Female Focus - February 2018

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Turn to pages 13 and 21

Female Focus Now in our 25th year!

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Female Focus

Increasing eye problems in children observed by optical group Specsavers has noticed a worrying trend in increasing eye problems, particularly myopia (short-sightedness), in children and are advising parents to limit screen time, make sure that kids get plenty of time outside and that they have regular eye tests from the age of three.

Louise Stone, Store Director from Specsavers Opticas in Jávea and Calpe stated; “We are now seeing more and more children coming into our store with visual problems, as they are watching more TV, and using more digital devices than they have in the past.”

This is a trend which is being reported by other optical experts around the world. According to the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) excessive use of mobile devices can cause problems like myopia and amblyopia in young children. Maria Liu from UC Berkeley’s School of Optometry, has also seen a sharp increase in young children with myopia (short-sightedness).

“It’s increasing at an alarming rate worldwide and a well-accepted contributing factor is the early introduction of handheld devices to kids.”

Overuse of computers and handheld electronic devices can cause digital eye strain and expose children to too much harmful blue light, which might increase a child’s risk of macular degeneration later in life.

In 2012, researchers from the universities of Bristol and Cardiff reported that children who spend more time outdoors playing when they are aged between eight and nine are approximately half as likely to become short-sighted by the time they are 15.

So limiting screen time and encouraging outdoor play time is a great way to protect children’s eyes and promote good health and levels of activity.

Specsavers Opticas suggest that a child should have their first eye examination at around three years old, as the earlier things are detected, the easier they are to rectify without delaying the child’s development. To book your eye test pop into Specsavers in Jávea or Calpe, or visit www.specsavers.es.

Female Focus

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www.femalefocusonline.com

Now in our 25th year!

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What a fantastic start to the year we had with temperatures unseasonably high but as they say, all good things must come to an end and as I write this it seems that winter is coming. I have suddenly had to get out the jumpers and light the fire. I know - typical Brit complaining about the weather - but I did not come here for this! I don't do cold and wet anymore! I can hear you all screaming that we need the rain - but just over night would be fine by me.

Female Focus

To discuss your advertising needs with your local Female Focus representative contact:-

Gandía to Jávea Roddy 688 815 405 or 96 575 6833 roddy@femalefocusonline.com

It is the month of love and, although we are not ones for a romantic dinner just because it is Valentine's Day, apparently now we are deemed too old for all that! We are now seen as baby sitters for all such occasions as darling daughter gets wined and dined and Benitachell to Campello whisked off for romantic weekends away. I'm Alan 689 358 232 not complaining as it is lovely to spend time alan@femalefocusonline.com with the 'little treasure' but if we have to watch Frozen once more........

As I hinted last month, due to our 25 year anniversary, the Female Focus Publications team are hard at work making some big changes which we hope you like. Pick up next month's copy and you will see the start of these celebrations.

We are already taking bookings for the next Alicante South issues of Focus on Professional Services - the Michelle 663 178 228 last issue was over subscribed so get in touch michelle@femalefocusonline.com with your local representative to reserve your space!

Lesley

Congratulations to M. Ford from Calpe who won the 50€ competition, by spotting the logo on page 12 of the January issue. For your chance to win 50€ this month, see inside for details of how to enter.

Pick up your next issue on the first Tuesday of the month - 6 March Deadlines: Editorial - 12 noon 16 January Advertising 12 noon, 19 January

Office: Mon to Fri. 10am - 2pm Tel. 96 587 5421 editor@femalefocusonline.com - advertising@femalefocusonline.com classifieds@femalefocusonline.com - www.femalefocusonline.com Member of

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Female Focus Publications are available from over 1000 distribution points throughout the Costa Blanca, making us the largest Free English language magazine publishers by far!

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Female Focus

www.femalefocusonline.com

The Arts Society Marina Alta Salones Canor, Teulada. Thursday 1st March Doors open at 10am. You must be seated by 10.55am for a prompt start at 11am.

Al Andalus: Spain's Art, power and passion by Anne Haworth.

Al-Andalus, which means, "to become green at the end of the summer".

Anne is a lecturer at the Victoria and Albert Museum. She is a guide for private tours of the State Rooms and The Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace and lectures on British Painting to American students resident in London.

In Autumn 2002, she catalogued the collection of Chinese porcelain at Kensington Palace and from then until 2005, she was a committee member of the French Porcelain Society.

Ms Haworth was a porcelain specialist at Christie's before moving to Shanghai in 1995 for a seven-year residence during which time she lectured to the expatriate community in Shanghai and Beijing. She has lectured in many of London's museums and art galleries and gave gallery talks during the Royal Academy's 'China: the Three Emperors, 1662-1795′ exhibition in 2005-6.

Beautiful Islamic Art and architecture in Granada, Cordoba and Seville.

This civilization spanned the eighth to the fifteenth century. In 711, Arabs crossed the Straight of Gibraltar (derived from 'Gabal Al-Tariq': 'Mountain of Tariq') and established control over much of the Iberian Peninsula.

Sponsors: Blevins Franks, Avalon International.

Keep up to date with forthcoming events

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We’ve got the numbers!

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Female Focus

Don’t Be A Victim of Bad Economic News As I mentioned last month, springtime is here and for many that means spring cleaning your house. It’s a time to check all those hidden corners, figure out what to throw out and what to pay attention to in the coming months.

by Steve Iball

deVere Spain

Personal finance is one of those things that I always advise to spring clean as well! I know it can be boring and not as exciting as rediscovering a loved summer dress, but just a little care can mean more security in your future and not being caught out by what I call ‘bad news events’. It can also help you save money and pay less tax here in Spain.

Don’t Become A Victim Of A UK Pension Deficit Crisis.

Does Rising Inflation Affect My Savings?

The sad truth here is that tens of thousands will see the value of their pension significantly diminished.

This means their retirement payouts are less than they thought. As I heard this week “if it can happen to Carillion, it can happen to anyone”! Ask yourself these 3 questions: 1. Do I know my working history and did any company pay pension contributions?

2. What will my income be in retirement?

3. Are these UK pensions safe and not in danger of loss?

Believe it or not, most people don’t know the answers and that’s where I come in. I can easily find out and advise on these issues – and there’s no cost or obligation!

Well the simple answer is ‘probably’, not necessarily badly, but it may well do. But even if you get a better interest rate on your savings, there’s a tax consideration. Any draw down on your savings is taxable, the question is how to legally pay the minimum. With this in mind, there are 3 good reasons to again take some FREE and no obligation advice: 1. Improved returns on UK and Spanish bank rates.

2. Savings on tax as a Spanish tax resident.

3. Protection against erosion of real value.

As a fully regulated IFA in Spain I choose to represent deVere, a leading financial advice company with offices worldwide and more than 40 people working for the expat communities.

My advice and initial fact finding is a FREE service with ZERO OBLIGATION (the way it should be!).

So please give me a call on 610 822 484 or email steve.iball@devere-spain.es.

Female Focus

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FF - Your community magazine

The Teulada – Moraira Lions Present “The Liverpool Band” in Concert The Teulada – Moraira Lions are proud to present the best tribute to the legendary Beatles here in Spain. The “Liverpool Band” will be performing in Espai la Senieta, Moraira on Saturday 24 March starting at 7.30pm.

These young Spanish guys present an amazing tribute to the “Fab 4” and regularly perform at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. They have a very polished act and great vocal harmonies and with the addition of a keyboard player this performance promises to be even better than before. Professional sound and lighting will be supplied by Magnum productions of course. For a great evening of “Beatlemania” don’t miss this great show in a lovely theatre.

There will be a complimentary bar available and we will be holding a raffle. All proceeds will go to the Teulada – Moraira Lions Charities.

For tickets and information please call 96 649 9954 or email: peter_john1@hotmail.com.

For information on all our events please call 96 649 9954 / 618 017 201 or email peter_john1@hotmail.com or visit www.tmlions.com.

"Wearing your heart on your sleeve" is more than just a phrase.

In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names to see who their Valentine would be. They would wear the name pinned to their sleeve for one week so that everyone would know their supposed true feelings.

Your Local Community Magazine

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Female Focus

New Amendments to the Mortgage Law from 2018 Everything you need to know For those who will be taking out a mortgage in Spain during this year, there will be amendments made during this year that will affect you. The new Project of Law for Property Loans has been approved by the Board of Ministers, the next step will be for it to be approved by Congress and then processed in Parliament.

The amendments will ensure the following: - Greater protection for consumers.

- Increase in transparency in this type of contract.

- Stop and prevent the claims that the banks have been receiving in the past few years.

- Add security to the national and European financial sector.

Within this reform there are two different groups: European measures and measures proposed by the Spanish Government 1.- EUROPEAN MEASURES: These are solely applicable to new mortgages, approved after the new amendments.

Limits on commission for cancellation in advance: - Variable Interest Mortgages: the limit will be 0.5% during the first 6 months and 0.25% until the fifth year. From thereon in, cancelling your mortgage in advance will have no charge.

- Fixed Rate Mortgages: the penalty will be 4% during the first 10 years, being reduced to 3% after the tenth year.

No more obligation to purchase products linked with your mortgage. This measure is general, and it expressly prohibits the client’s obligation to purchase products linked to the mortgage, and use this as a condition in the approval of the same.

The lender will no longer be able to offer products to their clients, such as house insurance, life insurance, etc., to better the terms and conditions of the mortgage. The prevision is that the lender changes their way of negotiating the mortgage offering different estimates depending on whether the consumer contracts or not associated products. (Is this just me, or does that sound exactly the same as it is presently?).

Facilities to reconvert the mortgages into foreign currency to euro mortgages. The client, at any time in the duration of the mortgage loan that is in a foreign currency, may ask that it be reconverted to euros or to a currency in which he receives the greatest amount of income. This measure is without a doubt a consequence of the internationalisation of the economy.

Elimination of incentives for client acquisition. The bank employees’ salaries are conditioned by the recruitment of new clients and the sale of financial products. This could have lead to the sale of low quality mortgages.

2.- GOVERNMENT MEASURES: Creation of a pre-contractual phase. The clients have a period of 7 days before the signature of their mortgage to visit a Notary of their choice to verify all the documents and make sure that there are no abusive clauses on the banks behalf.

The Registrars will also be obligated to comply with this period, and those that don’t will be sanctioned.

Limit on the interests for late payment. Once the law is approved it may not be more than 9%.

Facilities to convert variable mortgages to fixed rate mortgages. This can be done either with your bank or another bank. Should you decided to change banks the cost will increase and the law here comes in, in full force in the following way: the commission for repayment will be 0.25% and will only be charged during the first three years of the mortgage that you wish to modify. On the other hand, the costs for Notary and Registry will be reduced by 90%.

Other national measures: - Creation of a black list of abusive bank clauses.

- Creation of a standard mortgage model (comprehensive to all types of clients).

- Tightening of the advance payment measures; up until now, when a client had three outstanding mortgage quotas, the bank would foreclose on the mortgage. With the new law this will also change.

Please contact Ana Gay at Link Point Legal on 96 626 0500 or email anagay@linkpointlegal.com for any further information.

Female Focus

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We’ve got the numbers!

"Twelve years on and our LUX-AL naya doors and window still look like new."

When Mr & Mrs Evans purchased their house on the Cumbre del Sol 12 years ago their naya was open and unprotected. After suffering dreadfully from the cold that first winter, they decided to enclose the naya and chose LUX-AL to do the work which entailed the installation of 2 sets of doors and 1 opening window.

"Now, 12 years on, our LUX-AL naya doors and window what we needed, Cameron did the fitting, and we have to say still look like new. They have always been perfect, they have that they were really good at cleaning up after themselves; never leaked even a bit, which is fantastic considering the okay, it's never easy having workmen in your house, but they extreme weather that we can get up here on the Cumbre del plastic sheeted up everywhere, and hoovered and mopped up Sol. So it was obvious to us that we should ask LUX-AL afterwards. So, honestly, back to give us a quote for the next windows that we needed they left things as clean replacing around the house." says Mr Evans. as they possibly could.

We are so pleased with "As I say, here on the Cumbre we go from one extreme to the windows, they have the other," Mr Evans continues, "in the summer it can easily completely changed the reach up to 40 degrees, and in the winter we can suffer from room". very strong winds and rain, and the old wooden window frames in our living room had expanded and contracted so Whether you are considering replacement windows or doors, a gate, a conservatory, mosquito screens or awnings, LUXmany times over the years that they leaked like a sieve!"

AL have the expertise and experience to assist. Call LUX-AL "So, last October we asked 3 window companies to give us on 96 649 3447 or 96 649 3787 or email info@lux-al.com. a quote, and out of the 3 we again chose LUX-AL, firstly because of the good service we have received from them They can make virtually anything in UPVC or aluminium over the 12 years, secondly because they are well established and their website www.lux-al.com shows examples of their and have had such a great reputation for so many years and, work; the photos that are used in their adverts each month are always actual LUX-AL installations. Their hands on thirdly, because of their 10 year guarantee". experience really does count, they have it in abundance at "The new aluminium windows are marvellous. They have LUX-AL, and they look forward to helping you soon. transformed our living room. Jason came to see us to discuss See page 7 for their main advert.

My name is Steve Woods and I am a solicitor specialising in claims for asbestos related diseases and I thought I would look at a number of questions that often arise and that make people worried about the possibility of making a claim. My message is, if in doubt ask!

I CANNOT REMEMBER WHERE I WORKED, OR THE COMPANY I WORKED FOR NO LONGER EXISTS. It is not unusual for companies that traded in the 1960s, for example, to have long since stopped trading. With investigations I can trace insurers who provided cover for these companies and they are obliged to deal with the claims. Even if you are hazy about the exact name of a company or your period of employment with them, I can obtain your work history from HM Revenue & Customs and this provides confirmation of who you worked for all those years ago.

I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH AN ASBESTOS CONDITION BUT I DID NOT WORK WITH ASBESTOS. I always like to meet my clients and it is surprising how often, when you start talking about a person's work history, what they remember. Often, it turns out that even if a person did not actually work with asbestos, they worked alongside people who did and therefore came into contact with dust. Another possibility, and a particularly sad one in my experience, is a wife who comes into contact with asbestos from her husband’s work clothes.

A RELATIVE HAS DIED FROM AN ASBESTOS RELATED CONDITION BEFORE MAKING A CLAIM. It is not widely known that claims can be made even though the person affected has died (provided the claim is made within 3 years of death). The claim is made on behalf of the person's estate.

DIAGNOSING AN ASBESTOS RELATED CONDITION. There are a number of conditions that can be caused by exposure to asbestos, including lung cancer. The main issue is whether the breathing difficulties can be attributed to asbestos. This is the point we have to prove in all respiratory disease cases, not just asbestos related but also, for example, silicosis – medical evidence is required to prove a link.

Claims for breathing problems caused by exposure to asbestos can be complex but the quicker the claim is started the quicker these issues can be dealt with.

So, if you are concerned about your particular situation or have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch.

I am happy to talk to you free of charge.

www.femalefocusonline.com

Female Focus

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Make Today Better I am sure nothing makes us happier than feeling good on a constant basis, and I remember being surprised to learn that we are in control of our own happiness…. It doesn’t depend on who’s in our life, or not in our life, doesn’t matter what we’ve got or what we haven’t got, what has happened in the past, or what is going on today, we can be happy in most circumstances if we have the right attitude.

Too many of us are dwelling on the awful things that have happened to us in the past without realising that we can put it all behind us. Where we are today is the most important thing, and if we cannot accept that situation then we need to make changes.

I have seen people’s lives changed once they took control and stopped blaming everyone and everything for what is going on.

We play a big part in what goes on in our lives ….maybe we are not doing what brings the best results?

Once you shift your focus to the present moment - your mind will automatically let go of the past. There will be times that your mind will drift back into the past. When this happens you can simply say to yourself – “that's in the past - I'm here now and I'm focusing on my new life now”.

You won't stop thinking about the past right away - but as you continually do this - your mind will begin to adjust, …you'll start to move forward and actually enjoy life again. You only think about the past because you choose not to think about something else.

The mind can take you back into the past, and depress you - because that's what it knows - that's what it identifies with - the mind is comfortable in that zone. Do this when you wake up in the morning - focus on what has to be done that day. Enjoy doing things differently! Move on!

Take care! Until the next time!

ng

i Violet K

Don't miss the new look Female Focus magazine out 6 March.

Female Focus

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Over 1000 distribution points!

Let's talk about risk

By Sam Kelly, Managing Partner, Chorus Financial.

One of the most overlooked areas of financial advice in Spain is risk. Everything we do in life involves a risk/reward balance. That trip to the bathroom in the middle of the night? You flick the light on to avoid the risk of tripping over your bedroom furniture, but perhaps 1 in 10 billion times someone gets electrocuted by the bedroom light switch!

We all need to eat, so we get in the car, drive down the busy roads, cross the supermarket carpark. We're balancing the risk of the trip vs the risk of not eating!

Investment is also an essential balance of risk vs reward. It is the intention of central banks and governments to keep the economy growing at a constant rate. This is managed through fiscal and monetary policy and usually inflation targets are set at between 2-3%. In basic terms this means over 10 years the average costs of the things we need to survive day to day life will increase by around 25%.

So, in our current low to zero interest rates environment, the risk is do you leave your money in the bank and lose potentially 25% of its value over ten years, or do you balance risk vs reward to either match or stay ahead of inflation with some form of investment? The number of times I've heard people say leaving money in the bank is the safer option, but for me losing a potential 25% of your savings buying power over 10 years is not a truly safe option.

One of the most important conversations I have with my clients is about their tolerance to risk versus the sort of returns they'd like to achieve. The basic rule is these two elements need to line up. At Chorus we risk profile our clients in accordance with EU regulation and UK FCA guidelines. We then tailor design an investment portfolio with the intention of maximising returns within our client's personalised risk profile.

We use some pretty advanced tools for this, and as a truly independent firm, we have the whole of market to find solutions. We can analyse and compare thousands of regulated, long-established funds from household names like Rathbone Brothers PLC, The Prudential, HSBC, Royal London etc. From these we will build a portfolio of high quality funds that have proven themselves not just year after year, but decade after decade, although it should be noted that past performance is no guarantee of future performance.

There will always be peaks and troughs in the markets, periods of calm and periods of volatility. It is essential that you have an expertly designed portfolio, suitable for your own risk tolerance, and made up of quality funds with a proven track record from recognised and trusted institutions.

Do not simply settle for some in-house, off the shelf option, from your bank or financial advisor, without having explored all of your options.

Over the next few months I'm going to share more information on Chorus's industry leading approach to building portfolios, and why we're confident that our clients here in Spain have the best possible portfolios to guide them successfully through their investment goals, coupled with honest and transparent fees.

If you would like to arrange a free consultation to discuss a new or existing investment portfolio, please do not hesitate to call me direct on 664 398 702 or email s.kelly@chorusfinancial.es.

www.femalefocusonline.com

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Female Focus

Mail Boxes Etc (MBE) is one of the largest shipping companies in Spain with a network of more than 1600 service centres worldwide. As reported in last month’s Female Focus, Colin and Carole have just opened their MBE Service Centre in Jávea, offering a wide range of postal and office solutions for members of the public as well as businesses.

MAIL BOXES ETC – As the name implies, if you’re living on an urbanisation or in an apartment block, a Mail Box can be a helpful asset. We receive and send mail and packages on your behalf so you no longer have to worry about being at home all day when waiting for the latest bestseller to be delivered by Amazon.

Secure, safe and flexible, our Mail Box service has been refined over years of experience.

SHIPPING YOU CAN TRUST Are you tired of worrying about shipments arriving late – or worse getting broken or not even turning up? Worry no more!

We’ll take care of your shipment to ensure that it arrives on time with the best shipping solutions to suit your needs. We follow the shipment until it arrives safely at its destination.

Sometimes things go wrong even when you have done everything right, with MBE you can relax and leave us to make it right. We’re happy to take care of valuable, urgent, and miscellaneous shipments that need to arrive at a certain time. We are also happy to help with all sorts of packaging, from wine packaging to electric scooters: we store, we pick, we pack, we send, we track, especially interesting for “Online” businesses.

BUSINESS SERVICES We also offer a competitive and rapid printing service for your business: business cards, flyers etc can be turned around

rapidly and we don’t make you take hundreds if you only need a handful.

MBE: A BRAND YOU CAN TRUST – Our brand identity, established via local and national campaigns on the web, social media, print media, billboards and other unique venue events, underscores Mail Boxes Etc prominence and reputation for entrepreneurial excellence, superior quality service and enviable customer loyalty. A brand is only as strong as the people who stand behind it. We strive to live up to our brand’s every day. It’s the way we greet, the fact that we listen to the problem, the completeness of the solution, the manner of communication, the style of the execution, the degree of accomplishment of the task – these are embedded in the mentality of the MBE community. Our brand’s success depends on us getting this right… for every customer, every time. It’s the MBE way, it’s our way.

“Discover what we can do for you! Easy parking and a friendly service” – Colin & Carole.

Mail Boxes Etc, Avenida de Paris 33, El Arenal, Jávea.

Telephone 865 645 490. See advert below left.

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Female Focus

Your Community Magazine

Have you overindulged this Christmas?

Not liking what you see in the mirror?

Does your New Year’s resolution involve losing weight?

Shape your body the way you want without surgery or downtime

Our unique cryolipolysis technology uses controlled cooling to freeze and completely eliminate unwanted fat cells without surgery or downtime. It is a great way to treat stubborn, trouble spot areas of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise.

The procedure guarantees great results as well as safety, which delight both doctors and patients.

How Cool Body Sculpting works?

When we diet, fat deposits are reduced but fat cells stay put. As soon as we eat again the fat cells deposit fat in the exact same unwanted regions. With our Cool Body Sculpting treatment, the fat cells are destroyed and eliminated through body fluids for up to 3 months following the treatment. This way fat can no longer be deposited into the banished cells and so, long term loss of volume is obtained in the treated areas.

In one single session this treatment can reduce a patient’s fat deposit by 25% to 40% and results can be enhanced with additional sessions.

The quality of the results obtained is not only down to the intensity of the cooling device used but also the variety of hand pieces available (different sizes and shapes which adapt to the body curves). This enables the practitioner to treat areas such as abdomen, love handles, inner thighs, arms, back and saddlebags and chin.

After the area to be treated has been decided, the hand piece is carefully positioned on the desired area and the cooling process begins. All you have to do during your body sculpting procedure is relax, feel free to read or even take a nap.

At Zen Smile Spa we will help you create a personalised body sculpting treatment just for you.

So sit back, relax, and say goodbye to stubborn fat.

TREATMENT CARRIED OUT AT ZEN-SMILE-SPA

Zen Smile Spa C/ Jorge Luis Borges 8, Jávea. Call us now on 96 579 3810. Visit our website www.zensmilespa.es.

Your Healthy Magazine!

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Female Focus

Support needed for single-parent families Are you be able to spare an hour or two a week to provide emotional support to single parents and their families? Guardian Angels is a charity which supports single parents and their families and a very important part of the help they offer is mentoring, to provide a ‘friend’ who is available to listen to members’ problems, provide support and refer them to other specialist services if necessary.

New members joining the charity, which operates mainly in the north of the Costa Blanca, are assigned to a volunteer mentor, who keeps in touch and whom they can contact whenever they feel the need, either for a chat on the phone, via social media, messaging or a face-to-face meeting over a coffee, to discuss any problems they have on an informal but completely confidential basis. The mentor’s role is listening, befriending, supporting and referring.

Maybe you have been a single parent yourself or can empathise with their situation, living here in Spain, often without the support of their families, or if you are a good listener and have an hour or two a week to spare, please contact Gill Somers on 655 415 003 for an informal chat. You can find out more about Guardian Angels on their website www.guardian-angels.es.

We are also looking for enthusiastic people to join our committee, to help organise fund raising events. Also, if you have an accounting background, we are also looking for a Treasurer. Please contact Gill on 655 415 003 for an informal chat.

Saving with HELP Vega Baja Charity

the charity.

Everyone is familiar with the concept of placing their loose change in donation boxes which are seen around bars and shops or being shaken by volunteers in shopping centres etc. Always keen to try something new to raise funds, HELP Vega Baja have come up with the idea of offering people special boxes that they can use in their own home and save their change for

President, Michele Masson said “we have had our red donation boxes in various businesses around the area for many years now and we are extremely grateful for the donations that we receive. Recently one of our volunteers brought in a large bottle which she had been filling for a couple of years with pennies and also at one of our Christmas Appeal collection points we received a box from someone which was bursting with change. This gave us the idea of offering people the opportunity to support us by providing them with a box to fill with coins. As a thank you, everyone who joins in will be entered in to a prize draw which we will hold twice a year”.

HELP Vega Baja have been supporting people in need for over 36 years in the Vega Baja area and Michele stated that in 2018 the charity had donated over 30,500€ to good causes and individuals and said “Everyone at the charity is extremely proud of the fact that we have been able to help so many good causes and we aim to continue to offer not only the information and advice that we are well known for, but also to continue supporting those who find themselves in need of our help including of course other charities. Our relationship with social services means that we are often contacted when they are aware of particular families who are struggling and need our help. We have published a full list of the donations we made throughout 2017 and these can be found on our Facebook page and website. Obviously, we owe a debt of gratitude to everyone within the community who continue to support us whenever they can and our team of volunteers without whom we would be unable to continue our work”.

If you would like to find out more about becoming a “Charity Support Saver” or volunteering with HELP Vega Baja, please contact Richard Garland at their San Miguel Centre on 96 672 3733, email office@helpvegabaja.com or visit the HELP Vega Baja Facebook page.

Female Focus

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Your Community Magazine!

Change your mind – Change your life A new beginning, a new start – is that how January started for you? But now that February is here have those new beginnings been forgotten?

Waking up to a sunny day, the blue sky, the warmth we know will follow. That’s what we all aspire to have and we want each and every day to be the same. But life can sometimes get in the way. There are times when we lose a loved one; a family member, a friend or pet, we may have an unresolved issue in a relationship or we have a niggling health worry that just won’t go away. It’s as if the clouds have come down around us and life seems grey. Or are you standing in your own way? We have the ability to change the way we think and feel, it’s deep within us but as the clouds came down they stopped us from finding the way. We know the blue sky is there but we sometimes need a little help to find it again.

The secret to change is to focus all of your energies not on fighting the old, but on building the new. It’s okay to be scared because it means that you are about to do something really brave. It means that you are willing to step out of your comfort zone. By trying something new you are changing because you are taking back control. You’ve taken the first step to change your mind. Now let’s change your life.

How does Hypnotherapy work? Hypnosis is a natural state of mind, sometimes mistakenly thought of as sleep, unconsciousness or losing control. In truth it is an altered state where the conscious mind is by-passed and the sub-conscious mind can be accessed. The sub-conscious mind can access emotions, past events, facts and information, causes of feelings, behaviours and attitudes. Some of these positive thoughts and feelings will be strengthened and some maybe released, according to your individual needs.

I have helped hundreds of people who have found the answers to these and other issues though hypnotherapy by helping each client to unlock their unconscious mind so they can find the cause, resolve it and release it.

I offer an initial free private and confidential consultation where we can discuss your questions, concerns, needs and desired outcomes. In most cases we can move on to fulfilling these on the same day following the consultation, but sometimes an appointment may be necessary.

I invite you to have a look at my website Juliandavidson.com where you can hear my voice as I explain more about my unique style of hypnotherapy and also browse for more information. Call 678 323 659 or email me Julian@juliandavidson.com. All enquiries welcome.

I am currently looking for additional therapy rooms in and around the Jávea/Moraira or Denia areas. If you know of any please contact me.

Your Beautiful Magazine!

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Female Focus

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON! We are getting ready to entertain you at the HOMES GARDENS & LIFESTYLE SHOW on Friday 20 & Saturday 21 April at the Villa Gadea Hotel in Altea.

As always two days bursting with information, inspiration, talks and cooking demonstrations plus all things A – Z for your ‘casas’ and ‘jardines’, not to mention your lifestyle and leisure time here on the Costa Blanca.

Packed with products, services, advice and information to see, touch, try, taste and buy ….. this Show is for YOU the visitor to really get involved, have fun and be enlightened by our exhibitors and Show experts.

Enjoy our fun feature concepts including:- our Show TAPA TRAIL - follow it for FREE TAPAS; our Show hospitality stand for a FREE Cava cocktail; and our Show Caricaturist to get your cartoon picture drawn for FREE! Try to Crack the Vault puzzle! Enter our Show competitions (see below) and be part of this unique event that we stage for the community to come together and enjoy! GM Promotions are committed to providing you with a great exhibition/ show experience, and with FREE entry for every visitor at this Spring extravaganza you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. So save the dates in your diary Friday 20 and Saturday 21 April from 10am to 5pm to come along and visit the Show at the Villa Gadea Hotel. The venue is on the N332, Altea and just off the AP7 Motorway, Altea turn-off and there is plenty of free parking.

Introducing the NEW GARDENING/ FLOWER COMPETITION - Hands up if you are a keen gardener, have creative flair or are a budding flower arranger .....

&

Put your blooms in pride of place at the Homes Gardens & Lifestyle Show’s miniature gardening competition by entering your green fingered feature into our BASKETS IN BLOOM competition. Styles acceptable are feature mini gardens, hanging baskets, flower and plant arrangements in baskets, vases, pots, or containers no bigger than 60 x 60 centimetres. To register your entry email gina@gmpromotions.es for a entry number and registration form.

Entries to be delivered to the Villa Gadea Hotel on Thursday 19 April, the judging will take place on Friday at the Show, and the winners announced and prizes awarded on Saturday 21 at 4.30pm in the outdoor/garden area.

Good luck!

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Female Focus

www.femalefocusonline.com

&

If your PETS are your PASSION!

It was soooo popular and cute it’s back!

PET IDOL 2018. Is yours the Purrrfect Pet! With the Ahhhhh Factor for our Pet Photo Competition ‘Pet Idol 2018’.

This one is for all of the animal lovers out there and it’s time for our furry friends to shine!

We would love to receive your cutest, funniest pictures of your pets to show in our Pet Photo Gallery at the Show in Salon Mediterraneo, stand area No 68.

Have you got the cutest cat, for our Cat Category, or a delightful dog, for the Dog Category or another furry or feathered friend for the General Animal Category.

Email your animal photos to:office@gmpromotions.es with your name, the pet’s name and age and we will display them at the Show, for everyone to be able to say Ahhhh!!

The visiting public will be voting for our Pet Idol Star 2018! Could your Purrrfect Pet be our first prize winner!?

It’s FREE to enter, so don’t delay email your best pet pic in today.. Come along to the Show and see your Pet Pic as one of the stars of our Show!

Pick up next months copy of the Female Focus for the Shows latest updates, who’s in the Tapa Trail, who our professional Show Chefs will be and what they have in store for you, and find out how to win a luxury Spa Break at The Akinon Resort, La Nucia.

We will also be launching our Cream Tea VIP competition!

See www.gmpromotions.es or FB Homes Gardens and Lifestyle Show - email gina@gmpromotions.es or call 695 399 851 for further information.

TO BOOK A STAND TO BE PART OF THIS EVENT contact gina@gmpromotions.es for stand availability.

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FF - Your community magazine

Page 18

Female Focus

Hip, Hip Hooray! Aaaagh!

What to do if someone suffers a fall and damages their hip...

Every year roughly one in three adults over the age of 65 suffers a fall. Injuries from a fall can range from very mild bruising and swelling to broken bones. Falls happen more often to women than to men, mainly because women are more likely to have osteoporosis, a disease that makes bones weak. In fact, many hip fractures happen before the person falls over, and thus result in the fall; rather than the actual fall itself causing the hip fracture.

Hip Fracture Symptoms The person will probably have a lot of pain in their hip or groin, and be unable to get up, and the skin around the injury may also swell, get red or bruise. If you think the person may have a fractured hip then do not move them, shout for help or phone for an ambulance, because a hip fracture can be a very serious medical emergency. Most people who have a hip fracture need an operation by an orthopaedic surgeon to fix the break in the bone. Any underlying osteoporosis should also be treated after a hip fracture, in order to reduce the chance of it happening again.

If you are a regular Female Focus reader the chances are that you are also a member of the Asociacion Amigos Europeos de Javea (AAEdJ) emergency ambulance service - so call 96 579 6099. We will immediately dispatch one of our state of the art ambulances to you. If you are living on your own and cannot get to the door to let us in, no problem, we will already have on our system the number of a neighbour or keyholder who we will call and ask to meet us at your house to let us in. We will have taken this person’s details from you when you register with us.

Our fully trained staff will ask you questions about the fall, possibly do a physical examination, and make an assessment; and in most cases a journey to hospital will be needed to undertake an X-ray, MRI or bone scan.

In order to get you into the ambulance without moving your hip unnecessarily, or causing you further pain, a special stretcher in two pieces will be slid underneath you from each side, which clasps together to form a strong single stretcher.

All our ambulances carry these special stretchers, and we even carry neck and head braces and various joint braces as well. In extreme cases where it is very important that the patient should be completely immobilised and prevented from moving at all, an inflatable stretcher may be used, this inflates around the person and holds them firm.

Once the extent of your injuries are known and treatment has been given, you may be needing a walking stick, a pair of crutches, a zimmer frame, or even a wheelchair. We have all of these completely free for our members to use, all we ask is for a deposit which is entirely refundable when the item is no longer needed and returned.

Membership of the AAEdJ is just €50 for a whole year for the whole family. To join telephone and speak with Laure Bolufer the AAEdJ Registration Manager on 96 579 6099 (Laure works from 10am to 1pm every weekday). The AAEdJ ambulance service covers almost all of Costa Blanca North and will come straight to you wherever you are.

ASOCIACION AMIGOS EUROPEOS DE JAVEA. Avenida Juan Carlos 1, No 69, 03730 Jávea. Telephone 96 579 6099 (24hr). Email: amigos_europeos@yahoo.es.

Female Focus

Page 19

Over 1000 distribution points!

Thank you so much

In recent months you may have been following the story of local singer Niamh and her tremendous achievement of completing the Camino de Santiago.

This was a long standing personal dream she had longed to fulfil. And we congratulate her on finding the stamina and strength to overcome injury and emotional challenges to get the job done.

800km in just over 30 days. Not for the feint hearted!

Niamh decided to use her efforts to fund-raise for an electric wheelchair for a local man who has lost 70% mobility in a freak fall. She wanted to complete the “physical challenge for someone who is “physically challenged”. We loved the sentiment and are simply delighted to tell you that Niamh reached her target and more! Juan Carlos and his family are delighted and grateful to everyone who contributed to this life changing gift. The best Christmas gift they could have imagined. It’s incredible how the community rallying together to donate what they could has made such a difference. Together we did it!

Here’s an update from Niamh herself, who we once again, offer a big pat on the back for her perseverance in her walking and fund-raising effort.

“Hello folks. I did it! I can barely believe it. I wanted to experience the three stages of the camino..... the physical, the emotional and finally the spiritual. Well, that didn’t happen! For me, it was all about the physical. Due to a foot injury I managed to sustain (Plantar fasciitis) my Camino de Santiago experience was mostly a test of physical endurance. But, with Juan Carlos on my mind, and so many people’s support, I plodded on. Who am I to complain?

My legs can carry me!

My arrival in the stunning plaza in Santiago Compostela was an emotional one. The sense of relief was quite tremendous.

There are no words that can convey exactly how I felt. Let’s just say “a mixed bag”. I’ve been home 3 months now, but still have itchy feet. I’ve promised myself to do the walk again with less pressure. I want to experience those last 400km pain free.

Thanks to everyone who followed my blog and egged me on.

Your support has been immeasurable. But much more than that, THANK YOU SO MUCH for your donations to get Juan Carlos his electric wheel chair. The family are beyond delighted.

We hit more than the €3000 we were aiming for and Sylvia was thrilled when I gave her a voucher for the Shopping Centre in Ondara, with strict instructions to spoil themselves silly.

Special thanks to Candy of HELP Dénia for her assistance with getting the chair to such a well deserved family. And thanks to Ian Bennet and Jools Cooper for the guitar raffle.

Donations came from near and far, and I’m very proud to be part of such a generous community, such a generous world!

So many cliches come to mind. Together we CAN achieve anything, every little bit helps, and all that jazz. Well, we have proven the point. Hats off to us! Buen Camino!”

FF - Your community magazine

Page 20

Looking Good Inside and Out Dr Ignacio Poole has been helping the people of the Costa Blanca feel good about themselves since 1985.

This past month, however, it was the turn of his surgery at Jávea Arenal to have an overhaul and to be made to feel gorgeous once again.

And he and his architect team and their builders have done an amazing job. The new frontage now has sliding glass doors and is much more welcoming. The inside has been tastefully reformed and is a calm and relaxed setting in which to discuss your medical requirements.

One thing that hasn’t changed, though, is the range of services offered…from family practice through to minor and cosmetic procedures; and these are all offered at competitive prices.

Regular readers will know that Dr Poole is qualified to carry out a wide range of minor surgical procedures at the clinic, and now these will be carried out in the new smart surroundings. The clinic is now much more like a spa rather than a surgery, and will help any nervous patients feel at ease, especially those who are wary of the usual look and feel of a hospital.

For some surgical procedures, minimally invasive alternatives will usually result in less pain, less scarring, a quicker recovery time, and reduced healthcare costs.

Operations and therapeutic procedures performed through smaller incisions are becoming standard in surgical medicine.

As we all know cosmetic surgery has increased dramatically in popularity over the past few years, with peoples’ attitudes toward the effects of ageing having changed considerably. More and more people are now seeking the long-lasting results that cosmetic surgery can bring.

Within the field of plastic surgery, the use of newer technologies such as lasers to perform procedures that once required extensive surgery and recovery time, now makes procedures such as face and eye lifts much more accessible, mainstream, and affordable.

Of course, every ‘body’ is different and Dr Poole and his medical team assess every case individually. So if you have anything bothering you which you would like an opinion on, then their invite is there waiting for you. Feel free to call into the new clinic and find out about all the different services and procedures – and don’t forget that your first consultative visit is completely free.

Dr Ignacio Poole: a certified Family Doctor/ GP and a Specialist Surgeon with a Master in Aesthetic Surgery. Clinica El Arenal. Av. Arenal 2, Jávea. Tel: 96 579 2418, Mon to Fri 10.30am - 1.30pm, email: clinicaarenal@gmail.com.

Female Focus

Female Focus

Page 21

FF - Over 1000 distribution points!

Hate your teeth?

The perfect smile guaranteed!

Do you want the perfect smile, but you’re not sure how to get it? Here at Zen Smile Spa, smile design is our speciality.

After a certain age we can’t have braces because our teeth will start to move and quite honestly we don’t want train tracks at 50 years of age!

Work carried out at Zen Smile Spa

Work carried out at Zen Smile Spa

Work carried out at Zen Smile Spa

Work carried out at Zen Smile Spa

For more information visit our website :www.zensmilespa.es or call us now on 96 579 3810 to get that smile you’ve always dreamed of.

Genuine smiles - when you smile big enough to squint your eyes - boosts your immune system by decreasing cortisol in you body.

Whether it be crowns, veneers or custom teeth whitening that you need, Dr. Carolyn Carbasse, specialised in dental and facial aesthetics is here to work with you, helping you to achieve the smile of your dreams.

FF - Your Beautiful Magazine

Page 22

Female Focus

British Superbike star Glenn Irwin has gone a step further in his normal race preparation this year by starting his pre-season training with a two month move to sunny Spain and by teaming up with our very own CLUB F!T in Jávea. Glenn is working with Peter Fitz (club co-founder) to be in tip top shape for the 2018 season which kicks off on 31 March at Donington Park.

The Carrickfergus star typically exercises three times a day, mixing his activities between running, cycling, motorcross and attending CLUB F!T where he is putting in some serious training sessions in order to be 100% race fit for the long and strenuous motorcycle season.

Female Focus caught up with Glenn during one of his training sessions. “In my sport it isn’t about the ‘big guns’, they are not what’s needed” says Glenn. “By far the most important things for me to work on are my core strength, my stamina and my reaction times”.

Peter explains…“ CLUB F!T really is for every “body” – not just those who wish to lose weight and tone up, but also elite athletes who regularly push themselves and need that extra edge over the competition. The knowledge and equipment we have here at CLUB F!T allows us to tailor a training package for whoever you are, and whatever you want to achieve.”

Another member benefitting from ‘bespoke training’ is David Shaw (pictured right) who is also from Jávea, and who is taking part in this year’s CLUB F!T New Year Challenge.

Following an ankle replacement 2 years ago, David has two main fitness goals.

Firstly to lose the 10kgs of weight that he gained in the period following the operation, plus a further 10kgs as well, and secondly to strengthen all the muscles around his ankle area.

“Back in the UK I used to go to gyms, but they would be what I call ‘grunt and groan’ gyms, where the instructors had little training and most of the male members of the gym would use the free weights for 30 seconds, and then spend 5 minutes posing in front of the mirrors! The instructors here at CLUB F!T are totally different, they are so knowledgeable, and really concentrate on technique”.

David continues “They all know about my ankle, and so give me specially designed exercises. For example, when I do the CoreStix class I am instructed to do the lower body exercises in a different way from everyone else to ensure the least pressure as possible on my knees or ankle.”

“The great thing is that I know that the exercises are beginning to work, because every day I try to walk 2 to 3 miles, and whilst my ankle used to ache afterwards, now it doesn’t. So I am very happy indeed with what I have achieved so far, and I am looking forward to the rest of the Challenge.”

So whatever your motivation or your particular health situation, come and see us at CLUB F!T and we will work with you to achieve your goals.

We are very easy to find, located 5 minutes away from the LIDL store in Jávea, at Centro Comercial Monver, Calle Roma No 3. Tel: 865 664 888 and 602 211 051. www.club-fit.eu.

Female Focus

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This Valentine’s Day Spice up your Love Life with Curry On Cooking

Chocolate and roses are so last year! Try sexy spices instead to help you wow your love!

For Valentine’s Day most of us will probably buy or receive chocolates, flowers or a card. How about using spices known for mood enhancing properties to cast a spell over the one you love?

Indian spices are not only used to flavour, cook, preserve and heal, they can play a role in boosting your love life! Many of the spices found in curry have aphrodisiac properties and could work wonders in adding a dose of va va voom to your love life!

Here are five common spices to get you in the mood!

Ginger: Not only is ginger great for the immune system and as a digestive aid, it is a powerful aphrodisiac. It warms up the body, stimulates and awakens the senses and increases heart rate and circulation. Ginger even gets a mention in the Kama Sutra as a natural aphrodisiac!

Chilli Peppers: Chilli peppers are known to give your taste buds a slap and tickle! Spicy hot food produces mood enhancing endorphins, increase circulation, blood flow and stimulation. Making you feel hot and bothered!

Cloves: Cloves are unopened buds from the myrtle trees.

A powerful stimulant, cloves awaken the senses with their warm strong aromatic perfume and distinctive taste. Clove oil is great for soothing toothache. And for the last 4,000 years, whole cloves have been chewed to freshen the breath.

Garlic: This might surprise many that garlic is even considered as an aphrodisiac. The garlic bulb is high in the compound alicin which increases blood flow and stamina.

Just make sure both parties take part in the garlic-fest!

Saffron: Saffron is considered one of the world’s rarest and expensive spices. It is cultivated from the crocus flower.

It stimulates the pleasure centres of the brain. Saffron’s reputation as a love spice goes back thousands of years - this was recently backed up by a team of Canadian scientists who found saffron is great for the libido - much more than chocolate!

Don’t forget to catch the Spice Sisters on Channel 5, Thurs 1 March “Bargain Loving Brits In The Sun”.

If you would like to learn more about spices and how to cook Indian food then why not join the Spice Sisters Nilam and Veena at their next cooking course?

12 to 17 April - Curry On Cooking Indian Cookery Course Relax, unwind, feed and nurture your mind, body and soul in beautiful and tranquil surroundings of AKINON RESORT in La Nucia, with CURRY ON COOKING’s Spice Sisters.

The retreat offers an excellent introduction to the colourful and inspiring cuisine of India. Learn about Indian spices and their healing properties; master staples such as bread, cheese, yogurt, ghee and curry making in a modern teaching kitchen.

Plus experience the gifts of nature this beautiful resort has to offer paired with yoga, mindfulness, relaxing spa treatments and delicious food.

For further information please email keepcalm@curryoncooking.com or info@akinonresort.com.

Visit: www.curryoncooking.com.

FF - Your Magazine

FF - Supporting local businesses

our

Page 24

oroscope

ARIES Family matters are at the forefront right now as you all pull together for each other. This brings closer and stronger bonds between you all and gives you insights into each other which help each of you to understand the others even more.

TAURUS You are ready and raring to go this year and have it all planned out in your mind where you want to be by the end of the year. Don't go at it like a bull in a china shop, you have a full year so take things slowly and you will move forward without making mistakes as you go.

GEMINI Love is in the air and someone close will show you just how much they care. Whatever the gesture or gift you know that it has been carefully thought out making it even more special.

CANCER You want to change things around a bit as you are fed up with the same routine day after day. It doesn't have to mean major changes, it could just be going to a different cafe or restaurant.

LEO Changing something small in the home makes a massive difference to all. This starts you thinking of other small changes you could make to your wardrobe, diet and life in general. Go for it.

VIRGO You are finding ways of becoming more efficient with your time and energy which leaves you more time to enjoy life. This is your plan for the year - just don't fall back into your old ways.

Female Focus

LIBRA You are heading for changes on all fronts but are facing them head on knowing that they are going to be for the best. Family and home affairs will take up a lot of your time but your ambitions for the work front will still be achievable.

SCORPIO This is the month of love and you are full of ideas and as usual you are thinking of others first and finding ways of making all your loved ones feel special. Don't forget to love yourself a little as well.

SAGITTARIUS You are hoping that the romantic gesture you have planned is not too much and is taken as it is meant, as a show of love and not showing off. Don't worry about what others think - that special someone will love it.

CAPRICORN Your love life is going to move to a new level making it difficult for you to concentrate on anything else.

Unwittingly you will make a massive impression on someone who will become a good friend.

AQUARIUS You are appreciating the little things much more and seeing how everything and everyone is important to your life. This will make 2018 a much more productive and enjoyable year than ever.

PISCES If you think that someone is going to make a fool of themselves by showing their true feelings in an inappropriate way then stop them before it is too late. They will not take kindly at first but later they will appreciate it and your bond with them will be stronger.

Female Focus

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FF - Your Magazine

Journalist and broadcaster Jack Troughton plays ‘Johnny Foreigner’ and casts an eye over Spain and focuses on stories that serve as a gentle reminder he remains an Englishman abroad.

Spain enjoys a bumper crop of fiesta days and national holidays so the news there’s not another national holiday and a chance to lay down the quill for 24 hours until Easter (the end of March in 2018) is something of a surprise. However, a peek at the calendar always turns up some heart-warming event locally.

The sun no sooner goes down on Three Kings – a favourite of mine since setting up shop in this part of the world – and everyone suddenly talks about the depressing days of January and February and being SAD, a medically recognised condition; Seasonal Affective Disorder, a form of depression.

Step outside and the sun still has his hat on, there’s pantomimes on offer, funfairs (music on full volume at the dodgems) and the annual treat of the celebration of San Antonio, patron saint of animals. Historically, a day when beasts of burden had a day off and were blessed by priests and in modern times when domestic pets enjoy a special day and are often splashed with Holy Water...still working on a photograph of little boy or girl innocently holding bowl of goldfish with liquid being topped up by attentive parish priest.

It is a wonderful occasion and one of the more delightfully eccentric traditions. Quite what tons of beef or horseflesh make of it all is not recorded but, of course, being Spain, it is also an occasion when folk reach out to light the blue touch paper and another round of incendiary devices exploding. It is not like November the Fifth back home when government broadcast advice is to keep pets safely indoors on Fireworks Night – animals here are presumably immune but the explosion of noise certainly made me jump (again) on the morning of 17th January, the saint’s big day.

The sun was also shining at APASA in Jávea, more formerly the Asociacion Protectora de Animales de San Antonio – not too difficult to spot the link here – as the animal charity staged its own blessing for the dogs currently in residence at the Jávea shelter.

This year’s guest priest was from a German church on the Costa Blanca who brought a certain gravitas to the occasion – reminding people of the Biblical teaching to safeguard the dignity of animals and to offer thanks for the people who volunteered to work for and support APASA; many who have adopted the sanctuary’s dogs bring them back especially for the occasion.

It is always a great photo opportunity and an exciting afternoon for owners, pets, and dogs waiting for a forever family. There is also a lasting image in my mind of the said guest priest – rather than the local Catholic pastor – dining out for years on the story of the day he (or she) took part in the ceremony and blessed the animals.

Wishbone ash: There is still a certain SAD-ness in the household over the failure of Christmas gifts to arrive after a €134.52 demand from Correos to release a parcel from New Zealand.

As reported last month, a parcel arrived from family in the Southern Hemisphere ahead of the festive holiday but was seized upon by the post office acting for the Spanish government and much correspondence took place; we even got to be on first name terms.

Apparently, as a gift, a person is allowed a present worth up to €22 without attracting a penalty in import duty and something described as ‘tax regularisation’. With just one name on the address, those in authority failed to recognise that there were five people (actually four humans and a pooch) involved.

In previous years duty has been paid on delivery but this time the penalty was judged to be too steep. The result is despite a number of horse-trading emails, there was an admission of defeat and said parcel is on its way back to NZ – the magic of Papa Noel and even San Antonio failed to work on this occasion. Ho hum.

House and Home

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Female Focus

Have You Ever Slept Under a Down Duvet?

By Lucy Rowat at The Bed Centre in Calpe

Having been in the bed and bedding business for nearly 20 years, I’ve sold an unimaginable number of duvets of all types including natural and synthetic. It’s true that synthetic fibres have come a long way over the years, but my choice has always been a natural down duvet. To me they are simply divine: snuggly yet light, warm without overheating, and dare I say you just feel happier!

As the owner of the Bed Centre in Calpe, the world is my oyster when it comes to choosing my duvet and our latest range is so good, I simply couldn’t resist. Made by KLÏNEN, these duvets use a range of fillers including Hungarian Goose down, European Goose down and Pyrennean Duck down. This is designed to give you options in features and pricing. In general, down duvets offer these main benefits: hypo-allergenic, form fitting, lightness, and thermo regulating.

That last point is important as it keeps your body at the right temperature. Air flows through the down keeping you fresh and dry throughout the night giving simply a better night’s sleep.

Moreover, in summer, the same thermo-regulation properties actually help you keep relatively cool at night!

To compliment our range of ‘naturals’, we also stock beautiful cotton sheets from Portugal to fit all depths of mattresses, a range of silk and feather pillows, a huge range of premium cotton duvet covers, and even 100% natural mattresses and mattress toppers.

So, if you’ve never slept under a down duvet, maybe now’s the time to start. Pop in and see us at The Bed Centre (see advert for opening times) and look forward to a luxurious night’s sleep!

The Bed Centre, CC Biblos, Local 8, Urb. Los Pinos 1K, 03710 Calpe. Telephone: 96 583 6814. www.thebedcentre.com.

See our advert on page 28.

Female Focus

Page 27

House and Home

Do you suffer with wet, slippery tiles or concrete print, cracks or painted pool cappings which all needing regular repairs, we have a solution that will last with very little or no maintenance - Wet Lay Rubber Surfacing.

Wet lay rubber makes a pool terrace, entrance slope or stairs, children's play area etc a much safer place.

Wet tiles and wet feet round the pool can be a lethal combination. This guy is not going to fall into the pool just yet. First he is going to smash his head on the edge of the pool surround - BEFORE he falls in. A fall like this could knock him unconscious, and if he is not rescued immediately, he could be in big trouble and even lose his life!

At Active Surfaces we can offer a bespoke service to our clients.

Whether it is a private house, community or a bar with a pool we can design your area to suit your needs. With support from builders and landscape gardeners we can transform your entire surroundings if that is what is needed, or we can just provide a new surface (over the existing one) which will last for years.

Spanish Law now requires that surfaces around public pools should be made up of a non-slip material.

Wet lay rubber surfacing can be anything from a subtle and neutral colour scheme to a bright and cheerful area with our range of 19 colours. All colours can be mixed and blended and so the choices are many. We are confident we can find a colour scheme to suit your needs.

With the option of including pool depth numbers, logos, patterns, names, shapes or individual designs we can personalise the area whilst installing our product. Ideal if you want to include the name of your bar or even you favourite football club logo!

Established in the area for 3 years, we have now completed over 100 projects successfully and are looking forward to continuing to provide safety for clients well into the future.

With earth tremors being a regular occurrence in this part of the World why not consider a surface that will not leave sharp and dangerous edges in the event of the earth moving!

Quotations are free with no obligation. No salesmen will call on you. The owners will visit you by appointment, spending time helping you decide exactly how you want your area to look. We carry out a survey, and a fixed price quotation will then be prepared on the spot so you know exactly what you are getting for your hard earned money! So why not call Rob on 662 679 467 for information and to arrange a visit to your premises.

House and Home

Female Focus

Page 28

www.charlesworthgardens.com

Courtyards The reason I have chosen to talk about courtyards this month is because they are a design feature that can often be overlooked and not thought about, yet they can create an amazing private space that is another area of you garden.

If you have an open outside garden space that is part of your general garden area, providing you have sufficient distance from your boundaries, then courtyards can be created relatively easily. We have created many courtyard spaces either from a new space that was just part of a garden or by enclosing an existing part of a garden. The reason why they are so easy from a design point of view is that it is a maximum of three walls, or maybe only one wall that allows you to enclose a space.

The reasons for creating a courtyard space are varied: if you have a large plot in general then it’s a nice way of creating another separate space; you can use them to create more privacy from neighbouring properties; or you can use them to create a micro climate space within your garden.

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As I have referenced in previous articles any garden space or house structure that allows garden and home to be joined more seamlessly is brilliant as it allows you to fully enjoy the benefits of you whole space. Courtyards may sound traditional as they are steeped in history, but they can be applied to any house structure from ultra modern to traditional farmhouse. The things that change are the general shape and proportions of the structure, the materials it is built continued on next page

START YOUR DAY WITH A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP

QUALITY BEDS & BED LINEN FROM BUDGET TO LUXURY All British sizes available • Styles to suit all pockets FREE assembly, caster cups & delivery* FREE disposal of your old bed C.C. Byblos Local 8, Ctra. Calpe-Moraira, Los Pinos 1K (Coast Road) Calpe Tel: 965 836 814 Email: info@thebedcentre.com www.thebedcentre.com Opening Hours: Monday - Friday: 10am - 5pm Saturday: 10am - 1.30pm *FREE DELIVERY from GANDIA to ALICANTE

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Female Focus

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from and the structural similarities to the property which allow it to blend.

Whenever we have built courtyards we also heavily reference materials and finishes to tie in with the existing property so our courtyards are seen as an existing part of the property and not some ‘odd ball’ later addition.

continued from previous page

For the real plant lovers out there courtyard spaces can be used to create perfect little gems of microclimatic spaces as they allow you to play with nature a little creating shade where there was none before or by creating a water feature to a hot wall.

It also allows you to reduce wind where you may have lots, creating a sheltered garden space for you and your plants.

The options are quite literally endless. I have a courtyard at my house that was already there. It is a wonderful place to sit and eat, offering privacy and security all in one go. You can create openings in a courtyard wall for views or even add glass if you have stunning views but a lot of wind.

I am determined this year to get more people enjoying their amazing gardens which we can enjoy so much more here in Spain, don’t be of the mind set of - I never use that part of my garden. Use that as an excuse to use your garden space positively, there is always a use. Sometimes it’s just about turning your head around and thinking about what you can achieve.

Charlesworth Gardens are professional garden design and landscapers creating the perfect garden spaces for you to enjoy.

For more information please give us a call on 696 283 704, email info@charlesworthgardens.com or visit www.charlesworthgardens.com and www.floresgardencentre.com.

House and Home

FF House & Home

Page 30

Female Focus

Happening at SUZY’S right now as this issue of Female Focus goes to print, extremely talented local Gata artist ‘Pedro Tu Pintor’ is painting two large murals onto the walls. Pedro has been featured in our magazines before, and what a craftsman he is.

One of the murals will be of campo fields with the wonderful Montgo mountain in the distance, and the other will be a beautiful garden scene full of bright colours. Both murals will form a lovely backdrop for SUZY’S to show off their quality new outdoor furniture collection, making you feel more at home than ever. But Pedro doesn’t just paint murals, he does all kinds of effects and texturing, such as marbling, micro cementing, whitewashing, decape, stuccos, airbrushing. So you can even buy an unusual piece from SUZY’S and have Pedro turn it into a modern masterpiece. He’s a modern day Michelangelo, do come along and see his work, and SUZY’S has his leaflets and contact details.

SUZY’S has been doing a lot of house clearances recently. This time of year is traditionally one of the seasons when owners are looking to change their decor. So if you want to restyle one or two rooms in your house, or even your whole house (!) then ask SUZY’S to come along and give you a price for the items that you no longer need. Or you can use SUZY’S WhatsApp service ...send a photo of the item/s to SUZY’S on 634 323 235 and SUZY’S will return with an honest appraisal.

Find SUZY’S at Unit 16 Poligono Industrial Estate (where the Pedreguer Sunday market is held). Telephone: 96 645 5857 / 634 323 235, visit their website: www.costablancafurniture.com or email: suzyfletcher1@hotmail.com.

The photos show Pedro holding the designs and working on one of the murals.

Page 31

Female Focus

House and Home

Dreaming of sunnier times?

The term “themed rooms” may ring alarm bells and take us back to the 90’s interior design trends where everything in a room would be based around one theme and Laurence Llewellyn Bowen was at the height of his career!

However themed rooms have always lurked in the background of design trends and none so more than beach chic. If you’re lucky enough to own your own beach house, getting to decorate it is just the icing on the design lovers cake. But that beachy-casual décor is a tough one to master. Of course you want to draw inspiration from our stunning surroundings, but there are only so many anchor motifs you can fit into a home.

But just because traditional beach décor can be a little cliché doesn’t mean that there aren’t stylish options out there and creating a room that feels like summer all year long can’t be a bad thing! Coastal style is all about creating a relaxing, airy and cheerful atmosphere indoors and here I’ve rounded up a few chic beach house must-haves that will give your Mediterranean retreat the makeover it deserves.

Wood look tiles Wood look tiles are very realistic these days and certainly make a more practical solution than the real thing. Wood tiles can be used on just about any surface giving a rustic-but-chic style. In our travels we are seeing it on everything from kitchen islands to fireplaces, as wall decoration as well as on floors. I recently saw it used inside a villa in the living area and carried out on to the patio, it made the floor area of the villa look enormous, a very clever optical illusion for the smaller living or patio area, but equally beautiful and effective when used over larger areas. Interest in wood tile has increased by 51 percent on Pinterest, and is set to be a massive trend for 2018 …where will you put yours!

Natural wood Rustic wood is a classic way to bring beach chic to your home; branches turned into lighting (see www.andrewjameslighting.com for a stunning collection from a local artist), railway sleeper beams and used logs give a natural earthy feel that’s calming and restful. Sturdy glass topped branches make a statement when it comes to occasional tables and natural wood chairs give a softer look than their chrome equivalents.

Don’t be afraid of Colour Beach chic minimalism doesn’t always mean white. According to the trend experts using blue on the walls gives a contemporary warm, seaside vibe and adding furniture and decor in this coming years predicted shades of hot red and navy blue means your themed room remains on trend.

Use Wood and Steel as a complimentary combo While your kitchen might not always be a show kitchen, white cabinets and stainless steel appliances are a good way to maintain the home’s minimalist design whilst clever use of natural wooden light pendants above an island or breakfast bar that perfectly match with exposed beams and wood floors ground a space and give it some earthy context perfectly aligned to a beach look.

Opt for a few beachy statement pieces Whether it’s an ocean-inspired piece of artwork, or a rope-like lighting fixture, adding a little drama to an understated room is the best way to decorate for a stylish look. The use of blue and white contemporary paintings add to a home’s coastal feel.

Beach artwork makes it look casual but refined, and maybe even a little glamorous.

Add texture...and lots of it Every beach is packed full of an array of textures from sand to water to driftwood — and your Mediterranean home should follow suit. Don’t be afraid to play with pairings that you wouldn’t normally gravitate toward; textures are definitely one way to be interesting without being jarring, but keep accessories natural using wood, glass, stone and ceramics.

Mix it up with a few larger pieces and then incorporate some smaller details on white washed distressed furniture.

So there we go, a few ideas that hopefully will help and inspire you in 2018. For more ideas or if you need advice with your window dressings simply give the studio a call and book your free home visit, we will love to help and inspire you to achieve the home of your dreams.

Tammi

Lotus Interiors, Ctra. Moraira 14-16, Benitachell.

Call 96 649 3232. www.lotusinteriors.es.

Female Focus

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FF - Your charity Magazine

Charity Boutique Winter Sale Monday February 12th sees the start of the eagerly anticipated winter sale at the Scan Boutique, El Verger. There will be plenty to browse and not just from their extensive range of men’s and women’s apparel. So why not pop along and see if you can pick up a bargain?

The SCAN Boutique is at Carrer Doctor Domenech 5, just along from Consum. It is open Monday to Friday 10am to 1pm.

The Society for the Care of Animals in Need rescues cats and dogs from often dire circumstances and cares for them until they are adopted. SCAN recently saved these two vulnerable puppies, about 5 weeks old and half their ideal weight.

SCAN Transforms Lives of Cats, Dogs & Humans Too. www.scancostablanca.com/scan-shop and on Facebook.

Wisifu is a big and cuddly cat. Shelter open every Sunday 10am - 12pm or call Luisa 648 100 629.

Aldea Felina Denia Cat Protection League. For information on other animals for adoption please visit www.aldeafelina.es.

This is Timon, a favourite of mine in the shelter.

He is almost a year old. Male, pointer mix.

His siblings all got adopted and I’m baffled as to why this gorgeous little boy is still with us. He has the most wonderful, gentle nature and is sociable with other dogs. Contact 605 575 883. APROP animal shelter, Pego.

Jessie is about 2 year old, is very loyal and has great recall. She is a very affectionate cuddle monster, good with other dogs, really good with children, not great with cats. For more information about Jessie please telephone the PEPA helpline on 650 304 746 or email: p.e.p.a.animalcharity@gmail.com.

INDI - our exotic Podenco. Indi is an affectionate girl who misses living in a house. Her new home must have a garden with a high fencing and no cats or small dogs. To meet Indi and be charmed by her incredible eyes please phone Akira Dog Sanctuary on 657 689 567 or email akirashelter@gmail.com. Facebook: Akira Benissa Dog Sanctuary. www.akira-animals.com.

Fang, a very affectionate young male about 5 years old. Loves people and will follow you around talking to you all day.

He is called fang because of his unusually shaped front canine teeth. If you would like to adopt Fang, then please call 600 845 420. www.k9club.es.

It has been only a few months since we have taken Sidny from a dog pound. But in those months she has gained weight, and trust! From a shy dog, to a dog that walks well on the lead, loves people and car rides. A loving dog for any family. For more info check out Facebook; Tanamerarescue.

I am Lucky. I am a really friendly, playful, adventurous little kitten and I love being with people or other kittens and after playing with my toys I will purr myself to sleep. I am looking for a home of my own, can it be with you? SCAN: El Verger. Call 626 550 864, visit www.scancostablanca.com or on Facebook.

Felipe, approx 7 years old, stallion, lovely nature - full of fun and loves a cuddle. His owner has recently died so he is desperate for a new home. Please contact us at apacprotectora@gmail.com for more informacion or check out our website www.apac-cv.com.

JILLY, female, DOB 04.2014 – 52 cm. Jilly has grown up and learned how to socialise in the shelter but would love to see the outside world and is eager to learn.

For more information call 618 754 635. www.apasa.eu.

Polly is a 13 week old kitten and she is now ready for a forever home: Polly is a confident kitten who loves cuddles and is very playful.

Call 645 469 253. Email: info@petsinspain.com.

To view more visit www.petsinspain.com.

Pet Charity Advert Spaces Sponsored by Dragon Insurance..... For ALL your Pet Insurance Needs

Female Focus

Page 33

FF - Your charity Magazine

BARC Valentine’s Spectacular fund raising event BARC (Busot Animal Rescue Concern) is a registered animal rescue charity in Busot near Alicante. In 2017 we cared for over 100 animals.

To celebrate St Valentine’s Day we are holding a spectacular fund raising event in the stunning Caves of Canelobre in Busot on Saturday 17 February.

20€ includes entrance to the Caves, Shirley Bassey and Tom Jones Tribute Shows, a box of tasty treats and sweets. There is also the BARC Bar with all proceeds going to the charity.

VIP Tickets are 50€ and include: priority entrance into the caves; best seats and views in the house; the show; luxury canapes and sweets; a designated waiter and all you can drink from the bar.

Book now for a truly memorable Valentine’s experience whilst supporting a good cause. For tickets: telephone Pat on 630 892 513 or 96 569 9976.

APASA events

5th March - Trip to IKEA , Murcia and Shopping Centre, 23rd March - Fashion Show at The Dance Café, Toscamar, Jávea. See poster below for contact details.

Dragon Insurance · We Insure just about anything · 96 649 3762 · www.dragoninsure.com

Stage Diary by Benny Davis

Going Out - Page 34

The Stage Diary now in its 11th year of publication is not only is it an important guide to what’s on in all regions, but is also an on-line web introduction to potential expat’s researching community life in Spain. The diary also acts as a planning guide to assist groups avoid unnecessary clashes of production dates.

Actors Community Theatre Company: A.C.T.S. next performance is ´Duets´ by Peter Quilter.

It is a quartet of half hour romantic comedies streaked with pathos. A funny examination of the chaotic world of love, relationships and why the grass is never greener on the other side. A.C.T.S Casa de Cultura, Benijofar. 8, 9 and 10 March. Advance booking: tickets.acts@gmail.com or 646 277 724.

Cantabile Ladies Choir: Rehearsals for the spring concerts, ´Far Away Places´, a mixture of songs from around the world sung in a variety of languages are now well under way. The venues are Centro Rural de Algorfa in March and Los Balcones and La Siesta Churches in April. Dates to be confirmed. New members welcome. They rehearse on Friday afternoons from 2.45pm to 5pm in La Siesta Church, Torrevieja. Contact:valcantabile@gmail.com or telephone 96 679 5816.

Costa Blanca Male Voice Choir: Following their very successful Christmas season, the choir will be rehearsing every Tuesday evening at 5.45pm in Bar Mediterráneo, Teulada, ready for a new programme of concerts in the spring. New members are always welcome and more details can be found on their website: http://costablancamalevoicechoir.wikidot.com/.

Jávea Players: Tone up your vocal chords for fun or for their next musical.

First Singalong in the Studio, 9 February at 8pm. Then´Silver Lining´ a hilarious play written by Sandi Toksvig, will run from 17-21 April in Gata, 8pm. Five elderly women stranded on the top floor of a nursing home during a flood keep you entertained with their stories, wit and enterprise. Booking: Tickets 12€. www.javeaplayers.com or boxoffice@javeaplayers.com.

New Cardinal Theatre Group: The group are planning their production for this year and are still looking for sound and lighting technical personnel and a stage manager. If you are interested, please contact Tom: 96 679 0547, or mobile 691 737 442.

Oliva Drama and Cultural Association: ODCA are currently resting after their successful pantomime 'Goldilocks and The Three Bears' (Oh yes they are!). Now is an ideal time to join this enthusiastic drama group. For more information please phone: 644 889 155, email olivadramagroup@gmail.com, or see their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OlivaDrama.

Phoenix Dancers: The dancers started off the New Year well, with a very successful first rehearsal where they welcomed new dancers.

The Company look forward to a great 2018. Please watch this space for the dates of their charity shows in March and April. Remember they rehearse every Saturday afternoon in Calpe. Anyone interested in joining should get in touch with choreographer Phaedra: 607 290 896. continued on next page

&

Caprice: Caprice ladies choir are now putting the final touches to their concert programme, 'Just One Of Those Things' featuring the wonderful music of Gershwin and Cole Porter at La Senieta, Moraira on Friday 2 March in support of the local Alzheimer's society. For more information or tickets please contact Aileen: 696 514 613 or email via the choir's website – www.capriceladieschoir.com.

Female Focus

Careline Theatre: Following their hugely successful production of ´Robin Hood – The Panto´ Careline will be performing the much-loved comedy ´Are You Being Served´ next May in their Alcalali theatre. An unforgettable cast including Mr Humphries, Mrs Slocombe, Miss Brahms and Captain Peacock, and with Careline's trademark professional touch, it is sure to be a hit. Dates to be announced soon. See carelinetheatre.com for more details.

Female Focus Continued from previous page

Going Out - Page 35

Rascals: Their Christmas programme raised money for the children's homes and D.E.B.R.A. (Butterfly Children) mattress Appeal.

They also sang for Age Concern, Reach Out Christmas lunches, a party for the students of A.L.P.E, residents of the Rojales home and for Tasha's appeal. New members are needed to carry this work for the local community. Join up and make new friends by contacting Jill on 96 672 7282.

Rojales Pantomime Group:

After a rip roaring successful Pantomime ´Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves´ the group will be taking a break but if anyone would like to join the group for their next panto, please contact Christine shimserv@gmail.com or Thelma:whiskeyflake@live.com, no experience needed and no age limit. Pop along and have fun.

Sounds Familiar:

Sounds Familiar's next production, a concert version of ´The Pirates of Penzance´, is well underway and will be performed this March. The concert includes the dialogue from the show as well as updated music, although the songs themselves have not been changed. For more information please contact Philip on 96 558 1483.

Stagestruck: The theatre group have donated 3.000€ to the Torrevieja Alzheimer's charity.

Although no Christmas show was produced, the money has been raised via review nights and murder mystery evenings that were well attended. Rehearsals are starting again for their Summer show. For more details contact Jenny 608 129 983.

Stage Diary Continued

Studio32: The group are back from their winter b r e a k a n d i t ’s straight into rehearsals for their next major show, the Broadway hit ´Chicago´. Provisional dates are Wednesday 30 May to Saturday 2 June at the Cardenal Belluga Theatre, San Fulgencio.

Full details are on their website, www.studiothirtytwo.org.

Reserved seating tickets are now on pre-order, priced at 10€ each – be sure to book early to avoid disappointment - just email tickets@studiothirtytwo.org.

Valley Voices: T h e Vo i c e s are now into the swing of their spring/ a u t u m n programme.

Tea and music at the Citrus Bar and a May concert at the Lavender Gardens in Lliber. Valley Voices continue their support during 2018 for both Caritas and Jalon Valley Help thanks to their sponsor, Jacaranda Villas in Jalon. Always looking for new members. Contact Jennie: 96 648 0062 or jennierwren38@outlook.com or Facebook. Meetings Mondays 4pm to 6pm at Animo in Alcalali.

Ve l v e t o n e s Harmony Choir: T h e Ve l v e t o n e s commenced rehearsals on the 10th of January with a good turnout of around 20 ladies. Anyone who wants to give singing a try should pop along to their rehearsals on any Wednesday morning from 10am 12.30pm at El Paraiso Restaurant Torrevieja. For further details check out their website www.velvetonesharmonytorrevieja.com or telephone either Ena: 96 570 7598 or Mary Anne: 96 671 4973.

If you would like your group to be included on a strictly regular monthly basis, please contact benny@female-focus.com for full details.

Information updated on the 17th of every month for the following month.

FF Serving the community since 1993

Female Focus

Going Out - Page 36

Verbos útiles - Useful verbs - The S to V of useful Spanish verbs, this is SPANISH WORD SEARCH something we had already done in our sister publication The QF Focus Magazine that proved so popular we thought we would bring it to a wider audience, (with new grids). Try and find the 22 Spanish (blue) words, remember they can go up, down, across, diagonally or even backwards and to make it harder, some letters will have been used more than once!

SABER - to KNOW (information) SACAR - to TAKE OUT SALIR - to LEAVE / GO OUT SALTAR - to JUMP SEGUIR - to FOLLOW / CONTINUE SENTARSE - to SIT SENTIR - to FEEL / REGRET SER - to BE (essential/permanent quality) SERVIR - to SERVE SUPONER - to SUPPOSE TENER - to HAVE TERMINAR - to FINISH / END TOCAR - to TOUCH / to PLAY AN INSTRUMENT TOMAR - to TAKE, DRINK TRABAJAR - to WORK TRAER - to BRING, GET / FETCH / to CARRY TRATAR - to TREAT / HANDLE UTILIZAR - to USE / UTILIZE VENIR - to COME VER - to SEE VIVIR - to LIVE VOLVER - to RETURN, GO BACK

S T U V

SUDOKU Here are two Sudoku puzzles of different skill levels for you to try. Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 x 3 grid contains the digits 1 through to 9 with no repeats, that means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.

See classified section for Sudoku answers

Calpe U3A Calpe U3A had the first General Meeting chaired by the new President Verity Waddell on Thursday 18 January. She had no parking problems as she arrived smartly dressed on her city bike. She opened the meeting with a big welcome to the 14 new members who signed up.

The new committee are working hard to raise the profile of Calpe U3A and are looking forward to an exciting year of acitivites. Kerry Edwards the new travel group leader has been busy organising trips the next being a trip to Granada-Sierra Nevada 11 to 17 March in cooperation with the Costa Blanca ski club. For more information contact Kerry at travel@u3acalpe.org. They have a new website u3acalpe.org, a travel Facebook U3A Travel Calpe, lots of groups and lots of activities. New members are always welcome and can join at their general meetings, dates of which are on the website.

The next meeting is at the Sol Ifach Hotel on 15 February, 10am for 10.30am 2018. All welcome.

Female Focus

Going Out - Page 37

Gandia Area Social Club (International) Put More Life In Your Life With The GASC!!

The club has been in existence for 30 years plus (!) but has grown in strength in every way in the last few years.

We hold monthly Dinner Dances with live (high class) entertainment at the Viva EspaĂąa Restaurant on the N-332 in Oliva. Apart from the music nights we have monthly quiz and dinner evenings and weekly sporting activities, badminton, walking, hiking, petanque and trips away.

There are always lots of good things happening to enjoy in the GASC! Below are the monthly Dinner Dances we have lined up for you in 2018.

Thursday 15 February - St Valentines Party, Magic of the Musicals II Karen Noble.

Thursday 22 March - ROD STEWART a tribute by the best David John -- TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT! Thursday 19 April - The Superb CHARLENE DEVLIN with DIVAS of POP. Thursday 24 May - THE PHIL COLLINS EXPERIENCE by Rob Lewis.

Thursday 21 June - Jim McMail sings the songs and has the style of the four members of the Rat Pack & a session portraying Sir Tom Jones.

Thursday 19 July - Summer BBQ at El Eden, Chill Out Lounge in Oliva with The Stoned Band, Francis leads the band with all those Stones favourites.

Thursday 20 September -The Blues Brothers Benidorm. From the cult movie a fantastic show live on stage for the club Thursday 18 October - Elvis is in the House! Simon Patrick with his stunning and exciting tribute to Elvis. We have the excellent Timewarp Duo in support.

Thursday 15 November - We have waited so long but at last the ultimate tribute to the late Mr George Michael by James Bermingham. With Timewarp Duo in Support.

Thursday 13 December - Christmas Party The Cavern Club visits GASC. All the sounds, the songs of those many groups and singers from the hay-days of the famous Liverpool Cavern Club. Performed by The StarBeats.

As ever, all are welcome. Membership is only 7â‚Ź per year but non-members are welcome, too.

Please see our website: www.gandiaareasocialclub.com especially the What's On page.

To book events please email: gascbookings@gmail.com. See our Facebook too!

FF - Supporting Local Charities

FF www.femalefocusonline.com

Going Out - Page 38

New Season for Coral Clásica Javiense

Pirates of Penzance Sounds Familiar

Coral Clásica Javiense, an international choir in Jávea, has just started its new season of rehearsals for the spring of 2018. We’re a hard-working, friendly group, who would eagerly welcome new members. All voices are welcome, but we have a special need for tenors!

Choir practice is held each Friday from 4pm to 6pm at the Instituto Musical, Avda. Juan Carlos 1, in Jávea/Xábia.

Plans for this season are still in flux. At present we are learning some lovely musical settings by the composer Francisco Vila of poems by the iconic Andalusian poet Frederico García Lorca.

This will be our second season with musical director Asunción Tarrassó. Asunción is the cellist of the Orchestra of the Marina Alta (OMA), and is also engaged in further training as a choir mistress at the university Carlos III in Madrid. The warmth, skill, and energy of Asunción’s teaching style makes each rehearsal a pleasure for us.

The choir is based in Jávea, but our members come from all over Marina Alta, and even the Marina Baixa, from Altea in the south to Ràfol d’Almúnia in the north. We have an interesting cross-section of nationalities - German, British, Dutch, Spanish, Swiss, and one solitary American (this writer).

New singers are always welcome. Those who would just like to be occasional guests may visit and observe if they like. Choir members need a basic ability to read music and should have some experience of choir work. However, don’t hold back if your experience is limited. This is a learning environment, not a competition. If you can carry a tune and love to sing, this could be your chance.

For further information see our web site: http://www.coralclasicajaviense.es or phone your enquiries to 676 285 493.

Xàbia Book Circle February meeting Tues 6 Feb - 'Not Just Orwell', by Dolores Long

Dolores Long will talk about the role of the British International Brigades in the Spanish Civil War, and particularly about her father’s time in Spain as a brigader. She will also talk about her namesake, Dolores Ibárruri Gómez, known as "La Pasionaria".

La Pasionaria (English: "the Passionflower") – was a well known Republican heroine of the Spanish Civil War, she was of Basque origin and known for her famous slogan ¡No Pasarán! ("They shall not pass") during the Battle for Madrid in November 1936.

Xàbia Book Circle meets on the first Tuesday of the month in the Xàbia Social Centre (near the parking in the Plaza de la Constitución Española) at 18.30 for 18.45 start.

New members are always welcome and for more information contact Nina Davies on ninamdavies@yahoo.co.uk or telephone 96 579 1782.

Female Focus

Thursday 1 March.

Tickets are now available for the new production from the theatre group, Sounds Familiar. They will be performing "The Pirates of Penzance in concert" at the Polivent in Murla on

Sounds Familiar are usually associated with revue shows, but this time around decided to do something a little bit different.

The story, written by Gilbert & Sullivan, revolves around a group of hapless pirates, who are less than successful in their endeavours, and the coming of age of Frederic their apprentice who leaves to find true love. Add in the Major General and his daughters and the local constabulary and you have all the elements for a typical farce.

This concert version of the classic show is partially narrated and includes a reworked Musical Score giving the concert a modern feel.

Tickets are priced at €12 and are available by phone on 96 558 1483 or online at www.philipashley.com/boxoffice.php.

The show is also helping to raise funds for Jalon Valley HELP so they can continue their work in the surrounding area.

Female Focus

Going Out - Page 39

FF - www.femalefocusonline.com

Fundraising for Kotukala School Since August our ladies at Spanish Insurance have been frantically fundraising to raise money for Kotukala school in The Gambia. With the generosity of so many kind people the money was raised for the toilet block at the school and the children all had full tummies on Christmas day.

On the 22nd of December four of our ladies left from Quesada with 16 cases full of the much needed stationary and books for the 480 children who attend the school. The trip was an amazing success in so many ways. An amazing adventure full of laughter, learning and both tears of despair and joy.

No one really knew what to expect from the trip. No one was prepared for the amazing welcome or hospitality and we certainly were not prepared for the level of poverty. It’s very humbling but an amazing privilege to make such a trip, to live in a village and be 100% integrated and welcomed into a community so different to how we live our normal life.

The school we have helped, and will continue to support in every way possible, is incomparable to anything we are used to here in Europe, but what out shines the shabby walls and broken chairs is the keenness and amazing enthusiasm from the teachers to educate the children out of the poverty they are living in. The teachers, who sometimes go months without being paid a wage because there just isn't any money in the pot, still turn up for work knowing that they need to continue to help the children who are so keen to be educated in the hope of finding meaningful employment and to work their way out of poverty.

We went to The Gambia with the idea of bringing some Christmas cheer to the children on Christmas Day (along with the stationary they needed and of course the money they needed for the toilet block).

We quickly learned that our first trip was only just the very start and that there was no way we could stop with just some Christmas cheer.

We will continue to help with funding for the school all year round and we have already taken the first steps to set up our official charity here from Spain.

If you would like to get involved in any way please feel free to contact Leisa on: 96 673 1691.

www.femalefocusonline.com

Going Out - Page 40

Female Focus

Costa Blanca Jaguar Enthusiasts S TY NEW I N U M COM EVENTS &

The big cats were purring happily in the glorious January sunshine because the weather, with its 22 degrees of cloudless blue sky, made it a pleasure to bring out the beloved Jaguars for a run.

Members of the Costa Blanca Jaguar enthusiasts club came together from different areas of the Costa Blanca for a luncheon meeting at the popular restaurant Nugolat in Elche, and what an amazing sight as one by one the cars rolled into the car park. They all lined up creating a colourful show of various models all shining in the mid-day sunshine, as their enthusiastic owners were able to catch up with friends and fellow members. This was our first mid-week meeting - we had been asked by some members if it was possible as it was difficult for them to attend weekends because of other commitments. It was a success that will be repeated as we had a very good turnout. One of these members Mr Paul Venables a musician, kindly donated his time to entertain everyone throughout the meal also helping to make it a brilliant day - thank you Paul. Our thanks also go to the staff of the restaurant Nugolat for providing their pleasant good service in a beautiful well established venue.

Dinner Dance on 24 February Our next meeting is something special as Mr Graham Searle the general manager and founder member of JEC England with clubs world wide will be attending this, our inaugural meeting at the hotel Parador in Jávea on the 24 February for a dinner dance with availability for over night stay. If you would like to join us please email mikebikejec@gmail.com. You will be made very welcome.

Annual General Meeting, HELP International, Benidorm Thursday 8th February Would all HELP members note that it is our Annual General Meeting on Thursday, 8th February, to be held at the José Lorca Llinares Social Centre, Benidorm (our usual meeting place). Please reigster your arrival from 10.30am as the meeting will start promptly at 11am.

IMPORTANT- All members attending must have fully paid up membership and their membership cards in order to attend.

If you are unable to attend, please can you ensure that you let us know by email or phone (see contacts page on our web site www.help-benidorm.com) and give 'apologies for absence' to allow us to make our quorum. We look forward to seeing you all there - Andrea Hope, Vice President, Help Benidorm.

Alfaz Spiritual Foundation Alfaz Spiritual Foundation opens its doors to all each Thursday, the service starts at 6.30pm at the Forum Mare Nostrum Alfaz del Pi. Service Mediums: Thursday 8 February, Pauline Kernick. Thursday 15 February, Sammy Fitzsimmonds. Thursday 22 February, Kenny Corris.

We hold an open circle on Tuesdays at 6.15pm where you are encouraged to explore and practice your spiritual gifts within a safe and nonjudgmental environment, we also hold informational workshops the first and third Thursday of the month. You can find more information of these events by visiting the website events page.

U3A Marina Baixa AGM On Monday 8 January U3A Marina Baixa held their AGM at the Casa de Cultura, Alfaz del Pi with 30 new members joining the Association. 211 members attended the meeting and Elaine Mitchell, the retiring President, handed over to the new President, John Saunders who has had a wealth of experience on a variety of Committees both in Spain and in the UK. Elaine had served on Committee for 7 years, 3 of which were as President.

There was a Powerpoint presentation prepared by their Newsletter Editor, Tom Smith, giving a comprehensive overview of the money raised for local charities in 2017. Reports were given to the members of the wide range of activities and events organised last year and plans for the year ahead.

Last year members of U3A Marina Baixa raised €2289 for the benefit of local charitable causes. The money was raised from the raffles held at their monthly meetings and from the proceeds of the Olde Tea Shoppe stand at the Alfaz and La Nucía International Days. Sincere thanks are given to the members for their generosity in purchasing raffle tickets and donating prizes.

After the meeting 26 enjoyed a 4-course lunch at the Oasis, La Nucía. The next meeting will be on 26 February and will be held in the Restaurant at Camping Villamar due to refurbishment of the Auditorium at the Casa de Cultura. Subsequent meetings will return to the Casa de Cultura, Alfaz del Pi on the fourth Monday of each month.

Female Focus

Going Out - Page 41

FF - Now in our 25th year

Caprice – Just one of those things All ladies choir, Caprice are now well into rehearsals for their first main performance of 2018 which will take place at La Senieta, Moraira on Friday 2 March at 7.30pm. This new concert, entitled ‘Just one of those things’ features the wonderful music of Gershwin and Cole Porter together with some of the group’s favourite musical theatre and popular songs.

As usual the choir will be conducted by their musical director, Aileen Lightfoot, and accompanied on the piano by Kirsty Glen. After a successful first year of concerts in 2017 the choir are hoping to continue entertaining audiences with the lovely blend of female voices which works really well for both the jazzy songs and the slow lyrical ballads which are becoming the group’s trademark.

The performance will be helping to raise funds for Asociación de Familiares de Personas con Alzheimers, Teulada-Moraira, a very worthy cause which provides support for families affected by Alzheimers. Tickets cost just 10€, and are available from Margaret & Elena’s Card and Bookshop, Galerias Mar Azul, 9 Gabriel Miro, Calpe or by contacting musical director Aileen on 696 514 613 or by email at: aileen@capriceladieschoir.com. For further information about Caprice, check the choir’s website – www.capriceladieschoir.com.

The Teulada – Moraira Lions Donate Vital Safety Equipment The Teulada – Moraira Lions were very proud to be able to present items of much needed vital equipment on 2 occasions recently.

The first was in Benitachell where Lion President Brian Clarke and Deputy Welfare Chairman Andy Dawson, handed over a portable defibrillator at the community swimming pool to Cristina Rosello who is the sports coordinator for Benitachell Ayuntamiento. Defibrillators are now mandatory equipment in all public buildings.

The second handover was of essential fire fighting equipment in the shape of fire helmets to Simon Lunn and the volunteer Bomberos of Benidoleig. The Fire Helmets were in fact donated several months ago and were put to immediate use as without this vital equipment the brave fire fighting men and women could not do their job. Website: www.tmlions.com.

Montgó Chorale donation to Caritas Montgó Chorale were delighted to see the huge appreciation at the choir’s now-traditional Christmas concert at the Loreto church in Jávea.

The largest ever audience for this occasion filled the beautiful building to overflowing and the warm Christmas spirit was reflected in the extremely generous donations to the Retiring Collection. Once again the designated receiving charity was the Loreto Church’s Caritas, which provides financial and practical help and comfort to local families in need.

Consequently, on behalf of Montgó Chorale and those who attended the performance, the Choir Director, Jan Dewland, together with other steering group members, was recently delighted to present 1500€ to representatives of Caritas who in turn gave the choir a calendar with beautiful photographs of the Loreto Church and a framed Certificate to mark the donation.

The photo shows from left to right: Francisca Safir, Marcella Fitzgerald, María José, Treasurer of Caritas, Peter Lobb, Treasurer of Montgó Chorale, Elly van der wel, Director of Caritas, Gill Atkinson, Jan Dewland, Director of Montgó Chorale.

U3A Vall del Pop What’s On 22 February – President's Thank You Luncheon.

1 March – Annual General Meeting.

19 & 20 March – Las Fallas de Valencia. Overnight stay at the beach front Neptuno hotel.

5 April – General Meeting. Speaker Helen Siddal-Butchers – Psychotherapist & Counsellor 3 May – General Meeting. Speaker Mike Rendell – The Golden Age of Piracy.

15 to 18 May – Trip to Girona Flower Festival.

U3A Vall del Pop covers the Jalon Valley and surrounding areas.

There is something for everyone at U3A Vall del Pop, so check our website http://u3avalldelpop.com for further details of what’s going on and of our groups and come along to our General Meeting on the first Thursday of each month, at the Centre Polivalent in Murla, new members are always welcome.

Going Out - Page 42

Aircrew Association Costa Blanca. Former and serving aircrew of the UK or Allied Armed Forces are very welcome to join this friendly organisation founded here in 1988. Details from the Secretary on: 96 640 4123.

Alfaz Spiritual Foundation – Spiritual church in Alfaz de Pi, meets at the Forum Mare Nostrum, Camino de Pincho 02, every Thursday at 6.30pm for Divine Service.

Each week there is a different medium, international and 'home grown' giving evidence that life is eternal. Following the demonstration of mediumship, there is the opportunity to receive healing. Mediums offer workshops and private readings. If interested and for more information please visit www.alfazspiritualfoundation.com.

Almoradi scrabble club. We meet at Cafebar Almoradi on the last Tuesday of the month from 3pm. We really want to extend our membership. If you are interested please come and join us, or for more information call 694 437 698 or email:mrandcwatkins@hotmail.co.uk.

Amigos de Benitachell Charity Shop can be found on Crta. Moraira No. 18, Benitachell. It is open Mon to Fri 10am to 1pm, Sat 10am to 12.30pm. Donated items are always welcome. They are looking for volunteers. If you can spare some time for this worthy cause please call their president Carole on 620 781 034 or pop into the shop between 10am and 1pm weekdays.

Amigos de Make a Smile Charity Shop We have lots of good quality second hand clothes, handbags, small pieces of furniture, children's clothes, shoes and bedding. Find us at the bottom of the dual carriageway in Teulada on the left hand side near to the Rodafoc fire shop. We are also looking for volunteers to help us in the shop. So if you could spare a few hours a week come along and talk to the team. Avenida del Mediterráneo, 4 Teulada. Open Monday to Friday 10am to 1pm.

Benimar Social Club meet at 8pm on a Tuesday evening at the Rojales Steak Bar. We enjoy quizzes, bingo with cards, coach trips, a meal every month and more. Call Bob on 96 618 4114 for more information.

Benitachell Christian Fellowship. Looking for an English speaking church close to Moraira, Teulada or Benissa? Then you are welcome to visit Benitachell Christian Fellowship. Our Sunday service starts at 11am and runs for about 75 minutes.

Whether you are a resident or visitor, please feel free to come along – we have a number of visiting speakers, the welcome

is warm, the music is good and parking is nearby. Call Eric on 678 980 151 or Ann on 96 647 0303 for details and directions. For further information about the Fellowship, directions and map visit www.benitachellcf.org.

Bettas Torrevieja RFC new rugby club, based on traditional ethics, respect, training by the Nelson Mandela Stadium on Wednesdays and Sundays 20.30-22.00.

Contact Javi on 603 727 179 for more information.

Calpe Christian Fellowship. We are an English speaking church located in the Perlamar Center. Our service starts at 11am every Sunday. All are welcome. www.calpechristianfellowship.org.

Tel: 670 491 286 or 605 655 982.

Catral Writers Club. Every last Wednesday afternoon of the month, we meet to discuss cultural issues. If interested please contact: jrivero-santana@skynetlink.com.

Chess Mates. Whether you are new to Chess or experienced come and join our friendly group of men and women for a couple of hours every Tuesday afternoon in Jalon. You will be made most welcome!

Call me and I will tell you more. Rod on 96 573 4209 or 605 231 331.

Costa Blanca Computer Club. The club meets every Saturday from 10am to 1pm. You can find further information and our monthly meeting programme on our web page https://sites.google.com/site/cbccnewssite.

Costa Blanca Mountain Walkers. The CBMW is a group of people who get together twice a week to enjoy walking in the mountains of the Costa Blanca.

Anyone is welcome to come along. Visit www.cbmwalkers.org for information on upcoming walks and guidelines.

Crime Watch Spain. (Vecinos Colaborando Costa Blanca). We try to reduce crime and vandalism in our communities. We try to look after the citizens. We also teach Spanish.

Email: colaborando.crimewatch@gmail.com.

Jávea Computer Club. The club is open to new and existing members from 9.30am until 12.30pm Mon, Tues and Thurs of each week Whatever your computing needs, we can probably help. So why not come along and get some assistance. Membership annual subscription still just 10€ with a one-off joining fee of 10€. Further information on the Club web site: www.javeacomputerclub.org or www.facebook.com/JCCCOMPUTERCLUB/ or email javeacomputerclub@gmail.com.

Jalon Valley Help events. Casa de Ánimo, Alcalalí: First Sunday of the month: Afternoon Tea 4-6pm, Tuesday Morning

NOTICEBOARD

Female Focus

Drop-in: 10am to 1pm – a cuppa and a chat.

Thursday Craft Group: from 2pm – sewing and knitting. First and Third Fridays: Art Group 2-4pm – beginners welcome. For information on any of the above call Alison on 96 648 2166. Charity Shops:10am-1pm Mon-Sat (Alcalalí 96 648 2970, Jalón 96 648 0944). Enquiries: 659 624 643 – also for loan of medical equipment eg wheelchairs, walking frames etc.

No charge but a deposit is requested.

Home knitters & volunteers needed. www.jalonvalleyhelp.com.

Jávea International Baptist Church (JIBC), Pastor Steve Hall. Sunday Service is at 10.30am at The Church Centre, Carrer Favara 8, Jávea, (just off the Plaza de la Constitucion in the old town or “Pueblo”, where the open air market is normally held on Thursdays.)

For further information please access our website: http://www.javeabaptist.es or call 96 579 5847.

Make a Smile Recycle Heroes Need Your Help. Dennis and Barbara accept any household items, furniture, electrical and clothes etc for the recycle projects. They are happy to do total house clearances.

The items are given a bit of TLC and sold in rastros and auctions to provide funds for the charity. They can be contacted on 660 961 585 or 96 583 6814.

Marina Alta Model Railway Club. Dust off your Dapols, bring out your Bachmanns, haul out your Hornbys! The MAMRC meets regularly at its spacious Clubhouse in Teulada. We cannot make you young again, but we can remind you how it felt. All gauges for all ages. New members welcome. Call 96 647 1939 or email mamrclub@gmail.com.

Neighbourhood Watch and Residents group - San Luis / La Siesta. We hold meetings at 4.30pm on the last Monday of each month at Casa Ventura in San Luis.

These meetings are attended by local councillors, local police and the Director of AMICS/OARI. We are very keen to rebuild the group and to encourage more participation and look forward to seeing you.

Oliva Chess Group. We meet in Oliva every Thursday morning. New members welcome whatever your standard. For further details please contact Graham on 609 970 621 or email graham.flowerdew@hotmail.com.

Oliva Art Group. We meet in Oliva every Tuesday evening 6pm until 8pm.

New members welcome, whatever your standard. For further information continued on facing page

&

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Female Focus

Going Out - Page 43

FF Helping local charities

Elcano 25, 03550 San Juan. We have people from South America, the Philippines, Spain, England, the Netherlands and more nationalities, the diversity of God. You are very welcome in our Sunday services at 5pm to join us in worship and prayer. For further information: ivanysadys@yahoo.es or call 605 556 974.

Spiritual Friends is a non-religious group of spiritual minded people who meet every Wednesday afternoon at Sol Park Moraira.

Meetings start at 2.30pm. Each week different spiritual or holistic subjects are discussed by invited speakers or amongst ourselves.

For the full programme see the website www.spiritualfriendscostablanca.com email: mail@spiritualfriendscostablanca.com or contact Jan on 600 837 054.

Tennis. Old Bats and Balls is a happy and friendly group who play every Thursday morning at the Rafol courts. All levels are welcome and subs are affordable for all. We also enjoy a sociable lunch every month after playing. If you wish to know more please telephone or email to; 605 231 331 or rodwaspe@hotmail.com.

The Royal Naval Association, Torrevieja Branch meet on the first Wednesday of every month at Bar/Restaurante El Paraiso near Carrefour, Torrevieja at 5pm and remember you don’t have to have served in the Royal Navy to become a member. We look forward to seeing you soon! If you would like to join the ship mates or just find out more please phone Chairman Paul Edwards on 618 644 934, Vice Chairman Danny Kay on 96 671 6274 or Secretary Margaret Forshaw on 96 692 1996.

Torrevieja Christian Fellowship is a lively English speaking church located at Avenida de las Cortes Valencianas 68,Torrevieja 03183. Residents and holiday makers are welcome to attend our services every Sunday at 10.30am with communion and “kids church”. Fellowship meetings (Bible Study) Wednesdays starting at 6pm.

For further information see our website www.tcf-spain.org or call 96 670 0391.

Valleys Bridge Club. Come and join us for a friendly game of Duplicate Bridge. We meet every Thursday at El Cid in Benidoleig, 1.30pm for play to commence at 2pm. New members are always most welcome. For further information contact either Brenda 96 640 4533 or Tina 96 558 4135.

World Mysteries Discussion Group. This is a discussion group which meets up every 2nd and 4th Thursday from 6pm to 8pm at El Martillo Bar, located on the outskirts of

Moraira next to the Pepe La Sal Supermarket on the Teulada-Moraira road leading into Moraira from Teulada. We discuss all types of subjects including the Egyptian Pyramids, crop circles, lost civilisations, the Sumerian tablets that have been translated by researchers to give us new insight into the ancient past, the recently discovered Bosnian Pyramids which remain a great historical mystery and the mysteries regarding ancient artefacts that were constructed with amazing precision before the invention of modern day tools. We aim to promote investigation and research in order to share information and discuss interesting unexplained topics.

A speaker will discuss various topics and this is followed by a question and answer sessions where all will be invited to discuss the subject of the talk and expand on the themes. The group offers those who are interested the opportunity to learn more about fascinating findings which includes details of ancient and long lost civilisations.

Who knows you may become researcher yourself and find out about things that have been lost in time! For more information email morairaworldmystery@gmail.com.

Xàbia Book Circle. We meet on the first Tuesday of each month in the Centro Social, Xàbia Old Town, beside the Health Centre, at 6.30pm for a 6.45pm start, and we finish at 8.45pm. You can also follow our activities on our website www.xabiabookcircle.com. For more information please contact the Xàbia Book Circle Secretary, Nina Davies on 96 579 1782 or ninamdavies@yahoo.co.uk.

Calling all groups and charities send your forthcoming events and information to editor@female-focus.com before the 18th of the month prior to publication.

NOTICEBOARD

contact Graham 609 970 621 or email graham.flowerdew@hotmail.com.

PLJ Spiritual Social Centre. We meet at the Albir Cultural Social Centre (between Mercadonna and Sol Albir Estate Agents) every Wednesday evening at 6.45pm. We are a group of friendly spiritually minded people who are non profit, non political and non religious. Each week, there will be discussions and demonstrations on various topics and ideas based on Spiritual, metaphysical, and mystical themes with occasional guest speakers or mediums.

For more information contact: Pauline: 602 559 062 Jan: 603 259 169 or Lyn: 663 315 532. FB:- pljspiritualsocialcentre.

Email:- pljspiritualsocialcentre@gmail.com.

Royal British Legion Benidorm Branch meet at 11am on the first Friday of each month at Ciudad Patricia Benidorm.

They also have a monthly lunch and various social events. New and old members most welcome. Please contact secrblbenidorm@outlook.com or call James on 677 786 559 for more details.

Royal British Legion Calpe Branch meet every Friday at 11.30am at Restaurant Dracula, Calpe Port (opp.

Baydal Restaurant). New members always welcome. Come along and meet new friends and enjoy the monthly outings. Please contact Norman Hodgkiss, on 96 574 7410 or calpe3465.members@gmail.com.

Royal British Legion, Gran Alacant & La Marina Branch meets on the first Monday of the month at 18:00 at La Taberna - next to the Monte Mar Bowls Club & Restaurant, Plaza Mayor (Masa Square), Gran Alacant. New members are always welcome, and remember, You do NOT have to be Ex-Services to join us.

Further details and/ or directions from Robin 96 669 5423 or Brian 639 917 971. Email: granalacant.secretary@gmail.com.

Royal British Legion Javea Branch hold their meetings at Paris 24 (Formerly L'Ancora Tennis Club) on the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month (except July & August). We meet from 10.30am onwards for coffee and a chat, our meeting starts at 11.30am. We have a very good Social Programme throughout the year. We would love to see members and none members coming to our meetings and join in. We would make you feel most welcome. Pamela Dawes, Membership Sec, RBL Javea Branch, contact 96 579 0123 or 617 789 883.

San Juan Evangelical ‘Church of the Good Shepherd’ located at Calle Juan Sebastián

continued

Costa Blanca Focus

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Health & Beauty

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Trainee places limited to 10. Also open to nonnative speakers with C1/C2 level of English.

Please phone or email for further information. Email: trinitygandia@gmail.com Tel: 96 286 7281 (Charlotte) www.appformacion.com

TRANSLATOR AND INTERPRETER English/Spanish.

All legal, medical and business matters. Covering the Costa Blanca. Contact: 658 957 404 or ejbtranslations@gmail.com

THE INTERPRETER, for all your English/Spanish interpreting & translations. Based close to Denia Hospital & surrounding medical centres. Emergency 24 hour call out for Denia Hospital. CALL 686 320 435 or email candidawright@gmail.com

MAN AND VAN for hire, cheap & reliable. Jalon valley & surrounding areas. 96 648 0757 (9.30-1.30) or 636 100 873.

REQUIRE A CLEANER? Do you require a cleaner in your house.

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Page 45

Misc Sales HAAS AIR CONDITIONING unit €150 ono. Telephone 606 515 153.

2.4 PORTUGUESE TV satellite dish €350. ono. Telephone:606 515 153.

FIRST LINE AIR conditioning unit €100 ono. Telephone 606 515 153.

GENERATOR Robin Benz’s ES5000 generator in clean condition. Converted to bottle gas. Electric start. Needs a service. 150€ Ono. Buyer collects:602 429 806. Pego.

APRILLIA GULIVER 50cc scooter.

7000 on the clock. Very clean condition. German plated. 180€ ONO. Tel: 602 429 806 Pego.

ASUS NETBOOK windows 7.

As new with hard case. 80€ Tel:602 429 806. Pego.

SONY CD/DVD PLAYER, model DVP-NS 360, c/w remote and instructions. €25. Telephone 645 064 852. Jávea.

2 ELECTRIC RADIATORS: 2 Oil filled electric radiators, 1 x variable 1.5kw, 2kw, 2.5 kw, 1 x 2kw, grey. €40 for both or will split. Tel. 645 064 852. Jávea.

PA N A S O N I C S AT E L L I T E RECEIVER; Panasonic, digital satellite receiver, model TUDSB30, c/w instructions and remote. €25. Tel 645 064 852.

Jávea WOOD PLANER, Bosch PHO 100, 450 watt. €40. Telephone 645 064 852. Jávea PANASONIC TV, VIERA 32 ins HD Tv Model TX-32LXD65F c/w remote 75€. Tel 645 064 852.

Jávea.

SLIP CASTING MOULDS for making hobby ceramics, around 200. 1€ each. Good condition, home, garden, & Christmas. Please email:brendabooth1934@hotmail.co.uk SANIFLO MACERATOR PUMP 3 months used bought the wrong size, cost 400€ selling 75€.

Moraira mobile 626 681 614.

MUSIC CENTRE: Panasonic Model SC-MT1 excellent condition music centre. 79€. Moraira mobile 626 681 614.

CAR SPEAKER boxed brand new 5€. Moraira mobile 626 681 614.

DOUBLE QUILTED BEDSPREAD: Brand new double pink quilted bedspread 50€ new selling 19€.

Moraira mobile 626 681 614.

SUPERKING BEDSPREAD: SuperKing blue Bedspread hardly used. Handmade cost 350 euros selling for 99€. Moraira mobile 626 681 614.

ART BOOKS: All seven book to do with watercolour TITLES ARE AS follow : A complete guide how to draw light watercolour, H.R.H. Prince of Wales water colour, Light Water colour, Monet, etc.

95€ phone number 96 678 6042.

ELECTRIC POWER CABLE: For Sale. New 25 M. electric power cable on reel with 4 output sockets, 25€. Jávea Port. Tel. 96 579 1261 or greaves80@gmail.com COMPUTER MONITORS: 17” & 18” computer monitors, also HP Inkjet printer for sale. 15€ each. Tel. 96 5791 261 or email greaves80@gmail.com. Javea Port area.

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With live Facebook feeds turning our readers into your customers business.femalefocusonline.com PA U L ´ S E M P O R I U M I N Pedreguer. Weekly changing stock. Everything priced to sell.

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Employment

REAL ESTATE RECRUITING: We are a friendly, well established Real Estate office in Moraira, currently RECRUITING and looking for a Part Time (mornings only) Receptionist/Administrator who can speak English, Spanish, Dutch and/or other languages and has a pleasant phone manner. A knowledge of Real Estate would be an advantage.

Please forward your CV with phone number with all relevant information to recruiting@molinovillas.com TO DRIVE GROWTH and expansion, the Costa Blanca’s leading magazine publisher is seeking sales representatives, part or full time for the Altea - Albir - Alfaz - La Nucia region plus the Orihuela Costa area..

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Puzzle Solutions

www.femalefocusonline.com All adverts must be sent with your Name and NIE or Passport Nº (not published).

ADVERTS SHOULD BE sent with correct spacing and spelling, the first three words (only) in capitals. Email addresses will not be published on the website or in the magazine unless requested or supplied as part of the main text.

FREE CLASSIFIED ADVERTS Sell your unwanted items for FREE! Free adverts cannot be faxed, phoned or posted they must be emailed to classifieds@femalefocusonline.com. Photos can be sent with your free advert, both will be published online but text only in print. Classifieds that are supplied incorrectly, all in capitals or with missing information may well be deleted.

‘Misc sales’ are for example one-off sales of second hand items to the value of 500€ or less. Maximum twenty words per advert/ item & maximum five adverts per person*, (email & web addresses count as three words).

Property rental or any type of service, business opportunities, wanted, etc are not free and will be charged at the commercial advert rate.

Free Property adverts: Property sale adverts should also be emailed to classifieds@femalefocusonline.com by the property owner. These adverts will be published free for a 3 month period and can include Property Agent contact details (and photo to be included online only).

Commercial adverts: Minimum advert length ten words. 35 cents per word plus 21% IVA per month. Payment can be made by credit card or paypal.

*Free adverts will be published in print on a space permitting basis. If you want to ensure your advert appears, normal commercial rates should be applied.

Page 47

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Personal

Pets

Female Focus Classifieds

Autos

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LOOKING FOR A PET?

Turn to the Pet’s pages for details of the many charities who are looking for homes or adoption of their many cats and dogs.

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ARE YOU SUFFERING through another person drinking? Help is available Al-Anon meets every Thursday in Benidorm at 5pm. The meeting is in Calle Jardines not far from the Railway Station. Our contact number is 634 758 539.

AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS For families and friends of problem drinkers. There are meetings in Torrevieja and Quesada. Phone 692 799 318.

APRILLIA GULIVER 50cc scooter. 7000 on the clock. Very clean condition. German plated. 180€ ONO. Tel: 602 429 806 Pego.

CAR SPEAKER boxed brand new 5 euros Moraira mobile 626 681 614

Computers

Locksmiths

ASUS NETBOOK: Asus netbook windows 7. As new with hard case.

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(Wording only in the Female Focus Magazine.)

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Female Focus Business Directory Built to grow your business

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Female Focus Property Services

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DENIA Detached house in idyllic position on Montgó. Spectacular views of town, coast and mountain. 720m2 plot. 100m2 build. 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, pool (unfinished) & independent garage /studio. Super property but needs reform. €189,000. Contact 657 537 237 for photos.

APARTMENT, JAVEA: For sale Javea, 110 Sq Mt. 3 Bed 2 Bath Apartment, close to the port and walking distance to shops, restaurants, services. reduced to 179,000€, large terrace, underground parking space, communal pool and secured gated entrances. 619 504 963.

CAMPO HOUSE BENISSA: Campo house in Benissa, 2 bedrooms, 400m² plot with new private pool. 150.000€ Inmobiliaria Plaza Mayor, Tel: 629 991 543 or visit www.inmoplazamayor.com.

ATICO IN CALPE: Atico in Edificio Toix, Plaza La Flores, 69m².

98,000€. Inmobiliaria Plaza Mayor, Tel: 629 991 543 or visit:www.inmoplazamayor.com.

REFORMED CHALET CALPE: Reformed chalet 400m from the centre of Calpe in the Benicolada area. 350m² plot, 145m² built. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, terrace, parking, pool. 200,000€. Inmobiliaria Plaza Mayor, Tel: 629 991 543 or visit www.inmoplazamayor.com.

LOVELY STATIC HOME on beautiful residential site near Albatera with pools. Large plot 2 bedrooms bathrooms extensive outside areas 2 terraces. Double glazing central heating to include all furniture fixtures and fittings. Bargain 65,000€ Tel. 96 684 9178 - 694 499 101.

SUPERIOR BUILD LUXURY: 2 storey villa - 372 x 6618. 2. minutes village, (9 restaurants). 40 minutes Alicante airport. Spectacular mountain views. - 4. bedrooms, 4 bathrooms. central heating. Designer pool. Swim up bar. Jacuzzi. Waterfall. Pizza House. 2 car garage.

Summer kitchen/bar. Reduced €335.000. Owner 639 237 835.

FREE PROPERTY ADVERTS

To get your free 3 month property advert send your advert content (up to 40 words) to classifieds@femalefocusonline.com - Please include your name, NIE or passport number and address, this is not for publishing but we must have these details on file. And remember you can also send a photo to go with your advert that will be published with your wording on the website. (Wording only in the Female Focus Magazine.)

Focus-Ad

BARGAIN LUXURY VILLA

Built 2001.

225m2/ 800m2.

West facing.

Lovely sea and hillside views.

Benissa Coast.

4beds / 3baths.

Spa bath.

2 sitting rooms, 2 kitchens, utility.

Large naya.

All upgraded.

E x c e l l e n t decorative order. Gas CH, Double glazing. Auto. gates leading to large driveway. Nice gardens. 9x4m pool with lights. Quiet area. Garage/ workshop/ pump room/ storage. REDUCED from €425,000 to €395,000 for private sale. Tel: 96 649 7841. Mobile: 647 008 223.

Email: jeanprice.spain@gmail.com for photos.