Costa Blanca South 20 – 26 July 2023 Issue 1985

THE Red Cross has carried out 66 rescues of bathers at risk of drowning in Alicante Province so far this year, according to the latest figures published by the institution. Staff have also assisted more than 1,000 people with cuts, burns, stings from marine animals or heat stroke, and have transferred 14 people to hospitals.

On a national level, more than 1,000 Red Cross (Cruz Roja) rescue professionals, including lifeguards, health personnel, drivers, and boat personnel ensure safe bathing on 220 beaches on the peninsula and islands.

Although most of the healthcare is related to stings, sprains, dislocations and other accidents, an environmental factor is also part of the Red Cross presence on Spanish beaches. Public awareness of litter and beach cleaning are also undertaken. In addition to first aid and rescue tasks, the Red Cross also helps locate lost children. So far this

year, more than 82 boys and girls have been located and returned to their families.

In parallel, the beach staff also carry out important awareness­raising work with preventative messages, such as avoiding heat stroke, avoiding stings and being aware of dangers in the sea.

“Sometimes it seems that the sea is calm and people risk bathing, but it may be polluted or have a multitude of jellyfish. In these cases, pre­

ventive warnings are even more essential to avoid accidents,” said Miguel Ángel Sánchez, head of Red Cross Beaches

Credit: Cruz Roja

Cross programmes is Maritime Rescue, where the Red Cross has six bases with nautical emergency response boats situated along the coastline.

Red Cross lifeguards on patrol.

RED CROSS RESCUES

€1m sports car stolen

let him take it he would report him, to which he agreed. They drove it away without the authorisation or consent of the owner.

The owner of the GT1 Sbarro reported that he left his sports car in a workshop in Murcia to carry out a series of repairs. Once these were completed, and due to the good relationship he had with the owner of the garage, they agreed the car would be stored there for a short period.

According to the complainant, two thieves took advantage of the fact that he was undergoing surgery and went to the establishment where the vehicle was located. One man, carrying what was later discovered as fake vehicle documentation, identified himself as the owner of the car, threatening the owner if they did not

The first investigations carried out made it possible to verify that two criminal cases of theft and documentary falsification in the transfer procedures due to change of ownership were involved.

A search for the car ensued, which led investigators to its location, a garage on an urbanisation.

In total, three people were arrested, one for forging documents, and the other two for the theft of the car, which is made by Swiss high­performance replica and sports car company, Sbarro.

All three were charged and released.

Jo Pugh

MURCIA Guardia Civil carried out an investigation into the alleged theft of a sports car, valued at more than €1 million.

The retrieved super-car.

Credit: Guardia Civil

Palm falls

A PALM tree in the district of Algoda in Elche has fallen, leaving a void in the hearts of the local inhabitants. This specimen, located on private property and leaning against the fence bordering the road was known for its distinctive pipe shape and was known as the Berenguer snake.

Fugitive vaught

A HIGHLY dangerous Belgian fugitive was caught and arrested in Alicante on Saturday. He was wanted for many crimes including murder and armed robbery. He was subject to a European Arrest Warrant for Extradition (OEDE) from Belgium.

Wildcat woes

A REINTRODUCED Lynx is being treated for malnutrition after being found in a poor condition in Lorca. It was one of eight released into the wild in a repopulation programme. The lynx, Tejo, had lost 20 per cent of her body weight only three months after being released.

Slippery catch

A MURCIA resident had a scare this week when an ‘impressively large’ snake slithered into his house. Brave police officers managed to capture the native snake, which can grow up to 2.5 metres long, and carefully released it in the countryside.

Bus bonus

AN extra bus service has been added from Alicante airport to the city centre. Throughout July and August the extra service on the C6 line will mean buses will run every 20 minutes at peak times. The service is 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Terrifying wind

SIXTEEN trees were uprooted in the grounds of a sports centre during a thermal burst, which occurred in Villena, Alicante, last week. The town registered strong gusts of wind that reached 102 kilometres per hour.

Scissor threat

LOCAL POLICE in Elche arrested a 29 ­ year ­ old man for allegedly threatening a young man with scissors in the park area of Carrer la Villajoyosa on Wednesday, July 5.

Police were called to the area after reports of a disturbance. On arrival, the officers saw a large group of teenagers and one of them approached an officer to say he had just been threatened with a pair of scissors pointed at his neck. The alleged assailant also made ex ­

tremely threatening remarks.

In addition, the victim stated that the man was

Medieval tower to reopen

ELCHE Council will reopen the Torre de Vaillo to visitors at the end of July, eight years after its closure.

“We will reopen the best viewpoint in Elche again, from which we can admire the beauty of our palm grove,” said mayor Pablo Ruz during a visit to the tower.

The tower, now a viewpoint, was built as part of a defence policy against the attacks of Berber pirates, which entailed the construction of several watchtowers in the Elche area in the 15th and

16th centuries. It was part of a series of buildings which originally had a clear surveillance view. From their height, guards could spot any sign of danger to the population.

Work will soon begin on the adaptation of the gardens attached to the tower, the cleaning of the area and the repair of the lighting surrounding the tower.

“We are very involved in the opening of spaces that have been closed until now in the municipality,” said Ruz.

carrying a carabiner chained to a ball in his other hand.

Officers obtained a de ­

YOUR EWN HAS

scription of the man, which was circulated to several other patrols in the area. After an extensive search, he was located. The arrested man reported that the youngsters had laughed at him, and agreed he had threatened to stab one of them with scissors.

During a search of the man, they found the scissors and carabiner along with the ball.

He was released after police questioning and awaits a court date.

Quality melon

THE mayor of Dolores, Joaquin Hernandez, was in charge of carrying out the first melon cutting of the season.

“The melon of Dolores is a quality product,” the mayor confirmed, “it will provide a seal of quality in our area.”

“This land also gives us other products such as broccoli and artichoke which taste different from other areas due to the quality and high salt content. In this municipality, due to the land quality, this makes our melon harder and sweeter and gives our

Overheated homeless helped

ALICANTE has activated heatwave measures aimed at the homeless, who may be suffering from the heat while living on the streets. Social welfare teams will be on hand to warn the homeless of high temperatures, and water will be distributed daily to prevent possible heat stroke. The teams will make visits twice a day to areas of known homelessness.

In addition, the city has launched the ‘Protect yourself against the Heat Wave’ campaign.

Faced with temperature extremes, the town hall recommends that people

103 STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

Water tower demolished

THE demolition work of the high water tower in Bonavista was completed on Thursday, July 13.

not expose themselves to the sun, wear light clothing and cover their heads, drink plenty of water and avoid prolonged physical exercise, especially in the middle of the day, as well as staying in cool rooms.

Following advice from the Red Cross, it is noted that symptoms such as feeling weak, dizziness, muscle cramps, headache and nausea are frequent in cases of heat exhaustion. The advice is to stop activity, drink fluids, cool the body, and consult with the health services. If symptoms do not improve it is advisable to call 112

artichoke and broccoli a different texture.”

David Bernardo Lopez, a farmer, entrepreneur and promoter of the melon, said: “The best tool for agriculture to exist in the territory are quality marks.”

“Look for the Melon de Dolores seal because your support guarantees that the farmers and producers in Dolores can continue offering quality products.”

He added: “Local stamps are the best way to maintain agriculture in our area.”

The tower was not in use due to structural damage. To enable the demolition for this type of construction, specialised machinery had to be used. It was the same machinery used for the demolition of buildings affected by the Lorca earthquake in 2011.

The demolition was part of the ongoing structural repair works to the Bonavista semi­buried water tank, which has a budget of €203,313.

According to Aguas de Elche, the work to replace and repair the covering has been completed, in addition to the waterproofing of the inside of the tank.

The next phases will be the construction of housing for the installation of the pumps and chlorination, control and measurement systems.

ELCHE POLICE: Were called to reports of a disturbance.

Credit: Elche City Council

CONSERMAR is a public awareness campaign for recycling.

Orihuela, in collaboration with other coastal town halls throughout the Valencian Community, is attempting to encourage the selective collection of packaging waste generated around beaches.

The campaign had two parts:

ConserMar at Campoamor

The first part took place from April 6 until April 8 in which three municipalities from each of the provinces of Valencia, Alicante and Castellon (Alboraya, El Campello and Benicassim) participated.

PROVERB OF THE WEEK

“Curiosity killed the cat.”

The second part which began at the end of June ran until July 18 on the 20 selected beaches in the provinces of Alicante, Castellon and Valencia.

The initiative pursued face­to­

Means that if you are inquisitive about other people’s affairs it may get you into trouble. This saying originated in a 1598 play, Every Man in his Humour, which was written by English playwright, Ben Johnson.

face interaction with the public, who were able to approach the information stand that was located in front of the accesses to an emblematic beach of the town.

The 20 municipalities who participated in this campaign are in the province of Valencia: Alboraya, Pobla de Farnals, El Puig, Pinedo,

Piles and Oliva.

In Alicante, the beaches participating included El Campello, Benissa, Finestrat, Santa Pola, Orihuela, Alfas del Pí and Alicante.

Finally, in Castellon: Benicassim, Peniscola, Benicarlo, Castellon de la Plana, Vinaroz, Oropesa and Torreblanca.

Alicante For You

ALICANTE City & Beach Tourist Board has launched a campaign on social networks in a bid to attract visits from the LGTBI community throughout Spain and Europe.

The campaign is expected to reach more than half a million people.

Under the umbrella of the Alicante For You campaign, Tourism has produced specific content in a specially designed communication campaign.

It takes into account the direct flight connections from Eu­

Casting off

ropean cities to Alicante.

The online campaign is focusing on the Spanish destinations of Madrid, Murcia, Albacete and Valencia.

Focus in Europe will be aimed at Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle, Cardiff (UK); Frankfurt, Berlin, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Munich (Germany); and Brussels and Antwerp (Belgium).

The campaign hopes to improve the branding of Alicante as a tourist destination within the LGTBI community.

CARP-R-US kicked off (or should it be cast off) its Summer Autumn Series on the Rio Segura at Jacarilla. This stretch of river can be very moody, particularly if a match is being fished on it, and on the day, with levels down and dropping a further 20cms during the match, it was in one of its miserable moods!

Hot, muggy, overcast conditions probably didn’t help but everyone struggled to catch fish. First, from the upstream end peg, was Willy Moons with 3.06kg. Second, with 2.04kg (just two carp) was Roy Dainty. Roy used pole and caught one fish on corn, the other on maggot. Third was Tony Flett (1.54kg) with a mixed bag of small fish caught trotting maggot and fourth was Steve Fell with 0.66kg. The club would like to thank Paul Burton for spending some time clearing the pegs and paths ahead of the match. Further information about the club can be found on its website www.carp­r­us.weebly. com or on the Facebook page Carp­R­Us Fishing Costa Blanca.

1957

The first package holiday to Spain.

Guardia investigate hit

THE Guardia Civil is investigating the discovery of a body on the morning of Friday, July 14, on the N340 highway, at Orihuela, near the San Carlos neighbourhood of Redován.

At 8.15am, emergency services received a call that a per­

son was lying, apparently lifeless, in the ditch of the main road. The Guardia Civil attended the scene, quickly followed by traffic officers.

Upon arrival in the area and after checking the man for vital signs, it was verified that

Alicante steps up

the victim had died. He was a 55­year­old man of Ukrainian nationality who had several injuries. These were apparently caused by a hit­and­run.

The Guardia Civil has launched an investigation into the incident.

FFCV football

PINOSO Football Club, who are now in the FFCV category, have had a sneaky peek of their rivals as the Valencian Football Federation released the competition calendars.

PERFECT CONDITION: The beach cleaners work at night.

ALICANTE City Council and UTE Alicante, the concessionaire company for the cleaning service, have allocated 50 workers and 20 beach cleaning machines this summer to clean the beaches. Until the end of September, 21 teams will work between 2am and 8am to leave the sand in perfect condition. Rubbish bins will also be emptied during the day.

The special service consists of six tractors and two machines for filtering and cleaning the sand from on beaches. The tractors clean the Postiguet, Albufera, San Juan and Urbanova beaches so that all users can find the beaches clean, pristine and in perfect condition.

The competition will begin on the weekend of September 9 and 10 and will feature the following teams: Murada, Atletico Catral, Novelda Union, Villena, Almoradi, Villajoyosa, Carrus Ilicitana, Benferri, Novelda, Campello, Polop, Mutxamel, Costablanca Torrevieja, San Fulgencio and Crevillente FB.

Credit: Alicante City Council

Hunting dog horrors exposed

A PROTEST was held in Alicante on Sunday, July 16, to highlight the plight of the treatment of Spanish hunting dogs. To coincide with this, a report on the terrible conditions these dogs are kept in was published.

AnimaNaturalis and CAS International uncovered the crudeness of hunting with dogs in Spain, at the moment when the PSOE announced that it is not a priority to draw up specific legislation for dogs used in hunting, as regional regulations already exist.

In September, the PSOE promised to publish this regulation to justify its exclusion from the recently passed animal welfare law.

The research comes from 11 locations in various provinces of Spain, which were all documented between 2021 and 2023. The images show badly injured dogs, game animals dying, hunters stitching their dogs’

wounds without veterinary supervision, and even the use of illegal drugs.

The Affinity Foundation points to hunting as the second cause of abandonment in the country, and estimates about 22,000 dogs were discarded in 2021 by hunters, 13 per cent of the total.

At hunting kennels, dogs can fulfill different functions that primarily pursue three purposes: finding the game, forcing it to move towards fences and being able to confront them and immobilise them. Some of the most used breeds are the

podencos, the griffon and the bloodhound for their sense of smell and speed.

In the case of hunting kennels, owners can house more than 50 dogs in kennels, either separated from each other by cages, or in large warehouses. They remain chained to the floor or wall at all times.

When a wild boar hurts a dog, it is said among hunters it has ‘punctured’ it. AnimaNaturalis have witnessed some dogs wearing protective vests pierced by the tusks of wild boars. Some had deep wounds. In general, most of the dogs

Province pioneer

used by the hunting kennels were not wearing vests or protected in any way.

Injured dogs are tied to trees to rest while the hunt is underway. Sometimes the dogs manage to get loose to continue accompanying the hunters through the bush. On one occasion, several dogs found another tied up, alone and vulnerable, and they attacked it.

“We have seen animals that, due to their injuries, have been unable to hunt. Others with deep cuts in the neck, the flank pierced or the diaphragm exposed. We also have evidence that at least three dogs died of dehydration in one of the hunts,” said Aïda Gascón, director of AnimaNaturalis i. With this investigation, AnimaNaturalis and CAS International have launched a new campaign, #StopCaza, and ask supporters to sign the petition at www.perros decaza.org.

ALICANTE’S Dr Balmis Hospital is undergoing a surgical programme and is now considered a pioneer in the province for thoracic surgery.

This is thanks to its new Da Vinci robot system. Robotic surgery represents the latest evolution of minimally invasive surgery, after laparoscopy, in which the surgeon does not operate with his hands, but instead manipulates a remote robot from a console installed inside the operating room.

The head of the Thoracic Surgery Service, Doctor Jorge Cerezal, confirmed: “With respect to open surgery, in mini­

mally invasive surgery the patient experiences less pain, fewer complications and blood loss. The hospital stay is reduced and it also offers a better aesthetic result, because it is performed with three or 4 8 mm incisions (compared to 2030 cm for open surgery). All of this has an impact on the patient being able to return to his daily life sooner.” Another advantage of the robot is that it provides three hands to the surgeon who is at the console “because with one manipulator you handle one instrument and with the other, you can control two at the same time.”

SURGICAL PROGRAMME: Thanks to new robot system.

Image: Conselleria de Sanidad Universal y Salud Pública

Hunting dogs are widely mistreated.

Credit: AnimaNaturalis

AN Elche beach was temporarily closed on Friday, July 14, after it was found to contain contaminants.

The councillor for Tourism, Irene Ruiz, reported via Local Police channels that “From 12 noon and by indication of the ministry of health, the beach has been temporarily closed at Carabassi, specifically the section between footbridges 1 and 3, due to contamination of residual water.”

Ruiz said “the analyses that are carried out on a

Beach contaminated

weekly basis indicate that the limits allowed by the Ministry in relation to a bacterium have been exceeded, for which reason the beach has been temporarily closed.

“The analyses will be carried out again to be able to open the beach when the required criteria are met. Access to the sand and beach bars in the area are still allowed, so the Local Police and rescue personnel are in ­

GUARDIA CIVIL officers, in a joint operation with the National Police, have intercepted almost 5,000 kilograms of hashish arranged in a total of 126 bales just as they were being unloaded in the Alicante port of Santa Pola.

Four people have been arrested for their alleged involvement, three of whom were arrested red­handed.

Guardia Civil officers sighted a GO FAST type boat with four engines sailing at a speed of 52 knots and that was apparently loaded with bales.

While the officers were in the area, they observed a van with its rear doors open leaning into a recreational boat, where various people were unloading the boat and loading the van.

forming bathers that bathing is prohibited, but not access to the area,” she said.

The beach reopened on Saturday, July 15. The council confirmed that two tests in the morning provided ‘normal’ and ‘optimal’ levels of water quality. It is thought that the contamination was a ‘one ­ off’, without the council revealing what the causes might have been.

Joint sting

When the officers approached, all of them tried to flee, and three of them were arrested.

A total of 74 bales of hashish of about 38 kilograms each were found in the back of the van they used to unload the drugs.

In that same vehicle, officers found documentation of a fourth person who was identified as one of those who fled.

The following day, this fourth individual appeared at the Guardia Civil headquarters in a town in Castellon, and was arrested.

Environment winner

Anna Ellis

JOSE CARLOS MONZO

GIMENEZ from Pinoso (Alicante) has won the Tortuga Mora Conservation Award for ‘his com ­

€3m drug bust

Jo Pugh

mitment to biodiversity and the active defence of the natural heritage of this municipality’.

This distinction recognises the work of individ ­

uals or institutions that have excelled in environmental conservation, research or environmental dissemination, and the jury unanimously decided to honour Monzo, who works in the municipal services of Pinoso Town Council.

The award winner confirmed: “This award belongs to everyone, as it is the result of many years and people who have believed in protecting our environment, enhancing its value and awakening sensitivity.”

The Tortuga Mora Conservation Award was established in 2010 in order to ‘reinforce the commitment to the natural and rural environment’.

It can be awarded to individuals or legal entities whose work, both professional and voluntary, has contributed to the preservation of flora, fauna or

habitats, mainly aquatic, as well as cultural heritage and the improvement of the quality of life of residents.

Monzo is currently finalising his research project for the defence of his doctoral thesis in Biological Sciences at the IberoAmerican Centre for Biodiversity at the University of Alicante and is also working as an environmental technician for Pinoso Town Council.

OFFICERS of the National Police and the Guardia Civil have dismantled a Spanish­Albanian criminal organisation in a joint operation.

Based in the provinces of Murcia and Alicante, the gang was dedicated to internationally trafficking narcotic substances.

The investigation was carried out over several months by departments of the National Police and the Guardia Civil, who specialise in criminal acts related to the illicit trafficking of narcotic substances.

Further investigations revealed that gang members were located in the region of Murcia and in the town of Torrevieja. The organisation specialised in the purchase of large amounts of hashish and marihuana buds for subsequent postage. These were hidden and disguised inside cardboard boxes addressed to different areas of Germany.

Research revealed that several members were dedicating themselves to the acquisition

of significant quantities of marihuana buds from growers, in order to later deliver it to the Albanian members of the gang, located in Alicante and neighbouring towns.

As a security measure by the organisation, a large amount of the drugs had already been transferred to Barcelona, where they were stored pending subsequent shipment in cardboard boxes. The senders and receivers of these shipments were always fictitious to try to disguise their identities.

Finally, National Police and the Guardia Civil, entered and searched 16 properties in Murcia, Torrevieja, Alicante and Barcelona, arresting a total of 26 people of Albanian and Spanish nationality. Thirteen of its main members have been held in prison.

In total, 500 kilogrammes of marihuana buds packaged and prepared for sale, other narcotic substances such as heroin and cocaine, nine vehicles used by the criminal organisation and more than €70,000 in cash was seized.

Award-winning Monzo.

Image: Ayuntamiento de Pinoso

The first step on your financial journey in Spain – choosing your adviser

There are various reasons why people take financial advice. It may be for help investing their savings or with their pension funds, or they may have questions about taxation or need to establish an effective estate plan.

What many do not realise, however, is that their choice of adviser is possibly the most important financial decision they need to make, especially when trusting their recommendations for the savings you’ve worked hard to build up.

This is even more important when moving to or living in Spain. Here most people don’t just require help with one aspect or to buy a product, they need an adviser who can analyse their situation and guide them through all the financial planning steps they need to take to successfully manage their wealth in Spain. Ultimately, we’re all looking for longterm financial security and peace of mind, but achieving this in a new country with a foreign tax and succession regime and unfamiliar bureaucracy is harder than in your home country.

What you need is a holistic strategic financial plan based on your situation and aims, then ongoing, proactive support as your circumstances evolve and regulations and investment climates change.

With all this in mind, here are some points to consider when looking for a financial adviser.

A personal service

It is essential that your financial planning is based on your personal situation – your country of residence, future plans, family situation and concerns, who you wish to leave your assets to, your time horizon, investment risk tolerance

By Jon Pemberton, Partner,

and key objectives.

Successful wealth management must take all these into account. Your adviser should take the time to get to know you, asking a range of questions and establishing your risk profile, before making recommendations or trying to sell you a product or investment.

You want to be able to build a good relationship with your advisers so they’ll be around to support you right through retirement, perhaps even guiding your heirs in the future.

Size and longevity

When looking for a long-term adviser covering a range of services, the size and longevity of the firm is relevant.

A firm with a history of longevity gives you peace of mind that they are likely to be there for as long as you need them.

And the larger the firm, the more specialists they will have covering the various services you need – local financial advisers, technical tax experts, pension professionals, investment analysts, succession law experts. In-house teams can seamlessly work together to provide integrated wealth

management advice and recommendations.

This is important. For example, how you hold your investments can impact how much tax you pay and how easily they can be passed onto your chosen heirs. So rather than using different advisers for each aspect and receiving isolated advice, you benefit from a comprehensive, strategic financial plan covering all of them.

A larger firm will also have more resources to apply effective compliance procedures to ensure regulatory rules are adhered to, which protects clients. It will also be in a position to keep on top of changing regulations, such as tax and pensions, analysing how clients are affected and establishing compliant solutions where necessary.

Local advice and knowledge

Using an adviser who lives and works in Spain will prove highly beneficial.

For a start, they will have personally experienced what it is like to move to and settle in Spain and how Spanish taxation impacts residents. They’ll have built up an in-depth understanding of the local tax and succession regimes –both very different to the UK’s –and the legitimate planning opportunities available here. And they’ll be in a position to react fast to changes.

While you may prefer to continue your existing relationship with your UK adviser, it is unlikely they will know the ins and out of local regulations or keep on top of Spanish reforms. The fact that Spain’s 17 autonomous communities have their own variations with regards tax rules makes it all the more complex. Continuing to use your UK adviser could result

in you buying inappropriate investments, paying more tax than necessary, or your beneficiaries having to deal with unnecessary complications on your death.

Another important issue here is regulation. Prior to Brexit, it was possible for UK advisers and financial firms to ‘passport’ their services into other EU countries. This ended when the UK left the Union, so unless your UK adviser has taken the time, effort and expense of getting set up and regulated in Spain, they would not be in a position to provide authorised advice to residents of Spain.

Regulation and qualifications

All the above considerations need to be combined with qualifications and high professional standards. Investing, pensions, estate planning and taxation are all very technical subjects which require specialist understanding. Ensure your advisory firm has professionals with officially recognised qualifications, who keep fully up to date with financial and regulatory changes.

In the UK, for example, the Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning meets the UK Financial Conduct Authorities (FCA) qualification requirements. Even though you’ve moved abroad, you still want your adviser to have achieved that level of qualification.

Last but not least, for security and peace of mind, choose a firm which is authorised to provide advice in Spain and abides by national and international regulations. When it comes to investing, check that both your adviser and the investment managers they are recommending are regulated.

Once you find an adviser who meets the above requirements, the

rest of your financial planning in Spain will follow smoothly on. You won’t need to worry about neglecting any key aspects or keeping up with tax reforms. Your adviser will talk you through all the issues you need to consider, helping you weigh up all your options before you take any final decisions. They’ll then keep you updated on any reforms that impact you.

So you can leave the hard work to them and enjoy your new life in Spain with peace of mind.

At Blevins Franks we meet all the above criteria and more. With a history dating back over 45 years, we have long established offices in Spain, France, Portugal, Cyprus and Malta. We have advisers living locally, some of whom have been with us for decades, as well as teams of tax, pensions and investment specialists based in our London and Malta offices.

We pride ourselves on providing cross-border, integrated financial planning and a high level of personal service. While we are always meeting new clients, our team of Private Clients Managers are dedicated to servicing existing clients, ensure everything is on track and fine-tuned where necessary.

We are authorised and regulated to provide advice in the UK, Spain, France, Portugal, Cyprus and Malta, and our advisers are qualified to the level, or equivalent, required to meet the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority standards. We impose high compliance standards on our teams and keep up to date with regulatory standards.

Everything we do is client focused, to provide peace of mind to you and your family.

Blevins Franks

Transport update

Anna Ellis

THE new Transportation on Demand (TAD) scheme which began on July 1 and provides service to rural areas of Alicante through six lines finished the first day of service with close to 100 user registrations completed or in the process of completion.

Transport on Demand (TAD) is aimed at Rural Parties. It is an on­demand transport system promoted by the Alicante City Council, included in the new urban transport contract started this year by the concessionaire company MIA Vectalia, which allows trips by shared taxi between rural areas and the city.

The TAD has been structured in six lines: TAD1: Alicante­Moralet. TAD2: Alicante ­ La Cañada ­ Moralet ­ Villanueva ­ Alicante (Circular). TAD3: Alicante ­ La Alcoraya ­ Rebolledo. TAD4: Alicante ­ Salar ­ FoncalentAlicante. TAD5: Alicante – Bacarot. TAD6: Villafranqueza – Tangel.

The councillor for Urban Mobility, Carlos de Juan, confirmed: “We are very satisfied with how the TAD has been implemented in response to a historical demand from residents in the rural areas of Alicante.

“Moving forward the residents will have a personalised collective transport service.”

Registration can be done electronically (web and app) or by telephone through the Call Centre on (+34) 965 313 667.

To register, it is necessary to attach a copy

of an identity document (DNI/NIE/passport). Once the registration is done, in order to start travelling and before making the first reservation, an amount of €17.50 must be paid. Payment can be made by bank card or bank transfer.

When formalising the reservation, the day, the time of issue, the stop of origin and the destination must be indicated, and must be done with the following minimum notice: for expeditions before 8.00am notice must be given before 8.00pm the previous day.

For trips between 8.00am and 8.00pm notice must be given one hour before.

Reservations for expeditions after 8.00pm must be made before 7.00pm on the same day of the trip.

TAXIS: Between rural areas and the city.

Image: Christian Mueller / Shutterstock.com

El Campello banned bathers finally allowed to swim

AFTER 14 days of red flags on the beaches of El Campello due to the non­existence of lifeguards and a first aid service, normality returned on Saturday, July 15, and bathers could finally swim.

An emergency contract was

agreed, and the signs warning bathers of the danger involved in going into the water due to the lack of rescue personnel were removed. Green and blue flags are now flying. The blue flags, indicating a clean beach, were withdrawn voluntarily

when the town hall understood it was not logical to fly them when there was no rescue and first aid service.

On Saturday morning, the councillor for Beaches, Rafa Galvañ, visited all the lifeguard posts, and greeted the new

management company. He wished “the best service” to the lifeguards. “Hopefully your work is not necessary, because that will mean there are no incidents to regret,” he told them. The situation arose due to failure of the contracted com­

pany to provide the services, which included a strike called by the workforce. The council decided to terminate the contract, immediately beginning the search for another company who could carry out the service under certain criteria.

“After 14 days that have gone on forever, hours and hours of searching and negotiations and titanic work by officials from various departments, our beaches and coves reopen for the enjoyment of users,” said Rafa Galvañ, who watched as the bathers applauded each time the red flag was removed to change it to a green one.

“Everything is back to normal today thanks to some brave

businessmen, and it is time to thank those who solved a crisis that caused so much damage to the image of the municipality,” added the mayor.

The lifeguards are already on duty at Carrer la Mar beach, the three on Muchavista and those on the Lanuza and Amerador coves. As the workforce increases, the service will be restored in the rest of the coves.

The two adapted bathing areas are also functioning normally, and the new management company, the ForGrup firm, reports that two nursing professionals, two technicians, two jet ski operators, two ambulances, six defibrillators and six oxygen tanks are operational.

Credit: El Campello City Council

BACK TO NORMAL: The green flag is finally hoisted.

Turtle campaign

Anna Ellis ELCHE has now signed up for the Oceanographic Foundation’s Turtles in the Mediterranean campaign whose objective is to inform the public about how to act in the presence of a sea turtle.

This awareness campaign consists of placing more than 1,700 posters in the towns of the Valencian Community, Murcia, the Balearic Islands and Andalucia, as well as on the Valencia Metro, Alicante Tram and around beaches and bathing areas.

The posters will inform travellers of the presence of sea turtles on the Mediterranean coast and that, in the event of a sighting, it is necessary to call 112.

In the case of the Valencian Community, the Oceanographic Foundation rescue team is in charge of travelling to the area to assess the state of the animal and transfer it, if necessary,

to ARCA del Mar, where it recovers until it can return back to the sea.

The dates of the campaign are crucial for the conservation of the species as now is the season in which the nesting takes place, that is to say, the approach to the beach of the females to deposit their eggs in the points they consider suitable. It is absolutely essential that they are not disturbed.

As there has been an increase in nests in recent years and, due to the philopatry of these animals,

it is possible that a good number of nestings will be recorded again. In fact, so far this season there have already been four spawnings on the beaches.

Seven different species of sea (or marine) turtles grace our ocean waters, from the shallow seagrass beds of the Indian Ocean to the colourful reefs of the Coral Triangle and the sandy beaches of the Eastern Pacific.

Over the last 200 years, human activities have tipped the scales against the survival of these ancient mariners.

SEA TURTLES: Posters have been placed in many towns.

Image: Ayuntamiento de Elche

A GANG that specialised in robbing hotel safes in different countries across the European Union have been arrested.

It is believed they were responsible for up to 16 robberies in Spain, two of which occurred in Alicante, according to the National Police on Friday, July 14.

Investigations were conducted with the help of Europol, as the gang oper­

Hotel thieves arrested

ated throughout the EU. As well as Spain they have been linked to thefts in Germany, Portugal, Austria and the Czech Republic.

In a joint investigation between the National Police, and the Mossos d’Esquadra, two members of the group were arrested. Two robberies in

Alicante and 14 robberies in Barcelona have been attributed to them.

Evidence revealed that the suspects entered the hotel posing as clients and looked for possible victims who were leaving their rooms. The thieves would gain access to the room and steal the contents deposit­

ed within the safes.

On occasion, they had even stayed at the hotel the night before in order to check on the different clients staying at the hotel and choose those who they thought might have cash in the safes.

The suspects gained access to the hotel rooms without leaving any trace. Once inside, they forced the safe by drilling a hole in the side, at the

height of the pistons, to break them and thus release the locking mechanism of the safe door. When it was open, they would take money and jewellery left by the hotel guests, but not passports or other personal documents.

The robberies took place in different hotels, and the criminals managed to steal more than €50,000 and several items of jewellery.

Granada’s cool 13th century tech

DESPITE the advent of modern technology many struggle to keep their homes cool in the height of summer, but one place in Granada is living proof that the ancients knew a thing or two about it.

To escape the intense heat of the Andalucian summer many people go to the coastal areas to cool off, but there is one place in the interior that provides a haven for the hot and bothered traveller, according to a news source on Saturday, July 15.

The Alhambra is one of the most important and most visited monumental sites in the autonomous region of Granada. Its centuries­old architecture continues to surprise technicians today because it was designed to be a refuge from the stifling heat of summer.

The high 40­degree temperatures of the city are much higher than those experienced by visitors to the ancient palace, usually around 25 to 29 degrees.

Curator of the Alhambra, architect Antonio Peral ex­

plained why. “Thanks to its clever design the living space of the building stays cool: It’s like a natural air conditioner.” In addition, all the vegetation that surrounds the building helps to ‘generate shadows,’ especially the large trees. “It’s essential,” says Peral.

Another major factor is the importance of the availability of water, “which refreshes the atmosphere, brings life to the Alhambra, calms and soothes, and its murmur is a relaxing element.” It is present in fountains and ponds within the gardens.

In addition to these natu­

ral elements, is “the thickness of the walls.” Peral added: “They are very wide and with their wall construction system, the interior temperature is much better preserved, it takes longer to heat up,” he argues.

THE ALHAMBRA: One of the most visited monumental sites.

Credit-Alfonso de Tomas-Shutterstock.com

87% of the Spanish drink coffee.

Turtles nesting in record numbers on Spanish coast

ACCORDING to researchers, climate change has seen record numbers of turtles nesting in Spain and Italy, what was once a rare oc currence is now becoming more common.

The sea turtle’s habits are changing be cause of the warming of Mediterranean wa ters. At least 15 sea turtle nests have been de tected in recent weeks on beaches along the Spanish coast, with two cases in Mallorca, ac cording to a news outlet on Tuesday, July 11.

Italy too has seen a huge increase with around 100 or so nests, laid in Italy, which is a record number of nest sites on the coasts of the western Mediterranean in a single season.

The details have been confirmed by various experts from the universities of Vic, Barcelona and the Polytechnic of Valencia, which, with the collaboration of the University of Valencia and the Doñana Biological Station, has begun work on the InGeNi­Caretta project. A project which has been financed by the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the European Union.

According to biologists, climate change is modifying the nesting area of the loggerhead turtle (scientific name: Caretta caretta) and has taken it to regions where it had not nested before, which poses new challenges for biodiversity manage­

ment in these territories.

This emerging colonisation is occurring in areas popularised with humans, as is the case on the Spanish coast, another reason why appropriate management is needed if the turtles are to succeed.

The first sea turtle nest detected this season in Spain appeared at the beginning of June on Can Pere Toni beach in Palma, Mallorca. It was soon followed by more nests detected on beaches in Catalonia, Valencia, Murcia and Andalucia.

Scientists hope that the results of the InGeNiCaretta project will make it possible to improve conservation measures for the species, particularly with regard to nesting activity on the Spanish Mediterranean coasts.

SEA TURTLE: Its habits are changing.

Wine worth €111,000 stolen

The theft occurred at around 1pm on Sunday, July 9, when the store was open to the public. Undetected, the three criminals went upstairs and entered the wine cellar, where the company’s most prestigious wines were kept in a locked cabinet, according to a news source.

They reportedly forced the protective glass with a suction cup and stole nine bottles, some of which were worth up to €30,000.

While they were busy committing their crime, an employee heard suspicious noises and activated the burglar alarm. He subsequently located the thieves and chased them through the wine bar.

However, the robbers managed to jump over the counter with the bottles al­

ready stored in their backpacks. They ran out onto the street where they had a getaway vehicle parked up ready to escape.

The wine company provided the Mossos d’Esquadra with the vehicle’s registration plate and images from the video surveillance cameras.

Workers at the establishment suggested the outrageous theft could have been ‘commissioned by a mafioso boss’ as there are very few wineries in Spain with such an exclusive selection.

“Customers come from abroad to get the bottle they want,” said one employee.

In fact, when a customer enters the store, the bodega obliges them to purchase a case containing one of the most expensive bottles, valued at €30,000. The remainder of the case is then completed with 11 other bottles usually worth around €5,000 each.

150 Earthquakes in one month

FEARS have been raised on the island of Tenerife following statistics which show the level of seismic activity within the space of just one month.

The National Geographic Institute has revealed that since June 11, over 150 earthquakes were recorded near Teide Volcano in Tenerife, with a staggering 112 of them logged in just over 24 hours between July 5 and July 6, according to a news source.

Recently, tremors were detected at around 40 to 50 kilometres under the surface. Meanwhile, it has emerged that magma reservoirs are present at just five kilometres underground.

Astonished researchers on the island discovered that basaltic magma has

cooled underground, causing its chemical composition to change, which they say is resulting in a ‘potentially explosive’ type of magma.

Canary Islands­based research group INVOLCAN has been constantly monitoring Teide for over a year now after 400 quakes were detected in June 2022.

Matthew Blackett, a professor at Coventry University, said: “It remains a very active volcano. This means that there is an active magma chamber below the island.”

Apparently, the seismic tremors are caused by the magma shifting around: “Think about when you touch a pipe with water flowing through it. You can feel a vague vibration.”

Teide has been likened to

the notorious volcanoes, Vesuvius and Etna. The last time Teide erupted was in 1909, an event which lasted for 10 days and spewed out rock fragments 20 km and ash almost 130 km, at the time there were no direct casualties.

Thankfully it has been concluded that the risk is low and that there were ‘few’ indicators an eruption would occur any time soon.

THREE thieves stole nine bottles of wine valued at €111,000 from the headquarters of Vins and Licors Grau, in Palafrugell, Girona.

Credit:

40.3 degrees. The max temp in the UK in 2022.

Fantastic figures

AIRPORTS in the Aena network in Spain closed the first half of the year with almost 130 million passengers walking through their doors.

The network hit a grand total of 129,447,124 travellers, a figure which represents an increase of 23.4 per cent compared with the same period in 2022 and 1.2 per cent compared with 2019.

The number of operations recorded between January and June was 1,130,758, which is 10.5 per cent more than in the first six months of last year and 0.5 per cent more than in 2019.

Regarding the transport of cargo, airports in the Aena network handled 507,543 tonnes, up 2.8 per cent from the first half of 2022 and 1.6 per cent above the figure for the same period of 2019.

As for the data from June, airports in the Aena network recorded a total of 26,504,920 passengers,

which is 9 per cent more than in the same month of 2022 and 2.8 per cent less than in 2019.

Demand in June remained high as demonstrated by high occupancy levels, which exceeded 88 per cent and were above 2019 levels and the levels recorded in the first few months of 2023, which were around 85 per cent.

In June, airlines reduced their flight schedules, more so than in April and May, while in July, the schedule is similar to that for the same month of 2019.

Of the total travellers recorded in June, 26,443,843 were commercial passengers.

Of these, 18,142,980 passengers travelled on international flights, up 10 per cent from June 2022. Meanwhile, 8,300,863 passengers travelled on domestic flights, 6.9 per cent more than the same month last year.

Adolfo Suárez MadridBarajas Airport recorded the highest number of passengers in June with 5,134,856, representing an increase of 13.1 per cent compared with June of last year.

SPANISH AIRPORTS: Demand in June remained high.

Image: Toniflap / Shutterstock.com

Ghost Rock

GHOST ROCK, the highly acclaimed pop/rock duo, have toured the world with this outstanding show performing in Vegas, Eilat and Dubai.

The brilliant duo features a fantastic night of music spanning the eras, with classic hits by artists such as Queen, Meatloaf, Cher, Bonnie Tyler, Whitesnake, Alison Moyet, Bon Jovi, Tina Turner and many more.

The amazing vocals and guitar playing will blow your mind!

With outstanding costumes, lights, video projection and stage presence

Ghost are a sure hit with any venue.

Ghost Rock will be found at The Madhouse, Tiro de Pichon, Calle República Dominicana, 03189 Orihuela, on Thursday, July 27.

For more information call or to book tickets call The Madhouse on (+34) 711 083 529.

Escape room fun for children in Orihuela

Jo Pugh

ORIHUELA Council continues with ‘Escape Room’ activities for children over eight years old on the esplanade of Playa Flamenca.

On Saturday 22 July the Escape Room entitled ‘The Curse of the Pharaoh’ takes place. This activity is divided into three sessions.

The first session will begin at 7.00pm.

At the end of this, with an estimated time of 60 minutes, the second will begin.

This same procedure is applied for the third and last session.

On July 29, the Escape Room entitled ‘El bául mágico’ takes place. This activity has the same session times as the previous one.

The councillor for Youth, Ana Isabel García Mateo, encouraged chil ­

Alicante opens museums until 12 on ‘White Night’

FOR another year, the museums and cultural centres of Alicante come together to celebrate the White Night (La Nit en Blanc) on Friday, July 21. The city council, the provincial council, the Ocean Race museum, the university and Aguas de Alicante propose a wide programme of activities that includes guided tours, family workshops, music, film projections and conferences, for all tastes and ages.

ed to offer attractive proposals for all audiences from the cultural centres in order to bring museums closer to people and put within their reach opportunities for learning, entertainment and access to culture as a universal value,” said the deputy for Culture, Juan de Dios Navarro.

dren to participate in this youth programme hosted by ‘Start Play’.

Children between eight and 11 years should be accompanied by an adult, and over 12s can attend by themselves.

The department of youth for Oriheula has provided an email address startplayorihuela@hot mail.com , where reservations are necessary due to limited spaces.

Las Cigarreras and the exhibition hall in the fish market, the university museum, the water museum and the Ocean Race museum are among those who expect a large number of attendees during Friday evening.

The councillor for Culture, Nayma Beldjilali, said “It is excellent news that the White Night can continue to be held for another year, and that the public continues to respond edition after edition in such a positive way. We will work so that, in future editions, the White Night opens up to the city, and more institutions and cultural spaces participate.

“With the programme prepared this year to celebrate White Night, we want­

The museum of the University of Alicante (MUA) has designed a programme where university musical talent meets contemporary art, with a concert by emerging musicians and a guided tour of the facilities.

“The first edition of the Ocean Race has already finished this year and we are delighted to be able to share with all the museum visitors all the novelties of this edition ­ new boats ­ IMOCA Class, a new sustainability zone for the protection of the oceans, and a new painting and dance exhibition in the museum, a reflection of the relationship between human beings and the ocean,” said the person in charge of the Ocean Race museum, Jan Pérez.

Further details can be found at alicante turismo.com.

Image: Orihuela Town Hall

ESCAPE ROOM: On Playa Flamenca esplanade.

Anna Ellis

GRAB your dancing shoes and enjoy an evening of rocking entertainment with the Queens of Rock.

The group are the world’s greatest tribute show dedicated to female rock legends and powerhouse vocalists of the last four decades.

Featuring the most experienced and in­demand rock singers the show takes the audience on a rollercoaster ride of hits by artists such as Cher, Bonnie Tyler, Heart, Pat Benatar, Pink, Tina Turner, Blondie, Stevie Nicks and many more.

Not only featuring some of the most classic female rock hits of all time but the show features modern and popular tracks performed in their own unique way, paying tribute and celebrating girl power at its finest.

The Queens of Rock cen be found at The Madhouse,

Queens of Rock

Silver Jubilee time

TWENTY five years of service to the community and over 50s in Spain culminates in a celebratory Silver Jubilee Dinner and Dance being held by Age Concern on Saturday September 16 at Laurels Restaurant in Quesada.

Age Concern promises it will be a spectacular milestone event, and tickets are now available, for just €25 per person, from their centre at Calle Paganini, Urbanisation La Siesta, Torrevieja. Tickets can also be requested by sending a WhatsApp message to +34 966 786 887/+34 711 096 924 or emailing costablanca@ageconcern.org.es.

The tickets include a sumptuous three­course meal and entertainment will make it event not to be missed.

Formed in March 1998 and registered as a charity from day one, Age Concern is a household name both in Spain and the UK. Age Concern began in a tiny house in Los Balcones, which then moved from a smaller house in the Torretas to the centre in La Siesta, which started life as a derelict warehouse offered by the town hall. This has now become a social, administration and storage centre for all the mobility aids so often desperately needed for people who, either short or long term, want help.

Ballerinas galore in Alicante

STARS GALA celebrates its 10th anniversary by bringing together the great stars of world ballet at the Teatro Principal in Alicante on Saturday, July 22 at 8pm.

The event, an essential part of the city’s summer programme, will bring together dozens of artists on stage, including great world ballet stars, professional RMB students and

live musicians. The gala, produced by the National Association of Professional Ballet, will feature a stellar cast led by Anna Ol, Young Guy Choi, Yolanda Correa, Ricardo Castel ­

lanos, Svetlana Bednenko, Nelson López, Evgeniya V González, and more artists to be confirmed.

Tickets can be purchased from teatroprinci paldealicante.com.

They actively encourage integration between British, Spanish and other nationalities. They work with several caring associations and charities to benefit the not so young, frail or infirm to enhance their well­being, environment and enjoyment of life here in Spain.

Age Concern this year celebrates 25 years on the southern Costa Blanca. It goes without saying that the backbone of Age Concern rests safely in the arms of the 90 plus volunteers. The centre is open Monday to Friday from 10.00 ­ 1.30pm.

For any information required for help or welfare requirements, social activities held at the centre or details of the Silver Jubilee Dinner and Dance please telephone 966 786 887

Tiro de Pichon, Calle

Republica Dominicana, 03189 Orihuela, on Friday, July 21.

For more information call The Madhouse on (+34) 711 083 529.

ROCKING ENTERTAINMENT: A great tribute show.

Image: Queens of Rock Show / Facebook

Help dogs in need

A DOG rescue group will be holding a fundraising lunch and raffle on Wednesday July 26 at 1pm. The event, hosted by Spanish Death Row Dogs, is to be held at restaurant Veintiocho 28 in Hondon de Los Frailes, Alicante. The three course meal includes a drink and is €14, of which €2 will be donated to help rescue dogs. Reservations can be made by calling Lynn Judge on 600 035 698 or emailing veintiocho.28@hotmail. com.

Insane tomato time

TICKETS are now on sale for La Tomatina ­ the crazy, fun­filled tomato throwing festival in Buñol, Valencia. The event starts at midday on Wednesday, August 16 and tickets are €15 each.

The story of La Tomatina began on the last Wednesday of August 1945, when some boys caused a participant to fall from a passing parade of floats. The participant, filled with anger, began to throw everything that was in his path. By a whim of fate, in the middle of it all was a vegetable stand which was used by the angry crowd to release adrenaline: those present began throwing tomatoes until the public enforcers put an end to this strange fight. The following year, the young people deliberately repeated the altercation, even taking tomatoes from their homes. Far from accepting this event as a custom, the police prohibited it from being repeated in order to prevent it from taking root as a tradition.

The Tomatina was banned in the early 1950’s, a decision that did not dissuade its participants, even though some were arrested. The people protested and the festival was authorised again, adding more participants every year and becom­

Black Eyed Peas in Torrevieja

Jo Pugh

ing more and more crazy. Finally, the Tomatina was authorised and institutionalised as a local festival.

Tickets can be purchased from www.latomatina.info. Buñol is located inland, west of Valencia.

Giant paella

ENJOY a giant paella with live entertainment in La Plaza Blanca in Quesada.

Preparation is under way and Rojales Town Hall will be sharing a giant paella on Sunday July 30 from 2.00pm onwards. To liven up the fun there will be live music and a bar service.

THE Black Eyed Peas will perform in Torrevieja on Friday, August 11. The Antonio Soria Park will witness one of the most anticipated concerts of the year. The band’s fans will be able to enjoy their spectacular show full of energy and good music live.

The group led by will.i.am, Taboo and Apl.de.ap will present their latest album Elevation, where they fuse different musical styles such as hiphop, pop, reggaeton and dance. In addition, there will be no shortage of classics by the band such as Where Is The Love?, I Gotta Feeling or Pump It.

Antonio Soria Park, with a capacity for more than 10,000 people, will become the best location to

enjoy the music of the Black Eyed Peas. In addition, Torrevieja offers a large number of tourist options to enjoy before or after the concert, such as its beaches, its gastronomy or its famous promenade.

Do not miss the opportunity to live a unique experience in an unbeatable environment.

Ticket prices start at €40, and can be purchased from www.entra dasatualcance.com.

Credit: LaTomatina.info

TOMATINA: Bring spare clothes for this event.

A spectacular show.

Credit: Torrevieja Tourist Office

Fundraising lunch.

Image: Spanish Death Row Dogs

Ten safest beaches in Spain

John Ensor

BEACH tragedies often make the news, but it begs the question where are the safest ones? Here’s a list of places where a young family with children should head to, rather than a list of places to avoid, according to a news source on Monday, July 10.

Nutriben, a company which specialises in infant nutrition and health, has selected the 10 best beaches in Spain to go to with children so that ‘they can play in the sand, swim in shallow water and enjoy fun activities near the water.’

• Playa de Misericordia, Malaga

Children’s playgrounds, open­air cinema in the evenings and a calm sea make this beach perfect for family holidays.

• Playa Fluvial de A Calzada, Galicia

With a blue flag distinction, it has an area for adults separated from the children's area, as well as one for pets.

• Playa de Bolonia, Tarifa, Cádiz

Its large size means that there are no crowds and its sand dunes make it the ideal place for children to climb and play in the sand.

• Playa de Maspalomas, Gran Canaria

Another beach with dunes, a suitable space for children to play and avoid crowds.

• Playa Norte, Peñíscola, Castellón

This beach has also been awarded the blue flag every year, an indicator of its safety.

• Playa de Comillas, Cantabria

A blue flag beach, is considered one of the best beaches on the coast of Cantabria.

• Playa de Alcudia, Mallorca

Its waters are shallow and it is spacious, so it is the largest beach in the Balearics.

• Playa de Cambrils, Tarragona

This beach as a Family Tourism Destination, giving it a seal of quality thanks to its calm, shallow waters.

• Playa Poo, Llanes, Asturias

This beach has no waves. It also has all kinds of safety services, such as parking, security, showers and a health centre.

• La Concha Beach, Oropesa del Mar, Castellón

This urban beach has calm waves and shallow waters, as well as a warm temperature.

Playa de Misericordia in Malaga.

creditplaya de la Misericordia/Facebook

People smugglers stopped

John Ensor

A BI-NATIONAL operation between France and the UK has dismantled a people­smuggling organisation.

A report published on Thursday, July 13, told how an organised crime group used pleasure boats to smuggle illegal migrants across the channel.

A joint operation between the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and its French counterpart, led to an investigation into an organised crime group and resulted in the imprisonment of a man in France.

Thanks to the collaboration between British and French authorities they were able to link the group to two separate vessels. One of the boats, named Moon, was involved in a smuggling run which saw 11 migrants brought ashore in Rye, East Sussex, in February 2022.

A 36 ­ year ­ old Iraqi national was arrested by NCA officers in Barnet, north London, in connection with that particular incident. He was later released on bail pending further enquiries.

During the investigation, a second yacht, the Lady Ann, was identified as being located in Belgium and travelled from there to Boulogne­sur­mer.

On June 1, 2022, a 43 ­ year ­ old Georgian national, Igor Romanovi, who skippered the vessel was arrested by French

First Dates off to Bath

Jo Pugh

AS part of its 10th anniversary, the BAFTA award­winning Channel 4 dating show First Dates is changing its location to the romantic city of Bath.

police while the boat was docked in Boulogne.

Romanovi was prosecuted for people smuggling offences and on June 26, 2023, he was sentenced to four years in prison by a court in Dieppe. He has also been banned from French territory upon his release.

The regional manager for NCA International, Tom Outhwaite, commented: “Tackling people smuggling is a priority for the NCA and we are working closely with our partners in France, Belgium and beyond to target the organised criminals involved on both sides of the Channel.”

The NCA’s successful operation was supported by the authorities in France and Belgium, as well as Sussex Police, Border Force, Immigration Enforcement and the Crown Prosecution Service.

The TV series helps singletons to hopefully find their dream match over a romantic dinner in a restaurant. Each couple is meticulously matched based on their likes and dislikes, and if cupid strikes his bow, it could be the night that changes their lives forever.

Returning matchmaker, and maître d’, Fred Sirieix expressed his delight in a statement on Channel 4 and said: “Making this new series feels special, celebrating a decade of bringing people together on the show, but there’s always more love to be found. They say Bath is the most romantic city in the UK and it's true, so what better place to set the scene for romance to blossom than there!”

It isn’t the first time the

restaurant has moved since its premiere in 2013, the two previous locations being in London and Manchester.

Along with the location change, a few more modifications will be made. The Channel 4 series will feature new cast members and a refreshed format, and will have “some of the most unforgettable dating moments the show has ever featured.”

Channel 4’s commissioning editor Rita Daniels said: “After 10 years of love stories, I’m thrilled that First Dates has the stunning and

romantic city of Bath as its brand new location. I’m in no doubt that this special place will mesmerise and enthrall all our daters, which in turn will ensure they have a special evening full of romance.”

MOON: Was involved in a smuggling run.

FRED SIRIEIX: “No better place for romance.”

Photo Credit: Channel 4 Productions

3

Different police forces in Spain.

DENMARK

Wind project

DENMARK'S Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners have proposed a €1.158 billion plan to develop a groundbreaking 500MW commercial offshore wind project in Bangladesh's Bay of Bengal. With a five-year timeline, the project aims to compete with India's offshore wind projects and address Bangladesh's energy challenges while combating climate change.

Betfair breaches

DENMARK'S regulators have taken action against Betfair International, for breaching Denmark's Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Act. Betfair must address deficiencies in risk assessment, business procedures, and controls within specific timeframes. Compliance with AML regulations and national gambling laws is crucial for a secure betting environment.

THE NETHERLANDS

Unusual perk

DUTCH TV Station Nieuwsuur has discovered that at least seven international companies based in The Netherlands are offering to reimburse female staff for the cost of freezing their eggs. Also included in the offer to staff is purchase of donor sperm, extra IVF rounds or costs for surrogacy and adoption.

Slow checkout

A DUTCH supermarket, Jumbo has opened around 200 slow checkouts aimed at the elderly who might be lonely and want to have a chat. Working with the Dutch Government, Jumbo is trying to make life better for the estimated 10 per cent of the population who are elderly and may live alone.

ITALY

Serious blaze

AT least six people died and more than 80 were injured, some seriously, after a fire broke out in a nursing home in the Italian city of Milan. The blaze occurred at around 1.20am local time in the Casa per Coniugi nursing home. Forensic experts will inspect the premises to establish how the blaze started, but the initial hypothesis points to a lit cigarette.

Italian Guinness

KIERAN PATTEN, from Dublin opened The Irishman on St Patrick’s Day, an authentic Irish bar in Siena in Tuscany, Italy. However, in order to give customers a true taste of Ireland, he launched an urgent request for staff who know how to pour a proper pint of Guinness and speak Italian.

PRESS EURO

BELGIUM

Offensive poster

THE Belgian town of Aalst is no stranger to controversy and accusations of racism and the latest lapse of good taste has seen an anti-littering poster complained about as it features three young black boys surrounded by cigarette butts with the legend ‘At every cool spot in Aalst something filthy is spoiling the fun’.

Anti-littering poster is causing controversy.

Tank repair

Plane damage

A MAJOR accident at Dublin Airport ripped the door off an American-bound plane leaving it stranded. On Sunday, July 9, an accident involving a jetbridge, which malfunctioned while it was attached to the aircraft, ripped off the second left door of an American Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

They’re off

SKY SPORTS RACING (SSR) has threatened to withdraw from Irish television if the Gambling Regulation Bill becomes law. SSR said a provision for a blanket ban on gambling advertising between the hours of 5.30am and 9pm may render its channel “economically unviable in Ireland” and added It is “extremely concerned” and sees its withdrawal from air possible.

Silent seas

GERMANY and Poland's joint tank repair workshop for damaged Leopard battle tanks from Ukraine is facing delays due to challenges such as contract finalisation, profit distribution, spare parts availability, and concerns about other military projects. Resolving these issues promptly is crucial for sustainable support for Ukraine and bilateral cooperation.

Airport protests

CLIMATE activists from the group 'Last Generation' caused delays and cancellations at Hamburg and Dusseldorf airports by accessing the tarmac and immobilising themselves. The disruptions resulted in flight cancellations and delays. The activists called for emission reduction plans and the phasing out of fossil fuels.

GERMANY FRANCE

Sculptor dies

A 50-YEAR-OLD man ended his life in France using a home-made guillotine. Richard B was due to appear before a judge in the correctional court of Draguignanin charged with with three acts of domestic violence. The sculptor, residing in the commune of Flayosc, who had previously attempted suicide on numerous occasions, was found dead in his home by police officers.

Fireworks ban

THE sale of fireworks in France ahead of Bastille Day celebrations was prohibited in a decree by the government. 'In order to prevent the risk of serious disturbances to public order during the July 14 festivities, the sale, carrying, transportation and use of pyrotechnic articles and fireworks are prohibited’, said a statement.

Record cancelled

Doctors strike

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE has decided to put an end to all the high-seas espionage and undercover antics by banning walkietalkies onboard. The move follows a fan ban earlier this year, proving that this cruise line is really committed to keeping their passengers safe from excessive coolness and communication!

NIMSDAI PURJA'S record for the fastest ascent of all 8,000-metre peaks has been cancelled by Guinness World Records due to not reaching the highest point of two mountains. Norwegian climber Kristin Harila, who climbed all 14 mountains in one year and five days, now holds the world record.

NORWAY FINLAND

Energy plans

OLEG FOLKIN claims his company, Tornado Logistics, based in Finland, has devised technology that will revolutionise the energy sector. He claims the device can produce more power than it consumes, creating free and clean energy. According to Fokin, if the device is successful, it will make Elon Musk’s Teslas useless.

NATO HQ

NATO’S newest member, Finland, is considering a bid to become the northern headquarters for the military alliance, Pekka Toveri, a Finnish member of Parliament, who argues the case for NATO’s northern base to be in Finland. He states it would boost Finland’s security and influence within the Alliance.

Animal abuse

WITH strikes in the sector due this week, the FNAM doctors’ union in Portugal called the latest government proposal 'a completely medieval model’. The latest 20 per cent supplement obliges doctors to work more than twice as many hours a year they claim. As a result, doctors could end up working an extra 350 hours per year.

THE trial of the famed Portuguese picador João Moura is scheduled for September 18. Moura is accused by the Public Ministry (MP) of a total of 18 crimes, 17 of which are for the mistreatment of companion animals. The other is a charge of aggravated mistreatment of companion animals, for incidents that allegedly occurred on the 59-year-old picador's property in Monforte.

IRELAND PORTUGAL SWEDEN

Application delayed

HUNGARY'S approval of the Swedish NATO application will now be delayed until at least October. Zsolt Németh, a member of the ruling Fidesz party in the Hungarian parliament, explained that the summer break is about to begin. There was no reason to convene the parliament during this break he insisted, while pointing out that the parliament in Budapest will not resume its work until mid-September.

Malmo chosen

THE Swedish city of Malmö has been chosen to stage the 2024 Eurovision song contest. Sweden was given the prestige of hosting the annual music event after Loreen emerged victorious in Liverpool with her track Tattoo. Malmö Arena will host the participants on May 7, 9 and 11 of next year.

BUSINESS EXTRA

Tipping point

EMPLOYEES at The Ivy restaurant chain complained that they are losing out after Troia UK Restaurants, part­owned by billionaire restaurateur and fashion tycoon Richard Caring, has cut their share of the service charge. The modification came into force once the legal minimum wage rose in April, the Unite union said.

Helping hand

SPAIN’S National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) launched proceedings against renewable energy company, Ecoener, maintaining that it helped two company executives to acquire shares when the company was floated in April 2021. Ecoener has since insisted that only “ minimal” sums of money were involved.

Dead letters

HM Revenue & Customs office has had to create a special taskforce to deal with letters that are still unanswered after a year. The new team will tackle the backlog of more than 37,000 pieces of correspondence that are at least 10 months old to prevent the accumulation reaching the 12­month stage.

Digi prodigy

DIGI COMMUNICATIONS’ board of directors will propose a dividend of one Romanian leu per share (approximately €0.2) at the August 18 annual general meeting. The parent company’s dividends have grown in recent years, thanks to Digi Spain where the company is now a telecoms leader owing to its ‘aggressive’ tariffs.

Living dead

ZOMBIE companies, which formerly avoided bankruptcy through cheap borrowing costs, are now under pressure and unlikely to survive rising interest rates. Insolvency specialists Begbies Traynor, whose revenues climbed 11 per cent to £121.8 million (€142.1) last year, predicted that practically all would fail within 18 months.

Linda Hall

INDITEX shareholders approved the company’s 2022 results and payment of a €1.20 share dividend at the Annual General Meeting on July 11.

They also voted in favour of setting the number of Inditex directors at 10 and re­elected Inditex’s founder Amancio Ortega Gaona, aged 87, as the company’s proprietary director.

The 2022 and early 2023 figures were the result of the “incredible work” carried out by the company’s teams, said Ortega Gaona’s daughter, Marta Ortega Perez, who is now Inditex chairwoman.

Ortega’s address to the meeting, which was held

STAT OF WEEK €1.45 billion

in record sales for the Catalan-based fashion group Mango during the first six months of 2023, showing a 20 per cent increase on the same period last year.

Inditex magic

which owns the Zara, Massimo Dutti, Bershka and Oysho labels amongst others, reported a €4.13 billion profit in the fiscal year ending on January 31, a 27 per cent increase on 2022.

Schools of thought

IF Labour carries through plans to strip independent schools of their charitable status, thousands of children would have to leave their current schools.

at the company’s headquarters in Arteixo (La Coruña), was streamed on the Inditex website.

“The magic of Inditex lies within our team and our values, which are heavily influenced by selfimposed high standards,” she said during the meet­

ing. “The future is not predetermined and we must never forget that.”

Inditex was close­knit, like a family where successes were celebrated together but mistakes taken on board “as if they were one’s own”, Ortega added.

The fashion chain,

Turnover grew by 17.5 per cent to €32.569 million despite 2022’s economic turbulence and the sale of Inditex’s operation inside Russia, which cost the group €230 million.

The first quarter of 2023 was even better, Ortega said: “In these months we faced challenges that were overcome thanks to the magic of Inditex.”

No need for nationalisation

THAMES WATER has raised £750 million (€879.7 million) from shareholders.

Last month there were rumours that the company, which provides water and sewage services for 15 million people in London and southeast England, could enter special administration.

Cathryn Ross, who took over as interim co­chief executive following Sarah Bentley’s surprise departure in June, insisted during a BBC interview that nationalisation “was not on the cards.”

Thames Water had not pulled off plans to secure a hoped­for £1 billion

Still ugly

BIRKENSTOCK sandals, once dismissed as ugly but comfortable, are still ugly but are now fashionable. The brand founded in 1774 is contemplating a $6 billion (€5.39 billion) stock market listing, two years after selling a majority stake to consumer­focused private equity firm L Catterton in a deal that valued the company at €4.9 billion. Brothers Christian and Alex Birkenstock, who are still involved with the brand, are each believed to be worth around $1.7 billion (€1.54 billion) after selling to L Catterton, which has backing from Bernard Arnault, chief executive of LVMH and the world’s second­richest man after Elon Musk.

(€1.17 billion) lifeline, Ross said, although its £4.4 billion cash pile (€5.16 billion) was “absolutely enough” to cover costs for 2023, 2024 “and into the future.”

Postal agreement

ROYAL MAIL employees accepted an offer that ends their ongoing dispute over pay, jobs and working conditions.

Almost 76 per cent of Communication Workers Union (CWU) members voted for a 10 per cent increase spread over three years, plus a £500 (€584) lump sum.

The ballot result ended disagreements that culminated in stoppages by more than 115,000 workers at the end of last year.

“This has been the most challenging period in the history of the union and the company, and I want to thank every single member who has voted in this ballot,” the CWU’s general secretary Dave Ward said

At the same time, the below ­ inflation agreement will leave some Royal Mail employees worse off than a previously­rebuffed offer of 9 per cent over a year and a half.

Nevertheless, another £2.5 billion (€2.93 billion) will be required by 2030 as the company buttresses its finances, shareholders were told.

Thames Water, owned by a consortium of pension groups and foreign funds, has met censure for polluting rivers and was recently fined £3.3 million (€3.86m) for sewage spills in 2017.

At a time when Thames Water has paid huge dividends to shareholders and generous salaries to its executives, the company had also accumulated a £14 billion (€16.4 billion) debt.

Cryptic clues

A STUDY by cryptocurrency experts CryptoGambling.tv named Slovenia as Europe’s most ‘crypto­obsessed’ country.

Analysis revealed that approximately 100,000 internet searches each month were linked to cryptocurrency, averaging out at 4,789 crypto­related searches for information per every 100,000 people.

Spain, with a monthly 907,000 searches was ranked sixth, with around 1,927 searchers for every 100,000 inhabitants.

Luxembourg was the secondmost interested country with a monthly average of 2,634 searches, ahead of the Netherlands which sees 2,608 cryptocurrency searches for every 100,000 people although Holland is one of the few countries which taxes unrealised gains.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) think tank calculated that parents would remove around 40,000 children from paying schools. These would then enter the UK’s state system, costing the taxpayer another £300 million (€350 million) annually.

The IFS also warned that the proposed tax raid could encourage tax avoidance as schools and families looked for loopholes that would enable them to cut bills.

Big surprise

IGNACIO GUTIERREZ­ORRANTIA will not, after all, be moving to the Spanish gas and electricity company, Naturgy.

Gutierrez ­ Orrantia has informed Citigroup that he plans to remain at the bank in his current role as the Londonbased head of the Banking, Capital Markets and Advisory Division for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Gutierriez­Orrantias’s decision, announced by Bloomburg on July 11, was met with generalised surprise as his move to Naturgy as chief executive, where he was to have shared executive powers with company president Francisco Reynes, was regarded as a certainty.

Indian buyer

INDIAN businessman Kabir Mulchandani is buying Pacha nightclubs and hotels through his Five company. The nightlife and tourism group, based in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, will pay a little over €320 million according to reports published in a local news outlet on July 12.

Initially, the Trilantic, GPF and MCH private equity funds, which owned the discos and hotels, had asked for more than €500 million, before accepting a significantly lower amount.

Trilantic, GPF and MCH, which entered Ibiza’s nightlife sector in 2017, are divesting themselves of Pacha after having survived Covid­19 thanks to a bailout using public money.

INDITEX RESULTS: Chairwoman Marta Ortega and the board praise ‘incredible work’.

THAMES WATER: 15 million clients in London and southeast England.

Photo credit: Inditex.com

Photo credit: Thames Water

LONDON - FTSE 100

DOW JONES

Uber fast

WAITROSE has joined forces with Uber Eats in a deal that will deliver grocery orders in just 20 minutes. Available at present for online London shoppers in Finchley Road, West Hampstead, Clerkenwell, St Katharine Docks and Greenwich, the service will extend to more than 200 stores throughout the UK by the end of August.

Selling up

THE US real estate investment firm AEW is putting 22 Carrefour supermarkets up for sale in Spain in an operation expected to top €120 million. The majority are located in Madrid and Catalonia and some, which are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, have an ‘enormous turnover’ according to industry sources.

Petrol still going strong

Linda Hall

CCAR manufacturers Renault and Geely announced a €7 billion joint venture to build engines for hybrid and petrolpowered vehicles, Renault and Chinese firm Geely, which owns Volvo and holds shares in Aston Martin and Mercedes, intend to produce an annual five million internal combustion, hybrid and plug­in hybrid engines and transmissions.

The newly­formed company will focus on becoming the leader in next­generation hybrid and highly efficient powertrain solutions to meet worldwide demand for the

Accentuating technology

KUTXABANK has engaged 94 professionals on permanent contracts, with more appointments expected before the end of the year.

Anton Arriola, chairman of the Bilbaobased bank, announced that more than half of the new employees will be assigned to the group’s network of branches to improve levels of personalised services for customers.

As with earlier recruitment drives, the majority ­ in this case 65 per cent ­ of the new workers are women.

When further staff are taken on later this year, they will have a ‘more technological profile’, the bank explained, to meet digital transformation objectives set out in the government’s Acelera plan.

Breakup

years to come, a Renault statement announced.

The company will supply engines and other components to several global brands, including Volvo, Nissan and Mitsubishi, as well as Renault and Geely’s own vehicles.

The initiative will provide work for around 19,000 people, with 17 factories and five research and development centres located in three continents, would have an expected annual revenue of €15 billion, according to a Reuters report in March this year.

The initial organisation will establish two operational centres in charge of the respective operations, with Renault based in Madrid and Geely in Hangzhou Bay on the East China Sea.

An executive team will be based at the new company’s headquarters which Renault revealed would, in principle, be located in the UK in order to consolidate operations and define future plans.

BRITISH defence group Cobham’s fragmentation continued as its US private equity owners sold the company’s Aerospace Communications division to French firm Thales in a £850 million (€993.25 million) deal. The Paris­based company, which has been part of the Cobham group since 1989, makes aircraft antennas and communication systems and expects revenues of £154 million (€180 million) this year.

Charged up

ANFAC, Spain’s vehicle manufacturers’ association, is working on proposals to improve the Moves III subsidies plan introduced to boost electric car purchase. It was a great programme, Anfac said, but because it was “enormously complex,” the association was contacting political parties in hopes of introducing a “much more efficient substitute” when Moves III ends on December 2023.

RENAULT CHAIRMAN: Luca de Meo announced €7 billion joint venture with Geely.

Photo credit: Renault Group

Sun, sea, sand & civil war

NORA JOHNSON BREAKING VIEWS

IT has sun, sea and a wealth of historical remains. It is also fighting wars on multiple fronts, with regime opponents regularly being rounded up for torture and imprisonment ­ but that hasn’t deterred the first wave of tourists to book holidays in Syria since the pandemic.

The authorities in Damascus have begun issuing tourist visas again, which were in theory available throughout the decadelong civil war, but were stopped during the pandemic.

Travel companies across Europe have organised tours emphasising the country’s cultural heritage, while also stressing that they’re not conventional package holidays. “Syria has en­

dured a turbulent few years with most of the country ravaged by civil war,” one UK­based company specialising in tours to ‘difficult’ countries, disingenuously admits on its website brochure.

Nonetheless, the tour operator’s taking participants (paying £1,500+ for the week’s visit) to Damascus, the second city Aleppo, recently divided between government and rebel forces, and the classical site of Palmyra, once occupied by Islamic State. The first tours were at the time of writing all fully booked, although “the Foreign Office advises against all travel to Syria,” according to its official guidance.

So where will you be spending the summer? I’d rather stay here in Spain…

Nora Johnson’s 12 critically acclaimed psychological suspense crime thrillers (www.nora­johnson.net) all available online including eBooks (€0.99; £0.99), Apple Books, audiobooks, paperbacks at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.

LOCAL PROPERTY MARKET UPDATE - PRICES ARE UP!

REBECCA SERWOTKA ­ “We sell houses! It’s what we do, it’s ALL we do!” Certified API Associate 00493. Your favourite local resale property expert, of Inmobiliaria Estate Agents in Ciudad Quesada. Prestige Award WINNER for Real Estate Agency Of The Year 2021/22 & 2022/23. Luxury Lifestyle Awards WINNER, Alicante Spain 2023.

As we’re now into the third financial quarter of 2023, let’s take a quick look back to see how the second quarter of 2023 fared.

Property prices are up! The average home sales price in the Ciudad Quesada and surrounding areas rose by almost 16 per cent compared to the firstst quarter of 2023.

Here’s a brief look at median asking prices of properties currently on the market for sale in a select few areas of the Vega Baja:

03170 Rojales: €407,148 Price per square metre: €2,615

03178 Benijofar: €320,755 Price per square metre: €2,558

03184 Algorfa: €296,336 Price per square metre: €2,322

03184 La Siesta: €190,536 Price per square metre: €1,849

03193 San Miguel De Salinas: €316,232 Price per square metre: €2,342

03189 Orihuela Costa: €351,048 Price per square metre: €2,779

Buyers’ interest continues! Thinking of selling? Now is proving to be a great time to list your property for sale.

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.

THOUSANDS of black Christian men women and children are still being slaughtered and enslaved in Nigeria. Black genocide is still a daily occurrence in many parts of the world and even in the UK black youngsters are being killed on the streets in ever increasing numbers. All in all it is an appalling and utterly tragic situation.

But why are we seeing no demonstrations concerning these issues? Where are all the marchers and protesters? What’s happened to all the black leaders appearing in the media, decrying the situation and urging government to ‘do something’?

Personally I only discovered most of these facts with research. So can anyone please enlighten me why it is that black lives only appear to really matter when members of the white community are involved? It simply doesn’t make sense; is there is some ulterior motive afoot? Ah well, only time and tide will answer that question.

Personally of course I have

It’s got worse

watched the whole situation deteriorate almost from the beginning, certainly in London. During the1950s with the influx of Windrush immigrants into the Bayswater area, where I resided, Rackman was renting large numbers of run down Victorian houses to these early immigrants.

Never the less, we all seemed to be enjoying the diversity and I even witnessed the early beginnings of the Notting Hill carnival. In the back of my little Portobello shop, I also had quite a merry fling with a bouncy happy faced lady from Nigeria ­ but we won’t get into that!

What is more worrying is the fact that some years later, after I had achieved some recording success, I decided to take a taxi and peruse some of my old Bayswater happy hunting haunts. To my amazement the taxi driver utterly refused to even drive down my chosen road.

Somewhat puzzled but still undeterred, I subsequently decided to walk down and visit one of my past favourite pubs; an establishment I had on many

an occasion enjoyed with an interesting mixture of the new immigrants and locals. Gazing around, with a warm feeling of déjà vu, I observed the whole pub was now in fact completely dominated by black clientele. You could also cut through the haze of marihuana with a knife. As I began to make my way to the bar a number of heads began to turn in my direction. Slowly and almost unbelievably the whole room began to sink into an extremely ominous silence. Not even getting close to the bar, I definitely had no choice but to turn towards one of the handy side doors and leave as quickly and carefully as I could. Not exactly the wonderful diversity the media keeps trying to brainwash us with was it?

Nothing’s changed; it’s actually got worse. And a few of the readers have the audacity to call this ol boy a racist? Give me a break.

Keep the Faith Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com expatradioscotland.com

Mon. Fri. 1pm till 4.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WRITE OUR VIEW

THE hysteria on social media following the allegations that an unnamed BBC presenter had behaved improperly with a person apparently aged 17 saw the worst of some people reflected in their posts.

Immediately, there were a flood of ‘suggestions’ of who that person could be and suddenly BBC presenters including Ryland, Jeremy Vine, Nicky Campbell and Graham Norton were being wrongly ‘named and shamed’ by ignorant members of the public. The word ignorant has several meanings but ill­informed and rude are probably those which are closest to the truth about those naming names

They were ignorant for two reasons, firstly because they were simply speculating and had no knowledge and secondly because they don’t understand the fact they lay themselves open to civil lawsuits whereby they could end up bankrupt.

Once something is published (and this is true for social media and websites as well as in the press), any wrong and malicious statement could be argued in a court of law to be either libel or defamatory.

As the world changes, so more celebrities are turning to the law to sue those maligning them and some large sums have been won by those taking such action.

We at Euro Weekly News made sure that we didn’t join the ‘feeding frenzy’ and didn’t suggest any names until the wife of Huw Edwards confirmed it was him.

This is clearly responsible reporting and we ensure that any comments on our website are checked by a human being before being posted to ensure that no libel, profanity or even hurtful statement appears.

Be careful what comments you put on Facebook or similar, because it’s now open war against the trolls.

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

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Easing pain naturally 12m

BACK and neck pain can be debilitating, but relief is within reach. Regular exercise, particularly stretching and strength training, can help alleviate discomfort and improve flexibility.

Good posture, both when sitting and standing, is crucial to prevent strain. Ergonomic furniture can support proper alignment, especially for those working long hours at a desk.

Heat therapy, such as warm baths or heat packs, can soothe stiff, aching muscles. Regular breaks to move and stretch during the day can also prevent tension build­up.

Remember, it’s important to seek professional advice if pain persists. Don’t let pain hold you back ­ take steps towards relief today! Embrace these strategies for a pain ­ free life and enjoy the freedom that comes with improved health.

Yoghurt : Sunburn soother

SUNBURN can be painful, but live yoghurt offers a soothing solution. Its cooling effect provides immediate relief, while its probiotics help repair damaged skin. The lactic acid in yoghurt also gently exfoliates, removing dead skin cells and promoting healing. Plus, its natural antibacterial properties can prevent infection. To use, simply apply a layer of live yoghurt to the affected area, leave for 10 ­ 15 minutes, then rinse. Always remember to apply sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. But if you do get burned, reach for the live yoghurt ­ it’s a natural, ef fective remedy. So next time you’re feeling the burn, remember this dairy wonder!

Natural hair solutions

EMBRACE the power of nature with non ­ chemical hair dyes. Derived from natural ingredients like henna, beetroot, and black tea, these dyes offer a safer alternative to traditional hair colouring methods. They’re free from harmful chemicals, reducing the risk of dam ­

age and allergic reactions. Plus, they nourish your hair, enhancing its health and shine. With a variety of colours available, you can achieve your desired look without compromising your hair’s health. It’s time to say goodbye to harsh chemicals and hello to

Henna

Spaniards have private healthcare.

In response LETTERS

I refer to Tony North’s letter. My apologies; it was an editing slip on my part.

I missed out the word WESTERN (Europe). None of the countries listed by Tony North is in Western Europe (apart from the UK).

I agree it is misleading, so thanks for bringing this to my attention. My apologies to you and all the other readers for this. However, you may have noticed that my name was misspelt it is Worboys, not Worboy.

David Worboys

In favour

Morning Leapy,

I have just read your latest piece and particularly like the bit about the idea of having separate areas in London for blacks and whites.

I personally think that is a great idea and would be all in favour of it being put into place, as it could be the way to solving a lot of problems.

I seem to remember that many years ago this did actually happen in a country somewhere, and as far as I know it worked perfectly well. Not sure if it still is in operation or not.

I think in that country it was the whites that put it in place, but I get from the sound of it its the blacks who are wanting to put it in place in London.

Anyway look forward to reading more next week.

Jacob

Passenger habits

I used to fly from Frankfurt to Malaga in the 70s.

Often there was a round of applause on touchdown.

I assumed that, rather than relief at survival, it was celebration of deliverance into the sunshine.

David Worboys

Traffic cops

You lose points from your driving licence in Spain as a penalty, you only gain them for experience and training (if you commit certain offences you can take a specific driving course and win some lost points back). A new driver starts with eight points, which, if they don’t commit any offences, goes up to 12 as you pass the three year mark. Then, if you continue without any infractions for three more years, you gain another two points = 15, which is the most you can hold.

Concha

Confusing signs

Yes, agreed for those junctions where there is a sign, a line, and the white wording on the road. But when turning left from a main road, often via a slip lane… yes a line in the road…

...yes a stop wording in the road, but no stop sign, on the (absent) post, arguably needed to authenticate the legal requirement.

So many of these particular turnings, cause confusion, rights of way inconsistencies and so many drivers just not stopping at all. So, come on... what IS the legal requirement ?

Beiderbeck

Chelsea move

Bravo Aaron, you are the first honest British writer who is telling the truth about our Moroccan star Ziyech, and I quote “his confidence has taken a beaten since joining Chelsea being shunned by several managers over the years.”

Too many British newspapers are blaming Ziyech. While it’s the favouritism that’s taking place in Chelsea and football generally. I would advise any Moroccan football star to stay away from English football.

Destroyed Boufal, Chamakh before and Ziyech now … what a trap.

Mourad Oumouh

Hot wind

Last night here in Sax, Alicante, we had a gale for about an hour. I managed to record a wind temperature of 38.6ºC. No damage here but it did do some damage nearer Alicante. I can’t remember feeling that hot a wind before.

Mike Curtis

Bull runs

I totally agree. I can’t sleep during these festivals as I’m so worried about the mistreatment of the bulls.

I wish to join a group to help stop these.

Catherine Kerr

The truth

Hi Lee

I’ve just read your piece headlined ‘British Media’ and was shocked to read it, because I’ve at last found someone who’s got the balls to spell out the truth with what’s going on in the UK.

I used to love England but we have been betrayed by politicians who have lied to us along with the MSM and have decided to come and live in Spain where we feel safer and just wished I had done it earlier because the country is quickly going downhill and anarchy is just round the corner.

Thank you for spreading the truth with what’s going on because there’s not many out there that are willing to do that and it’s really sad to see that the UK’s now fallen.

Regards ,

Andy Walsh

PETS

A house-sitter relaxes your pet

YOU may be planning a trip 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. And what’s more our house­sitters are for free!

If you’re planning a trip register now as a member of our network to find an affordable home and pet care solution. 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.

Therapeutic companions

Caring for pets in their own home means they are more relaxed.

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 pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com.

Pet passport

TRAVELLING with pets through Spain has become smoother and simpler, as the nation evolves its regulations and facilities to accommodate animal passengers. Taking your pet on a road trip through Spain? Not a problem. More and more roadside hotels are now pet­friendly. Taking a flight? Airlines are upping their pet ­ friendly game too. Ferries are joining in, with many now providing specific cabins for families travelling with pets. Before you start pack ing those doggie bags, remember that Spain, as a part of the EU, man dates a pet passport for each travelling pet. This passport verifies that your pet is microchipped and vac cinated against rabies, ensuring your dog’s smooth entry and exit. One traveller

and pet owner, shared her experience, “Taking my lab, Molly, along on our family holiday was a breeze. From rest stops to accommodations, Spain has truly become a pet ­ inclusive na ­

tion.” Local transport services aren’t far behind.

Many public buses and trains now allow small pets in carriers, and some even allow leashed dogs during off ­peak hours. Travelling through Spain with your pets no longer means compromise or hassle.

It’s about sharing the joys of discovery, culture, and cuisine with your loyal companion.

DID you know your lovable fur ­ ball at home could double up as a healer? Yes, our four ­ legged friends are making headlines, not just for their Instagram ­ worthy antics, but also for their powerful therapeutic abilities.

Just imagine, you’ve had a tough day, and when you get home, there’s that wagging tail and those trusting eyes. Right away, it feels like your burdens lighten a little.

Research shows that hanging out with pets can lessen anxiety, lower blood pressure, and can even help us bounce back from surgery faster. Many schools and hospitals are catching onto this. They’ve been inviting volunteers with their pets for ‘pet therapy’. These pets aren’t your regular housetrained sweethearts. They’ve gone through special training to be patient, friendly and comforting in various settings. Max is a therapy dog who works in a hospital. Every Thursday, he’s there in the paediatric ward, working his magic. His handler, Lisa Taylor, said, “It’s nothing short of incredible. Kids just light up when they see Max, and the ripple of that joy spreads to parents and staff. The whole place feels different.” The very presence of these furry companions sparks social connections, which is great for mental health. So next time you’re scrolling through pet videos online, remember they are more than just cute; they could be your next therapy session.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

A pet passport is essential for travelling.

THERAPY DOGS: Can be great for your mental health.

AIR CONDITIONING

ALARMS

AIRPORT TRANSFERS

ARTIFICIAL GRASS

AIR CONDITIONING

APPLIANCE REPAIRS

BALUSTRADES

CLEANING

BLINDS

BUILDERS

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Costa Blanca from Valencia City to Murcia. Anyone wishing to attend a meeting or discuss a possible drinking problem contact Costa Blanca North: 648 169 045 or Costa Blanca South: 625 912 078 or Costa Calida

679 385 105 All calls are treated in the strictest confidence.

AA in German: 645 456 075; Spanish: 679 212 535; Flemish: 635 047 053; and Scandinavian: 659 779 222. www. aa-costablanca.org (93323)

BUILDING SERVICES

J & J PAINTERS. Insideoutside - clean - fast - low cost. Torrevieja - Orihuela Costa and surrounding areas. Tel: 650 363 159 (1296232)

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

LOOKING FOR Silent Business Partner for small Private Care Home. Invest 10K and get 20K back in 14 months. 747 438 225 (304048)

CAMPELLO CONTRA CANCER in conjunction with AECC Association Español Contra Cancer. Please support your local Cancer charity and if you wish to obtain literature or simply talk to someone. Please contact Mina or Trisha. Tel 650 071 278 or 610 921 413 e-mail aecc_campe llo@hotmail.com (95475)

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (MABS) MURCIA/MAR MENOR

Help and support is just a phone call away, Avda Rio Nalón, Tel: 693 275 779 (95462)

CHURCH SERVICE IN ENGLISH Tel: 950 617 549 www.giving light.com.(10006)

FREEMASONRY . Are you aware that Freemasonry is thriving on the Costa Blanca? There are various Lodges meeting up throughout the Valencia region. If you already are a Mason or simply wish to know more about Freemasonry in Spain please contact sec@glpvalen cia.com Tel 600 841 064

LA SIESTA EVANGELICAL CHURCH on Urbanisation La Siesta, Torrevieja is a friendly, English-speaking church. For more information, including details of our services, see our website www.lasiestaevangeli calchurch.org (10005)

PHILIP SCOTT LODGE No 10671 of the RAOB. Please call the secretary, Colin Bird on 693 287 614 for further information. (95459)

PILAR CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH. All welcome from any church background or none. For further information, www. pilarchurch.org Reg No: 2009SG/A (95463)

ROYAL Air Force Association

Costa Blanca Registered Members Group: The RAFA Costa Blanca RMG replaces the RAFA Costa Blanca Branch 1359 which is now closed. The RMG is a social group of caring people and remains affiliated to the parent Association. Contact with the Royal Air Force Association and the RMG can be made via the RAFA website rafa.org. uk Tel:0044 800 018 2361. (238593)

info, contact the branch Secretary at granalacant.secretary@ rbl.community

ROYAL MARINES ASSOCIATION (Costa Blanca) The aim of the Association is to bring together not just ex Royal Marines, but ex Service personnel with an affinity to the Royal Marines. For further details contact Hon Sec P S Wilkins Tel: 966 194 158 email: inkin spain@yahoo.co.uk (10004)

ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION

For information please contact Chairman Anthony Jenkins +34 693 866 709, Vice Chairman Dusty Miller +34 711 006 670, Secretary Mike Cockman +34 670 224 822, Treasurer Carl Louden +34 678 518 202, email rnatorrevieja@aol.com (95455)

more details, contact Marion Smith on 711 008 250, or email: marion.smith@amscb.org.es, or you can find us on Facebook : fb@movers and shakers www.amscb.org.es (295976)

REACH OUT EXTIENDA LA

MANO need volunteers to help their charitable association. Any amount of time you can spare would be beneficial. They are especially looking for help in their warehouse to sort out all donations, assistance in the main shop and drivers. Tel +34 965 713 063 or info@reachout torrevieja.eu. Opening Hours: 10am to 1.30pm. 1 Calle Bella Antonia, 03183 Torrevieja

BENEFICIAL INSURANCE SERVICES. Car, Home, Business, Travel, Life, Funeral, all insurances available. Policies in English. BEST rates, covers & service. Immediate quotes. Tel 961 129 215 / 622 275 561, (WhatsApp) info@beneficialinsuran ceinspain.com or visit www.be neficialinsuranceinspain.com for online quote. (303574)

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

BUY & SELL CARS FOR SALE

PRIVATE collector will buy your Gold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel - 678 716 693 (288662)

HELP VEGA BAJA. We are a non-profit making organisation that helps and supports anyone, without prejudice, in times of need or crisis within the Vega Baja area. Our offices are based in San Miguel at Calle Lope de Vega 46 (Tel 966 723 733), Torrevieja at Rambla Juan Mateo Garcia 4 (Tel 965 704 282). We are online at www.helpvegaba ja.com and also on Facebook. You can email the San Miguel Centre at office@helpvegabaja. com. We also have a 24-hour Emergency helpline which is available to both members and non-members on 966 723 733 (95456)

INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY, TORREVIEJA Calle Beniajan 16, Torrevieja 03185, Alicante Evangelical non-denominational church. Sunday morning Services at 11.00am. All nationalities welcome - Contact 966 752 543 / 966 799 273. For other church matters phone: 966 799 273 / /617 215 463 www.icatorrevieja.org (95476)

CHARITY

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS IS ALCOHOL COSTING YOU MORE THAN MONEY? Drinking to excess not only affects your health it can spill over into every other aspect of your life - damaging everything that is important to you. English-speaking AA meetings are held throughout the

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION - Why not make this year the year you volunteer? See how you can help either as a caseworker (with full training) or as a Telephone Buddy. We also visit beneficiaries who are housebound or in hospital. If you feel you could support us here in Spain, and you have a Spanish phone number then why not email us for more info tbuddyhhvis its@gmail.com. If you or your partner served or are serving, and you feel you need help or support then contact us using the details on the card, we are here for the small things as well as the big, sometimes talking to someone is the first step to feeling more in control. It can be a personal need or some help with your home or information on what or who to speak to on a medical issue, we help with signposting if we cannot help directly, just call and have a chat with Pam who will try to guide you to where you need to be. If you would like to go to a branch meeting then find your nearest one at, http://branches.britishle gion.org.uk/branches/orihue la-costa - covering from Punta Prima to San Javier. More info can be found on branch website www.orihuelacostarbl.co.uk. (95457)

STROKE ASSOCIATION Spain (formally known as Torrevieja stroke support) Our aim is to help and support stroke survivors and their carers, with rehabilitation, speech therapy, OC therapy and a very active social group. For info please contact 653 588 475 English and 620 907 474 Spanish or email strokesupportgroup@hot mail.com, website: torreviejas trokesupport.org. We are always looking for volunteers who have the skills and knowledge to support. (95473)

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH, La Fustera. For more info: contact Frank Bentley on 966 495 188. (95461)

THE BAKER Foundation Spiritual Centre Playa Flamenca. Calle Luis Gordillo, 1 Playa Flamenca Alicante 03189. You can join us on Facebook, The Baker Foundation spiritual centre. Or contact Linda Schug Tel. 606 990 665 for more details (95458)

THE PATIENCE LODGE No 2177 of the R.A.O.B Please call Secretary Dave Tonge on 688 704 091 for further information. (253807)

THE SPIRITUALIST CENTRE, Benijofar meets at Hamilton’s Bake House, 62 Calle Vicente, Blasco Ibañez, Benijofar 03178. We hold a Sunday Sevrice at 11.30am. For further information: www.spiritualistcen tre-benijofar.com . Telephone 711 060 171. Email martindrou te66@hotmail.com . Fiscal G54713789

MR FIXIT. For all your electrical, plumbing, general & appliance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434 (292158)

ELECTRICIAN FOR SALE/WANTED

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

GOLD WANTED

HEALTH & BEAUTY

PERSONAL TRAINER, WEIGHT LOSS, TONING, RESULTS GUARANTEED. CERTIFIED WITH 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE. FORMER US KICKBOX CHAMPION. CALL 747 438 225

HEARING AIDS

PHONAK & SIGNIA from Hear Maika. English speaking professional established 23 years in Spain. 658 446 384. (302961)

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

BATHROOM & KITCHEN Conversions Costa Blanca, contact 698 320 434. (294098)

INSURANCE

PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR, Solicitor, Debt Collections, Bad Tenants. 747 438 225 (304048)

LEGAL SERVICES MASSAGE

FRENCH, ELÉGANTE , slim, Sophie, 3 languages spoken. Experienced in a large variety of full body massages. Villamartin apartment or can travel to all areas. 693 357 526 (302439)

EXPERIENCE the best with a 1hr unique massage with Veronica. Shaving or permanent hair removal available. For appointments call 679 292 678 (302232)

CLASSIC SPANISH LADY , Playa Flamenca area, private premises, all massage services from 40€. Ana 657 603 495 (302881)

ATTRACTIVE, Girlfriend, Professional Masseuse relaxing and therapeutic Masseuse. Tel: 693 357 526 (295448)

LA ZENIA English lady for masseuse. Full body relaxing massage, in own apartment or 10 kilometres from La Zenia WhatsApp 711 041330 (303620)

MATURE MALE GIVES SENSUAL RELAXING FULL BODY MASSAGE IN PLAYA FLAMENCA. WHATSAPP 633 361 938 (302953)

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Gran Alacant & La Marina Branch. For

MOVERS AND SHAKERS We are a non-profit organisation that supports people and their families with neurological diseases such as; HUNTINGTON’S, ATAXIA, MOTOR NEURONE, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS and PARKINSON’S. Our MOVERS AND SHAKERS CLUB held every Friday @ 1pm – 3pm, is a chance for members to meet up socially, for a drink and a chat on a full range of topics and to exchange ideas and information. The club is held at O’Briens Bar in El Raso, Guardamar del Segura (except July and August). For

FED UP OF NOT BEING SENT YOUR RENEWAL? CUT YOUR INSURANCE COSTS AND STILL HAVE 100% COVER. YOU HAVE TRIED THE REST NOW TRY THE BEST WITH SOS INSURANCE. WE CAN EVEN INSURE YOU FOR UP TO A €1,000 OF WATERLOSS. CALL 686 116 297 (WHATSAPP TO) OR VISIT www.sosinsuranceinspain. com or email tracey@sosin suranceinspain.com (303525)

MISCELLANEOUS CHARITY

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

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

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)

MOTORHOME / Campervan wanted. Left or right hand drive. Cash waiting for right van. Tlf 650 722 905

PIANO , Keyboard, Organ, Qualified Teacher. Please call 606 984 535 (302201)

INTERNATIONAL SKIPPER LICENCE: Courses held in English and starts soon. VHF and Radar Courses. 626 245 098 (303717)

KAMAGRA Gold 100mg plus Kamagra Jellies. Collection or Delivery. ROY HAS A NEW TEL. - 613 584 915 (295447) tp

Male/Female viagra, cialis, kamagra jelly, mixed trial packs available, all areas mail order. 604 385 476. viagra4you19@gmail.com

TAILOR-MADE in durable canvas, pergola covers, sails, umbrella, spa and CAR COVERS. 10% off Cushions. Mazarron to Costa Blanca. RETIRING

SOON DON’T MISS OUT

Google: KrugerCanopies.com

WhatsApp: 667 879 399 kruger canopies@yahoo.co.uk (295796)

EASYHORSE CARE RESCUE CENTRE. We aim to rescue HORSES. If you would like to DONATE please call 965 967 033 or

sales@easyhorsecare.net www.easyhorsecare.net or call Sue 652 021 980 (95706)

GATAMI ORGANISATION, to help kittens and cats, looking for good homes, also spaying wild cats in the community. Kittens require adoption, fully vaccinated, de-wormed, deflead. volunteers to Tel Anna: 966 806 976 / 654 729 977 (95709)

P.E.P.A. VOLUNTEERS & FOSTER HOMES URGENTLY NEEDED. By fostering an abandoned dog or spending a few hours each week on our telephone helpline, you could help save the lives of many animals. Please call: 650 304 746. For more information browse our website: www.pepaspain.com (95708)

SPAMA GANDIA SHELTER. Dog and cat rescue registered charity, La Safor area. 500 animals awaiting rehoming. Phone Gail 962 896 118. Visit our website for directions. www.spama.org and view our new blog at www.spama -safor.blog.com.es PLEASE HELP US TO HELP THEM (95707)

MR FIXIT. For all your electrical, plumbing, general & appliance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434 (292158)

POOL MAINTENANCE Repairs, Spares and Leak Testing. Call 965 725 565 / 676 945 360 www.pooltechspain.com (291452)

FED UP PAYING TOO MUCH FOR YOUR MOBILE PHONE CALLS? THEN CONTACT TELITEC TODAY. CALLS TO SPAIN 7C PER MINUTE INCLUDING MOBILES. CALLS TO UK 5.3C PER MINUTE. NO MONTHLY FEES, NO CONTRACT. WWW.TELITEC.COM TEL: 902 889 070 (2001)

RAREST UPCYCLED ELECTRIC VEHICLE

ROAD TEST

LUNAZ DESIGN has unveiled what it bills as the rarest classic car ever to be trans formed to full electric power.

Dating from 1961, this specific Bentley S2 Continental is one of only four examples built. Today, now completely restored and reimagined, it’s equipped with Lunaz’s in house designed electric pow ertrain.

This specific Continental was built in 1961. In period, a small number of luxury car bodies were still being produced by independent coachbuilders to the customer’s specification, on a ‘rolling chassis’. According to the build sheets, the first owner initially commissioned a four­door body from leading London coachbuilder James Young; but he evident­

change of heart at the last minute, since research shows the car has only ever existed in its present two­door form. In 1967, the car changed hands for the first time. Over the decades that followed, it would reside with various owners as far afield as Germany and Japan before returning to the UK. This Bentley Continental is the rarest

of only a handful left in the world.

All Bentley S2 variants were powered by the thennew ‘L’ Series 6.2­litre V8 engine.

The electrification process starts with a detailed inspection and assessment to determine the chassis, powertrain, and suspension configurations. Lunaz De ­

sign’s engineers use 3D scanning to create detailed Computer Aided Design (CAD) models as the basis for any renovation and reconstruction work required.

The car body is then stripped down to a bare metal shell and returned to asnew condition using traditional coachbuilding and

restoration techniques. The internal combustion engine and its associated systems, lubricants and other fluids are carefully removed and reclaimed, then replaced with Lunaz’s proprietary fully­electric powertrain. The modular design is developed entirely in­house.

Other vital systems, includ­

ing brakes, steering, suspension and electrics, are all modernised to bring them into line with current safety standards.

The now fully electric Bentley is equipped with a clean ­ air 400 bhp powertrain, producing 530 lb ­ ft of torque. 0­100kph/62 mph is achieved in 6.9 seconds. To ensure handling capability suspension is uprated to a fully adjustable ­spring suspension with a lever arm damper. Likewise, its brakes, which also incorporate a battery regeneration system, have been upgraded.

In its new incarnation, the Bentley retains its luxurious character; but in keeping with its zero­emission powertrain and Lunaz Design’s culture of upcycling, the interior now incorporates a much higher proportion of sustainable materials than the original.

by Mark Slack

BENTLEY S2 CONTINENTAL: Retains its luxurious character.

Peugeot turns 40

THE iconic Peugeot 205, a symbol of French automotive design, celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2023. Launched in 1983, the 205 quickly became a beloved model, marking a turning point in Peugeot’s history.

The 205 was a gamechanger for Peugeot, helping the company regain its footing during a difficult financial period. Its compact design, fuel efficiency, and affordability made it a hit among consumers, particularly in Europe.

The model’s popularity was further boosted by the introduction of the 205 GTI, a highperformance variant, which became a legend in its own right. The GTI, with its nimble handling and powerful engine, quickly earned a reputation as one of the best hot hatches of its era.

The 205’s design, led by Gerard Welter, was revolutionary at the time. Its clean lines, distinctive front grille, and compact dimensions set

it apart from competitors. The car’s design has aged well, and it is now considered a classic. The 205’s impact on the automotive industry cannot be overstated. It set a new standard for compact cars and played a crucial role in establishing Peugeot as a global automotive player.

As the Peugeot 205 turns 40, it remains a symbol of

Maserati and Beckham

WHEN two of the world’s most iconic names come together the results are bound to be spectacular.

The collaboration between the Italian car maker Maserati and one of the world’s greatest footballers, David Beckham, produced two stunning examples of car design called the Fuoriserie DB Essentials, unveiled last month.

Maserati’s Head of Design, Klaus Busse said: “Fuoriserie means ‘custom­built’ in Italian, and our Trident’s customisation programme is conceived to create singular experiences for our clients. ”

French automotive excellence. Its legacy continues to influence Peugeot’s current lineup, with the company’s commitment to design and performance echoing the spirit of the 205. The Peugeot 205’s 40th anniversary is a reminder of the enduring power of good design and the importance of innovation in the automotive industry.

Beckham is a huge fan of the Italian manufacturer and the first of his designs was inspired by the company’s classic 1967 classy Maserati Ghibli coupé. And for David’s second design he honoured the 1986 Maserati Quattroporte Royale.

Maserati too paid their own tribute to the much­loved Englishman, with an inscribed metal plaque fixed inside each car.

LIMITED STOCK ON REDUCED PRICED DEMO CARS

ICONIC DESIGN: The Peugeot 205 was a turning point.

Alcaraz wins Wimbledon final Tour de France triumph

SPANISH cycling fans can rejoice as one of their countrymen has ended a five ­ year drought by winning a stage in the Tour de France.

Tuesday, July 11, saw Spanish rider Pello Bilbao Lopez, riding for the Bahrain Victorious team, win the 167 ­ kilometre stage 10 of the Tour de France, something that fans had had to wait a long time for.

The last Spaniard to win a stage was back in 2018 when Omar Fraile took the honours, 99 stages later and Bilbao has finally given fans something to cheer.

This year’s Tour started in Bilbao in the Basque Country, and namesake Pello was the star of the Grand Départ, getting an extra loud cheer when his name was announced.

On July 11 he repaid the favour many times over by claiming his first ever Tour de France victory in Issoire.

The 33 ­ year ­ old rider from Guernica outsprinted Georg Zimmermann and British rider, Ben O’Connor, to clinch victory.

In the final 3km of this stage, a small group of riders had broken away. Bilbao takes up the story: “I knew I was the fastest man. With cold blood I let Zimmermann do his attack… and I sprinted without thinking of anything. I went with everything I had, with all energy I had, remembering the reason I was riding ­ for Gino.” Pello’s teammate Gino Mader was tragically killed in last month’s Tour de Suisse, something which no doubt inspired him on the day.

This win sees Bilbao lying in fifth place in the general classification, over four and a half minutes behind Yellow Jersey Jonas Vingegaard.

There are three British riders in the top 10 overall standings, Adam Yates, Simon Yates and Yorkshireman, Tom Pidcock.

CARLOS ALCARAZ is the new king of Wimbledon after completing a stunning five ­ set victory over Novak Djokovic on Sunday, July 16.

The young Spaniard took revenge for the defeat inflicted on him by the Serb in their last encounter in the French Open semi ­ final at Roland Garros.

Following that loss, the Murcian admitted that nerves had got the better of him, but on today’s showing, he had well and truly psyched himself up for the challenge.

An epic five ­ set thriller saw Djokovic lose his head with the scores level as they entered the final set. Alcaraz broke the legendary player’s serve which resulted in the usually so level ­ headed 36 ­ year ­ old Serb receiving an umpire’s warning after smashing his racket against the net’s post, leaving a dent.

Djokovic was seeking a recordequalling eighth title on the All England Club’s famous Centre Court on Sunday afternoon. He was also aiming to equal the Australian women’s tennis star Margaret Court’s all ­ time record of 24 Major singles titles.

After winning the first set with

ease at 6 ­ 1, it looked like a no­ contest, and he was well on the way to continuing his 46 ­ match winning streak at SW16 that has lasted an incredible 10 years.

However, Alcaraz fought back in dramatic fashion to finally win 1 ­ 6 7 ­

6 ­ 4 in an astounding comeback. With the crowd firmly on his side, he played some tennis that was truly outstanding.

Umpire Fergus Murphy Djokovic eventually handed Djokovic a time violation for delaying his serves, which was met with great joy by the fans.

The US Open champion also ended Djokovic’s run of 15 consecutive Grand Slam tie ­ break wins. Then came an unbelievable game in the third set that lasted a full 26 minutes. Finally breaking the reigning champion’s serve, it included 13 deuces.

The new Wimbledon champion played under the watchful eye of Spain’s King Felipe VI, with his press office issuing a statement prior to the match.

Alcaraz was presented with the iconic trophy by the Princess of Wales.

STUNNING VICTORY: Carlos Alcaraz winning Wimbledon 2023.