Costa Blanca North 25 – 31 May 2023 Issue 1977

LUCKY ESCAPE

A MASSIVE fire that broke out in a high ­ rise apartment block in Benidorm in the early hours of Sunday, May 21, left residents rushing to safety on the roof.

According to the Provincial Consortium of Alicante, five fire appliances were deployed to the location at No25 Calle Esperanto, just after 5am.

In a post on their official Facebook page, the Fire Department wrote: “Up to five crews extinguished a tricky house fire early this morning in Benidorm.

Some neighbours were evacuated and treated for smoke inhalation.”

They had the fire under control just before 6am with the stranded residents subsequently escorted to safety. Although there were no injuries reported, some had to be treated for smoke intoxication.

At 9.39 the blaze was declared extinguished. Along with the five appliances and crews, a command unit was dispatched to the scene along with a heavy pump, a heavy ru ­

ral pump, and a turntable ladder appliance. A total of nine firefighters tackled the fire assisted by a sergeant and two corporals from the Benidorm Fire Station.

The incident was the second large fire to occur in Benidorm in the space of a week. A spectacular blaze broke out last week on wasteground near a residential area.

Thick black plumes of smoke could be seen from all across the town as piles of rubbish burned fiercely.

Credit: Bomberos de la Dipu on Facebook

HIGH-RISE: The fire burned fiercely.

Beautiful day for browsing

SUNDAY May 14 was a beautiful morning for casual browsing at the Jalon Valley Help’s May Fayre, at the Rastro site in Jalon.

As usual Jalon Valley Help (JVH) had arranged a good mix of stalls including fashionable clothes, bric ­ a ­ brac, kitchenware, cakes and games, with a quiet area where children could have fun and time to themselves.

There were the ever­popular bottle stall, tombola and raffle and stalls selling books and nick­nacks for the home, all laid out so that you could have a break for coffee before more extended browsing.

Paul J was the compere, providing musical entertainment and introducing The Good Friends, who found a nicely shaded area beneath the trees from which to serenade us with their songs.

Although attendance was down this year, the May

Grants for Teulada residents

TEULADA Town Hall is offering a new series of grants to repair house fronts in the old town with a total budget of €10,000.

Residents have until July 11 to request the subsidies to repair, restore and improve façades of buildings that meet a series of criteria and are located within the area classed as ‘Teulada gótica amurallada’ (‘Gothic walled Teulada’), considered a Cultural Interest Asset (BIC).

explained that “this is the second batch of grants launched for this purpose, totalling €30,000 for the improvement, preservation and protection of our historic town centre.”

For further information visit www.teulada moraira.sedelectronica.es.

In addition, the council has also launched the yearly summer voucher campaign for local businesses.

Fayre managed to raise nearly €2,400 for the charity.

For further information about future events please contact eventsjvh@gmail. com and for information about the charity see their website www.jalonvalley help.com.

Singing against cancer

ORGANISERS of the Alfaz International Choir Festival last week donated more than €2,900 to the Alicante Association Against Cancer (AACC) raised during this year’s edition of the event on May 5 and 6.

Festival director Jose Antonio Rubio handed over the cheque to AACC president Pablo Enriquez and thanked the support and solidarity of the audience, as well as local Norwegian schools

Den Norskeskole and Den Norske Clubben Costa Blanca and the local Musical Innovation Centre for their generous contributions.

Alfaz mayor Vicente Arques took the opportunity to highlight the committed response of residents whenever their support is needed and highlighted the charitable nature of the International Choir Festival, which has become a major cultural event in Alicante Province.

The council adds that if the number of requests presented exceeds the initial budget, the total amount could be increased to meet the demands.

Local Treasury councillor Verónica Martínez

ALTEA has been awarded the title of Tourist Town of Excellency by the regional government.

Until June 11 all residents can request up to €150 in vouchers of €10, €20, €50 and €100 to spend in local shops, with the town hall compensating shoppers for half the amount spent.

For further information visit www.bonos consumoteuladamoraira.es.

Excellent Altea

It is the maximum category within the Tourist Town regulation and will enable Altea to access a new level of grants and subsidies, according to local Tourism councillor Xelo González.

“We are very pleased to have obtained the highest recognition as a quality tourist town with a first­

class tourism sector that is committed to sustainability and professionalism,” declared Sra González.

The councillor added that the new set of subsidies will enable the council to continue promoting and improving the local tourism trade.

She added that the requirements to obtain the maximum title include re­

ceiving a minimum of 10,000 visitors a year, offering at least 1,000 tourist accommodation vacancies, having a Tourism Strategy Plan in place, offering top ­ class resources such as Cultural Interest Assets, having a network of Tourist Info offices, and certifying that tourism accounts for a large part of the the local economy, among othersall of which Altea has met.

Image by Peter Sockett.

MAY FAYRE: Raised nearly €2,400 for local charity.

New psychologists

VILLAJOYOSA Town Hall has reinforced its municipal Social Services department with two new psychologists. The professionals will work in multidisciplinary teams with other professionals such as social workers and family educators and perform a range of functions including diagnosis and assessment, case planning, intervention and direct care.

In memoriam

CALPE Council has awarded the Villa de Calp golden medal to Juan Manuel Policarpo Moll, a Local Police officer who passed away last September while attempting to rescue a man trapped in his car by a flood. The emotive ceremony was attended by Juan Carlos’ widow and children.

Off to Brussels

THE European Commission has once again invited Pedreguer Council to organise a seminar on gender equality in sport during the European Week of Regions and Cities taking place over four days in Brussels in October, together with representatives from municipalities from all over the EU.

Copper thief

A CAMPSITE employee in Benidorm has been arrested for allegedly stealing €120,000 worth of copper cable. The suspect reportedly used his position as head of maintenance to carry out 66 purchases of the highly valuable material on the campsite’s account for his own profit.

Altea sculpture

A FIVE­TONNE sculpture made out of unwanted train and rail pieces is currently displayed in Altea’s Plaza de Europa. Atalaya Terra by Calpe artist Viktor Ferrando is the second in a series of 18 huge pieces to be made by the artist with the support of Rotary Club Distrito 2203.

A sweet donation

THE Ecuador embassy has donated a replica of a 3,500 BC vase to Villajoyosa’s Valor Chocolate Museum.

The original vase was discovered at the Santa Ana­La Florida site in Ecuador and constitutes the earliest evidence of cocoa consumption in the world.

Representatives of the Ecuadorian government presented the replica to Chocolates Valor president Pedro Lopez and Villajoyosa mayor Andreu Verdu at the museum last week.

Sr Lopez thanked the embassy for “the donation of this wonderful piece proving that Ecuador was the first place in the world where chocolate was consumed.”

Mayor Andreu Verdú highlighted the relationship between Ecuador and the origin of chocolate, describing it as “a magnificent cultural and

magical contribution to the rest of the world.”

The Museo del Chocolate

Valor in Villajoyosa is the only official museum dedicated to

YOUR

STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

Police cars

ALFAZ DEL PI renewed its Local Police fleet with seven new vehicles.

chocolate in Spain and the new piece donated by the Ecuadorian Embassy is expected to be visited by an estimated 100,000 people a year.

They are fully equipped to facilitate the work of the officers and are selfrecharging hybrid vehicles, enabling the council to take one step further towards sustainable mobility.

New record Property scam warning

SOCIAL media users are warning of a series of alleged property scams in Benidorm and Albir.

“I have been searching for properties to help some people out and a friend recently found an apartment in Benidorm,” reports one poster.

“I was dubious at first so decided to speak to the agent. He was very convincing but it just didn’t feel right. The icing on the cake was when he used peer pressure for me to put down a €1,000 deposit as

there were six people already due to visit it on May 30.

“We all know properties are hard to come by at the moment so if it looks too good to be true, it most probably is. Please be careful,” the user advised.

Regarding possible warning signs, the poster mentioned “not being able to speak on the phone, transferring money without seeing the property and only asking for one month’s rent,” among others.

Anna Ellis

THE forecasgt arrival of cruise passengers in Alicante this year beats all the records registered to date.

The figures managed by the Association for Cruise Tourism amount to more than 200,000 passengers on 86 ships. These include stopovers as well as embarkations and disembarkations with Alicante as a home port.

The operations as a home port correspond to the company MSC Cruises, which in 2023 has doubled its commitment

Villajoyosa improvements

VILLAJOYOSA Council has carried out a series of improvements to the library and the Calle 9 d’Octubre.

Local artist Ángela Gordero has painted one of the stairways of Cristóbal Zaragoza library with references to iconic elements of literature, from a blackand ­ white fountain pen through to colour representations of scenes from national and international books and films.

This is the latest in a series of decorative interventions in the library to make it “more modern, friendly and open to

the public” in the words of local councillor Xente Sebastiá.

Residents are also encouraged to donate their own works of art to help decorate the stairway between the first and second floors.

Meanwhile, the Parks and Gardens department has renovated the children’s play area on Calle 9 d’Octubre in the Poble Nou neighbourhood.

Work has included changing the cushioned surface, replacing old and deteriorated elements and repainting road signs.

to Alicante after the good results obtained in its first year with the city as a port of embarkation.

In total, MSC Lirica and MSC Orchestra will operate 25 times.

In these cases, the average expenditure per tourist exceeds €300 when adding the night or nights spent in hotels, shops and excursions before setting sail or on the return trip.

It is also noteworthy that seven cruise ships will make their first call in the city this year.

There are three vehicles equipped with a kit for detainees, two patrol cars, a camouflaged vehicle and an all­terrain vehicle.

All of them have a built­in storage unit in the boot with an extractable table to facilitate the drafting of reports.

In addition, six of them incorporate Federal Signal Vama light bridges that increase visibility, optimise performance and reduce risks in any emergency situation.

The fleet of vehicles has been renewed through a leasing contract for the next four years, with an annual investment of €101,600.

Image by Villajoyosa Town Hall

REPLICA VASE: Has been donated to the Valor Chocolate Museum.

Cruising in Alicante

CRUISE passengers who have arrived in Alicante in the first four months of the year particularly value the safety, mobility and cleanliness of the city, according to the survey carried out by the Alicante Cruise Tourism Association in collaboration with the Alicante City & Beach Tourist Board.

The association consulted nearly 700 cruise passengers between January and April on different aspects of their experience during their stopover in the city.

The ratings range from 0 to 5, with 5 being the highest score. The results were public safety with 4.59, mobility with 4.45 and cleanliness with 4.44 are the aspects most highly rated by tourists.

They are followed by the climate, with 4.38, gastronomy, with 4.18 and the beaches with 4.14.

The profile of the cruiser who visits Alicante is that of a person of 51.73 years of age on average who travels with a family.

By nationality, the United Kingdom accounted for 23.4 per cent of those surveyed, followed by Spain (20.63 per cent).

The average expenditure per cruiser per day was €75.12, divided between gastronomy/hospitality (€40.57) and commerce (€33.87).

BENITACHELL Council on Monday May 22 organised a heartfelt tribute to local doctor Régulo Lorente for his more than 40 years serving the town.

Dozens of people took part in the event at the Centro Social to mark his retirement and thank the doctor for his lifetime of hard work.

For more than four decades Dr Lorente has been the GP of all the local residents in Benitachell and

A lifetime of service Back on track

is a very respected and beloved figure.

He arrived in the town at the beginning of the 1980s from his native Avila (Castilla y Leon), originally not planning to spend his entire life there and even less expecting to experience a global epidemic on the front line.

“I have the honour of be­

ing the doctor who has been in the village for the longest uninterrupted period of time,” he told local magazine Al Corrent in a recent interview, adding in Valencian that “I wasn’t born here but I will die a mitja fava” in reference to the colloquial name given to the inhabitants of Benitachell.

Stag and hen tsunami

EXCLUSIVE figures show that Benidorm could face a ‘stag and hen tsunami’ next yearwith the booking boom worth an estimated whopping €40 million to businesses in the resort.

Pre­wedding jaunts to the Costa Blanca party hotspot have rocketed in recent years. One leading UK firm has previously reported a 700 per cent surge in bookings since 2018.

Now businessman Matt

Mavir, Managing Director of Last Night of Freedom, said enquiries for 2024 are already “through the roof” ­ with around one in every eight stag or hen weekends set to be staged in Benidorm next year.

“Benidorm is already incredibly popular, but next year the resort looks set to reach the next level,” said Matt.

“There’s nowhere else in mainland Europe that is coming close to Benidorm at the moment, we can only describe it as a stag and hen tsunami.

“In fact, there are so many stags and hens visiting, that sector alone is now worth somewhere between €30­40

million a year to Benidorm.”

According to Matt, who has helped to organise over 45,000 stag and hen trips, the city has leapfrogged the likes of Prague and Dublin to form what he calls the “holy trinity” of destinations, alongside Liverpool and Newcastle.

TOURISM figures in the Valencia Region have officially recovered to pre­pandemic levels, according to hotel and tourism business association Hosbec.

Figures published by the group for the first half of May reveal that the British market still ‘reigns’ in Benidorm with more than 50 per cent of market share and that it grew more than six points compared to 2019 thanks to the bank holiday for the coronation of Charles III.

The region registered average occupation levels of more than 80 per cent, with Valencia City recording more than 88 per cent and Alicante hitting 85 per cent.

After the UK, the main international tourist markets in the region are Belgium, Holland, France, Scandinavia, Ireland, Italy and, increasingly, the USA.

Hosbec president Fede Fuster highlighted the importance of these results but added that the sector is currently focused on a different type of goal.

“Our objectives are now to consolidate the activity, and improve profitability.”

• Diagnostic imaging and ultrasound Rx

• Clinical tests and serological tests, internal medicine, parasitology

• Soft Tissue Surgery and Traumatology

• Ethology, behavioural disorders and animal behaviour

• Physiotherapy, acupuncture, custom recovery and Healing touch

• Ophthalmology

• Dentistry and dental surgery & more

• Import - Export

PASSENGERS: Almost 700 between January and April.

OF THE WEEK

“Laughter is the best medicine.”

Laughter relaxes the whole body, relieving tension and stress. This phrase originates from the Bible - Proverbs, Chapter 17, verse 22.

21 nations speak Spanish on a daily basis.

Mary Poppins success

MORE than 130 students of Spiritism took part in the 11th edition of the Mediterranean Spiritism Conference in Alfaz. The event was held at the Hotel Rober Palace on Albir beach and was organised by Joaquín Huete, president of the Centro de Estudios Espíritas in Benidorm.

Alfaz goes spiritual

manity such as where we come from, who we are, where we are going,” explained Sr Huete.

MARY POPPINS landed in Careline Theatre, Alcalali, in the Jalon Valley on Friday night aided by an umbrellabut when she came to leave after the Sunday matinee she was carried away by a full house that gave a truly deserved standing ovation.

This has been a huge success for Careline Theatre, who have just refurbished the venue with full interior makeover and the addition

of 210 seats.

The cast of Mary Poppins truly backed up this new look with what can only be described as a show akin to a West End production.

From the moment the curtains drew back at the start of act one we were treated to a true reflection of what Mary Poppins isand that is a show for all the family.

The musical numbers had

the audience singing along and the appreciation of the amazing choreography was reflective in the applause and cheering at the end of each number.

If you would like to know more about Careline theatre please visit www.care linetheatre.net or find us on Facebook at ‘Careline Theatre Alcalali’ and ‘Careline Performing Arts and Dance Academy’.

New regulation for restaurants

A NEW regulation has been introduced for bars and restaurants in the Valencia Region.

Establishments have one year to adapt to the new system, which divides businesses into one, two or three forks depending on the services offered to customers and obliges managers to provide continuous training for staff.

General requirements that must be observed by all restaurants include having

their own kitchen, food and drink menus with up-to-date information and prices in various languages including Valencian, Spanish and English or another foreign language, having enough staff to serve clients easily, and offering complaint forms for clients.

An additional category has been set for restaurants specialising in traditional Valencian cuisine under the title ‘L’Exquisit Mediterrani’, which requires a greater series of quality criteria.

The regional government’s decree detailing the new regulations also includes a self-evaluation questionnaire that must be completed by establishment managers to determine their category, with requirements increasing according to level and relating to a wide range of additional characteristics.

These include whether the business is located in an emblematic area and whether it has its own car park, among others.

“Spiritism is the science that deals with the origin and destiny of spirits and the relations they can establish with human beings, a doctrine that delves into the great questions that concern hu-

Up to 10 associations and centres dedicated to the study, practice and dissemination of the philosophy from throughout the Valencia Region took part in the conference which attracted participants from other parts of Spain.

Alfaz mayor Vicente Arques highlighted the fact the organisers chose Alfaz to host the conference.

Image by Candida Wright

HUGE SUCCESS: The cast received a truly deserved standing ovation.

MORE than 2,000 people took part in the celebrations marking Norwegian Constitution Day in Alfaz del Pi last week.

Held every year on May 17, Constitution Day is regarded as the national festivity of Norway, and once again Alfaz became the epicentre of the celebrations in the Marina Baixa

Happy Norway Day!

district.

The town houses the second largest colony of Norwegian residents in the world with more than 2,500 Norwegians currently on the padron town

City of Sport

census, although the total population is estimated to be around 8,000.

There are two Norwegian education centres, a 50­year­old residents’ club with more than 1,000 members and a Norwegian retirement home in Alfaz, among many other facilities.

This was the 53rd year that Alfaz commemorated the festivity with hundreds of nationals, many in traditional dress, flying the national flag while a procession marched through the streets of the town centre.

“This is a very important

day for the people of Alfaz, which we have been celebrating for more than 50 years, sharing their excitement and joy with the

Norwegian community,” declared Mayor Vicente Arques during the institutional act to mark the event.

Our planet in 50m years

UP to 120 secondary students at Benidorm’s IES Pere Maria Orts college have taken part in a project combining art and biology to imagine the future of the planet in up to 50 million years’ time.

The aim of Simbiontes. Diseño ficción (‘Symbionts. Design fiction’), organised jointly by the regional Education department and the Museum Consortium in 15 schools and colleges throughout the Valencian Community, was to encourage artistic creation among children and teenagers.

Participants designed six future planetary eras entitled Aqualia (10,000 years’ time), Acuaz (50,000), Criozoico

(100,000), Vegalia (500,000), Vulcania (one million) and Ozonozoico (50 million) with their respective changes, evolutions, climate and major extinctions.

Predictions included a total melting of the ice caps and water covering the whole surface of the Earth, months of earthquakes and tsunamis caused by a meteorite impact, a new Ice Age, plant life spreading and giving rise to large forests or swampy plains, and a series of massive volcanic eruptions joining all the continents together.

Meanwhile, human beings, animals and plants will struggle to survive by adapting and merging by symbiosis, according to the budding biologists.

LA NUCIA will have a new paddle tennis complex this summer.

The facilities will include four cutting­edge courts replicating the ones used in the World Padel Tour, dressing rooms, a shop, a cafeteria and eventually a gym, and will be located in the Urbanizacion Bello Horizonte in Calle Luxemburgo.

Padelpoint Premium La Nucia will cost €500,000 to build and will be financed jointly by television producer Giorgio Aresu and Padelpoint La Nucia, who also manages the existing paddle installations at Camilo Cano sports centre.

Work is scheduled to begin soon with the complex due to open in August.

“It is great news for La Nucia that Giorgio Aresu and Padelpoint have decided to build this new padel complex in our municipality,” declared Mayor Bernabe Cano.

“Once again the title ‘La Nucia, City of Sport’ has acted as a magnet for a new private investment, which will generate jobs and wealth for the municipality,” he added.

In a related development, last week La Nucia was awarded the title ‘European City of Sport’ for the second time.

CONSTITUTION DAY: Celebrated for the 53rd year.

Image by Alfaz Town Hall

Public solar panels for Pedreguer

PEDREGUER Council is currently analysing the possibility of installing solar panels in public spaces to generate clean energy for residents and municipal installations.

clean

As well as being more environmentally sustainable, the project is aimed at helping to reduce electricity bills, as according to the council,

generating just 1 kWp of solar power would save an average of €217.

In addition, the plans will create a greater cohesion among residents by sharing a common energy system, reduce the town’s reliance on private electricity companies, help tackle climate change by reducing CO2

Happy anniversary

Anna Ellis

ON May 19 in 2003, the first Jet2.com flight landed in Alicante from Leeds Bradford Airport and over two decades later the leading leisure airline is celebrating 20 years of operating award-winning flights to Alicante.

Today, the companies operate to Alicante from 10 of their UK bases (Belfast International, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, East Midlands, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle International and

Dining out

UP to 58 Javea U3A members and guests attended the May Dining Out evening at Restaurante Cumbre, enjoying not only the spectacular views but also a delicious meal.

Well done to group leaders Linda Coughlin and Alan Guest for organising yet another successful Dining Out event - and special thanks to restaurant staff, led by boss Eloy and manager Alex, for their excellent service.

London Stansted) with 10 routes on sale, and over 800,000 seats on sale this summer.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “This year marks 20 years since we started operating to Alicante, when we had just one route on sale.

“Today, we operate an enormous programme with unrivalled frequency to Alicante from the UK and have flown millions of customers to this magnificent destination.”

Pedestrians only

VILLAJOYOSA C ouncil has painted road signs on the access points to the pedestrian stretch of Calle Colon reminding drivers that it is forbidden to pass by car.

Six blue squares reading ‘Zona peatonal’ (‘Pedestrian area’) have been painted on the tarmac between Calles Barranquet and Canalejas to ensure the safety of pedestrians and bar and restaurant terraces in the area.

The move is also aimed at guaranteeing the easy access of ambulances and police vehicles in case of emergency.

It is part of a larger project by the local council to eventually carry out a complete overhaul of this part of Calle Colon to adapt it to pedestrians and make it totally accessible for people with reduced mobility while also encouraging sustainable transport.

emissions, improve energy efficiency and boost the municipal economy by favouring local companies, and improve the public coffers by using public spaces to generate the electricity, among other benefits.

Solar for

energy.

Image by Pedreguer Town Hall

Save the Pla de Feliu

ENVIRONMENTALISTS are still struggling to save what is known as the last ‘green lung’ of Calpe, the Pla de Feliu.

For years the site has been threatened by plans to build up to 1,000 houses and a golf course on the highly valuable land, and the issue has become one of the major debates in the run-up to Sunday’s local elections.

Investigator and historian Jose Luis Luri recently held a conference in the Casa Nova university headquarters to explain the past, present and future of the area that was attended by a large audience.

The Pla de Feliu covers from the old Casa Nova farm-

house to the Plans, which became one of the main epicentres of the historic raisin trade in the 19th century.

But just five years ago a project was put forward to build a large housing development and golf course in the area, encouraged by the

Image by Calpe Town Hall/Facebook

fact that some of the land is currently classed as suitable for construction.

Sr Luri and other participants in the event discussed possible ways to ensure its protection, including declassifying the land and compensating the owners.

Record year for airport

ALICANTE airport is predicting a record summer this year with more than 12 million travellers expected to pass through its gates.

British fliers will once again lead the charge in a season when numbers of both national and international visitors will spiral and leave higher figures than those registered before the Covid pandemic.

VILLAJOYOSA T own Hall commemorated International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia last week by hanging a banner from the balcony of the Casa Museo de la Bar-

bera and calling for an end to discrimination.

The council teamed up with the local Vila Diversitat association and the secondary education colleges in the town to organise a series of events related to sexual and gender diversity.

IES Malladeta carried out a workshop entitled ‘Diverse families’ where students made bracelets, badges, bags and t-shirts with slogans in favour of diversity and against discrimination, while IES Marcos Zaragoza last Friday housed a performance and discussion on basic concepts regarding gen-

der identity and sexual orientation, with students organising an exhibition on famous personalities within the LGBTI+ collective.

As well as encouraging respect, the events were also aimed at stressing the importance of sex education in schools and colleges to combat the social rejection of homosexual, bisexual and transsexual people.

“It is vital to educate new generations with respect for all people, whatever their sexual orientation,” declared the town hall and Vila Diversitat in a joint statement.

Cave paintings

A DRONE has made it possible to discover a highly valuable site of Neolithic cave paintings which are 7,000 years old in several caves.

The caves, which are very difficult to access in PenAguila, in inland Alicante, are part of a pioneering project in which three archaeologists linked to the University of Alicante (UA) have participated.

This is one of the first discoveries of prehistoric cave paintings thanks to the use of one of these small unmanned aerial vehicles in almost inaccessible mountain shelters, which otherwise could only be inspected directly after several days of preparation and the opening of complex climbing routes.

The drone has worked in the area of Barranquet del CastelletBarranc del Salt and Port de Penaguila, where it has photographed and recorded videos of the cavity walls of 18 shallow shelters.

The drone has facilitated the discovery of paintings in two of the shelters, the first results of which have just been published in one of the best archaeology magazines on the Iberian Peninsula, in issue XLII of Lvcentvm.

According to airport managing body Aena, record statistics have already been recorded several times this year, with more than one million fliers passing through AlicanteElche airport in March, plus 1.5 million registered in January and February.

Low-cost airlines are planning to increase their activity at the terminal by 12 per cent until October 28, the date set by the airport managers as the official end of the summer high season.

Numbers of international travellers are predicted to increase by 11 per cent, with British fliers increasing by 6.8 per cent and accounting for the highest fraction of the total.

Manchester and London Gatwick are at the top of the list of airports with the most flights to Alicante, followed by Amsterdam, Bristol, Palma de Mallorca, Stansted, Brussels, Oslo, Stockholm and Barcelona.

The Pla de Feliu.

Too good to be true?

Are the investments being offered to you a little too good to be true? We look at some past examples where people have lost capital through fraudsters and failed schemes, and reveal some red flags you should look out for.

We’re all familiar with the saying, “If the investment is too good to be true, it probably is”, and there is a good reason for that. There is no shortage of individuals, even companies, that will try to sell you an investment under the false promise of large, guaranteed returns – often within a short period of time.

It’s happened before – it will happen again

You may remember the notorious Barlow Clowes case, where around 15,000 people, many of them retirees, were invested in the

By Brett

invested in low-risk government gilts but promised returns higher than gilts were paying.

Equitable Life carries another cautionary tale. This was a reputable company which came un -

ers to be caught out when inflation and interest rates dropped, leaving the mutual insurance society struggling to fund its commitments.

In 2009, there was the welldocumented fraud of Bernard Madoff – a ‘Ponzi’ scheme where money from new clients was used to pay older ones. Bernard lured investors through promises of between 10 and 12% annual returns on investment – by the time the US government caught up with him, he had cheated clients out of $65 billion.

These are just a few examples. As long as there are markets, there will be those trying to get rich by selling hope to the less informed. Those taken in by these schemes were intelligent people – victims often of misleading claims by an individual or company they be -

said,

“There are some frauds so well conducted that it would be stupidity not to be deceived by them”.

A statement that describes the cunning, charm and resourcefulness of fraudsters, and the vigilance and discernment we must maintain whenever we are asked to invest our money.

Avoid investments that sound too good to be true

Be wary of promises that guarantee high returns. There aren’t any absolute guarantees with investment, and you’ll likely get a lower return the safer your money is. Compare the yields that have been promised with current returns on well-known stock indexes. If the numbers don’t match up, where could such returns possibly be coming from?

Be wary of anyone pressuring

no reputable professional would push you to make an immediate decision.

To protect the financial security you have built for you and your family, consult the advice of an expert that is regulated by a reputable authority before committing to any investment being sold to you – and focus on the fundamentals.

You have probably worked hard over decades to build your wealth for you and your family – if something seems too good to be true, don’t put that wealth at undue risk.

All advice received from Blevins Franks is personalised and provided in writing. This article, however, should not be construed as providing any personalised taxation or investment advice.

Keep up to date on the financial Blevins Franks news page at

Hanson, Senior Partner, Blevins Franks

AFC Wimbledon have announced a pre-season visit to Alicante Province this summer.

“With the club seeking warm weather training to prepare our first team for next season, we’re delighted to announce plans for a trip to Spain,” declared the club in a press release.

“The Dons will be heading to northern Alicante for a six-day tour in early July - and there will be plenty of incentives to travel to this province in eastern Spain.

“That’s because we’ll be facing EFL opposition in our first friendly of the summer and hosting something that we hope will really whet the appetite for pre-season - an informal event that offers fans an opportunity to meet the squad

Dons on tour

and football management.”

Craig Cope, Head of Football Operations, added: “Following extensive research, we have selected a purpose-built centre and complex, which offers all the amenities needed to have a

On the money

TEULADA Council has received €2 million from the EU’s Next Generation funds for its Tourism Sustainability Plan.

vigorous and intensive training schedule.”

The date of the tour, along with the club’s friendly opponents and venue, will be confirmed soon via www.afcwim bledon.co.uk.

In the crosshairs

THE Valencia regional government has eased hunting restrictions in an effort to reduce the overpopulation of wild boars and rabbits in Alicante Province.

Increased numbers of these animals are causing huge losses for farmers, as they devour and trample fruit and vegetable crops.

Overpopulations of both species have currently been reported in up to 175 municipalities in the Marina Alta and Baja, Vinalopo, Vega Baja and El Comtat districts.

This has led the Ecological Transition department of the Generalitat to launch a campaign informing local councils in the affected areas about a series of measures to prevent and control the damage.

Among them is the flexibilisation and acceleration of hunting authorisations and permission to use alternative methods, such as traps, in areas where hunting is prohibited.

During last year’s hunting season a record 42,315 wild boars were shot throughout the Valencia Region, the highest number ever recorded and 19 per cent higher than the previous campaign - and more than triple the number recorded 10 years ago.

The project includes 14 initiatives grouped into four areas, namely green and sustainable transition, energy efficiency, digital transition and competitiveness, which will be carried out over three years.

Municipal Tourism councillor Susanne Katzgrau welcomed the investment and highlighted the “dedication and hard work” that has gone into drawing up the project and obtaining the European financing.

The main aim of the plan is to diversify local tourism, reducing seasonality - ie encouraging all-year-round visitors as opposed to just in the summer - and offering complementary activities to ‘sun and beach’ tourism by improving cultural facilities and creating new sustainable experiences and products based on economic, social and environmental criteria.

AFC WIMBLEDON: Announed a pre-season visit to Spain.

Image by AFC Wimbledon/Facebook

ON Saturday June 3, the very popular From the Jam will make their first ever Spanish appearance at the Benalmadena Auditorium.

Prior to their arrival, one of the founding members of The Jam spoke exclusively to Euro Weekly News about his long career and how this band was formed.

It was in 1977 that The Jam obtained their first recording contract and the trio consisting of former Woking schoolboys, Bruce Foxton, Paul Weller and Rick Buckler burst on the scene.

They couldn’t really be categorised as punk but with their Mod image and biting music certainly ruled the record charts until 1982 when they broke up.

During that time, they had 18 consecutive top 40 singles before Paul Weller decided to call it a day in 1982 and they disbanded.

Bruce, the bass player spent 15 years in punk band Stiff Little Fingers and then formed another band Casbah Club with Russell Hastings and more by luck than judgement they

Bruce Foxton is From the Jam

sell for so long and having seen the reaction from fans who enjoyed the music so much, the pair decided to keep on playing the songs that they and their audience loved so much.

They are still going strong with literally hundreds of gigs booked through to 2024 but there was an opportunity to visit Spain for the first time, so the expanded band which has added Andy Fairclough on keyboards and Mike Reddon on drums decided it was time to bring their brand of music to a Spanish audience.

“The closest I’ve been to Spain is when my wife came as part of a hen party” laughed Bruce “but why ignore a chance to bring our music to both an established as well as a hopefully new audience.”

were booked to play a gig with a band which included former Jam drummer Rick Buckler.

Bruce explained, “we had no intention of forming a new band but thought it might be fun to play a couple of old numbers during the sound

check and it sounded and felt really good!

“There were a few more similar sessions and we kept in touch with each other and then in 2007 decided to form From the Jam.”

That lasted a couple of years but in

2009 Bruce said “I received an email from Rick simply saying he was leaving the band with no explanation and I still don’t know what happened, although he appears to have wanted to become a writer.”

Having worked with guitarist Rus­

When asked if he ever got bored with playing the same songs, Bruce said ”Although the set will be pretty much all Jam songs apart from a couple from my album with Russell Butterfly Effect there are so many Jam songs, we can change the set list every time we play.”

Tickets for the June 3 event (where they are supported by veteran British punk band The Wasps) are available at https://www.ticketsource.eu/wag-promotions and let’s hope for viewers of BBC 1’s Have I Got News For You that they play News of the World, a definite Jam favourite. If you can’t make the gig then visit https://www.fromthejamofficial.com/ to get their live album.

FROM THE JAM: The latest line-up on stage.

Credit: Steve White

GARRAPATAS as they are known in Spain can be passed from animals to humans and they can cause some serious diseases. Common illnesses associated with tick bites include Lyme disease and encephalitis.

Those at risk of tick bites

Ticks - A rising health threat in Spain

are people that walk in rural areas, especially during the spring. The problem is that the number of ticks appears to be rising.

The warmer weather is increasing the tick’s repro­

ductive period and so they are producing more ticks, more often in a greater space of time.

This year the weather has favoured a species of ticks that don’t require hu­

midity to reproduce.

People should be aware when walking through grassland, but each government administration should be working towards controlling the tick

population by looking after grassland and rural areas where people like to walk.

It is recommended that people walking their dogs should have their pets

treated to avoid the parasite. And, when they have finished their walk people should check their bodies for any signs of ticks. The places a tick like to attach itself are around the groin area, the head, the back of the ears, elbows and knees.

Dangerous toxins in almonds

AS reported in a statement from the Guardia Civil on Saturday, May 20, a joint operation with the Tax Agency saw 25 tons of almonds with very dangerous toxins seized in Spain.

‘Operation Nuts’ was conducted in the Spanish territories of Mal lorca and Alicante. As a result, three Spanish nationals were arrested along with a Dutch citizen. They were detained for the alleged crimes of forgery of documents and against public health.

The operation was launched last January following the arrival in Spain of 25 tons of almonds from Australia.

Once the almonds arrived in Alicante, an analysis of the fruit was carried out, with very high levels of aflatoxins being found. The importer of the shipment was subsequently informed they had to be destroyed.

Residing on Mallorca, this

individual undertook to do so and requested au­

thorisation for the transfer of the cargo to Mallorca. However, once the almonds arrived in Mallorca, those responsible for transporting the merchandise allegedly broke the seal of the container. Instead of destroying the almonds, they replaced the merchandise with shells of other almonds with a similar volume. Fake certificates were then obtained for the goods.

Dogs raise money

A CHARITY that promotes the protection of dogs and fights against abandonment hosted a dog surfing tournament last weekend, which also included dog shows and exhibitions.

From May 20 ­ 21, the second European Dog Surfing Championship took place on Salinas beach in Castrillón, Asturias.

The dog­friendly charity aimed to promote strengthening the bond between people and dogs through play, and also campaign against abandonment.

The event, organised by

Maratondog and Dingonatura in collaboration with Castrillón Town Council, was a charity event. Winners of the championship chose which animal shelters across Spain would benefit from the 5,000 food donations from Dingonatura.

The organiser of the competition and director of events, Manuel Calvo commented: “After the success and feedback from last year, we decided to continue with a second edition of the championship that we are sure everyone will remember.”

Three arrested for kidnap scam

THREE people have been arrested in Zaragoza for a virtual kidnap attempt on a family living in Ibiza.

The scam is put into action when one of the scammers contacts a person saying a family member has been kidnapped. The message includes a voice in the background saying for example, “Mum I need your help.”

The scammers then ask the victim’s family for an amount to free the kidnapped person. In the case of the family in Ibiza the amount was €11,000. Of course, a kidnap hasn’t taken place, it is all an elaborate hoax. Police are said to be investigating 20 complaints in Aragon of a similar scam.

During the call, the scammer doesn’t allow time for the person to check out the story and demands that the ransom is paid quickly through a money transfer online. Police have advised people if they receive such calls to make an excuse to hang up. It’s also important not to give any personal or bank details.

IAlmonds were imported.

IN today’s article we would like to analyse a recent Supreme Court ruling on a topic that, unfortunately, is always relevant. The disinheritance in Spain. In particular, if it’s possible for parents to exclude their children from their will, preventing them from receiving the reserved share to which they are entitled to by law. And also, if it’s possible to disinherit a child due to

Disinheritance in Spain and Emotional Abuse. We analyse a recent Supreme Court Ruling.

the lack of a relationship with his or her parents due to emotional abuse.

Reserved portion system in Spain and surrounding countries

In Spain and other countries

around us such as France or Belgium, a large portion of the inheritance assets is ‘reserved’ for certain heirs. In other words, individuals are not free to dispose of their assets as they see fit. The portion of the deceased’s assets that, by law, is reserved to the ‘forced heirs’ is known as the ‘legítima’ or ‘hereditary reserve’. In Spain, the hereditary reserve of the children is 2/3 of the inheritance.

This system contrasts sharply with the freedom that exists in countries such as the UK. Where an adult can leave his or her assets to the person of his or her choice (whether or not this person is a child, partner, close relative, etc).

Disinheritance in Spain: Causes to disinherit the children in the Spanish Civil Code For a parent to be able to disinherit a child in Spain, it is necessary that one of the causes foreseen in the Spanish Civil Code is present. The specific causes to disinherit children are regulated in Art 853, which reads as follows:

“The following shall also be fair

grounds for disinheriting children and descendants, in addition to those indicated in Article 756 under numbers 2, 3, 5 and 6:

1. Having denied, without legitimate reason, maintenance to the parent or ascendant who disinherits him/her.

2. Having mistreated him/her physically or seriously insulted him/her in word.”

Spanish Supreme Court Case Law: Emotional abuse and disinheritance.

The causes of disinheritance provided for in the second section (mistreatment and serious insult) have traditionally been understood as aggressions or acts of physical violence. However, since 2014, the Spanish Supreme Court has also included psycho­

logical abuse within this category. The main problem with the ruling that opened the door to disinherit for emotional abuse is that it was very vague and unspecific when describing the facts. It simply stated that the children ‘emotionally abandoned’ their father during the last seven years of his life, showing no interest or contact with him at any time, etc. But not much more detail was given.

The question is: Does the absence of relationship constitute psychological abuse?

Sentence 419/2022: The absence of a relationship does not justify disinheriting

The judgment of May 24, 2022 sheds some light on this issue. On one hand, it confirms once again that emotional abuse can indeed constitute a cause for disinheritance. But at the same time, it makes it clear that the absence of a relationship between parents and children does not

automatically qualify as ‘psychological abuse’. It is necessary to study the specific circumstances of each case. For emotional abuse to be appreciated, it is necessary that:

The absence of a relationship between the deceased and the heirs is exclusively attributable to the heirs in question.

Once the specific circumstances of the case have been analysed, it must be proved that this absence of relationship has caused emotional damage to the testator.

Conclusions

The disinheritance in Spain is a complex issue. The lack of relationship between parents and children can be a reason for disinheritance, but it will depend on the specific circumstances of each case. It is therefore necessary to carry out a detailed study of each situation.

At White Baos Lawyers we are experts in Family Law, Wills and Inheritance Law. Do not hesitate to contact us and we will offer you expert legal advice on these and other legal matters.

The information provided in this article is not intended to be legal advice, but merely conveys information relating to legal issues.

Exchanged at birth

TWO men who were swapped at birth at two hospitals in Guadalajara and Barcelona are now demanding compensation for damage. According to a news source, on Tuesday, May 16,

the two men were mistakenly exchanged at birth at the General Hospital of Guadalajara and the Val d’Hebrón Hospital in Barcelona during 1971 and 1972.

They are now claiming

Air Force jet crashes

about €3 million for damages from the hospitals where they were swapped.

The announcement about the claims was made by their lawyer José Sáez Morga, who is also handling the case related to one of the girls exchanged in 2002 at the Logroño Hospital.

The case was started after the girl made the discovery about herself in 2021.

The lawyer said that “The claim of €3 million is the maximum established by the Law of Consumers and Users for damages that are considered irreparable”.

The man from Guadalajara is claiming €2.9 million, while the man from Barcelona is demanding €3 million.

Sáez Morga also said “Last April the courts ordered the insurance company to pay compensation of €850,000 to the young woman who had been switched at birth.”

However, so far she has only received €215,000 as compensation.

A SPANISH Air Force F­18 fighter jet aircraft crashed at the Zaragoza airbase on Saturday, May 20. Thankfully, the pilot managed to eject before the plane hit the ground.

As reported by the Air Force, the jet was participating in an aerial exhibition when the incident occurred just after midday.

The plane came down on one of the runways at the airbase in the Aragonese capital.

The pilot was immediately rushed to the Miguel Servet Hospital in Zaragoza. He was said to have suffered trauma and injuries to his legs, hips and arms on impact.

According to a news

outlet, the pilot was a veteran captain with more than 1,000 flight hours experience.

At the time of the crash, he was conducting aerial manoeuvres in preparation for an exhibi­

tion that will be staged during an event at the facility in Garrapinillos on June 10.

The F ­ 18 Hornet was completely destroyed after exploding on impact with the ground.

New rules for holiday lettings

SPAIN’S holiday letting market faces new rules according to information compiled by Spence Clarke & Co.

Whilst there is a continued boom in new builds of all sorts, particularly in popular tourist destinations as well as a glut of abandoned builds handled by ‘bad bank’ Sareb, there never seems to be enough reasonably priced social housing.

A bit like Jekyll and Hyde the current Spanish government welcomes tourists many of whom want holiday lets whilst at the same time is making it more difficult for small home owners to let their properties out.

There are some new requirements to report information to the Spanish government for property owners renting on a holiday basis further to the Spanish Real Decreto 933/2021, of October 26 and in theory these changes are effective from June 2023.

This Royal Decree requires digital platforms and hosts to provide additional information about the reservations (hosts, guests personal details, property details, accommodations, etc.) to the Spanish national authorities (Ministry of the Interior).

This needs to be reported

within 24 hours from the booking and the information must be reported on the following website: https://sede.mir.gob.es/op encms/export/sites/default/e s/procedimientos ­ y ­ servi cios/hospedajes­y­alquiler­devehiculos/

So far it is only possible to complete this with a Spanish digital certificate (DC) and you have to apply for it in person at an appropriate Government Office, although agents such as Spence Clarke may well be able to assist if you are out of Spain. When complying with this requirement you need to have previously alert­

ed guests to the fact that you are transferring their information to the government in order to observe Data Protection requirements.

It appears that the Spanish government has indicated that it will provide the option of reporting the data without using this online procedure, although the details about this have not yet been released.

Incorrect reporting of guest information can attract a fine of between €100 and €600 whilst failing to appear on the registry is a serious offence and can be punished by a fine of up to €30,000.

Brits wanted

IF you would like to get your 15 minutes of fame, have an eye for a bargain and are a British expatriate living in Spain then here is your chance to get on TV.

This opportunity to get your face and story on the small screen is here so if you fit the bill it’s time to apply. The TV company are looking for contestants based in Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca.

Sofie Hegre Olsen is look­

ing for potential candidates for this Red Sauce TV production with this post on Facebook:

“Hi everyone! If you are interested in joining the next season of Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun please feel free to contact me on the email below or message on Facebook. sofie.hegre olsen@redsaucetv.com

Looking forward to hearing from you!”

F-18 HORNET: The aircraft was completely destroyed.

Credit: Bernardo Fernandez copado/Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

MADRID played host to a momentous celebration of the lengthy friendship between Spain and China on Thursday, May 18.

The Chinese Embassy was the setting for a special event marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

The Embassy welcomed more than 500 guests, including dignitaries, cultural figures, and ambassadors from various countries.

The Chinese Ambassador to Spain, Wu Haitao, highlighted the deep bond between the two nations and

Half a century

the value of this connection. He stated that the relationship has been built on mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit, setting a solid foundation for strong bilateral relations.

Notable attendees including María Gloria Elizo, Third Vice President of the Congress, emphasised the growing trade, academic, cultural, and political exchanges between Spain and China. She stressed that both countries benefit from this rela­

A WOMAN has been placed under investigation by the Guardia Civil in the Zamora region of Sanabria. She is suspected of allegedly attempting to start a forest fire.

The suspect was caught in the act by the police while trying to set fire to an area of brooms located on a mountain in the municipality of Robleda­Cervantes.

Officers from the El Puente barracks, assisted by a Seprona patrol from Puebla de Sanabria established a discreet surveillance operation in the region. This was initiated on April 20, after a fire was detected in the area.

According to a statement on Saturday, May 13, from the Government Sub­delega­

A majestic affair

tionship, which is built on respect and cooperation.

Pilar Cancela, Secretary of State for International Cooperation, spoke about the countries’ increasing collaboration in various areas, particularly in the economy and culture.

Francisco Blanco, Secretary General of Industry and SMEs, encouraged business interactions and highlighted Spain’s growing appeal as an investment destination for Chinese companies.

Fire-raiser

tion in Zamora, fires of similar characteristics had occurred in this same region in previous years.

As reported in the statement, on April 27, the operation finally paid off. The officers caught a middle­aged woman ‘red­handed’ as she tried to start a fire using a direct flame. The subsequent fire was quickly extinguished by the policemen to stop it from spreading. They identified the culprit and she was placed under investigation for the crime of attempting to start a forest fire.

Betty Henderson

THE British Ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott and his wife, María Antonia Martín, threw a lavish party to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III in Madrid on Wednesday, May 17.

More than 1,000 guests attended the event, including politicians, business leaders, and cultural figures. The party, initially planned at the ambassador’s residence, had to be moved to the Crystal Gallery of the Cibeles Palace due to the overwhelming response.

The Madrid City Hall was adorned with British and Spanish flags, and even resembled London’s Regent Street in some areas. The venue was decorated with images of the coronation and provided a regal atmosphere with red decorations and thrones for guests to experience a taste of royalty.

During a speech, Ambassador Elliott praised the unity between Spain and Britain, highlighting the shared values and close relationship between the two nations. He also expressed support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s invasion and emphasised King Charles III’s commitment to environmental issues.

Ambassador Elliott later shared his personal impressions of the coronation, highlighting Prince

George’s role as a pageboy, the beautiful music, and the festive atmosphere in London.

British Ambassador Hugh Elliott greets a guest.

Photo credit: British Embassy, Madrid (via Facebook)

The year in which the Spanish Civil War broke out.

Betty Henderson

IN a remarkable thawing of relations, the new ambassadors of Venezuela and Nicaragua to Spain presented their credentials to King Felipe VI on Wednesday, May 17.

This ceremonial act marks the end of years of political and diplomatic disagreements between Spain and the two Latin American countries. The Venezuelan ambassador to Spain is Coromoto Godoy Calderón, a 57­year­old diplomat and lawyer. The new head of the Nicaraguan mission is Maurizio Gelli, a 64 year old Italian­born diplomat recently naturalised as Nicaraguan.

Breaking the ice

The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry hailed this event as the result of their commitment to reinstate friendly relations and cooperation with Spain,

IN a groundbreaking decision, the United Nations Human Rights Committee ruled in favour of the exiled President of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, on Thursday, May 18. The UNHRC stated that Spain unlawfully stripped him of his parliamentary seat without a valid legal basis.

The committee concluded that Spain violated Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which safeguards every national’s right to participate in public affairs, vote, stand for office, and have access to public service.

dubbing it ‘Poetry for Peace’ on social media. Godoy has already been serving as the Venezuelan Chargé d’Affaires in Spain for a year.

Belated search for Brit

John Ensor

These diplomatic breakthroughs come after years of tensions. Spain’s recognition of Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s interim president strained relations with the country, but recent negotiations have prompted a shift toward engaging with Nicolás Maduro’s government. Similarly, Nicaragua’s political repression and human rights violations prompted Spain to withdraw its ambassador, but discussions are underway for normalisation of political and economic relations.

Political foul play

The UN has demanded that Spain provide information within 180 days on the measures taken to prevent similar violations from occurring in the future.

This landmark decision comes five years after British lawyer Ben Emmerson lodged a complaint with the UN on Puigedemont’s behalf. Emmerson said the blocking of Puigdemont’s candidacy for the

presidency of Catalonia after the December 2017 elections and the suspension of his parliamentary mandate were unlawful. The UN committee agrees with Puigdemont’s complaint, but they believe that simply recognising it is enough to make up for what happened and say he is not automatically entitled to become the President.

IT was announced on Thursday May 18 that a search was underway involving police divers for a British national who disappeared seven months ago.

The search for Levi Davis, 25, a former Bath Rugby Union player and X Factor star commenced in Barcelona and the Llobregat Delta, a nearby wetland zone according to a news source.

A police boat left the port of Vilanova i la Geltrú for the south entrance of the dock. It was at that location where a cruise ship reported someone in the water in the early hours of October 30.

Police investigations at the time found all passengers accounted for and only a life jacket floating in the sea, which had been thrown from the vessel.

Despite the area being previously searched by the Guardia Civil and mar­

itime rescue teams, the Mossos d’Esquadra promised Davis’ family that they would resume the search after a meeting they held with his mother.

This comes after later evidence emerged from the cruise ship MSC Bellisima that someone was heard shouting ‘help,’ clearly enough for them to dispatch a life jacket.

The disappearance of Levi Davis has been a high profile one and a nightmare for his grieving family. The young man played for Bath Rugby Union as well as taking part in the X Factor with fellow players.

80% of waste items found on Spanish beaches is plastic.

Photo credit: Cancillería Venezuela (via Twitter)

The King receives the Venezuelan ambassador.

Removed like Jagger

John Ensor

THE daughter of The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger was arrested after a violent episode when she allegedly assaulted police officers in Ibiza.

On Wednesday, May 17, 51­year­old Jade Jagger, the daughter of Mick and Bianca Jagger, was arrested by police following a violent altercation with police officers, according to a local news source.

Paris­born Jagger, jewellery designer, interior designer and former model, was arrested for assaulting several National Police officers when they tried to diffuse an argu­

ment in a restaurant in Vila.

The incident happened at around 9.00pm in a restaurant located in Carrer Sa Creu. Jagger and her companion

were conspicuous owing to their very aggressive and violent behaviour, allegedly under the influence of alcohol or some other substance.

During the argument with staff, one of her companions started shouting, insulting and threatening other diners who were present.

National Police officers tried to calm the situation which had transferred to the street, but despite their softlysoftly approach, the situation

IN an escalating disagreement over hydrogen production methods, Spain has issued a stern warning to France.

While Spain has been exporting excess electricity to its neighbour to support their domestic needs, it refuses to continue doing so if the electricity is going to be used for generating nuclear­based hydrogen, also known as ‘pink hydrogen’.

Spain champions renewable green hydrogen derived from sources like wind and solar power, and rejects classifying nuclear hydrogen as green.

France has been successful in advocating for nuclear­based hydrogen, even allowing it to be transported through the Barcelona­Marseille

soon escalated. The man then proceeded to attack the police, shoving and hitting them, whereupon they had no option but to restrain him.

Jade Jagger, reportedly came out of the premises and shouted ‘Stupid Police’ and other abusive phrases before she attacked a policewoman who sustained multiple scratches all over her body.

After two nights in a police cell, Jade Jagger and her partner were both convicted.

Power struggle

submarine cable as part of the H2Med project. Spain, however, firmly believes that only hydrogen derived from renewable sources should be considered truly green.

Environmental Minister Teresa Ribera emphasised Spain’s position during a meeting in Malta with Mediterranean EU countries on Thursday, May 18. She stressed the importance of transitioning to green hydrogen and investing in offshore wind and solar parks.

Spain has become a major exporter of electricity to France due to the latter’s nuclear plant shutdowns and geopolitical energy disputes.

Crushing it

Betty Henderson

RIOJA remains a dominant force in Spain’s national wine industry, according to an annual report released by the Rioja Wine Regulatory Council on Thursday, May 18.

Rioja solidified its leadership position in the report as its market share grew by 0.3 per cent in the last year to reach an impressive 27.5 per cent of the total volume sold, surpassing other Spanish denominations and doubling the sales of its closest competitor.

In terms of value, Rioja accounted for 31.7 per cent of all Spanish wines with a designation of origin sold in 2022.

The analysis also

confirms Rioja’s continued lead in the hospitality sector, with a market share of 30.7 per cent. Additionally, Rioja holds a strong position in online wine sales, capturing 33 per cent of the market.

Rioja also remains valuable to Spain’s economy internationally, representing 40.5 per cent of the value and 34.7 per cent of the volume of the country’s wine exports.

Despite challenging circumstances, Rioja’s resilience and commitment to excellence have propelled its success. The President of the Rioja Regulatory Council, Fernando Ezquerro, highlighted the region’s ability to adapt.

58% of youngsters between 16-29 prefer Netflix to traditional TV.

Jagger shouted at police.

Ryanair profits soar

AFTER reporting a loss of €355 million last year, Ryanair has bounced back to announce near­record­breaking profits of €1.4 billion this year.

The yearly profits mean the airline made just over €40 per second.

The low ­ cost airline will carry a record number of passengers this year as bookings have soared.

Passenger numbers have increased and are estimated to be 186 million this year.

This is helped by the airline’s largest ever summer schedule covering almost 2,500 routes and 3,000 daily flights

Michael O’Leary, chief executive of the airline said: “To date, summer 2023 demand is robust and peak summer 2023 fares are trending ahead of last year.

“First­quarter fares, which benefited from a strong Easter in April ­ and a very weak previous year comparable due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ­ will be significantly higher than the first quarter of 2022­23.”

The Irish airline recently committed to a spend of €40 billion with an order of new Boeing 737­Max­10 aircraft.

The airline expects the order to create 10,000 jobs as well as allow its passenger numbers to grow to 300 million a year by 2034.

Look-alike banned

AN Ed­Sheeran doppelganger was banned from the media platform TikTok after they complained his likeness was uncanny.

Last week TikTok closed Ty Jones’ account after they believed he was impersonating the ginger singer, in an interview with a news source on Thursday May 18.

The Thinking Out Loud music star double, who lives is Sale, Manchester, has around 110,000 followers but insisted that he has always stressed he is a look­alike and not a soundalike.

Jones commented: “It’s quite obvious I’m a lookalike. I actually can’t sing. People always comment on my videos,

Bus hits bridge

THREE people were hospitalised in Glasgow on Sunday, May 21, after the roof of a double­decker bus ran into the underside of a railway bridge.

The incident occurred at around 11.35 am in the Tradeston district of the city. Network Rail Scotland immediately suspended its rail services in both directions between Paisley Gilmour Street and Glasgow Central. They started running again by 2.30pm.

A tweet accompanied by an image from the scene, read: “This is what we’re dealing with right now. No trains can run between Glasgow Central and Paisley Gilmour St in either direction until our engineers have checked that the bridge is safe to reopen. They can only do this once the bus has been removed. @ScotRail.”

Roads in the vicinity were also temporarily cordoned off. Emergency responders were deployed to the location on Cook Street where they tended to the injured passengers.

Three casualties were taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. As a result of the accident, the roof of the bus was completely torn off. Once the vehicle was removed, an inspection by Network Rail Scotland was undertaken to check the condition of the bridge.

saying, ‘Oh my God, it’s Ed Sheeran’.”

The Sheeran dead ringer explained that he can’t help the way he looks, and was hurt by the social media’s decision. Just because he happens to bear a striking similarity to one of the world’s most famous pop stars should not be a reason for closing his account.

Jones threw himself at the mercy of TikTok insisting that, “I make videos of me living my life as an Ed lookalike. It’s my full­time job. I was keen to promote what I do and market my business.

“Maybe TikTok should ban Ed for impersonating me as well given that we look the same,” he concluded.

In response, TikTok replied: “It was determined that your account has violated our Community Guidelines and cannot be restored.”

Following an appeal by a national newspaper, TikTok thankfully reversed their decision.

TY JONES: Was banned from social media.

Credit: Ty Jones/Facebook.com

Avoiding speeding ticket

UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman has been accused of asking civil servants for special treatment to avoid a ticket or fine it has been claimed. Labour called for an investigation on Saturday, May 20.

Braverman has been accused of asking for a private speed awareness course, a one­off measure that ‘retrains’ drivers rather than giving them a direct penalty.

The speed awareness course is only available once every three years, so a second penalty within that time frame would result in a ticket and fine.

Ms Braverman was accused of first consulting civil servants who refused to help her, and then asking course providers who also turned her down, eventually having to accept three points on her licence.

She had allegedly petitioned for a private 1­to­1 session or a video course in which she could turn her camera off and use a false name. She was thought to have had concerns about being recognised.

A Tory MP reported that Ms Braverman asked on her first day in parliament whether she could claim a speeding ticket as an ex­

Cousins win the lottery

COUSINS who built their own homes on a plot of land left to them by their grandfather have won the postcode lottery.

When the houses were built the land was not in a street and so the council told Margaret Livens and Joyce Ablitt that they would have to give the properties a street name so they could have a postcode.

The couple then named the street, and a postcode was allotted to the two properties in Little Neston, Cheshire.

They then entered the postcode lottery and to their surprise and delight Margaret and Harry Livens and widow, Joyce won £333,333 each.

But for Joyce Ablitt the win was tinged with sadness. She lost her husband 12 years ago and said it was sad that he “wasn’t here to share it.”

Margaret Livens said she wanted to spend some of the money on a holiday with her two daughters and their four grandchildren. Joyce Ablitt said she was considering a cruise to the Norwegian

A Postal mystery

A CARDIFF flat owner has been left flummoxed after he received 11,000 tax bills for Chinese companies.

The companies have all used his address to register for VAT and he has been receiving hundreds of HMRC letters through his door in the past few weeks.

HM Revenue and Customs have apologised to Mr Dylan Davies, but they say the error is a mystery.

Chief executive Jim Harra said they were aware of a serviced office address which was similar but is not exactly the same and so that may not

be the explanation. He went on to say the HMRC had not as yet got to the bottom of the mystery but that he was confident it was not a widespread fraud.

Out of the 11,000 letters delivered to Mr Davies’s address, more than 2,000 of them owe money for tax payments. However, Mr Jarra said that collecting the debts would be a “challenge.” Because they have no genuine address to write to.

Mr Davies was given assurances that no legal action would be taken against him.

fiords, but that while she was happy to spend the £333, she wanted to be careful with the other larger amount.

Both woman have faced health struggles in the past.

Margaret has just been given her fourth year all clear for breast cancer and Joyce had a stroke 20 years ago and wasn’t able to walk for some time.

Adventurer’s record stay

SCIENCE teacher Chris Cameron, a 53 ­ year ­ old adventurer, is embarking on a two­month solo expedition to Rockall, a desolate islet located deep in the Atlantic Ocean.

In his quest to break the record for the longest occupation of this inhospitable lump of granite, Cameron will set sail for Rockall this week, where he plans to spend 60 days on a small ledge raising money for charity.

The lump of granite in question is situated northwest of Scotland and is permanently exposed to the elements making the decision to do this challenge over the summer months wise, or maybe just a little less crazy.

Rockall is located around 230 miles from the nearest inhabited place in the Outer Hebrides.

Rockall has bountiful fishing grounds and has

seen ongoing territorial disputes between Ireland and the UK, with British ownership established in 1955.

Mr Cameron hopes to beat the previously held record of 45 days set by Nick Hancock from Edinburgh, in 2014. Hancock had also planned to last 60 days on the islet, but bad weather conditions caused him to lose essential supplies and necessitated an early end to his stay.

ROCKALL: The desolate islet is located deep in the Atlantic Ocean.

Year of the first expedition around the world from Spain.

Bordering on change

GERMANY is grappling with a sizable increase in illegal border crossings, as pressure mounts for Chancellor Olaf Scholz to address the situation with stricter policies.

Authorities reported a significant rise in unauthorised entries since the beginning of the year on Wednesday, May 17, saying approximately 20,000 people entered the country illegally between January and March, a 50 per cent surge on the same period last year.

To combat the issue, Scholz recently unveiled plans to strengthen border controls on all nine borders of Germany. He also urged European Union partners to create asylum centres on the outskirts of the bloc.

However, these measures have faced criticism from a coalition of more than 50 humanitarian organisations. They argue that the proposed

asylum processes at the EU border would undermine refugee protection laws and likened the planned centres to prisons.

The news comes as leaked reports from the country’s federal police’s migration analysis for April suggested

FOREIGN embassies in Beijing, including European embassies, have been instructed to remove what China’s foreign ministry calls “politicised propaganda” from their buildings according to reports released on Wednesday, May 17.

It is believed that this directive is aimed at the Ukrainian flags proudly displayed by several missions as a show of solidarity following Russia’s invasion. The notice, issued earlier this month, cautioned against placing provocative displays on the exterior walls of embassy buildings that could incite disputes between nations.

The UK, Canadian, US, and EU embassies, along with others, have been exhibiting the Ukrainian flag as a symbol of support. Embassies often display flags or banners to express solidari­

that migrant arrivals to Germany are likely to rise considerably in the coming months.

The report mentions Turkey’s elections as a factor, with refugees from Syria being directed to Germany via Belarus, Poland, and the Czech Republic.

Flag fiasco

ty with various countries or causes, such as the LGBTQ+ Pride flag.

However, at least one diplomat told Reuters that their mission has no intention of complying with the request.

China’s stance on the Russia­Ukraine conflict has drawn attention. While Western nations have condemned Russia’s actions, China, a staunch ally of Moscow, has remained notably silent.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has attempted to position himself as a mediator in the conflict while openly expressing support for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Race against nature

ITALY’S northern Emilia­Romagna region has been plunged into chaos as torrential rains triggered catastrophic flooding, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

The deluge has claimed the lives of nine individuals, with several others still missing. Desperate scenes unfolded as 10,000 residents were forced to evacuate, some desperately clinging to their rooftops until rescue helicopters swooped in on rescue missions.

The flooding caused fourteen rivers to burst their banks, submerging 23 towns in the region. Landslides have severed

crucial roads, isolating communities and exacerbating the already dire situation.

The devastation came just days before the Emilia­Romagna F1 Grand Prix, which was scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 20, which had to be cancelled.

With further rain on the horizon, Emilia­Romagna has braced itself for the possibility of more devastation. Regional President Stefano Bonaccini has spoken out, urging residents to steer clear of rivers and seek shelter on higher ground.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also chaired a crisis meeting

and expressed gratitude to the brave rescuers risking their lives to save others. Volunteers have flocked to the region to provide support to overwhelmed emergency services.

BORDER CROSSINGS: The German Chancellor’s immigration plans have caused backlash.

Photo credit: Olaf Scholz (via Facebook)

5th Spain has the fifth largest population in Europe.

SHOCKWAVES have reverberated throughout Serbia when two mass shootings occurred within days of each other earlier this month. However, what followed has been a wave of outrage and a call for change.

Tens of thousands took to the streets of Belgrade, joined by smaller rallies across the country, united

under the banner ‘Serbia Against Violence’. Their message was clear: an end to the pervasive culture of violence believed to have contributed to the tragic incidents in Belgrade on Wednesday, May 3 and Mladenovac on Thursday, May 4.

While the government downplayed the protests, both demonstrators and au­

thorities have found common ground on the issue of gun control.

President Aleksandar Vucic swiftly announced a “general disarmament”, implementing a month ­ long amnesty for illegal weapons.

Severe consequences were warned for those defying the gun permit requirements.

The response to the disarmament initiative was largely positive.

According to a report released on Wednesday, May 17, within just two days on the initiative, more guns

and ammunition were surrendered than in the three previous amnesties combined.

However, protests continue over the issue of a deeper culture of violence.

Volcanic ash rains down

VOLCANIC ash fell from the sky on the Italian island of Sicily on Sunday, May 21, after Mount Etna erupted again.

According to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, this occurred in at least one town located on the slopes of Europe’s most active volcano. Residents of Catania, eastern Sicily’s largest city, also found ash raining down on them.

As a result of reduced visibility, officials at the island’s Catania Airport grounded all flights. The weather in Sicily was already wet and cloudy so the materials thrown up by the volcano only added to the murky skies.

A post on the facility’s

Facebook page read: “Catania Airport: operations suspended until tomorrow morning, Monday May 22. Any updates will be communicated in due time.”

Sunday’s eruption should not have come as a surprise to anybody in Sicily. An alert was issued on Thursday May 18 by Italy’s Civil Protection Agency. It warned residents of possible ‘sud­

IN a disturbing turn of events, the greatnephew of France’s First Lady, Brigitte Macron, was brutally assaulted in an apparent politically motivated attack.

Jean­Baptiste Trogneux fell victim to antigovernment protesters in Amiens shortly after President Emmanuel Macron’s televised address about the country’s hugely unpopular pension reforms on Monday, May 15. The vicious attackers mercilessly targeted Jean­Baptiste Trogneux, causing severe injuries to his head, arms, and legs.

den’ variations’ in Etna’s mood after increased seismic activity was registered in recent days.

Etna is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site and towers impressively above the Mediterranean holiday destination at a height of 3,330 metres (10,925 ft).

The last major eruption however was back in 1992.

Targeting violence Crossing the line

President Macron swiftly condemned the assault as “unacceptable”, saying that violence has no place in a democracy. Brigitte Macron also stood in solidarity with her family, vehemently denouncing the attackers for their cowardice and brutality.

Local authorities announced on Wednesday, May 17 that eight suspects who fled the scene have been arrested thanks to intervention from members of the public.

MOUNT ETNA: The airport had to ground all flights.

Credit: Austin Ingram - US Navy/Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

PRESS EUROPEAN

DENMARK

Shook up

SEISMOLOGISTS could not understand why they recorded minor tremors on the Danish island of Bornholm on May 13. They called the recordings “acoustic pressure waves” and after ruling out earthquakes and explosions as the source, now believe that “some unknown atmospheric event” is the only answer.

THE NETHERLANDS

Short read

CHILDREN'S reading skills have deteriorated faster in the Netherlands than other countries, education experts found. They concluded that lessons missed during the pandemic were unlikely to be the only cause and believe the short texts used in Dutch schools do not prepare pupils for longer passages in literacy texts.

BELGIUM

On mute

BELGIAN workers now have the legal right to switch off their work phones outside working hours without fear of complaints from their employer. The new regulations apply only to firms with 20 or more employees and excludes those working in emergency services or the aviation sector.

GERMANY

Print job

HEIDELBERG will boast Europe’s largest 3Dprinted building, which will be 54 metres long, 11 metres wide and nine metres high. The ground-breaking project, which commenced on March 31 this year and should be completed by late July, will eventually house an IT company’s cloud and data centre.

FRANCE

Green scheme

FRANCE is promoting green initiatives and tax credits to attract billions of euros in investment, boosting French industry and countering Biden’s $369 billion (€422.3 billion) Green Plan. Measures include linking subsidies for electric vehicles to environmental restrictions that favour European manufacturers.

NORWAY

Wedded bliss

MORE couples are marrying in Norway and staying together longer than in the past, with approximately 21,000 people formalising their partnerships in 2022, an increase of 4,700 compared to 2021, the Norwegian Statistics Agency said. Although 17,000 spouses separated, this was the lowest number since the 80s.

FINLAND

War-torn

FINLAND awaits news regarding the European Union’s position regarding Russians who fled the country to avoid conscription. The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) said 1,109 Russian citizens so far have sought asylum in Finland to avoid being called up to fight in the Ukraine war.

IRELAND

Cool it

JIM CHAMBERS, 62, and Stephen Cole, 40, who operate rival ice cream vans, appeared at Falcarragh District Court (County Donegal), the pair accused of fighting over the same beachside pitch. Both faced breach of the peace charges but were let off after agreeing to put aside hostilities for the summer.

ITALY

Fewer babies

FOR the first time, the number of annual births fell below 400,000 in Italy, averaging 1.25 babies per woman, official figures for 2022 revealed. The replacement rate is now negative, with the number of deaths currently exceeding the number of births, with 12 people dying for every seven babies born.

PORTUGAL

Home again

DOZENS of European Jewish community leaders attended a conference on communal strategies in Porto, whose 1,000-strong Jewish community has tripled in recent years. This was partly thanks to a 2015 law giving Portuguese citizenship to descendants of Jews expelled during the Inquisition, which began in 1536.

UKRAINE

Grain deal

AGREEMENT has been reached on extending by two months the deal allowing grain exports from Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea. The agreement between Ukraine and Russia, signed last year and brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, would otherwise have expired on May 19.

SWEDEN

Smoke-free

SWEDEN could become one of the world's first ‘smoke-free’ countries, with less than 5 per cent of the adult population smoking. With smoking rates falling from 15 to 5.6 per cent over the past 15 years, it is on course to reach this milestone within months, 17 years ahead of the EU's 2040 target.

THE exhibition ‘The Legacy of the Qin and Han Dynasties’, China is a unique opportunity to delve into the fascinating history of China through the exhibition of impressive terracotta figures of warriors and horses, some of which date back to the third century BC.

These masterpieces of Chinese art are a showcase of the skill and ingenuity of the ancient artists of the Qin and Han dynasty, who created these incredible figures to accompany their leaders in the afterlife.

The exhibition presents a selection of figurines, as well

Chinese Legacy

as other objects from the period, such as ceramics and bronzes.

Visitors will have the oppor­

Lions Club fashion show

THE Lions Club of Calpe and Benissa are holding their famous fundraising fashion show and lunch at El Toro restaurant in Calpe (Avenida Jaume I el Conqueridor, 1) on Friday June 2 from 1pm.

Models will be wearing new or nearly new outfits from their charity shop, which will be on sale after lunch, and there will be fabulous raffle prizes to be won.

Tickets for the show and lunch cost €25. For reservations please call Malcolm on 711 075 065 or email malcalpe@ gmail.com

Tickets can also be purchased at the Lion’s Charity Shop. For further information follow ‘Lions Club of Calpe & Benissa’ on Facebook.

New exhibition at ARTE.44

UNTIL June 10, the ARTE.44 gallery in Calpe will be showing a collection of ceramics, sculptures and paintings by Marga Corsin and Mireille Vetterli in an exhibition called Lo Espontáneo.

beauty in perfect harmony. A great inspiration for Mireille Vetterli. Expressive shapes and surfaces are characteristic of her works and sculptures. She acquired her knowledge in Japan, China and Taiwan.

Her art has been displayed in Singapore, Taiwan, Croatia, Spain, France, Belgium, Holland and Switzerland. She lives and works in Switzerland and Spain. For further information visit www.arte44calp.com

tunity to learn more about the culture, politics and daily life of ancient China.

The exhibition is a unique experience for all history and art lovers, and is a chance to appreciate one of the great wonders of the world, don’t miss this opportunity to travel back in time and immerse yourself in China’s rich history!

For more information, head to the website: www.marqal icante.com, email: info@mar qalicante.com, or call (+34) 965 149 000.

The exhibition can be viewed until January 2024 at The Archaeological Museum of Alicante, located at Plaza. Dr Gomez Ulla, S/N, 03013.

Cordoba and Sevilla trip

Marga Corsín is a Spanish artist of great emotional and creative power. She lives and works in Madrid. Throughout her career she has worked in a wide range of techniques and media, including drawing, oil painting, sculpture, watercolour, sumi­e and engraving. Marga has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions and has published an artist’s book on the theme of the Abyssal Worlds.

Currently she holds an agreement with the Bioparc Acuario de Gijón to represent her collection of underwater works.

In ceramics, the Japanese cultivate an aesthetic that is second to none. Japanese ceramists create objects of

UP to 39 members of the U3A Vall del Pop left Jalon for Cordoba on Tuesday, May 9, arriving at the Hotel Cordoba in the early evening.

On Wednesday they were ready to explore some of the city with a guided tour of the Mezquita.

They had a really enthusiastic guide, with great knowledge and passion for her subject. The red and white arches of the Mosque seemed to keep appearing in all directions, and they were informed that upcycling and recycling are not new concepts. Many pillars and columns were reused from Roman times.

Just when you think it can’t offer any more, you

find yourself in the Basilica, with vaulted ceiling, carved mahogany walls and seats, frescos and golden altar. A beautiful and interesting building, offering textures and decorations that blend the Muslim and Christian places of worship.

Cordoba is known for its colourful floral patio displays in May each year, and this was an important part of the itinerary. There were patios of all sizes, with an array of pots and containers of carnations, geraniums, begonias, and foliage plants in niches and hanging from the balconies and walls.

On Thursday they headed to Sevilla, where they started their visit at the Plaza de España. They finished on

the coach for a taster tour of the city, finishing at the quayside, where they embarked on a cruise with commentary of the River Guadalquivir.

On Friday they went into Sevilla, setting off for the Real Alcazar. The tour then moved to the Cathedral, and for the fit and brave, there was the opportunity to climb La Giralda bell tower.

On Saturday, a changed schedule found them in a small town, El Rocio, on the edge of the Doñana National Park with lakes, flamingos and birds of prey.

But all good things must come to an end, and on Sunday May 14 it was time to head back to Jalon.

Image: El Museo Arqueologico de Alicante

A great trip was had by all the members.

Image by U3A Vall del Pop

THE international choir Canto Mundial will be starting off the summer with two performances of their concert Let the song begin at the Forum Mare Nostrum in Alfaz del Pi.

The first performance is on Saturday May 26 at 6pm with the second show on Wednesday May 31 at 3pm.

Let the song begin

The concert has something for everything with an eclectic mix of wellknown and popular songs from opera Nessum Dorma to the Lion King’s Circle of Life. Other famous songs you will hear include Bring him home from Les Miserable and Singing in the rain from the film of the same name, plus a host of other pop classics, musical theatre and classical pieces to enjoy.

To help celebrate the international flavour of the choir of over 20 singers, they will be singing mostly in English but also with many songs in French,

German, Hebrew and Latin.

Tickets are priced at €7 and are available from the reception at the Forum Mare Nostrum, from the

The Arts Society Marina Alta

THE next presen tation is on Thursday June 1 at Salones Canor Teulada. Doors open at 10am for registration and the presentation begins at 11am. Coffee is avail able prior to the lecture for members and guests.

Riviera Paradise: Art, Design & Pleasure in the 1920s by Mary Alexander offers visitors the chance to enjoy the Côte d’Azur in the early 1920s, when an intoxicating mix of artists, writers, musicians and international visitors, inspired by a mythological seascape of luminous colours, created a new summer season.

Mary has more than 30 years’ experience as a lecturer, has a BA in History and History of Art and a MA with distinction in History of Art from University College London. She also has a large amount of hands ­ on experience, including public lectures in museums, tutoring for the Open University, being a visiting lecturer at Christie’s Education in London and a museum curator at Platt Hall, the Gallery of Costume, Manchester.

For details of membership please contact Maggie at mb.marinaalta@theartssociety.org or for general information email Peter at tr.marinaalta@theartssociety. org.

Find the Arts Society Marina Alta at www.theartssoci ety.org/marina­alta.

For the benefit of all, members, guests and visitors, they offer a glass of wine or soft drink at the end of the lecture to allow socialising with the group, Committee and the Speaker.

The sponsors for this presentation are Blevins Franks Wealth Management and Estate Agents, Inmobres of Calpe.

choir members themselves, by calling Philip Ashley on 965 581 483 or on the website www.phili pashley.com/boxoffice.ph p.

Costa Blanca Rugby Sevens

VILLAJOYOSA will host the 36th edition of the Costa Blanca Rugby Sevens, the oldest tournament in Spanish Rugby, at El Pantano stadium on Saturday May 27 and Sunday 28.

The tournament will kick off on Saturday at 10am. A total of 64 matches will be played under the direction of international referees. Each match will have two seven­minute halves, pitting seven players against seven across the field.

The finals will be played on Sunday from 4pm.

The men’s category will be made up of the national teams of China, Denmark, Portugal, Romania, Lithuania, Moldova and Spain, and the teams Akuma Rugby Agents from Great Britain, All Stars Sevens from South Africa, Viator Barbarians from Spain, Belgium Barbarians from Belgium and Olymp from Kazakhstan.

The women’s team will be made up of the national teams of Sweden, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Moldova, Spain and the UK All Stars team.

Tickets are priced at €10 for both days. Children under the age of 12 are allowed in free of charge. Tickets are available at the box office or via the website www.entradium.com

CANTO MUNDIAL: Will perform at Forum Mare Nostrum.

CÔTE D’AZUR: In the early 1920s.

Image: The Arts Society Marina Alta

THE Cueva de las Calaveras in Benidoleig will be filled once again this year with the wonderful sound of the Costa Blanca Male Voice Choir.

Two concerts on June 16 and 17 will feature new songs and some musical surprises, according to Marketing and Publicity Officer Vernon Pearce.

“The choir have been rehearsing hard during the winter and are hoping to impress the audience with some very different songs in this wonderfully acoustic location,” Vernon explained.

Concerts at the cave

“We also have several young guest singers and surprise accompanists lined up. I am pleased to say that the choir has become more international in recent years and now has Spanish, Dutch, Swiss and German members.”

This is the sixth year that the choir have performed at the cave and the two evenings are always sold out weeks in advance for this popular event. The box office

The Entertainers

THE Entertainers are opening their 2023 season with a bang with five charity events already programmed for June, so there will be many opportunities for you to have a fun evening out at one of their shows whilst supporting your favourite charities.

Their early­summer June diary kicks off with Jumping for joy in June at Los Arcos restaurant in Pedreguer (N­332, Km. 154) on Thursday June 1 at 7.30pm in aid of Jalon Valley Help.

Attendees are invited to take their own food but are asked to please buy drinks from the bar.

Tickets cost €10, for further information and to book please call 634 305 005 or email eventsjvh@gmail.com.

Follow ‘The Entertainers Marina Alta’ and ‘Jalon Valley Help’ on Facebook.

is now open. Tickets cost €12.50 and can only be bought online at www.costablancamalevoice choir.com. Proceeds of this year’s concerts will be donated to Proteccion Civil Benidoleig and DAR Javea’s ‘SOS Ukraine’.

Will and Whimsy

JAVEA PLAYERS’ summer production taking place from June 26 to July 1 is an amusing compilation of sonnets by the Bard, directed by Claire Schoonover and Paul Hunter.

The many facets of love are explored, in modern situations with modern language, interspersed with Shakespeare illustrating the beauty of his words, 414 years after they were written. Laughs are guaranteed.

The show is preceded by an al fresco tapas meal which starts at 7pm with the show beginning at 9pm. The price for both is €22.50 and the Box Office opens on Friday May 26.

It’s always a sell­out, so don’t delay!

For more information see www.javeaplayers.com.

FINANCE

STAT OF WEEK €1.4 billion

will go to Spain’s rolling stock manufacturer for supplying a second delivery of 56 trains under the contract it signed with Germany’s rail operator Deutsche Bahn in 2019.

BUSINESS EXTRA Sorry about that

Tasty pasty

GREGGS announced that sales have increased by 17 per cent over the last year, saying its products remained “compelling” to customers in the cost ­ of ­ living crisis. The bakery chain, which first opened in Newcastle in 1951, opened 63 new shops this year and extended some opening hours.

Defence gambit

AEROSPACE, defence and security company, Escribano Mechanical & Engineering, acquired 3 per cent of Indra, Spain’s leading IT and defence systems multinational. The €65 million transaction makes Escribano’s Indra’s second industrial partner and strengthens its presence in the Defence sector.

Winter duels

STRIKES wiped out more than 2.8 million working days in the UK during the ‘winter of discontent’, with 566 lost in March alone, official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed. Industrial action between October 2022 and the end of March was the worst since 1989, the ONS said.

Main concern

DESPITE the cost of living crisis, 30 per cent of Spanish consumers are more concerned about sustainability than price, EY consultants found. The tendency to take environmental factors into consideration before looking at price tags was usually generational, and more common amongst the young, researchers said.

Helping hand

FAMILY members spent £38 billion (€43.76 billion) on assisting relatives over the last five years, according to a survey by insurance firm SunLife. The most common reason amongst the over ­ 50s was helping their children to buy a house, with 26 per cent contributing an average of £26,680 (€30,730).

Linda Hall

THE European Commission (EC) gave the go­ahead to Microsoft’s $69 billion (€63.21 billion) merger with Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard.

Brussels made the proviso that Microsoft had to ensure that Activision’s game catalogue was freely available on other cloud gamestreaming providers over the next 10 years.

The decision was announced weeks after the merger was blocked by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), whose chief executive Sarah Cardell defended the watchdog’s earlier decision.

It was not her intention to

Game on, Brussels says

countable” regulator, maintaining the English Channel had never seemed wider for attracting businesses.

“There’s a clear message here, the EU is a more attractive place to start a business than the UK,” Smith declared.

HUW PILL, the Bank of England’s top economist, apologised for suggesting that people should accept they were poorer.

create a hostile environment for businesses in the UK, Cardell told MPs a day after the European Commission approved the merger.

The CMA wanted to “create and support” the best conditions for competition, enabling companies big and small to thrive, she insisted.

REPSOL and Italian energy company Eni could begin importing Venezuelan gas and gas condensates by June.

The news was announced by Pedro Tellechea, president of state­run Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), who confirmed that both companies wanted to increase the volume of their operations inside the Latin American country.

The agreement increases Europe’s supply options in the context of the energy crisis created by the Ukraine war, while bringing investment and royalties to Venezuela’s beleaguered economy.

The deal will allow Repsol and Eni to concentrate on their Perla gas field, a joint project located in the Cardon IV block in the Gulf of Venezuela. Regarded as having ‘enormous potential’, the offshore operation has increased activities reccently, up 30 per cent on 2019.

Apollo backs off

PRIVATE equity firm Apollo abandoned its £1.66 billion (€1.91 billion) takeover of the oil and gas services company, Wood Group.

The Aberdeen­based company said earlier that it would “engage” with Apollo’s final offer of 240p (€2.76) per share, after rejecting four earlier proposals which it said were too low.

Instead the New York firm announced on Monday May 15 that it would not make another offer for the business, two days before the deadline for making a firm bid or turning its back on the deal.

The European regulators said the commitments offered by Microsoft and Activision to maintain competition provided significant benefits for competition and consumers.

Meanwhile, Microsoft’s vice­chairman Brad Smith referred to the UK’s “unac­

“Global innovators will take note that, despite all its rhetoric, the UK is clearly closed for business,” Smith had said following the CMA’s decision to block in April.

Microsoft and Activision are currently setting up legal team to challenge the UK ruling.

Gas from Venezuela

stepped up sanctions against Venezuela.

Washington hopes this will encourage Nicolas Maduro’s government ­ regarded as a dictatorship ­ to allow more political freedom inside the country.

“Economic projects like these benefit both Europe and Venezuela,” said EU’s High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.

Censured by unions, businesses and the public, Pill’s critics included his own chief, the governor of the Bank of England Andrew Bailey, who said the economist’s choice of words “was not right.”

“If I had the chance again, I would use somewhat different words to describe the challenges we all face,” Pill said.

“Although we have some difficult messages to bring. I will try to bring them in a way that is perhaps less inflammatory than maybe I managed in the past.”

Google’s Spanish profits

GOOGLE SPAIN made a €44.7 million profit in 2021, a 79.5 per cent increase on 2020.

Income rose to €214 million, 44 per cent more than during the previous year, thanks to increased demand for the company’s services, according to Google Spain’s accounts filed with the Registro Mercantil.

The Venezuela exports also required US State Department authorisation as its oil­for­debt arrangement was halted two years ago when Washington

No quick solution

MARGHERITA DELLA VALLE, Vodafone’s new chief executive, confirmed on May 16 that the company would “strategically review” the future of Vodafone España.

The telecoms company faced stiff competition in a country that was “obviously very complicated,” Della Valle acknowledged on the same day that she announced worldwide staff reductions of 11,000, approximately 10 per cent of Vodafone’s workforce.

She was reluctant to specify whether this review envisaged a sale of Vodafone Spain, as analysts already suspect.

“We cannot jump to conclusions about the steps we will take,” she said, while admitting that there were no quick solutions for Vodafone’s Spanish business.

The company had a turnover of €3.9 billion in its fiscal year that ended on March 31, a 6.5 per cent reduction on the previous fiscal year’s €4.18 billion.

“Venezuela is at present burning gas it cannot use, although its gas is not subject to sanctions, only oil,” he told news source last month. “It is one of the countries that produces the most methane but this is benefiting nobody, while in the EU we need gas,” Borrell said.

Up for sale

THE Center Parcs chain of holiday villages has been put up for sale by its owners, the Canadian private equity firm Brookfield.

The company, which bought the business for approximately £2.4 billion (€2.77 billion) in 2015, expects to raise between £4 and £5 billion (€4.61 and €5.76 billion), the Financial Times said.

Center Parcs real estate was independently valued at £4.1 billion (€4.7 billion) in April and Brookfield has also spent £100 million (€115.19 million) on technology upgrades.

Revenues for the year ending April 21, 2022, reached £503.4 million (€571.9), with £245.6 million (€282.9) profits returning the company to the black following 20202021’s pandemic losses.

As is habitual with US technology multinationals who operate abroad, these figures do not reflect the company’s real business in this country.

Google Spain registers its sales in Ireland and only takes into account earnings from marketing and support services to Google Ireland and research and development services for Google LLC.

Bank offers

SPANISH banks continue to vie with each other to attract new customers.

Banco Santander, for instance, promotes online accounts by paying €50 for each recommendation resulting in a new customer whose salary is paid directly to the bank.

The new customer also receives €150 thanks to this offer which ends on June 12.

Another Santander offer, which continues until June 30, pays €150 to new customers who open an account and pay in a monthly salary of at least €600. This rises to €350 for salaries of more than €2,500.

SARAH CARDELL: Defended CMA’s opposal to MicrosoftActivision Blizzard merger.

VENEZUELA: Huge gas deposits will help to ease Europe’s energy crisis.

Photo credit: CC/British Government

Photo credit: Luis Noguera for PDVSA

DOW JONES

No break

SEAT plans to take on 900 temporary workers between June and September to ensure that production need not be affected during the holiday period. Above all, this should prevent the Martorell (Barcelona) factory from having to close in August and allow the plant to produce an additional 14,000 cars, principally the Cupra Fomentor model.

Going up

CURRYS increased its annual earnings outlook following better­than­anticipated sales across the UK after initially reducing its full­year prediction to £104 million (€120 million). The electrical goods retailer adjusted its forecast and now expects pre­tax profits of between £110 million (€126.8 million) and £120 million (€138 million) for the 12 months ending on April 29.

Royal Mail in red

ROYAL MAIL reported a £1 billion (€1.15 billion) loss for the year ending March 26.

Bosses blamed industrial action by employees and a failure to increase productivity during 12 months in which 10,000 jobs were cut.

International Distributions Services (IDS), Royal Mail’s owner, announced an overall loss of £748 million (€869 million) compared with a £577 million (€861 million) profit a

Home comforts

WORKING from the office should be employees’ default mode, according to the UK’s Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt.

Speaking on Wednesday May 17 to business leaders attending the British Chamber of Commerce conference in London, Hunt said that he believed working from home could stifle creativity.

He added that he felt firms were gradually reversing the shift to teleworking that began during the Covid ­

19 pandemic.

Despite the Chancellor’s conviction that employees would return to offices “unless they had a good reason not to,” flexibility was a top reason why employees accepted new jobs, post ­ Covid research confirmed.

In deciding between jobs with similar pay or benefits, the opportunity to work flexibly could become a deciding factor, investigators found.

Wind power

7

year earlier.

IDS said Royal Mail was in the red mainly due to strikes by “unionised staff” over pay and working conditions. This unrest ultimately led to the departure of Royal Mail’s chief executive Simon Thompson who resigned on May 12 after only two years in the post, although he will remain until October as IDS seeks a fourth chief executive in as many years.

Royal Mail’s owners also attributed the postal service’s losses to its “inability to deliver the in ­ year benefits of planned productivity improvements.”

Although the company has finally thrashed out a deal which the union agreed to put to its membership in April, Royal Mail has been affected by the consequences of a drop in demand for Covid test deliveries. There was also a dip in delivering online shopping, which had flourished during the pandemic.

ARDIAN, a leading private investment company, agreed to sell for an undisclosed sum its ASR Wind portfolio of 12 windfarms as well as a hybrid solar energy plant, to Naturgy, the Spanish renewable energy group. The windfarms, which are located in several regions across Spain and have 422MW of installed capacity, were all built between 2005 and 2012.

Boo-hoo!

ONLINE fast fashion retailer Boohoo.com plunged almost £91 million (€105 million) into the red as annual sales dived and the retailer had to cope with higher levels of returned products.

The label aimed at the 16 ­ 30 age group announced that sales fell 11 per cent to £1.8 billion (€2.1 billion) in the year ending on February 28.

POSTAL SERVICE: £1 billion (€1.15 billion) loss for last fiscal year.

BUSINESS EXTRA

All change

BRITISH American Tobacco’s finance director Tadeu Marroco took over immediately after the announcement of his appointment as new chief executive. Marroco, who has worked for the tobacco giant since 1992, replaces boss Jack Bowles, who stepped down after four years as CEO and 20 with the company.

Cloud cover

CAIXABANK and Google

Cloud signed an agreement to speed up the Catalan bank’s digital transformation. Under the deal the bank will use the cloud to boost data analysis technologies in the coming years while creating new products and services by personalising its commercial offer.

Worse off

BRITONS’ overall wealth fell to a 10­year low as a third had to dip into their savings over the last year, taking out an average of £3,500 (€4,033). More than half told LifeSearch insurance firm’s Health, Wealth and Happiness 2023 Index that they were worse off financially than last year.

Cheap labour

WOMEN residents born outside Spain account for 6 per cent of the population but occupy 160,000 ­ 44 per cent ­ of the 368,000 new jobs that were created over the last year. They earn an average €11,800 pre­tax, lower than the minimum wage and less than half the national average.

Course work

OVERHAULING apprenticeships would help to kickstart the economy, Tesco chief Ken Murphy said. Despite a huge increase in the number of courses equivalent to a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree between 2014 and 2022, courses equivalent to GCSEs had plummeted by 70 per cent, Murphy pointed out.

Negotiation needed

STELLANTIS, which manufactures Vauxhall and Fiat vehicles in the UK, called on the government to renegotiate Brexit rules.

“The UK must reconsider its trading arrangements with Europe,” Stellantis told a House of Commons enquiry.

Not doing so could mean closing some UK operations and endangering thousands of jobs, said the world’s fourth­biggest carmaker, which also produces Citroën and Peugeot vehicles.

Two years ago, Stellantis declared that the future of its plants in Ellesmere Port and Luton were assured, but it now warns that it can no longer meet Brexit trade deal requirements.

These stipulate that 45 per cent of

the value of a vehicle’s components should be sourced in the UK or the EU by 2024, but the manufacturer can no

Aussie takeover

longer comply with these conditions, owing to an increase in the cost of the raw materials used for electric car batteries.

This means the electric vans made at the Ellesmere Port plant will face 10 per cent tariffs when exported to mainland Europe in 2024 as they will have too few locally­sourced parts.

This would put the future of the plant in question, the company said.

Ellesmere Port, where electric vehicle production is due to start later this year, provides jobs for 1,000 workers, while another 1,200 make Vauxhall and Fiat vans in Luton.

Thousands more work in UK businesses dependent on the plants.

Rafa hits a winner

TENNIS legend Rafael Nadal is as successful off the court as on it.

The Mallorca ­ born sportsman’s investments in several companies made an €11.4 million profit ­ a 104 per cent increase ­ in 2021 via his Aspemir company, according to accounts submitted to Spain’s Registro Mercantil, equivalent to the UK’s Companies House.

Nadal owns, or has invested in, companies in the sports, real estate, hotels, renewable energy and brokerage sectors. He is involved in Netflix series like Soy Georgina and La Marquesa through Mabel Capital, in which he has a 33.3 per cent holding.

This company has also built luxury apartments in Madrid and owns restaurants in Madrid, Ibiza and Valencia as well as six other cities outside Spain, together with projects in the Costa del Sol, Portugal and California.

The holding company’s turnover improved by 15 per cent to €20.75 million, of which €12.6 million originated outside Spain.

The 2021 result also profited from currency fluctuations to the tune of €3.3 million.

THE GMB union wants the government to intervene if Australian banking group Macquarie gains control of a vital section of the UK’s gas grid.

The Macquarie Asset Management­British Columbia Investment Management Corporation consortium acquired 60 per cent of the equity in National Grid’s gas transmission and meter business in a £7.5 billion (€8.6 billion) deal last January. This covers 4,000 miles (6,437 kilometres) of gas pipes.

According to a UK news source, a clause in the deal allows the consortium first refusal to buy the remaining 40 per cent later this year.

Digi digs in

Aspemir’s principal holding is the Centre Esportiu Manacor, which runs the facilities and accommodation linked to the Rafa Nadal Academy. Centre Esportiu Manacor had a turnover of €19.7 million, a 40.9 per cent year­on­year increase, in 2021, and showed a profit of €2.3 million.

Taxed to death

SIR JIM RATCLIFFE, one of Britain’s richest men, warned that the UK government’s windfall tax could destroy the North Sea’s oil and gas industry.

“Taxes are so high that profits no longer fund future investments,” the Ineos chemicals group founder told a UK news

source.

The government resorted to ‘primitive politics’ when Rishi Sunak, who was Chancellor at the time, put an extra 25 per cent tax on industry profits following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This was later raised to 35 per cent by Jeremy Hunt, who took over as Chancellor.

Ratcliffe argued that the levy ­ in effect a 75 per cent tax on North Sea profits which helps to fund government support schemes for household fuel bills ­ jeopardised the energy industry. No thought was given to the long­term consequences of this “tax it to death” concept he said.

Knotty Banco Popular tangle

THE European Central Bank (ECB) had never expressed concerns about the situation of the defunct Banco Popular.

José María Sanz Olmeda, a PwC audit partner who examined the Banco Popular books between 2009 and 2015, told an investigating National High Court judge that he detected “no anomalies” during this period. Meanwhile, the ECB decided on June 6, 2017 that Banco Popular was “failing or likely to fail” and noti­

fied the Single Resolution Board. According to the financial daily, Cinco Dias, legal sources familiar with the proceedings maintained that this was one of the cases “most relevant testimonies.”

This, they say, could clarify contradictions in various reports from expert witnesses regarding whether or not the Banco Popular should have reflected losses before the 2016 capital increase of more than €2.5 billion.

SPAIN’S mobile phone operators announced their first quarter accounts in a period that was dominated by fierce competition from the low­cost segment.

Romania ­ based Digi again demonstrated its strength compared with the bigger companies’ modest growth while the sector is at fever pitch owing to the MasMovil­Orange merger and the Vodafone crisis.

Digi, meanwhile, increased its earnings by 29.4 per cent to €143.3 million, owing to its aggressively low tariffs. At the same time, the company’s commercial aggressiveness also reduced the average spend per client by 4.1 per cent to €9.3.

Kid glove treatment

NEW regulations coming into force on July 31 will ensure that people receive better treatment from companies providing them with financial products.

Banks, building societies, insurers, investment firms and other businesses have been warned to prepare for one of the UK’s biggest­ever consumer­finance upheavals. The Financial Conduct Authority’s new regime will see the introduction of the ‘consumer duty’, which sets higher and clearer standards of protection, while explicitly requiring companies to put customers’ needs first.

The FCA want the initiative to produce ‘good outcomes’ for consumers, with reduced call­waiting times and an end to rip­off fees.

FIAT VANS: Manufactured by Stellantis in Luton.

RAFAEL NADAL: Savvy businessman as well as a tennis champion.

Photo credit: Flickr/Tanya Cicconte

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

TRULY don’t quite know where to start this week. So much has occurred I would need a couple of pages to achieve some kind of completion.

It actually started out with a number of letters (some obviously not for publication) thanking me for using subject matter that would simply not be allowed in the woke infested PC society that has now impregnated the UK.

One missive from a friend informed me that were my views publicised in a UK national I could be expecting a ‘knock on the door’­ What! Some PC authority knocking on my door presumably to threaten me for doing nothing more than applying my totally lawful freedom of speech?

Don’t scoff; I’m utterly convinced that if Starmer’s lot finishes up in Downing Street there will undoubtedly be an Orwellian department created to impose this devious control. The diversity dealers are already ensconced among the media hierarchy and they are not even in power yet.

The casting and presentation of TV programmes has

Where to start

now gone completely off the non­equality scale. Mixed marriage contestants are now being featured in a totally disproportionate number of quiz shows. These special quizzers must be extremely difficult to find as the majority only actually make up 0.2 per cent of the population. Presentations such as ‘Rip Off Britain and ‘Front Line Fightback’ which are aimed at the seedier side of the UK, predominately feature the white populace appearing as investigators, victims and of course perpetrators.

Programmes displaying run down living accommodation and poorly treated tenants mainly depict nonwhite or immigrant residents. ‘Homes under the Hammer’ now primarily promotes property investors of non UK descent. If a news subject is considered ‘racist and possibly undermines black residents, it is given minimum coverage or ignored altogether.

This was exampled this week by the disgraceful attack on a fairly elderly teacher by a young black student after the teacher had confiscated his phone. Not only was he unassisted by any

member of the now utterly brainwashed teenage youngsters that were present, but the attack was actually filmed by a number of his classmates. Naturally none of this was featured on the main news media, but a considerable number of disgruntled observations were prominent on social outlets.

Recently I was informed from a very highly placed source that large numbers of immigrant staff employed by hospitals are so low in understanding that they are actually affecting the running of many establishments. As bosses are unable to sack any at the risk of being accused of racism (or the knock on the door!) they are promoting them to different departments, (bit like the civil service!) which is resulting in whole organisations teetering on the brink of disaster.

If you honestly don’t consider the UK in the grip of a conspiracy to reshape the whole of British society, then I truly believe that these faceless people will one day take over the whole shebang. Assuming they haven’t already done so.

Keep the faith

Love Leapy

leapylee2002@hotmail.com

MASK SHAMING OUR VIEW

AS fewer people are required to wear masks in public places, so at least one Human Resources Department has come up with new advice for employers as how best to deal with those who still want to wear a mask for a variety of reasons.

Employees are to be advised that they should be tolerant of those continuing to wear masks, as to make fun of them or comment about their decision is an example of what is now termed mask shaming!

Indeed, they go as far as to insist that anyone who needs to speak to someone who is wearing a mask should put their own mask on as a mark of respect and understanding.

Whilst it is difficult to see what anyone could gain from teasing or criticising someone who wants to continue to wear a mask, it seems surprising that HR advisors should

actually go into print to require this and at least one entity requires individual staff members to confirm in writing that they will comply with the instruction.

There is no doubt that HR guidance in many areas is very useful, especially as far as bullying in the workplace is concerned, but nowadays it almost seems that some of these apparent professionals are creating rules that really aren’t needed just to justify their position.

Interestingly, during times of global depression, HR advisors aren’t particularly needed as staff are generally anxious to keep their jobs or management who can’t see the point of employing them but in times of financial growth, with staff more mobile and difficult to retain, a good HR department is useful for both sides.

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

Are you sitting comfortably?

Linda Hall

NUMEROUS studies link poor health to a sedentary lifestyle.

Menopause game changer

A NEW non­hormonal drug will revolutionise menopause treatments.

As long ago as the 1950s a study found that bus drivers were twice as likely to have heart attacks as bus­conductors.

Since then, research has consistently tied prolonged sitting to multiple ailments, not least because this immobilises some of the body’s largest muscles, putting it into standby mode.

When sitting for long enough, the metabolism will slow, constricting circulation and affecting the ability to deal with glucose.

If sitting is unavoidable at work, keeping your computer screen at eye level and your feet flat on the floor will help, allowing you to keep your spine and hips in less painful positions. The simplest way to make a noticeable difference, though, is to get up every 15, 30 or 60 minutes.

The drug, fezolinetant, which acts directly on the brain to prevent hot flushes, was licensed in the US earlier this month and could be prescribed in the UK by the end of this year.

Made by Astellas Pharma, the medication could transform the misery that hot flushes cause for hundreds of thousands of women who are unable ­ or do not want ­ to use hormone replacement drugs (HRT).

“This is a completely blockbuster drug,” declared Prof Waljit Dhillo, an en ­

HOT FLUSHES: Revolutionary non-hormonal treatment.

docrinologist at Imperial College London who headed 2017 trials which opened the door for developing the drug.

SEVERAL UK cancer charities want to see VAT removed from sunscreen.

This is classed as a cosmetic product, incurring a 20 per cent tax which adds an average £1.50 (€1.72) to the cost.

High­factor sunscreen should be free of VAT, the charities said. The cost of living crisis meant there are items which people now think twice about buying, and a survey by Melanoma Fo­

By Clinica Britannia

“It’s like a switch, the flushes go away in a day or two,” he told the UK media. “It’s unbelievable how well these drugs work.”

Sunscreen plea

cus found that 50 per cent believed sunscreen was too expensive.

Most skin cancers are caused by skin damage, the charity said, but few people realised that getting sunburnt just once every two years could triple the risk of skin cancer.

Botox can help you be sweat free

DO you suffer with excessive sweating of your underarms or back, have constantly wet hands or find it impossible to wear sandals comfortably due to sweating feet, then you could be suffering with Hyperhidrosis.

The body’s nervous system usually activates our sweat glands when body temperature rises, this is how our body automatically cools itself. In people with Hyperhidrosis, however, the nerves that signal the sweat glands are overactive, causing excessive sweating.

This can be embarrassing, uncomfortable and also affect your personal relationships and work, especially when you have

EXCESSIVE SWEATING: Could be Hyperhydrosis.

important work meetings to attend. With the help of Botox, you can be sweat free in no time at all.

Botox injections although predominantly known for the treatment of wrinkles, are also a very ef­

fective tool in treating Hyperhidrosis.

When injected into the affected area it blocks the nerves responsible for activating your sweat glands muscles, stopping the sweating.

If you want to be embarrassment and sweat free, then contact us at Clinica Britannia as you may be a candidate for Botox. The treatment is quick and extremely effective, you can resume your normal activities immediately. The sweating should stop within a week with total dryness expected within a two­week period.

Retrain a sweet tooth

SUBSTITUTING sugar with sweeteners does not assist weight loss, according to the latest World Health Organisation (WHO) findings. Using them could actually cause health problems, the WHO warned.

Their advice suggested that people should not turn to sweeteners like aspartame ­ routinely used in fizzy diet drinks ­ if they wanted to lose weight or prevent diet ­ related diseases such as type 2 diabetes.

Other popular sweeteners that were cited included saccharin and stevia, generally regarded as a healthier option.

Too tired

A YOUGOV poll of 2,086 adults in the UK highlighted the obstacles that people face when aspiring to adopt, and stick to, healthy habits.

Many who wanted to exercise more, eat more wisely and lead a healthier lifestyle faced the problem of feeling too tired.

The YouGov survey found that tiredness stopped 35 per cent of people from making the changes to their diet and physical activity levels that would help them close the divide between good intentions and definite action.

Instead, they should consider eating foods with naturally occurring sugars, like fresh fruit, or switch to unsweetened foods and drinks.

The WHO based the new

By Clinica Britannia

Book your bone density test now

OSTEOPOROSIS is a ‘silent disease’ that causes bones to weaken, becoming more susceptible to fractures even from minimal impact, occurring gradually over many years without your knowledge, so how can we keep an eye on our bone health?

guidelines on a systematic review of evidence which concluded that non­ sugar sweeteners did not confer any long ­ term benefits in reducing body fat in adults or children.

Heachache help

GINGER is surprisingly successful as a natural remedy for migraines.

A study involving 100 adults gave them either 250 milligrammes of ginger or a triptan ­ routinely used to treat migraine ­ at the first sign of one of the pounding headaches.

Sixty ­ four per cent of those who took ginger reported a 90 per cent or better reduction of their symptoms after 120 minutes, compared with 70 per cent taking triptan.

Ginger was more or less as effective as the triptan when

treating migraine but clearly outperformed the conventional medication as it produced none of its common side effects of dizziness, fatigue or a dry mouth.

One way to know how strong your bones are is to have a scan known as a bone densitometry, as until about the age of 30, we produce bone faster than we lose it but around the age of 40 it tends to plateau. After this time, the reverse is true and bone mass declines and for women this bone loss is particularly accelerated during the menopause.

The Achilles bone density test is a non­invasive test that offers a quick and affordable way for an initial osteoporosis

assessment and the risk of bone fractures. The exam is quick and comfortable and is performed with the patient seated with one foot placed on the Footplate. The machine uses high frequency sound waves to evaluate the os calcis (bone status in the heel). The

patient will receive the results immediately from the specialist performing the test. Remember it is never too early to start looking after your bones, so book your Achilles Bone density test here at Clinica Britannia as soon as possible.

CAN a glass of wine or a beer or two affect a fitness routine?

Yes, personal trainer Josh Davies believes.

“Since going sober two years ago, my training performance, energy levels and mental clarity skyrocketed,” he told an interviewer recently.

Alcohol impacts fitness because it causes dehydration: “We all know the importance

Cut it out

of being hydrated when it comes to exercise,” he said.

“Secondly, alcohol has a huge effect on the quality of your sleep, preventing the body from getting into deep sleep, the part that helps with recov­

ery and restoration,” he added.

“And if you’re not getting adequate amounts of this type of sleep, you won’t recover between sessions and will be unable to perform when working out,” he warned.

OSTEOPOROSIS: Start looking after your bones.

WHO ADVICE: Eat foods with naturally occurring sugars.

39% of adults in the world are overweight.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROCKY!

membered best about the show he shared two memorable events:

‘THE Rocky Horror Show’, the longest continuous run of a contemporary musical anywhere in the world ­ its influence seen everywhere from Halloween costumes to references in movies, TV shows and books ­ is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary. Catch the sell­out special anniversary production at London’s Peacock Theatre!

Now, all my books are available in ebook/Apple Book/paperback and audiobook formats. But this wasn’t always so. Imagine my surprise when a well­known, celebrated British actor visiting Spain ­ Rayner Bourton, who in fact created the role of ‘Rocky’ in the original London productioncontacted me. He enjoyed reading my EWN column ­ especially my novels ­ and would I like him to record them as audiobooks?

With numerous TV/movie credits to his name, Rayner’s produced all my psychological suspense crime thrillers, each one expertly narrated with authentic accents. Listen yourself to free audio samples on Amazon/Audible of ‘Death in Windermere’ etc (my latest, ‘The Couple across the Street’, will soon be

available too!). Additionally, Rayner does considerable ‘voice over’ work, ‘voicing’ The Unseen Elder in ‘Witcher 3’, one of the world’s best­selling computer games.

When I recently asked Rayner what he re­

“After the first night performance at The Royal Court Theatre Upstairs the British Hollywood actor Vincent Price, who had appeared in countless horror movies and was in the audience, popped his head around the dressing room door and said in his unmistakable voice: “Thank you all very much” and disappeared as quickly as he arrived. He was the first of what would become a nightly procession of ‘star’ names to pop their heads around the dressing room door to offer congratulations and thanks for a truly unique theatrical experience.”

“While performing ‘Touch A Touch Me’ at the Theatre Upstairs (where our actual stage depth was less than three metres between the first row of the audience and the screen hiding the band), I was spinning around and around while holding Julie Covington (the original Janet) at arm’s length with her head inches from the floor while we were both singing the chorus when, over the music, I heard an enormous crack. I’d slightly got out of position and Julie’s head hit a concrete pillar, which was hidden by the screen. Julie just carried on singing and finished the perfor­

mance. The next day one side of her face was black and blue that make­up couldn’t disguise. My admiration for her professionalism and talent was and, remains, immense.”

Catch all Rayner’s unique, first­hand memories in his own audiobook/memoir: ‘The Rocky Horror Show: As I Remember It’.

One of the most enduring aspects of ‘Rocky’ is its music. The show’s score, composed by Richard O’Brien, features catchy, upbeat tunes instantly recognisable to fans. Songs like ‘Time Warp’, ‘Sweet Transvestite’ and ‘Science Fiction/Double Feature’ have become iconic in their own right and often performed at concerts and karaoke events. The show’s soundtrack has sold millions of copies worldwide and continues to be immensely popular with new generations of fans.

In brief, ‘Rocky’ has lasted because the music, lyrics and concepts are unique and the whole work was inspired by genius.

Nora Johnson’s 12 critically acclaimed psychological suspense crime thrillers (www.no ra­johnson.net) all available online including eBooks (€0.99; £0.99), Apple Books, audiobooks, paperbacks at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.

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

NORA’S LATEST THRILLER.

Nora is the author of popular psychological suspense and crime thrillers and a freelance journalist.

NORA JOHNSON BREAKING VIEWS

Hair today

EXPAND YOUR SPANISH

I WAS debating whether to call this Unisex because as far as hair ­ although not necessarily gender these days ­ is concerned, that’s how practically all hairdressing salons announce themselves.

Yes, that’s the way it goes chaps, if you want a haircut you’ll almost certainly need to get it done in the company of your female neighbours at a peluquería. As for a shave, that will have to be a DIY job at home.

Time was when Spanish men went to a barbero for a haircut and a shave too, but when barbers do exist they are usually tucked away in a side street, with a dwindling number of clients.

Therefore much of the following will be as applicable to men as women especially the young men I see when I go for my own hairdo (peinado), who are as likely as I am to be having streaks done.

A wash and blow­dry….. lavar y secar

I’d like a wash and blow­dry: quiero lavar y secar

I’d like to cut my hair…..quiero cortarme el pelo

I only want a trim…..quiero cortarme las puntas, nada más

Top 10 places to retire to

I’d like a bob (okay, this won’t apply to many male readers)…..quiero una media melena

I’d like a lot of curls (nor, possibly, will this)…..quiero muchos rizos

I want it very short…..lo quiero muy corto

I want it chin ­ length/shoulderlength…..lo quiero hasta la barbilla/los hombros

I want it very straight…..lo quiero muy liso

I’d like a lot of volume…..quiero mucho volume/lo quiero muy hueco

I want/don’t want layers…..quiero/no quiero capas

I want/don’t want a fringe…..quiero/no quiero un flequillo

If you want to change the colour of your hair:

I’d like to dye my hair…..quiero teñirme el pelo

Or merely brighten it up

I’d like streaks…..quiero mechas

I’d like a colour rinse…..quiero un baño de color

To prevent temporary or permanent slipups you’ll be presented with a colour chart although, since we’re on the subject, remember that blonda is not a hair tone, but a type of lace.

Blame Hemingway

LINDA HALL

ERNEST HEMINGWAY has a lot to answer for, or at least as regards people of a certain age who visited, or went to live in, Spain.

Perhaps we can attach a morsel of blame to Federico García Lorca’s Lament for the bullfighter Ignacio Sánchez Mejías, but he was a Spanish person writing about someone and something he was familiar with. On the other hand, I’m not convinced that Lorca got the women right in the House of Bernarda Alba, but that’s a different matter.

I’m talking about bullfighting of course, and because I’d read Death in the Afternoon and the Sun Also Rises I’m now ashamed to say that when I first lived here, I went to a number of bullfights.

After all, if you’d read your Hemingway, you knew that’s what you were supposed to do when you were in Spain.

What’s more, if I were still an aficionada, I could proudly say that I’d

seen some of the best bullfighters of the day and had gone to Antonio Ordoñez’s last corrida. Not that he bore much resemblance by then to the handsome man portrayed in a nowiconic photo taken with Hemingway.

What do I remember about the bullfights I saw? Boredom most of the time, although sometimes a wave of enthusiasm would ripple through the plaza when the bullfighter managed to string together a series of passes.

Apart from that it was butchery, but not as skilled as the butchery you’d find in a slaughterhouse.

Instead, you were subjected to a depressing exhibition by a man dressed in pink stockings, tight satin pants and sequins who was trying ­ usually ineptly and often repeatedly ­ to plunge a sword into a panting, half ­ dead animal.

No doubt bravery was involved, but although it was death in the afternoon it was a slow death that had nothing glamorous or noble about it.

All of which makes me very grateful that football and not bullfighting is now Spain’s preferred national spectacle.

IT has long been the dream of Britons approaching retirement age, to up­sticks and move somewhere warmer, like their favourite holiday destination.

Researchers at Retirement Solutions have discovered that although an expatriate lifestyle comes with its challenges, this doesn’t put them off the idea. So where is the best place for Britons to retire abroad?

No. 1. Spain

Spain came top of the list as the most sought­after destination to live, for British people looking to retire abroad.

“There’s plenty of places in Spain that are perfect for retirement, including Alicante which

sits on the Costa Blanca,” said a spokesperson for the company.

“The city has an excellent cost of living while also providing plenty of sunshine, with temperatures around 16 degrees in winter while reaching over 40 degrees in summer.”

With its large expatriate community, the Costa Blanca is the choice for many Britons deciding to live in resort towns such as Benidorm.

There are plenty of other options too with retired expats settling in the Costa del Sol, the Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands.

Despite the fact that currently without a visa, non­EU citizens

can only stay in Spain for 90 out of every 180 days, this has led to many retired Brits spending the winter months in Spain and returning to the UK for the summer.

A surprising second on the list is Australia, but anyone interested needs to do their homework as the cost of living is generally higher than in the UK. Third on the list is Portugal, which also has a number of celebrity fans including Sir Cliff Richard, Princess Eugenie, and Madonna.

Rounding off the top 10 are (4) Thailand, (5) Canada, (6) France, (7) India, (8) New Zealand, (9) Italy and (10 Greece.

ALICANTE: The city has an excellent cost of living while also providing plenty of sunshine.

Dear Leapy LETTERS

Everything you said is absolutely true. Yes, you are totally free to say what you believe to be the case, but at what cost? If you said this in Britain your ability to continue earning a living would be made almost impossible. The direction Britain is heading is very frightening.

Keep up the fight.

Justice

Phillip Walker

Having happily lived in Spain since 2003 my wife suddenly and unexpectedly passed away a little over a year ago.

I need to return to the UK to be close to family but have to realise the equity from the house sale.

This is proving to be a huge problem despite numerous viewings.

The problem is three noisy dogs next door, when would­be buyers hear the dogs they immediately write the property off.

I have spoken to the neighbours on several occasions but they choose not to take action.

Can you please help me with this health threatening predicament.

Paul Greswolde

Good morning Lee

I know you often get flack for your printed views. I would like you to know that I look forward to Thursdays to hear your latest rant. I moved to Mallorca in 1997 and I did meet you a couple of times and have seen you perform several more.

I think it’s a pity you never moved in to politics. You have some great ideas.

Greetings from the Spanish Aragonés Mountains.

Bruce

Mrs Feelgood

Something seriously amiss within the BBC. All part of the conspiracy I sometimes mention. Onward all.

With thanks

Thank you very much indeed, again, for including our article, about Celebrating the Coronation, in last week’s EWN!

It was good of you to have included our article and is much appreciated.

Thank you for your continuing support, also much appreciated.

From a very soggy Moraira.

Warmest regards.

James Bond

who only payed him once. After Roger Moore I gave up, they just didn’t have the authenticity.

Naimah Yianni

Intruder arrested

How can you get arrested when you are on public property, not on private property? you can go and stand in any street anywhere surely? As long as you are not committing a crime then how can you be arrested? No sympathy for these idiots as it goes.

Life of Brian

Symbolic of his struggle against reality. Absolutely says it all. What is going on in our country. Now we have a theatre that wants to put on a play for a black audience, no whites allowed. God help us all and I am not religious.

John Little

Good evening,

It is wonderful to have our own regional newspaper ­ thank you. But, it would be nice to have the two motoring pages which you print in the Costa Blanca South edition.

Best regards Annie Busch

Dog attacks

Far too much of this is going on throughout the UK and Europe. Maltreated, fighting dogs that turn on their owners. I have no sympathy for the victim, only regret that the animal had to be destroyed. From my point of view, a huge crackdown on the breeders/owners of fighting dogs is long overdue.

Bob Saunders

Brexit fail

It must be something in the water, or the food, or the air. Or all three, to produce such brain­dead people. Sadly, though, Brexit was never about making the public more prosperous, only to bring more prosperity to a chosen few. And that doesn’t even appear to have been successful ­ yet.

Stephen Ashley

War on Wagner

Max, Aircrew Association

That makes it sound like Sean Connery only played Bond once, but it was George Lazenby

I as well as my guys were actually digesting the good ideas from your website then at once I had a terrible feeling I never expressed respect to you for those secrets. The men ended up for that reason warmed to read them and have really been enjoying them. Appreciation for actually being quite kind as well as for making a decision on certain amazing subject matter most people are really wanting to be informed on. My sincere regret for not expressing gratitude to you earlier.

Cornwell

NO MORE JOKES ABOUT TEXANS?

I HAVE just heard of yet another tragic mass shooting in Texas; this time eight people gunned to their deaths in a shopping centre in Dallas. This is the city where President Kennedy was assassinated 60 years ago. And yet, the gun lobby enjoys majority support, nowhere more than in this gun­toting state. Explaining to Texans that universal gun ownership equals innocent deaths is like trying to teach a giraffe to play basketball.

An American acquaintance told me that there are proposals in some states to monitor and discourage jokes about Texans. If this is true then political correctness is alive and flourishing.

Jokes have abounded about other groups of people ­ often those of neighbouring nationalities. They have been directed against Dutch, Norwegians and Scots (for perceived meanness) and Americans, Irish, Poles and East Silesians (for alleged stupidity). And, of course, the Texans.

The foreman on a building site in Texas shouted “Hey Chip! Bring me a wheelbarrow.” Five minutes later Chip returned, wheeling a large wheelbarrow with a smaller one inside it. “Chip! I asked for one wheelbarrow, not two.” “Well, did you expect I was gonna carry the darn thing?” OK; this may or may not have happened.

However, I have personally met a Texan who believed that Jesus Christ was an American, and I know he wasn’t joking. Surveys

have shown that a disturbing number of Americans think that both Jesus Christ and Christopher Columbus were Americans. And then we had the reaction to Corona virus. In Texas there was a dramatic drop in the sale of Corona Mexican beer for fear that it would pass on the virus. But we have learned so much from our American friends, as we adopt their culture ­ not just by murdering people in schools. We eat hamburgers, drink beer from

bottles, watch American football, become obese, hold hot gospel church services and address our friends as “you guys”.

We choose an American slavery song for England’s rugby world cup theme (‘Swing low, sweet chariot’). In 1996 Leeds rugby team was renamed Leeds Rhinos in deference to American football teams such as Chicago Bulls. And the once­stoic British now weep during television interviews.

There is a difference between

Celebs go camping

CELEBRITIES are lined up to take part in the UK’s biggest outdoor holiday home show which will be held in Harrogate later this year.

For the first time in its history, the Great Holiday Home Show will be held at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate from Friday, September 8, to Sunday, September 10.

Hike in camping

FIGURES show that tourists are once again attracted by camping and non­hotel accommodation has recovered its pre­pandemic figures. Forecasts predict that 2023 will be a record year for camping. They have seen an increase in international tourists choosing to camp through Spain noting that around 60 per cent of the International tourists come from Germany and the Netherlands. These tourists commented that they chose camping in Spain after so many years locked down, now they just want to spend as much time as possible outdoors enjoying nature.

International tourists choose Spain for the climate and the variation in landscapes from stunning mountain scenery to some of the best beaches in Europe. This is also why Spanish tourists are choosing to stay in Spain during their holidays and opting to camp and it is this combination that is creating the record­breaking figures. Campsites are investing and in doing so offering a higher quality service, and higher quality accommodation and are attracting both families with children and pets.

The show will include the latest models and the largest outdoor range of holiday homes, caravans, motorhomes and all aspects of life exploring the great outdoors.

Visitors will see TV presenter Matt Baker MBE live on the Great Holiday Home Stage chatting with TV presenter Christine Talbot.

Matt says: “I’ve made a life out of exploring Britain, both on and off ­ screen. From camper vans to caravans, I love taking a homefrom ­ home along for the ride. You can go wherever you want, whenever you want, with an ever­changing view.”

From holiday homes to caravans to motorhomes expect everything you need for a home from home. There will also be fun for the family and plenty of entertainment to make it a fantastic day out.

the evolution and the mutilation of a language. The British have amusing expressions such as “Everton are pants” and “Johnson is toast”. The misuse of a word or the invention of a new one is another matter. A loo or lavatory is not a ‘bathroom’ or ‘restroom’. ‘He sucks’ should not mean he’s unpleasant. ‘Woke’ should not mean socially aware. ‘And stuff’ should not mean etcetera. ‘Cool’ should not mean impressive.

Nevertheless, most of the ‘progress’ in recent years has been in technology. Through computers, smart phones, numerous information and communication platforms and space research, we can achieve so much without the intervention of humans. Here, Americans have been at the forefront.

For more from our columnists please scan this QR Code

Prestigious Award

THE UK Caravan and Motorhome Club has scooped a prestigious RoSPA Award, demonstrating its commitment to health and safety excellence.

The Caravan and Motorhome Club achieved a gold award in the Leisure Industry category, demonstrating its dedication to ensuring staff get home safely at the end of every working day.

The RoSPA Health and Safety Awards is the largest occupational health and safety awards programme in the UK. Now in its 67th year, the awards have almost 2,000 entries every year, covering nearly 50 countries and a reach of over seven million employees.

The programme recognises organisations’ commitment to continuous improvement in the prevention of accidents and ill health at work, looking at entrants’ overarching health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement.

Julia Small, RoSPA’s Achievements Director, said: “Accidents at work and work ­ related ill health don’t just have huge financial implications or cause major disruption: they significantly impact an individual’s quality of life.

“That’s why good safety performance deserves to be recognised and rewarded.”

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

Texans are not afraid of guns but are terrified of catching a virus from Mexican beer.

Image: Swift

The Great Holiday Home Show will be held in Harrogate.

PETS

Dog central

THE Ifema events, trade fair and congress centre in Madrid are hosting the 100x100mascota (100x100pets) show on May 27 and 28. This will be the 12th edition of the fair turning Madrid into the dog capital of the world. They expect to welcome around 3,000 dogs from more than 250 different breeds and more than 12,000 visitors.

Special guests at the event will be the Chongqing Dog, one of the rarest and most unknown breeds in the world. They have a long history in China and have become the symbol of the area of Chongqing in the southwest of the country.

The fair is aimed at dog lovers but also cats and pets in general as there will be 20 different breeds of cats such as Russian Blues, Persian and British shorthairs.

Fifty animal shelters will also be present at the fair as many people take their first steps to adopt a pet at this fair.

Dog-sitter entertains Tilly

A DOG-SITTER is a companion as well as a pet minder to your pets. The most important thing to note is that they care for your pets in their own home. Tilly is a smart black Labrador who needs entertainment and challenge, not just physical exercise. Her dog­sitter knows she loves playing and they tease each other constantly. With the live­in dog­sitter her routine stays the same, and she is stimulated and entertained.

Find a dog­sitter to care for your pets at home and help to minimise any separation anxiety by keeping them where they feel at home.

If you’re planning a trip register now to find petsitters in time. Whether your trip is short or long, you’ll know that sometimes you must leave pets at home. Young and senior pets in particular benefit from staying at home, so they can follow their routines undisturbed. Join our pet and house­sitting network, and the sitters come for free!

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

1. Register as a homeowner on HouseSit Match.com

2. Choose a Standard account (£69 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 Testimonials ­ 4.9 / 5 Excellent 10 out of 10 for housesitmatch.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.Housesitmatch.com.

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

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Advertising Feature

Springtime dangers for dogs

SPRING arrives and many plants bloom and the high season for mosquitoes, fleas and ticks returns. Just like people, pets can have indoor and outdoor allergies that are exacerbated by the spring weather. Pollen, grass, flowers and weeds can increase and allergy symptoms may appear. Plant spikes can penetrate natural openings such as ears and noses causing serious problems.

With the return to activity of fleas, ticks and mosquitoes, care must be taken with diseases transmitted by them such as Ehrlichiasis and Leishmaniosis and also flea allergy dermatitis. It is important to use insecticides and repellents. Plants such as tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils can cause vomiting, diarrhea, arrhythmia, respiratory difficulties and inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes.

Dogs and cats can get stung by wasps or bees during the spring and summer when they enjoy nosing around flowers in the garden or chasing flying insects.

SPECIAL GUEST: Chongqing one of the rarest breeds.

Dogs enjoy nosing around.

A dog-sitter cares for your pets at home.

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ARCHITECT

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BUGGY TOURS

CHARITY

BUY & SELL

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BEDDING

El Campello Christian Community - Life and Family Sunday Service at 11am Bilingual (English and Spanish) at C/ San Bartolome, 35 (Bajo No. 6), El Campello. For more information visit www.el campellochristiancommuni ty.org, email campellocc@ gmail.com or call Juan Zúñiga - 686 203 183 (Spanish) or Sue Bishop610 639 426 (English)

THE SALVATION ARMY English Speaking Church of Denia Worship Service. Sunday 10.30am followed by a time of Fellowship. Everyone is welcome. Come as you are! For more information: Dieter Zimmerer +34 698 609 658 or Barbara Zimmerer +34 652 319 810 Email dieterzim merer@hotmail.com, www.centrosaron.com

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MOTOR INSURANCE

METALWORK

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OTHERS

MB ELECTRICS. Approved electrician. Any electrical repair. Iberdrola paperwork. Affordable prices. Miquel 655 282 175 www. mbelectrics.es (302561)

ELECTRICIAN FOR SALE/WANTED

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

WIGS

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INSURANCE

FED UP OF NOT BEING SENT YOUR RENEWAL?

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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)

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LOCKSMITH/ELECTRICIAN MASSAGE

ALBIR , ALTEA, MORAIRA, 24 HOUR EMERGENCY. 686 513 510 (294632)

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RELAX CENTRE in BENIDORM - Excellent atmosphere. Expert Masseuses. 24/7 OutcallsTel: 603 324 564 (290194)

NATURIST male gives relaxing massage. Half price 1st time offer €25. For men and women. Private premises in Jávea, WhatsApp Rob on 613 831 380 (303490)

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Philippe Watches Tel - 678 716 693 (288662)

MISCELLANEOUS MORTGAGES

GUARANTEED MORTGAGE 100%. Acceptance. Expat Mortgages. Non Resident Mortgages. Spanish Resident Mortgages. Highest LTV in Spain. Call Damian today on: 655 141 092 (302913)

MOTORBIKES

PETER ZWAAN MOTORBIKES, A+ Occasions

Showroom, Triumph Street

Triple, 675 cc, yr 2010, 30.000 kms, Euro 4.500,= CostaBlancaMotor bikes.com (290148)

MOTORING

AUTO BASTIAN mobile mechanic. Tel 608 860 725. (295674)

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)

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PAINTER & DECORATOR. WINDOW CLEANER / MAINTENANCE. CALL NEIL ON +34 642 577 442 OR +44 753 586 6419 (302909)

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NEED YOUR PETS TAKEN CARE OF? Not kennels, just a friendly home. Large fenced area. 699 790 080 Altea (294597)

HOTEL 5 FEATHERS. Holidays for your birds. Call Maria 607 26 25 24. www.papagayos -costablanca.net

PROPERTY WANTED

RETIRED couple looking for long term rental in La Marina Baixa - prefer two beds. Needed urgentlycall Janice on 0044 7736 251 800 (279523)

REMOVALS/STORAGE

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ROLLER SHUTTER REPAIRS, awnings, motors, mosquito blinds. Calpe + 50 kms. 659 464 992 www.toldosalchemy.com (1296178)

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MARK PADDON BSc Hons. MCIOB, CAAT – for buyer’s survey & defects advice. Tel: 653 733 066 / 962 807 247 www.costablancasurvey ors.com (292966)

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TRANSLATIONS

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INSURANCE

SEAT Tarraco FR Sport - a touch of style

ROAD TEST

by Mark Slack

MOTORISTS of a certain age might recall the days when we had the Morris Oxford

and Austin Cambridge. SEAT has taken to the same idea with their Tarraco, the largest of their SUVs. Named after the Spanish city of Tarragona, apparently Tarraco is what it was called when Rome ruled

this part of Spain.

The range comprises of six trim levels with both petrol and diesel power along with manual and DSG automatic gearboxes. The 1.5­litre TSi petrol engine comes with 150PS while the 2.0 ­ litre diesel also develops 150PS and both engines are available with either six­speed manual or seven­speed DSG automatic gearboxes.

Standard equipment across the range includes seven seats, LED lights, powered, folding, heated mirrors, auto wipers, keyless start, trio­zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, auto dimming rear view mirrors, rear parking sensors and Apple Car Play and Android Auto plus Bluetooth.

With the Tarraco there’s a rather different ­ and welcome ­ approach to the usual somewhat brutish, huge­grilled look of many SUVs. The sharp styling looks classy and understated, and as ever with VAG products there’s a feeling of

and less intimidating thanks to that subtle styling but the result is a capacious family holdall that mixes a touch of style to the job of getting on with things in a world where reaching the school gates in time is more important than playing grand prix wannabe. There’s plenty of space inside the Tarraco and even the rearmost seats are fine for an adult on short journeys.

The range starts at €38,466/£33,415 and my FR

€48,567/ £42,190 with DSG automatic gearbox, 2.0­litre diesel power, developing 150PS, and riding on 20” ‘Cosmo’ Grey machined alloy wheels. The FR Sport adds rear privacy glass, front fog lights with cornering function, navigation, keyless entry and start, park assist and heated front and rear seats.

With its sporting credentials the performance is pretty decent with 62 mph reached in just under 10 seconds. Consid­

dles remarkably well too, with little body roll thanks to firmer suspension. It’s not at the expense of ride comfort though. Unfortunately, as with most VAG products there is an increasing amount of digitalisation instead of more practical and easier to use switches. That said time would soon bring familiarity and there is much to like in the Tarraco. It’s classy, spacious and generously equipped and makes a fine family holdall.

Champions League hopes destroyed for Juventus

SERIE A giants Juventus were hit with a 10 ­ point deduction on Monday evening, May 22. The news was announced just before Juve’s away game at Empoli.

Prior to the ruling, the Italian club was sitting in second spot, although a massive 17 points behind this season’s champions Napoli. Removing the 10 points has now demoted them to seventh in the table and out of the European qualifying spots.

The decision by the Italian Football Federation was the result of an ongoing examination that had been carried out into the club’s transfer activities.

A 15 ­ point deduction that was originally handed down to the Bianconeri last January was subsequently overturned by

the highest sporting court in Italy.

In a statement, Juventus said: “Juventus Football Club takes note of what has been decided by the FIGC Court of Appeal and reserves the right to read the reasons for assessing a possible appeal to the CONI Guarantee Board.”

It continued: “What was established by the judgement of the fifth instance in this matter started over a year ago, arouses great bitterness in the club and its millions of supporters who, in the absence of clear rules, find themselves extremely penalised with the application of sanctions that seem to take into0 account the principle of proportionality.

“Without ignoring the urgen ­

cy, which Juventus never avoided during the process, it is emphasised that these are facts that will still have to be evaluated by a judge,” it concluded.

Controversy has surrounded the club in the last 12 months. The entire board of directors, from the President Andrea Agnelli down, resigned last year.

Shortly after this, it was announced that Agnelli, and Fabio Paratici, who had become Tottenham’s Director of Football, could face criminal charges.

Now demoted to seventh in the league table.

Manchester City crush Real Madrid Vinicius Jr racial abuse: Real Madrid call out hate crime

ON Friday, May 17, Manchester City not only went through to the Champions League Final, but they did it in style, beating a dejected Real Madrid 4 ­ 0 at the Emirates Stadium.

It’s a 5 ­ 1 aggregate win for Pep Guradiola’s side, with two goals from Bernardo Silva, one from Julian Alvarez and an own goal from Madrid’s Militao to cement Manchester City’s progression to the Champions League final.

This keeps them on track for a triple trophy haul this season as they lead the Premier League and they play the FA Cup final on June 3 against Manchester United.

But the Champions League is the one that evades them and they will be very hungry to take that trophy under Guardiola. They are now set to take on Inter Milan on June 10, at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey.

Mirror Football said on Twitter: “Man City have knocked Real Madrid out of Champions League for a place in the final.”

With a few domestic duties to see to on the way, we look forward to seeing you all for what could be Pep and Manchester City’s crowning glory in Istanbul.

REAL MADRID have filed a legal ‘hate crime’ complaint following abuse to star winger Vinicius Jr as they lost to Valencia on Sunday, May 21.

Racist abuse was hurled at the Brazilian which he highlighted to the referee. As he became more and more infuriated with the abuse he had an altercation with Hugo Duro and was shown a red card.

Luis Miguel Echaegary posted this post­match interview with Carlo Ancelotti on Twitter. The Real Madrid Manager only wanted to talk about the racist incident. Echaegary said:

“Interviewer wants to ask about the game itself. Ancelotti: “You want to talk about the game?” Interviewer: “Well yesI want to ­.” Ancelotti proceeds to use his time to talk about the disgusting racist abuse towards Vinicius Jr.

Ancelotti was quoted as saying in the a local news source:

“La Liga has a problem. For me, Vinicius is the most important player in the world. These episodes of racism have to stop the match.”

“It’s the entire stadium that is insulting a player with racist chants and the match has to stop. I would say the same if we were winning 3­0. There is

no other way.”

Real Madrid released a statement in which they said: “These events constitute a direct attack on the model of coexistence of our social and democratic State under the rule of law.

“Real Madrid considers that such attacks also constitute a hate crime, and has therefore filed the corresponding complaint with the State Attorney General’s Office, specifically with the Prosecutor’s Office against hate crimes and discrimination, so that the facts can be investigated and responsibilities can be established.”

It remains to be seen if the formal complaint will lead to any prosecutions, but it is the continuation of a problem that many footballing nations have suffered over the years. It is a problem that appears to keep rearing its ugly head.

VINICIUS JR: Ended up being shown a red card.