Costa del Sol 13 – 19 April 2023 Issue 1971

Golden Leaves: Pioneering expertise and reliability with a human touch

The Euro Weekly News travelled to the company’s modern offices in Javea to meet founder Tony Rowland, chairman Steve Rowland and Chief Executive Officer Barry Floyd, to learn the history of how one of only two regulated companies in Spain came into being and how this historic brand earned its cast‐iron reputation for professionalism, quality and innovation.

FIRST, we met the company’s founder Tony Rowland, an avid fundraiser and bowler. In 1974 (whilst already a highly regarded funeral director in South London) one of his many business ambitions was to build a quality brand that would support and care for the needs of both those who unfortunately passed away whilst abroad and for those who wished to plan their future end of life services in advance. It was no surprise when tour operator Intersun asked Tony to repatriate the body of a holidaymaker who died in Mallorca in 1974. He seized the opportunity, dealing directly with the insurance company, the airline and the other parties involved. So efficient was his service that he was soon responsible bringing all deceased Intersun clients home. His reputation for exemplary and compassionate service soon led to other tour operators like Blue Skies and Saga following suit. Gradually he broadened the company’s area of influence and reputation (inspired by US schemes) by developing and launching a new brand promoting prepaid funeral plans throughout the United Kingdom and abroad.

The humble beginnings of Tony’s creation, Golden Leaves, soon became a thing of the past as it launched itself into the sector. It’s evolution at the vanguard of championing best practice throughout United Kingdom and abroad would see it swiftly grow to be recognised as one of most respected brands in the sector. Its reputation for innovation and ‘client first’ business practices preceded it, as the Golden Leaves brand soon became a symbol of quality, reassurance, and dependable compassionate service to tens of thousands of new customers.

As the decades passed, Golden Leaves secured its place amongst the most respected companies in the United Kingdom and Spain by being the ONLY business to have both its Chairman and Managing Director appointed to serve as directors on the board of the Funeral Planning Authority (the UK regulatory body in place at the time). Eventually, as the Financial Conduct Authority moved to bring Funeral plans under their statutory remit and replace the FPA after instructions from HM Treasury and parliament, Golden Leaves were once again at the forefront of discussion and debate with HM Treasury and the FCA, providing essential detail to assist the creation of the new rule book.

On July 29, 2022, all UK funeral plan providers must be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to sell or administer a funeral plan, these also include ANY International funeral plans (those sold in Spain) that can also be utilised in the United Kingdom if desired. Golden Leaves is one of only two companies selling FCA regulated funeral plans across the Spanish mainland and both the Canaries and Balearic Islands.

Next we met Golden Leaves’ Chief Executive Officer, Barry Floyd, who has had a long career with the brand having been managing director for nine years before taking the reigns as Chief Executive Officer. Barry steered the business though its lengthy journey from self‐regulation to gaining full Financial Conduct Authority authorisation.

Barry commented: “The last two years have been a truly gruelling experience. Gaining authorisation from the UK’s statutory regulator is a very long, demanding and often extremely challenging process. Requiring many hundreds of hours hard work from the board, the management team and our regulatory lawyers in addition to a huge number of informational and documentary requirements, even to the point of competence and strategy interviews with the FCA interview panel.

“Consequently, only the best past muster and so when you do eventually emerge on the other side with approval, customers can have concrete trust in the fact that you are a quality professional, financially solid and dependable brand.

“Obviously, this is of paramount importance when a customer is deciding to purchase a funeral plan. Primarily as you need to know the company you are buying from will be around to look after you potentially many years into the future.

“It is common knowledge these days that purchasing a plan from a non FCA regulated planning company, leaves you seriously open to losing all of your money.”

Finally, we were also joined by company Chairman Steve Rowland, who sets the company’s ethos and ensures that the executive board operates correctly. However, like Barry, Steve is passionate about the social aspects of the service and being of assistance to those who have lost loved ones with the Rowland Brothers Foundation, which provides free bereavement counselling. Like his father, who has received an MBE for his incredible work raising funds for good causes, he works diligently to ensure that the Company is always customer focused first and that the quality of support is exemplary.

At the end of the day, what could be more reassuring than knowing that a brand like Golden Leaves and its dedicated staff, with decades of experience, will be there to look after you and your loved ones during the most stressful of times?

Emma Quantrill and Tony Rowland

Steve Rowland

Barry Floyd Tony Rowland

EASTER SUCCESS

THIS Easter Week was the most successful ever as far as number of visitors and money spent according to the Junta de Andalucia.

It revealed on April 11 that a report from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport concerning tourism figures for the Holy Week saw the whole of Andalucia receive more than one million visitors who generated income for the community of around €403 million which places this recent holiday season as the best ever.

Compared to last year, there has been a 15 per cent increase in visitors and an increase in the average amount spent of 27 per cent and the improvement in income is not only

thanks to the increased numbers but the fact the average stay was half a day longer than in the past, generating an estimated extra €76.94 per visitor.

The amount spent, saw the ‘lion’s share’ collected by restaurants and bars at 45.6 per cent, whist 24.7 per cent was spent on accommodation and 5.3 per cent on general purchases.

As far as hotels are concerned, the greatest number of stays took place in coastal resorts and as far as Malaga Province is concerned, there was a very acceptable 81.4 per cent occupation rate which was beaten only by Sevilla.

INCREASE IN VISITORS: Easter crowds thronged Marbella streets.

Credit: Ayuntamiento de Marbella

Making a splash

THE Pool Marbella, a brand new international business and co‐working centre, is set to open its doors, and the opening cocktail evening on Thursday, May 4 promises to be an event to remember.

This exciting project has been in the works for an entire year, developing a space adapted to the changing world of business after the pandem‐ic, and it’s now time to open.

The Pool is not just a place to work but a space for collab‐oration, innovation, and net‐working, providing a valuable resource for the tech‐savvy entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators in the area.

The opening cocktail evening will take place at 7.30pm on the first floor of El Capricho Shopping Centre, and you’re invited to be a part of it!

The venue, the iconic Corte Inglés building in the heart of Marbella, is the perfect loca‐tion for the new coworking space. Guests will have the op‐portunity to meet like‐minded

professionals and learn more about how The Pool can sup‐port their personal business endeavours.

To attend the exciting open‐

ing event, interested guests are invited to contact Marie‐Noëlle by phone at 647 536 005 or via email at directora @mncomunicacion.com

THE sixth edition of the night race ‘Marberun’ expects around 600 participants. It is a benefit event for Aspan‐dem, the non‐profit associa‐tion that supports adults and children with disabili‐ties, and it will have circuits for adults and children. It will take place on Saturday, April 15 in Puerto Banus.

The Sports councillor Manuel Cardeña presented the event and advised the starting place is on Calle José Saramago next to Plaza An‐tonio Banderas.

The president of Aspan‐dem, María José Morales

said “We are resuming this activity after a few years complicated by the pandem‐ic. It is an event with which we want our citizens to share moments with us and we aim to raise funds in or‐der to maintain our care.”

The race for children be‐gins at 8pm and the adult

‘Marberun’ Night Race Skating the streets

race begins at 9pm, they will run 10 kilometres. You can register as an adult for €10 and children for €6 online at http://www.global ‐tempo.com/carreras.php?id =2036. For more informa ‐tion check out www.mar berun.org.

BENALMADENA hosts the 13th edition of their ‘Skate in the Street’ event. It will take place on three different days over the next couple of months. The first is Friday, April 14, then again on May 12, and finally on June 9. The event will be held in Arroyo de la Miel on these three dates.

The town closes the Avenida de la Constitución so anyone who wants, regardless of age or experience, can get out and skate without having to worry about the traffic. This Friday the traffic will be cut from this street and Calle Las Flores from 7.45 pm.

ESTEPONA’S Mirador del Carmen Exhibition Centre is now hosting the Living in Painting exhibition.

The exhibition offers 46 pieces that take a tour of Spanish painting over more than 100 years of history. Living in Painting covers the last decades of the 19th century all the way up to the first decades of the 21st century.

The exhibition reflects the interests of Carmen Thyssen ‐ Bornemisza as an art collector, who since the 1990s has been acquiring outstanding works by Old Masters, American painting and 20th ‐ century avant ‐garde but, above all, 19th‐century Spanish, Andalucian and Catalan paintings.

The exhibition centre is open from Tuesday to Sun ‐day, from 10.00am until 2.00pm and from 4.00pm until 8.00pm.

The Living in Painting exhibition can be visited until September 25 at Avenida de Espana, 290, CP 29680 Es‐tepona.

The Pool provides a variety of specialised co-working spaces.

Nonagram 69

UNFORTUNATELY there was a small error in the Nonagram puzzle in Edition 1969 where the wrong letter was shown in the text and the centre of the puzzle. The correct letter should have been D. Apologies to all those who struggled to find the correct solution.

Designer abode

DOLCE & GABBANA has chosen Marbella to make its first foray into the luxury real estate market. The Italian fashion brand and Sierra Blanca Estates have an‐nounced an agreement to build a residential, commer‐cial and restaurant project on the Golden Mile.

Leaking boat

A 35-YEAR-OLD man was rescued off the coast of Es‐tepona. Trying to hold on to a floating object the man was sighted by a private boat. Once safe, the man confirmed he’d travelled for two days from Morocco in a small blue inflatable boat that ended up leaking.

Urban furniture

MARBELLA y San Pedro Al‐cantara has launched, with a view to summer and the ar‐rival of good weather, a plan to modernise and expand ur‐ban furniture in the munici‐pal area that includes the in‐corporation of 500 units of planters, benches and chairs.

El Pinillo

WORK is set to begin on the coastal park next to El Pinillo Beach in Torremolinos. The works have a budget of €2.4M and an eight‐month deadline. When completed the Parque del Mediterra‐neo will have an area of about 50,000 square metres.

New park

THE residents of Alhaurin el Grande can now enjoy the new Periurbano Park. The land, located in Urique in the Malaga Province, was one of the areas that were affected by the fire last summer.

JUST opened! Istan, Malaga, now has two great tourist attractions to extol the en‐joyment of the natural land‐scapes that surround the town.

It is a large swing, with a wooden structure, from which you can see the iconic La Concepcion reservoir; and a giant bench overlook‐ing the town.

The bench is four metres wide, with the seat at 1.30 metres high and the back‐rest at 2.30. Given its dimen‐sions, the town hall of this town of 1,500 inhabitants has installed wooden steps to facilitate its use.

Biggest in Spain

nel, and the seat has a safe‐ty anchorage system to pre‐vent falls.

Both the swing and the bench, due to their size, are among the largest in Spain.

YOUR

123 STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

For its part, the swing ris‐es, in its highest part, to 7.8 metres. The structure, made

THE Miramar Shopping Centre in Fuen‐girola, one of the largest shopping centres on the Costa del Sol, has reopened three of its stores after carrying out a complete re‐furbishment of each. Massimo Dutti, De‐ichmann, and Ckika 10 are the three stores that have reopened with new innovative designs. Massimo Dutti now has a larger more minimalist design that includes their exclusive Studio Collection.

of wooden logs, has been made by municipal person‐

In addition, due to their location, they result in one of the great charms of Panocha town, which is lo‐cated among the mountain‐ous landscapes of the Sierra de las Nieves National Park, but also just 15 kilometres from the coast.

Shopping centre reopens

The reforms were not just for an aes‐thetic purpose but also to improve the sus‐tainability of the centre and to improve the customer journey by introducing new technology that will improve the customer experience. The Miramar centre has re‐duced electricity consumption by 30 per

cent and water consumption by 40 per cent. They have introduced services such as Shop&Go, e‐ticket, in‐store booking through an app, etc. They also organise events, contests, and activities to promote customer participa‐tion to promote positive experiences.

Ladies only Cycle tourism

MIJAS is looking forward to its second edition of the Ruta del Sol Elite for wom‐en.

The councillor for Sports, Andres Ruiz, valued the race as a great “opportuni‐ty for Mijas to be recog ‐nised outside our borders.

“Last year, in spite of the weather conditions, the level of women’s cycling was demonstrated.”

International Residents Day

ESTEPONA is holding its 18th International Resi‐dents Day on Saturday, April 15 at the Parque El Calvario from 12pm until 7.30pm. They expect res‐idents from 20 different countries to participate. The event will feature a total of 18 exhibitors from different interna ‐tional groups showing traditional products from their countries.

BIKERS will be pleased to hear that Benalmadena is set to con‐struct a new Bike‐Park on Mount Calamorro.

The new construction is expected to make Benalmadena an Andalucian reference point for cycle tourism.

The mayor, Víctor Navas, confirmed: “We want to promote cycle tourism in Benalmadena and the construction of the bike park on Mount Calamorro will project the town as a destina‐tion that offers a unique experience in this sense.

“We have a mountain range with enormous charm and at‐traction, a cable car that allows us to climb to the top in a mo‐ment and a bike‐park project that we have been working on for many years, which takes advantage of the network of trails on the mountain to offer cyclists the enjoyment of the de‐scent,” he explained.

The mayor added: “It is an activity that will boost tourism in Benalmadena during the mid‐low season, from October to April, as well as diversifying our tourist offer and helping to break the seasonality.”

Enrique Gonzalez, from the organisers, Deporinter, said: “The event will be held from May 31 to June 4 with different stages in Andalucia.

“We start in Jaen, then Granada, passing through Malaga and finishing in Cadiz.

“We have four World Tour teams, like UAE, and the rest from different continental and continen‐tal Pro countries.”

Enqrique added: “The media coverage will be represented by all the TV

channels worldwide. We have live broadcasting on TVE and Canal Sur as well as Eurosport which broad‐casts to 180 countries.

“Twenty‐three countries will be represented among the teams from Switzer ‐land, France, Italy, Norway and Australia, demonstrat‐ing the high level of the event.”

There will be live mu‐sic, flamenco dancing, Salsa dancing, line danc‐ing, traditional Irish mu‐sic, and a Neil Diamond tribute act. You will have the chance to taste the typical cuisine from a number of countries like Ireland, Italy, France, Ukraine, Mexico, the United States, and many more. You can also pur‐chase some handcrafted artisan products from each of the participating countries.

The town hall an ‐nounced the event on Monday, April 10.

The Euro Weekly News

always keep it that way.

BENALMADENA: Set to build a new bike park.

Image: Benalmadena Town Council

Biggest in Spain

Image: Istan Town Council

Dreamy days out

DONKEY Dreamland Rescue Centre in Mijas is preparing for two exciting events that are sure to thrill animal lovers!

On Sunday, April 23, visi‐tors are invited to enjoy a re‐laxed afternoon in the com‐pany of Donkey Dreamland’s friendly donkeys while enjoy‐ing soothing tunes played by local musician Nico, which are also hits with the donkeys!

A €15 donation per person will cover drinks, some healthy tapas, and a unique opportunity to interact with

the adorable animals that the sanctuary lovingly cares for. Those interested in attending are encouraged to reserve their spot in advance at www.donkeydreamland.com

/events

Donkey Dreamland is also offering an exclusive ‘Full Moon Donkey Walk’ on Fri‐day, May 5. Guests will enjoy a peaceful stroll through the hills behind La Cala while the sun sets and the full moon ris‐es. During the unforgettable experience, guests will also get to walk alongside the

PROVERB OF THE WEEK

Easter Parade Eggstravaganza

sanctuary’s charming don‐keys and volunteers as they take in stunning views. For a €15 donation per per‐son, guests will also receive a refreshing drink and healthy tapas picnic snack. The event begins at 7pm sharp in their Mijas sanctuary. Reservations can also be made online at: www.donkeydreamland.com

/experiences.

Donkey Dreamland Rescue Centre is dedicated to rescu‐ing and rehabilitating don‐keys that have been neglect‐ed, abused or abandoned.

MORE than 70 enthusiastic participants joined in on the fun for Anne Bowles’ annual Easter Parade at Bar Tuta in Mijas on Sunday, April 9. This year’s charity of choice was the La Cala Lions Diabetic Support Group as the event turned 30.

From musical bingo to tricky quizzes with Graham and hilarious jokes from MC John, the parade was a fabu‐lous party. The event raised a whopping €700 for the chari‐ty thanks to the raffle, auc‐tion, and guess‐the‐name‐of‐the ‐ massive ‐ teddy ‐ bear game.

But what stole the show were the dazzling Easter bon‐nets, with plenty of partici‐pants getting stuck in includ‐ing three men and several lovely girls. The Lions Presi‐dent, Wynson Beswick, had the tough job of judging the competition, with the top spot going to Jo.

Guests enjoyed a delightful afternoon, and hot cross buns were the perfect finish‐ing touch to the fun ‐ filled event.

Organiser Anne Bowles thanked Avalon Funeral Plans and Ibex for their kind spon‐sorship and the help of Lions and friends who ensured that the Easter Parade was a roar‐

Risk of fire

THE Torremolinos Council has announced that as the risk of fire has moved from low to medium, it received an in‐struction from the Junta de Andalucia on Tuesday April 11 to ban the use of barbecues in forest areas.

This is because the recent lack of rain and current rise in temperatures have forced the Junta to make this deci‐sion as part of its forest fire prevention strategy, which will also cancel authorisations for agricultural burning.

The ban on barbecues applies for rest areas on the road network, recreational and camping areas and in ‐deed anywhere where there is a risk of starting a forest fire.

ing success. Anne has organ‐ised the popular event for the last 30 years along with her late husband, Frank.

Guests boasted an array of fabulous Easter bonnets.

Photo credit: Anne Bowles (via email)

28% of white collar workers’ time is spent dealing with emails.

“The quiet sow eats the food of the grunting one.”

This is a medieval proverb meaning, whilst you’re busy complaining about your lot, someone else will have enjoyed it.

UK budget abolishes pensions lifetime allowance

The main tax changes announced in the UK spring 2023 budget related to pensions. The predicted rise from £40,000 to £60,000 in the annual tax-free has now been confirmed, with the big surprise being the scrapping of the lifetime allowance (LTA).

First introduced by Gordan Brown in 2006 to bring in more tax from society’s wealthiest, the lifetime allowance was significantly reduced over recent years and arguably disincentivised pension saving.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is hoping that abolishing it will help retain the senior workforce within the NHS and tempt some to return.

What do these changes to pensions mean?

With the lifetime allowance in place, anyone whose pension funds (excluding state pension) amount or grow to over £1,073,100 (unprotected LTA) would have to pay additional tax penalties of 55% for lump sums or

By Kelman

25% for income or overseas transfers. As of 6 April 2023, however, the LTA tax rate will effectively reduce to zero before being scrapped entirely in the 2024 Finance Bill.

Other pension changes effective from 6 April 2023 include:

The Annual Allowance for pension contributions increases from £40,000 to £60,000 and the Money Purchase Annual Allowance and minimum Tapered Annual Allowance from £4,000 to £10,000. The adjusted income

threshold for the Tapered Annual Allowance also increases from £240,000 to £260,000.

The maximum Pension Commencement Lump Sum for those without protections is retained at £268,275 and frozen for those without protections thereafter.

Do you need to act now?

For many people who have pension funds above £1 million (or likely to swiftly exceed it) there may be options to transfer to a suitable alternative pension scheme depending on their personal situation. It’s worth seeking specialist, regulated advice to look at your situation now. Pension transfers can take several months and the clock is ticking towards the next UK general election which must be held by 24 January 2025, and which may well see things change radically.

Following the budget, Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated the move was “ the wrong priority, at the wrong time, for the wrong people” and that “a Labour govern-

ment will reverse this move”. Recent poll numbers suggest that Labour could very well form the next UK government.

The reinstatement of the lifetime allowance on pensions is certainly not guaranteed, but given that senior members of a political party that could win the election made a definitive statement that could easily belong to an election manifesto, the possibility should not be ignored.

Other budget changes

The starting rate for savings will be frozen at £5,000, enabling individuals with less than £17,570 in employment income to receive up to £5,000 of savings income free of tax. Annual ISA subscription limits remain unchanged.

The government will formalise and extend an existing income tax concession for low-income trusts and estates. Calculations and reporting will become more straightforward and HMRC intends to amend inheritance tax regulations to remove non-taxpaying trusts from reporting requirements.

The various income tax allowances and the National Insurance contributions thresholds remain frozen until April 2028, and the additional rate threshold reduced to £125,140.

The two inheritance tax nil rate bands also remain frozen until 2028, and the cuts to the capital gains tax exemption threshold and the dividend allowance, announced in the Autumn Statement, go ahead as planned.

Take personalised advice to ensure your tax planning is up to date, both for the UK and Spain, and to full benefit from any positive tax reforms.

Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; individuals should seek personalised advice.

Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www.blevinsfranks.com.

Chambers, Partner, Blevins Franks

THE Real Club de Golf La Brisas recently hosted the 24th edition of the ‘Pro‐Am Memorial Sebastián de Miguel’, a moving charity event in aid of local cancer care charity, Cudeca.

The tournament was played over two days with a practice day beforehand, al‐lowing competitors to bring their ‘A’ game to the green. The course was also in excel‐lent condition and delightful weather ensured players were able to showcase their skills.

The tournament had teams of one professional and three amateurs. Prizes were award‐ed to the best performers in various categories.

This unforgettable experi‐ence was made possible by the support of several spon‐sors, including Reale Seguros, Galpe Agencia de Seguros, Helicópteros Sanitarios, Inter‐national Marbella and Grupo Riversa. During the tourna‐ment, €5,000 was donated to Cudeca.

The money will go towards supporting the foundation’s vital work, which includes home care, day care, rehabili‐tation, counselling, and out‐patient consultation. Cudeca attends to the needs of ad‐vanced stage disease patients with personalised, round‐the‐clock care provided by spe‐cialised teams.

The tournament was a huge success, bringing golfers together for a good cause and raising funds for a charity that provides essential care to people in need.

Trade Awards

FIFTEEN businesses from the old town and the western district of Marbella were ac‐knowledged on Tuesday, April 11. The mayor Angeles Muñoz presented the repre‐sentatives of these business‐es with Trade Awards at the Royal Hospital of Mercy.

The mayor highlighted “It is a tribute with which we want to recognise the en ‐trepreneurs who continue to contribute to the interna‐tional projection of Marbel‐la.” They also acknowledged how proud they are of all the businesses in the area saying the service they offer is outstanding even more so after a Semana Santa that saw occupancy rates back to pre‐pandemic figures.

Greens for good

Hopping into spring

THE American International Club of Marbella sprung into the new season with a delightful Easter luncheon on Sunday, April 9. The event was organised by Lucca Movaldi and coordinated by Milagros Hoffenmeir at the beautiful Garum restaurant on the city’s Paseo Marítimo.

Guests were treated to an incredible culinary expe‐rience and enjoyed a fun‐filled bonnet and hat con‐test. The competition was a blast, with many creative entries, but the first prizes went to Milagros Hoffen‐meir, Sue Seabury, Jo Nelson, and Alfonso Hervás for their incredible creations.

The American International Club of Marbella has been a positive force in the community for years, bringing Americans and international members to‐gether for good causes in Marbella and surrounding cities. “We’re thrilled with the turnout,” said Lucca Movaldi, President of the Club. “Our goal is to keep creating amazing events that celebrate diversity and bring people together.”

After the success of their Easter event, members of the club are already eagerly anticipating the next event! For more information about the club and its plans, send an email to: aif2018@hotmail.com.

Spanish team in Marbella

THE Spanish International Women’s Tennis Club is training in Marbella ahead of their next match in the Billie Jean King Cup.

The team led by captain Anabel Medina takes on Mexico this Friday and Saturday at the Puente Ro ‐mano Tennis Club. Anabel has announced ahead of this match that “the objective is to win the Billie Jean King Cup again.

“We won it five times. We are number three in the ranking and we have to be ambitious. We have to get the best possible result, but we are aware that all the qualifying rounds are difficult.” Spain is the clear favourite to win the competition.

Esther Ráez accepted a cheque worth €5,000 for Cudeca.

Photo credit: Cudeca (via email)

Most expensive address

Dedicated volunteers recognised

AGE CONCERN has praised its volun‐teers for their hard work, dedicating a lunch event to celebrate their contri‐butions. The charity’s event at YaYa in Fuengirola, Puerto Deportivo, on Thursday, April 6 recognised the im‐pact of the volunteers on the local community.

unteer numbers, but numbers are in‐creasing again.

Christine Derecourt, Volunteer Manager, said the event was a great success, adding, “Everyone enjoyed being able to meet up, share experi‐ences, and celebrate being volunteers in our community.”

THE top 10 most expensive areas to live in Spain have been released and two of them are right here on the Costa del Sol. La Malagueta came in fifth place in the ranking priced at €5,500 per square metre. Marbella was also in the top 10 of course setting you back €5,000 per square metre if you would like to live in this chic neigh‐bourhood.

Top of the list in first place as you would expect is Calle Serrano in Madrid, the most exclusive street in Madrid with the price per square metre at €11,400. Followed

by Paseo de Gracia in Barcelona costing €9,915 and then three areas in the north of Spain, one in San Sebastian and another in the Basque country in Bilbao costing €8,040 and €5,780 per square metre respec ‐tively. And the third in San‐tander at €5,115. Another coastal region with three areas in Valencia in the top 10 costing €5,250 per square metre. And last‐ly, the Paseo Marítimo de Palma de Mallorca where a property will cost you around €4,950 per square metre.

Jai Northover also performed at the event, thanking the volunteers for their hard work with a fantastic musi‐cal set. Dedicated volunteers who give their time for a variety of different ser‐vices offered by the charity enjoyed a delicious lunch and socialised with like‐minded volunteers.

Michelle Greenwood, Volunteer Events & Fundraising Manager, praised the volunteers, saying that the pandemic had a severe impact on vol‐

Age Concern has many opportuni‐ties for people from all walks of life to contribute a few hours to their local community, from working in their charity shop, driving, interpreting, to supporting their expanding welfare team that offers vital support and ad‐vice to those who need it.

The charity is encouraging more volunteers to get involved, anyone in‐terested can contact Christine: 711 019 711.

International athletes on the Costa

AROUND 620 international athletes have chosen to train in the sporting facili‐ties in Torremolinos during the month of April. The popular town can expect five football teams, 14 swimming teams, and 14 athletics teams.

The teams will travel from Britain, Germany, France, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Switzer‐land, Estonia, and Slo ‐vakia.

The swimming teams will train at the Virgen del Carmen III swimming pool,

the largest swimming team coming from Britain. The athletics teams will use the Cuidad de Torre ‐molinos sports stadium. The football teams will train on the José Miguel González Rey ‘Josemi’ pitch.

With so many sports ‐people travelling and training along the coast, it really supports the towns in the low season helping the economy all year round. The area hosted 820 athletes in the month of March.

CHIC NEIGHBOURHOOD: Puerto Banus, Marbella.

Age Concern thanked their dedicated volunteers with a lunch.

THE highly awaited annual festival dedicated to music and the Spanish guitar, Ronda International Guitar Festival, is on its way to the Costa del Sol. The seventh edition of the festival will be held be‐tween June 6 and 10.

The event will feature renowned artists from Spain, Denmark, Italy, Croatia, Mon‐tenegro, France, Portugal and Albania offering different mu‐sical genres. The festival strives to highlight the versa‐tility and diversity of styles that the guitar embraces: clas‐sical, romantic, flamenco, jazz and contemporary.

Concerts will be performed at the Convento de Santo Domingo which is a unique

space in the heart of the his‐torical old town of Ronda.

Concerts will take place be‐tween Tuesday June 6 and Saturday June 10. Matinee shows begin at midday whilst the evening concerts will commence at 8.00pm.

Tickets can be purchased

Guitar Festival Otterly lovely

online at rondaguitarfestival. com, the Tourist Office in the Plaza de Blas Infante or from the Santa Domingo Convent during festival days. For more information head to the website rondaguitar festival.com or call (+34) 660 280 720.

SEA LIFE Benalmadena has expanded its family with a new specimen of the otter. The otter is a male Asian short‐ clawed otter which has a high level of international protection.

The specimen of otter that is incorporat‐ed into the Costa del Sol Aquarium comes from the Beauval Zoo, in France, where they have a breeding programme for this species.

The new otter was born there on July 6 in 2019, so he will be four years old while living on the Costa del Sol.

The Asian short‐clawed otter, with a to‐tal body length of 85 cm, is the smallest ot‐ter species in the world.

It lives in fluvial, freshwater, wetland and mangrove habitats. It feeds on molluscs, crabs and other small aquatic animals.

They live in pairs or are also observed in family groups of up to 12 individuals.

The breed is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and is threatened by habitat loss, pollution, and in some ar‐eas, hunting as well.

€23 Million to toll roads

THE government has an‐nounced it will give €23 million to toll motorways in an at‐tempt to control the price. The Spanish motorways increased the price to use their toll roads by 4 per cent in 2023 but the increase should have been 8.4 per cent. The initially planned increase of 8.4 per cent was, according to the Ministry, from the war in Ukraine to ‘help citi‐zens to face the current sce‐nario of high energy prices, de‐rived from the continued conflict in Ukraine after the Russian invasion, which espe‐cially affects the disposable in‐come of households.’

And so, the Royal Decree‐Law approved on Tuesday in the Ministry of Transport, Mo‐bility, and Urban Agenda pledged €23.3 million to con‐

tain the tariffs to a 4 per cent increase for the users of the following motorways: AP‐51, AAP‐61, AP‐53, AP‐

66, AP‐7 Alicante‐Cartagena, AP‐7 Málaga‐Guardiaro, AP‐68, AP‐71, AP‐9,AP‐6 and AP‐46.

Serving up hot topics

MARBELLA’S mayor, Ánge‐les Muñoz, is inviting all for‐eign residents to a breakfast meeting on Friday, April 14, at 9.30 am at the Beach House Restaurant.

The event aims to keep residents informed about current and future develop‐ments in the city, as well as updates on the Brexit 90‐day rule and changes to wealth tax rules, which will be ex‐plained by tax experts from UHY Fay & Co.

Marbella’s foreign resi‐dents play a vital role in the community and the city’s fu‐ture, and the mayor is keen to have them be a part of it. The event will include a question and answer session with both the mayor and the tax experts.

To join the mayor for breakfast, those interested are asked to register online at: https://www.beach housemarbella.com/reser vations.

SPANISH GUITAR: The event will feature renowned artists.

Image: Marcin Krzyzak / Shutterstock.com

Threatening to shoot planes

AS reported by the National Police, a 46‐year‐old woman was arrested in Malaga on suspicion of an alleged crime of public disorder. The de‐tainee allegedly telephoned the Aena security department at the Costa del Sol‐Malaga airport threatening to shoot down planes if air traffic did not cease.

Aena immediately informed the police force about an al‐

leged threat that had been made against the facility. Ap‐parently, the caller claimed to have enough firepower to take down the planes and warned that if air traffic in the area did not cease, she would start shooting them down.

The incident occurred on April 3 at 11am at which point a Level 4 anti‐terrorist alert was initiated. Malaga Airport police were placed on high

A New project

THE government team of Marbella have now approved in the Local Board to initiate the plan to allocate more than 100,000 square metres to educational and commercial facilities in Bello Horizonte. The area, which is located east of Marbella, will include green areas, cafes, super‐markets, and pharmacies among others.

The mayor of Marbella María Angeles Muñoz said “Having supermarkets, a pharmacy, cafes, and green areas is something that was required and highly demanded by the residents.” They plan to have the work completed and available to the public by 2024. The facilities will be locat‐ed on land that needs to be transferred in ad‐vance by three different owners. The mayor is certain that this will happen without issues and the work can then commence.

alert, along with the Provincial Information Brigade, as report‐ed by a news source.

After several enquiries, po‐lice officers managed to fully identify the person who made the call and the threats. She was located and arrested a few hours later as the alleged perpetrator of a crime of pub‐lic disorder, and the appropri‐ate police proceedings were instituted.

Sample trips

CONTINUING to encourage promotion of the Costa del Sol as a fantastic visitor destination, Turismo Costa del Sol arranged several famil‐iarisation trips for travel agents, writers and influencers to sample the local delights.

In the year that commemorates the 50th anniversary of Picasso’s death, they were tak‐en to the Picasso Museum and toured Mala‐ga City whilst learning more about the histori‐cal and artistic heritage of Antequera up close, as well as the Caminito del Rey.

Starting in June, United Airlines will link Malaga and New York with three weekly flights in each direction and in order to pro‐mote this route, the airline is carrying out var‐ious promotional actions to encourage Amer‐ican travellers to visit the Costa del Sol.

Mobile app for free travel

AS announced on Friday, April 7, by Fuengirola Town Hall, the Citizen Card mobile application to travel for free on the Fuengirola urban bus ser ‐vice will come into service on April 10 for Android devices. From April 25, it will also be possible to use it on ter ‐minals that use the iOS operating sys‐tem on an iPhone.

Any resident of the Malaga munici ‐pality will be able to collect the phys‐ical Citizen Cards in up to four munic‐ipal offices, with or without a prior appointment, from April 17.

If a user cannot prove they are reg ‐

istered in Fuengirola, either with the aforementioned app or the Citizen Card, then they must pay the price of the ticket. All the information can be found on the website www.tarjetaci udadanafuengirola.com.

In both cases, the registration pro ‐cess is simple. It is only necessary to provide the DNI and the date of birth, so that the app identifies if the user is registered or not. Then, fill in the rest of the data and generate the QR code with which to access the bus immediately. This process is com ‐pletely free.

Urban bus in Fuengirola.

FUENGIROLA is putting the last touches on preparations for a running race, the ‘Urban Running Circuit’ which is set to take place on Sunday, April 16.

The course will take runners on a thrilling 5.7 kilometre tour from the Recinto Ferial, of‐fering participants a unique experience to ex‐plore the beautiful natural environment along the coast while enjoying a day of healthy com‐petition.

The event is open to everyone, including children, with registration fees set at €4 for adults and €3 for children. Those who missed the deadline for online registration can still se‐cure their spot by registering on the day of the

BENALMADENA is set to come alive as it hosts the third edition of the Theatre and Musicals Festival, from Thurs‐day, July 20 to Saturday, Au‐gust 12 at the Benalmadena Municipal Auditorium. The festival showcases the best musical theatre performances from Madrid’s Gran Vía.

This year’s event has a di‐verse line‐up of high‐quality productions, including ‘Peter El Musical’, ‘Origen’ by El Mago Yunke, ‘El Gran Circo Acrobáti‐co de China’, the comedies ‘Vi‐aje con nosotros’ and ‘El crédi‐to’, as well as a musical recital, entitled ‘Div@s’.

The shows will be per‐

On your marks

race for a fee of €5.

“We’ve been hosting the Urban Running Circuit in Fuengirola for many years, and we’re always excited to see so many people of all ages and backgrounds come together for a morning of sports and fun,” said Maria Hernández, the councillor for Sports. “The first race took place in Carvajal, and the second one was held in March around the Fluvial Park and Sohail Castle. This time, we’re exploring the Recinto Ferial area, which promises to be a fantastic experience for everyone.”

Summer of culture

formed outdoors in the reno‐vated auditorium, which now boasts a 12x10 metre stage. The festival aims to establish it‐self as a major summer event

Tragedy in Torremolinos

in Spain and attract visitors from all over the world.

Among the highlights of this year’s festival is ‘Peter El Musi‐cal’, a new production of the timeless classic, Peter Pan. The show promises to transport audiences to the magical world of Neverland with the latest in theatre technology, acrobats, and stunning dancers.

Another highlight will be ‘El Gran Circo Acrobático de Chi‐na’, a breathtaking display of acrobatics by one of the world’s most famous circus troupes.

THE Malaga town of Torremolinos and particularly its football club were in mourning on Friday, April 7, after learning of the death of 17‐year‐old Diego Fumero. The teenager was a member of the Juven‐tud de Torremolinos’ Juvenil A team in the town.

His passing was announced through the Malaga club’s social media networks. Diego was a native of Tenerife in the Ca‐nary Islands and had been studying crimi‐nology in Malaga.

“Today is a very sad day for our club. Our Juvenil A player, Diego Fumero, has passed away, having recently joined the

club after coming to study in Malaga from Tenerife. May he rest in peace,” read the post from the club’s President. The club announced that its players will wear black armbands in its next league match as a sign of respect for their late player.

Social media has been flooded with messages of condolences and support for Diego and his family. Margarita del Cid, the Mayoress of Torremolinos was one of the first to pay tribute to the young man.

She wrote: “My sincere condolences on behalf of the government team for such a painful loss for his family, friends and for our Torremolinos Youth. Rest in Peace.”

Diego Fumero. Credit: Twitter@JTorremolinosCF

40% of what British consumers spend on dining out is spent on Sundays.

ADRIÁN BARBÓN, the President of the Principality of Asturias, reported on Monday, April 10, that five complaints will be filed about five individuals identified as allegedly responsible for some of the forest fires that have affected Asturias recently.

He was speaking after participating in the meeting of

the advisory and management committee of the Emergency Civil Protection Plan for Forest Fires of the Principality of Asturias (Infopa). Barbón indicated that there is also another line of investigation that could affect at least another 10 suspects, although this is still in an early phase.

This latest wave of fires represents an “attack against Asturias” the President insisted, in which there is “clearly” an intention. These fires, he continued, “mark a before and after” in government policies, with aspects from which they should “humbly learn” such as improving the defence of towns.

5 identified for fires Andalucia card discount

NEW fares for the Andalucian consortia network card came into force on Monday, April 10. It was applied after the consortia’s board of directors approved an increase from 50 to 60 per cent in discounts on public transport fares. The network is made up of the metropolitan areas of the eight provincial capitals plus the region of Campo de Gibraltar.

According to a press release, this new discount is carried out with the use of the card on buses, metros and trams in the Bay of Cadiz in compliance with the Social and Economic Pact for the Promotion of Andalucia. It is an agreement signed between the Andalucian Regional Government, the Andalusian Confederation of Employers (CEA), UGT­A, and CCOO­A.

From January 2023, an additional 50 per cent discount was applied to public transport through season tickets and multi­journey cards (Consortium card and Youth Transport Card).

The new fares have already been applied to the three Andalucian metro passes since April 1.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Now even cheaper.

Credit: Junta de Andalucia

Betty Henderson RESIDENTS in Albox are warning others about a father and son who allegedly swindled hundreds of euros from local businesses and individuals, taking advantage of the community's kindness.

The pair arrived in the town claiming to be divorcees in need of a fresh start and established relationships with sympathetic locals who offered assistance. However, it later emerged that the men borrowed money from kindhearted members of the community without any intention of paying it back.

Kindness exploited

Sums of money borrowed are said to range from approximately €200 to €800, while the pair also reportedly have outstanding bills with local bars. At least three denuncias (complaints) have been made to the police, one of which the Euro Weekly News has had sight of.

Tenerife and Turre. Local resident, John Hillen explained “We are doing this to warn others and to put a stop to their activities if we can.”

While the allegations against the pair have yet to be proven, those affected are warning others to be cautious and have informed the appropriate authorities. The pair allegedly drove a Nissan Niro car with the registration plate PN70 NGZ.

Four-day working week

Residents are being warned to keep an eye out for two scammers who allegedly operated in the Albox region.

Investigations by local residents suggest that these individuals may have a history of similar fraudulent activities in other locations including

Dutch drug domination

IN an unexpected turn the Netherlands and Belgium have overtaken Spain as the primary gateway for cocaine entering Europe, with cartels using Mexican cartel techniques to control the market.

The news announced in an United Nations report on drugs (UNODC) on Friday, April 7 also revealed that these cartels have become so powerful that they have even displaced Spain as the main hub for drug trafficking in Europe.

Recent reports suggest that several cartels are taking over the drug markets in the Netherlands and Belgium and are now producing more and more methamphetamine locally. The availability of cocaine in Europe has increased dramatically over the past decade, with Holland and Belgium now being the key players in the trade.

The rise in prominence of these ports has been linked to their location in the

North Sea, which have seen a surge in trafficking activity. According to the UNODC report, Albanian gangs controlling the drug market in the southeast of the UK are also supplied by Dutch ports.

The days of Spain being the primary entry point for cocaine into Europe are now a thing of the past, as the Netherlands and Belgium have taken over the illicit industry.

STARTING on Monday, April 10, the city of Valencia began experimenting with the four­day working week. It coincides with three consecutive bank holiday Mondays after moving a holiday from January to this current month.

In a pilot project promoted by the city council, its objective is to test the impact of the application in the city of a four­day working week. It will analyse the subsequent consequences on productivity, leisure, mobility, the economy, and the health of the people involved in working 32 hours a week.

The scheme spans the four weeks of April 10, which includes Easter Monday, and April 17, which has the San Vicente Ferrer holiday. It also includes April 24, which becomes a holiday replacing January 22’s San Vicente Mártin celebration, and May 1, which is Labour Day in Spain.

Once the four weeks have ended, the city council’s Las Naves innovation centre will evaluate the results in order to have the conclusions of this test prepared by July 20.

Similar experiments have recently been conducted in other countries, including Lithuania, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Germany, Sweden, Iceland, Portugal and Japan.

Photo credit: Maura Hillen (via email)

Nao Victoria visits

EXPERIENCE a piece of history when the Nao Victoria visits Mar‐bella from April 21 until 23. The Nao Victoria is a replica of the ship that between 1519‐1522 made the First Tour of the World, the greatest maritime feat of all time. For the first time in history, a ship, which left and returned from the port of Sevilla captained by Juan Sebastian Elcano, managed to circle the planet.

The visit to Nao Victoria consists of a self‐guided tour of the three decks through which you can discover the historical and social context that led to the greatest maritime feat in the history of navigation. The replica offers different areas of the ship where you can talk to the crew who live as sailors did 500 years ago. This is undoubtedly, a unique opportunity to relive history.

The Nao Victoria can be visited in La Bajadilla Marina from 10.00am until 8.30pm.

For more information, head to the website: /www.funda cionnaovictoria.org/

Rocking DAD

MARBELLA Arena is set to kick off its new season of concerts with the Danish rock band D‐A‐D.

The performance will take place on May 20 and will be the op‐portunity for rock lovers to see this legendary band in their only concert in Spain. With a career spanning more than 35 years, this band is one of Denmark’s most internationally successful rock groups that currently have more than 12 albums on the market.

Marbella Arena is located at Antigua Pl. de Toros, Av. Pilar Cal‐vo, s/n, 29660 Marbella.

For more information or to book tickets, head to the website marbellaarena.com or call (+34) 952 632 200.

Bouncing back

Betty Henderson ATHLETE ‐ turned Gabi Ramos is set to pre sent his inspiring book, ‘Y tú, ¿estás curado?’, at a charity event in aid of Cudeca Foundation at the Real Club Mediter ráneo in Malaga today, Thursday, April 13, at 7.30pm.

In the book, Gabi Ramos shares his per sonal story and reflec tions on the events that occurred during and after a sudden change in his life.

The book is filled with unforgettable experiences and valuable lessons that will inspire readers to overcome their own challenges. As an avid basketball player, Gabi Ramos believes that his passion for the sport and the values it taught him helped him to over ‐come his difficulties dur ‐

ing a period of sickness. Fifty per cent of profits made will go to the Cude‐ca Foundation to support the professional and free palliative care they offer for people with advanced stage conditions in the

Italian indulgence

Malaga region. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event.

Admission is free until full capacity is reached, so guests are asked to arrive early. The presentation will be given in Spanish.

CIPRIANI, the world‐renowned Italian restau‐rant, is set to take Mar‐bella by storm at its grand opening on Friday, April 14. The restaurant promises an unforget‐table dining experience that combines four gen‐erations of family tradi‐tion, Italian cuisine, and top‐notch hospitality. Located in the heart of Puente Romano, Cipriani offers classic dishes from Harry’s Bar alongside a wide variety of speciali‐ties. Guests can enjoy their meal indoors or on the beautiful terrace overlooking a mesmeris‐ing water feature with lush gardens. With a motto of ‘Servire è soprattutto amare’ or ‘Service is above all love’, Cipriani will be open every day for lunch and dinner from 1pm‐ 2am.

Gabi’s inspirational book describes overcoming immense struggles.

Photo credit: Cudeca Foundation (via email)

Feel fit and fabulous

Betty Henderson

IT’S time to unleash your in‐ner fitness fanatic as the sec‐ond ever Marbella Fitness Festival returns! Set to land in the city on Sunday, April 23, this incredible event tar‐gets your mind, body, and soul with a variety of activi‐ties that will get your heart racing and your energy soar‐ing. Organisers have just re‐leased a schedule, packed with amazing fitness experi‐ences that everyone can get involved in.

Starting at 10.30am, the festival kicks off with a High Revo fitness class that will leave guests feeling ener‐getic. If you’re looking to perk up your glutes, then the booty band class at 11.15am is a must‐attend. The festival isn’t just about physical fitness, there’s something for your mental health too. A stress aware‐ness class at 12pm will teach guests how to manage stress through exercise and

Jacksons hit Marbella

THE King of Pop’s legendary family band, The Jacksons, are bringing superstar style to Mar‐bella this summer! Get ready to rock and roll as the iconic Jackson siblings take to the stage at Marbella Arena on Thursday, July 27, for an un‐forgettable night that promises to be one for the books.

Thanks to the efforts of experienced interna‐tional promoters Rock Lounge and global hos‐pitality brand Hard Rock Hotel Marbella, this concert is shaping up to be an unmissable event for any music fan.

They 60s legends produced some of the most memorable hits in music history, includ‐

Last year’s fitness talks got excellent reviews.

a healthy lifestyle.

After an hour lunch break, classes start again at 2pm with a Zumba class. At 2.30pm, there’s a talk on ‘Whale Awareness’ by Car‐men, followed by a hyp‐notherapy class at 3pm by Stuart Ashing. There will al‐so be two performances by local dancers and gymnasts,

before the event comes to a close with a belly dance class with Inma at 4.30pm.

The event is also a fabu‐lous charity initiative, raising money for local animal res‐cue, Triple A. All are invited to head to the Salon de An‐dalucia at Puente Romano in Marbella for a day of fit‐ness fun.

MARBELLA International The‐atre Studio is thrilled to an‐nounce their support of Age Concern Marbella‐San Pe‐dro’s upcoming Black Tie Ball. The glittering event is set to take place on Friday, May 12 at the luxurious Melia Don Pepe Hotel in Marbella.

The event promises an evening of glamour, enter‐tainment and most impor‐tantly, fundraising for a great cause. With a welcome drink and canapés on arrival, guests will be treated to a sumptu‐ous three‐course dinner fol‐

ing ‘ABC’, ‘Blame It On The Boogie’, and ‘Can You Feel It?’. Providing the launching pad for Michael Jackson’s legendary solo career, their 1984 Victory Tour became the highest‐grossing concert series ever staged in the US. Supporting The Jacksons is Ray Lewis, former lead singer with legendary soul pioneers The Drifters. This concert is part of Rock Lounge and Hard Rock Hotel Marbella’s busy summer of events, which include the Heatwave series of pool par‐ties during Marbella Music Week. Tickets start from €30 online at: www.rocklounge.com and www.ticketmaster.es. Private boxes/palcos are also available by calling: 711 033 800.

Glitz and giving

lowed by an evening of danc‐ing with incredible music per‐formed by the Marbella Big Band, Thomas Henry and Si‐mone. There will also be an auction boasting a variety of exclusive items for sale.

All proceeds raised from the event will go towards sup‐porting Age Concern Marbel‐la‐San Pedro’s Social and Ac‐tivity Centre, providing vital assistance and social activities for elderly and disabled peo‐

ple in need in the internation‐al community. The charity’s volunteers provide invaluable support to those who are housebound or suffering from loneliness.

Tickets for the glitzy Black Tie Ball are priced at €125 per person, and include a wel‐come drink, canapés and the three course meal in a delight‐ful venue. To reserve a place email: tickets@ageconcern marbella.com

Photo credit: Fitness Festival Marbella 2022 (via Facebook)

Puente Romano Beach Resort hosts International Charity Festival

A sparkling night of sensational cocktails, cuisine, and music, in aid of ‘Uniting the World’ 8pm, Friday, 21 April 2023

Puente Romano Beach Resort continues its programme of charitable gala events, hosting a solidarity festival, supporting the innovative humanitarian project ‘Uniting the World’ aiming to strengthen ties between Spain, India, and Nepal, as well as helping the work of five worthy charities.

Join us for a spectacular night of music and gastronomy. Guests will savour our creative cocktails, canapés, and light bites, accompanied by world-class entertainment.

Aguja Solidaria is a charity which aims to improve the future and quality of life of people in the local community through training workshops for adults and educational scholarship programmes for children of low-income families.

In addition this wonderful gala event will support our local organisations of CUDECA, the cancer hospice in Benalmadena, and the Rotary Club in San Pedro Alcantara as well as DIKSHA ESPANA and HUGGING NEPAL.

This magical night will also include raffles, an auction with exceptional donated gifts, and lots of surprises.

International musician, composer, singer, and much loved artist here in Marbella, Yanela Brooks, will be performing international hits, bring her unique Cuban style to the night. Expect your favourite classical soul, disco, rock, and Latin music. The concert will also feature performances from Julia Shevchnco, West End Singers Lucy Indrisie and Mark Andrew Edmundson, Thomas Bickham, Cello Femme, Orden Definitivo and many more, all hosted by MC Coral Pérez!

‘Uniting the World’ will achieve its aims through a solidarity motorbike trip of Esther and Álvaro, created to connect Spain with India and Nepal by sharing the different cultures of these countries.

This remarkable journey will commence in spring 2024 and last around 50 days, covering more than 12,000kms. Starting from Cudeca in Benalmadena, the couple will pass through India, before finishing the journey in Nepal.

Date: Friday 21.04.23

Time: 20.00 H

Location: Salon Andalucía

Donation price: EUR 125 p/p

Dress code: Smart casual

Payment details:

Beneficiario: Asoc Aguja Solidaria Marbella

IBAN: ES81 2100 3889 1402 0016 9414

BIC: CAIXESBBXXX

Concepto / concept: Name and surname + number of people

Please send us an email with proof of payment to confirm your booking: direccion@agujasolidaria.org

Donations accepted. Donation certificates will not be issued

Spellbinding Swedish show Fashion joins fight

GUESTS are invited for an evening of magical entertainment with a world‐renowned Swedish magician at Red Dog Cine‐mas in Puerto Banus! On Friday, April 14, the legendary Swedish magician Tobbe Trollkarl is bringing his sensational show, ‘An Enchanted Treasure Hunt’, to town.

This show has been the talk of the town in Sweden and now it’s time for Marbella to experience the magic. The whole family is invited to participate in this exciting event that consists of two parts. First up, the treasure hunt will have guests exploring Puerto Banus to uncover hidden gems. Then, guests will be whisked away to the main event where Tobbe Trollkarl will show off his tricks and teach the audience some magic.

Red Dog Cinemas is renowned for providing an eclectic mix of entertainment for all ages. This Swedish language show is no exception. For a chance to catch Tobbe Trollka‐rl’s spellbinding tricks firsthand, guests can purchase tickets online at: https://www.nortic.se/dagny/event/40623

The magic doesn’t shop at the show, the venue offers a diverse array of leisure experiences including retail and din‐ing spaces and spa experiences.

Betty Henderson

LA SALA in Puerto Banus is set to host a dazzling fundraiser in aid of a worthy local mental health charity. The exclusive venue is set to host the ‘Darkness into Light’ lunch and fashion show on Wednesday, April 26 to raise funds for those affected by suicide, mental illness, and self‐harm who are supported by local chari‐ty Afesol Salud.

The event will kick off with a fabulous fashion show by Angel Clothing from 1pm, followed by a de‐licious lunch prepared by La Sala with gourmet options including pan fried sea bass or chargrilled steak.

THE best boutique festival in the world will welcome for the first time the unbeatable Black Eyed Peas.

The band that has been rocking the planet since the 90s will perform an unprece‐dented concert at the iconic Auditorium on Wednesday, August 23. Over 25 years, the Black Eyed Peas have sold 35 million albums and 120 million

Guests can also enjoy free flowing cava while they lis‐ten to musical entertain ‐ment by talented saxophon‐ist ‘g_gillysax’ who has generously given her time to perform.

Afesol Salud works in the

region to provide vital sup‐port to those impacted by suicide and mental illness, as well as their families.

Every 40 seconds, some‐one in the world dies of sui‐cide. It is the second leading cause of death among those

aged between 15‐24 years old and a growing concern worldwide. By supporting this worthy cause, guests can make a true difference in the fight against this glob‐al epidemic.

Tickets for the opulent event cost €39, €10 of which will go towards charity. Tick‐ets can be purchased direct‐ly from the venue by email: info@lasalabanus.com.

More information about the charity partner, Afesol Salud is available online: https://www.darknessinto light./event/Spain

Black Eyed Peas

singles. With a legendary ca‐reer marked by milestones, record‐breaking numbers and accolades (including six GRAM‐MY® Awards), the Black Eyed Peas continue to excel. Having become one of the most important groups in mu‐

sical history and after more than 300 great shows in 30 countries, they will land at Starlite Occident.

This is a unique opportunity to enjoy Black Eyed Peas closer than ever in the spectacular and exclusive natural space

with extraordinary acoustics. Set to open its doors in Mar‐bella from June 21 until September 2, the festival will be the epicentre of culture, music, gastronomy and enter‐tainment. For more informa‐tion visit: starlitemarbella.com

Darkness into Light is a force for good providing vital mental health services.

Photo credit: Darkness into Light Costa del Sol (via Facebook)

SPANISH party resorts waging war against boozy Brits have been warned their efforts are “backfiring spectacularly” as demand for trips has since skyrocketed.

In what was dubbed the ‘Costa crackdown’, authorities in Malaga threatened rowdy British stags and hens with huge three figure fines if they stripped naked or brandished

Party on

a blow­ up p***s in public, while plans were even floated to install noise monitors in rooms.

Tougher rules were introduced in Ibiza and Mallorca, with drinks limits imposed to

try and curb drunken bad behaviour.

They have been part of a wider EU wide crackdown, which came to prominence when stags and hens from the UK were urged to ‘stay

away’ from Amsterdam as part of a major campaign launched by officials in the Dutch capital.

However, the boss of Britain’s leading stag and hen do provider said the only thing the “crusades” had succeeded in is making groups more determined to party in these destinations ­ with Brits seemingly undeterred by threats from the Spanish authorities.

“Our Amsterdam stag do bookings are up 50 per cent

since that campaign launched last week, so clearly the message to ‘stay away’ isn’t getting through,” said Matt Mavir, Managing Director of stag and party provider ‘Last Night of Freedom’.

And in the sunny Spanish party resort of Benalmadena, in Malaga Province, the company reported that bookings have increased by an astonishing 200 per cent since the new rules ­ aimed largely at stags and hens ­ were publi­

cised last June.

“In Magaluf, bookings are up 60 per cent and it seems these rules are having absolutely no impact on people’s desire to party in Spain and the EU.

“That’s why we are seeing unprecedented demand for budget­friendly Spanish resorts like Benidorm, and even though there are tough rules, that’s unlikely to put people off partying there,” he concluded.

British buyers still rule

GOOD news for the Spanish house market as a new report, from leading international property portal Kyero, has revealed that British buyers remain the biggest overseas spenders when it comes to buying property in Spain, three years on from Brexit and despite a 17 per cent fall in enquiries from British buyers last year.

In an analysis of one of the largest data sets in the industry (consisting of buyers from 194 countries and 154,460 properties for sale with over 3,000 estate agents) it was found that the British, who have long played a significant role in the Spanish property market, have (just) managed to cling on to their number one spot.

This is despite losing significant ground to German and Dutch buyers since Brexit, but overall the number of international property buyers in Spain increased by 80 per cent in 2022 compared to 2019. British buyers continued to make up the largest proportion of overseas property spending in 2022 (12.54 per cent of the total market value).

However, compared to 2019 pre­Brexit figures, the increase in spending is one of the smallest of all nationalities.

PARTY RESORTS: Companies say bookings are increasing.

1st Helsinki has the cleanest air of all world cities.

War crime justice

FRENCH judges ordered three top advisers to the Syrian President Bashar al­Assad to stand trial for their role in complicity in crimes against humanity and war crimes in a court order signed on April 5.

The accused include Ali Mamlouk, head of security in the Ba’ath party, and intelligence officials Jamil Hassan, and Abdel Salam Mahmoud.

French prosecutors believe the trio is responsible for the deaths of Mazzen Dabbagh, a pedagogical adviser at the French school in Damascus,

and his son Patrick, who were arrested in 2013 and subjected to horrific torture that was “so intense that it killed them.”

The trial will be the first in

France directly directed at the Syrian regime, but not the first in Europe. In January 2022, a German court sentenced a former Syrian colonel, Anwar Raslan, to life in prison for crimes against humanity. While the accused are not expected to attend the trial or have lawyers represent them, French judges have taken the unprecedented decision of issuing international arrest warrants for them. The indictment was described as “historic” by the International Federation for Human Rights.

Catholic clampdown

THE Vatican City accused China of breaking a bilateral pact in an announcement made on April 4 after it appointed a new bishop to Shanghai, the largest Roman Catholic diocese in China.

The Holy See was reportedly informed of the decision to appoint Shen Bin as bishop of Shaghai several days ago, and the news has caused a stir in the Catholic community worldwide, who fear that the Chinese Communist Party may be trying to exercise greater power

within the church.

Meanwhile, the Vatican has said that the city’s auxiliary bishop, Ma Daqin, should administer the diocese, but he has been under house arrest since 2012 when he publicly rejected the ‘Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association’.

However, in a positive step between the Vatican and China, both sides have recognised the pope as the supreme leader of the Roman Catholic Church for the first time since the 1950s.

A French court has launched an investigation.

PRESS EUROPEAN

DENMARK

Face the music

HEDGE fund trader Sanjay Shah, a British subject, will be extradited to Denmark, after a Dubai court threw out his final appeal. Shah, who was arrested in Dubai last June, is wanted in connection with an alleged €1.7 billion scam that helped companies defraud Denmark’s tax authorities.

THE NETHERLANDS

Beach stop

ALTHOUGH work on the station began in 2017, the Rotterdam metro made its first stop at the new halt on the Hoek van Holland beach only recently. The multimillion-euro station’s design takes into consideration its proximity to the sea, with specific measures protecting it against sand, wind, and salt.

BELGIUM

Dearer food

BELGIUM’S government needed to freeze the prices of 100 basic products for three months to ensure people can afford to buy basic products, said consumer-protection organisation Test Achats. Groceries were 20 per cent dearer in March this year than they were in March 2022, Test Achats said.

GERMANY

Success story

RYYA ALSHEBL, a 29-year-old who fled Syria in 2015 and is now a German citizen, was elected mayor of Ostelsheim (Baden-Wurttemberg) with an overall majority and 55.4 per cent of the vote. Alshebl, who worked for the council in neighbouring Althengstett, described his campaign as “overwhelmingly positive.”

FRANCE

Official help

THE town of Denain in northern France is handing out €50 to every resident, regardless of income, in a bid to combat rising inflation and soaring food prices. This is the second consecutive year that the town council, statistically one of the poorest in the country, has run the scheme.

NORWAY

Salmon tax

SHARES in Norway’s salmon-farming industry plummeted last September after the government revealed plans to tax the industry, the country’s largest source of national income. Six months later the government said it still would press ahead with a 25 per cent tax on the sector’s biggest producers.

FINLAND

Be prepared

FINLAND’S Ministry of Defence announced in early April that the country intended to spend €316 million of acquiring the David’s Sling long range missile defence system from Israeli armaments firm, Rafael. The official announcement arrived a day after Finland was accepted into NATO.

IRELAND

Pro-choice

IRELAND’S Health minister Stephen Donnelly, announced that 8,500 pregnancy terminations were carried out in the country last year. Abortion was legalised in Ireland in January 2019 after a referendum held in May 2018 in which voters repealed the pro-life Eighth Amendment from the Irish constitution.

ITALY

Free speech

FRATELLI D’ITALIA (Brothers of Italy), the right-wing party led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, proposed a new law to “defend and promote” the Italian language by penalising the use of English and other foreign words in official communications. Transgressors would risk fines of between €5,000 and €100,000.

PORTUGAL

Polly stops play

A PORTUGUESE youth league match between the Estoril and Estrela da Amador teams was interrupted for several minutes when a parrot invaded the football pitch. Two men ran onto the field and used their jackets to try to catch the parrot which evaded them each time before finally deciding to fly off.

UKRAINE

Sleep well

UKRAINE therapists have received training from British psychologist Dr Justin Havens in helping those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) nightmares. He wanted to support people in Ukraine who suffered “a double trauma” during the day and in their dreams at night, Dr Havens said.

SWEDEN

U-turn

SWEDEN, formerly a pioneer in LGBTQ rights, has for the last year begun restricting genderaffirming hormone therapy for minors, which is now allowed only in very rare cases. In December 2022 it also limited mastectomies for teenage girls wanting to transition, citing the need for “caution.”

STAT OF WEEK €22.8 billion

was added to the personal fortune of Amancio Ortega, founder and principal shareholder of Inditex last year, thanks to the increased value of shares in parent company Zara.

BUSINESS EXTRA No energy FINANCE

Going down

SPAIN’S Industrial Production Index (IPI) fell by 0.8 per cent in February compared with February 2022. This was 2.2 points lower than in January, the National Statistics Institute (INE) announced on April 5, marking a return to negative year­on­year rates following January’s 1.2 per cent rise.

What goes up

TESCO chairman John Allan told a BBC interviewer that he could not forecast when food prices would peak. He countered claims that Tesco took advantage of higher prices to make bigger profits and said the supermarket chain’s 4p (€0.045 cents) in the pound margin was “slender” compared to other industries.

Time out

UNDER Spain’s recentlypassed Family Law, new parents may now take eight weeks’ leave, confirmed junior Employment Minister Joaquin Perez. Following pressure from the EU, the leave, which can be taken in one block or partially at any time until the child has reached the age of eight, will be paid.

Doing well

BANCO SANTANDER loans increased by 4 per cent so far this year and deposits by 6 per cent, executive chairwoman Ana Botin told shareholders. The bank was seeing a double­digit increase in earnings compared with the same period last year and had gained another million clients, Botin said.

Banks blanked

INSIDERS revealed that 4,000 of the UK’s 5,500 high street bank and building society branches could close between now and late 2024 as the sector refashions its services. Opening hours and, counter services will be drastically reduced and customers encouraged to use in­branch ATMs and machines, they predicted.

Brussels’ Orange alert

THE planned €18.6 billion merger between Orange and MasMovil can expect scrutiny from Brussels.

The European Union’s Competition Commission, headed by Magrethe Vestager, is launching an in­depth investigation that will assess all aspects of the Orange­MasMovil merger.

“The Commission is concerned that the transaction may reduce competition in the retail supply of mobile and fixed broadband services as well as of multiple­play bundles in Spain,” a Commission statement said.

Orange and MasMovil are respectively the second and fourth largest operators both at retail and wholesale level for fixed broadband and mobile services in Spain, the Com­

mission pointed out, citing Telefonica, Vodafone, Orange, and MasMovil.

“There are also several mobile and fixed virtual network operators which use these operators’ infrastructure to offer mobile and fixed telecoms services to their consumers,” the release continued.

The Commission concluded that by

reducing the number of Spain’s network operators, the merger would also eliminate “innovative and significant rivals” which could then lead to higher prices and lower­quality telecom services for customers.

Once merged, Orange and MasMovil would have “the ability and the incentive” to restrict virtual operators’ access to the wholesale mobile network, the Commission said.

“This could reduce the ability of such operators to compete, and in turn lead to higher prices and lower quality of services for end customers in Spain.”

The Competition Commission now has 90 working days, until August 21, to come to a decision.

Long drawn-out privatisation

THE UK government has given itself more time to gradually sell off its holding in NatWest. The rescue of the former Royal Bank of Scotland Group cost the taxpayer approximately £46 billion (€53.4 billion) when the government acquired an 80 per cent stake in 2008.

UK Government Investments (UKGI), which manages the holding on behalf of the Treasury, revealed that the scheme to reduce its NatWest Group holding, announced in mid­2021 and

Worst award

MEMBERS of the consumer group FACUA have chosen CaixaBank as Spain’s Worst Company of the Year in 2022.

In the annual poll that was held between March 15 and 30 this year, 39 per cent of FACUA members put CaixaBank at the top of their list.

CaixaBank won the dubious honour on several counts, which included failing to return all of the excess fee that was erroneously charged on mortgage agreements. Interest on loans was described as “usury”, commissions were condemned as “abusive” while the bank was also criticised for refusing to return sums lost to phishing and smishing scams.

originally due to be completed by mid­August 2023, would continue until 2025. The government’s stake fell from 54.7 per cent to 41.5 per cent between 2021 and 2023.

Doubts have been raised

as to whether the UK government will be able meet its self­imposed 2026 deadline to fully privatise the bank, approximately 18 years after coming to its rescue during the financial crisis.

The government gave no reason for the extension to its trading plan but the decision was made in what has been a turbulent period for large banks, including NatWest, all of which were affected by the collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank in March, followed by the

Down to earth

SIR RICHARD BRANSON’S Virgin Orbit filed for bankruptcy protection in the US after last­minute attempts to find funding for the struggling space firm came to nothing.

Its share price dropped 17 per cent to a new record low the same day, valuing the company at less than $60 million (€54.8 million), more than 95 per cent below its $3.5 billion (€3.2 billion) peak in January last year.

In January, when Virgin Orbit unsuccessfully attempted to launch the first­ever satellite from British soil, Branson’s LauncherOne rocket reached space but fell short of reaching its target orbit.

The mission was hailed as a milestone for UK space exploration and was intended to represent a leap forward in converting Britain into a world player, from manufacturing satellites to building rockets and creating spaceports.

THOUSANDS of small UK businesses said they risked bankruptcy now that the government’s energy support scheme has ended.

Companies prepare for huge increases as support for nonhousehold power bills comes to a close and fixed rate deals terminate.

Their combined impact means that bills for many companies could soar by up to 133 per cent, according to Cornwall Insight, which provides energy market intelligence and analysis.

The hospitality industry, still recovering from the pandemic, could be particularly hard­hit, with one publican admitting that he might consider selling his pub to a developer who wants to convert the building into apartments.

forced rescue of Credit Suisse by its Swiss rival, UBS.

“The recent banking sector turmoil has sent shares in NatWest down by more than 10 per cent over the past month,” Victoria Scholar, head of investment at Interactive Investor, pointed out to the Guardian. “This complicates the picture for the government which is trying to offload its stake at a time when investors are feeling nervous towards the sector,” she said.

Seat near the top

CAR manufacturer Seat is reaping the benefits of an improved supply of chips.

The Spanish company was particularly affected by the semiconductor shortage because the Volkswagen Group, to which it belongs, had consistently allocated chips to its most profitable firms.

SEAT has now seen its registrations rise 52.1 per cent to 18,040 units during the first quarter of 2023, boosting it to second place behind Toyota with 20,749 registrations. As a result Seat is once again jostling for a top position in the Spanish market after a grim 2022 when its domestic sales fell 30.2 per cent, after enjoying four years as Spain’s most­sold make.

Outside view

SPEAKING recently in Barcelona, Professor Paul De Grauwe from the London School of Economics said the EU was better off since Brexit.

Had the British remained, it would never have been possible to launch the Next Generation Funds introduced to offset the effects of the pandemic, De Grauwe told the Cercle d’Economia business forum.

“Let’s be realistic, the British would have been opposed to it,” he said.

“The reason they were in the EU wasn’t to strengthen it, but to weaken it from inside. That’s been their strategy for centuries.”

Moving off

OKYO PHARMA has applied to delist from the London Stock Exchange. The departure of the pharmaceutical company, which specialises in medication for ocular diseases, was seen in the City as another blow to London’s reputation as an international financial centre. The decision was prompted by the expense of ‘negligible’ trading on the main market, the ophthalmology drug developer told its investors. Okyo also reassured shareholders that the move would not affect its American Okyo Pharma Depositary Shares, which trade on the New Yorkbased Nasdaq exchange.

Magrethe Vestager: Heads the EU’s Competition Commission.

NATWEST: Due to be fully privatised by 2026.

Photo credit: CC/European Parliament Photo credit: Flickr/Emily Alexander

DOW JONES

BUSINESS EXTRA

Picture that

CINEWORLD will seek new funding as it announced having dropped plans to sell its US, UK and Ireland businesses after failing to find a buyer. The world’s largest cinema chain said it had struck a $2.26 billion (€1.9) deal with lenders to restructure its substantial debt and exit bankruptcy.

Gender gap

SPAIN’S National High Court in Madrid voiced gender discrimination concerns since cabin crew, 94 per cent of whom are female, receive lower travel expenses than pilots. Air Nostrum rejected employees’ claims, arguing that the groups were governed by different collective agreements and “did not perform work of equal value.”

A bite of the apple

APPLE’S principal subsidiary in Ireland, Apple Operations International Ltd, paid €7.7 billion in corporation tax last year.

At the same time, the company paid out $20.7 billion (€19 billion) in dividends to its California parent company, after reporting more than €63.5 billion in profits, a 2 per cent increase on 2021.

This meant the Cork­based company and its subsidiaries delivered a daily pre ­ tax €173.6 million over the 12 months to September 24 last year. Annual revenues rose

by $11.7 billion (€10.72 billion) to $223 billion (€207.92 billion).

It remains unclear which governments received the Irish company’s taxes, which

Outlook cloudy for many

FEW of Spain’s self­employed have noticed an improvement in their economic situation. This was the same or worse than a year ago, they said.

A survey by the Spanish Association of Self­employed Workers (ATA) found that, compared with the first quarter of 2022, their finances had improved for only 21 per cent of the self­employed.

It had remained the same for 46 per cent of Spain’s ‘autonomos’ while a further 33 per cent of participants in the poll maintained that their situation was now worse. Meanwhile, only 20 per cent believed their business interests would improve in the coming months, while 70 per cent calculated that it would remain the same or could even deteriorate.

Legitimate decision

amounted to 11 per cent of profits. Ireland charges a 12.5 per cent corporation tax rate, which would have resulted in a bill worth $8.7 billion (€7.9 billion)

Including deferred tax charges, Apple Operations International paid a total tax bill of $11 billion (€10.1 billion) for the period in question.

Apple has been present in Ireland since 198, currently employing approximately 56,600 staff, 6,000 of whom are based in Ireland.

In 2020, the European Commission ordered the Cupertino (California) technology company to pay a record €13 billion in back taxes to Ireland, on the grounds that it benefited from a sweetheart tax deal.

This amounted to illegal state aid between 2003 and 2014, Brussels said, enabling Apple to pay a maximum tax rate of just 1 per cent and as low as 0.005 per cent in 2014.

THE UK’s largest insurance broker warned of impending disaster if the industry had to pay claims arising from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The sector was not designed as a ‘backstop’ for the costs of war, David Howden, CEO of the Howden Group, told the Sunday Telegraph. “We’d all go bankrupt,” he maintained.

Howden’s comments came as the owners of approximately 500 commercial aircraft seized by Russia shortly after the invasion prepared to sue Lloyd’s of London insurers who refused to pay out around £8 billion (€9.12 billion).

Their decision not to pay up was legitimate, Howden argued. War had never been something covered by insurance, he said.

There was not enough capital in the insurance market to cover the impact of the conflict, he said.

“If policies were expanded the government would need to bail out bankrupt insurers,” Howden added.

APPLE: Irish subsidiary made €63.5 billion in 2022

Photo credit: Apple

Too much

RIO TINTO, which has raised its chief executive’s pay by 70 per cent, now faces a rebellion from shareholders at the next meeting. Jakob Stausholm took home £4.8 million (€5.48 billion) in 2022 after the FTSE100 mining giant made record profits on the back of soaring commodity prices.

Going down

SPAIN’S Industrial Production Index (IPI) fell by 0.8 per cent in February compared with February 2022. This was 2.2 points lower than in January, the National Statistics Institute (INE) announced on April 5, marking a return to negative year­onyear rates following January’s 1.2 per cent rise.

Holding on

MORRISONS said that cutting £700 million (€800 million) in costs over the next three years would allow it to reduce prices during the squeeze on consumer spending. The supermarket chain also announced a 0.1 per cent increase in samestore sales during the three months to the end of January.

RIP Josep Pique

JOSEP PIQUE, a Catalan politician, economist and businessman who headed several ministries between 1996 and 2003 during the governments of Jose Maria Aznar, died on April 6 in a Madrid hospital. The former president of Vueling, who was 68, had been suffering from cancer for some time.

Online flatline

UK customers return £7 billion (approximately €8 billion) of internet purchases each year, while more than a fifth of all clothes bought online are sent back. Increased returns owing to the cost of living crisis, were responsible for Boohoo’s 94 per cent slump in pre­tax profits, the retailer said.

It’s a tough job

Linda Hall

FOUR out of five UK companies and organisations still pay male employees more than females.

An analysis of the government’s report on wage inequality by the Guardian found an average pay gap of 9.4 per cent, the same level as in 2017­2018 when employers first had to publish this information.

The public sector’s gap has remained larger at 15.1 per cent compared with 8 per cent in the private sector. Both are similar to last year’s figures, the analysts found.

In practically half of companies and public bodies, males earned at least 10 per cent more than their female counterparts. In contrast, women

earned 10 per cent more than men in only 3 per cent of companies. Meanwhile, new research has found that women wanting to advance their careers must provide more evidence of their skills to reach leadership posts.

Alexandra Niessen­Ruenzi, head of

The next thing

the department of Corporate Governance at the University of Mannheim Business School (UMBS), and PhD candidate, Leah Zimmer, analysed the biographic details of 103,461 male and female directors.

Focusing on observable signals of professional and educational qualifications, plus past professional experience, the investigators established that women were consistently required to provide more observable skill signals. This was because employers found it harder to judge their unobservable qualifications for leadership, including emotional intelligence, communication skills, creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability, they said.

Chatting up Vodafone

BRITISH telecoms group

Vodafone has been approached by potential buyers for the operator’s business in Spain, market sources revealed.

While not officially seeking a sale, Vodafone would allegedly consider an offer if the price were right, added the same sources who were recently quoted in the Spanish media.

The company’s Spanish operation is estimated to be worth around €3.6 billion but although discussions are said to be ongoing it is not a foregone conclusion that these will result in a sale and Vodafone has declined to comment on the rumours.

Between 2018 and 2022, Vodafone saw its Spanish earnings dwindle by 16 per cent to approximately €4.2 billion and the company’s share of the Spanish market has undeniably gradually shrunk as it has had to face competition from Telefonica, Frances Orange and MasMovil.

Vodafone’s former CEO Nick Read, whose departure was announced last December, earlier failed to pull off the mergers and acquisitions that might have produced more competitive players.

Instead the company was completely outma ­

MOSCOW has approved the sale of Inditex’s business operation in Russia to the Daher group, which owns the Dubai Mall shopping centre. The Spanish fashion chain originally announced that the sale would affect 514 shops in Russia which had provided work for more than 9,000 employees. Nevertheless, Inditex explained when presenting its 2022 results

noeuvred when the proposed Orange ­ MasMovil merger was announced in July 2022.

In the meantime, Read’s successor, Margherita Della Valle has downgraded Spain ­ previously one of Vodafone’s principal markets ­ to a smaller group of lesser operations like Ireland or Greece.

Inditex exit

that only 245 shops would finally be affected by the sale, which was announced in October while still awaiting the Russian government’s definitive agreement. Inditex reported that it had lost €840 million on its Russia investment totalling €1.02 billion, with the €183 million difference

REPORTING a record annual profit of £870 million (€994.65 million, Next announced that it expected to raise prices more slowly as inflation eased.

The company’s profits rose by 5.7 per cent in the year that ended on January 31, while its total sales from trading of £5.1 billion (€5.8 billion) were 8.4 per cent up on the previous year.

The clothing and homeware retailer also warned that 2023 would be “very challenging” as its customers coped with the cost of living crisis.

In consequence Next said that sales were forecast to fall by 1.5 per cent, while it also foresaw that profits would drop back.

Real & unreal

corresponding to the sale of its shops via the recentlyauthorised operation.

According to an October 2022 report by the online specialist publication, Retail Detail, the Doher real estate group also owns the Inditex franchise rights in the Middle East and North Africa.

Saga losses multiply

SAGA’S losses soared last year amid stiff competition and regulatory changes affecting its insurance division.

Losses for the firm, which offers insurance, holidays and cruises to the over­50s, shot up to £259.2 million (€296.5 million) for the year that ended in January 2023, compared to £23.5 million (€26.9 million) in January 2022.

During the first six months of 2022 Saga took a £269 million (€307.6 million) good­

will charge after insurance sales dropped in the wake of Financial Conduct Authority rules. These were aimed ‘price walking’ where new customers pay less for the same services.

At the same time Kent­based Saga also reported returning to an underlying pre­tax profit of £21.5 milion (€24.6 million) owing to an upturn in overseas travel, which reduced losses in the firm’s cruise and travel divisions.

DEPARTMENT FOR

WORK AND PENSIONS (DWP) statistics revealed that 8.8 million UK residents earned more than £1,000 (€1,143) a week during the year ending in March 2022.

In real terms the average household income after housing costs was a weekly £565 (€645) ­ approximately £29,500 (€33,722) a year ­ according to the DWP figures.

The department’s statistics also showed that median incomes were 1.2 per cent, or £7 (€8) a week lower in real terms than when these were at their peak in the 12 months ending in March 2020.

More clout

IBERDROLA has sold 78 per cent of its Mexican business interests to one of the country’s publiclyowned companies for €5 billion. The sale follows regulatory problems ­ and what were described as confrontations ­ with Mexico’s president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

The move will give the energy giant more financial clout and fits in with growth plans for networks and renewables in the United States and Europe.

It will also improve debt ratios while strengthening the company’s financial positioning, the group’s Chief Financial Officer, JoseSainz, said.

PAY GAP: Women have to work harder for less.

Photo credit: Pixabay/David Mark

VODAFONE: Share of Spanish market has shrunk.

Photo credit: Vodafone

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

I’VE never had much respect for politicians. Back in the 60s I witnessed a number of the ‘Old Boys’ club members with their trousers down, both metaphorically and in reality. Well I remember a prominent London MP rushing up to me at a Chelsea party.

Clad in a string vest and very questionable Y Fronts, he implored me to ‘take over upstairs’. Apparently the nubile and extremely eminent London agent he was cavorting with had become rather too much for him. I didn’t accept his offer I may add!

Another told me he thought smoking marihuana was ‘such fun!’ No I’m afraid politicians in general have never impressed me much. Boris and PartyGate was a mere bagatelle!

There is one overriding problem with the elder male occupants of the Westminster power corridors. The majority went to public school. These male dominated institutions meant that its students never really learned to mix with the female of the species. Their only experiences with the opposite sex were annual school dances and over bearing Nannies. This accom­

Seeing the light

panied by the odd fondle of the slightly more promiscuous young ladies from the local ‘St Trinian’s’, left women reduced to nothing more than subjects of locker room humour and ribald banter in the dorms.

The outcome of this attitude, resulted in the total absence of respect for those of a gender they considered not only mere objects of sexual titillation, but also intellectually inferior and subsequently had no important standing in the male dominated corridors of their future political ambitions.

Most of these elder statesmen on the benches fall into this category and still consider Westminster nothing more than an extension of their public school education and debating societies. As attitudes change, and more and more women are elected into the house, (over 50 per cent of the Labour party) these ex­public schoolboys are slowly becoming the dinosaurs of the political arena.

Frankly, apart from serious offences, consistently raking up ancient knee brushings and somewhat innocuous schoolboys sexist innuendoes is a complete waste of time and energy. (You

listening Ms Rayner!?)

Time to get back to more serious issues, like running the country for example! Thank the Lord the Labour Party has actually seen the light. At least they can use their female membership numbers against the Conservatives mere 24 per cent. Yet another weapon in their armoury of schemes and skullduggery to keep the government on the back foot till the next General Election!

Picked up a lovely piece of terminology in the news this week. ‘Non erotic cognitive distraction’. This is the condition of ladies having their moment of intense sexual arousal being spoiled by suddenly remembering they didn’t pay the milkman, or something of that ilk. Apparently sufferers of this unfortunate malady are encouraged to ‘stay in the moment’. The moment? Personally I would recommend a change of partner!

STRIKING OUT OUR VIEW

AT the time of writing, up to 60,000 junior doctors across the UK are striking for four days, delaying everything from routine appointments to vital cancer treatment.

Despite the obvious risks to health however, one poll found that 74 per cent of the British public supported the strike. Which begs the question, just how broken is the NHS that we support lives being put in danger ­ by the very people who have taken an oath to do no harm ­ to fix it?

It had always generally been accepted that doctors (particularly at the junior end) are overworked and underpaid. But the heavy weight that the pandemic put on those at the front line coupled with the resulting treatment backlog and a cost of living crisis seem to have equalled a work environment for doctors that we can no longer accept.

Where did it all go so wrong though? Launched an astonishing 75 years ago, the NHS brought universal health care to a population who, until then, may simply have died from a simple infection or injury because they could not afford to be treated.

The envy of the world for many years, the NHS also inspired many other great nations to roll out their own equivalents. We now regard free healthcare as one of the main marks of a civilised country.

Like anything though, a great concept only stays great if it moves with the times. And it’s fair to say that relying on a habitually underpaid, overworked workforce to simply put up and shut up forever is not a long term strategy.

Equally, with an ever growing population how long can we expect the NHS to roll on for without massive change before more wheels start to come off?

LeapyLee’sopinionsarehisownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.

NORAJOHNSON BREAKINGVIEWS

LIKE an essential riposte to the continu‐ing waves of appalling global events, crime novels have seen a sales boom, a trend unforeseen even by hard ‐ bitten crime fiction detectives. Anxious about volatility in the real world, readers now seek reassurance in stories where bad ‐dies get their just deserts.

People face many challenges in life and crime fiction lets readers forget their own struggles. They like a ‘formula’. There’s a death. A detective investigates. The per‐petrator is unmasked in a plot involving cunning clues, red herrings and final jus‐tice. No mystery at all!

One challenge one family recently faced was the tragic disappearance and death of Nicola Bulley. Coincidentally, my just‐published thriller ‘The Couple across the Street’ begins with the disappearance in a river of a woman, Michelle. But that’s where the similarities ‐ spoiler alert ‐ end!

This novel was started a year ago be‐fore any hint of Nicola Bulley’s fate (my books take a year from research, first draft through to final version and publica‐tion). And the situation it depicts doesn’t

Know your neighbours?

And, yes, you guessed, the reasons con‐cern a criminal act. Crime fiction, after all, is my passion. Triggered initially by the study of criminal law for a J D (Juris Doc‐tor) law degree decades ago in Los Ange‐les (winning the Moot Court Prize ‐ a sur‐real Perry Mason‐type experience) where I lived for many eventful years. One morning shortly after Finals, for example, a tax law Professor was shot dead right in front of me! I never did discover if he’d upset some former client or just a student with poor grades…

And this latest suspense thriller? Nicola Goodwin never imagines herself as a wid‐ow in her mid‐30s. Losing her husband to a sudden illness shatters her world, but then she unexpectedly meets up with Matt Collins, her childhood love.

As they reconnect after years apart, Nicola can’t help but fall for him.

DI Barbara Forster seeks answers with the help of Alice Myers, an investigative journalist and creator of an edgy true ‐crime podcast. As they dig deeper into Michelle’s life, they discover a complex web of secrets and lies that paints a much darker picture, the truth more shocking than anyone imagined.

Throughout it all, Nicola stands by Matt’s side, determined to show he is blameless and salvage their relationship. But with more deaths and the evidence mounting against him, she begins to won‐der if she truly knew the man she fell in love with.

In the end, the truth emerges, but at a steep cost. Will Nicola be left alone once again, wondering if it was all worth it...

A story of how a past passion leads to betrayal and a terrible revenge ‐ one that still torments the present.

arise just from feelings of sympathy for the bereaved family left behind. But for quite different reasons. Something that’s puzzled and intrigued me for decades and I needed to explore in this latest book.

Their affair is passionate and all‐con‐suming, but just as Matt finally decides to leave Michelle, his wife, Michelle disap‐pears without trace. When a body is found and identified as hers, apparently a suicide, Matt’s infidelity is considered the primary reason by her grieving family.

Nora Johnson’s 12 critically acclaimed psychological suspense crime thrillers (www.nora‐johnson.net) all available on‐line including eBooks (€0.99; £0.99), Ap‐ple Books, audiobooks, paperbacks at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.

Supporting those in distress

THE British Benevolent Fund was founded over a century ago to provide assistance to Britons in Spain facing extreme financial hardship.

Financial difficulties is some‐thing most people face in their lives and whilst challenging can be overcome with thought and planning. Both of these are al‐most impossible when the per‐son has mental illness where making the right decision is diffi‐cult and where holding down a job is even more so.

In the case of John, a 34‐year‐old single British man who lived in Spain, having moved with his parents from the UK when they retired. His condition was such that social interaction caused dis‐tress and he lived in his room and his parents looked after him ‐ he had never worked and relied on his parents for food, lodging and all life’s necessities.

Except that they could not cope ‐ they lived modestly off a small pension and had little to spare for their grown forever at home child who required con‐stant attention ‐ and medication.

Then came Brexit and the realisa‐tion that the social service sup‐

port, medical cover and local help was at risk as they had never registered as residents ‐ and were no longer eligible.

They got in touch with a local charity for support to apply belat‐edly which would take some time to process ‐ however they were confident that having been settled here before the deadline date they were still in with a chance.

But in the meantime, the medicine costs were now high and beyond their small means.

The charity ‐ one of many at the Support in Spain website contacted the BBF to see if we could help.

The BBF mission is to support those in distress and with a child with needs we wanted to help. The issue for the BBF is that wherever possible we seek that any funds are used to overcome

a particular challenge ‐ not ongo‐ing support. In this this case all re‐volved around their chances of being approved ‐ which if they were not would mean an unsus‐tainable situation in Spain. We agreed to provide a grant to cov‐er the following six months of medicine costs which would be reviewed depending on the out‐come of their application.

Thankfully within three they were given the green light and their application was approved meaning that all state support would be available as well as that they would be able to continue living in Spain.

The BBF can only help with your help. If you would like to support our mission for Britons in distress in Spain, please visit www.britishbenevolentfund.org

Thank you. Olaf Clayton, Chair BBF.

Olaf Clayton of BBF.

Nora Johnson’s opinions are her own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.

Nora’s latest thriller.

Noraistheauthorofpopularpsychological suspenseandcrimethrillersandafreelancejournalist.

I’D like to share a con ‐versation I had last week with some friends about a frog.

It all started from a glib comment on how the ‘private’ information shared in our phone calls, messages and emails is being analysed. Everything we read and write is instantaneously evaluated so we can be targeted with specific ad‐verts or promotions rele‐vant to what’s happen ‐ing in our lives.

Until recently ‘the peo‐ple’ have been reluctant to offer any personal de‐tails to anyone, let alone the government. Today

MARBELLA MOMENTS

BY NICOLE KING

we can’t give them enough information; per‐haps simply because they’ve changed their look and we’re too gullible to realise.

We share everything voluntarily; not just where we live, but who we like, what we like and moreover, what we don’t like. What we don’t share they see any‐way. We are virtually (in all senses of the word) handing over our lives to

cyber space and what is most worrying is that for our kids this is the norm.

Our conversation turned to the cars being introduced into the mar‐ket, every new model more automated than the last. A car can park it‐self and a central some ‐thing can lock or unlock, activate or deactivate your vehicle from who knows where.

This led us to talking about being trapped in technology, kids trapped in virtual game worlds and people trapped in the money game and whether we would also become trapped one day by the robots with AI (ar‐tificial intelligence) that have already debated whether it would make sense or not to eradicate humanity. Even people

with normal intelligence know the logical answer to that question is yes. We then talked about the process that Hitler took to eradicate sectors of humanity. The process was costly and time‐con‐suming. Firstly identify ‐ing the people, then la ‐belling them, then herding them to concen‐trated areas and then on

to the gas chambers. To‐day unfortunately it could all be done so easi‐ly, cheaply and efficient‐ly. In a not too distant fu‐ture if the ‘powers that be’ decided to eradicate a selection of humanity all they’d have to do for example is create a panic to get us all in our cars, centrally implement a mass lockdown and re ‐

motely pilot us all, as if on a conveyor belt, through the extermina ‐tion process. All of us self labelled, packed up and ready to go.

That’s when we start ‐ed talking about the fa ‐ble of the frog. If said frog were to be put in boiling water he would jump out, but if he were to be put in tepid water and heated to boiling point very slowly, he’d be cooked before he re ‐alised what was happen‐ing.

Whether a frog would really do that or not I don’t know, but I do know that our conversa ‐tions left us feeling like we could all very well be the frog that got cooked alive and that humanity may actually be reaching boiling point.

Fable of the frog.

CAN YOU BELIEVE YOUR EARS?

BILL ANDERSON A PUBLIC SERVANT

I CONFESS to being a bit of a tech geek. Not that I have lots of very expensive tech, but I am always looking for reasonably priced ways to improve what I have, whether it is for my radio show, live streaming or editing. If it is free, then even better.

I was recently watching a YouTube Video re Live streaming and it is now fairly easy to use Artificial Intelligence to change your voice to a wide range of well known actors’ voices. I have known for a very long time how to cut and paste images onto other images and I could quite easily be standing next to any photographed celebrity or luxuriating in any landscape. These are reasons why it is sometimes hard to believe our eyes or our ears. How do we know that what we see or hear resembles reality in any way?

It might be fun to Live Stream sounding like Samuel L(eroy) Jackson, but I don’t think that many would be taken in by it, and probably after a

while it would be irritating as getting it to synch perfectly is a little beyond the tech I have. It may sound real, look real but it isn’t real.

We are in the pre ­ election period running up to May 28. A lot of things will be written and said in the next weeks, a lot of promises made, so how do we know if they are real and not just politicians passing wind?

Artificial Intelligence is fascinating,

BRITS WELCOME ON LANZAROTE

SILVIA GARCIA moved to Lanzarote with her family 23 years ago from Argentina and has very much made it her home as well as her workplace.

She does a lot of work with new residents to Lanzarote in terms of translations and help with paperwork, as most don’t speak enough Spanish to manage on their own. Only around 100 Kms from the Western Sahara of Morocco, Lanzarote is one of seven main islands of the Canaries Archipelago.

Unlike some of the other Spanish Islands such as the Balearics, Lanzarote and the Canary Islands offer a year round tourist and holiday destination and is particularly popular with Scandinavian visitors during the summer.

Lanzarote is more than just a beach holiday resort. It hosts an annual

Iron Man competition and is popular for water sports and cycling. It is more likely than not that the Islands got their names from seals which the Romans referred to as Sea dogs and the Latin root ‘Can (ine)’ which refers to dogs.

Lanzarote has its own Volcanic National Park and the volcanic ash soil contributes to the rich soil which is used for growing grapes and the excellent Lanzarote wines.

Silvia feels that some people are more suited to island life than others.

There are those who feel that island life is too small and decide to move on, but the Island offers life in the holiday resorts or equally away from these busier areas.

Country life is never far away from the sea on an island which is 60Kms from north to south and only 25Kms from east to west.

Island residents also receive discounted travel tickets to the Spanish mainland.

The full interview can be heard on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YS_Rj6mviI

but I would like to see a little more real intelligence used by both politicians and voters. There are those who have their party colours seemingly stitched into their DNA and that is not an easy thing to change. Come voting day, they will reach for the paper that their DNA coding compels them to.

However, there are still people out there who can apply an intellectual process to their choices and thank

goodness for that.

I was recently criticised publicly for not carrying out our 2019 electoral promises, by a person who if he did vote, it certainly wasn’t for the party I represent. You can’t carry out electoral promises if you are not in government! I live in a municipality where 15 promises were made in 2019 by the party which is in government and none of them have been completed. To be honest, some were interesting but totally unbelievable. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is and if something seems more exciting, pleasing, or ideal than seems reasonable, then it likely isn’t genuine, legitimate, or true.

In this pre ­ election period, no one is allowed to ask for votes and I certainly am not doing that, but I am asking that real intelligence is used over the next weeks to decide which paper should go into the envelope on voting day. Check out the levels of success in the presenting parties, and whether or not they have done what they promised. Does it sound real even if it may look real? Have people done what they said they would or was it all hot air?

I could quite easily be photographed in any luxurious landscape.

A GOOD giggle could help to lower blood glucose levels following an Easter Egg spree.

Happy medium Laugh it off

Insulin is released to bring these levels down, explained hormone expert Dr Nicky Keay, and exercise can assist by restoring them following the sugar rush.

“Active muscles demand glucose for energy,” Dr Keay said. “We use muscles to laugh, and this has a blood glucose ­ lowering effect,” she added.

A Japanese study carried out by University of Tsukuba’s Dr Keiko Hayashi has also confirmed the importance of laughter.

Volunteers, who includ­

ed diabetics, ate the same meal. They then watched a 40 ­ minute lecture, after which their blood glucose levels were tested. The process was repeated, but this time they saw a 40­minute comedy.

“Levels were significantly lower for both groups after the comedy show,” Dr Hayashi found.

Bouncing around

Linda Hall BALANCE diminishes with age and falls are always a lurking danger as people get older.

Not that falls are restricted to the elderly, as World Health Organisation figures show that falling is also the third most common cause of unintentional injury for the 18 ­ 35 age group.

Fitness experts Juliet and Kelly Starrett recently recommended skipping as an excellent way to enhance balance. Haven’t picked up a rope since your pre­teen days? Instead try bouncing which is a modified version of skipping.

With hands resting lightly on a countertop, rise up on your toes and quickly bounce up and down 50 times.

There’s no need to lower your heels to the ground each time; just drop them part­way as you bounce.

SKIPPING: If you haven’t skipped for years, try bouncing

Don’t stop

VITAMIN D is known as the sunshine vitamin, and sunshine is the one thing that we can be sure of getting in Spain.

So do you still need a Vitamin D supplement?

“Yes, especially if you habitually use a sunscreen,” health experts ­ including those from Harvard ­ advised.

Most food contains only minimal amounts of Vitamin D, making it difficult to get the amount that you need from diet alone.

Vitamin D is absent from all natural foods except fish and egg yolks, and even when obtained from food, it must be transformed by the body before it can do any good, they said.

YOU can have too much of a good thing, including sleep.

University of Galway (Ireland) sleep experts analysed information from 5,000 people, half of whom had already experienced a stroke.

They found that the stroke risk doubled for participants sleeping more than nine hours a night, compared with those who were getting between seven and nine.

Results also revealed that people who slept less than five hours were three times more likely to suffer a stroke.

It was not clear why too much or too little sleep increased the risk, admitted Dr Christine McCarthy who led the research, although her team’s findings suggested this could indicate other underlying health issues.

Photo credit: Flickr/LongitudeLatitude

Photo credit: Pexels/Andrea Piacquadrio LAUGHTER: Could be the best medicine for blood glucose levels

Who to believe?

WEEK in, week out we receive conflicting reports regarding the dangers or benefits of alcohol.

Scientific studies have often concluded that moderate drinking was better for most people than not drinking at all. Some suggested it could even help them live longer. Having analysed 100 different surveys of approximately five million people, US investigators have now decided that many studies were flawed.

Far from bringing benefits, revised findings published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) warned that women risked premature death once they drank the daily equivalent of two 150millilitres of wine.

BODY NEUTRALITY is the ability to accept the way we look, even if it’s not entirely what we’d prefer.

The term became popular thanks to Anne Poirier, a body­ image coach who wrote The Body Joyful. She began using the phrase in 2015 to help

WHITE spots on the fingernails could mean a diet that is insufficient in zinc, calcium or iron.

Oysters – if you can manage them – are zinc ­ rich, but zinc is also plentiful in red meat and poultry. Other good sources are dairy products, beans, nuts, crab, lobster, and whole grains.

Turn to dairy again for calcium, along with seafood, canned fish, dark, leafy green vegetables, calcium ­ fortified food and fresh or dried figs.

For iron, choose eggs, poultry, shellfish, red meat and offal but vegetarians –and carnivores – will find plenty in nuts, pulses, peas, more of those dark leafy green vegetables and strawberries.

KING’S COLLEGE LONDON researchers have linked snoring and cognitive decline.

Previous studies had detected a connection but this latest investigation with otherwise healthy volunteers who snored heavily has con ­

Nailed it

Brainstorming

DR DANIEL AMEN, a California brain specialist, declared that women’s brains are healthier and busier than men’s. This could be why they go to prison 14 times fewer than men, Dr Amen maintained. The specialist came to this conclu­

sion after analysing more than 200,000 brain scans to pinpoint key disparities between men and women.

On the downside, he found that despite their increased brain activity, women were also more likely to suffer depression than men.

Don’t believe it

MEGAN FOX credits apple­cider vinegar with helping her to lose weight. The American actress, 36, has said in the past she does not like diets. Instead she drinks apple­cider vinegar, made from fermented apple juice, to stay in shape. The Mayo Clinic said:

“'Apple cider vinegar isn’t likely to be effective for weight loss with little scientific support for these claims,” doctors said.

Snore warning

firmed their suspicions.

Participants wore electroencephalography skull caps while sleeping to measure their brain waves. Blood oxygen lev ­

Be impartial

clients build a healthier, more harmonious relationship with food and exercise.

“Body neutrality prioritises the body’s function

and what it can do, rather than its appearance,” she explained. “You don’t have to love or hate it. Just feel neutral towards it.”

els, heart rate, breathing and eye and leg movements were tracked, along with cognitive function.

Those who snored most were less alert and had more difficulty in meeting goals and staying focused, the investigators found.

Photo credit: Pixabay RitaE OYSTERS: Rich in zinc, good for the nails.

30% Rise in demand for services at plastic surgery clinics in the UK in last two years.

Hello Leapy LETTERS

Further to your article in EWN this week, I presume that you are referring to Shoiba beach. I worked (for my sins) at the National Guard King Khalid Hospital in Jeddah from 1982 to 1984. When we first went to Shoiba as a BSAC dive group it was virgin, totally unspoilt. I went back in 1989 when the ragheads had found it and it was disgusting. Nappies, tin cans, rubbish everywhere. Ugh!!

Having said that, the diving in the early days was unbelievable! Probably the best in the world!

I attach some old photos for your interest. It was me who got the bus stuck in the sand!!

Best regards

Max Kite

Dear EWN

Just seen the article you posted about my art exhibition. Very grateful to you, as always. Happy Easter to all at Euro Weekly News.

Regards

Margaret Riordan x

Hi Bill

Bill took great care to avoid mentioning Nicola Sturgeon’s husband’s criminal activity; of course she will deny any knowledge of it and continue to bang on about Scotland’s ‘Independence’.

Leaving Britain and joining the EU is NOT independence.

Good article about Semana Santa though Bill.

Yours sincerely, Brian

Johnston Benalmadena

Editor , please let me know if you still require our NIE and address etc in order to make a comment !

Yes I am from Scottish heritage ­ the Johnston clan in Dumfries !

Dear EWN

I recently had my teeth whitened by a dentist in Fuengirola at a cost of €150. Whilst there was no guarantee that it would be permanent. I was very disappointed with the results. I was advised to eat only white foods and no coloured drinks for three days, which I did. The results were far from white. Just to let people know before they part with any money to get a guarantee. I did go back to complain but was told that at my age what do you expect. I am 83. I should have been told that in the first place and I would not have had it done. I gave since used a toothpaste whitener with better results for €4.00.

Yours, Mary

Dear all,

Lux Mundi Torre del Mar would like to thank you for the excellent coverage you have provided in this week’s issue. Best wishes to you all ,hope you had a good Easter.

Hi Leapy

Kind regards, Patricia

Rothwell

I am very sorry Leapy but I am going to hold you responsible for the state the world finds itself in.

Over 30 years ago I agreed with everything you said and asked you to take up the challenge and lead the world to a better future. You refused this challenge when you were obviously the only person that was talking any sense, and making your views known.

I am shocked and bewildered every day by the decisions our world leaders make, and feel so sorry that we are leaving our grandchildren such a catastrophic mess to deal with. Thank you for agreeing with me on most subjects and it is good to know there is someone else out there with some common sense. Keep up the good work.

Kind regards,

T Wiggins

Dangerous dogs

All these predatory breeds should be banned and current owners identified and told to surrender the dogs to the RSPCA. It’s time to get tough and protect ourselves and our families from people who feel the need to own these animals. Dog licences should be obligatory and priced to ensure that only genuine dog lovers can apply to keep a dog.

Alan

Big game

All endangered species are carefully watched by thousands of scientists, vets, field officers, ecologists, rangers and other professionals. You cannot hunt endangered animals and still get a hunting permit and import permits. The Southern Giraffe is the most numerous trophy ­ there are 30,000 and ranchers can raise as many as the market demands. They are not endangered. With rhinos, some private rhinos are offered for hunts in order to raise funds for protecting the rest, while wild rhino hunts are restricted to older males who deny younger, more virile bulls access to the cows.

The whole subject is far too complex and important to listen to deceptive emotionalism from HSUS/ HSI, an organisation that collects $200 million per year but little of it gets to save the wildlife of Africa.

John Nash

PETS

Caring for Nellie and Maisie

MANY of our pet owners find trusted pet ­ sitters through our network because the pets love the company. Nellie and Maisie have dog­sitter Chloe to care for them while their owner is away on holiday. This collaborative arrangement suits everyone perfectly. If you are planning a trip later this year, register now to find pet­sitters in time. Even if it’s just a short trip, you’ll know that sometimes you just have to leave pets at home. Young and senior pets in particular benefit from staying in their own home, so they can follow their routines undisturbed. Let us help.

Choose Housesitmatch. com for affordable travel, home and pet care. These are the steps to take:

1. Register as a homeowner on HouseSitMatch.

com

2. Choose a Premium account (£89 per year) to ensure you can help online when needed

3. Create a profile with photos of your pet and the house

4. Post an advert for the dates when you want to go away. Sitters apply and you choose.

How does it work?

HouseSitMatch can help you find suitable sitters. Join our network for a small annual fee. You get ID checked for safety and then build your advert saying when you are going on holiday. Housesitters see your advert, they respond and you choose the sitter who’ll care for your pets.

Trustpilot Testimonials4.9 / 5 Excellent 10 out of 10 for housesit match.com

I have had nothing but good and helpful service from the people who run this site, and my experience has been excellent.

Tristram Cosgrave ­ Dog and cat owner, Malaga How do you join?

Please register online via our website www.Housesit match.com.

Do you need a housesitter? Get in touch. House-sitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and petsitting, and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! Register as either housesitter or homeowner with a 50% discount using coupon code 20EWN – an exclusive offer for readers. To find a house pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com

Can animals speak

SOME people say the best conversations they have are with their pets, they listen and sympathise with us, but here is the question do they understand us? Can we actually communicate with our pets?

The answer is yes. We communicate with our pets verbally and with facial expressions and gestures. Our pets then answer us with certain postures, and facial expressions, by barking and meowing, etc.. in fact, some animal experts have detected up to 21 different meows! Obviously, we cannot chat with animals in the same way we can with our friends and family, but it has certainly been proven we can understand each other

perfectly. Scientists have completed many studies to show that dogs can follow human communication. We all know that we can train a dog to follow certain demands like sitting, but a study also found that dogs interpret voices in the same part of their brain as we do. Not only that but it’s been shown that dogs use the left part of their brain to process the meaning of a word and the right side to interpret the tone of voice used also just like us and have been known to master words in the same manner as young human children.

So, feel free to continue chatting with your pets but maybe not in public!

New Animal Welfare Law

SPAIN’S new Animal Welfare Law has been published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) and the countdown to its entry into force on September 29 now begins. In the meantime, all guardians of dogs, cats, and other pets should inform themselves about the new legislation and make the necessary changes so as not to breach it when the time comes.

One of the rules brought about by this new legislation is the compulsory sterilisation

of cats living in the home. It was announced a year ago that the new law would lead to greater sterilisation in general, but in the case of cats, it has been accentuated.

This measure is driven by the data on pet abandonment in Spain that the Affinity Foundation prepares and presents each year. The latest report detailed that unwanted litters were the main reason for abandonment in our country in 2021 and the second in 2020.

This figure is related to litters of cats that are produced in an uncontrolled manner due to the lack of sterilisation and the freedom that many owners offer their animals to leave the home, despite how dangerous it can be for cats to wander around outdoors, as reported by a news source.

For this reason, one of the purposes of this law is the promotion of identification and sterilisation campaigns, responsible breeding and sale, among others. It is aimed at pre ­

venting animal abandonment and unwanted litters.

Article 26, concerning specific obligations with regard to pets, establishes that, in addition to identification by microchip, it will be compulsory to carry out: “the surgical sterilisation of all cats before the age of six months, except those registered in the identification register as breeding animals and in the name of a breeder registered in the Register of Pet Breeders.”

PET SPEAK: Dogs can follow words.

Chloe the dog-sitter loves dogs and here she’s looking after Nellie and Maisie.

VINYL WRAP

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in English

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SUZUME

FRI: 19:45

SAT: 19:45

SUN: 13:15, 19:45

MON: 19:45

TUE: 19:45

WED: 19:45

SUPER MARIO BROS: THE FILM

SAT: 16:30

SUN: 16:30

TUE: 19:00

BEAUTIFUL DISASTER

SUN: 12:30

TUE: 18:30

THE THREE MUSKETEERS: D’ARTAGNAN

SUN: 13:10

TUE: 19:30

WED: 19:45

THE POPE’S EXORCIST

SUN: 12:35

TUE: 20:15

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOUR AMONGST THIEVES

SUN: 12:45

RENFIELD

TUE: 19:45

AIR TUE: 19:30

JOHN WICK 4

TUE: 21:45

RED DOG CINEMA

PLAZA MAYOR CINEMA Malaga Puerto Banus

AIR

MON, TUE, WED, THU 20:45

FRI: 21:15

SAT, SUN: 16:45

BEAUTIFUL DISASTER

MON, TUES, WED, THUR, FRI 19:15, 19:15

SAT, SUN 15:30, 19:30

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS

MON, TUES, WED, THUR, FRI 17:00

SAT, SUN 17:40

JOHN WICK 4

MON, TUES, WED, THUR, FRI 19:30

SAT, SUN 20:10

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

FURNITURE wanted, same day collection, also house clearance and removals. Also buy cars, campervans, boats & bikes. 697 511 071 (302540)

PROFESSIONAL garden services from Fuengirola to Estepona. All aspects of gardening and full maintenance and landscaping, free quotes, competitive prices. Contact Andrew 600 259 981 Andrew@gar den-professionals.com

FOODSCAPING Spain Organic Edible Landscaping Services. We design,install & manage Raised bed Kitchen Gardens & Food Forests on the Costa del Sol. 52 Harvests a year from your own backyard. Now is the time to plant for summer abundance. Contact: Jacob@Food scaping.es 642 260 204 (303308)

I RRIGATION

IRIS-IRRIGATION and landscapes. TRENCHLESS NO DIG Irrigation installation, Cables, Fibre Optic, Electric & Lighting Cables. New Installations & problem-solving. Turf (supply and laying). Garden constructions. Tree surgeon. Clearing. Astro Turf (Free Quotation) 676 747 521 (301097)

ELECTRIC GATE/GARAGE

DOOR automation repaired. Free, no obligation quotation. Call Colin - 636 394 641

ELECTRIC GATES/Garage Doors. Intercoms/access control systems and replacement remotes. New installs and repairs. For all your electric gate and garage door requirements call us on 605 356 469/952 786 178. The Garage Door Co & 2 Way Gates. tgdc@hotmail.co.uk www.2waygates.com (294592)

E K SERVICES Window & Pool cleaning, gardening, window tinting. Marbella to Malaga. Call +34681 928 041. Email: emskdd3@gmail.com (303338)

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

HANDYMAN: General Masonry work, painting, wall/roof waterproofing & other jobs. Call Michael 622 755 666 (303309)

BE PROACTIVE: Electric/Gas fires, Wood Burning Stoves. Quality guaranteed. EnviroCare. All areas covered. 952 663 141/670 409 759. info@envirocarespain.com www.envirocarespain.com (301178)

VINYL WRAP

VINYL SOLUTIONS WHY REPLACE WHEN YOU CAN RENOVATE? Modern adhesive vinyl coverings in hundreds of styles and designs can renovate a tired kitchen, bathroom, wall panels, bedroom wardrobes, fridge doors. Turn a tired looking wood designed kitchen into a modern solid colour or metallic look without painting or replacing. Work carried out on site with 10 year warranties Contact Ian 644 546 176 for design brochure and samples. (293467)

HOT TUBS new used, bought, sold, hired. Also move & repairs. Used good Hot Tubs for sale. 691 973 131 / +44 7836 379122 (303337)

ALHAURIN FURNITURE EMPORIUM furniture wanted, same day collection, also house clearance and removals. Also buy cars, campervans, boats & bikes. 697 511 071 (302540)

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

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

INTERPRETER: Michael will assist/go with you to any appointment ie Townhall, Doctors etc call 606 809 042 (303309)

ENGLISH LOCKSMITH emergency & appointment, locks changed, patio doors & windows secured. All locks supplied insurance approved. Fast & reliable service. No hidden extras or nasty surprises. 657 466 803 www.a1locksmiths.es (290138)

RIVIERA DEL SOL . Treat yourself to an Excellent Massage! Irina, Cuban masseuse, fun and spontaneous. Only when a massage is something more than a massage, and becomes a unique experience, with a mixture of smells, sounds, sensations, only then is when you enjoy the perfection of the exclusive massage. Ask for more information without obligation 951 274 723, 650 237 145 (302727)

TANTRIC masseuse in Calahonda. Cristal, expert in the art of seduction and tantric massage. Authentic masseuse who manages to transmit the physical and emotional pleasure with the 5 senses. Sensual tantric massage or body to body to perfection. Make an appointment. 650 237 145 (302727)

RELAXING Massage for Men & Couples. Feel free from tension & stress Call Dany 603 202 758

SAN PEDRO. Sandra. Professional relaxing, tantric massage. Young, slim, work alone, unforgettable moments. Nueva Andalucia. 641 346 278

MATURE elegant lady. Offers tantric and other massage. Personal home visits. 687 387 680 (286295)tp3

PURE RELAXATION in Nueva Andalucia with attractive independent masseuse. Tantric and other special massages in private apartment. For gentlemen and couples, with no rush attention to your needs 656 350 401

ENGLISH ELEGANT independent & affectionate lady in late 40s, gives a sensual golfers massage to relieve tension in her discreet private apartment. Satisfaction guaranteed. Call 680 177 569 (303054)

CASSIE. Mature English lady. Discreet and clean. 667 914 732 (FU 2936)

IT’S TIME to try something different and very relaxed. Sara, elegant masseuse, I offer massage, tantric, sensitive, prostatic, authentic relaxation that will leave you floating on the cloud. believe me spectacular! Very clean. I give and demand total hygiene! Let yourself go and you will discover the most hidden pleasures. Only by appointment. 650 237 145 (302727)

BUTTERFLY - Massage, is a space designed for people with high sensitivity, with a taste for body to body interaction, who enjoy the sensuality and magical trantric, to feel the warm hands of an attractive masseuse running through your body. Our masseuses have been chosen not only for their physical attractiveness, but also for their sensuality and massage skills. Only by appointment 951 274 723, 650 237 145 (302727)

CALA DE MIJAS. Excellent professional masseuse with exclusive attention for people who want to change their routine and want to relax and live a relaxing experience. If you are looking for discretion and good treatment, here I am. I’m Noa and I hope you make your appointment as soon as possible because I am very requested.

650 237 145 (302727)

MY HANDS can transmit a very important message and make us feel connected. I will create a suitable atmosphere for relaxation and sensuality without noise, candlelight, soft music, nothing should disturb that moment. Before we start, all you have to do is relax, breathe slowly to free your body and mind... I’ll take care of the rest. Irina, qualified masseuse with many years of experience. Book your appointment. 650 237 145 (302727)

RIVIERA DEL SOL . I am Noa a simple and natural girl who hides among her shy appearance the best kept secrets of relaxing, decontracting and stimulating massage. I am a specialist in eliminating your worries, muscular tension thanks to a depurative massage technique that I combine with a sensory capacity out of the ordinary. I massage both men and couples. 650 237 145. by appointment only (302727)

CALAHONDA. I am your ideal masseuse if you want to enjoy a massage, relaxing and sensual and want to try the sensations that this generates. I will use my hands and body with techniques of relaxation and mutual connection. Carla – 650 237 145 (302727)

THE BEST RELAXING MASSAGE CLOSE TO ELVIRIA

Tantric massages. Come and enjoy today with us. Latin masseuses for men. Come and relax. Outcall, too 650 237 145 (302727)

NEAR ELVIRIA. Masseuse, elegant with a high dose of implication. Very special tantric sensory massages. I will make you feel very relaxed with a good massage. 951 274 723, 650 237 145 (302727)

MARBELLA CENTRE - the ideal place for relaxing massage in the city centre. Available 24h and prices from €50. For reservations and information call 620 366 817. (295192)

PROFESSIONAL MALE muscled masseur. Full-body relaxing, deep tissue and therapeutic massage. In/outcalls. WhatsApp me 607 595 906 (301288)

FUENGIROLA - Johanna Brazilian Mature Masseur. Relaxing Massages. Best relax guaranteed. Tel: 617.818.615 (303203)

ASIAN MASSEUR Massage relaxing & therapeutic, to release tension and stress. Fuengirola. Call 634 103 607 (301171)

LOS BOLICHES - Carolina Pretty Masseur, Relaxing Massage, Guaranteed relax - 634.703.111 (303203)

BENALMADENA lovely lady, offering you a very relaxing body massage. Call for an appointment 634 209 427 (303139)

FUENGIROLA. Japanese Shiatsu & Zen Ki relaxing and therapeutic massage. Excellent service guaranteed. Home Visits. WhatsApp for appointment 693 988 340 (290155)

WWW.LAILALYNCH1.COM.

Heated pool, Jacuzzi and private bar. Inland private retreat with a full massage service. 662 913 428 (FU 2952)

FUENGIROLA. Amazing full body massage by spectacular blonde lady. 657 697 397 (FU 2776)

ESTEPONA. Susana, Latin Girl sculptural body, trained for deep relaxing massage. 697 705 304 (FU 2786)

ASIAN wellness massage Nice area west Marbella. Guaranteed results. 623 554 233 or 623 594 698 (301500)

ESTEPONA area. Kannika sweet Asian masseuse. Various massage. For more service details WhatsApp me 602 427 095 (FU 2891)

FILIPINO MASSAGE CENTER

MARBELLA, where hearts of professional massage, open daily. 660 578 171 (MI 561)

FUENGIROLA Paula 30 years old beautiful, soft sensitive massages, deep body relaxation techniques 641 244 707 (FU 2908)

TWO filipina, simpathic excellent unique relaxing massage authentic oriental massage, exclusive. Elviria. 679 126 231 (MI 561)

BOLICHES CELINA independent loving lady, kind, beautiful affectionate only for educated discreet respectable gentleman! Enjoy deep sensitive exciting relaxing massages in private discreet apartment, quiet cosy atmosphere high satisfaction! Excellent calm treatments! Demanding excellent hygiene! Appointments 11am/6pm 622 210 797 (FU 2966)

UKRAINIAN / THAI slim, friendly, beautiful hands massage. Marbella. 604 428 812 (MI 561)

BEAUTIFUL Asian lady offer exclusive, sensitive, prostatic, deep, soft massage pleasure to body and mind pleasure, good clean atmosphere, Marbella. Elviria. 603 257 690 (MI 561)

ASIAN touch www.asianmassage marbella.com combination oriental/ european massage. Elviria. 633 705 558 (MI 561)

OUTCALLS . New elegant masseuse for serious gentleman, good company, unforgettable times. Mijas Costa. 652 440 031 (FU 2942)

ORIENTAL lady, tantric sensory generate body to body, technique, deep, soft massage. Marbella 603 208 080 (MI 561)

VANESSA Benalmadena excellent massage services. Relaxing & therapeutic. Home premises. Call me 624 811 098 (303305)

FUENGIROLA. New Megan , mulatto, 19 years old massage and relaxation, 697 490 934. (FU 2964)

JAPANESE massage. Marbella. Relaxing, less stress. 664 177 216 (MI 559)

NEW Samanta beautiful, Colombian, 19 years old massage and relaxation 697 490 934. (FU 2964)

MARBELLA Tantric ritual massage with aromatherapy to leave completely renewed. 642 751 070 (2907)

FUENGIROLA Centre. 5 masseuses, total discretion, luxury apartment, young, beautiful. Massage, relax. 697 490 934 (FU 2964)

MASSAGE! Outcalls everywhere in Costa del Sol! Independent lady offer sensual massage. 604 256 336 (FU 2965)

SARA Venezuelan, professional relaxing therapeutic & sensitive massage. I can visit you. For more information contact me 632 770 051 (303021)

FUENGIROLA. Elegant masseuse, tantric, relaxing and sensitive massage. Carolina. 634 797 230 (fu 2930)

DUQUESA area. Relaxing massages are given to soothe body and mind. Call 610 056 299 (303339)

MARBELLA. Hi! I am Agness, beautiful masseuse, spectacular attributes. Relive stress, personalised massage, unforgettable sensations. 642 268 665 (fu 2931)

NUEVA Andalucia: Valery, Portuguese, mature, blond, sweet unique sensual massage. Independent. 685 221 959 (FU 2967)

VILLA MAGNA Benalmadenawith 8 masseurs & room rental –from 50€ - call 666 294 326 (303252)

ISDABE- SAN PEDRO. LOLA. RELAXING & SPORT MASSAGE. PLEASANT EXPERIENCE. 670 794 029 (303182)

MARBELLA Experienced mobile Masseuse. Therapeutic, & Relaxing massage for your body and mind. Call Monik 686 740 661 (290154)

JADE BRITISH lady offers sensual massage service for gentlemen & couples. Discrete premises. Estepona area. Call 665 896 519 (303143)

FUENGIROLA Paseo maritimo, private full massage service available 639 072 591 (303333)

SULTRY, sensuous, Gorgeous massage available by highly qualified Tai/Tantra professional. Private, discret apartment, Treat your Awesome Self. Telf: 602441700 (303256)

ESTEPONA TOWN, Simply, sweet, Asian, variety of massages etc. More service details call/ WhatsApp me 678 315 756 (FU 2963)

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

MOSQUITO Screens for windows, doors and a high-quality sliding patio door screen. All finishes available. Quick service. All areas covered. Call Julian 655 825 931 (301104)

MOSQUITO screens, sliding, pulldown, pleated, colours, call Mosquito Nick 647 072 861 www.mosquitonick.ws (295855)

CAR SERVICES

MOBILE MECHANIC will come to your home or work. Servicing, repairs, ITVs & diagnostics. Call Mick on 617 553 072 (301482)

ENGLISH bodyshop, fully equipped, Mijas Costa. No Job Too Small. 952 667 074 (302563)

MACHINE POLISHING. Professional machine glaze polishing, protection, transform the appearance of cars, 4x4s, Vans, motorhomes, etc, also interiors, motor trade cars prepared for maximum re-sale value! Mobile service, view web. www.autovaleting.eu. Tel/ WhatsApp, 666 926 718 (2961)

IMPORT/TRANSFER

CARS TRANSFERRED, history checks, Imports and Embargo problems. Change of use and lost papers. Change your car to Spanish plates, simple efficient service. Cars bought and sold. Please call 678808837 or email carsin spain@live.co.uk (290189)

WANTED

CAMPER VANS, CARAVANS, MOBILE HOMES, BOATS AND ALL PLANT, DIGGERS, DUMPERS, MOTORBIKES, CARS AND COMMERCIALS WANTED. BEST PRICE PAID, CASH TODAY, ANY REGISTRATION WITH OR WITHOUT PAPERS. PLEASE CALL 678 808 837 (290189)

CARS, VANS, ANY RESGISTRATION, INSTANT CASH, FINANCE / EMBARGO UK OR SPANISH 685 524 921 (290189)

CARS, VANS UK OR SPANISH BOUGHT FOR CASH. FREE COLLECTION IN SPAIN / UK. PLEASE CALL 678 808 837 OR 952 669 701 (290189)

FOR SALE

LEXUS 2.5 300 H Executive Navigation 4wd 197 CV Model Metallic Pearl, Imported, Purchased October 2020, 5090kms Hybrid and Petrol. Condition as new. Offers on 38,000€ Neg. Please Call 689 876 751 (303217)

AUDI TT QUATTRO convertible in Silver. 1 Lady owner for last 12yrs, used as a second occasional car, hence 98,000. New ITV. €7,500. Tel/Whatsapp: 606 006 222 (303334)

GOLF AUTOMATIC 1.6 Turbo Diesel, 2015, 159,000kms 12,995€ ONO. 607 334 610 (303335)

MALE/Female Viagra, cialis, kamagra jelly all areas. Mixed trial packs available. Delivery or mail order available 604 385 476. viagra4you19@gmail.com

SOLUCIONES RAPIDAS - We will Paint your apartment in maximum 2 days. 640 350 479 (301298)

UK & IRISH Passport renewals including photos. Complete Service. Cath’s Cards. 952 885 759. www.cathscards.es (290153)

COCKROACHES, ANTS, insects, fleas, mice, rats, wasps, termite specialists. Fumigations, bars, restaurants, houses, etc. Sanitary department officially registered certificates. Serving the coast since 1985. Only legal English owned pest control company on the coast. If you want the best then phone N.P.S. Paul 676 700 370 (1296213)

WANTED CARS AND VANS, FREE COLLECTION, SAME DAY 685 524 921 (290189)

CARS, VANS BOUGH WITH / WITHOUT PAPERS. CASH WAITING 678 808 837 (303115)

ALL CARS / Commercials wanted, runners or non-runners. Cash. Buyer collects. Transfer included. 605 109 796 (302091)

CARS, Vans, Bikes wanted. Any Reg, Anything Considered Call or Whatsapp 687 049 592

WANTED, wanted, wanted!! All cars, all years, all models… from exotic to classic. Spanish, English, Dutch plated. Call us on 951 977 329 or 606 647 597. (302517)

KENNELS

CAT & DOG World Kennels and Cattery. 952 112 978 / 630 197 435. www.catanddogworld.com (302750)

ACE OF SHADES - Don’t let the bugs get you! Available in enrollable, slider and pleated. Large choice of colours including wood effect. Tel: 951 273 254 / 671 732 204 / info@ aceofshades.design (101730)

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

DAVID CHRISTIAN-CLARK

PLAYS POPULAR SPANISH GUITAR FOR YOUR EVENT. OVER 30 YEARS PRO EXPERIENCE BACKED BY A DIPLOMA FROM GUILDHALL LONDON. SPECIALISES IN WEDDINGS.ECLECTIC PLAYLIST TAILORED TO YOUR TASTE. REASONABLE RATES BY NEGOTIATION.COVERS GIB TO NERJA.SEE YOU TUBE. ENQUIRIES davechristianclark@ gmail.com (303110)

INTERNATIONAL SKIPPER

LICENCE: Courses held in English and starts soon. VHF and Radar Courses. 626 245 098 (303137)

YATCH SKIPPER RETIRED to enhance your boating skills, boat handling, maintenance, navigation, safety. On your own boat, any size of boat. Mike 602 533 508 (303066)

ACE CHARITY ‘El Refugio’ in La Cala de Mijas is a registered charity. We have on average 275 dogs in our care and we receive no help from the town hall or the Andalucian government. We desperately need foster homes and adoptants for our many dogs, especially the small ones and puppies who do not do well in a big shelter. We are grateful for any help offered, including donations of food and blankets. Visiting times are from 13.00 to 15.00 and you can always turn up or make an appointment by calling Denise on 669 018 736. Our website is www.ace-charity.org where you can view all the dogs in our care. (93320)

ADANA THE ANIMAL SHELTER IN ESTEPONA. We always need volunteers to walk and socialise with our dogs and help with cleaning. We also need good homes for our animals that you can see on www.adana.es. Kennels open every day 10-1.30, Camino de Casares, near Parque de los Pedregales, Estepona. (5 minutes from the Poligono) For more information call 952 113 467, available from 10.00am until 2.00pm. (93319)

ANIMEX Foundation offers free will upgrading when leaving something for abandoned animals. Contact animexfoundation@gmail.com or call 692 166 434 now for this absolutely free service (288287)

ARCH - The Andalucian Rescue Centre for Horses, registered charity 8448, the Centre is open to visitors every Sunday from 9am until 2pm. Working closely with the Spanish authorities, we rescue, rehabilitate and rehome abused and abandoned horses and donkeys. Come and meet our current rescues, learn about our work and how you may be able to help. Run solely by a small team of dedicated volunteers, the Centre is located between Alhaurin el Grande and Coin in Comm. de Viña Borrego behind Venta Miralmonte. For more information and directions see our website www.horserescuespain. org, our Facebook page Centro Andalusi de Rescate de Caballos or tel. 610 845 491 or 656 935 613

SEPE the horse and donkey charity is open to the public at weekends from 10.00 to 5.00. Volunteers are much needed in all departments and are welcome at any time. For our riding for the disabled classes, we are also in need of extra helpers. We are nationally registered by the Spanish Ministry of the Interior (164640) but only with your support can we give the equine a voice. If you can just commit to 2 or 3 euros a month it will really help make a difference. You can find us at Lauro Golf Equestrian Centre, Alqueria, Alhaurin de la Torre. Tel. 608 258 950 info@sepe online.net www.sepeonline.net

(93321)

SOS ANIMAL REFUGE we have dogs, young and old looking for homes. Some of our dogs have been with us for some time and would love to find a cosy spot to curl up in and a knee on which to rest their heads. If you have room in your heart and home we would love to hear from you. We do not put our dogs to sleep - no matter how old, they are safe with us. For day to day needs and to pay for veterinary care, we much appreciate the support we receive. We desperately need items to sell on our market stall to help raise funds and are happy to come and collect. So, if you are having a clear-out, please contact us on 605 227 155.

If you would like to know more about rehoming, please call 653 257 875. Visit our website www.sos-animals.org or please phone Sandy on 952 385 923 or 666 814 056 if you would like to make a donation or help in any way. (93317)

PLUMBING

PLUMBING. Leak detection & blocked drains. Tel 952 568 414 / 661 910 772 / drainspain.com

POOLS

PROPERTY

REMOVALS & STORAGE

15 CUBIC metre van returning to the UK 28 April 2023. Space available each way. Tel. 639 928 090 (303227)

MAN AND VAN

MAN & VAN, 20€ ph. Removals, Rubbish & House Clearances. Paul 634 112 677 (291430)

2 MEN, Van €30 p hour. House Clearances & Storage. 651 081 610 (302401)

moveit-storeit.com Tel David 696 810 618 (294207)

STORAGE, Storage, Storage. Man & Van Services. Call/Whatsapp 690 155 340 (302418)

NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL

SOLAR

SOLAR Hot Water heating: FREE HOT WATER. 26 years installation history in Spain. Envirocare. All areas covered. Quality guaranteed. 952 663 141/ 670 409 759 info@envi rocarespain.com www.enviro carespain.com

SOLAR ENERGY

SOLAR BLINDS ES Ideal for Large Glazed Areas to Reflect Heat / Glare And Stop Furniture Fading And Still Keep The View. Save Heat in The Winter to Improve Your Living Environment. ian@solarshade tinting.com Tel Ian 958 496 571 / 644 546 176 (292919)

SOFT FURNISHINGS

PROPERTY WANTED

THINKING of selling your property or interested in a current valuation? We have clients actively looking for properties from Torremolinos to Calahonda. List with us and let us sell your property. Call Joe 626 864 683 (302705)

WWW.INTERMARBELLA.COM

Costa del Sol Property Sales & Long term rentals wanted. All areas / All budgets / All types. Spain +34 951 708 422. UK +44 208 144 5008. Email info@intermarbella.com

PROPERTY FOR SALE

WWW.INMOANDALUZ.COM. Bargain inland properties for all budgets, fincas, village homes, apartments and villas. Legal building plots. 952 491 609 / 685 514 835 (295954)

WWW.INTERMARBELLA.COM

Costa del Sol Property for sale. All areas / all budgets / all types. Spain +34 951 708 422. UK +44 208 144 5008 Email info@intermarbella.com

PROP MAINTENANCE

STARLIGHT Property Cleaning & Maintenance. All Areas. Residential & Holiday Lets. Persiana repairs, Decorating, Electrial & Plumbing repairs. 682 636451 www.starlight-spain.com (302059)

PROPERTY TO LET

LONG TERM RENTALS AVAILABLE and also wanted. Super prices. Apartments, townhouses, villas, fincas, shops, offices, bars, restaurants. Coast & inland. Tlf 679 111 522 (303025)

WWW.INTERMARBELLA.COM

Costa del Sol Property Long Term Rentals All areas / All budgets / All types. Spain +34 951 708 422 UK +44 208 144 5008. Email info@ intermarbella.com (303052)

PROFESSIONAL LOCAL REMOVALS AT AFFORDABLE RATES. 1/2 DAY FROM €90. FULL DAY FROM €175. WE ALSO PROVIDE A FORTNIGHTLY DOOR TO DOOR SERVICE TO UK AND EUROPE (INCL SCOTLAND). WORLDWIDE SHIPPING TO USA, AUSTRALIA, ETC AND FULL STORAGE FACILITIES. TEL (0034) 952 578 507 OR (0034) 637 892 278 / EMAIL garymoveit@yahoo. co.uk (301295)

JDS EURO TRANSPORT & REMOVALS - Regular trips throughout Europe. Call or WhatsApp Julian 0044 7884 908 929. See Facebook Page for recommendations (301271) moveit-storeit.com Tel David 696 810 618 (294207) STORAGE

moveit-storeit.com Tel David 696 810 618 (294207)

ROLLER SHUTTERS

ACE OF SHADES - PERSIANA (security shutter) electric and manual, various colours available including wood effect, we also offer a repair service. Make your home more secure! Tel: 951 273 254 / 671 732 204 / info@aceofshades.design

ROLLER shutter repairs, 7 days a week, conversion from manual to motorised, new installations. All areas covered. Coast and inland. 655 825 931

SITUATIONS VACANT

SALES, PRODUCTION & CLEANING Vacancies at Mayan Monkey Mijas Chocolate Factory Full-time positions. Year-round employment. Immediate start More info at: info@mayanmon key.es/ 600 088 542/ 629 466 710

SALES PERSON required, high commissions paid in just 48hrs, for the Marbella/Mijas costa region. Call 722 841 000 (303313)

WINDOW TINTING WINDOW CLEANING

MOBILE SERVICE. ITV Legal. Solar Reflective tint for glass curtains, balconies, yachts. Stop fading, heat & glare. 958 496 571644 546 176 ian@solarshadetinting.com

SITUATIONS VACANT

TRADITIONAL WINDOW CLEANER Give your windows and doors that professional finish at affordable prices. Call Chris 604 871 121/ 952 561 607 (302562)

CURTAINS, blinds, cushions and much more. Free estimates and home visits. Tel 657 369 343 or rosannacarmella8@gmail.com

SWIMMING POOLS

POOL MAINTENANCE, & Repairs, including heaters & regrouts. Friendly & reliable service. Malaga to Estepona & inland areas. 678 791 495 / 951 536 389 www.sparklenripple.net

WESTARPOOLS. Pool construction, renovation, repairs and heating. 619 246 372 / www.westar pools.com (302695)

SWIMMING Pool Heating Pumps, Pool Covers, Rollers, Filtration Systems. 26 years installation history in Spain. Envirocare. All areas covered. Quality Guaranteed. 952 663 141/ 670 409 759 info@envirocare spain.com www.envirocare spain.com (301178)

TRANSLATORS

OFFICIAL TRANSLATIONS All Languages. 952 789 204 Mobile 654 613 094 sanpedrotransla tions@gmail.com (301426)

UPHOLSTERY

ADVANCED Cleaning Services. Professional carpet and upholstery cleaning, 28 years experience, wet/dry clean. Honest, reliable. 678 808 837 / 952 669 701 acservs@outlook.com

UPHOLSTERY including leather cleaned also carpets. 685 524 921

CARPETS AND SOFAS cleaned. Reliable, fast service. Family run. Cleansol 952 930 861 / 607 610 578. 10am - 10pm 7 days, all areas Discount Code: EWN 1 CLEAN

WATER HEATERS

Electric & Gas Water Heaters. Quality Installations. 26 years installation history in Spain. EnviroCare. All Areas Covered. 952 663 141/670 409 759 info@envirocarespain.com www.envirocarespain.com

Lexus ES300h Takumi - driving luxury

ROAD TEST

byMarkSlack

IT takes a lot of time, money and hard work to build a new brand, and many automotive giants have tried and failed over the years. One manufacturer who succeeded is Toyota, with their luxury brand Lexus. Launched in the UK back in 1990 with the LS400, early second hand models with large mileages still fetch surprisingly good money. It was a car that was never going to set your driving senses alight but used the best quality materials and engineering and was supremely refined.

Although style is very subjective Lexus models have become less conventional in their looks but continue to major on quality and reliability. The ES300 follows that theme with a drive train that’s

smooth, refined and economical, but not one to thrash across a twisting cross country road.

Priced from €45,561/ £40,000 the ES sits just below the largest Lexus offering, the LS, and has just one engine option of a 2.5 ­ litre four ­ cylinder petrol/ electric hybrid, mated to a CVT auto matic gear box. It’s a happier engineering union than a lot of CVT and double

Facts at a Glance

• Model: Lexus ES 300h Takumi

clutch transmissions. Changes are smooth and can be encouraged via flappy paddles. There’s a more noticeable rise in engine revs compared to

remain high until the speed catches up. However, being a Lexus, everything remains pretty refined and quiet.

above a sporting drive. It’s a car that doesn’t particularly entertain, but isn’t designed to in fairness. The comfort levels

the seats are heated and recline. Other standard fare in the Takumi models includes, in a very long list, a fantastic 17­speaker audio system, an electric rear sunblind, large multimedia screen, head ­ up display, powered tilt and slide sunroof, LED lights with cornering headlights and a veritable plethora of other comfort, convenience and safety features. The interior as a whole is a very nice and impressive place.

• Engine: 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder, petrol-electric hybrid

• Gears: CVT automatic

• Performance:0-100kmh (62mph) 8.9 seconds. •

Maximum Speed 180kmh (112mph)

• Economy:5.3l/100km(53.2mpg) combined driving-WLTP

• Emissions:120g/km-WLTP

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

The ES is at its best as a comfortable cruiser and definitely for drivers who value quality and comfort

feeling of quality wherever you look. The front seats have heating and cooling along with a substantial array of individual controls even in the rear where

At €64,202 / £56,365 the ES Takumi isn’t cheap but it offers a size and level of equipment that puts others to shame.

If you like your automotive luxury, and want to be wafted along, then the ES should be on your shopping list.

LUXURY: The interior is a very nice place to be.

Ons fire

TENNIS’ World Number five, Ons Jabeur, claimed her first title of the season with a stunning victory over Belinda Bencic at the Charleston Open on Sunday, April 9.

The Tunisian tennis superstar, who was the runner­up at both Wimbledon and the US Open in 2022, defeated the Swiss player in a thrilling 7­6 (86), 6­4 match that had the crowds on the edge of their seats.

Bencic, who was the defending champion, had to play two matches on Sunday, completing a rain­interrupted semi ­ final against Jessica Pegula before taking on Jabeur. But it was Jabeur’s day as she fought back from a breakdown in the first set before holding her nerve in the second to secure the title.

This was Jabeur’s fourth WTA title and second on clay. The Tunisian currently holds the most WTA victories on clay since 2020 with 37.

Jabeur’s victory comes after a difficult start to the season, which saw her struggle with injuries following her second­round exit from the Australian Open in January. But her win at the Charleston Open is a testament to her resilience and hard work. The victory is sure to boost her confidence as she looks ahead to the rest of the season.

JEREMY PFC MALAGA WOMEN’S FOOTBALL CLUB

THERE’S no room for halfhearted attitudes. Mentality trumps everything, because the regular season is over. With this, we have already started the regional promotion Playoffs.

Eight teams first battle it out for the chance to become the champions of women’s football in Malaga, as well as the year­long bragging rights that follow, simply being the icing on the cake for a much bigger prize.

Obtaining the ‘golden ticket’ and the nod to transition from the regional football league into the limelight that is being a part of the Spanish Football Federation’s Primera Nacional, is the ultimate prize for the champions of Malaga, as well as being the first of four steps to reaching the Women’s League (LaLiga Femenino).

With all competing

It’s Playoffs Baby!

they may have noticed in the first leg, which is the perfect chance to revisit their arsenals and to make sure that they have the necessary weaponry to prevail over the competition during the second leg.

A common question when it comes to the postseason and the regular season is if there’s any real difference between the two. A team that showed promising results during the regular season is almost guaranteed to keep up their performance during the playoffs.

teams starting with a clean slate in the playoffs, prior achievements and accolades are meaningless. All that matters is the goal to be the final team standing and to victoriously lift up the Malaga Championship trophy, followed by the opportunity to potentially be promoted to Primera Nacional in the regional playoffs

against the other seven provinces in Andalucia, where matches become increasingly more challenging for all the teams involved with the importance of skill, technique and strategy becoming even more prominent.

However, the teams have all got the two­week Easter holiday period to polish up on any kinks that

At the end of the day, one could say that this is because there are no rule changes in the sport between the two seasons, football remains the same regardless. The only difference would probably be the lower temperatures, but you’ll definitely feel the heat of battle while spectating the playoff matches.

PLAYOFFS: Eight teams will battle it out to be champions.

Tunisia’s Jabeur beat Belinda Bencic in Charleston.

Photo credit: Ons Jabeur (via Instagram)

Walking football end-of-season race is on!

EWN Over 50s League

• El Canadon 1 v 9 AC Be‐nahavis

Bottom of the league El Canadon found the going re‐ally tough against a well‐or‐ganised, confident and cre‐ative Benahavis side, who showed why they are top by outclassing their opponents and scoring freely in each half. There are still games to go but, on current form, it’s going to take something spe‐cial for anyone to catch them!

• Walking Dead 0 v 4 Mala‐ga

From the first whistle, Malaga’s crisp passing, quick thinking and sharp move ‐ment made it difficult for the home side, and they con ‐trolled the first half with three fine goals. Walking Dead tried

hard to fight back after the break but Malaga maintained their discipline and carved out several more scoring oppor‐tunities, adding another goal to an impressive display and

finishing 0‐4 winners.

EWN Over 60s League

• Walking Dead 2 v 0 Mala‐ga

Walking Dead took their opportunities well, while Malaga lost concentration and gave away two careless goals, one in each half. The visitors tried to make amends, but the Walking Dead defence remained solid, often forcing the opposition to misplace their passes, whilst creating chances of their own, ending up de ‐served 2‐0 winners to main‐tain pressure at the top.

Spain’s Jon Rahm wins the 2023 Masters in Augusta, Georgia

SPAIN’S Jon Rahm won the 2023 Masters after holding off the challenge of American golfer Brooks Koepka.

Rahm turned things around on the final day of the 2023 Masters at the legendary Augusta National Golf Club to win his first‐ever Masters tournament on Sun‐day, April 9.

American golfer Brooks Koepka led the field by two shots at the start of play. However, 28‐year‐old Rahm stunned his opponent by finishing on 12‐under after carding a three‐under last round of 69 to win by four shots and take the famous green jacket.

Koepka had to settle for second place, tying with the legendary Phil Mickelson. The 52‐year‐old American pulled out all the stops to finish on eight‐under after a stunning seven‐under round of 65. Further down the field, two previous champions, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed, tied in sixth spot in this 87th edition of the event.

Scottie Scheffler, the defending 2022 Masters champi‐on could only manage a disappointing finish of four un‐der. The highest‐placed player from Great Britain and Northern Ireland was England’s Matt Fitzpatrick, the cur‐rent US Open champion.

Continuing a fine history of producing golfing champi‐ons, Rahm becomes the fourth Spaniard to win the pres‐tigious golf tournament.

Quite fittingly, his victory came on what would have been the birthday of Seve Ballesteros, the two‐time Masters champion in 1980 and 1983.

The other two Spanish golfers to win in Augusta were Sergio Garcia in 2017, and José María Olazábal who was victorious in both 1994 and 1999.

Spot two of our league clubs participating in next week’s Eurocopa.

EWN