Axarquia 26 January – 1 February 2023 Issue 1960

SPEAKING exclusively to the Euro Weekly News at an event held by the British Chamber of Commerce in Spain on Tuesday, January 24, British Ambassador to Spain Hugh Elliott said that the next announcement from the embassy on driving licences will be to set the date when a new agreement will come into place.

The British and Spanish governments have been in negotiations over whether UK nationals living in Spain can exchange their driving licences after Brexit or have to take a test like other third party nationals since the of 2020.

Hopes of reaching a swift agreement initially saw extensions on an agreement to allow Britons to carry on using their UK licences in Spain while an agreement was hashed out.

In 2022 though, these ex­

tensions came to an end and the two governments have been negotiating ever since; a source of much difficulty for many expats who been left

THE summer might still feel a way off, but Torre del Mar’s own Weekend Beach Festival is preparing for an allstar line­up in July.

The music festival which is one of the largest festivals of the year in the south of Spain announced new additions to its line ­ up on Thursday, January 19.

Latin music phenomenon Maluma was one of the first top­level performers who was already announced to be gracing the stage at the festival.

Other world famous performers in this year’s line­up were announced on Thursday including Granada indie­pop and urban fusion musician, Dellafuente, house and deep­techno wizard, Nic Fanciulli, and house­techno DJ, Carl Craig.

Summer fever

without the ability to drive in the meantime.

Now, Hugh Elliott has told the EWN that his most recent meetings with the Foreign Ministry took place on Tuesday, January 24, and that a date from which UK nationals will be able to exchange their UK licences for a Spanish one will be announced in the following weeks.

He told the EWN : “I’ve been talking only today to the Foreign Ministry about driving licences. The next announcement will be the date.

“Right now we are in the final stages.

“I can’t claim that I am as keen to get this through as those who have been unable to drive during negotiations because I haven’t been affected by this in the same way as them, but I am super keen to get over the line, in force, and to allow Brits to drive again.”

Radio presenters made the announcement at a press conference in the town on Friday, January 20, with the concert date yet to be released. The Summer Live tour is one of the biggest annual events from the Los40 Principales hit radio station, which plays the hottest chart music.

The radio station said that the final touches are being put on arrangements before a date is announced.

This year’s ninth edition of the festival is expected to be as popular, if not more popular than the last edition

which saw more than 135,000 people flock to the town in Axarquía for four dates of festival fun.

AXARQUIA’S summer music scene just got a whole lot better with the announcement that the Los40 Summer Live tour will make a stop in Almuñecar.

Spain’s hottest chart radio station is bringing the action to Almuñecar with a free concert as part of the Summer Live series.

Photo credit: los40spain (Via Instagram)

Award-winning Weekend Beach Festival brought more than 135,000 music lovers to Torre del Mar last summer.

BRITISH AMBASSADOR: Made the new announcement.

A MEGA community effort saw more than 300 local residents come together to plant trees in the El Cantal Forest Park in Rincon de La Victoria. Local mayor, Francisco Salado also opened the park to the public on Sunday, January 22, giving locals and visitors a brand new leisure space.

The park boasts a green space covering an impressive 15,000 metres squared, and will allow locals to reconnect with their surrounding environment. When fully completed, the park will have something to appeal to all outdoor lovers

Park progress

areas, and a sculpture.

There will also be information points for visitors to learn more about local nature and the environment. Installations in the park will also be accessible to people with disabilities and sustainable for the environment.

Unveiling a plaque, Salado expressed his delight at the new park saying “As well as walking, visitors will be able to learn more about local flora and fauna in the park.”

with three hillside viewpoints and nature lookouts, a lengthy boardwalk path, a children’s play area, picnic

GOLF lovers from all over the world share their passion at Golf International Nerja Society. The group held their latest competition at Los Moriscos course on Friday, January 20.

Despite unusually high winds, more than 25 players turned out to play on a shortened course of 18 holes. Aileen Stockton sailed to first place in the Ladies division with a splendid 35 points, with Jose Peree in second place with a solid 32 points.

An exciting tie between Brian Wiggins and Gerald Corrigan in the Gents division came down to a ‘last six’ countback to award Brian Wiggins as the winner by just one point, after each finished the course

Global golf group

with 35 points.

Anne Holden also won a sweep cash prize of €25 after amassing 13 points in the discipline of the competition over the day.

The group meet three times each week at different golf courses to refine their golfing skills, socialise and test their abilities against other members. Local golf lovers can find out more information about the society including membership fees by joining their Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/26776 55475871103/.

The park’s current opening hours are from 10am until 7pm, but this will be extended for summer.

Tour triumph

ALMOST 80 people discovered more about Almuñecar’s fascinating history in the first event in a series of guided walks offered by the council’s Department for Culture on Sunday, January 22.

The guided tours entitled ‘A walk through history’ take place on a monthly basis, typically on Sundays to allow all local residents or visitors to get involved.

The tours take guests on a route through the town, discovering more about interesting landmarks in the town and their historical and archaeological roots. Local archaeological expert, Elena Navas shares her expertise with guests on the town’s historical heritage which includes influences from Roman and Moorish civilisations.

Each tour takes place in a different part of the town, and last Sunday’s event took place at the Cerro de la Iglesia Parroquial de Almuñécar.

Participants met at the town’s Casa de la Cultura and wandered the town’s winding streets towards Puerta de Granada, making stops at landmarks including Plaza Los Higuitos, Pósito and Calle Nazareno.

Participants need to sign up by email before each event to: enavas @almunecar.es

The new El Cantal Forest Park in Rincon de La Victoria has incredible sea views and is well connected to other local landmarks.

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Rincón de La Victoria

NIBS EXTRA

A SOCIAL media campaign helped to reunite a fourmonth­old chihuahua puppy with her owners after they had a car crash in El Morche, near Torrox. The puppy, named Tokio survived for three days, hiding in a cave near the Río Seco.

Festival fun

THE town of Benagalbon is kicking 2023 off to a great start with its traditional festival which starts onWednesday, February 1 for five days. As well as traditional cultural activities, guests can enjoy musical performances and delicious food.

Cancer care

FOURTEEN new volunteers have joined the Almuñecar branch of the Spanish National Association Against Cancer (AECC). The volunteers received a comprehensive training programme and will now begin to support local cancer patients, their families and carers.

Atypical tours

AXARQUIA’S tourism industry launched a campaign to encourage tourists off the beaten track and to explore the world of agricultural tourism. Tourists can enjoy vineyards, discover more about tropical fruits and enjoy fresh produce.

Family friendly

VELEZ-MALAGA Council and the local Red Cross collaborated to offer more than 300 vulnerable families in the region vouchers worth more than €300,000. The pioneering project was introduced during the pandemic to provide support services.

Scientific

AXARQUIA is an ecological paradise, and scientists seem to agree. Nerja is set to host the MIP ’23, a national conference between microbiology and plant experts. Experts will receive plenty of inspiration from the biodiverse local environment.

AFTER two years of online events, traditional working farm mill, La Molienda de Riogordo are returning to in ­ person events with the ‘Molienda in English’ day on Saturday, February 18.

Olive oil masterclass

Crazy for carnival Puppy rescue

The day will give guests a taste of traditional agricultural practices in Axarquia and to soak up the rich history.

The event is free, courtesy of Riogordo Council, and will see guests arrive at the mill in the north of the Axarquia region from 10.30am. The day will begin with a traditional miller’s breakfast in the Riogordo Olive Oil Cooperative, consisting of bread and gourmet olive oil.

Then guests will receive an English tour of the olive

Calendar highlights

NERJA’S Royal British Legion are ready for the year ahead with a packed programme of community ­ spirited events to remember and honour all current and former members of the British and Allied armed forces.

After a successful quiz night and first monthly lunch, the Royal British Legion in Nerja are set to continue into February with another quiz night at Lew’s Restaurant in Torrox on Tuesday, February 14. But this doesn’t mean the group has forgotten Valentine’s Day! The group will hold a Valentine’s Lunch at Al Andalus Hotel in Maro on Tuesday, February 23.

The group will also hold a monthly lunch in February, also at Al Andalus Hotel, but the date is yet to be confirmed. A quiz night and lunch will be held in the same locations for the rest of the year.

Preparations are also beginning for one of the group’s most exciting events, the Masquerade Ball, which is set to take place on Saturday, April 22. The black tie ball will see masqueraded guests socialise over a three ­ course meal before dancing the night away.

groves and a chance to photograph the monumental trees, some of which are more than a century old. Next, guests will receive a tour of the modern premises, with a talk and oil tasting from workshop founder, Alexis Kerner, before a cooking demonstration by acclaimed chef, Daniel García Peinado.

Places on the day are limited so guests are asked to send an email to: lamoliendariogordo@gma il.com or their Facebook page ‘La Molienda de Riogordo’ to confirm attendance.

Prehistoric marvel

PREHISTORIC Nerja has been revived with a fascinating scientific project to recreate a resident from the Epipaleolithic times. A facial reconstruction project of a young woman, Pepita captured industry professionals’ attention at the FITUR tourism fair in Madrid on Sunday, January 21.

‘Pepita’ was a skeleton found in the Nerja Caves, whose face scientists reconstructed using technology. She is thought to have been around 19 when she died, possibly nearly 10,000 years ago. The study of the woman’s skeleton has been the focus of extensive scientific

Ruins restored

A MAJOR cleaning intervention has begun to restore Almuñecar’s Roman ruins to their former glory. The council completed the first phase of the cleaning project on the Roman aqueduct located in Torrecuevas on Friday, January 20.

Authorities decided on the clean­up after the aqueduct suffered damage from landslips and weathering. The aqueduct also bore the marks of local construction work, with pieces of cement and other debris stuck to its walls. The aqueduct is a distinctive landmark and is crucial to the town’s more than 3,000 year history and

links to the Roman Empire.

Almuñecar Council invested more than €40,000 in the maintenance work which required specialist analysis by architect, Pilar Aranda and special cleaning tools to avoid damage to the centuries­old walls of the aqueduct. Specialist masonry work is also required at certain sections of the wall to keep repair work in keeping with the original construction.

The aqueduct is one of 23 important historical landmarks and more than 50 archaeological sites in Almuñecar, which are key in attracting tourists to the town each year.

PREPARATIONS are well and truly underway for Velez­Malaga’s biggest carnival since before the pandemic which is set to be held from Friday, February 10 with two days packed full of vibrant festivities.

The council held a press conference to launch the carnival on Saturday, January 21, where authorities unveiled this year’s concert poster which features a burst of colourful carnival decorations and costume items against a backdrop of historical attractions in the town.

The poster is the handiwork of Manuel Lorente Vico, a talented local artist and carnival lover.

studies in recent years due to her incredible condition, as one of the best ­ preserved skeletons ever found in Europe.

Pepita went on exhibition at the Nerja Museum, where she is currently the most popular exhibit, attracting history lovers from all over and drawing attention from tourists keen to discover more about their holiday destination.

The popularity of the presentation featuring Pepita at the tourism fair is sure to guarantee continued visitors to the exhibition and other exciting events being held by the museum over the next few months.

Alongside the poster, musical performances also gave guests at the ceremony a taster of the carnival spirit which is expected to fill the town’s streets in February. Music groups ‘El abandonao’, ‘Hombres de Honor’, ‘Las Ruinas Mayas’ and ‘Los Castizos’ all gave incredible performances on the night.

The annual carnival will arrive at the Teatro del Carmen on Friday, February 10 with the traditional carnival proclamation followed by music, dancing and carnival parades. More details to follow.

THE latest tourism venture in La Herradura received plenty of attention at the FITUR tourism fair in Madrid. A presentation on the five star Daia hotel was well received by an audience of tourism industry professionals, as the fair opened on Wednesday, January 18.

The five star hotel, which will boast more than 200 luxury rooms in a beachfront setting is the first of its kind in the region, and is set to attract a new demographic of tourists to Axarquía, those seeking tranquil, romantic getaways.

Industry professionals were stunned by the unique characteristics of the hotel in the

Five star feat

presentation given by Almuñecar Council and representatives from the Fuerte Hotels chain.

Deputy mayor, Daniel Barbero hailed the development as “a five ­ star gift for our town,” adding “This will be a temple on the shores of the Mediterranean where guests will make precious memories.” Barbero also highlighted the impact of the development on the local community, saying it will boost business, visits to cultural attractions and employment.

Presenter, Raquel Revuelta and local musician, Miguel Moreno also threw their support behind the project at the fair in Madrid.

Exciting excursion

Betty Henderson

THE Lux Mundi group in Torre del Mar are inviting new members to join their community of faithful friends in 2023. The group has plenty of exciting excursions planned this year as well as events at their centre in Torre del Mar.

Lux Mundi are holding an excursion to Rute and Iznajar. Guests are invited to join the trip which will include an English guided tour of the Anis Museum in Rute with a tasting session included, followed by the chance to view more museums before travelling to the scenic town of Iznajar. The coach trip costs €26 for members and €28 for non­members.

Another excursion is being planned for Thursday, March 30 to Loja and the Dolmens of Sierra Martilla.

The Lux Mundi centre is open on Wednesday and Friday mornings from 10am­1pm and also holds Monday art and craft sessions, Spanish practice groups and Friday coffee mornings in their beautiful garden in Torre del Mar.

Lux Mundi are also holding a quiz night on Wednesday, February 1, from 6pm.

To book onto any of the events guests can contact the group by phone: 952 543 334 or email to: luxmundi@lux­mundi.org

Lux Mundi is running a day trip to the hilltop town of Iznajar which

Photo credit: Steve Heap / shutterstock.com

The first five star hotel in the Almuñecar region received a boost at the FITUR tourism fair in Madrid last week.

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Almuñécar (Via email)

It is important to review your financial planning from time to time to ensure it is on the right path, and early in a new year is a good time to do this, as we look ahead to what the year will bring.

One key reason is to ensure it is up to date. Establish whether any tax rules or financial regulations have changed and consider if developments in your personal circumstances mean you should adjust previous arrangements.

But an effective review of your financial planning, to ensure it is suitable for your life in Spain and future plans, needs to go beyond that.

Many people only consider segments of their finances at a time. They may have bought shares in companies pr funds they like years ago. They may speak to a tax accountant about Spanish taxation, then to a lawyer about wills. At some point they look at their pensions.

For truly effective financial planning, however, you need to consider all these various aspects together. For example, how you

Strategic financial planning for 2023 and beyond

Regardless of how effective your tax planning in the UK was, you pretty much need to start afresh in Spain. What was tax efficient in the UK is unlikely to be tax efficient here. Explore the compliant arrangements available in Spain to establish what would work for your situation and how much tax you can save.

spouse , which can have unwelcome consequences for certain families unless you plan ahead. UK nationals can use the EU succession regulation to distribute their estate under the appropriate UK law, but research this first to confirm if it’s the right solution for you.

Financial structuring for life in Spain

adequate diversification? Could you consolidate shares and funds so they are easier to manage?

At the same time, consider your tax liabilities on investment income and gains, as well as wealth tax, and whether you could use tax-efficient arrangements to hold your investments as resident of Spain. And how will these savings be passed to your heirs? What inheritance taxes will they pay? Can the funds be passed on directly or through a lengthy probate process?

By David Bowern, Partner, Blevins Franks

Spain is no simple matter and how you own assets can impact on what you can achieve.

Spanish residency and taxation

The fact that you are resident

Estate planning

The way you own assets can impact on how you can distribute them on death and how much tax your beneficiaries pay, so take this into consideration early on. The Spanish succession tax rules differ greatly from the UK’s and you need to understand these to be able to plan around them.

Perhaps the key rule for financial planning is that it must be specifically structured around your personal circumstances –your lifestyle today and plans for the future, family situation, income requirements, objectives, time horizon and risk tolerance.

If you don’t already have a strategic financial plan in place for Spain, you need to take a completely fresh look at your in -

Every family is different. Your strategic financial planning must be carefully designed for you. All the various aspects should work cohesively together to create an overall wealth management plan that provides long-term financial security for yourself and achieves your wishes for your heirs. For peace of mind take specialist advice.

This article should not be construed as providing any personalised taxation and/or investment advice.-

No masks on public transport

A FINAL decision has yet to be taken but it seems masks will no longer being required on public transport in Spain from February.

Local experts are said to have endorsed the removal of face masks on buses, trains and planes but not in health centres. It is understood the delay in making a decision is down to the opening up of China and the lack of solid data from the country’s authorities.

Sources close to the Ministry of Health told a news source on Wednesday, January 18 that a decision had already been made to remove the requirement from March. They added that the situation in China had unfortunately delayed any announcement.

Covid­19 is under control in Spain and experts have said that whilst they are supportive of the move, caution was needed until the China situation was clearer.

Business heavyweights

ON Tuesday, January 24 an event held by the British Chamber of Commerce in Spain with Linea Directa at the NH Colon Madrid saw more than 100 business leaders come together from across Spain.

Also attended by senior members of Santander’s Madrid office as well as British Ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott, the ‘New Year’s Cocktail’ evening was a chance for British and Spanish companies to interact and strengthen bonds between the two powerhouse nations.

Speaking in Spanish, Hugh Elliott thanked attendees for coming and spoke about the links between the UK and Spain, as well as his plans for an event to mark the King’s coronation on May 6.

Representatives of the British Chamber of Commerce in Spain, Linea Directa and Santander also

spoke about the positive growth in commerce in the last year before a raffle hosted by ‘William Shakespeare’ and ‘Miguel de Cervantes’ took place.

Hugh Elliott told the Euro Weekly News : “It’s fantastic to be together. We forget quickly and a year ago we couldn’t be together. There are also people here, as well as

Air traffic controllers strike

others, who have developed treatments that have allowed this and we musn’t forget them.

“While we currently have an energy crisis, cost of living problems and an invasion in Ukraine, hearing the buzz here and feeling the energy gives some light to the gloom without underestimating its challenges.”

He added: “There is so much British investment in Spain and loads of Spanish investment in the UK so it’s really really positive.”

NEW strike action has been called in Spain’s aviation sector. On Wednesday, January 18, air traffic control members of the Usca (Air Traffic Controllers Union) and CC OO voted to go on strike, as reported by a local news source.

Vueling cabin crew members of Stavla are already conducting action, while maintenance technicians at Air Nostrum also called for strikes which were to begin on Monday January 23.

This latest strike will affect the personnel working in the privatised control towers of 16 national airports. Industrial action will take place for 24 hours, every Monday, on January 30, February 6, 13, 20 and 27.

The airport control towers affected will be those in, A Coruña, Alicante­Elche, Castellon, Cuatro Vientos, El Hierro, Fuerteventura, Ibiza, Jerez, Lanzarote, La Palma, Lleida, Murcia, Sabadell, Sevilla, Valencia and Vigo.

As announced by both unions in a statement, a decision has been made because of the ‘failure of the negotiations’, with 162 air traffic control workers involved in the action. They declared that negotiations with the business association APCTA had broken down.

HUGH ELLIOTT: The Ambassador spoke at the event.

STRIKE ACTION: Control tower at Alicante-Elche airport.

Credit: Google mapsDerek Appleton

1there is only one operating tin shop left in Spain and is to be found in Madrid.

Good practices

SPAIN received more than 80 million international air passengers in 2022 (80.4 million), the Spanish government confirmed on Wednesday, January 18.

In December, passengers from international airports reached 5.7 million, which means that 95 per cent of pre­pandemic passengers have been recovered.

For the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, these figures show that “2022 has been the year of the recovery of our tourism. We have seen it with the excellent employment figures with a record number of members in the tourism sector.”

In terms of volume, the United Kingdom was the leading issuer of passengers in December (1,158,536), representing 20.1 per cent of the total share of arrivals, followed by Germany with 726,697 (12.6 per cent share) and Italy, with 532,877 (9.3 per cent)

PEOPLE struggling with their mortgage repayments in Spain will be pleased to hear that financial institutions have widely subscribed to the modification of the Code of Good Practices for vulnerable households.

This means they have adhered to the new Code approved by the government, which includes a wide range of measures that will enable up to one million households to see their mortgage burden alleviated.

The measures included in these codes are aimed at alleviating the financial situation of families affected by the rapid rise in Euribor, es-

pecially those vulnerable or at risk of vulnerability, preserving financial stability.

The implementation of these measures will facilitate a more gradual adaptation of households to the new interest rate environment.

Households with an income of less than three and a half times the IPREM (€29,400 per year) and a recent increase in the mortgage burden of at least 30 per cent will be able to benefit from these measures. For all these cases, financial institutions must offer an extension of the repayment period of up to seven years, with the possibility of a 12-month freeze on repayments.

“NATURE trails allow visitors to explore the countryside to discover nature and enjoy Spain’s food products,” confirmed the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, when discussing the network of Spain’s nature trails.

He confirmed that nature trails are an option that satisfies many of the current demands for active and sustainable tourism. They allow people to enjoy leisure and promote well-being, they also generate economic activity and business in rural areas.

Nature trails

and Food’s stand at the International Tourism Trade Fair in Madrid 2023 ( FITFUR), where the department held a series of activities to publicise the tourist attractions offered by the Nature Trails and the Foodstuffs of Spain.

Image: Irina Stutz / Shutterstock.com

DISCOVER NATURE: Promoting leisure and well-being.

Luis Planas visited the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries

Firm commitment

SPAIN and France have reaffirmed their firm commitment to energy cooperation.

In the framework of the 27th Spanish-French Summit, held on Thursday, January 19, in Barcelona, Spain and France reaffirmed their firm commitment to cooperation in energy matters.

They paid special attention to the ongoing reform of the European Union’s electricity market and the promotion of interconnections between both countries, in order to increase resilience and security of supply.

Both countries will work on their proposals for reforming the European electricity market so that they converge in a common position with the aim of approving the new model by 2023. They will also study the construction of a new power line between the two countries, taking advantage of the underwater route of the H2med hydro-duct between Barcelona and Marseille.

The minister highlighted the quality and variety of Spanish food and the interest of the public and international tourists generated by the campaign entitled ‘The richest country in the world’.

During his visit to FITUR, Luis Planas also received the Excelencias Award, granted to the Ministry for this campaign to promote Food from Spain.

MORTAGE PAYMENTS: Aim is to help vulnerable households.

Image: Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation / Spanish Government

Boost for British holidaymakers

THE EU has said it is to delay the implementation of its new border checks in a boost for British holidaymakers.

According to a UK newspaper on Saturday, January 21 the decision was taken over fears that the new checks would result in significant delays and long queues.

Originally planned for introduction in May, officials are now saying the new target date is December, when photos and fingerprints will

be taken from visitors to the bloc as they do in the US.

Travel agents are said to be enjoying record bookings with holidaymakers keen to escape the cold, the misery and the illness that has blighted the UK in recent years. Travel disruptions in the UK are also believed to be one of the reasons for people travelling abroad, as are the lower costs of holidaying in the Mediterranean and elsewhere.

ABTA, the travel agent body, has conducted research that suggests travel agents are expecting a bumper 2023. IATA, the International Air Transport Association, has also said the move is welcomed.

Although Brits are considering more exotic holidays, the EU remains the number one destination with Spain, France, Italy and Greece being named among the top five.

Mr Blobby auctioned off

FANS of Noel Edmond’s House Party will fondly remember Mr Blobby, the pink and yellow dotted monster who regularly interrupted the show, who is being sold in an online auction.

The rare piece of nostalgia has attracted a lot of interest with bids already having passed £17,000 (€19,400) despite his rather tatty appearance. Photos posted on the auction site show the costume to be well­worn.

Anyone interested in bidding for the costume can do so on Ebay, however, it’s not the one that appeared on the actual TV show. In­

stead, the auction lists the item as follows:

“Mr Blobby ­ an original BBC costume from the mid­1990s. This was made by the BBC’s costume supplier for an overseas version of Noel’s House Party. Unfortunately, before it could be delivered the overseas show was cancelled and neither the broadcaster or the BBC’s production team wanted it ­ so it sat in my office until a move meant it came home with me some years ago.”

Why sell Mr Blobby now, well apparently the owner is moving house so the character needs a new home too.

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PRESS EUROPEAN

DENMARK

Price halt

HOUSE prices have fallen at their fastest rate in more than a decade in Denmark, one of the most expensive property markets in Europe. According to Eurostat, in the third quarter of 2022 Denmark's house prices fell by 3.8 per cent.

FINLAND

Travel Fair

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Their Roadside Assistance team speaks English and will quickly help you with your onward journey. If you urgently need a duplicate set of keys for your motorcycle, then their English-speaking customer service will sort it out. And should you require Home Assistance to set up your new Wi-Fi connection, then English speaking technical staff will set up a visit.

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THE NETHERLANDS

Electrification rise

PASSENGER car sales in the Netherlands decreased in December and in the full year of 2022, but electrification continues to rise, reaching very solid levels. According to EV Volumes' data, 15,757 new plug-in cars were registered in December, which is roughly 32 per cent less than a year ago.

BELGIUM

No smoking

THE number of smokers in Belgium decreased for the second year in a row from 2021 to 2022. According to a survey by the Foundation Against Cancer, 24 per cent of Belgians reported smoking daily or occasionally last year, compared to 29 per cent in 2020 and 27 per cent in 2021.

GERMANY

Tidy turnover

TURNOVER in accommodation and food services in Germany rose by a whopping 47 per cent year on year in 2022 in real terms despite high inflation. The Federal Statistics Office confirmed the news on January 19. “The sector benefited from the easing of pandemic restrictions,” they said.

FRANCE

Top spot

FRANCE regains the top spot as the bloc’s main electricity provider. Following a record year for electricity imports, the relatively mild weather and the relaunch of nuclear reactors, France started 2023 by exporting more electricity to its neighbouring countries than it imports.

NORWAY

Enigmatic history

ARCHAEOLOGISTS in Norway claim to have the world's oldest rune stone with inscriptions up to 2,000 years old that date back to the earliest days of the enigmatic history of runic writing. “They may be the earliest example of words recorded in writing in Scandinavia,” the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo said.

THE Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs was present at the Matka Nordic Travel Fair, held at Messukeskus in Helsinki from January 19 until 22. The government confirmed that Finns are again interested in travelling abroad after being grounded during the pandemic years.

IRELAND

Brilliant BloodBox

STUDENTS at Sutton Park School in Dublin have been named winners of the 2023 Self Help Africa/Irish Aid Science for Development award. They developed BloodBox, a portable diagnostic device to diagnose diseases including malaria. The device allows blood samples to be tested for disease with 94 per cent accuracy.

ITALY

Italian transfer

HUNGARIAN low-cost airline, Wizz Air, will withdraw its base in Bari, Puglia region, effective February 16. The move was confirmed by Wizz Air in a press release, where it confirmed the two Airbus A320 aircraft will be transferred to their largest bases in the country, Milan/Malpensa and Rome/Fiumicino.

PORTUGAL

Portuguese connection

PORTUGAL'S Infrastructures has set 2025 as the date to finish the section of the new Evora-Elvas railway line, which will connect Badajoz with the Spanish network and put into service a direct Madrid-Lisbon train with a travel time of five hours instead of the current nine hours and two transfers.

UKRAINE

Economic opportunities

THE war may still be ongoing but looking to the future, Dara Khosrowshahi, the CEO of the transportation company Uber, has recently visited Ukraine to imagine how the company might eventually operate after peace is established. His interest lies in the economic opportunities that it might create.

SWEDEN

Cleaning crows

IN exchange for food, wild crows volunteer to pick up cigarette butts from the streets of Sodertalje in Sweden. According to the Keep Sweden Tidy Foundation, 62 per cent of all litter is cigarette butts and more than one billion of them are left on the country’s streets each year.

FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA

Rice pests

COYPUS, non ­ native otters from South America, are one of Catalonia’s most recent invasive species. They are also causing problems in the traditional rice­growing area of Ampurdan (Girona) where growers asked the regional government to intervene to save this year’s crop.

Less good

THE International Monetary Fund (IMF), believes that 2023 may be better than expected for the global economy, as positive figures ease predictions of worldwide recession. The outlook is less good for Britain, predicted to have the G20’s lowest 2023 growth.

Argos goes

ARGOS will close its 34 stores in Ireland in late June. Recent accounts for its Irish operation showed a pre­tax loss of €13 million in 2022 and the company maintained that the investment required to modernise operations there was inviable.

Tax blow

SPANISH multinational Telefonica’s Peru subsidiary lost its long­running multi­million tax dispute against the government in Lima regarding tax declarations made between 1998 and 2005. The Supreme Court in Madrid ordered the company to pay €790 million compensation, its largest­ever fine.

Royal bounty

KING CHARLES announced that profits from his £1 billion deal leasing six offshore windfarms off different sections of the British coast would be used for the “wider public good.” This follows Charle’s reference to the cost­of­living crisis in his Christmas speech.

STAT OF WEEK €900 million

Bankinter gets there early

LAST year was good for Bankinter, with a pre­tax result of €785 million and a 46 per cent increase.

With a net profit of just over €560 million, a 28 per cent increase on 2021, Madrid ­ based Bankinter reached its 2023 profit target a year early, enabling the bank to overtake its pre ­ pandemic results.

Last year’s showing was especially encouraging, as 2021’s figures still included four months of income from Linea Directa, whose segregation from the bank was announced in 2020. This also converted Bankinter shareholders into the independent, publicly ­ traded insurance company’s shareholders.

Return on Equity (ROE) stood at 12 per cent, compared to 2021’s 9.6 per cent while only 2.1 per cent of Bankinter clients defaulted on loans, despite the worsening economic environment.

“All these figures are amongst the best at European level,” the bank pointed out.

The bank’s Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio, a measure of

FRENCH­OWNED Schneider Electric recently rejected claims that it had acquired the Cambridge software giant Aveva “on the cheap.”

Aveva, which provides software used to design major industrial projects as well as products that assist in running factories, was founded in 1967 and pioneers technology used in industrial design.

Britain’s Business Secretary, Grant Shapps gave the €10 billion deal the go ­ ahead in December when Schneider, which already owned 59 per cent of Schneider, acquired the remaining 41

its solvency rose to 12 per cent, comfortably above the minimum 7.7 per cent requirement that the European Central Bank established for Bankinter in 2023.

The bank’s Spanish investment portfolio increased by just over 5 per cent, six times more than the sector’s average growth, according to Bank of Spain figures an ­

nounced last November. Outside Spain, this rise was still more evident, with a 15 per cent increase in Portuguese investments while lending doubled in Ireland.

As of December 31, 2022, the total assets were €107.5 billion, similar to the previous year’s, with credit investment to customers up by 9 per cent to €74.2 billion.

would indeed be benefitting from a cut­price deal. Originally agreeing to pay £31 (€35.5 a share), representing a 40 per cent premium on Aveva’s then trading price, this was increased to £32.25 (€37) with a 47 per cent premium, precisely to dispel investors’ concerns.

ICONIC British bootmaker Dr Martens announced that unseasonably warm weather had affected sales, prompting the company’s second profit warning in two months.

Problems with US warehousing including a bottleneck at the new Los Angeles distribution centre had also hit profits, together with higher costs and complications arising from strikes at Felixstowe port and Netherlands staff shortages.

It now foresees full­year profits not exceeding £260 million (€297.8 million), amounting to £26 million (€29.8 million) below its original predictions.

Holidays up

PACKAGE holidays and air fares to the UK’s favourite holiday destinations have rocketed, according to consumer association, Which?

A week in a Greek hotel will set you back by 30 per cent more than in 2022, although Spain, Italy and Turkey remain more competitive with rises of around 20 per cent.

Those visiting a second home or preferring to arrange their own holiday over Easter will pay up to 51 per cent more to fly to Spain, although it could cost an extra 71 per cent to travel to Greece.

Which? found that hotel prices have gone up by an average 10 per cent in Europe and 23 per cent for those going further afield.

Extra lessons

isting jobs.

per cent.

A month earlier, Aveva shareholders had okayed the acquisition despite worries that Schneider

The French company paid what chief executive Jean­Pascal Tricoire described as “a very rich premium” for the British company while talking to the UK media at the World Economic Forum in Davos. At the same time he stressed Schneider’s commitment to ex­

Tricoire also batted away misgivings regarding Schneider’s links to China via the company’s joint venture, founded in 2007, with Delixi Electric, a Chinese conglomerate. Opponents to the deal maintained that this could endanger Avevaowned technology.

“Most of what we do is 100 per cent Schneider,” Tricoire insisted. “The digital arm of Avea is operating in China on its own,” he was quoted as saying, suggesting that there would be no change in the current situation.

FORTY­SEVEN per cent of Spanish families are paying for out­ofschool tuition.

Of these, 46 per cent have children attending state­run schools.

This burgeoning market accounts for an annual €1.7 billion, according to the Esade Centre for Economic Policies, which found that parents paid an average of €270 per child.

The same survey revealed that the Community of Madrid spends more than any other region, with an average of €350 per pupil.

No longer restricted to the welloff, the practice has spread to all types of households, with 30 per cent of families saying that they were prepared to cut down on other extras if necessary.

is the amount that Spanish households could save on energy bills by reducing their amount of contracted electricity, as each unneeded kilowatt costs between €2.4 and €5.8 per hour.

BANKINTER: CEO Maria Dolores announced good 2022 results.

JEAN-PASCAL TRICOIRE: Chief Executive of Schneider Electric.

3I Group 1.450,00 1.450,50 1.423,00 176,83K

Abrdn 203,50 203,80 200,80 292,46K

Admiral Group 2.103,0 2.120,0 2.098,0 29,88K

Anglo American 3.573,0 3.615,5 3.573,0 130,63K

Antofagasta 1.727,50 1.753,00 1.727,50 86,14K

Ashtead Group 4.954,0 4.960,0 4.920,0 32,04K

Associated British Foods 1.824,0 1.832,0 1.818,0 64,93K

AstraZeneca 11.288,0 11.444,0 11.288,0 10,13K

Auto Trader Group Plc 577,27 578,20 571,40 149,28K

Aveva 3.219,0 3.231,0 3.219,0 0

Aviva 437,60 439,80 436,40 184,66K

B&M European Value Retail SA434,70 436,40 432,90 21,25K

BAE Systems 849,80 850,60 842,80 414,91K

Barclays 178,34 178,86 177,60 2,09M

Barratt Developments 448,40 449,30 444,90 166,10K

Berkeley 4.201,0 4.209,0 4.185,5 0,40K

BHP Group Ltd 2.773,00 2.808,00 2.776,27 17,99K

BP 478,90 482,75 478,60 2,17M

British American Tobacco 3.103,0 3.120,0 3.100,5 195,42K

British Land Company 436,60 437,30 434,40 74,66K

BT Group 128,05 129,20 126,80 871,08K

Bunzl 2.920,0 2.924,0 2.897,0 21,96K

Burberry Group 2.326,0 2.336,0 2.310,0 108,28K

Carnival 736,8 737,6 724,2 82,67K

Centrica 97,43 98,32 97,40 1,30M

Coca Cola HBC AG 1.906,6 1.925,0 1.904,5 9,52K

Compass 1.911,80 1.911,50 1.891,50 107,60K

CRH 3.607,5 3.632,0 3.601,5 58,68K

Croda Intl 7.047,9 7.060,0 6.926,0 22,74K

DCC 4.465,0 4.470,0 4.434,0 43,49K

Diageo 3.659,5 3.685,5 3.652,5 187,10K

DS Smith 347,20 347,80 344,00 738,48K

EasyJet 441,60 442,70 437,30 146,75K

Experian 2.960,0 2.959,0 2.941,0 4,47K

Ferguson 10.945,0 10.990,0 10.885,0 19,43K

Flutter Entertainment 12.470,0 12.485,0 12.360,0 17,92K

Fresnillo 932,40 937,20 921,80 101,26K

Glencore 568,70 574,80 567,90 3,60M

GSK plc 1.414,48 1.421,80 1.412,40 288,72K

Halma 2.110,9 2.111,0 2.095,0 2,93K

Hargreaves Lansdown 877,40 878,20 861,00 192,64K

Hikma Pharma 1.700,50 1.705,00 1.683,50 7,47K

HSBC 588,50 590,10 587,10 1,57M

IAG 161,02 161,78 160,30 2,11M

Imperial Brands 2.052,00 2.056,00 2.047,00 118,97K

Informa 663,26 666,40 660,20 82,03K

InterContinental 5.618,0 5.640,0 5.580,0 43,04K

Intermediate Capital 1.258,50 1.260,00 1.250,50 10,07K

Intertek 4.299,0 4.310,0 4.277,0 9,20K

ITV 77,62 77,82 76,80 894,47K

J Sainsbury 242,50 243,70 242,20 354,73K

Johnson Matthey 2.141,3 2.151,2 2.141,3 0,49K

Land Securities 699,00 701,40 694,20 91,57K

Legal & General 255,10 255,60 253,60 481,77K

Lloyds Banking 49,09 49,24 49,03 5,42M

London Stock Exchange 7.488,0 7.544,0 7.450,0 29,18K

Melrose Industries 145,15 147,10 145,00 3,85M

Mondi 1.491,50 1.501,00 1.489,50 116,79K

National Grid 1.040,00 1.042,50 1.034,00 230,36K

NatWest Group 295,60 296,30 294,70 667,70K

Next 6.388,0 6.424,0 6.376,0 8,07K

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

Ocado 713,22 719,40 705,20 146,75K

Persimmon 1.382,3 1.390,5 1.378,0 28,00K

Phoenix 625,40 625,80 622,00 46,25K

Prudential 1.300,00 1.317,00 1.286,50 340,20K

Reckitt Benckiser 5.850,0 5.856,0 5.822,0 0,81K

Relx 2.365,00 2.376,00 2.360,00 195,02K

Rentokil 500,40 503,80 499,90 632,45K

Rightmove 566,80 567,60 561,20 202,82K

Rio Tinto PLC 6.207,0 6.269,0 6.200,0 171,37K

Rolls-Royce Holdings 105,46 106,06 104,22 4,49M

Sage 756,20 757,00 749,60 91,56K

Samsung Electronics DRC 1.250,50 1.251,50 1.246,50 1,64K Schroders 468,5 470,5 466,0 167,75K

Scottish Mortgage 741,80 744,80 739,60 614,92K

Segro 829,60 830,80 820,00 96,02K

Severn Trent 2.838,0 2.844,0 2.808,0 64,34K

Shell 2.380,4 2.403,0 2.378,5 833,11K

Smith & Nephew 1.142,00 1.143,50 1.130,00 189,56K

Smiths Group 1.705,84 1.714,50 1.703,00 24,72K

Spirax-Sarco Engineering 11.425,0 11.435,0 11.345,0 4,41K

SSE 1.730,98 1.761,00 1.716,50 558,25K

St. James’s Place 1.237,89 1.239,50 1.227,00 34,98K

Standard Chartered 700,00 706,40 699,00 361,19K

Taylor Wimpey 114,45 114,45 113,05 768,35K

Tesco 249,50 249,60 248,60 526,43K

Tui 187,50 188,11 183,97 241,80K

Unilever 4.065,0 4.084,0 4.050,0 416,45K

United Utilities 1.050,00 1.054,00 1.040,50 67,93K

Vodafone Group PLC 90,65 90,86 90,12 7,83M Whitbread 2.996,0 3.000,0 2.965,0 25,27K WPP 915,80 921,80 913,00 116,04K

3M 118,43 122,29 4,84M

American Express 146,85 148,00 144,20 3,82M

Amgen 262,03 263,52 260,92 2,09M

Apple 135,27 136,25 133,77 57,70M

Boeing 207,09 209,67 204,82 5,76M

Caterpillar 245,75 251,25 244,30 4,88M

Chevron 179,00 179,95 176,16 5,79M

Cisco 46,46 47,05 46,39 18,99M

Coca-Cola 59,72 60,64 59,71 14,82M

Dow 56,60 56,99 55,85 5,00M

Goldman Sachs 350,75 352,16 345,52 3,06M

Home Depot 310,88 321,34 310,63 5,26M

Honeywell 200,66 204,38 200,22 4,53M

IBM 140,62 142,23 139,75 4,80M

Intel 28,42 28,75 28,24 36,63M

J&J 169,53 171,28 168,71 6,90M

JPMorgan 134,75 135,90 133,59 13,03M

McDonald’s 263,58 269,14 263,53 2,81M

Merck&Co 109,90 110,18 108,10 6,75M

Microsoft 231,93 235,52 230,68 28,18M

Nike 124,53 125,44 123,61 5,18M

Procter&Gamble 142,42 146,22 142,24 12,36M

Salesforce Inc 146,41 146,68 143,16 7,01M

The Travelers 184,04 184,42 182,23 1,45M

UnitedHealth 484,36 486,39 477,39 4,41M

Verizon 40,06 40,28 39,47 24,80M

Visa A 220,41 221,52 217,50 4,81M

Walgreens Boots 35,41 35,75 35,35 6,16M

Walmart 138,83 141,52 138,79 5,77M

Walt Disney 99,08 99,45 97,12 10,78M

Most Declined

Olink

Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. -16.95% 1.625M

Sunnova Energy International Inc. -12.65% 6.971M

Enphase Energy, Inc. -10.92% 6.22M

Kuaishou Technology -10.68% 213,741

ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. -10.65% 13.818M

SunPower Corporation -10.44% 5.26M

Sunrun Inc. -10.39% 9.146M

SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. -10.32% 1.767M

Super Micro Computer, Inc. -10.16% 4.91M

Rumble Inc. -9.97% 1.392M

BUSINESS EXTRA

Simple sums

BRITAIN’S chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s use of a cup of coffee to explain rising inflation was ridiculed for maintaining that a coffee now costs ‘almost £3 (€3.4)’. Both economists and consumers pointed out that a medium latte already costs £3.25 (€3.71).

It’s a gas

SPAIN expects to produce 20 per cent of Europe’s green hydrogen by 2030, revealed Enagas. The partly publicly­sector company, which operates and owns the country’s gas grid, also plans to invest €4.8 billion in distributing the renewable gas inside Spain.

Branches pruned

LLOYDS and Halifax has announced future branch closures in England and Wales due to begin in April and continue in June. Lloyds Banking Group which owns both, intends to bring the shutters down on 22 Lloyds and 18 Halifax branches.

Count your blessings

A KPMG report on Spain’s Episcopal Conference revealed that the Church in this country generates an annual €32.5 billion.

Property accounts for most of the wealth, complemented by companies, universities, schools, hospitals and the financial assets of investment funds. Banks like Santander and CaixaBank provide experts with a comprehensive knowledge of the Church’s finances while orders like the Jesuits, Augustinians and Marists usually manage assets via private bankers and fund managers. One of these, Portocolom, recently revealed more than half of the €1 billion financial assets they advise on belongs to religious orders. “Some possess assets amounting to €2 million, but others have more than €50 million,” the source said.

Sweeping statements

Linda Hall

SIR JAMES DYSON dismissed the British government’s approach to the economy and business as “stupid” and “short­sighted.”

Writing recently in the Daily Telegraph, the Dyson tycoon whose estimated fortune of €23 million was initially based on cordless vacuum cleaners, maintained that growth had become a “dirty word” since Rishi Sunak took over as Britain’s prime minister.

Dyson, who was a committed Brexit supporter, claimed that the government believed in its ability to impose “tax upon tax” on companies

under the impression that penalising private industry was one way of winning votes.

“This is as short ­ sighted as it is stupid,” Dyson warned in the Telegraph. “In the global economy, companies will simply choose to transfer jobs and invest elsewhere.”

Sir James also voiced unease at the working­from­home policies introduced when the Covid pandemic was at its height. The government had yet to succeed in convincing employees to return to the workplace after having told them to stay home to prevent infection from spreading and avoid overloading an already

Nice work

overloaded NHS, he said.

The measure had damaged Britain’s work ethic, he insisted, while little had been done to emphasise the importance of face­to­face collaboration, shared culture, mental health, productivity and output. The government had also neglected the training of young, new employees, which Dyson said was vital for the success of both businesses and employees.

Britain was capable of shaking off its “Covid inertia”, he added, but declared that things could be turned round only if fast­growing companies were allowed to thrive there.

TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY ­ ONE Spanish bankers were amongst 1,957 European bankers who earned more than €1 million in 2021.

European Banking Authority figures revealed that the number of highly paid bankers throughout Europe had increased by more than 40 per cent from the 1,383 employees listed in 2020.

It also pointed out that the best­ paid banking jobs have decamped from London to other EU capitals following Brexit, as the EBA statistics logically ex ­

cluded those working in UK. In contrast, before Britain’s EU exit, its bankers were routinely listed amongst Europe’s top earners.

According to the EBA, the increase in Europe’s €1 million ­ plus earners was the result of booming profits from investment banking “together with further relocations of staff after Brexit from the UK to the EU” as well as an overall increase in salary levels.

Seventy per cent of the high earners were employed by banks operating in Spain, France and Italy,

the EBA said.

The single highest ­ paid banker was an unnamed Spaniard who, the EBA disclosed, had earned between €14 and €15 million, describing it as a “significant amount of variable remuneration” corresponding to severance pay.

This was also 466 times more than the country’s average salary.

A further three bank employees, who worked in Spain, France and Germany respectively, each took home between €13 and €14 million in 2021.

HOUSEHOLDS are still trying to cut down on energy bills as Spain and the UK endure another cold snap.

This prompted the Daily Mail’s money experts to examine whether putting on an extra jersey was cheaper than turning up the thermostat when the thermometer plummets.

Assuming that people feel chilly once an indoor temperature drops below the World Health Organisation’s recommended 18 degrees, the investigators found that an extra layer really makes a difference.

Putting on another winter woolly will save a family an annual £250 (€285) at present, they said, adding that this would rise to £300 (€342) after the British government readjusts its energy price guarantee in April.

Wrap up! Interesting bank offer

HOPING to attract more business, CaixaBank will pay 5 per cent interest to clients domiciling monthly salaries that top €2,500.

Some strings are attached, as the offer applies to clients agreeing to pay in their wages to CaixaBank for the first time and will affect the first €5,000 of their bank balance for two years.

Clients earning €2,500 a month or more will also be offered the chance of swapping the interest for a 50 ­ inch television, while those on €1,200 can opt for a 32­ inch LG model.

They will also need to meet other requirements, including three regular standing orders and making three credit card purchases each quarter.

GOVERNMENT CRITIC: Sir James Dyson questioned Rishi Sunak’s policies.

Photo credit: CC/The Royal Society

TOP EARNERS: Spanish bankers are amongst Europe’s best paid.

Photo credit: Pixabay/Wilfried Wende

I HAVE always been convinced that the British sense of humour has been one of our most commendable and enduring assets. Through the horror of two World Wars and all the disasters and conflicts that have beset us over the years, the Brits have always managed to find some way to raise a smile out of even the most tragic circumstances.

The skill of our comedians and cartoonists is such that their humour never sets out to undermine these situations, merely eases their seriousness by lightening the mood and in doing so allows those affected to hopefully surmount their problems more easily.

The British sense of humour, sometimes indefinable and unique, has always been a bit of a mystery to the rest of the world and often something that most foreigners simply can’t get their heads around. Some years ago, I wrote that whatever the terrorist or our enemies can throw at us nothing will ever rob us of our most commendable and enduring gift, our humour. Well I was wrong.

At the time of writing that particular piece we weren’t being strangled by the despicable, destructive, and downright traitorous yolk of the PC brigade. Not content with changing their fellow citizens from a nation that prided and flourished through its policies of oratory freedom into a herd of sheep, watching

Truly disturbing

name but a few. Many contain racist humour, but they are glaringly noncontemptuous, simply frivolously humorous.

every word they say and almost frightened to open their mouths in case they offend somebody, this utterly superfluous bunch of time and woke wasters have finally managed to turn their attack on one of the most dearly loved jewels of our culture, our purveyors of comedy. Subsequently most comedians are simply not funny anymore.

Jokes that retain reference to classism, ageism, ableism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, xenophobia or Islamophobia are just not allowed on public platforms. For the new breed its ok to repeat appalling swear words, or even undermine white culture, but step out of line against a minority and you can bid your career goodbye.

One TV channel I tune into actually presents (with a large cautionary notice) a wonderful selection of early brilliant British comedy shows. ‘Benny Hill’ ‘Till Death do Us Part’ ‘Hale and Pace’ to

What I find truly disturbing about this whole PC farce is just how far this Orwellian situation is allowed to go. Another bunch of them have now issued guidelines instructing schools that eightyear­olds be taught that all genders can have periods ­ to avoid... wait for it. ‘Offending girls who identify as boys’! Well, frankly if I had my way, I would prosecute these morons for child abuse. Unfortunately, as a member of a majority, nobody is allowed to listen to me!

Keep the faith

Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com expatradioscotland.com Mon. Fri. 1pm till 4.

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

The origin of this proverb is uncertain but it is common in many cultures. It is often used to express the importance of teaching someone how to do something, rather than just doing it for them.

OUT IN THE COLD OUR VIEW

THIS week’s freezing temperatures in Spain have reopened the argument for bringing back the Winter Fuel Payment for British expats. The scheme, which offers up to £600 for help with heating bills, was withdrawn for British nationals living outside of the UK in 2015, a move which wasn’t seen as particularly controversial by those in the UK who see the Spain as balmy temperatures all year round.

Those who actually live in Spain know the reality is very different however, with temperatures inland and particularly in the mountains often dipping into the minuses in winter.

Expats who spent tens of years of their lives paying in to the National Insurance system were justifiably angry with the turn of events when the news was announced. Now, plunging temperatures combined with soaring electric costs have brought this issue into the spotlight once again.

Expats are by nature, people who have paid taxes for many years before then asking for very little in return from their governments when they retire, in either health or social care. Given that the number of expats worldwide is estimated at 5.5 million and soon set to have UK voting rights for life though, the British government might like to remember the importance of the looking after of all its citizens, not just the ones living in Britain.

More things holiday hotels still get wrong

NORAJOHNSON BREAKINGVIEWS

SMALL wardrobes that assume all guests wear mini dresses. Insufficient hangers. Safes too small for a laptop in supposedly business hotels.

Hairdryers in the bathroom, not the bedroom. A ‘desk’ which could so easily double as a dressing table if only there were accessible plug sockets and a mirror. And the only mirror with enough light to shave or apply make ­ up above the washbasin. Result?

Ending up with a hernia squeezing between basin and toilet so you can get near enough to see what you’re doing!

Additionally, paperthin walls, made worse by connecting doors so you can hear your neighbours’ every

cough, sneeze, snore and more (oops!). Useless hotel room doors, with little sound insulation so you’re woken at 4am when the party crowd roll back in discussing their evening loudly as they stumble through the deserted corridors. Plus there are invariably insufficient sun loungers ­ you shouldn’t have to get up at the crack of dawn to nab one by the pool.

Room service menus consisting only of overpriced stodge drowning in fat, cheese or cream, apart from maybe one or two token veggie items that sound totally unappetising. Try sticking to a post­Christmas diet on that lot...

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NoraJohnson’sopinionsareherownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.

Noraistheauthorofpopularpsychological suspenseandcrimethrillersandafreelancejournalist.

Nora’s latest thriller.

LeapyLee’sopinionsarehisownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.

WORBOYS THINKING ALOUD

IT was a dream. The nightmare was waking up to find it hadn’t happened. Once again I didn’t come close. But people do win the lottery, and last July somebody won the jackpot of €230 million. Since then, there have been three winners of €150 million or more. So, how do they spend these unimaginable sums of money?

Winning €150 million would open up a few possibilities. The first could be to identify 400 cases where a child needs urgent, unaffordable and perhaps life­saving medical treatment. Including transport costs each could cost about €50,000. The sum of €20 million would cover this and we are still left with €130 million.

It would be nice to identify 100 deserving homeless people. €200,000 each would buy all of them a decent house or flat and adequate basic furniture for it. There goes another €20 million.

While it would be impossible to rescue enough factory­farmed live­

I WON THE LOTTERY !

could produce an annual rental income of €10,000 each, but could require yet a further €2 million.

So, for a further €10 million, our friends and family seem to be fairly secure. And we still have €40 million to allocate. This is roughly the net worth of Harry Kane.

stock to make a difference, donations could be made to upfront organisations and individuals directly involved in combating the poaching of rhinos and elephants and the mistreating beasts of burden in various parts of the world. €10 million could make a small but worthwhile difference.

Whoops! We’re down to €100 million. Well, it´s not only children that require surgery or hospital treatment. Perhaps 400 serious

cases of adults requiring urgent attention could be located. An additional €20 million could make such a difference. And what about those who do have homes, but are finding it impossible to heat them properly and to eat enough? €30 million could make things easier for 1,000 families or lonely individuals.

We only have €50 million left now, so let’s not forget our friends and family ­ and ourselves!

€6 million would buy six more than reasonable properties, including appropriate furniture and fittings. We can’t forget Uncle Ben and the friend who helped our daughter so much. Another €2 million for various homes and holidays of a lifetime, for several BMWs, sound systems, hobby equipment and first class medical cover and other insurance for those closest to us. And the purchase of eight small flats? This

THE British Benevolent Fund is the charity of last resort ­ it provides financial assistance to those Britons in Spain in dire straits and who have no other recourse. We deal with the worst that life can throw ­ and try with the aid of volunteers to find a solution.

Domestic abuse continues to be a major driver of our cases with women, many in long term relationships taking the step to leave abusive and damaging environments.

One such case involved Anne, a married British lady with four children ­ one day she walked into a police station in her hometown near Malaga and filed a report against her husband of a decade for repeated domestic abuse including multiple physical assaults and rape stretching back many years.

She had endured enoughwhich she had done for the sake of keeping the family together ­ on the day she went to the police the husband had attacked one of the kids ­ that was it. Anne had no money, and no family member could help, but she was determined to protect the children.

There must be so many ideas I have overlooked. Ukraine, Somalia, nurses and carers, the vulnerable victims of fraud and house­bulldozing. I really intend to win one day, so, before the happy announcement, suggestions on a postcard, please. Or, on reflection, let me win it first.

There is one small problem, however. The chance of winning is about one in 140 million ­ about as likely as ‘Lord’ Alan Sugar being crowned Miss Mexico.

A fresh start

The police took action as well as alerting social services who in turn alerted the British consulate. Together with the town hall the lady and her children were provided emergency accommodation as well as offer of a longer term protected tenancy apartment.

The BBF was able to help pay for her moving expenses and ensure that utilities were connected and paid for the first three months in addition to paying for some white goods and children’s items. It was enough to give her a new fresh start in a safe environment for her children.

Anne was one of over 30,000 victims of domestic abuse in Spain ­ we are only able to support her and wom­

en in similar situations with your support and donations. Every penny makes a difference. If you would like to support our work with a donation please visit our website or contact me olaf.clayton@british benevolentfund.org.

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

Winning the lottery affords so many possibilities.

DAVID

Credit:

Olaf Clayton of BBF.

XWORD LOVERS

I JUST wanted to let you know that the crossword is one of my favourite things to do during the week, I go down to a little bar in the port, order myself a beer and a tapa, bring the dog along with me, enjoy the sun and relax while keeping my brain occupied with the crossword. Sometimes the hubby will come along but he’ll put something in pen rather than pencil and of course it’s wrong! When he does that though he orders me a dessert to make up for it so we can excuse it... sometimes.

Vanessa, Marbella

Great expectations

I TOTALLY agree with Nicole, owning or working in the hospitality industry is a completely different kettle of fish. Having worked in hospitality for years nobody tells you when you first start or probably knows what it is like unless you have done it. The aching legs you get after a shift, trying to keep going and smile while you’ve already done 10 hours and have another two hours at least to go to close. Shout out to all the people that work in hospitality you are angels and deserve more credit.

Sinead, Benidorm

Astonishing generosity

WOW! How incredible is it that Alan Boardman donated €1,000 to Kay Millington’s cause. It is amazing to see the community do what it does and rally around someone who is doing a good deed. I can’t wait to hear more about this. Congratulations young lady and I wish you the best of luck!

Kelly, Fuengirola

Unstoppable

AND that’s just exactly what Siggi Wilzig is, to read such a story and to see how he came from the bottom all the way up to the top is incredible. His book is in my basket just waiting for me to hit buy. Just imagine yourself doing what he did. What he had to go through, it is the most amazing story and I can’t wait to read more about it. Thank you for bringing light to this, he is an inspiration and I think this could help a lot of young people today if they picked up the book too.

Martyn, Costa Blanca South

Loopy Lee

I REALLY despair at the utterly ridiculous right wing comments made week after week by loopy Lee. This time it is the bosses of the trade unions affiliated to the Labour Party and their pay grade, but to say they are using the nurses, ambulance drivers and everyone else on strike as fodder to line their own pockets is absolute rubbish. Yes we all agree that many at the top are overpaid, but why not pick on the ones at the top that are causing the strikes, many hundreds of CEOs pay themselves in excess of 100 times the average British worker (I read recently where the owner of a betting chain pocketed the equivalent

of £600 an hour). Most of these top dogs have no problem donating millions to the Tory party, but can’t find a little extra to pay their employees, it is easily understandable whose side the government is on and why the huge gap in equality is a main reason behind the unrest why these workers are on strike. Union bosses regardless of their income are fully behind the people they are paid to represent not using them as fodder, it’s time loopy Lee living on the back of his one hit wonder for years turned his little arrows in a different direction.

Ramon Osborne, Los Alcazares

Right again

AGAIN you’ve got it right in my view Leapy. Previously you said about some people stating their rights, overlooking that rights go hand in hand with ‘responsibilities’ and with regard to union demands you only have to remember that when ‘steam traction’' finished in September 1968 the unions wanted the ‘firemen to accompany the driver in diesel and electric locomotives, well that’s progressive thinking for you, well said Mr Lee.

Barry & Pauline Reading Algarrobo

Best seller

MORE like can it get any better... and now we’re probably going to get a part two and round two of the Harry waves all over again. I will say though that I am glad that it is more about him this time rather than Meghan. I just think that some things are better left unsaid or for private conversations and not for the world to know. I can never look or think about Elizabeth Arden ever again. So much for my new Christmas presents... grrr.

Bailie, Coin

Truly selfless

I CAN’T believe that these selfless firefighters who fought the Grenfell Tower blaze are suffering such an awful thing like cancer. Not enough is done for these men and women who put their lives out on the line every day. To think they have saved so many lives just to have this happen. I wish them only the best and if they can recover, a very speedy recovery.

Jeff, Manilva

Electric vehicles

I JUST don’t know what to think about them, they don’t make any noise, I never see any charging ports for them and whenever I am in one it doesn’t have the same feeling as a diesel or unleaded car. I’m not surprised that they have been deemed as unsuitable. I don’t think we are ready for them yet; we don’t have the facilities for them, and the charging stations are also known to be very expensive. I think I will stick with my wee diesel, it has done me the world of good and I have had the car for over 10 years now.

Thanks, Tony

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New Life Church Whether you live in Nerja or are visiting our area, you are very welcome to come and join us at our Sunday gathering. Join us for a time of Holy Spirit led worship and experience the presence of our God. Our teaching is Bible based as we honour God and obey His Word. During this time of uncertainty, God’s Word reminds us that the Gospel shines brightest in times of darkness. Our service lasts for about 1 hour and 30 mins. With Tea and Coffee afterwards. Sunday Service 11.00am; Prayer Meetings Wednesdays 11.00am; Pasaje San Miguel, Nerja, 29780

CHARITY Shop Pocapecunia we need things for the house/kitchen, decoration, vases, plates, cups, saucers, kitchen tools, paintings, pottery pots and pans etc. Prolongacion Avd. Rodgriguez Acosta, Nr the Parador Roundabout, opposite café Trébol, Nerja (294373)

THE ANGLICAN Chaplaincy of Nerja & Almunecar. Every Sunday there is a Holy Communion service at midday in San Miguel church in Nerja. Every Wednesday morning at 9.30 we have an online ‘Zoom’ HC service - please contact Fr Nigel with an e-mail address if you would like to join us. Priest in Charge, Father Nigel Thomas. Tel: Church House - 951 815 736, Mobile: 608 695 756, e-mail: cofenerja@gmail.com

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A Fine Weekend for AC Benhavis!

• EURO WEEKLY NEWS

Walking Football League

Last week saw teams from AC Benahavis severely dent the hopes of league success for Malaga 60s and El Canadon. Both fixtures had to be played at the San Pedro municipal football ground, as the Benahavis home ground was unavailable due to works scheduled at short notice by the local town hall!

• AC Benahavis 50s 6 v 1 El Canadon

From the off, Benahavis attacked with menace and were quickly in front. However, El Canadon dug in and managed to keep the scoreline down to just that single strike in the first half.

In the second half, Benahavis began to exert more control, the goals began to flow and they soon led 4­0, one of the strikes being from a penalty, awarded for four running offences by the opposition. Malaga were then awarded their own penalty for the same of ­

fence but failed to convert.

At 5­0 Malaga did manage to salvage a goal to boost their spirits but the match finally ended in a 6­1 win for a quality Benahavis side, clearly demonstrating their superiority in the game throughout.

• AC Benahavis 60s 2 v 0 Malaga WFC 60s

An experienced Benahavis side took full advantage of the slow start made by their opponents and were 2 ­ 0 to the better by

half time, Malaga having had a goal disallowed because it had been headed, contrary to the rules of the game. In the second half, Malaga tried hard to make an impression, but were hard ­ pressed by a strong Benahavis team and failed to take their chances.

At the final whistle, Benahavis prevented Malaga from narrowing the 2 ­ 0 scoreline and came out deserved winners.

• BAHA Cup

Another Premier manager sacked

FRANK LAMPARD was sacked by Premier League outfit Everton on Monday, January 23. After a dismal first half of the season, the club finds itself languishing just above the relegation zone in 19th spot.

The 44­year­old former England star has been at Goodison Park since replacing Rafa Benitez in late January 2021, having previously been in charge of Chelsea. Lampard performed a small miracle as he steered the Toffees to safety last season when they had looked odds­on to go down to the Championship.

There are still fixtures to be played in the West section of the Cup, which will decide the fourth semi ­ finalist in this season’s competition.

Finally………

If you’d like to see how the game is played, find your nearest club and come along and enjoy! Don’t forget, you can get up ­ to ­ date information about all of our Costa clubs by accessing Facebook walkingfooty.com.

Everton have picked up only one point since the restart after the World Cup, a draw against the reigning champions, Manchester City. They also lost to Manchester United in the FA Cup.

After the 2 ­ 0 defeat at West Ham on Saturday January 21, Lampard’s position really looked untenable. He had a meeting with the club’s majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri and chairman Bill Kenwright. Kevin Thelwell, the club’s director of football, was also present, and it was decided to let the manager go.

A search will now take place to find the next coach but meantime, Leighton Baines ­ who currently looks after the Under 18s ­ will reportedly control the day­to­day matters at Goodison Park, along with Paul Tait, the Under 21 head coach.

BENAHAVIS v EL CANADON: The game was played at the San Pedro football ground.