Costa Blanca South 30 May – 5 June 2024 Issue 2030

Orihuela

Pride set to the paint the town in vibrant hues.

GET ready for a one-of-akind experience at the inaugural Orihuela Pride Festival, set to paint the town in vibrant hues on Saturday June 1.

Those supporting this event will be treated to a full parade, live performances, and a disco with DJ Angelia Ukraines spinning the tunes.

The Parade will commence at 11am and leave via the Emerald Isle car park. It will then go around the block on

Turn to page 2

Photocredit

Calle Marte before heading down Calle Mercurio, crossing the junction, and continuing down Calle Escorpio,

From front page

First pride

past the Abbey to the bottom of the road. From here, it will come back up Calle Escorpio, past Ariana’s bar and Valdimars, and then continue up Calle Osa Menor. It will arrive back at the Emerald Isle at approximately 1pm.

Then the entertainment really begins with DJ Soraya and a fantastic line-up of live entertainers. This includes performances from Nikki G, Edward Blundell Williams, Chloe Jones, Rebecca Holt, Leroy Morales, The Crazy Ladies, Chloe Leigh (as Cher) and Stevie Spit’s Fusion International Show. No Pride event is complete without a drag act or two, and Martin Kent, Benidorm’s premier drag star, and Laddy Gaga will be bringing the giggles at Orihuela Pride. Completing the round-up will be an Indian dance show, a full production tribute to Bette Midler by Carla Stone and cast, and a fire display brought by the duo Fire and Rain. The whole extravaganza is being brought to a close with fireworks and a disco for those who still want more!

As if that wasn’t enough, there will also be an opportunity to participate in a raffle and play some fun games, including ‘Toss the Handbag’ and a stiletto race with prizes galore. Orihuela Pride’s chosen charity, Samaritans in Spain, will run their popular tombola and participate in the Parade, raising awareness and funds for their cause.

So line the streets, drink in the bars and show your support on what is sure to be an incredible day.

Tourist tours Coffee & chat

ORIHUELA’S councillor for Tourism, Gonzalo Montoya, has announced the first tourist tours for the month of June.

On Saturday, June 1, due to request the popular route ‘Discovering the Rabaloche Neighborhood’ will be offered again, aimed at highlighting the monumental complex of the area.

The itinerary includes visits to the Church of Santiago, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Monserrate, the Museum of the Reconquista, and historical sites such as Plaza de Capuchinos and Embergoñes Tower.

Sunday, June 2, will feature a route focusing on the poet Miguel Hernández, intertwining his legacy with the Palm Grove.

Poems inspired by the orchard and the palm grove will be recited,

ORIHUELA: Highlighting important monuments.

emphasising Miguel Hernández’s profound connection with nature during his early years as a poet.

In June, Orihuela will continue its tradition of helping charities, this time benefiting ASOKA, the animal shelter in Orihuela.

Participants are encouraged to donate goods to support the shelter before enjoying a tour.

For more information, visit the website orihuela turistica.es or contact via WhatsApp on (+34) 673 836 385.

DO you live on or near La Marina Urbanisation and want to chat or meet new people?

The La Marina Coffee & Chat group is seeking new members.

People of varied age ranges and backgrounds have found the group great for networking, information sharing, getting to know people, and learning about local events.

If you’re interested, head over to Sam’s Bar at C. Francisco de Quevedo, 11-12, 03177 San Fulgencio on Thursdays, or Bar 13 (formerly The Lounge Bar) at Local 13, Alfredo Krauss, La Marina, San Fulgencio, 03177 on Mondays from 11.00am onwards. For information, email alisonwrightblog@ gmail.com or WhatsApp on (+34) 642 744 808.

Green gem

MAYOR BARCALA praises the revamped El Palmeral Park as Alicante’s green gem, enhancing its allure for tourists and locals alike. The project bolsters its reputation as a vital environmental oasis and a magnet for visitors. A win-win for nature lovers and sightseers!

Vibrant centre

SANTA POLA’S mayor, Loreto Serrano, assures businesses that downtown’s semi-pedestrianisation aims to beautify without disrupting business hours. She confirmed the plan was “a stride towards a more vibrant town centre!”

Active twist

TM Real Estate Group seeks Torrevieja City Council’s nod to transform a plot in La Hoya from a residential estate to a hub for private sports facilities and commerce. This move promises to add an active twist to the residential landscape.

Speed bump

ORIHUELA’S cycling route project hits a speed bump: the winning bidder is seeking a 1.5-month extension, citing city council delays and communication hiccups.

Santa Eulalia

IN 1886, Antonio de Padua y Saavedra and his business partner Mariano Bertodano founded a self-su cient community called the Colony of Santa Eulalia.

Located between the towns of Sax and Villena, Santa Eulalia thrived by growing and selling crops.

The colony featured housing for workers, various shops, a theatre, a church, and a casino. It had an oil mill, a our factory, and an alcohol distillery.

Count Don Antonio Padúa Saavedra y Rodriguez and his wife Doña María Avial Peñas (who was originally

wed to business partner, Mariano Bertondano) had a mansion where they often stayed to oversee operations.

Thanks to its location on the Madrid-Alicante railway line, the colony enjoyed industrial success until the 1930s.

Saintly celebrations

THE celebration of Santa Eulalia occurs on the weekend following February 12, honouring the town’s ancient patron saint since the reconquest in 1239.

In 1240, Don Lope Martin, commander of the Calatrava order in Teruel, led his troops to conquer Sax, Villena, Salinas, and Bogarra from Islamic control for the Kingdom of Aragon.

The festival commemorates a miraculous battle between the Moors and Christians. According to local tradition and the 1772 Ordinances of the Villa de Sax, the

SANTA EULALIA experienced only three or four decades of prosperity.

Count Antonio de Padua and María Avial became lovers and faced a highly publicised trial for adultery. On January 11, 1910, the newspaper ABC reported: “The act is classified as adultery, with an aggravating circumstance, and a sentence of four years, nine months, and 11 days of correctional prison is requested for the defendants.” It is unclear if they served their sentence.

In the early 1970s, Santa Eulalia was acquired by Vicente Marco Ruiz, a prosperous businessman from Alicante.

When Vicente Marco Ruiz died in 1975, he left the Santa Eulalia neighbourhood to his six children as an undivided inheritance.

The heirs have never agreed on what to do with the property. At one point, four heirs reached an agreement to sell part of the property, but the sale was challenged by the other heirs. Deciding how to distribute this property of more than 2,700,000 square metres among the heirs and the validity of the subsequent purchases and sales is a complex matter that is now in the hands of the courts.

battle was led by the Catalan noble Berenguer de Entenza. With the help of Santa Eulalia, the patron saint of Barcelona, the Christians defeated the Saracens.

In gratitude, a hermitage was built at the battle site, known as ‘Prados de Santa Eulalia’, and a vow was made to hold an annual pilgrimage in her honour. On the day of the festival, mass was preached and processions with music were held.

This tradition has been upheld ever since, making the Festival of Santa Eulalia one of the oldest in the region.

Cultural asset

IN 2016, the Valencian Government declared Santa Eulalia an Asset of Cultural Interest.

This designation was given because Santa Eulalia is the only colony built under the framework of utopian socialism that has survived almost intact to the present day.

Its construction is a notable example of the modernism and industrial architecture of its time.

Historian Alberto Ochoa, director of the Sax Virtual Museum, commented: “We hoped that in 2016, with the declaration as an Asset of Cultural Interest, things would improve and that e orts would begin to manage this heritage.

“But as of today, little has been done.”

Civil War, however, severely impacted its productivity, leading to its near abandonment.

The mansion remained occupied until the 1960s when the family could no longer a ord its upkeep.

Today, the area around the colony attracts tourists, but the once-thriving community is slowly deteriorating.

Before the town was featured on the local TV show called l’Alquería Blanca, many people were unaware of the history of Santa Eulalia.

The programme sparked great interest and the government declared it an “Asset of Cultural Interest” and promised a restoration programme which is still awaited.

THE Colonia de Santa Eulalia almost abandoned village, with its libertine and tragic past, is reputed for ghostly apparitions and paranormal phenomena that have left an eerie mark on the area.

The Viscountess of Alzira began a romantic relationship with the business partner of her husband, Count Antonio, where alcohol, gambling and sex intermingled in a murky love triangle that ended with the count’s death.

Rumour states that after a long night of debauchery in which he lost his entire fortune gambling, the count was found drowned in the fountain on the porch of his palace. The count’s death remains shrouded in mystery.

Those who have visited say that, when the colony is visited by a woman who looks similar to the viscountess, the ghostly gure of the count makes an appearance. His apparitions have been seen in front of his palace and theatre where, sadly, today there are hardly any vestiges of his greatness left. It is said the palace, built on an old Muslim cemetery, hides dark and haunting secrets.

Santa Eulalia church.

First dog park

BENEJUZAR is set to introduce its first canine leisure area, providing a dedicated space for dog owners and their furry companions.

Spanning 800 square metres, the area will be situated on municipally owned land in the La Cerámica industrial estate, nestled between Calle General Gutiérrez Mellado and Avenida de la Gloria.

The construction is slated to last six weeks with a budget of €11,802.

Jose Antonio Martínez, the councillor for Animal Welfare, assured that the area will cater to pet owners seeking a safe space to take off their dogs’ leads while minimising disturbances to residents.

Mayor Vicente Cases outlined the plans for the facility, which include perimeter fencing for user safety and four activity stations featuring elements like a high jump, ring, see-saw, and slalom.

Additionally, a dedicated dog waste bin with a bag dispenser will be installed to promote cleanliness.

Wetland wonders Motor marvels

ALMORADI is gearing up for its 30th Used Car Fair, boasting a display of over 300 vehicles.

From May 31 to June 2, head over to Plaza Almoradí Ciudad de Servicios, adjacent to the football field, where the fair will run continuously from 10.00am to 9.00pm.

Hosted in collaboration with the Automobile Sector Association (ASA), the event will feature new, semi-new, kilometre 0, and used cars from various dealers.

All vehicles showcased at

the fair come with a guaran tee and financing options provided by industry profes sionals who will assist you in finding the perfect fit.

Participating dealers in clude Talleres V Zaragoza, Ruimotor, Modisa Automo ción, Talleres Ribera, Talle res Yogesh, Espinosa Sports, Talleres Ponce, and Talleres Albadalejo.

This year, the fair introdu ces a special attraction: the Abuela Club association will present a selection of vintage vehicles. tise provided by participating dealers throughout its editions.

ON May 24, Dolores celebrated Natural Parks Day with a special tribute to one of the most iconic natural treasures of the Vega Baja: the ‘El Hondo’ Natural Park. Dolores shares a close bond with this natural area, located just a few kilometres away, and it’s easily accessible via cycling routes that offer glimpses of the charm of the

El Hondo is the third most significant wetland in Spain, and local residents are fortunate to host endangered species that find sanctuary in the park, such as the Gray Teal, the White-headed Duck, the Brown Pochard, and the Horned Coot. Thanks to the efforts of Dolores Tourist Board, visitors can explore the ornithological paradise of Vega Baja in their preferred way. At the Dolores Town Council Tourism Office, you can find more information to immerse yourself in the park’s

Additionally, at the Tourist Board, you can learn about the history of El Hondo and enjoy photos taken by Germán Morales, an ornithological photography enthusiast and Dolores resident.

Learn the lingo

ARE you interested in learning Spanish?

Join a free beginner course in Santa Pola! Santa Pola’s Central Library is offering a free, intensive beginner-level Spanish course throughout June. There’s just a small registration fee of €5.

This course follows the success of previous Spanish courses for foreigners, which began as a language experience for Ukrainians and were taught by volunteers from the Reading Club. Similar courses have also been held at the Civic Centre.

The intensive course runs throughout the month of June, Monday to Friday, from 7.00pm to 9.00pm.

Spaces are limited, so sign up early to secure your spot.

For more information or to register, visit the library at Carrer d’Elx, 24, 03130 Santa Pola, or call (+34) 966 692 773.

Image:

Ayuntamiento

de Almoradi

CAR FAIR: A significant event in boosting local commerce.

Image: Gustavo Frazao / Shutterstock.com

El Hondon Natural Park.

Elche in Paris Celebrating San Isidro

ELCHE’S mayor Pablo Ruz has confirmed the city’s participation in the ‘Jardins Jardin’ festival, taking place at Villa Windsor in Paris from May 29 to June 2.

This well-established event, now in its 20th year, attracts tens of thousands of gardening and design enthusiasts annually.

“This marks the first time Elche, through Visitelche, will represent the gardens of the Valencian Community by recreating a typical Mediterranean garden at the Turespaña stand,” explained the mayor.

Spain’s presence at the festival aims to highlight the diversity and uniqueness of its regions, particularly in the realm of gardens. Alongside Elche, regions such as Galicia, Andalucia, and the Canary Islands will also participate.

“This event provides an excellent opportunity to showcase Elche to the world and strengthen our ties with French tourism, which is our primary international tourist source,” said Ruz.

Elche aims to use this event to enhance the promotion of its tourist offerings, particularly

highlighting El Palmeral, one of the city’s key attractions.

Additionally, several Elche-based companies whose offerings align with the festival’s theme will participate, including Huerto del Cura, the Garden of the Huerto del Cura, La Marina Resort, and Restaurante La Finca.

THE festivities of San Isidro will begin at 8.00pm on Friday, May 31, at the grand Basilica of Aspe.

Saint Isidro is revered for his association with agriculture and livestock, traditionally invoked for bountiful harvests, good weather, and, more recently, favourable market conditions for farmers and ranchers.

Born in 1082 in Muslim Madrid, San Isidro Labrador was a Mozarabic farmer employed by families like the Vargas and Francisco Vera.

He hailed from a modest Mozarabic family that resettled lands reclaimed during the Reconquista led by Alfonso VI.

San Isidro’s story begins in his youth after being orphaned, when he undertook various jobs.

It is said that under his care, every well yielded

abundant water, even in the driest of lands.

Following the invasion of the Iberian Peninsula’s centre in 1110, San Isidro relocated to Torrelaguna, where he ma-

rried and had a son, San Illán.

In time, Saint Isidro became known for his miraculous abilities.

One such instance involved his oxen ploughing fields unaided while he prayed.

Another famous miracle occurred during a severe drought when he summoned water from a dry well to feed the people.

Legend also recounts San Isidro’s rescue of his son Illán from a well, miraculously raising the water level to bring the child to safety.

GARDEN FESTIVAL: Now in its 20th year.

San Isidro festivities.

Market giveaways

ALICANTE has unveiled its latest campaign, Regala Mercados (Market Giveaways), aimed at boosting sales and attracting new customers to the food stalls of Benalúa, Babel, Central, and Carolinas markets.

Under the slogan ‘Get your gift card and give hope’, the aim is to convey that with it you not only give hope to the person who receives it, but also to our markets and fill them with life

Lidia López, the councillor

for Commerce, Hospitality, and Markets, explained, “For this campaign, we have issued cards with values of €10, €20, and €50, allowing customers to gift their loved ones the experience of purchasing or consuming goods from any of the 180 associated stalls across the four markets in Alicante.”

The operation of these cards is straightforward.

They can be purchased at four designated points of sale within

the Central Market, as follows: the Merchants Association office in the fruit and vegetable area, Peluquería Riansares in Babel Market, Miguel Ángel Carnicería in Benalúa Market, and Carnicería Daniel Gosálbez, Las Sovereigns, and Pescaderías Neus and Paco - Reme in Carolinas Market. Recipients of these cards can later redeem them at any of the 180 associated stalls, which can be identified using the QR code provided on the card.

Fast track frustration

THE launch of the first private high-speed train service linking Elche with Madrid, operated by the French company Ouigo, has been postponed until September 5.

Initially planned for the first half of 2024 to coincide with the peak tourist season, the delay comes after assurances made in January when the general director of Ouigo, Hélène Valenzuela, promised operation “before the summer.”

In March, due to ongoing works on the Atocha tunnel connecting with Chamartín, Ouigo announced limited service, with only one train in each direction from Friday to Sunday, increasing to two trains per day starting in July.

However, these plans have been shelved.

The project and ticket sales launch, featuring two daily round-trip frequencies, were unveiled in Murcia, the terminus station.

However, it was revealed that the Miguel Hernández station in Orihuela, also on

the Murcia-Madrid line, will not have a stop, leaving passengers from the Vega Baja region to choose between the El Carmen station in Murcia or the Matola stop in Elche.

The two trains will depart from Madrid at 8.15am and 4.15pm, and from Elche at 1.02pm and 9.02pm, with an estimated travel time of two hours and 20 minutes.

The only planned stop will be in Albacete, estimated to last only two minutes.

Image: OUIGO España / Facebook

BOOSTING SALES: To attract new customers to the local food stalls.

Image: Ayuntamiento de Alicante

Delay of fast train service.

Uncork history

CASA CESILIA winery in Novelda is an essential stop on the Alicante Wine Route, offering a perfect experience for those exploring inland tourism.

Begin your visit at the historic 18th-century workhouse, where time appears to have stood still, setting the stage for an immersive journey into the world of wine.

At Finca Casa Sicilia, with over 300 years of history, visitors will delve into the secrets and aromas of wine-making.

You’ll learn about traditional production methods, from pruning to ageing in various barrels.

The tour comprehensively explains organic farming techniques as you explore the estate.

Casa Cesilia will guide you through the entire wine-making process, from the vineyard to the bottle.

A visit to the winery includes a tour of the old farmhouse once owned by the Marquises of La Romana.

You will hear about the rich history of the house and vineyards, and learn about wine production processes.

Following the tour, enjoy a wine tasting on the porch of the restaurant with stunning views of La Mola, home to a modernist art sanctuary and a castle.

Each wine in the tasting will be accompanied by a detailed explanation.

Visiting Hours: Daily at 11.30am in English and 12.30pm in Spanish. (Booking is required for groups of more than 15 people.)

For reservations, call (+34) 965 603 763 or email enoturismo@casasicilia 1707.es.

Image: Casa Cesilia / Facebook

WINE TASTING: Traditional methods.

Studio 32’s encore

THE San Fulgencio Town Hall extends its heartfelt gratitude to Studio 32 for their generous donation of €1,000 to the Association of Families of Alzheimer Patients in San Fulgencio.

Additionally, they express a special thank you to the Association and its President, Beatriz, for their dedication and sacrifice.

Studio 32, established in 2013, is committed to bringing high-quality musical theatre to the Costa Blanca while supporting local charities.

The group welcomes new members for performing roles as well as non-performing roles such as backstage crew, lighting, sound, or wardrobe.

If you’re interested in joining Studio 32 or learning more, fill out the form on the Contact Us page of their website: studiothirtytwo.org.

Since its inception, Studio 32 has flourished, taking on increasingly challenging productions.

Their repertoire includes various beloved musicals such as Fiddler On The Roof, Oklahoma, Chicago, South Pacific, and Guys and Dolls.

Rowing Championships

THE rowing teams from the Real Club Nautico Torrevieja recently took part in the 20th edition of the Spanish Rowing Championship.

This event focused on the fixed bench modality of the Mediterranean llaut and concluded on Sunday May 26 in La Línea de la Concepcion (Cadiz Province).

Over three challenging days of competition, approximately 800 rowers representing 81 crews from 28 clubs across Andalucia, Catalonia, Valencia, and Murcia came together to compete.

The Real Club Nautico Torrevieja was represented by their men’s youth, women’s veteran, and men’s veteran teams.

Despite their efforts, Coach Miguel Angel Valero noted that while the veteran teams reached the semifinals and playoffs, they faced tough competition this year, ultimately unable to secure top spots.

The event took place on Poniente beach and was organised by the Spanish and Andalucian Rowing Federations in collaboration with the Mar La Línea Rowing Club.

HEARTFELT THANKS: For Studio 32’s generous donation.

Image: Ayuntamiento de San Fulgencio.

THE Valencian Government is taking steps to introduce vet insurance for pets, aiming to cover their basic health needs at an affordable cost for owners.

Raúl Mérida, the general director of the Natural and Animal Environment for the Valencian government, confirmed the proposal aims to enhance animal welfare and reduce abandonment rates.

The general director highlighted the financial burden associated with basic pet healthcare, stating that it can become

Old to gold Vets for pets

challenging for families over time due to changing life circumstances.

To address this, the government plans to collaborate with veterinarians and insurers to develop insurance covering essentials like accidents, surgeries, and vaccines.

The specifics are still being finalised.

The insurance will operate on a refundable basis, meaning owners will initially pay the veterinarian and then be reimbursed

CARP-R-US returned to El Bosquet on Thursday May 23 for match 9 of its Spring series. This was the first time back since a believed poisoning took place on one stretch of the venue a month or so previously. Fortunately, the water has since recovered.

Split across sections 1a to 7 and 26 - 40 it was anyone’s guess as to which stretch would fare best. In fact it was the latter with late comer, by only five minutes, Steve Higgins on peg 40 that won the match overall catching 22.28 kgs using pole and maggots. At the other end, Ian Brown on 28 came se-

by the insurance within 15 days.

Owners will have the freedom to choose their preferred veterinary clinic without restrictions, and participation in the insurance scheme will be voluntary.

It is hoped that this initiative will also encourage pet identification through microchipping, aiding in tracking the pet population in the Valencian Community and potentially reducing abandonment.

Nora Shephard

THE refurbishment of the Rafal Ethnological Museum, initiated in September, has been successfully completed at a cost of €293,660.

The building, originally the residence of the first Marquis of Rafal and later converted into a town hall and library in the 1950s, required updates to transform it

Who fished best

cond with 17.12 kgs using feeder and maggots. With the strong wind directly in his face, Ian struggled to loose feed maggot. Fortunately he kept his mouth closed as the wind blew them back at him. Falling well short of where intended, once the wind dropped Ian recognised carp were feeding on his loose offerings. So, fishing much closer than intended, Ian began to catch. Dave Hutchinson was third with 13.84 kgs from peg 26.

Stretch 1a - 7 fished poorly by its standards. With no fish until gone noon, Alan Davies on peg 1b then began to catch good sized carp tight against the far bank on pole and maggots. He weighed 12.10 kgs. At the other end, Doug Hornblow renowned for catching mullet struggled until he changed tactics and ended up with 7.36 kgs of carp to win. Doug and Alan bade farewell as they return to Wales for a couple of months; Hasta la vista.

into a suita ble museum space, a role it has served since 2015.

The renovation primarily focused on ensuring compliance with modern ac cessibility standards.

Lifts and ramps were installed at all entrances to facilitate wheelchair access, and bathrooms were adapted for use by individuals with reduced mobility.

Additionally, the interior spaces on both floors were reconfigured to maximise utility, resulting in two spacious and versatile rooms that enhance the presentation and visibility of the museum’s co -

llection.

The Rafal Ethnological Museum is now open for visits, available by appointment from Monday to Friday, between 9.00am and 2.00pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11.00am to 1.30pm.

Appointments can be arranged via email at ayuntamiento@rafal.es or by calling (+34) 966 752 267.

Museum transformed.

Image: Ayuntamiento de Rafal / Facebook

Vine to wine

Anna Ellis

LOWER vineyard density and higher costs and prices are likely consequences of climate change for the wine sector in Alicante.

This was the consensus among winemakers and university experts at a conference held at the Casa Sicilia 1707 winery in Novelda.

The event addressed the challenges the sector faces due to increasing drought and rising temperatures, emphasising that while these extreme climate conditions will make cultivation more difficult, they will not halt wine production entirely.

The wine industry in Alicante is increasingly concerned about the impact of climate change on vineyards.

Last year’s harvest saw a significant decline, a trend expected to continue this year.

Pepe Mendoza, head of

the Casa Agrícola winery,

“We can no longer plant 1,500 vines per hectare; we will need to reduce it to 800,” he stated. Mendoza also recommended lower pruning to create ‘bonsai vines’, reducing yields, and focusing on traditional native

varieties, which are more resilient.

He called for direct support for farmers with vineyards over 25 years old, highlighting the importance of preserving this agricultural heritage.

Castle chimes

ON Monday, May 27, the main door of Fortaleza Castle in Santa Pola reopened to the public after a period of closure for the filming of Alejandro Amenábar’s movie ‘El Cautivo’.

Along with the reopening, the clock bells resumed their usual chiming, signalling the time to all residents and visitors of Santa Pola with their familiar sound.

Since Amenábar’s production team began setting up in the Castle’s parade ground at the end of Fe-

bruary, the main entrance had been closed to facilitate filming.

Now, after the dismantling of all the film-related infrastructure, access through the west façade has been restored, bringing back normalcy to the Castle.

Residents and visitors alike can once again wander around the fortress in both directions.

The traditional sound of the clock bells has been reinstated, resuming their role in marking the quarters and hours.

Melody Makers’ donation

A WONDERFUL time was enjoyed by all who went along to the ‘Only Fools and Horses’ themed event which was held at Age Concern, Calle Pagnini, La Siesta on Saturday May 25.

The Melody Makers Singing Group Quesada joined in the spirit of the day, by donning flat caps and trilby hats and singing many of the old Lon-

don songs to which the audience sang along, with some even dancing to old favourites. At the end of the event Dave Robinson, the Musical Director of Melody Makers presented a cheque to Del Boy aka Malcolm Winstanley, the president of Age Concern with a cheque for €550 for the charity.

If you fancy joining a friendly singing group,

then why not drop in to the Lakeview Restaurant and Bar, 16 Calle Toledo, Quesada. Melody Makers Singing Group meets every Tuesday afternoon 2.00-4.00pm. They are a mixed, international group, no audition is necessary, they sing for fun and raise money for charities along the way, so why not go along and meet them.

WINE MAKERS: Facing challenges.

Image: Casa Sicilia / Facebook

Decade of speed

THE high-speed train, known as the AVE, that links Madrid and Alicante is about to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

It’s been a decade since it first started running, cutting down the travel time between Madrid and Alicante to just two hours and 20 minutes.

This saved travellers 50 minutes compared to before.

The AVE’s arrival in Alicante completed a railway connection that had already begun with cities like Cuenca, Albacete, and Villena.

When the high-speed service launched in June 2013, it quickly became popular.

In its first year alone, the number of people travelling between Madrid and Alicante increased by 52 per cent.

Initially, there were 18 daily services, nine in each direction, and some days saw over 7,000 travellers.

Now, after 10 years, there are 30 daily services, including 21 AVE trains, four Alvia trains, and four Avlo trains.

In March 2023, Renfe introduced Avlo trains, which are affordable high-speed trains.

These trains run between Madrid and Alicante with two trains in each direction every day, offering a total of 1,436 seats per day.

This not only increased the number of high-speed options but also made tickets more affordable, starting at just €7 each way.

Tourism surge

ELCHE’S hotels are very pleased with the 2024 tourism data released by AETE, the local tourism association.

In April, the hotel occupancy rate reached 85.5 per cent, 1 per cent higher than April 2023 and 4.5 points above March 2024.

Regarding profitability, the average price per room in April was €73.37, almost the same as April 2023, with a slight increase of nine cents.

Compared to March 2024, this represents an increase of €1.27.

The Association of Tourism Companies of Elche (AETE) expressed a positive outlook, noting better occupancy rates and room prices compared to 2023, even though April 2023 included Holy Week.

This continues the trend of yearon-year and month-on-month improvements in occupancy and average price throughout 2024.

Weekends saw the highest occupancy rates.

AETE pointed out that the favourable tourism situation is not uni-

que to Elche but part of a broader trend.

Nationally, the March occupancy rate was 55.1 per cent, with average prices of €109.18 and an average stay of 2.9 days.

Looking ahead, May is expected to show stable performance with improvements in occupancy rates and average prices, consistent with the typical tourist season. The tourism sector in Elche aims to offer a more competitive and attractive experience.

ELCHE HOTELS: Are pleased with occupancy rates.

Image: Visit Elche / Facebook

Cool Jobs: get paid €1,000 a day

TWO web portals, InfoJobs and Fotocasa, have joined forces to select the best luxury home tester in Spain and o er him or her €1,000 for one day’s work.

We often go in search of an oasis of well-being and tranquillity in order to get away from everyday life and routine. But what if you could get paid for it? InfoJobs, the leading employment platform in Spain, and the real estate portal Fotocasa have launched a new ‘Cool Jobs’ o er: become a luxury home tester for a day, with a remuneration of €1,000

for a dream working day.

The press release from Fotocasa states that you get paid €1,000 a day to test drive luxury homes

at the INFINITUM resort, located on the Costa Dorada. The resort has been awarded ‘Best Residential Golf Resort in Europe’ and ‘Best Golf Resort in Europe’ by the World Golf Awards, as well as ‘Best Beach Club in Europe’ for three consecutive years by the World Travel Awards.

by InfoJobs,

nity to immerse yourself in the exclusive lifestyle of INFINITUM, a private high-end residential resort with three golf courses and Beach Club located in the heart of the Costa Dorada, and experience rst-hand all the rst class services that this dream destination has to o er” said the press release.

it is neces-

To participate in the selection process, managed by InfoJobs, it is necessary to rst register with InfoJobs. “The position of luxury home tester within a high-end resort o ers an exceptional opportu-

The role of the successful candidate will be to test di erent homes within the resort, as well as the amenities and services o ered to the resident. To do this, you will be able to experience what it is like to

High speed boost

SPAIN has a very strong rolling stock and railway technology industry and the government is promoting it around the world.

On May 21, the Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility Óscar Puente was in Prague for discussions with Czech railway company Leo Express which is 50 per cent owned by Spain’s Renfe.

He made it clear that the Spanish government supported Spanish companies interested in participating in new Czech high-speed railway projects explaining they had signi cant capacity as well as expertise in this area.

“I hope today marks a milestone in the collaboration between the Czech Republic and Spain in the railway eld. I want to congratulate the political strategy of this country, which has placed railway transport as one of its priorities. A priority that is also shared

by the government of which I am a part,” said the minister during the inauguration of the Czech Republic-Spain Business Forum.

Prior to this, he attended a working breakfast with representatives of Spanish companies in the Czech Republic, in which he told them that one of the fundamental lines of the government’s action is to give them support and encourage their internationalisation.

According to him, Spanish companies are world leaders in railway matters as they have know-how that is in high demand in many places.

This is based on the con dence that Spanish technology provides for the planning and construction of the largest high-speed projects in the world, 35 per cent of the metro networks in South America and more than 25 per cent of those in Europe.

stay in the di erent luxury homes, as well as beneting from the exclusive facilities of the resort: the Beach Club with 10 swimming pools, its three golf courses and a variety of high-level restaurants, among other surprises. You will also have the opportunity to choose from the various activities and experiences o ered. The job o er includes accommodation for one night, transfer to and from the selected candidate’s location to the resort, as well as transfers within the resort and a premium Cool Jobs Kit.

“After the success of the previous ‘Cool Jobs’, this time we wanted to go one step further, with a luxury experience where the selected person will be able to immerse themselves in the world of a high standing resort, contributing to the improvement of the resort’s service standards. A dream job o er that may seem like ction, but is actually a reality,” explained Nilton Navarro, Brand Manager at InfoJobs.

Bárbara Puyol, Brand Manager of Fotocasa, said, “it is a magni cent opportunity to discover rsthand one of the best premium residential resorts available on our portal through this job o er.”

Not-so-level crossing Baguette bonanza

FRANCE has reclaimed the record for the longest baguette by baking an impressive bread measuring 140.53 metres (461.05 feet).

To help you picture the size, the baguette is longer than an American football field, which measures 109.7 metres (360 feet).

The record-breaking event was organised by the Municipality of Suresnes, the Confédération National de la Boulangerie-Pâtisserie Française, and Nutella.

This new record beats the previous one of 132.62 metres (435 feet 1 inch) set by Croce Rossa Italiana - Comitato della Provincia di Como in Como, Italy, on June 16, 2019.

Determined to break the record, 18 bakers from Suresnes and across Fran ce started baking the baguette at 3.00am.

Thanks to the construc tion of a custom-built mo ving oven, the baguette was shaped and baked continuously for over 11 hours.

According to Guinness World Records’ guidelines, the baguette could only be made using flour, water, salt,

and yeast.

The most challenging part of baking the baguette was ensuring it didn’t break and held together in one piece, as any cracks or breakage would have disqualified the attempt.

Throughout the day, spectators were entertained by local performances and a bread-making workshop for children.

Final inspections of the baguette were undertaken by Official Adjudicator Joanne Brent at 4.15pm, who confirmed the attempt was successful.

After the event, parts of the baguette were donated to the Celije Association for distribution to people in need, and the rest was spread with Nutella and shared with the public.

THE Oslo gover nment’s stricter controls over its border with Rus sia has generally been welcomed by Norway’s po pulation.

In contrast, Russia maintai ned that tighte ning up the bor der crossing for all those lacking “a necessary or important” motive for entering Norway was “discrimina tory.”

Although the stringent rules are not directed specifically at them, they will have most impact on Russian tourists who enter Norway via the border east of Kirkenes, from where they usually travel to other European destinations.

NORWEGIAN BORDER:

In fact the authorities wish to prevent potential spies from entering and collecting information about Norwegian infrastructure.

Frode Berg, a former border official who was imprisoned in Russia for spying, told the Aftenposten newspaper that he believed Russian agents have

been infiltrating Norway’s businesses, universities and civic organisations “for

Berg, who admitted acting as a courier for Norway’s military intelligence, was arrested when visiting Moscow in 2017 and released after spending 23 months in prison. He has now returned to

He fully supported closing Norway’s borders to Russian tourists, Berg said: “It’s about time the Norwegian government tightened border controls.”

In the past residents on both sides of the border could move freely between both countries, but friction with Russia has increased since the Ukraine invasion in February 2022. Meanwhile, entry will still be allowed for those with residence permits on both sides of the border as well as Russian citizens who study or work in Norway or Schengen countries which allow free movement over borders.

The longest baguette.

Image: Guinness Book of Records.

Russia isn’t so far away.

Risk for reindeers

STOCKHOLM UNIVERSI-

TY, Luleå University of Technology and several villages in Sapmi are investigating the impact of climate change on reindeer husbandry and have found reasons for concern.

“The climate scenario gives a very dark picture of the future.

“Climate change is very big and fast,” said Erik Kjellström, professor at SMHI (Swedish Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology).

He emphasised the negative effects of increased rainfalls which have lowered grazing opportunities, as well as heatwaves during the summer, which causes stress

to the animals.

“If we don’t address the emissions and we have a rampant climate change that happens quickly, there will be very serious consequences and problems in the future,” Kjellström highlighted.

Gunhild Ninis Rosqvist, a Stockholm University professor, investigated the land exploitation within Sapmi.

“Cumulative effects of mineral extraction, energy production and forestry have fragmented and reduced the availability of grazing land for a long time,” she said.

The project will continue for the next four years, focusing on ensuring the wellbeing of reindeers.

AS the number of holiday rentals increases, so does the demand for outdoor areas. Gerard Xalabarde, CEO of Cocopool, an online platform created in Barcelona with which you can rent more than 250 pools spoke to the press and said, “Space rental has become the business of the summer. In fact, the private pool rental market is now an option that is growing all over Spain and it is a trend that is attracting more and more attention from owners and bathers.”

The platform works mainly with offers from Madrid and Barcelona, but in recent months they have

Rent out your pool

for renting out their pool in the summer season. Some can even go as high as €10,000. The listings on the website say that they are, “perfect for events including birthdays, family meals and other celebrations.”

noticed that business is growing in Andalucia and Valencia, from where they are receiving more and more offers to advertise on their website. “There are many potential hosts, we are receiving more and more offers,” said Xalabarde, who added that the average booking is around €480 for about six hours.

In general, the company states that the average profitability of the platform’s owners is around €4,000

One of the advantages of this is that the owner does not need a tourist licence as there is no overnight stay. According to the autonomous regulation of the Valencian Community, this type of rental would not fall under the category of housing for tourist use, since the law states that the dwelling must be rented as a whole for tourist, holiday or leisure purposes.

Popstar economy

TAYLOR SWIFT’S tour could fuel inflation, say the experts at Sweden’s Danske Bank.

The bank authorities issued a warning that similarly to Beyonce’s past European tour, the consequences of inflation are likely to repeat with Taylor Swift’s arrival.

“Everyone knows that we had Eurovision in Malmö, and now Taylor Swift is visiting Stockholm,” stated the Bank’s eco nomist, Miael Gran. “There is a risk that rising prices for hotels, restaurants and tickets will push up inflation more than during Beyonce’s visit last year.”

Yet, many economists argue that with the Swedish krona having less currency than the euro, foreign visitors could lea-

ve a positive mark on the local economy.

“In total we will see approximately 150,000 people attending the concerts in Stockholm. Of them, 120,000 will be travelling to Stockholm,” stated the chief economist of Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, Carl Bergkvist to the Press. “They will be spending approximately half a billion Swedish kronor (€42 million) during their stay here in Stockholm.”

Sweden’s latest research on inflation in April was lower than expected but the data for May has not yet been published. Alongside the Eurovision Contest, however, the economists have issued rising concerns.

Photo: pxhere CC

SUMMER BUSINESS: Pool rental is growing in Spain.

TAYLOR SWIFT’S tour could fuel inflation.

Universal charger

Anna Akopyan

NO more hassle; starting from 2025, all electronic devices will have the same charger.

The Spanish Council of Ministers approved the change in the sale of electronic gadgets. The Spanish market is now transforming with the introduction of the universal charger; adapted to every device.

The Spanish government will apply the EU directive to provide a universal USB Type C charger in 2025. Spain’s Minister of Digital Transformation, Jose Luis Escriva, revealed that from next year, all mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold in Spain will have the same USB type C charging port.

The change will have to be followed by all manufacturers, including the production of video game consoles,

speakers, navigating systems and laptops; for the latter, the enforcement will begin in April 2026.

With this ground-breaking development, there will be no need to carry a set of chargers or worry about not being able to find a charger that matches your phone; the universal USB type

Turning down the volume

C port will allow us to always stay connected.

The European Commission shared that the new obligation will lead to more re-use of chargers and will help consumers “save up to €250 million a year on unnecessary charger purchases,” marking a breakthrough in the world of technology.

Credit: Stanley NG, Pexels

Linda Hall

WITH a new Netherlands’ government expected in June, its predecessor announced measures aimed at reducing noise pollution in areas near Schiphol airport.

These had to be introduced following a July 2023 court ruling that gave the government, which owns the airport, 12 months to comply with regulations directed at solving problems caused by aircraft noise.

Infrastructure minister Mark Harbers’ proposals would permit between 460,000 and 470,000 ights each year, an increase of 7,500 which he admitted might not be popular with the local community.

That was still below the permitted limit of an annual 500,000 ights and would include noise-reducing measures Harbers said.

From November 2024, national airline KLM will use quieter aircraft at night and the two runways which are responsible for most noise pollution will not operate between 1pm and 3pm.

In addition, Schiphol is to increase landing fees for noisy aircraft, with the biggest culprits like the Boeing 747-400 barred from landing or taking o between 11pm and 7am. Night ights will also be cut from 32,000 to 27,000, Harbers revealed.

In all, the new regulations together with those introduced earlier, should reduce daytime noise and annoyance to nearby residents by 20 per cent during the day and 15 per cent at night, the minister said.

The government was also considering a partial ban on night ights, beginning in 2026, although Harbers explained that this was still under discussion.

Different phones, different chargers.

Longer charity hours

SAMARITANS IN SPAIN are extending the operational hours of their service on a three-month trial basis. From Saturday June 1, callers will be able to contact them via their FREEPHONE number 900 525 100 up to midnight every day. During this time they will assess the number of calls taken with a view to making a permanent change.

President, Donna Williams said: “We have an ultimate goal to extend our service to be 24 hourly and this is a big step towards that. This has been made achievable thanks to the number of volunteers that have stepped forward to be available to take calls late at night.”

Samaritans in Spain’s objective is to enable people of any age who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those who may be at risk of suicide, to receive confidential emotional support. Their service is available to all English speakers, irrespective of nationality who reside in mainland Spain and the Islands.

Further information can be found at www.samaritansinspain.com.

THERE could be as many as 56 packs of wolves in the Netherlands in the near future, say local authorities.

Nine wolf packs currently inhabit the country and can increase by 23-56 per cent in the future, according to the WUR (Wageningen Univer sity and Research).

The research evaluated the types of landscapes which the wolves tend to choose, focusing on popu lation density and climate. It is estimated that if signifi cantly selective, the animals are likely to overtake the Veluwe region and southeastern Flevoland.

The ecologist at the WUR, Dennis Lammertsma, ex plained that their choice “depends on all kinds of fac tors,” including the amount of children born. In their nature, the animals adapt easily, hence the difficulty to predict their future habi tats.

Wolf packs

Today, there are seven packs in the Veluwe, one in central Drenthe, and one in the border area of Friesland, Drenthe and Overjissel.

While in 2020, the ma-

jority of Dutch residents were stated to welcome the packs, 42 per cent of the citizens are now concerned about their rapid expansion.

The European Commission is currently investigating whether the wolf’s protected status should be

reconsidered, as the Ministry of Agriculture communicates with the local government about the associated risks.

Summer opening

SUMMER will quickly be upon us, meaning an important change in the locations designated as Areas of High Tourist In ux. These are the municipalities or parts thereof where the weighted average population is expected to be signi cantly higher than the number of residents. As a result, shops and supermarkets in these areas will be permitted to change their summer opening times and days to include Sundays and public holidays.

The dates that are considered the ‘summer period’ vary by region as follows:

Valencian Community - Saturday June 15 until Sunday September 15

Costa del Sol, Costa de Almeria, Axar-

quia - Saturday June 1 until Monday September 30

Murcia - Thursday June 20 until Friday September 20

Balearics – Friday March 15 until Wednesday October 30

Furthermore, Cartagena has been declared an Area of Great Tourist In ux by Order of January 14, 2013, of the Ministries of Universities, Business, and Research. It has been split into two zones, with Zone 1 free to open throughout the year and Zone 2 the same between Friday, March 22 and Monday September 30. Zone 2 covers the Commercial area of the Cabezo Beaza Industrial Estate and is limited to the area of Parque y Espacio Mediterraneo.

Photo credit: CC/Nicolo Caranti

Summer is here.

It’ll cost you

A TRIP to the top of the Eifel Tower by lift is going to cost more after June 17.

The present €29.40 for an adult will go up to €35.30, with the increase going towards paying for essential renovations, Paris City Hall announced.

Councillors also voted in favour of reducing the annual charge paid to city hall by the Eiffel Tower Operating Company (SETE), the publicly-owned company which maintains and runs the instantly-recognisable landmark.

Covid restrictions during the pandemic put SETE €130 million in the red as takings plummeted in 2020 and 2021, although the number of visitors has now recovered, rising to almost six million in 2023.

In February unions representing 200 of the tower’s permanent staff of 360 called a strike which lasted six days, following a one-day walkout in December 2023 over contracts. This time employees were protesting about the ‘untenable business model’, insufficient investment and the high fees paid to Paris City Hall. These rose from €8 million in 2021 to €16

OLDER readers may remember the days of tortoises as pets, they were relatively easy to care for, didn’t run away and hibernated over the winter.

Not quite so cute are terrapins or as they are known in the USA and Canada, freshwater turtles as they can be quite aggressive.

One such species is the Snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) which is native to North America but although hardly a plague, there are significant numbers living in the wild in Europe, especially for some reason Italy.

The only way they could have been introduced is by pet owners discovering how potentially aggressive and difficult to care for they are once they have become adults.

A rather large and somewhat belligerent example was spotted by a walker in a public area of open land near Bruges in Belgium.

Recognising that this was no ordinary reptile, he contacted SOS Reptiel - Reptile

million, the unions pointed out.

The tower designed by Gustave Eiffel was built between 1887 and 1889 as the entrance arch for the 1889 Exposition Universelle world fair. Ideally, the structure should be repainted every seven years to control the inevitable rust, Eiffel said at the time.

The iron tower, which is 300 metres high, or 330 when taking into account the radio antenna at its top, is in good condition beneath its 60 tons of paint, experts said. It has been repainted on 19 occasions since 1889, the last time in 2010.

Turtle neck

Rescue Centre Belgium and they immediately recognised it as a potentially dangerous creature and captured it.

Although having a powerful bite which could certainly cause damage to fingers or dog paws, becau-

se they are top predators in the local pond, the Snapping turtle tends not to attack humans.

This specimen has joined 15 more, some of which are much larger and will now be found a safe home in a zoo or rescue park.

EIFFEL TOWER: Adults will pay €35.30 to visit the Paris monument.

Photo credit: CC/Xiquinhosilva

One large Snapping turtle captured.

National Service

IF Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives are re-elected, teenagers will be at the forefront of policy decisions as they won’t be allowed to smoke, but could fight for King and Country.

The plan is to offer 18-year-olds two options, firstly to become a member of the Armed Forces for a year and be paid or become an unpaid volunteer with community services such as the police of fire brigade one weekend a month.

Clearly, this is aimed to appeal to the Tory heartlands as so often, whenever youth misbehaves, the voices of many are raised saying “they wouldn’t behave like that if they had seen National Service!”

In fact National Service in the UK was scrapped in 1960, so any male who was born prior to 1942 would have experien-

ced it but today would be over 80, so the majority of those calling for it to come back would never have experienced it!

The Prime Minister explained on Saturday May 25 “I will bring in a new model of national service to create a shared sense of purpose among our young people and a renewed sense of pride in our country.”

He added the move would help young people learn “real world skills, do new things and contribute to their community and our country.”

Although supposedly a mandatory requirement, talking to Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, the next day, Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “There’s going to be no criminal sanctions, nobody’s going to jail over this” if they refuse to take part.

Coffee lovers

WHILE finding a decent cup of tea outside the UK may be challenging, the same cannot be said for coffee.

As the world coffee consumption rises by 2-2.5 per cent each year, this is good news for cafes everywhere. Here in Spain, drinking coffee is seen as a way of life. According to the Spanish Coffee Association (AECafe), 65.5 million cups of coffee are drunk every day!

Not all coffees are created equal and neither are they priced that way. For example, buying a cup of coffee in the UK typically costs £3.70 (€4.30). Likewise, you can expect to pay a similar sum in Denmark, Switzerland, Norway, Finland and Sweden. Thankfully, here in Spain, the cost is a more reasonable average price of €1.50.

While there is a whole variety of coffees to choose from, there are typically two types of coffee drinker.

The first places value not

There are a whole variety of coffees to choose from.

on the coffee itself but the entire ‘coffee experience’. They will select places based on the setting and ambience. This could be somewhere to enjoy reading a book, socialising with friends or finding some much-needed solitude.

The other is more interested in the barista types, where the attraction is the

variety of beans on offer and the preparation techniques. Most likely, they are looking for their ‘fix’ on the go or to consume at a desk. One thing’s for sure, with so many cafés to choose from in Spain, you are sure to find the perfect place to satisfy your coffee desires to your heart’s content.

Rishi Sunak wants to see the return of National Service.

INTERVIEW

Speaking European –Jan Törstedt

The first thought Jan had after he had finished his national duty in the Swedish military, was “I’ve got to go to Spain.” He was in his 20s and was the first Swedish ERASMUS student to come to Spain, moving to study at the University of Barcelona in 1995.

ALMOST 30 years later, he resides in Barcelona with his Spani sh family and shares his love of Spain and “its way of living.”

Even back in 1995, when there were much fewer expatriates than today, Jan remembers how welcomed he felt: “Spain is the most welcoming country in the world because they are so used to visi tors.”

Jan believes in a strong expatriate community: “Foreigners in Spain have the most in common with each other, no

matter where they come from. Out of the entire planet, they choose to come here and that shows the kind of values that they have and the lifestyle they desire.”

One of Jan’s favourite things about Spain is its diversity and uniqueness from region to region. He also loves the climate but with the country’s rich culture, unmatchable scenery and welcoming people, he has learnt that “Spain is so much more than just the sun.”

Eurostar expansion

EUROSTAR’S chief executive has outlined ambitious plans for the future, including the redesign of St Pancras and Paris Gare du Nord.

Work is planned on the stations over the next five years in a bid to accommodate more passengers.

The rail service is considering expanding its routes from London and is in talks to purchase 50 new trains to facilitate this growth.

Gwendoline Cazenave, Eurostar’s CEO, emphasised the strong demand for their services and the company’s aspirations for further expansion across Europe.

The potential introduction of new routes will coincide with the acquisition of a new fleet of trains, which will replace older models and increase the size of Eurostar’s fleet from 51 to 67 trains.

Manufacturers are being evaluated based on their ability to deliver the

EUROSTAR: Ambitious plans for the future.

trains quickly, with expectations of having them in service by the early 2030s.

Eurostar’s expansion plans come on the heels of its record-breaking annual revenue exceeding €2 billion and a significant rise in passenger numbers, reaching nearly 19 million.

With sustainability driving demand for travel, Eurostar anticipates serving approximately 30

million passengers annually by 2030.

To accommodate this anticipated increase, plans are underway to redesign major terminals like St Pancras and Paris Gare du Nord to create more space for passengers.

Similarly, expansion projects are ongoing at Eurostar’s terminal in Amsterdam to accommodate more travellers.

Passport and TIE needed

ONE of our readers has just experienced a potential problem when travelling to the UK and has suggested that we share the following advice.

Audrey Pavron explained “I am a British passport holder living in Spain and recently renewed my passport.

“Even though I had a copy of the card on my mobile phone, it was very touch and go as to whether I would be allowed to travel but happily they did relent and let me go to the boarding gate.”

“Making my first trip back to England from Malaga Airport, I presented the brand new passport to immigration and was questioned as to why there was no stamp showing my arrival in Spain.

“Naturally as a resident, I didn’t need a stamp but it hadn’t occurred to me that I should have travelled with my residency card (TIE) to prove the fact, but I had left it safely at home!

Whilst some seasoned travellers would automatically know to take their passport and TIE card with them, others who don’t travel as much may not be aware of this and if you don’t have a TIE card but just the Green Certificate, be advised that the British Embassy in Madrid has recommended that this be swapped as soon as possible.

Also leave plenty of time before the flight is due to take off as there is often a long queue at immigration.

Jan Törstedt in Spain

Fast and slow track for passport control Malaga Airport.

Fireball lights up skies

A SPECTACULAR meteor fireball recently illuminated the skies over Portugal and Spain, according to the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalucia.

The celestial event began at an altitude of approximately 122 km above the Don Benito in Badajoz, Spain, and ended at about 54km above the Atlantic Ocean, after travelling northwest and crossing over Portugal.

Initial reports prompted speculation about meteor fragments reaching the ground, leading to night searches by Civil Protection. However, data from the SMART project, operated by the Southwestern Europe Meteor Network, clarified the situation.

Observation stations confirmed that no fragments made it to the Earth’s surface.

Astrophysicist Jose Maria Madiedo, head of the SMART project, analysed the event. The analysis revealed that the meteoroid

entered the Earth’s atmosphere at a staggering speed of around 16,000 km per hour. It travelled with an almost level trajectory, inclined only about 10 degrees to the horizontal.

“When it hit the air at this speed, the surface of the rock heated up and became incandescent. It was this incandescence that manifested itself in the form of a fireball,” Madiedo explained.

The fireball’s journey through the atmosphere in-

cluded several explosions, causing sudden luminosity increases due to abrupt ruptures in the rock. The total distance covered by the fireball before extinguishing was roughly 500 km.

This event provided valuable data for researchers and a stunning visual for those fortunate enough to witness it. The insights from the SMART project continue to enhance our understanding of meteoroid behaviour as they enter Earth’s atmosphere.

Food from thin air

IN a 1973 film, the world could not feed itself and relied on a processed food company which introduced Soylent Green, now from Finland comes Solein ice cream.

Partially funded by the European Union as part of the European Commission’s Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI), Solar Foods has just opened a state of the art factory outside of Helsinki.

With animal agriculture being blamed for the excess of greenhouse gas that is currently claimed to be a major reason for climate change, Solar Foods believe they can help the planet.

Rather than genetically modify any type of food, they create a protein powder out of cells using air and electricity combined with several different elements taken from the air.

This protein is, according to Solar Foods, an ideal milk and egg substitute and could be the start of reducing our reliance on cows and chickens.

So far, Singapore has approved the use of the protein in food manufacture and first trials are taking place with the production of a chocolate flavoured ice cream.

The next step for this company is to obtain recognition that this is an acceptable product in the European Union and the USA and once received will allow the company to expand its production even further.

A flash was seen in several districts, from north to south of Portugal and in Spain.

Enjoying Solein ice cream.

Yes or no to electric VOX Pop

THE Spanish electric vehicle (EV) market is less advanced than some of its European neighbours. We asked our readers their thoughts on purchasing one:

Paulo Silva from Portugal, now living in Polop would never consider buying an electric car because of the cost and lack of convenience. He went on to explain, “I like to drive to Portugal to visit my family, and this typically takes 12 hours. When one of my friends did the same thing in an electric car, it took them more than a day because of all the stopping… why would I do that?”

Gabriela Marian , who moved to Spain from Romania, had this to say, “I would not buy an electric car because I would be worried about running out of charge if I went on a long journey. I also do not think electric cars are better than what we have now because there is more risk of accidents, such as fires. The world wants to evolve, but I see that it is getting worse.”

Raquel Mulet Hernandez , a Cuban living in Spain for more than a decade, was very vocal in her enthusiasm for owning an electric car. She told us, “I would spend less money on maintenance, they make less noise and are much easier to park because it is free, there are zero restrictions on entering big cities, and the cost of recharging is much cheaper than gasoline.” She continued “Above all, the great environmental impact because they pollute zero, so you get to help the planet by driving one.”

Linda Bohn da Silva originally from Norway, responded with a definite ‘no’ as she does not see that they are any good for longer journeys. She explained, “The biggest issue is the lack of electric points. I would be very nervous that the car would stop and I would be stuck.”

Andrew Clarke from England, living in Cambrils said “From looking at it here in Spain, it seems that it’s not worth it. The costs are higher and the positive impact on the environment is questionable since these cars require a lot to produce. I love my old car from 1993 and want to pass it onto my grandchildren; why spend more money and energy?”

GABRIELA MARIAN

PAULO SILVA

The Courier reaches No.1 on Netflix Top 10

HITTING 11,200,000 views on Netflix between May 13May 19, ‘The Courier’ provides an intense look into Spain’s financial turbulence from 1992 to 2011.

Based on true events, real news footage is weaved into the narrative, underscoring the authenticity of its wild crime saga. For fans of Spanish cinema and TV, the film is a trove of familiar faces. Aron Piper, known for his roles in ‘Muted’, ‘Elite’ and ‘The Mess You Leave Behind’ leads the cast.

Although a Spanish production, ‘The Courier’ unfolds across several European cities including Brussels, Geneva, Madrid, and Marbella.

The narrative begins in 1992, a pivotal year for Spain with the Olympics and the Expo in Barcelona. Ivan (Piper) experiences

first-hand the stark impact of financial collapse on his family, moving from prosperity to hardship within a short space of time. The story then leaps to 2002, capturing Spain’s entry into the Euro.

Opportunities abound in this era of economic upheaval, particularly for those unscrupulous enough to exploit the vulnerable. As a young man disillusioned by his country’s government,

Ivan is determined to transcend his humble beginnings. Working as a valet at a luxurious golf club in Madrid, he seizes the chance to infiltrate the world of powerful elites, becoming a Belgian courier for an international money laundering organisation, transporting suitcases to Brussels and Geneva.

Ivan is not content to remain a mere courier. He sets his sights on the Costa

del Sol, a region teeming with dirty money, aiming to capitalise on the corrupt dealings of property developers, politicians, bankers, and athletes. Ivan’s ambition knows no bounds; he is willing to harm anyone in his quest for wealth.

At its core, ‘The Courier’ is a tale of crime and its eventual consequences. It portrays the allure of a lavish lifestyle and the inevitable downfall that follows. Overall, the film is a riveting crime thriller that provides a stark reminder of the destructive power of greed.

The success of ‘The Courier’ demonstrates the enthusiasm for non-English stories, which now generate 30 per cent of all Netflix viewing, according to a recent report by the streaming channel.

Bumps in the air

FATALITIES and serious injuries from turbulence are fortunately very rare.

Flight crews often predict bad weather and rough air in advance and are trained to handle the effects.

“Turbulence fatalities on commercial flights are fortunately very rare,” Dr Paul Williams, Professor of Atmospheric Science at the University of Reading, told Euronews Travel.

He explained that turbulence can be caused by storms, mountains, and strong air currents called jet streams.

Clear-air turbulence, however, is particularly challenging because it doesn’t appear on the flight deck’s weather radar and is caused by small-scale eddies too localised for most weather models to predict accurately.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), turbulence is the leading cause of non-fatal injuries to passengers and crew.

However, severe injuries and deaths on large aircraft are uncommon.

Between 2009 and 2021, 146 passengers and crew were seriously injured in turbulence incidents, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

John Strickland, a general aviation expert, told the BBC, “It is not for nothing that airlines recommend keeping seat belts loosely fastened throughout a flight, be it long or short.”

Flight attendants, who spend more time on their feet than passengers, are particularly vulnerable to turbulence-related injuries.

They are 24 times more likely to be seriously injured than passengers.

Non-English films are becoming increasingly popular on Netflix.

IRELAND

In a fix

A UNITED AIRLINES Zurich-Chicago flight was diverted to Shannon after a passenger’s laptop became wedged in their seat when the aircraft was over the Atlantic. Engineers freed the laptop within minutes of landing but passengers had to spend the night in Ireland as the crew had by then flown maximum hours.

Dance off

THE Irish Dancing Commission (CLRG) confirmed in Dublin on May 22 that it would not be taking further disciplinary action against 44 teachers and judges accused of rigging the results of Irish Dancing competitions for several years. According to the BBC, there had been “an issue” with finding a suitable witness for the process.

Royal visit

THE two-day visit to Norway by the UK’s Princess Anne included a visit to the Resistance Museum accompanied by her godson, Crown Prince Haakon. Located in Oslo’s Akershus Fortress, the museum features equipment, photos and documents from the 1940-1945 Nazi occupation during the Second World War.

Pass mark

JUST over 91 per cent of 5,333 immigrants eligible for Norwegian citizenship passed tests last year that were introduced in 2017 to measure their knowledge of Norwegian life and society. “We can only congratulate them,” said a satisfied Tonje Brenna, the minister responsible for Labour and Social Inclusion

EURO PRESS

Big cats

SWEDEN

Less hassle

PORTUGAL BELGIUM

THE World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) said that Belgium and areas in adjoining countries could provide a viable habitat for around 75 lynxes in the wild. The last wild lynx was seen in Belgium a century ago, but wildlife cameras have intermittently spotted one animal in the Semois Valley since August 2020.

FRANCE

Tuna time

BLUEFIN tuna fishing began off Tavira Island in the Algarve with a catch of 100 fish, the largest of which weighed in at 330 kilos. Fishermen used the Mediterranean’s traditional and sustainable “almadraba” method where boats set up a huge structure of nets between them, instead of trawling, which damages the seabed.

Playing safe

PRIME MINISTER Luis Montenegro declared that despite the presence of “certain crimes,” Portugal was one of the safest countries in Europe, although the Annual Security Report (RASI) registered an overall rise in the crime rate. It also revealed that violent crime had increased throughout mainland Portugal.

Me too

APPLICANTS for a Swedish work or student’s permit will now be able to verify their passports by using an online app instead of having to visit a Swedish embassy. The scheme will benefit 19,000 workers and 5,000 students living in one of 23 countries which include the UK, the US, Australia and Canada.

Not listed

AHN-ZA HAGSTROM, head of the Terrorist Threat Assessment Centre (NCT), said Sweden was no longer a priority for terror propagandists. The threat level was raised in August 2023 following the Koran burnings, but Isis and Al Qaeda were now focusing on this summer’s big sporting events, Hagstrom said.

FINLAND NORWAY

AS women in France’s armed forces reveal more details of the abuse and violence they experience, the military authorities are increasingly inundated with complaints, Le Monde newspaper said. An investigation also found that women were routinely penalised for reporting abuse, while attackers remained in their posts.

Trump card

FILM director Ali Abbasi made light of threatened legal action following the premiere of his Donald Trump biopic, The Apprentice, at the Cannes Film Festival. Abbasi said he was not bothered by the Trump camp’s reaction but admitted that the film was unlikely to be released before the US elections on November 5.

ITALY

Past events

MARIO MOTI, an 85-year-old former Carabinieri brigadier-general acquitted of state-Mafia negotiation in 2023, is under investigation again. The Florence Public Prosecutor will now question Mori under caution about the Mafia bombings that killed 10 people and injured 40 in Rome, Florence and Milan in 1993.

Orange alert

LAST GENERATION activists sprayed the entrance to the Health ministry in Rome with orange paint in protest at the “deaths and conditions” caused by global warming. The same group targeted Florence’s Uffizi Museum last February by pasting photographs of flooding on the glass over Botticelli’s Venus.

DENMARK

Varied VAT

THE government could adopt Europe’s practice of varying VAT rates for different products instead of Denmark’s present 25 per cent on all items. “There is potential for differentiating VAT on goods we would like people to buy, like fruit and vegetables,” Taxation minister Jeppe Bruus told a newspaper interviewer.

Mammoth find

WHEN an Aarhus gravel pit worker found part of a tusk in an excavator scoop, he guessed it was linked to the mammoth’s cheekbone discovered at the site some years before. Aarhus Natural History Museum experts will restore the tusk, which has a fresh crack probably caused during excavation, before putting it on show.

Good faith

FINLAND’S latest Youth Barometer survey found that most young people were not interested in religion. Approximately 20 per cent of the 15-29 age group described themselves as believers, while 60 per cent said they were “not at all religious” although 6 per cent explained they were non-religious “but spiritual”.

Helping hand

SOCIAL SECURITY institution Kela’s annual report and financial statement for 2023 showed that it paid a total of €16.6 billion in benefits and emphasised how challenges like inflation and the energy crisis had impacted its operations. “Exceptional times highlight Kela’s vital role,” director general Outi Antila said.

Electric storm

A LIGHTNING strike during a storm on the evening of May 20 injured a group of 10 people in Dresden, seriously harming four of them, the dpa news agency said. Two men aged 27 and 30 who suffered cardiac arrest were successfully resuscitated and later admitted to hospital after receiving emergency treatment.

Booker Prize

JENNY ERPENBECK and translator Michael Hofmann won the International Booker Prize for her novel, Kairos, set in East Berlin where the author was born and raised. The book was selected from 149 submissions for the UK award, and Erpenbeck and Hofmann will now share the prize money of £50,000 (€59,000).

Other habits

POLICE detected and dismantled 1,230 clandestine marihuana plantations in 2023, considerably down on their 2022 haul of 1,604. In contrast, they raided and destroyed 151 laboratories specialising in synthetic drugs as well as heroin and cocaine in 2023, a 50 per cent increase on the 100 they detected in 2022.

On foot

PEOPLE are visiting shopping streets more often this year, with levels that are equal to those prior to the pandemic, according to retail research service Locatus. This recovery was more noticeable in big cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht and Maastricht than in smaller cities, where Locatus noticed fewer crowds.

COSTA BLANCA SOUTH

The Rodfather

REY is proud to present Andy Berry as the Rodfather, the number one tribute to Rod Stewart.

Andy Berry has been in the entertainment industry his whole life. He joined the Canterbury Cathedral Choir School at age 10 and has been singing and acting ever since. He has appeared in English series like ‘Three Up Two Down’ and

‘Casualty’, and was featured in the series ‘Benidorm’ with his show

The Rodfather. He also toured with the group Showaddywaddy and performed at the London Palladium.

Andy fell in love with Benidorm on a childhood holiday and moved there 22 years ago.

He started singing in hotels and now headlines with his main show, The Rodfather, a tribute to Rod Stewart. He also enjoys performing an Elton John tribute, where he gets to play the piano, along with many other projects.

Join the fun on Friday May 31 at 9.00pm for a night of fun at El Rey Restobar, Avenida Ciudad de Murcia 58, 30591 Balsicas.

Tickets are selling fast, so reserve your spot by calling or sending a WhatsApp to (+34) 968 580 084.

Summer Fit

JUNE marks the start of summer afternoons, sunny terraces, beach days, holidays, and parties, and Zenia Boulevard is kicking it off with Summer Fit!

Join La Zenia Boulevard for a lively event where four renowned fit dance teachers and their students will take the stage to help us get in shape through dance.

This fun and energetic afternoon will help you prepare for all the exciting things summer has in store.

The lineup starts with a Zumba

SEAN BRADY, known for his guitar and vocal performances, will be playing a mix of Irish, country, and contemporary music at The Trinity Bar in Cabo Roig on Friday, May 31 at 9.00pm.

To reserve your seat or for more information, visit The Trinity at El Faro 13 Calle de Mar, Cabo Roig, 03189, or call (+34) 604 114 896.

Sean shared, “I started doing live gigs in the 1970s, performing in the vibrant London Irish pub and club scene. I’ve been singing and playing ever since.

“My guitar playing was pretty rough at the beginning, but I eventually learned to play the right chords and got better over time. I love singing as much as ever.

“Throughout my career, I’ve shared the stage with many of Ireland’s most popular performers, including Paddy Reilly, Johnny McEvoy, Brendan Shine, The Wolfe Tones, The Barleycorn, Brendan Bowyer, Danny Doyle, Dermot O’Brien, and Sean Dunphy.

“I was particularly impressed by

Class which is open to everyone, regardless of age. Can we keep up with the rhythm?

Swiftly followed by Reggaeton Fit. Dance to reggaeton music is a great way to move your body and burn calories. End the afternoon with Salsa and Bachata Fit, and experience how Latin music provides the perfect beats to get in shape.

Don’t miss out on Saturday, June 1, from 6.00pm to 9.00pm, for La Zenia’s most fitness-focused and fun dance event.

Sean Brady

Johnny McEvoy and Danny Doyle as solo performers and storytellers. When I worked with Johnny McEvoy in Boston, I was in awe of his ability to captivate the audience with his covers and self-penned songs.

“My favourite Johnny McEvoy song is ‘The Ballad of John Williams’.”

El

Back to the 90s

STEP back in time with the Back to the 90s Party in Alicante.

Ready to relive the magic of the 90s and early 2000s? Mark your calendars for Friday May 31 and prepare for a night of dancing and singing along to the era’s greatest hits.

On May 31, head to Pelican, located at Avinguda de la Costa Blanca, 148, in Alicante.

The party promises to bring the best world hits from the 90s and 00s, all remixed with a modern twist.

Grab your dancing shoes and get ready to groove all night long.

For more information and to book your tickets, visit the website: discopartybcn.com.

John the Fiddler

ENJOY an evening of live music with John, the renowned fiddler and musician, during his first visit to Restaurante Virgen de la Esperanza. Tickets are €5 and include a complimentary caña or glass of wine. The event takes place at Restaurante Virgen de la Esperanza, located in Umbria de la Zarza, 30648 Abanilla. To find out more or to book tickets, call (+34) 652 835 805.

Mad house music

ON Saturday June 1, starting at 8.00pm, The Madhouse invites you to an explosive Back to the 80s toe-tapping extravaganza.

Enjoy a singalong followed by dance music from the 80s and 90s. Get ready for the biggest hits and some overlooked gems from Madonna, a-ha, Prince, Queen, Duran Duran, Michael Jackson, Depeche Mode, Blondie, Def Leppard, Talking Heads, Dire Straits, Toto, Laura Branigan, The Clash, The Cars, Simple Minds, Phil Collins, and more.

For more information, visit The Madhouse at Tiro de Pichón, Calle República Dominicana, 03189 Orihuela, or call (+34) 711 083 529.

QUIRKY TOWN

Human towers in Tarragona

John Smith

ONE of the better known quirks of Catalonian human nature is that of the building of human towers across the region.

Probably the most famous is that which takes place in Tarragona which claims to be the biggest and best.

The phrase “room for a little one” really rings true as four local teams as well as visiting groups known as Colles compete to see how high and sturdy their tower can be and a lot is down to weight and size.

Every two years Tarragona hosts what it refers to as the world’s biggest human tower (Castellar) building competition which can surpass 15 metres in height.

The towers are made of people standing on each other’s shoulders and usually, a small child climbs last to reach

the tip of the sometimes shaking tower and the tradition in Catalonia goes back to the 18th century.

Covid stopped the 2020 event but it did take place in 2022 and now it returns to Tarragona with practices starting on June 24 around the streets of the city and the grand finale being held in the Tarraco Arena (the old bullfighting ring) on October 6.

Huge numbers of spectators fill the bullring as they watch the different teams compete with the heaviest and strongest forming the base and others who are lighter climbing on top but there are no safety nets and it’s not without danger.

Even the children who wear safety helmets could fall and sometimes it is the dismounting that can be more dangerous than building the tower.

Building a successful tower in the final.

Credit: Tarragona Tourism

FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA

Citi flaws

THE UK’S Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority have between them fined Citigroup £61.7 million (€72.5 million) for flaws in the company’s trading systems and controls. These failures led to a trader incorrectly selling around $1.4 billion (€1.3 billion) of equities.

Iberdrola plan

IBERDROLA hopes to thrash out an agreement enabling it to pay $35.75 (€32.91) per share for the remainder of its Connecticut-based US subsidiary Avangrid, in which it currently holds an 81.6 per cent stake. The total operation, if it goes ahead, will cost the energy company $2.551 billion (€2.348 billion).

No dice

FINANCIAL services company

Hargreaves Lansdown has twice rejected a £4.6 billion (€5.4 billion) takeover from a consortium headed by CVC Capital and Abu Dhabi’s wealth fund. The group said it was considering making a third approach for the Bristolbased company and had until June 19 to make a firm bid.

Gas licences

NATURGY hopes to renew its natural gas distribution licences in Argentina for 20 years, although the present diplomatic standoff between President Milei and the Spanish government could complicate renewal. At present Naturgy provides gas in parts of Buenos Aires province and four other provinces.

Looking ahead

ASTRAZENECA, Britain’s largest pharmaceutical company, announced revenues of $45.8 billion (€42.4 billion) in 2023, with an $80 billion (approximately €74 billion) target for 2030. The company said this could be achieved with rising demand for its biopharmaceuticals, oncology, and diabetes treatments.

STAT OF WEEK

€76.121 billion

is the current market value of Santander Bank, which has put it ahead of all other European banks after overtaking BNP Paribas’ capitalisation of €76.013 billion.

Plain sailing for M&S

MARKS & SPENCER is in its best financial shape since 1997, the company announced.

Total revenues for the financial year ending March 30 rose by more than £1 billion (€1.17 billion) to £13.04 billion (€15.3 billion).

Food sales rose by 13 per cent over the retailer’s last financial year, while clothing and homeware revenue increased by 5.3 per cent, with a 10 per cent market share, compared with 9.6 per cent in 2022.

“Both have now delivered 12 consecutive quarters of sales growth, and this gives us wind in our sails and confidence that our plan is working,” M&S chief executive Stuart Ma-

chin said.

Profits before tax and adjusting items reached £716.4 million (€840.97 million), 58 per cent above the predicted £684 million (€802.98 million) and shares at £30.02 (€35.24) reached their highest level

AMAZON’S cloud computing unit Amazon Web Services (AWS) is spending €15.7 billion on its data centres in the Aragon region.

Three AWS installations that already exist in Huesca, El Burgo de Ebro and Villanueva de Gallego will be expanded, eventually making the region one of the most important technology hubs in Europe.

These began operations in 2022 following AWS’s three-year, €2.5 billion investment, which foresaw the creation of 1,300 full-time work contracts over the following 10 years. This has now grown to 17,500 jobs, of which 6,800 will re-

Last-ditch

CANARY WHARF MANAGEMENT received a winding up petition after a retailer who closed last year left behind an unpaid energy bill.

The Npower bill ran into thousands, according to reports in the UK media, and after pursuing the debt for some time without success, the company filed the petition on May 17 “as a last resort.”

A Canary Wharf spokesman said on May 20 that the bill had been settled.

since 2017.

Nevertheless, there was “disappointment” with Ocado, which sells M&S food online and was responsible for a £37.3 million (€43.79 million) loss in 2024 compared with £29.5 million (€34.63 million) in

2022.

Sales at M&S’s international stores also dipped by 1 per cent to £719 million (€844.36 million) and Machin revealed that the company now “resetting priorities” abroad.

Without taking lease liabilities into account, the company had net funds of £45.7 million (€53.65 million) by late March, compared with a net debt of £355.6 million (€414.46 million) 12 months previously.

Meanwhile, the company will open nine new food stores over the coming year, plus four clothing and home stores despite closing 12 outdated or badly-sited stores in 2023.

Silver-lined cloud

BHP’s third try

MULTINATIONAL mining company

Anglo American turned down another approach from Australian rival, Broken Hill Proprietary Company (BHP).

The London-based group rejected an all-share £29.34 (€34.45) offer following earlier £27.53 (€32.32) and £25.08 (€29.46) bids.

This latest attempt would value Anglo American at £38.6 billion (€45.33 billion), but acceptance would involve splitting off its Amplats and Kumba platinum and iron ore subsidiaries in South Africa.

Anglo said the 18-month deadline for selling the units prior to the BHP takeover was “too risky and complex” but requested a one-week extension to negotiate a simpler deal.

If no agreement is reached, BHP will have to walk away for six months under City rules.

VIRGIN MONEY shareholders voted in favour of Nationwide Building Society’s proposed £2.9 billion (€3.4 billion) takeover.

The deal, which required backing from 75 per cent of shareholders, was approved by 89 per cent at a General Meeting on May 22, thanks mainly to Virgin Money’s biggest investor, Sir Richard Branson.

From the outset, Branson’s Virgin Group has supported the takeover which will earn the billionaire businessman £724 million (€850.7 million) although the transaction still needs approval from the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority.

main inside Aragon.

Amazon’s investment would have an impact of €21.6 billion on Spain’s gross domestic product (GDP), with a “colossal” €12.9 billion of that sum swelling Aragon’s own GDP, regional president Jorge Azcon said.

This was the equivalent of more than 30 per cent of Aragon’s GDP which in late 2022 - the last year with available figures - stood at €41.76 billion.

Flying

AIR EUROPA posted revenues of

€2.756 billion and a €165 million net profit for 2023.

This soared above 2022’s €470,000 profit and outstripped the €28.6 million corresponding to 2019 before the pandemic plunged the aviation industry into crisis.

These figures will also help Air Europa finish repaying a €141 million loan which was guaranteed by Spain’s Official Credit Institute (ICO) in 2020 and is due in August.

“These excellent results further reinforce the viability of Air Europa,” said chief executive Juan José Hidalgo, as the company, which belongs to the Globalia group, prepares for a €500 million takeover by IAG.

THE Madrid High Court cancelled three fines totalling €118 million imposed by Spain’s National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC) on railway infrastructure companies.

Former ACS company Cobra, which now belongs to French company Vinci, and Sacyr were accused of belonging to a cartel in which 15 companies shared out 200 railway infrastructure projects worth €1.055bn over 14 years.

Cobra’s two fines totalling €27.2 million were lifted, as was Sacyr’s €762,363 although the court rejected an appeal from Siemens, which must still pay €16.8 million.

BBVA employees will soon be using artificial intelligence, the bank announced after signing an agreement with ChatGPT’s creator, OpenAI. It would explore “in a safe and responsible manner” the use of generative AI to accelerate procedures, improve productivity and increase innovation when creating texts and images or processing information, the bank said. It has now begun distributing 3,000 ChatGPT licences to its employees, and will be the first European bank to form this type of alliance.

STUART MACHIN: M&S ‘confident’ chief executive said.

Photo credit: M&S/Stuart Machin

JORGE AZCON: Aragon president announces Amazon investment.

LONDON - FTSE 100

3I Group 2.919,00 2.919,00 2.895,00 48,32K Admiral Group 2.684,0 2.689,0 2.671,0 7,73K

Airtel Africa 119,20 119,65 117,00 172,58K

Anglo American 2.627,5 2.649,5 2.617,0 131,19K

Antofagasta 2.236,00 2.249,00 2.231,00 55,04K

Ashtead Group 5.684,0 5.706,0 5.662,0 21,30K

Associated British Foods 2.708,0 2.708,0 2.690,0 26,77K AstraZeneca 12.306,0 12.362,0 12.288,0 65,95K

Auto Trader Group Plc 742,80 744,80 740,40 54,62K

Aviva 478,55 479,80 475,40 715,84K

B&M European Value Retail SA 550,12 551,60 546,80 78,28K

BAE Systems 1.388,00 1.396,50 1.382,00 166,31K Barclays 211,95 212,55 210,75 3,14M

Barratt Developments 503,14 504,40 495,90 60,97K

Beazley 662,50 662,50 656,00 54,46K

Berkeley 5.190,0 5.200,0 5.140,0 6,13K

BP 478,85 479,90 477,30 1,89M

British American Tobacco 2.399,0 2.414,0 2.391,0 275,88K

BT Group 127,95 128,30 126,05 2,33M Bunzl 2.996,0 3.014,0 2.986,0 18,51K Burberry Group 1.041,0 1.044,5 1.038,0 117,40K

141,99 143,05 141,40 838,92K Coca Cola HBC AG 2.758,0 2.762,0 2.744,0 25,90K

BUSINESS

Media deal

SQUIRREL MEDIA has acquired IKI Group, one of Spain’s leading advertising agencies, which will now be integratedintothemedia, advertising, audiovisual and technological services company.

The amount involved was not revealed “to avoid influencing” other operations currently in the pipeline, Squirrel said.

Charge-free

DIPLOMATS based in the capital owe Transport for London (TFL) around £143 million (€167.84 million) in unpaid congestion charges.

The US Embassy’s accumulation has reached £14 million (€16.43 million), followed by Japan’s with more than £10.1 million (€11.85 million).

Nearly there

INFLATION fell to 2.3 per cent in April, down from 3.2 per cent in March and the UK’s lowest since July 2021.

“It is a major moment for the economy with inflation back to normal,” PM Rishi Sunak declared on May 22 although the April figure was above the City’s predicted 2.1 per cent.

Gas and electricity prices, respectively 38 per cent and 21 per cent lower in April, were mainly responsible for the dip in inflation, owing to

Telefonica manoeuvres

CRITERIACAIXA hopes to double its 5.007 per cent Telefonica holding.

This would put Criteria, Caixabank’s largest shareholder with a 30 per cent stake, on level pegging with the Spanish government which now owns 10 per cent of Telefonica.

Criteria declined to comment on the report based on unnamed sources quoted by the El Confidencial website on

May 21, although there was less reticence on the part of the state holding company SEPI.

The publicly owned company announced on May 20 that it had now acquired a 10 per cent Telefonica stake worth €2.28 billion in a move that was initiated to offset Saudi Arabian STC’s 10 per cent holding in the Spanish telecommunications company.

the lower price cap fixing the maximum price charged for each unit.

Falling fertiliser prices and competition between supermarkets on ownbrand items, meant milk, butter, poultry and fish were cheaper in April 2024 than they were a year earlier and helped to chip away at inflation.

In contrast, mobile phone bills and rents continued to rise and April’s figure has topped the Bank of England’s 2 per cent target.

Meanwhile, some City sources were “pessimistic” about a cut, but others did not rule out a reduction in August.

The Bank’s governor Andrew Bailey pointed out that the inflation crisis was at an end while the deputy governor Ben Broadbent, has also hinted at “possible” bank rate cut later this summer.

Madrid plans

ATLETICO DE MADRID has applied to Madrid City Hall for planning permission for its €350 million future sports centre which will cover five plots of land surrounding the club’s existing football stadium. The complex, which will cost more than €350 million instead of the €200 million originally announced, is expected to be completed and in use by late 2026.

Playing safe

ROLLS-ROYCE will supply the engines for the latest version of the US military aircraft called the Doomsday planes due to their capacity for surviving a nuclear blast as well as electromagnetic pulses. The British manufacturer will join other aerospace companies working on the aircraft that can accommodate 111 people and include work, conference and briefing rooms.

Photo credit: 10 Downing Street/Simon Walker

RISHI SUNAK: Hailed lower inflation as a ‘major moment’.

Democracy is dead

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK

IT

HOMOPHOBIA is now rife. Racism is approaching rampant and with the comments and mail I’ve been receiving public frustration growing by the day. Why? Because these labels have been designed to discourage the frank discussion of either subject.

The conception is subversive but quite brilliant.

One of the most frequent observations I receive from readers is that they peruse this blurb because I discuss opinions they are not allowed to! Not allowed to? How offensive is that? The woke and PC brigade can now do just about anything they choose - and the public are afraid to even talk about it.

Lives and culture are being changed forever by leftie induced minorities that wield such power, it appears they can not only ruin reputations, but also devastate law abiding citizen’s livelihoods with impunity.

It only takes one woke to be at the head of a department or company and

with the threat of dismissal or worse, they can basically control the politics, opinions and even thinking of their subordinates.

All they need to do is report any adverse ‘findings’ to a fellow woker high up in law or politics and the target of their vitriol can suddenly find themselves at best on benefits and at worst in the dock. People are petrified to voice their true opinions in case they lose everything.

I just wish the UK had a Trump among the baby kissing codswallop brigade they have to put up with for another five weeks or so. After listening to his ‘Bronx speech’ a few days ago, I got the impression he’d been perusing my column online.

His references to immigration and the conception that they were all young men, so awash with mobile phones, designer clothes and tents that they were probably ‘raising a secret army’, sounded as though his words stepped right off the ol boy’s column.

Unfortunately for the UK I think it is already too late. The media conspiracy is worse than ever.

I recently read of a decision to re-

think the advertising of certain shampoos because it could be offensive to bald people!

If it wasn’t all so dangerous it would be comical.

Well unfortunately it’s not funny at all. The clear thinking majority are now being manipulated in ways that would have brought a smile to the lips of MaoTse Tung himself.

Any organisation that disagrees with these cancel culturists, or tries to bring their wholly unacceptable advertising practices into the public domain, is immediately vilified and pilloried in concerted attacks from all sides.

This of course means that the public are not even given the opportunity to cast a vote in their direction.

Democracy is dead. Gagging or destroying any opposition is now the order of the day. Nazi Germany, Russia, China and a number of Muslim countries come to mind! Thanks for all your mail. I do peruse every one. Keep ‘em coming.

Keep the faith Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com

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

Killer bear to relocate

A FEMALE bear, known as JJ4, that killed a jogger in the Italian Alps last year, will be relocated to a sanctuary in Germany, authorities from the northern Italian province of Trento announced on Tuesday May 21. The relocation comes after a protracted legal battle over the bear’s fate.

JJ4 fatally attacked a 26-year-old man in April 2023, leading Trento administrators to order its capture and execution. However, legal challenges from environmentalists blocked the death sentence.

“JJ4 will be transferred by the autumn,” Trento’s tourism and hunting councillor Roberto Failoni told a local daily newspaper. The bear will find a new home at the Worbis Alternative Bear Park in Germany.

The region around Trento, repopulated with bears from 1999 under an EU-funded programme, has seen several bear attacks in recent years. This has raised questions about how to achieve successful cohabitation with the animals while ensuring public safety.

Changes to Meta

CHARITY fundraising in Spain will no longer include features provided by Meta, effective Monday July 1.

It has been announced that, from this date, all fundraising features accessible via Facebook and Instagram will be withdrawn in the European Economic Area (EEC). The full list of affected countries includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Republic of Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden.

Any charity that uses the ‘Donate’ button at the top of its Facebook page is advised to redirect it to its website. Meta has confirmed that all affected organisations will be emailed explaining what changes they must make.

Once received, they advise that action be

Credit: Shutterstock: pixelliebe

taken as quickly as possible to avoid any loss of funds. They have also confirmed that if you donate to a charity via Meta, the last donation accepted will be June 30. This means the end of being able to select a charity to support in honour of a celebration such as a birthday. This offered a very easy way for charities to gain additional funding from third parties passively. This was also an excellent

Online donate key on keyboard.

opportunity for many to unite friends and family behind a cause they felt passionate about. There are several alternative crowdfunding platforms that charities might consider using. The challenge is finding one that does not charge too much in administration or commission fees. Perhaps this change will force the crowdfunding industry to re-engineer and improve its current products.

How quickly can a hacker crack your passwords?

TECH company Hive Systems has just updated its password table for 2024. So how easy is it for hackers to crack your passwords? Unfortunately, this won’t make for easy reading!

When did you last update the passwords you use to access websites? Your email? Banking apps? Hive Systems first published its table in 2020 showing how long it would take a hacker to crack passwords from a simple four-character number code to a 16-character password made up of letters, numbers and symbols. They used hardware and software freely available to buy on the internet.

Here are the findings and hopefully nobody reading this uses a password made up of six numbers because any half-competent hacker can bypass that instantly. That’s not 10 seconds or two minutes but ‘instantly’. Mix it up a little and put together a combination of eight lower-case and capital letters and it takes a little longer: one minute! Add in numbers to the mix and it takes all of five minutes and if you chuck in a symbol or two then we’re up to 12 minutes. Still not very secure and now AI is making the hackers job even easier as ChatGPT has many tools hackers can exploit.

The Hive Systems research focuses on the idea that the hacker is working in isolation

and is having to start from scratch to crack your password to show the maximum time required. However, if your password was part of another breach or uses dictionary words then your password will be found instantly.

The good news is a 16-character password made up of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols would take 119 years to crack. So next time you’re prompted to strengthen your password it might be worth taking notice.

Is it time to change your password?

Which way is best?

DECIDING between

a 30-minute run and 10,000 steps for weight loss depends on various factors, including fitness level, intensity, and personal preference. Both activities offer significant benefits, but their effectiveness can differ based on individual goals and lifestyle.

A 30-minute run, typically at a moderate to vigorous intensity, can burn more calories in a shorter time compared to walking 10,000 steps. Running elevates the heart rate and boosts metabolism, making it a highly efficient form of cardiovascular exercise.

For those seeking to maximise calorie burn and improve cardiovascular fitness quickly, running is often the better

option.

On the other hand, walking 10,000 steps, which is roughly equivalent to five miles, is a more accessible and sustainable activity for many people. It promotes consistent movement throughout the day, which can con tribute to overall calorie expenditure and is less strenuous on the joints.

Walking is also easier to incorporate into daily routines, making it a viable long-term strategy for weight management. Ultimately, the best choice depends on personal preferences, physical condition, and long-term adherence.

Sun damage to the skin

ced approach to weight loss, ensuring variety

SUN damage to the skin, caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, can lead to premature ageing, sunburn, and an increased risk of skin cancer. Prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays breaks down collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles, sagging, and dark spots. Additionally, it can cause DNA damage in skin cells, potentially leading to ma lignant melanoma and other skin can cers.

To avoid sun damage, it’s essential to take protective measures. Applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher is crucial. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating. Wearing protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and UV-blocking sunglasses, further shields the skin from harmful rays. Seeking shade during peak sun

hours, typically from 10am to 4pm, can significantly reduce exposure. It’s also important to avoid tanning beds, which emit harmful UV radiation. Regular skin checks for new or changing moles and spots can aid in early detection of skin cancer.

By adopting these protective measures, individuals can enjoy the sun safely while minimising the risk of sun damage and maintaining healthier skin.

World Tobacco Day 2024

WORLD TOBACCO DAY 2024, observed on May 31, continues to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco use and advocate for effective policies to reduce consumption. This year’s theme, ‘Tobacco and Lung Health’, highlights the severe impact of tobacco on respiratory health, linking smoking to diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and tuberculosis.

Tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable

ponsible for more than eight million deaths annually. On World Tobacco Day, health organisations and governments globally emphasise the importance of quitting smoking and adopting healthier lifestyles. Various events, educational campaigns, and public health initiatives aim to inform people about the risks associated with tobacco and provide resources for those seeking to quit.

Efforts include promoting smoke-free environments, increasing tobacco taxes, and restricting advertising and sales to minors. Additionally, support for cessation programs and access to alternative therapies are crucial in helping smokers quit.

Purple rinse

PURPLE shampoo, a staple for those with blonde, silver, or grey hair, offers remarkable benefits. Its primary purpose is to neutralise brassy, yellow tones, a common issue caused by sun exposure, pollution, and chemical treatments. The shampoo contains violet pigments that counteract these unwanted hues, leaving hair with a cooler, more vibrant shade.

Regular use of purple shampoo can extend the life of hair colour between salon visits, maintaining a fresh, salon-quality look. It adds shine and enhances the overall appearance of lighter hair. For best results, it should be used once or twice a weeks.

However, moderation is key. Overuse can lead to an undesirable purple tint. Overall, purple shampoo is an essential tool for keeping blonde and grey hair looking its best.

THE latest trend in beauty is jelly make-up, a fresh approach for a dewy look. Jelly make-up products, including foundations, blushes, and highlighters, have a bouncy, gel-like texture that blends seamlessly into the skin. This texture allows for buildable coverage and a lightweight feel, ideal for a natural, glowing finish.

Jelly chic

To achieve the jelly make-up look, start with a clean, moisturised face to create a smooth base. Apply a jelly foundation using your fingers or a damp make-up sponge, gently dabbing it onto your

skin for even coverage. Follow with a jelly blush on the apples of your cheeks, blending it outwards for a natural flush.

For added radiance, use a jelly highlighter on the high points of your face, like the cheekbones, brow bones, and nose. Finish with a light dusting of translucent powder to set the make-up.

‘Your One-Stop Shop for International TV & Security Systems’

MISSING the TV shows, sports, films, and soaps you know and love? It’s a familiar feeling for expats living abroad. But, with over 18 years of experience and based on the Costa Blanca, Sky Engineer Pete Molloy is here to make sure you have all the entertainment you need, setting you up with access to TV channels from any country you like!

Whether you are a business needing multi-screen installations or you simply want to be able to catch up on your favourite shows, English TV in Spain offers reliable installations as well as ongoing support for all of your needs.

The experienced team specialise in repairing and upgrading community systems, installing all of the English, Spanish, German, French, Russian, Dutch and Nordic channels, including premium television. Say goodbye to loss of signal and grainy pictures for a fraction of the price of other providers.

Need your Android system updated? IPTV - the

future of TV viewing. Access thousands of channels and keep up-to-date on the latest box sets, movies and sports with an easy-to-use system from the comfort of your home. Forget about costly monthly payments with their free-to-air one-off payment systems. Never miss your favourite TV shows again! Get a quote from English TV in Spain, offering the best prices for international television.

SECURE YOUR HOME FROM YOUR PHONEWHEREVER YOU ARE

Ensuring our homes, possessions, pets and loved ones are safe can be time consuming. With Safe and Simple Alarms, Pete and the experienced team offer you peace of mind wherever you are with no monthly costs and tailored exactly to your needs.

Starting from just €249, Safe and Simple Alarm systems are designed to effortlessly safeguard you

and your loved ones with round-the-clock security and protection. Customise your systems by incorporating exterior and interior cameras that not only record but instantly notify upon the detection of intruders. With rapid message forwarding within seconds of a breach, you will stay informed and in control.

Take your security up a notch with additional window and door sensors, bolstering the defence of your property and possessions, as well as video doorbells and external 100-decibel flashing siren for an extra layer of security. Based in Torrevieja, Pete and the team are your one-stop shop for your television and security needs, offering reliable and cost-effective solutions.

Pete & Steve www.pete@englishtvinspain.com www.safeandsimplealarms.com 0034 606 297 825

Spain’s rich cultural heritage

WITH origins shrouded in mystery and a history stretching back to medieval times, the festivities of La Maya offer a unique spectacle heralding spring’s arrival. In early May around Madrid, families gather to select the girls aged between seven and 11 who will become this year’s ‘Mayas’.

Abundant in symbolism, this tradition is all about themes of fertility, prosperity and blessing the upcoming agricultural season. Families meticulously craft elaborate altars adorned with flowers and herbs from the surrounding countryside, fashioning a wreath the girl wears like a crown.

A lush carpet of freshly picked plants adorns the altars, flanked by vases overflowing with flowers. With no written guidelines, everything is passed down orally for generations.

On festival day, wearing petticoats, white shirts and Manila shawls, the Mayas perch on the altars, accompanied by attendants who offer to brush your clothes in exchange for donations to cover the

family’s outgoings! After two hours of absolute stillness, they proceed to the church for a service, a tradition now firmly embraced by churches despite its pagan origins.

The festival’s name originates in Greco-Roman myth, where Maia, a companion of Artemis, symbolised the fertility of spring, ultimately giving the month of May its name as it marks - curtain up, drum roll - the height of spring!

And once again, many thanks for all your welcome emails to my website!

Nora Johnson’s 12 critically acclaimed psychological suspense crime thrillers, including the latest ‘The Couple across the Street’ (www.no ra-johnson.net), all available online at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.

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

BREAKING VIEWS

Don’t do it - it’s rude!

MIKE

I USE WhatsApp as my main messaging tool on my phone mainly because it’s free to use with other folks that have it. One of the little things which most people have is the two blue ticks to say the message has been sent, received and read - unless you are one of those people that don’t want you to know when they were last online.

Anyway, for absolutely no reason whatsoever, they have changed the tick to the right of the message to green. Why? What difference does it make to my messaging experience? It just pees me off to think that some techy department has sat down, had several meetings and votes and spent thousands of dollars no doubt, to come up with this startling bit of - what’s the word I’m searching for? I know, bullcrap.

I mean what was wrong with blue? And whilst on the subject of this app, the message about encryption isn’t strictly true is it? I think law enforcement can demand access to monitor it. To be honest that doesn’t concern me as much as the people that send

me a message asking me something specific and me answering immediately, seeing it’s been delivered and read, and then they don’t answer for two hours. That’s the equivalent of talking to someone face to face, them getting up, walking away and coming back and wanting to carry on the conversation where we left off. Don’t do it - it’s rude!

Whilst on the subject of phone apps I also use X or Twitter or whatever it’s called now. I only follow 100 people maximum and like to keep up with their nonsense but sometimes, especially overnight, I don’t check it so in the morning I might have 15 or 16 hours of catching up to do, which is pretty simple, all you do is scroll up.

But in the bottom left hand corner of the screen is a little house shaped button and if you accidently touch it the app scrolls all the way to the most current post and I have now missed all the posts I wanted to see, which is very annoying. I have a very simple fix for that Mr Musk as I know you read my column every week - just make it that you have to tap it twice to make it go there. Easy fix and will keep this grumpy old man happy for at least another week.

Email: mikesenker@gmail.com

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

VIEWS OF A GRUMPY OLD MAN

SENKER IN MY OPINION

• News from Our Other 6 Newspapers •

Costa del Sol Cat collection

ON

Saturday May 25, volunteers for charity AGYA raised €187.50 and a massive 400 kilos (with a value of approximately €1,200) of animal food at the collection point at Carrefour in Estepona.

The explosion in the birthrate of cats is being contained by the Animal Rescue Charity AGYA in Manilva, Casares and Estepona. This voluntary organisation is using the CER/TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) method, assisting the town halls to solve the problem without killing the animals. AGYA has been carrying out this task since 2013, and up to now the organisation has been self funding.

They maintain 95 feeding stations and support the general care and health of over 4,000 cats in these areas for the local communties. They urgently need more volunteers, donations and sponsorships to continue their work so if you can help please get in touch via the website: https://www.gatosyami gos.com.

Axarquia Tourist tax

ANDALUCIA will not be implementing a tourist tax at this time, as officials consider it ‘premature.’ The decision came after a meeting in Malaga between the Junta, representatives of Andalucian municipalities, and business leaders. Instead, they agreed to establish an ‘observatory for local tourism sustainability under the Andalucian Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FAMP).’

Tourism has both positive and negative impacts on Andalucian society. While it generates significant economic benefits, such as 415,000 jobs and infrastructure improvements, it also brings challenges like gentrification, increased tourist housing, and disruptive behaviours like ‘drunk tourism’. The new research group aims to gather data and insights to ensure tourism growth is socially sustainable. The goal is to balance the industry’s development with the well-being of local residents, ensuring that the benefits of tourism do not come at the expense of community harmony.

Mallorca

Mallorca meets Cannes

THE Mallorcan film industry gathered at the Cannes Film Festival to celebrate its contribution to the international film scene. The event showcased the upcoming Atlantida Mallorca Film Fest (July 20-28) and the Evolution Film Festival (October 30 - November 5). Organised by Screen International in collaboration with the Mallorca Film Commission (MFC), the event highlighted Mallorca’s growing influence in filmmaking and its vibrant festival culture.

During the event, the MFC reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable filmmaking with the introduction of the Green Film Forum. The forum is set to take place on the island in autumn and aims to position Mallorca as a leader in eco-friendly production, reflecting the commission’s dedication to environmental responsibility and innovation.

Tickets are now available for the Atlantida Mallorca Film Fest. Culture lovers will be treated to a feast of film, music, and workshops.

Costa Blanca North Global appeal

GENERALITAT is allocating €875,000 to promoting the Valencian Community and enhancing Costa Blanca’s global tourist appeal.

The Counsell authorised the signing of a collaboration agreement between Turisme Comunitat Valenciana and Hosbec (The Hospitality and Tourism Business Association of the Valencian Community), placing the Valencian region at the top of the tourist market in 2024.

With the Valencian Community’s recent achievement of becoming a destination with the most Blue Flags in the world; a large amount of which are in Costa Blanca, the regional efforts to foster and preserve nature, aim to position the coast at the top of sustainable tourism.

The project will also promote summer surveillance on the beaches, including the service of safeguards and drones.

Almeria Mojacar keeps winning

NOT only was Mojacar chosen to be the host for the presentation of this year’s SICTED seals of approval, but it was also the recipient for four for its beaches.

The SICTED seal is a project to improve the quality of tourist destinations promoted by the Spanish Secretary of State for Tourism and is valid for two years attesting to the quality of the tourism product offered by a number of municipalities in Almeria.

It’s not just about beaches but the entire range of tourist support which includes accommodation, tourist guides, museums, boat tours, golf courses, hotels, restaurants and much more.

In the case of Mojacar, the four quality seals for the beaches of El Cantal, Lance Nuevo, Marina de la Torre, Venta del Bancal and Ventanicas complements the Blue Flags granted earlier this year.

Costa Calida Local impact

PHASE TWO is a close-knit group with a shared passion for making a difference and supporting local charities. This dynamic team, driven by a shared commitment to social good aims to raise funds for various causes close to their hearts.

Through their dedicated efforts, Phase Two has already achieved significant milestones, including a remarkable fundraising feat for Samaritans Spain. Despite limited promotion time, their relentless drive saw them raise an impressive sum within just one week, underscoring the power of collective action and compassion. They raised €1,600 for Samaritans in Spain. Samaritans in Spain support anyone who is struggling to cope no matter what is worrying them. They offer support to people who may be having suicidal thoughts. Their hotline available from 10am to 10pm every day invites English speakers to reach out.

PETS

PetRadar in Spain

Trelawney Bresic PETRADAR, a new platform dedicated to reuniting missing pets with their owners, has launched in Spain. Since its inception in Amsterdam in 2021, PetRadar’s innovative approach has achieved remarkable success. The platform has already assisted 70 Spanish pet owners in their search, successfully locating 54 of the missing pets.

PetRadar works by leveraging the power of social media to spread the word about missing pets. Based on information provided by the owners, the platform uses targeted advertisements on Facebook and Instagram to alert over 4,000 neighbours within a 1km radius of where the pet was last seen.

David Olthaar, the founder of PetRadar, expressed his enthusiasm for the platform’s achievements and its new expansion into Spain - “We can’t believe we’ve already found more than 12,000 missing pets. For a team of animal lovers, it’s truly heart-warming. Branching out is a new and exciting challenge, and we’re thrilled to be able to help the pet parents of Spain!”

Looking ahead, PetRadar aims to foster a strong community of pet owners in Spain. By

collaborating with local veterinarians and shelters, such as Protectora de Animales, the platform hopes to create a safer environment for pets across the country. With its innovative use of digital tools and a passionate team, Pet Radar is set to make a significant impact on the lives of pets and their owners in Spain.

Find animal loving pet-sitters for your pets

LEAVING pets anywhere when you travel on holiday can be stressful. And many believe it is always best to keep them at home in their own surroundings, if at all possible, ideally with a caring pet lover who’ll watch over them. By joining a house-sitting platform like HouseSitMatch we can help you meet checked house and pet-sitters who will travel to your home and care for your pets for free!

Plus HouseSitMatch Saves Money because the Pet-sitting is Free!

If you use HouseSitMatch.com you find free checked pet-sitters who pay their way to stay in your home caring for your pets in your absence. It’s an arrangement facilitated by a managed online system. Our house and pet- sitting works as an exchange of services - free accommodation for free pet care!

HouseSitMatch is Safe - All Members Are Checked

All members are checked for

Our pet-sitters are animal lovers and will take time to get to know your pets.

safety, and you choose which house-sitters come to care for your pets in your absence. Your pets stay at homeSafe and Undisturbed All pets benefit from staying at home, so their routines are undisturbed. Choose House sitmatch.com for affordable travel, home and pet care and peace of mind for you and your pets. If you’re travelling in 2024 join now and get organised today:

1. Register as a homeow-

ner on HouseSitMatch.com

2. Choose a Premium account (£89 pa) to ensure you get help online

3. Create a profile with photos of your pets and home

4. Post an advert for the dates when you want to go away. Sitters apply and you choose.

How does it work? Join our network for a small annual fee. You get ID checked for safety, then build an advert to find sitters. House-sitters see your advert, respond and you choose from the applicants.

Trustpilot Testimonials – 4.9 / 5 Excellent

Sherel and John looked after Harry… Sherel and John looked after Harry early April. They sent photos and mails to inform us how he was getting on. My neighbours tell us Harry had plenty of walks. Sherel and John are very nice people, and we highly recommend them as excellent sitters.

Tom Curry, pet owner, Spain

How do you join? Register online via www.Housesitmatch.com

Need a pet or house-sitter? House-sitting is a win-win, free house and pet-sitting exchanged for free accommodation! Reader exclusive offer - 20% Off Any New Membership Register as either house-sitter or homeowner. Get a 20% discount - Use coupon code PERFECT20.

GRILLS

LOCKSMITHS

PAINTERS/DECORATORS

WINDOWS

POOLS

POOLS

WINDOW TINTING

WATER LEAK DETECTION

J & J PAINTERS. Inside - outside - clean - fast - low cost. Torrevieja - Orihuela Costa and surrounding areas. Tel: 650 363 159 (304595)

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

for

PRIVATE CARE HOME Full Board and Care. Also, Dementia care. British Owned near Alicante. Luxurious Villa. €1,200 per month. Call 747 438 225 (305685)

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

a meeting or discuss a possible drinking problem contact Costa Blanca North: 648 169 045 or Costa Blanca South: 625 912 078 or Costa Calida 679 385 105 All calls are treated in the strictest confidence. AA in German: 645 456 075; Spanish: 679 212 535; Flemish: 635 047 053; and Scandinavian: 659 779 222. www.aa-costablanca.org (93323)

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

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (MABS) MURCIA/MAR MENOR Help and support is just a phone call away, Avda Rio Nalón, Tel: 693 275 779 (95462)

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

FREEMASONRY Are you aware that Freemasonry is thriving on the Costa Blanca? There are various Lodges meeting up throughout the Valencia region. If you already are a Mason or simply wish to know more about Freemasonry in Spain please contact sec@glpvalencia. com Tel 600 841 064 (95477)

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

on 966 723 733 (95456)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alacant & La Marina Branch. For info, contact the branch Secretary at granalacant.secretary@rbl. community

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

ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION

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

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

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

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

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

THE SPIRITUALIST CENTRE, Benijofar meets at Hamilton’s Bake House, 62 Calle Vicente, Blasco Ibañez, Benijofar 03178.  We hold a Sunday Sevrice at 11.30am. For further information: www.spiritualistcentre-benijofar. com.  Telephone 711 060 171. Email martindroute66@ hotmail.com. Fiscal G54713789

MOVERS AND SHAKERS We are a non-profit organisation that supports people and their families with neurological diseases such as; HUNTINGTON’S, ATAXIA, MOTOR NEURONE, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS and PARKINSON’S. Our MOVERS AND SHAKERS CLUB held every Friday @ 1pm – 3pm, is a chance for members to meet up socially, for a drink and a chat on a full range of topics and to exchange ideas and information. The club is

held at O’Briens Bar in El Raso, Guardamar del Segura (except July and August). For more details, contact Marion Smith on 711 008 250, or email: marion. smith@amscb.org.es, or you can find us on Facebook : fb@movers and shakers www.amscb.org. es (295976)

ELECTRICIAN

MR FIXIT. For all your electrical, plumbing, general & appliance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434 (294864)

FOR SALE/WANTED

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

GOLD WANTED

apartment or can travel to all areas. 693 357 526 (303965)

MELISSA 26, Wonderfull and Relaxing Massages with care. Private. House nº 75 at La Zenia. Tel: 602 662 458 (300041)

EXPERIENCE the best with a 1hr unique massage with Veronica. Shaving or permanent hair removal available. For appointments call 679 292 678 (303934)

MAGIC TOUCH, French, speaks 3 languages, professional masseuse, tantric. Apartment in Villamartin and home visits. Tel 693 357 526 (303833)

CLASSIC MATURE SPANISH LADY, Playa Flamenca area, private premises, all massage services from 50€. Ana 657 603 495

HEALTH & BEAUTY

PERSONAL TRAINER, WEIGHT LOSS, TONING, RESULTS GUARANTEED. CERTIFIED WITH 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE. FORMER US KICKBOX CHAMPION. CALL 747 438 225 (301319)

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

BATHROOM & KITCHEN Conversions Costa Blanca, contact 698 320 434. (295479)

INSURANCE

FED UP OF NOT BEING SENT YOUR RENEWAL? CUT YOUR INSURANCE COSTS AND STILL HAVE 100% COVER. YOU HAVE TRIED THE REST NOW TRY THE BEST WITH SOS INSURANCE. WE CAN EVEN INSURE YOU FOR UP TO A €1,000 OF WATERLOSS. CALL 686 116 297 (WHATSAPP TO) OR VISIT www.sosinsuran ceinspain.com or email tracey@ sosinsuranceinspain.com (305650)

BENEFICIAL INSURANCE SERVICES. Car, Home, Business, Travel, Life, Funeral, all insurances available. Policies in English. BEST rates, covers & service. Immediate quotes. Tel 961 129 215 / 622 275 561, (WhatsApp) info@beneficialinsuranceinspain. com or visit www.beneficialin suranceinspain.com for online quote. (303245)

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

MASSAGE

FRENCH, ELÉGANTE, slim, Sophie, 3 languages spoken. Experienced in a large variety of full body massages. Villamartin

Hi-Fi speakers 50watt, 26 x 18cm. €25. 699 321 591 (304542)

MUSIC TUITION

PIANO, Keyboard, Organ, Qualified Teacher. Please call 606 984 535 (303913)

OTHERS

KAMAGRA Gold 100mg, Kamagra Jellies, Super Viagra & Cialis (Weekender) available. Collection or delivery. Roy - 613 584 915 (295447) tp

EDS?  We have the solution, Kam agra pills & jells, Cialis, Sidenafil, over 7 products for men & ladies,

mixed trial packs.Available by mail-order. WhatsApp or call 603 117 394

PERGOLAS

TAILOR-MADE in durable canvas, made to measure pergola covers, cushions, sails, umbrella, spa and CAR COVERS. Mazarron based, and reaching Almeria to Costa

Blanca, plus mail order.  Google: KrugerCanopies.com WhatsApp: 667 879 399 krugercanopies@ yahoo.co.uk (290152)

PET CHARITY

EASYHORSE CARE RESCUE CENTRE. We aim to rescue HORSES. If you would like to DONATE please call 965 967 033 or sales@easyhorsecare.net www. easyhorsecare.net or call Sue 652 021 980 (95706)

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

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

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

PET TRANSPORT

PETS BACK HOME Family pet transporters Spain/UK. Travel with your pets for free. All air conditioned vehicles (no vans)

www.petsbackhome.co.uk

Removals also arranged in other vehicles Tel: UK (0044) 01256 244657 (302827)

PLUMBERS

MR FIXIT. For all your electrical, plumbing, general & appliance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434 (294864)

POOL MAINTENANCE

POOL MAINTENANCE Repairs, Spares and Leak Testing. Call 865 758 056 / 676 945 360 www. pooltechspain.com (294924)

PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR

PRIVATE Investigator, Debts Collected, Bad Tenants, Solicitor Services. 747 438 225 (305759)

PROPERTY FOR RENT

REMOVALS

COSTA LESS EXPRESS, small removals and deliveries. Spain/ UK budget prices. Urgent jobs undertaken www. costalessexpress.co.uk Pet transport also arranged in our air-conditioned pet/people carriers. Tel: UK (0044) 01256 244657 (302827)

SPAS AND JACUZZIS

SWIMMING POOLS POOLS. New construction only. All sizes economy to luxurious. 10 year guarantee. Call Andy 747 438 225 (300298)

PEUGEOT EXTENDS PROGRAMME

TO provide total peace of mind for its customers and encourage them to commit to 100 per cent electric mobi lity, Peugeot is now offering its Allure Care programme across all electric cars. Peugeot is the first European manufacturer to offer such coverage.

rers, including: E-208, E-2008, E-308, E-308 SW, E-3008.

As of May 15, the programme is being rolled out in the following European markets: Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Poland and Luxembourg.

Peugeot is moving forward with determination and enthusiasm towards its goal of becoming the leader of the European electric market.

To convince all its customers to join this evolution, Peugeot is not only offering a new generation of 100 per cent electric vehicles that set the benchmark in their category but also total peace of mind with the Allure Care programme.

First introduced on the new E-3008, the Peugeot Allure Care programme is now extended to the entire Peugeot 100 per cent electric passenger car range, the most comprehensive of all European generalist manufactu-

The range has recently expanded with the arrival of the new E-5008 and will continue to grow in 2024 with the launch of the new E-408, also set to benefit from the Peugeot Allure Care programme.

Peugeot Allure Care covers the electric motor, charger, transmission, and main electrical and mechanical components for up to eight years or 160,000 kilometres.

Peugeot Allure Care complements the specific Peugeot warranty, already applied to the high-voltage battery for a duration of eight years/160,000 km to offer complete vehicle coverage.

The Peugeot Allure Care coverage activates automatically after each service is performed (two years or 25,000 kilometres) within the Peugeot network.

Motorbike ITV

IN Spain, motorbikes must undergo a technical inspection known as Inspección Técnica de Vehículos (ITV) to ensure they meet safety and emissions standards. The frequency of these inspections depends on the bike’s age.

For new motorbikes, the first ITV is required four years after the date of first registration. After the initial inspection, motorbikes must be inspected every two years.

Before heading to an ITV station, it’s important to prepare by ensuring the motorbike is in good condition. Key areas to check include lights, indicators, brakes, tyres, and exhaust systems. Any faults should be repaired beforehand to avoid failing the inspection. It’s also necessary to have all relevant documents, including the vehicle registration certificate (Permiso de Circulación) and the technical inspection card (Tarjeta ITV).

During the inspection, technicians will perform a series of checks, including verifying the vehicle identification number (VIN), and measuring emissions levels.

Toyota GR86 - the ultimate experience

Facts at a Glance

• Model: Toyota GR86

• Engine: 2.4-litre, 16-valve, horizontally opposed 4-cylinder petrol developing 234PS/231 bhp

• Gears: 6-speed manual

• Price: €38,170/£32,500

• Performance: 0 – 100kph/62mph 6.3 seconds Max’ speed 225kph/140mph

• Economy: Combined 8.8 l/per 100km/32 mpg

• Emissions: 200g/km

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

Game changing

THE recent extension of tennis tournaments in Madrid and Rome from eight days to nearly two weeks has been a lucrative move for organisers.

More competition days mean increased ticket sales, extended TV coverage, and greater financial gains.

However, while these chan-

recent Monte Carlo champion Stefanos Tsitsipas, express concerns about the physical and mental toll of back-toback extended tournaments, likening it to a superhero feat.

One key issue for top players is the perception that these extended Masters-level events are attempting

emphasise the importance of balancing the desire for more dramatic tournaments with the need to consider the well-being of players.

The issue of injuries, particularly to top young players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, has brought further attention to the debate su-

Japanese vigour

FROM the streets to the world´s most prestigious sports event; Japanese street skateboarding champions aim to lead in the 2024 Olympics.

and Toa Sasaki in the men’s team and Momiji Nishiya, Oda Yumeka, Liz Akama, Funa Nakayama, Coco Yoshizawa and Miyu Ito in the women’s league.

Debuted in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, skateboarding has never been more popular, especially in Japan; now expecting more than 20 exceptional Japanese skaters to compete in Paris.

yers, like Daniil Medvedev, believe the two-week format

kely to cause injuries, others,

dge the complex relationship between player welfare and

“The level of Japanese skateboarders is high and the real battle begins here,” said the skating world champion, Sora Shirai.

This summer, Japan can potentially earn up the three men’s and three women’s berths in Paris.

The current list of Japan’s top 10 skateboarders is dominated by Shirai, Kairi Netsuke, Ginwoo Onodera, Yuto Horigome

“I only see myself winning the title,” said the 15-year-old Oda Yumeka, one of the young Japanese skaters to claim the 2024 Olympic triumph.

Rafael Nadal.

Image: Rafa Nadal / Facebook