RTN North Edition 602 by Round Town News

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29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

Issue 602

Speaking out for victims by Jack Troughton

Good luck Mr and Mrs Windsor!

MILLIONS WILL follow events at Westminster Abbey today (Friday) as the pomp and circumstance of a Royal Wedding is rolled out for the marriage of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. RTN offers our congratulations and best wishes to William and Kate as they tie the knot in the historic church.

JACQUELINE BURRELL has received messages of support from across Spain after finding the courage to speak about the abuse she suffered at the hands of a violent partner. She thought long and hard before approaching RTN to tell of how she became a victim of domestic violence – nearly losing her life - and her story became front page news last month. “I just hope I might give someone else the strength to go to the police and through the court system and maybe help them to get out of an abusive relationship,” she said. “At the end of the day there are a lot of women who have endured domestic violence – a small majority of men as well – but I am alive and some of them are dead, so I think I am speaking for them as well. “Victims very rarely take it further. They kiss and make up and it goes back into the same circle of violence and on occasion it gets too late – and they are dead.” Jacqueline’s story triggered praise from a number of sources

– lawyers, writers, professionals and other women. JUDGE However, despite former boyfriend Simon Aurand being convicted of assaulting her and her mother in their home in 2009 by a Benidorm judge and later going on the run with a warrant issued for his arrest, she has also been accused of lying. Jacqueline, who lives in the Marina Alta, said: “Obviously you are not going to get everyone on your side but it is unbelievable that people cannot acknowledge such a serious crime and say I am lying. “I am not going to go around like the walking wounded, I am quite strong mentally – I want justice and I know I will get it eventually. “But I am completely innocent. I did nothing to warrant being a victim of domestic violence – my family did nothing to warrant to justify being attacked or watching me being attacked.” Continued on page 3

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

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SAN MIGUEL TORREVIEJA QUESADA ALGORFA ORIHUELA ORIHUELA SAN FULGENCIO LA MARINA MURCIA GUARDAMAR

See our article on page 34

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

British Consulate and the Deputy Delegate’s Office join efforts in fight against domestic violence

Continued from front page She said the courts were provided with all the evidence and her partner as found guilty. “How can people say he is not guilty? It went through all the legal procedures. Why did he run away? It is because he is a coward. CHARM

“”He is good looking and very charming and people think he is a very nice man but they do not know what goes on behind closed doors.” Although Jacqueline has recovered from her physical injuries, she hopes the “inner scars” will heal; in time. “I think after all this I deserve some happiness, it is very difficult to talk about – it took me one and a half years and people say they cannot believe what happened.” Jacqueline, a successful beautician and former

Jacqueline Burrell

model, plans to make a new start back in the UK and wants to live closer to her son. “I just want to put all this behind me and start afresh,” she said. “The difference is that I am not running away but I am going because I

want to make something of myself and start a new life,” she said. “I am really glad I came to RTN and went public to make this dreadful crime known. I do believe he will be caught and justice done but it can be a slow process.”

THE GOVERNMENT Deputy Delegate, Encarna Llinares, and the British Consul in Alicante, Paul Rodwell, met this morning and were joined by the Head of the Civil Guard in Alicante, Colonel Antonio Castro, and the Superintendent of the National Police, Juan Manuel Juárez. Both Ms Llinares and Mr Rodwell highlighted the close collaboration and understanding existing between both institutions “…essential in a first-rate tourist destination for British nationals such as Alicante.” The Deputy Delegate informed the Consul on the “positive public safety results for the past years in the Alicante province, where the crime rate has decreased by 22.1% since 2003.” The British Consul in Alicante stressed the “relevance of security” and congratulated the State Security Forces - the Civil Guard and the National Police Force - for their work and “for achieving these results.” Mr Rodwell also highlighted the joint involvement of the Consulate and the Government Deputy Delegate Office in the

fight against domestic violence. In this regard, “the Consulate has published a leaflet, which includes the support channels and existing resources in the province. It is aimed at women who are victims of abuse and any other individuals who want to report an assault. The Spanish Police Forces will help to disseminate the leaflet”. This leaflet also includes key telephone numbers, such as 016 to contact the national helpline for victims of domestic violence, offering professional advice on support and services, or the Civil Guard 062, the National Police 091, the Emergency Helpline 112 and other addresses of interest, such as those of the Crime Victims Assistance Offices. The details of the British Consulate itself can also be found in the leaflet, since it also offers assistance and support to British nationals. British Consul, Paul Rodwell said: “Domestic violence is unacceptable. We all need to join efforts in order to stop the scourge of domestic violence and provide the available resources for partners who are victims of abuse.”

Students learn local Bike lane half finished history on country walk

A NEW bike lane is almost completed in Dénia, but it will only travel in one direction. The town hall hasn’t enough funding to lay down a bike lane in both directions. The council originally chose to use funds for the Plan E to put a bike lane in place leading from the old town to the hospital. Construction of the single lane has cost approximately €300,000.

Luis

THE ARCHEAOLOGICAL museum in Dénia sent staff to guide an educational walk for students last week. Pupils from Gata de Gorgos learned about local history surrounding the town and how wine production was once of great importance. Latin teacher Vicent Buigues Colomer and archaeologist Josep A Gisbert accompanied the students on the walk.

Adventure of the Seas From Malaga 7 Nights Corsica; Italy; Spain No Flights or Transfers Included 04/06/2011 £1350 from £471 Norwegian Epic From Barcelona 7 Nights | 7 Nights | Balearics; Italy No Flights or Transfers Included 29/05/2011 £1061 from £518 Celebrity Solstice From Barcelona | 12 Nights | Croatia; French Riviera; Italy; Montenegro No Flights Or Transfers Included 07/06/2011 £2736 from £622 Adventure of the Seas From Valencia | 7 Nights | Corsica; Italy; Spain No Flights or Transfers Included 26/06/2011 £1244 from £516 Celebrity Mercury From Barcelona | 12 Nights | Greek Islands; Italy; Malta; Turkey No Flights Or Transfers Included 19/06/2011 £1677 from £865 Carnival Magic From Barcelona | 12 Nights | French Riviera; Italy (Venice); Sicily No Flights or Transfers Included 22/5/2011 £1871 from £615

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

Jobs fear over ‘al fresco’ ban by Jack Troughton COSTA BLANCA businessmen fear jobs will be axed unless a compromise can be reached over the ban on eating and drinking next to the sea. Restaurants and bars in the Marina Alta resort of Javea were ordered to clear tables, chairs, and umbrellas from public areas adjacent to the Med a week before the Easter holiday. Already hit by the recession, owners believe a town hall regulated system should be used in Avenida Marina Espanola in Javea Port – controlling areas they can use along the sea wall for a treasured Shirley Valentine experience, preserving the public right of way and allowing everyone to enjoy the area. Javea Mayor Eduard Montfort ordered the removal of the offending furniture and said police would insure the “illegal” occupation would cease – saying the encroachment breached the Law of the Coasts. He said the town hall had received an official complaint from the coastal authorities and Javea faced losing its Blue Flag status unless it complied with the legislation. ATTRACT Andreas Ortiz, owner of Restaurante Piri Piri, believes the area was a “main tourist attraction” and benefitted the whole town by bringing visitors to Javea. He admitted businesses had occupied too much of the avenue in the past and residents had been inconvenienced. “We would like the help of our town hall in trying to find a

Jávea gives back unspent funds

THE TOWN hall in Jávea has given back €33,396 of unspent funds that were destined for the Plan E but haven’t been spent. The money was supposed to go towards social interest programmes such as projects for adolescents, people with mobility problems, immigrants or people who are socially excluded. The total budget was €299,062. The budget for projects related to building work however, has been spent down to the last euro.

solution that is within the law, something like allowing businesses a concession,” he told RTN. “We would like its help to find agreement with the coastal department, the residents, of course, and all the people who visit Javea.” Andreas said business had suffered over the last three winters and trade was very seasonal as a result. He estimated between 30 and 40 jobs could be lost along the avenue. “For some businesses it will be very difficult to keep open because the terrace sometimes represents 70% of their trade. WINTER

“And it is easy to see how bad the winters have been around the whole of the port by the number of businesses that are up for rent or for sale.” He said while business had suffered in the economic downturn, rents had risen. “In some areas rents have gone down but on the first line, it is against this trend – it is the opposite. “We are paying very high rent and that is another reason it is difficult to keep up without the extra space.” Andreas continued: “We would like a system of licences to use the front and that would mean residents and tourists would have areas to enjoy the sun and sit down.” He said the success of the avenue brought business to the whole of the port by attracting visitors. “If people do not have places here to enjoy themselves they may go to other areas or other towns – that’s not only bad for business but also for the port and all Javea,” he said.

Andreas outside Piri Piri

Spanish teacher wins case against the Catholic Church IN A landmark case the constitutional court in Spain has put an end to the power of the Catholic church to dictate to teachers of religion how they must conduct their private lives. In a process reminiscent of the Spanish Inquisition, teacher Resurrección Galera was sacked when she married a divorced man; one of hundreds of teachers dismissed from

their jobs for similar reasons. Some won cases of compensation but the court has thus far refrained from issuing a directive banning the Catholic bishops’ interference in the private lives of teachers. The decision actively prevents the church from dismissing teachers who do not follow Catholic precepts in their personal relationships.

The court ruled that Galera’s marriage “bore no relation to the plaintiff’s work as a teacher” and overturned the decisions of lower courts that had backed the church. “The truly important thing is that these men cannot get away with this and treat people as if they were in the age of the inquisition,” said Galera, a practising Catholic.

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

Town halls back animal charity by Jack Troughton NEW ANIMAL protection charity Akira and its plans for a dog shelter have won the backing of the mayors of the Marina Alta towns it aims to serve. Benissa Mayor Juan Bautista Rosello and Teulada-Moraira Mayor Antoni Joan Bertomeu have pledged to find council land and money for the project. Akira has been formed with a multi-national board of members, many with a wide experience of working in other dog shelters in the area. The association is already up and running and has raised almost 4,000€ to date and President Wieteke Oosterhaven and committee member Mandy Conway met with the politicians to present Akira’s business plan and ideas for the future. And the mayors agreed to immediately start looking for council-owned land suitable for a dog shelter. They also pledged that money currently spent with the Blue Brigade in Alicante to come and collect abandoned and lost dogs would be diverted to Akira. Mr Bautista explained over the years there had been discussion about such a project in Benissa but it had not been viable for the town hall. KENNELS However, he agreed that with a local and experienced charity taking charge of the situation of building kennels and running the facility it was possible. “This local initiative is very positive and I agree the land should belong to the town hall,” he said. “We will now work together to find various options of available and suitable land.”

(left to right) Mayor Juan Bautista, Mandy Conway, Wieteke Oosterhaven and Mayor Bertomeu with copies of the Akira project

Mr Bertomeu underlined his words, adding: “If we can work and collaborate with an association which has experience and knows what to do, it is ideal.” All parties agreed to a second meeting in June to discuss options for a site and begin the legalities to enable work to start on building a dog’s home. Membership of Akira is 20€ per year and to register or find out more about the charity contact Secretary Elaine Sydney via email at bobsydny@yahoo.co.uk A fun dog show at La Solana Kennels is being staged in aid of Akira on Saturday 14th May. There are 14 classes for pedigree dogs and 14 for mixed breeds. Doors open at 11am with registration at 1pm and showing at 2pm.

Charity scores in auction success

CHILDREN’S CANCER charities will share a 1,000€ jackpot after Manchester United star Javier Hernandez’s prized No 14 shirt was snapped up in a Good Friday auction. Bay Radio hosted the live sale for the shirt – signed by the player nicknamed The Little Pea – a certificate of authenticity, and the bids flooded in to raise money for Magpie Race for Life Javea. (centre) And the money will be shared by ASPANION and AECC with the Infantil after being donated to the Marina Alta via Nadine shirt and Bay Radio of Javea Studios – her father Tony Wheelan is a former presenters player who is assistant manager of the prized Old Trafford Bob and youth squad. Noelle

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Magpie Latham, of Race for life, said the shirt was donated as part of events linked to February’s International Children’s Cancer Day and would be split equally between the two beneficiaries. And she explained how the 22-year-old Mexican international – on top form for United this season – came by his unusual tag. “His father is known as ‘Pea’ because of his green eyes, so his son became ‘Little Pea’. “He scored his first international goal against France – and in 1954 his grandfather for Mexico against France, and his father was in the 1986 Mexico World Cup squad.” And she said subject to town hall approval this year’s Race for Life in Javea was scheduled for 16th October.

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

Spain’s Brain Drain by Jan Gamm SPAIN IS feared to be on the brink of a ‘brain drain’ as a generation of skilled and qualified young professionals pack their bags and head for the UK and Northern Europe to seek more satisfying work and higher remuneration. Degree graduates in Medicine, Geology, Business and Accounting are among those forming a mass exodus of job seekers sickened by the lack of work opportunities available in Spain. INDEPENDENCE For many that are either newly qualified or working in a first job role for an appalling rate of pay, emigration represents independence. In Spain the low average salary rate forces young people to live at home as they are unable to afford rent independently and have no hope of getting onto the property ladder to purchase a home of their own. An intern in Spain, for example, earns around 300€ per month; hardly enough to cover travel to work. Yet in Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel is actively involved in generating work for young professionals and

the country welcomes degree graduates with open arms. Not surprising then that the number of Spanish nationals living abroad has increased by 20% in the last three years and the number of twenty to twentyfive year olds that are newly qualified but leaving to work has risen to 43%.

Remove the sticker for a safer holiday

LANGUAGE And graduates are eagerly seeking language tuition in English and German to facilitate a move to more profitable parts of Europe. Geologist Ignacio Zafra was living with his parents in Madrid, having lost his job. He turned down an offer of a job working as a salesman and when his benefits ground to a halt he sought work in UK. He now works in Aberdeen: “I know that things are bad in the UK as well, but they will never be as bad as in Spain. The labour market in UK is much more active.” Other Spaniards are seeking work in Spanish-speaking enclaves such as Brazil and Argentina. However, the five million immigrants that landed in Spain in the last decade are here to stay, despite offers of free air tickets and a financial payoff in return for an undertaking not to return for some years.

A timely reminder from Neighbourhood Watch in Spain (Vecinos Cooperando). The number of holiday makers coming to Spain is now noticeably increasing and the first step to an enjoyable stay to those hiring a car would be to carefully remove the car hire sticker (should there be one) from the rear of the car at its pickup point (airport etc) thus making it difficult for any thief to identify them as holidaymakers (a prime target). The following easy to remember tips are worth following to help you have a good holiday. 1. When going out to the beach or market etc take only what you require. 2. Lock all gates and doors in your accommodation. 3. Make sure all windows are closed and secured. 4. In the house or car do not leave any valuables where they can be seen. Skilled and qualified young professionals are packing their bags and heading for the UK and Northern Europe

Stab victim dies

POLICE ARE investigating the murder of a 25-year-old man who was stabbed to death in Benidorm earlier this month. The 25-year-old was from Pedreguer. The incident took place on Calle Tomas Ortuño in the town centre, at 4.45am. Nothing is known about the motive for the attack.

Three records broken in one day! by Chris Sinclair GOOD FRIDAY was indeed a very, very, very ‘Good Friday’ for the charity Help for Heroes. The Costa Blanca North H4H Supporters Group held their auction at El Cid Restaurant in Benidoleig and the event was so incredibly well supported, that at the end of the day, the auction team informed those present that three records had been broken. Despite initial thoughts that this was due to clumsiness, it was soon realised that it was due to the fantastic support of the general public who packed the auction room. It was their generosity which enabled, organiser, Keith Deacon, himself an ex-serviceman, to confirm that over 3,000€ had been raised - this was the highest amount ever raised at an El Cid charity auction. The other two records which were smashed that day were the highest number of lots available (302), and the fact that, amazingly, everyone dug deep in their pockets to ensure that every single lot was purchased. There were some amazing bargains to be had, with some brand new items going for a song. Another group of individuals, who gave their time to entertain those present, were the Costa Barber Singers, who are a multi-national Barbershop singing group, founded in Spain in 1988. One member, Hugh Norton, will also be

Auction in full swing

doing his own fund-raising event for H4H later in the year, when he will be walking Hadrian’s Wall. In addition to the auction, the raffle raised a further 575€ and Liz and Len from Bar Gat in Benigembla were the winners of the first prize which was an overnight stay at the Marriot Hotel. The remaining prize winners have all been notified and have received their prizes. Keith and his wife, Joan, were almost speechless at the support they received, and are extremely grateful to all who had helped to make the day so successful. Thanks also go to Lesley Cockayne and friends who kindly donated 50€ to the fund. The final total has not been officially announced yet, but a ‘Cheque Presentation’ will take place on Friday, 6th May,

by which time even more money will have been added, as Peter and Avril of Vernissa Park, Benigembla will be holding a Royal Wedding Garden Party, where all those attending will be asked to make a donation to H4H. Help for Heroes was founded by Bryn and Emma Parry in October 2007 out of a desire to help the wounded Servicemen and women returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. The message of the charity is simple: “We are strictly non-political and non-critical; we simply want to help. We believe that anyone who volunteers to serve in time of war, knowing that they may risk all, is a hero. These are ordinary people doing extraordinary things and some of them are living with the consequences of their service for life.”

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

Adam wins gold by Patricia Thompson Downs Syndrome Swimmer Adam Stewart came back to Spain with a fist full of medals after competeing in the European Downs Syndrome Swimming Championships held at The Quays in Southampton on the 16th and 17th of April. Adam took part in 6 individual events plus 2 relay races for Team España. Adam won a gold medal in the 200 meter Butterfly with a new personal best time. Also 3 silver medals in the 400 freestyle, 100 butterfly and the 50 butterfly and 2 bronze medals in the 200 freestyle and 4 x 50 team relay.He was awarded a rosette for 4th

Disabled woman rescued from fire

CHOKING SMOKE and a blazing fire engulfed the home of a 78-year-old wheelchair-bound British woman in the Vega Baja last week. Her husband had gone out, forgetting that he had left a pan of food cooking on the stove. When firemen arrived at the scene, smoke was escaping from under the door, so they broke the door down. The woman was rescued and treated for smoke inhalation.

place in the 100 freestye event. Adam now trains 7 days a week under a new coach John Dyer , which includes gym work at the OK gym. He is now working towards the Spanish Regionals in May, the European Disability Competition in September in the UK and The European DS Championships in November in Portugal and the Downs Syndrome World Championships in Italy next year. For Adam to attend any of these event he is looking for sponsorship to help in his training and travel to each of these competitions. If you can support him contact the newspaper who will forward on your details.

Adam with his Medal

Easter road-death toll

37 people died over the Easter period on Spanish roads

By Jan Gamm DURING THE period monitored by police from 3pm on Good Friday to midnight on Easter Monday, a total of 37 road users were killed in Spain, with a further 15 seriously injured and 26 with minor injuries. This represents a less tragic statistic than last year’s figure of 44 deaths and an alarming 249 injuries. It is thought the reduction in road casualties could be the result of many festivities being cancelled due to the inclement weather over Semana Santa. With more stormy weather expected this weekend, Trafico advises checking on the state of the roads before departing on a journey, by visiting the Trafico website at www.dgt.es or calling 900 123 505. Traffic status may also be checked via mobile phone: 505 – Movistar; 141 – Vodaphone; and 2221 for Orange.

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

Alan Gilchrist The Costa Blanca’s Top Hypnotherapist

Trichotillomania: Compulsive Hair Pulling

I AM sure a lot of people reading this will have at some time or other heard the expression, “…they were so worried/ angry / grieving, they were ready to pull their hair out.” Hard as it may be to believe, there is a condition that causes some people to actually pull out their hair - it is called ‘Trichotillomania’ (pronounced: trik-oh-till-oh-may-nee-ah). Trichotillomania, compulsive hair pulling, is a type of psychological condition that involves very strong urges to pull out hair. Doctors originally believed the condition was rare, but it is now estimated to be a chronic habit disorder of over 8 million people, and affects more females than males. It is surprising that very few doctors have actually heard of this condition, but over the years I have treated hundreds of people with this problem. People with Trichotillomania pull their hair out at the root from places such as the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or pubic area, in fact anywhere where there is hair on their body. Some people pull large handfuls of hair, which can leave bald patches on the scalp or eyebrows, while others tend to pull one strand at a time. Trichotillomania isn’t just an ordinary habit that a person can easily stop; it’s a type of compulsive behaviour giving an overwhelming urge to pull out hair. People with Trichotillomania may have other compulsive habits, such as nail biting or skin picking, as well as possibly having depression or anxiety. Two recent clients that I treated both had to seek help for this, as it was affecting their everyday lives. One, a teacher, started pulling the hair just behind her ears, as it could not be noticed. Since

she had very long hair she was able to disguise it with great effect, but after a while this developed right across her whole scalp until she had no alternative but to wear a wig. Another, young girl of twelve had pulled all her eyelashes out and it was now progressing onto her eyebrows. Her friends had started to notice this and were now teasing her about it. People with Trichotillomania may feel embarrassment, frustration or shame about their condition.

They may worry about what others will think of them and they usually try to hide their behaviour from other people. There are many theories as to why people would do this. In my opinion it is because they are feeding off their endorphins. Whenever a person pulls out their hair, after the initial sting the body then produces chemicals called opioids, or endorphins, to reduce or block the spread of pain messages from the body through the brain. These chemicals produce an effect similar to the action of some pain relief drugs, such as heroin, morphine, anaesthetics, etc. All these are capable of numbing pain but are also able to produce pleasurable sensations when used. Opioids also play a role in feelings of pleasure and reward, and in responses to stressful situations, and may even be involved in the ‘runner’s high’ felt during strenuous exercise. Any relief that comes with hair pulling usually only lasts for a moment or two, and the person feels powerless to control the urge to pull, and starts the cycle once again. It’s for this very reason I feel that the hair puller is using it as a type of pleasure sensation, just like a

drug addict. Whenever I quiz them about why and when they do it, most say it’s usually under times of stress. Some say that they notice a satisfying feeling when they pull their hair out, plus it has now become a habit and the urge always returns, and they feel they simply can’t stop it. My method to correct this is quite simple. First, since the mind is now ‘hooked’ on its endorphin rush, I recommend to the client to wear a rubber band on their wrist and each time that they feel the urge to pull a hair out, snap the rubber band against their wrist. This helps in 2 ways: If you think of the mind like a computer and it starts this action, just like a programme, the best way to stop it completing is to put a bug in it. By snapping the band it brings into play a new action that the mind hasn’t done before, which in turns weakens the memory pattern. By snapping the rubber band it also satisfies the mind by introducing the endorphins, but now in a different way, and it is still getting its “fix”. By combining this advice with my Fast Track hypnosis to help remove the habit and instil confidence once again into the client the results are very good. It normally takes approximately four sessions to achieve this (it takes time for the hair to grow) as well as support and practical advice about how to reverse this powerful habit. Alan holds his Fast Track Hypnosis sessions in Cabo Roig,Guardamar and Benidorm. For an appointment, Brochure, or free of charge initial consultation, contact Alan Gilchrist on 659 229 408 or visit www.alangilchrist.com

“Let me out or let me die…”

Miguel Montes Neira

by Patricia Thompson SPAIN’S LONGEST-serving prisoner for non-violent offences is on hunger strike. 61-year-old Miguel Montes Neira has been in prison since 1976. He was originally incarcerated for desertion but clocked up the years through a series of offences that included escaping whilst on compassionate release. Montes’ lawyer, Felix Angel Martin, had stated that his client warned he would hunger strike if he had not been released by the age of 61 - his 61st birthday fell on Saturday. Announcing his hunger strike from his hospital bed inside Huelva prison, Montes does not understand why, after all his “…years of pain…” he is not allowed his freedom. His recent clemency petition to the Supreme Court in Spain was denied, effectively condemning him to stay in jail until 2021. In poor health, Montes has Hepatitis C and also Tuberculosis.

Italy and France challenges open borders in Europe

Sarkozy and Berlusconi: mutual interests

By Jan Gamm ITALIAN PREMIER Silvio Berlusconi and French President Nicolas Sarkozy are launching a joint project to stem the tide of middle-eastern immigrants into their respective countries by proposing an end, at least temporarily, to the open border system known as the ‘Schengen’ regime; the arrangement that allows passport-free travel within the EU, seen as the most dramatic step toward European unification to date. During a summit in Rome the two leaders demanded an in-depth revision of the law covering passport-free travel across European states (with the exception of Britain and Ireland), fearing an immigration crisis as a result of unrest in the Middle East. Letters have been penned by the two leaders to the European Commission, urging Brussels to endorse the closure of the Schengen system pending its revision. In recent months nearly 30,000 immigrants from North Africa have flooded into Italy, mostly via Tunisia. And a huge

number of Moroccan nationals head over the borders from Spain into France. European law allows that the Schengen system of free borders may be suspended but only for reasons of national security of one of its member countries. And without support from Brussels, Italy and France have little hope of achieving their goal of shutting down the system. Berlusconi and Sarkozy have been at loggerheads for weeks since Italy allowed visas to Tunisian immigrants, enabling them to move around Europe freely; not a popular move with the Germans and Austrian and not strictly in line with the Schengen regulations. In response, France ‘illegally’ closed its border with Italy and began halting trains to check travel documents. The two have now decided to kiss and make up, ganging up on the rest of Europe after resolving their differences and recognising their mutual interest in controlling Arab and North African illegal immigration.

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

Town hall pioneer NUEVA JAVEA President Ana Vasbinder made a little history when she was first elected as a councillor in the Marina Alta town – and quickly pressed for improvements in key areas. During 12 years of service she has championed the cause of social services, equal opportunities, culture, and especially helping the victims of domestic violence. “I specialised in the area of domestic violence – helping women to get away from very abusive relationships. I was kept busy organising workshops for education, getting victims legal help and also psychological help.” She said she had lived in Javea for more than 20 years. “I was a pioneer; I became the first foreign councillor in the whole of Spain, not just Valencia.” And she said she found victims of domestic violence found it hard to report the crime because they felt ashamed and feared complaints would be dismissed as “normal family problems.” Ana said she created a specialist team and insured the local police were trained to deal sympathetically with people making complaints. ADVICE “You have to train people to help – I in-

sisted there was legal advice available to help women, to discuss what happened to the children and the possibilities of divorce,” she said. “People have legal and psychological problems. “And unfortunately a lot of women are not economically independent – you have to help them become independent.” And when she first entered the town hall she found social services were very basic often based around charities. “I came from Holland where social services are very high on the agenda – it was not very structured here so I carried out an investigation of what people really needed – it was a completely new world because in northern Europe charity is good but it is not enough. “A charity gives the people fish but you really need to teach the people fishing – you have to help people help themselves.” INITIATIVE Ana said she also took on initiatives to help the elderly and those with mental and psychological problems, while providing education for young people with drug and other addiction issues. “For example I started a proper home help

BUSINESSMAN JUAN Planelles heads the list of 21Nueva Javea candidates for the local authority elections on 22nd May – a mixture of working professionals, entrepreneurs and residents bringing international experience to the party. The party’s candidate for mayor is followed by architect ‘Paco’ Catala at number two, with Nueva Javea’s President Ana Vasbinder third in the list. All three currently serve as councillors. Ana told RTN she believed the party could go forward and successfully “manage” town hall affairs after the election. “We have done a very good job in opposition – we do not just criticise but give positive alternatives,” she explained. “We do not just say ‘no’ but put forward another way. “This is possible because Nueva Javea is a party not just of Spanish people but of residents bringing incredible knowledge – English, Dutch and German people who are resident here after retiring but have incredible skills and we are using this knowledge. “We are not politicians but professional and managers. The complexity of the town hall is difficult and you need people with special knowledge to run it successfully.” And she said she was happy colleagues Juan and

EUROPEAN UNION grants could help Javea overcome some of its financial problems, says Nueva Javea President Ana Vasbinder. She said the debt-ridden Marina Alta resort must look for money outside of Spain and EU cash was available – especially for renovation of old buildings and cultural initiatives. Ana said while Spain no longer the largest receiver of grants from Brussels, there were still “hundreds of programmes” where support could be won. “The problem with the BLOC government is it does not know about these programmes and it does not care,” she alleged. “One of my jobs has been finding solutions from the EU in the past – I specialise in raising funds in this way.” She said a new source of funds was very important for Javea – the town hall received 37 million euros in income but had debts of 42 million euros, paying six million euros in annual interest.

This is a party political editorial on behalf of the Nueva Javea Party

service. At the time it was only three women for the whole town – I said it needed improving because of the numbers of elderly people here,” she said. And Ana also insisted that home help, like other services employed professionals and properly trained its workers.” She also modernised the department of

culture to reflect the multicultural population of Javea. “More than 50% of the town is made up of European residents and we had to open the department to everybody. “It was not just for local people who spoke Valenciano but an international department. We started things like the international festival and the jazz festival.”

Nueva Javea’s candidates

Search for EU cash

EMPLOYER And Ana said around 15 million euros was paid out each year in wages to town hall employees. “You have to raise taxes or look for a new kind of income,” she said. “You have to be very careful about raising taxes in a situation of economic crisis.” She warned that the town hall’s financial plight would make things very difficult for the new government after the May elections. “You have to look at where you are spending every single penny and you have to be clever in finding new sources of income,” said Ana. “And at the same time you have to look at reducing spending. “Such a high debt – more than 100% of income – makes things very difficult – that is why we cannot understand why so much is spent on fireworks.”

Ana Vasbinder

(from left) Paco Catala, Juan Planelles and Ana Vasbinder

Paco were above her in the list. “You need young and energetic people. We are Nueva Javea and have to keep things new.” Nueva Jávea’s List for 22nd May: 1. Juan Planelles (owner of the Trastienda Bar) 2. Francisco Catalá Pérez (architect) 3. Ana Vasbinder (director of Hospital Clinica Benidorm) 4. Belén Quiroga (geologist and agent of the property) 5. Ángel Miralles (businessman) 6. Ricardo Márquez Vidal (businessman) 7. Marja Schermacher (businesswoman) 8. Kristina Olmedo Sáez (businesswoman) 9. Julio Sela (architect) 10. Javier Ribes (businessman) 11. Irmy Uding 12. Keith Hyde 13. Carmen Vicens (teacher and radio DJ) 14. Julio César Alvarez (businessman) 15. Juan Soldevilla ( businessman) 16. Leopoldo Fabra (retired civil servant) 17. Pía Bermudez (shop owner) 18. Monique Troisfontaines (Owner of Al Marge Art Gallery) 19. Carlos López (journalist) 20. Carmen Arias 21. Alicia Giner

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Glad to hear it SO PLEASED to see in last week’s edition that Maurice Boland has decided to come back on radio - he has been missed by me and loads more listeners I am sure. Talk Radio Europe has not been the same since he left I am afraid, and I must say he had no friends there everyone makes mistakes in life and at least he had the guts to hold his hands up and admit his error. We all know what some young ladies are like at that age and I am sure it wasn’t all Maurice’s fault. Let’s hope it’s not long before he is back on a radio station that we can receive on the Costa Blanca. It would a change to hear someone who speaks English; I´m a little tired of listening to Scotch and Irish accents every day. Well done Maurice. I am sure you have the good wishes of many people - looking forward to hearing you again. All the best M. T. G.

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letter of the week

Yet another scam A WOMAN from Telefonica will phone you and ask you to confirm your bank details. She is very abrupt and rude, and will only speak in Spanish. She is persistent and convincing. If you refuse to give them, she will threaten to cut you off immediately and she will know your phone number, your full name and your address. It’s a scam. She’s got your name and address out of the telephone directory. This is genuine advice, as I was at my sister’s house this afternoon when they tried to work it. Harry Southgate Calpe

Thanks to everyone for all your help Thank you RTN for your coverage and support of this years sponsored high heel hike for Help for Heroes in Benidorm. You really helped to make the event a huge success!! The photo is of me visiting the Help for

Heroes office in Tidworth to hand over the final amount raised - an incredible 17,679€. In the picture are some of the volunteers from H4H, my son Andrew and his colleague Dan (both will be returning to Afghan in March for 6 months). As some of you are already aware, I am going back to live in the UK shortly. Consequently, I will be not be printing a Coast2Coast magazine for May so I would really appreciate it if you could please print this picture to let everyone know how much money was raised and to pass on my thanks to everyone who contributed and/or participated. Sam

Treated like second class citizens I refer to the competition for the best golf club in south east Spain. I will not enter because none of the clubs that I have used in Spain deserve the title. There is a letter in RTN mail, from Alan Bessell, that sums up most golf clubs in this area. My wife and I play golf at La Marquesa, where the majority of the staff treat us with complete disdain. We have been playing here for 11 years and the Director of Golf does not even acknowledge us. We pay our extortionate fees every year and once they are paid we become 2nd class citizens, compared to the feepaying mugs. Arriving at the course reminds me of the time that I was a schoolboy and always approached school with the thought that I was going to be chastised about some small

misdemeanour, (teachers were like that, so is our caddie master). Saturday 23 April was a case in point: a group of us reserve 3 tee times every Saturday - we get no preferential treatment (i.e. consistent tee times) despite have played regularly on Saturdays for over seven years. This Saturday our first tee time was booked for 9.54am. After the first group had teed off, the caddie master arrived on the tee and told the remaining members in our group that we had been changed to 11.45am. The people who were taking our place were fee paying visitors: we refused to budge. The reason that we use this course is because we are members of Eurogolf GS and we like the society and its members. La Marquesa gets upward

No evidence to these claims WITH REFERENCE to an article in edition 601, regarding the 600,000 signatures to revise the no smoking ban: in a recent report issued by the Spanish government, over 50,000 people died last year with smoke related illnesses, and 3 in 9 passive smokers will develop lung cancer. Whilst I respect smokers’ rights to choose to smoke and join the queue to be one of the 50,000 who die prematurely each year, I don’t want to be one of the 3 in 9 passive smokers that

of 250,000€ per year from the society but will not listen to any queries or suggestions from our membership. In any case we have played on numerous courses in this area and they all seem to treat us as an inconvenience. I have played golf in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, China and Britain and everywhere I have been treated as a valued customer: not here. I would like you - and RTN - to campaign for better treatment for the ex-pat community on all courses in this area rather than give undeserved awards to golf clubs that are only better than the rest because the rest are so bad. To finish I would like to congratulate you and Dave Curtis for the way Sam is developing as a player and a person: what a super young man. Best regards, Brian Green

Not forgotten ANNIE ALICE TRIMBLE was one of the loveliest ladies you could possibly meet. Every Saturday morning Alice would help in the Alzheimer’s Association charity shop behind the main church in Torrevieja, always smiling and willing to help. Every Tuesday morning, her smile would ‘meet and greet’ you from the reception desk at the Age Concern Drop-in Centre in La Siesta. If you were unfortunate enough to be in the Torrevieja Hospital, it was very likely Alice would pop in, in her role as a Hospital Visitor with HELP. Alice was a friend to all who met her, and she made sure she met as many people as possible. Over the past months during Alice’s brave battle with cancer, not once did we hear her complain; she gave all her visitors that lovely smile and made you feel you were the one she most wanted to see. Alice’s many friends and neighbours would like to thank HELP Vega Baja, who organised Care4You to help care for Alice during her last two weeks in Spain, before her relatives took her back to Ireland, where she spent her final week in a hospice. No more pain, Alice - just the rest and peace you so deserve. Alice had had a very interesting life before she came to live in Spain, leaving her native Ireland as a young girl to work in England, Australia and South Africa. This little lady with a big heart had had a colourful and rewarding life. We won’t forget you Alice.

will have their lives cut short because of the selfishness of these 600,000 smokers. Their arguments are that local economies suffer and that bars and restaurants have had to close: in my locality of La Zenia I have seen no evidence of these claims. What I have seen are that lots of bars have erected ‘toldos’ to accommodate their smoking clients. I buy a lottery ticket every week with odds of millions to one of me winning so the odds given to me as a passive smoker don’t look good - so think again before you pursue this campaign. John, La Zenia

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29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

testing in Spain to Terra Mitica riding high DNA be linked across Europe by Jack Troughton

THEME PARK Terra Mitica aims to be the ultimate experience across Europeand become a benchmark for excellenceafter a 7 million euro investment. The Costa Blanca attraction plans to welcome over one million visitors this year and President Georges Santa-Maria is confident Terra Mitica will be the theme park the competition must measure up to. This summer the Benidorm theme park is opening its doors longer and expanding the number of days visitors can enjoy new attractions – while ticket prices have been frozen. Mr Santa-Maria said he was confident Terra Mitica would become Europe’s leading theme park. “We have the experience, equipment, and excellent strategic partner – the town of Benidorm.” He underlined the support he had received from the institutions, associations, and the tourist bodies, and was committed “not to disappoint.” And he said the “target” set by the new management team was to have one million visitors passing through Terra Mitica in 2011. The refurbished park has been made environmentally sustainable and Terra Mitica offers four new shows and 15 food outlets – including the intriguing Buffet of the Pharaohs.

By Jan Gamm SPAIN’S NATIONAL police have confirmed that DNA testing, a relatively recent innovation in Spanish forensic investigation and introduced in Spain in November 2007, has been directly responsible for the successful prosecution of an impressive 7,500 cases since its inception, including more than 50 acts of terrorism and a series of murders, rapes and burglaries. Genetic information on 183,000 people is stored in the Spanish DNA data bank but it is imperative that the bank is linked to those of other European police forces to achieve maximum efficiency in securing convictions. In addition to assisting in crime investigation, DNA testing in Spain is a key factor in identifying remains of victims of the Spanish Civil War.

Dénia tourist office reports thousands of visitors

MORE THAN 1,700 tourists visited Dénia tourist office over Easter, indicating that tourism is healthy in the region. Figures show that 56 percent of visitors were from Spain, mostly from Madrid, followed by valencianos and visitors from Catalonia. Hotels reported 75 percent occupancy rates for the Easter week.

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

Now and then by Jack Troughton BRITISH CONSULS past and present had a chance to compare notes when Patrick Campbell visited Alicante to meet the current diplomat Paul Rodwell. The biggest change from Mr Campbell’s experience – he held the post between 1993 and 1999 – was the explosion of UK nationals living in the consular district – according to official statistics almost seven times higher. In 1996, according to the Instituto Nacional de Estatisticas, there were 24,500 British nationals in the five provinces of Castellon, Valencia, Alicante, Murcia and Albacete. Now there are 167,000. However, then as now, many people were not registered on the ‘padron’ and a key message remains for all citizens to insure they are on the official town hall list – the reasons why it is so crucial are explained at the British embassy website www.ukinspain.fco.gov.uk CHALLENGE Mr Campbell and Mr Rodwell also took the opportunity to discuss the changing challenges faced by the consulate team as well as how the operation had changed over time. And Mr Campbell said he enjoyed the visit. “It was good of the Consul to show an old-timer over the present operation at the Consulate. Computers cam in during my term but the system we had then could not compare technically with the operation of today. “Mr Rodwell and I were able to swap experiences of past and present. It was reassuring to see all the traditional services to Britons in place as well as additional ones that greatly benefit the British community.” And Mr Rodwell said he had found the visit useful. “It was really valuable to learn about how things were done in the past. Patrick had already identified the importance of supporting the resident population and was working in partnership with charities in the area.2

Traffic accident kills man A CAR crash on the N332 near Villajoyosa last week has left one 81-year-old man dead and seven people seriously injured. Initial reports say that there was a head-on collision between two cars. Four women, a man and two children are now in hospital in Villajoyosa.

Mr Rodwell (left) and Mr Campbell

Seville Good Friday processions cancelled

FOR THE first time in nearly 80 years, the six all-night processions marking Easter Week in Seville had to be cancelled due to torrential rain that made the streets too treacherous. The last occasion the processions were cancelled was around the start of the Spanish Civil War. The celebrations were called off at the last minute, resulting in tears of frustration for those that had invested significant effort and money into the

organisation of the solemn ‘La Madruga’ processions. The cancellation was particularly disappointing for the ladies due to take part in the penitents’ processions for the first time, marking an end to the male domination in the role that has so far been a fixed and accepted feature. Participation involves carrying holy images on the shoulders, shuffling barefoot for hours through the streets

in cramped conditions beneath a load weighing up to six tonnes. Such a heavy load on the wet and slippery streets could have caused major accidents and injuries. This year, the Archbishop of Seville published a decree putting an end to the gender-based discrimination that allowed only male participants in the processions that should have begun at midnight on Good Friday and continued until dawn.

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

Yorkshire Linen’s terrier spirit by Jack Troughton YORKSHIRE LINEN might be known as the soft furnishings superstore but the busy shops in Javea and Altea have expanded to fight the recession-hit market. Garden furniture, colourful kitchen equipment, gadgets and even greetings cards are now on display and being snapped up by customers. All are top quality and all are discounted to insure they are available at prices that are affordable and in demand. The Javea store has been open for five years and owner Mark Roberts opened the Altea premises on 21st February this year – the shop is just off the N332 between Altea and Albir, next to the Mercadona supermarket. “We have had to carefully expand the range of products available in our stores,” explained Mark. “We could not survive on linen alone when the market hit the bottom – we had to think very hard about what we did and present a different overall package to tempt the customers back in. “People do not just come here for linen anymore. In the UK, Yorkshire Linen is called the soft furnishing superstore, and that was accurate, but we are a different animal. MARKET “And in the UK as well, the market has changed since the crisis hit in 2008, you have to work harder getting people into your store.” Over the last 12 months the price of cotton has doubled. Mark said it meant many people were buying fewer soft furnishings and buying them less frequently. He began to stock kitchen equipment – many in a rainbow of eye catching colours – and offered items that were difficult to get in Spain. Yorkshire Linen still stocks duvets, covers, bedspreads, pillows, curtains and cushions but there are now shelves packed with oven proof baking trays, microwave dishes, even collapsible colanders. And a new initiative is the large sets of garden furni-

ture at unbeatable prices. Mark added he was importing the high quality furniture “which normally cost a fortune here in Spain” by the container load. He told RTN: “It is what we have to do – provide value for money - at the moment that is the secret of our success; you have to give customers value for money. “With the price of cotton that is quite difficult but even with the price having doubled in less than a year, our sheets, for example, are actually only 20% more than they were five years ago. DOUBLE “We do not make as much profit margin anymore but you cannot just double the price when the supplier does because people will obviously say it’s too much.” He revealed that European clients felt Yorkshire Linen was cheap. “For example, Dutch people here on holiday buy all sorts of things and take them back to Holland because they say we are cheaper.” And Mark said many British expats had been hit by the fall in the exchange rate of sterling against the euro – so once again Yorkshire Linen was offering a rate of 1.20€ to the pound. “Again we have done that because a lot of pensioners get paid in sterling and transfer money over into a sterling account and convert the cash when they need it – offering 1.20€ to the pound for all goods purchased in our stores paid for in sterling means they are getting a very good deal.” And he said the Altea shop was opened to service the many Northern Europeans living in the Marina Baja who in general were very demanding of good quality products at reasonable prices “which is most definitely my target market.” The other major factor for the continued support of a loyal customer base has been the introduction of discount loyalty schemes. “We have loyalty card schemes for companies and individuals, ranging from villa rental companies to sports clubs, restaurants, and even the gay community – offering them all volume discounts on all our products that keep bringing them back time after time.”

Eye catching colours for the kitchen

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

Grim in Gozo Watts In Britain By

Paul Watts

LAST FRIDAY as I drove alongside the River Tame from Lichfield to Tamworth, I passed pubs full to the brim. I know they were full to the brim because all the pub gardens overflowed with happy people revelling in the sun and 26c temperatures. Sartorially-challenged barrel-bellied blokes in tight tee-shirts and ill-fitting shorts supped on their beer and pulled on their fags while somehow displaying that life does not get much better when the sun comes out. “And this,” I thought smugly, “is how it’ll be for me and the missus next week in Spain.” After nine long months we were well due a visit to the Costa Blanca. So then, can you guess which sap said, “Na, don’t bring a jumper or a fleecy love, it’s gonna be at least as warm as this?” Yes folks, that sap was me; I think the golden rule is: if I am coming to Spain you’d be best advised not to. I seem to attract dark rain clouds or air traffic control disputes. But despite rumblings, the air traffic control boys remained firmly at their posts; I took it to be a good omen. However, on Easter Monday as we splashed along a wet Altea seafront the talk was ‘weather’ to buy a brolly (that morning we’d awoken at four to the sound of the rain cascading over the shutters and bouncing noisily on the balcony below) and a jumper or fleecy. But, you know, I wasn’t downhearted I could see Albir seafront across the bay (which always lifts your spirit) and I held a belief that before long the sun would ‘pop’ out; and, praise be, by Monday afternoon it had. Today is Tuesday and as I bash these words out in the bowels of the RTN Media Centre in La Nucia I know that when I re-emerge into the light the sun will be glaring like mad. I also know that ’er indoors is currently on a mission in the stores at La Marina, so in deference to my wallet I’d better get a move on. So to business… RTN reader Francis Waring emailed saying: “Wattsie, I’m annoyed - last week you left us dangling.” Fran wants to know what happened to us ATC cadets. She asks, “What happened after the drunken night in Gozo? What was the punishment meted out to the

No 1 (overseas) ATC Squadron all forgiven and heading back to Cyprus

boys?” Hmmm, well Fran we were not very popular with our superiors. They took our behavior very personally indeed; we were total ‘let-downs’. The next morning they had us on parade very, very early and we were subjected to the most foul and wholly unsuitable language. We swayed gently, still a bit dizzy, as they barked and cursed at us. We were given a lot of ‘square bashing’ (aka, a lot of marching about) on the parade ground followed by an extremely lengthy bollocking from our CO. We then spent an age clearing the mess from the preceding night. And oh boy was there a lot of it. Broken bottles, litter, fag ends, large dried pools of vomit and busted chairs all scattered over the camp. It was mid March and very bleak on Gozo. Overhead it was dark and brooding and the wind whipped around angrily, chasing our rubbish everywhere. Finally, after an age, we were called in for some porridge (I’m sure

that’s a trade description offence). It looked like grey slop and tasted probably not unlike the dried pools of vomit we’d just cleared up. Finally, we were corralled into waiting three-ton Bedford trucks and driven to the far side of the island. Inside, as we bounced along Routley feared the worse. He was worried they might machine-gun us as we jumped down. “They did that in the Great Escape,” he ventured. Far from machine gunning us they turfed us out of the trucks, chucked compound rations and four maps on the ground and in a cloud of dust roared away. “Find yer own fookin’ way back,” was the snarling order from our rapidly retreating instructor. And then Fran, just like Easter Monday in Spain, it started to rain: as I said last week - Happy Easter days. Oh well, I must be off the sun is still shining and the beach at La Cala in Finestrat calls… Watts in Spain, soaking it up…

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

Current account for refuge

Busy friends help charity

Charity volunteers present the cheque

by Jack Troughton CASH DONATED to supply electricity to the new hospital wing at the Franciscan Refuge in Gandia has topped the 30,000€ mark. Donations made by the Original Charity Shop and Library and fund raising events have boosted the total but a further 60,000€ is needed before an essential transformer can be installed. Charity volunteers travelled to Gandia to present Brother Guillermo with the latest cheque for 5,000€ - but they are calling for charities and fund raisers to support the project and help reach the target. A charity spokesman told RTN: “The new hospital wing is ready but cannot be used for a lack of electricity, and all our appeals to Iberdrola have fallen on deaf ears.” A special bank account has been opened to collect donations: Transformer Luz, Centro de Acogida San Francisco de Asis, Palma de Gandia at the Banco de Valencia, Account no: 0093 0356 75 0066289637. For further information visit the charity’s website www.charityshoplibrary.com

Mary Stevens

By Jack Troughton BIG HEARTED Mary Stevens and friend Tina Hill raised 392€ for Jalon Valley HELP by staging an Orba coffee morning. Mary – known throughout the Marina Alta for making delicious jams and pickles – has been a loyal member of the charity for over 20 years and staged the event in Tina’s garden. And after enjoying coffee and cakes, guests took the opportunity to pick up a bargain at the stalls. The pair’s next project is a dinner dance with cabaret group Menage a Trois in aid of HELP of Denia and the Marina Alta on Saturday 28th May at the El Cid Restaurant, Benidoleig. Tickets are 16.50€, including a three course meal and half a bottle of wine, and the event starts at 7pm for 7.30pm. Dress code is smart casual and reservations can be made by calling Mary on 96 558 4146 or Tina on 96 558 4135. Jalon Valley HELP’s annual May Fayre takes place on Sunday 15th May at the Jalon car park and home of the weekly ‘rastro’. Running between 11am and 2pm, there will be more than 50 stalls, a grand raffle tombola and refreshments. The popular event is one of the charity’s biggest fund raisers with attractions for all the family.

- 21 october 2010 2915 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

23 25

Easter profits soar despite poor weather by Jan Gamm DESPITE THE inclement weather over Easter, the hospitality industry has seen a bumper crop of customers seeking the irresistible sun, sea and sand Spain traditionally offers holiday makers. Delighted hotel managers in coastal resorts are enthusiastically placing ads for summer bookings following a highly lucrative Easter week. And in Tenerife, the manager of the fully booked four-star Hotel Jacaranda said, “If we could have installed 100 more rooms over this week, we could have filled them!” UPTURN The welcome upturn in business is being attributed to the unrest in the Middle East, killing trade for popular tourist resorts in Egypt and Tunisia. For the first time in three years things are looking up for the tourism industry according to the Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation (CEHAT) and those in the business are determined not to waste an opportunity for recovery.

Levante Beach in Benidorm at Easter, heaving with tourists

Brits make up biggest tourist group to Alicante region NEW STATISTICS released by tourist information offices in Alicante shows that the British made up 34 percent of tourists to the city this Easter. The second-largest group were the Madrileños, making up 25 percent of visitor numbers.

Same sex weddings on the up

More male weddings than female

By Jan Gamm RECENT STATISTICS reveal that in Alicante province more than 700 same sex couples have tied the knot since gay marriage in Spain was legalised in 2005. Marriage is becoming increasingly popular with gay couples despite matrimony taking a dip in trend in recent years amongst heterosexuals. Most couples taking the plunge into matrimonial bliss are men,

with a clear 70% majority over lesbian relationships being sanctified by marriage: the ladies seem to prefer to live together informally. Under the administration of the socialist government, same sex marriages have flourished regardless of opposition from the Partido Popular in the form of an appeal against gay marriage lodged in the Constitutional Court, still awaiting decision.

“We are mo

re t h an j u

st a v oice on the phone”

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

Artist Colin Tofts celebrates 10 years of inspiration by the Marina Alta

JAVEA ARTIST Colin Tofts celebrates 10 years residence in the Marina Alta with a exhibition of paintings – entitled ‘terrazas’, inspired by its terraced hillsides. For the whole of May, the gallery at the Café d’Art in the Port of Jávea will be filled with his highly colourful works. The vibrant colours reflect the tones of the earth – violets, reds, yellows, greens. The sinous shapes of the terraces give movement and rhythm to his work. “Terracing is man’s way of taming the landscape, of making it more accessible and permeable,” says Colin Tofts, “but even terraces tend to follow the natural shape of the terrain. I am fascinated by how many different shapes and patterns terracing can make, dictated by the lie of the land, the need to move rocks or flatten fields. As you will see in my pictures, the permutations are endless.” One Colin Tofts has exhibited regularly throughout his career in both mixed and of many one-man shows and has work in private collections in Javea as well as in Britain, paintings much of Europe and the USA. Recent exhibition venues in the Marina Alta have exhibited included the Café d’Art, Librerias L’Escull and Biblos, the Isabel Bilbao Gallery,aas at the Cafe D’Art well as Xàbia Visual Week in Jávea and La Seu Universitària in Benissa.

- 21 october 2010 2915 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

Health Care IS IT just me or is Spain becoming more like the UK by the day? The smoking ban, dissatisfaction with the austerity measures, the erosion of the power of the unions, the inevitable election results which will see the PP (Conservatives) replace the PSOE (Socialists) at both a local and national level... These are all ‘issues’ that we read about daily in both the British and Spanish press, and in far too many instances they are in effect the same story. By way of example take this week in the Spanish press on the subject of the Health Service. Now, touch wood, I have had very little to do with the health service here in Spain but those that I know that have are full of praise, with the exception of the issue of after care and the fact that it is the responsibility of the family. Three headline stories caught the eye this week, and could well have been written in a British paper: 180,000 Spanish residents would have to pay for FREE healthcare in Spain because they do not pay into the Social Security system, which is the condition required to be entitled to free health care. The 1986 Public Health Law gave the right of access to the public health system to every resident in Spain, but the individual must be paying into the Social Security system, and apparently 180,000 aren’t including those who have never worked or the unemployed who no

longer receive any state benefits, but have income which is higher than the minimum inter-professional salary of 641€ per month. If you have no income at all you are guaranteed coverage but others such as lawyers or architects whose professions are not included within those set out in the Social Security regulations for self-employed workers aren’t entitled to free access. Another report on the same story reported that 300,000 people living in Spain have no entitlement to free healthcare. And here is the bit that reminded me most of the UK: even those who wish to pay social security in order to have free medical treatment are unable to do so if they do not work! I suppose it should be comforting in a way that the whole world is as mad as each other, but of course what that means is that most early retirees (even from EU countries) are not entitled to it. The result? Hundreds of thousands are forced to take out private health insurance policies, because the FREE service isn’t available to everyone! In another health service related story a 30 year old, single Spanish lesbian, has been denied fertility treatment because her hospital in Asturias is ‘under orders’ from the regional ministry to refuse to attend to single heterosexual women, or lesbians.

23 27

And finally, to prove my point further, take a look at this headline “Jobless man, 25, sues parents for monthly maintenance “. Admit it that headline could so easily have been in one of the ‘Red Tops’ in the UK, although to be fair I am not so sure that the outcome would have been the same. The 25-year-old, who does not have a job and does not go to college, lives with his parents, who already provide his food and pay the loan and insurance on his car, without asking him to contribute towards the bills. In addition, he wanted them to pay him 400€ a month spending money which they refused, as they did not have the means, which led to their son taking them to court. Not only did the judge rule in their favour, he also ordered the son to leave home, find a place of his own, and get a job, although the parents have to pay him 200€ a month for two years. In some ways at least Spain is still very different than the UK! Chris runs a expat blog about life in Spain (www.almerimarlife.com) and is a regular contributor to a number of publications and radio stations in Spain, as well as writing a monthly column for the Telegraph Expat site and is a Telegraph Expat guest blogger. He lives in Almerimar with his wife Sands, four cats, two Harleys and more often than not a glass of red.

His column in the RTN is sponsored by Central Contracts (www.centralcontracts.com) a leading car leasing company supplying cars and vans to business users and private individuals. See also http://almerimarlife.com/expat-technology-blog chris@almermarlife.com Social Networks: Twitter - Facebook - Facebook Group

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

Verbs like “gustar”

Spanish lessons by

Jane Cronin

A weekly ‘cut out and keep’ feature helping you to learn basic Spanish for everyday needs

Lesson 155

It’s time to revise a very useful feature of Spanish, namely impersonal verbs. The idea of these is that instead of you doing something, something is done to you. That is possibly one of the least helpful sentences I have ever written. However, help is at hand with a verb we all know well. me gusta I like (it pleases me) te gusta you like (it pleases you): le gusta He/she/ likes it (it pleases him/her) (or formal “you”) nos gusta We like it (it pleases us) os gusta You like it (plural) (it pleases you “lot”) les gusta They like it (it pleases them) (or formal “you” plural) In this “conjugation” the verb is constant, and literally translates as “it pleases”. In other words, something else does something to you - in this case, “to please” rather than you doing something (as in the English “I like” “you like”). We can of course add a subject like this: “me gusta tu vestido” (I like your dress, you dress pleases me) Gustar is just one of a whole number of verbs which behave in the same way. They can all be used in other forms as well (e.g. me gustas – I like you - you please me). However, we are just going to stick to this third person singular form for now. We will change tense though as in “I liked the concert” –“Me gustó el concierto” (can also be “El concierto me gustó”) Translate into Spanish 1. My arm hurts 2. It’s not going to hurt you 3. Your music is disturbing us 4. His comment bothered me 5. It seems strange to me. 6. It seemed strange to me. 7. His attitude worries us. 8. I have a piece of paper missing 9. It seems fine to me

(DOLER) (DOLER) (MOLESTAR) (MOLESTAR) (EXTRAÑAR) (EXTRAÑAR) (PREOCUPAR) (FALTAR) (PARECER)

10. What do you think? 11. It doesn’t matter to me at all 12. We got a lot of food left over 13. I like him a lot. 14. I loved it 15. They are very surprised (3 points for each one – 45 total)

(PARECER) (IMPORTAR) (SOBRAR) (CAER BIEN) (ENCANTAR) (SORPRENDER)

I have tried to keep the English as literal as possible, but in some cases we just have to accept that English is very idiomatic and cannot be translated directly. A few of them are rather nasty, but actually very useful. I was going to go on to the simple past tense at this point, but I’ve got going now on these verbs, so I think we’ll do some more. DAR is a very good source of these kinds of expressions, for example: ME DA IGUAL means – “it’s all the same to me”. What do the following phrases mean? 1. Me da vergüenza 2. Me da pena 3. Me da asco 4. Me da confianza 5. Me da grima 6. “Me da cosa” (2 points each to understand what they mean and an extra one if you get anywhere near a good English translation! – 18 in total) And finally, a few more of exactly the same thing – all of which are things you may hear on a daily basis. 1. Me fastidia mucho esta situación. 2. Nos ha fastidiado el cambio de horario. 3. Me resulta difícil de entender 4. Le resultó imposible de solucionar. 5. Me fascina tu sonrisa. 6. ¿Te interesa este ejercicio? (2 points each) Answers as usual next week. It should be an interesting one.

legal

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

If it’s too good to be true... by

Michael Olmer Solicitor, Link Point Legal and Business Services

THE CURRENT depressed state of the Spanish property market is attracting many buyers hoping to bag a bargain. Banks and builders are holding thousands of unsold properties and are desperate to unload their stock, often at knock-down prices. It is no secret that when the Spanish property bubble burst many builders and developers, known as ‘promoters’, went bust leaving many new estates unfinished. Within a short time many unsold and unoccupied properties were being vandalised and stripped of any saleable fixtures and fittings, and wiring and plumbing ripped out by thieves to sell for scrap. The banks who take possession of these estates engage builders on a profit-sharing basis to finish them off and sell them as fast as possible, often at property sales exhibitions. If you are attracted by a property being sold like this there are a few basic precautions you should take before signing a contract and paying a deposit. Before setting off on your property search take preliminary advice from an independent lawyer and also an architect or engineer. The bank or promoter may suggest that you use their own lawyer, or that you simply rely on the Notary who will prepare the purchase deed. Remember that you are always free to use your own lawyer and that the Notary is not your lawyer but is an impartial representative of the State. It is the Notary’s job to prepare and witness the purchase deed but not to advise or guide you. The profession of building surveyor at a domestic level

does not really exist in Spain, so you will need to find an independent architect or engineer with local knowledge. Ask if you can have the quality of the building work checked by your own architect or engineer before committing yourself to buy. Ask for recommendations, or check the classified columns of this paper where you will find a number of qualified professionals advertising Your lawyer should check that the property been legally built. They should obtain a copy of the planning permission, and if still under construction, the habitation certificate, known as the “cedula” once it is ready for completion of the purchase and for you to move into. Do not be impressed by documents bearing official looking stamps. These may simply be requests for permissions which have not actually been issued. Next, take a look around the development. See if any properties are occupied by genuine owners, rather than short-term tenants or the caretaker and security staff of the bank or builder. If construction of the property has been already been finished and it appears ready for you to move into often referred to as ‘llaves en mano’ – literally ‘keys in your hand’ - ask if it has received the first occupancy certificate or ‘cedula’ which is vital if mains water and electricity are to be connected. If construction has not been completed, make sure that the contract contains a definite date by which the property must be finished, failing which you are entitled to ask for the contract to be cancelled and for your deposit to be returned. If the bank or promoter is offering a guaranteed

mortgage, by law they must have a valuation carried out but this is only to satisfy their own and the government’s auditors that the property is sufficient security for the amount they are lending you, and is not a structural survey of the quality of construction. If the property is on an estate, have the roads and street/lighting, landscaping, and enticing communal facilities such as swimming pools and tennis courts actually been completed and are they in use? If not, insist on a written condition in the contract that they be finished and passed by the local authority by a definite date before you are required to complete on your purchase. Much is made of the 10 year guarantee which builders have been obliged to provide of the quality of their work since the year 2000. This type of guarantee should be backed by an insurance policy known as a ‘seguro decenal’ which can be a large additional cost for a builder or developer and the premium can be as much as 15% of the building cost. What is not generally appreciated is that it is possible for a clause to be inserted in the contract for the purchase of a property which is new or less than 10 years old in which the buyer signs away their right to this guarantee: check that the property you want to buy will definitely have a 10 year guarantee. We at Linkpoint will always be happy to have a preliminary chat with you before you go house hunting. There are certainly bargains to be had but don’t let your heart rule your head or your pocket when looking for your place in the sun.

Calle Andromeda 24, 03581 Albir - Alfaz del Pí, Alicante. Email: client@linkpointlegal.com Web: www.linkpointlegal.com Tel: 96 626 0500 Fax: 96 686 52 77

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

money

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

QROPS or pension reciprocation as a source of funds? by

Stephen Ward & Robert Burns OVER THE past few months the mix of our business has been changing. It remains the case that many expats could do with a significant and immediate cash injection but our ability to deliver this to those that use our services has been enhanced by a new QROPS facility and the pension reciprocation plan. The new QROPS facility available to us is once again in New Zealand. As regular readers will know it is the case that the interaction of UK and New Zealand pension law is such that for the expat who left the UK before 6th April 2006 we can through a transfer of UK pension rights to a New Zealand QROPS arrange for 100% of the fund to be available as a lump sum. For those who left the UK more recently or indeed for UK residents who have UK pension rights we can instead put in place a process which should lead to the availability of a lump sum through the pension reciprocation plan (PRP). The PRP is accessed by first of all transferring your UK pension fund to another UK registered pension scheme. This we can organise through our UK based business Premier

Pension Transfers Ltd. Once the transfer has been processed you may apply for ‘reciprocation’. On acceptance you will be the beneficiary of a financial instrument that actually represents an investment made by another UK pension scheme. You may convert this financial instrument for an immediate lump sum. Even if your pension fund is valued at as little as £20,000 the PRP gives you the ability to have access to a lump sum which after costs will amount to £9,150. We are the only practitioners in Spain who are able to offer both of these facilities. As pension experts operating a team who collectively have over 70 years’ worth of experience you can be sure that we will always be on the lookout for new and innovative products that are capable of meeting the immediate and longer term need of those that choose to use our services. Our involvement in the combination of the QROPS and PRP markets means that we are currently helping over 150 people every month. For some this meant a life-saving ability to access funds when they are not available from any other apparent source. We have saved families from facing the prospect of repossession of the family home; others have seen their business rescued or indeed have acquired funds enabling a new business venture to be set up. Alternatively funds become available for reinvestment in something rather more controllable and visible than pension rights which when otherwise available to you in the years to come may be of little real value. All of the solutions we are able to engineer are using

arrangements that are registered with HMRC. This is of course reassuring to you the client as by definition we are giving you solutions that lie within the letter of the law. For further information about QROPS, Pension Reciprocation and Pension Planning opportunities please email review@qrops.es or see http://www.prempensions.com and http://www.qrops.es and http://www.pensionreciprocationplan.com

THIS ARTICLE IS WRITTEN BY STEPHEN WARD AND ROBERT BURNS, PREMIER PENSION SOLUTIONS S.L., April 2011. Please see our advert on Page 2. At the forefront of the industry with over forty years combined experience with pensions, regulated and authorised, liaising directly with providers and HMRC, Stephen and Robert are two of the leading authorities on QROPS. E: review@qrops.es T: 965 790 918 www.qrops.es www.prempensions.com or www.qropsnz.com

money

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

Your health in Spain We insure our cars, our houses but often do not think about our health. Medical conditions can appear at anytime and anywhere – even in a foreign country. It could be that you need to visit a GP or need a blood test, X-ray or maybe even emergency treatment. The service you will receive in any of these situations depends entirely upon whether you have health insurance. •Have you ever been in a hospital emergency room in Spain and had to wait hours and hours and then also had to deal with the language problems? •Did you ever need to see a specialist – cardiologist, oncologist etc. quickly? •Do you know how to go about organising precautionary or routine cancer tests here in Spain? •Did you ever wonder how to book routine blood tests, mammograms and prostate checks? Many questions and yet only one answer – INVEST IN YOUR HEALTH! Get the personalised service that ASSSA Insurance provide to all our health insurance clients and at prices more favourable than ever before! QUALITY INSURANCE ASSSA offer flexible health insurance cover which meets the different needs and requirements of all clients. There are a number of flexible plans which range from top-up insurance (starting from 41€

per month) to fully comprehensive cover (starting from only 82€ per month). 10% lifetime discount currently available on all PLUS, MASTER and SUMMUM policies and 50% reduction in premium for children on the parent’s policy if under 16 years of age. Fractional payment of the annual premium free of the normal surcharges.

CUSTOMER SERVICES OFFICES ASSSA have multilingual staff working in all of our offices and we work to ensure that the clients are assisted with any questions or requests that they may have. After joining ASSSA you are allocated a personal contact who will speak to you in English and will be there to deal with you directly in terms of medical support, booking hospital appointments, tests etc. You will always have someone to go to or to call when you need assistance and support. PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE Early detection and prevention of cancer is one area of extreme importance to ASSSA and therefore the PLUS, MASTER and SUMMUM policies have all been designed to include mammography, ultrasound & gynaecology examinations and bone density tests for women and cardiology, prostate & urological examinations for men. All tests are carried out once a year and are booked for the clients by your customer service contact.

ASSSA GUARANTEES When you contract a policy with ASSSA, we guarantee the following: •The age you join is the age you stay – premiums will not increase simply because you grow older. •The policy is guaranteed for life! We will not terminate the policy due to illness or a heavy claims year. Many other insurance companies make these promises verbally, but if they do not appear in writing in the actual contract, there is no obligation for them to deliver a first rate service. ASSSA will always guarantee all policies for life and all of our guarantees, terms and conditions will be provided to clients in either English or most other European languages. CHANGING YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY? Has your private health insurance company drastically increased your premiums? Are you unhappy with the current service you receive from your current insurer? Are you tired of receiving all updates and insurance information in Spanish? Call into one of our offices today and receive a personal no obligation quote. Our offices are open Monday – Friday from 9:30 – 1:30 and later appointments or home visits can be arranged.

MAGDALENA KOCZON Altea Tel: 966 882 680 altea@asssa.es ILKA THIEDE Ciudad Quesada Tel: 965 725 421 ciudadquesada@asssa.es ANA MARIA VALERO Denia Tel: 965 786 969 denia@asssa.es KATE TAYLOR Moraira Tel: 965 744 033 moraira@asssa.es KATRIN SASSE Orihuela Costa Tel: 966 761 794 katrinsasse@asssa.es TERESA HOWARD Orihuela Costa Tel: 966 761 794 orihuelacosta@asssa.es

money

A different direction

Suzanne O’Connell Customer Care at Ábaco

IT’S THE domino effect. Someone decides to return to the UK and it sends a ripple through all those around. You might be quite happy and settled here in Spain but just that uncertainty within your community and you find yourself reviewing your decision. It doesn’t happen like that in your country of origin. Every day doesn’t begin with an analysis of the pros and cons of UK residency. Having made the decision to become an expat, it’s always up for review. And some are making that decision to go back. Economic uncertainties; the euro and pound almost on parity; missing the family; there are lots of reasons people return. It doesn’t mean they’ve regretted the experience or that they wouldn’t do the same again, just that at this moment in time a different direction is needed. It’s not a decision that should be taken any more

lightly than the one to move out here. The UK has changed in many ways and the country that you left behind won’t be the one you return to. And it’s not just the country that will have changed - you have too. You may not realise it but you will have slipped in to a different way of living and have a different view of the world. You may not notice it until you try to return to your old one. However, if your mind is made up or your circumstances demand it, make sure that you do it correctly and don’t leave loose ends to trip you up in your new life. For example, it is important that you cancel your Spanish residency and inform your Spanish bank. Your status as resident, non-resident or simply as the occasional tourist makes a big difference to many legal and fiscal requirements including inheritance, capital gains and, of course, your tax declaration. To cancel your residency, take your certificate back to the National Police office where it was originally

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

issued and you will be provided with another stamped document with the date of residency cancellation and the reason for it. Don’t forget that you will still need to complete an annual tax declaration in the year following your departure from Spain as taxes are paid retrospectively. This can be complicated, and you should check with your tax adviser to ensure that there is no tax debt to follow you home. What’s more you’ll have the additional privilege of paying non-resident income tax on your Spanish house if you keep it and choose not to rent it out. It’s a hard decision to make and we hope that not too many people will be making it. However, if we are losing you to the UK we wish you luck and hope you’ll look back fondly on your time and friends in Spain. If you would like a FREE, no obligation tax consultation with one of Ábaco’s friendly team of advisers call the AbacoConnect Help-line 966 703 748. www.abacoconnect.com

“If you would like a FREE, no obligation tax consultation and help with completing your annual tax declaration contact one of Ábaco’s friendly team on ÁbacoConnect Help-line 966 703 748 | www.abacoconnect.com”

Non-payment increases At the end of February, the percentage of non-payment of loans in the financial sector increased to 6.226% from 6.013 the previous month. 6.356% of loans advanced by banks were in default. The total unpaid sum rose from

110,072 million in January to 111,842 million in February. With the increase in the Euribor index and further increases anticipated during the year, we can expect another increase in non-payments.

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•Mortgages •Currency Exchange •Funeral Plans

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58.92% of companies not paying on time An investigation shows that during the first quarter of this year 58.92% of Spanish companies did not pay their suppliers within the agreed time limit. The average delay in payments was 29 days, worse than the same period last year, when the delay amounted to 21 days. The worst sector is the public administration, with a delay of 40 days.

legal

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

Revocation (contesting) of a Spanish will due to incapacity of the testator by

Carlos Baos

of White & Baos Abogados English & Spanish Solicitors

DURING THE past few years we have received several enquiries in relation to the possibility of revoking a Spanish Will due to the lack of capacity of the testator or testatrix. This can occur when the testator is an elderly person living alone who can be conditioned or influenced by third parties. In this regard we can advise that within the Spanish legal system several Spanish Court precedents are already established, meaning that it is potentially possible to revoke a Will due to lack of capacity of the testator. We should remember that the starting point is the presumption of the testator’s capacity to make a will, and the presumption in favour

of the will, which means that in principle it will be acknowledged that the Will is valid and the testator had the capacity to grant it, unless proven otherwise. Thus it is assumed that the testator had capacity to grant the Will, and therefore the person contesting the Will based on the lack of mental capacity of the testator, must prove in an unequivocal and conclusive way the lack of mental capacity of the testator at the time of granting the Will. It will therefore need to be proven that the incapacity or mental condition was severe and the proof must be clear, evident and not simply based on assumptions or speculation. In these cases medical reports are extremely relevant as they could help to determine the then mental capacity of the testator. So, what is really important is to be able to prove the mental capacity of the testator at the time of granting the Will, not before and not after, and it must be determined, as a fact, if the Will was enacted under legal mental capacity or not. It is very important to

scientifically determine the capacity or non capacity of the testator by means of medical reports as previously stated, and any other kinds of expert reports or evidence could also be accepted. The level of difficulty of the Will could also be relevant when trying to determine the sufficient mental capacity of the testator. Because a greater mental ability is required to deal with a complex Will where tangled divisions of the assets, elaborate mathematic calculations and complicated appointment of the Executors, and so on, are needed. On the other hand, in the case of those Wills granted in front of a Public Notary (as are the majority of the Spanish Wills) the Notary states that according to his or her knowledge the testator has the sufficient mental capacity to grant it. But this judgement of the Notary about the testators capacity can be refuted (iuris tantum), so a proof of the contrary can be accepted by the Courts. In this sense the Court can deem that the assessments of the Notary were wrong, and if so it could

agree to void the testamentary dispositions granted. The information provided on this article is not intended to be legal advice, but merely conveys general information related to legal issues.

Marc White LL.B. & Carlos Baos (English & Spanish Solicitors) © White & Baos Abogados 2011 - All rights reserved. C/Diana 19, 2º-D, 03700 Dénia (located 1 minute away from the La Via underground car park). Tel: 966 426 185. Send your questions to spanishlawyer@roundtownnews.com or info@white-baos.com

01 - 07- april 29 APRIL 5 MAY 2011

Home Garden

Brought to you by

www.spanishhomefinder.com

Helens Trucks Removals • Storage • Shipping By Cliff Roberts People will say it’s a small world or wasn’t that a coincidence, well that’s more or less how I got to know Helen and her late partner Colin, of Helens Trucks. We first met around nine years ago while settling our children Jordan & Mackenzie into Spanish school. Helen and Colin were just about to set up Helens Trucks and I was joining Round Town News. When Helen realised that I was now involved with Round Town News she asked if she could place an advert and would only do so if we put her on the crossword page, where she has remained to this day, another strange twist to this tale is that unknown to us Helens sister Kirstie a local translator, actually assisted us when applying for a position in school at the town hall. Time has passed so quickly and both Jordan and Mackenzie have now left school and now Jordan at college in UK and Mackenzie working full time in Spain. So here we are approaching the eight anniversary of Helens Trucks on 1st May 2011.

Helens Trucks was initially run from their home here in Torrevieja but as the business grew they found a new warehouse between Catral and Crevillente and luckily and ideal house directly across from the warehouse. DIFFERENT FROM OTHER REMOVALS COMPANIES Helens Trucks differ in many ways to some of the larger companies. When your household goods are collected and professionally packed into the van, they will then return to their warehouse and unpack your items, mindful of doing an inventory, to make sure all your items are accounted for and let you know exactly what you have and what you are paying for. You are only charged for the volume that your goods occupy and the same is applicable for storage. SCHEDULE: The van does a return journey every two to three weeks and 7-10 days for smaller loads in their smaller vehicle. Manned by the ever courteous Alan &

Robert who like to give that personal touch, they will ensure your items are packed safely. Helen has noticed over the past couple of years that she seems to be moving goods back to the UK whereas it used to be the other way around, how times change! Due to the current economic climate some people have to vacate their properties in a hurry or may wish to rent their property, Helen would like to inform you that she offers secure containerised storage until you are ready for the transport of your goods, she will

also take good care of any personal items you may wish to store safely from a BBQ, to a full household…all at very competitive prices. And don’t forget Helen can also offer storage for cars or boats or that larger item, if you require a quote please contact Helen on 965 400616 or 667 815 081 or visit their webpage at www.helenstrucks.com or email helenstrucks1@yahoo.co.uk. You can find her advert on the crossword page (we can’t get her off there).

Garden Lawn Soil Basics 36

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

by Greengrass WHEN YOU consider that grass grows everywhere and anywhere, it is quite surprising that it is so frequently difficult to persuade it to grow in a lawn. What with going yellow, brown, looking anaemic, or just failing to grow at all, it is not surprising that people give up and lay gravel or concrete! Well don’t give up. Growing a real grass lawn is as simple as baking a cake. If you follow the recipe and follow the instructions, you will have a beautiful green lawn. You see there are only three things that are important when growing a lawn. 1) The right type of grass. 2) The right amount of water. 3) The right type of soil. Other minor issues are shade verses sun, mowing frequency and height, fertilising etc. But as I say, these are not the main issues. ANSWERS TO ABOVE POINTS: 1) The right type of grass for Spain is a warm season grass. 2) The right amount of water becomes a relatively minor issue if you have a warm season grass. 3) The most common cause of lawn failure is soil condition and soil pH, and soil pH is at the root of most problems. Just like the TV commercials about hair condition, pH is the key. The soil pH is basically is a measure of the amount of lime (calcium) contained in your soil, and the type of soil that you have. By and large, soils in moist climates tend to be acid and soils in dry climates are alkaline. A soil with a pH lower than 7.0 is an acid soil and one with a pH higher than 7.0 is alkaline. Soil with a pH lower than 7 is commonly found in high-rainfall regions. A pH of 6 is considered slightly acid, pH 5 is acid, and pH 4 is very acid. Many garden

plants thrive in soil with a pH between 6 and 7. The concentration of soil nutrients will vary depending on the soil pH, or to put it another way, the ability for the soil to take up nutrients will depend on soil pH. Performing a soil test and adjusting the soil pH to suit the type of grass which you intend to grow allows you to adjust the pH if it is not already within the requirement range. We can perform a soil test for you. We take away a sample of your lawn soil and send you the results within 48 hours. Or we can supply a soil test by a return postal soil test service. Once you have performed a soil test to determine the soil pH then the following steps can be taken to correct the pH balance. However there is no fast fix for correcting soil pH. RAISING THE SOIL PH TO MAKE IT MORE ALKALINE: Generally speaking, it is easier to make soils more alkaline than it is to make them more acid. Because different soil types react in different ways to the application of lime you will have to add more lime to clay soils and peaty soils than you will in sandy soils, to achieve the same result. After a soil test, to increase your pH by 1.0 point and make your soil more alkaline: * Add 4 ounces of hydrated lime per square yard in sandy soils * Add 8 ounces of hydrated lime per square yard in loamy soils * Add 12 ounces of hydrated lime per square yard in clay soils * Add 25 ounces of hydrated lime per square yard in peaty soils Note: Lime is very slow acting so the pH will not change quickly. Lime should be carefully used on lawns, as it can burn the grass at high doseage rates. You can also

Home & Garden

Growing a real grass lawn is as simple as baking a cake

add hardwood ash, bone meal or crushed marble. Crushed oyster shells and gypsum will also help to raise the soil pH. Lowering the soil pH to make it more acidic: Organic Material - Peat or decomposed organic matter is especially good for lowering soil pH. Sulphur - After a soil test, if your soil needs to be made more acidic, sulphur (azufre) may be used to lower the pH. The success of adding sulphur to lawns to reduce a soil pH is a slow process, as sulphur relies on soil bacteria to convert the sulphur into sulphuric acid. To reduce the soil pH by 1.0 point, mix in 1.2 oz of ground rock sulphur (or flowers of sulphur) per square yard (approx 340 grams per 10M2) if the soil is sandy, or 3.6 oz per square yard for all other soils. The sulphur should be thoroughly mixed into the soil before planting, or applied and fork aerated and watered in. Sawdust, composted leaves, wood chips, cottonseed meal, leaf mold, well rotted horse manure and especially peat moss,

will also lower the soil pH. Sulphuric Acid - This process can be speeded up by the additional application on ‘Salfumant’, but as this is neat Sulphuric Acid, should not be undertaken lightly and the concentration carefully monitored. An application of 120 cc Salfumant to 12 litres of water (1% strength) is a good starting point that will not harm existing grass (adjust the strength as necessary). Fertiliser - To gradually compensate for high pH, increase the annual application rate of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium by 25%. Ammonium sulphate - This will also reduce the soils pH, however it is also a strong Nitrogen fertiliser so care needs to be taken. For more information about lawns, grass or if you have any questions about your lawn, we would be pleased to answer any questions free – see us on Google ‘Lawns in Spain’ or http://www.lawnsinspain.com or lawnsinspain@yahoo.com or phone 676 863 778.

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

Brought to you by spanishhomefinder.com

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

Perfumed plants for balconies, terraces and gardens by

Clodagh & Dick Handscombe Practical gardeners and authors

YES, THE Easter rain did arrive on Thursday as expected. For most of us gardening at times like these is impossible but when it ceases it is a good time to plant up final summer plants, especially those that are perfumed, for scented air has been an essential ingredient of expatriate Mediterranean gardens since the times of Phoenician Greek Roman and Arab immigrants. Fortunately, of course, those living in Apartments can plant up containers on covered balconies and terraces

lantana montevidensis

regardless of the rain. So let’s look first at the perfumed plants we highlight in the tables of recommended plants we included in our book Apartment Gardening Mediterranean Style. Marigold, French marigold – perfume and a good insect inhibitor; Dianthus or carnation-pink, petunias, chrysanthemums – also a useful insect inhibitor; Lady of the Night – which pumps out perfume in the late afternoon and evening; Datura – although poisonous so best not used in apartments or gardens with children; gravoeolens or rose and lemon scented geraniums; lantana montevidensis – the low growing and spreading mauve flowered variety that is not liked by mosquitoes; lavenders; frangipani – easier to keep on sheltered terraces than in many exposed gardens; lilac – a plant well known in ancient Persia; freesias – that were still flowering over Easter; hyancinths – time to take out of window boxes now to dry and store until autumn replantings. Asiatic Lilies – you might still find some bulbs for planting now for summer flowering; San Diego – a splendid plant easy to grow from seed – now found in UK seed catalogues; late planted narcissi have been flowering over Easter although late this year; Pink tinted jasmine polyanthums; solanums; gardenias; primulas; stephanotis and of course roses and culinary herbs such as thyme and rosemary, plus citrus trees - especially perpetual flowering lemons. Plenty to choose from! And indeed when planting up window boxes and other containers for

Clodagh and Dick’s practical gardening books will be found to be useful for both experienced and new gardeners coming to Spain. The useful quartet of books can be obtained from bookshops or by email from the websites of Amazon, Santana Books, Bookworld and The Royal Horticultural Society. © Clodagh and Dick Handscombe www.gardeninginspain.com

Home & Garden

Petunia

apartment window sills, balconies and terraces a good case could be made for planting only perfumed plants. When it comes to patios and open gardens, the same plants come to mind plus of course flowering trees such as arbutus strawberry trees, justice trees (now in bloom in our garden), magnolias, parkinsonias, bead trees, and the weeping false acacias. Oh and we almost forgot the 15 metre row of sweet peas that is currently in flower as a wind break and shade on our vegetable plot. We collect seeds each year and suspect that after ten years we now have some self-pollinated new varieties among the masses of flowers. So review the potential for more using more perfumed plants for your apartment or villa and plant up during the next two or three weeks to ensure balmy summer evenings and nights and a welcome all day long as people enter your

property. The first plant we had was planted by the builder alongside our entrance gate as a movingin present. It was a jasmine polyanthum and is still growing healthily 25 years later - just needs a ‘short back and sides’ after flowering to stimulate continuous flowering… Clodagh and Dick’s practical gardening books each include plant lists that give Botanical, English and Spanish names to help you select suitable plants and identify those that you inherited. The four books are available from bookshops or conveniently by email from the websites of Santana Books, Amazon, Royal Horticultural Society and Angloinfo.

Arbutus strawberry tree

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

The Complete Upholstery Company THE COMPLETE Upholstery Company was established more than 30 years ago in the UK and has been successfully trading here in Spain for the last seven years. Specialising in all types of re-upholstery; be it a single dining chair or to reform a bar or boat, its team of specialist upholsterers have a wealth of experience gained in the UK working for well-known quality companies such as Ercol, Parker Knoll and the Princess Boat Company. This knowledge enables the skilled team to offer more than just upholstery expertise; the cutting of foam is another specialist area and another service offered. Again this can be applied to a single cushion or the re-foaming of a complete suite right through to a full boat refurbishment. A wide range of densities are always in stock and the foam can be cut to match any shape, size or thickness to suit individual requirements. With a wide range of fabrics on offer, another service which is extremely popular with customers is the expert making of loose covers. These can be

The Complete Upholstery Co Shop at night

Before and after

tailor-made for all uses including: sofas, outdoor furniture and scatter cushions. With its enviable network of suppliers, fabrics and foams can be sourced to meet any pricing criteria, and The Complete Upholstery Company will endeavour to meet all budgets. New to the long list of services on offer is a curtain making department, where customers can choose fabrics and styles from the comfort of their own home in a range of contemporary or traditional designs. Of course with everyone keeping an eye on the purse strings and making the most of their current homes, re-upholstering and re-foaming furniture can often be more cost affective than buying new replacement pieces. Owner Steve Clemson says â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many customers have quality furniture they brought in their home countries or pieces that have sentimental value. Therefore having them reupholstered is the first choice.â&#x20AC;? Across all of its many services The Complete Upholstery Company offers lots of friendly, helpful advice and a free no-obligation, home quotation made possible by having a fully equipped mobile showroom enabling the company to cover the whole Costa Blanca. Those further North are welcome to call into the Busot shop where, in

addition to the above, there is a large card-making and craft department as well as a large range of new and second-hand cane furniture in all styles. For further information call Alex or Steve on 96 569 9305 or 677 825 149. Alternatively visit

We can do re-upholstery for boats

Brought to you by spanishhomefinder.com

Foam cut to size and shape

www.complete-upholstery.com or email: completeupholstery@live.com

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

Computing with aunty virus

Brilliant new program Can I John via email asks: I HAVE discovered a brilliant new program to make a slide show of photos come to life, much more interesting than a normal slide show. Its name is Photo Story 3 for Windows but I have a slight problem. When I have finished compiling my story of photos, which is very simple, I then wanted to transfer them to a DVD to be able to see it on a normal DVD player. The problem is that it is in a WMV file format which doesn’t want to play on anything apart from my computer with Windows XP. Is there a simple way of changing the file format, bearing in mind that I am not very good on computers, in order that I can view the slideshow on a DVD player?

with XP) which will allow you to export your finished wmv file to a DV-AVI format. Basically the procedure involves importing the Photo Story wmv video file into Movie Maker and dragging it onto the timeline at the bottom. From the menu choose ‘file’ and ‘save movie file’ and save it to ‘my computer’. Here you can select the ‘other settings’ option and there you will see the DV-AVI format. You may need to play around to get the optimum results but it is fairly straight forward.

Aunty Says: Hello John. I have used Microsoft’s Photo Story and it is very good, but for some strange reason Microsoft neglected to include the obvious feature of saving your slide show as a standard DVD. You can get around this by using Microsoft’s Movie Maker (bundled

Cannot access my files Robert via email asks: AFTER A massive computer crash I had to have a new hard drive fitted which of course required a reinstall of Windows etc. However I cannot now access my backup on my external hard disk. Windows merely states that ‘this folder is empty’ (it has about 48Gb on it!) Please say there is a way to access my files. Any help will be

much appreciated as a scan through your back-dates found nothing.

Aunty Says: Possibly Robert, but it will depend on how the backup was created in the first place. Different backup programs (such as Norton and Nero) use different ways of storing the saved information and normally you will need to

use the very same program to restore your data after an incident. If you have simply copied and pasted your data to the external disk then it should be readable on any computer and it this is how you backed up your data then you may have a damaged USB disk. I know www.enetcomputers.net are very good at data recovery so maybe give them a call.

upgrade?

Saeed via email asks: I HAVE two questions which I hope you could help me with as you have done in the past. My Laptop with Vista is about 20 months old, do you know if I could upgrade it to Windows 7 for free? And if not, do you think it is worth the money to upgrade? Secondly, I have recently installed Skype 5.3 on my Laptop and tried to call friends’ landlines abroad but they said they could not hear me properly. Aunty Says: Hi Saeed. There was a free upgrade available but I think the offer finished back in 2010 sometime. I would certainly consider an upgrade to Windows 7, but there are a number of important prerequisites that you will need to look into before you take the plunge. Give Phil at www.enetcomputers. net a call as they do a lot of this kind of thing. Your Skype problem I’m not too sure about. I have heard a lot of talk about poor quality telephone exchanges not being able to cope with Skype (and other VOIP systems) which would certainly make sense, but apart from reporting it to this email address pstn-feedback@ skype.net I don’t think there’s much you can do.

Any truth in this Alison via email asks: HI AUNTY. I bought an Acer laptop here in Spain last August but the battery packed up after five months. The shop replaced it but said that I should only use the battery when I need to, i.e. on the move, and to remove it from the laptop when at home. This means that it always has to be plugged in, and is quite slow to start up. Am I being fobbed off, as the Dell laptop I had before lasted nearly seven years with quite heavy use? Aunty Says: There is some truth in what the shop are telling you Alison, as laptop batteries will last a lot longer if they are occasionally fully charged/drained and removed from the laptop when not in use for long periods of time. Five months isn’t at all acceptable for a batteries life, no matter how it has been used. If anything your laptop should be quicker starting up on mains power as your laptop will normally use minimal settings designed to save power when running only on battery.

That’s all for this week, email me on auntyvirus@roundtownnews.com and I will do my best to sort you out

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

GADGET INSPECTOR

the case of The Beru Factor 001 Road Bike THIS WEEK the Inspector is ready to take on Sir Chris Hoy with The Beru Factor 001 Road Bike. ‘Breaking Rules… Breaking Convention’ is what this bike is all about, according to the manufacturers, British engineering firm and F1 juggernauts Beru F1systems. But what makes this road bike so special? The material for the monocoque frame is a carbon composite, just like that used in an F1 racing car. This makes it incredibly strong, stiff and lightweight. All of the control lines are incorporated into the frame during construction for a clean and efficient profile. The steering mechanism is also unconventional. The traditional single head tube is replaced by the fork blades being continued to join the steering bar independently, producing a stiffer and more efficient design. Next the wheels – are they re-invented? Well, yes – they are not off-the-shelf items but custom built composite designs for real world use, not just the test track or smooth roads. The drivetrain consists of a Di2 electronic gear shift and pedals fitted with torque sensors that provide information on which leg is working hardest; no slipped chains here. All this go is no good without decent stoppers: the braking system is hydraulic with a choice of bespoke carbon or steel calipers

and discs to give excellent feedback and stopping power. And now for the coup de grâce: the built in information system combines the readings from the sensors, with external readings from the integrated GPS antenna and rider’s heart rate monitor to build a real time picture of road conditions, rider effort and performance. This information is displayed on a handlebarmounted touch screen display unit. There is also a detachable data-logger that can be connected to a PC for further analysis. And completing the picture, front and rear LED lights. Nice - perhaps they could be set for different sequences like Christmas lights – must suggest this to the makers. The Inspector´s Verdict: The Beru Factor 001 Bike is a stunningly impressive piece of engineering – bikes have definitely come a long way since the Raleigh Chopper. Not just for the professional athlete, this bike is most surely not intended to be just a lifestyle statement for the super-rich. Now where did I put that Christmas list… The Beru Factor 001 Bike costs around €23,600 at current exchange rates, and do not forget you are definitely going to need to upgrade that Tour De France replica lycra riding outfit. There will also be no riding around in ungainly and car-driveraggravating groups with other commoners.

health

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011 15-21 JANUARY 2010

Ask the Specialist by

Dawn Blythe S.R.N. R.M.

Dear Dawn SINCE FINDING out I am expecting a baby I have been surfing the internet for pregnancy related complications and I am very concerned about a condition called pre-eclampsia. It sounds very serious and there is so much information on the internet that I am becoming confused... Please could you simplify the information for me? Answer: Firstly my advice would be to stop surfing the net as a little knowledge can make you unnecessarily anxious. Put your trust in your Midwife and allow her (or him) to answer all your concerns. Pre-eclampsia is a condition only found in pregnancy affecting approximately 5% of pregnant women. The exact cause is unknown, though it is thought to be due to a problem with the placenta. The condition usually starts after the 20th week of pregnancy and is completely resolved 6 weeks after giving birth. Any pregnant woman can develop preeclampsia but it is more common in: • First pregnancies (or if it has been 10 years since a last pregnancy) • Women aged 40 yrs + • Obese women (BMI 30 +) • Those with close family history of the condition (mother or sister) • Those who have had any history of high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia in a previous pregnancy • Diabetics Your Midwife will be on the lookout for any signs of pre-eclampsia at every pre-natal visit. Pre-eclampsia may be present if you develop raised blood pressure accompanied by proteinuria (protein in the urine).

It is important for pregnant women to book an appointment to see their Midwife for their first prenatal check-up as soon as possible. This gives health care providers an indication of what blood pressure is normal for you. Later symptoms of pre-eclampsia may include: • Sudden oedema (swelling) of the hands, feet and especially the face • Severe headaches • Visual problems – flashing lights, blurred vision, spots in front of the eyes • Abdominal pain and / or vomiting • Reduced fetal movements • A feeling of just ‘not feeling right’ If pre-eclampsia is diagnosed a woman will be immediately referred to a Consultant Obstetrician. Both mother and baby will be closely monitored as both may develop serious complications. The only real cure for pre-eclampsia is delivery of the baby. Once the placenta is delivered the cause of the problem is removed. Women with pre-eclampsia will normally have their labour induced at 37 weeks gestation. Depending on the severity of the condition they may be allowed to labour or they may be delivered by elective caesarean section. Despite the gestation if, on balance, a baby is thought to be ‘better out than in’ or if the mother’s health is at risk, the obstetrician will deliver the baby, even if premature and necessitating admission to a Special Care Baby Unit. If undiagnosed, pre-eclampsia may develop into

full blown Eclampsia resulting in life threatening fits and convulsions. Unfortunately, women with early pre-eclampsia have no symptoms at all (in fact they usually feel very well). This is why it is so important for all pregnant women to attend regular pre-natal checks whereby pre-eclampsia can be promptly diagnosed and managed.

This article has been written by Dawn Blythe SRN, RM. Dawn is a British trained midwife who has spent over 20 years caring for mothers and babies in expatriate communities. She now offers midwifery care (excluding delivery) to the patients of ‘The English Medical Clinic’, Albir, telephone 966 868 013 To chat to Dawn, pop into her free ‘drop in’ clinic on Wednesday mornings. Email englishmedicalclinic@gmail.com

health

Hayfever by

Michael Lord BPharm(hons) MRPharmS UK Pharmacist with 20 years experience

HAYFEVER, OR seasonal allergic rhinitis, afflicts sufferers with a variety of symptoms, such as: • Itchy, runny and / or blocked nose • Itchy, watery, red eyes • Sneezing • Itchy throat • Less commonly; headache, face pain, sweats, loss of smell, asthma symptoms (breathless, wheezing) Hayfever is caused by an allergy to pollen, the commonest coming from grasses and weeds which causes symptoms during spring and summer. Tree pollens can also affect many people, but tend to do so earlier in the year, generally from March till May. If symptoms persist in the winter months then other causes of allergy maybe to blame, such as fungal spores, house dust mites and animal and pet dander from fur. Symptoms are caused by the body’s immune system reacting to pollen, cells in the lining of the nose and on the surface of the eyes release histamine when exposed to an allergen which causes inflammation and irritation. Hayfever affects about 20% of the population and often starts in childhood and re-occurs each year for several years before improving or disappearing completely. People that suffer from hayfever are also often prone to asthma andeczema; these so called ‘atopic’ conditions also tend to run in families. Simple measures to reduce exposure to pollen can help ease symptoms, but avoiding pollen completely is virtually impossible. The following actions may help when the pollen count is high (50+): • Stay indoors as much as possible with the doors and windows closed • Keep car windows and air vents closed, consider fitting pollen filters. • Wear wrap-around sunglasses • Avoid cutting grass and large grassy areas as much as possible • Shower and wash your hair often to remove pollen

TREATMENT: Hayfever is treated mainly with anti-histamine tablets, nasal sprays (anti-histamine or steroid) and eye drops. For optimal control, treatment should begin BEFORE the hayfever season starts and continue until the pollen season ends. Anti-histamine tablets are classified into 1st generation (e.g. Chlorphenamine - PIRITON™) which commonly cause drowsiness and also need to be taken several times a day. 2nd generation anti-histamines (e.g. Loratidine - CLARITYN™ andCetirizine - ZIRTEK™) generally do not cause drowsiness and are only taken once per day. Loratidine is considered the least likely to make you feel sleepy or to interact with alcohol. Both these drugs can occasionally cause dizziness and should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. These drugs can ease all symptoms of hayfever with the exception of a blocked nose, if this symptom is troublesome the use of a decongestant, such as pseudoephedrine can be tried or alternative antihistamines prescribed; Fexofenadine or Desloratidine. Anti-histamines taken orally tend to act in about 30 minutes, but for faster relief Acrivastine - BENEDRYL™ can be used which offers relief within 15 minutes, but requires frequent doses every eight hours. Steroid nasal sprays (Beclometasone - BECONASE™ and Fluticasone - FLIXONASE™) are very effective at relieving nasal and eye symptoms. They are used once or twice daily in each nostril and can take between fiveand 20 days to provide a full effect. Anti-histamine nasal sprays (e.g. Azelastine - RHINOLAST™) offer fast relief of nasal symptoms, but do not help affected eyes and are generally less effective than steroids. Cromoglycate nasal sprays (RYNACROM™) offer another alternative, but these also need to be used regularly and can take up to 2 weeks to reach full effect. They are more often used in children. Ipratropium bromide nasal sprays (ATROVENT™) are particularly effective in stopping very watery nasal discharges, but have no effect on other nasal or eye symptoms. Eye symptoms can be rapidly relieved by antihistamine eye drops (e.g. Antazoline – OTRIVINE ANTISTIN™) or alternatively use drops with the anti-

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

allergy ingredient Sodium Cromoglycate (CLARITYN™ or OPTREX™ allergy drops) however these need to be used regularly and can take several days to reach full effectiveness. Successful relief of hayfever is often only achieved with the use of several products and may require treatment with anti-histamine tablets, a nasal spray and eye drops combined, starting a few weeks before the season begins. For more information on allergies go to: www.allergyuk.org For all your pharmacy needs, go to: www.pharmacy4less.co.uk The UK’s number 1, legal, regulated and approved, award winning on-line pharmacy with the lowest prices: Delivered to Spain (from only £3.95)

Michael Lord BPharm(hons) MRPharmS UK Pharmacist with 20 years experience. Now at Health & Beauty Abroad, Flamenca Beach Commercial Centre, Orihuela Costa. Tel: 965325116 HealthandBeautyAbroad.com

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011 8-14 JANUARY 2010

Boy racer I once played a wonderful game with my Father. As a smoker of hand rolled cigarettes there were always tobacco tins in the left hand draw of his desk, and the empty ones appeared around the house as airtight storage for bits and bobs. Close to the house was a fast moving stream in a very beautiful meadow, and we played a version of Poohsticks there throughout the year. Armed with tobacco tins we crossed the meadow to the stream and raced them down, running to the bridge at the end to see which won. It was competitive and not ecologically sound, but it was fun, simple and exciting for a young boy. I well remember having to watch my tin get caught up in reeds or tangled in streamside plants, and having to resort to poking with sticks to liberate the floating tin as it whirred downstream. There were the neck and neck races and the surprises when tins disappeared. It was good, harmless fun, and a great Father and Son activity. Looking at this day and age, children’s games there is a reveal of a very different generation. Nowadays games are contrived, electrical, pre determined and they do not need invention or imagination. Sophistication has eliminated much of the natural course of play and having fun. Children lack imagination, have more pressure and dexterity installed within and do not know the value of cost free entertainment. Video games are remarkable, and they can inspire and motivate a necessary set of skills that can sincerely help in the game of life that we all inevitably have to play, but is there always a release of natural ability and the need to do things just for fun? My connection with Spirit has always brought me to my senses, and has fuelled my sense of humour, which I treasure and need in my day to day. If you consider that a good percentage of my clients are dead and buried then there comes a wonderful need to connect more with the Earthly pleasures that this wonderful World can bring. Recalling things we did can have a varied reaction.

postbag Email your letters to me at: kennycorris@roundtownnews.com Kenny I am having financial troubles now and may need to close my business. As the struggle with bills continues I am losing my own self control and I cannot see any future after eleven years hard work. Can Spirit help me with my next move? Pat. M. Spirit can and will help, if you have the faith in them it will work all the better. I am sorry to hear that your previously successful business is now encountering problems on a financial level. If you can isolate yourself and take a walk somewhere in the country balance in your mind what you now want to do, and make a clear decision based on your options. Be open and honest with yourself and keep your head up high, the recession is to blame and your current situation is the knock on effect of financial pressures in this World. Do not feel you have failed in anyway, it is time to move on, and above all, Pat, you are moving on from here to open new doors in your life; you are not running away. Keep the dialogue with Spirit on a daily basis, ask for what you deserve and ask that they continue to help you and show you new beginnings. Remember that all payments will be made in time!

We can recoil at that which we did wrong, knowing that we probably did it because it was the best thing at the time. We can laugh at our mistakes, because we genuinely made them but didn’t know that they weren’t the right thing to do until life allowed us to look back at them, and showed us an alternative. To believe in fate and destiny allows us an open and free heart and soul, and the freedom brings us closer to achieving that which we must. Having Spirit on our side is indeed a great comfort. Whatever, we do we know that we can be forgiven and inspired to do our very best for all concerned in the equation. One day I took a small Indian metal tin of my Father’s down to the stream to be floated down, raced, chased , followed and hopefully to win a game. I was just about to gingerly place it at the start when my dear Father noticed what it was and shouted at me, snatching up the box rapidly. This tin was too heavy to float, and I would have lost it. My Father scooped it up, dried it, and it was returned home safe and sound. As Dad asked me frankly one day what I would like to keep as a little memory of him after he had gone, without hesitation I replied that I would keep the tin. The small metal tin was what he used for drawing pins, paper clips, and rubber bands and buttons. To me it was a lesson learned and a good memory of the happy times that we spent together. It also reminded me of my mistakes and the fact that I almost lost something that I still treasure. Fifty years on and that Indian metal tin now sits on my desk. It holds my old buttons, paper clips and a couple of lucky cents, just the way that it always did, and it is here and now on my desk as I write. Like all mementos it timelessly helps me to remember something very wonderful from my distant past, something I hope that my memory never takes away from me, for it is worth more than gold to have a simple past happiness recreated for eternity.

Love & Light... Kenny Corris

Kenny’s diary Monday May 2nd and Wednesday May 4th: Readings at Bistro Maya, Albir from 16.30. Call: 966 868 213 for bookings and further info. Saturday May 7th: Readings at La Fustera: Calpe/ Moraira. Contact Penny Smith on 687 926 021 or 96 574 9182. Sunday May 22nd: How to Ascend in 2012. Day workshop to examine World events, and how to use spiritual energy to face the great and wonderful changes we are expecting! Held in Finestrat from 10.30 to 17.30. Thursday June 2nd: Service for the ASF at The Forum Alfaz del Pi at 18.30. All welcome to a demonstration of clairvoyance.

contact kenny Appointments: 96 587 8424 Mobile: 686 361 594 Web: www.kennycorris.net Forum: www.kennycorris.net/forum Email: kennycorris@hotmail.com Please contact me for inclusion in my healing list!

horoscopes by Kenny Corris With much Arian activity on the cards for the next few weeks it seems as if you are finally being given the green light on a project best left within your control. There is much to do and you are not only in the right frame of mind, but inspiring those who will work well with you to do their level best. Timing is of the importance, and finance will follow if you continue to play your cards right. Venus, your romantic planetary leader really does play at the Goddess of Love as you are open and ready to take an affair of the heart that bit further. The opposition to Saturn on Saturday will be the Zenith of an inspirational love that teaches both of you a lesson of compatibility, strength and the continuity of the pathway of Love opening up between you. Love with a good heart. The current conjunction with Jupiter and Mars gives you the ideal time to set the record straight. Someone has got the wrong end of the stick, but this action has hurt you deeply and forced you to put on hold something that should be taking place. Calm peaceful action now will serve to show you that there will be a better time and a better way of putting it all right, very soon. Those psychic powers you try to hide come to the forefront this week when you need to have an end to current conflicts. It is absolutely essential that you do not lose your temper, because that is what is expected. Stall and retreat into that shell, or scuttle away for an escape somewhere where you can chill out and plan better your method of retraction, and the start of something new. With an agenda that does not allow for any error you now have some serious rethinking to do to remain centre stage in what is fastly becoming a burden to you. With all the will in the World, and the very best set of intentions there is a need to take your bow and then bow out. You didn’t sign up for this and it is high time that those around you take their responsibility on the chin. Stubborn energy and pride will see you through and out to the other side. You never do things by halves, and your conscious is telling you to take a deeper interest in matters that concern you. Just letting things happen and then making the most of it won’t show others what you are truly capable of, and you may just surprise yourself at your forward thinking and subsequent achievement. Venus squares on Pluto and then opposes Saturn showing a powerful solution and bringing the positive energy straight to your door. Your balance will ensure survival, but check your inner energies and they are somewhat depleted. See this week as a time to re charge and to take some quality time for yourself. It’s not selfish it is self preserving and there are some challenging times ahead. Known to be the hardest working sign of the horoscope this week sees Jupiter in abeyance and Pluto underlining all that you do. This rather seems that things are going to go your way, at long last, and signify a breakthrough in something you are involved in, whether you like it or not. As things turn to your advantage and a loophole appears seize the opportunity and show them what you are made of. Jupiter dallies with Mars whilst they both are in calm control of Aries. It would seem that something is doomed before it starts. However look for the silver lining, because there is one, and its camouflage is what recent conflict has been all about. A necessary airing of your own personal feelings is due, and whilst people should enjoy seeing what you do best, watch out, there is always one, so they say. A time to consolidate finances and cut costs above all as Pluto sends out a warning that is best not to be ignored. Plutonian energy allows us to see things from different directions, and this dark Planet can and will cause chaos, innocently appearing not to know why. Ask the questions you are so afraid to ask, and put pressure on all who appear to be there to help, but are hard to get hold of. Should be a good week for you, but as pressure of work continues to greatly influence your life and inspire you onwards, a healthy balance of rest and play are on the cards too. You need some personal time and the chance to catch up with the friends you have somewhat left behind in your punishing schedule. Changes lately have allowed you to see a way through, so start now. Neptune always comes to your rescue, and now that you’re going alone on something it is good that somebody watches your back. New ideas and projects may have been temporarily shelved, but you yourself are itching to return to the old routines that you do so well with. Reward yourself with some patience because it won’t be long now, and better times are ahead.

If it’s your birthday this week... Ring the changes and start to take more responsibility for your own welfare. You have put others first, and that’s great, but now you have some catching up with your inner self to ensure the past is never repeated.

29 APRIL - 5 MAY2010 2011 8-14 JANUARY

Word Ladders The key rule is that you must only change one letter at a time as you move from one rung to another, and the word you make must be a proper word! Therefore you may move from BATH --> BATS but not from BATH --> CASH because that changes two letters in one go which is not allowed.

Cryptic Crossword

Sudoku Across

free (6,1,6)

Down 1. Union that will disfigure one in a fit of violent anger (8) 2. Not open to forfeit between 100 and 500 (6) 3. Where agriculture is carried on in distant Minehead (4) 4. Marvellous enough to knock one out? (8) 5. Even whales must learn it would seem (6) 6. Water from here can’t be bad (4) 11. Lied about actual conveyance (8) 13. Lacking loose coins, things will have to stay as they are (2,6) 15. To fret is a state of conflict (6) 17. Off course, like a shallow vessel (6) 19. Not all an actor can take? (4) 21. It’s delightful by the sea in France (4)

Across

Down

7. Fail to understand

1. Wide view (8)

(4,7,2)

2. Works for (6)

7. It enables one to proceed along certain lines (7,6) 8. Urge the fellow to become a journalist (8) 9. Artist’s medium to reduce friction (4) 10. Frank has the ability and accomplished (6) 12. Where a ship would be all at sea, so to speak? (6) 14. From the shelves select a receptacle (6) 16. Sort of look a cricketer may give? (6) 18. Almost reject an incitement (4) 20. After strange event Ian becomes inhabitant of Italian city (8) 22. Submit an accusation but would rather not have it

Wordwheel

Quick Crossword

3. Indigent (4)

8. Chat (8)

4. Stealing (8)

9. Unusual (4) 10. Redemption (6) 12. Use (6)

5. Open (6) 6. Morose (4) 11. Bravely (8)

14. Infertile (6)

13. Miss (8)

16. Bawled (6)

15. Deny (6)

18. Unhearing (4)

17. Shed (4-2)

20. Insecure (8)

19. Cupid (4)

22. Strengthening (13)

21. Team (4)

You can play these wordwheels by whatever rules you like. But there is at least one nine letter word hidden in each wordwheel (and thus using every letter in the wordwheel). For many players the fun element and biggest challenge of the wordwheel is to find a nine letter word. Other than that, the rules are up to you - but generally you should restrict yourself to only finding words that contain the central letter, as otherwise you will find huge numbers of words in many puzzles!

Win a meal for 2!

Inn Plaice in Torrevieja (Mon-Thu) Nemos (Next to RTN offices in La Nucia)

by answering the Cryptic Crossword correctly. Answers by email to: office@roundtownnews.com | or Fax: 96 585 60 54

Euromillions Draw Friday 22nd april

Answers & Winners

11 22 36 45 48

Last week’s Crossword and Suduko answers found on page 51/54. Winner for 601 Chris Tracey, La Florida, Orihuela Costa

One Spanish ticket won the 43,415,570 Euros (£38,301,216) jackpot prize

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

music scene Johnny & The Cougars – Rock N Roll Band

J Compiled by

Eric Taylor

OHNNY & THE Cougars are a four piece 50s & 60s Rock ‘n’ Roll Band playing covers of Elvis, Buddy Holly, Bo Didley, Cliff Richard & The Shadows, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and many more 50s & 60s Greats! They have a reputation for providing good entertainment and some nostalgia. They will

be performing at the Alcalali Fiesta, in the main Plaza by the church, on Monday 2nd May at 4pm. There will be a Giant Paella plus three bars in the Plaza and a Fiesta Bar so come along and have a fun afternoon. For more info phone: 96 558 1405 or check out their website: www.johnnyandthecougars.com

Rob Sweeney - Singer/Entertainer ROB IS a seasoned performer with a rich and powerful voice which he puts to excellent use, whether singing pop and soul classics or songs from the shows - some of which he’s starred in having studied and performed in musical theatre over the previous few years. As a cabaret artist he’s toured extensively throughout UK before moving to Spain. Rob is a class act with a versatile repertoire to suit all audiences. For more info phone: 609 320 924: Website: http://robsweeney-singer.tumblr.com GIGS IN APRIL Saturday 30th, Platino’s Lounge Bar, Arenal, Javea GIGS IN MAY Monday 2nd, New Life Bar, Benidorm (8.30pm every Monday) Monday 2nd, Malibou Bar, Benidorm (10pm every Monday) Thursday 5th, Magics Bar, Orba Saturday 7th, APASA Dinner Dance Canor, Teulada Friday 13th, Platino’s Lounge Bar, Arenal, Javea Saturday 14th, Le Cabaret, Cumbre del Sol, Benitachell Friday 27th, Platino’s Lounge Bar, Arenal, Javea

Javea Players – ‘Quartet’

THE NEXT Javea Players production will be ‘Quartet’ by Ronald Harwood, which is about four veterans of the stage seeking to relive their former glories. It is a perfect choice for the reopening of their studio theatre. One of the veterans in the play (Wilf) is played by Bill Kent, who has played many comedy roles. Wilf lives in a retirement home for ex-opera singers, where he meets after many years, three other members of the cast of ‘Rigoletto’, their greatest triumph. Whilst his three colleagues all seem to have their own problems, Wilf’s bawdy sense of

humour helps him cope and puts a smile on their faces. The part of Wilf was played by Donald Sinden in the first production of ‘Quartet’ in 1999 and later this year a film version will be released, starring Albert Finney, Tom Courtenay and Maggie Smith. The play opens at the Javea Players Studio Theatre (behind Bookworld Espana, Javea) on Monday, 9th May and runs until Saturday, 14th, curtain up at 8pm. Box Office: 96 579 4937. Tickets: 6€. The Javea Players are sponsored by Close International Asset Management.

After Wedding Party - Don Quijote, Moraira A NEW band ‘The Desperados’ will be performing at the Don Quijote Bar in Moraira, on Friday 29th April to commemorate the Royal Wedding. Both guitar man Danny Whybrow (ex SFM and The Shy) and Woody (ex Brink Band now Dow Jones), will be playing separate sets with the Desperados. Also Juan will bring his band ‘San Antonio’ to do a set and give the evening a Spanish twist. There will be an appearance from a new band, ‘Phoenix Road’, fronted by Clair Parsons. Come along and join in the fun. For more info ring: 606 721 288. The entrance to the Paichi Centre is opposite the Paichi Garden Centre on the Teulada / Moraira road before you get to Moraira.

ET’s Golden Oldies Disco Tel: 965 748 199 or 659 921 875 or email: etinspain@hotmail.com. If there are any music venues or acts that wish to be featured in this column,please contact Eric directly.

Parcent

Wed May 4th

Next Charity quiz in aid of Eamus 10€

Friday May 6th The Nomad Please book early

Friday May 13th Zodiac

Friday June 3rd John the Fiddler

Tel 96 640 5398 For reservations

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

Romancing the Senieta by Jack Troughton INTERNATIONAL CHOIR Coral Clasica Javiense brings two romantic choral works by Johannes Brahms and Robert Schumann to the Marina Alta on 8th May. Under the musical direction of Joanna Baldwin and accompanied by Patricia Pyne at the Espai La Senieta, Moraira, the choir will perform Zigeunerlieder – Gypsy Songs – by Brahms and Schumann’s Zigeunerleben, or Gypsy Life. Brahms’ work tells of love, joy and heartache, while Schumann has taken a poem by Emanuel Geibel telling of gypsy life around a campfire in the woods.

And as a contrast, the choir will also perform madrigals of the 15th and 16th Centuries with music from the period by Ensemble Flauto Dolce, directed and accompanied on guitar by Jurgen Ernst. The concert begins at 8pm and the 10€ tickets are available on the door but to make sure of a seat can be bought in advance from: Humpty Dumpty, Javea; Papereria Llebeig, La Xara; Libreria Europa, Calpe; Letters R Us and VIP Gallery, Moraira; Piera Instruments, Denia; and Bar Centre Artistic Musical Pedregeur. A percentage of the ticket sales and the proceeds from a raffle will be donated to the Asociacion de Erfermos de Alzheimer de Teulada.

Sounds like showtime by Jack Troughton LONDON’S THEATRELAND comes to the Costa Blanca with show group Sound’s Familiar’s 2011 production West End Nights. On Wednesday 25th May, the Casa de Cultura, Calpe, will be filled with a selection of songs and music from the best known shows from the capital’s theatres – such as Phantom of the Opera, Oliver, Chicago, Chorus Line and Hairspray. And the group will be joined by the Streetwise Dance Crew for some of the more lively and upbeat numbers and will also perform a routine from Grease – a success for

the group earlier this year in La Nucia. Some of the members of Sounds Familiar will be performing for the first time in a large theatre after joining the cast from musical director Philip Ashley’s summer workshops ‘Sing for Fun’. And Philip said the number of solo singers in the group had grown allowing a greater variety to the programme. “It means we now have more scope in the numbers that can be tackled, and I hope this show will be the first of many more to come.” The Sounds Familiar Ladies, remembered for a performance of Big Spender, will take the stage with a unique version of The Cell Block Tango. Once again sound Familiar is supporting a local charity with a donation of 25% of ticket sales going to Friends of the children of EMAUS. Tickets are 12€ each, 8€ for under 14-yearolds, and are available from Margaret and Elena’s Book and Card Shop, Galerias Mar Azul, Av, Gabriel Miro, Calpe, by calling 96 558 1483, or online at www.philipashley.com

Lions on song

by Jack Troughton WELSH VOICES are in tune to help charity when the Calpe and Benissa Lions Club hosts a spectacular fund raiser for disadvantaged children and welcomes a popular male voice choir. The Cwmbach Male Choir headline a ‘one night only’ show at the Casa de Cultura, Calpe, on Saturday 4th June – singing in traditional close harmony with soloists Rosemary Jukic, soprano, and John Edwards, bass. And as a grand finale, the Cwmbach choir will be joined by the Costa Blanca Male Voice Choir, bringing more than 100 voices to the stage for the last numbers of the night.

Tickets are available now at10€ each and the proceeds from this unique concert will benefit disadvantaged children. The Lions are at the climax of a fund raising season and the popular tea party is again being staged at the beautiful Gardens of Marnes on 10th May where guests can admire tens of thousands of blooms in almost every colour imaginable. Almost sure to be a sell-out, the Lions have been forced to limit numbers to 120 and advise people to book early. For more information and for reservations, call 96 583 4852 or 636 695 569, or email hughstewart@telefonica.net

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

Get hooked on Crisis walk Blood Brothers

Lucy Glister

by Jack Troughton WILLY RUSSELL’s hit show Blood Brothers comes to the Costa Blanca next month courtesy of new theatre company Big Fish Entertainment. One of the most successful British shows in history, the thought-provoking musical comes to Spain from London’s West End where it has entranced audiences since 1988. And in a short tour, Blood Brothers opens at the Careline Theatre, Alcalali, on 15th and 16th May, before transferring to the Casa de Cultura, Alfaz del Pi, on 30th May. Curtain up for all shows is at 8pm. Big Fish Entertainment has netted the cream of talent from a number of theatre groups in the area and Blood Brothers is being staged in support of charity Friends of the Children of EMAUS. TWIN Writer Willy Russell, who also contributed words and music to the songs, tells the story of twins separated at birth and examines their different upbringings in a study of Britain’s class system. However, set in 1950s Liverpool it is very much more and the piece is a classic piece of drama and a human story of love, friendship and the dangers of not telling the truth. Directed by Susanne Millington, her cast has been carefully chosen and features Adam King as the Narrator, Louise Dearden as Mrs Johnstone, and Lucy Glister as Mrs Lyons. And a live band of experienced musicians will help insure the drama is really brought to life with an exciting score. Tickets are 12€ and can reserved by calling the Box Office on 618 890 607 or online at www.bigfishentertainment.biz

By Jack Troughton RAISING CASH to help families hit by the economic crisis, Teulada Moraira Lions Club stages its 15th annual sponsored walk on Sunday May 29th. There is no entrance fee to take part in the 6.5km walk, the Lions hope walkers will be sponsored by family, friends and neighbours. The popular event begins with registration at 9.30am in front of Moraira Castle and everyone sets off at 10am and it is described as a gentle walk suitable for all ages. During the economic downturn, Teulada Moraira Lions Club has helped to feed and

clothe an increasing number of local families in great financial difficulty. The club liaises closely with Teulada and Bentachell town halls and the charity Caritas to identify families as being particularly needy and distributing food purchased by the Lions. Both sponsorship and registration forms can be downloaded from the Lions website at www.teuladamorairalions.org from the ‘calendar’ page. Pictured are some of last year’s walkers who raised more than 3,000€ - a target the Lions are keen to pass this year and continue the club’s community work.

Catwalk capers

NEW SPRING and summer fashions were modelled at a fashion show organised by the Charity Shop of Calpe which raised 965€ for the town’s EMAUS Children’s Home. More than 80 customers enjoyed watching the show over a glass of wine and a special make-up forum. The guests were also able to buy raffle tickets and had the opportunity to try on and purchase clothing featured on the catwalk.

Magazine binned CONTROVERSIAL TOWN hall magazine MesXabia was withdrawn from circulation after complaints about its illicit electioneering for Javea Mayor Eduard Montfort and his BLOC party. The Junta Electoral – the electoral board – ordered the offending issue, strikingly printed in BLOC colours, be immediately withdrawn and deleted from the council website. Complaints were lodged by opposition parties which accused the mayor of “cheating” ahead of May’s elections by using the publication as a vehicle for propaganda.

Dance hall days by Jack Troughton PERFECT PARTNERS are needed to make successful Costa Blanca couples and step out onto the floor as TV shows like Strictly Come Dancing make dance “cool” with youngsters. At Marcia’s Dance Centre in Calpe, six-yearolds Kirsty Roper and Jack Crew are now in step together as both the newest and youngest partnership. And the centre has a number of young ladies currently looking for young men to join them on the dance floor – male partners aged between six and 30 are much in demand for shows, competitions and general practice. Anyone interested in rehearsing for the centre’s next show – in aid of youngsters cared for by charity EMAUS – on Sunday 26th June in Benissa. Anyone interested or wanting more information can contact choreographer Phaedra at the dance centre or by calling 96 583 0980 or 607 290 896.

Kirsty and Jack

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

Galaxy Innovations, the new face of digital television in Europe and Spain In no time, Galaxy Innovations is impacting the market of our country with its high quality self-manufactured products for digital and satellite television. Galaxy Innovations is an innovative company dedicated to research, innovation, design and international distribution of equipment and components for digital television. The vast experience helps to satisfy the needs and expectations of the European users where Galaxy Innovations retains its activity, offers quality products, usability and performance to satisfy such a highly demanding market. They have three warehouses in the most important areas in Spain, that allow them a large enough space to store, manage and distribute products with great agility. Galaxy Innovations policy is to continue building a network of distributors around the country, keeping a strict control in compliance with European legislation on the rights and protection of their customer’s. All the Gi products comply with all European laws (ROHs, energy efficiency, etc…) and

come with a 2 year guarantee. Another feature to note is the high level of aftermarket care. All departments and technical development are in contact continuously to provide the best service and provide the quickest solutions to all their business partners. Galaxy Innovations has its own brand and offers a complete range of products for Digital Television, “...we also have the support of leading manufacturers worldwide with great influence in the sector. An example would be the satellite dishes provided by the well known European manufacturer “Famaval”.” states the manager of Galaxy Innovations. Its catalog offers a wide variety of products designed for digital television. Satellite dishes ranging from 45cm up to 3.10m in addition with a full range of digital receivers that are fully adapted for the English market. Their range of receivers vary from basic SD receivers that include; USB 2.0 port, PVR (personal video recorder), smart card reader,

Digital satellite receiver HD-VUDUO

to the latest technology in Full HD receivers including; Linux, Twin Tuner, 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port, Mediplayer, SATA connection for external HDD, VFD Display, compatible with plug-ins (Youtube, Picassa, etc…). They also supply products including multiswitches, LNB’s and all sorts of installation accessories. The dynamic, professional and proactive staff, in the technical department as in other

departments is fully qualified and treats each customer on a personal level. All this makes Galaxy Innovations a highly competitive, dynamic and reliable company. For further information contact us on 966 661 654 or 965 449 777, e-mail: info@galaxy-innovations.es or www.galaxy-innovations.es or visit us at Ptda. Matola, Pol. 1, nave 145, 03207 Elche (Alicante)

tv Friday

50 61

29 - 5 MAY 2011 14APRIL - 20 may 2010

07:00 Breakfast 09:00 The Royal Wedding 14:40 BBC News 15:00 Regional News 15:10 The Royal Wedding 17:00 BBC News; Regional News 17:05 Wallace & Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death 17:35 Shrek 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 20:00 The One Show 21:00 EastEnders 21:30 The Royal Wedding 23:00 BBC News 23:20 Regional News 23:30 The Graham Norton Show 24:15 National Lottery Friday Night Draws 24:25 The One Show

07:00 The Pink Panther Show

07:00 Daybreak 09:30 The Royal

07:20 Animal Park 08:05 A Conversation with Gregory Peck 09:30 Spellbound

Wedding 17:05 Nanny McPhee 18:55 ITV News

11:20 Duel in the Sun 13:25 Live Snooker

20:00 Emmerdale

19:00 Eggheads

20:30 Coronation Street

19:30 Great British Menu

21:00 Baboons with Bill

20:00 Live Snooker

Bailey

22:00 Monty Don’s

21:30 Coronation Street

Italian Gardens 23:00 Frank Skinner’s Opinionated 23:30 Newsnight

22:00 Paul O’Grady Live 23:00 ITV News at Ten 23:50 Granada News

24:00 The Review Show 24:50 Later... with Jools Holland

23:55 The Cube 24:55 Take Me Out

07:10 The Hoobs 07:35 The Hoobs 08:00 Freshly Squeezed 08:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:55 Frasier 09:25 Friends 09:55 Wife Swap USA 10:55 Relocation, Relocation 11:55 A Place by the Sea 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 Make Do & Mend 13:35 The TV Book Club 14:05 3 Minute Wonder 14:10 The Bridges at Toko-Ri 16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Come Dine with Me 22:00 The Million Pound Drop Live 23:25 My Big Fat Royal Gypsy Wedding 24:25 10 O’Clock Live

07:00 Childrens TV 09:10 Peppa Pig 09:20 Peppa Pig 09:30 Roary the Racing Car 09:40 Olivia 09:50 The WotWots 10:00 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:05 Santa Fe 13:50 CSI: NY 14:45 5 News Lunchtime 15:00 Home and Away 15:30 Neighbours 16:00 5 News 16:15 William & Kate 18:00 5 News 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:25 OK! TV: Royal Wedding Special 20:00 Police Interceptors 21:00 Ice Road Truckers 22:00 The Mentalist 23:00 Law & Order 23:55 The Walking Dead 24:55 Cops in Crisis

08:00 Oops TV 10:00 Lion Man 11:00 Emergency Animal Rescue 12:00 Emergency Animal Rescue 13:00 The Simpsons 13:30 Raising Hope 14:00 Modern Family 14:30 The Middle 15:00 Futurama 16:00 Futurama 17:00 Oops TV 17:30 Futurama 18:00 Oops TV 18:30 Futurama 19:00 Glenn Martin, DDS 19:30 The Simpsons 20:30 The Middle 21:00 The Simpsons 21:30 Modern Family 22:00 Raising Hope 22:30 A League of Their Own 23:30 Spartacus: Gods of the Arena

Shrek BBC1 17.35

08:30 WATTS 08:45 Horse Racing Time 09:15 Snooker 11:00 Live Snooker 13:30 Live Cycling 15:30 Live Snooker 18:30 Eurogoals Flash 18:45 Live Figure Skating 20:15 Live Snooker 23:00 Video Gaming 23:30 Futsal 24:30 Extreme Sports: Freeride Spirit 24:45 Snooker

07:00 Four Weddings 08:00 Four Weddings 09:00 Four Weddings 10:00 Four Weddings 11:00 The Royal Wedding 12:00 The Wedding Service 13:00 The Procession 14:00 Royal Wedding Day with Eamonn Holmes 14:30 Royal Wedding Day with Eamonn Holmes 15:00 Four Weddings 16:00 Four Weddings 17:00 Four Weddings 18:00 Four Weddings 19:00 Four Weddings 20:00 How to Nab a Prince 21:00 How to Marry a Prince 22:00 Criminal Minds 23:00 CSI: Miami 24:00 Criminal Minds

tv Saturday 07:00 Breakfast 11:00 Saturday Kitchen Live 12:30 Great British Menu 13:00 BBC News; Regional News 13:15 Football Focus 14:00 Live Snooker 17:30 Final Score 18:10 BBC News; Regional News 18:25 Don’t Scare the Hare 19:00 Doctor Who 19:45 So You Think You Can Dance Live 21:00 The National Lottery: Who Dares Wins 21:50 So You Think You Can Dance 22:20 Casualty 23:10 BBC News 23:30 Match of the Day 24:45 The Football League Show

07:00 Childrens TV 09:30 Prank Patrol Down Under 10:00 Dick & Dom Go Wild 10:30 Serious Explorers 11:00 Relic: Guardians of the Museum 11:30 League of Super Evil 11:40 Wolverine and the X-Men 12:05 Mortified 12:30 Newsround 12:45 MOTD Kickabout 13:00 Coast 13:15 Citizen Kane 15:15 The Magnificent Ambersons 16:45 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 17:30 Live Snooker 18:30 Flog It! 19:30 Dad’s Army 20:00 Live Snooker 22:30 Have I Got a Bit More Old News For You 23:15 Frank Skinner’s Opinionated 23:45 Nurse Jackie 24:15 Later... with Jools Holland

07:00 Mini CITV 08:25 CITV 10:25 Coronation Street 13:10 This Morning: Saturday 14:10 ITV News 14:15 Monk 15:15 You’ve Been Framed! Funniest 100 16:15 Live and Let Die 18:30 Granada News 18:45 ITV News 19:00 People Do the Funniest Things 20:00 Sing if You Can 21:00 Britain’s Got Talent 22:00 Piers Morgan’s Life Stories 23:00 ITV News 23:15 Dirty Harry

CRYPTIC SOLUTIONS for 601 Across: 1 Gala; 8 Left-winger; 9 Impolite; 10 Pawn; 12 Acting; 14 Sphere; 15 Fiends; 17 Astute; 18 Rear; 19 Overturn; 21 Bring round; 22 Eyes. Down: 2 Atomic pile; 3 Alto; 4 Offing; 5 Sweets; 6 Snapshot; 7 Grin; 11 Work to rule; 13 Ignorant; 16 Scours; 17 Avenue; 18 Ribs; 20 Tide. Quick solutions Across: 1 Ache; 8 Accelerate; 9 Et cetera; 10 Good; 12 Honest; 14 Extend; 15 Elapse; 17 Finish; 18 Aria; 19 Ecstatic; 21 Deliberate; 22 Note. Down: 2 Controller; 3 Ease; 4 Accent; 5 Please; 6 Frighten; 7 Vend; 11 Omniscient; 13 Emphatic; 16 Eyelet; 17 Fiscal; 18 Aide; 20 Amen. WORDWHEEL 602: DETONATOR

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

07:10 The Hoobs 08:00 British Formula 3 International Series 08:30 The Grid 08:55 The Morning Line 09:55 Friends 10:25 Koko Pop 11:00 Friends 11:30 Glee 12:30 Great British Hairdresser 13:30 Big Bang Theory 14:25 That Paralympic Show 14:55 Channel 4 Racing 16:55 Come Dine with Me Down Under 18:00 Come Dine with Me Down Under 19:00 Come Dine with Me Down Under 19:30 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 River Cottage Best Bites 21:00 Kate and William: Romance and the Royals 22:00 Million Pound Drop Live 23:20 Stand Up for the Week 24:05 Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

07:00 Childrens TV 09:00 Little Princess 09:15 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 09:30 Play! 09:45 Rupert Bear 10:00 Olivia 10:15 Mr Men Show 10:30 Gerald McBoing Boing 11:00 Chinese Food in Minutes 11:10 The Gadget Show 12:10 Ice Road Truckers 13:05 King of Kings 16:10 Ben-Hur 20:15 5 News Weekend 20:20 NCIS 21:15 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 22:10 CSI: Miami 23:10 CSI: NY 24:10 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

08:00 Lion Man 09:00 Gladiators 10:00 WWE: Superstars 11:00 Soccer AM 13:00 A Different Breed 14:00 A Town Called Eureka 15:00 WWE: Smackdown 17:00 Oops TV 18:00 Futurama 19:00 Futurama 20:00 The Simpsons 21:00 Stargate Universe 22:00 The Naked Gun 21/2: the Smell of Fear 23:40 Brit Cops: Frontline Crime UK 24:40 Road Wars

08:30 Extreme Sports: Freeride Spirit 08:45 Tennis 09:15 Figure Skating 10:30 Snooker 11:00 Live Snooker 14:00 Live Figure Skating 15:30 Live Snooker 18:30 Live Figure Skating 20:00 Live Snooker 23:00 Cycling 24:00 Fight Club

07:00 Nothing to Declare 08:00 Jerry Springer Show 09:00 Maury 10:00 Criminal Minds 11:00 America’s Next Top Model 13:00 Biggest Loser 15:00 How to Marry a Prince 16:00 Sun, Sea and A&E 17:00 Drop Dead Diva 19:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 20:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 21:00 Chuck 22:00 Criminal Minds 23:00 Criminal Minds 24:00 Criminal Minds

tv Sunday

52 40

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 42011 Feb 26 - March 2010

24:15 Surgery School

07:00 Treacle People 07:10 The Hoobs 07:35 The Hoobs 08:00 That Paralympic Show 08:25 Freesports on 4 08:45 Album Chart Show Special 09:25 Friends 09:55 Hollyoaks 12:25 Being N-Dubz in America and Beyond 13:00 Glee 14:00 The Simpsons 14:30 The Simpsons 15:00 Channel 4 Racing 17:00 Jamie at Home 17:30 Deal or No Deal 18:30 Time Team 19:30 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 Come Dine with Me 21:00 The Hotel 22:00 The Bank Job 24:10 The Football Factory

07:00 Childrens TV 09:00 Little Princess 09:10 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 09:15 Bert and Ernie’s Great Adventures 09:25 Mist: Sheepdog Tales 09:45 Rupert Bear 10:00 Olivia 10:15 Mr Men Show 10:30 Gerald McBoing Boing 11:00 K-9 11:35 OK! TV Sunday 12:30 Extraordinary Dogs 13:00 The Hotel Inspector 14:05 Lawrence of Arabia 18:10 5 News Weekend 18:15 The Golden Voyage of Sinbad 20:20 Godzilla 23:00 The Walking Dead 24:05 Misery

07:00 Hour of Power 08:00 Lion Man 09:00 A Different Breed 10:00 Oops TV 11:00 WWE: Superstars 12:00 WWE: Experience 13:00 UK Border Force 14:00 A Town Called Eureka 15:00 Real Filth Fighters 15:30 Real Filth Fighters 16:00 Emergency Animal Rescue 16:30 Emergency Animal Rescue 17:00 Bite Size Brainiac 17:10 Road Wars 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 The Simpsons 19:00 A League of Their Own 20:00 The Middle 20:30 Modern Family 21:00 Raising Hope 21:30 The Simpsons 22:00 Hawaii Five-0 23:00 NCIS: Los Angeles 24:00 House

07:00 Childrens TV 10:05 Koala Brothers 10:15 Guess with Jess 10:30 Big & Small 10:45 Chuggington: Badge Quest 10:50 Grandpa in My Pocket 11:05 Mightymites 11:20 Nuzzle and Scratch: Frock and Roll 11:45 Waybuloo 12:05 In the Night Garden 12:35 Pink Panther Show 13:00 Daily Politics 13:30 GMT with George Alagiah 14:00 Animal Park 15:00 Live Snooker 18:55 Referendum Broadcast on Behalf of the No Campaign 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Great British Menu 20:00 Live Snooker 24:00 Party Election Broadcast 24:05 The Boys from Brazil

07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Dinner Date 11:25 This Morning 12:30 60 Minute Makeover 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News 14:55 Granada News 15:00 Inspector Morse 17:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 18:00 Britain’s Best Dish 19:00 Granada Reports 19:10 Party Election Broadcast 19:15 ITV News 19:25 Referendum Broadcast on Behalf of the No Campaign 19:30 You’ve Been Framed! 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 The Dales 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Case Sensitive 23:00 ITV News at Ten 23:15 Basic Instinct

07:10 The Hoobs 08:00 Freshly Squeezed 08:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:00 Frasier 09:35 Friends 10:05 Wife Swap USA 11:00 Relocation, Relocation 12:00 A Place by the Sea 13:05 Make Do & Mend 13:35 River Cottage Bites 13:50 Return of the Magnificent Seven 15:40 Baking Mad with Eric Lanlard 16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:05 Referendum Broadcast on Behalf of the No Campaign 20:10 The Unofficial: Royal Wedding 21:00 Dambusters: Building the Bouncing Bomb 23:00 Under Siege 2

07:00 Childrens TV 09:30 Roary the Racing Car 09:40 Olivia 09:50 The WotWots 10:00 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:05 CSI: NY 13:00 CSI: NY 13:55 Extraordinary Dogs 14:25 5 News Lunchtime 14:30 Home and Away 15:00 Neighbours 15:30 Ice Station Zebra 18:15 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 Extraordinary Dogs 19:55 Referendum Broadcast on Behalf of the No Campaign 20:00 Police Interceptors 21:00 The Gadget Show 22:00 Hotel Inspector 23:00 The Sweetest Thing 24:45 Barely Legal

09:00 Oops TV 10:00 Emergency Animal Rescue 11:00 Emergency Animal Rescue 12:00 Oops TV 13:00 UK Border Force 14:00 Futurama 15:00 Futurama 16:00 My Pet Shame 17:00 Oops TV 17:30 Futurama 18:00 Oops TV 18:30 Futurama 19:00 A League of Their Own 19:30 The Simpsons 20:30 The Simpsons 21:00 Stargate Universe 22:00 A League of Their Own 23:00 Spartacus: Blood and Sand

07:00 Childrens TV 12:05 In the Night Garden 12:35 Pink Panther Show 13:00 Daily Politics 13:30 GMT with George Alagiah 13:55 Diagnosis Murder 14:40 Restoration Roadshow 15:10 To Buy or Not to Buy 15:55 Flog It! 16:40 Helicopter Heroes 17:25 Pointless 18:10 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 18:55 Referendum Broadcast on Behalf of the Yes Campaign 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Great British Menu 20:00 Coast 21:00 Britain’s Next Big Thing 22:00 The Quite Remarkable David Coleman 23:00 Later Live... with Jools Holland 23:30 Newsnight 24:20 Party Election Broadcast 24:25 The Secrets of Scott’s Hut

07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News 14:55 Granada News 15:00 60 Minute Makeover 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 Midsomer Murders 18:00 Britain’s Best Dish 19:00 Granada Reports 19:25 Party Election Broadcast 19:30 ITV News 19:50 Referendum Broadcast on Behalf of the Yes Campaign 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Military Driving School 21:00 Countrywise 22:00 Case Sensitive 23:00 ITV News at Ten 23:30 Granada News 23:35 The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift

07:15 The Hoobs 08:05 Freshly Squeezed 08:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:55 Frasier 09:25 Friends 09:55 Wife Swap USA 10:55 Relocation, Relocation 11:55 A Place by the Sea 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 Make Do & Mend 13:35 The TV Book Club 14:05 Jamie at Home 14:35 The Bounty Hunter 16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:50 Referendum Broadcast on Behalf of the Yes Campaign 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Supersize vs Superskinny 22:00 Secret Millionaire 23:00 Campus 24:05 Misfits

07:00 Childrens TV 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:05 Extreme Fishing with Robson Green 13:05 Meals in Moments 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:20 Law & Order 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 The Vanessa Show 16:05 Chinese Food in Minutes 16:15 Confessions of a Young Bride 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:25 OK! TV 20:00 5 News at 7 20:25 Referendum Broadcast on Behalf of the Yes Campaign 20:30 Highland Emergency 21:00 Revealed 22:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 23:00 CSI: Miami 23:55 CSI: NY

07:00 Breakfast 08:45 Match of the Day 10:00 Andrew Marr Show 11:00 Big Questions 12:00 Country Tracks 13:00 The Politics Show 14:00 EastEnders 15:55 Bargain Hunt 16:25 Escape to the Country 17:25 Life of Riley 17:55 Points of View 18:10 Songs of Praise 18:45 BBC News; Regional News 19:15 Land Girls 20:00 Countryfile 21:00 Antiques Roadshow 22:00 Exile 23:00 BBC News; Regional News 23:25 Match of the Day 2 24:45 The Sky at Night

07:00 Pinky Dinky Doo 07:10 Chuggington 07:20 Garth and Bev 07:30 Octonauts 07:45 Charlie and Lola 08:00 One Minute Wonders 08:30 Arthur 08:55 Leon 09:00 Fee Fi Fo Yum 09:30 Gimme a Break 10:00 Dennis & Gnasher 10:10 Bear Behaving Badly 10:30 Me and My Monsters 11:00 Something for the Weekend 12:30 MasterChef 13:30 Live MotoGP 15:00 Live Snooker 19:00 Davis v Taylor: The ‘85 Black Ball Final 20:00 Live Snooker 24:00 Shine

07:00 Mini CITV

07:00 Breakfast 10:00 Animal 24:7 10:45 Homes Under the Hammer 11:45 Don’t Get Done, Get Dom 12:30 Cash in the Attic 13:30 Bargain Hunt 14:15 BBC News 14:40 Escape to the Country 15:40 Antz 17:00 Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers 17:30 National Treasure 19:30 BBC News 19:55 Referendum Broadcast on Behalf of the No Campaign 20:00 The One Show 20:30 Bang Goes the Theory 21:00 EastEnders 21:30 QI 22:00 Exile 23:00 BBC News 23:15 Party Election Broadcast 23:20 A Question of Sport 23:50 Late Kick Off 24:20 Graham Norton Show

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Animal 24:7 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Don’t Get Done, Get Dom 12:45 Cash in the Attic 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Escape to the Country 16:00 BBC News; 16:05 Gastronuts 16:35 Prank Patrol Down Under 17:00 Dead Gorgeous 17:30 Blue Peter 17:55 Shaun the Sheep 18:00 Newsround 18:15 The Weakest Link 19:00 BBC News 19:55 Referendum Broadcast on Behalf of the Yes Campaign 20:00 The One Show 20:30 EastEnders 21:00 Holby City 22:00 Exile 23:00 BBC News 23:35 Party Election Broadcast 23:40 See You in Court

08:25 CITV 10:25 May the Best House Win 11:25 Sing if You Can 12:30 This Morning: Sunday 13:30 Dinner Date 14:30 ITV News 14:40 Columbo 16:10 Britain’s Got Talent 17:10 Evan Almighty 19:00 Granada News 19:10 ITV News 19:30 The Cube 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Vera 23:00 ITV News at Ten 23:15 Perspectives

tv Monday

tv Tuesday

08:30 World Series by Renault 09:00 Cycling 10:00 Figure Skating 11:30 Snooker 12:45 Live World Series by Renault 14:00 Live Cycling 15:00 Live Snooker 18:00 Futsal 19:15 Motorsports Weekend 19:25 Snooker 20:00 Live Snooker 23:00 Figure Skating 24:30 Cycling

07:00 Nothing to Declare 08:00 Jerry Springer Show 09:00 Maury 10:00 Four Weddings 11:00 Drop Dead Diva 12:00 Drop Dead Diva 13:00 Four Weddings US 14:00 Four Weddings US 15:00 Four Weddings US 16:00 Passport Patrol 17:00 Nothing to Declare 17:30 Nothing to Declare 18:00 Nothing to Declare 18:30 Nothing to Declare 19:00 Four Weddings 20:00 How to Marry a Prince 21:00 Cougar Town 21:30 Hot in Cleveland 22:00 Katie 23:00 The Hunks 24:00 Grey’s Anatomy

Vera ITV1 21.00

08:30 Motorsports Weekend 08:45 Snooker 09:45 Cycling 10:45 Figure Skating 12:00 Live WTA Tennis 13:45 Snooker 15:00 Live Snooker 18:00 Eurogoals 18:30 Champions Club 19:15 WATTS 19:30 Snooker 20:00 Live Snooker 23:00 Eurogoals 23:30 Champions Club 24:15 Figure Skating

08:00 Jerry Springer Show 09:00 Maury 10:00 America’s Next Top Model 11:00 Nothing to Declare 12:00 Maury 13:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 14:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 15:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 16:00 Criminal Minds 17:00 Charmed 18:00 Charmed 19:00 America’s Next Top Model 20:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 21:00 Katie 22:00 Four Weddings 23:00 16 & Pregnant 24:00 Criminal Minds

Watch New Season TV for Free with the RTN Network 966 463 170

08:00 Lion Man 08:30 Wild Vets 09:00 Oops TV 10:00 The Real A & E 10:30 The Real A & E 11:00 Law & Order 12:00 Mental 13:00 UK Border Force 14:00 Stargate SG-1 15:00 Stargate SG-1 16:00 My Pet Shame 17:00 Oops TV 17:30 Futurama 18:00 Oops TV 18:30 Futurama 19:00 A League of Their Own 19:30 The Simpsons 20:00 The Simpsons 20:30 The Simpsons 21:00 A Different Breed 22:00 The Naked Gun 21/2: the Smell of Fear 23:40 Brit Cops: Frontline Crime UK 24:40 Fringe

09:30 Eurogoals 10:00 WATTS 11:00 WTA Tennis 12:00 Live WTA Tennis 13:45 Tennis 14:00 Champions Club 15:00 Live Under-17s European Championship Football 16:45 Eurogoals 17:00 Live Under-17s European Championship Football 18:45 Snooker 19:30 Tennis 20:00 Boxing 21:00 WTA Tennis 22:00 Under-17s European Championship Football 23:00 Extreme Sports: Freeride Spirit 23:30 World Series by Renault 24:00 Video Gaming

The Naked Gun 21/2: The Smell of Fear SKY1 22.00

07:00 Nothing to Declare 08:00 Jerry Springer Show 09:00 Maury 10:00 America’s Next Top Model 11:00 Nothing to Declare 12:00 Maury 13:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 15:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 16:00 Criminal Minds 17:00 Charmed 18:00 Charmed 19:00 America’s Next Top Model 20:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 21:00 Cougar Town 21:30 Hot in Cleveland 22:00 Katie 23:00 The Hunks 24:00 Criminal Minds

tv Wednesday 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Animal 24:7 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Don’t Get Done, Get Dom 12:45 Cash in the Attic 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Escape to the Country 16:00 BBC News 16:05 Gastronuts 16:35 Prank Patrol Down Under 17:00 Trade Your Way to the USA 17:30 Blue Peter 17:55 Shaun the Sheep 18:00 Newsround 18:15 The Weakest Link 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 Waterloo Road 21:30 Life of Riley 22:00 Panorama 23:00 BBC News 23:35 National Lottery Wednesday Night Draws 23:45 Would I Lie to You? 24:15 Invincible

07:00 Childrens TV 10:05 Koala Brothers 10:15 Guess with Jess 10:30 Big & Small 10:45 Chuggington: Badge Quest 10:50 Grandpa in My Pocket 11:05 Mightymites 11:20 Nuzzle and Scratch: Frock and Roll 11:40 Waybuloo 12:00 In the Night Garden 12:30 Daily Politics 14:00 See Hear 14:30 Car Booty 15:15 To Buy or Not to Buy 16:00 Flog It! 16:45 Helicopter Heroes 17:30 Pointless 18:15 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Great British Menu 20:00 Escape to the Country 21:00 Two Greedy Italians 22:00 Children’s Craniofacial Surgery 23:00 Never Mind the Buzzcocks 23:30 Newsnight 24:20 Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle

07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News 14:55 Granada News 15:00 60 Minute Makeover 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 Midsomer Murders 18:00 Britain’s Best Dish 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 UEFA Champions League Live 23:00 ITV News at Ten 23:30 Granada News 23:35 UEFA Champions League 24:35 Long Lost Family

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011 Feb 26 - March 4 2010

07:00 Treacle People 07:10 The Hoobs 07:35 The Hoobs 08:00 Freshly Squeezed 08:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:00 Frasier 09:30 Friends 10:00 Wife Swap USA 10:55 Relocation, Relocation 11:55 A Place by the Sea 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 Make Do & Mend 13:35 The TV Book Club 14:05 Jamie at Home 14:35 Channel 4 Racing 16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Vacation, Vacation, Vacation 21:30 Superscrimpers: Waste Not Want Not 22:00 A Time Team Special 23:00 Desperate Housewives 24:05 The Big C 24:40 Being N-Dubz in America and Beyond

07:00 Childrens TV 09:40 Olivia 09:50 The WotWots 10:00 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:05 Extreme Fishing with Robson Green 13:05 Meals in Moments 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:20 Law & Order 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 The Vanessa Show 16:05 Chinese Food in Minutes 16:15 Murder 101: Locked Room Mystery 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:25 OK! TV 20:00 5 News at 7 20:30 Zoo Days 21:00 Essex Jungle 22:00 NCIS 23:00 Law & Order: Criminal Intent 23:55 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit 24:55 Poker: Aussie Millions

07:00 Treacle People 07:10 The Hoobs 07:35 The Hoobs 08:00 Freshly Squeezed 08:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:55 Frasier 09:25 Friends 09:55 Wife Swap USA 10:55 Relocation, Relocation 11:55 A Place by the Sea 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 Make Do & Mend 13:35 The TV Book Club 14:05 Jamie at Home 14:35 Channel 4 Racing 16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Three in a Bed 22:00 Jackpots and Jinxes: Lottery Stories 23:00 David Walliams’ Awfully Good Movie Moments

07:00 Childrens TV 09:30 Roary the Racing Car 09:40 Olivia 09:50 The WotWots 10:00 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:05 Extreme Fishing with Robson Green 13:05 Meals in Moments 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:20 Law & Order 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 The Vanessa Show 16:05 Chinese Food in Minutes 16:15 Hush 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:25 OK! TV 20:00 5 News at 7 20:25 How Do They Do It? 20:55 Live UEFA Europa League Football 23:00 Cobra 24:50 Cops in Crisis

08:00 Wild Vets 08:30 Wild Vets 09:00 Oops TV 10:00 The Real A & E 10:30 The Real A & E 11:00 Law & Order 12:00 Mental 13:00 UK Border Force 14:00 Stargate SG-1 15:00 Stargate SG-1 16:00 My Pet Shame 17:00 Oops TV 17:30 Futurama 18:00 Oops TV 18:30 Futurama 19:00 A League of Their Own 19:30 The Simpsons 20:00 The Simpsons 20:30 The Simpsons 21:00 Emergency with Angela Griffin 22:00 Brit Cops: Zero Tolerance 23:00 Fringe 24:00 Martina Cole’s The Runaway

53 53

08:35 Figure Skating 10:00 Under-17s European Championship Football 11:00 WATTS 12:00 Snooker 14:00 WTA Tennis 16:00 Live WTA Tennis 19:15 Eurogoals Flash 19:35 Wednesday Selection 19:40 Wednesday Dossier 19:50 Show Jumping 20:50 Equestrian 21:50 Riders Club 21:55 PGA Tour Golf 22:55 European Tour Golf 23:25 Ladies European Tour Golf 23:35 Golf Club 23:40 Yacht Club 24:00 Eurosport for the Planet 24:30 Olympic Magazine

07:00 Nothing to Declare 08:00 Jerry Springer Show 09:00 Maury 10:00 America’s Next Top Model 11:00 Nothing to Declare 11:30 Nothing to Declare 12:00 Maury 13:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 14:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 15:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 16:00 Criminal Minds 17:00 Charmed 18:00 Charmed 19:00 America’s Next Top Model 20:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 21:00 How to Hold onto a Prince 22:00 Bones 23:00 Grey’s Anatomy 24:00 Criminal Minds

08:30 Horse Racing

07:00 Nothing to Declare 08:00 Jerry Springer Show 09:00 Maury 10:00 America’s Next Top Model 11:00 Nothing to Declare 11:30 Nothing to Declare 12:00 Maury 13:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 14:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 15:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 16:00 Criminal Minds 17:00 Charmed 18:00 Charmed 19:00 America’s Next Top Model 20:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 21:00 Chuck 22:00 16 & Pregnant 23:00 Katie 24:00 Criminal Minds

A Time Team Special Channel 4 22.00

tv Thursday 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Animal 24:7 10:55 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Don’t Get Done, Get Dom 12:45 Cash in the Attic 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Escape to the Country 16:00 BBC News; Regional News 16:05 Gastronuts 16:35 Prank Patrol Down Under 17:00 Project Parent 17:30 My Life 18:00 Newsround 18:15 The Weakest Link 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 EastEnders 21:00 Watchdog 22:00 Inside the Human Body 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News 23:35 Question Time 24:35 Vote 2011

07:00 Childrens TV 10:45 Chuggington: Badge Quest 10:50 Grandpa in My Pocket 11:05 Mightymites 11:20 Nuzzle and Scratch: Frock and Roll 11:45 Waybuloo 12:05 In the Night Garden 12:35 Pink Panther Show 13:00 Daily Politics 13:30 GMT with George Alagiah 14:00 Diagnosis Murder 14:45 Nature’s Top 40 15:15 To Buy or Not to Buy 16:00 Flog It! 16:45 Helicopter Heroes 17:30 Pointless 18:15 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Great British Menu 20:00 The Great Estate: The Rise & Fall of the Council House 21:00 The Animal’s Guide to Britain 22:00 The Shadow Line 23:00 Psychoville 2 23:30 Newsnight 24:20 Children’s Craniofacial Surgery

07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News 14:55 Granada News 15:00 60 Minute Makeover 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 Midsomer Murders 18:00 Britain’s Best Dish 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Tonight 21:00 Emmerdale 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Long Lost Family 23:00 ITV News at Ten 23:30 Granada News 23:35 Piers Morgan’s Life Stories 24:35 Martin Clunes: Man to Manta

08:00 Wild Vets 08:30 Wild Vets 09:00 Oops TV 10:00 The Real A & E 10:30 The Real A & E 11:00 Law & Order 12:00 Mental 13:00 UK Border Force 14:00 Stargate SG-1 15:00 Stargate SG-1 16:00 My Pet Shame 17:00 Oops TV 17:30 Futurama 18:00 Oops TV 18:30 Futurama 19:00 A League of Their Own 19:30 The Simpsons 20:00 The Simpsons 20:30 The Simpsons 21:00 Hawaii Five-0 22:00 Martina Cole’s The Runaway 23:00 House 24:00 NCIS: Los Angeles

Time 09:00 WTA Tennis 11:00 Snooker 12:00 Live WTA Tennis 13:45 Under-17s European Championship Football 15:00 WTA Tennis 16:00 Live WTA Tennis 19:10 Eurogoals Flash 19:30 WATTS 20:00 Fight Club 23:00 WTA Tennis 24:30 Under-17s European Championship Football

Watch New Season TV for Free with the RTN Network 966 463 170

29 APRIL - 5 MAY42011 Feb 26 - March 2010

54 44

Doctor silenced?

The TV Round Up by

Alex Trelinski

Broadcaster and freelance journalist

HERE ARE not many TV dramas that create interest over their return and what the opening story might be, so in that very select band I was delighted to see the new series of Dr.Who hitting the ground running on BBC1 last weekend. We saw the good Doctor being apparently killed off by an astronaut, as well as meeting some distinctly unfriendly aliens called The Silents who vaporised a lady in a Washington restroom, as well as making unwelcome appearances to other cast members. I wasn’t exactly hiding behind my sofa, but it was all extremely well done with more questions than answers, which hopefully will be delivered tomorrow. Matt Smith is once again terrific as the Time Lord, and there’s some real spark between him and Alex Kingston’s character of River. Quality family viewing doesn’t come much better than this, and there‘s one hell of a cliff-hanger in six weeks time, as the series is split for the first time between the spring and autumn.

‘Game of Thrones’ starring Sean Bean is the latest offering from the American HBO network to be making waves, with two episodes under its belt already on Sky Atlantic, and it starts in ten days time on Spain’s Digital Plus. Heaven knows how much money has been thrown at it, as it looks like a multi-million dollar movie, with this serialisation of the fantasy novels by George R R Martin. As with any epic, we have been hit with a myriad of weird characters all at once, but I’ve enjoyed being swept along with the intrigue of it all. Goodies and baddies; incest; monsters; and a dwarf with a high sex drive make it all light years away from the comfortable years of a gentle teatime fairytale being told on ‘Jackanory’. No messing either from HBO, who after screening episode number one in the States three weeks ago immediately green lit series number two. No shock with the news that ‘Benidorm’ will be back with a fifth run next year on ITV1, though surprising that creator

The real ‘bolt out of the blue’ is that the wonderful ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ is coming back for three specials on BBC1 at the end of the year. After over six years off the box, I suspect that this will be one of the big Xmas treats for us to enjoy, with national treasures like Joanna Lumley and June Whitfield giving their usual masterclass in top quality comedy acting.

The British TV comedy world has been mourning the death of John Sullivan at the age of 64. Most TV writers would be grateful for one hit series, let alone two. Sullivan had a whole stack of them, led of course by ‘Only Fools and Horses’. Much as I enjoyed the adventures of The Trotters, his other work has been pushed too much into the background for my liking. The on/off affair between Vince and Penny in ‘Just Good Friends’ in the mid-eighties made it the biggest sitcom on the box at the time, and over

thirty years ago, he made a star of Robert Lindsay in ‘Citizen Smith’, as well scripting the underrated ‘Dear John’ with Ralph Bates. That’s quite a wonderful legacy he left us, which may never be

La Verdad De La Mentira DETECTIVE CHIEF Inspector Gonçalo Amaral is the policeman who led the search for Madeleine McCann, if in fact the poor mite was ever really Book searched for on that night of 3rd Review by May 2007. Despite the child being left in an unlocked apartment with her two younger siblings, out of copy@dannyjpcollins.com view of her parents who were dining more than a hundred metres away, her parents insisted she had been abducted. In my own book, Vanished – The Truth About the Disappearance of Madeleine McCann (John Blake 2008), I voice my suspicions that the McCann’s put forward the abduction theory because they feared a police prosecution for the abandonment of a minor. DCI Amaral agrees but far from believing my conclusions that Madeleine wandered out of the unlocked apartment of her own volition and was carried off by Romanian gipsies to be sold for begging, Amaral believes she died an accidental death in the apartment and her death was covered up by her parents. I find that hard to believe and Amaral’s attempts to convince us of his conclusions strike me as a cynical assumption based on an immense dislike for the McCanns and for the misguided attempts by them and members of their holiday group to mislead the investigation regarding how the group’s children were left and checked on. However, one can’t deny the police inspector and his team unearthed some startling facts, including that about a member of

Danny Collins

the group that could be contrived as playing a sinister part in Madeleine’s disappearance. Clearly DCI Amaral, who retired in order to write the book, has a policeman’s nose that twitches at every scent, even putting forward the ludicrous assertion that the McCann’s used a hire car, rented 23 days after Madeleine’s disappearance, to remove her body to a place of clandestine burial. However, other than a few similarly bizarre assertions that seem to deliberately overlook established fact – for example, Amaral insists that cadaver dogs have been successful in 200 cases without mentioning that given the scientifically declared success rate is between 66 and 69%, it must mean they have proved unsuccessful in a further 100. This is, of course, a policeman’s logic and not mine but his conviction is unshakeable that Madeleine died in apartment 5A on 3rd May 2007. For myself I believe that every fact must be considered before a conclusion is reached and for that reason I recommend it to RTN readers who can handle Spanish. The book was banned from sale by the Portuguese Court following a plea by the McCann’s lawyers in September 2009 but was lifted following a successful appeal by Amaral on 19th October 2010. Author: Gonçalo Amaral Publisher: Esquilo (Spanish language paperback) Price: 13.50€ ISBN: 978 989 8092 40 3

Suduko Answer

Derren Litten will pen some of the episodes after recently saying that he was calling it a day.

equalled again. If he’d been a playwright, he probably would have been knighted a decade ago, but the snobbery towards popular television persists in the UK corridors of power!

motoring

Brian Deller

Author of Motoring in Spain

We have a car which both my wife and I drive but which is actually registered in my name. If an offence is detected by the camera are the points automatically applied to my licence as the registered owner? If my wife or our children were driving at the time the offence was committed how do I go about having my points reinstated? No doubt this situation applies to many expats who live here permanently where both husband and wife drive. In the article you quote that drivers have been stopped because they have had over 6 points deducted. As they would have had to have committed a driving offence to collect these points what has happened to the fine that would automatically have been imposed? Does Trafico not apply to collect the fine by post? I cannot see the revenue from fines lying uncollected until some future date when the driver is stopped in a roadside check. Kind regards Bob Kennard – Torrevieja.

You do not say but I assume the car is on Spanish plates. The registered owner at Trafico will be the one who is issued with the fine and points lost and Trafico relies now, if you are not stopped just after the offence, on your looking at the Trafico web-site to see if we have any points against our Spanish licence/name. Obviously if we have a foreign plated vehicle and an EU driving-licence, e.g. a UK one which is current, and the taxresident (not a visitor) driver is up to date with the mandatory medicals here in Spain (if not, then the driving licence is deemed to have expired regardless of what the dates on it state) then unless the vehicle is on Spanish plates, the police will not be able to trace the owner. Instead they will place it on a list of wanted vehicles to be impounded in a routine traffic stop. Remember also that number plate recognition cameras are now in operation (more on the way) with usually a police/Guardia Civil road block soon after. If a fine has been charged against a vehicle/driver and it was being driven by another person at the time of the offence, then the owner can submit a sworn statement to the Guardia Civil (usually) or the policia local although

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

they may be able to trace the vehicle if it is a local one, and re-direct the fine. If the owner does nothing, than the fine is charged against the vehicle so that when it is sold, the re-matriculation/ registration of change of ownership cannot be completed until the fine, with interest, is paid. This is, as I say in the book, important to check if buying a used vehicle, especially privately, whether there are any outstanding fines against the vehicle. If you think this is a reason for moaning, remember that the UK police are much tougher. Any changing of the accused driver usually means using a lawyer or a gestor: an expensive option, unless you are fluent in Spanish. So it is better to keep within the laws. The ‘golden days’ of motoring are over, I guess: the days of my youth when there were no speed limits and relatively empty roads. It is therefore important to keep a diary of who uses the car each day and the times to save arguments perhaps at a later date. Personally I never lend our car to anyone and my wife has a chauffeur - ME. With there being over 25 million vehicles registered at Trafico, you can see the big job they have to administer the laws.

There is much more detailed information on all motoring subjects in my book. Brian Juan (John) Deller, Malaga, author, ‘Motoring in Spain’ www.spainvia.com. Tel: 666 888 870 Brian Deller, author, book Motoring in Spain, ISBN No 978 84 611 9278 6. Shops’ addresses in my web site at: www.spainvia.com/bookshopslist.htm

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

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40d00 miles rhd 4rh o t u a FORD FOCUS ZETEC Ford Fiesta Finesse

2002 1.4 TDCI Diesel Tax & Mot, FSH

2008 1.8 LTR PETROL ONE OWNER, TAXED

Opening hours Mon - Fri 9-6pm (No siesta) Sat 10-1pm. Find us next to Petrol Station TORREMENDO 10 Minutes inland from San Miguel, Los Montesinos & Junction 751 on the AP7 towards Orihuela. Torremendo turning on CV95 towards San Miguel

Classified Ads 29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

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UK-SPAIN-IRELAND All European Destinations

Removals with the personal touch. Full/part loads. Parcels, flat packs, luggage, door to door service, Storage available, pets transported

Phone 965 696 750 • 0044 (0) 1460 74191 email: chrisyounge73979@aol.com

PRISTINE POOLS

• Professional pool maintenance & cleaning • Replacement pumps, filters, salt systems Ph regulators and accessories supplied and installed • Pipe leaks pressure tested, detected and repaired • Structural leaks investigated and repaired • Refurbishments & upgrades undertaken British Trained with over 15 years experience. Extensive references. All work guaranteed Tel: 96 677 4199 or 678 080 500 www.pristineswimmingpools.com Torrevieja and surrounding areas plus Costa Calida

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011 MATURE LADY REQUIRED as live-in housekeeper with own bedroom and personal free time, in exchange for light household duties etc and social events, for a retired, fit and healthy gentleman. Torreveija area. Tlf:-966-784665 CARERS WANTED To work in England 3 weeks on 3 weeks off email CV to 24hourhomecareservices@ googlemail.com AVON NEED AGENTS AND LEADERS work hours to suit you. For info Phone Rosh 966785-520 ADULT INTERNET PHOTO AND VIDEO Females and couples, 18-65, required as models. Excellent rates. Tlf:697-697-842 GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY For a good Cook and Average Handyman. Small apartment in La Manga, in a chalet situated in the front line of Mar Menor, to let in exchange for light services. For full details Tlf Ernesto:-968-564-022

SERVICE AIR David Higton: (Tel) 966-865-883 (Mob) 629-308-505 (Email) cool@serviceair.biz

PAWS PET TRANSPORT Spain-UK-Spain every month. We look after your pets as if they belong to us. Call Joe for a chat on 966-074-576 or 650-341-087. email:pawspettransport@hotmail. com

per week, €31,000 nett yearly. 25 pringle vending machines with sites €14,900.€250 per week guaranteed.965-326442/659-696-455 PARTY CELEBRATION BUSINESS Stock includes Fancy-dress, Balloons, cards, decorations, display, everything you need. Value 35.000€ sell for 12.000€ ONO. Tlf 619-366-196 SOLAR ENERGY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Long established company, own product range. First class training & support. Telephone 606586587

FULLY QUALIFIED UK ELECTRICIAN with 10 years experience on the CostaBlanca. All jobs undertaken-extra sockets, rewires, fault finding. Tlf:Hugh-690-275-223

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS - COSTA BLANCA Confidential Helplines South 625-912-078 North - 648-169045 www.aa-costablanca.org

MOBILE/PARK HOMES FROM 17,000€ Fully furnished ready to move into, A/c, tel, Eng TV, on permanent site, bar/res, pool, tennis, gym, shop.Walking distance to San Javier. 5mins to beach, Airport, hospital by car. (also bungalows for rent & caravans plots short term or permanent stays.) Carol 968-192-425 mob. 626-055-622 www. mobilehomesmarmenorspain. com CAMPING LOS GALLARDOS Come to Mojacar! Large campsite + mobile home park open all year, great expat community site, all welcome. 950-528-324. www. CampingLosGallardos.com

SSR SPEED BOAT 4.5Mtr + New Trailer. Yamaha 28hp, E/S. possibility auxiliary engine. Brand New upholstery + extras. 3000€. Tlf:- 665-068649

10 COLD DRINK/SNACK VENDING MACHINES with sites,€44,900.excellent cash income, no overhead, work from home, work only one day

PC SOLUTIONS 4U For all your PC needs. Reliable & friendly service. Call Fred 634-638-664/visits 20 mile radius,Benidorm. We also buy PCs/computers BYTEBACK MICROS computer repairs/upgrades in your home. Qualified technician. Systems custom built. Whatever your problem call: 965312-006 or 606-127-424

FULL TIME PROFESSIONAL HEADWAITER or restaurant manager with a proven record of experience and an understanding of English, Spanish and German. You will also be honest, hard working and have a young, ambitious and energetic attitude. Also required experienced assistant chefs with proven work history, spoken English necessary. Experienced hard working Bar staff with proven work history, spoken English and some knowledge of cocktails required. Please send up to date CV to ponchosmoraira@ yahoo.com tel 688-883-004

WILL THE EURO WEAKEN, FURTHER? Safeguard your savings, change to GBP. Legal, safe & private. Profitable, paid 8-10% interest, last decade. Requires offers 50K, plus. Details:petersharp4u@gmail.com

GARDENING GENERAL Garden Irrigation Systems. Supply and Install from 500 euros, 12 month guarantee. A cost effective way of watering the garden. Tel:-965-583-574 GENERAL GARDENING Palm Trees/Pine Trees, Tree specialist. Size not a problem. Quick with quality service. Plastic and gravel work. Economical prices. Free quote. Call:-634-625-792 Daniel TORREVIEJA GARDENING Palm trees, treat, clean, cut. Tel:-633-300-651 ALTEA-MORAIRA GARDENING Garden Rubbish removed from 40euros. All gardening and painting 8.75 per hour OR priced work. Altea - Moraira Tel:692-998-243 TEULADA/MORAIRA GARDENING Jon Cooper Garden Services.Clearance to regular maintenance. Hedging, graveling, etc. all aspects of garden maintenance. Most areas North Costa Blanca. email:- joncooper@hotmail. co.uk 680-337-656 PEDREGUER GARDENING Garden design, maintenance and landscaping covering the areas of Pedreguer, Pego, Jalon, Els Poblets, Javea, Orba and Denia. 637-298-799 JAVEA GARDENING Perfect gardens Javea. Garden design. Tidy up. Hedges, Palms, Lawns, Irrigation, Gravel, Pools. Professional service call: John on 606-711-587

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011 GUADAMAR DEL SEGURA GARDENING El Raso Garden Services: Community, residential or holiday home garden maintenance with monthly plans, one off visits or specialized individual jobs covering all aspects of garden maintenance. Located at Manuel Ferrandez el Raso, 03170 Guardamar del Segura. Tel:-620-585-783 CALPE GARDENING All gardening work undertaken from small general tidy up, to full landscaping services. Covering the areas of Calpe, Moraira, Javea and the surrounds. Tlf:-659-369-348

TEETH WHITENING. Professional Pain Free Cosmetic Treatment, from 99€. Javea, Denia, Calpe, Benidorm areas. Tel:-966-473166 or 680-501-404. See www.nulookteeth.com

AUTOMATIC GATE SYSTEMS €399!! Automatic Garage Doors €249!! Fully Installed/Guaranteed! All brands repaired 627-191-639/ www.elektro-nex.com WHEELCHAIR Light, Foldable, Hardly used. 150€. Mobility Scooter 40km range 499€. Both like new! Tlf:627-019-403

AT MICHAEL’S Unusual Moroccan furniture. Hand carved and painted cabinet. Large Moroccan blanket chest and matching big hand carved cabinet. www.michaels-javea.com AT MICHAEL’S Several different wall units and sideboards to choose from in our Town shop. See more than 600 photos. www.michaelsjavea.com Tel 96-579 1328 AT MICHAEL’S you also get NEW high quality Spanish beds. All sizes available as we deal directly with the manufacturers! Famous brands like United Colors of Benetton, etc www.michaels-javea.com AT MICHAEL’S Look at our website to see more than 30 different dining sets in various styles, Castilian, wicker, modern, pine, designer etc. www.michaels-javea.com (updates every 5-6 days) MICHAEL’S 28 YEARS IN JAVEA ENSURES YOUR SATISFACTION! We sell high quality pre owned furniture, many from show apartments etc. Look at: www.michaelsjavea.com Tlf:965-791-328.

WANTED INSTANT CASH PAID Antique and modern jewellery, vintage watches bought sold part exchanged, insurance valuations. Jewellery & watch repairs. Alexanders, Javea Port seafron near Bar Esquina. Established since 2003. Tel:965-792-595

S.O.S. INSURANCE CarHome-Health-Comercial. Funeral Plans and Insurance. Tlf:-966-787-123/ 622-275-561/686-116-297

HAIRDRESSING EQUIPMENT 1 backwash unit, Hood Dryer on Stand, Climazon Dryer Nearly New 1000€. Genuine Interest Only Tlf:-620-408-678 2 X MATCHING SOFA TABLES Circular, Diameter 60cm, Height 55cm, 3 legged pedestal base, Light oak finish. VCG. Altea area, Buyer collects. 50€ the pair. 691202-307 TRADITIONAL STYLE CASSETTE WOOD BURNER Fan assisted. Width 87cm. Height 61cm. Cost 1200€. Accept 300€. Photo available, buyer collects. 965-570-187 or 645-099-662.

G.S PARTY HIRE Planning a party. Do you need table s,chairs,crockery,glasses. Outside catering and bar for all occasions. Then contact me for more information on.635109-375/693-371-654/966194-984 BALLROOM/LATIN/ SEQUENCE DANCING La Rustika [Los Arcos] Restaurant, Avenida Baleares, Torrevieja.Monday, NEW BEGINNERS CLASS 10.30am 12.30pm: Tuesday:

IMPROVERS LESSON 7.30m 8.30pm plus SOCIAL DANCE 8.30pm 10.30pm: Saturday SOCIAL DANCE 7.30pm 10pm.Casa Ventura, San Luis, Torrevieja. Thursday NEW BEGINNERS CLASS 7.30pm 9.30pm.Tel: Andrea & Brian:616-478-157 WEIGHT WATCHERS Call our Free English call centre now to find your nearest meeting. 900-818-794

TRAILOR TWIN WHEELED 2.600 x 1.400 for a English car 550euros. Scaffold English Aliminum clips and boards covers 32mt x 2 lifts 550euros. Tel No:-965-730-774 QROPS FEES! Have you looked at transferring or cashing in your UK pension only to be dissappointed by expensive fees? If so call me. Lowest QROPS Fees Guaranteed! Paul 965-058-488 or 691-219-354 KARAOKE MEDIA PLAYER Special Offer 500GB. 80,000songs, software, songbooks, bar/home use. 195euros Tlf:-657-766-341 SUNSHADE CANVERSE, TEAK POLE 8FT SPREAD Excellent condition, base included. 35€. Tlf:965-874-323. SINGERS, DJ\’S, KJ\’S 1TB media drive inc:-110k up to date karaoke tracks, 1k + M/F/duet backing tracks, 500+music videos. 400+ music albums. Karaoke & DJ software etc etc. 225euros. CC accepted via paypal. call Paul . 659-511-951 BEV´S CAKES For all occasions, made to your specification. Alfaz/Benidorm areas. Call for more info 670-533-488 POOL, SNOOKER TABLES Also Table Tennis and Darts. Will beat any price!. Tlf:-666933-726. www.spainpool.com

ROYAL ENFIELD BULLET 500CC 1700Kms only. Many Extras, Spanish Registered, Insured, Fully Legal, One Owner. Half New price 2500€ Tlf:-606-075-644/966-786-858

BMW June 1997 1.9 Roadster 49,000 kms, 3 owners Fully serviced. All extras. Dark met green Showroom condition

€7,750

600-726-221/695-687-976

www.fwreurocars.com

Mercedes CLK230 Cabriolet Auto/Tip Top Line Choice of four Full service history

Showroom condition

from €8,950

600-726-221/695-687-976

www.fwreurocars.com

CITROEN PICASSO XSARA. 1.6 SX. Sept 2003. 2 Owners, FSH, Alloys, Aircon, CD, Front Fogs, Pic-Nic Tables, Rear privacy Glass, Lovely Condition. Metallic Burgundy only 5750€ Includes 1 year warranty and transfer. . Tel 600-726-622/965-687-976 or simply view our easy to use website www.fwreurocars.com LOOKING FOR A CAR? We have a nice selection of LHD and RHD Vehicles for sale or exchange from only 1500€, Automatics, Saloons, MPV´s, 4x4´s, Sports, Cariolets, and Commercials. New and used Vehicles Sourced. Tel Frank your friendly English car sales on the Costa Blanca. Tel 600-726-221/965-687-976 or simply view our easy to use website www.fwreurocars.com PEUGEOT 406 2L, 2001 PETROL Executive, RHD Spanish Plates, Genuine 57,000 Miles, 1 owner from new, F/S/H, Dk Metallic Grey, Leather, Climate Control, Top of Range. 1995€. Will part exchange for Spanish car/van. cash either way. tel:680-665-583 FORD FOCUS ESTATE 1.8 TDCI End 2002, Silver, 1 Owner from new, 107,000Kms (66,000 Miles) F/S/H, Excellent condition, 4250€. Will part exchange for Spanish car/van. cash either way. tel:680-665-583 CITROEN C5 ESTATE 2.0 HDI year 2002, UK Car fully loaded, just serviced, Tax and Mot until November 2011, excellant condition, Perfect for returning to UK as has large boot, 2950 euro will part exchange for Spanish car/van. cash either way. tel:680-665-583 WANTED Scrap cars, vans, lorries, plant and caravans. Turn your scrap into cash. Free collection. Tel.689-929395 BREAKERS YARD HGV, Vans, 4x4, Cars, Bikes. Most vehicle parts in stock. Delivery service for engines, etc. Vehicle sales and scrappage service. Free pick-up and transfer. Call 692-790-377. E-mail: hgmservices@yahoo.com BUMPERS, WINGS AND MIRRORS All body panels for all cars supplied. Tel:-966-877145 or 618-592-396 HEADLIGHTS4U.COM Left hand drive headlights supplied and fitted. All makes. Also air conditioning rechargeTel:-966877-145 or 618-592-396 WANTED I buy any car, van,Caravan,4x4 Etc.British, Spanish. Immediate cash 600-781-873 ibuyanycar@hotmail.com

FINE FINISH DECORATORS All apsects undertaken, guaranteed work, free quotes and advice. cheap rates, Villajoyosa to Calpe. 617-619-710

WARNING!!! Are you exterior painting? Before you paint, get this FREE essential report. Tlf:-966-114-546 or download at www.paintmyvilla.com PAINTOR AND DECORATOR Exterior/interior Spray Painting Specialist. Woodwork, iron work, all aspects. For a free friendly, no obligation quote call Kevin Guilfoyle. 965-831209/636-653-516 or Guifoyle.kev66@gmail.com

FELLAS! Do you have a problem getting up in the morning, or at any other time? If so phone Derek 685-207-378 BI-GAY PLUMBER Available to massage your ball cock and semen requirements. A warm welcome! Tlf:-660-409-206 TORREVIEJA TRANS AMANDA Stunning Blonde. Huge breasts, sculptural body. Speciality erotic masage.Very feminine and sexy. Call me 671-424-456 SPANISH LADY PLAYA FLAMENCA near new Carrefour before La Florida. 35 years, attractive, classy lady, private house, parking. Offers all erotic services, massage, sexy lingerie, economical prices from 40€. Full discretion. Call Ana 680-735-412 MAY-EROTIC FROM INDONESIA 38 petite attractive full service, will spoil you with a sensual relaxing massage. No withheld numbers. Call:-698-896-034. Mon-Fri ARE YOU MALE, FEMALE OR A COUPLE? Need some Sexy FUN? Contact me soonest. 63 year old Dom/Sub switch. Available for fun with Males, Dom and Sub and Cross Dressers, Females Dominatrix and Submissive. Couples including Same Sex Couples. “Anything Goes” Can sometimes accomodate. Home Visits no extra Charge/Low Fees. Call me now on 655-058-554 AGENCY CAMPANILLA Pretty and pleasant girls only for hotel and home service. 24hr. Discreet. Seriousness. Alicante and Murcia areas. Call us 626-750-746. WONDERFUL MASSAGE 4 HANDS Stimulating erotic points, Oriental techniques to retard erection ejaculation....La Zenia 10 minutes, Torrevieja, Los Montesinos 600-784-461 NEW IN LA ZENIA Argentinian horny woman, enjoys giving you pleasure and also special attention to couples, fetish, role change, voyeurism. 629-437-893 BEAT THE CREDIT CRUNCH! Blonde, English, Aged 44. 40€ all inclusive. Tlf:626-324-088 I AM NO SPRING CHICKEN! But I would welcome a sincere lady for companionship and friendship in the Torrevieja Area. Tlf:-966-784-665

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

CASA ANGELA TORREVIEJA Luxury Private Chalet, parking. Drinks invitation. Feeling alone? Just want some company? Exotic girls from South America. Call us, come and enjoy! Also Escort Service. Full discretion. Street: Avenida Asociacion Vistimas del Terrorismo. 609-573-468 or 639-832-118 NEW PLACE! TORREVIEJA Sexy girls from South America. Come and enjoy, economical prices from 40?. NEW ADDRESS Zone Los Locos beach. 639-622-285 TORREVIEJA CHINESE SUPER SEXY Young and beautiful. Calle Orihuela Nº60, 2º1 DANI 24, SWEET GERMAN GIRL Offers erotic service. House and Hotel visits or in my apartment. 650-104-534 Torrevieja GORGEOUS ENGLISH BLOND 45 years, Massage, 1 hour or over night, 15 mins Alicante airport.Tel:-Karen 662049-021 ELEGANT, SLIM, SEXY LADY ESCORT My Place, Home or Hotel visits. Torrevieja-La Manga-Mazarron Areas. Tlf:693-357-526

POOL LEAK REPAIR SPECIALIST’S Pipe leaks pressure tested, detected and repaired. Structural leaks investigated and repaired. Professional, consciencious service to the highest standards. Refurbishments and upgrades undertaken. Replacement pumps, filters, salt systems, ph regulators and accessories supplied and installed. All work guaranteed. British trained in the UK pool industry with over 15

years experience. 8 years served on the Costa Blanca. Torrevieja and surrounding areas including Costa Calida. Tlf:- Pristine Pools on 966774-199 or 678-080-500 www. pristineswimmingpools.com SWIMMING POOL MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING SERVICE BY POOLTECHSPAIN. We are a fully legal, qualified and registered business who have been operating on the Costa Blanca for 6 years. We offer a professional, reliable, safe and efficient pool service, inc. re-grouting, pressure testing and leak repairs. Private and community swimming pools undertaken. Call now for more information on 965-725-565 or mobile 676-945-360/ 620-743-048 www.pooltechspain.com

MOBILE/PARK HOMES On Camping Pueblo in San Javier from 15,000e Carol 968-192425 mob 626-055-622 Www, mobilehomesmarmenorspain. com LOOKING TO RELOCATE We have new and pre-owned luxury park homes for sale throughout the UK 12 month occupancy part exchange considered on your Spanish or UK home for more information call 0044-151633-2321 or email :alan.aitken@hotmail. co.uk

RENT LONG/SHORT TERM Rio Mar 3 bed villa by sea. San Luis 3 bed terraced villa. Crevillente 2 bed bungalow. Call 965-405-631/629-963-279 JAVEA Fly in & inspect from your helicopter secluded villa. 3/dB + e/s, 9x5m lounge, naya, K/dinette, utility: Semi-det. S/c flat dB, bath, Kit, lounge - for

Granny or letting, 3000m2 orchard, pool & BBQ. Offers: Petersharp4u@gmail.com 1 BED GROUND FLOOR FLAT Mar Azul/Eliseos playa area 2nd line to beach. Midway between Torrevieja Centre &

van.man@hotmail.co.uk EUROMOVE4U Full & Part Loads. Spain to UK/UK to Spain on a regular monthly basis. Cars & Motorcycles transported Next run to UKEnd of May Returning Early June. Sep Space Available Call Grant or Jan Office 0034965-300-959 Mobile 0034-648102-529 UK Mob 0044-7803893-719. SIMPLY REMOVALS SpainUK-Spain. Local/Storage. Experienced in Transport. Mel Landon (Torrevieja). Tlf:-603192-957. email:- melvyynleo@ yahoo.com VAN LEAVING FOR THE U/K every two weeks space both ways. Great rates contact Joe on 966-074-576 or 650-341087 or email civic1235@msn. com MICK WITH HIS VAN Removals Collections Deliveries. For a reliable effective service. Hourly rate or quote. Call Mick anytime 600247-535 LARGE EMPTY VAN with experienced owner, driver returning to UK regularly. Dave: 965329-610/ 686-767-839

RECORDS AND CD´S WANTED Top cash paid. Pop, Rock, Blues.Tlf:-630-665-363

SPANISH LESSONS ONLINE I can teach you the easiest way to speak Spanish. Tlf:-600-400-668. www. howtospeakspanish.es COMPUTER TUTOR Software training, ebusiness education, website publishing, photography, videography and more DIY tips and tricks for all of your business and personal needs. Karla Darocas - certified instructor since 1990. Tel: 96 597 3234 info@KarlaDarocas. com Referrences - www. KarlaDarocas.com BRITISH GRADUATE TEACHER Offers secondary/ primary tuition. English/ Mathematics. Tel:-Margaret Johnson B.Ed. 965-350-516/616-660-687

ALL SATELLITE SYSTEMS Installed, Maintained and Repaired. 10 years experience with Satellites in Spain. All areas covered. Tlf:-Hugh-690275-223 SKYSUPPLIES Humax and Sky+ HD. Sales, Repairs, Hard Drive Upgrades. White Cards, LNBs, Remotes, Realignments. 1.9m Dish Wanted. 966-194-013/600899-096 CRYSTAL CLEAR SATELLITE AND INTERNET TV for all your digital and TV requirements. No Annual Fees on Sky Cards. Steve:-660-186505/Ros:-965-584-097. www. ccsattv.com info@ccsattv.com

Punta Prima. 275€ pcm + bills. Available from MAY onwards. tel:-686-188-929 BRAND NEW TWO BED FLAT In Algorfa, partly furnished, town centre, communal pool.350euro inclusive . No bills to pay. Ring:-0044-7949589-539 1 BED PART FURNISHED BUNGALOWS on Camping Pueblo in San Javier. With lots of ameneties Carol tel 968-192425 mob. 626-055-662 Www. mobilehomesmarmenorspain. com

MAN & LWB SPRINTER VAN going to UK- Spain twice a month. Tel: 610-846-260 or 0044-7519-186-355 email:-

QUALIFIED TRANSLATOR Bi-Lingual Spanish-English, High Level French and German. Confidential and Reliable Service. Competative Rates. Torrevieja Area. Call Virginia on 629-201-192. TRANSLATOR Spanish and English speaking. Available for medical visits etc. Benidorm and surrounding areas. Tel Dawn: 626-337-258.

WANTED TECHNICS 1200 OR 1210 TURNTABLE in good condition. Tel:-617-893036 or email kath_poole@ hotmail.com TURN YOUR UNWANTED FURNITURE Electrical, Household Goods and Brica-brac into Cash. Anything! Anywhere! 965-319-220/618165-877 GOLD WANTED!! English Jeweller, will buy for cash, broken or unwanted gold jewellery and coins. Tlf:Peter664-890-990

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

Book an advert on this page and get a FREE premium listing worth 100€ on thebizspain.com. Contact your local representative or call 902 118 999 T’s & C’s apply Airport Parking

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Construction

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moraira multi-services.com

Total property management & maintenance

UK-SPAINIRELAND All European

Pool Cleaning,Garden clearance and maintenance, Villa management, villa cleaning, change overs, meet and greet etc Established family business working on the Costa Blanca for 12 years

Destinations

696 056 851

Removals with the personal

info@morairamultiservices.com

touch. Full/part loads. Parcels,

Energy (Solar)

flat packs, luggage, door to door service, Storage available, pets transported

Phone 965 696 750 0044 (0) 1460 74191 email: chrisyounge73979@aol.com

Security

Instant Protection and Affordable Security for 140€

· Powerful 220watt FLOODLIGHT with hidden VIDEO & PHOTO CCTV camera · Installed at any suitable light point and with optional audio warning. RECORDS up to 750 secs of video or 60000 photos. Starts to RECORD as soon as MOVEMENT is detected. INTRUDERS will have been photographed the moment they approach your premises

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Vehicle Maintenance

Man with a Van •Removals •Drop offs •Pick Ups

Call 603 108 778 General builders

Gardening

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

The final whistle With Andy Kay

RTN Golf Club update

www.andykayevents.com

Champions League Semi Final review Dennis Jordan NORTH REGION

Mike Probert SOUTH REGION Wayne Rooney

I’M INDEBTED to my pal Glenn Tullett (Javea Bull’s hooker / scrum half) for his astute analysis of Wednesday’s Champions League semi final between Real Madrid and Barcelona. In a facebook posting, he wrote “Accidently turned the TV to football; some bloke in blue and red has a roll around after a bloke in white touches him and the ball. Then theatre, great acting, and the team in white have to play with 10 blokes. Then some Portuguese chap acts a little aggressive and he has to sit in the non-smokers section. Is there any sport involved?” Tongue in cheek I grant you but sadly a fair reflection of a poor game that promised much but aside from a couple of bits of magic from Messi, delivered very little. Madrid employed ‘Plan A’ which was to try and contain Barca (I’m not sure they had a Plan B) while the visitors seemed more intent on impressing any watching Hollywood casting directors. If UEFA had the guts to implement some form of retrospective punishment for play-acting, then Pedro could be expecting a lengthy ban for going down, holding his face, after a fair shoulder to shoulder challenge while Dani Alves would be up for the annual ‘UEFA Lazarus’ award following his miraculous recovery from an ungainly but in no way malicious tackle from Pepe which saw the Madrid player sent off after the referee was surrounded by Barcelona players, all waving imaginary red cards. There’s a lot of guff written about these two teams, saying how far they are ahead of other clubs in Europe, but to be honest, I thought the performance of Manchester United in Germany the night before put both of them in the shade. United dominated Schalke from start to finish with a powerful and skilful display that left their German opposition chasing shadows. Wayne Rooney gave a glimpse of what we can expect from him in his later footballing years – a true master class on the art of midfield play. Along with Michael Carrick, who I thought had his best ever game for the English champions, Rooney was simply sensational – linking well, spraying out passes left and right and providing his teammates with chance after chance. In truth, United could have won that game by six or seven. They were that good. Of course, neither tie is over but it does look very much like the final at Wembley will between United and Barça. If so, I hope that Sir Alex Ferguson tells his men to go out and play like they did against Schalke. It’s almost impossible to contain the Spanish side for 90 minutes so rather than let them dictate the play, I’d suggest United really get in their faces. Press them high up the pitch and try and disrupt their smooth passing game. It’s going to take a big effort and United’s players will need to be super-fit. Additionally, SAF will need to get in to the referee’s ear about Barcelona’s cynical ‘simulation’ or, as I like to call it, ‘cheating’. Whatever the United boss decides, it’s going to be some game.

Murcia Golf Hound Murcia Region

WEATHER HAS once again stopped play on most of the courses around the Costa Blanca, with heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning over the last week. Most courses will allow you to carry on playing if you don’t mind playing in the rain. However, they have to shut the course if they think it could be dangerous to the golfer to carry on…i.e. lightning or dangerous surfaces under foot and also with buggies that can be very hard to keep in control on steep paths. So let’s hope the weather stays better for the next few days, although I am afraid it has been forecast wet at the weekend, but maybe not thunder storms and we can then at least get out for a round of our beloved golf! WELL EASTER has come and gone and the golfing gods didn’t exactly do us any favours with the weather with mixed fortunes for golfers over the holiday period. I played the excellent course at Roda last week which was in good condition and beginning to throw off the winter coat and the modifications to the par 3 thirteenth hole are complete, look good and the hole is now back in full play. On the hollow tining front Altorreal and Vistabella are now recovering from the work on the greens but until 1st May Vistabella is offering discounts of 40% on all prices as a compensation for any disruption to your round. Campoamor have announced that their greens hollow tining programme will start on 2nd May but also their fairways over-seeding programme will run until the middle of July. As reported previously, beware the month of May because nearly every other local course has hollow tining planned so why not book a game now to avoid disruption to your golf. I DECIDED it was time to have a road trip this week, so Lee took me south into Andalucia. Just past the town of Vera, is the delightful course of Valle del Este, where we stopped off for this week’s round.I was having a leisurely dip in the resort pool when Lee said it was time to go and play. In the Pro Shop I was impressed by how friendly the staff were, especially when they were kind enough to direct me to the terrace, where we had a much needed cold drink! When it was time to play, we headed to the excellent shaded driving range (the perfect setting for a quiet snooze on one of the mats while Lee practiced away!) and two-tier putting green before heading to the course. I was happy that this wasn’t as long as some other courses I have been on – I was even happier that Lee was hitting the ball onto the fairways and away from the many bunkers and lakes this week (even if they do look good!) The mint condition of the greens was also noticeable, as was the wide variety of pin positions on offer; something which is sure to test every golfer’s putting. Valle del Este sure is a fine course all round, great facilities, a challenging course, and all in a lovely location – I am looking forward to coming back! After the hard day’s work, it was time for a well-earned bite to eat. We headed to nearby Vera where we ate in an amazing restaurant called Terraza Carmona. Opened in 1947, it is famous for being the residence of bull fighters when they are in town. I had a quick look at all the bull fighting memorabilia before I thought it was time to tuck into what was on the menu, and wow, the tapas was amazing, while the fillet steak was also something I would recommend to anyone who goes there. Deciding which of the 18,000 wines in the bodega to have was a tough decision too (woof!)

NORTH Region

Golf Course

RTN Price

Comments

Alenda

€45

Single Green fee

Alicante Golf

€53

Single Green fee + Buggy

Bonalba

€42

Single Green fee

Don Cayo

€43

Single Green fee

El Plantio

€45

Single Green fee

Font del Llop

€40

Single Green Fee

Villaitana Par 62

€39

Single Green fee + Buggy

Villa Aitana Par 72

€45

Single Green fee

For more information email Dennis at dennis@roundtownnews.com or direct to www.benidormgolf.com on 630 714 373.

SOUTH Region Golf Course

RTN Price

Comments

€55

2 PL and 1 Buggy (Mon-Fri)

€65

2 PL and 1 Buggy (T,W,Th)

Hacienda del Alamo

€96

2 PL and 1 Buggy

La Serena

€90

2 PL and 1 Buggy

Polaris World Courses

€92

2 PL and 1 Buggy

Roda

€100

2 PL and 1 Buggy (from 2pm)

Las Ramblas

€220

4 PL and 2 Buggies

VistaBella

€82 €66 All

2 PL and Buggy (M-F) 2 PL and Buggy (S-S) Prices 40% off - 1/05/11

La Finca

€42

Single Green Fee (from3pm)

Las Colinas

€260 €94

4 PL and 2 Buggy (lim.) 2 PL and Buggy (3pm)

La Peraleja

€76 €140

2 PL and 1 Buggy 4 PL and 2 Buggy

Altorreal

For more information contact Mike at mike@roundtownnews.com or direct at Costa Blanca Green Fee Services on 966 704 752 or 661 345 931.

MURCIA Region Golf Course

RTN Price

Comments

La Envia

€41

Single Green fee

Valle del Este

€70

2 Green fees

Aguilón

€40

Single Green fee

Alborán

€48

Single Green fee

Two night stay

€189

Almerimar

€60

Single Green Fee

Desert Springs

€65

Single Green fee

Two night stay

€189

2 night, 1/2board, 3 Green fees

2N, 1/2board,3Green Fees

For more information contact the Hound on Facebook, twitter: murciagolf@roundtownnews.com or 671 748 625.

ANYONE FOR FOOTBALL? Aged between 20 to 40 ? Torrevieja area Call Doug on 628 789 335

29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2011

Do we deserve it? Noel’s world of golf By Noel Eastwell Teaching Professional Campo de Golf El Plantio 639 730 891

SOUTH EASTERN Spain has not held a European Tour event for many years now and I am not in the least surprised having seen at close quarters recently the lack of support from some. It has been the ambitions of many people I know locally to see top class golf return to our part of Spain now for as long as I have lived here. Over eleven years now without a top class tournament: not good enough for an area that depends on golf tourism as a big part of it its income. This year we have seen various professional tours stage tournaments here but the real cream of European golf continues to ignore us. Just why became apparent last week when I spent four days at a ladies European Tour event in the north of our region involved in the scoring system. The golf course was in absolutely top class condition and came in for praise from every single one of the players who had the privilege of playing in the event. The real problem came from the members. They clearly did not want their golf course closed for play and staging a professional tournament that they could not compete in. The organisers clearly struggled for support from top to bottom but still staged a tournament that was out of the very top drawer. It was sad to see that many members made arrangements to play golf elsewhere rather than help out and indeed many seemed put out that their golf course was closed: they clearly are looking at just the small picture. To have the very best lady golfers in Europe on your doorstep is great for our area and to have the men’s tour would be even greater but until we see a big change in attitude this will never happen. It would be a tremendous feather in our cap to stage a top class tournament in South East Spain and do a world of good for our local economy. We have the golf courses to test the best in Europe but until attitudes change we will always play second fiddle to Costa Del

Sol. It is time to meet this challenge head on and it cannot come soon enough for those like me that want to see our area and its local businesses prosper. I appeal to any golf club member to support the professional tours when they come to our part of Spain. I am sure it would be to the advantage of us all in the long term. Last week I mentioned some disqualifications from competitions. Some people found my article misleading, for which I apologise. The ruling regarding alterations is show below. Quite where this wording leaves us is anybody’s guess: 6-6a/6 Requirement That Alteration on Score Card Be Initialled Q - May a Committee require that alterations made on score cards be initialled? A - No. Nothing is laid down in the Rules of Golf as to how alterations should be made on a score card. WIN A ROUND OF GOLF FOR 2 INCLUDING BUGGY AT THE BEAUTIFUL EL PLANTIO RESORT IN ALICANTE To enter this competition, simply answer the question below correctly. Every correct answer will be entered into a draw at the end of the month and the winner of this fantastic prize worth over 180€ will be picked at random at the end of each month. Send your entries by email to golf@roundtownnews.com. The decision of the editor of RTN will be final in making the winning selection. QUESTION FOR 29TH APRIL 2011 Who won the Euronations Cup at La Sella in 2011? A. England B. Sweden C. Germany All answers must be received no later than 5pm on 1st May 2011 to be entered into April’s draw, to be made on 1st May. The winner will be announced in RTN on 6th May 2011.

Any questions you have for Noel should be sent to golf@roundtownnews.com

Cast Off with

Robbie France

‘Remember. Sailing is the quickest way of slowing down’. Andy Paul: Wise Shipmate

CONTINUING TO look at some of the emails I’ve received over the last few months, this one caught my eye…from Paul in Aguilas. He was asking about the best way of mooring up when you’re sailing single handed. Well, Paul…it’s neither bow nor stern. Obviously depending on the space allotted on the marina, it’s amidships! In other words: between the bow and the stern. The reason I know this, Paul? I recently spent some time doing the Day Skipper Course with Richard Plaster at Serenity Sailing in Torrevieja and I asked him that very same question. It’s my ambition, ya see ladies and gentlemen, to start sailing on a daily basis, solo. Always has been a bit of a goal. With golf it was getting down to single figures. Sailing? It’s to feel so at ease with the boat you can cast off and moor up by yourself. Anyway… Captain Plaster explained, “You will ideally be coming alongside on a visit to a marina other than your own, so make a note of the size of your space. Go towards shore, bow first. Swing her around to be flat against the marina wall. Jump towards the centre of the boat and tie her amidships, thereby gaining a complete hold of terra firma. Tie her off and tidy the bow and stern after that.” This made total sense after he had asked me to

do that manoeuvre several times. Gain control of her. Secure her. Do the necessary at your leisure, knowing she’s not going to float off and barge into the other boats around ya!! Speaking of which…me and the missus were down at the marina the other day and witnessed a hubby and wife preparing to go out on a fishing trip. Well, we kinda knew something strange may happen when we saw the wife ‘cross’ herself before hubby had started the engine! Sure enough: Hubby started aforementioned engine. Having discovered the throttle on a rather meaty looking outboard, he immediately proceeded to reverse out at Concorde speed. Bashed the boat on the opposite side of the jetty, bounced back into the outboard motors of his neighbours, smashed alongside the entire row of boats on his allotted pier, before calmly ramming into a vacant slot to board his, by now, terrified wife! …and off they went! Remember. If you don’t want to be the ‘free floor show’ for the gathered patrons of the hostelries in your marina, giving them hours of free entertainment….control your boat. She’s a lady…Treat her gently. With respect. Casting off or mooring up…nice and slow…she’ll behave herself.

Sailing Association Mar Menor The second SAMM Race Day

CAT crosses the finish as Weta retires

SUNDAY 24TH April started wet, with black clouds on the horizon. Six boats, the two Shoestring boats Uno (Gamba) and Tres (Lazer 2000), the Sea Hopper, the Miracle, the Weta and the Catamaran, started the first race at 11.30am. The North Easterly wind speed was up to 12 knots but it had stopped raining. The CAT and the miracle got off to a good start. These brave sailors fought the elements magnificently: the CAT crossed the line first closely followed by the Weta. The Sea Hopper made a gallant effort but after starting the second lap was called back by the Officer of the Day for safety reasons as the winds had increased to more than 19 knots. The wind speeds continued to increase to

20 knots so only three boats crossed the start line: the Gamba, the Weta and the CAT. Again the CAT was off to a good start, closely followed by the Gamba. Half way round the second lap the Weta capsized and after being successfully righted, retired. The CAT went on to win the race and the Gamba with its skilful skipper stayed upright and finished only four minutes after the CAT. The final listing after allowing for the handicaps: FIRST RACE 1st The Catamaran 2nd The Miracle 3rd The Lazer 2000 (Shoestring Tres) 4th The Gamba (Shoestring Uno) 5th The Weta 6th The Sea Hopper

Fishing Maggots End by

David Hoare

968 199 279

For further details ring Alan Roscoe 968 570 876 or email: anglerstogether@gonuts4free.com THIS WEEK’S match was the third round of the Summer Championship. The venue was Blanca and it didn’t fail to test all anglers. 16 brave souls turned up and eight had dry nets. Oh! The joys of match fishing on hard venues! It is a good job that Bleak are present otherwise the dry net count would have been higher! The water level at the start of the match was some 15 inches down and slowly rose during the match whether this has anything to do with the fish feeding patterns we will never know? Again we had a good day, weather wise, with just a bit of wind in the afternoon. TOP RODS ON THE DAY 1st Clive (Golf No More) Cleghorn, fishing the feeder using corn with 10.50 kilos 2nd Bill (The Master) Reade, fishing the feeder using pellet with 6.60 kilos 3rd Stan (The Man) Roberts, fishing the pole using paste with 4.60 kilos Bill Reade with 10 points Stan Roberts with 12 points Clive Cleghorn with 16 points ABBEY ANGLING RESULTS supplied by Terry Screen The 2nd round of the Spring Series was moved from the 8ft drain to Murcia for the match on the 19th April 2011. The temperature had dropped again and it rained for most of the match but fortunately it stopped in time for the weigh-in. There is still a lot of flow on the river, but it still fished quite well. 1st Stan (The Man) Roberts with 15.630kg on the pole and maggot 2nd Don (Mr Bowls) Whitney with 10.880kg on

the feeder and maggot 3rd Terry (Swing Em) Screen with 10.200kg on the pole and paste All of the Match lads would like to wish John Marsh a speedy recovery and we look forward to seeing him back on the river bank in the near future. These and all other details are available from the Match Secretary Terry Screen on 96 532 8368. Anglers Together ANGLERS TOGETHER was formed to introduce and encourage anglers of all abilities to meet up and fish, either sea or freshwater. Firm friendships have been formed during the time the group has been active and information on fishing venues and licenses required are available at the meetings or by regular emailed newsletters. Meetings are held in two locations on the second Friday and Saturday of each month. Anyone with an interest in fishing (sea or freshwater) is welcome to come along to a meeting to see what we’re about. The next meeting at Mary’s Bar, Campoverde (near Pilar de la Horadada) will be held on Friday 13th May at 12 noon. There is a NEW VENUE for the Puerto de Mazarron meeting starting in January 2011. On Saturday 14th May at 12 noon the meeting will be held at The New Royal Bar and Restaurant at El Alamillo, opposite the seafront between Isla Plana and the Port. Refreshments and lunch are available at each location. Come along to a meeting nearest to you.

Bowled over at Benitachell Bowls Open

THE BENITACHELL Bowls Open drew fierce competition this year, sponsored by Vives Pons Asociados and Renault of Benissa. The winners are pictured from left to right: Helen Hall of Javea was the Pairs Winner, with sponsor from Renault Benissa, David Browne; Wendy Symonds BBC (Triples Winners) with sponsor Vives-Pons Asociados. Maggie Lawley BBC (Ladies Singles Winner) with sponsor, Direkt Optik and Derek Eldon of Javea (Men’s Singles Winner) with Alan Hall of Javea (Pairs Winner). Renault of Benissa, Derekt Optik and Vive-Pons Asociados were delighted to support this fun, popular and increasingly competitive sport on the Costa Blanca and look forward to enjoying many more spectacular competitions throughout the year.