Costa Calida 19 – 25 Sep 2024 Issue 2046

Timeless celebration

MURCIA came alive this year with the return of the spectacular ‘Gran Desfile de Moros y Cristianos’ (Grand Parade of Moors and Christians), a vibrant celebration of the region’s history, culture, and traditions. Thousands lined the streets to witness the breathtaking display that transformed the city into a medieval scene, celebrating the coexistence and conflict between Moors and Christians during the Reconquista.

The parade started at the Alameda de Colón and crossed the Puente de los Peligros, with intricately dressed participants from kábilas (Moorish groups) and mesnadas (Christian groups) showcasing luxurious costumes, colourful floats, and thrilling performances. From curved swords to majestic horses, each group brought the medieval period to life.

One of the highlights of the evening was the grand entrance of José Martínez Nicolás as the ‘Rey Moro’ (Moorish King) alongside his favourite, Rosa María Medina, which drew

cheers from the crowd. Following this, the Christian troops made their dramatic entrance, led by the regal figure of Alfonso de Castilla, portrayed by Félix Galindo.

The parade, with its stunning medieval costumes, horses, and music,

not only offered a feast for the eyes and ears but also served as a proud reminder of Murcia’s rich cultural heritage. This event continues to captivate audiences year after year, marking over four decades of celebrations in the city.

For your art

CARTAGENA’S port was alive with activity on September 16 as over 7,000 tourists disembarked from the Marella Discovery 2 and the Sun Princess. The arrival of these Mediterranean cruise ships marked the debut of PorTuArte (For Your Art), a new artisan market that celebrated local craftsmanship. This initiative, launched by the Port Authority, Cartagena City Council, and the Artesnova Creative Association, aims to offer cruise passengers a unique shopping experience.

The market, located at the Juan

The parade is a highlight of Murcia’s annual September Fair, a celebration filled with events, live music, and local festivities. This time of year brings the region together, showcasing its rich traditions while offering something for everyone to enjoy.

Marinera twist

CANADIAN chef and TikTok sensation Dre Pao is back, taking Spanish traditional recipes for a spin once again! The Euro Weekly News previously reported on Pao’s inventive flair when he transformed classic paella and Cartagena’s Café Asiático into a daring dessert creation. This time, he’s tackling Murcia’s signature tapa, the marinera, with a creative new twist.

The marinera is a beloved Murcia staple, featuring a crispy bread stick base topped with creamy ensaladilla and a savoury anchovy. Pao’s approach? A daring fried version. He begins by preparing a traditional ensaladilla rusa - boiled potatoes, chopped hard-boiled eggs, tuna, and a mix of preserved veggies, all combined with a generous amount of mayonnaise. Instead of serving it traditionally, Pao shapes the mixture into elongated bites and fries them, adding a crispy, modern touch.

As always, Pao’s inventive spins on traditional dishes generate a lively mix of praise and criticism. His latest creation is no exception, sparking debates and delighting his TikTok followers who eagerly await his next foodie adventure.

Sebastián Elcano cruise terminal, featured a large array of handmade items, including colourful bracelets, intricately designed earrings, decorated notebooks, and traditional espadrille bags. Each piece is crafted by local artists, ensuring originality and exclusivity.

With new items continually added, PorTuArte will continue to welcome cruise visitors with fresh creative offerings until November 27, enhancing their port visit with local flair and cultural experiences.

Costa Calida • Issue No. 2046 • 19 - 25 Sept 2024 FREE FREE FREI GRATIS

GRATIS GRATIS GRATIS GRATUITO VRIJ

LIVRE

ILMAINEN G F E

Image: Facebook/ Sergio Nova Ocio Cruise by craft stalls.

Image: Murcia City Hall

Murcia’s history comes alive.

Dre Pao’s latest creation.

Fashion fundraisers

PHASE TWO, a fundraising team in Mazarron, has set its sights on supporting FAST Camposol, a volunteer first-aid group. Since its launch in 2023, Phase Two has made an impact by raising funds for local charities through creative events and their online store. They collect and sell donated clothes, accessories, and homeware to support causes that matter.

Run by a group of friends with backgrounds in fashion, hospitality, and event planning, Phase Two hosts pop-up boutiques featuring mini fashion shows, cakes, and community fun. So far, they’ve raised over €1,600 each for lots of charities, including Forget-Me-Not and Samaritans in Spain. Now, they are working to meet their target for FAST Camposol.

FAST Camposol, Phase Two’s latest focus, provides life-saving first-aid services to the community, bridging the gap between emergencies and professional medical care.

Phase Two invites local charities to apply for fundraising support and welcomes donations every Wednesday at Cafe El Rincón de Miky in Puerto de Mazarron or with Carol Hutton at Ladies Circle on Thursdays at Hotel Playa Grande.

Mazarron shipwreck

SEPTEMBER 13 marked a landmark moment for the Region of Murcia as the first piece of the ancient Phoenician shipwreck known as ‘Mazarron 2’ was lifted from its resting place at Isla Beach in Mazarron. Regional President Fernando López Miras called the event a ‘historic day’ and a significant milestone in maritime archaeology.

The piece recovered is part of the ship’s prow, from the starboard side. This is the first step in a meticulous process involving the careful extraction, restoration, and study of the shipwreck. Dating back to the second half of the seventh century BCE, ‘Mazarron 2’ is one of the best-preserved ancient ships ever discovered.

López Miras praised the rigorous work and collaboration between various administrations, research

centres, and universities, highlighting the efforts of experts from the University of Valencia. He noted that while the extraction process will be challenging, it will provide invaluable insights into ancient maritime practices and the Phoenician presence in the region.

The project, which be-

gan in 2018, has seen collaboration between the Regional Government and the National Museum of Underwater Archaeology in Cartagena. The decision to extract the wreck came after expert consultations, including a UNESCO-backed international meeting in 2021.

Recognised by UNES-

CO for its best practices, this project is set to enhance our understanding of ancient navigation and Phoenician culture. Over the coming years, scientists will continue to work on preserving and studying this extraordinary find, promising exciting discoveries about our ancient marine legacy.

Historic find in Mazarron.

Supporting local charities. Image: Phase Two

Schengen matters

UNDERSTANDING the Schengen area, its member countries, and their unique relationship is crucial for any UK traveller. It’s not just about the EU members, as some might think. The Schengen area comprises 29 countries, 25 of which are also EU members.

Travelling to these countries after November 2024 may involve additional registration proces-

ses. While the exact date for these changes is yet to be determined, being aware of the potential impact is a step towards being prepared.

The Entry/Exit System also known as EES is a new biometric system that will impact all visitors from outside the Schengen area or the EU.

As the UK recently left the EU, UK travellers must be aware of these changes.

This new system will replace manual passport stamping each time you travel to a Schengen area country.

The good news is that if you are a UK passport holder and a resident of Spain with a biometric residency card (TIE), you will not need to register again.

Spain is a member of the Schengen area, and this will act as your regis-

ETIAS Visa

IN addition to the Entry/Exit System, the Schengen area intends to introduce a new Visa system: the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, also known as ETIAS. This is not planned to come into effect until 2025, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.

This System will require UK travellers to apply for travel authorisation to any of the 29 Schengen area countries and Cyprus. This is because Cyprus is currently undergoing the Schengen joining process and is expected to have become a member by the time ETIAS comes into force.

Per the European Union website, UK travellers will need to provide their personal information, including address, passport details, current occupation, and information about past travel to conflict zones or criminal convictions.

This information will be provided online via a website or a mobile App. There will be a fee of €7 attached to the application, and once approved, it will be valid for three years or until the travel document you used in your application expires - whichever comes first.

tration under the Entry/ Exit System. However, you may still have to have your fingerprint scanned when you travel to any of the Schengen Area countries.

The not-so-good news is that if you still have the green residency paper, you are not registered via biometric means and will still have to complete the Entry/Exit System registration.

As with the Entry/Exit System, UK nationals who are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement are exempt from ETIAS. This means that you would have needed to have been a resident of Spain prior to January 1, 2021 to qualify for the exemption.

ALL 25 EU countries, excluding Cyprus and Ireland, will adopt the Entry/Exit System in November 2024 as they are also Schengen State Members. The remaining four Schengen Area members are Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Lichtenstein.

For the avoidance of doubt, the total 29 countries are:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. It is worth noting that Cyprus is in the process of applying for Schengen membership and is very likely to be accepted. Therefore, by the time ETIAS comes into e ect in 2025, it is envisaged that Cyprus will be the 30th country where it will apply. The Euro Weekly News publishes more content both online at euroweeklynews. com and in its papers than any other English news publication in SPAIN. Even better, our news online and in print is FREE and we promise to always keep it that way.

ETIAS will come into effect in 2025.

UK travellers need to be aware of new rules for visiting Schengen countries.

THE Virgen de la Arrixaca hospital in Murcia has just unveiled a new pain relief room aimed at easing the discomfort of expectant mothers in labour without resorting to medications. Located on the second floor of the maternal and child unit, this innovative space is designed to help women manage pre-labour pain through natural methods.

Comfort zone

Each month, around 150 expectant mothers are expected to benefit from this soothing area. Equipped with relaxation tools like stretch balls, electro stimulators, and essential oil diffusers, the room allows women to customise their comfort with adjustable lighting, music, and sensory support.

Additionally, the room features Entonox, a safe gas known for pain relief, and various

THE Las Dunas shopping centre project in Cabo de Palos has cleared a major hurdle, paving the way for the opening of over 100 new shops and a new Mercadona store. The delay was due to a necessary upgrade of electrical transformers, which has now been resolved, allowing construction to resume.

The Valencian company

techniques like sphere exercises, which use different-sized balls to improve posture. These methods aim to reduce pain perception during contractions and dilation, potentially shortening labour and lowering stress.

Midwives will guide mothers in using these resources and monitor their progress until the active labour phase begins. This new

approach aligns with WHO recommendations for non-pharmacological pain management during childbirth, promising a more personalised and less stressful birthing experience.

Retail hub

behind the project plans to invest €5.2 million

over the next two years to build a 13,000-squa-

re-metre shopping centre. This development is expected to create plenty of jobs, boosting the local economy not only in Cabo de Palos, but also in nearby La Manga and surrounding areas. Currently, 30-40 per cent of the nearly 200 commercial spaces are occupied. Plans include bars and restaurants on the upper levels and shops below, with a focus on local businesses. The Urban Planning Department is also processing permits for a new Burger King, a Lidl supermarket, and a petrol station. The project, which started in 2006, is eagerly anticipated by the community.

La Llana beach protection

THE Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition has approved a major restoration project for La Llana Beach in San Pedro del Pinatar. This natural coastal stretch, one of the few remaining unspoiled areas on Murcia’s eastern shore, faces severe

erosion exacerbated by a nearby marina and frequent storms.

The project, which falls under the broader Mar Menor recovery plan, will receive €1.17 million in funding. It involves a series of measures to combat sand loss and mitigate coastal

erosion. Early studies showed La Llana could lose its sand within 20 years if no action is taken, with current losses at 12,300 cubic metres annually.

Key changes to the initial plan include dropping a controversial jetty construction near Punta de Algas due to potential impacts on local marine life. Instead, the focus will be on transporting 34,000 cubic metres of sand from Torre Derribada to restore 7,220 square metres of beach, potentially increasing to 26,400 square metres when the project concludes.

Revitalising Cabo de Palos.

Soothing space for labour.

CORVERA Airport saw a small rise in passenger numbers this August, with an increase of 819 passengers from the previous year. The regional airport welcomed 121,781 travellers, marking a modest 0.7 per cent rise compared to last year.

August also saw a rise in flights, with 822 operations

- a 3.7 per cent increase from

Corvera’s slow climb

last year. In the first eight months of 2024, Corvera handled 638,374 passengers, up 3.2 per cent from the same period last year, with a notable difference of nearly 20,000 more passengers compared to 2023.

Out of the August traffic,

635,114 were commercial flight passengers, with international travellers making up the bulk at 556,094. The domestic market showed significant growth, up 36.6 per cent with 79,020 pass-

engers, thanks to new routes from Madrid and Barcelona by Volotea.

Overall, Corvera managed 4,818 flights from January to August, reflecting a 4 per cent increase from last year.

Runway revival

GET ready for a stylish way to make a difference! On Tuesday, October 22, Marianos in Camposol Sector A will host a fashion show benefiting Noah’s ARC, a dedicated animal rescue charity in the Murcia region. Doors open at 1.30pm, with the runway action kicking off at 2pm.

For just €1, you can enjoy a showcase of branded clothing, from swimwear and casual wear to evening outfits, shoes, and accessories. But that’s not all - there will also be raffles with exciting prizes up for grabs.

All proceeds from the event will support Noah’s ARC in its mission to rescue and care for injured, mistreated, and abandoned animals. So, come for the fashion, stay for the cause, and help make a difference for our furry friends!

Craft Fair

Grace Meredith

FERAMUR, the Regional Craft Fair of Murcia, is marking its 40th anniversary with a big expansion this year. From September 26 to 29, the Ifelor venue in Lorca will host 90 exhibitors, up from 74 last year. There will be 87 stands spread across three pavilions, featuring a range of crafts and live demonstrations.

Regional Minister Marisa López Aragón shared her excitement about the fair’s growth and confirmed that the

regional government is backing it with €70,000 in funding. This year, 18 local artisans can get up to 80 per cent off their stand costs thanks to new subsidies.

Besides the craft stalls, visitors can enjoy live demos, handson workshops, fashion shows, and food tastings. A special exhibition will highlight Feramur’s history over the past 40 years, and artisans from the Valencia region will add to the event’s cultural richness.

Four decades of crafting.

Passenger numbers edge up.

A NEW report by UVE Valoraciones, a Spanish property valuation firm, reveals that the Region of Murcia is one of Spain’s top eight provinces for new home construction.

Over the past year, Murcia has started 3,585 new homes, placing it eighth on the list. The top provinces include Madrid (18,895), Barcelona (12,809), and Se-

Building up

villa (9,126), with Alicante (6,688) and Malaga (8,056) also making the list.

Spain has begun building 116,285 new homes in the last year. However, the report points out that demand is outpacing supply, particularly in tou-

rist areas. Murcia, along with Sevilla, is praised for increasing its new home construction, which has grown by more than 50 per cent since 2019. Despite this progress, experts say the supply still isn’t enough to meet the high demand.

Beach cleanup

THE Regional Government of Murcia is diving into action for the ‘1m2 for Beaches and Seas’ campaign, marking the International Coastal Cleanup Day on September 17. This year’s events will take place on September 21, featuring waste collection activities at the Calblanque, Monte de las Cenizas, Peña del Águila, and San Pedro del Pinatar parks.

Organised by the Ministry of Environment in collaboration with various environmental groups, the campaign aims to tackle marine litter and boost public awareness. Secretary of Energy, Sustainability, and Climate Action, María Cruz Ferreira, emphasised the dual goals: cleaning natural spaces and gathering data through citizen science to better unders-

tand and address environmental issues. Volunteers interested in joining can sign up at www.murcianatural.carm.es

This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance environmental conservation and engage more people in protecting Murcia’s natural treasures.

Clean beaches, save seas.

Turtle territory

FIFTY-THREE baby loggerhead turtles emerged from their nest in La Manga recently, just 53 days after their eggs were carefully relocated from El Pedruchillo beach. Out of the 92 eggs under 24-hour surveillance, the successful hatching of these 53 hatchlings was a thrilling moment for local conservationists.

The tiny turtles were transported to the El Valle Wildlife Recovery Centre by a veterinarian and a biologist from the Department of Environment. Meanwhile, 39 remaining eggs, protected by Civil Protection and local volunteers from ‘Territorio Tortuga,’ (Turtle Territory) are expected to hatch soon.

Environment Minister Juan María Vázquez visited the recovery centre to see the newborns, weighing around 15 grams each. He highlighted that these hatchlings, along with eight more from the centre’s incubator, are part of a yearlong programme designed to improve their survival rates.

The hatchlings will be distributed among several facilities, including the IMIDA in Murcia, Barcelona’s Marine Species Recovery Centre, Mallorca’s Marine Research Laboratory, and Valencia’s Oceanogrà c. This ongoing e ort highlights La Manga’s status as a prime nesting ground for loggerhead turtles.

Mental Health Run

SAN PEDRO DEL PINATAR will be buzzing with energy on September 21 at 6.30pm, as the town hosts the inaugural ‘RunRún Solidario’, a six-kilometre race and walk to bene t AFEMAR. The event, starting and nishing at the La Llana beach parking lot, will wind through the picturesque El Puerto road and the Las Salinas Regional Park.

Organised by the Association of Families and People with Mental Illness and Developmental Disorders of the Mar Menor Region (AFEMAR), this event aims to raise awareness for mental health,

aligning with World Mental Health Day in October.

AFEMAR’s president, Ramón Sáez, highlighted the race’s goal to spotlight their crucial work in the community. The town’s Health councillor, Valentín Henarejos, praised AFEMAR’s impact and

backed the blend of nature, sport, and charity. The race, directed by Gines Soto, is open to allfrom athletes to families. Entries are €10, available at dorsal21.com or AFEMAR’s office on Calle Concejal Mariano Henarejos.

Aguilas Artisan Market Secret Missions

ON Sunday, September 22, the Glorieta (town square) in Águilas will host a Traditional Producers’ Market. The event is organised by the Association of Tradition and Folklore of Águilas, with support from the Department of Culture. Visitors can buy local products such as cheeses, cured meats, sweets, handmade jewellery, and decorations.

Félix Cano, the event organiser, says the goal is to showcase some of the best small-scale ar-

tisans from the region, all known for their high-quality work. The market will be open from 9am to 2pm, with live demonstrations during this time.

A special feature of this market is a free paper recycling workshop, open to 20 participants. The workshop will run from 11am to 2pm, and sign-up forms will be available at the market itself.

This event is a perfect way to enjoy local culture, shop for handmade goods, and learn about sustaina-

ble practices in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

TIME is running out to visit the exciting ‘Secret Missions’ exhibition at the Civil War Refuge Museum in Cartagena. Open until September 29, the exhibition has already attracted nearly 19,000 visitors, with all events fully booked. Tickets are available on the Cartagena Puerto de Culturas website. (puertodeculturas.cartagena.es) The exhibition features 12 large dioramas with original artifacts, recreating pivotal secret missions from the Second World War. Highlights include scenes from Operation Caravan in the desert, spy interceptors, secret documents, double-agent uniforms, and the famous Enigma Machine, which played a crucial role in code-breaking.

As a bonus, visitors can win a free boat ride for two around the bay by solving a hidden puzzle inside the museum. The clues relate to a secret operation that endangered Cartagena’s security in 1936.

Ask the Cartagena Puerto de Culturas guides for more information and take your shot at deciphering the mystery!

New life in La Manga.

Run for mental health.

Village wonders

Credit:

BREATHTAKING views, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine; there are countless advantages to living in Spain, and all of them can be experienced for affordable prices. These are the top three villages in Spain to move to when seeking a paradisial escape.

La Cala de Mijas

Former fishing village, La Cala de Mijas has become an ‘ideal’ spot for those “seeking a relaxed pace of life while still having everything they need on hand,” said Marc Pritchard from Taylor Wimpey España.

For a life filled with joy and community under the Spanish sun, property can be purchased for an average price of €290,000.

Moraira

Located in Costa Blanca, Moraira is a gorgeous gem for foreign residents. “Moraira

exudes a unique blend of coastal charm and Mediterranean appeal,” said Angela Philips from Select Villas of Moraira. “It has evolved into a vibrant mix of traditional Spanish charm and modern amenities.”

With an average price of €400,000, Moraira is one of the top places in Spain for a life of balance and beauty.

Playa Blanca

Located on one of the Canary Islands, the Playa Blanca is an unforgettable location, which seems too good to live in, with volcanic landscapes and warm weather allyear-round.

“It’s a place rich with unique attractions like the Montaña Roja volcano, and the nearby Timanfaya National Park, famed for their breathtaking volcanic landscapes.” The average price for property in Lanzarote is €400,000.

Jorge Franganillo, Flickr

Playa Blanca, Lanzarote.

CARTAGENA is turning up the volume on Saturday, October 5, as the city’s historic centre transforms into an open-air concert hall for the second ‘Cartagena Suena… en los balcones’ (Cartagena Sounds… from the Balconies). From noon to 8.45pm, the festival will showcase local talent in a unique acoustic setting across several iconic balconies.

Organised by singer and journalist Lydia Martín, the event promises an eclectic mix of pop, rock, Celtic music, and singer-songwriter performances. Kicking off the day at 12.00pm, Italian-born Claudia Vergotti will serenade the crowd from the balcony of the Palacio Consistorial. Known for her emotive style, Vergotti’s hit ‘La Mala del cuento’ has over 100,000 YouTube views.

At 1.00pm, Tremendo Road, led by Nils Martínez, will rock the balcony of Ana Laiz Ase-

Musical Balconies

sores. Their latest EP includes a nod to their Carthaginian roots.

As evening falls, the Capitanía balcony will host Celtic Seas at 7.00pm and Sin Tregua at 8.00pm Celtic Seas, led by Esperanza Lamet, will showcase their new EP, ‘Horizons,’ while pop-rock veterans Sin Tregua, fronted by

Leo Fernández, will bring a decade of musical experience to the stage. Each performance will be in acoustic format, lasting 40 minutes. Event-goers can identify the stages thanks to distinctive banners designed by Carmen Saura, adding a vibrant touch to this musical celebration.

COSTA CALIDA

Epicentro 2024

GET ready, Mula! The Epicentro Festival is back on October 18 and 19 for its highly anticipated second year. After last year’s successful debut, this year’s festival promises to build on its positive momentum with a fresh, local twist.

Epicentro, which launched last year, aims to break down barriers between different art forms, creating a vibrant exchange among musicians, poets, and visual artists. This year’s event features a star-studded roster, including El Canijo de Jerez,

who’s bringing his farewell tour to Mula, and Russian Red, who’s back with a new album. Don’t miss the legendary Spanish folk singer Luis Pastor, known for his socially charged lyrics.

The festival will also showcase Travis Birds, Madbel, Carlota Urdiales, and more. Plus, there’s still time for emerging artists to join the lineup - submit your proposal for a chance to perform and earn €500. Expect live music, poetry readings, and a varied art exhibit.

Lorca’s September Fair

LORCA is gearing up for 10 days of non-stop festivities during its September Fair, which runs from September 20 to 29. This annual event transforms the city, filling its streets and plazas with lively music, theatre, and entertainment for all ages. Key locations like the Coso de Sutullena and Huerto de la Rueda fairground will host concerts, DJ sessions, and fun activities for families.

One of the highlights is the Feria de Mediodía (Midday Fair), where locals and visitors can enjoy delicious tapas while enjoying live music and the vibrant atmosphere in the city’s historic centre. Various bands will perform across Lorca’s plazas, with food and drink stands dotted about and attractions adding to the excitement.

Children are not forgotten, with free child-

care services available at the Huerto de la Casa de Guevara, offering activities like workshops, face painting, and bouncy castles. Sports, crafts, and parades also make up part of the schedule, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

Lorca’s September

Fair is a cultural landmark in the region, attracting visitors from across the province for a week of celebration, delicious food, and entertainment.

Whether you’re into music, food, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, it’s a can’t-miss event!

Bells are back

Oslo on the map

EIGHT of Notre-Dame cathedral’s celebrated bells have just been returned to their bell tower and will sound for the reopening in December.

One of the bells weighs over four tonnes and had been removed along with another seven for repair after the devastating fire wreaked havoc with one of Paris’s most iconic and much-loved buildings in 2019. Thousands of Parisians sobbed uncontrollably as they witnessed their

beloved Notre-Dame go up in flames in April 2019. Both the cathedral and its bells have been a symbol of Parisianness for almost 700 years.

Now, that the post-fire restoration is almost complete and December 7 has been set for the cathedral’s reopening, the full peel of 20 bells will sound once more. The bells have been cleaned of lead dust from the church’s burning roof and restored at the same foundry that first cast

Credit: Wikipedia

them in Normandy before being returned to Paris.

Re-installation back into the belfry should take place in the next few weeks. Gabriel, the heaviest of the bells will go up first while the other ‘daintier’, 782kg bells should follow shortly after. There should be 20 bells in all in Notre-Dame including two massive ‘bourdons’, one of which in the south tower, weighs 20 tonnes, and is only rung for major events such as a papal visit.

OSLO has earned a spot on Intrepid’s ‘Not Hot List for 2025’, highlighting lesser-known destinations deserving more visitors.

Once overshadowed by Stockholm and Copenhagen, Oslo is emerging as a vibrant hub for Nordic travel, offering a unique mix of culture, cuisine, and nightlife.

Local expert Lipa Adomaityte from Intrepid encourages visitors to come with “zero expectations” and leave with “stories to tell.”

Adomaityte compares the city’s dynamic atmosphere to “a mini-Berlin,” where museum visits can easily be followed by a house party.

Oslo’s food scene is a major draw, with fresh fish directly from the harbour and many chefs growing ingredients on-site.

Food markets like Mathallen, Oslo Street Food, and Vippa offer social dining experiences, while food trucks cater to more budget-conscious travellers.

The city is also home to some of the best museums in the Nordics.

The National Museum, the largest in the region, features works by international artists like Picasso, van Gogh, and Matisse.

Oslo’s nightlife is equally exciting, with bars and clubs that range from cocktail lounges like Summit Bar to themed dance clubs like Mabou, playing everything from 90s hits to modern music.

For those looking to explore Oslo’s natural beauty, Oslo Fjord is an hour and a half south of the city and offers swimming, hiking, and beach picnics during summer, and in the winter, the fjordside saunas offer a warmer swim. Visiting during spring and autumn offers pleasant weather without the crowds, making it the perfect time to explore this underrated destination.

Bells on exhibition in 2013.

Oslo might be the hidden gem you need to visit.

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IS the Schengen passport-free zone, home to 420 million people, at a point of crisis? With the mass influx of asylum seekers, the political relationship is changing between EU nations, and showing signs of crumbling.

To satisfy an infuriated electorate, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Sweden, and Denmark have reintroduced border passport checks, thus shattering the belief that Schengen is unbreakable. Recently too, both Germany and Hungary have reacted to illegal migration by reintroducing border checks.

While Donald Tusk, Poland’s prime minister, criticised other EU member states for temporarily suspending free movement, Austria vowed to not allow entry to any more rejected asylum seekers from Germany. The European Commission reminded states that they could only suspend Schengen in certain cases of national emergency, which was

Border checks

Could free movement be coming to an end?

followed by Hungary’s threat to send irregular migrants to Brussels by train. Then they opened up Hungary to nationals from Russia and Belarus, potentially threatening integrity of the Schengen Area’s security.

The entire Schengen project to facilitate seamless movement of trade and citizens between countries has been brought into question, with member states including Austria and Hun-

gary challenging the usefulness of the pact. Instead of bringing European peoples together, it has begun to cause mistrust and schisms between them. Member states have not heeded the EC’s advice to work together and phase out temporary border checks, and they have instead continued strengthening them, posing the question: Could this be the beginning of the end of the road for Schengen?

Luggage limits

HERE’S what you need to avoid getting a fine on European trains

Passengers travelling on the high-speed TGV InOui services and the Intercités lines will be limited to two large pieces of luggage per person and fined €50 if failing to adhere to the limits. The two large pieces of luggage can be up to 70cm x 90cm x 50cm and include one smaller piece of up to 40cm x 30cm x 15cm. Items including a pushchair, a musical instrument, or sports equipment do not count towards the luggage allowance.

For passengers of Eurostar trains, two pieces of luggage and one handbag are allowed, without weight limits.

Travellers using Spain’s RENFE train services can carry up to three pieces of hand luggage, provided that the overall sum doesn’t exceed 25kg or 290cm. The maximum dimensions permitted are 85cm x 55cm x 35cm.

For both lines, baby seats and pushchairs must be folded away, musical instruments should be carried in their case and cannot exceed 30cm x 120cm x 38cm. Bicycles and scooters must be folded inside a carrying case

Luggage regulations on European trains.

or bag and are still considered hand luggage. Passengers of Avio trains are limited to one piece of hand luggage with maximum dimensions of 36cm x 27cm x 25cm, without weight limits. One cabin bag is also allowed, with maximum dimensions of 55cm x 35cm x 25cm, and no weight limit.

Credit: veerasak Piyawatanakul, Pexels

FRANCE

Old timer

REMAINS of a Neanderthal male, named Thorin in a nod to Tolkien, were found in Malataverne in southern France in 2015 but still have archaeologists puzzled. They are difficult to date as a genetic study suggested they could be 105,000 years old, while carbon dating showed that Thorin lived 37,000 years ago.

Slow down

ON October 1 the speed limit on the Paris ring road will drop to 50 kilometres per hour, city mayor Anne Hidalgo announced. The measure faces opposition from both drivers and the Transport ministry which said that Hidalgo’s decision was unilateral and her powers did not extend to the ‘nationwide’ rules of the roads.

DENMARK

Egypt venture

THE Danish Cultural Institute in Damascus (Syria), which has been closed for the last 12 years has now opened a branch in Cairo (Egypt) to facilitate an interchange of each country’s culture and society. Denmark is also opening a catering school in the capital to help young people find jobs in the hospitality industry.

Game play

COPENHAGEN has assigned €67,000 from its 2025 Budget to study the possibility of hosting the Olympic Games in 2036. Culture and Leisure councillor Mia Nyegaard also confirmed that Copenhagen intended to make an official bid to host the Youth Olympic Games which could be held as early as 2030.

ITALY

Fair shares

YOUNG female graduates in Italy can look forward to earnings that are approximately half of the salaries received by young male graduates, an Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) report found. Italy’s 58 per cent pay gap was the widest in the 38 countries examined, the OECD found.

Getting on

ITALY’S doctors are currently the oldest in Europe and an estimated 13,156 of them will be eligible for retirement in 2025, the Geriatric Society Hospital and Territory (SIGOT) revealed. Fifty-five per cent are over 55, compared with 32.7 per cent in Spain, 44.5 per cent in France and 44.1 per cent in Germany.

EURO PRESS

NORWAY SWEDEN

Plum crazy

A WARM May produced abundant plums in August and farmers were initially pleased with the quality and quantity of the fruit but are now less than happy, as the market is flooded and too few are sold. “Forty per cent will go straight into the garbage bins,” one wholesaler said of plums stored in their warehouses.

OVER-PRODUCTION: Good spring weather produced a glut of plums.

Busy drones

IRELAND FINLAND

Double standard

A CYCLIST who presented police with footage from his helmet camera that showed drivers using phones and parking illegally, was fined after the same footage showed him jumping a red light. He has received a fixed penalty notice although police declined to confirm whether the drivers had also been fined.

New options

ADDITIONS have been made to Ireland’s Leaving Certificate curriculum and pupils can study Drama, Film and Theatre Studies or Climate Action and Sustainable Development. Aimed at students ‘not fitting the mould of more traditional subjects’ they will be available at 100 schools in September 2025.

On exercises

THREE aircraft from Germany’s 71 Tactical Air Wing Richthofen were recently posted to the Rovaniemi Air Force base in Finland, located 147 kilometres from the Russian border. The training exercises were part of Germany’s revamp of its Agile Combat Employment (ACE) capabilities, Air Force sources said.

Mussel mess

A HEAVY machinery operator who devastated an important population of pearl-bearing freshwater mussels in Suomussalmi (Kainuu) worked for Stora Enso, which manufactures wood-based materials. Police are investigating the incident that killed thousands of mussels and endangered thousands more.

credit: Pixabay/Glacika56

SWEDEN’S aviation authorities are investigating the sighting of at least one drone over Arlanda Airport on September 9 for the second night running. The latest incident occurred less than 24 hours after several were spotted there, forcing flights to divert to other airports in what police said was a “deliberate act.”

Word for word

HALMSTAD councillor Anna Fallkvist resigned after using the Swedish version of the n-word while telling an anecdote at a non-public meeting at the town hall. “I used the wrong word, which has upset people,” she told the SVT broadcaster. “It was wrong of me to express myself in a way that has offended people.”

GERMANY

Bright idea

THE government is allegedly deliberating whether to class motorway repairs as defence spending as it tries to hit Nato’s required contribution of 2 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product. Berlin said that since tanks and other military vehicles used public roads, their upkeep should be included in the defence Budget.

Bridge drama

A SECTION of the Carola Bridge in central Dresden collapsed in the early hours of September 9. Although the bridge was empty at the time and no-one was injured, the city authorities warned that the incident would cause transport chaos and both road and river traffic would be halted for some time.

PORTUGAL BELGIUM NETHERLANDS

Guard duty

SHORTAGE of human resources was Portugal prisons’ system greatest problem, warned the president of the National Prison Guard Union (SNCGP) Frederico Morais. If the authorities wanted to prevent more prisoners from escaping as five did on September 7, approximately 1,500 more guards were needed, Morais said.

All electric

THE world’s first certified 100 per cent electric aeroplane, the Pipistrel Velis Electro, is currently being used to train pilots in Viseu, northern Portugal. With electric propulsion and powered by batteries, this made a considerable difference to the cost, explained Jose Madeira, director of the International Flight Academy (IFA).

Bug out

EMPLOYEES at a secure centre for asylum seekers in Steenokkerzeel (Brabant) called a lighting strike after bedbugs were discovered in the staff room. The management said that a minimum service would be maintained during the stoppage and a specialist firm had been called in to deal with the infestation.

Time to go

ANTWERP Zoo announced that Hermien, a hippopotamus, would be put to sleep at the end of this month. “Hermien is not doing well,” the zoo’s chief vet explained. “In the wild, hippos live to be about 35 and Hermien will soon turn 44,” he said, adding that she had numerous age-related ailments and health issues.

Frisian find

TWO fragments of texts dating from the 13th and 14th centuries written in Old Frisian have been located at Vienna’s national library. Both had belonged to a former director’s private collection and Rolf Bremmer, a professor of Frisian, said their discovery was so special that the news made his heart “skip a beat.”

Going up

LEAKED details of the next Netherlands Budget revealed that the government expects to increase the monthly health insurance payment to €158 in 2025, compared with the present €150. Sources quoted in the Telgraaf newspaper said that the hike was due to higher wages in the healthcare sector and inflation.

Your

VOICE

Would you have the Mpox vaccination if offered to you?

AS of July, Spain had the most cases of Mpox recorded in Europe, with 8,104. While this number may seem alarming, it’s important to note that most Mpox cases occurred in 2022 and have significantly decreased since then. So far, only 352 cases have been reported this year, and none of them are the more deadly Clade I strain that is so prevalent in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, there has been one recorded Clade I case in Europe and this was reported in Sweden.

While the number of cases is declining and the likelihood of Mpox spreading to the general EU population is considered low, Spain is continuing with a vaccination programme for those that they consider ‘vulnerable’.

Somewhat controversially, this includes people under 45 who may engage in high-risk sexual activities, primarily gay men and bisexual individuals, as well as those in risky occupations such as specific healthcare workers and lab technicians.

While Spain has acknowledged that there isn’t a need to vaccinate the general public at present, it is fair to say that they will be monitoring the Clade I virus outbreak very seriously, particularly if more cases are reported outside of Africa.

In light of this, we asked our Euro Weekly News readers, “Would you have the Mpox vaccination if offered

to you?”

Judith Dominique Wolfenegg felt that it all depends on what happens next, she said, “I don’t see any point in it at the moment. But millions have died because of Covid (even if the flat-earthers like to claim it’s all made up) and if we look back at how many people died from influenza before there were flu vaccinations, how many diseases are almost eradicated by vaccinations ... How high our life expectancy is today! Modern medicine makes it possible for us to grow older and older.”

Chris McGovern was unsure of what he would do and shared, “I just wonder if putting all these different vaccines into our bodies will cause problems later down the line. I don’t think there has been enough for them to study it.”

Jan Butler was a very definite ‘no’ and expressed this view, “Absolutely frickin not. Vaccines are not what you think. They do not work and in fact, can make you fat and more ill than the actual virus.”

Bob Caparo was sceptical in his response and challenged, “Has it been subjected to long-term testing and conventional drug approval?”

Others, like Deborah Jackson, were also in the ‘no’ camp. “ I cannot believe that people would consider yet another non-long-term tested vaccine shot. What the hell?” she said.

SPAIN IS CONTINUING WITH A VACCINATION PROGRAMME.

FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA

Closing up

ALDI will invest £800 million (€947.25 million) in opening 23 new stores by the end of 2024 as the gap between the German supermarket chain and Asda begins to close after record sales of £17.9 billion (€21.2 billion). Chosen areas include Muswell Hill in North London and Caterham in Surrey.

Renfe spat

SPAIN’S railways operator

Renfe and train manufacturer Talgo failed to reach agreement regarding late delivery of 30 high speed trains and are on course to go to court. Renfe says it is entitled to a €116 million penalty payment, despite Talgo’s insistence that delays were due to “uncontrollable events.”

Some mistake

THE Bank of London Group, which was set up to meet the needs of businesses and counts politician Lord Mandelson as one of its board members, has received a winding-up petition from HM Revenue and Customs. A spokesman said the bank, which had “strong liquidity” was unaware of any unpaid debts.

All-rounder

MASORANGE plans to sell electricity and gas to 600,000 customers in Spain, the newly-merged MasMovil and Orange company announced. The service was initially aimed at Orange clients but it would be also available to other brands belonging to the group and even clients of other telecommunications companies.

Tata handout

TATA STEEL is to close its Port Talbot (Wales) blast furnaces but will receive a £500 million (€592 million) government package that will help it secure investment in a £1.2 billion (€1.4 billion) electric arc furnace. Once operative, the ‘green’ furnace could produce the steel necessary for the UK’s planned wind turbines.

STAT OF WEEK

€18.065 billion

in sales for Inditex during the first half of its financial year, 7.2 per cent more than the same period in 2023 although lower than the predicted 8 per cent.

Rescue for The Body Shop

THE Body Shop’s remaining 113 stores will stay open following a deal struck with a consortium led by Mike Jatania’s Aurea Group.

The company will also be taking control of The Body Shop’s assets in Australia and North America.

Aurea said that the operation was its largest to date but preferred not to give details of the amounts involved in a transaction that will save the jobs of 1,300 shop and office workers.

Jatania’s investment company had no immediate plans to close more stores, sources said, although it was likely to look for better locations for current shops.

Charles Denton, former chief executive of the Molton Brown perfume bran, will take on the same role at The Body Shop and head the new leadership team with Jatania.

Nicknamed the ‘Cosmetics King’, Jatania was chief executive of family-run Lornamead, which owned Lypsyl, Woods of Windsor, Yardley and Harmony hair products, before the company was sold for £155 million (€183.8 million) in 2012.

The Body Shop went into administration in February 2024 after its new owner, private equity firm

BANCO SANTANDER has sold a 5 per cent stake in its Polish subsidiary, Santander Bank Polska, for €600 million.

The bank chaired by Ana Botin retains a 62.39 per cent majority holding in the company and intends to redistribute the capital resulting from selling the 5.3 million shares within the group, Santander explained in the note to the Warsaw stock exchange.

The shares fetched 463 zlotys (€107.81) each, a 7.9 per cent discount on Santander Bank Polska’s price of 502.8 zloty (€117.5)

Aurelius, acquired the company for £207 million (€245.4 million) in December 2023.

This was far short of the £870 million (€1 billion) that Natura, the previous owner paid for The Body Shop.

In the event, Aurelius was unable to turn the company round and by last February owed creditors more than £276 million (€327.1 million), triggering the high street chain’s collapse when HSBC withdrew a line of credit and the new owner failed to obtain alternative funding.

Santander in Poland

Telefonica cold shoulder Burberry plummets

SHARES in Burberry, now relegated from the FTSE 100, have plummeted to their lowest in since 2009.

As the respected label struggles to remain an exclusive luxury brand, its shares plunged by 8 per cent on September 9 after analysts at Barclays warned that although Burberry was already one of the worst performers, “its performance was likely to worsen.”

Following the downgrade from the bank, this gave the company a market value of £2 billion (€2.4 billion) compared with £9 billion (€10.6 billion) last summer.

THE US investment bank Goldman Sachs reduced its Telefonica holding to 0.236 per cent on September 9.

This was 5.6 percentage points lower than its former 5.533 per cent stake, according to figures from Spain’s National Securities Market Commission (CNMV).

It was the second time that Goldman Sachs slashed its Telefonica investment after reducing its 8.081 per cent holding to 5.533 per cent only four days earlier.

By September 9 the value of Goldman Sachs’ Telefonica stake dropped from €1.9 billion to €56 million, while shares in Spain’s principal telecom company fell 0.17 per cent to €4.20 that same day.

THE Marie Claire factory in Castellon, idle for almost a year, should soon be operative once more.

The company, which was founded in 1907, originally manufactured most of Spain’s stockings and tights and employed 400 staff.

It will now be run by Madrid-based For Men together with the Polish firm Koltex and production will instead switch to sportswear and swimwear.

It was agreed with Valencia’s regional government that the partnership could acquire the factory for €240,000 on the understanding that it would operate for at least three years.

UNILEVER is finally abandoning its Russian business after continuing sales of its ice-cream more than two years after the Ukraine invasion.

at close of day on September 10. The sale was completed by September 13, Santander said, and was carried out by Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and its own investment bank.

Poland remained a core market, Santander said, and the sale was aimed at enhancing the liquidity of the Polish subsidiary while attaining its 20242026 strategic targets which include ranking as one of the top three banks in the country.

Pescanova woes

FROZEN fish and seafood company

Nueva Pescanova posted a net loss of €131 million for its last financial year that ended on March 31.

Still a household name despite these problems, Nueva Pescanova has reported losses for five of its last six financial years, with reduced sales during the last two.

The discouraging figures were the result of “inflation, the historic fall in the price of shrimp and the climactic effect of El Niño,” a company statement said on September 11.

It went on to explain that the board intends to propose a capital increase of €72.6 million at the next general shareholders’ meeting to finance the company’s future growth plan.

The London-based multinational, whose brands include Magnum, Wall’s and Ben & Jerry’s, has now agreed a deal with chemicals group Arnest, according to reports in the Russian media.

The transaction is expected to be worth between £300 and £334 million (€355.1 and €395.4 million) after the obligatory 50 per cent discount on exit deals involving firms from ‘unfriendly’ countries.

PROPERTY listing website

Rightmove turned down a takeover approach from the rival REA Group.

Rightmove’s board said the £5.6 billion (€6.63 billion) offer from REA Group, which is 61 per cent owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation, was ‘wholly opportunistic.’

Sources said the Rightmove rejection would come as a further setback for Murdoch’s business empire after his Talk TV network stopped broadcasting as a traditional television channel and moved online.

STILL HERE: The Body Shop’s remaining stores will stay open.

Photo credit: Santander Bank

ANA BOTIN: Executive chair of Santander Bank.

3I Group 3.181,00 3.221,00 3.176,00 151,31K Admiral Group 2.880,0 2.888,0 2.870,0 21,48K

Airtel Africa 117,80 118,10 116,90 619,63K Anglo American 2.064,0 2.085,5 2.060,5 157,17K

Antofagasta 1.732,50 1.749,50 1.722,50 37,6K

Ashtead Group 5.234,0 5.250,0 5.220,0 27,47K Associated British Foods 2.180,0 2.181,0 2.165,0 238,31K AstraZeneca 11.748,0 11.948,0 11.712,0 391,03K Auto Trader Group Plc 862,60 866,60 860,20 81,43K Aviva 493,30 495,10 489,50 275,09K

B&M European Value Retail SA 422,70 423,30 418,10 368,26K

BAE Systems 1.323,00 1.329,50 1.317,50 239,32K Barclays 219,15 220,20 218,20 3,03M Barratt Developments 509,40 512,80 507,40 352,04K

Beazley 773,00 774,50 769,00 84,73K

Berkeley 4.888,0 4.911,0 4.859,0 7,88K

BP 404,61 405,65 402,40 3,02M

British American Tobacco 2.952,0 2.961,0 2.944,0 290,33K

BT Group 146,30 146,80 145,00 5,72M Bunzl 3.662,0 3.678,0 3.648,0 47,25K Burberry Group 590,3 599,0 585,8 405,27K

Centrica 118,35 119,00 117,15 780,29K

Coca Cola HBC AG 2.810,0 2.826,0 2.806,0 40,46K Compass 2.424,00

2.424,00 270,26K ConvaTec Group 231,20 232,00 228,80 553,07K Croda Intl 3.982,7 4.002,0 3.941,0 16,96K

584,80 588,40 584,20 108,04K

5.210,0 5.220,0 5.195,0 5,53K

2.519,0 2.545,0 2.513,2 333,86K

4.474,00

375,40 378,50 373,85 2,7M

BUSINESS

EXTRA

Right time

PONTEGADEA, the family office belonging to Amancio Ortega, Inditex founder and its principal shareholder, has spent €327 million on acquiring logistics centres in Milan and Rome, Bloomberg reported. The deal has coincided with a cutback in Italy’s industrial and logistics real estate transactions.

Good news

JOHN LEWIS, which owns Waitrose supermarkets as well as stores, reported a pre-tax loss of £30 million (€35.5 million) in the six months ending July 27. This was almost half of 2023’s half-year losses of £59 million (€69.9 million).

De Beers at a crossroads

PLANS to float De Beers are overshadowed by waning demand for natural diamonds and their increasingly popular lab-grown counterparts.

A De Beers spokesperson said that the company was currently studying a potential stock market listing and selling the diamond business.

“Both options are very much on the table,” he told the Mail on Sunday.

City insider Raj Ray, quoted in the UK media, said

Sabadell’s weapon

BANCO SABADELL has upped its dividend prediction from €2.4 billion to €2.9 billion. Chief Financial director Leopold Alvear revealed while visiting New York recently that the bank would increase this over the coming months as Sabadell wards off a hostile takeover by BBVA. Since BBVA first approached Sabadell with its offer of a friendly mergerwhich the Catalan bank rejected from

the outset - the latter has used dividend payouts as one of its most persuasive weapons.

It has now pledged to share €2.9 billion amongst investors over the next two years although chief executive Cesar Gonzalez-Bueno has hinted that even this could be improved, following Sabadell’s ‘historic’ first-half profits of €791 million.

this was a challenging time for natural diamonds. Demand from China was in decline, the savings of potential customers in the US had been eroded by inflation, while lab-grown diamonds had undercut prices.

In May 2024, when Anglo American was fighting a hostile takeover bid by its Australian rival BHP, the company announced that it intended to concentrate on its copper and iron ore interests. Meanwhile, it would either de-merge or divest De Beers.

Founded in 1888, De Beers is the world’s leading diamond miner and is owned by the London-based Anglo American mining company although the Botswana government also holds a 15 per cent stake. Should the estimated £4 billion (€4.7 billion) float go ahead, De Beers would be taking the same route as rival Lucara, which now lists in Botswana, Canada and Sweden.

Second thoughts

DESPITE €2.2bn half-year revenues for cosmetics multinational Puig, which now lists on the Barcelona stock exchange, shares fell 13.65 per cent after announcing a 26 per cent reduction in profits. Insiders suggested that Cortefiel owner Tendam, Eupastry and gaming company Cirsa, who are preparing to list this year’s could now think twice about their stock market debuts.

DELOITTE, one of the Big Four consulting firms, has begun to check up on the location of its UK employees, as it takes a tougher line with working from home guidelines. Internet activity data has revealed that many are logging on from abroad and are working overseas without first obtaining permission from their managers.

LAB-GROWN DIAMONDS: Undercutting the real thing.

You couldn’t make it up

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

IN my opinion the Chinese are the most dangerous race on the planet. Subjects, who live under the iron boot of communism, are like ants or bees following the orders of the Queen. On their own they are weak and vulnerable. Working together for a common cause, they are virtually unstoppable.

Over the years, this ancient race of people, with their inscrutable and patient leaders has slowly but surely managed to infiltrate the West, with far more success and subtlety than the jihadi terrorists who have impregnated our society. From the innocuous Chinese restaurants and emporiums of cheap goods to the high financiers of Wall Street and the City of London they are everywhere.

Most of their companies in the West are state owned enterprises, including the multi supply stores, whose staff are trained in China and schooled in the language of whatever country they are designated to take up their employment. These stores are only allowed

to buy their stock from China and are totally autonomous. By selling a complete cross section of cheap goods, their purpose is to undermine and disrupt local businesses. Beijing clamped down hard on Hong Kong and subsequently announced that they are instructing schools to teach children from the age of six that they must always show allegiance to the state. The severe punishments that can ensue should they not follow the rules, is blatant brainwashing and of course ensures that future generations will not be as westernised and unmanageable as the young people of Hong Kong had become.

Their technology, particularly in the cyber world, is second to none, and the Chinese Communist parties, who lie with monotonous predictability were almost certainly the source of a number of huge cyber-attacks on the West. They are a nuclear power and can send rockets into space.

Whether intentionally or accidently, China was undoubtedly responsible for the Covid pandemic that severely damaged a multitude of economies and spread fear all over the planet. They are too astute to be actual warmongers, but I do believe in the not too distant futu-

re they will begin to flex their military muscles and endeavour to ‘take back’ Taiwan.

Whatever the future holds I think China is the biggest threat to western democracy the world has ever seen. Can they be stopped? Somehow I doubt it, there are after all 1.4 billion of them! If they join forces with Putin’s Mafia, I think we can stick our heads between our legs and bid adieu to our posteriors. Ah well, ain’t life grand?

I’m actually at the moment almost mesmerised by the American Presidential race. On one hand you have Harris with that gaping mouth look of astonishment whenever she faces an audience and on the other Trump with a new blonde hairstyle sporting an undoubtedly expensive makeover. Harris wants to let in all the immigrants and give them the deposit for a new house and Trump is trying to convince the public that those already in the country are eating people’s dogs and cats. You really couldn’t make it up.

Always 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.

Easy battle

EASYJET lost a legal trademark battle against a fundraising website in the UK, after arguing the Easyfundraising company’s name could cause poor reputation for easyJet.

EasyGroup has claimed that when the Easyfundraising company from the UK was launched in 2005, and when they set up the easysearch brand in 2007, easyJet’s trademarks were infringed and the company’s reputation was put at risk.

“Essentially, this was a trademark case over the use of the word ‘easy’ in our name, even though Easyfundraising has existed for nearly 20 years,” said Easyfundraising’s chief executive James Moir. Based in Lichfield, the company focuses on helping charities make money for good causes.

Justice Fancourt, who conducted the high court ruling, said “there is no identity or similarity of services provided by Easyfundraising and the services specified, the claimant’s claim of infringement as at 2005 and 2007 must fail.”

He added; “the number of retailers that advertise with Easyfundraising and have done so for years, including Marks & Spencer and John Lewis, demonstrate that retailers do not share the claimant’s view that Easyfundraising has a poor reputation.”

easyJet plane.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

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From left: Petter, Yenna, Paula, Amina and John.

What is happening?

MIKE

WHEN did it become a reportable offence to say no to your kids? I witnessed something the other day - a bloke in a restaurant with two kids, not babies, trying to have a conversation with them. They were not interested because they were busy on their phones. He asked them to put them down, got totally ignored, so raised his voice very slightly to make the point and one of the brats just said, ‘‘I’m telling mum you’re being nasty to us.” This made me wonder if this is a guy seeing his kids maybe once a week and this is what it’s come to - behave dad or we will report you! It’s nuts!

When Trump got shot in the ear all his supporters wore bandages over their ears as a sign of support. When kids and teachers got shot at a school recently they wore AR15 badges because someone mentioned about the gun laws. People over there need to get their priorities right.

ago as it doesn’t get as cold in Spain as it does in Italy apparently. I am talking, of course, about the heating allowance. To me it’s simple - Mr Starmer you cannot take away the OAP heating allowance and still be giving billions to other countries or immigrants, legal or otherwise, spend money on space programmes or come to that anything! Just look after them, they deserve it. They have worked all their lives, paid into a system and the only thing they have done wrong is live too bloody long. You tried hard with Covid and that got rid of a nice few pensioners, but please look after the ones that are left.

I do love a bit of irony. Whilst giving a speech, blaming the Conservatives for an ‘epidemic of antisocial behaviour, theft and shoplifting’, at the annual Police Superintendents’ Association (PSA) conference, thieves struck and nicked the purse of Dame Diana Johnson, Minister of Policing. You can’t make this stuff up can you? Even if they catch the person that did it nothing will happen to him unless he puts something nasty online!

Someone still has to explain to me what’s happening in the UK right now.

Here’s something else for you to think about, and as an OAP I’m entitled to my opinion, even though it doesn’t actually affect me as we had ours taken away years

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

Elizabeth I letter Great-nana’s Ibizan adventure

ON December 30, 1578, Queen Elizabeth I wrote a letter in French to Jan van Hembyze, an alderman and leader of the Calvinist Republic of Ghent.

It is understood that the letter was hand delivered by the Anglo-Flemish envoy and spy Daniel Rogers some time in 1579.

In the letter, Elizabeth, a Protestant Queen praises Hembyze’s enlightened statesmanship and love of justice in order to secure a fair trial for the imprisoned Catholics who had been captured following an attempted coup d’état in the city in October 1577.

An interesting footnote to show that at one time she was committed to religious tolerance although that tolerance became less noticeable as she got older and was the target of attacks from Catholics across Europe.

How the letter ever left Ghent is unknown, but it is now being offered for sale at an upcoming sale being conducted by Edinburgh auction house Lyon & Turnbull with an estimate of £14,000 to £18,000

Having discovered that letter is for sale, the Ghent Council believes that it should rightly belong in the City Archives and 62-year-old Alderman,

Filip Watteeuw told VRT News “The letter was addressed to the city and has also been delivered. That means it belongs in our archives.”

Having demanded the withdrawal of the letter from the auction, the council will need to establish when and how it disappeared from the city with little time to spare.

Letara Draghia MARGARET DILLON, an 86-yearold great-grandmother from Middlesbrough, is proving that age is just a number as she lives it up in Ibiza’s party hotspots. Known as ‘Nana Dillon’, Margaret recently travelled to the sunny island for the vow renewal of her granddaughter, Zoe Ferguson, and her husband, Mark.

But this trip isn’t all family time. Nana Dillon has been soaking up the Ibiza nightlife, even partying with internet celebrity Wayne Lineker at his famous O Beach club. “I am having a lovely time,” Margaret told Teesside Live. “I’ve never been to Ibiza before. You have to make the most of it, don’t you?”

Since Wayne Lineker shared a picture of the two on Instagram, Nana Dillon has become a viral sensation, racking up over 16,000 likes. She’s also planning more adventures, with visits to the island’s iconic

Café Mambo and even a daring bungee jump on her todo list.

Margaret’s story resonates with many who have spent years working and caring for others. Her bold embrace of life is a heartwarming reminder that it’s never too late to enjoy new experiences. “It’s my time to let my hair down,” she says. For those contemplating their next adventure, Nana Dillon is living proof that you’re never too old to dance, laugh, and savour every moment.

The letter signed by Elizabeth I.

Credit: Lyon & Turnbull

Credit: Instagram.

Wayne Lineker with Margaret Dillon.

INTERVIEW

Speaking EuropeanKim Metzen

“Go with the flow and you’ll become happier,” believes Kim, who moved to Valencia as a digital nomad, exalted by the Spanish lifestyle.

BORN in Germany and ha ving lived in the Nether lands, Kim’s reality used to be “running from one appointment to another,” living a life of speed and stress. After embarking on a trip through Mexico, onto more Latin American countries, and eventually Spain, Kim fell in love with the warm weather and hospitable communities she had come across. “For me, Spain was the European equivalent of Latin America,” said Kim, sharing that her love for the culture extends to the Spanish language, in which she is almost fluent, as well as her passion for salsa and bachata.

while enjoying Spain as if on a holiday at the same time. Kim works as a psychologist and a mental health worker for employed people, often assisting people through career changes, and ardently embraces change herself.

“Valencia is perfect for digital nomads; it’s easy to stay motivated here because so many people are working remotely and are staying connected to each other at the same time.”

New Spanish dinosaur

A NEW species of dinosaur has been discovered in Spain.

Estimated to have roamed the Earth roughly 75 million years ago, a new species of sauropod dinosaur has been unearthed in Cuenca, eastern-central Spain.

This species has been named Qunkasaura pintiquiniestra by the research team, led by paleontologist Pedro Mocho from the University of Lisbon.

In 2007, work on the Madrid-Levante AVE had to be paused after the workers came across thousands of dinosaur bones in Lo Hueco, located in the town of Fuentes, roughly 20 kilometres from Cuenca.

tologists have collected over 12,000 fossils from the Lo Hueco site, consisting of cervical, dorsal and caudal vertebrae, part of the girdles and elements of the limbs.

Working remotely can be awfully isolating but in Valencia, Kim has the advantage of ‘flexibility and freedom’, of work,

The ‘strong value of community’ in Spain has been one of the top reasons for Kim’s decision to move and she feels ever so grateful for now entering a life of “spontaneity, community and celebration.”

On Wednesday, September 4, 2024, the Museum of Paleontology of Castilla-La Mancha hosted the presentation of the Qunkasaura pintiquiniestra, distinguished by being one of the most complete sauropod skeletons found in Europe.

Since 2007, the paleon-

This discovery suggests that the Iberian Peninsula played a crucial role in the global distribution of these dinosaurs, as well as revealing new history; “we have entries of immigrants that we did not know about and that managed to coexist at the same time and in the

same place in some places like Lo Hueco.”

Francisco Ortega, part of the research team, stated at the presentation: “This collection has been under continuous study thanks to national projects and those of the Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, which has allowed us to significantly increase our understanding of the ecosystems of southwestern Europe during the Upper Cretaceous.”

Cordoba - Steeped in history!

CORDOBA’S a historical rollercoaster! Founded by the Carthaginians, it thrived under Rome. Well, except of course for the minor problem of the massacre of 20,000 locals by Julius Caesar in 45 BCE for bailing out Pompey’s sons. Oops! Luckily, things bucked up under Emperor Augustus who made Cordoba a capital.

Fast forward to 711: the Muslims arrived. After some dust-ups, ‘Abd al-Rahmān I took charge in 756, making Cordoba his capital and starting the Great Mosque.

Cordoba boomed under Muslim rule. By 1000, it was Europe’s biggest, arguably most cultured city, with 100,000 residents. Imagine palaces and mosques everywhere. And Cordoba’s crafts (silks, brocades, leatherwork, jewellery) the envy of all.

Civil war wasn’t kind. The caliphate crumbled in the 11th century, Cordoba becoming a battleground for minor Muslim kingdoms. Finally, in 1236, the Castilian King Ferdinand III took control and Cordoba became part of Christian Spain.

Cordoba remained a Christian military base in the frontier warfare against the Muslim kingdom of Granada but slowly declined. Granada’s fall in 1492 sealed the deal.

Today’s Cordoba retains its Moorish charm. Explore the winding streets and Jewish quarter. Cross the river on the Roman Bridge with 16 arches, guarded by the Calahorra fortress. Don’t miss the historical buildings and the Insta-friendly Great Mosque with its two-tiered arches. Cordoba’s past is as rich as its treasures - a must-see!

Nora Johnson’s 13 critically acclaimed psychological suspense crime thrillers, including the latest ‘The Girl across the Lake’ (www.nora-johnson. net), all available online at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.

Kim Metzen.

MUPA presented a new species of sauropod dinosaur measuring up to 20 metres.

Cíes Islands cap tourism Don’t feed the ducks

SPAIN’S Cíes Islands, nestled in Galicia’s Atlantic Islands National Park, have tackled overtourism with a simple yet effective solution: limiting daily visitors. This measure has helped protect the fragile environment while offering a more exclusive experience for tourists.

Since 2017, only 1,800 visitors can access the islands each day during the high season, with the limit dropping to 450 in the quieter months. Visitors must obtain a QR code from the regional government and pay €25 for the ferry ride.

“It was chaos before the cap,” says José Antonio Fernández Bouzas, the park’s director. “Now, people understand and appreciate the limit, allowing everyone to enjoy the islands without

overwhelming the ecosystem.”

This sustainable approach has transformed the Cíes Islands into a model of balanced tourism, with visitors planning their trips well in advance.

While the Cíes Islands have succeeded in managing tourism, Spain as a whole continues to grapple with the issue. Protests across the country have highlighted concerns about unchecked tourism growth affecting local communities. Experts argue that the solution lies in better communication and planning between local governments and residents.

For eco-conscious travellers, the Cíes Islands offer a peaceful retreat, where nature thrives, and responsible tourism takes centre stage.

FOR many, one of their earliest childhood memories is the simple pleasure of feeding the ducks at a local pond or river, but alas this is now frowned upon.

In today’s modern world, environmentalists in the city of Bremerhaven in Germany have expressed their opposition to what used to be considered a harmless pastime.

In an interview with Radio Bremen, Bernd Quellmalz, from the BUND Bremen environmental association explained his thinking “Every time a duck is fed, many birds come together. There is a risk that pathogens are transmitted much more easily than if the birds were to search in their natural environment.”

In other words, if wild ducks flock together in order to take advantage of a free meal, then they become more vulnera -

ble to the transmission of diseases such as bird flu and although not a major risk, some humans could catch the flu or other diseases from the ducks.

Then to add to the problem is the fact that if the bread is not ‘hoovered’ up by the masses of hungry ducks, it can sink to the bottom of a pond or lake, become mouldy, rot and reduce the available oxygen in the water which could

harm fish.

Currently, if an individual feeds pigeons or seagulls in the harbour city of Bremerhaven, they can be fined €2,500 but at the moment, there is no penalty for feeding the ducks, although legislation is before the Bremen Council to make feeding ducks an offence.

Has the world gone completely quackers or will this be a lame duck regulation?

One youngster enjoys feeding the ducks.

Cíes Islands.

• News from Our Other 6 Newspapers •

Costa del Sol Fewer fires

THE Malaga Province lets out a big sigh of relief this autumn, now that the most dangerous time of the year for forest fires has passed and 2024 has marked a new record with the fewest documented blazes.

Autumn officially begins on Sunday, September 22, and according to Plan Infoca, the Andalucian arm of the fire service for forests, there have been 69 interventions in Andalucia this summer, compared to 70 last year and 72, the average for the decade. However, in terms of hectares burned, this number is far less than in previous years, 181.32 hectares were scorched this year, 89 per cent less than last year’s 1,674.32 hectares.

Despite the extremely dry summer and subsequent drought throughout the region, one notable piece of good news has been that due to Plan Infoca’s rapid response to forest and scrubland fires, there has been no need for precautionary evacuations of property this year.

Axarquia Picture perfect

ROCIO ORTIZ, a talented photographer from the picturesque village of Canillas de Aceituno, has garnered attention by being selected for the Mi Rincón Favorito 2024 (My Favourite Corner) national photography contest. Her beautiful image of the iconic Calle Agua in her hometown is one of nine chosen to represent Andalucia in this prestigious competition.

Mi Rincón Favorito, a nationwide Instagram-based contest, aims to spotlight the most stunning images of iconic spots across Spain. Ortiz’s photograph, showcasing the familiar Calle Agua in a fresh light, exemplifies her knack for capturing the perfect moment.

The contest, which aligns with World Tourism Day on September 27, offers a €2,000 prize. Ortiz’s photo will compete with selections from various provinces.

In addition to her contest entry, Ortiz regularly shares images of Canillas de Aceituno on her Instagram (@rocioortiz154), celebrating the village’s beauty.

Mallorca

Centenary celebration

AS 2024 sees the centenary of the launch of the Balear sailing vessel, the entire fleet of the Diada de Vela Latina sailed through the Bay of Palma.

Fifty-one vessels took part on Sunday September 15 as the Cala Gamba Yacht Club organised the sail past as its contribution to Mallorca Day which fell on September 12.

The tribute took place in the middle of the bay of Palma, in front of Palma Cathedral, and consisted of a grand naval parade of all the participants in the Diada de Vela Latina, making two circuits around the much larger centenarian.

Horns were blown by the Race Committee to start the sail past and representatives of the Consell de Mallorca as well as a several local residents viewed the event as it took place.

For the very lucky ones (just 50), Palma Cathedral opened its terrace, so that guests were able to view this tribute, enjoying a magnificent panoramic view.

Costa Blanca South Sky surge

ALICANTE-ELCHE Miguel Hernández Airport is rapidly nearing the remarkable milestone of two million passengers in a single month, with an impressive 1,962,325 travellers recorded in August alone.

This figure represents a significant 15.3 per cent growth compared to the same period in 2023.

Consequently, August stands as the most successful month in the airport’s history, surpassing the record-breaking passenger traffic witnessed in July.

The summer of 2024, spanning from July 1 to August 31, emerges as the busiest period the airport has ever experienced in terms of passenger volume, greatly aided by smooth operations without any significant disruptions.

International travel continues to dominate, with 1,690,848 passengers recorded on commercial flights, reflecting a robust 16.5 per cent increase.

Domestic travel also experienced a noteworthy boost, with 269,569 passengers, a rise of 9 per cent compared to the previous year’s figures.

Costa Blanca North Solidarity brother

DURING the Fiestas de la Cala 2024, the inaugural Caritas Solidarity Fun Race was held on September 15, a combined initiative between the town councils of Finestrat and Villajoyosa. Participants of all ages, from children to seniors came together on a day brimming with excitement and compassion. More than 150 individuals gathered at the beach promenade of La Cala de Finestrat at 11.00am to participate in the 3km fun race in aid of Caritas. This organisation sets up programmes to offer assistance and support to vulnerable families. The event not only provided much-needed financial assistance but it also helped to raise awareness.

The mayor of Finestrat, Juanfran Perez Llorca, and the mayor of the town hall of Villajoyosa, Marcos Zaragoza, were present to award the trophies, underscoring their support for the event and the cause it represents. Attendees were also able to enjoy inflatables, games, Zumba, karaoke, face painting, and live music, all of which added to the lively and joyful atmosphere.

Almeria

A timeless tribute

LAST weekend, Vera was alive with colour and tradition as the town celebrated the beloved Pilgrimage in honour of the Virgen de las Huertas.

Hundreds gathered for this centuries-old festival, held on the first weekend of September, to pay homage to the Virgin, a symbol of gratitude for neighbouring Lorca’s aid during the Moorish uprising of 1569.

The festivities kicked off on Saturday, September 14, with a colourful procession of floats leading to the floral offering in honour of the Virgen de las Huertas.

After tradition came the party, two days of fun and games for all ages, carriage tours, a giant paella shared with love, live performances from local bands and DJs spinning tracks late into the night.

Then, just as it had begun, the Vera community came together to close the festivities with a religious ceremony, and marked the end with fireworks filling the sky.

PETS

Fresh furry fix

ELIMINATING stinky pet smells can transform your home into a fresh and welcoming space.

Start by grooming your pet regularly and cleaning their bedding often to prevent odours from building up. For immediate odour control, baking soda is a household hero. Sprinkle it on carpets, rugs, and upholstery,

letting it sit for a few hours before vacuuming thoroughly. Baking soda effectively absorbs and neutralises pet smells.

Apple cider vinegar is another powerful natural deodoriser. Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle and lightly mist areas where odours linger. This so-

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Heartworm risk

lution breaks down the odour-causing bacteria without using harsh chemicals.

Additionally, ensure good ventilation by opening windows to let in fresh air. Consistent cleaning routines and these natural remedies will help keep your home smelling clean and pleasant, even with furry friends around.

HEARTWORM is a serious parasitic infection in dogs caused by the worm Dirofilaria immitis. Transmitted through mosquito bites, the larvae enter a dog’s bloodstream, eventually maturing into adults that live in the heart and

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lungs. This can lead to severe lung disease, heart failure, and damage to other organs.

Symptoms of heartworm infection include a persistent cough, fatigue, reduced appetite, and weight loss. In advanced cases, dogs may experience heart failure and show signs of a swollen belly due to excess fluid.

Treatment involves using medications to kill both the larvae and adult worms. This process can be risky and

requires strict veterinary supervision, as dying worms can cause blockages in blood vessels. Recovery also involves limiting physical activity to reduce the risk of complications.

Prognosis varies; early detection and treatment improve outcomes significantly. Prevention is crucial and includes monthly heartworm preventatives and regular veterinary check-ups. Protecting your dog from heartworm ensures a healthier, happier life.

Shutterstock Masarik

Ruby is quite old now and needs to stay home with pet-sitters when her owners travel.

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CHARITY

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CARS

ROAD TEST

By Mark Slack

THOSE of a certain age may remember when the Kuga in Ford’s sales brochures was spelt differently and wasn’t an SUV. The Cougar was a sleek and svelte prowler worthy of the big cat whose name it bore. The current KUGA, spelt differently and an SUV, has been in Ford’s brochures for longer than you may think. It was launched back in 2008 and as the different generations have come and gone it has got better and better.

The latest Kuga models are arguably the best yet with petrol, petrol hybrid and plug-in petrol hybrid power from 150PS to 243PS, front-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive along with manual or automatic transmission. Standard fare on the entry-level version is impressive, especially when you consider the starting price of €37,995/£32,095.

LED lights, 13” touchscreen, Apple Car Play and Android Auto, rear view camera, front and rear parking sensors, heated, powered and folding door mirrors, rear privacy glass, useful sliding rear seats, keyless entry and start, quickclear heated front screen and cruise control.

My Active version sits one below the top-of-the-range and with a 2.5-litre hybrid petrol unit, allied to CVT automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive,

Ford Kuga - perfect for urban commutes or far flung adventures

makes for a very practical, comfortable and well equipped travel companion. The full hybrid system offers smooth changes between gears and switches between electric, combustion and a combination of the two according to conditions. In terms of MPG, on a long haul up north to the Isle of Mull in Scotland, followed by lots of short journeys, it returned an impressive 5.65 litres per 100km/ 50 mpg average.

Facts at a Glance

Model: Ford Kuga Active FHEV

Engine: 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder petrol hybrid developing 183PS

Gears: CVT Automatic with all-wheel-drive

Price: €48,384/£40,865

Performance: 0 to 100kph/62mph 8.3 secs

Economy: Combined 6 litres per 100km/47.1 mpg

Emissions: 137 g/km CO2

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

The five sportiest Skoda cars

SKODA, known for its reliable and practical vehicles, also has a range of sporty models that deliver an exciting driving experience. Here are five of the sportiest Skoda cars:

1. Skoda Octavia vRS: This is arguably the sportiest model in Skoda’s lineup. Available in both petrol and diesel variants, the Octavia vRS delivers sharp handling, strong acceleration, and sporty styling, making it a favourite for performance enthusiasts.

2. Skoda Kodiaq vRS: As the sporty variant of Skoda’s popular SUV, the Kodiaq vRS combines practicality with powerful performance. Its turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive make it an exciting option for those seeking an adventurous drive.

3. Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo: Inspired by Skoda’s rally heritage, the Fabia Monte Carlo offers sporty styling with a compact design. While not as powerful as the vRS models, it offers a fun, agile driving experience with its nippy handling.

4. Skoda Superb SportLine: For those wanting sportiness with luxury, the Superb SportLine delivers. It combines Skoda’s flagship sedan’s comfort and space with dynamic enhancements, including a sporty suspension setup.

5. Skoda Scala Monte Carlo: With athletic looks and a spirited drive, the Scala Monte Carlo offers a balance between daily usability and sporty appeal, perfect for urban driving.

These models show Skoda’s dedication to providing a sporty edge while maintaining practicality.

On the road it handles well, but that shouldn’t be a surprise as every Ford I have driven, whether humble or expensive, handles well. In urban driving the Kuga hangs on to electric power for longer than a lot of hybrids, which is good, and when the engine does power up it’s discreet and smooth. Being a CVT rapid acceleration is accompanied by some vocal notes from under the bonnet as the engine revs rise while the Kuga gets up to speed. All CVTs share the same characteristic, but linked to the 2.4-litre petrol engine the Kuga is a smoother and quieter operation than many.

Overall the Kuga is an impressive means of travel whether for urban commutes or more far flung adventures that utilise the very effective all-wheel-drive. It manages to do its bit for the environment without the current (excuse the pun) impracticalities of a full EV.

Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo.

Hobby horsing

GERMANY´S first hobby horsing championship in Frankfurt joins the European sport on the rise, as hundreds of young riders competed for the first time on the weekend of September 14-15.

Competing in time jumping, style jumping, and dressage, approximately 300 riders, with 20 adults and the rest children and teenagers, showed off their skills in front of 1,500 spectators. Established in Germany just a year ago, with 13 members, the association skyrocketed to more than 5,000 athletes and more than 200 clubs nationwide.

“It was very important to us to set an example and make the sport more popular,” said Kay Schumann, president of the German Hobby Horsing Association. “With the championship, which will be held every year from now on, we offer a goal that motivates hobby horses to improve their performance

and compete against each other.”

A sport that “spread like wildfire,” saw competitors in Germany judged on factors including precision, timing, and elegance, according to the German Hobby Horsing Association’s website.

For dressage, officials were looking at the rider’s posture, skills, and body positioning.

Coming originally from a grassroots movement in Finland, more than 20 years ago, the Head of the Finnish Hobbyhorse Association, Julia Mikkonen, emphasised that hobby horsing combines Finnish handcrafting culture, as some riders make and decorate their own sticks and horse heads, with sport, making it a unique and highly intriguing sport on the rise.

England faces Euro ban

ENGLAND may face exclusion from co-hosting the UEFA Euro 2028 due to a dispute between UEFA and the British government. The controversy revolves around the UK’s Football Governance Bill, which proposes an Independent Football Regulator (IFR). This regulator, aimed at safeguarding English clubs, has raised concerns within UEFA about potential government interference.

The bill, introduced in March 2023, seeks to improve financial transparency, ownership oversight, and fan involvement in football. However, UEFA believes that such regulation should fall under the Football Association (FA), not an external body, as UEFA rules require football associations to operate independently from government control.

In a letter to UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, UEFA’s General Secretary, Theodore Theodoridis, warned that England could be banned from Euro 2028 and other UEFA competitions if the bill is passed as it stands.

A ban would have severe consequences for English football, especially Premier League clubs, which rely on UEFA competitions for revenue and global recognition. The UK government, however, argues that the regulator will help secure the future of clubs by preventing financial collapse and promoting fan engagement.

As discussions continue, both sides remain focused on finding a solution that balances football’s financial stability with UEFA’s demand for independence.

Girl in a hobby horsing championship.

Credit: Michael Probst, Facebook