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09 MAR-15 MAR 2012

Let’s use our community centre!

Property key in talks

issues affecting expats living in the area were discussed on Monday when British Ambassador Giles Paxman met members of the Valencian Regional Government p4

Discover the passion of Andulucia

by louise clarke

SAMPLE THE beauty and traditions of historic Andalucia this May with Gandia Tours’ five day excursion into the region’s heartland p15

THE COMMUNITY centre in Blue Lagoon has been completed for more than a year and yet apart from one or two groups using it for meetings, it is sitting there idle. This week RTN met up with two local residents keen to get this community centre up and running and the great thing is that the San Miguel Town Hall has given them the authority to get on with it and get the building used for what it was intended; a community centre for the benefit of everyone in the area, young and old. The building was constructed using Plan E money and it comes complete with toilets, petanca pistes and a bowling green. Unfortunately, due to the financial crisis and subsequent cuts to municipal budgets, the Town Hall cannot afford to kit out the centre and that is where the traditional British community spirit comes into play.

Going green Moraira hosts a weekend music festival to celebrate St Patrick’s Day later this month p37

Showbizz goss

BOOKINGS Terry Watson and Michelle Mint are passionate about the centre and its potential. Michelle said: “We hold the keys for the centre and we would like to offer it to any groups and associations for free. The Town Hall has said that as long as the relevant paperwork is filled in, which I can help with, they will not charge for any groups wanting to use the centre.”

Michelle added: “The Town Hall also pays for all the utilities and a cleaner comes twice a week.”

Find out why Betty White is getting a roasting this week p50

A PLACE TO GO

Gadget Inspector This week the Gadget Inspector takes a look at the Kogeto Dot iPhone lens. Find out more on p59

Terry and Michelle

Plans for the centre include a much needed youth club for the young people in the area and as regular readers will be aware, RTN and Viva TV are currently involved in a joint project to promote youth activities, so this is something that both media companies will be getting behind wholeheartedly. Michelle told RTN: “We are currently in talks with a local karate teacher who is interested in running a youth club and this too has been approved by the Town Hall.”

3 Continued on page

2

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

Volcanic eruption comes to an end

Head Office

by louise clarke

Vall de Biar 14. 03530, La Nucia, Alicante

THE VOLCANIC eruption that was recorded in the Mar de las Calmas, off the island of El Hierro, has ended, according to the Scientific Committee of ‘Pevolca’, the Civil Protection Plan for Islands with Volcanic Risk. The Director General of Security and Emergency for the Canary Islands, Juan Manuel Santana, said after the meeting of the committee earlier this week that the members were unanimous in their confirmation that the eruption had ended. However, Juan Manuel Santana did also state that in principle, the eruption that has been detected on the island of El Hierro itself since July 19th 2011 is still continuing. Therefore there will be ongoing scientific monitoring measures taking place as this greatly “affects the population” of the small island.

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‘Anonymous’ hackers arrested in Spain

SPAIN’S INTERIOR Ministry has announced this week that National Police officers have arrested four suspected hackers linked to the ‘Anonymous’ activist group. A Ministry Spokesman said that the four accused are suspected of defacing government websites and have released personal data on bodyguards that work protecting the royal family and Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy. The arrests, which took place in Málaga and Madrid, were part of an international operation aimed solely at the Anonymous organisation. There were more suspects arrested in Colombia, Chile and Argentina. The Ministry Spokesman added that the group had set up a chat room, via two servers in Bulgaria and the Czech Republic, in order to help run the alleged computer attacks in both Spain and Latin America.

Jack Troughton LOUISE CLARKE jack@roundtownnews.com

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3

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

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The spacious interior

continued from Front page Terry added: “We hear so many complaints from residents saying that they are sick of seeing kids hanging around the streets. Now they will have a place to go.”

The club will need a whole range of equipment and Terry and Michelle would like to ask all local businesses to get involved in the community centre and help out where they can. “Any donation of equipment, time or money will be gratefully received,” said Michelle.

And those businesses that do help will get a mention in both RTN and on Viva TV for their generosity. So, if you can help or would like to book the centre for your group or association, please contact Michelle at michelle.mint@btinternet.com or call Terry on 966 791 362.

Alleged kidnapper to face jail A MAN accused of trying to kidnap a four year old girl near a hotel in Villena is facing at least three years in jail if found guilty. The court in Alicante heard that the attempted kidnap incident happened in August 2007 when the 38 year old defendant tried to snatch the child from her parents.

Ambitions today for the generations of tomorrow

by Gemma Smith THE LA Siesta Church Youth Club (LSCYC) is a group of teens of all ages; living in the Costa Blanca. They have been given the task by Viva TV to create a film based on the concept of a child being told that they are moving to Spain by their parents.

LSCYC have to demonstrate the reality of living in Spain, including the good, the bad and the ugly! This gives the group a fantastic chance to get involved in production and work together as a team to produce something amazing for the public

eye. Adding to this, it gives likeminded teenagers in the UK an insight to other viewpoints about living in Spain and offers parents a deep idea of what their child may have endured when they were told the same thing. The premise for the youth club is to create this film in time for the Youth I-Expo exhibition; which is being held on Saturday, 2nd June at the Centro Municipal de OCIO (CMO) in Torrevieja. The film will also be presented on Viva TV, so make sure you keep tuned in; it’s not to be missed!

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4

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

Property key in talks

Ambassador Giles Paxman (right) meets Valencia President Alberto Fabra

by jack troughton BRITISH AMBASSADOR Giles Paxman met members of the Valencian Regional Government on Monday to discuss issues affecting expats living in the area – with property high on the agenda.

Problems over property rights, planning abuses, and illegal homes experienced by a significant number of UK citizens were discussed and regional government ministers promised a working party to seek a solution.

However, campaign and protest groups across the region have underlined there must be independent representation by experts outside the government and construction industries and hope to be allowed a direct input themselves.

During a series of meetings, Mr Paxman was accompanied by Consul Paul Rodwell, who represents the interests of British nationals resident in the autonomy and the millions of holidaymakers who visit each year.

Ministers emphasised the importance of the British residents and tourists to Valencia’s economy – it is estimated tourists alone spend 1.3 billion euros a year.

And through the President of the Generalitat Valenciana, Alberto Fabra, the government expressed its willingness to work with the British Embassy in Madrid and the Alicante Consulate to address issues facing the British population.

It was agreed on all sides that efforts must be increased to help Brits integrate more successfully into local communities. Language skills were seen as central to the problem and both sides discussed the possibility of developing a language exchange programme.

SUPPORT Mr Paxman and Mr Rodwell also met Jorge Cabre Rico, Minister for Justice and Welfare, and discussed the role of volunteers in supporting disadvantaged and isolated groups of British residents.

It was hoped to build on the Consultate’s successful ‘ConeXiones’ project – an initiative that brings together British charities with Spanish social services to improve support to expats though to be the most vulnerable and in need.

Property was one of the most important issues discussed during the visit and the British team met Isabel Bonig, Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Environment. Mr Paxman and the Spanish politician discussed the action being taken to address property and planning problems experienced by “a large number of British residents.”

The Ambassador welcomed the initiative of a working party, including town halls and planners, to try and reach a solution. Mr Paxman repeated his commitment to help local authorities and the Valencia government to address the problem, including the involvement of British nationals directly affected.

After the visit, Mr Paxman said: “It is important to continue to engage with the Valencian Regional Government on issues that affect British nationals who live in and visit the region.

“We hope the authorities will take forward the initiatives we have discussed, namely the working group to look at property issues and the language exchange programme. We hope to see some progress on these issues in the not too distant future.”

Protestpolicetobeinvestigated THE VALENCIA prosecutor’s office has announced that it will open an investigation into the roles played by police during recent student protests, when around 20 people were detained and several dozen injured. The inquiry was opened after complaints were filed alleging that police used excessive force in trying to keep the students from demonstrating.

We need a doctor! www.roundtownnews.co.uk

by LOUISE CLARKE

THE RESIDENTS of Entrenaranjos in Orihuela need a doctor.

That is a fact. The village is located miles from the nearest health centre and whenever someone is ill, they have to make the trek all the way over to Torremendo in order to see a medical professional. With an increasingly aging population the urbanisation needs a doctor or else residents will have to continue to get in their car and drive over to the health centre some seven kilometres away; neither practical nor good for their health. After a 14 month campaign, the village has recently welcomed its first pharmacist and now they are campaigning to have a doctor based there. To facilitate this campaign, last Friday, representatives of Entrenaranjos and Laguna Green took a petition containing more than 500 signatures to the Orihuela Town Hall where it was stamped and passed onto the relevant department.

PROMISE The petition does not ask for an all singing, all dancing health centre, which they know is extremely unrealistic in these uncertain economic times; all it asks is that the Town Hall makes provisions to allow one doctor from the existing health centre in Torrevieja to be based in the village two days a week. After the representatives, including the unofficial spokesman for Entrenaranjos, John Reynolds, handed the petition into the Town Hall clerk, they later met with former Orihuela Mayor and PP leader, Monica Lorente to see if she could lend some weight to their request. Ms Lorente told the residents that she would do whatever she could to help them get a doctor located to the village and promised that she would raise a motion in the forthcoming Town Hall ‘pleno’ meeting.

The residents added that they have asked the physician about the possibility of going to the urbanisation twice a week and he said he would have no problem doing that.

UNDER ONE ROOF So the question is where would the surgery be? “Well that

John Reynolds with the stamped petition

is an easy answer,” said the former Mayor, “the shop unit where the pharmacist is based. It is big enough to have a consultation room and therefore everything could be under one roof.” Ms Lorente said that she will speak to the Department of Health in Valencia and then have a further meeting with the residents in the coming week to get this request approved and then she will put it to the Orihuela government team for their approval at the end of the month. She concluded: “The residents of Entrenaranjos have already tried to raise this issue with the government team and received a negative reply.

Now it is time for us to sort it out.”

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

5

6

Protect yourself

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

by

Jennifer Cunningham

DESPITE BEING able to offer our clients a very competitive quote we have lost a number of them to other companies for as little as 50 euros.

When we point out the differences of the policies and especially the benefit of the protected no claims bonus that Liberty offer, nearly always we are told that it doesn’t matter, the cheaper the better.

I fail to understand this comment, whilst appreciating that under Spanish Law cars have to be insured, we need to also take into consideration, that there are other factors involved, for example accidents, theft, fire, breakdowns.

In my considered opinion an essential part of the policy is the protected no claims bonus, if an accident happens, the amount you would be paying on renewal, would possibly be far higher, than the amount you have saved by opting for a cheaper policy.

Again when choosing a house insurance, be careful that you actually understand the coverage you are purchasing, no policy in the world will cover you for every eventuality and it is not an extended warranty, however there is a lot of misleading information on the market. Do not assume that simply because you are paying less and you are assured verbally that everything that you expect to be covered is covered.

A number of times during the last few years, I have written about UK registered cars. I understand from various reliable sources that the police

are now targeting these vehicles, a joint task force for the autonomous Province of Alicante will from now on be setting up regular static controls, along with the Guardia Civil, the National and Local Police, including helicopter support when required, in areas where there are many foreign residents….

The reason for this action being taken are the number of non Spanish registered cars being driven illegally, for example those without current MOT or Road Tax, (please note a Spanish ITV is not valid on a UK registered vehicle) therefore can I suggest that if you are a resident (paying your taxes in Spain) you should seriously consider starting the process now to reregister your car.

Legally if you are a tourist (non resident status) in Spain, then as long your car has a current UK MOT and road tax, then you can stay for a maximum of 185 days. It is also very advisable to carry in the car, your driving licence, proof of payment on your Insurance, your ITV or MOT certificate, road tax, the registration documents and your ITV sticker should be clearly displayed in the top right hand corner.

Remember that the police now have access to the MIB in the UK to enable them to check UK vehicles for proof of insurance and of courses the database in Spain for Spanish Registered cars.

I can assure you that it is not a pleasant experi-

ence being pulled over by the police, whether local police, Traffico or the Guardia Civil and they are not interested in excuses of any kind… it’s an immediate fine.

Changing the subject but still talking about protecting yourself, I’d really like you to be careful when choosing your Financial Advisor/Company, to ensure that in Spain they are licensed and regulated by the Gibraltar Financial Services FSC and the FSA. When registered with these authorities all advisors will automatically carry indemnity insurance in case of mis-selling and/or bad investments. The other point to watch very closely are the costs when transferring your pension fund to another fund, these differ enormously and can be quite a shock when receiving your final settlement.

Finally, if you are not sure where your pensions are invested or if they are giving you the maximum return our Associate Ian Whitby is available to offer you a full pension review, I can assure you he is fully regulated and authorised and can be contacted via our offices.

PS I am looking for a Sales Consultant to cover our Benijofar Office due to opening a new office in Playa Flamenca on March 26th. The applicant must have a proven sales record. Please send your CV’s to debs@jennifercunningham.net

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

www.roundtownnews.co.uk

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

New park set to attract nature lovers

7

by Louise Clarke THE MAYOR of Torrevieja has inspected the renovation project at the Ilo-Ilo Municipal Park in Los Balcones this week. Eduardo Dolon and the Councillor for Parks and Gardens, Carmen Gomez Candel, visited the 28,000 square metre area, which is currently being regenerated as part of a project that has a municipal investment of 293,822€. The regeneration project involves the plantation of native plants that are virtually maintenance free and are indigenous to the salt lake environment. The site runs along the entire Calle Salinas and is divided into circular zones where people can walk, relax and reflect.

NATURE The works in this vast area consist of pavements and cobblestone walkways and include two playgrounds, one for children and one with ‘healthy’ apparatus. There is also a recreational area with sandy soil and turf, 15 picnic tables, eleven waste paper bins, a wooden fence to encircle the recreation area and 30 modern tubular street lamps. The Mayor congratulated SARCO, the company in charge of the project, for meeting all its deadlines and he also expressed the importance of the regeneration of this area saying that it will become a great park for the residents of this great Torrevieja urbanisation to enjoy as well as becoming an attractive place for nature loving residents, holiday makers and families from all over the Vega Baja to visit. It is expected that the project will be finished in May and will then be opened to the public.

Free translation services The new park will be opened in May

Spanish students escape train wreck unharmed SPANISH PASSNGERS had a lucky escape on a packed commuter train after it crashed in Poland on Sunday. The

disaster, which killed 15 people, occurred after the train travelling on the WarsawKrakow line derailed. According to the

IT HAS been announced this week that there will be a free translation service offered to all Orihuela Costa residents from the Civic Centre in Playa Flamenca. The service, which is being provided by Help at Home (HAH) Costa Blanca, will be available every Monday and Tuesday from 10am until 12pm. The translator will be located in the coffee shop and can help with paperwork and appointments with social workers at the centre.

Spanish Interior Ministry, the group of 16 students were in one of the derailed carriages and thankfully, all escaped unharmed. The Warsaw-Krakow route is one of the busiest and most-frequented train line in Poland; linking the capital to the second-largest city. Early reports suggested that there were 19 Spanish

students involved in the crash, but a recount revealed that there were in fact 16; all of whom were shaken by the incident but able to carry on to their final destination of Krakow by coach. More than 50 other people were injured in the crash, which is thought to have been caused as a result of human error.

8

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

Easter holiday disruption after Iberia pilots call more strikes

Iberia planes

by Louise Clarke PILOTS WORKING for Iberia have announced 24 more strike days this week; many of which coincide with bank holidays and Easter. The airline has lost more than €30 million so far as a result of the pilots strike and the next two scheduled strikes are due to coincide with next weekend’s San Jose celebrations and Valencian Fallas; next Friday, 16th March and Monday 19th March. The pilots have taken the decision to strike after the company decided to launch a low cost version, called Iberia Express. It has also been confirmed that the pilots will strike during the following weekend; Friday 23rd March, Sunday 25th and Monday 26th March, the weekend after that; Friday 30th March, Sunday 2nd April and Monday 4th April and the following weekend which will coincide with Easter.

TREND On Easter Monday, 9th April, there will also be reduced flights offered by Iberia as a result of the pilots’ strike action, as will the remaining Fridays and Mondays in April; 13th, 16th, 20th, 23rd, 27th and 30th. Wednesday 2nd May will see another strike, as will every other Friday and Monday in May. There has yet to be an announcement with regards to strike action in June, but it is thought that unless the

company agrees to start negotiations with the Pilots’ Union, the trend will continue; with flights affected every Monday and Friday throughout the month. A spokesman for the Pilots’ Union issued the formal notice of strikes to Iberia, saying they were the result of the airline’s “failure to negotiate”.

SAVINGS The pilots feel that it would be better to cut the price of existing Iberia flights by 50% in order to encourage more passengers to fly with them as opposed to creating a low cost airline and are even prepared to take a 50% pay cut in order to facilitate this and yet the company is not even prepared to negotiate.

The spokesman added: “By taking the option proposed by the pilots, the company would save €300 million. But if they continue with their plans to create Iberia Express, it will only save them €90 million and would mean the loss of 40 aircraft and more than 8000 jobs. Where is the sense in that?” As a parting shot, the spokesman also pointed out that the company was in breach of the Aeronautical Safety Law, which regulates hours worked and frequency of breaks. He said that one of his colleagues was sacked after taking the stipulated number of breaks recommended by this legislation.

Spain shuts embassy

SPAIN’S FOREIGN Minister, José Manuel García-Margallo, has announced this week that Spain’s in Damascus will close in protest at the continuing repression by Syrian President Bashar al Assad’s regime. To ensure that the estimated 800 Spaniards living in Syria have some representation, two government envoys will stay at the EU’s delegation office in Damascus.

Criminal gang arrested

by Louise Clarke NINE PEOPLE, believed to part of one of the most active criminal gangs in Spain, have been arrested by Guardia Civil officers, it was announced this week. The operation was conducted by agents of the Economic Crime Group of the Central Operational Unit (CCU) of the Guardia Civil. Three of the men were arrested in Alicante, the other six in Madrid and Cuenca and all are from Eastern European countries except for one who is Spanish. The gang were prominent in the distribution of counterfeit cash as well as the cloning of credit cards. Officers carried out two house

searches in Alicante and a third in a house in Santa Pola where they found 200,000€ in counterfeit notes and those arrested in Cuenca and Madrid were in possession of another 40,000€. The Guardia Civil estimates that the gang has circulated more than €1.5 million in counterfeit 50, 100 and 200 euro notes during the last year.

According to the Guardia Civil, the notes were made in Eastern Europe and moved to other countries via regular bus routes and through the transportation of goods, with drivers keeping in touch with the various different cells responsible for each individual country.

10

mail

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

talk tous

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

letter of the week

A lesson learnt THIS WILL explain one of the reasons why car insurance premiums are so high here in Spain.

In July 2010 I parked my car in the Arenal car park at the Los Remos end, in Xabia, at the end of a row at the beach end. From a nearby office I observed a huge motorhome in the car park. It could not get around the corner where my car was and hit its offside (driver’s side) on the bumper of my car. I ran out and stopped the driver going any further, to avoid wrecking my car. We exchanged the International accident forms in both Spanish and English and I got hold of an independent witness, who watched and helped completion and signing of the forms.

My BIG mistake here, in retrospect, was not taking a photo of his vehicle on my bumper and the damage to both vehicles but I was so angry I didn’t think this through. The motorhome obviously should not have been in that car park and the driver could clearly see he was hitting my car but wasn’t bothered.

My insurance company advised me to get the work done, pay the bill myself (as it was under my excess) and send them the factura to reclaim from the other party.

The bill was 170.51€.

Months went by and no refund. I eventually found that the other party (a policeman from Madrid) had forged

my signature on another accident form and said I had hit his vehicle!

Months later my insurance company went to court in Denia to obtain the refund, its lawyers having failed to get any satisfaction by letter and telephone. I had to attend, with the independent witness (who by this time had left for another country and could not return) and ‘defend’ my action! This involved 2 more lawyers from each side, from Madrid and Alicante; a judge; court staff; and the questioning was very intimidating.

Some weeks later the judge found in my favour but again no payment was made: the other party had appealed. Months later it went back to court; weeks later the judge again found in my favour. After many more enquiries, last week I received a payment order.

So for a bill of 170.51€: 18 months of lawyer work, two court sessions and tens of thousands of Euros in costs for the insurance companies. Why the insurance companies did not just settle the bill between them I do not know. Again, I do not know if the policeman’s actions are being investigated further.

Always take a photo of any incident involving your vehicles. Even then you may still have problems!

John Price

Do something about it Blinkered I WAS not surprised that the person commenting on foreign cars in Spain withheld, I guess his name (can’t believe it was a woman). Firstly insurance is governed by EU Directives thus if a vehicle is covered then it is covered.

Of course, just like the UK and probably most other countries, if one fails to maintain the vehicle and that fault causes an accident then the insurance may be invalid.

If Mr No Name is so sure that vehicles are being driven in Spain illegally then instead of telling us readers, who are probably not that interested and who certainly have no power to do anything about it, he should have the courage to make denunicias to the police who can and will take action.

For that matter, he could even make a denunicia against the police as he is alleging here that they are not doing their job, and the insurance companies too. Of course if the allegations are incorrect Mr No Name will be the one in trouble. It’s an offence in Spain to make an allegation which is untrue. That probably also applies to unjustified comments sent to your newspaper.

Elaine Gonzales

views

REGARDING JACK Johnsons comments in your newspaper, I laughingly agree his views are politicly blinkered, He seems to delight in winding up the right wing Thatcherite ex-pats, Jack must have forgotten that Thatcher soundly defeated the unions and working classes in 1984/5. I know because I was her vanquished, and life became very difficult for all who apposed her there after.

Terence Gibson La Cala

A big thankyou I JUST wanted to thank you for the publicity you gave for the Big Art Event we held at the Rojales Caves last Saturday. Having been asked to help re-start the monthly artists’ market there, we had 100’s of people pouring in to make it a huge success. Many people that had never visited the caves before were there with many pledging to return, some having come from as far afield as Los Alcazares, Pego and Valencia.

For various reasons a number of artists pulled out at the last

minute, but we still had around 50 exhibiting and demonstrating, besides the resident artists, and despite the wind causing a few problems for the artists it was a brilliant day. The tea room and bar struggled to cope with the demand and the event finished midafternoon with a large paella.

The result was that the artists at the caves were really happy with the day and will now be asking the town hall for the monthly market to resume.

Martin

www.roundtownnews.co.uk

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

IKEA will come to Alicante… eventually

by LOUISE CLARKE THE MAYOR of Alicante, Sonia Castedo, has said this week that the installation of a new IKEA mega store in the city will constitute “an important solution” to reduce the unemployment rate in the provincial capital. Castedo was speaking after being asked about the progress of the store’s plans, during a visit to the Santa Barbara Castle. She was at the popular tourist destination to hear the findings of a report from the Conference Júcar (CHJ) which called for a change of location of the proposed IKEA store in Rebasa, in order to install a large and much needed underground water pipe. The Mayor explained that it was

IKEA who chose the location of Rabasa, even though the Town Hall had offered many other different location possibilities. “I guess everything has been done that can be done with regards to the CHJ’s report,” commented Ms Castedo, “it is unclear whether there is a solution or not but I am sure that the appropriate decision will be made.” She added that in the event that IKEA could not build its Alicante store in Rabasa, the company would seek other locations and that the Town Hall will continue to provide other appropriate sites. “I am sure that IKEA is intended to be located in the city of Alicante,” she concluded.

Ikea to come to Alicante

Princess in the clear

THE BALEARIC Island judge investigating the alleged diversion of public money at the Institute run by the King of Spain’s son in law, has announced that he will not be indicting Princess Cristina in the case. The Judge also decided not to call back the princess’ husband, for a testimonial face-off with one of his main accusers.

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09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

Ryanair blames AENA for Alicante flight reduction

by Louise Clarke RYANAIR BOSS Michael O’Leary has blamed airport management company, AENA, for his company’s reduction in flights to El Altet airport in Alicante. At a press conference on Tuesday, he said that he considers the demand by AENA to use and receive payment of “unnecessary walkways” as “abusive”. The airline CEO added that if the courts of justice definitively reject his request that his passengers can embark and disembark on foot at the Alicante airport, AENA will be ultimately responsible for “the loss of 18 routes and 1.5 million passengers,” as well as significantly damaging the tourism economy on the Costa Blanca.

APPEAL COURT The Irishman, held the press conference to formally complain about the “abusive attitude” adopted by AENA with regards to its requirement of the use and payment of the unnecessary walkways and although two recent court rulings have found in favour of AENA, the low cost airline has decided to send its case to the Court of Appeal one last time before the summer schedule kicks in. O’Leary reiterated that if the court decision is contrary to the interests of Ryanair, Alicante airport would lose flights, routes and passengers and the region would lose millions of euros generated by the 1.5 million tourists that are expected to use those lost flights.

FALSE CLAIMS When asked if this press conference

was aimed at trying to sway the appeal court judges, O’Leary explained that he hoped that the proposed mandate could still be reconsidered by the airport’s managing body. The Alicante Provincial Court dismissed a Ryanair appeal two months ago after the company requested precautionary measures to tackle the embarkation and disembarkation of its passengers on foot at El Altet. The ruling was later upheld by the Commercial Court of Alicante, which rejected the measures requested by Ryanair. After the last rejection of the measures, the

Red Cross introduces mobile units to help the vulnerable

by Louise Clarke MORE THAN 40,000 people in the province of Alicante are “extremely vulnerable” and another 360,000 live in “relative poverty”, according to a statement issued this week by the Red Cross, the charitable organisation which has spent months on end meeting these people through social emergency mobile units.

The charity has distributed 2,100 tonnes of food to the poorest people in the province over the past year and their activity in the fight against poverty and social exclusion has increased by 146 %. However, the most worrying statistic is the number of people who were homeless or squatting in un-serviced properties; a total of 2,160 were dealt with in 2011 which is a five fold increase on the number dealt with in 2010.

Michael To combat this increasingly disturbing issue, the charity has O’Leary’s introduced mobile units to provide a local service which can fight with guarantee a quick response in situations of social emergency.

AENA is The teams that man the units are made up of volunteers going all and Red Cross technical professionals who all have specific the way training in caring for these groups, including social workers, to the doctors and health workers. The units coordinate and are Appeal Court always in constant contact with social service departments at conflict between AENA and Ryanair was the specific Town Hall as well as the Local Police. finally sent to be settled in the Court of Appeal, the judgement of which will be known within the next two to three weeks. O’Leary also used the conference to reject AENA’s “false claims” that the new requirements were a safety issue.

ANTI DRUG prosecutors have opened an investigation into He said: “If that is the case, why has the Tarragona town of Rasquera after councillors passed AENA enabled Ryanair passengers to an ordinance to cultivate marijuana on government land embark and disembark on foot for the in an effort to rake in money for the cash-strapped mulast five years?” He concluded: “If the nicipality. The district attorney office in Tarragona is lookverdict of the Appeal Court finds in Ryaing into the plan that could have criminal consequences nair’s favour, the airline will resume all for Town Hall officials. its routes for the summer season.”

Marijuanamunicipality to be investigated

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09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

Eighth anniversary of Madrid bombings

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by Louise Clarke THIS SUNDAY sees the eighth anniversary of the Madrid bombings, which claimed the lives of 191 people and left thousands injured. This week, it was announced by the UGT and CCOO unions that the main association which represents the victims of the March 11th 2004 train bombings will take part in this Sunday’s street protest against labour reform. The Asociación 11-M - Afectados por el Terrorismo, which represents over 1,000 victims of the Al Qaeda attacks, has agreed to participate in the march on the same day that it will also observe the eighth anniversary. President of the Association, Pilar Manjón, said that 11-M victims did not have exclusive rights over the date, which clearly contradicts other victims groups which have demanded the unions reschedule their march for another day out of respect.

CONSPIRACY THEORIES CCOO leader, Javier López, said they

approached the association whilst trying to agree on a date for the second major protest against the policies of the new PP government. Pilar Manjón added that although the association will be sending a representative to the protest, she will be attending the victims’ memorial event in Alcalá de Henares, as she does every year. Meanwhile, the Attorney General, Eduardo Torres-Dulce, has ordered an investigation after the contents of one of the train carriages involved in the March 11th attacks was found in an abandoned shed on a Madrid train yard.

The wrecked carriages were all believed to have been scrapped shortly after the attacks and the discovery has fuelled more conspiracy theories, the authors of which believe the police, Guardia Civil, foreign secret agents and the national intelligence services were behind the attacks that took place just three days before general elections, which were won

by PSOE and put José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero in charge of the country.

FORENSIC INVESTIGATION Torres-Dulce said that he made the decision to call a fresh investigation into the discovery of the carriage because he wants to be sure there was no obstruction of justice committed during the extensive inquiry. The metal scraps were found in a train yard owned by Tafesa, a maintenance firm contracted by Renfe, and is said to come from the train that was attacked at the Santa Eugenia station.

Tafesa was in charge of taking away the damaged rail carriages following the tragedy and in an earlier hearing, the Supreme Court had given Renfe the permission to dispose of all the carriages following the forensic investigation. The surviving carriage was The the same train carriage in which the Madrid station bomb went off and had been bombings completely gutted and later repaired. claimed However, the wreckage from inside the lives the train was put away inside the shed of 191 people where it remains today.

Cycle paths unite A GROUP of volunteers has carried out a survey of cycle paths throughout the municipality and provided a comprehensive report for the Orihuela Town Hall, according to the Cycle Councillor for Mobility, Martina Scheurer (LV). The survey, paths to especially the one involving the coast, has provided essential Orihuela information for the Department of Mobility which intends to beaches deal with as many reported deficiencies as possible in time are a priority for the traditional holiday season. Martina told RTN: “The

lack of vertical signs, deficiencies in the pavements and especially the lack of conjoined pathways are the main shortcomings that we will attempt to resolve gradually. Our priority is to unite the existing cycle paths, especially those near the beaches. It is important that they are accessible to cycle users who are holidaying on the coast or visiting the area.”

The Councillor added that the funding to carry out these projects will be provided by the Valencian Energy Agency.

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09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

AMICS office to be based on the coast

by Louise Clarke THE OFFICE for the Attention of Foreigners (AMICS) in Torrevieja has been an essential part of the services that the Town Hall provides to foreign residents for many years.

At long last and after many years of requesting such a service in Orihuela Costa, it has been announced this week that there will be an AMICS office based at the Civic Centre in Playa Flamenca. The announcement was made by the Councillor for Immigration and Social Services, Emilio Zaplana, on Wednesday. He told RTN: “The Department of Immigration will triple its services in the Orihuela Costa, by installing an AMICS office in the Coastal Civic Centre.

This office will cater to all foreign residents in the area twice a week and the project responds to the new approach that has been initiated by the Valencia Government to provide all foreign nationals with the same services as someone who originates from the region.”

INFORMATION Zaplana said that the Town Hall will open up this service once every two weeks until 1st April and after that it will be available twice a week. Amongst the services to be provided there will be information on services and health cards, Spanish taxes, information on traffic issues and recognition of driving licenses as well as help with building permit applications and initial occupation licences.

Staff members will also be able to help with rights and duties in respect to the state education and the approval of university studies, population census and many other concerns or needs of the foreign population resident in the municipality of Orihuela.

The Councillor used the opportunity to thank his team at the Department of Immigration for all the effort they have made with regards to this new initiative and said that they will do everything they can to ensure that this extension of service is carried out with zero cost to the municipal coffers.

Emilio Zaplana

Surgery ward closes

ONE OF Barcelona’s largest hospitals closed its surgery ward for one day last week because of the regional government health cuts, leaving many patients scheduled to have procedures without any alternative dates. Bellvitge Hospital, one of Spain’s most important health facilities for complex surgeries, cancelled all procedures.

Forest fire committee discuss new strategies

By Louise Clarke THE SPECIAL committee to fight forest fires, which was set up at the end of January, met in Guardamar this week to discuss new strategies to combat the forest fires that blight the municipalities of Guardamar, Rojales and Torrevieja every year.

The main objective of this initiative is to catch the arsonist or arsonists who for more than three years have been operating in this area and have caused more than 40 fires in the Natural Park of Las Lagunas in La Mata and Torrevieja. These fires have also had a severe impact on the pine forests of the Guardamar sand dunes and have destroyed about 80 hectares of reeds and pine in the

towns of Torrevieja, Rojales and Guardamar.

The committee agreed to reiterate to the residents of the three municipalities the importance of reporting suspicious behaviour in the area and to provide specific data and information to the authorities. A spokesman for the committee told RTN: “It is essential that people communicate any hint of suspicion of wrongdoing by calling 112 or e-mailing a specially created address for this purpose: stopincendiosgt@gmail.com or by calling the Local Police of Torrevieja (965 710 154), the Local Police in Guardamar del Segura (965 729 600) or the Local Police in Rojales (966 715 129).”

www.roundtownnews.co.uk

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

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Discover the passion of Andalucia

Historical Seville

by jack troughton SAMPLE THE beauty and traditions of historic Andalucia this May with Gandia Tours’ five day excursion into the region’s heartland.

The largest of the 17 autonomous regions, it encompasses every iconic image the rest of the world has of Spain – flamenco, fiestas and bull-fighting.

Writers and painters have long been as passionate about Andalucia as its native population while it is also the setting for the most performed and famous opera of all time, Bizet’s Carmen.

And thanks to its rich history, the region is also an exotic melting pot, where east meets west and where the Moorish, Christian and gypsy cultures have left their mark.

The five day tour departs the Costa Blanca on 25th May from a number of selected points and crosses Alicante, Murcia, Almeria and Granada on the way to Benalmadena and the three-star Hotel Bali and a two night stay.

Day two, 26th May, sees the trip head along the coast where there is a chance to take in the Hollywood glitz of Fuengirola and Marbella

en-route to Gibraltar. Expats will have the chance to shop or take in a number of tours – naturally including a chance to go up the Rock itself and meet the famous apes.

The tour returns to the hotel and dinner.

Day three, 27th May, and after breakfast it is time to head inland into the mountains, another world after the crowds along the coast.

In Ronda there is a chance to see Spain’s oldest bullfighting ring, the Plaza de Toros, the

A view of Gibraltar

beautiful church and its renowned bridges.

In the afternoon there will also be the opportunity to visit the picture postcard ‘white villages’ and to step back in time wandering cobbled streets and a pace of life that has barely changed in centuries.

The destination is the four-star Hotel Sherry Park in Jerez and day four, 28th May, brings Gandia Tours’ travellers a choice – either to remain in the city or to continue on to Seville.

Beautiful Jerez offers a visit to one of the famous wine cellars and an opportunity to sample the delights of the famous tipple expats know as sherry, or a tour of the royal equestrian school – or perhaps, just the chance to relax and roam the narrow streets.

Sightseeing in Seville will see the coach take visitors passed some of the monuments of the city and a chance to take a boat trip along the River Guadalquivir. There will be the chance to admire the Torre del Oro, the church of La Macarena, and while stretching legs, a wander through the labyrinth of streets of the old Jewish quarter of Santa Cruz before ending up at the Cathedral before returning to Jerez and the hotel. After breakfast on 29th May, the coach will travel back through Granada and Guadix, and includes stops on the return to the Costa Blanca.

Prices for the five day tour of Andalucia are from 270€ including transport and four nights half board accommodation at the two hotels. To reserve places call Gandia Tours on 96 610 6872 (Monday to Friday 9.30am to 1.30pm and 4pm to 7.30pm) or see the advert on page 43.

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09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

Celebrate Looking Good’s 10th Birthday in Style

Free wi-fi for young people FREE WI-FI service has been introduced this week at the Youth, Information and Entertainment Centre (CIAJ) in Torrevieja. The announcement was made by the Councillor for Youth at Torrevieja Town Hall, Rosario Martinez Chazarra.

She told RTN that from Monday 5th March, the CIAJ will provide free WI-FI for the exclusive use of all young people aged from twelve to 35 years. Ms Martinez reported that all that is needed to access this free WI-FI service will be a DNI or NIE certificate. The terms and conditions for the use of this service will be posted on the bulletin board of CIAJ and all those who use it will be required sign their acceptance of those terms and conditions.

by Louise Clarke IT IS with great pleasure that RTN can tell all its readers about the 10th birthday of Looking Good Boutique, which is based in La Zenia, Orihuela Costa because let’s face it, there are not many businesses here on the Costa Blanca that can boast ten years of successful trading; it certainly is quite an achievement! In order to celebrate a decade of success, owner Louise would like to invite all RTN readers to join in and celebrate the Boutique’s 10th birthday in style. The party takes place next Friday, 16th March and as part of the celebrations, there will be lots of special offers as well as three, yes three, fashion shows during the day.

GREAT DISCOUNTS The first show will be Shoes and Bags, to celebrate the opening of their new shoe department. They will be showing the brand spanking new collection at 11am. This will be followed at 2pm with a Wedding Guest and Mother of the Bride fashion show, featuring all the latest outfits for that special day and the start of the 10th Birthday Sale, which can only mean one thing: GREAT DISCOUNTS! The third show takes place at 5pm and features Spring 2012 fashion with all the lovely new collections that the boutique is receiving on a daily basis. There will also be birthday cake and cava all day

long and they will be giving away 10 x €50 vouchers throughout the day. So, just go along to the Boutique for your chance to win. Everyone is welcome to the shows, seating is offered where available and there will be raffle prizes and fun also on offer, so come if you can, Louise and her friendly staff would love to see you!

CALLING ALL VOLUPTUOUS LADIES If you cannot make the birthday celebrations, then fear not because there is plenty more going on at Looking Good Boutique this month; including my favourite show of the year, the Curvy Ladies Fashion Show.

For all those voluptuous ladies like me, this fashion show is a must, not only because I will, once again, be modelling, but also because there are so many amazing items to choose from. Sizes from 40/14 upwards will

be highlighted at the event, which starts at 12 noon on Saturday 24th March and given that Spain doesn’t really do ‘larger ladies’ clothes, this has to be the best opportunity to get that stylish item that fits you perfectly. Then on Thursday 29th March from 5pm, the Boutique will be hosting a SPRING/SUMMER new collections show; this is a great chance to see what is hot for summer 2012.

Swimathon for the needy

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY On 20th April, Looking Good Boutique will be holding a charity fashion show in aid of PCN at La Heradura restaurant in Los Montesinos and on Saturday 28th April at 12 noon the grand Joseph Ribkoff fashion show, which is always the Boutique’s busiest show, will take place at the Boutique in La Zenia. More information on these shows will be available nearer the time in RTN.

Inside the boutique

THE FIRST Orihuela Swimathon will take place tomorrow (Saturday) at the city’s municipal indoor swimming pool.

The ‘Solidarity Swimathon’ has been organised to help raise funds and food for the San Jose Foundation. You can register online until 8pm today by visiting the sports section of the Town Hall website at www.orihuela.es or at www.unmetrounaalegria.blogspot.com.

People who register to swim must either provide hygiene products such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap and shower gel; food products such as canned tuna, canned tomatoes, milk and sugar or a financial donation for the charity and the swimmers can choose whether to swim 25, 100, 200 or 300 metres of the pool. All swimmers will receive a time for their ‘shift’ and must be there in appropriate swimwear and a swimming hat ten minutes before their allotted time. The pool is open between 8am and 8pm, so they hope to have 12 hours of continuous swimming. You can also make a contribution without swimming and just hand in a financial donation or any food or hygiene products in at the Palacio de Agua in the centre of Orihuela, which is located just behind the Ociopia Shopping Centre.

Rationing is back! www.roundtownnews.co.uk

IT SEEMS that large numbers of people are taking the advice of Iberswitch SL and changing their electricity supply to the dual tariff system.

So many in fact, Iberdrola is now reporting a shortage of meters. This is delaying the installation in many cases.

Rather than fitting a second meter as they used to, Iberdrola are taking the opportunity to fit digital meters which in time, everyone will have. This will all but eradicate the problems caused by faulty meters and, will

make estimated bills, a thing of the past.

So, change to the dual tariff system to reduce your electricity bill and either purchase your new meter for about â‚Ź94 and have it fitted within 10 days, or rent one and expect to wait a while.

Either way, if you apply to Iberswitch to manage your account they will handle the entire process from start to finish. Once connected, your kilowatt rate will be even less than the Iberdrola dual tariff rate by using one of the many companies who work with Iberswitch to reduce your electricity bills.

You can even go one step further and buy a Power Saver. Iberswitch currently have an exclusive offer for their clients, just â‚Ź40 plus IVA including delivery. This will knock up to 15% off your bill.

Having taken all of these steps you will be doing everything you can to reduce your electricity bill and the best thing? Iberswitch will help you with everything. With a big increase expected very soon, there has never been a better time to give them a call on: 966 265 089

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

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Channel tunnel to allow mobile phones

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

By

Chris Marshall Expat blogger www.almerimarlife.com

BACK IN Spain this week, but the first story to catch the eye relates to the Channel Tunnel and reports that a French technology group had sorted out a way of connecting the tunnel with mobile phone networks.

The report claimed that the systems would be live in time for the Olympics in London in July which sort of makes sense. Given the current state of the roads infrastructure in the UK I suspect many a ticket holder will still be stuck in the Tunnel when the games have started.

A spokesman for Eurotunnel, which manages and operates the tunnel, could not confirm the report, but did confirm that the idea was being looked at.

Here is my advice: don’t!!! The 35 minutes that you are on the Shuttle is nice and peaceful and a great time to just switch off and unwind after a drive so please don’t go spoiling it by allowing some obnoxious business type to rabbit on in a loud voice about how important they are. It wouldn’t be so bad if it wasn’t mandatory to open your windows on the Shuttle so there would be no escape!

I am starting to like Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on the grounds that he seems prepared to stand up to the EU bullies must have something about them! Spain has told Brussels that they will miss the 2012 deficit target that had been agreed due to soaring unemployment (close to 6m soon in Spain) and the likely return to recession next quarter.

Rajoy said his conservative government would aim to hold the public deficit in 2012 at 5.8 percent

of gross domestic product, way above the previously agreed 4.4 percent.

Spain now faces sanctions from the EU, but has said that the additional 4.7% spending cut would in effect be the straw that breaks the camels back.

One effect of this stance has been a drop in European Shares and a weakening of the Euro, which I suspect will please more than a few Expats.

Now if only he could be as tough with the Iberia pilots who have called another 24 one-day strikes during the next three months as part of their continuing protest at the airline’s plans to set up a low-cost airline, Iberia Express. The strikes are due to take place on: March 6, 19, 23, 25, 26 and 30th, April 2, 4, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27 and 30th and May 2 , 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25 and 28th.

Also on his “To Fix” list should be the problem of age discrimination here in Spain as nearly 293,000 over55s have been on the dole for a year and the number of official complaints concerning age discrimination when applying for jobs has rocketed. In total, 15 per cent of dole claimants – including those signed on whose entitlement has expired – are aged 55 or over, and 15.5 per cent of people in this age-group are unemployed. This means nearly three million of Spain’s jobless are those whom companies consider ‘too old to work’. A total of six per cent of those interviewed say they have personally been discriminated against because of their age, whilst a further 15 per cent say they have witnessed such segregation.

An EU-wide survey has revealed that 58 per cent of citizens in member states believes their country’s job market actively rejects applicants over a certain age, whilst this figure rises to 61 per cent in Spain.

And finally this week I was amazed when I read that Italy has the highest percentage of children in poverty in Europe. It isn’t an issue I have really thought of before to be honest with the TV and Charities tending to draw your attention to the third world countries, but even so Italy is not a country I would ever have put at the top of such a problem.

Close to 2 million kids live in poverty in Europe’s thirdlargest economy, according to a new UNICEF report.

I will finish with a quote from the article: “Every morning, hundreds of thousands of children in Italy’s poorest regions wake up hungry. Some have never used a computer because the schools can’t afford them in the classrooms. Many don’t go to school at all, or when they do they drop out, hoping to find scarce jobs. While their parents try to eke out a living, infants are left alone with young children as caregivers because of a lack of public day care. A growing number of children work as laborers on farms. Others are pushed into the sex trade to help support their families. Thousands live without basic amenities like hot water, regular meals, or simple health care—all in picturesque Italy.”

And a question: with all the money we pay into the EU how can this be happening in this day and age?

Chris is a freelance writer who writes a monthly column for the Telegraph Expat as well as a weekly column for the RTN. He lives in Almerimar with his wife Sands, five cats, two Harley-Davidsons and more often than not a bottle of red wine. He runs the successful expat blog www.almerimarlife.com, and his wife runs the cat re-homing and transport project www.alstrays.com. Chris’s columns are sponsored by www.spain-holiday.com and www.campaya.co.uk on the Telegraph Expat site and by www.blitzcleaning.es here on RTN. You can hear Chris every Friday discussing his views, thought and experiences of life in Spain on www.italkfm.com.

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Back to nature

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

by Jack troughton

Peace at last for wetlands

MOVES TO save the fragile eco-system of Calpe’s salt lagoon Las Salinas and have the area declared a nature reserve took a step forward this week.

Home to rare wildlife – including the colourful flamingos – and a range of flora the historic wetland has continually been threatened by development.

And while there has been a level of protection – a part of the lake is a micro-reserve for flora and fauna and because it is effectively sea water, it comes under the Law of the Coasts – the status of nature reserve would guarantee its future.

Calpe Mayor Cesar Sanchez travelled to Madrid on Wednesday to present an amendment to an existing motion to protect the beauty spot, calling for Madrid to link up with the Valencian Government and declare La Salinas a nature reserve.

Councillor Carole Saunders, who is also a member of environmental lobby ACEC, believes the initiatives will finally win protection for the lagoon.

“Valencia’s Minister for the Environment Isabel Bonig was here last week to give a presentation to Agenda 21 Local and she was in full agreement with the plan,” she said.

“We have the highest hopes that once and for all the lake will be safe, because if it is a nature reserve, land cannot be taken away.”

One stumbling block will be the issue of compensation – some of the land surrounding the lake is privately owned.

The battle to save Las Salinas has rumbled on for over quarter of a century. When the famous landmark the Penon de Ifach, the soaring rock that dominates Calpe’s skyline, became a nature reserve 25 years ago, the opportunity to include both the lake and the ‘skirt’ of the mountain the same protection was missed.

Carole believes the local authority was attempting to appease the building lobby.

“But then it was discovered a councillor in Valencia had drawn up plans and even constructed a model of how to drain the wetland and build on top.

“The town hall told Madrid what was going on and asked for protection – this was given without consultation with the land owners and a battle for compensation has been going on ever since.”

And she said at various times building projects had been put forward also attempting to encroach on the lake.

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www.roundtownnews.co.uk

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

British expats prepare to celebrate the diamond jubilee

by LOUISE CLARKE TORREVIEJA’S BRITISH community are preparing to celebrate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee in style in June and will have the full support and backing of the Torrevieja Town Hall. The Councillor for Foreign Residents, Rosario Martinez Chazarra, along with the Director of the Office for International Residents, Graham Knight, met this week with the main representatives of various British associations and groups based in the city to plan the execution of a huge event in Torrevieja to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the reign of Elizabeth II.

STREET PARTY Thanks to the suggestions and the work of the involved groups, collectives and associations that make up the local British community, an agreement has been reached to carry out the celebratory event on 3rd June in Torrevieja’s Park of Nations. This event will include activities for children and adults, with numerous performances by local artists as well as traditional music from the last six decades.

By organising this event, the British expats of Torrevieja and the surround-

ing municipalities will be making big deal of one of the most important celebrations in this year’s British calendar.

There will be a traditional street party atmosphere where people will be asked to bring their own food and drink and as well as the concerts, there will be traditional British fun and games and the singing of traditional British hymns and songs. This celebration will also be aimed at the Spanish population of Torrevieja who will get the opportunity to join in the fun and experience a proper British “knees up”!

Naval model exhibition

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THE MAYOR of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolon, and the Councillor by for JAn Culture, Luis Maria Pizana, will open the ninth annual gamm naval model exhibition tomorrow (Saturday) at the Sala de los Aljibes Exhibition Centre, located in the Park of Nations. The official opening takes place at 12 Midday and throughout this coming weekend there will be model boast displays taking place on the lake in the park so that people can see the models in action. The exhibition, which runs until 15th April, has been organised by the Museum of Sea and Salt and the Naval Model Association of Torrevieja, which was founded in 2006 and has more than 100 members of different nationalities and all ages. There will be 254 models on display and the exhibition will be open every day except Monday and Tuesday from 10:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 20:00. For more information about the Naval Model Association of Torrevieja, visit their website at www.asociacionmodelismonavaltorrevieja.com.

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09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

No more Monkee-ing around...

Watts In Britain By

Paul Watts

“WHAT NUMBER’S this Chaps?” asks Davy Jones. “7A,” shout the other three Monkees. “Ok don’t get excited,” says Davy, “it’s cos I’m short I know...” And we’re off into the opening strains of Daydream Believer. I think it was the first time that a bit of ‘pre-amble’ was heard at the beginning of a pop single and we all thought it was brilliant.

I remember hearing that song early, very early (probably at ‘7A em’), on November 23rd 1967. My sister had it as a present on her tenth birthday and obviously she needed to play it at least a hundred times before the sun set. But despite the endless times I heard that song over the coming weeks I still enjoy hearing it now and, I guess, it remains fixed in my memory as a signifier of happy times.

My sister phoned me last week on the day Davy Jones stopped Monkee-ing around and we both agreed that another part of our childhood had slipped away. Judging by the amount of programmes now being made about him Davy was important to many people. Lynn Buckle, the girl I really wanted to impress at school was a die-hard Davy Jones fan and when she firmly stated she could only fall for a boy with dark straight hair like Davy’s I knew (with my blonde, very curly locks) I was outta luck!

For those too young to know The Monkees burst into our lives and onto our television screens in part two of the Sixties and for a time they were everywhere: on TV, on records, on posters, as plastic kits, Monkee-dolls, as games and in books and comics. In fact my mate Jeremy Kerr (sometimes resident of the Jalon Valley) has a Monkees claim to fame. His dad, Tom Kerr drew The Monkees comic strip for the girl’s comic, Lady Penelope. It ran for several years.

The Monkees TV show was filmed on both video and film which, I feel, produced a sort of surreal quality to it; and viewed back then purely in monochrome (aka black and white) further added to this. The strange thing is although I watched many episodes I cannot remember a single story. Unlike say, Friends where

you remember “... the one with smelly cat”, The Monkees seem a bit of a blur; a hotchpotch of crazy sketches loosely linked to the songs. But, hey, maybe I wasn’t paying attention at the time.

Before The Monkees, Manchester born Davy was cast as Ena Sharples’s grandson in ‘Corrie’ - and then LA beckoned. Such was Davy’s international fame that another David Jones had to change his name to avoid being mistaken. He became Bowie and Ziggy Stardust, didn’t he Vince?

My family moved to Cyprus in 1968 and unluckily for us there was a dearth of Monkees on Cypriot television at that time. But still, we had the records to listen to and that Christmas my grandparents sent me over the plastic kit version of The Monkees’ car. I built it and for the next two years it graced my window sill in Akrotiri. Every morning as the glorious Meditteranean sun rose it would catch the chrome parts of the car throwing patterns across the room. Anyway, enough of all this just suffice to say that we loved The Monkees and it was so sad to hear of the death of Davy Jones.

RIP Davy.

When I’m sixty-four On a happier note now, the same year that Daydream Believer hit the charts, ‘When I’m Sixty-four’ appeared on side two of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Like many, I thought the prospect of actually being sixty-four seemed so far away as to be comical. But as we all know time has a spooky way of catching up with you and sixty-four finally caught up with the song’s writer Paul McCartney. And now this week, ‘When I’m Sixty-four’ has finally caught up with my dear friend

and La Nucia neighbour David Williams. So, without wanting to give Dave’s age away (oops) I’d like to wish him a very happy birthday. Have a great day Dave and I hope Wales win in the rugby for you.

Watts in Britain, so you don’t have to be

24

business

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

InternationalWomen’sDay Beginning in 1908 in the USA, International Women’s Day is now a worldwide celebration of the part played by ordinary women in the history of their countries and communities.

WIBC members

The day has also become a rallying point to build support for women’s rights in countries where they remain suppressed. It is a time to call for change, to reflect on progress made and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by women across the globe.

In this vein, WIBC (a networking organization for women involved in local businesses) raises money for four refuges in the Marina Alta area that house women and their children who have been victims of domestic abuse. Women from all cultures and levels of society can be subjected to physical, emotional and/or mental abuse.

The recently deceased Whitney Houston suffered at the fists of her husband so domestic violence is not a problem restricted to the poor and uneducated. However, women who are not financially independent are the most vulnerable and they are the ones that end up in the refuges WIBC helps to support.

If you would like to know more about WIBC, please visit our stand at our Health, Beauty & Gift Fair at the Parador, Javea (Avenida Mediterráneo 233) on Sunday 11th March, 11am-5pm.

All the money WIBC raises from the fair goes exclusively to this cause. Come to the fair, have a good day out and do good at the same time. Everyone a winner!

Argento Club spreads its wings The newly launched Argento Business Networking Club is growing fast and really starting to spread its wings! Recently the Club Founder, Carlo Ferrari and the Club secretary, his wife Lorraine, had a very enjoyable and productive time attending the hugely successful Seminar and Business Lunch organized by the B2B4U Business Group. Argento Club would also like to form mutually beneficial liasons with many othe Business & Social Networking Clubs , Societies or Groups particularly around the Ex-Pat centres in Spain, to maximize its services and help to members - and to enlarge its membership base far beyond just the local community.

This way everybody benefits! Our Members will get a much wider choice of services, retail goods and social events at preferential discount prices and the active Business Members get to promote their businesses, goods & services to a much larger audience. This will really help both our business and social members prosper through these difficult economic times so they actually come out of the recession in a few years time, much wealthier!

If you’re interested to see how the Argento Club’s ideas & fresh new holistic approach brings success in both Business and Wealth Creation and preservation, then take a look at the Club’s new Website: www.argento-wealth-club.com and see this for yourself.

As part of the Argento’s expansion plan , the Club would like to invite all the other local Club Secretary’s and Societies or Social Groups to become FREE Associates of Argento, and this way everybody can enjoy the Benefits, Services and Retail offers on both our main Club Website : www.argento-club.biz and our own Networking Site, as well as by following us on Facebook, Google and Twitter .

To Join Argento as a FREE Associate Member, see either Website or for more info contact the Club Secretary via email at secretary@argento-club.biz or Tel: 96 550 2010

money

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

25

Lloyds Bank International in Spain Savings to Suit You LLOYDS TSB Spain and Banco Halifax Hispania joined in 2010 to become Lloyds Bank International (LBI). With 28 branches throughout Spain, seven of which are on the Costa Blanca and Costa Calida.

Whether you are a resident or non resident with funds to invest, or you are saving for longer term goals like retirement or your children’s future – let LBI help you.

EUROS, STERLING OR DOLLARS LBI offers something for every saver!

For new or existing clients bringing new money to the bank they have a 200 day deposit in euros or sterling paying 3,20% TAE*. If you would like to invest your money for a slightly

longer period, there’s a one year deposit in euros or sterling, offering 3,00%TAE**.These rates are available until 31st March 2012.

Their range of fixed term deposits has a term to suit you, guaranteeing your capital and interest rate. (Early withdrawals do incur a penalty fee).

There are also US dollar deposits available, please ask for full details. If you want to earn some interest but want instant access to your funds, LBI can advise you on a range of products, and their Premier Current Account is paying 3%TAE*** interest for the first 3 months, as well as offering other benefits.

Funds of LBI clients for up to 100.000 euros (held in current or deposit accounts) per person are covered by the Deposit Guarantee Fund (Fondo de Garantía de Depósitos).

LBI advisors are trained in working with the expat market and understand what is important to you – not just the language, they also understand what you need to suit your lifestyle.

They find out what is important to you when investing your funds. They want to help you choose the best products to suit your needs, and if that means opening one or more accounts then so be it! A high proportion of new clients are introduced by existing clients because they are delighted with the products and customer services provided by LBI. In a future edition of RTN, LBI will be covering structured deposits, investment advisory and portfolio management services for those who may want to invest longer term, meanwhile if you would like to find out more please see contact details below.

For more information call Shirley Adams on (0034) 620 308 804 or send an email to shirley.adams@lloydsbankinternational.es You can also visit their excellent website at www.lloydsbankinternational.es * T.A.E. (Tasa Anual Equivalente) corresponds to Annual Interest Rate. Effective Interest Rate: 3.1773%. From €6,000/£6,000 to €200,000/£200,000. Interest paid at maturity. Available until the 31st March 2012. For funds coming from other financial entities, credited to the account from December 10th 2011 onwards and that represent a balance increase from the aforementioned date. ** T.A.E. (Tasa Anual Equivalente) corresponds to Annual Interest Rate. Effective Interest Rate: 3.00%. From €50,000/£50,000. Interest paid at maturity. Available until the 31st March 2012. *** T.A.E. (Tasa Anual Equivalente) corresponds to Annual Interest Rate. Effective Interest Rate 2.9596% for any amount. From the fourth month remuneration will be based on tiered rates depending on the balance you hold. As of today these rates are from 0% to 0.70% T.A.E. (0.6978% Effective Interest Rate). Interest paid monthly. The applicable rates for each year are available on www.lloydsbankinternational.es. Lloyds Bank International, S.A.U., with registered offices at Serrano 90, 5ª planta, 28006, Madrid, Spain, Trade Registry of Madrid, T. 6799, Book 0, Folio. 108, Sec. 8, Page M-110714, 1st Entry, N.I.F. (Tax Identification Number) A-80481765.

26

money

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

Why use an IFA….

by

Christina Brady

Regional Manager of Blacktower Costa Blanca

WE BELIEVE that you need to do your homework before making any investment decision. That may include reading financial publications, researching online, and discussing options with your friends and family. Many people, however, find the task of selecting investments too daunting to undertake on their own and they seek the professional guidance and advice of a financial adviser.

Benefit from the Experience of a Financial Adviser We encourage investors to take a long-term view when they invest. That’s where the value of an investment professional really makes a difference. A qualified financial adviser: - takes the time to understand your goals and investment needs - has the experience to help you develop a financial plan designed for your specific situation - can help you determine the best way to allocate your assets - can offer guidance during volatile market periods - will recommend specific investments or investment strategies to meet your goals - has experience in financial services, securities licenses and specialized training - has access to specialized research on various types of securities - spends time tracking potential investments that may fit in your financial plan What Services to Expect from Your Financial Adviser A financial adviser should take the time to get to

know you, your financial situation, your financial goals and your risk tolerance, you should expect to receive these services: Personal attention - Your adviser will take the time to go through a full interview with you, asking questions to get to know your entire financial situation, your risk tolerance and your goals before setting up a customised financial plan.

Help developing an asset allocation strategy - They can help you allocate your money based on a mix of asset classes with varying degrees of risk that fit your time horizon and comfort level.

Advice on specific investments that match your goals - Your adviser will make specific recommendations on the types of funds and securities that best meet your needs. Your adviser should be able to provide research supporting their recommendations.

Answers to your financial questions - If the markets become volatile, your financial adviser should be available to help you understand the reasons behind the instability. If you hear of an interesting investment opportunity or a new stock offering, your adviser has the knowledge to research and investigate these opportunities and to help you decide if they fit into your overall plan.

Proactive management of your account - Your adviser can also bring investment opportunities to your attention, based on detailed knowledge of your financial plan and goals. Your adviser can help you manage your expectations by explaining the rewards and risks of any investment.

Maintaining a Strong Relationship with Your Financial Adviser The relationship between you and your adviser is not just one party’s responsibility. It’s a two-way street. Your adviser should call you regularly to monitor your situation and to review your portfolio and its performance with you. By the same token, keep the lines of communication open and update your adviser when your financial needs or situation change, such as: - Marriage or divorce - Birth of a child - Inheritance - Substantial change in income Invest Responsibly with a Financial Adviser We believe the benefits of using a financial adviser may make a big difference in helping you achieve your financial objectives. Get started today.

If you would like to find out more or to arrange a free financial consultation contact Blacktower Financial Management (Int) Ltd on 965 058 212 or email christina.brady@blacktowerfm.com The information contained in this article does not constitute financial advice and you should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity.

Blacktower Financial Management (Int) Ltd is licenced in Gibraltar by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) Licence No: 00805B

To find out more about efficient pensions or for any financial advice, please contact Christina on 0034 658 892 330 or 965 058 212 or simply email her at christina.brady@blacktowerfm.com The information contained in this article does not constitute financial advice and you should seek advice from a professional tax adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity

legal

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

27

Claimingforsustained/moraldamages Legal difficulties in the proof and assessment by

Carlos Baos

of White & Baos Abogados English & Spanish Solicitors

SOMETIMES PEOPLE who have been through a lot of pain and suffering caused by a contractual (or non-contractual) responsibility or some other event, come to our office to see if they can legally apply for compensation for sustained (i.e. emotional or subjective) or moral damages.

So regarding this issue and referring to a recent interesting article by Ramon Macia Gomezi published on a legal web page, our aim in today’s article is to try to present our readers with a general, simple and understandable view about how these types of damages are addressed under the Spanish legal system.

Unlike material or property damages where the actual loss is tangible or visible, emotional, subjective or moral damages can be defined as ‘an occurrence involving the disturbance of the dignity or personality of the victim not included in the material damages’.

By definition these types of damage have no intrinsic economic

value, although they may be financially compensated, as this is generally the only and most appropriate way to address or balance the harm caused and suffered.

The following are normally considered elements of this type of damage: depression, low self esteem, guilt, shame, sorrow, inferiority, unsteadiness, appearance of compulsive behaviour caused by the offence, anxiety disorders and or anxious / depressive / sleep disturbances, dishonour, loss of prestige etc. Damages from injuries or psychological deterioration are not usually included as moral damages when they are covered also by patrimonial damages.

One of the main difficulties with this type of claim for damages is the assessment. Although in certain cases the existence of this type of damage is clear and apparent, very often there is no previously documented assessment of the position before the emotional, subjective or moral damage occurred. Therefore it is the injured person who will need to quantify the damage that they have suffered, and by their own nature, these damages cannot be previously determined with precise criteria etc. Therefore, this situation leaves the assessment to the freewill and discretion of the Judges.

This contrasts with the systems set forth by other countries that have tried to establish criteria to determine the assessment for ‘moral damage’ such as the Colossus system applied in the US, which insurance claims adjusters use to evaluate bodily injury claims etc.

Also, there is a current trend that pushes for the

disappearance of the differences between moral and material damages. Thus authors such as the aforementioned Ramon Macia Gomezi and Fernando Gomez Pumar, Professor of Civil Law, advocate that the compensation awarded should be for the total damages caused, as the moral damages should be added and included within any claim for patrimonial damages.

Therefore the absence of any measure of the pre-existing situation (i.e. before any damage of any sort occurred) which could help us assess the damages in a form accepted by judges, lawyers, insurance companies etc, leaves the assessment and proof of the damages to the discretion of the Judges within a Court proceeding.

This therefore generates uncertainty and doubt for the claimant at the time of bringing the claim, since any set scales, measurements, or criteria of predetermined assessments accepted by magistrates, insurance companies, etc cannot be found.

So if any reader should be considering suing for damages of any description, or similar, please do not hesitate to contact us and the appropriate advice will be provided.

The information provided in this article is not intended to be legal advice, but merely conveys general information related to legal issues.

We kindly invite you to visit and comment on this article in our blog at http://www.white-baos.com/blog/ and Facebook (White-Baos-Abogados-Solicitors) your comments in this respect will be greatly appreciated.

Carlos Baos (Lawyer) © White & Baos Abogados 2012 - All rights reserved. C/Diana 19, 2º-D, 03700 Dénia (located 1 minute away from the La Via underground car park). Tel: 966 426 185. Send your questions to spanishlawyer@roundtownnews.com or info@white-baos.com. This article is available in English and Spanish at www.white-baos.com. The information provided in this article is not intended to be legal advice, but merely conveys general information related to legal issues. Visit our blog at http://www.white-baos.com/blog/ and Facebook (White-Baos-Abogados-Solicitors)

Cuts threaten Spanish TV THE PUBLIC broadcaster, RTVE, looks set to axe many of its most popular TV programmes if it slashes the 204 million euros from its budget as ordered by the Spanish government. The rotating Chairman of the Board, Josep Manuel Silva, has said this week that the cuts demanded of the broadcaster by the new PP government will mean the end of popular programmes and even entire channels. One of RTVE’s main broadcasting commitments for this year is the London Olympic Games, which will cost upwards of 70 million euros to broadcast. And Silva has said that the state broadcaster’s budget for 2012 was initially set at 1.2 billion euros.

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money

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

Locating the last will Are you a decisive person? Would you class yourself as someone who can look at the evidence, make a decision and stick by it?

One million euros for man wrongfully convicted A MAN has been awarded more than one million euros in compensation after the High Court agreed that he had been wrongly convicted. Rafael Ricardi spent 13 years in prison for a rape he did not commit and is to receive the compensation; double the original amount the state agreed to pay him in 2010. His lawyers had deemed that original payout of 555,600€ as “insufficient”. Ricardi walked free from prison four years ago after the police reviewed the DNA evidence in the case and discovered that it was linked to other rapes in the same area for which they had two other suspects; both of whom have now been sentenced to over 200 years. It then emerged that Ricardi’s original trial had been full of legal errors. “You can’t pay for the loss of 13 years of my life with this with money,” said Ricardi “but it will help me rebuild my life.” His lawyers argued that even though Ricardi accepted the original offer, since he lacked a source of income and was not fit to work, he needed more money in order to life a full and varied life.

Or do you prefer to hesitate, defer and perhaps wait for someone else to make it for you? There are many aspects of life that we can afford to be less than decisive about. Making a will isn’t one of them.

by

Suzanne O’Connell Customer Care at Ábaco

The need to make a will is obvious to most people. The decision to get up and do it is often harder to achieve. Communicating your last wishes to a relative stranger is perhaps one of the few times that we really come face to face with the fact that we’re not here for good – perhaps that’s why we can end up putting it off for so long.

When you do make that decision to make a will in Spain, make sure you have done your research.

Inheritance tax is a much bigger issue here than in the UK and your relationship to inheritors and whether they are resident or non-resident makes a big difference. Bequething to a resident spouse should not incur inheritance tax but a non-resident friend might have a hefty bill to pay. We suggest that you check our website to see what the implications of your inheritance planning might be. http://www.abacoinheritance.com/ spanish-inheritance-tax-examples

There’s another reason why you should give very careful consideration to your will-making in Spain.

If you should change your mind you can’t just tippex bits out. In fact, once your will is made and legalised by the notary you cannot change it at all.

Instead, you have to make a new one. There is a good reason for this. Every will has to be signed at the notary in Spain and the notary must register it in Madrid. This means that there can be no dispute about which is the last will and testament.

No soap-like cliffhangers as to where the real will is located. Unfortunately this does mean that you can’t just alter your wishes on a whim.

Our recommendation is that when making your will you are cautious about specifying in too much detail or referring to individual properties and possessions. After all you might move house, sell your car or give that yacht away before your will comes into action. Much better to keep it general so that you don’t incur the extra expense of having to make a new one.

It is a good system in Spain that works well. When someone dies a quick check with Madrid and the whereabouts of the last will and testament can be confirmed. What a shame that you might not be around to see Spanish bureaucracy at its best!

currency

30

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

Safe money transfers

Question: I do make currency transactions but I have real fears my money is safe. How can I be sure?

This is a question we get from all clients and given the financial turmoil of the last few years, a justified one. When you choose a company to make your foreign exchange transactions, it’s vital that you ensure your funds are safe.

Best Financial Services Provider

There are several ways you can do this. A company’s website is usually a good source of information, so it’s always worth checking this for key facts and figures. You may also want to review a company’s public accounts and look into their credit rating.

by

Kevin Wright

Account Manager, Moneycorp

Checking the following points will help you identify whether a company is reputable: · Is the company authorised by the FSA? TTT Moneycorp Limited is authorised by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) for the provision of payment services. Companies who are registered by the FSA, but not authorised, are not obliged to segregate client funds. · How long has the company been in operation?

Moneycorp has been dealing in foreign exchange since 1979. · Are the company’s systems and processes inspected by an independent auditor, such as ISO? Moneycorp has maintained ISO 9000 Quality Assurance certification since 1996. · What is the size of the company?

Last year Moneycorp traded in excess of £10.5 billion in currencies on behalf of it’s clients. · What is the company’s Dun & Bradstreet Rating?

Moneycorp has a Dun & Bradstreet rating of 4A1*. · What is the company’s Dun & Bradstreet Maximum Credit?

The Dun & Bradstreet Maximum Credit Rating for Moneycorp is £23,333,500*. · Does the company have representation in Spain?

Yes. Moneycorp has a main Costa Blanca office with account managers for each of the major areas North, Central and South.

These are factors which you should take into account when looking to make any foreign exchange transaction – no matter how big, or how small. Please feel free to consult our website for further information or contact the Costa Blanca office.

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

Moneycorp has won The Overseas Property Professional (OPP) Awards for Excellence 2011.

Presenting the Gold Award the judges explained why Moneycorp had won. They said, “With such a significant turnover, and with a host of first-class partner deals working with their systems, it is evident that customers feel more than comfortable with Moneycorp’s range of services. Moneycorp is a gold standard player in our industry.”

business

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

31

North Meets South – your business link WE ARE living in uncertain times and now more than ever need to work together. There are thousands of business owners up and down the Spanish coastline who feel that they would benefit from working with other like minded businessmen and women and that is where North Meets South can make the difference to whether or not your business has a successful 2012 or a mediocre one…or even worse, a failure.

North Meets South is a brand new, positive and effective business networking seminar that will get you networking, motivated and more importantly, help you get the success you deserve. The seminar takes place at the luxurious Five Star La Finca Golf & Spa Resort in Algorfa, Alicante on the 29th, 30th and 31st March: can you afford not to be there?

If you want your business to grow in 2012, now is the time to get positive and we believe that networking is the answer. North Meets South is the brain child of Sol Productions Managing Director, Gina Marks. She has been in business here in Spain for nearly a decade and is keen to support her fellow business owners not only in the Costa Blanca but throughout Spain. She says: “Sometimes business cards just are not enough. In my opinion, networking is what is needed and having the opportunity to offer and receive support and advice from other like minded business people.”

Effective business networking is the linking together of individuals, who, through trust and relationship building become walking, talking advertisements for one another.

Gina continued: “Besides networking, the seminar also includes key note speakers who can offer the right tactics in order to boost your business and sales in any economy.”

There will also be the opportunity at the seminar to discover alternative ways in which to develop and maintain

those relationships that you make and this will be your ticket to networking success and gaining new contacts.

With prices from 125€ this seminar will also teach you how to overcome obstacles and achieve goals in order to accelerate your success and one of the key factors of any business; learning how to keep you and your team motivated.

One of the key note speakers is an expert in social media skills and networking using Twitter, Facebook, Linked In, etc. These new interactive tools are becoming more and more essential for a successful business and if you don’t even know where to start; don’t worry because this seminar will be the place to find out.

So what are you waiting for? It’s a tough world out there so make sure that you are one of the success stories and not the failures. Think North Meets South!

We can promise you that by the end of this effective business networking seminar, you will not only be more motivated but you will have collaborated with major companies, built future working relationships, received cutting edge information on sales and marketing as well increased your social media know-how.

So if you are ready to achieve more, join us. For more information please email Gina at office@solproductions.tv or call 610 246 091 to reserve your place. You can also visit the website at www.northmeetssouth.biz

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120mins european landline calls

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www.roundtownnews.co.uk

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

Home Garden

33

Brought to you by

www.spanishhomefinder.com

Beautiful floors for the Costa Blanca O.C. FLOORING is a new, dynamic company which has recently opened on the Orihuela Costa to provide high-quality, beautifully-designed flooring for homes across the Costa Blanca. Run by partners Luke and Charlie, O. C. Flooring has a wide range of high-quality, luxury vinyl tiles, engineered wood flooring, laminates, carpets and rugs – all of which help bring a luxurious feel to any home.

One of the main brands which the company supplies is the internationally-renowned Amtico range of floor coverings. The name Amtico is synonymous with quality, innovation and durability and their range has 150+ different kinds of vinyl floor coverings including wood, stone and abstract collections. Indeed Amtico are so sure of their quality they offer a staggering 25 year guarantee on their floor coverings.

O.C. Flooring is the only Amtico showroom in the whole of Spain, a fact which both Luke and Charlie are extremely proud of. When you enter the showroom your eye is immediately drawn to the quality and feel of the flooring they have laid out, as well as the vast array of different kinds of floor materials and finishes which you can view.

O.C. Flooring also offer a free, no-obligation survey and design visit to your home, and will bring along samples so you can quickly and easily visualise how your new floor will look. They can individually tailor your design to include several elements, such as a centre piece in a room or a room-edging design, giving your home a unique aspect as well as providing a hard-wearing and beautiful floor.

As you would expect of a professional company, O.C. Flooring has many years of experience behind them in the industry and it shows in both their in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for what they do. To complement Amtico they also have several other ranges of floor coverings, such as rugs and carpets.

O.C. Flooring’s showroom is in La Zenia, just off the N332, in the Centro Commercial Zenia. You can also contact Luke or Charlie on 666 111 965 or 625 063 611.

Brought to you by spanishhomefinder.com

34

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

More about fruit by

Clodagh & Dick Handscombe Practical gardeners and authors

A NUMBER of questions were sent into us and raised at our talks at the ‘This is Spain Exhibition’ in La Zennia last weekend, prompting us to continue the fruit theme this week.

Firstly the original writing of our book ‘Growing Healthy Fruit in Spain’ was inspired by the realisation that many expats have major problems with their citrus fruit trees. Indeed we almost wrote the book solely about oranges and lemons. But of course there are so many other fruits that can be grown and harvested successfully in Spain, both on the coastal strip and in inland valleys that this would not have satisfied many of our readers. What is satisfying today is that a Google search of ‘Growing fruit in Spain’ mostly lists our book at the top of the listings.

Getting back to citrus fruits, the most frequently planted fruit trees in expatriate gardens, and on apartment terraces, are oranges, lemons and mandarins. But there are also questions and problems presented to us at talks and sent to us via our website www.gardeninginspain.com concerning other varieties. This is why over twenty percent of the book is focused on citrus trees.

The most frequent problems relate to: The purchase of citrus trees without checking whether the trees displayed in a garden centre are early, mid season or late varieties.

This is important as it is possible to harvest totally ripe fruit from one variety in November while another variety will not be ripe

until May or June. A table of seasonal varieties is included in our book but is too long to include here.

Insufficient care in preparing the soil before planting and the planting process itself: For instance twenty years ago citrus trees were sold in largish pots with good root balls. However for some years they have been sold with the roots in narrow deep plastic tubes.

Unless the roots are removed from the compost and separated and spread out when planting many root entwined root balls continue to grow that way and create an ever tightening corkscrew which in time stunts and even kills trees. This is often the reason why many people are unhappy with their five or six year old trees.

Pruning and spaying are often disasters! This is why pruning guidelines for all types of fruit trees are included in the book. The main pruning needs to be done late winter and early spring, which is when seasonal spraying with foliar feeds, insecticides and fungicides needs to start, preferably with safe ecological sprays such as neem oil (insecticide) and propolis (fungicide).

Harvesting also creates problems. Commercial harvesting is often before fruit is ripe as then fruits can best withstand harsh picking; transportation warehousing; processing through a packing station etc... In packing stations oranges and mandarins can be coloured with gases in a greening room or in a colour (paint) bath before being waxed to make them shine and increase their shelf life.

No need to do this at home. If you pick when fruit is sweet and most juicy one can pick from a single tree over several months.

Some people continue to accept any tree labeled ‘lemon’ without searching out a lunar, four seasons or eureka with flowers and fruits perpetually throughout the year. Many other varieties only flower and fruit once a year.

There are similar easily solved problems with other varieties of fruit.For instance many young grape vines are sold with a short

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

Home & Garden

stem and small juvenile root ball which may dry out and die the first summer. However, long stemmed and large root ball young vines can be purchased for as little as 1.10€ from the third generation vine nursery ‘Viveros Canet’ in the village of Montichelvo situated only fifteen minutes inland from Gandia. We could write for a year about how to grow more fruit successfully but that is not possible.

But as hinted last week a small investment in ‘Growing Healthy Fruit in Spain – From Strawberries to Oranges and Watermelons’ can help you be successful with your fruit growing.

‘Growing Healthy Fruit in Spain’ is (as are Clodagh and Dick Handscombes’ other gardening books), available from high street book shops such as Bookworld and Humpty Dumpty ( Javea Arenal’plus internet shops such as Santana Books and Amazon plus the authors website www.gardeninginspain.com. Order through the latter and you will receive a free copy of the popular book ‘Living Well From Our Mediterranean Garden’.

www.roundtownnews.co.uk

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

35

Energy efficiency measures save up to 500,000€ a year

San Javier’s Energy and Utilities Councillor, Jose Miguel Luengo

Home & Garden

By Louise Clarke The Energy and Utilities Councillor for San Javier, Jose Miguel Luengo, has announced this week that thanks to some significant energy saving measures that have been implemented by the Town Hall since October last year, the municipality is set to save more than 500,000€ on its energy bills by the end of 2012.

The first energy saving measure of this initiative was the selective switch off of certain street light; as those which were redundant or in areas where there was excess lighting, as well as the removal of duplicate lights.

Another measure taken by the Department of Public Services has been to replace light timers for astronomical clocks that are programmed by GPS which allow more precise regulation of the hours of the municipality’s street lighting system.

REPLACEMENT BULBS The Councillor told RTN that another of the actions planned for later this year will be the introduction of energy efficient light bulbs. He said: “We intend to replace 1,200 light bulbs for LED technology through an initiative by the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving of Energy (IDEA), which the Town Hall of San Javier is actively participating in.”

Finally, another significant savings in electricity bills will be made through the introduction of a new electrical services contract. In this regard, Luengo said that the municipality’s Technical Services Department has studied all the Town Hall’s electrical supplier in order to optimise the best type of contract available.

Brought to you by spanishhomefinder.com

Home & Garden

www.roundtownnews.co.uk

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

Life

37

Going green

by Jack Troughton TOWNS ACROSS the Costa Blanca will be green with envy when little Moraira hosts a weekend music festival to celebrate St Patrick’s Day later this month.

The Marina Alta village will be turned into a mini-Emerald Isle and be packed with Irish-flavoured music and dance over 16th, 17th, and 18th of March.

Thousands of visitors are expected to join in the celebration as Moraira joins Barcelona and Madrid in the forefront of St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Spain – and the party is backed

by Teulada Moraira Town Hall, Tourism Ireland, An Bord Bia, and the Irish Embassy.

And Guinness, brewers of the world famous Irish stout, is also chipping in to support an event it is hoped will grow over the years.

The festival is the brainchild of Dubliners Chris and Eileen Goodey who moved to Moraira last year and opened the Mad Hatter Irish Bar and Restaurant.

When life began to get a little quiet in November, Chris, who has a background in marketing, publicity and event management, first thought of a 17th March parade but decided a music festival would be less “complicated”.

TURN With two stages in the Church Square and restaurants and bars hosting events, he hopes “Moraira turns green for St Patrick’s weekend.”

Chris is bringing two ‘Riverdance’ performers to Spain to help dance the nights away and has lined up around 40 musicians – including the Shamrockers, the Paddy Wackers, and the “brilliant” Gatecrash.

“I wanted to bring a load of musicians and groups across from Ireland but this year’s budget meant it was impossible – this is going to be a small start but by next year it will be absolutely insane and we will be bigger and better,” he told RTN. “But it is going to be absolute mayhem and madness and a great time for everyone who joins in – hopefully we can fill the town and get people here who want to party.”

Barbara Wood, of Tourism Ireland, said support for a first St Patrick’s festival on the Costa Blanca was a small step in the strategy to get the whole world celebrating 17th March – and a showcase for all things Irish. She added: “Over 70 million people around the world claim links with the island of Ireland and St Patrick’s Day is a truly unique opportunity to reconnect them with their heritage and to showcase our wonderful tourism offering to a huge global audience.”

Enjoy the party!

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09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

Life going out Something for everyone at Moncayo Market’s two day extravaganza!

RTN IS please to be supporting next weekend’s Two Day Extravaganza at Moncayo Market; the perfect place to celebrate both St Patrick’s Day and Mother’s Day next weekend.

The event kicks off next Friday, 16th March, with a host of events to suit everyone including a Motor Fair which will be a fantastic opportunity for everyone with an interest in motoring. There will also be a Classic Car and Bike Rally, which is open to anyone who has a classic or unusual car; with prizes being awarded for the best turned out vehicle.

You can also expect to find experts on hand from several of the Costa Blanca’s leading auto specialists to offer help and advice and give the public a chance to ask questions and get quotes for all of their vehicle servicing needs in one location as well as a tyre clinic and display of automotive tools and accessories.

There will also be paint and bodywork experts, from the mobile dent man all the way up to specialist Custom and Graphic painters and insurance companies on hand to deal with all your car insurance needs.

FLOWERS AND GIFTS Meanwhile for all those perfect Mother’s Day gifts, there will also be a Craft Fair taking place throughout the two day event. You will be able to watch demonstrations on flower arranging, making jewellery etc and have the opportunity to make something special and unique for your Mum on Mother’s Day. If you would prefer to buy that special gift there will be a variety of stalls selling cards, gifts and hand made products and you can even have flower arrangements made to order. The regular and the resale market, which includes the new Animal Aid charity cabin that opened in February, will be open on both days too, so you have plenty of time to peruse all that it has to offer.

It promises to be a fun packed weekend so come and join in the fun and celebrate Paddy’s Day and Mother’s Day in style! The Market also boasts on site restaurants and food stalls to make the day complete and there will be live music and live radio broadcasts by Vibe FM throughout the weekend.

For more information on the event, please contact Jon on 690 650 182 or Paul on 660 249 876.

Fancy a day out at the races?

NEXT WEDNESDAY, 14th March, is Cheltenham Ladies Day and what better way to spend it than with the girls at Mr Smith’s in Ciudad Quesada?

The special ‘chicas’ only event starts at 2.30pm and for just 7.50€ for your buffet and cava or wine, it promises to be a scream! So, what are you waiting for? Get your girlfriends together, book the day off work and have a flutter and some fun.

For tickets and more information please contact Debbie on 660 240 301.

Swingtet performs in Torrevieja THE SWINGTET Plus Big Band will be performing in Torrevieja on Friday 23rd March. Gil Monks and his nine men with the very big band sound are a very talented group of musicians bringing their own brand of entertainment to the Costa Blanca and even ex-pro musicians from the north of the region are praising their abilities and the unique sounds of this talented group of men. So come and dance the night away to your favourite dance sounds; Big Band, Swing, Jazz, Latin etc from 9pm to 11.30pm at the La Rustika on Avda Baleares in Torrevieja. Tickets are priced at just 7€ and are available now at La Rustika. It promises to be a special night and not to be missed. But if you can’t make it then don’t worry because the last Big Band night for this season will be on Wednesday 25th April, so make a note in your diary now! There will also be a raffle and all proceeds will go to the HELP Association of Vega Baja. To reserve tickets for either date, please call La Rustika on 965 70 36 85 or 622 760 340. For all other information please call 968 432 630.

www.roundtownnews.co.uk

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

Life people

41

Teatime twenties style

by Jack Troughton Flapper dresses, feather boas, and some fascinating headgear added a colourful touch to The Lowry Restaurant in Moraira for the ‘Roaring Twenties’ themed afternoons.

And helping the beverages go down along with sandwiches and cakes were some songs from the era – played on an

authentic His Master’s Voice gramophone brought by entertainer Chris Allen.

Fund-raiser Maggie Shuck told RTN the twin events had attracted capacity crowds, the first raising 352.50€ and the second 216€. Speaking at last week’s second tea party, she said: “Both have been full houses and everyone has enjoyed

X Factor helps dogs AN X FACTOR style talent show is being staged later this month to raise cash and help feed dogs cared for at an animal rescue centre’s kennels.

Busot Animal Rescue Centre (BARC) is holding the competition on Friday 23rd March and is looking for singers, dancers and anyone wanting to show off a hidden talent.

Entry to the competition at Brown’s Restaurant, on the N332 just outside El Campello is just 1€ and there is a chance to win excellent prizes. The evening starts at 7.30pm and tickets to watch the fun are 10€, to include Stuart’s famous buffet. For more information call Pat on 965 699 976.

And BARC, a registered charity, is also staging a skittles competition and lunch on Tuesday 20th March at 1pm in the Naharro Bar, Busot. The charity is offering lunch and entry to the competition for 10€, again winners will scoop prizes. Spaces are limited so call Irene on 965 221 124 for more information and tickets, The charity also holds a book and card sale every Monday at Luca’s Bar, Busot, between 11am and 2pm, and donations of books from the public are welcome.

BARC’s Ann Abrahams said: “We receive no outside financial help at all. We are really struggling to raise money Charlie to feed the 30 plus dogs in our care and are holding the enjoys events to raise much needed funds.”

BARCing

themselves and entered into the spirit of the occasion.”

APASA is holding a Ladies Day on 13th March at Bar Mediterraneo, Teulada, between 1aam and 4pm. There will be mini beauty treatments available, along with stalls selling a range of goods including jewellery, lingerie and fashion.

Refreshments will be available all day.

Dog home funds grow ANIMAL CHARITY AKIRA plans to update members of the progress in establishing a refuge for dogs in the Benissa, Teulada and Moraira area at its first annual general meeting.

The AGM is being staged at La Senieta, Moraira, from 10.30am on Saturday 24th March when it is hoped there will be news about suitable land being donated to the charity from the town halls.

A recent and successful auction at the El Cid Restaurant in Benidoleig, AKIRA raised 1,500€ to add to the steadily rising capital need to build the shelter.

And the charity is already working to help pay the costs of medical treatment and finding homes for dogs found roaming the streets and campo in the community but always needs new funding.

It is hoped people will support AKIRA by becoming a member of the charity at 20€ a year. For more information, call Pauline on 625 767 781 or email finca.abril@gmail.com

Lions back day centre

by Jack Troughton GENEROUS MEMBERS of the Lions Club of Calpe and Benissa were given a guided tour of the Maite Boronat Centre for the Handicapped to see how 1,000€ of support was well spent. The Calpe centre issued an urgent appeal for help in continuing its care and occupational therapy programme and the Lions were swift to answer the call.

The Maite Boronat Centre looks after 31 mentally handicapped men and women from across the Marina Alta but in the current climate of budget cuts

there was not enough money for essential supplies for the therapy sessions.

However, the pressure on staff was relieved when the Lions announced their donation and purchased a range of necessary products for the centre.

Pictured are members of the Lions Club with the centre’s Director Gemma Gonzalez when they recently visited the centre to see how the money was used. For further information on Calpe and Benissa Lions Club, call Secretary Bob Sydney on 636 695 569 or visit e-Clubhouse.org/sites/calpebenissa

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09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

Life spanish The Letter

Basic Spanish for everyday needs

by Jane Cronin

‘X’

The Twit Of The Week Joey Essex@JoeyEssex : Moving in is hard when u got a smart car... Trust me

THE X is usually pronounced in a similar way to English (a “ks” sound) in words like taxi although because of the Spanish tendency to soften consonants when spoken at speed the X sometimes comes over as more of an “s” sound, that is, the “k” part lightens or can even disappear.

There are a few words with X which tend to throw learners of Spanish into confusion and one of these is “connexión” which is the correct spelling of the word meaning “connection”. Most non-Spanish people would probably expect it to be spelt “conección” and therefore end up putting a “th” sound into it somewhere, but this is incorrect. The pronunciation is “coneksion” – in other words, a standard X sound.

The same thing happens with the word “complexión”. This word has the additional status of being a “false friend” or “estranged cousin” as it does not mean “complexion” as in quality of skin. “Complexión” means build, as in the shape and size of someone’s body. The correct way of describing a person who is of “medium-build” is “de complexión normal”. You also hear phrases like “de complexión fuerte” (well, or strongly built) “de complexión delgada” (slim built) and so on. Whenever you hear a description of a suspect criminal or escaped prisoner on the news, there is always a reference to his “complexión”.

X is a common letter in the official language of the Valencian region called Valenciano. In this language the X makes the English “sh” sound - a sound incidentally that does not exist in Castilian Spanish.

The commonest example is the name of the bank “Caixa” which is pronounced like “kysha”. You can also see it in place names like the Valencian version of Elche, which is Elx, pronounced “elsh”. Some

people get confused when they see two versions of the same name on a road sign, such as Elche/Elx and Jijona/Xixona. The explanation is that during Franco’s time only the Castilian version was acceptable, and was the version that appeared on maps and signs, whereas now the regional name has come into its own. We end up with a situation not dissimilar to the Welsh dual language signs.

The X also commonly appears in names from a number of Spanish regions where other languages are spoken, for example the name Xabier or Xavier (versions of the Castilian Javier) exists in Catalan, Basque and Galician. The two world class footballers Xabi Alonso and Xavi Hernandez come from the Basque country and Cataluña respectively. Other Basque names are Xabat, Xanti and Xarles.

Another interesting point to note about the X is that the symbol that represents “times” or “by” in Maths, and is “por” in Spanish. Therefore in measurements, “2 by 2” or “2 x 2” is said: “2 por 2”. This is very useful when you are buying floor tiling and the like. From this use of X it has come to represent the word “por” in texting language, so that “por favor” would be written in texting as “xfa”. Confusing, I know.

And finally, just two words in standard Castilian Spanish that begin with the letter X. These are: “xilófono”, “xenophobia”. I will leave you to work the meanings of these words out for yourselves!

The Statistic Dan Walker@danwalkerbbc : Since drawing 1-1 with the USA at the 2010 World Cup England have used 14 different centre-back partnerships #ChopAndChange The Praise Francesca Sandford@FrankieTheSats The vow.... The most times I’ve cried in the cinema!

Amazing film... See it!

The Funny Tweets jonathan ross@wossy : Hello. I am beyond flattered by weird news reports suggesting I am ‘involved’ with Rihanna! If I were her I’d be a litle insulted though! example@example : Had a Fun-Size Milky Way just now and it was the worst fun I’ve ever had Graeme Swann@Swannyg66 : It was the birthday party of my 2yr old niece today. My mum’s sausage rolls were, as ever, of olympic standard.

Jack Tweed@JackTweed : For some reason I put a chilli in the kettle when I got in last night. @lewistweed just made himself a cup of tea hahahahaha.

The Harsh Tweet Ryan Babel@RyanBabel : In every circle of friends there’s always that one person everyone secretly hates. Don’t have one? Then it’s probably you... just sayin’

Life books

Danny Collins - copy@dannyjpcollins.com

Dr Darwin’s waterloo pigeon THIS IS an intriguing tale from the mind of local author Henry Quinn. The production is glossy, the only handicap that of price due to the anomaly of self-publishing against which I’ll rail no longer than to wonder how many entertaining tales such as this are lost to the literary world at large by the commercial publishers’ bent to publish only big name authors.

In this story of 19th century political and financial intrigue the author has drawn on history while telling the story of his fictional hero Dr Robert Darwin, the father of the world famous naturalist, and his imaginary part in the accredited dealings of Lord Rothschild and a fortune made by privy information, relayed by a carrier pigeon released by a British hussar, to the news of Wellington’s victory at Waterloo. This is the story of the most famous and consequential use of real time knowledge that occurred in Europe in 1815. Early in the 19th century information obtainable through communication channels about distant events was painstakingly slow to arrive. Roads were rough, unfinished, really little more than cart paths. There was no wire transmission or speedy organized courier services for delivering messages over vast distances. Word of the outcome of a battle, treaty or an important political affair could takes weeks or months to arrive where the result was most keenly anticipated. The story is told in entertaining prose and it is clear

Suduko Answer

that Mr Quinn is an accomplished storyteller with a writer’s knack for holding the reader’s interest. What a pity more commercial publishers don’t browse the shelves of Gil Gatoff’s bookshop at Librería Europa in Calpe where many works of local authors, commercial and self-published, reside among the greats.

Author: Henry Quinn Publisher: Writersworld Ltd. (paperback) Price: 13.40€ ISBN: 978 0 9565190 0 9

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09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

Life people

Samaritans donation supports recruitment drive

Samaritans launch recruitment campaign at This is Spain

Samaritans in Spain launched their recruitment drive at the recent This is Spain exhibition which took place at the La Zenia Hotel in Orihuela Costa. Thanks to the generosity of the Director of the Exhibition, Christine Roche, Samaritans were provided space to erect their stand and meet hundreds of potential recruits. Many visitors to their stand expressed an interest in becoming involved with the charity as either a listening volunteer or a volunteer to help with administrative, fundraising or profile building of this relatively young charity. Samaritans currently provided an emotional support helpline service seven nights a week from 8pm to midnight on: 902 88 35 35. To find out more about the work of Samaritans in Spain you can e-mail to joinus@costablancasamaritans.com or phone 902 88 35 35.

By Louise Clarke LAST WEDNESDAY proceeds from a Christmas raffle were presented to Nora Verdon, President of Samaritans in Spain, by Christine owner of Bliss: Health, Hair and Beauty Salon in La Finca, Algorfa. Two hundred euros was raised by Bliss in support of two charities, Samaritans in Spain and Paul Cunningham Nurses and Nora was delighted to receive the much needed contribution; commenting that it would be used to support Samaritans in Spain’s ongoing recruitment campaign.

Samaritans have been in operation in Spain since 2008, providing an emotional support helpline service seven nights per week from 8pm to midnight.

PRISON VISITING Demand for their service continues to grow in new and different areas and an email service is now also available as well as a programme of prison visiting in conjunction with the British Consulate which is due to commence shortly and training is currently underway to support both these activities.

As a result of these new initiatives and the increase in demand for their telephone service, Samaritans are actively recruiting to expand their team and wish to hear from interested people in the Torrevieja area. A full training programme will be given for all new volunteers.

You can contact them by email at joinus@costablancasamaritans.com or telephone 902 88 35 35 for further info.

An audience with Kenny Corris

By Louise Clarke THE AMOUNT raised PCN Charity Challenge Walk, which took place at the end of February, has staggered everyone’s expectations with more than €2,000 being collected so far and with more sponsorships still coming in.

Susan Reader from the charity wants to say, through the pages of RTN a huge thanks to everyone who took part. She said: “We know just how long it can take sometimes to collect all the sponsorship money, so just let Paul Cunningham Nurses know if and when you need your sponsorship money collected, you can call 639 318 526 or you can email sueinthesun@hotmail.co.uk.”

Christine hands Nora the cheque

PRIVATE READINGS Meanwhile, the charity is looking forward to welcoming RTN’s very

own Kenny Corris to the southern Costa Blanca next Thursday, 15th March. Kenny will be at the Hotel El Corazon in Rojales for ‘An Audience with Kenny Corris’, which starts at 7.30pm. Hotel El Corazon is in Pueblo Lucero/Quesada and is signed from Mercadona supermarket in Rojales.

Susan Reader told RTN: “I have been fortunate to have met Kenny Corris many times now and have to say he is one of the calmest, charming and most courteous people I have had the chance to meet. Kenny has extended his time for private readings now starting at 10.30am until 6.00pm and at the time of going to press we have just one private reading available.”

Tickets for ‘An Audience with Kenny Corris’ are just €10 and you can reserve you seat by calling 639 318 526 or email sueinthesun@hotmail.co.uk.

www.roundtownnews.co.uk

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

Life food

45

Food Consultant Edwin Cheeseman

The trouble with customers Mini tapas route HAVING GIVEN countless restaurant owners a bit of a bashing over the years as part of my job, telling them what it actually involves together with what it takes to run a successful and profitable business and what is needed both in terms of knowledge and hard work I feel I have to mention the dreaded customer.

Yes, they are the sole purpose for opening a restaurant and they are indeed vital, without them you have nothing at all save an empty building and a lot of bills to pay, and most it has to be said are a delight to serve. However, for those professional enough to notice there is amongst the norm the occasional visit from the classic big head or show off who for reasons unbeknown to most of us feel the need to share their brand of expertise based upon fiction not fact, free of charge to our restaurants for the benefit I’m sure of future trading and in turn future customers.

Now whilst we are eager to please all who come to dine, for this particular breed we wish only to take their money and get them off the premises as fast as possible. If we could get them to post the money through the letter box without engaging them directly, believe me, we would.

Such was the conversation I overheard in one of my restaurants as I was preparing to depart on my motorbike for the long journey home after an early morning market trip and a full day in the restaurant. I know I should have ignored it but I was feeling particularly irked struggling

with my wet suit as it was now beginning to rain.

A late party of twelve men were being ‘entertained’ with stories and opinions of various restaurant experiences, one of which was mine. “It’s so easy these days it all comes in packets and all you have to do is bung it in the microwave, nothing like as hard as my job.”

Unable to resist, I introduced myself and asked what he did for a living to which he replied, “I run a very successful tyre business, in fact three local franchises” I said that it was a pity I hadn’t known earlier as I had just had new tyres fitted to my Range Rover that week. “What did you have fitted?” he asked. I said that I thought they were Goodyear. “The Dunlop’s are much better,” he said, “How much did they cost you?” So I told him- of course he could have gotten either brand at a much cheaper price than I had paid, if only I had known.

I asked for a few more details and was told that he had been in the business for forty five years, man and boy. He was always the first into work everyday and the last to leave every night.

He had always worked six days a week, at least and took very few holidays and therefore had little time to himself or his family.

If you have a question about food email cheeseman@roundtownnews.com

I said that I was very impressed and said that he must be very knowledgeable, was there anything that he didn’t know about his industry considering the time he spent studying it. “Well” he said “if you want to be the best you have to put the effort in.” I bade my farewells and turned to leave, hesitated then turned back for one final question. “If you spend as much time doing your job as you say you do, how do you find the time to know so much about the job that I do? You see,” I continued, “I spend as much time dedicated to my work as you do.

You consider yourself an expert and yet think that I’m an idiot. You apparently know tyres and restaurants whereas I know nothing, according to you, about either.”

After an embarrassing few moments he apologised and said that no-one had ever had the guts to speak to him in that manner and that he deserved it and perhaps even more.

I certainly felt better having defended my position even if it meant losing a customer. But far from losing a customer he became not only a true personal friend but a regular customer who brought a significant amount of new customers with him.

THIS WEEKEND sees a mini tapas route take place in San Miguel de Salinas. Involving three of the town’s most popular bars and restaurants, Orbita, Boymar and the Pizzeria, the route will take place throughout Saturday 10th March and Sunday 11th March. For just 2€ you will get a small beer or a wine and a delicious plate of tapas. It would be rude not to join in!

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09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

Life going out

Photography exhibition

Paddy’s day parade promises to be the best ever!

by Louise Clarke UNLESS YOU have just arrived from another planet, you will be aware that next Saturday, 17th March, is St Patrick’s Day. This year sees the second St Patrick’s Day Parade take place in Cabo Roig in Orihuela Costa and after last year’s super effort, which was organised in less than six weeks, this year’s promises to be even bigger and better. Organisers have already said that that the procession is double the size with nearly 20 floats, four bands and hundreds of people taking part and it is hoped that the spectacle of green, white and gold will attract thousands of spectators from all over the region and beyond. The two day Paddy’s Day event starts next Friday, 16th March, with a concert described by the Councillor for Tourism, Pedro Mancebo, as a “warm up” to the big event. The Orihuela Town Hall has given its full support to the event as it hopes to attract as many tourists and visitors to the area as possible.

The concert will feature four fantastic bands; Please, the Liverpool Band, Gremio DC and Hammer and will start at 7pm.

All the local bars in Cabo Roig have been given permission from the Town Hall to open later and music

is likely to be heard until the early hours, so if you are a local resident, just go with the flow and join in the fun! On St Patrick’s Day itself, the roads around Cabo Roig will be closed off at lunchtime to allow the procession to be organised and then at 3pm the parade will begin. The organising committee, Brian, Brendan and Jim, told RTN: “We want this to be a visible and colourful parade and we think that, outside of Madrid, it will be the biggest St Patrick’s Day parade in Spain.”

The Town Hall is also laying on special coaches from the city to ensure that residents from all over the municipality can join the party

THIS WEEKEND sees one of the biggest photography exhibitions to take place in the whole of Spain. ‘Fotogenio’ will be located in a purpose built exhibition and commercial zone in Mazarron and will feature, amongst others, a display by prestigious photographer Steve McCurry who has had many of his photographs published in National Geographic magazine. There will be workshops led by the some of the world’s top photographers and representatives from some of the best camera manufacturers. The event starts today (Friday) but the Mayor of Mazarron, Ginés Campillo Méndez, will officially introduce Mr McCurry at a ceremony tomorrow (Saturday) at 10.15am. The event ends on Sunday, 11th March, at 6pm with an awards ceremony for winner of the first ever Paco Jimeno Memorial prize.

and as well as Town Hall officials, there will be dignitaries from Ireland coming over to Spain especially for this event. The parade will finish by 6pm, just in time for the England vs.

Ireland Six Nations rugby match at Twickenham and all the bars along the Cabo Roig strip will be showing the match live on large TV screens.

After the match, the party will start again and at 10pm the whole event will draw to a conclusion with a huge firework display. The bars have licences to be open until 3am on the Sunday morning, so it is going to be a very long day of fun and frolics but if last year is anything to go by, it will be well worth the hangover!

Friends, fashion, flamenco and fun!

Last years party goers

By Louise Clarke FRIENDS UNLIMITED, the social arm of the charity HELP Vega Baja, has organised a charity fundraising event at Los Rosales Restaurant on the Lemon Tree Road, Campo de Guardamar on Tuesday 24th April. The evening, which will commence at 6.30pm, with a three course meal including wine and coffee, will be followed by a demonstration from the ‘Flamenco for all’ dance club, directed by Raquel Peña. Then there will be a fantastic Fashion Show, sponsored by the brilliant Gigi’s Boutique in Quesada, with models from The Studio Dance and Fitness centre, which is also in Quesada. Tickets cost just €15 each and are available from one of the Thursday meetings at The Club in Quesada or at the HELP office in San Miguel de Salinas, every weekday morning and must be purchased in advance. All proceeds raised are going to support the HELPCare programme,. For more information see the website: www.helpvegabaja.com. For more details or to purchase tickets, please ring either the co-ordinator Pat Perrin 966 719 862 or the San Miguel office 966 723 733 Mon-Fri 10:00-13:30.

www.roundtownnews.co.uk

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

Life health

47

Mark Phoenix Murphy Dhp MIAPH MNRAH

Phoenix hypnotherapy works…

my testimonial

By RTN’s Roddy Cunningham WORKING FOR one of the UK’s largest High Street Banks for 23 years I became pretty used to public speaking.

Whether it might be to my own branch staff, to a small group of bank customers, or an auditorium full of potential investors, over the years I must have done hundreds of presentations, and I was quite at ease in front of an audience.

And I believe that I was regarded as a ‘firm hand at the tiller’ when it came to getting myself and the Bank’s message across to the audience because I was regularly asked to present and give briefings - sometimes as often as once a week and this went on for a good couple of years.

Since my coming to Spain over 7 years ago, my opportunities to speak to an audience have reduced considerably. And by considerably, I mean totally! That’s the nature of what I do now, I enjoy a different lifestyle (my family is much happier away from the long hours and commuting of the London scene) in a better climate, with different people, and my meetings these days are usually ‘one-to one’.

About 2 weeks ago however, I was due to present for the RTN at a seminar, and I found myself dreading it. I felt out of practice, unsure of myself, and pretty

nervous. Something I hadn’t felt before.

So I asked Mark Phoenix Murphy for a Hypnotherapy session on Public Speaking.

Mark has been an RTN client of mine for over 5 years now, and over the years I have seen for myself the stunning results he achieves with his clients. I have personally met clients of his who have lost weight, or stopped smoking, or overcome depression, or overcome phobias of all different kinds.

So I enlisted Mark’s help for myself…and how brilliant it was.

For those of you who haven’t ever been hypnotised, the first thing to say is please put aside all thoughts of it being anything like the TV shows. You don’t suddenly fall into a trance, you don’t lose control, and you don’t walk around a stage barking like you are a dog! The whole process is relaxing, it is tranquil, you never lose control, and you are always conscious about what is going on. It’s a massively positive feeling, hard to explain in writing, but easy for me to remember.

So you’ll be wanting to know how I got on with the presentation…well the main result of the day was that I genuinely enjoyed it, I felt calm and in control all throughout. And even better, 5 people came up afterwards and said how much they liked the presentation. Thank you Mark Phoenix Murphy. You often write about how

RTN’s Roddy giving his talk at the recent event

you release people’s own potential….Spot on! Now I would happily do it again given even just one minute’s notice…I feel able to

get up in front of anybody and talk about anything. Anybody need a Toastmaster for a Wedding this summer? Call me!

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09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

Life health

Michael Burke

RHAD MSHAA of Digital Hearing

The outer ear

THIS IS the part of the ear we can see. What we traditionally call the ear is in fact only a small part of our hearing system.

THIS IS the part of the ear we can see. What we traditionally call the ear is in fact only a small part of our hearing system. On the face of it, this flap of cartilage known as the pinna surrounding a hole in the side of our head may seem to be very simple and designed without a great deal of thought but this – the most basic part of our hearing system – is the result of thousands upon thousands of years of evolution.

In most animals the pinna’s role in hearing is fourfold: 1. to collect sounds and send them into the hearing canal 2. to tell the hearer where the sound is coming from (localisation) 3. to increase the power of the sound it has detected 4. to protect the ear canal The human pinna has the same four functions but slightly modified.

We may think of the shape of the pinna as somewhat random, but we would be very wrong. Animals wiggle their ears around to best detect sounds. Humans have evolved beyond that (although we still have the necessary muscles behind the ears and some people can still actually wiggle their ears around).

A prominent feature of the pinna is a bowl- or shellshaped depression known as the concha. This collects sounds and bounces them into the ear canal. Because of

Mother Nature’s wondrous design of our pinna a sound from above will hit the floor of the concha, produce an echo and delay it by 100 miliseconds before sending it to the brain. A sound from below will hit the roof of the concha and the echo delay is 300 miliseconds, so the brain instantly knows which direction the sound is coming from. (Danger more likely to come from above than below – sounds detected faster.) The pinna also serves as an amplifier to increase the energy of the sound collected.

It does this most efficiently at 7 KHz, when it can add 20 decibels to a sound just because of its shape. (7 KHz – the same frequencies as a snapping twig; rustling leaves; or a human scream).

Having an ear on each side of the head tells the brain which side the sound is coming from, and the forwardfacing shape of the pinna enables the brain to differentiate between front and back.

Finally, in our primitive days man could close his ears by moving the flaps of skin known as the tragus and antitragus together to protect the ear canal. Some tribes of South Seas pearl divers can still do it to this day to protect their ears on deep dives. Far from being a random design, our pinna is a highly sophisticated instrument. The results of messing with this delicate set-up can be seen in boxers or rugby players, who end up with deformed (cauliflower ears) pinnae that affect their hearing ability.

The final part of the outer ear is the ear canal – a 1 inch long, dog-legged, skin-covered tunnel, designed to protect the eardrum which is situated at its inner end. Because of its shape the canal gives energy boosts of 10-20 decibels to sounds at 3.5 KHz. The development of our language is not a chance occurrence: it is significant that many of the information-carrying components of speech – the consonants – are formed at or around this frequency. Just another example of the wonders of how we hear!

In the next Hearing Column our journey through the ear we will look at the eardrum.

If you have any question’s about this week’s topic, email digitalhearing@hotmail.co.uk or contact Michael Burke at Digital Hearing, Quesada Business Centre, Calle Los Arcos 7, Quesada: Tel 698 418 642.

BURSITIS LASER THERAPY TREATMENT

Our patients are a testimony to its success.

Benijofar Chiropractic Clinic

DrHansC.MadsenD.C.-Memberofthe Danish,Spanish&European ChiropracticAssoc There are 160 bursae in the body. The major bursae are located adjacent to the tendons near the large joints, such as the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees.

A bursa can become inflamed from injury, or due to an underlying rheumatic condition.

It is an inflamed bursal sac. A bursal sac is a sac filled with fluid that acts to lubricate and reduce the friction between two surfaces in the body, usually muscles and tendons as they glide over bony prominences, however their purpose in not limited to just muscles and tendons.

The symptoms of bursitis are directly related to the degree of inflammation present in the bursa. The inflamed bursa can cause localized pain and tenderness. If the bursa is so inflamed that swelling occurs, it can cause local swelling and stiffness, sometimes associated with local redness and warmth. The inflammation can make it painful to support body pressure. For example hip bursitis can make it difficult to lay on the affected side of the hip. Bursitis of the knee, can make it painful to lay with the knees touching each other.

Bursitis of the hip: There are two major bursae of the hip, the trochanteric (front of the hip) bursa and the ischial (side of the hip) bursa. Inflammation of either can be associated with stiffness and pain around the hip joint. It is separated significantly from the actual hip joint by tissue and bone.

Most commonly, bursitis is caused by inflammation resulting from local soft tissue trauma or a strain injury.

Bursitis of the knee: The knee joint is surrounded by major bursae at the tip of the knee and over the kneecap bone, is the prepatellar bursa. This bursa can become inflamed (prepatellar bursitis) from direct trauma to the front of the knee. It can lead to varying degrees of swelling, warmth, tenderness, and redness in the overlying area of the knee. As compared with knee joint inflammation, it is usually only mildly painful. It is usually associated with significant pain when kneeling and can cause stiffness and pain with walking. Prepatellar bursitis can occur when the bursa fills with blood from an injury. It can also be seen in rheumatoid arthritis and can occur from deposits of crystals.

Laser treatment: Here at the Benijofar Chiropractic clinic we are able to apply the use of highly specialised lasers.

The laser lights are applied to the affected area, leading to reduced inflammation, decreased pain, an increased range of movement and increased blood flow to the damaged area. Laser light also increases blood flow to the injured area promoting faster healing.

If you are affected by Bursitis, please ring us for more information or alternatively you can make an appointment by ringing us or sending us an e-mail Opening hours: Mon & Wed: 10.00 - 13.30 & 15.00 - 18.00 Tues & Thurs: 15.00 - 18.00 - Fri: 10.00 - 13.30

Tel:966185242/693371616/617-E-Mail:info@chiropractor-benijofar.es CalleFedericoGarciaLorca,No.90L803178,Benijofar(oppositetheCitroenGarage)

50

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

Life showbiz goss A good old roasting for Betty FIRST UP today I have a lovely story for you about a lady called Betty White who played Rose in the wonderfully funny USTV show The Golden Girls that ran from ´85 to ´92 and kept up an extraordinary high level of humour for all that time. Her character Rose was a dizzy blonde who would, out of nowhere, suddenly drift off into some strange and bizarre tale of the time when she was growing up in a small town in Minnesota. Doesn´t sound too funny, but in the middle of the three other older ladies going off at each other for some reason or other her comic timing was immaculate.

I´ve brought Betty to the column as it was announced last week that she is to be inducted into the Friars Club this coming May 16th, and as its unlikely you know what that is, let me explain. Currently the Friars Club has such luminaries as Billy Crystal, Quentin Tarantino and Barbra Streisand as members and they were all inducted into the club by means of what they call a ´Roast´. Again, let me explain. On May 16th Betty will be invited to the ´Roast’ and at the same time her former colleagues and top comics of the day will also be in attendance.

What happens next is these people will then mock and ridicule Betty´s career and it’s up to her to defend herself … Nuts No!! …

Betty, who turned 90 in January, said of this upcoming event “Those Friars may think I´m an easy mark but I´ve 90 years of comebacks waiting for them” … then she consolidated that statement when she added “it will be an afternoon of dirty words, risqué jokes and sex talk!” … sounds like a normal day here at Round Town News does that.

by

Peter Taylor

Writer and Broadcaster

Workin for the Yankee Dollar IT NEVER ceases to amaze me how far the entertainment business seems to be prepared to go in the pursuit of profit, bending the rules and having complete disregard for authenticity, even when it comes to such hallowed ground as the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The latest glorious BBC production of his work proved that with careful thought and quality writing and acting it is possible to bring Sherlock Holmes smack up to date but keep the intensity and depth of the characters as they were intended by the great man. And so to the news of the plans that CBS in America have for Sherlock Holmes. First off they chose not to use the incredibly talented Benedict Cumberwatch as Sherlock placing huge pressure on Jonny Lee Miller to step up to the mark, but the meat of this story is who they have decided will play the part of Dr Watson. They have given that part to Lucy Lui … yes indeed! … a female Dr Watson … Dr Joan Watson … and they will be crime busting in the streets of New York with the likelihood of lots of car chases, perfect hair at all times and the strong possibility that not only will the doctor be a lady, but she could well have an American accent to boot … O. M. G.!!!

Tell us the Names Noel!

NOEL GALLAGHER has never been afraid to tell it like it is and he proved this to still be the case in a story I found buried rather deeply about the recent Brit awards at the O2 arena in London´s Docklands. Regarding the show itself he warmed up his tonsils very nicely when he blogged “it’s all got a bit slick that thing now and is just a TV show with a few awards carved up and spread around” … then he really went for the jugular when he wrote “did I detect the faint whiff of a few wrong ´uns miming? … I think I did! … you know who you are and you should be ashamed of yourselves!! “… strong stuff indeed from the nicer one of the Gallagher brothers.

However he did add at the bottom of his blog how much he loved Coldplay and Blur, and of the Olly Murs dancers he said “Blimey!!”

www.roundtownnews.co.uk

Life TV

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

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09th March - 15th March

Friday 09th March BBC1

BBC2

ITV1

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 5

itv2

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VIVA TV

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Postcode Lottery 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:58 BBC News 12:00 Cowboy Trap 12:45 Cash in the Attic 13:13 BBC News 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Missing 16:00 BBC News 16:05 I Want My Own Room 16:35 Lockie Leonard 16:55 OOglies 17:15 Deadly Art 17:30 Blue Peter 18:00 Newsround 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 20:00 The One Show 21:00 EastEnders 21:30 Room 101 22:00 New Tricks 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News 23:35 Graham Norton Show 24:20 The National Lottery Friday Night Draws 24:30 The Peacemaker

07:00 Childrens TV 10:40 Harry and Toto’s World of Opposites 10:45 Small Potatoes 10:50 Louie 10:55 Same Smile 11:10 Chuggington: Badge Quest 11:15 64 Zoo Lane 11:30 Mama Mirabelle’s Home Movies 11:40 Waybuloo 12:00 In the Night Garden 12:30 BBC World News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 Coast 14:15 On the Beat 16:00 Escape to the Country 16:45 Flog It! 17:30 Perfection 18:15 Antiques Road Trip 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 My Life in Books 20:00 The Culture Show 21:00 Mastermind 21:30 Gardeners’ World 22:00 Melvyn Bragg on Class & Culture 23:00 QI 23:30 Newsnight 24:00 The Review Show 24:45 Weather 24:50 Tormented

07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:55 Granada News and Weather 15:00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 Midsomer Murders 18:00 The Chase 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Safari Vet School 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Benidorm 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 Granada News and Weather 23:35 Lethal Weapon 3

07:10 The Hoobs 07:35 Freshly Squeezed 08:00 Live Athletics 13:15 Channel 4 News 13:20 Baking Mad with Eric Lanlard 13:50 Carry On Teacher 15:30 Live Athletics 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Come Dine with Me 18:30 Coach Trip 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:30 4thought.tv 20:35 Come Dine with Me 21:30 New Girl 22:00 The Bank Job 23:00 The Secret Policeman’s Ball 2012

07:00 Coronation Street 07:25 Emmerdale 07:50 Emmerdale 08:15 Loose Women 09:10 Judge Judy 09:35 Judge Judy 10:00 Judge Judy 10:25 Real Housewives of Orange County 11:30 Judge Judy 12:00 Judge Judy 12:30 Judge Judy 13:00 Coronation Street 13:30 Emmerdale 14:00 Emmerdale 14:30 Jeremy Kyle Show 15:35 Jeremy Kyle Show 16:40 Real Housewives of Orange County 17:40 Loose Women 18:40 Judge Judy 19:05 Judge Judy 19:30 Judge Judy 20:00 Love in the Wild 21:00 You’ve Been Framed!

21:30 Harry Hill’s TV Burp 22:00 American Idol 23:00 The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

07:00 Switched 07:25 One Tree Hill 08:05 Glee 08:50 Ugly Betty 09:45 One Tree Hill 10:40 Scrubs 11:10 Scrubs 11:35 90210 12:30 Desperate Housewives 13:25 Greek 14:20 Scrubs 14:50 Scrubs 15:15 Hollyoaks 15:45 90210 16:40 Glee 17:35 Rules of Engagement 18:05 Desperate Housewives 19:00 The Big Bang Theory 19:30 The Big Bang Theory 20:00 Hollyoaks 20:30 How I Met Your Mother 21:00 Supernanny US 22:00 Daredevil 24:05 The Big Bang Theory 24:30 The Big Bang Theory

14:00 Non Stop Music 16:00 Shopping and Info 18:00 The Gift- Inspirational & Motivational poems with Simone Segal 18:05 FAQ – Pet care 18:30 Let’s Talk – Simon Baldock’s with Lead singer of the Voodoos & Adam Stewart 19:00 An Evening With...

Irish music 20:00 – 22:00 Local Information and Non Stop Music

Live Athletics 08:00

07:00 Childrens TV 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:20 Peppa Pig 09:30 Roary the Racing Car 09:45 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Hana’s Helpline 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 LIVE with Gabby 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Police Interceptors 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 NCIS 16:15 Dangerous Attraction 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News at 6.30 20:00 Revealed 21:00 Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers 22:00 The Mentalist 23:00 Castle 24:00 Law & Order: Criminal Intent 24:55 Inside Hollywood

FAQ - Pet Care 18:05

SATURDAY 10th March BBC1

BBC2

ITV1

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 5

itv2

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VIVA TV

07:00 Breakfast

07:00 Childrens TV 08:00 Richard Hammond’s Blast Lab 08:30 Dennis & Gnasher 08:40 Scooby-Doo Show 09:05 Pixelface 09:35 Prank Patrol Down Under 10:00 Ultimate Sports Day 10:30 Blue Peter 11:00 My Life 11:30 Trapped 12:00 Hacker Time 12:25 OOglies 12:40 MOTD Kickabout 13:00 The Sky at Night 13:40 In Search of the Castaways 15:15 The War Bride 17:00 Escape to the Country 17:30 Final Score 18:30 Flog It! 19:30 Dad’s Army 20:00 The Story of Light Entertainment 21:00 The Story of Musicals 22:00 I’m a Pop Star!

23:00 TOTP2 24:00 The Sarah Millican Television Programme 24:30 The Stepford Wives

07:00 Mini CITV 08:25 CITV 10:25 ITV News 10:30 The Jeremy Kyle Show USA 11:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show USA 12:20 This Morning: Saturday 13:30 Murder, She Wrote 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:40 Innerspace 16:55 Evan Almighty 18:35 Granada News and Weather 18:45 ITV News and Weather 19:00 All Star Family Fortunes 20:00 You’ve Been Framed!

20:30 Harry Hill’s TV Burp 21:00 Take Me Out 22:00 The Jonathan Ross Show 23:00 ITV News and Weather 23:15 The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift

07:05 Sali Mali 07:10 The Hoobs 07:35 The Grid 08:00 Live Athletics 09:00 The Morning Line 10:00 Live Athletics 11:30 New Girl 12:00 Charlie’s Angels 12:55 The Big Bang Theory 13:25 The Big Bang Theory 13:50 The Simpsons 14:25 The Simpsons 14:55 Channel 4 Racing 17:05 Channel 4 News 17:25 4thought.tv 17:30 Come Dine with Me 18:00 Come Dine with Me 18:35 Come Dine with Me 19:00 Come Dine with Me 19:35 Come Dine with Me 20:05 Come Date with Me 21:00 Big Fat Gypsy Weddings 22:00 The Bank Job 23:30 Orphan

07:00 Childrens TV 08:05 Bananas in Pyjamas 08:20 Family!

08:25 Make Way for Noddy 08:40 Mio Mao 08:45 Bert and Ernie’s Great Adventures 08:55 Little Princess 09:10 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 09:30 Angelina Ballerina 09:45 Rupert Bear 10:00 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:15 The Mr Men Show 10:30 Roary the Racing Car 10:40 Mist: Sheepdog Tales 11:00 Animal Rescue Squad 11:20 Police Interceptors 12:20 Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers 13:25 Madron 15:15 Blood Alley 17:30 The Green Berets 20:15 5 News Weekend 20:20 NCIS 21:15 NCIS 22:15 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 23:10 CSI: NY 24:10 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

07:00 The Hot Desk 07:10 Coronation Street 09:20 Emmerdale 12:10 Take Me Out 13:20 Take Me Out: The Gossip 14:10 Love in the Wild 15:05 American Idol 17:00 American Idol 17:50 *batteries not included 20:00 Richie Rich 22:00 Take Me Out: The Gossip 22:45 Celebrity Juice 23:30 Daylight

07:00 Switched 07:25 Switched 07:45 Switched 08:45 Gok’s Clothes Roadshow 09:50 Supernanny US 10:45 Supernanny US 11:40 Gok’s Fashion Fix 12:45 Supernanny US 13:40 Supernanny US 14:35 Hollyoaks 17:10 Perfect Couples 17:40 Scrubs 18:05 Scrubs 18:35 The Big Bang Theory 19:05 The Big Bang Theory 19:30 The Big Bang Theory 20:00 How I Met Your Mother 20:30 Rules of Engagement 21:00 Rules of Engagement 21:30 Happy Endings 22:00 The Wedding Date 23:45 The Big Bang Theory 24:15 The Big Bang Theory 24:40 The Cleveland Show

14:00 Non Stop Music 16:00 Shopping and Info 18:00 The Gift- Inspirational & Motivational poems with Simone Segal 18:05 FAQ – Pet care 18:30 Let’s Talk – Simon Baldock’s with Lead singer of the Voodoos & Adam Stewart 19:00 An Evening With...

Irish music 20:00 – 22:00 Local Information and Non Stop Music An Evening with...

Irish Music 19:00

11:00 Saturday Kitchen Live 12:35 Rachel Allen: Home Cooking 13:00 BBC News; Regional News and Weather 13:15 Football Focus 14:00 Swimming 15:00 Live Six Nations Rugby Union 17:30 Live Six Nations Rugby Union 19:55 BBC News; Regional News and Weather 20:10 Let’s Dance for Sport Relief 21:30 The National Lottery: In It to Win It 22:20 Casualty 23:10 BBC News 23:30 Match of the Day 24:40 Football League Show

American Idol 15:05

Sunday 11th March BBC1

BBC2

ITV1

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 5

itv2

E4

VIVA TV

07:00 Breakfast

07:00 Little Robots 07:10 Lunar Jim 07:20 Garth and Bev 07:35 Octonauts 07:45 Pinky Dinky Doo 08:00 Richard Hammond’s Blast Lab 08:30 Dennis & Gnasher 08:40 Scooby-Doo Show 09:05 Paradise Cafe 09:30 Wingin’ It 10:00 Friday Download 11:00 Shaun the Sheep 11:05 Flog It! 12:05 Escape to the Country 13:05 EastEnders 15:00 The Mosquito Coast 16:50 First Knight 19:00 I’m a Pop Star!

20:00 World’s Most Dangerous Roads 21:00 Top Gear 22:00 Orbit: Earth’s Extraordinary Journey 23:00 Match of the Day 2 24:10 Rugby Union 24:55 A Boy Called Dad

07:00 Mini CITV 08:25 CITV 10:25 ITV News 10:30 Ade in Britain 11:30 May the Best House Win 12:30 Dickinson’s Real Deal 13:30 ITV News and Weather 13:40 Murder, She Wrote 14:45 Columbo Goes to College 16:40 Midsomer Murders 18:40 Granada News and Weather 18:55 ITV News and Weather 19:10 You’ve Been Framed!

19:40 Harry Hill’s TV Burp 20:15 Dancing on Ice 21:30 Wild at Heart 22:30 Dancing on Ice: The Skate Off 23:05 ITV News and Weather 23:20 Whitechapel 24:15 Anglo-Welsh Cup Rugby Union

07:25 The Hoobs

07:00 Childrens TV 08:05 Roobarb and Custard Too 08:15 Bananas in Pyjamas 08:25 Family!

08:35 Make Way for Noddy 08:45 Mio Mao 08:50 Bert and Ernie’s Great Adventures 09:00 Little Princess 09:15 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 09:30 Angelina Ballerina 09:45 Rupert Bear 10:00 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:10 The Mr Men Show 10:25 Roary the Racing Car 10:40 Mist: Sheepdog Tales 11:00 Grey’s Anatomy 11:55 Stansted: The Inside Story 12:55 Cowboy Builders 13:55 Sabrina the Teenage Witch 15:45 Cheaper by the Dozen 17:35 Are We There Yet? 19:20 Men in Black 2 21:00 Big Body Squad 21:55 5 News 22:00 Layer Cake 24:10 The Boys from Brazil

07:00 The Hot Desk 07:10 Gossip Girl 07:55 Emmerdale 10:35 Coronation Street 13:00 Winners & Losers 14:00 Holiday Airport: Palma 15:00 Holiday Showdown 16:00 Harry Hill’s TV Burp 16:30 The Cube 17:30 All Star Family Fortunes 18:15 The Scorpion King 20:10 Kangaroo Jack 22:00 Benidorm 23:00 Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

07:00 Switched

14:00 Non Stop Music 16:00 Shopping and Info 18:00 The Gift – Inspirational & Motivational poems with Simone Segal 18:05 Costa Blanca Life – A lively mix of people & places 19:00 Let’s Talk –Simon Baldock is joined by local actor Billie Gaddes 19:30 Mixed Marriages – the trials & tribulations of Spanish/English marriages 20:00 – 22:00 Local Information and Non Stop Music

08:45 Match of the Day 10:00 Andrew Marr Show 11:00 The Big Questions 12:00 Sunday Politics 13:05 Match of the Day Live 15:30 Live Six Nations Rugby Union 18:10 Songs of Praise 18:45 Land Girls 19:35 BBC News; Regional News and Weather 20:00 Countryfile 21:00 Antiques Roadshow 22:00 Upstairs Downstairs 23:00 BBC News; Regional News and Weather 23:25 Room 101: Extra Storage 24:05 Would I Lie to You? 24:35 The Celebrity Apprentice USA

07:50 The Hoobs 08:20 That Paralympic Show 08:45 Sailing 09:10 The Crush 09:45 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:20 Frasier 10:55 The Big Bang Theory 11:25 The Big Bang Theory 11:55 The Simpsons 12:30 Channel 4 Presents 12:35 Live Athletics 17:00 The Simpsons 17:30 Deal or No Deal 18:30 Come Dine with Me 19:30 Channel 4 News 20:00 4thought.tv 20:05 Home of the Future 21:00 Time Team 22:00 Homeland 23:00 The Final Destination 24:40 Wolf

07:20 Switched 07:45 Switched 08:10 Supernanny US 09:00 Supernanny US 09:55 Hollyoaks 12:35 Supernanny US 13:30 Supernanny US 14:30 Privileged 15:20 Make It or Break It 16:20 Make It or Break It 17:20 Samantha Who? 17:50 Being Erica 18:50 90210 19:45 Night at the Museum 22:00 Desperate Housewives 23:00 Desperate Housewives

The Scorpion King 18:15

24:00 Skins

Shopping & Info 16:00

52

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

Life TV

09th March- 15th March

monday 12th March BBC1

BBC2

ITV1

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 5

itv2

E4

VIVA TV

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Crime and Punishment 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:58 BBC News 12:00 Cowboy Trap 12:45 Cash in the Attic 13:13 BBC News 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Missing 16:00 BBC News 16:05 I Want My Own Room 16:35 Lockie Leonard 16:55 OOglies 17:15 Deadly Art 17:30 Blue Peter 18:00 Newsround 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 Bang Goes the Theory 21:00 EastEnders 21:30 Panorama 22:00 Empire 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News 23:35 A Question of Sport 24:05 Late Kick Off 24:35 Graham Norton Show

07:00 Childrens TV 10:05 Tinga Tinga Tales 10:20 Driver Dan’s Story Train 10:30 Guess with Jess 10:40 Andy’s Wild Adventures 10:55 Same Smile 11:10 Chuggington: Badge Quest 11:15 64 Zoo Lane 11:30 Mama Mirabelle’s Home Movies 11:40 Waybuloo 12:00 In the Night Garden 12:30 BBC World News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 My Life in Books 14:30 Living Dangerously 15:15 The Weakest Link 16:00 Escape to the Country 16:45 Flog It! 17:30 Breakaway 18:15 Antiques Road Trip 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Britain’s First Photo Album 20:00 Top Gear 21:00 University Challenge 21:30 Home Cooking Made Easy 22:00 The Tube 23:00 Watson & Oliver 23:30 Newsnight 24:20 This World

07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:55 Granada News and Weather 15:00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 Midsomer Murders 18:00 The Chase 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 The Dales 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Scott & Bailey 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 Granada News and Weather 23:35 The Agenda 24:05 Mayday Mayday 24:35 Piers Morgan’s Life Stories

07:10 The Hoobs 07:35 The Hoobs 08:00 Freshly Squeezed 08:30 According to Jim 08:55 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:25 Frasier 10:00 Undercover Boss USA 10:55 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 12:00 You Deserve This House 13:00 Channel 4 News Midday Summary 13:05 Baking Mad with Eric Lanlard 13:35 Channel 4 Presents 13:40 River Cottage Veg 14:00 Bataan 16:10 Countdown 17:00 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 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 China: Triumph and Turmoil 22:00 Embarrassing Bodies 23:00 My Phone Sex Secrets 24:05 Homeland

07:00 Childrens TV 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:10 Peppa Pig 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:25 Peppa Pig 09:30 Roary the Racing Car 09:40 Mio Mao 09:45 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Hana’s Helpline 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 LIVE with Gabby 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Emergency Bikers 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 The Mentalist 16:15 The Accidental Witness 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News at 6.30 20:00 Stansted: The Inside Story 21:00 Ultimate Police Interceptors 22:00 Revolver 24:25 Gridiron Gang

07:00 Coronation Street 07:25 Coronation Street 07:50 Emmerdale 08:15 Loose Women 09:10 Judge Judy 09:35 Judge Judy 10:00 Judge Judy 10:25 Real Housewives of Orange County 11:30 Judge Judy 12:00 Judge Judy 12:30 Judge Judy 13:00 Coronation Street 13:30 Coronation Street 14:00 Emmerdale 14:30 Jeremy Kyle Show 15:35 Jeremy Kyle Show 16:40 Real Housewives of Orange County 17:40 Loose Women 18:40 Judge Judy 19:05 Judge Judy 19:30 Judge Judy 20:00 The Cube 21:00 Gossip Girl 22:00 Nutty Professor 2: the Klumps 24:10 Celebrity Juice 24:55 The Vampire Diaries

07:00 Switched 07:25 One Tree Hill 08:05 Glee 08:50 Ugly Betty 09:40 One Tree Hill 10:35 Scrubs 11:05 Scrubs 11:35 90210 12:25 Desperate Housewives 13:25 Greek 14:20 Scrubs 14:50 Scrubs 15:20 Hollyoaks 15:50 90210 16:45 Glee 17:35 Rules of Engagement 18:05 Desperate Housewives 19:00 The Big Bang Theory 19:30 The Big Bang Theory 20:00 Hollyoaks 20:30 How I Met Your Mother 21:00 My Name Is Earl 21:30 My Name Is Earl 22:00 One Tree Hill 23:00 Skins 24:05 Fresh Meat 24:55 The Big Bang Theory

14:00 Non Stop Music 16:00 Shopping and Info 18:00 The Gift – Inspirational & Motivational poems with Simone Segal 18:05 Costa Blanca Life – A lively mix of people & places 19:00 Let’s Talk –Simon Baldock is joined by actor Robbie Gallacher 19:30 Handmade - Viewers’ videos Trev’s Tasty Bits 20:00 – 22:00 Local Information and Non Stop Music

Let’s Talk Simon Baldock is joined by actor Robbie Gallacher 19:00

tuesday 13th March BBC1

BBC2

ITV1

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 5

itv2

E4

VIVA TV

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Crime and Punishment 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:58 BBC News 12:00 Cowboy Trap 12:45 Cash in the Attic 13:13 BBC News 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Missing 16:00 BBC News 16:05 I Want My Own Room 16:35 Lockie Leonard 17:00 Sport Relief Does Glee Club 17:30 Pixelface 18:00 Newsround 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 EastEnders 21:00 Holby City 22:00 MasterChef 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News 23:35 Letting Go 24:20 Who Do You Think You Are? US

07:00 Childrens TV 10:05 Tinga Tinga Tales 10:20 Driver Dan’s Story Train 10:30 Guess with Jess 10:40 Andy’s Wild Adventures 10:55 Same Smile 11:10 Chuggington: Badge Quest 11:15 64 Zoo Lane 11:30 Mama Mirabelle’s Home Movies 11:40 Waybuloo 12:00 In the Night Garden 12:30 BBC World News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 My Life in Books 14:30 Living Dangerously 15:15 The Weakest Link 16:00 Escape to the Country 16:45 Flog It! 17:30 Breakaway 18:15 Antiques Road Trip 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Britain’s First Photo Album 20:00 Rugged Wales 21:00 The Hairy Bikers’ Bakeation 22:00 Horizon 23:00 Never Mind the Buzzcocks 23:30 Newsnight 24:20 Rubicon

07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:55 Granada News and Weather 15:00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 Midsomer Murders 18:00 The Chase 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Countrywise Kitchen 21:00 Homes from Hell 22:00 The Biggest Loser 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 Granada News and Weather 23:35 Benidorm 24:35 Ladette to Lady: Australia

07:00 The Treacle People 07:10 The Hoobs 07:35 The Hoobs 08:00 Freshly Squeezed 08:30 According to Jim 08:55 The Morning Line 09:55 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:25 Frasier 10:55 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 12:00 You Deserve This House 13:00 Channel 4 News Midday Summary 13:05 Baking Mad with Eric Lanlard 13:30 Cheltenham Festival 17:15 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 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Supersize vs Superskinny 22:00 Big Fat Gypsy Weddings 23:00 Shameless 24:05 Random Acts 24:10 Desperate Housewives

07:00 Childrens TV 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:10 Peppa Pig 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:25 Peppa Pig 09:30 Roary the Racing Car 09:40 Mio Mao 09:45 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Hana’s Helpline 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 LIVE with Gabby 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Emergency Bikers 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 CSI: NY 16:15 Angels Fall 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News at 6.30 20:00 Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers 21:00 Revealed 22:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 23:00 CSI: NY 23:55 CSI: Miami 24:55 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

07:00 Coronation Street 07:25 Coronation Street 07:50 Emmerdale 08:15 Loose Women 09:10 Judge Judy 09:35 Judge Judy 10:00 Judge Judy 10:25 Real Housewives of Orange County 11:30 Judge Judy 12:00 Judge Judy 12:30 Judge Judy 13:00 Coronation Street 13:30 Coronation Street 14:00 Emmerdale 14:30 Jeremy Kyle Show 15:35 Jeremy Kyle Show 16:40 Real Housewives of Orange County 17:40 Loose Women 18:40 Judge Judy 19:05 Judge Judy 19:30 The Cube 20:30 You’ve Been Framed!

21:00 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records 21:30 Harry Hill’s TV Burp 22:00 The Vampire Diaries 23:00 Perez Hilton Superfan 24:00 Winners & Losers

07:00 Switched 07:25 One Tree Hill 08:05 Glee 08:50 Ugly Betty 09:40 One Tree Hill 10:35 Scrubs 11:05 Scrubs 11:30 90210 12:25 Desperate Housewives 13:25 Greek 14:20 Scrubs 14:50 Scrubs 15:20 Hollyoaks 15:50 90210 16:45 Glee 17:40 Rules of Engagement 18:05 Desperate Housewives 19:00 The Big Bang Theory 19:30 The Big Bang Theory 20:00 Hollyoaks 20:30 How I Met Your Mother 21:00 How I Met Your Mother 21:30 Rules of Engagement 22:00 90210 23:00 The Cleveland Show 23:30 Noel Fielding’s Luxury Comedy 24:00 Ricky Gervais Show 24:35 Ricky Gervais Show

14:00 Non Stop Music 16:00 Shopping and Info 18:00 The Gift Inspirational & Motivational poems with Simone Segal 18:05 FAQ – Car Care 18:30 Spanish Dive Adventures 19:00 Let’s Talk Special – Former Mike Tyson sparring partner Joe Egan 19:30 Viva Vino – A visit to one of the region’s best bodegas 20:00 – 22:00 Local Information and Non Stop Music

Vivo Vino 19:30

wednesday 14th March BBC1

BBC2

ITV1

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 5

itv2

E4

VIVA TV

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Crime and Punishment 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Cowboy Trap 12:45 Cash in the Attic 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Missing 16:00 BBC News 16:05 I Want My Own Room 16:35 Lockie Leonard 17:00 Sport Relief Does Glee Club 17:30 My Life 18:00 Newsround 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 The Food Inspectors 21:00 Waterloo Road 22:00 MasterChef 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News 23:35 The National Lottery Wednesday Night Draws 23:45 Kevin Bridges What’s the Story?

24:15 Film 2012 with Claudia Winkleman

07:00 Childrens TV 10:05 Tinga Tinga Tales 10:20 Driver Dan’s Story Train 10:30 Guess with Jess 10:40 Andy’s Wild Adventures 10:55 Same Smile 11:10 Chuggington: Badge Quest 11:15 64 Zoo Lane 11:30 Mama Mirabelle’s Home Movies 11:40 Waybuloo 12:00 In the Night Garden 12:30 Daily Politics 14:00 See Hear 14:30 Living Dangerously 15:15 The Weakest Link 16:00 Escape to the Country 16:45 Flog It! 17:30 Breakaway 18:15 Antiques Road Trip 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Britain’s First Photo Album 20:00 Escape to the Country 20:30 Watson & Oliver 21:00 The Fisherman’s Apprentice with Monty Halls 22:00 Rights Gone Wrong?

23:00 Roger & Val Have Just Got In 23:30 Newsnight 24:20 Storyville

07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:55 Granada News and Weather 15:00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 Midsomer Murders 18:00 The Chase 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Live UEFA Champions League 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 Granada News and Weather 23:35 UEFA Champions League 24:35 Kidnap and Ransom

07:05 Channel 4 Presents 07:10 The Hoobs 07:35 The Hoobs 08:00 Freshly Squeezed 08:30 According to Jim 08:55 The Morning Line 09:55 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:25 Frasier 10:55 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 12:00 You Deserve This House 13:00 Channel 4 News Midday Summary 13:05 Baking Mad with Eric Lanlard 13:30 Cheltenham Festival 17:15 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 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 SuperScrimpers 22:00 One Born Every Minute 23:00 10 O’Clock Live 23:55 Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields: War Crimes Unpunished 24:55 Random Acts

07:00 Childrens TV 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:10 Peppa Pig 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:25 Peppa Pig 09:30 Roary the Racing Car 09:40 Mio Mao 09:45 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Hana’s Helpline 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 LIVE with Gabby 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Emergency Bikers 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 CSI: NY 16:15 Love’s Resounding Courage 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News at 6.30 20:00 Cowboy Builders 21:00 Big Body Squad 22:00 NCIS 23:00 Law & Order: Criminal Intent 23:55 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit 24:55 Poker: The Big Game

07:00 Emmerdale 07:25 Nanny 911 08:15 Loose Women 09:10 Judge Judy 09:35 Judge Judy 10:00 Judge Judy 10:25 Real Housewives of Orange County 11:30 Judge Judy 12:00 Judge Judy 12:30 Judge Judy 13:00 Emmerdale 13:30 Nanny 911 14:30 Jeremy Kyle Show 15:35 Jeremy Kyle Show 16:40 Real Housewives of Orange County 17:40 Loose Women 18:40 Judge Judy 19:05 Judge Judy 19:30 All Star Family Fortunes 20:15 Take Me Out 21:15 Take Me Out: The Gossip 22:00 Love in the Wild 23:00 Rumor Has It..

07:00 Switched 07:25 One Tree Hill 08:05 Glee 08:50 Ugly Betty 09:40 One Tree Hill 10:35 Scrubs 11:05 Scrubs 11:30 90210 12:25 Desperate Housewives 13:25 Greek 14:20 Scrubs 14:50 Scrubs 15:20 Hollyoaks 15:50 90210 16:40 Glee 17:40 Rules of Engagement 18:05 Desperate Housewives 19:00 The Big Bang Theory 19:30 The Big Bang Theory 20:00 Hollyoaks 20:30 How I Met Your Mother 21:00 Sister Act 23:00 Alien

14:00 Non Stop Music 16:00 Shopping and Info 18:00 The Gift Inspirational & Motivational poems with Simone Segal 18:05 The Hayes Guide to the Costa Blanca – The Orihuela Coastal Walk 18:30 Ad Hoc theatre group presents Run For Your Wife 20:00 – 22:00 Local Information and Non Stop Music

The Hayes Guide to the Costa Blanca 18:05

www.roundtownnews.co.uk

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

thursday 15 March

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th

BBC1

BBC2

ITV1

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 5

itv2

E4

VIVA TV

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Crime and Punishment 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 11:58 BBC News 12:00 Cowboy Trap 12:45 Cash in the Attic 13:13 BBC News 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Missing 16:00 BBC News 16:05 I Want My Own Room 16:35 Lockie Leonard 17:00 Sport Relief Does Glee Club 17:30 Leonardo 18:00 Newsround 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 EastEnders 21:00 Watchdog 22:00 MasterChef 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News 23:35 Question Time 24:35 This Week

07:00 Childrens TV 10:05 Tinga Tinga Tales 10:20 Driver Dan’s Story Train 10:30 Guess with Jess 10:40 Andy’s Wild Adventures 10:55 Same Smile 11:10 Chuggington: Badge Quest 11:15 64 Zoo Lane 11:30 Mama Mirabelle’s Home Movies 11:40 Waybuloo 12:00 In the Night Garden 12:30 BBC World News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 My Life in Books 14:30 Living Dangerously 15:15 The Weakest Link 16:00 Escape to the Country 16:45 Flog It! 17:30 Breakaway 18:15 Antiques Road Trip 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Britain’s First Photo Album 20:00 The Hairy Bikers’ Bakeation 21:00 Natural World 22:00 White Heat 23:00 The Sarah Millican Television Programme 23:30 Newsnight 24:20 The Tube

07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:55 Granada News and Weather 15:00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 Midsomer Murders 18:00 The Chase 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Tonight 21:00 Emmerdale 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Love Life 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 Granada News and Weather 23:35 For Better for Worse 24:35 Party People

07:10 The Hoobs 07:35 The Hoobs 08:00 Freshly Squeezed 08:25 According to Jim 08:55 The Morning Line 09:55 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:25 Frasier 10:55 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 12:00 You Deserve This House 13:00 Channel 4 News Midday Summary 13:05 Baking Mad with Eric Lanlard 13:30 Cheltenham Festival 17:15 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 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Location, Location, Location 22:00 Mary’s Bottom Line 23:00 Our Man In 24:05 Embarrassing Bodies

07:00 Childrens TV 08:00 Little Princess 08:10 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 08:20 The Mr Men Show 08:35 Thomas & Friends 08:45 Noddy in Toyland 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:10 Peppa Pig 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:25 Peppa Pig 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:45 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Hana’s Helpline 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 LIVE with Gabby 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Emergency Bikers 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 CSI: NY 16:10 Prayers for Bobby 18:00 5 News at 5 18:15 Live UEFA Europa League Football 21:05 xXx 23:25 The Foreigner

07:00 Emmerdale 07:25 Nanny 911 08:15 Loose Women 09:10 Judge Judy 09:35 Judge Judy 10:00 Judge Judy 10:25 Real Housewives of Orange County 11:30 Judge Judy 12:00 Judge Judy 12:30 Judge Judy 13:00 Emmerdale 13:30 Nanny 911 14:30 Jeremy Kyle Show 15:35 Jeremy Kyle Show 16:40 Real Housewives of Orange County 17:40 Loose Women 18:40 Judge Judy 19:05 Judge Judy 19:30 Judge Judy 20:00 All Star Family Fortunes 21:00 American Idol 23:00 Celebrity Juice 23:45 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records 24:15 Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

07:00 Switched 07:25 One Tree Hill 08:05 Glee 08:50 Ugly Betty 09:40 One Tree Hill 10:35 Scrubs 11:05 Scrubs 11:30 90210 12:25 Desperate Housewives 13:25 Greek 14:20 Scrubs 14:50 Scrubs 15:20 Hollyoaks 15:50 90210 16:45 Glee 17:35 Rules of Engagement 18:05 Desperate Housewives 19:00 The Big Bang Theory 19:30 The Big Bang Theory 20:00 Hollyoaks 20:30 How I Met Your Mother 21:00 The Big Bang Theory 21:30 Rules of Engagement 22:00 How I Met Your Mother 22:30 Happy Endings 23:00 The IT Crowd 23:30 PhoneShop 24:00 Pete Versus Life 24:35 Rude Tube

14:00 Non Stop Music 16:00 Shopping and Info 18:00 The Gift Inspirational & Motivational poems with Simone Segal 18:05 Hip Hop Alicante – The music scene in Alicante 18:30 Dave & Andy’s Excellent Adventures 19:00 Real England – The Real Cornwall 20:00 – 22:00 Local Information and Non Stop Music Real England 19:00

Crossword Solutions for 646 CRYPTIC SOLUTIONS Across: 1 Mars; 3 Outdoors; 8 Name; 9 Abruptly; 11 Reverberates; 13 Indian; 14 Editor; 17 Magnetic pole; 20 Operetta; 21 Gobi; 22 Sea-fever; 23 Mean.

Down: 1 Monorail; 2 Removed; 4 Unbred; 5 Drug addict; 6 Outre; 7 Styx; 10 Great niece; 12 Artesian; 15 Twosome; 16 Statue; 18 Arena; 19 Boss.

QUICK SOLUTIONS Across: 1 Cape; 3 Disperse; 8 Lure; 9 Starving; 11 Instructions; 13 Relate; 14 Rudder; 17 Perspiration; 20 Adroitly; 21 Etch; 22 Allegory; 23 Prod.

Down: 1 Colliery; 2 Parasol; 4 Intact; 5 Particular; 6 Reign; 7 Ergo; 10 Protesting; 12 Drenched; 15 Drifter; 16 Tiller; 18 Enrol; 19 Saga.

Wordwheel: OVERPOWER

54

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

Life music Two Nights with Eva Cortés CostaVibes Tony Poole

SENSATIONAL SINGER Eva Cortés is performing two concerts this month in ViBES territory, one in Alicante, the other in Murcia. Cortés has earned herself a place among the most interesting and promising talents on the jazz scene in Spain.

She is currently signed with Universal Music, has performed in Spain, Italy, France, The Netherlands, Russia, Emirates, Central America, and on the east coast of the USA. She has recorded collaborations with some of the finest musicians on the Latin jazz and Flamenco scene including Jerry Gonzalez, Antonio Serrano, Pepe Rivero and Nono García. In her work we can hear South American rhythms fused with jazz along with a gentle touch of southern Spain. She last performed in the region at the annual Summerjazz Festival, north of Alicante, in August 2010.

Eva Cortes was born in Tegucigalpa (Honduras), grew up in Seville and now lives between Madrid and Paris. Her music reflects the influences of cultural mixing and the different genres of music developed throughout her career as a singer.

During her childhood, growing up in a family of great musical tradition, she was exposed to Latin American folk music, along with jazz and blues. In January 2006 she flew to Santiago de Chile to record and co-produced ‘Alone with You’, her first solo album, which was released on EMI Records.

After her debut album she signed to Universal Jazz Spain and released ‘Como Agua Entre Los Dedos’ (Like Water Between the Fingers) in 2008, followed by El Mar De Mi Vida’ (The Sea of My Life) in 2010.

Her latest release, ‘Back 2 the Source’ (2011), is a personal

view of what she considers the cornerstone of her musical influence: jazz. The album features classics from the great American songbook recorded in Spanish, French and English.

There are collaborations with the Brazilian guitarist Romero Lubambo, and Mark Whitfield, probably one of the biggest names in jazz guitar today, also bass player with Paco de Lucia, one of the pivotal figures in Cuban music from the past ten years, Alain Perez. Plus one of the key names in the development of Flamenco jazz fusion, drummer Marc Miralta.

According to Eva, the work is the result of “solid foundations provided by a band that has spent many years playing together, accumulating many hours, miles and experiences... and consistency, through collaboration, which can only be achieved through continuous work.”

Cortés is currently preparing the release of her fifth album ‘Jazz one night with Eva Cortés in Madrid’ which is released on 17th April on Verve Records. It features a concert recorded on 28th December last year.

Eva Cortés is performing at Las Cigarreras, Cultura Contemporánea, La Caja Negra in Alicante on Thursday 15th March, tickets are 10€ in advance from FNAC Bulevar, or 12€ on the night from the box office, the concert starts at 20:30 (www.lascigarreras.com). The following evening she travels to Jazzazza in Aljezares, Murcia for an evening performance starting at 20:00 (www.jazzazza.es). Her band features Pepe Rivero on piano, Toño Miguel on bass, and Georvis Picó on drums.

Jazz festivals, gigs and new releases at www.vibesfromthecostas.blogspot.com Email news and views to vibes@roundtownnews.com Keep the ViBES ALiVE!

and

Out About Friday 9th March Alan Warden, Jp’s @ Mil Plameras Saturday 10th March Enigma, O Duills, Gran Alicant Jimmy Vincent, Gasolina Meroil, Callosa de Segura Tony Lincoln, PJs @the rendevous,Torrevieja Tuesday 13th March Phoenix Promotions showcase El Corazon Hotel, Quesada 7 acts performing……

Variety Night White Swan, La Marina, Shirelle, Jimmy Vincent & Frances Symons Wednesday 14th March Shani Orbeston, Catorce Restaurant, Benijofar

www.roundtownnews.co.uk

X Factor: Camposol style SIMON COWELL eat your heart out! The only X Factor competition to be involved in starts on 28th March at the Golf Club in Camposol with the winner getting a top spot at the Camposol Fiesta this summer AND at the prestigious CAFÉ concert show in October as well as a cash prize! If you think that your talent needs exposure, call today to ensure that you are in the running. Seats at the event are just €5 and

the Golf Club has some available right now, do get calling to reserve your seat and for more information on the application process. Due to technical difficulties the previously advertised telephone number is not available, so please call 626 460 465 if you want to enter. Please also call this number to confirm your entry if you have already previously submitted an application to take part.

Phoenix Promotions showcase DURING THE Month of March, every Tuesday a different venue will have up to 7 acts performing during the evening On Tuesday the 13th of March The second of four showcases is El Corazon hotel in Quesada and the evening starts at approx 8.30pm.

The Showcase is open to other bars/venues and members of the general public and it promise to be a mixed bag of entertainment. Already booked in are a 4 piece live band, duos, trio and solo act. So it will be an evening of something for everybody event.

Come down give the acts your support and have a good and enjoyable evening of fun and Music. Watch out each week in March in this column for the next showcase.

For further information please call Phoenix Promotions 677 222 352.

Tony Capaldi FROM A local restaurant to a local bar, Tony performs all types of music to suit any audience. He can sing in English, Spanish and Italian. From your standard ballads a to your big rock songs. Tony has been performing since his teens and simply loves what he is doing. A completely versatile performer and with his ‘cheeky’ style, you can’t help but smile and enjoy the show. A Great vocalist and an excellent entertainer. For details please contact Phoenix Promotions 677 222 352.

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

55

56

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

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

Sudoku

Cryptic Crossword Across 3. So dieting upsets one’s assimilation of food (9) 8. A double round to celebrate (4) 9. They may be punched by workers (4-5) 10. So rich a blend of voices (6) 11. Change seats and get something worth having (5) 14. Worthy of respect, though not entirely legal (5) 15. Witnessed a Pole cut in pieces! (4) 16. New easel to hire out (5) 18. Something from which danger may arise (4) 20. Tree for the sea-shore we hear (5) 21. Get involved in someone else’s business? (5) 24. How one should march on foot (6) 25. Ninety-ton order, yet one of no account (9) 26. Reel back with some drinks (4) 27. It gives you time to play (9)

Down 1. No notes? Call at the station! (3,6) 2. Distorted explanation of why a player was dropped?

(3,2,4) 4. I take a bit of a risk for her (4) 5. Odds that aren’t odd! (5) 6. Finds broken crates (6) 7. Inequalities of chance (4) 9. Kind of spirit used in petrol lighters (5) 11. Knowing there’s a fight over a point (5) 12. Make moves to raise one’s standing? (4,5) 13. Almost in debt? Very well could be! (2,3,4) 17. It’s not easily carved by one in a confused state (5) 19. Temporary skylight? (6) 22. Agree to embark (3,2) 23. Learning a new role (4) 24. Make a note of the time (4)

Wordwheel

Quick Crossword Across 3. Misfortune (9) 8. Sediment (4) 9. Conduct (9) 10. Eaten away (6) 11. Guide (5) 14. Fall into (5) 15. Curb (4) 16. Moribund (5) 18. Story (4) 20. Wireless (5) 21. Ant (5) 24. Dread (6) 25. Ignore (9) 26. Cosy (4) 27. Cheer (9)

Down 1. Ease (9) 2. Conciliate (9) 4. Action (4) 5. Precise (5) 6. Tremble (6) 7. So (4) 9. Whiskers (5) 11. Speedy (5) 12. Translation (9) 13. Foster (9) 17. Covetousness (5) 19. Appear (6) 22. Keen (5) 23. Portent (4) 24. Genuine (4)

Answers & Winners Last week’s Crossword and Suduko answers found on page 51/53. Winner for 646: Simon Haynes, Alfaz del Pi

Euromillions Draw Friday 2nd March 2012

5 6 11 30 44

2

6

2

6

One UK ticket won the jackpot prize

Tuesday 6th March 2012

23 24 27 37 47

No ticket won

www.roundtownnews.co.uk

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

Life horoscopes An unexpected twist of fate sees you carrying on as normal this week blissfully aware that you were right all along and looking for a solution that will make everyone happy. This is not just a time to say, “I told you so” but it is tempting! Mercury retrogrades in your ninth house just after the weekend, and timing is of the essence if the maximum is to make a difference.

Venus is with her starchild, Taurus, and happiness moves an affair of the heart just one step nearer to where it should be. Becoming better connected and reaching fulfilment is your right and your destiny, even if this means all change. All is fair in love and war this week and there are some things left unsaid that will serve to prompt you into action.

Mercury is retrograde and things may seem to be chaotic to start with as you make tentative moves in the right direction. Be sure that what you want is what you get, and be prepared that some subtle changes brought upon you really are clouds with silver linings. Above all start to examine something from another angle because there is something you cannot or will not see.

Stored anger has finally found its way out, but keep your temper, if you can, a little longer because the time is not right just yet. Others need to know that you are not to be messed with, and things have gone too far. With a retrograde Mercury interfering with communication there comes upheaval, confusion and problems with relationships, so keep abreast, yet be ready!

As the Sun slides closer to the Spring Equinox there is a period in which you must clarify your intentions and see a way forward as an alternative for your present sulking. If something is wrong it needs action to bring resolve and closure, and silence and feeling sorry for yourself does nothing to make things that should be eliminated just simply dissappear.

Mars has brought you a surprising amount of sensitivity mainly by showing you what alternatives are out there, and just what you are so capable of. Someone has written you off because they are unable to see that you too have a part to play. The great difference is that you know what’s good for the goose is good for the gander, and you aren’t afraid to speak your mind!

Balance is your middle name and someone has tipped the scales. Favours are connecting with your sister Planet Taurus as Venus plays homage to your recent wonderful achievements by rewarding you with new connections, and a brief to be yourself at all costs. Do what it takes, don’t look back, but be sure that all will be well, very well sooner than you think.

Balance is your middle name and someone has tipped the scales.

Favours are connecting with your sister Planet Taurus as Venus plays homage to your recent wonderful achievements by rewarding you with new connections, and a brief to be yourself at all costs. Do what it takes, don’t look back, but be sure that all will be well, very well sooner than you think.

By Jupiter you are on good form, and while you are at it there’s a time to give yourself a well deserved pat on the back, especially in the light of recent events. You did what you had to, when you needed to, and no body has a right to say otherwise. Take stock, but also take some time to rest and relax with some well deserved pampering on the cards to reward you.

If people knew why you are being so very stubborn right now they would be rushing in to support you, so spill the beans! You have had to re invent yourself somewhat to bring about the force of change, and now let the North Wind of opportunity do its job. People should be allowed to reward you for what you do best, but in some ways the very best is still to come.

Congratulations are due as you move on to pastures new. It has taken you time for you to make a decision, but it is not one that has been made lightly. Nobody is as honest and reliable as you are, as the truth seeker of the Universe, but now you can say goodbye to compromise and scheming and just enjoy the challenge that eagerly awaits you as you move onwards.

Chiron sends out a true message of inspiration in the form of a sign brought to your door this week. Yes, I think that you have been tested, but you always pass muster, and the way ahead will be easier if you take the option that allows you to be seen in the light for what you really believe in; rather than how others see you. Be assured what you plan now is all for the best.

Kenny corris www.kennycorris.net

Reason FIRSTLY I would like to take the opportunity to apologise for the inconvenience to anyone at the sudden cancellation of the 2012 Golden Age Show which was due to take place at the Forum Mare Nostrum in Albir on Saturday March 3rd. Due to circumstances beyond my control the Show will now take place on Saturday April 21st, same time same place! If you reserved seats under the WILL CALL box office reserved system your seats will be automatically be re booked for the new date.

If you paid by PayPal service your seats will be re reserved, but refunds are available if you prefer, and please do not hesitate to request this.

Things, they say, happen for a reason, and often we do not know why these things make such a difference to our lives sometimes. As we go through life we begin to realise just why we did what we did, but it can take time to take in why it had to happen the way that it did. We can be haunted, and we shouldn’t be, by looking back on past actions. But often it is yet unknown why we said, “yes” when, “no” was the answer we should have given; and vice versa, of course. As for why we did some of things we did, well, in hindsight maybe what we did seems wrong now, but it must have been right at the time. Have no regrets because if we ever say, and we do, “if I had my time again” we would nevertheless and regardlessly do what we did, and make all those old mistakes once more.

It can and it often does, make us seem like victims of our own circumstances. Consciences may be pricked and pride ruffled, but very often we did the right thing, and only the cold light of many days, weeks and years, can make us dump the guilt we should never really have accepted. The reasons for some things we did have yet to be revealed to us, but everything does come right in the end, and time will wait to prove to us the wisdom of our past ways, and the fulfilment that we can enjoy in final an absolute clearance.

Not all we do is as transparent as it could be.

We tell white lies so as not to upset those we respect. We hide our feelings readily and hide our reactions if we feel they will affect others.

Though we can care and share we are often alone in keeping our personal secrets in context, fearing that we may be judged by others for

Kenny’s diary 2012: THE GOLDEN AGE: INTO THE FIFTH DIMENSION Saturday April 21st at The Forum Mare Nostrum in Alfaz 10,00 to 5.00. Show with Kenny Corris and Torben Thoger, Mette and Laerke Lund. Advanced Booking at: kennycorris.net or 686 361 594. Tickets 25EUR. Credit Cards Accepted.

Bookable Lunch 10EUR. Thursday March 15th: In aid of Paul Cunningham Nurses at the Hotel Corazon in Quesada: All readings now fully booked, now listing for Spring Readings at this location at a later date. Some tickets still available for the evening Clairvoyant Show, “An Audience with Kenny Corris.” at 19.30.

Tickets: 10EUR. Information from Sue Reader on: 96 671 3503 or 639 318 526 Thursday March 22nd : “An Audience with Kenny Corris” at Bar La Torre in Alcalali ( close to the Church) at 20.00. Tickets: 15EUR including welcoming drink. All information and tickets available from Jan on: 686 508 634

57

misdeeds or transgressions. I have encountered clients who have been so worried that what I may see will reveal a host of past secrets better kept as secret and God forbid any skeleton that may rattle in any cupboard, for whatever reason. I am not one to poke and pry in personal relationships, and I am non judgmental so the sanctity and the confidentiality of the sitting means just that. I do not prise open a can of worms, but so too do I know that often fear and regret has a good grounding in past issue as well as present happenings and that this alone can and does affect the energy levels and the psyche of my clients during appointments I often get little flash backs that reward me by revealing the past and past actions. Some of these can make me shudder, but I am looking back to the actions of a boy and a young man, and now in my wisdom I can better put together my life and heartily reject that which causes me any sadness or distress. There are, and I have to accept that there will be, and maybe always will be, things I am waiting to put into context. There cannot be a reason for everything that is not acceptable right now, and it can take a lifetime to look back in anger, or to side on bitter regret for circumstances that are both inside and outside of our control.

Naturally we are able to look back on wonderful things that were our youth and a part of our making. The jobs we did well. The people we have loved and who loved us. The crazy things we did.

The fun and the freedom we had. The feeling that life was beginning for us. The fun. Naturally all these things still can await us, and we need no excuse other than we have our life to live in experience and without fearing.

We can plan our tomorrows and all can go completely wrong, whereas we can not plan a thing and everything that we do goes like clockwork.

The very last thing planned for the Golden Age Show was not to be able to present it to our audience on the day we scheduled. Maybe some who couldn’t attend will now be able to. Whatever, we are making plans for a wonderful day amidst like minded people who have learned to think outside the box. Nobody needs a reason to be there and to participate, but if you do have one, come and share it with us, you will be very welcome!

2012 The Golden Age Saturday April 21st Forum Mare Nostrum in Alfas. Book Now!

Love & Light... Kenny Corris

Postbag Email your letters to me at: kennycorris@roundtownnews.com KENNY, THERE are cold spots in my house and I think I am going crazy because none of the family believe me. They say that I am going weird and tell me not to be so crazy. The only support I get is from the dog, he barks at the walls and follows something there I can’t see, but it’s right by the cold spots and maybe he feels them too?

Claire V.S. Hey Claire, I believe you! Dogs can be openly psychic too, and I feel that they respond to Spirit very often. The matter is the cold spots and I know what you are feeling, sudden flows of icy cold air, usually in specific places. I need to know if you are scared by this manifestation, which it sounds like it is! Whilst the family laugh, the dog barks, how do you feel? If there is any distress then I will come and sort things out for you, but firstly ask that such energies leave your home and you may find you get the response that you need and that cold goes away. Treat the unwelcome cold energies just as if you were talking to a naughty child and take control of the situation. Keep in touch!

If it’s your birthday this week A romantic notion may be closer to your reality than you think. You are far more than you think you are and you are about to find out, in new creative ways, that you are not to be messed with!

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

58

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

Life tech

with Aunty Virus

Email auntyvirus@roundtownnews.com

Using BBC iPlayer Brian for Lavea asks:

HOLA AUNTY. I have been using BBC iPlayer with the aid of Expat Shield for some time and normally I download selected programmes to iPlayer Desktop to avoid bandwidth problems. Recently however the download information box shows a blunt message saying ‘download failed’ and nothing else. I have tried deleting and reinstalling both Desktop and Adobe Air without result. Actually deleting doesn’t seem to work properly as I get a message indicating that Desktop is already installed and/or the waiting list of programmes ‘coming soon’ is reinstated which suggests that it wasn’t a clean delete. Have you any suggestions as the BBC’s FAQ etc is no help at all?

Aunty Says:

Hello Brian. I don’t know a lot about Adobe Air, or the BBC iPlayer Desktop software, but maybe uninstalling them via control panel and getting the latest versions may solve the problem. Quite often download problems are associated with low disk space or a corrupted/unfinished download so maybe also try a clean with Ccleaner and see if that helps.

Travelling with a laptop Geoff from Valencia asks: HELLO AUNTY. Re: your piece in last week’s edition titled ‘ Buying a New Lap Top’ Yes I agree with all you have said on the subject and I have a Movistar dongle which I have found to be the most efficient out of all the providers here in Spain and I did borrow others to trial before committing to Movistar. However I was faced with a reverse situation when intending taking the laptop to the UK for a holiday and the Movistar dongle would have proved unrealistically too expensive to operate in the UK. I did consider a PAYG (Pay As You Go) Vodafone UK dongle for 2 weeks but then just before travelling I discovered a company called www.abroadband.com. It is an Austrian based PAYG broadband provider with fantastic worldwide connection set up. There is far too much to say about them here so do please take a look and read their webpage, you will be amazed and it operated really good in Spain, France and the UK. Hope this information helps your readers when travelling with a laptop.

Aunty Says: Thanks for that Geoff. I had a quick look at their website and it certainly does look great. I cannot endorse their service or product as I have not had a chance to see it in action, but if it does what it says on their website then it certainly is the best roaming mobile ADSL solution I have seen.

Messages on open page Ken via email asks: DEAR AUNTY. On our open page of Skype there is a box that says “Tell all your friends what you are up to” so we have left messages from time to time i.e. Merry Xmas to all or we are off to England for a week etc. Our problem is that we cannot delete them so now that every time somebody opens up our contact page they get the full list. How do we delete them all as its nearly full up.

Aunty Says: I think the only way to permanently delete these status messages Ken is to delete or rename a file called keyval.db which you should be able to find from ‘start’ ‘search’.

A change of router John via email asks: HI AGAIN Aunty. I just changed my router for an old Telefonica one that was lying around in the cupboard, and guess what? I accessed ryanair.com without any problem. How on earth can my normal router manage to block just one web address?

Aunty Says: Most routers can store information about your Internet traffic and block certain websites and other computers for security reasons. You normally have to set this up manually by logging in to your router and restricting who accesses what, and most modern routers have a built in firewall that can also restrict access for safety reasons. How and why your router has decided to do this only for the www.ryanair.com is not clear but if you send me the make/model number I can give you instructions how to reset it back to it’s factory settings.

Getting the best deal David via his iPhone asks: DEAR AUNTY. I live in Spain for five months of the year, Can you advise the best ADSL provider Satellite or wifi or cable that I can stop when I’m away? The RTN deal sounds good? Thanks and I have been reading your page for years.

Aunty Says: The RTN one is probably the best David but like all things, phone around and see what the best deal is.

www.roundtownnews.co.uk

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

59

Gadget Inspector Investigates:

Kogeto Dot iPhone Lens THIS WEEK the Inspector comes over all panoramic with the Kogeto Dot iPhone Lens.

Not so long ago a camera was a strange chunky object that you used to load film into, take your 24 or 36 snaps and then toddle off to the photo shop or Boots the chemists to have them developed. Then you’d wait a week for them to come back – and hope they hadn’t been substituted for David Bailey’s record of last weekend’s Acacia Avenue swingers’ party.

With the advent of the on-demand 21st Century and online media came the smartphone with camera/ video and the ability to take images in high detail, and then share them on the internet almost immediately: but what next?

Feel limited by your phone’s built-in video functions? Well, take a look at the Kogeto Dot iPhone Lens – you’re in for a surprise!

Simply clip onto the outside of your Iphone 4 or 4S and you’re ready to shoot 360 degree videos. Simply place your iPhone on the palm of your hand or any flat surface and start recording. The Kogeto Dot features a unique catadioptric optical system which allows wide angle shooting.

Then just download the accompanying ‘Looker’ app and you’re ready to explore your latest masterpiece.

The effect is reminiscent of the 360 degree tours seen on websites, but likely to be of much more interesting subjects. You can explore the video from all angles, and it gives a

much more realistic impression of your subject.

Once you’re happy you can share your panoramic pictorials on Facebook, Twitter or Kogeto.com – where anyone can view them because you don´t need an app for that. You can even make live webcasts if the mood takes you – probably better to hide the Kogeto Dot first if you plan doing anything you might regret later; the internet is littered with the evidence of past indiscretions.

The Kogeto Dot iPhone Lens is available in green or black and requires no batteries or external power supply – so your videos will last for as long as your iPhone has a charge.

The Kogeto Dot is also supplied with a micro-fibre carry pouch that doubles as a lens cleaner. Crystal!

The Inspector’s Verdict: If you have an iPhone 4 or 4S then a whole new world of video taking opportunities will present itself with the Kogeto Dot. That family holiday to Skegness will never look so good…

Visit www.gadget-hound.co.uk/ kogeto-dot to purchase your Kogeto Dot iPhone Lens for 89€ including delivery to Spain (subject to exchange rate).

How lucky are we!

94.95€ + IVA, however, refer a friend and you get 50.00€ cash-back.

We have moved to another country and can still watch UK TV directly on our TV screens.

BEWARE! You could pay up to €1000 for an installation plus monthly costs of up to €60 only for these TV companies to be shut down after a few months. Why? Because it is ILLEGAL! These companies are charging you for free to air channels then they are adding on content that is illegal to broadcast such as the sports channels.

This is where we, Europa Network come along. Europa TV delivers English content (Free To Air channels) direct to your TV or PC via your Europa ADSL Broadband connection.

There is NO CHARGE WHATSOEVER and you can view ALL the channels on your PC without any other hardware!

To view our TV through your television you will need a Set Top Box (STB) which includes our own Electronic Program Guide (EPG) and displays details of all programs available 7 days in advance. The cost of our Set Top Box is only

Why are we legal?

• Europa are approved and licensed by the Spanish Telecommunications Regulator.

• Europa TV is approved by Spanish lawyers.

• We do not charge clients anything to view our TV Service — ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! • We do not transmit ANY un-encrypted content that has been delivered encrypted (for example, no SKY content will be available).

• We do not change or “alter” the content or add advertising.

The content is delivered EXACTLY as it is in the UK. • We pay copyright fees to the relevant organisations in Spain – (SGAE and EGEDA).

• Television without Frontiers Directive (TVFD) becomes AVMS which fully supports our business model.

For more information please telephone the sales team on 96 579 6736

LISTEN TO the world everywhere you go. With TuneIn, it’s easy to find and discover what you love, from music and news to festivals and sporting events.

CHOOSE FROM THE BEST VARIETY TuneIn offers over 50,000 stations and 120,000 shows, all yours, wherever you are.

REMEMBER YOUR FAVORITES With the Favorites feature, you can tell TuneIn to remember the stations and songs you love the most.

Plus, when you sign up for a free account, TuneIn will show you these Favorites anywhere you use TuneIn - on your phone, on your computer, in your car and beyond.

DISCOVER NEW FAVORITES Shake your phone or press the ‘Recommended’ button and TuneIn will reveal a new station that you’re bound to love.

GET WHAT YOU WANT, EASILY If you know what you want, simply search for an artist, song, or sports team and TuneIn will show you a list of stations currently playing what you’re looking for. If you are in the mood to discover something new, you can browse through categories like music genre, sports, talk, location, or language.

For more information or to order your unbeatable android mobile phone package call 2020tel on 966 260 777

E L A S N IO S S E C E R T E Y T S E G IG B OUR SALE LOOK HARD NOW NEVER YES IT’S OUR 24TH BIG EAPER! WILL YOU SEE SPANISH CARS CH

07 MOD MERCEDES ML 6.3 AMG WITH EVERY POSSiBLE EXTRA IN THE CATALOGUE in metallic light gold , full cashmere beige interior, cost 162,000€ with extras, our MD’s car, gift at only............................................................................................................... 79,999€ 07 MERCEDES CLK 320CDI AVANTGARDE COUPE in metallic ice blue, half hide, CD, 18”alloys, Xenons, E/seats, climate, full history, lowkm, as new .............................. 24,999€ 08/2011 plates NEW MODEL DODGE GRAND VOYAGER 3.3LX stow n go, auto, elec blue met, climate, CD, MP3, petrol, stunning latest model & plates................................. 22,999€ NOV 07 KIA SORRENTO CRDI DIESEL AUTOMATIC EXECUTIVE, met black, pale grey hide, GPS NAV, E/S/roof, alloys etc, FSH, as new ................................................................19,999€ 03/07 plates MERCEDES CLK 320 AVANTEGARDE COUPE AUTOMATIC in silver, full black hide, climate, alloys, CD, Xenons, E/seats, FSH, stunning car @ ...........................14,999€ 05 JAGUAR S TYPE 2.5 V6 AUTOMATIC EXECUTIVE in racing green, full cream hide, 68000km, FSH, climate, gps nav, electric sun roof, tel, CD, 8x a/bags, alloys, parktronic, as new, first to see will buy this gentleman’s carriage @ only.......................................16,999€ 2006 CHRYSLER GRAND VOYAGER 2.8 CRD AUTOMATIC, stow and go model, in met nimbus grey, alloys, climate, CD, parktronic, gps nav, bluetooth, privacy glass to rear, on 2010 plates great grandad bus ...................................................................16,999€ 06/08 Plates CHRYSLER SEBRING 2.7 AUTOMATIC CABRIO in unmarked silver, low km, FSH, latest face lift model, stunning example ................................................12,999€ 06 MERCEDES A180 CDI AUTO met. Black, full cream velour top trim, alloys, CD, multifunction steering wheel, one owner, as new with FULL HISTORY ........................12,999€ 09 FORD FOCUS AUTOMATIC TREND in metallic vision blue, climate, CD, FSH, alloys, one owner, try find another, gift @ ...................................................................11,999€ 09 FORD FOCUS AUTOMATIC kinetic, silver, climate, alloys, CD ............................ 11,999€ DEC 07 TATA GRAND SAFARI LWB 3.0 DIESEL met claret red, alloys, side-steps, CD, PAS, climate, one private owner, 30,000km, FSH, as new, great value, only.....................9,999€ 2010 BENTLEY GTC CABRIO MULLINER only 2,000km, silver lake blue, linen hide.

Spanish list price 241,000€, on offer at 165,200€ UK plate or 185,800€ Spanish plate, save 50,000€ on new latest spec!

NOV 03/05 PLATES BENTLEY ARNAGE T sapphire blue, Tangier hide, FSH, 29,000km, our MD car, as new, cost 330,000€, by appointment only 89,999€ 09 MERCEDES SL 350 LATEST SPEC every Merc extra, in met black, only 13,000km. cost 130,000€ fantastic value.

SAVE 50K 79,000€ 95 FERRARI F355 silver, red hide, 55,000km, best looking Ferrari ever made! 39,999€ 07 MOD MERCEDES R CLASS 320 CDI AUTOMATIC LWB, in metallic glacier blue, black hide, dual climate ,e/sun/roof, gps nav, CD x 6, xenons, electric memory seats, amg body styling kit and 18” amg alloys, f + r parktronic, premium sound system, command unit, bluetooth phone, cruise ect..................................................................................... 32,999€ 08 JAGUAR XJ6 3.0 LWB AUTOMATIC met ascot grey barely /cream hide trim, full history, GPS nav, e/s/roof, CD, alloys, ect............................................................................... 29,999€ 08/2011 PLATES MERCEDES C200 CDI 6 speed manual in silver, climate, alloys, elegance pack, nav, tel, CD, FSH, latest model, 49mpg, good value at ............................. 24,999€ 06 JAGUAR XJ8 EXECUTIVE met navy, cream hide, auto, climate, elec/m/seats, alloys, CD, elec sunroof, cost 96,000€ stunning, looks & drives as new!

22,999€ 07 MERCEDES CLK 320 CDI DIESEL AUTO COUPE met silver, half hide trim, climate, CD, FSH by Merc Madrid 80,000km=50,000miles, plus 8 airbags, as new 22,999€ 07 MOD VW PHAETON 3.0 TDI AUTO, met black, cream hide, 5 seater, alloys, bi-xenons, GPS nav, parktronic, elec. memory seats, hot seats, 4 zone climate, rear climate, no better luxury! FSH, cost 80,000€+ a gift at 22,999€ 07 MOD MERCEDES CLK 200 ELEGANCE AUTO COUPE ice blue met, blue/grey hide, xenons, parktronic, CD, ipod, climate, alloys, 39,000km, FSH, stunning 21,999€

02 OPEL CORSA SMALL AUTO

Unmarked met. Silver, A/C & PAS. Sold by Global when 6 m old.

Totally immaculate, 12 months guarantee.

First to see will buy @ 3,999€

06 VOLVO V70 2.4 KINETIC EST manual, met silver, half hide in grey, climate, alloys etc. most sought after family favourite, immaculate, gift @....................................12,999€ LATE 06 TATA SAFARI LWB DIESEL MANUAL GRAND MODEL black, great spec, forget the jokes these are mainly Ford (all colour coded) totally as new! ..............................9,999€ 99 AUDI A8 4.2L QUATRO AUTO silver, cream hide, stunning.................................. 9,999€ 07 RENAULT SCENIC 1.9 DCI AUTOMATIC DYNAMIC in silver, climate, alloys ect only...9,999€ 08 CITROËN BERLINGO 1.6 HDI SX plus all colour coded in silver, A/C, CD, etc great family bus, cost over 20,000€................................................................................8,999€ 08 SEAT TOLEDO 2.0 TDI S in rich met ocean blue, climate, alloys, CD, 8 x airbags, bluetooth tel, xenons, rain & light auto sensors................................................8,999€ 08 OPEL CORSA 1.3 CDTI NEW SHAPE funky cars, great reviews, top MPG, A/C, PAS, CD ect. 8,495€ 08 FORD FOCUS 1.6 TDCi SPORTBREAK EST in ocean blue met.........................7,999€ 08 FORD FOCUS 1.8 TDCI 115BHP TREND 4/door with boot, latest model in met vision blue, climate, CD, alloys, stunning colour, as new .............................................7,999€ 08 FORD KA 1.3 COLLECTION met zinc gret, A/C, PAS, CD, all colour coded ...........6,999€

HARLEY DAVIDSON LOOK-ALIKE 1997 YAMAHA XV1100cc TOURING BIKE TWIN SEATER, SCREEN, PANNA SADDLE BAGS. YELLOW & BLACK, MIRRORS, SPOTS, REAR RACK, BIG CHUNKY BIKE, LOTS OF CHROME, THE JAPANESE ANSWER TO A HARLEY, GREAT LOOKER, RETRIEVE YOUR LONG LOST YOUTH 3,999€

04 RENAULT MEGANE 1.9 DCI CABRIO in met cava, top spec, FSH, inc. hide and panoramic roof, STUNNING CAR..................................................................8,999€ 08 FORD FOCUS TDCI EST TREND in ocean blue, climate, as new ........................ 7,999€ 08 FORD FIESTA 1.4 TDCI in met fern green, climate, CD, etc. Hurry @................. 7,999€ 07 FORD FOCUS EST 1.6 TDCI TREND, climate, CD, FSH, met aquamarine ......... 7,999€ 07 mod PEUGEOT 307 Hdi climate, CD, glacier white, face lift, gift at ................ 6,999€ 07 mod on 2011 PLATES FORD FIESTA 1.4 AUTOMATIC Titanium pack, met. Grey, hosts of extras, inc. A/C, alloys & CD, as new............................................................ 6,999€ 08 FORD FIESTA 1.4 TDCI 5 DOOR in metallic tropic green, as new, FSH gift at.... 6,999€ 03 HYUNDAI TRADJET CDI, Diesel 7 seater, in metallic silver blue, alloys, CD, great holiday car, grandads family bus.................................................................... 5,999€ 06 DAEWOO TACUMA 20 16V in silver, climate, 64,000km, FSH, as new ............ 5,999€ TOP SPEC DIESEL CABRIO - 04 RENAULT MEGANE CABRIO 1.9 DCI PRIVILEGE Met cava, cream hide, panoramic glass roof, elec sunroof, xenons, plus alloys, CD, FSH, 106,000km=65,000miles.

Great car, great spec, great colour, great value @ 8,999€ 07 FORD FIESTA TDCI NEWPORTS 5 doors, climate, bluetooth phone, CD, in met. Grey, blue or silver. Give away crazy price of 5,999€ - Ring the police if you see cheaper!

As for sure they will be stolen – hurry now!

07 VOLKSWAGEN EOS 2.0 FSI CABRIO in glacier light metallic blue, cream interior, climate, alloys, CD, 52,000km, FSH as new ............................................................. 16,999€ 07 NISSAN QASHQAI 2.0 DCI TEKNA in silver with panoramic full roof, climate, PAS, alloys, bluetooth-phone, CD ect as new .......................................................15,999€ 03/2007 PLATES MERCEDES E220CDI AUTOMATIC met silver, climate ,e/s/roof, CD, alloys, parktronic, full history, stunning example 5 litres per 100km only............... 14,999€ 06 mod/2011 plates MERCEDES A200 CDI AUTO SPECIAL EDITION in ice gold, half hide, full sun roof, alloys, FSH, as new, CD, parktronic 15,999€ 05/09 PLATES MERCEDES E220 CDI AUTOMATIC ESTATE in met teal blue, half hide, alloys, 6xCD, xenons, climate, nav, tel, avantguard pack, as new ........................... 14,999€

07 MODEL VOLKSWAGEN PHEATON 3.0 TDI AUTOMATIC Met black with full cream hide, nothing drives finer for sure cost 76,000€ gift @ 22,999€ once driven for ever smitten.

NOV 06 VW PASSAT 2.0 FSI SPORTLINE met ice silver blue, climate, 10xA/B, CDx6, alarm, cruise, alloys, bi-xenons, bluetooth, tel, nav, DVD, multif. Steering wheel, FSH87,000km=54,375miles, as new fab car, fab value, executive motoring for only .....11,999€ 08 FORD MONDEO EST 1.8 TDCI TREND in met silver, climate, PAS, alloys, CD ect......... 11,999€ 08 FORD FOCUS TDCI 5 DOOR HATCHBACK in metallic vision blue, one private owner, FSH, 37,000kms only, climate, CD, new model, bluetooth, alloys, cruise, as new..... 10,999€ 08 NISSAN PRIMASTAR 2.0 Cdi COMBI white, 6 seater, we can get another row to make 9 seater @ cost if required ........................................................................................ 8,999€ 08 PEUGEOT PARTNER 1.6 HDI TOTEM COMBI white with special totem trim, CD 8,999€

LATE 06 FORD FIESTA 1.4 TDCI 5 door, met ice blue, Newport model, climate, PAS, CD, etc, gift @ .....................................................................................................5,999€ 07 FORD FIESTA NEWPORT 1.4 TDCI, climate, cruise, CD, met great, low km, one owner, totally as new, compare price........................................................................5,999€ 05 FORD FOCUS GHIA TDCI 4-door with boot, great size boot, climate, CD, alloys, in diamond white, a diamond of a car............................................................................ 5,999€ 05 FORD FOCUS 1.6 TREND PLUS ESTATE in aquarius metallic blue, climate, CD, face lift model, private owner, FSH as new..............................................................................5,999€ 01 ROVER 75 1.8 CLUB SE in racing green metallic with special two-tone interior black and cream top velour, this is an ex-Rover show car with fitted TV, SAT NAV, alloys, cruise, fog lamps, 50,000km WITH FULL HISTORY only .....................................................4,999€ 01/10 plates MAZDA 323, 5 door, in met blue, (focus size) A/C, PAS, gift @............3,999€ 05 DAEWOO MATIZ 5 door, A/C, silver, fab mpg, as new gift @ ...........................3,999€ 02 PEUGEOT 206 HDI XR 5 door, in white, fab MPG, fab car! ....................................3,999€ 07 FIAT PANDA 1.3 DIESEL, 5 DOOR VAN, A/C, PAS, in white, gift @ .....................3,999€

06 DACIA LOGAN 1.5 DCI in silver, low kms, A/C, PAS, one owner,only................... 4,999€ 01 CITRÖEN PICASSO 2.0 HDI in met ice blue, climate, pas immaculate throughout gift at ....................................................................................................................... 3,999€ 03 Ford Fusion 5 Door Trend In Metallic Sage Green ,68000km, FSH by one owner, A/C , CD, as new................................................................................................................ 4,999€ 03 PEUGEOT 206 1.4 HDI A/C, PAS, met crystal green, low km.............................. 4,499€ 97 YAMAHA 1100CC BIG TOURING BIKE ................................................................ 3,999€ 98/2001 plates PEUGEOT 306 1.6 CABRIO met blue, A/C. Gift @ ......................... 2,499€ 93 PEUGEOT 309 AUTOMATIC a few ding and dongs but as cheap as chips.............. 999€ 93 SUZUKI AUTOMATIC a few dings and dongs but as cheap as chips....................... 999€

GENTLEMANS CARRIAGE STUNNING 05 JAGUAR S TYPE 2.5 EXECUTIVE AUTOMATIC

in racing green with full cream hide. Extras include climate control, alloys, sunroof hide, gps nav,bluetooth phone, CD, 8 x air bags, FULL SERVICE HISTORY totally as new throughout. Gift @ 15,999€

03 MERCEDES CLK 320 AUTOMATIC IN UNMARKED SILVER WITH FULL BLACK HIDE, FSH, Avantguard pack, climate control, alloys, hide, bluetooth phone, CD, sound system as new in every way on 2007 plates gift @ 14,999€

03 AUDI A6 2.4 MULTITRONIC met ice blue , climate, alloys, CD ect FSH................ 8,999€ 08 FORD FOCUS TDCI 1.8 EST in rich royal blue met, FSH as new .......................... 7,999€ 08 FORD FIESTA TDCI 5 door, fern green, stunning colour, fab value at ................. 7,999€ 07 OPEL CORSA NEW SHAPE 1.3 CDTI in hulk green, A/C, PAS,these are funky cars fab MPG............................................................................................................................ 7,999€ 07 DACIA LOGAN 1.5DCI EST 4 side-doors and clubman twin rear doors, met claret, A/C, PAS, low km, great school run car @ less than half the price of new ....................... 6,999€ 08 FORD KA 1.3 COLLECTION A/C, CD, met zinc gey, as new ................................ 6,999€ 02 FORD FOCUS 1.6 AUTOMATIC 5 DOOR IN MET SILVER , A/C, PAS ect ............ 4,999€ 02 OPEL CORSA AUTOMATIC in met silver, A/C, PAS, small auto at only ................ 3,999€ 02 FIAT SEICENTO fuel-miser, A/C, PAS, one owner, 32,000km,FSH,in white blue trim....... 2,999€ 00 RENAULT MEGANE 2.0 COUPE IN STUNNING YELLOW, A/C , PAS,alloys, exceptional only..2,999€ 96 PEUGEOT 306 AUTOMATIC, A/C, PAS, met cobalt blue ..................................... 2,499€ PIAGGIO PORTER MINI PICK-UP in pale blue, a three wheel pick-up, a great promotions car, (Italian papers @ 1,999€).................................................................................. 1,799€ 99 CITROËN BERLINGO clean van, need s/h engine, take away ....................... @ 600€

04 VAUXHALL ZAFIRA 2.0 TDI ELEGANCE 7 seater or fold for good space, UK tax and MOT till August 2012, FSH, exceptional top MPG...................................................................................................................... 4,999€ 2005 KIA MAGENTIS 2.0 LE AUTOMATIC SPORTS H-MATIC, one owner, 43,000miles, FSH, taxed and MOT until August 2012, cost 14,500pounds new, great ride home tremendous value for money @ only 4,999€ 2000 ROVER 825 AUTOMATIC FAST BACK in met blue, one owner, 71,000miles, full UK MOT, luxury @ 2,999€ 99 BMW 523i SE AUTO, blue, grey hide, alloys, v.clean,UK MOT to Oct’12......................................... 1,999€ 02 CITROËN BERLINGO 1.9 DIESEL VAN, immaculate, alloys......................................................... 1,999€

NOV 2008 FORD FOCUS EST 2.0 - TDCI 136BHP In diamond white, CD, A/C, PAS, FSH, direct from Ford Motor Co, with Sportbreak pack + Trend pack, drives like a train, looks a million dollars, great deal @10,999€ or 9,150 pounds.

First to see will get their cheque book or credit card out, call now or ring Alan Finnie our general mgr

98 SEAT ALHAMBRA 2.0, 7 SEATER A/C, gleaming white, great family bus only.... 3,999€ 02 FORD KA 1.3 A/C, PAS, in met silver, clean, as new, P/X gift @ ........................2,999€ 02 RENAULT KANGO 1.9 DIESEL VAN with side loading door + 2 rear doors + rear roof lifts up for ladders etc, very clean, few around, as new! ............................................2,999€ 02 HYUNDAI ACCENT 1.3 LS in red, A/C, PAS, immaculate throughout ..................2,499€ 00/04 ROVER 825 AUTO FAST BACK, met blue, luxury for only ..........................2,999€ 97 NISSAN ALMERA, A/C, PAS, emerald green, gift @ ......................................1,999€

www.roundtownnews.co.uk

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

Life cars

61

Brian Deller Author of Motoring in Spain

What are the alcohol limits?

THE LIMITS for consuming alcoholic drinks and then driving are lower in Spain than in the UK but some expats arrive here and carry on as before, not realising that if stopped by the police, they could be even arrested on the spot if serious enough and the vehicle either impounded or handed over to another licensed driver in the car who can pass the Breathalyser test.

So what are the limits (in units of alcohol) and how many glasses can someone drink here before it becomes too much?

That is like asking how long is a piece of string…?

A lot depends on the body mass of the drinker, the alcohol content of the drink and even how big the glasses are as there has been a recent tendency to have bigger glasses especially for wine: with a higher charge per glass, of course.

Each person needs to gauge themselves how much they can drink although the Breathalyser will measure the alcohol content of the drinker’s breath in a proportional amount.

How I judge it is simple. I only drink when out with a meal, and I know that just for the taste either one tubo of beer or one small glass of wine is okay for me. Three small cans of beer and I am giddy so I stop at one and then change to agua con gas.

For those who need to know the limits, the following table is correct for Spain. We must remember that in some eastern EU countries, the limit is zero. Due to the serious problem still existing in Western Europe there have been discussions about making zero the universal amount in all countries as some criminal drivers are unable to control their appetites, killing and injuring other road users as well as themselves. If, dear reader, you are upset by my opinion, consider that you may be one of the problem drivers.

Two men (Spanish) in April last year drove a 4x4 in the pouring rain on the autovia near Malaga at 155kph, skidded and hit a tourist bus carrying Finnish tourists back to the airport to return to Finland. Nine Finnish tourists died and the 4x4 driver and his friend (male) with him have been jailed for a long time. They were both over twice the legal alcohol limit. The friend in the 4x4 who also had a driving licence, thus making him qualified to act, was judged as also being guilty because he should have stopped the driver from getting behind the wheel, which is fair enough in my mind.

I have been described by a few as being a little harsh with my opinions but why did those Finns have to die because of the criminal selfishness of those two fools? If some think me harsh, if I save a life or two, call me what you want. I have had to comfort several parents and wives on eight different occasions after their loved ones have been killed in an accident where they were very drunk: it makes you change your attitude to drunk driving.

Here are the limits in Spain but my advice is to know yourself when you are not fit to drive and stick to less than that personal limit.

DRIVERS’ CLASSIFICATIONS All drivers are forbidden to be in charge (even if not

actually driving) any vehicle with levels exceeding: - In exhaled air (Breathalyser), not more than: 0, 25 Mg/Litre for all private vehicles, motorcycles up to 3 500 KG MAM. Or in a blood sample, 0, 5 g/litre, if caught driving school buses, dangerous goods, public service, emergency service and special services vehicles.

- For transport vehicles of more than a MAM of 3 500Kg: 0, 15 air, 0,3 Blood.

- Drivers of vehicles with more than 9 seats: 0, 15 (air) and 0, 3 (blood).

-Drivers of any vehicles within two years of their first driving permit/licence to drive: 0,15 (air) 0,3 (blood).

Note Mg/l = milligrammes per litre. G/litre = grammes of alcohol per litre of blood.

As in the UK, refusal to give a sample when asked for by an official carries the heaviest penalties, but I know that readers here, by virtue of the fact that you are interested in the subject, are not amongst the fools who boast of holding their drink and being able to drive when drunk or high on drugs.

Be safe out there and do not be afraid to stop an obviously drunk driver. I have on several occasions.

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

NEW CARS available to view in our showroom in CALPE 2004 NEW MODEL MERCEDES CLK 240

AVANTGARDE CABRIOLET Automatic, Black met. black leather, alloys, climate

14,995€ 2006 CADILLAC XLR 4.6 V8 AUTOMATIC hard top convertible, black, cream leather, every conceivable extra, 1 owner, only 4K......29,995€ 2008 BMW X5 AUTOMATIC NEW MODEL in black metallic with tan leather, Nav, climate, PDC, cruise, very high spec, 1 owner.............29.950€ 2004 NEW MODEL MERCEDES CLK 24O AVANTGARDE CABRIO Black met, black leather, alloys, climate...14,995€ 2005 MERCEDES SPORT COUPE C220 AUTO CDi DIESEL Ruby met. quartz leather trim, alloys, climate....12,995€ 2009 PEUGEOT 207 CC CABRIOLET 1.6 SPORT in bright red, alloys, climate, only 12K..............12,995€ 2004 NEW MODEL CHRYSLER SEBRING

CABRIO 2.7 auto Superb in silver with black electric hood, alloys, AC, CD, low Km

6,995€

2008 SEAT LEON 2.0 TDi DIESEL STYLANCE MODEL dark silver metallic with grey sports trim, alloys, climate, CD, cruise, low kms……12,995€ 2008 RENAULT SCENIC 1.9 DCi DIESEL ADVENTURE SPECIAL EDITION Tango red met, very high spec, CD, climate, alloys, xenons, 1 owner..........12,995 10,995€ 2007 FORD FOCUS 1.6 TREND 5 door, light blue met, AC, CD, low kms, immaculate..............7,995€ 2004 TOYOTA RAV 4 1.8 VVTi 5 door, silver with grey interior, AC, CD etc...........................7,995€ 2002 FIAT BARCHETTA CABRIO FERRARI EDITION speed yellow, black leather, alloys, only 36K........5,995€ 2002 MERCEDES BENZ A170 CDi brilliant silver, charcoal trim, AC, CD, alarm, remote locking...........................................5,995 4,995€

2004 TOYOTA RAV 4 1.8 VVTi 5 door, silver with grey interior, AC, CD etc.. 7,995€ 2004 MODEL SMART FOURTWO DIESEL SEMI AUTOMATIC, white & black, AC, 1 owner...4,750 3,995€ 2004 FIAT STILO 1.9 JTD DIESEL 5dr, black with grey trim, alloys, climate, CD…..3,995€ 1996 VW GOLF CABRIO 1.6 dark blue met, with beige trim, new black hood, alloys, AC, CD, new ITV......3,495€ 2001 FORD FOCUS 1.6AUTOMATIC silver with charcoal trim, AC, low kms, service history, P/X to clear….2,995€ 2007 PIAGGIO MP3 3 WHEEL SCOOTER….2,995€ 2008 RENAULT SCENIC 1.9 DCi DIESEL ADVENTURE SPECIAL EDITION Tango red met, very high spec, CD, climate, alloys, xenons, 1 owner……

12,995 10,995€

UK RIGHT HAND DRIVE 2002 LANDROVER DISCOVERY TD5 DIESEL AUTOMATIC 7 seater, silver with grey trim, alloys, tow bar, TAX & MOT.....................................5,995€

CASH FOR YOUR CAR Tel: 965 876 030

VENUS

Torremendo

Tel.: 965 368 274

ESTABLISHED IN SPAIN FOR 10 YEARS FULLY LEGAL S.L COMPANY

Cars S.L. www.venuscars.com

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

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Ford Fiesta 2005 1.4 Ltr Diesel

HYMER B694, 2002, AUTO DIESEL

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RENAULT KANGOO COMBI 1998 1.9 LTR DIESEL

Kia Carens 2004 2 Ltr Diesel FSH

SUZUKI BALENO ESTATE 1997 1.6 LTR PETROL

€1,995

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FORD FOCUS CMAX 2010 1.6 TDCI DIESEL

PEUGEOT 206 VAN 2003 1.9 LTR DIESEL

LAND ROVER FREELANDER 2001 4X4 1.8 LTR PETROL SOFT BACK

ONE OWNER

2 owners

CITROEN C2 VAN 2005 1.4 LTR TDCI DIESEL 3 DOOR

JOINT J148 2006 3 BERTH, ONE OWNER - 44000 KLM

€25,995

RIMOR SUPERBRIG 728 - UK RHD 2002 AUTO/TIPTRONIC DIESEL - TAX & MOT

OPEL CORSA 2000 1 LTR PETROL

UK RIGHT HAND DRIVE CARS

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AUDI A4 ESTATE 2004 1.9 LTR TDI DIESEL 130 - FSH

automatic

BMW 320 I SE 2001 4 DOOR

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Aprilia SCOOTER SR50 2006 50 c.c

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RENAULT MEGANE SCENIC 2004 1.6 LTR PETROL TAX & MOT

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ALL LEGAL PAPERWORK COMPLETED

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

Over 50 + cars in stock

We buy cars for cash..

Open Mon – Fri 9:30 – 19:00 - Sat 9:30 – 14:00

Tel: 966 730 116 or 672 072 720 - www.costacars.net - Email: costacars@gmail.com

Visit us at La Zenia, Orihuela Costa

COSTA CARS SALE•COSTA CARS SALE•COSTA CARS SALE•COSTA CARS SALE•COSTA CARS SALE•COSTA CARS SALE•COSTA CARS SALE

* 7 SEATS * VW GOLF VARIANT 1.9 TDI SPORT “2008” WAS 11995 € NOW 10995 €

* AUTO *

FORD FOCUS 1.6i TREND “2007” WAS 7800€ NOW 6995 €

CITROEN C4 GRAND PICASSO 1.6 HDI “2007” WAS 13995 € NOW 12995 €

3 x NISSAN MICRAS 1.2i VISIA “2010” WAS 8995 € NOW 7995 €

HYUNDAI GETZ 1.1i GLS “2008” WAS 7995 € NOW 6995 €

AUDI A4 2.0 TDI MULTITRONIC “2007” WAS 15995 € NOW 14995 €

FORD C-MAX 1-6 TDCI NEWPORT “2007” WAS 9500 € NOW 8500 €

RENAULT GRAND SCENIC 1.5 DCI “2008” WAS 11995 € NOW 9995 €

CITROEN C2 1.1i FURIO “2006” WAS 5995 € NOW 4995 €

HONDA CRV 2.0i 4x4 LEATHER,SUN ROOF “2001” WAS 5500 € NOW 4995 €

SKODA ROOMSTER 1.4 TDI HANDY “2007” WAS 8995 € NOW 7995 €

R*

* ONE OWNE

FORD MONDEO 2.0 TDCI FUTURA X “2007” WAS 8500 € NOW 7500 €

* 5000kms * RENAULT SCENIC 1.9 DCI EMOTION “2007” WAS 11500 € NOW 9995 €

RENAULT MEGANE EST. 1.9 DCI “2007” WAS 8500 € NOW 7500 €

FIAT NEW BRAVO 1.9 JTD DYNAMIC 120 BHP “2009” 8995 €

OPEL VECTRA 1.8i COMFORT HATCH “2005” 6500 €

HYUNDAI i10 1.0i CONFORT “2008” 7995 €

CHEVROLET AVEO 1.4i LS “2008” 8500 €

NISSAN XTRAIL 2.0 DCI XE 4x4 “2009” 15995 €

NISSAN MICRA 1.6i C+C CABRIO “2007” 7995 €

CITROEN C4 PICASSO 1.6 HDI SX “2007” 10995 €

* AUTO * SKODA FABIA 1.4 TDI COMBI “2008” 8995 €

FORD FOCUS EST. 1.6 TDCI “2005” 5995 €

* AUTO *

RENAULT LAGUNA EST. 2.2 DCI AUTO “2007” 9995 €

* HI SPEC *

* NEW MOD

*

* 1 OWNER *

SKODA OCTAVIA EST. 1.9 TDI ELEGANCE “2008” 10995 €

NISSAN QASHQAI 2.0 DCi AUTO 4X4 “2009” 18995 €

RENAULT CLIO 1.5 DCI LUXE “2006” 6995 €

FORD FOCUS 1.6i TREND “2008” 7995 €

FORD FOCUS EST. 1.8 TDCI TREND “2007” 7995 €

OPEL ASTRA GTC 1.8CDTi SPORT “2008” 8995 €

3 x CITROEN C3’s 1.1i FURIOS “2007” 6995 €

HYUNDAI XG 3.0i V6 AUTO LUXURY “2002” 3995 €

HYUNDAI ATOS 1.0i PRIME “2001” 2995 €

FIAT NEW DOBLO 1.6 JTD PANORAMA “2010” 11995 €

KIA CERATO 1.6i GLX SEDAN “2005” 5995 €

NISSAN QASHQAI 2.00 DCIEKNA “2009” 17500 €

FORD FIESTA 1.3i AMBIENTE “2008” 6995 €

RENAULT CLIO 1.2i 16v “2008” 7995 €

* HI SPEC * CITROEN C3 1.4i COLLECTION “2007” 7500 €

* AUTO * SEAT CORDOBA 1.4i 14v STELLA AUTO “2004” 4995 €

HONDA CIVIC 1.3IMA AUTO HYBRID “2007” 9995 €

* AUTO * FORD MONDEO 2.0 TDCI GHIA AUTO “2008” 11995 €

Classified Ads 64

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

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

UK-SPAIN-IRELAND All European Destinations

Removals with the personal touch. Full/part loads.

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

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

Book your advert now 902 118 999 (ext 2)

PRISTINE POOLS

• Professional pool maintenance & cleaning • Replacement pumps, filters, salt systems Ph regulators and accessories supplied and installed • Pipe leaks pressure tested, detected and repaired • Structural leaks investigated and repaired • Refurbishments & upgrades undertaken British Trained with over 15 years experience.

Extensive references. All work guaranteed Tel: 96 677 4199 or 678 080 500 www.pristineswimmingpools.com Torrevieja and surrounding areas plus Costa Calida

www.roundtownnews.co.uk

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

EXCEL AIR CONDITIONING. See main ad on page 11.Tel/Fax (Head Office) 966-897-772. Mobiles:680-154-432/676-265-675. Email excelairconditioning@hotmail.com. All credit/debit cards accepted.

SERVICE AIR David Higton: (Tel) 966865-883 (Mob) 629-308-505 (Email) cool@serviceair.biz

65

PC SOLUTIONS 4U For all your PC needs. Reliable & friendly service.

Call Fred 634638664

certified. Contact Richard 0034 633 056 224. enquiries@serenitysailing.com . www.serenitysailin.com

CONSTRUCTION AND ROOFING JR Construction for new builds, refurbishment,brickwork, blockwork, tiling, terraces, BBQ’S, Bathrooms, Kitchens, Roofing, Driveways, Swimming Pools, Disabled Facilities.

No Job Too Small Tel 634 617 771 or 966 877 757 www.jrconstructioncostablanca.com

PROTECTAPET Spains leading pet insurance provider. www.protectapet.eu tel: 965 756 371 PET TAXI transporting your pet door to door in our air conditioned vehicles, stopping in pet friendly hotels travelling twice monthly. Accompanied travel also available. Tel: 952 541 147 PET TRANSPORT we treat your pet as if they belong to us and that is our promise. van fully air conditioned we believe we have the best rates so give joe a call on 966074576 or 650341087 for a chat or e mail pawspettransport@ hotmail.com SMALL DOGS CARED FOR IN OUR OWN HOME So if you need to go away on holiday but don’t want your dog to go into kennels then we will look after them.

References available. Tel: 965843781 Mob: 622514980 TRANS-PET We do regular, doorto-door journeys between the Costa Blanca and the UK.Our aim is to provide a professional, caring service for your pets.Boarding facilities for Cats and Dogs. This may be for an overnight stay or of longer durations.Tel:600-552030/965-960-658 www.trans-pet.co.uk

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

A.D.LAWTON CONSTRUCCIONES Digger hire, Ground-works, Excavation and Demolition. www. adlawtonconstrucciones.com. Tel:648 052 911 or 965 770 798

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS COSTA BLANCA Confidential Helpline, South 625 912 078, North 648 169 045. www.aa-costablanca.org.

AUTOMATIC GATE SYSTEMS €449!! AUTOMATIC GARAGE DOOR MOTORS €249!! FULLY INSTALLED/ GUARANTEED!! All brands repaired 627-191639/www.elektro-nex.com

BOATING LICENSE NOW, A LEGAL REQUIREMENT In Spain. Serenity Sailing RYA Training Centre, Competent Crew to Yachtmaster, VHF & ICC. Own-boat on sail and power. If you have a yacht or powerboat get qaulified and

MOBILE/PARK HOMES FROM 17,000€ FULLY FURNISHED READY TO MOVE INTO, A/C, TEL, ENG TV, ON PERMANENT SITE, BAR/RES, POOL,TENNIS,GYM, SHOP WALKING DISTANCE TO SAN JAVIER. 5MINS TO BEACH, AIRPORT, HOSPITAL, GOLF COURSES. BY CAR. ALSO BUNGALOWS , HOMES & PLOTS FOR RENT. CAROL 96 819 24 25 MOB. 626 055 622 www.mobilehomesmarmenorspain.com

NEW LAUNCH IN SPAIN Nobel Prize for medicine winner inspired this product. P/Full time Distributors wanted.

Monthly income available with high earnings for full time professionals.

Business is part of a 39 year old company.Help the wellbeing of others and increase your wealth. FREE Registration. Full details 696655028, UK 07540932133, wellbeingnetwork@ hotmail.co.uk.www.wellbeingglobal.com COLD DRINK / SNACK VENDING MACHINES EXCELLENT RECESSION PROOF BUSINESS WITH NO OVERHEADS AND ALL CASH. 5 COLDDRINK VENDING MACHINES €24,900. 25 PRINGLE MACHINES €14,900, ALL WITH GUARANTEED SITES. 619307318.

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

BUILT 2 SPEC, Building, Carpentry and Plumbing. Amazing discounts on Flooring, Wardrobes & Furniture. See main ad on page 9 of North edition or call Built 2 Spec on 965 065 412 or mobile 662 945 103 or email b2spec@yahoo.com

CHIMNEY SWEEP Clean efficient service :660844623 NEED HELP AT HOME? Cleaning, shopping & outings etc.Sympathetic service. call Sandra on 651482106 PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL CLEANING SERVICE for your home or business at a fair price. References available. (Altea area) Tel: 965843781 or 622514980 PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL CLEANING SERVICE for your home or business at a fair price. References available. (Altea area) Tel: 965843781 or 622514980

BYTEBACK MICROS computer repairs/ upgrades in your home. Qualified technician.

Systems custom built. Whatever your problem call: 965-312-006 or 606-127-424

BÚSQUEDA DE TRABAJO EN LA ZONA DE BENIDORM? Debe hablar español a un nivel alto, ser inteligente y presentable. Posición implica la venta directa de un directorio de empresas nuevas en Benidorm. Alto potencial de ingresos. E-mail CV a info@ benidormbiz.com Looking for work in the Benidorm area? Must speak Spanish to a high level, be smart and presentable.

Position involves direct sales for a new business directory in Benidorm. High earning potential. Email CV to info@ benidormbiz.com in the first instance JOIN CONSULTUSCARE - THE UK’S LEADING CARE AGENCY. Our excellent team of self-employed carers who live in Spain return to the UK periodically to provide private live-in care to our mainly elderly clients (typically 2 - 4 weeks at a time). If you care and have a British or EU passport; good spoken English; a clean driving licence plus care or nursing experience; are mature with relevant life skills and would like to earn £420 to £616 a week, please contact our Recruitment Consultant, Sandra Field on 658 965 204 or email s.field@consultuscare.com - web site www.consultuscare.com ITALK RADIO LOOKING FOR SALES REPS in the Costa Blanca area. Spanish speaking an advantage but not essential. Call 965 060 725

66

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

SPARE TIME, WANT EXTRA CASH? Start earning immediately by becoming an AVON representative.

Info: ring Rosh 966785520 CARERS WANTED To work in England 3 weeks on 3 weeks off email CV to 24hourhomecareservices@ googlemail.com 24 HOUR HOMECARE SERVICES LTD Wanted companions, carers to work in England as live-in carers. 3 weeks on, 3 weeks off. If you are caring, a good listener and cook contact Karen

Jones on (0044) 01929 472 810 or mobile (0044) 07500 836688 email: 24hourhomecareservices@ googlemail.com

ANTI-SLIP PRODUCT Free-Sol has an anti slip treatment that reduces the risk of slips and falls on many diffrent types of floor surfaces, which become dangerous to walk on when wet or damp. The application of this anti slip product is quick and easy - there are even DIY kits available if you´d ike to carry out the application yourself. To find out more please phone Martin Freeman on 659 232 507 or send an e-mail to martin.freeman@free-sol.com

TREE SPECIALIST Cut and removal of palm / pine trees. Size not a problem.

Also dangerous & difficult work. Garden cleaning and gravelling. Free estimates. please call adrian on 627 103 412 or www.costablancagardening.com OASIS GARDEN pool maintenance.

Calpe to Javea. Telephone Martin 669 261 868 GARDEN MAINTENANCE Do you need help maintaining your garden? we can supply a full service at competitive prices. Call today for a free quotation 689075125

Hard working cold callers required Do you have sales experience?

Do you enjoy speaking to people and are looking for work Monday to Friday? If so call sophie now on

MR FIXIT FOR ALL YOUR ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING, GENERAL & Appliance Repairs. No Callout Charge. 698 320 434 MR FIXIT FOR ALL YOUR ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING, GENERAL & Appliance Repairs. No Callout Charge. 698 320 434

634305415

QUALITY PARQUET FLOORING , timeless designs, hardwearing, smooth or textured, Easy to clean. See main ad on page nine of north edition or call built 2 spec on 965 065 412 or mobile 662 945 103

CASH FOR GOLD & SILVER AT BENIDORM GOLD CENTRE, WE BUY ANY AMOUNT, ANY CARAT, AT THE HIGHEST PRICE AROUND. OPEN ALL DAY. C/GERONA 8. CALL: 627019403

HAS THE VALUE OF YOUR HOUSE DECREASED? Are you paying too much for house insurance since the property price crash? If so and you would like a free, no obligation quotation with excellent coverage, please call us. Grupo Catalana Occidente covers all insurance needs. Please call 965-855-600 and speak to Manuel Caneda or Lynn Keane in English, on 966-881-048/691-202-307. email: lynnschofieldkeane@gmail.com S.O.S. INSURANCE Car-HomeHealth-Comercial. Funeral Plans and Insurance. Tlf:-966-787-123/622-275561/686-116-297

SKY+HD DIGIBOX (PACE) 500GB All leads, 2 x remotes, manual, seen working, 95 euros, ring 690772178 or 966796740 PINE DOOR AS NEW UNSTAINED paneled, fitted catch and brass handles, interior or exterior. 60€ o.n.o. Rug 160 x 220. Russet and cream, pattern, never used. 45€ o.n.o. 3 seater and 2 seater settee, cream leather in very good condition 250€ o.n.o.. Tel: 676 231 164 STAMPS FOR SALE GB. mint, singles, sets, presentation packs.

Ireland. mint, singles, year issues, FDC, MS all at reasonable prices.

Tel: 610 634 506 SOLAR SYSTEM FOR SALE includ ing,panels,batteries,inverter,controlle r,generator,can be installed. contact Tony 675878601 or 965078483.

WHEELCHAIR, LIGHT, FOLDABLE 150€. Electric Mobility Scooter, SUNRISE MEDICAL 40km range 499€. Both like new! call: 627-019-403 LOGS LOGS LOGS Orangewood still 12cents/kg. Phone John Fletcher on 966462082.

SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF ANIMALS We buy, sell and exchange just about anything at Spain’s BIGGEST CHARITY WAREHOUSE in Gata de Gorgos in aid of S.P.A.I.N. (Society for the Protection of Animals in Need). HOUSE CLEARANCES, furniture, beds, Rastro, Antiques & collectables, bankrupt stock etc. Collection & delivery service available. Tel 96 575 6215 or 665 653 998 for details.

AT MICHAEL’S Several dining sets to choose from in different styles, classic, modern, bamboo, pine, glass etc. Many with matching sideboards: www.michaels-javea.com AT MICHAEL’S part exchange on certain beds when you buy a New bed from our New Bed shop in the Arenal. Photos (updates every 5-6 days): www.michaels-javea.com AT MICHAEL’S Free deliveries in our area - usually the same day!

Look at: www.michaels-javea.com to see quality pre owned furniture and new beds!

AT MICHAEL’S Now we have several high quality Castilian furniture in: Large wall units, dining sets, etc. See over 600 photos on: www.michaels-javea.com MICHAEL’S 28 YEARS IN JAVEA ENSURES YOUR SATISFACTION! We sell high quality pre owned furniture, many from show apartments etc. Look at: www.michaels-javea.com Tlf:965-791-328.

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

ADVICE WITH THE SPANISH SYSTEM Whatever you need to integrate into the spanish system, we can help you. NIE, residencia, empadronamiento, car import transfer, driving license transfer, schools, doctors, social security.

Tel: 619 269 408 ADVISORY SERVICE Need advice on making a will, buying or selling property, tax, resident or non resident, starting a business in spain, we can talk you through and give you the best advice and help you settle in spain.

Tel: 610 634 506

BALLROOM/LATIN/SEQUENCE DANCING WITH LA BAMBA’S. At La Rustika [Los Arcos] Restaurant, Avenida Balaeres 34, Torrevieja.

Saturday - Social Dance 7.30pm - 10pm Starting 9th January 2012 - Monday - Beginners Class - 10am - 11.30am Monday - Intermediate Class - 11.30am - 1pm Tuesday - Popular Sequence class 7.30pm - 8.30pm followed by Social Dance 8.30pm - 10.30pm [not 2nd Tuesday of month]. At Casa Ventura, San Luis, Torrevieja Starting 12th January 2012 - Thursday - New Beginners class 7.30pm - 8.30pm.

Intermediate class 8.30pm - 10.00pm.

For more information contact Andrea 616 478 157.

FORD FOCUS 1.6 TREND AUTOMATIC 5 DOOR HATCH Sept 2007, 1 owner, 52,000kms, FSH, High Spec model, multi spoke sport alloys, cruise control, front fogs, rear tailgate spoiler, CD, stunning condition, metallic silver. 8,950€. Fiat Punto 1.2 Automatic tiptronic 16v, 5 door, November 2001, 2 owners, 94,000kms, FSH, Air con etc, metallic silver. 3,950€. Renault Megane

Scenic 1.9Dci, Auto tiptronic dynamique, 2008, 1 owner, 70,000kms, FSH, alloys, cruise control, rain/light sensors, parking sensors, twin panoramic sunroofs and much more. Stunning condition, dark metallic grey. 11,950€.

Tel Frank 600726221/965687976 www. fwreurocars.com OPEL CORSA,2000, 5 DOOR HATCH 2000 edition,1 ltr petrol., Spanish LHD 2 owners. comprehensive main dealer service history. Excellent condition, silver. Air con & electric windows. 1995€ www.venuscars.com 965 368 274 CITROEN C2 VAN,2005, 3 DOOR,1.4 TDCI diesel ,Spanish LHD,white, remote central locking, power steering, air con, CD player and elec windows 3495€ www.venuscars.com 965 368 274 KIA CARENS, 2004, 2 LTR CRDI DIESEL silver, Spanish LHD, 6 seater, Full main dealer history, climate control, elec windows, roof bars, alloys, one owner. 6495€ www.venuscars.com 965 368 274 FIAT BRAVA,1996 1.4 LTR SX PETROL 5 door,champagne. Spanish LHD, Electric windows, stereo. 1495€ www.venuscars.com 965 368 274 FORD FIESTA, 2005 1.4 LTR TDCI DIESEL Spanish LHD, Mid Blue Metallic. 5 door hatchback, air conditioning, CD player and electric windows in excellent condition throughout. 5995€ www.venuscars.com 965 368 274 APRILIA SR50, 2006, 50CC SCOOTER Red, one owner, pristine condition, totally original, 1495€ www. venuscars.com 965 368 274 LDV400 CONVOY LWB, High roof, 2.5litre diesel transit running gear, road tax and test. 120,000miles. Ex minibus.

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09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

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09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

It’s Busy At Last

Noel’s world of golf

By Noel Eastwell Teaching Professional Campo de Golf El Plantio 639 730 891

WE ARE now into the part of the golfing year where we locals have to have the patience of a saint as we are faced with the visiting golfers many of us blame for causing five hour rounds. The golf courses are relieved because at last they see some money coming into the cash boxes. The holiday golfers are perhaps the most important part of the income stream at practically all of our golf courses now in South East Spain as the numbers of British and Irish expatriates continue to diminish.

The local golfers who live here all year around now feel the pressure when it comes to getting tee times as the golf courses cater for the holidaymaker. This is no bad thing. Given the chance to play golf with other nationalities is to me something that brings great pleasure in many cases. The conversations we can have over a five hour round amongst beautiful scenery and wildlife can be fascinating if we take the right attitude onto the golf course as we have the chance to forge new friendships with people who we may never have met if we had not played golf.

I am absolutely sure that some of our readers will be reading this article thinking I have lost the plot here. I can assure you all that I have not. The situation we are

in now will persist for the next two to three months so we either learn to live with it and make the most of it or we drive ourselves and our playing partners crazy.

We are all aware that visiting golfers sometimes seem to have no idea of time and the pace of play. This is where we can help all golfers if we go about things the correct way. The course marshals and starters are perhaps the most important and they must take responsibility to make sure that the pace of play does not become something that is unbearable for all who play the game.

The everyday golfer can also help by offering advice to speed up play but this must be done in a diplomatic way if confrontation is to be avoided. Think about it; it’s not all bad if we take the right attitude.

Question for 2nd March 2012: Over which course is The BMW PGA Championship played?

A. Wentworth B. The Belfry C. Sunningdale All answers must be received no later than 5pm on 1st April 2012 to be entered into March’s draw, which will be made on April 1st. The winner will be announced in RTN on 6th April 2012.

Win a round of golf for 2 including buggy at the beautiful El Plantio Resort in Alicante Answer the question below correctly to have a chance to win. The winner of this fantastic prize 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 Round Town News will be final in making the winning selection.

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

The Honda Classic last weekend saw the strongest field in its history last weekend coming as it was sandwiched between two WGC Championships.

The European domination of the game continued in the early rounds over what proved to be a difficult golf course when the winds blew from the west. Justin Rose was the man who set the pace going into the weekend and what a welcome sight it must have been for Ryder Cup Captain Jose Maria Olazabal when he looked at the leaderboard on Friday night as Westwood, Harrington and McIllroy all vied for top spot.

Unfortunately for him Rose struggled with his game on Saturday and hit only three of the eighteen greens in regulation all

day. Certainly not good enough to win on tour unless you have the short game of Ballesteros. Harrington disappeared off the radar completely as has become his wont in recent times. Westwood once again saw his putter go stone cold and could not hole a thing. Throughout the entire goings on a young man destined for the pinnacle of World golf for a few years held it all together.

Rory McIllroy took his inevitable place as World Ranked Number 1 on Sunday evening thanks to what turned out to be a two shot victory and his third win on US soil. The 22 year old is the youngest European to claim the top spot in golf and will in all likelihood be the man to catch over the next few years as he gains more valuable experience. European golf should now be on a high as we watch McIllroy,

Westwood and Donald fight for the right to be the best golfer on the planet over the coming months. Regular European Tour rivals such as

Golf Club booking hotline For the best deals on the Costa Blanca and Murcia call 685 538 562 or email rtngolf@roundtownnews.com

Kaymer and Garcia will now be forced to raise their games to compete and this can only be good for the game in Europe.

GOLF Tips

Never play any shot until you are fully committed to it.

www.roundtownnews.co.uk

Andy Kay

The Final Whistle

09 MAR - 15 MAR 2012

Matt not welcome

IT WAS all going so well wasn’t it? Interim coach Stuart Lancaster had steadied the ship after the World Cup disaster, bloodied plenty of raw, young talent and looked to be on course for putting together a pretty decent England rugby team. But not according to Leicester Tigers coach Matt O’Connor. He’s accused Lancaster of sending out his team’s ‘trying not to lose’ as opposed to wanting more creative players on the park. His criticism comes after Toby Flood was released back to the Tigers having been replaced in the national squad by a fit again Charlie Hodgson and the dropping from the starting XV of Ben Youngs. Admittedly, England have yet to truly manufacture a try in the 6 Nations and their wins against Scotland and Italy were workmanlike rather than outstanding. But while the decision to axe Flood possibly questionable, you have to wonder how on earth a respected coach like O’Connor can accuse Lancaster of eroding the confidence of Youngs. Put simply, Youngs is horribly out of form, is nowhere near the player he was when he burst on to the international scene and currently passes the ball like it’s a 5lb Spotted Dick. Youngs will probably be on the bench for the match against France and many would argue that he’s lucky to be there.

Kicking off Fifa President Sepp Blatter has apologised to Brazil for the comments of his General Secretary Jerome Valcke who said World Cup organisers ‘needed a kick up the backside’. One has to wonder why Mr Blatter has said sorry as stadium construction in the country was slow to get started, costs have spiralled and vital infrastructure projects such as hotels, roads and airports are

way behind schedule. To be honest, it sounds as if a boot up the Khyber Pass, or even in the Brazil Nuts, is exactly what’s needed.

Brit Chick London Olympic chiefs Seb Coe and Paul Deighton faced a barrage of questions this week from the London Assembly and were interrogated on many subjects ranging from LOCOG’s ticketing policy to the sponsorship row surrounding Dow Chemical. However, by far the most interesting fact that came out of the session was that McDonalds has pledged that 10% of the chicken they sell at their outlets during the games will be British. If the chicken survives the grilling as well as Coe and Deighton (did you see what I did there?) I’ll have a McNuggets with fries. And, given the size of the queues we’ve been told to expect at Olympic Park, putting my order in now means I might just get it before the closing ceremony!

The library I didn’t see the Arsenal v AC Milan game in midweek but friends of mine who were there report it’s the best atmosphere that they can remember at the Emirates Stadium. And given Arsenal’s first half performance, you can understand why everyone got all excited. But, isn’t it a bit weird that a team needs to be 4 – 0 down on aggregate before their supporters really get behind them?

Fun weekend at ITV Orihuela RFC AT THE weekend the vets took to the pitch for a fun day to show the youngsters how it is done, with almost 30 vets turning up for the day.

It might not have been the fast running open rugby that we are used to seeing, but the skills were still there if not a bit rusty for some of the players.

The important thing was that the enthusiasm and passion for the sport was still there even if the legs were not always as quick as they used to be.

With both teams scoring tries and players remembering the good old days when they were playing first team rugby, and playing in the true

spirit of the game and following the Rugby Code of practice, which is sometimes missing today in the sport.

At the end of the match all the players retired to the best half of rugby, the third half, for a well deserved drink and continue the fun.

This weekend it is back down to business for the seniors with a league match against local rivals Torreveija on Saturday at around 17.00 at home, assuming there are no changes, so look forward to seeing everyone down there supporting ITV Orihuela RFC. With two more league games before the end of the season, one at home

against Murcia XV in two weeks time and the final one away to Murcia UCAM the following week.

At the new rugby union supporters bar and club, the Steak House in Rojales, will be showing over the weekend the LV Cup matches on

Fishing Maggots End by

David Hoare 968 199 279

THIS WEEKS match was the 2nd in the Coastrider Challenge Cup and again was held on the Rio Segura at Murcia. The river colour has turned to a grey colour, and with this the big fish that were showing has now been superceded by smaller fish. It´s amazing how one change like the water colour has an effect on the feeding fish.

This and many other things like it, are the imponderables of fishing, but they keep bringing you back, hoping one day it will all be revealed. ( No chance ) Top rods on the day 1st Ian ( Irish Wizard ) Dazell fishing the feeder using maggot with 9.20 kilo´s.

2nd Alan ( The Quiet Man ) Reid fishing the feeder using bread and corn with 7.62 kilo´s.

3rd Doug ( Welsh Goldminer ) Hornblow

fishing the feeder using maggot with 7.22 kilo´s.

TEAM RESULT Abbey Anglers with 34.42 kilo´s Rods and Reels with 21.44 kilo´s Therefore points after 2nd round Abbey Anglers 18 points Rods and Reels 18 points.

PLEASE NOTE The club at present does have some vacancies and if you are interested in joining please contact Derek Swann on 966 729 293 or 667 407 026.

ABBEY ANGLING RESULTS supplied by TERRY SCREEN The 9th round of the Abbey Angling Cup was again fished on the River Segura at

La Marina

ishing F Fishing Rods, Reels, Floats Line, Hooks, Nets, etc + Many accessories. Fishing Tackle. Maggots available.

SHOP OPEN

15% DISCOUNT ON ALL PURCHASES OVER 50€ Avd. Europa, LA MARINA La Marina Market Thurs Montcayo Tuesday & Saturday Lemon Tree Sunday Market Tel Ken: 648 134 465 New Shop: 966 189 969

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Friday and Sunday, and 6 Nations matches on Saturday and Sunday.

So come along and bring your friends for a cracking weekend of rugby, and support this new venture to make sure that there is somewhere where you can guarantee to watch live rugby, and be part of this new rugby bar and supporters club, and let us keep a full house going every weekend with the rugby.

The club is training on Tuesday and Thursday at the Miguel Hernandez University for the juveniles and seniors starting at 20.30, while

the juniors are on Tuesday and Thursday at 18.15.

So if you are interested, dig out those rugby boots and come along and see for yourself what it is like.

New players are always welcome no matter of what age or skill level you are. If you would like more information about what is going on in the club, you can contact the club by phoning myself, Garry on 692 767 242, and for the juniors contact Oscar on 600 871 606 (Spanish) So come along and join in the fun and great friendly atmosphere at the club.

For further details ring Alan Roscoe 968 570 876 or email: anglerstogether@hotmail.co.uk Murcia on the 28th February.

The water is still very low and has a funny tinge of grey clay to it, work has possibly started on the upper reaches which could be causing the discolouration, also the bottom has started to break up leaving clumps of thick algae on the surface making some of the pegs difficult when the wind gets up.

Weights are improving a little bit with only one dry net out of the fifteen anglers who fished the match.

1st Ian (The Irish Wizard) Dalzell with 12.860kg fishing the feeder and maggot 2nd Doug (The Welsh Goldminer) Hornblower with 7.140kg on feeder and corn 3rd Neil (The Boy) McBirnie with 6.680kg fishing the pole and sweetcorn All details are available from our website

www.abbeyangling.com or from the Match Secretary Terry Screen on 965 328 368. .

ANGLERS TOGETHER The objective of Anglers Together has been reached (which was to introduce anglers to each other). Now that newcomers to Spain are few and far between, we have decided that monthly meetings are serving no useful purpose and the friendships that have been made over the past 4 years are now firmly established.

We will continue to provide information through our email address if contacted but there will be no membership renewals in May. Thanks to all past members for their support. anglerstogether@hotmail.co.uk.

Tight lines… Dave Hoare

FC Torrevieja news

LAST SUNDAY Torry played away at Jove Espanol and the makeshift team managed to secure a 1-0 victory through a Meijide penalty. Torry worked extremely hard and defensively were superb in repelling the opposition attacks and keeper Manolo had only one save of note to make. Its now 6 games unbeaten and on Sunday they are at home to 4th placed Muro CF. Please note that the game kicks-off at 12.00 and afterwards there with be a BBQ and drinks at 5 euros per head . Get down to the ground next Sunday and support the “premier” team in and around Torrevieja.