Costa Blanca South 9 - 15 Jan 2025 Issue 2062

Blanca South -

New Year’s bundles

“Tiny Stars: The first babies of 2025 on the Costa Blanca”

THE first birth in the Torrevieja Health Department for the new year occurred late on New Year’s Day at 7.25pm.

The baby, a boy weighing two kilos, was born to parents of foreign origin. In the Torrevieja Department, over half of the 210,000 residents assisted by public health services are from abroad.

This hospital handles just over 1,000 births annually (1,057), serving mothers from 10 municipalities along the Vega Baja coastline and its nearby areas: Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Pilar de la Horadada, Rojales, Guardamar del Segura, San Fulgencio, San Miguel de Salinas, Los Montesinos, Benijofar, and Formentera del Segura.

In the Valencian Community, the first baby born in the public hospital network in 2025 arrived at Denia Hospital at 12.05am Named Adrián, he weighed 4,040 grammes and was born naturally just five minutes into the new year. Both

mother and baby are doing well. Adrián’s parents, Patricia Gato and Daniel Petac, are residents of Pedreguer.

Despite being born close to midnight, Adrián was not Spain’s first baby of 2025. That title is shared by two babies born exactly at midnight. Nayeli was born at Parc Tauli Hospital in Sabadell, Barcelona, and Lucia at the University Hospital in Torrejon, Madrid.

At 00.08 Lola was born at the Torrecarde-

nas University Hospital in Almeria, the fourth daughter of a family whose parents are called Estefanía and Miguel, who measured 48 centimetres and weighed three kilos.

Marco Antonio was born at 00.16 in the Virgen del Puerto Hospital in Plasencia weighing 3.4 kilos, one minute before Mauro in the Provincial Hospital of Pontevedra weighing 3.060 kilos and two minutes before Angélica Sofía in the Donostia Univer-

sity Hospital, weighing 3.480 kilos.

Samuel was the first baby born this year in La Rioja. He arrived at 1.12am at San Pedro Hospital in Logroño, weighing 3.07 kilos. In Asturias, the first baby was Alex, born 20 minutes later at 1.32am at the Central University Hospital of Asturias in Oviedo, weighing 3.4 kilos.

In Navarra, Abidin was the first baby of the year, born at 2.32am at the University Hospital of Navarra in Pamplona.

Costa Blanca South • Issue No. 2062 • 9 - 15 January 2025 FREE FREE FREI GRATIS

GRATIS GRATIS GRATIS

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Image: Conselleria de Sanitat

Baby Adrián born in Denia at 12.05am on New Year’s Day 2025.

ON Monday, January 27, the Torrevieja U3A will host its annual Groups Fair at the CMO building near Habaneras in Torrevieja.

Discover U3A

This event offers a fantastic opportunity for members and non-members to meet Group Leaders, explore the wide range of activities available to members, and join the association. The Fair begins at 11:00am, and everyone is encouraged to come along to see what’s on

offer and discover activities they may have been missing out on.

Membership in the University of the Third Age (U3A) is open to anyone in the “third age” of life, which follows full-time work and family responsibilities. It’s not limited by age, ethnicity, or cultural background.

As the U3A continues to grow, new activities are being added to its

extensive list of options. Some groups already have leaders in place, but additional volunteers and participants are always welcome. Other groups are still seeking leaders to take charge and organise sessions.

Group leaders can set their own schedules, with the flexibility to hold

meetings weekly, monthly, or at other intervals that suit their availability. If you’re already a U3A member and want more details, contact Michelle at u3agroupsliaison@gmail.com. For non-members, visit the website torreviejau3a. org to learn how to join and get involved.

Costa Kings

ON Sunday, December 5, towns, villages, and cities across the Costa Blanca and Spain celebrated the arrival of the Three Kings.

In some regions, the visit of Their Majesties was moved earlier to avoid rain, particularly in the western parts of the Iberian Peninsula.

As a result, traditional parades were held on Saturday, January 4, in areas like Andalucia, Galicia, and Extremadura.

On Sunday, January 5, the Three Kings made their grand entrances in other Spanish cities, using various modes of transportation. In Logroño,

they arrived by helicopter, landing at the Las Gaunas municipal stadium. Meanwhile, in Barcelona and Santa Pola on the Costa Blanca, they made their entrance by boat.

The arrival of the Three Wise Men carried extra meaning in towns affected by the recent DANA (isolated high-impact weather system) in the Valencian Community. Local leaders, including Riba-Roja mayor Robert Raga and Benetússer’s mayor, emphasised the importance of creating a “special Christmas, especially for the children,” ensuring the parades went ahead despite the challenges.

In Santa Pola the Three Kings arrived by boat.

Image: Ayuntamiento de Santa Pola

Spain adopts proton therapy

“New treatment to revolutionise cancer care”

SPAIN is gearing up to lead a bold new charge in the global fight against cancer, promising pinpoint precision and fewer complications.

A new proton-powered treatment, known as proton therapy, has just arrived in Spain, and it’s sparking hope everywhere. Unlike traditional radiotherapy (which uses photons), this supercharged method fires protons directly into tumours, stopping the radiation from spilling over into surrounding healthy tissue.

Ten new units are set to boost the Spanish frontline by 2026:

Right now, only two private centres in Spain offer proton therapy. But from 2026 onwards, that’s all set to change. A whopping 10 new facilities will open across the country, thanks in large part to a €280 million donation from the Fundación Amancio Ortega. Expect to see these high-tech centres sprouting in Galicia, Catalonia, Madrid, Andalucia, País Vasco, Valencia, and the Canary Islands.

Galicia on the go:

• The Galician unit in the north of Spain is tipped to be the first fully operational site, with doors flinging open in January 2026.

• The Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla in Santander is expected to follow suit that same year, giving more Spaniards public access to this revolutionary treatment.

Spain set to become a European leader.

So why the delay? The hefty cost of building and running these units - and the need for specialised staff - kept Spain trailing behind. But as oncologists see it, Spain will catapult from straggler to European leader in proton therapy in just a few short years.

Stay tuned for more updates - because this cancer-crushing journey is only just starting.

Free dental care in Spain

“Spain expands healthcare services”

FROM 2025, Spain’s national health system will begin offering free dental care, marking a major milestone in accessible healthcare. For the first time, dental services will be integrated into local health centres, providing much-needed relief for those who struggle to afford private treatment.

Initially, the programme will prioritise vulnerable groups, including children under

14, pregnant women, and individuals with disabilities.

Low-income adults may also qualify for subsidised care, with eligibility determined by income relative to the minimum wage (SMI). This phased rollout reflects the government’s commitment to addressing health disparities while gradually expanding services.

The programme will cover essential treatments, such as emergency care, extractions, and minor surgeries, along

with preventative measures like cleanings for eligible groups. Screenings for oral cancer and biopsies will also be included, highlighting the initiative’s focus on both immediate needs and longterm health outcomes.

While the plan promises to transform oral healthcare accessibility, challenges remain. Adequate staffing, resource allocation, and public awareness campaigns will be critical to its success. The Ministry of Health has pledged to address these issues through collaboration with regional health authorities and dental professionals.

By making dental care free and accessible, Spain is taking a bold step toward a more equitable healthcare system. This initiative not only aims to improve oral health but also underscores the government’s dedication to reducing health inequalities and fostering a healthier, more inclusive society.

Returning unwanted gifts

DECEMBER is a time of gift giving; however, post-Christmas is also a time of returning those gifts to the shops they came from for a variety of reasons.

The most important thing is to know the returns policy of the establishment which may include, for example, original and undamaged packaging, a receipt, or whether a cash refund is given or a gift card of the same value of the article. In Spain, it is extremely rare that a shop would take back any product without proof of purchase, such as a paper receipt.

Another point to take into account is the condition of the products; since with any gift that has been used (or appears so), the return will be rejected.

The same goes for the packaging or box of the product: the store may request that the returned product is kept in its original box, as well as everything in it (such as cables, chargers, or spare parts). The store will need to resell the item, so it must appear as pristine as the day it was bought.

Some products have a returns deadline, such as some fashion stores which keep strict rules on this, as their turnaround could be just a few weeks, and that pullover you want to return might already be considered unsellable by the time you return it. Most will be between 30 to 60 days maximums and 14 days for purchases online.

Golden Visa scrapped

“What’s next for investors?”

SPAIN’S decision to pull the plug on the controversial ‘Golden Visa’ scheme has left potential investors and buyers scrambling to figure out what’s next. As of April 2025, this system - which allowed wealthy non-EU individuals to secure residency by investing heavily in property - will be no more.

The Golden Visa was the dream ticket for many looking to snap up a luxury home in Spain, but that door’s closing. From April, no more new visas will be issued under the scheme. However, if you’ve already got one in hand, you’re safe - for now. You’ll still be able to renew it as long as you tick the necessary boxes. read on to find out more.

First launched back in 2013, the Golden

Visa was designed to attract wealthy investors to Spain, particularly in the property market. However, under the new law published in Spain’s Official Gazette on January 3, 2025, the controversial scheme has been phased out as part of a broader set of judicial reforms. This marks the final nail in the coffin for the articles of the 2013 law that allowed non-EU foreigners to gain residency in exchange for big investments. Some are arguing that the Golden Visa boosted Spain’s economy, but others have slammed it for creating an exclusive residency system for the wealthy, often at the expense of the average EU citizen. Is ending this type of visa fair? Is this right for Spain’s economy? Or is it a move against business?

Credit: Shutterstock, Romberi

WHEN you first encounter a painting by Elche artist Pedro Antonio Vicente, it might remind you of Edvard Munch’s famous work, The Scream.

His latest exhibition, El Grito de la Dama (The Lady’s Scream), takes inspiration from Munch but offers a fresh perspective by featuring the iconic Lady of Elche, an ancient Iberian bust. The collection includes 21 expressionist paintings, each portraying

a range of emotions.

Visitors can also view some of Vicente’s earlier works, such

Echoing screams Cradle counts

as paintings of Dutch windmills and pieces influenced by Van Gogh.

HOSPITALS in the Vega Baja region reported a slight decline in the overall number of births during 2024 compared to the previous year, according to official data. The two main hospitals in the area, Vega Baja Hospital in Orihuela and Torrevieja Hospital, showed differing trends.

The Vega Baja Hospital in Orihuela recorded a drop in births, falling from 1,109 in 2023 to 1,000 in 2024, which represents a decrease of 9.8 per cent. In contrast, the Torrevieja Hospital saw

The exhibition is open at the Chapel of the Third Franciscan Order in Plaza Reyes Católicos until January 19. Hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00am until 2.00pm.

Pedro Antonio Vicente has been creating art for 20 years, overcoming challenges related to his mental disability.

In 2021, during the pandemic, he produced a collection titled Grito

del Covid (The Scream of Covid), featuring the Lady of Elche wearing a mask against a dramatic yellow-grey sky. Since its debut on December 13, the exhibition has attracted about 640 visitors, including tourists from countries such as Ukraine and Peru. Many attendees learned about the cultural significance of the Lady of Elche for the first time, despite its status as a globally recognised artefact housed in the Archaeological Museum in Madrid.

an increase in births, rising from 1,000 in 2023 to 1,057 in 2024, reflecting a growth of 5.7 per cent. These figures point to a redistribution of births between the two hospitals, with a decline in Orihuela offset by an increase in Torrevieja.

Births show differing trends.

Image: Inara Prusakova / Shutterstock.com

A fresh perspective featuring the Lady of Elche.

Image: Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche

Salty success

WITH the arrival of colder weather, Torrevieja’s salt production shifts into high gear as shipments head out to sea.

The company which manages the state-owned lagoons, is entering another busy export season. According to the company’s industrial director, Joseph Pérez, approximately 110,000 tons of salt have already been shipped, with 70,000 tons leaving in December alone.

Regular destinations include England, Scotland, Sweden, Norway, and more recently, Ireland. Smaller quantities are transported by road to northern Spain, but the scale of that business is considerably smaller. So far, about 25 ships have loaded salt at the Poniente dock this season.

Currently, the ships arriving range in capacity from 7,000 to 9,000 tonnes. The director noted that one of the largest so far this year carried 9,500 tons. Loading a vessel of that size typically takes about a day and a half at the Muelle de la Sal.

Supplies are unlikely to run low, as more than 400,000 tons of salt have accumulated due to favourable weather conditions in recent years at the Laguna Rosa. The 2023-2024 export season was particularly strong, and expectations for this season are also optimistic, though Joseph Pérez stresses that outcomes depend heavily on the weather. “Weather is unpredictable,” he said. “We’re hopeful that 2025 brings plenty of cold and snow to northern Europe.”

Evolving Elche

ELCHE has evolved into a destination that successfully attracts tourists while encouraging longer stays.

An analysis of the tourism data reveals a signicant change in the prole of visitors to Elche: foreign tourists are now arriving earlier in the year and staying beyond the traditional peak season.

Elche’s latest gures indicate that hotel occupancy in the city has reached an impressive annual average of 85 per cent, marking a 2 per cent increase over 2023.

Particularly noteworthy is the period from February to October, during which monthly occupancy consistently surpassed 80 per cent.

Between April and October, occupancy exceeded 85 per cent, a stark contrast to previous years when such levels were

typically limited to the May to September period.

Domestic visitors remain Elche’s primary audience, with tourists coming from regions such as the Valencian Community, Madrid, Catalonia, Andalucia, Murcia, Castilla y Leon, the Basque Country, and Castilla-La Mancha. This diverse representation underscores the city’s appeal across Spain.

On the international front, Elche continues to

be a favoured destination for travellers from France, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

Moreover, there has been a notable uptick in visitors from Belgium, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Italy, Poland, and Portugal. Interest from tourists in Eastern Europe, the United States, Canada, and Latin America also remains strong, further cementing Elche’s status as a globally recognised destination.

Bus transfer from La Zenia, Torrevieja, Quesada, La Marina and Elche

Elche is a favoured destination.

Image: Elche Turismo

Salt extracted from the Pink Lake in Torrevieja.

Image: Anna Baranova / Shutterstock.com

John Hardy search Sky-high success

Donna Williams FATHER of two, John was de clared mis sing after he failed to board a plane back to Belfast on December 18. Since then, his family have decla red that they believe him to be dead and are now sadly looking for his body. As his dad said in a heartfelt plea on New Year’s Day, “Please just give me my son. That’s all I want, just my son.”

dead. They have even been given information from a relative of the man that they strongly suspect was involved in John’s murder as to where they might find him.

DURING the Christmas period, the airport scheduled 5,402 operations, a 33 per cent increase compared to the previous year, reflecting steady passenger growth.

Sadly, the K9 Search and Rescue Northern Ireland who flew out on January 1 to assist in the search has returned home having found nothing connected to missing man John Hardy. The family have confirmed that they received information from an associate of John’s that he had been shot

Sadly, their efforts to scour the places given have been futile, even with a team of 50 volunteers and the K9 Search and Rescue NI assisting them. This has included the beach in Cabo Roig, and lemon fields in the huge area from Benidorm to Torrevieja in the Costa Blanca region.

Understandably, the family are becoming more desperate with each day that passes as they want to bring John home to Belfast and provide him with a final resting place.

The Christmas campaign in 2024 was two days longer than in 2023, starting on December 20, and ending on January 7. Even accounting for the extra days, the number of operations rose by 17 per cent to 20 per cent.

The busiest days were Saturdays, with the airport managing up to 330 flights on Saturday, January 4, and December 28. In comparison, no day in 2023 exceeded 300 operations, with the busiest being December 23, which had 285 flights.

During the 19-day campaign, the airport handled over 300 daily operations on multiple occasions, averaging 284 flights per day, an increase from the previous year’s daily ave -

rage of 238, which translates to roughly 50 more flights each day.

Alicante-Elche Airport has solidified its role as the province’s main gateway for international travel and a key player in foreign tourism. Over 80 per cent of passengers during the year were non-Spanish nationals.

ticularly tourism, was undeniable.

A key factor in Alicante-Elche’s growth was the addition of direct routes to mid-sized cities and strong demand from the British market.

While foreign residents on the Costa Blanca made up part of this traffic, the airport’s importance to the region’s economy, par -

Despite Brexit, nearly one in three passengers were British, with their numbers exceeding six million for the year.

Flying high.

The desperate search for John Hardy continues.

Credit: Billy George

What’s in a name?

THE history of a city is reflected in the names of its people. Traditionally, names often revealed a person’s place of origin. For researchers, a given name could carry as much information as a surname, leaving little doubt about its significance.

A century ago, many families followed naming traditions tied to their town’s patron saint. Names like Virtudes were closely associated with Villena, Marta with La Vila Joiosa, and Nieves with Aspe.

Similarly, families named Loreto were often from Muchamiel, Remedios from Alicante or Pinoso, Asunción from Elche, and Jordis from Alcoy.

Names have changed drastically over time.

Over time, however, these connections have faded. Today, the names of Alicante residents have changed drastically, and none of the most popular names from a century ago remain in the top five for newborns.

In the 1920s, the most popular names for men in Alicante were José, Francisco, Antonio, Manuel, and Vicente. Today, none of these appear in the top 10 for newborns, though Manuel holds on in 11th place. Currently, Martín, Leo, Lucas, Hugo, and Mateo are the most popular choices for boys,

names that were nearly unheard of a century ago.

For women, María, Josefa, Carmen, Dolores, and Teresa were the most common names in the 1920s. Today, Sofía, Lucía, Martina, Aitana, and Julia are the top choices. Only María and Carmen maintain a modest presence, ranking sixth and 17th, respectively.

Turrón burn

ALBATERA is hosting the fourth edition of ‘Quema el Turrón’ (Burn Off the Turrón), an event that has become a popular tradition to kick off the new year. Turrón, a sweet treat made with honey, eggs, sugar, and toasted nuts, inspires this post-holiday fitness initiative.

For four Sundays in a row, the Parque Unión Musical ‘La Aurora’ will host a range of sports activities.

The councillor for Sports, Alfredo Box, emphasised the event’s significance, noting that it offers a chance to regain fitness after the festive season while enjoying outdoor exercise in a beautiful setting.

On January 12, a Strength and Hypertrophy seminar with Gym Ponte Fuerte will take place from 10.00am to 11.00am, followed by a dance session led by the Mari Carmen Simón Professional Dance Centre from 11.00am to midday.

On January 19, a Muay Thai class with Go Up Gym will run from

10.00am to 11.00am, and a dance workshop with In Dance Studio will follow from 11.00am to midday.

On January 26, there will be a Functional and CrossFit session with Energy Gym Sport Centre from 10.00am to 11.00am, and a Body Balance session with Raquel Revive from 11.00am to midday.

The final day, February 2, will feature aerobic maintenance and Pilates with CTA from 10.00am to 11.00am, a Full Body Strength and Endurance class with Puls 7 from 11.00am to midday and a Muay Thai session with Bangua from midday until 1.00pm.

The activities are free and suitable for all ages and fitness levels.

For additional information, contact (+34) 625 168 589.

Image: kipgodi / Shutterstock.com

A popular tradition in the new year.

Torrevieja U3A annual Groups Fair

THIS is an excellent chance for non-members to come along and meet up with some of the Group Leaders and also to learn about all of the activities that are currently available to the members and also to enrol in the association for a relatively small fee.

Monthly meetings are held on the last

Monday of most months (July and August excepted) where upcoming events are announced and the attendees are able to listen to various speakers on a variety of subjects.

There is also a reasonably priced Menu del Dia available after the meeting concludes.

If you have an activity that you feel would be of interest to others, on a continuous basis or even one-offs, then you can also enrol as a group leader.

Come and join us on Monday January 27 from 11.00am onwards and find out what you have been missing!!

Celebrating Chanukah

SINCE 2015, the Southern Costa Blanca Jewish Community has publicly lit a Menorah (a seven-branched candelabrum) during the Chanukah celebrations. This year was no exception, and on the last night of Chanukah (January 1), almost 50 people attended the lighting, which took place in Campoverde.

The festival of Chanukah, or as some people refer to it, the Festival of Lights, dates back to 167 BCE. The Temple in Jerusalem was looted and defiled by King Antiochus, who was the ruler at that time. The Jews were also banned from practising their religion.

In 165 BCE, a man named Yehuda HaMaccabi and his

defeated Antiochus and went to the Temple in Jerusalem to give thanks to God. They found that when they wanted to light the lamp in the Temple, there was only enough olive oil to last for one day. However, that one day’s oil burned for eight days, gi-

ving them time to obtain fresh supplies of oil. This was proclaimed to be a miracle. An eight-day festival was declared. During this time the Southern Costa Blanca Jewish Community light one candle each day until all eight candles are lit.

Mattress mission

ASPE Council has delivered 30 mattresses to Albal in Valencia, a town impacted by the recent DANA. This effort was made possible through the ‘Solidarity Mattress’ campaign, which saw strong support from the people of Aspe.

Toñi García, the councillor for Solidarity, thanked residents for their generosity.

“Thanks to the commitment of our community, we’ve been able to help improve the living conditions of those who lost everything in this disaster. It’s inspiring to see how Aspe unites during tough times,” she said.

followers

Every year a seven-branched candelabrum is lit.

Image: Southern Costa Blanca Jewish Community

Charity splash

EL CORTIJO PAREDÓN in Pinoso extends a massive thank you to everyone who took part in the Charity New Year’s Day Splash!

The brave participants did an incredible job, and it was wonderful to have so many supporters cheering them on.

So far, €850 has been raised, with an additional €400 expected from outstanding sponsorships this week. All funds collected will go directly to the Finding Forever Homes Sanctuary, a non-pro t organisation. The aim was to beat thegure of €1,000 raised in the New Year’s Day Splash 2024 - mission accomplished!

The pool was a brisk 9.5°C, but that didn’t stop the enthusiasm. Participants were rewarded with a complimentary

breakfast for their e orts.

A big congratulations to the 12 participants (one unnamed): Brian, Evan, Duncan, David, Anthony, Ian, Megan, Donna, Tony, Curtis, and Steve.

The Finding Forever Homes charity works to rescue and rehome dogs. For more information, visit their website n dingforeverhomes.co.uk or email them at ndingforeverhomes30@gmail.com.

El Cortijo-Paredón is a popular community centre o ering food and drinks, with a wide range of amenities including a swimming pool, darts and pool table, petanca pitches, and plans for more facilities in the future. The venue hosts regular events such as a bi-weekly auction, live music, and a Sunday carvery.

Image:

EL Cortij o Paredon

New Year’s Day.

TORREVIEJA begins 2025 with a population of 106,350 registered inhabitants, marking an increase of almost 6,000 people in just one year.

Cosmopolitan cityscape

This makes it the third most populous city in the province of Alicante and the fifth in the Valencian Community, following the provincial capitals of Valencia, Alicante, and Castellon, as well as Elche.

According to the council’s population and registration data, nearly half of the city’s residents, 47.91

per cent (50,960), are Spanish, while 52.09 per cent (55,390) are from international backgrounds, coming from 123 different countries across five continents.

An interesting fact is

that Torrevieja has recently added two residents from Dominica, a Caribbean island, increasing the number of countries represented in the city’s population registry from 122 to 123. The city’s registered population consists of 52,039 men (48.93 per cent) and 54,311 women (51.07 per cent).

A noteworthy change in the past year is the significant rise in the number of Ukrainian residents, now

Resident numbers in Torrevieja have increased.

totalling 9,512 in Torrevieja. This makes Ukraine the most represented foreign country in the city, followed by Russia (5,926), Colombia (5,141), and the United Kingdom (4,708), which has been surpassed by Colombia for the first time. Among the 9,512 Ukrainians, 5,227 are women (55 per cent) and 4,285 are men (45 per cent).

Historic peak

HOUSING prices in the Valencian Commu nity rose by 16 per cent in 2024, reaching an average of €2,061 per square metre, according to the latest data from the Idealista price index. This marks a 3.8 per cent increase in the last quarter and sets a record high for the re gion.

In Alicante Province, housing prices grew by 15 per cent over the past year. Algorfa recorded the sharpest rise, with a 43.3 per cent jump in asking prices compared to the previous year. Alcalali and San

Juan de Alicante followed, with increases of 36.6 per cent and 27.1 per cent, respectively. However, not all areas saw growth. Prices fell in Rafal (-13 per cent) and Gata de Gorgos (-12.9 per cent).

In Alicante City, housing prices climbed 18.2 per cent year-on-year, reaching €2,265 per square metre.

Across Spain, housing prices have risen by 11.2 per cent in the past year, with the national average reaching €2,271 per square metre. Quarterly growth stands at 4.1 per cent, pushing prices to a historic peak.

A very hard day

Castle craze

The match was split into two sections at either end of the long channel. The rst section, and the

ROUND 3 of the Carp-R-Us Winter Series was shed at El Bosquet. The previous two days had seen a lot of cold rain fall in the area and this, coupled with an overnight low of 3°c, led everyone to think theshing would be very dicult… and it was.

match overall, was won by Jeremy Fardoe on peg 27, thanks in no small way to a 4kg barbel caught right on the nal whistle. Jeremy de ed the advice of several people to sh light and fed ping-pong sized balls of bread at 7m and shed large pieces of punched bread on a size 10 hook to nish with 6.02kg. Next to him on peg 26, Alan Smith had 2.92kg on a more conventional pole and maggot attack.

At the other end of the stretch, pole and maggot was everyone’s method of choice but the sh just did not respond and the section was won by Trevor Morrey on peg 39 with just 0.96kg with Steve Fell on peg 37 second with 0.62kg. A very hard day at the oce.

Information about the club can be found on its website www.carp-r-us.wee bly.com or on the Facebook page Carp-R-Us Fishing Costa Blanca.

SANTA BÁRBARA

Castle in Alicante has set a new visitor record in 2024, nearing one million visitors.

According to the council, a total of 950,000 people visited the castle this year, marking a 17 per cent increase compared to the 811,904 visitors in 2023.

Of the 950,210 visitors, 63.17 per cent were rst-timers, and nearly 70 per cent were aged between 18 and 55. Among international visitors, the British topped the list at 10.38 per cent, followed by the French (10.25 per cent), Polish (9.31 per cent), Italians (7.63 per cent), Germans (6.13 per cent), Dutch (3.88 per cent), and Norwegians (3 per cent).

August saw the highest number of visitors with 100,203, followed by July (98,289) and April (96,229).

In September, the Alicante Council announced plans to charge tourists for entry to Santa Bárbara Castle and

municipal museums, though no date has been con rmed for implementing this change.

Tourism councillor, Ana Poquet, highlighted the wide range of activities available at the castle, including guided and dramatised tours, concerts, themed weekends, workshops, and events throughout the year.

“These e orts are yielding fantastic results. Santa Bárbara Castle, our key cultural and tourist attraction, is thriving, drawing more people and fostering appreciation for its heritage and preservation,” the councillor conrmed.

The castle has set a new visitor record.

Fridges full of good

THE mayor of Krakow, (Poland’s second-largest city), Aleksander Miszalski has taken to social media calling on those who have spare food to donate it to those in need.

He has set up four refrigerators, called ‘fridges full of good’ around different parts of the city and suburbs which are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are there to remind local residents that there is still a need for assistance in feeding families in Krakow.

In addition, there are six additional locations where those with spare food may leave their excess and those in need can obtain the food that is available.

Explaining what his plans and expectations are, the mayor stated:

“You can leave food products in the fridge that we would like to eat and receive ourselves. They can be vegetables, fruits, cakes, bread, preserves, or even a jar of soup that we cooked too much of.

“Self-made products should be described accurately: what they consist of and when they were prepared. On the other hand, we do not leave raw meat, products containing raw eggs, coated articles and alcohol.

“Let’s not waste food! Let’s share it with others. In the next year’s

city budget, we have planned funds for more refrigerators full of goods so that as many residents as possible can use them in their neighbourhood.”

Like so many other countries in Europe, Poland discards millions of tonnes of edible but unwanted food each year, with more than half of that wasted coming from households rather than the many commercial outlets that exist in the city.

Tiny village hits jackpot!

THE sleepy Overijssel village of Balkbrug (population: a modest 4,000) is currently dancing in the streets after scooping an eye-popping €59.7 million in this year’s Postcode lottery. Locals with the golden postcode 7707 AZ will share an astoni shing €29.85 milliontalk about a new year’s windfall!

Even future residents will cash in on the prize. One future resident who’s on the verge of moving to Balkbrug next week, has snagged a tidy €477,600 - just in time to pay for some urgent DIY for his new house!

Some residents have bagged up to €6.2 million and have wasted no time planning home improvements. Others

are planning long holidays or extravagant new purchases.

Every villager in Balkbrug whose postcode starts with 7707 will get a share of the remaining €29.85 million. The exact amounts remain under wraps for nowbut watch this space as it could be another flurry of cash for the quiet

countryside! As if Balkbrug’s win wasn’t enough, another €30 million has just been dished out via the Staatsloterij. The prize is split into two bundles of €15 million after the winning ticket was sold in halves. One half went to a lucky winner in Bladel, while the other half - bought in Heemskerk - remains unclaimed. Will the mystery millionaire step forward? Someone out there is definitely sitting on a golden ticket.

So if you’ve been dreaming of a front-door overhaul or a cheeky skiing holiday, don’t forget to check those tickets. The Netherlands might just have room for a few more millionaires!

Babpipes on a military car in Balkbrug (Netherlands).

Credit: Shutterstock, Remco de Wit

Mayor Miszalski added food to one of his nearest fridges.

Credit:

Aleksander Miszalski Facebook

Belgian ‘Wonder Woman’

HILDE DOSOGNE has smashed records and proven that anything’s possible - even running a marathon every single day for a whole year!

The Belgian ultra-runner crossed the nish line in Ghent on New Year’s Eve 2024, her 366th consecutive marathon, to a chorus of cheers. But don’t be fooled - despite completing the 15,444-kilometre challenge, Hilde was not completely exhausted. She said she was “glad it’s over,” but there was one nal hiccup on her last run: a collision with a spectator.

RECORD BROKEN: Belgian Wonder Woman runs a marathon every day for a year!

Spain new European star

WITH Germany seemingly coming under more scrutiny financially and finding it a tough task to cope with the economic hit of their main asset, the automation industry, a diamond in the rough has been unearthed - and it comes as a surprise to many.

After 366 days of pounding the pavement, this 55-year-old bio-engineer has not only proved her resilience, but also raised a whopping €60,000 for breast cancer research. Now that’s a victory with some substance.

As she passed the nish line, her mind was already ticking over the next steps: submitting GPS data, photos, videos, and witness reports to the Guin-

ness World Records. If all checks out, she’ll o cially hold the female record for running a marathon every day for a full year - a feat that would dethrone the previous record of 150 days held by Erchana Murray-Bartlett. She’ll also join Hugo Farias, who holds the male equivalent, with 366 consecutive marathons.

Running 42.5 kilometres a day isn’t for the faint of heart - especially when you’ve battled the u, Covid-19, multiple crashes, blisters, and even bursitis. But for Hilde, the toughest part wasn’t the physical toll - it was the mental grind.

Deputy director of the Polish Economic Institute Andrzej Kubisiak has pointed out that as Germany struggles to maintain their past sparkling performances, Spain has now emerged as the star European nation.

“Spain has done a great job in spending money effecting and coping with the energy crisis,” says Kubisiak, with current Spanish president Pedro Sanchez reiterating frugality and equal income dispersion across the community and important sectors.

“Spain coped quite well with the way out of the pandemic crisis, whe-

re there was an influx of migrants, jobs appeared and funds from KPOs (knowledge process outsourcing) appeared quickly, where new investments appeared,” he stated.

Placing an utmost importance in driving down and keeping down energy costs for Spanish citizens and companies alike, the main challenge for Poland is exactly that - how

to enact this process to begin to move things in an upward trajectory in a world bound by crises. Kubisiak insists that the Green Deal should be atop of the Polish agenda, looking for solutions here that would see national regulations reducing energy costs, spiking a deep level of competitiveness on not only a European scale, but a global one.

Credit: Facebook, Hilde Dosogne.

Spain the new inspiration?

Oldest Olympian dies aged 103

AGNES KELETI, the world’s oldest living Olympic medallist has died aged 103 in her home city of Budapest, Hungary.

Keleti won a total of 10 Olympic medals in gymnastics, including five golds, for Hungary at the 1952 Helsinki Games and the 1956 Melbourne Games.

Keleti, who was born Agnes Klein in 1922, was a Holocaust survivor. Her Jewish heritage meant she was removed from her gymnastics team in 1944 and she was forced to go into hiding.

Her father and other relatives were amongst the over half a million Hungarian Jews killed in Nazi death camps like Auschwitz.

Despite the persecution and sufferings of herself and her family during the Second World War, Keleti won a gold medal at her debut Olympic Games in Helsinki in 1952. She went on to be the most successful athlete at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. Whilst the Melbourne Olympics were taking place, the Soviet Union invaded Hungary and Keleti remained in Australia seeking asylum.

She immigrated to Israel in 1957 and

worked there as a gymnastics coach up until the 1990s.

Agnes finally returned to her native Hungary in 2015.

Keleti was admitted to the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2001 and the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2002. She was also named one of Hungary’s 12 foremost ‘Athletes of the Nation’ in 2004, having won her Hungary’s gymnastics championship 10 times in addition to her Olympic medals.

Agnes Keleti will continue to inspire young gymnasts.

NEWS Travel

La Rioja - A great destination for wine lovers

with Hispavan Campers

LA RIOJA, famous for its vineyards and picturesque countryside, is a province located in north-central Spain. Renowned for its wine production, the region offers a multitude of things to do. Visitors can enjoy exploring the rolling vineyards and historic wineries, wandering through medieval towns, and even going for a hike and enjoying the stunning landscapes.

Exploring La Rioja with one of Hispavan’s campervans allows you to enjoy everything the region has to offer at your own pace. With the freedom to stop wherever you like, you can fully immerse yourself in the local culture, and experience the beauty and charm of La Rioja without missing a thing.

Visit vineyards and wineries

La Rioja is truly a great destination for wine lovers, as it is most famous for its wine production. You can tour various wineries, or ‘bodegas,’ and sample exquisite wines. Some renowned wineries include Bodegas Ysios, Bodegas Muga, and Bodegas Marques de Riscal. You can take a guided tour to learn about the wine-making process, or visit the Wine Museum (Museo del Vino) in Briones and learn about the region’s history.

Explore the historic city of Logroño Take a stroll through Logroño’s charming old town and visit beautiful historical landmarks like the Co-Cathedral of Logroño. Another important attraction is Calle del Laurel, which is famous for its

tapas bars and lively atmosphere - It’s the perfect place to sample local dishes like patatas a la riojana and chorizo riojano.

Sierra de Cebollera Natural Park

Nature lovers can enjoy hiking trails with diverse landscapes - forests, rivers and waterfalls. The Sierra de Cebollera is the perfect place for those who like to stay active and walk through nature. If you’re lucky, you might also spot some local wildlife including red deer, wild boar, and various bird species.

Hispavan

A campervan from Hispavan is the perfect way to travel because it combines comfort, flexibility and adventure in one, offering a home-away-from-home experience. Whether you’re exploring scenic mountain routes or hidden countryside gems, a Hispavan campervan gives you the freedom to travel at your own pace, stopping wherever you please.

SUMMARY

Whether you prefer savouring local wines, discovering charming towns, or hiking scenic trails, La Rioja has something for every traveller. With the comfort and freedom of a Hispavan, you can explore the region at your own pace, ensuring a truly unforgettable experience.

COSTA BLANCA SOUTH

The Vista Lounge

BIG names in local entertainment will visit the Ciudad Quesada based cocktail lounge and live music venue four days a week.

Midweek no longer has to be dull, instead of waiting for the weekend to have a little fun attend a Vista Lounge event every Tuesday.

January 7 at 8pm don’t miss the wonderful Paula Molina as she gets everyone up and dancing.

January 14 the good vibes continue with Rachel Prescott at 7pm, here she is performing her incredible solo act, but she is also known for being part of the trio, the Dreamgirls.

January 21 The Cages Acoustic Duo, will be playing you a range of great music on their acoustic

guitars.

January 28 J Laken will be performing his solo act, singing timeless mainstream pop and rock.

The Vista Lounge is central to Quesada’s weekend Entertainment scene. Fridays, January 10 at 7pm J Laken is back with Debbie H, as Project Duo singing everything from modern day pop to tunes to make you nostalgic.

January 24 at 8pm

Jose Bolero will take to the stage, a staple of the entertainment scene in the Cost Blanca he is guaranteed to get everyone dancing.

The Vista Lounge has multiple other acts on Saturday and Sundays as well, visit them on Facebook to find out more.

Av. de las Naciones, 22, 03170 Cdad. Quesada, Alicante 627 109 385

Burn’s Night at Lo Crispin Tavern

Abigail Frazer

‘NOW’S the day and now’s the hour’ to grab your tickets and reserve a table for Burn’s Night.

The Scottish festival celebrating the life of poet Robert Burns is coming to Algorfa January 25 at Lo Crispin Tavern.

From 7pm they’ll have live music, a piper and traditional food so that you feel at home this Burn’s Night whilst celebrating with family and friends.

Lo Crispin Tavern has a special menu planned for the evening with three courses for just €19.

You can choose from a starter of leek and potato soup, prawn cocktail or ham croquettes. For mains you can go truly traditional with Haggis, Tatties and Neeps or choose from cod and chips or steak pie.

And for desserts they’ve got apple crumble, cheese cake or carrot cake on offer.

After the Bagpipes have been played, guitarist and singer Danny Ray will be playing rock and pop from the 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond.

Ray usually covers music

from artists like Stereophonics, the Eagles, the Killers and T-rex.

If this sounds like the perfect Burn’s Night contact David at Lo Crispin Tavern and Beer Garden on 646 777 658 or visit them between 11am and 11.30pm to make your reservation.

Celebrate the Scottish poet Robert Burns’ 265 years after his birth.

Cafeteria El Jardin

Restaurante Goyos

A SATISFYING meal, in an always busy, Spanish run restaurant at the heart of Ciudad Quesada.

In an unassuming position just off the main street of Quesada but across from the town hall, this restaurant is like a tardis on the inside.

There are multiple indoor seating areas which offer either a little slice of community or peace and quiet depending on what you are wanting from your meal.

With modern interiors and a long outdoor terrace that spans almost the entire street where it’s located, they have the perfect place to sit regardless of temperature or group size.

Their food ranges from traditional tapas and paella, through to barbecue, burgers, pizzas and sea food.

Honestly, it is their fish dishes that I go back for, their mussels cooked in various styles, with a glass of white wine and chunks of French bread are a delicious and filling lunchtime meal.

And their salmon en papillote dish is a perfectly portioned delight.

For those of you who prefer meat dishes to fish they have their own grill menu and their steaks are delicious.

Goyos Restaurant doesn’t break the bank with a three-course menu del día costing under €15 and an average meal from their larger menu with a drink costing around €18.

I visit this restaurant regularly and cannot recommend them enough, their service whether ordering a simple coffee or a full three-course meal is always impeccable

C. Blanca, 4, 03170 Cdad. Quesada, Alicante 966 718 085

ENJOY AND RELAX WITH OUR GREAT COFFEE! AND...

ENJOY AND RELAX WITH OUR GREAT COFFEE! AND...

Breakfasts Sandwiches + Rolls Cakes Drinks

Monday to Saturday 8.30am - 1.30pm / 3.30pm - 8pm Sunday 8.30am - 1.30pm

Plaza General Llopis 3, Dolores Just in front of the Town Hall C din

Photo Credit:Abigail Frazer

Photo Credit: Facebook Vista Lounge bar and café Ciudad Quesada.

BUTTERFLIES

Butterflies Cafeteria:

The perfect blend of sweet and savoury in Jacarilla

BUTTERFLIES CAFETERIA in Jacarilla, has quickly established itself as a favourite gathering spot for both locals and visitors since its opening in February 2023.

Known for its delicious home-made cakes and savoury treats, the café offers a welcoming environment where you can enjoy a savoury snack or a sweet treat.

Diane and Jo, the owners, have created a friendly environment that feels like a home away from home.

The menu at Butterflies Cafeteria features an impressive selection of home-made cakes. From the classic Victoria Sponge to moist Carrot Cake, rich Coffee Cake, tangy Lemon Cake, decadent Chocolate Cake, and indulgent Salted Caramel Cake, there is something for every cake lover.

They also offer a variety of other sweet treats, including Bakewell Tarts, fluffy Scones, chewy Flap Jacks, and creamy Cheesecakes, all of which are

made fresh in-house.

For those who are in the mood for something savoury, Butterflies doesn’t disappoint. The savoury menu includes options such as perfectly baked sausage rolls, delicious quiche slices, and flavourful savoury puffs.

These treats go wonderfully with a hot cup of tea or freshly brewed coffee, making for a perfect break in the day. Additionally, the café offers a range of both hot and cold drinks, including wine and beer for those looking to unwind with something a bit stronger.

For lighter bites, there are options like toasted tea cakes, crumpets, and tostadas, as well as fresh sandwiches, baguettes, and rolls. The toasted sandwiches are a crowd favourite and are perfect for a quick breakfast or a midday snack.

If you’re looking for something a little more indulgent, the café also serves afternoon tea, but be sure to pre-book

in advance to secure your spot.

One of the great things about Butterflies Cafeteria is that if you’re planning a celebration or need a special treat, you can order whole cakes and cheesecakes to take home with you. Whether you’re hosting a party or simply want a special cake for a family gathering, Diane and Jo are happy to create something tailored to your needs.

The café is open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 9.00am to 2.00pm, though hours may vary for special events or large orders. For more information or to place an order, you can visit Butterflies Cafeteria directly at Avenida La Paz 63, Jacarilla, Alicante, 03310. You can also reach them by phone on (+34) 960 201 577, by email at butterflies.cafeteria@gmail.com, or by contacting them on Facebook.

To keep up with the latest updates, promotions, and special offers, be sure to check out their Facebook page, Butterflies Cafeteria.

HUGH GRANT is at the IMF Torrevieja cinema near you, in his new American Horror thriller Heretic.

The schedule this week has Grant’s latest film, where he plays a recluse with a deadly secret running at 5pm daily. It scored 93 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes.

BUTTERFLIES

The IMF cinema has American or English films playing every week in their original language.

When you visit the cinema website look at the scheduled

and check for those marked [VO].

NEW YEAR - NEW BUILD

Here at Vistacasas often when our clients are selling their existing property it’s to upgrade to a New Build property. The combined selling and buying costs can however be prohibitive, that’s why we’ve launched our ‘OLD FOR NEW’ offer to help our clients…

BUY your New Build property through Vistacasas and we will sell your existing property free of charge! That’s correct, we will market and sell your property for free.* And the benefits of purchasing your New Build property through Vistacasas do not stop there, we will also offer a further incentive of free air-conditioning or furniture package.**

The lure of a brand new property is immense:

• Clean lines and modern designs

• Efficient and environmentally

T&Cs apply.

friendly systems and lower running costs

• State of the art equipment and appliances

• Everything with guarantees for years to come.

If you don’t have a property to sell but would still like to benefit from Vistacasas exceptional offers when purchasing a New Build Property, then contact us today for further information.

EU phone charger rules

NEW EU rules requiring all new smartphones, tablets, and cameras to come with the same charger port have come into force in order to cut waste and expense.

Electronics manufacturers are now obliged to fit their devices that will be sold in the Euro bloc with a USB-C, the cable connector chosen by the European Union as the common standard for charging small electronic articles.

“Starting today, all new mobile phones, tablets,

digital cameras, headphones, speakers, keyboards, and many other electronics sold in the EU will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port,” the EU Parliament posted on social media site X.

The law was first approved in 2022 following arguments with tech giant Apple, and so set the deadline to comply at December 28, 2024. Laptop manufacturers have until 2026 to adapt their machines. Although Apple has

been reluctant, they have already begun fitting their devices with the USB-C ports but claimed the rule would ‘stifle innovation’. At one point, there were more than 10 different types of charger cables that went with different brands of mobile phones. This new USB-C model design has been chosen as an industry standard, as it can charge at up to 100 watts, transfer data up to 40 gigabits per second, and even be used to connect to external displays.

End of multiple chargers.

Are you affected by the noise pollution in Spain? Your

VOICE

NOISE pollution, an often-underestimated problem, can profoundly affect human health and well-being. We all experience it, whether it’s the roaring sound of traffic, music blasting through the walls from a neighbour’s party, or the constant drilling sounds of construction nearby. It can affect our sleep, make us feel stressed, and even impact our health in the long run, leading to problems like hearing loss and heart issues. But most of all, it makes us feel annoyed and exhausted.

This was the experience of residents in the Arroyo de la Miel district in Benalmadena on the Costa del Sol, as reported by Euro Weekly News last month. The neighbours complained about sleepless nights caused by unmuffled exhaust pipes, roaring engines, and music blasting from nearby festivals and fairgrounds - and they are not alone in this situation. While this, unfortunately, is a common experience for anyone living in an urban area, some people believe that noise is simply a part of Spanish culture. So, we asked our readers: are you affected by the noise pollution in Spain? One of the primary complaints from the residents in Benalmadena revolves around traffic noise, particularly “older men driving around in open-top convertible sports cars roaring up and down.” Brian Rae hi-

ghlighted this issue in response to our poll, describing the noise as “ridiculous” and calling for stricter enforcement against illegal exhaust systems. He noted that the persistent noise from the road outside his home prevents him from opening his windows, explaining that “it is a built-up area with no speed bumps or max speed limit signs, now due to the solid white lines being worn away they are overtaking.”

Peter Mack echoes these concerns, emphasising the need for stricter traffic noise control. He suggests that “unmuffled motos should be heavily fined.”

Not all noise complaints stem from traffic, however. Paul Slater raised a different issue - barking dogs in his neighbourhood. “It’s nonstop barking, 24/7,” he said, describing the frustration caused by his neighbours’ pets.

While specific issues, such as the barking dogs, can be challenging to address due to their nature, traffic noise emerges as a more widespread concern that many believe could be resolved. Readers suggest practical measures such as repainting road markings, introducing deterrents like speed bumps and posted speed limits, and enforcing stricter regulations on vehicle exhaust noise.

FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA

Take it easy

COUNCIL staff are working from abroad in locations ranging from Barbados to South Africa, with local authorities approving 731 requests in 2023 compared with 708 in 2022. Meanwhile, Office for National Statistics data revealed that public service productivity is now 8.5 per cent below prepandemic levels.

Best-sellers

ACCORDING to the latest figures from Tesla, the company headed by Elon Musk sold 2,231 models up to December 26 in Spain last year. This was not far short of Toyota’s 2,586 C-HRs in a month when both overtook the Dacia Sandero although, as in 2023, this remains Spain’s best-selling car for the whole year.

Starling winged

THE Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has fined digital bank Starling £29 million (€35 million)) for its ‘shockingly lax’ financial crime controls. These had left the online-only bank, founded in 2014, in a position “wide open to criminals and those subject to sanctions,” the City regulator said.

Big Four

MULTINATIONAL auditors

KPMG and EY each had 11 clients listed on Spain’s Ibex 35 index of leading companies, 63 per cent of the total, in 2024. Deloitte had four, while PwC with nine clients is almost certain to overtake them all in earnings, as it has a contract worth €130m with Banco Santander.

Wrong track

THE HS2 rail project was in a “very serious situation” Mark Wild, HS2 Limited’s chief executive said in late December. Constructing the railway would cost between £67 and £83 billion (€81 and €100 billion) at current prices, although the Transport Department argued these figures were “unreliable.”

STAT OF WEEK

will be paid in dividends based on 2024’s earnings by Spain’s principal banks, Santander, CaixaBank, BBVA and Sabadell in 2025.

Big money in takeovers

FOREIGN takeovers of UK-listed companies brought a 2024 fees bonanza for the City.

Investment advisers AJ Bell revealed that takeovers of British companies amounted to £49 billion (€59 billion) in 2024 compared with £17.2 billion (€20.7 billion) in 2023.

A spate of deals involving large companies inevitably drove up fees charged by banks and law firms involved.

A Telegraph analysis of filings for the 15 completed takeovers of FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies revealed that banks and law firms’ fees had amounted to £1.6 billion (€1.9 billion).

Most profitable from the

ACE footballer Lionel Messi has floated his property investment trust on the Bolsa Portfolio, an alternative Spanish stock exchange supervised by the Bank of Spain.

Messi, the former FC Barcelona idol who left in 2021, now plays for Inter Miami which is owned by David Beckham.

He was named chairman of Edificio Rostower Socimi, while his wife Antonela Roccuzzo is vice-president.

Top choice

THE Amsterdam-based European stock exchange, Euronext, was chosen by 53 debuting companies in 2024.

This represented onethird of last year’s European flotations and, as in 2023, technology was the most active sector, accounting for 40 per cent of the new listings.

Another 11 companies chose to list on Euronext in 2024, including CVC Capital Partners (Jersey), together with Louis Hachette Group (France), Paratus Energy services (Norway) and Theon International (Cyprus).

City’s point of view was the £1 billion (€1.2 billion) acquisition of TI Fluid Systems by Canadian ABC Technology Holdings.

Company records showed that the banks which had advised ABC on the British brake fluid

company’s takeover received £234 million (€282.2 million).

That amounted to almost a quarter of TI’s purchase price instead of the normal 5 per cent rate, although in this case approximately £160 mi-

llion (€193 million) was commission on refinancing TI’s debt pile. TI Fluid had paid its own bankers £37 million (€44.6 million).

The Telegraph analysis also pointed out that banks and advisers would have earned even more, as the £1.6 billion did not include takeovers where no documents were published, together with those which were not completed or were rejected.

Rejected deals include

Australian mining giant BHP’s £34 billion (€41 bn) offer for its rival Anglo American, while Rightmove staved off a £6.2 billion (€7.5 bn) approach from Australian counterpart, Rupert Murdoch’s REA.

Messi turns businessman

The company’s only shareholder is Limecu Es paña 2010, the Messi fa mily’s investment vehicle, although Reuters revealed that the trust has informed Bolsa Portfolio that it will open up to admit new investors.

Founded in 2013, the company posted a €1.7 million loss in 2023 ac-

Steelworks saved

NETWORK STEEL has bought the Thyssenkrupp’s Galmed plant in Sagunto (Valencia), which produces 350,000 tons of galvanised coils each year.

The deal, which brought to an end months of negotiations, also put an end to uncertainty after Thyssenkrupp announced more than a year ago that it intended to sell the Sagunto steelworks.

The decision was prompted by plummeting steel production in Europe owing to its uncompetitively high overheads, as well as the German company’s own losses, sources said.

Neither Thyssenkrupp nor Network Steel have revealed further details although the Spanish government and unions confirmed the deal, which will maintain the current employment and working conditions of the plant’s 120 workers.

cording to Bolsa Portfolio

Edificio Rostower owns seven hotels in Spain and Andorra, three office spaces and five apartments in Spain, plus others in London and Paris.

It has now debuted at €57.4 per share, giving the company a market capitalisation of €223 million.

Be prepared

UBER EATS, which classes delivery riders as self-employed, not employees, has set aside €136.3 million for potential tax and legal contingencies.

Portier Eats Spain’s 2021 accounts submitted in July 2024 to the Registro Mercantil, equivalent to the UK’s Companies House, showed losses of €47.3 million for that year.

This was mainly the result of assigning €57.1 million to cover eventualities arising from Work Inspections in addition to 2020’s €79.2 million allocation.

The company announced in 2021 that inspectors had begun scrutinising its activities throughout Spain, adding that it was making provisions to reflect the ‘most probable’ outcome of the appraisals.

NATWEST had its best stock market year since 1993, heading the FTSE 100 index with Rolls-Royce and British Airways in 2024. Shares in NatWest which, as Royal Bank of Scotland required a €20 billion (€24 billion) bailout in 2008, climbed 83 per cent, with total returns including dividends reaching 95 per cent. British Airways owner IAG had 99 per cent returns, while shares in Rolls-Royce, with 90 per cent returns, soared by more than 500 per cent under Tufan Erginbilgic, its chief executive since 2023.

New

BILLIONAIRE brothers Zuber and Mohsin Issa are considering a £13 billion (€15.7 billion) listing in the US for their EG Group.

According to the Sunday Telegraph and Mergermarket, the brothers have already engaged banks for the float whose £13 billion value would multiply by almost 13 the company’s 2023 profits of £1.1 billion (€1.3 billion).

While viewed as another snub for London’s stock market, New York is preferred as the US is the company’s most important market for its filling stations and forecourt convenience stores.

Still waiting

THE Post Office spent £136 million (€164.3 million) on paying lawyers involved in compensating sub-postmasters affected by the faulty Horizon computer programme. MPs on the Business and Trade Committee pointed out that this was more than 25 per cent of the £499 million (€602.8 million) paid so far from the £1.8 billion (€2.2 billion) fund for wrongly-accused victims.

Thousands have yet to receive compensation but one law firm alone, Herbert Smith Freehills, was paid £82 million (€99 million), MPs said

Photo credit: goodfon.com

LIONEL MESSI: Has floated Edificion Rostower on Spanish stock exchange.

TAKEOVERS: High fees for City bankers and lawyers.

Redrow 426,80 432,60 422,90 2,54M Beazley 813,00 819,00 809,00 738,01K Berkeley 3.838,0 3.878,0 3.808,0 476,46K BP 414,05 415,70 406,80 30,14M British American Tobacco 2.968,0 2.968,0 2.928,0 3,38M BT Group 147,85 148,10 145,00 16,26M

3.252,0 3.274,0 3.236,0 614,31K

136,80 138,25 136,15 42,56M

2.643,00 2.669,00 2.628,00 3,43M

5.235,0 5.305,0 5.160,0 839,55K

2.503,5 2.521,0 2.421,0 4,89M

544,00 545,50 538,00 1,88M

535,20

603,50 613,00 595,00 214,02K

BUSINESS

EXTRA

Talking Turkey

GARANTI, BBVA’s Turkish subsidiary, has signed an agreement with the Bit2Me platform to use its services for buying and selling clients’ cryptocurrency. This arrangement enables the Spanish bank to enter the crypto market in Turkey, a country where using digital currency is widespread.

Choc shock

WITH cocoa beans costing $11,425 (€11,035) by late December, their price soared by 167 per cent in 2024, overtaking Bitcoin’s rise of 117 per cent. Smuggling and dry weather in West Africa had combined to affect harvests, growers explained.

Non-doms choose Milan

NON-DOMS are leaving London as Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to end the regime that allowed them to live comfortably in the capital.

Those staying in the UK without being domiciled paid tax on overseas earnings only if they brought their funds into the country, a practice that former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt wanted to change.

Now Reeves will go further still by scrapping the system entirely in 2025. This is producing an

Nice little earner

CRITERIACAIXA spent €983 million on acquiring a 9.36 per cent holding in global infrastructure and services company ACS in May 2024.

The La Caixa Group’s holding company, which manages its investments in non-financial sectors in addition to its CaixaBank stake, made a 24 per cent profit on the 25,431.299 shares which are now worth €1.2 billion.

Shares in ACS, headed by Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez, were fetching €47.92 on December 30, not far short of the record €48.6 that they reached in 2007 before the property boom bubble burst the following year.

CriteriaCaixa’s holding, making it ACS’s principal shareholder after Florentino Perez, has also brought in €39.5 million in dividends since the purchase.

exodus of non-doms to Italy, whose tax system charges them €200,000 a year regardless of the size of their fortune, up from the €100,000 they paid until earlier last year.

For the ultra-rich, this is still a bargain and Diletta Giorgolo Spinola from Sotheby’s International Realty Italy told the UK media that the specialist company had seen ‘an explosion’ of enquiries following the non-dom tax changes.

Milan, Italy’s business capital, is particularly sought-after, Giorgola Spinola said, and rental deals in 2024 had soared 30 per cent compared with 2023, above all for properties costing between €15,000 and €30,000 a month.

Rome is also popular although Milan was where most of London’s non-doms were heading.

“Deals are concluded rapidly, as supply fails to keep up with demand,” she added.

Able to save

SPAIN’S households spent less than they earned during the third quarter of 2024, National Statistics Institute figures showed, with a saving rate of 7.1 per cent of their gross disposable income, compared with 5.5 per cent during the same period in 2023. After seasonal adjustments, the rate rose 14.2 per cent, reaching its highest level in three years.

Shutters down

APPROXIMATELY 13,500 shops closed in 2024, a 28 per cent increase on the previous year, although fewer than in 2020 and 2022, the Centre for Retail Research announced. Although figures were better than during the pandemic, the group’s Research director Professor Joshua Bamfied described them as ‘disconcerting’ while predicting that 2025 would be worse.

MILAN: Italy’s business capital attracts non-doms.

What a difference

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK

IT

WELL, here we are in the year of our Lord 2025. Delighted to report the weather here on Mallorca has been absolutely great. Can’t of course say that about the UK.

Yesterday parts of it were reported to be just about snowed under. Why don’t all you lovely UK online readers just pop over? You know it makes sense! Actually, (as per usual) this Yuletide, once again took up quite a bit of my time trying to find something decent on British TV. Yet again what a load of cheap bunkham they managed to churn out.

Terrible third rate ‘celebrity’ game shows and the usual wheeling out of a series of ancient movies, all of which should have been entitled ‘Carry on up the Khyber’ which is where most of them actually belonged. Nice to see Hattie Jacques again. This highly talented and sadly missed Lady of the theatre once told me that all the starring Carry On roles were paid the miserable sum of five grand for every

picture, most of them were certainly worth as great deal more than that!

The only truly lovable entertainer featured over the whole three-day period was to me the late and certainly great Tommy Cooper. It really doesn’t ever seem to matter how many times you enjoy the Tommy experience he always manages to double you over with humour and perfectly clean comedy. What a difference from the trash and obscenities most so-called comedians churn out today.

I actually met Tommy on a number of occasions at various TV and charity events (mainly in bars!) but was truly surprised after my then wife and I, who had been on a visit to my dear old Mum in her Eastbourne nursing home, decided to have dinner in a local restaurant. We had just taken our seats when in walked Tommy and his wife Gwen, who actually lived locally.

They were happy to join us and we were soon enjoying their unexpected company until the meal was subsequently served. Tommy had ordered a steak with chips, carrots and peas. We were about to tuck in when he

beckoned over the waiter. With an utterly straight face he then told the somewhat confused young man that he wanted the steak and all accompanying vegetables served up on separate plates. This was subsequently re-served as he had requested. We then proceeded to tuck in on our now somewhat crowded table, and oddly he never submitted one word of explanation for his actions.

We of course were far too polite to ask. When we were leaving, he asked if we could give them a lift home. Tommy was extremely frugal, so with his knees bent up to his chin was quite happy to squeeze all six feet four inches of himself in our mini minor.

When we finally arrived at his Eastbourne abode, he then kindly asked us to hold on he had something for us. His wife soon re-emerged and presented us with a shiny biscuit tin, a gift which later actually turned out to be full of broken biscuits! RIP Tommy. Gone aged 63. Just like that!

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.

Great fish heist

INTERVIEW

LIKE something from an episode of the popular old cartoon series Top Cat with a bit of a festive twist, Madrid Local Police have released a video showing two cats pulling off an unexpected heist on a street fish vendor.

While the unlicensed fishmonger was looking the other way, the crafty cats, who seemed to be working in cahoots, snuck up on the back of the man’s lorry to grab one of the tasty fresh fish.

One cat climbed onto the back of the lorry where fish were openly on display, paused for a moment as the fish seller looked on oblivious to what was about to happen, dropped the catch briefly before recovering it, and then they both scampered off to enjoy their sushi feast like the proud victors they were. Meanwhile, the ad-hoc street vendor remained blissfully unaware of the daylight robbery occurring around his feet, even though he nearly stepped on the cats.

Madrid police used the footage as a light-hearted reminder to people to avoid distractions while driving and enjoy the holiday season with loved ones. ‘Feliz Navidad,’ they posted, urging people to stay focused behind the wheel.

Speaking EuropeanMarsy Popa

From graduating in law to singing full time, Marsy Popa has had an incredible journey from Romania to Spain.

MUSIC has been part of Marsy’s identity since she was 11 years old, but she also studied law and when she completed her degree, a friend asked her to visit Spain.

“I never thought I’d come to Spain full time. I studied law and was a singer at the same time. I was very determined to build a legal career in Romania, then this invitation came to me.

“My life changed in my first two weeks in Spain, and I never went back.” Marsy has fulfilled a lifelong dream of having a singing career here in Spain. In Torrevieja, by happenchance she “met a musician, who put me in touch with the right

people. One month later and I’m in the Canary Islands singing for all the hotels. I haven’t stopped since.

“When I got my first contract as an artist, it meant the world to me.”

She is now one of the bestknown performers in the Costa Blanca and has big plans for the year ahead with a Gladys Knight tribute and a separate tour in Spanish theatres. As well as singing in the Dreamgirls trio, “I’ve worked with them since 2021, we all started together and built it together. I consider them family we are very close.”

Fishy thieves.

Credit: Policia Local de Madrid.

Marsy has big plans.

Marsy Popa.

EUROPE could soon be plunging into the North Sea’s vast reserves, but not for oil or fish - this time, it’s all about ‘mining’ trillions of litres of water to create renewable hydrogen! Sounds bonkers? Maybe - but experts say it could spark a clean energy revolution that cements the continent’s status as a global powerhouse of green power. Here at Euro Weekly News, we love a big splash, and this one’s shaping up to be colossal.

Trillions up for grabs

With some of the strictest environmental policies on the planet, mostly driven by the European Union, Europe is under massive pressure to ditch dirty fuels and switch to something cleaner, smarter, and cheaper - all without relying on imports. That’s why hydrogen’s getting star billing. As long as it’s produced with genuinely green methods, it can be one of our mightiest weapons in the war against climate change.

Guinness heist

WHERE did all the Guinness go? This is the question on everyone’s dry lips at the moment.

Christmas 2024 may have been merry for many, but for Guinness lovers, it has been a holiday nightmare. What was already a nationwide shortage of the black stu has now turned into the ultimate heist of the year - with a whopping 35,000 pints of the world-famous stout vanishing into thin air. Where is the black gold? Who took it? And most importantly, why did they take it from us?

Shock theft left pubs dry and supermarkets panicked

Where is the Black Gold?

sing by a subcontractor working with Diageo, the company behind the stout. Sources say the crime was reported to police, but despite their best e orts, the Guinness remains nowhere to be found.

Reports reveal that in mid-December, a lorry carrying 400 kegs of Guinness - the equivalent of 35,200 pints - disappeared from a depot in Daventry, Northamptonshire. The haul, which was destined for pubs desperate for their festive Guinness x, has left drinkers high and dry, with no sign of the purloined pints.

The stolen lorry, loaded with a serious amount of Guinness, was reported mis-

Diageo, for its part, is staying tight-lipped about the incident, but insiders are certain it’s a serious blow to the already strained Guinness supply chain. And with pubs running dry, the pressure is on to nd out just where the black gold is hiding.

As 2024 came to a close, questions lingered over the fate of the stolen pints. Will we ever see the return of the missing Guinness? Or has this heist been carefully planned by a criminal mastermind?

Hydrogen doesn’t puff out any carbon dioxide when used, so it’s perfect for slashing emissions - provided it’s sourced from renewables rather than fossil fuels. And if you want truly clean hydrogen, you need electricity from eco-friendly sources like solar and wind. Cue the North Sea, which is positively howling with potential.

Anonymous witnesses

ALTHOUGH Europeans often think of Sweden as being a very safe and laid back country, there is an undercurrent of professional criminal biker gangs as well as some violence from the extreme right.

Many countries allow for witnesses in serious court cases to appear anonymously but this was never the case in Sweden and has been the cause of much disagreement and debate.

In fact there have been

nally, the government has decided that with e ect from January 1, 2025 they should be allowed.

The reasoning behind this decision is that there is a hope that anonymous ‘whistle blowers’ will be persuaded to give details of activities by various dangerous gangs if they believe that their identity will be protected and thus they should be safe from repercussions.

Regardless of negative comments, the proposal

against the concept, suggesting there would be little positive results from such legislation.

A prosecutor, a suspect, or a defendant may now apply to the district court for a witness to be heard anonymously during an investigation or trial and this may be approved if the court decides that there is a ‘signi cant risk’ that the witness or their relatives would otherwise be exposed to serious crime.

If this is implemented in any particular case then the identity of the witness is withheld from the court and a third party lawyer will be appointed to monitor the security in that particular

Anonymous witnesses now allowed in Swedish courts.

Tea for Wellness

HERBAL teas are a popular, natural beverage made from a variety of plants, flowers, and herbs, offering a range of health benefits. Unlike traditional teas made from the Camellia sinensis plant, herbal teas are caffeine-free and can be enjoyed at any time of the day. One of the most well-known benefits of herbal teas is their ability to promote relaxation and improve sleep. Chamomile tea, for instance, is often used to calm the mind and aid sleep due to its

soothe indigestion, bloating, and nausea.

Herbal teas can also have antioxidant properties, which may support the body in fighting free radicals and reducing inflammation. Teas like hibiscus and rooibos are packed with antioxidants and have been linked to improved heart health.

Some herbal teas also offer immune-boosting properties. Echinacea tea, for example, is frequently used to help prevent or shorten the duration of colds. Ginger tea is known for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, making it helpful for those dealing with sore muscles or arthritis. Incorporating herbal teas into your routine can provide a natural, soothing way to enhance overall well-being and support various aspects

Plant-based benefits

A PLANT-BASED lifestyle offers numerous benefits for both health and the environment. Adopting a plant-based diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, can lead to improved heart health, better digestion, and weight management. Studies show that plant-based diets reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as hypertension,

type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers due to their high content of fibre, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds.

Beyond diet, a plant-based lifestyle extends to personal care products, where many people are choosing cruelty-free, plant-derived cosmetics. These products are free from animal testing and often con -

tain natural ingredients like aloe vera, shea butter, and essential oils. Plant-based skincare and beauty products are generally gentler on the skin, making them ideal for sensitive skin types, and they avoid harsh chemicals found in some synthetic cosmetics.

While a plant-based diet offers many advantages, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional or nutritionist to ensure that you’re meeting all your nutritional needs, particularly for nutrients like vitamin B12, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids. Pregnant women, children, and individuals with specific health conditions should seek guidance before making significant dietary changes.

Incorporating plant-based choices into daily life can improve overall well-being, supports ethical consumption, and fosters a positive environmental impact, making it a holistic lifestyle for both the body and the planet.

Microneedling

MICRONEEDLING, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a popular skincare treatment that involves using tiny, fine needles to create micro-injuries on the skin’s surface.

This process stimulates the body’s natural healing response, promoting the production of collagen and elastin, two vital proteins that keep the skin firm, smooth, and youthful.

The procedure is typically performed with a dermaroller or a dermapen, devices equipped with fine needles that create controlled punctures in the skin.

While microneedling can be done at home with a dermaroller, professional treatments performed by dermatologists or licensed practitioners usually use more advanced equipment for optimal results. The benefits of microneedling are vast. It is most commonly used to treat acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles, and skin texture issues.

The increased collagen production helps to improve skin tone, reduce the appearance of scars, and smooth out uneven skin texture.

Microneedling is also effective in reducing stretch marks and enhancing the absorption of skincare products, allowing them to penetrate deeper into the skin.

Though microneedling is generally safe, it’s important to consult with a skincare professional to determine if it’s right for your skin type and concerns. With proper care, it can be a highly effective treatment for achieving healthier, more youthful skin.

Benefits of daily SPF

USING sunscreen daily is one of the most important skincare habits you can adopt for longterm skin health. SPF (Sun Pro tection Factor) protects your skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can cause premature ageing, skin damage, and increase the risk of skin cancer.

UV rays from the sun can damage your skin even on cloudy days or during win ter months, so applying SPF daily ensures continuous protection. It shields your skin from both UVA rays, which penetrate deep into the skin and contribute to ageing, and UVB rays, responsible for sunbur ns and increased skin cancer risk. Wearing SPF regularly helps prevent wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots, keeping your skin youthful and smooth.

Daily SPF use also reduces the risk of sunburn, which not only hurts but can lead to longterm skin issues like pigmentation and skin cancer. By applying sunscreen every day, even indoors, you can significantly lower the chances of skin cancer by protecting your skin from

Choosing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and incorporating it into your skincare routine is a simple yet highly effective way to maintain healthy, radiant skin for

Costa del Sol Lucky Malaga

THE first prize of the ‘El Niño’ lottery did not come to the Costa del Sol this time. The ticket number 78908 was snapped up in León in the north of Spain, according to the prize draw held on Monday, January, 6. However, a good dose of luck did fall on the Malaga Province in the form of second and third prizes.

Ticket number 06,766, the second prize, was sold in the Venta Los Pacos de Marbella and in Malaga City, in the neighbourhood of Cruz de Humilladero. The number carried a very respectable €750,000 per series, or €75,000 each for each of the 10 tickets available that each hold that number. Malaga Province also had luck with the third prize-winning number, 66,777.

It was worth €250,000 per series of 10 tickets, so €25,000 to each of the lucky people who held that numbered ticket, more specifically in Cartama, Torre del Mar, Cala del Moral, and three in Malaga City.

Axarquia

600 toys spread cheer

SIX HUNDRED toys spread Christmas cheer to vulnerable children in Rincon de la Victoria.

The town kicked off the festive season with a heartwarming gesture, delivering 600 brand-new toys to families in need. The Pabellón Cubierto Municipal ‘Rubén Ruzafa’ in Torre de Benagalbon hosted a spectacular event brimming with joy, as 267 children and their families enjoyed an afternoon of fun, food, and festive treats.

The toys were distributed as part of a charitable campaign organised by the local Social Welfare Department in collaboration with the Rincon Contigo association. Among the participants in the event were Mayor Francisco Salado (PP), the town’s Social Welfare councillor Olga Cervantes (PP), and other government officials.

The generosity of everyone has proven that, when a community comes together, the impact can be real. This year’s toy drive, now an annual tradition, is more than just about gifts - it’s about spreading the word; ‘no one is alone’.

Mallorca

New Year’s escape lists

PALMA DE MALLORCA continues to be the top destination for German tourists to see in the New Year, according to data from the flight and hotel search engine Jetcost.es

This year, searches for flights for the year-end period have increased by 16 per cent, while hotel searches have grown by 19 per cent compared to the same time last year.

Between December 26, 2024, and January 6, 2025, key dates for the holiday season, Jetcost reported that Palma de Mallorca remains the top choice for Germans, followed closely by the French, Portuguese, and British.

While Europeans prefer the beaches and charm of the Spanish islands, Spaniards are also drawn to international destinations to celebrate the end of the year. London, Paris, and Rome remain the top choices for domestic tourists, although destinations like Madrid, Tenerife, and Barcelona also appear prominently.

Costa Blanca North Promising year ahead

ACCORDING to the hotel association HOSBEC, 2025 is once more shaping up to be a promising year for tourism in the Valencian Community. This positive sentiment is supported by a marked increase in early bookings observed in the latter months of 2024, indicating a shift in traveller behaviour. More people are now inclined to plan their trips well in advance.

As 2024 has now drawn to a close, HOSBEC has released their annual report highlighting significant achievements. The Costa Blanca recorded an impressive 77.6 per cent overall occupancy rate, marking an increase of 4.7 percentage points compared to the previous year. From May to October, the peak summer season, occupancy rates surpassed the 80 per cent mark, with a remarkable peak of 90.1 per cent reached in August. Specific destinations demonstrated their unique appeal; for instance, Calpe achieved an impressive annual occupancy rate of 81.2 per cent.

Almeria

Mojacar’s big splash

MOJACAR’S New Year’s Day Swim, hosted by Mojacar Forum, marked its 10th anniversary this year. What began a decade ago with a simple idea over a drink at the Emerald Isle bar has grown into a much-anticipated annual event. Despite the chilly temperatures, participants braved the cold waters, making it another memorable day on the beach.

This year’s swim not only celebrated the event’s milestone but also served as a charity fundraiser. Funds raised were split between PAWS, the local animal shelter, and shelters in Valencia and Malaga, which were severely impacted by recent floods. In total, the event raised an impressive €5,920, with more expected from sponsorships. The amount includes registration fees, bar sales, raffle tickets, and donations.

Along with the swim, there were fun prizes for participants, including the best fancy dress, the oldest swimmer, the youngest swimmer, and the most swimmers in the water competition.

Costa Calida

Jackpot joy

THE 2025 Lotería del Niño (Children’s Lottery), the Christmas Lottery held on the day of the Three Kings, brought some good news to the Region of Murcia, with several towns winning prizes, although the top prize wasn’t among them. The first prize, 78908, was sold entirely in El Corte Inglés in Leon. However, the region did receive part of the second and third prizes.

The second prize (06766) was sold in Mazarron at Loterías El Dólar and in Murcia City at L’Agustinica on Paseo de Florencia. Each shop sold 10 tickets, though the owner in Murcia wasn’t sure if any had to be refunded. In Mazarron, all four tickets were sold.

The third prize (66777) was spread across several places in the region, including Cobatillas, Lorquí, San Pedro del Pinatar, Yecla, Abanilla, and Cartagena. In Yecla, Bazar Tokio and Lotería Doña Maruja sold part of the winning tickets.

PETS

Stay warm!

WINTER in Spain may not bring snow, but the cold, wet weather can still pose risks to your pets. Dogs and cats are vulnerable to chilly temperatures and damp conditions, so it’s important to take extra precautions during these months.

Limit time outdoors

While rain may not last all day, it’s essential to avoid long walks during the coldest, wettest hours. Opt for shorter, more frequent outings, and

keep them dry by using a waterproof dog coat or rain jacket.

Keep warm indoors

Cats and dogs, especially those with shorter fur, need a warm, dry space to retreat to when indoors. Provide a soft bed away from drafts, and ensure your pet has a comfortable resting spot.

Dry their coat quickly

If your pet gets wet from the rain, dry them thoroughly with a towel or a pet-friendly hairdryer. Damp fur

Happy New Year. Time to plan petcare for 2025!

LUNA is a friendly dog, and used to having company at home. She often travels with her owners but when they go abroad she is better staying at home. Lucy her owner has been using HouseSitMatch for some years now to find pet-sitters through our network. Luna is more relaxed at home and prefers being cared for in her own space. Plan ahead like Lucy to find pet care for your furry friends.

HouseSitMatch Saves You Money - Pet-sitting is Free for Pet owners and Accommodation is free for Sitters

We remain true to our values, promoting collaborative exchange through our managed online system - Free accommodation for Free pet care!

HouseSitMatch is Safe - All Members Are Checked

All members are checked for safety, and you choose which house-sitters come to care for your pets in your absence.

Your pets stay at home - Safe and Undisturbed

All pets benefit from staying at home, so their routines are undisturbed. Choose Housesitmatch.com for affordable travel, home and pet care and peace of mind for you and your pets.

If you’re travelling in 2025 join now and get organised today:

1. Register as a House-sitter or a Homeowner on

can cause discomfort and may lead to skin issues.

Protect their paws

Wet streets can be slippery and harsh on your pet’s paws. After walks, wipe their paws clean and check for irritation caused by rain, mud, or street salt.

By staying mindful of the weather and taking these simple steps, you can keep your dog or cat safe, healthy, and comfortable throughout Spain’s winter season.

HouseSitMatch.com

2. Join for as little as £89 / €99 per year

3. Create a profile with photos

4. Sitters apply for the available house-sits, you hold a video interview via the site and match!

How does it work?

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

Trustpilot Testimonials - 4.9 / 5 Excellent

We’ve used HouseSitMatch for the last few years to find caring pet-sitters for our family of pets. It’s been a great experience; the sitters are caring and we’ve made some wonderful friends through the process.

Pat Creighton, Pet owner. 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!

TIP ‘Windows to Wellness’

ENGAGE pets with interactive toys, puzzle feeders, indoor fetch, tug-of-war, or hide-andseek games. Training sessions and scentbased activities also stimulate their minds and help burn off energy indoors.

Credit: Shutterstock/Lazy Bear

Luna loves her pet-sitter, and prefers staying at home.

BLINDS

POOLS

Japan car behemoth Stickers

IF you’re thinking about adding a ‘baby on board’ sticker to your car, you might want to reconsider where you place it. While common spots like the rear windshield or boot may seem convenient, they could lead to fines.

According to Article 19 of the General Traffic Regulations, while decorative stickers are not outright banned, they must not obstruct the driver’s view. The regulation specifies that glass surfaces must provide a clear view of the road, without interference from films or stickers.

In addition, the law also allows only adhesive films or sun blinds on rear windows. If an officer deems your sticker limits visibility, you could face a fine of up to €200, though no points will be deducted from your licence.

JAPAN’S car makers, Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi are having a go at bringing their operations together under a joint umbrella company, with Honda heading the new management. The merger is expected to go ahead in June.

A merger could result in a behemoth worth more than $50 billion based on the market value of all three automakers. Together, Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi would gain significant enough market share to beat both Toyota and Germany’s troubled Volkswagen.

Honda’s president, said that in order for all parties to be leaders in this transformation, it would be necessary to make bolder changes than just mere collaborations in specific areas. Nissan, Honda, and Mitsubishi earlier in 2024 agreed to share com-

ponents for electric vehicles such as batteries, and to jointly research technology for self-driving vehicle designs.

Nissan has been struggling since a scandal that began with the arrest of its former chairman Carlos Ghosn in 2018. Nissan has years of experience building batteries and electric vehicles, and gas-electric hybrid engines that could help Honda in developing its own EVs and next generation of hybrids.

The company is not going through its best time and recently reshuffled management as well as taking a 50 per cent pay cut while throwing hands in the air and admitting responsibility for its poor financial performance. The merger mirrors an industry-wide tendency towards consolidation and mergers, as Japanese companies need to keep up in an increasingly competitive and fast-changing market.

Nissan, Mitsubishi, & Honda emblems.

ROAD TEST

By Mark Slack

MANUFACTURERS, especially luxury car makers, are always looking for ways to increase the appeal and sales of their cars. Jaguar did this with the E-Type lightweight, obvious ly, however Bentley have gone further back into their extensive archives. The Bentley Speed Six is one of the most well-known and apprecia ted of the marque amongst motoring aficionados.

Now, the first Speed Six since the original cars back in 1930 is shortly to leave the Bentley Mulliner workshop in Crewe, England bound for a customer in the United States. It is the first of 12 Speed Six Continuation Series cars with each having been handcrafted over the course of eight months

The first completed car is soon to be shipped over to the United States - marking the first delivery of a new Speed Six since 1930. Existing Mulliner customer John Breslow will be the first person to receive his Speed Six.

First New Bentley Speed Six in 95 years

at - and won - Le Mans in 1930. Leather trimmed in a rich deep brown with dominant red tones, the Rust leather and carpet complement the Parsons Napier Green paintwork to the exterior of the Speed Six.

Commissioned just over 12 months ago, the classically curated Speed Six is resplendent in Parsons Napier Green bodywork on top of a

chassis. The iconic face of the Speed Six is dominated by the large twin round headlamps, finished in Chrome with a protective mesh and separated by a large number ‘4’ on the radiator.

Crafted by hand from scratch, each car takes eight months to complete, with the expert team of Mulliner te-

chnicians working closely with a network of specialist suppliers across the UK to recreate every detail of the original Speed Six.

The cockpit is as authentic as the exterior, with every gauge, switch and control exactly as per the specification of the Speed Sixes that raced

At the start of the project, the Mulliner Classic team visited the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, Hampshire, UK to verify the five authentic period Parsons Paints that are available to customers. Over 600 individual new parts, including a new engine block casting, were fabricated for the new 6 1/2 litre race spec engine, which at the time developed 200 bhp. Dyno testing has shown the Continuation Series engines to develop 205 bhp. The Speed Six is regarded as one of the most important and iconic Bentleys in history, being the most successful Bentley racing car ever produced.

Challenges for new England Boss

FOR the first time in their history, the English men’s national football team will see a German manager at the helm.

Many feel that Tuchel’s appointment is advantageous to players and fans alike, as the manager has key experience - and success, managing for an English side, Chelsea, as he took them to victory in the Champions League back in 2021.

With his one-year contract allowing him a golden chance to win the FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico next year, all eyes will be on Tuchel in his run up to a possible final, where he historically has a poor track record - Tuchel has lost seven finals. Another challenge will be how he integrates the wealth of attacking talent into the side.

But with all the challenges he will face as manager of England, he arrives to the side as one

of the most successful managers the country has seen in recent times, bringing a wealth of high-level club experience, combined with a genuine tenacity to win. Tuchel stated: “I have to prove myself and to the people who are maybe a bit con-

cerned, to prove to them how much it means to me and that it is a dream job for me.” And with a strong track record of domination in Germany, France, and England, his official start has already got fans dreaming of a World Cup triumph at last.

Hamilton’s first Ferrari speech

AS Lewis Hamilton commences his position as one of the two Scuderia Ferrari drivers for the upcoming F1 season, joining Charles Leclerc as the leading figures of the Italian team, the British driver insists that the change will prove positive for him and his career.

Many believe Hamilton’s appointment as the new racer for Ferrari for the upcoming season could do well to revitalise his career, with Hamilton ready to ‘embrace the change’.

“Moving to Scuderia Ferrari, there’s a lot to reflect on. Whether you are switching industries, learning a new skill or even just taking on new challenges, remember that reinvention is powerful. Your next opportunity is always within reach,” he said on LinkedIn.

Fred Vasseur, Ferrari Team Principal has come out to defend his decision to appoint Hamilton, insisting that his calibre is still very much an appealing factor to the Italian outfit. “Look at the 50 laps he did in Vegas,” the Ferrari chief commented, as his huge second place finish last season here, as well as wins in Silverstone and Belgium justify that he isn’t ‘washed up’ just yet.

As the world’s Formula One fans set their keen eyes

on Hamilton as he prepares for his 19th season at the wheel, Hamilton leaves his supporters with a rallying message: “Here’s to 2025 - a year of embracing new opportunities, staying hungry and driving forward with purpose. Let’s make it one to remem- ber. Andiamo.”

Thomas Tuchel in charge.

Lewis Hamilton, new Ferrari star.

Credit: Notracingpoint, Twitter.

Credit: ClinicalAdam, Twitter.