Costa Blanca South 2 July – 2 August 2023 Issue 1986

FARMERS PROMISE

THE mayor of Elche, Pablo Ruz and the new minister for the Environment and Water, Salome Pradas, met with the irrigators and farmers of the Elche countryside on Friday, July 21, to show their “unwavering commitment to defending water as a means of life, wealth, future and hope.”

This was the first institutional visit for Pradas, the new councillor, following her inauguration. “It is a gesture which this Valencian government has with Elche, and where the agricultural sector is of vital importance,” stated Ruz, who assured that “from this municipal government we believe in the potential, reality and moral duty that the irrigators from Elche have to defend the water sector.

“In Elche, water is not wasted, every last drop that comes to us from traditional irrigation and mainly from the Tagus­Segura is invested,” said Ruz. He highlighted his hopes “placed on this fluid re­

lationship between the city council and the regional government that begins now, and will continue for at least four years.”

Salome Pradas assured the irrigators that “this will be the time in which the dialogue with irrigators and farmers will return.”

In addition, she indicated that there will be a joint meeting between the Min­

istry of Water and Agriculture with irrigators at both provincial and regional level “to reverse this situation of water punishment.

“It is not fair that they go through what they are going through and suffer policy cuts which suffocate and harm the Valencian Community,” she said.

The minister affirmed that “we are going to raise these

issues so that the water necessary returns to Elche and that farmers can grow these much­needed products. Water should not be a tool for confrontation, but for prosperity and solutions, and that is our commitment.”

Just before the meeting took place, Pradas was inaugurated as councillor, and signed the book of honour of Elche City Council.

Credit: Elche City Council

SHOWING COMMITMENT: Pradas meets the irrigators.

Safer beaches in Alicante

ALICANTE has improved the security and surveillance service on all of its beaches with reinforcements from volunteers of the Civil Protection Group, who join the Local Police and the lifeguard service. The increase in personnel is with the aim of guaranteeing greater attention in coastal areas, bathing areas, and pedestrian walkways.

Handball Tour ends

THE Arena 1000 Playas de Orihuela handball tournament came to an end on Sunday, July 23. It was held at Playa Cala Bosque in La Zenia. The tournament was the third and last scoring event of the season, before the Spanish Championships in Almeria on Saturday, July 29. The championships will mark the close of the Arena Handball Tour 2023, organised by the Royal Spanish Handball Federation. It was a hectic weekend, which brought together 2,200 athletes from 151 different teams and in which nearly 300 games were played. “The tournament has been a resounding success of participation, both by athletes, as well as by fans and sponsors. It has been a fantastic weekend,” said José Vegara, mayor of Orihuela.

The council has welcomed the 16 volunteers into the operation, who will provide the service throughout the summer. They will patrol on foot, on bicycles, assist at first­aid tents and also patrol the water with a new boat. The volunteers will work until September together with Local Police officers of Alicante, from 10am to 6pm, and actively participate in the summer preventive programme organised by the city council on its five Alicante beaches, which are Postiguet, Albufereta/Almadraba, Saladar/Urbanova, San Juan and Tabarca, with the aim of offering better service and protection on beaches to visitors of the Alicante coast.

Civil Protection and police together.

Credit: Alicante City Council

NIBS EXTRA

Keeping cool

THE Red Cross has distributed 306 micro­energy efficiency kits and has provided aid to pay for electricity supplies to more than 250 families in Alicante this summer. The organisation has also delivered bedding and electrical appliances including fridges to more than 50 families.

Upside down

THE reasons for an accident in an underground supermarket car park are being investigated. The incident happened on Friday, July 21, in Villamartin, Orihuela, where the fire brigade rescued a man whose car had overturned on the access ramp.

Alicante flights

A LIVERPOOL newspaper, announced that Jet2 will begin flights from Liverpool to Alicante in 2024, describing the destination as Spain’s ‘underrated coastal city’. Flights from Liverpool John Lennon airport to Alicante are currently supplied by budget airline, easyJet.

Airport award

ALICANTE­ELCHE airport has been named the most accessible airport in Europe, according to the ACI. ACI Europe collaborated with the European Disability Forum to identify the airport that demonstrated the most significant progress in accessible services.

Naughty man

A MAN was arrested in Elche for stopping traffic and demanding money from drivers before he would let them pass. Police were called to the scene at l’Hort del Monjo and caught the man in the act. The 31­yearold was detained.

Air rescue

A MARRIED couple had to be rescued by helicopter from cliffs in El Campello on Monday, July 23, when they became completely stuck, perched 50 metres above the sea.

Help with marketing costs

ALICANTE City Council will award grants to 16 business and hospitality entities which will enable them to increase marketing and publicity strategies.

A total of €152,975 will be distributed among those who meet the requirements. The grants will finance the expenses of summer campaigns, conferences, creating new websites, social media campaigns, press, radio, events, promotional videos, tourist projects and tastings, among other initiatives.

The amount of the subsidy that companies can

receive ranges between the minimum of €4,047 and the maximum of €24,289.

The councillor for Commerce, Lidia López, said that “the firm commitment of this city council

Wine for the winners

A VOLLEYBALL team made up of players from the towns of Villena and Petrer were proclaimed champions of the third edition of the Torneo Pinoso Volleyball tournament, held on Saturday, July 23. It took place at Enrique Tierno Galván sports hall in Pinoso. The organisers presented the winners with a trophy, €200 and bottles of wine.

Several members of the Sedka Novias team played in this team, who next season will

play in the Spanish super league.

Second position was obtained by the P2 + K2 team, obtaining €100 and a trophy.

Third position, and the most sporting team award was achieved by Toledo, being presented with a trophy and traditional products.

A total of 12 teams participated in the competition. The trophies were presented by the councillor for Commerce, Neus Ochoa and the mayor of Pedanías, José Ángel Pérez.

by granting these new subsidies is to promote projects that improve the competitiveness of our commercial fabric and the hospitality sector in Alicante, promoting new campaigns with which it is

Regional

STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S

Mayor heads up council

possible to value these sectors, and improve them, in turn boosting the commercial areas, since they are one of the main economic and employment engines in Alicante.”

president

visits Xi’an warriors

THE President of the Generalitat Valencia (Valencian regional government), Carlos Mazon, accompanied by ministers, visited the exhibition 'The Legacy of the Qin and Han Dynasties, China. The Warriors of Xi'an', which is being exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Alicante (MARQ) on Friday, July 21.

Carlos Mazon and the council members took a guided tour to find out

Welcome to sailors

THE opening ceremony of the international sailing regatta, the 420 World Championships took place on Saturday, July 22. More than 600 sailors, coaches and team members participated in the inaugural parade through the centre of Alicante.

A parade along the city’s esplanade was the place chosen for the 22 teams to gather, covering the entire seafront of the city until arriving at the Auditorio de la Concha, at which time the authorities and organisers welcomed the par­

ticipants, and the 420 World Championship was officially inaugurated, which will be held in Alicante waters until Saturday, July 29.

The mayor of the city, Luis Barcala, together with representatives from the council, sailing federations and other organisers and officials, opened the championships and welcomed all taking part.

The ceremony ended with the reception of the participants at the castle of Santa Barbara.

more details of the exhibition.

The president said that the museum is an “emblematic, loved and worked” place run by Alicante provincial council and showed his "personal satisfaction" for having made the visit.

He encouraged the public to visit the exhibition made up of more than 120 original pieces from a set that has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

THE mayor of Benidorm, Toni Perez, (PP) was elected on Friday, July 21, as the new president of the Provincial Council of Alicante. He was elected at the investiture and inauguration session of the 31 deputies of the institution that was held in the Provincial Palace of Alicante.

Perez achieved the command rod with the vote of the 16 PP deputies, who have an absolute majority in the chamber. The PSPV candidate, Vicente Arques, added to the 13 votes of the socialist bench.

The only representative from Compromís, Ximo Perles, voted for him, and the representative of Vox, Gema Alemán, did the same.

Perez is the first mayor of the Marina Baixa to hold this position, where he will govern with an absolute majority without the need for support from other parties.

A trader in Alicante.

Credit: Alicante City Council

CAMPOAMOR beaches have lost more than five metres of sand since 2005, said the Campoamor neighbourhood association in a report published on Thursday, July 20.

Through various photographs obtained from GeoNet viewer, residents have verified the ero­

Warning of shrinking beach

sion of the sand dunes, which have been progressively engulfed by the sea, as well as the devastating effect that storm Gloria in 2019 had. Geonet shows annual

PROVERB OF THE WEEK

coastal regression on its website. The neighbourhood association has expressed its concerns to the Ministry of Ecological Transition, along with other residential or­

ganisations on the Spanish coast. In the report published, the neighbourhood association pointed out a series of incomplete projects on the urbanisa­

tions of Orihuela Costa. The concerned representatives demanded the repair of the road on Avenida de las Adelfas as it passes the Nacimiento River, the replacement of the pavements and a study and implementation of measures for the retention of sand on the beaches.

Social housing upkeep

THE Alicante Housing Board of Trustees has awarded the conservation and maintenance contract for 750 social homes to Elecnor Servicios y Proyectos SAU, with an investment of €720,071, divided into two parts for the next two years, which will then be extendable for another year.

The Board currently has 27 residential buildings and garages in the Casco Antiguo and San Antón area, seven residential buildings and garages in the neighbourhoods of San Blas, Campoamor and Zona Norte, 189 homes scattered throughout different areas of the city, and two office buildings. The total number of rental homes managed by the Board amounts to 750.

The contract has been divided into two lots according to geographical criteria, lot 1 has a budget of €309,760 and lot 2 has a budget of €410,311.

Alicante bars suffer heat

THE extreme heat in Alicante City centre saw bars and restaurants lose up to half of their income, as customers decided to avoid sitting in the blazing sun.

Javier Galdeano, president of the Association of Leisure and Restoration Venues of Alicante (ALROA), warned of the situation in which many venues found themselves. “This excessive heat wave is destroying life on the terrace.”

For patrons who decided to venture inside restaurants instead, the cost to the bars and restaurants was high, as air conditioning units had to be constantly used in order to keep interior spaces comfortable. With some bars not having air conditioning units, the heat made sitting inside unbearable, leaving proprietors with barely any customers.

Installing a unit in a short amount of time did not seem to be a solution for many, as air conditioning installation companies are experiencing extremely high demands for their service.

176 seats

Needed to control the Spanish parliament

“A fool and his money are soon parted.”

This means that it is easy to persuade someone who is not sensible to spend their money. The phrase was originally used in a rhyme by Thomas Tusser in 1573.

Melon shortage warning Fugitive arrested in Alicante

EATING watermelon and melon has become almost a luxury as prices have started to soar, even tripling in price.

The refreshing summer fruit has seen its price multiply in supermarkets.

Melon crops were affected as a result of the effects of hail and heavy rains that fell in the

months of May and June. The lack of supply has seen a soar in prices,

Flood relief for Torrevieja

FOLLOWING years of promises and hopes, the residents of Dona Ines and Jardines del Mar have finally seen work commence to reduce periodic flooding of their streets.

Dona Ines and Jardines del Mar are in Torrevieja, and are located between the N­332 and CV­905.

A pond is being constructed with a capacity of 14,000 cubic metres, compared to the current one of approximately 2,000 cubic metres. It will function as a flood run­off. When there is no danger of flooding, it will be opened to the public and classified as a green area.

The construction period is five months. The mayor Eduardo Dolón presented the project on Thursday, July 20, to residents at the municipal leisure centre. The company responsible for the work is Agamed, with the participation of the Torrevieja Council and Hidraqua.

The area of the projected pond is 4,533 square metres and its average depth will be 3.2 metres. The project cost will exceed €570,000.

which is expected to continue until the end of July, when more crops will be ready.

Some farms saw between 50 per cent and 60 per cent of the melon and watermelon crops that were scheduled to be harvested between the second half of June and the first half of July lost. In the Guadalentín valley, Murcia, one of the most important producing areas, the rain and hail left nearly 4,000 hectares destroyed.

Next week, as harvesting begins again, melons from the central region of Castilla­La Mancha will also be ready, which means better supplies until September.

NATIONAL POLICE in Alicante have arrested a fugitive of Bosnian nationality who was being sought by the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina for arms trafficking, and by the authorities of the Netherlands for money laundering.

Officers of the Drug and Organised Crime Unit (UDYCO) in Alicante were informed about the possible location of the 44year­old.

Knowing that he could be hiding in Alicante, officers carried out a series of investigations aimed at locating the man. They then learned that family members of the man had the intention of travelling to Spain to visit him. Soon after,

several of his relatives travelled from the Netherlands on a flight from Eindhoven to Alicante, from where the officers covertly followed them to central Alicante.

Finally, and despite avoidance measures taken by the rel­

atives of the Bosnian to prevent the police from finding his whereabouts, the officers located and arrested the man, based on the arrest warrants issued by the judicial authorities of the Netherlands and Bosnia­Herzegovina.

Credit: Jill Wellington/Pixabay

99%

Of the votes have been currently tallied.

Dog beach gets shade

USERS of the Agua Amarga dog beach next to Urbanova in Alicante should finally see the arrival of beach umbrellas and sun loungers following ‘a significant delay’.

On Friday, July 22, Ana Poquet from the Alicante Tourist Board stated they “will arrive next week.”

Around three months ago, Alicante City Council officially awarded the contract to provide services at the Agua Amarga dog beach, which included a ‘food truck’, as well as umbrellas and sun loungers. The contract was for two years for a fee of €17,000.

Days later, the contract was formalised, but commencement of the service is taking longer than expected. The board of trustees estimated that the contract would be active before the end of May.

A CAR driver in Catral lost control and smashed into two bar terraces on Thursday, July 20. Two people suffered from only minor injuries in the frightening incident outside Sheerin’s and a Chinese restaurant.

The accident occurred at around 6.30pm, when a car left the road and collided with two terraces installed on Calle Purísima in the

According to the contract, the season should have run from May 1 to October 15.

The cost of the umbrellas should be around €7 or €8 a day, the same as the sun loungers.

Agua Amarga is the only beach in Alicante that allows dogs all year.

Hotel occupancy up

HOTEL occupancy reached almost 90 per cent in July.

Alicante reached a hotel occupancy rate of 89.7 per cent, Benidorm, 88.1 per cent and Valencia reached 86.2 per cent.

The surprise winner was the northern town of Gandia, in Valencia, whose occupancy rate was 95.1 per cent.

The data came from the Valencian hotel association HOSBEC, who pointed out that the Spanish elections ‘has not reduced hotel occupancy’ in the region, and ‘the data recorded shows that the figures are even better than those after the Covid crisis finished’.

In addition, the forecasts for the second half of July “advances data that almost with total probability will allow us to close the month of July with more than 90 per cent occupancy, putting a finishing touch to the best summer period in recent years,” said the association.

In Alicante City, Spanish visitors accounted for 44.4 per cent of the total, while British visitors represented 36.9 per cent.

Car crashed onto bar terraces

town. The Local Police are investigating the crash, although the first hypotheses point to an oversight of the driver.

The vehicle impacted against the tables and chairs of the two establishments, causing various in­

juries to two people who were sitting outside at the time.

The injured parties were a 75year­old woman and a 37­year­old man. Two ambulances were sent to the scene to treat the injured, the woman and the man, who

Calls for smoking ban end

EARLIER this month, the Balearic Islands made the decision to remove the smoking ban on outdoor terraces, leaving the Valencian community as the last region in Spain to uphold the anti­Covid measure.

Three years after the ban was implemented, and several months after the health crisis officially ended, an association of restaurateurs and hoteliers has called for the ban to be lifted.

both suffered cuts and bruises.

They were transferred to the Vega Baja Hospital as a matter of precaution.

There were also reported cases of anxiety attacks due to the shock of the crash.

The president of ALROA (the Association of Restaurants and Leisure Premises of Alicante), Javier Galdeano, plans to petition the regional government to lift the ban. He stated that almost 40 per cent of patrons smoke, with many people enjoying a cigarette with their drink.

He has asked the regional government to lift the ban, which he said should have been stamped out once the health crisis ended.

Agua Amarga Dog Beach.

Credit: Alicante Tourist Office

CALLOSA DE SEGURA has a new outdoor fitness area, following the opening of a new callisthenics circuit in the town.

The town mayor, Manuel Martínez Sirvent and the councillor for Sports, Antonio Ballester, visited the park on Friday, July 21 to inspect the new facilities.

The callisthenics park was funded by a grant from Alicante provincial council, and is the first project to be completed within a park renovation and remodelling programme.

Get fit in Callosa

NEW CIRCUIT: The mayor and councillor’s visit.

Callisthenics is a form of strength training consisting of a variety of movements that exercise large muscle groups,

such as standing, grasping and pushing. These exercises are often performed rhythmically and with minimal equipment.

A cloudy fishing day

ROUND two of the Carp­R­Us Summer/Autumn Series was fished at the El Bosquet complex on pegs 26­40. The previous couple of days had been very hot, but fortunately the match was fished in mainly cloudy conditions with the odd light shower and a light breeze helping make the conditions not too bad.

Over the last year or so this stretch has seen a large increase in the number of mullet and a gradual drop in the number of carp caught and so was the case when, if you wanted to fish for them, there were mullet aplenty, but the carp were more elusive.

First was Jeremy Fardoe with 13.00kg caught on pole and bread from peg 28. Unfortunately, Jeremy’s day ended with him stripped to his underwear and entering the water to rescue a couple of sections of his pole that had fallen in. Second was Dave Hutchinson on peg 34 who did include a couple of good carp in his 8.64kg caught on pole and maggot. Third was Richard Crawshaw with 8.42kg caught using feeder and maggot and fourth was the ever­consistent Willy Moons with 6.80kg also on feeder. Further information can be found on its website www.carp­r­us.weebly.com.

Credit: Callosa de Segura Town Hall

Forest maintenance grant for city

ORIHUELA Council has received a grant of €66,000 to hire unemployed residents, who will carry out maintenance in forest areas.

The subsidy was obtained from the Department of Employment, which gives grants to enable people to re­enter the work environment. The councillor for Employment promotion, Víctor Valverde, said “This subsidy allows us to fulfil a double objective, to hire unemployed people, promoting their insertion in the labour market and to

Smart food labelling

maintain forest areas to avoid fires or other incidents.”

This programme is financed with funds from the State Public Employment Service (SEPE) and contracts will have a minimum duration of six months. Towns benefitting from these subsidies must be classified as areas with high risk of forest fires.

“The people hired will carry out work to reduce risks derived from forest fires,” said Valverde, who detailed that those people will be hired to perform the function of

labourers.

In 2022, the council also obtained a subsidy from this

same programme which allowed the hiring of seven unemployed people.

New housing boom for Alicante

LA VEGA BAJA continues to lead the way in construction for the entire province of Alicante. According to data collected by the Official College of Surveyors, Technical Architects and Building Engineers, the region is the one that shows the most progress.

In the second quarter of the year, the figures represented 47 per cent

of the total new builds in the province. A total of 1,404 new homes were registered with the official college. This number represents a 58 per cent improvement on the first quarter of the year, which was already a very positive figure. With this figure, the Vega Baja is at new home levels higher than those prior to the pandemic situation.

Although the city with the most new builds was Alicante (421 homes in this quarter), many more towns in the region registered a high number of new builds. These included Torrevieja (407), San Miguel de Salinas (275), Denia (260), Guardamar del Segura (204), Muchamiel (170) and Orihuela (168).

A COMPANY in Elche has been selected to become one of 20 to participate in an international programme to promote food tech. Oscillum, located on the science park of the Miguel Hernández University (PCUMH) in Elche, have developed a smart and compostable food label.

The label Oscillum that has developed slowly changes colour from the moment it is applied, indicating its freshness.

KM Zero Venturing, who mentor start­up programmes, will develop a personalised plan for the scaling and growth of Oscillum.

The programme received more than 200 applications from 22, and aims to support start­ups that are developing solutions to make the food chain more resilient. The programme covers different areas of work, from internationalisation to commercial and brand development, industrialisation and legal and financial advice.

In addition, Oscillum will be able to collaborate with corporate partners such as Makro and Mahou San Miguel to test their product, carry out proof of concept, review their business model and share knowledge with a ‘win­win’ approach.

Summer hours

THE Age Concern Centre will be closed from July 31 until August 21. It will then be open on August 22, 25, 29 and September 1.

Normal hours will resume on September 4.

The Los Montesinos shop will only be open on Wednesday mornings from July 31 until August 25.

Normal hours will resume on August 28.

The Torrevieja shop will be closed from July 31 until August 25.

Normal hours will resume on August 28.

We will respond to any messages left on the centre answerphone number which is 966 786 887.

FOREST MAINTENANCE: New jobs for the unemployed.

Credit: Orihuela city council

Hybrid cars for Elche police

ELCHE Council has added 11 new hybrid police cars to its fleet of vehicles, the town hall announced on Thursday, July 20.

Councillors and the Local Police presented the cars at the Plaza de Baix. The 190horsepower Ford Kuga Titanium 2.5 FHEV cars will be incorporated into the patrol service throughout Elche.

With an approximate investment of €450,000, “they are equipped with the regulatory kit and different signaling elements, certified and approved for

the development of police tasks so they meet all the requirements for the proper provision of the service,” explained the mayor of Elche, Carlos Gonzalez.

The 11 vehicles are part of the city’s effort to modernise the Local Police fleet, a renewal in which they will continue to invest, González said.

“These self ­ recharging hybrid SUVs, in addition to influencing sustainability, reducing emissions and decarbonising the municipality, are a step forward in the

continuous improvement of an essential public service and a decisive step in the working conditions of the Local Police officers,” concluded Gonzalez.

122 seats

Currently held by Pedro Sanchez

Alicante finds civil war shelter

THE rehabilitation works of the old tobacco factory, ‘Las Cigarreras’, are revealing remains undiscovered until now, such as a stone fountain in the middle of a cloister and arches of the original building of the Casa de la Misericordia, as well as later remains. An air raid shelter from the Civil War was even found, of which there was no record.

The mayor, Luis Barcala, visited the works in Alicante on Thursday, July 22 accompanied by the councillors for European Projects and

the Local Development Agency, Antonio Peral and Mari Carmen. “It is exciting to be able to see how this great project is taking shape and even more to see what we are finding, a heritage that is emerging which, despite the previous study, was not seen,” said the mayor.

“Extremely interesting remains from different eras have come to light thanks to the archaeological work that is being carried out,” he stated.

ANYONE whose phone doesn’t automatically block spam calls can now breathe a sigh of relief. The new Telecommunications Act came into force in Spain on Thursday, June 29.

According to this, companies that offer goods and services are no longer allowed to make advertising calls (llamadas spam) without the explicit consent of the consumer.

With English mobile phone numbers, receiving Spanish spam calls were rather rare, but with Spanish numbers they were increas­

End of spam calls

ing each month. The law will take up to a year to take effect, but after that anyone who has a mobile or landline number in Spain should no longer be bothered with the calls.

In addition to explicit consent, according to the legal text there are also exceptional cases in which companies can still contact consumers with spam calls, namely if the “communication can be based on anoth­

More hugger muggers caught

OFFICERS of the National Police have dismantled an itinerant criminal group specialised in committing robberies with violence, and theft of jewellery and watches. They committed criminal acts throughout Spain and especially in

Malaga, Granada, Murcia and Alicante.

The members of the group are mostly linked by family ties and acted in pairs, moving in groups of between six and 10 people. They rented houses to stay for a few days, from where they drove to the tourist areas of nearby towns to look for potential victims. Upon arrival, it was the women who mainly approached elderly people or people with reduced mobility, and distracted them.

The women would offer hugs, sexual offers or ask questions, and then manage to steal the watches and jewellery the victims were wearing at that time. Meanwhile, the men remained waiting inside the vehicles to facilitate a quick escape.

After locating most of the members of the group in the province of Granada, officers proceeded with their arrest. Eight people were arrested and charged with a total of eight thefts and violent robberies, amounting to approximately €60,000.

er basis of legitimation in accordance with Article 6.1 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 on the processing of personal data.”

For example, company employees can still call if their concern is necessary to protect vital interests or to carry out a task in the public interest. If a company violates the new law, they could face a fine.

Happy holidays

ALICANTE airport has once again become the gateway for ‘Holidays in Peace’ of more than 230 Saharawi refugee children, who this year will spend the summer with families from the Valencian Community, the Region of Murcia, and Castilla­La Mancha.

The Airport collaborates with the organising associations of this programme by ensuring their safety on arriving and returning flights.

The children from Tindouf, Algeria, arrived in the early hours of Sunday, July 16, on two flights operated by the airline Air Argelie, and will stay for the summer.

To ensure smooth running of their arrival, the airport implemented special procedures which included support staff and gathering the children into groups depending on which region they were travelling to.

The stay of these minors in Spanish homes during July and August allows them to spend the summer outside the harsh climatic conditions of the desert, learn about realities other than those they live in the Tindouf refugee camps, and have access to adequate food and medical check­ups, according to reports from the different associations that manage the programmes.

SPAM CALLS: You can now breathe a sigh of relief.

Elche Film Awards

THE Elche International Independent Film Festival (FICIE), organised by Fundación Mediterráneo, came to the end of its 46th edition with a closing gala on Saturday, July 22, in which the Canadian production ‘The Gold Teeth’, directed by the Iranian­Canadian Alireza Kazemipour, won the award for best short film and ‘Matar Cangrejos’, by the Canarian director Omar A Razzak was awarded best feature film.

‘The Gold Teeth’, tells the story of Sahra, an Afghan refugee in Canada, who comes to the doorstep of former Iranian dentist, Hamed, seeking help to extract her late father’s gold teeth before he is buried.

The other big winner was ‘Matar cangrejos’, winner of the Fundación Mediterráneo Award for Best Feature Film at the Elche Film Festival, in which five Spanish films competed among the 62 that were submitted to the competition.

The film takes us to Tenerife in the 90s, where Rayco, an

eight­year­old boy, and his 14year­old sister Paula, kill time while they anxiously await the arrival of Michel Jackson. But

his mother has become pregnant by a foreigner, and their lives could change before the singer reaches the island.

Beyond service

KIND firefighters were only too happy to assist when a patient who was being discharged from Elda hospital realised he was unable to return home to his apartment in the same town due to severe mobility problems.

The hospital contacted the fire station, who waited for an ambulance to bring the man home. They then carefully placed him onto a hydraulic platform before raising him into the air and up to his first floor balcony. Once he was parallel with the balcony, more firefighters moved him safely to his terrace and took him inside his apartment.

FILM FESTIAL: Held its closing gala on Saturday July 22.

by Lisa Zeffertt

ON Sunday night, July 23, in a tense and close election race, the results were finally in, but the results are no clearer after its conclusion.

No Clear Winner

The right­wing block made up of Partido Popular (PP), and Vox reached a maximum of 169 votes, while the leftwing bloc made up of the So­

Spanish Elections: What’s Next?

cialist Party (PSOE) and Sumar totalled 153 votes. Neither party obtained results from an absolute majority.

PP won with a higher number of votes in total, but this is not a clear path to victory.

Now, the decision is down to pacts that the parties form, as both leading parties do not have sufficient votes to govern Spain as a single party.

PP Falls Short of 176 Votes

As PP has made clear that it did not want to rule with Vox,

despite the two parties governing several regional governments together after the regional elections in May 2023, Alberto Núñez Feijóo does not have enough votes to be sworn in as Spain’s next leader, falling short of the threshold of 176 seats. In his speech, Feijóo said that he wants to claim his right to become the next leader of Spain since he won with a majority of the popular vote.

PSOE’s Success Relies on Pro­Independence Parties

Meanwhile, the PSOE must form pacts with other parties and can govern with the support of Sumar, Catalan and Basque independence parties, the ERC, Bildu, PNV and BNG (other regional parties) despite not obtaining the highest votes.

The success of PSOE hangs

heavily on the Junts party decision, led by Carles Puigdemont, the former Catalan president who fled to Belgium after holding the referendum in October 2022 on Catalan independence, a move that sparked controversy and created fissures in Spain between the left and right. Puidgdemont has already stated that he would neither support the PSOE nor PP and now his decision may have a significant impact.

Pedro Sánchez, the PSOE candidate and current Prime Minister, celebrated a victory, saying, “We have won more votes, more seats and a higher percentage than four years ago.”

Yolanda Diaz of Sumar said, “Many people were worried, and tonight, they will sleep more soundly,” regarding na­

tional and international concerns about a right­wing bloc forming between PP and Vox.

Meanwhile, the leader of Vox, Santiago Abascal, who lost popularity compared to the 2019 elections, criticised the PP government in his speech and warned that “Pedro Sánchez, even after losing the election, could still block the formation of a government.”

Record Voter Turnout

With a 70.33 per cent voter turnout that was four points higher than the 2019 elections, and despite scorching hot temperatures in the middle of July, in the peak of summer holidays, 24 million people cast their ballots, including by post in one of the record­breaking numbers of mail votes cast in Spain.

With such close results, a likely outcome may be a call for new elections, with Pedro Sánchez remaining in Moncloa as Prime Minister.

PEDRO SANCHEZ: May remain in Moncloa as Prime Minster.

The best white wine

RECOGNISED as the Best Wine of Spain in 2022 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Ramón do Casar winery’s location may come as a surprise.

Riding on the success of last year, the González family, wants to make the leap to the international market and continue to conquer palates around the world with its vintages, according to a news source.

In the middle of the last century, Ramón González emigrated from Galicia to Venezuela to find a better future. Proud of his land and his origins, he always kept the link with the place where he grew up. With the money he saved on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, he invested in farms and land near Galicia’s Miño River that he himself worked when he was younger. The goal: to build a winery near Ourense.

In 2000, Ramón’s three sons, Moncho, Etelvino and Javier González Sabucedo, took the reins of the business with the aim of producing ‘the best possible white wines.’ They grouped all those vineyards together and acquired new ones until they reached a total of 25 hectares to build ‘a good winery’ where they could make ‘a great wine.’

To achieve this, they relied on the experience of the wine expert, Pablo Estévez and the help of the Santander Bank.

Ramón Do Casar proudly, and quite rightly announced their achievement on Facebook: ‘Best in Show en los Decanter World Wine Awards’.

Galicia’s Ribeira Sacra (Sacred River), so named due to the many monasteries which populate the area, has a long and ancient history of wine production going back to Roman times.

The two most prevalent varieties are white wines such as Godello and Albariño; and Mencia, a rich fullbodied red.

WINERY: On farming land near Galicia’s Miño River.

Spanish tradition ‘Sobremesa’

Catherine McGeer

IN Spain, eating is not just a necessity but a beloved pastime. The country’s gastronomy holds a special place in its cultural heritage. Central to this culinary tradition is the practice of spending hours around the table after a meal, known as ‘sobremesa’. It is a cherished custom that epitomises the Spanish way of life.

The beauty of sobremesa lies in its ability to bring people together. Whether the conversation revolves around the events of the week, the latest gossip, or even the sometimes­dreaded topic of politics, sobremesa is an integral part of the Spanish heritage. Its magic lies in the way it effortlessly blends the pleasures of good food and lively discussions.

The Romans began the concept, following their lavish feasts, they would enjoy spectacles of artistry, featuring acrobats, dancers, actors, and poets.

These post­meal entertainments added to the splendour of sobremesa. During medieval times they continued this tradition, it was also during this era that the tradition of spending time before lunch emerged, ultimately influencing the practice of tapas in Spain.

Today, sobremesa remains an integral part of Spanish culture, embodying the values of social connection, unhurried enjoyment, and appreciation for good food and company. It is a time for families and friends to gather, sharing stories, engaging in spirited discussions, and relishing

the simple pleasures of life. When visiting Spain, immerse yourself in the magic of sobremesa. Embrace the lingering conversations, the laughter, and the joy that comes from taking the time to savour the experience.

SOBREMESA: Unveiling the cherished Spanish tradition.

Photo credit: Pexels/Askar Abayev

24 million Spaniards voted in person, 2.4m opted for mail-in voting

Free concerts in Alicante

THE Plaza del Ayuntamiento in Alicante, will host a performance by the Municipal Symphonic Band, on Thursday, August 10 at 7pm.

The Municipal Symphony is one of the three professional musical groups that exist in the Valencian Community, and is considered one of the most prestigious bands in Spain.

The concert is entitled ‘Remembering Nino Bravo and Frank Sinatra’, and will include a medley of hits from Sinatra.

It is part of a free programme of Summer Nights concerts.

On Sunday, August 13, the band will host another free concert at the same venue at 7pm, with a night of themed movie music.

Campoverde Summer Club A Week of music

THEY say it takes a village to raise a child; well, in Campoverde it takes the village to make sure the children have all they need for their annual Church Summer Club. Recently, the church received a number of items needed to get its summer club started.

Given the hot weather in Spain during August, they needed something to shade the children during their afternoon activities in the church garden. They were delighted when a local business, Bits and Bobs Construction and Handyman Services quickly offered to donate two gazebos. The church was very grateful to ‘Bob the Builder’ for this very generous donation.

Each year the church is always looking for new ideas and ways to involve the kids. This year one of their themes will be God in nature and ‘in the church garden’. Firstly they needed nesting boxes for birds and then an insect hotel. When they designed them they needed someone who had the woodworking skills to produce

the frames, but more importantly they needed someone with a strong community focus to take on the task.

There was only one man they had in mind. Alan Harris. Alan, willingly made all the nesting boxes, and then stepped up to the mark again and made the frame of the insect hotel. Alan has used his skills and commitment to help the Church and the wider community. Thank you, Alan.

The church has received many other donations and offers of help which they will report on as the Summer Club

progresses.

Campoverde Church in the Community Summer Club runs each year for kids in the village. This year it is taking place on the first four Thursdays in August 3, 10, 17, 24 from 10am to 3pm. Each day there is a programme of morning sports and games, lunch and then afternoon crafts, all with a sprinkling of God. Registration for the Summer Club is free but they rely on the generosity, support and input of the community. If you would like to know more, contact Maggie Dew on mag gieruthdew@hotmail.com

IN Elche, the nights of the Hort de Baix return from Monday, August 7 to Monday, August 14, with a line­up featuring established artists such as Bertín Osborne, Umberto Tozzi and Mojinos Escozíos, the best tributes of the moment such as El Canto de El Loco or Abba, and shows such as DJ’s 80s Music or the Kiss FM Party.

Most of the concerts will be free, and the paid ones will range from €7, as is the case with the Tribute to Abba or the Santi Rodríguez show.

The price of the concert tickets for Bertín Osborne or Umberto Tozzi will be €15.

“We have tried to recover the essence of the Hort de Baix as we all know it and that is why we have put together a powerful line ­ up this year” said Inma Mora, councillor for fiestas, who added that “after the concerts, both paid and non ­ paid, the party will continue with free sessions by various DJs.”

Tickets can be purchased from imaginatick et.janto.es.

Image: Orihuela Town Hall

Bob the Builder delivering the new gazebos.

Credit: Elche city Council

Inma Mora reveals the lineup.

THE Legends of Rock Festival brings together the most respected artists and groups, both national and international, and will be on August 9, 10, 11 and 12. The event has been taking place for several years at the municipal sports centre in Villena, located in the northwest of the province of Alicante .

Since its inception in 2006 , the festival has grown to become an essential event for metalheads and rockers in the country. Some of the most iconic bands in the world have performed on its stage, which has led this great event to become one of the best rock festivals in the entire country.

Throughout its history, this festival has hosted groups such as Megadeath, Bloodbath, Sabaton, Nanowar of Steel, Beast In Black, Fozzy, DragonForce, Suicidal Tendencies, Megara, Burning Witches, José

THE terrace of the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMHE) will once again host the ‘Popular Barraca’ from Sunday, August 5 to Monday, August 14, providing thumping music for Elche’s August fiestas and its younger audience.

The DJ lineup starts at 11.45pm on Monday, whilst

Legends of Rock

Photography in Alicante

ALICANTE photography club welcomes the public to a photographic exhibition at the municipal centre of the arts, located at Plaza de Quijana 2, Alicante. The exhibition is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 1.30pm and 4.30pm to 9pm.

The club is a non­profit association whose main objective is the promotion of photography as a means of artistic expression. The experience, knowledge and technical and artistic quality of some of the members are a benefit for the club itself, and for the artistic and cultural sector of Alicante.

tional groups.

A four day pass is €128 and available from

DJ week in Elche

each following evening, the performances start at 11pm.

It is an innovative programme with different musical genres, in order to satisfy different tastes and ages thanks to a cast of renowned national and in­

ternational artists: Malú, World Star DJs, Nervo, Yves V, Brian Cross, Abel Ramos and Hajj.

Remember Fest with DJ Neil and Chumi DJ, Dorian, Mago de Oz, Omar Montes, Luis Fonsi, Rosario Flores

and Vicco.

“Themed DJ music nights every day make up the lineup for Barraca 2023,” said Inma Mora, the organiser of the event.

Tickets for these concerts are €20 an can be purchased on the websites of nitsdefes taelx.com and entradasatu alcance.com

It was created in 1974 at the CEU Alicante facilities, the predecessor of the current University and Club currently has 100 members.

The Alicante Photographic Club has members covering many different subjects.

These are nature photography, street photography, abstract photography, modern photography, 365 (one photograph for each day of the year) and studio photography.

The call for this exhibition had an essential objective: the participation had to be common to all the groups in order to combine a creative effort. Therefore, the theme ‘Light’ was selected.

The result can be seen in the room. 90 photographs from 56 contributors make an interesting exhibition.

Andrea Uróboros, Los Barones, Sepultura, Soziedad Alkoholika, Gigatrón, and many more national and interna­

taquilla.com.

ROCK FESTIVAL: The event is extremely popular.

Credit: Taquilla

IT’S amazing how time has flown, Punjabi Palace at La Marquesa, Quesada, situated at the bottom of the golf course is now in its ninth year and going from strength to strength.

If you’ve not been to the La Marquesa restaurant, then you have been missing out on a treat, as the regular diners can vouch for a wonderful view of the golf course, along with an outside terrace that is just perfect for a spot of al fresco dining during the long summer nights.

The two Punjabi Palace

Superb quality

restaurants are synonymous with serving up superb quality food coupled with outstanding service and a friendly atmosphere for you to enjoy your lunch or dinner.

That’s why they get so many repeat customers, not only English and Spanish, but Scandinavian, Swedish, Norwegian, French, Italian and German all come back for an evening of mazing food and

My Heart Will Go On

EXPERIENCE the ultimate Celine Dion tribute Concert.

My Heart Will Go On is a stunning celebration of the music and life of one of the greatest singers of our time.

My Heart Will Go On is taking place on Thursday, August 31, from 7.30pm until 10.00pm at the Centro Cultural Virgin del Car­

men, 03182, in Torrevieja. For more information or to book tickets, head to the website: / www.tomatick et.es/.

Visit Alicante castle

the wonderful atmosphere. Both restaurants are open daily from noon until late when you can enjoy the popular lunchtime special for only €12.95 per person. At Punjabi Palace II you will find a large outside terraced area perfect for birthdays, parties and weddings etc. They even cater for the younger ones and have a varied children’s menu. There is also a takeaway service available.

This phenomenal production is an outstanding concert that has been described as ‘a powerhouse performance that delivers on every level’.

Taking audiences on a magical ride through four decades of hits that include: The Power Of Love, It’s All Coming Back To Me Now, I’m Alive, All By Myself, Because You Loved Me, My Heart Will Go On and many more.

Don’t miss out on tickets for an unmissable evening as homage is paid to the Queen of Power Ballads, Celine Dion, with a sensational cast and a stunning live band.

Put a note in your diary,

LIVE music, a pirate market and guided and dramatised tours together with gastronomic experiences will be the highlights of summer at the castle of Santa Barbara in Alicante.

The castle will open its doors from 10am to 11pm daily. All the activities programmed by Esatur, who are in charge of promoting tourism in the fortress with the supervision of Alicante Tourist Board, are free.

The pirate market, which was a success with the public last summer, has themed activities for children and adults and special decoration of the fortress for three days, runs from from Friday, August 18 to Sunday, August 20.

In addition, residents and visitors will be able to enjoy live music every Saturday with pop, rock, soul and blues groups, whose admission is free, although reservations must be made on the castle’s website. The dramatised tours are on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9.30pm.

For more information and tour reservations, visit castillodesantabarbara.com.

PUNJABI PALACE: Enjoy lunch or dinner in a friendly atmosphere.

Be careful what you say

A SOCIAL media account is less private than people assume, the UK’s Telegraph revealed.

As Ukip founder Nigel Farage discovered when Coutts closed his account, high street banks monitor customers’ social media after incorporating this right in their privacy policies.

Exclusive Coutts, banker to royals, celebrities and the wealthy, now belongs to NatWest. Thirty ­ nine per cent publiclyowned following a 2008 bailout, the bank maintained that it closed Brexiteer Farage’s account as his views “do not align with our values.”

A dossier compiled by the bank justified this stance by including examples of his Twitter posts.

Farage also wants an apology from the BBC for unfounded reports that his account was closed for commercial reasons. These appeared the day after its business editor sat next to Dame Alison Rose, NatWest’s chief executive, implying that Rose had passed on details of Farage’s financial situation.

The same Telegraph article revealed that the Treasury is examining three more banksMetro Bank,Yorkshire Building Society and American Express ­ which appear to have closed customers’ accounts owing to their political views.

The Telegraph disclosed that the ‘specifics’ of the cases now under review have not been made public, although both Reform UK

and the Brexit Party allegedly had difficulties with their Metro Bank accounts.

The Yorkshire Building Society closed the account of Reverend Richard Fothergill days after he complained to the bank regarding its Pride month messaging.

Reform UK leader, Richard Tice also told the Telegraph that his American Express account had been suspended for some weeks earlier in the year.

NIGEL FARAGE: Complaints to Coutts and the BBC regarding bank account closure.

Photo credit: CC/Nigel Farage, Gage Skidmore

Liberty posts a 10.5% first half growth in expatriates

LIBERTY SEGUROS organised a brunch meeting in Malaga with its main brokers engaged in the Expatriates segment along the Costa del Sol, where the excellent results of the first half of the year were applauded and a very positive outlook for the second half of the year was discussed.

This meeting forms part of a round of meetings with its Expatriates insurance brokers throughout Spain, particularly in coastal areas such as Levante, Murcia and Almeria, Costa Brava, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.

The Expatriates segment encompasses foreign residents in Spain who are real estate owners, tenants or simply spend long and alternate periods in the country. Expatriates constitute one of the groups in which Liberty has a more solid and differential presence in the market that is not only built on a technology­driven, product and advice­based commercial model, but also sustained by a network of brokers who are consolidat­

ed and highly specialised in the needs of this group.

Liberty’s premium volume in this segment grew by 10.5 per cent between January and June 2023, standing at €42 million in car, home and miscellaneous premiums. This solid performance arose from new customers and renewals of existing policies.

Jesús Núñez, Executive Director of Distribution and Sales at Liberty Seguros in Europe, pointed out that

“this positive performance reflects the long­standing and trusting partnership between Liberty and its brokers” and also “a unique business model that provides brokers with Liberty’s digital and data analytics knowledge and capabilities so they can further develop their businesses.” On this point, Jesús Núñez reiterated his “absolute commitment to brokers,” who “are at the heart of offering customers a policy best suited to their needs.”

Rafael Nadales, Regional Director for the Expatriates segment, hailed the excellent results of the first half of the year, which he views as “proof of just how successful Liberty’s model can be combined with the support we give to brokers so they can respond quickly to customers' needs and develop their business through their knowledge and closeness with their customers.” He also explained

that “the Expatriates segment holds great growth potential, so we expect a second half of the year with plenty of opportunities.”

Specialised advice for Expatriates and digital nomads

Liberty Seguros carries a comprehensive range of flexible and modular insurance policies for foreigners working or temporarily residing in Spain. This group also includes digital nomads, who can work in Spain on temporary visas since the entry came into force last December of the Spanish Startup Ecosystem Promotion Act, known as the Startup Act.

Some of the modular insurance policies Liberty can offer to the Expatriates segment include car, home, life and accident policies, including options such as Europe­wide car insurance coverage, or coverage for theft at home or in a public place.

Liberty is a leading Expatriate insurance provider through the combination of business knowledge, the insurer’s technological capabilities and the experience of a broker network.

If you need more information or would like a personalised quote, you can contact any of their brokers or agents or visit quote.libertyexpatriates.es and fill in a short form for a local agent in your area to contact you as soon as possible.

INSURANCE BROKERS: Celebrated excellent results in the first half year.

DENMARK

Vingegaard’s victory

DANISH rider Jonas Vingegaard clinched backto-back Tour de France victories, comfortably securing the title ahead of his main rival Tadej Pogacar. The 26-year-old celebrated with his Jumbo-Visma teammates on the iconic Champs-Elysees, expressing his joy and looking forward to the possibility of a third win.

Rainforest alliance

DENMARK’S Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen showed interest in contributing to Brazil's Amazon Fund during a meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The fund, aimed at combating deforestation, faced setbacks when former President Jair Bolsonaro froze it in 2019. With Lula da Silva back in office, Denmark's financial pledge strengthens international preservation efforts.

THE NETHERLANDS

Plan delayed

THE Dutch government has made money available to provide additional insulation to around 2.5 million homes but there’s a problem! Expect considerable delay due to the rules concerning the protection of bats and birds which may be roosting or living in the roofs or walls of these same houses.

Running to Ukraine

A RUNNER from Amsterdam Boas Kragtwijk commenced a sponsored run from Amsterdam to Ukraine on Saturday July 22, planning to complete the 2,500 kilometre journey in 50 days. The aim is to raise money for a medical aid charity for Ukraine, set up by Ukrainian and Belarussian expats living in the Netherlands.

ITALY

Hailstorm hurts

ON Wednesday, July 19, a devastating storm with hail the size of tennis balls and winds that reached 140kph caused damage to property and injured 110 people in northern Italy. Regional president Luca Zaia said: “The hail that fell was absolutely out of the ordinary, with ice grains reaching diameters of over 10 centimetres in some cases.”

Thief strikes

FORMER F1 champion, Emerson Fittipaldi, 76, was a victim to thieves who broke in on July 13. Reportedly, Fittipaldi, who recently was involved in Italian politics, was not at home when the criminals struck. Burglars stole jewellery and luxury Rolex watches worth around €250,000 from his home in Italy which overlooks the western shore of Lake Garda.

PRESS EURO

BELGIUM

Drinking fish

FOR hundreds of years live fish have been drunk in a cup of wine during festivities called the Krakelingenfeest or Pretzel Feast and the Tonnekensbrand or the Barrel Burning in the town of Geraardsbergen. New Belgian laws concerning cruelty could mean this tradition is stopped for next year.

Likely ban on drinking fish in wine.

Germany’s siesta

No fairy tale

THE Pogues’ legendary frontman has been treated in hospital since late June for an unknown illness. Shane MacGowan, the 65year-old iconic singer of The Pogues was taken to hospital and spent several days in intensive care for an unspecified health issue, according to Dublin Live.

Dead unkind

A MAN in Ireland has been jailed after it was discovered that he dragged the lifeless body of his uncle to the post office in order to collect his pension. A court in Ireland heard how 41-year-old Declan Haughney, and Gareth Coakley, 38, both drug addicts at the time dragged the body of 66-year-old Peadar Doyle to the post office to claim his €246 pension.

Lion scare

GERMAN Health Minister Karl Lauterbach and the head of Germany's medical association propose adopting siestas on hot days to improve health and productivity. The practice of resting during the hottest hours helps regulate body temperature and promotes better sleep patterns. Aligning work tasks with cooler hours may optimise performance and overall well-being.

AUTHORITIES in Berlin issued emergency alerts to thousands of residents to stay indoors as a suspected lion was spotted. However, the search was called off when it was determined the animal was actually a wild boar. Earlier, police believed a video and officer sightings pointed to a ‘big cat’ on the loose.

GERMANY FRANCE

Hot air

THE Chambley Planet'Air aerodrome in France is currently hosting the largest international gathering of hot air balloons in the world. Nearly 700 pilots of 60 different nationalities are expected to attend the 10day extravaganza. The 18th Grand Est Mondial Air Ballons event started on Friday, July 21, and runs until Sunday, July 30.

Goalkeeper robbed

SEVERAL men broke into the Parisian home of PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, in the early hours of Friday, July 21. The 24year-old Italian international footballer was with his girlfriend when the criminals entered their home. They were forced to strip and then tied up. The perpetrators allegedly escaped with an estimated haul of around €500,000.

Windswept rescue

NORWEGIAN Cruise Line's newest vessel, the Norwegian Prima, experienced a brief mishap in Zeebrugge, Belgium, when strong winds caused it to break free from its moorings, leading to gangways falling into the water. Luckily, no guests or crew were injured. Tugboats promptly assisted in securing the ship, and it continued its scheduled voyage.

Apple watch rescue

A NORWEGIAN trail runner credits his Apple Watch for saving his life as it enabled him to call an ambulance after a fall during a run. Unable to reach his iPhone due to the severity of his injuries, he used his Apple Watch to call for help, and emergency services arrived about 15 minutes later.

NORWAY FINLAND

Dog smuggling

CUSTOMS authorities in Finland have uncovered a smuggling operation that specialised in the illegal importation of dogs from all around Europe including Spain. The suspect behind the illegal trade had gotten round the required rabies vaccinations and checks. Authorities suspect the smugglers raked in profits of around €200,000.

Unisex toilets

THE days of gender neutral toilets in Finland are possibly coming to an end. It seems that whilst men don’t seem to care, more and more women prefer the privacy of a ladies only toilet and several commercial spaces are taking note of their customers’ wishes and whilst leaving some toilets as they are, others are just for women.

New hotel

HARD ROCK INTERNATIONAL and Mercan Properties will open a luxurious hotel located in Praia do Vau, Portimão, on Portugal’s Algarve. Construction is set to begin in early 2024 with summer 2026 scheduled for the opening. This venture will feature around 275 luxurious rooms and suites. There will be an additional 150 branded serviced apartments.

Shark spotted

A BASKING SHARK , the second largest species of shark in the world, was recently spotted near the Viana do Castelo offshore wind farm in Portugal. The DirectorateGeneral for Natural Resources, Safety and Maritime Services (DGRM) said these creatures can: 'reach close to 10 metres in length. It is huge, but not dangerous’.

IRELAND PORTUGAL SWEDEN

No prison

GRETA THUNBERG escaped being sent to prison in Sweden. A judge instead sentenced the Swedish activist to pay a fine of €130 for refusing to obey the police during a protest in June. “It is absurd that those who act in line with science should pay the price for it. Who should be charged and responsible for the legal consequences. While the fossil fuel industry can burn up our present and future,” she said.

Embassy stormed

SEVERAL hundred people stormed Sweden's embassy in Baghdad early on Thursday, July 20, and set it on fire. The incident occurred after the powerful Shia preacher and politician Muqtada al-Sadr called on his followers to protest over the recent Koran burnings. None of the embassy's staff was injured.

Credit: Geraardsbergen Council

BUSINESS

EXTRA Linda Hall

Pret profit

COFFEE and sandwich chain

Pret a Manger reported profits of £50.6 million (€58.4 million) for 2022 after making losses of £225.9 million (€260.67 million) in 2021 owing to the pandemic. Sales during the first half of 2023 also rose by 20 per cent to £429.9 million (€496 million), the company said.

Lips sealed

A NATIONAL High Court judge in Madrid is keeping open an enquiry into producer and ventriloquist Jose Luis Moreno who allegedly headed a scheme to defraud banks and private investors of at least €50 million. The judge announced a sixmonth extension to examine all documentation seized during the investigation.

Not safe

AN Aberdeen court fined BP £650,000 (€750,075) following the death of a worker who suffered fatal injuries after falling through an open grating on the lower deck of company’s Unity North Sea oil platform in 2014. The oil company had breached health and safety regulations, the court ruled after an eightday trial.

Not going

MEMBERS of Spain’s Confederation of Business Organisations (CEOE) have voted in favour of removing the existing restriction that limits presidents to serving two consecutive four ­ year terms. This clears the way for its current president, Antonio Garamendi, to continue at the head of the association for a third term.

Argos exit

ARGOS, owned by Sainsbury’s, which is shutting 100 stores between now and 2024, has already closed four stores in England with 34 planned for Ireland. The catalogue retailer confirmed that some will close next month, starting with the Grimsby centre which relocates to Sainsbury’s between August 9 and 10.

BRITAIN’S Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) saved consumers more than £2 billion (€2.3 billion) between April 2022 and March 2023.

According to the CMA’s Annual Report and Accounts, it generated £26 (€29.9) for every £1 (€1.15) it spent, up from the previous year’s £22.50 (€25.9). This was comfortably higher than the UK government’s £10 (€11.52) target and saved consumers around £8 billion (€9.2 bn) over the last three years.

Meanwhile, the watchdog has responded to major issues that included cost of living increases, while launching a project that focused on supermar­

STAT OF WEEK €300 million

Consumer savings

2 and blocking three owing to competition concerns.

The remaining Phase 2 mergers were either cleared after the CMA accepted remedies addressing its concerns or the deals were abandoned by the businesses involved.

SHAREHOLDERS in Avangrid, a leading US energy company which belongs to Iberdrola Group, approved all proposals at the 2023 Shareholders Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts.

ket food pricing.

The CMA also commenced a new mediumterm strategy supporting people, businesses, and the UK economy by promoting competitive markets and tackling unfair practices.

It is now outlining which issues to examine, ensuring

ABERTIS has put in a bid for the concession to run the Attiki Odos bypass and network of roads in metropolitan Athens. Its offer is believed to be in the region of €2 billion.

The Spanish multinational, owned by Italian holding company Mundys and ACS ­ the engineering and construction company chaired by Florentino Perez, president of Real Madrid ­ specialises in toll road management.

Abertis has five rivals for the contract, in which the Australian asset manager Macquarie and Fincop Infrastructure consortium is the frontrunner.

The Greek government initially whittled the number of possibles down to eight, although Fininc, an associate of

Onion effect

SPANISH private equity firm Portobello Capital has entered the agri­foods sector.

The firm acquired Nazca’s 45 per cent stake in Eurocebollas, a leader in processed onions, in a €100 million operation.

At the end of last year, venture capital fund Nazca sounded out the possible sale of a minority stake in Eurocebollas or, possibly, the entire company.

In the event, Nazca divested itself of less than half of its holding and Eurocebolla’s founder, Francisco Alberola remains as majority shareholder and continues to head the company.

that it can achieve real impact for the UK public, particularly those people who most need help.

During the 2022­2023 period, the CMA has scrutinised approximately 700 mergers, investigating 43 at an initial Phase 1 stage, 13 at the more in­depth Phase

Actions included £60 million (€69.16 million) in fines for 10 construction firms who illegally colluded to rig bids for public and private sector projects.

There was also an investigation into whether fashion labels owned by ASOS, Boohoo and ASDA were misleading customers with their ‘green’ claims .

Toll road bid

Abertis is going it alone in its proposal to manage the 60­year­old Attiki Odos roads although it is allegedly sounding out possible partners in Greece should its bid be successful.

Addressing Avangrid’s shareholders, Iberdrola chairman Ignacio Galan ­ who also heads the US company ­ reaffirmed the group’s commitment to accelerating the energy transition, while moving towards decarbonisation.

Galan also reported that Avangrid had invested €2.5 billion in its networks and renewables in 2022. The company would continue to support “a stronger and more resilient grid” for its customers, while delivering “a clean energy future for all,” he said.

Outlook cloudy

OCADO’S association with Marks and Spencer has been disappointing, chief executive Tim Steiner confessed.

another Spanish multinational, Sacyr, has since dropped out. So too has a consortium between two French firms and the Dutch company, DIF.

Inflation falling

INFLATION in the UK fell to 7.9 per cent in June, down from 8.7 per cent in May.

This was its lowest since March 2022, when prices first began to rise following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Analysts had predicted a less noticeable reduction in the headline ratecovering fuel and energy prices as well as food ­ to 8.2 per cent. Underlying inflation calculated on items like processed food, clothing, restaurants and communications also eased although food inflation’s 17.3 per cent was higher than in June 2022.

June’s largely unexpected figures were the result of reductions in the price of petrol and diesel, which now cost 20 per cent less than a year ago.

In comparison, Spain’s inflation rate currently stands at 1.9 per cent, its lowest since March 2021.

Other contenders for the motorway contract include the Greek companies Aktor and Avax, which are currently managing the toll road until their contract comes to an end in 2024. On this occasion, they are forming an alliance with the French investment fund Meridiam substituting Ardian.

Big cash injection

TELEFONICA has injected €762 million in its Mexican subsidiary Pegaso via seven capital increases since 2021.

Pegaso belongs to Telefonica Hispanoamerica (Hispam) which underwent recapitalisation in January after Telefonica Peru lost its longstanding battle with the country’s tax authority.

Shareholders agreed at the time to a fully­subscribed capital increase of 2.3 billion Mexican pesos (€113 million), which was paid in cash by Hispam’s own holding company.

The company undertook several capital increases last year totalling two billion pesos (€98.18 million). Prior to that in 2021, Pegaso carried out capital increases in January, June, September and December, for 13.3 billion Mexican pesos, equivalent to €551 million.

When the £750 million (€866.2 million) joint venture was agreed in 2019, replacing a previous Ocado­Waitrose deal, both hailed the opportunity of creating a “profitable, scalable presence in the online grocery market.”

Marks and Spencer should pay Ocado a final instalment of £190.7 million (€220.2 million) by August 2024 if performance targets are met.

Instead, Ocado has reduced the ‘fair value’ of this payment to £78 million (€90 million), suggesting it suspects that there is less than a 50 per cent likelihood of getting the money.

Windfall worries

TWENTY per cent of savers are hoping for a substantial inheritance to maintain their quality of life.

A survey by Lime Solicitors found that many Britons rely on a legacy from their parents to guarantee a comfortable future. An increasing number would struggle in retirement if they were to inherit little, the law firm’s Debra Burton warned.

Even those who were left more would have to contend with inheritance tax, charged at 40 per cent above £325,000 (€375,296) or £500,0000 (€577,367) if a property went to children or grandchildren, she said.

will be spent by Seat on building a plant in Martorell (Barcelona) to assemble the battery cells that are produced for electric vehicles at Volkswagen’s gigafactory in Sagunto (Valencia).

CMA: Headquartered in Canary Wharf.

ATHENS MOTORWAYS: Spanish multinational Abertis bids to manage system.

Photo credit: competitionandmarkets.blog.gov.uk

Photo credit: Attiki Odos

LONDON - FTSE 100

DOW JONES

Off-the-grid

NATIONAL GRID has sold another 20 per cent of its National Gas holding to the existing majority owners, a consortium headed by Australia’s Macquarie Asset Management. National Grid said the sale would be ‘financially equivalent’ to the 60 per cent stake it sold for £9.6 billion (€11.5 billion) to the consortium in January.

Fine stuff

CATALONIA’S regional government, the Generalitat, is exploring the possibility of sanctioning Spain’s electricity supplier Endesa for allegedly infringing the rules that govern energy self­consumption. Using practices that imposed ‘unjustified conditions, difficulties or delays’ which hindered Catalonia residents’ access to individual energy autonomy could now bring a fine of between €600,000 and €6m.

Tata backs Britain

Linda Hall

TATA GROUP has chosen the UK as the location for its first gigafactory outside India.

One of the largest ­ ever investments in the UK automotive industry, which was officially announced on July 19, the plant will create up to 4,000 new direct jobs, and thousands more in the wider supply chain for battery materials and essential raw minerals.

At 40GWh, the £4 billion

(€4.6 billion) plant will be one of the biggest in Europe, while also guaran ­

teeing UK­ produced batteries for another Tata Sons investment, Jaguar

Grain deal apprehension

AS Russia suspended its grain agreement with Ukraine, Spain’s grain­based industrialists began to worry about future supplies.

“Spain is a major importer of cereal grains,” said Jose Manuel Alvarez, director of Spain’s Grains and Oilseeds Trade Association (Accoe).

“As Ukraine is one of our main sources we shall have to keep a close watch on future developments.”

Prices would inevitably rise, he said, although supplies were currently guaranteed, as the sector’s production campaign runs from July to July.

For the first six months of the year, grain comes from Latin America, principally Brazil, Alvarez explained, but during the second half it is imported from Ukraine.

“Problems could start in January next year,” Alvarez predicted.

Best yet

Land Rover cars, as well as other manufacturers throughout the UK and Europe.

“We can be incredibly proud that Britain has been chosen as home to Tata Group’s first gigafactory outside India, securing our place as one of the most attractive places to build electric vehicles,” Britain’s prime minister Rishi Sunak said.

Work on putting up the huge new factory in Bridgwater (Somerset) is likely to begin “very soon” according to local MP Ian Liddell­Grainger, who was quoted in Somerset Live.

“Our multi­billion­pound investment will bring state­of­the­art technology to the country, helping to power the automotive sector’s transition to electric mobility, anchored by our own business, Jaguar Land Rover,” Natajaran Chandrasekaran, Tata Sons chairman, said.

BANKINTER concluded the first half of 2023 with profits of €418 million, a 54 per cent increase on the same period last year and the bank’s best ­ ever figures for the period between January and the end of June.

This result also took into account the €77.5 million ‘windfall tax’ on last year’s profits which fell due in 2023.

Bank note

THE Bank of England paid out £25 million (€28.8 million) in staff bonuses despite warnings from its governor, Andrew Bailey, that employers needed to show ‘restraint’ over wage rises as inflation continued to rise.

The Bank confirmed that 429 employees were given annual bonuses of more than £10,000 (€11,514) in the past year, with some receiving £22,500 (€25,907).

JAGUAR-LANDROVER: Batteries assured for its electric vehicles.

Photo credit: Jaguar Land Rover

NEATER HEATER WANT ‘SQUIRRELS’ AS CUSTOMERS

RICHARD and Tony from NEATER HEATER are urging all our readers to start preparing for next winter now. “We really want peo ple to imitate SQUIRRELS,” said Tony “As we know; all the other woodland crea tures just laze about in the summer, relaxing. So when the winter comes they have to furiously compete with each other for the scraps left over or hide ­ away and hiber nate, waiting for next summer. But not the squirrels! Squirrels plan for the winter by hoard ing nuts, berries and seeds in the summer, so when winter comes they are well prepared for it, and are able to enjoy themselves on

SQUIRRELS: Are well prepared for the winter during the summer and so should you be.

those nice bright winter days when the sun does come out. They are obviously the wisest creatures in the wood. And that is what we want our customers to be.”

“What Tony is trying to say,” interjected Richard, “is that when winter finally arrives in Spain, Northern Europe has been cold for months. This means that Chilly Czechs, Frozen Fins and Shivering Swedes have been stripping the shelves for months. Every year we have panicking customers calling us in December, des ­

perate to have heaters supplied and fitted by Christmas. Frequently these customers have to compromise on their choice, or be put at the back of a long queue. Every year we think to ourselves ­ ‘It’s a shame you didn’t order them in the summer when we had loads of them in stock and, equally as important, the time to process the orders’.”

NEATER HEATER is the sole Spanish distributor for BEHA and ADAX NEO convector heaters. We currently have more stock than ever before at various locations, just waiting for the ‘squirrels’. Please feel free to call us on 634 312 171 for more information, or visit our website www.neaterheater.es , or email info@neaterheater.es.

Advertising Feature SUMA (COUNCIL TAX) IS NOW DUE

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. Three Time Prestige Award WINNER for Real Estate Agency Of The Year 2021/22, 2022/23 & 2023/24. Luxury Lifestyle Awards WINNER, Alicante Spain 2023.

From July 25 through to October 10, there are property related bills that are due to be paid through the Suma office.

IBI (Impuesto Sobre Bienes Inmuebles); Often referred to locally as SUMA = Council Tax.

Although the

voluntary payment term is between July 25 and October 10, the direct debit for the ‘Suma’ (Council Tax) bill is usually debited from your bank account towards the end of September to the beginning of October. This payment is for the year starting from January through to December.

If you sell your property at any time during the year, this bill will be divided appropriately between the home seller and the buyer.

If you haven’t set this payment up as a direct debit, you can pay it online with a credit card, directly through the SUMA website: suma.es. To make things even easier, their website is in English too!

WILL something ever be done about these ludicrous UK ‘human rights?’ To be honest I hardly know what the phrase actually means. And there of course lies the true problem.

The more obscure and complicated any point of law can be, the more the money grabbing lawyers can exploit them ­ which of course make them the last people on earth who would want them clarified. In fact, complexity and confusion in matters of law is like money in the bank for this unscrupulous bunch of legal parasites.

The Rwanda fiasco poured yet more profits into their ever ambitious currency grabbing vaults. Lawyers (who else) stepped in and declared that a large number of these illegal immigrants shouldn’t be deported because their ‘uman rites’ had been denied.

This legal Mafia, no doubt once again riding high on tax payer’s money; subsequently presented their case and the British courts have now agreed. The whole expensive plan to export asylum seekers to Rwanda has now sunk

Human rights

under a sea of obscure laws and ‘uman rights. Not surprisingly this has created an ocean of opportunity that is now promoting a brand new source of riches for these privateer gannets. Floating accommodation, which will no doubt develop into their next legal piracy campaign. I dread to think of the numbers of them brushing up their life jackets and briefcases to scramble on board for their latest money grabbing cruise.

As usual the thing that once more emerges from the actions of these despicable con merchants is that they yet again find themselves in a win win situation. Lawyers of course never lose. Well it’s about time they were curbed. From their persecution of our brave servicemen, to getting murderers and rapists released back on the streets, most of these people are not interested in justice, all they are concerned with are their own self­centered ends ­ and the human rights laws are a licence for them to print (tax payers) money. Well I think that these ‘rights’ should be resolved during trial.

Judges should have the power to decree human rights ‘denied’ or ‘minimal’. Lawyers receiving legal aid remuneration from the public purse should also have their fees capped at a reasonable level. Weed out the ambulance chasers and those without any moral conscience whatsoever and their ill­gotten gains could be put toward the branches of law and order that put the law abiding public first. Not as a means for lawyers to buy another villa in the south of France!

Many thanks for all your recent letters. Particularly those of you who have sent such kind and caring messages concerning my recent accident which resulted in a broken shoulder. Wonderful attention from our local hospital services. Thank goodness it didn’t happen in the UK. Mix their NHS problems with their money grabbing union leaders and lawyers and I’d probably still be waiting for treatment.

Keep the faith.

Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com expatradioscotland.com

Mon. Fri. 1pm till 4.

TAKING A TOLL OUR VIEW

THERE seems to have been a great deal of confusion and mind changing over the matter of the introduction of charges on certain currently toll free motorways in Spain.

The European Union is determined that every major Spanish motorway will charge drivers for their use by 2024 in a move to try to reduce the number of cars on the road and therefore the amount of pollution.

Euro Weekly News has its headquarters on the Costa del Sol where the main motorway, the AP7, not only charges but is allowed to increase the tolls charged at Easter and the summer.

Currently the inflated summer cost to travel from Fuengirola to Manilva is €17.25 which is a 76­kilometre journey.

You can travel on the A7 which is free and allows you to drive from Malaga City to Algeciras and part of the journey is shared with cars

on the AP7.

The fact is many drivers choose not to pay to travel on the AP7 which means that the A7 is constantly backed up with traffic in both directions, with some guaranteed huge traffic jams which add rather than reduce the pollution generated by cars, lorries and of course the annual pilgrimage of workers from Spain, France and Italy heading for the ferries to Morocco and back.

The actual roads themselves are not in a good state of repair and it seems that little of the money generated from the tolls is actually diverted to ensuring that the highway is in good condition.

Regardless of which party or parties triumphed in last Sunday’s General Election, it seems more than likely that there will be an ongoing disagreement with the EU over the need to reintroduce tolls.

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

Healthy superfoods

ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS: Avocados and nuts.

SUPERFOODS are nutrient powerhouses that can boost your overall health and beauty. Incorporate foods like berries, leafy greens, and fatty fish into your diet to benefit from their antioxidant properties and essential nutrients.

These foods promote healthy skin, strengthen hair and nails, and support overall well ­ being. Don’t forget to hydrate with plenty of water and incorporate healthy fats, such as avocados and nuts, for nourished skin. By including superfoods in your daily meals, you can cultivate a healthier and more vibrant you.

Benefits of aromatherapy

AROMATHERAPY , the ancient practice of using essential oils derived from plants, offers a wide range of wellness benefits for the mind, body, and spirit. Lavender oil, known for its calming properties, promotes re laxation and aids in rest ful sleep. Energise your senses with citrus oils like lemon and orange, which uplift and invigorate. Peppermint

oil is commonly used to alleviate headaches and promote mental clarity.

Tea tree oil, with its natural antibacterial properties, can support skin health. Incorpo ­

them to baths, or using them in massage oils. Embrace the power of these captivating scents to enhance your overall well ­ being and experience the transformative

ESSENTIAL OILS: Enhance your overall well-being.

Perfume application

UNLOCK the secret to smelling divine all day with these perfume application tips. Start with moisturised skin ­ perfume lingers longer on hydrated surfaces. Apply your scent to pulse points like the wrists, neck, and behind the ears; your body heat will help diffuse it. Avoid rubbing your wrists together as it can crush the scent. Finally, less is more ­ perfume should be discovered, not announced. With these tips, you’ll be a perfume pro in no time!

Weekend skincare

LONGING for a lazy, yet effective skincare routine for the weekend? Start with a gentle cleanser to wash off the week’s stress. Follow with a hydrating mask, your skin’s ideal weekend treat; choose ingredients like hyaluronic acid or aloe vera for a hydration boost. While the mask works its magic, unwind with your favourite book or podcast. Rinse off and apply a rich moisturiser, feeding your skin with much­needed nutrients. Lastly, put on SPF if you’re stepping out. Remember, skincare isn’t just about looking good, it’s a self­care ritual. Here’s to radiant skin and relaxing weekends!

Apply perfume to pulse points.

LETTERS

DGT indicates fines are possible

AT last, drivers in Spain can be fined up to €200 for not using their vehicles’ indicators when moving from one lane to another or making a turn.

There are some very good drivers on Spanish roads, but to those of us who learned to drive in other parts of Europe, especially the UK, the use of indicators was drummed in to us if we wanted to gain a licence.

It has taken the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT), some time to decide that enough is enough and that there is

Comments

Lorry drivers are the absolute worst, not only do they hit the indicator as they turn the wheel, they just veer out without checking their mirrors! As they have so many blindspots, they should be constantly monitoring the traffic behind them. I’m aware of the blind­spot, so I always signal my intention to overtake, and pull over with plenty of distance so they can see me coming, but the problem is often they aren’t paying attention and just suddenly change lanes carelessly. Unfortunately, I have to drive hundreds of KM a week and many times I’ve almost been taken out by this particular action, or because they’re swerving all over the road, not staying in their lane. They cause so many accidents, deaths and complete chaos when they crash, or catch on fire. A lot more should be done to regulate them and educate them to:­ Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre! Concha

Spanish drivers are a complete law unto themselves. Once cocooned in their little tin box, the roads and all surroundings belong to them and them alone. They have to be the worst drivers in Europe! Of course, when a family member is not allowed to teach them and they have to attend a driving school which costs money, how many actually have a licence?

Ian Hannah

Was expecting a few thousand comments on this one, :):).

Driven in a lot of differing countries, but Spain is the worst for indicator use, or not as per norm. No realisation there is a degree of precognitive thought process required to carry out this action correctly.

DJH

It is time the authorities took this action. I have seen far too many ‘near misses’ because a driver has failed to indicate their intentions.

Spanish drivers are the worst I have encountered for not using their indicators. Do

no charge for using the indicator, but there could be a €200 charge for not using it.

According to the DGT, over the average life of a vehicle, the indicators can be used up to 200,000 times and they are there for a safety reason and need to be used with plenty of advance warning, not just at the last minute.

This thorny subject has been discussed by the readers of Euro Weekly News many times over the years and below, you will find the most recent.

they know what the little stick on the side of their steering column is for?

Mike Brister

Maybe they should show Spanish drivers where the indicators are on the steering column first.

John McLean

Maybe this piece should be in Spanish.

Eleni Lolkema

OMG well the police are going to be rolling in it lol what about using roundabouts correctly as well in fact how to learn to drive lol.

Kim Reilly

In the campo, where we live, the police could have a field day, as no one uses their indicators ­ you have to guess where they are going!!?

Angie Ellacott

Do the fines apply to the police? Can they give themselves tickets as most never use their indicators.

Sheree Ruiz

Funniest thing I’ve read in ages.

Andrew Weller

Should apply to all road users including cyclists and scooter riders.

David King

About time.

Michael Hunka

Yeah right! Let’s see how many take notice.

Lorna Button

Loadsamoney will be coming in not from the Brits. We know the right way to do things.

Gill Stevens

Thought Spanish cars only came with a horn .

Steven Barker

PETS

Dog-sitters care for your pets at home

GILLIAN loves her Westies, and likes for them to be cared for at home when she travels. She chooses HouseSitMatch because sitters are checked, and she is happy to exchange free accommodation for free pet and home care. It’s a win win! Her house­sitters are for free because she is part of the HouseSitMatch network.

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.

Heroes seek homes

THEY’VE served, protected, and now they’re ready to snuggle! Spain’s retired police dogs are trading their badges for comfortable beds in loving homes. After years of rigorous work, these canine heroes are seeking retirement amidst family warmth and affection.

now deserves a peaceful life full of belly rubs and fetch games.”

Welcoming a retired police dog into your home is not just about adopting a pet. It’s an opportunity to show gratitude to these unsung heroes. These dogs,

known for their discipline and training, make wonderful pets, offering a unique blend of companionship, loyalty, and courage. Retiring from service doesn’t mean retiring from life.

Spain’s retired police dogs are ready for their second in­

How does it work?

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

Trustpilot Testimonials ­ 4.9 / 5 Excellent 10 out of 10 for housesitmatch.com

“I have had nothing but good and helpful service from the people who run this site, and my experience has been excellent.” Tristram Cosgrave ­ Dog and cat owner, Malaga

How do you join?

Please register online via our website www.Housesitmatch.com.

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

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Specially trained to fight crime, find missing persons, and detect drugs or explosives, these dogs have dedicated their lives to keeping the community safe. Now that their service has ended, they’re ready for the next adventure: becoming family pets.

Various organisations in Spain, such as Fundación ONCE del Perro Guía (FOPG), have taken the initiative to rehome these retired servants. They ensure that these dogs find families who can provide the love and care they’ve earned after years of duty. Officer Miguel Sanchez, who recently retired his partner, a German Shepherd named Bruno, said “Bruno has done his duty, and

Gillian prefers to have her pets cared for at home.

POLICE DOGS: Make wonderful pets, offering companionship and loyalty.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS

APPLIANCE REPAIRS

BALUSTRADES

CLEANING

BLINDS

BUILDERS

BLINDS

GLASS CURTAINS & SCREENS

ARCHITECT

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

throughout the 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.aacostablanca.org (93323)

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_campello@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.givinglight.com.(10006)

11.00am. All nationalities welcome - Contact 966 752 543 / 966 799 273. For other church matters phone: 966 799 273 / /617 215 463 www.icatorrevie ja.org (95476)

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: 2009-SG/A (95463)

ROYAL Air Force Association

es/orihuela-costa - covering from Punta Prima to San Javier. More info can be found on branch website www.ori huelacostarbl.co.uk. (95457)

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Gran Alacant & La Marina Branch. For info, contact the branch Secretary at granalacant.secre tary@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: inkinspain@yahoo.co.uk (10004)

ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION

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.e s (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@rea chouttorrevieja.eu. Opening Hours: 10am to 1.30pm. 1 Calle Bella Antonia, 03183 Torrevieja (302882)

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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@beneficialin suranceinspain.com or visit www.beneficialinsurancein spain.com for online quote. (303574)

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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@glpvalencia. com Tel 600 841 064 (95477)

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.helpvegabaja.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

CHARITY

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 8 00 018 2361. (238593)

ROYAL BRITISH LEGIONWhy 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 tbuddyhhvisits@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://branch es.britishlegion.org.uk/branch

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 rnatorre vieja@aol.com (95455)

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: torrevieja strokesupport.org. We are always looking for volunteers who have the skills and knowledge to support. (95473)

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 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.spiritu alistcentre-benijofar.com Telephone 711 060 171. Email martindroute66@hot mail.com. Fiscal G54713789

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 lifedamaging everything that is important to you. Englishspeaking AA meetings are held

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HOME IMPROVEMENTS

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

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MOTORING

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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)

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SPAS & JACCUZZIS

INSURANCE

Skoda Kamiq - it’s made style affordable

ROAD TEST

by Mark Slack

NAMING your car after a word meaning ‘Something that fits perfectly’ (in the language of the Inuit people) is quite a bold move, but not one Skoda needed to fear with their Kamiq. The Kamiq feels classier than its equivalent VAG stablemates. There’s little in the way of cheaper finishes inside or out and its smoother, more streamlined design makes it a stand out compared to other compact SUVs.

Four trim levels from a low price starting block of just £22,780 see all models having LED lights, cruise control, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth, air conditioning and powered and heated door mirrors.

There are two engine options of 1.0­litre and 1.5­litre with three power outputs and both manual and automatic gears. Nice, typically Skoda, features include hidden rub­

ber strips that automatically pop out as you open the doors to protect their edges, an umbrella in the door and an ice scraper in the fuel filler cap. Most ver sions even have a re movable, recharge able torch that lives in the boot.

My particular test model was the top­of­theMonte Carlo with 1.5­litre, 150PS en gine and six manual gearbox. The finishing touch was the rather vibrant Phoenix Orange metallic paintwork which in it self was actually quite suited to the Kamiq, although it did clash somewhat with the red flashes on the seats!

Colour clashes apart the Kamiq drew lots of admiring glances, which is quite a feat nowadays when so many modern cars are only different because of the badges they wear.

Standard fare on the

Model: Skoda Kamiq Monte Carlo

Engine: 1.5-litre TSi petrol 150PS

Gears: 6-speed manual

Price: €30,099/£26,065

Performance: 0-100 kph (62 mph) 8.1 seconds/Maximum Speed 215 kph (134 mph).

Economy: Combined 6.01 l per 100km/47 mpg

Emissions: 137 g/km

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

the most stylish and comfortable sports seats you’re ever likely to find.

Priced at €30,099/£26,805 my car’s option list bumped the price to €32,761/£28,370, but that did include over €1.1k/£1k for a detachable tow bar and a similar figure for the vibrant paint finish.

On the road the Monte Carlo’s 1.5litre TSi power plant is a spirited performer with the benchmark 62 mph passing by in whisker over eight seconds. It smooths bumps with aplomb and the handling is sharp enough to prove entertaining, possibly helped by the fact it isn’t the highest riding SUV. That said it’s not meant to be a Land Rover substitute, it’s much more of an all­rounder.

Skoda have really hit on a styling success with their new models and it’s a look that’s as sharp as it is subtle. With Kamiq it’s made style affordable.

SKODA KAMIQ: A look that is as sharp as it is subtle, altogether a styling success.

Peugeot E-208

PEUGEOT is ushering in a new era of electric mobility with the introduction of the E­208, its latest electric vehicle offering.

The E­208 is a testament to Peugeot’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, combining the brand’s signature design with cutting­edge electric technology.

The E­208 is powered by a 50 kWh battery that offers a range of up to 340 km (WLTP), making it a practical choice for both city driving and longer journeys. The car’s electric motor delivers 136 hp, ensuring a dynamic and responsive driving experience.

One of the standout features of the E­208 is its fast charging capability. The vehicle can be charged to 80 per cent capacity in just 30 minutes using a 100 kW fast charger. This feature, coupled with the growing network of charging stations, makes owning an electric vehicle more convenient than ever.

Inside, the E­208 is equipped with Peugeot’s 3D i­Cockpit,

offering a futuristic driving experience. The digital instrument panel and touchscreen display provide easy access to essential information and entertainment features.

8,690

The E­208 is not just about technology; it also carries Peugeot’s distinctive design language. The sleek lines, bold grille, and striking LED ‘claw effect’ rear lights make the E­208 a head­turner on the road.

With the E­208, Peugeot is proving that electric vehicles can offer the same performance, comfort, and style as their combustion­engine counterparts.

The E­208 is a significant step forward in the electric vehicle market and a sign of exciting things to come from Peugeot.

Putting it off

Anna Ellis COST-OF-LIVING pressures have forced almost a quarter of drivers (23 per cent) in the UK to either put off getting their vehicles serviced or do it themselves with or without the help of a friend or family member, a new survey of 2,000 UK drivers by the RAC has found.

While 10 per cent have postponed their next car service by up to a year to save money, one­in­20 (5 per cent) have gone further and delayed getting their vehicles checked for more than a year, and are only relying on the annual MOT to ensure their car is roadworthy.

An additional one­in­10 (10 per cent) meanwhile have decided to either start servicing their cars themselves, or called on the assistance of someone they know to do it.

Nine per cent of drivers say have opted for cheaper servicing ­ for instance by swapping a full or major service for a minor one ­ while a similar proportion (8 per cent) have switched from using their normal garage to a cheaper one.

LIMITED STOCK ON REDUCED PRICED DEMO CARS

E-208: A significant step forward in the electric market.

Motorhome s registered in Spain

Harman wins British Open

AMERICAN golfer Brian Harman picked up a whopping $3 million at the Royal Liverpool Golf Course on Sunday, July 23, after winning the prestigious British Open 2023.

Despite horrendous weather conditions, Harman held onto the lead he entered the final day with to batter the rest of the field. He started with a fiveshot advantage and eventually won the tournament at Hoylake by an incredible six strokes.

As a result, the 36­year­old from Savannah, Georgia, picked up the first Major of his career, the iconic Claret Jug, which is presented annually to the winner of the oldest golf tournament in the world.

Rory McIlroy went into this 151st Open as one of the favourites after his victory last weekend in the Scottish Open. The North ern Irishman was without a Major win in nine years.

After birdies on the third, fourth and fifth holes, he looked to be in with a slight chance of catching Harman but, after spurn ing further opportunities, it was not to be.

Spain’s Jon Rahm started today on 6­under, with England’s Tommy Fleetwood close to him on 5under, but both players failed to capitalise and fell well short of the eventual South Korean’s Tom Kim, Sepp Straka from Austria, Aussie golfer Jason Day, and Argentina’s Emilliano Grillo all put in good rounds but Harman was not in the mood to allow any of them to catch him as he put daylight between him and the rest of his competition.

Cameron Young was Harman’s closet rival as play started but the 26­yearold New Yorker could only manage a final score of 5­under, recording a miserable 2­over for the day. In picking up the famous trophy, Brain Harman becomes only the third lefthanded golfer to win the British Open. He joins New Zealand legend Bob Charles who won back in 1963, and the 2013 winner, America’s Phil Mickelson, in that unique group of players.

Women’s World Cup shock

NEW ZEALAND pulled off the first shock of the Women’s World Cup 2023 in the very first match of the tournament.

The Football Ferns won their first game in 15 World Cup outings, roared on by a record number of 42,137 delirious fans at Auckland’s Eden Park on Thursday morning, July 20.

Not only did they win 1 ­ 0 thanks to a Hannah Wilkinson goal, but they did it against Norway, the 1995 world champions, and the favourites to progress as group winners.

If Ria Percival had converted her penalty in the 89th minute after Tuva Hansen was judged to have handled the ball then the result would have been even more emphatic. Instead, she only smashed her kick against the crossbar.

A goalless first half suddenly turned into a thrilling match after the 48th ­ minute cross from Jacqui Hand was steered into the Norwegian net by Wilkinson.

Eden Park erupted into a cauldron of noise as the 31 ­ year ­ old Melbourne City player celebrated scoring New Zealand’s first goal on home soil since 2015, which incidentally, was scored by the same player.

Frida Maanum had the chance to bring her side level only minutes later, but she spurned a golden opportunity, poking the ball wide of the post.

A diving save by Aurora Mikalsen prevented the home captain Ali Riley from doubling the lead for the home side as they pressed Hege Riise’s surprisingly very lacklustre Norwegian team.

Ten minutes of added time did nothing to help the nerves of the New Zealand players or fans, but as the final whistle blew, they had achieved a famous victory.

Brian Harman winning The Open 2023.

Credit: Twitter@TheOpen