RTN South Edition 584

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SOUTH EDITION

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Issue 584 - 585

24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

Ten out of twelve Guardia Civil cars out of action

Socialists denounce coastal sports prices The Orihuela Town Hall have been denounced after it was discovered that prices to use the new sporting facilities are too high. • p10

Record support for Poppy Appeal The Royal British Legion’s annual Poppy Appeal in Spain has raised more than €107,146 for the charity.

With the announcement, British Vice-Consul Elizabeth Bell handed out medals for long service. • p17

by Louise Clarke

Christmas and New Year TV Guide Make sure you don’t miss your favourite festive programs by using our pullout TV guide which has all the listings for Christmas and the New Year. • p29

Christmas crafty ideas for the kids Christmas is here and children are off school, read Julia Evans art column to find out how to entertain children this Christmas. • p51

The final whistle Andy Kay’s weekly sporting column looks at next years sporting predictions… well, sort of. • p62

Christmas joy!

Taffeta with one of the EHCRC volunteers

SOL TV arranged a Christmas Party for children from the Emaus Association (Spanish children in care), ALPE and APANEE last weekend. Santa and Taffeta from the Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre were there, plus performances from the Ruth Kingsbury Dance Academy. Read the full story on page 24.

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THERE ARE more than 200 Guardia Civil officers in Torrevieja, yet it was announced this week that these law enforcement agents only have two vehicles in which to patrol the city.

According to the Independent Association of the Guardia Civil (IGC), the situation in Torrevieja has reached extremes and dozens of agents have contacted the Association to complain about the fact that of the 12 vehicles, ten are currently unusable due to accidents or broken parts that have not been repaired. According to the IGC, one of the patrol cars is in use permanently and only stops for refuelling, which is strictly prohibited.

The transportation of many detainees takes place in vehicles that have either broken or no safety screens to protect the officers.

A spokesman for the Association told RTN: “The problems experienced by the Guardia Civil

in Torrevieja are not exclusively down to problems with the cars; there are many other issues. For example, supplies of the gloves to handle detainees or perform searches which are designed to prevent cuts and punctures with knives or needles have literally not been delivered even though they are considered to be an essential item and an element of the uniform.

“Bullet-proof vests are old and warm winter clothes are being delivered late. The problems inside the headquarters end up affecting every citizen that comes into the facility for any formalities on a daily basis; especially for those who are filing complaints because the waiting time is lengthened considerably by the appalling state of obsolete computers.” The spokesman continued: “In offices, basic items such as pens, pads, stamps and printer toner are lacking.”

Continued on page 3

2

The long awaited El Gordo lottery draw

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SPAIN’S POPULAR and exciting Christmas El Gordo lottery has scattered windfall cash prizes totalling a staggering €2.3 billion across the country, providing a bonanza ending to a year of economies and cutbacks.

The draw at 11.14 revealed the top prize number of 79,250; the highest ever winning number!

The most tickets in the series were sold in Madrid, Alicante, Zaragoza, Murcia, Cáceres, Palencia, Tenerife, Guipúzcoa and Barcelona, with 45 sold in the Barcelona wholesale fruit and vegetable market Marcabana, where €135 million went to local companies - some to a group of truck drivers from Huelva.

Lottery office 7 in Cerdanyola del Vallés enjoyed a €270 million payout but the Molina de Segura lottery office in Murcia unfortunately returned the whole series of the 79,250 number unsold.

MAIN PRIZES 1. EL GORDO €3.000.000 - 79.250

Sales and marketing director/south

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Edita : Round Town News Group SL : Servicios De Impresion S.A.- Deposito Legal : South A-853-1999 / North: A-134-2004 Vall de Biar 14, 03530 La Nucia, Alicante. Distribution: iDs Logística. info@idss.es Alcoycourrier.SL Tel: 676 473 875

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AGENTS NORTH

Round Town Travel 1, Avenida Dr Severo Ochoa, 1, Urb. El Admiral, Local 1 Lisa 966 811 123 Round Town Travel 2, Calle Gerona, 39 (Next to Hotel Ambassador) Kerry/Gemma 966 813 261 Round Town Trips, Calle Narcisco Yepes, 4, Local 8, Albir, 03581, Alicante.Lee/Jackie 966 867 294 ProminenT, Teulada Industrial Est. Calle Llanterner, 2 alto, 03725, Teulada, Alicante. Marja 965 793 229 Quicksave, Partida Murtar 2/2, Pedreguer, Alicante. Andrew Thomas 966 456 157 Millie Munro Insurance, Avenida Lepanto, 6. Millie 966 493 082 • millie@milliemunro.com EasyBuy, Avenida del Portet 24, Moraira. 03724 Alicante 965 745 969 ICUK Foods sl, C/Gulliem de Casto, 8 Bajo, Oliva 46780 962 839 830 • icukfoodssl@hotmail.com

AGENTS SOUTH

Bargain Books, Plaza Juan Carlos 1, Nº 2, San Miguel de Salinas, 03193, Alicante. (Opp. Tourist Info) Gaynor/Lee 688 667 389 leeshaw.evans@gmail.com Johnsons El Limonar, JCP Commercial Center, Local 31, Los Altos Del Limonar, Torrevieja, 966 785 600 Johnsons Quesada, Ava. Las Naciononies 1a -17, Quesada, 966 717 848 Johnsons Algorfa, Local 30, Commercial Center La Finca Golf, Algorfa, 966 729 647 The Post Room, Centro Comercial 5, Via Park III, Calle Panticosa Nº 2, Los Altos, Orihuela Costa, Alicante.

Aoife/Chris 965 319 665 aoifesweeney@hotmail.com Pennys Supermarket, Flamenca Beach Comercial Centre, Unit 123, Playa Flamenca, 03189, Peter/Sarah 966 733 257 • bulldogstores@live.com Print Solutions, Avenida Londres 136, La Marina Urb, San Fulgencio, 03177, Alicante.

Jim/Trish 966 790 520 • jim@printsolutionsspain.com Interpost, Avenida de la Alegria Nº 32, Malika/Malcolm 965 419 673 • Inter-post100@live.com Villamartin Satellite Centre, Avenida Las Brisas 33, Alicante. (Near Supervalu, Los Dolses)

Sarah/Heather 966 764 878 • villamartinsatellitecentre@yahoo.co.uk Best Wishes, Local 30, Comercial Centre Hispania, Avda de la Union 72, San Javier, 30730, Murcia.

Kathy 968 192 235 kaffywalker@hotmail.com Ononix Mar SL, Calle Mayor 30, bajo derecha, Guardamar, 03140, Alicante. Ron/Alicia 965 728 178 aliciamuddle@ononix.com

BENIDORM BENIDORM ALBIR TEULADA pedreguer BENITACHELL MORAIRA OLIVA

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

2nd prize €1.000.000 - 00147 3rd prize €500.000 - 75.913 4th prize €200.000 - 57.896 25.506 5th prize €50.000 - 75.869 73.684 77.992 69.069 34.141 15.548 06.075 78.953 A medium in the Madrid town of Alcorcón predicted the top prize of 79,250. The lottery office in the town has been filled with amulets and good luck charms in the run up to the draw. Owner Beatriz said, “We’ve been carrying out all kinds of rituals for weeks to encourage a lucky win and even used the services of a medium.” Oddly, the woman shared out several million pesetas in 1990 with the very same number that has now won the Gordo.

This year she sold tickets worth €3million.

Many pilgrims and tourists obtained part of the fifth prize, 73,684 in Arzúa on the Camino de Santiago.

Also reported amongst the fortunate winners are the daughter of a Marques and an Ecuadorian woman on the dole.

RTN office opening hours

Please note that our office in La Nucia will be closed from 25th December re-opening Monday 3rd January 2011 at 10am. Newspapers can still be collected from Nemo’s Bistro next door. All the team at RTN would like to wish all our clients and readers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

3

Town hall finances under scrutiny

Ten of Torrevieja’s patrol cars are out of action

continued from front page According to the Association, this problem is directly attributable to the Central Government’s Home Office Department as it says that it does not prioritise the supply of the materials required by staff in Torrevieja.

CONCERN The same spokesman also expressed regret that the cells in Torrevieja are unhealthy, dirty and have not even been given a coat of paint. He said: “Cockroaches are regular cell mates and walk around the facility at ease due to lack of pest control

products to combat them.” The spokesman also expressed concern over the wages of the officers.

He said: “When Christmas comes and you look at the payroll of the average Guardia Civil officer, you have to throw your hands up in the air with disbelief especially when you compare what they pay other security bodies, especially the autonomous police, who in many cases have quadruple their salaries.”

The spokesman concluded: “Many civil guards literally put their lives on the line every day for a monthly salary of around €1,200.

They work in unsafe facilities, without adequate and necessary equipment and cannot complain or protest their situation.”

Cable thief arrested

AGENTS FROM the San Javier Local Police have arrested a man for theft after he was discovered stealing electrical cables on the Roda urbanisation.

The 43-year-old, with the initials M.S., was discovered removing the electrical cables and in the process of doing so caused more than €2,000 worth of damage.

The man’s arrest came after police were called to the scene at around 14:30 on Monday afternoon. After noticing the officers approaching, the man tried to flee the scene and after a short tussle was eventually handcuffed and taken to the Guardia Civil station in San Javier, where he was officially charged with the offence of robbery.

THE SPOKESPERSON for the main Orihuela opposition party, PSOE, has claimed that the PP led administration has yet to approve the 2010 budget because the Town Hall “…is virtually bankrupt.”

Antonio Moreno, the socialist Mayoral candidate, has also said this week that she believes that the budget announcement has been stalled because “…the Town Hall is spending far more than it can afford.”

In addition, she states that some of the Town Hall’s councillors have said that although they

only had a budget of three million euros, they have actually spent almost seven millions euros during this financial period.

As a result of these revelations, Ms Moreno has announced that if the socialists get into the Town Hall, following next May’s municipal elections, she will “…lift the lid on the PP’s municipal spending, so the entire world will know exactly how the PP has spent all of Orihuela’s money.”

The Councillor for Finance, Antonio Lidón, rebuffed Ms Moreno’s

remarks and commented that he has already announced that the planning of expenditure and revenue this year will be extended into 2011, so that the government team can design the budgets to take into account spending in the run up to the forthcoming municipal elections. He said: “The socialists try to make out that we are hiding something. I can assure you that this isn’t the case and full details of all the Town Hall’s finances will be made available in the New Year.”

1,000 kilos of hashish seized

THE NATIONAL police arrested three Brits last week for possession of more than 1,000 kilos of hashish. The three were caught on the Las Marinas beach in Dénia according to reports from Radio Dénia.

This is part of an operation against drug trafficking in the province that has so far seen the seizure of several luxury vehicles, more than 40 mobile phones, fire arms and €30,000 in cash.

The detained men are due to appear in court in Dénia.

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24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

Room at the inn Top of the pops Found in Jalon

A LOST dog has found a home for Christmas but the “gentle giant” still needs a family to care for him. The animal was found in Jalon and charity Amigo Mio was able to find temporary accommodation at La Solana Kennels but it was fully booked for Christmas and he had to leave a week ago. Fortunately a second

animal charity came to the rescue and the dog is now being cared for by the Local Animal Protection Society in Pego. However, the dog – believed to be aged about six – does need to find his original owners or a new loving home. If anyone is able to help please call Pauline on 625 767 781.

(Left to right) Jose Manuel Ruiz, the bodega’s marketing director, wine merchant Francsico Gomez, Pepe and Francis

by Jack Troughton POP OPEN a bottle of delicious cava and join Spain’s annual festive love affair with all things bubbly.

December marks cava’s open season – around 80 percent of sales are made during the fiesta heavy month – as the country gets into its annual party spirit.

And RTN accepted the challenge of putting some of the sparkling treasure to the test. It was a Herculeanassignment but someone has to do it…

Francis McNeil and Pepe Belles run ‘A Taste of Spain’ at La Parrilla Restaurant in Javea’s Old Town. Serious wine drinkers meet – usually the last Monday of the month – to sample alcoholic grape juice and traditional tapas.

And in honour of Christmas six cavas of Catalonia’s ‘bodega’ Raventos i Blanc were guests of honour. Chilled, not shaken or stirred, but most definitely popped open and sampled.

“We always try and have a little Christ-

mas tasting because, unsurprisingly enough, the majority of cava in Spain is sold in the month of December. That’s about 80 percent because of the fiestas,” explained Francis.

“The Spanish obviously do it very much as their fiesta thing.”

He said tastings specialised in boutique bodegas and while Raventos I Blanc was very well known and from the heart of cava country, it still qualified.

“Cava became a technical term in 1970. Prior to that they used the name champagne but, of course, the French objected,” said Francis.

“In the early years it was only made in Catalonia and started in the mid Nineteenth Century. It is now made in different wine regions and an agreed term used by various denominations. Cava itself is made exactly like champagne.”

GENERATION

The tasting included three generations of cava made by the Reventos fam-

ily in Sant Sadurni d’Anoia, Barcelona.

The first was by Grandfather Manuel – a very traditional brut L’Hereau de Nit, and the second by his son in honour of his mother Elisabet Raventos.

The third generation produced ‘Heritage’. Unusually it was a rosado and reflected the modern trend for the “very fashionable” pink wine.

And to make the most of a special occasion, the bodega also supplied ‘Inovacion’. Another Rosado and bolder in colour, the maker produces just 6,000 bottles a year and only makes it available to its most loyal customers.

Naturally each has its own distinct character, yet each also has the stamp of its maker – an initial bold taste of fruit followed by a very pleasant dryness.

The traditional cava stamped its authority on the tongue and was judged suitable to uncork for a celebration, the third generation’s rosado was lighter, refreshing and ready to be drunk on any occasion and with all types of food.

Muslim pupil complains about ham conversation A MUSLIM pupil has complained because his teacher talked about ham.

The teacher, Ramón Pérez Maura, mentioned to his class that the cold climate in Trévelez, Granada, was good for curing ham, during a geography lesson in a school in La Línea de la Concepción (Cádiz). Reports say that the pupil asked that the teacher did not talk about ham in front of him.

The pupil complained to his parents, who then complained to the police. The mother spoke on Punto Radio, saying that it was a case of racism. She also claimed that Pérez told her child that if he didn’t like the Spanish way of teaching, he should go back to his own country.

Pérez has said that he did not feel that the remaining 29 pupils in the class should have to adapt to the needs of one pupil. The Ministry of Education is fully supporting Pérez. And the president of the Spanish Federation for Islamic Religious Entities (FEERI), Mohammed Hamed, has also quashed the complaint as ‘stupidity’.

Pérez has received a free leg of ham from producers in Trévelez as a gift!

Local artists honoured

THE MAYOR of Torrevieja, Pedro Hernandez Mateo, accompanied by the Councillor of Census and Statistics, Pilar González Cifuentes and the Councillor for Culture, Eduardo Dolón, have taken delivery of street names which pay tribute to 16 local painters.

Streets in Sector-18 of the El Limonar III Urbanisation (Paraje Natural) and Sector-17 El Limonar II Urbanisation (Altos del Limonar) will be named after the artists and they or their representatives were all present at a ceremony last week at the Torrevieja Town Hall where they were handed a replica Torrevieja-branded street sign.

The Mayor announced in December last year that the city

Man arrested for drunk driving A 49-YEAR-OLD Irish man has been arrested by Local Police in Orihuela Costa after failing a breath test.

The man, who is a resident of Orihuela Costa, was stopped in the early hours of the morning last Friday at a routine police control.

The test confirmed that the alcohol in his bloodstream was over the legal limit and he was arrested. His car was seized by officers and the man was taken to the Guardia Civil station in Torre de la Horadada where he was charged with the offence and fast tracked to the judicial court in Orihuela.

TWO ETA leaders arrested in France in 2004 have been sentenced to 20 years in jail each. Mikel Albisu, ‘Mikel Antza’, is thought to have been ETA’s political chief, and María Soledad Iparraguirre, ‘Anboto’ is believed to have been in

charge of financing the organisation. Seven other people were found guilty of working as accomplices to ETA and have all been jailed in France. Once the sentences are finished, the accused will all have to leave France.

Increase in padron numbers

ACCORDING TO a recent report from the National Statistics Department, the INE, and despite the crisis, the Orihuela municipality is continuing to add residents onto its ‘padron’, although at a much slower pace than during the housing boom.

It was announced earlier this week that on the municipal register there The 16 were 89,600 residents artists living within the Orihuela with boundaries, which is 2,000 their street more than recorded last names year. Of these, 33,884 live would pay tribute to the 16 artists to celebrate ‘100 years of in Orihuela City, 30,736 in painting in Torrevieja’ and that like the local poets, the paint- Orihuela Costa and the ers of the city would also have dedicated streets. rest, 24,980, in the more The streets will take the names of the following painters: than twenty hamlets that Eladio Lozano Bernabéu; Manuel Vera Espinosa; Antonio Rodríguez Parodi; Antonio Mirete Sáez; Marisa Ruso López; An- exist in the municipality.

A total of 51,976 tonio Conesa Morales; Efrén Gutiérrez Mateo; Rafael Torres Montesinos; María del Mar García Torregrosa; José Manuel registered voters are Balaguer López; César Rodríguez Mateo; Víctor García Villal- Spanish and among the gordo; José Lorca García; Rafael Antón Pérez; Antonio Girona foreigners, the largest Carcaño and Vicente Solano Ruiz. group by far is the British

Two ETA leaders get 20 years Far left Mikel Albisu and María Soledad Iparraguirre

24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

with 18,208 residents. In this decade alone, the town has gained almost 34,000 more residents from the 56,000 it had in 2001.

Of all the municipalities within the Vega Baja, Orihuela was only surpassed in population

by Torrevieja which has 103,500 residents at the last count. In the mideighties, the Orihuela municipality lost more than six thousand residents after the segregation of Pilar de la Horadada and that municipality is the third most populated with 21,400 residents.

Rojales is next with 20,000 followed by Almoradi with 19, 000, Callosa de Segura with 18,000 and then Guardamar.

AENA and USCA controllers union to go to arbitration if no wage deal AENA, the Spanish Airports Authority, have agreed to close a deal on wages and conditions with the Air Traffic Controllers union USCA in January. They have established a January 31 limit, deciding that if there is no agreement in place by then the matter will go to arbitration, and both sides have given an undertaking to accept the result. The two sides will name an arbiter on January 12.

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24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

Adios Louise!

New traffic management The Mayor visits the new traffic control centre

Goodbye and all the best Louise

EFFERVESCENT REPORTER Louise Clarke is heading off to take on a fresh challenge in the New Year when she becomes press officer for Orihuela Costa Town Hall.

Louise has become a well known face producing the news for RTN’s South Edition and made many friends throughout the region.

She will now be responsible for helping keep 90,000 Orihuela residents – 18,000 of them British citizens – informed about local government affairs and what is happening locally in the corridors of power.

And Geoff Gartland, RTN’s managing director, commented: “Louise has been a hard working and loyal member of the RTN family and we are sad to see her leaving.

“However, our loss is Orihuela’s gain and we wish her all the best in her new position.”

THE MAYOR of Torrevieja, Pedro Hernandez Mateo, has announced this week that the final section of the new traffic management project in the City has been completed.

The installation of a remote control traffic system, financed as part of the Central Government’s ‘Fondos FEIL’ financial grant scheme, was completed last week and the system should be up and running early in the New Year.

The Mayor explained that the system,

which includes a number of video surveillance cameras so that traffic can be viewed from a central control centre, will improve the safety and security of every citizens and will allow officers to efficiently control and manage the city’s traffic to ensure that it will flow effectively, especially following accidents or incidents of flooding.

The project was launched in two phases; the building of the new control centre, the introduction of the technology needed to

Brussels disgusted at Spain’s workers’ rights BRUSSELS HAS released a new report stating that the minimum wage in Spain is ‘unfair’ and ‘too low’. It is currently set at €629 per month for a full time job and the EU Committee for Social Rights has said this amount does not permit workers to live a dignified life. Further criticisms have rained down on Spain because

monitor the cameras and the training of its staff. Then it was the implementation of the street camera equipment and the fitting of computerised regulation for the traffic lights and other essential road management devices, all networked using GPRS. The system allows the management and supervision of traffic in real time and will mean that emergency and security services will be informed immediately of any incident that occurs on the streets of the city.

the EU directive states that a maximum full time working week should not exceed 48 hours, whereas in Spain the labour law allows employers to work their staff for up to 60 hours. The law in Spain regarding paid annual leave is also criticised, as Spanish workers are not allowed to recover any holiday days lost through illness or accident. Furthermore, Brussels is also outraged at the way Spanish work contracts are structured, saying they fall short of EU standards. In Spain a contract of less than a year can be terminated without notice, and contracts of more than a year only require 15 day’s notice.

24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

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Socialists denounce Local Police Honoured coastal sports prices The Local Police Chief gets his Gold Medal

The players protest at Torre Sports City this weekend

TWO ORIHUELA football teams have to play their matches in Torrevieja despite brand new sports facilities now being opened on the coast, according to opposition claims.

PSOE Councillor for the Coast, Rosa Martinez has denounced the Orihuela Town Hall this week after discovering that the two football teams, which should be based at the new sports centre, are playing their games at the new Sports City in Torrevieja. Rosa told RTN: “The sports facilities on the coast are the most expensive to use in the whole region and despite the recent inauguration of the sports installation, the majority of sportsmen and sportswomen on the coast continue to use the sports centres in Torrevieja, San Miguel de Salinas and Pilar de la Horadada. The reason that they do this is because they are so much more affordable.”

Last Sunday, the local football teams held a demonstration in neighbouring Torrevieja and meanwhile the new Orihuela Costa Sports Centre remained closed.

PRIVATISED

Socialist councilor Rosa Martínez convened a Press Conference on Monday morning to denounce the excessive prices at the recently opened Sports Centre in Orihuela Costa. The admission prices are higher than all of the surrounding sports centres. She said: “Citizens of Orihuela Costa continue to use the facilities in nearby towns because the new sports centre in Playa Flamenca, which cost more than two and a half million euros and was one hundred percent financed by funds received from Central Government (Fondos FEIL), has been

privatised by Orihuela Town Hall for a period of 12 years.”

The Socialist Councillor gave examples of the charges for swimming and the hire of tennis courts, which are double and in some cases triple the prices of the sports centres in neighbouring towns.

The worst example which led to this public denuncia, is that of the local football teams. They have to pay as much to train as to play matches. In fact, if they want to train free of charge they have to travel to the rural ground at La Murada, more than thirty kilometres away.

CO-OPERATION

Rosa Martínez explained that the match between two local teams had to be played in Torrevieja to avoid the extremely high cost of playing at their local sports centre. She concluded: “This is a sports centre that we all paid for and which cost the Town Hall of Orihuela nothing from municipal funds.”

The two local teams held a protest before the game and displayed banners thanking the city of Torrevieja for their cooperation, assuring the Ayuntamiento of Orihuela that the council is not promoting sport but rather helping others to get rich.

Rosa also pointed out that the Orihuela Costa Colts team and infant team train in Mil Palmeras and in San Miguel de Salinas, because of the costs of using the pitches in Orihuela Costa.

The Orihuela Town Hall told RTN that they were aware of the situation and that it is working towards a solution for the teams with the sports centre.

The Mayor of Orihuela, Mónica Lorente, has honoured all the officers of the Local Police force from the municipality with the city’s most prestigious award, the gold medal of Orihuela.

The award was given to the officers in recognition of the force’s long history of service to the citizens of the municipality. The Local Police force in Orihuela has been the main security force of the municipality for more than 150 years and was actually formed in 1846.

Amongst the dignitaries at last week’s ceremony were Luis Miguel Ibáñez Gadea, the Valencian government’s Secretary of the Interior; Colonel Antonio Bernabé Castro Moya, the Commander of the Guardia Civil in Alicante; Joaquina de la Peña Saavedra Ponce, Head Judge of Orihuela; Superintendant Antonio Aledo, Head of the Orihuela Local Police; Enrique Rocamora Aniorte, Director of Security at

Orihuela Town Hall and Mercedes Carrasco González, the Director of Emergency Services in Orihuela.

Ms Lorente began by congratulating the Local Police and thanked them for continuing to excel in helping the citizens of Orihuela. She said: “It is my obligation as Mayor to reward you all for your continued work in ensuring the safety and security of Orihuela citizens. You all demonstrate, every day, the bond that the Local Police of Orihuela has created with the residents of the municipality. You are true ‘Neighbourhood Agents’ which is an important factor for the coexistence and the good performance of your job.” She added: “This award is a symbol of gratefulness and recognition that the city has towards its Local Police force which safeguards our security, our protection and the defence of our rights and liberties.”

Man arrested for attempted robbery

A 39-YEAR-OLD French man of Magrebí origin, a resident of Torrevieja, has been arrested by local police officers for attempted robbery and resisting arrest. The man was observed trying to force open the front door of a house in the Los Pinos area of the coast and neighbours called the police. On arrival, officers spotted the man hiding behind the garden fence of the house and when approached by officers, he tried to flee the scene on foot. Following a short struggle in which the man became very aggressive and tried to injure one of the officers with a screwdriver, he was arrested and taken to the Guardia Civil Station in Torre de la Horadada, where he was charged with the offences.

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Christmas presents galore!

by Louise Clarke THANKS TO The Christmas Shop in San Luis, near Torrevieja, more than 300 needy children will get a Christmas present this year. The shop organised a Christmas present donation campaign in November, heavily promoted on TKO and in the pages of RTN and a total of 340 Christmas presents for children of all ages was collected.

Last week, RTN went along to the shop to see the presents being distributed to representatives of four charities who will pass on the gifts to children in need and in their care.

The children’s homes in Gandia and Elche and the ‘Caritas’ charities of both Algorfa and Rojales, were the lucky recipients and as well as the presents, the children who live at the EMAUS children’s home in Elche will also receive a pair of pyjamas each, courtesy of Lucy from the Christmas Shop.

She told RTN: “When I asked them exactly what the children needed, they said that they were in dire need of some decent pyjamas, so I went to Primark and bought 28 pairs of different pyjamas in different age ranges, so that all the children at the home have a new pair for Christmas.”

HAMPERS

The present donation campaign started after Irene from EMAUS and her husband Alan went into the shop as customers. They started talking with Lucy and the other members of staff at the shop and the idea was born. Irene told RTN: “There are 22 Spanish children currently at the home, ranging in age

Census confusion causing debate

OPPOSITION PARTY voter registration law spokesman for the CLR and also pointing out party Pedro Mancebo has that the submission of denounced the Orihuela documentation must be done Town Hall for removing within the Christmas period; residents without a residency dates when many foreigners certificate from the electoral return to their native country register. “A residence to celebrate Christmas. permit is not a mandatory Meanwhile, the Town requirement,” he said.

Hall has thoroughly According to Mr Mancebo, dismissed the allegations. A the Town Hall is notifying spokesman said, “This has foreigners, mostly coastal nothing to do with the Town residents, to submit an Hall. These notifications original and photocopy come as part of a national of ID documentation, a campaign by the Institute passport and residence for National Statistics (INE), certificate within 15 days a process put in place to to confirm that Orihuela is prevent foreign residents where they reside for most enjoying dual residency, Colin, of the year, to avoid being aimed at regulating a Lucy, Irene and removed from the register. system open to abuse in the Irene from The Councillor claims past. It is certainly not a EMAUS the move is a “trick,” Town Hall initiative to stop from seven to 17 years. For a lot of them this is their first Christ- accusing the PP of people from voting in the mas in care, so it is absolutely fabulous that the customers of fraudulently abusing the forthcoming elections.” the Christmas Shop, the readers of RTN and the listeners of TKO have been so generous.”

Colin Ranson, President of the Lo Crispin Residents AssoTHE WAR against the red beetle in Elche is on. The beetles ciation, was at the presentation on behalf of the Caritas in destroy palm trees and have been spreading at a worrying Algorfa. He told RTN: “There are 15 families in Algorfa who rate through the areas parks and gardens. will all receive a hamper worth €100 this Christmas as part of In March this year, the Department of Agriculture distriban initiative between The Christmas Shop and the Lo Crispin uted around 3,200 biological traps. At a meeting in the town Residents Association. And all the children will also receive hall last week, results showed that the traps have been suca present, which will make the whole family’s Christmas so cessful in catching an average of 3,200 beetles per day. much better this year.”

A spokesperson from Elche council is reported as sayFROM SWEDEN WITH LOVE ing that the traps are not a solution, but merely a way to Lucy has even organised for 60 dog food Christmas stockput the brakes on a problem that is spreading across the ings to be made up for two of the local animal charities. Both whole municipality.

SAT and Animal Aid received the stockings which will be given to the abandoned dogs in their care over the Christmas period. Lucy commented: “Everyone has been so generous this year and I would like to say a great big thank you to all the customers of The Christmas Shop who have donated to not only the Christmas present campaign but also with dog food and treats.”

One Swedish lady donated a whole huge bag of presents.

She got all her friends in Sweden to donate some money and then went out and bought 30 individual presents, wrapped them all herself and put them in a big bag with a tag on it saying, ‘From Santa, Lapland, Sweden.’

Elche council 1, red beetle nil

Pair caught shoplifting THE LOCAL Police in Orihuela Costa arrested two women for shoplifting after finding them in the possession of five bottles of rum and 10 bottles of gin hidden in their dresses. The 39 and 43-year-old women, residents of Alicante and Elche respectively, were arrested inside a supermarket in La Zenia after being spotted by staff on CCTV. Once arrested it became apparent that the women were also wanted in connection with numerous other offences, including swindle and robbery. They were taken to the Guardia Civil station in Torre de la Horadada, where they were charged with the offences. They later faced a judge and were remanded in custody.

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Look around IN RESPONSE to the two letters in last week’s RTN from Jim and Michael I must say that I agree with them on most points. However if they look around (no pun intended) there are places where you can get a deal.

Recently I contacted a Golf Club for a price for 24 golfers to play there. They emailed me back giving me a price, I replied saying that another society was playing €20 less for the same facility at the same course. He replied questioning where did that deal come from and that this sort of pricing was common over here.

I did email him back telling him where the deal came from his reply was: ‘”Thanks, Karl, I don’t know how they as an agent make any money at those rates, but its good for you golfers I suppose. Well done.”

BUT why has the Golf Club got this attitude?

Can’t someone tell them that businesses are closing every week due to bad business tactics?

If they don’t change their pricing system then I would not expect them to remain in business much longer. So look around and don’t book at courses where they have this 2-3 tier pricing.

Karl Briggs, La Mata

Why?

CAN SOMEONE explain to me why the illegal immigrant who hit a little girl with his car and fled the scene, leaving her to die, and was caught driving whilst banned, is still living in the UK? It’s said, “Because it will abuse his human rights if he is sent back home.” Where are the ‘HUMAN RIGHTS’ for this child and her parents?

When will someone have the guts to stand up against these people who protect the rights of those who commit crimes and then scream for protection if someone mentions sending them back home? I wonder how he would have been dealt if he had committed this atrocity in his own country? He would probably have been beheaded.

For God’s sake, Britian, wake up and stop being afraid of these so-called do-gooders and get rid, before he kills someone else!

Coleen Bryan

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

Email: rtnmail@roundtownnews.com

letter of the week

We worked for our possessions DEAR THIEVES: We do hope that you get all you deserve for Christmas and for the coming year.

We trust by now that you have noticed that our dear Santa no longer works and also that his head has been refitted and his beard replaced. He is of little monetary value, he was just for show and he amused the children from the local school who would peer through our gate to look at him.

We have worked for all our possessions; something you probably would not understand as you obviously

think that you have the right to take things that are not yours.

You reap what you sow in this life and we are sorry to inform you that your final harvest will be lacking fruit.

In closing we hope that you see the error of your ways before it is too late; alas we fear we may not have warned you in time. There is a saying, “What goes around, comes around,” so maybe in the future you too will be the victim of theft. I cannot wish for this to happen too soon!

D & L Whitney, La Torreta

Keep the envelope with the letter AN ARTICLE in issue 583 notes the concerns of pensioners with delayed post or not at all, resulting in the loss of pension because they did not reply in time: I know - it’s happened to me. Letters from the International Pensions Centre (IPC) gave me serious cause for concern. It is imperative that Pensioners get a fast response to any problem as the ‘Dead or Alive’ letter and the follow up consequences proves. Most people remove the letter and discard the envelope. Well don’t - keep the envelope with the letter - it has an invisible bar code and no visible date. I have pinned every envelope to its letter and made notes of the date of receipt (We look to our post box every day).

There is a 17 to 22 days delay in delivery from the letter

date of the IPC and DWP letters. The IPC and the DWP have a contract with ‘SPRING Global Mail POSTAL’, said by the DWP to be the fifth largest and fastest postal service. Letters sent by the Royal mail arrive within two, yes TWO days, to about five days. I raised a complaint to the DWP and one of their annoying replies was that, “it’s the Spanish postal service to blame.”

The Spanish Postal service is far better these days than the Royal Mail who took three weeks to deliver a letter from Newcastle to East Sussex.

THE IPC AND DWP SYSTEM: You note this week that your pension has been stopped.

You write or email the IPC. The IPC and the DWP will respond to your communication within 10

working days (and in general they will).

You have just lost 10 working days or two weeks pension.

Due to the postal contract, it takes another 17 - 22 days to enter your post box, making it five weeks loss of pension or an answer to your letter.

Anyone who gets mail with a white franking stamp marked “SPRING global mail Españia” should note the date of the letter and mark the letter AND the envelope with the date received; keep it and if there is an unacceptable delay EMAIL (it saves post costs) FAO Mrs Chris Armstrong on tvp.internatinalqueries@ thepensionservice.gsi.gov.uk Subject: Postal delays.

You will receive an automatic response “We will reply within 10 working days” Yours faithfully, W. RB

What a Christmas let down WHAT A let-down the long-awaited Christmas market is at Playa Flamenca! I hasten to add that I do not wish to point my finger or criticise the German Club that actually organised the market, but what on earth is the Town Hall at Orihuela Costa thinking of?

Surely this well meaning club (at least they took the initiative to organise something Christmassy here on the coast) must have applied to the Town Hall for permission to hold the market and the Town Hall let them go

A happy flyer

I BOOKED a flight from Murcia to Gatwick with Easyjet to Murcia on Wednesday 1st December but Gatwick was closed, with no trains running from the coast to London. I received a text and email from Easyjet advising me the flight was cancelled. I changed to the Murcia flight on Thursday 2nd December but conditions hadn’t changed. There were no flights to Murcia on Friday 3 December so I requested a refund and rebooked to Alicante at 17.45.

Friday morning I checked in and was then informed the flight was delayed to 20.00. At 17.30 all flights in and out of

ahead with only 14 or 15 stalls!

Having the Christmas market at the promenade was a super opportunity for the Town Hall to really bring some Christmas cheer to the coast but I see they have failed again. I sincerely hope that trade and stall numbers pick up next week for the organisers and the stallholders at the market. Perhaps the Town Hall might wake up from their winter sleep and realise that not everything is “humbug!”

Sue Harkley

Lost parrot

I WOULD like to enquire whether any of your readers have found or seen an African Grey Parrot in Benidorm or the surrounding area. My daughter’s African grey parrot ‘Jinkie’, aged seven years, flew off on Thursday 9th December from the Levante area and was last seen on 11th December at the bus stop in Carrefour, Finestrat. My daughter is quite distraught and is desperate to get him back.

She is offering a reward for his safe return. If you have any information please email knightswood01@ yahoo.co.uk

Spain were cancelled due to the Air Traffic Controllers unofficial strike. I was told I could be booked onto the Alicante flight Sunday morning or, if I preferred, I could get on a flight back to my original destination of Murcia. I opted for Murcia and was provided with a hotel for two nights – full board, in a four star hotel 10 minutes from the terminal. On arriving back home I discovered my suitcase has been soaked in Malt Vinegar somehow. Easyjet not only replaced the suitcase and delivered it by courier but allowed me to choose the colour!

Jan Collings

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Successful bid for charity

by Jack Troughton THREE COSTA Blanca charities shared an€8,500 bonanza thanks to the generosity of a talented group of artists.

Students of professional Belgian artist Marc Meyer, who has a studio in Javea, donated work for a charity auction at the Marriott Hotel, Denia, in September.

Hosted by Continental Wealth Management, the sale was such a success the Javeabased finance company is looking to stage a repeat next year.

Artwork went under the hammer to allow a €1,000 donation to animal charity APASSA, €3,500 to be handed to the MABS Cancer Sup-

port Group and €4,000 to benefit the youngsters cared for by a small group of nuns and volunteers at the Preventorio de Gandia.

Neil Hathaway, a senior partner with Continental Wealth Management, presented a cheque to Bay Radio’s Andy Stammers at the annual Christmas party for the children.

The Javea-based radio station manages a designated charity bank account on behalf of the Gandia orphanage – details of how to chip in to support the preventorio are avail(Left to able on its website www.bayradio.fm right) Neil Neil also handed over paintings bought Hathaway, Father

by Continental Wealth Management and a Christmas purchaser at the auction to decorate the chil- and Andy dren’s home.

Stammers

Christmas goodwill JALON & ORBA Lions have been busy spreading a little goodwill this Christmas, contributing last Friday to the cost of re-painting the Junior School in Orba. The PTA expressed their gratitude for the Lions’ support, along with La Directora, JosefaBelchi, pictured with Lion Bob Spokes.

On Monday,Denia HELP receiveda cheque for €1,000 to contribute to the cost of fitting out a room in La Pedrera where visitors and long stay patients can go for social activities away from the wards, benefiting long term care patients throughout the Valencia Community. Pictured are (left to right) Maria Dolors

Marcos, Infermera de SAIP ;InmaculadaSimoNoguera, Director of Nursing, SA; Lions President Stuart Aitchison; Jose Ma. Sastre, Director de Economico;JaumeMorera, Director of the Hospital and Eileen Dart of HELP, Denia.

Later that day, Lions presented Caritas Orba with 12 boxes of basic food to be distributedamong needy families in the town.

On Wednesday, Caritas in Denia were presented with €1,000 to help buy food for the approximately 600 people who depend on them in these desperate times; an earlier donation of €250 was made for the same purpose.

Father PepeCorrecher

expressed his sincere thanks and showed Lions Andrea and Stuart Aitchison, Doris Muller, and Liz and Bob Spokes the facilities at 30 Calle Carlos Senti in Denia.

Donations of adult and children’s clothes, shoes, and blankets are always welcome there, or call in to make a financial donation

between 16.00 and 18.00, Monday to Friday.

The Lions are now in the process of acquiring a computer and associated equipment for the children in Jalon school and presents for thoseunfortunate children in Jalon whom otherwise would be overlooked when the Kings come calling next month.

Dear Santa….

EXCITED CHILDREN in Spain tie their wish lists to Christmas trees rather than send them up the chimney and wait in anticipation for Father Christmas – or the Three Kings – to deliver.

Record support for Poppy Appeal

by Jack Troughton PUBLIC SUPPORT for the Royal British Legion’s annual Poppy Appeal in Spain raised more than €107,146 for the charity.

Dedicated volunteers from the French border to Roquetas de Mar in Almeria helped District North – Spain collect the “staggering” total which helps support expatriate servicemen and women, and their dependents.

And as the total was announced by British Vice-Consul Elizabeth Bell at the Casa de Cultura in Alfaz del Pi, long service medals were handed out to honour the work of Olive Batty and Pamela Dawson Tasker.

Olive ‘retired’ in 2008 at the age of 85. She was awarded a 30 years service medal by the British Legion for her dedicated work for the Poppy Appeal.

Originally from Lancashire, she came to Spain in 1974 and each year pushed a shopping trolley around the streets of Benidorm loaded with collecting boxes and poppies to distribute around the resort’s bars, restaurants and shops.

Pamela was awarded a 20 year service medal for her work at the “forefront” of the appeal and getting the British Legion’s Benidorm Branch “back on its feet”.

THANKS

Poppy Appeal co-ordinator

Retirement age must go up say OECD A NEW OECD report says that Spain must raise its retirement age to 67 in order to help the economy. The report also says that the pension system in Spain is too generous, giving up to 80 percent of peoples’ salary in some cases. The rate in other EU countries is generally much lower. The OECD also recommends that severance pay for those employed on permanent contracts is cut drastically.

Tony Dengate said the 2010 appeal total – €101,000 was raised in 2009 - was thanks to the members of 19 branches of the British Legion making up the district and the independent collections in areas where the charity was not directly represented.

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank the many bars, restaurants, supermarkets and shops who have allowed us to leave Poppy boxes at their locations,” he said. “Without their assistance we would not be able to raise money for the Poppy Appeal.

“We have continued through a most difficult time with the economic crisis taking a greater hold. The strain on our welfare service has increased and will increase in the coming year.”

And Chairman Chris Wyatt said he was “proud” to honour Olive and Pamela for the work they had done for the British Legion.

He said they had both been involved in the revitalisation of the Benidorm and District Branch which had “gone through a bad patch”.

He added: “We were determined the proud name of Benidorm and District would not die. We were determined to do anything we could to bring the branch back up and restore it to its former glory.”

Pictured are Alfaz Mayor VincenteArques, Olive Batty, Pamela Dawson Tasker, District Public Relations Officer Peggy Wyatt and Elizabeth Bell.

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“Step up SEPRONA,” say Spanish vets

by Zara Menhennet SPANISH VETS are calling for aid as the Christmas season gets into full swing and the time for animal welfare reaches its peak.

The issue of animal dumping has always been a problem area in any country but at least many have the option of a society that can help in the protection of animals through government funding. England has the RSPCA; France has the SPA (Société Protectrice des Animaux); South Africa has the SPCA and Italy has the ENPA (Ente Nazionale Protezione Animali). As for Spain, there is no equivalent. Spain’s SEPRONA

(Servicio de Protección de la Naturaleza) legislation is weak and not enforced by the Guardia Civil and when taking the issue further, one can see why.

One vet, Julian Huertas Aracil, has very strong views on the issue and has spoken out as the voice for many vets around the country: “The town halls do nothing and we need a charity that is run by them, but they are not interested as there is no financial benefit for them.”

On average, veterinary practices are lumbered with 2-4 animals per week; half what private charities receive. ‘Relocation’ and ‘lack of responsibility’ are the two most likely causes behind animal aban-

donment, also ‘Catholic Communion gifts’.

“The German-run charities have a very sophisticated system,’” stated Julian, ‘”most animals are rehomed either in Spain or Germany within the month.”

As ‘crisis time’ draws near, nerves continue to run high and vets expect a huge influx over the Christmas and New Year period.

Between fireworks and animals being given as gifts, this becomes one of the busiest times of year.

Reiterating his sentiments, Julian Julian concluded, “Animals are not gifts Huertas Aracil, under a tree. They take time, love and money. If you don’t have these, vet and animal don’t get a pet.” lover

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Breast cancer walk tops 20,000€ Benito’s Benefit

DEBBIE’S BREAST Cancer Walk, which took place this year in Rojales in October, has raised an astonishing €24,147.94 for the AECC cancer charity. On Monday evening, organisers Debbie and Ralph Weedon presented a cheque for the fabulous amount at the Inn on the Green in Laguna Green, near Entre Naranjos; the home base of this year’s biggest fundraising team, the Laguna Loonies.

The team of 19 took part in this year’s walk in memory of their friend Sonia Osborn who died last November. Sonia and her best friend, Brenda Westwick, walked the Breast Cancer Walk almost every year since it started, so it was a fitting tribute to Sonia that they were the winning team with a total amount of €3,665 raised for the charity.

SUPPORT

Brenda told RTN: “Sonia was one of

the nicest people you’d ever wish to meet. She was as fit as a fiddle, so it came as a big shock when she was diagnosed with breast cancer for a second time, especially when we thought that she had beaten the disease once and for all.

“In the end it was a secondary cancer that killed her. She returned to the UK in the October 2009 and by the middle of November, she had passed away. She was only 67 years of age and we miss her terribly.” She continued: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported the group during their last year of fundraising in Sonia’s memory.”

HAMPER

Also at the presentation was a group of ladies from Bar La Cascada at La Finca Golf in Algorfa. They won the honour of being the biggest fundraisers last

Deputy PM visits troupes SPAIN’S DEPUTY Prime Minister, Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, has visited troupes in Afghanistan. Rubalcaba is also the Minister for the Interior.

He has wanted to visit Spanish soldiers in the Afghan war

A ‘BENEFIT NIGHT for Benito’, held in San Miguel last Thursday night, was very successful. The bar was quiet despite wide press coverage but those who did attend were generous with a total amount of €500 raised. Chimes Bar owners Debbie Terry and Chris already had and Ralph Weedon €90 donated beforehand! presenting Chimes Bar rang with the cheque Loose Change playing great year and with €3,206, were not that far rock classics. A surprise visit off this year. However, given that there from Martin, a fantastic are only six members of the team, their Johnny Cash tribute singer achievement is certainly nothing to be and owner of Route 66, a sniffed at, so they were delighted to be included in the official cheque presen- bar/restaurant in Benimar, performed some memorable tation photograph.

Amongst the donations to the fundraising was a hamper full of Iceland goodies, kindly donated by Iceland in San Javier. Manager Russell Clements was approached by staff member Mal and asked if the company could make a donation and was delighted to offer the hamper full of fantastic food stuffs, especially as it managed to raise €150 for the charity. Russell was also at Monday’s event to witness the cheque presentation.

Photos from October’s walk and details of the highest fundraising teams can be found at www.breastcancerwalkspain.com

since August, when he heard news that two Guardia Civil were killed by a Taliban insurgent at the Qala-e-Now base.

The Deputy PM also paid a visit to the base in Herat, where 92 soldiers have lost their lives. The Governor of Baghdad province met for talks with Rubalcaba, and the two men discussed the handing over of operations to the Afghans.

Loose Change in action

favourites. A raffle courtesy of Helen, Benito’s owner, with prizes given by friends and business included a professional photo session and a complimentary meal from Chimes.

The money will contribute handsomely toward financing Benito’s eye operations. People have been absolutely wonderful and strangers who have never met him have been going into the APAH Charity Shops and asking if they can donate some money.

More information on Benito will be available soon…

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Jon

Email Jon at: jongaunt@roundtownnews.com

Taxi for Mr. Matthews

Skating on thin ice ON CHRISTMAS Day Vince Cable is appearing on ‘Strictly’ but he has clearly been skating on very thin ice this week. However, lifting Anne Widdecombe will pose no problem to this man, as he is used to lugging his huge ego around.

Vain Vince suggested that he could bring the coalition down by fox-trotting Oscar off out of the Cabinet.

But his real crime and mistake was to suggest that he was going to go to war with Rupert Murdoch and could win!

All of these claims were made to two very attractive undercover female (there’s a surprise) reporters and within hours he had gone from holding his nuclear deterrent

HEATHROW BOSS Colin Matthews has turned down his massive bonus as a gesture and hollow apology for his abject failure to keep the World’s busiest airport open when a few inches of snow fell last week.

Why does winter always come as a surprise to the fools who are meant to keep our transport infrastructure running?

After last year’s dress rehearsal why haven’t we invested in more snow ploughs and grit and how does the World’s busiest airport, run by a company BAA which makes Billions in profits, run out of de-icer?

That’s the airport equivalent of those fools you see using their credit cards to scrape their windscreen on a frosty morning.

I don’t know about aircraft but someone should be calling for a taxi for Mr Matthews… to a naughty schoolboy who had had his trousers pulled down and his backside slapped by Chief Prefect Cameron and his fag Clegg.

But of course Cable is not alone as there are now more cracks appearing in this lousy coalition than in my local pond: personally I can’t wait for the whole coalition to disappear under the water.

No one voted for this pig’s ear of a Government and the sooner Cameron develops a backbone and forms a new coalition with the Conservatives and goes back to the country and gets a real mandate to govern the better.

Column

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

Pay his airfare not his bail ONE PERSON who should definitely be going home, or at least to Sweden, this Christmas is Wikileaks whistleblower Julian Assange.

If this man believes in freedom of information so much then why is he so reluctant to go

back and face these serious charges of sexual assault and rape against him?

Instead of getting out the begging bowl from luvvies to raise his bail money these defenders of justice should be paying his airfare.

Sir Brucie SOME DELUDED fools are suggesting that Simon Cowell should be knighted in the New Years honour list for services to music?

He is the King of Karaoke, the Champion of Chavs and although he has reinvented Saturday night TV he has been handsomely rewarded in his back pocket and he doesn’t need or deserve this honour.

Similarly calls for David Beckham to be knighted are a joke too. Yes, he’s turning into quite a good ambassador for the game but just

remind me when did the English national team last win anything? It took years for our 66 Heroes to be recognised so why should Mr Metro sexual pick up the ultimate accolade instead of a razor?

The only truly deserving popular choice for a knighthood at the moment is Bruce Forsythe. Brucie is the nearest thing this country has ever produced to the genuine all round song and dance entertainer and is a British Icon and richly deserves our highest honour.

LATEST REVELATIONS from some no mark unknown Lib Dems is that Cameron can’t be trusted.

Oh and of course every student in the land know that they can trust Nick Clegg don’t they?!

SWINE FLU has raised its ugly and scary head again and there are calls for urgent vaccinations for all pregnant women. Of course we had the same scare last year and it turned out to be false alarm.

I wouldn’t normally wish flu on anyone but I am more than willing to make an exception for the majority of self-serving pigs or swine in Westminster.

In fine voice

Come all ye faithful

By Jack Troughton CHRISTMAS CAROLS old and new brought the big day a step

closer on Wednesday as members of Javea International Baptist Church staged its annual outdoor concert.

The seasonal entertainment – led by Rev. John Hansford – spread some festive cheer and encouraged a crowd to sing along, even attempting some traditional Spanish songs.

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Am I a fireman yet?

by

Jennifer Cunningham

THIS TIME of the year is difficult for me, the same as it is for many. I lost Paul in the New Year, and although we had a lovely last Christmas, it was in a hospice and we both knew his time was nearly there.

This was sent to PCN earlier in the year to help encourage us all to keep going when we feel tired or are feeling hurt by unjust accusations.

I would like to dedicate this story to the PCN Nurses who are always there for patients and their families, and for all those wonderful people who work tirelessly fund raising, and for all those who generously donate gifts in one form or another. Without all these very special people, the Charity would not survive.

Often we feel low and sometimes frightened about what the future may hold. Once you read this story, which I think will make even the hardest person shed a tear; it may give some perspective to the pain that many of us have to bear at some stage in our lives. I, personally, found this story just beautiful and it reminded me of why I started Paul Cunningham Nurses.

In Phoenix, Arizona, a 26-year-old mother stared down at her 6 year-oldson, who was dying of terminal Leukaemia. Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination. Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up and fulfil all of his dreams. Now that was no longer possible - the Leukaemia would see to that, but she still wanted her son’s dream to come true.

She took her son’s hand and asked, “Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up?

Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?”

“Mummy, I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up.” Mum smiled back and said, “Let’s see if we can make your wish come true.”

Later that day, she went to her local fire Department in Phoenix, Arizona, where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix.

She explained her son’s final wish and asked if it might be possible to give her 6-year-old son a ride around the block on a fire engine. Fireman Bob said, “Look, we can do better than that. If you’ll have your son ready at seven o’clock Wednesday morning, we’ll make him an honorary fireman for the whole day.”

Three days later, Fireman Bob picked up Billy, dressed him in a uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck. Billy got to sit on the back of the truck and helped steer it back to the fire station. All his dreams had

started to come true. There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day and Billy went out on all three calls. He rode in the different fire engines, the Paramedics’ van, and even the fire chief’s car. He was also videotaped for the local news programme.

Having his dream come true, with all the love and attention lavished upon him so deeply touched Billy that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible.

One night all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed in the hospice concept that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital. Then she remembered the day Billy had spent as a Fireman, so she called the Fire Chief and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition.

The chief replied, “We can do better than that. We’ll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favour?

When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system that there is not a fire? It’s the department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. And will you open the window to his room?”

About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Billy’s third floor open window - 16 fire-fighters climbed up the ladder into Billy’s room. With his mother’s permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they LOVED him.

With his dying breath, Billy looked up at the fire Chief and asked, “Chief am I really a fireman now?”

“Billy, you are, and The Head Chief, Jesus, is holding your hand,” the chief said. With those words, Billy smiled and said, “I know, He’s been holding my hand all day, and the angels have been singing.”

He closed his eyes one last time.

With this very sad but beautiful story, I thank everyone for their continued support of the PCN Nurses, which I hope to expand in the year 2011.

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24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

Merry Christmas · Feliz Navidad Watts In Britain By

Paul Watts

ONCE AGAIN it’s time for us here in the cold north to wish a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year to all RTN readers.

Charles Dickens once said, “I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.”

And I guess, with commercialism put well and truly to one side, the message of charity is the true sentiment of the season. “Peace on Earth and goodwill to all men,” will be echoed by small children in Nativity plays all around the world; and boy, do we need some of that now in our troubled World.

Thankfully, there are examples everywhere of people doing their own little bit in neighbourhoods all over the country; helping to make their part of the world a better place. From the big publicised projects like Children in Need to individuals and organisations that work away often unnoticed to help change lives. I meet one such larger thanlife-character this week who is trying to make a difference. I actually thought for a moment he was Father Christmas.

Opposite my local shops in Wylde Green is Emmanuel Church. This spectacularly fine building occupies the corner of Little Green Lanes with the Birmingham Road. And as I passed by these last few days, I noticed a number of tents pitched within the church

grounds. My curiosity finally got the better of me and on Saturday I strolled over to see what was going on. There I met the Reverend Canon Ronald Crane, parish priest of these parts, manning a brazier, offering good cheer (and a cup of tea) while trying to keep warm in several inches of snow.

Father Ronald explained to me that every year, in the eight days before Christmas, brave individuals get themselves sponsored and spend the night out in the tents in order to highlight and help local homeless charities. During these eight days he mans the gate from 08.00 till 16.00. I asked him if he had ever spent a night in one of the tents. “Yes,” he said and then roaring with laughter added, “but if I’ve got a curate he has to do it every night!” “Brrrr... sounds cold,” thought this southern softy who likes and needs his creature comforts…

Apparently, it’s not that bad, even in the snow. Father Ron told me: “I have to say when I’ve done it I have never been cold.” He waved expansively at the row of tents, “as you see, we have some good gear.” He rubbed his beard and grinned: “The problem is we’re right by a 24 hour shopping centre and the noise at night is just unbelievable.” What, even at two o’clock? “Especially at two o’clock,” he chuckled, “people fighting World War III; boy racers in their cars... you wouldn’t believe what happens.”

But, of course, in reality there’s nothing nice about sleeping outside in the rough.

Father Ronald said, “I just think that homelessness is so absolutely awful. And at Christmas it’s about a Holy Family: Jesus, Mary and Joseph and they were

Reverend Canon Ronald Crane

homeless and had to live in a stable.”

He put it in a modern setting: “I’ve been present at the birth of a child and it can be bad enough in a hospital; I dread to think what it’d be like in the outhouse behind a pub, for crying out loud.”

Father Ron realises the problem is huge, “What we’re doing here is tokenism,” he concedes, “I know that but at least it’s something. And it raises the awareness of people in the area.”

It also galvanizes into action a team of 60 to 70 people over the eight days.

And Father Ronald proudly states that it “is a team that’s absolutely involved.”

He smiled, “That’s not bad out of a congregation of 150; is it?” No, indeed.

“I front the thing up and it’s my picture on everything but I’ve got a fabulously dedicated team. Like Mike and Pete there who put everything up – including the Christmas Tree.” On a normal day, i.e. without tons of snow, there are three people along with Father Ronald.

Being England it wouldn’t be complete without detractors; and from the neighbour over the road there has been

a complaint about the carols coming over the loudspeakers. Environmental services turned up and decreed that the sound levels were not too high (especially when you consider the near-by main road traffic) so happily the songs continue; and how glorious they sound on this snowy winter’s day. Funny isn’t it, that there’s always someone ready to moan? Ho hum.

Someone even vandalised the banner.

Father Ronald told me: “Yes, I was less than happy when someone took a knife to it. But when I’d calmed down I thought ‘I’ll ring the press and get some publicity’.”

He ended up with half a page in the local paper and an offer of a new banner from a local firm.

Anyway, we wish Father Ronald and his team all the best and a Merry Christmas.

I told him I thought how most people appreciated their efforts. He smiled modestly, “All I do is front it up. And in many ways that’s the easiest part of it; and the most enjoyable; because I get to talk to everyone... even Spain!”

Watts in Brum, wishing all on the Costa Blanca Feliz Navidad x.

24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

Christmas comes early with complete bedroom makeover

Before

CHRISTMAS CAME early for one Cumbredel Sol resident who was surprised to discover that she had won a complete bedroom makeover sponsored by Yorkshire Linen of Jávea.

Karla Darocas, a computer and software trainer, was nominated to win the grand prize by one of her students who had heard the contest details being announced on the Spectrum FM radio station.

The student wrote a letter explaining how Karla had been taken to hospital in early March 2010 with symptoms of a stroke. After being in hospital for a month and being submit-

ted to many brain scans and other tests, several lesions were found on her brain. She was treated with large doses of cortisone for several months which reduced the inflammation causing her immobility, but created considerable side-effects thus making her housebound and limiting her movements to between her bedroom and bathroom. The student added that it was a terrible shame to see such an active person become housebound and that it would be wonderful gift to brighten up her bedroom and lift her spirits for Christmas.

The bedroom transformation took place on 17thDecember, just in time for Christmas. Karla is a keen artist and her house is adorned with some great examples of her work but her current condition prevents her creating any more work. Her bedroom has artwork of a distinct red and black theme so a makeover was created of bedding and curtains to match.

A lovely, warm, red-patterned super-king duvet covered a great value all-season duvet: the all-season duvet set is a great idea for Spain as it caters for the vast variation in temperatures throughout the year, comprising two duvets (4.5 and 10.5 tog) which in the winter can be fitted together to create a warm winter duvet for cold winter nights. Matching fitted sheets and top sheets with red and black cushions and asoft, furry black throw finished the look, with a couple of single elec-

After

tric blankets and bedside rugs added for cosiness against the bitter cold.

Alan Symmons black panels dressed the windows and a couple of red panels perfectly matched the finials on the new black curtain poles, looking simply amazing.

We’d like to thank Spectrum FM for their fantastic and unwavering support in promoting the make-over. It’s great to see there are still some lovely thoughtful people out there in this season of good-will - they all must listen to Spectrum FM! Karla was delighted with the thoughtful nomination and the smile on her face when we unveiled her new bedroom made it all worthwhile for all concerned.

Merry Christmas to all from Yorkshire Linen in Javea.

Helping charitable causes on the Costa Blanca PREMIER VILLAS Spain based in Jalon held their 4th annual charity Christmas party on 2nd December at La Pista in Jalon. There was a fantastic turnout which raised €1,000 on the night. Chris Hara, the owner of Premier, matched this and doubled the total raised to €2,000.

The first donation of €1,000 went to purchase computer equipment for the children of La Virgen Pobre School in Jalon. The remaining

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€1,000 was donated to the Leo’s – The Junior Lions, made up of pupils from Laude Lady Elizabeth School in Lliber. The Leo’s are helping children with cancer and have a number of events coming up, to be sponsored by Premier. The major fund raising event is a sponsored abseil in Lliber on 12th February 2011, with some of the Premier staff kindly braving the elements in aid of this fantastic cause.

Ikea plans moves forward ALICANTE TOWN hall has approved plans to open a branch of Ikea in the north of the city. The Swedish furniture store will be built as part of a new 300,000m2 development. It is expected to generate 2,000 jobs and receive 15 mil-

lion visitors during its first year. Unconfirmed rumours in the Spanish press also say that Primark, the clothing store, are considering opening a branch in Alicante too. Primark opened in Elche earlier this year.

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24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

Christmas joy!

THE SOL TV Christmas Party went with a bang last weekend and with over 60 children in attendance, it was a great way to start a week of Christmas festivities at the Fox on the Fairway in Villamartin Plaza on the Orihuela Coast.

SOL TV certainly lived up to its promise and put great big smiles on some very special children’s faces; all of whom are either in care, orphaned or disabled.

Thanks to the generosity of local residents, SOL TV managed to get all the children some fantastic early Christmas presents as a result of their present donation campaign, launched in RTN in November.

The special Children’s Christmas Party was a party with a difference for the children from the Emaus Association (Spanish children in

care), ALPE and APANEE, who as well as meeting Santa and Taffeta from the Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre, were also entertained by the children from the Ruth Kingsbury Dance Academy and after their performance, two of the older kids who attended the party showed off their own street dancing skills, much to the joy of the children, parents and carers.

There was also the usual children’s party games and delicious festive food. The remainder of the presents have been delivered to the San Miguel de Salinas ‘Arcangel’ Neighbours Association for distribution to the needy children of the pueblo and other worthy recipients.

The new SOL TV Website will be officially launched on Tuesday 11th January 2011 and will have a programme dedicated to the Chil-

The children had a great time

dren’s party from that date, so make sure that you log onto www.solproductions.tv in the

New Year. For any other information, please call SOL TV on 966 761 050.

Las Colinas hosts professional tour THE FINAL of the ‘Circuito de Professionales de la Comunidad Valenciana’ was held earlier this week at Las Colinas Golf & Country Club over two days.

It was the showcase culmination of the 2010 circuit; a fiercely fought over event with the top places still all to be decided going into the final two days of competition.

The golf course was in perfect championship condition and received numerous plaudits from the players and Federation

officials. For some of the players, it was their first experience of playing at Las Colinas, having travelled from all parts of the Valencia Region for the event.

Some very tough pin positions over the two days added to the excitement and challenge of the course but the quality of golf aspired to it, with three players shooting 3 under par 68´s on the final day; including the event winner and overall Order of Merit winner, Carlos Aguilar Quesada.

RAVE REVIEWS Just last month Las Colinas ranked in the Top Five of the World’s Most Exciting New Courses, in ‘Golf World’, one of the most widely read UK Golf magazines.

From the playing professionals’ feedback over these two days, one can understand why Las Colinas is

New speed traps in place

The Las Colinas course was in perfect condition

receiving such rave reviews from the golf media and players alike.

Las Colinas Golf & Country Club was proud to host this prestigious event for the Federacion de Golf de la Comunidad Valenciana and the professional golfers of the region.

THE RESULTS WERE: 1st - Carlos Aguilar Quesada

2nd - Jose Manuel Carriles Corino 3rd (tied) - Liam Murray & Robert Svensson THE FINAL RANKINGS IN THE ORDER OF MERIT FOR 2010 WERE: 1st - Carlos Aguilar Quesada 2nd - Carlos Garcia Simarro 3rd - Jose Manuel Carriles Corino

A NEW type of speed trap has been put into operation on Spain’s motorways. The trap uses two cameras to clock drivers’ speeds in two locations on a stretch of road, and then calculates the speed of the vehicle over the distance between the cameras. The cameras are in the tunnel between Guadarrama and Segovia on the AP6, and in the A7 tunnel at Torrox in the direction of Nerja. Police say that no fines will be issued until 1st February next year.

Initially, any drivers caught speeding will be issued with a notification. More such speed traps are planned throughout Spain in 2011.

legal

Basic advice for renting contracts by

Marc White & Carlos Baos English & Spanish Solicitors

WE HAVE a neighbor who rented his house in Spain and his tenants only paid for the first month’s rent; they also owed the payments of water, electricity, etc. It took a lot of money and time (over a year), to evict them but they took the house apart and never paid for the owed money or the damages caused. Our neighbors say that after that experience they will never again rent their property and do not recommend that anyone else does it either. In our case, for personal reasons, we would like to and need to rent our apartment in Calpe, although we are a little scared, Could you give us some advice as to what precautions we should take and what we should do?

It is true that letting a property for living purposes or for other uses does have a risky element involved, just like any other business.

It is also true that there are what we might call ‘professional leasing persons’ who jump from rent to rent, leaving debts and problems everywhere and who from minute one have no desire whatsoever to fulfill the contract.

So letting without taking the necessary precautions could be dangerous.

But it should be noted that this risk can be minimised or guaranteed in a way that in the event of a breach of the contract by the tenant (lessee) you as the landlord owner (lesser) can be compensated for any pending debts and any damages caused to your property.

Leases of property, such as your apartment, are regulated by Law 29/1994 of 24 November, of Urban Lettings (Ley Arrendamientos Urbanos), and the eviction process is regulated by the Spanish Civil Jurisdiction Law (Ley Enjuiciamiento Civil) Code which has been recently changed to make this procedure faster. Some cases could be also considered as a criminal offence.

We will try to provide you with some basic advice in answer to your query and in order

24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

for you to protect your interests in advance.

Though we cannot guarantee that your tenant (lessee) will pay and complete the contract, we can advise you on the steps that you should take to improve your position in case of problems with your tenant.

1. Although you can find templates for Leasing- Letting Contracts on the internet, from friends, books, etc., we advise you contact a lawyer specialising in these matters who can draft a contract for your specific circumstances and those of your tenant: a good contract can save you money, time and headaches in case of problems. As we say in Spain, “Better safe than sorry,” or as we may say in English, “There is no use in crying over spilled milk.”

2. Make a detailed inventory of the contents of the house, if possible, with reference to models and types of electrical appliances and furniture etc. You can even include pictures and a value for each item to prevent its damage or disappearance during the rental period or to be able to claim for them if needed.

3. It is very convenient to agree with your tenant that the payments for utilities such as water, electricity etc. are set as direct debit from his/her bank account since if this is not done and you continue paying for them by direct debit from your account, you will not be able to stop paying even if your tenant does not pay you, since you could be accused of blackmail. That is, the situation may be that the tenant does not pay you at all, but you have to continue paying the utilities and consumptions for your tenant.

4. Check out the credit of your tenants (lessees), request copies of their ID, NIE and passports, copies of their payroll, pension payments, account balances, verify if they have other properties such as cars, houses, etc. that could be enough to cover his / her potential liabilities.

If your tenant does not have any other assets, it is very important to request the signature of a guarantor (a person or persons of known solvency) so that in the case of the tenant not complying, the debt can be directed against the guarantors who should have also signed the contract. Another possibility is to ask your tenant to provide you with a bank guarantee at the time of signing the contract as collateral for its contractual obligations.

We understand that it might be more difficult to rent your property if you ask for all these requirements, because not everyone is willing to accept these conditions, but if you take the proper precautions you would be sure that if the tenant fails, you will have a good chance to obtain sufficient and appropriate compensation and what unfortunately happened to your neighbour will not happen to you.

Following these steps and particularly by negotiating a good contract, you can rent with security and guarantees.

Should this be your case, or the case of someone you know, we will be more than pleased to assist you. *The information provided on this article is not intended to be legal advice, but merely conveys general information related to legal issues.

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

More work, less play for Spanish workers WORKERS IN Spain could soon have to work a minimum of 25 years in order to qualify for a pension.

The Minister for Work and Immigration, Valeriano Gómez, has defended the decision to raise the minimum number of years from 15 to 20, and has also not denied the possibility of eventually raising the figure to 25 years.

Gómez was speaking on Cadena Sur radio and he also defended the decision to raise the retirement age to 67, even though there have been large public protests against such changes in the law.

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24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

business

24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

27

Persuasion is key to the perfect product pitch Marina Alta Business Club

by

Karla Darocas

Information Technology & Communications

A LOT of my students ask me about how to pitch their products better to generate more sales. The first question to ask yourself is, “Do you love the product or service you are trying to pitch?” If the answer is yes, then read ahead. If the answer is no, then don’t bother going into this article because it will not do you any good!

The bottom line to ‘pitching’ is to know in your heart of hearts that you love this product or service and that you are not going to fraud anyone by introducing or selling it to them.

Anyone can adopt better selling techniques but the consumer is not stupid and they will not let go of their hard earned cash, if you don’t believe in yourself and your product or service. Plus, if your product is a fraud, you will destroy your credibility within your consumer marketplace. So, once you believe - then you can pitch.

Here are some pointers to make a perfect persuasion pitch…

Express to them that you are ‘really excited’ about this product or service and maybe they will pay attention to your pitch. Give your client the permission to be exited about the product too by making your facial expressions full of fun, personality and enthusiasm. The slogan for the new era is ‘fun’ and if you are stagnate and boring, you pitch will be dull and people will tune out.

provoke your clients to use their imaginations to visualise life with or without your product or service.

EDUCATE – Enlighten your clients by explaining how your product fits into the new trends in your industry or lifestyle. Qualify how your products will save money, time, energy, and the environment. Explain how your product is easier to use, to clean, to customise, etc... Creating a positive association with important social and economic issues will persuade your client to choose you over someone else.

The message you tell about the product is as important as the product itself.

SELL THE BENEFITS – Finally, set your product into orbit by pitching its benefits. You show the features, the bells and whistles, but you explain the ‘why’ or the ‘benefit’ behind the feature. Benefits usually fall into categories that deal with saving time and money, assuring safety and peace of mind, increasing sex appeal, or being convenient and easy.

EXCITE – Get passionate about your product and let your clients know and feel your excitement.

ENTERTAIN – Start to tell your clients a story that begins with ‘imagine’. Keep the story short but

CONNECT – Share your personal side like where you grew up, when you married, how many children you have, etc… Be the real ‘person’ behind the product. Remember that people don’t buy products if they don’t like the person pitching the product.

If you need more help with scripting the perfect pitch for your product, but you are not a wordsmith and need help, I will be accepting new students in the New Year! Merry Christmas and Success to All. Karla Darocas: www.Darocas.com

Karla Darocas * Business Communications Software Training & Computer Repairs *Helping You to Help Yourself 965 973 234

MARINA ALTA Business Club is pleased to announce the launch of a series of seminars starting 12th January. The one day seminars will cover a wide range of aspects of business, such as improving customer profitability; developing a deeper understanding of customers; and how to keep customers happy while improving your profits.

It is not our intention at this stage to have a prescriptive calendar of seminars; rather, we will provide seminars to respond to the issues that seem to be of most concern here on the Costa Blanca. We are also providing papers and studies that will appear on the website www.mabc.be SEMINAR JANUARY 12TH: CUSTOMERS: MORE PROFIT LESS COST The first of the 2011 series is focused on customers and covers several aspects concerning the realities of building your business in a recession. There will be three workshops: How to Increase the Number of Customers in Your Business; Once You Have Them, How You Can Retain Them and finally; How to Capitalise on Your Customer Base.

WHO WILL FIND THIS SEMINAR USEFUL? No matter what type of business you are in, we believe that each of the workshops will have relevance to you.

For example: HOSPITALITY (RESTAURANTS, BARS) In the hospitality business, the one thing that is certain is that you cannot predict how much custom you will have from day to day. However, there are techniques you can use that can not only help to smooth out fluctuations in demand but also increase your overall profitability.

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE AND PERSONAL SERVICES A positive personal referral is much more powerful than advertising and is almost certainly cheaper – and there are ways to encourage referrals that cost nothing to put into place.

RETAIL Almost every retailer faces competition, so how do you stand out from the rest? If you are busy all the time – how can you collect and analyse valuable customer feedback and use that information to provide time-limited and targeted offers to customers?

If you would like to find out – or have staff or colleagues who might find it useful – book your place at the seminar early and make sure you have a place on 12th January.

Check out www.mabc.be for more information on how to book.

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24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

ITV’s cheerless Christmas The TV Round Up by

Alex Trelinski

Broadcaster and freelance journalist

ONCE UPON a time in days of Christmas past, there lay the wondrous Advent moment from on high, when the great white-bearded man above would drop through UK letterboxes double-seasonal editions of the Radio Times and the TV Times. ‘Twas a great moment of tidings and joy whence upon a pencil or pen would be procured for the purposes of circling which programmes would be viewed, or even recorded for posterity with a new-fangled video recorder.

The yuletide choices would be limited to three channels, but then amazingly rose to four options as of 1982, when the festive period would be planned out accordingly as to what ye olde family would choose to do based around the three Wise Men - the schedulers of the BBC, ITV, and Channel Four.

Such merry times were had by one and all, as household battles raged over a time clash of a James Bond premiere or a tinsel-laden edition of ‘Disney Time’.

What fun we had, and if you recall ye olde black and white days of the sixties, we verily had the novelty of daytime programmes for just one day on the feast of Christmas, as opposed to Ye Olde Teste Carde. There was

Uncle Leslie of Crowther going round a kiddies’ hospital to make ye children feel even worse, and watching ye BBC pantomime with an olde man dressed as wench, namely an early version of Eddie Izzard called Dame Arthur of Askey. This was followed by Ye Christmas Night with the Stars and a closedown before ye midnighte!

Then in ye glorious colour era of the seventies, the BBC Lords of Xmas, Eric and Ernie, descended into total domination of the post-turkey viewing period, forcing the evil enemy of the rival ITV clan to wave the white flag of festive surrender. Over thirty years later, nothing has changed!

Tomorrow’s Christmas Day line up from Britain’s leading commercial channel is full of repeated family film duds (and this happens to be the same pattern for the following week by the way!) This is followed by hour long specials of Emmerdale and Coronation Street, only saved by a new Poirot at nine, though that does happen to be yet another reworking of ‘Murder on the Orient Express’. Frankly a normal ITV1 weekend schedule would offer more inspiration, and the channel’s whole holiday schedule seems to be largely devoid of

Lords of Xmas, Eric and Ernie

any expenditure or festive fun, with the big Boxing Day exception of a special feature-length edition of ‘Benidorm’.

Great news by the way, Tim Healy is donning his dress again to play Lesley!

Of course in this multi-channel age and in this DVD world, times have changed, and the old days where all the channels would get massive ratings with the first screening of a Hollywood blockbuster have well and truly gone.

But at least BBC 1 continues to treat this season seriously, and will wipe the floor tomorrow with a terrific homegrown line-up.

That begins with Ronnie Corbett and Dr.Who early in the evening, through

to the Royle Family and the start of the new Matt Lucas/David Walliams series, which is a brilliant send-up of all the airport based reality shows, with some wonderful grotesque characters. As if the pain is not enough for ITV, the Beeb then completely knifes it with a parade of new dramas over the following few days, including the much-awaited revival of ‘Upstairs Downstairs’.

My not so olde Skye plus recorder will be having a busy time of it, and I hope you have the most enjoyable festive period, and perhaps tear yourself away from the box as well! See ye in a fortnight when I’ll look back on the TV highs and lows of 2010.

Teulada Moraira Lions raffle success RAFFLE SPONSOR Antonio Paichi, accompanied by Lion President Robert Young and organisers Claude Kelly and Maurice Baguley, met up at the Lions bookstall on Friday 17th December to draw two winning tickets for the Lions Grand Annual Christmas Raffle.

The winning ticket belonging to Ms Fran Chandler of Moraira brought her a €350 voucher to be used in Iceland in Benissa; the ticket purchased at

the very successful Moraira Trade Fair.

Second prize was won by Gary and Julia Cotton. They have a home in Moraira but are currently in the UK. Learning of their windfall, they kindly donated their €150 Iceland voucher prize to local families in need. The Lions look forward to meeting Gary and Julia when they return to Moraira to thank them personally.

tv Christmas Eve

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March 24 dECFeb 201026 - 6-Jan 2011 4 2010

07:00 Breakfast 10:00 Horrible Histories: Horrible Christmas 10:30 The Slammer 11:00 Christmas Saturday Kitchen 12:30 The Santa Clause 2 14:10 BBC News 14:25 Regional News and Weather 14:35 Only Fools and Horses 15:35 Jimmy’s Food Factory 16:05 Cars 17:55 Shrek the Halls 18:15 The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian 20:35 BBC News 20:50 Regional News 21:00 EastEnders 21:30 My Family 22:30 QI 23:00 Have I Got News for You Christmas Special 23:30 Graham Norton Show 24:15 The National Lottery Draws: 25 Christmas Millionaires 24:30 BBC News 24:45 Midnight Mass

08:00 League of Super Evil 08:15 Sam & Mark’s Guide to Dodging Disaster 08:40 Little Howard’s Big Christmas Question 09:05 Eliot Kid 09:20 Pinky and Perky: It’s Christmaaaas!

09:35 Shaun the Sheep 09:45 Animal Park 10:30 Climbing Great Buildings 11:00 The Fox and the Child 12:30 Suspicion 14:05 She Wore a Yellow Ribbon 15:45 Mozart’s Don Giovanni from Glyndebourne 18:45 Celebrity Eggheads 19:15 Dad’s Army 19:45 Carols from King’s 21:00 Edwardian Farm 22:00 Whistle and I’ll Come to You 22:55 The Many Faces of Alison Steadman 23:55 Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special 24:55 The Worst Christmas of My Life

United Carol Service Concert A SUCCESSFUL and well attended carol service was held recently at Torrevieja Christian Fellowship (TCF) Church with performances by the Torrevieja Crescendo International Choir and ‘Just Brass’.

Bible readings were by The Anglican Chaplaincy of St. Peter and St. Paul, Torrevieja; The

06:55 ITV Morning News 07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 This Morning: Christmas Crackers 11:40 Casper 13:30 ITV News and Weather 13:45 Granada News and Weather 13:55 Miracle on 34th Street 16:00 The Queen 17:55 Countrywise at Christmas 18:55 The Santa Files with John Sergeant 19:50 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 You’ve Been Framed! Christmas 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Paul O’Grady’s Christmas 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:15 The Holiday

Church on the Way, Rojales; The International Christian Assembly, Torrevieja; Pilar Christian Community Church and Torrevieja Christian Fellowship.

Pastor Roy Davies said, “This year’s Concert exceeded expectations. The standard of performance by both the Crescendo International Choir, led

by Chas Smith, Musical Director; the Just Brass Band, led by Gordon Higginbottom, Musical Director, and young Rolf Lupondo, was first-rate and thoroughly enjoyed by almost 500 people packed into the TCF building to hear them.”

08:10 Frasier 08:35 According to Jim 09:00 Olive the Other Reindeer 10:00 Friends 10:30 Friends 11:00 The Simpsons 11:30 Cheryl Cole T4 Special 11:45 Glee 12:40 Jingle All the Way 14:20 The Snowman 14:50 Prep & Landing 15:20 Celebrity Come Dine with Me 18:00 Deal or No Deal: Scrooge or Santa 19:00 A Christmas Carol: the Musical 20:40 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 One Born at Christmas 22:00 Peep Show & Tell 23:05 Peep Show 23:40 Peep Show 24:15 Peep Show 24:50 Chris Moyles’ Christmas Quiz Night

08:00 The WotWots 08:10 Thomas & Friends 09:15 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:30 Peppa Pig 09:40 Peppa Pig 09:45 Roary the Racing Car 09:55 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:10 Little Princess 10:25 Olivia 10:40 The Mr Men Show 11:00 K9 11:35 Penguin Adventure with Nigel Marven 12:05 Zoo Days 12:15 Zoo Days 12:45 Five News 12:55 I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus 14:40 Neighbours 15:10 Single Santa Seeks Mrs Claus 17:00 Scrooge 18:45 Neighbours 19:15 Monkey Life 19:45 Last Action Hero 22:00 Greatest Christmas TV Moments

08:00 Malcolm in the Middle 09:00 Terry Pratchett’s Hogfather 11:00 Malcolm in the Middle 12:00 Wayne Rooney’s Street Striker 13:00 Football’s Greatest 13:30 Football’s Greatest 14:00 George and the Dragon 15:45 Little Crackers 16:00 The Simpsons 16:30 The Simpsons 17:00 Terry Pratchett’s Hogfather 19:00 Noel’s Christmas Presents 2010 20:30 Avatar Special 21:00 Modern Family 21:30 The Simpsons 22:00 Little Crackers 22:15 Little Crackers 22:30 Andrew Stone’s Meaning of Christmas 23:00 A League of Their Own 23:30 Little Crackers 23:45 Little Crackers 24:00 A League of Their Own Christmas

08:30 WATTS 09:00 Tennis 10:05 Tennis Stories 10:30 Tennis Stories 11:00 Winter Olympic Figure Skating 12:25 Olympic Magazine 12:30 WATTS 13:00 Ski Jumping 13:30 Biathlon 14:00 Biathlon 15:00 Ski Jumping 17:00 UEFA Champions League Classics 18:00 UEFA Champions League Classics 19:00 Strongest Man 20:00 Incredible Dog Challenge 21:00 Timbersports Series 22:00 Creative Breaking 22:30 Strongest Man 23:30 Ten Pin Bowling 24:30 Freeride Spirit Show 24:45 Eurosport Top Ten

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

Melody Makers International Concert tickets

APANEE Children’s Charity benefited from this year’s carol service, a voluntary collection on their behalf generating €1,700.

TICKETS ARE on sale at the Orihuela Costa Resort for the Melody Makers International Concert.

Their next production, ‘An Evening of Music from the Movies’showcases Saturday 29th January 2011 at Orihuela Costa Resort, La Zenia, featuring favourite tunes from ‘Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid’; ‘Deer Hunter’; ‘Titanic’; ‘The Alamo’; ‘From Russia With Love’ and many more, conducted

by MMI founder and director, Nigel Hopkins and accompanied by their professional band.

The new children’s choir, Cantemos! (Let’s Sing!) will take part and include music from ‘Watership Down’. Musical director Nigel Hopkins has specially arranged choruses for both choirs, featuring many of the best solo performers on the Costa. Tickets priced at only €10 may be obtained from the Orihuela Costa reception desk, or by telephoning 966 760 800.

Scottish Country Dancing THE TORREVIEJA Scottish Country Dancing Group is on the Christmas break at the moment. We resume dancing on Monday, 8th January 2011, at Los Arcos Restaurant, Torrevieja, commencing at 16:45. New members and fellow dancers here on vacation are always welcome. For more information contact: John on 966 783 508 or Wilma on 966 730 666.

tv Christmas Day

24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

07:00 Breakfast 10:00 The Sarah Jane Adventures 10:50 Shaun the Sheep 11:00 Christmas Day Eucharist from Tewkesbury Abbey 12:00 The Santa Clause 3: the Escape Clause 13:25 Madagascar 14:45 BBC News 15:00 Top of the Pops Christmas 16:00 The Queen 16:10 Shrek the Third 17:30 The Gruffalo 18:00 BBC News 18:10 The One Ronnie 19:00 Doctor Who 20:00 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 21:00 EastEnders 22:00 The Royle Family 23:00 Come Fly with Me 23:30 BBC News 23:45 On Christmas Night 23:50 Starsky & Hutch

08:00 Dani’s House 08:30 Story of Tracy Beaker 08:45 What’s New Scooby-Doo? 09:05 Eliot Kid 09:20 Shaun the Sheep 09:30 Jinx 09:55 Animal Park 10:55 The Meerkats 12:15 Singin’ in the Rain 13:55 The Man Who Would Be King 16:00 Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Cinderella 18:00 The Queen 18:10 The Private Life of a Christmas Masterpiece: The Adoration of the Christ Child 19:00 Carols for Christmas Day: From Winchester Cathedral 19:55 Top Gear 21:00 Dad’s Army 21:35 Blackadder’s Christmas Carol 22:20 Swingin’ Christmas 23:45 Miranda 24:15 Have I Got a Bit More News for You Christmas Special

06:55 ITV Morning News 07:00 The Fluffy Club 08:25 Toonattik 09:05 The Little Polar Bear 10:25 Carols at Christmas 10:50 Family Film of the Decade 11:50 Santa Claus: the Movie 13:55 ITV News and Weather 14:10 The Polar Express 16:00 The Queen 16:10 The Grinch 18:00 ITV News and Weather 18:15 You’ve Been Framed! Christmas 19:00 Emmerdale 20:00 Coronation Street 21:00 All Star Family Fortunes 22:00 Agatha Christie’s Poirot 24:00 ITV News and Weather 24:15 You, Me and Dupree

07:20 Famous Fred 07:45 Little Wolf’s Book of Badness 08:15 Friends 08:45 The Simpsons 09:15 Friends 09:50 The Muppet Christmas Carol 11:30 The Simpsons 12:00 Glee 13:00 One Born at Christmas 14:00 Scrooged 15:50 One Born at Christmas 16:50 Deal or No Deal: Scrooge or Santa 17:50 One Born at Christmas 18:50 Channel 4 News 18:55 Come Dine with Me: Celebrity Christmas Special 20:00 Edward Scissorhands 22:00 One Born at Christmas 23:00 Alan Carr: Tooth Fairy Live 24:05 4thought.tv 24:10 Jamie’s Christmas Lock-In

07:15 Fifi and the Flowertots 07:25 Fireman Sam Christmas Special 07:50 Rupert Bear 08:00 Mio Mao 08:05 The WotWots 08:20 Roobarb and Custard Too 08:25 Noddy Saves Christmas 08:55 The Milkshake!

Show Christmas Special 09:25 Little Princess 09:50 Play!

09:55 Olivia 10:15 The Mr Men Show 10:30 George Shrinks 11:00 K9 11:35 Ice Road Truckers 12:30 The Gadget Show’s Christmas Stocking 13:30 Mrs Miracle 15:30 Meet the Santas 17:20 Five News 17:25 The Remains of the Day 19:55 Stranger than Fiction 22:00 Greatest Christmas Adverts

08:00 So You Think You’re Safe?

09:00 10 Minute Tales 11:00 Soccer AM 13:00 Noel’s Christmas Presents 2010 14:30 Avatar Special 15:00 Andrew Stone’s Meaning of Christmas 15:30 The Simpsons 16:00 Got to Dance: Preview Show 16:10 Louie Spence’s Christmas Message 16:30 Louie Spence’s Showbusiness Christmas 17:30 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader Special 18:00 Making David Attenborough’s Flying Monsters 19:00 Louie Spence’s Christmas Message 19:30 The Simpsons 21:00 Louie Spence’s Christmas Message 21:30 The Simpsons 22:00 Little Crackers 22:30 Victoria Wood Presents the Angina Monologues 23:30 Little Crackers 24:00 Louie Spence’s Christmas Message

08:30 Freeride Spirit Show 08:45 Tennis Stories 09:15 WATTS 09:45 WATTS 10:15 Champions Club 11:30 Ski Jumping 13:30 WATTS 14:00 Biathlon 15:00 Ski Jumping 17:00 UEFA Champions League Classics 18:00 UEFA Champions League Classics 19:00 Snooker: UK Championship 20:00 WATTS 20:30 WATTS 21:00 Eurosport Top Ten 22:00 Fight Club 24:30 WATTS

06:00 BBC News 06:30 The Record Europe 07:00 Breakfast 10:00 CBeebies Christmas Panto 2010: Aladdin 10:30 Grandpa in My Pocket - A Christmas Special 10:45 Who Framed Roger Rabbit 12:20 BBC News 12:25 SPYkids 13:50 The Ant Bully 15:10 Over the Hedge 16:25 Enchanted 18:05 BBC News; Regional News 18:15 Songs of Praise 19:00 Nigel Slater’s Christmas Suppers 19:30 Countryfile 20:30 Antiques Roadshow 21:30 EastEnders 22:00 Upstairs Downstairs 23:00 BBC News and Weather 23:15 Match of the Day 24:45 The Football League Show

07:00 Charlie and Lola 07:10 Postman Pat’s Magic Christmas 07:35 Buzz and Tell 07:45 Gigglebiz - A Christmas Special 08:00 League of Super Evil 08:15 Deadly 60 08:45 Bear Behaving Badly 09:05 Eliot Kid 09:20 Shaun the Sheep 09:25 My Almost Famous Family 09:55 Kiss Me Kate 11:40 Wild China 12:40 Who Do You Think You Are? 13:40 Anchors Aweigh 15:55 We Dive at Dawn 17:30 Final Score 18:20 The Red Baron 20:00 Oz and Hugh Raise the Bar 21:00 Top Gear 22:15 When Harvey Met Bob 23:45 Live Aid

04:05 Police Academy

08:00 Childrens TV 08:40 Make Way for Noddy 08:50 Mist: Sheepdog Tales 09:00 Little Princess 09:15 Adventures of Bottle Top Bill 09:30 Family!

09:45 Funky Christmas Special 10:00 Olivia 10:15 The Mr Men Show 10:30 George Shrinks 11:00 iCarly 11:35 True Jackson, VP 12:10 K9 12:45 Animal Rescue Squad 13:05 Zoo Days 13:35 Behold a Pale Horse 15:50 Five News 16:00 High Society 18:10 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat 19:40 Top of the Pops 20:55 Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em 22:00 Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?

23:00 Out for a Kill 24:45 America’s Toughest Prisons

08:00 Vet Adventures 09:00 Terry Pratchett’s Hogfather 11:00 WWE Superstars 12:00 WWE: Experience 13:00 Futurama 13:30 Futurama 14:00 Modern Family 14:30 Modern Family 15:00 Modern Family 15:30 Noel’s Christmas Presents 2010 17:00 Got to Dance: Preview Show 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 The Simpsons 19:00 The Middle 19:30 The Middle 20:00 The Simpsons 20:30 The Simpsons 21:00 The Middle 21:30 The Middle 22:00 The Simpsons 22:30 The Simpsons 23:00 An Idiot Abroad 24:00 A League of Their Own: Best of

08:30 WATTS 09:05 Eurosport Top Ten 10:00 WATTS 10:30 Biathlon 11:30 Ski Jumping 14:00 Biathlon 15:00 Ski Jumping 16:00 Ski Jumping 17:00 UEFA Champions League Classics 18:00 UEFA Champions League Classics 19:00 WATTS 19:30 WATTS 20:00 Winter Olympic Finish Line 21:00 WATTS 21:30 Ski Jumping 22:00 Winter Olympic Figure Skating 24:00 Dancing 24:30 WATTS

23:15 Love Actually

05:35 One Tree Hill 06:15 One Tree Hill 07:00 Sali Mali 07:05 The Treacle People 07:15 Planet Cook 07:35 Rugrats Go Wild 08:55 The Morning Line 09:50 Hollyoaks 12:20 The Simpsons 12:45 Beyonce: I Am - World Tour 13:45 Jamie’s Best Ever Christmas 14:45 Channel 4 Racing 16:55 Deal or No Deal: Scrooge or Santa 18:00 Channel 4 News 18:05 4thought.tv 18:10 ‘Crocodile’ Dundee 19:55 100 Greatest Toys with Jonathan Ross 23:00 Alan Carr: Chatty Man 24:05 Steve Coogan as Alan Partridge and Other Less Successful Characters

07:00 Breakfast 08:30 Match of the Day 10:00 The Sarah Jane Adventures 10:25 The Slammer 11:00 SPYkids 2: the Island of Lost Dreams 12:40 EastEnders 14:40 BBC News 14:45 Regional News 14:55 EastEnders 16:25 The Incredibles 18:10 BBC News 18:30 Regional News 18:40 The Impressions Show with Culshaw and Stephenson 19:10 Halcyon River Diaries 20:10 Casualty 21:00 EastEnders 21:30 Celebrity Mastermind 22:00 Upstairs Downstairs 23:00 BBC News 23:20 Regional News 23:25 A Question of Sport 23:55 The Graham Norton Show 24:40 Wild Hogs

08:00 League of Super Evil 08:15 Deadly 60 08:40 Bear Behaving Badly 09:05 Eliot Kid 09:20 Shaun the Sheep 09:30 Animal Park 10:15 Great British Railway Journeys 10:45 Indian Hill Railways 11:45 Wild China 12:45 Who Do You Think You Are? 13:45 Live Horse Racing 16:00 Coast 16:10 Flog It! 16:40 Hidalgo 18:45 James May’s Top Toys 19:45 Top Gear 21:00 Three Men Go to Scotland 22:00 Oz and Hugh Raise the Bar 23:00 Charlie Brooker’s 2010 Wipe 24:00 Never Mind the Buzzcocks 24:30 The Goodies

05:05 ITV Nightscreen 06:55 ITV Morning News 07:00 The Fluffy Club 08:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Coronation Street 13:15 You’ve Been Framed!

13:45 ITV News 13:50 Granada News and Weather 13:55 Midsomer Murders 16:00 March of the Penguins 17:35 Happy Feet 19:30 Granada Reports 19:45 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 You’ve Been Framed!

21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Agatha Christie’s Marple 24:00 ITV News 24:15 Benidorm

06:30 One Tree Hill 07:10 World Sport 07:35 Sailing 08:00 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:25 Frasier 08:50 According to Jim 09:20 Friends 09:50 Ugly Betty 10:45 Friends 11:15 The Simpsons 11:45 Ugly Betty 12:40 The Simpsons 13:15 Benji the Hunted 14:55 Ladyhawke 17:10 Deal or No Deal: Scrooge or Santa 18:00 Celebrity Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:05 4thought.tv 20:10 Porridge 22:00 Lee Evans: Access All Arenas 23:00 Lee Evans: Up Close 23:35 There’s Something about Mary

08:00 Childrens TV 09:30 Bert and Ernie’s Great Adventures 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:45 Hana’s Helpline 09:55 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:10 Castle Farm 10:15 Little Princess 10:25 Olivia 10:45 The Mr Men Show 11:00 K9 11:35 Panda Week with Nigel Marven 12:05 Zoo Days 12:35 Ice Road Truckers 13:35 Five News 13:40 Top of the Pops 15:00 Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?

16:00 Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em 17:00 Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers 18:05 Rooster Cogburn 20:05 Cowboy Builders 21:00 There’s a Hippo in My House 22:00 Greatest Christmas TV Moments

08:00 Malcolm in the Middle 09:00 Dazzle 10:45 Bite Size Brainiac 11:00 Malcolm in the Middle 12:00 Noel’s Christmas Presents 2010 13:30 Tron Special 14:00 Got to Dance: Preview Show 15:00 Best of Oops TV 16:00 The Librarian: Quest for the Spear 17:50 Got to Dance: Preview Show 18:00 Scooby-Doo 19:40 Got to Dance: Preview Show 19:50 Fantastic Mr Fox Special 20:00 The Simpsons 21:00 Modern Family 21:30 The Simpsons 22:00 Fat Families 23:00 An Idiot Abroad 24:00 A League of Their Own

tv Boxing Day

05:40 ITV Nightscreen 06:55 ITV Morning News 07:00 The Fluffy Club 08:25 Toonattik 10:25 You’ve Been Framed! Christmas 11:10 Jack Frost 13:05 ITV News and Weather 13:15 The Railway Children 15:20 From Time to Time 17:10 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 19:15 ITV News and Weather 19:20 The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor 21:30 Harry Hill’s Best of Christmas TV Burp 22:00 Benidorm

tv Monday 27th December

31

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

Blackadder’s Christmas Carol BBC 2, 21.35

08:00 Jerry Springer Show 08:50 Celebs 24/7 09:00 Maury 09:55 Celebs 24/7 10:00 Celebrity Four Weddings 11:00 Four Weddings 12:00 Four Weddings 13:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 14:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 15:00 CSI: Miami 16:00 Criminal Minds 17:00 An All Dogs Christmas Carol 18:30 Will & Grace 19:00 I Am Alex Reid 20:00 CSI: Miami 21:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 22:00 Criminal Minds 23:00 Criminal Minds 24:00 Criminal Minds

Benidorm ITV 1, 22.00

08:30 WATTS 09:00 Ski Jumping 09:30 UEFA Champions League Classics 10:30 UEFA Champions League Classics 11:30 Ski Jumping 12:30 Ski Jumping 13:30 Athletics 14:45 Tennis Stories 15:15 Tennis Stories 15:45 Ski Jumping 17:50 Winter Olympic Finish Line 18:45 Eurogoals: One to One 19:00 UEFA Champions League Classics 20:00 Fight Club 22:45 WATTS 23:15 WATTS 23:45 WATTS 24:15 Athletics

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

08:00 Jerry Springer Show 08:50 Celebs 24/7 09:00 Maury 09:55 Celebs 24/7 10:00 Four Weddings 11:00 An All Dogs Christmas Carol 12:30 Will & Grace 13:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 14:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 15:00 CSI: Miami 16:00 Criminal Minds 17:00 The Curse of the Pink Panther 19:15 Celebs 24/7 19:30 Will & Grace 20:00 CSI: Miami 21:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 22:00 Criminal Minds 23:00 Criminal Minds 24:00 Criminal Minds

tv Tuesday 28th December

48 32

24 dECFeb 201026 - 6-Jan 2011 4 2010 March

07:00 Breakfast 10:00 The Sarah Jane Adventures 10:25 The Slammer 11:10 SPYkids 3: Game Over 12:25 Return to Never Land 13:30 Just William 14:00 BBC News 14:05 Regional News 14:15 Wallace & Gromit: A Grand Day Out 14:40 Doctor Who 15:40 Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind 16:10 Chicken Run 17:30 Final Score 18:25 Countryfile Winter Special 19:20 BBC News 19:45 Regional News 20:00 Celebrity Mastermind 20:30 EastEnders 21:00 Holby City 22:00 Upstairs Downstairs 23:00 BBC News 23:15 Regional News 23:25 Live at the Apollo 24:10 Blades of Glory

08:00 League of Super Evil 08:15 Deadly 60 08:40 Bear Behaving Badly 09:05 Eliot Kid 09:15 Shaun the Sheep 09:25 Shaun the Sheep 09:35 Great British Railway Journeys 10:05 Indian Hill Railways 11:05 Wild China 12:05 Who Do You Think You Are? 13:05 Victorian Farm Christmas 14:05 The Fall of the Roman Empire 17:00 Escape to the Country 18:00 The Indian Doctor 18:45 Weakest Link 19:30 Miss Potter 21:00 Funny Turns: Penelope Keith 21:30 The Good Life 22:00 All About The Good Life 23:00 Giles & Sue Live The Good Life 24:00 2010 Unwrapped with Miranda Hart

06:55 ITV Morning News 07:00 The Fluffy Club 08:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 The Unforgettable Terry Scott 10:55 Joanna Lumley’s Nile 11:55 Agatha Christie’s Thirteen at Dinner 13:55 ITV News and Weather 14:00 Granada News and Weather 14:05 Midsomer Murders 15:40 ET the Extra-Terrestrial 17:50 Robots 19:30 Granada Reports 19:45 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 River Monsters 21:00 Smile: That Was Candid Camera 22:00 I Am Legend 23:50 ITV News and Weather 24:05 The Break-Up

07:50 Yo Gabba Gabba 08:15 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:40 Frasier 09:00 According to Jim 09:30 Friends 10:00 4Music Favourites: Paloma Faith 10:30 Shooting Nicole Scherzinger 11:00 Friends 11:30 The Simpsons 12:00 Glee 13:00 Explorers 15:05 ‘Crocodile’ Dundee II 17:10 Deal or No Deal: Scrooge or Santa 18:00 Celebrity Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:10 4thought.tv 20:15 One Born at Christmas 22:00 Miracle Baby of Haiti 23:00 Frankie Boyle’s Tramadol Nights 23:35 The Morgana Show 24:05 Peep Show 24:40 Big Bang Theory

08:00 Childrens TV 08:30 Thomas & Friends 08:45 Noddy in Toyland 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:25 Peppa Pig 09:30 Bert and Ernie’s Great Adventures 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:45 Hana’s Helpline 09:55 Igam Ogam 10:05 Castle Farm 10:10 Little Princess 10:30 Olivia 10:45 The Mr Men Show 11:00 K9 11:35 Panda Week with Nigel Marven 12:05 Ice Road Truckers 13:05 Five News 13:15 How to Hook Up Your Home Theatre 13:20 The Winslow Boy 15:20 David Copperfield 19:05 Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers 20:00 Cowboy Builders 21:00 Greatest Christmas Adverts 24:00 Red Corner

08:00 Malcolm in the Middle 09:00 The Librarian: Quest for the Spear 10:50 Got to Dance: Preview Show 11:00 Malcolm in the Middle 12:00 Scooby-Doo 13:40 Bite Size Brainiac 14:00 UK Border Force 15:00 Best of Oops TV 16:00 The Librarian: Return to King Solomon’s Mines 17:50 Got to Dance: Preview Show 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 The Simpsons 19:00 The Middle 19:30 The Middle 20:00 The Simpsons 20:30 The Simpsons 21:00 Modern Family 21:30 The Simpsons 22:00 A League of Their Own: Unseen 23:00 An Idiot Abroad 24:00 A League of Their Own 24:30 A League of Their Own

06:00 The World Today 06:30 World Business Report 07:00 Breakfast 10:00 The Sarah Jane Adventures 10:30 OOglies 10:45 A Goofy Movie 11:55 Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco 13:20 Just William 13:50 BBC News 13:55 Regional News 14:05 Wallace & Gromit: A Close Shave 14:35 Doctor Who 15:50 Flushed Away 17:05 Mary Poppins 19:20 BBC News 19:45 Regional News 20:00 Celebrity Mastermind 20:30 Dig 1940 21:00 Polar Bear: Spy on the Ice 22:00 Rock & Chips 23:00 BBC News 23:20 Regional News 23:25 The National Lottery Wednesday Night Draws 23:35 Match of the Day 24:45 Hard Rain

08:00 League of Super Evil 08:15 Deadly 60 08:40 Bear Behaving Badly 09:05 Eliot Kid 09:20 Shaun the Sheep 09:30 Great British Railway Journeys 10:00 Indian Hill Railways 11:00 Wild China 12:00 Who Do You Think You Are? 13:00 Victorian Farm Christmas 14:00 Cromwell 16:15 Coast 16:30 The Indian Doctor 17:15 Weakest Link 18:00 Strictly Ballroom 19:30 Springwatch/ Autumnwatch Christmas Special 21:00 Les Mis at 25: Matt Lucas Dreams the Dream 22:00 Arena: Rolf Harris Paints His Dream 23:30 QI XL 24:15 The Goodies 24:50 Andy Parsons: Britain’s Got Idiots

06:55 ITV Morning News 07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 The Unforgettable Harry Secombe 11:25 Joanna Lumley’s Nile 12:25 Agatha Christie’s Dead Man’s Folly 14:25 ITV News and Weather 14:45 Granada News and Weather 15:05 Oliver Twist 17:10 The Lost World: Jurassic Park 19:30 Granada Reports 19:45 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 The Lakes 21:00 Agatha Christie’s Marple 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 Granada News and Weather 23:35 Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous

08:10 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:30 Frasier 08:55 According to Jim 09:25 Friends 09:55 Hollyoaks Music Show 10:25 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 11:00 Friends 11:25 The Simpsons 12:00 Glee 12:55 An American Tail 14:25 River Cottage Bites 14:35 Zulu 17:10 Deal or No Deal: Scrooge or Santa 18:00 Come Dine with Me: Coronation Street Special 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:10 Cheaper by the Dozen 2 22:00 House That Made Me 23:00 Peep Show 23:30 Frankie Boyle’s Tramadol Nights 24:00 4thought.tv 24:05 Jason Manford: Live

08:00 Childrens TV 08:45 Noddy in Toyland 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:25 Peppa Pig 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:45 Hana’s Helpline 09:55 Igam Ogam 10:10 Little Princess 10:25 Olivia 10:45 The Mr Men Show 11:00 K9 11:35 Panda Week with Nigel Marven 12:05 Ice Road Truckers 13:05 Five News 13:15 Mickey Mouse: Lonesome Ghost 13:20 Rooster Cogburn 15:25 Doctor Zhivago 19:05 Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers 20:00 Cowboy Builders 21:00 Cheryl Cole: Where Did It All Go Right - and Wrong?

22:00 Most Shocking Celebrity Moments 2010

08:00 Malcolm in the Middle 09:00 The Librarian: Return to King Solomon’s Mines 10:50 Got to Dance: Preview Show 11:00 Malcolm in the Middle 12:00 Emergency Animal Rescue 13:00 Road Wars 14:00 UK Border Force 15:00 Best of Oops TV 16:00 The Librarian: the Curse of the Judas Chalice 17:50 Got to Dance 2: Preview Show 18:00 The Simpsons 19:00 The Middle 20:00 The Simpsons 21:00 Modern Family 21:30 The Simpsons 22:00 Louie Spence’s Showbusiness Christmas 23:00 An Idiot Abroad 24:00 A League of Their Own

07:00 Breakfast 10:00 The Sarah Jane Adventures 10:25 The Slammer 11:00 Antz 12:20 Bridge to Terabithia 13:50 Just William 14:20 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:40 Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers 15:10 Doctor Who 16:10 102 Dalmatians 17:45 Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events 19:20 BBC News 19:45 Regional News Programmes 20:00 Celebrity Mastermind 20:30 EastEnders 21:00 DIY SOS: The Big Build - Littlehampton 22:00 Toast 23:30 BBC News 23:45 Regional News 23:55 Sport Relief 2010 - The Final Score 24:55 Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

08:00 League of Super Evil 08:15 Deadly 60 08:40 Bear Behaving Badly 09:05 Eliot Kid 09:15 Shaun the Sheep 09:25 Great British Railway Journeys 09:55 Bombay Railway 10:55 Wild China 11:55 Who Do You Think You Are? 12:55 Victorian Farm Christmas 13:55 Dances with Wolves 16:45 Flog It! 17:30 Escape to the Country 18:30 The Indian Doctor 19:15 Weakest Link 20:00 Coast 21:00 Three Men Go to Scotland 22:00 The Rob Brydon Show 22:30 Never Mind the Buzzcocks 23:00 Shooting Stars 23:30 Mock the Week 24:00 Rich Hall: Hell No I Ain’t Happy

06:55 ITV Morning News 07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 The Unforgettable Bob Monkhouse 11:25 Joanna Lumley’s Nile 12:25 Agatha Christie’s Murder in Three Acts 14:25 ITV News 14:35 Granada News 14:45 Smile: That Was Candid Camera 15:45 Oliver Twist 17:50 Jurassic Park III 19:30 Granada Reports 19:45 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Cheetah Kingdom 21:00 Emmerdale 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Ad of the Year 23:00 ITV News 23:30 Granada News and Weather 23:35 X2

08:15 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:40 Frasier 09:05 According to Jim 09:30 Friends 10:00 The 4Music Video Honours: Top 20 11:00 Friends 11:30 The Simpsons 12:00 Glee 12:55 Inspector Gadget 14:25 River Cottage Bites 14:40 True Grit 17:10 Deal or No Deal: Scrooge or Santa 18:00 Celebrity Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:10 Kirstie and Phil’s Embarrassing Bits 20:55 Location, Location, Location: A Decade in Property 21:55 Phil and Kirstie’s Homes for Heroes 23:30 Bill Bailey: Tinselworm 24:30 4thought.tv 24:35 Frankie Boyle’s Tramadol Nights

08:00 The WotWots 08:15 The Mr Men Show 08:30 Thomas & Friends 08:45 Noddy in Toyland 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:45 Hana’s Helpline 09:55 Igam Ogam 10:10 Little Princess 10:25 Olivia 10:45 The Mr Men Show 11:00 K9 11:35 Panda Week with Nigel Marven 12:05 Ice Road Truckers 13:05 Extreme Fishing with Robson Green 13:55 Five News 14:00 Alice in Wonderland 16:45 From Here to Eternity 19:05 Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers 20:00 Cowboy Builders 20:55 Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em 22:00 Butterflies 22:45 Terry and June 23:25 Down and Out in Beverly Hills

tv Wednesday 29th December

tv Thursday 30th December

08:35 Judo 09:05 Biathlon 09:30 Ski Jumping 10:30 Live Alpine Skiing 11:30 Wintersports: Breaking the Ice 11:45 Live Alpine Skiing 13:00 Live Alpine Skiing 14:15 Eurosport Top Ten 15:15 Ski Jumping 15:45 Live Ski Jumping 17:15 Champions Club 18:30 Destination Dakar 18:45 Olympic Magazine 18:50 Ski Jumping 20:00 Cycling Stories 21:00 Cycling 22:00 Eurosport Top Ten 23:00 Freeride Spirit Show 23:15 Sport Traveller 23:30 Ski Jumping 24:30 Alpine Skiing

08:00 Jerry Springer Show 08:50 Celebs 24/7 09:00 Maury 09:55 Celebs 24/7 10:00 Four Weddings 11:00 The Curse of the Pink Panther 13:15 Celebs 24/7 13:30 Will & Grace 14:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 15:00 CSI: Miami 16:00 Criminal Minds 17:00 Mannequin 18:50 Celebs 24/7 19:00 Robbie Williams’ Crazy 2010 20:00 CSI: Miami 21:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 22:00 Criminal Minds 23:00 Criminal Minds 24:00 Criminal Minds

I Am Legend ITV 1 22.00

08:35 WATTS 09:00 WATTS 09:30 Eurosport Top Ten 10:30 Ski Jumping 11:45 Live Alpine Skiing 13:15 Eurosport Top Ten 14:00 Ski Jumping 15:00 Live Alpine Skiing 15:45 Live Ski Jumping 17:45 Live Alpine Skiing 19:00 UEFA Champions League Classics 20:00 Snooker Stories 21:30 Poker 23:30 Ski Jumping 24:45 Alpine Skiing

08:00 Jerry Springer Show 08:50 Celebs 24/7 09:00 Maury 09:55 Celebs 24/7 10:00 Four Weddings 11:00 Mannequin 12:50 Celebs 24/7 13:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 14:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 15:00 CSI: Miami 16:00 Criminal Minds 17:00 Thunderpants 18:50 Celebs 24/7 19:00 The Beckhams’ Crazy 2010 20:00 CSI: Miami 21:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 22:00 Criminal Minds 23:00 Criminal Minds 24:00 Criminal Minds

08:30 Destination Dakar

08:00 The Jerry Springer Show 08:25 The Jerry Springer Show 08:50 Celebs 24/7 09:00 Maury 09:55 Celebs 24/7 10:00 Four Weddings 11:00 Thunderpants 12:50 Celebs 24/7 13:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 14:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 15:00 CSI: Miami 16:00 Criminal Minds 17:00 Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle 19:00 Cheryl Cole’s Crazy 2010 20:00 CSI: Miami 21:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 22:00 Criminal Minds 23:00 Criminal Minds 24:00 Criminal Minds

Polar Bear: Spy on the Ice BBC 1 , 21.00

08:00 Malcolm in the Middle 09:00 The Librarian: the Curse of the Judas Chalice 10:50 Got to Dance: Preview Show 11:00 Malcolm in the Middle 12:00 Emergency Animal Rescue 12:30 Emergency Animal Rescue 14:00 UK Border Force 15:00 Best of Oops TV 16:00 Merlin the Return 17:45 Little Crackers 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 The Simpsons 19:00 The Middle 19:30 The Middle 20:00 The Simpsons 20:30 The Simpsons 21:00 Modern Family 21:30 The Simpsons 22:00 Top Fat Families 23:00 An Idiot Abroad 24:00 A League of Their Own 24:30 A League of Their Own

08:45 Alpine Skiing 09:30 Ski Jumping 11:00 Cycling Stories 12:00 Snooker Stories 13:30 Ski Jumping 15:00 Live Ice Hockey 17:15 Eurosport Top Ten 18:00 Live Biathlon 20:00 Live Figure Skating 22:30 Dancing 23:30 Fight Club

tv New Years Eve

24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

33

06:30 World Business Report 07:00 Breakfast 10:00 Horrible Histories: Savage Songs 10:30 What’s New Scooby-Doo? 10:50 Piglet’s Big Movie 12:00 Paulie 13:25 Just William 13:55 BBC News 14:00 Regional News 14:10 Doctor Who 15:10 Shark Tale 16:30 The Sound of Music 19:20 BBC News 19:45 Regional News Programmes 20:00 Celebrity Mastermind 20:30 A Question of Sport 21:00 EastEnders 21:40 Jonathan Creek 23:15 BBC News 23:40 Graham Norton New Year’s Eve Show 24:45 National Lottery Friday Night Draws 24:55 New Year Live 2010

08:00 League of Super Evil 08:15 Deadly 60 08:40 Bear Behaving Badly 09:05 Arthur 09:35 Great British Railway Journeys 10:05 Bombay Railway 11:05 Wild China 12:05 Who Do You Think You Are? 13:05 Legends: The Beverley Sisters Tickled Pink 14:05 Nicholas Nickleby 16:15 Flog It! 17:00 Escape to the Country 17:45 The Indian Doctor 18:30 James May: My Sisters’ Top Toys 19:30 Just like Heaven 21:00 Edwardian Farm 22:00 100 Years of the London Palladium 23:00 Grumpy Old New Year 24:00 Jools’ Annual Hootenanny 2010

04:35 ITV Nightscreen 06:55 ITV Morning News 07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 This Morning: The Very Best of 2010 11:40 Joanna Lumley’s Nile 12:40 David Suchet on the Orient Express 13:40 ITV News and Weather 13:50 Granada News and Weather 13:55 Oliver Twist 16:00 The Living Daylights 18:30 Granada Reports 18:45 ITV News and Weather 19:00 It’s Paul Burling 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 You’ve Been Framed!

21:40 Coronation Street 22:10 Elizabeth: the Golden Age 24:20 That Was 2010 24:50 ITV News and Weather: Countdown to 2011

07:30 Planet Cook 07:50 Yo Gabba Gabba 08:15 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:35 Frasier 09:00 According to Jim 09:30 Friends 10:00 JLS Only Tonight: Live in London 10:55 Friends 11:25 127 Hours: T4 Movie Special 11:55 Glee 12:55 The Simpsons 13:20 Wedding House 14:15 Doctor Dolittle 17:00 Deal or No Deal: Scrooge or Santa 18:00 Celebrity Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:10 4thought.tv 20:15 Relocation: Phil Down Under 21:10 Come Dine with Me 22:10 Channel 4’s Comedy Gala 24:40 Father Ted

08:00 Childrens TV 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:20 Bert and Ernie’s Great Adventures 09:30 Peppa Pig 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:45 Hana’s Helpline 09:55 Igam Ogam 10:05 Castle Farm 10:10 Little Princess 10:25 Olivia 10:45 The Mr Men Show 11:00 K9 11:35 Panda Week with Nigel Marven 12:05 Ice Road Truckers 13:05 Extreme Fishing with Robson Green 13:55 Five News 14:00 Terry and June 14:40 Butterflies 15:25 Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em 16:30 Arabian Nights 20:00 Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers 21:00 Cowboy Builders 22:00 Shadow Man 23:50 World’s Most Extreme Airports

08:00 Malcolm in the Middle 09:00 Merlin the Return 10:45 Bite Size Brainiac 11:00 Malcolm in the Middle 12:00 Must Be the Music: Winner’s Story 13:00 Road Wars 14:00 UK Border Force 15:00 Best of Oops TV 16:00 Dazzle 17:45 Little Crackers 18:00 The Simpsons 19:00 The Middle 20:00 The Middle: Behind the Scenes 20:30 The Simpsons 21:00 Little Crackers 21:15 Little Crackers 21:30 Little Crackers 21:45 Little Crackers 22:00 Little Crackers 22:15 Little Crackers 22:30 Little Crackers 22:45 Little Crackers 23:00 Little Crackers 23:15 Little Crackers 23:30 Little Crackers 23:45 Little Crackers 24:00 A League of Their Own 24:30 A League of Their Own

08:30 Luge 09:05 Olympic Magazine 09:10 Biathlon 10:30 Sport Traveller 10:45 UEFA Champions League Classics 11:45 Ski Jumping 12:45 Live CrossCountry Skiing 13:30 Live Ski Jumping 15:00 Live CrossCountry Skiing 15:45 Biathlon 17:00 Figure Skating 18:30 CrossCountry Skiing 19:00 Ski Jumping 20:00 WATTS 20:30 WATTS 21:00 Fight Club 23:00 Eurosport Top Ten 24:00 WATTS 24:30 Freeride Spirit Show 24:45 WATTS

08:00 The Jerry Springer Show 08:25 The Jerry Springer Show 08:50 Celebs 24/7 09:00 Maury 09:55 Celebs 24/7 10:00 Four Weddings 11:00 Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle 13:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 14:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 15:00 CSI: Miami 16:00 Criminal Minds 17:00 Mrs Henderson Presents 19:00 Simon Cowell’s Crazy 2010 20:00 CSI: Miami 21:00 Criminal Minds 22:00 Criminal Minds 23:00 Criminal Minds 24:00 Criminal Minds

07:00 Breakfast 11:00 Saturday Kitchen Live 12:30 Football Focus 13:20 BBC News; Regional News 13:35 The Archbishop of Canterbury’s New Year Message 13:40 Doctor Who 14:40 Bee Movie 16:00 WALL-E 17:30 Final Score 18:15 BBC News; Regional News and Weather 18:35 Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull 20:30 The Magicians 21:30 EastEnders 22:00 Come Fly with Me 22:30 Live at the Apollo 23:00 The National Lottery Saturday Night Draws 23:10 BBC News; Weather 23:30 Match of the Day 24:50 The Football League Show

08:00 Basil and Barney’s Game Show 08:30 Legend of Dick & Dom 09:00 Da Dick and Dom Dairies 09:30 Sorry, I’ve Got No Head 09:55 Diddy Dick & Dom 10:00 Legend of Dick & Dom 10:30 Da Dick and Dom Dairies 11:00 Sorry, I’ve Got No Head 11:30 Legend of Dick & Dom 11:55 OOglies 12:15 New Year’s Day Concert from Vienna 2011 13:50 The War Bride 15:30 The Horse Whisperer 18:10 The Archbishop of Canterbury’s New Year Message 18:15 The Indian Doctor 19:00 Live Darts: BDO World Championships 20:25 Dad’s Army 20:55 The Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show 1976 22:00 Eric and Ernie 23:30 Eric and Ernie - Behind the Scenes 24:30 Rising Damp

06:55 ITV Morning News 07:00 The Fluffy Club 08:25 Toonattik 08:40 The NeverEnding Story 10:25 The Planet’s Funniest Animals 10:50 Coronation Street 13:10 ITV News and Weather 13:20 Midsomer Murders 15:20 Downton Abbey 16:50 Downton Abbey 17:50 ITV News and Weather 18:05 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 20:30 Primeval 21:30 Take Me Out 22:45 Forgetting Sarah Marshall 23:45 ITV News and Weather 24:00 Forgetting Sarah Marshall

07:05 Sali Mali 07:10 The Hoobs 07:35 World Sport 08:00 GT Academy 08:25 Freesports on 4 08:55 The Morning Line 09:50 Friends 10:20 Friends 10:50 T4 Stars of 2010 13:20 Glee 14:25 Channel 4 Racing 16:25 Come Dine with Me 16:55 Come Dine with Me 17:25 Come Dine with Me 18:00 Come Dine with Me 18:30 Come Dine with Me 19:00 Channel 4 News 19:15 4thought.tv 19:20 Independence Day 22:00 Father Ted Night 22:05 Unintelligent Design 22:35 Father Ted 23:05 Small, Far Away The World of Father Ted 24:15 Father Ted 24:50 The Heartbreak Kid

07:25 Fireman Sam 07:40 Rupert Bear 07:50 Miss Spider’s Sunny Patch Friends 08:05 The WotWots 08:25 Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs 08:45 Make Way for Noddy 09:00 Hana’s Helpline 09:10 Little Princess 09:25 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 09:45 Play!

09:55 Olivia 10:10 The Mr Men Show 10:30 George Shrinks 11:00 Zoo Days 11:20 High Society 13:25 Titanic 16:55 The Searchers 19:15 Five News 19:20 CSI: Miami 20:10 CSI: Miami 21:00 CSI: Miami 22:00 CSI: NY 23:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 24:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

08:00 Vet Adventures 09:00 Guinness World Records Smashed!

10:00 Got to Dance: Preview Show 11:00 Soccer AM 13:00 My Pet Shame 14:00 Oops TV 15:00 Modern Family 15:30 Modern Family 16:00 The Middle 16:30 The Middle 17:00 Modern Family 17:30 Modern Family 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 The Simpsons 19:00 The Middle 19:30 The Middle 20:00 Diversity 21:00 The Simpsons 21:30 The Simpsons 22:00 Westlife Live at the O2 24:40 A League of Their Own: Best Bits

08:30 Freeride Spirit Show 08:45 Eurosport Top Ten 09:30 WATTS 10:00 WATTS 10:30 Biathlon 11:45 Live CrossCountry Skiing 12:30 Live CrossCountry Skiing 13:45 Live Ski Jumping 15:30 Figure Skating 17:00 Biathlon 18:00 Ski Jumping 19:00 CrossCountry Skiing 20:00 Dakar Rally 20:30 Live Dakar Rally 21:30 Fight Club 23:30 Poker

08:00 Jerry Springer Show 09:00 Maury 09:50 Celebs 24/7 10:00 Four Weddings 11:00 Mrs Henderson Presents 13:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 14:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 15:00 CSI: Miami 16:00 Criminal Minds 17:00 Celebrity Four Weddings 18:00 Celebrity Four Weddings 19:00 Celebrity Four Weddings 20:00 CSI: Miami 21:00 Criminal Minds 22:00 Criminal Minds 23:00 Criminal Minds 24:00 Criminal Minds

06:00 BBC News 06:30 The Record Europe 07:00 Breakfast 09:30 Match of the Day 10:55 Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas 12:10 BBC News 12:20 Sport Relief 2010 - The Final Score 13:20 Doctor Who 14:35 EastEnders 17:10 Halcyon River Diaries 18:10 Songs of Praise 18:45 BBC News; Regional News and Weather 19:10 Countryfile 20:10 Antiques Roadshow 21:10 Casualty 22:00 Zen 23:30 BBC News; Regional News and Weather 23:55 Gavin & Stacey 24:25 Norbit

07:05 Bob the Builder: Built to be Wild 08:05 Basil and Barney’s Game Show 08:30 Sam & Mark’s Guide to Dodging Disaster 09:00 Deadly 60 09:30 Barney’s Barrier Reef 09:55 Deadly 60 10:25 Barney’s Latin America 11:00 Something for the Weekend 12:30 Escape to the Country 13:30 Bargain Hunt Famous Finds 14:00 Live Darts: BDO World Championships 17:45 Flog It! 18:30 Live Darts: BDO World Championships 19:50 Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show 1977 21:00 Oz and Hugh Raise the Bar 22:00 Arctic with Bruce Parry 23:00 Match of the Day 2 24:00 Never Mind the Buzzcocks 24:30 The Man Who Made Eric & Ernie

06:55 ITV Morning News 07:00 The Fluffy Club 08:25 Toonattik 10:25 Curious George 12:00 Beethoven’s 5th 13:45 You’ve Been Framed!

14:15 ITV News and Weather 14:30 Downton Abbey 15:30 Downton Abbey 16:30 Downton Abbey 17:30 Granada News and Weather 17:45 ITV News and Weather 18:00 The Incredible Hulk 20:00 Primeval 21:00 The Cube: Celebrity Special 22:00 Agatha Christie’s Marple 24:00 ITV News and Weather 24:15 The Comedy Annual 2010

05:30 Beauty and the Geek 06:15 Beauty and the Geek 07:00 Sali Mali 07:05 The Treacle People 07:15 The Hoobs 07:40 The Hoobs 08:05 Athletics 09:00 Friends 09:30 Friends 10:05 The Album Chart Show Introduces Jessie J 10:25 Hollyoaks 13:05 Glee 14:05 The Simpsons 14:35 The Simpsons 15:05 Son of the Mask 16:55 The Simpsons 17:25 Deal or No Deal 18:30 Channel 4 News 18:35 4thought.tv 18:40 Iron Man 21:00 Famous and Fearless 23:00 Alan Carr: Chatty Man 24:05 Lee Evans XL Tour

08:00 Mio Mao 08:05 The WotWots 08:20 Chiro 08:25 Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs 08:45 Make Way for Noddy 09:00 Hana’s Helpline 09:10 Little Princess 09:25 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 09:45 Family!

10:00 Olivia 10:15 The Mr Men Show 10:30 George Shrinks 11:00 iCarly 11:35 True Jackson, VP 12:10 Zoo Days 12:40 Around the World in 80 Days 15:55 Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London 17:50 Five News 18:00 Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers 19:00 The Towering Inferno 22:00 Most Shocking Celebrity Moments 2010

tv New Years Day

tv Sunday 2nd January

Father Ted Night Channel 4, 22.00

08:00 Must Be the Music: Winner’s Story 09:00 It’s Me or the Dog USA 10:00 Emergency Animal Rescue 10:30 Emergency Animal Rescue 11:00 WWE Superstars 12:00 WWE: Experience 13:00 UK Border Force 14:00 UK Border Force 15:00 The Middle 15:30 The Middle 16:00 The Middle: Behind the Scenes 17:00 The Simpsons 17:30 The Simpsons 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 The Simpsons 19:00 Got to Dance 20:00 Got to Dance 21:00 Louie Spence’s Showbusiness Sneak Peek 21:30 The Simpsons 22:00 Road to Perdition 24:15 Louie Spence’s Showbusiness Sneak Peek 24:45 Night Cops

08:35 Ice Hockey 10:00 Ski Jumping 10:45 WATTS 11:15 WATTS 11:45 Eurosport Top Ten 12:45 Ski Jumping 13:30 Live Ski Jumping 15:00 Live CrossCountry Skiing 16:15 Live Alpine Skiing 18:00 Ski Jumping 18:30 Live Handball 20:15 Live Dakar Rally 20:45 Live Indoor Football 23:00 Dakar Rally 23:30 Ski Jumping 24:30 CrossCountry Skiing

Got to Dance Sky 1, 19.00

08:00 Jerry Springer Show 09:00 Maury 09:50 Celebs 24/7 10:00 Changing Faces 11:00 Simon Cowell’s Crazy 2010 12:00 Changing Faces 13:00 Robbie Williams’ Crazy 2010 14:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 15:00 George Michael Live in London 16:50 Celebs 24/7 17:00 The Birdcage 19:20 Celebs 24/7 19:30 Nothing to Declare 20:00 Cheryl Cole’s Crazy 2010 21:00 Criminal Minds 22:00 Criminal Minds 23:00 Criminal Minds 24:00 Criminal Minds

34

tv Monday 3rd January 24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

8.00 Fat Pets 9.00 Oops TV 10.00 It’s Me or the Dog USA 11.00 Project Runway 12.00 Stargate SG-1 15.00 Futurama 16.00 Skellig 18.00 Diversity 19.00 Raising Hope 19.30 The Simpsons 20.30 Louie Spence’s Showbusiness Sneak Peek 21.00 The Simpsons 22.00 200kg Kid 23.00 Mental 0.00 Inside: America’s Toughest Jail 1.00 Road Wars 2.50 The Filth Files 3.15 The Real A&E

7.00 Breakfast 10.00 Wanted Down Under 10.45 Homes Under the Hammer 11.45 Saints and Scroungers 12.30 To Buy or Not to Buy 13.00 Bargain Hunt 13.45 BBC News 14.00 Regional News 14.15 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 15.00 Keeping Up Appearances 15.30 Three Men and a Little Lady 17.10 Doctor Who 18.15 Weakest Link 19.00 BBC News 19.15 Regional News 19.30 Wallace & Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death 20.00 Jimmy’s Food Factory 20.30 Nigel Slater’s New Year Suppers 21.00 EastEnders 21.30 Celebrity Mastermind 22.00 Silent Witness 23.00 BBC News 23.15 Regional News 23.25 A Question of Sport 23.55 The Football League Show

8.00 Childrens TV 10.10 The Koala Brothers; Dip Dap. 10.25 Sesame Tree 10.40 Big & Small 10.55 Guess with Jess 11.05 Postman Pat 11.20 Pingu 11.25 64 Zoo Lane 11.40 Waybuloo 12.00 In the Night Garden 12.30 Animal Park 13.30 Open Gardens 14.00 Live Darts: BDO World Championships 17.30 Final Score 18.15 Antiques Road Trip 19.00 Eggheads 19.30 Great British Railway Journeys 20.00 Live Darts: BDO World Championships 21.00 Stargazing Live 22.00 The Bear Family and Me 23.00 Never Mind the Buzzcocks 23.30 Smart People 1.00 Darts: BDO World Championships

7.00 Daybreak 9.30 Lorraine 10.25 Britain Does the Funniest Things 11.30 This Morning 13.30 The Unforgettable Hattie Jacques 14.00 ITV News 14.15 Granada News 14.30 Downton Abbey 17.00 Doc Martin 18.00 The Chase 19.00 You’ve Been Framed!

19.30 Granada Reports; Weather 19.45 ITV News and Weather 20.00 Emmerdale 20.30 Coronation Street 21.00 The Lakes 21.30 Coronation Street 22.00 Above Suspicion: Deadly Intent 23.00 ITV News at Ten and Weather; Weather 23.15 The Matrix Reloaded

8.10 Freshly Squeezed 8.40 Everybody Loves Raymond 9.05 Frasier 9.30 Friends 10.25 Famous and Fearless 12.30 Glee 13.30 127 Hours: T4 Movie Special 14.00 Three Men and a Baby 16.00 Celebrity Come Dine with Me Extra Portions 16.55 Deal or No Deal 18.00 Celebrity Come Dine with Me Extra Portions 19.00 The Simpsons 19.30 Hollyoaks 20.00 Channel 4 News 20.05 Relocation: Phil Down Under 21.00 Famous and Fearless 22.30 Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2010 0.35 4thought.tv 0.40 Alan Carr: Chatty Man 1.45 Premier League Poker

8.00 Little Princess 8.15 The Mr Men Show 8.30 Thomas & Friends 8.45 Noddy in Toyland 9.00 Fifi and the Flowertots 9.15 Peppa Pig 9.30 Roary the Racing Car 9.40 Hana’s Helpline 9.50 The WotWots 10.00 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10.15 K9 10.50 Ice Road Truckers 11.50 CSI: Crime cene Investigation 12.45 Our Man in Havana 14.50 Five News 15.00 Ryan’s Daughter 18.30 Cowboy Builders 19.25 Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment 21.05 Austin Powers: The Spy Who S*****d Me 23.00 Until Death 1.10 America’s Toughest Prisons

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

7.00 Breakfast 10.15 Wanted Down Under 11.00 Homes Under the Hammer 12.00 Saints and Scroungers 12.45 To Buy or Not to Buy; BBC News 13.15 Bargain Hunt 14.00 BBC News 14.30 Regional News 14.45 Doctors 15.15 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 16.00 BBC News 16.05 CBBC: Deadly 60.

16.35 Me and My Monsters 17.00 The Big Performance 17.30 JLS to Justin Bieber: Blue Peter Music Special 17.55 Shaun the Sheep 18.00 Newsround 18.15 Weakest Link 19.00 BBC News 19.30 Regional News 20.00 Celebrity Mastermind 20.30 EastEnders; BBC News; Regional News.

21.00 Holby City 22.00 Silent Witness 23.00 BBC News 23.35 Motorway Cops

8.00 Childrens TV 10.25 Sesame Tree 10.40 Big & Small 10.55 Guess with Jess 11.05 Postman Pat 11.20 Pingu 11.25 64 Zoo Lane 11.40 Waybuloo 12.00 In the Night Garden 12.30 Animal Park 13.30 Darts: BDO World Championships 16.00 Escape to the Country 16.45 Flog It! 17.30 Pointless Celebrities 18.15 Antiques Road Trip 19.00 Eggheads 19.30 Great British Railway Journeys 20.00 Live Darts: BDO World Championships 21.00 Stargazing Live 22.00 The Bear Family and Me 23.00 Have I Got Old News for You 23.30 Newsnight 0.20 Darts: BDO World Championships 1.10 Darts Extra

7.00 Daybreak 9.30 Lorraine 10.25 Jeremy Kyle Show 11.30 This Morning 13.30 Loose Women 14.30 ITV News 14.55 Granada News 15.00 A Touch of Frost 16.00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 16.59 Granada Weather 17.00 Doc Martin 18.00 The Chase 19.00 Granada Reports 19.30 ITV News 20.00 Emmerdale 20.30 Kids Under Pressure - Too Much Too Young: Tonight 21.00 The Secret Mediterranean with Trevor McDonald 22.00 Above Suspicion: Deadly Intent 23.00 ITV News at Ten 23.30 Granada News 23.35 The Matrix Revolutions 1.50 The Zone; ITV News Headlines.

8.00 Freshly Squeezed 8.30 Everybody Loves Raymond 8.55 Frasier 9.25 Friends 10.25 Famous and Fearless 12.00 Glee 12.55 4Music Meets Glee 13.30 The Longest Day 16.55 Deal or No Deal 17.55 Come Dine with Me 19.00 The Simpsons 19.30 Hollyoaks 20.00 Channel 4 News 20.55 4thought.tv 21.00 Famous and Fearless 22.35 David Walliams’ Awfully Good 0.40 The Big Bang Theory 1.10 European Poker Tour 2.10 Freesports on 4 2.35 World B-Boy Series 3.00 Beach Volleyball 3.55 KOTV Boxing Weekly 4.20 World Sport 4.45 Triathlon ITU World Championship Series

8.00 Little Princess 8.15 The Mr Men Show 8.30 Thomas & Friends 8.45 Noddy in Toyland 9.00 Fifi and the Flowertots 9.15 Peppa Pig 9.30 Roary the Racing Car 9.40 Hana’s Helpline 9.50 The WotWots 10.00 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10.15 K9 10.50 Meals in Moments 11.00 Ice Road Truckers 12.00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 13.55 Five News 14.00 A Mother’s Gift 16.00 Lily Dale 18.00 Five News 18.30 Monkey Life 19.00 Cowboy Builders 20.00 Five News at 7 20.30 How Do They Do It? 21.00 Goering’s Last Secret: Revealed 22.00 CSI: NY 23.55 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 0.55 True CSI

8.00 How Fat Is the Future?

9.00 Oops TV 10.00 It’s Me or the Dog USA 11.00 Fat Pets, Fat Owners 12.00 The Filth Files 12.30 The Real A&E 13.00 Project Runway 14.00 X-Weighted 15.00 Stargate SG-1 17.00 Futurama 18.00 The Simpsons 19.00 Raising Hope 19.30 The Simpsons 20.30 Louie Spence’s Showbusiness Sneak Peek 21.00 Got to Dance 23.00 Louie Spence’s Showbusiness Sneak Peek 23.30 A League of Their Own 0.00 Mental 1.00 Road Wars 2.50 Ross Kemp on Gangs 3.40 Oops TV 4.30 The 4400 5.20 Sell Me the Answer

7.00 Breakfast 10.15 Wanted Down Under 11.00 Homes Under the Hammer 12.00 Saints and Scroungers 12.45 To Buy or Not to Buy 13.15 Bargain Hunt 14.00 BBC News 14.30 Regional News 14.45 Doctors 15.15 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 16.00 BBC News 16.05 Deadly 60.

16.35 Me and My Monsters 17.00 Little Howard’s Big Question 17.25 World of Happy 17.30 Winter Rivals 17.55 Shaun the Sheep 18.00 Newsround 18.15 Weakest Link 19.00 BBC News 19.30 Regional News 20.00 Celebrity Mastermind 20.30 Rip Off Britain; 21.10 Raiders of the Lost Ark 23.00 BBC News 23.25 Regional News 23.35 National Lottery Wednesday Night Draws

8.00 Childrens TV 10.10 The Koala Brothers; Dip Dap. 10.25 Sesame Tree 10.40 Big & Small 10.55 Guess with Jess 11.05 Postman Pat 11.20 Pingu 11.25 64 Zoo Lane 11.40 Waybuloo 12.00 In the Night Garden 12.30 Animal Park 13.30 Darts: BDO World Championships 16.00 Escape to the Country 16.45 Flog It! 17.30 Pointless 18.15 Antiques Road Trip 19.00 Eggheads 19.30 Great British Railway Journeys 20.00 Live Darts: BDO World Championships 21.00 Stargazing Live 22.00 The Bear Family and Me 23.00 Never Mind the Buzzcocks 23.30 Newsnight 0.20 Darts: BDO World Championships

6.30 ITV Morning News 7.00 Daybreak 9.30 Lorraine 10.25 Jeremy Kyle Show 11.30 This Morning 13.30 Loose Women 14.30 ITV News 14.55 Granada News 15.00 A Touch of Frost 16.00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 16.59 Granada Weather 17.00 Doc Martin 18.00 The Chase 19.00 Granada Reports; 19.30 ITV News 20.00 Emmerdale 20.30 Snatched Kids - Too Much Too Young: Tonight 21.00 The Unforgettable Bob Monkhouse 22.00 Above Suspicion: Deadly Intent 23.00 ITV News at Ten 23.30 Granada News 23.35 Frantic 1.50 The Zone; ITV News Headlines.

8.00 Freshly Squeezed 8.30 Everybody Loves Raymond 8.55 Frasier 9.25 Friends 10.25 Famous and Fearless 12.00 Glee 12.55 Wedding House 14.00 The Greatest Show on Earth 16.55 Deal or No Deal 17.55 Come Dine with Me 19.00 The Simpsons 19.30 Hollyoaks 20.00 Channel 4 News 20.55 4thought.tv 21.00 Famous and Fearless 22.35 Britain’s Fattest Man 23.35 Barbara Windsor: A Comedy Roast 0.40 Peep Show 1.15 The Morgana Show 1.45 Music on 4: Russian Standard Originals Presents 2.00 My Family’s Crazy Gap Year

8.00 Childrens TV 9.40 Hana’s Helpline 9.50 The WotWots 10.00 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10.15 Bert and Ernie’s Great Adventures 10.20 K9 10.55 Animal Rescue Squad 11.15 Ice Road Truckers 12.15 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 14.10 Five News 14.15 The Big Heist 16.05 Mary Higgins Clark’s Moonlight Becomes You 18.00 Five News 18.30 Monkey Life 19.00 Cowboy Builders 20.00 Five News at 7 20.30 Highland Emergency 21.00 There’s a Rhino in My House!

22.00 NCIS 23.00 Law & Order: Criminal Intent 23.55 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

8.00 X-Weighted 9.00 Oops TV 10.00 It’s Me or the Dog USA 11.00 UK Border Force 12.00 The Filth Files 12.30 The Real A&E 13.00 Project Runway 14.00 X-Weighted 15.00 Stargate SG-1 17.00 Futurama 18.00 The Simpsons 19.00 Raising Hope 19.30 The Simpsons 21.00 Dream Lives for Sale 22.00 Louie Spence’s Showbusiness 23.00 Raising Hope 0.00 200kg Kid 1.00 Road Wars 2.50 Ross Kemp on Gangs

tv Tuesday 4th January

tv Wednesday 5th January

8.30 Dakar Rally 9.00 Ski Jumping 10.00 Alpine Skiing 11.00 Dakar Rally 11.30 Ski Jumping 12.30 Live CrossCountry Skiing 13.30 Live Ski Jumping 15.30 Live CrossCountry Skiing 16.30 CrossCountry Skiing 17.30 Ski Jumping 18.45 Alpine Skiing 19.45 Dakar Rally 20.15 Live Dakar Rally 20.45 ATP Tennis 23.00 Dakar Rally 23.30 Ski Jumping 0.30 CrossCountry Skiing 1.00 Dakar Rally

8.30 Dakar Rally 9.00 Ski Jumping 10.00 CrossCountry Skiing 11.00 Dakar Rally 11.30 Indoor Football 12.30 Dakar Rally 13.00 Alpine Skiing 15.00 Live Alpine Skiing 16.00 Ski Jumping 17.00 CrossCountry Skiing 17.30 Alpine Skiing 18.00 Live Alpine Skiing 19.00 Ski Jumping 19.45 Dakar Rally 20.15 Live Dakar Rally 20.45 ATP Tennis 23.00 Freeride Spirit Show 23.15 Dakar Rally 23.45 Alpine Skiing 0.45 euroCRASH!

8.00 The Jerry Springer Show 9.00 Maury 9.50 Celebs 24/7 10.00 America’s Next Top Model 11.00 Four Weddings 12.00 CSI: Miami 12.55 Celebs 24/7 13.00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 16.00 Criminal Minds 17.00 Charmed 19.00 America’s Next Top Model 20.00 Ghost Whisperer 21.00 Fat Families 22.00 Half Ton Teen 23.00 Teenage Tourette’s Camp 0.00 Criminal Minds 1.00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 3.50 Charmed

David Walliams’ Awfully Good Channel 4, 22.35

8.30 Freeride Spirit Show 8.45 Dakar Rally 9.15 Alpine Skiing 10.00 Eurosport Top Ten 10.45 Live Luge 12.45 Ski Jumping 13.45 CrossCountry Skiing 14.15 Live CrossCountry Skiing 15.45 Live Ski Jumping 17.15 Live Biathlon 19.00 Ski Jumping 19.45 Dakar Rally 20.15 Live Dakar Rally 20.45 Wednesday Selection 20.55 Show Jumping 22.55 Riders Club 23.00 Golf Club 23.05 Yacht Club 23.20 Dakar Rally 23.45 Olympic Magazine 0.15 Ski Jumping

The Unforgettable Bob Monkhouse ITV 1 , 21.00

8.00 Jerry Springer Show 9.00 Maury 9.50 Celebs 24/7 10.00 America’s Next Top Model 11.00 Four Weddings 12.00 The Birdcage 14.20 Celebs 24/7 14.30 Nothing to Declare 15.00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 16.00 Criminal Minds 17.00 Charmed 19.00 America’s Next Top Model 20.00 Ghost Whisperer 21.00 P****d and Pregnant 22.00 America’s Next Top Model 23.00 Hairy Women 0.00 Criminal Minds 1.00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

8.00 The Jerry Springer Show 9.00 Maury 9.50 Celebs 24/7 10.00 America’s Next Top Model 11.00 Four Weddings 12.00 CSI: Miami 12.55 Celebs 24/7 13.00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 16.00 Criminal Minds 17.00 Charmed 19.00 America’s Next Top Model 20.00 Ghost Whisperer 21.00 Half Ton Teen 22.00 Bones 23.00 Grey’s Anatomy 0.00 Criminal Minds 1.00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 3.50 Charmed 5.30 Four Weddings

tv Thursday 6th January 7.00 Breakfast 10.15 Wanted Down Under 11.00 Homes Under the Hammer 12.00 Saints and Scroungers 12.45 To Buy or Not to Buy 13.15 Bargain Hunt 14.00 BBC News 14.30 Regional News 14.45 Doctors 15.15 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 16.00 BBC News 16.05 CBBC: Deadly 60.

16.35 Me and My Monsters 17.00 Copycats 17.30 Dani’s House; Diddy Dick & Dom. 18.00 Newsround 18.15 Weakest Link 19.00 BBC News 19.30 Regional News 20.00 Celebrity Mastermind 20.30 EastEnders; BBC News; Regional News.

21.00 DIY SOS: The Big Build - Nottingham 22.00 Come Fly with Me 22.30 Not Going Out 23.00 BBC News 23.25 Regional News 23.35 10 Things You Need to Know about Losing Weight 0.35 Kate & Leopold

8.00 Childrens TV 9.00 Mission: 2110 9.30 LazyTown.

9.55 Numberjacks; Octonauts: Creature Reports.

10.10 The Koala Brothers; Dip Dap. 10.25 Sesame Tree 10.40 Big & Small 10.55 Guess with Jess 11.05 Postman Pat 11.20 Pingu 11.25 64 Zoo Lane 11.40 Waybuloo 12.00 In the Night Garden 12.30 Animal Park 13.30 Darts: BDO World Championships 16.00 Escape to the Country 16.45 Flog It! 17.30 Pointless 18.15 Antiques Road Trip 19.00 Eggheads 19.30 Great British Railway Journeys 20.00 Live Darts: BDO World Championships 21.00 Edwardian Farm 22.00 The Sinking of the Laconia 23.30 Newsnight; Weather.

0.20 Darts: BDO World Championships 1.10 Darts Extra

7.00 Daybreak 9.30 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 A Touch of Frost 16.00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 16.59 Granada Weather 17.00 Doc Martin 18.00 The Chase 19.00 Granada Reports; Weather 19.30 ITV News and Weather 20.00 Emmerdale 20.30 Too Young to Care - Too Much Too Young: Tonight 21.00 Emmerdale 21.30 Coronation Street 22.00 Martin Clunes: Man to Manta 23.00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23.30 Granada News and Weather 23.35 Odd One In 0.20 Send in the Dogs 1.15 The Zone; ITV News Headlines.

8.00 Freshly Squeezed 8.30 Everybody Loves Raymond 8.55 Frasier 9.25 Friends 10.25 Famous and Fearless 12.00 Glee 12.55 Wedding House 13.55 The Seven Year Itch 15.55 Come Dine with Me Extra Portions 16.55 Deal or No Deal 17.55 Come Dine with Me Extra Portions 19.00 The Simpsons 19.30 Hollyoaks 20.00 Channel 4 News 20.55 4thought.tv 21.00 Famous and Fearless 22.35 Derren Brown: Enigma 0.10 The X Files: I Want to Believe 2.10 Orchestra United 4.00 The Untold Battle of Trafalgar 5.00 Brothers & Sisters 5.45 ER 6.35 The Treacle People

35

24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

8.00 Little Princess 8.15 The Mr Men Show 8.30 Thomas & Friends 8.45 Noddy in Toyland 9.00 Fifi and the Flowertots 9.15 Peppa Pig 9.30 Roary the Racing Car 9.40 Hana’s Helpline 9.50 The WotWots 10.05 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10.15 Bert and Ernie’s Great Adventures 10.20 K9 10.55 Animal Rescue Squad 11.15 Ice Road Truckers 12.15 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 14.10 Five News 14.15 Dying to Belong 16.10 Ties That Bind 18.00 Five News 18.30 Monkey Life 19.00 Cowboy Builders 20.00 Five News at 7 20.30 Zoo Days; Five News Update.

21.00 Nature Shock: The Seal Ripper; Five News at 9.

22.00 SWAT 0.25 The World of Stupid Criminals 0.55 Cops in Crisis 1.15 SuperCasino

7.00 Brainiac: Science Abuse 8.00 X-Weighted 9.00 Oops TV 10.00 It’s Me or the Dog USA 11.00 UK Border Force 12.00 The Filth Files 12.30 The Real A&E 13.00 Project Runway 14.00 X-Weighted 15.00 Stargate SG-1 17.00 Futurama 18.00 The Simpsons 19.00 Raising Hope 19.30 The Simpsons 21.00 House 22.00 Road to Perdition 0.15 Ross Kemp on Gangs 1.15 Road Wars 3.40 Oops TV 4.30 The 4400 5.20 Sell Me the Answer 6.10 Are You Smarter Than a 10 Year Old?

8.30 Dakar Rally 9.00 Biathlon 9.45 Live Luge 10.45 Ski Jumping 11.15 Live Luge 12.15 Live CrossCountry Skiing 13.00 Live Luge 14.00 Live CrossCountry Skiing 14.45 Live Alpine Skiing 15.45 Live Ski Jumping 17.45 Live Alpine Skiing 18.45 CrossCountry Skiing 19.30 Live Biathlon 20.45 Live Dakar Rally 21.15 Alpine Skiing 22.15 Luge 23.15 Dakar Rally 23.45 Ski Jumping 0.30 CrossCountry Skiing 1.00 Dakar Rally

7.00 Passport Patrol 8.00 The Jerry Springer Show 9.00 Maury 9.50 Celebs 24/7 10.00 America’s Next Top Model 11.00 Four Weddings 12.00 CSI: Miami 12.55 Celebs 24/7 13.00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 16.00 Criminal Minds 17.00 Charmed 19.00 America’s Next Top Model 20.00 Ghost Whisperer 21.00 Criminal Minds 22.00 Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure 0.00 Criminal Minds 1.00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 3.50 Charmed 5.30 Four Weddings 6.20 Maury

Suduko Answer

CROSSWORD ANSWERS 583

CRYPTIC SOLUTIONS Across: 7 Primer; 8 Search; 10 Receded; 11 Maxim; 12 Seen; 13 Knell; 17 Plump; 18 Pare; 22 Sloop; 23 Elector; 24 Eleven; 25 Patron.

Down: 1 Oppress; 2 Pitched; 3 Wends; 4 Sea-mile; 5 Proxy; 6 Thyme; 9 Odd number; 14 Clipper; 15 Pasture; 16 Wearing; 19 Asset; 20 Rowed; 21 He-man.

QUICK SOLUTIONS Across: 7 Repair; 8 Damage; 10 Verbose; 11 Agree; 12 Road; 13 Tally; 17 State; 18 Moor; 22 Tramp; 23 Tension; 24 Fluffy; 25 Rugged.

Down: 1 Bravery; 2 Spartan; 3 Pilot; 4 Manacle; 5 Harry; 6 Sever; 9 Devastate; 14 Stupefy; 15 Foliage; 16 Grenade; 19 Stuff; 20 Vague; 21 Annul.

Wordwheel 9 letter word: Component

WE INSTALL THROUGHOUT THE COSTA BLANCA INCLUDING INLAND AND RURAL AREAS

DIGITAL SATELLITE SYSTEMS

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A GENUINE REGISTERED COMPANY, WITH GENUINE REGISTERED PREMISES INSTALLING DAILY IN: RECEPTION OF BBC & ITV ALCOY • CASTALLA TO RECEIVE BBC AND ITV ON THE COSTA BLANCA 24 HOURS A DAY YOU WILL REQUIRE VILLENA • ELDA • PINOSO NOVELDA • CREVILLENTE • ORIHUELA A 2.4, 1.9, 1.45 OR 1.4 METRE DISH DEPENDING ON THE SIGNAL STRENGTH IN YOUR FORTUNA • MURCIA AREA. WHY NOT RING US TO FIND OUT YOUR EXACT REQUIREMENTS OR CALL INTO SEGORBE • SAGUNT • LIRIA OUR FACTORY SHOWROOM FOR A LIVE DEMONSTRATION OF OUR COMPLETE RANGE CHIVA • REQUENA • PICCASENT BENIFAIO • ALCIRA • CULLERA OF SATELLITE SYSTEMS XATIVA

INSTALLING DAILY IN: GANDIA • DENIA • JAVEA BENITACHELL • MORAIRA CALPE • ALTEA • ALBIR ALFAZ • BENIDORM • VILLAJOYOSA CAMPELLO • ALICANTE • ELCHE SANTA POLA • GUARDAMAR TORREVIEJA • CARTAGENA LA MANGA

rds Sky C aable l Avai

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Sky Television Satellite Systems

All the systems below are fully installed using the Professional range of Famaval Dishes & Invacom LNBS Dish/LNB only installations Freeview Systems SKY Standard Systems 1.45m Dish System 595€ 1.9m Dish System 695€ 2.4m Dish System 995€

1.45m Dish System 695€ 1.9m Dish System 795€ 2.4m Dish System 1095€

1.45m Dish System 845€ 1.9m Dish System 945€ 2.4m Dish System 1245€

1.45m Dish System 945€ 1.9m Dish System 995€ 2.4m Dish System 1295€

SKY+ Standard Systems

1.45m Dish System 745€ 1.9m Dish System 845€ 2.4m Dish System 1145€

SKY+ HD Systems

Sky fr eesat C ards Availa ble

Humax Multichoice HD Systems 1.45m Dish System 995€ 1.9m Dish System 1095€ 2.4m Dish System 1395€

Famaval professional portuguese dishes

Haveyoualreadyhadyourfingersburntbyhavingamicrowaveorrebroadcastingsysteminstalled,welldon’tgetthemburntagainbyhavingthewrongsatellitedishinstalled.Thereareseveralmanufacturersof2.4m,1.9m&1.45mdishesonthemarketthroughoutthecostablanca,twomanufacturersfromportugal,onefromspainand one from turkey. Our company use the famaval professional portuguese dish manufacturer who are known throughout the industry as having much higher quality and a supreme higher gain, our 2.4m professional dish in particular has a unique future proof option of increasing the size of the dish to 3.1m by using extender panels, this dish is easily distinguishable by the 24 small holes around its perimeter for these panels to be fitted if need be in the future, we call this our professional 2.4m upgradable dish. We can also supply an economy 2.4m dish but these can only be used in strong signal areas, please note these dishes are not upgradable as they do not have the adaptability of the professional dish. We use the same professional manufacturer of our 1.9m dish which again has supreme higher gain and quality and performs perfect with weaker signals such as bbc, itv etc. We call this our professional 1.9m dish. Our economy 1.9m dishes again can only be installed in strong signal areas, please note that bbc, itv etc.Will go off at approx. 10pm on the economy dish in certain areas.We also offer due to the robust build on all our professional dishes a 5 year guarantee against warping or kinking in high winds. Unfortunately this guarantee is not offered with our economy range of dishes. Check our website for more details.

1.9m SKY+ HD SATELLITE SYSTEM COMPRISING 1.9m FAMAVAL DISH INVACOM LNB NEW COMPACT SKY+ HD RECEIVER FREE TO VIEW CARD FULLY INSTALLED AND GUARANTEED FOR ONLY

€995.00 INCLUSIVE UK Authorised Sky Agent

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YOU CAN NOW RECEIVE WITHOUT PAYING ANY SUBSCRIPTION BBC1 HD – ITV1 HD – CHANNEL 4 HD – CHANNEL 5 HD – BBC HD – LUXURY LIFE HD PLUS 45 ENTERTAINMENT CHANNELS, 11 LIFESTYLE CHANNELS, 10 MOVIE CHANNELS, 13 NEWS CHANNELS, 8 KIDS CHANNELS, 13 MUSIC CHANNELS 30 SHOPPING CHANNELS, 16 RELIGION CHANNELS, 38, INTERNATIONAL CHANNELS, 25 ADULT CHANNELS, OVER 65 RADIO STATIONS AND ALL TOTALLY FREE WITH OUR NEW SKY+ HD SATELLITE SYSTEMS

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CHECK OUT WHO YOU ARE DEALING WITH – CHECK OUT OUR PREMISES CHECK OUT THE DISH AND THE ELECTRONICS QUALITY – CHECK OUT THE PICTURE QUALITY DEMONSTRATIONS A PLEASURE! ALL OF WHICH YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO DO WITH A LOT OF OTHER COMPANIES! With all installations you and your property are fully protected by our Public Liability Cover!!

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Ring Paul in Torrevieja

96 585 2251

Ring Steve in Benidorm 96 586 6999

Ring Colin in Denia 96 585 4528

Ring Phil in La Marina 96 680 4748

Ring Dave in Valencia 96 585 2251

DIGITAL SATELITE SYSTEMS, C/ CAMPELLO Nº 9, POLIGONO INDUSTRIAL FINESTRAT, (BENIDORM). OUR WAREHOUSE IS JUST OFF THE A7 MOTORWAY, JUCTON 65A, AFTER COMING THROUGH THE TOLL FOLLOW THE ALICANTE 332 DIRECTION THEN TURN OFF AT THE HIPERMERCADO, CENTRO COMERCIAL DIRECTION, THIS WILL THEN TAKE YOU TO A ROUNDABOUT, THEN FOLLOW THE ZARCAR PETROL STATION DIRECTIONS AND YOU WILL FIND US JUST 100 MTS UP THE ROAD.

35 € ONLY Register

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your property NOW!

Making your holiday UNTILSOLD home advert a success BENIDORM

Fantastic apartment for holiday rental and also available through the winter months either weekly or monthly. A beautifully furnished one bedroom apartment, comfortably sleeping 4 people with fantastic sea views and a very short walk to Poniente beach.

Contact us for availability and prices starting from an amazing 200€/week.

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

www.opialfaz.com

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

THE BEST way to get your holiday home seen on line is to use an established holiday lettings site. These sites make the process of setting up an advert fairly straightforward and your advert has the potential to reach a larger audience than with any other form of holiday home advertising. However, in this highly competitive and increasingly crowded market, how can you make your advert stand out?

Online adverts are usually quick and easy to set up but successful adverts take more than just the uploading your most recent holiday home photographs, ticking off the number and type of rooms and a brief description of where the property is.

A successful advert needs care, imagination and an attention to detail.

It is usually straightforward to upload your holiday home photographs online but choose what you photograph and photograph it carefully. A good photograph maybe worth a thousand words but a poor one is as useful as a hole in the head. Use your photographs imaginatively to ensure that your advert stands out from the crowd.

When describing your holiday home remember that you are not writing ‘War and Peace’ (or any other piece of fiction for that matter) - if your property is not close to the beach then don’t say it is. Be positive and enthusiastic in your descriptions and try to put yourself in the holiday maker’s shoes - remember that not everyone wants to be beside the beach or to

Villa next to the beach!

Don’t mislead your clients when advertising

lie in the sun all day. Your property has unique selling points so highlight them.

Once your advert is up and running, the real work begins as you manage the enquiries. Converting enquiries into confirmed bookings is the key to success.

Many bookings are lost by a slow and lacklustre response to enquiries. An unprofessional approach to managing your advert and the enquiries it generates will cost you money.

Investing in the skills and expertise of a professional management and lettings agency could prove invaluable in the long run. They have the advantage of being able to offer an objective view of the unique

selling points of your property. They have the experience and skills required to set up and manage the marketing of your property, typically over several websites, which can generate more enquiries.

When you are busy with work and family at home, checking emails and responding quickly to enquiries may prove difficult and time consuming. The professional agent’s sole purpose is to convert enquiries into bookings and to take care of your interests.

So, what is the best way to manage your bookings? In my next article I’ll tell you…

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

38

24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

Attention all RTN readers…

ESPECIALLY IF you are out here in Spain for Christmas and the New Year and if you did not see the previous article – you could be saving yourself up to €60 every month - that’s up to €720 a year - for effectively doing nothing!

Back in October this year, RTN ran an article about how many of us that have gas tanks but are paying well over the odds. Usually this comes about when our gas tank is installed and we sign a contract agreeing to pay the going rate at the time. The rates for gas tank rental have fallen considerably in Spain, but have the gas tank companies reduced the rental amounts we pay them? No! SWAP your existing gas tank and benefit from huge savings on your annual rental “The response to the article in RTN was fantastic”: Tracy Smeed, co-owner of 100% Gas Tanks who are the only English Company in the Alicante Province that is licensed and authorised to carry out gas tank installations tells us, “The response

to the article in RTN was fantastic. We were inundated with calls; very good for us and also very good for the clients that we helped because they have saved many hundreds of Euros.”

100% Gas Tanks offer gas tank rental through their link up with CEPSA, and right now the installation is free! Yes, that’s right…there is no charge whatever to swap over to a full size CEPSA gas tank or a CEPSA mini tank.

Be a wise RTN reader and call now for huge savings!

One simple phone call to 100% Plumbing and they will take care of everything. Since 1993 they have been dealing with the Spanish gas companies and all the paperwork and procedures.

They will take care of it all, liaising directly with your old gas company to end your contract and organising every aspect of getting you up and running with CEPSA. Furthermore, if you want 100% Plumbing to handle your refills, they will; just give them a call and they will organise this.

Spread your heating cost with equal monthly payments – much easier budgeting!

Clients from the UK are used to being able to set up a regular monthly payment and not having to face an enormous hike in fuel bills in the winter months. This is now possible with 100% Plumbing and CEPSA, who can offer you a payment scheme with equal monthly payments. Brilliant!

Call now - you can´t lose!

100% Plumbing and Constructions SL is a family run business, employing 10 members of staff, built on an excellent reputation as a result of customer referrals. 100% have a fully manned

Spotlight: Property

Zara, Lizzie and Tracy in the office

office open between 08.30 and 17.00 with Zara, Lizzie and Tracy available to attend to your requirements. After closing, their emergency number is 607 415 520.

So save up to €60 every month…give 100% a call now on 965 835 939 or visit www.100percentplumbing.com

A Cepsa tank

24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

Neater Heater beats the snow ONCE AGAIN the winter has come with a vengeance to the Costa Blanca and the Neater Heater phone lines have been melting. “It´s crazy, we are being phoned up constantly in the middle of December by customers who want specific heaters delivered and fitted by Christmas”. But this year, Neater Heater was prepared for the demand - or so they thought!

“We quadrupled our order from this time last year ready for the rush, but even that wasn´t sufficient to keep up with the demand. Most of our customers from last year seemed to have recommended us to their neighbours and friends; that alone pretty much wiped out our stocks by the end of November.”

“We then found that the BEHA factory in Norway had a huge backlog of orders from Northern Europe. It happens each year as they get cold much earlier than us and virtually strip the factory.

It was touch and go as to whether we would have new stock by Christmas. But thanks to Masterclass Removals who must have been in Polar Explorer mode in their last UK round trip, we have now received a very large delivery and are expecting more after Christmas. We are now confident that we will be able to cope with the expected rise in demand that the cold weather in January and February will undoubtedly bring.”

Neater Heater - Sole Spanish suppliers of BEHA Heaters. Contact us on: 634 312 171 Email: info@neaterheaterspain.com: Website: www.neaterheaterspain.com

39

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

magnificent villa in pego

The Neater Heater team at the Moraira trade fair in December

WHERE TO VIEW AND BUY NEATER HEATERS • Playa Flamenca: Busters Bar. Tel 678 063 268 (closed between 4th – 24th January) • Benijofar: MJD Property Maintenance. Tel 965 724 999 • Gran Alacant: Suzie Screwz. Tel 648 859 672 • La Nucia: Labels and Tables. Tel 966 876 153 • Moraira: Neater Heater, Calle Mostoles 41a. Tabaira. (AM Only). Tel 965 050 699 • Gata de Gorgos: Iron Art. Tel 966 726 891 • Calpe: Imprint: Tel 965 874 451 • For site visits and purchases in the North Costa Calida area, please call Edmund on 679 586 307

Magnificent Villa in Pego. 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, private swimming pool and tennis court and fantastic views.

485,000 euros

apartment Orihuela costa

2 bedroom full furnished ground floor apartment in Orihuela Costa on a very picturesque urbanisation, communal pool and near golf courses.

115,000 euros

10 bedroom village house cehegin

10 bedroom historical village house in Cehegin with 3 kitchens, billiard room, library and much more.

This unique property was built in the 1700’s and covers 1200 m2 and comes fully furnished with antiques and traditional décor.

800,000 euros

Brought to you by spanishhomefinder.com

Powered by

health

24 dEC JANUARY 2010 - 6 Jan 2011 15-21 2010

40

Retirement and organising health care provision - part 1

by

Claire Cerro Atyeo, RGN

Prestige Nursing and Social Care Services

LIVING IN the Costa Blanca is a retirement dream – until ill health descends; then it can become your worst nightmare, especially if you don’t speak the language.

Over the following weeks you will be able to read a step-by-step guide to planning your Care Provision. The articles are intended to assist you and or your loved ones to plan for immediate health care needs and those of the future. They will deal with some of the issues experienced frequently here on the Costa Blanca. You will learn what services are available, what your entitlements are, what extra funding is available, how and what to look for when contracting a private company, what organisations can give assistance and most importantly how to safeguard yourself, your family and home!

This first article is intended to get you thinking honestly about your current situation, your needs and that of the future. Physical health will influence the type of care that you require but it should not be the only factor when making your choices.

Think laterally about the person you are, the things you like, and do not focus on just your medical situation when planning care. There are ways an individual can receive even high-levels of medical intervention within the home if that is what they wish.

STEP ONE The first step is to think honestly about your care needs, talk with and listen to your family, friends and doctor, and acknowledge that you need assistance.

STEP TWO The following list is in no particular order, nor is it exhaustive; it is merely intended to provoke thought!

• Personal preference. What amount of care is needed? Is staying at home going to be practical?

• Personality. Are you outgoing and socialise easily or are you better with smaller groups or one to one?

• Background: who you are! What is important to you and how can this be incorporated into your care?

• Social standing. A high-flyer or down to earth? Fancy restaurants or fish and chips?

• Physical limitations. How will these be managed?

• Religious and cultural beliefs. How will these be catered for?

• Sexual Orientation. If you are transgender/gay or lesbian, would your needs be fully understood?

• Long term prognosis. What quality of life is achievable?

• Life style. Are you a smoker, drinker or pet owner?

• Finance: who will pay, where will the

Start thinking clearly about your needs

funding come from, and what will be the costs and availability?

• Support. What and who can give support and assistance, for your care choices to function effectively?

• Location: are you still happy in Spain?

Consultus Care and Nursing Limited Wanted urgently

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

Working through Consultus you can expect:

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

(double the daily rate for 6 of the days over Christmas/New Year) · Meals and accommodation while on assignment. · To work when and where in the U.K. you wish CONSULTUS CARE AND NURSING LTD is a progressive, friendly company established in 1962 and is the market leader in the U.K. for providing quality, private live-in care for the elderly and infirm.

Please call our local consultant here in Spain, Sandra Field, on 658 965 204 or email:

s.field@consultuscare.com

www.consultuscare.com

Leaders in live-in home care

As I said earlier, this first article is intended to get you thinking clearly about your needs. Part 2 will explain what types of Care Homes and Semiindependent living facilities are available here in the Costa Blanca.

24 dECJANUARY 2010 - 6 Jan2010 2011 15-21

41

Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh... by

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

MOST READERS will be aware of the biblical tale of the epiphany when the three wise men, or Magi, came bearing gifts for the new born infant two millennia ago, but why were these items chosen as gifts fit for the son of God? Just maybe it was the ancient equivalent of a first aid kit!

Gold, as well as being a valued commodity, has been used in medicine for thousands of years and from at least 2,500BC. Drinking gold water was thought to offer eternal youth and gold was used in ancient China to treat smallpox, skin ulcers and measles.

Gold or Gold compounds (such as auranofin) are still used today in medicine to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases such as SLE and inflammatory bowel disease.

It is thought to act by damping down the immune response and reducing inflammation. Auranofin is also thought to have anticancer properties as it has been shown to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in certain cancer cells. Gold also exhibits antibacterial properties, similar to silver, and can prevent infection.

Myrrh is an oleo gum resin obtained from small trees of the berseraceaefamily (genus commiphora).

It has also been revered since time immemorial for its antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal and detoxifying properties. Myrrh has been used to improve circulation, relieve tiredness, aid muscle spasms and menstrual problems

The three wise men

as well as improving respiratory symptoms. It has been widely used in Chinese and Arabian medicine to treat Diabetes and it has been shown to have cholesterol lowering properties in animal studies. Today Myrrh is still used in certain creams and ointments to treat haemorrhoids, bed sores and wounds.

Frankincense is another oleo resin derived from a tree of the berseraceae family (genus boswellia). It was widely used as incense by the Egyptians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Roman’s and Greeks. The burnt remains of

Frankincense were ground into a black powder by the Egyptians to create the distinctive black eyeliner ‘kohl’. It has mosquito repellent properties and been used medicinally to treat many ailments including hemlock poisoning, tumours, vomiting, fever, dysentery, leprosy and cancer. In modern medicine its uses are now restricted to aromatherapy, but it is still widely used as incense and in the perfume industry. There has been interest lately in recent studies showing efficacy of Frankincense in certain chronic

inflammatory diseases such as Crohn’s disease and osteoarthritis.

At the time these gifts were given by the Magi, Gold would have been considered the least valuable of the three. How times have changed 2,000 years on with Gold now selling for $1,400 per oz!

Whilst we are fresh out of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh, we still have many of your favourite gift sets and discounted fragrances in stock for those last minute Christmas presents.

Happy Christmas!

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

es Chambers) Thursday; Emerald Isle, Playa AECC Torrevieja: Flamenca, Friday: Both at 13.00 to 16.00: for donation?

Forthcoming Events Items Contact Carol and Ron - 965 319 929

1st January: New Year’s Day Swim at Playa Flamenca beach: 11.00 organised by The New Odd Couple Bar, Playa Flamenca: Information and sponsorship forms: Ruth on 965 325 977 / 672 762 595, or at the bar.

21st January: An Evening of Variety at La Marina Sports Complex, Urbanisation La Marina: 20.00 to 22.30 headed by the La Marina Tappers: music and comedy to suit all tastes: proceeds to AECC. 17th February: An Evening of Variety at Olympia Restaurant Mil Palmeras: 20.00 – 22.30: By the La Marina Tappers, music and comedy: proceeds to AECC. Auctions are held at: Buddie’s Bar, Playa Flamenca (near Saturday Market and Judg-

- Mobile 688 238 879.

A sale of summer clothes is now on at the AECC charity shop: All items at €1!

AECC are looking for someone to produce high-quality posters for fund-raising events, to be either printed as posters or used as advertisements. Occasionally a design may be required at short notice. The candidate must also have their own computer.

AECC are also looking for volunteers to organise fundraising events to support its life-saving subsidised cancer screening for men and women, to detect cancer in its early stages. Call 965 716 679 or Jackie on 966 722 358 if you can help in any way or to arrange appointments. Also visit www.aecctorrevieja.org

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24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

A to Z of Christmas

Spanish lessons by

Jane Cronin

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

Lesson 139

IN KEEPING with the time of year, I thought it would be nice to do an A to Z of Spanish Christmas words. Some letters have been easier to do than others, so please bear with me!

Beginning with the letter A, a Christmas tree is arbol de Navidad and in fact the type of tree used also starts with an A, it is abeto (fir tree).

Very popular at Christmas time and beginning with B is the word belén. This is actually the Spanish for Bethlehem and is the name given to the Nativity scene which can be found in town squares and inside Spanish homes all over the country. Belén is also a woman’s name.

C stands for the most popular seasonal drink, namely cava which is a Spanish type of champagne. It is always present at celebrations, and most especially on New Year’s Eve. The twelve strokes just before midnight on 31st December are called the Doce campanadas (the twelve rings) which deals with our letter D. The Christmas star is estrella. This is especially important in the Spanish tradition as it was the estrella that guided the three kings whose arrival is celebrated on 5th and 6th January. The flor de pascua is seen all over Spain during this season. It means the Christmas flower and is in fact the red poinsettia that is seen in squares, on roundabouts and in shop windows.

Guirnalda means garland and is also a popular form of Christmas decoration. Herodes is the Spanish name for Herod, who tried to kill Jesus as a baby. The Spanish have an interesting saying “Ir de Herodes a Pilatos” “To go from Herod to Pilate”, in other words, to go from bad to worse!

Iberian ham or jamón ibérico is by far the most popular food at Christmas time in Spanish homes.

Juguetes are toys, which don’t need explaining, except to say that Spanish children traditionally receive these on 6th January, not on Christmas Day. Luces means lights, and everyone can see the tremendous expense and effort put into decorating towns with these, even twining them around palm trees on the sides of roads.

Muérdago is mistletoe and nacimiento, which

means birth, is another name sometimes given to the traditional nativity scene. Oriente of course is where the kings travelled from in search of the baby Jesus, although in the Spanish tradition they come from the three continents of Asia, Africa and Europe.

Polvorones are a kind of cinnamon sweet that is very popular at this time of year. They are rather crumbly and wrapped in a small piece of grease-proof paper so you have to squeeze them in your hand before you open them. Quitanieves is the best I could do for the letter Q as it means snowplough. You might not associate this with Spain but believe me it’s needed in many areas! What better at Christmas time than lots of regalos or presents which in the Christmas story were received by the sagrada familia or sacred family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus.

Very nice and seasonal is that lovely sweet turrón, which is made in the Valencian region and is enjoyed all over Spain in many different forms. U is for the twelve uvas or grapes that are eaten for good luck on New Years Eve in time to the twelve strikes of the clock and V is for villancico which is the Spanish word for Christmas carol.

I do hope you will forgive me for not finding a Christmas word for X, but Y stands for yema or egg yolk which some of the best turrón is made from and traditionally it was zapatos or shoes that Spanish children put out for the Kings to leave their presents in, so they would always have to be cleaned and polished on the night of January the fifth.

If you’re really smart you will have noticed that I’ve missed out the uniquely Spanish letter Ñ.

There are very few words beginning with this letter, but of course quite a few containing it. You may be familiar with the Christmas song “Oh, blanca navidad sueño”, which is the Spanish version of “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas”. This year the dream seems to have become reality. ¡Feliz Navidad a Todos!

HELP Benidorm AS 2011 begins we would like express our deep gratitude to all our volunteers and members for their continuing support and loyalty and all the people that have donated to HELP Benidorm over the past year to raise funds to assist

the local community. If you would like to join us, please contact me on 607 387 040.

We meet every Thursday (except fiestas) at Jose Llorca Social centre in Benidorm at 11.00. Come along for a coffee before the meeting starts.

24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

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

Cryptic Crossword

Sudoku ACROSS 1. It’s right for top actor to join the directors (9) 8. Strange ring worn by learned divine (3) 9. Approach the lamp so as to be revealed (4,2,5) 11. Got out of the way with theologian coming round quite deceived (7) 12. Frequently mollify missing skinhead (5) 13. Amused a female who wasn’t nice to know (6) 15. Some of the side let everybody down - get rid of them! (6) 17. It takes a cool head and continuous pain to find a hiding-place (5) 18. Make a ripping removal (4,3) 20. Not well and inclined to be not at all friendly (3-8) 22. Bill may take it as lovers do (3) 23. Fell back and received medical attention again (9)

DOWN 2. Also in the direction of nothing (3) 3. Restrained Edward the graduate (5) 4. Refer to everybody with due order (6) 5. Wild flower came up under animal (3-4) 6. Visit the greyhound stadium and be ruined (2,2,3,4) 7. Mend a torn decoration (9) 10. Curse the way men talk! (11) 11. Popular government production of funny comedy about over-turned car (9) 14. All rest of stars in disturbance... (7) 16. ...restrictions are precisely defined in part (6) 19. The fruit of temptation... (5) 21. ...by a woman the night before (3)

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Vigorous (9)

2. Born (3)

8. Wonder (3)

3. Small wood (5)

Wordwheel

Quick Crossword

9. Abstainer (11) 11. Go before (7) 12. Additional (5) 13. Majestic (6) 15. Blow (6)

5. Accumulate (7) 6. Airborne soldier (11) 7. Lasting (9) 10. Crises (11)

17. Collier (5) 18. Balcony wall (7) 20. Communication

11. Practical (9)

16. Coil (6)

22. Anger (3)

19. Spacious (5)

23. A plant (9)

21. Dry (of wine) (3)

North Winners, meal for 2 at the Nemos.

La Nucia’s newest, Bistro and takeaway

You can play these wordwheels by whatever rules you like.

But there is at least one nine letter word hidden in each wordwheel (and thus using every letter in the wordwheel).

For many players the fun element and biggest challenge of the wordwheel is to find a nine letter word. Other than that, the rules are up to you - but generally you should restrict yourself to only finding words that contain the central letter, as otherwise you will find huge numbers of words in many puzzles!

14. Extend (7)

(11)

Win a meal for 2 at the Inn Plaice in Torrevieja (Mon-Thu) or at Nemos (Next to RTN offices in La Nucia) by answering the Cryptic Crossword correctly.

Answers by email to: office@roundtownnews.com or Fax: 96 585 60 54

Nemos call 682 707 580

4. Merchant (6)

Euromillions Draw Friday 17th december

Answers & Winner

3 20 29 35 42

Last week’s Crossword and Suduko answers found on page 35. Crossword winner for issue 583: Frances Ewing from Torrevieja

3

One Spanish ticket won the 43,677,118 Euros (£37,234,743) jackpot prize

8

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24 dEC - 6 Jan42011 Feb 262010 - March 2010

music scene

96.7 (TKO Gold) - 91.9 - 87.7 - 87.5 • studio sms: 667 287 588 • studio@tkofm.com

Fun in the sun station • tkofm.com • TKOgold.com

• facebook: tkofm2010 • Established 2003

Music venues or acts that wish to be featured in this column should email music@tkofm.com with details and photo...

Carol concert is a huge success H

UNDREDS OF people attended last week’s huge traditional carol concert in the church square of Torrevieja.

With typical British punctuality, the concert began at 18:00 on the dot and Torrevieja residents of all different nationalities, mainly of British and Scandinavian origin, came together to sing traditional Christmas carols and songs.

This was the seventh traditional English carol concert in Torrevieja, organised by the Department of Foreign Residents at the Torrevieja Town Hall. The musical extravaganza is already an integral part of the city’s annual festive celebrations and

Councillor for Culture, Eduardo Dolón, Councillor for Foreign Residents, Pedro Valero, as well as other Town Hall Councillors were in attendance, singing along to each and every carol.

The concert took place in front of the doors to the main Church of the Immaculate Conception and the music that accompanied the songs was supplied courtesy of the Alpengold Showband, made up of mainly retired and resident British musicians from Torrevieja. Their choir is made up of more than one hundred singers of diverse nationalities, including English and Scandinavian residents.

Weekend Keyword Pop Quiz Gig Guide CHRISTMAS EVE Benimar: El Mundos.

Free buffet and Johnny Fox Quesada: Harrys Bar – Frankie Jones El Limonar: Sackos Bar – Samantha Curtis San Miguel: O Neills – Suzy Gs xmas party Playa Flamenca: Celtic Drop – Davy Jones BOXING DAY Dona Pepa, Lo Marabu: – BJ Bluesman Campoamor: Bernie Darcys – Suzy G Quesada: Claptons – Max Bacon Entre Naranjos: Inn On The Green – Lynden B

TKO News

TKO GOLD just got bigger! We are now broadcasting all along the Orihuela Costa and Mar Menor on 87.5FM as well as 96.7FM for existing areas. The power of TKO just keeps getting stronger!

BIG TED TKO Gold listeners came up trumps again for the Big Ted auction, in aid of

Find the keyword and listen to Chris Ashley between 14.00 – 18.00 on TKO GOLD on Monday to enter. Chris will ask you to text in the keyword. The winner and this week’s answers will then be announced.

Win a meal for two including bottle of wine at The Inn Plaice, Fish And Chips 1. WHO SANG ‘Cruel Summer’ and ‘Shy Boy?’ 2. Who was ‘Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay’ in 1968?

3. Which group came out of ‘Happy Mondays’ and had a hit with ‘Kellys Heroes?’

4. Which group was ‘Living On The Ceiling’ in 1982?

5. Which 80s duo featured an ex Depeche Mode member and had a number two hit with ‘Only You?’ 6. This strange, self-promoting ex bodyguard had a recent hit with ‘Jump In My Car…’ 7. Who wanted you to ‘ring her bell’ in 1979?

8. He had a massive hit with ‘Angels’, taken from his ‘Life Through A Lens’ album..

9. This American band had the original hit with ‘Harvest For The World’ 20 or so years before The Lighthouse Family…

10. Which Canadian female vocalist had a hit with ‘I’m Like A Bird?’

Altzheimers charity. Bidding reached a final figure of €120, from Bill McKenzie in Benijofar and an anonymous donation of €50 brought the total to €170. A big thank you to all who took part to help others this Christmas.

JANUARY BLUES After the fun and overindulging at Christmas there is always a bit of a deflated feeling at the start of the New Year so TKO Media are going to cheer you up with more giveaways on TKO

FM and TKO Gold… Join our Facebook pages, TKO FM 2010 and TKO Gold and be in with the chance to win. Details will follow very soon...

MERRY CHRISTMAS TKO Media Group would like to wish all their loyal listeners and advertisers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. A big thank you also goes out to our loyal and new listeners and advertisers who have made 2010 the biggest year yet!

24 dEC - 6 Jan 2011 Feb 26 -2010 March 4 2010

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Christmas: Freewheelers style Phoenix Solos celebration

By Derek Fletcher THE RESPONSE to the Freewheelers Christmas Lunch was absolutely amazing! 60 had booked to come and 58 turned up! Not everybody came to the start, some from the other side of Catral met at the location but there was still quite a convoy that departed La Marina, although we did loose a Spitfire on the way; I think a Messerschmitt must have got him!

On arrival at the San Remo there was a champagne reception before we were led to our half of the large dining room, partitioned off from an equally large Spanish party. Once seated we were quickly and efficiently served with our selection of the three choices of the three courses available, occasionally interrupted with loud renderings of Jingle Bells to combat the crowd next door who were having an equally good time - well nearly.

It was a joyous occasion and you would have been hard pressed to

ON SATURDAY 15th January 2011, Phoenix Solos will be celebrating their 10th anniversary.

A dinner party at Restaurant Los Arcos, Avda. Baleares, Torrevieja, is being planned and former members are invited to join in on the night, by prior booking at one of the group’s Monday meetings, held between 11.00 and 13.00 at the Moby Dick, International Marina. The cost for nonmembers will be €12, payable in advance.

recognise the newcomers from the old hands as Freewheeling is such a relaxed way of life. Although the team work very hard to provide the numerous outings we have had over the past year, a few

new ideas and help in organising a trip out to your area would not go amiss.

For more information on the Freewheelers, please contact Derek Fletcher at tellderek@yahoo.co.uk.

Spangles really do shine at Iceland

This weeks special offer THE SPANGLES Singing Group performed at the Iceland supermarket in San Javier last Saturday in aid of the MABS Murcia/Mar Menor charity.

The superb choral group sang traditional Christmas carols for all the shoppers and then were on hand to pack their bags, which were jam packed with Christmas goodies.

Store Manager Russell Clements told RTN: “It was a

fantastic afternoon and Iceland San Javier was dedicated to support the MABS charity. More than €2,000 was raised during the event which will go to the charity which supports cancer patients in the Murcia and Mar Menor area. The supermarket will continue to support the charity throughout 2011 and there are many more events planned in the New Year, so keep reading local press for more details.”

SOFAS FROM 55€

Call 96 679 5552 / 96 618 2707 / 696 566 940

See demonstration on LA MARINA Sunday Market

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24 dECJANUARY 2010 - 6 Jan 2011 8-14 2010

Last minute gardeners’ tasks by

Clodagh & Dick Handscombe Practical gardeners and authors

YES, CHRISTMAS tomorrow but there may a few last minute jobs that gardening family members may need to do. Check through the following list.

1. Harvest and chop sage leaves from the garden plants to mix with chopped, stored

onion ready for making the turkey stuffing.

2. Prone some pine branches to make pickled salmon for Boxing Day. Place the pine needles, salt plus a little sugar between layers of salmon in a dish. Cover with a plate and place a weight on top. You can eat within two days.

3. Harvest vegetables for Christmas Eve and Christmas day to save possibly getting wet or muddy on Christmas day.

4. Check that potted plants don’t need watering for the next week. Water if they do.

5. Wrap copies of one of our books for non-gardeners or potential gardeners in the family. You could do with help during the January/February winter cutback!

6. If there is a risk of an unexpected white

Harvest vegetables for Christmas to save getting muddy on Christmas day

Wrap up the most vulnerable plants in frost protection fleece

Christmas, wrap up the most vulnerable plants in frost protection fleece if not already done.

7. Cut greenery for final Christmas decorations - especially if you have some shrubs with berries.

8. Maybe there is still a chicken or a turkey to kill and pluck if you are living rurally inland!

9. If you have been soaking olives in water for five or six weeks, either bottle them in brine today or change the water for the last time and pickle them next week. If you have never harvested and pickled olives and there are still some on your tree/s it is not too late to do so.

Full instructions are given on page 78 of our book ‘Growing Healthy Fruit in Spain – From strawberries to oranges and water melons’.

10. Harvest sufficient ripe oranges, mandarins, tangerines and lemons for the next week. If yours are still green and sour, plant up one or two earlier ripening varieties after Christmas on the coast or in March/April if in a frost belt.

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

11. Give the drive and paths a brush and wash down to ensure unnecessary dirt is not trodden into the just cleaned house.

12. Stack some logs under the covered terrace or in the front porch to save having to go out to fetch from the log shed if the weather is wet.

When the jobs are finished, sit down and enjoy the first mince pie and a glass of mulled wine; you deserve it.

GARDENING BOOKS FOR PRESENTS ‘Your Garden in Spain – From planning to planting and maintenance’, Apartment Gardening Mediterranean Style’, Growing Healthy Fruit in Spain’ and ‘Growing Healthy Vegetables in Spain’ each make good late Christmas or Thee kings Los Reyes presents, especially ‘Your Garden in Spain’ as what needs to be done as part of the winter cutback best started just after Los Reyes is described in Chapter 6.9.

24 dEC 2010 - 6 2010 Jan 2011 8-14 JANUARY

47

Discover the Costa Blanca

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

Ayora - A village as sweet as honey AS YOU travel down the N330 from Confrides to Ayora you are skirting the westward edge of the Valencia region as it rubs shoulders with Castilla-La Mancha. This area is Spain’s principal producer of honey, especially those with orange and rosemary flavours. Uniflora indicates a honey’s flavour is derived from only one flower, and milflores that the bees have visited a variety of flowers.

The last village in the Valle de Ayora is Ayora itself, whose 5,500 inhabitants

Ayora castle

represent half of the population of the entire valley. You enter Ayora through small cornfields and tall crops of maize, the first thing you see is its castle keeping a watchful eye over the small, low-level town.

The castle, more formally known as the ‘Palacio Fortaleza del duque del Infantado’, can be reached by taking one of the steep streets from the Plaza Mayor, the prettiest route being via Calle San Nicolas, where all the houses are whitewashed and feature a band of blue outlining the door and window frames. It was built by the Marqueses de Zenete during the middle years of the 13th Century, over the remains of an earlier Arab stronghold. Sadly in ruin, you still get an idea of its original size by the castle keep, two patios, kitchens, gardens and aljibe, the water deposit.

Almost enclosed by the skirts of the castle is the Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor, begun in the 15th Century but added to by almost every architectural style until it was complete restored in the 18th, following an earthquake that did considerable damage to many of the grander buildings in the area. Ayora seems particularly keen on its churches because in the Plaza Mayor the parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción has on display the impressive 16th Century altar piece, the Tablas de Yáñez de Almedina and the Milagro del Ángel (Angel’s Miracle) by Vicente López.

Ayora crenelated house

Those of a religious tourism bent will be in seventh heaven in Ayora because it has more hermitages than any other town in the municipality – seven in all, but if you want to see their interiors you have to arrange visits with the parish priest.

At least one resident had shown a sense of the ridiculous when he built the houses in the corner of the street in front of the Parque La Glorieta. Complete with crenulations and Moorish arched windows, he proved that, indeed, every man’s home is his castle.

For pre-history buffs, on the road to Alpera, eleven kilometres south of Ayora, is the Castellar de Meca, one of the most important Iberic village remains in Spain.

Throughout the area are remains of the Roman Empire in Spain and the region is rich in ancient rock paintings.

Honey has been produced in the Valle de Ayora since time immemorial and the quality of its production was governed by the Ordenanzas Municipales del Valle de Ayora from 1344 to 1747. These days the Sociedad Cooperativa Apícola de España watches over the artisan production that still uses many of the ancestral processes. If you want to know everything there is to know about honey, visit Ayora during the last two weeks of October for the Corte de La Miel (Honey Festival), although honey and honey products can be bought at shops throughout the valley.

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

MangoMania 1 medium Mango 1/2 pint of Soya Milk 1 Lime (including rind) 1-2 tablespoon of Honey Crushed ice

RECIPE (MAKES 2 GLASSES) This is a rich and creamy indulgent drink that can even be enjoyed by those on a dairy free diet. It has a lovely caramel flavour and is very filling. Peel the mango and cut the flesh from the stone. Place the flesh in a blender, add the soya milk, lime rind and juice and the honey, blend until smooth and frothy MANGO contains vitamins B and C, beta-carotene, flavonoids, potassium, magnesium and is known as an anti-cancer fruit LIME contains beta-carotene, folic acid, vitamin C, calcium, potassium and bioflavonoids HONEY is a natural sweetner.

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

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24 dEC - 6 Jan42011 Feb 262010 - March 2010

Computing

New AVG is slower

Barry from La Siesta asks: Hi Aunty, I have used AVG for a number of years and recently downloaded the new 2011 version. Is it me or does this version consume more capacity as it updates each day? One of the reasons I dropped Norton’s was that a scan and update was slowing so many other functions down. Best wishes for Christmas to all at RTN. Aunty says: The updates for all antivirus and antispyware programs do seem to be getting rather large Barry. The schedule scans always seem to happen when you don’t want them to, so maybe do what I do and switch them off and manually scan your computer when it’s not doing much.

with aunty virus

Backups and security Linda and Barry via email asks: Hi Aunty. Congratulations on the great advice in RTN, it is always the first page I turn to! I wonder if you could advise us please? We are a couple of silver surfers and get somewhat confused! We have a Windows XP and we are using Windows Defender, ZoneAlarm, AVG20011 and Ad-Aware.

My questions are; Is the above okay for security?

I note that you recommend Superantispyware, AVG and Malwarebytes. Would the last two be compatible with what I already have or would I have to uninstall Ad-aware and ZoneAlarm? Are the ones you recommend better than ZoneAlarm etc - your opinion would be appreciated. I have tried to back up the computer using NTL (I think it is called) can you recommend an easy way to back up? I do regular scans with Ad-aware and AVG and nothing adverse comes up but if I do a ‘rootkit’ scan with AVG it comes up with the following, which I remove

each time: “RP_MJ_CREAT” I hit the ‘yes’ button to remove but am confused as it comes up at the next rootkit scan but not the scheduled ones. We do worry about this and get frustrated because we don’t know what to do - sleepless nights as well.

Aunty says: You could replace Windows Defender and Ad-aware with MalwareBytes and SuperAntiSpyware. If you are using the ZoneAlarm firewall program on it’s own you should be fine, but if you have the ZoneAlarm antivirus or security suite you may experience conflicts with AVG. I don’t know of NTL backup but I would recommend Easus Todo Backup from download. com. It’s free and easy to use if you spend a little time reading the instructions .An updated AVG or Malwarebytes should deal with the rootkit virus, but you may need to run the scans in ‘safe mode’ (tap the F8 key before Windows starts)

Computer shutting down Hidden ISPs Stephen from La Xara asks: Hi Aunty. I hope you can advise me on what I should do regarding a couple of major problems I’m having with my PC. I have an LG tower PC, with Windows XP. Recently I had a problem where the PC was locking out after a short time on idle. I solved this problem by resetting my Screensaver information. However, now it is locking out and shutting down, and sometimes rebooting when I’m in the middle of working, which you will understand

is very frustrating. I have wireless connection through Telitec rather than a landline connection to the internet.

Aunty says: This could be caused by a lot of different things Stephen. If you have checked for any virus or spyware then the next thing to try is a hard disk check. You can do this by right clicking on the C: drive icon in ‘My Computer’ and choose ‘properties’. Click on the ‘tools’ tab and the ‘check now’ button. Tick the two boxes and finally the ‘start’ button. You will get a message about not being able to perform as it needs ‘exclusive access’ just click on the ‘yes’ button and the disk check will run the next time you reboot your computer.

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

Geoff via email asks: In response to Jim’s letter this week (10.12.2010) I have for a couple of years used a website called ‘go trusted’. It costs about £5 month and is an excellent way to hide your Internet provider (ISP) and allow watching of all UKTV, BBC Iplayer, 4 on demand etc. There is also a new site called filmon.com which shows TV without the need for a private network (VPN) Hope this helps and keep up the good work with the column.

Aunty says: I had a quick look at www.gotrusted.com and it looks fine. However, filmon.com requires you to download a special player and I’m not sure if it’s trusted software.

Live Essential causing problems Eddie via email asks: HI AUNTY. I have been trying to download AVG2011 but I get a message from AVG saying that Microsoft Live Essential is causing a problem and to uninstall it. Is there anyway round this?

Aunty says: You could uninstall it and reinstall it after you have successfully installed AVG.

24 dEC - 6 Jan 2011 Feb 26 -2010 March 4 2010

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2414 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011 - 20 may 2010

Seasons Greetings horoscopes by Kenny Corris

I AM not sure if time passes quickly because I am, thankfully, busy; or am I getting older? Is there something that happens here in Spain to make the days go by so very quickly? Whatever, here I am with another final article of the year for RTN, looking back on the other fifty or so that I have written, wondering just where the time went?

Christmas starts earlier each year, and with the current splash of up-market adverts on UK TV, it can only be just around the corner. We can look back at this year as a time when we had to pull our belts in, make do, and mend. My local shoe repairer and his alterations-effecting wife are enjoying a boom! We are conserving by wearing last year’s fashions, eating less and switching lights off. In the name of economy it is working well, and we are going to emerge from all this leaner and keener.

Together with my partner, Carl, the great majority of our Christmas presents have been home-made this year. Jams and pickles, marmalades and chutneys, Christmas sweets, you name it we have made it! Making something is a gift of your time, and time is love. These are gifts that money just can’t buy, and gift wrapped they will look wonderful.

I hope that they are enjoyed! My annual indulgence of a real Christmas tree has been ordered well in advance. I always choose a tree that comes from a Danish sustainable forest.

Twelve new trees are planted for every metre of tree sold. My Mother died one Christmas Day, and to continue to celebrate her love of Christmastime, the tree is always in pride of place, decorated with love, in her memory.

Hot on the heels of Christmas comes along another year. There is something rather magical about ending one year and starting another.

A bit like being back in Primary School when you got to exchange your old exercise book for another new one; you always made such an effort on that first page! I sincerely hope that 2011 brings you all that you desire, and that you can put behind you all the ups and downs that this year has sprung upon you. It hasn’t been easy for anyone, and we have been sorely

Postbag Email your letters to me at: kennycorris@roundtownnews.com Kenny, what is a trance Medium, and what is, ‘direct voice?’

Sarah (SMS) A TRANCE Medium is a highly developed medium with the ability to connect directly to someone who has passed over. Rather than to give the message to the client, this type of Medium allows the access of the departed to come through them and results in the client being able to see, hear and feel their loved ones.

The Medium appears to be taken over, and physical manifestations are possible with facial changes and mannerisms shown. Direct Voice is when the Medium is empowered to speak in the voice of the departed directly, and is a wonderful experience to encounter. Many of my clients love this type of physical connection, and use it to keep in touch with loved ones who have made their transition but who feel the need to communicate. There is nothing to fear; after all those who come through come in love for you!

tested as a result of the economic turbulence and the uncertainty of financial maelstrom.

We have all said a fond goodbye to the many people who have seen it necessary to return home to the UK, many of them after spending a significant time here on the Costa Blanca. As such they are moving on, not running away, and I wish them all the best in the lifestyle-changing adaptions that they will inevitably be making.

My very best suggestion of what gift to be given at this time is the message of love.

So many families are separated when they should be together, often over silly things that happened in the past that someone along the line finds it hard to forget. I recently gave a demonstration and as usual, tried to get the most messages that I could in the allotted time. However, the first person to thank me at the end was a man who didn’t get a message, but had enjoyed the Spiritual contact made for those members of the audience who did get one.

Immediately I connected with him and told him to call his son, because there was something that he wanted to say to his father.

Apparently father and son hadn’t spoken for many years, but the message I passed on was to change all this. Two days later I got a call, and to cut a long story short, son is booked on a flight to Alicante on Christmas Eve. I pray that the snow allows his flight to take off as I can just imagine the Christmas they will have together, and all the catching up that they will enjoy over the Holiday season.

Spirit can and does reunite, but we need those runways to open for all to be where they need to be this time of year! Let me take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy Christmas and New Year. I’ll be back in January with the first of many articles for a New Year and whatever it may bring. Enjoy all that the Festive Season has to offer and celebrate in style all the positive energy, joy and hope that a New Year brings to each and every one of us.

Happy Christmas and All the Best for 2011!

Love & Light... Kenny Corris

Kenny’s Diary • READINGS AT Maya Bistro: Albir on Monday 27th and Wednesday 29th December Contact Els on: 966 868 213 for all information, or to make a booking.

• Workshops start in January 2011: Please check website for details and information regarding classes, circles and day workshops to be held in Winter/Spring 2011. Please call or email for further information or to be listed for a specific workshop.

• Groups and Org anisations: To book demonstrations, workshops, after dinner speeches, or group readings at your location, please email or call for diary dates or further information.

• Development Circles and Séances start in January. Call or email for further dates and reservations.

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

Mars squares with Saturn just before the New Year, bringing the opportunity to have things your way with the ball truly in your court.

Whatever you do, maintain the peace and contentment – it is not worth your while making waves and attracting negative energies right now. Enjoy the festive season with a view to making some sweeping changes in the first weeks of 2011.

A real chance to show your deeply caring and highly loveable, innermost you. With your love of the Christmas season come the sincere wishes to make a go of it in the New Year ahead, and all that this may mean. Taking stock of a difficult year, you are about to experience some profound and sudden changes which should bring you to where you should really be, when all is considered.

After the recent Lunar Eclipse and the Full Moon, some caution regarding last minute travel plans is indicated; transportation brings chaos and breakdowns in communication may be expected to delay you. Nothing, however, will stop your enjoyment of a family holiday season in which something rather wonderful is about to be revealed to you, and which could greatly change things for the better.

Check everything with a view to having to make adaptions. With emotion flying high, you are very raw and vulnerable right now and feeling sentimental and nostalgic as you remember the past. The way forward is to set a precedent, and to let hopefully bygones be bygones, as they do not have to feature with what is on the cards right now. Enjoy some welldeserved rest and relaxation in the Christmas spirit.

Party time! Just pace yourself for the rigours of the holiday season, and enjoy it. You are facing a New Year with all the old same old, same old, so be prepared that some things will not change overnight whilst better connection with your inner self will bring results that may surprise you.

This is a time to better believe what you are capable of, and then to go out and get a piece of the action.

The Mercury direct at the end of the year allows you to get a message across, but is it to the right audience? Now there comes a chance to make some subtle changes that will take you resolutely into a New Year where you can ‘call the shots’. Things have been brewing and you need the freedom to make the choices that bring others round to your forward way of thinking.

Saturn wavers around in the last week of 2010, grounding and setting the scene with a warring Mars and a dominant Capricorn. This hive of planetary action brings you to your senses over a problem on an emotional level, lifting your spirit and greatly enhancing your vital inner conscience and balance. Something rather wonderful could happen, if you will just let it.

Having taken so much trouble to make this such a treasured time for everyone, give yourself a pat on the back for creating such success. As you look back on the ups and downs of 2010 and all it has brought you, know that your strength of character and strong work ethic have combined to bring you a great start to not only a New Year, but to a World of opportunities shortly to come your way.

Just before the festivities that herald a new start to 2011 commence, Mercury directs in your fourth house. This gives you the brief to refocus, readjust and retarget your real wants and needs right now, showing you clearly the way onwards, and encouraging you not to look back. Just go for it. That which you need to change will await your further instructions and work alongside you.

Actions of Mars spur you into action, particularly as you help to resolve a minor hitch in the celebratory process by nipping things well and truly in the bud. Enjoy some healthy relaxation and rest and let others take their turn as you start to plan the start to your New Year. There is hope in your heart for that which you hope to change in the future, but that depends on your belief in yourself.

Venus is en route to bring romance and passion into your life in the first flush of the emerging New Year. Actions with a wily Neptune and a stubborn Mars may bring you some anguish, but after all, this will be your call, your decision, and yours alone. 2011 begins with a bang, setting a precedent for all that you know you have ahead of you in the changing energies of a very Happy New Year.

Far away from the activities that bring another year into the frame, you are open and ready to take on far more in the year ahead. Your current focus takes you well beyond the festivities that you have participated in and enjoyed for the sake of others, but not felt a part of. Be prepared for a year of changes, but do not accept any compromise as you follow your heart and your soul to new levels in 2011.

If it’s your birthday this week...

Start as you mean to continue, and don’t let anyone or anything put you off your stride this time around. Have faith in yourself, especially in what you are about to do, because you have a good reason.

24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

Christmas Sing-Along

Christmas crafty ideas for the kids by

Julia Evans

BA (hons). Artist & owner of ArtHouse Gallery

AS ALWAYS, Chas’ Christmas sing-along went with a swing!

The Casa Ventura at San Luis was packed with people ready to enjoy themselves, and they certainly did!

The Raffle prize of a Christmas hamper organised by choir member Val Jones was so well provided that this year there were TWO very large baskets of festive fare, and a couple of smaller prizes. Pictured are the first prize winners.

The second basket was won by Adele Woolford, a choir member who lives at Hondon de los Frailes.

She will be dividing the contents of her hamper between a couple of needy families in her village.

The choir left off their uniform and dressed in festive gear…fancy shirts, Christmas hats, sparkly tops and flashing earrings (the ladies that is!)

Chas conducted with his usual gusto and Sue Trick worked hard all evening at the keyboard.

What a lovely start to the Christmas festivities!

CHRISTMAS IS here and if you are anything like me, this usually means a hectic time. Also the children are home from school, or maybe you have grandchildren visiting. The idea I want to tell you about today is something that I often do with my own son and it is designed to keep little ones entertained.

This is basically home-made play dough. It is very simple and requires things that you will already have in your kitchen.

You can bake it in the oven and it will go rock hard ready for decorating. The decorating is optional. In fact my own son just simply likes to play with the dough.

INGREDIENTS 300g plain flour 300g salt Water 2xtbs oil (any cooking oil will do) YOU WILL ALSO NEED A rolling pin Baking tray lined with foil or grease proof paper FOR THE DECORATION Paints (use water based acrylic paints - I recommend going to your local Chinese Bazaar) PVA glue: this is the while glue that dries clear. Any paper glue will do, again look in your local bazaar.

Paintbrushes 1. While you are measuring out the ingredients, send the kids on a hunt for things that will make good marks in dough e.g. biscuit cutters; wheels from toy cars; forks; spoons; anything that can make an imprint in the dough.

2. Mix together the flour and salt, add the oil.

3. Add water bit by bit until you get a nice dough. Then you are ready to go.

Basically let the kids play now. This is brilliant for all age groups. The older ones can make lovely little sculptures while

Homemade play dough characters

the younger ones can just play with the dough. Now for the next bit: when the children are finished, place the sculptures on the baking tray. Now place in a pre-heated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes or until they are hard. The baking time depends on the size of the sculptures. Then let them cool. Once completely cooled they will be ready to decorate. For this you can use paint, glitter or glue.

Tips and advice for less mess: 1. If you really want to contain the mess, use a large plastic box on the floor and get the kids to try and work in the box (just the dough and their hands that is, not the whole child!) At least then the mess will be contained.

2. For paint pallets, use either paper plates or put foil over an old plate. That way when they have finished you can just throw away either the paper plate or the foil and it will save on washing up.

3. This particular dough will keep in the fridge or even freezes.

So it is easy to have a batch on hand. Just make sure it is room temperature before they use it.

4. When it comes to decorating, mix the PVA glue into the paint - it will add a nice shine to the finished article.

5. Cover work surfaces with a bin-liner - that way you can just throw it away afterwards.

Julia Evans BA (hons), ArtHouse Gallery, Calle San Miguel no. 14, Gata de Gorgos, 03740 Alicante. Tel: 0034 965 756 286 or 0034 687 114 853.

Email: arthousemail@gmail.com. Web: www.arthouseonline.net. If you are an artist and have an exhibition coming up or simply just want me to view you work then email arthousemail@gmail.com

Spanish Lies

AUTHOR MARK Harrison is an expatriate who fell foul of the Valencian administration’s infamous ‘Land Grab’ law, in which the autonomous government passed a controversial law to speed urban development in 1994. This law, named ‘La Ley Reguladora de la Actividad Urbanistica’ (LRAU), set out to ensure developments were built with sufficient public services and facilities including sanitation, Book green spaces, roads, etc. However, subsequent Review by abuses by unscrupulous property developers resulted in some small landowners having their land expropriated and themselves in receipt of huge bills copy@dannyjpcollins.com for work carried out by the developer.

This law was replaced by a similar law known as LUV Ley Urbanistica Valenciana’ in 2006. The law enabled property developers to ask that land be reclassified from rural to urban land without seeking the owners’ permission.

Various organisations by threatened landowners were formed, some of which, including one formed in Harrison’s adopted village of Parcent, eventually won their case and saw the LRAU plan for the area annulled by Valencia – but not before several alleged underhand political collusions between town halls, developers, and lawmakers were brought to light. As a journalist I know the delicacy with which such matters must be treated before a report heads to the press – and Mark Harrison came up with a solution. Why not write an account based on his experiences and market it as fiction?

The result is Spanish Lies.

As the title suggests, the plot has a strong anti-Spanish theme so I suspect the author is no Hispanophile and that would suggest that certain scenarios in the plot should be taken with a liberal dose of salt. I thought the central character’s induction into the Guardia Civil rather haphazard and makeshift. Michael Fernández is a Nottingham detective, born in the UK of a Spanish father, who is sent to Spain ‘on secondment’ to the Guardia after a British couple disappear on the Costa Blanca.

Danny Collins

51

HELP in festive mood

MEMBERS OF HELP and their guests joined the HELP Monday Lunch Club with volunteers at the Orange Grove on 13th December, celebrating the festive season with a Christmas Lunch.

Everyone got into the festive spirit adding to the atmosphere by joining in with a ‘sing along’ to Christmas Carols and tradition songs. For more information about the lunch club or the HELP organisation, visit the website www.helpofdenia.com or telephone the HELP Centre on 966 427 044.

Author: Mark Harrison Publisher: Caffeine Nights (paperback) Price: €12.80 ISBN: 978 1 907565 00 7

We are expected to believe that he so impresses the local Guardia Commandant that he is offered the post of captain. The case that brought him to Spain smacks of a cavalier reference to the kidnap and murders of Linda and Anthony O’Malley in 2002, the story of which is related in my own book, Nightmare in the Sun, published by Blake of London in 2007. That’s not mentioned gratuitously by the way but rather to point out that none of the four UK police officers who brought the case to its resolution in Spain was ‘seconded’ to the local command and I found that allusion disturbing.

I also thought the casual recruitment and immediate advancement to the post of captain by a UK-born citizen in a national force that puts Spanish nationality and severe character training as a major criteria for recruitment hardly credible. Such pitfalls in plot introduction hardly induce the reader to freely enter that state of suspended disbelief so demanded by successful fiction. However, to be fair to the author, the book is an interesting read although I don’t doubt that the Hispanophile will find his or her tongue firmly welded to the cheek by the last page.

Merry Christmas…

All the featured books are available off the shelf or by mail order from Librería Europa, Calle Oscar Esplá 2, 03710 Calpe.

Tel: 96 583 58 24; e-mail: libreria.europa.calpe@gmail.com Take along or send this review for a discount of 5% on your purchases.

motoring

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Mobility scooters We see in use numerous electric vehicles called ‘mobility scooters’, small three and four wheeled vehicles designed for old or disabled people who by have problems moving around in public on foot.

There are I believe specific rules for the use of these machines in the UK. What rules are there here? Reg Jones, Costa del Sol

Brian Deller

Author of Motoring in Spain

At this time there are no specific legal rules as they are treated as if they are not motor vehicles, as are mopeds and scooters with engines up to 49 cc but my contacts tell me that the Spanish Government is currently formulating rules in-line with the EU standard rules and they should be ready for promulgation in early 2011. Funnily enough just about all the scooters we see where we live are owned and used by expats from the UK as the Spanish do not seem to have cottoned on to using them yet but use the normal wheelchairs with a relative to help. The UK rules are that they may be used on the pedestrian foot paths as long as they are restricted in speed to not more than 6, 5 kph or 4 mph, and on the roadways to double that speed.

The higher speed is so that normal road traffic in town is not held up too much and the lower so that idiots will not cause danger to pedestrians as has happened where especially older people have been struck and seriously injured by reckless drivers in the UK. There is a switch on the dashboard where either 6, 5 or 13 kph can be selected. It is expected that users will have to pass a simple knowledge test as moped riders have to now, although naturally, a full driving licence will avoid the need

Needless to say, some people who buy them are not handicapped but use them for local shopping, being perhaps too lazy to walk. Most seem to have a payload limit of 136 >Kg or 21 Stone with a range of up to 20 Km..

There are companies here who sell and rent mobility scooters, renting being mainly for holiday visitors although as with cars etc. A long term rental can be arranged. The main point is that all users should make sure that they have a really good Third Party insurance policy (and possibly theft and fire) so that if they are involved in an accident, any claims successfully made by another party are covered in full, for the Spanish Courts often award damages as the result of a criminal case. This avoids the need for an expensive civil case when the plaintiff is judged guilty of breaking the law and causing the accident.

I am grateful to Steve Lowther of the Mobility Wizard for his advice.

There is much more detailed information on all motoring subjects in my book. Brian Juan (John) Deller, Malaga, author, ‘Motoring in Spain’ www.spainvia.com.

Brian Deller, author, book Motoring in Spain, ISBN No 978 84 611 9278 6. Shops’ addresses in my web site at: www.spainvia.com/bookshopslist.htm

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24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

Kia’s Soul searcher KIA’S STYLISH urban crossover, Soul, has added a stylish twist to the acclaimed Soul Originals quartet with the arrival of the new Soul Searcher. Searcher is the latest bold addition to the Soul ‘Originals’ line-up – a collection of distinctive versions each with their own personality – following on from other ‘Originals’ of the Burner, Shaker, Tempest and Echo. The Soul Searcher will be on sale from the 4th January 2011 across the UK dealer network.

With an impressive list of unique features, the Searcher is available with stunning light green metallic paintwork, a high quality cream and brown full leather interior, chrome front grille, chrome door handles, roof rails, black bezel headlights, front and rear mud flaps as well as 18-

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Whatever the weather is outside, inside the Soul Searcher the temperature can be adjusted to suit all passengers, with dual auto air conditioning and heated front seats, whilst an upgraded 8 speaker sound system (with subwoofer and external amplifier), Bluetooth and iPod connectivity ensure

the Searcher has plenty to keep everyone on board satisfied at all times. For the driver a tilt and telescopic steering wheel with cruise control and steering wheel mounted audio controls means that everything is available at close hand.

The Soul Searcher is powered by the 1.6-litre CRDi diesel engine and is available in either 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. Its occupants are protected by a host of safety features including six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Traction Control (TC) and a five-star Euro NCAP rating.

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ASTON MARTIN and horological partner, Jaeger-LeCoultre, are pleased to announce the launch of the AMVOX2 DB9 Transponder timepiece which affords the owner of a DB9 the luxury of opening their sports car by simply pressing on the sapphire crystal of their watch.

Released two years ago, the DBS Transponder watch was the first mechanical watch developed with the ability to control access to a luxury sports car by means of a built-in micro transmitter system serving to lock and unlock the Aston Martin DBS. As the driver nears the car, all he need do is press the OPEN position on the watch glass (between eight and nine o’clock) in order to unlock the car, whereas doing the same thing on the CLOSE position, between three and four o’clock, will lock the vehicle.

By pressing simultaneously on the ‘OPEN’ and ‘CLOSE’ rectangles, the watch emits a signal recognised by the car as a ‘FIND ME’ function: the headlamps light up for several seconds, without unlocking the car, so as to enable the owner to find the car at a glance.

The AMVOX2 DB9 Transponder watch, available to order now from the Aston Martin dealership network, is priced at €15,833.

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53

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54

24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

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24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

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24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

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

PETZBACK HOME Professional pet transportation. UK/Spain/UK www.petzbackhome.co.uk Ring 0044-1209-319204 SMALL FRIENDLY BRITISH KENNELS individual runs, large excercise area. 25 mins Alicante airport. www.parkbark.co.uk 628-244-712

BANKRUPT CLOTHING 20% OFF RRP ON AWNINGS & BLINDS Price match guarantee! ALL types supplied and fitted inc. repairs. For Advice and Free Quotations call 639-561-262 or visit www. vistaawningsandblinds.es

STOCK Womens,girls & boys clothing.Jeans,Trousers,Skirts Tops All 1euro each.Minimum order 50€. With invoice.

Torrevieja, 651-885-200

SOLAR ENERGY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Long established company, own BOGOF SALE STARTS 7TH JAN Buy One Get One Free - at Labels N Tables 966-876-153

product range. First class training & support. Telephone 606586587 BOGOF SALE STARTS 7TH JAN Buy One Get One Free - at Labels N Tables 966-876-153

INTERESTED IN MAKING MONEY? and giving to Charity at the same time! Go to www.referlife.com/1080 or Tlf:-663-559-806 MAKE 2011 A FRESH START Start your own Business - Time and Financial Freedom www.freeurlifenow.com

Blocked Drains

MOBILE HOME Benimar Landhouse, 11x4mtrs, Large Lounge, Dining, Kitchen,Bathroom, Two Bedrooms, Fully fitted. Sited Fortuna, Murcia. Offers to:653-441-334 MOBILE/PARK HOMES On Camping Pueblo in San Javier, from 15,000€ also bungalows for rent Carol 968-192-425 Mob 626-055-622 www. mobilehomesmarmenorspain. com CAMPING LOS GALLARDOS Come to Mojacar! Large campsite + mobile home park open all year, great expat community site, all welcome.

950-528-324. www.

CampingLosGallardos.com

24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

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

WANTED INSTANT CASH PAID Antique and modern jewellery, vintage watches bought sold part exchanged, insurance valuations.

Jewellery & watch repairs.

Alexanders, Javea Port seafron near Bar Esquina.

Established since 2003.

Tel:965-792-595

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

BOGOF SALE STARTS 7TH JAN Buy One Get One Free - at Labels N Tables 966-876-153

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

BOGOF SALE STARTS 7TH JAN Buy One Get One Free - at Labels N Tables 966-876-153

AVON NEED AGENTS AND LEADERS work hours to suit you. For info Phone Rosh 966-785-520 PROPERTY TELEMARKETING We are looking for a telemarketing, sales person for our leads - Murcia.Tlf:-646-514-278.

Email:julioadams@atlantia.info

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

57

BOGOF SALE STARTS 7TH JAN Buy One Get One Free - at Labels N Tables 966-876-153 LARGE TRAILER with detachable top L-206xW130xH-120. Spare Wheel, Wheel Clamp, 700€ 619-809-506/966-238-989 MP3 KARAOKE 4,500 songs, 6 books, plugs into computer, 450€ 966-238-989/619-809506. Ideal Pubs/Hotels HAIRDRESSING EQUIPMENT 2 backwash units, 2 hairdressing chairs, Hood Dryer on Stand, Climazon Dryer Nearly New 1600€. Tumble Dryer 200€ Genuine Interest Only Tlf:620-408-678 ALUMINIUM SCAFFOLDING

by Youngmans.Strong and light with wheels and 5 walkways.600e ono telephone 678-179-346 NEW PINE FURNITURE 5+2 Chest 99€ Tlf:-628-499-448 NEW PINE FURNITURE King size bed + under-bed drawers 285€. Tel: 628-499-448.

NEW PINE FURNITURE Double Bed and Free Underbed Drawers 270€ Tlf:628-499-448 NEW PINE FURNITURE Treble Robe 150€ Tlf:628-499-448 NEW PINE FURNITURE 2 Drawer Bedside 20€ Tlf:628-499-448 NEW PINE FURNITURE All Furniture is Top Quality from Denmark Tlf:-628-499-448 NEW PINE FURNITURE Gate Leg Table 85€ Tlf:628-499-448 NEW PINE FURNITURE Large Pine Hall Mirror 85€ Tlf:-628-499-448 NEW PINE FURNITURE Double Robe 180€ Tlf:628-499-448 NEW PINE FURNITURE Wine Table. 30€ Tlf:628-499-448 WHEELCHAIR Light, Foldable, Hardly used, like new, 150€. Mobility Scooter 40km range 499€ Tlf:627-019-403

Experienced telesales person required

for busy, pro-active Estate Agency in La Zenia. Basic plus commission offered. No cold calling necessary. High earning potential. Please e-mail your full CV to Jamie@homeespana.co.uk

BALLROOM/LATIN DANCING/SEQUENCE DANCING with LA BAMBA’s.

NEW VENUE: The Wok Royal, Benijofar. NEW BEGINNERS CLASS: starting Monday 17th January 2011, 7.30pm-8.30pm plus SOCIAL DANCE: 8.30pm-10.30pm.

Tel: Andrea & Brian 616 478 157 WEIGHT WATCHERS Call our Free English call centre now to find your nearest meeting. 900-818-794 GARDEN RAILWAY Great xmas present! G scale garden railway all new too much to list. phone steve for details, bargain at €425 ono 965-319-232 or 670-477-010 BALLROOM/LATIN/ SEQUENCE DANCING with LA BAMBA’s. Los Arcos Restaurant, Avenida Baleares, Torrevieja, New Beginners class (Starts 10th January 2011) Monday 10.30am-12.30pm. SOCIAL DANCE Saturday 7.30pm10pm. Tuesday Improvers Lesson (starts 18th January 2011) 7.30pm-8.30pm plus SOCIAL DANCE 8.30pm-10.30pm. Also at the Bienvenido Chinese restaurant, La Zenia roundabout.New Beginners Class (Starts 12th January 2011): Wednesday 7.30pm9.30pm. Intermediates Friday 11.00am-1pm. Tel: Andrea 616-478-157 DATEMED.ES Great new online dating site for English speaking people on the Costa Blanca. Free membershipsJoin Now! www.datemed.es

BOGOF SALE STARTS 7TH JAN Buy One Get One Free - at Labels N Tables 966-876-153 POOL, SNOOKER TABLES Also Table Tennis and Darts.

Will beat any price!. Tlf:-666933-726. www.spainpool.com SEALEY POWER WELDER new welder 210 xtc, turbo fan cooled with auto visor, Great bargain €165.0no. phone:965-319-232 or 670-477-010 KARAOKE MEDIA PLAYER “Brand New” 500GB. 70,000songs, software, songbooks, bar/home use.

275euros Tlf:-654-925-679

RENAULT D65 VAN - VAN, AUG ‘01 1.9 Diesel, 92,000 with 2 owners, Fully serviced - Diesel, Metallic silver, PAS, ABS, A/C, Central locking, Driver’s airbag. Unwritten and ready for work.2950€ 600726-221/965-687-976. www.fwreurocars.com GOING HOME? Good selection of RHD Vehicles.

Call Frank on 600-726-221/965-687-976. www.fwreurocars.com KIA SORENTO EX - LUXURY 4X4, 2005 2.5 CRDi, 99,000 with 3 owners, Full service history - Diesel, Metallic grey, PAS, ABS, E. windows/ mirrors, Electric mirrors, Front fog lights, A/C (Climate), R. locking, Side steps, Cd player, Multi airbags, 5 spoke alloys, Rear head restraints, Roof rails, Detatchable towpack, Parking sensors Rear luggage cover. 10950€. 600726-221/965-687-976. www.fwreurocars.com GOING HOME? RHDVAUXHALL MARIVA 1.6 8v 5door. 07/2004, 2 owners only 28,000 miles, alloys rear privacy glass, cd and more, light blue mot,d & taxed 3,450€. 600-726-221/965687-976. www.fwreurocars.com CITROEN C3 1.4 HDI FURIO, 5 door 12/2005, 1 owner, 68.000kms, FHS, aircon, cd etc lovely condition, light met blue 5.950€. 600-726221/965-687-976. www. fwreurocars.com PEUGEOT 206 SW ESTATE, 2005 2.0 HDI X line, 1 owner, Full peugeot service history,Stunning condition, finished in met sliver with rear privacy glass, aircon, cd and much more, must be seen only 6,250. 600-726-221/965687-976. www.fwreurocars.com CAR FOR SALE Mitsubishi Colt 1.6, 3 doors, Spanish LHD, silver, 83.000 kms, aircon, TOP condition, €1500 - 966-456-075

ACE AUTOS British & Spanish used car sales

01 RENAULT KANGOO VAN 1.9 DIESEL P/S 97 SEAT CORDOBA A/C P/S E/W LOW KMS 00 NISSAN ALMERA DIESEL 5 DOOR A/C 96 SEAT CORDOBA 1.9 DIESEL 4 DOOR A/C P/S 01 DAEWOO LANOS 5 DOOR A/C P/S CLEAN 97 B.M.W. 318 T.D.S. 4 DOOR A/C ALLOYS C.D. 98 FORD MONDEO GHIA 4 DOOR A/C P/S E/W 98 FORD MONDEO DIESEL A/C E/W ALLOYS 97 DAEWOO LANOS 3 DOOR HATCH A/C P/S 01 HYUNDAI GALLOPER 7 SEATS A/C ALLOYS U.K. CARS 03 HONDA ACCORD 5 DOOR ALLOYS A/C C.D. 01 B.M.W.325i AUTOMATIC 4 DOOR A/C ALLOYS 04 FORD FOCUS 5 DOOR T.D.I. ALLOYS A/C T/T 96 ROVER 416 ESTATE TIDY CAR U.K. RHD RHD (SPANISH) 99 SEAT AROSA 1.1 E/W P/S V/CLEAN

1,950€ 1,650€ 2,450€ 1,950€ 1950€ 2,950€ 1,950€ 2,450€ 1,500€ 3,750€ 4,250€ 3,750€ 4,950€ 950€ 950€

MANY MORE CARS IN STOCK ALL WITH NEW ITV/MOT´S P/X ON MOST CARS. FIND US NEAR NEW MERCADONNA PUEBLE PRINCIPLE,VILLA MARTIN CARS WANTED FOR CASH LHD/RHD

Tel: 620 738 023 10am to 5pm

FIND US NEAR NEW MERCADONA. PUEBLO PRINCIPE, VILLA MARTIN

Cars wanted for cash LHD/RHD

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24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

FORD TRANSIT CONNECT T200, 2005 1.8 TDCI, diesel, Spanish LHD, only one owner/driver. Very well maintained.5495€ www. venuscars.com 965-368-274 MERCEDES C180 ELEGANCE 1999 Silver low mileage, service history, excellent condition inside and out, very economical €4500 price ONO Simon 696-981-082 SEAT CORDOBA, 2000, 1.9 TDi ltr diesel, Spanish LHD, white, 4 doors, electric windows, air con, alloys.

2995€ www.vensucars.com 965 368 274 FORD FOCUS GHIA, 2003, 1.6 Ltr Petrol, Spanish LHD, crystal metallic blue, 5 door hatchback, one owner, fsh, remote cent locking, elec windows, 6 CD system, climate control 5250€ www. venuscars.com 965 368 274 MITSUBISHI PAJERO RHD English Plates. 7 seater, 2.8L diesel, 2500€ ONO. Call for more information. Tlf:664-535-755 PEUGEOT PARTNER COMBI, 1998 1.9 Ltr Diesel, Spanish LHD, Silver, air con, roof rack, power steering very good maintenance record.

3495€ www.venuscars.com 965 368 274 SUZUKI VITARA, 2002 4X4, Spanish LHD, Burgundy/ Silver, 1.9 Ltr diesel, manual, only 43000 KLM 5995€ www. venuscars.com 965 368 274 RENAULT MEGANE GRAND TOURER ESTATE Privilege,2004 Spanish LHD, Blue, one owner, FSH, climate control, alloys, auto xenon lights,cruise control 7495€ www.venuscars.com 965 368 274 KIA CARENS, EX, 2 LTR CRDI, 2006 champagne, Spanish LHD, elec windows & mirrors, MP3 CD player, parking sensors, cent locking, alloys. Excellent cond only 37000 klms 8995€ www. vensucars.com 965 368 274 OPEL CORSA COSMO, 2008 1.3 Ltr TDCI diesel, Spanish LHD, graphite, half leather interior, one owner, FSH, 18000 klms, climate control, all round elec windows, cd player, alloys 10995€ www.vensucars.com 965 368 274 CITROEN C3 SX PLUS, 2005 1.4 Ltr petrol, Spanish LHD, champagne, Cd player, elec windows, climate control, one owner, only 49000 klm, excellent condition 6495€ www.vensucars.com 965 368 274 SMART FORFOUR, PASSION, 2004 1.3 ltr petrol, Spanish LHD, 2 toned black & silver, alloys, cd player, air con, electric windows 5995€ www.venuscars.com 965 368 274 FORD FOCUS GHIA ESTATE, 2002 1.8 ltr TDCI diesel,115 BHP, Spanish LHD, blue, alloys, air con, all round elec windows, 6 CD player, one owner, excellent cond 5995€ www.vensucars. com 965 368 274 FORD KA, COLLECTION, 2006 1.3 Ltr petrol, Spanish LHD, pale blue metallic, FSH, CD player, air con. 5995€ www.venuscars.com 965 368 274

SEAT TOLEDO, 1998 Petrol Automatic, white, Spanish LHD,air con, all round elc windows, good condition 2495€ www.venuscars.com 965 368 274 WE BUY any car,van,motorhome,boat, jet ski. Instant decision at good prices. Tel 680 -665-583 WANTED Scrap cars, vans, lorries, plant and caravans. Turn your scrap into cash. Free collection.

Tel.689929395 BUMPERS, WINGS AND MIRRORS All body panels for all cars supplied. Tel:-966875-497 or 618-592-396 HEADLIGHTS4U.COM Left hand drive headlights supplied and fitted. All makes. Also air conditioning rechargeTel:-966-875-497 or 618-592-396 WANTED I buy any car, van,Caravan,4x4 Etc.British, Spanish. Immediate cash 600-781-873 ibuyanycar@hotmail.com

VILLAPAINTING.ES Spray application specialists.Interior and Exterior, wood-doors and metalwork Telephone 678-179-346 info@villapainting.es PAINTING AND DECORATOR Exterior/interior Villa Painting Specialist.

Woodwork, iron work, all aspects. For a free friendly, no obligation quote call Kevin Guilfoyle. 965-831-209/ 636-653-516 or Guifoyle.kev66@gmail.com

NEW IN BENIDORM MATURESUSI, 49 discrete, dedicated flute player, made in Switzerland. Offers from sensual massage to full premium service as outcalls or incalls. 7days 10am - 8pm Call 672-836-234 or www.maturesusi.com TORREVIEJA TRANS CORAL stunning blonde,Huge breasts, sculptural body.Speciality erotic masage.Very feminine and sexy. Call me 671 42 44 56 SINCERE MAN WOULD LIKE TO MEET A

Sincere Lady with a view to Companionship and Happiness. Very Fit and Active. Tlf:-966-784-665 CASA ANGELA TORREVIEJA Luxury Private Chalet, parking. Drinks invitation. Feeling alone? Just want some company? Exotic girls from South America.

Call us, come and enjoy!

Also Escort Service. Full discretion. Street: Avenida Asociacion Vistimas del Terrorismo. 609-573-468 or 639-832-118 NEW PLACE! TORREVIEJA Sexy girls from South America. Come and enjoy, economical prices from 40?.

NEW ADDRESS Zone Los Locos beach. 639-622-285 DAVID TORREVIEJA 24 years old, gym body, Very sexy and hot, come see it for yourself for men and couples. call me 678-179-616.

PORNO DVD´S Gay, Bestial.

6 for €25. BDSM, She-Male 10€ each. Rebecca:636-929-511 FREE SPANKING THERAPY for Ladies. Lose Weight FAST for Xmas. Guardamar to Alcazares. Info:spanktherapy@hotmail.com SEXY COUPLE offer discreet erotic services, can accommodate. tel, 634-167-946 SEXY BUSTY BLONDE tall English busty blonde 30, offers discreet erotic services. can accommodate.tel.

672-826-161 SEXY FUN AND GAMES 63 year old. Sub/Dom Switch. Your place or mine.

Available for females, males and couples. Specialising in more mature females and cross dressers. Torrevieja to Benidorm. Low Fees. Tlf:655-058-554 DANI 24, SWEET GERMAN GIRL Offers erotic service.

House and Hotel visits or in my apatment. 650-104-534.

Torrevieja SPANISH LADY PLAYA FLAMENCA near new Carrefour before La Florida.

35 years, attractive, classy lady, private house, parking.

Offers all erotic services, massage, sexy lingerie, economical prices from 40€.

Full discretion. Call Ana 680-735-412 GENERIC VIAGRA SAFE AND EFFECTIVE 100mg blue pills 24 for 50€ or fast acting oral jellies. Call Ron TTMarketing Tlf:-966-499-204 GENERIC VIAGRA 100MG 12 tablets for 30€ or 24 for 50€ also fast acting jellies and weekenders. Free discreet delivery. Quesada & surrounding area. Derek 685-207-378 MODEL FOR NEW XXX WEB SITE We are currently looking for females between the ages of 21 and 99 make 50% for web income on your page call 697-810-298 webmaster@thexxxwifes. co.uk

GAY MASSAGE by masculine sexy boys nr

WE ARE CURRENTLY SEEKING PROPERTIES in Javea for holidays and long term rental. Call Now 966-473-015 or 697-432-226 www.javeapropertyservices. com or email liz@ javeapropertyservices.com

Benidorm Tel. 646 642 575 Discretion assured. Staff wanted www.gaymassage4u.com

POOL LEAK REPAIR SPECIALIST’S Pipe leaks pressure tested, detected and repaired. Structural leaks investigated and repaired. 100’s of private and communal pools successfully repaired on the Costa Blanca. Refurbishments and upgrades undertaken.

Replacement pumps, filters, salt systems, ph regulators and accessories supplied and installed. All work guaranteed.

British trained in the UK pool industry with over 15 years experience. Torrevieja and surrounding areas including Costa Calida. Tel Pristine Pools on 966-774-199 or 678-080-500 Email info@ pristineswimmingpools.com www.pristineswimmingpools. com SWIMMING POOL MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING SERVICE BY POOLTECHSPAIN. We are a fully legal, qualified and registered business who have been operating on the Costa Blanca for 6 years. We offer a professional, reliable, safe and efficient pool service, inc. re-grouting, pressure testing and leak repairs. Private and community swimming pools undertaken. Call now for more information on 965-725-565 or mobile 676-945-360/ 620-743-048 www.pooltechspain.com

LOOKING TO RELOCATE we have new and pre-owned luxury park homes for sale throughout the uk 12 month occupancy part exchange considered on your spanish or uk home for more information call 0044-151633-2321 or email : alan.aitken@hotmail.co.uk MOBILE/PARK HOMES On camping Pueblo in San Javier from 15,000€ Carol 968-192425 Mob 626-055-622 www. mobilehomesmarmenorspain. com CLASSIC SPANISH OLD TOWN HOUSE CALLOSA. 3 double bedrooms (one en-suite) new kitchen, large living room/diner. Bbq terrace and LOTS more. Recently reformed/fully furnished.

135,000€ Tel:609-177-032.

SPANISH LINKS LTD Removals & Deliveries.

Spain/Uk/Spain www. spanishlinks.co.uk Ring 0044-1209-843971 MICK WITH HIS VAN Removals Collections Deliveries. For a reliable effective service. Hourly rate or quote. Call Mick anytime 600-247-535 LARGE EMPTY VAN with experienced owner, driver returning to UK regularly.

Dave: 965-329-610/ 686-767-839 MAN & LWB SPRINTER VAN going to UK- Spain twice a month. Tel: 610-846-260 or 0044-7519-186-355 email:van.man@hotmail.co.uk

SPECIAL OFFER Los Altos, Detached Villa, 220 square metre plot, only 113,000€ 669-283-973 Manfred

VILLAMARTIN AREA Middle Town House, 2/3 Bedrooms, Bathroom, Seperate Toilet, Garage, F/F, Fitted Kitchen, 89.000€. Tlf:-996-283-973 Manfred

LUXURY 2/3 BEDROOM APARTMENTS in San Miguel de Salinas.Underfloor heating, lift, roof top with swimming pool from 385€ month, also holiday lets.965720-817/616-493-487 APARTMENT TO RENT 2 bed. apartment overlooking La Marquesa golf course, Quesada. Fully furnished, english TV, H & C air con., community pool. Just totally gutted and painted throughout. Available immediately. 375€per month plus elec Tel:-630-771-296 1 BED BUNGALOWS on camping Pueblo in San Javier Carol 968-192-425 Mob 626-055-622 www. mobilehomesmarmenorspain. com

IBERBANDA part of the Telefónica and Corte Ingles groups, can now supply high quality WIMAX wireless broadband in Alicante and Murcia.Free installation. 1Mb Broadband (symmetrical), Landline Number, Line Rental, 300 Mins/month free calls to UK landlines. 902636-630 http:// www.iberbandainenglish.com/

TRANSLATOR Spanish and English speaking. Available for medical visits etc.

Benidorm and surrounding areas. Tel Dawn: 626-337-258.

24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011 COMPUTER TUTOR Software training, ebusiness education, website publishing, photography, videography and more DIY tips and tricks for all of your business and personal needs. Karla Darocas - certified instructor since 1990. Tel: 96 597 3234 info@KarlaDarocas. com Referrences - www.

KarlaDarocas.com BRITISH GRADUATE TEACHER Offers secondary/ primary tuition. English/ Mathematics. Tel:-Margaret Johnson B.Ed. 965-350-516/616-660-687

ALL SATELLITE SYSTEMS Installed, Maintained and Repaired. 10 years experience with Satellites in Spain. All areas covered. Tlf:Hugh-690-275-223 SKYSUPPLIES Sky+/ Humax HD/SD Digibox`s, White cards, LNB`s. Faults/ realignments. Advice. 966194-013/600-899-096.

CRYSTAL CLEAR SATELLITE AND INTERNET TV for all your digital and TV requirements. No Annual Fees on Sky Cards. Steve:660-186-505/Ros:-965-584097. www.ccsattv.com info@ ccsattv.com LNB SATELLITES The No 1 Satellite Company covering all the Costa Blanca since 2000.Telephone 965-873-726 or 669-686-587 or see our advert on Page 2 every week.

TURN YOUR UNWANTED FURNITURE Electrical, Household Goods and Brica-brac into Cash. Anything!

Anywhere!965-319-220/618165/877 WE BUY your unwanted houseghold goods, furniture, tools etc. for instant cash. Tlf John:-626-918-833 RECORDS AND CD´S WANTED Top cash paid. Pop, Rock, Blues.Tlf:-630-665-363

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24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

Classifieds Agents Now it’s even easier to place a classified advert with the RTN by using our official agents listed below! Cars, Houses, Boats, Computers find them all in the classifieds section. Or maybe you have unwanted items to sell or something to offer? Our classified agents will be happy to help you whatever your needs.

AGENTS NORTH

Round Town Travel 1, Avenida Dr Severo Ochoa, 1, Urb. El Admiral, Local 1, Rincon Benidorm, 03503, Alicante. Lisa 966 811 123 Benidorm Round Town Travel 2, Calle Gerona, 39, Benidorm, 03503, Alicante. (Next to Hotel Ambassador) Kerry/Gemma 966 813 261 Benidorm Round Town Trips, Calle Narcisco Yepes, 4, Local 8, Albir, 03581, Alicante. (Opp. Golf Course, next to Kwik Save) Lee/Jackie 966 867 294 • lee@roundtowntrips.com albir ProminenT, Teulada Industrial Est. Calle Llanterner, 2 alto, 03725, Teulada, Alicante.

Marja 965 793 229 • espana@prominent.nu Millie Munro Insurance, Avenida Lepanto, 6, 03726, Benitachell, Alicante.

Millie 966 493 082 • millie@milliemunro.com

teulada benitachell

EasyBuy, Avenida del Portet 24, Moraira. 03724 Alicante 965 745 969

moraira

Quicksave, Partida Murtar 2/2, Pedreguer, Alicante. Andrew Thomas 966 456 157 • beverleyethomas@yahoo.co.uk

pedreguer

ICUK Foods sl, C/Gulliem de Casto, 8 Bajo, Oliva 46780, Valencia 962 839 830 • icukfoodssl@hotmail.com

oliva

AGENTS SOUTH

Bargain Books, Plaza Juan Carlos 1, Nº 2, San Miguel de Salinas, 03193, Alicante. (Opp. Tourist Info) Gaynor/Lee 688 667 389 • leeshaw.evans@gmail.com san miguel Johnsons El Limonar,JCP Commercial Center, Local 31, Los Altos Del Limonar, Torrevieja, 966 785 600 Torrevieja Johnsons Quesada, Ava. Las Naciononies 1a -17, Quesada, 966 717 848

Quesada

Johnsons Algorfa, Local 30, Commercial Center La Finca Golf, Algorfa, 966 729 647

Algorfa The Post Room, Centro Comercial 5, Via Park III, Calle Panticosa Nº 2, Los Altos, 03189, Orihuela Costa, Alicante. Aoife/Chris 965 319 665 • aoifesweeney@hotmail.com orihuela Pennys Supermarket, Flamenca Beach Comercial Centre, Unit 123, Playa Flamenca, 03189, Orihuela Costa, Alicante. Peter/Sarah 966 733 257 • bulldogstores@live.com orihuela Print Solutions, Avenida Londres 136, La Marina Urb, San Fulgencio, 03177, Alicante.

Jim/Trish 966 790 520 • jim@printsolutionsspain.com SAN FULGENCIO Interpost, Avenida de la Alegria Nº 32, La Marina, 03194, Alicante.

Malika/Malcolm 965 419 673 • Inter-post100@live.com

la marina

Villamartin Satellite Centre, Avenida Las Brisas 33, Villamartin, 03189, Alicante. (Near Supervalu, Los Dolses) . Sarah/Heather 966 764 878 • villamartinsatellitecentre@yahoo.co.uk villamartin Best Wishes, Local 30, Comercial Centre Hispania, Avda de la Union 72, San Javier, 30730, Murcia.

Kathy 968 192 235 • kaffywalker@hotmail.com murcia Ononix Mar SL, Calle Mayor 30, bajo derecha, Guardamar, 03140, Alicante. Ron/Alicia 965 728 178 aliciamuddle@ononix.com GUARDAMAR

24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

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

Computers

Electrical

Boiler Repairs

Buyers Surveys

Energy (Solar)

Insurance

Removals

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24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

The final whistle Benidorm Rugby tours Fishing Maggots End and training camps Andy Kay’s David by

2011 sports predictions (well, sort of)

Hoare

968 199 279 THIS WEEK’S competition was the second in the Gary Smith challenge cup. These team matches consist of 4 rounds contested by 3 teams of 6 anglers a team.

The venue for this round was the Eden canal, but due to the colder weather of late, it did not produce as it has done.

TOP RODS ON THE DAY 1st Mick (The Arsenal) Hill, fishing the pole using corn with 7.30 kilos 2nd Bill (The Master) Reade, fishing the pole using paste with 7.04 kilos 3rd Dave (Yours Truly) Hoare, fishing the pole using corn with 5.74 kilos

Sir Alex Ferguson

1. THE ASHES: England returns home after securing a 2 – 1 series win in The Ashes. Captain Andrew Straus is ennobled as Lord Straus of Marylebone. Meanwhile, the entire Australian cricket team is selected for the Aussie Winter Olympic squad. Well, they are the best in the world in sledging aren’t they?

2. MUGGING: After attending a series of official functions at Fifa HQ in Zurich, President Sepp Blatter and UEFA boss Michel Platini are mugged as they return to their five star hotel. A few days later, Swiss police reveal that they have indentified the culprits via CCTV however; they have decided not to prosecute as they know that Messrs Blatter and Platini wouldn’t possibly countenance the use of video technology.

3. AND ANOTHER ONE: Still on the subject of crime, UK police say that they believe the criminals that robbed Bernie Ecclestone of his £200,000 Hublot watch may come from the Formula One family. As such, they have a list of 4,280 suspects, although strangely, none of them are from Ferrari.

4. FERGIE’S FINE: After months of waiting, The Premier League finally grows some balls and announces that Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be fined £5,000 for each occasion he’s refused to speak to BBC TV after league matches. The fine is to be backdated to when Fergie first threw his toys out of the pram in 2004, which means he owes £1,330,000.00. The United boss, whilst annoyed, says he will pay up seeing as its only 3 days wages.

5. SACKINGS: A number of other Premier League clubs decide to follow the example of the owners of Blackburn Rovers and sack their managers for the most ridiculous of reasons.

Chelsea dismiss Carlo Ancelotti as his surname sounds a bit like a pasta dish; Steve ‘Roly-Poly’ Bruce gets the bullet at Sunderland after being accused of jumping the queue in the canteen; Roberto Mancini is given the boot from Manchester City for scarf theft, while David Moyes departs Everton for being even more miserable than Mick McCarthy at Wolves.

Meanwhile, in the Championship, Sven Goran Eriksson is sacked by Leicester City for not being very good. Still, can’t argue with that one.

6. RUGGER BUGGER: England win rugby union’s 6 nations Championship, completing a Grand Slam in to the bargain.

However, the rugby world is sent in to turmoil after rumours start circulating that England manager Martin Johnson was seen smiling moments after the final match. The RFU issues a statement dismissing what they call “the most ridiculous media story since David Campese’s last World Cup predictions.”

7. SLACKING: Ian Poulter shocks the golfing fraternity by wearing a sensible pair of trousers at the Open Championship.

8. WHO SCORED? On the BBC ‘red button’ one Saturday afternoon, Gabby Logan announces a late result of Blackpool 4 v Bolton Wanderers 3, and a hat-trick for Stanley Matthews.

Bloody Hell…..that is a late result!

Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year!

WE ALL know that Benidorm is tops when it comes to sunny skies and a fantastic holiday atmosphere. But it also has a lot to offer in other, sometimes unexpected, areas.

La Vila Rugby Club operates from the pristine Villajoyosa Rugby Stadium just outside Benidorm. Besides sporting a top premiership rugby team, the club offers a wide variety of sports tour and training camp packages to UK rugby teams. From social bar-crawlers who will enjoy a lazy game in the sun, to professional sports teams with elite athletes and specific training goals, the club provides the ideal environment for any requirement.

South West England’s U/18 training squad are regular annual visitors, and have recently enjoyed a week’s sojourn with La Vila.

Touring teams are provided with full transportation, a selection of hotel accommodation in Benidorm and full fixture arrangements – as well as receiving a hearty dose of La Vila’s customary hospitality.

Teams participating in training camps are provided with all the professional facilities required for an intensive, challenging training experience. Those over for a laugh and a lark are directed to Benidorm’s most festive bars and drinking holes.

If you or a friend might be interested in a rugby tour or training camp in Benidorm, please contact Jo le Roux at publicrelations@rugbylavila.net

RTN Golf e t a d p u b u Cl Agents Profile

Dennis Jordan NORTH

Region

HOPE THIS week finds you well! I have lots of players ask me for the best course to play in the North of the Costa Blanca and without hesitation Ii have to say they are all good - try them all - some challenging; some with lots of water and some with a few too many bunkers! But all offer a very enjoyable round.

There are some offers at the new Font del Llop course at the moment, which is a great addition to the area; a Scottish design which is a pleasure to play and a relaxing 19th to partake in a beverage or two and a bite to eat, so don’t miss out on this and the other courses in the area over the winter period with some great

offers at the moment. Please see the RTN table for prices.

Here’s wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.

If you require any more information about reservations, contact me on 630 714 373 or email me at rtngolfnorth@gmail.com or benidormgolf@hotmail.com

Agents Profile

Mike Probert SOUTH

Region

AS WE all know, the week between the excitement of Christmas and the New Year is a good time to escape from the confines of the house to play some golf and to walk off the excesses of the week’s festivities.

With this in mind, here are just a few of the special golf deals available to RTN Golf Club members and readers.

Could I take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

TEAM MATCH SECTION RESULTS Section 1-6 Stan Roberts with 4.18 kg Section 7-12 Mick Hill 7.30 kg Section 13-18 Bill Reade with 7.04 kg POINTS Dave´s Team Section 1-6: 11 Section 7-12: 9 Section 13-18: 8 Total: 28 Total to date: 48 paul´s Team Section 1-6: 7 Section 7-12: 5 Section 13-18: 9 Total: 21 Total to date: 49 Abbey Angling Section 1-6: 2 Section 7-12: 6 Section 13-18: 3 Total: 11 Total to date: 26 ABBEY ANGLING RESULTS supplied by Terry Screen THE RIVER at Murcia was the venue on Tuesday 14th December for the Fur & Feather contest and included the seventh round of the Winter League. The water was cold and with the possibility of snow water coming in from the mountains it kept the weights down, the higher peg numbers fishing the best.

1st on the day Lennie (Ex Cultural Attache) Bolton, with 12.760kg fishing pole and paste and catching most of his fish in the last hour.

2nd from the adjacent peg was Bill

(The Master) Reade, with 10.620kg fishing the same method, which proves the theory that fish will feed on paste in the cold weather.

3rd Pete (The Peg) Hampshire, with 8.360kg, fishing the pole with maggot and corn.

After the match and the prize-giving, fish and chips were enjoyed by all those who returned to The Abbey Tavern which sponsors the Club.

Membership renewal is now due on or before 1st January 2011 and new members are welcome: all details are available from the Match Secretary Terry Screen on 965 328 368.

Anglers Together MERRY CHRISTMAS and a Happy New Year!

Anglers Together was formed to introduce and encourage anglers of all abilities to meet up and get together to fish, either sea or freshwater. Firm friendships have been formed during the time the group has been active and information on fishing venues and licenses required are available at the meetings or by regular emailed newsletters.

Meetings are held in two locations on the second Friday and Saturday of each month. Anyone with an interest in fishing (sea or freshwater) is welcome to come along to a meeting to see what we’re about.

The next meeting at Mary’s Bar, Campoverde (near Pilar de la Horadada) will be held on Friday 14th January at 12.00.

There is a NEW VENUE for the Puerto de Mazarron meeting starting in January 2011.

On Saturday 15th January at 12.00, the meeting will be held at The New Royal Bar and Restaurant at El Alamillo, opposite the sea-front between Isla Plana and the Port.

Refreshments and lunch are available at each location. Come along to a meeting nearest to you.

For further details ring Alan Roscoe 968 570 876 or email: anglerstogether@gonuts4free.com

SOUTH Region Golf Course

RTN Price

Comments

Alicante

€200

4 Players and 2 Buggies

Altorreal

€55

2 Players and 1 Buggy (Fridays)

Hacienda del Alamo

€89

2 Players and 1 Buggy

Las Colinas

€200

4 Players and 2 Buggies (Restricted Times)

Lo Romero

€160

4 Players and 2 Buggies

Polaris World

€90

2 Players and 1 Buggy

Roda

€80

2 Players and 1 Buggy

VistaBella

€72

2 Players and 1 Buggy (Weekends)

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

NORTH Region Golf Course

RTN Price

Comments

Alenda

€45

Single Green fee

Alicante Golf

€46

Single Green fee + Buggy

Bonalba

€42

Single Green fee

Don Cayo

€43

Single Green fee

El Plantio

€45

Single Green fee

Font del Llop

€68

Two Green fees

Villaitana Par 62

€30

Single Green fee + Buggy

Villaitana Par 72

€40

Single Green fee

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

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

2011: The best is yet to come…

Noel’s world of golf

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

THE YEAR 2011 will see three non-Americans defend Major Championships; the best result for Europe since the heydays of Faldo and Ballesteros. As we look ahead to what I am sure will be a wonderful year for European golf, there are some great venues that will stage the year’s four Major Championships.

The first of the big four, as usual, will be The Masters at Augusta in April. For many years this tournament belonged to European golfers and this year I think we will begin to see the top Europeans begin to fancy their chances in the big events after seeing Kaymer and McDowell win in 2010. I cannot pick a winner for this one as any of our top 50 in The Race to Dubai is more than capable of winning.

In June, McDowell will defend The US Open at Congressional Country Club, a course with a fierce reputation for deep, thick rough. The US Open is a difficult one for Europeans to win and I can only see one winning if Tiger Woods is not on form, his experience will serve him well and I for one think that by June he will be back to his best and World Number 1 again.

Royal St. Georges in Kent will host The 140th Open Championship. I have plenty of experience of golf on this course and can guarantee that if the wind blows in this corner of England it will certainly be the player best at getting up and down who will be crowned Champion Golfer of The Year come 17th July. Harrington could well add to his tally of Open Championships.

The final Major is The US PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club, another typical venue for the weakest of the 4 Major Championships.

Kaymer will do well to defend but I think he will probably have added another Major to his CV by then and will not defend successfully.

The Americans will want this back as they have not seen a home winner since Tiger in 2007; a statistic they don’t like.

Outside of The Majors we will see The

PGA Tour start in Hawaii on 6th January and conclude on 25th September with The FedEx Cup. In Europe the 2011 season started on 9th December 2010 and will conclude on 11th December 2011 with The Dubai World Championship. There will be many exciting tournaments between, especially The BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth after yet another revamp.

The golfing year of 2011 will be one of the most exciting we have seen and will see Europe dominate the World of golf at the expense of the Americans; a dominance that I think will continue for a few years.

WIN A ROUND OF GOLF FOR 2 INCLUDING BUGGY AT THE BEAUTIFUL EL PLANTIO RESORT IN ALICANTE To enter this competition, simply answer the question below correctly. Every correct answer will be entered into a draw at the end of the month and the winner of this fantastic prize worth over €180 will be picked at random at the end of each month. Send your entries by email to golf@roundtownnews.com. The decision of the editor of RTN will be final in making the winning selection.

QUESTION FOR 24TH DECEMBER 2010 Where will Graeme McDowell defend his US Open title?

A. Pebble Beach B. Bethpage Black C. Congressional Country Club All answers must be received no later than 17.00 on 31st December 2010 to be entered into December’s draw, to be made on 2nd January 2011. The winner will be announced in RTN on 7th January, 2011.

24 dEC 2010 - 6 Jan 2011

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Joinourclub!

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

Festive rugby season for La Vila

NOEL EASTWELL GOLF ACADEMY AT EL PLANTIO For the very best in golf tuition, contact Noel on 639 730 891.

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

Black and White magicians FC Cartagena 5 - UD Las Palmas 2 IN FRONT of only 6,329 loyal fans, Los Albinegros put in probably their best performance of the season, totally destroying their opposition with calculated, yet entertaining football, along the way.

Spanish football isn’t renowned for high scoring matches, but for the second time this season, Cartagena has scored 5 goals against good opposition, and without exaggerating, could easily have scored double figures. So often this season they have flattered to deceive but last Sunday they conjured up tricks which Paul Daniels would have been proud of. But its goals that win matches and all seven were of the highest standard.

Don’t arrive late at Cartagonova stadium, for on consecutive home matches, a goal arrived within the 1st minute of play.

This time, it was the home side that went ahead after only 45 seconds, courtesy of central defender Cala, sweeping home a close range drive. Only 10 minutes had elapsed before it was 2-0, Moral curling an exquisite shot inside the far post, following a well worked one-two with Victor.

Goal no 3 arrived on 20 minutes, without doubt the best goal I have ever seen live. Receiving a ball in the middle of the park some 45 yards from goal, in a split second he chipped the ball over a shell shocked keeper, who having strayed slightly off his line failed to deal with such brilliance and could only watch in horror as the ball dropped below the crossbar. As you would expect, the whole ground erupted.

Within minutes, Las Palmas almost equalised, had it not been for a well timed goal line clearance by Clarvero. This game was swiftly becoming one for the purists, for within next 10 minutes, Botelho, Cala and Victor (twice) all came close to increasing their teams lead. Las Palmas exerted constant pressure for the remaining 15 minutes of the half and it was no surprise when Carril converted. With only one minute remaining, Casilla parried a free kick which fell invitingly at the feet of the alert striker, who made no mistake from the rebound.

You could have heard a pin drop after 57 minutes, when Guerrero connected at the far post from a superb cross, to score his side’s second goal, for it looked as if all Cartagena’s hard work would come to nothing. Normal service was soon resumed, following manager JIM’s inspired tactical nonce, bringing on subs Lafuente and Munoz. These two combined well to score their side’s all important fourth goal, when from a firm Munoz shot, Lafuente coolly dispatched the rebound on 62 minutes.

The game was made safe on 66 minutes, as top scorer Toche slotted home a Botelho assist, taking his season’s total to nine. Toche should have made it ten with only seconds to go, but his well struck shot hit the base of the far post, before bouncing to safety. Although not a physical match by any stretch of the imagination, ref Grande cautioned 10 players (5 a side), including Botelho and Mariano, who will now be suspended for the next match. This excellent victory moves Cartagena up to 4th in div 2a, with a satisfactory ‘points tally’ of 28.

FC CARTAGENA LINE-UP Casilla, Cygan, Clavero, Mariano, Herrero, Botelho, Toche, Longas (Munoz), Cala, Moral (Lafuente), Victor (Julien) FORTHCOMING FIXTURE At the time of writing, Cartagena’s next league game at Girona has yet to be allocated a date or time, although it will probably be sometime on Sunday, 3rd January. Check out www.nosoloefese.es or www.futbolclubcartagena.com for up to date info on FC Cartagena.

On behalf of all Cartagena supporters, I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year.

THE MEMBERS of local sports club Rugby La Vila have had much to celebrate over the festive season. The club, whose history dates back nearly thirty years, had a record breaking year in 2010, and is expecting yet more to follow in the coming year.

The 2009-2010 rugby season ended with a bang in May last year: La Vila finished second in the premiership Division of Honour league, and took home the silver cup in Spain’s prestigious King’s Cup Tournament. After a much needed break over the summer, the team reunited in August, under the leadership of coach, Mark Hewitt, and took on the challenge of another premiership season.

With an almost uncanny run of good fortune, the team has managed to win all save one of its fixtures so far this season. With twelve league games down, and just six to go, they are well in the lead, having destabilised last

year’s winners Cetransa El Salvador, and overcome a number of other clubs who have become big contenders this season.

La Vila’s 51 points advances them 10 points ahead of El Salvador and 12 points ahead of Valladolid’s VRAC, who have 41 and 39 points respectively. Gernika and Ordizia are hot on their heels, with 38 and 37 points apiece.

While La Vila has certainly been on a golden run, it remains to be seen if they can maintain their good momentum into the forthcoming year. There are high hopes for some more impressive results – and perhaps a champion’s trophy to take home to the Costa Blanca.

There will be just one home fixture this month, to take place Sunday 30th January at 12:30. All are welcome to enjoy a day of thrilling rugby entertainment.

For more information, contact Jo le Roux at publicrelations@rugbylavila.net