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Issue 583

Not happy with your Wireless service? Change to us for north EDITION Efficient energy in Alicante

A conference took place this week on the ‘Efficient Management of Energy’, with the aim of encouraging all provincial municipalities to work towards a sustainable future. • p6

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17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

Tidings of comfort and joy by Jack Troughton

No post on the coast, again!

More complaints are being received from residents in Orihuela that the Post Office (Correos) still cannot ‘get its act together’ and supply a reliable postal service. • p10

We keep you out of the rain! Ventasol has the ideal solution, whatever your needs, to renovate your property. • p30

Discover the Costa Blanca This week Derek Workman writes about the pleasant little town of Chiva and its famous fountain with 20 lion heads. • p43

It costs nothing to be polite Noel Eastwell’s weekly column addresses the issue of abuse on the golfing greens. • p55

Santa hands out the goodies

See page 17

EXPAT CHARITIES along the coast are once again working hard to spread Christmas cheer and goodwill in the community. Thousands of euros have been donated to help others this December and will help feed and clothe people – as well as give youngsters presents – against the backdrop of a grim economic depression. And the annual Christmas Party for the children cared for by just a handful of nuns and volunteers at the Preventorio de Gandia once again captured the spirit of Yuletide. For the fourth year running Bay Radio hosted the event at CD Javea’s football ground. This year a record 46 children – 13 of them aged under three – arrived by coach for a fun afternoon, slap-up feed, and presents from the man in red, Father Christmas himself. The party is made possible thanks to generous donations from listeners and businesses along the Costa Blanca and is a high profile example of what expats achieve through charity shops and events, and organisations like the Lions, Freemasons and Rotary Clubs.

Bay’s Andy Stammers paid tribute to people who gave up their time to help all year round. “There are many expats here that are time rich and they almost try and shame each other into getting involved. “What is lovely to see is that they all have the time, resources and experience to really do good charitable work. “And also the business community get involved, and this year in particular it has been absolutely fantastic.”

He said being a media company gave Bay the opportunity to draw attention to deserving causes like the Gandia orphanage “and make people aware of the plight of people less fortunate in our society, it doesn’t matter which nationality.” He said the radio station aimed to make a difference at Gandia throughout the year. After an appeal funded the installation of central heating, Bay continued to insure there was fuel to keep it running along with other smaller necessities, and now planned to provide an industrial sized tumble dryer. continued on page 3

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Bargain Books, Plaza Juan Carlos 1, Nº 2, San Miguel de Salinas, 03193, Alicante. (Opp. Tourist Info) Gaynor/Lee 688 667 389 leeshaw.evans@gmail.com Johnsons El Limonar, JCP Commercial Center, Local 31, Los Altos Del Limonar, Torrevieja, 966 785 600 Johnsons Quesada, Ava. Las Naciononies 1a -17, Quesada, 966 717 848 Johnsons Algorfa, Local 30, Commercial Center La Finca Golf, Algorfa, 966 729 647 The Post Room, Centro Comercial 5, Via Park III, Calle Panticosa Nº 2, Los Altos, Orihuela Costa, Alicante. Aoife/Chris 965 319 665 aoifesweeney@hotmail.com Pennys Supermarket, Flamenca Beach Comercial Centre, Unit 123, Playa Flamenca, 03189, Peter/Sarah 966 733 257 • bulldogstores@live.com Print Solutions, Avenida Londres 136, La Marina Urb, San Fulgencio, 03177, Alicante. Jim/Trish 966 790 520 • jim@printsolutionsspain.com Interpost, Avenida de la Alegria Nº 32, Malika/Malcolm 965 419 673 • Inter-post100@live.com Villamartin Satellite Centre, Avenida Las Brisas 33, Alicante. (Near Supervalu, Los Dolses) Sarah/Heather 966 764 878 • villamartinsatellitecentre@yahoo.co.uk Best Wishes, Local 30, Comercial Centre Hispania, Avda de la Union 72, San Javier, 30730, Murcia. Kathy 968 192 235 kaffywalker@hotmail.com Ononix Mar SL, Calle Mayor 30, bajo derecha, Guardamar, 03140, Alicante. Ron/Alicia 965 728 178 aliciamuddle@ononix.com

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17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

Taxi drivers offer Christmas discounts A GROUP of taxi drivers operating in various municipalities within the district of Marina Baixa has opted to end the year, which they consider to be the worst of the economic crisis so far, with a pioneering discount offer aimed at getting more passengers and taking potential drink drivers off the road. The offer is open to anyone attending festive lunches or dinners between now and the end of the month and, according to a statement from the central Valencia taxis which operate in the area, will be maintained throughout the month of December. It will benefit residents of La Vila, Finestrat, Altea, L’Alfas, Polop, and Callosa.

The conditions are that the passenger or passengers must use a taxi to move to or from a restaurant within the designated areas. It is important to add though that this offer is NOT applicable on either the 24th or the 31st December, where the charges are stipulated for those dates. The Spokesman added: “As well as the safety of local residents, another aim of the initiative is to help the restaurant businesses so they can promote their Christmas menus and diners can enjoy good wine, champagne or liquor and avoid taking the car.” The drivers will also be offering discounts on airport transfers to Alicante airport during the same period of time.

Check that you are on the voting register Santa and the bouncy castle

Continued from front page He said the radio station aimed to make a difference at Gandia throughout the year. After an appeal funded the installation of central heating, Bay continued to insure there was fuel to keep it running along with other smaller necessities, and now planned to provide an industrial sized tumble dryer. Andy said Bay Radio was dedicated to putting charity first. “It is a shame that sometimes commercialism appears to triumph over genuine support for the community - one thing we do not allow

is for this to get in the way of helping good causes.” SPECIAL Looking after the youngsters on their big day, Sister Amelia said the Christmas party helped make the children feel wanted and happy at a special time of year. She said: “This is the fourth year and every year it is the same, when Christmas gets nearer the children ask have they called and will the party happen this year. “It is not just about the presents they are given but the affection they get from the people here and the

games they play…they feel valued.” And Sylvia Barnish, who co-ordinates the annual celebration paid tribute to expats like Stuart and Julie Wilmott who made a generous donation of toys every Christmas – and gave time to host the party. She also thanked the town hall for its backing and residents of the town who came to help. “These are all marvellous people. The first year they stood back a little because charity is not done in the same way in Spain. “But now this party gets talked about across the town and it is absolutely lovely.”

CIPAL urge you to check that you are on the voting register. You can do this easily by phoning 901 101 900. This is the Electoral Census Office. If you think that your Spanish might not be fluent enough to do it yourself, call us for assistance. Call CIPAL on 633 668 774 and give: Your nationality, Your first and last names, Your N.I.E. number. We will be happy to make the call for you and let you know the result. Everyone has the right to check that they are on the electoral register. The latest you can register for voting is December 31st 2010. www.cipal.es. Tel: 633 668 744. info@cipal.es

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Merry & as Christm w Year Ne y p p a & h lients to all c ds! frien

Showroom opening times; Monday- Friday 10am-1pm

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

Immigrant woman gives birth on boat A WOMAN on board a small boat of illegal immigrants crossing to Spain gave birth last week during the journey. The boat had to stop next to Alborán Island because the woman’s labour pains

were too extreme. The other woman on the boat assisted with the birth and the authorities then arrived to take the woman to hospital in Motril. Mother and baby are reported to be doing well.

Couple saved from accident A MAN aged 82 and his 79-year-old wife suffered a horrendous car crash last week when their car rolled over onto its side on the CV755 road to Altea, near Callosa d’en Sarrià. Fortunately, police and a number of volunteers were able to help pull the couple safely from the car before it turned over completely.

Gunman kills four TRAGEDY STRUCK in Girona this week when four people were killed by a desperate 57-year-old man. The gunman went on the rampage in Catalunia after being laid off from his construction job. The victims were all shot at point blank range in the space of 20 minutes in the town of Olot in Girona on Wednesday morning before Pere Puig gave himself up to police. Puig, who lives with his elderly father in Sant Esteve d’en Bas, had been sacked from his post with Construccions Tubert just a day earlier. In a scene which is sadly becoming all too common in countries all around the Europe as the biggest financial crisis in decades takes its toll, Puig targeted the very people whom he felt had dealt him a bad deal. The first to die was Puig’s former boss, company owner Joan Tubert. The 62 year old was sat with his son, Angel, aged 35, at a local bar having breakfast when Puig shot him dead. He then turned the gun on his son and shot him dead too. CHEQUE Like with Derek Bird in Whitehaven in Cumbria earlier this year, the gunman was determined to make his former boss and son pay for terminating his contract. Following the carnage at the local bar, Puig then drove to the Olot branch of Caja de Ahorros del Mediterraneo (CAM) where it is reported that he had presented a cheque for cash the previous day. According to reports in the Spanish media, the bank refused to honour the cheque from Puig’s now late former employer as there were no funds avail-

The bar where the two constructors were shot dead

able in the company’s bank account. Following a heated discussion, Puig once again took out his gun and then proceeded to shoot dead the Deputy Branch Director, Rafael Turro and bank employee Ana Molas. THREATS Puig then calmly walked outside where, ironically, police officers had pulled up to issue a parking ticket on his double-parked car. RTN understands that he then simply told the officers: “Now, I am satisfied” and after discovering the scene inside the bank, officers then arrested him and later charged him with four counts of murder. According to sources in the town,

Puig had been making threats against his employer for some time and it has been claimed that he was overheard saying: “One day I will kill Tubert.” Olot Town Hall declared three days of official mourning following a tragedy that has stunned the local community. Shocked residents have described Puig as “strange” and maintained he would often leave work dressed as a “sheriff” complete with fake pistol and badge. Puig’s killings have already sparked a debate about the motive behind the shootings. Was it simply a disturbed man seeking some sort of revenge or actions triggered by desperation in the current economic climate? Email your comments to rtnmail@roundtownnews.com

Forum members raise money for the needy FOLLOWING A report in RTN about the number of families in San Miguel de Salinas who are facing terrible hardship this Christmas, members from the San Miguel de Salinas Forum website have donated a total a fantastic €320 to the Food Bank, organised by the town’s Arcángel Neighbour’s Association. The money will be used directly to help needy families in the pueblo and the association is still collecting, and will continue doing so, food and toy donations. You can drop off any dried or tinned food at either Maribel’s tobacconist shop, the Chimes Bar or at the Association offices located on Calle 19 de Abril, just behind the Eurosalinas Supermarket. One expat who regularly helps out at the centre told RTN: “I encourage all expats who have enjoyed the hospitality extended to us by our Spanish neighbours since we moved here, to donate some food and if possible new or quality used gifts for the children of the pueblo, to help those families in need have a better Christmas.”

Christmas festivities in the sun

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

Maid for heroes

The Mud Maid

Members of the Moraira and District Royal Naval Association

BRIGHT SUNSHINE and unusually high temperatures greeted members of the Moraira and District Royal Naval Association last week, as they arrived to take part in a ‘festive’ get-together. Turkey and all the trimmings were on the menu as the ex-senior servicemen and women enjoyed the hospitality of ‘Pepi’ and his staff in his popular restaurant in the heart of the Jalon valley. President Peter Hall welcomed members and associate members and guests, but had to add the sad news that since the last get-together, Bernard Battrick, a very popular and long-standing member, had passed away aged 81 years. He also informed

those attending the dinner that, tragically, Bernard’s wife had suffered a major stroke and was now in hospital paralyzed. The members spent some time in silent reflection as they remembered a very special friend. Many people may not be aware that the Moraira and District Royal Naval Association covers a very wide area with members attending from many towns and villages across the Marina Alta. Regular social gatherings give members and associate members the chance to reminisce about their service life as well as the opportunity to meet new friends and to catch up with old ones. “New members are always welcome

Bus route changes

VILLAJOYOSA TRANSPORT Council presented new schedules on 13th December for tours and stops on urban transport lines, to come into effect from Monday 20th December. Villajoyosa has three urban transport lines: line 1 goes from the polysport ‘Maisa Lloret’ up to the ‘Tellerola’ (Terramar), passing through the town and the sea front; line

and should anyone be interested in coming along to one of our gatherings with a view to becoming a member or an associate member of the RNA, I would love to hear from them,” Honorary Secretary, John Sanderson, told RTN. The RNA is a registered charity and membership is open to all serving and ex-service members of the Naval Forces, including the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, QARNNS, WRNS, Reserves and all ranks and specialisations. In addition, anyone who is in sympathy with the objectives of the Association may join as an Associate Member. John can be contacted on 966 474 532.

2 runs from the city centre to the municipal cemetery; and line 3 starts from the hotels Montiboli and Eurotennis and terminates at the Cala. The most important changes are on lines 1 and 3. Line 3 to the Cala has increased stops and will service more streets, passing nearly every hour and every second hour and going to the hospital.

By Jack Troughton ARTIST CHRIS Sinclair has donated a print of her oil painting ‘The Mud Maid’ for an auction raising money for charity Help for Heroes. The picture is being sold tonight (Friday) at Bar Nou, Senija, following a special fish and chip supper, quiz and raffle of a giant Christmas hamper starting at 19.30. Chris’ painting captured the living sculpture the Mud Maid in the Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall, itself built by Sue and Pete Hill in 1998. “I hope the highest bidder will not only enjoy the picture but may also be inspired to visit the beautiful gardens,” she said. “In addition, they can also take pride in the knowledge they have helped to support our very brave servicemen and women.”

Car crash injures three THREE MEN were seriously injured in a car accident in Denia last weekend. The accident, which involved two cars, happened in the early hours of Sunday morning on the road to Las Marinas, according to sources at the Information and Coordination Centre of Emergency

Unit (CICU). The driver of the other vehicle, a 55-yearold man, was also injured and is being treated in hospital for broken bones and chest injuries. The three injured men were all taken to hospital by two ambulances from the Dénia Emergency Medical Service.

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

Efficient energy in Alicante

by Louise Clarke MORE THAN 200 people attend this week’s first ever Alicante Provincial Energy Agency Congress. The conference, which took place at the MARQ Museum in Alicante, also included a display of an energy efficient car with hydrogen combustion, an electrical bicycle and photovoltaic plates which can efficiently store energy. The conference focused on the ‘Efficient Management of Energy’ within the Alicante Province, with the aim of encouraging all of the provincial municipalities to work towards a sustainable future. Subjects debated ranged from strategies that must be put in place by Town Halls to reduce their energy outputs as well as suggestions of initiatives to be introduced in order to encourage sustainable energy within each of the municipalities. Attendees included representatives of ELENA (European Institute of Local Attendance of Energy) and programmes discussed included Echo-Innovation and the Pact of Mayors, which was introduced earlier this year at the recommendation of the European Parliament and which is wholeheartedly supported by the Alicante Provincial Government.

Home destroyed by fire

A FIRE last weekend has Whilst the fire service caused extensive damage controlled the blaze, the to a two story building in families affected were Callosa d’En Sarrià and taken in by relatives who forced the evacuation of live locally and have since three other properties; leav- been told that they caning two of them sealed off not return to live in their pending a more thorough homes as the fire has cominvestigation due to potenpletely destroyed the whole Alicante tial structural damage. building and it must now President The fire broke out at be demolished. Ripoll around 11:00 on Sunday The Mayor of Callosa, heads morning in the garage of a Batiste Saval, said that the the Energy house on Calle Couchoud whole town was shocked debate Rafael Cervantes and badly by the incident as the two at the damaged two of the cars families that lived there MARQ inside. Two other cars outwere well known in the Museum side the property were also area. He said that the Sustainability and efficiency in the hotel sector was one affected and according to families had rejected the of the key topics and it was suggested that there should Guardia Civil sources, the offer of temporary acbe financial support available in the way of energy saving ferocity of the flames was commodation in a Town grants to encourage the implementation of solar panels so bad that they also damHall owned apartment, on the roofs of hotels to produce hot water or the use of a aged the first and second saying that they would photocell system to regulate the lighting of hotel rooms floor of the building, forcprefer to be with family at according to the natural light. ing the occupants to leave. this time. The Secretary General of HOSBEC, the Association of Hotels and Travel Agencies in the Costa Blanca, Nuria Montes, welcomed the suggestions and said that this will add to the positive promotion of Benidorm and the Costa Blanca as a whole, with the appeal of energy sustainable tourism. Finally, the subject of the sustainable housing was discussed. Ideas and concepts to improve the quality of THE DANGEROUS new ‘sport’ of cliff jumping has become construction were thrashed about and more energy efficient fashionable up and down the coast. People are making videinsulation as well as solar panels and water meters were os of themselves jumping into the sea from precipitous cliffs suggested by representatives of the Valencian Institute of of up to 50 metres high. Construction, who were also in attendance. They wear no protective clothing or footwear and the risk The day concluded with a tour of an exhibition in the of landing on the rocks below is enormous. Jumpers are litgardens of the museum which showed the latest advances erally playing with their lives and jumping from rocky ledges renewable energy technology, including the prototype of a from Peñíscola to Benidorm. More and more videos are aphydrogen-fuelled car that can travel 1,804km before having pearing on the internet. to be refuelled.

Cliff jumping fever on the Costa Blanca

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

No post on the coast, again! The post boxes clearly say that they are for Fase V and VI

FOLLOWING RTN’S coverage two years ago about postal problems in Orihuela Costa, more complaints are being received from residents that the Post Office (Correos) still cannot ‘get its act together’ and supply a reliable postal service; a particular aggravation at this time of year. An erroneous address system seems at the root of the problem: the Town Hall and the Padron office cannot agree on the correct addresses for residents in Montegolf Urbanisation near Blue Lagoon, Playa Flamenca and Cabo Roig. Manuel, the President of Montegolf, has approached the Town Hall and the Correos without satisfaction and a resident explained, “The Town Hall says one address is right and the Correos says another is right and in the meantime we don’t get any post!” DEVUELTO RETOUR

Residents spoke directly to the postman but even this didn’t work. Urbanisation’s post boxes on Calle Nicaragua are clearly labelled ‘Fase V and VI’ but addresses on received post carry handwritten, incorrectly amended addresses. Another resident commented: “It is a joke. We have no idea what the correct postal address is.” No official information has been received by the resi-

dents for months despite a variety of important documents being expected and some returned to sender ‘Devuelto Retour’. Residents understandably fear their pensions will be stopped as the DWP will think that they are no longer living: “It’s like we live in a Third World country,” said one… DIFFERENT ADDRESSES

Peter Cameron of Residencial Vista Lola in Playa Flamenca commented: “I know the Correos works in a mysterious way but my wife and I moved into our home in late September and up until now we have not received a single piece of post! We have tried the address the sellers of our house gave us; we have tried the address on the Padron and we even tried the address on the registered letter sent to the house to the previous occupiers for their voter registration. Naturally, all three addresses were different…” Peter pays for a post box but that is an expensive process and some UK companies are reluctant to send important mail to a post box. He said: “Thankfully I pay everything online, so we won’t have essential utilities cut off unexpectedly because we have not received bills.” He concluded: “The Town Hall and Correos need to sit down and sort this problem out once and for all.”

Drugs seized in Ondara and Benidorm

THE GUARDIA Civil has seized a total of 2,200 marijuana plants after they discovered two plantations in Ondara and Benidorm and officers have arrested five people of Dutch nationality, a Nigerian and an Irish man. The arrests came during Tuesday and ended a month long investigation that began when the agents were alerted to suspicious activity at a warehouse located at the edge of the Ondara municipality. They set up surveillance in and around the warehouse and gained significant evidence to arrest the culprits. The investigation led to officers witnessing an organised group operating from the warehouse, which was dedicated to the cultivation, processing and sale of marijuana. The 2,000 plants seized were in various stages of growth, ranging from

half a metre to a metre high. The warehouse facilities were devoted exclusively to this crop. It had a drip irrigation system and temperature control as well as moisture and fertilizer facilities for the soil in order to achieve rapid growth and development of plants. The compound featured a dividing panel, behind which were hidden five large containers, usually used for transporting goods, being used for the cultivation of the marijuana. According the Guardia Civil sources, the gang had even connected the warehouse electricity supply to the mains circuit to prevent excessive power consumption that might arouse suspicion. All the detainees have been charged with drug trafficking, conspiracy and theft of electricity and remain in custody awaiting trial.

International criminals busted on the Costa Blanca

POLICE IN the Costa Blanca arrested four people on the international ‘wanted’ list. In a statement issued last Saturday, police revealed the arrest of a Belgian national in Santa Pola, who is accused of defrauding €1.34 billion in Germany; the second and third arrests were Algerians captured in Alicante port who are wanted in Germany and France on charges of drug trafficking and child kidnap. A German man has also been arrested in Alicante.

A trip back in time

Joaquin Ripoll and Marylène Albentosa

by Louise Clarke AS ANNOUNCED in last week’s RTN, the MARQ Museum in Alicante is playing host to artefacts from Guardamar del Segura’s Archaeology Museum until next February and this week, the Mayor of Guardamar, Marylène Albentosa, accompanied by the Alicante President, Joaquín Ripoll, visited the museum to officially present more than 250 pieces of the town’s rich cultural heritage to the provincial museum. The ceremony was also attended by Managing Director of the MARQ Museum, Manuel Olcina, and the Curator and Director of the Archaeological Museum of Guardamar, Antonio Garcia. The exhibition covers the diversity of cultures that have occupied the Guardamar municipality from the Phoenician colonisation to the forestation of the dunes of Guardamar and offers a fine selection of historical and archaeological heritage of the municipality. ECOSYSTEMS

The exhibition occupies two rooms and combines media, educational and computer graphical reconstructions as well as a selection of outstanding pieces of Guardamar’s

history. Joaquín Ripoll said: “Guardamar del Segura has a rich historical and archaeological heritage, due to its privileged location and variety of ecosystems. This exhibition is a showcase to raise awareness of cultural and natural heritage of this coastal town, its present reality and its tourism to the rest of the province.” HUMAN SETTLEMENTS

Antonio Garcia explained that this exhibition is made possible by the wide variety of artefacts discovered at the town’s archaeological sites. Its location is important because it is close to the mouth of the Segura, the entrance and exit to the Mediterranean Sea and a place where human settlements have been evident dating back in history to when the Romans called the Mediterranean ‘Mare Nostrum’. The exhibition is divided into thematic sections covering different cultures that have occupied the area; Guardamar in the Ancient World, Phoenician Colonisation and Iberian and Romans on the coast. Visitors can visit the exhibition at the MARQ Museum until February. For more information, visit the museum’s website at www.marqalicante.com which is also in English.

Reconnecting with nature in Daya Nueva

The Mayor of Daya Nueva (far left) with reps. from NG Home and Services

LAST SATURDAY at the Social Hall ‘de la Villa’ in Daya Nueva, the event ‘Organic Garden at Home’ was celebrated. Mariló Antón, one of the people responsible for the urban organic orchards of the city of Elche as well as the gardening and agricultural assessor for NG Home and Services in Daya Nueva, presented for one hour, with the help of Antonio Aguilar in the translation to English, the advantages in quality of life an organic garden at home can give; emphasising how easy it can be achieved

having in mind a few basic concepts. The event was organised in collaboration with the Town Hall of Daya Nueva and the Mayor, Pablo Miguel Castillo Ferri, has been the main advocate for promoting the potential of the natural surroundings. This is the first in a series of initiatives NG Homes and Services is planning in Vega Baja to show the great quality of life possible in a small town of the Vega, surrounded by nature and a calm and healthy way of life.

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

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Golf course suggestions IN RESPONSE to Noel Eastwell, I consider that most golf courses in and around Torrevieja should reconsider their business plan. I have played on several this Autumn through to December and most have been fairly empty. Owners should consider the whole package for the golfer and realise that making their playing charges more competitive will bring increased custom and increased sales of food, drink and equipment. This I am sure would improve their income stream and encourage more people to play. I have noted that because of a reluctance to go down this route, many people who came to Spain with the idea of playing golf are now turning to other activities such as bowling. Regards, Jim Jamieson

Golf courses in Spain IT SEEMS obvious to me, but apparently not to the Spanish, that to attract more patrons to their courses they must bring down their prices to more realistic levels. RTN are going a long way to achieving this but the course owners/managers must also play their part. For example: do the Spanish realise that the price of 4 rounds of golf on a reasonable course in Spain is equivalent to my English green fees for the year, playing anytime, any day, every day… and on a championship course. I do realize, of course, that the Spanish courses require huge amounts of water, but a couple of dozen high green fees will not net as much as a hundred at half the price. We golfers are out here waiting: it’s only the high green fees that are stopping us from playing. Spanish entrepreneurs please WAKE UP. Martin

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He should be hung by the neck I SIT here with tears in my eyes as I try to put my feelings into words in a civilised way that will not offend you readers but will help me to vent my frustration. Yet another animal in the UK has been sentenced to 20 years minimum for the brutal murder of a defenceless 15 month old little boy. This animal not only beat this child in a sadistic way, he also took pleasure in videoing his deeds on his phone and putting a caption to each recording. This beast should not be allowed to breathe the same air as decent people

and should be hung by the neck. These animals can never be rehabilitated; they need to be put down. Just last week, the murderer of a head master some 15 years ago, as he tried to defend one of his pupils outside of his school, was released on parole, only to be arrested 5 months latter for his part in an armed robbery; he is now back in jail for breach of his parole. The outcome could have been quiet different - he could have murdered again. Regards, John, La Zenia

Turning the dream into a nightmare RE YOUR letter last week: “Go back or get a life”: Having not read the earlier letter which prompted MR C Capper’s tirade, perhaps he should read his own letter as he seems to be as much a “whinger” as the person he complains about; his whinge being about someone else’s “whinging!” He does not state whether or not he lives nearby to Villa Park 111 or whether he just likes to enjoy himself there and lives far away from any noisy drunks/ revellers or two-weekly holidaymakers who have come to ‘drink and be merry’, many of whom

have no regard for anyone living nearby. Before you have your whinge, Mr Capper, have you thought that maybe the ones you are complaining about have ended up in a nightmare situation, with numerous bars nearby? Long after they bought their properties they now find that they cannot move because of the current property market and their actions are caused by frustration more than antagonism? Perhaps, Mr Capper, it’s not the ‘whingers’ you are talking about who give the ‘British’ a bad name but persons with your

attitude, who appear to be here to “enjoy yourself no matter what,” and who care nothing about the effect that their attitude may have on other people’s lives. Perhaps a more mature outlook on life and a look at your complaining might be a good idea as you probably have no idea what problems your ‘whingers’ have when you do not have the full facts. We all came here to “live the dream” - it is unfortunate that many people’s lack of thought can turn the dream into a nightmare. Mr Levett

Loud-mouthed Brits I READ your letter and was astounded by what you wrote. Get real - you obviously think you have the right to enjoy yourself to the detriment of others who do not want to listen to you, your friends or others making a complete nuisance of yourselves having what you call “enjoyment.” Also, do you really believe that Spaniards wish to hear loudmouthed Brits making complete

fools of themselves, at the same time giving decent Brits a bad name and making them ashamed of their fellow countrymen? How dare you tell decent law-abiding people to leave this country and I suggest you ask the Spanish people whom they would want to live in their country - I very much doubt that you and your kind would be the ones they would choose to have stay. Rita Young

Not my problem IN ANSWER to FAG last week: Again the usual irresponsible and selfish response from a smoker; in other words: “Not my problem.” Well, it is your problem and one that will shortly be resolved for you, for the benefit of the majority. When the smoking ban comes into force, you’ll have the choice of either staying at home to eat and drink, kippering your family’s lungs in the process, or going out to eat and drink and scuttling outside to have a ciga-

Don’t say anything at all

I WAS surprised by a nasty comment made in Jon Gaunt’s column in last week’s edition, referring to Cher on X Factor (X Factor fix) as “that little shrunken-headed fool.” That young lady will probably go far in the world of entertainment and I for one (and I am 65 years of age) have enjoyed her performance every week and would certainly pay money to go and see her. I was brought up to say “If you can’t say anything good about someone then don’t say anything at all.” There is a difference between criticising someone’s performance and making rude comments about their appearance. Mrs Jean Barker

Tracing a relative I AM looking for my uncle. He lived in Denia for some time and my still be there. He had property there a few years ago and I think he has moved there. His name is John Downs he lived in England it is my Dad’s brother and he will know why I wish to find him. Please email rtnmail@ roundtownnews. com if you have any information. K M Gaughan

rette. How sad; how laughable; how pathetic! Surely this is an incentive to give up? Surely time for a ‘New Year’s resolution?’ Anyway, over time things will inevitably level out, as people decide whether or not to go out to eat and drink because of the ban. Some establishments will close; others will increase their revenues. The pattern will change and then become stable over the long term. Merry Christmas Pilar Peon

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Trying to mix water with oil I AM British and have lived here for seven years, encountering my fair share of scams. Two years ago I bought a new mobile with a one year contract with Orange. As I was moving shortly, I was assured coverage in the new location: there was not. I refused to make further payments. Orange engaged a debt collector for the €133.34 outstanding. I fought the case but lost as a couple of calls had been made on the mobile AFTER the move to the new location. Absurd! The calls could have been made from anywhere! My Spanish friends had assured me I was wasting my time... I was away several months but returned to find the water company Agualevente had taken €90 from my account over a 3 month period in my absence! They said it could be a leak but the meter did not show this.

Triqe Fund WE, THE Committee, collectively would like to thank you, whole heatedly, for your continued support in helping us to publicise the very worthy cause, for the combined Armed Services falling victim of the many world conflicts that blight World Peace. The Navy and the Royal Air Force are often forgotten in the sentiment sent out by the media, not to mention

The next bill was less than half: no leak then! They suggested it was stolen. I find it hard to believe thousands of litres were stolen without anyone seeing a hose. A neighbour said he had been billed €200 for water he knew he had not used but Spaniards don’t defend their rights; he paid knowing that whether right or wrong, he would not win! Lastly, Moviestar (Telefonica) on two separate calls confirmed I’d have a 10mega internet connection. I took up the offer: Surprise, surprise - I only have UP TO 6megas! Consumer association OCU advises it makes no difference that there are two recordings that clearly stating the 10megas offer: “the only thing that matters is the contract.” Is there no end to their backhanded and dishonest scams? Mixing Spanish with money is like trying to mix water with oil: disaster! Merry Christmas… Anon

the many other conflicts (other than Afghanistan) where men and women get seriously injured, even in their training programmes. Each and every one of our Military are there fighting for each and every one of us. On Saturday 11th December a Table Sale and Grand Auction, was held at BAR STOP, behind the International Super Market in La Marina, and a grand total of in excess of €380 was reached. Thanks go to The Bar Stop and all their patrons for their support and help, and to other bars in the area wanting to support us. Also, NARPO

(National Association of Retired Police Offices) are joining forces to show their help and enthusiasm. Every cent collected goes direct to The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity, and every person, bar, organisation or shop, will be recognised for their support and help. The Grand Total collected by the end of the year (expected to be in excess of €1,200 made in less than 2 months) will be taken in person to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, in January. Regards Marion Ham (Sec)

www.monarch.co.uk

Poppy Appeal thanks I would like to thank everyone who donated money into our Poppy Appeal this year and for all the bars, shops, restaurants and all other outlets who took one of collection boxes. We covered all of Javea and its surrounding areas; Bentichell, parts of Moraira and Denia and the result was a magnificent €10,098. This could not have been achieved without all of your support. The money collected stays in Spain and has now been transferred to our District Welface Account. This will be used to assist all ex

service men and women and their dependents who live here in Spain and need our financial help and support on welfare matters. Finally a big thanks to all of our Branch Members who worked tirelessly throughout the year in preparation for the appeal. Distributing over 100 collection boxes and getting them back in record time, for them to be counted and the money banked to meet our deadline. It was a really great achievement. Thank you all. Roger Dawes, Javea Branch Chairman of the RBL

Seeking accident witnesses

I WAS involved in a hit and run accident, in which I was hit from the rear on Monday 29th November, when I stopped to allow passage to two pedestrians who were on the zebra crossing between Consum and Gogarty’s Pub at 13.20, during the rain. The other driver stopped for a minute or so but then drove off without exchanging details. I got his number and reported it to the police but would be most grateful if witnesses would make contact with me on 665 093 680. My name is David McCrossan.

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Expats teach English to unemployed

San Fulgencio Christmas Fiestas Programme

Asensio gets one to one tuition from Val

by Louise Clarke A GROUP of British residents in San Miguel de Salinas are giving up their time to teach English to fellow Spanish speaking residents who are currently unemployed. The group, which meets every Monday morning at the old school, was organised in collaboration with the San Miguel Town Hall and the Association of the Unemployed in the town. The volunteers are all native English speaking and spend two hours a week teaching reading, writing, listening and speaking to their fellow residents. The classes started this summer after the association asked the Lead Volunteer if he would be interested in holding some classes. He, along with his wife Val and three other regular volunteers now hold the classes and they currently have about a dozen students. During the school holidays they also open up their classes to the children of the pueblo to help them improve their English language skills. HOMEWORK

All the students are from San Miguel and the stipulation to attend the classes is that they must speak

Spanish. Some students are native Spaniards and others are from South America and Eastern Europe. The first hour of classes concentrate on conversational English between the students and the volunteers. The second half of the classes concentrates on written work and going over the previous week’s homework. Students who have only just started the classes are given one-to-one tuition by one of the volunteers as they feel it is important to make them feel as comfortable as possible speaking the language before they start group conversation activities. DONATIONS

The Association of the Unemployed in San Miguel is currently helping many families in the pueblo who are not earning money and not receiving benefits. They are open every Wednesday and Saturday morning to take donations of food, clothes and children’s toys and President of the Association, Vincente, has his own online blog for people to read and learn more about the association. You can find his blog at empleasms@blogspot.com. Donations are always needed so if you can help, details of where to deposit them can be found on Vincente’s blog.

· 17th December: 19.30: Concert of Christmas Carols and songs in Calle Madrid La Marina urbanisation. 19th December: 11.00: Concert of Christmas Carols and songs in the Mercadillo in La Marina urbanisation. · 22nd December: 10.30: Santa will visit the junior school and hand out presents to the children: 17.00: The juvenile municipal band will play their interpretation of Christmas carols & tunes whilst marching through the streets of San Fulgencio. · 24th December: Christmas Eve: Santa Claus will visit us to hand out sweets and gifts to the children. · 26th December: Boxing Day. 19.00: Christmas Concert by the Unión Musical in the Cardenal Belluga theatre in San Fulgencio. · 29th December: 17.00: A movie for children of all ages in the Cardenal Belluga Theatre: Shrek 4. · 31st December: New Year’s Eve:

23.45: We all gather for the midnight tradition of ‘Twelve Chimes’ with customary grapes and cider in Plaza Constitución in San Fulgencio. 3rd January 2011: 18.00: In the Cardenal Belluga Theatre: Children’s Theatre: ‘Julio Verne’. · 5th January 2011: Three Kings will be present with their cohorts Dance Xtreme at the following locations: 18.15: Plaza Sierra Castilla in La Marina urbanisation (next to CAM bank). 19.00: Consum Supermarket car park in La Marina urbanisation. 20.00: Plaza Constitucion in San Fulgencio (in front of the Town Hall). · 9th January 2011: 13.00: Raffle draw and awards presentation in the campaign ‘San Fulgencio in Christmas Season - Quality Produce’. Visit the web site in English for full and updated information on the Christmas Season fiesta: www.lamarina.info

Post Box first past the post AS IN previous years, the Torrevieja Costa Lions Club has numerous preChristmas fund-raising raffles happening in the area. The Lions are raffling 4.5 litre bottles of Scotch whisky in the Forest Bar, Lo Marabu, and Quesada Fish and Chips, all in Quesada. There are still a few tickets left with the opportunity to win a metric gallon of Whisky for just one euro. There was only one Christmas basket raffled this year and thanks to Doug, Eileen and the staff

of the Post Box in Dona Pepa, all the tickets were sold out by the end of last week: well done to all of you. The lucky winner, Ken Brookes of Rapid Re-

pairs, received his basket from Doug on Tuesday morning. The Torrevieja Costa Lions wish everyone a Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year.

Lions donate to the needy

The Mayor and Councillors with members of the Lions Club

TWO MATTRESSES, two shopping trolley/ walkers and two hundred children’s gifts have been donated to the Mazarrón Town Hall by the Bahia Mazarrón Lions this week. The Lions Club presented the gifts to the Mayor of Mazarrón, Francisco Blaya and Town Hall Councillors, Yolanda Vivancos and Jacqueline Gálvez on Monday so that the Town Hall would have plenty of time to distribute the gifts to those groups representing the municipality’s needy families before Christmas. Lions President Andrew Brown told RTN: “The only objective of our organisation is to help people and I have to thank all the mem-

bers for working so hard to get these parcels made up, as well as the people of the area who have donated so generously.” The Mayor, Francisco Blaya, was also very grateful to the club for the donations which will be distributed by the Town Hall’s Department of Social Policy, headed by Councillor Yolanda Vivancos. He said: “This donation symbolises the capacity of generosity and the commitment of the members of the Lions Club here in Mazarrón. It also shows how well our communities and societies integrate with one another and reinforces the bond of the foreign residents, mainly the British, with Mazarrón society.”

There must be an angel

SPREADING FESTIVE cheer, the Benitachell Arts Centre’s Christmas fair raised €310 for the Guardian Angels and helped spread the word about the charity’s support for one parent families. It was a family affair in the heart of the Marina Alta village and the mulled wine, mince pies and music kept the adults entertained while youngsters enjoyed games and Santa’s grotto. Organiser Ann Martin told RTN: “It was very festive and everyone really enjoyed it – there was a lovely atmosphere all through the afternoon. “The whole point was to promote the Guardian Angels charity which aims to help people sometimes isolated in the community – I think we achieved that!” Pictured are angels Tricia Barr (left) and Tamsin German with Father Christmas. Contact the Guardian Angels by ringing Tricia on 634 786 808, email guardianangels@hotmail.com, or visit www.guardian-angels.es

Distraction thefts in bars and restaurants

NHW ADVICE: When attending sporting, social or festive occasions in bars and restaurants where the public also have access, beware of ‘distraction thieves’ looking for easy pickings. Do not leave handbags, purses, wallets or mobile phones unattended and on view and do not be distracted by persons you do not know. This has happened on the Orihuela Costa this week when all these items were stolen at a sporting function. It happened here and could happen where you are - keep ALERT and keep SAFE.

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Need a home this Christmas

A LARGE friendly dog found wandering in Jalon is in desperate need of a home this Christmas. Animal charity Amigo Mio appealed for help for the cream coloured dog it believes has been lost. Currently the dog is being cared for at La Solana Kennels – which gave a special rate for his care - but it is fully booked for Christmas and he must leave today (Friday). And the big-hearted cou-

Found in Jalon ple who found the animal and funded its board and lodgings are returning to the UK next week but could not home him in any case. Pauline Curtis, a member of the charity, told RTN: “We rather think he is lost as he is in such good condition but there is no microchip. In any event, he needs to find his owners or a new loving home – he is about six years of age and a good natured, super looking boy.”

Christmas Lunch And overnight stay in Benidorm

Campoverde Canine Club LAST SUNDAY, 12th December, saw the students of the final courses of 2010 at Campoverde Canine Club receive their certificates and trophies at the Polideportivo sports ground in Campoverde and congratulations go out to all those who passed the final examination. The CCC was formed in July 2000 and since then many owners have benefited from expert tuition and are now proud of the way that they are able to control their best friends. The winner of the basic class and who made enormous strides during the 10 week course, mastering all eleven different exercises attaining 108.4 marks out of 110 was Fernando Olmedo and his young dog Yako. The winner of the intermediate group who completed all fourteen exercises, compiling a grand total of 138.1 points was Victoria Coe and her dog Jasper. The Advanced group was won by Vera Ware and Ben; we are all so pleased for

her after all the hard work she put in. The Agility class was won by Marlene Smythe and her flying Poodle Monica. You can learn more about Monica by typing into your search engine “Two Poodles Living in Spain”. The final trophy, ‘The Fred Moeken Memorial Trophy’, named in memory of my good and knowledgeable friend, for the dog which in the opinion of our anonymous judge had made the most progress throughout the courses went to ‘Canela’ expertly handled by Paul Baxter. Congratulations to all those who passed, we are so pleased for you all. If you have any queries or wish to join our merry band and achieve that which you thought to be impossible please don´t hesitate to ring me, Roy on 966 762 265. New courses start on Saturday 8th January 2011. Pictured are Victoria Coe and Jasper, winner of Intermediate Course.

Women Of Fire: a new women’s networking group

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The founders

‘WOMEN OF Fire Supporting Women Who Work In Business’ is the name of an exciting new Women’s Business Group on the Costa Blanca. Co-founders Vicki Riley, Christine Quinlan and Carolyn Shedden have between them over 25 years’ experience running businesses and working here in Spain. They told us: “Running a business or being in employment in Spain

is very different to the UK, with unique challenges. We wanted to offer something to women, many of whom are sole traders, to help find the answers to particular questions, expand their customer base, and exchange inspiration and ideas whilst at the same time enjoying a social occasion. Women of Fire meetings on the last Friday of every month will be launched 28th January at Crystals Restaurant in La Fuente Commercial Centre, featuring speaker Karen Dowsing from New 2 You New and Used Furniture Shops. For more information or to book a place, ladies should visit www.womenoffire.org or email info@womenoffire.org. You do not need to be a member to attend; come along to enjoy good food and company and meet new friends. The ladies have 20 bookings for their first lunch and are nervously but excitedly hoping for a total of 40 plus for their all-important debut lunch. Anyone wishing to join us will be made very welcome.

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All the best parties end up in the kitchens at New Creative Design!

You’ll alwyas find us in the kitchens at a party!

LAST WEEK a sumptuous spread was laid on by Mike Parkes and all the team at New Creative Design marked the company’s combined 10th Anniversary and Christmas Party. Customers both new and old, staff and friends all enjoyed a fun afternoon and evening, with live music, a raffle, traditional food from Jersey and steaming ‘hot’ (in every sense of the word) curries. Well, they obviously would be ‘hot’ temperature-wise because New Creative Design is Spain’s exclusive agent for Aga and Rangemaster cookers, and the Aga in the showroom was put to extremely good use at the party. Yummy! New Creative Design has earned an excellent reputation for supplying high-quality kitchens that combine style with efficiency.

Friendly staff speak English, Spanish and French and they have a team of fully qualified and experienced fitters who can also take care of your electrics, plumbing, tiling, decorating and building works. New Creative Design also gives a full fiveyear guarantee on all work and materials to ensure your peace of mind. So although you may have missed the party, you are certainly not too late to enjoy New Creative Design’s top-quality English and Spanish kitchens, meaning that you will be able to host wonderful parties too. The showroom is located in Pedreguer, 100 meters from the Shell Petrol Stations and you will be able to see over 20 display kitchens, featuring the latest designs and appliances.

Got a story? 902 118 999

rtnmail@roundtownnews.com

Gaunt

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

the

See Jon live on Sky News with Eamonn Holmes each Wednesday morning at 7.40am and 8.40am with a review of the UK papers and don’t forget you can listen to Jon on BayRadio each Wednesday morning from 11.00am and Friday afternoons at 4.30pm with his current affairs review.

Jon

Email Jon at: jongaunt@roundtownnews.com

Column

Still gorging themselves TURKEYS MIGHT not vote for Christmas but the self-serving pigs of Westminster are still gorging themselves at the public trough. Whitehall watchdogs have refused to approve the House of Commons accounts after discovering £14 MILLION of dodgy MPS expenses. That’s an awful lot of duck houses, Kit Kats, sink plugs and porno movies isn’t it?

This year’s Panto Dame?

Mind you they should just follow the example of the self serving pigs of Brussels who haven’t had their accounts signed off for 13 years and have just awarded themselves a pay rise, allowing themselves to have £97 GRAND a year in expenses without having to produce one single receipt. What’s that line again Dave? “We are all in this together!”

She will go far

LOOKS LIKE I upset reader Jean Barker when I described X Factor failure and Queen of the Chavs, Cher as “that little shrunken headed fool”. Jean wrote to the editor and said “That young lady will probably go far

PANTOMIME SEASON has arrived early in the LaLa Land of British politics and some big names are lining up to be this year’s Panto Dame. Last week, we had that old liberal ham Ken Clarke telling us prison doesn’t work and being softer on criminals than a stale strawberry cream in last year’s Quality Street tin. Unlike his leader Cameron, this fool doesn’t want to just ‘hug a hoodie’ he wants to pamper them and release them to commit even more crime. The only question now is will Cameron develop a backbone and sack this political Widow Twanky! Now former Labour Defence secretary Bob Ains-

Final flight

worth has joined the farce. Now he’s no leading boy but free from the shackles of cabinet responsibility Ainsworth says he is allowed to speak his mind; yes I know - I was surprised he had one too. Anyway this intellectual Colossus who makes Buttons and even the Broker’s men look bright thinks we have lost the war on drugs and his brilliant solution to the problem is to legalise all drugs. I would accuse him of muddled sixth form thinking but I doubt whether he ever went to one and anyway that would be insulting to sixth formers! Drugs policy has failed, not because it is too hard but precisely because it is too soft.

in the world of entertainments… I was brought up to say if you can’t say anything good about anyone then don’t say anything at all.” Fair point Jean but if I lay off the nasty comments wouldn’t it kind of make the column redundant? However, I do agree with you on one point she will go far; well, as far as her caravan can travel and her dole will permit.

Junkies are treated as if they are victims rather than villains. If we do lock them up then it is in prisons that resemble holiday camps or cheap hotels rather than the harsh regime of the Bangkok Hilton. Don’t you just love it when you see those drug smuggling Brits crying for their mummy? Here in the UK of course we get sued by these scum if we dare to force them to go cold turkey so instead we either pump them full of methadone or turn a blind eye to Class A drugs being smuggled into prisons, when what we should be doing is creating thousands more residential drug rehabilita-

tion centres and giving the addicts a clear choice: prison or a residential centre. You cannot treat Class A addicts in their community; it leaves them open to temptation and also whilst they are under lock and key they can’t be nicking your sat nav or selling their prescription to feed their filthy habit. I would have a strict ‘three strikes and you are out’ rule and a mandatory life, and I mean life sentence, for anyone found dealing or smuggling Class A drugs. We have not had a war on drugs - we have had just had a minor skirmish, a custard pie fight, when what we really need is shock and awe.

Poppy Appeal donation

DIANE BUDD, committee member of Torrevieja Branch TRBL, received from Sue Gillett, secretary, and Geoge Henderson, treasurer of the Eurogolf Society and La Marquesa Toffs Society, a cheque for €400, with Poppy box

monies totaling €119.59. The Torrevieja Branch would also like to thank the Lounge Bar for the amount raised at a Charity event of €655 and all the venues that allowed us to place the Poppy boxes within their premises. The

AND FINALLY as I write this column I am watching the last fly past of the Harriers and I am so angry with this ConDem coalition. Why are we scrapping these magnificent machines early? To save money my arse! We are still increasing foreign aid, sending £48 million a day to the EU and another £7 Billion to bail out Ireland. Who voted for this political pantomime? Not me.

A cheque for €400 was given to the TRBL

total amount at this time stands at €8364.80 with money still coming in. Many thanks also to all the volunteers for placing and collecting the boxes and also counting; without their help the appeal would not be possible.

Zebra crossings causing falls

THE WHITE paint on zebra crossings in Calpe is causing residents to slip and fall and several people are seeking compensation for injuries. Many of the accidents are happening in the rain. One citizen has a broken arm, another is claiming €4,000 and another wants €60,000 in compensation for injuries sustained on a crossing. Calpe’s mayor, Joaquim Tur has said that the paint on the crossings has been approved, but he will look for another type of paint which is not slippery when wet.

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1715 - 23 dECEMBER - 21 october2010 2010

Buy - a- Brick for new Alzheimer’s Centre

23 21

the care giver a rest with peace of mind that their loved one has every bit as much sympathetic attention as they would have at home is essential. Preferably this should be with specialised nursing to avoid the patient experiencing confusion, which is a common symptom in dementia sufferers. THANKS

THERE CAN be no doubt that Dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, is becoming more and more of a problem as the population continues to live longer. Alzheimer’s can be diagnosed at any age. However, it is more prevalent after 65 years of age. Without exception, there comes a stage where it is very difficult, if not impossible, for care to be the responsibility of a single individual carer. Patients need 24 hour watch and care, 7 days per week without respite. The type of nursing is intense and personal for both the patient and the care giver. Patients become doubly incontinent, have extreme difficulty in swallowing, thus feeding or drinking, and permanently bed ridden. However, even before this stage, patients can become extremely aggressive and violent. When the care giver is not young themselves, safety become a very high priority for both. Thus a place of safety and care, to give

The Association would like to thank the following people who have already contributed to the Buy a Brick Appeal, which stands at just over €1,000. They are: The Helston School Concert; British Consul, Paul Rodwell; Michael; The Torrevieja Flower Club; The Ladybird Club; The Seekers Club; Doreen Lowe; Angela Dewey; Pat and Cindy; Maureen Elsworthy; Cyril Gerrard; Bob and Judy Ferris; a Ladybird member; Joe and Gordon Beeforth and the Bishton Family. Starting in the New Year, an invitation is offered to host a coffee morning, afternoon tea party or an evening cocktail soirée. Each event will follow an individual format which is the choice of the host or hostess, with each participant donating anything from €1 per person, again at the discretion of the host or hostess. Forms for any of the events are available from the AFA Shop in Torrevieja or by ringing 966 789 020, texting 610 082 593 or by emailing: judyferris@hotmail.com. This way, as many people as possible can feel part of the project and really make a difference to the sufferers of this cruel disease and their families.

“We are mo

re t h an j us t a

voice on the phone”

Vivace’s Concerts

VIVACE CLASSICAL Choir gave three concerts in La Siesta, 3rd to 5th December in San Miguel de Salinas, and Pilar de la Horadada, based on music from the Victorian era, raising more than €650 for La Siesta Church and HELP Mar Menor Murcia. The concerts featured serious and humorous pieces. Tom Pargeter conducted

and Nataliya Khomyak accompanied. Soloists included Douglas Brown, Cedric Senior, Pat Yardley, Tom & Katy Pargeter, John Gardiner, Margaret Hindmarsh and Jennifer Morton, with informative narrations by the conductor, and also in Spanish by Helen Baines. Vivace are now to re-

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Performance in San Miguel de Salinas on 4th December

hearse their Easter selection from Handel’s Messiah scheduled 7th to 10th April 2011, weekly rehearsals starting 19.15 on Thursday 6th January, at the Centro Social close to San Miguel de Salinas Parrochial Church. New singers are welcome to join. For further information please contact Tel. 965 720 919.

Carol Concert: Spanish style THIS SATURDAY evening, 18th December at 20:00, there will be a traditional Spanish style Christmas Carol Concert at the Parroquial Church in Pilar de la Horadada with music provided by the Horadada Musical Union and Coral Horadada. Entrance is free and the event promises to be one not to be missed.

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17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

Snow, snow, quick-quick snow… BRRRRR...LAST week in the garden my underpants became welded to the washing line when the thermometer crashed to an unbelievable -12ºc. Brrrr... Not good news for your average Spainloving sun seeker. Out in the street, cars on non-essential journeys continued to slide on the treacherous surfaces while TV news reporters were sent out in droves to be By shown standing by piles - nay mounWatts tains of salt and grit in council yards from Penzance to Perth. Meanwhile in our street, the school next door battled on heroically to educate the young. It’d opened its doors while many similar establishments around the region had thrown in the towel and closed. As I say, “Brrrrr...” I can’t remember the last time winter came quite this early and I certainly don’t recall snow in November. Well, certainly not this side of the kipper-tie wearing seventies. Boy, it’s been cold. Walking past Betafred’s in Wylde Green I asked the bookie, who’d braved the elements and nipped out for a crafty fag, if he thought the odds were good on a white Christmas. To his eternal credit he actually laughed at this unoriginal quip - one he must’ve surely heard a hundred times already. And it was a real genuine belly-laugh too, I felt quite special (Hmmm, I must place a bet with him sometime). “You know,” he said, taking a long draw on his Lambert and Butler while slowly scanning the snow, “I don’t actually think they’re gonna be that great.” But why is the snow here so soon? Kaye Forster, who presents weather for the BBC South East, told me: “It is all to

Watts In Britain Paul

do with the direction of the wind.” Ah well that’s alright then Kaye. She adds, “The lowering of the jet stream during the autumn months - the fast-flowing ribbon of air high in the atmosphere steers low pressure systems across the UK and brings us south-westerly winds and milder air from the Atlantic.” I’m glad I asked but I can hear a ‘however’ coming Kaye, can’t I? “However,” she says waggling her finger, “during the last two weeks of November, the winds shifted around to an east or north easterly direction bringing in much colder air from Eastern Europe and Scandinavia.” She adds, “It was only a matter of time before the snow arrived to give us the very wintry, but rather early, winter wonderland scene.” SANTA’S LITTLE HELPERS

This early winter wonderland scene has temporarily put paid to my current mission. You see folks, right now I’m on a quest to find a pub in my new West Midlands location that will take on the role of the Brewer’s Arms. But on Saturday the snow had caused a certain scaling down of this search and as a result I arrived at nearby Aldridge Road in Streetly along with ‘the management’ and we happily ‘happened upon’ the Farmer John’s pub. Farmer John’s is a very accommodating establishment and the beer is perfect but it was the next door neighbours that had us both amazed; for nestling beside the pub is a small holding selling Christmas Trees. And battling the snow and cold to deliver this seasonal commodity to the fine folks of Streetly were

Santa’s little helpers

our erstwhile neighbours from La Nucia, Pat and Ron. Pat, with her ever cheerful grin, was doing a fine impersonation of one of Santa’s little helpers. Her mastery of the Christmas-Tree-wrapping-machine was absolute! Meantime, surveying his snow-covered fields Ron said, “It’s not quite the same as last time we met.” Oh no, that’s for sure. The last time we met was in Albir and we were all tucking into a big syrupy pancake at, It’s A Small World. Or as Ron remembered “wasn’t it that restaurant called Little People?” Nearly right Ron... Anyway, as he remarked it is indeed a small world! After a bit of persuading the pair posed for an exclusive and snowy RTN picture. Ron and Pat would like to say a big “Hi” to their La Nucia neighbours and to wish a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all RTN readers. Duly done. “And,” said Ron, “if you happen to be in

the West Midlands and in dire need of a Christmas Tree, come along to Aldridge Road in Steetly and we’ll sort you out!” So, there you are folks and you can pop into the Farmer John’s too. A FIFTY-YEAR OLD FAIRY

Please excuse the following indulgence but from Ron and Pat are looking like Santa’s little elves to a big fairy now. I’m talking about my brother - and he has a landmark birthday this week. Last week Edmundo Ros was a hundred years old and now my little brother Mark has just reached his first ‘half-Edmundo’. Happy fiftieth mate. Mark is co-producer of an Australian children’s TV show called The Fairies, which obviously, makes him a very big fairy indeed. I bet though, that he is not troubled with snow this week. Watts in Brrrrrritain, snow you don’t have to be…

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

Slaves to love by Jack Troughton

Olivia (left) and Grace

K9 Club get all jazzed up RECENTLY AT the Hillside in la Marina, All That Jazz had everyone´s feet tapping to their wonderful music. A great Sausage and Mash supper was served up by Fred, Jane, Colin and Susan. The total amount raised on the night was €320. Thanks also to Drivers Bar in Villa Martin and especially to Emma, who got local busi-

nesses to give her some fab raffle prizes raising €420. The draw took place on Saturday 4th December at Drivers, attended by several members of the K9 Club. January 24th will see the Backbeat 4 entertaining and raising funds for K9 at the Sports Complex on La Marina. Keep an eye on the press for further details.

Sixty hikers climb Montgó mountain

A GROUP of more than 60 people climbed the Montgó mountain in Denia last Saturday in order to celebrate the official ‘Day of the Mountain’. The excursion was organised by the local Agenda 21 and participants could choose from two routes – one easy (Benimaquia), and one more challenging (the Creueta del Montgó). One athletics group from la Xara ran to the summit of Benimaquia.

TALENTED TEENAGERS Olivia Partington and Grace Sanchez get to celebrate their love of theatre in the pantomime ‘Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves’ and both take the key role of a beautiful slave girl. They share the part of Marsaina during the Careline Theatre’s exciting seven performances of this tale adapted by the company from the classic Arabian nights. And the dynamic duo also brings an international flavour to their part – Olivia is a 15-year-old English actress and Grace, 17, is Spanish. In the panto, Marsaina is in love with

Haroun – son of Ali Baba – and she is not only a beauty but also brave and wise. She sneaks food away from her master’s table to feed Ali and his son when the hero is still a starving wood cutter. When the Babas have a reverse in fortune and top the Cairo social ladder, she saves the entire household from a sticky end at the hands of the baddies. Both Olivia, a student of the Laude Lady Elizabeth School, and Grace, who is in her final year of High School in Ondara, will be in every performance of the show but take turns in playing the slave girl. Olivia gained her stage experience with different theatrical groups across the Marina Alta – including

Careline Kids, Stage Door, Theatre Express and Footlights. Grace crossed the world to gain valued experience in the United States. During a year as an exchange student in Florida she trod the boards in shows including Double Date, the Glass Menagerie, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves runs at Alcalali Theatre from 12th to 16th January. Curtain up for the five evening performances is at 20.00 – and for the Saturday and Sunday matinees at 15.00. Tickets are €12 for adults and €10 for children and are on sale at Kelly’s of La Xara or from the Box Office by calling 652 294 750. There is a 10% discount available for parties of 10 or more adults.

HAH needs your help to help us help others SINCE ITS September launch HAH has helped people with a variety of problems and is now actively involved with 27 clients. Just a couple of hours a week of your time could make a difference to someone struggling to cope with mobility or recovering after an operation: HAH needs caring people prepared to help us visit people in their own homes. Care plans are put in place by our qualified Nurse Practitioner, matching teams of volunteers’ abilities to clients’ needs. We hoped to raise €5,000 by Christmas and have succeeded thanks to the help we have been given - thank you so much to everyone who helped us in so many ways: where would we be without you? Our super fundraisers have been working hard: • ‘Pamper Night’ at Gala Hair and Beauty in Los Narejos raised over €200 • Sucina Civic centre was the venue for Showaddywaddy Legend, and what a great act. HAH Help at Home and

PADS shared an amazing €1,100. • At our December volunteers’ Christmas lunch there was not a raffle ticket in sight! • Swishing at Lui’s Lounge at La Encina, St Javier, raised €178. Tony and Sharon did us proud with snacks and drinks from just €1. • This along with our ‘lucky numbers’ and shrapnel sacks bought the total to just over €1,000 in 10 days; our thanks go to everyone who helped. If you or someone you know is struggling to cope, call HAH helpline on 633 673 034. To become one of our valued volunteers, call Jackie on 968 575 231, Lesley on 968 134 978 (679 644 172) or email helpathomespain@gmail.com. Also visit www.helpathome.es Unfortunately during the Christmas period we may only be able to help existing clients due to the family commitments of our volunteers, but we will always try to help if we can.

money

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

William Russell delivers on claims service Health claims survey reveals 96 per cent customer satisfaction INTERNATIONAL EXPATRIATE insurance specialist William Russell has announced the half yearly results of its customer health claims survey 2010, revealing that 96 per cent of members report that they were highly satisfied/ satisfied with the service they received from the team when making a claim, and 96% of members stated they were highly satisfied/satisfied with the length of time taken to settle their claim. The claims survey is sent to members of William Russell’s international health plans who make a claim on their policy, and the statistics were calculated from all returned surveys within the period January to June 2010 inclusive. The service oriented insurance provider works constantly to improve its service to clients. Claire Parrott, International Claims Manager at William Russell says: “The real test of an insurance company is when you need to make a claim. Our claims team members are highly trained and extremely customer focused. We want to offer our clients a very personal service, rather than a call centre approach. “Our claims assessors will normally deal personally with their

client throughout the duration of their claim and we receive many excellent testimonials for the dedication and care shown by our team members. “We really care about what we do and about making the claiming process as stress free as possible. I’m extremely pleased with the high levels of satisfaction that our six monthly survey has revealed. “But there’s no room for complacency and we will continue to work hard to ensure that our service is of the highest possible standard, consistently into the future.” As well as providing a highly personalised approach to customer service, William Russell provides direct settlement of in-patient claims, so policy-holders will not have to pay a large hospital bill themselves. They operate direct billing arrangements for out-patient claims in many medical facilities in Asia Pacific and the Middle East but their members are free to have their treatment outside these facilities. When policy holders do settle their own out-patient bills, William Russell’s fast settlement time means that the claim is often settled before the item appears

Smoking ban will go ahead despite protests SMOKING IS to be banned in all closed public spaces from 2nd January despite a protest from the opposition PP party and the Catalan CiU party, who wanted to delay the new law until July 2011. The two groups also wanted to amend the law to permit special smoking rooms to be built in bars, but this idea was overturned in the senate last week. The

hostelry sector has estimated that 150,000 jobs will be lost when the ban comes into effect, as they consider that the new law will mean fewer customers in bars and restaurants. The opposing argument however, is that smoke-free zones may encourage more customers who previously avoided smoky bars and restaurants.

on the client’s credit card statement. For convenience and security, William Russell settles most out-patient claims by bank transfer direct to the member’s bank account. The company states that a growing number of clients now prefer to receive settlement of their claim on to their credit card. William Russell, William Russell House, The Square, Lightwater, Surrey, GU 18 5SS Tel: 0044 1276 486 455 Fax: 0044 1276 486466 Email: enquiries@william-russell.com Web: www.william-russell.com

Air controllers to lose jobs over strike SOME AIR traffic controllers will be sacked or have their licenses withdrawn as a consequence of the strike earlier this month, according to the Minister for Development, José Blanco. He was speaking on Cadena Ser radio last Monday. The air traffic control strike resulted in the closure of Spanish air space and Blanco claimed that the controllers who had refused to work were unaware of how negatively their actions had affected the country.

legal

Divorce by consent: General issues and agreement (convenio regulador) by

Marc White & Carlos Baos English & Spanish Solicitors

AT OUR firm we always try to make our readers and clients aware of the advantages and convenience of being able to reach an agreement in the cases of marriage crisis or when marriages comes to a breach. We firmly believe that an agreement is the best option for the spouses as well as the children: it is also faster and cost effective. While we can understand that in some cases it is impossible to reach an agreement, it is always worth trying. In the case of reaching an agreement, the spouses can and must sign a Settlement Agreement (Convenio Regulador) which constitutes a document-contract by which the parties agree by mutual consent

the economic regime and the relations between parents and children that will rule after signing it or after the separation or divorce Order. As in any contract in principle, the freedom of the parties to agree what they believe is convenient and suitable in the way and manner they wish, should govern the agreement. But in reality this is not exactly true, as in family law, especially when there are under aged children, the courts and prosecutors should protect the minor’s interests, therefore the freedom of the spouses shall be limited to respect the interests of the minors, legal formalities, etc. The Settlement Agreement (Convenio Regulador) accompanying the application for divorce or separation by mutual agreement (or of one of the parties with the other’s consent) must have a minimum content that should normally be: (**the following is provided only for general information purposes since each case is different)

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

• The Marriage Regime and the applicable Law • Deciding which of the two parties will keep the use and enjoyment of the habitual residence. Please note that property ownership right is not being discussed at all this point, it is just to decide who will use the property that was registered as the family’s last place of residence. • Deciding which of the two spouses should get the guardianship and custody of the under aged children. • To agree on the visitation schedule and visit regime for the parent who does not have custody of the children; that is, when and how will he /she be able to visit the under aged children. • To agree on the amounts that spouses will have to contribute toward the maintenance of the expenses of the family; mortgages, etc. • To agree on the amounts to be paid for the maintenance of minor children and also for children that, though of legal age are still dependent on parents (Children Maintenance). • To agree, when appropriate, the amount to be met by one spouse for the other to offset the economic imbalance resulting from the separation and / or divorce (Maintenance to Spouse). • It can be included in this agreement, but it is not a must: the split of the assets

of the marriage or liquidation of the marriage community. In the event that this type of agreement is reached and signed it is very important to understand the short and long-term consequences and the different natures of the agreed obligations and maintenance or alimony. Do not forget that the agreed measures, such as maintenance, contribution to the expenses of the family etc. are not unchangeable and may require modification if the circumstances that now justify these measures should change in the future. Therefore it is very important to try to reach an agreement over the above mentioned points with your partner, husband and /or wife in case of a family crisis and to seek the advice of an independent Lawyer (solicitor / abogado) so that the agreement is drafted in the most convenient way to protect your interests and the interests of your children. Should this be your case, or the case of someone you know, we will be more than pleased to assist you. *The information provided on this article is not intended to be legal advice, but merely conveys general information related to legal issues.

Marc White LL.B. & Carlos Baos (English & Spanish Solicitors) © White & Baos Abogados 2010 - All rights reserved. C/Diana 19, 2º-D, 03700 Dénia (located close to the Glorieta Square at the end of Marques de Campo). Tel: 966 426 185. Send your questions to spanishlawyer@roundtownnews.com or info@white-baos.com

Consumer Price Index up CONSUMER PRICES rose 0.5 percent in November, with the annual rates standing at 2.3 percent – the highest in two years. Information released by the National Statistics Institute last week shows that components that most influenced the price increase were clothing and footwear, with a monthly increase of 4.8 percent.

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

Death and taxes: Avoiding both in 2011 by

Michael Olmer

Solicitor, Link Point Legal and Business Services

ALL OF us here at Link Point Legal and Business Services would like wish you all a very happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous 2011 and I make no apology this week in repeating my advice to all expats in Spain to have a professionally prepared Will for their assets in Spain. I have written before about the expense, heartache, and delays that can be caused by failure to have a Spanish Will. Everyone who does not have a Will and owns a flat or house, or runs a business, or has a bank account should finish reading this article and then immediately make an appointment to get a valid Spanish Will drawn up, or make it their New Year’s Resolution for 2011. Many foreign residents here in Spain have Wills made many years ago in their home countries but have never made a Spanish Will. It is possible to get Probate in Spain of a foreign Will but the process is long, complex, and expensive. First you must get Probate in your home country, then the grant of Probate and Will must be ‘legalized’ by the Foreign Ministry of your home

country, then all the documents must be translated into Spanish by a Court Appointed translator in Spain. If there is only a foreign Will or no Will at all, a ‘Certificado de Ley’ - Certificate of Foreign Succession Lawmay also be necessary before Probate can be granted in Spain. In addition, an application for Probate of a foreign Will must be made in Madrid to the central authorities rather than the provincial authorities. This means engaging a gestoria in Madrid to present all the paperwork. All this additional work and the cost of translations, gestorias, can add many hundreds of Euros to the cost of obtaining Probate which far exceeds the cost of making a Spanish Will. In many countries the executors or family of the deceased have one year from the date of death in which to pay the Inheritance Taxes and obtain Probate, but in Spain if Probate is not obtained within six months of the date of death then the Spanish tax office starts to apply penalties to the Inheritance Tax due on the assets here in Spain. These penalties for delay are:

It is vital that you have a Spanish will to ensure your family are looked after

i. Payment between 6 months and 9 months from the date of death - 5% of the tax due ii. Payment between 9 months and 12 months from the date of death - 10% of the tax due iii. Payment between 12 months and 18 months from the date of death -15% of the tax due iv. Payment after 18 months from the date of death - 20% of the tax due plus daily interest at the official rate prevailing from time to time If you die without a Will you are said to die ‘intestate’ and your Spanish estate will pass according to the rules of your Nationality. These rules may

dictate that your estate will pass to members of your family who you do not want to inherit your property, or in quantities that may mean that a family home has to be sold, leaving a surviving spouse or partner without a roof over their head. If you are living with but not married to a partner of the opposite or the same sex, it is vital that you have a Will as Spanish Law does not grant them any rights at all. Now that you have finished reading this article, if you do not already have a Spanish Will, pick up the ‘phone and make that appointment to go and make your Spanish Will, and once again, a very happy Christmas from us all.

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

Privatisation for air traffic towers THE GOVERNMENT has announced that 13 air traffic control towers will be privatised, starting in 2011. Alicante, Valencia, Palma (Mallorca), Ibiza, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Seville, Jerez, Cuatro Vientos, Sabadell, A

Coruña, Vigo and Melilla are the first on the list. The Minister for Development, José Blanco, made the announcement last Tuesday. He explained that the privatisation will break the monopoly that the Spanish airport authority, AENA, currently holds. Reports say that new air traffic control staff are already in training.

Christmas spending Spanish families will spend an average 800-900€ this Christmas, according to the UCE Spanish Consumers’ Union. Their forecast is 8% lower than last year, with less money going on the lottery and nights out over the festive season.

money

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

Christmas pensions cheer by

Stephen Ward & Robert Burns WELL IT’S that time of year again. We all overindulge and in a few weeks time will be paying the price as the credit card statements arrive! For those who need cash for this or some other reason, we are able to help. Most expats have a UK pension fund and unless you have already used this to provide a secure income in the form of an annuity it can prove to be an invaluable source of immediate funds. Most people we encounter have relatively modest pension funds, and certainly not of a size that are going to make a material impact on their eventual retirement income. In these times of continuing austerity to use the pension fund asset as a means of obtaining cash now can be much more important than the future prospect of a tiny pension income later on. WE HAVE A LARGE RANGE OF SOLUTIONS AVAILABLE This means we can be of assistance to most

clients who approach us. For example: • If you left the UK before April 2005 then we can use a QROPS based solution meaning that a lump sum of up to 100% of your pension fund can be available to you straight away. • If, on the other hand, you left the UK later on (or indeed if you are still UK resident), we can (if you are aged 55 or over) engineer a lump sum amounting to up to 62.5% of your pension fund. • If you are not a long term expat but are under age 55, we can still use a scheme known as Pension Reciprocation which will allow you to access a lump sum, which will represent up to 50% of the value of your pension fund. Our armoury of pension fund solutions is formidable. No other advisory firm in Spain is able to offer this complete range of solutions. LONG TERM WEALTH PRESERVATION And there is more. For those who are more concerned with long term wealth preservation rather than immediate cash needs, we can help put in place long term pension fund solutions which are highly tax efficient and which will facilitate the transfer of wealth from one generation

Premier Pension Solutions S.L. can help if you need money

to the next without the burden of UK inheritance tax. MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM PREMIER PENSION SOLUTIONS We would like to take this opportunity of wishing all our readers a merry Christmas and a prosperous 2011. We have assisted well over a thousand new clients this year in

meeting their immediate and future needs, and look forward to repeating this next year. For further information about Pension Reciprocation Plans, QROPS, QNUPS and other pension solutions please e-mail review@qrops.es or see http://www.qrops.es http://www.prempensions.com or http://www.qropsnz.com

THIS ARTICLE IS WRITTEN BY STEPHEN WARD AND ROBERT BURNS, PREMIER PENSION SOLUTIONS S.L., December 2010. Please see our advert on Page 2. At the forefront of the industry with over forty years combined experience with pensions, regulated and authorised, liaising directly with providers and HMRC, Stephen and Robert are two of the leading authorities on QROPS. E: review@qrops.es T: 965 790 918 W: www.qnups.com or www.qrops.es

Pressure for doctors to induce births for money PREGNANT WOMEN are reportedly asking doctors to induce their labour before the end of 2010 in the hope that they can give birth in time to collect the government’s €2,500 baby cheque. The payment, given to parents upon the birth of each child, is due to be scrapped at midnight on 31st December 2010. Spanish newspaper reports indicate that some doctors in Valencia have admitted that mothers-to-be have been asking for early inductions, although most doctors say that they would never carry out an induction unless it was necessary for medical reasons. However, reports say that some private clinics are willing to try and induce early labour providing the mother meets certain medical criteria.

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Property www.spanishhomefinder.com

What works well on the web?

Get your property on the web

By Guest Writer Michael Rushe of House Proud Property management & Letting

Fantastic apartment for holiday rental and also available through the winter months either weekly or monthly. A beautifully furnished one bedroom apartment, comfortably sleeping 4 people with fantastic sea views and a very short walk to Poniente beach. Contact us for availability and prices starting from an amazing 200€/week.

OPI Alfaz S.L. Calle Ferrería 16, Local 2 03580 Alfaz del Pi. (Alicante) UK Tel: 020 30062346 Spain Tel: 966 860 084 Fax: 0034 965 889 014

www.opialfaz.com

THE INTERNET is increasingly the first place people look when organising their holiday, so advertising your holiday home online makes perfect sense; you don’t need to be a computer pro, just to be able to get online and email. You could create your own website for your property which has the advantage of giving you several pages in which to present your property exactly how you want it. There are many do-it-yourself web design sites on the market that are straightforward to use. To give an even more polished and professional impression you could employ a web designer to set your site up but ensure that you can edit the site yourself to minimise costs. When looking for accommodation, holidaymakers’ first port of call is often the Internet via search engines like Google. In order to attract more people to your website you must ensure that it includes plenty of the language that search engines like - these are called ‘keywords’. Keywords are the words and phrases that people commonly type into search engines to find what they’re looking for. Keywords, which should appear throughout your website, can be words that

describe your property, e.g. ‘villa’ or ‘apartment’; words that describe its location, e.g. the name of a town or ‘near the beach’; and words that describe your property’s unique selling points, e.g. ‘private pool’. The trick is to attract as many people to your site as possible and to do this your website has to come up on the first page of the search. This is called ‘search engine optimisation’. Search engine optimisation requires a lot of expertise and resources and you are unlikely to be able to achieve the same ranking in search engines on your own. The best way to get your holiday home seen online is to use an established holiday lettings site. These sites have been specially designed with owners in mind to make the process of setting up an advert as easy as possible and reach a larger audience than any other form of holiday home advertising. When choosing a website, look at the sites that come up on the first page of the search engine. Check how easy it is for you to find a property that is similar to yours and how appealing the advert is. Then check out what the site offers you as an owner i.e. how easy is it to set up the advert and what you get for your money. A professional property management and lettings agent can do this for you, offering the experience and marketing expertise needed to ensure your advert stands out from the crowd.

House Proud Property Management & Lettings Tel 96 578 1731 or 680 274 831 | info@houseproudindenia.com | www.houseproudindenia.com

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

We keep you out of the rain! Special offer: zero IVA!

ing material possibilities: safety glass and laminated safety glass; insulating glass; polycarbonate and up to 82mm sandwich panel. The draining takes place here over an innovative drainage channel through the supporting posts.

PLANNING, MANUFACTURE AND ASSEMBLY – EVERYTHING FROM ONE SINGLE SOURCE

Terrace glazing with slidingturnsystem

WINTER IS here! – You want to renovate or restore your property? Ventasol has the ideal solution, whatever your needs.

INNOVATION AND QUALITY: TRANSPARENCY IN ITS MOST ELEGANT FORM

The innovative products of Ventasol provide flexible solutions. Various areas of use are: terrace and balcony glazings (slidingturn-systems); fixed and mobile roofs made of aluminium, polycarbonate or vitreous; carports; winter gardens; awnings and infrared heating systems. The frameless glazing system does not need any vertical frames so you can enjoy a wonderful and unobstructed view, even when closed. Ventasol frameless glazing sliding-turn-systems enhance

Spotlight: Property

any building: the individual glass panels can be opened over the entire front and parked as a narrow stack. When the glass panels are open, they require only minimum space. The aluminium systems SF30 and SF35 are characterized by narrow width profiles. These vertical frames are a stylish eyecatcher. The systems can be installed quickly and without extensive changes to the building structure, provide energy efficiency, excellent security, protection against noise, dirt and effects of the weather and enhance your quality of life. Due to the insulated glass, this all-rounder system SF35 can change your balcony during the cold weather into a comfortable living space. New in this product portfolio: self developed, cleverly thought out aluminium roof system VTF100. Ventasol offers the follow-

Experienced teams of trained specialists, engineers, registered technicians and master craftsmen will find optimal solutions for your requirements – and all in a very short time. Ventasol would be pleased to welcome you in their showrooms in Ondara: see for yourself the premium quality of our products. We now also supply infrared heating panel systems (infraNOMIC): maximum comfort and well being with energy efficiency, manufactured in Germany to the highest standards. Opening hours are from 09.30 until 15.00 and 16.00 until 19.00, Mondays to Fridays and on Saturday from 09.30 until 13.00. To contact Ventasol: Avda. Alicante, 78, 03760 Ondara (alc) Tel. 965 767 399 Fax. 966 477 017 www.Ventasol.de - info@Ventasol.es

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

Luxury Villa available for holiday lettings This amazing property is located close to the lovely Spanish town of Altea la Vella, not far from the beaches of Altea, Calpe, Albir and Benidorm. The villa will sleep 14 people comfortably and offers a high standard of accommodation which is available all through the year. For winter visitors we can offer a heated private pool and for keep fit enthusiasts, a fully equipped gymnasium can also be found. Available for: • Lets over 1 Month • Short Breaks 4 Days or fewer Number of Bedrooms: 7 Number of Bathrooms: 3 OPI Alfaz S.L. Calle Ferrería 16, Local 2 03580 Alfaz del Pi. (Alicante) UK Tel: 020 30062346 Spain Tel: 966 860 084 Fax: 0034 965 889 014 www.opialfaz.com

Properties of the week brought to you by spanishhomefinder.com Search- view -enquire

3 bed penthouse with stunning mountain views

Beautiful 3 bedroom penthouse with stunning mountain views near Orihuela. Large roof terrace, communal pool, garage, store room. There are 2 bathroom/showers, the master bedroom being en-suite. It is a penthouse apartment with a lovely very large roof garden with stunning views overlooking the mountains.

95,000 euros

4 bedroom 2 bathroom villa with pool

Quiet village location, 20 mins to Tavernes & Gandia beaches, this villa was built 2003, it has 4 bedrooms, all with fitted wardrobes, two large bathrooms, 1 with shower, the other with shower over jacuzzi bath,open plan kitchen, dinning, lounge with wood burner, double glazed, gas central heating, air & heat conditioning.

275,000 euros

Jalon Valley Dreams

3 bedroom, 3 bathroom south facing villa with private pool and views in the Jalon Valley.

285,000 euros

Brought to you by spanishhomefinder.com

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

Anti Ageing and Human Growth Hormone: Did you know that the human growth hormone is the single biggest factor in ageing?

Karen Gardner

Clinica Dental La Plaza.

YOUR ENERGY, your looks and countless other age markers are controlled by the Human Growth Hormone (HGH) which peaks when you are about 18 years old and then starts to decline…. and decline ….and decline. By the time you are 40, you are producing less than half of your capacity to produce the hormone and by the time you are 60 your HGH production is at less than 20 % of your physical capability. Until recently it was believed that the only way to boost your HGH levels was through painful injections; very expensive at over £1,000 per month. Yes, really only for superstars, celebrities and the very wealthy! However, scientists have made a variation of natural HGH that encourages your body to release more of its own stores of HGH. You see, HGH never goes away; it is just that the production slows down as you age – it’s a downward spiral. Within a few months of taking a natural HGH releaser, people over the age of 40 can achieve improvements in: •Muscle strength…up to 88% •Body Fat loss… up to 72% •Exercise tolerance… up to 81% •Skin texture… up to 71% •Skin thickness… up to 68% •Skin elasticity … up to 71% •Wrinkle disappearance… up to 51% •New Hair Growth…. up to 38%

HGH is probably the most important discovery in the history of longevity medicine, in fact according to Richard Marsh M.D., “Studies indicate that HGH deficiency is relevant to health and responsible for early onset of degenerative disease or even premature death.” HGH is released at night by the pituitary gland in the brain and works much of its anti-aging magic at night. It stimulates the growth and maintenance of bone tissue and muscle mass and helps the body to repair itself, replacing old cells with fresh ones by using amino acids (the components of proteins) to synthesise new molecules and tissues. It also helps to eliminate body fat – which explains why we tend to get fatter as we get older. Ageing is really a disease caused by waning hormone levels (not just growth hormone). All hormones are important, and hormone balance is the key, however HGH is the master hormone and it can prevent and slow down biological ageing, also reversing a broad range of signs and symptoms associated with the ageing process. Cutting edge medicine is really all about replacing hormones that are lacking with natural, not synthetic, hormones. This combined with super healthy diet of live foods, avoiding processed food, artificial flavours or sweeteners, and adequate exercise (that goes without saying) can help

All hormones are important, and hormone balance is the key

to prevent all the diseases of ageing before you actually suffer from them - cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, dementia, etc. Interested to know more? Suzanne Somers’ best-selling books on anti-ageing are a must read on the subject and can be ordered via your book store or online of course. ‘Breakthrough’, ‘Ageless’ and ‘The Sexy Years’: all are excellent and informative books on this fascinating subject, see

www.suzannesomers.com. Dr Karen Gardner would like to invite you for a free check-up, where you can receive advice on all aspects of antiageing dentistry as well. That means how to make your teeth and mouth healthier, look younger, and restore that vibrant confident smile (if necessary). In addition, advice on facial-rejuvenation, botox and fillers is available to hold back the years.

Article supplied by Dr Karen Gardner, of Clinica Dental La Plaza, Edificio La Plaza, next to Club de Tenis – Javea: Tel 966 461 120 for a free consultation, check-up and advice.

Consultus Care and Nursing Limited Wanted urgently

10% OFF

for the UK’s leading live-in care agency - caring, compassionate and personable individuals to live with and care for our private clients in the U.K. for two to four weeks between now and February 2011. Working through Consultus you can expect:

· £420-£600 p.w. + travel (in the U.K.)

(double the daily rate for 6 of the days over Christmas/New Year) · Meals and accommodation while on assignment. · To work when and where in the U.K. you wish CONSULTUS CARE AND NURSING LTD is a progressive, friendly company established in 1962 and is the market leader in the U.K. for providing quality, private live-in care for the elderly and infirm. Please call our local consultant here in Spain, Sandra Field, on 658 965 204 or email:

s.field@consultuscare.com

www.consultuscare.com

Leaders in live-in home care

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

BBS Denia: Help where you need it most: in your own home HOMECARE IN a patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own home allows both the patient and their loved ones looking after them to retain a sense of independence and freedom. In short: better quality of life. BBS Denia provides a quality home help service for all people with advanced age or physical disabilities. Their wide range of help includes providing meals, daily company, and administering medication. When considering care services in your own home, it is essential that services are always performed by qualified personnel with appropriate training and certification, such as help with personal hygiene; help with dressing; help with household cleaning; mobility; control of medication and treatments and ultimately

Two die from flu TWO PEOPLE have died so far this year from flu. The first had other health problems, but the second, a man of 42, who sought treatment on 29th November, had no adverse health conditions. Complications during his treatment resulted in his death on 1st December. Nei-

specialised care, according to the needs of each person. People physically impaired due to injury or advanced age often have trouble getting around their homes safely on their own. There are now many products available to overcome the challenges that daily life in the home can present. BBS Denia has vast experience supplying a wide variety of specialist equipment. WHAT PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE? The list is surprising large, starting from the smallest details, such as easy to read and use phones and mobiles and specialist aids to avoid bending over to pick up objects, right through to redesigning bathrooms and living areas to facilitate ease of movement and installing lifts and extra handles where necessary. There are also specialist beds, similar to hospital designs that allow people to easily raise themselves, sit up comfortably, eat etc.

Marta from BBS Denia

To give a recent example, one client recently asked for help as their partner had reduced mobility after an operation, resulting in great stress for all. BBS Denia provided home care for 1.5 hours per day, Monday to Saturday, helping with personal hygiene, mobility, and administration of medication. We installed several technical aids such as a swivel chair for the bath and an adjustable bed, and simple aids such as tweezers to pick up objects safely without injuring the back. For other clients we have provided toilet

lifts, swivel seats to gain entry to the bath in a safe and effortless manner; articulated electric beds; bath benches; bathroom bar handles; mobile cranes; wheelchairs; even mobile and fixed phones adapted to any disability. BBS Denia welcomes your call: we speak English and Spanish - just let us know how we may help you! Please see the advert on this page. For more information visit Paseo Saladar no 108, Denia, Tel/Fax 966 424 210 Email denia@grupobbs.com

ther was vaccinated against flu and the start of the treatment was more than 48 hours after the onset of symptoms. Health reports say that since the beginning of the 2010-2011 season five serious cases of flu have been reported and each patient was hospitalised. One patient was in the 15-44 age range and the other four were all between 45 and 64-years-old.

Flu Jabs nowâ&#x201A;Ź15 available

tv Friday 17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Rip Off Britain 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Real Rescues 12:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Escape to the Country 16:00 BBC News 16:05 Horrible Histories 16:30 What’s New Scooby-Doo? 16:50 Shaun the Sheep 17:00 Sorry, I’ve Got No Head 17:30 MI High 18:00 Newsround 18:15 Weakest Link 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 A Question of Sport 21:00 EastEnders 21:30 QI 22:00 Have I Got News for You 22:30 Live at the Apollo 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News 23:35 Graham Norton Show

08:00 Childrens TV 10:40 Toddworld 10:50 Pingu 11:00 Waybuloo 11:20 Clifford’s Puppy Days 11:30 Pablo the Little Red Fox 11:35 3rd & Bird 11:50 Wibbly Pig 12:00 In the Night Garden 12:30 Animal Park 13:00 Daily Politics 13:30 GMT with George Alagiah 14:00 Due South 14:45 Car Booty 15:15 Ready Steady Cook 16:00 Murder, She Wrote 16:45 Flog It! Ten of the Best 17:30 Pointless 18:15 Hairy Bikers’ Cook Off 19:00 Celebrity Eggheads 19:30 Strictly Come Dancing - It Takes Two 20:30 Mastermind 21:00 Natural World 22:00 John Sergeant on Tracks of Empire 23:00 Buzzcocks: The Doctor Who Special 23:30 Newsnight 24:00 The Review Show

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 House Gift 16:00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 Midsomer Murders 18:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Countrywise Kitchen 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 A Night of Heroes: The Military Awards 2010 23:30 ITV News 24:00 Granada News 24:05 Mad Max beyond Thunderdome

07:50 Yo Gabba Gabba 08:15 Freshly Squeezed 08:45 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:10 According to Jim 09:35 Frasier 10:05 One Tree Hill 11:00 Friends 11:30 Friends 12:00 Glee 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 River Cottage Bites 13:20 Iron Chef UK 14:20 Ivanhoe 16:25 Countdown 17:10 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Come Dine with Me 18:30 Four in a Bed 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:25 4thought.tv 20:30 Teen Undertaker 21:00 The Million Pound Drop Live 22:00 The Event 23:00 Peep Show 23:30 Robert’s Web 24:05 Frankie Boyle’s Tramadol Nights

Coro Pilar’s traditional Christmas Concert LAST SUNDAY evening the Coro Pilar choir performed a traditional Christmas carol concert to a packed Parroquial Church in the centre of the town. The choir is made up of singers from all over Europe, including the UK, Germany, Coro Pilar France, Ukraine, Norway and performed of course, Spain and the at the concert featured traditional Parroquial Church in Christmas songs from all those countries. Pilar

08:00 Childrens TV 09:40 Hana’s Helpline 09:50 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:05 Castle Farm 10:15 The Wright Stuff 11:45 Trisha Goddard 12:45 Five News 12:50 CSI: NY 13:45 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 Home and Away 15:50 Your Sport 15:55 Meals in Moments 16:10 I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus 18:00 Five News 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:25 Live from Studio Five 20:00 Five News at 7 20:30 Zoo Days 21:00 Emergency Bikers 22:00 The Mentalist 23:00 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit 23:55 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit 24:55 Cops in Crisis

06:10 Are You Smarter Than a 10 Year Old? 07:00 Fat Families 08:00 Brainiac: Science Abuse 09:00 Oops TV 10:00 It’s Me or the Dog USA 11:00 Bones 12:00 The Filth Files 12:30 Adoption Diaries 13:00 Fat Families 14:00 Road Wars 15:00 Stargate Atlantis 16:00 Stargate Atlantis 17:00 Bones 18:00 WWE Superstars 19:00 Oops TV 19:30 The Simpsons 20:00 The Simpsons 20:30 The Simpsons 21:00 Best of Oops TV 22:00 Ross Kemp on Gangs 23:00 House 24:00 Fat Families

08:30 Swimming 10:15 World Swimming Championships: Pool Talk 10:30 Luge 11:00 Biathlon 12:00 Live UEFA Champions League Draw 13:00 Live UEFA Europa League Draw 13:30 Ski Jumping 14:00 Live Ski Jumping 15:00 Alpine Skiing 16:00 Live Swimming 18:45 Eurogoals Flash 18:55 Ski Jumping 20:00 Live Boxing 22:30 Ski Jumping 23:30 Live Luge 24:30 Freeride Spirit Show 24:45 Live Luge

08:00 The Jerry Springer Show 08:25 The Jerry Springer Show 08:50 Celebs 24/7 09:00 Maury 09:55 Celebs 24/7 10:00 Maury 10:55 Celebs 24/7 11:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 12:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 13:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 14:00 CSI: Miami 15:00 Criminal Minds 16:00 Criminal Minds 17:00 Charmed 18:00 Charmed 19:00 Cougar Town 19:30 Cougar Town 20:00 CSI: Miami 21:00 Criminal Minds 22:00 Medium 23:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 24:00 Criminal Minds

Boyle needs lancing The TV Round Up by

Alex Trelinski

Broadcaster and freelance journalist

WELL DONE to Matt Cardle as he was crowned the X Factor winner last Sunday night on ITV 1 after two terrific final programmes over the weekend. For my money, there was nothing to choose between him and the lovely Rebecca Ferguson when it came to the crunch, and if you throw in the very good boyband, One Direction into the mix, then Simon Cowell will be laughing all the way to the bank as he has or will have them all signed up to his record label. But perhaps the greatest cheers will come here as the bar and restaurant owners can look forward to welcoming back their lost weekend customers. One of my guilty viewing pleasures from last year is

back. I’m talking about the dating show ‘Take Me Out’ on ITV1 which makes Cilla’s old ‘Blind Date’ look like a foundation course for the Open University. It’s crass and cheesy with a massive dollop of rehearsed ad-libs from the contenders, but there’s something that’s fun about it as the guys parade themselves in front of the desperate date-seeking girls, who come up with bizarre reasons for rejecting a quick liaison. Paddy McGuinness, who hasn’t done that much after his work with Peter Kay some years ago, and a more recent lucrative advertising contract with a bakery chain, is absolutely on the money in the host’s role. In fact I would go as far as saying that he’s the reason that it works so well. It’s hardly going to win a BAFTA, but it raises a smile and it’s a million times better than duds earlier in the year like the excruciating ‘Magic Numbers’. I’ve been a big fan of the comedian Frankie Boyle, after his great acerbic turns on the ‘Mock The Week’ panel. He left the show over a year ago to work on his own debut series for Channel 4 called

‘Tramadol Nights’: it’s awful. The mixture of sketches and stand-up is disjointed with virtually no point to any of it. Boyle’s stand-up is funny, but most of the gags were on his last DVD and British tour. The sketches are devoid of humour and at times are sick and offensive with disabled and gay people as frequent targets, for reasons best known to himself. I would go as far to say that this has the potential to be a career-killing series for Boyle who is just trying to be outrageous for the sake of it, rather than for the sake of humour, which he is very good at. What a waste of a talent and he can only blame himself, as he wrote all the material. Even stranger perhaps is that the production team did not even have the chutzpah to tell him what a pile of poo he had come up with. Meanwhile, Boyle’s former colleague on ‘MTW‘, Russell Howard, has shown how to do it properly, as he’s hit the jackpot with his ‘Good News’ series on BBC 3, and with a second run finishing, he’s already been booked for two more series!

Carol Service at the ‘Church on the Way’ THE CHURCH on the Way invites you to join in its Carol Service on Friday 24th December at 18.00 in The Hotel La Laguna Dona Pepa Quesada Rojales. Contact Pastor Rod McCoy 966 712 584: Mob 666 001 543 or visit www.churchontheway.es for further details.

tv Saturday 06:00 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 11:00 Saturday Kitchen Live 12:30 Nigella Kitchen 13:00 BBC News 13:15 Football Focus 14:00 Sports Personality of the Year: The Contenders 14:40 Olympia International Horse Show 15:45 The Game Plan 17:30 Final Score 18:10 BBC News; Regional News 18:30 Total Wipeout - Celebrity Special 19:30 The Impressions Show with Culshaw and Stephenson 20:00 Strictly Come Dancing 21:00 National Lottery Saturday Night Draws 21:15 Casualty 22:05 Strictly Come Dancing 23:05 BBC News 23:25 Match of the Day 24:45 The Football League Show

08:00 The Jungle Book 08:15 Deadly 60 08:40 Bear Behaving Badly 09:05 Eliot Kid 09:20 Shaun the Sheep 09:25 Shaun the Sheep 09:30 ChuckleVision 10:00 Hotel Trubble 10:30 Scoop 10:55 Diddy Dick & Dom 11:00 Tracy Beaker Returns 11:45 OOglies 12:00 Roy 12:30 Big Performance 13:00 The Cut 13:35 Rules of Love 14:50 The 5:19 Show 15:20 Bargain Hunt 15:45 Escape to the Country 16:30 At Home with the Georgians 17:30 One Man and His Dog 18:30 Guns of Navarone 21:00 Dad’s Army 21:40 Blackadder II 22:15 Have I Got a Bit More News for You 23:00 QI XL 23:45 Believe: The Eddie Izzard Story

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

06:30 ITV Morning News 07:00 The Fluffy Club 08:25 Toonattik 10:25 Monk 10:30 The X Factor 12:30 This Morning: Saturday 13:25 ITV News 13:30 You’ve Been Framed! 14:00 Coronation Street: 50 Years, 50 Moments 15:00 A Cinderella Story 16:45 Mr Magorium’s Wonder Emporium 18:35 Granada News and Weather 18:45 ITV News and Weather 19:00 Family Film of the Decade 20:00 The Cube: Celebrity Special 21:00 Take Me Out 22:15 Bridget Jones’s Diary 24:05 ITV News and Weather 24:20 Sting: Live in Berlin

08:00 World Sport 08:25 Sailing 08:55 The Morning Line 09:55 One Tree Hill 10:50 Ugly Betty 11:50 Koko Pop 12:20 Burlesque: T4 Movie Special 12:55 Friends 13:20 Hollyoaks Music Show Christmas Special 14:25 Channel 4 Racing 16:25 Come Dine with Me 16:55 Come Dine with Me 17:30 Dr Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who! 19:05 Come Dine with Me 19:35 Come Dine with Me 20:05 Come Dine with Me 20:35 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Kirstie and Phil’s Perfect Christmas 22:00 Kirstie and Phil’s Perfect Christmas 23:05 The Million Pound Drop Live 24:25 Scary Movie 2

08:00 Childrens TV 08:50 Mist: Sheepdog Tales 09:05 Little Princess 09:15 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 09:25 Milkshake! Christmas Songs 09:35 Play! 09:45 Castle Farm 09:55 Olivia 10:10 The Mr Men Show 10:30 George Shrinks 11:00 K9 11:35 UEFA Europa League Highlights 12:35 Your Sport 12:45 The Gadget Show 13:45 Extreme Fishing with Robson Green 14:45 Naughty or Nice 16:35 Crazy for Christmas 18:30 Call Me Claus 20:20 Five News 20:25 The Mentalist 21:10 NCIS 22:05 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 23:05 CSI: NY 24:05 CSI: NY

06:30 ITV Morning News 07:00 The Fluffy Club 08:25 Toonattik 10:25 Coronation Street 12:45 This Morning: Sunday 13:45 ITV News and Weather 14:00 Coronation Street: 50 Years, 50 Moments 15:00 National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 16:50 The Mummy 19:00 Granada News and Weather 19:15 ITV News and Weather 19:30 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 22:00 David Suchet on the Orient Express 23:00 ITV News and Weather 23:15 Atonement

05:00 ER 05:50 One Tree Hill 06:35 One Tree Hill 07:20 Sali Mali 07:25 Treacle People 07:35 Planet Cook 07:55 Survival of the Fittest 08:20 Freesports on 4 08:50 One Tree Hill 09:45 Hollyoaks 12:15 Taio Cruz ft. Kylie Minogue - Video Exclusive & Behind the Scenes 12:35 Being N-Dubz at Christmas 13:40 Ugly Betty 14:40 The Simpsons 15:15 Annie 17:40 Deal or No Deal 18:30 Channel 4 News 18:55 4thought.tv 19:00 100 Greatest Toys with Jonathan Ross 22:00 Secret Millionaire Changed My Life 23:00 Desperate Housewives 24:00 Father Ted

08:00 Childrens TV 08:40 Make Way for Noddy 08:55 Mist: Sheepdog Tales 09:05 Little Princess 09:15 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 09:30 Funky Christmas Special 09:40 Family! 09:45 Castle Farm 09:55 Olivia 10:10 The Mr Men Show 10:30 George Shrinks 11:00 iCarly 11:35 True Jackson, VP 12:10 K9 12:45 Zoo Days 12:50 Zoo Days 13:20 Andre Rieu in Concert 14:05 Emergency Bikers 15:10 Saddle the Wind 16:45 A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa 18:10 Five News 18:15 Mrs Miracle 20:05 A Christmas Carol 22:00 Blood Work 24:15 No Mercy

08:00 Vet Adventures 09:00 Malcolm in the Middle 09:30 Malcolm in the Middle 10:00 Best of Oops TV 11:00 Soccer AM 13:00 Must Be the Music: Winner’s Story 14:00 Malcolm in the Middle 14:30 Malcolm in the Middle 15:00 Oops TV 16:00 Fat Families: Second Helpings 17:00 Modern Family 17:30 Modern Family 18:00 Futurama 18:30 Futurama 19:00 The Middle 19:30 The Simpsons 20:00 The Simpsons 20:30 The Simpsons 21:00 Road Wars 22:00 Father of the Bride Part 2 24:05 Fringe

08:30 Swimming 09:50 Olympic Magazine 10:00 Ski Jumping 10:30 Live Alpine Skiing 11:30 Live Biathlon 12:30 Live Alpine Skiing 13:45 Live Ski Jumping 15:30 Live CrossCountry Skiing 16:25 Wintersports Weekend 16:30 Live Swimming 18:00 Biathlon 19:00 CrossCountry Skiing 19:45 WATTS 20:15 WATTS 20:45 Live Luge 21:30 Equestrian 22:00 Live Equestrian 23:30 Live Luge 24:30 Luge

08:00 The Jerry Springer Show 08:50 Celebs 24/7 09:00 Maury 09:55 Celebs 24/7 10:00 Fresh Prince of Bel-Air 11:00 My Wife and Kids 12:00 Will & Grace 13:00 Cheryl Cole’s Crazy 2010 14:00 Criminal Minds 15:00 Criminal Minds 16:00 Criminal Minds 17:00 Addams Family Values 18:55 Celebs 24/7 19:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 20:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 21:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 22:00 Criminal Minds 23:00 Criminal Minds 24:00 Criminal Minds

Bridget Jones’s Diary ITV 1, 22.15

tv Sunday 06:00 BBC News 06:30 The Record Europe 07:00 Breakfast 08:35 Match of the Day 10:00 Andrew Marr Show 11:00 Fern Britton Meets Sir Cliff Richard 12:00 Country Tracks 13:00 BBC News 13:05 Wild Weather of the Midlands 13:25 EastEnders 15:25 Drop Zone 16:25 Drop Zone 17:25 Lifeline 17:35 Songs of Praise 18:10 BBC News; Regional News 18:30 Jimmy’s Food Factory 19:00 Countryfile Winter Special 20:00 Sports Personality of the Year 22:00 The Apprentice 24:00 BBC News 24:20 Butterfly on a Wheel

08:00 The Jungle Book 08:15 Deadly 60 08:40 Bear Behaving Badly 09:05 Eliot Kid 09:20 Shaun the Sheep 09:25 Shaun the Sheep 09:30 The Slammer 10:00 Hotel Trubble 10:30 Scoop 11:00 Something for the Weekend 12:30 The Nation’s Favourite Christmas Food 13:30 Flog It! 14:00 Escape to the Country 14:45 One Man and His Dog 15:45 Live Olympia International Horse Show 18:00 Coast 18:10 Big Jake 20:00 Edwardian Farm 21:00 Hairy Bikers: Mums Know Best at Christmas 22:00 The Many Faces of Richard Wilson 23:00 Match of the Day 2 24:10 Eddie Izzard: Stripped

08:00 Vet Adventures 09:00 It’s Me or the Dog USA 10:00 Best of Oops TV 11:00 WWE Superstars 12:00 WWE: Experience 13:00 Best of Oops TV 14:00 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader Special 14:30 Tron Special 15:00 Futurama 15:30 Futurama 16:00 The Simpsons 16:30 The Simpsons 17:00 The Middle 17:30 The Middle 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 The Simpsons 19:00 Noel’s Christmas Presents 2010 20:30 The Simpsons 21:00 Got to Dance: Preview Show 22:00 Little Crackers 22:15 Little Crackers 22:30 A League of Their Own: Unseen 23:30 Little Crackers 23:45 Little Crackers 24:00 An Idiot Abroad

08:35 Freeride Spirit Show 08:45 Ski Jumping 09:45 Live Alpine Skiing 10:45 Live Alpine Skiing 11:30 Live CrossCountry Skiing 12:30 Live Biathlon 13:45 Live Ski Jumping 15:30 Cross Country Skiing 16:10 Wintersports Weekend 16:15 Live Swimming 18:45 Biathlon 20:00 Ski Jumping 21:00 Boxing 22:00 Live Equestrian 23:30 Ski Jumping 24:30 Biathlon

Noel’s Christmas Presents 2010 Sky 1, 19.00

08:00 The Jerry Springer Show 08:50 Celebs 24/7 09:00 Maury 09:55 Celebs 24/7 10:00 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air 11:00 My Wife and Kids 12:00 Will & Grace 13:00 Cougar Town 14:00 Addams Family Values 15:55 Celebs 24/7 16:00 RSPCA Animal Rescue 17:00 Harald Gloockler: Prince of Fashion 18:00 I Am Alex Reid 19:00 Cheryl Cole’s Crazy 2010 20:00 Four Weddings 21:00 Nikita 22:00 Criminal Minds 23:00 CSI: Miami 24:00 Criminal Minds

tv Monday

48 36

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010 Feb 26 - March 4 2010

08:00 It’s Me or the Dog USA 09:00 Best of Oops TV 11:00 Got to Dance: Preview Show 12:00 Noel’s Christmas Presents 13:30 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader Special 14:00 Top 50 Showbiz Comebacks 16:00 The Simpsons 16:30 Terry Pratchett’s The Colour of Magic 18:30 The Simpsons 19:00 The Middle 19:30 The Simpsons 20:00 The Middle 20:30 The Simpsons 21:00 Modern Family 21:30 The Simpsons 22:00 Little Crackers 22:30 Andrew Stone’s Meaning of Christmas 23:30 Little Crackers 24:00 Top 50 Celebrity Meltdowns

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Animal 24:7 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 To Buy or Not to Buy 12:30 Cash in the Attic 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 ‘Allo ‘Allo! 15:35 The Young Ones 16:35 Father of the Bride 18:15 Weakest Link 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News Programmes 20:00 The Nativity 20:30 Deadly 60 21:00 EastEnders 21:30 Panorama: Carry On Banking! 22:00 Accused 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News and Weather 23:35 A Question of Sport 24:05 Graham Norton Show 24:55 The Apprentice

08:00 The Jungle Book 08:15 Deadly 60 08:40 Bear Behaving Badly 09:05 Eliot Kid 09:15 Shaun the Sheep 09:25 What’s New Scooby-Doo? 09:45 Animal Park: Wild in Africa 10:30 Climbing Great Buildings 11:00 Britain by Bike 11:30 Magnificent Showman 13:45 Film 2010 with Claudia Winkleman 14:15 Hairy Bikers’ Twelve Days of Christmas 15:15 Ready Steady Cook 16:00 Murder, She Wrote 16:45 Flog It! 17:30 Pointless 18:15 Escape to the Country 19:00 Celebrity Eggheads 19:30 Outtake TV 20:00 Yellowstone 21:00 University Challenge 21:30 Miranda 22:00 Ruth Jones’ Christmas Cracker 22:40 Have I Got News for You 23:10 Sliding Doors 24:45 Grumpy Old Women at Christmas

06:30 ITV Morning News 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 and Weather 15:00 House Gift Christmas Special 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:59 Granada Weather 18:00 The Unforgettable Harry Secombe 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Countrywise Kitchen 21:30 Come Rain Come Shine 23:30 ITV News and Weather 24:00 Granada News and Weather 24:05 Intolerable Cruelty

07:40 One Tree Hill 08:25 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:55 According to Jim 09:25 Kirstie’s Homemade Christmas 10:25 Friends 11:30 The Album Chart Show: N-Dubz Special 12:00 Glee 13:00 3 Minute Wonder: 12 Days of Christmas 13:15 Baby’s Day Out 15:05 Harry and the Hendersons 17:10 Deal or No Deal: Scrooge or Santa 17:55 Celebrity Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 River Cottage Christmas 22:00 Jamie’s Best Ever Christmas 23:00 Alan Carr: Chatty Man 24:05 Peep Show 24:40 Omid Djalili Live in London

08:00 Childrens TV 09:50 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:05 Castle Farm 10:10 Funky Valley 10:15 Little Princess 10:30 The Mr Men Show 10:45 K9 11:20 Penguin Adventure with Nigel Marven 11:50 Ice Road Truckers 12:50 Five News 13:00 A Grandpa for Christmas 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 16:10 The Christmas Card 18:00 Five News 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Monkey Life 19:25 Live from Studio Five 20:00 Five News at 7 20:30 How Do They Do It? 21:00 The Gadget Show’s Christmas Stocking 22:00 Extreme Fishing with Robson Green 23:00 The Foreigner 24:55 The Hunt for Red October: The True Story

Watch New Season TV for Free with Europa call 902 050 999

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Animal 24:7 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 To Buy or Not to Buy 12:30 Cash in the Attic 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Keeping Up Appearances 15:45 The Young Ones 16:45 George of the Jungle 18:15 Weakest Link 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News Programmes 20:00 The Nativity 20:30 EastEnders 21:00 Holby City 22:00 Accidental Farmer 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News and Weather 23:35 Imagine: Ray Davies - Imaginary Man 24:55 Taking Sides

08:00 The Jungle Book 08:15 Deadly 60 08:40 Bear Behaving Badly 09:05 Eliot Kid 09:20 Shaun the Sheep 09:25 What’s New Scooby-Doo? 09:55 Animal Park: Wild in Africa 10:40 Climbing Great Buildings 11:10 Britain by Bike 11:40 Spirited Away 13:40 Nightmare before Christmas 14:50 Rick Stein’s Christmas Odyssey 15:20 Ready Steady Cook 16:05 Murder, She Wrote 16:50 Flog It! 17:35 Pointless 18:20 Celebrity Eggheads 18:50 Porridge 19:30 Top of the Pops 2 Christmas Special 2010 21:00 Top Gear 22:05 Oz and Hugh Raise the Bar 23:05 Mock the Week 23:35 Never Mind the Buzzcocks 24:05 Have I Got News for You 24:35 Russell Howard Live: Dingledodies

07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News 14:55 Granada News 15:00 May the Best Christmas House Win 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:59 Granada Weather 18:00 The Unforgettable Danny La Rue 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 River Monsters 21:00 Children’s Hospital at Christmas 22:00 The Savoy 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 Granada News and Weather 23:35 The Dukes of Hazzard

07:20 Freshly Squeezed 07:50 One Tree Hill 08:40 Frasier 09:05 According to Jim 09:35 Kirstie’s Homemade Christmas 10:35 Friends 11:05 Friends 11:35 The Album Chart Show: McFly Special 12:05 Glee 13:00 Because of Winn-Dixie 15:05 Alaska 17:10 Deal or No Deal: Scrooge or Santa 18:00 Celebrity Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 The Secrets of Westminster Abbey: A Time Team Special 22:00 Jamie’s Best Ever Christmas 23:00 Frankie Boyle’s Tramadol Nights 23:30 Morgana Show 24:05 The Family

08:00 Childrens TV 09:55 Castle Farm 10:05 Little Princess 10:20 The Mr Men Show 10:35 K9 11:10 Zoo Days 11:20 Penguin Adventure with Nigel Marven 11:50 Ice Road Truckers 12:50 Five News 13:00 Three Wise Guys 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 16:07 Pluto - Food for Feudin’ 16:10 A Carol Christmas 18:00 Five News 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Monkey Life 19:25 Live from Studio Five 20:00 Five News at 7 20:30 Street Market Chefs 21:00 The Princess and the Press: How Kate’s Life Will Change Forever 22:00 CSI: Miami 23:00 CSI: NY 23:55 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 24:55 True CSI

08:00 Malcolm in the Middle 08:30 Malcolm in the Middle 09:00 Terry Pratchett’s The Colour of Magic 11:00 Malcolm in the Middle 11:30 Malcolm in the Middle 12:00 Wayne Rooney’s Street Striker 13:00 Got to Dance: Preview Show 14:00 Avatar Special 14:30 Noel’s Christmas Presents 2010 16:00 The Simpsons 16:30 Terry Pratchett’s The Colour of Magic 18:30 The Simpsons 19:00 The Middle 19:30 The Simpsons 20:00 The Middle 20:30 The Simpsons 21:00 Modern Family 21:30 The Simpsons 22:00 Little Crackers 22:15 Little Crackers 22:30 Victoria Wood Presents the Angina Monologues 23:30 Little Crackers 23:45 Little Crackers

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Animal 24:7 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 To Buy or Not to Buy 12:30 Cash in the Attic 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Only Fools and Horses 15:45 The Young Ones 16:40 Herbie: Fully Loaded 18:15 Weakest Link 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News Programmes 20:00 The Nativity 20:30 Dig 1940 21:00 Jimmy’s Food Factory 21:30 Nigel Slater’s Simple Suppers 22:00 Supermarkets: What Price Cheap Food? Panorama 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News 23:35 National Lottery Wednesday Night Draws 23:45 Catherine Tate: Nan’s Christmas Carol 24:35 Holiday in Handcuffs

08:00 The Jungle Book 08:15 Deadly 60 08:40 Bear Behaving Badly 09:05 Eliot Kid 09:20 Shaun the Sheep 09:30 Animal Park: Wild in Africa 10:15 Climbing Great Buildings 10:45 Britain by Bike 11:15 The Cardinal 14:05 Lifeline 14:15 Coast 14:20 Rick Stein’s Cornish Christmas 15:20 Ready Steady Cook 16:05 Murder, She Wrote 16:50 Flog It! 17:35 Pointless 18:20 Escape to the Country 19:05 Celebrity Eggheads 19:35 Yellowstone 20:35 Nigella Kitchen 21:05 Victoria Wood with All the Trimmings 22:00 The Other Boleyn Girl 23:50 Ruth Jones’ Christmas Cracker 24:30 The Goodies

06:30 ITV Morning News 07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News 14:55 Granada News and Weather 15:00 Agatha Christie’s Poirot 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:59 Granada Weather 18:00 The Unforgettable Mike Reid 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Countrywise Winter Special 20:30 Emmerdale 21:00 It’s Paul Burling 22:00 The Comedy Annual 2010 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 Granada News and Weather 23:35 Batman Begins

07:50 One Tree Hill 08:40 Frasier 09:05 According to Jim 09:35 Kirstie’s Homemade Christmas 10:35 Friends 11:05 Friends 11:35 The Album Chart Show: Cee Lo Special 12:05 Cheryl Cole T4 Special 12:20 Glee 13:15 Gulliver’s Travels: T4 Movie Special 13:45 Barnyard 15:25 Honey, I Shrunk the Kids 17:10 Deal or No Deal: Scrooge or Santa 18:00 Celebrity Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Christmas with Gordon 22:00 Come Dine with Me: Celebrity Christmas Special 23:00 Chris Moyles’ Christmas Quiz Night 23:50 The Family

08:00 Childrens TV 09:30 Hana’s Helpline 09:45 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:00 Castle Farm 10:05 Little Princess 10:20 Mr Men 10:35 K9 11:10 Penguin Adventure with Nigel Marven 11:40 Ice Road Truckers 12:40 Five News 12:45 A Boyfriend for Christmas 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 16:15 Our First Christmas 18:00 Five News 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Monkey Life 19:25 Live from Studio Five 20:00 Five News at 7 20:30 Highland Emergency 21:00 Emergency Bikers 22:00 NCIS 23:00 Law & Order: Criminal Intent 23:55 Law & Order 24:55 Poker

08:00 Malcolm in the Middle 09:00 Terry Pratchett’s The Colour of Magic 11:00 Malcolm in the Middle 12:00 Wayne Rooney’s Street Striker 13:00 Bite Size Brainiac 13:15 George and the Dragon 15:00 Got to Dance: Preview Show 16:00 The Simpsons 17:00 Skellig 19:00 The Middle 19:30 The Simpsons 20:00 The Middle 20:30 The Simpsons 21:00 Modern Family 21:30 The Simpsons 22:00 Little Crackers 22:30 Louie Spence’s Showbusiness Christmas 23:30 Little Crackers 23:45 Little Crackers 24:00 Top 50 Showbiz Comebacks

tv Tuesday

tv Wednesday

08:30 Ski Jumping 10:00 Biathlon 11:00 Biathlon 12:00 Swimming 13:30 CrossCountry Skiing 14:30 Ski Jumping 16:00 Biathlon 17:00 WATTS 17:30 WATTS 18:00 Eurogoals: One to One 18:15 Eurogoals 18:45 Champions Club 20:00 Eurosport Top Ten 20:55 Athletics 22:10 Live Equestrian 23:35 Eurogoals 24:00 Champions Club

08:35 Destination Dakar 08:45 Champions Club 10:00 Live Alpine Skiing 11:00 Ski Jumping 12:00 Biathlon 13:00 Live Alpine Skiing 14:00 Eurogoals 14:30 Champions Club 15:45 Eurogoals: One to One 16:00 Ski Jumping 17:00 International Football 18:00 UEFA Champions League Classics 18:55 Olympic Magazine 19:00 Destination Dakar 19:15 WATTS 19:30 Tennis Stories 20:00 Tennis Stories 20:30 Live Tennis 22:15 Eurosport Top Ten 23:00 Freeride Spirit Show 23:15 Ski Jumping 24:30 Alpine Skiing

08:00 The Jerry Springer Show 08:50 Celebs 24/7 09:00 Maury 09:55 Celebs 24/7 10:00 Maury 10:55 Celebs 24/7 11:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 12:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 13:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 14:00 CSI: Miami 15:00 Criminal Minds 17:00 Charmed 19:00 Cougar Town 20:00 America’s Next Top Model 21:00 America’s Next Top Model 22:00 Celebrity Four Weddings 23:00 I Am Alex Reid 24:00 Criminal Minds

The Savoy ITV 1 22.00

08:35 WATTS 09:00 Biathlon 10:00 Ski Jumping 11:00 Tennis 12:00 WATTS 12:30 WATTS 13:00 Eurosport Top Ten 14:00 Ski Jumping 14:45 Athletics 16:00 WATTS 16:30 WATTS 17:00 UEFA Europa League Classics 18:00 UEFA Europa League Classics 19:00 Live Tennis 20:45 Wednesday Selection 20:55 Wednesday Selection 21:20 Equestrian 22:20 Polo 23:20 Riders Club 23:25 European Tour Golf 23:55 Golf Club 24:00 Yacht Club

Louie Spence’s Showbusiness Christmas Sky 1 , 22.30

08:00 Jerry Springer Show 08:50 Celebs 24/7 09:00 Maury 09:55 Celebs 24/7 10:00 Maury 10:55 Celebs 24/7 11:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 12:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 13:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 14:00 CSI: Miami 15:00 Criminal Minds 17:00 Charmed 19:00 Cougar Town 20:00 CSI: Miami 21:00 Three Fat Brides, One Thin Dress 22:00 America’s Next Top Model 23:00 America’s Next Top Model 24:00 Criminal Minds

08:00 The Jerry Springer Show 08:50 Celebs 24/7 09:00 Maury 09:55 Celebs 24/7 10:00 Maury 10:55 Celebs 24/7 11:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 12:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 13:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 14:00 CSI: Miami 15:00 Criminal Minds 17:00 Charmed 19:00 Four Weddings 20:00 CSI: Miami 21:00 Celebrity Four Weddings 22:00 Simon Cowell’s Crazy 2010 23:00 Criminal Minds 24:00 Criminal Minds

tv Thursday 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Animal 24:7 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 To Buy or Not to Buy 12:30 The Santa Clause 14:00 BBC News 14:15 Regional News 14:30 Only Fools and Horses 15:25 Shrek 16:50 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News Programmes 20:00 The Nativity 20:30 EastEnders 21:00 How Science Changed Our World 22:00 New Tricks 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News and Weather 23:35 The Impressions Show with Culshaw and Stephenson 24:05 Surviving Christmas

08:00 The Jungle Book 08:15 Deadly 60 08:40 Bear Behaving Badly 09:05 Eliot Kid 09:20 Shaun the Sheep 09:30 Animal Park: Wild in Africa 10:15 Climbing Great Buildings 10:45 Britain by Bike 11:15 Born Yesterday 12:55 On Moonlight Bay 14:25 The Hairy Bikers: Mums Know Best at Christmas 15:25 Ready Steady Cook 16:10 Mackenna’s Gold 18:15 Escape to the Country 19:00 Celebrity Eggheads 19:30 Yellowstone 20:30 Are You Being Served? 21:00 The Two Ronnies Christmas Special 1984 22:00 Being Ronnie Corbett 23:00 The Two Ronnies: The Studio Recordings 23:30 Ronnie Barker: A Bafta Tribute 24:30 The Goodies

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

06:30 ITV Morning News 07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show: Make a Wish Lapland Special 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News 14:55 Granada News 15:00 Agatha Christie’s Poirot 16:00 Midsomer Murders 17:59 Granada Weather 18:00 The Unforgettable Spike Milligan 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Bond of Brothers: Tonight 21:00 Emmerdale 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Live: Celebrity Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? 23:15 ITV News and Weather 23:45 Granada News and Weather 23:50 Carols at Christmas 24:50 Jesus Christ Superstar

07:50 One Tree Hill 08:35 Frasier 09:05 According to Jim 09:30 Hollyoaks Music Show Christmas Special 10:35 Friends 11:05 Being N-Dubz at Christmas 12:05 Glee 13:05 Friends 13:35 Dr Dolittle 3 15:20 Miracle on 34th Street 17:10 Deal or No Deal: Scrooge or Santa 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Prep & Landing 19:00 Hollyoaks 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Christmas with Gordon 22:00 The House That Made Me 23:00 8 Out of 10 Cats Christmas Special 23:50 Alan Carr: Chatty Man 24:55 Frankie Boyle’s Tramadol Nights

08:00 Childrens TV 08:30 Thomas & Friends 08:40 Noddy in Toyland 08:55 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:10 Peppa Pig 09:20 Peppa Pig 09:30 Roary the Racing Car 09:40 Hana’s Helpline 09:50 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:00 Castle Farm 10:10 Little Princess 10:25 The Mr Men Show 10:40 K9 11:15 Penguin Adventure with Nigel Marven 11:45 Zoo Days 12:20 Five News 12:30 Home for Christmas 14:30 Neighbours 15:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 15:55 Cannonball Run II 18:00 Five News 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Monkey Life 19:25 Live from Studio Five 20:00 Five News at 7 20:30 Street Market Chefs 21:00 Demolition: The Unsinkable Ship 22:00 300 24:20 The Gadget Show’s Christmas Stocking

07:00 Best of Brainiac: Science Abuse 08:00 Malcolm in the Middle 08:30 Malcolm in the Middle 09:00 Skellig 11:00 Malcolm in the Middle 11:30 Malcolm in the Middle 12:00 Wayne Rooney’s Street Striker 13:00 Avatar Special 13:30 Noel’s Christmas Presents 2010 15:00 Must Be the Music: Winner’s Story 16:00 The Simpsons 16:30 The Simpsons 17:00 Terry Pratchett’s Hogfather 19:00 The Middle 19:30 The Simpsons 20:00 Father of the Bride Part 2 22:00 Little Crackers 22:15 Little Crackers 22:30 A League of Their Own Christmas 23:30 Little Crackers 23:45 Little Crackers 24:00 Got to Dance: Preview Show

08:30 Destination Dakar 08:50 WATTS 09:15 WATTS 09:45 Athletics 11:00 Tennis 12:00 Tennis Stories 12:30 Tennis Stories 13:05 Dancing 14:00 Biathlon 14:30 Biathlon 15:00 Ski Jumping 16:00 Ski Jumping 17:00 UEFA Champions League Classics 18:00 UEFA Champions League Classics 19:00 Snooker 20:00 Fight Club 23:00 Eurosport Top Ten 24:00 Dancing

08:00 The Jerry Springer Show 08:50 Celebs 24/7 09:00 Maury 09:55 Celebs 24/7 10:00 Maury 10:55 Celebs 24/7 11:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 12:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 13:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 14:00 CSI: Miami 15:00 Criminal Minds 16:00 Criminal Minds 17:00 Charmed 18:00 Charmed 19:00 Four Weddings 20:00 CSI: Miami 21:00 Jenni Falconer’s Secret Santa 22:00 Criminal Minds 23:00 Criminal Minds 24:00 Criminal Minds

Suduko Answer

CROSSWORD ANSWERS 582 CRYPTIC SOLUTIONS Across: 1 Butts; 4 Fiddler; 8 Widower; 9 Slang; 10 Inst; 11 Dominant; 13 Reef; 14 Flee; 16 Left over; 17 Cash; 20 Ennui; 21 Compile; 22 Sadness; 23 Spied. Down: 1 Bowling alleys; 2 Tides; 3 Sewn; 4 Farrow; 5 Disciple; 6 Leakage; 7 Right to the end; 12 Peroxide; 13 Refined; 15 Reacts; 18 Alibi; 19 Amos. QUICK SOLUTIONS Across: 1 Alert; 4 Distend; 8 Correct; 9 Cross; 10 Meet; 11 Belabour; 13 Clue; 14 Play; 16 Abnormal; 17 Taxi; 20 Ideal; 21 Drawing; 22 Gallant; 23 Enemy. Down: 1 Accommodating; 2 Eerie; 3 Tier; 4 Dither; 5 Sociable; 6 Economy; 7 Distressingly; 12 Guerilla; 13 Conceal; 15 Bandit; 18 Agile; 19 Late. Wordwheel 9 letter word: EXTREMITY

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17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

This week’s answers

Spanish lessons by

Jane Cronin

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

Lesson 138

LAST WEEK I asked you to do a bit of revision and I gave you a little test. There were even marks out of 50, but the most important thing is that you are increased your knowledge! First of all I asked you to translate ten sentences into Spanish, so here are the sentences again with the answers: 1. I’m going to go back. VOY A VOLVER 2. Do you want to play? ¿QUIERES JUGAR? 3. I want to learn more Spanish. QUIERO APRENDER MÁS ESPAÑOL 4. I don’t like working NO ME GUSTA TRABAJAR 5. I need to sleep but I’m going to study. NECESITO DORMIR PERO VOY A ESTUDIAR 6. Can I eat and drink as well? ¿PUEDO COMER Y BEBER TAMBIÉN? 7. Are you going to be here long? ¿VAS A ESTAR AQUÍ MUCHO TIEMPO? 8. I prefer to be at home. PREFIERO ESTAR EN CASA 9. I’m not going to buy a dress, I prefer to buy trousers. NO VOY A COMPRAR UN VESTIDO, PREFIERO COMPRAR PANTALONES. 10. I have to take my children to secondary school. TENGO QUE LLEVAR A MIS HIJOS AL INSTITUTO. The most important thing to notice here is that in each sentence there are two verbs. The first verb is in a form which shows that it refers to either “first person”, or I (VOY A, QUIERO, ME GUSTA, NECESITO, PUEDO,

MABS events for December/January Friday, 17 December: 11.00: Share & Care Group, Centro Civico, Roda Village, informal meeting every third Friday of the month for those affected by cancer: one-to-one counselling available: Call 693 795 247 for further details. Wednesday, 5th January: 11.00: Volunteer Meeting: Centro Municipal Las Claras, Calle Heléna, Los Narejos, Los Alcázares: Monthly volunteer meeting: New volunteers welcome: Please contact 693 275 779 or email info@mabsmurcia.com for full details.

PREFIERO) or “second person”, or you (QUIERES, VAS A). These are followed by a second verb which is in the infinitive form (VOLVER, JUGAR, APRENDER, TRABAJAR, DORMIR, ESTUDIAR, COMER, BEBER, ESTAR, COMPRAR, LLEVAR). This is the “formula” I referred to last week. It is a basic way of constructing simple sentences about your intentions, wants, likes, needs, abilities and preferences. If you have missed the “s” off the “you” verbs (that is QUIERE instead of QUIERES in number 2 and VA A instead of VAS A in number 7) you are saying exactly the same thing, but you are being more formal. The word “long” in number 7 really means “a lot of time” MUCHO TIEMPO. In number 10 the word “A” is there because what follows are people, not things. Some people call this the “personal A”. Now here are the answers to the “gender” test. Feminine: LA MUJER, LA ESTACIÓN, LA CAMISA, LA VICTIMA, LA COMUNIDAD, LA PERSONA. Masculine: EL HOMBRE, EL PAPEL, EL VESTIDO, EL COCHE, EL PROBLEMA, EL RELOJ. There are a few anomalies here – most interesting is that words like “persona” and “victima” are feminine, irrespective of the gender of person concerned. On the next question there was a little trick here because two things are said the same way: A problem, one problem - UN PROBLEMA; the problem: EL PROBLEMA; the problems: LOS PROBLEMAS. A hand, one hand; UNA MANO: the hand; LA MANO: the hands; LAS MANOS. Finally, the tip for learning new vocabulary was to relax in a quiet place with soft music in the background and just read and repeat several times without pressure, for about twenty minutes. Sounds like a good idea to me. I didn’t mention a glass of wine, but I think that might be in order too!

Phoenix Solos ON SATURDAY 15th January 2011, Phoenix Solos will be celebrating their 10th anniversary. A dinner party is being planned at Restaurant Los Arcos, Avda. Baleares, Torrevieja and any former members are invited to join us on the night by prior booking at one of our Monday morning meetings, held between 11.00 and 13.00 at the International Marina club. The cost for non-members will be €12, payable in advance.

PALS on the move PALS IS changing its sales location as of this Saturday, 18th December. You can now find them at the Trevi Bar on Camposol Sector B in the Commercial area on a Saturday morning between 11:00 and 13:30 and at Saralaras in the Mazarron Port on Wednesday afternoons from 13:00 until 14:30. They also have the new street map of Camposol on sale at €1. The map shows the ‘poligonos’, the streets and the various sectors in a good format. The sales commission for the map is dedicated to the CAFÉ fund.

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

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

Cryptic Crossword

Sudoku ACROSS 7. A coat of paint for the detonator (6) 8. Just the party for the chaser! (6) 10. Being about to surrender the Communist fell back (7) 11. Gun rule (5) 12. We hear a dramatic event is witnessed (4) 13. A mournful noise for the girl, by the sound of it (5) 17. Soft protuberance well filled out (5) 18. Take the skin off the fruit, one hears (4) 22. Craft will bring back weekly lotteries (5) 23. Chosen alternative for a voter (7) 24. The Spanish having smooth footballing combination (6) 25. There could be no part for the sponsor (6)

DOWN 1. Work on newspapers and behave tyrannically (7) 2. Having a certain key thrown away (7) 3. Makes one’s way to western borders (5) 4. Sailor’s knot (3-4) 5. One who votes for another man (5) 6. Fragrant plant belonging to you and me (5) 9. One of those strange statistics? (3,6) 14. A trimmer required for the ship (7) 15. Tears up untidy field (7) 16. It’s exhausting when we get a telephone call (7) 19. A street round the south-east is part of the estate (5) 20. Went in a boat and fell out! (5) 21. Near the border there’s an exceptionally tough type (2-3)

ACROSS

DOWN

7. Mend (6)

1. Valour (7)

8. Harm (6)

2. Hardy (7)

Wordwheel

Quick Crossword

10. Loquacious (7) 11. Concur (5) 12. Highway (4)

4. Handcuff (7) 5. Worry (5) 6. Cut (5)

13. Match (5)

9. Lay waste (9)

17. Condition (5) 18. Heath (4)

14. Stun (7) 15. Leaves (7)

22. Vagrant (5)

19. Cram (5)

24. Downy (6)

20. Indistinct (5)

25. Robust (6)

21. Cancel (5)

North Winners, meal for 2 at the Nemos. La Nucia’s newest, Bistro and takeaway

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

16. Hand bomb (7)

23. Strain (7)

Win a meal for 2 at the Inn Plaice in Torrevieja (Mon-Thu) or at Nemos (Next to RTN offices in La Nucia) by answering the Cryptic Crossword correctly. Answers by email to: office@roundtownnews.com or Fax: 96 585 60 54

Nemos call 682 707 580

3. Guide (5)

Euromillions Draw Friday 10th december

3 10 33 46

No ticket won the 28,707,820 Euros (£24,100,215) jackpot prize

Answers & Winner Last week’s Crossword and Suduko answers found on page 37. Crossword winner for issue 582: Jim Stokes,

Denia

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

music scene Rob Sweeney - Singer/Entertainer

Compiled by

Eric Taylor

ET’s Golden Oldies Disco Tel: 965 748 199 659 921 875 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.

OB IS a seasoned performer with a rich and powerful voice which he puts to excellent use, whether singing pop and soul classics or songs from the shows - some of which he’s starred in having studied and performed in musical theatre over the previous few years. As a cabaret artist he’s toured extensively throughout the UK being especially well received in Blackpool where, after battling through several gruelling heats, he won the Bass Brewery Star Search

2000, securing some prestigious work performing in their touring roadshows. Rob is a class act with a versatile repertoire to suit all audiences. For more info phone: 609 320 924. Website: http:// robsweeney-singer.tumblr.com GIGS IN DECEMBER • Friday 17th Bar Quo Vadis Javea • Saturday 18th Le Cabaret, Cumbre del Sol Benitachell • Saturday 25th Bar Quo Vadis Javea • Friday 31st Chino Ni Hao Calpe

Javea Rock Academy – Xmas Gig THE JAVEA Rock Academy provides workshops for live performance; confidence; stage awareness; sound recording, etc and has some experienced tutors and musicians working with the students, enhancing and improving their musical talents. Javea Rock Academy is now accredited with ‘Rockschool’, offering traditional grade exams and performance certificates in drums, guitar, bass and coming soon - vocals. Javea Rock

Academy’s Xmas Gig will be held in the Benitachell Arts Centre on Saturday 18th December at 19.30. There will be a raffle with the proceeds going to ‘Help of Denia’. Tickets are €5, available from the English Bakers, Javea Park or on the door. Parents with children with musical talent or complete beginners - for information about the Javea Rock Academy phone: 654 718 393 or check out their website: www.javearockacademy.com

Christmas Eve Party - Le Cabaret, Cumbre Del Sol ON FRIDAY 24th December, Le Cabaret is proudly presenting a Christmas Eve Party with Mike Lee, supported by Eric Taylor (ET’s Disco). Bring your family and friends to the Party: live music with Mike Lee followed by ET and his Disco – playing the best party sounds. Great atmosphere, with fun to be had by all: doors open at 19.00. Come and celebrate Christmas Eve at the No 1 Venue in the area.

Entry is Free. Also on Christmas Day, there are a few tables left, four course meal ,Cava on arrival, 1/2 bottle of wine per person – all for €30, plus entertainment. For bookings and details of future events in Le Cabaret phone: 663 733 811 or check out www.lecabaretspain.com. Le Cabaret is located in the Lirios Centre, on Cumbre del Sol, Benitachell.

Off Limits Rock/Blues Band

HEADING MORAIRA’S Music Festival and full houses fortnightly at the Don Quijote make ‘Off Limits’ a must see! Rafa’s guitar work, unequalled on the Costa, never loses his audience due to his melodic style and impish presentation. Musical duels with keyboard wizard Christian are a highpoint. Two wizards, one band, amazing value for money! Driving the band are drummer Walter and bassman Victor. This is the tightest unit on the Costa with songs ranging from Rock to Samba - it’s time you caught the band. They play extensively in the Benidorm area, but will be performing at Bar Quo Vadis, Javea on Friday 24th December and Don Quijote Bar, Paichi Centre, Moraira on Sunday 26th December, when it’s a ticket event at €25 for a 4 course meal and 4 course band: For reservations ring 606 721 288: DJ Graham Gilbert checking out Live Music on the Costa Blanca.

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

A Celebration of Christmas with Sounds Familiar

The show is on Thursday 23rd December

HOW GROUP ‘Sounds Familiar’ took to the boards last Friday at the Rafol theatre with ‘A Celebration of Christmas’, encapsulating seasonal song, dance and laughter and delighting the audience with traditional carols, Christmas songs and some surprise numbers. Musical Director Philip Ashley announced the show would not be a conventional carol concert and presented an upbeat version of ‘Angels from the Realms of Glory’. A tour of ‘all things

Christmas’ included some carols but also showcased tributes to Panto, Christmas movies and Christmas parties. Hosted by the Jalon & Orba Lions Club, a portion of the ticket money went directly to charity, as always with Philip Ashley’s productions, with the Lions Club receiving more than €500 to assist their charitable work. There will be another chance to catch Sounds Familiar and ‘A Celebration of Christmas’ at the Perlamar Commercial Centre in Calpe on Thursday 23rd

December. Tickets are €8, with €3 per ticket earmarked for the Friends of the Children of Emaús. (Perlamar is the commercial centre at the bottom of the Av.Gabriel Miro opposite the new ‘Sol y Mar’ hotel). Tickets are available from Margaret & Elena’s Book & Card Shop, Galerias Mar Azul, Av.Gabriel Miro, Calpe, by telephone on 965 581 483 or via www.soundsfamiliar.es by PayPal or credit card. Doors open at 19.30 with curtain up at 20.00.

Dance yourself dizzy

Teulada/Moraira Lions Concert: The English Choir THE SECOND winter concert featured the well-known English Choir at Le Senieta Theatre on Friday 10th December. The choir, with their musical director Joanna Baldwin and accompanist Heather Butcher, entertained a packed house with a wide range of seasonal songs and carols. The audience enjoyed wine and mince pies during the interval. Lion president Robert Young was pleased to present thank you gifts to both Joanne and Heather in appreciation for arranging a successful concert

and was proud to announce the grand sum of €665 had been raised toward helping local charities supported by the Lions. The Lions are now looking forward to their next concert, Friday 28th January at the Senieta Theatre, featuring ‘One Spirit’, local duo Kirsty Orr and Des McGillicuddy. Tickets will be available by ringing 965 747 343: the Lions anticipate a rush following the success of the first two concerts of the winter season, so book early.

Local line dancers ‘Help’ out again! ORGANISED BY Barbara Ives of the Rodeo Stompers, line dancers from clubs in Calpe, Denia, Javea, Moraira and Monte Pego all joined forces recently, to ‘step it out’ at the Sponsored Line Dance held at El Bolero Restaurant, La Fossa, Lavante, Calpe. This event, in aid of HELP of Denia and Marina Alta, was once again a resounding success, raising in excess of €2,000. HELP Chair, Pat Lee Patton, was on hand to give her support along with other representatives from HELP. Pat took this opportunity to present, from the HELP Organisation, various items including two estufas and a blood pressure monitor to David Casada who runs the charity ADIS in Calpe. David gave a brief talk about his work helping those in the area who, in these difficult times, are less fortunate than most. On behalf of the HELP Organisation, Pat Lee Patton thanked the line dancers for their magnificent support, stating that events of this kind enables HELP to continue giving assistance to people struggling to cope with illness and infirmity and also to give support to other charities like ADIS. To learn more about ‘HELP’ please visit their website www.helpofdenia.com

Dec 22nd Live Music with ROB SWEENEY 3 course fine dining from only15.95€ “Pub-Grub” also available only 5€ at our new PUB at LA PISTA Last few places remaining for Christmas Day Lunch & New Years Eve Please call for reservations. Visit our new web-site; www.lapistajalon.com BOOK NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT!

Tel 966 480 125

The Zumba Crew get festive

by Jack Troughton

Some of the team

THREE HOURS of energetic dancing during Sunday’s ‘Zumbathon’ raised more than €1,100 for the EMAUS children’s charity at Christmas. The Latin influenced keep fit craze is enjoyed by people of all ages and the floor at Teulada’s Salon de Banquettes was buzzing as 60 people of all ages went through their steps in this fun form of line-dancing. Organiser Kimberley, who runs popular Zumba classes, said she was “absolutely delighted” by the amount raised and the spirit of the occasion. To find out more about Zumba and how to bust calories on the dancefloor email info@zumbacostablanca.com or visit www.zumbcostablanca.com

17 - 23 dECEMBER 8-14 JANUARY2010 2010

Protect plants from frost by

Clodagh & Dick Handscombe Practical gardeners and authors

AFTER AN extended summer and short autumn, winter started early. When we went for a daybreak walk two weeks ago, there were already heavy frosts on the mountainsides but luckily not the snow that many parts of Spain had already seen. So we may be in for a cold winter, even the record frosts of February 2005 when our garden really suffered but most plants did survive one way or another. This twenty year old bougainvillea was killed to ground level but new shoots appeared in the spring and the plant is now back to its original size. We pray it won’t happen again as one can’t cover the whole garden in fleece.

Not all plants are resilient so we have wrapped up some delicate varieties in fleece – especially Strelitzias grown from seed - and moved our potted succulent collection and other vulnerable containers from terraces into an over wintering greenhouse prepared by lining our passion flower covered gazebo with a large sheet of plastic that is stored away each spring. New plants being grown from cuttings are moved into a permanent greenhouseheated when it gets really cold - which will get overfull once we start to raise vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers from seed after Christmas.

Our protected vegetable plot

wire hoops. Stevia leaves are sweet so we use as an alternative to sugar or saccharine: for more information on this useful plant look up www.dolcarevolucio.cat. If you cannot trace a roll of fleece, use

On the vegetable plot we have covered some of the chives, a row of Stevia plants and the Christmas new potatoes with plastic over

Clodagh and Dick’s practical gardening books will be found to be useful for both experienced and new gardeners coming to Spain. They will be found in good bookshops and Carrefour and can also be purchased by mail order from internet book shops such as Santana, Amazon, Royal Horticultural society and Bookworld. © Clodagh and Dick Handscombe www.gardeninginspain.com November 2010.

bubble wrap or plastic sheeting covered with woven wind break material. Less words this week to ensure that all the photographs get printed. Apologies that the photographs of colourful window boxes we referred to were left out on 3rd December but you can find them and others in our book: Apartment Gardening Mediterranean Style – Terraces balconies and windowsills; this and Your Garden in Spain; Growing Healthy Fruit in Spain; and Growing Healthy vegetables in Spain make very practical Christmas presents which will be regularly used for years by the recipients and no more expensive than a bouquet of cut flowers these days. If you are not near a bookshop buy by mail order from Amazon or Santana Books.

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010 8-14 JANUARY 2010

Discover the Costa Blanca

Derek Workman continues his series of excursions from his book ‘Inland Trips From the Costa Blanca’ which features 22 detailed trips that lead you to spots you’d never find by yourself.

Chiva – full of Lion’s Heads and Bull ON THE Font del Torica in Chiva’s Plaza de la Constitución, with its twenty lion’s heads spouting a constant stream of water, is a plaque depicting the Torico de la Cuerda, part of the fiesta held in the last two weeks of August, in which brave (or foolhardy) young men try to grab a rope tied around the head of a charging bull to direct its movements. The fiesta is thought to have begun in 1765 when a bull was auctioned by the Clavarios

Fountain heads

of San Roque to fund the construction of a temple. The bull itself was supposedly provided by cattle dealers from Teruel as payment to the municipality for winter grazing rights. Like most other fiestas, though, there are plenty of other suggestions as to how it originated, depending on which historian you talk to. Behind the font is a large pond that seems to fulfil no function other than to gather soggy plastic bags and provide a home for a couple of waddling geese, although on closer inspection you see a number of large fish swimming around in its murky depths. Houses back directly onto the pond rather like a poor, latter-day Venice. Remains from the Iron Age have been found in the surrounding hillsides (now in the Mueseo de Prehistoria in Valencia) but the town’s origins are Moorish, as can be seen from its narrow twisting streets. Chiva almost ceased to exist at all when King Filipe III ordered the banishment of all Morisco’s (Moors who had converted to Christianity) from Spain. There were so few people left that thirty-eight people were brought in to keep the town alive. (This happened in many villages in the Valencian Community, which accounts for some of the strange accents and village names, such as in Tarbena where the village was repopulated from people from Mallorca.)

Chiva casa colgados

Chiva is a pleasant little town to wander around but apart from a collection of paintings by José Vergara and sculptures by his brother Ignacio in the parish church, and the hilltop sanctuary of the Virgen del Castillo, there isn’t a great deal for the visitor to see. The Sociadad de Socorros Mutuos (the local casino) on Calle Antonio Machado was built in 1883, and is a great barn of a place with tiled walls and marble topped tables where old chaps gather, heads bowed in concentration over draughts boards. Four enormous paintings of rural activities cover most of the walls above the beautiful Modernista tiles, but are so layered with nicotine that you can barely make out the

subject. The back of the building (along with most of the street) hangs over the dry river bed in a casa colgada-ish way without being quite as fearful as the hanging houses of Cuenca. The river bed itself could do with a bit of a clean up. On a hill above the town, in the direction of Madrid, is the Santuario de la Virgen del Castillo. The Santuario is only open during the hours of Mass but it is worth climbing the hill just to enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding countryside that varies from rolling olive groves and stately pine covered hills to industrial estates. On clear days they say you can see the distant Mediterranean. Nearby are the ruins of the Castillo, said to be of Roman and Moorish origin.

To discover more about Spain, visit www.derekworkman-journalist.com and http://derekworkman.wordpress.com. http://valpaparazzi.wordpress.com are random notes about life in Spain. Derek Workman’s books, Inland Trips from the Costa Blanca and Small Hotels and Inns of Eastern Spain are available from most good books shops or direct from the publisher, Santana Books, www.santanabooks.com or Tel. 952 485 838.

One for the Girls 1 Apple 1 large Carrot 1 stick of Celery 1/2 Fennel bulb 1/2 tsp of Linseeds (flax seeds)

THIS SUPER juice promotes female hormone balance and is a great treatment for PMT (hence its name). It is also calming for the digestion system and is good for reducing bloating and flatulence. Juice all the ingredients and sprinkle the linseeds on top to serve. APPLES contain Vitamins A, B and C, potassium, pectin, boron, ellagic acid, and carotenes. They are great system cleansers full of dietary fibre, a laxative and lowers cholesterol

CARROTS contain Beta-carotene, vitamins A, B and C, folic acid, magnesium, potassium, iron and calcium. They help to cleanse the liver and digestive systems. Great antioxidants, anti-cancer, antiseptic, diuretic, immune booster, anti-bacterial, help to lower cholesterol, aids eye and skin problems CELERY contains potassium, calcium and vitamin C. It is anti-bacterial, a great cleanser and calms and rebuilds the red blood cells FENNEL contains vitamins A, B6 and C, potassium and calcium. It cleanses the digestive track, a great anti-oxidant, a diuretic and a stimulant LINSEEDS are one of the most natural laxatives because of the oil they contain.

These recipes are supplied by The Kamala Centre. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us at The Kamala Centre on office@thekamalacentre.com or call us on 965 985 869. If you would like a copy of any of these recipes you can download them at our website www.thekamalacentre.com www.obsidianretreat.com

17 - 2326 dECEMBER Feb - March 42010 2010

One Day MANY PEOPLE have the ability to travel back to the past to resuscitate their souls from a previous life, and my beginnings in this World were undoubtedly in Egyptian times. It is true to say that many souls who have lived before have energies that connect them to now as they now live, but also to the past where they previously were. Children are particularly psychic, especially those like me that have previously inhabited this World in other dimensions, other times in other ways. Many children talk of their last life, but I went back to my first life when I was nine years old. One day my mother refused to let me go to school because she said I had a fever. I was angry. My day of absence was to be the day that the class projects were to be given out for that term, and I wanted to do well. I was duly sent to bed, however, with a tin of glucose travel sweets and the radio, and the dog to keep me company. I was determined to heal quickly that day, and could only think the worst, that the best projects would have gone by tomorrow. Next day I woke early and got myself ready for school. My mother thought that I was better and so after breakfast I walked to the bus stop to go to school. One project remained and it had my name written on it. I was to work on Ancient Egypt. To help me were a set of the Arthur Mee’s Childrens’ Encyclopedia, so old they were sepia and cream rather than black and white. I was not happy. But as I started to turn the pages a very strange feeling came over me. The palm trees, the Sphinx, the Pyramids, the mighty Temple of Abu Simbel - they all meant something to me, and I was transfixed by each and every photo in that decrepit set of dusty books. To me, the land of Egypt opened out to me that day. I was so happy with my project I drove my mother completely mad asking questions. For a Saturday treat we took the bus to the British Museum so that I could see the Mummies. I was absolutely fascinated and just felt so at home. I had no conscious awareness that I was travelling

Postbag Email your letters to me at: kennycorris@roundtownnews.com A TAROT reader upset me by telling me that I was adopted by my parents. They have both passed and so how can I find out if this is true? Paul K. Paul, the easiest way to find out is to ask for a new birth certificate back in the UK. Then you will receive a shortened version taken from the register of Adoption. Be prepared, but I am suspicious and feel that your parents were your parents! I too was adopted and I hold this shortened certificate of birth registered by my adoptive parents. If you want to go further you have to agree to counselling and then in some cases a full certificate of birth can be issued showing both parents. Good luck! I loved my adoptive parents as the wonderful people they were; to me the truth never mattered when I had their love around me!

back in time and that my project was guided by my previous native experience in that wonderful world, but then I did have a job to do and a project to assemble. My mother felt my enthusiasm and helped me. She put batteries in my torch so that instead of listening under the bedclothes to Radio Caroline, I could do some drawing or tracing late at night. My project grew and grew. Especially when I learned that Abu Simbel was moved stone by stone to a new position to remove the ravages of erosion by Lake Nasser. When projects were due to be given in I could not carry all of mine. A neighbour took me to school by car that day and helped me carry all my work. I had never been so happy - I had discovered a treasure that was as precious to me as the gold reserves of Tutankhamen, and I was in love with Egypt. My efforts paid off: I won the class prize and proudly showed my mother the book token for fifteen shillings. I went straight out and bought myself a colour book of Egypt, and treasured it. I have never fulfilled my promise to Egypt that one day I would visit. I have waited many years, and have to say that it on the agenda to cruise down the Nile, browse the Cairo Museum and glimpse Abu Simbel from the waters of Lake Nasser. In my mind, I have made the journeys across the deserts, pondered Luxor and even sailed on a felucca to Elephant Island, but I have never had the chance to visit the land of my past for real. A spiritual friend of mine, Pat, is an ardent Egyptologist. She explained my need to connect with past energies in a nutshell. She simply told me that I had waited almost fifty years to fulfil the Egypt in my soul, and how much my soul would rejoice in my first visit. One visit may not be enough, I can see that, but it’s a start and it’s there on my wishlist, for one day! One day…

Love & Light... Kenny Corris

Kenny’s Diary • CHRISTMAS AT Maya Bistro: Saturday 18th Christmas Fair: Readings Available. Monday 20th Spiritual Christmas Lunch with Demo in support of Emaus Charity. Children’s Charity Party Wednesday 22nd December from 17.00 to 19.00. Contact Els on: 966 868 213 for all information, or to make a booking. • Workshops start in January 2011 Please check website for details and information regarding classes, circles and day workshops to be held in Winter/Spring. • Gift Vouchers for readings available. Why not give a reading as a gift for Christmas? Appointments are available throughout the Festive Season. Vouchers are valid for readings for one year. Call 686 361 594 for details of special offers.

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

horoscopes by Kenny Corris Give yourself a very big pat on the back for handling things so well. It is hard to make everyone happy but you seem to have done it this time. As you make plans to move on, know that this cannot be confused with running away, there is some unfinished business which you, and you alone, have to deal with right now. When all is said and done then least said, soonest mended. Expect a lot of motivational energy to come your way in the next few days. Your own talents are sought right now to bring something to a new level, and you have to rise to the occasion if you are to survive. You have tried to reinvent yourself, and recent actions of Mercury serve to point you in the right direction. Well, you can take a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. Mercury has fingers in a lot of pies right now. You have chosen to see someone’s actions just lately as a smokescreen to take you away from the main event, but until you face up to hard facts then you need the impetus. Take things in your stride and loosen up. Nothing is exactly what it seems just now, and something and maybe someone is keeping you on tenterhooks for good reason. Not a time to retreat into that shell, whilst there is hard work to be done and you are in the frame for it. Accept that your positive approach to life will see you through, and that pressure has to increase before resolve and resolution come to your aid once and for all. A minor conflict nears closure and there is now nothing left to stop you moving onwards and upwards, and not even glancing back. Love enters into the brave heart of the romantic Leo, as you become the star of the show. How you deal with all this is vital to your happiness and future success, since it will be weighed against the actions of your confident and open inner energies. You are more than you think that you are, and it is a great time to love yourself and to feel the difference that you can make all around. Mercury’s actions are connecting with wily Sagittarius, and with dynamic Neptune and grounding Uranus. You are under pressure to come up with the right plan, since this is what will take you further along the path of expectation and promise. Use this positive energy to ensure that you get to make the choices that will greatly effect future planning and serve to fine tune that which is needed to make sustained progress. Minor irritating things are blocking your true way forward right now and causing you to take alternative action. Any immediate plans will have to be scuppered and people informed of just what is going on and you can expect the goal posts being moved to cope with this. Actions will speak louder then words, but it may not be appropriate to do anything until the time is right and you get the signal. Whatever you do, do not lose your temper right now, until you find out why someone is acting the way that they are. Though you are aware that something isn’t right you need to be better informed before you start calling the shots. This week sees the actions of inspiring Ceres working to help you get your teeth into a project that needs your expertise and intuition to see it through. Lucky changes punctuate a week in which your guard is down and you can greatly benefit by clearing the air. Though you have taken recent developments with a pinch of salt, there is now a need to ensure that what you propose is just exactly what is wanted and needed right now. Count to ten, and if it still feels right then know what you are getting into and the effect it will have. Taking a break is possibly the very best thing that you could do right now. Stresses and strains have played a part in your recent actions, and you need to view things in general from a different angle and with the pressure turned down somewhat. Your need to achieve and maintain balance is admirable but a breath of fresh air is surely what is needed, especially on the threshold of a busy schedule ahead. Uranus takes on Mercury as a muted Neptune attaches to a resolving Chiron. All this is giving you the chance to move on to pastures new, without counting the cost of your actions. You have itchy feet and the time to move on is right now, preparing you for many changes and pointing you well and truly in the right direction. Be unafraid, when they come; you cope so well with those changes you must now make. Balance is essential as there are many people needing your helping hands of comfort this week. You are patient, focused and ready to take on that which you must right now to see everything through. Your energy and stamina are boosted, and your intentions are now widely known; so that others can better play their part to free your precious time, and to ensure the running of your tight schedule.

If it’s your birthday this week... Keep your eyes peeled and your options open because you are very close to finding a solution that doesn’t compromise you. The sooner clearance comes the better, because you have work to do!

17 26 - 23- dECEMBER 2010 Feb March 4 2010

Rotary donates to Caritas

The cheque presentation

THE ROTARY International Fellowship Club of Denia has made a donation of €500 to Denia Caritas towards the cost of helping the many families suffering financially in the town. President Bob Spokes presented the money to Father Pepe Correcher, who was accompanied by Gabriele Bott and Toi Mascarell. Father Corecher suggested anyone could help by donating children’s and adults’ clothing and shoes, or much needed blankets to their store, located at 30 Calle Carlos Senti, opposite Consum,

between 17.00 and 19.00, Monday to Friday. After the presentation, the members enjoyed a traditional Christmas Lunch before singing carols. The Rotary International Fellowship Club of Denia meets twice a month for lunch at the Orange Grove, Cami de Gandia, at 13.15 for 13.45. Current or past members of Rotary or any other service organisation, with their partners, are always welcome to attend: telephone 965 748 909 for information and reservations.

Jalon Valley HELP festive events A CHRISTMAS Bazaar and Fashion Show held in Alcalali this year raised a massive €3,581; a record total. HELP thanks everyone who helped us raise this fantastic amount by donating prizes, sent contributions or simply attended on the day to make this event a marvellous success. Please continue to support HELP’s Charity Shops in Alcalali and Jalon, full of bargains in clothing, bric a brac, books, CDs and footwear. CAROL SINGING IN JALON Jalon Valley HELP will be singing carols around the Christmas tree in the Jalon Plaza on Tuesday 21st December from 19.00 to 20.00. Bring your friends and family and join HELP singing the carols everyone knows and loves. Let’s make it a great start to Christmas in the Jalon Valley! For more information visit www.jalonvalleyhelp.com

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17 2010 14--2320dECEMBER may 2010

Computing

Printer problem

Joan from La Marina asks: Hi Aunty, I have a new TP Link router from Europa. They helped me set it up and it is working fine, but my laptop won’t print a full page. It only prints in the top left hand corner and there was no problem before the new router. My lap top is Windows Vista and I cannot figure out how to reset the print to print a full page. Everything I have tried has a different drop down list to the trouble shooting on the HP website. My printer is a HP photo smart 5180 and works fine on the other laptop which is Windows XP. Hope you can help with this problem. Aunty Says: The only way the Europa installation could have an affect on your printing Joan is if you are using your printer via a wireless connection. To eliminate the new router causing this problem you should make sure your printer is connected to your laptop via a USB cable and reinstall the software drivers from the CD you had with the printer.

with aunty virus

Internet TV

Theresa via email asks: Hello Aunty. I am a bit at a loss regarding British TV here in Spain and I read in a recent RTN about internet TV and now I understand less than I did before. I was told by a neighbor that I needed a big satellite dish to get English TV, yet my neighbour on my other side has a small mesh aerial and gets the BBC etc. no problem. Your write-up suggested I need the internet but a friend told me I would need a special connector to watch it on my TV as my laptop is a few years old. Now I really don’t know what to do, what would you recommend?

Aunty Says: You can get TV with all three Theresa. The satellite dish will allow you to receive TV direct from the satellites out in space; it works practically anywhere but is very expensive. The mesh is more local and a lot cheaper, but it will depend on where you are geographically. I’ve always used a guy called Dave (605 637 483) for everything TV related - mention me and he will look after you.

Fake virus programs

John via email asks: Hi Aunty, I’m confused. My laptop recently had a program installed called, I think, Crispy Potato which was aimed at movie buffs. Have since found out this was a virus which seriously polluted my laptop. Although I have had the virus removed there are still gremlins within the machine which are of nuisance value. However, the problem is that the repairer advised me that the free security programs, Skybot, Anti Spy Ware, AVG are in themselves a virus and there only to encourage you to purchase their full programs and has therefore removed them replacing them with Avira. The question is, is this true? As I would like to reinstall them, especially Anti Spy Ware. Could you please advise?

Windows 7 upgrade

Aunty Says: You do have to be careful, John, as the unscrupulous creators of these fake programs have started using names and designs that look very similar to the trusted ones we are familiar with. If you want to be sure you should really only download from a reputable source such as download.com or enetcomputers.net. Skybot I don’t know of, but Spybot is definitely safe, as is AVG, SuperAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes...

Roger via email asks: Hi Aunty. I know you’ve addressed the above problem before but now it’s happened to me. I bought a Windows 7 Upgrade from Amazon last January and installed it immediately with my current Windows Vista. So far no problems until yesterday when I got a message that my Windows was not genuine. I tried to get in touch with Microsoft but it proved difficult. They seemed to have a problem with the product code and I don’t know why as I’m sure it’s genuine. Can you advise me please? I am also having problems with my PC as it is very slow & I get messages saying for example: ‘windows explorer has stopped responding’. Could this be related to the ‘Not Genuine’ problem? Aunty Says: I don’t think they are connected Roger. I would contact Amazon about this as that is what Microsoft will eventually tell you to do. The ‘stopped responding’ error message can be a multitude of different things and the first thing that worries me is the upgrade from Vista to Windows 7 as that can be notoriously flakey at the best of times. The best thing to do is check you have all the latest device drivers for Windows7 from your PC/laptop manufacturer’s website and scan your PC with AVG, SAS and Malwarebytes. Let me know what they find.

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

Laptop going slow

Freda via email asks: Hello Aunty. I have a laptop and am running 2 antivirus programs on it. AVG 2011 free and Avast free antivirus. I have been told that running 2 will slow down the computer, is this right? And also which one would you recommend? Aunty Says: It certainly will slow it down Freda and I personally would go for AVG.

motoring

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

Trafico on line address forms

I AM writing to you to clarify some issues, it states in your book which I have that the change of address form can be found on line, downloaded filled in , then taken to by the local Correos, is this still the case? I live in The Alicante Province and am finding the whole issue of registering a UK licence and Author of medicals required very confusing, Can these Motoring in Spain be taken at your own medical centre and will it involve a trip to “Trafico” for both issues as described in this e-mail, would be grateful if you could provide some answers.

Brian Deller

Trafico periodically screw up my book information by rewriting parts of their website on new pages at www.dgt.es. The forms may now be found now at the address below: Select the Castellano language. The form reference numbers are the same as in the book and I suggest that all owners of my book note this new address in the relevant page, Third Edition, page 142. http://www.dgt.es/portal/es/oficina_ virtual/vehiculos/modelos_impresos/ If you have a local padron form (recommended so you should have), ie. registered on the ayunmtamiento empadronamiento, then send in the original of this form along with any Spanish

documents where the new address needs changing such as the vehicle Permiso de Circulacion and they will issue you with new documents as well. You must send in the old documents. Again there is no charge for this service. UK Driving Licence Registering. While you do not have to do this as an expat resident, there are benefits.You will need to go to your local Trafico with your passport, the foreign EU (e.g. UK) licence including the form D740, your Padron receipt and your NIE or residencia as applicable and they will do it while you wait giving you a receipt. Most Correos have a special post-bag for Trafico, but I have never had any problems using this method. The Correos will ensure it gets to the local Trafico who will action the info and post the new Permiso plus the Padron document back to you. There is no charge for changing your address. Trafico wants to encourage us drivers to keep them up to date. Medicals Since you have a UK licence (?) as you advise, go to the local reconcimiento (clinic with the test facility) and take the test after first getting a Spanish friend to phone and ask how much it will be. The clinics tend to load the price when they know it is an expat. Last June when I took my periodical test, I was

charged 25 but then at my age I have learnt how to charm the señoras who do the tests. Address list of reconcimientoes in Spain. http://www.dgt.es/portal/es/ oficina_virtual/dir_telefonos/ centros_rec_conductores/ ?tit=%BFD%F3nde%20se% 20puede%20solicitarats) Once you have the certificate with your photo on it as shown on page 145, photo copy it as a spare and keep a copy with you in case you are stopped by a policeman who has “just taken the training course and knows the ropes” The Guardia Civil officers are knowledgeable on this point. If you have an accident, a Spanish lawyer may ask you for the medical receipt as no receipt, your licence is deemed to have expired. Very awkward if in Court. Just for information for expats with Spanish Driving licences, since June last year, , when you go to the local clinic that has the facility, the clinic will take your licence and give you a three month temporary licence and send off the old licence to Trafico for renewal again. Do not forget as you approach 70 years of age that you will have to change the UK licence for a Spanish one and this is not difficult. Just start about 3 months before your 70th birthday. Feliz Navidad and good luck.

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. 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

2005 PEUGEOT 307CC 1.6 16V PTRL €11,995

2008 FORD FOCUS 1.6 TDCI DIESEL €10,995

2006 RENAULT MEGANE 1.5 DCI DIESEL €8,695

2008 CHEVROLET AVEO 1.4 16V 70PS LS PETROL €8,495

2006 FORD FOCUS 1.6 TDCI DIESEL €8,495

2004 OPEL TIGRA CABRIOLET 1.4 16V TWINPORT PETROL €7,995

2008 FORD FIESTA 1.4I FUTURA PETROL 7,995€

Ford Focus Estate (2005) 1.6 TDCi Diesel €7,995

2007 SEAT LEON 1.6 PETROL €11,495

2007 CITROEN XSARA PICASSO 1.6 SX 110 PETROL €8,995

2008 . . . Chevrolet Aveo 1.4 16v 70ps LS Petrol €8,495 2007 . . . Ford Fiesta 1.4 TDCi Ambiente Diesel €7,995 2005 . . . Ford Focus Estate 1.6 TDCi Diesel €7,995 2006 . . . Suzuki Ignis 1.3 DDIS Diesel €7,695 2006 . . . Citroen C3 1.1 Furio Petrol €6,495 2005 . . . Kia Rio 1.5 LS Petrol €6,295 2000 . . . Mercedes A-Class Auto 1.7 CDi elegance Diesel €5,995 2002 . . . Peugeot 307 Auto 2.0i Petrol €5,995 2002 . . . Ford Focus Estate 1.8 TDDi Trend Diesel €5,695 2005 . . . Hyundai Getz 1.2 Petrol €5,695 2003 . . . Peugeot 206 2.0 GTi Petrol €5,695 2000 . . . Renault Scenic Auto 1.6 Petrol €4,995 2003 . . . Opel Corsa 1.0 Petrol Coming Soon 2004 . . . VW Golf (RHD) 1.6 Match Petrol €4,995 2001 . . . Ford Focus Estate 1.8 TDDi Trend Diesel €4,995

Opel Astra Estate (2005) 2.0 DTi Diesel €7,995

2001 LANDROVER DISCOVERY AUTO 2.5 TD5 DIESEL €7,995

2007 CITROEN C4 1.4I 16V LX 90CV PETROL €8,995

2005 RENAULT SCENIC 1.9 DCI DIESEL €8,995

2002 LANDROVER FREELANDER (RHD) 1.8 16V SERENGETI SE PETROL 5,295€

2004 LANDROVER FREELANDER 2.0 TD4 DIESEL €11,495

2002 RENAULT MEGANE CABRIOLET 1.6 16V PETROL 5,995€

(2004) 2 1999 VW GOLF CABRIOLET 1.6 PETROL €5,995

1999 AUDI TT COUPE 1.8 180 PETROL €7,695

2005 FORD FOCUS 1.6 TDCI DIESEL €7,495

MANY MORE VEHICLES AVAILABLE WITH STOCK CHANGES DAILY – Look at www.autosdirect.es

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

We Buy, Sell & Part Exchange Quality British & Spanish Cars Transfer Documents Completed Competitive Insurance Quotes All cars Fully serviced and valeted

WE ACCEPT ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS

Find us next to Petrol Station TORREMENDO 10 Minutes inland from San Miguel, Los Montesinos & Junction 751 on the AP7 towards Orihuela. Torremendo turning on CV95 towards San Miguel

965 368 274

SPANISH REGISTERED CARS LHD €5,995

€8,995

FORD KA 2006 1.3 LTR PETROL

OPEL ASTRA 2006 1.7 CDTI DIESEL

€5,995

CITROEN C3 SX PLUS 2004 1.4 LTR PETROL

FORD FOCUS GHIA 2006 1.6 AUTO DIESEL ONE OWNER

BMW 320 I SE 2001 4 DOOR

€7,495

€5,995

one owner

€6,495

25000kms

HYUNDAI GETZ RENAULT MEGANE FORD FOCUS ESTATE GHIA, 2002 1.8 LTR TDCI DIESEL GRAND TOURER ESTATE 2007 1.1 LTR PETROL 2004 2 LTR PETROL FSH

€5,995

HYUNDAI GETZ 2006 1.1 LTR PETROL

€2,495

SEAT TOLEDO 1998 PETROL AUTOMATIC

Cars S.L.

www.venuscars.com

€3,495

€2,995

€10,995

SMART FORFOUR PEUGEOT PARTNER COMBI 2004 1.3 LTR PETROL 1998 1.9 LTR DIESEL

€10,995

MERCEDES BENZ 280 SL 1995 AUTOMATIC

SEAT CORDOBA 2000 1.9 TDI DIESEL

€2,995

€4,495

PEUGEOT PARTNER 2000 COMBI 1.9 LTR DIESEL

PEUGEOT 206 2001 1.4 LTR Petrol

€5,995

18000kms

43000kms

€8,995

€5,250

OPEL CORSA COSMO 2008 1.3 TDCI DIESEL ONE OWNER FSH

37000kms

fsh

CITROEN C3 SX PLUS 1.4 LTR PETROL 2005 ONE OWNER

€9,995

€8,995

€6,495

49000kms

fsh

automatics

€6,495

VENUS

Opening hours Mon - Fri 9-6pm (No siesta) Sat 10-1pm

SUZUKI VITARA 2002 4X4 1.9 LTR DIESEL

FSH

KIA CARENS EX 2006 2 LTR CRDI DIESEL

FORD FOCUS 2003 1.6 LTR PETROL GHIA FSH, ONE OWNER

€6,495

€5,495

Ford Focus Trend 2003 1.8 Ltr TDCi Diesel

See our vehicles on our website www.venuscars.com

one owner

Ford Transit Connect T200 2005 1.8 TDCi Diesel

Classified Ads Deadline for Classifieds Adverts is Tuesday 5pm prior to publication

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

Book your advert now 902 118 999 Round Town News

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

EMAIL: classifieds@roundtownnews.com | WEBSITE: www.roundtownnews.co.uk | Fax: 96 585 60 54 | Or see our list of classified agents in this section

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

• 25 Years Experience • Full or Part Loads • Friendly Personal Service • Large Secure Ware house, Fully Insured

• Storage Available 24 Hrs a day • Storage for Long & Short Term • FREE Quotations

es Pric 80 £ m fro ubic c r pe re met

Office: 966 792 751 • Mobile: 691 747 030 • banksremovals@yahoo.com

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

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

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

types of awning including motorization, material replacement and repairs. Mosquito blinds for windows and doors. Guttering.Roller shutters including repairs. Winter swimming pool covers. Contact Tony Bowers on 659-464-992/965-831-272 www.toldosalchemy.com. Email info@toldosalchemy.com 20% OFF RRP ON AWNINGS & BLINDS Price match guarantee! ALL types supplied and fitted inc. repairs. For Advice and Free Quotations call 639-561-262 or visit www.vistaawningsandblinds.es

bungalows for rent Carol 968-192-425 Mob 626-055-622 www. mobilehomesmarmenorspain. com CAMPING LOS GALLARDOS Come to Mojacar! Large campsite + mobile home park open all year, great expat community site, all welcome. 950-528-324. www. CampingLosGallardos.com

SOLAR ENERGY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Long established company, own product range. First class training & support. Telephone 606586587

BEAGLE PUPPIES For sale Urgent full pedigree Beagle Puppies need a good home. 200€ ono.Call Lou 625-432-159 PETZBACK HOME Professional pet transportation. UK/Spain/UK www.petzbackhome.co.uk Ring 0044-1209-319204 SMALL FRIENDLY BRITISH KENNELS individual runs, large excercise area. 25 mins Alicante airport. www. parkbark.co.uk 628-244-712

AVON NEED AGENTS AND LEADERS work hours to suit you. For info Phone Rosh 966-785-520 QUALIFIED HEALTHCARE ASSISTANT NVQLevel2. 4years experience. Recently moved to Benidorm looking for Care Work.673-276-364 DUE TO EXPANSION MILLIE MUNRO SERVICES Requires two experienced Appointment Makers. One for San Miguel office and one other to operate from our Head Office in Benitachell. No cold calling necessary as quality leads will be given.The object is to make appointments for our team of Sales Consultants. Hours/salary to be negotiated. Tel 966-493-082 or email simon@milliemunro.com PROPERTY TELEMARKETING We are looking for a telemarketing, sales person for our leads - Murcia.Tlf:-646-514-278. Email:julioadams@atlantia.info

SOLO SINGER/GUITARIST can travel Country/Blues/ Rock´nRoll. available for pubs/clubs/private parties, musician not karoke Charlie 691-622-804

Experienced mechanic required for busy workshop in San Miguel De Salinas.

The position is Full time with immediate start, undertaking all types of mechanical work in our state of the art workshop. You will be working alongside our existing mechanics to deliver a high standard of work and customer care. Please forward your CV and covering letter to aftersales@autosdirect.es

WINDSURFERS 2.8 Fanatic, Board, 2 Sails Various sizes, mast & boom, 2 Fins, & all ancillary equipment plus 2 wetsuits. 250€ ONO. Tlf:-609-550-734

MAKE 2011 A FRESH START Start your own Business - Time and Financial Freedom www.freeurlifenow.com BANKRUPT CLOTHING STOCK Womens,girls & boys clothing.Jeans,Trousers,Skirts Tops All 1euro each.Minimum order 50€. With invoice. Torrevieja, 651-885-200

Free Franchise No subscriptions No Selling Internet Businesses Free Training Free Web Site

sierraenterprises@hotmail.com

Spain 696640747 AWNINGS AND SUN BLINDS Toldos Alchemy serving the Costa Blanca since 1992, reliable and efficient. We install all

BYTEBACK MICROS computer repairs/upgrades in your home. Qualified technician. Systems custom built. Whatever your problem call: 965-312-006 or 606-127-424

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

UK 07540932133 www.sierra.goldfromkb.com

MOBILE HOME Benimar Landhouse, 11x4mtrs, Large Lounge, Dining, Kitchen,Bathroom, Two Bedrooms, Fully fitted. Sited Fortuna, Murcia. Offers to:653-441-334 MOBILE/PARK HOMES On Camping Pueblo in San Javier, from 15,000€ also

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

HAIRDRESSING EQUIPMENT 2 backwash units, 2 hairdressing chairs, Hood Dryer on Stand, Climazon Dryer Nearly New 1600€. Tumble Dryer 200€ Genuine Interest Only Tlf:620-408-678 ALUMINIUM SCAFFOLDING by Youngmans.Strong and light with wheels and 5 walkways.600e ono telephone 678-179-346 JVC CAMCORDER Never used!. In case, Ideal present. 60€ Tlf:-663-559-806 Benidorm area NEW PINE FURNITURE 5+2 Chest 99€ Tlf:-628-499-448 NEW PINE FURNITURE King size bed + under-bed drawers 285€. Tel: 628-499-448. NEW PINE FURNITURE Double Bed and Free Underbed Drawers 270€ Tlf:628-499-448 NEW PINE FURNITURE Treble Robe 150€ Tlf:628-499-448 NEW PINE FURNITURE 2 Drawer Bedside 20€ Tlf:628-499-448 NEW PINE FURNITURE All Furniture is Top Quality from Denmark Tlf:-628-499-448 NEW PINE FURNITURE Gate Leg Table 85€ Tlf:628-499-448 NEW PINE FURNITURE Large Pine Hall Mirror 85€ Tlf:-628-499-448 NEW PINE FURNITURE Double Robe 180€ Tlf:628-499-448 NEW PINE FURNITURE Computer Desk 99€ Tlf:628-499-488 NEW PINE FURNITURE Wine Table. 30€ Tlf:628-499-448 WHEELCHAIR Light, Foldable, Hardly used, like new, 150€. Mobility Scooter 40km range 499€ Tlf:627-019-403

PRESTIGE NURSING offers Legal, Registered and Professional Home Care on the Costa Blanca. All your home nursing care service needs can be undertaken by our highly trained nursing/ domiciliary team. Call Prestige Nursing on 687-015-517

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

WEIGHT WATCHERS Call our Free English call centre now to find your nearest meeting. 900-818-794 GARDEN RAILWAY Great xmas present! G scale garden railway all new too much to list. phone steve for details, bargain at €425 ono 965-319-232 or 670-477-010 BALLROOM/LATIN/ SEQUENCE DANCING with LA BAMBA’s. Los

Arcos Restaurant, Avenida Baleares, Torrevieja, SOCIAL DANCES: Saturday 7pm10pm & Tuesdays 8pm10.30pm (except second Tuesday of the month) TUITION:- Beginners Monday10.30am. Bienvenido Chinese restaurant, La Zenia: Beginners Wednesday 7.30pm, Improvers Thursday 11.30am, Intermediates Friday 11.00am. Tel: Andrea 616 478 157 DATEMED.ES Great new online dating site for English speaking people on the Costa Blanca. Free membershipsJoin Now! www.datemed.es

POOL, SNOOKER TABLES Also Table Tennis and Darts. Will beat any price!. Tlf:666-933-726. www.spainpool.com SEALEY POWER WELDER new welder 210 xtc, turbo fan cooled with auto visor, Great bargain €165.0no. phone:965-319-232 or 670-477-010 GOLF CLUB SHARE FOR SALE Individual golf membership share for Altoreal Campo de Golf in Murcia for sale. English call 679-717-171 Español 629-827-955.+ KARAOKE MEDIA PLAYER “Brand New” 500GB. 70,000songs, software, songbooks, bar/home use. 275euros Tlf:-654-925-679

CITROEN C3 1.4 HDI FURIO, 5 door 12/2005, 1 owner, 68.000kms, FHS, aircon, cd etc lovely condition, light met blue 5.950€. 600-726221/965-687-976. www.fwreurocars.com GOING HOME? Good selection of RHD Vehicles. Call Frank on 600-726221/965-687-976. www.fwreurocars.com KIA SORENTO EX - LUXURY 4X4, 2005 2.5 CRDi, 99,000 with 3 owners, Full service history - Diesel, Metallic grey, PAS, ABS, E. windows/ mirrors, Electric mirrors, Front fog lights, A/C (Climate), R. locking, Side steps, Cd player, Multi airbags, 5 spoke alloys, Rear head restraints, Roof rails, Detatchable towpack, Parking sensors Rear luggage cover. 10950€. 600726-221/965-687-976. www.fwreurocars.com

SAAB 96 - 3 DOOR COUPE, 1973 Saab 96 - 3 door coupe, 1973 - 1498cc V4, Petrol, 4-speed column change, A superb collectable and appreciating asset.5750€. Contact Frank on 600-726-221/965-687-976 or visit our website for more details and pictures www.fwreurocars.com GOING HOME? RHDVAUXHALL MARIVA 1.6 8v 5door. 07/2004, 2 owners only 28,000 miles, alloys rear privacy glass, cd and more, light blue mot,d & taxed 3,450€. 600-726-221/ 965-687-976. www.fwreurocars.com PEUGEOT 206 SW ESTATE, 2005 2.0 HDI X line, 1 owner, Full peugeot service history,Stunning condition, finished in met sliver with rear privacy glass, aircon, cd and much more, must be seen only 6,250. 600-726-221/ 965-687-976. www.fwreurocars.com FORD TRANSIT CONNECT T200, 2005 1.8 TDCI, diesel, Spanish LHD, only one owner/driver. Very well maintained.5495€ www. venuscars.com 965-368-274 MERCEDES C180 ELEGANCE 1999 Silver low mileage, service history, excellent condition inside and out, very economical €4500 price ONO Simon 696-981-082 SEAT CORDOBA, 2000, 1.9 TDi ltr diesel, Spanish LHD, white, 4 doors, electric windows, air con, alloys. 2995€ www.vensucars.com 965 368 274 FORD FOCUS GHIA, 2003, 1.6 Ltr Petrol, Spanish LHD, crystal metallic blue, 5 door hatchback, one owner, fsh, remote cent locking, elec windows, 6 CD system, climate control 5250€ www. venuscars.com 965 368 274 MITSUBISHI PAJERO RHD English Plates. 7 seater, 2.8L diesel, 2500€ ONO. Call for more information. Tlf:664-535-755 PEUGEOT PARTNER COMBI, 1998 1.9 Ltr Diesel, Spanish LHD, Silver, air con, roof rack, power steering very good maintenance record. 3495€ www.venuscars.com 965 368 274 SUZUKI VITARA, 2002 4X4, Spanish LHD, Burgundy/ Silver, 1.9 Ltr diesel, manual, only 43000 KLM 5995€ www. venuscars.com 965 368 274 RENAULT MEGANE GRAND TOURER ESTATE Privilege,2004 Spanish LHD, Blue, one owner, FSH, climate control, alloys, auto xenon lights,cruise control 7495€ www.venuscars.com 965 368 274 KIA CARENS, EX, 2 LTR CRDI, 2006 champagne, Spanish LHD, elec windows & mirrors, MP3 CD player, parking sensors, cent locking, alloys. Excellent cond only 37000 klms 8995€ www. vensucars.com 965 368 274 OPEL CORSA COSMO, 2008 1.3 Ltr TDCI diesel, Spanish LHD, graphite, half leather interior, one owner, FSH, 18000 klms, climate control, all round elec windows, cd player, alloys 10995€ www. vensucars.com 965 368 CITROEN C3 SX PLUS, 2005 1.4 Ltr petrol, Spanish LHD,

champagne, Cd player, elec windows, climate control, one owner, only 49000 klm, excellent condition 6495€ www.vensucars.com 965 368 274 SMART FORFOUR, PASSION, 2004 1.3 ltr petrol, Spanish LHD, 2 toned black & silver, alloys, cd player, air con, electric windows 5995€ www.venuscars.com 965 368 274 FORD FOCUS GHIA ESTATE, 2002 1.8 ltr TDCI diesel,115 BHP, Spanish LHD, blue, alloys, air con, all round elec windows, 6 CD player, one owner, excellent cond 5995€ www.vensucars. com 965 368 274 FORD KA, COLLECTION, 2006 1.3 Ltr petrol, Spanish LHD, pale blue metallic, FSH, CD player, air con. 5995€ www.venuscars.com 965 368 274 SEAT TOLEDO, 1998 Petrol Automatic, white, Spanish LHD,air con, all round elc windows, good condition 2495€ www.venuscars.com 965 368 274 AMIGO CARS Huge selection of well cared for second hand cars. Prices from 750€ Call:-965-419-857. Rental Cars from 7.50€ per day. See advert on page 54. Call:622-684-486 WE BUY any car,van,motorhome,boat, jet ski. Instant decision at good prices. Tel 680 -665-583 WANTED Scrap cars, vans, lorries, plant and caravans. Turn your scrap into cash. Free collection. Tel.689929395 BUMPERS, WINGS AND MIRRORS All body panels for all cars supplied. Tel:966-875-497 or 618-592-396 HEADLIGHTS4U.COM Left hand drive headlights supplied and fitted. All makes. Also air conditioning rechargeTel:-966-875-497 or 618-592-396 MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER 313 CDI LWB Panel Van Year 2007, RHD, 9 months MOT, 12 months Tax, 1 owner from new. Ply-lined, FSH, Excellent condition.Tlf:628-499-448

WANTED I buy any car, van,Caravan,4x4 Etc.British, Spanish. Immediate cash 600-781-873 ibuyanycar@hotmail.com

VILLAPAINTING.ES Spray application specialists.Interior and Exterior, wood-doors and metalwork Telephone 678179-346 info@villapainting.es PAINTING AND DECORATOR Exterior/interior Villa Painting Specialist. Woodwork, iron work, all aspects. For a free friendly, no obligation quote call Kevin Guilfoyle. 965-831-209/ 636-653-516 or Guifoyle.kev66@gmail.com

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

CASA ANGELA TORREVIEJA Luxury Private Chalet, parking. Drinks invitation. Feeling alone? Just want some company? Exotic girls from South America. Call us, come and enjoy! Also Escort Service. Full discretion. Street: Avenida Asociacion Vistimas del Terrorismo. 609-573-468 or 639-832-118 NEW PLACE! TORREVIEJA Sexy girls from South America. Come and enjoy, economical prices from 40€. NEW ADDRESS Zone Los Locos beach. 639-622-285 DAVID TORREVIEJA 24 years old, gym body, Very sexy and hot, come see it for yourself for men and couples. call me 678-179-616. PORNO DVD´S Gay, Bestial. 6 for €25. BDSM, She-Male 10€ each. Rebecca:636-929-511 FREE SPANKING THERAPY for Ladies. Lose Weight FAST for Xmas. Guardamar to Alcazares. Info:-spanktherapy@hotmail. com SEXY COUPLE offer discreet erotic services, can accommodate. tel, 634-167-946 SEXY BUSTY BLONDE tall English busty blonde 30, offers discreet erotic services.can accommodate. tel. 672-826-161 SEXY FUN AND GAMES 63 year old. Sub/Dom Switch. Your place or mine. Available for females, males and couples. Specialising in more mature females and cross dressers. Torrevieja to Benidorm. Low Fees. Tlf:655-058-554 DANI 24, SWEET GERMAN GIRL Offers erotic service. House and Hotel visits or in my apatment. 650-104-534. Torrevieja 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 NEW IN BENIDORM MATURESUSI, 49 discrete, dedicated flute player, made in Switzerland. Offers from sensual massage to full premium service as outcalls or incalls. 7days 10am - 8pm Call 672-836-234 or www.maturesusi.com GENERIC VIAGRA SAFE AND EFFECTIVE 100mg blue pills 24 for 50€ or fast acting oral jellies. Call Ron TTMarketing Tlf:-966-499204 GENERIC VIAGRA 100MG 12 tablets for 30€ or 24 for 50€ also fast acting jellies and weekenders. Free discreet delivery. Quesada & surrounding area. Derek 685-207-378 MODEL FOR NEW XXX WEB SITE We are currently looking for females between the ages of 21 and 99 make 50% for web income on your page call 697-810-298 webmaster@thexxxwifes. co.uk

TORREVIEJA CHINESE SUPER SEXY Young and beautiful. Calle Orihuela Nº60, 2º1 GAY MASSAGE by masculine sexy boys nr Benidorm Tel. 646 642 575 Discretion assured. Staff wanted www.gaymassage4u.com

POOL LEAK REPAIR SPECIALIST’S Pipe leaks pressure tested, detected and repaired. Structural leaks investigated and repaired. 100’s of private and communal pools successfully repaired on the Costa Blanca. 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. Torrevieja and surrounding areas including Costa Calida. Tel Pristine Pools on 966-774-199 or 678-080-500 Email info@ pristineswimmingpools.com www.pristineswimmingpools. com SWIMMING POOL MAINTENANCE AND

CLEANING SERVICE BY POOLTECHSPAIN. We are a fully legal, qualified and registered business who have been operating on the Costa Blanca for 6 years. We offer a professional, reliable, safe and efficient pool service, inc. regrouting, pressure testing and leak repairs. Private and community swimming pools undertaken. Call now for more information on 965-725-565 or mobile 676-945-360/ 620-743-048 www.pooltechspain.com

LOOKING TO RELOCATE we have new and preowned luxury park homes for sale throughout the uk 12 month occupancy part exchange considered on your spanish or uk home for more information call 0044-151633-2321 or email : alan.aitken@hotmail.co.uk MOBILE/PARK HOMES On camping Pueblo in San Javier from 15,000€ Carol 968-192-425 Mob 626-055-622 www. mobilehomesmarmenorspain. com CLASSIC SPANISH OLD TOWN HOUSE CALLOSA. 3 double bedrooms (one en-suite) new kitchen, large living room/diner. Bbq terrace and LOTS more. Recently reformed/fully furnished. 135,000€ Tel:609-177-032.

Javier Carol 968-192-425 Mob 626-055-622 www. mobilehomesmarmenorspain.com CENTRAL TORREVIEJA 2 Bed 1 Bath, 1st floor apartment, for long let. with lift, separate good sized kitchen with serving hatch to lounge/Diner. Galleria, and large balcony. TV, A/C. 1 min from sea front. Tlf:609-550-734 CLASSIC SPANISH OLD TOWN HOUSE CALLOSA. 3 double bedrooms. Recently reformed and fully furnished. 450€ p.m. Tel:609-177-032.

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17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

The final whistle

La Vila Rugby success ends 2010 Fishing Maggots End by

David Hoare

SPOTY

Golfer Lee Westwood

BY THE end of this weekend, we’ll know who will have been crowned as the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year. As a former BBC employee, I was lucky enough to attend the event on a number of occasions when it was held at Television Centre. It was always a fun evening, mixing with the great and the good and catching the odd word with legends such as Muhammad Ali, David Beckham and Sir Steve Redgrave. That said, I think the time has come for the corporation to change the title of the gig. Let’s face it, if this year’s award was given on ‘personality’ only, the England cricketer Graeme Swann would be a shoo-in. Not only is he taking wickets in the Ashes and at number two in the world rankings, but also he is a true character and thoroughly entertaining. His Ashes video diary on the ECB web site is required viewing. Personally though, I’d go for golfer Lee Westwood. He’s ended the year as the best in the world and he was part of Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup squad and any man who can get the better of Tiger Woods twice in 12 months gets my vote. SENSATIONAL SID Sky Television has done some great things with live sport and, to be honest, some pretty horrible things too. But their treatment of the World Darts Championships at the Ally Pally is just sensational. It’s fantastic entertainment, whether you agree that darts is a sport or not...and there are plenty who say that it’s merely a pub past time. And of course, the man who makes the tournament such fun is lead commentator Sid Waddell. Many people don’t realise that Waddell has been involved in TV for over 40 years and has worked with the likes of Michael Parkinson and Alan Whicker. But it’s his one-liners that have tickled a nation for many years, so with this year’s Championship just underway, I make no apologies for listing my all-time top three Waddell quotes: Number 3: “The atmosphere is so tense, if Elvis walked in with a portion of chips, you could hear the vinegar sizzle on them.” Number 2: “If we’d had Phil Taylor at Hastings against the Normans, they’d have gone home.” Number 1: “When Alexander of Macedonia was 33, he cried salt tears because there were no more Worlds to conquer...Bristow’s only 27.” OUSTED SAM It appears that we might see a bit more than usual of Sam Allardyce on the Costa Blanca this football season after his sacking by Blackburn Rovers. The club’s owners decided that Allardyce had to go because they wanted a top-four finish. What ridiculous thinking: if the Rovers’ hierarchy want to challenge the likes of Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea and Manchester United, then they’ll need to invest heavily in quality players. With the current squad, I can’t see any manager getting them much better off than the mid-table place they currently occupy. Yet again another senseless Premier League sacking.

968 199 279

LA VILA Rugby Club has achieved yet another premiership win, this time at home against Valladolid’s VRAC Quesos Entrepinares. The game, played on Sunday at the Villajoyosa Rugby Stadium, ended with a tight final score of 32-28. La Vila began the first half with gusto. The team produced a try in the opening minute, courtesy of Daniel Hall and converted by newcomer, Luke Cozens. It seemed an omen had been set for the game to follow. La Vila knew what was at stake on the day and dominated the tempo of the match from the outset. Strong performances came from Paco Martínez and Marcos Poggi, both earning tries before the second half had ended. Young talent Javier Carrión secured a team bonus with another try early in the second half. VRAC, for their part, struggled to penetrate La Vila’s defense on the day. The team was unable to cross the line until the second half and lagged in points until the final minutes of the game. Although it was too late for a turnaround, VRAC pulled together at the end, scoring twice in quick succession before the final whistle blew, and showing the home team that they were not to be underestimated. La Vila now leads the Division of Honour by ten league points, having enjoyed a phenomenal start to the season and working hard to secure their favorable position. With six fixtures to go, however, and many points still at stake, the outcome of the league is never certain. La Vila’s next game will be played on 2nd January 2011, against CAU Valencia. Be sure to witness the next phase of Spain’s exciting premiership league. For more information please contact Jo le Roux at publicrelations@rugbylavila.net

RTN Golf e t a d p u b u Cl

THIS WEEK’S match was the final round of the President’s Cup series. The venue was the eight foot drain, aptly named for its depth. This venue can be patchy, as again it showed this week with weights from 10 kilos to half a dozen anglers not getting a bite (the joys of match fishing). TOP RODS ON THE DAY 1st Dave Taylor, fishing the pole using maggot and corn with 10.280 kg 2nd John (A.K.A. Johnny M) Marsh, fishing the pole using maggot with 8.840 kg. 3rd Derek (The Beancounter) Swann, fishing the pole using maggot with 8.36 kg. Overall winner with 27 points was Bill Reade 2nd Stan Roberts with 30 points 3rd John Marsh with 36 points ABBEY ANGLING RESULTS supplied by Terry Screen The Winter League 6th round was fished on the Eden Stretch, with the rise in the temperature and the water not flowing as it had been the venue did not fish very well. 1st Bill (The Master) Reade, fishing the pole using paste managed to break into double figures with 13.020kg 2nd Lenny (Ex Cultural Attache) Bolton, fishing the pole using paste and corn with 6.440kg and also in joint second place was Andy (The Hat) Stevenson, fishing the pole using corn. There are now many pegs fishable on the river, thanks to the effort put in by a few willing Anglers. Remember, this Tuesday 14th December is the Annual Fur & Feather Match: the draw is on the bank at 07.30 and back to The Abbey Tavern for refreshments after the match. All details are available from Terry Screen, the Match Secretary on 965 328 368. TROUT FISHERY HONDON TRUCHA Fly competition 4th December 2010: Anglers participated in the first fly competition of the season 2010-2011 on this chilly but sunny Saturday afternoon and as always the atmosphere was relaxed. There was a total amount of 151 trout caught and landed during these 3.5

SOUTH

Region

Agents Profile

Dennis Jordan NORTH

Region

WELL THIS week’s weather has been changeable, but still good for golf; more than we can say for the UK! The courses have lots of societies that play their games every week but over the festive period with people taking holidays and some heading back to their home countries, it is noticeable that the courses are quieter, so they offer some good incentives to get the players out to partake. If you fancy a round on some of Costa Blanca’s fabulous golf courses, take advantage of our good weather and get some practice in. Take a look at the RTN list for your discounted prices and enjoy your game.

AS THE winter nights close in on us and the Christmas festive season is almost upon us most of the local golf courses are relatively quiet with a reduced number of visiting tourists and many residents heading back to the UK to visit family and friends. In an attempt to win their part of a reduced market, all of the golf courses launch low season winter deals starting from 1st December. This week’s special deal is from Las Colinas with the following prices: • Four players and two buggies for only €200 at weekends or between 12.00-13.00 on week days • Two players and one buggy for only €76 from 13.10 onwards. There many more winter deals available and to obtain more information contact Mike at mike@roundtownnews. com or direct at Costa Blanca Green Fee Services on 966 704 752 or 661 345 931.

THE NEXT FLY COMPETITIONS WILL BE HELD: Wednesday December 15th: 14.00 – 17.30 Saturday, January 8th: 14.00 – 17.30 For participation call Jan 636 314 033 or email hondontrucha@wanadoo.es New Year’s Day, Hondon Trucha is closed. Anglers Together MERRY CHRISTMAS and a Happy New Year! 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 on the second Friday and Saturday of each month. Anyone with an interest in fishing (sea or freshwater) is welcome to come along to a meeting. The next meeting at Mary’s Bar, Campoverde (near Pilar de la Horadada) will be held on Friday 14th January at 12.00. There is a new venue for the Puerto de Mazarron meeting, starting in January 2011. On Saturday January 15th at 12.00, the meeting will be held at The New Royal Bar and Restaurant at El Alamillo, opposite the sea-front between Isla Plana and the Port. Refreshments and lunch are available at each location. Come along to a meeting nearest to you. For further details ring Alan Roscoe 968 570 876 or email: anglerstogether@gonuts4free.com

SOUTH Region

Agents Profile

Mike Probert

hours and about 15 were over 1 kg. The winner, Wayne Salmon from Xativa, managed to capture 44. His best fly for this afternoon was the Fritz, later followed by the small booby and using a sinking line. Good results also for nº 2 - Jan Antonio from Elda: 26 trout and Dick from Xativa: 24 trout. While the twilight was falling, Jan handed over to Wayne a voucher for one morning free fishing; two litres of Moscatel wine from the local bodega and a small present.

Golf Course

RTN Price

Comments

Altorreal

€55

Two Green Fees + Buggy (Fridays only)

Hacienda Del Alamo

€89

Two Green Fees + Buggy

La Finca

€42

Single Green fee

Lo Romero

€85

Two Green Fees + Buggy

Polaris World Courses

€90

Two Green Fees + Buggy

Roda

€80

Two Green Fees + Buggy

Vistabella

€72

Two Green Fees + Buggy (Weekends only)

There many more winter deals available and to obtain more information contact Mike at mike@roundtownnews.com or direct at Costa Blanca Green Fee Services on 966 704 752 or 661 345 931

NORTH Region

Golf Course

RTN Price

Comments

Alenda

€45

Single Green fee

Alicante Golf

€46

Single Green fee + Buggy

Bonalba

€42

Single Green fee

Don Cayo

€43

Single Green fee

El Plantio

€45

Single Green fee

Font del Llop

€68

Two Green fees

Villaitana Par 62

€30

Single Green fee + Buggy

Villaitana Par 72

€40

Single Green fee

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

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

17 - 23 dECEMBER 2010

It costs nothing to be polite Noel’s world of golf By Noel Eastwell Teaching Professional Campo de Golf El Plantio 639 730 891

JUST LAST week I was very saddened to see and hear some lady golfers being abused by some fellow golfers on one of our local golf courses. The abuse came from some male golfers who thought the ladies were too slow and should call the big hitting strong men through. The sad thing is that these men did not enquire why the ladies were slow. The ladies were following four golfers from Northern Europe who were last in a group of 32 on a society day out and even if the ladies had called them through there was nowhere for them to go. The two ladies concerned approached me afterwards and were visibly upset at the behaviour of the men in question. The ladies thought I could do something about the behavior of these two undesirables but I was also only a guest at this particular club so all I could do was report the incident to the Course Marshall. Well, what a waste of effort that was! To say he was not interested is as big an understatement as saying these two were in the same league as touring professionals. This type of abuse has no place at all on golf courses or indeed anywhere else in life and I am sure that all fellow golfers will agree. Like it or not, lady golfers have as much right to be on our golf courses as anyone else; if you cannot accept that fact then stay away from the golf courses in Spain, where many husband and wife pairings play every day in perfect harmony. Indeed, as we have seen quite often, they are better mannered so there is an argument that they have more right to be there than some men. In my experience this incident is very rare but just think for a second how those ladies felt after being told in the bar afterwards that they were too old and ugly to be on the golf course and should be at home doing the

knitting. When I heard that statement it was the last straw for me and I felt I had to ask both to behave more in line with what was expected of them when they were on the golf course. I have encouraged both ladies to write to the club concerned after finding out the names of the two individuals involved and have done so myself. I would encourage anyone else who sees similar abuse to a fellow golfer to do the same. Let’s keep the game well mannered for as long as we can. 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 17TH DECEMBER 2010 In what year did Nick Faldo last win the Open Championship? A. 1991 B. 1992 C. 1993 All answers must be received no later than 17.00 on 31st December 2010 to be entered into December’s draw, to be made on 1st January. The winner will be announced in RTN on 7th January, 2011. NOEL EASTWELL GOLF ACADEMY AT EL PLANTIO For the very best in golf tuition, contact Noel on 639 730 891.

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

Joinourclub! PLAYING GOLF for RTN Golf Club members could not be better as everyone scores a hole in one to enjoy a complete discount package at the best prices possible. Players can get out on 30 Costa Blanca courses and pay the most competitive green fees available. This ‘superb’ deal means a RTN Golf Club member and up to seven guests can all be enjoying spectacular discounts at clubs along the coast. To book a round, all members have to do is to send their requirements to the two agents, who will deal with requests quickly and efficiently. For the south email: mike@roundtownnews.com and for the north email: dennis@roundtownnews.com To apply for your membership card go to www.roundtownews.co.uk and click on the Golf club logo on the homepage. Allow 21 days for delivery

Tony Rimmer Trophy

AT THE Club de Golf Ifach on 12th December, 12 medal winners from 2010 competed for the Tony Rimmer Trophy. His widow, Linda Rimmer, phoned the treasurer Peter Busby and apologised for being unable to get a flight from the UK, asking him to present the trophy, as he knew Tony so well. Tony was captain of the club in 2001, an ex- policeman from Liverpool, who died young. The winner was Pat Shortt, second Howard Parry and third, Alan Mullins. During the week, final competitions of the year’s match play trophies had taken place. Dave Finch won the Men’s Scotty Cup and Yvonne Holtel won the Ladies. Norman Bain and Rital Linder won the Mixed Knockout against Roger and Sandy Coates. Jon Bareham and Geoffrey Rowe were the winners of the Men’s Captains Salver, with Ann Jones and Gail Brumham taking the Ladies Trophy.