RTN North Edition 627

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Issue 627

21 - 27 OCT 2011

90th Anniversary Poppy Appeal by Jack Troughton

Benidorm is buzzing! BENIDORM PRIDE 2011 has arrived with thousands of visitors streaming into the city for a spectacular three day event starting tonight (Friday). Continued on page 12

THE ROYAL British Legion’s 2011 Poppy Appeal in Spain was officially launched on Tuesday with the public urged to help “smash” last year’s record 107,000€ collection. Officers of the Legion’s District North Spain – which covers an area larger than UK from the French border to Andalusia – and has 21 branches, gathered in Javea for a call to arms. This year’s appeal, made in the Legion’s 90th year, is especially important as veterans of modern conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan need the support of an organisation founded in 1921 after the Great War. Guests at the launch, which included Javea’s Mayor Jose Chulvi and members of his team, watched a poignant promotional film showing Prince Harry in the Garden of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, Royal Wootton Bassett, where the population lined the street to honour the bodies of servicemen returning home; and veterans strapping on artificial limbs. Also flashed onto the screen were simple messages, alongside the images of serving soldiers, saying: “It only takes a second to put on

a poppy” and “It’s not painful to put on a poppy.” District Chairman Chris Wyatt said Legion meetings started with the reading of the eulogy which honoured the fallen and ended: “We will remember them.” He said: “We are lucky because we got to go home and there are a lot that didn’t. There are a lot who wish they could go home but cannot because they are in hospital recovering from injuries, mental and physical, they received.” VETERANS He said the Legion tried to help those veterans and their families and the job of Legion members was to get the Poppy Appeal going and again raising “a tremendous sum of money.” He added: “If we do this we can be certain in our hearts we are helping all those soldiers, sailors and airmen and women and their families.” It was first mooted poppies would be used to remember the dead of World War One shortly after the Armistice in November 1918 – and Britain still comes to a halt at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month every year. Continued on page 3


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Ana Ayen’s painting – (from left) Fernando Collado, Ana, Chris Wyatt and Jose Chulvi

Continued from front page The flower was formerly adopted in 1921 and the first Poppy Appeal took place that year with 9 million poppies being specially imported from the fields of Flanders. Poppy Appeal coordinator Tony Dengate said the flowers were officially priced at 3d (three old pennies) and by breakfast a single petal was selling at Smithfield Market for £5. He said a message came from Queen Mary to take poppy sellers to Buckingham Palace – where hearing they were in short supply, the royal purchased just two. APPEAL “That first appeal raised £106,000, some £30 million in today’s money or between 35 and 40 million euros,” he said. By the following year a factory was established where ex-

servicemen were employed making poppies and in 1960 the familiar scarlet buttonhole poppy became available – along the way charity laws meant a fixed price was replaced by a donation. Tony said the Falklands War caused a surge in awareness and conflicts in the Gulf and Afghanistan continued to keep the appeal in the public eye. “Last year we raised 107,000€ and it would be good if we could get close to that this year but I hope we will smash it to pieces,” he said. “Without the work of our members we get nothing and without people putting money in the tins giving the collection the boost it needs, we get nowhere.” Artist Ana Ayen was also at the launch and presented the Legion with an oil painting of two poppies painted to mark the 90th anniversary.

Local people employed for clean up THE CITY of Villajoyosa, through the Department of Environment has hired four local people who are unemployed for a period of three months tasked to clean gullies and farm tracks. Councillor for the Environment Loli Such explained that: “It is a measure necessary for the maintenance of certain areas of La Vila that are out of town and do not fall within the normal services cleaning and waste collection circuit. The campaign will be repeated annually and designed so that it can provide jobs for local residents who are unemployed.” Gully cleaning works are carried out at this time of year as prevention against possible floods.


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Support for expat vote by jack Troughton ATTORNEY GENERAL Dominic Grieve’s backing for the campaign to win a vote for some 2 million British expats living around the globe was applauded at the Conservatives Abroad conference. Speaking at the London conference to Conservatives Abroad from the Costa Blanca, Singapore, Australia, the United States, Hong Kong, and members of other European branches, Mr Grieve outlined an overview of the Coalition Government’s achievements. However, his endorsement of the campaign to regain a vote for all British citizens living abroad won the most applause – especially from a team from the Javea Branch, currently campaigning for change. And at a dinner for conference delegates,

Mark Harper, Minister for Constitutional Affairs, also faced up to the growing disquiet of expats about their ‘disenfranchisement’. The Minister said that 25% of Britons overseas were students and 55% were working and therefore were “batting for Britain.” CHANGE Currently expats living abroad lose their vote in UK General Elections after 15 years. Mr Harper said he was open to comments and suggestions about how the law should be changed. Stephen Kidgell, treasurer of Conservatives Abroad Javea, commented: “I have lived in Spain now for over 20 years and I have many friends – all of us working – who have been here just as a long. We are all denied a vote back in Britain but we are still British and

Delegates from the Javea Branch

carry a British passport. “But I did feel that, on listening to Mark Harper, the Government does now hear our cry and I am hopeful the new Bill going before Parliament will give us our vote back.” Anyone wishing to express a view can write to Mark Harper at www.cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk or at The

Cabinet Office, 70 Whitehall, London SW1A 2AS. For more information visit www.vote-for-expat-brits.com For more information about Conservatives Abroad, visit www.conservativesabroad.com or contact the secretary on margaretgeraldhales@gmail.com

Spain feels the heat

by Jack Troughton SPAIN’S SECRETARY of State for Housing Beatriz Corredor faced an angry reception in London when challenged by victims of property abuse over claims investment was safe and secure. The politician delivered a key note speech during the second phase of the controversial Spanish government Road Show at the Property and Investor Show in London’s Docklands. Ms Corredor also had a heated discussion with Marta Andreasen MEP during a drinks reception after her speech and was accused of being “in denial” over problems suffered by property investors. Spain had a stand at the exhibition – but according to protesters it remained quiet throughout the day. And during her 30 minute speech, Ms Corredor said it was the “optimum time” to invest in Spanish property because of falling prices, a tax reduction on purchasing new properties, and Land Registry searches were now available in English. She underlined the “transparency and legal security” available to purchasers but failed to acknowledge there were thousands of victims of property abuse – or that there were any problems within the real estate sector. After the speech, where members of the audience were given copies of “How to buy a home in Spain – a Step by Step Guide”, Ms Corredor was challenged by Ms Andreasen who had flown to London to support victims. “It didn’t take me long to introduce myself to the Minister and have a conversation with her,” said Ms Andreasen. “I shall describe it as ‘frank and passionate’, with the conversation both in English and Spanish attracting the attention from many around. “Ms Corredor quite clearly lives on another planet. She refused to acknowledge there have been and continue to be problems for people who have invested in Spain. “Through her denial, she is unwilling to help those who have suffered and I question whether she even cares given there is an election in Spain in a few week’s time.” Keith Rule, coordinator of the Finca Parks Action Group and organiser of the Bank Guarantees in Spain Petition, said it was clear that officials did not want protesters near the politician and he and colleagues were led aside to meet Spanish government representatives. But he said of the speech: “If as the Minister says, buying a house in Spain has always been safe, then why are there so many people suffering from issues such as Land Grab, demolition orders, the Ley de Costas, and bank guarantee abuse (for homes bought off plan)? “I am shocked she can continue to make such inflammatory and insensitive statements. If we are now on ‘a path to a solution’ the least we deserve is to be told just how long that path is.” He accused the Spanish authorities of just “papering over the cracks” and added: “we are sick of hearing about the transparency and legal security on offer because all we have experienced and are still experiencing is the complete opposite – corruption, fraud, negligence and continued denial.”


21 - 27 OCT 2011

Vandals start disco fire

The fire damaged entrance

by Jack Troughton RUDELY AWOKEN residents watched police battle flames as fire engulfed the entrance to a Costa Blanca disco early on Sunday morning. It is understood vandals are being blamed for starting the fire outside the Disco Camaleon on Calpe’s seafront, just metres from apartment blocks. People living nearby have campaigned for years against the nightspot – and the noise and anti-social behaviour in the streets outside their homes. Diana Farmer, who lives in Voramar, overlooking the controversial club, said “as usual” they were woken at around 6am by noise coming from the disco. “We went onto our terrace and saw at least 30 young people sitting

on the wall by the sea…the lights from the club were turned off at 6.45am,” she told RTN. WITNESS Diana said they also witnessed a man break off a car’s wing mirror. “This I know goes on each night after the disco closes.” She said she watched a police car cruise by but officers did not get out and look around. “At 7.30am there was a lot of activity from the police. Two cars had driven onto the seafront. They were trying to put out a fire that had been started – we later saw the damage to the entrance doors,” said Diana. “This type of bad behaviour just goes on week after week. For years we have been battling the law that allows this type of club so close to many apartment blocks.”

Benidorm summer clean up VOLUNTEER DIVERS in the Marina Baixa have removed dozens of bottles of champagne, soda cans and other garbage left by pleasure boats in a seabed clean-up campaign around Benidorm over last weekend. The inevitable detritus is the price Benidorm pays for a bumper summer. Divers worked throughout the morning removing trash at all depths, extracting 510kgs of waste. The initiative coincided with a joint venture by Mundomar Water Park and the City Council to educate children on the importance of maintaining a healthy sea environment, reinforced with lectures at the Beach Library in the city supported by visual presentations.

Schoolboy killed by debris by Jack Troughton AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD boy died and two of his friends were injured when a wall collapsed on them as they played on the outskirts of a Marina Alta Village. Guardia Civil officers have launched an inquiry into last Saturday’s incident that has shocked the village of Benigembla. It was accepted the wall – on terraces on private land on the outskirts of the village

– was in a state of disrepair. The dead boy lived with his family in Sant Joan d’Alacant but regularly visited Benigembla, where his father grew up and the family still have a home. The Mayor of Benigembla declared two days of mourning and expressed his deep sorrow for the family’s loss. The two other children, aged seven and nine, suffered minor injuries and were allowed home after treatment.

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Save time and money

by

Jennifer Cunningham

IT CAN be very difficult to find a qualified and regulated adviser – now I have solved this problem for you. After much research and personal experience we work with a firm of Independent Advisers who have both a UK and an International business. Importantly both are regulated by the Financial Services Authority in the UK and by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission, respectively. They have a team of advisers, all individually qualified and regulated, advising across Spain with well over 100 years industry experience between them. They are also Independent, so they can access the whole market to find the most suitable solution for you. ARE YOU CONSIDERING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT DECISIONS? QROPS/QNUPS Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension/Qualifying Non UK Pension Scheme Investments/Savings Review Pension Audit If so, read on, I know it will save you both time and money. Before we look at some of the detail, I think it is important to have an overview of their beliefs and ethics, in their own words. Getting the best financial advice is about more than financial expertise. It is about: • Having someone you can rely on. • Knowing they are keeping up to date with financial information and knowledge, so that you get the best advice and great products. • Talking to you in plain English rather than jargon, so you really do know that they understand what they are advising you to do.

• Being confident that they are using their knowledge and expertise to make sure you don’t miss any opportunities or fall into any tax traps. • Having a relationship you value.

PENSION AUDIT

We believe everything starts and finishes with our relationship with you. Each and every one of our clients is different which means the advice and help we give you will be as individual as you are. Our aim is simple; to guide you through the financial implications, opportunities and pitfalls that living abroad brings.

If you are living in Spain, you may still have some pension benefits in the UK, and whilst Qrops and Qnups offer advantages they are not right for everyone. If you answer any of the following questions with No- You need a Free Pension Audit • Do you know how much is in your pension fund? • Do you know what benefits you will receive, and when? • Will you have sufficient income for your retirement? • Do you know where and what your money is invested in?

QROPS/QNUPS

INVESTMENTS/SAVINGS REVIEW

Since the Introduction of Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes (QROPS) in 2006, the acronym has become increasingly prominent. However clients should be extremely cautious when considering whether a Qrops is right for them. Whilst Qrops themselves are regulated the advisers giving advice do not have to be, so beware. Whilst Qrops and Qnups offer some great benefits, the fees you pay can drastically reduce the money in your pension or pocket. We know of firms charging as much as 15%, which in our opinion is outrageous. Via Jennifer Cunningham & Associates they offer a fee free service for Qrops and Qnups Advice,

Investors big and small have and are facing some difficult times: • Low interest rates from the Banks and Cajas • Reducing income, variable exchange rates • Volatile Stock Markets • 19% or 21% Tax on your interest

POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF QROPS • Greater lump sum • No Inheritance Tax • Lower income tax • Wider investment choice • No Annuity, your choice • No currency risk

If you see adverts detailing rates which seem to high or just too good to be true, remember that in the small print somewhere it may say “These investments may not be suitable for all investors.” There are solutions for every investor: the important thing is that you find the right one for you, which can be time consuming and confusing. To save time and money just call us today. I really hope you have found my thoughts on Financial Services of help, for your Fee Free consultation contact one of our offices and we will be pleased to arrange a meeting. Special offers are always available on car and house insurance,health and funeral plans.

Jennifer Cunningham Insurances S.L The Costas leading insurance consultant. If you have a question please email her at: jennifer@jennifercunningham.net Regulated and Authorised by the DGSFP in Spain.


21 - 27 OCT 2011

Hunt for MABS Team

The MABS presentation

by Jack Troughton VOLUNTEERS ARE needed to help run a new branch of the successful and much-loved MABS Cancer Support Group in the Benidorm area. The charity is well established and helps thousands of cancer patients and their families and has built up support centres along the Costa Blanca, Costa Calida and Costa del Sol since it was found in 1999. However, there is no active group serving Benidorm and its surrounding communities. Last Friday, representatives from the local business community, entertainers, personalities and the media met at The Winchester Club, Alfaz del Pi, to discuss how best to start Team Benidorm. MABS Costa Blanca South director Sue Reula explained the team would include fund raisers, carers, drivers, translators and ‘buddies’ - people “who just drop in for a chat, make a cuppa or do a bit of shopping.” And she said while the charity started its recruiting campaign, local businesses and individuals could hold fund raising events anyway, or elect MABS as their chosen charity.

ASSIST “If a few people get together and raise 100€; that 100€ will provide assistance at a patient’s home for a week or a main meal for a fortnight,” said Sue. “It’s halfway to a wheelchair or more than enough for a wig when treatment causes someone to lose their hair temporarily.” Sue said it was not generally known but MABS could give financial assistance to cancer patients and the charity had negotiated with various hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics to assist with educed costs. Volunteers could also help people sort out the paperwork needed to get the medical assistance they needed. “Where patients and their families can afford it, contributions and donations are invited. If not, the support of the local MABS team can be free – the charity believes having cancer is enough and, as much as possible, patients shouldn’t have to worry about any financial costs.” Sue can be contacted on 664 266 991 or at sue@mabscancersupport.org

Vision off

CALPE TELEVISION has gone off air after the town hall pulled the plug on the “extravagance” – making five people redundant. The council-funded station was launched six years ago when a €2.5 million studio was built in a shop basement in the town. And, incredibly, the station has always broadcast illegally. No licence was ever issued for its construction, for its opening, and it never received a transmitting licence. There was also a question as to whether the studio complex met fire regulations. Calpe’s Mayor Cesar Sanchez announced the closure of the station as part of austerity measures forced on the town hall as it looks to urgently reduce debts of around €80 million. Councillor Carole Saunders said it was a “very sad” decision that meant people lost their jobs. “But it is a luxury we cannot afford.” She said opponents of the closure pointed out there were amnesties being given by the government but in any case the station would have had to go digital – at a cost of 250,000€. “But more importantly, who actually watches it? Only about a third of the town can receive the programmes properly - and there is no ‘foreign’ programming for a town where 60% of the population are expats,” added Carole. “Unfortunately, it was just an extravagance of former governments in the town hall. How can you have the luxury of an illegal television service when social services are only working part time hours?” Calpe is steeling itself for more local authority job losses. But without cuts the town faced bankruptcy. Carole said: “We have to break the habit of people looking at town hall as being a place they can secure themselves a job for life.

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Race Village Civic Centre gets new lease of life opens in style

President of the Generalitat Valenciana, Alberto Fabra, the Mayor of Alicante, Sonia Castedo Ramos and Volvo Ocean Race CEO, Knut Frostad

by Louise Clarke THOUSANDS OF people flocked to Alicante last weekend as the Volvo Ocean Race Village opened for a three-week fiesta at the start port for the 2011-12 Race. Alicante is the first of the 10 host ports in the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 and the President of Valencia, Alberto Fabra, had the honour of officially opening the Race Village; open to the public every day until 5th November. Festivities kicked off with a Rolling Stones tribute concert before the six teams competing in the world’s toughest crewed yacht race were presented. The evening then concluded with a huge fireworks display which illuminated the Alicante skies for miles around. 3D CINEMA Like something from a Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Alicante Race Village comprises 40,000 square metres dedicated to entertainment with a programme brimming with concerts, shows, exhibitions, sailing clinics, rides, fireworks and restaurants. It is also home to the Volvo Ocean Race Experience, an interactive attraction designed to suck landlubbers into the world of a Volvo Ocean Race sailor through its 3D cinema, simulator and winch grinding challenge. Artist collective Skeleton Sea will lead workshops as part of the Keep the Oceans Clean! Campaign, and look out around the Race Village for Wisdom, the mischievous albatross. The centrepiece of the Race Village is the six 70ft Volvo Open 70 yachts and the crews that will race them 39,000 nautical miles through the world’s toughest oceans. FESTIVAL For the first time ever the team zones will be open to the public allowing fans to watch master boat builders and design experts at work. Volvo Ocean Race CEO Knut Frostad told RTN: “One of our objectives has been to transform the Volvo Ocean Race into a festival. On the water it’s a race and on land it’s a festival. We’re not a football match where it lasts for 90 minutes and then you go home – the Volvo Ocean Race is something to come to, experience, be seen at and ultimately enjoy.” The Alicante Race Village is open from 10am to 12:30am from Sunday to Thursday, with a later closing time of 1:30am on Fridays and Saturdays. It is free to enter except for some ticketed concerts. The Race Village will also provide the perfect place to watch the yachts race – on October 29th when they lock horns in close-quarter combat metres from the shore and again on November 5th when the teams start their 6,500 nautical mile sprint to Cape Town, South Africa.

Elderly lady escapes collapsed building AN ELDERLY woman of 78 miraculously escaped unharmed last Friday in Alicante when part of her home collapsed in the Raval Roig area near the Church of Santa Maria. The first floor of the building collapsed due to age, affecting a loadbearing wall that fell into the neighbouring property. The lady was eventually offered shelter by a neighbour rather than be rehoused by Social Services in a hostel where she might not have been able to take her pets. Firefighters fear another possible collapse due the poor structural condition of the building.

By Louise Clarke THE CAFETERIA at the Alameda del Mar Civic Centre in Playa Flamenca in Orihuela Costa officially reopened last Friday after a refurbishment and it was announced that it will now be open until 5pm every day. Ten years after the opening of the centre, the Councillor for Social Welfare, Emilio Zaplana (PSOE), and the Councillor for the Coast, Bob Houliston (CLARO), welcomed the reopening of the cafeteria which they hope will be utilised by all coastal residents as a place to meet friends and socialise. In the presence of representatives from many Emilio charities and associations including CRISOL, Age Zaplana Concern and Help at Home (HAH), Mr Houliston and Bob Houliston said that he hoped that the longer opening hours of officially the establishment will encourage more residents to reopen the utilise the facilities. It was also announced that the cafeteria centre will also be open during the afternoons at in the Civic the weekend. Centre


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Poppy Appeal is launched by Louise Clarke EVERY YEAR members of the Royal British Legion work tirelessly to collect money for the annual Poppy Appeal and the Orihuela Costa and District Branch of the RBL is no different. On Wednesday, they officially launched this year’s appeal at Rocky’s Bar in Playa Flamenca on the Orihuela Costa in the presence of three Chelsea Pensioners who have become regular visitors to the coast over the last twelve months. Last year, the branch raised a whopping €20,533.91, the highest amount within the District North Spain’s overall total of €107,146.97. Keith Carter, Chairman of the Orihuela Costa and District Branch told RTN: “The grand total raised last year was a fantastic achievement and our grateful thanks go

to all our members, friends, and businesses and of course members of the public within the Orihuela Costa area who helped us raise this tremendous amount.” PRIDE Keith added that all the money raised here in Spain through the Poppy Appeal is used to assist with welfare in the District North Area. He continued: “Due to the economic downturn and the growing disparity of Sterling to the Euro, our welfare volunteers are working even harder to assist the ever growing number of those in great need. “The Royal British Legion has three distinct areas and they all come together at Poppy Appeal time; Membership, Fundraising and Welfare. This year is the 90th Anniversary of the British Legion, needed as much today as

Members of the branch with three Chelsea Pensioners

at its inception. It is also the tenth anniversary of the war in Afghanistan; therefore our mission is as it was in 1921: Standing shoulder to shoulder with all those who serve and provide care to their dependants and families.”

Keith concluded: “I hope that everyone will donate what they can and that they wear their poppies with pride.” Visit the branch’s website at www.orihuelacostarbl.com/branch

New appeal for Spain’s hidden criminals

UK CRIME-FIGHTING charity Crimestoppers and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) are once again on the hunt for Britain’s most wanted, thought to be on the run in Spain. A new appeal is being launched to mark the fifth anniversary of Operation Captura, with the campaign featuring ten suspected criminals believed to be hiding in one of the most popular countries for British ex-pats. Half of the appeals are new, while the other five are subjects already publicised through Operation Captura who are being re-issued as all five are wanted for murder. Since Operation Captura launched in October 2006, 46 out of 60 criminals have been arrested, with many now behind bars. Crimestoppers and SOCA work closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff in Madrid and with British and Spanish law enforcement agencies. The campaign highlights appeals for information on criminals who have European Arrest Warrants (EAWs) issued against them. Information given to Crimestoppers can help locate these criminals so that arrests can be carried out by the Spanish police. Andy Baker, Deputy Director for SOCA, told RTN: “Operation Captura has proved immensely successful, not only in aiding the arrest of individuals attempting to hide amongst the ex-pat community in Spain, but also as a means of raising the profile of these individuals and making Spain a hostile environment for British criminals. We look forward to continuing this work with Crimestoppers and extending the programme to other countries popular with our ex-pats; where criminals mistakenly think they can hide from justice.” For those people calling from Spain there is a special freephone Spanish telephone number (900 555 111) which will be answered in the UK by Crimestoppers’ call agents and a translation service is available upon request. People can also pass on information anonymously via the Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. Information on all ten wanted criminals and their alleged crimes is also available on the Crimestoppers website.


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Benidorm is buzzing!

The Pride Parade will leave Avda Madrid at 6.15pm and wind its way down Avda de Alcoy, Avda Bilbao, Avda Del Mediterraneo and Rotonda de Correos to the Parc D’ L’Aiguera. Continued from front page. The festival is using the main gate behind the Julio Iglesias auditorium. Leading the entertainment at 8pm will be Molino Benidorm, Benidorm’s most glamourous comedy and music drag review and the only one of its kind in Spain. Artists from Benidorm Palace and also including international singers and celebrities from around Europe comprising 167 artists and 57 hours of live entertainment will be hosted on three stages. After the main stage in Parc D’ L’aiguera closes at 10.30pm, two satellite stages in Plaza constitucion and Escanario Mercado (Opposite Open Mind) will open from 10pm till 2am, with gay businesses entertaining until the early hours. The Park opens Saturday and Sunday at 12 noon with Hotmale Radio broadcasting live from 12 to 2pm and then the stage line up begins, featuring Sonia, Nicki French and many other Spanish and English artists. FASHION EXTRAVAGANZA Over the weekend a fashion spectacular will showcase the ES 2012 collection of swimwear and heats of Mr Gay Beni-

dorm will be held: the winner will receive 1,000€ first prize from sponsors Cruz 101, Napoleons and Churchills (From the gay village in Manchester). The winner will also represent Benidorm in Mr Gay Spain in 2012, and possibly go on to win Mr Gay World! On Sunday, Benidorm will host the largest gay vigil ever held in Europe with thousands gathering in the Julio Iglesias arena to remember loved ones. The event management stresses that this community fundraising event will raise thousands of Euros for local Benidorm charities. PLEDGEBANDS Entry is by Pledgeband which may be purchased with a 10€ donation, enabling holders to enter the main stage arena and purchase drinks in the park. Every cent of Pledgeband donations will go to local charities. They can be purchased from Kings Ticket Office (Next to Queens hotel) or at the box office behind the Julio Iglesias arena. Each night ends with a spectacular party: Friday, Frenetika at the Undergound2; Saturday, Fiesta Blanca hosted by Gaydar at KU Club on the top road; and Sunday, Heaven and Hell at the Underground2, all ticketed at 15€ each, 5€ of which goes to the charity fund. Again, buy from Kings or the main ticket office. All are welcome to the first ever Benidorm Pride!


Pilar students get a taste of politics by Louise Clarke

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FREE FAIRGROUND RIDES

YEAR THREE students from the Virgen del Pilar Primary School got a taste of what it’s like to be councillors at the Pilar de la Horadada Town Hall this week when they were invited on a tour of the facility. Accompanied by the Mayor, José Fidel Ros, and the Councillor for Education, Francisca Cánovas, who is herself a qualified teacher and the former Director of the Primary School, the seven and eight years olds experienced a pretend ‘pleno’ meeting at the Town Hall and each class got to elect their own Mayor, Secretary and Auditor. They were also given the opportunity to ask the Mayor and Councillor about what it is like to do their jobs and about the running of the Town Hall.

Prisoner on the run re-captured in Elche

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The children then got to propose two issues, which were the extension of their school break to one hour and free fairground rides for all children, and they then voted on them. Of course both proposals were voted in unanimously! Among the questions asked of the Councillor was if she liked her new job and if she missed school. Both were answered with a resounding The yes by the former Director. Mayor and Before visiting the Town Hall, the children also vis- Councillor oversee ited the new Integral Security Centre where local pothe lice officers gave them a brief talk about their duties pretend and they were shown a short film about the centre ‘pleno’ and its functions. meeting

Open Day for Jennifer Cunningham and Associates

POLICE IN Elche captured a 37-year-old prison fugitive on Saturday 11th October. The man had escaped from jail in Palencia in North West Spain in 2009 where he was serving a prison sentence for a series of armed robberies. He had been leading an extreme existence that involved constant disguise to avoid being recognised, moving from one city to another to escape detection and eventually settling in Elche. The prisoner put up considerable resistance during his arrest and has now been returned to prison after an appearance in Court Number Two in Elche.

Happy 2nd Birthday Punjabi Palace Good food, good service, good value and cleanliness are all required to be successful owning and operating a restaurant, and as far as The Sheriff is concerned Punjabi Palace has all the boxes ticked. It gives me immense pleasure to see this restaurant celebrate its second birthday, created by demand from those curry lovers who live inland in smaller villages who first tasted the delights of Punjabi Palace in Los Montesinos, when recommended by my good self. I will not bore you with details I always say every picture tells it own story and the bums on seats at Punjabi Palace says it all, I would like to take this opportunity to wish Punjabi Palace ( La Murada) Happy 2nd Birthday and also thank you for trusting my advice to market your business, all the very best for the future…… Cliff Roberts, Sales & Marketing Director RTN 2011.

By Louise Clarke JENNIFER CUNNINGHAM and her Associates held an Open Day last week at La Herradura Restaurant in Los Montesinos. The company is far more than just a voice on the phone and the Open Day highlighted all the expat services that Jennifer and her team of experts can provide for you including car, house, life, health, community and commercial insurances and funeral plans. Some of Jennifer’s associates were also in attendance and provided assistance and advice on QROPS investments and inheritance tax. The day was held in association with the charity, Paul Cunningham Nurses some of whom were there raising much needed funds for the excellent work that they do. For more information visit www.jennifercunningham.net or call the Benijofar Jennifer office on 96 572 4734 or the La Marina office on and her 96 679 5082 to arrange a one-to-one meeting. team


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21 - 27 OCT 2011

Golfers chip in for charity by Jack Troughton THE RTN Golf Club invites all golfers to enter its monthly competition on 4th November and for the first time start a charity drive. The Royal British Legion stands to benefit from as many men and women as possible joining the fun at Alicante’s El Plantio Golf Club. And the Legion’s Torrevieja Branch will enjoy the benefits – and provide prizes for the first, second and third places, as well as a ‘nearest the pin’ at Hole 9, and a ‘longest drive’ at Hole 12. A green fee of 55€ includes 18 holes of golf, a buggy, and a donation to the Royal British Legion, which supports servicemen and women, former servicemen and their dependents. The competition itself will be an Individual Stableford off a full handicap plus Slope.

El Plantio not only provides a fair test to golfers of all abilities but is one of the best kept courses on the Costa Blanca. SUPPORT RTN Golf Club professional Noel Eastwell said: “This is the first time the club has asked people to support a charity and we hope both members and non-members will turn out in force to support the Legion. “The work of the Legion is very special and we should all remember that none of us would be in the position we are in now if those men and women supported by the charity had not done their jobs with so much courage and dedication.” He said the club was opening its doors to all for a very special occasion and welcomed golfers of all abilities with a handicap from a

Members of a Chinese delegation playing at El Plantio

society or club anywhere in the world. To enter, email names and handicaps to golf@roundtownnews.com. Include requests

to play as a group and play together and tee times can be arranged to suit. Fees can be paid at El Plantio on the day.

French First Lady gives birth to baby girl

THE FRENCH First Lady and former model and singer, 43year-old Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, gave birth to a baby girl at La Muette Clinic in Paris at 7pm on Wednesday. President Sarkozy visited his wife at the clinic on Wednesday afternoon but left to keep a date in Frankfurt with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss the Eurozone Crisis so missed the birth of his daughter, tipped to be named ‘Dahlia’. The child is the first to be born to a French president in office. The couple have four other children between them.

Stepping out

Javea members ready to walk

by Jack Troughton MEMBERS OF the Javea Royal British Legion launched the branch’s annual Poppy Appeal with the annual sponsored walk around the Arenal. Sporting scarlet poppies and bright ‘poppy’ t-shirts, the walkers enjoyed bright sunshine on Saturday as they took part in the event that kick starts the traditional fund raising to support ex-servicemen and women and their families. Branch chairman Roger Dawes said this year was the 90th Poppy Appeal and it was hoped a record amount of money would be collected. He said the Javea branch would be holding its Remembrance Service on Sunday 13th October at the Javea Port Fisherman’s Church at 3pm. “We always have an afternoon service, it allows people to watch the ceremony at the Cenotaph in London in the morning,” said Roger. “And as the Javea Port church is Roman Catholic, there is a mass on Sunday mornings – we only borrow the church once a year!” Roger also thanked everyone at Digby’s Bar in Javea Port for a donation of 800€, raised at a recent Fun Day.


Exciting re-enactment of Operation Market Garden

Operation Market Garden reenactment

by Louise Clarke ON SUNDAY 16th October, International Veterans of Torrevieja were invited by Antonio Lalaguna, the President of Spanish Historical Re-enactment Association Codex Belex to join their parade and march their standards through the Malecon Gardens to the Plaza Cruz Roja opposite the Pte Nuevo, where a re-enactment of the battle for Arnhem Bridge would take place. The parade, supported by an enthusiastic crowd, was led by the Torrevieja Pipe and Drums, followed by the flag of Spain, the Union flag and standards of the Royal Naval Association, the

Royal Marines Association, the Royal Air Force Association and the Royal British Legion. The Chelsea Pensioners escorted 200 members of Torrevieja International Veterans Associations. There was a brief pause in the march whilst the Chairman of Torrevieja International Veterans Terry Watson assisted in the laying of a ‘Wreath to the Fallen’ The Re-enactment of ‘Operation Market Garden’ was spectacular against a backdrop of deafening (blank) rifle and machine gun fire with supporting artillery; a well-choreographed event.

British man dies hang-gliding GUY JOSEPH, a British 25-year-old from London, died in a hang-gliding accident in the Pyrenees on Friday. His body was discovered by firemen after a search that continued throughout the night in woodlands in Organya, South of Andorra. His companions raised the alarm when they heard his shouts for help. He had been flying over the southern slopes of the Cogullo peak in the east of the Pyrenees when they lost sight of him.

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Hardly ‘minimal’ WHILST THE town hall in San Miguel is doubtless correct when it says that any tax rises will be “minimal”, they fail to take account of the recent ‘garden’ tax of 63€ introduced in September. Before increases, our local taxes amounted to 370€ - car included. The 63€ garden tax therefore represents a 17% increase in local taxation - hardly ‘minimal’ surely? I imagine that most, if not all, we ex-pats living here in Spain would have no complaint about the overall level of local taxation or the excellent services provided when compared to that in most other European countries. However, it is misleading of the Town Hall to make the statement they did without reference to the new ‘garden’ tax and its effect on overall tax rises. Name and address supplied

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Email letters to rtnmail@roundtownnews.com with your full name and address

Email: rtnmail@roundtownnews.com

Nothing in this world is for free WHY OH why don’t British firms with Call centres give their staff clear training in Customer care? I had a call from what sounded like a Scottish lady who immediately started to tell me that her firm could offer me free advice: I told her I did not need it - she became almost aggressive when I said that I did not need her firm or any other firm’s advice and if or when I did I would research it before calling in a firm. Why oh why are these sales people not told, after stating whom they represent, that they should ask how long one has been living here in Spain? After living here for 20 years one would probably know all that is needed. One thing I would like to say to these sales people: NOTHING in this world is for free and many, like me, know that the advice given would lead to more cost. I must point out this is not the first time I

have been offered ‘free’ advice. Then there are the ones who ring me up offering to do work outside my house: it appears that they are not interested to find out if one’s accommodation is a flat, or rented accommodation first - only a quick sale! Again, anyone with any sense would find their own workmen: all I can say these people are very desperate. One must not forget the sales people selling funeral plans: I get calls all the time - they never open with ‘have you got a plan?’ I have had one for many years yet still I get calls from the same firm offering me a plan. When I say that I already have one I am told that under data protection they are not allowed to be told of people who already have one: now how silly and what a waste of time and money! I could go on but it becomes boring… Alice Brown, Altea

Keep drawing a Consult the Consulate blank for feral cats A warning to others IS THERE anyone out there amongst your knowledgeable readers who can give me some information regarding the situation with feral cat colonies in Spain? The suffering of these animals is really disgraceful. I know of at least two such colonies facing the sea at La Zenia. Some of these cats are in reasonable condition and seem to be quite used to people which leads me to suspect that they have been abandoned to their fate by feckless owners. The majority, of course, have been born out in the wild and are in poor condition. From what I have been told, the authorities will deal with this ‘problem’ by poisoning the poor creatures they consider to be little more than vermin. There seems to be no humane solution to the dilemma in practice, such as capturing the cats and neutering them and returning them to their colonies. This strategy would

at least contain the size of the colony and alleviate the suffering of the animals. I consider dogs a greater threat to Public Health, with their deposits contaminating our public paths, pavements and gardens - yet dogs are never labelled as ‘vermin’. My search for some form of help for feral cats continues to draw a blank. I have contacted animal welfare societies, shelters and animal charities but do not even receive the courtesy of a reply. If the measure of the degree of civilization in any society is how it treats animals then it’s a poor show indeed in Spain. I realise that education of the populace is vital, as ignorance continues to cause unnecessary suffering. Please someone out there can you help or do you know of any organisation along the lines of the UK’s SPCA willing to help these unfortunate animals? ‘Frustrated’ of Quesada

TODAY I received a letter from the British Consulate in Alicante related to a problem I encountered whilst dealing with a Spanish lawyer in Costa Blanca area. He informed me that they have at present a considerable number of complaints from British Expats about negligence by lawyers in respect of property transactions. With this in mind I would like to suggest to any ex-pat having to employ a lawyer to deal with any matter to first consult the Consulate for a list of lawyers considered reliable and trustworthy. GA Marques

AT TWO o’clock the other morning I received a text message on my UK mobile telling me that the anonymous sender had discovered I had a valid claim for £3,500 following my accident. I have had an accident, in Spain, but my claim is for 300€. I was invited to respond to the sender to activate my ‘claim’. I can only assume that this was an attempt to obtain my bank details and other information so I am passing a warning to others who may be the subject of a similar message. Allen Everington, Torrevieja

Skill and care was world class

I CONSTANTLY read and hear of the poor treatment given by the Health Service in Spain. Through the pages of your excellent newspaper I would like to tell how a team of people from the Spanish Health Authorities saved my life. Three weeks ago at 3.30am I suffered a heart attack. The ambulance crew and a Doctor reached my home very, very quickly and gave immediate medical aid. I would like to thank them for their prompt response which undoubtedly, in my opinion, saved my life. The emergency control team ‘phoned my home, first to confirm

that the Ambulance was on its way, and again to check it had arrived. On reflection, this is another element of the wonderful service that we cannot fault and was most reassuring for my anxious wife. I would also like to thank the Emergency and Accident department at Torrevieja Hospital for the speed with which they carried out tests before transferring me to Intensive Care where further life-saving treatments were carried out. I received the first of four stents four days later and the other three stents two days after that. The skill and care demonstrated before,

during and after these procedures was world class. I would also like to say how clean and tidy the Hospital was. Furthermore, congratulations go to the hospital kitchen staff. Once I was able to eat properly, I found the food very good. I was put on a high protein diet of fish, chicken and pork: everything was delicious. I hope you find space to print my sincere thanks to the Ambulance Service and to Torrevieja Hospital. Their teamwork, dedication and skill made a huge difference to the quality of my life. G Harris, Orihuela Costa


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Poverty escalates in Alicante by Jan Gamm IN THE province of Alicante more than 63,000 are on the poverty line as the crisis continues to affect families struggling to survive. Caritas in Alicante has catered for more than 17,000 suffering extreme poverty over the last year, representing a 37% increase and nine times higher than the 4.3% national average: more than half of these were women. The director of Caritas in Alicante, Jaime Valcaneras, hopes that poverty levels have finally stabilised: “We have a couple of years when the unemployment figures remain very high even though they are more or less stable in the province. However, we are not expecting an avalanche of assists as in recent years.”

A group of people queuing at the rear of the Cathedral

Four years of poverty has taken its toll. Valcaneras says “…we are already seeing situations of chronic poverty after years of crisis.” Evictions, family breakups, abuse in the home and problems with children are some of the consequences of a lengthy recession as a society gripped by need releases its hold on moral standards and begins to fail to uphold basic family values. “The situation in Alicante is different to other provinces,” said Valcaneras, “here unemployment has affected many more workers due to the collapse of the construction sector, one of the engines of our economy.” In the depth of recession, relief charities represent the busiest sector of the business community as the province struggles to cope with those on the edge of social breakdown.

‘Florence’ goes to Chile TORREVIEJA’S ‘PIONEER’ health service information system, ‘Florence’, has already been extended to two other hospitals in Spain (Madrid and Elche) during the last twelve months. This week it was announced that the diagnostic and management computer system that was set up using Microsoft technology will now be adopted by a total of nine hospitals in Chile, South America. The Chilean government has been so impressed by the system that they have announced a substantial investment in ‘Florence’ and although the initial plans are for nine hospitals to have the system, it is intended to have the technology in all of the country’s 45 hospitals within the next few years.

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21 - 27 OCT 2011

Music feeding families by Jack Troughton MUSIC LOVERS have helped raise a record 2,105€ for the Denia Salvation Army’s programme to put food on tables for families in need during the crisis. The seventh charity Music Evening at the Pinosol Hotel, Javea, on Wednesday night was a sell-out and the audience enjoyed a mix of jazz, classical, folk and pop. Organiser Peter Adams told RTN over the year’s money had helped charities from Africa to Javea – and an eighth show next year was already being planned. “We sold all 150 tickets and could have sold 350, he said. “We have had to turn personal friends away. “At the interval I said it would be nice to round off the then 1,828€ up to 2,000€. Thanks, in no small part, to some spontaneous speech-

Pilar Carnival takes place this weekend THIRTY FLOATS will be participating in this weekend’s Carnival Parade in Pilar de la Horadada. More than 10,000 people are expected to line the streets of the town on Saturday evening to witness what many say is one of the best and most colourful parades in the Valencian region. The carnival parade will be nearly one kilometre long and is one of the last events to take place during the town’s fiestas, which started on 1st October. Several local clubs are involved in the event including a British contingent and many of the participants have worked every night preparing their floats. There will be a full range of activities for all the family and the parade takes place from 4pm to mark the end of the festivities.

Joanna James Jazz Quartet plays for MABS THE JOANNA James Jazz Quartet is playing on Friday 28th October a the Charity Ball in support of MABS Cancer Support Group The Costa Blanca Business Association (www.cbba. es) CBBA’s next fundraising event, a Halloween Ball on Friday 28th October is to be held at the Oliva Nova Golf and Beach Resort. Tickets at €30 include a 3 course dinner with wine, and excellent entertainment by the Joanna James Jazz Quartet, the Backbeat4 Beatles Tribute Band, and a Spectrum FM DJ. A children’s room with entertainer is also provided at €11 per child. And the hotel is offering very good overnight rates to support this event, so you can make a real night of it! If you don´t want to stay overnight, a coach has been arranged by Beniconnect: contact Lorraine on 620 457 951. For tickets and all information, visit www.cbba.es, or contact Fiona Hulme, fhulme@cobrosdirectos.com Tel: 675 039 952

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es from three members of the audience, the final retiring collection smashed our wildest hopes, taking the final total to 2,105€.” He added: “It is an incredible testimony to the good that is in everyone. To see such generosity manifested in such troubled times is really heart-warming.” SUPPORT The cash raised will support the Salvation Army’s Food Support Programme in Denia. Peter said the Sally Army’s Mervyn and Debbie Saunders had worked “tirelessly” on the “enormous task” facing them. He also paid tribute to the highly talented entertainers who had given their time for free to take part in the concert. And Peter hopes to attract corporate sponsorship for next year’s charity show which would allow him to book a “really good” jazz

band – and pay for flowers for his lady performers. Any ‘philanthropic’ businessmen interested in helping can contact Peter on 96 647 0303.

Pictured before the start of the evening are: (from left) singer Don Day, Debbie Saunders, soprano Claire Post, baritone Andy Hedford, Mervyn Saunders, and the Salvation Army’s Capt Santi Carreno.


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New look at Specsavers Pinky and perky A pink toast from Trish Murphy, the Alcalali shop manager

by Jack Troughton PEOPLE FLOCKED to Specsavers in Javea on Saturday to join in the fun of the ‘make over’ themed open day and enjoy a little pampering. Long established as a familiar sight on British high streets, the Javea branch of Specsavers was the first to open in Spain and after five and a half years has just been revamped - the shop itself has been given a fresh new look, staff have new uniforms, and there are new ranges of designer glasses on sale. And visitors were invited to enjoy a little glass of something along with nibbles and enjoy the music of local band The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

Donation tins rattled for Caritas, the Roman Catholic charity working hard to support families hit by the economic crisis – and guests enjoying a makeover at the hands of hair and beauty specialists were invited to chip in. The event also marked World Sight Day and it was also a chance to raise awareness of eye health for all ages – while members of the Leos Club – the junior wing of the International Lions Club – collected old pairs of specs for recycling for use by Vision Aid Overseas. THEME Optometrist Louise Stone, a director of the branch, told RTN: “The theme is ‘make over’ because the store has had

by Jack Troughton DELIGHTED JALON Valley HELP volunteers raised more than 2,058€ for children’s and local cancer charities during a special Pink Week. The fund-raising began with a pink themed coffee morning on 1st October, where the Costa Barber Singers entertained guests – who enjoyed coffee, and – naturally - pink cava. And the following week both the Jalon and (from left) Alcalali charity shops went pink – selling a host of clothing Katie, Lindsay, and other items, again all pink coloured. Louise and The shops are now selling a wide range of autumn Maria fashions and accessories at bargain prices, along with a mini make over, our staff have new homemade marmalades, jams and chutneys and handmade uniforms, and we are offering hair and greetings cards. Jalon is open Mondays to Fridays, and Alcalali Mondays to Saturdays, from 10am until 1pm. beauty treatments. The charity’s next big event is an auction in memory of “We have a new frontage and also have new ranges of designer glasses from founder Sylvia Anderson on Friday 28th October at the El Karen Millen, Jasper Conran and Benet- Cid Restaurant, Benidoleig at 1pm. See website www.jalonvalleyhelp.com for details. ton.” Louise said the Javea branch opened in April 2006 and its sister store in Calpe two years ago, in November 2009. She said the value and service of Specsavers was now attracting “more THE ANTIGUA Camerata Orchestra, in collaboration with the and more” Spanish customers. Cultural Department of the City of Villajoyosa, is to perform And open day visitors were able to enin a classical concert on Sunday 23rd October in the Social ter a competition simply by picking and Centre Auditorium in Villajoyosa. The Camerata Orchestra’s trying on a pair of frames. They were violin soloists Álvaro Casanova Giner Llinares and Jaume photographed and the person judged to Peraland will perform selections by Vivaldi, Beethoven and be best suited to the glasses they chose, other classical greats. The concert is free and starts at 7pm. won them.

Antigua Camerata Orchestra performs classical greats

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Roll up for the Gastronomic-Touristic Fair

Araceli and family with local products in Feria Sanet October 2010

by Patricia Thompson THE 2ND Edition of the Gastronomic-Touristic Fair of the Rectoria Valley will be held this Sunday, October 23rd, in picturesque Benimeli (inland from Denia) from 10am – 6.00pm. The event has attracted the participation of many local businesses; stores; associations; rural tourism and outdoor activity companies from the Rectoria Valley (comprising the villages of Benidoleig, Orba, Tormos, Sagra, Rafol d’Almunia, Benimeli, Sanet y Negrals and Beniarbeig). There will be stalls exhibiting local gastronomic and artisan products, information about country holiday accommodations (casas rurales) and activity companies in the area. A children’s playground with a range of attractions will ensure the kiddies also

La Nucia becomes the capital of ‘petanque’ LA NUCIA is to become the centre of attention at regional level with a dispute of champions this weekend at the Ciutat Esportiva Camilo Cano. The event will bring together over 900 players of the best bowls clubs throughout the community, organised by the Valencian Federation of Petanque and Boules Club La Nucia with municipal support and cooperation.

enjoy this event. The organisers are providing a bus service that will connect the villages of the Rectoria with Benimeli throughout the day. One of the objectives of this Fair is its commitment to promote locally made, ecologic and organically grown products to recover the culture of the land, often forgotten in today’s stressful pace of life. Here you will find bread and bakery goods cooked in traditional wood-fired ovens; artisan cold-meats; homemade jams; ecologically grown fruit; local arts and crafts and information on walking and cycling routes - all held in a beautiful setting. Come and spend an enjoyable day at our spectacular Fair and get to know this special area of Alicante’s Marina Alta region. For more information please contact the Benimeli Town Hall: Tel: 96 558 7123

Ghosts and ghouls

by Jack Troughton HALLOWEEN CAPERS come to the Marina Alta and there are plenty of chances for youngsters and evergreens to dress up and enjoy themselves. On Friday 28th October, there is a Halloween parade and party through the streets of Benitachell from 7pm when the town band will provide the music. And 4€ a child includes party snacks and drinks back at Benitachell Arts Centre where there will be prizes for the best costumes, hot food available, and treats and cupcakes for all. The Lions Club of Teulada-Moraira is again staging its popular and free All Hallows Eve – 31st October - party for children of all ages. The ghoulish goings on centre in the Church Square, Moraira, and begin at 6pm. There will be games, a disco, a bouncy castle, prizes and face painting. Everything is free but donations are welcome to help local charities.

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A five star hotel for dogs and cats by Louise Clarke It is often difficult to know which kennels are best for treasured pets. This week RTN visited ‘kennels’ - in reality more like a five star hotel for cats and dogs! The Amber Lodge Cattery and Kennels, established since 2002, is set in a beautiful and peaceful location in between La Marina and Elche amongst the palm plantations and on the outskirts of the El Fondo National Park. ROUTINE Easily accessible from all areas and owned by former funeral directors, Laurence and Elaine Kichenside, the kennels consist of over twenty separate units of all sizes, including large ones for ‘doggy families’ - and the cattery can hold up to ten cats.

The couple ensures that dogs and cats in their care retain their own routine where possible - and they are always on site as the kennel is attached to their home. Elaine said: “We tailor their day individually and try to stick with what they do as part of their daily routine as much as possible. So we ask owners about routine before their pets come to stay. Some dogs like one meal a day whilst others have three; some will just eat dried dog food whilst others will only eat pure breast of chicken. We provide whatever the dog needs depending on what they are used to.” OPEN DAY The couple stay in close contact with local vet Javier from Benican in Benimar, who provides an excellent service. Laurence commented: “Fortunately, we have not had to use

him for any of our clients’ pets but he has been there for ours and he is always available at a moment’s notice in an emergency.” The kennels are only 20 minutes from El Altet Airport and the couple offer a drop off and pick up service to the airport. So when you drop your pet off, you can also leave your car at the kennels and Laurence will give you a lift to the airport. How convenient is that? Next Thursday, 27th October, Laurence and Elaine invite RTN readers to an Open Day at Amber Lodge. The event will also be a re-homing day for local charity Animal Aid, with a selection of abandoned dogs looking for new homes. So, if you are interested in either having a look at the kennels or would like a new addition to your family, please go along next Thursday between 11am and 2pm. Details on how

to find the kennels are at www.amberlodgekennels.com For more information please call 680 856 235.

Walk on fire with me!

by Louise Clarke DURING MY time at RTN (i.e. before my sabbatical at the Town Hall!), I was asked to get involved in many activities; most notably walking up a mountain that was supposedly accessible for ‘people with a low level fitness’ – which of course it wasn’t! Now I am back, I thought that outrageous activities would be a thing of the past and I wasn’t expecting to be invited to participate in any more. How wrong was I?! HEALING On Saturday 5th November, I will be walking on fire! (Yeah I know…!) However, for once, I am actually looking forward to this. Firewalking has its origin in pre-history. In many countries, ancient folk walked on red hot wood embers as part of powerful rituals of renewal. Throughout the ages fire walking has been a part of the tapestry of human culture. It has always been practiced in the context of emotional, physical or spiritual healing and God knows I need some of that! POSITIVE Today the firewalk has captivated hundreds of thousands of people worldwide as a tool of empowerment and over the last two decades firewalking has helped manifest healing, joy and love (again, I could do with some of that too!) The Firewalking ritual is life-changing for most people – a very personal experience with extremely positive effects short and long term. The short term effects of fire walking include: Deep healing through the magic of the fire; overcoming fears and limited beliefs; the energy to live in the now and start creating the life you desire today; awakening the power to manifest your dreams and a greater connection with the earth and her elements. POWERFUL Firewalking will also expand your current level of awareness, allow you to celebrate a very special night in a circle of equality empowered fellow journeyers and over the long term you can gain a greater sense of purpose; have the ability to channel the power of the experience in your life; step into a powerful lineage of ancient medicine and enjoy lasting friendship forged through the powerful and life changing fire walk experience. It promises to be a memory you will never forget. So if you would like to join me in Los Montesinos on Saturday 5th November for a bit of Firewalking, call Irene or Steve on 634 065 540 or visit www.mayan-sun.com


Bye, bye Betty 21 -- 26 27 may OCT 2011 20 2011

Watts In Britain By

Paul Watts

23

ALONG WITH the rest of the nation I was saddened to hear that Betty Driver, aka Betty Turpin of The Rover’s Return, has died.

I was still in short trousers when Betty joined Coronation Street and I guess that over the last forty years she has become the nation’s grandma. Her character was solid, reliable, kindly and always ready to dispense wise counsel should it be needed. Just like a real grandma. In fact, she often reminded me of my grandmas and gave me a sense of continuity - a sense that they were still here too. Sherlock Holmes once said to Watson, “Good old Watson; you’re a fixed point in an ever changing world.” The same could be true of Betty. No matter how mad the outside world got she was always there ready to dish up some delicious Hotpot. A few years back when I was at RTN I spent a morning with some of the Corrie cast who were out filming in Benidorm (at one point Benidorm Town Hall were going to name an area of the town ‘Plaza De Coronation Street’). During a tea break I spoke to Sue Cleaver and asked her about Betty. Sue told me she was as genuine as the character she played on screen. “A real sweetie...” she said. Corrie actor William Roache has paid tribute to Betty: “If she were here now, she’d probably be a bit embarrassed by everyone talking about her like we are. She’d be having none of it. She was a real colossus of Coronation Street, and we will all miss her dearly.” Roach told the BBC audience, “Betty was a loving, generous, caring person, where humour was never far away. She was an ‘Earth mother’, always happy and jolly. She had so much love to give - and it was such a pure love, too.” He added, “It made her perfect to be godmother to my son James, which she did brilliantly.” Back in January this year, Betty was a guest on Desert Island Discs. She told Kirsty Young: “I just love

working and I will never retire, ever.” She added, “They will have to shoot me to get rid of me!” RIP Betty. GEORGE WAS ‘THE NICEST BEATLE’ Now, long time readers of these rantings and those unfortunate enough to have tuned in to my radio programmes will know that I am a dyed-inthe-wool Beatle-holic. For me The Beatles were and always will be the numero uno band. And, as with many other folks, ‘The Fabs’ played a huge role in my formative years; their music was the soundtrack of my growing-up. Now, with this in mind I’ve always maintained that given the chance to meet Lennon or McCartney I would decline. My reasoning being, that having held them so high it could potentially be an absolute disaster meeting them in the flesh. I mean, suppose I met Macca only to find him to be a bit of an a***hole - it would destroy my childhood, wouldn’t it? All that I’d invested would be destroyed. Of course, I’m not saying Sir Paul is (I’m guessing he is a nice bloke) but I do not want to risk it. Now where I might have deviated from the above policy would have been in the case of George Harrison. And this week, since watching Martin Scorsese’s new documentary about George I’m convinced I could have survived with childhood intact. Here is a snippet of Time magazine’s assessment: “The ‘quiet Beatle’ — the one who told an interviewer, ‘I’m even more normal than normal people’ — was also the nicest Beatle: the most thoughtful and generous, the salver of wounds, forgiver of sins. That is the immediate and lingering message of George Harrison: Living in the Material World, Martin Scorsese’s two-part, three hour docu-

mentary...” It is, in my humble opinion, quite simply an amazing piece of work; well worth a watch. I find it hard to believe that this week marks ten years since George died. Ten years... whoosh; where did that go? To mark the occasion music magazine Mojo is giving away a CD of superb Harrison covers on their November edition – some recorded exclusively. These new interpretations by artists young and old (even George’s long time mate Joe Brown has contributed) prove the haunting beauty of Harrison’s music. Get someone over here to get you a copy. Watts in Britain, listen to George while eating Betty’s Hotpot…


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money

21 - 27 OCT 2011

Why have good insurance? GOOD INSURANCE is a necessity but in general people only look at the price. I am not surprised, as the cost of living is soaring; add that to the reduced exchange rate, it is not your top priority. When it comes to insuring your motor vehicle it is a legal requirement and cheap is not always the best. You must compare the cover that you are getting and the security of the Insurance Company. Insurance for your home has possibly been reduced to ‘when we can afford it’. When you insure through Beneficial Insurance Services, you may not just be reducing your premiums by the competitive quotes we can give, you can be assured that the correct product has been sold. All our policies are in English and designed to cover all eventualities: we are also able to help spread the cost. When you contact us for a quotation, you are attended by English speaking agents in a friendly, business-like manner and a quotation is usually given within 30 minutes.

Another area of our expertise is planning for your funeral. This is a subject that most people do not wish to talk about. So, to alleviate these worries and take the responsible approach, why not arrange and pay for a funeral plan? These Plans are designed to encompass all expenses, costs, arrangements and legal documentation. You can plan the funeral yourself, and with our help, you can make them as simple or as complicated as you wish. The plan is valid in both Spain and UK. One telephone call, day or night and your wishes are put into position immediately. The payments can also be spread over a period of time and through the Hour Glass payment system it can be as low as 70 cents per day but once started the cost is locked in at today’s price. We are also in a position to give help and advice on Pensions, unlocking your fund and the reasons for looking at QROPS. If you require any help in any of these areas please do not hesitate to contact Beneficial Insurance Services on 96 112 9215 or email info@beneficialspain.com Also visit our website www.beneficialspain.com

Chairman of Santander Water to become even more expensive in Alicante criticises Brussels recapitalisation plan RISING WATER bills in the Alicante province are set to reach an average increase of 12% in all areas, affecting three of the four sections that comprise water charges: consumption, service fees and sewerage. The increase has been proposed by the Water Board of Alicante but the Socialist arm has already stated that it will vote against the proposal. Alicante’s water is the fifth most expensive behind the Balearic Islands, Tenerife, Barcelona and Murcia.

BANCO SANTANDER Chairman Emilio Botín has criticised Brussels latest plans for banks, saying this week that ‘unviable entities’ should be allowed to go bankrupt. He slammed the plans of the European Commission to demand more capital from European Banks: “It makes no sense to indiscriminately recapitalise banks,” he said, “It serves for nothing unless the problem of the sovereign debt is definitively solved first.”


legal

14 - 13 21 20 OCT 27 07 OCT 2011 2011

25 23

New changes in eviction procedures – moving towards a faster justice by

Carlos Baos

of White & Baos Abogados English & Spanish Solicitors

THE NEW law about measures to expedite justice procedures (ley de medidas de agilizacion procesal) has been published in the Spanish Official State Gazette (Boletin Oficial del Estado – BOE). This new Law will try to speed-up some Court Proceedings, notably by introducing the following changes: 1) Monitorio trials: The Court fee is waived in those cases when the claimed amount is below €3,000. A new Court fee of €50 is established for the rest of the monitorio cases, and only for those subject to law. The maximum amount is removed; which means that any debt can be claimed through this process, regardless of the amount, as long as they are duly documented by invoices, receipts, delivery notes etc. 2) In terms of appeals, the new law cancels the preparation process, which previously announced that an appeal was being prepared and a time period granted to have it actually

interposed. Now the appeal shall be filed directly and the time period is expected to be cut down to only 10 days. This will substantially shorten the time for us, the lawyers, to be able to work and file our appeals. Also among the measures taken aiming to reduce the number of appeals; those Court Orders for Verbal Proceedings in amounts not exceeding €3,000 are not subject to appeal. 3) But our main goal for this article is to highlight the changes in the eviction process. The evictions for non payment of rent and due amounts will now be handled in a similar way to the monitorio process, so if the lessee, upon receipt of the claim, does not vacate the property, fails to pay or does not oppose the landlord’s arguments, then it will directly go on to the eviction. The date to leave the property and the eviction date, will be communicated on the first request made by the Court, which could be the only communication received by the respondent, before the eviction takes place. This will often avoid holding a hearing and will directly lead to the eviction of the lessee (unless opposition is presented); the Landlord will be able to continue requesting payment for the due rents and amounts in an execution process. This means that with this new change, which is not yet in force, the eviction process could take very little time from the lessee failing to comply with the payment obligations,

i.e. maybe just a few weeks from the date when the claim is admitted and assigned to Court, which undoubtedly is good news for owners who let their properties. In any case, we remind landlords of the importance of keeping the following in their records: 1) Copies of the NIE, passport or other identification number for the tenant. 2) Contact details. 3) List of assets when possible. 4) Original letting contract signed by both parties on each and every page. 5) Rental payment receipts. 6) Utilities bills for the money owned by the tenant. Should any reader be in this situation or similar please do not hesitate to contact us and the appropriate advice will be provided. The information provided in this article is not intended to be legal advice, but merely conveys general information related to legal issues. We kindly invite you to visit and comment about this article in our blog at http://www.white-baos.com/blog/ and facebook (White-Baos-Abogados-Solicitors) your comments in this respect will be greatly appreciated.

Carlos Baos (Lawyer) © 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. This article is available in English and Spanish at www.white-baos.com


business

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21 - 26 27 -OCT 20114 2010 Feb March

by

Adam Simmons

International Consultant

What marketing is… and isn’t

I HAVE had the misfortune of listening to guest speakers who used the terms ‘marketing’ and ‘advertising’ interchangeably – and convincing on neither topic. You have also probably come across the position ‘sales and marketing director’ in a company, which, when you think about it, makes as much sense as ‘manufacturing and finance director!’ So, I thought it worthwhile giving a lengthy, but hopefully clear explanation of what marketing involves and what it does not.

THE STARTING POINT: THE 4 ‘P’S These are the textbook classics of product, price, place and promotion. Today I will look at product, which is important to all business people. Product (which can also include service), is arguably relatively straightforward. For example, the product of a holiday rental apartment is the right to stay for one or two weeks in an apartment. However, life is not so simple! There are thousands of holiday apartments along the Costa Blanca alone offering this ‘core product’. So, how can we make our offering different from others? Using the same example, we can decide to offer an ‘augmented’ product. I have stayed in rental apartments with pans which were unfit to prepare a meal for animals, let alone humans, and which were

lacking the most basic amenities (such as salt, at less than 20 cents per kilo). Even in October 2011, less than 30% of all holidays lets on the Costa Blanca on Homelidays (http://www.homelidays.co.uk) offered broadband and/or Wifi. So providing a broadband service immediately places an owner in the top third in the eyes of many potential customers. Another example of an ‘augmented product’ can be the level of customer service in a store. Imagine the shopping experience at Argos compared to, say, John Lewis. We would expect prices in the latter store to be higher, but the level of customer service is of a better quality. The rate of return on these little extras, including provision of a telephone; good quality pots and pans; new bedding bought regularly; can pay very high dividends. The cost per week of offering an augmented product was less than €20 per week of the summer season, yet the property that we rent out carried a premium of more than €150 per week over the average August 2011 rental price for a two bedroom apartment. So, to summarise, if you consider increasing the quality of your product or service but are concerned about the extra cost involved, just ask yourself: is the extra expenditure a genuine cost or is it an investment in higher profitability?

Adam Simmons is an international consultant who has worked on transportation projects around the world. He is also an Associate Fellow at Warwick University Business School, tutoring in International Business, Economics and Quantitative Methods. He is a member of the Marina Alta Business Club.

Row sparked when Government Minister’s home targeted THE PRESIDENT of the Community of Madrid, Esperanza Aguirre, filed a complaint on Wednesday in Leganitos station in Madrid following an attempted break-in at her home resulting in the gate being forced and damaged. Although the Guardia Civil managed to detain two individuals and take them to the police station they were released without being questioned! Aguirre was shocked to learn that this is “normal procedure” and asserted that “…if such a situation can happen to me as President of the Madrid Community, what chance do

other citizens have of securing justice?” She has called for a change to the law and also for the resignation of government delegate Dolores Carrion.

Grants passed to non-profit organisations GRANTS HAVE been passed for Aspe to receive an allocation of 25,000€ to non-profit organisations for the promotion of a range of activities including training, integration and cultural promotion. Also in Aspe, 242 families with children attending kindergarten, primary and secondary establishments are to receive assistance from the municipality via a fund of 8,500€, to help in the purchase of school supplies such as books; an outlay that represents a struggle for cash-strapped families at the beginning of the school year. Each student will receive between 20€ and 50€.

New measures adopted to promote new businesses IT HAS been announced this week that Torrevieja Town Hall will be adopting new measures in order to promote employment and economic activity within the municipality. The Town Planning Officer for the Municipality of Torrevieja, Francisco Moreno, announced on Tuesday that the Government has approved a draft amendment of a new ‘Fiscal Ordinance Rule’, which will regulate the rates for new business licences. The officer said: “The main priority is to include a rebate for new businesses that include the recruitment of an unemployed person from our city.” Francisco Moreno indicated that bonuses would be set at a 40% discount for the recruitment of two unemployed people for one to two years and the bonus would rise to 50% if both unemployed people are employed continuously for a period exceeding two years. The move signals the commitment that was promised by Torrevieja’s Partido Popular (PP) during the municipal election campaign.


money

21 - 27 OCT 2011

27

What’s not in the guide books by

Suzanne O’Connell Customer Care at Ábaco

DO YOU know what the procedure is if someone dies in Spain? I know it’s not a subject that any of us wants to think about but the subject was raised at the Ábaco offices. The reason? One of our clients suggested we should write about it in our Ábaco magazine. Unfortunately, his partner had died and he suddenly found himself lost as to what he should do and who he might contact. As he pointed out, it’s something we need to know that the guide books don’t tell us. So,what do you do? Most of us had not thought past the dial 112 stage. We were all aware of how vulnerable we would be at this time and perhaps likely to call on a neighbour, friend or colleague. But would they know what to do? Sometimes we can assume that procedures are the same or similar to that of our native country. It’s often not the case. In the UK, for example, we are used to picking the date

of the funeral to suit family and friends. There is plenty of time to prepare, and relatives have opportunity to travel. In Spain, funerals are expected to take place as soon as possible after the death. This can make it difficult for relatives to attend and explains the value of having funeral plans in place. So, to prompt a little discussion around a difficult subject here is some basic information about what you might expect: 1. if the deceased has been ill and under medical care – contact your doctor or medical centre via their emergency number 2. if the death is sudden – contact the police 3. the doctor or the police will notify the ‘Tanatorio’ (funeral parlour) who will arrange for the removal of the body 4. you will need to visit the Tanatorio as soon as possible after the death to make more detailed arrangements about the type of ceremony and service

to take place 5. make sure that the passport of the deceased is cancelled and that you receive at least five death certificates 6. use the HELP fact sheet (see below) to check that you have informed everyone that needs to know Perhaps the best advice, if you can, is to make a funeral plan and talk it through with those close to you. There are several companies who specialise in this service and have their own guidance and information to help you make your decision. These pages of the guide book we just have to complete for ourselves. For more information about the legalities and inheritance tax call the Ábaco Helpline (0034) 96 670 3748. Friendly British staff will answer your queries, free of charge with no obligation. It might not be in a guide book but there is an excellent FACT SHEET produced by HELP Vega Baja available at http://www.helpvegabaja.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

CAM customers complaining daily EXTREMELY UNHAPPY CAM customers that invested in bank shares find themselves in the dilemma of retaining all their money but without access to a single cent of it, caught in the CAM ‘preference share’ trap: CAM sold €1,400 million such shares, now ring-fenced by nationalisation. The owners of such shares have no way of earning on them and bank employees are faced with the daily task of fielding the complaints of understandably furious customers demanding their money back. Many of the shares were sold against the recommendations of the usual financial advisors concerned with preventing their clients taking such risks. Class action against the bank is thought to be unlikely as the investors would probably have to prove they were completely ignorant of the risks involved.

Speculative investors bet on Spanish financial ruin as a ‘sure thing’ AS BAD debt levels in Spanish banks crept over 7% in August for the first time in sixteen years (says the Bank of Spain), around €126 billion has been invested by individuals banking on the total failure of the Spanish economy. Certain financial products offer investors a profit on stock market failure, with others paying out on the sovereign debt increasing.

Complaints about Salt Lake initiative THE LOS Verdes party in Torrevieja has said that they feel that a new tourism project for the city would be detrimental to the local environment. The Partido Popular (PP) led Town Hall has expressed an interest in an initiative that would see the local salt lake and its surroundings becoming an area of touristic interest. The PP has already approached the French company that owns the lake and negotiations are taking place to ascertain whether it would be a feasible and ecologically sound project to open up the local salt industry to tourists.


currency

28

21 - 27 OCT 2011

by

Kevin Wright

Account Manager, Moneycorp

‘I AM in the process of selling my house in Spain and will be converting the money back into Sterling. What can I do to make sure that I get the most for my money, particularly as I have heard worrying stories regarding charges levied by my Spanish bank?’ This is one of the most common questions we receive at the moment and all too often British people living in Spain assume that Spanish banks operate in a similar way to the UK. This is not the case. In today’s current market place, many people looking to sell a Spanish property will have had to reduce the price of their property to be able to negotiate a sale. With all the associated costs and taxes that need to be paid out, maximising the amount of pounds sterling that you finally receive for your euros is vital. You need to be aware of two important factors that can cost you dearly when converting your euros into pounds and moving those funds out of Spain. SPANISH BANK CHARGES Once your sale has been completed you will receive a cheque from the Notary. Many Spanish banks will charge a fee based on the value of this cheque to accept and clear the funds. They will then look to charge a further percentage fee to send your funds out of Spain. To put this into perspective, on an amount of 150,000€, you could incur costs of up to 1,500€ just to clear your cheque and transfer funds out of Spain. As most clients close their accounts when they leave Spain, there is little room for negotiation.

EXCHANGE RATE RISK ON REPATRIATION The agreed sale price of a property is often based on the amount of pounds sterling that the seller hopes to receive, according to the exchange rate at that time. However, a Notary / completion date can take place some weeks or even months after the contract of sale has been signed. This means that sellers run the risk of the exchange rate moving against them and thus reducing the amount of pounds sterling that they receive. For example, with an exchange rate of 1.15, a sale value of 150,000€ will give you £130,435. Should this exchange rate rise to 1.18, a rise of just 3 cents, this would give a return of £127,118 – £3,317 less. Moneycorp offers a range of service that allows clients to lock into favourable exchange rates at the time of the signing of the contract,taking away the risk of the exchange rate moving against them in the future. In most cases we can also help to drastically reduce the bank fees leading to even greater savings. For more information on how Moneycorp can help you get more pounds for your euros, contact us on 902 887 243 or email Moneycorp directly at roundtownnews@moneycorp.com

For more information on how Moneycorp can help you to save hundreds of euros on your Spanish bank fees, as well as helping you get more pounds for your euros, contact us on 902 887 243 or email Moneycorp directly at roundtownnews@moneycorp.com

Euro/Sterling Weekly Market Update brought to you by & THE EURO has extended its advance, adding more than three US cents and three Japanese yen. Against the British pound, however, the Euro has not been so all-conquering. Last Friday it lost more than a cent, taking sterling into the weekend at a level slightly higher than it had been before the negative news of renewed quantitative easing by the Bank of England. Since then it has all gone quiet and the net loss for sterling over the seven days is little more than half a cent. Almost a full week of gains for the Euro came as a result of upbeat sentiment about EU leaders’ newfound determination to sort out their debt crisis. The proposal by President Sarkozy and Chancellor Merkel to inject cash into banks, to make them more resilient to losses, struck a chord with investors. If Euroland’s banks are to be safeguarded, one of the biggest worries disappears. The European Banking Authority is talking about increasing the proportion by which banks’ loans must be backed by capital. At the moment the ratio is 8%; the EBA is expected to raise that number to 9% or 10%. Were it to do so, analysts estimate that European banks would have to lay their hands on some €200bn of new

capital. That would be tough to extract from private sector investors without a deus ex machina appearance by China, Qatar or some other beneficent sovereign wealth fund. So it would fall to Eurozone governments and their long-suffering taxpayers to provide some, or even all of the money. Anyway, many banks have expressed a reluctance to play this new game; they say the cost of raising fresh capital from the private sector would be prohibitive, while any provided by governments would almost inevitably be accompanied by efforts to interfere withthe business. They would prefer instead to reduce or adjust existing assets (loans), bringing them into line with current capital levels. So the bank recapitalisation proposal might not be the panacea it was originally cracked up to be. Even so, it represents new hope for investors who have been deprived of it for a while. The more upbeat mood has been helpful not only to the Euro but also to commodity-oriented currencies and equities. Investors will be looking for more details about the whole crisisresolution plan in the coming month. If EU leaders fail to deliver what they have promised the Euro will find itself under renewed pressure.

To read the full report click on Currency Guidance at www.moneycorp.com/roundtownnews


Sixth Sense We have five senses and we use them daily without really thinking about them. If you have seen, heard, tasted smelled or touched today then you have used one of those five senses and you probably have used them all. Anything that is brought to you in any other way is the use of the sixth sense, the psychic sense. I met a host of sensitive, spiritual people in my daily work, but some of them do not know that they are working on psychic energies. For some it is literally because they are using psychic energy so often, because it is a part of them, or because they have a consciousness which accepts it. Nevertheless the workings of the human mind, and a level of psychic energy can take you to new limits. To be aware of psychic power is inspiring, and makes people sensitives, however if you ever use your psychic energy then you are exploring the depths of an unseen energy and you are working with psychic power. You may not at this stage feel that you need to be labelled a psychic. Many people are afraid of any power that they may have. I can understand that, but there should be no fear when you are using something that is appearing to be natural to you. We are all given gifts, but the gift of psychic energy is very special indeed and must be seen, in all ways, to be a positive energy, preferably to be shared with others. Often people will have hunches. Ever had one? It’s the feeling that you know that something is going to happen, a special feeling about something, relevant information sent to underline what is happening in a specific situation. Maybe it comes as a warning. Such hunches can frighten people not used to them. Many will start to wonder where the hunch comes from, and it is usual to receive the response that it is that sixth sense manifesting within the individual. This can bring extreme relief, a chance, perhaps, to check something out, or the specific advice that somehow something is wrong somewhere along the line. Some will say that they felt something in their water. This is the manifesting of fear, and fear rules the urinary system of the body without a doubt. There is always a long queue for the loos at investitures in Buckingham Palace! Fear will stop psychic energy in its tracks.

Kenny’s diary Saturday November 19th: Spiritual Fair at Bistro Maya. Readings, Crystals, Healing, Gifts, Tarot, Angel Readings. All the fun of a Spiritual Fair with snacks and meals available! Come and find some Christmas gifts and meet a host of Spiritual People. From 11.00! Thursday December 1st: Demonstration of Clairvoyance at the Alfaz Spiritual Foundation, at the Forum Mare Nostrum in Alfaz del Pi. 18.30. All very welcome! Readings in your area: Please make contact if you want to organise readings in your locality, or organise a psychic event for your favourite charity. Some dates available for Nov/Dec.

If you fear anything it spoils the process, diminishing the effect and disconnecting the individual from their own personal power. Premonition is psychic power entering into the dream state as a definite and potent message of warning. Many who repress their psychic abilities, for what ever reasons often find that in a semi conscious or un conscious state informational warnings come to them as they slumber. I woke one morning having visually seen the tail fin of a jet slowly disappear under water. I saw this as being a plane crash in water, and can still see the three colours and the logo of the plane. I spent the next few days waiting for some news flash, dreading that a plane had crashed into the sea somewhere on the Planet. Nothing happened, thankfully, but the warning had been so clear. Several months later Russia reported the crash of an aircraft, which had plunged into the sea on a flight from Siberia. Russia then had global reporting restrictions, and was not sharing information. Newsreel showed a tail fin being hauled from the icy waters. When I saw it, it was the opposite of what I had dreamed six months earlier, but the plane had crashed and sunk. Dreams may reverse things, but premonition is always for a reason, often not immediately known, but worth considering, since it is a highly sensitive psychic warning. Many times we have a dark day when we are very sure that something is going to happen. We are very relieved when it doesn’t, but the negative result can come from our reactional fear to what we are dreading. Say that problems come in three’s and just what happens? Tempting fate brings on psychic energies which work usually with us, but which may turn things around. Nothing psychic is ever designed to bring on negativity and fear, but it can happen. Let me know your experiences. When I meet people with highly charged psychic power, they may be afraid, or do not know how to use it. Either way psychic power is a gift that develops any way you want it to, and if you need a helping hand I’m here for you!

Love & Light... Kenny Corris

postbag Email your letters to me at: kennycorris@roundtownnews.com Kenny, I have waited patiently for a message from my sister. She died in May, and was a strong spiritualist. Before her death she told me that she would come through to me whenever she could. She had such faith in the Spirit World, and yet she has not made any effort to connect with me. What am I doing wrong? What should I be doing? Joan K. Hi Joan, I am sorry that you haven’t had contact with your sister, but it is early days yet. There can be many months between passing over and being open to communicate, and it can be quite a wait. I know that your sister will fulfil her promise to you, as she left this Earth with faith in the very system that she will use in the future to contact you. Having faith yourself does make a lot of difference to the situation. Talk freely to your sister as if she was with you, that way she will know for sure that when the time comes that she has your love and support. Things will happen in time, give her a little longer and tell her that you are unafraid and ready. Meanwhile look for suggestions or portents, that she is responding to your call and her spiritual preparation for Earthly contact. You are not doing anything wrong.

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!

21 -- 26 27 may OCT 2011 20 2011

horoscopes by Kenny Corris

23 29

Warring Mars courts liable Leo this week bringing conflict where there should be comfort, and denying you the privacy that you both deserve and need in the current scheme of things. Someone has been economical with the truth and this has involved you in many ways. Don’t think that holding your head high and making a quick exit is anything more than moving on, it certainly isn’t running away. Venus scores on squaring up to Mars midweek whilst in the embraces of your opposing sign of Scorpio. Eliminate current fear and show everyone who appears to be very interested in your personal life, just where they can go. Your own wants and needs must be addressed, and that’s not selfish, it’s self preserving, and you have done well to keep your temper whilst others lose theirs. Whilst Mercury slides into an impact with Scorpio the way ahead is paved with your good intentions and some rather wonderful resolve and determination. Where you have questioned there has already been an answer and where you have waited there is a great feeling of relief. Believe in yourself and there will be more to come, as you are sincerely rewarded in ways you never even thought of! Calming your energies actually brings strength, although you are doggedly remaining stubborn about something that has got your goat. There seems to be some unfinished business and you are biding your time to enact vengeance for something, when you should be leaving fate to make the decision for you, this time around. What comes around goes around, so be careful what you ask for! With controversial Mars by your side, motivation and instinct give way to gut instinct this week. Follow the feeling and you could be making those positive changes all along the line, rather than waiting for things to happen all around you. It is high time that things started going your way since you put so much into what you do. Use your significant psychic powers to make a difference that shows. Just the suggestion of dalliance with Saturn and Libra, and you are anticipating something that could very well work for you rather than work against you. Things happening lately have brought you much disappointment and an irritating delay in a process you’ve subscribed to. Let all concerned know that you here to stay and that time too, is on your side, for a change. Saturn dampens down the flames of passion, but for a reason not yet known. Your heart has been closed for some time, and you have good reason to have done this; however when the opportunity comes around you cannot commit. You have a need to look within and establish your priorities; this is true, but at the expense of what could be something rather special walking away, and is this what you want? With Venus, Goddess of Love, on board you have to start loving yourself, right now. Current Planetary actions have seen you in a lucky corner which uniquely develops with your own rich energies, but it seems to be governed by your inability to adapt and motivate yourself. Yes, what has happened just lately has been difficult, but it is time to take what you can get and to make a go for it. Wise and wily Saturn sees you being given the benefit of the doubt this week. You have held on, with good reason, and against all odds things have come right for you. Above all don’t waste any further time in retribution and sulking, that’s what began this negativity in the first place. Do what you have to though to make sure that you are now complete and that only good comes from all of this. Plans may have to be put on hold, but then you can take up what you need to when you need to. The crux of the matter is that you must now heavily rely on a strong connection with Pluto. As you examine all that has happened just lately there is no reason to doubt yourself, but all seeing Pluto uncovers something that you would have rather remained under wraps but must now be seen as a way out. Many will say that you have bitten off far more than you can chew, but then maybe they do not know what you can really do when you try. So much energy is currently wasted in your earning a living than to work with your talent to develop what could be. You think of now, when it is the future that is on the agenda, and this could be significantly better for you and those who support you. You are having a sort out, and plans on the domestic front go well for you. However all that you do is to mask disappointments in other directions as someone stands in the way of your wishes, hopes and desires. You are blessed with such energy and foresight that you can see things others do not, but if nothing can reach fruition you will become angry and resentful. Deal with all this now, it’s time!

If it’s your birthday this week... Time to finalise plans and to ensure that you are in control of them. You have waited quietly in the shadows, but what is wanted this astrological year is the courage of your convictions and a stronger belief in making things better for yourself.


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21 - 27 OCT 2011

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.

Sudoku

Cryptic Crossword ACROSS 3. In a deadlock four will be imperturbable (9) 8. Keep an eye on one’s appearance (4) 9. Read plays deprived of action, maybe (9) 10. One who guards a hideout used during hostilities? (6) 11. Spree that will make five stagger around! (5) 14. Unusually eager to correspond (5) 15. Remove any coarseness if found in the street (4) 16. Period dress for hooligans, we hear (5) 18. The kind of desk that looks the same both ways (4) 20. Potter uses this revolver (5) 21. Means the parson’s address has been rewritten (5) 24. A man from Spain, we hear, is not so young (6) 25. Prudence will help you to get on target (9) 26. Don’t allow one who tends animals near the ring (4) 27. Gets ahead of the clock, as the conductor does (5,4)

DOWN 1. Hurricane lights? (4-5) 2. Palace apartment used at trying times (5-4) 4. Fellows holding a middle position (4) 5. Having been informed of a conflict over the East (5) 6. They show what it is fashionable to assume (6) 7. Six get two points and make a scene (4) 9. The boy from Cape Territory (5) 11. Gun fire dispersed about fifty (5) 12. Methods of survival of interest in cheiromancy (4-5) 13. The butler’s pantry is not yet completely full, apparently (5-4) 17. The heart of a lover! (5) 19. What the inventor seeks in quite clear (6) 22. Displace a loose garment (5) 23. The donkey is all right with me around (4) 24. Pretence will be endless disgrace (4)

Wordwheel

Quick Crossword ACROSS 3. Exactness (9) 8. Genuine (4) 9. Subdue (9) 10 Scanty (6) 11. Dissuade (5) 14. Concise (5) 15. Call (4) 16. Proportion (5) 18. Invalid (4) 20. Embrace (5) 21. Instruct (5) 24. Younger (6) 25. Pointer (9) 26. Fair (4) 27. Assertion (9)

DOWN 1. Antiquated (9) 2. Clumsy (9) 4. Roam (4) 5. Blaspheme (5) 6. Oral (6) 7. Frank (4) 9. Command (5) 11. Trench (5) 12. Greedy (9) 13. Mild (9) 17. Happen (5) 19. Cease (6) 22. Entrance (5) 23. Standard quantity (4) 24. Connect (4)

Answers & Winners Last week’s Crossword and Suduko answers found on page 53/54. Winner for 626 - Alan Ewing, from San Luis

Win a meal for 2! The Planet Bar in Parcent (North Costa Blanca) (Fish & Chip Supper for two)

by answering the Cryptic Crossword correctly.

Answers by email to: production@roundtownnews.com *This must be used no later than 3 weeks of notification

Euromillions Draw Friday 14th October

12 23 29 32 47

3

5

No winner! Jackpot rolls over to the next draw

Tuesday 18th October

18 23 37 46 48

2

10

No winner! Jackpot rolls over to the next draw


21 -- 26 27 may OCT 2011 20 2011

23 31


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21 - 27 OCT 2011

You shall go

to the ball…

The pantomime will curtain on 18th and 19th December

R

EHEARSALS ARE underway for the Big Fish Panto ‘Cinderella’ with a talented children’s chorus that successfully auditioned to be part of the festive fun, along with Big Fish regulars Adam king, Suzanne Millington, Lucy Glister, Louise Dearden and Emma Devine. The role of Cinderella will be played by Crystal Goudie, a seasoned performer on the Costa Blanca and an A level performing

arts student. The pantomime will curtain at Ondara Auditorium on 18th and 19th December with group discounts available. Be sure to get your tickets as soon as possible for this guaranteed sell-out show. Have a look at the Big Fish website for all the info on the Panto and also the Big Fish Rock Choir performing in the show. ‘Oh yes they will…!’ www.bigfishentertainment.biz info@bigfishentertainment.biz


21 - 27 OCT 2011

health

by

Mark Phoenix Murphy Dhp MIAPH MNRAH

33

Stop smoking and change your life in thirty minutes Hi, my name is Mark Phoenix Murphy Adv. Dhp MIAPH MNRAH and I will be writing fortnightly columns in the RTN. I thought I would start with what I can do for you in regards to stopping that habit of smoking. Many smokers find that giving up smoking is the one of the most difficult challenges they have faced. In fact, the pleasure found in smoking is one of the reasons why giving it up seems impossible to someone with this destructive addiction. There is nothing nicer to a smoker than that after dinner cigarette or the first puff of the day with a hot cup of coffee. Despite the angry protestations of some smokers under pressure to quit, most smokers understand only too well that smoking is a killer; they do want to give up smoking but find the process itself too daunting. The road to reform seems just too long to manage! Some smokers have tried to give up before and found that supportive products on the market help slightly but not enough to complete the process of quitting...

GIVE UP SMOKING IN JUST 30 MINUTES (using the Rob Kelly Method shown to be 92.5% successful*) Clients requiring help to quit smoking, as with all other clients seeking help through Hypnotherapy, will receive an initial consultation and suitability assessment free of charge. The process of Hypnotherapy is comfortable, soothing even. You will not feel ‘out of it’ in any way or even feel you are in a hypnotic state. On the contrary, you will feel completely in control at all times and leave the clinic feeling refreshed and totally able to turn your back on smoking. WHAT IF I CAN’T AFFORD THE THERAPY? The Stop Smoking Easily programme costs just €140 – the cost of around four or five cartons of cigarettes. You

will find that the cost of your therapy will be recovered in saved expense on cigarettes in a very short time! Also I can help with Weight Control, HypnoBand™ (The only place you can get the HypnoBand on the Costa Blanca, Costa Calida and Costa Almeria); and help with Anxiety, Depression, Phobia, Sexual Problems, Panic Attacks and any other matters of the mind… CREDENTIALS Mark Phoenix Murphy Adv Dhp MIAPH MNRAH is legally registered in Spain and complies with all legal requirements in regards to insurances. His clinics are held at the following locations: The International Clinic Moraira; The Family Medical Clinic Albir (near Benidorm), The Dental Clinic Camposol; Physical Therapy Clinic Villamartin and the Chiropractor

Wellness Clinic in Garruacha. Please visit www.HypnoSpain.com or Telephone 654 202 996 today *Please visit my website and ask to download the research paper.


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21 - 27 OCT 2011

by

Robert Vandevelede

Ex-president Australian Acupuncture & Chinese medicine Association

Acupuncture as preventive medicine: Autumn THE FOLLOWING article is in answer to a question emailed to me a couple of weeks ago. Can Acupuncture keep me healthy? Short answer: yes!

Regular readers will remember me referring to the Nei Jing Su Wen (the yellow emperor’s classic of internal medicine) as the bible of Chinese Medicine. And here again I quote: “The sages of antiquity did not treat those who were already sick, but those who were not sick... When a disease has already broken out and is only then treated, would that not be as bad as to wait for thirst before digging a well, or to wait to go into war before casting weapons?” These words express the primary importance of Chinese medicine as preventive medicine. Historically in China, each village was under the care of a physician. In return, they took care of him (fed him, clothed him, etc.) So it was the physician’s job to keep the people from the village from getting sick in the first place. Once sick, they could not look after him, so it made more sense to treat them to keep them healthy. The most prestigious position for a Chinese doctor was to become the Emperor’s doctor. Only problem was, if the emperor got sick, the doctor could end up being executed. So for him, preventive medicine could be a matter of life and death. In Chinese medicine we often talk about the five phases (Wu Xing), often wrongly translated as the five elements. They are: Fire-earth-metal-water and wood. Through observation and theorising, numerous correspondences were discovered. Things as diverse as compass directions, seasons, taste, human organs, emotions, foods, tissues colours etc. were associated

with a particular phase. And this is what we use in preventive medicine. For example: Fire is the phase of summer, heat, south, heart, red, bitter taste, blood vessels etc. AUTUMN The Neijing Su Wen says: “In the three months of autumn all things in nature reach their full maturity. The grains ripen and harvesting occurs. The heavenly energy cools, as does the weather. The winds begin to stir. This is the changing or pivoting point when the Yang, or active phase turns into its opposite the Yin, or passive phase. One should retire with the sunset and arise with the dawn. Just as the weather in autumn turns harsh, so does the emotional climate. It is therefore important to remain calm and peaceful, refraining from depression so that one can make the transition to winter smoothly. This is the time to gather one’s spirit and energy, be more focused and not allow desires to run wild. One must keep the Lung energy free, full, clean and quiet. This means practicing breathing exercises to enhance Lung Qi. Also, one should remain from smoking and grief, the emotion of the Lungs (metal). This will prevent the kidney or digestive problems in the winter. If this natural order is violated, damage will occur to the lungs, resulting in diarrhoea with undigested food in winter. This comprises the body’s ability to store in winter”. Remember this was written more than 2000 years ago! During the change from one season to the next,

much goes on in the environment that causes the body to adapt. Changes in light, temperature and humidity influence the natural cycles and rhythms of our bodies. At certain periods of the year, the body has more difficulty adapting, and this can tire us and leave the body more vulnerable to disease. By intervening at these times with treatments such as Acupuncture, the body has a better chance to maintain its strength. Helping the body function more optimally allows many systems, including the immune system, to fulfil their role more effectively. Look after yourself, look after your body! Any questions regarding this article or Chinese Medicine in general, please call me at 660 032 862, or mail me at: robertvdvelde@telefoniva.net Robert Vandevelde: Former President Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association.

Written by Robert Vandevelde Former President Australian Acupuncture and Chinese medicine Association, Contact him on 660 032 862. Write to me at robertvdvelde@telefonica.net javea-acupuncture.blogspot.com

Health resources squeezed in the Marina Baixa HEALTH PROFESSIONALS in the Marina Baixa are concerned over the loss of a further 16 beds in the area due to cuts, following the Conselleria’s announcement only five months ago that beds would be increased ‘in one way or another’, either by expanding the Hospital La Vila or by creating a separate hospital for specialist care. The Marina Baixa records the worst ratio of beds per population for health care in the province with only 1.3 per thousand people (the World Health Organisation recommends eight). The management also announced that it is to “tighten controls on health staff sick leave” in an attempt to reduce the rate of temporary disability that now stands at around 4%.


21 - 27 OCT 2011

35

Controlling the spread of infectious diseases:

International Infection Control Week 17th – 21st October by

Claire Cerro Atyeo, RGN

Prestige Nursing and Social Care Services

HOW MANY times have we heard about the latest health scare? Eggs that cause Salmonella; beef causing Mad Cow Disease; Bird Flu; Measles; MRSA… the list is endless. How many times have the hygiene standards in hospitals been slated? But is it really all the responsibility of health professionals? NO, infection control is the responsibility of each and every one of us and one of this year’s key objectives during Infection Control Week is to promote public awareness, inclusion and education. There are so many organisations globally that tirelessly work to identify and limit harmful infections, so if there are so many people working so hard, why do we still have all these infections? The answers lay within us all: our habits, life style, frequent travel, imported food and other products and remember as we evolve so does the microorganism; as we change so do they; as we develop medication and vaccine programs, they develop into different strains. Microorganisms are a living cell the same as you and I, and it’s a fight for survival! INFECTIOUS AGENTS EXIST: THIS WE WILL NEVER CHANGE! What we need to learn is how we minimise

the risks they pose, this we do by breaking the transmission chain and this needs to be done at three key links within the chain. First the Reservoir, these are places the infectious agents live: in and on humans; objects and surfaces. Through good personal hygiene and cleanliness within the home, especially in kitchens and bathrooms, we break the link. PORTAL OF EXIT: is where the infection leaves the reservoir through broken skin and respiratory secretions: if we seal broken skin with dressings, use disposable tissues when blowing noses and dispose of them immediately followed by hand washing, we break the link. MODE OF TRANSMISSION: happens through touch, droplet and airborne routes, again personal hygiene; hand washing; when providing care for someone that is ill; wear protective clothing and gloves; keep personal items separate, use antibacterial rubs as well as not instead of hand washing. By doing these very simple things we can all be responsible for helping reduce cross infection and the spread of infectious diseases.

Did you know the chain of transmission is how all infectious diseases spread? The goal of infection prevention and control is to teach how to break the chain

This article is written by Claire Cerro Atyeo, RGN, of Prestige Nursing and Social Care Services. Prestige is dedicated to helping people to continue living in their own homes with greater ease for as long as they so wish. For more information telephone Prestige Nursing and Social Care Services on 687 015 517 or email info@prestigenursingcostablanca.com


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21 - 27 OCT 2011

Now we’re cooking... SATURDAY 8TH OCTOBER saw the opening of the new Kevin Jones Construction, Kitchen & Bathrooms showroom in Benitachell, with music by Jools Cooper and wine tasting by Casa del Vino. by Patricia Thompson More than 100 guests took the opportunity to view the new displays and everyone was impressed. Kevin Jones has worked in the construction industry since 1978 and has earned a reputation for unrivalled service through his commitment to completing all work to his clients’ satisfaction. While Kevin is experienced with large projects such as new builds; stunning reforms; underbuild conversions; infinity pools and landscaping, with the opening of the new showroom Kevin has a chance to show what can be achieved through superb kitchen and bathroom design. With an enthusiastic and experienced team, Kevin Jones Kitchens & Bathrooms offers a professional survey and planning service, with every design being tailored to the client’s individual requirements and lifestyle - and with the construction side of things all taken care of in-house, a Kevin Jones kitchen or bathroom installation includes all plumbing, electrical and building works (where necessary) to ensure a high quality finish in all aspects of the job. Guests made themselves very much at home at the kitchen counters and bars and enjoyed the BBQ food - and why not? Kitchens these days are the heart of the home and a central family room so where better to enjoy great food and wine? Kevin Jones Construction, Kitchens & Bathrooms can be found at Carretera Benitachell–Javea CV-740 Km 5.5, next to the Mas y Mas Supermarket in Benitachell Tel: 96 649 3051 Email: info@kevinjones.es www.kevinjones.es

Christmas Fairs to benefit EMAUS children THE EARLY Bird Christmas Gift Fair at Salones Carrasco is to be held on Sunday 13th November from 11am, the first time that Carrasco has hosted such an Event at their prestigious venue near Barclays Bank in Javea. More than 40 stalls will be selling Christmas Gifts & Cards for those who need to buy&-send early to family and friends far away. It will be possible to order Christmas Cakes & Gifts for collection at the upcoming Marriott Christmas Gift Fair on Sunday 4th December. Further information on either Fair is available from lesleyclarkjavea@gmail.com


Vista Media Entertainment: WHAT IS the Vista Media Manager?

• VISTA Media Manager is an award-winning entertainment system used to display cutting-edge digital quality music videos and audio with integrated advertising. • The music manager allows a fully managed pre-programmed music video and audio track solution for the use of entertainment, DJ and background music requirements. http://www.onsiteadvertising.net/How-It-Works.htm Where can the system be used? Anywhere that plays music: Bars- Restaurants- Cafe- Discotheque – Retail – Hotel – Residential Care – Casino Okay so what makes this different to other music systems? • The quality of the digital HD Videos and Audio is unbeatable – The extensive library of both music and Video available is probably the largest in the World • The system is easy to use and provides the ultimate solution for all of your music needs – you can entertain your customers without ever running out of ideas or having new music to offer. • Also the system offers Karaoke with again one of the largest song collections available anywhere in the World: we have over 175,000 tracks. • The extensive music library consists of 1.5 million of the greatest hits from Pop; Easy Pop Rock; Rock; Hard Rock; Alternative Rock; Punk Rock; Classic Rock; Hip-Hop; R&B; Rap; Jazz; Soul; Motown; Reggae; Country; Dance; House; Latin; Lounge; Tropical; Up-tempo; Latest Hits; Sounds of the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s and Live Music concerts. • The system has 10,000 music videos from Elvis Presley and Aerosmith, to Jay Z, Katy Perry, and Kings of Leon. You name it: it has it. It sounds fantastic! Is there anything else? Yes there is a whole lot more to offer the end user who has the benefit of the music and videos and also the system has the power of advertising. Let me explain some more... • Full Screen Advertising and Streaming Ticker Tapes allow you to reach out of home spenders ages 21 to 50. • The music/audio plays continually while ads rotate! • The venue can also use the system to advertise its own events, products and promotions using the ticker tape scroll and visual images. • The savings are extensive: not having the need for in house

flyers, posters, table talkers and not having to purchase new music and avoiding any legal implications on unlicensed music for public use. • Third Party Advertising: Revenue can be generated via the advertising we offer to a third party. The key benefits are: Target Specific Audiences Flexible Advert scheduling Choose locations & Venues Supplier Sponsorship Advertising The Vista Media Manager is available for Free with our advertising contract. This allows our customers to have the system supplied without any purchase cost. Our customers will have the benefit of a music management system simply by agreeing the terms of our advertising programme. Or you can purchase the system and then add third party advertising and generate an income!

21 - 27 OCT 2011

37

VME Testimonials for hassle free revenue and entertainment:

“We look forward to the opportunities available through Vista Media Entertainment. The fact that it is both digital audio and video entertainment has potential: The revenue stream excites us!” General Manager: Jackson Sports Rock. “By incorporating the TVME Media Manager into our business model we now have monthly advertising revenue which increases our bottom line: we can’t say that about any system we’ve had in the past.” Michael, Regional Director: VCG “When we crank it up, our quality sound system exposes all audio flaws. With this system there are no cracks… it is the highest sound quality. I’ve been in the sound business and nightclub business 18 years and find this truly amazing.” Mike: Owner – Brickhouse “We want our customers to stay as long as possible. With Vista Media Entertainment there is a vast song and video library with completely customizable playlists and advertising capabilities….it is truly an innovative and cutting edge music system.” Dale: Owner – Hiccups 1


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21 - 27 OCT 2011

Spanish lessons by

Jane Cronin

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

The Letter Well, we’ve got to our second vowel sound, represented by the letter E. Like the other four vowels, E has one sound and one sound only, irrespective of where it appears in a word: at the beginning, especial (special) in the middle, beso (kiss) or at the end, coche (car). In all cases the sound is very similar to the English E as in “egg” or “elephant”. Although this is very simple in principle, it is actually difficult for us to do, because it is so alien in English speech to keep repeating the same sound regardless of where it appears in a word. Think for a while about how we pronounce the letter E in these four words: children, we, delay, face. If you listen carefully you will realise that there are three different sounds here and one E that is completely silent! Of course sometimes in Spanish the letter E combines with another vowel to create what we call a “diphthong” which means a double vowel sound. The most common, and at the same time trickiest of these is the “e-i” combination, which appears in many words including seis (six), reina (queen), aceite (oil). To get to this sound we should pronounce the E and I separately first, and then merge them together. The result should end up almost exactly the same as the English “ay” sound as in the word “say” “race” or indeed in my name “Jane”. By the way, something I always recommend is for people to practise these sounds using the correct spelling as a guide, and to steer away from the phrasebook method which would write the pronunciation of a word like aceite as “ah-thay-tay”. This very English way of writing foreign sounds is alright if you’re going on holiday for a week and need to read out a few phrases to be understood, but it will never teach you to pronounce Spanish properly in the long run. Time now to find some word relations within our two languages again and as usual there are plenty of them beginning with the letter E. Exterior (exterior) economía (economy), elefante (elephant), enemigo (enemy), énfasis (emphasis), entusiasmo (enthusiasm), época (epoch, era), espía (spy) estación (station). These last two words illustrate another interesting phenomenon in Spanish, which is that you will never find the combinations “sp”, “st” “sc” “sl” “sm” or “sn” at the beginning of words. That is why Spain is España and Scotland Escocia. It also explains why the Spanish have great difficulty pronouncing the international sign STOP, invariably saying “estop” instead. There are other words that have come from English and changed in spelling such as “esnobismo” (snobbery or snobbishness) and “esmoquin” (from “smoking” and meaning dinner jacket). Here are a couple of interesting

‘E’

“estranged cousins” beginning with the letter E. The Spanish word educado means “well-mannered” or “polite” and not “educated”. Therefore mal educado means “rude” or “discourteous”. A friend of mine was recently told that her new neighbours were “Gente muy educada”. She wondered what their academic qualifications had to do with anything, until she realised she was being told they would be polite people to live next door to. Even more amusing is the Spanish word embarazada which means “pregnant” and not “embarrassed”, which is avergonzado. Please file this information for further use. It could save you from a lot of unnecessary misunderstanding next time you want to tell someone how embarrassed you are! After much searching for a common word beginning with E in Spanish, I have settled for that very ordinary word en. The most obvious thing to say about this word is that it covers two distinct meanings in English depending on the context – namely “in” or “on”. Both of these English words have more specific translations in Spanish. “In” meaning “inside” is dentro and “on” meaning “on top of” is encima, but when the meaning is obvious we just settle for the simple word en. “En la mesa” is only ever going to mean “on the table”, and “en la calle” is only ever going to mean “in the street”. However, when there is a risk of ambiguity we have to be more specific. For example “on the cupboard” would have to be encima del armario (on top of the cupboard) to make the exact location clear. Another thing worth noting is that we often translate en as “at”. “Estoy en el ayuntamiento” would be translated as “I am at the town hall” which in actual fact means exactly the same thing as “in the town hall”. I hope that makes sense, it all seemed clear enough when I started writing it! One more common E word, which also illustrates nicely the use of the Spanish diphthong is the word euro. This word starts with the E sound as explained at the beginning, and then glides into the Spanish U sound, giving us a double vowel sound which does not exist in English. In English we place a “y” consonant at the beginning of the word to make it sound like “yiurow”, but this is incomprehensible in Spanish. Listen out for this difference when you hear people talking about money. It is often these little details that make or break communication, although in this case the flash of a few bank notes would probably get the message over. And finally, a good wholesome saying with an important E word: Mientras haya vida, hay esperanza. “Where there’s life there’s hope” even for our attempts at speaking Spanish!


21 - 27 OCT 2011

39

Downloading photos

Computing with aunty virus

Trying to delete email address Dave via email asks: DEAR AUNTY. I have made a mistake with my email address and I have been trying to delete it: how do I do this? I have tried various ways but no luck. Aunty Says: I’m not sure whether you mean to delete an unwanted email account or whether you simply want to remove a name from the drop down list that pops up when you go to login. Deleting an email account has to be done from the control panel/settings area once you have logged in and all the popular email providers have different ways of doing it. It can be fairly complicated so let me know your email provider and I will forward to you specific details. Of course you can simply let it expire by not using it for a while. If you are trying to remove a name from the drop down list then simply click once in the empty box, and using the down arrow on the keyboard, move the cursor over the unwanted name and press the delete key.

Signed in in two places

Gill via email asks: HI AUNTY, I am hoping that you can help. I receive a message from time to time to say that I am signed in in two places. How can this be as I only have access to my own laptop? Aunty Says: It depends on where this message is coming from Gill. If it’s Yahoo or Gmail then the only times I have seen this happen is either when you have used another computer in the past and it has remembered your login details and is logging you in automatically, or

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

your account has been compromised. Changing your password should rectify both of these. If it is a Microsoft account, such as MSN, Windows Live or Hotmail etc. then this can happen if you have two or more of these Microsoft programs running on your machine and either/all of them are logging you in automatically. Again changing your password may sort this out but if not you will need to check what you have running and remove the ones you don’t use. Let me know how you get on.

Patricia via email asks: I’M JUST learning computers and I was bought a laptop and I have an Olympus camera. I have run the install disc that came with it and I have downloaded one lot of photos onto the computer. When I try and do it again it is driving me nuts. My friend download Picasa and he did the same but to do it the second time forget it! At the most I have done maybe two hundred photos which is not a lot for a computer. Aunty Says: Hi Patricia. You don’t say what happens when you try and download your second lot of photos but normally I find these kind of problems occur if the camera is full or you are trying to download photos with duplicate names. A very good habit to get into is to use something like Picasa and create uniquely named photo albums before you download the photos from the camera. Also make sure you delete the photos from the camera once you are happy they have transferred to your computer. All this takes a bit of practice but there are some great tutorials online, and as Picasa is a Google product, then typing something like ‘Picasa user guide’ into Google will bring up some very useful info.

Hotmail running very slow Jim from La Marina asks: DEAR AUNTY. I hope you can help me with this. My Hotmail is running very slow and if I try to change between my messages I keep getting the message ‘Loading’ then after a minute or two my folder eventually changes to the folder I want. Also when I try to send an email I get the message ‘Cannot connect to internet at this time please try later’ then if I click on another folder, the message goes but the problem with this is of course I lose my message. This is driving my mad I have done a defrag checked for malware and viruses but the problem still persists. Aunty Says: Hello Jim. This sounds as if it could be a more general problem associated with your internet connection. If you go to www.speedtest.net and send me the results of a few tests spread out during the day I can look into it further. In the mean time you could try accessing your mail using a different browser (such as IE8, Firefox or Chrome) and see if there are any improvements as there are a few ‘plugins’ and ‘add-ons’ that have been causing Hotmail problems.


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21 - 27 OCT 2011

GADGET INSPECTOR

Steve Jobs Tribute: 1955 - 2011 ON 5th OCTOBER Steve Jobs, CEO and co-founder of Apple, passed away after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. The man behind the iMac, iPod, iPhone and iPad, and the amazing success of Pixar, makers of Toy Story, did more to influence how we listen to music and how we work and play than any other person in modern history. How better to understand him, and what has been lost, than by a selection of his quotes. ON INNOVATION – BUSINESS WEEK 2004 “Innovation comes from people meeting up in the hallways or calling each other at 10.30 at night with a new idea, or because they realised something that shoots holes in how we’ve been thinking about a problem. Its ad hoc meetings of six people called by someone who thinks he has figured out the coolest new thing ever and who wants to know what other people think of his idea. “And it comes from saying ‘no’ to 1,000 things to make sure we don’t get on the wrong track or try to do too much. We’re always thinking about new markets we could enter, but it’s only by saying no that you can concentrate on the things that are really important.” ON CUSTOMERS – ALLTHINGSD CONFERENCE 2010 “There’s nothing that makes my day more than getting an email from some random person in the universe who just bought an iPad over in the UK and tells me the story about how it’s the coolest product they’ve ever brought home in their lives. That’s what keeps me going. It’s what kept me five years ago [when he was diagnosed with cancer] it’s what kept me going 10 years ago when the doors were almost closed. And it’s what will keep me going five years from now whatever happens.” ON WORK - STANFORD COMMENCEMENT SPEECH 2005 “When I was young, there was an amazing publication called The Whole Earth Catalog, which was one of the bibles of my generation. It was created by a fellow named Stewart Brand not far from here in Menlo Park, and he brought it to life with his poetic touch. This was in the late 1960s, before personal computers and desktop publishing, so it was all made with typewriters, scissors, and Polaroid cameras. It was sort of like Google in paperback form, 35 years before Google came along: it was idealistic, and overflowing with neat tools and great notions. “Stewart and his team put out several issues of The Whole Earth Catalog, and then when it had run its course, they put out a final issue. It was the mid-1970s, and I was your age. On the back cover of their final issue was a photograph of an early morning country road, the kind you might find yourself hitchhiking on if you were so adventurous. Beneath it were the words: ‘Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish’. It was their farewell message as they signed off. Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. And I have always wished that for myself. And now, as you graduate to begin anew, I wish that for you. Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.”


21 - 27 OCT 2011

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21 - 27 OCT 2011

Home Garden

Brought to you by

www.spanishhomefinder.com

‘Know what you’re buying before you buy’ YOU HAVE just spotted your dream holiday home on the Costa Blanca. The style and by location are exactly what you are looking for and the price seems fair. But the property does look a bit run down and it could use CDF some improvements: nothing that can’t be Arquitectura fixed with a few upgrades and renovations. The estate agent reassures you that improvements to the home can be easily made, and there is plenty of spare land to expand. But no matter how much you might love the home, don’t let your emotions cloud your judgment. Anyone who’s ever been in this situation knows how tough these decisions can be. This is why you should always seek professional advice before you sign your name on the dotted line. Many buyers jump into acquiring a second home because they’ve fallen head over heels in love with the house. But it’s easy to let emotions get in the way of reality. How can you truly know that the condition of the

Carlos Franco

house is what the seller says it is? Or that the land is legally zoned? How old is the roof? Does the house have insulation? If the home has structural issues or deferred maintenance, wouldn’t you want to know that in advance, before you put money down? Nobody in the UK buys a house without having a survey first and doing checks at the Land Registry etc. So don’t put your hard earned money into property here in Spain without doing the same. Just about every house has defects. Some will be obvious and most will be fixable. But you should clearly know what needs to be done, and how much any anticipated renovation and changes will cost, in order to make sure you are prepared to incur those costs. It also important to investigate the property’s and neighborhood’s zoning, including potential liens or other restrictions that would limit your ability to build a garage, a swimming pool, expand or renovate the home.

“Looking a bit tired but is this property a ‘doer-upper’, or a ‘let-goer’? Seek professional qualified advice before buying.”

So get qualified advice from a local expert because a property inspection can give you the peace of mind that you are making the right investment. An architect with the proper credentials and knowledge of the area can evaluate a property before a purchase to make sure that it is sound, safe and certain to be a wise investment. An architect with knowledge of building regulations can also determine whether the property is in compliance with local laws and whether expansions are likely

to be allowed. CDF Arquitectura has advised many clients who have faced these home-buying dilemmas. If you would like a no-obligation consultation, please contact us at Calle Pedro García Ortiz 25. Calpe. Alicante. Call us 96 583 2922 or 628 801 957. Check our web site www.cdf-arquitectura.com and e mail us carlosfranco@cdf-arquitectura.com for your personal advice.

A visit to their office of Ana and Carlos Franco is recommended where a no obligation discussion can take place to discuss your needs. CDF is located on the Calle Pedro Garcia Ortiz 25A, Plaza dels Mariners, Calpe 03710. Telephone 965 832 922 or 660 928 037: carlosfranco@cdf-arquitectura.com and www.cdf-arquitectura.com

Home & Garden


21 - 27 OCT 2011

43

Establishing a herb garden by

Clodagh & Dick Handscombe Practical gardeners and authors

NO SPANISH garden or apartment terrace should be without herbs. Gardens, terraces, cooking, salads, beverages, and health can all be improved by this important group of plants. Herbs have a wide range of uses developed over the past two millennium: All add perfume to the garden; some strong smells and others more subtle. The strongsmelling includes rosemary, thyme and lavender. The more subtle include marjoram, curry, mints and lemon verbena. Together they create an aromatherapy effect whenever we are walking, working or resting in the garden. Some, such as lavender, rosemary and thyme also attract butterflies that might otherwise pass by to neighbouring gardens. Likewise in the house herbs are essential ingredients of sweet smelling pot-pourri bowls.

Many we use for cooking. Not just the obvious ones like bay, sage, mint, parsley, thyme and rosemary. But also dill for flavouring fish or producing home-made gravlax, the curry plant for adding a subtle flavour to curries and coriander for soups: a few twigs of rosemary laid on top of a cooking paella, once the rice has been added, enhances the final flavour. We have several varieties of thyme, for their variegated colours and flowers and also for cooking, salad dressings and pickling olives. We find the strongly-perfumed Pebrella variety the best. Some we use for daily or special occasion infusions. Refreshing poleos (mint infusions), or ‘hierba buena’ instead of tea or coffee. If about to start a long walk or work day in the garden we might substitute an energy-enhancing rosemary infusion and for a restful afternoon break a lemon verbena infusion. Rue, we find, speeds the recovery of twisted or sprained ankles, knees and elbows, whether from mountain walking, tennis or of cause heavy pruning during the winter cut back. Dandelion and nettle offer a useful detox. Sage is good for hot flushes. In recent years we have used stevia leaves as a substitute for sugar.

Lavender, rosemary and thyme can attract butterflies into your garden

Several varieties of large-leaved basil are grown to add a special taste and bite to summer salads. Nasturtium flowers and leaves are also useful additions. In the vegetable garden borage, cultivated and wild garlic, fennel and artichokes not only brighten up the plot but are good companion plants to help protect vegetables from plaques such as carrot fly, black and white fly and swarming beetles. There we also have a large patch of comfrey. It has two important uses for us: Fermented in a plastic barrel it produces a very useful plant feed. As a poultice it helps to accelerate the curing of sprains, cracked bones and signs of gout. WHERE TO PLANT HERB PLANTS Herbs can be fitted into gardens of all sizes in a number of ways:

Clodagh and Dick’s instructive books are available to help you achieve a great garden from scratch or improve an existing garden. You will find them in bookshops including Bookworld, Carrefor and Humpty Dumpty. For convenience many internet bookshops stock them including Santana Books, Amazon UK, Bookworld and The Royal Horticultural Society. © Clodagh and Dick Handscombe www.gardeninginspain.com

Brought to you by spanishhomefinder.com

They may be planted in pots or larger containers either within the garden or conveniently near the kitchen door; or of course in a patio courtyard; or the terrace of an apartment or penthouse. In a dedicated herb garden with a squared, wagon wheel or raised spiral design. Alongside the vegetable plot or paths…Mixed in with alpines and succulents in a rockery… Mixed into the front and mid-depth of a mixed perennial/shrub bed; creeping thyme and dichondra as lawns in shady areas; as internal hedges - Rosemary, Bay and Lavender are especially useful. Mints are best planted in large sunken pots or barrels as the roots can spread evasively. Or build up a collection of different leaved and flavoured varieties in a cluster of pots.


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21 - 27 OCT 2011

What to do with woodworm and dry rot infestations IT IS a common misconception to think that woodworm and dry rot infestations only occur in old houses full of antique furniture. Unfortunately this is not so, and quite often structural timbers used in new-builds harbour different types of infestations which over the years cause a great deal of damage before we realise we have a serious problem on our hands. As you might expect in a hot country like Spain, there are a myriad of wood-boring insects. MOST FREQUENTLY FOUND IN OUR HOMES Powderpost beetle (Lyctus brunneus): causes extensive damage to hardwood such as ash, elm, and oak. Tunnels along the grain and causes severe damage, even infesting parquet flooring.

Badly woodworm damaged wood

Home & Garden

Deathwatch beetle (Xestobium rufuvillosum): found in hardwood in southern Europe, such as ash, chestnut and oak. Larvae tunnels toward the centre of the timbers causing damage (which is always much more extensive than may be apparent on the surface of the wood). House Longhorn beetle (Hylotrupes bajulus) In Spain this is the most common type of boring beetle: the Longhorn likes to attack softwood, often used as roofing timbers and these infestations can result in extensive structural weakening if not caught in time. Dry rot (Serpula lachrymals): this is a wood-destroying fungus which can cause devastating damage to buildings if not treated correctly. Once you have identified a woodworm problem in a door frame, support beam, lintel, or on a piece of furniture, don’t waste time on DIY remedies. Look for a qualified specialist surveyor or pest control technician who will diagnose the problem professionally and determine the extent of the infestation and the damage caused. They will then proceed to inform you on how best to resolve the problem. More often than not, DIY solutions don’t work for two obvious reasons, and in the end these DIY solutions can cost you much more money in the long run. The first reason that DIY solutions don’t work is that most of them are applied by spraying the surface, or by brush. But in the case of most supporting timbers only one-third or a half of the timber is visible, the other part is embedded in the actual building. Therefore the whole piece of wood cannot be treated. The second reason that DIY solutions don’t work is that wood boring beetles like the Deathwatch beetle tunnel towards the centre of the timber and eat away at the inside core of the wood. So coating the outside with a spray or liquid simply isn’t going to have any effect. The only true and effective solution for a woodworm infestation is to have your beams professionally injected. My final piece of advice is that prevention is always your best bet. Those of you who live in villas, town houses, or fincas might do

well to inspect your beams once in a while, especially those located on the outside of the building. Having your beams injected professionally will give you peace of mind and will avoid having to spend much more money having them replaced.

Brought to you by

Woodworm grubs – these are the horrible little worms that do all the damage……they are literally “wood chewing machines”


21 - 27 OCT 2011

Sparks Electrical Services

Tony Poole

from www.sparksinspain.com

45

Iberdrola announce new winter rates for cheap electricity IBERDROLA’S CHEAP night rate can save up to 25% on electricity bills for the average home owner…or so they claim. The tariff is called the ‘Day And Night Home Plan’ and works similar to the white meter used in the UK. It is an alternative to the standard basic rate most commonly charged and is available to all domestic customers with a contracted power supply less than 10kW. It works like this: there’s a 14-hour window during the day when you get cheap electricity. In the winter it’s from 10pm until 12 noon the following day; in the summer those times go forward one hour. For the remaining 10 hours of the day you are charged a premium rate. The new winter rates for electricity just published by Iberdrola are: for the cheap rate period, 7.0452 cents per kWh; for the premium rate period its 19.0108 cents per kWh (kWh means kilowatt hour, for example, a 1 kilowatt appliance switched on for 1 hour uses one unit of electrical power, that’s 1 kWh). Compare those rates to the standard basic rate of 14.2319 cents per kWh. Plus you get a 10% discount on the fixed electricity charge. In addition you can opt for a fixed fee plan and get a further discount on the rates. Iberdrola arranges for you to have a new electronic Smart Meter fitted, if you haven’t already got one. All mechanical meters in Spain are due to be replaced by the end of

2018. The new Smart Meters have a digital display with the kWh units consumed, as well as the time and date, making it easier to estimate your bills. The tariff is really designed for use with a night storage central heating system: the storage heaters only use electricity overnight during the cheap rate period whilst they heat up. However, here’s the good part - you don’t have to have a night storage central heating system in order to apply for the Day And Night Home Plan. By using washing machines, dishwashers, dryers, water heaters, pool pumps, etc during the 14 hour window, savings can be made. Air conditioning units used during the night time also take advantage of the cheap rate. The tariff is not recommended for rental properties and holiday lets, or where customers have high electricity usage during the afternoon and evening. If you are considering an electric central heating system to heat your home this winter, storage heaters are by far the most efficient heaters on the market. And gone are the days of those old bulky units, modern storage heaters are aesthetically very advanced, use low power and give high energy output. If you consume your electricity wisely during the 14 hour window and keep the usage of high power appliances to a minimum during the premium period, you will save money with a Day And Night Home Plan. Article by Sparks Electrical Services: Tel. 626 693 440: www.sparksinspain.es

Brought to you by spanishhomefinder.com


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21 - 27 OCT 2011

music scene

Chloe Hooper – Compiled by

Eric Taylor Presenter Heat Gold 94.1FM

Hangover Tuesday

female vocal entertainer

C

HLOE HOOPER is an International Vocalist & Tribute act. Chloe as a performer can best be described as a dynamic and powerful vocalist, yet extremely versatile, singing a mixture of songs which include Country, Blues & Soul, Rock & Pop, plus Jazz, lounge & easy listening. Together with Bernie Price, Chloe is also part of ‘Cowboys & Cowgirls’ a Country & Western Duo. Phone Chloe: 607 621 699 for more details or visit her website: www.chloehooper.net.

Rock & Blues Band

GIGS FOR OCTOBER Friday 21st, Rusty’s Bar/Bistro, Benitachell (Every Friday) Saturday 22nd, Villamar Holiday Resort, Benidorm Tuesday 25th, Rachel’s Show Bar, Rincon de Loix, Benidorm (Every Tuesday 9pm) Tuesday 25th, Ambassador Hotel, Benidorm (Every Tuesday 10pm) Thursday 27th, Riviera Hotel, Benidorm (Every Thursday 9pm)

The Joanna James Quartet, La Frontera, Benidorm

DUE TO popular demand The Joanna James Quartet will be performing at the La Frontera Bar/Restaurant, (opp El Cisne), Benidorm every Sunday during October – starting at 2pm. The band will be playing a selection of American Songbook, Latin and Swing Music. Lunch is available at 12€ – reservations 96 688 9218: For more details contact Chic on 686 363 995.

Black Glitter – Rock/Soul Band GEOFF BRITTON is now part of a new and exciting band called ‘Black Glitter’. The line up is Geoff Britton (drums), Kelly (vocals), Carlos (guitar) and Chema (bass). The band’s repertoire includes the great lady vocalists of rock and soul, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Patti LaBelle etc. There is plenty to enjoy, quality musicians, classic songs and some great dance music. For more info on the band phone Geoff on: 647 946 306. GIGS FOR OCTOBER Friday 21st , Blues Bar, (near

Marina), Denia Saturday 22nd, Steinways Jazz & Blues Bar, Denia Saturday 29th, Steinways Jazz & Blues Bar, Denia

HANGOVER TUESDAY is an exciting new classic rock and blues band on the Costa Blanca. The band features three ex-pro musicians; Kevin Richardson (lead guitar/vocals), Laurence Woodworth (bass guitar) and Bob Milner (drums). They pride themselves on their eclectic mix of songs; from Wishbone Ash, Free, Jimi Hendrix and Tom Petty, to an enthralling rock version of Tom Jones’ Delilah. Their set also contains an intriguing self-penned number about American gangster, Al Capone. For bookings and further information call Kevin on 650 208 050 or check out the band’s Facebook page at ‘Hangover Tuesday’.

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.


Get a younger model

21 - 27 OCT 2011

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The first Fiesta L’Andrago in aid of APASA ON SATURDAY 29th October, Centro Algas on the Moraira to Calpe coast road, with its stunning Mediterranean backdrop, plays host to the first ‘Fiesta L’Andrago’. Fifty artisan and gastronomic stalls will offer a varied selection of items from hand crafted jewellery, wood sculptures and designer fabrics to homemade chutneys, cards, photography, chocolate fountains, cider and a whole lot more…Cafe del Mar will be showcasing the finest in Mediterranean cuisine including tapas, paella, cava and oysters and donations from all the stall holders go toward a Tombola to raise vital funds for APASA in Javea. The event starts at 4pm: all are welcome. To find Centro Algas take the coast road from Moraira to Calpe: take a left turn at the first roundabout: ample parking is available.

Christmas comes early by Jack Troughton

B

ROKEN HEARTED bride Angelina is suing her intended for breach of promise after he abandons her for a younger model in Trial by Jury. In the Gilbert and Sullivan opera, the jilted bride goes to court in her wedding finery – along with her bridesmaids – after the man in her life decided a slice of lamb is better than a piece of mutton.

And all is not lost because the judge agrees with the male perspective and decides young is best – deciding to marry Angelina himself. The Calpe Gilbert and Sullivan Society perform Trial by Jury at the Salon Blau, Calpe, on 28th October, and the Espai La Senieta, Moraira, on 29th October. Both shows start at 8pm. Tickets are 10€ and available by ringing 96 648 0300 or 696 514 613. They are also available

from Margaret and Elena’s Bookshop, Galeria Mar Azul, Avenida Gabriel Miro, Calpe, and Telitec, Moraira. CAGGS is using the two shows to raise money for the Asociacion Familieres de Alzheimer, Teulada, and the Cruz Roja, Calpe. Pictured are (from left) CAGGS actors bridesmaid Jackie Stafford, Carole Saunders as Angelina, Trevor Harder as the judge, and bridesmaid Judith Haines.

Charity Concert by

Maesteg Gleemen & Costa Blanca Male Voice Choirs

THE MAESTEG Gleemen Welsh male voice choir performed at the new auditórium in Teulada last Friday 14th October as part of their latest tour, at the invitation of the Teulada Town Hall, joined by members of the Costa Blanca Male Voice Choir. The sell-out audience of more than 600 was delighted by a variety of well loved songs, ending with an emotional and rousing rendition of the Welsh National Anthem by the combined voices of more than 60 choir members. Mike Evans and Heather Butcher, Chairman & MD of the CBMVC, said they were delighted to have the opportunity to sing with such a well-known and professional choir. All profits will be donated to local charities.

Bring on the band ON SATURDAY the Musical Union and the City Music Centre Puig Campana de Finstrat drew delighted crowds at yet another edition of the Benidorm Band Festival in the main square. Music lovers were entertained with renditions that included music from Michael Jackson and Queen as well as more traditional offerings.

5 course fine dining including ½ bottle wine pp bread, ali-oli and dips-

12.95€

Now taking bookings for Christmas & New Year,

-early reservations are advisedOPEN FOR SUNDAY LUNCH. CLOSED SUNDAY NIGHT & MONDAY, OPEN AGAIN FOR TUESDAY LUNCH

HALlOWEEN PARTIES: 22nd October ZODIAC EMAUS CHARITY QUIZ WEDNESDAY 26TH OCTOBER JOHN THE FIDDLER MONDAY 31ST OCTOBER

CHRISTMAS ARRIVES early this year as Philip Ashley offers discounted tickets for ‘Barry & Chris’ Christmas Cracker’ at Benissa Casa de Cultura on Tuesday 13th December. Starring Barry Britten and Chris Allen of ‘The Wireless Years’, the show will feature a festive selection of their favourite music with anecdotes and Christmas songs. During December, tickets will be priced at 12€ but anyone ordering and paying for their tickets before 1st December will receive them at the discounted price of only 10€: 25% of the ticket price will be donated to ‘The Friends Of The Children of Emaus’. The Benissa theatre is on the third floor of the Casa de Cultura (there is a lift and a bar and restaurant). Doors will open at 7.30pm for an 8pm curtain. Tickets for ‘Christmas Cracker’ are available by phone on 96 558 1483 or via the web at http://www.philipashley.com


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tv Friday

21 - 27 2011 4 2010 Feb 26OCT - March

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Helicopter Heroes 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Dirty Tricks of the Tradesmen 12:45 Cash in the Attic 13:13 BBC News 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Celebrity MasterChef 16:00 BBC News 16:05 Barney’s Latin America 16:35 Prank Patrol Down Under 17:00 Dick & Dom Go Wild 17:30 Planet Dinosaur Files 18:00 Newsround 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 Nigel Slater’s Simple Cooking 21:00 EastEnders 21:30 Celebrity MasterChef 22:00 Have I Got News for You 22:30 Would I Lie to You? 23:00 BBC News 23:35 Graham Norton Show 24:20 National Lottery Friday Night Draws

07:00 Childrens TV 10:45 Mister Maker 11:05 I Can Cook 11:25 Louie 11:30 Baby Jake 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 Royal Upstairs Downstairs 15:15 The Weakest Link 16:00 Wanted Down Under 16:45 Escape to the Country 17:30 Flog It! 18:15 Antiques Road Trip 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two 20:00 The Culture Show 21:00 Gardeners’ World 21:30 Autumnwatch Live 22:30 Autumnwatch Unsprung 23:00 QI 23:30 Newsnight 24:00 The Review Show 24:45 Weather 24:50 Later... with Jools Holland

07:00 Daybreak 09:15 Live Rugby World Cup 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News 14:55 Granada News 15:00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 There’s No Taste Like Home 18:00 The Chase 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Wild Britain with Ray Mears 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 DCI Banks 23:00 ITV News at Ten 23:30 Granada News 23:35 Rugby World Cup Highlights 24:35 Cops with Cameras

07:10 The Hoobs 08:00 Freshly Squeezed 08:25 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:25 Frasier 09:55 Undercover Boss USA 10:55 How to Look Good Naked 12:00 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 Restoration Man 14:05 River Cottage Bites 14:15 A Man Alone 16:05 Channel 4 Presents 16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal Live 18:00 Celebrity Coach Trip 18:30 Celebrity Come Dine with Me: Return of the Worst 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:30 Unreported World 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Come Dine with Me 22:00 Derren Brown: The Assassin 23:00 Pete Versus Life 23:35 8 Out of 10 Cats 24:05 Tim Minchin: Ready for This?

07:00 Childrens TV 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:25 Peppa Pig 09:30 Roary the Racing Car 09:45 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 LIVE with Gabby 13:05 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Big Brother 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 CSI: Miami 16:15 Two against Time 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 Fifth Gear 21:00 Ice Road Truckers: Deadliest Roads 22:00 Big Brother 23:00 The Bachelor 24:00 Big Brother 24:30 Big Brother’s Bit on the Side

07:00 Breakfast 11:00 Saturday Kitchen Live 12:30 Nigel Slater’s Simple Cooking 13:00 BBC News 13:15 Football Focus 14:00 British Olympic Dreams 14:30 Don’t Scare the Hare 15:05 Wallace & Gromit: A Grand Day Out 15:30 Outtake TV 16:00 Total Wipeout 17:00 A Question of Sport 17:30 Final Score 18:10 BBC News 18:25 Celebrity MasterChef 19:25 Strictly Come Dancing 21:15 Merlin 22:00 Casualty 22:50 National Lottery Saturday Night Draws 23:00 BBC News 23:20 Match of the Day 24:30 Football League Show

07:00 Childrens TV 09:05 Pixelface 09:35 Splatalot 10:00 Live ‘n’ Deadly 11:00 Who Let the Dogs Out? 11:30 I Want My Own Room 12:00 Deadly Art 12:15 Sorry, I’ve Got No Head 12:40 MOTD Kickabout 13:00 Follow the Fleet 14:50 The First of the Few 16:45 The Great British Bake Off Revisited 17:45 Flog It! 18:45 James May’s Toy Stories 19:45 Spitfire Women 20:45 ‘Allo ‘Allo! 21:15 Dad’s Army 21:45 The Spitfire: Britain’s Flying Past 22:45 QI XL 23:30 First Light 24:50 Things We Lost in the Fire

06:30 ITV Morning News 07:00 Mini CITV 08:25 CITV 10:25 Coronation Street 12:45 ITV News 12:55 Smokey and the Bandit II 14:45 Babe 16:25 The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas 18:05 Granada News 18:15 ITV News 18:30 100% You’ve Been Framed! 19:30 All Star Family Fortunes 20:30 Harry Hill’s TV Burp 21:00 The X Factor 22:55 The Jonathan Ross Show 23:55 ITV News 24:10 Van Helsing

08:00 British GT Championship 2011 08:25 Superbike World Championship 2011 08:55 Channel 4 Presents 09:00 The Morning Line 09:55 Smallville 10:50 Album Chart Show Special 11:20 Big Bang Theory 11:50 SBTV: From Bedroom to Boardroom 12:15 Made in Chelsea 13:20 Video Exclusive 13:25 Big Bang Theory 13:55 The Simpsons 14:25 Road to London 2012: That Paralympic Show 14:55 Channel 4 Racing 16:55 Come Dine with Me 18:00 Come Dine with Me 19:00 Come Dine with Me 19:30 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 A Time Team Special 21:00 World War II: The Last Heroes 22:00 The Hurt Locker 24:30 8 Out of 10 Cats Uncut

07:00 Childrens TV 09:25 Angelina Ballerina 09:40 Rupert Bear 09:55 Olivia 10:15 Mr Men Show 10:30 Roary the Racing Car 10:45 Animal Families 11:00 Animal Rescue Squad 11:15 Highland Emergency 11:45 The Gadget Show 12:45 Big Brother 13:45 Big Brother 14:15 Superior Interiors with Kelly Hoppen 15:10 Hotel Inspector 16:15 Mary Higgins Clark’s Try to Remember 18:05 How the West Was Won 21:00 5 News Weekend 21:05 NCIS 21:55 NCIS 22:55 Big Brother 23:55 Just Married

07:00 Breakfast 08:50 Match of the Day 10:00 Andrew Marr Show 11:00 Sunday Morning Live 12:00 Country Tracks 13:00 The Politics Show 14:00 Reincarnation: You Only Live Twice? 14:30 EastEnders 16:25 Total Wipeout 17:10 Planet Dinosaur 17:40 Planet Dinosaur 18:10 Points of View 18:25 Songs of Praise 19:00 BBC News 19:25 Countryfile 20:25 Strictly Come Dancing 21:00 Antiques Roadshow 22:00 Spooks 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Have I Got a Bit More News for You 24:10 Ask Rhod Gilbert 24:45 American Football

07:00 Childrens TV

06:30 ITV Morning News 07:00 Mini CITV 08:25 CITV 09:30 Live Rugby World Cup 12:40 ITV News 12:45 Every Which Way but Loose 14:50 The X Factor 16:45 Downton Abbey 18:00 Rugby World Cup Highlights 19:00 Granada News 19:15 ITV News 19:30 Harry Hill’s TV Burp 20:00 Holding Out for a Hero 21:00 The X Factor 22:00 Downton Abbey 23:15 That Sunday Night Show 23:45 ITV News 24:00 Someone’s Daughter, Someone’s Son

07:30 Great North Swim 08:25 Channel 4 Presents 08:30 One Tree Hill 09:20 Hollyoaks 11:50 Professor Green Unseen 12:05 Live and Lost: Chipmunk 12:40 The Simpsons 13:15 Shipwrecked: A Look Back 14:15 Celebrity Coach Trip 15:20 Celebrity Coach Trip 16:25 Celebrity Coach Trip 16:55 The Simpsons 17:25 Kirstie’s Handmade Britain 18:25 Deal or No Deal Live 19:25 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 The Political Slot 20:05 Grand Designs 21:00 River Cottage Veg 22:00 Secret Millionaire 23:00 Chris Moyles’ Hollywood Stars Quiz Night 23:55 Derren Brown: The Assassin 24:55 Pete Versus Life

07:00 Childrens TV 09:05 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 09:25 Angelina Ballerina 09:40 Rupert Bear 09:55 Olivia 10:10 Mr Men Show 10:25 Roary the Racing Car 10:45 Great Birmingham Run 13:00 Animal Rescue Squad 13:20 Big Brother 14:15 Ice Road Truckers: Deadliest Roads 15:15 Only You 17:20 Daddy Day Camp 19:05 Toy Story 2 21:05 5 News Weekend 21:10 Paul Merton’s Adventures 22:00 Big Brother 23:00 Two Weeks Notice

tv Saturday

tv Sunday 08:00 Roar 08:30 Arthur 08:50 Dennis & Gnasher 09:05 Wingin’ It 09:30 Live MotoGP 11:00 Something for the Weekend 12:30 Flog It! 13:00 Escape to the Country 14:00 MotoGP 15:30 In Which We Serve 17:20 We Dive at Dawn 18:55 Timewatch 19:45 Top Gear 21:00 Death or Freedom: The Jericho Jailbreak 22:00 Fry’s Planet Word 23:00 Match of the Day 2 24:30 Fast and Loose

07:00 Coronation Street 07:25 Emmerdale 07:50 Emmerdale 08:15 Gossip Girl 09:10 Judge Judy 10:25 Real Housewives of New York City 11:30 Judge Judy 13:00 Coronation Street 13:30 Emmerdale 14:00 Emmerdale 14:30 Jeremy Kyle Show 15:35 Jeremy Kyle Show 16:40 Real Housewives of New York City 17:40 Loose Women 18:40 Judge Judy 20:00 The Cube 21:00 You’ve Been Framed! 21:30 Harry Hill’s TV Burp 22:00 The X Factor USA 24:00 The Only Way Is Essex 24:45 The Only Way Is Essex

07:00 One Tree Hill 07:50 Greek 08:35 90210 09:25 One Tree Hill 10:20 Gilmore Girls 11:15 Privileged 12:10 90210 13:05 Greek 14:05 Scrubs 15:05 Hollyoaks 15:35 Gilmore Girls 16:35 Desperate Housewives 17:35 Rules of Engagement 18:00 Scrubs 19:00 Big Bang Theory 19:30 Big Bang Theory 20:00 Hollyoaks 20:30 How I Met Your Mother 21:00 Supersize vs Superskinny 22:00 Embarrassing Bodies 23:00 50 Greatest Wedding Shockers

10:00 Deal or No Deal 10:55 A Place in the Sun 11:30 Invasion of the Body Snatchers 13:00 Deal or No Deal Live 14:00 How Clean Is Your House? 14:35 The Good Wife 15:35 Come Dine with Me 16:05 Coach Trip 16:35 Location, Location, Location 17:40 A Place in the Sun: Home or Away 18:45 Relocation, Relocation 19:50 Come Dine with Me 20:55 Grand Designs 22:00 The Untouchables 24:15 Heroes of Comedy

Ice Road Truckers: Deadliest Roads Channel 5, 21.00

07:00 Emmerdale 09:35 Gossip Girl 10:20 You’ve Been Framed! 10:50 Minute to Win It 11:50 The X Factor USA 13:45 The X Factor USA 15:40 Corrie Extra: Just Rosie 16:20 The Only Way Is Essex 17:05 The Only Way Is Essex 17:50 Back to the Future Part II 20:00 Homes from Hell 21:00 My Child Won’t Eat 22:00 Grimefighters 22:30 Grimefighters 22:55 The Xtra Factor 23:55 Celebrity Juice 24:40 Peter Andre: My Life

07:00 Switched Up! 07:50 How to Look Good Naked 08:45 How to Look Good Naked 09:40 Wife Swap USA 10:40 Great British Hairdresser 11:40 Supernanny USA 12:30 Wife Swap USA 13:25 Gok’s Fashion Fix 14:25 Hollyoaks 17:00 Made in Chelsea 18:00 One Tree Hill 19:00 Big Bang Theory 20:00 Happy Endings 20:30 How I Met Your Mother 21:00 Big Bang Theory 22:00 Team America: World Police 23:50 Big Bang Theory 24:45 Cleveland Show

10:00 Time Team 11:00 Time Team 12:05 Time Team 13:05 Time Team 14:10 Murphy’s War 16:20 3 Minute Wonder 16:25 3 Minute Wonder 16:30 3 Minute Wonder 16:35 Grand Designs 17:40 Grand Designs 18:45 Grand Designs 19:50 Grand Designs 20:55 Grand Designs 22:00 The Story of Film: An Odyssey 23:25 The Untouchables

My Child Won’t Eat ITV2, 21.00

07:00 Coronation Street 09:05 Emmerdale 12:00 Coronation Street 14:30 Corrie Extra: Just Rosie 15:10 The Planet’s Funniest Animals 15:45 71 Degrees North 16:45 The Xtra Factor 17:50 All Star Family Fortunes 18:40 Back to the Future Part III 21:00 Grimefighters 21:25 Grimefighters 22:00 The Xtra Factor 23:15 The Only Way Is Essex 24:00 Models, Misfits and Mayhem

07:00 Natalie Cassidy: Becoming Mum 07:55 Supernanny USA 09:35 How to Look Good Naked 10:40 How to Look Good Naked 11:40 Supersize vs Superskinny 12:45 Supernanny USA 13:40 Supernanny USA 14:35 How to Look Good Naked 15:40 How to Look Good Naked 16:40 Supersize vs Superskinny 17:45 Make It or Break It 18:40 Smallville 19:35 Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging 21:30 Zoolander 23:10 The Inbetweeners 23:45 The IT Crowd 24:15 Rhod Gilbert & the Cat That Looked Like Nicholas Lyndhurst

That Sunday Night Show ITV1, 23.15

10:00 A Place in the Sun: Home or Away 11:00 Scrapheap Challenge 12:05 Scrapheap Challenge 13:10 Scrapheap Challenge 14:15 Scrapheap Challenge 15:20 Four in a Bed 15:55 Four in a Bed 16:25 Four in a Bed 17:00 Four in a Bed 17:35 Four in a Bed 18:05 Come Dine with Me 19:15 Come Dine with Me 20:25 Come Dine with Me 20:55 Jamie at Home 21:30 Jamie at Home 22:00 Jamie’s American Food Revolution 23:00 Jackpots and Jinxes: Lottery Stories 24:05 Curb Your Enthusiasm


21 - 27 OCT 2011 8 - 14 JulY 2011

49 49


tv Monday

50 61

21--27 2011 14 20oct may 2010

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Helicopter Heroes 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Filthy Rotten Scoundrels 12:45 Cash in the Attic 13:13 BBC News 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 The Indian Doctor 16:00 BBC News 16:05 Barney’s Latin America 16:35 Prank Patrol Down Under 17:00 Deadly Top 10 17:30 Blue Peter 18:00 Newsround 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 Inside Out 21:00 EastEnders 21:30 Panorama 22:00 Young Apprentice 23:00 BBC News 23:35 A Question of Sport 24:05 Spooks

07:00 Childrens TV 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 Royal Upstairs Downstairs 15:15 The Weakest Link 16:00 Wanted Down Under 16:45 Escape to the Country 17:30 Flog It! 18:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two 20:00 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip 21:00 University Challenge 21:30 Baking Made Easy 22:00 Origins of Us 23:00 Never Mind the Buzzcocks 23:30 Newsnight 24:20 Faster Than the Speed of Light?

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 Dickinson’s Real Deal 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 There’s No Taste Like Home 18:00 The Chase 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Little England 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Doc Martin 23:00 ITV News at Ten 23:30 Granada News 23:35 Exposure 24:35 That Sunday Night Show

07:10 The Hoobs 08:00 Freshly Squeezed 08:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:25 Frasier 10:00 Undercover Boss USA 10:55 How to Look Good Naked 11:55 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 Country House Rescue 14:00 River Cottage Bites 14:10 Paper Moon 16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Four in a Bed 18:30 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 Channel 4 Presents 21:00 Brave New World with Stephen Hawking 22:00 Mummifying Alan: Egypt’s Last Secret 23:40 Rude Tube 24:45 Fresh Meat

07:00 Childrens TV 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:45 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 LIVE with Gabby 13:05 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Big Brother 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 16:15 A Time to Remember 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 Celebrity Wish List 21:00 The Gadget Show 22:00 The Hotel Inspector 23:00 Big Brother 24:00 Big Brother’s Bit on the Side

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Helicopter Heroes 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:58 BBC News 12:00 Filthy Rotten Scoundrels 12:45 Cash in the Attic 13:13 BBC News 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 The Indian Doctor 16:00 BBC News 16:05 Barney’s Latin America 16:35 Prank Patrol Down Under 17:00 Hotel Trubble 17:30 Blue Peter 18:00 Newsround 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 EastEnders 21:00 Holby City 22:00 Death in Paradise 23:00 BBC News 23:35 Young Nuns 24:20 Film 2011 with Claudia Winkleman

07:00 Childrens TV 11:05 I Can Cook 11:25 Louie 11:30 Baby Jake 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 Royal Upstairs Downstairs 15:15 The Weakest Link 16:00 Wanted Down Under 16:45 Escape to the Country 17:30 Flog It! 18:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two 20:00 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip 21:00 James May’s Man Lab 22:00 Code-Breakers: Bletchley Park’s Lost Heroes 23:00 Later Live... with Jools Holland 23:30 Newsnight 24:20 Wellington Bomber

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 Dickinson’s Real Deal 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 There’s No Taste Like Home 18:00 The Chase 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Mayday Mayday 21:00 High Stakes 22:00 71 Degrees North 23:00 ITV News at Ten 23:30 Granada News 23:35 DCI Banks 24:35 Joanna Lumley’s Greek Odyssey

07:10 The Hoobs 08:00 Freshly Squeezed 08:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:25 Frasier 09:55 Undercover Boss USA 10:55 How to Look Good Naked 11:55 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 Country House Rescue 14:05 River Cottage Bites 14:20 River of No Return 16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Four in a Bed 18:30 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 Channel 4 Presents 21:00 Gok’s Clothes Roadshow: Get the Look for Less 22:00 Jamie’s Great Britain 23:00 Shameless 24:05 Random Acts 24:10 True Blood

07:00 Childrens TV 09:30 Roary the Racing Car 09:45 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 LIVE with Gabby 13:05 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Big Brother 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 16:15 Angel in the Family 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 Real Food Family Cook Off 21:00 Amanda Knox: The Untold Story 22:00 CSI: Miami 23:00 Big Brother 24:00 Jerry Maguire

07:00 Coronation Street 07:25 Coronation Street 07:50 Emmerdale 08:15 Gossip Girl 09:10 Judge Judy 10:25 Real Housewives of New York City 11:30 Judge Judy 13:00 Coronation Street 13:30 Coronation Street 14:00 Emmerdale 14:30 Jeremy Kyle Show 15:35 Jeremy Kyle Show 16:40 Real Housewives of New York City 17:35 Loose Women 18:35 The Only Way Is Essex 19:15 The Only Way Is Essex 20:00 The X Factor 21:00 Peter Andre: My Life 22:00 Vampire Diaries 23:00 Models, Misfits and Mayhem 24:00 Celebrity Juice

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Helicopter Heroes 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Filthy Rotten Scoundrels 12:45 Cash in the Attic 13:13 BBC News 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 The Indian Doctor 16:00 BBC News 16:05 Barney’s Latin America 16:35 Prank Patrol Down Under 17:00 Hotel Trubble 17:30 Serious Explorers 18:00 Newsround 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 Waterloo Road 21:30 The Impressions Show with Culshaw and Stephenson 22:00 Frozen Planet 23:00 BBC News 23:35 National Lottery Wednesday Night Draws 23:45 Ask Rhod Gilbert 24:20 League Cup Show

07:00 Childrens TV 10:30 Charlie and Lola 10:45 Mister Maker 11:05 I Can Cook 11:20 Louie 11:25 Baby Jake 11:40 Waybuloo 12:00 In the Night Garden 12:30 Daily Politics 14:00 See Hear 14:30 The Hairy Bakers 14:45 Royal Upstairs Downstairs 15:15 The Weakest Link 16:00 Wanted Down Under 16:45 Escape to the Country 17:30 Flog It! 18:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two 20:00 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip 21:00 Great British Food Revival 22:00 Secret Pakistan 23:00 Rab C Nesbitt 23:30 Newsnight 24:20 James May’s Man Lab

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 Dickinson’s Real Deal 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 There’s No Taste Like Home 18:00 The Chase 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Midsomer Murders 23:00 ITV News at Ten 23:30 Granada News 23:35 Cops with Cameras 24:35 Ladette to Lady: Australia

07:10 The Hoobs 08:00 Freshly Squeezed 08:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:25 Frasier 09:55 Undercover Boss USA 10:55 How to Look Good Naked 11:55 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 Country House Rescue 14:05 Baking Mad with Eric Lanlard 14:30 Brief Encounter 16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Four in a Bed 18:30 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 Channel 4 Presents 21:00 Kirstie’s Handmade Britain 22:00 Grand Designs 23:00 Fresh Meat 23:50 Shameless 24:55 Random Acts

07:00 Childrens TV 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:45 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 LIVE with Gabby 13:05 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Big Brother 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 16:10 Chinese Food in Minutes 16:15 Ties That Bind 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 Highland Emergency 21:00 Dangerous Drivers’ School 22:00 Paul Merton’s Adventures 23:00 Big Brother 24:00 Impossible?

07:00 Emmerdale 07:25 Nanny 911 08:15 Gossip Girl 09:10 Judge Judy 10:25 Real Housewives of New York City 11:30 Judge Judy 13:00 Emmerdale 13:30 Nanny 911 14:30 Jeremy Kyle Show 15:35 Jeremy Kyle Show 16:40 Real Housewives of New York City 17:35 Loose Women 18:30 100% You’ve Been Framed! 19:30 Harry Hill’s TV Burp 20:00 All Star Family Fortunes 21:00 Gossip Girl 22:00 Peter Andre: My Life 23:00 The Only Way Is Essex 23:45 King Kong

tv Tuesday

tv Wednesday

07:00 Coronation Street 07:25 Coronation Street 07:50 Emmerdale 08:15 Gossip Girl 09:10 Judge Judy 10:25 Real Housewives of New York City 11:30 Judge Judy 13:00 Coronation Street 13:30 Coronation Street 14:00 Emmerdale 14:30 Jeremy Kyle Show 15:35 Jeremy Kyle Show 16:40 Real Housewives of New York City 17:40 Loose Women 18:40 Judge Judy 20:05 The X Factor 22:00 Hell’s Kitchen USA 23:00 The Bourne Ultimatum

07:00 One Tree Hill 07:50 Greek 08:35 90210 09:25 One Tree Hill 10:25 Gilmore Girls 11:20 Ugly Betty 12:15 90210 13:10 Greek 14:10 Scrubs 15:05 Hollyoaks 15:40 Gilmore Girls 16:35 Desperate Housewives 17:35 Rules of Engagement 18:00 Scrubs 19:00 Big Bang Theory 20:00 Hollyoaks 20:35 How I Met Your Mother 21:00 Big Bang Theory 21:30 My Name Is Earl 22:00 One Tree Hill 23:00 Made in Chelsea 24:00 Misfits

10:00 Deal or No Deal 11:00 Invasion of the Body Snatchers 12:40 3 Minute Wonder 12:50 3 Minute Wonder 13:00 Deal or No Deal Live 14:00 How Clean Is Your House? 14:30 The Good Wife 15:25 Coach Trip 16:35 Location, Location, Location 17:40 A Place in the Sun: Home or Away 18:45 Relocation, Relocation 19:50 Come Dine with Me 20:55 Grand Designs 22:00 The Hospital 23:00 Country House Rescue 24:05 The Daily Show Global Edition 24:40 Unreported World

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

07:00 One Tree Hill 07:45 Greek 08:35 90210 09:25 One Tree Hill 10:20 Gilmore Girls 11:20 Ugly Betty 12:15 90210 13:10 Greek 14:05 Scrubs 15:05 Hollyoaks 15:40 Gilmore Girls 16:35 Desperate Housewives 17:35 Rules of Engagement 18:00 Scrubs 19:00 Big Bang Theory 19:30 Big Bang Theory 20:00 Hollyoaks 20:30 How I Met Your Mother 21:00 Shipwrecked: The Island 22:00 Smallville 23:00 Cleveland Show 23:30 Cleveland Show 24:00 Rude Tube

10:00 Deal or No Deal 11:00 How Clean Is Your House? 11:35 White Feather 13:35 Deal or No Deal 14:35 The Good Wife 15:35 Celebrity Come Dine with Me Extra Portions 16:05 Coach Trip 16:35 Location, Location, Location 17:40 A Place in the Sun: Home or Away 18:45 Relocation, Relocation 19:50 Come Dine with Me 20:55 Grand Designs 22:00 Come Dine with Me 23:00 True Stories

Emergency with Jamie’s Great Angela BritainGriffin Sky1 21.00 Channel 4, 22.00

07:00 One Tree Hill 07:50 Greek 08:35 90210 09:25 One Tree Hill 10:25 Gilmore Girls 11:20 Ugly Betty 12:15 90210 13:10 Greek 14:10 Scrubs 14:40 Scrubs 15:05 Hollyoaks 15:40 Gilmore Girls 16:40 Desperate Housewives 17:30 Rules of Engagement 18:00 Scrubs 18:30 Scrubs 19:00 Big Bang Theory 19:30 Big Bang Theory 20:00 Hollyoaks 20:30 How I Met Your Mother 21:00 X-Men 23:00 Team America: World Police

The Impressions Show Emergency with with Culshaw and Angela Griffin Stephenson Sky1 BBC1, 21.00 21.30

10:00 Deal or No Deal 11:00 How Clean Is Your House? 11:35 Springfield Rifle 13:20 3 Minute Wonder 13:25 3 Minute Wonder 13:30 3 Minute Wonder 13:35 Deal or No Deal 14:35 The Good Wife 15:35 Celebrity Come Dine with Me Extra Portions 16:05 Coach Trip 16:35 Location, Location, Location 17:40 A Place in the Sun: Home or Away 18:45 Relocation, Relocation 19:50 Come Dine with Me 20:55 Grand Designs 22:00 Time Team 23:00 Time Team Special 24:05 Camelot


tv Thursday 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Helicopter Heroes 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:58 BBC News 12:00 Filthy Rotten Scoundrels 12:45 Cash in the Attic 13:13 BBC News 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 The Indian Doctor 16:00 BBC News 16:05 Barney’s Latin America 16:35 Prank Patrol Down Under 17:00 Copycats 17:30 Sorry, I’ve Got No Head 18:00 Newsround 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 EastEnders 21:00 Britain on the Fiddle 22:00 Hidden 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News 23:35 Question Time 24:35 This Week

07:00 Childrens TV 10:30 Charlie and Lola 10:45 Mister Maker 11:05 I Can Cook 11:25 Louie 11:30 Baby Jake 11:45 Waybuloo 12:05 In the Night Garden 12:35 New Pink Panther Show 13:00 Daily Politics 13:30 GMT with George Alagiah 14:00 Diagnosis Murder 14:45 Royal Upstairs Downstairs 15:15 The Weakest Link 16:00 Wanted Down Under 16:45 Escape to the Country 17:30 Flog It! 18:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two 20:00 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip 21:00 Great British Food Revival 22:00 The Future State of Welfare with John Humphrys 23:00 Mock the Week 23:30 Newsnight 24:20 Burnistoun

21 - 27 oct 2011 8 - 14 JulY 2011

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 Dickinson’s Real Deal 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 There’s No Taste Like Home 18:00 The Chase 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Tonight 21:00 Emmerdale 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Joanna Lumley’s Greek Odyssey 23:00 ITV News at Ten 23:30 Granada News 23:35 The Jonathan Ross Show 24:35 71 Degrees North

Crossword Solutions 626 CRYPTIC SOLUTIONS Across: 1 Show; 3 Brigands; 8 Iota; 9 Unsolved; 11 Cross-country; 13 Setter; 14 Swings; 17 Letterwriter; 20 Premises; 21 Drab; 22 Resisted; 23 Clad. Down: 1 Suit-case; 2 Outpost; 4 Ransom; 5 Groundwork; 6 Never; 7 Side; 10 Ascertains; 12 Ascribed; 15 Natural; 16 Freeze; 18 Evens; 19 Spar.

07:10 The Hoobs 08:00 Freshly Squeezed 08:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:25 Frasier 09:55 Undercover Boss USA 10:55 How to Look Good Naked 11:55 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 Country House Rescue 14:05 The Trouble with Angels 16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Four in a Bed 18:30 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 Channel 4 Presents 21:00 Beeny’s Restoration Nightmare 22:00 Educating Essex 23:00 Joy of Teen Sex 24:05 Random Acts 24:10 Secret Millionaire

07:00 Childrens TV 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:45 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 LIVE with Gabby 13:05 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Big Brother 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 16:15 Trust 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 How Do They Do It? 21:00 Revealed 22:00 Extraordinary People 23:00 Big Brother 24:00 Big Brother’s Bit on the Side

QUICK SOLUTIONS Across: 1 Iran; 3 Proposal; 8 Same; 9 Opulence; 11 Air one’s views; 13 Cellar; 14 Gamble; 17 Off the record; 20 Oriental; 21 Asia; 22 Straddle; 23 Amid. Down: 1 Instance; 2 Admiral; 4 Repose; 5 Palpitated; 6 Sinew; 7 Leer; 10 Unfastened; 12 Headland; 15 Blossom; 16 Recall; 18 Flier; 19 Moss. Wordwheel: LIMOUSINE

07:00 Coronation Street 07:25 Emmerdale 07:55 The Planet’s Funniest Animals 08:15 Gossip Girl 09:10 Judge Judy 10:25 Real Housewives of New York City 11:30 Judge Judy 13:00 Coronation Street 13:30 Emmerdale 14:00 The Planet’s Funniest Animals 14:30 Jeremy Kyle Show 15:35 Jeremy Kyle Show 16:40 Real Housewives of New York City 17:40 Loose Women 18:40 Judge Judy 20:00 All Star Family Fortunes 21:00 Animals Do the Funniest Things 22:00 Benidorm 23:00 Celebrity Juice 23:45 Batman Returns

07:00 One Tree Hill 07:50 Greek 08:35 90210 09:25 One Tree Hill 10:25 Gilmore Girls 11:20 Ugly Betty 12:15 90210 13:10 Greek 14:10 Scrubs 15:05 Hollyoaks 15:40 Gilmore Girls 16:40 Desperate Housewives 17:35 Rules of Engagement 18:00 Scrubs 19:00 Big Bang Theory 20:00 Hollyoaks 20:35 How I Met Your Mother 21:00 Big Bang Theory 21:30 Perfect Couples 22:00 How I Met Your Mother 22:30 Happy Endings 23:00 The Inbetweeners Top 10 Moments - Part One 23:35 Show and Tell 24:25 Chris Moyles’ Quiz Night

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

51 51

10:00 Deal or No Deal 11:00 Chariots of Fire 13:25 3 Minute Wonder 13:30 3 Minute Wonder 13:35 Deal or No Deal 14:35 The Good Wife 15:35 Celebrity Come Dine with Me Extra Portions 16:05 Coach Trip 16:35 Location, Location, Location 17:40 A Place in the Sun: Home or Away 18:45 Relocation, Relocation 19:50 Come Dine with Me 20:55 Grand Designs 22:00 Southland 23:00 The Closer 24:00 The Killing


52 44 48

21 2011 Feb -OCT March 14- 27 - 26 20OCT 20114 2010

Kids feeding kids The perfect bacon sandwich STUDENTS IN sixth grade at Colegio El Palmeral de Alicante are proving that it’s not all about academics, practising a range of ‘life skills’. The eleven and twelve-year-olds are lending a helping hand with smaller children as young as three or four in the cafeteria to encourage them to eat healthily. And the system seems to be working a treat, teaching the older children some responsibility while the little kids mostly respond well to their older voluntary helpers. Volunteer Paula Perez said: “Just like at home, the youngest should get the most attention and help.” “I like to feed the children,” said fellow volunteer Andreas Cuevas. Manuel Fernandez, the teacher responsible for the dining facilities, said: “Personally, I prefer good people before good students, because education is not all about study.”

I’VE STARTED smoking again: I think it’s because of all the research I’ve been doing recently. Some may think I miss the mark sometimes but hey, I’m a serious cook not a serious writer, but the truth is I’m having trouble with words again. All of the following are genuine and appear in local food and national adverts or food reviews. Now I know what these following words and phrases mean because I’ve looked them up in a dictionary, but it turns out I’m not the only one who doesn’t understand what they mean when used in a restaurant context. For instance: ‘Eclectic’; ‘Charmingly Simple’ or even just ‘Contemporary?’ How about ‘Fusion’ - or ‘International Cuisine?’ ‘British’ - and then ‘Modern British’. Does that mean we used to sell old sausages and now we sell fresh ones? ‘Modern Cooking’- and ‘Family Friendly?’ And my two most favourite ones to date: ‘Popular Gastronomy’ and ‘Combined International, Mediterranean and Indian Cuisine’. I’m sure they mean something to somebody but all I want to know is if the person in charge of the kitchen can actually cook or not. Once you have managed to interpret the words you have to then interpret the food with its regional variations together with personal likes and dislikes. On a fact finding tour of the USA

having literally had our fill of American food we were delighted to find a small but ‘Authentic Thai Food’ restaurant. When I went into the kitchen to meet the cook she was indeed Thai but said that no-one locally liked her food spicy or aromatic in any way so the only way to survive as a restaurant was to leave it out. Fortunately for them and us she carried on cooking traditional Thai food for her family and this particular evening for us too. So I have come up with a simple suggestion and concept idea which I would like your opinion on, having had it turned down by a pub company who, not surprisingly, thought that it was not complicated enough. My idea was to come up with a new food concept which was entitled: “How Far Would You Travel For the Perfect Bacon Sandwich” Once inside the venue you would be presented with a choice of six different types of fresh homemade bread (not just baked in-house but made in-house) and then six different types of bacon and the idea was that you could have any bacon in any bread. Not to mention the aromatic smell of fresh bread and smoky frying bacon. Cut thick or thin, cooked crispy or not, even pan fried or grilled, just the way you like it. Of course if it was me, and since I’ve just started smoking again, I would have to be smoking our

own bacon, dry cured, no horrid watery mess in the pan for me. Streaky, Back or even Collar, smoked or not, everyone has their own favourite and maybe even Turkey or Vegetarian Bacon if it all went well. How about hot Crusty Farmhouse, Wholemeal, Pumpernickel or Rye Bread and maybe the token Supermarket doughy pre-sliced? Then your choice of butter, margarine or Olive oil before wrapping it up in a greaseproof wrapper and sealed with a shiny sticker with our name on it. No more menus or fancy descriptions, everyone knows in advance exactly what we do, tell your friends its called the smokehouse and they do bacon in a sandwich, no more awkward moments when a customer asks: “What else do you do?” Just bacon, between two slices of bread, in a sandwich, but by the way it’s the perfect bacon sandwich, you the customer designed it.

Edwin Cheeseman is a practical food consultant. If you have a question about food email cheeseman@roundtownnews.com


Gift of the Gabardine Showbiz Goss by

Peter Taylor

Writer and Broadcaster

MARY PORTAS MP is a lot better known by the name ‘Mary Queen of Shops’, a catchy expression that comes out of her makeover TV show, and we now find out that the lovely Mary has taken a dig at the other ladies in David Cameron’s government saying, and I quote: “They are an ugly bunch!” Mary told Heat Magazine she would relish the opportunity to work with these … women … saying “I’d like to put a bit of sex and glamour in there…” Okay, she’s got my attention. Another even stronger statement from Contrary Mary read: “If I were the

gone tomorrow Tracking back to last week when I brought you the tale of Holly Madison insuring her boobettes for a million, sadly bosoms are here again this week, and this time they belong to Jodie Marsh, the former ‘rag newspaper model’. The story also tells us that Miss Marsh has given up modelling … aah … and is now a fully committed bodybuilder, ooh …And so enters the thrilling news of her breastettes … After the Pro-Am Bodybuilding Championships in Sheffield recently Jodie was overheard saying “my boobs hung so low I had to hold them up so the judges could see my abs.” Yes, the heavily-chested young lady has caught the world’s attention as she plans to have el jugs reduced in size telling us, “my next job is definitely to get small implants fitted.” What is this? ´Dial a Charlie…?’ Why don’t they just let some air out…?

Danny Collins

copy@dannyjpcollins.com

Street entertainment ALL COUPLES have problems in their relationship, but when you are a celeb it’s made an awful lot worse as the whole scenario gets played out in public. And public is the word that this item is all about. Ryan Giggs and wife Stacey were out in their home town of Manchester last week when who should they bump into but ‘the other woman’. Natasha Giggs, wife of Ryan’s brother with whom he had the fling, stood there, large as life, right in front of them, in a busy main street. The passersby were then treated to the main players painting the air blue, black, and purple. “You´re nothing but a something slag” yelled Stacey … “shut the something up ´n get in the car!” then came out of the footballer. (Don’t forget we´re in the middle of the street here.) Then the dagger to the heart when Ryan turned to Natasha and said: “You do realise I never cared for you, it was just sex to me…” Oh dear oh dear … For sure Ryan will now be regretting those words as the same Natasha has informed the planet, through Twitter, of the incident saying: “Had a blazing row in the street with RG and his lapdog… he´s such a t.t! … (letter missing there.) The biggest problem Ryan is now likely to face is walking out onto a football pitch in his beloved Manchester United shirt and hearing ´Sex Bomb ‘being played everywhere he goes.

One Year In Spain WRITING POETRY, as Thomas Hood and Federico García Lorca probably never said, is a funny old game. It goes beyond bringing one’s most intimate thoughts into light and has many ways of doing it. The forms of verse are many: villanelle, terza rima, sestina, rondeau, enjambment, vers libre – have I lost you yet? I hope not, for to the reader, whether the lines rhyme or not, the most important of all is to feel the striking of a chord. Migel Jayasinghe is an occupational psychologist. In semi-retirement he is destined to sit in the shade, light a cigar, and listen to the bees: would that we all could. He shares his musings with us – pleasant and philosophical – and we, should we bother to listen, are no worse for it and even improved a little. All civilisations should listen to their poets and take wine with them. Raise a glass to Migel Jayasinghe and be happy that those such as he are among us.

53 53

PM I’d bloody restyle all of those women.” … nice. Banking on Mary becoming an icon of sorts, Cameron has now got her schlapping up and down the UK visiting various town centres to tie in with the setting up of her latest yawn of a telly show ´Mary Queen of Frocks´, a programme connected to her producing a line of clothing for the over 40s to be sold in the House of Fraser. Should earn a few bob should that …for charity perhaps? She’s just an old windbag in truth, and a better title for her TV show would be ‘All Mouth and Trousers’.

Here today

Book Review by

- 27 OCT Feb 26 21 - March 4 2011 2010

Suduko Answer

Author: Migel Jayasinghe Publisher: Createspace (paperback) Price: 6.40€ ISBN: 978 1456485146


motoring

54

21 - 27 OCT 2011

What can I do about the ‘local menace?’ by

Brian Deller

Author of Motoring in Spain

DEAR BRIAN, I have problem where we have a neighbour whose teenage son rides a small quad bike which has no registration plate. He does not use a crash helmet and it is very noisy - he races round the urbanisation. What can I do as I am frightened as a widow to say anything to him? He is going to hit a child or a domestic pet one day soon, the way he races around. Please help. Name supplied but withheld by request I can understand your request to not give your name as the parents of this person should not be allowing this to happen and the fact that they do can lead to a nasty response. I have found that to complain, especially as Brits, sometimes prompts a barrage of expletives with the usual advice to combine sex with travel. First of all, many expats do not realise that the rules of the roads apply in any public area, meaning anywhere the public has access, even if they have to go through a security gate. That is why a supermarket car park is treated the same as the roads so you have two choices each relatively easy to action: One is to report to the President of your urbanisation and let the committee take action, with you insisting that the complaint is anonymous. The other is to register an anonymous denuncia with the Policia Local for your area which as advised is Torrevieja. Give addresses and a description of the youth. You should not flinch from taking such action as it may save lives. I am one of those citizens who does not believe that the police are our enemies and if treated with respect I have never had any problems anywhere in the World which in my life includes the UK, the USA, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and of course Spain - all

countries where I have driven and ridden fast motorcycles extensively. Sadly, many people think that by reporting those who flagrantly break the laws that they are ‘grasses’ and should be censured. I disagree and although it takes some courage, it should be so. I have personally admonished (like a father would) some British children, about 10 to 14 years who were riding around our urbanisation on a motorised golf-cart two years ago. They told their mother who came to me and asked if I was a policeman (which I obviously was not) before telling me to “F--k off”. She is certainly not a lady, but I had the last say as a couple of days later one of the children lost control on a steep bend and hit the curb, badly damaging the golf cart front suspension: luckily no one was hurt. But I was taught when much younger that adults are responsible for looking after youngsters, including admonishing for bad behaviour. I was taught that to use bad language in public could and often did result in receiving a telling off by a stranger and woe betide the child if they argued. And other adults around would lend moral support. Smoking in public in the street by a young child in those days was admonished in this way with all the cigarettes being destroyed in front of the child/ren. But now we all risk being killed or seriously injured if we try and keep standards up. Do not be afraid to give all the details which will be passed to the local police for action, but you can go into the office of the Policia Local and do the same if that is easier. Do not flinch as you may save a life or two.

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

New EN-V from Chevrolet

CHEVROLET IS working on a new EN-V Concept for ‘safe, connected, zero-emissions personal transportation’ within a two-seat, electric urban mobility concept, also to address environmental issues; first seen at the Shanghai World Expo in 2010. GM will add new features such as climate control, personal storage space and operational abilities for all weather and road conditions. The zero emission vehicle powered by lithium-ion batteries, recharged through regular household outlets, providing 40 kilometres on a single charge, with manual and automatic transmission. The vehicle features distancesensing technologies and vehicle-to-vehicle communication to help reduce crashes and make it easier to find parking spaces.


- 27 OCT Feb 26 21 - March 4 2011 2010

55 55

2011 CITROEN C1 1.1i Seducion Automatic in Charcoal metallic Aircon cd player Was 11,300 NOW € 10,584 2011 CITROEN NEW C3 1.4hdi seduction With Zenith screen, Climate, Cruise, Alloys 0KM Was 17,800 NOW € 14,800 2010 CITROEN C4 PICASSO 1.6 Hdi CMP automatic, 9785 kms in Nocciola Like New Was 27,248 NOW € 21,800 2011 CITROEN DS3 1.6 Hdi SPECIAL EDTION II ice white with black roof, climate, 17” alloys Premium HI-FI € 16,500 2008 CITROEN GRAND C4 PICASSO 2.0 Hdi Auto CMP Exclusive 48,000kms New condition €15,000 2006 CITROEN XSARA PICASSO 1.6 HDI SX TOP in dark grey, Aircon , alloy wheels lovely condition* €8,500 2006 CITROEN C2 1.4i FURIO Aircon 22,000kms in almost new cndition Blue metallic paintwork* €5,000 2005 CITROEN BERLINGO 2.0 Hdi Multispace in silver 94,000kms recent tyres, services and timing belt €6,800 2001 CITROEN SAXO 1.4i sx with air conditioning silver metallic good runabout €2,300 2008 RENAULT MEGANE SALOON 1.9Dci privelege Lux Keyless start full option pack 28,000kms* €9,500 2007 RENAULT SCENIC 1.5Dci eco Authentique, Keyless starting, alloys, climate control, Silver 64,000kms* €8,500 2007 SEAT LEON 1.9Tdi Reference in Dark blue metallic, Climate control, excellent condition, 58,000kms €8,900 2007 SEAT LEON 1.9Tdi Reference in Bright rally red, Climate control, excellent condition, 58,000kms €8,900 2005 KIA PICANTO 50,000kms in cherry red, aircon, Cd radio, very well maintained* €3,500 2004 SEAT CORDOBA 1.4i Automatic 48,000Kms Reference in Blue metallic, nice condition A/A* €4,300 1999 MITSUBISHI SPACESTAR 1.3i estate car Blue Paintwork excellent runner with air con etc €1,800 1999 VW GOLF GTI 150hp turbo recaro interior in silver metallic with BBS alloy wheels (P) €2,000 * Due in soon


Classified Ads 56

21 - 27 OCT 2011

All Major Credit Cards Accepted - 0.31e per word + IVA

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

14 - 20 OCT 2011

Book your advert now 902 118 999 (ext 2)

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


21 - 27 OCT 2011

EXCEL AIR CONDITIONING. See main ad on page 11.Tel/Fax (Head Office) 966-897-772. Mobiles:-680-154-432/676-265675. Email excelairconditioning@ hotmail.com. All credit/debit cards accepted. SERVICE AIR David Higton: (Tel) 966-865-883 (Mob) 629308-505 (Email) cool@serviceair.biz

and training offered. We are looking for reliable staff, willing to work hard in exchange for great commissions.We need..... * A sales manager * 2 Closers * 15 telesales staff * 2 Administration

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS OFFER Driving to or from the UK? English guest house in France. Bed, Breakfast and Evening Meal for 2, only 50 euros! www.millefleursbb.co.uk or 0033 562331962

ELSA - GERMAN SHEPHERD beautiful, loving, good with all other dogs, cats and children. Free to Good Home. Telephone. Margaret - 685 615 348. HOUSE AND PET SITTING Call Margaret experienced multi lingual telephone 968 186 781 Mobile 659 824 156

MERCURIO CONSTRUCTION ALL YOUR BUILDING NEEDS FROM SMALL REPAIRS TO NEW HOUSES. COVERING ALL COASTAL AREAS OF THE COSTA BLANCA. www.conpro. com.es TEL: 669.669.339

PET TRANSPORT we treat your pet as if they belong to us and that is our promise. van fully air conditioned we believe we have the best rates so give joe a call on 966074576 or 650341087 for a chat or e mail pawspettransport@hotmail.com SMALL DOGS CARED FOR IN OUR OWN HOME So if you need to go away on holiday but don’t want your dog to go into kennels then we will look after them. References available. Tel: 965843781 Mob: 622514980 TRANS-PET We do regular, door-to-door journeys between the Costa Blanca and the UK.Our aim is to provide a professional, caring service for your pets.Boarding facilities for Cats and Dogs. This may be for an overnight stay or of longer durations.Tel:600-552-030/965960-658 www.trans-pet.co.uk

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS - COSTA BLANCA Confidential Helpline, South 625 912 078, North 648 169 045. www.aacostablanca.org. DO YOU SUFFER THROUGH ANOTHER PERSON DRINKING? Don’t suffer alone. We meet in Benidorm every Thursday at 5.00pm. Al-Anon Established Worldwide for 60 years. Ring 634758539 for details. GATA CHARITY SHOP Description: House Clearances, furniture, bric a brac, beds, etc. High prices paid for quality items. We buy, Sell and Exchange just about anything at the GATA CHARITY SHOP in aid of SPAIN, the Society for the Protection of Animals in Need. Collection and Delivery service available. Tel 665653998 or 965756215.

10 COLD DRINK/SNACK VENDING MACHINES with sites,€44,900.excellent cash income, no overhead, work from home, work only one day per week, €31,000 nett yearly. 25 pringle vending machines with sites €14,900.€250 per week guaranteed.965-326-442/659696-455 SOLAR ENERGY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Long established company, own product range. First class training & support. Telephone 606586587

LONG TERM CAR HIRE FROM 300€ per MONTH. FOCUS/ SCENIC 450€ per MONTH. 7 seat KIA 250€ per WEEK CHEAP & EASY 965732851/ 696016718

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, 5 mins to beach, Airport, Hospital by car. (also bungalows for rent and caravan plots short term or permanent stays) Tlf Carol 968192-425 mob 626-055-622 www. mobilehomesmarmenorspain. com

PC SOLUTIONS 4U For all your PC needs. Reliable & friendly service. Call Fred 634638664 BYTEBACK MICROS computer repairs/upgrades in your home. Qualified technician. Systems custom built. Whatever your problem call: 965-312-006 or 606-127-424

FUNKY FREESTYLE DANCE with Louise, every Saturday morning at Villamar Campsite in Albir/Benidorm, come and learn all the moves and routines to your pop idols! Call Louise on 655-781-068 for more information!

SALES CONSULTANT REQUIRED for the JCC office in Los Alcazares. Proven sales record required, with the ability to reach targets. Car driver essential. CV please to debs@jennifercunningham.net SPARE TIME, WANT EXTRA CASH? Start earning immediately by becoming an AVON representative. Info: ring Rosh 966785520 CARERS WANTED To work in England 3 weeks on 3 weeks off email CV to 24hourhomecareservices@ googlemail.com 24 HOUR HOMECARE SERVICES LTD Wanted companions, carers to work in England as live-in carers. 3 weeks on, 3 weeks off. If you are caring, a good listener and cook contact Karen Jones on (0044) 01929 472 810 or mobile (0044) 07500 836688 email: 24hourhomecareservices@ googlemail.com or download application form from www.24ho urhomecareservices.com TELESALES OFFICE IN ALBIR OPENING A NIGHT SHIFT 25 to 30 hrs per week, Basic, commission, contract

57

staff. This is a great opportunity to get in while the company is young, with offices throughout Spain, Tenerife, Malaga and Barcelona the world is at your fingertips! Call Kris now on 697551459


58

21 - 27 OCT 2011 photos (updates every 5-6 days): www.michaels-javea.com MICHAEL’S 28 YEARS IN JAVEA ENSURES YOUR SATISFACTION! We sell high quality pre owned furniture, many from show apartments etc. Look at: www.michaels-javea. com Tlf:965-791-328.

GOLD WANTED English Jeweller wishes to buy broken or unwanted Gold jewellery & coins for cash. Call for an appointment. Peter (7 days) 664 890 990.

ADULT INTERNET PHOTO AND VIDEO Females and couples, 18-65, required as models. Excellent rates. Tlf:-697697-842

HOME SOLARIUM AND STAND Phillips HB554, 8 X100 watt, UV lights, used once, cost 450€, 120€ono 966-498-824 TEETH WHITENING Professional Cosmetic Treatments or DIY Whitening Kits from 29€. Javea, Denia, Benidorm, Calpe area. Tel. 966 473 166 - Mob. 680 501 404. www.nulookteeth.com

CHAINSAW PETROL pro performance 38cc, cw case and chain oil, vgc 60€ 966-498-824 CALPE EVERYTHING FOR THE small builder from hoists, scaffold, mixer, joiners plant and much more Tel 627-278-018 PERGOLA 5MX3M Never erected. High quality solid timber, Treated. Ideal for Garden or Carport. €385 Will Delivery Free. 622-791-907 or si.whitworth@ gmail.com

CALL PAUL garden, palm and pool maintanence, community pools and gardens accepted, Denia to Xeraco and inland call 678 308 107

ALEXANDERS PAY TOP LONDON PRICES Javea Port seafront – Monday to Saturday - 10am till 3pm. Established since 2003 Tel: 965792595 or 667270969

PET INSURANCE Protectapet: Looking for Pet Insurance? Spains Leading Pet Insurance Provider. www.protectapet.eu 965 756 724 S.O.S. INSURANCE Car-HomeHealth-Comercial. Funeral Plans and Insurance. Tlf:-966-787123/622-275-561/686-116-297

AT MICHAEL’S Compare our unbeatable quality and prices on beds. We can supply any size NEW bed you want. Ouick delivery from our big bed-warehouse. Call our New Bedshop: 96-579 2647 www. michaels-javea.com AT MICHAEL’S Two very high quality white leather sofas, 3-seater + 2-seater. Several outdoor wicker suites just come in. See more than 600 photos on: www.michaels-javea.com AT MICHAEL’S Original very heavy “cart-wheel” bench + Moroccan furniture, beautifully carved large black coffee table, and lots more. See them all on: www.michaels-javea.com AT MICHAEL’S you can get part exchange on certain beds when you buy a New bed from our New Bed shop in the Arenal. See

WEIGHT WATCHERS Call our Free English call centre now to find your nearest meeting. 900-818-794

BALLROOM/LATIN/ SEQUENCE DANCING WITH LA BAMBA’S. At La Rustika [Los Arcos] Restaurant, Avenida Balaeres 34, Torrevieja. Saturday - Social Dance 7.30pm - 10pm Starting 5th September - Monday - New Beginners Class - 10am 11.30am Monday - Intermediate Class - 11.30am - 1pm Tuesday - Popular Sequence class 7.30pm - 8.30pm followed by Social Dance 8.30pm - 10.30pm [not 2nd Tuesday of month]. At Casa Ventura, San Luis, Torrevieja Starting 8th September - Thursday - Beginners class 7.30pm 9.30pm. Got more information contact Andrea 616 478 157.

FOR SALE 300 books good condition mostly crime novels €100 ono 965-760-115 ELECTRIC SOLAR SYSTEM 4x290x600 solar panels,20volt200euros,4x420 x540 solar panels,20volt,240 euros.4x12volt,110AH batteries200 euros,charge con troller,inverter,battery condition indicator,110euros.or 700euros the lot Call 628832187 MR FIXIT: FOR ALL YOUR ELECTRICAL, plumbing, general also appliance repairs. 698 320 434 POOL, SNOOKER TABLES Also Table Tennis and Darts. Will beat any price!. Tlf:-666933-726. www.spainpool.com

FIAT PUNTO 1.2 5 DOOR , 2004, 74,000kms fully serviced, silver, €3250. Tel Frank 600726221/965687976 www. fwreurocars.com NISSAN MICRA CABRIOLET 1.4, 90 bhp, 2006, 2 owners, 84,000kms, solid panoramic power roof, alloys, aircon, bluetooth, finished in metallic burnt orange, stunning car. €7750. Tel Frank 600726221/965687976 www.fwreurocars.com TATA 4X2, 2 LITRE TD.EX, 7 seater, 2002, 86,000kms, fully serviced, alloys, aircon, bull bar, side steps, CD etc. €3450.Tel Frank 600726221/965687976 www.fwreurocars.com

KIA PICANTO 1.1 5 DOOR HATCH. 1 owner. 40,000kms, FSH, air con, CD, red. 4450€. Tel Frank 600726221/965687976 www.fwreurocars.com OPEL ZEFIRA DIESEL, MPV 7 SEATER, Elegance model, 1 owner, 55,000kms, FSH, Air con, alloys, High Spec model. 6750€. Tel Frank 600726221/965687976 www.fwreurocars.com RENAULT KANGOO VAN 1.9 DIESEL. 2000. Mot’ed till March 2012. Taxed December 2011. White. Only 995€. Tel Frank 600726221/965687976 www.fwreurocars.com FORD FOCUS 1.8 TDCI ESTATE , genuine low miles, silver, fantastic condition, fully serviced, late 2002, all extras, only 3950€, may part exchange. Tel - 680 665 583 FORD FUSION 1.4 TDCI 2006, fully serviced, looks and drives like new, very low miles, 1 owner, silver, 5950€, may part exchange. Tel - 680 665 583 PEUGEOT 307 2.0 XTI PETROL, 5 door hatchback, 2007, looks and drives like a new car, fully serviced, this car cost over 23000€ new, only 6950€, may part exchange. Tel - 680 665 583


21 - 27 OCT 2011 PRIVATE BUYER, LOOKING TO BUY A CHEAP CAR DIRECTLY FROM THE OWNER, TEL 638 81 18 81.(PLEASE MIDDLEMEN DO NOT APPLY)

GENERIC VIAGRA the safe little blue pill. Tlf Tony 638352129, Rojales Area. GENERIC VIAGRA safe and effective blue pill. Guaranteed happy ending. Call Ron, TT Marketing, 966499204 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 FELLAS! Do you have a problem getting up in the morning, or at any other time? If so you need THE DIAMOND SHAPED BLUE PILL, Quesada and surrounding area. ring Derek 685-207-378 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 ENGLISH LADY 42 Provides various services.For mature gentlemen. Torrevieja. 681-362-442 ELEGANT SEXY SLIM Lady escort available. Home, Hotel, Villa. Region Calpe to Torrevieja. La Manga. Mazzaron. Tel 693 357 526 TORREVIEJA CHINESE SUPER SEXY Young and beautiful. Calle Orihuela Nº60, 2º1

CAR PARTS need a part for any car? For a FREE quote go to www.carpartsinspain.com or phone 692930326 WE CAN IMPORT all of your KIT CARS and also RHD Vans and Trucks. Call Marcelo; 609-600-993 WANTED Scrap cars, vans, lorries, plant and caravans. Turn your scrap into cash. From Valencia to Alicante. Free collection. Tel: 689-929-395 WANTED I buy any car, van,Caravan,4x4 Etc.British, Spanish. Immediate cash 600781-873 ibuyanycar@ hotmail.com

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/ 620-743048 www.pooltechspain.com

MOBILE/PARK HOMES on Camping Pueblo in San Javier from 15.000€ Tlf Carol 968-192425 mob 626-055-622 www. mobilehomesmarmenorspain. com

BLUES MAN CHARLIE Wants to play in your bar 691 622 804

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 966-774-199 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

EASILY MAINTAINED DETACHED, 2 BED VILLA in La Alberca, Polop de la Marina. 240m2 flat plot with decorative paving for easy maintenance. Lots of extras, security system, AC/CH, American Kitchen, Purpose build BBQ, Private parking, Solarium, 360º views of mountains and Mediterranean, Community Pool and Gardens. Ideal holiday home or for retirees.145,000€. For more info, contact Lynn on 966881-048/691-202-307 or email foundation@rtnnewsgroup.com for photos.

JAVEA Long let for family holidays - 5 Bed/4Bath luxury spacious apartment on 3 levels, air con hot & cold, garage parking and trastero furnished to a high standard, close to the beach and all amenities available for a year round rental for family holidays. Cheaper to rent year round than short periods, for more info. call 607655879 GROUND FLOOR 2 BEDROOM APARTMENT, Vistas Montana, Benitachell. 350€ including electric and water per month. Ground floor 2 bedroom

apartment,Tel: 9664 95524 or 648 209 227. LA MARINA a very nice quad, 3 bed, 2 bath, furnished, UK TV, communal pool, 5 minutes walk to shops, €400 a month Call 618897721 LA MARINA a lovely 3 bed 2 bath detached villa with pool, UK TV, furnished, parking, air con, 600€ a month. Call 618897721 LA MARINA a very nice 1 bed terraced property with lounge, American kitchen, conservatery, sunny terrace, furninshed, 250€ a month plus TV and internet extra call 618897721 SNR DE RODA GOLF LOS ALCAZARES Homley luxury modern furnished 2 bed apartment. TV A/C pool, Internet available. 365€ + bills. Tel: 648013-068 (250€ bonus rebate at the end of the contract long term only) 1 BED PART FURNISHED bungalows on Camping Pueblo in San Javier with lots of ameneties Tlf Carol 968-192-425 mobile 626-055-622 ALTEA/ALTEA LA VELLA COUNTRY HOUSE Refurbished Apartment, First Floor. 2 bedrooms, bathroom, lounge, kitchen, diner, 40m2 terrace, private pool, parking and gardens. Sea and mountain views. F/F, Air Con/CH.475€ pcm plus Water, gas and Electric. Available 01.10.11. Tlf:966-881-048 or 691-202-307

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21 - 27 OCT 2011

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MICK WITH HIS VAN Removals Collections Deliveries. For a reliable effective service. Hourly

rate or quote. Call Mick anytime 600-247-535 VAN LEAVING FOR THE UK/SPAIN EVERY 2 WEEKS great rates please contact joe on 966074576 or 650341087 or civic1235@msn.com MAN & LWB SPRINTER VAN going to UK- Spain twice a month. Tel: 610-846-260 or 0044-7519-186-355 email:-van. man@hotmail.co.uk SPAIN 2 UK 2 SPAIN MAN AND VAN departing Costa Blanca for UK for UK 1st Nov returning 6th Nov space available both ways exc rates Tel Christine 96 55 71 837 - 638 261 341 email: chriscurran4902gmail.com

QUALIFIED TRANSLATOR Bi-lingual Spanish-English and high level French and German. Confidential and reliable accompaniment service. Competitive rates. Torrevieja and surroundings. Virginia 629201192. INTERPRETER English interpreter provides aid and assistance for visits to hospitals/ schools/tax offices/police stations etc. Friendly and reliable, available in Benidorm and surrounding areas. Call 600 809 698

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BRITISH GRADUATE TEACHER offers Primary/ Secondary English Mathmatics. Telephone Margaret Johnson B.Ed. 965-350-516 Mob: 616660-687 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

SKYSUPPLIES Sky+HD and Humax 320/500/1000GB Digiboxs. Whitecards,spare remotes, LNBs, Realignments. 1.9m Dish Wanted. Good prices, advice and backup, Phone 966194013 or 600899096. SKYSUPPLIES Sky+HD and Humax 320/500/1000GB Digiboxs. Whitecards,spare remotes, LNBs, Realignments. 1.9m Dish Wanted. Good prices, advice and backup, Phone 966194013 or 600899096.

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21 - 27 OCT 2011

Andy Kay With Andy Kay

The Final Whistle

RTN Golf Club update

IRB: International Rugby Bozos MOST PEOPLE would agree that at the Rugby World Cup, England were poor while Wales were outstanding. England scraped out of their group while Wales, who came within a point of beating South Africa in their first game, were never in danger of missing out on the knock out stages. And while England crumbled against France in the quarter finals, 14 man Wales lost by a single point to the same opposition in the semis. So, can someone please explain to me that how, in the latest IRB rankings, England have moved up from sixth to fifth while Wales have dropped from fourth to sixth? Meanwhile, the IRB has decided to postpone the voting in of a new chairman as they didn’t want the result to over shadow the world cup final. That’s the same world cup final that’s been scheduled to take place this weekend for the past six years. What is it about rugby administrators these days? Given this decision by the IRB, their ranking system and the current mess at the RFU, it would seem that to have a role in either of these organisations, your first job should be to get a lobotomy. CRICKET CALENDAR England’s international cricketers must be knackered. In 2010, after a summer series against Bangladesh and Pakistan plus the World Twenty20 tournament, they headed off to Australia where they won the Ashes. Then, having moved in to 2011 and after a clutch of one-day games, they went to the ICC World Cup competition which they followed up with a Test series against Sri Lanka and India. And now, despite the fact that they will be playing Pakistan in Dubai and Abu Dhabi this winter, the players are involved in yet another one-day series against India. Why? What on earth are they doing there after such a tough schedule, apart of course, from making money for the BCCI and ECB? Rather than fannying about on the sub-continent, England’s top players should be on holiday with their families or sitting at home with their feet up. PARDEW’S PARADISE Alan Pardew took an almighty amount of stick when he became manager of Newcastle United. For many fans, Pardew was just the latest poodle / plaything of owner Mike Ashley – not exactly the most popular club owner of all time. Indeed, when he was appointed in December 2010, Pardew received the backing of just 5.5% of people who took part in a Sky Sports poll as to who should be the new manager. But - and it’s a very big but - the former West Ham, Southampton and Charlton boss has confounded his critics in the best way possible. After leading Newcastle to mid-table safety last season, he’s now overseen their best start to a campaign in 17 years, being unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions. Even Ashley can now attend games at St James’ Park without being told to ‘go forth and multiply’. Being Newcastle, the next crisis won’t be too far away I’m sure, but for now, their fans should simply take stock and enjoy the moment. Alan Pardew

Dennis Jordan NORTH REGION

Mike Probert SOUTH REGION

Murcia Golf Hound Murcia Region

ARE YOU wondering why your golf balls tend to end up in the rough; bounce off a tree; sink in the water hazards or Golf Course RTN Price Comments they land in the sand pits? Alenda €45 Single Green fee (Buggy 28€) Everyone has a golf swing that is a bit different, but if you’re €53 Single Green fee constantly having problems getting to the green, you could Alicante Golf probably use some golf swing tips to help you out. Bonalba €42 Single Green fee (Buggy 24€) Even if you have a decent swing, you can always learn more Don Cayo €44 Single Green fee (Buggy 28€) that will help you to develop an even better swing. This is El Plantio €46 Single Green fee (Buggy 24€) where good teaching methods, like taking private lessons, Font del Llop €40 Single Green fee (Buggy 20€) can really pay huge dividends. €38 Single Green fee inc Buggy As the courses become quieter in November/December, Villaitana Par 62 €44 Single Green fee (Buggy 30€) it’s a great opportunity to improve. Noel Eastwell has a Villa Aitana Par 72 great reputation with his teaching methods and is based For more information email Dennis at at El Plantio Golf. Juan at Bonalba also has great teaching methods and is dennis@roundtownnews.com or direct to www.benidormgolf.com on 630 714 373. renowned for his patience with budding golfers. IT LOOKS like it is all change again in what was the Polarisworld organisation because it would appear that a company called Global golf will take control of all of the courses and re-instigate what was formally known as the Nicklaus Golf Trail and I will keep you informed of how the changes impact on the golf prices accordingly All of the courses are busy at the moment and trying to make last minute bookings for some of the special offers available is becoming troublesome so the message is to book early to avoid disappointment. Like many courses Campoamor are now the latest to offer a twilight deal with prices from only €88 for two players and buggy from 3pm but as the nights close in you really need to obtain tee times close to this 3pm watershed to avoid finishing the round in diminishing light. The best autumn deals are still at Altorreal and Vistabella where you can still play at competitive rates and taking a drive to La Serena and La Peraleja will result in some of the lowest high season prices available. ON THE theme of local courses hosting large tour events, this week we discuss the Hi-5 Pro Tour visiting Murcia throughout the winter months. The Hi-5 Pro Tour has become very popular with many aspiring European Tour professionals as well as existing tour players with the likes of Scott Drummond previous European Tour winner playing in the first event. The Hi-5 Pro Tour takes advantage of the glorious winter weather and world class golf courses that our region is blessed with and provides us with the chance to see some stars of the future as many pros who have qualified for second stage European Tour school will also be playing. The tour’s curtain raiser to the 2011/2012 season begins at Altorrealfrom 15th - 17thNovember followed shortly after by events at Hacienda del Alamo, El Valle and Hacienda Riquelme. For more information on the Hi-5 Pro Tour visit www.hi5protour.com

Golf Course

RTN Price

Comments

Vistabella

€65

2 PL and 1 Buggy (weekend pm)

Altorreal

€55

2 PL and 1 Buggy ((Mon& Fri)

Las Colinas

€90

2 PL and Buggy (from3pm)

La Peraleja

€140

4 PL and 2 Buggy

La Finca

€228

4 PL and 2 Buggy

La Tercia

€65

2 PL and 1 Buggy

Las Ramblas

€200

4 PL and 2 Buggy

Roda

€98

2 PL and 1 Buggy (from 2pm)

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.

Golf Course

RTN Price

Comments

Alborán

€48

Single Green fee

Cortijo Grande

€29

Single Green fee

Aguilon

€44

Single Green fee

Desert Springs

€70

Single Green fee

Valle del Este

€35

Single Green fee

La Manga Club

€80

Single Green fee

For more information contact the Hound on Facebook, twitter: murciagolf@roundtownnews.com or 96 817 5716


We are getting there

Noel’s world of golf By Noel Eastwell Teaching Professional Campo de Golf El Plantio 639 730 891

IN THE last three or so years through the pages of RTN and on local radio I have campaigned to see green fee prices reduced: this has been achieved up to a point but we still have a long way to go before I see real value for money being provided to local golfers. Golf course managers and owners are now in the main looking at things more commercially and trying to offer better services and conditioned golf courses to the public. ‘Switched on’ course owners and managers are still very few and far between but we have to start somewhere and once others see the success of this new attitude more and more will be forced to follow or lose business. I am not changing sides here but trying to point out that things are getting better; however I remain very disappointed that the cost of annual membership is still way too expensive at virtually all golf clubs up and down Spain’s south eastern region. The vast majority of clubs want to charge upwards of €2,000 for this class of membership and then want you to pay another €3 to €7 per game which if you play twice per week adds another huge amount of money to play golf per year. Should you want a buggy then the price gets even more ridiculous. For the prices we are asking to pay here I think we should have all our golf courses as pristine as the likes of Wentworth or Valderrama. We all know we are a long way from seeing that! So what is the answer I hear many saying? I would suggest a group going to a club and talking to them about doing a deal on price. In the current economic climate what business can afford to turn down a cash injection of between €20,000 and €30,000? Deals are out there and I have seen and heard

many Spanish people renegotiating their annual memberships and even swapping clubs to get a better deal. Why should the expatriate community not do the same, and please remember you don’t have to accept the first offer made. Go to a number of clubs and see what there is on offer and then decide, you are now calling the shots, not the club owners or managers. You have nothing to lose and all to gain by asking the questions. 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 21st October 2011: A green jacket is presented to the winner of which major championship? A. The Open B. The US Open C. The Masters All answers must be received no later than 5pm on 31st October 2011 to be entered into October’s draw, to be made on 31st October. The winner will be announced in RTN on 4th November 2011. NOEL EASTWELL GOLF ACADEMY AT EL PLANTIO Top quality coaching at reduced rates for RTN Golf Club members, contact Noel on 639 730 891.

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

Cricket Espana League

SUNDAY 9TH OCTOBER, the division 2 league game was Orihuela Cricket Club (OCC) v Intellectuals Cricket Club (ICC), played at Bonalba, Alicante. OCC Vice Captain D Harris played his only part in this last crucial league match by losing the toss! He went on to break his finger during the pre-match warm up and spent the rest of the day at the local casualty unit. The 10-man OCC team was now down to nine men and had now lost their opening batsman and in-form bowler. With the pressure on, the OCC bowlers started brightly

and a fiery spell from H Phull (8 overs -3 wickets -18 runs) soon reduced ICC to 36 for 5. Fortunately for ICC, some steady batting from A Faulkner (36) and G Horne (45) put their innings back on track. An impressive 2nd bowling spell from G Singh (8 overs-3 wickets-25 runs), supported by M Wilson-Pestall and a spirited fielding performance led by James Wilson-Pestall ended the ICC innings at 126 all out, in 34 overs. OCC made a positive start with openers K Buckley and M Copperwheat scoring at a steady rate. However, within minutes of each other, both openers and No 3 batsman were back in the pavillion and the game swayed in favour of ICC. Under pressure and with no more recognised batsman to come in, G Singh (48 not out) and R Rachit (15) put on a valuable partnership before G Singh was joined by H Phull (8 not out) to take OCC to victory. G Singh (man of the match) was happy that D Haines was able to join the team for the after game drink especially as he was responsible for throwing the ball that broke his finger, and thanked him for giving up his opening bowler spot and for the use of his bat that scored the important runs! Starting the game in 2nd place OCC are now awaiting confirmation of the final league table positions.

21 - 27 OCT 2011

63

Fishing Maggots End by

David Hoare

968 199 279

For further details ring Alan Roscoe 968 570 876 or email: anglerstogether@hotmail.co.uk THE MATCH this week was the 4th in the winter championship, held at the Embalse de Argos. The water is still dropping, but the day was nice and calm (for a change). The fishing was hard with the exception of one angler as the results show. However, this was the last match here until spring of next year. Then, as has happened in the past, the fishing methods may change yet again! TOP RODS ON THE DAY 1st Doug (Welsh Goldminer) Hornblow, fishing the feeder using pellet with 33.62 kilos 2nd Terry (Swing ‘Em) Screen, fishing the feeder using banded pellet with 14.440 kilos 3rd Pete (I don´t swear) Kerr, fishing the pole and feeder using pellet with 10.90 kilos PLEASE NOTE The club at present does have some vacancies and if you are interested in joining please contact Derek Swann on 96 672 9293 or 667 407 026. ABBEY ANGLING RESULTS supplied by Terry Screen There was no league match this week so we fished an open match on Nancy’s on the 11th October. It didn’t get light until after 7.30am and there was heavy dew causing our tackle to be damp with the moisture, and the water did not fish as well as usual. 1st Dave (The Sweetie Man) Hutchinson with 7.640kg 2nd Andy (On the web) Stevenson with 4.820kg In joint 3rd was Stan (The Man) Roberts) and Don (Hawkeye) Whitney, both with 3.980kg: all fishing the pole and sweetcorn DO NOT FORGET We require copies of your Federation Cards and Murcian fishing licences for renewal and new members need to provide NIE numbers or Passports

and your fishing Insurance along with the Murcian fishing licence. Payment with these photocopies is 35€. For information on next week’s match and any other details please telephone Terry Screen the Match Secretary on 96 532 8368 or www.abbeyangling.com Anglers Together WE HAVE been having a lot of enquiries about licenses from anglers who are passing the ‘magic age of 65’ and therefore pensioners! Licenses are still required and are free providing you have a Spanish ‘Pensionista’ card; otherwise you will have to pay the normal fees. Licenses are available from either Town Halls or the Caja Rural Bank if in Valencia region. In Murcia you will also require insurance. Make sure you take photocopies of all relevant documents to obtain your license, i.e. passport photo-page, NIE and insurance. Anglers Together was formed to introduce and encourage anglers of all abilities to meet up and get together to 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 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 MEETINGS ARE: Friday11th November at 12pm at Mary’s Bar, Campoverde (near Pilar de la Horadada) Saturday 12th November at 12pm at The New Royal Bar and Restaurant at El Alamillo, opposite the seafront between Isla Plana and Puerto de Mazarron.

FC Torrevieja news

AFTER STOPPING the rot of five games without a win with a 2-0 victory over local rivals Crevillente on Sunday and moving up to 6th place in the table, the club have announced the dismissal of manager Chema and brought in Torreviejaborn Casimiro Torres to replace him in the ‘hot’ seat.



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