Costa Blanca North 7 – 13 September 2023 Issue 1992

GOOD NEIGHBOURS

THE Benidorm Neighbourhood Council has revived the ‘Exemplary Neighbour’ award to recognise residents whose conduct can serve as a model of coexistence for the community.

Ana Pellicer, the councillor for citizen participation, announced the new call for the award, which was last presented in 2019.

To nominate candidates for the award, any person can submit proposals until Saturday, September 30. The nomination form is available at the Neighbourhood Council offices and the Citizen Participation Department. Proposals must be supported by the signatures of three individuals, including the proposed neighbour’s details, a photocopy of their ID, and a description of the merits that make them deserving of the recognition.

Teresa Garrido, in charge of the Exemplary Neighbour Commission, explained the award’s criteria, emphasising actions related to “respect for people, solidarity, peaceful coexistence, tolerance among citizens, personal sacrifice, dedication to solidarity, and personal improvement.”

From the submitted ap­

plications, the Neighbourhood Council will select three finalists. A jury of five individuals, chosen by the Council Commission and unrelated to any candidate, will make the final selection.

Previous award recipients may also participate in the jury. The jury’s president, preferably the oldest previous recipient, will have a

casting vote in case of a tie. All residents of Benidorm are invited to nominate

somebody who they think deserves credit for their help in the community.

Credit: Benidorm City Council

EXEMPLARY NEIGHBOUR: The award announcement.

€500 raised Flood prevention

MEMBERS of the Oliva, Carrer Santíssim neighbourhood May Cross group, presented a donation of €500 to Javier Catalá, priest of San Roc parish church, on Saturday, September 2.

The money, raised by the group after winning first prize in this year’s Oliva May Cross competition and through organising local quizzes at the group’s meeting place, Bar Amigos in San Roc square, will be used by the church to help families in the local community who most need assistance.

Group spokesperson, Lin­

da Day, commented: ‘‘We are proud to continue the tradition of taking part in the decorating of crosses competition, a tradition enjoyed across many parts of Spain and in Latin America at the beginning of each May.

“We were delighted when we learned we had won first prize and our group decided the best way we could thank local people was by donating the money we raised from a series of social activities, to our local church for the benefit of disadvantaged local families.’’

THE renovation works on the artificial turf at the Calpe football field have come to an end. On Saturday, September 2, the facilities already hosted the presentation of the UD Calpe first team.

The works were delayed by a few months compared to the time originally planned.

It was necessary to modify the contract after discovering that the

THE mayor of Gandia, José Manuel Prieto, convened a working meeting with the Local Police and the councillor for Protection, Security, and Coexistence, Lydia Morant, to coordinate security, cleaning, and infrastructure readiness for potential flooding due to forecasted heavy rain last weekend.

During the meeting, they reviewed the protocols outlined in the new municipal action plans for handling emergencies, which were introduced at the end of 2022. Specifically, they focused on the Territorial Municipal Emergency Plan (PTM) and the Municipal Action Plan (PAM) for floods and forest fires.

The documents, mandatory for a town of Gandia’s size and characteristics, define protocols for responding rapidly and efficiently to adverse situations, with the aim of minimising risks and potential harm to people and property.

Additionally, they assessed the condition of anti­flood infrastructure and highlighted the significant investment of over €30 million made in the last two decades to mitigate flooding risks in the municipality, particularly in the Gandia beach area, which has historically faced problems during heavy rainfall events.

Pitch perfect

old grass removed was not in a good enough condition to be reused on the perimetre of the playing area. In this way, the new conditions of the contract contemplated the acquisition of new grass for the perimetre areas of the foot­

ball field.

The goals and their nets have also been renewed, in addition to the irrigation system. The works had a cost of €468,264.83, of which €248,654.44 were subsidised by Alicante Provincial Council.

Group members with Javier Catalá.

Credit: Peter Taylor

Boar in town

THE body of a wild boar was found floating on the water of Les Salines in Calpe on Thursday, August 31. The population of this animal is increasing outside its natural habitat. The wild boar go out in search of food, where they wreak havoc, even in Calpe.

Seismic activity

THE town of Hondon de los Frailes, on the outskirts of Alicante, registered an earthquake of 2.9 magnitude on Sunday, as reported by the National Geographic Institute (IGN). The incident was recorded at around 11:45pm at a depth of 0 kilometres.

Baby turtles

A LOGGERHEAD turtle nest hatched on Sunday night on Carabassí beach in Elche and 57 hatchlings were born, despite the ‘very adverse’ conditions. As soon as the eggs hatched, the technical team placed the turtles in a safe place, to release them into the sea once the storm had subsided.

Rare babies

A NEW litter of three rock hyrax pups (Procavia capensis) have been born in Bioparc Valencia, the only park in Spain that houses this unknown mammal that is confused with a rabbit. The babies are doing very well and progressing favourably.

Roof collapse

THE heavy rain and wind caused the roof of a house in Elche to collapse. The weather conditions, an accumulation of pigeon droppings on the roof and the age of the property led to its collapse. It occurred in the San Antón neighbourhood.

Grim discovery

THE National Police is investigating the discovery of part of a leg and a hip on the beach of Gandia. Apparently, it was a person walking on the beach who called the police after discovering what could be human remains.

A clearer service

ALTEA Town Council remains committed to enhancing accessibility in the municipality, with the recent installation of soundabsorbing panels in the Tourist Office. These panels are now in place on both the ceiling and the rear of the desk, aiming to significantly improve the acoustic environment within the tourist office, as explained by councillor Xelo González.

The decision to implement these improvements arose from the identifica ­

tion of a pronounced reverberation issue in the public service area, particularly impacting individuals with hearing impairments.

Highlighting the significance of the certification for tourist information offices obtained by the Altea Tourist Office last year, the

Head of Tourism emphasised the ongoing efforts to align with certification requirements. Notably, this certification, like that of Intelligent Tourist Destination and beach certifications, places a strong emphasis on accessibility.

Additionally, the councillor noted that the panel located at counter height features an aerial photograph of Altea’s Old Town, aiding tourist information providers when describing this popular destination to visitors.

Hotel drop Illegal stables

OCCUPANCY data for the first strong month of summer, July, were not so good for Denia hotels.

They were published a few days ago by the National Statistics Institute, and they reflected a drastic decrease in the number of travellers compared to the previous summer, which was only partially offset by one piece of information: the number of overnight stays by foreigners increased. Figures for August have not yet been released.

In July 2022 there

were 71,423 overnight stays registered in Denia hotels, this year they were much lower: at 51,446. However, the number of international tourists rose.

Overnight stays by Spaniards accounted for the drop, going from 57,892 to 35,552, while those by foreigners rose from 13,531 to 15,894.

It must be noted, as clarified by the INE, that the figures from this July which have just been published are still provisional. In fact, they usually take a year to become definitive.

A PATROL from the Environmental Group of the National Police Unit ­ assigned to the Valencian Community ­ located a property in Gandia used as an illegal stables, where there were five horses that were in poor hygienic conditions and were not legalised, so they lacked an essential animal identification microchip.

The officers took the necessary steps to locate the owner of the premises and proceeded to file corresponding sanctions, as the aforementioned property was not registered as a stables, and the

Women’s well-being

ON September 15, at Javea Golf Club, the European Union of Women, Marina Alta will be looking at our health, our well ­ being and how we can improve our quality of life. In the hands of inspirational women practitioners we will consider innovative solutions to the issues which challenge women at every point in our life cycle. From nutrition to exercise, to the menopause and older age there are lessons to be learned, ideas to be shared and stories to tell. All welcome, 10.30 for coffee.

STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

Taxi fare increase

Women’s Health and Well ­ being Event 10.30am September 15 at Javea Golf Club; Forthcoming events: October ­ Tapas with EUWMA and discussions on the ongoing work in Spain, Europe and around the world on women’s issues, November: International Day for the elimination of Violence against Women and Children.

For more information see us on Facebook ‘European Union of Women Marina Alta’ and email euwmarinaalta@gmail.com.

horses were not registered, reported the Valencian government in a statement.

Once the health status of the animals was verified by the Official Veterinary Service of the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (Ocapa), they were microchipped and registered. The government stated that the officers and technical staff will continue to monitor the status and care of the animals to verify that they are “in ideal conditions, and provided for with their basic food and hygiene needs.”

DENIA Council has agreed to update taxi fares within the town. This tariff adjustment, which had remained unchanged since the 2015/2016 fiscal year, was requested by the Denia Taxi Cooperative Professional Association. Following the proposal’s circulation to various stakeholders, including Denia Taxi Association, Radio Taxi Denia, the new rates for urban taxis have been established: Ordinary Rate 1: Monday to Friday (non­holidays) from 7am to 9pm. Rate per kilometre: €1.10. Waiting time per hour: €22.55.

Special Rate 2: Daily from 9pm to 7am Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Rate per kilometre: €1.40. Waiting time per hour: €29.05. Minimum fare: €6. Additionally, there will be a €5 supplement for special nights such as Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

TOURIST OFFICE: The improved office area.

Credit:

Jo Pugh

THE Hydra restaurant, located in Calpe, is the hospitality establishment awarded as the most responsible for sustainability in the province of Alicante, thanks to its pioneering measures in favour of the environment and its activism in the field of the recycling. This is a recognition granted by Ecovidrio, the non­profit entity in charge of managing the recycling of glass packaging waste in Spain, which announced the most responsible hospitality establishments committed to

Restaurant recycling

the sustainability of the coasts, within the fourth edition of the Green Flags Movement and the ‘II Barometer on the hospitality sustainability of our coasts’.

In this sense, Hydra restaurant uses local products, its own organic garden and fish from nearby fish markets in Calpe, Javea, Denia or Santa Pola. It also avoids food waste, using leftover

Lighting up

fruit and vegetables to feed the chickens and the surplus for the staff themselves or donated to others.

And, in addition, much of the furniture and decorative elements come from reused elements. The lamps are handmade, made in the nearby town of Gata de Gorgos. Finally, it also ensures energy savings, both in lighting and water consumption.

Summer clean up

BENIDORM Council’s street cleaning department has initiated a comprehensive campaign to cleanse and clear rural roads, slopes around the Serra Gelada, particularly near La Cruz, and congested parking areas. These areas have been consistently crowded, according to Luis Navarro, the local mayor.

The annual campaign, carried out at the end of the peak summer months, employs two teams of six workers from the concessionaire Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas (FCC). They operate in morning and afternoon shifts,

PROVERB OF THE WEEK

with the more challenging tasks around the Serra Gelada’s La Cruz area requiring safety gear like harnesses.

The campaign, which began this week, is expected to continue through the first half of September. Residents can report incidents related to this effort via email at reservasviaria @benidorm.org.

This cleanup and clearing campaign complements recent work in urban areas like the Barceló, and Murtal ravines, focused on minimising the impact of potential heavy rains.

“A leopard can’t change its spots.”

Means that it’s impossible for one to change their character, even if they try very hard. It dates back to the Old Testament where it was said “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard its spots?”

THE town of Villajoyosa has addressed its lighting issues by replacing nearly 400 lights, thanks to an emergency plan implemented by the urban scenery department of the council in August.

Ana Alcázar, the councillor of urban scenery, clarified that this was an urgent action taken during the summer. They identified 400 lamp posts that had been non­functional for over a year. The plan, executed in collaboration with a concessionary company, involved bolstering technical and human resources to rectify the issues within four weeks. Improving lighting enhances public safety and was a vital commitment made during their election campaign.

8,000km

of high speed railway in Spain.

THE AWARD: For sustainability.

Credit: Calpe Town Hall

Kayakers rescued

LIFEGUARDS from the Javea branch of the Red Cross successfully rescued two young individuals who had ventured out on a kayak to the Cap Negre area, but found themselves stranded due to powerful gusts of wind.

The Red Cross sprang into action following a call from the Javea­based company SVS, which the stranded individuals had contacted through an internet search. They were perched on a rock, providing their location, and SVS promptly relayed the distress call to the local Red Cross. Upon reaching the distressed kayakers, they were found to be in good health but understandably anxious

about their situation. The Red Cross safely brought them back to shore at Cala Portitxol.

In addition to this rescue, the Javea Red Cross have conducted three other successful rescues involving individuals who had set out on kayaks or paddle surfboards from the south coast of Javea. These incidents oc­

Spanish lessons in Campello

WITH the collaboration of Alicante Provincial Council, the International Residents Department of El Campello Town Council directed by Dorian Gomis (PP), offers a Spanish course for foreigners, aimed at the resident community, through popular customs and activities, in order to encourage their participation in

Spanish traditions. The course will take place from September 8 to 26, at the Esatur facilities on Calle San Juan Bosco. The activity is especially intended to address everyday situations. Registrations can be processed until today, Thursday, September 7, at the Adult School (same address) from 9am to 1pm.

curred on a day characterised by heavy rain and strong winds. In each case, the individuals were rescued and safely returned to the mainland using a rescue boat.

The Red Cross emphasised that when strong winds are present, inflatable kayaks and paddle surfboards are more prone to capsizing compared to their rigid counterparts.

Summer activities

Jo Pugh

BENIDORM Council’s summer programmes, courses, and activities attracted 2,106 participants this year, catering for ages three to 16. Conducted primarily during July and August in various municipal venues like schools and sports facilities, these offerings aimed to assist families with work­life balance during the school break.

Mayor Toni Pérez highlighted the programmes’ role in aiding family, work, and social

conciliation during the summer break. The activities included a diverse and professionally­ led range, with municipal staff and specialised companies offering their expertise. Pérez emphasised that the activities were customised to meet the needs of children and young people, serving as educational, sports, cultural, and leisure alternatives while providing opportunities for shared experiences and interests.

The participation numbers

underscored the significant demand for such services and reflected the trust Benidorm families placed in the council’s initiatives for their youngest residents.

The municipal sports schools, running from late June to August 18, boasted 1,290 registered participants. Offerings included aquagym, swimming, beach soccer, multi­sports, kayaking, sailing, and beach volleyball. Swimming and multi­ sport activities were particularly popular.

RED CROSS: Sprang into action.

Credit: Cruz Roja

Benidorm gears up End of summer

BENIDORM Pride is enjoying its next edition, held to celebrate and promote the LGBTIQ+ community, with an expected influx of over 20,000 attendees to the city.

Running until Sunday, September 10, ‘Pride’ will feature seven days of themed parties, numerous events, and a grand Parade demonstration scheduled for Saturday afternoon. The Parade is expected to include ‘more than 20 floats, American drag queens, vintage cars, and motorcycles’. Starting at 5pm from Rincón de Loix, the procession will traverse Paseo de Levante and a section of Mediterráneo Avenue before concluding at the Julio Iglesias auditorium in Parque de l’Aigüera, where the main festival will unfold. Santos Torres noted new collaborations with hotels and local businesses will host some events that previously took place at the Óscar Esplá or Julio Iglesias auditoriums. The event is expected to attract not only British and Spanish visitors but also Italians and French. Torres underlined that “Benidorm has always been a haven for the LGBTI community,” with recent events like the Benidorm Fest and Benidorm Pride Festival contributing to its reputation.

THE ‘Summer Programme’, engaging 144 youngsters aged from 10 to 16 from Benidorm, has concluded. The third and final session, held from August 21 to September 1, featured 48 participants who bid farewell to the programme with an excursion to El Castell de Guadalest, accompanied by youth Department monitors and technicians.

Ana Soliveres, the councillor responsible for the programme, saw off the young participants as they embarked on a trip to the picturesque inland town of Guadalest in the Marina Baixa mountains, which is part of the association ‘The most beautiful towns in Spain’, known for promoting cultural and natural heritage.

During their visit to Guadalest, the

32

Unesco World Herigate Sites in the UK.

youngsters had the opportunity to explore the famous Guadalest reservoir, wander through the village, discover the history and traditions of the region, and visit the Municipal Museum ‘Casa Orduña’, housed in a 17th century building with a fascinating collection of paintings, ceramics, historical furniture, and a library.

The Benidorm Youth Department’s ‘Summer Programme’ ran in July and August from 9am to 2.30pm across three sessions. Thanks to contributions from Benidorm City Council and the Valencian Youth Institute (IVAJ), each participant paid only €30 to take part.

The excursion to Guadalest.

Credit: Benidorm City Council

New surgery for Oliva

THE mayor of Oliva, Yolanda Pastor, and the councillor for Public Health, Teresa Tur, had a meeting with the Autonomous Secretary of Health, Francisco José Ponce and the General Director of Economic and Infrastructure Management, Pedro M López to discuss the project of the new San Francisco Health Centre. The meeting took place in Valencia, at the Ministry of Health.

“We signed the protocol for the new health centre on August 11 and the works started immediately and, therefore, in a little less than a year and a half the new health centre that Oliva needs so much will be a fact,” affirmed the mayor.

The Regional Secretary stated that he will make periodic visits during the execution time to see the progress of the works.

In the meeting it was agreed to work together

Surfer selected

AN athlete from El Campello, Joan García Valero, belonging to the Campello Surf Club, has been selected as a member of the National Team to participate in the ISA World Stand Up Paddle (SUP) and Paddleboard Championship 2023 (SUP World Championship), in Sables d’Olonne (France), which will be held from September 24 to October 1, 2023.

The national team, led by Óscar Ruiz and Manuel Simoncelli, is already configured and is made up of a total of 16 athletes, among whom Joan García will represent the junior men’s category.

After revalidating the title of Spanish long­distance champion 2023 in Melilla, the young man from El Campello, a member of the OR Training team, has managed to achieve his highest goal of the season, being the only Valencian selected to participate in the Paddle Surf World Championship.

Cat killer arrested

A 28-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested in El Verger by the Guardia Civil for his alleged involvement in the theft of three cats and the death of another within an animal shelter in Marina Alta. The investigation began on July 26 when the Guardia Civil received a complaint from the shelter about the theft of one cat and the mysterious death of another.

and collaborate at all times in a productive way for the correct development of the project.

The Mayor’s Office stated it would like to thank all the involvement and work carried out by the departments and councillors of previous corporations who have worked actively on this project that had been stalled for so long, and thanks to everyone’s efforts will soon be a reality.

After a series of interviews with local shelters and collaboration with the Local Police, the authorities identified the 28year­old suspect, who had previously adopted a cat from another shelter and reported it missing to obtain a new adoption. On August 1, the Guardia Civil arrested the man, charging him with burglary and animal abuse, leading to the death of a cat. Further investigations uncovered evidence that he had stolen two more cats from the same shelter in July, both of which met tragic ends. The detainee and the case are now undergoing legal proceedings.

PROJECT DISCUSSION: At the meeting in Valencia.

Credit: Oliva Town Hall

THREE hundred kilos of rubbish was collected around the Las Salinas lake in Calpe on Thursday, August 24.

Shocking amount of waste

Environmental monitoring patrols, organised by the department of the environment for Calpe carried out a waste collection day. The 11 people that made up the patrols dedicated the morning to cleaning the perimeter of Las Salinas.

Among the waste collected, the amount of paper stood out, especially advertising brochures. Containers, plastics and glass, and even a mobile phone were retrieved. The action will be re­

THE French cellist Matthieu Saglio began the programming of the Benidorm Department of Culture for the months of September and October on Friday, September 1 in the Assembly Hall of the Benidorm City Council with his concert ‘The cello of a thousand accents’. Present at the event were the councillor

peated in other natural areas of the municipality and as indicated by the mayor of the Environment, Pere Moll, “the idea is to open the day to all who voluntarily want to participate, to turn it into a participatory and environmental awareness­raising day.”

Moll has also pointed out that “we detected a great lack of civility. We all have to do our part and collaborate to keep Calpe clean, in this sense it is necessary to work on environmental education.”

Cello masterpiece

for Culture, Jaime Jesús Pérez, and several members of the municipal corporation.

Saglio has become known as one of the most exciting cellists of his generation. Classically trained, he is consid­

ered one of the precursors of the introduction of the cello into flamenco with the group Jérez­Texas, with which he has performed around the world since 2002.

Saglio presented a musical show centred on the cello, which combined classical tradition with sounds and rhythms brought from his encounters around the world.

The artist offered a series of compositions in which the echoes of Western cathedrals and the ‘souks’ of the Maghreb, Latin American tango and Iberian flamenco reverberated. Pieces in which, as the author himself explained, had roots and influences from Jewish, Christian and French music.

Matthieu Saglio.

Credit: Benidorm City Council

Giving4Giving - the charity that never stops giving

GARY BURR, the president of Giving4Giving has invited everyone to a fantastic charity bash at Jokers Bar in Benidorm on Sunday, October 4 from 1.30pm to 5.30pm. The bash will be hosted by the famous fundraising duo from Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun, Des

Gary, speaking exclusively Euro Weekly News , announced that he will donate €1,000 to five charities close to his heart on the day, but the recipients will remain a surprise until he announces

them at the fundraising do.

Euro Weekly News spoke at length with Gary, at the Benidorm branch of Giving4Giving.

Gary has six charity shops and a warehouse, and it was only a matter of course to find out why this humble man dedicated his life to helping others.

Born in the UK, Gary lived in San Francisco where he ran a pub. He fell in love and got married, only to be dealt a devastating blow when his wife died from cancer at the tender age of 37.

He had been in the United States for 13 years, but decided to return to the UK, where he stayed for two years before moving to Spain. In those following years, he lost his nan, his mum, his best man, friends and his aunt.

It was, however, his aunt leaving him money that prompted Gary to do something to help others, and with that money he opened his first charity shop, promising to donate every cent of profit back into the community. His first shop opened in La Nucia in 2012, and with the help of volunteer manager Linda Hall, the shop became a success. He soon decided to open another and found a shop in Altea.

With an enormous amount of donations, Gary, driven by his charitable spirit, continued opening shops. Apart from running expenses, everything is ploughed into his cause, and so far his charity has donated over €270,000 to local registered charities.

Every month, Gary donates his profits to charities such as Busy Bees, Gandia Men’s Shelter, and Doggy Angels, among many others. He donates to between 10 and 12 charities in turn.

Gary specifically said he would personally like to thank each and every one of his volunteers, and is still looking for more.

Gary Burr at Giving4Giving in Benidorm.

CHARITY SHOPS: Every cent of profit is donated back to the community.

Credit: Jo Pugh

THE 18th

MARQ Excavation

Campaign in the medieval town of Calpe has achieved a significant milestone by completing the documentation and extraction of the entire stone archway of the West Gate on the site. The campaign also encompassed the excavation of the last three tombs discovered within the necropolis area.

The comprehensive documentation and extraction of the entire stone archway of the Puerta del Oeste, partially unearthed last summer, will enable the reconstruction of the entrance arch, reviving a

Medieval roots Bowling news

crucial urban feature of Calpe. This gateway served as a point of access to the Ifach towns.

Concurrently, excavation

A SERIOUS breakdown in the Lucifer well, located in the Vall de Laguar, from where water is transferred to Murla and Calpe, threatened to leave the towns without a water supply. The remote control system for the detection of failures in the network made it possible to locate the problem in time and take action to avoid a water cut.

“Even if there are breakdowns in the water supply network, the company Aguas de Calpe can guarantee the supply thanks to the automated control system, the action protocols in emergency situations, and the speed of the company's staff”, stated Calpe Town Hall on Friday, August 25.

work in the consecrated area adjacent to the Beata Santa María church involved uncovering the last three tombs dis­

Near miss

These elements were key on August 22, when the remote control system for the supply sent an alarm to stop the pump from the Lucifer Well, due to an electrical fault. The electromechanical officers of Aguas de Calpe proceeded to travel to the Lucifer Well to determine the extent of the failure.

Once there they verified the seriousness of it by determining that the pump motor was broken, which forced the extraction of the damaged pump, and its subsequent replacement with a reserve pump.

covered. The tombs’ study is instrumental in unravelling the identities and lifestyles of the men and women who constructed and inhabited this medieval town.

Through the efforts of successive campaigns, a total of 70 tombs with 108 interred bodies have been located, creating a valuable data repository that will deepen the understanding of the life cycle, diet, and daily circumstances of Ifach’s inhabitants.

Since 2005, the Provincial Council has invested over €400,000 in this MARQ­led project.

ON Thursday, July 27, six teams and 42 bowls club competitors began the race for top place in the Blevins Franks Summer Floodlit Triples & Pairs competition. Each team turned out two sets of bowlers and played against the other teams over the duration of the competition, which concluded on August 24.

After playing eight games there was just one point between the top three teams, so there was everything to play for on the final evening. Top team as the bowling started, Spezza’s Mob were looking for two wins, the Pairs came in with a victory 8­4, but unfortunately the Trips were pipped to the post by two shots, so only one win.

The Officials, who had a commanding lead after the first week, slipped into second place and they needed two wins to take back the lead, but it wasn’t to be, winning the Trips but losing the Pairs to The Improvers. The Mavericks, who were in third place before the last game, also needed two wins and fortunately the players managed to deliver the winning bowls to secure the top slot. The evening continued with 43 bowlers and supporters enjoying a spread of Tapas in the cooler evening.

BOWLS COMPETITION: The Mavericks secured top slot.

SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE: The excavations.

Credit: Javea Bowls Club

Credit: Calpe Town Hall

The pump was huge.

Credit: Calpe Town Hall

U3A Marina Baixa is just one of the many U3A Associations operating along the Costa Blanca providing social activities for English ­ speaking expats who have retired.

On Thursdays the Craft Group met at Albir Social Centre where members enjoy sharing their skills with others and learning new skills to create a wide range of crafts. They meet

ALL SYSTEMS GO!

every week at 12.30.

On Monday 11 September the picnic group will be meeting in the Scandinavian Park, Alfaz del Pi at 2.00pm where there are picnic tables and shade should the weather turn very warm again.

One of the Groups offered, Solo Amigos, aims to provide social opportunities for those members who are alone. Chaps, Chats and Coffee plus JUGS (Just us Guys) provide opportunities for the men to meet up to put the world to rights

and for those members wanting to have a little exercise there is a Petanca Group and a Ten Pin Bowling Group.

If you would like to become a member of U3A Marina Baixa why not go along to their next Meeting at the Casa de Cultura, Alfaz del Pi at 11.00am on Monday September 25.

Membership is only €10 for the year.

The Original Charity Shop

IN response to a recent appeal for help, the Original Charity Shop and Library has donated €2,000 to Project4all. This organisation was set up to help the homeless on the streets of Alicante and all along the Costa Blanca. They provide meals, bedding, tents, clothes and other necessities to those in need on the streets, as well as supporting families who are trying to survive on a very basic income.

They have now opened a Half Way House to encourage and assist homeless people to make the transition from the streets back to work.

The Original Charity Shop is situated on Carrer de Nancy 1 in Javea’s Arenal, the Library/Bookshop can be found in Javea Park. Visit their shop where you will find lots of bargains, or pop to the Bookshop for some great summer reads.

They are open Monday to Saturday from 10 to 1pm. New volunteers are always welcome, so if you have a morning to spare why not speak to the manager of the day about joining them.

Oliva Nova Cup

MONTGO Golf Society recently played for the Oliva Nova Cup, sponsored by Oliva Nova Golf. The winner was John Day with a good score of 40 Stableford points, not bad for an old man, well played John. In second place was Alan McManus with 38 stableford points, in third place was Stella Fox with 37 Stableford points. There were two nearest the points prizes on offer at the 3rd and 16th, unfortunately no one managed to find the green on the 3rd, so there was a card draw and the lucky recipient was Steve Blewett. Mick Farmer was the winner on the 16th. Well done to all the winners. Again, this week there were no Twos, so the stock of coveted Mongo Balls remains intact. Next Friday’s competition is the Magic 3 fun competition as the greens at Oliva will be recovering from Hollow Tining which commenced on Monday.

CHARITY SHOP: Supporting families on a low income.

Join in one of the groups available.

Albir loves wine!

ON the evenings of Friday, September 1 and Saturday, September 2, Eucalyptus Park in Albir transformed into a wine enthusiast’s paradise for the annual Albir Wine Lover festival. This highly anticipated event drew in an impressive crowd, with more than 2,500 attendees each evening.

For a €15 entry fee, wine aficionados were rewarded with a wine glass and tickets that could be exchanged for glasses of wine. The offerings spanned different price points and quality, reflecting the diversity of wines available. Amidst the multitude of participating wineries, private vintners, and speciality shops, festival­goers also had the pleasure of exploring an array of fresh food stalls. A generously sized stage provided a platform for live music, creating a lively and enjoyable atmosphere.

Shaded by the park’s enormous trees, ample tables and chairs invited attendees to taste their chosen wines in the pleasant evening warmth.

From delightful bodega wines to exquisite Champagnes, the festival catered to a wide range of preferences.

Euro Weekly News had the opportunity to chat with Maggie and Billy Burns, a Welsh couple residing in Spain, who were relishing their evening in the company of Dutch friends. Maggie said, “The wine is lovely, the prices are good too.”

2nd Largest mountain range in Europe, Pyrenees.

Maggie and Billy Burns (left) with their Dutch friends.

Attendees tasted their chosen wines and enjoyed fresh food.

Credit: Jo Pugh

IN previous articles we have already discussed the cancellation of a timeshare contract, also known as Multi­property. How they work, the possibility of recovering the money paid in duplicate, etc. In fact, our firm has helped several clients to get their money back on several occasions. In this week’s article we would like to analyse a recent Supreme Court ruling

Cancellation of a timeshare contract. New Supreme Court case law.

Duration of the contract. Legal advice. Get your money back. Legal advice.

that we believe is particularly important, as it sets a relevant precedent when it comes to requesting the nullity of timeshares.

Timeshare contract: What exactly does it consist of?

Briefly, a timeshare contract is a kind of shared use contract in which, in exchange for an initial and maintenance fee, one obtains the right to use, for a period of time, an apartment or flat. This type of contract, which became popular in the United Kingdom in the 1960s, is very common in Spain’s seaside resorts.

Regulation in Spain: Law 42/1998 and Law 4/2012

Timeshare contracts were first regulated in Spain under Law 42/1998. This law (which remained in force for 14 years) was abolished by Law 4/2012, which is the law that currently regulates this issue. Over these years, the Supreme Court has handed down numerous rulings on the cancellation of a timeshare contract (STS 774/2014, STS 673/2017, STS 175/2018, etc). However, the vast majority of these rulings have been passed under the application of Law 42/1998. And as we will see below, Law 4/2012 introduced a small modification in its sole transitory provision, the conse­

quences of which are very important.

Maximum duration of timeshare contracts

Both Law 42/1998 and Law 4/2012 establish that the maximum duration of this type of contract is 50 years. However, when it comes to regulating what happens with timeshare complexes prior to 1998, there are slight differences. Under the umbrella of Law 42/1998, the Supreme Court has maintained that the maximum duration of pre­1998 complexes was also 50 years. However, Law 4/2012 contemplates the possibility that, by means of a deed of adaptation, timeshare complexes prior to 1998 may expressly opt to set an indefinite duration. All due to a small difference on

the wording of the said laws.

The specific case: cancellation of a timeshare contract in Holiday Club Canarias Sales

In 2014, when Law 4/2012 was already in force, two people signed a timeshare contract with a company for €53,880.

The complex in question predated 1998, and in 2000, adapted to the new regulations by means of the corresponding deed of adaptation, setting an indefinite duration. The consumers filed a lawsuit requesting the radical nullity of the contract on the grounds that the duration could not exceed 50 years, according to the law.

The Court of First Instance, in accordance with the case law that the Supreme Court had delivered down until now, ruled in favour of the consumers. The same happened on appeal, before the Provincial Court of Las Palmas: since the duration was more than 50 years, the con­

tract was null and void. However, in a judgement issued on June 28, 2023, the Supreme Court has specified that the case law dictated by them until now, had applied Law 42/1998. And that Law 4/2012 (which allows for an indefinite duration) should be applied to the present case, and to all those that refer to events occurring after July 8, 2012.

Conclusion

Although it is still early to draw conclusions, the recent STS 1048/2023 seems to have change the way of claiming the nullity of those rights prior to 1998, which were sold after 2012. If you have a time­share contract, also known as timeshare, do not hesitate to contact us. We will study your case and offer you expert legal advice so that you can get your money back.

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

3C’s Care and Nursing Agency expands to the Costa Calida

SUE REULA, the owner of the 3C’s Care agency, is expanding her area of care provision services to the Costa Calida region.

Euro Weekly News met with Sue and her family to find out all about 3C’s, how it

started, and what drives her passion for caregiving.

Sue met her husband in 1974 in Spain. They had previously purchased land with the intention of building a house in Finestrat.

They decided to build their

house and settled down to life here.

Sue was, in her own words, a “golf widow”, so decided to help in the community by volunteering for Help International of Benidorm, manning their phone lines. Whilst

there, she befriended a nurse called Chris Lane.

It soon became clear that there was a dire need for English ­ speaking carers and nurses, so in 2004, Sue decided that she would start up 3C’s. The nurse, Chris, was more than willing to join Sue, and said “You sort the business side and I’ll be the nurse.” That day, 3C’s was founded.

The business blossomed, with the company gaining a fantastic reputation for its care services, from 24­hour palliative care to helping with shopping, collecting prescriptions and providing support, as well as day to day care.

The years quickly passed as the caregiving business grew, and Sue’s son Ray met Clare. Clare was asked to join the family business, and managed it from 2007 to 2013.

Tragically, life dealt the family a tragic blow when Ray passed away in 2013, leaving Clare widowed with two young children. Clare struggled along, but was wholeheartedly supported by Sue, who dedicated the little spare time she had to help Clare and the children. Eventually, life took an upward turn for Clare when she met Darren, and the couple became a family.

Sue, Clare and Darren glow with care and enthusiasm, and it is quite clear to see that 3C’s isn’t just a business. 3C’s cares passionately about its clients and provides an impeccable, safe and secure service to its client base of around 100 people in need of care.

There are now numerous staff employed across the Costa Blanca area, all qualified nurses and carers. Each mem­

ber of staff is recruited in accordance with Spanish employment laws and has undergone security checks.

3C’s receives recommendations for care from various charities who are searching for carers along the Costa Blanca coast. Now Sue has decided it is time to expand to the Costa Calida area, which, along with new staff they hope to employ, will take the company to the next level.

3C’s is having an open day to recruit nurses, carers and cleaners in the region, and will welcome suitable applicants on Thursday, October 12 to discuss the benefits of joining 3C’s and find out more about the team.

Sue can be contacted on 664 266 991 or alternatively, Clare can be contacted on 619 887 913 if you have any advance questions.

3C’S CARE AGENCY: Sue, Clare and Darren.

Credit: Jo Pugh

Olive oil prices spiralling

OLIVE oil prices have surged to nearly or even exceeding €10 per litre, prompting some supermarkets to attach security alarms to bottles to deter theft. These record prices are making it challenging for many consumers, and supermarkets are already noticing changes in buying habits.

The price of the liquid gold remains stubbornly high, with no relief in sight, as Spain has grappled with scarce rainfall affecting olive crops. Despite olive trees thriving in warm climates, this year’s extreme weather has led to one of the worst harvests in two decades, resulting in a shortage of produce.

Spain still maintains its position as the world’s leading olive oil exporter, driving up prices.

Sergio Cuberos, General Manager of Maskom, noted that while olive oil is deeply ingrained in Spanish culture, high prices are

altering consumption patterns due to their impact on family budgets already strained by inflation. Cuberos emphasised that record prices are leading to reduced consumption, with a litre bottle now costing as much as a good quality bottle of wine.

The primary reason behind these soaring prices is poor harvests. In the province of Malaga, only 30,000 tonnes have been harvested, a 48 per cent decline from the previous year. Adequate rainfall during the initial months of the year is crucial for olive blossom development, fol­

lowed by additional water in October and November, but these conditions have been absent this season. Unfortunately, there is no immediate relief on the horizon. Agricultural associations like Asaja have warned that the outlook for the 2023 ­ 24 harvest is equally grim, with expectations mirroring the current season. European Union forecasts indicate a 54 per cent reduction in olive oil production nationwide, with the average price of extra virgin olive oil reaching €9.42 a litre or more, according to Spain’s OCU consumers’ organisation.

Liquid gold.

Food prices rising

THE percentage of price hikes has been steadily on the rise since January.

FACUA­Consumidores en Acción, a consumer advocacy group, recently conducted a comprehensive study in August tracking the price changes of nearly 1,000 items affected by the VAT reduction in eight major supermarket chains. What they found was quite alarming ­ almost half of the products analysed, precisely 48.4 per cent, had experienced price hikes since the introduction of this regulation at the beginning of the year.

This increase in prices is concerning because, according to the royal decreelaw that implemented this measure, these products were not supposed to become more expensive unless there were genuine cost increases involved.

At the start of the year, only 6.7 per cent of items showed increases, but by

August, this figure had jumped to a worrying 48.4 per cent.

In their latest study for August, FACUA scrutinised 976 prices across these eight supermarket chains.

Shockingly, they discovered that in 471 cases, or 48.4 per cent, prices had risen compared to their pre­VAT reduction levels.

One supermarket chain that particularly stands out in this regard is Carrefour, where a staggering 58.2 per cent of the 163 prices they monitored had increased.

Spain’s autumn time change 2023

Alcampo followed closely behind with 55 per cent, while Aldi, which had previously been a leader in price increases, saw 52.5 per cent of its 59 prices rise.

Lidl wasn’t far behind, with 51.1 per cent of its 64 items costing more.

In comparison, Eroski and Mercadona had the lowest percentage of price hikes, at 44.6 per cent and 37.6 per cent, respectively.

The affected foods under this VAT reduction include common bread, milk, cheese, eggs, fruits, vegetables, oils, and pasta.

THIS year, the autumn time change will occur in the early hours of Sunday, October 29. Specifically, the clock will be set back from 3.00am to 2.00am, granting us an extra hour of sleep from Saturday to Sunday, October 29.

Daylight saving time (DST) was first introduced in 1918, after which it was then abolished and re ­ introduced several times. In 1996, daylight saving time was harmonised throughout the European Union, which moved the end of DST to the last Sunday in October.

While there’s growing consensus that the time change should be simplified, Spain will continue this practice until 2026, unless there’s a change of policy.

The time change isn’t merely about adjusting clocks; it has a direct impact on our body and mind.

Uncertainty looms over

advocate for a single annual change, rather than the current spring and autumn adjustments. It is still unknown until when these time changes will have to be made because various countries in Europe want there to be only one

change, and not two. Originally intended to save energy by maximising daylight, the time change is now under scrutiny. Critics argue that the energy savings are negligible and question the need for biannual changes.

Bread is just one of the affected foods.

Image: Davizro Photography / Shutterstock.com

30,000 sqkm of lakes and rivers in the UK.

FOUR individuals have been arrested by the National Police for allegedly attempting to sabotage La Vuelta Ciclista a España 2023.

The arrests took place on Saturday, August 26, in the Solsones region of Ilerdense, according to a National Police report published on August 29.

The suspects were caught red­handed on Saturday, as they were planning to activate a device designed to spill hundreds of litres of liquid on the road during La Vuelta. The incident was set to occur during the stage between the towns of Suria in Barcelona and Arinsal in Andorra on Monday, August 28.

The device was comprised of two drums, each with a 200­litre capacity, along with a solenoid valve and a timer for activation. Concealed among the foliage, the device also included a hose

Sabotage foiled

its exact composition.

The suspects had taken extensive precautions to avoid detection. At the time of their arrest, none were in possession of a mobile phone, and they had used secondary, hard­to­navigate paths to reach the location where they had set up the device.

that extended to the road, making it difficult to spot. The liquid, similar in appearance to motor oil, is currently undergoing forensic analysis to determine

The arrested individuals were presented before the head of the Court of First Instance and Instruction of Solsona in Lleida on Monday, August 28. The case has been declared confidential, and the suspects are facing charges of belonging to a criminal group, public disorder, road safety violations, and environmental offences.

Sevilla’s ultimate eating challenge

LAST week the Almudaina Bar in Las Cabezas de San Juan, Sevilla, threw down the gastronomic gauntlet.

The Almundaina posted the challenge on Instagram: ‘ We bring to you all a challenge! A challenge anyone of you can get involved in. A 1,5 kg ALMUDAINA SAW.

‘Eat this 1,5kg Serranito consisting of: alioli, tomato, lettuce, ham, pepper, tortilla and chicken or pork fillet esto. Maximum time: 20min.

‘Prize: commemorative challenge bib and €50 voucher to use on @ivan foodchallenge plus your winning photo next to

@cerv.almudaina

Since the announcement, several daring souls have stepped up to the plate. One such individual was YouTuber IvanFood Challenge, who uploaded his latest video in which he not only conquered the original challenge, but did so in spectacular fashion.

Estefania from the Almudaina Bar prepared an exclusive dish for him, weighing in at a staggering 3,050 kilos ­ double the original challenge. The content creator not only proved he could eat just about anything in under half an hour ­ 27.58 minutes to be precise ­ but also showed he

still had room for dessert, polishing off five jars of gelatta.

To enter, you’ll need to book in advance by ringing the establishment at 955 870 265. Be warned: if you fail, you’ll be footing a £15 bill for the serranito.

400 Golf courses in Spain.

FOUR ARRESTED: The suspects were caught red-handed.

Spanish Inheritance Tax

Anna Ellis

ARE you intrigued by the fascinating world of Inheritance Tax in Spain?

Inheriting an estate might seem like an exciting windfall, but there’s more to the package than just financial gains.

The inheritance package can include not only valuable assets but also various responsibilities, debts, and yes, taxes.

This interesting twist can even lead beneficiaries to consider whether they want to accept the inheritance at all.

At the heart of these financial considerations is the Inheritance Tax, a fee based on the total value of the inheritance, which covers properties and more.

To add to the complexity, the jurisdiction of the tax extends to different autonomous communities, each with its own unique set of rules.

Navigating this maze of rules requires a careful look at your local guidelines to uncover potential exemptions, deductions, or reductions in your tax bill.

If the inheritance involves property, whether it’s gifted or bequeathed, get ready for the Urban Land Value Increment Tax, also known as the Municipal Capital Gains Tax.

The responsibility for paying this tax falls on the heirs and recipients themselves.

In an intriguing twist, if the deceased person lived in different places, determining their primary residence in the past five years becomes crucial.

Enter the 1987 Inheritance and Gift Tax Law which outlines tax percentages ranging from 8.65 per cent to 34 per cent, adjusting according to each community’s specific exemptions.

But that’s not all ­ there are also four relationship categories specified in this

law:

• Group 1: Reserved for all descendants and adopted children under 21.

• Group 2: Encompassing descendants and adopted children over 21, as well as spouses, ancestors, and adopters.

• Group 3: Including siblings, uncles, and nieces.

• Group 4: Set aside for cousins and more distant relatives.

Now, let’s take a journey through these tax complexities in this autonomous community.

The Valencia region has created extra inheritance tax exemptions not available in other regions of Spain.

New exemptions that were made available in 2023 are valid for a death after the May 28, 2023.

In the Valencia Region (a particularly favourable jurisdiction for inheritance tax) if we are in Group 1 or 2 we finally reduce the resulting tax

bill by 75 per cent if the estate is received by the children of the deceased and are under 21 years of age.

If the estate is received by children over 21 or by the spouse the deduction is 50

4,000

per cent.

In other words not only do we have an exempt amount but the final tax bill has a generous 50 to 75 per cent discount if we are inherit from spouse or parent.

SPANISH INHERITANCE & GIFT TAX: Your guide to the regional variations.

Image: Vitalii Vodolazskyi / Shutterstock.com

Fiestas held in Spain each year.

A very rare ‘Blue Moon’

ONE of the most important astronomical events of the year occurred on Wednesday, August 31.

The second supermoon of the month appeared in the night sky, better known as a ‘blue moon’. This rare celestial event will not happen again until 2037.

As explained by the experts at Meteored, it was the largest and brightest full moon this year, leading astronomers to call it a ‘perigee moon’.

That is because: ‘The orbit of the moon is an ellipse with one side (perigee) about 50,000 km closer than the other (apogee)’, they detailed. When a full moon occurs at perigee it gives the appearance of being larger and brighter.

‘This moon will be full within nine hours of perigee, making it the closest full moon of the year (357,181 km away)’, they pointed out.

The moon takes 29.5 days to complete one orbit around the Earth, so sometimes there can be two full moons in the same month.

Generally, this happens every two or three years. The other variant is the third full moon of four in the same season, which is also a blue moon, explained a news source.

The ‘blue moon’ on August 31 was visible in most of the world. In Spain, it reached its maximum apogee at 03:36 am local time. However, it could also be seen from

when it appeared on the horizon, at 9.25pm, until it set, at 7.51am.

According to the experts, the super blue moon was ‘14­15 per cent bigger and more beautiful than an average Moon’.

‘The term blue moon has nothing to do with its colour. It is simply the name given to the second full moon that occurs in the same month, or to the third full moon when, in the same season, it produces four full moons’, they explained on the Eltiempo.es website.

A rare celestival event.

Credit: alyssa BLACK/Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0

40% of world olive oil from Spain.

From cinema to gallery

DOCTOR Barbara Bartels­Leipold and Angela Weidner have opened their first joint art exhibition at the Teatro­Auditorio in Beniarbeig, which focuses on Mediterranean impressions, life in Spain and impressive animal motifs on Friday, September 1. It ends with Champagne and snacks on Saturday, September 30.

This exhibition is not only a sign of artistic expression, but also a commitment to Spanish culture and way of life. Dr Barbara BartelsLeipold and Angela Weidner, two passionate artists, have combined their talents to take their viewers on a journey through different facets of life and nature on the Costa Blanca. Each image tells its own story. Whether it is

a simple seaside panorama, an impressive depiction of animals or a radiant Mediterranean scene, each artwork is a window into a moment, the spirit and the heart of Spain.

For some time now, the two artists have been delighting their fans at the art market at the drive­in cinema in Vergel, which also reopens in mid­September. Now they are also presenting their works in their own joint exhibition in the Auditorium Beniarbeig. By moving into this new location, Weidner and Bartels­Leipold show that their works can shine in many contexts and that they are not afraid to expand their artistic horizons.

The exhibition is open during the theatre’s events.

Samaritans with Pride

THIS week is the start of Benidorm Pride 2023, with the main parade taking place on Saturday, September 9 at 5pm. As in previous years, the parade­demonstration will begin at McDonald’s (Rincon de Loix). It will continue along the Paseo del Levante until it ends at the famous Julio Iglesias Auditorium.

This year, Benidorm Pride has chosen Samaritans in Spain as the official charity. In support of this, Samaritans in Spain will be participating in the parade, raising vital funds and awareness. For those attending this popular fiesta,

Centre celebrates

Jo Pugh

look out for their float. As well as the Parade, Samaritans in Spain will also have a stand at the Julio Iglesias Auditorium and a presence at The Benidorm Palace on Sunday.

Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and hand out leaflets providing further information on the work this charity does to support the well­being of others.

Samaritans in Spain provides a confidential listening service to ALL English speakers. Call freephone 900 525 100. Further information visit www.samaritansinspain.com

THE ‘Mare de Déu de les Neus’ civic centre for the elderly in Calpe is marking its 20th anniversary, and to commemorate this milestone, the council has organised a special Cultural Week scheduled to run from Monday, September 25 to Saturday, September 30.

Among the noteworthy activities on the agenda, a guided tour of Ricardo Bofill’s architectural masterpieces takes centre stage, capitalising on the Bofill Year celebration in 2023. Additionally, there are scheduled talks on topics such as Phishing, Dependency and Home Assistance, and Safety Tips for Seniors. The programme also in ­

cludes a gymnastics class and a laughter therapy workshop.

Furthermore, the civic centre’s theatre group will present the play ‘Forecast Reserved’ on Wednesday, September 27, at 9pm. The cultural week will culminate with a camaraderie ­ filled meal at the civic centre restaurant on Friday, September 29 at 1.30pm, followed by the Grand Guateque, a lively celebration on Saturday, September 30 at 9.30pm.

Rebeca Merchán, the councillor for the Elderly, said, “Every year, the civic centre hosts a cultural week, and this year’s edition promises to be especially memorable due to the quantity and quality of the planned activities.”

Credit: Calpe Town Hall

CELEBRATION PREPARATIONS: This year’s edition will be especially memorable

ON Sunday, September 24, l’Ampolla beach in Moraira will host the Spanish Cup of the Spanish Surfing Federation in the Stand Up Paddle Beach Race modality: the Moraira SUP Games.

The official test is also valid for the Mediterranean SUP Circuit, the most prestigious regional league in the entire

Moraira SUP Games

national territory.

The event is run by the Central SUP Sports Club together with Moraira Yacht Club and the Sailing and Rowing Club, with the collaboration of Teulada Council.

From early in the morning, the public will have the opportunity to see the representatives of the different categories in action, from under eight years to over 60.

The athletes will travel a very technical circuit with numerous buoy turns that can be followed from the beach by the audience.

In addition to the categories for those under 18 years of age and the elite

CAZZIE and Doug welcome all to their open mic night, which will take place at La Bresca Restaurant in Els Poblets. The event takes place on Thursday, September 21 at 7pm. €3 entry includes raffle prizes and nibbles.

categories, the test includes the amateur category and also the beginner or Rookie category. For this last category, to which anyone who wants to participate is invited (with or without experience), there will be a board rental service.

Josep Ivars, sports council­

lor of Teulada Council, encouraged residents and visitors to participate in this unique event that is being held for the first time in the municipality.

“A meeting of great relevance at the national level that will bring together in the municipality the highest level athletes of the Beach Race modality of Stand Up Paddle, but that also gives the opportunity to live this experience to beginners and SUP lovers of all ages.”

All information about the test and registration is available at the following web link www.crono4sports.es/info/1 570

Els Poblets singing

A variety of musicians will perform on the night. A full restaurant menu will also be available from 7pm to 8.30pm.

There is no facility for backing tracks. For more information, Call Cazzie on 633 488 448 or email expat_dragon@hot mail.com

An SUP contestant.

Credit: Teulada

Town Hall

Singers Showcase

THE auditorium in Beniarbeig (less than 10 minutes from the Ondara shopping centre) will be hosting ‘Singers Showcase’ on Thursday, September 21. The Showcase will be an evening filled with a diverse range of music from inspirational and uplifting to musical theatre, stopping off at popular music en route.

The whole show will be performed by four different singing groups, all under the direction of Philip Ashley. The theatre group Sounds Familiar will be performing excerpts from their previ­

Jo Pugh

THE English Choir, Teulada return to their regular weekly rehearsals on Thursday, September 7. The choir rehearses in the rooms of the Pensionistas in Teulada, next door to the town hall.

The doors open at 2.15pm and singing commences at 2.45pm under the baton of musical director, John Oliver Edwards and accompanist, Kirsty Glen.

ous show along with a preview of their new show. Also appearing will be two choirs, the Vall Del Pop Singers and Cantãmus. Both choirs will be showing off their own styles of music. Finally the harmony group Adagio will be singing songs from their past and future repertoire as well as hosting the entire evening.

Apart from the Showcase being great entertainment in itself, it will also give you the opportunity to see what is coming up on the Costa Blanca in the next six to eight months, so you can

decide if you want to see more of any particular group.

Every group will be performing their own set separately, except in the Finale when all the groups will join together.

The evening will be helping to raise money for Jalon Valley HELP.

Doors open at 7.30pm with the show itself starting at 8pm.

Tickets are priced at €14 and available on 965 581 483 or online at https://www.philipashley.com/boxof fice.php

English Choir

The first performance of the Choir is a part of the extravaganza ‘Choral Overload’ on Saturday, September 30, at 7pm at the Lady Elizabeth School. Tickets are available online at costablanca musicgroups.com. Having just completed an 11 ­ week season of re ­

laxed drop ­ in ‘Summer Sing’, the Choir are ready to get back singing. A spokesperson for the choir advised “this is the first year we have kept singing all through the summer.

“We’ve also been able to encourage new members to come along and meet us and give it a try.

That’s been very successful for our recruitment, and I’m sure we will be repeating the same next year.”

If you are interested in singing, you can check the choir web page or Facebook page for further contact information: english choir.com or facebook. com/EnglishChoirTeulada

Is your data safe?

John Ensor

WHEN using any app or browsing online, how secure is your personal information?

Duolingo, the popular language learning app, has recently suffered a significant data breach, exposing the personal data of over 2.6 million users.

The security lapse occurred in January 2023 and has put a spotlight on the vulnerability of Duolingo’s API (application programming interface). The API had been exposed for months, allowing anyone to access both public and private user information by simply entering a username or email. Despite this vulnerability being publicly documented by several researchers, Duolingo took no action to rectify it, according to a news source.

In January 2023, a hacker exploited this weakness and extracted the data of 2.6 million Duolingo users. The hacker initially attempted to sell the dataset for $1,500 on the now­defunct Breached forum. However, finding no buyers, the hacker later offered the data on another version of the same forum for a mere eight credits, roughly equivalent to $2.13.

The leaked data includes not just public information like usernames and real names, but also private details such as email addresses, which are not publicly visible on Duolingo profiles. These emails could be weaponised by cybercriminals to send fraudulent messages, impersonating Duolingo or

other organisations, in an attempt to trick users into revealing their login credentials for other digital services or transferring money to scam accounts.

Duolingo, which boasts over 74 million monthly active users, has confirmed the data breach. However, the company has downplayed its significance, stating that it involves only public information. They have yet to explain why they did not fix the API vulnerability or warn their users about the risks they face.

Cybersecurity experts recommend that Duolingo users change their passwords and enable two­step verification where possible. Users should also be vigilant for any suspicious emails and avoid clicking on any links or downloading attachments without verifying their authenticity.

Additionally, it’s advisable to regularly review bank statements and transactions, reporting any irregularities.

DUOLINGO: Suffered a data breach.

Former King seeks title

KING EMERITUS JUAN

CARLOS I arrived in the United Kingdom on Monday, August 28, to participate in the World Sailing Championship. The event, taking place in the 6m class, will be held on the Isle of Wight until Friday September 8, according to a news source.

Juan Carlos I has been rigorously preparing with the crew of the sailing boat ‘Bribon’, captained by his friend Pedro Campos. They recently clinched first place in a regatta in Sanxenxo, Pontevedra, at the end of last July. Sources close to the King Emeritus told EFE, ‘His intention is to take part in this competition’. However, the final confirmation won’t be until Sunday when the composition of the crews will be officially announced.

This isn’t the first time Juan Carlos I has set his sights on this championship. He previously won titles in Vancouver, Canada, in 2017 and in Hanko, Finland, two

years later. The championship in Cowes, on the northern part of the Isle of Wight, will be his third appearance.

Juan Carlos I chose not to participate in the last championship, held in Sanxenxo in June 2022. This decision came a month after his first visit to Spain since moving to Abu Dhabi in August 2020, a move that stirred controversy and media attention.

Four months shy of his 86th birthday and grappling

with mobility issues due to joint problems, Juan Carlos I has been physically preparing at his residence in Abu Dhabi. In recent months, he has lost 20 kilos.

The World Championship regattas on the Isle of Wight are scheduled from September 4 to 9. Training sessions started on August 31, two days after the boats began to arrive. ‘Bribon’ will compete against 20 yachts from nine different nations, making the competition a truly global event.

King Juan Carlos I.

CAN THE SILENT STRUGGLE OF LONELINESS BE BEATEN?

THE world has never been better­connected thanks to technology, yet according to some statistics loneliness has reached epidemic levels.

The growing problem of loneliness was acknowledged by the UK government in 2018 when the then Prime minister, Theresa May, appointed the world’s firstever Minister for Loneliness, an idea

which was soon followed by Scotland and Wales. What is Loneliness?

The famous humanitarian, Mother Teresa was once quoted as saying: “The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved.” Loneliness is a complex and often misunderstood emotion. It’s not simply the absence of company but a deeper, more profound feeling of disconnection. Despite our hyper­connected world, loneliness continues to affect people of all ages and backgrounds no matter where they live. Feelings of loneliness can also deeply impact the health of the sufferer.

In a report by Dr Vivek H Murthy, the 19th and 21st Surgeon General of the United States, he said: “The mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.”

How Prevalent is Loneliness?

According to figures published by the Campaign To End Loneliness: ‘In 2022, 49.63 per cent of adults (25.99 million people) in the UK reported feeling lonely occasionally, sometimes, often or always.’ Of those, ‘Approximately 7.1 per cent of people in Great Britain (3.83 million) experience chronic loneliness, meaning they feel lonely often or always’.

Solutions to Loneliness

Thankfully there are now many charities dedicated to helping those who suffer from loneliness for whatever reason. From groups such as Age UK, listening services such as Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) and Silver Line which specifically offers help to people over the age of 55 as well as numerous online expat forums.

There are also basic tips that loneliness sufferers are encouraged to do such as: Joining a club, becoming a member of a hobby group, and volunteering.

One resident of Malaga, Michael McCann said: “I think I am lucky I live in the Lew Hoad Tennis Village (Mijas, Costa del Sol) and I still play. The urbanidation is made up of permanent residents and holidaymakers.”

The 79­year­old British expatriate added: “Of course I have Blackie (Michael’s beloved dog) and friends so I don’t have time to think about loneliness. I think being active is important, so looking after your health is important.”

Loneliness can be a crippling and debilitating condition, but it’s not insurmountable. By understanding its complexities and seeking support from friends, family, or professional organisations, people can find ways to connect and enrich their lives.

LONELINESS AND ISOLATION

THE HIDDEN ENEMY

IT is often said ‘that you can’t tell a book by its cover’ and many of us have found that to be very apt in our every day lives. We are all prone to make instant judgements about other people but very often the real truth is hidden from public sight. Living here in Spain is a privilege we take for granted. But for many, friends and family have either moved away or passed away. That is a bitter blow and living in a foreign country with different bureaucratic systems and language issues only compounds the feelings of loneliness and isolation

We often become more insular in our approach to life preferring our own company and in many cases the TV takes the place of real friends. However, feeling lonely and isolated does not have to be accepted as a normal and inevitable byproduct of getting older

The ‘hidden enemy’ often brings with it both physical and mental changes. Eating poorly, because you are only cooking for one and ‘depression’ in all its guises are some of the most common features. A recent report from Kyushu University in

Japan suggested that increased social interaction could be ‘beneficial for preventing brain atrophy and the development of dementia’.

The study was published in ‘Neurology’, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Age UK, which is our umbrella organisation said the findings “show us how important social interaction is in our lives.”

The nub of their findings is that when it comes to brain function you either ‘use it or lose it’. Why would you want that when a proven solution is to get out and about and meet people? Doing that in Spain couldn’t be easier with Age Concern on your doorstep.

Built on fun and friendship, the Charity is at the hub of the English­speaking community. Offering real practical help and support through regular coffee mornings and social activities, they also have teams of volunteers working within the community to help stave off those unwanted feelings of loneliness and isolation.

The Charity offers FREE welfare advice, support, help and friendship. They’ve

been doing this quite a while and many expats have lived here for more than 20 years. This means that they KNOW what you’re going through and are here to help We all need people we can talk to, relate to and share a confidence with. So they invite all English­speaking residents who would like to ‘live their best life’ to get in touch.

Whether it’s for yourself or a neighbour, relative or loved one, becoming part of their ‘family’ couldn’t be easier. Check out the website www.aces pana.org to find out your nearest local branch.

Do you have some spare time to help others? Whatever your skill set or available hours we would welcome your support. Please contact us if you are interested. Being there for others truly brings its own reward by improving your self esteem and enjoying that very special feeling of offering your help to those who need it most.

New Yorker, Tommy Greco

NEW YORK club and bar owner Tommy Greco describes himself as a ‘Woke Moderate’ which almost seems to be a contradiction in terms but as he told Euro Weekly News, “The closer we come to the middle, the shorter the distance for us to shake hands.”

He should know because he created a Gay Bar and Club in what was a ‘conservative’ part of New York known as Restaurant Row 17 years ago and he is still going strong.

“I have always been a bar tender at heart even supporting myself though college and I discovered early on in Connecticut that you got bigger tips with less hassle on a Sunday evening Gay Night than any other part of the week.”

He moved to New York City in 1997 to work as an equity trader, but his heart wasn’t really in the job and after 9/11 left to help his older brother who ran a Gay neighbourhood bar called POSH and this confirmed his earlier

impression that this was a clientele he could work with.

On the lookout to run his own business, he found the ideal location just a few blocks away on Restaurant Row, but as it became known that he was dragging the Gay crowd into a very central location, the old school restaurateurs didn’t welcome him with open arms.

“In fact, they really tried

everything to stop me and I had to get the entire refurbishment completed in two and a half months as building inspectors were descending on us almost every day.

“The thing was however, once we were up and running, those same business owners suddenly discovered that wealthy Gay men arrived at their restaurants for dinner before going to my Ritz Bar & Lounge for their late evening

entertainment, so suddenly I was everyone’s friend!”

The intention was always that this should be an all inclusive place for people to meet and mix with no pressure on any group and early in its existence, Tommy introduced a body positive happy hour for those with HIV where they could meet and just talk about their experiences (with a private entrance at the side for those who wanted to remain anonymous) and this ran for 10 years.

The bar and lounge also became an ideal place for book launches, charity events and somewhere for famous celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Jennifer Hudson, Erasure (who also performed there) Sara Jessica Parker and many more to hang out.

Laughing, Tommy said “I am not normally starstruck but when Madonna hired the second floor to celebrate the birthday of her then personal trainer Tracy Anderson, I didn’t expect her to turn up, but

not only did she come to the celebration, but she thanked me for allowing her to hire the floor.

“She was so nice and I thought that I should be thanking her!”

It’s not all rosy in the Ritz Garden and during the lockdown, Tommy with some of the Drag Queens who work for him were literally on the street selling drinks to passers­by to keep some form of turnover.

Now with property prices and rents forcing many people to move to the suburbs, it’s harder work than ever, but with regular events like Tuesday’s Latin/Caribbean party and Thursday’s Gay African American event, he is optimistic about the future.

Tommy is quite realistic about the dangers of being too controlling as he explained “My biggest issue with the whole Woke movement. It’s like the genie in the bottle. Once you let it out, it’s not ever going back in. So, you have to be careful how it’s laid out and used.”

Tommy Greco at The Ritz Bar & Lounge.

Credit: tgrexs Instagram

BUSINESS EXTRA

Checkmate

THE UK government confirmed that post­Brexit checks on food, plant and animal produce reaching Britain had been postponed for the fifth time and would not begin until the end of January 2024. After contacts with industry, the government said it was giving businesses more time to adapt to the new rules.

Picture that

THE Spanish government is spending €942 million on insuring 84 works by Picasso to be shown at the Reina Sofia Art Museum. The ‘Picasso 1906. La Gran Transformación’ exhibition will be held between November 14 and March 4 2024, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Spanish­born artist’s death.

Strike risk

IF workers at the Wheatstone and Gorgon liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Western Australia strike as threatened over pay and conditions on September 7, this could eventually push up global prices. The Chevron plants, which employ approximately 500 workers, produce more than 5 per cent of the world’s LNG.

Bad record

INDITEX and Mango amongst other clothing giants no longer outsource work to Myanmar owing to the country’s bad human rights and labour record. Despite the big firms’ exit, Spain imported €702.8 million of Myanmar garments last year, a 50 per cent increase on 2021, the Institute of Foreign Trade (ICEX) announced.

Falling sales

BRAZILIAN beauty company

Natura & Co is contemplating selling The Body Shop after the cosmetics and skin care chain experienced another quarter of disappointing sales. The board of Natura, which also owns Avon, recently announced that it was “exploring strategic alternatives” for The Body Shop.

STAT OF WEEK €680.2 million

in turnover for the Spanish subsidiary of Philip Morris last year, an 11 per cent increase on 2021 although profits fell 1 per cent owing to increased overheads.

Barça goes Dutch

Linda Hall

FC BARCELONA is on course to emulate Ferrovial by moving the headquarters of its content creation branch, Barça Media, to the Netherlands.

As with the Spanish infrastructure multinational, FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has launched the operation to make it easier to float Barça Media on the Nasdaq stock market.

Documents that have been filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revealed that the club intends to raise capital on the American stock exchange. Establishing Barça Media’s legal headquarters in

the Netherlands does not involve transferring its operational headquarters or the business itself, economic specialists explained.

Barça Media will be listed via an intricate operation that requires a merger with Mountain & Co I Acquisition Corp, a Special Purpose Acquisition

JOHNNIE BODEN admitted to being “a complete nitwit” by attempting to make the classic brand over­trendy.

“We forgot who we were,” he admitted to The Times after recording a 2022 pre­tax loss of £4.4 million (€5.1 million), compared to a £22 million (€25.5 million) profit in 2021.

Sales fell 2 per cent to £350 million (€406.7 million) during this period, while the number of Boden customers slid by 5 per cent to 1.8 million.

He has pledged to revamp the business after a “series of mistakes” that brought significant losses.

“We changed the product too much,” Boden said. “We had less colour, we had shorter silhouettes and we had the sorts of products that were on trend, which is not very us.”

Expensive plan

THE UK government’s plans to hire approximately one million more NHS staff over the next 13 years could cost £50 billion (€58.2 billion), a thinktank warned. The huge increase was essential for the country to provide adequate healthcare for an ageing population, the NHS’s chief executive Amanda Pritchard argued recently.

Max Warner, a health executive from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has predicted that this will inevitably involve higher taxes, spending cuts or more borrowing.

Costs would increase by an annual 3.6 per cent, eventually expanding the NHS budget by 70 per cent compared to today’s levels, Warner said.

Too much

tent business.

The deal has a 20­year duration, automatically extendible for a further 20 years unless there is a breach of contract.

OVER­PRODUCTION means that 40 million litres of Spanish wine must be prevented from flooding the market and driving down prices.

Company (SPAC) that has been specifically created for this sole purpose.

The agreement, signed on August 11 between Barcelona and Mountain & Co I Acquisition Corp, is a 75­page document with appendix that puts a value of €900 million ($973 million) on Barça Media’s con­

German businessman Cornelius Boersch, the SPAC’s main shareholder who is also its promoter, controls 17.6 per cent of the shares through various companies, according to the SEC documents.

The operation will be managed by Wall Street funds Calamos Investment Trust, Highbridge Capital Management, Saba Capital Management and Glazer Capital which between them control more than half of the capital.

Boden back on board

ly pretty amateurish.”

This was the same year that he entered the Rich List with a £300 million (€348.8 million). Boden also revealed to The Times that he intends to send out apologetic emails telling customers, “Sorry, I effed up.”

Britain’s former PM David Cameron embodied ‘Boden Man’ in the company’s floral swimming trunks, although the menswear line has been temporarily axed.

Producers can choose between cutting down and eliminating grapes before they ripen, or ‘crisis distilling’ to produce industrial alcohol.

Catalonia and Extremadura growers applied in June to the Ministry of Agriculture and the European Union for permits to distil 9.17 million litres of red and rosé wine before October 15.

“This is an exceptional measure that will attempt to alleviate this year’s situation,” a Ministry official said. “It was last done in 2020 owing to reduced consumption during the pandemic.”

Very similar

MADRID’S Upper Court of Justice (TSJM) ruled that Rothschild and Vega Sicilia had the right to the Macan label.

The jointly­owned group, in which Rothschild has a 50 per cent stake, has sold Macan wine since 2013 and the TSJM rejected a complaint from the Vega Clara bodega which markets Dacan.

Eton­educated Boden, who studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford. launched the mail order business in the early 1990s although he admitted in a 2014 BBC interview that his first attempts were “clear­

Wilko on the brink

PLANS for Wilko store closures and staff redundancies were temporarily paused as administrators analysed rescue offers.

PricewaterhouseCoopers, called in as the chain ­ which lost £38.7 million (€45.06 million) last year ­ ran out of cash, initially announced that redundancies amongst the group’s 12,500 employees would start within weeks.

No workable offers were received until Doug Putman, who owns HMV in the UK and Toys R Us in Canada, upped his bid from 200 to 350 of Wilko’s 400 stores when the August 25 deadline arrived. He would also employ 10,000 of the existing staff and ensure that main creditors were paid, Putman said.

Another offer from Anglo­Canadian M2 Capital to save all the stores was rejected after failing to pass all necessary checks, sources close to the process said.

Women customers, who have included the Princess of Wales, have been promised that the label will no longer attempt to be ‘too young’. The printed catalogue will also continue to be available after earlier cutbacks, Boden said.

Spend & pay later

LATEST Bank of Spain figures show that between December 2022 and July this year, bank deposits by Spanish families dropped by €19.548 billion.

This was the sharpest fall since late 2011 when the financial crisis was at its height, although the present context is different, with increased demand for consumer credit as families spend on their cards and dip into their savings to cover day ­ to ­ day spending and inflation.

“Inflation means that families have lost purchasing power and they are compensating for this with savings accumulated during the pandemic which they are using now,” Alicia Coronil, who is chief analyst at Singular Bank, told a news source.

Possible confusion between the labels could be based on “various factors”, including the public’s “degree of knowledge” of both bodegas, the TSJM said.

The “phonetic similarity” was also conclusive, as Macan and Dacan “created a highly similar auditory impression.”

Copper project

BRITISH ­ AUSTRALIAN mining company Rio and First Quantum Minerals are joining forces to develop the La Granja copper project in Peru.

Located at high altitude in Cajamara, La Granja has one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper deposits.

Canadian First Quantum paid $105 million (€96.6 million) for a 55 per cent stake and will invest approximately $546 million (€500.1 million) to fund capital and operational costs.

As majority owner, First Quantum will operate the La Granja project with initial work focused on completing the feasibility study.

NETHERLANDS MOVE: FC Barcelona plans to float content creation Barça Media in New York.

JOHNNIE BODEN: Will revamp brand’s image following losses.

DOW JONES

Euro

EUR/GBP: Up from £0.85 to £0.86

EUR/USD: Up from $1.09 to $1.1

EUR/GBP: Down from £0.86 to £0.85

EUR/USD: Down from $1.09 to $1.08

The euro trended lower over the past month as signs of a declining Eurozone economy dampened European Central Bank (ECB) interest rate rise bets.

Through the first half of August, a lack of notable Eurozone data saw the single currency trade true to its negative correlation with the US dollar. EUR initially rose before weakening as USD regained its strength.

Gloomy PMI results hurt the euro towards the end of the month. Service sector activity in August unexpectedly shrank, dragging overall business activity into contraction territory.

Worrying signs of declining business and consumer confidence in Germany - Europe’s largest economy - added to the pressure on EUR.

CURRENCY OUTLOOK: EURO WEAKENS AMID GLOOMY ECONOMIC OUTLOOK, POUND UNDERMINED BY RECESSION FEARS

At the end of the month, a pullback in USD helped EUR recoup some losses. However, dovish meeting minutes from the ECB’s July policy meeting saw the single currency end the month on a sour note.

Looking at the month ahead, the ECB’s interest rate decision is in the spotlight. It’s unclear whether the bank will raise rates or not, with the uncertainty potentially driving volatility. If the ECB hikes, the euro could climb. Otherwise, EUR may face selling pressure.

Pound

GBP/EUR: Unchanged at €1.16

GBP/USD: Down from $1.27 to $1.26

The pound faced volatility early last month as the Bank of England (BoE) delivered a smaller-than-expected interest rate rise of 25bps. However, hawkish comments from BoE Governor Andrew Bailey limited losses.

Warnings about the health of the British economy then pressured the pound before the latest GDP figures surprised to the upside, sparking a rally in Sterling. The UK economy unex-

pectedly expanded by 0.2% in the second quarter of 2023.

As the month went on, record-high wage growth and stubborn inflationary pressures boosted BoE rate hike bets, sending the pound to a twomonth high against the US dollar and a one-year high against the euro.

However, troubling economic data slashed GBP’s gains in the latter part of the month. UK private sector activity unexpectedly contacted in August, while retail trade fell to its lowest level since March 2021, stoking recession

fears. This month, the BoE will meet to set monetary policy. An expected rate hike could boost Sterling against its peers, but if policymakers express concern about the UK economy then GBP could find its gains capped.

US Dollar

USD/GBP: Unchanged at £0.78

USD/EUR: Up from €0.91 to €0.92

The US dollar faced turbulence over the past month, although it managed to strengthen overall as markets bet on the possibility of more Federal Reserve rate hikes.

Headwinds hit USD early in August after the latest non-farm payrolls data reported weaker-than-expected job creation in the US, which dented interest rate expectations.

However, an uptick in US inflation and hawkish meeting minutes from the Fed’s July interest rate decision helped the ‘greenback’ rally in the middle of the month.

The US central bank also held its annual Jackson Hole Symposium, where Fed Chair Jerome Powell delivered a hawkish speech, hinting at more policy tightening to come.

The ‘greenback’ then trimmed its gains at the end of the month following a raft of underwhelming employment data releases. Signs that the US labour market is cooling once again dented Fed rate hike bets, thereby putting pressure on USD.

Turning to the month ahead, the Federal Reserve interest rate decision is also coming up. With the US central bank expected to leave rates unchanged, the ‘greenback’ could stumble.

EURO: It’s unclear whether the ECB will raise interest rates or not.

It’s positively disgraceful

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

SOME time ago, but still fresh in the memory, a colleague of mine sought to foster a Muslim child. This was not specifically because of the child’s religious background, but merely because due to his circumstances he appeared to be a lad that would benefit and indeed deserved a bit of TLC and stability in his life.

The boy was a 12 ­ year ­ old illegal immigrant, who had arrived in Dover, basically in the clothes he stood up in (not even a mobile phone!). My caring friend decided to do what he could to see the boy had all he needed for a fair start in life.

With a beautiful country home and three children, one already fostered, you would confidently assume that he and his spouse had all the requirements needed to see this young man happily on his way to a brighter future. Wrong!

The lad, bearing a cap, a prayer

mat and a Koran, (supplied by the authorities) duly moved in for a short trial period. He was warmly welcomed in by a loving family and was obviously extremely happy in his new­found environment. My friend then set about completing the formalities that were required to foster the child on a more permanent basis. And that’s where the problems started. Before any negotiations could begin, there were a few unshakable ground rules. One. The boy had to be free to pray five times a day. Two. He had to have the facilities of a local Mosque on a Friday. Three. He could only be fed on Halal meat. And four despite my friend wanting to pay for an extremely well established and expensive local private college, he had to ultimately be taken to a Muslim learning facility some miles away.

Somewhat taken aback by this list of requirements my friend attempted to negotiate. He had no problems with items one and two.

However, although he would of course make sure the lad was never offered, or obliged to eat pork,

DIFFERENT RULES OUR VIEW

preparing Halal food was far too disruptive to the family’s way of life and routine. As far as the Muslim school was concerned, it was miles away and would present insurmountable problems with school runs etc. His appeals fell on deaf ears. Compromises were out of the question. In the end the boy had to move out (forgetting to take his Koran I may add!) and return to whatever institution he had emerged from.

Is that sad or what!? Not only is it sad, it is a positive disgrace when compared to the young Western orphan girl, who was moved in with a Muslim family. She consequently had her cross removed and was made to live with people with whose culture faith and even language was alien to her.

Yet another example of the West kowtowing to Muslim interests, with utter disregard of our own cultural priorities and sense of fair play. Well, all I can say is on our own heads be it. Keep the faith.

Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com. expatradioscotland.com

THINGS aren’t always as they seem and in Spain visitors must be very aware that events can escalate quickly, especially as two different cultures meet.

Recently, a 19­year­old from the UK accompanied by his 18­year­old girlfriend travelled to Barcelona for a long weekend which turned into a nightmare.

They had had a few drinks and in his words they had a ‘tiff’ because her phone was almost out of charge and he put his hands on her shoulders (which she corroborates) to calm her down.

Out of the blue he was pounced on by two youngish men in civilian clothes and thinking he was being mugged, tried to fight back, but suddenly he was on the pavement and hand cuffed.

They were plain­clothes police who arrested him for gender violence and took him to a police station, leaving his girlfriend distraught and alone.

He was placed in a cell where one of the detainees was screaming and appeared unstable and despite his appeal to be moved, this was denied.

After being allowed to make a phone call to his family, he was kept in the cell for around 20 hours before being told he was being charged with assault on the girl as well as the police before being returned to the cell.

He was then assaulted by his cell mate until police intervened and he was taken the next day before the court.

With the assistance of the British Consulate, after pleading not guilty he was released, allowed to leave Barcelona and is due to return to Court in October 2024.

A frightening time and a warning to be aware that different rules often apply in different countries.

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

SOFAS - CHAIRS - CORNER SUITES - SOFA BEDS - OCCASIONAL PIECES - FIRESIDE CHAIRS - RECLINER CHAIRS - POWER RISER RECLINER CHAIRS

By Clinica Britannia

Restore your confidence with veneers

IF you want to get an instant boost to your smile in as little as just one visit, then contact us at Clinica Britannia as Veneers may be one of the viable options for you. These thin shells of ceramic act like false nails to your teeth, bonding to the front of the tooth. Ideal for treating cracked, or discoloured teeth or to close unsightly gaps . Veneers can dramatically alter your entire smile, restoring confidence quickly.

Stay active on water

WATER sports offer a thrilling way to stay active, particularly for men seeking adventure and physical fitness. In Spain, the coastline beckons with opportunities ranging from surfing and kayaking to jet skiing and

windsurfing. These activities aren’t just for the young; they’re accessible for all ages and skill levels.

Water sports provide a full ­ body workout, enhancing strength, balance, and coordination. Engaging in these aquatic adven­

tures also offers mental benefits, such as stress relief and a sense of accomplishment. Whether you’re an expat in Spain or simply visiting, diving into water sports might be the invigorating challenge you’ve been seeking.

Straighten your teeth to give you that perfect smile with adult invisible braces. These discreet solutions can act in as little as 10 weeks.

Now with leading technology, complex procedures such as white fillings, dental crowns, bridges, inlays, and veneers can be done in a single appoint­

VENEERS: Can dramatically alter your entire smile.

ment, making treatments quick, effective, and hasslefree.

Professional tooth whitening is one affordable way to transform your smile and release your inner sparkle. Whether you choose the in ­ house or take­home system you will have a whiter and brighter smile within no time.

Finally get a brighter, cleaner, and healthier smile that restores your confidence with the Flash pearl cleaning system. Stains caused by coffee, tea, wine, and more are easily removed by gently abrading off stains and plaque without damaging enamel, restoring your smile to its former glory.

Contact us at Clinica Britannia on 965 837 553 or 965 837 851 for advice on the best treatment option for you.

Learn a language

LANGUAGE Learning for Mental Fitness is gaining popularity among UK expats in Spain. Mastering Spanish not only eases daily life but also keeps the mind sharp. Engaging with a new language stimulates cognitive functions, enhancing memory and problem­

solving skills. Various local language schools and online platforms cater to different learning styles. Embrace the linguistic culture of Spain, challenge your brain, and feel connected to your new home. It’s never too late to start learning.

40% of adults are inactive.

SURFING: Water sports prodive a full-body workout which also helps your mental health.

SPANISH: Will help keep your mind sharp.

Cold vs hot shower

THE age ­ old debate of cold versus hot showers has valid arguments on both sides.

Digital detox

UNPLUG to reconnect in a world consumed by screens, digital detox retreats offer a breath of fresh air.

These sanctuaries provide an escape from the constant pings and notifications that dominate our lives. Here, you can unplug and invest time in mindfulness, yoga, and nature walks.

The retreats aim to reset your mental wellbeing, helping you re­ establish a balanced relationship with technology.

As you disconnect from the digital world, you reconnect with your inner self, returning to everyday life refreshed and better equipped to manage screen time.

Cold showers are lauded for their ability to increase alertness and circulation, tighten pores, and even improve hair health.

They’re especially useful for cooling down postexercise and have been said to aid in depression management.

On the flip side, hot showers are known for their relaxing effects, easing muscle tension, and opening airways, making them ideal for pre ­ bedtime rituals.

They also assist in deep

From waste to beauty

A GREEN makeover for cosmetic packaging ­ the beauty industry is having a sustainability makeover, moving away from single ­ use plastics to embrace eco ­ friendly packaging.

Brands are now turning to recycled materials like glass, aluminium, and even ocean plastic to encase their products.

This shift is not only reducing waste

but also appealing to environmentally ­ conscious consumers who are keen to make responsible choices.

These innovative packaging solutions are a win ­ win: they protect both your beauty essentials and the planet.

So, the next time you shop for cosmetics, consider giving your beauty routine a green touch.

cleansing as they open up the pores.

Do your prefer hot or cold?

Healing spices

SPICES aren’t just for seasoning; many offer remarkable healing properties.

Take turmeric, for example, known for its antiinflammatory effects and potential to improve brain function.

Then there’s cinnamon, praised for its ability to regulate blood sugar levels.

Ginger isn’t far behind, offering digestive relief and combating nausea. Garlic, too, possesses antibacterial and antioxidant qualities beneficial for heart health.

Incorporating these spices into your meals not only enhances flavour but also adds a potent health kick.

With such natural remedies in your kitchen, every meal becomes an opportunity for well ­ being.

By Clinica Britannia

New unique dental treatment

WE all have things we would like to change about our bodies, and for many of us this includes our smile, especially if we have teeth that are crooked, yellow, misshapen, or missing altogether. Many of us may find ourselves in need of restorative treatment due to injury, illness, or other issues that can impact our oral health and the appearance of our teeth.

Digital Smile Design ( DSD ) is a new unique digital dental treatment planning tool that could help give you a perfect dazzling smile within weeks at a more economical cost than you would imagine.

DSD strengthens a dentist’s diagnostic vision, enhances predictability, and improves communication between dentist and patient. A treatment plan is completely based on a thorough analysis of the patient’s dental and facial proportions.

Using videos, photographs, and teeth models, DSD dental teams can get a better sense of the relationship between the lips, gums, and teeth, as well as how they work together to create the perfect smile.

One of the biggest advantages of this amazing technology is that patients can see the smile preview before they begin the procedure. They can work with the dentist to modify colour, shape, and even the length of the teeth to create their ideal smile. Make an appointment now with our Dental Department to start on the road to achieving the smile of your dreams.

Appointments Landline: 965 837 553 / 965 837 851 • 24H/365D Emergency Number: (+34) 607 255 755 • Opening Times: Mon - Fri: 9:00am / 5:00pm Clinica Britannia Calpe

Appointments Landline: 965 837 553 / 965 837 851 •

Av. Ejercitos Españoles 16 BIS, 1st Floor, Calpe

DSD: For a perfect dazzling smile.

Cinnamon and ginger have remarkable healing properties.

SEPTEMBER’S THE REAL START OF THE NEW YEAR!

NORA JOHNSON BREAKING VIEWS

EVER felt that September ­ and not January ­ is the real start of the New Year when, after the long summer break, kids are back at school and adults at work?

In September, it’s that shiny new pencil case feeling. Because of the change in routine, a time of fresh starts, self­evaluation and, for travel operators, the inevitable post ­ holiday whinges.

Some moaned their holidays were spoiled because “local women were too beautiful, made me feel really bad about myself.”

“There was no sign telling you not to get on the hot air balloon ride if you’re afraid of heights.” “I spent a whole week on sa­

fari, and didn’t see any decent animals. Just some scruffy old antelopes.”

Other complaints included: “You said the town was next to a volcano, but we went and there was no lava. I’m pretty sure it was just a mountain.” “We booked an excursion to a water park but nobody told us we had to bring our swimming costumes and towels.”

Good grief! What’s up with these guys? I’d be more than happy to go out and buy a spare cossie and towel for that water park. Because it would mean I WAS having a holiday!

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

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

NORA’S LATEST THRILLER.

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

Seven minute cancer jab

John Ensor

THE NHS is set to be the first in the world to administer a ground­breaking anti­cancer injection that reduces treatment time by up to 75 per cent.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) gave the go­ahead on August 29, paving the way for NHS England to introduce this innovative treatment to hundreds of patients annually.

Traditionally, patients have been receiving the life­prolonging immunotherapy drug atezolizumab (Tencentriq) through intravenous transfusion in hospitals. This process usually takes around half an hour, but for some, it can extend to an hour.

In a matter of weeks, hundreds of qualifying patients will transition from the intravenous method to a quicker and more comfortable subcutaneous injection. This change will free up crucial time for NHS cancer care teams.

Atezolizumab is an immunotherapy medication that enables a patient’s own immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells. It is currently provided to NHS patients for various types of cancer, including lung, breast, liver, and bladder.

It is expected that the majority of the roughly 3,600 patients who start atezolizumab treatment each year in England will switch to this time­efficient injection. However, those receiving intravenous chemotherapy alongside atezolizumab may continue with

NEW INJECTION: Reducing treatment time.

the transfusion.

NHS National Director for Cancer Professor Peter Johnson said: “The world­first introduction of this treatment will mean that hundreds of patients can spend less time at the hospital and will free up valuable time in NHS chemotherapy units. Maintaining the best possible quality of life for cancer patients is vital, so the introduction of faster under­theskin injections will make an important difference.”

The expedited treatment comes at no additional cost to the NHS, thanks to an existing commercial agreement between NHS England and pharmaceutical company Roche.

This rapid adoption of medical advancements by the NHS follows last month’s new guidelines to optimise medicine use across the health service. The NHS is also on track to save £7 billion by year­end due to a five­year drug pricing agreement with the pharmaceutical sector.

Be careful if you are grumpy

MIKE SENKER IN MY OPINION

FOR you who think being grumpy and having a moan is easy, you should know that it has to be used in the right circumstances, because if used by the wrong person, to the wrong person, at the wrong time the outcome can be, to say the least, disastrous. To quote the late, great Max Bygraves, ‘I’m going to tell you a story’. It was told to me by the man that was allegedly there when it happened.

He was in a line checking in for an international flight with one of the big American airlines. He was travelling Club Class and in front of him there was a business man on his phone talking particularly loudly and giving it large about some deal he had done. The line wasn’t moving too fast and although it was a fraction of the normal length, the bloke was moaning to whoever he was talking to.

He got to the front of the line, put his bag on the scales and then started having a go at the check in lady. It wasn’t just a moan - he was being seriously rude, having a go at her at the top of his voice about all the things he

thought were wrong and why wasn’t he entitled to an upgrade? He was annoyed about so many things and the young lady just kept smiling and very politely saying sorry about this and sorry that he wasn’t happy about that and he just kept yelling. Anyway eventually he goes and my friend checks in and says to her that he couldn’t believe how she kept so cool and didn’t just refuse to deal with him. Her reply was amazing. She explained that she never got mad with this type of customer but she did get even. My friend asked, “What do you mean”? She said that although that man was travelling to London …she had sent his bags to Tokyo!!

See what I mean? There was a person that thinks that being grumpy and having a moan works all the time. But it doesn’t! Another tip is to be careful about having a moan in restaurants and be particularly careful about sending food back. Obviously sometimes it has to be done, but you don’t want that pizza coming back with any extra toppings on it! That reminds me of the story about the pizza restaurant owner found dead on the floor covered with ham, cheese, pepperoni, peppers, chicken and pineapple ... the police said they don’t know how he died, but think he topped himself.

Views of a Grumpy Old Man

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

COMMUNITY COMMENTS

READERS have been responding to a recent article concerning the need to leave plenty of time in order to obtain the ETIAS travel authorisation next year for British (and other ‘foreign’) passport holders who don’t need visas to enter 30 different countries throughout Europe. The main concern has been whether UK passport holders who have residence in Spain need to obtain the documentation.

There is a very helpful observation from the European Union which states “ETIAS is a travel authorisation that covers nationals of visa-exempt countries coming to the EU for short-term stays.

If you have a residence permit, residence card, or a document issued by any of the European countries requiring ETIAS which authorises your stay, you do not need an ETIAS travel authorisation.”

ETIAS is not specific to “Britons planning a European getaway.”

Nor is it specific to all of the EU countries.

It is specific to all Nationals of the 59 countries not in the EU but currently able to enter the Schengen Area Visa­free.

The Schengen Area consists of:Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

EU countries Bulgaria, Republic of Cyprus, The Republic of Ireland, and Romania are in the EU but not a part of the Schengen Area.

Therefore travel between these and Schengen Area countries is still passport controlled.

Ireland and Britain also share a Common Travel Area, allowing their citizens to freely travel between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom.

The ETIAS is not a Visa, instead it is a security device: ­

1. Identify those intending to enter the Schengen Zone, in order to prevent criminals or terrorists or their supporter’s gaining entry.

2. Identify those overstaying the Schengen Zone 90­day visa­free period.

3. Identify ‘tourists’ exceeding Visa­free activities, during the 90 days visitors cannot work or study but can engage in business and tourism activities.

The administrative uses of the ETIAS are described at:https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/etias/

“Besides making travelling more secure, the ETIAS authorization will also assist the EU countries and all travellers in the following ways:

Reduce procedures and application times. Improve the management of EU country borders.

Assist in detecting and decreasing crime and terrorism.

Impede irregular migration.

Reinforce the visa liberalisation policy of the EU.

All in all, the ETIAS authorisation will make travelling to the EU less of a hassle and a much safer experience.

Citizens of these countries are allowed to go into countries in the Schengen Zone for business or travel purposes for up to 90 days.

During these 90 days, these visitors cannot work or study but can engage in business and tourism activities.

The ETIAS will undergo a detailed security check of each applicant to determine whether they can be allowed to enter any Schengen Zone country.

While citizens of countries who do not need a visa for travel purposes of up to 90 days in the EU do not need to go through a long process of applying for the visa, the ETIAS will make sure that these people are not a security threat.

This travel authorisation system will gather, keep track of, and update necessary information regarding visitors to determine whether it is safe for them to enter Schengen countries.

Ordinary Joe

Living in Spain with permanent residency but having a British passport, how does it effect us travelling in and out of UK but also within Europe. Thank you.

Sheena Parfitt

In reply to Sheena Parfitt

Sheena as things stand at the moment if you are a UK passport holder with residency flying from Spain to another Schengen country there is no requirement to show passports, so it seems ETIAS would not be required but things do change as the politicians and civil servants look to come up with new bright ideas.

So what happens about uk citizens with residency in an EU country ie Spain with a residency card will they still need this ???

Bob Edwards

But, not all countries in Europe including the UK are part of the EU. You would not need it to travel to Wales, Albania or many othet European countries.

Johm

In reply to Johm

In actual fact it’s more than just the 27 EU states and those requiring ETIAS visa are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. In addition, in order to access Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City you would need an ETIAS because you can’t fly directly although possibly you can travel by sea to Monaco.

SPONSORED BY www.euroweeklynews.com • 7 - 13 September 2023 47

Dog-sitters for Bess were for free!

LAMIA and Chloe dogs­it for Bess the labrador

It happens from time to time that the founder of Housesitmatch house­sits with her family or on her own. Recently Lamia and Chloe her daughter dog­sat for Bess, an adorable Labrador! And of course the dog­sitting was for free. It was an active working holiday for the pair who love pets.

It’s a fair exchange.

All our sitters offer a fair exchange ­ free accommodation for free pet care and an online review. It’s a win win!

If you’re planning a trip for the holidays, don’t delay. Register today as a member of our network to find affordable home and pet care.

Plan ahead to secure great sitters

However long your trip, pets need someone with them at home. Young and senior pets in particular benefit from routines undisturbed. Plan ahead of time to find house and pet­sitters who will come to you for free!

Next steps to join

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

Lamia and Chloe dogsitting on a working holiday, for Bess the labrador.

ensure you can help online when needed

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

4. Post an advert for the dates when you want to go away. Sitters apply and you choose. How does it work?

HouseSitMatch helps you find sitters. Join our network for a small annual fee. You get ID checked for safety and then build your advert with trip dates. House­sitters see your advert, they respond and you choose the sitter you want.

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

Register online via www.Housesitmatch.com. House-sitting is 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 code 20EWN .

ON September 29, the Spanish government will enforce the new Animal Welfare Law, which will make pets that were previously legal, illegal to own.

Under this law, owners will be required to notify the relevant authorities of their possession within six months of the law coming into effect. Furthermore, the competent authorities will take necessary actions to transfer these animals to wildlife protection centres, zoos, or animal protection entities.

Prohibited Pets

• Amphibians, fish, and arthropods whose venom or bite pose a serious risk.

• All primates.

• Poisonous reptiles and reptiles weighing over two kilos as adults, except for turtles.

• Wild mammals weighing more than five kilos in adulthood.

• Species banned by other community or national

regulations that limit their captivity.

• The law will also cover cetacean species (whale, dolphin or porpoise), breeding and keeping them in captivity will only be allowed for conservation and research projects.

Examples of animals that will be prohibited as pets once the new law is in force are: mice, hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs, parrots, budgies, turtles, spiders, hedgehogs, Vietnamese pigs, snakes, iguanas, chameleons, and geckos.

THE enigmatic purr of a cat has captivated owners for centuries. Traditionally associated with contentment, recent studies suggest that purring isn’t just an expression of happiness.

In fact, it could signify a range of emotions or even medical issues. Many of us assume that when our cat is purring, they’re in a state of bliss. While this is often the case ­ especially when accompanied by other signs like kneading or closed eyesit isn’t the full story. Cats also purr when they’re frightened, in pain, or trying to heal.

Purring has been shown to release endorphins, which can relieve pain, suggesting it may be a self­soothing mechanism. If your cat suddenly starts purring more than usual, or if the purring sounds different, it might be cause for concern.

Variations in the pitch, volume, or pattern of your cat’s

Safe car travel

SUMMER often beckons us towards picturesque holiday destinations, and naturally, many of us yearn to bring our entire family along, pets included. Just as humans ensure their safety through seatbelts, it’s paramount that our pets too adhere to certain travel regulations, safeguarding not just themselves but all car occupants.

A primary concern for drivers should be the internal temperature of the vehicle. Over­relying on air conditioning, especially if it’s too cold, can adversely affect your pets. Conversely, extreme heat can be equally harmful.

If circumstances permit, consider scheduling your journey during cooler parts of the day, like early mornings or late evenings. A stark fact to bear in mind: in the event of a collision even at a mere 50km/h, a loose pet can multiply its weight by up to 25 times. This not only endangers the animal but poses a serious threat to all passengers.

For our canine companions,

purr could indicate distress or discomfort. If accompanied by changes in behaviour, such as reduced appetite or increased isolation, it’s advisable to consult a vet.

But how can you tell the difference? Pay attention to your cat’s body language. If

the purring is paired with relaxed muscles, half­closed eyes, and a tendency to seek out affection, it’s likely a sign of contentment.

However, if you notice tension, restlessness, or vocalisations like growling, a visit to the vet may be in order.

Guinea pigs banned. Purring: Comfort or concern?

safety can be ensured using: A two­point harness. A cabin separator. Or, placing them in an appropriate carrier either on the floor near the seat or in the boot. Cats, on the other hand, are best placed in suitable carriers to ensure their security. And for our smaller pets, like birds or rodents, a cage situated on the floor behind the seats is ideal.

Ensuring safety during car journeys is a testament to our care and love for them.

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INSURANCE

MINI CLUBMAN bows out with FINAL EDITION

ROAD TEST

by Mark Slack

IN 1969, the first Mini Clubman rewrote the rule book. It was an in ­

stant hit in the 1970’s automotive market with its long wheelbase, extended shooting ­ brake body, and characteristic split doors at the rear.

Reimagined by BMW

in 2007, the first modern MINI Clubman delivered a contemporary interpretation; rear passenger seats were accessed through a rear hinged door, and unfortunately for the UK only on the right hand side of the car.

With the third generation in 2015, the Clubman increased in length offering more space and two full ­ size rear doors. Today, the MINI Clubman Final Edition is a globally limited run of 1,969 units ­ paying homage to the launch year of the original car.

Powered by a Cooper S engine that delivers 178 hp the Final Edition has a single specification with a choice of three exterior paint coloursEnigmatic Black, Nanuq White or Melting Silver. Shimmer Copper details can be found on the surrounds and upper

third of the radiator grille crossbar, side scuttles and Cooper ‘S’ blade on the rear.

The 46cm/18” Final Edition two ­ tone alloy wheels are finished in a tinted clear lacquer to give a copper hue, while exclusive ‘Final Edition’ lettering on the rear and ‘1 of 1969’ badge on the C ­ pillar side completes the exterior.

The interior features door sill trims embellished with ‘Final Edition’ lettering which are also found on the lower

spoke of the Nappa leather steering wheel. Leather sports seatsfinished exclusively in leather ­ offer sewn ­ in edition ­ specific badging, seat heating and adjustable thigh support. Anthracite ­ coloured Piquet fabric inserts, and blue contrast stitching further complement the seat design.

It’s a well worked mix of materials and design. There’s also a Panoramic Glass Sunroof and rear privacy glass.

A dark dashboard trim

is accentuated by trim strips finished in Sage Green and Shimmer Copper. On the passenger side, the trim is decorated with a ‘1 of 1969’ badge which is also found on the floor mats. Graphic lettering on the model’s key cap completes the design.

Based on the Exclusive trim, the Clubman Final Edition offers a high level of specification, including an 22cm/8.8” touch display with MINI Navigation System, Apple CarPlay and a Digital Dashboard.

Also offered is Comfort Access, Reversing Camera, Parking Assistant including Front Park Distance Control and Harmon Kardon Surround Sound.

The MINI Clubman Final Edition is available to order now and is priced at €43,229/ £37,000.

MINI CLUBMAN: The Final Edition offers a high level of specification including Apple CarPlay and a Digital Dashboard.

THE second­hand car market in Spain has long mystified UK expats and other foreign residents with its noticeably higher prices. Unlike the UK, where a broader selection of used vehicles generally translates to more competitive pricing, Spain’s pre­owned car market operates under different dynamics.

In Spain, the tradition has often been to purchase a new car and then retain it for an extended period. This tendency leads to fewer used cars being available on the market, thereby driving the prices higher due to the scarcity.

As a guide, a five­year­old car in Spain will probably cost you about half of its original showroom price. Another contributing factor to these elevated costs is the relatively high registration tax on new cars in Spain, which can be as much as 14.75 per cent depending on the vehicle’s CO2 emissions. This initial cost often gets carried over into the secondhand market prices.

Additionally, the rigorous ITV (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos) testing ensures that vehicles maintain a higher standard of roadworthiness.

Second-hand cars

FOR SALE: But the vehicles will often be well-maintained.

While this may contribute to long­term value retention, it also means buyers are likely to pay more upfront. For UK expats in Spain considering a vehicle purchase, understanding these unique market characteristics is vital. While the initial costs may seem steep, the investment often translates into a well­maintained vehicle with a solid resale value.

The cost of risky overtaking

John Ensor

HAVE you ever considered overtaking a tractor on a continuous central line in Spain? Think twice before you act.

With the recent cereal harvest season in Spain, many tractors and combine harvesters have been seen on secondary roads, heading to their farms. So, how should drivers respond in such situations?

The DGT regulation is clear: Drivers can only overtake an agricultural vehicle where the road permits, specifically where there’s a discontinuous line and clear visibility. It’s worth noting that unlike cyclists, overtaking a tractor on a continuous line is strictly prohibited.

Despite being a common practice among Spanish drivers, the DGT emphasises its illegality. The penalty for such a manoeuvre is €200, with no penalty points affecting one’s licence. However, if this overtaking happens in a risky spot, like a curve with poor visibility or a blind hill, the fine can soar up to €400, and the driver will incur a four point penalty.

Furthermore, this rule also applies to bicycles, cycles, mopeds, pedestrians, and animaldrawn vehicles, provided ‘they can be overtaken without posing a risk to them or to the general flow of traffic’.

To drive a tractor in Spain, one needs a B permit.

Man United not for sale Verstappen breaks F1 record

RED BULL driver Max Verstappen proved once again in Monza on Sunday, September 3, that it doesn’t really matter which position he starts a race from.

The Dutchman stormed to his 10th consecutive chequered flag of the season by winning the Italian Grand Prix. In the process, he broke the record he had shared temporarily with the former Red Bull world champion Sebastian Vettel.

As a result of this historical win, there is now a massive gap of 145 points be tween Verstappen and Perez in the driver’s table as he closes in on a third world crown.

Verstappen simply did not care that he was on Italian soil, the home of the red Ferraris. Spain’s Carlos Sainz started from pole position but that lasted all of 14 laps.

An error by the Spaniard allowed the reigning world champion to pass him as the two cars entered the second chicane with Sainz locking his brakes.

Sainz soon had the other Red Bull in his mirrors as Sergio Perz pushed for second position on the track. The Spaniard managed to hold him off until nine laps from the end when he conceded his place to the Mexican.

Charles LeClerc subsequently attempted to pass his teammate, with

two Ferraris battling for the final spot on the podium. The driver for Madrid clung on to cross the line in third, with the Frenchman just 0.1secs behind him.

Mercedes took fifth and sixth with George Russell once again putting in an excellent performance to lead the multiple world champion Lewis Hamilton across the finishing line.

The latter was hit with a five­second penalty after a collision at the second chicane with the McLaren of Oscar Piastri. Fortunately for the Brit, he was far enough ahead of Alex Albon’s Williams to keep his place.

Lando Norris brought the second McLaren home in eighth, followed by Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin and Valtteri Bottas rounding out the Top 10 for Alfa Romeo.

IN a move that is bound to infuriate hardcore fans of the club, Manchester United is reportedly no longer for sale and will be taken off the market.

The bombshell news was announced by a news source on Saturday, September 2. Citing a source close to the Glazer family, the news outlet said that the Americans had made the decision after potential buyers failed to meet their anticipated asking price.

‘The Glazers are thickskinned and won’t be influenced by any negative fan reactions,’ the source allegedly informed the publication.

Only two serious bidders were left in the final race to take over at Old Trafford.

Sheikh Jassim of Qatar and Sir Jim Ratcliffe had beaten off other prospective buyers to enter what ultimately appeared to be a two­horse race.

When they announced that the club was up for sale, the family said it was happy to either sell 100 per cent of it or that they were also open to keeping a part of the business.

Sheikh Jassim was appar­

ently prepared to purchase the club in its entirety, whereas Ratcliffe would let the Glazers retain a minority stake in United it was believed.

According to the source, when the family placed the club on the market in November they were anticipating a much higher level of interest.

The Glazers will now wait until 2025 said the source, when they will attempt to sell Manchester United for a second time in the hope more bidders will enter the market.

With the 2026 World Cup scheduled to be played in the United States, the profile of American billionaires as investors in football clubs could be heightened said the source.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen.

4 Gold medals won by Spain at World Athletics Championship.

Credit: Ev. Safronov/Shutterstock.com