Mallorca 29 June – 5 July 2023 Issue 1982

FIVE towns in Mallorca now have a mayoress for the first time ever.

Following the local elections at the end of May and a period of negotiations between different parties, Montuïri, Llucmajor, Lloseta, Banyalbufar and Capdpera are among the 13 towns to be governed by women on the island.

Paula Maria Amengual (Més), Xisca Lascolas (PP), Angelina Pérez (Més), Eleonor Bosch (el Pi) y Mireia Ferrer (PP) are the first female council leaders to enter office in their respective town halls.

Ferrer, aged 27, is also the youngest mayoress in Mallorca.

Amengual declared that it is an “enormous step” for a woman to take charge of the local council and that there is still work to be done to make it “something normal” and create role models for young girls.

FORMER Olympic swimmer

Neil Agius from Malta has undertaken a world record attempt to swim 100 miles (160 kilometres) from Mallorca to Ibiza.

He announced his plans at the Palma International Boat Show on April 26 and finally entered the water on Monday June 26 with the target of completing the swim in around 72 hours.

According to the swimmer, this attempt will be the longest non­stop, unassisted, current neutral, open water sea swim ever undertaken.

There is more to this swim

than a simple attempt to set a world record as he wants use the publicity to draw attention to the ongoing problem of pollution and pollutants in the seas and oceans.

Neil entered a swarm of jellyfish around 46km into the swim in the Mallorca ­ Ibiza channel at around 1am on the morning of June 27.

After nearly four hours, multiple stings and several attempts to resume the swim, Neil’s stings were causing too much swelling and pain and Neil voluntarily decided that the safest thing to do, was to abandon the swim plan.

Speaking after calling the swim off, he said “It is so sad to see all that hard work we put into this challenge came to such a premature end.

“The real challenge for ocean conservation still stands, I will be back.”

With the Balearic Islands and Malta being so dependent upon the sea, Mallorca seemed a natural starting point for this ambitious record attempt with both territories trying to combat the dangers to the marine environment whilst at the same time having to rely on tourism as a way of enhancing their economies.

LOW­COST airline Norwegian has announced plans to reopen its operating base in Palma ready for summer next year. This will be Norwegian’s fourth base in Spain, in addition to Alicante, Malaga, and Barcelona. The Palma base will operate only during the summer season, say company sources.

The company is reportedly planning to expand its fleet to 85 aircraft in the summer of 2024, hiring 300 crew members across Europe.

Women power Base reopening RECORD ATTEMPT

With the six routes to and from Palma starting next year, Norwegian will operate a total of 62 routes between Spain and the Nordic countries.

The airline carried 3.39 million passengers to and from Spain between May 2022 and May this year, representing an 81 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

Credit: Neil Agius Facebook

REAL CHALLENGE: Neil Agius starts his record attempt.

Xisca Lascolas, first female mayor of Llucmajor.

Credit Llucmajor Council

Record year ahead

THIS summer is gearing up to be one of the best ever years for tourism in Mallorca.

Facing the music

BAR and nightclub owners in Mallorca are up in arms over the enforcement of the controversial ‘excess law’ designed to curb antisocial behaviour.

They complain that over the last two years the regional legislation has caused ‘arbitrary’ closures and an ‘unacceptable’ discrimination between establishments located within and outside the so­called ‘excess areas’ in Platja de Palma, Sant Antoni de Portmany and Magaluf.

The Calvia town is said to bear the brunt of the law,

where bars, restaurants and discotheques can be shut down immediately according to the discretion of police officers.

This leads to heavy economic losses and leaves business owners at the mercy of the decisions of individual officers, they say.

Often the authorities then rule in favour of the business and allow it to be reopened, but in the meantime owners have suffered significant financial losses.

A clear example of this was

reported recently by the Euro Weekly News, when Temple disco in Magaluf was shut down after apolice patrol decreed that a go­go dancer working at the club constituted a case of ‘objectification of women’ despite the fact that the law does not specify in which cases that rule can be applied and that go­go dancers had worked there for two years without any problems. Managers complain many owners are predicting up to 30 per cent of their profits will have to be spent on fines.

But not just on the island, as the Spanish tourism sector in general has expressed its surprise and excitement at the reservation figures and predictions for the high season that kicks off at all major tourism hotspots throughout the country this weekend.

Although at a global level travel figures are not expected to recover to pre­Covid levels until next year at the very earliest, the Mediterranean countries of southern Europe are roaring ahead and have already exceeded the figures for 2019 by 1 per cent, according to data from the United Nation’s World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) ­ even before the summer high season.

Easter already showed the

first signs with Spain receiving 7.2 million visitors in April alone ­ 18.5 per cent more than the same month in 2022.

And everything suggests that the upwards trend will continue throughout July, August and September, despite the effects of inflation, the war in Ukraine and a global economy that is still reeling from the effects of the pan­

demic. Analysts for the UNWTO explain that in fact Covid is the main reason for the surge in tourism, as even people who did not use to travel are keen to do so now after the restrictions and lockdowns.

However, the experts predict that the trend will most likely stabilise next year with figures returning to normal levels.

Through the roof

THE price of coastal property in the Balearic Islands has increased by 5.8 per cent over the last year.

Only Malaga (7 per cent) and Granada (6.8) in Andalucia and Guipuzcoa in the Basque Country (6.2) have become more expensive in this period in Spain.

According to a report by a leading valuation company, the Balearic Islands are the second Spanish area with the most expensive housing on the coast ­ after the aforementioned province in the Basque Country ­ and also one where the rate of price in­

crease remains the highest.

Seafront housing in up to 14 towns in the Balearics is currently the dearest it has ever been, with Manacor, ses Salines, Llucmajor, Campos and Arta accounting for the sharpest price hike in coastal property over the last year.

On the other end of the scale, prices in Calvia actually dropped in this period, although this should be taken with a pinch of salt as it is the Mallorca town with the highest average price per square metre€3,189.

Screens vs skin

traviolet light from the sun, although it is reportedly less damaging due to its wavelength.

cheeks or upper lip, have also been reported at Son Espases due to chronic screen use.

According to dermatology experts at Palma’s Son Espases hospital, the blue light radiation from screens can cause staining, dehydration and ageing skin if used uninterruptedly for many hours, as well as wrinkles and pigmentation.

Furthermore, they explain that this radiation penetrates further into the skin than ul­

The experts admit that it is not yet known exactly how many hours of prolonged exposure can cause this damage, but they can confirm that 48 hours of uninterrupted screen use can cause blemishes on the skin.

Cases of melasma, a tan or dark skin discolouration that usually affects women and can appear on the forehead,

To prevent damage, the experts advise the use of socalled physical or mineral sunscreens, which work better than their chemical counterparts in keeping out blue light.

They are especially recommended for people who work long hours in front of a computer or who are otherwise required to spend large amounts of time facing a screen uninterruptedly.

Temple disco in Magaluf.

SUMMER SURPRISE: A massive surge iin tourism.

Image by Stereo Temple/Facebook

Image by Haveseen/Shutterstock

EXCESSIVE use of mobile phone and computer screens can have a damaging effect on skin.

Taking the pee

A RESTAURANT owner in Coll de Soller who was fed up with cyclists and tourists relieving themselves near the entrance to his establishment took the law into his own hands and put up a sign in Spanish, English and German stating “This is not a public toilet. Urinating is prohibited.”

Secret location

A POPULAR TikToker from Mallorca has gone viral with a video calling on other social media users not to post the location of their photos or videos on the island’s beaches to prevent overcrowding. “You’re ruining the island in exchange for a handful of ‘likes’,” she said.

Skivers caught

UP to 40 people are being prosecuted for failing to show up to man the polling stations in the local and regional elections in Mallorca in May. Members of stations are elected at random and are obliged to attend unless they can justify a valid reason to be exempted.

On the telly

A YOUNG Mallorca YouTuber who became famous throughout Spain with his videos about rural life has been signed by Catalan television station TV3 to host a reality TV competition to find the best farmer in Catalonia. Miquel Montoro will star alongside well ­ known actress and presenter Anna Simon.

Very yummy

MALLORCA vocational training centre ADEMA has reached the final in a nationwide food competition to find the best sustainable, low carbon footprint, zero food waste recipes while prioritising healthy eating. Dietetics degree students at ADEMA presented a veggie burger made with seasonal and locally grown ingredients.

Flying the flag

WITH the world celebrating International LGBT+ Pride Day yesterday, Wednesday June 28, the question of whether or not to hang the rainbow flag from official buildings in Mallorca became a major issue this week.

The discussion came as a result of the change in political colour at most town halls and the regional government headquarters following the May elections, with the conservative Partido Popular (PP) and farright party Vox taking charge in many areas.

The newly formed Balearic Islands Govern ­

ment, led by a PP­Vox coalition, ruled against a proposal to fly the colours tabled by the socialist PSIB and Més.

However, in Palma the council led by Jaime

Wild chicken chase

A COLONY of wild chickens is living next to sa Riera canal in Palma.

The animals, which number at least 15 adults and an indeterminate number of chicks, have been located between Calle Jesús and Es Fortí military club.

Residents complain that the clucking and the crowing of the roosters prevents them from sleeping and they fear the animals could cause an outbreak of bird flu as they are not subject to any sanitary control.

Palma Town Hall this week announced plans to

capture the chickens with a type of net that does not cause any harm to the animals and take them to Son Reus animal protection centre.

It is not known how the chickens got there, but residents reveal that they were first seen in 2021 and since then they have reproduced and the colony has grown.

In addition, it seems someone must be taking care of them as there is a makeshift chicken coop hidden among the branches.

Martínez, also of the PP, did decide to hang the flag from the town hall balcony insisting that the city “has always supported this collective and will continue to do so.”

Elsewhere, Marratxi Council, also in the hands of the PP and Vox, decided to fly the flag “in support for the collective and the defence of the right to love freely.”

Hospital overcrowding

SON ESPASES Hospital in Palma last week reported its first instance of overcrowding in the A&E department of the summer.

The problem is repeated each year due to the sudden surge in population over the holiday season and the lack of healthcare professionals on duty, as many workers take time off and not all of them can be replaced.

This in turn leads to hospital beds being closed at the busiest time of the year, which inevitably results in a collapse of the system.

Spokespeople for auxiliary

British holidaymaker drowns

A BRITISH man on holiday drowned in Port de Pollença last week.

The 62­year­old unnamed British man tragically lost his life on the beach on Thursday June 22 despite the efforts of medics who battled for nearly an hour to try to save him.

Emergency services were quick to respond to the alarm which was raised at approximately 3.30pm. Beach lifeguards were the first to appear, dragging the man onto the shore where they performed basic resuscitation manoeuvres.

The SAMU 061 medical emergency co­

YOUR EWN HAS

81 STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

Pickpockets arrested

AN international gang of pickpockets that was operating in Palma airport has been arrested and ordered to leave Mallorca.

The National Police identified and detained the three thieves this week and a judge gave them 48 hours to leave the island.

ordination centre mobilised an advanced life support ambulance and a basic life support ambulance. Medical teams then carried out advanced resuscitation manoeuvres for up to 50 minutes, but sadly the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to local sources, the man’s partner was the first to raise the alarm with lifeguards who were on hand.

An investigation into the incident has been launched by local authorities, which is standard procedure for this type of incident.

nursing staff union USAE warn that each instance of overcrowding jeopardises “the safety of the professionals and the quality of patient care” and criticise the hospital management for failing to “develop a seasonal recruitment plan to avoid bed closures.”

Hospital management sources insist that last week’s situation was “a oneoff” and that this year there are more available beds than in previous summers, with a full Emergency staff and reinforcements on call for peak times.

They were said to be an “itinerant” gang that operated in several major Spanish tourist resorts and that after their Mallorca ‘campaign’ they relocated to the Canary Islands to continue their illegal activity.

According to the authorities, the three members arrested this week mainly targeted tourists who landed at Son Sant Joan and approached them as they headed for the car park to collect their vehicles.

As well as having police histories for theft in Spain, one of the members of the gang also has previous convictions in other EU countries.

They are accused of at least three thefts at the airport that netted the gang an estimated €9,000 in total.

Image by Marratxi Town Hallxx

IN DISPUTE: The flag outside Marratxi Town Hall.

Keep it down

RESIDENTS in the Colonia de Sant Jordi are complaining about the loud noise coming from bars, clubs and hotels in the area.

The arrival of the summer also brings with it an increase in outdoor parties and large gatherings, which spokespeople for the Prou Renous a la Colonia (‘Enough noise in the Colonia’) neighbourhood platform claim is endangering the quiet, calm and family­oriented lifestyle that the area is known for.

The Colonia de Sant Jordi, together with other areas such as sa Rapita in Campos, are seen as oases of peace outside the heat and bustle that take over Palma every summer.

The platform is calling on the authorities to act by taking decibel readings at the establishments that organise openair parties and clamp down on those that break the limits, as well as stressing the need to put a stop to the ongoing problem of the ‘party boats’ that throw anchor in the sea off the coast of the Colonia and play loud music all night long.

Residents in sa Rapita have also recently spoken out about the importance of preserving the “typical Mallorcan summer” experienced in both areas as opposed to the tourist massification of the rest of the island’s coastline.

Get your skates on Brits in Spain

RECENT information supplied by German online platform Statista has revealed that despite (or perhaps because of) Brexit, there are almost 300,000 British expatriates settled in Spain.

Top of the population chart is Andalucia which runs across eight Provinces from Sevilla to Granada and boasts more than 92,000 British residents (a massive 31.44 per cent of those living in Spain) with the largest number settled in the Costa del Sol.

Many Brits like to have the reassurance of being able to be served by English speakers which is why there are so many British owned businesses across the area, even though the Spanish are particularly adapt at speaking English as well as many other languages.

With a relatively low cost of living compared to the UK, decent weather most of the time, British schools, cheapish regular flights and a less frantic pace of life, depending on where you choose to settle, Andalucia deservedly takes top spot.

In fifth place is the Balearic Islands with 19,569 and British residents who make up 6.7 per cent of the

British population in Spain and as one in five residents in Ibiza and Mallorca are foreign expats, the British

contingent fit in well, with the ‘trendier’ in Ibiza and the more settled in Mallorca.

Bad news for Banksy

PALMA Council is toughening up the municipal legislation to enforce greater penalties for vandalism and graffiti.

Local Public Safety and Civility councillor Miquel Busquets confirmed that they are studying “how far they can go” regarding the severity of the punishment for antisocial behaviour.

Sr Busquets added that, in addition to increasing fines for spraying public property, culprits could also be prosecuted criminally if the graffiti is made in the historic old town or on listed buildings.

Current legislation passed in 2017 already raised fines for minor faults from €300 to

PROVERB OF THE WEEK

€750, with serious offences punished with up to €1,500 and very serious ones fined with up to €3,000.

The announcement comes after a video went viral on social networks showing a group of three hooded youngsters spraying an underground train at Son Sardina station during the daytime, with the train in service and the driver inside the cabin.

The video was filmed by commuters waiting on the platform and shows how the driver shouted at them to stop while a fourth person stood in front of the train to stop it from moving while the other three finished the job.

“Better to be safe than sorry”

Meaning that it is better to be careful now so that problems do not occur later on. The proverb was first recorded in 1837, by Irish novelist Samuel Lover in his novel ‘Rory O’More’.

A REVOLUTIONARY new sports installation has arrived in Mallorca.

Known as a Pump Track, it consists of an obstacle course for bicycles, scooters, skates and different types of boards, such as skateboards.

Located on the outskirts of Palmanyola (Buñola), the Pump Track is striking to behold with its steep climbs, drops, curves and different gradients.

It was built following ongoing requests by residents as the tracks are becoming increasingly popular among young people throughout Spain, and once it opens it will be the first of its kind on the island.

However, not everyone is happy with the project. The Enduro Downhill Mallorca organisation has criticised the installation on social media claiming that it is “badly designed and dangerous,” pointing out several technical faults that would prevent users from building up the necessary momentum to navigate the successive obstacles.

This view is shared by cycling and skating experts in Mallorca, who insist that knowledge of the sports is necessary when it comes to designing a track of this type.

Credit: Brits in

Plenty of memories of home for Brits in Spain.

30

Species of dolphin found in Spanish waters.

Express brigade relaunched

THE new mayor of Palma has announced plans to reinstate the ‘express brigade’ to solve any maintenance problems located throughout the city in less than 72 hours.

Jaime Martínez aims to offer residents a “fast and effective” tool to remedy any minor infrastructure deficiencies detected in their neighbourhoods by recovering the service that was initially launched by former Mayor Mateo Isern but which had been abandoned over the last several years.

The exact functioning of the service has yet to be de­

fined, but Sr Martínez’s idea is for residents who find a fault that is relatively quick and easy to solve, such as

lumps in the road, faulty street lighting or broken street furniture, to be able to call a direct telephone number and report the problem.

A council team would then repair the fault within a maximum of three days, according to town hall sources.

Another idea is for residents to report faults by sending a photograph with their mobile phone along with the location of the problem.

The overall aim, according to the same sources, is to use municipal resources “in a more efficient manner.”

Nurses denounce shift plans

NURSING staff at Manacor hospital are denouncing plans by the centre management to reduce shifts from 12 to seven hours.

The Nurses’ Assembly warns that the move “does not take into account the special timetable characteristics at Manacor hospital,” according to spokespeople. They add that the 12hour shifts were implemented when the centre was opened in what was a pioneering move in the Balearic Islands, and that they allow nursing staff to reconcile their professional and personal lives “in a

more balanced way that compensates for the physical and mental effort involved in our workload and the pressure we are subjected to on a daily basis,” as well as reducing the cost of transport and providing them with more flexible working hours.

The Assembly also explains that for a long time they have been enduring a “very delicate situation” due to a lack of personnel to adjust patient ­ to ­ personnel ratios, which “entails a high risk for the health of patients” and for the nurses themselves, who are forced to endure

Good on paper

THE temporary taxi licence scheme launched by Palma Town Hall in an attempt to solve the problem of insufficient drivers reported in the city last summer is not working as well as planned.

Only 50 drivers have so far applied for the 200 licences offered by the council, and spokespeople for main taxi union Taxis ­ Pimem predict that the actual number of new drivers on the streets will be much lower once the applications have been processed.

In addition, the union warns that the extra cars will not be available until the end of July, when the peak season is already underway.

Union president Gabriel Moragues adds that in order for the measure to have been effective it should have been launched last autumn to have enough time to find available vehicles and prepare them to be used as taxis.

constant stress levels “that affect both our mental and physical well ­ being.”

Nadal hotel now open

THE business event of the year on the island took place this week with the inauguration of the Zel Mallorca hotel.

Owned jointly by the Meliá Hotels group and tennis star Rafa Nadal, the Zel was officially inaugurated on Wednesday June 28 with 300 guests from all over Spain including the new candidate to lead the regional Balearic Islands government, Marga Prohens, and Palma mayor Jaime Martínez, as well as Nadal himself.

The four­star establishment is located in Palmanova and offers 180 bedrooms as well as the hugely popular Beso Beach bar with a restaurant on the sand, a swimming pool and mojito bar.

The Beso Beach bars have become famous on a national and international scale as a magnet for celebrities, actors and actresses and pop stars, who flock to the establishments that first opened in Formentera and are now present in Ibiza, Sitges, Tulum and Estepona.

NEW PLAN: In order to solve any maintenance problems.

Catherine McGeer

ESSENTIAL tips for children. Drowning incidents can occur quickly and silently, making it vital for parents to be well­informed and proactive in preventing such accidents. One of the most critical safety rules is to never leave children unattended near water. Even shallow water can pose a risk, and accidents can occur within seconds. Always stay within arm’s reach of children.

When around water, it is important not to leave toddlers wearing disposable nappies.

Water safety

These nappies can become heavy when soaked, causing toddlers to sink if they fall into the water.

If you are not a confident swimmer, it is recommended to take swimming lessons to ensure you can respond effectively if your child gets into difficulty in the water. Basic knowl­

Spain fourth

THE world underwent a profound transformation in the aftermath of the Covid­19 pandemic. The necessity of staying at home compelled individuals to explore the realm of remote work and contemplate the possibilities of conducting their professional duties from the comfort of their own homes, wherever those homes may be located across the globe.

Consequently, the working landscape experienced a significant shift, leading to an increasing number of people embracing remote work. As of 2023, remote working has emerged as a desirable option, enabling individuals to reside in the country of their choosing while pursuing their dream careers. The prerequisites for remote work are rather simple: a reliable laptop and a stable WiFi connection.

In light of this, the website Moving to Spain undertook a comprehensive analysis to determine the best European countries for remote workers. Various factors were taken into account, including the quality of internet connectivity, the availability of digital nomad visas, healthcare provisions, happiness indices, and cost of living, among others.

Excitingly, Spain claims the fourth position on the list, boasting a commendable score of 6.76. One of Spain’s standout attributes is its ranking within the top three for internet download speed, an indispensable requirement for any digital professional. In first place is Norway, a country known for its stunning natural beauty, and holds the title of ‘happiest country in Europe’.

A closer look at Spain itself, reveals that Malaga is among the top four cities for remote workers, with a score of 5.18 out of 10.

edge of water safety, rescue techniques, and CPR can be invaluable in case of an emergency.

While inflatable armbands and other flotation devices can provide some assistance in the water, they should never be solely relied upon to keep children safe. These devices can deflate or slip off, and children can still get into

dangerous situations even while wearing them. Toddlers are particularly vulnerable due to their lack of understanding and impulse control. Secure pools with childproof barriers, lock gates and remove any objects that could potentially allow them to climb over barriers.

Enrol your child in swimming lessons as early as possible. When selecting swimming suits for your children, opt for bright and easily visible colours.

In case of an emergency, the designated emergency services number is 112.

Lovable rascal

THERE have been many selfproclaimed ‘lovable rascals’ living on the Costa del Sol and one of the most memorable, Ronnie Knight recently passed away aged 89.

Initially best known to the general public as the husband of the late Dame Barbara Windsor, who was his second wife in a partnership that lasted 21 years, he found a second home in Spain prior to any extradition treaty coming into effect.

His knowledge of the law ensured that he was acquitted in 1980 after being charged with the murder of gangster Alfredo ‘Italian Tony’ Zomparelli, who stabbed and killed his brother David, but when he later confirmed in 1998 that he had hired a ‘hitman’ (which he denied again in 2002), he couldn’t be charged again due to the

‘double jeopardy’ law. He ran away to the Costa del Sol in 1984, on the same day that his brother John was arrested on suspicion of being involved in a major robbery at Security Express the previous year.

Thus began his 10­year­so­

journ on Spain’s Costa del Sol where he opened an Indian restaurant as well as a nightclub and bar and once established in Fuengirola and having kept possession of a local property following his divorce from Barbara Windsor, he had a high profile marriage to

third wife Sue Haylock. With money troubles, he was lured back to the UK by the News of the World with a promise of big money for his exclusive story, he was arrested and charged with handling £315,000 of the cash stolen from Security Express. Since his release he moved to Cambridge and died from pneumonia on June 12 having suffered from Parkinson’s disease.

Ministers make up the Council of Ministers in Spain.

Ronnie Knight lived the high life.

Credit: Screenshot Costa del Crime

AHOY! Art Gallery

THE AHOY! contemporary art gallery in Palma is inaugurating a double exhibition by Italian artists Mr Savethewall and Danielle Fortuna today, Thursday June 29 at 7pm.

Mr Savethewall, alias Pier Paolo Perretta likes to be provocative in his artworks. They transport messages on social and political issues as well as current events in an ironic way.

Even though he sees himself as a street artist, he refuses to paint on public facades, respects their originality and wants to protect them.

The artist became world famous through his series Kiss Me depicting elegantly dressed men with frog heads ­ an allusion to the ‘frog king’ fairy tale. Today Mr Savethe­

Classic Cars

Es Jardí event

ES JARDÍ, a new summer music, culture and gastronomy event in Mallorca, is taking place until August 6 at the Mallorca Live Festival venue in the former Aquapark in Calvia.

Concerts are on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with a reduced capacity.

This weekend sees a performance by Luz Casal on Sunday July 2.

wall is a fixture in PopArt.

Born in Milan, Daniele Fortuna is an artist and sculptor. He successfully combines pop with classic forms and figures, thus bridging the gap between past and present. His preferred material are fine wooden panels, which he cuts in individual layers into wooden figures in his studio in Piacenza and assembles them into unique works of art.

His best­known series include Colormination, Heads Will Roll and Thologiny. For further information visit www.ahoygallery.com

THE Classic Car Club Mallorca has issued the following statement:

“If you have not already registered for the meeting and drive on Sunday July 2 and would like to do so, please do so now. The booking registration for this event will close on Thursday June 29 at 5pm as we must inform Randa of our numbers.

“We are looking forward to seeing as many as possible of you for a wonderful drive and picnic meeting.”

The CCC have two events coming up in July. The first is the Sunset picnic and drive on July 2 and the second is the Russell Stevens memorial party on July 6.

The drive will start from the fuel quay in Porto Portals at 5.30pm and go in convoy to the stunning hilltop Santuari de Cura in Randa for a picnic at the monastery at 7pm.

Entrance fee is €10 per car, bookings at www.cccmallorca.com/eventslist/

On Thursday July 6 in Port Adriano by the Blue Nest restaurant there will be the yearly meeting of all the car clubs in memorial of Russell Stevens starting at 6pm.

For further information email info@cccmallorca.com and visit www.ccc­mallorca.com and ‘Classic Car Club Mallorca’ on Facebook.

According to the festival organisers: “Crowned as one of the most internationally successful Spanish artists ever, Luz Casal is the owner of a solid and honest 40­year career.

“She has accumulated dozens of awards that highlight her status as a pioneer of Spanish pop and rock.”

The Galician singer is presenting her new album Las ventanas de mi alma, her most personal and autobiographic work published this year after five years without presenting any new material.

Tickets cost €43, to book visit www.esjardimallorca.com

Es Baluard exhibition

A NEW exhibition is currently on at Es Baluard Contemporary Art Museum in Palma (Placa de la Porta de Santa Catalina, 10).

A d’Arxipèlag by Pedro G Romero runs until September 10 and explores the traces of flamenco and the gypsy community in the Balearic Islands.

Romero himself curated the exhibition, which is based on research in archives on the four islands ­ in the case of Mallorca, especially the Casa Planas cultural centre ­ always from the perspective of flamenco artists, gypsies, itinerant workers, migrants, nomads, exiles and other sectors of the population.

According to the museum: “This is an intermittent, stuttering, discontinuous project, in fact, that’s what the archipelago is like.

“In addition to the exhibition itself, the project is completed with a screening of Pedro G Romero’s first film projects and a stage piece created with Mariàntonia Oliver, Perrate, Los Gemelos de Korea and a group of boys and girls from El Hoyo.”

Visit www.esbaluard.org

KISS ME: Depicting elegantly dressed men with frog heads.

Image by AHOY!

NEXT DRIVE: Is on Sunday July 2.

Financial services licensing - common misconceptions

1. Is it true that FX companies that are solely authorised by the FCA can operate in Spain without being authorised by the Spanish authorities?

This is a very common misconception. When the transition period ended, UK­based financial services companies lost their passporting rightsmeaning they lost the ability to operate in the European Union unless they were regulated by a relevant EU provider. If a firm is soliciting and working with clients based in Spain, they must have an appropriate EU licence.

2. A Spanish estate agent referred me to a currency provider that’s authorised by the FCA. As I’m a UK resident, will I be protected if I use them?

If you’re being referred to a currency provider offering services outside the UK, you should check that they have the appropriate licence to operate in the relevant country. If the firm is operating in Spain, they should be authorised by a relevant EU authority like the Bank of Spain ­ FCA regulation by itself may not be enough. When using a new company, it’s important to check their licence permissions, how they protect client funds and what support you’re entitled to from a local regulator if anything goes wrong.

3. My FX company tells me they are FCA protected and do not need an EU licence as all the trading is done in the UK and their Spain office is only for marketing purposes. Is this accurate?

No, this is not the case. As above, a company that offers services in EU countries like Spain has to be licensed by a relevant EU authority, such as the Bank of Spain or Bank of Portugal. If they only have FCA authorisation they should not be offering services in Spain or other countries in the EU.

4. I have heard my FX company has an EU licence but there is nothing on their website and I can’t find any EU licence number when I search them on Google.

If your FX company has an EU licence, they should display details of who they’re authorised by and their licence reference number on their website. If they are not, contact them directly and ask them to share their licensing information with you. Any company which has the correct authorisation should be happy to share this with their clients, so if they’re unwilling or unable to provide proof of their EU licence, this may be because

they do not have one and are therefore not authorised to provide FX services in the relevant country. If they claim they are authorised but have not listed their reference number, you should always ask which EU country has licensed them and check with the local financial regulator in that country. Almost all financial regulators publish the names of companies that they have approved to operate.

5. I’ve been told that FX companies in the UK that don’t have a branch or other establishment in Spain do not need an EU licence and can still solicit referrals via estate agents and lawyers in Spain.

This is not the case. Any company soliciting referrals in Spain must have a relevant EU licence.

6. I live in Spain but have sent my funds to

an FX company that is authorised by the FCA as an Electronic Money Institution. They’re holding my funds on account while I wait for the exchange rate to improve. Am I protected by their FCA authorisation?

Technically, if you’re a Spanish resident and register with an FCA regulated company offering services in or from the UK, you are afforded the same protection by the FCA as a UK resident. However, a UK firm should not be soliciting business in Spain without an appropriate EU licence, and you should check their status.

7. I only do our clients’ legal/tax/house purchase advice and the FX company I refer to deals with the client payments. They must have all of their licences in place, they are the experts, aren’t they?

You should never assume that a financial service provider has the licences they need to operate and service clients in Spain. Always check their website to find out which organisations they’re authorised by. If you can’t find the information you need, ask them to share their licence credentials. You should also check what measures they adopt to protect client funds, what safeguarding protections are in place and what recourse you have available to you if things go wrong. It’s important to check that the bank account you are paying into is a segregated client account and protected under a trust arrangement in the event the FX company becomes insolvent or financially distressed.

8. My Spain­resident clients are protected as the FCA regulates the currency provider they’re using. If clients make a complaint, the UK Institutions (ie, the Financial Ombudsman Service) will provide adequate support to my clients.

Individual clients based in Spain and the wider EU will still be able to raise complaints with, and benefit from the support of, the Financial Ombudsman Service provided the relevant FX company was providing services in or from the UK. The client’s nationality or country of residence won’t matter. Note that the FX provider must protect client funds by paying them into segregated client accounts. However, if a client uses a company without the correct EU licensing, they may not be protected if they wish to seek the support of their local in­country regulator.

Brexit changed a lot of things, including the way financial service providers can operate in Europe. To help you get to grips with what the changes mean for you, here are the answers to some of the common queries raised by the clients and partners of currency transfer providers.

BUSINESS EXTRA

Boohoo stake

FRASERS GROUP acquired a £22 million (€25.6 million) stake in fashion group Boohoo as owner Mike Ashley makes more online retail investments. The company, which owns Sports Direct, added the 5 per cent Boohoo holding shortly after announcing a 9 per cent stake in the electrical goods retailer Currys.

Going Dutch

PONTEGADEA, Inditex’s €15 billion real estate arm, has bought a €105 million logistics platform in the Netherlands. Pontegadea’s first incursion into this segment outside the US, the installation has been leased to transport and logistics company DVS until 2033, with an option to extend the contract until 2048.

Next up

FASHION retailer Next upgraded its 2023 forecast after better weather and UK workers’ pay rises boosted sales at the company’s 500 stores in recent weeks. Shares rose by almost 5 per cent and the company foresees a pre­tax profit of £835 million (€917 million), an increase of £40 million (€46.5 million).

Client catcher

THE BBVA bank acquired 476,000 new customers during the first five months of 2023, 11 per cent more than during the same period last year. Twenty per cent of Spanish clients who changed banks between January and June went to BBVA, while half joined via the bank’s e­channel.

Gold gone

MATT MOULDING, founder and chief executive of online retail platform THG, has finally relinquished his “golden share” enabling him to block any hostile takeover bid. Moulding’s controversial share was initially supposed to be cancelled a year ago “in furtherance of good corporate governance,” the company said at the time.

Linda Hall

BANCO SABADELL is looking for ways of divesting itself of provisions for risky loans.

Sabadell is also negotiating with other financial institutions to create a ‘bad bank’ where they can transfer loans to companies likely to default.

The bank, headquartered in Barcelona and Alicante, meanwhile contemplates shifting a portfolio of dubious loans, according to sources quoted in Spain’s financial media.

Sabadell has reportedly engaged investment company NK5 to sell the portfolio which includes bad loans as well as others to companies that have not defaulted

STAT OF WEEK €1 billion

turnover for L’Oreal Espana last year, 22 per cent more than in 2021 owing to increased sales in all its segments and integrating part of L’Oreal’s Portuguese operation.

Solution for risky loans

BANCO SABADELL: Catalan bank could sell on risky loans.

but are feared to be underperforming.

The portfolio is worth approximately €300 million although Sabadell expects to place around €150 million of this, insiders said.

The transaction comes at a time when Spain’s banks are discussing the creation of a ‘bad bank’ where they

MEL STRIDE, the UK’s Work and Pensions secretary insisted that the UK’s food prices were rising more slowly than other countries.

Speaking on the BBC’s Radio 4 shortly before the May figures were announced, Stride said food inflation was running at roughly 20 per cent in Germany, Portugal and Sweden.

“So it’s higher than it is here,” he said.

The most recent figures for all four countries cover the year ending in April 2023, when the UK recorded higher food inflation rates than the others.

Stride would have been correct based on the April figures although Germany, Sweden and Portugal’s food inflation has fallen since March. Meanwhile the UK figures remained high.

In the red

THE UK government’s total debt rose to 100.1 per cent of its gross domestic product in May.

This was the first time that the GDP­to­debt ratio had risen above 100 per cent since March 1961, with the exception of a short­lived period during the Covid­19 pandemic which was later revised down owing to stronger GDP figures.

The government’s borrowing rose to £20 billion (€23.2 billion) in May owing to energy support schemes, inflationlinked benefit payments and interest payments on debt. Borrowing was £3 billion (€3.5 billion) lower than in April but £10.7 billion (€12.3 billion) more than a year ago.

Staying put

doValue, a leading operator in Spain which offers banks and investors services for managing their credit portfolios and real estate assets.

INFRASTRUCTURE company Acciona had considered moving its headquarters outside Spain, following the departure of its rival Ferrovial.

can offload loans to companies experiencing problems. They attempted a similar solution during the 2008 crisis with Proyecto Phoenix although with little success.

Bank of Spain permission will be essential for passing on these loans to the proposed ‘bad bank’ that would be managed by

Nevertheless, the same sources have expressed their doubts about the success of this project, which explained why the banks were considering alternatives that included selling on their risky loans.

The outcome of the Sabadell project ­ which was not guaranteed to go ahead, they said ­ could also prepare the ground for Spain’s other high street banks.

Lowdown on UK prices

It was topped only by Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Slovakia and Hungary.

BBC Verify asked Stride’s department which figures he had been referring to.

“We were told he was talking about the first three months of 2023, when UK food price inflation was 18 per cent and Sweden, Germany and Portugal were all over 20 per cent,” the BBC explained.

Executive chairman José Manuel Entrecanales Domecq admitted to shareholders that although Acciona viewed Ferrivial’s decision to decamp to the Netherlands as “legally impeccable”, the company was not contemplating a move.

“Naturally, like all options, we have studied it and our stance is that for the moment we are not interested,” Entrecanales later said to the media.

Acciona’s executive chairman did not go into details regarding the company’s decision not to move, but referred to “multiple reasons” behind the company’s refusal to emulate Ferrovial.

Takeover bid

MIAMI private equity fund I Squared Capital confirmed that, alongside TDR Capital, it was sizing up a €1 billion takeover bid for Applus Services.

Applus, a leader in the ITV vehicle inspection sector, informed Spain’s Securities and Exchange Commission (CNMV) early in May of “non ­ binding and unsolicited expressions of interest” in acquiring it.

The UK’s 19 per cent food inflation in April exceeded the European Union’s 16.4 per cent average and was higher than in all major European economies.

Nationwide promise

NATIONWIDE, the UK’s biggest building society, will not leave any town without a local branch for at least three years.

Consumer magazine Which? estimated in May that more than 5,000 bank branches had shut since May 2015 but Nationwide’s Debbie Crosbie, who took over in June 2022, said last month that just 20 of the building society’s 600 branches had closed down during her tenure.

After Nationwide’s own survey found that 77 per cent of more than 2,000 customers “valued or depended” on physical bank branches, it extended an existing promise that no town or city where it operated would find itself without a branch.

The building society, which is owned by its 16 million customers, first made the pledge in 2019 and had previously renewed its commitment until 2024.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has affected energy prices, together with supplies of grain and fertiliser.

Self-sufficient

DECARBONISING Spain’s aviation industry will need an annual five million tons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2050. A report by the PricewaterhouseCoopers consultancy (PwC) for Iberia and Vueling calculated that between 30 and 40 SAF production plants throughout Spain would cover the entire national demand. Although PwC said this would involve investing around €22 billion, Vueling’s Sustainability director Franc Sanmartí, maintained it would give Spain “the opportunity of leading by example” by achieving energy independence. Sanmartí’s Iberia counterpart Teresa Parejo also pointed out that Spain had great potential as an SAF producer, owing to its wealth of forestry, agricultural and livestock residue and waste.

This followed rumours that buyout funds Apollo and Apax and an I Squared­ TDR Capital consortium were interested in Applus.

I Squared has now advised the CNMV that it has still to decide whether to launch an offer.

Downscaling

ROLLS­ROYCE would rejoin the market for smaller jet engines, its chief executive Tufan Erginbilgic said.

Speaking during the Paris air show, he said Rolls Royce was ready to re­enter the market to build engines for single­aisle or “narrow body” jets, although it would probably take a decade before a new opportunity arose.

When he took over in January, Erginbilgic warned that Rolls ­ Royce would have to transform if it was to survive, although while in Paris he also said that the company was “making great progress.”

MEL STRIDE: Insisted UK’s food inflation lower than Europe’s.

Photo credit: CC/Eric Fischer

Photo credit: Pexels/Hobi Industri

DOW JONES

Right all along

FORMER Bank of England governor, Mark Carney, told the Daily Telegraph that Brexit was to blame for soaring inflation in the UK. “We laid out in advance that this would be a negative supply shock for a period of time which would result in a weaker pound, higher inflation and weaker growth,” Carney said.

Church mice

CHURCH OF ENGLAND vicars asked for a pay rise to help them cope with the cost ­ of ­ living crisis. More than 2,000 clergy and lay staff represented by the Unite union have submitted their first ­ ever official pay claim, asking for a 9.5 per cent rise in their current annual stipend, which stands at £26,794 (€32,142).

Salaries don’t stand up

Linda Hall

AVERAGE white­collar salaries are stagnating, prompting fears of another talent exodus.

Companies risk losing their appeal to employees as the cost­of­living continues to rise, the latest Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) figures demonstrated.

Data provided by Bullhorn, which provides software for the staffing industry, revealed that average UK salaries for professional roles did not improve month­on­month in May. Although this figure did increase by 1 per cent compared with the previous year, the minimal growth did not re­

flect increasing inflation figures and the growing cost­of­living, APSCo pointed out.

The statistics also revealed the recruitment market’s continuing slowdown, despite a slight monthly increase between April and May.

SPAIN’S public debt fell by €8.8 billion to €1.526 trillion in April, 0.5 per cent less than last March, according to Bank of Spain data.

Nevertheless, this was 5.6 per cent higher than in 2022, when Spain’s debt stood at €1.445 trillion.

State indebtedness increased the most, with a 7.3 per cent year­ on­ year rise to €1.356 trillion, followed by Social Security, which increased by 7 per cent to €106.17

Permanent and contract vacancies were up a respective 9 and 6 per cent, month­onmonth, although this did not entirely compensate for the reductions noted in April, when vacancies dropped 16 per cent for permanent posts and 13

A huge IOU

billion.

Comparing April and March figures, the State reduced its deficit by 0.5 per cent but Social Security by just 0.1 per cent.

Regional debts grew to €321.5 billion in April, a 3.5 per cent year­on­year increase but 0.22 per cent lower than last March.

Upbeat Hauwei

per cent for contract posts compared with last year.

With regard to May, vacancies fell 28 per cent and 30 per cent for permanent and contract roles.

APSCo has warned that the tight labour market and continued skills shortages across a number of professions are causes for concern, particularly in light of stagnating pay packages.

“While hiring is dropping across the UK’s professional sectors, on­going skills shortages are still prevalent,” pointed out APSCo’s chief executive Ann Swain.

“In fact, the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that the proportion of the workforce that has been out of work for a year or more and are, essentially inactive, has increased.

“This will only serve to reduce available talent pools for employers that are already struggling to find the skills they need,” she warned.

DESPITE a US veto on Hauwei’s networks, equipment and 5G technology that is supported by many countries, Huawei España recorded a €1.135 billion turnover in 2022. This was 57.6 per cent more than in 2021, while the company’s €29.8 million net profit showed a 49.4 per cent increase on 2021. according to accounts submitted to Spain’s Mercantile Registry.

New face

ENDESA’S board has appointed as its vice­chairman Flavio Cattaneo, who is the new chief executive of Enel, the Italian energy group which controls 70 per cent of the Spanish electricity company. Cattaneo replaced Francesco Starace after he failed to receive backing from Giorgia Meloni’s new government on completing his third threeyear term in April and resigned as CEO.

TALENT POOL: Employers struggle to find the skills they need.

Photo credit: Pexels/Sora Shimazaki

AT the risk of upsetting my gay friends and relatives, whom I truly do love dearly, I am going to stride purposefully out on a limb and state quite categorically that I am utterly against transgender males competing in female sporting competitions.

This statement has nothing to do with homophobia (heaven forbid), it is reached by the simple conclusion that it’s obviously and clearly unfair.

Merely because a musclebound weightlifter decides he wants to change his name to Doris and live as a woman, his choice should in no way give him / her / it / us/ them / or they, the right to compete against the fair sex in trials of strength. If this practice were allowed to prevail in all sporting competitions, most of us would never see a genetic female grace the winner’s dais again.

So, as much as I truly do sympathise with the situations that the basically male, transgender sport enthusiasts find themselves in, the idea that they have being ‘victimised’ and ‘not fair’ that they should be excluded from female

Not the norm

competitions, is in fact quite the reverse. Despite what they would have us all think, men and women on this planet are different, particularly in the physical sense. Do they truly believe that it would be ‘fair’ to pit male boxers and wrestlers, against females? Would they be prepared to take the responsibility of fatalities or serious injuries in the ring ­ simply because they consider all with opposing views to their opinions are homophobic, or simply ‘not fair’?

No, this is the usual rhetoric from another minority, not at all happy with their lot, who are utterly insecure in their ‘differences’ and consider the only way they can be accepted is to browbeat the majority into recognising their situation as ‘the norm’. Well, it’s not the ‘norm.’

What these people (they are hopefully people!) should really be doing is accepting and taking pride in the knowledge that there are many human beings who are in fact different, and to celebrate this phenomena by working toward and per­

ONE MONTH TO GO OUR VIEW

haps introducing a separate category for transgender sportsmen and women, in much the same way as the wonderful work and effort that has resulted in the worldwide success of those find themselves physically impaired. I didn’t hear those marvellous people whinging and whining about their infirmities. Their para Olympics and competitions are magnificent and a sparkling example of what can be overcome by the human spirit.

So I suggest that all those transgender sports people who figure themselves hard done by and put upon, to stop blaming the majority and come up with some positive way of improving their lot. What a great event something like that could actually be. ‘The Transgender Games.’

Book me in on the front row and stop being such pathetic degenerating and utterly unacceptable drags. Keep the faith. Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com expatradioscotland.com Mon. and Frid. 1pm till 4.

IT seems rather strange that as Spain assumes, with much fanfare, the Presidency of the Council of the European Union until the end of 2023, that the current government may have to hand over the reigns of power to another party.

As previously observed in this paper, whilst it was clear that there would have to be a general election by December, the decision to call the election early and on July 23 did come as something of a surprise.

Local and some Provincial elections held in May saw some movement towards the more right wing parties and away from the left, but it wasn’t a total debacle for the ruling coalition and clearly President Pedro Sánchez thinks that he has a chance of holding on.

The fact that the Podemos Party with its supposed links with Iran and Venezuela is being replaced by the new party Sumar created by the popular Minister of Labour Yolanda Díaz could give some confidence to voters, especially as on the other side, Vox continues to utter some fairly unpopular statements concerning domestic violence for example.

Despite the fact that Spain is awash with EU money, much of which should be repaid at some time, many businesses have suffered from a string of new laws which make it more difficult to hire and fire or indeed to keep hard earned profits.

There will be a clear polarisation between the political parties and their supporters and whilst businesses generally will hope for the Partido Popular to take control, the hard right or the hard left (who still exist) may actually tip the balance one way or the other.

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

OceanGate LETTERS

I think that this was a disaster waiting to happen, all in the pursuit of financial profit.

I was born in Southampton and, as such, I feel that I have a personal link with Titanic. You can’t avoid it there, the museum, the monument, the history, etc.

I get the fascination, but $250,000 to visit what is tantamount to a stranger’s grave is verging on morbidity. If OceanGate OFFERED me $250,000 to go down in the submersible, my answer would be ‘Absolutely not!’, and I am not a wealthy person.

Over 1,500 people died on an ‘unsinkable’ ship. Was there not a lesson to be learned there somewhere?

Justification on the basis of scientific research is a nonsense, it’s all about financial gain.

There were aIso expert concerns, which appear to have been ignored, in 2018.

The dangerous circumstances, and common sense, would indicate that there would be little chance of an effective Plan B, should there be a serious malfunction.

I hope that OceanGate are funding the millions of dollars that the rescue attempt is costing, and that they face some sort of legal challenge.

I also hope that the passengers’ prayers are answered, but there were millionaires on Titanic as well, which was also regarded as ‘rock solid’, to quote OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush’s own words.

Regards

Les Coleman Mojacar

PS. Sorry if it sounds a bit like a Leapy Lee rant

Thank you

Hi Glenn

A big thank you for your support.

The Euro Weekly looks great and is a fabulous read!

Kind regards,

Lorraine Henshaw (President, European Union of Women Marina Alta)

Scotland stats

Hiya,

I always enjoy reading your column as one of the first things to do when we arrive back in Calahonda and pick up a paper.

Interesting stats on Scotland that I didn’t know but of course, I assumed they’d be living like royalty while the kids are leaving school half educated, but Queen Nicola is happy because violent rapists now have the choice to be gaoled in a women’s prison, and that is so much more important than the four x the usual rate of post natal deaths and twice the usual rate of spontaneous abortions.

Well Salmond was bad, Sturgeon was

worse, but wait for Humza Crooked Yousaf!

He’ll be the Scots equivalent of Sheffield’s Magid Magid, 100 per cent Crook, mayor of Sheffield, (which he did more damage to than the Luftwaffe) and more recent Member of The European Parliament. ♂

Keep well.

Queen Nicola has to get out the uniform and go back to her old job.

Best Wishes, Jamie

JKJ Swanson

Rowdy travel

Loved your article on Ryanair’s ban on taking alcohol on board, having just had a similar experience on a BA flight. Yes, why the hell were they allowed on board in the first place, one could hardly stand, AND the group being served more on board?

We can rant on trying to find reasons, probably the cost of unloading all the baggage whilst on the runway ­ always financial, however I do take issue with the last sentence ‘not everyone likes to fly with drunken lads’. Well my experience was not even with lasses, five 40­year old women, absolutely embarrassing. I used my ‘How was your flight?’ email and got a reasonable response from BA. Thank you Euro Weekly News for highlighting this ever increasing problem.

Carol

Poor people

I have just spent a week in the UK to attend the christening of my grandson.

I have never experienced anything so bad in my life, there were scores of people, British people, begging. Why do our own citizens have to beg, sleep rough, have very little or no sanitation available whilst we give accommodation, money, mobile phones to thousands of immigrants.

What I witnessed has made me feel for these poor people. I have to say a succession of governments have given the United Kingdom away.

If the country was in this state in 1944 I doubt you would have had thousands of British soldiers running into a wall of German bullets, these soldiers gave their lives for Great Britain, they would not do it today because there is nothing left to save. Where I live you need an income or you simply get sent home, no handouts, they look after their own first. I am not racist in the slightest, but I think the government has no idea what the average British people think. A disgusted expat living abroad.

Terence, 69, been here for 10 years

PETS

When does a cat need a cat-sitter?

YOU may be planning a trip this summer and thinking about how to find dog­sitters who come to your home. Well, we can help. We have dog­sitters and house­sitters who love to come to Spain to care for your pets as part of their working holiday in exchange for free accommodation.

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 HouseSitMatch.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.

Some cats just like to be in their own space with a sitter as the help, occasionally.

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

RENFE, the Spanish railway company, has recently expanded its pet­friendly policies, making it even more convenient for travellers with furry companions. Previously, only medium­sized dogs and cats were permitted on their trains, but now, large dogs weighing up to 40 kilos can also join their owners on AVE journeys. Furthermore, Renfe has extended

Pet-friendly trains

the privilege to include other small pets like guinea pigs, rabbits, and hamsters.

Starting on June 26, Renfe introduced a daily Friendly Transport Service exclusively for dogs up to 40 kilos on direct AVE trains along the specified routes. Passengers can pur­

Pet essentials

Catherine McGeer WHEN it comes to caring for your beloved four­legged friend, having the right accessories can make all the difference. In this article, we will explore three musthave dog accessories that will enhance your pet’s comfort, hygiene, and overall well­being.

A dog car seat cover is a practical and essential accessory for pet owners who love to travel with their furry companions. This protective cover safeguards your car’s seats from muddy paws, shedding fur, and unexpected accidents. With durable, waterproof materials and secure attachments, these covers are easy to install and clean.

A food storage con ­

tainer is a convenient accessory that helps keep your pet’s food fresh, dry, and free from pests. These containers are designed to preserve the quality of the food with easy ­ touse dispensers to make feeding time a breeze.

Maintaining your dog’s hygiene is essential, and grooming wipes are a fantastic tool for quick and easy clean ­ up. These wipes are specially formulated to remove dirt and odours from your dog’s coat, paws, etc.

Purrfect celebration

chase tickets for this service through the company’s website, at an extra cost of €35.

However, there are specific regulations for travelling with large dogs. Each passenger is allowed a maximum of one dog, and a train can carry up to two dogs. The dogs must occupy a reserved space together in a single carriage, provided with two designated seats. These regulations do not apply to pets weighing less than 10 kilos, who can travel in carriers.

With these new regulations, Renfe is demonstrating its commitment to accommodating the needs of pet owners, allowing them to travel with their beloved companions.

IN a new and fascinating phenomenon, pet owners are going to extraordinary lengths to celebrate their furry friends. Recently, a pet owner made headlines by organising a lavish baby shower for her pregnant cat, marking a unique trend in the world of pet parties.

The concept of pet parties has been gaining popularity in recent years, with pet owners embracing their pets as cherished family members. These celebrations serve as an opportunity to show love and appreciation for their

loyal companions.

The cat baby shower was an extravagant affair, complete with decorations, gifts, and a dedicated menu for feline­friendly treats. Friends and fellow pet owners joined in the festivities, sharing in the excitement of the impending arrival of the adorable kittens!

This unconventional event highlights the

evolving relationship between humans and their pets. It reflects the growing importance of animals in our lives and our desire to celebrate significant milestones with them.

While some may view these pet parties as excessive or eccentric, they can also symbolise the deep bond and affection we have for our beloved pets.

PET PARTIES: Showering love on our furry friends.

Photo credit: Pixabay/Bellahu123

GROOMING WIPES: Unleash the joy of accessories.

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Alcaraz regains World No1 spot Tributes pour in

CRAIG BROWN CBE, arguably one of the greatest football managers of all time, passed away on Monday, June 26, at the age of 82.

His 15­year spell as coach of the Scottish national men’s football team won Brown legendary status among the nation’s fans.

In 1996 he guided the Tartan Army to the finals of the Euros. Two years later the Scots reached the World Cup finals in France. That was the last time the country qualified for football’s biggest tournament.

“To manage your country is the ultimate job in management. If you manage your country successfully and qualify for tournaments, that’s even better,” he once said, as reported by a news source.

“I hope to be a guy they say was fair and honest and upright and did his very best,” he responded once when asked how he would like to be remembered and what his legacy would be.

He added: “Craig Brown the manager? Well, he was fortunate enough to manage good teams. I’m the luckiest guy in Scottish football, I mean it sincerely.”

The Scottish national team tweeted: “A true Scotland legend. Our thoughts are with Craig’s loved ones at this sad time.”

Brown was a player before going into management.

Prior to going into management, Brown played for Glasgow Rangers. His time was limited though after he suffered a serious knee injury. He did manage short spells with both Dundee and Falkirk after that.

Motherwell offered him the job of assistant manager before he finally took over as boss at Clyde in 1977. Brown subsequently won a brace of Division Two titles with them.

The Troon­born Brown also took charge of Aberdeen. In a tweet, the club wrote today: “Everyone at Aberdeen FC is heartbroken by the loss of our beloved former manager, director and club ambassador, Craig Brown.”

CARLOS ALCARAZ is once again the world’s No. 1 tennis star after beating Australia’s Álex de Miñaur in the Queen’s ATP 500 final.

The 20­year­old from Murcia recovered the top spot after an impressive straight­sets win on Sunday, June 25, taking both sets by a score of 6­4.

“So many legends have won here and to see my name surrounded by so many great champions is amazing,” Alcaraz said in his post­match interview.

He added: “I started the tournament not very well, especially my movement on the grass, but it’s been an amazing week.”

De Minaur graciously accepted the loss in his interview after the match, commenting: “It’s been a great week, we were close but wasn’t able to get it done today.”

After losing to Novak Djokovic in the French Open final at Roland Garros, the young Spaniard dropped into second spot in the rankings.

As a result of Sunday’s impressive win over the 24­year­old world No 18, Alcaraz will be the No. 1 seed when Wimbledon kicks off on Monday July 3. Alcaraz will definitely be a major contender to take the Serb’s crown.

He has already racked up five titles this season and is looking like a real force to

be reckoned with. This was only his third tournament on grass and his first victory on a grass court.

Lleyton Hewitt was the last Australian to win at London’s Queen’s Club, lifting the trophy in 2006. On his way to Sunday’s final, he knocked out Britain’s former world No1, Andy Murray, in the first round.

Despite the scoreline, De Minaur’s pace and agility really placed Alcaraz under pressure and he had to be on top of his game to win this match.

Alcaraz pulled out the big shots just when they were needed. He broke the Australian’s serve in both sets and in the first set, produced a stunning ace that was measured at an incredible 137mph.

IMPRESSIVE WIN: Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz in 2022.

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