and fun vehicles to join them for their monthly meetings and activities.

Winning windows

year, as Gaynor who was president for four and a half years has stepped down. The new president, Alison, has been a club member since 2014 and has welcomed this new role.

Club Torrevieja, the Southern Costa Blanca’s original International Car Club invite all owners and fans of Classics, Future Classics, Specialist, Exotic, Kit plus interesting cars,

The group have a steady membership of around 40 members made up of 25 classic and specialist cars.

Meetings are all in English, although the club does have members from Germany, Ireland, Belgium, Portugal, Scandinavia, Italy and even Spain, to mention but a few.

For more information email: torreclassic@gmail.com or head to the website / carclubtorrevieja.com/.

ALL small and mediumsized businesses in the municipality of Torrevieja who decorated their shop window or facade for Christmas could participate in the Christmas Window Dressing Contest 2022.

The councillor for Commerce actively encouraged all Torrevieja establishments to participate in the hope that it would boost local commerce.

Have you taken a stroll around Torrevieja during the Christmas period and looked at shop decorations, could you pick a winner?

Torrevieja Town Hall had the tough job and, after much deliberation, announced that the first prize of €1,000 was to awarded to Dr Jorge Requena Dental Clinic, the second prize of €800 to Vera Pharmacy and in third place, winning €500, Carmina Florist.

There were also 10 runner-up prizes of €300 which were awarded to Optics Sea, Chantal, Casa Macia, Hernandez Jewelry, La Sal Pharmacy, Pharmacy Mª Carmen Cayuelas, Di Balloons, Nougat C. Arques Pla, Gore c/ Ramón Gallud and Frigate Pharmacy.

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TOURIST BRAND: Carlos Gonzalez and Carles Molina received the plaque. MONTHLY EVENTS: Have resumed after the pandemic. Image: Elche City Council Image: shutterstock.com/ topseller

Free legal clinics

ED 1905 - JANUARY

MEMBERS of the Camposol Residents Assocation (CRA) can now benefit from free, initial legal advice regarding their properties.

“It was good to be given the opportunity to look at some individual problems and give some initial advice,” said bilingual lawyer Gerardo Vazquez, who has dual Spanish and English nationality.

“After successfully dealing with property problems in Andalucia, I hope that I can also help people in Murcia,” he added, alluding to the predicament of many of the Mazarron urbanisation’s residents.

Sr Vazquez, who was speaking after the successful first free clinic, has a proven track record in dealing with property issues.

He is legal advisor to AUAN, Andalucia’s leading homeowners’ group which played a major role in

bringing about legal reforms both nationally and regionally, benefiting some 300,000 properties in Andalucia alone.

“We are happy to provide this new service to our members in addition to the activities that we are undertaking with Gerardo and the rest of the legal team,” said the CRA’s president

Phillip Gelling. “This will help us address outstanding issues and improve the Camposol experience for everyone who lives there.”

For more information about Camposol Residents Association (CRA) or to request a clinic appointment, please contact the info@camposolresidents.es email address.

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FUNDRAISING SWIM: Age Concern member prepare to take the plunge. Photo credit: Age Concern Costa Calida

Age Concern Costa Calida

ED 1908 - JANUARY

FORTY-SEVEN swimmers braved jellyfish, donned fancy dress and took to the sea for Age Concern Costa Calida’s annual fundraiser in Mazarron.

All sponsorship monies should be in by January 31 and Age Concern will announce the total in midFebruary.

Upcoming Age Concern Costa Calida events include the Annual General Meeting in the Social Centre garden on January 25 at 1pm, followed by their Vintage Store sale on January 28

from 10am to 1pm.

The Menu del Dia lunch on January 26 at Piccolo’s sold out in two days, and Age Concern’s Gail advised members to keep their eyes peeled for the next.

February 14 sees the Valentine’s Dance in Puerto de Mazarron with further details to be announced later.

The Social Centre organises activities every weekday between 10am and 1pm, with a Men Only session on Fridays.

“There’s always someone available to chat or answer

queries, so just drop in and say hi,” Gail said.

Age Concern Social Centre, 2B Avenida de los Covachos, Camposol Sector C, Murcia

Enquiries (634 344 589); Lifeline (Mazarron and Puerto de Mazarrón 634 325 408 ); Camposol ( 634 312 516)

For equipment loan call 634 306 927 between 10am and 4 pm, Monday to Friday

Email: ageconcerncosta calida@gmail.com Facebook: Age Concern Costa Calida.

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FUNDRAISING SWIM: Age Concern member prepare to take the plunge. Photo credit: Age Concern Costa Calida

Port go-ahead

ED 1909 - FEBRUARY

TORREVIEJA’s €19 million port transformation should soon become a reality. Regional government, the Generalitat, which controls the Valencian Community’s ports, has awarded the project and the concession to run the new installation to Empresas del Sol.

Headed by Torrevieja resident Enrique Riquelme, the company is investing €10.5 million while Torrevieja Town Hall will provide more than €8 million.

The project will convert the port into a commercial and leisure area connected to the town by a raised promenade incorporating lookout points with spectacular sea views. All this is to be carried out parallel to the town hall’s redevelopment plans for the immediatelyadjoining area which will retain the existing trees along the Paseo de la Libertad and add more green zones. There will still be enough

space for the longestablished fair and plans include a bicycle lane in line with the town hall’s commitment to alternative and sustainable mobility. Eliminating the wall that separates the port from the town was one of the conditions imposed by the Generalitat, as was providing a new harbourside Lonja fish market costing more than €1.5 million.

The remodelled port complex will include six twostorey buildings, each with lookouts and open spaces as

well as shops, bars and restaurants, together with an underground car park for 600 vehicles.

According to Spanish media reports, Riquelme believes that initial work on the zone occupied by the Lonja and old Customs building could be taken within a month.

Constructing the leisure centre will start after the summer and the entire project should be completed by 2023.

Not-so-mad mad hatters

ED 1912 - FEBRUARY

LA ZENIA beach was once again the setting for the Mad Hatters’ annual New Year’s Day sponsored swim.

“They raised €3,206 for the DEBRA charity,” Mary Chambers told the Euro Weekly News . “What a start to the New Year!” Mary is the manager of the DEBRA Spain charity shop in La Marina, which raises money for children with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), the extremely painful condition known as Butterfly Skin.

“It was a sunny day and the Mad Hatters and customers of the Pint Depot wore Men in Black suits,” Mary said. By 2pm a crowd had gathered at La Zenia beach to take photos and cheer the swimmers on as they entered the sea. All participants had to remain in the water for a minimum of 15 minutes, while Shirley was on hand with her tin for gratefullyreceived donations.

The swim completed, and the Men in Black suits back on, there was time for the Jerusalema dance to applause

from the watching crowd.

“The Mad Hatters returned to the Pint Depot to perform the dance in their suits again for all their customers, which went down a storm,” Mary said. “Everyone showed their appreciation and the dona

tions kept on coming.” Charlie Osborne, aged 12, had overheard his mum and dad talking about the sponsored swim and decided to enter. He set up a Go Fund Me page for sponsorship and contributed more than €1,600.

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LEISURE CENTRE: How the remodelled port will look in 2023. Photo credit: Torrevieja town hall

Paellas for peace

1916 - MARCH

DAVID and Xavi Juan Diaz, Andres Sanchez, Eduardo Cisneros and David Carretero left Alicante on Friday March 11, bound for Przemysl (Poland) near the Ukraine border.

They were weighed down with enough rice, meat, olive oil, peppers, tomatoes, chickpeas and garlic to make a daily 1,500 portions of paella for Ukrainians fleeing their invaded country.

The five friends had also made up their minds to bring back refugees on the return journey to Spain, Eduardo Cisneros told the Spanish media.

“We decided to go early in March, outraged by the war and what was happening,” he said, explaining the origins of their Paellas Por la Paz initiative.

Thanks to collaboration from friends and local companies they had three tons of food with them when they arrived after 40 hours’ driving in Przemysl, 20 min

utes from Medyka.

The five friends one of whom owns a restaurant set up their stall in the open air outside a humanitarian aid centre which also provides hot food for the refugees. For the next five days they produced paella from 10am until 10pm.

“They ate rice all day!” Eduardo said. “They loved our fuet dried sausage, ham, and cured tuna, too.”

The five friends left on March 19 and, as they had

hoped, they were able to bring back five people with them, after completing the stringent vetting introduced to prevent people trafficking.

“We were up very early to go to the railway station to collect a grandmother, her daughter and two granddaughters as well as another girl who arrived in a state of shock after her house was bombed,” Eduardo said. “All they have is what they stand up in, and little more.”

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ALICANTE MISSION: Cooking paella for refugees and bringing five to safety. Photo credit: Paellas Por la Paz ED

Help the shelter

ED 1921 - APRIL

THREE animal shelters received donations on Wednesday April 13 thanks to a recent fundraising event in Los Urrutias (Murcia).

Support Abandoned Dogs (PAPS), Supporters of the Los Infiernos Animal Shelter (LIPS) and Malcolm’s Cats each had a share in the €2,011 that was raised at a lunch in the Ruf Mari Restaurant on March 27 to celebrate Mother’s Day.

“It was a fantastic lunch in Los Urrutias, just two minutes from the Mar Menor,” Elaine Gibson, one of the fundraisers, said.

“The Green Dog Band soon had everyone mostly the ladies up and dancing and singing along, whilst the men happily nursed their drinks.”

A raffle with some amazing prizes that were handed out to the lucky win

ners, plus donations, raised an incredible €2,011.

“The shelters are so grateful for every cent they receive, as bills for food, utilities and vets’ fees are running at an all time high,” said Lesley Eburne who organised the event.

“With sick dogs, abandoned puppies, kittens and even unwanted family

pets, it is now a real struggle to keep up,” she added.

“We rely on these events and donations to look after them all.”

Readers who would like to make a donation, volunteer or walk the dogs, should get in touch with PAPS, LIPS and Malcolm’s Cats or contact their local animal shelter, Lesley said.

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DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS: Events like the Los Urrutias lunch assist local animal charities. Credit: Shuttertstock.com/FrameStockFootage.

Standing ovation Club live on TV

ED 1923 - MAY

BACK in November 2021, Los Alcazares Camera Club visited member Nilam Wright for an Indian cooking demonstration and a curry lunch.

At that time Nilam was being filmed for the popular Channel 5 series, Bargain loving Brits in the Sun, so the Camera Club were delighted to see themselves on television in the episode that aired on April 22.

Member Brian provided the highlight of the event when he set light to the papadum he was cooking and had to put out the flaming food by stamping it into the ground with his foot.

Nilam’s only comment was “Nice shoes, Brian!”

Whilst they can’t promise any future celebrity appearances on television, Los Alcazares Camera Club is always looking for new members, either permanent

residents in Spain or ‘swallows’ who come and go.

The club meets on the first Tuesday of the month via Zoom at 10.30am (Spain) or 9.30am (UK) when members discuss their monthly photo competition and usually watch a photography workshop video.

On the third Tuesday of the month, the club goes on a field trip to take photographs followed by a meal to which family and friends are also invited.

Anyone interested in joining Los Alcazares Camera Club should have a look at the website http://www.los al cazares camera.club or contact the chairman, John Dorsett ( 0034 966 762 715 and mobile 0034 606 452 445) or the secretary, Pip Shail on the mike shail45@googlemail.com email address.

ED 1924 - MAY

CRESCENDO INTERNATIONAL CHOIR and Chivenor Military Ladies Choir raised €4,680 for four charities at Salt Church, Los Montesinos, on May 7.

Shortly before this began, the Royal British Legion concert band led by David Last performed on the terrace outside Salt Church.

The Chivenor Choir members, who are military personnel as well as the wives, partners, mothers and daughters of active or retired servicemen, sang 10 songs, Crescendo’s Nancy Klein told the Euro Weekly News. These included Home Thoughts from Abroad, the same song they performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London and which was featured in the movie, Military Wives. Many of the ladies who performed at the Royal Albert Hall in 2011 are still members of the choir.

Crescendo Choir per

formed nine works, including Coldplay’s Fix You and Viva la Vida and the two groups combined to sing I Can Only Imagine and You Raise Me Up together. The 350 people who attended the event gave an extended standing ovation to both choirs when the concert ended.

Crescendo Choir will be giving two free concerts soon, the first on Saturday, May 28 at 8pm at the Nuestra Señora del Pilar parish church in Los Montesinos. The second will

be held on Saturday, June 4, at 6pm in the La Siesta Evangelical Church in the La Chaparral urbanisation in Torrevieja. The choir rehearses at the Rincon de Miguel restaurant in Los Montesinos Monday between 5.45pm and 8pm.

“All singers are welcome!” Nancy said.

“If interested in joining Crescendo, see the www.crescendochoir.com website. The choir is especially seeking men to join.”

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COMBINED CHOIRS: Crescendo International Choir and Chivenor Military Ladies raised €4,680 for four charities. Photo credit: Salt Church, Los Montesinos CLOSE-UP VIEW: Los Alcazares Camera Club members features in popular Channel 5 series. Photo credit: Los Alcazares Camera Club

Spangled jubilee

ED 1927 - JUNE

THE Platinum Jubilee celebrations commemorating HM Queen Elizabeth II’s 70year reign could not be ignored by Spangles Ladies Harmony Chorus.

After many weeks of planning, the Spangles fundraising team of Maggie Reilly, Susie Wyatt and Gale Booth pulled off a sellout event for June 3 with their Jubilee Afternoon Tea, held at the Civic Centre in Los Alcazares (Murcia).

With cakes baked by Maggie and savouries provided by several of the Spangles members, the afternoon could not have been better, Chorus manager Lyn Baines told the Euro Weekly News afterwards.

There was a moment of panic when the power failed just as guests started to arrive, but David Christopher from GDC Services came to the rescue and the urn and kettles were back on track in time.

Each of the tables had been named after a member of the Royal Family, and a short

anecdote had been included about each personage, Lynn said.

The guests were assigned their own Spangle waitress, each adorned with a pinnie that was made specially for the occasion by Gale Booth.

The room had been dressed in lilac, with bunting and table runners made by Sheila Pina.

Spangles not only provided the delicious fare, but they also provided cutlery, china, savouries, prizes, crafts, their time and so much more that went into making this event a resounding success.

“Thanks go to Cora Haig in Scotland, who made and

packaged some beautiful Scottish Tablet, which was a sellout on the craft stall, and to Barbara Hewson for the delicious miniquiches.

Once the guests were all served, Spangles performed some of their repertoire and received not one, but two standing ovations.

“We strive to be the very best we can in everything that we do, and this event proves that. It wasn’t easy putting it together, but it was worth it to see the smiles on everyone’s faces” Musical Director, Valerie Lynch said. “As the saying goes, ‘It takes a village’, and that culture certainly exists in Spangles.”

Fun-packed afternoon

ED 1928 - JUNE

THE Movers And Shakers Association Costa Blanca (AMSCB) enjoyed a funpacked afternoon at the Casino in Almoradi on Friday June 3.

They were celebrating the Platinum Jubilee and the room was decked with bunting, balloons and flags while guests dressed in red, white and blue.

Local guitarist Paul Harris played during the luncheon before guests were entertained by the Costa Blanca Morris Dancers.

“For many this was a complete surprise and it brought a little tradition to the occasion,” said the AMSCB president, Marion Smith.

“Although we live in

Spain, we all love Her Majesty and wanted to celebrate her 70 years of dedication to Britain and the Commonwealth”

The afternoon raised just under €300 which will be used to support sufferers and their families with Huntington’s,

Parkinson, Ataxia, Motor Neurone Diseases as well as Multiple Sclerosis.

For further more information about AMSCB, contact Marion Smith on 711 008 250 or visit the www.amscb.org.es website.

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Linda Hall GREAT SUCCESS: Members of Studio32 performed Oklahoma in San Fulgencio. Credit: Shuttertstock.com/FrameStockFootage. Photo credit: Marion Smith BRITISH TRADITION: Morris Dancers at the AMSCB luncheon.

Panto party

Linda Hall

THE Rojales Pantomime Group, including cast, crew, friends and family, recently enjoyed a night out in the gardens of Lo Crispin (Algorfa).

It was one of the many social events organised throughout the year which have kept the group together during the troublesome few years when performances have had to be cancelled.

“The good news is that lots of new and very talented members have been recruited,” the group’s Valerie O’Reilly said.

“Rehearsals have already started for this year’s pantomime, Treasure Island, which the group are determined to perform this year for all you lovely people.”

Performances are planned for December 1, 2 and 3 at the Cardinal Belluga Theatre

in San Fulgencio.

The rum will flow, there will be plenty of “Yo-ho-hoing” together with songs, slapstick, piracy and audience participation - Oh yes you will! – and the fun and games associated with a truly British pantomime.

“So make a date to join us when we go treasure hunting in the Caribbean with Long John Silver and his motley pirate crew, plus a few

surprise pirates and, of course, Polly the Parrot,” Valerie said.

Rojales Pantomime Group are proud to have raised funds for many local charities in the past and this year will be no exception, as monies will be donated from the Treasure Island production.

“Not only will you have a great night out, but you will also be helping very needy charities,” Valerie said.

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ED 1932 - JULY NIGHT OUT: Members of the Rojales Pantomime Group in Lo Crispin Images: Little Pod Association

ED 1938 - AUGUST

IT was a great end to the SAMM race season and the final results calculation emphasised what a great, closely fought sailing season SAMM competitors had enjoyed.

This was despite the fact that, for various reason which included bad weather, other events scheduled at CTD and Covid cases among officials and competitors, the planned 18 races were reduced to just eight.

The results show a good distribution of first and second places among the competing boats which emphasised the very close, hard fought competition all through the season.

To calculate the final results the points of the worst two race results were dropped for every boat and this gave very

tight final scores. Just three quarters of a point separating the winning boat Ginetta from the second placed boat Shoestring Dos and, a quarter of a point separating Dos and the third place

boat, Shoestring Uno. The autumn season is scheduled to start on October 9.

To find out everything about SAMM visit www.sailingmarmenor. com.

A great end Colour them pink

ED 1935 - AUGUST

the Pink Ladies and Panthers had raised a total of €527,046 since June 2010.

Earlier we had received an email from the cancer charity giving dates and details of the summer break, before mentioning, almost as an afterthought that Maria and

This was the year when the Pink Ladies group came into existence after Maria Wilson discovered that she had breast cancer. They began fundraising for Spain’s national cancer charity, AECC and more recently for the association’s Alicante Province branch, the AACC.

This was followed by a secondary cancer which has not deterred her or her Pink Ladies who, together with the Pink Panthers, continue to raise much needed funds.

Yes, there are Pink Panthers too, as men are encouraged to follow the Pink Ladies’ lead by advocating and promoting the lifesaving benefits of early detection

of prostate cancer.

Maria’s Pink Ladies and Panthers put the fun into fundraising with something, somewhere always going on in Orihuela Costa and the surrounding area.

But they are very serious about early detection and all the money that Maria and her group of volunteers raise goes to fighting cancer and supporting their screening programme.

And, summer break notwithstanding, appointments can be still made via the Pink Ladies and Panthers Facebook page or their www.pinkladies.es website.

“We will continue to make screening appointments during our summer closing,” Maria said.

“Cancer doesn’t go on holiday.”

THE Euro Weekly News recently reminded readers that the Pink Ladies office at Playa Flamenca was closing until September 5.

EWN 29 Dec 2022 - 4 Jan 2023 euroweeklynews.com BEST OF THE YEAR 14

COMPETING BOATS: Closely fought SAMM sailing season. PINK LADIES: They put the fun into fundraising for a serious cause. Photo credit: Pink Ladies and Panthers

See how they grow!

ED 1940 - SEPTEMBER

Linda Hall

THIS spring, Campoverde Church in the Community decided to support their work with a sunflower growing competition.

Named the Campoverde Sunflower Challenge, this was the brainchild of church member James McAllister who is also a keen gardener and garden blogger.

For a small donation to the Church, entrants received two sunflower seeds with instructions for planting and taking care of them. In addition, they were given details of

the dates when they should plant the seeds and when the resulting sunflowers should be measured.

Campoverde villagers spent the summer feeding, weeding and watering their plants, some with far greater success than others.

“Tales of woe abounded,” James said. “Some seeds failed to germinate,

whilst others which started off with such promise failed to reach their full potential or just withered through regretful neglect before August 27.”

The results were verified by the judge, who visited and doublechecked the entered measurements.

The eventual winner was Peter Barlow with a sunflower that grew to

216 centimetres.

The keen gardener was pleased with his efforts, as both his seeds germinated and gave him great pleasure over the summer.

Asked about the secret of his success, Peter said, “Just common sense gardening, lots of water and plant food once a week, with the added ingredient of prayer.”

Merchant Seamen remembered

ED 1940 - SEPTEMBER

MERCHANT NAVY DAY was celebrated in Torrevieja on Sunday, September 4.

Former seaman and D-Day Veteran Joe Billet laid a wreath at the La Siesta church’s Jardin de Memoria in honour and remembrance of the sacrifices made by the often-forgotten and invisible but very hard-working seafarers.

The tribute simply read, “To the 60,000 Merchant Seamen who lost their lives during the Second World War. RIP.”

Pastor Krista, the recently-installed Iglesia Evangélica Española minister, read a short tribute as Pipe Sergeant David Heaney of the Torrevieja Pipes and Drums played a lament.

The commemoration was attended by

members of La Siesta Evangelical congregation, which included former Merchant Navy captain, Howard Cook. Merchant Navy Day honours those who kept Britain afloat during both World Wars. It also celebrates the dependence on modern-day merchant seafarers, which although they are a civilian service, undoubtedly rank on the same level as the Armed Forces, because of its critical role.

EWN 29 Dec 2022 - 4 Jan 2023 euroweeklynews.com BEST OF THE YEAR 16

SUNFLOWER CONTEST: Peter Barlow with his winning sunflower.

Credit MA8 shutterstock.com

HONOURING SEAMEN: Joe Billet, Pastor Krista and David Heaney. Photo credit: Orihuela Costa and District Branch Photo credit: Pixabay/Couleur

Poppy appeal pipers

ED 1943 - OCTOBER

TORREVIEJA’S PIPES & DRUMS will open the Poppy Appeal 2022 launch in Benidorm on Saturday October 15.

Toni Perez, Benidorm’s mayor and a longtime supporter of the Royal British Legion, will be prominent amongst those present.

He will accompany District North chairman Jack Kemp, Lynda Atkins (national vicechair) and Captain Stephen McGlory, Defence Attache in Madrid.

Easily recognisable in his bright scarlet coat, Wayne Campbell from the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, will be another regular at the head of the parade.

District North Spain’s Poppy Appeal aims to exceed 2021’s total of €120,000 enabling the Legion to continue its vital work in delivering lifelong support to service and exservice personnel and their families.

Every euro received is used in Spain where it will make a real difference, not only to service men and women, but to their families as well.

So make your donation and wear your poppy with pride in the knowledge that you are supporting your local Armed Forces community, past and present.

The launch will be preceded by a short parade between Calle Castellon on the Levante beach promenade to the Rincon de Loix.

It gets underway at 1pm and will be led by the Torrevieja Pipes and Drums, along with standard bearers from Spain District North’s many branches.

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ANNUAL PARADE: Torrevieja’s Pipes and Drums open the Poppy Appeal march in Benidorm. Photo credit: Royal British Legion

Reach for the stars

Linda Hall ELCHE is joining the race to secure the prize plum of the Spanish Space Agency’s headquarters.

The Local Government Board has approved a motion to put forward Elche’s name, city mayor Carlos Gonzalez announced on Friday October 7.

The same motion also called on the Generalitat to make an official statement backing Elche’s can

didacy. This, Gonzalez explained, was one of the central government’s specifications included in its list of requirements for candidate cities.

Confirmation of regional president Ximo Puig’s backing should not be long in coming. Responding on Thursday October 6 to the regional media, Puig declared that the city and the surrounding area were the best possible option for Spain’s Space Agency.

“They meet all the conditions for selecting the centre,” Puig said.

“There might be a similar city but it would be difficult to find a more fitting candidate than Elche, with an international airport, a leading space technology company like PLD and three state universities and a private university within reach.”

Meanwhile, Carlos Gonzalez said that the city was approaching its candidacy with the utmost realism.

EWN 29 Dec 2022 - 4 Jan 2023 euroweeklynews.com BEST OF THE YEAR 20

GREAT SUCCESS: Members of Studio32 performed Oklahoma in San Fulgencio. Credit: Shuttertstock.com/FrameStockFootage. ED 1945 - OCTOBER

• December 29, Tel’s Friendly Quiz, 6.45pm, Tel’s Bar and Grill, La Marina

• December 31, New Year’s Eve Party with fireworks, 11.30pm, Placa de Baix, Elche

• December 31, New Year’s Eve Dinner and Live Music, 6pm, Asador Los Mancinis, Torrevieja

• December 31, New Year’s Party, 1am, Passion Music Lounge, Villamartin Plaza

• January 1, Melissa Fanning Vocalist, 9.30pm, The Landsdowne, Flamenca Beach, Alicante

• January 5, Three Kings Parade, 7pm, leaving from Calle Renia Victoria, Elche

All aboard now

ALL aboard the Orihuela Christmas train.

Orihuela’s Christmas Train is set to begin its seasonal service. Admire the festive sparkle and charm of this vibrant city, as you embark on a mini journey to discover some of the main monuments, streets and plazas of Orihuela town centre.

The journey begins in the Plaza de la Soledad, next to the Tourist Information Office, making various stops around the city, where you can hop on and off at your leisure. Your ticket is valid for either the morning (from 11.00am until 1.00pm) or afternoon journeys (from 4.00pm until 7.00pm).

To take advantage of the seasonal transport

pop to the Plaza de la Soledad from January 2 until January 4, 2023. Train times are 11.00am, 12.00pm, 1.00pm, 4.00pm, 5.00pm, 6.00pm and 7.00pm.

Tickets for children under 12 are priced at €3 and for adults €4.

If you have never

toured Orihuela it is well worth a visit. There are vestiges of human settlements from the Chalcolithic (second half of the third millennium BC), passing through the Argaric, Late Bronze and Ancient Iron cultures up to the Iberian and Roman cultures.

Traditional celebrations

BEGIN the new year by being entertained by a traditional New Year’s concert in true Philharmonic style. The Moldovan Philharmonic Orchestra based in Chisinau was founded 85 years ago, which makes it one of the oldest musical institutions in Moldova and makes it a repository of Moldovan cultural, classical and folk heritage. The orchestra is made up of teachers, graduates of musical academies and conservatories in Moldova, Ukraine and Russia.

The concert takes place at Alicante’s Teatro Principal on Sunday, January 1 at 7.00pm.

A CHILDREN’S and young people’s leisure exhibition (EXPONADAL) celebrates its 27th event from January 2 until January 4. It will be back bigger and better with two pavilions hosting attractions, the latest in video games and simulators, gymkhanas, and a castle of terror.

This year there will also be lots of sports, crafts and cooking workshops. There will also be board games, golf, sailing, competitions and a space for relaxing. At the exhibition, there will be food trucks, a cafeteria and stalls selling sweets, waffles, popcorn, and candy floss. The exhibition is

For more information or to book tickets email: informacion@teatroprincipaldealicante.com or call (+34) 965 202 380. The Teatro Principal located at Plaza Chapí, s/n03001, is one of the most important buildings in Alicante. In 1845 several city merchants, two aristocrats, and two families of owners decided to build a theatre.

The building project was carried out by the Alicante architect, Emilio Jover Perron, in a neoclassical style and was named Teatro Principal. Still today, the theatre hosts some of the greatest concerts, operas and musicals in the region.

Fun for all

being held at the Alicante Trade Fair Institution (IFA), N340, km 731 03320 Elche (Alicante).

For more information email ifa@ifa virtual.com or call (+34) 966 657 600. The IFA organises more than 20 trade fairs and multiple congresses, seminars and symposiums that attract the interest of more than 300,000 people and more than 2,000 companies every year.

EWN 29 Dec 2022 - 4 Jan 2023 euroweeklynews.com SOCIAL SCENE 22

CHOO CHOO!: The Orihuela Christmas train is set to go. Image: Orihuela City Council NEW YEAR’S DAY: A concert will take place at Alicante’s Teatro Principal. Image: Moldovan Philharmonic Orchestra

A piece of cake

AS always the Little Pod Fair was a great success.

The last Fair which took place on Friday, November 4, had 18 stalls offering a good mix of different bits and bobs, most of which were handmade products, perfect for those Christmas stocking extras.

As usual, there was a queue for the homemade cake stall and the brilliant super baker, Jef Koninx, had sold out of stock within 40 minutes of opening.

A brilliant €130 was raised on the day for Little Pods.

The next fair is on Friday, November 18, between 10.00am and 3.00pm and will then be held weekly in the lead up to Christmas. Why not pop along to La Florida in between Waldermars and Arianaz Restaurants in Orihuela and grab yourself a bargain?

The fair is held on behalf

of the Little Pod Association which rescues abandoned and mistreated animals.

The charity ensures that all the animals receive blood tests for diseases, vaccinations, a microchip and a passport for travelling. They are all neutered/spayed and veterinarian treatment is given to the animals who require it.

Animals are rehabilitated and rehomed to loving, caring homes in Spain, other parts of Europe and the UK.

The Little Pod Association relies solely on donations, profits from its charity shop in La Zenia and events like the Little Pod Fair to carry out this invaluable work.

You can find the Little Pod Association charity shop on the first floor of the La Zenia II commercial centre, adjacent to Lidl and above the Mercadona supermarket.

The shop is open Monday to Saturday from 10.00am until 3.00pm (except Wednesdays when the shop closes an hour earlier at 2.00pm).

EWN 29 Dec 2022 - 4 Jan 2023 23 BEST OF THE YEAR euroweeklynews.com

ED 1949 - NOVEMBER LITTLE POD FAIR: One of the craft stalls selling handmade products. Images: Little Pod Association

Rave review

ON Thursday, November 10 to Saturday, November 12, members of the Studio32 group performed A Night on Broadway in San Fulgencio’s Cardenal Belluga Theatre.

More than 30 talented people giving their all before an audience, something to truly make your heart sing out.

All in all it was a top notch performance that the

likes of Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli and Judy Garland would all have been proud of.

With one or two late withdrawals due to illness, the show opened powerfully with the very first musical written by the duo of Rogers and Hammerstein, Oklahoma.

There was an excellent tap performance by Geraldine Dore and choreographer Justine Cook and with

additional choreography from Lindsay Walker the dancers and ensemble were able to provide tremendous support to a musical selection that fitted the mood and tone of the evening.

As members of the audience left the theatre at the end of each of the three performances, I am sure that they had all rediscovered a little twinkle and the spark, once again, to musical theatre.

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EWN 29 Dec 2022 - 4 Jan 2023 euroweeklynews.com FEATURE 24

ED 1950 - NOVEMBER GREAT SUCCESS: Members of Studio32 performed Oklahoma in San Fulgencio. Credit: Kevin Reardon

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Christmas walk

ED 1952 - DECEMBER

THE Pink Ladies and Panthers are a fundraising charity that was set up in 2010 by Maria Wilson, whose purpose is to help raise money for the early detection and research of cancer on behalf of the AECC cancer charity, based in Alicante.

Maria began raising money for the AECC after discovering she had breast cancer, followed by secondary cancer, however unfazed by the diagnosis she was determined to do what she could for others in and around the area, who might also be battling with cancer.

Since 2010, Pink Ladies have raised muchneeded funds, as well as providing a Support Hub and Screen Booking service, all whilst maintaining their record of donating 100 per cent of the proceeds from events to the cause. Not only that, but

all the team at Pink Ladies give their time voluntarily and totally free of charge.

Join Maria and the fabulous Pink Ladies for their Christmas walk with Santa on Sunday, December 4. Please wear something festive for the walk that begins at midday, registration opens at 11.00am.

The walk starts and finishes at La Zenia Boulevard.

Simon Morton of Sunshine FM Radio is joining in the fun and will be playing festive music and the Spangles choir will also be live on stage singing numerous festive songs to get everyone in the Christmas mood.

Maria and the Pink Ladies will also be collecting dried foods and toiletries for those less fortunate and these donations will be passed on to the Reach Out charity.

Movers and Shakers

ED 1953 - DECEMBER

ALMORADI was buzzing with people over the weekend of November 26 and 27. In the square was a Medieval Artisans fair together with festivities for children.

At the Casino, the Association of Movers and Shakers held a charity craft fair with a festive theme. There was a steady stream of people looking for that extra special Christmas gift, whilst outside Marion and her helpers enticed people with their tombola stall.

Altogether just under €250 was raised. This money will be used to support sufferers and their families living with Hunt

The organiser, Christine Watkins would like to thank the volunteers, stall holders and everyone who supported the event.

Another fundraising event for the Association will be a Dinner Dance, with a live band,

at the Casino in Almoradi on Friday December 16.

Further details can be found on the website: www.amscb.org.es, or email marion.smith@amscb.org.es

If you, or someone you know are affected by any of these diseases, or wish to become a volunteer, please contact the President, Marion Smith on (+34) 711 008 250.

Plea for help

EURO WEEKLY NEWS reader, Kim Pearce from Torrevieja, recently emailed us, asking for help.

She attached a Facebook post from Torrevieja Cat Adoption, a volunteer group who help at the local Albergue Municipal animal shelter.

“We need more money,” the post declared, showing photos of receipts for the special food and medicines that fosterers have paid for.

“Our dedicated foster carers are taking care of animals for whose care, health and welfare the town hall is re

sponsible,” Torrevieja Cat Adoption pointed out.

“If it were not for the generous people who make money donations, I don’t know how we would manage,” a volunteer said.

“Any Euro Weekly News help in raising awareness would be great,” Kim suggested.

This was not the first time that Shelter volunteers have contacted us, and the Euro Weekly News has previously approached the Animal Protection department for a comment.

Our reporter spoke on two

occasions to a town hall employee who said that the Shelter’s allocation was generous compared with other municipalities. He added that there were always problems with the number of cats the Shelter has to look after, and kittens in particular.

He also said that the person we needed to speak to was Animal Protection councillor Concha Sala and that he would arrange for her to ring us.

We are still waiting for the phone call, so will try again. Perhaps on this occasion it will be “third time lucky.”

EWN 29 Dec 2022 - 4 Jan 2023 25 BEST OF THE YEAR euroweeklynews.com

ED 1954 - DECEMBER

ington’s; Ataxia; Multiple Sclerosis; Motor Neurone and Parkinson’s in the Costa Blanca area. CRAFT FAIR: Movers and Shakers raised funds for charity. Image: Movers and Shakers

PRESS EUROPEAN

DENMARK

Racist outburst

NORMALLY there is little overt racism in Danish broadcasting, but there has been a major upset after speaking during a TV2 broadcast, journalist Christian Høgh Andersen compared pictures of Moroccan players celebrating their win to a ‘family of monkeys’ for which the company has apologised.

THE NETHERLANDS

Fair cop

DUTCH police were intrigued when they saw an extension lead running from a Tesla electric vehicle to a lamp post in a street in the town of Oud-Beijerland. The owner who it is assumed wanted to save money was arrested and charged with stealing electricity.

BELGIUM

Accessory ban

THE region of Wallonia has passed a new law banning the use of any accessories believed to cause harm to domestic animals and this includes a number of different dog collars, both electric and spiked as well as small aquariums and goldfish bowls.

GERMANY

Cunning stunts

THE latest attention seeking stunt by German climate activists Last Generation was to chop the top off a 15-metre Christmas tree outside Berlin's Brandenburg Gate and then unfurl a banner that read: ‘This is just the tip of the Christmas tree’.

FRANCE

Still Smokin’

A SURVEY of 23,661 adults has revealed that 10.6 per cent of the population have used marihuana in the past 12 months and almost half will have tried it at some time. Surprisingly the average age of a user has risen from 25 to almost 33.

NORWAY

FINLAND

Donkey drama

POLICE in Lohja, southwest Finland were surprised to discover a donkey called Judit, without the Virgin or Three Wise Men, wandering through the town late at night, but she was returned unharmed to her sanctuary in time for her to take part in their nativity show.

IRELAND

Polar theft

CUSTOMERS and staff at vegan restaurant Cornucopia in Dublin were devastated when a large polar bear plush toy known for giving ‘free hugs’ was stolen by a masked man, but it has been recovered in return for €40 and a bottle of Prosecco.

ITALY

Super car

IN 2017 the Italian police were given a Lamborghini Huracan, which has a top speed of 300kmh and it is now mainly used to transport organs, with the latest activity being a 570-kilometre journey from Padua to Rome via Modena delivering two kidneys.

PORTUGAL

Supermarket swoop

TWO supermarkets in Vila do Conde (Oporto) have been temporarily closed down as goods on sale, reportedly worth €180,000, were not properly labelled in Portuguese, thus, according to the Food and Economic Security Authority, making it impossible for consumers to make an informed choice.

UKRAINE

Pope speaks

AT a General Audience at the Vatican prior to Christmas, Pope Francis said ”We think of the Ukrainian people this Christmas, without light, without heating, without what they need to survive. Let us pray to the Lord to bring peace as soon as possible."

SWEDEN

King ill

NORWAY’S King Harald V, now aged 85, has been in an Oslo hospital for several days with an infection, but has now been discharged and returned home to complete his recovery. In the meantime, Crown Prince Haakon has taken over his father’s duties.

Not a belieber

ALTHOUGH Swedish fashion retailer believed that it had correctly negotiated a licence agreement for a Justin Bieber clothing range, it has had to withdraw it after the petulant singer wrote “I wouldn't buy it if I were you” and later called it “trash”.

EWN 29 Dec 2022 - 4 Jan 2023 euroweeklynews.com EUROPEAN PRESS 26

REBECCA SERWOTKA “We sell houses! It’s what we do, it’s ALL we do!” Your favourite local resale property expert, of Inmobiliaria Real Estate Agents in Ciudad Quesada. Published author of ‘Moving 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 Estate Agency Of The Year 2021/22 & 2022/23’.

As soon as anyone hears you’re on the hunt to buy a home on the Costa Blanca, you’ll be hounded with advice!

Most of it comes with good and friendly intentions, however will not guarantee you purchasing a legal home and one that will

also be a great investment.

Here are three top tips for ‘future proofing’ yourself into buying a great home in Spain in 2023:

Pay for the property by bank transfer or bank cheque. Never agree to pay for anything in cash. Not even the furniture! Use an independent Lawyer. Don’t use an ‘inhouse’ Lawyer or legal/fiscal representative. They’ll be biased towards the home seller and/or the agent.

Keep all your receipts! Any home improvements you make, can be offset against your potential Capital Gains Tax bill whenever the time comes for you to sell. (Only official receipts are accepted)

EWN 29 Dec 2022 - 4 Jan 2023 27 FEATURE euroweeklynews.com

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FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA ABHOUT time

Price gap

UK Energy Minister, Grant Shapps has written to retailers of diesel and petrol complaining that a recent report from the Competition and Markets Authority suggests that many, especially supermarkets, tend to push forecourt prices up far quicker than they bring them down.

Xmas cheer

A REPORT by Spanish group Business Insider calculates that this year, (based on prices from Carrefour, Lidl and Mercadona), Christmas dinner will be 13.2 per cent more expensive than 2021 averaging €114 for four people and will increase by nearly €30 for each additional person.

January sale

BRITISH retailer Matalan has revealed plans for its ongoing sale and after assessing bids received from ‘a number of interested parties’ it plans to discuss various options with them with the intention of making an informed choice by the end of January.

Flagship store

BARCELONA has been chosen by British clothing and sports company JD Sports to be the city in which it will open its flagship store of more than 2,000 square metres (in a building valued at €80 million which previously housed Disney and H&M) early next year.

UK Budget

THE next UK Budget, setting out the government’s tax and spending plans, will be held on March 15, 2023, the Treasury has announced. In a statement, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the Budget would also be accompanied by a forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility.

Spain and bribery

BRIBERY of foreign officials is a fact of life, but according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Spain has an appalling record of dealing with it!

Since the OECD AntiBribery Convention entered into force over 20 years ago, Spain has successfully convicted only two individuals in one foreign bribery case and has not convicted a single company.

The 44country Working Group has just completed its Phase 4 evaluation of Spain’s implementation of the Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions and related instruments.

The conclusion was that Spain continues to close cases prematurely.

Prosecutors have insufficient time to conduct their investigations and face challenges in deploying adequate investigative measures.

In addition to the issues described above, the report expresses concerns about the restrictive interpretation of

the foreign bribery offence by Spanish judges, the exceedingly short statute of limitations applicable to proceedings against legal persons, and how corporate criminal liability is triggered in practice.

Speaking exclusively to Euro Weekly News, a retired senior British company director explained that several years ago he had been invited to Nigeria to sign a contract with the country’s Central Bank but after arriving in Abuja found himself being stalled.

He eventually discovered that an attractive young lady who worked for a Spanish Government Agency had arrived and spent some time with a deputy Governor who inexplicably signed the very same contract with her organisation.

In fairness many forms of aid, especially to socalled ‘third world’ countries are tied up with terms which are beneficial to the political or economic benefit of the government granting the aid, which in itself is a legalised form of bribery.

Moderna UK deal

AMERICAN company Moderna partnered with the UK government on December 21 in a 10yearpartnership to produce vaccines and undertake research.

The company is to undertake mRNA research and development in the UK, and build a stateoftheart vaccine manufacturing centre with the ability to produce up to 250 million vaccines a year.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay has heralded this agreement as NHS patients will have access to a UKmade supply of Covid19 jabs as well as cuttingedge vaccines developed for other respiratory diseases, such as flu and respiratory syncytial virus.

The partnership will create more than 150 jobs and further futureproof the UK

against potential pandemics, with patients to benefit from speedy access to the latest advancements in vaccine technology.

Developing vaccines on UK shores means it will be able to scale up production rapidly in the event of a health emergency, significantly boosting the NHS ability to respond to future pandemics.

Whilst a significant (cur

rently unrevealed) investment has been welcomed by the UK government, there has recently been significant comment on social media about subsequent unexpected and unexplained deaths in the young, as possible side effects of the various untested ‘vaccines’.

The fact that Moderna will be running a significant number of clinical trials in

the UK and has also pledged to fund grants for UK universities, including PhD places and research programmes may be considered worrying by many.

The government contends however that by boosting the UK’s onshore vaccine manufacturing capability, Britain will be a step closer to becoming the leading global hub for life sciences.

NEXT year should see a new competitor for in home gym training companies when Portuguesebased BHOUT releases what it claims is the world’s first artificial intelligence enabled punch bag.

Launching initially in the UK and USA it has the added benefit of allowing those using it not only to compete with other owners, but if they are recognised of performing at a high enough standard, they can also become trainers and earn funds from their workouts.

The outside of the bag is made from organic material whilst the internal sensors calculate the power and location of each strike and transmit this information to the BHOUT’s internal brain.

UK rail fares

THE UK government has acted with the biggest intervention in its history to ensure rail fare increases for 2023 are capped at 5.9 per cent, 6.4 percentage points lower than the RPI figure on which they are historically based.

Fares will officially rise on March 5, 2023 and like last year, the government is freezing them for the entirety of January and February, giving passengers more time to purchase cheaper flexible and season tickets at the existing rate.

The government has aligned the increase to July’s average earnings growth thus more than halving the increase but also wants to see railway unions respond positively.

Economy shrinking

IT’S not good news for the British government or the Bank of England as latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the economy shrank by a greater amount than originally anticipated in the third quarter of 2022.

Although there is not a huge difference as the expected downturn of 0.2 per cent has been lowered to a final figure of 0.3 per cent, the ONS also revised down the figures for the first half of the year.

If this negative situation continues for a further quarter, as is expected, then Britain will officially be declared as being in recession.

euroweeklynews.com • 29 Dec 2022 - 4 Jan 2023 30

is the amount that the President of Sabadell Bank, Josep Oliu, spent on December 20 to purchase one million shares in the bank that he heads.

STAT OF WEEK €890,000

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º º C C OMPANY OMPANY P P RICE RICE((P P)) C C HANGE HANGE((P P)) % C % C HG HG . N N ET ET V V OL OL COMPANY CHANGE NET / % VOLUME US dollar (USD) ........................................1.0618 Japan yen (JPY) 140.83 Switzerland franc (CHF) 0.9878 Denmark kroner (DKK) 7.4362 Norway kroner (NOK) 10.451 MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY WITH US See our advert on previous page 0.87937 1.13732 LONDON - FTSE 100 CLOSING PRICES 27 DECEMBER Units per € COMPANY PRICE CHANGE OLUME(M) NASDAQ CLOSING PRICES 27 DECEMBER M - MILLION DOLLARS THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER currenciesdirect.com/la-zenia • Tel: +34 965 994 830 EWN 29 Dec 2022 - 4 Jan 2023 euroweeklynews.com FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL 32

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Helping hand

LIBYA, which has suffered from civil war following the overthrow of President Gaddafi is looking to strengthen relationships with Spain and on Monday December 19 its Central Bank Governor travelled to Madrid for discussions about monetary policy with the Governor of the Bank of Spain.

Fewer shoppers

AS Christmas is one of the most important times of the year for retailers, a combination of freezing cold weather and rail strikes has meant that footfall in most UK high streets over the past few days has dropped dramatically, although it may boost online sales.

Recovery fund

SPANISH Economy Minister Nadia Calvino has confirmed that Spain will request a further €84 billion in loans and a €7.7 billion grant from the European Union Recovery Fund which means that if granted Spain will have received the entire amount offered by the EU.

Quotas agreed

FISHING in European waters has been a bone of contention for decades, going back to the so called ‘Cod Wars’ with Iceland and beyond.

In the run up to Brexit, several UK based fishermen sold their licences to Dutch and Spanish companies, but there is still a significant UK fishing fleet.

Despite disagreement on a number of matters, the UK has completed an agreement with the European Union concerning fishing quotas and the Spanish government has announced that it is very pleased with the results which allow its fishing fleets greater access to popular species in British waters such as hake and monkfish.

Cash is still king

A EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK (ECB) study released on Tuesday December 20 confirms cash is king and is still the most frequently used means of payment at the point of sale, but its share is declining.

According to the document on the payment attitudes of consumers in the euro area, cash was used for 59 per cent of point of sale transactions in 2022, down from 72 per cent in 2019.

It is the means of payment most often used for small value payments in stores and for person to person transactions.

A majority (60 per cent) also consider it important to have cash as a payment option as consumers perceive cash as helpful to remain aware of their

expenditures, to protect their privacy and to allow transactions to be settled immediately.

At the same time, the trend

towards electronic means of payments has accelerated with the pandemic and many consumers now prefer to use elec

tronic payment methods.

The share of online purchases as a percentage of all euro area day to day transactions has increased significantly to stand at 17 per cent in 2022, up from 6 per cent in 2019.

For purchases at a point of sale, the share of card payments has grown by 9 percentage points to 34 per cent in 2022, with contactless payments now making up the majority of card payments.

Cards are considered faster and easier to use and are seen as reducing the need to carry large amounts of cash.

They are the most frequently used payment method for larger amounts and now account for a higher share of payments than cash in value terms.

Loan guarantee

EVEN though the Spanish government is one of the biggest borrowers from the European Union and has received hundreds of billions of euros from the Recovery Fund, it is still doing its bit to support Ukraine.

On Wednesday December 21, the World Bank announced its’ Health Enhancement and Lifesaving (HEAL Ukraine) Project to improve and strengthen primary health care, address increased demand for mental health and rehabilitation services due to the war, restore and strengthen service delivery in hospitals that are facing capacity constraints and support capacity building for key health institutions.

King Charles banknotes

NEW King Charles III banknotes were unveiled by the Bank of England on Wednesday December 20 although they are unlikely to enter into circulation before 2024.

With the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, it was clear that new coins and banknotes would need to be released featuring an image of the new monarch.

It is more than likely that preliminary designs had been drawn up before her death and indeed as they have to be approved by the Palace may even have been viewed by Her Majesty

and the then Prince of Wales.

Whilst coins have a long life, bank notes which are in constant use have a much shorter life span and are relatively expensive to produce, which is why the Bank of England decided to phase out paper notes and replace them with longer lasting polymer notes.

Rather than produce new designs for each side of the four notes that are currently in circulation, £5 Winston Churchill, £10Jane Austen, £20 JMW Turner, £50 Alan Turing, it has been decided to only change the design on

the side where the monarch’s portrait appears.

The King’s image will appear on the front of the banknotes, as well as in the seethrough security window, but all other images will remain the same. The new banknotes will only be printed to replace those featuring Her Majesty that are worn or to meet any overall increase in demand for banknotes, a decision which is in line with guidance from the Royal Household, to minimise the environmental and financial impact of this change.

Funding for the project includes a €100 million loan, backed by a guarantee from the Spanish government.

Password sharing

IT has been common practice (rightly or wrongly) for people subscribing to online streaming services such as Netflix to share passwords with friends and families who they don’t live with.

In the past year, Netflix in particular, which has been losing market share, has made it clear that it will try to stop this from happening, although it hasn’t threatened legal action as yet.

The UK Intellectual Property Office has however told the BBC that although it no longer states on its website that such sharing is illegal, the position remains the same and legal action could be taken against anyone found to be sharing passwords.

EWN 29 Dec 2022 - 4 Jan 2023 www.euroweeklynews.com FINANCE 34

POPULAR PAYMENT: Cash machines are the easiest way to obtain cash. Credit: Salvador SV flickr ALL CHANGE: The design of the new £5 note. Credit: Bank of England

Detrimental onslaught

BECAUSE the British Labour party were so severely routed in the last election its supporters are totally aware the the only chance they have of winning the next ballot is if the country is brought to its knees.

Subsequently, one of the conspiratorial ways they are conniving to achieve this outcome is by instigating as much alarm and anxiety among its citizens as possible. The union bosses, who are utterly in league with the Labour hierarchy, are revelling in and wholly supporting the crippling strikes which are sweeping the country.

The media, especially the BBC are positively churning out disparaging reports, blaming the Conservatives for any depreciating state of affairs they can divulge; and periodically with monotonous regularity, they slot in Starmer or a documentary that delivers some kind of statement as to how the Labour party would improve the situation.

What the left exponents are en

deavouring to do is create a misinformed and disheartened populace that also considers the only way to rescue its beloved country will be to elect a different government.

The faceless money men truly don’t care. They actually wouldn’t mind a Labour government taking control.

They are fully aware that the economics of a party that has to satisfy such a vast array of cross sectioned supporters to attain enough votes is easy pickings that will subsequently earn them even more power and financial gain until the party once again finishes up in exactly the same way as it did the last time.

Consequently losing their position to yet another brand new right wing government that has to

spend their first few years struggling to rescue the country from the social and financial hole it has once again been plunged into. The one issue I do think is a mistake for the left is to nose dive the country into all this social and political confrontation too early.

Most of the present financial problems have been brought on by the Covid pandemic and the world energy situation. In 12 months or so they could all be straightening out. Are the conspiritors really confident enough to continue this detrimental onslaught for another two years? Probably.

Keep the faith.

Love Leapy. leapylee2002@gmail.com expatradioscotland.com Monday and Friday 1pm till 4

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OUR VIEW

A

CHRISTMAS THOUGHT

THAT’S another year almost over and having come out of two years of sporadic lockdown, noone knew what it was going to be like.

Slowly but surely, for many, things started to take on a semblance of normality with international travel starting again and businesses (at least those that survived 2020 and 2021) being able to start trading once more.

For many of us, 2022 has been a tough but decent year although having lived through the epidemic which caused so much heartbreak and saw so many deaths, the Russian invasion of Ukraine was a total surprise.

Just when it seemed that the world could rebuild, this pointless act by the Russian President knocked so many back and surprised many of us, both for the fantastic support that governments have given to the Ukrainian cause and how individuals and communities have responded to offer assistance to refugees from the conflict.

People are so resilient and the sight of Christmas lights and trees in the Kyiv subway has been an example of how people manage to cope regardless of how bad things may be.

We still have conflicts in Syria and Yemen, but they have been overshadowed by Ukraine, although most of us simply live our lives and just have to be thankful that whilst we may be suffering financially from the backlash of the invasion, we don’t have to fear that we might be blown up in our beds.

So, here’s to a better year to come and a prayer for all of those around the world who are suffering the inhumanity of civil war, invasion or crippling poverty plus, of course, all best wishes to our advertisers and readers.

EWN 29 Dec 2022 - 4 Jan 2023 35 FEATURE euroweeklynews.com

OTHERS THINK IT LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

LeapyLee’sopinionsarehisownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.

Always here to help

NORAJOHNSON BREAKINGVIEWS

‘know’ and wait, ensuring they get what they want. She once caught one of them ‘drawing’ sketches on the kitchen floor with muddy paws. But then he is a Labradoodle...

DOGS may be able to understand our intentions, according to university researchers studying how they (the dogs, that is!) reacted when denied food on purpose or accidentally. Dogs seemed smart enough to know when people were being ‘clumsy’ with their treats and when they were being ‘mean’ and wagged their tails accordingly.

Hardly news to anyone who’s lived with dogs as companions. Supposedly dogs can’t do maths. Try putting three treats in your pocket then only giving them two!

A pal’s dogs always look at her ‘soulfully’ when she attempts to break a treat in half and implies they’re only getting two. They just

It baffles me why a university needed to research a subject that anyone who’s owned a dog knows already. University departments are constantly doing studies, the answers to which are patently obvious. It’s almost an industry.

The research team are now involved in the following costly, but very important new research project: ‘Do dogs like chasing cats and squirrels?’

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Nora Johnson’s 11 critically acclaimed psychological crime thrillers (www.norajohnson.net) all available online including eBooks (€0.99; £0.99), Apple Books, audiobooks, paperbacks at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.

CHRISTMAS can always be a trying time for many people, all too often made harder due to loneliness and financial hardship. This was the case of Caroline, who came to the British Benevolent Fund, out of desperation on Christmas night, this time last year.

She had been given our details by the British Consulate and wrote to us describing her plight. She had given birth in Spain and found herself without resources.

Because the baby had been born in Spain she was required to register the birth here, had been unable to travel back because this process was ongoing and it had already taken a month.

She was stuck in Spain with her newborn, but had no savings or funds to live off.

Her family wanted nothing to do with her and she had long exhausted the small amounts her friends had sent her. It was Christmas Eve, she was in a cheap hostal in a small room with a broken

bed, no heating and shared bathroom. It had cost her the last of her money, she would be homeless by Boxing Day, on the street in a strange place, alone with her baby.

She was terrified.

On Christmas Eve she got in touch with the BBF.

We were able to pay for her to move to a nearby hotel where she would have three hot meals a day, own bathroom and above all warmth over the Christmas period. The hotel provided a cot and the staff found her additional warm clothing for the baby. But it didn’t resolve the issueshe still couldn’t travel and the baby registration could be some time off.

She was able to find addi

tional help though the Consular supported website https://www.supportinspain. info/ as well as the local town hall who were also able to speed up her registration.

With that completed, the Consular office was then able to issue emergency documentation for the baby as well as alert the airport care team and UK social services of her arrival. We got her and her baby home but it had taken months and a heavy toll on Caroline. We could only help Caroline due to donations we receive. To help others please support us with a donation.

EWN 29 Dec 2022 - 4 Jan 2023 euroweeklynews.com FEATURE 36

Olaf Clayton of BBF. NoraJohnson’sopinionsareherownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors. Noraistheauthorofpopularpsychological suspenseandcrimethrillersandafreelancejournalist.

WATCH OUT - THEY CAN READ YOUR MIND!

Nora’s latest thriller.

Up (down?) the Escher stairs CASSANDRA

NASH

PEDRO SANCHEZ’S recent tweaking of the Penal Code included a stowaway amendment slipped in to bypass the Opposition’s ongoing obstruction of measures for installing new Constitutional Court (TC) judges.

At present, judges with expired terms are not being replaced while a similar deadlock over renewing General Judiciary Council members is preventing vacancies from being filled. The same problem occurs with the Supreme Court.

No matter that the amendment had nothing to do with the Penal Code, as previous PP and PSOE governments both used the same ruse to camouflage urgent business in the past.

The PP and Vox applied to the TC to halt the reform as a precautionary measure before it reached the Senate for rubber stamping on December 22. With six Constitutional judges known to be conservative (with a small ‘c’) the outcome looked like a foregone conclusion. And it was.

In a situation resembling Escher’s version of staircases, two of the Con

stitutional Court judges making the decision had a vested interested in preventing the reforms from going through.

Pedro Gonzalez Trevijano and Antonio Narvaez needed to be replaced last summer, but neither politicians nor the judiciary could agree on who should take their place.

The PSOE and UP parties lodged objections to Gonzalez Trevijano and Narvaez’s involvement in the TC’s deliberations on Monday December 19 as no one expected them to fall voluntarily on their own swords to assist a government they are known not to support. As expected, their lordships in this case sus señorias threw out the objection.

At 10.30pm on December 19 the TC decided after hours of debate, and with the expected six votes to five, to halt the Senate vote on the amendment that could have expedited its renewal.

This was the first time in decades of postFranco democracy that the TC has prevented the Spanish parliament from doing its job.

So who’s to blame? Sanchez for trying it on, or the Opposition for stopping him?

EWN 29 Dec 2022 - 4 Jan 2023 37 FEATURE euroweeklynews.com

GOING into a new year is the ideal time to set some goals for a happier and healthier lifestyle. It’s a fresh start, making the perfect atmosphere to enter a new era of healthy living. Many people set resolutions related to fitness, but yours don’t need to be. Here we share some suggestions to change your lifestyle for the better, and they’re not difficult!

•

Daily walk

Immersing ourselves in nature is one certain way to reduce the pressures and stress of daily life. Aim to take a walk into nature each day. Whether it’s just a fiveminute stroll some days or a three hour hike on others, walking outside does wonders for your mental and physical health and what’s more,

it’s free!

• Eat fresh

Eating a fresh, healthy diet can quite literally change your life with incredible health benefits, from lowering blood pressure to reducing your risk of heart disease. If you’re looking for a lifestyle change, trying to eat fresher could be it. And if you’re on the look

out for a new hobby, why not try cooking and experiment with exciting new flavours and recipes.

• Indulge in selfcare

From getting a massage to enjoying some yoga, there are plenty of types of self care you can get into in 2023 that will leave you feeling more relaxed, with more energy.

Seasonal supplements

VITAMIN D is so readily available during the summer in Spain that many of us forget that we need to maintain our supply throughout the year. In fact, one report found that Vitamin D levels are higher among people in Nordic countries than Spain, because supplements are more popular during the winter.

What does Vitamin D do?

Vitamin D is a nutrient which our bodies need to absorb and maintain calcium and phosphate levels, which are vital for bone health. Vitamin D also performs an important role in reducing inflammation and could even slow growth of cancer cells.

How can I boost Vitamin D naturally?

Vitamin D can be difficult to boost naturally since it doesn’t naturally occur in many foods. Some foods contain small amounts of this nutrient including cod liver oil, salmon, and mackerel as well as certain foods which are fortified with Vitamin D including orange juice and milk. Vitamin D naturally occurs in the sun’s rays which is the easiest way to get your quota during the summer.

What about a supplement?

Health experts recommend taking sup

Scientists

plements to boost Vitamin D levels as it can be difficult to absorb naturally. A daily supplement or multivitamin containing up to 600 IU (international units) is the recommended dosage for people aged one year to 70.

Commit to a daily walk in 2023 to help reduce daily stress and unwind, and you could sleep better and feel energised. Photo credit: Robert Kneschke / shutterstock.com recommend taking a daily supplement containing Vitamin D during the winter to maintain bone health while there is less sunlight.

EWN 29 Dec 2022 - 4 Jan 2023 euroweeklynews.com HEALTH & BEAUTY 38 HEALTH & BEAUTY to read more Health & Beauty scan this QR Code A happy, healthy 2023

Photo credit: FotoHelin / shutterstock.com

New Year goals

A BRAND-NEW year is nearly upon us, which means it’s nearly time to set New Year’s resolutions. Some of the most popular resolutions involve fitness, and while they’re infamously difficult to keep to, it is possible. Today we’re sharing some expert advice from health experts to help you set realistic fitness goals for 2023.

•

path towards them. Experts recommend visualisation as a technique when setting fitness goals as it can increase focus, confidence and dedication to exercising.

• Break down goals

dopamine, the ‘feelgood’ hormone.

• Healthy habits

Healthy hearing

HEARING loss is a natural part of ageing and while we can’t completely prevent it, there are some steps you can take to protect your hearing. Today we share some everyday suggestions from medical experts that you can use to maintain good hearing health.

• Avoid loud noises

It might sound obvious, but it’s crucial to protect your ears from loud noises if you want to maintain good hearing health. Exposure to loud noise is one of the top reasons for hearing loss. Keep the volume at a normal level when using headphones and consider using ear plugs or taking breaks from noisy settings.

• Stay dry

Ensure you are keeping your ears

dry, excess moisture in your ears can cause issues including blockages and painful ear infections. Protect yourself against this by drying your ears carefully after showering or swimming.

• Clean with care

Cotton swabs are no longer recommended for cleaning your ears as they can damage your ear drum and lead to lasting pain. Instead, consult your doctor for safe cleaning tips.

• Visit your doctor

Doctors are best equipped to deal with hearing issues and will be able to recognise serious issues quickly. Stay on top of your hearing health by attending regular check ups and taking advice given by medical professionals to stop issues getting worse.

Achievable goals

When setting goals it can be useful to think about why you’re setting them and to visualise your

While an extensive vision for your overall fitness can be useful in the long term, in the shortterm it can be overwhelming. Experts suggest making smaller objectives along the way which is more achievable and rewarding. It also allows the brain to release more

It is very difficult to achieve your goals if you don’t change your daily habits to accommodate them. This could mean that you set up your daily routine to supplement your fitness goals by fitting in a short walk each day.

• Positive mindset

Most importantly, set goals that you actually want to achieve. This means you are more likely to remain committed and achieve them.

eyes

AFTER the Christmas parties and over indulgence it can sometimes be difficult to hide the signs of a great celebration on the way you look.

It might not be that easy to ease your hangover and even though you may not particularly feel good, you can still look good with these easy beauty tips that focus on the least forgiving facial feature, your eyes.

Glow up

Use a highlighter or illuminator and apply to the outer corner of the eyes to reflect the light and widen the face, giving the illusion of bigger

beautiful eyes.

Lighter eyeliner

Apply a pale liner underneath the bottom lash line, as close to the eye as possible, this will reflect the light and open up those tired eyes.

Define your eyes

Smudge some eyeliner at

the outer half of your top lash line for a smoky effect that will extend the shape of your eye and cover up a lack of sleep, adding a little definition can go a long way.

Curl lashes

Curling your eyelashes before applying mascara can

dramatically open the eyes adding a lift to sleepy droopy lids.

Mascara

Mascara helps to widen the eyes, apply your mascara as close to the root as possible as this will give the lashes a little boost to look bigger and fuller.

Most importantly, after any late night partying it is important to get as much sleep as possible and stay hydrated. The old saying of ‘One hour of sleep before midnight is worth two hours of sleep after’ may be truer than you think.

EWN 29 Dec 2022 - 4 Jan 2023 39 HEALTH & BEAUTY euroweeklynews.com HEALTH & BEAUTY to read more Health & Beauty scan this QR Code

Take regular breaks from noisy settings to avoid damaging your hearing. Photo credit: Ground Picture / shutterstock.com

mini objectives to help you achieve your overall fitness goals to stay motivated.

Create

your

Invigorate

Fit Ztudio / shutterstock.com Credit: Shutterstock:com/ Serg Zastavkin It is said that your eyes are the window to your soul.

Photo credit:

Sing, sing, sing, sing

LINDA HALL

A SPANISH Christmas retains its Spanishness by lasting until Twelfth Night so there is still much to look forward to even though Nochebuena has gone, while Christmas Day, a national holiday, is no big deal anyway.

There are no Boxing Day blues here, with turkey still on the menu, berries beginning to shrivel on the holly, tinsel tarnished, pine needles on the carpet and December 26’s origins significance largely forgotten.

Who remembers that this was when employees received Christmas Boxes back when every little extra helped?

What’s more, the form and the date vary but it’s still the season when people in Spain look forward to their own Aguinaldo or Christmas tip.

Any time between mid December and January 6, it is appreciated if you cough up for those who deliver your butano, put the letters in your postbox or perform a small but regular

service for you.

There’s no getting out of that, even now, but what you don’t see or hear are the children who, preceded by giggles, would sing a line or two of a carol before knocking on your door for their Aguinaldo.

Perhaps they no longer need the extra money or, more than likely, their parents don’t want them out of doors, singing to strangers.

The last time I had to deal with juvenile Aguinaldo seekers, in the late 70s, was after the New Year but within the Reyes cutoff date.

The knock preceded the serenading and I opened the door to be confronted by two awkward looking girls in their early teens who proceeded to sing.

Wanting to put them out of their misery and mine, I fished around in my purse and shoved a 50 peseta piece in each hand.

This was a long, long time ago when money went a lot, lot further than it does today and they looked at me, looked at each other and to our combined relief made a quick exit.

Political carousel

SALLY UNDERWOOD POLITICAL ANIMAL

IT’S the end of another political year and one which will go down in history as tying in joint first place with 1834 for being the year with the most UK prime ministers.

To put that into context, in 1834 six farmers were sent to a penal colony for forming a trade union, the public displaying of executed bodies in chains was officially abolished, slavery was ended across the majority of the British empire, and the Poor Law was amended to prevent the ablebodied from receiving government help unless they went into a workhouse (if a workhouse was the government’s idea of help, I’d be interested to see what their idea of hindering the poor was, but anyway). Oh yes, and in the same year the Houses of Parliament also literally burnt to the ground.

So it comes as something of a shock that 2022 has managed to

equalise with a year whose events sound like something out of the middle ages.

In October, Liz Truss managed another first for the UK, taking the dubious honour of being the shortestserving prime minister after just 50 days in office.

And even in that short space she’d managed to see the death of one monarch after 70 years and the bringing in of a new one; something which goes some way to showing just what a year of total democratic change 2022 has been.

To be fair to the UK, it is far from being the only country in the world to currently be suffering something of a political rollercoaster.

Between the war in Ukraine and a former president of the United States facing criminal charges for the first time in the country’s entire history, it’s safe to say the world is having a moment of political upheaval.

If this is what making political history looks like though, then I think we can all agree it would be preferable if next year is one not to remember.

Christmas clean up

THE festive season is here and that means more guests than usual in our homes, which can make cleaning stressful. But today, we bring you three top tips to help make holiday cleaning straightforward and

stressfree!

Little and often Cleaning your home doesn’t need to be an allday job. Set aside five minutes each day for each area of your home. Your daily tidying tasks

Winter warmers

THE cold weather has well and truly arrived, and many of us are feeling the bite, especially in older Spanish homes. Today, we’re sharing some quick tips on how you can keep your home a cosy haven, away from the cold weather.

Make the most of sunlight Luckily, the sun still comes out on most days during the Spanish winter. Take advantage of any sunny spots in your home by opening the blinds during the day, but keep windows closed for most of the day to keep the cold out.

Clamp down on draughts

Even in the cosiest homes, draughts can make a room much colder. Identify colder spots in your home and cover them using draught excluders or insulating tape.

Radiator care

Ensure portable radiators are placed in a good spot, away from furniture which will absorb their heat, and avoid drying clothing on them when you’re trying to heat a room.

should include making your bed, airing the house, dusting the sides, and sweeping floors. Having a basic tidy standard will help everything else fall into place.

Focus on key areas

When you have guests over, focus your energy on the rooms they will be using. Clean your bathrooms, kitchen and living spaces. The chances are, you can leave most of the bedrooms for later.

Enlist help

In the festive period, lots of guests means extra help too. Send the children off to the park while you get the house straight.

Photo credit: Roman Samborskyi / shutterstock.com

Cleaning over the festive period doesn’t need to be stressful. Put five minutes into cleaning each area per day and your job will be simple.

EWN 29 Dec 2022 - 4 Jan 2023 euroweeklynews.com FEATURE/LIFESTYLE 40

Sally’sopinionsareherownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.

SAME RESPECT FOR ALL

LEAPY LEE obviously knows very little about the LGBTQ community and trans gender folk in particular. Just because a person grew up in a certain place at a time in history doesn’t make them an expert.

I am probably the same age and same history timeline but a different place, yes I am queer and yes lived in the 60s. We were called queer as an insult but are now able to claim this insult as our own which mitigates the abuse by media et al.

All trans folk want is the same respect as any other person. Nothing woke about it, this is about human dignity.

In terms of toilets that Mr Lee seems obsessed about, where is the problem.

We woman have cubicles and as a queer lesbian I would not preclude my trans sisters from using the cubicle next to me. I hope Mr Lee would not stop trans men from using the next urinal.

If he wants a proper debate using gutter press images and language I will oblige.

Helen Hallam Malaga

Too many people

THANK you Mr Brian Johnstone for your comment re population, I’ve been saying this for years and cannot understand why our educated leaders do not see the obvious underlying reason for most, if not all, of the country’s problems today ie demand exceeding supply.

The simple answer would be in my view to set a suggested maximum of two children per couple for the next 25 50 years. Of course there would be an outcry from most religious groups who would say that their god will provide, but I think that mother nature may disagree.

In my lifetime the world population has doubled, if it continues at this rate we are all in big trouble, just do the figures, Barry Nerja.

& Pauline Reading

Did you even vote

THE misogynistic comments that I have been reading on social media platforms about how it is unfair that a women’s footballer should win the BBC sports personality of the year award, instead of a male golfer or cricketer, is shocking. Beth Mead was voted to win this award by the public, I’m sure most of the people moaning couldn’t even be bothered to vote. Well done Beth Mead you are a credit to your country.

Tracey Hunter

Older views

I HAVE always been a fan of Leapy’s and find the columns refreshing, however times are changing as they always have done and our views are now becoming outdated and to some offensive.

My opinions are becoming to my children and grandchildren like my grandfather’s were to me when I was young, really embarrassing but they could get away with saying belligerent things because they were old and didn’t mean any offence (although they probably did mean to offend and knew they would get away with it).

It’s funny how life can go full circle and you turn into the relatives you swore you would never be like.

Raymond Barry

TV twaddle

THOSE of you who have access to UK TV, are you as disappointed with the twaddle that was on over the Christmas weekend as I am? I don’t know how many more times I can watch a repeat of a so called Christmas classic like Home Alone and the magazine shows such as This Morning were no better, how many times do I need to see how celebrities make their gravy?

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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.

EWN 29 Dec 2022 - 4 Jan 2023 41 LETTERS euroweeklynews.com

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DAVID WORBOYS

THINKING ALOUD

IN Spanish, Italian and German, the pronunciation of words is clear, regulated and consistent. And normally in Spanish, if the stressed syllable is other than the penultimate, it is indicated by an accent. In German, vowel sounds are modified by the appearance of an accent (Umlaut). But in English there are no rules for pronunciation, while the spelling of some words is a freeforall.

First, the letters ‘ough’ are pronounced in seven different ways. Cough, rough, through, plough, although, thorough and (with the added t) nought. And, to all but the discerning ear, the words paw, poor, pore and pour sound the same.

For those of us who can read without moving our lips, English is an especially frustrating language. The other 20 per cent have the advantage of reading word by word, rather than by text, and verbally working out whether the word ‘entrance’ should have the stress on the first or second syllable whether

ENGLISH AS SHE IS SPELT

terval, in

WHILE not of all of us will be spending our Christmas holidays camping, now is a great time to check up on your equipment and think about investing in some new accessories.

Today, we’re talking you through what you should be looking out for in a camping stove to upgrade your experience.

• Style

There is a huge variety of camping stoves available on the market, and it can be difficult to know where to

it means entry point or to captivate. Many words change their meaning when the stress is shifted. In some cases, the spelling remains the same, as in the above example. In other cases, the spelling changes too, as in ‘incite’ and ‘insight’.

The stress on syllables is neither logical, nor is it indicated, as in Spanish, by accent. You just have to learn where to stress, for example, implicate, impression and imprecise; in

ternment, interrupt.

Dozens of identical words have completely different meanings. And yet there are hundreds of combinations of letters that are simply not used. As the language is already mutilated in some way or other every day, why are these vacant letters in words not substituted to create new words in the interests of clarity of distinction.

For example, ‘rest’ can mean the

remainder or a crafty snooze. As the former originates from ancient French, why cannot the latter be known as ‘reft’. ‘Order’ meaning command is logical, but when used to mean sequence could be ‘urder’.

The word ‘race’ means either ethnic category or competition. A ball race is either a metal ring inside a ball bearing or (as I learned at school) a tomcat with 20 yards start on the vet.

Cooking in style

start. But a great starting point is to think about what you plan to use it for, and how you usually travel.

If you take your car camping, you can take a larger stove, but if you hike or cycle, a backpacking stove is ideal. The amount of people on your trip will affect your choice of stove too.

• Fuel type

CAMPING opportunities are continuing to evolve in Spain thanks to initiatives across the country, including in CastillaLa Mancha. The camping community in the region recently held its first Camping Conference which was held in Cuenca on Monday, December 19.

At the meeting, camping industry professionals from throughout the region gathered to reflect on camping experiences during the last summer season, and to develop more robust policies for the coming year.

The day was a huge success with unity and cooperation at the focal point of the day’s discussions according to regional camping organisation president, Pablo Ramírez.

During the day, attendees got to listen to talks by a variety of different industry experts. Regional government experts also shared policy

On the up

advice to help campsite owners get on board with the latest camping trends including ecofriendly camping, gastronomic experiences, digital marketing, and taking advantage of the region’s location to attract travellers making road trips.

CastillaLa Mancha is emerging as a popular camping destination within the market, thanks to its varied landscapes and iconic Spanish imagery, including Don Quixote’s windmills and beautiful small towns. The region is becoming increasingly popular with cultural tourists, who the camping market aim to target with affordable and exciting opportunities.

Stoves run on different fuel sources which can also help you make a decision. Canister stoves are often easiest to use, but stoves running on liquid gas are a smart choice if you plan to travel internationally.

• Special features

If you have specific requirements when choosing a stove, or plan to make a particular dish regularly, looking at special features of stoves is a worthwhile activity. Some stoves offer low burning times or other feature, so think about what is important when you camp.

As for the notorious irregular verbs! The logical past form of ‘I catch’ would be ‘I catched’, and not ‘I caught’. Likewise, I teached, I fighted, I buyed, I bringed, I seeked, I thinked. Instead we have taught, fought, bought, brought, sought, thought.

Of course, English is a hybrid language, derived from several sources other than German, Norman and Norse. The Americans have tried to modernise and simplify it with more logical spellings, such as civilize, honor (why not onner?), program and plow. But they have also mutilated it with abominations like thru and donuts.

Finally, why does the noun ‘practice’ become ‘to practise’ as a verb? Except in North America. Zzzz. Goodnight!

For more from our columnists please scan this QR Code

Camping forecast

THIS year might have been a successful year for the camping industry in Spain, but travel experts are predicting the industry to boom in 2023. Recovery from the pandemic began in 2022, but it is set to continue into next year, when the industry will flourish.

End of year reports have found that camping reservation rates have soared during the last year, and nearly reached their pre pandemic rates. The camping market in Spain is in a good position going into the new year, thanks to the popularity of the country as a destination, being among the favourite destinations for travellers from France, the UK, Germany, Sweden, Norway, and Ireland.

And a study by accommodation giant Booking.com has found that people are even more optimistic about travel next year, with 80 per cent of Spanish residents saying that travel is always worth it. The study surveyed a massive sample of more than 24,000 people in 32 countries and found that camping is tipped to make a comeback next year.

Projected trends for the travel market next year are also set to have a positive impact on the camping industry, increasing investment, and therefore opportunities for camping lovers. Simple living is expected to be a key trend with people seeking to unplug and go offgrid.

EWN 29 Dec 2022 - 4 Jan 2023 euroweeklynews.com FEATURE 44

David Worboys’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors. The English language is completely illogical compared with Spanish. A multi-burner stove is a great option and gives you lots of flexibility if you often take your car on camping trips. Photo credit: vladimir salman / shutterstock.com Photo Credits: gettyimages and pinterest

Treating seasonal sickness

DEALING with colds and flus can be hard enough for humans, but what do we do when our pets get sick with seasonal illnesses?

Today we’re sharing some advice to help you to care for your dog when it gets sick, which will get that tail wagging again in no time!

• Warm and dry

The cause of most seasonal sicknesses is extended exposure to cold and wet conditions. Combat this by keeping your dog in a

warm and dry space while it recovers from sickness.

This could mean giving your dog a few extra blankets or using a

Foods to avoid

ONE of the best parts about the festive season is all of the delicious food options, but our pets don’t always feel the same way. Today, we’re sharing some top foods to avoid feeding your pets so you don’t ruin the holidays with unnecessary trips to the vets’.

• Chocolate

This festive treat contains theobromine, an ingredient which is known to be toxic to most cats and dogs. So, save your chocolate for yourself and store it in a sealed box out of reach for your fourlegged friends!

• Grapes and raisins

If you’re participating in the popular Spanish New Year’s tradition, make sure you keep grapes well out of your

pets’ way. Grapes also contain toxins which can be poisonous to pets, causing kidney failure. Take care with raisin products too, including Christmas pudding and mince pies.

• Nuts

These snacks are a must at festive gatherings, but ensure your pets don’t go near them. As well as being a choking hazard for cats and dogs, some kinds of nuts, like macadamias can cause vomiting and hyperthermia.

•

Cooked bones

Although bones aren’t toxic to your pet, they can be still be harmful. Cooked bones are liable to snapping which can scratch or get stuck in your pet’s throat, or cause tooth breakages.

lightly heated dog bed, but watch out for signs of overheating including heavy breathing or panting.

• Hearty meals

Regular, healthy meals and increased hydration can help your dog to recover from sickness by providing missing nutrients. Sicknesses like colds can inhibit your dog’s sense of smell, so try heating up their food in the microwave for a minute which can make it more fragrant and appealing.

• Lots of rest

Dogs already need lots of rest for their active routines, and even more so when they’re sick. Make sure your dog has a comfortable place to sleep and cut back on walks until they perk back up.

Seek professional advice if symptoms don’t subside after a week.

tumours

LIMB sparing surgery is an alternative to amputation in cases of bone tumours in dogs.

Limb amputation is the best option for a bone tumour as dogs and cats can live comfortably on three legs. But sometimes it is not possible due to severe orthopaedic or neurological problems with the other legs or it is simply rejected by the owner.

Fore more information, use the QR code.

LIMBS: Surgery can be carried out.

important to continue to feed your dog as usual when they’re sick, the nutrients are vital for their recovery.

Photo credit: rawf8 / shutterstock.com It’s

Treating bone

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2022 - year of the electric vehicle?

byMarkSlack

THIS year my test car list has included numerous electric vehicles, whether self charging, plug in hy brid or full electric. It’s not surprising as manufacturers up the pace of their EV production with many announcing fully electric ranges within a couple of years.

One of the main problems with EVs has, and in many cases re mains, the higher initial purchase price when com pared to equivalent specification models with combustion power. Part of this can be explained by the fact that any new technology, and despite electric vehicles having been around for many more years than people

imagine it is new technology, takes time to embed itself.

With the advent of new EVs such as the MG4, the technology is getting ever more affordable and ranges are increasing. Still not enough to match

combustion powered equivalents though. The biggest issue is infrastructure, or rather the lack of it. In the UK it is frankly awful with few fast chargers and even the moderately fast 50kw units so few that you in

variably end up having an excessive wait.

Although EV charging will never be as quick as fuelling a combustion car, more superfast chargers would reduce the time significantly enough to make it convenient. That,

along with pricing, is the main issue because convenience will lead to much greater adoption of EVs. Vehicle manufacturers have got their act together remarkably quickly, government now needs to do the same.

There have been many EVs on my driveway that have appealed, but the two that have personally appealed most come from BMW’s stable.

The MINI electric remains the most fun you can have in a battery powered car. It possesses all the elements of a tradi

tional hot hatch in terms of acceleration and handling. Priced from £29k, it’s only real drawback is the 145mile range. When you consider the MINI has been around for over 20 years, it’s a credit to BMW that it remains so competitive thanks to their careful evolution of the brand.

The second is at the other end of the scale in all respects; the BMW iX. It’s a real style statement that divides opinion, even the interior is more like a concept model. With prices starting from a shade under £70k it needs to be good and it delivers.

With a more useable, range of 253 miles the larger battery models will in theory take you to nearly 370 miles. If you’re thinking EV then whatever your budget, the options are growing.

ROAD TEST

THINKING EV: Whatever your budget, the options are growing.

EWN 29 Dec 2022 - 4 Jan 2023 euroweeklynews.com MOTORING 54 MOTORING to read more MOTORING scan this QR Code

Motoring’s most profitable

Betty Henderson

THE last year has been transformative for the motoring market, which has seen the return to a new normal after the pandemic and the transition to electric vehicles accelerate like never before.

The year 2022 was indeed a great one for many car manufacturers, whose most significant issue was supply issues.

Today we take a look at the companies who brought in the most profit this year.

1. Toyota

The Japanese manufacturing giant leads the list thanks to earnings of €25.7 billion and a major boost in its share value, taking it to the second position in global rankings.

2. Volkswagen

The German motoring brand took second place in the rankings with earnings of €22.1 billion, an im

provement of more than €2 billion compared with last year. The company also has the largest number of employees worldwide.

3. BMW

Third on the list is another German manufacturer, with projected earnings of €23.5 billion, a significant improvement of more than €5 billion on pandemicstruck 2021.

4. MercedesBenz

German car manufacturers dominated the top five this year with another company in fourth place. Mercedes Benz actually took a tumble in earnings since last year with profit falling to €19.5 billion.

5. Ford

The American manufacturer made the top five, despite a fall in earnings from 2021 to make a total profit of €13.3 billion.

THE classic car market can be difficult to navigate, from valuations to driving experience and insurance, the factors to consider are different than when buying an ordinary car. Today, we bring you some advice directly from a motoring expert to find out the classic cars that are actually worth your investment in 2023.

• Audi TT Quattro Sport (20052006)

This stylish model combined sports car with comfort and since only 800 models were produced it’s a real collector’s item by now. Retailing between €6,000 and €17,000, the model is also affordable within the field.

• Triumph Spitfire (19621980)

This dashing model charmed car lovers at the time, and continues to do so now. The car remains affordable as a classic car, retailing between €3,250 and €32,600, and crucially, repair parts are abundant because the car was in production for so long.

• Austin Seven (19231939)

Classic investment

Get your fix of British vintage cars with this car, whose first models are set to turn one century old next year. The car was first introduced as an affordable model as England rushed to motorise before

the Second World War. They have issues reaching higher speeds and with stability, but its distinctive vintage look makes it a collector’s dream, along with its lower price tag of €10,000 €24,500.

Photo credit: josefkubes / shutterstock.com

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TOYOTA: The Japanese car brand had an excellent year, topping a global list for profitability.

WALKING FOOTBALLNEW YEAR TOURNAMENT

ESQUINA PARK RANGERS are hosting a New Year Tournament on Friday January 13 at Rojales, Quesada, 10.30am kick off.

Teams participating are Alfoquia, Camposol, Esquina Park Rangers, Los Amigos, Portobello, Portobello Shamrocks, Red Lions Fortuna, San Pedro Amigos.

The format will be ‘Round Robin’ with each team playing seven x 15 minute games.

With this format there should be plenty of excitement and endeavour so why not go along and watch the entertainment? You might even get the ‘bug’ and want to take up walking football yourself. Shake off the extra kilos from the over indulgences of the festive season.

Check out club pages on Facebook for further details.

Fortuna Red Lions entertained Esquina Park Rangers on Thursday De

cember 15 in a friendly match with the result being a 1 1 draw. The Red Lions ruing the chance of a win with a missed penalty in the final minutes.

Tournament results in the E uro Weekly News, Thursday, January 19.

Make sure you get YOUR copy of the EWN every week. Or you can check it out online at Euro Weekly News ‘virtual’ edition.

Many thanks to the Euro Weekly News for their continuing support for Walking Football.

The most liked

A POST on social media from Argentinian super star Lionel Messi on Tuesday, December 20, become the mostviewed of all time. The footballer took to Instagram fol lowing his nation’s World Cup victory over France on Sunday December 18. It has since received an incredible 64.5 million likes so far.

His follower count has also increased substantially, reaching 404 million. He still trails the 500 million that Cris tiano Ronaldo has though, a figure the Portuguese achieved last week.

Messi’s post read: ‘WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!

I dreamed it so many times, I wanted it so much that I still haven’t fallen, I can’t believe it…’.

It continued: “Thank you very much to my family, to all who support me, and also to all who believed in us. We demonstrate once again that Argentines when we fight together and united we are capable of achieving what we set out to do.”

Previously, the record had been held by a TikTok video titled ‘the egg’, uploaded in August 2020 by Bella Poarch which hit 56.1 million likes.

Cristiano Ronaldo had another huge hit last month just before the Qatar World Cup started. He posted a Louis Vuitton advert showing him playing a game of chess with Messi. It racked up an amazing total of 41.9

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Tournament hosts Esquina Park Rangers. Credit: Instagram Leo Messi Lionel Messi with the World Cup.