RTN South Edition 594 by Round Town News

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SOUTH EDITION

Issue 594

04-10 MARCH 2011

Villagers take battle to Brussels

International Veterans pay homage to the fallen

A LARGE number of international military ex-servicemen and veterans came together last Saturday in Torrevieja to celebrate International Veterans Day p11

It almost rained on our parade- lucky it didn’t WITH RAIN just a few hours before threatening to ruin the day, the first of Torrevieja’s Carnival parades went ahead as planned last Sunday afternoon p14

Tennis Elbow Joan McLellan, a physiotherapist treats tennis elbow p39

Foul but fun THE BEST thirty minutes in donkeys years for good belly-laughs has popped up on BBC 1 on a Monday. Find out more with Alex Trelinski p54

Last league game for La Vila before the King’s Cup THIS SUNDAY Spanish national rugby champions La Vila travel to Ordizia to play the final match of the 2010-2011 Division of Honour League p63

Gordon Bell with UKIP’s Marta Andreasen

by Jack Troughton VILLAGERS FIGHTING plans for massive development around their Alicante homes have enlisted the support of politicians in the European Parliament.

Residents of the small mountain village of Hondon de los Frailes fear controversial plans will be bulldozed through to expand the urban area by 600 percent and the

population by 1,000 percent. And they maintain the “insane” proposals would employ Valencia’s notorious ‘land grab’ laws – forcing home owners to give up property and pay for infrastructure costs. The Asociacion de Veci-

nos argues the General Plan – first outlined in 2005 – will not create new jobs and did not include provision for adequate water supplies. The neighbourhood association also claims people’s human rights will be further infringed by a plan for a by-

pass. It has raised more than 60 detailed objections to the plans and members have submitted over 100 personal grievances – yet residents allege the town hall has ignored concerns. Continued on page

04-10 MARCH 2011

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See our article on Page 33

04-10 MARCH 2011

INSANE

And he complained: “As if the insane nature of the plan was not enough, we learned that Spanish urban planning law allows government appointed developers to demand existing home owners give up 40% of their land and pay 60€ per square metre to retain the remaining 60% of land they already own. “Home owners are told that if they do not comply, machines will be sent to knock down their home. Experience shows that this is no idle threat and in our village 60 home owners face this threat.” He said in 2009 a plan was outlined for a bypass to take traffic away from the narrow centre of Hondon de los Frailes. Villagers supported the idea but not the chosen route which would take private land without propEuropean er compensation. Gordon told politicians the Commission

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And the villagers were strongly supported by a group of MEPs who demanded the European Commission – which upholds EU laws in member states – take urgent action to uphold human rights. They included British politicians Marta Andreasen, Roger Helmer, Edward McMillan-Scott, and Keith Taylor, along with Danish MEP Margret Auken – author of a damning report calling for Spain’s funding to be put on ice – and Angelika Werthmann of Austria. Mrs Auken said only a “political trick” had prevented the flow of funding to Spain being halted until it brought planning laws into line. And Ms Andreasen said politicians and the Commission should ask itself, “is it reasonable to continue to fund member states that persistently ignore fundamental human rights?” The committee is to ask Spain to explain how the plans for the village were approved and their views on the two petitions – while further investigations will be made on the situation regarding water resources. A written response to the residents’ association will be made by the committee in due course.

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Gordon Bell, who owns a home in the village and is a committee member of its neighbourhood association, travelled to Belgium to represent 500 Hondon de los Frailes residents and outline the “concerns, fears and needs” of the European Union citizens of five nationalities. He introduced two petitions to the European Parliament’s petitions committee alleging breaches of the European Convention of Human Rights and the European Water Framework Directive. Gordon told the meeting residents were initially comforted by the protections of EU law and that member states – including Spain – were committed to upholding them. “To ordinary law abiding, hard working, tax paying EU citizens of the 21st Century the protection of our homes is second only in importance to the protection of life itself – without our homes, our lives have little meaning or value,” he said. He said the 2005 plan was created by the regional urban planning department without consulting residents and a detailed report showed underground water supplies were depleted and shrinking. “There was no credible water supply solution within the plan,” said Gordon. “In March 2008, the neighbouring village of Hondon de los Nieves published its plan to build 10,000 new homes for perhaps 25,000 more people – the same underground aquifer supplies both villages!”

HOME

Continued from front page

circumstances of the complaints had been repeated thousands of times across Spain – resulting in the strong recommendation for EU funding to be frozen until the kingdom brought its urban planning laws and practices into line “with the three charters it has voluntarily committed to uphold.” He said: “A strong and substantial financial ‘encouragement’ for speedy compliance is an absolute necessity for EU citizens throughout Spain and for the integrity of the mission of the EU itself.”

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04-10 MARCH 2011

A passion for walking? … probably not for much longer by Julie Day HIS FRIENDS think he is nuts and his wife Debbie is worried sick, yet everyone that knows Jon Alger is certain that he will accomplish what he has set out to do. Jon founded and runs the San Fulgencio Cricket Club and coaches children and adults in his favourite sport. After recently being invited to carry out an umpire’s course in Madrid, Jon began to look at flights for a return journey. The prices were extortionate and although the course and accommodation were free of charge, Jon was still loath to spend so much money on a flight. He then looked at other methods of transport, which were just as pricy, and so in typical Jon-style, he came up with the idea of walking. Now, walking to and from Madrid is a little extreme, and Jon realised that if he walked to Madrid, he may not have enough energy to concentrate during the umpire’s course and take in all of the information. Therefore, Jon developed his plan and came up with a way to kill two birds with one stone. Jon would walk the return journey from Madrid back to his home in La Marina and he would collect sponsors before doing so, with the sole aim of raising much-needed funds for his beloved club, which is only able to run through the donation of equipment and the money that the club raises through their own fundraising events. The San Fulgencio Cricket Club regularly play in the Costa Blanca Development League and with no proper pitch of their own matches take place at the grounds of either Alfas de Pi or La Manga, although adult and junior teams train weekly on a concrete area in La Marina. Fundraising events are usually held throughout the year in order to raise the several thousand euros required to fund the club and Jon hopes that by doing this walk he can raise the money all in one go. Jon will start the long journey back home on Sunday, 27th March and has estimated that it will take him 10 days to complete the trip. He is going to walk completely unassisted and will camp down in a field or wherever he can each night. He will take a rucksack with a sleeping bag, two-man tent, gas cooker, first-aid kit and stock up with food for a few days. He plans to walk approximately 50km a day and has been

Jon Alger (left) with some of his juniors

training since he came up with the hair-brained plan two weeks ago, by walking 15km and doing 500 press-ups a day, which he will build up before setting off in a few weeks. Luckily for him, the trip will follow a downhill route all the way home and he will pass through tiny villages such as Chinchon, Petrola and Horna that he would probably never visit in his life were it not for this walk (torture). Although the majority of us would never in a million years carry out such a feat, Jon is actually really excited by the trip and is especially looking forward to, for the first time in his life, spending time in total isolation out on the open road. He even says that he wishes the trip were next week. “Basically, I’m doing this to raise money for the juniors, in order to pay for their travelling expenses. It’ll also look good on my CV! Instead of pestering the same

people throughout the year for money for the club at our fundraising events, I’d like to just do one event on a much wider scale and that’s it. I can’t wait to spend this time on my own, away from the hustle and bustle. However, I haven’t told my mum yet and she’ll probably go mad,” said 50-year old Jon. He went on to say: “I have the backing of Cricket España and am happy to say that I’m following in my hero, Ian Botham’s footsteps, as he was also a great walker and has raised millions for charity in doing so.” If anyone, whether a group, bar, family or single person would like to support Jon by sponsoring him, organising a fundraising event, collecting sponsors on his behalf or welcoming him on his return, he would love to hear from you and can be contacted by calling 605 528 652.

04-10 MARCH 2011

Company Women celebrate in style THE EXCITEMENT is building as The Company Women Awards Ceremony on Friday 11th March at Las Ramblas Golf Club House gets closer. The finalists have been notified -congratulations and well done to our finalists in the following categories: BUSINESS EXCELLENCE Gina Marks - Sol Productions TV; Karen Love - Post Room Benijofar; Louise Bradley, Lyndyloo wedding specialists and boutique and Elle Blagden Williams - Perfect 10. CUSTOMER FOCUS Debbie Mackelsoton - The Electrical Store; Tracy Allen, Sophia Wellness Centre; Shirley Adams - Lloyds bank International. The ‘Top Banana’ is to be announced on the night…! Thank you to our sponsors: FX Foreign Exchange - La Zenia; Berny D’arcys Hole in One, CC La Fuente; Bar Viva La Vida, CC La Fuente; Quesada Autos Quesada and Louise Brandley, Looking Good Boutique La Zenia. Their support enables Company Women to make donations to three of our local charities Puma 22, Easy Horsecare Centre and The Emaus Association (the children’s homes). Not forgetting thanks to our judges for their time and pro-

fessional approach to the interviews and scoring: Aoife Leddy of Coastrider; Tatjana Radalovic, Alicante Entrepreneurs; Graham Shelton, Spanish Number Plates and Andy Stevenson, FX Foreign Exchange. We will be welcoming Janet Grout our gorgeous presenter for the evening, Janet has been a professional all her life with high flying positions in the UK before she came to Spain to relax a little more. She also has vast experience in public speaking and very kindly offered her services for the evening. We’ll be entertained by the fabulous Andy Jones from Phoenix Promotions. He sings favourites from Ronan Keating to Pavarotti. See more on Andy at www.phoenix-promotions.eu Everything is in place and ready to go, if you have not reserved a table please email belinda@companywomen.org or tracey@companywomen.org for a booking form or visit the website to print it off from the awards page. The menu can also be viewed here to be chosen on the night and includes free drinks and a cava reception. We are looking forward to celebrating a night to remember. All are welcome to celebrate with us and our finalists who deserve to be recognised for their achievements in a

Shirley Adams from Lloyds Bank International is a finalist

very difficult economic climate! companywomen.org/company_women_awards_2010/

Mónica Lorente official PP Candidate for Orihuela Monica Lorente is official PP candidate

Monica Lorente has been named official PP Candidate for Orihuela for the 22nd May elections. 61 candidates were introduced by the President of the Valencian Region Francisco Camps at the Queen Sofia Arts Palace in Valencia, attended by more than 3000 people. Mónica Lorente is the current Orihuela Mayor and has declared that she will continue to work hard for the residents of

Orihuela, if its citizens decide to elect her. Ms Lorente said that she was “delighted” to be given the candidacy and said that the Partido Popular in Orihuela was more united than ever. She said: “We will prove to all the citizens of Orihuela, its hamlets, the coast and districts, that the Partido Popular realises their needs, can fulfil our promises for the future and provide a better quality of life.”

04 - 10 MARCH 2011

Consulate comes to the coast CONSULAR SERVICES, pensions, healthcare and benefits were top of the agenda at an open evening which took place last Thursday at the town hall, when the British Consulate team from Alicante visited the Orihuela Costa. The team, headed by British Consul, Paul Rodwell, was welcomed by PP councillor for Personnel and Administration, David Costa, and councillor for the coast, José Antonio Aniorte, as well as Foreign Residents Liaison Officer Stefan Pokroppa. Also present at the event were more than 100 coastal residents and representatives of the Royal British Legion, Age Concern, PUMA 22 and the Help at Home charity. There are more than one million British citizens residing within the Iberian Consular Network, which include Spain, Portugal, recently added Italy and the principality of Andorra, and more than 14 million Britons visit the countries of this network every year. It is the busiest British Consular network in the World, and in the Valencia community there are three honorary consuls in the cities of Va-

lencia, Denia and Murcia, as well as the main consulate located in Alicante and staffed by a team of nine. The Alicante Consulate is also home to the Department of Works and Pensions team, headed by Martyn Standing. Martyn and his assistant, Laura Leeman, were also guests at the open evening. There are 166,880 British people on the ‘padrón’ in the Alicante Consulate’s area of responsibility and 17,672 of them live within the Orihuela municipality. During his introduction, David Costa made a point of reiterating that the British residents on the coast are very important to the PP government team and told them that they can contact the town hall in Orihuela Costa for anything at all. With the introduction of Orihuela Costa town hall press officer, native Brit, Louise Clarke, it is hoped that residents of the coast will now feel that they can visit the town hall with any issues, and feel comfortable that they will be fully understood, and therefore be able to efficiently communicate their requests.

During 2010, the British Consulate in Alicante issued 1,400 emergency passports, helped and advised 500 bereaved families, visited 150 vulnerable people in hospital and supported 600 British detainees in prison, advising them of their rights. The Consul explained that there are several things that are not within the Consulate’s remit, including not getting involved in private disputes. They also cannot issue ten-year passports, give cash or get you better healthcare treatment and they most certainly cannot get you out of jail! The key message from the meeting was that if in doubt about anything relating to your life here in Spain, the Consulate’s website www.ukinspain.fco.gov.uk has a wealth of information and advice on such matters. The Consul also advised residents to visit the Alicante Diputation’s European Residents Department website, which is translated into English, at www.residenteseuropeos.com as it also contains lots of valuable and relevant information.

David Costa introduces himself to the audience

Air Traffic Controllers to brush up on English By Jan Gamm IT IS now official that Spain’s air traffic controllers will be required to attain a set standard of English, given one year from 7th March 2011 to reach examination level. The English exams are to be set by the EU and overseen by Senasa, Spain’s civil aeronautical training organisation. Air The time given to air traffic traffic controllers to improve their standard control of English had already been to extended by one year, yet according learn English to the ATCsO (ATCs Online) website,

at present AENA estimates that as many as 25% (around 500) of air traffic controllers are still unable to communicate in English effectively to a standard acceptable to the industry. English is seen as a ‘core skill’ within air traffic communications, affecting safety issues and situations where misunderstanding could have tragic consequences. MIDNIGHT OIL Air traffic controllers’ reaction to

the news that they will be required to reach a higher English standard is mixed, with some resigned to a programme of study and others complaining that courses set must be completed in ‘off-duty’ hours. With recent news of the average basic salary for air traffic controllers estimated at €200,000 per annum and with many doubling or tripling this amount by working overtime, sympathy for having to burn a little midnight oil is likely to be thin on the ground…

04 - 10 MARCH 2011

Sergio Dalma offers extra concert by Julie Day POPULAR SPANISH singer Sergio Dalma is to perform an extra concert in Torrevieja on Friday 18th March after tickets for his original concert on Saturday 19th completely sold out in less than a month. Barcelona-born Dalma is one of Spain’s favourite artists and performs popular pop, rock and ballads in Castellano, Gallego, Catalan and even Italian. In 2010, Dalma released an album of Italian classics from the 70s and 80s in Spanish and is set to perform many of

these numbers during his performances in Torrevieja. Dalma has found fame nationally and internationally, particularly in Latin American countries such as Chile, Mexico and Argentina, and he also represented Spain at the 1991 Eurovision Song Contest in Rome and came fourth. Sergio Dalma will perform at Torrevieja’s municipal theatre on Friday 18th March at 10pm. Tickets are priced at 20€ for rows 1 – 11 and 15€ for rows 12 – 24 and can be obtained from the theatre’s box office Tuesday – Friday from 11am – 1pm Sergio and two hours before the concert itself. Dalma

4th Marjal Country Music Festival By Jan Gamm TWO DAYS of Country style Fun in the Sun will be held at Camping Marjal on 12th & 13th March, at Guardamar del Segura on the N332 (behind Nancy’s Niteclub). ARTISTS APPEARING Entertainment will be provided by Dave Sheriff; Cole’s Country; Country Kittens; Red Strokes; Cactus Jack; Jo Sutherland and a Buddy Holly Tribute. Los Pistoleros will be performing the ‘American Trilogy’ and a western re-enactment with a ‘Can Can’. There will be a fun ‘fast draw’ competition (over 18s); Stand-Up Bingo with a cash prize; Tombola; Line Dancing; Calamity Jane Western and other Stalls and much more. The festival will start at 11am and end at 5.30pm each day, with entrance at only 5€ per person per day. Bring a picnic - bring a chair - bring a drink - bring a friend! (Some food and drink will be on sale). For more information contact Angie on 656 475 334 or email angiemarjal@yahoo.co.uk

04-10 MARCH 2011

Alan Gilchrist The Costa Blanca’s Top Hypnotherapist

Overcome blushing using Fast Track Hypnosis WHENEVER I first started in practice over 25 years ago, like most people I assumed that the most common phobia I would treat would be either mice or spiders. This, in actual fact, is not the case. The most common phobia that I treat is ‘blushing’ using Fast Track Hypnosis. I would see a lot of people per day with this devastating phobia and only a few people a month with the phobia of mice or spiders! Fear of blushing, eureuthophobia, usually goes hand in hand with the phobia of being stared at, scopophobia, which in turns encompasses the feeling of social disgrace. The person is scared of making a fool of themselves and going red in front of other people. Blushers are usually tense and nervous in situations with other people. Once they feel themselves starting to blush they start to panic, which increases the blushing even more! Blushers can and do go to extreme lengths to try to cover up this devastating phobia. Men who suffer from it can grow a beard to disguise it. Women can’t do this so they resort to other methods. They may overdo on the make-up, or sit under sun lamps to have a permanent tan, simply to disguise the fact that they feel people can see them blushing (in actual fact it is very rare that they can). Other methods sometimes used may be to wear their hair over their face (like the old pageboy look). If they

feel that they are blushing around their neck they will wear polo neck jumpers. Some keep their hands up to their chins, or twiddle with a necklace while talking. If they are going out for a night they will sit under dim lights, in a place generally near the door, just in case they have to make a hasty exit. An unusual phenomena that some blushers can develop is a nasal problem that allows them to conveniently keep a handkerchief around the nose! It’s strange that blushing always tends to appear on the parts of the body that other people can see, i.e. the face and the neck and not on the unseen parts! Over the years I have successfully treated thousands of people with this crippling phobia. I have heard so many sad stories of how blushing has affected a person’s life. People have cancelled their wedding, left their job, or even their partner because of it, some have even moved abroad to have a permanent suntan, but the ‘burning feeling’ that comes with the blushing still remains. If you are a blusher then providing there are no medical reasons* for your condition, then hypnosis is an ideal way of to help you to overcome it. The sessions are designed to instil confidence, general well-being and overcoming nervousness and the blushing. They will also be provided with CDs and taught autohypnosis so that they can use it in any new situation they may encounter. The end result of all this is, although there may still

be occasions whenever they do blush, such as if they were to trip over something, or someone tells them a rude joke. That is acceptable, but what is not acceptable is whereby they are constantly thinking, and being controlled by it 24 hours per day, every day of their lives. The process normally takes approximately 4 sessions depending on the response and commitment from them as opposed to longer methods used by psychologists, conventional Hypnotherapists (up to 15 sessions or more). “Thanks very much for the sessions and for helping with my problem. I feel that I have improved a massive amount - for the past few months the blushing has been practically non-existent. The good thing is that I have forced myself into certain scenarios lately (promotion interview, more client meetings) and I feel I have performed well. Anyway, thanks for everything. Not only has your work made me feel more comfortable in my job role but it has vastly improved my confidence in social circles too. Michael.” *For example, Rosacea, which is a chronic progressive skin disorder that affects more than five million men and women in Britain* Alan holds his Fast Track Hypnosis Stop Smoking and Weight control Sessions as well as personal problems in Cabo Roig, Guardarmar and Benidorm.

For an appointment, brochure or a free of charge initial consultation on your particular problem, contact Alan Gilchrist on 659 229 408 or visit his websites www.alangilchrist.com www.thegastroband.com or www.fitnosys.com

04-10 MARCH 2011

International veterans pay homage to the fallen by Julie Day A LARGE number of international military ex-servicemen and veterans came together last Saturday in Torrevieja to celebrate International Veterans Day. Although the afternoon’s events took place slightly later than planned, the day was a huge success, attracting large crowds and enjoyed by all. Whilst waiting for the guests of honour to arrive, which included the Teniente General Roldán, who took the march-past salute and paid homage to the fallen, the crowd was treated to a grand performance by the Torrevieja Pipes and Drums, followed by the lining up of the standard bearers before com-

memorative wreaths were laid at the foot of the flagpole where the Spanish flag flew at half-mast in honour of those killed in active service, particularly the five soldiers killed last week in Madrid during a bomb diffusion exercise. Amongst those participating in this yearly event were RAFA; the Royal Naval Association; the Royal Marines Association; Royal British Legion members from Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa; members of the Spanish Foreign Legion and several military bands including the Banda Academia General del Aire from San Javier and the Unión Musical de San Bartolomé, who marched through Torrevieja on several occasions as part of the celebrations.

Celebrating International Veterans day

Andalucian Choirs in concert By Julie Day IN COMMEMORATION of Andalucia Day, the Casa de Andalucía ‘Rafael Alberti’ of Torrevieja is hosting the fourth edition of the ‘Coros Rocieros’ choir concert this Sunday, 6th March. The concert, which will feature choirs from Murcia, Archena, Novelda and Torrevieja, will take place at 8pm at the Municipal Theatre in Torrevieja. Before the start of the concert and during the break there will be a free tasting of typical jamón Serrano (Spanish ham) from Andalucía. Four choirs are set to perform in the concert including the Coro Rociero ‘Torre Real’ and the ‘Aires de Andalucía’ choir. Tickets are priced at 5€ each and can be obtained from the theatre box office from Tuesday – Friday between 11am and 1pm or two hours before the concert on Sunday.

Torrevieja Costa Lions to ‘have a ball’ THE TORREVIEJA Costa Lions Club are to celebrate the anniversary of their Club Charter with a Spring Ball. The Club received their Charter from Lions Clubs International in 2006 and this year want to celebrate with everyone associated with the Club over the years, along with new friends who wish to attend for the first time. Now well established in Torrevieja and the surrounding area, the Club is to hold its Spring Ball in Hotel El Corazon, Rojales, on Saturday, 9th April 2011 at 7.30pm. Dress code is formal black tie or lounge suit for gentlemen. Friends and guests will be received at the Hotel at 7.30pm with a cava and canapes re-

ception. At 8.00pm guests will be invited to dine in the Hotel Function suite where they will enjoy a three course dinner, with wine, beer and water served during the meal and included in the overall ticket price of only 35.00€ per person. Once the formalities are dealt with, those present can participate in a few fun events followed by dancing late into the evening to the excellent trio PDQ; guaranteed to get you on the dance floor. Tickets are now on sale and to guarantee your place at the event you should contact any Lion member or call Iain or Janette on 966 731 495: email idsbennett@hotmail.co.uk

04-10 MARCH 2011

It almost rained on our parade – but luckily it didn’t! by Julie Day WITH RAIN just a few hours before threatening to ruin the day, the first of Torrevieja’s Carnival parades went ahead as planned last Sunday afternoon.

Colourful and creative costumes

The main streets of the city were busier than in previous years with possibly the whole of Torrevieja eagerly anticipating the event at around 5.00pm. As usual, the ‘comparsas’ did not disappoint and the costumes this year were as colourful, creative and crazy as ever. Fun-loving expat charity fundraisers and variety group The Rascals participated in this year’s event, the first time a group of foreign residents has been allowed to do so. “All of The Rascals thoroughly enjoyed the day and had a marvellous time. Naturally, we were apprehensive at first, as it is our first time doing something like this, but once we got going we had a great time. We really appreciated how well we were received by the crowds,” said Jill Rule, Chairman of The Rascals. For those that missed all of the fun on Sunday afternoon, the ‘adult’ Carnival procession is set to take place tomorrow (Saturday, 5th March) from around 11.00pm. Unlike Sunday’s parade, the carnival procession will follow the same route but in reverse order. Therefore, it will start off from Patricio Pérez and finish at the Plaza María Asunción.

Concert for Peace By Julie Day INTERCULTURARTE IBERICA, a group of international musicians, is organising a peace concert to remember victims of terrorism. The concert will take place from 9.30pm on Friday 11th March at Murphy’s on the Park in Torrevieja. Artists from Interculturarte Iberica will perform songs relative to the event, but anyone is welcome to come along,

2004 Renault Clio RHD 1.2 16v, 20100miles 2008 Mitsubishi Colt 1.3 5door, 29,000kms 2009 Nissan Tidda 1.5dci 5 door,21000kms 2008 Fiat Punto Grande 1.4 16v 5door 2008 Ford Focus 1.6tdci 5door 2007 Seat Leon 1.6 5door Ford CMax (2007) 1.6 TDCi Diesel Ford CMax Auto (2005) 1.8 TDCi Diesel Citroen C4 (2007) 1.4i 16v LX 90cv Petrol Hyundai Accent (2008) 1.5 CRDi Diesel Opel Tigra Cabriolet (2004) 1.4 16v Twinport Petrol Ford Fiesta (2007) 1.4 TDCi Ambiente Diesel Ford Focus (2005) 1.6 TDCi Diesel Suzuki Ignis (2006) 1.3 DDIS Diesel Audi TT Coupe (1999) 1.8 180 Petrol Peugeot 107 (2007) 1.0 Urban Move Petrol Renault Megane (2005) 1.5 DCi Diesel Opel Corsa (2006) 1.2 Twinport Petrol Fiat Panda (2005) 1.2 Petrol

€3,695 €7,995 €10,995 €8,495 €10995 €9,495 €10,295 €9,495 €7,995 €7,995 €7,495 €7,495 €7,495 €7,195 €6,995 €6,995 €6,995 €6,995 €5,495

with or without an instrument, to perform to the audience and sing for peace. This concert is being held to remember the victims of 11th September 2001 at the New York World Trade Centre, 11th March 2004 in Madrid and 7th July 2005 in London, in particular, plus all the other thousands of people that have died at the hands of terrorism. For further information, look for Interculturarte Iberica on Facebook. Murphy’s on the Park is located in Calle San Policarpo, 87, Torrevieja, 03181.

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Free disease testing for pets

THE PET care centre Amiguitos, in conjunction with the Town Hall of Rojales, is to extend and invaluable free service for local pet owners. During the month of March pets can be tested for Leishmaniasis and heartworm, with the veterinary check-up totally free of charge. These diseases are preventable but can be fatal if not diagnosed early, transmitted through sand fly or mosquito bites and especially prevalent from spring onwards. The blood test takes only a few moments and is totally free, with no requirement to book. Amiguitos is very easy to find at Lo Marabu Commercial Centre, facing the main road between Ciudad Quesada and Torrevieja.

Tee off with RTN by Jack Troughton

GOLFERS STILL have a chance of entering the annual RTN Golf Championship and a chance of winning some “fabulous” prizes – with one pair lifting our stunning trophy. Just a final few places are up for grabs to play the spectacular El Plantio course on Monday 14th March and enjoy the challenge of the Pairs Better Ball Stapleford competition. It is an open invitation to enjoy some excellent sport and make new friends in the golfing world. The contest is sponsored by foreign exchange specialist Moneycorp and sportsmen and women will have an exclusive chance to test drive Nike’s 2011 range of golf equipment. And a further bonus is a chance to inspect the expertly designed range of specialised golf clothing from La Manga based Levante Lebeche – the firm has also provided a number of prizes worth more than 2,000€. ANNUAL The third annual contest has moved to the Elche club which offers the challenge of playing on one of the region’s best kept courses – guaranteed to be in perfect condition as the RTN tournament follows a professional contest. Noel Eastwell, a professional golf coach and RTN columnist, regularly walks the El Plantio course and said a new layout of

Exclusive golf invite RTN GOLF CLUB members have an exclusive opportunity to join Sunday’s ProAm competition at Club de Golf Altorreal. There are 18 places available to enjoy a round of golf and a three course meal absolutely free at the Murcia course – normally worth around 100€. Players will be available for a shotgun start at 11am on Sunday and golfers need to contact the RTN club agents in the south (see sports page) for a chance of securing a ticket – and can get full information on the club website. Noel Eastwell, the paper’s golf guru, said: “This is just one of the advantages of being a member of the RTN Golf Club and shows why the paper is number one for golf.”

04-10 MARCH 2011

bunkers and traps would enliven the contest. “Most people playing in the RTN competition will not have experienced the new features and it is sure to test their skills,” he said. “It really is a spectacular course and features some of the fastest and smoothest greens in the area. The club is always trying to improve this spectacular course and make it a truly exceptional and enjoyable place to play golf. “And the mixture of long and short holes always tests the skills of golfers of all levels of experience – and that’s what the sport is all about.” PRIZE The Levante Lebeche prizes up for grabs are: 1st prize, waterproof suit, two warm layers, polo shirt and hat; 2nd prize, waterproof set, warm layer, polo shirt and hat; 3rd prize, waterproof jacket, warm layer, polo shirt, hat; 4th prize, warm layer, polo shirt and hat; and 5th prize, polo shirt and hat. In addition the clothing company has put up a hat as a prize for the ‘nearest pin’ contest at the four par 4 holes on the course. And further there are prizes for both men and women in a longest drive competition. To enter or find out more information simply email names and handicaps golf@roundtownnews.com The entry fee of 50€ includes a buggy together with a beer and tapas at the end of play.

Got a story? 902 118 999

rtnmail@roundtownnews.com

04-10 MARCH 2011

Vile act

I WAS disgusted to read in your paper about the killing of the puppy at the centre for the protection of animals in St Bartolome, Orihuela. The person who did this vile act should be flogged and the worker who threw the pup into a plastic bag should be sacked along with the man and never allowed to work with animals again. This is a disgrace. How can they be an animal protection centre? I think there should be someone who can speak to the local council and perhaps have the place closed down if that’s how they can treat a defenceless animal. What is wrong with the council when they employ such people? What a waste of a beautiful puppy’s life. Animal lover Lynda Jey Catral

Thanks for all your help FOLLOWING MAJOR surgery for a hip replacement at Torrevieja hospital, I would offer my sincere gratitude to Dr Lachowicz and his staff for the treatment given to me and the excellent food provided, to Anna at the Physio Clinic, to HELP Vega Baja for the aftercare provided after my discharge from hospital and finally all my friends who assisted me during my recovery. John Davies La Marina

mail

talk tous

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

Email: rtnmail@roundtownnews.com

Gas contract scam MAY I warn your readers through your paper of a scam involving so-called ‘gas contracts’. Yesterday I was visited in my home by two gentlemen, fully kitted out in a uniform, carrying paperwork and claiming to be from the supplier of my bottled gas. They showed me ID that was very plausible, one spoke perfect English and explained that in Spain it is obligatory to have any gas appliances checked and some parts renewed every 5 years. They seemed to know who

I was and ‘knew’ I had a gas contract “with our company.” (Only later did I realise that the gas bottle on my front wall, awaiting change by the genuine supplier, had alerted them to the fact that I use gas). They quickly carried out ‘repairs’ and changed two valves they said were broken, should have fitted two new flexible hoses, (only changed one) cleaned 4 gas injectors (turns out they did not touch them), got me to sign “a new contract” and gave me a bill for €274 which included a

3% credit card ‘charge’. The company concerned is called Mantenimento Revision Del Gas and having made enquiries in my village, they are legal. However, several people on our urbanisation were caught like me and though legal they certainly are not ethical. If they come to your home set the dog on them! Their charges are exorbitant and their standard of work doubtful. Perhaps you could print this letter to warn other ‘soft touches’ like me! Once stung twice shy. Frank Coyne

Quick reaction from the town hall A FEW weeks ago our request referring to the dangerous position of the waste bins in the curve in Calle Venezuela, El Presidente, was finally successful and they have been moved. Shortly afterwards, I met Mr. Javier Canovas, co-ordinator of Orihuela Costa, who was pleased to remark how quickly the town hall – meaning the ruling party PP – reacted. He forgot that we applied for this change in writing on 26th June 2009 and on various occasions since that time. The same Calle Venezuela was very narrow, as there was a ‘double’ foot path, but no parking lane. One foot path belonged to El Presidente, and another newer one made by Tecnología Urbanistica. Back in 2005,

as Administrator of the Community of El Presidente an active member of the Green Party, I applied to stop this useless work and have the street properly planned, but nothing happened. I tried again in 2006 and in 2007. Nothing happened as usual. Finally this famous foot path is reduced to a normal size and the street will be larger. Now, with elections looming and surveys more than negative for the PP, they start to repair, clean, tarmac, etc. My advice to all of you: if you need or want something from the town hall, now is the moment to ask for it - you might get it! Thanks to the forthcoming elections! Administrator, El Presidente

Terrible deed I HAVE to thank RTN for bringing to the public’s attention the horrific story concerning the puppy murder at the so-called animal protection centre at Orihuela. If this is the treatment of animals in full view of everyone can you imagine what goes on behind closed doors! I hope the person responsible for this terrible deed is

brought to justice and the courts show no mercy in dealing with this or these people. Although terrible, I admire your newspaper’s courage in printing this story and harrowing pictures; many news editors would have censored this story and we would never have known. Keep up the good work. Mr R Simmons

Got a story? 902 118 999

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When hell freezes over I READ with interest the story you ran about the injustice of the IBI tax. I would like to relate my story in the hope you may print it. I sold my villa on 14th January 2010 and went traveling. On returning to Spain and collecting my post I find a demand for the IBI for my old villa for the years 2010/2011. I had paid the IBI up to September 2010 so assumed this was a clerical error and made my way to the SUMA office in Pedreguer to inform them of the mistake and to prove to them I had sold the villa and give the name of the new owner. The reception I received was to say the least very rude and the lady told me I had to pay this IBI bill as I was in the house on the first of the year (2010). I could not get through to her that I had not had this property for 13 months. She them informed me that I was responsible for this tax for the year 2010/2011. I have paid the IBI from September 2009 up to September 2010 and now they expect me to pay for 2010/2011 in total, paying the tax for somebody else for nearly TWO YEARS. My last words as I left the SUMA office was, “WHEN HELL FREEZES OVER…!” Only in Spain… Ian Smith, Jesus Pobre

Not entitled to carers allowance WITH REFERENCE to your page one article concerning Spain’s Florida: My wife and I moved to Spain in May 2004. Two weeks after we arrived, my wife fell and fractured her right hip although the Vega Baja hospital said she had not. In June 2006 they said she had a fracture but that the left hip was worse and sent her home. A phone call from the hospital the following day informed us that they did not do hip operations in the summer as they needed the beds for the tourists. I then arranged for my daughter to come from the UK to take my wife to Paris where she had her left hip operated on. Cost: €10,500. In November 2008 I had a mild heart attack and following a scan at the brilliant new Torrevieja Hospital I was diagnosed that my aorta valve had

stopped working and I had an operation in the cardiovascular unit in Benidorm. However, my aftercare at home cost me €2,000 plus. I contacted the UK health service to obtain a carer’s allowance but was told that since I had not lived in the UK for the previous six months I was not entitled to any. In November 2010 Age Concern in Spain was good enough to arrange an interview at their office for me with the British Consul in Alicante. He said that he did not think that the Spanish health service was doing enough to help us and that he would contact them. So far – nothing - I won’t be holding my breath. My wife is 85 next week. And I am 85 in June. In June we shall have been married 63 years. W.A. Sly

04-10 MARCH 2011

Spain forced to slow down to save on fuel by Jan Gamm SPAIN IS to lower its national speed limit in a new initiative to save on fuel in the face of rising costs of crude oil. National motorway speed limits are to be reduced to 110km per hour from 120kph from 7th March with further speed reductions for urban areas expected, amid fears of a supply crisis prompted by upheavals in Libya. GO SLOWER The new speed limits were announced by Deputy Prime Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba this week. “We’re going to go slower and, in exchange for that, we’re going to use less petrol and we’re going to pay less money,” he said, “There is no risk to supply of oil and gas in the country, but we have found ourselves obliged to take some measures to save energy and lighten the energy bill as a result of the crisis in north Africa.” The reduction in the motorway speed limit is projected to save €1.4 billion per year.

last week as a result of violent unrest. Spain has no substantial oil reserves of its own and is dependent on im¬ports for road transport.

RAIL

VIGILANCE

In addition to lowering the national speed limit, the price of commuter and short distance rail tickets is to be cut by 5% and bio-diesel fuel proportions will be increased to effectively reduce consumption of petroleum products. Approximately 9% of Libya’s oil exports went to Spain prior to Repsol being forced to shut down its production in Libya

Speed restrictions of this kind were last applied in the 1973 petrol crisis. Drivers are warned to be vigilant for new signage as speeding penalties are expected to be harsh. And the required amendments to road signs are estimated to cost approximately €250,000.

110kph limit from 7th March

Marilyn’s dresses on show THE RETROBACK International Classic Film Festival in Granada, which runs until 3rd April, is exhibiting a collection of the iconic film legend Marilyn Monroe’s dresses and other personal objects. Items include photographs, personal belongings and film memorabilia, including the famous ‘little white dress’ that made its first appearance over a subway grating in ‘The Seven Year Itch’. The dress is on show with 30 others from a selection of Monroe’s movie costumes.

The Exhibition, commissioned by Marta Gutierrez, may be viewed at the Caja Granada Centro Cultural. For more information visit www.retroback.info

Marilyn Monroe and the ‘little white dress’ in The Seven Year Itch

Unemployment at record high UNEMPLOYMENT ROSE in Spain by 1.6 percent in January compared to the previous month. There are now 4,299,263 people out of work, which is the highest figure since records began in 1996. Unemployment has hit the under-25s hardest with 5 percent more jobless than in January.

www.monarch.co.uk

04-10 MARCH 2011

Airport strike may disrupt Easter tourist trade by Jan Gamm SPANISH UNION leaders are threatening airport strikes over the Easter period, following the breakdown in talks between The General Workers Union and the government over its plans to partly privatise the civil aviation agency AENA. The Spanish government put a stop on an air traffic control strike in December by imposing a decree that placed strikers at risk of imprisonment, with air traffic placed under the jurisdiction of the military as a temporary measure. ELECTIONS As Spain’s tourist trade begins to pick up speed over the Easter holiday season, GWU representative Raul Gomez warned that action was predicted to affect all major airports across the country. Action is threatened over the period covering 22nd – 25th April with a possible exten- Airports under sion to 22nd May, the scheduled date of regional elections. A holding company has been formed threat by the government with 49% of AENA shares offered for purchase to investors. Director of AENA of strike Javier Marin was confident that strike action would be averted through further discussion. action “I hope this worrying situation will be resolved through dialogue,” said Interior Minister Alyet fredo Perez Rubalcaba. again

An important message from Liberty Seguros LIBERTY SEGUROS provides a complete insurance service for drivers, keeping the UK authorities (MIB-Motor Insurance Bureau) fully appraised of vehicle information and other requisite details for UK drivers holding policies in Spain. INFORMATION ON POLICIES ISSUED IN SPAIN INCLUDES: The name of the policyholder The full address of the policyholder in Spain The policy number The Registration number of the vehicle The make and model of the vehicle The effective date of cover The renewal date of the policy The names and dates of birth of all the drivers named on the policy

Once the MIB receives this information, it automatically enters a database accessible to UK Police, providing details of valid insurance and avoiding the risk of prosecution or erroneous seizure of the vehicle. And the MIB Helpline retains the Liberty Seguros’ Expatriate helpline telephone number 902 100 070, so that valid insurance for a particular vehicle may be confirmed on the spot. OTHER ADVANTAGES You can check the Authorities are aware your vehicle is insured by consulting the website: www.askmid.com. Simply tap in your registration number and tick the box where it confirms that the car belongs to you. You will receive a confirmation of registration on the MIB.

Liberty Seguros would like to advise you that, drivers that import their cars to Spain but fail to register their vehicles with Spanish plates within six months risk severe penalties such as fines or vehicle confiscation. Permanent Spanish Residence requires Spanish vehicle registration and Liberty Seguros take their clients’ requirements seriously, advising on the appropriate vehicle insurance at all times. COVER NOTE Should you still need a Cover Note to be issued by Liberty Seguros because you do not have access to Internet, this can be done providing the premium has been paid: contact your insurance agent for details.

Four ETA members arrested THE GUARDIA civil have arrested four ETA terrorists who were not previously on their wanted list. The previous arrest of ETA military chief Mikel Kabikoitz Carrera Sarobe uncovered papers that enabled police to start searching for the four who have now been captured. Those arrested have been identified as Beatriz Etxebarría Caballero, Daniel Pastor Alonso, Íñigo Zapiraín Romano and Lorena López Díaz.

04-10 MARCH 2011

Concert’s palatial home by Jack Troughton WEEKS BEFORE the Royal British Legion’s benefit concert the doors of the new Auditorio Provinical de Alicante were opened for inspection. Members of the press corps were given a guided tour of this magnificent building completed in four years at a cost of 50 million euros by the Diputacion de Alicante. The black, white and metallic decoration has been specifically selected to represent the musical instruments to be used in the two concert halls – the main 1,300 seat auditorium will host the Legion’s star-studded gala on Saturday 2nd April. Both halls have handmade wooden ceilings and the main stage backdrop is constructed from gold leaf and overlooked by private boxes – one, The Queen’s Box has a private entrance. State of the art technology provides excellent acoustics – air conditioning outlets in the concert halls are actually under the audience seats to prevent noise interfering with the music.

And there are also facilities throughout the building for conferences, lectures, and receptions – one room, the Sala de Coloquiosis set out ‘in the round’ with a glazed balcony to house interpreters. DESIGN Designers have made the most of natural light and two internal gardens were being lovingly tended by workmen. Construction is finished – an underground car park is planned for later and the building is on schedule to be completely fitted out ready to host the Legion spectacular. Certainly it will make an impact on visitors – comments on Monday’s tour described the hall as “very impressive”, “beautiful” and even as “a wonderful building.” Tickets to the benefit concert cost 12€ for the noon matinee and 15€ for the 7pm evening performance. They are available by calling 966 860 735 or by email at rbltickets2011@gmail.com as well as offices of the Costa Blanca News and The Leader. More information is available at www.residenteseuropeaos. com and www.britishlegion.org.uk/counties/spain-north

The main stage

Moncayo International Market does it again AVAILABLE SOON at the Ironart factory outlet market on the N332 at Gata de Gorgos will be one of Staffordshire’s best kept secrets. Anyone from Staffordshire will almost certainly have tasted a Staffordshire oatcake, either eaten as a savoury meal or used as a type of pancake for dessert. Rumour has it that the recipe was bought back from India by the soldiers of the Staffordshire regiment long, long ago. The recipe has since become a closely guarded secret by the people who make them and you could expect to pay thousands for a business just to get the best recipe. Stoke on Trent people turn out in their hundreds on Sunday mornings to buy them fresh off the hotplate. They are a traditional Stoke on Trent breakfast: first melt cheese on them under the grill or microwave then add any combination of cooked bacon, sausage, mushrooms, tinned tomatoes or beans, roll them up, add the sauce of your choice and tuck in. You can now buy them in Spain on the Moncayo Market, situated on the same site as the famous Procomobel Home Centre on the N332 between Guardamar and La Mata on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Hhusband and wife Colin and Debbie make them fresh in front of your eyes to ‘eat now or to take away’. Buy one or a dozen to last you all week or buy one loaded with the ingredients mentioned above and eat it while you are walking around the market at your leisure. Freshly The Moncayo Market is getting bigger by being better. For further information or to book your baked space, call into the market office. oatcakes

Hostelry sector fights to bring back smoking REPRESENTATIVES FROM Spain’s hostelry sector say they will present one million signatures in favour of bringing back smoking in bars and restaurants. The law in Spain states that only half this number of signatures is needed in order to force a debate in parliament. Bar and restaurant owners are looking to go backwards in terms of smoking legislation because they say their profits have dropped 15 percent since the ban came into effect on 2 January. The petition will be sent to Madrid at the beginning of March.

04-10 MARCH 2011

It was one small step...

Watts In Britain By

Paul Watts

DID YOU know that next month on April 20th, it’ll be the fiftieth anniversary of the first ever space flight? Can you believe that? Fifty years? Yup folks, on that day Yuri Gagarin became the first human to orbit our World. It accelerated the space race to warp-factor five leading inevitably to the first moon landing of 1969, but it also changed our whole perspective of the World. Anyone born since the sixties will view space flight as commonplace but as a small boy on that spring day in 1961 it all seemed to me very much like science fiction. I remember Mrs Davies getting us to make cardboard models of the Gagarin spacecraft during art. I pestered my mum like mad to empty the Fairy liquid into a jam jar so that I could use the bottle for my craft. Little did I know that fifty years hence I could’ve bought the real thing! Yes dear reader, if you’ve got a cool $2 - $10 million to spare you could bring home a real piece of space history. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Gagarin’s flight the test capsule Vostok 3KA-2, is to be auctioned at Sotheby’s in New York. Have a look if you’re over there, they’ve got it on display. Here’s the history: The Vostok 3KA-2 blasted into space just 20 days ahead of Yuri Gagarin. The Russian news service RIA Novosti said, “The test capsule carried a life-size mannequin nicknamed Ivan Ivanovich and a dog called Zvezdochka (which means ‘little star’).” The good news for Zvezdochka, and I guess a rather anxious Yuri Gagarin, was that she returned safely to Earth. The dog went on to enjoy a celebrity lifestyle while the mannequin’s whereabouts remain a mystery. Rumours suggest it defected to the West and worked as an extra on Gerry Anderson’s series, apparently appearing as the giant in an episode of Fireball XL5. I don’t know about you but I think the capsule would look great on one of the roundabouts that grace the main La Nucia road. Maybe, we could organise a whip round or apply for an EU grant, eh? After all, the artefact is of great historic importance. David Redden, a director at Sotheby’s in New York, said: “Not only are there no other examples outside of Russia of the World’s first spacecraft but this capsule was pivotal in space history as providing the green light for Gagarin’s spectacular achievement.” The Vostok 3KA-2’s spherical cabin is about 8 feet (2.5 meters) in diameter and made of aluminium alloy. It still bears the scorch marks of atmospheric re-entry. “It’s an extraordinary object that makes the history [of the early space race] real and also totally ter-

Looks like Ivan has scarpered

rifying,” Redden said, adding somewhat dryly, “These capsules were very primitive. There was a good shot that whoever went into space was not coming back.” Hmmm, tell that to Ivan Ivanovich! The capsule once contained about 818 kilograms of equipment and instruments, many of them classified as secret until 1986. “It’s a big thing to take home,” laughed Redden. As I say, it’d look good on Roundabout 5 in La Nucia, opposite the Plaza del Sol or perhaps parked outside the RTN offices. Or maybe, we could wait a while until the Space Shuttle Discovery comes on the market at Sotheby’s because Discovery, after 27 long years of service for NASA, is currently on its last mission. Almost to the day that celebrates man’s first venture into space it looks like NASA’s manned space flight programme is coming to an end. The real space race of the 1960s ended a long time ago but I feel a tad saddened at the prospect of no more NASA missions. As I said above, anyone born since the 60s will have grown up with space flight being part of the norm, let’s just hope that the 50th anniversary of Gagarin and Vostok 1 won’t now also be remembered for the date when manned space-flight finally ended. Maybe the end song played over the credits of Fireball XL5 was right all along when it revealed: “It’s all imagination, I’ll never reach the skies...” Ho hum, my dreams of being the next Steve Zodiac are finally well and truly over. Watts in Britain, beam me up Mr Scott, please...

77,476 foreigners registered for voting in Alicante Province

Alicante Province, with a total of 77,476 foreigners registered to vote in the 22nd May elections, is the province with the most foreigners registered. If they all use the vote they may be a deciding force in municipalities like Alcalali (436 EU citizens registered) Alfaz del Pi (2,516), Altea (1,662), Benissa (2,162), Benitachell (1,323), Finestrat (1,032), Calpe (4,323), Javea (4,153), La Nucia (3,238), Orihuela (4,538), San Fulgencio (3,212), Santa Pola (1,741), Teulada (3,772) and Torrevieja (6,361). The total number of Spanish citizens registered to vote in the province is 1,191,911.

04-10 MARCH 2011

A journey round the World at the Valencia Tourism Fair by Kirsty Tuxford FOR THE first time in the international tourism fair in Valencia, the public could visit a new area dedicated to camping and find out about the region’s best spots. There was also a zone dedicated to outdoor activities such as biking, golf and kitesurfing – and even live rap music and a graffiti artist. The seventh international tourism fair in Valencia was held last weekend in the Feria Valencia exhibition centre and boasted stands from several countries including Portugal, Canada and the Costa Rica, along with Spanish exhibitors. The food and drink stands were the most popular, selling sausages and cheeses produced in various Spanish regions. Children were well catered for with a trampoline zone and the outlet area provided more detailed information on the best special offers available during the three days of the fair. Amongst the exhibitors were the Balneario hervideros of Cofrentes; Bodegas Francisco Gómez; the Benagéber reservoir holiday centre; Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences; hotel las Arenas Balneario resort from Valencia; Pullmantur; Terra Mítica and the national rail company RENFE. The Benagéber reservoir centre is 105km from Valencia and offers camping, bungalows and apartments for people wanting to enjoy outdoor sports. Choose from horse riding,

kayaking, and several additional activities. he Balenario in Cofrentes offers the perfect place to relax in thermal mineral waters with massage jets and soothing bubbles. The surrounding countryside is stunning and if you feel like getting out of the warming thermal waters you can also enjoy golf or a trip down the river by boat. Set in breathtaking scenery, the Bodegas Francisco Gómez in Villena, Alicante, is a must-see for wine enthusiasts. Even if you’re not very knowledgeable about wine, the old stone buildings and peaceful countryside make for a satisfying day out. Another place of interest was Cabo de Gata Nature Park in Almeria. The park spans the sea and land and is home to some of the coast’s most unspoilt beaches. Far from high-rise hotels, Cabo de Gata is how nature intended the coast of Spain to look, and because it’s protected, hopefully it will stay that way. For an excursion with a difference, you could visit the toy museum in Ibi (inland from Alicante along the A7 towards Alcoy), or stay in the three-century-old casa rural, Forn del Moro, which houses works of art by the artists Rafael Amorós. Find it in the Albaida valley, not far from Bocairent and Ontinyent and surrounded by jaw-droppingly impressive countryside. What remains apparent from offerings at the Tourism Fair is that living in Spain provides lots of easily accessible and affordable holiday options on your doorstep.

King Juan Carlos in Kuwait King Juan Carlos pictured with Sheikh Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait (far right)

KING JUAN Carlos arrived in Kuwait last Friday to take part in the country’s celebrations to mark the 50th Kuwait National Day. The king was received at the airport by Kuwaiti dignitaries and the Spanish ambassador in Kuwait, Manuel Gomez

The international tourism fair in Valencia

Visit the Valencia tourism website for more ideas: www.comunitatvalenciana.com

de Valenzuela. Kuwait’s National Day is celebrated with feasting, fireworks and the wearing of national dress to commemorate the creation of Kuwait as a nation in 1961. The king is accompanied on his Kuwait tour by Spain’s foreign minister, Trinidad Jiminez.

Wanted: People born on the day the Titanic sunk IF YOUR birthday falls on 15th April, then the Titanic Foundation wants to hear from you. The organisation is looking for people whose birthdays are on the same day that the ship sunk, to help celebrate the centenary of the sinking in Barcelona. Participants will receive dinner and be serenaded with the same background music as the Titanic’s guests heard on their last evening on board. Contact www.fundaciontitanic.com for more information.

04-10 MARCH 2011

On your bike! PCN gets sporty! WHY NOT get on your bike on Sunday 6th March for fitness and fun followed by a BBQ or tea and cake at the Charity Challenge Walk held at The Grand Design House, Casa la Pedrera. There will also be music to entertain you. If 10km is a short ride for you, try the 20km around the beautiful Torremendo Lake - others will walk or run 5km, 10km or 15km, perhaps alongside Georgie May! Cyclogical in Quesada run by Lynn and Gary will be leading both cycle events: Gary is taking charge of the 20km and Lynn the 10km Even if you do not want to take to your bike or cannot walk very far, Jenni and Derek Ray, Paul Cunningham Nurses and Georgie May invite everyone to come along for the entertainment, refreshments and to relax in beautiful surroundings and take in the awe-inspiring view. If you can walk 5km, even at a slow, easy pace, this challenge is for you! Four ladies back at base do wonderful foot massage for a small donation to Paul Cunningham Nurses.

HELP hospital visitors needed

HELP is seeking volunteers within a 15 minute drive of the Vega Baja or Torrevieja Hospitals to join our Hospital Visiting Teams. Existing HELP teams visit both these hospitals three times a week to talk to patients and offer the loan of books. If you are friendly and outgoing with a few hours spare time on your hands, you could bring a little sunshine into someone’s life by visiting them for a chat once or more a week. Help is also in need of a co-ordinator to organise the teams and produce visiting rotas, keep records of volunteers and chair quarterly meetings. A basic knowledge of computing and the internet would be helpful. If you think you can help us to help others, please call Richard at the HELP Vega Baja Office on 966 723 733 for more information.

The annual sponsored walk, now in its third year, supports the Hospice Care at Home Charity Paul Cunningham Nurses. Details and sponsorship forms are available at both of the PCN charity shops in Quesada and Playa Flamenca and their office in La Marina. Further details may be found at www.paulcunninghamnurses.com where a sponsorship form may be downloaded, or from www.thingstodoinspian.info Or call, text or email Susan Reader on 629 869 959 sueinthesun@hotmail.co.uk There will be a raffle with fantastic prizes (a bike from Cyclogical in Quesada is first prize) and ‘challenge’ prizes including; canoeing/kayaking; water ski-ing; quadbiking; air rifle shooting; archery and lasersport; horseriding and horse and pony treks. For the less adventurous, prizes also include a food hamper and several Sunday Lunches for two along with an invitation

to return to The Grand Design House for complimentary tea and cake.

Get on your bike for charity

The Faith Appeal on Sol TV FAITH IS the miniature horse rescued from a yard in Catral last August with horrific leg injuries. Her owner had tied her up and in Faith’s struggle to free herself, the rope cut

through her skin and damaged the bone, the flesh rotted and the poor horse was left in horrendous pain. Last week the Sol productions team begin filming the first part of Faith’s long journey to recovery, with the television company filming Faith in her current happy home, the Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre, getting ready to leave for Barcelona. Pictured is vet Doratea, re-dressing Faith’s wound as she does every day, the team at the EHCRC and local celebrity Georgie May, who recently sponsored Faith as part of an on-going appeal. “The work of everyone at the centre truly inspires me. With Faith’s strength and the determination of everyone at the centre for her to survive, I know she will pull through,” said Georgie May. Donations are still very much needed. To donate, visit the Filming centre, support one of the fundraising events or sponsor Faiths Faith as Georgie has done, visit www.easyhorsecare.net or long journey call Sue Weeding on 652 021 980.

Jennifer Cunningham

MARCH 2010 2011 15 - 04-10 21 october

Well worth knowing HAVING RECENTLY been burgled whilst I was asleep it has made me more aware of what is going on in the outside world. I therefore, had to smile when Susie, a friend of mine, sent me this ‘need to know’ information. Yes the car key works - I felt so thrilled to have got one up on all the techies that work with me! Thanks Susie for giving me a moment of glory.

Your mobile will restart in a special way with this new reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery life. This reserve will get re charged when you charge your mobile next time. This secret is in the fine print in most phone manuals. Most people, however, skip this information without realising its usefulness.

THINGS YOU PROBABLY NEVER KNEW YOUR MOBILE PHONE COULD DO!

ATM PIN NUMBER REVERSAL - GOOD TO KNOW!

There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies. Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for survival. Check out the things that you can do with it: EMERGENCY The Emergency Number worldwide for all Mobile Phones is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your Mobile network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and your mobile will search any existing network in your area to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. This works on all phones worldwide and is free. It is the equivalent of 000. HAVE YOU LOCKED YOUR KEYS IN THE CAR? Does your car have ‘remote keyless entry?’ This may well come in handy some day and is a very good reason to own a cell phone: Should you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their mobile phone from your cell phone, hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end: wonder of wonders, your car will unlock. This saves someone having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be thousands of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other ‘remote’ for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk). Jennifer’s note: I didn’t believe this when I heard about it! We tried it from our office to one of the staff’s car parked 1/2 km away, and it worked! HIDDEN BATTERY POWER To activate, press the keys *3370# (remember the asterisk). Do this when the phone is almost dead.

If you should ever be forced by a robber to withdraw money from an ATM machine, you can notify the police by entering your PIN # in Reverse. For example, if your pin number is 1234, then you would put in 4321. The ATM system recognizes that your PIN number is backwards from the ATM card you placed in the machine. The machine will still give you the money you requested, but unknown to the robber, the Police will be immediately dispatched to the location. All ATM’s carry this emergency sequencer by law. This information was recently broadcast on by Crime Stoppers. However it is seldom used because people just don’t know about it. This is the kind of information people don’t mind hearing about, so pass it on to your Family and friends. ASSSA Asssa have a wonderful offer on the Funeral Insurance 30% discount for 2011 and 15% for all subsequent years with helpful installment payments. Just one phone call and all the stress and worry is taken from you at this very sad time. For an individual quote please contact your local JCC office or Mandy at head office on 966 461 690. Not forgetting, of course the Special Asssa Health offers which are for life, free policy upgrade or 10% discount including annual health check and special payment terms. STOP PRESS Funeral insurance: 30% discount for 2011 and 15% for all subsequent years... ask for information and an individual quote. NB: extra special offers on new health insurance policies with ASSSA; free upgrades; interest free installment payments... for life. A special policy to back up social security and give you instant access to GPs and specialists; Ring now - your health is important.

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

“We are mo

re t h an j u

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st a v oice on the phone”

04 - 10MARCH February 04-10 2011 2011

Punjabi Palace celebrates it’s third anniversary HERE WE are again - seems like a few months ago I was inviting you to join Punjabi Palace and help celebrate their second anniversary and here I am, another year on, doing it again for their 3rd anniversary. Punjabi Palace continues to attract both new and regular customers and maintain the high quality of food and service that they did when they first opened both their restaurants. The ambience in the restaurant is ideal, the location is within easy reach from Torrevieja or any of the other nearby towns and villages, the staff are very polite and efficient and most importantly, the food is delicious. And I have to report that I have met many of the customers who have now paid a visit due to my recommendations via RTN and have now become regulars. I was actually in today and met a local businessman who decided to give Punjabi Palace a try after reading one of my articles he said I was 100% correct with my opinions: thanks to Mark from La Marina. This year I have promised to attend the celebrations on Tuesday 15th March so if you are coming along please say hello to ‘The Sheriff’. If you have yet to experience the delights at Punjabi Palace please tell the staff you read about them in RTN and as they are always eager to please, let them know how you like your curry - I do and that is why I return again and again, because they always get it right. Oh I must tell you I have a new favourite: Lamb Tikka Tawa! It is fantastic and also available with chicken Tikka, the flavour is fabulous. I should not write these articles, I feel like a curry fix now…! Keep up the good work guys, best wishes for another year, from the Sheriff and all at RTN (the team at la Nucia get jealous when they hear how good the Punjabi Palace is – don’t think they have anything up there that compares!) (Please note that Punjabi Palace is not associated with any other restaurants with similar names) Best wishes as always: The Sheriff

MARCH 2010 2011 15 - 04-10 21 october

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04-10 MARCH 2011

THE OWNERS of the recently opened ‘The Punjabi’s’, Kuldeep Singh and Ruble are pleased to say that they are delighted with the response to their advertising campaign with RTN while launching their new restaurant in Pueblo Bravo. So impressed, they have decided to place another page advert, allowing an opportunity for those who were perhaps away when they opened to sample the fine Indian cuisine on offer. The restaurant is set on two levels and is an excellent venue for private parties or even clubs or societies to book for celebrations or meetings, even a simple ‘get together’. Ruble informs me that the restaurant will not only cater for this, but will also collaborate to arrange a menu for a particular party or group to suit both taste and budget. For further details please contact Ruble at the restaurant. The restaurant is easy to find just off the Lemon Tree Road (few doors up from Budapest Restaurant), with ample parking and quick access to both N332 and the Creviente Road and AP7. The Punjabi’s chef has worked in various 5 star restaurants and hotels in India since he was a youngster, giving him a good understanding of the type of curry you enjoy. My particular favourite of his and has been for a while is his shammi kebabs, the closest in taste I have found that resembles a typical ‘Glasgow Shammi’. The Sheriff.

money

Don’t ignore the difference CHANCES ARE if you are reading this article you have a property here in Spain. When you bought it, did you realise how different procedures could be in another country only two to three hours from your country of origin? I didn’t. It seems naïve now to look back at the confidence with which I set out on my ‘journey’ into Spanish property ownership. I knew the currency was different, the climate was different (thank goodness) and the language was different. Somehow I wasn’t prepared for how many other aspects of the country and culture might be different too. Ten years later, I’ve learnt, and come to understand so many aspects of

difference that being in Spain brings. But there is always something new to learn. My latest surprise comes with a side to life I’d rather not think about: dying. For example, did you know that if you have a joint bank account and your partner dies the bank account will be frozen? For me, it doesn’t bear thinking about; that I (or my husband) could be recently bereaved and then have to begin sorting out the complexities of bank accounts and finance. In Spain, many things happen slowly, but not the process of interment. In two days, you can be dead and cremated leaving behind a myriad of complications for your loved ones to sort out. However, as with most

things, there are ways round it and an experienced inheritance solicitor can liaise with the bank and provide the documentation required to unfreeze the account and transfer the balance and utility contracts. Going back to those ‘making-a-will’ adverts, I realise that I can’t afford to skip over them anymore. I might have been naïve during those early years and happy to ignore the differences that exist but this is one area where I should make it my business to understand now. For more information on Spanish Wills and Inheritance call the Abaco Helpline (00 34) 966 703 748. Friendly British staff will answer your queries, free of charge with no obligation (see advert).

No crisis for big companies Directors of the major companies listed on the Ibex stock exchange have not felt much of the crisis. In 2010, on average, Directors increased their salaries by 19.14%; Gamesa increased Directors salaries by 59%, Banco Sabadell 31 and Gas Natural 29. The biggest earners were Alfredo Saenz of Banco Santander, who received 10.2 million euros in 2009 (the 2010 figure not yet known) Jose Antonio Tazon Garcia, Amadeus, cashed 10 million, Ignacio Sanchez Galan, Iberdrola, 5,347 euros, Francisco Gonzalez, BBVA, 5,316 and Antonio Brufau of Repsol,4,589 million euros.

Cava sales highest ever GLOBAL SALES of Spanish cava increased by 11.5 percent in 2010 compared to 2009. Sales on the domestic market were up by 8.3 percent, while exports increased by 13.6 percent on the previous year. A total of 149.1 million bottles were sold overseas, helped by growth in the German market, where buyers consumed 41 million bottles – a 17.6 percent increase on 2009. Sales in the UK dropped by 2 percent, but sales in Belgium, the USA, Japan and France all increased.

04-10 MARCH 2011

Gaddafi’s Spanish assets frozen LIBYAN LEADER Muamar Gaddafi’s assets in Spain have been frozen in line with UN sanctions imposed last week. Gaddafi owns land in Málaga where he planned to construct 2,000 properties. He is now banned from using the land for financial

gain. The government is investigating if Gaddafi and his family own more land on the Costa del Sol. The sanctions are in response to Gaddafi’s order to use military force to repress protestors who are calling for an end to his 42-year rule.

Muamar Gaddafi

legal

04-10 MARCH 2011

Accusations, crimes and punishment by

Michael Olmer

Solicitor, Link Point Legal and Business Services

IN THE second of this short series of articles I am going to look at some of the more common types of criminal offence and the approach that the Spanish Criminal Code of 2003 takes towards them. First of all what is a ‘Crime?’ A Crime is an action or a failure to act which is punishable by law. Crimes are categorised as grave, serious, minor, or simply as misdemeanours. You can be guilty of a crime either by actually committing it or by helping, or inciting a person to commit it if the crime could not have been committed without your help or encouragement. In Spain the minimum age at which a person can be charged and convicted of a crime is 14, unlike in England & Wales where it is 10 years old. The criminal code divides crimes into different categories which are offences against persons, property, and honour. The most serious offence against the person is homicide, which can be either the intentional or unintentional taking of life. In English terms we speak of murder and manslaughter. On the next level of gravity is inflicting harm to a person which injures them physically or mentally to the extent that they require medical treatment. Such offences are considered sufficiently serious

that the authorities are entitled to prosecute them even though the victims have not themselves issued their own ‘denuncia’. Threats of physical harm to a person or a member of their family and domestic violence also fall into this category. Sexual offences are divided into two categories, those which involve violence or intimidation, and those which do not and are regarded simply as abuse and which attract lower penalties. The age of consent in Spain for sexual activity is 13 which is the lowest of any country in Europe, although there is considerable pressure for this to be raised. This low age of consent will not apply if one party has learning difficulties or the other is in a position of responsibility where they could exert undue influence over a youngster. Crimes against property include robbery or ‘robo’, which is the use of force to steal movable property, and ‘hurto’ which is the theft of movable property without the use of force and which carries a lower penalty. Incidentally most insurance policies provide a lower level of cover against ‘hurto’ than ‘robo’. Extortion is the use of violence or threats to force you to enter into a transaction depriving you of your own property or that of a third party, but fraud is simply an economic crime which must

involve depriving you of money or goods worth at least €300.00. The final category of crime I want to deal with is that referred to as crimes against ‘honour’, or reputation. There are two types of such crime, the first is known as ‘calumnia’ which is to falsely accuse someone of committing a crime, and the second is known as ‘injuria’ which is to publicly defame a person so that their reputation is harmed. In anglo-saxon terms ‘injuria’ approximates to defamation, but unlike in England and the USA where defamation is dealt with by a Civil Claim and the award of large sums of damages against the perpetrator, here the law imposes a criminal penalty accompanied by an award of compensation for any direct economic loss the victim has suffered. Unusually, these proceedings are not started by a ‘denuncia’ but by a summons to a Judge. It is the Judge who decides whether or not to allow a claim for ‘calumnia’ or ‘injuria’ to go ahead, which is then investigated by the Police or Guardia Civil. In my next article I shall look at the penalties imposed in Spain for Criminal offences and how the courts balance society’s need for retribution against the wrongdoer with the victim’s need for compensation.

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

money

04-10 MARCH 2011

Health and life care with Millie Munro Services MILLIE HAS been established on the Costa Blanca for over ten years and specialises in areas she knows best; Millie has chosen to work with companies that can be trusted and she believes have the most to offer her clients.

very competitive premiums.

EL PERPETUO SOCORRO: PRIVATE MEDICAL INSURANCE In these difficult times, it is easy to think that private health care is a luxury you can’t afford. For some this may not be a priority, but please take care, because if you don’t have your health, then you simply have nothing. El Perpetuo Socorro has been established for over 50 years and offers a comprehensive cover for

Millie and her team will be present at the ‘This is Spain Exhibition’ at the Albir Playa Hotel, Alibr 10km North of Benidorm at Stand Number 27 on 19th & 20th March from 10.00 to 18.00. Why not come along and pick up an information pack or contact Millie Munro Services for a no obligation consultation. Tel. 966 493 082 or 660 049 460: Email millie@milliemunro.com Millie Munro or visit www.milliemunro.com

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Sacked pregnant woman receives compensation

THE COURT in Valencia has ordered a company who sacked a pregnant woman to reinstate her and pay €120,000 in compensation. The company in question claimed that they fired the woman for economic reasons. The Spanish press reports that the woman had an agreement with her employer that she could work a third of her normal working hours whilst looking after her child, however, once the agreement cam into effect she received a letter telling her she was dismissed. The woman did not receive a month’s notice or redundancy pay.

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Qatar to invest heavily in Spain QATAR HAS promised to invest around €300 million in Spanish savings banks following a visit from Spain’s Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. The Spanish PM met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani in what he later described as an important

step forward for the Spanish economy. Sheikh Thani is head of the Qatar Investment Authority. Zapatero is reported as saying that the two leaders had also decided upon more investment by Qatar in Spain’s communication and energy sectors. Sheik Thani is due to visit Spain in April.

legal

04-10 MARCH 2011

The future of Inheritance Tax in Spain by

Carlos Baos

of White & Baos Abogados English & Spanish Solicitors

Inheritance and Gift Taxes in Spain: the differences between the Spanish Inheritance Tax (IHT) to be paid in the different regions of Spain (comunidades autonomas) and the National IHT: differences between residents and non tax residents in Spain. Is the Spanish IHT system discriminatory? What lies ahead? IT IS very common to see articles in the press but especially the press for foreigners living in Spain (expats) mostly British, referring to the Spanish Inheritance and Gift Tax IHT (Impuesto Sucesiones y Donaciones: ISD). The reason is obvious, since this tax can be very high, depending on whether the deceased and his heirs are tax residents in a particular Spanish Autonomous Community or not, if they are Tax Residents in Spain or not, etc. Our firm has been advising for many years on inheritance tax planning and we have

seen with some concern that some people have been advised to set up company structures, which can be expensive to create and maintain, with the aim of preventing future IHT liabilities, when in many cases there was no need to as the potential IHT bill could be minimised with other measures that are much simpler, cheaper and cost effective. In any case, our aim in this article is to inform our readers, especially those whose future heirs are not tax resident in Spain, that the European Commission has formally requested from Spain a change in the regulation of the IHT, as generally it is higher when the heir or beneficiary is Non Tax Resident in Spain (irrespective of his nationality). Thus, as stated by the Commission itself, in practice when the rules of the different autonomous community apply to the Inheritance and Gift Tax, the result is that the bill is considerably less than when National or State law applies. And since National or State law on inheritance applies when the beneficiary or deceased do not have their habitual residence for a specified number of years in an autonomous community, in practice this means that normally Non

Tax Resident in Spain or Tax Resident in Spain who moved to another community, have to pay more Inheritance Tax or Death Duties than the habitual tax residents in a community for longer time. Therefore the European Commission concludes that the Spanish Laws imposes a higher tax burden on non-residents and on assets held abroad. The Commission understands that the Spanish regulations are incompatible with the free movement of workers and capital as provided by the European Union Treaty and constitutes an obstacle to free movement of persons and capital in breach of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (Articles 45 and 63 respectively). Recently a new ‘complementary reasoned opinion’ has been sent to Spain by the Commission after a previous one was sent on May 2010. It should be noted that Spain already made some amendments in this field, but the European Commission still understands that it does not fully comply with the EU Law. So, if there is no satisfactory response, Spain could be referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union. Our opinion is that the European Commission is correct when it considers

that the Spanish IHT laws in practice, if not expressly, are discriminatory. We believe that it will probably be changed quite soon in order to fulfil the European Union principles of freedom of movement and equality. The same thing happened in the past with the Capital Gains Tax (CGT), when Non Tax Residents paid more CGT than Tax Residents in Spain but after several Court decisions and pressure from the European Union, the law was changed and the CGT tax is now the same for everyone. This also opens the possibility to think about appealing against the IHT bills to be paid as they could be considered discriminatory, just as previously done with the Capital Gains Tax before the law was changed. This could be an interesting option when the IHT to be paid is very high. If this is your case or the case of someone you know, please do not hesitate to contact us. The information provided on this article is not intended to be legal advice, but merely conveys general information related to legal issues. *This article is available in English and Spanish at: www.white-baos.com

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

money

04-10 MARCH 2011

Maximising the outcome from your UK Pension fund by

Stephen Ward & Robert Burns ONE OF the strangest things we encounter from clients referred to us is their knowing very little about their pension rights. Often we have to dig quite deep to work out what there is. For most however, the exercise is definitely worthwhile. Usually existing private pensions are languishing in poorly performing funds, with no supervision or monitoring and in extreme cases have already been whittled away to nearly nothing because of the charges that are being extracted. Even where people have deferred benefits in a final salary scheme, many clients just think of this as a ‘frozen

pension’ from which they will get £X a week when they retire at the age of 65. PENSION FUNDS – THE IGNORED ASSET Yet for many this ‘ignored’ asset is perhaps second only in value to the value of their house. So it makes little sense to ignore it. Maximising the outcome or value from your UK pension fund means firstly establishing what the current value is and secondly, understanding the associated options. For the expat the options will include transferring the fund to a QROPS. IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO CASH For the long term expat, an attractive option is to release the fund as a lump sum which is available for use now. Even for the short term expat or UK residents it is generally possible to arrange for a lump sum to become immediately available through a process called pensions reciprocation.

For such clients, maximising the outcome from your UK pension fund can mean the availability of a lump sum now for reinvestment, to pay off credit card debts, or even to start a new business venture. LONG TERM INVESTMENT GROWTH Where the fund is sizeable however - say more than £100,000 then the considerations are usually different. Although releasing a lump sum remains for many an attractive option, we can instead arrange a transfer to a type of QROPS (generally in the Isle of Man, Guernsey or Malta) where long term investment growth is the objective. This will maximise the eventual income producing value of the fund, or ensures that as much as possible is available to pass down, tax free, to the next generation. These are all objectives which are difficult to achieve within the framework of inflexible UK pension rights. It is therefore hugely

advantageous for expats with UK pension funds to take advice and to evaluate the options available to them. TAKING ADVICE FROM PENSIONS SPECIALISTS Amongst advisers in Spain we are unusual - we are pensions experts first and foremost. We do not see your pension fund as a source of investment monies from which undisclosed fees and commissions will be stripped out to your disadvantage. Our charges are always clearly disclosed and transparent. We are regulated and subject to compliance checks as a consequence. So you can be confident of the advice you will receive. For further information about how to maximise the value of you UK pension fund please email review@qrops.es or see http://www.qrops.es or http://www.prempensions.com

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

Private health companies want more foreign clients PRIVATE HEALTH companies have formed an association and invested €400,000 to try and attract more foreign clients. Eight companies are planning to use the internet, insurance companies, travel agents and public health authorities in order to woo more foreign patients to use their services.

The private health centres involved are Vistahermosa clinic, Medimar international hospital, the Davó maxillofacial institute, San Jaime USP Hospital in Torrevieja, Vissum Ophthalmologist Corporación, Sha Wellness Clinic in El Albir, Hospital Clínico in Benidorm and the Casaverde neurological rehabilitation centre.

Banks and saving banks, new worries The Government has demanded banks increase their principal capital to 8% and saving banks 10% before 10th March. The saving banks especially are now trying to find new investors, but investors are reluctant to step in due to the large loans advanced to shaky municipalities and regional governments. The banks have provided the town halls with 47,000 million euros in loans; the saving banks 25,800 million.

04-10 MARCH 2011

MARCH2011 2011 11 - 17 04-10 February

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Meet the expectations and greet the profits By Guest Writer Michael Rushe of House Proud Property management & Letting IF YOU have rented out your property for holiday lets before, you will know that repeat business is the best business and it is where many owners say they generate most of their income. There are literally thousands of properties for holidaymakers to choose from, so, how can you attract people to yours and get them to come back again in the future? We regularly ask our clients for feedback and have found that some of the factors which have led to repeat business are: - The advertisement was an accurate reflection of the property - The facilities on offer met and often exceeded their expectations - The property was clean and well equipped - We had visited them within 48 hours of their arrival to check if everything was alright and to let them know we were on hand if they needed our help - There were no hidden costs: the price they paid included utilities and the final clean rather than being taken out of their deposit at the end of the stay. Let me expand on some of these points. First of all, your advertisement should be a true reflection of your property, its location and the facilities it offers. Set expectations and, as a minimum, meet them. On many occasions I have seen advertisements for properties that are ‘only ten minutes from the beach’, and from local knowledge, I know the only way it can be ten minutes from the beach is by helicopter! Think of it from the perspective of the holidaymaker

– would you be happy to find out that the ten-minute trip to the beach is at least twenty-five minutes? If your property is in a community or urbanisation, you need to draw holiday makers’ attention to the community rules. For example, many communities ask you to respect the period of ‘descanso’ (rest) or not to use lilos in the pool. Not making your clients aware of these rules can cause problems with other property owners in the community and get the holiday off to a bad start. Many people visiting Spain do not speak any Spanish which usu-

ally isn’t an issue. However, if something goes wrong, whether it is with the property or a rental car, who can they ask for assistance in English? Our clients value the fact we make a point of visiting them and know that we live locally in the event they need our help. With the credit crisis, finances are tight for many people yet most people still want to have a summer holiday to look forward to. Help make their holiday live up to their expectations and win future business for yourself in the process.

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

04-10 MARCH 2011

Spanish Property Matters: Who to believe?

by BACK IN December 2008 I was interviewed on Sky TV, about the effect of the Euro

Chris Marshall

www.almerimarlife.com

on Pensioners. At the time the reports were that they would be flocking back to the UK from Spain and other popular expatriate countries as the exchange rate devastated their pensions, and Sky wanted to know if that was the case, and if I thought it would be the case in the future. Over the subsequent months you couldn’t pick up a paper without reading how the ‘Pensioners Dreams’ had turned into ‘nightmares’, and they were ‘trapped’, desperate to get home. I wasn’t sure then, and I am even less sure now. I have watched a lot of expats head back to the UK during the recession, but not many of them have been pensioners. Maybe that generation is far better equipped to ‘tighten the belt?’ I mention this now because I read recently that more than half the Brits with holiday homes in the euro zone were planning to sell their property this year. “Quite frankly, the golden period of emigration and buying property abroad is over,” says Tim Finch of the Institute for Public Policy Research in London. In theory, then, we should be seeing an increase in Spanish house sales as the expat pensioners sell up and head back home. Looking back over some recent reports, Spanish house sales fell in November 2010, ‘for the third straight month’. House prices in Spain dropped 5% ‘year on year’ in January 2011, a sharper drop than in the previous two months, but earlier this month the National Statistics Institute reported that the number of house sales in Spain rose by 6.8% throughout 2010, reversing successive years of decline since 2006. The trend would appear to be that prices are coming down and volume is going up, which is what you would expect…but are they? Talking to friends involved in Spanish property sales the picture varies, further up the coast around Javea they are seeing signs of recovery, more inquiries and even a few sales. Locally in Almerimar an estate agents told me that it was worse than ever at the moment. On our site www.almerimarlife.com we have a survey about ‘Purchasing a Property In Spain’ asking “If the opportunity arose would you be confident in Purchasing a Property In Spain this year?” The current result shows that 54% of people would be, but the most frequent comments left are “prices don’t reflect the wider market,” “prices still too high,” “over-priced market with a glut of unsaleable houses” and “still awaiting a further downside in property prices.”

The mixed messages continue: Taylor Wimpey de Espana has revealed it saw an increase in sales of 50 per cent in 2010 despite the ongoing recession, although it should probably be noted that Mallorca contributed significantly to the figures. Elsewhere the Spanish government admitted recently in the Financial Times that it would be at least 5 years before there would be any positive development in Spain’s housing market. It is no secret that there are around 1.3 million new homes unsold and €630 billion of toxic non performing property loans in Spain at the moment. The Spanish government has recently launched a direct appeal to Britons to try and kick start the property market promising new planning laws to end the confusion which has led to some British home owners being ordered to knock down their properties deemed to have been illegally built. With British purchases accounting for a third of all Spanish property sold to foreigners in Spain over the years, the significant slump is causing major concerns still, as evidenced by the fact that the Spanish Association of Town Planning Lawyers, AEA, have suggested that the Ministry for Development sells off the stock of completed housing in Spain as holiday homes for foreign buyers. The theory is that the current Ley de Suelo needs to be changed as it is acting as a blockage to recovery because banks are currently not in a position to grant mortgages. Under the plan, the banks would receive liquidity and could increase the amount of credit they offer. The properties would be sold to the foreign market as a one-time offer at a ‘very interesting’ price. That, of course, assumes that Brits are ready, willing and able to purchase in Spain! Which takes us full circle: on the one hand we are being told that the majority of expat property owners in Spain want to sell up and move back home, while on the other hand Spain seems to be banking on selling a large amount of it’s unsold property to future British overseas property buyers. So where does that leave us? It isn’t that I think anybody is wrong per se, but I am struggling to understand who is right! Property Matters by Chris Marshall is sponsored by www.piagi.com - The Currency Specialists, offering the best foreign exchange rates and currency prices Chris Marshall is a freelance writer and blogger who runs the website www.almerimarlife.com, writes a monthly column for the Daily Telegraph and can be heard daily on Bay Radio discussing News Online Across Spain.

Property Matters by Chris Marshall is sponsored by www.piagi.com The Currency Specialists, offering the best foreign exchange rates and currency prices. Chris Marshall is a freelance writer and blogger who runs the website www.almerimarlife.com, writes a monthly column for the Daily Telegraph and can be heard daily on Bay Radio discussing News Online Across Spain.

Spotlight: Property

04-10 MARCH 2011

Judge criticised for ruling in Properties of the week brought to you by spanishhomefinder.com favour of home owners By Jan Gamm FINANCE SECRETARY Elena Salgado has criticised the Navarra judge who ruled that a mortgaged house returned to the lending bank is sufficient to cancel a mortgage debt, also ruling that this should be the case whether or not the property was in negative equity. International rating agencies such as Moody’s have now warned that the ruling could severely compromise the Spanish banking system after the Navarra court ruled that almost €30,000 in negative equity be waived on a family home mortgaged through the BBVA bank. The bank repossessed the home, valued at €71,000 but after the apartment failed at auction the price was reduced and sold for €43,000, with the bank pursuing the owner for the remainder of the loan. Eventually the court decided that, as the bank had initially valued the house at €71,000 when the loan was contracted the homeowner could not be expected to pay the difference. This sets an interesting precedence that prevents banks from pursuing bankrupt homeowners for more money.

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04-10 MARCH 2011

health

Tennis Elbow by

Joan McLellan

M.C.S.P S.R.P Grad Dip

I AM Joan McLellan, and I am a Physiotherapist. One of the most common ailments that I treat is called ‘Tennis Elbow’ which is an acute or chronic pain on the outside of the elbow joint which may spread downwards to the wrist and hand. It particularly affects young to middle aged people. HOW DOES IT OCCUR? The most common cause is repeated overuse of the arm. Tiny micro tears occur in the tendon, which become worse if the action that triggered the pain is continued. By aggravating the injury further, the tear becomes more serious and could even rupture. Tendon damage can also occur after a single incident such as lifting something heavy causing a tear. The condition often appears without any prior injury or may follow strenuous use of the arm such as playing tennis. A range of different activities that involve repeated hand, wrist, and forearm movements include: Using a computer mouse (especially if there is poor posture of neck and arm) Using a computer keyboard Using vibrating equipment such as a strimmer Constant use of scissors or shears Manual occupations involving repetitive twisting and lifting of the wrist such as carpentery, plumbing or bricklaying Playing stringed instruments Tennis elbow can sometimes be caused by using uncomfortable equipment. For example a tennis racquet that feels heavy or unbalanced will cause tension on the muscles. Equally, if the handle is too big or too small, extra effort has to go into the grip. The same rule applies to

professions such as carpentry and painters and decorators - equipment must be comfortable. WHAT DOES TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT INVOLVE? The first and most obvious thing is to avoid the movement or activities that produced the symptoms in the first place. If the damage is minor and the pressure is taken off the affected muscle, reversal is rapid with physiotherapy in the form of Ultrasound and electrotherapy. Home treatment using ice packs and taking antiinflammatory medicine helps the healing process. Unfortunately, if the cause is occupational, patients often don’t give themselves enough ‘time out’ and the condition can become chronic. TREATMENT FALLS INTO 3 PHASES: Healing Stretching Strengthening

After the tendon has healed you have to build up the strength and endurance of the muscles and ligaments as well as the tendon. This has to be done gradually, firstly using stretch techniques. It is

04-10 MARCH 2011

always advisable to have advice and instruction from your Physiotherapist as to how to carry out your rehabilitation. Flexion extension and rotation of the wrist are movements that work the damaged area. The stretch is best obtained by raising your arm straight ahead with the elbow straight. Use the other hand to push the hand of the injured side down to flex and back to extend. For rotation, still with the arm held out, turn the palm to face the floor and then the ceiling. You should never experience pain during this exercise. If you do it means you are over stretching and will cause damage.

Strengthening is achieved by doing the same movements with a weight. I recommend always beginning with a light weight.1/2 kg is okay to start. The arm has to be supported with the wrist free and elbow bent. For extension hold the palm face down and slowly raise it as far back as the wrist will bend. For flexion, hold the palm face up and again slowly raise… Rotation is palm facing the floor, slowly turning to face ceiling. Finger work can be done by using an elastic band around all the fingers. Spread fingers then relax. The opposite strengthening exercise is squeezing a ball. The Physiotherapist will advise the extent and how many repetitions are required. On returning to the activities that created the injury it is very important to gradually work up to prior activity levels. For tennis players make sure to use a light head tennis racquet. Some of the new ones are head heavy and can really damage the elbow.

This article has been written by Joan McLellan a physiotherapist since 1974. For more information call 609 954 237 or email joan.mclellan@gmail.com

04-10 MARCH 2011

Computing with aunty virus

Hotmail via Windows Live Morag via email asks: I HAVE a Windows Vista computer and I use Hotmail via Windows Live. Before going on holiday I did a vacation reply for incoming emails and now I cannot get it reversed. I have ticked the available box to stop it as ‘Help’ tells me to do but when I look to save it there is no save facility on my screen. What can I do to stop the message telling me it is still in operation? Aunty Says: The only thing I can think of Morag is to maybe try using a different browser (Firefox, IE or Opera) or try it from a different computer and see if that lets you reset the auto response function.

Security boxes Janet via email asks: CAN YOU help me? My problem is that I can get on the Ryanair site. I can get as far as putting in the destination and dates, but when I click ‘book flights’ a security box comes up and I have to copy letters which I do but still cannot get in. I have AVG2011 installed also Kaspersky which the repairer said was better should I get rid of one of them. I am a silver surfer so I am not very technical.

Aunty Says: This is known as a ‘captcha’ code and it is there to stop spammers from automatically accessing websites. Certainly check you are using upper and lowercase letters and maybe try listening to it if the option is available. You shouldn’t have two antivirus programs running so certainly uninstall one of them, my preference is AVG but Kaspersky is also a good program, so it’s up to you which one.

AVG 2011

Paulina via email asks: I HAVE AVG free 2011 on my laptop and in the bottom right hand corner there is a yellow triangle on the AVG Symbol. I have clicked on it and it says that I am not protected for Anti Virus, Anti-Spyware, and Resident Shield. All the others are fine. I have Clicked to ‘Fix All’ but a message reads ‘Update Failed’, General Error. Any Clues On How To Fix? Aunty Says: This could well be some malicious spyware interfering with the AVG update process. Make sure you have scanned your machine with an up to date Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware. Make sure you are on the Internet and try a manual update from the AVG Icon on your desktop.

Windows 7

Alan Palmer from Els Poblets asks: HI AUNTY. I use Windows 7 and I downloaded Adobe Reader. The problem is that it changes all the icons on the screen to the Adobe logo and you cannot then open them. I have to remove the reader. I have tried different versions, but the same thing happens. Is there a setting I can change to stop this? Aunty Says: This is quite a common problem caused by Adobe and there is a small program you can download and run called ‘lnkfix_vista.zip’ which works with Vista and Windows 7. I have emailed you a direct link to the download page.

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

Disk check Eddie via email asks: HOLA AUNTY, Hope you are well, and the weather is warming up as well! I have asked Windows to defrag my system from the ‘accessories’ ‘system tools’ but it keeps telling me that Chkdsk is scheduled to run and will not let me defrag. A box jumps onto the defrag page and tells me to run Chkdsk but I do this and nothing appears to happen? Your help/answer would be appreciated. Aunty Says: You can run the disk check (Chkdsk) program manually, and it is sometimes better to do this in Safe Mode. I’m assuming you have XP. Press the F8 key before Windows starts and choose ‘safe mode’. Say ‘yes’ to the first popup message and open ‘my computer’. Right click on the icon for your C: drive and go down to ‘properties’. Click on the ‘tools’ tab and the ‘check now’ button: tick the two boxes and ‘start’. You should get a message about disk check not being able to perform…… so click ‘yes’ and this should schedule a check disk operation to run the next time you start your PC.

04-10 MARCH 2011

GADGET INSPECTOR

The case of: The Withings WiFi Bathroom Scales THIS WEEK the Inspector weighs in with the Withings WiFi Bathroom Scales – just when you thought it was safe to go to the bathroom; not with this mischievous device waiting… The Withings WiFi Bathroom Scales are an ultra-slim glass and aluminium introduction to the world of high-tech weight measurement. It automatically measures your weight, BMI (Body Mass Index) and fat index every time you step on it. This information is then sent via your home broadband WiFi connection to your PC or iPhone, where you can view the results via a passwordprotected website or Iphone app. You can even sync the information with Google health; and share it via email, Facebook and Twitter – should you have a need for online weight exhibitionism. The scales are also compatible with online coaching programs should you wish to use them. WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF YOUR HEALTH CONSCIOUS FAMILY? Can they use the scales too? Oh yes indeed, the Withings WiFi Bathroom Scales are capable of tracking up to eight individual users. And you don’t even need to tell it who you are when you step on it, the scales compare the records of all the users and work out which is the correct one to use! No more ‘one at a time please’ messages. Later, when you’ve accessed your account on

your PC or iPhone, a whole host of additional features are available. You can compare your readings with the ‘ideal’ figures for someone of your age and body type; add notes about your fitness regime and even enter your meals for each day. Designed for dieters, fitness fanatics, athletes or just the health conscious, the Withings WiFi Bathroom Scales will have your computer knowing more about one of your most intimate secrets than is probably good for you; and quicker than you can say, “It must be water retention”. The Inspector’s Verdict: Is nothing sacred? The Withings WiFi Bathroom Scales give every tech-hungry, online-attention-grabbing, mustknow-wherever-I-am, weight-obsessed individual everything they could possibly want. As for the rest of us, we’re probably going to stick with those familiar set of scales that have been around for years, hidden behind the bathroom cabinet, and only ever brought out in times of extreme guilt. And then they always did get it wrong by at least a couple of stones… The Withings WiFi Bathroom Scales cost around €140, and are available in white or black with a one year manufacturer’s warranty (not covered by accuracy-induced attacks with a blunt instrument).

04-10 2011 2010 8-14 MARCH JANUARY

Be realistic with your plants by

Clodagh & Dick Handscombe Practical gardeners and authors

FROST HAS hit many gardens this year even only a kilometer from the beaches. Luckily there were not the cold winds that gave air temperatures down to minus twenty and below in inland areas in 2005 but minus threes to minus sevens left many garden plants very burnt. The more tender plants will have died, less tender will come back but be late to green up and flower while that truly frost resistant plant Euryops chrysanthemoides, Paris daisy or Euryops marquerite - in Latin, English and Spanish respectively - flowered continuously and brighten up bleak blackened gardens with perhaps just the browning of a few leaves in exposed situations. By the way, this plant is one of the few that will flower twelve months of the year with dead heading and lives for years. We have a twenty year old plant. Yes, now a little woody, but when cut back when it gets too leggy for its situation it

re-sprouts and the prunings may be planted up in the green house to produce new plants. Unfortunately there are few plants that flower so long but there are those that stay green and come into flower as soon as the weather warms up such as the Argyranthemum, Marquerite or Margarita and Osteopermum fruticosum, Afican Daisy or Dimorphoteca. By the way each of the above three plants not only withstand heavy frosts but are also highly draught-resistant. Naturally we don’t have the space to list all the plants found in garden centres that are both frost and draught resistant but you will find them in the plant lists included in our best-selling book the practical gardening handbook ‘Your Garden in Spain – From Planning to Planting And Maintenance’ and the earlier version, ‘Your Garden in SpainPractical Ideas for Gardens that Suit Your Spanish Lifestyle’. If you are confused, the vegetable and fruit chapters were taken out of the earlier book and expanded to create the sister books ‘Growing Healthy Vegetables in Spain’ and ‘Growing Healthy Fruit in Spain’ so the publisher needed a new subtitle to differentiate between the two versions of ‘Your Garden in Spain’. We gave you the three names of the above plants to help you find the plants as some garden centres use

The Paris Daisy flowered continuously through out the bad weather spell

botanic names, others the Spanish names and staff recognising English speakers can use the English names. The same is done for the most practical three hundred and fifty flowering and evergreen plants for coastal and inland gardens. The same is done for the list of realistic plants for apartment terraces balconies and windowsills in ‘Apartment Gardening Mediterranean Style’. Also to help your garden related shopping and talking to your gardener there is a comprehensive English-Spanish vocabulary at the end of each of our books. If you are attending Spanish classes show your teacher the vocabularies and ask her to work the words into her teaching and your homework exercises. Not only will this make your Spanish learning more practical and realistic but it will also, with the help of the plant descriptions and photographs in the books, help you make more realistic plant purchases and

Clodagh and Dick’s practical gardening books will be found to be useful for both experienced and new gardeners coming to Spain. The useful quartet of books can be obtained from bookshops or by email from the websites of Amazon, Santana Books, Bookworld and The Royal Horticultural Society. © Clodagh and Dick Handscombe www.gardeninginspain.com February 2011.

avoid the more tender of the subtropical and tropical plants that are happy in their natural habitats but less so here except in the most sheltered and humid gardens. TWO BOOKS TO HELP YOU BE REALISTIC IN THE CHOICE OF PLANTS Clodagh and Dick Handscombe’s books, based on their twenty five years of gardening on the coast and inland, can be purchased from Bookworld and other bookshops, Carrefour and internet bookshops such as Santana Books, Amazon and The Royal Horticultural Society Bookshop. www.gardeninginspain.com PERSONAL HELP IN TWO WEEKS’ TIME If you wish to discuss gardening problems personally with Clodagh and Dick Handscombe they will be manning a Gardeners Corner Question and Answer stall at the ‘This is Spain’ exhibition at the Albir Playa Hotel on 19th / 20th March.

04-10 MARCH 2011

Spanish lessons by

Jane Cronin

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

Lesson 147

Present tense root-changing verbs As we are following the order of earlier articles, we have now come to the delightful subject of “rootchanging verbs”. If I tell you that some people call these “radical-changing verbs” and other people call them “stem-changing verbs” this may or may not stimulate your memory cells sufficiently. Personally I am very fond of root-changing verbs as, like the rest of the Spanish language, they follow defined patterns and have an internal logic. On the other hand, one of the things I least like about them is that whilst they are rather laborious to teach and learn, their use is actually quite limited in the overall scheme of things. In other words, root changes principally occur in the present tense of the verb, and don’t apply to most other tenses. Anyway, here is a little test based on what we went through in articles 51 to 60, all of which are still on my website under “RTN articles”. Here’s a clue – the sentences go in pairs with the same verb used twice in different forms. They are all root-changing verbs and all the sentences are in the present tense, even when they aren’t in English. Good luck! Type one – e to ie Translate into Spanish: 1. We close the door at night. 2. The children close their books after school. 3. Do you want more coffee? (Addressed to a group of people) 4. My friends want to spend Christmas with us. 5. What time do you come to work in the morning? 6. I come here very often.

7. What does the lawyer think about that? 8. We think that it’s fine. (4 points of each correct answer – 32 total) Type two - o to ue 1. I’ll return later. (we can use the present tense here) 2. We go back there often. 3. I go to bed at 11 o’clock. 4. What time to the children go to bed? 5. Can you open this bottle? (singular) 6. You can come back later. (plural) 7. My cat sleeps all day. 8. We sleep there at weekends. (4 points of each correct answer – 32 total) Type three – e to i 1. What do they usually order? 2. The student asks for an explanation. 3. I’ll tell you the truth. (present tense can be used here) 4. What do they say? 5. We repeat the words. 6. Do they repeat 7. My son continues to study. 8. I’ll follow you by car. (present tense can be used here) (4 points of each correct answer – 32 total) The total number of marks this time is 96. It’s up to you to decide how many of the four points you deserve for each answer. Award yourself the final four points (to make a 100 total) if you’ve actually had a go at all of them and got to the end. More than 4 points, you deserve a medal.

04-10 2011 2010 8-14 MARCH JANUARY

Hubble bubble Times have changed. Woe betide any woman living alone way back then, when any woman with a cat as company and a herb garden was in danger of suffering a ducking, burning or branding at the very least. The Witches mark was the application of a hooked burning brand. If this didn’t inflict a serious and appalling wound then the woman was a Witch and sentenced to be put to death. Of course, if the same unfortunate female blistered and burned she was innocent, and had been possibly tortured enough for one day. Single women mostly, could be accused at any time, and if that feline companion purring by a cauldron by the fire happened to be black, and the odd toad popped up in the vegetable patch, well, who knows what was possible? Witches were feared and burned and tortured and drowned because they were different, and because it could be said that this was an affliction and that the accused had a pact with the Devil himself. Nobody was spared from the famous Witchhunts which were geared to kill animal loving women, female botanists, kitchen gardeners, the single girl in general, and anyone with a big nose. God forbid that any woman would have a belief in spiritual matters or a desire to heal and comfort the sick. Thankfully we have moved on. I aspired to be given the nickname of, “Spooky” in University, and wouldn’t have stood a chance if the Witchfinder General was in town and on the lookout. But being born in more enlightened times I was able to work with my own powers, to learn to conjure up the odd spirit entity and maybe work a bit of magic on the side. There were those who thought that I was silly and weird, or just plain crazy, and back in the 1960s when I began to enjoy significant abilities I had the backing of a wise Mother, who managed to convince me utterly that I was experiencing something everybody could. She was right, but I thought that everybody would; and here

postbag Email your letters to me at: kennycorris@roundtownnews.com

Kenny, when you met me you told me that I had work to do with myself, and that I needed to make a stronger connection with Spirit. I am still nervous to do this, but what is my first step? I really do believe but I rely on others for this and should I? Gareth.C. Hi Gareth. I love to help people realise their inner energies, and I always alert those whom I think have a distinct spiritual energy which could be used for good use. I see so many spiritually gifted people and as a teacher I am used to helping people to achieve, and to know better their inner selves. With regard to Spirit, have no fear, it is your contact with them that is wanted here, and how you establish this is to talk to them. The stronger your connection then the stronger your energy becomes. More will be revealed to you as this process continues. I am here to answer any questions on the way, but you should either come on a workshop with me, or book a one to one appointment to give you that boost, and hopefully too, meet other developing spiritually gifted people all along the way!

I got it wrong. She fooled me, my Mum, but she made conscious efforts that saw me grow into the very happy and naturally spiritually gifted young man I was to be. I thank her for her support and her love, her actions allowed me to make significant progress in my own way, with no fear whatsoever! I have never had the fear that some feel when Spiritual matters are aired. I only ever felt the protection that Spirit brought me as an only child in what was a sadly to become a broken family. I was keen to make my way, though like all kids trying to do a grown up’s job I too had my pitfalls and certainly my ups and downs. Don’t forget, because I cannot, that I thought at the time that everybody could do what I was doing. I learned my craft and I learned it the hard way, and looking back I wouldn’t have had it any other way. We often don’t appreciate it if we’ve had it easy; and our mistakes are a lesson in life to us, of the best kind. I accepted guidance but was as stubborn as a mule, determined and strong. My strong determination began, as did my life, on the strongest night of the World’s Witches at 11.59. I was just in time. Hallowe’een is the night that World Witches travel, but it is on Walpurgis Eve, diametrically opposite by calendar on April 30th, that the power of the Witch emerges. It is said that at one o’clock the Church bells around the World, ring thirteen times. I was ready for that hour too, since the surgeons operated to remove a cowl from my baby face, and I was freed from my lucky psychic portent at what is known as the Witching hour. Make up your own mind as you will, dear reader. I have no third nipple, my feet are not toeless, my faithful cocker spaniel would see off any cat that dared to cross the threshold, and my wart? Yes, I did have one once, it fell off one day. Spooky?

Love & Light... Kenny Corris

Kenny’s diary Monday March 7th and Wednesday March 9th: Readings at Bistro Maya, Albir. Call: 966 868 213 for bookings and further info. Saturday March 12th: Readings at La Fustera, between Calpe and Moraira. From 10.00 onwards. Contact: Penny Smith for info and bookings, on: 687 926 021 or: 965 749 182. Readings in Gandia? Please contact Lorraine on: 654 092 691 for further information. Saturday April 16th: Spiritual Spring Fayre at Bistro Maya. Readings Treatments. Crystals. Tarot. Angel Cards. Make a date for your Diary! Info: 966 868 213.

contact kenny Appointments: 96 587 8424 Mobile: 686 361 594 Web: www.kennycorris.net Forum: www.kennycorris.net/forum Email: kennycorris@hotmail.com

Please contact me for inclusion in my healing list!

horoscopes by Kenny Corris A week of sudden changes and missed opportunities, brought about by a late save in which Uranus, Planet of invention comes to your aid. It is the initial impact of Mercury at the start of the week that sends a mixed message that may be confused by those who choose to see what they want to, and in so doing ignore your wants and needs right now. You have the power to make the changes that you need! Venus connects with a very wily Jupiter, bringing you love and luck on the cards this week. If there are achievements you need to make, and/or projects and plans that need a helping hand then now is the time for them to start or restart, so long as you are at the helm to steer the ship in the right direction. Take control because this is maybe what you have been long and patiently waiting for. With a buoyant Mercury conjuncting with busy Uranus, and entering into a warring Aries midweek there comes a time when confrontation is the only way forward. A situation begs for control and someone needs taking in hand before some serious damage is done and there are tears before bedtime. Rest assured these tears won’t be yours, but quite honestly you don’t need this right now. With the Moon about to enter into Gemini there comes a conflict with Mercury, which during a Saturnian retrograde brings a problem well and truly to your door. You may have already greatly regretted what you have said, since you should have waited for some home truths to be brought to the surface. This week is all about clearance, and elimination. Take any chance to clear the decks if you can. Interaction brings about an exchange of views and values as you begin to piece together something that has not been fully revealed to you, and which may very well be best left as a mystery. There is a corner that shows a need to sharpen your wits, but you need to also prepare for a shock somewhere along the line. You do have an option, and you could put all of this way behind you, where it belongs. Stubborn pride is stopping you from something which seems to be quite straightforward, but which may very well have a double meaning. In this very busy time of your life there is no need to compromise yourself or try to take on that which you do not want or need. However you are somewhat wired and are internalising your anger and stress, and things are better out in the open for all concerned. Your usual highly prized equilibrium is gently swayed this week, and it’s all over something that pricks your conscience and allows you to see two different outcomes. Thriving as you do on balance it is easy to see that you’re undecided and so play for time and just stall. As the Moon enters into Gemini space you have a cooling off period which will help you do the right thing, but keep a clear head. With Mars currently nicely ensconced in Pisces there comes a time to harness your power and to cut your cloth according to your means. This is not a time economically when you can afford to carry someone who is not toeing the line, and who plays to your sentimental and spiritual side without remorse. If action seems to be drastic just remember that you didn’t sign up for this. Jupiter is in dalliance with Venus, and this week you have a special spring in your step as you make forward plans and execute them. There is no need for you to have a carrot dangling to spur you on to a good result, but things are working out quite nicely, and just as you had hoped. Take advantage of this time to throw caution to the wind, what you really want to happen very well may. Lucky chances are what your somewhat precarious life is all about, so current energies should find you with fingers in a lot of pies. The ups and downs just lately have given you a chance to thrive, and may have got the adrenaline flowing, especially as you have a dream to fulfil and the clock is ticking. Prioritise and take time to play this down the line knowing that you will win through whatever. With Uranus, your Planetary leader connected to Piscean territories there is a time to bring your psychic energies well and truly in to play. Do not doubt yourself, but rather put things into context and see what you can do. Above all it is the inner connection with yourself that needs to strengthened, and then achievements will show you the way forward and move boundaries in the process. With powerful Aries, inspiring Mercury and transforming Uranus all together there will be some harmony this week that will almost certainly bring closure and serve to open you to new directions. Not before time, you are to find out, albeit the hard way, that there is more to your next move than meets the eye. Nothing ventured is nothing gained and where there is a will there is certainly a way, too.

If it’s your birthday this week...

You are to be blessed with solutions to problems and are already being shown a new way forward. Keep your inner energies flowing and harness the energy that you need to take things onward to a new horizon throughout the astrological year ahead.

04-10 MARCH 2011 8-14 JANUARY 2010

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

Cryptic Crossword

Sudoku ACROSS 1 & 10 Down. Member of the force in Puritan dress? (5,7,9) 7. But an unusual version of African language (5) 8. This couldn’t be farther from the peak (5) 9. A sign in a simple order (3) 10. Boccaccio’s collected tales of French romance, maybe (9) 11. No friendly state (6) 12. The very thing to stifle in a strange way (6) 15. Young troopers (3,6) 17. The melody one hears before (3) 18. More than one spoke (5) 19. Untrue statement about raw material (5) 21. To reform aborigines, a number of choices are required (12)

DOWN 1. Refreshment counters side by side are a feature of the gymnasium (8,4) 2. Sister kept in order (3) 3. Have a meal around a motor boat (6) 4. Can manufacturers? (9) 5. Duck down (5) 6. They bring about changes in electrical components (12) 7. Kind of stick needed for a shrub (5) 10. See 1 Across 13. In the paper a sentence to delete (5) 14. Bird showin’ signs of exhaustion (6) 16. What a cry o’ delight partly consists of! (5) 20. This will control the horse a little (3)

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Mufti (5,7)

1. Jailer (6,6)

7. Savoury meat jelly (5)

2. Pinch (3)

8. Incorporate (5)

3. To place (6)

9. Choose (3)

4. Actors (9)

10. Aversion (9)

5. White heron (5)

11. Slogan (3-3)

6. Sports ground (7,5)

12. A priest (6)

7. Change (5)

15. Devout (9)

10. Hauteur (9)

17. Lout (3)

13. Laziness (5)

18. Consumed (5)

14. Spider’s net (6)

19. Keep vigil (5)

16. Supple (5)

21. Echoed (12)

20. Hill (3)

Wordwheel

Quick Crossword

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

Win a meal for 2!

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

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

Euromillions Draw Friday 25TH FEBRUARY

Answers & Winners

12 13 42 45 48

Last week’s Crossword and Suduko answers found on page 51/54. Crossword winner for issue 593: David Collins, La Sabatera, Moraira

No ticket won the 44,068,143 Euros (£37,687,076) jackpot prize

46 40

04-10 MARCH Feb2011 26 - March 4 2010

Mike Peters M

IKE IS very quickly becoming a favourite guitarist vocalist along our coast after recently moving north from Cartegena. Extremely popular simply because he has one of the most diverse repertoires ranging from ballads, some Rat Pack, a good old rock and roll section and many, many popular chart hits from the 60’s 70’s and 80’s. Great for dancing, so every venue or special event can be catered for. His personality reaches out to all audiences and you can be assured of a thoroughly enjoyable couple of hours in the company of Mike Peters. To book Mike call 666 182 985: To see him: Saturday 12th March: Bar Imanyo, Daya Nueva

music scene Samantha Curtis THIS FUN-LOVING vocalist from Rochdale always gives great performances: a little lady with a big voice. Samantha has lived in Spain for many years after being a professional vocalist on the Northern circuit since she was a teenager. With her talent and experience, Samantha now divides her show to include a Karaoke section, if required, for any venue after performing her normal routine. She has a natural northern wit and has been known to throw in a few jokes for good measure. A thoroughly en-

tertaining evening, or afternoon, is always guaranteed. To book Samantha, phone: 687 148 764: To see her: Every Sunday, 2.00 – 5.00pm at The Cavalier, San Luis Saturday, 12th March: Bobbys Bar, Quesada Saturday 19th March: Quesada Country Club, Quesada

Pete Oliver PETE OLIVER is certainly one of the most gifted and talented performers along the Costa Blanca. Now residing in Benidorm, Pete not only fills venues in his home town but travels south around Torrevieja. His show is full of nostalgia as he pays his own tributes to Neil Diamond, PJ Proby, The Bee Gees, Joe Cocker and Ozzie Osbourne and more complete with costume changes. Pete is also one third of tribute band The Bee

Gees, who never use backing tracks for the phenomenal harmonies that The Bee Gees are renowned for. To book either Pete Oliver or The Bee Gees Tribute Band: call 678 380 296. To See Pete: Saturday 26th March, The Coopers Arms, Dona Pepa: a dinner dance, so booking is essential.

Concert season reopens in Campoverde IN RESPONSE to popular demand, ‘Music in Quiet Places’ resumes in Campoverde with a special free concert on Thursday, 17th March. Many events in the village have been the inspiration of the local church. The small chapel – an ideal ‘quiet place’ - has been utilised for several informal concerts over the past year, not only giving a platform for local classical singers and musicians but also providing a quiet, inspiring haven for listeners to pause and enjoy some enchanting entertainment; very different from the

more commercial music of the disco and the karaoke. Organiser Christine Eames reports: “There are other venues for big choirs and big bands in the Pilar de la Horadada region, but this smaller hall is perfect for solo singers, duos and small ensembles with a different repertoire. Last year we attracted capacity crowds – so bear in mind that if you want to get a seat, come early! We start at 20.00. Admission is free but there will be a retiring collection to support the on-going work of the church.” More details: 966 762 308.

Utopiacats music and dance afternoon

UTOPIACATS, THE re-homing centre for abandoned cats, is to host an afternoon of music and dance, a ‘batchelors’ auction’, with market stalls and a prize raffle. There will be kittens awaiting adoption to play with and plenty of fun to be had at Los Arcos Restaurant, avda Baleares, 34, Torrevieja, starting at 14.00 and continuing until 18.00 on Sunday, 13th March. Entrance is free. For further information, please call Utopiacats on 654 886 108.

MARCH 2011 Feb 26 04-10 - March 4 2010

47 47

Steve Lukather plays San Javier

ATURDAY 12th MARCH, Músicas del Alma presents for the first time ever in the region of Murcia, one of the best guitarists in the history of rock, singer, song writer, arranger, producer, and one of the most versatile and admired guitarist on the planet, Steve ‘Luke’ Lukather. from www.vibesfromthecostas. Lukather has had an impressive career as a studio blogspot.com musician, having worked with Van Halen, Steve Vai, Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Aretha Franklin, Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, Larry Carlton and Herbie Hancock, just to name a few, but is best known for his work with the rock band Toto. He has played with countless artists, released several solo albums and, as a studio session guitarist, been involved with arranging, composing, and recording on over 1,000 albums. He is also a member of jazz fusion bands El Grupo and Los Lobotomys, both collaborations of notable sessions musicians. While his work with Toto was predominantly based on pop rock music, Lukather’s solo and sideproject work spans many genres including rock, prog, jazz and funk. Before his father bought him a guitar and a copy of ‘Meet The Beatles’ at the age of seven, Luke started to play drums and keyboards: “I love keyboards. I write all my songs on keyboards, except for the real obvious ‘burn’ tunes. I find it much easier, you have all

Vibes From The Costas by

Tony Poole

these great synth sounds and you play a C chord and it sounds like God, and you start thinking melodies as opposed to chops.” Notable session keyboardist David Paich and session drummer Jeff Porcaro were high school friends with Lukather. They asked Lukather to join in forming their band, Toto, in 1976 when Lukather was nineteen years old. He was a member of Toto from that time until the band split up in 2008. Lukather’s reputation as a guitarist and his association with Paich and Porcaro, allowed him to secure a great deal of session work in the 1970s and 1980s. He is a prolific songwriter, writing or co-writing many songs for Toto and other artists. His career has encompassed hundreds of performances and album appearances with Toto and other wellknown musicians. Lukather has been nominated for twelve Grammy awards, and has won five times. Did you know it was Lukather’s pen that co-wrote the Grammy award winning best R&B song of 1982, ‘Turn Your Love Around’, sung by one of Jazz San Javier’s favourite sons, George Benson. Lukather’s latest album released on Mascot Records is ‘All’s Well That Ends Well’ It’s his sixth studio album, released on vinyl and as a jewel case CD. In Europe, it’s released as limited edition digibook, containing a booklet with studio pictures and liner notes from

Lukather and producer CJ Vanston. The concert takes place at 22:00 in the Municipal Marquee in the Parque Almansa, San Javier. Ticket prices are €10, available from the San Javier Festival Offices (located on the ground floor of the San Javier Town Hall). Tickets can also be purchased at the auditorium ticket office on the night of the concert. Information and Reservations: Festival Offices: 968 191 588 and 968 191 568. More info at www.jazz.sanjavier.es

More festival and concert information at www.vibesfromthecostas.blogspot.com plus you can find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tony.poole. Email news and views to vibes@roundtownnews.com Keep the ViBES ALiVE!

Bob Dylan comes to the Costa Blanca!

WELL, NOT exactly! Whilst it is possible that Mr Zimmerman may bring his unending tour to our shores at some time in the future, in the meantime fans of the Bard of Hibbing may be interested in the arrival of Highway 61, the brainchild of Bill O’Brien together with Gordon McCadden and Ian Hutchings, three of the most musically accomplished artistes on the Costa Blanca.

Bill had a band back in Ireland several years ago called The Zimmermans performing a catalogue of Dylan’s work: Highway 61 aims to take it to a new level. Whilst the band is certainly a tribute to Dylan’s work, it aspires to be something more than simply a copycat act with its unique style and line-up. Acoustic and electric guitars combine with harmonica and bouzouki to create an interesting instrumental sound combined with strong vocal harmonies. Many of Dylan’s classics are covered such as ‘Blowing in the Wind’, ‘All Along The Watchtower’ and ‘The Times They Are A-Changing’ together with more recent songs such as ‘Make You Feel My Love’, a recent hit for the young singer Adele. Other classics made famous by their covers by other artists such as I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight (UB40), Knocking On Heaven’s Door (Eric Clapton) are also included plus a couple of numbers that you may not even realise were originally penned by Dylan. HIGHWAY 61 will be performing at Bar Rocajuna near Punta Prima on Thursday, March 10th, so if you are a fan of Bob Dylan, or just a fan of good music, come along and check it out. For details please contact The Rocajuna at 966 799 829.

Crazy Ladies dance success THE CRAZY Ladies dance group had another sell out concert at Asturias restaurant Punta Prima on Friday night in support of the Torrevieja stroke association. The ladies presented some new and exciting routines choreographed by their leader Georgie Anderson and a new Charleston routine to a Paulo Nutini song was especially well received and got a standing ovation. All of the dancers have given their time free to dance at various events for charity. A special thank you goes to Paul (jumbo) Martin, who was tempted out of retirement and gave his time free of charge for this performance.

04-10 MARCH 2011

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.

Canal de Navarrés: Navarrés and Chella (Part 2) When you leave the motorway in the direction of the Canal de Navarrés you are entering the Macizo del Caroig, dubbed with the poetic name of the “labyrinth of the full moon”. The rivers Friale, Grande, Cazuma and Ludey flow through a picturesque landscape of lakes, ravines and waterfalls, where watercourses disappear underground, popping up now and again, to finally reappear when they reach the river Escalona.

Chella

The diversity of this beautiful region has made it one of the important centres of rural enjoyment, everything from climbing, mountain biking, canoeing, fishing, trekking, horse riding and swimming to leisure walks and studying the profusion of cave paintings

that go back to Neolithic times. The town of Navarrés shows its Arab origin in the narrow streets of the old town at the foot of the hill, crowned by the hermitage dedicated to del Cristo de la Salud (the Christ of Good Health). From the courtyard of the ermita you can look over the expanse of flowers grown commercially around the town, for which Navarrés has acquired the name pequeña Holanda española, the little Spanish Holland. Chella, where a group of experts are studying the claim that the blue and white tiled cupola of the parish church, the Virgen de Gracia, was designed by the famous architect Antoni Gaudí. If it was it will surprise a lot of people as it looks just like any number of cupolas that can be seen throughout the Valencian Community. But time, and the experts, will tell. Climb to the mirador at the top of the town and you have a glorious view over the surrounding valley with finely ordered orange groves and vineyards looking like a neatly sewn quilt. The chellinos, as the locals are known, have christened this spot Paraíso. There is not a sound except for the water cascading from El Salto, a

Chella Salto

waterfall that tumbles 30 metres into the deep green pool below. Sat in the bottom of the gorge is the ruin of an old electricity station that generated power from the force of the falls. Now little more than four creeper-covered walls, it is home for a herd of goats whose owner cultivates the fan-shaped garden laid out in front of the main entrance.

This area is the domain of los caliqueños, hand-rolled cigars that are sold in brown paper-wrapped bundles of 20 for the ridiculous price of €4, if you know where to look. The Canal de Navarrés was historically the centre of tobacco growing in the Valencian Community, and the workers used to take leaves home to “roll their own”. These days most of the tobacco is brought from Granada, but the caliqueños have become a cottage industry and for every small cigar producing factory there are a thousand homes making these lumpy, slightly curving smokes – totally illegally! However, this contraband trade is largely ignored and, if you ask politely, most of the cafes will sell you a pack, usually from under the counter or from a store cupboard, but never on open display.

Caliqueños

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.

Strawberry

Fizz

6 Strawberries 1/2 Apple Sparkling water Ice (Honey or sugar if required) Juice the apple and then add to a blender and add the strawberries and ice. Pour into a glass and add the sparkling water. Add sugar or honey if you want to sweeten it slightly. APPLES Contain Vitamins A, B and C, potassium, pectin, boron, ellagic acid, and carotenes. They are great system cleansers full of dietary fibre, a laxative and lowers cholesterol STRAWBERRIES Contain vitamin C and E, ellagic acid, 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

folic acid, beta-carotene, potassium, iron and antioxidants. They are anti-viral, anti-cancer, and effective against gout, rheumatism and arthritis. They are a great cleansing juice and good tonic for the liver.

50 61

04-10 2011 14 - MARCH 20 may 2010

MABS goes to market

you need help, contact MABS on 693 275 779 or visit: www.mabsmurcia.com

CECILIA COULSON and the Murcia North West MABS team run a stall at the Calasparra market on the first and third Friday of each month. “We are handing out leaflets in Spanish for the Spanish residents, who have shown a great interest in what MABS does. I am hoping that they will want to get involved,” said Cecilia. Calasparra Ayuntamiento has kindly provided the stall free of charge, giving MABS a chance to connect with the local community and recruit volunteers. MABS Murcia/Mar Menor covers a large area, so the satellite branches in the Fortuna, Calasparra and Cehegin areas are vital. MABS Murcia/Mar Menor helps all people in the Murcia/Mar Menor area affected by cancer, providing drivers, translators, information leaflets, equipment, a listening ear, or a shoulder to lean on. To volunteer, donate or if

HELP MURCIA AECC Torrevieja Branch: MAR MENOR Forthcoming events Quiz with a Difference Thursday 10th March, 2011, 7.00 for 7.30pm start Where? La Encina Caravan Park Social Club, San Javier Cost? €10 including Chicken and chips Prizes for the winning team. Bring your friends along and make up a team Tickets available from: Joan Mitchell 968 181 943, Office – 968 57 00 59. Joan Mitchell at the Car Boot, Autocine on Sundays ALL PROCEEDS IN AID OF HELP MURCIA MAR MENOR

22ND MARCH: Registration for Cancer Screening at La Marina: 10.30 to 12.30 at La Marina Tourist Office opposite Supervalu Supermarket: Subsidised screening for prostate, breast and cervical cancers. Auctions are held at: Rocajuna, Punta Prima, Monday; Monty’s Bar, Algorfa, Wednesday; Buddie’s Bar, Playa Flamenca (near Saturday Market and Judges Chambers) Thursday;

Emerald Isle, Playa Flamenca, Friday: All at 13.00 to 16.00: If you have any items to donate for auction contact Carol and Ron 965 319 929: Mobile 688 238 879. AECC are looking for volunteers to organise concerts or other fundraising events to support its lifesaving subsidised cancer screening. Screening detects cancer in its early stages and fund-raising is an essential part of this process. It is also vitally important to

remember your own cancer screening. Please call AECC on 965 716 679 or Jackie on 966 722 358 if you can help in any way or to arrange appointments. Visit the AECC EnglishLanguage Website for further information about all aspects of AECC in the Torrevieja area: www.aecctorrevieja.org Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer, Calle La Calera 2. (English-speaking Wednesday mornings).

Charity Dance for Butterfly Children SAN FULGENCIO Ayuntamiento & LMSFRA (La Marina San Fulgencio Residence Association) is to host a Charity Dance in aid of The Butterfly Children Charity at the Centro Social, La Marina Urb on Saturday 19th March starting at 8:30pm, with entertainment from Plan B. Tickets are on sale now at The Butterfly Children Charity shop in La Marina: please bring your own refreshments.

HELP MURCIA MAR MENOR’S “SPRING FAYRE” from 3.00 to 6.00 p.m. at the Las Claras Cultural Centre, Los Alcazares on Saturday 16th April. STALLHOLDERS REQUIRED Donations of €10 per table requested. Ring Joan on 968 181 943 or the office on 968 590 059

tv Friday 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Heir Hunters 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Wreck or Ready? 12:30 Cash in the Attic 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Escape to the Country 16:00 BBC News; Regional News 16:05 Deadly 60 16:35 Deadly 60 Bite Size 16:40 Deadly Art 17:00 Dani’s House 17:30 Tracy Beaker Returns 18:00 Newsround 18:15 The Weakest Link 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 Rip Off Britain 21:00 EastEnders 21:30 QI 22:00 New Tricks 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News 23:35 Graham Norton Show 24:20 National Lottery Friday Night Draws

07:00 Childrens TV 11:20 Pingu 11:25 64 Zoo Lane 11:45 Waybuloo 12:05 In the Night Garden 12:35 Meerkat Manor 13:00 Daily Politics 13:30 GMT with George Alagiah 14:00 Due South 14:45 Athletics 16:00 Wanted Down Under Revisited 16:45 Flog It! Ten of the Best 17:30 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 18:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 My Life in Books 20:00 Athletics 20:30 An Island Parish 21:00 Mastermind 21:30 Britain from Above 22:00 Hidden Treasures of African Art 23:00 Fast and Loose 23:30 Newsnight 24:00 The Review Show 24:50 ICC Cricket World Cup Highlights

04-10 MARCH 2011

07:20 Sali Mali 07:25 The Hoobs 07:50 The Hoobs 08:15 Freshly Squeezed 08:40 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:05 Frasier 09:35 According to Jim 10:05 Supernanny USA 11:00 The Good Wife 11:55 Gok’s Clothes Roadshow 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 Breakfast at Tiffany’s 15:10 Cookery School 16:10 Countdown 16:55 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Come Dine with Me 18:30 Coach Trip 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:25 4thought.tv 20:30 Asian Gracefully 21:00 Relocation: Phil Down Under 22:00 Embarrassing Bodies 23:00 Friday Night Dinner 23:30 Rude Tube 24:30 10 O’Clock Live

07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News 14:55 Granada News 15:00 House Gift 16:00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 Midsomer Murders 18:00 The Chase 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Children’s Hospital 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Benidorm 23:00 ITV News at Ten 23:30 Granada News 23:35 The Cube 24:35 Take Me Out

07:00 Childrens TV 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:25 Peppa Pig 09:30 Roary the Racing Car 09:40 Hana’s Helpline 09:50 The WotWots 10:00 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:00 The Vanessa Show 12:45 House 13:40 5 News 13:45 Build a New Life in the Country 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 Home and Away 15:50 Animal Rescue Squad 16:05 Family Recipe 16:15 Family Gathering 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:25 OK! TV 20:00 5 News at 7 20:30 Vets in Action 21:00 Ice Road Truckers 22:00 The Mentalist 23:00 Law & Order 23:55 NCIS 24:55 Cops in Crisis

09:00 Top Design 10:00 The Real A & E 11:00 Lie to Me 12:00 The Filth Files 13:00 Oops TV 14:00 The Real A & E 15:00 Stargate SG-1 17:00 Oops TV 17:30 Futurama 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Futurama 19:00 Oops TV 19:30 The Simpsons 20:30 The Middle 21:00 The Simpsons 21:30 Modern Family 22:00 Raising Hope 22:30 A League of Their Own 23:30 Louie Spence’s Showbusiness

09:00 Live Athletics 11:30 Live Nordic Combined Skiing 12:30 Live CrossCountry Skiing 14:15 Live Alpine Skiing 15:15 Ski Jumping 15:45 Live Nordic Combined Skiing 16:45 Live Athletics 19:00 Cross-Country Skiing 20:00 Nordic Combined Skiing 21:00 Strongest Man 22:00 Timbersports Series 23:00 Cross-Country Skiing 23:45 Nordic Combined Skiing 24:30 Extreme Sports: Freeride Spirit 24:45 WATTS

07:00 Nothing to Declare 08:00 Jerry Springer Show 09:00 Maury 09:50 Celebs 24/7 10:00 America’s Next Top Model 11:00 Four Weddings 12:00 Maury 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 Bones 22:00 Criminal Minds 23:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

Solutions to last weeks crosswords 593 CRYPTIC SOLUTIONS Across: 4 Asunder; 8 Paltry; 9 Cry-baby; 10 Invest; 11 Polish; 12 Hardship; 18 Endanger; 20 Aboard; 21 Alcove; 22 Buckler; 23 Funnel; 24 Reverse. Down: 1 Upright; 2 Slavery; 3 Crisis; 5 Scrapped; 6 No-ball; 7 Emboss; 13 Heedless; 14 Aground; 15 Briefly; 16 Obtuse; 17 Tackle; 19 All out. QUICK SOLUTIONS Across: 4 Predict; 8 Opened; 9 Asinine; 10 Clever; 11 Obtain; 12 Decision; 18 Overcast; 20 Repeal; 21 Sprint; 22 Quality; 23 Cannot; 24 Degrade. Down: 1 Concede; 2 Defence; 3 Recess; 5 Response; 6 Denote; 7 Candid; 13 Isolated; 14 Valiant; 15 Statute; 16 Reduce; 17 Feeler; 19 Repeat. WORDWHEEL 594: DASTARDLY

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UK Authorised Sky Agent

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

Sky C ards Available

Sky Television Satellite Systems

Sky freesat C ards Available SKY+ HD SATELLITE SYSTEMS

All the systems below are fully installed using the Professional range of Famaval Dishes & Invacom LNBS DISH / LNB ONLY INSTALLATIONS

SKY / FREESAT HD SATELLITE SYSTEMS

1.45m DISH SYSTEM – 595€ INCLUSIVE

1.45m DISH SYSTEM – 795€ INCLUSIVE

1.45m DISH SYSTEM – 895€ INCLUSIVE

1.9m DISH SYSTEM – 695€ INCLUSIVE

1.9m DISH SYSTEM – 895€ INCLUSIVE

1.9m DISH SYSTEM – 995€ INCLUSIVE

2.4m DISH SYSTEM – 995€ INCLUSIVE

2.4m DISH SYSTEM – 1195€ INCLUSIVE

2.4m DISH SYSTEM – 1295€ INCLUSIVE

Famaval professional portuguese dishes

Have you already had your fingers burnt by having a microwave or rebroadcasting system installed, well don’t get them burnt again by having the wrong satellite dish installed. There are several manufacturers of 2.4m, 1.9m & 1.45m dishes on the market throughout the costa blanca, two manufacturers from portugal, one from spain and 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.

LOOK AT ALL THESE FREE HD CHANNELS 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/Freesat High Definition USB PVR Recording Satellite Digibox with unique card slot function for the use of a Sky subscription card or a Sky FTV card. So if you are already a Sky television subscriber and you commute back and forth to Spain, all you would have to do is take your Sky viewing card out of its original Sky digibox in the UK and put it into the card slot on the front of the Sky/Freesat HD digibox to view whatever Sky viewing package you subscribe to. UK Authorised Sky Agent

WHY NOT PAY US A VISIT?

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!! Payment by credit card – no problem. All major credit cards accepted

COMPLETE SYSTEM PRICES COMPRISING SATELLITE DISH AND LNB SKY/FREESAT HD DIGIBOX FREE SKY FTV CARD FULLY INSTALLED AND GUARANTEED 1.45m DISH SYSTEM – 795€ INCLUSIVE 1.9m DISH SYSTEM – 895€ INCLUSIVE 2.4m DISH SYSTEM – 1195€ INCLUSIVE

HDDEMONSTRATIO N ONDISPLAY

Factory showroom open Mon-Fri: 8am-4.30pm www.digitalsatsystems.com Ring Steve in Benidorm Ring Colin in Denia Ring Phil in La Marina Ring Dave in Valencia 96 586 6999 96 585 4528 96 680 4748 96 585 2251

DIGITAL SATELLITE SYSTEMS

Ring Paul in Torrevieja 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.

tv Saturday

52 40

04-10 MARCH 2011 4 2010 Feb 26 - March

08:00 Bill Bailey’s Birdwatching Bonanza 09:00 Guinness World Records Smashed! 10:00 WWE: Superstars 11:00 Soccer AM 13:00 Wayne Rooney’s Street Striker 14:00 A Town Called Eureka 15:00 Oops TV 16:00 50 Greatest TV Endings 18:00 Emergency Animal Rescue 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 The Simpsons 20:30 Futurama 21:00 Oops TV 21:30 Futurama 22:00 Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps 24:05 Road Wars

07:00 Breakfast 11:00 Saturday Kitchen Live 12:30 Raymond Blanc’s Kitchen Secrets 13:00 BBC News; Regional News 13:15 Football Focus 14:00 Live Athletics 17:30 Final Score 18:20 BBC News; Regional News 18:40 All New Total Wipeout: International Special 19:40 Let’s Dance for Comic Relief 21:00 The National Lottery: Secret Fortune 21:50 Casualty 22:40 Live at the Apollo 23:10 BBC News 23:30 Match of the Day 24:50 The Football League Show

07:00 Childrens TV 11:45 Copycats 12:15 My Life 12:45 MOTD Kickabout 13:00 Escape to the Country 14:00 Bicentennial Man 16:00 Into the West 17:30 Live Athletics 18:00 Churches: How to Read Them 18:30 Flog It! 19:00 Story of Slapstick 20:00 Dad’s Army 20:30 The Culture Show 20:55 World Book Night Live from Glasgow’s Aye Write! Festival 21:00 The Culture Show 21:55 World Book Night Live from Bath Literature Festival 22:00 New Novelists: 12 of the Best from the Culture Show 22:55 World Book Night Live from Royal Festival Hall 23:00 Brideshead Revisited

07:00 Mini CITV 08:25 CITV 10:25 Coronation Street 12:45 This Morning: Saturday 13:45 Monk 14:40 ITV News 14:50 Kindergarten Cop 17:00 Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed 18:40 Granada News 18:55 ITV News and 19:10 You’ve Been Framed! 19:40 Harry Hill’s TV Burp 20:10 Ant & Dec’s Push the Button 21:25 Take Me Out 22:40 The World Is Not Enough 23:50 ITV News 24:05 The World Is Not Enough

07:10 The Hoobs 08:00 Superbike World Championship 2011 08:25 The Grid 08:55 The Morning Line 09:50 Friends 10:25 4Music Favourites 10:40 Friends 11:15 4Music Favourites 11:50 Glee 12:45 Great British Hairdresser 13:45 Video Exclusive 13:50 Big Bang Theory 14:20 Big Bang Theory 14:50 Channel 4 Racing 16:50 Secret Supper Club 17:20 Come Dine with Me Extra Portions 18:25 Come Dine with Me Extra Portions 19:25 The Political Slot 19:30 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 River Cottage Every Day 21:00 Seven Ages of Britain 22:00 Taken 23:50 The Flight of the Phoenix

07:00 Childrens TV 09:10 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 09:25 Play! 09:40 Rupert Bear 09:55 Olivia 10:10 Mr Men Show 10:25 The Milkshake! Show 10:55 Castle Farm 11:00 Zoo Days 11:10 How Do They Do It? 11:45 The Gadget Show 12:50 Ice Road Truckers 13:50 Ride Clear of Diablo 15:25 Firecreek 17:25 Superman II 19:55 5 News 20:00 NCIS 20:45 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 21:40 CSI: Miami 22:40 CSI: NY 23:40 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 24:35 Forensic Files

07:00 Breakfast 08:35 Match of the Day 10:00 The Andrew Marr Show 11:00 Big Questions 12:00 Country Tracks 13:00 The Politics Show 14:00 Bargain Hunt 14:30 EastEnders 16:25 The Weakest Link 17:10 Escape to the Country 17:55 Songs of Praise 18:30 BBC News; Regional News 19:00 Nigel Slater’s Simple Suppers 19:30 The Boat That Guy Built 20:00 Countryfile 21:00 Antiques Roadshow 22:00 South Riding 23:00 BBC News; Regional News 23:25 Outcasts 24:25 The Sky at Night

07:00 Childrens TV 09:00 Richard Hammond’s Blast Lab 09:30 Gimme a Break 10:00 Dick & Dom Go Wild 10:30 Cop School 11:00 Something for the Weekend 12:30 Film 2011 with Claudia Winkleman 13:00 In a Lonely Place 14:30 Live Athletics 18:00 Coast 18:20 Attenborough and the Giant Egg 19:20 Finding Neverland 21:00 Top Gear 22:00 Wonders of the Universe 23:00 Match of the Day 2 24:00 ICC Cricket World Cup Highlights

07:00 Mini CITV 08:25 CITV 10:25 May the Best House Win 11:25 Biggest Loser 12:30 This Morning: Sunday 13:30 Dinner Date 14:30 ITV News 14:35 Columbo 16:35 Midsomer Murders 18:35 Granada News 18:50 ITV News 19:05 Harry Hill’s TV Burp 19:35 Dancing on Ice 21:30 Wild at Heart 22:30 Dancing on Ice: The Skate Off 23:05 ITV News 23:20 My Dad’s Army 24:20 Premiership Rugby Union

07:30 Sali Mali 07:35 The Hoobs 08:00 FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships 08:30 That Paralympic Show 08:55 The Crush 09:20 Friends 09:50 Friends 10:25 Hollyoaks 12:55 Glee 13:55 The Simpsons 14:25 The Simpsons 14:55 Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals 15:25 Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals 15:55 Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals 16:30 Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals 16:55 Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals 17:25 Deal or No Deal 18:30 Time Team 19:30 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 Come Dine with Me 21:00 Civilization: Is the West History? 22:00 Country House Rescue 23:00 Mr & Mrs Smith

07:00 Childrens TV 09:10 Hana’s Helpline 09:20 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 09:30 Family! 09:40 Milkshake Monkey 09:45 Rupert Bear 09:55 Castle Farm 10:00 Olivia 10:15 Mr Men Show 10:30 The Milkshake! Show 11:00 Zoo Days 11:15 Street Market Chefs 11:45 Stansted: The Inside Story 12:45 Cowboy Builders 13:45 Cowboy Builders 14:50 Freaky Friday 16:35 5 News 16:45 SPYkids 18:35 Superman III 21:00 Royal Navy Caribbean Patrol 22:00 Bulletproof 23:45 Stir Crazy

07:00 Hour of Power 08:00 Oops TV 09:00 Lion Man 09:30 Lion Man 10:00 Football’s Next Star 11:00 WWE: Superstars 12:00 WWE: Experience 13:00 The Real A & E 14:00 A Town Called Eureka 15:00 Futurama 15:30 Futurama 16:00 Emergency Animal Rescue 16:30 Emergency Animal Rescue 17:00 UK Border Force 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 The Simpsons 19:00 Live to Dance 20:00 The Middle 20:30 Modern Family 21:00 Raising Hope 21:30 The Simpsons 22:00 Hawaii Five-0 23:00 NCIS: Los Angeles 24:00 House

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Heir Hunters 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Wreck or Ready? 12:30 Cash in the Attic 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Escape to the Country 16:00 BBC News; Regional News 16:05 The Smokehouse 16:35 Deadly 60 Bite Size 16:40 Deadly Art 17:00 Big Performance 17:30 Blue Peter 17:55 Shaun the Sheep 18:00 Newsround 18:15 The Weakest Link 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 Inside Out 21:00 EastEnders 21:30 Panorama 22:00 Motorway Cops 23:00 BBC News

07:00 Childrens TV 12:05 In the Night Garden 12:35 Meerkat Manor 13:00 Daily Politics 13:30 GMT with George Alagiah 14:00 Diagnosis Murder 14:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 15:30 Nature’s Top 40 16:00 Flog It! 16:45 Helicopter Heroes 17:30 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 18:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Royal Upstairs Downstairs 20:00 Parents Under Pressure 21:00 University Challenge 21:30 Raymond Blanc’s Kitchen Secrets 22:00 When Teenage Meets Old Age 23:00 Never Mind the Buzzcocks 23:30 Newsnight 24:20 ICC Cricket World Cup Highlights

07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News 14:55 Granada News 15:00 House Gift 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 Midsomer Murders 18:00 The Chase 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 The Lakes 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Law & Order: UK 23:00 ITV News at Ten 23:30 Granada News 23:35 Homes from Hell 24:35 River Monsters

07:20 The Hoobs 08:15 Freshly Squeezed 08:40 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:05 Frasier 09:35 According to Jim 10:05 Supernanny USA 11:00 The Good Wife 11:55 Relocation: Phil Down Under 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 The TV Book Club 13:30 Death Drums along the River 15:05 Cookery School 16:10 Countdown 16:55 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Come Dine with Me 18:30 Coach Trip 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Dispatches 22:00 One Born Every Minute 23:00 Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious

07:00 Childrens TV 09:50 The WotWots 10:00 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:05 Build a New Life in the Country 13:05 Meals in Moments 13:10 5 News 13:15 House 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 The Vanessa Show 16:05 Animal Rescue Squad 16:25 Avenging Angel 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:25 OK! TV 20:00 5 News at 7 20:30 How Do They Do It? 21:00 The Gadget Show 22:00 Royal Navy Caribbean Patrol 23:00 Kill Switch 24:55 Ultimate Fighting Championship

08:00 My Pet Shame 09:00 Top Design 10:00 The Real A & E 11:00 Lie to Me 12:00 The Filth Files 13:00 Oops TV 14:00 The Real A & E 15:00 Stargate SG-1 17:00 Oops TV 17:30 Futurama 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Futurama 19:00 Oops TV 19:30 The Simpsons 20:00 The Simpsons 21:00 Road Wars 22:00 Ross Kemp: Extreme World 23:00 A League of Their Own 24:00 Inside: Gangs Behind Bars

tv Sunday

tv Monday

08:30 Extreme Sports: Freeride Spirit 08:45 Cross-Country Skiing 09:45 Live Biathlon 11:15 Cross-Country Skiing 11:45 Live CrossCountry Skiing 13:30 Alpine Skiing 13:45 Live Biathlon 15:15 Live Ski Jumping 17:10 Wintersports Weekend 17:15 Athletics 19:00 Biathlon 20:00 Fight Club 22:00 Athletics 23:30 Ski Jumping 24:45 Biathlon

07:00 Nothing to Declare 08:00 Jerry Springer Show 09:00 Maury 10:00 Four Weddings 11:00 Four Weddings 12:00 America’s Next Top Model 13:00 Biggest Loser 15:00 Nothing to Declare 15:30 Nothing to Declare 16:00 Nothing to Declare 16:30 Nothing to Declare 17:00 Loch Ness 19:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 20:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 21:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 22:00 Criminal Minds 23:00 Criminal Minds 24:00 Criminal Minds

Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps

Sky 1 22.00

08:30 Biathlon 09:45 Live Biathlon 10:45 Live Alpine Skiing 12:15 Live Biathlon 13:15 Live CrossCountry Skiing 15:25 Wintersports Weekend 15:30 Live Athletics 18:00 Cycling 19:00 Cross-Country Skiing 20:00 Biathlon 20:45 Biathlon 21:30 Athletics 23:00 Cycling 24:00 Biathlon 24:30 Cross-Country Skiing

Mr & Mrs Smith Channel 4, 23.00

08:30 Cycling 09:30 Cross-Country Skiing 10:30 Ski Jumping 12:00 Athletics 14:00 Biathlon 14:30 Biathlon 15:00 Cycling 15:45 Live Cycling 17:15 Biathlon 18:00 Eurogoals 18:30 Champions Club 19:45 Ski Jumping 20:45 Athletics 22:30 Eurogoals 23:00 Champions Club 24:15 Cycling

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

07:00 Nothing to Declare 08:00 Jerry Springer Show 09:00 Maury 10:00 Four Weddings 11:00 Four Weddings 12:00 Four Weddings 13:00 Loch Ness 15:00 Nothing to Declare 15:30 Nothing to Declare 16:00 Passport Patrol 16:30 Passport Patrol 17:00 RSPCA Animal Rescue 17:30 RSPCA Animal Rescue 18:00 America’s Next Top Model 19:00 Fat Families 20:00 Four Weddings US 21:00 Cougar Town 21:30 Hot in Cleveland 22:00 Bedlam 23:00 Strictly Ballroom 24:50 Grey’s Anatomy

07:00 Nothing to Declare 08:00 Jerry Springer Show 09:00 Maury 10:00 America’s Next Top Model 11:00 Four Weddings 12:00 Maury 13:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 14:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 15:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 16:00 Criminal Minds 17:00 Charmed 18:00 Charmed 19:00 America’s Next Top Model 20:00 Ghost Whisperer 21:00 Nikita 22:00 America’s Next Top Model 23:00 Bedlam 24:00 Criminal Minds

tv Tuesday

MARCH 2011 Feb 26 04-10 - March 4 2010

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Heir Hunters 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Wreck or Ready? 12:30 Cash in the Attic 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Escape to the Country 16:00 BBC News; Regional News 16:05 The Smokehouse 16:35 Deadly 60 Bite Size 16:40 Deadly Art 17:00 Dead Gorgeous 17:30 Blue Peter 17:55 Shaun the Sheep 18:00 Newsround 18:15 The Weakest Link 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 EastEnders 21:00 Holby City 22:00 Silk 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News

07:00 Childrens TV 12:05 In the Night Garden 12:35 Meerkat Manor 13:00 Daily Politics 13:30 GMT with George Alagiah 14:00 Diagnosis Murder 14:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 15:30 Nature’s Top 40 16:00 Flog It! 16:45 Helicopter Heroes 17:30 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 18:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Royal Upstairs Downstairs 20:00 Wonders of the Universe 21:00 The Hairy Bikers: Mums Know Best 22:00 Horizon 23:00 How TV Ruined Your Life 23:30 Newsnight 24:20 ICC Cricket World Cup Highlights

07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News 14:55 Granada News 15:00 House Gift 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 Midsomer Murders 18:00 The Chase 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Grimefighters 21:00 Lion Country 22:00 Caroline Quentin: A Passage Through India 23:00 ITV News at Ten 23:30 Granada News 23:35 The Big Tease

07:10 Treacle People 07:20 The Hoobs 08:15 Freshly Squeezed 08:40 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:05 Frasier 09:35 According to Jim 10:05 Supernanny USA 11:00 The Good Wife 11:55 A Place in the Sun: Home or Away 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 River Cottage Bites 13:15 The Long Memory 15:05 Cookery School 16:10 Countdown 16:55 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Come Dine with Me 18:30 Coach Trip 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Gok’s Clothes Roadshow 22:00 Heston’s Mission Impossible 23:00 Shameless 24:05 The Big C

07:00 Childrens TV 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:05 Build a New Life in the Country 13:05 Meals in Moments 13:10 5 News 13:15 House 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 The Vanessa Show 16:05 Family Recipe 16:15 Sherlock Holmes 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:25 OK! TV 20:00 5 News at 7 20:30 Extraordinary Dogs 21:00 Stansted: The Inside Story 22:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 23:00 CSI: Miami 23:55 CSI: NY 24:55 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

07:00 Brainiac: Science Abuse 08:00 Lion Man 08:30 Lion Man 09:00 Top Design 10:00 The Real A & E 11:00 Lie to Me 12:00 The Filth Files 12:30 The Filth Files 13:00 Oops TV 13:30 Oops TV 14:00 The Real A & E 15:00 Stargate SG-1 16:00 Stargate SG-1 17:00 Oops TV 17:30 Futurama 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Futurama 19:00 Oops TV 19:30 The Simpsons 20:00 The Simpsons 20:30 The Simpsons 21:00 Live to Dance 22:00 Victoria Wood’s Angina Monologues 23:00 Nutty Professor 2: the Klumps

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Heir Hunters 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Wreck or Ready? 12:30 Cash in the Attic 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Escape to the Country 16:00 BBC News; Regional News 16:05 The Smokehouse 16:35 Deadly 60 Bite Size 16:40 Deadly Art 17:00 Trade Your Way to the USA 17:30 MI High 18:00 Newsround 18:15 The Weakest Link 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 The Boat That Guy Built 21:00 Waterloo Road 22:00 MasterChef 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News

07:00 Childrens TV 11:40 Waybuloo 12:00 In the Night Garden 12:30 Daily Politics 14:00 See Hear 14:30 The Hairy Bakers 14:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 15:30 Nature’s Top 40 16:00 Flog It! 16:45 Helicopter Heroes 17:30 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 18:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Royal Upstairs Downstairs 20:00 Escape to the Country 21:00 Great British Food Revival 22:00 23 Week Babies: The Price of Life 23:00 Have I Got News for You 23:30 Newsnight 24:20 ICC Cricket World Cup Highlights

07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News 14:55 Granada News 15:00 House Gift 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 Midsomer Murders 18:00 The Chase 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 UEFA Champions League Live 23:00 ITV News at Ten 23:30 Granada News 23:35 UEFA Champions League 24:35 Police, Camera, Action!

07:10 Treacle People 07:20 The Hoobs 07:45 The Hoobs 08:15 Freshly Squeezed 08:40 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:05 Frasier 09:35 According to Jim 10:05 Supernanny USA 11:00 The Good Wife 11:55 Country House Rescue 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 Drums along the Mohawk 15:05 Cookery School 16:10 Countdown 16:55 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Come Dine with Me 18:30 Coach Trip 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Beauty and the Beast: Ugly Face of Prejudice 22:00 Jamie’s Dream School 23:00 Model Agency 24:05 Shameless

07:00 Childrens TV 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:05 Build a New Life in the Country 13:05 Meals in Moments 13:10 5 News 13:15 House 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 The Vanessa Show 16:05 Rough Guide to Cities 16:20 Circle of Friends 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:25 OK! TV 20:00 5 News at 7 20:30 Starlight: For the Children 21:00 Cowboy Builders 22:00 NCIS 23:00 Law & Order: Criminal Intent 23:55 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit 24:55 Poker

08:00 Lion Man 09:00 Top Design 10:00 The Real A & E 11:00 Lie to Me 12:00 The Filth Files 13:00 Oops TV 14:00 The Real A & E 15:00 Stargate SG-1 17:00 Oops TV 17:30 Futurama 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Futurama 19:00 Oops TV 19:30 The Simpsons 20:00 The Simpsons 21:00 Louie Spence’s Showbusiness 22:00 An Idiot Abroad 23:00 Mad Dogs 24:00 Ross Kemp: Extreme World

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Heir Hunters 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Wreck or Ready? 12:30 Cash in the Attic 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Escape to the Country 16:00 BBC News; Regional News 16:05 The Smokehouse 16:35 Deadly 60 Bite Size 16:40 Deadly Art 17:00 Prank Patrol 17:30 Serious Explorers: Livingstone 18:00 Newsround 18:15 The Weakest Link 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 EastEnders 21:00 Bang Goes the Winter Weather Special 22:00 Comic Relief 23:00 BBC News

07:00 Childrens TV 11:25 64 Zoo Lane 11:45 Waybuloo 12:05 In the Night Garden 12:35 Meerkat Manor 13:00 Daily Politics 13:30 GMT with George Alagiah 14:00 Diagnosis Murder 14:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 15:30 Nature’s Top 40 16:00 Flog It! 16:45 Helicopter Heroes 17:30 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 18:15 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Royal Upstairs Downstairs 20:00 The Culture Show 21:00 A Farmer’s Life for Me 22:00 British at Work 23:00 Mock the Week 23:30 Newsnight 24:20 ICC Cricket World Cup Highlights

07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News 14:55 Granada News 15:00 House Gift 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 Midsomer Murders 18:00 The Chase 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Tonight 21:00 Emmerdale 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Monroe 23:00 ITV News at Ten 23:30 Granada News 23:35 Benidorm 24:35 Send In the Dogs

07:20 The Hoobs 08:15 Freshly Squeezed 08:40 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:05 Frasier 09:35 According to Jim 10:05 Supernanny USA 11:00 The Good Wife 11:55 Restoration Man 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 River Cottage Bites 13:15 Sea of Sand 15:05 Cookery School 16:10 Countdown 16:55 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Come Dine with Me 18:30 Coach Trip 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Relocation, Relocation 22:00 Love Thy Neighbour 23:00 10 O’Clock Live 24:05 Friday Night Dinner 24:35 The Ricky Gervais Show

07:00 Childrens TV 09:30 Roary the Racing Car 09:40 Hana’s Helpline 09:50 The WotWots 10:00 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:05 Cowboy Builders 13:05 Meals in Moments 13:10 5 News 13:15 House 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 The Vanessa Show 16:05 Rough Guide to Beaches 16:20 Lies and Deception 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:25 OK! TV 20:00 5 News at 7 20:30 Live UEFA Europa League Football 23:10 The Longest Yard

tv Wednesday

tv Thursday

08:30 Eurogoals 09:00 Champions Club 10:15 Athletics 11:15 WATTS 12:15 Biathlon 13:00 Live Biathlon 14:45 Cycling 15:45 Live Cycling 17:15 Eurogoals 17:45 Eurogoals: One to One 18:00 Ski Jumping 19:00 Biathlon 20:00 Boxing 21:00 Boxing 23:00 Extreme Sports: Freeride Spirit 23:30 Test Drive 24:30 Biathlon

53 53

07:00 Nothing to Declare 08:00 Jerry Springer Show 09:00 Maury 10:00 America’s Next Top Model 11:00 Four Weddings 12:00 Maury 13:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 14:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 15:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 16:00 Criminal Minds 17:00 Charmed 19:00 America’s Next Top Model 20:00 Ghost Whisperer 21:00 Cougar Town 21:30 Hot in Cleveland 22:00 My Husband Is Gay 23:00 Bridalplasty 24:00 Criminal Minds

Caroline Quentin: A Passage Through India ITV1 22.00

08:30 Test Drive 09:30 Biathlon 10:30 Ski Jumping 12:00 Biathlon 13:00 Live Biathlon 14:45 Cycling 15:45 Live Cycling 17:15 Cycling 18:15 Biathlon 19:30 Eurogoals Flash 19:45 WATTS 20:50 Wednesday Selection 20:55 Riders Club 21:00 Wednesday Selection 21:10 PGA Tour Golf 22:10 Golf Club 22:15 Yacht Club 22:20 Wednesday Selection 22:30 Biathlon 23:45 Cycling

07:00 Nothing to Declare 08:00 Jerry Springer Show 09:00 Maury 10:00 America’s Next Top Model 11:00 Four Weddings 12:00 Maury 13:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 14:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 15:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 16:00 Criminal Minds 17:00 Charmed 18:00 Charmed 19:00 America’s Next Top Model 20:00 Ghost Whisperer 21:00 Four Weddings US 22:00 Bones 23:00 Grey’s Anatomy 24:00 Criminal Minds

The Boat That Guy Built BBC1 20.30

08:00 Lion Man 09:00 Top Design 10:00 The Real A & E 11:00 Lie to Me 12:00 The Filth Files 13:00 Oops TV 14:00 The Real A & E 15:00 Stargate SG-1 16:00 Stargate SG-1 17:00 Oops TV 17:30 Futurama 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Futurama 19:00 Oops TV 19:30 The Simpsons 20:00 The Simpsons 21:00 Hawaii Five-0 22:00 Thorne: Sleepyhead 23:00 House 24:00 NCIS: Los Angeles

08:30 Biathlon 10:00 Speed Skating 11:00 Cycling 12:00 Biathlon 13:00 WATTS 14:00 Cycling 14:45 Cycling 15:45 Live Cycling 17:15 Cycling 18:15 Eurogoals Flash 18:30 Speed Skating 20:00 Fight Club 23:00 Cycling 24:30 Cycling

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

Feb 26 - March 04-10 MARCH 2011 4 2010

54 44

Foul but fun

The TV Round Up by

Alex Trelinski

Broadcaster and freelance journalist

HE BEST thirty minutes in donkeys years for good belly-laughs has popped up on BBC 1 on a Monday. Welcome to ‘Mrs. Brown’s Boys’, which in itself is something of a rarity as it is a co-production between the BBC and the Irish state broadcaster, RTE. I had no plans to watch this show but actually decided to go for it after ‘The Daily Telegraph’ warned it’s sensitive readers that it was one of the foulest shows ever. That was good enough for me and what an entertaining half-hour it is turning out to be. Fronted by Brendan O’ Carroll, who created it and wrote the scripts, as well as playing the female lead in a sympathetic version of Old Mother Riley, you are hit straight in the face with gags that come at you like a machine gun, as he - sorry, she - tries to keep a tight hold of her family. An added twist is that most of the family are Brendan’s real life relatives, and there is a genuine feeling that you are watching a live show, especially as we get some ‘corpsing’ from the cast. Some of the jokes have the subtlety of a flying mallet, but it certainly made me laugh, and it has already been a big hit in Ireland when it was screened at the start of the year. Do give it a try, especially as the critics in both the UK and Ireland hate it, and these are the people that hand out awards to shows that nobody watches on Channel Four. One of the best cop shows around returned for a twelfth series on the UK Universal Channel on Sunday. It’s ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ with riveting and often complex stories matched by quality guest stars, and the always outstanding Mariska Hargitay as Detective Ol-

ivia Benson. ‘SVU’ is often thought-provoking and treats the viewers with intelligence, as the very sensitive subject matter is handled well by everybody. A bit of trivia by the way, did you know that Mariska’s mum was the actress Jayne Mansfield?

There’s news from the BBC that after three episodes in January, the boring Italian detective, Zen, has been axed. It’s all very well having some nice Roman scenery to look at, and despite the critics wetting their gussets over it, the show has been rightly pulled. But it seems that other UK broadcasters are keen to pick it up and to waste their money on it, so I suspect it will be back on another channel. Some good oldfashioned Saturday night entertainment popped up last weekend on BBC 2, with yet another showing of ‘An Audience with Ken Dodd’. As a massive fan of Doddy, I’ve seen this show countless times on digital channels, but do you indulge in my morbid fascination when you watch these

’An Audience with…..’ repeats? That’s of course checking out all the deceased celebrities in the audience, as well as wondering who the other faces in the studio were. All rather disturbing for a show that was recorded only sixteen years ago, as personalities very much come and go in one way or another!

Beginning Spanish OVER THE years I must have introduced scores of Spanish language books through my Book reviews. Spanish language books Review by are popular, as well they should be. We live here after all and the grimace beneath the smile of our copy@dannyjpcollins.com Spanish neighbours when we mangle their language could be assuaged if we tried just that bit harder. The Spanish, remember, use subjunctives when we generally wouldn’t know one if it bit us from behind. And subjunctives aren’t that difficult to use. Spanish is a melodic language and it pays to get the tenses right. This book from McGraw Hill is called Beginning Spanish but the fact is all such books are revision. Fluent or intermediate speakers of Spanish as a second language benefit equally by going over texts dedicated to beginners and this book is no different in that respect. It deals with all the nuances of Spanish grammar and struck me as a course in itself. Get to page 244 absorbing the details of each section and that grimace of which I wrote earlier would be nonexistent. The book also comes with a disk to check your pronunciation –‘repeat after me’ - but you might do well to bear in mind that US produced disks favour Latin American Spanish so you might end up speaking like Speedy González. But, other than the

Danny Collins

accent, from my time in South America the only grammatical difference I remember is the use of ‘vosotros’ and ‘vosotras’ in place of the Castillian ‘tú’ – plus a few rude words that have a perfectly genteel meaning in Spanish but you won’t find those on this disk so you can relax. Altogether I found Beginning Spanish fun to work with and an entirely useful aide mémoire to boot. Authors: Ronni L. Gordon, Ph.D., & David M. Stillman, Ph.D Publisher: McGraw Hill (paperback) Price: €18.90 ISBN: 978 0 07 163865 4

Suduko Answer

Is this the last outing for ‘Benidorm’ on ITV 1? The creator, Derren Litten, has said that this series is his last, as the final episode very much wraps up the story of the Garvey family and all of the other characters that he has created. Though the first of the new series was much better than the Christmas special, it still lacked some of the magic of the earlier episodes. Cilla Black was great though in her cameo at Altea, and I enjoyed seeing Marge back to her vicious best and looking even more ragged than ever, without a Euro to her name. But I think that Litten has made a wise call in calling it quits, and ITV should resist all temptation in keeping the show going just because of the ratings. There is always a creative and natural end to any project, which I think ‘Benidorm’ has almost reached.

motoring

04-10 MARCH 2011

Slow down George! We have to save fuel! by

Brian Deller

Author of Motoring in Spain

NO DOUBT just about everybody will have read about how the Spanish Government has legislated that from the 7th March 2011, maximum speeds on Spanish roads are to be reduced. On the open roads and autovias, speeds will be reduced from 120kph to 110kph and in residential areas where the normal speed limit is 50kph, down to 30kph. What does this mean? First of all, in my opinion whoever has set the town limit to 30kph cannot be a sensible driver or an engineer, for that means that most cars will be using only 2nd to 3rd gears, and on the open roads, where there are fairly steep-ish hills, vehicles (especially large commercial ones) will be using lower gears to climb them as they will start at a far lower speed than if they ‘took a run’ at them. So not much saving of fuel and excessive pollution there then? As the reasons for the changes are to reduce accidents and pollution, the lower limits will make no difference except that vehicles will have to use a lower gear to pass slower vehicles safely on the open roads, and in towns the tail-gating will most likely increase with rear-enders following suit. But we seniors have all witnessed this folly before. Some of us remember the early 1970s where the price of oil was tripled overnight by the oil producing countries and the British government immediately placed a maximum speed limit of 50mph (80kph), causing massive tail backs everywhere,

especially out of towns on ordinary main roads. I was working for a manufacturer of earthmoving equipment then called JCB, supervising dealers in the bottom half of the UK and in some 5-day work-weeks I travelled as much as a 1 000 miles. It was very frustrating having to follow HGVs and ‘weekend’ unskilled drivers that were driving at the new 50mph limit especially as this meant in those days on some main road two-way road hills the speeds would drop to 35 – 40mph, as the vehicles did not have the power to maintain speeds up the hills in top gear. It was so frustrating and frankly dangerous that I often unofficially in the summers used my 1,000-cc motorcycle, a Vincent-HRD, as it was far less stressful (and much more fun) than using my companysupplied car. But luckily after about 18 months, the limits were increased again as the World adjusted to the higher prices and driving my car became ‘fun’ again without the dangerous restrictions. Now, at an indicated 120kph, our Ford focus is actually doing only 114kph, it looks as though 115 kph on the speedo will be just about right to avoid topping up theTrafico and other official cash boxes with fines. But in town it means that the gearbox will suffer extra wear being in lower gears all the time and the fuel tank will probably need refilling just as much as now. Currently with accurate record keeping it does 48 mpg overall which for the way I drive is very good.

Again it is time for a respected motoring magazine or even ‘WHICH’ to carry out a carefully controlled test under real road conditions to measure not only the saving in fuel or otherwise but the differences if any in lower pollution levels in towns. We might all be surprised to find that the differences are just not worth it. And just announced, a UK politician has suggested that the UK motorway speed limit be increased to 80mph (just under 130kph) so that business can be conducted more quickly to save the ‘rising’ costs. It would seem that not all the politicians are rowing in the same direction but as we know that is par for the course. The UK is reporting massive insurance frauds where drivers are setting up crashes to make claims for big pay-outs as a result. As this affects the cost of premiums paid by all, it is another scam that all drivers should not be frightened for any reason to report to the police. If it has not already happened here it will soon, as Eastern Europeans are reported to be mainly responsible as well as some Asians. With the current crisis and so many out of work, we should all be very aware of being robbed: in any way possible. But I actively rebuke those who insist on tailgating our car. There can be no excuse as I do not drive slowly, although always within the posted limits but I guess some look at my mop of white hair and instantly become guilty of ageism. Be safe out there.

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

Classified Ads 56

04-10 MARCH 2011

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

Book your advert now 902 118 999 (ext 2)

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

UK-SPAIN-IRELAND All European Destinations

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

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04-10 MARCH 2011 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Home based internet business secure your future minimal monthly outlay, free health band, and much more www.referlife. com/1080 or tel:-663-559-806 RESTAURANT LEASE FOR SALE Fully fitted and licensed restaurant for sale at a very realistic price.The restaurant has been trading for 8-years and is well established. tele:687-913-775 10 COLD DRINK/SNACK VENDING MACHINES with sites,€39,900.excellent cash income, no overhead, work from home, work only one day per week, €31,000 nett yearly. 25 pringle vending machines with sites €14,900.€250 per week guaranteed.965-326-442/ 659-696-455 SOLAR ENERGY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Long established company, own product range. First class training & support. Telephone 606586587

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

LABELS N TABLES Everything Must Go Clearance” - 4 kids boots for €1. SMALL FRIENDLY BRITISH KENNELS individual runs, large excercise area. 25 mins Alicante airport. www.parkbark.co.uk 628-244-712

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 MOBILE/PARK HOMES FROM 17,000€ Fully furnished ready to move into, A/c, tel, Eng TV, on permanent site, bar/res, pool, tennis, gym, shop.Walking distance to San Javier. 5mins to beach, Airport, hospital by car. (also bungalows for rent & caravans plots short term or permanent stays.) Carol 968192-425 mob. 626-055-622 www. mobilehomesmarmenorspain. com AVONDALE LEDA (UK) twin axle, 22 feet. Appr.5 Berth caravan. Good condition many extras including 5m awning. 4250Euro 966-491-354 Moraira

PC SOLUTIONS 4U For all your computer needs. Reliable & Friendly service. Alicante North area.Call Fred:-634-638-664 BYTEBACK MICROS computer repairs/upgrades in your home. Qualified technician. Systems custom built. Whatever your problem call: 965-312-006 or 606-127-424 LABELS N TABLES Everything Must Go Clearance - Admiral Rucksack only €3

NATUROPATHIC HEALTH AID Excellent product and Business Opportunity. Try it and see!! 696640-747/UK:- 07540-932-133 wellbeingnetwork@hotmail.com www.wellbeingbus.com FOR TRASPASO. BARRESTAURANT. Center of Torrevieja. Same owners for 23 years. Reason for sale, retirement.telephone:966-707-580

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All jobs undertaken-extra sockets, rewires, fault finding. Tlf:-Hugh-690-275-223

AVON NEED AGENTS AND LEADERS work hours to suit you. For info Phone Rosh 966-785-520 FEMALES AND COUPLES 18 to 65 required for adult internet photo and video modeling. Excellent rates. 697-697-842.

EXPERIENCED CARER Available for new clients. Fully insured. Portfolio can be seen contact Sue 617-503-855

LABELS N TABLES Everything Must Go Clearance - Quality Summer Shoes from €1

TEETH WHITENING. Professional Pain Free Cosmetic Treatment, from 99€. Javea, Denia, Calpe, areas. Tel:-680501-404 www.nulookteeth.com SLIMMING WORLD Everything you need to lose weight with the new extra easy plan. Just 10e email. Nd321@live.co.uk for infornation. WEIGHT LOSS GUARANTEED/ GET FIT world class personal trainer €50 per hour.659-696455. 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

04-10 MARCH 2011

Energetic and Enthusiastic full time Cleaner required Must be well presented and have a polite manner. A full clean driving licence and own car is essential. Must also be flexible to work early mornings and weekends and have a good grasp of both English and Spanish. please email CV to Annalisa annalisacleanco@hotmail.co.uk

OBJECTIVO MARKETING SALES BARCELONA We require Financial Sales Advisors to work in the UK and USA financial markets to advise on new company issues and established market placed equities. Ideally, successful individuals will come from a strong sales background. There is a base salary plus commission and accommodation for this position.

S.O.S. INSURANCE Car-HomeHealth-Comercial. Funeral Plans and Insurance. Tlf:966-787-123 622275561 686-116-297

LABELS N TABLES Everything Must Go Clearance - M&S Cushion Covers Just €1. LP COLLECTION TO SELL please ask for list. Location near Benidorm. Information:660-467-570 michaelinspain@hotmail.com RATTAN (PVC) GLASS TOP PATIO TABLE and 6 chairs. Large oblong table. Comfortably sits 6 people. As new, 550€ 659-749-251 AMERICAN STYLE 2 DOOR, FRIDGE FREEZER Samsung, White, as new, still under guarantee. Cost 1100€ accept 500€. - 659-749-251 SOLID PINE DINING SUITE. Large 250cm x 100cm table, 6 hand Carved chairs and two matching Carvers.All in perfect condition.650euros or sensible offers.Can deliver.965-771592609-370-594(Javea) 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 DRUMS FOR SALE ROLAND TD3 VDrums Electric. Gretsch Calatalina Elite USA live. Quick Sale. Bargain. Contact 634-040-909 WHEELCHAIR Light, Foldable, Hardly used. 150€. Mobility Scooter 40km range 499€. Both like new! Tlf:-627-019-403 2 X MATCHING SOFA TABLES Circular, Diameter 60cm, Height 55cm, 3 legged pedestal base, Light oak finish. VCG. Altea area, Buyer collects. 50€ the pair. 691-202-307 POOL TABLE FOR SALE. BRAND NEW Never Used. Bought new for 1500€, will accept 750€. Tel:-637-583-373

Excellent financial rewards for the right individuals. Please send your CV to: sales001@europe.com

or contact 674 617 787

AT MICHAEL’S Very high quality Chesterfield leather 4-piece suite, large 3-seater+2seater+armchair+foot stool. See photos: www.michaels-javea. com Tel 96-579-1328

AT MICHAEL’S Free quick delivery every day in our area! We also arrange long-distance deliveries. Choose from over 600 photos on: www.michaels-javea. comTel 96-579 1328 AT MICHAEL’S several different chest of drawers, pine, wicker etc. Mahogany corner cabinets. Designer furniture half price! New beds - quick delivery. www.michaels-javea.com AT MICHAEL’S you can get part exchange on certain beds when you buy a New bed from our New Bed shop in the Arenal. See photos (updates every 5-6 days): www.michaels-javea.com MICHAEL’S 28 YEARS IN JAVEA ENSURES YOUR SATISFACTION! We sell high quality pre owned furniture, many from show apartments etc. Look at: www.michaels-javea. com Tel 96-579-1328

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

BALLROOM/LATIN/ SEQUENCE DANCING with LA BAMBA’s. Los Arcos Restaurant, Avenida Baleares, Torrevieja, New Beginners class Monday 10.30am-12.30pm. SOCIAL DANCE Saturday 7.30pm-10pm. Tuesday Improvers Lesson 7.30pm-8.30pm plus SOCIAL DANCE 8.30pm-10.30pm. New Venue: The Wok Royal, Benijofer (966-714-820) New Beginners Class: Monday, 7.30pm-8.30pm, Argentine Tango Class 8.30pm9pm plus SOCIAL DANCE: 8.30pm-10.30pm. Bienvenido Chinese restaurant, at La Zenia roundabout.New Beginners Class: Wednesday 7.30pm9.30pm. Tel: Andrea and Brian 616-478-157 WEIGHT WATCHERS Call our Free English call centre now to find your nearest meeting. 900-818-794

LABELS N TABLES Everything Must Go Clearance - Next Pictures were €22 now €3 HOUSE CLEARANCE 3+2 seater couch, wardrobe, air con units,table & 4chairs, Lounge unit, satelite 2.4 dish+dark box,kitchen appliences gas & electric plus lots more. Tlf:-688611-466 ORIGINAL FINNISH FOOD SMOKER BAG 4 bags including shipping cost 8,00E (only Spain). Information:-660-467570 michaelinspain@hotmail.com. BEV´S CAKES For all occasions, made to your specification. Alfaz/Benidorm areas. Call for more info 670533-488 KARAOKE MEDIA PLAYER “Brand New” 500GB. 70,000songs, software, songbooks, bar/home use. 275euros Tlf:-657-766-341 POOL, SNOOKER TABLES Also Table Tennis and Darts. Will beat any price!. Tlf:-666-933726. www.spainpool.com

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SPECIAL OFFER Los Altos, Detached Villa, 220 square metre plot, only 104,000€ 669-283-973 VILLAMARTIN AREA Middle Town House, 2/3 Bedrooms, Bathroom, Seperate Toilet, Garage, F/F, Fitted Kitchen, 84.000€. Tlf:-669-283-973 MOBILE/PARK HOMES On Camping Pueblo in San Javier from 15,000e Carol 968-192425 mob 626-055-622 www. mobilehomesmarmenorspain. com VILLA, 4BED, 3 BATH, 1300M2 10m pool, Busot. Reduced from 380k last year to 270,000€. 696655-028/UK:-07540-932-133. 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. 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

BARGAIN PROPERTY GATA RESIDENTIAL Fantastic bargain at only 127.000 euros, almost new 3 storey semidetached townhouse in Gata Residential,3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, dressing room, storeroom, washroom, private garden, terraces, open fire, community swimming pool, aircon, fully fitted kitchen. For viewings call 682-525-877

1 BED PART FURNISHED BUNGALOWS on Camping Pueblo in San Javier. With lots of ameneties Carol tel 968-192425 mob. 626-055-662 Www. mobilehomesmarmenorspain. com ORBETA New 180M2, 3 Bedroom, 2 bathroom,Town House with garage and courtyard with plunge pool. Phone:965-730-774 APARTMENT FOR RENT 3 bedroom, clean spacious apartment in Pedreguer town, close to all amenities. 2 bathrooms, lounge, kitchen, aircon and lift. Available now €450 per month bills included. Call 638-207-343 1ST FLOOR APARTMENT ALTEA LA VELLA In a 3apartment country house, halfway between Altea/Altea la Vella. Refurbished, Fully Furnished. A/C and C/H, 2 bedrooms, bathroom, large lounge, Kitchen/Diner. 40M2 Sun Terrace with Bar-b-que. Very large Garden, Private Pool. Transport essential. No Pets or Children. 495€ per month plus bills. Available March 2011. Tlf:966-881-058/691-202-307

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

G.S.M. HOME SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM Easy to install. Rings up to 6 mobile telephones if activated. No monthly bills, No landline neede. From Only 195€ For more information see alarmafone.com or telephone 660-402-502 or 6755-878-601

QUALIFIED TRANSLATOR Bi-Lingual Spanish-English, High Level French and German. Confidential and Reliable Service. Competative Rates. Torrevieja Area. Call Virginia on 629-201-192. TRANSLATOR Spanish and English speaking. Available for medical visits etc. Benidorm and surrounding areas. Tel Dawn: 626-337-258. Steve:-660-186-505/Ros:-965MATHS TUTOR We would like a maths tutor for our 12 year old son, who attends British School of Alicante. Our home is situated just west of Elche. Initially a few hours each Saturday morning. Tlf:-0044-2087-953-371 or email:-liam@pyramidbuildersltd. co.uk 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. 965-350-516/616660-687

ALL SATELLITE SYSTEMS Installed, Maintained and Repaired. 10 years experience with Satellites in Spain. All areas covered. Tlf:-Hugh-690-275-223 CRYSTAL CLEAR SATELLITE AND INTERNET TV for all your digital and TV requirements. No Annual Fees on Sky Cards.

584-097. www.ccsattv.com info@ccsattv.com SKYSUPPLIES Sky+/Humax HD/SD Digibox`s, White cards, LNB`s. Faults/realignments. Advice. 966-194-013/ 600-899-096. LNB SATELLITES The No 1 Satellite Company covering all the Costa Blanca since 2000. Telephone 965-873-726 or 669686-587 or see our advert on Page 2 every week.

GOLD WANTED!! English Jeweller, will buy for cash, broken or unwanted gold jewellery and coins. Tlf:Peter664-890-990 TURN YOUR UNWANTED FURNITURE Electrical, Household Goods and Brica-brac into Cash. Anything! Anywhere!965-319-220/618165-877 RECORDS AND CD´S WANTED Top cash paid. Pop, Rock, Blues. Tlf:-630-665-363

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 teulada Millie Munro Insurance, Avenida Lepanto, 6, 03726, Benitachell, Alicante. Millie 966 493 082 • millie@milliemunro.com EasyBuy, Avenida del Portet 24, Moraira. 03724 Alicante 965 745 969 Quicksave, Partida Murtar 2/2, Pedreguer, Alicante. Andrew Thomas 966 456 157 • beverleyethomas@yahoo.co.uk ICUK Foods sl, C/Gulliem de Casto, 8 Bajo, Oliva 46780, Valencia 962 839 830 • icukfoodssl@hotmail.com

benitachell moraira pedreguer

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

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

04-10 MARCH 2011

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

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See demonstration on LA MARINA Sunday Market

04-10 MARCH 2011

‘RTN Golf Club Golf course review: Vistabella’ THIS BEAUTIFUL golf course was opened to the public in September 2009 by course designer and former Ryder Cup player Manuel Pinero. Since the opening, Vistabella has become a firm favourite with both residents and tourists, offering exceedingly good value for money, wonderful views over the mountains and a challenge for all standards of golfer. The course is set in beautiful and natural surroundings close to the towns of Montesinos and Jacarilla.

LOCATION AND CONTACT DETAILS The Vistabella golf course is located only 12km from the beaches of Torrevieja and only 3km from exit 751 (Montesinos) of the AP7 motorway and therefore has excellent links to both Alicante and Murcia airports. Telephone: 966 107 846 or e-mail:bookings@vistabellagolf.com

PRICES Public Green Fee (18 Holes) = €48* (High Season) and €36*(Low Season). Public Green Fee (9 Holes) = €32* (High Season) and €22* (Low Season). Buggy Price = €25*, Pull Trolley Price = €5, Practise Balls (25) = €1 Hire Clubs (18 Holes) = €20 and Golf Tuition from €20 (1/2 Hour). Special golf society prices will be applicable for groups of more than 12 players*. *Discounted Green Fee rates are available for RTN Golf Club members by calling 966 704 752 or 661 345 931 or e-mail rtngolfsouth@gmail.com Annual memberships are available for non urbanisation residents for only €1,550 for individuals and €2,550 for two persons from the same family per annum and which includes the daily fee. Finance options are also available. COURSE SCORECARD

DIRECTIONS Travelling from Torrevieja, take the CV905 in the direction of Crevillente and follow signs for Montesinos. Pass through the town of Montesinos and follow signs for Orihuela and Bigastro and you will pass over the AP7 motorway .Continue on this road for a few kilometres and you will see the Entre Naranjos urbanisation to your right. Simply follow the road directly up the hill and through the urbanisation. Travelling North or South on the AP7 exit at junction 751 and follow the directions above for the last 3km.

CLUBHOUSE AND COURSE FACILITIES AND SERVICES At present the clubhouse comprises of two modern ‘mobile’ type buildings incorporating the golf shop, toilets, showers, changing rooms and restaurant facilities complete with an outer terrace area with stunning views across the mountains. The golf shop is well stocked and you will be greeted by the welcoming and efficient staff working under the direction of Pablo Riestra the Course Manager. The restaurant offers a variety of menu options from snacks to three course meals and provides evening entertainment on a regular basis. The practise facilities include a golf academy including expert tuition and video swing analysis on the driving range which has 24 covered bays, located close to the clubhouse and the new chipping and putting green. The facility now also incorporates paddle courts with prices from as little as €8 per pista and has an eight lane bowling green, installed by Dale Sports using Master green carpet to international standards and the availability of both of these diverse sports create a country club atmosphere.

COURSE REVIEW The course currently consists of 11 holes but has a par of 73 measuring 6,193 metres off the white tees and 5,844 metres off the visitors yellow tees. Plans have been finalised to start construction on the remaining 7 holes which should be complete in approximately 18 months. The course designer has made a wonderful job of this course, making the most of the natural terrain while introducing the minimum of water hazards and strategically wellpositioned bunkers and waste areas The course is beautiful on the eye with subtle dog legs and changes in elevation and with large, undulating greens that will put the utmost strain on the putter if you leave the ball on the wrong part of the green. From the yellow tees, the par 5 holes are in excess of 480 metres (530 yards) and the par 3 holes are around 160 metres (176 yards) but the par 4 holes are all of modest length and good birdie opportunities if you can find the right level of the green with your approach shots. Good course strategy is the key to playing this course well and if you want to score well, you must avoid the numerous and well positioned bunkers off the tee and avoid hitting approach shots past the pins.

04-10 MARCH 2011

The final whistle With Andy Kay

RTN Golf Club update

Pot and Kettle Dennis Jordan NORTH REGION

Mike Probert SOUTH REGION David Luiz Should David Luiz have been sent off in the recent encounter between Chelsea and Manchester United? Absolutely. No doubt about it. The Brazilian had already been booked when he brought down Wayne Rooney off the ball and the United management team of Sir Alex Ferguson and Mike Phelan were quick to question the referee’s call after the match. But, let’s just rewind a few days and remember the game between Wigan and United. In the early stages at the DW Stadium, Wayne Rooney clearly elbowed James McCarthy on the side of the head and was incredibly lucky to stay on the pitch. Indeed, all referee Mark Clattenburg did was to award the home side a free kick. Rooney wasn’t even booked. Fergie and Phelan tried to play down the incident at the final whistle and Phelan even said that ‘we have to respect the referee’s decision’. What he meant of course is, when things go our way we’ll agree with the officials but when they go against us, we will, as usual, fly off the handle and blame them for us losing the game. If Rooney had been dismissed in the Wigan match he wouldn’t have even been playing at Stamford Bridge and therefore, wouldn’t have been fouled by Luiz so you could be forgiven for thinking that as far as Phelan and Ferguson are concerned, irony is what they used to make bridges out of in Victorian times.

Lee Stent

MURCIA

REGION

WE HAVE lots of societies and returning annual holiday golfers playing here on the Costa Blanca now through till the end of June. This region does have a good continuity with golfers as they have the added bonus of the great courses and the nightlife of Benidorm. If you would like to stay in an all-inclusive Hotel or Half Board and pre- booked tee times with or without return transport to the courses you can contact us at benidormgolf@hotmail.com. Tip of the week to keep head and body still... A lot of golfers new to the game often say that their weak point is off the tee, where they don’t seem to strike the ball well and know it’s because the head has come up or your body has jerked just as you make contact. Other than keep practising or concentrate more, this can be the classic case of ‘looking for the ball before you have struck it’. One way to prevent yourself from doing this is to keep focusing on where the ball was on the tee for a fraction of a second longer and allow the right shoulder as it comes through to automatically collect your head to turn and look up.

LAST WEEK we waved bye-bye to the winter low season deals and we are now racing headlong into the high season period when green fee prices are at their highest. Here are still some ‘spring’ deals and ‘twilight’ deals available but obviously the number of lower priced deals available has reduced significantly. There is still some glimmer of hope for golfers ‘watching the pennies’ as a number of courses have jumped on the twilight golf gravy train, the latest of the courses to follow this option being La Finca and Las Ramblas. If you have no time pressures to be back at home to take ‘er indoors’ out for a romantic 5€ Chinese menu of the day then this golf is ideal for you. You can see the current deals available to RTN Golf Club members in the price table.

A QUICK note to mention this week and something the sharper eyed amongst you will have spotted is the deliberate mistake from last week´s edition! We are MurciaGolf.Co and not ‘.com’ and I am in fact Lee Stent covering the Murcia Region and not a double of Dennis Jordan from the North!. Other than these minor changes there are no real price changes to report. We have removed Sensol from our offers as we have received reports that the greens are currently suffering quite badly. We hope to bring you an update on this course as soon as possible.

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

€40

Single Green Fee

Villaitana Par 62

€39

Single Green fee + Buggy

Villaitana Par 72

€45

Single Green fee

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

SOUTH Region Golf Course

RTN Price

Comments

Altorreal

€55

2 Players and 1 Buggy (Fridays)

La Finca

€42

Twilight Golf from 3.00pm

La Serena

€76

2 Players and 1 Buggy

Las Ramblas

€33

Twilight Golf from 3.00pm

Roda

€100

2 Players and 1 Buggy

VistaBella

€86

2 Players and 1 Buggies (Weekend) 2 Players and 1 Buggy (From 3.00pm)

€56

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

MURCIA Region Golf Course

RTN Price

Comments

La Envia

€41

Single Green fee

Valle del Este

€90

2 Green fees and Buggy

Aguilón

€40

Single Green fee

Alborán

€48

Single Green fee

Cortijo Grande

€30

Single Green Fee

Almerimar

€60

Single Green Fee

Desert Springs

€65

Single Green fee

For more information email Lee Stent: Murcia Golf on murciagolf@roundtownnews.com or 671 748 625.

Paddy Power Heard the one about the Irish cricketer who scored a 50 ball century against England at the cricket world cup? Oh, you have....bugger! Cool Hand Luke Golfer Luke Donald is a huge talent but always seems to get a bad press. It’s argued that he doesn’t hit the ball long enough to compete in the modern game and that, compared to the likes of Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter, he’s a bit of a plodder. So it must have been a very sweet moment when Donald beat new world number one Martin Kaymer 3 & 2 to take the Accenture Matchplay Championship. Donald recorded an astonishing 32 birdies in 89 holes and as for the length of his hitting from the tee; he will have been chuffed to have won on the longest course the pro’s have played on all year. As for the bigger picture, it should be noted that the 2011 final was the second all-European final in succession, following on from Ian Poulter’s win in 2010 over Paul Casey and that it is European players that now occupy the top for places in the world rankings with Kaymer followed by Lee Westwood, Donald and Graeme McDowell. The US PGA tour might have all the money but the power base is shifting to this side of the Atlantic.

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

04-10 MARCH 2011

Behave yourself or stop playing Fishing Maggots End Noel’s world of golf By Noel Eastwell Teaching Professional Campo de Golf El Plantio 639 730 891

IN RECENT weeks I have begun to see a little common sense enter our golfing world here in Spain. No doubt that course owners have had their arms twisted due to financial pressures from Northern Europe in particular. Although the home economy is not doing too well either, even native Spaniards are now telling the courses their prices are too high. Look at last weekend’s football crowds in Spain - they were poor compared to the past. Now we all know how the Spaniards love their football but they will not turn out to support their teams if they cannot afford it. Those who play golf for recreation will behave the same way; they will not turn out if they have to choose between food on the table and a game of golf. This ‘High Season’ has been the best I can remember for local golfers. Many of our golf courses have extended their special reduced prices until the end of March; unheard of in the past as they sought to make the most of the demand. Now they may have just realised they killed the ‘Golden Goose’ that kept them in the luxury that the boom of the last ten years produced. Visitor numbers are down and the local tourist authorities are not doing enough to attract holidaymakers back to The Costas. There has never been a better time to attract visitors to Spain than now. There is so much unrest in the newly emerging golfing nations that nobody in their right mind would take a holiday there at the moment. What are our tourist authorities doing about it? A big fat nothing... Once again, Spain’s entrepreneurs sit and wait for things to happen instead of taking the lead. Most of us know that this country only really became prosperous because of tourism. Golf tourism was a large part of the country’s income. Due to greed over the last ten years they have lost a lot of that to countries offering better value for money. Now is the time to offer value for money to

holidaymakers and boost the economy: it is not the time to sit on your backside doing nothing if you are in business. Have you seen any advertisements for golf holidays in our part of Spain? I haven’t. So just why are the course owners not exerting pressure on those organisations that they pay money to and get them to advertise quality golf at prices people can afford. If the golf is affordable there is no reason why people won’t come - the flights and car hire are cheap enough.

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 4TH MARCH 2011: IN WHAT COUNTRY WILL GOLF RETURN AS AN OLYMPIC SPORT? A. Japan B. England C. Brazil All answers must be received no later than 17.00 on 31st March 2011 to be entered into March’s draw, to be made on 31st March. The winner will be announced in RTN on 8th April 2011. February’s Winner: Bob Turner – El Chapperal 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

Last league game for La Vila before the King’s Cup THIS SUNDAY Spanish national rugby champions La Vila travel to Ordizia to play the final match of the 2010-2011 Division of Honour League. Ordizia also had title hopes until they lost away to Valladolid team VRAC and La Vila beat other Valladolid team and current champs El Salvador at the Villajoyosa stadium to win their historic first national title. A win would see La Vila stand at least 10 points clear at the top of the table. This past week has been a busy one for the La Vila team and dignitaries; they have travelled the length of the Valcencia region receiving congratulations and awards. They received an award from the Alicante president, the gold medal for sporting excellence from Villajoyosa mayor Jaime Lloret and congratulations from president of the generalitat, Francisco Camps. The national league win is the first time an Alicante regional team has taken a national title since 1977, and it is the first time the gold medal for sporting excellence has been awarded in Villajoyosa since 1988. The King’s Cup knock out competition starts on 20thFebruary with La Vila playing their first game away from home. Their opponent will be decided after this coming weekend’s B division games.

Ten men Cartagena struggle in Andalucia Cordoba CF 2 - FC Cartagena 0

TWO GOALS, 3 minutes from start and finish of this div 2a match, settled this seemingly uneven contest, giving Cordoba a double over their opponents. ‘Twas bad enough to start a game inside El Arcangel Stadium without injured top scorers Toche (11 goals) and Victor (9), but to then have defender Clavero sent off for 2 yellow cards on 17 minutes was just rubbing salt in an already deep wound. By the time Clavero had received his marching orders, the home side had already taken a lead through De Coz after only 3 minutes. Toni Moral was unlucky not to equalise on 38 minutes, but his shot was well saved. Los Albinegros weathered the storm until the 87th minute, when following a terrible defensive mix up between Pablo Ruiz and Cygan, Charles made no mistake as he calmly shot past Casilla, to finally put the game to bed. FC CARTAGENA LINE-UP Casilla, Herrero (Lafuente), Cygan, Ruiz, Clavero, Botelho Mariano (Longas) Munoz (Rodri), Moral, Jose, Goiria FORTHCOMING FIXTURES This defeat sees Cartagena drop to 7th place but they don’t have to wait long for a chance to rectify the situation. On Tuesday 1st March, KO 20.00, they host Canary Island side Tenerife at Cartagonova Stadium. Then on Saturday 5th March, KO 18.00, it’s a trip up the coast to Catalonia for a match against Nastic Tarragona (this game will be shown live on 7RM TV). For regular updates on FC Cartagena, visit www.nosoloefese.es or www.futbolclubcartagena.com

David Hoare

968 199 279 For further details ring Alan Roscoe 968 570 876 or email: anglerstogether@gonuts4free.com THIS WEEK’S match was the second in the RTN Challenge Cup, a team match of 4 matches. The weather on match day was probably the best we have had this year. However, the fishing again did not live up to the climate. Several anglers had fished the venue on Sunday and Monday with little to no success. So the aspirations on match day were not high; this turned out to be right as there were seven dry nets. The venue was the Rio Segura, Eden canal stretch. It had all its bankside vegetation cut down, as can be seen in the picture below; very strange now, as you can see anglers right up the bank. TOP ANGLERS ON THE DAY 1st Stan (The man) Roberts fishing the pole using pellet with 9.46 kg. 2nd Dave (The Sweetie man) Hutchinson fishing the pole using bread with 3.72 kg. 3rd Dave (Yours Truly) Hoare fishing the pole using bread with 3.28 kg WEIGHTS ON THE DAY Rods and Reels with 18.80 kg Abbey Anglers with 16.58 kg ACCUMULATIVE WEIGHTS Rods and Reels with 51.02 kg Abbey Anglers with 57.33 kg PLEASE NOTE There is a vacancy within the club if anyone is interested in joining - please contact Sue Swann on 966 729 293. ABBEY ANGLING RESULTS supplied by Terry Screen The Abbey Angling Cup 5th Round Match on 22nd February was fished on the 8ft Drain. When we arrived at 07.30 to peg the match the water was running off hard. This continued for 1.5 hours and then started to fill up and the level began to rise to its normal level until 13.00 when they started pumping again, making most pegs impossible to fish. There were no dry nets and

everyone managed to catch a few fish: Bob Rafferty landed a carp of 3.300kg - his only fish of the day. THE WINNERS ON THE DAY WERE 1st John (Silverback) Marsh with 8.600kg on the pole and lead 2nd Ian (The dark side) Houghton with 5.120kg 3rd Stan (The Man) Roberts with 3.600kg both fishing maggot and corn I have heard reports this week of large fish dead in Zoco Lake we can only presume this has been caused by pollution entering the Lake? All match details are available from the Match Secretary Terry Screen on 965 328 368. Anglers Together 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 11th March at 12.00. There is a new venue for the Puerto de Mazarron meeting starting in January 2011. On Saturday 12th March 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.

Javea Bulls Rugby Club news

JUNIOR RUGBY continues to flourish at Javea Bulls Rugby Club. We are now trying to get some proper matches for our Mini-Bulls, as they have improved so much since the beginning of the season. Training continues every Sunday at 10:00, at the rugby pitch located behind the football club. For further information about Javea Bulls Rugby Club, please visit our Facebook site: Javea Bulls Rugby Club, in the groups section.